29th May, 2022

Due for a new thread!

Enjoy the last days of Spring and keep up the conversation.

Responses

Uranus is squaring my mercury, moon & pluto. Oy yoy yoy, if you catch my drift. All of a sudden the tension and drama has begun (I had to listen and/or intervene in several situations today – I think I helped with the important one but I’m out of energy. Venus is quincunx my sun so that’s helping me today but what about a few days from now? (That was rhetorical.) Well, at least I’m aware of it.

Thank you for the new thread, Nancy.

Nancy,
As always, you have my profound gratitude for the continuation of this website. Thank you for the new thread!

Sharon,

Uranus certainly stirs things up in an often sudden and unexpected way – but in spite of the momentary turbulence, it usually fosters freedom from outworn structures and other oppressive elements in one’s life.

You’ll be just fine.

Nancy, thank you for just being you.

Thank you for this gift Nancy. May you and your family be healthy and safe.

“Uranus certainly stirs things up in an often sudden and unexpected way – but in spite of the momentary turbulence, it usually fosters freedom from outworn structures and other oppressive elements in one’s life.”

I’m watching Uranus too, Sharon (and thanks, Will). Uranus transiting my 10th has been squaring my natal Uranus and now starting in on squaring my Leo Ascendant/Moon. The only current surprise is that I’m actually sleeping pretty well! It does raise my anxiety levels though. On the other hand, at the same time it’s trining my Virgo Sun, so maybe the changes are good overall, but just a bit emotionally rattling.

Adding my thanks to Nancy for keeping this thread of conversations going.

A possible portent for the future?
Pope Francis appears to be packing the college of cardinals with Liberals (liberal at least for RC clergy). The Church moves, changes direction, and adapts to cultural evolution very, very slowly, but this apparent trend may portend a more open and liberal direction in the future for the RC Church. It also may set the Church on a course of choosing a liberal successor to Francis when he passes. This affects about 1 billion people. We shall see!

Francis’ choice of new Cardinal McElroy an unmistakable sign for US church
https://www.ncronline.org/news/opinion/francis-choice-new-cardinal-mcelroy-unmistakable-sign-us-church

As these charts play out my charts for Putin show his world continuing to unravel through the same period.

Summer of 22 for JR and Ivanka
Last edited Sun Jan 9, 2022, 07:25 AM – Edit history (6)

For Whom The Bell Tolls or The Long, Hot, Summer.

On June 4 transit Saturn stations on junior’s secondary progressed Sun and transit Pluto (300°52?) is square ivanka’s secondary progressed Pluto (210°19?) in right ascension (a true 90° separation of them in space). These aspects are not good for them.

Birth times not known. Noon charts used. Sun positions within 1/2 degree. Angles to be disregarded, planetary positions in longitude or right ascension important.

JR JUN 4 2022
https://i.imgur.com/btStcKD

IVANKA JUN 4 2022
https://i.imgur.com/53MjWVS

It isn’t a good day for TFG either according to his progressed anlunar with either his natal or progressed natal charts.

His progressed anlunar MC at noon will be at 134°17?. It’s Saturn/Pluto midpoint will be on the IC at 134°25?. His natal Pluto at 134°21? will be on the MC. His progressed Saturn/Pluto midpoint will be on it at about 11 am, EDT. NOTE: His progressed Saturn/Pluto midpoint’s position is virtually the same for noon and 5 pm, EDT.

With his natal

https://i.imgur.com/sMDMSqK

With his progressed natal

https://i.imgur.com/ba2mfle

Hope so, Will. Just praying with the start of this hurricane season, that all storms steer away from land and go out to sea. Last year, parishes around us were hit VERY hard by Ida. Ours wasn’t hit as hard. We lost one roof on a rental property where my husband’s son was living (which still isn’t fully on thanks to supply chain issues and my husband’s insistence on designing the underlayment which took a while) but not on our home; however there was roof repair needed on my sister-in-law’s properties that we now manage. The worst part was a transformer for the electrical grid was blown into the MS River and most of us in the Greater NO Metro area were without electricity from 2 wks to a month. Gasoline lines went on for 1 to 2 hrs when we could finally get gasoline in this area. My mother-in-law’s 100th BD party was cancelled due to the loss of her daughter and we had to send her to her son’s home in CO. We don’t need another hurricane this year; no one does. I’m not sure which chart is right for New Orleans. When Katrina hit in 2005, uranus was in Pisces. FL is also a Pisces state. Anyway……praying for peace, praying for sanity and a way to stop gun violence, praying for the children and families who have been lost to senseless gun violence, praying for Ukraine, praying for enough to eat and a roof over everyone’s head, praying for a stop to suffering.

Sharon,

“The worst part was a transformer for the electrical grid was blown into the MS River and most of us in the Greater NO Metro area were without electricity from 2 wks to a month.”

What a hardship that must have been. Hopefully with Uranus in a fixed earth sign, the disruption will not be nearly as devastating.

Bob,
So interesting! In harmony with your astrological interpretation and analysis – Both Putin and TFG are having increasing difficulties and profound frustration. Troubles for both will surely deepen.

Putin Fires Five Generals as Russia’s Military Failures in Ukraine Continue
https://www-newsweek-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.newsweek.com/putin-fires-five-generals-russia-military-failures-ukraine-continue-1712053?amp=1&amp_gsa=1&amp_js_v=a9&usqp=mq331AQIKAGwASCAAgM%3D#amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&aoh=16541268635818&csi=0&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&ampshare=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.newsweek.com%2Fputin-fires-five-generals-russia-military-failures-ukraine-continue-1712053

Trump demands Pulitzer board rescind awards for Russia interference reporting
https://amp-theguardian-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/amp.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/oct/04/donald-trump-pulitzer-prize-board-russia-new-york-times-washington-post?amp_js_v=a6&amp_gsa=1&usqp=mq331AQKKAFQArABIIACAw%3D%3D#aoh=16541329402765&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&ampshare=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Fus-news%2F2021%2Foct%2F04%2Fdonald-trump-pulitzer-prize-board-russia-new-york-times-washington-post

Trump’s demands only draw further attention to his 2016 electoral illegitimacy. Looking toward his end, I’m curious if he will die a free man, in prison, or in psychiatric confinement. In any case, I suspect his reputation and his mental condition will deteriorate further as the Jan. 6 Committee commences and conducts its public hearings. (He’ll want to sue them as well!) I think he will go down as the weirdest and most fascinating villain in American history. His name will become a noun, like the name Quisling, used to describe delusional narcissists and traitors.

I also think Trump’s ultimate effect will be constitutional reform, and requirement any and all presidential contenders must reveal their taxes, finances, and undergo psychiatric evaluation. Consensus will be we cannot afford to have someone as head of state and government who is so morbidly mentally ill ever again.

Oops! Trump – A noun, AND an adjective.

WOW! The troubles and tribulations just keep on coming for Putin and the Russians.
(1)
Exclusive: Putin Treated for Cancer in April, U.S. Intelligence Report Says

The story also includes the assertion there was an assassination attempt on Putin in March.

https://www.newsweek.com/exclusive-putin-treated-cancer-april-us-intelligence-report-says-1710357

(2)
Russian Military Suffering From Multiple Mutinies as Soldiers Rebel: U.K.

According to Newsweek, UK Intelligence reports increasing problems in the Russian military, including soldiers who returned to Russia from Ukraine refusing to go back, other mutinies, and officers in Ukraine dying at high rate from snipers.

https://www-newsweek-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.newsweek.com/russia-military-soldiers-rebel-mutiny-ukraine-war-united-kingdom-1711657?amp_js_v=a6&amp_gsa=1&amp=1&usqp=mq331AQIKAGwASCAAgM%3D#aoh=16541606770466&csi=0&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&ampshare=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.newsweek.com%2Frussia-military-soldiers-rebel-mutiny-ukraine-war-united-kingdom-1711657

Thanks Eliseo, I will start making popcorn

This is a long article so I didn’t read more than half but it was very eye-opening to me in the way it clarifies very well the positions of Conservatives that we’ve seen crystalize in the last year or so. The author describes how secular Conservatives are moving away from the Religious Right.

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/01/opinion/republicans-religion-conservatism.html

Wow, the new redistricting maps apparently favor Dems??

https://twitter.com/kellycward/status/1532456846371393536

Name: 1st Insurrection Committee Public Hearing
6-9-2022 at 8:00 PM TimeZone: GMT-5 [Daylight Savg]
Longitude: 077W00 Latitude: 38N54
Birth Julian Day: 2459740.50 GMST: 17:13 LMST: 12:05

NATAL ECLIPTIC LONGITUDE AND EQUATORIAL DECLINATION :

LONGITUDE: DECLINATION: HOUSE:
RETROGRADE:
Sun 19 GEM 08 22 N 59 7 NO
Moon 18 LIB 08 04 S 22 10 NO
Mercury 27 TAU 44 15 N 45 6 NO
Venus 14 TAU 33 14 N 22 5 NO
Mars 11 ARI 51 03 N 03 4 NO
Jupiter 05 ARI 05 00 N 55 4 NO
Saturn 25 AQU 13 14 S 10 2 YES
Uranus 16 TAU 46 16 N 30 5 NO
Neptune 25 PIS 23 02 S 54 3 NO
Pluto 28 CAP 26 22 S 35 2 YES
Ascendant 13 SAG 19 N/A 1 N/A
MidHeaven 01 LIB 27 N/A 10 N/A

PLANETARY ASPECTS :

Sun Trine Moon Orb = 1° 00′
Sun Trine Saturn Orb = 6° 05′
Sun Square Neptune Orb = 6° 16′
Sun Opposite Ascendant Orb = 5° 49′
Moon Opposite Mars Orb = 6° 17′
Moon Trine Saturn Orb = 7° 05′
Moon Sextile Ascendant Orb = 4° 49′
Mercury Square Saturn Orb = 2° 31′
Mercury Sextile Neptune Orb = 2° 21′
Mercury Trine Pluto Orb = 0° 42′
Mercury Trine MidHeaven Orb = 3° 43′
Venus Conjunct Uranus Orb = 2° 13′
Mars Conjunct Jupiter Orb = 6° 45′
Mars Trine Ascendant Orb = 1° 28′
Jupiter Sextile Pluto Orb = 6° 40′
Jupiter Opposite MidHeaven Orb = 3° 38′
Neptune Sextile Pluto Orb = 3° 03′
Neptune Opposite MidHeaven Orb = 6° 04′
Pluto Trine MidHeaven Orb = 3° 02′

HOUSE CUSPS FOR THE PLACIDUS SYSTEM :
HOUSE: HOUSE CUSP:
1 13 SAG 19
2 17 CAP 02
3 25 AQU 27
4 01 ARI 27
5 00 TAU 15
6 23 TAU 14
7 13 GEM 19
8 17 CAN 02
9 25 LEO 27
10 01 LIB 27
11 00 SCO 15
12 23 SCO 14

Feels like a real sea-change is at hand. DTs candidates lose in GA primary, Justice Dept
subpoenas are being taken seriously by Trump ex-staffers as well as those in the know re Jan 6. I see some significant fractures beginning to form in the otherwise impermeable ranks of the GOP. The cries of the cries for justice by the families and friends of the Buffalo and Uvalde dearly departed of the Buffalo and Uvalde slaughters seem to be building to an inconsolable volume.of awfulness. A compelling Internet meme likening any vote for a Republican now as nothing more than an enabling endorsement of child murderers has great potential.

My money is on Bob’s calculus.

Sharon,

Re: Uranus hitting key areas in your chart.

I’m rather terrible at interpreting and anticipating personal shifts or turning points in my life. One never firmly knows how these things work out on a personal basis until the actual time of its arrival.

The COVID 19 situation threw a monkey wrench into all of us expatriates living abroad. I had a medical visa valid until the end of May (cataract surgery) and wasn’t sure whether I could come back in on my long term ten year Indian tourist visa. No matter how diligent I was in trying to find out the nuances and procedures, the government regulations remained obstinately unclear. The fact that I was departing during a Mercury retrograde and that my fight from Dubai back to India occurred the day before the Mercury station, instilled a deep concern whether my long term visa was in jeopardy. Nevertheless, I was determined to make the 5 day vacation to Dubai a pleasant one. Predictably, things became clearer at the time of transit (both planetary and physical). You see, tr. Mercury was in square to my Saturn/ progressed Venus conjunction. As things developed, serious challenges in my personal relationship cropped up that needed some adjustment. It was not as I had feared, in any way related to my visa status quo. I’m now safely back home in India, in neutral territory and can breathe a sigh of relief.

Dubai (part of the United Arab Emirates) was absolutely exhilarating by the way. We stayed at the Crowne Plaza, a luxurious 5 star hotel directly opposite The Museum of The Future (the famous ring structure) – see website: https://www.ihg.com/crowneplaza/hotels/us/en/dubai/dubtc/hoteldetail/photos-tours . Lots of sight-seeing and shopping in Dubai. The culture is fascinating. A perfect blend between the old and the new. I would definitely recommend it as a vacation spot if you are interested in something new and exciting. Here is the Water Fountain display at the Dubai Mall within 100 meters of the Burj Khalifa (the 170 story building is the tallest man made structure in the world): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUCGyTgTepk

That’s very interesting, Jerry, and I’m glad enjoyed, Dubai. I will check back and look at the photos and videos. Thanks for sharing. (And I do expect some pressure, stresse, and nervous tension from the uranus square to, first, my mercury, then my moon & pluto but it might also be a dynamic experience.

The Russian-Ukraine conflict

A new and dangerous, unstable phase could be in the offing…..

The Mars/Chiron conjunction in mid June (15 ’56 Aries) will be opposing Putin’s natal Sun/Saturn conjunction mid-point (16 ’21 Libra). Could this signal his demise and the power struggle that is expected to follow? Referring to Russia’s chart (June 12, 1990 1:45 pm Moscow), the Mars/Chiron conjunction squares Russia’s triple conjunction of Jupiter/Chiron (15 Cancer) and nearby natal Neptune (13 Cancer). This could suggest a very confusing and unstable period for the Russian government ………..

The Power Struggle After Putin/ Russia’s Inevitable Succession Crisis

Foreign Affairs
April 22, 2022
(by subscription only)

In a speech in late March, U.S. President Joe Biden veered off script and said out loud something about Russian President Vladimir Putin that many were thinking privately: “For God’s sake, this man cannot remain in power.” White House aides raced to walk back the president’s ad-libbed remark, emphasizing that the U.S. goal in Russia is not regime change. Intentionally or not, however, Biden’s quip reinforced the conviction of some in Washington that the simplest way to end Putin’s war of aggression in Ukraine is to end his grip on power. As Senator Lindsey Graham, Republican of South Carolina, tweeted in March, “the only way this ends is for somebody in Russia to take this guy out.”

There is no reason to think Putin faces an immediate risk of assassination. Nor does a coup or a popular revolution seem to be in the offing any time soon. But Putin is 69 years old and possibly in ill health. Russian investigative journalists have alleged that he may have had thyroid cancer. Whether he dies in office, is deposed, or willingly gives up power, Putin’s reign over Russia will end one way or another.

Far from a stabilizing event, however, the inevitable end of his rule will be an uncertain and likely perilous moment for Russia. For the last two decades, Putin has held on to power by weakening the country’s formal rules and institutions—removing the guardrails that would ensure an orderly transfer of power. As a result, the range of plausible scenarios for what would happen if he dies or leaves office is much wider than if a U.S. or even a Chinese leader were to do the same. Although Russia’s constitution spells out a process for electing a new leader, in practice, Russia’s next president is likely to be determined by a behind-the-scenes struggle between elites. By building a highly personalist autocracy, in other words, Putin has made it impossible to predict what will happen when the inevitable occurs.

BY THE BOOK

From a legal standpoint, it is clear what should happen if Putin were to leave office unexpectedly: according to Russia’s constitution, if the president “is incapable of fulfilling his duties,” the prime minister becomes acting president for no longer than three months while elections are organized. Although Russia is not a democracy, elections there still carry formal procedural weight. The country has had nearly three decades of regular elections since 1993. These votes have become progressively more bogus under Putin, but electoral rules still determine such questions as timing, procedures, and term lengths. They do not determine who stands for office, however, or who gets the backing of the Kremlin. Those things are determined behind the scenes by Putin and a small coterie of elites.

For the last 20 years, Putin has kneecapped the country’s formal institutions and made himself the center of everything. He rewrote the constitution twice—first to extend the length of presidential terms and then to “nullify” his previous service so that he can potentially remain in office until 2036. He has also reduced the two houses of Russia’s parliament and the Constitutional Court to virtual Kremlin puppets and harassed, banned, imprisoned, or killed any opposition candidates capable of challenging him.

In the event that Putin dies or leaves office unexpectedly, therefore, alliances between elites will be at least as important as formal rules in determining who succeeds him. The most likely scenario is that Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin would become the acting president, as the formal rules dictate, and the upper house of Russia’s parliament would have two weeks to schedule an election. During that time, a fierce battle would take place behind the scenes to determine a consensus candidate from among the key players that make up Team Putin. The whole point of electoral authoritarianism, after all, is to know the winner in advance.

As the incumbent—albeit, acting—president, Mishustin would have a big advantage in this succession struggle. He is one of a small handful of politicians in the second tier behind Putin in terms of public trust. He has had consistently high approval ratings, even before the war in Ukraine caused his approval ratings to soar. In some ways, he would be seeking to follow the same path that another colorless prime minister took to the presidency. On New Year’s Eve in 1999, Putin took over as acting president when Boris Yeltsin unexpectedly resigned. Three months later, Putin was formally elected president, after other prominent contenders stepped aside and most elites coalesced around his candidacy.

Mishustin is a relative newcomer to the heights of Russian politics. Appointed prime minister by Putin in January 2020, he was previously the head of Russia’s Federal Tax Service. He was brought in to oversee economic issues and improve government efficiency, but he has forged ties to other key insiders and, according to the Russia analyst Tatiana Stanovaya, “increase[d] his political weight.” His lack of political charisma might be seen as an asset by other Putin loyalists hoping to control him as president, just as Putin’s relative inexperience endeared him to some oligarchs and officials who mistakenly thought they could control him. One thing that might work against Mishustin, paradoxically, is his relatively youthful age of 56. The old guard is in fact quite old, and many might prefer one of their own to a younger and potentially ambitious president.

Even if Mishustin wins the post-Putin sweepstakes, however, there is no guarantee that he will be able to hold together the fractious coalition of Kremlin insiders. Unlike most of Putin’s closest cronies, he is neither a KGB veteran nor a native of St. Petersburg. Members of both elite camps may fear that he will seek to erode their power and wealth, just as Putin did to some prominent Yeltsin associates after he took over. As a result, Mishustin may struggle to consolidate his authority, leaving open the possibility of electoral or even extralegal challenges down the road—neither of which would bode well for Russia’s stability.

UP TO THE CHALLENGE?

Mishustin would likely have the upper hand in any scramble to succeed Putin, but he is not the only candidate. Russia has no formalized chain of succession beyond the prime minister—a whopping legal gap. But others hoping to win enough allies to capture the presidency might try to do so from the Security Council, a body that brings together top political and military officials.

Although none of them is in the formal line of succession, possible contenders for the top job include Sergei Shoigu (the minister of defense), Dmitry Medvedev (a former president and the current vice chair of Russia’s Security Council), Vyacheslav Volodin (the speaker of the Duma), and Sergei Sobyanin (the mayor of Moscow). Given the fractiousness of the Russian elite and the low levels of public support most of these figures enjoy, however, it is difficult to imagine any of them outmaneuvering Mishustin to become the consensus candidate. More likely, all would conclude that a bid for power was too risky and that it was better to live to fight another day.

Still, it is possible that one of them might challenge Mishustin, either in the two-week period during which the Kremlin’s candidate would be anointed or in the subsequent special election as an independent candidate. In this scenario, Mishustin would have the advantage of controlling the presidential levers of power, including state television and the Central Election Commission. But if another Putin insider with national standing decided to compete openly for power, the world would witness something it hasn’t since 1996: a Russian presidential election in which the results were not decided in advance.

There is also the possibility of an extraconstitutional bid for the presidency. Multiple Russian agencies theoretically have the power to stage a coup—not only the military but the Federal Guard Service, the National Guard, and the Federal Security Service. But it is hard to imagine anyone being able to rally all those forces under a single banner, especially during wartime. Historically, Russian leaders have worked hard to avoid situations in which these forces might be employed to physically counterbalance one another. And perhaps more important, Russian military leaders have long deferred to civilian elites. It has been two centuries since the military made a bid for power when a ruler died in office, and a repeat of the 1825 Decembrist Revolt—which quickly collapsed—seems highly unlikely in today’s Russia.

One final scenario that could reduce uncertainty is if Putin were to make a planned departure—for health reasons, for example—and designate a successor. Moving a handpicked replacement into the premiership before leaving office would allow Putin to unify rival elite groups and thereby increase the odds of an orderly succession. It would also replicate his own path to the presidency. Should Putin opt for this route, there is little reason to think he would anoint Mishustin, who was widely seen as a technocrat when he was appointed prime minister.

THE AUTOCRAT’S ACHILLES’ HEEL

Most autocracies are surprisingly durable. Even after authoritarian leaders die in office, their regimes often survive for years or even decades. According to the political scientists Andrea Kendall-Taylor and Erica Frantz, who analyzed all succession events in authoritarian countries between 1946 and 2012, 87 percent of autocratic regimes were still in place one year after a leader’s death, and 76 percent were still in place after five years.

