Playing cards made history

Pacific Paratrooper

Playing cards to pass the time

War can be hell… and war can be absolute boredom.  There are few better ways to pass the time than by playing cards.  They’re easy to carry: small and lightweight, they fit into a rucksack, duffel bag or Alice pack without having to sacrifice any piece of essential gear.

Plus – they’re cheap!

Wartime decks have been used to help soldiers in the field learn about their enemies and allies, to identify aircraft and even teach American history.  In the 2003 invasion of Iraq, American forces used playing cards to identify the most wanted members of Saddam Hussein’s regime.

The U.S. Army and the United States Playing Card Company cooperation goes way back.  But it was their brand Bicycle that took it to a whole new level.

During WWII, Allied Intelligence officers contacted the card company to produce the most clandestine deck of cards…

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JET says major roadworks in Portland, Jamaica being undertaken with no public consultation and no environmental impact assessment

Petchary's Blog

It is not only the famous beauty spot that is San San and the surroundings of Blue Lagoon, in Eastern Portland, that have been affected by the South Coast Highway Improvement Project. The Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) has been doing some research and found that there was no community consultation on large stretches of the highway; nor were relevant documents disclosed to the public. Why the lack of transparency and consultation? Here are JET’s comments:

‘Major roadworks in Portland being undertaken without public consultation and an environment impact assessment’

The Jamaica Environment Trust (JET) is concerned that major roadwork in Portland was approved by the National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) without the conduct of a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and consultation with the public. Concerned stakeholders have expressed their concerns to their Member of Parliament but have received no response.

The top of a hillside cut away due…

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World cycling body aids in evacuation of 165 Afghans fleeing Taliban – UPI.com

Cycling’s world governing body revealed Monday it coordinated the evacuation of 165 refugees out of Afghanistan following the country’s takeover by the Taliban.

The Union Cycliste International, based in Switzerland, said 125 of them fled as part of a “vast operation” it carried out along with several partners in which female cyclists, artists, a judge, a number of journalists and human rights campaigners were successfully taken out of the country.

The group said the effort was launched when some Afghans, particularly women, voiced fears for their lives and safety as the Taliban took power and appealed to the world cycling community and the Olympic movement for help.

They reached Europe via Albania, UCI officials said. Thirty-eight of the refugees are being settled in Switzerland with the others going to Canada, France, Israel and the United States.

Source: World cycling body aids in evacuation of 165 Afghans fleeing Taliban – UPI.com

Alaska snow crab harvest slashed by nearly 90% after population crash in a warming Bering Sea | The Seattle Times

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game set the 2022 snow crab harvest at the lowest level in more than 40 years, a move to protect populations that appear to have crashed during a period of higher temperatures in the Bering Sea. The snow crab is a mainstay of the Alaska crab boat fleet — much of it based in Washington — and the 2021-22 catch limit of 5.6 million pounds, announced Friday, is down 88% from the previous season. The 2021 fall harvest of Bristol Bay red king crab, another important source of revenue for that fleet, was canceled for this year because of too few females. The combined impacts of the closure and snow crab cutbacks are a big financial hit to crabbers who in past years have grossed more than $200 million from the two harvests. At a meeting of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council this week, crabbers called for additional restrictions in other harvests. “I implore you to do whatever is necessary to keep the crab fisheries sustainable,” said Jenny Gore Dwyer, whose family owns three North Pacific crab boats, in Wednesday testimony before the council. “First and foremost we are a business based on fishing crabs in the Bering Sea … But for us, it’s not

Source: Alaska snow crab harvest slashed by nearly 90% after population crash in a warming Bering Sea | The Seattle Times

22 Inspirational Quotes On Change & Coping With Change – Invisibly Me

Change happens whether we want it to or not. Coping with change isn’t always easy as it shakes our equilibrium, drags us from comfort zones and can leave us feeling unprepared in the face of the unknown. We could be talking about small changes in your day to day, or the bigger changes and uncertainties in life, from moving home, social unrest and unaffordable price hikes, to job loss, bereavement or chronic illness changing the landscape of your world. These quotes on change are to highlight the nature of change and our responses to it.

Source: 22 Inspirational Quotes On Change & Coping With Change – Invisibly Me

Indigenous Peoples’ Day

LANDBACK Friends

Because of the upsurge in COVID cases in Iowa, my friends at the Great Plains Action Society decided not to hold a public gathering this Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Instead, they participated in a guerrilla street art action to push back at the recognition of Columbus Day in Iowa and the nation.

Celebrate Indigenous People’s Day by Abolishing Columbus Day

To celebrate Indigenous People’s Day, we participated in a guerrilla street art action to push back at the recognition of Columbus Day in Iowa and the nation. The art is inspired by the Overpass Light Brigade and utilizes LED lights to spell out movement messaging tackling various issues. The art build and action was led by Qırımlı Frontlines Organizer, Mahmud Fitil. Ronnie James provided on-the-ground support, gathering together an amazing crew of local radicals to help hold the art. The photos were taken by Karla Conrad, a movement photographer well known…

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