Category: Uncategorized

There Have Been Several Clear “Knock-Off” Efforts — Mostly To Promote Local Businesses… But This One MAY Be Genuine…

~ condor ~ Leave a comment

Maybe. But only… maybe.

An art collective based in the southwestern US is claiming credit for the first three, but not really explaining how they managed to place the Romanian one so quickly, and disappear it as swiftly, as well (that one I’ve suspected was a prank, and the work of a local Romanian welder, given the very rough finishes). [I’ve not mentioned any of the clearly corporate ones made of silver spray-painted wood, or even of reasonable metals — but placed as signs in front of businesses. And I won’t. On that you may rely.]

This at right is a screen cap… of an Instagram image the group posted, purporting to establish the location as just outside Joshua Tree — then suggesting there are “many more” to be found.

But cutting against the credibility of this claim, in my view, is the idea that the same collective, while posting a rudimentary three dimensional render video — offers unlimited additional “museum quality” pieces, for the sum of $45,000 (US) — verified as genuine… by blockchain, no less (but of course!).

I’ve decided, after some deliberation, this morning over coffee — not to name them — or link them. The NY Post, a rag, has done so. You may look there — if you’re that curious.

I continue to think the two clearly genuine ones were the work of agents for the estate of John McCracken, and we now know exactly how each of those — the Moab, Utah one, and the Pine Mountain, California one… “disappeared”. Those two were taken by vandals, as we’ve well-documented.

If this one is taken by vandals, with video evidence (without any hue and cry — from the claiming collective), after being found — we will reconsider the provenance of the object. Afterall, the collective would claim that they lost $45,000 — should it be destroyed by vandals, right? Right.

In any event, it is all now rather droll theater, no? [The over the top self promotion by this collective also cuts against this Joshua Tree claim being the genuine article.] “And… you can never get around the genuine article, kid….” Onward — ever grinning.

नमस्ते

“Medicaid Clean Up, In Aisle 3!” — Mr. Biden Will Withdraw Federal Support For This Cruel Attempt — Likely Mooting The Supremes’ Overnight Grant Of Cert.

~ condor ~ Leave a comment

Late on chilly, gray skies Friday afternoon, the Supreme Court granted cert. in a two sentence order, for two cases that would purport to put federal dollars, and more importantly, enforcement efforts — into what are called “pilot programs” — in the states of Arkansas and New Hampshire, which want to require people to seek work, in order to remain eligible for state level Medicaid. This, in the middle of a pandemic — expecting that people who are likely already at high risk of getting ill, must go look for jobs that likely don’t exist — in order remain eligible for minimal, indigent level health care services.

This one gets added to the rapidly-expanding list of orders Mr. Biden will rescind in his first 100 days — since oral argument won’t likely be set until Summer 2021, on these two cases. [Of course, my dated legacy graphic at left depicts the opposite tug-of-war, as the ACA of 2010 was rolled out — into the states, in 2012 through 2016.]

However, at the state/local level, the GOP Arkansas Governor may seek an administrative hearing, by filing a separate complaint — saying he relied on a promise of future federal dollars from Agent Orange. He will lose, because he will be required to prove that the “work requirement” is saving actual cash dollars, in the health delivery system.

There are literally dozens of broad based studies from data available in Tennessee, Florida, Mississippi, Kansas and Oklahoma among others that demonstrate conclusively that a “work requirement” for people already at high risk of long term chronic health issues… actually increases the overall cost of care, with more expensive ER visits, and hospitalizations — for these same people who get sicker, just from the act of travelling to seek employment.

These studies were part of the effort to pass the Affordable Health Care Act of 2010 — proving conclusively that getting 39 million Americans some form of health care insurance would save money overall. Mr. Biden is well aware of them, as he helped craft that measure — and get it passed through the House and Senate in March of 2010.

It is transparently silly that the current holdover occupant of 1600 Penn. thinks his Sharpie® memos might achieve any lasting policy shifts. But we as a people are committed to undoing all of them.

And that will include undoing the grant of private militia/security contracts, in Somalia (as US troops withdraw under Tangerine orders, just signed) to Erik Prince’s companies (departing Education Secretary Betsy DeVos’ brother — and the villian of BlackWater, two decades ago — thus my now highly dated graphic, at right)… all as a parting gift as this mal-administration is walked out of the nation’s capital.

Each of these last minute graft moves… will all be undone, by Mr. Biden (since each comes only by purported Executive Order, alone) — but it is an extremely irresponsible form of scorched Earth these life-long, but wholly-inept, crooks… now undertake.

नमस्ते

Dismantling A Lawless Autocrat’s Attempts To Side-Step Our “Checks And Balances” Form Of Governing… Piece, By Awful Piece.