But not all forms of authoritarianism are equally durable. Kendall-Taylor and Frantz found that compared with monarchies, single-party regimes, and military juntas, personalist autocracies such as the one Putin has built are the most vulnerable to regime change. Seventy-eight percent of them were still in place a year after a leader’s death, but that number declined to just 44 percent after five years. In many cases, such as Syria under Hafez al-Assad and North Korea under Kim Il Sung, power passed directly to a family member, helping ensure the survival of the regime. But in Russia, Putin’s daughters are not being groomed for rule; the media are strongly discouraged from even talking about them.

Another source of regime longevity is the tendency of the regime loyalists to come together after a leader’s death in order to head off potential challengers and preserve their power and perks. Members of Putin’s inner circle will be incentivized to do this after he is gone, but without an obvious successor to unite around, they could be especially likely to succumb to factionalism. Infighting of this sort has dominated previous eras of Russian history. After Vladimir Lenin died in 1924, it took Joseph Stalin years to consolidate his position as the undisputed leader. A similar power struggle played out after Stalin’s death in 1953, when Nikita Khrushchev had to call on members of the military to arrest his rival, Lavrenty Beria, who controlled the secret police and the Kremlin’s security services.

Succession is sometimes said to be the Achilles’ heel of autocracies, especially personalist ones. And indeed, a nontrivial share of them—56 percent, according to Kendall-Taylor and Frantz—experience regime change within five years of a ruler’s death. Even if Putin’s regime ultimately survives intact, Russia could be in for a chaotic and even violent period of transition.

Recent Russian history provides some clues as to what it might look like if things go off the rails. In 1993, a power struggle between Yeltsin and the leftover Soviet parliament yielded two weeks of “dual power” in Russia that ended with tanks firing on parliament. In 1999, the transition from Yeltsin to Putin coincided with the resumption of war in the breakaway region of Chechnya and a series of mysterious bombings in Moscow apartment complexes that killed hundreds. When Putin had to temporarily step away from the presidency in 2008 due to term limits, rival factions orchestrated the arrest of key figures from each other’s ranks—a form of political hostage taking aimed at gaining leverage in the succession struggle. In short, leadership transitions in Russia have the potential to be very messy.

Someday, somehow, Putin’s rule will come to an end. When that day comes, his inner circle will be strongly incentivized to cooperate to preserve his regime. As Benjamin Franklin warned in 1776, “We must all hang together, or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately.” But sometimes, those on the losing end of power struggles would rather fight back than give in. Most often, they grasp for economic and political weapons, but occasionally they use tanks and guns. And in the case of a nuclear superpower currently waging a brutal war against the second-largest country in Europe, even a modest chance of regime collapse is cause for global concern.

https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/russian-federation/2022-04-26/power-struggle-after-putin

100 DAYS LATER | What Are Russia’s Achievements

Streamed live on Jun 3, 2022 – 01:04:57

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpBGIHMQz-c

Jude Cowell shares some interesting observations on the upcoming committee hearings…….

Horoscope of the 1st Public J6 Hearing: “A Gang of Robbers in Hiding”

https://www.starsoverwashington.com/2022/06/horoscope-of-1st-public-j6-hearing-gang.html

Jerry,
Many Thanks for the Jude Cowell link!
I note the lady states that on June 9th, Pluto rises with the star of extreme misfortune, Scheat. The red giant star formally known as Scheat, now called Beta Pegasi is the upper right corner of the Great Square of the constellation Pegasus.

Arabian astronomers named it Mankib al Faras, meaning the “Horse’s shoulder”. The Chinese referred to it as (Shì Xiù), meaning Encampment, and as (Shì Xiù èr), “the Second Star of Encampment”.

I am therefore puzzled as to why Jude Cowell refers to it as the star of extreme misfortune. Do you or anyone else on the blog have any idea as to wherefrom she makes this reference? I know very little about the meaning of fixed stars.

Perhaps most concerning was the work she referenced that the final hearing on June 23rd (8:00 pm edt) “with the public Moon @6Tau13 conjunct Inauguration Day 2021’s incendiary Mars-Uranus Conjunction (6Tau44) indicating potentials for aggression from those who support the overthrow of the US government.” That sounds as though it may portend a violent reaction from radical Trumpers, be they part of the Jan. 6th rabble, their spiritual comrades, Trump aides, as well as congressional leaders probably involved in, or with pre-knowledge of the plot. Though it remains to be seen factually, I’m of the opinion at least a few R congressional representatives and senators probably knew of the coming coup attempt and/or may have been in on the planning of same.

Conversely, the date and time of the “final hearing” (and therefore the chart for same) may well not turn out to be final at all. Such hearings in the past have at times been extended of necessity as new information was obtained.

Hi Eliseo,

You raised some valid questions. I would imagine fixed stars can contribute to a better understanding of a chart, but how much significance and influence it has, I have no idea. Apparently in ancient astrology the fixed star Scheat has been described as a malefic.

You were asking for sources. Astrologer Jamie Partridge cites several. One of them is from a publication entitled Fixed Stars and Constellations in Astrology, Vivian E. Robson, 1923, p.206.

Here’s a link for your review……

https://astrologyking.com/scheat-star/

If it is publicly revealed that Trump was deeply implicated in a coordinated attempt to overthrow the government (in effect treasonous behavior) as some congressman such as US Representative Jamie Raskin are suggesting. it would not be surprising if Trump would incite his followers into violence as a distraction as he has on several occasions threatened to do.

Although the second exact US Pluto return won’t occur until July 11th, the Mars-Pluto square on July 1st could be a decisive moment in all of this. Would it clear the path for civil unrest? That remains to be seen. But knowing the past behavior of some of those die-hard Trump supporters, there is reason to be concerned.

I can’t log in to post on Jude’s site. Will somebody who can please ask for a link to the source for date of June 23 being the date scheduled for the last hearing please.

Thank you.

Robert Nicewander

Hi Bob,

The following link contains an article that lists all the dates and specific times of the hearings, starting June 9th to June 23rd…..

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/jan-6-hearings-how-to-watch-b2095006.html

Thanks Jerry but I will not join a site just to get that information. I believe it can be found without commitment for free somewhere.

Here is a start.

Second House Jan. 6 hearing scheduled for the morning of June 13
June 6, 20224:36 PM ET

https://www.npr.org/2022/06/06/1103361814/second-house-jan-6-hearing-scheduled-for-the-morning-of-june-13

“The House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol announced on Monday its second hearing will take place the morning of June 13.

This hearing will take place just days after the first one scheduled for Thursday, which will be in prime time at 8pm EDT.”

Hi Bob,

I hadn’t noticed that until you pointed it out. Thanks for bringing that to my attention. Here is a brief, unfettered text version of the article complete with times and dates……..

“…….The House select committee investigating the Capitol insurrection on 6 January 2021 will hold six public hearings, according to a draft schedule. Multiple broadcasters are likely to carry the proceedings live and hearings will also be shown on the committee’s website.

The major cable news broadcasters – CNN, MSNBC, and possibly Fox News – are expected to focus their coverage on the hearings and many other outlets are likely to show the hearings on their websites and YouTube channels, including The Independent.

The hearings will also be shown live on C-SPAN.
The committee is set to hold two hearings in primetime at 8pm on Thursday 9 June and on 23 June. In between the primetime hearings, additional public sessions will be conducted at 10 am on 13, 15, 16, and 21 June.

The hearings are expected to outline how Donald Trump and some of his associates violated the law as they tried to overturn the 2020 election, The Guardian reported.

“We want to paint a picture as clear as possible as to what occurred,” committee chairman Bennie Thompson told reporters last month. “The public needs to know what to think. We just have to show clearly what happened on January 6.”
The primetime hearings are scheduled to last between 1.5 and two hours, and the morning hearings are set to last between two and 2.5 hours.

One of the committee members will lead each of the hearings, but attorneys who know the sensitive material well will conduct most of the questioning of witnesses.

Most of the witnesses have been subpoenaed to appear at the hearings. Attorneys will also show texts, photos, and videos to strengthen their case.

The content and schedule for the hearings may change. The panel plans to detail the Trump team’s effort to overturn his loss in the more than two months from when he falsely claimed to have won the 2020 election until the Capitol riot on 6 January.

In a March court filing, the committee said that “the president’s rhetoric persuaded thousands of Americans to travel to Washington for January 6, some of whom marched on the Capitol, breached security, and took other illegal actions”.

“Hearings will address those issues in detail”, they added.

Thank you again Jerry.

My charts for tRump show me difficult days for him on June 13. 14, 15, 16, and 17. Perhaps revelations during the hearings will get close to his breaking point though the world’s public will not be allowed to see if that happens. I have not looked closely at the time after June 17 yet.

I Just did the chart for the 21st. It isn’t any better for tRump.

Bob,

Trump’s birthday – June 14th. It coincides with a Full Moon this year. It lines up with his Sun-Moon opposition in square to transiting Neptune. The secrets he has tenaciously held on to and kept hidden could come tumbling out. Here’s the chart for the Sagittarius Full Moon……

https://cafeastrology.com/events/full-moon-on-june-14-2022/

Jerry,

By: Bob on May 25th, 2022 at 9:58 am

In the midst of the J6 hearings.

https://i.imgur.com/qS2xxip.gif

just popping in for a minute ( have been ultra busy lately) to share part of an alarming new article from NZ scientists

“A New Zealand study has found evidence of microplastics in freshly fallen snow in Antarctica for the first time.
The University of Canterbury study found microplastics – which are much smaller than a grain of rice – in all 19 of its samples taken in the region.
Research has shown microplastics have negative impacts on environmental health, limiting growth and reproduction, as well as negative implications for humans. “

kiwi, can you send a link to the article you reference?

silcominc, that link isnt the exact article I copied from, but talks about the same issue

kiwi, thank you.

Excellent article. The NYTimes has some very smart columnists and David Brooks is one of them.

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/08/opinion/the-jan-6-committee-has-already-blown-it.html

Another opinion about the J6 committee’s workings by Glenn Kirschner, 30 plus years as a prosecutor.

With J6 committee public hearings set to begin, we ask: why has DOJ apparently chosen to go second?
Jun 8, 2022, 00:17:12

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpfA2C0EBrM

Link to his MSNBC Daily piece:
https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/how-house-s-january-6-investigation-trump-s-big-lie-n1295862

Having seen the very powerful opening remarks by Rep. Glenn Thompson and Liz Cheyney, and the unbelievable, 1st time seen, real-life footage of the Capitol riot, attack and breach, more shocking than any film could ever be, with one of the Capitol police sitting there with his family, crying after the footage was over, I surely hope David Brooks is wrong.

Sharon,

Brooks is usually a bit more level headed and on point these days, particularly for a Conservative, but on this one, he’s way off.

This whole hearing is damning. It’s beyond politics. We damn near lost our country on January 6. And for what? An egomaniac and a bunch of quarter-wit cosplaying brownshirts?

Yes, but most Republicans are afraid to expose the lie about the Big Lie so instead they say the Dems are politicizing all of this. The fact that they supported Trump’s absolute lies will make them look like the assholes and cowards that they are, so they can’t admit it. I think they played a video tonight of Ivanka saying she knew there was no voter fraud because Barr told her so and she respects him, but even that will be denied. Thank God for Liz Cheyney. She is one of the good ones – in fact, the best one.

Sharon,
True, they can’t admit what fools they were to fall for Trump’s lies, or to have gone along with them when they knew they were false, and maybe wanted them to be true. When someone is so dogmatically committed, be they conservative, liberal, or other, it is very difficult to admit you were wrong. It takes time.

It was a similar situation with Nixon’s departure from office, decades ago. Years later, it was shocking to me when I encountered people I knew for a fact who had supported and voted for Nixon, but nevertheless claimed they never voted for him.

What stands out for me is Liz Cheney referring to the Republicans who lack morals. It seems MOST of them have no morals.

She grew up around power. The people who surrounded her in her childhood, in her forming years, were powerful. She watched what power did, and obviously formed her ideas of what power should do. She also is proud to be an American. The Constitution means everything to her. She reminds us that the appointed representative swore an oath to the Constitution – not to a single person.

It seems to me that many or most of the Republicans in the House and the Senate are Great Pretenders. They pretend to want to represent the people in their district, but really they are sociopaths that are in it for themselves – how can they benefit themselves with the pleasure of having power, and having the means to make themselves into millionaires and billionaires.

How did we get ourselves into such a situation? Americans might ask.

Spiraling INEQUALITY. The original sin of slavery. Capitalism gone amok.

Stupid electing stupid.

Now what are the remedies? The first step is to define the problem……Then seek a solution. Right?

I think all the astrologers on this blog are WAITING for Pluto to go into Aquarius. I know the downsides to Aquarius, but anything has to be better than what we have now…..

The US Mars-Neptune square which gave us Hollywood also gave us those phony lying politicians. We have to make the shift to idealizing the Constitution.

The sooner we manage to do what Norway has done, the better. Norway takes care of the basics of life for its citizens, and then Capitalism is its pleasure.

We also have to refine Capitalism. Capitalism, if left unchecked, breeds inequality.

You know how we say Necessity is the Mother of Invention? Well my Mother used to say that
C-c-c-COLD is the Mother of Invention. She said those in warm climes didn’t need to invent things to keep themselves warm.

When you look at Norway, Sweden and Finland on the map, you will see that they are at the same latitude as Northern Canada.

However, Northern Russia and Siberia are also far North. We don’t hear much from them.

Hmm. So there must be something else at play…..

c

Social temperament. The Norwegian countries and Canada don’t have the scaled up equivalent of a population of cantankerous, anti-intellectual Scots-Irish people around. We do, particularly in the US South and Appalachia, which is a large part of why we have struggled so mightily with moving this country forward to where it ought to be.

We are dealing with a whole lot of argumentative, uncooperative and ill-tempered people in America who are all too eager to cut off their noses to spite their own faces, rather than admit on any level that they might be even remotely wrong. People who for generations would deny blacks and other minorities equal rights because they think giving someone else fair and equitable treatment somehow comes at their own expense. It’s one of the most destructive qualities in the American character, and it has been exploited to extreme ends for the past 50+ years by the Republican Party, and more recently by Murdoch/Fox News & Carlson et al., as well as Putin.

Honestly, this behavior is one of the ugliest things about this country, and a large part of why we are in our present predicament. The moment calls for humility, soul searching and understanding, followed by a fierce commitment to meting out justice to those deserving it, where it has gone for too long wanting. This is not the time to double down on stupid because “how dare anyone challenge me and tell me that I’m wrong?!”

We have lots of Scotch and Irish in Canada. The difference appears to be religious and an economy based on slavery and genocide.

Meanwhile, enjoy this: https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/06/10/trump-has-secured-his-place-history/

sunstars,

I am looking forward to the arrival of the Pluto in Aquarius energies, the very first hints of, we will begin to experience in October when Pluto goes direct.

I don’t think it will save us, however. Nothing will if we aren’t committed to doing the necessary work that must meet this transit and the opportunities that it will present to humanity.

We are dealing with very high levels of cynicism right now. Many of us who dream of a better world are deeply, and perhaps even rightly discouraged by the fact that many of the things we thought we should have left behind by now are still very much with us.

I never imagined that Trump would be elected President in 2016. I knew with 100% certainty that he had a dark cloud of wickedness, chaos, and destruction around him, and would undoubtedly bring that to the country and world if he somehow made it into office.

We did not dodge that bullet, unfortunately. And the prices we have paid have been very high, in honor, dignity, treasury, and most importantly lives that have been lost.

However, enough people stepped up along the way to challenge and contain him, and in 2020, we duly sent him packing and out of the White House, although even then, he refused to go quietly.

The Congressional hearings are overdue, yet they can still fuel to the fire in a call for justice to ensure that he and his associates are brought to heel and never again pose a threat to our democracy.

The hope of Pluto in Aquarius is that collective people power serving the masses and the higher possibility for humanity as a whole can right the wrongs caused by so much power concentrated into so few hands. CEOs and other corporate and political executives–our modern-day Kings and Queens–have reigned supreme during the Pluto in Capricorn years.

It doesn’t seem like it, but their time, and that of the 1% elites, is coming to an end. I expect we are going to see a number of these people leave their positions within the next 3 years–either due to scandals and/or resignations, firings, lost elections, death, etc. Lots of old men like Koch, Murdoch, etc. — even Trump, as well as Biden and Pelosi — are holding key positions of influence and power at advanced ages. Its very much a Pluto in Capricorn thing. When the Pluto in Cap energy wanes, there’s a very good chance that they will too.

I read an article recently by Jessica Adams, who drew a parallel between this time and the era of the French Revolution, the last time Pluto transitioned from Capricorn to Aquarius. Who ruled France while Pluto was in Cap then? King Louis XIV and Marie Antoinette. Both were removed from power, imprisoned and executed as Pluto moved deeper into Aquarius and the Revolution ensued.

I would think this should stand as a cautionary tale for people in similar positions of high status today. You may appear to be and see yourself as being powerful and untouchable, but that is only but for a time. The turning of the tides, when the occur, can be quite swift–and have sweeping effects.

Andre,

The peculiar location and migration patterns of the Scots-Irish out of the British Isles seems to have been the most decisive factor here regarding their impact here in the states. Maybe just one contributing factor, but it doesn’t seem that it can be overlooked.

I suspect that Canada has some other social and cultural offsets too that we don’t enjoy here. You have far more people of French ancestry than we do, for instance.

I do agree though that slavery and religion have also been major contributing factors since the founding of the US. But I think an ethno-cultural predisposition to resistance without rationale has not helped our situation any.

Hang on a minute guys – being mostly of scottish descent, with some Irish and a bit of French thrown in, I object to the sentiment of blaming the scots. My family passed on values of kindness, honesty, hard work, and a live-and-let-live attitude, as did many with scottish heritage. Cultural broad brush judgments are not helpful. I think control and greed can be the curse within any ethnicity. Within any race you also find many with kindness, generosity and innovation.
Scots immigrated around the world in the 1800s because of economic hardship at home, (due in large part to competition from the american cotton industry affecting their linen income), as well as a large dislike of overlord gentry greed. Some earlier immigrants were seized with ‘hellfire and damnation’ religious fervor which spread its separate problems of control and christian distortion around the globe.
My scottish ancestors on both sides of the family arrived in NZ in 1842 & 1886.

The thread started by BuckeyeShadow (I love that handle!) inspired me to look at our nation’s Moon which symbolizes the American public.

In the USA Sibley chart the Moon is sesquiquadrate the Sun in Cancer and Saturn in Libra; and the Saturn and Sun are both square to each other. The Moon in AQ is “we the people” and in AQ describes the iconoclastic, independent and rebellious American people. The challenge in AQ is for the people to strive for a more perfect union of different types of people. AQ describes the challenge of integrating the “other” into the greater collective. The aspect to the Cancer Sun brings fear of the “other” and the tendency to stick to, nurture and protect one’s own (and to hell with those other people!). The aspect from the Libran Saturn brings in an insecurity and a difficulty for the American people in establishing partnerships that are equitable and just. The Moon is also exactly semi-sextile Pluto which brings in domination or manipulation by the very rich and powerful symbolized by our Capricorn Pluto as well as bringing in plutonic tendencies like brutality and bigotry.

The Sibley chart is one of several accepted chart that use July 4, 1776 as our nation’s birthdate, so I didn’t use house positions and the actual degree of the Moon changes half a degree every hour so the accuracy of aspects may vary, but I think that the tension between the Sun and Moon describe our on-going and fraught challenge of integrating “other” into a more perfect union. This is a reckoning that will likely reach crescendo when Pluto travels through AQ and meets up with “we the people.”

Yikes, are the Dems starting to turn on Biden for the 24 race?

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/11/us/politics/biden-2024-election-democrats.html

I recall someone on this board a long time ago talked about Harris having a strong connection with the USA chart. Anyone recall?

I think all will work out for President Biden on the night of the midterms.

By: Bob on January 21st, 2022, at 9:14 pm

Transiting Jupiter trining President Biden’s natal Sun, Venus, and Jupiter on election night is an excellent aspect for him on that day.

https://imgur.com/z5HicQK.gif

By: Bob on January 24th, 2022, at 9:31 am

My progressed anlunar chart for president Biden for 9 pm, EST, in Washington on election night has its Jupiter on the MC and his secondary progressed natal Jupiter on its ASC; agreeing with the transit of Jupiter to his natal points.

https://i.imgur.com/rmxroDC.gif

silcominc, Biden is the oldest president the U.S. has ever had, and he’ll be 80 on his next birthday, Nov 20. The fact that the sun (and probably other planets in Scorpio) closely follows the midterms might be good news for Biden (but I haven’t looked; uranus will still be in Taurus & saturn in Leo so it sounds like some squares, oppositions). Personally, I think Biden has done a great job. I posted David Axelrod’s quote about Biden not getting the credit he deserves on FB today. Of course, almost any Democratic president will face being vilified by a huge chunk of the country and only a really good economy will counter that. That being said, I do think Biden’s age is against him. He is in good health but will not project strength that much longer. However, I cannot think of any Democrat I’d like to see run at the moment.

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/…/david-axelrod… “Biden doesn’t get the credit he deserves for steering the country through the worst of the pandemic, passing historic legislation, pulling the NATO alliance together against Russian aggression and restoring decency and decorum to the White House,” Axelrod said. “And part of the reason he doesn’t is performative. He looks his age and isn’t as agile in front of a camera as he once was, and this has fed a narrative about competence that isn’t rooted in reality.”\

Nope. Give Biden a break.

