Brrr, it’s unseasonably cold for November. What’s happened to global warming? I’m someone called friolenta in Spanish, that is, especially sensitive to cold. I prefer summer heat. This weather reminds me of when my friends and I were standing packed like sardines at Obama’s first inauguration, which afforded us a little warmth. That was in January and this is only November. If there had been a crush at the inauguration like the recent one Seoul, we would have all been trampled.
Our area has gone through several transformations to have become a very desirable neighborhood. Without a car now for more than 20 years, I appreciate that food stores, restaurants, banks, and the post office are all within walking distance. Eastern Market metro station opened 6 years after we came, a great convenience when I was traveling to Spanish interpretation assignments after my Peace Corps service. Brent, a public elementary school that my kids had attended, now has a waiting list.
It’s a something of a chicken and egg problem for planners to decide when and where to locate new stores, housing, and other amenities to lure residents or when the number of residents is sufficient to sustain those amenities. I’m glad to have seen our area go through so many transformations. Now in the digital age, change seems to be speeding up.
At my age and after more than half a century of having a home still in this neighborhood, I’ve seen and participated in many transformations, both personal and more far reaching. More than 20 years ago, I was away for more than 3 ½ years with the Peace Corps in Honduras, but otherwise have been living in my home continually.
Before Peace Corps, I had a serious suitor who wanted us to marry, but I wasn’t anxious to try that again. I felt I'd given marriage my all for 24 years with a husband who was blind. My suitor actually died before I went into the Peace Corps. Since my son and foster son had also died not long before, I scarcely had any more emotion left to grieve.
Now I’m still living on Capitol Hill, which has become a very trendy and desirable neighborhood. People often come by now asking to buy my house, which is not for sale, and letters arrive offering “all cash.” Then where am I supposed to live? I’d rather stay living here as long as possible.
Many items for sale, some said to be brand-new, are posted on our neighborhood website, though I doubt most get their asking price. In fact, even those being offered for free may have trouble finding takers. Most of us already have way too much stuff.
Someone on our neighborhood website, maybe a teacher or another parent, advises: “please be kind to your children when you pick them up from school. I’m sure they’ve had a very challenging day. Give them some love and supportive words, don’t scream at them and say mean things to them when you see them. Try to be happy to see them. They are only young for a little while & those harsh words hurt. I see parents yelling at kids while they walk home from school and it saddens me greatly.” Good advice and how about demonstrating more kindness and civility all around, and not just with kids?
Stealing packages has become a full-time job for some folks, especially now during the holidays. Package thieves need to be put out of business. Home delivery of packages could be stopped by organizing a system of packages pickup at a central well-guarded place. Package theft is happening often everywhere, not just in our neighborhood and region.
A terrible event was mentioned on the news and in the Washington Post, but seemed even more immediate with a mother’s initial posting on our neighborhood website, although she doesn’t live in our area: “My 13 year old son was shot yesterday afternoon while he was raking leaves in our front yard on Jameson street, Temples Hills. As you could imagine this has shaken us up tremendously, our entire family. He is now at Children’s fighting for his life.” Unfortunately, that young boy has died. I haven’t heard anything about the arrest of a suspect.
More recently, the bereaved mother mentioned above posted this regarding a vigil for her son: “Thank you so so much everyone for your continued prayers and support. My heart bleeds for my son. We must get justice for Jayz. Raking leaves in the front yard should be a safe place for every child.”
USA Today, 4-year-old boy fatally shot himself with gun left on dollhouse in Indiana, police say Here, a mother’s boyfriend brought his gun into the house and left it on top of a dollhouse. Why did he need a handgun when visiting a family with children? Is a handgun like a security blanket for some folks, always having to be with them?
Wash. Post, A manhunt is underway after three people were killed in a shooting at the University of Virginia late Sunday This appears was a targeted killing of 3 football players. A suspect has been arrested.
Fox, UVA shooting suspect Christopher Darnell Jones' 'bizarre' last words to 3 murdered football players revealed "You guys are always messing with me” is what he reportedly said. He was a former member of the football team and had a weapons’ violation, but still was able to get a gun.
And across the country, Idaho Statesman, Four students found dead near University of Idaho campus after school warns of homicide That shooter is still unknown and at large.
While we were still engaged in lamenting and analyzing these 2 recent mass shootings, yet another occurred,. Reuters, Five dead, 18 injured in shooting at gay nightclub in Colorado, police say A suspect is in custody in this most recent mass shooting.
No use lamenting the proliferation of guns because those who might be able to reduce or stop gun ownership are not listening. I’m not sure what to do myself, but I’m ready to join in any common effort. Having fewer guns available and in circulation seems key. It’s hard to know just how to accomplish that because prior attempts have failed, even though gun-lovers among us are far outnumbered! It’s true that “people, not guns, kill people,” but having fewer guns in the hands of people would certainly help.
When I see Harvey Weinstein looking so pitiful now, coming into the courtroom with his pants falling down, it’s a big contrast from when I actually saw him in person almost 10 years ago at a private preview of his film about Nelson Mandela, “Long Walk to Freedom.” Back then, he was boastful and arrogant, touting his many achievements.
