Reading

Created
Fri, 08/12/2023 - 02:30
Forests and trees Why do left-leaning independents in North Carolina’s bluest precincts turn out less than Democrats in their neighborhoods when independents statewide (including the Trumpiest counties) turn out more? Perhaps because Democrats are policy liberals and campaign conservatives. Taking chances? Not when every damned election is “the most important of our lifetimes.” Throwing the long ball? They are more inclined to fall on it. “Leave it all on the field” remains aspirational. What we’re getting at here is Democrats’ targeting of independents for turnout is too conservative. As Michah L. Sifry (The Connector) in July observed, “The Experience of Grassroots Leaders Working with the Democracy Party” report is sobering. Among the complaints (emphasis mine): Most volunteer leaders see their state Democratic party’s efforts to organize outreach as “too little, too late.” One in four call their party unresponsive. A majority of respondents said the party does a terrible job targeting voters, saying that its lists are far too narrow. That is what I find as well: This is my focus right now.
Created
Fri, 08/12/2023 - 02:02

One way of understanding the ongoing bloodbath pitting Israel against Hamas is to see it as just the latest chapter in an existential struggle dating back to the founding of the Jewish state in 1948. While the appalling scope, destructiveness, and duration of the fighting in Gaza may outstrip previous episodes, this latest go-around serves chiefly to reaffirm the remarkable intractability of the underlying Arab-Israeli conflict.  Although the shape of that war has changed over time, certain constants remain. Neither side, for instance, seems capable of achieving its ultimate political goals through violence. And each side adamantly refuses to concede to the core demands of its adversary. In truth, while the actual fighting may ebb and flow, pause and resume, the... Read more

Created
Fri, 08/12/2023 - 01:00
Robert Kagan is back already Robert Kagan’s doomsaying article about a Trump dictatorship and The Atlantic‘s“If Trump Wins” series sounded loud alarms. And then some. I cautioned Monday that overdoing the shock treatment can backfire. Along with the warnings people need hope and plans for action. Kagan got that message from his readers and is back today with an attempt at offering some, reluctantly. His heart isn’t in it. It’s not that we didn’t know what to do, Kagan begins. It’s that we didn’t do it when chances were better for stopping Trump. He offers “several things people could do to save the country but almost certainly won’t do, because they selfishly refuse to put their own ambitions at risk to save our democracy.” Feeling hopey yet? For one, Never-Trump forces could throw all their support behind Nikki Haley as the least odious Republican presidential candidate. Probably won’t work, but go for it, Kagan suggests. A majority of the GOP are committed cultists. A smaller faction wants Trump as their best chance of beating Joe Biden.
Created
Fri, 08/12/2023 - 00:27

Hearkening back to the days preceding the 9/11 attacks, suspicious stock market activity suggests that someone with prior knowledge of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood sought to capitalize on the events on October 7.

The post Just Like 9/11? Suspicious Israeli Stock Market Activity Hints at Foreknowledge of October 7 Attack appeared first on MintPress News.

Created
Fri, 08/12/2023 - 00:00

EXT. SMALL TOWN BUS STOPDAY

(A beautiful woman with slightly wavy brown hair steps off a bus. She’s RACHEL, a corporate lawyer from The Big City.)

WOMAN ON BENCH (OLD): Shabbat Shalom!

RACHEL: And also with you!

WOMAN ON BENCH (OLD): Oh, dearie, you don’t look like you’re from around here.

RACHEL: I’m not, but my father is—I mean, was. He died this year.

(Public domain Klezmer music swells.)

RACHEL: I never knew him, but he used to own the town bakery. Apparently, his last wish was for me to reopen David’s Donuts and Matzah in time for the County Hanukkah Fair. I don’t think I can, though—I’m not really into all this holiday stuff.

Created
Thu, 07/12/2023 - 19:24

Over 1,000 workers have simultaneously blocked four arms factories across the UK which provide components for arms used by Israel in its bombardment of Gaza. The workers, under the banner ‘Workers for a Free Palestine’, include teachers, health workers, hospitality workers and others who are members of a wide range of trade unions, including Unite, […]

Created
Thu, 07/12/2023 - 17:39

Here's the next part of our ongoing series dedicated to assisting Drupal 7 site owners in upgrading their websites to Drupal 10. There are many great reasons to upgrade. The modern Drupal offers powerful features for content editors including: customizable editorial workflows, a layout builder for your landing pages, a media library that makes managing and reusing media easier than ever, and more. Developers can leverage the most of these advancements.

Created
Thu, 07/12/2023 - 11:49

ESSENTIAL Energy crews recently commenced significant electricity maintenance work across Sandy Beach ahead of the peak summer period. With hotter temperatures predicted in the coming months, the electricity network can be placed under pressure as people try to stay cool. Advertise with News of The Area today. It’s worth it for your business. Message us....

The post Essential Energy to undertake major works at Sandy Beach on Sunday 10 December appeared first on News Of The Area.

Created
Thu, 07/12/2023 - 11:47

THE City of Coffs Harbour last week hosted its prestigious annual Local Government IT conference, showcasing solutions and ideas specifically for councils. LGIT23 brought together 134 delegates from NSW, Victoria, Tasmania, Western Australia and Queensland at Opal Cove Resort. Advertise with News of The Area today. It’s worth it for your business. Message us. Phone...

The post City hosts prestigious IT conference appeared first on News Of The Area.

Created
Thu, 07/12/2023 - 11:34

COFFS Harbour’s tourism has again been recognised at the 2023 NSW Tourism Awards, with gold going to the Giingan Gumbaynggirr Cultural Experience in the ‘Excellence In Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Tourism Experience’ category for the second time. Now in its 33rd year, the NSW Tourism Awards celebrate business excellence, acknowledge business innovation and reward...

The post Second gold for Giingan Gumbaynggirr Cultural Experience in Tourism Awards appeared first on News Of The Area.