Onward and Upward.

We have never been here before.

I mean 80 is the new 50.

Hey Baby Boomers – Support your own.

I plan to live til 121 – IF I don’t commit suicide.

I want to see how things turn out.

I am healthy.

Biden may look frail but he is ALL THERE. Why take away from him before his time. He is a darn sight better than we’ve had 5 years ago….

It’s unbelievable what he’s done to turn this country back to normalcy.

Where is the perspective? Where is the respect?

Like… Give me a break!

Ok Baby Boomers on this site! Respect your own..

Do you not believe what your parents gave you – Your parents of the “Greatest Generation”?

We have the capacity to live to be well over 100 years.

RESPECT Biden. Respect that his wife is supporting him and his health in every way.

Respect that we are the recipient of all the knowledge that has come before us..

There is nothing like experience and wisdom and Biden has it.

YOU, my dear baby boomers, have experience too.

Look sharp. Be sharp. Think into the Future. 🙂

Sharon K- Thank you for David Axelrod.

And Bob – Thank you for your astrology. I have been following for months – what you have said about Biden and the results of the election. True believer here … 🙂

Sunstars,
RE: Biden. Well said!
I don’t agree with Mr. Biden on every single issue; there are some issues on which I believe he’s truly wrong headed, but he’s hundreds of times better than the previous guy and several of our other previous presidents as well!

Honestly, IMHO he is the best we’ve had since FDR and Harry Truman. I think deep down he’s a New Dealer, doing all he possibly can within current political restraints to lead us toward the New Deal social democratic goal we abandoned long ago. Furthermore, IMO he has struck a perfect balance in countering Mr. Putin, Russian aggression, and the other political bullies, and oppressive despots that rule too much of this Earth.

RE: Longevity and Baby Boomers.
For many, but not all, 80 really IS the new 50.
Quite a number of my high school classmates have passed. But like you, I plan to live long enough to leave a decent legacy, and I definitely want to see how things turn out. My grandparents lived to almost 100. I’ve lost 40 pounds, and am gradually getting healthier every day. I have no desire to EVER retire, and I believe I can live at least as long as my grandparents, and probably far longer. Why Not?!? I have merely just begun!

I believe many of us can continue beyond 100 contributing our ideas, expertise and experience. We folks with Pluto in Leo are not nearly done yet!

BuckeyeShadow,
RE: Scots, Irish, etc. With all due respect, I believe you’ve inadvertently oversimplified the equation. It was not so much the Irish, but certain specific, unscrupulous, Calvinistic, slave owning English, Scots, and others who stemmed from the plantations of the Caribbean, and planted the dark seeds within the American experience which have so brilliantly come to fruition at various points in our history, especially during the Civil War and recently while Pluto has transited Capricorn.

Ten years ago, Sara Robinson addressed this historical/political reality, writing about the origins of the plantation minded type “conservatives” that have come to dominate us. It is one of the best and most brilliant psycho-historical essays I’ve ever read. I recommend it highly.

The author makes a sharp distinction between two very different types of rich people, the Puritan New England originated type with the humanitarian attitude of noblesse oblige, and the Southern type bathed in brutality.

Here are some salient excerpts:
“But perhaps the most destructive piece of the Southern elites’ worldview is the extremely anti-democratic way it defined the very idea of liberty. In Yankee Puritan culture, both liberty and authority resided mostly with the community, and not so much with individuals. Communities had both the freedom and the duty to govern themselves as they wished (through town meetings and so on), to invest in their collective good, and to favor or punish individuals whose behavior enhanced or threatened the whole (historically, through community rewards such as elevation to positions of public authority and trust; or community punishments like shaming, shunning or banishing).

Individuals were expected to balance their personal needs and desires against the greater good of the collective — and, occasionally, to make sacrifices for the betterment of everyone. (This is why the Puritan wealthy tended to dutifully pay their taxes, tithe in their churches and donate generously to create hospitals, parks and universities.) In return, the community had a solemn and inescapable moral duty to care for its sick, educate its young and provide for its needy — the kind of support that maximizes each person’s liberty to live in dignity and achieve his or her potential. A Yankee community that failed to provide such support brought shame upon itself. To this day, our progressive politics are deeply informed by this Puritan view of ordered liberty.

In the old South, on the other hand, the degree of liberty you enjoyed was a direct function of your God-given place in the social hierarchy. The higher your status, the more authority you had, and the more “liberty” you could exercise — which meant, in practical terms, that you had the right to take more “liberties” with the lives, rights and property of other people. Like an English lord unfettered from the Magna Carta, nobody had the authority to tell a Southern gentleman what to do with resources under his control. In this model, that’s what liberty is. If you don’t have the freedom to rape, beat, torture, kill, enslave, or exploit your underlings (including your wife and children) with impunity — or abuse the land, or enforce rules on others that you will never have to answer to yourself — then you can’t really call yourself a free man.

When a Southern conservative talks about “losing his liberty,” the loss of this absolute domination over the people and property under his control — and, worse, the loss of status and the resulting risk of being held accountable for laws that he was once exempt from — is what he’s really talking about. In this view, freedom is a zero-sum game. Anything that gives more freedom and rights to lower-status people can’t help but put serious limits on the freedom of the upper classes to use those people as they please. It cannot be any other way. So they find Yankee-style rights expansions absolutely intolerable, to the point where they’re willing to fight and die to preserve their divine right to rule.

Once we understand the two different definitions of “liberty” at work here, a lot of other things suddenly make much more sense. We can understand the traditional Southern antipathy to education, progress, public investment, unionization, equal opportunity, and civil rights. The fervent belief among these elites that they should completely escape any legal or social accountability for any harm they cause. Their obsessive attention to where they fall in the status hierarchies. And, most of all — the unremitting and unapologetic brutality with which they’ve defended these “liberties” across the length of their history.

When Southerners quote Patrick Henry — “Give me liberty or give me death” — what they’re really demanding is the unquestioned, unrestrained right to turn their fellow citizens into supplicants and subjects.

The Yankee elites have always known this — and feared what would happen if that kind of aristocracy took control of the country. And that tension between these two very different views of what it means to be “elite” has inflected our history for over 400 years.”

Conservative Southern Values Revived: How a Brutal Strain of American Aristocrats Have Come to Rule America
America didn’t used to be run like an old Southern slave plantation, but we’re headed that way now. How did that happen?
June 28, 2012 |

https://www.salon.com/2012/07/01/southern_values_revived/

The June 28th Cancer New Moon (7 ’22 Cancer) will conjoin Trump’s natal Mercury (8 ’51 Cancer) in square to tr. Jupiter (7 ’19 Aries) and forming a wider t square to Trump’s progressed Neptune (7 ’10 Libra). Will justice (Jupiter) prevail?………..

Trump May Be Charged for Trying to Overthrow Election by End of the Month

Newsweek
June 10, 2022

Former President Donald Trump could face his first charges for trying to overturn the results of the 2020 election as early as this month.

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis told the Associated Press that she expects to come to a decision on whether her office will charge the former president by June 30 for allegedly attempting to overthrow the results in Georgia.

Continued……

https://www.newsweek.com/trump-may-charged-trying-overthrow-election-end-month-1714783

Wow folks. Are you serious about Biden or anyone in the 80s still being viable or even perceived viable enough to make a successful run for President? At some point in our elder years it become a natural and graceful to step down and perhaps mentor or simply take some time for leisure and enjoying the time left to do what one never had time for, before that time runs out. Biden is not the only person qualified to run, I know some of you have expressed that, or sentiments that echo that, but there are others younger and stronger who I think are better candidates.

President Biden will not be running for office in the midterms. I think the positive aspects for him on that day are a reflection of his response to how Democratic party candidates do on that election day.

My comments on the Scots-Irish probably do reflect my own experiences with the culture. My experience has been that our particular combination of Scottish and Irish peoples in the US brings out the worst characteristics in both groups. I acknowledge that it wasn’t my intention to paint anyone with a broad stroke, but simply to point out the historical cultural influences that are with us today and have significantly contributed to our current predicament.

Eliseo, you clarified things nicely, however. So many of our problems today come Southern social culture and its obsession with preserving status on the backs of others. If someone else—blacks, women, gays, etc—accomplishes a gain in rights, status, wealth, etc, the white men of this culture see it as a loss and a personal affront to their status and dignity—and all too often in our history, we have seen the destructive rage these men launch into.

This is indeed what we are dealing with in the Republican Party-Fox News-MAGAt political monstrosity. I don’t think it can be any way placated and made peace with. It must be attacked, crushed, and even beat and broken out of these people. Repeatedly if necessary. The Civil War and the Reconstruction did not go far enough, and we are living with the profound consequences of that failure today. Handled properly more than a century ago, we might not be dealing with such animus in our politics today.

I do believe there is hope that the more egalitarian orientation of the Yankee North as you describe it, Eliseo, will see a resurgence in the coming days of Pluto in Aquarius. It may not have much direct bearing on Southern culture, which through its hierarchical obsession, seems to have been custom made to thrive during the Pluto in Capricorn era, but I wonder if we see an effort emerge that establishes what increasingly becomes a stark contrast in cultures?

Frank: I was not suggesting Biden run for another term. I desire acknowledgement and appreciation of the American people for what he has already accomplished in THIS term, and I desire support and respect for him for the rest of this term.

When people say as their first descriptor of him – “He’s Old.”…..That tells me more about the speaker than their statement about Biden.

I myself wanted Bernie Sanders, or Elizabeth Warren. They are Social Democrats. But I understand that Biden was the one, because he could get the Black votes. And then I understood upon watching from Canada, that Biden was the one who could negotiate with the Senators, Reps and other key people because of his past honed skills and contacts. Then I realized he was the right person for the job at this time.

It is up to Biden to decide what he wants in his “Elder Years”.

If continuity is called for, and if he can do it, and if it is thought that he could win, he should be supported for a second term.

With the current climate I do not know if we can win in the next election with a declared Social Democrat such as Bernie Sanders or Elizabeth Warren.

Bernie Sanders has said that if Joe Biden does not run in the next election, he – Bernie Sanders – will run.

Justa let you know, Frank – Bernie Sanders is older than Joe Biden.

Bob, I agree on Biden—I think after the midterms, he will announce that he is not running for re-election, making way for Democratic contenders to emerge. This also reflects the imminent transition of Pluto between Capricorn and Aquarius—literally a change in the power dynamic and its expression.

Biden is of an advanced age, and there are many like him sitting in key positions of political and corporate power these days (or who seem to desire it, like TFG). Pluto in Cap heavily favors and supports such individuals, and those who represent the establishment, which here in the US has long been white Protestant men (although Biden is Catholic—and Catholicism has clearly grown in influence, looking at the makeup of SCOTUS).

But Pluto in Aquarius will empower very different leaders who likely will be striking in contrast from what has been the norm. Undoubtedly there will be more minority leaders. I see atheism and openly atheist candidates on the rise as well, in part as a direct challenge to corrupt right-wing Christianity and it’s extremely self-damning embrace of TFG.

Also, it’s entirely possible that we see the rise of leaders, such as Pete Buttigieg who are openly gay. Even people who are transgender could rise in influence. Aquarius often eschews traditions and social norms, so what was heavily resisted or persecuted in Capricorn can suddenly be embraced and empowered in Aquarius.

I don’t quite see the how of it yet, but I do believe that we will see a lot of the garbage legislation that the Republican Party has wrought at the state level in states like Texas, Florida, and my own Ohio, challenged and overturned. Then again, maybe we come to a place where it is simply ignored and rendered unenforceable.

What if cities in these places declared themselves independent of their state governments? Seems like a very Aquarian thing to do. And an alliance of cities could force their recognition in the Constitution—and permanently blunt the overreach of the Republican Party.

Also to be clear, Aquarius doesn’t exclude old people. But let’s consider their energy. I am okay with Biden, and would take him any day over any Republican alive, and most of those who are not.

And, there is almost zero about Biden that breaks from the norm. In many ways, he embodies it.

Bernie Sanders or Elizabeth Warren on the other hand would each represent a significant departure from the status quo of politics and policy as they have been practiced during the Pluto In Capricorn era—which itself is actually the culmination of the Conservative backlash to the 60s which really took hold during Reagan’s presidency in the 1980s and has set the agenda now in this country for 40+ years. That era is blessedly coming to an end now. It remains to be seen what exactly will replace it, but it won’t look like what has been up to this point.

I am a realist. I wasn’t judging Biden or anyone else as “old” or “too old” in a general context, but in the context of 4 more years as president.

Many boomers have aged well and have achieved or will achieve longevity. My 1st cousin was born in 1931 and is 20 yrs older than I, more a member of “the Greatest Generation”, not a boomer.
She turned 91 today and is doing great. She’s lived through a lot and has been very attentive to diet and exercise but she still is too limited to just do anything she wants to. And, she respects her limitations and it serves her well (and congratulations on losing 40 lbs, Eliseo!).

I was judging Biden’s ability to have the wherewith, all at age 82-86, to be the strong president we need and, more importantly, be perceived that way (especially after what he’s been through in his 1st term), and the fact remains that he already is being blamed for a lot of things and not given credit for the great accomplishments he has achieved.

And, as Axelrod said: “The presidency is a monstrously taxing job, and the stark reality is the president would be closer to 90 than 80 at the end of a second term, and that would be a major issue,”…

And, if the economy goes any further south, or if the Republicans take over after the mid-terms and find a way to improve the economy & be given credit for it, that’s not good news.

I want the Democratic Party to win the presidency. We are this country’s best chance. I want a strong, healthy, forceful, highly ethical, and highly experienced Democrat to run for president and, as Biden is (and I was a major supporter of his), someone who is perceived as moderate enough to attract votes from both parties and from the Independents.

Yes it is true that the presidency is a monstrously taxing job. I have observed Biden getting up day after day and going from one crisis to another…..thinking of his dedication, and the dedication of his wife.

Frank,
I also was not suggesting Biden run for another term. He and the Dems will only cross that bridge when they get there. If Biden is sufficiently popular and in good enough health in 2024 I’m OK with him running for a second term. But I doubt that will be the case.

I greatly admire Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, but Bernie is older than Biden, and Senator Warren would be 75 in 2024. If age is a factor, the public might reject them. Furthermore, as much as I truly like both of them, I see them as overly ideological. This is especially true of Bernie.

I believe Sharon hit the right chord in saying she preferred “someone who is perceived as moderate enough to attract votes from both parties and from the Independents.” I too am a Social Democrat, but IMO to get elected the candidate has to campaign as a moderate, and after election move Leftward step by step. This is how FDR was elected and governed.

BuckeyeShadow,
RE: your statement – “The Civil War and the Reconstruction did not go far enough, and we are living with the profound consequences of that failure today. Handled properly more than a century ago, we might not be dealing with such animus in our politics today.”

I’ve long asserted the same proposition. Lincoln’s plan for Reconstruction, enacted after his death, was entirely too lenient. The worst mistake IMHO, of his presidency was the pocket veto of the Wade-Davis bill, a far more realistic plan.

Frank,

I have been getting small signs and comments here and there that Gavin Newsom might make a run for Democratic presidency. I think he would be very solid choice.

sunstars…I think the Bidens are wonderful and admirable. I honestly don’t know how they do it, but people wear out physically and lose strength, and that’s what I worry about regarding Biden. Things could change of course, but there are many axioms about knowing when to make an exit and leaving gracefully at the right time, leave them wanting more, know when to hold ’em and when to fold ’em, etc. Right now, Joe Biden is doing well, but I think his age is against him and, if it comes down to a choice, I’d rather see him leave while still at his peak rather than continue while in a decline, especially at a time when Republican may have an edge over us, due to the economy.

As far as Newsom, he survived the recall by a good margin, not an overwhelming one, but CA has a lot of problems with homelessness and the most recent primaries rejected progressive candidates. Here’s an interesting list of favored Dem candidates My favorites on the list are Booker and Klobuchar. https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/the-top-10-democratic-presidential-candidates-for-2024-ranked/ar-AAWhoi3

Im fine with Biden’s age given it has become more of a norm for more people to remain sane, active and and healthy til 100 even. Personally I wish whoever was president had less power than has been the case in recent years. A chairman of the board facilitator type, not a dictator. Too many want ‘big daddy’ to ‘fix’ everything. No wonder trump thought it was his big opportunity. Time to get more serious, altruistic, hardworking, representatives that actually earn their keep by making good laws for the executive to implement, instead of the current crop of mostly self serving showboaters.

I cried tears of relief when Biden won. On my street my neighbors joined me and my husband toasting his victory with champagne. Biden is the person for the time. That all said, I will not vote for him in a primary if he runs in 2024 because of his age. Pelosi is my congresswoman and I voted for her in the primary and will support her in November with the hope and expectation that she will step down as she said she would. We’ve got to move on from octogenarians and support younger, fresher and more vital Democrats.

Will, I dont believe Gavin Newsom would have a chance outside of getting support from the West Coast and parts of the Northeast.

I am liking Senator Amy Klobacher more and more, and I am impressed with Senator Marie Hirono from Hawaii. And, there are many more talented and strong Democrats.

As an aside, my husband and I are seriously looking into being moved out of the country by Nov 2024. MY hope and prayer is for a strengthened democracy and a move away from minority rule and authoritarianism. I’m scared though, heart sick and fed up with the American people, with their love of guns and their gullibility to conspiracy theories. I encourage all of you to make plans to pave the way for a quick exit, just in case the worst happens.

Kiwi,
The Founders intended the Congress to be the most powerful branch of the three. But the powers of the presidency have vastly increased over the last 120 years. IMO, it’s time to return the powers ceded to the presidency back to the Congress. I believe that will occur, but it will be a gradual process.

Eliseo, if I remember correctly, wasn’t it supposed to be more like, representatives mostly handled domestic issues; the president was to interact with foreign entities and implement legislation passed by others?
Then came the push by some for dictator lite ‘unitary authority’

I draw a line to the current political mess directly to the power of wall street, and by extention, K street’s marketing conmen BullS***.

If these televised January 6 hearings gain traction ( I think that will happen) it could be the beginning of the end for DT. There are so many dynamic moving parts to this coming election season. I still think a vote for any Republican is a thumbs-up to more mass shootings and murdered children.

We’ve just got to get thru this summer intact. It’s going to be a long hot one.

kiwi, what you raise is because for the past 40 years, not only has there been a hollowing out of our Great Society but also deregulation of many industries so that now America is a Corporatocracy. This is why in the old days a legislative bill would be a few paragraphs or pages but now, bills routinely run in the 100’s or even thousands of pages because the lobbyists carve out every loophole for their corporate or wealthy client.

The system we are fighting to save is broken. Our only hope is that once we save it, we can change it to reflect the people and not the corporations.

Amen Silcominc

Will..

Your Gavin Newsom sitting in the Oval Office made me think of Kimberly Guilfoyle..Uck!

Poetic Justice!

What comes Garland’s way at the end of the J6 committee’s hearings?

https://i.imgur.com/euqbLhj.gif

Would someone please look at the GA Senate race between Warnock and Walker. Walker has a trine from Mars to his Mars-Jupiter conjunction exact on Nov 8, Election Day. But Warnock has some good aspects too.
Warnock born 7/23/69 Savannah, GA
Walker born 3/3/62 Wrightsville, GA

Since Pluto moved past the US Mercury opposition early this year, the Big Lie has been harder to sustain. It is now coming under a more critical examination while Pluto retrogrades near the Mercury opposition in October. Once Pluto moves forward again, it will be thoroughly discredited and there will be consequences on the mid-terms.

The most critical time will be around July 10 as the Pluto return is exact for the second time. I believe the survival of the Republic will be more than ever on people’s minds and many intractable problems will intensify at the same time. I still think Trump will be indicted in coming months and this will improve Democrats’ fortunes in November. Many people will vote out of fear for democracy.

Andre,
“I still think Trump will be indicted in coming months and this will improve Democrats’ fortunes in November. Many people will vote out of fear for democracy.”

I pray your assessment is correct, AND hopefully many other high level R’s involved in the coup attempt and “Big Lie” will also be indicted. That probably also includes some presently sitting members of the House and Senate.

Some say such indictments would be dangerous, sparking more violence. IMO, the greater danger is if we DON’T indict them.

Hi Andre,

The activation of the US Pluto return could begin earlier; at the time of the Mars-Pluto square of July 1st.

Note: the July 13th Capricorn Full Moon (21 ’21 Cap) will be activating the January 12, 2020 Saturn/Pluto conjunction (22 ’48 Cap), that many astrologers contend precipitated the current post COVID 19 crisis.

Hard to fathom that he was with the likes of her.. The woman he married is saccy and resourceful. I think he’s got a shot at the WH in the future.

I’m very tired of google as a news aggregator. I’m looking for an alternative that aggregates liberal, conservative, and moderate news stories. Does anyone have a recommendation? I use an android phone and a PC, not anything made by Apple.

Interesting pattern emerging?

It’s not just hidden information about the words, commands, and activities of DJT, but also about Pope Pius 12th and Ronald Reagan. Although originally reported 2 years ago, on youtube the PBS report on audio of Reagan speaking in racist terms with Nixon, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whOl89CH0zY
is reemerging,

and PBS reports on the recently released book The Pope at War, which documents the communication with A. Hitler.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7fV1KOcR7U

Thank you Andre, its always good to read your comments.