Ethel Kennedy is still with us at age 94, after her husband Robert’s assassination and the deaths of at least 2 of her 11 children. Just before his assassination, I recall going up to Robert campaigning in Sacramento, California, carrying my first baby Andrew, whom he patted on the head. Robert Kennedy and my son Andrew are gone, but Ethel is still alive and breathing despite all she has been through.
Wash. Post, Mormon Church voices support for same-sex marriage bill This represents a surprising switch.
Maryland probe finds 158 abusive priests, over 600 victims https://apnews.com/article/religion-maryland-baltimore-sexual-abuse-by-clergy
As a child, like many other kids, I was a devout Catholic, fortunately never abused by a priest. At age 21, I was married in the church after my future (non-Catholic) husband attended preparation sessions with a priest, where they actually enjoyed sparring over points of faith. I raised my children in the church: First Communions, Confirmations, the whole nine yards. My husband and I were a good team, with me helping him but always staying in the background to assure got the credit. He was very bright and had unerring political instincts, but after 24 years of marriage, he found another helpmate at his office. After leaving me to marry her, he only spoke with me once in a surprise phone call he made to me in 1984. He and his 2nd wife had a daughter who would have been about 5 when he died in 1999.
After my husband had divorced me, my faith started ebbing, though for a time, I joined a progressive group still within the Catholic fold that met locally, but gave it up completely when it went online. I’ve since attended mass at the National Shrine with Catholic visitors from abroad. In Honduras, if staying with a family there, I have accompanied them to church. I admire much about Pope Francis. But I no longer attend church regularly and no longer contribute. Pedophilia within the church is one reason. Putting so-called celibate priests in positions of respect and authority over children is a recipe for trouble. I’ve long advocated, including in my books, for allowing married and women priests in the Catholic church.
I’m still inclined to contribute to Catholic Charities and Catholic Relief for their good work both here and abroad for beneficiaries regardless of their faith or lack thereof, something I’ve often personally witnessed. I’ve also served as an interpreter for Catholic Charities at its DC headquarters preparing someone for an asylum hearing. But I’ve become a relativist on most human conduct, no longer believing in final, innate, universal human rights. It all depends on the culture and common beliefs to which we all contribute. That puts me at odds with Amnesty International, as well as with the Catholic church. Despite my now almost 42-year Amnesty membership and my volunteer leadership role, I disagree with the organization’s stance, first, that identifiable and universal human rights apply all people everywhere and at all times, second, that abortion is a human right. When Amnesty was founded in 1961, abortion was certainly not considered a human right.
CNN, Arizona will now give undocumented students in-state tuition rates Reportedly, 19 other states do the same. I suspect it’s partly because college enrollment is down.
Quartz, Biden is the first president in 20 years to hold the Senate at the midterms Biden turned 80 to become the first octogenarian in the White House, now representing my age group, and he’s still going strong, at least in terms of political success. Though our numbers are growing, elders’ political influence seems focused mainly on social security, although some of us have broader concerns. Recent surveys indicate that most potential voters consider Biden too old to run for president again, but he may still try for another term and actually win again.
Democratic support for Biden in 2024 surges after midterms; Trump takes a hit: USA TODAY/Ipsos Poll A majority of women under 30 voted for Democrats in the midterms and probably abortion was one issue motivating them. As a mother and grandmother of another generation, I’ve already said enough about my own abortion stance on these pages, https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/3731564-young-women-broke-hard-for-democrats-in-the-midterms/
Donald Trump might not be able to win another presidential election, in fact, in terms of sheer vote numbers, he has never actually won any, just becoming president the first time by a quirk of the Electoral College. He seems never have developed intellectually beyond 5th grade. His dwindling base will still support him. He has already declared himself to be a presidential candidate once again, muddying the waters for other Republican presidential hopefuls, sounding angry now and out for vengeance against enemies both real and perceived. Trump has never been a team player. He reportedly blames wife Melania for Dr. Oz’s loss, when Trump’s own support may have actually tanked Oz. The early timing of his recent announcement may have been calculated to help protect him from prosecution.
The response to Trump’s latest presidential launch has been noticeably lukewarm, though the pillow guy is still enthused. Melania doesn’t seem to be on board this time around and Ivanka has checked out entirely. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, recently re-elected, has been evoking considerably more enthusiasm among potential Republican voters. Trump claims to have “dirt” on DeSantis. So, what is it?
Daily Beast, It’s Day 1 of the Trump Campaign—and His Donors Are Already Exhausted
NY Times, Big-Name Donors Are Moving On From Trump It would be great to have Donald Trump in the rearview mirror, although some of his successors might actually have a better chance of being elected, which is not a happy thought.
National Review, DeSantis Takes Massive Lead over Trump in 2024 Florida GOP Primary Poll
Daily Mail, 'New SURGE of illegals will now head for our southern border': Fears that unlawful crossings will soar after DC judge lifted Trump-era Title 42 that saw migrants immediately deported That quoted statement was reportedly made by new Texas Republican Congressman Ronny Jackson, former White House doctor. Of course, Biden is now being blamed rather than the judge who made the decision. It appears that the message has already reached eager migrants clustered around the border.