~ condor ~ Leave a comment

The able USDC Judge Nicholas G. Garaufis, sitting in Brooklyn’s federal district courthouse this evening, has just dropped the other shoe, on the lawlessness that was… Chad Wolf’s stupidly-craven stint at DHS.

Because last month the able Judge ruled Wolf had no authority to act, having exceeded his statutory expiry date, without any full Senate vote for approval and/or appointment — tonight, all of DACA continues as good law, just as it was — prior to Mr. Obama’s departure from office. [There was already a wide-ranging west coast injunction on this same topic as of June, to be fair — from the various iterations of the East Bay Sanctuary litigation.] These guys are truly wholly-incompetent crooks:

…On July 28, 2020, Defendant Chad Wolf issued the Wolf Memorandum (0kt. 297-1)1, which purported to make certain changes to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (“DACA”) program.

On November 14, 2020, this court held that Mr. Wolf was not lawfully serving as Acting Secretary of Homeland Security when he issued the Wolf Memorandum, because the Department of Homeland Security (“OHS”) failed to follow its order of succession, as it was lawfully designated under the Homeland Security Act (“HSA”). See Batalla Vidal v. Wolf, – F. Supp. 3d -, 2020 WL 6695076 at *8-9 (E.D.N.Y. Nov. 14, 2020). The court also certified a “DACA Class” of all persons who are or prima facie will be eligible for deferred action under the terms of the 2012 Napolitano Memorandum, i.e. DACA as it existed prior to the attempted rescissions; and certified a “Pending Applications Subclass” of all persons who had an application for deferred action through DACA, whether an initial application or a renewal, pending on any date between June 30, 2020, and July 28, 2020, that have not been or will not be adjudicated in accordance with the 2012 Napolitano Memorandum….

Under the Administrative Procedure Act (“APA”), a “reviewing court shall… hold unlawful and set aside agency actions, findings, and conclusions found to be… in excess of statutory jurisdiction, authority, or limitations, or short of statutory right.” 5 U.S.C. § 706(2)(C). Accordingly, because Mr. Wolf was without lawful authority to serve as Acting Secretary of OHS, the Wolf Memorandum is VACATED. In light of the vacatur, all parties agree that the DACA program is currently governed by its terms as they existed prior to the attempted rescission of September 2017….

Plaintiffs have thoughtfully addressed the subject of accrual of unlawful presence in their Memorandum and Reply. The court takes seriously any collateral consequence that may arise as a result of the unlawful Wolf Memorandum. However, the court declines to enter an ex ante declaration on that issue at this time. The court reserves the right to impose further remedies if they become necessary….

Good news, indeed — slow in arriving to be sure — but bit by bit, the unlawful night of terror is being. . . dismantled, piece by awful piece. Onward, smiling, into the weekend — with under 50 days left.

नमस्ते

Brexit Negotiations Are Faltering, Or So Says 10 Downing Street…

~ condor ~ Leave a comment

It has been more than a minute, since we last looked across the pond, to see how “Boris, And His Brexiteers“… are faring.

Not well, it would seem. I highly doubt that Mr. Macron will exercise his “nuclear option” — and veto… but fishing revenue has been a very contentious portion of the multi-lateral trade discussions, for years. If Mr. Macron is at the end of his patience with Boris-Bluster… this could break the bank — and thus at year end — France decides to go its own way, against the UK — I’d then expect others would as well.

But as I’ve long said, I think it considerably more likely that all of this gets delayed again, just prior to year end, and “the can again gets kicked down the alley” — perhaps into 2022 now, with the notion that the global pandemic is not likely truly over much before then. Here’s the latest, from The Guardian (UK), overnight our time:

…Downing Street has warned that the Brexit negotiations have hit a “very difficult point”, as France threatened to wield its veto to kill a trade and security deal brought back from London by the EU’s chief negotiator.

With the negotiations hitting troubled waters at the 11th hour, Clément Beaune, France’s European affairs minister and a close ally of president Emmanuel Macron, said his country could act unilaterally if the terms were not right.

“I think it’s also the case for our partners that if there were a deal that isn’t good, which in our evaluation doesn’t correspond to those interests, we will oppose it,” Beaune said. “Yes, each country has a veto, so it’s possible. France like all its partners has the means of a veto. We must make our own evaluation of course of this deal, that’s normal. We owe that to the French people, we owe it to our fishermen, and to other economic sectors….

We shall, as ever, see. Again, I foresee more back and forth, and additional delays — as I’ve long predicted. And yes this represents another return to the power-alley, and away for a moment from public art installations… since no additional monoliths have been sighted in the past 24 hours. Smile….