Eliseo, I have not used it so cannot say if its better or worse, but years ago, I think perhaps on this site, someone recommended startpage.com as an alternate to google. Good luck.

Eliseo,

Bing ( https://www.bing.com/ ) seems to be a logical alternative. I don’t know if it fits your criteria on algorithms, but it’s worth exploring. The following is from Wikipedia….

“Microsoft Bing (commonly known as Bing) is a web search engine owned and operated by Microsoft. The service has its origins in Microsoft’s previous search engines: MSN Search, Windows Live Search and later Live Search. Bing provides a variety of search services, including web, video, image and map search products. It is developed using ASP.NET.”

Kiwi, Jerry,
Thanks for the suggestions. I’m very tired of google recording all my searches, sending me ads, undermining my privacy, etc. They know too much about ALL of us, misuse the information, and hardly know what they know.

I’ve used startpage before – advantage is it is far more secure – no ads coming at you because you researched a thing or a product. Disadvantage is it doesn’t give you as many hits or sites per search term as google. But I do use startmail! As much as I like them, my concern is the Russians may at some point cut or damage the Atlantic cable, and other lines to N. America. Startpage/Startmail comes out of the Netherlands.

Jerry,
I’ll try Bing. It comes out of California, I believe. I’ll test it on privacy issues and on its search capacity and efficiency. I plan to cease using chrome as much as possible, and cancel my gmail account for an alternative backup email address.

I use http://www.DuckDuckGo.com when I don’t want feedback from Google.

very interesting narrative by Ellie dreams down under regarding her take on ‘the plan’.
(For logical perspective, she has had prior experience developing strategic plans when working within police and high levels of govt in britain.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkAot7qWKOA

tRump in the spotlight June 22, afternoon or early evening.

Kiwi,

How fitting. The title to the nine page document Ella cites; the blue-print to the overturning of the 2020 presidential election is entitled “1776 Returns”. All of this being aired in public while in the midst of the US 7/4/1776 Pluto return. Just an observation.

Speaking of the US Pluto return, astrologer Denise Segal has for the past few months or so pointed to Pluto’s US return at 27 Capricorn in t square to the New York Stock Exchanges Neptune-Saturn opposition which in previous significant planetary transits have usually signaled a downturn in the US economy. The effect will be felt and most pronounced between late June to mid July. See related video…..

The Economy – Predictions For The Next Year

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NU4Rhsmszf0

And that indeed seems to be happening in real time….

Stock Markets Plunge Again As Flurry of Interest Rate Hikes Fuels Recession Fears

Investors wary as other central banks follow US Federal Reserve in raising borrowing costs

The Guardian
June 17, 2022

The global rout in stock markets, cryptocurrencies and other risky assets has gathered pace amid growing concern that out-of-control inflation, rising interest rates and slowing growth could combine to tip the world into recession.

Share prices fell in Asia on Friday at the beginning of what was likely to be another torrid day for investors spooked by the US Federal Reserve’s decision this week to raise interest rates by the largest margin for almost 30 years.

Continued…..

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/jun/17/asia-markets-plunge-again-as-flurry-of-interest-rate-hikes-fuels-recession-fears

From info from the 2nd day Jan. 6th committee – On the basis of the Big Lie, the Trump camp raised from the public $250 million post election, ostensibly for the purpose of legal fees with which to contest the election results. The money instead went into certain individual R. pockets. My Gawd! $250 million would pay for full scholarships for 5000 students to complete a BS or BA degree at most state colleges.

Suddely in my mind, Bernie’s intention to arrange a tax structure to enable any and all qualified prospective students to attend their first two years of college at no tuitional cost far more plausible.

I suspect one eventual result of the Jan. 6th event and the Jan. 6th committee hearings will be either the reform, or quite possibly the abolition of the electoral college.

I hope Starlighters are taking time to watch the January 6 Hearings. I for one find the revelations and clarifications as well.as the storytelling exceptionally validating and moralizing. For the first time in several years, I have regained hope for the survival of our democracy.

Andrew, so refreshing to see your posts; you are missed.

I’ve buried 4 important people in my life over the last week. Breathing and feeling through all of this.

Eliseo: I like the way you think.

will: I sure AM watching the hearings! And (((((HUG!))))) for the change(s) in your life….. that’s a lot. I don’t know what words to say…..makes one stretch to think of the afterlife, and how we all are related…. how we as individuals came together in the first place….

I am perusing the horoscope of my paternal grandmother who I have never met. Her chart has striking similarities to the chart of my best friend.

Will,
The hearings impart a sense of hope to me as well. My main concern are the Trumper kooks elected to positions which control and supervise elections. Nevertheless, several astrologers see things improving for us politically, as do I also.

RE: ‘I’ve buried 4 important people in my life over the last week.”

As you know, I lost my younger brother a few hours before the inauguration, 20 January 2021. Due to covid restrictions and distance, we’ve not been able to schedule a memorial or funeral service for him yet. I’m the only remaining survivor of my family of origin. Most of my very closest friends have passed. I do have a very close brotherly friend back in Texas, who helps me keep my sanity as we think things through together, and of course my terminally ill wife – i.e. not too many people left.

My first point being, in my life experience I too have had to bury many, though fortunately not four in one week. For many, it was my responsibility to preside over, and conduct the final ceremony. But my faith did not in any way ameliorate the pain and personal sense of loss I still feel. My second point being, I therefore truly feel for you. I know how painful and confusing it must be for you.

I would love to be someone’s father, or grandfather, but it is not so. That’s a real hole in my life and soul. When my wife passes I’m liable to be alone, something I’ve not given much thought to until pretty recently. Covid has deeply changed our emotional lives, I think for all of us, – and – I know many of us here may be in similar social/emotional circumstances. I think on several levels, many of us who post here are definitely birds of a feather.

My heart is with you. May you find solace and find it soon.

In larger context, IMO the time has come to assiduously maintain our various bonds of affection and emotional support with all with whom we may be close, and develop same with many we’ve not yet met.

Why? We are at the end of a golden cultural and historical era; we are at the beginning of a very harrowing transitional era. Before the end of this year we will see the beginning of long and terrible famines in many countries, most likely more wars, and of course more climate catastrophes.

We in N. America, plus those of us in the Anglosphere are the most fortunate of all people. We are geographically, demographically, and economically blessed. Inflation will continue, and we will be frustrated, but our troubles will be far less serious than what much of the world will experience.

We are all going to need as much emotional support and friendship as we can stand.

Addendum:
I also believe we will likely be worn out emotionally through the decade from the plethora of astounding discoveries, many of them quite unexpected, forcing us to do an enormous amount of rethinking.

I thought I posted but it didn’t go through.

Condolences and empathy, Will. Losing 1 person is hard, let alone 4.

I agree with what you’ve written, Eliseo. Happy Father’s Day to you and all the men out there, whether literally fathers or not, for your strength and ability to nurture and guide us.

will,

So sorry about your losses. That’s too much for anyone to deal with in short order. I am truly sorry.

Eliseo,

Indeed. The time of great challenge is upon us. I know we have all spoken with optimism about Pluto in Aquarius coming up. And, it should not be lost on anyone that Aquarius, out of all 12 signs, is often the one most closely associated with humanity. Anything transiting Aquarius affects us ALL accordingly.

Saturn in Aquarius since 2020 has revealed where and how we are collectively weak and wanting.

Pluto in Aquarius from March 2023, and for the following 20 years, will challenge us to band together in order to survive, or else perish as the so-called rugged individuals the Capricorn-tinged mythos has so elevated here in the US.

Sunstars, Eliseo and Sharon,

I am grateful for your kind hearts and thoughts. One of the benefits of death is that it brings the living together in a certain civil and humbling manner for a while (albeit melancholic) At its best, it reminds us of the relative brevity of our shared circles around the sun and can prompt us to recommit nobility of purpose to our living intentions and deeds.

May these poignantly fair hearings continue until the better angels of the wicked and wayward bless them back into sanity.

((((Will))))

will: “until the better angels of the wicked and wayward bless them back into sanity.”

(((((((((((((((((((((((kiwi))))))))))))))))))))

Regarding Liz Cheney’s opinion of DJT:

“Let us ponder for a moment how evil you need to be to shock someone who grew up with Dick Cheney for a father.”

Samantha Bee

I read The Atlantic
“Remembering Why Americans Loathe Dick Cheney”

I also looked up the horoscope of Samantha Bee
without time of day of course.

Boy is she perfect for what she does.

Scorp-Scorp-Scorpio.
At October 25 1969 she has Saturn in Taurus in aspect to her Sun and her Moon. PLUS she has Mars in Saturn ruled Capricorn… well aspected by Neptune and Pluto.

And to make herself well received she has Mercury in Libra conjunct generous and relaxed Jupiter in Libra but widely squared by Mars, which gives her an edge…

Then of course Venus conjunct Uranus in Libra…very spontaneous, fresh and innocuous….covering for all that Saturn! Haha

PLUS she’s Year of the Rooster.

PLUS many people lose sight of the fact that Libra is the sign of justice.

She’s wicked funny!

58% Of Americans In Poll Say Trump Should Be Charged For Jan. 6

Morning Joe June 20, 2022
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4O32lGEGpE

Very Interesting!
Former Congressman Joe Scarborough, a Conservative talks about the rise of fascism in America.

Joe: Judge Luttig Is Right, Trump Is Still A Clear And Present Danger To The U.S.
Jun 20, 2022
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kjgh2yhwyMM

SCOTUS did it – they removed the separation between church and state. It is interesting that in the 1950’s there was a conservative congress and a progressive court. Today, it is the opposite.

https://www.theguardian.com/law/2022/jun/21/sonia-sotomayor-supreme-court-separation-church-state

Finally, talking heads are starting to say, for 4 years the country has been run by a ‘crime syndicate’ with trump being the mob boss.

Kiwi,
The R party devolved into a criminal organization long ago before Trump. Finally indeed!! —> They are speaking realistically. DJT perfectly represented what the R party became.

Regarding the previously unknown Trump documentary handed over to the Jan 6th committee; below is the full Rolling Stone article:

‘What the F-ck Is This?’: Team Trump Blindsided by Jan. 6 Committee Getting Doc Footage

Former administration and campaign officials tell Rolling Stone they had no idea a film crew had months of access to the former president and his family

Rolling Stone
June 21, 2022

The Jan. 6 committee has subpoenaed documentary filmmaker Alex Holder in regard to footage and interviews Holder and his team shot while following former President Donald Trump and his inner circle throughout the 2020 presidential campaign. Holder’s company, AJH Films, confirmed to Rolling Stone on Tuesday that he has been subpoenaed, will sit for an interview with the panel on Thursday, and has “fully complied with all of the committee’s requests.”

Trump’s team was blindsided by the development, which was initially reported by Politico.

In some of the highest ranks of the Trumpworld diaspora — including among several who testified before the Jan. 6 committee — news of the documentarian cooperating with the congressional panel (and also potentially having reams of behind-the-scenes footage of Trump’s crusade to nullify the 2020 election) came as a bizarre surprise. “What the fuck is this?” a former top Trump 2020 official messaged Rolling Stone on Tuesday after seeing the Politico item.

Another former senior official on the reelection team insisted that the first time several members of the Trump campaign leadership even heard of the documentary was when Politico reported the committee had subpoenaed the Holder. A third ex-official simply said, “Terrible idea,” and pleaded baffled ignorance to the doc project.

Two former senior Trump administration officials, who were still working in the administration after the Jan. 6 riot, also claimed that they each had no idea the documentary was being shot in that timeframe, reportedly intimate access to Trump, his vice president, his family members, and his White House. Stephanie Grisham, who at that time was chief of staff to First Lady Melania Trump, told Rolling Stone she wasn’t aware of this documentary project either.

In other words: many of the people actually running Trump’s reelection operation are now saying they somehow had zero clue that an entire documentary was being filmed largely about Trump and his reelection campaign. And now the fruits of that doc are being mined for evidence by the congressional committee investigating Trump and his multi-pronged efforts to shred the American democratic order.

Holder released a statement later on Tuesday noting that he had “unparalleled access” to Trump and others over the final six weeks of his presidency and that he has “never-before-seen footage” of the Capitol attack. “When we began this project in September 2020, we could have never predicted that our work would one day be subpoenaed by Congress,” he wrote, adding that he had “no agenda coming into this” and only “wanted to better understand who the Trumps were and what motivated them to hold onto power so desperately.”

A source familiar with the production of Holder’s documentary, titled Unprecedented, told Rolling Stone that the film was conceptualized and coordinated directly with the Trump family, and that senior campaign staff was not involved in approving participants or in decisions regarding what subject matter would be included in the film. The source, who is knowledgeable about the project and its scope, detailed that Holder had extensive access to Trump campaign activities, including filming behind the scenes at campaign events and traveling with documentary subjects.

Alex Holder interviews Ivanka Trump at the Trump Bedminster golf course in June of 2021. Photo provided to Rolling Stone by a source familiar with the production of Unprecedented

The subpoena from the committee requests that Holder turn over any “raw footage” filmed by him or his team on Jan. 6, 2021, as well as footage of interviews from Sept. 2020 through the present with President Trump, his children, Jared Kushner, and Vice President Mike Pence. The committee also requested any footage in Holder’s possession “pertaining to discussions of election fraud or election integrity surrounding the November 2020 presidential election.”

As a filmmaker, Holder is best known for his documentary Keep Quiet, which covered far-right Hungarian politician Csanad Szagedi’s fall from power. Szagedi was the deputy head of Hungary’s radical nationalist Jobbik party, and after years of catering to anti-semitic groups was forced to resign when his own Jewish ancestry became public knowledge.

Nick Quested, an Emmy-winning filmmaker, cooperated with the committee and testified publicly on June 9 regarding his time embedded with the Proud Boys, a far-right group involved in the attack on the Capitol.

It’s unclear if Holder will testify during the committee’s public hearings, but given that he was asked to provide footage by June 16 and is cooperating, it’s not out of the question that the committee may play some of his footage at an upcoming hearing.

https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/alex-holder-jan-6-committee-subpoena-1371644/

What immediately comes to mind about the above film project is the extraordinary confluence of events that happened 21 years ago when another such documentary was in process…….

“On the morning of September 11, 2001, french film-makers Jules and Gedeon Naudet and James Hanlon were working on a documentary about a rookie New York City firefighter. In a fateful instant, they became eyewitnesses to the most shocking and defining moment of our time, capturing with their cameras the images of the first jetliner striking Tower 1, and the only footage from within the tower as it collapsed.”

9/11 ( A Documentary by Gédéon & Jules Naudet )

Video: 2 hours 5 minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seOwa0trNEQ

Jerry, that documentary by the Naudet brothers was astonishing. I remember seeing it when it was first released, not sure how long after 9/11. Beautifully done.

The Trump documentary is in another category altogether. It sounds like the Trumps were fine with having themselves filmed and interviewed, likely thinking it would glorify them – same presumably with the Proud Boys letting Quested film them (and all those insurrectionists filming themselves at the Capitol on their cell phones). Delusional doesn’t even begin to capture it. So now all their crime-ing they thought they’d be gloating about becomes evidence. Interesting about Hunter having filmed the downfall of the Hungarian right-winger. If the Trumps weren’t so stupid and grandiose they might have looked at Hunter’s previous piece on Szagedi as a warning.

POLITICO Playbook: SCOOP: Jan. 6 panel subpoenas unseen Trump tapes
By EUGENE DANIELS and RYAN LIZZA

06/21/2022 06:15 AM EDT

https://www.politico.com/newsletters/playbook/2022/06/21/scoop-jan-6-panel-subpoenas-unseen-trump-tapes-00040911

“According to the subpoena, which was obtained exclusively by Playbook, the committee wants three main things from Holder:

(1) Raw footage from Jan. 6.

(2) Raw footage of interviews from September 2020 to present with Trump, Pence, DONALD TRUMP JR., IVANKA TRUMP, ERIC TRUMP and JARED KUSHNER.

(3) Raw footage “pertaining to discussions of election fraud or election integrity surrounding the November 2020 presidential election.”

Holder is expected to fully cooperate with the committee in an interview scheduled for Thursday.

Read the full subpoena

https://www.politico.com/f/?id=00000181-8458-de12-add1-bc5824520000

Nancy, I so wish you could get back into posting articles. I’m scared. SCOTUS, the insurrection and the likely hood of them taking over either with Trump or De Santis, and the armed thugs of the Republican Party. I am seriously looking into leaving the country. Today was a horror with the SCOTUS ruling on guns and the understanding that the fragility of our democracy will likely not hold up if or when the thugs get into those positions that held before.

House Jan. 6 committee hearings
Jan. 6 hearings will continue into July

The House Jan. 6 committee is extending the timetable for its public hearings into July.

Chairman Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., told reporters that Thursday’s hearing, focused on former President Donald Trump’s pressure on the Department of Justice, will be the last for the month of June with more hearings to come after Congress’ July 4th recess. The House will reconvene the week of July 11, and Thompson indicated that’s the earliest hearings would likely resume.”

https://www.npr.org/2022/06/22/1106762904/jan-6-hearings-july

Roe v Wade overturned. This is just the beginning. The five extremists will be tossing many of our rights. Gay marriage, transgender rights, interracial marriage and separate but equal are all under the gun to be tossed. They have already tossed the separation between church and state.

Silcominc,
Clarence Thomas is married to a White woman. I don’t think he would vote to overturn interracial marriage, but it is conceivable the court might overturn gay marriage and other rights.

Our rights now depend more on which state we live in. I expect some who are able will choose to move to safer, blue states. Those blue states are now more likely to strengthen their abortion rights laws, marital laws, etc. There are, and will likely be more organizations purposed to assisting ladies travelling to blue states for medical care. It would not be surprising were some also purposed to assist in permanent relocation to blue states. Climate change, plus egregious laws will drive many out of southern red states. One hundred sixty one years ago we were divided between blue and grey, now divided between blue and red hot angry.

Elise, Massachusetts governor Charlie Baker (R) signed an executive order within minutes of the Roe decision protecting doctors who perform abortions on out-of-state residents and refusing extradition or cooperation with any authorities from other states pursuing doctors or patients here. I believe other governors are doing similar.

Eliseo,
Have you ever watched Boondocks? Clarence Thomas is Uncle Ruckus in real life. He totally would do it and wouldn’t think he would be affected.

Les,
Baker knows he’s an R gov in a Dem majority state. He won’t screw himself. But here in Ohio, the Repugs have been salivating for this moment for a very long time. I don’t get it, and I am beyond tired of them and their ways.

Fuck them all, I say. Sorry not sorry about my language here. The Republican Party and everything supporting it must be destroyed and burned down to the roots. Whatever it takes. However long it takes. This is such absurd bullshit, doubling down on the patriarchal past when we desperately need to be focused on preparing for the future.

Baker isn’t running again. He’s just not a right winger.

But I agree with you otherwise, BuckeyeShadow.

A sad week indeed – more guns; enslavement of women. The american taliban needs to be stopped! Maybe now that roe has been overturned we can work on vociferously asserting a counter narrative that a fetus is a parasite until it breathes on its own. And while we’re at it, agitate to overturn ‘a corporation is a person’.

TOTALLY, totally Kiwi!!!

We’ve entered a prohibition era again. We know how the previous one turned out; I pray this one will be shorter. I think this one reallly WILL be shorter, as we will likely have a political backlash in next few elections in concert with Pluto moving into Aquarius.

BuckeyeShadow: I LOVE your last paragraph. I live it in my heart – “This is such absurd bullshit, doubling down on the patriarchal past when we desperately need to be focused on the future.”

I believe it will happen. I think the tipping point is the entry of Pluto into Capricorn.

Yes Kiwi if we have to define it…. that’s not all it is… but a fetus is a parasite until it breathes on its own.

Too bad there are not more refined words….. but for the purposes of living breathing women, for their/our freedom – it fits. There are too many examples of life and death (of women), that have been arbitrarily created, in the country that has ITSELF created so much needless INEQUALITY.

The Constitution is a sacred document that was not honored by certain frail humans.

If we had followed the Constitution, think how beautiful the US would be now.

OOPS

I mean the exit of Pluto out of Capricorn and the entry of Pluto into Aquarius.

Question of the hour. and must be asked…….

How much of the Roe vs Wade supreme court decision (three are Trump appointed judges) is a deliberate attempt to obfuscate and distract the damning evidence coming out of the January 6th hearings? Notice the overturning of Roe vs Wade is the dominant news item in the media completely overshadowing all other news reporting.

Trump: I’ll Appoint Supreme Court Justices To Overturn Roe v. Wade Abortion Case

CNBC
October 19, 2016

Donald Trump said the overturning of the landmark Supreme Court decision giving women the right to abortion “will happen, automatically,” if he is elected president and gets to appoint justices to the high court.

“I am pro-life,” Trump said during Wednesday night’s presidential debate when asked whether he wanted that decision, Roe v. Wade, reversed by the Supreme Court.

Trump said that if the ruling were to be reversed, laws on the legality or illegality of abortion would “go back to the individual states” to decide, which was the case prior to Roe v. Wade.

But when moderator Chris Wallace pressed him on whether he wanted the ruling overturned, Trump said, “That will happen, automatically in my opinion,” because he would get to nominate potentially several justices to the court.

Continued…….

https://www.cnbc.com/2016/10/19/trump-ill-appoint-supreme-court-justices-to-overturn-roe-v-wade-abortion-case.html

Anita Hill was right all.along; Clarence Thomas truly is an oppressive misogynistic pig. Wonder what the next right he’s.going to put on the chopping block? Interracial marriage or.equal rights for Blacks?

