All posts by nedhamson

Activist, writer, researcher, addicted to sharing information and facts.

After dam removals, salmon still remember how to reach Klamath tributaries – Darcy Hitchcock

On October 16th, a fall-run Chinook salmon was identified by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) in a tributary to the Klamath River above the now-demolished J.C. Boyle Dam, becoming the first fish to return to the Klamath Basin in Oregon since 1912 when the first of four hydroelectric dams was constructed, blocking migration.

The salmon and others likely traveled about 230 miles from the Pacific Ocean to reach the tributary, even though all four dams were removed just two months ago.

Source: After dam removals, salmon still remember how to reach Klamath tributaries – Darcy Hitchcock

Let’s Talk About The Positive For A Change | Filosofa’s Word

Thus far, most of us have focused on the bad, the evil that would result if Donald Trump, J.D. Vance, and their Project 2025 were elected next week, but what we haven’t been doing is focusing enough on the positive that Kamala Harris and Tim Walz bring to the table.  Early on, I mentioned the positive energy, positive vibes we all sensed from Kamala & Tim, and that has immense value.  But while that spirit is important, it takes more than that, and  Vice President Harris has some policy plans as well that have value for the people of this country, or as she says, for ALL the people, not only the wealthy, the white, or the privileged.  Turns out, Kamala even has a ‘to-do’ list:

So, let’s look at a few ‘issues’.

Issues … there are many issues on the block in this year’s election, many crucial ones, but when asked what their main issue is, voters overwhelmingly say “the economy.”  I don’t know if it’s because they’re conditioned to believe that the economy is the single most important factor, or if they are truly so self-focused that the price of a dozen eggs today matters more to them than the future of the planet, the future of humanity ten years from now.  Either way, it’s time to talk a little bit about that “economy” that half the nation is whining about.

First, the economy isn’t all that bad.  Under President Biden, it has more than rebounded from the damage done four years ago by Donald Trump and Covid.  In April 2020, the unemployment rate dramatically increased to 14.8%, largely due to Covid and Trump’s mishandling of both the economy and the pandemic.  Today, the unemployment rate is 4.1%.  It is true that prices, while coming down somewhat, remain higher than they should be, but … don’t blame President Biden for that!  Put the blame where it belongs, on the wealthy, greedy corporations and the Congress & Supreme Court who have  made it easy for them to gouge the U.S. consumer.

Today, the average price of gasoline is $3.12 per gallon.  In the 2nd quarter of 2024, Exxon-Mobile realized net profit of $9.24 billion.  Shell Oil had a $3.52 billion net profit for the same period.  And yet … and yet they do not pay their workers any more than they did a year or … well, for that matter, they do not pay their workers any more than they did in the second half of 2009, the last time the federal minimum wage rate was increased!  15 years, and the minimum wage rate is still $7.25 per hour!!!  Meanwhile, these greedy assholes are raking in billions of dollars, living in high luxury, not even noticing the poor toothless woman on the street begging for a few dollars to buy a damned sandwich!

An interesting calculation:  It would take a worker earning $7.25,  137,931,034 hours of work at minimum wage to earn $1 billion.  The average lifespan of a human is 77.5 years, which converts to only 678,900 hours.  So it would take the average person, working 24 hours per day from birth til death203 lifetimes to earn a billion dollars!!!  Think about that one!  As of September 2024, there are 801 billionaires in the United States, with a combined wealth of $6.22 trillion.  Meanwhile, 36.8 million people in the U.S. live below the poverty line, fully 11.1% of the entire population.  If the combined wealth of those 801 billionaires was distributed equally among the 36.8 million living below the poverty line, each of those poor people would have $168,478 to their name — enough to buy a modest home and send their kids to college.  Kind of puts it in perspective, doesn’t it?

This wealth inequality is part of what President Biden has tried to address, but without the cooperation of Congress, his hands have been partly tied, and it is what a President Kamala Harris fully intends to address.  No, nobody is suggesting that the billionaires should give up all their wealth, but they pay a lower percentage of taxes than most middle income earners and THAT is a situation that needs to change.  And corporate price gouging of the sort that is keeping prices high while the likes of Elon Musk laugh all the way to the bank is unconscionable and Vice President Harris also has plans to begin bringing an end to that.