Miami Herald, Keys beach goers witness Cuban migrant arrival, among nearly 90 who landed over 3-day span
Beyond Our Shores
In Ukraine, the senseless war continues. Still, better that the US is providing only money and weapons, not actual troops. Much of the war is being fought with unmanned drones. There have been other odd developments in that war, like the following.
Many Russian soldiers, especially conscripts, seem unenthusiastic about the fight. But Mr. Putin isn’t ready to give up yet. He would need a face-saving way out and Zelensky may unwilling to agree to that yet.
As for China, Biden and Xi both were apparently polite and civil to each other, while the whole world’s attention was being rivetted on them during their 3-hour closed-door meeting. Only the interpreters were witnesses and, as a former interpreter myself, I know their lips are sealed. The 2 leaders had met before, but this was the first time since Biden became president. Their meeting was hardly an event just “on the sidelines,” as had been described beforehand. No encounter between them could have simply been held casually and in secret. For his part, President Biden reported stressing the need for peacefully settling differences. Certainly, an all-out war between the US and China would be a global disaster. In our ever-more connected world system, already people everywhere are experiencing the consequences of the war in Ukraine.
According to Biden’s report on his meeting with Xi, he had said that China and the U.S. should both work on “transnational challenges” such as climate change, health security, and global food security. A readout of the meeting published by the White House included Biden’s statement that the U.S. would oppose “any unilateral changes to the status quo by either side” about Xi’s “One China” policy regarding Taiwan independence. The two also reportedly agreed that “a nuclear war should never be fought.”
Wash. Post, U.S. to probe killing of Shireen Abu Akleh, spurring outrage in Israel She was a US citizen and now with US elections behind us and Netanyahu ready to take the helm in Israel, it’s high time to find out how and why an Israeli soldier killed her and actually who he was. I’ve received the following message:
It has been over six months since Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh was shot and killed while covering an Israeli military operation in the West Bank city of Jenin. On November 14, Rep. André Carson introduced the “Justice for Shireen Act” (HR 9291), a bill that will be vital to ensuring a thorough and transparent investigation is carried out so that the perpetrators can be held responsible. That same day, it was reported that the FBI has opened an investigation into Shireen Abu Akleh's death.
Reuters, World's longest-ruling leader holds vote to extend rule of tiny African state He is 80-year-old Teodoro Obiang, who has ruled for 43 years. His country, Equatorial Guinea, is notable for being Africa’s only Spanish-speaking country, something I found out when asked to translate some documents for Amnesty International.
This website address says it all: https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/cuba-slashes-growth-forecast-economic-crisis-grinds-2022-11-14/
World population has now officially reached 8 billion, due mainly to better infant survival and increasing life expectancy for seniors like me. So what can be done to keep it steady, neither rising nor falling precipitously? Analysts have estimated that world population could gradually rise comfortably to 9 or 10 billion, but not much beyond. The greatest recent growth has occurred mainly in Africa, while the population of South Korea and Japan already seems to be shrinking, with Europe barely holding steady and China and the US facing future reductions if present trends continue.
Food
What about feeding a hungry world population, especially one more eager to consume meat? Meat is in short supply and not easy to produce.
Having tried plant-based “meat” myself, I’ve found it quite edible, but would need to get more accustomed to it before making it a regular part of my diet. US animal meat companies are buying up plant-based “meat” brands, but those efforts may eventually be replaced by lab-based meat taken from animal cells, eliminating the need to raise and kill animals to produce actual meat. The source of the nutrients/calories needed to develop lab meat has not been well-defined, but will have to come from somewhere. And there might be initial resistance to eating such products, slaughterhouses could well decline, along with poultry and livestock, though probably not in my lifetime. Presumably, chickens will still keep laying eggs and cows will still produce milk, though perhaps those equivalents can eventually also be produced in a lab.
The actual substance of lab-based meat apparently varies and is still under experimentation. What provides the actual calories isn’t yet specified or well-defined. Below is what is being said so far. It doesn’t sound very appetizing. How does it taste?
Some media consist of complex ingredients such as extracts of plant or animal tissue (e.g., peptone, meat extract, yeast extract); others contain exact quantities of known inorganic salts and one or more organic compounds (synthetic or chemically defined media). The medium may be solidified by the addition of agar. Agar is a jelly-like substance consisting of polysaccharides obtained from the cell walls of some species of red algae.
Cats and Dogs
In Asia, lost pets might meet a fatal end, mainly in China, where dogs are often eaten, also cats. Dogs are eaten as well in Nigeria. Those animals used to be eaten centuries ago in Europe. It is illegal to eat dogs in the US, with certain exemptions for Native ceremonies.
Locally, both lost and found cats and dogs keep showing up on our neighborhood website. Some are advertised as being lost, others as having been found by someone else now looking for the owners. Are the same animals perhaps appearing as both lost and found?
KABOOM 25 in 5 Playspace Equity
Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, Grant Writer
Looking for an editor [on the neighborhood website]
And also this ad has appeared about automatic entry doors:
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