May the Rabid Right SC Justices be violently ass-raped and forced to bring breeched dead fetuses with hydrocephalus syndrome to full term and birth them through their urethras.

OMG had to read that over a few times….

You are definitely female to envision and feel that.

But I have to laugh

Mission accomplished!

OMG clarence’s birthdate is June 23rd 1948 – this weeks evil birthday presents to himself.

More than activism at the federal level, sane state representation is imperative at all levels

Jude Cowell of Stars over Washington has posted a very interesting comparison of the Supremes’ decision vs. the 1605 Gunpowder Plot in England. It’s titled, ‘Gunpowder Plot 1605 and SCOTUS 2022 History Rhymes If Not Repeats: Sabotage 1605/2022’

Worth a read…..
https://www.starsoverwashington.com/

think on this sad statement – oklahoma governor said ‘the womb is now, in oklahoma, the safest place for a child’

Eliseo, your comment is bang on: “We’ve entered a prohibition era again.’ Quite right!

What’s below is just me pondering how the Roe situation will play out. It strikes me that the string of transiting planets in late degrees are signaling ‘an end’, but not ‘the end’. This is the end – for now. To me, it looks like there will be another reversal, but we need to keep in mind that the ‘new’ in astrology can take a while to be established.

There is a cultural, political, financial and environmental war going on, and people have to get past that first. Wars, terrible as they are, do clarify and focus issues as they wear on. Perhaps people make war because they can’t understand the price until they pay a price. In the manifestations of war in Ukraine and a lot of other upheavals, resistance to change is the norm. Where do we see progress? Not everywhere for sure. To top it off, now there is the regressive message of the Supreme Court. Prohibition indeed!

We all know how prohibition ended. Afterwards, people always ask what were we fighting for? The real question is how long will it take until the pendulum swings back again? Will it finally balance in the middle?

Progressive change takes its sweet time, not only in the US. Things are stuck and conservatives are powerful, but they are teetering because they are not the middle.

The planets are in late degrees. Transiting Pluto is almost at 28 Capricorn, Neptune at 25 Pisces, Saturn near 25 Aquarius (retrograde) and asteroid Pallas (the woman warrior-politician) is at 25 Taurus, conjunct the revengeful star, Algol. It’s not even close to a fresh start.

Except for Pluto in a cardinal sign (Capricorn), the rest of the ‘late’ planets are in fixed signs, resisting – or in Pisces, living the eternal dream. So, Pluto seems alone in its push for change. And there’s more resistance coming with Mars in Aries and the Nodes at 22 Taurus. Uranus is presently in the ‘mud’ of Taurus at 18 degrees, slowly moving toward Gemini, an air sign that is compatible with Uranus – but it won’t enter Gemini until April 2026.

The current transit chart’s emphasis is on the sign of Taurus. Taurus is the fixed earth sign of spring. Taurus indicates enrichment, but it can also create a possessive, regressive, resistant era through attachment to material things, especially in late degrees. Transiting Venus rules Taurus. Venus is a personal planet that holds “value”. It is retentive by nature. According to astrological tradition, Venus is feminine and supports reproduction, fertility and wealth, but it can be fickle and it isn’t necessarily generous. Venus often fights over money. Its dark side can be ‘every woman for herself’ or ‘every woman is on her own’ and that is certainly an apt description for the overturn of Roe v. Wade.

Thus, the Venus transit through Taurus this year coincided with the period when the Supreme Court was considering its momentous decision. The fixed sign expression of Venus during the decision interval is not about the kind of value ‘gifted’ by the public and families to rulers or children (fire, Leo, summer), or for the species’ value of sexuality or the social need for finance (water, Scorpio, autumn), or for the water-bearer that supports collective assemblies or the community (air, Aquarius, to make it through winter). Venus’ value in Taurus is only for the self.

Politico published Alito’s draft opinion on May 2. On May 30-June 1, Mercury RX sat stationary on Algol as the Supreme Court called for an investigation of the leak and perhaps the judges made their final call early last week, around Monday, June 20, when Venus was conjunct Algol.

On Friday, June 24, when the news of the overturn of Roe became public (Washington, approx. 10:15 am) Venus had moved to 1-2 Gemini, the sign of news. Over the past weekend, the Moon was in Taurus. The Taurus struggle for the fertility of the nation was decided behind closed doors, but with transiting Saturn retrograde. Saturn will go direct in late October, before the midterm elections. Saturn may be stuck and retrograde, but it won’t last. It too, must move on and women must be protected in pregnancy and birth. Consequences will follow.

https://www.cnn.com/2022/05/31/politics/supreme-court-roe-v-wade-leak-phone-records/index.html

Note the chain of rulers for the US chart (Scorpio rising) that governs the courts: courts are associated with the 9th house in Cancer, ruled by the Moon – Moon is on the 4th house cusp (the people) in Aquarius ruled by Uranus/Saturn – Uranus is in Gemini, ruled by Mercury in Cancer, ruled by the Moon. The alternate ruler of Aquarius, Saturn, is in the 12th in Libra, ruled by Venus in Cancer, ruled by the Moon. Ultimately, it looks like the Moon / the people will make the decision. How they get to that is another matter.

With all the Taurus types dug into the earth, only a powerful political force could push the Taurus planets around. Pluto in Capricorn and Mars in its own sign of Aries (until early July) are the only outer planets in a position to exert some force right now. The rest are resisting. Pluto is likely to cause the greatest upheaval as Capricorn is an action oriented cardinal sign of authority, law and order. But, the end degrees of a sign can be harsh and extreme. That can be repressive as well as resisting. There’s not long way to go before Pluto hits 29 degrees in February 2023. 29 is a ‘critical’ degree that breaks off the old and begins to morph into the next sign. It becomes a different kind of force and February 2023 is the start of the next presidential election cycle.

So, Pluto may dislodge old patterns, even through violence, which takes a lot of energy, but it is running out of time before it has to start over. Other planets will have to take its place for the next phase while it ‘grows up’ anew in Pisces. Pluto’s natural home in Scorpio is deep water, but it will be less enthusiastic in Pisces, the sign of 2 fishes going in separate directions. In Pisces, Pluto’s energy is more diffuse, even disoriented, since Pisces is a sign of reflection, not one to push water ‘up hill’.

Neptune is presently quite comfortable in Pisces, the water sign it rules. It drifts along slowly until it first goes into Aries in March of 2025. It retrogrades and finally stays in Aries from January 2026 onwards. Aries, a fire sign, is not compatible with water. Neptune will be at a disadvantage then, so perhaps the fanaticism and religious fundamentalism will begin to disperse, or even get a trial by fire (Aries). Meanwhile, expect no immediate change from Neptune – it will continue its illusionary, deceptive realm of beliefs, religions, communicable diseases (Covid?), worship of entertainment figures, and the media. It seems there is no container that holds Neptune to account.

Neptune will soon be joined in water by Saturn when Saturn moves to Pisces in March 2023, the same month that Pluto enters the fixed sign of Aquarius. It is unlikely that Neptune and Saturn in Pisces will get along well with Pluto in Aquarius. It is pretty clear that the nation is not evolved enough to find common ground (or any ground at all) when one planet is in water and the other in air. Having both Neptune and Saturn in the same mutable sign can indicate that issues around beliefs will remain very controversial for some time to come.

In time, with Pluto in Aquarius, progressive developments may begin, but initially it will probably be like a baby learning to walk. Pluto will be in an air sign, so there is a danger that it will be talk and no action until other planets align. Pluto doesn’t even finally stay in Aquarius until November 2024, just after the next presidential election. Then it lingers in the early digits until January 2026, about the same time as Neptune becomes seated in Aries. Don’t count on Pluto changing much of anything until it gets past 3 degrees Aquarius, in 2026.

In short, I don’t think big positive changes can be expected for quite a while. The long term seems more optimistic, but there are many obstacles. Nonetheless, change must come as it always does. Planets in fixed signs must move on, even reluctantly.

The prohibitions won’t be gone any time soon, but persistence pays. Meanwhile, patience.

Beowulfie,

Thank you for your insights and musings. Well done.

Beowulfie,
Thank you for your interesting astrological analyses! Getting this country back to a good center-Left balance will take time, but I think we will eventually have our November 1932 FDR sweep type moment.

Our 20th century prohibition era was instigated by Progressives and Liberals, many of whom were also nobly involved in obtaining the vote for women. They believed that G-d and the best science was on their side, that outlawing alcohol would reduce alcohol abuse, men would no longer beat their wives, and our families would thrive in a purified, utopian America. As we all know, generally, the goals of the prohibition achieved the opposite from intended results.

Our current, recently birthed 21st century prohibition era was instigated by theocratic Conservatives, who in fear of their vindictive g-d, and remembering (often unconsciously) the stories of Sodom and Gomorrah, want to purify the nation before G-d does it instead. They are pretty freaked out, deeply afraid, unable to adjust to our fast- paced cultural evolution, therefore deep in culture shock. They live in perpetual horror knowing we actually have same sex marriage and more Wiccans in this country than Presbyterians!

Our far right sanctimoniousists believe they are morally superior to “moral ignoramuses” like you and me. They believe it is their right and duty to set us straight, by force if necessary.

They are thusly on a self-righteous quest to destroy the women’s liberation movement, get women back under control, outlaw same sex marriage, put everyone who’s not strictly straight back into the closet, make all homosexual acts illegal, outlaw contraception, (Justice Clarence Thomas) and generally get America “right with G-d” again.

The theocrats have been at odds with our constitutional ethos from the beginning. They lost BIG in 1789 with the advent of our Constitution which enshrined separation of church and state. (see Frederick Clarkson’s 1997 book, Eternal Hostility: The Struggle Between Theocracy and Democracy) But now again, starting in the late 1970’s they’re on the warpath. It surely must be cyclical.

I suppose it is time we all relearn the lessons of the 1920’s & 1930’s. Generally, bans and prohibitions, especially within US culture don’t work, but regulations do. Laws are not magic wands. We can prohibit, ban, or outlaw a number of things, but if that thing, process, or practice already exists in large quantities in the culture, we are merely relinquishing and diminishing our control, rather than asserting it. It is a reality both Liberals and Conservatives need to carefully consider when crafting legislation.

Abortions have been with us for literally 1000’s of years. Making them illegal will not make them go away, nor a number of other things we may not like or disagree with. The reversal of Roe, IMO is a method and prelude to punishment of girls, women, and health care providers. The far right has made the proverbial “war on women” more than just a matter of political rhetoric.

I believe your supposition is probably correct that we will gradually win back the various rights, the sanctimoniousists want to retract. It will probably be a long and protracted struggle, but I believe the odds are strongly in our favor. The Right, by their enacting such absurd and egregious laws are in the long run dividing an already too divided nation, hurting their state economies, and encouraging red state depopulation. Meanwhile, there will be unnecessary suffering, chaos and quite probably, violence. Their goal is to punish. But as a minority, they ensure their reckoning will be hard. I doubt they will be forgiven.

They seem to have forgotten the better words of their own tradition. “He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind: (Proverbs 11:29)

Thank you, Beowulfie. Excellent analysis.

Also of note, Marjorie’s new analysis going forward for the US shows another 10 years before things likely really settle out, with lots of turmoil in between. I’ve also seen tarot readers saying that it will likely take up to 10 years for things to be firmly settled down in the US, so that jives with others’.
https://star4cast.com/usa-on-the-long-winding-road-towards-unity/

US Constitution Pluto Return in 2034. Expect a major rewrite then. Likely as a result of the current period.

Wow! an interesting collection of posts grace this forum today. Thank you all. Well done indeed!

BuckeyeShadow,
Our war of independence lasted 8 years. It was another 6 years before our revered SECOND constitution went into effect in 1789. Prohibition lasted 13 years. 2034 sounds/feels about right. Although I suspect rather than a complete rewrite, we will have 10 or 12 amendments including an economic bill of rights updating the document.

By 2034 the effects of climate change will be so glaringly apparent, the deniers will no longer have any political power. By that time climate migration will be “in full swing.” The process of depopulation of the southern third of the contiguous 48 states (about half of our red states) will be fully advancing.

Also by 2034, most all will have realized the old ideologies do not apply to the current demographic, technological, and economic milieu. To properly work, Capitalism, Socialism, Commmunism, Fascism, and all the other “isms” we’ve created so far presume a growing population, therefore rising consumption. But as of today in 2022, most countries’ populations are declining.

By 2050 demographers expect China’s population to be half of what it is today. In 2022 Russia, the death rate is higher than the birth rate. Many countries are aging into oblivion.

New scientific, technological, and medical breakthroughs, plus climate change, plus a vastly different demography, plus the advance of deglobalization, all resulting in severely altered political and economic alliances and arrangements domestically and internationally, all together will demand a different paradigm.

18th century political and economic philosophy guided our Founders in the establishment and advancement of human rights, a process continuing in our lives today. The glaring deficiencies were in the unawareness of the existence of class conflict, the subconscious self, the nature of consciousness itself, and perhaps most importantly the relationship between addiction and freewill, all concepts and understandings the Founders could not have possibly foreseen.

Yes – the 2030’s, after a decade of profound tragedies and triumphs, of change for better and for worse, resulting in a deeper understanding of ourselves and the universe will require a deep rethink of our foundational documents, the US Constitution, our state constitutions, the UN Charter, the way we organize and conduct trade, and nationhood.

Uranus and Mars conjunct North Node
by Jessica Davidson

Chaos is the theme for 2022 and it’s about to get even crazier as Uranus closes in on the north node over the coming weeks. They’ve been within orb since late April and Mars joins the party in July so we can expect a lot more volatility and churn. The disruption has been ongoing for a while but it builds in intensity into July and early August and then bubbles under for the rest of the year.

The conjunction between Uranus and the north node will become exact at 18° Taurus on 31 July and the Mars conjunction becomes exact on 1 August. These events may happen on the same day in your time zone. Mars will be conjunct Uranus and the north node by degree from 22 July to 15 August, while Uranus stays within a few degrees of the north node for the rest of the year and into February 2023.

The Saturn Uranus square will be triggered by this transit as Saturn has been squaring the nodes since February this year and remains in orb until December. Saturn and Uranus almost form an exact square in October at 18° Taurus, the same degree as the Uranus Mars North Node stellium. By then Mars will be in Gemini, but he goes retrograde at the end of October, stirring up a different kind of disruption.

When Uranus and Mars get together, they tend to trigger shocks and disruption. Uranus is unpredictable and electrifying, while Mars brings heat and anger. Add the north node into the mix and everything becomes intensified. Previous alignments of Uranus and the nodes have coincided with storms and extreme weather, as well as crashes and industrial accidents……

Continued…….

https://jessicadavidson.co.uk/2022/06/20/uranus-and-mars-conjunct-north-node/

Another excerpt from the above article…..

“…………. Uranus and Mars joining forces with the north node means security will be hard to come by. We can expect an intensification of the already volatile financial situation, with the potential for shocks and unpredictability in the areas of banking, food and agriculture, real estate, supply chains and energy distribution. It also adds fuel to the disputes and wars already in play.

Events could move incredibly fast with shocking news coming from all sides, throwing you off balance constantly. If you think it’s already like that now, the pace is about to pick up speed even more. There could be supply chain breakdowns, food shortages and price rises, crop failures due to bad weather, blackouts and fuel poverty leading to disconnection, bankruptcies and revelations of corruption and money laundering, and inflation off the charts.

The response to these events will also be unpredictable with the potential for explosions of violence, rioting and civil unrest – pitchforks and torches – as misery and hunger drives people to extremes. This has already begun in some places, such as Sri Lanka, and it’s likely to spread as the year unfolds.”

Note: The time frame mentioned. specifically the end of July correlates with Jupiter stationing retrograde at 8 Aries in semi-square to Saturn (23 Aquarius). This will be activating the New York Stock Exchange’s natal Pluto-Mercury square (23 Aquarius-Taurus. Major financial disruptions could erupt at this time.

Davidson goes on to say…..

“…. It’s not all bad news. This transit could also trigger awakenings and increased awareness of the issues we face, leading to positive action and change. In fact, whatever happens, we won’t be able to avoid change from this point forward. The consequences of decades of poor decisions and the general entropy of the collapsing system are now barrelling towards us.”

Grief, Ms. Orr! On The Long and Winding Road Toward Unity is a rather abysmal diatribe on what may come over the next several years; pardon me Margaret, while I run a warm bath and open my veins. Would she have us freebasing our anxiolytics and SSRIs? Balderdash I say! With an astrological foretelling as hopeless and depressing as hers, is it not imperative that we remind ourselves that her interpretation is just that; her interpretation.
Shakespeare taught us that although the stars may incline conditions, they fall far short of deciding the fate of nation or mortals. Truth; there are countless heretofore unknown twists and unfolding variables – human behavior, natural events, world politics, brilliant breakthroughs and marvelous ideas and even whole galaxies of stars that are yet to exert considerable effect upon our ever-shifting. ever-morphing magical Universe between now and the 2030s.

“Not from the stars do I my judgment pluck and yet methinks I have astronomy but not to tell of good or evil luck of plagues, of dearths, or seasons’ quality; nor can I fortune to brief minutes tell ; … Or say with princes if it shall go well by oft predict that I in heaven find.

=William Shakespeare; Sonnet 14; c.1609

Passing thought –

Abortion Abortion Abortion Abortion Abortion

We should consider abandoning such an embattled term in this Herculean struggle; abortion it is loaded with misconceptions (sic) and bears a valance criminality and dark shame.

“Reproductive Rights,” “Women’s Health” or
“Family-Planning Health Services” seem so much more relevant and correct.

Will,

Don’t worry. Late July, early August looks very promising. Potential radical changes ahead……

URANUS, NORTH NODE & MARS CONJUNCTION IN TAURUS. A NEW 15-YEAR CYCLE BEGINS

Video: 1 Hour 6 Minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UAldpaT60K8

Well, I checked out Jessica Davidson on google.

I asked if she was a member of the Faculty of Astrological Studies. In the UK.

At first glance I did not get a definitive answer. She had links to all the astrologers and astrological resources I revere.

However, in agreement with Will, who is going to take a warm bath and open up her veins, “Excuse me Margaret” due to the forecast by Jessica….I thought I should take a look at who Jessica is.

When someone who has access to the planetary happenings is going to prognosticate on the energies and what they MIGHT or WILL bring……well, then they have a responsibility to tell “the people” ALL aspects of these energies…
not just the most sensational.

They have the responsibility to inform people exactly what these energies are, right across the spectrum of positive and negative.

In that way astrologers who are watching the playout of the stars are respecting the intelligence of the people who receive their information, allowing them the choice of how they, the people, respond to the information given to them about the energies that exist.

Will,
RE: “there are countless heretofore unknown twists and unfolding variables – human behavior, natural events, world politics, brilliant breakthroughs and marvelous ideas and even whole galaxies of stars that are yet to exert considerable effect upon our ever-shifting. ever-morphing magical Universe between now and the 2030s.”

So true! I believe we can reasonably expect various tragedies and catastrophes, but there are also some extraordinarily brilliant and beautiful breakthroughs, discoveries, and achievements coming our way fairly soon. We are on the verge of serious advances in physics, quantum computing, artificial intelligence, materials science, battery technology, astronomy, archeology, and too many other fields to mention.

In the fields of biology and medicine, enormous monies and high quality research is going into alzheimer’s study. We are near cures for diabetes, most types of cancer, brain and heart regeneration for strokes and heart attacks, as well as heart attack and stroke prevention. We are likely to see organ and limb regeneration begin to be the norm within the next 10 years. Lost an eye, or lung, or arm, or your hand in an accident. No problem – We’ll grow you a new and younger one, just like some animals regenerate and regrow a tail or leg. We’ve successfully arrested and reversed aging in mice. Within a few years we will be able to do likewise for humans and our pets. Longevity is a prerequisite if we are to seriously pursue becoming a spacefaring species.

Yes, things are nasty domestically and internationally. I anticipate a 50% chance the Russians may use tactical mini-nukes in eastern Europe. Climate catastrophes continue. Many things will get worse before they get better.

But consider this. Some of our greatest cultural and scientific breakthroughs through history were made during times of extreme stress. As one example, WWI was instrumental in giving us penicillin.

Also — our three greatest presidents, Washington, Lincoln, and FDR came to power and led us while Uranus was in Gemini. We will have our Uranus return in 2028 at about 9 degrees of Gemini. Might we elect a fourth great president in 2024 or 2028? I have no idea who that might be, but viewing astrological patterns in history, I think it highly probable.

Hi sunstars,

It is my impression Jessica Davidson gave a lucid, balanced portrait of the aspects; negative and positive. I assume you read the entire article. Her analysis doesn’t strike me as ‘sensationalistic’.

Proof that its political manipulation pure and simple (but we already knew that)
Interesting story from Frank Schaeffer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25JyC5Whhvc

From another angle…….

Wow! Uranus conjunct North Node in Taurus in July and August 2022 – Astrology

by Molly McCord

Video: 13 min 12 sec

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpIFQh0kmuk

Throughout the history of Judaism the overwhelming majority of rabbis have contended you do not have an ensouled human until the infant takes its first breath. The life of the mother is paramount.

For decades I’ve argued the better way to frame the pro-choice position is as a matter of religious freedom. I believe this is the way to eventually restore Roe.