नमस्ते

A Very Poor Hot Take — From Some Silly Urban American… Who’s Never Even SEEN The Deserts Of Utah…

~ condor ~ Leave a comment

Being a fair proponent of truly egalitarian (and here, perhaps even “outsider”) arts viewership… I will let you decide, dear readers — but the idea that this all is just to sell us some brand… is laughable on its face. [Strangely enough, I was there (as a very young boy) when Christo curtained a Colorado canyon outside Rifle, and the reaction from the assembled Philistines… was much the same, as Ms. Jones’.]

Here below, our media betters would tell us that she decides whether this is art (she declares it is not) — and she declares Christo was. [I find myself wondering if her opinion would be changed, if/when the monoliths turn out to be posthumous gifts… from John McCracken — another quite well-known New York/New Mexico artist — most active in the second half of the 20th Century.]

At the time, outside Rifle, I could have introduced her to about 500 local ranchers who swore Christo was everything she now decries about this (officially anonymous) artist. But whatever. I like them — I think they are art, and they do no permanent damage. She doesn’t like them, and cloaks her criticism in an environmentalist’s cape, while she has never even been there. Silly, but… well, welcome to free America. And, well… get used to it.

Here it is — in all its sad, and lost, cynicism — and a bit:

….When Christo wrapped a building, or a public space like Central Park, it was tangible magic. When you got up that morning you had no idea that something beautiful would happen, and there it was, waiting for you and everyone else. It was a gift. The monoliths are an elbow in the ribs. Look, monkey, here’s your dopamine hit! Now tweet! (Or, in my case, blog.) There’s no public benefit to an obelisk on public land; in fact the very opposite can be true. It’s a reverse Christo, a hollow mockery….

I have never seen the desert. I hope someday I do. I like knowing that it will still be there when our present horrors are over. The world has narrowed to the size of a screen, which provokes a kind of claustrophobia in me. Someone is always selling me a brand, either a corporation’s or their own. The sales pitch is omnipresent, and there is no countervailing force….

My wish for you Ms. Jones… is that you… grow to see the richness in all the life around you (on screens and off of them) — for all of life lies within the artists’ scope. That is my wish for you, at nearly Winter Solstice. And I wish you more… joy.

नमस्ते

It Is Not At All Surprising — To Learn These Are Trump Supporters. Note His Headband.

~ condor ~ Leave a comment

I think we will just let the internet… identify, and deal with… these dead enders. They destroyed the third monolith less than 48 hours after it appeared.

The long form streaming video is a cesspool of hatred, xenophobia and mediocre white boy entitlement — I’ll not link it (search google video for Pine Mountain, CA if you want to see for yourself). So I do not feel bad about asking the collected wisdom of Twitter to go find them. And name them.

It is true that they tore down something that hadn’t been given a permit, on public land — but they also place an unpermitted item, on the same public land. It too is now gone. Karma, boys. Here’s a bit — from the local media in town:

…On Wednesday afternoon, the City of Atascadero received reports from hikers of a steel monolith at the top of Pine Mountain in Stadium Park. Overnight, the monolith disappeared. All that remained as of Thursday morning was a hole with rebar sticking out.

Videos of a group of vandals removing the monolith were posted to DLive, a blockchain file-sharing website. The lengthy videos, titled “Monolith Raid,” were posted on Wednesday evening and Thursday morning by a user named CultureWarCriminal. They can be seen here. Viewer discretion is advised.

A report on the video by Vice says “…three men are seen pushing the statue over and chanting ‘America First’ and ‘Christ is King.’ The men, one of whom was wearing a ‘Make America Great Again’ headband, called part of the monolith’s construction ‘gay’ then replaced… the monolith with a wooden cross….”

The cross also was subsequently removed, by other hikers. All in all — I think McCracken’s point has been well made. These kids absolutely are the post-monolith hominids — in the opening sequence of “2001”. Out.

नमस्ते

NSF Has Released Video Footage Of Monday’s Arecibo “Implosion”… Compelling — But Deeply Sad, As Well…

~ condor ~ Leave a comment

Some things simply must be seen, to be believed.

After some 60 plus years of steady, ground-breaking, life-enhancing service at Arecibo… this is one of them.

It nearly brings me to tears:

[Cannot directly embed the video here, as it is brightcove — so watch it at my other property that allows brightcove-styled embedding.]

We will find some happier news, by day’s end — to be certain. Perhaps… another monolith appearing or vanishing(?)… onward.

नमस्ते

And… “Nepotism Barbie” Spent Several Hours Under Oath Yesterday, In DC — Answering Tough Questions In A Deposition — About Misuse Of 2017 Inaugural Committee Money.

~ condor ~ 1 Comment

You just… love to see it.