Much of what happens with the economy is beyond the control of the president alone, but relies on Congress to start the ball rolling.  Congress has been skirting and deadheading issues such as raising the minimum wage rate and gun regulation for over a decade now and unless we vote the scum like Margie Greene, Mike Johnson, Ted Cruz, Rick Scott and others OUT of Congress, they will continue to play games with our lives in order to pander to their wealty friends, for those wealthy friends are padding their pockets as well.  To the extent that these issues can be jump-started by the president, Kamala Harris plans to do so.  She has plans to make it easier for families to buy their first home, to raise the minimum wage rates, and to increase taxes on the wealthy, while keeping them at or below current levels for those earning less than $400,000 per year.

And while some people have point-blank told me they don’t care about our international relationships, they are fools.  This is, like it or not, the world of globalism and what happens here affects every other part of the world in one way or another.  Our continuing support for Ukraine is critical!  I cannot stress it enough.  We made a promise, a commitment, and to let our ally down at this critical juncture would be a disaster … and it would likely be the beginning of a new Soviet Union-style Russian takeover with Belarus and Poland likely next on Putin’s list.  Kamala Harris has vowed to support Ukraine “for as long as it takes”.

Nothing will happen overnight, and very little can be accomplished without some bipartisanship in Congress, so it’s important that we send people who actually care about the average Joe in this country to Congress rather than those who are eyeing their own ticket to wealth.  The thing I like most about MVP Harris is that she has the best interests of ALL the people in the nation at heart, that she plans to implement policies that address the most important issues of the day, including the environment, education, wealth inequality, and I fully believe she will do her best to bring this nation together, whereas her opponent is doing everything in his power to further divide us.  The difference is as day is to night, as light is to dark.  I vote for day and light, and that is what Kamala Harris intends to bring.

The Last Lesson – Kaushal Kishore

 

During the festive season, memories of Dussehra and Diwali linger, reminding us of Lord Rama’s triumph over the demon king Ravana. But amidst the celebrations, a lesser-known story holds a profound message.

When Ravana lay on the battlefield, wounded by Lord Rama’s fatal arrow and nearing his final moments, Rama’s camp erupted in celebration. However, Rama, recognising Ravana’s immense wisdom, asked his brother Lakshmana to approach the dying king and learn from him.

Lakshmana, perplexed by Rama’s advice, approached Ravana hesitantly. “Lord Rama has sent me to learn from you, before you die,” he said. However, his tone came across as arrogant, and Ravana turned away, refusing to speak.

Returning to Rama, Lakshmana reported Ravana’s refusal to speak. Rama asked, “Where did you stand?” Lakshmana replied, “By his head, so I could hear his words clearly.” 

Understanding the cause of Ravana’s silence, Rama approached the dying king himself. He stood respectfully near Ravana’s feet, hands folded in humility.    “You are the most knowledgeable person on this earth, but I had to kill you, because you committed a big blunder that you abducted my wife  and felt no remorse. Now I seek your wisdom. Please share your final teachings with the world.”

Moved by Rama’s humility, Ravana admitted, “I am pleased that you have instilled the values of culture and discipline in your younger brother, showing him that true knowledge is sought with humility at the feet of the Guru, not at the head. 

“Now, addressing your point: despite my superior wealth, strength, and knowledge, I was defeated, and you emerged victorious because my own brother, Vibhishana, sided with you, while your brother stood by you. No war can be won without the support of one’s own people.”

This poignant encounter highlights the importance of humility, loyalty, and unity. Ravana’s parting words underscored the crucial role Vibhishana played in revealing his vulnerable spot (navel area). So Rama shot Ravana in the navel with his powerful arrow, ultimately leading to downfall of the invincible Ravana.

This story serves as a reminder that true strength lies not in wealth or power but in the bonds of relationships and the humility to seek wisdom wherever it may be found.

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–Kaushal Kishore  

Source: The Last Lesson – Kaushal Kishore

♫ One More Try ♫ | Filosofa’s Word

Michael says that it’s a very personal song, and one that is very close to his heart. He said it’s “about my attitude coming out of my last relationship and into this new one when I was pretty unwilling to be open to anything.”

Elton John said on his Beats 1 radio show, Rocket Hour, “I don’t get jealous of many songs, but I’m jealous of this song. I’d love to have written this.”

One More Try
George Michael

Source: ♫ One More Try ♫ | Filosofa’s Word