Some Jewish groups blast the end of Roe as a violation of their religious beliefs
https://www.npr.org/2022/06/26/1107722531/some-jewish-groups-blast-the-end-of-roe-as-a-violation-of-their-religious-belief

OK Thanks Jerry for the link to Molly McCord which I watched.

And THANK YOU Eliseo for the link to the Jewish belief.

OK again….. my NN is in Taurus 17 degrees…. in my 8th house….. square natal Saturn in Leo …..what am I supposed to be learning? Saturn in Leo is in the 11th

Ascendant is in Libra so my 3 Leo planets are in the 11th Mars, Saturn and Pluto

Eek!

I COULD make it up on my own but this IS an astrology blog

Ok I am the only one who can figure out how this aspect is affecting me. I have been feeling SOMETHING … which is curious …

I have been looking for inspiration. Of course there are some other major aspects hitting my chart….. so it is hard to discern.

Confession: I have not really given weight to the North Node compared to other major planetary aspects that can and do occur. Also, I have left it up to other astrologers to use the asteroids… pretty much.

I only factored in Chiron after years. I read all the Chiron books after the discovery of Chiron and they were not cohesive in their combined approach… I mean there was no combined approach.

But I knew this – AMY CONEY BARRETT was the end of Roe.

My anger and grief over Roe ending occurred when Amy Coney was appointed.

I looked at her chart and my anger and repulsion was instant. Ok I should say – fury – instead of anger.

Yes I know it is counter productive and I would conquer the impulse – but I wanted to hit her and say bad things.

Look at:

Starcatsastrolgy Blog: (correct spelling)
The Handmaid’s Tale:
Amy Coney’s Horoscope

posted by starcatsastrology September 20 2020

then further posted May 4 2022

The writer says:

I was right, wasn’t I? Supreme Court via a leaked draft states they intend to overturn Roe v Wade –

Starcats

The starcatsastrology writer further gives an
Analysis of horoscope of Amy Coney Barrett.

Barrett’s Saturn is at 29 degrees Taurus, On the Fixed Star, Alcyone in the constellation Pleiades. Alcyone is considered the most malefic fixed star in the heavens.

The writer goes on to say Amy belongs to an obscure religious cult whose female advisors were called “Handmaidens”.

Plus, Amy’s Mars in Aries is opposed by Uranus in Libra.

Alcyone is attached to great grief and serious consequences for any infraction. Draconian law; administration of cruel sentences; severe penalties of the most minor of infractions. (Alcyone by angular placement was a key player in the Clinton’s impeachment trial.)

Actually just noticed that the writer stated that the look at Amy’s horoscope came from Wiki Bio

Soooo… even though I have left it up to others to factor in the asteroids, they have great value.

Please excuse this personal note: But the urge is strong in me to communicate this feeling

When I look at Amy Coney Barrett, I see EVIL in her face. I have since the first moment I laid eyes on her.

I was struck by the evil in her face.

Haha!

I can hear SOMEBODY on this blog saying: “Tell us how you REALLY feel…”

Sunstars, I’ve been doing charts off and on since the 70s and the one thing I can say for certain is that astrology is not a “science”, and humanity is beyond complicated, and fate is impossible to understand or predict.

Judging the goodness or evil of anybody is not only dangerous (because one can be ever so wrong), but since everything that goes around comes around, it is wisest to attend to the biblical saying, “judge not that ye be not judged”.

In a month of Sundays (and I’m not religious), I would not advise pointing a finger to label someone as the epitome of “evil” without knowing a whole lot more than we spectators do about Amy Coney Barrett. I don’t agree at all with what she’s doing, but I’m sure she’s got her (biased) reasons, as do we all.

I very much doubt Amy is “evil” and while I intensely dislike what she represents, she is as human as the rest of us.

We ALL have elements of evil in us. That doesn’t make us “evil” either. It makes us “people” – we’re this sad lot of walking protoplasm that hasn’t got a clue why we’re even here, except to learn to get along.

This polarity business in society has gone quite far enough. Please, lets pull in our horns and keep perspective in a very tough time for everybody, ok?

Amy may or may not be evil, Beowulfie, but she has some very extreme religious influences that more or less made it a done deal that she would vote to overturn R v W. In this “cult” women are called Handmaidens and are supposed to submit to their husbands so I agree with sunstars there!!! That sure doesn’t sound like the kind of objective, free thinking a SC justice should exhibit.

https://news.yahoo.com/amy-coney-barrett-tied-far-185846137.html

https://www.newsweek.com/what-people-praise-cult-tied-amy-coney-barrett-1713161

From Wikipedia:

Amy Coney Barrett was born in 1972 in New Orleans, Louisiana, the daughter of Linda (née Vath) and Michael Coney.[22][23] She is the eldest of seven children and has five sisters and a brother. Her father worked as an attorney for Shell Oil Company, and her mother was a high school French teacher and homemaker. Barrett has Irish and French ancestry.[24][25] Her maternal ancestors were from Ballyconnell, County Cavan, Ireland, while there is also Irish lineage among her father’s ancestors. Her great-great-grandparents emigrated from France to New Orleans.[26] Her family is devoutly Catholic, and her father is an ordained deacon at St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Metairie, Louisiana, where she grew up.[27][28]

Barrett attended St. Mary’s Dominican High School, an all-girls Roman Catholic high school in New Orleans.[29] She was student body vice president of the school and graduated in 1990.[30] After high school, Barrett attended Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee, where she majored in English literature and minored in French. She considers herself “somewhat fluent” in French, but with a Louisiana accent.[31] Barrett graduated in 1994 with a Bachelor of Arts magna cum laude and was inducted into Omicron Delta Kappa and Phi Beta Kappa.[32] In her graduating class, she was named most outstanding English department graduate.[33]

Barrett then attended Notre Dame Law School on a full-tuition scholarship. She was an executive editor of the Notre Dame Law Review[34] and graduated in 1997 ranked first in her class with a Juris Doctor summa cum laude.[33]

The following scheduled event is fairly close to the upcoming July 1st Mars-Pluto square (activating the US Pluto return). One wonders if there will be some dramatic revelations coming our way……..

House Jan. 6 Committee Announces Last-Minute Hearing Tuesday

JUNE 27, 2022 / CBS NEWS

The House Jan. 6 committee unexpectedly announced Monday that it will hold a hearing on Tuesday, June 28. The move comes days after the committee said it would not be holding more hearings until July. 

The hearing is scheduled to take place at 1 p.m. ET, with the committee saying it plans to “present recently obtained evidence.” The committee said it will “present recently obtained evidence and receive witness testimony.”

The House is currently in the middle of a two-week recess. 

Continued…….

https:///news/house-january-6-committee-hearing-june-28-2022/

Beowulfie:

I agree with you entirely. I did get carried away.

Speculation is rife that it may be related to the newly acquired documentary film footage by British film maker Alex Holder of Trump and his inner circle covering events before, during and after the Jan 6th insurrection on the Capitol…..

Jan. 6 Panel Calls Surprise Hearing for Tuesday to Present ‘Recently Obtained Evidence’

NBC
June 27  2022

https:///news/national-international/jan-6-panel-calls-surprise-hearing-for-tuesday-to-present-recently-obtained-evidence/2867068/

However, she has unleashed countless cases of terrible suffering on people, and some deaths too.

I probably should have kept my feelings to myself.

I have been there, done that – believe me – about this issue.

I had my tubes cauterized at age 29. For good reason. Although if I hadn’t been in an impossible spot I wouldn’t have done it…..

So Beowulfie, with all due respect you may never have experienced some of the things that are going to be visited on these young women and their families…..

No doubt you will correct me if I’m wrong…..

Still I should chose my words more carefully and respectfully on this fairly public forum that I DO value.

My apologies. The above link was inactive. Here it is once again…..

Jan. 6 Panel Calls Surprise Hearing for Tuesday to Present ‘Recently Obtained Evidence’

NBC
June 27 2022

https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/national-international/jan-6-panel-calls-surprise-hearing-for-tuesday-to-present-recently-obtained-evidence/2867068/

sunstars, just the religious group that she belonged to, lived in the household of, and met her husband while there (and the group was accused of child sexual abuse https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/amy-coney-barrett-s-former-religious-group-was-accused-of-child-sexual-abuse/ar-AAY94PZ) shows that something was not right there; the kind of thinking and beliefs they must have been taught had to have influenced her. If you look at her bio above, she was mega smart and that’s what propelled her rise. And, of course, we all know about the Clarence and Ginni Thomas duo in terms of strange beliefs. Even if a good amount of all of this is rumor and inuendo, and not proven fact, we have to admit that at least these 2 SC justices are a bit weird and, after reading what Alita wrote, he belongs in that club, too.

Evil may have been a strong term and a bit exaggerated, etc., but something is rotten in the SC!

And these 9 people have SO MUCH power over our lives!!

🙂 Thank you Sharon K

Eliseo,

Really good to see you post good tidings. Thank you. It is very easy to languish in the miasma of the great sorrows and tragedy of our times; its also wonderful when we remind ourselves to come up for fresh air and sunshine.

Jerry,

Thank you for the “Don’t worry.” There is always good news too.

sunstars,

I honor your perception about Amy Coney Barret being essentially a whore of Satan. Although I haven’t looked at her chart, I too get these gut-punches decidedly negative electro-magnetic in my solar plexus – and photographs and handwriting of some people can at times be overwhelmingly extrasensorial for me. When I see someone with some very difficult angles and planetary placements, I remind myself that there are many amazingly evolved people with heavily-afflicted charts who manage to harness and use those turbulent energetic fields and manage to bring about some marvelous achievements.

On another note, sunstars, I am duly amused that you persist in referring to me as “her” and/or as female.

As far as I know, I haven’t grown a uterus or sprouted fallopian tubes but if I do, I’ll make a big old non-binary splashy announcement on this site.

The manner in which the four most offensive Supreme Court Justices have perverted the catechism of Christ’s teachings for their own malignant purposes is beyond sacrilegious to this old altar-boy and (briefly) seminarian. I’ve always taken comfort in my understanding of my Catholicism. Catholic is defined as “all-encompassing, all inclusive and the Universal Christian faith. Where or how or why Thomas, Alito, Barret and Kavanaugh took the wrong turn that led them right up their own gnarly asses is a mystery to me. Unfortunately, there is quite a swath of rigidly-dogmatic and intolerant Roman Catholic brethren. They can put downright satanic energy – as we have just witnessed in D.C.

Can’t help being very psyched about what this impromptu January 6 hearing will reveal.

Jerry,

Addendum:

My natal Jupiter at 19 degrees Taurus (8th house) will be snug up to Uranus, the Nodes and Mars in Taurus in August. Many astrologers ascribe the 8th house as the field of human experience most-closely-associated with death and taxes, rebirth, legacies. Should this rare Uranian conj. to the Taurean stellium initiate my demise and reincarnation, I’ll do my best to let you all know what its like on the other side.

Will: Oh Ho NO!!!! HaHaHaHaHa!!!!!!

Well, you have a wide range of expression and of experience – I’ll say THAT!

And thank you for honoring my perception…..

Will: It’s good to know you are male…..Your colorful descriptions made you a rather seasoned female but I was taking it in stride.

I LIKE your description of what’s her name and also your take on the Four Justices…. And I cannot wait for the Jan 6 Hearings tomorrow either.

Sunstars, I completely agree with your emotion about Roe v. Wade and I am not against calling a spade a spade. What I disagree with is labeling another person as an ultra-enemy since ‘evil’ is such an extreme term.

Yes, I know Hitler and Stalin were evil, but evil has no power without friends and backers. We can all be complicit in evil by not knowing ourselves, or the ‘other’. I understand in the mythical universe evil and good are considered to be expressions of the ‘ONE’ true reality (Joseph Campbell etc.).

Anyway, setting aside grand philosophical debates, we don’t know beans about who Amy Coney Barrett really is as a human being. Wikipedia hardly covers it and she is a product of a system – the US system. She is one cog in a big wheel. Also, she’s a pretty handy target as a woman.

I agree with your outrage totally, but Amy didn’t bring this about by herself.

Will,

Hopefully, the Taurean stellium of late July in opposition to your natal Jupiter will show nothing but favoritism and a bright future for you (one can only hope).

As Cailin pointed out in her video presentation I posted earlier (URANUS, NORTH NODE & MARS CONJUNCTION IN TAURUS), Bitcoin’s natal Chiron at 18 Aquarius is in the line of fire. So my friend, if you have any crypto-currency investments, now’s the time to get out of the market.

A number of factors are converging in July that would suggest a severe downturn in the economy towards the end of July. The CPI (Consumer Price Index) will be released July 13th. With the rising price of gas at the pump, all indications are we will see an even more rapid rise in the rate of inflation. This would put the Fed in a very difficult, untenable position at the next meeting scheduled for July 27th. If the Fed decides to raise interest rates to tame inflation, this will spook the markets. If it does nothing, a precipitous fall in the markets can be expected. Either way, we may be heading into a very serious recession and dare I say even possible depression that will effect all levels of society. A rather turbulent, rocky road may be in store for us. May we have the wisdom and fortitude to navigate our way through this potentially difficult “mine-field” ahead.

Beowulfie, I respect your astrological insights and what I believe is your well-intended wisdom.

While I don’t know that I could decisively label ACB evil–Thomas, particularly based upon his very recent comments, might actually be closer to the genuine article–her voice, joined with his and others on the extremist right wing end of the spectrum for this SCOTUS decision, and those who worked tirelessly over 4 decades to get them there, certainly are in serious question of the fact.

Evil, to me, is knowingly and willfully forcing one’s beliefs on others in a way that causes them undue harm and suffering.

Through that lens, and knowing–seeing firsthand the grief and suffering that their decision has cause millions here in the US–it’s difficult for me to grant them the grace that you do.

Human as they may be, let’s remember that they are also not naive.

Barrett, let’s be clear, isn’t some sweet, innocent Godly nun.

She’s an attorney. As a matter of fact, they all are.

They KNOW what they are doing.

Also, one of the biggest oxymoron in the US is the term “Christian Attorney.”

The mistake many of us on the true center and left end of things continue to make is assuming that these folks are decent, well-meaning people who can be reasoned with.

It’s a nice belief. Meanwhile, their continued relentless, non-conciliatory actions suggest something else entirely. They keep on bullying us, stealing our wallets, and eating our lunches. And now they are outright holding us at gunpoint.

When do they just start pulling the trigger?

And when do we finally find the collective gravitas to stand up to them and fight back?

Will,

CORRECTION

Read instead: “Hopefully, the Taurean stellium of late July CONJUNCT your natal Jupiter…….”

Beowulfie: 🙂

When women get pregnant in the US it isn’t usually because they forget to take their pill.

I think I have told my story before on this blog but for the relative anonymity I have I will refresh:

I started the pill a month before I married. I turned out to be highly sensitive to the pill with nausea and vomiting. I tried so many other forms of contraception but they didn’t work as the man I was married to forced me.

I had 3 live births, and in all 10 pregnancies between the ages of 23 and 29.

One of the births was the result of the IUD that failed, later on piercing the bag of waters, causing early birth in which the baby died after 4 days of life.

I will spare you the details…. I thought of myself as a liberated woman but was also caught in the religious ideals of a forever marriage… in a religion in which I was pushed to be active.

I was too proud to tell my family in Canada that I was in a situation that I could not handle. I was in my 20’s after all.

The emotional torture that was present for all of these procedures was everpresent in my life. I wanted to leave my husband because of it but could not find a way out that wouldn’t hurt my 2 children.

When I first found out I was pregnant I stopped by the bookstore at Christown Mall and bought about 10 books on pregnancy and how to raise your child.

I took a course on how to raise your child before the baby was born, and some courses afterward.

When it became clear that my babies were going to suffer because of the other children I could not handle, I made the decision to terminate my pregnancies so that my children would not suffer.

I did not know what I would be bringing my children into…. should I leave their father. I felt so alone.

I was in my 20’s and doing the best that I could.

When that baby that died, died – it was my second pregnancy – I was even seeking to adopt to make it up… It was after that that I didn’t stand a chance…..and made the decision to save the quality of life of the baby I DID have.

My mother came to visit me when I was 28 or 29 and when I picked her up at the plane she said: You’re pregnant.

I was furious because I thought my sister had broken my confidence but she swore she hadn’t.

When I told my mother that I thought I wouldn’t keep the pregnancy she called me a murderer. Long story short I went through with the pregnancy and became immediately pregnant again against my will even though as usual I begged not to be made pregnant. So shortly after the birth of that baby I had my tubes cauterized. We had plenty of money but my husband refused to give it to me. So my mother sent me the money to end my pregnancies.

So this, and worse, is what Amy Coney Barrett has unleashed on the vulnerable young women in the US.

She is a woman and a traitor to her own sex.

That is what I have been talking about… that is why I said what I said.

Just read this over… and saw a confusion… when I became pregnant again after the second child I simultaneously ended that pregnancy and had my tubes cauterized.

After the second child that lived..

I am familiar with the morning after pill… It is in the news now and appears to be more widely used and effective.

For those of you on this blog who are not familiar, it makes you very very sick but it does what it needs to do.

Well I am the insomniac of the blog this AM.

Jerry,

Thank you for your positive take on the upcoming conjunction. Fortunately I have not speculated with krypto
currencies in spite of Joni Patry’s relentless prompting to do so.

Beowulfie,

Astute reminder about the doctors of the law. They are on the whole a morally- challenged lot. Amy is way creepy and cray- cray with crypto-Christyness.

(((((((((((((((((((((((((sunstars)))))))))))))))))))))

Your reproductive pain and sorrow is unimaginable. I cannot fathom your outrage regarding the SCOTUS abomination. I thoroughly support and encourage you to continue to share your story. SCOTUS is in the clench of abject evil.

Time for us to rise-up enmasse.

🙂 Thank you Will.

I mean – will.. 🙂

Sunstars,
I certainly relate to your experience and your fury. We are all suffering now from broken hearts.

It is important to remember “they” demonized us long ago. Many if not most of “them” truly believe you and I and all of us are evil and out to destroy America and Western Civilization. Perhaps one difference is the far right’s tendency to vindictiveness in their efforts to destroy “the destroyers,” i.e. Liberals.

Together we will reassemble the pieces of our broken hearts and turn them into the resolve and necessary skill to permanently win this moral/political struggle.

Meanwhile, may your pain and suffering be balmed. May you have the all the serenity you need. A thousand blessings and more to you.

You have to laugh – tragic though it may be. And these folks are serious, not joking.

The latest meme circulating on the net in reaction to Ivanka Trump testifying that she accepted Attorney General William Barr’s assertion that there was no widespread fraud in the 2020 election…

It wasn’t her. It was a clone!
Neptune in Pisces?

sunstars, you have indeed been through a lot, my dear, and it is very hard for me to imagine going through all of that. It seems to have made you a wise, perceptive, compassionate, and strong person.

Beowulfie, I agree with you about the use of the term “evil” although it’s meaning is subjective to each person using it. It is a relative term that can have a very extreme meaning often associated with the devil. I always disagreed with using it to describe someone, because I believe people in general are the product of their experiences in their family of origin and beyond and they can change, grow, and become mentally & emotionally healthier. However, sometimes I do wonder when someone has gone beyond a certain line into the area of sociopathy, which I believe is considered uncurable. Is this evil? Everyone is capable of redemption but…

That being said, evil may not apply to Amy but I disagree that we don’t know anything about her. I don’t know if you read the articles I posted but we know a lot about her and the environmental influences on her throughout much of her life. Does that mean she isn’t a good person? Of course not, but we can be very good, loving people and also be shaped by the beliefs we accept (or our reaction to them) and some of the beliefs of Amy and these other justices are very, very narrow (just deciding that we 100% know what God wants, because it’s in the Bible and/or the writings and decisions of mostly men post-Bible, has produced a lot of crime, sexual assault, masochism, sadism, cruelty, mental illness, death, etc.) is very questionable to say the least, and they are legislating for the entire country. I wouldn’t want to see the other extreme either. We need a balanced system with strong structure and boundaries, based on humanism, justice and common sense. But, what I am seeing now is very painful to me

Now that SCOTUS has round the clock security for them and their families, it seems to be that their recent decisions are meant to not only embrace their sick values but intended to be the flame that ignites an American civil war?

Rather than be decisive, Roe has unleashed a torrent of legal issues for every state in the union. Judges are tossing the so called trigger laws which only say that if roe is overturned than abortion is illegal but there is no specific detail and the judges are holding them up from taking effect.

…and SCOTUS, through their shadow docket, just approved a congressional map for LA that dilutes black representation in half. The vote was 6-3.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/supreme-court-blocks-majority-black-district-louisiana-for-2022/

Yep. I live in LA. The lower court ruled there needed to be two districts for African Americans and the SC heard the lawsuit and intruded themselves into yet another issue and ruled for inequality. Something has to give. Intolerable!

If that doesn’t get the black vote out, I don’t know what will. However, people are under the delusion that the Republicans will lower inflation and improve the economy. And, they know how to use smoke and mirrors to make it look like they do, and corporations and oil companies work with them. Grrrrrr.

Thanks everyone for your thoughtful comments – and your profound story, Sunstars. It is heart breaking and the range of problems and complexities is there for all to see.

How to come to a common understanding that engages the right in an honest, meaningful way is the question. How will it get done?

The right needs to respect the left and the left needs to respect the right before there will be an understanding. There’s always a price, but it’s a goal and a hope.