This is just the beginning of what will be perhaps dozens of these under-oath chin-waggles, for her — and pops and Donnie Jr. in the coming months — in DC, New York and beyond. From CBS, then — buckle up, butter-cup:

…Ivanka Trump was deposed on Tuesday as a part of an ongoing lawsuit from the Washington D.C. attorney general, which alleges the misuse of funds from President Donald Trump’s inauguration in 2017, new court documents show.

D.C. Attorney General Karl Racine sued Mr. Trump’s inaugural committee and the businesses overseeing Trump International Hotel in Washington back in January, claiming the nonprofit inaugural committee coordinated with Trump family members to overpay for event space in a way that enriched the Trumps. Racine claims the inaugural committee knew it was paying above-market prices and failed to consider cheaper alternatives.

The lawsuit, filed in D.C. Superior Court, alleges more than $1 million was wasted on improper payments to the Trump Hotel for event space during the 2017 inauguration….

Couldn’t happen to a… more richly-deserving family of crooks and grifters. Out.

नमस्ते

About 49 Days Until Mr. Biden Will End This Nightmare / National Disgrace…

~ condor ~ Leave a comment

There is yet another 14 page status report, filed overnight in San Diego — for the status conference / hearing tomorrow, in that US District’s courthouse before the able Judge Sabraw.

The occupant of 1600 Penn., and his little flunkies, continue to dribble out phone numbers previously withheld — for the parents of the now perhaps 666 children in custody whose parents the ACLU and related lawyers have been unable to find. It would be important to know on what (clearly meritless) basis the DHS/ICE/BP/HHS agents claimed these phone numbers could be withheld — essentially all Summer and Fall. The involved officers ought to be charged with obstruction of lawful federal court orders, by official act.

From the more hopeful portion of this latest status report, then — a bit:

…[T]he Steering Committee has established toll-free telephone numbers in the United States, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and El Salvador to receive inbound phone calls from potential members of the expanded class. The Steering Committee has distributed this number both by email and U.S. Mail to a number of non-governmental organizations and other community organizations in the United States, who may be able to help us locate parents because they work in the communities these parents are likely to have contact with.

In addition, the Steering Committee sent letters in Spanish and English to approximately 1,600 addresses provided by the government for the potential class members that the Steering Committee has not yet reached. These letters explain our role in this action and invite parents to contact the Steering Committee to call these toll-free numbers. The Steering Committee continues to monitor voicemail boxes reachable via these toll-free numbers, and plans to renew its mailing effort with the new address information received for children and their attorneys from the government on November 25, 2020.

Additionally, as previously reported, the Steering Committee has undertaken broad-based media outreach efforts to publicize the toll-free phone numbers created by the Steering Committee in Spanish language media….

It is insane that the ACLU is having to pay for advertising (it will ultimately force the government to reimburse) to try to find parents that these goons “disappeared”. 49 days…. 49 days.

नमस्ते

Perhaps Coincidental… But Perhaps… Not. Monolith No. 3 Is Very Near The Site Of A Massacre… As Was The Moab Object…

~ condor ~ Leave a comment

…And I’d be willing to wager there was a massacre of an indigenous group, by outsiders, at the fort/battlement near where the Romanian monolith “appeared.” [I suppose, to be fair — if one were to look back far enough — perhaps almost all locales have some touch to such oppressive history.]

I’ve taken the liberty of drawing an “as the crow flies” line from Moab, through Pine Mountain, California — and then straight on to Uhuru, Australia. The line will pass over some of the Hawaiian isles (also sites of massacres)… the Solomon Islands (same)… and the easterly portion of Papua New Guinea (sadly, same)… before reaching Uhuru. The history there is well known.

Will it turn out that Mr. McCracken was literally reminding us of the way the hominids in the early sequences of “2001” touched the monolith — and in the process, acquired knowledge, and then both began hunting, with weapons, and then shortly after — killed the leader of a rival band of hominids…? Was he? Honestly, it is feeling more than a little likely. Here’s a bit of the Twitterverse‘s chatter, as reported by C|Net, tonight:

…Late last month, a 2001 Odyssey-like monolith appeared in the Utah desert. Not long after, another identical-looking structure appeared in Romania. They’ve both since vanished (men were photographed dismantling the Utah monolith). Now, yet another monolith has been discovered, this time in California.

“There is currently a monolith at the top of Pine Mountain in Atascadero!” tweeted Connor Allen on Wednesday afternoon, with a trio of pictures capturing the strange new monolith at the top of Pine Mountain in Atascadero, California….

I do increasingly suspect the Romanian was a one-off, by a local welder — but no doubt there was violence at the nearby long razed fort/garrison in the third to six centuries. So… could be, could still be — and fit my emerging theory. Onward… and, g’night now — to all of good will. Smile.

नमस्ते