That will take much effort, Beowulfie and some breakthroughs. Think of the kinds of things we say about “the right” here. I don’t think we respect them & vice versa. But the moderates of good faith on each side might be able to. There are some conflicts that just go on and on and no one wants to give an inch.

Sharon K, right you are (pun intended)! More moderates, God bless ’em, and much, much more effort is what’s going to save the situation, if saved it ever gets. The path that works is straight down the middle. If the middle doesn’t grow, we’re hooped. Just my opinion.

Sharon, Beowulfie,
IMO, the obvious advantage of centrism is the ability to borrow good ideas from both right and left without discomfort. Centrists can be less ideological, and more pragmatic. We were better off when most politicians of both parties were either center/left or center/right, when we had Liberal and moderately conservative R’s and Conservative and moderately liberal Dems.

A very interesting development!
We’ve all been focused on the tragic decisions from the Supremes and on the extraordinary testimonies at the J6 hearings.

But the recent NATO summit in Madrid is surely the most important such meeting since the supposed “end” of the Cold War in 1991.
The agreement signed between Turkey, Sweden, and Finland is of course very significant, opening the door to fast track Swedish and Finnish membership.

But “under the radar” perhaps of even greater importance was NATO’s invitation to four non-Atlantic nations to attend and participate. The PM’s and presidents of Australia, New Zealand, Japan and S. Korea were there as well to work on serious cooperation aggreements with NATO.

Japanese Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida said,
“the security of Europe is inseparable from that of Asia,” a statement with which the Australian, New Zealander, and South Korean leaders were all in absolute accord.

Why is this interesting? The involvement of non North Atlantic nations, IMO portends what I suspect is a broadening of the alliance into one far more comprehensive, i.e. the beginnings of an alliance of the world’s democratic nations, committed to the rule of law, especially the rules based order established post WWII.

IMO, the silver lining of Russia’s tragic invasion of Ukraine, and of recent and increasing Chinese bullying and belligerence is the growing unification in spirit, and written committment to mutual defense and collective security of the democratic nation states. It will be interesting to watch how this develops.

Below is the link to merely one of many news articles on the attendance of the four non Atlantic nations at the summit.

Japan PM seeks major upgrade of NATO partnership after Russia’s war
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2022/06/1afab21e49ae-japan-to-join-nato-summit-for-1st-time-as-china-challenge-looms.html

You may have read it already, but there is a good article on Ceres and Roe v. Wade on Neptune Cafe (Michael O’Reilly):

https://www.neptunecafe.com/newsscope

To our Canadian friends:
May you enjoy a safe, happy Canada Day. May you all experience peace, prosperity, and good health in this your 155th year of national life.

What do you guys think of Adam Schiff as the Democratic candidate for president in 2024?

Sharon K,
I like and respect Adam Schiff. He’s an honorable man, something nowadays too rare in WA DC, and he’s been an excellent rep for his California district. He has served us all extremely well in his role in DJT’s impeachment and on the J6 committee. IMO, his record of positions online needs to fleshed out more. I was especially impressed with his support for the “Gold Line” CA light rail system. But as to info on issues posted so far, I feel a bit in the dark.

Congressman Schiff exudes kindness, thoughtfulness, and decency. It comes through strongly through his voice and mannerisms. But can he also be as tough as nails, as surely a president must be?

He prosecuted the case against Richard Miller, the former FBI agent who spied for the Soviet Union, but the first trial concluded with a hung jury, the second trial with a conviction that was reversed through appeal. His prosecution of DJT did not have the positive result we hoped for, but to be fair, impeachment convictions ARE rare.

Main question is, can he win the nomination and the general election? He was born June 22, 1960 in Framingham, Massachusetts. Have you a birth time and have you done a comparison of his natal chart with that of the US?

Personally, I’d like to see the return of Al Franken to politics, and I’m especially impressed with CA Congresswoman, Katie Porter. I’m nevertheless presently uncommitted to any particular candidate for potus when Biden leaves office. I’m dissatisfied with Dems to a degree, agreeing with them about 80%, but the remaining 20% are issues I believe essential for our survival.

Adam Schiff, and practically any Dem would be better as potus than just about any R, even the honorable ones like Liz Cheney, or Adam Kinzinger. But what I’d really like to see, in the long run, (and I think this might actually occur) is the dissolution and death of the R party, and a two way split of the Dems. A three party system IMO would serve us better, particularly with several necessary electoral reforms.

For the time being, I’m strongly supporting Joe B. We don’t know yet whether he’ll be in sufficiently good health to run again, or if he will choose to. Considering the extraordinary obstacles and blockages, I feel he’s doing very well as potus and am disappointed others do not see that. He’s being blamed for a number of extremely difficult, unprecedented and intractable problems he did not create, and his detractors could not handle nearly as well.

Eliseo: Thank you very much for your good wishes for Canada…… thank god we are a democracy – and yes, the US is the greatest of all democracies.

Sharon K : In thinking it over, Adam Schiff would be a great president. It’s going to be an interesting time.

Sunstars,
You are very welcome. I have great respect and fondness for Canadians. In the early 70’s I seriously considered moving to Canada and becoming a citizen. I sometimes wonder how my life might have turned out differently, possibly better had I done so. In later years I spent quality time in Niagara Falls, Toronto, Winnipeg, Victoria, and Vancouver. And I’ve long been fascinated by the ecology and anthropology of the Canadian far north. We have our subcultures, and there are differences between us, but all in all as I’ve said before, with the exception of Quebec, Canada and the US are two nations, but one culture.

One of my very closest friends in this life, (he died too young) my comedy partner in radio, spent many of his formative years in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Oh the stories he would tell. One of these days I hope to visit Halifax – where I will think of him; I will think of his great loyalty, his sense of honor, and his comedic genius. Perhaps I will sing a song there and raise a glass of Alexander Keith’s India Pale Ale in his honor.

Noting former White House counsel Pat Cipilone’s subpeona the other day, and his subsequent agreement to cooperate before the Jan 6th House Committee (under certain limited, defined conditions), this may by all acounts spell trouble for the former President. One quick look at the astrological aspects for July and there is reason to suspect something dramatic. Perhaps a Trump indictment? It’s the July 20th Mars – Neptune semi square.

Tr. Mars at 10 Taurus conjoins the January 2022 Uranus station in square to Trump’s natal Pluto (10 Leo). That in turn semi-squares tr. Neptune and its conjunction to Cipollone’s natal Chiron/ Saturn degrees – all at 25 Pisces.

Why Pat Cipollone’s Jan. 6 Testimony Could Be Key

Newsweek
June 30, 2022

https://www.newsweek.com/pat-cipollone-jan6-testimony-trump-cassidy-hutchinson-1720672
___________________________________

The following are some of the characteristics of tr. Neptune conjunct natal Saturn and Chiron extracted from the internet

Transit Neptune Conjunct Natal Saturn (Cipollone)

When transit Neptune is conjunct your natal Saturn, your concept of reality is changing. Old concepts are dissolving. The structures that have governed your life are no longer be reliable, but you discover many new possibilities.

At first, you feel disoriented, confused or depressed. You may experience several disappointments and an increase in anxiety or loss of self-confidence. You might be afraid and feel threatened for no apparent reason. In some cases, this can instead manifest as a health issue that is hard to diagnose.

Avoid stress and stay in comfortable surroundings so that confusion and disorientation do not increase. Avoid making big decisions without consulting someone you trust, since you do not see things very clearly on a material level.

Through the darkness of this period, you’ll begin to see infinite possibilities and the true nature of things. The positive side is that you can discover new dimensions of the world on another level, a spiritual level and beyond. At its best, this transit can produce enlightenment or a truly spiritual path. Your physical world and transcendental world become one. You must be very calm to see the new truths emerge, so avoid negative people and those who discourage you.

Transiting Neptune Conjunct Chiron

This transit brings an opportunity for working through hidden issues and healing your wounds. During Neptune conjunct Chiron transit, you often experience that you become more intuitive and more in touch with your unconscious.

Neptune conjunct Chiron transit occurs once in a lifetime. Because of the long orbital period of Neptune, it is a rare transit when transiting Neptune is conjunct your natal Chiron.

Transits to Chiron indicate a time for reflecting on your wounds, and letting go. The higher octave of Neptune is all about unconditional love, divine guidance, connecting with the universe, spirituality. When Neptune conjunct Chiron transit occurs, you can utilize this energy to heal yourself.

Tr. Mars square natal Pluto/ Neptune sesquisquare natal Pluto (Trump)

Transit Mars Square Pluto

The transit of Mars square your natal Pluto can be a period of transformation, but also of fights and confrontations. It increases ambition and gives the desire to continue moving forward at all costs, even if it is provoking a lot of opposition or having to overcome many obstacles.

You will have to use your ability to overcome difficulties without stopping.

Transit Mars Square Natal Neptune (this in fact applies in a half square in Trump’s chart)

Feelings of inadequacy, Suppressed anger and weird subconscious desires characterize this transit. Now the native is prone to deceitful actions. The native seeks to remain in a state of inertia and if he confronts others then inability for action leads to depression.

The native may be subject to deception in business affairs. The native may be abnormal sexually and he may become a prey to excessive drinking and drug abuse.

Is uspet by disturbing dreams. The native may incur un-diagnosable illnesses and infections which have a debilitating effect on low vitality system now. There is danger of fraud in insurances, joint finances and inheritances.

Be careful if you use subversive methods, as it will generate powerful energies against you. It is possible that you may be the victim of these coercive methods. The cycles of Pluto coincide with moments of total destruction, or of great regeneration.

You should examine your motives before going deeply into any matter. You should also avoid close contact with people whose honesty or intentions are not clear, because if there was any confrontation, you would probably lose. Avoid aggressive people or potentially dangerous places, because you could attract people with bad intentions.

You must control your obsessions, as they are now increased.

Jerry,
Many thanks for the “heads up” regarding Pat Cipilone’s subpeona and potential testimony. Also thanks for posting the astrological interpretations from the net. All very interesting!

My charts for Adam Schiff on January 20, 2025, in the Capitol Building have the ingredients for success and happiness for him. Causative factor?

Jerry, Lawrence Tribe believes that Trump will be indicted. He taught Merrick Garland and believes it is very likely.

https://www.mediaite.com/news/merrick-garlands-ex-law-prof-tells-cnn-trump-headed-for-indictment-strong-evidence-doj-not-stopping-at-foot-soldiers/

I heard Lawrence Tribe say that, too, silcominc. Who knows but they may be in touch behind the scene (Tribe & Garland), with Garland getting guidance from Tribe or at least using him as a sounding board and for feedback.

I do have reservations about Schiff though. I know how smart he is and persistent, maybe a really brilliant legal mind, but we need someone who has the presence and toughness to match —- DeSantis — as I believe he will be the Republican nominee.

Hi silcominc,

Yes. I had come across that CNN interview the other day. It is indeed an interesting perspective.

According to Glenn Kirschner, if the witness tampering allegation against Trump (via M. Meadows?) can be established, and it can be verified swiftly – within a 24 to 48 hour period, an immediate arrest warrant can be issued.

J6 Hearing Testimony of Cassidy Hutchinson Presents Both “Smoking Gun” And “Loaded Gun” Evidence

Video: 11 min 47 sec

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jMZym3r-po

Well worth watching….

Trump Is The ‘Most Investigated, Least Prosecuted’ Man In History

Video: 7 min 46 sec

Fmr. prosecutor Glenn Kirschner joins MSNBC’s Jason Johnson to discuss the many crimes that could potentially take down Donald Trump, but says he will specifically be watching the Jan. 6th hearing witness tampering accusations to see if DOJ “moves to put a stop to it in real time.”

“…..We now have witness tampering. Witness tampering strikes right at the heart of the integrity of investigations congressional and criminal” – Kirschner

Tim O’Brien says the real importance of the Jan. 6th hearings is to push the Justice Department to indict Trump and his cohorts “for staging a coup.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2YXD3C054w

Back in April I posted a video by Maryanne of Revealing Light Tarot. She cited a woman from Estonia having a vision of events taking place in March and then heating up again from late June to the period between July 12th to 14th wherein it would reach its natural conclusion with major events to follow in late July. Maryanne speculated that this could reflect events happening in Ukraine. In retrospect, to me at least. it now appears plausible that it actually may relate to the current January 6th committee hearings.

A few weeks ago; in a June 12th post, I made an effort to frame the above information into some kind of coherent. logical perspective. Here it is…..

“The June 28th Cancer New Moon (7 ’22 Cancer) will conjoin Trump’s natal Mercury (8 ’51 Cancer) in square to tr. Jupiter (7 ’19 Aries) forming a wider t square to Trump’s progressed Neptune (7 ’10 Libra). Will justice (Jupiter) prevail?”

The timing of Cassidy Hutchinson’s extraordinary, explosive testimony at the June 28th US congressional hearing coinciding with the Cancer New Moon is truly remarkable. In addition, it seems to squarely fit in with the vision of that Estonian woman. So, taking this into account, what if anything will transpire once Congress reconvenes from recess on July 11th. The July 13th Full Moon at 21 ’20 Capricorn arrives at full maturation in opposition to Trump’s natal Saturn at 23 ’48 Cancer. Will the DOJ intervene at that time? Witness tampering charges anyone? It is after all a very serious crime punishable up to 20 years in jail. How will Trump supporters react if their demi-God is arrested? Will they resort to violence? It should be interesting to see how all this unfolds.
____________________________________

What Is Witness Tampering? And Could This Charge Apply To Trump?

Washington Post
July 1, 2022

If any criminal referrals come out of the Jan. 6 committee’s investigation, witness tampering could be a big one. At the end of Tuesday’s hearing, the committee shared messages they said two of their witnesses received urging them not to testify to the committee.

Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), the No. 2 on the committee, said that after being asked whether “any former colleagues” had contacted them before their testimony, one witness described receiving phone calls:

“What they said to me is as long as I continue to be a team player, they know that I’m on the team, I’m doing the right thing, I’m protecting who I need to protect, you know, I’ll continue to stay in the good graces in Trump world … And they have reminded me a couple of times that Trump does read transcripts and just keep that in mind as I proceed through my depositions and interviews with the committee.”

She also quoted a witness describing a call they received:

“[A person] let me know you have your deposition tomorrow. He wants me to let you know that he’s thinking about you. He knows you’re loyal, and you’re going to do the right thing when you go in for your deposition.”

“I think most Americans know that attempting to influence witnesses, to testify untruthfully, presents very serious concerns,” Cheney said.

But what is witness tampering, exactly?

It requires three things be present, said white-collar criminal lawyer Jack Sharman, who served as a special counsel to Congress during its investigation of President Bill Clinton.

1. That there is a proceeding going on, like a grand jury (or, in this case, a congressional hearing).

2. That there is an intent to influence witness testimony in that proceeding.

3. That the intent is wrongful, meaning the person wanted to prevent the truth getting out to avoid being accused of wrongdoing. (The statue says: “whoever knowingly uses intimidation, threatens, or corruptly persuades another person.”) “I tell people that lawyers attempt to obstruct Congress all the time,” Sharman said. “The question is whether it’s wrongfully or corruptly.”

How often is a crime like this prosecuted?

Not very often. Sharman said that the majority of witness tampering cases happen in the context of a judicial proceeding, like a grand jury. It’s rare to have these cases revolve around someone preventing testimony to Congress. (In 2019, Trump ally Roger Stone was convicted of lying to Congress and witness tampering. He was going to go to jail before President Donald Trump granted him clemency.)

That doesn’t mean these kinds of prosecutions can’t happen; it just means the Jan. 6 committee could be fighting an uphill battle if it refers such a case to the Justice Department.

The Jan. 6 committee has referred four people to the Justice Department for prosecution so far — all for contempt of Congress charges, for refusing to comply with a subpoena to testify. The Justice Department has prosecuted two: former Trump political adviser Stephen K. Bannon, who faces a trial this month; and former White House adviser Peter Navarro.

What’s Trump’s potential liability?

It’s unclear. The committee shared only two messages that it said witnesses received from Trump allies. We don’t know the identity of the witnesses who received these messages or who sent them — and, crucially, whether the senders were acting at Trump’s behest. Cheney said the committee would reveal more in later hearings.

But the seeds are there for a witness tampering charge, either against the president or the people who made the calls, said Jeffrey Jacobovitz, a prominent white-collar criminal lawyer. “To me it’s clear tampering if an upcoming witness is told the president reads the transcripts,” he said. “The person who called engaged in tampering. If Trump encouraged or asked someone to make the call, he would be criminally liable, as well.”

One of the messages the committee shared said that “Trump does read transcripts” — meaning, the former president will be following your testimony very closely. Jacobovitz said that alone could tie Trump directly to these allegations.

And Trump has a long history of pressuring witnesses who must testify about him or his business practices in one of his many legal disputes, report The Post’s Rosalind S. Helderman, Josh Dawsey and Jacqueline Alemany.

With regard to the Jan. 6 committee, The Post and other media outlets reported that former top White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson was one of the people whom Trump world tried to influence with calls before her testimony.

If that’s true, it would be significant. Her testimony has been crucial to the Jan. 6 committee investigation. She testified four times in taped interviews and for more than two hours live on Tuesday, painting a picture of a president who wanted to stay in power at all costs, even at the risk of political violence. If there was an attempt to influence Hutchinson’s testimony that could raise the stakes for the Justice Department to investigate and prosecute.

The committee has also hinted at the possibility that Trump engaged in witness tampering with House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.), noting how McCarthy’s statements since the attack have changed over time to become more Trump-friendly. Committee chair Bennie G. Thompson (D-Miss.) wrote a letter to McCarthy asking, “At that meeting [on Jan. 28], or at any other time, did President Trump or his representatives discuss or suggest what you should say publicly, during the impeachment trial (if called as a witness), or in any later investigation about your conversations with him on January 6th?”

McCarthy said such conversations “never happened” but acknowledged that if they did, they would probably be illegal.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/07/01/witness-tampering-trump-jan-6/

Jerry,

The link you posted for Tim O’Brien on witness tampering didn’t work.

I am reposting one that worked for me here:

https://youtu.be/Z2YXD3C054w

Hi Will,

The link is active on my side, but for the benefit of others, thank you for re-posting.

Mars, Uranus and North Node conjunction: August 1, 2022

Aquarian Diary

Discussion: A rare, very powerful and dramatic astrological conjunction of Mars, Uranus and the North Node in Taurus opposing Scorpio – which will occur at the end of July and beginning of August of 2022.

This triple alignment may have significant implication if it conjuncts, squares or opposes important points in your natal chart. It may also manifest as decidedly noteworthy events in the world at large.

Video: 18 min 58 sec

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lbljZFDuUk

To follow up on the upcoming July 20th Mars – Neptune semi square discussed earlier. Here once again are the coordinates……..

Tr. Mars at 10 Taurus conjoins the January 2022 Uranus station in square to Trump’s natal Pluto (10 Leo). That in turn semi-squares tr. Neptune and its conjunction to Cipollone’s natal Chiron/ Saturn degrees – all at 25 Pisces.

The Republican Party’s natal Uranus at 10 Taurus stands in the cross-hairs. Could this suggest a major upset in the Republican party?

Republican Party Chart

https://astrologyandpsychicpredictions.files.wordpress.com/2018/01/republicanpartyrighttimean.png

________________________________

Jan. 6 Lawmakers Tease New Witnesses After Hutchinson Testimony

* House committee seeking ex-White House counsel to testify

* Cipollone can’t claim expansive executive privilege: Lofgren

Bloomberg
3 July 2022

Members of the House committee investigating the US Capitol attack by supporters of Donald Trump promised further revelations, after an ex-White House staffer portrayed the former president’s outbursts of rage.

“We are following additional leads,” Representative Adam Schiff, a California Democrat, said on CBS’s “Face the Nation” on Sunday. “I think those leads will lead to new testimony.”

Witnesses being sought include former White House Counsel Pat Cipollone, whom the committee has subpoenaed to appear Wednesday for closed-door questioning.

Committee members view Cipollone as a central figure in the dramatic moments before, during and after the storming of the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Former White House staffer Cassidy Hutchinson cited what she said were legal concerns by Cipollone during her testimony last week.

“We’re in discussions with Mr. Cipollone’s counsel,” Schiff said. “I’m hopeful that we can work out bringing him in for testimony.” It’s “hard to imagine someone more at the center of things,” he said.

Cipollone can’t use a blanket claim of executive privilege to snub a subpoena to testify to the House committee investigating last year’s attack on the US Capitol, committee member Representative Zoe Lofgren said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”

“That’s not an absolute immunity,” the California Democrat said. “It falls when there is something more important, and that is true in this case.”

Schiff said the next hearing will focus “on the efforts to assemble that mob on the mall, who was participating, who was financing it, how it was organized, including the participation of these white nationalist groups like the Proud Boys and Three Percenters and others.”

Representative Adam Kinzinger, one of two Republicans on the panel, said Hutchinson’s testimony had prompted additional witnesses to come forward.

“There will be way more information — and stay tuned,” he said on CNN’s “State of the Union.”

In her testimony, Hutchinson said Cipollone urged her to make sure Trump wouldn’t go to the Capitol grounds on Jan. 6 with his supporters, some known to be armed, warning that, “We’re going to get charges of every crime imaginable if we make that movement.”

Cipollone has talked informally with the panel, Lofgren said. The committee wants to obtain his first-hand testimony in usable form, including about his warnings, also to Trump aides, that an effort to block Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory was “unlawful.”

“After Ms. Hutchinson’s testimony that was so informative, it’s very clear that we would like him to come in,” Lofgren said.

DOJ Tensions

Lofgren also took a swipe at the Justice Department when asked about a New York Times report that federal prosecutors felt blindsided by not being given video or transcripts of Hutchinson’s closed-door testimony before her public hearing appearance last week.

Hutchinson previously sat for four closed-door interviews that were widely reported, and the department could have subpoenaed her, Lofgren said.

“I was surprised that the prosecutors were surprised. What are they doing over there?” Lofgren said, underscoring running tension between the congressional panel and the department, which is conducting its own investigations.

Schiff said the Justice Department shouldn’t shy away from considering criminal charges against Trump.

“For four years, the Justice Department took the position that you can’t indict a sitting president,” he said on CBS. “If the department were now to take the position that you can’t investigate or indict a former president, then a president becomes above the law. That’s a very dangerous idea that the founders would never subscribe to.”

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-07-03/ex-white-house-counsel-s-privilege-questioned-by-jan-6-lawmaker

Happy 4th everyone! Hope yours was peaceful and joyful.

I wonder how the vibe of the usa might change if more people started singing america the beautiful ‘crown thy good with brotherhood’ rather than the official anthem with ‘bombs bursting in air”?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6SQg5KX6dY

Hahaha! I used to think that America the Beautiful when I was learning it for the first time upon my move from Canada in the early ’70’s was: “and Crown thy Good with Motherhood from Sea to Shining Sea…” Truly- it could have been Crown thy Good with Sisterhood

Great points, kiwi & ss (& just think about what people do with the everyone does with of the lyrics of the Star Spangled Banner! Kind of humorous!) And I have to admit that I found it very stirring watching the military music & fireworks display broadcast over DC last night, and we had a very congenial small family barbque with both vegetarian burgers & hot dogs & regular ones at my inlaws’ place (he is 95 & was grilling; she’s almost 101) where we gathered to watch the very excellent film Independence Day with Will Smith, Bill Pullen, Harry Conig Jr. , an annual July 4 tradition. And then the shooting happened in affluent Highland Park by someone who had the III after his name, and there were 57 shootings in Chicago alone yesterday. Yes, kiwi & ss, I think you have some good ideas there. The pendulum just HAS TO swing the other way at some point!

Oops! Not easy to edit on a small phone screen! And I forgot to mention Jeff Goldblum & Judd Hirsch were great in the film + 2 female actresses whose names escape me.

Sunstars, Kiwi, Sharon K,
Interesting suggestion!

“and crown thy good with”
“brotherhood” “motherhood” ” sisterhood”

Would “siblinghood” work? Sounds odd I know. Not trying to be overly politically correct, just an attempt at being maximally inclusive.

Admittedly, the lyrics to America the Beautiful are less combative than those of the present national anthem, though IMO the music to the SSB is far better and more inspiring.

Nevertheless, lyrically Am.the B. is not without problems.

O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!

America! America!
God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!

O beautiful for pilgrim feet
Whose stern impassion’d stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness.

America! America!
God mend thine ev’ry flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law.

O beautiful for heroes prov’d
In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved,
And mercy more than life.

America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness,
And ev’ry gain divine.

O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears.

America! America!
God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea.

It is my personal belief that before the end of this century, climate change and other factors will force us to establiish a new and more centrally located capital. That might be a good time to adopt an alternative national anthem. That could also likely occur in concert with, and/or after we adopt several very transformative amendments to the Constitution. I personally believe such reform amendments WILL eventually be adopted and ratified.

Thank you for that gift, Eliseo.

Jerry, the next meeting of the J6 Committee is scheduled for July 12, the day before the full moon which you signaled out earlier in this thread. Let us hope the pendulum begins swinging back soon.

Hi silcominc,

I had been wondering about that next scheduled hearing. Thanks for bringing that to my attention.

Astrologer Evon Davis notes that tr. Saturn will form an exact square to Trump’s midheaven (24 ’21 Taurus) on July 8th and of course there is also the second in a series of three US Pluto returns – exact on July 11th to consider. Evon seems to think this period coming up has the potential for a Trump indictment.

Trump’s Legal Peril: Giuliani Subpoenaed As New Jan. 6 Witnesses Speak Out After Coup Bombshells

Video: 12 min 20 sec

https://youtube.com/watch?v=sh3MvtR6dxU

The culmination of Pluto in Capricorn: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/jul/06/power-wealthy-earth-politics-democracy-plutocracy

the latest from jessica murray
https://mothersky.com/2022/07/god-on-their-side/

full twilight zone …. “Former Secretary of Education Bill Bennett, during a Fox News appearance on Wednesday, suggested that expelling demons could be a way to cut back on mass shootings.”

Boris Johnson expected to resign today.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFQJ1eseZMk

CNN link to story Boris Johnson to resign.
Previous one was morning joe msnbc.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vvv8CPCmme8

Thanks, Kiwi, for posting Jessica Murray’s blog. I find her writings interesting but often frustrating as she identifies what’s going terribly wrong without any hope of change or clue to what might fix things. In this post she does offer a rather brief fix: “…by living through our charts.” Hmm. Okay. Also that Pluto moving into Aquarius will change the focus to different rot to expose to the light. So at least the current rot will be outed and healing left behind.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson Announces Resignation
Morning Joe MSNBC
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38c49OjI6LQ

I think a 3 party system would be better too Eliseo.

The craziness has no borders.
The shooting spree a few days ago in Copenhagen and now the shooting of former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe.
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-07-08/former-japan-pm-abe-collapses-after-shots-heard-man-in-custody

Gypsi,
Glad you agree. I don’t know about you, but though I consistently vote for Dems, I DO get tired of their naivete and dogmatism. (and R’s are worse) Both parties tend to see only in black and white, and overreact to one another’s extreme rhetoric and actions.

In the words of H. L. Mencken: “For every complex problem, there is a solution that is clear, simple, and wrong.” Too many professional, elected Dems and R’s, at all levels tend to go for that simple and popular, but wrong “solution.”

Our system would work far better IMO were we to have ranked choice voting, AKA instant runoff voting. Roughly about 80% of our citizens are centrists, some center right, some center left, but with some flexibility.

Most people are not 100% with the agenda and positions of either party. As an example, my S-in-Law is intensely against abortion but is a Dem. There are some R’s who are pro-choice, or are for tighter gun laws, There are some who are Liberal on domestic policy, but Conservative in their foreign policy, or vice versa.

I believe we will eventually get ranked choice voting, though it may take a while; perhaps it will occur some time during the coming Pluto in Aquarius period. When we get there I think it probable we’ll end up with three major parties and perhaps some minor ones as well. In theory RCV will get us legislation and governing policies more in line with the actual will of the people.

How do you see that future?

Re: The Shinzo Abe shooting. Very sad.
_____________________________________

Astrologer Evon Davis expands on her views regarding the July 8th Saturn transit square Trump’s midheaven, the day which happens to coincide with former White House counsel Pat Cipolloni’s appearance before the Jan 6th congressional committee.

CIPOLLONE WILL TESTIFY!

Video: 18 min 3 sec

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cc8lLAsfD1Q

Andre of Astrology Alert dwells on the infamous

Trump’s Access Hollywood T Square

Video: 3 min 43 sec

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKjIORubUKc

The July 10th Mercury-Jupiter square (8 Cancer Aries) will be activating the above so-called “Access Hollywood T Square” aspect in Trump’s chart.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cc8lLAsfD1Q

Re: The Shinzo Abe shooting. Very sad.
_____________________________________

Astrologer Evon Davis expands on her views regarding the July 8th Saturn transit square Trump’s midheaven, the very day that happens to coincide with former White House counsel Pat Cipolloni’s appearance before the Jan 6th congressional committee.

CIPOLLONE WILL TESTIFY!

Video: 18 min 3 sec

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cc8lLAsfD1Q

Andre of Astrology Alert dwells on the infamous

Trump’s Access Hollywood T Square

Video: 3 min 43 sec

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKjIORubUKc

The July 10th Mercury-Jupiter square (8 Cancer Aries) will be activating the above so-called “Access Hollywood T Square” aspect in Trump’s chart.

The July 10th Mercury-Jupiter Square

This is Trump’s Mercury return (8 Cancer).

One definition found online……..

Mercury Square Jupiter Transit

A lack of concentration, or inability to focus, may lead to some errors of judgment or mistakes. You will have to pay extra attention to how you express yourself. You may get a bit too cocky and this could come across in your speech as arrogance or even bigotry.

Shinzo Abe died. The assassin was successful. All Japan is in shock.

The really amazing thing is that Japan is nearly gun free! They are reporting that the shooter thought Abe was linked to a group that he hates. Anyway, this could be an example of a copycat death by gun violence, first in Copenhagen, now in Japan – these things just spread.

Ranked voting would be great. I don’t think Texas will get there unless we turn it blue.
Which we might. Abbott is busy alienating at least half of Texas women

Cipollone testified for 8 hours! Oh, only to hear the long songs he sang!

No matter if one’s Senator or Representative is Republican, Democrat or Independent; if he/she/they do not vigorously legislate a total ban on licensing, selling or marketing assault weapons to U.S. civilians or law enforcement, they must be voted out of office. Its the assault weapons that need to go first. These obscenely-lethal murdering devices and ammunition are specifically designed to essentially obliterate-to-pulp anything targeted in a matter of seconds and have no reason to be in the hands of civilians or law enforcement. This measure alone would drastically reduce the mass-shootings.

I have three clients in my practice who live in Highland Park, IL and have either lost close personal friends and/or had people close to them seriously injured in the massacre. One of my patients actually lives one house away from the perpetrator. When the PTSD takes root, I fear fair Highland Park will be a psycho-emotional demilitarized zone.

According to CNN….

……”Still, there were signs of trouble in the family. One longtime customer and friend of Crimo’s — who asked to remain anonymous to speak candidly about the family — remembered that he and his wife, Denise Pesina, would have heated arguments in the deli, even in front of customers.
“It was awkward for people,” the friend said. “I remember thinking, if that’s the public arguments, I can only imagine the private ones.”
Police reports released this week show that the couple’s fights continued behind closed doors. In the six years after the deli opened, officers were called to their home at least a dozen times to settle domestic disputes or respond to allegations that one or the other was intoxicated.
In one 2010 incident, Crimo alleged that Pesina “had hit him with a screwdriver on the left forearm” — before recanting once he got to the police station — and in another, he claimed she hit him on the head with a shoe.
“He threatens to call the police for any and every argument we get in,” Pesina wrote in one handwritten witness statement. “He says he wants the police to think I’m crazy.”
Ex-FBI official questions key decision by shooter's father

Ex-FBI official questions key decision by shooter’s father 02:35
There is no record that any of those incidents led to criminal charges against either Crimo or Pesina.
The two separated at some point, according to friends, with Pesina staying in their Highland Park home and Crimo moving to his father’s home in neighboring Highwood. Bobby lived in both homes over the years.
Pesina had had another brush with the law as well: In 2002, when Bobby was nearly two years old, she was arrested for child endangerment after allegedly leaving him in a locked car at a Toys-R-Us parking lot for about 27 minutes on a 79-degree day with the windows rolled up, according to court documents. Pesina pleaded guilty to misdemeanor child endangerment, and completed a year of court supervision.
Pesina did not respond to CNN’s requests for comment. Her lawyer at the time, Steven Lunardi, said that she admitted having made a mistake.
Jeremy Cahnmann, who taught Bobby and his brother in an elementary after-school sports program, said the boys stuck out in his memory because their parents almost never picked them up on time.
“I remember talking to faculty at the school about how uninvolved the parents were,” he said. Bobby was “always the kid there at the end who didn’t get picked up.”

From Newsweek:

“The father of a man who has been arrested in the wake of a deadly mass shooting in Highland Park, Illinois reportedly ran for mayor of the city in 2019 and was defeated by a pro-gun control Democrat.

Robert E. Crimo III was apprehended by police following a manhunt on Monday but has not yet been charged with any crime. He had been named as a “person of interest” following the shooting that left six people dead and dozens more injured.

Crimo’s father, Bob Crimo Jr., ran for mayor of Highland Park in 2019 and was defeated by incumbent Mayor Nancy Rotering, according to a number of media reports at the time and since Crimo III was arrested.

NEWSWEEK NEWSLETTER SIGN-UP >
Robert (Bobby) E. Crimo III
This undated handout photo provided by the City of Highland Park Police Department shows Robert (Bobby) E. Crimo III. Highland Park Police Chief Lou Jogmen said Monday, July 4, 2022, that police have identified 22-year-old Crimo as a person of interest in an Independence Day parade shooting in suburban Chicago.
CITY OF HIGHLAND PARK POLICE DEPARTMENT
The elder Crimo is a small business owner in the city of around 30,000 people and unsuccessfully challenged Rotering, a Democrat with a long history of supporting gun control measures.”

Who needs fiction?

The Jan 6th Committee Hearings/ July 12th and 14th

WASHINGTON, July 7 (Reuters) – The congressional committee investigating the deadly Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol will hold a hearing on the evening of July 14, a person familiar with the matter said on Thursday.

The hearing will be the second one to take place next week and is aimed at reaching a broad television audience during prime viewing hours.
________________________________________

The July 14th hearing could be significant; a game-changer. It is the Biden administration’s Inaugural chart Mars return (6 Taurus) and it is square the Moon (6 Aquarius).

Jan 20, 2021 Inauguration Day Astrology Chart (by Astrology King)

The Inauguration Day astrology chart is explosive because of Mars conjunct Uranus (6 Taurus). This combination causes impulsiveness, recklessness, violence, protest, rioting, rebellion, revolution, and explosions. The police, military, and militias will unpredictable, and volatile, and even uncontrollable.

The Jan 20, 2021 chart can be accessed here……..

https://astrologyking.com/inauguration-day-2021/

Also bear in mind, the Mars-Moon square of July 14th is semi-square/sesqui-square Trump’s natal Moon-Sun opposition (21 Sagittarius- 22 Gemini).

_______________________________________

Why An Indictment Against The Former President Is More Than Likely

NorthEastern
July 6, 2022

The House select committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol has shed light on the alleged egregious, and at-times unbelievable, actions of former President Donald Trump.

Those first-hand accounts from witnesses close to him at the time detail a range of potential crimes committed by Trump, from inciting a violent insurrection that resulted in deaths—and refusing to act to stop the attack—to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

Many legal experts, including those at Northeastern, say there’s enough evidence to charge the former president with crimes, including seditious conspiracy and pressuring public officials to undermine the election results.

“It is clear that there is enough evidence to indict and convict the former president of conspiracy to defraud the United States, illegally interfere with the electoral count and even sedition,” says Michael Meltsner, the George J. and Kathleen Waters Matthews Distinguished Professor of Law at Northeastern and author of the civil rights-era novel Mosaic: Who Paid for the Bullet?”

Continued……

https://news.northeastern.edu/2022/07/06/donald-trump-trial-indictment/

I don’t have much spare time lately but if someone is so inclined (Jerry?), could you please look up or remind us of Biden’s aspects. There is a lot of negative stuff in the media about him now, obviously in a bid to influence the mid-terms.

Some of the things said about Biden are irrelevant to his performance and could happen to anyone, especially at an advanced age, some affect it, but with Manchin & Kinema (sp) blocking his agenda, how can it advance.

I am wondering if all this support we are giving Ukraine will weaken us and if Putin means for that to happen.

Hi Sharon, According to the following astrologer, the Biden admistrations over all future prospects in office look pretty good. The article makes some interesting observations. It’s a fairly upbeat assessment…..

Bright Destiny Predicted for the New President and Team

https://www.dandelionchandelier.com/2021/01/17/astrology-predictions-biden-harris/

Jerry,

If the astrologer is correct, it looks like Biden will get a boost about one month before the midterms – anything could happen; heaven knows he’s faced a world of troubles for the last several months with no end in sight. Let’s hope his polls reflect relief soon.

I missed this interview last year, but IMO it is a good outline on the ongoing politics of hate
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucTGNtsT9gw

another interview IMO worth watching – ‘uniquely stupid’ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKRuvKtFvqo

My mother-in-law’s significant other with whom she lives had the Trump rally in Anchorage on tonight. He went on and on for over an hour. I heard it mostly from a few rooms away, with the door closed (where my mother-in-law, husband and I had ran to in order to get away as fast as we could), but what I heard was disheartening. He is such a motivated liar, who lies with compunction and very convincingly. He blamed everything that is negative that is happening now on the Democrats, took credit for much of what happened during his “presidency” that he did not deserve, and again talked about the election being stolen, to great cheers. By doing all this, he was again fomenting violence, I feel, because should the Democrats stay in power to any extent, there will be more incidents like January 6th. Very sad and demoralizing.

Jerry, thanks for posting Dandelion Chandelier’s positive outlook for the Biden administration — let’s hope so.

Brittney Griner and Saying Goodbye to Putin and his Oligarchs – Jul 10, 2022 – 00:28:04

Heavy duty forcasts in this one!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41_zDRvfYgE&t=1132s

Thanks Sharon K, after reading your post about another Trump rally I wished the President would have Jill and Kamala lead rallies across America on the SCOTUS abortion and gun rulings. It is so very frustrating to me that there is little to nothing being done to fire up the base for the upcoming mid-terms.

Sharon K,
Hard to endure, I’m sure.
I’m ambivalent about Trump being free.
Part of me would like to see Trump behind bars for the rest of his life, and to get there asap.
But another part of me would like to see him again receive the R nomination and lose even bigger than the last time in the 2024 election, and thereby complete the destruction of the R party.

Eliseo, I opt for the 2nd one but I don’t know what’s worse. Both scenarios will make him a martyr and foment violence among people already predisposed towards it: “militias”, formed to protect us against the government and paying taxes, don’t you know — they have been around for years and at some point melded with Libertarians, Christian Nationalists, regular old power Hungry Repbublican Conservatives, etc.

Frank, what an excellent idea!!! They should, and they should bring aboard charismatic people who appeal to Democrats and others: I think we need people more charismatic than Joe, Chuck, Nancy, and even Kamala!

Here’s a great Ted Talk that’s an absolute must-see that I saw on CNN yesterday “I was almost a school shooter” (Aaron Stark).
https://www.ted.com/talks/aaron_stark_i_was_almost_a_school_shooter

And, here’s a fascinating little NY Times piece about public education under attack by Free State members in a very small town (Croydon, NH) and how people became “wok” and Democracy triumphed – because people finally showed up!

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/10/us/croydon-free-state-politics.html

It doesn’t only occur in the US.
Recently in Copenhagen. Now in Soweto, South Africa.
15 dead in mass shooting in S. Africa
https://www-cbsnews-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/south-africa-mass-shooting-police-say-many-dead-in-bar-shooting-in-soweto/?amp_js_v=a6&amp_gsa=1&usqp=mq331AQKKAFQArABIIACAw%3D%3D#aoh=16575375917405&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&ampshare=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbsnews.com%2Fnews%2Fsouth-africa-mass-shooting-police-say-many-dead-in-bar-shooting-in-soweto%2F

It’s not ONLY the number and types of guns and the fact the US has the third largest population. The uniquely WWII type war in Ukraine, the mass shootings in several countries including but not limited to Sweden, Denmark, S. Africa, the US, etc. are IMHO all connected.

Something deeper is going on, something in the darker recesses of our collective unconscious mind. I’m not sure of the astrological signature, (I’m searching for that) but I believe it must be associated with our worldwide crisis of meaning. Our knowledge base has expanded so exponentially as to render our meaning systems (primarily our religions) increasingly impotent. For many the old formula of be good, live, die, go to heaven, or other similar formulas just don’t satisfy. Knowledge of the depth and vastness of time and the universe is enough to unnerve anyone. Were we to compress the length of life of the universe itself to a 24 hour day, humanity would have emerged in the very last second of that day, making our lifespans considerably shorter than a milisecond, and therefore of what value?
The problem is especially acute for Muslims and Fundamentalist Christians who attempt to avoid and/or balm unbearable cognitive dissonance through violence and hatred of science, scientists, and those who accept scientific facts and theories.

But it is also affecting unstable people, albeit often unconsciously, who unfortunately have access to high capacity, fast shooting firearms. Likewise, in China, incidents in which a sword and knife wielding young person (so far only males) attack and kill 10 or more people very quickly; such incidents have been increasing in frequency. This trend in China began before covid, and continues. The news gets out, despite CCP attempts to suppress it.

Please do not assume I believe our lives are meaningless. I’m not saying that. I’m merely asserting our old, mythological explanations no longer serve us well. They neither satisfy, nor constrain those inclined, from engaging in hyper-predatory, economic, financial, political, or personal violence.

Addendum to above.
Best guess: Our universe is
540000000000000000000000 miles across.
i.e. 46 billion light years

We believe the universe is 13.7 billion years old, but it may be in its infancy. One million years is 0.00729927007% of 13.7 billion.

Psalm 39:5
You, indeed, have made my days as handbreadths, and my lifetime as nothing before You. Truly each man at his best exists as but a breath. Selah

Psalm 90:4 ASV
For a thousand years in thy sight Are but as yesterday when it is past, And as a watch in the night.

Only the Hindu/Buddhist/Jain/Sikh tradition deals mythologically with vast numbers with their yugas and manvantaras, cycles of birth, death, and mytho-historical ages. Their numbers nevertheless, are miniscule compared to what we’ve learned as to the vastness of time and space of our known universe.

Sharon K,
In S. America it is common for a new president to accuse the previous president of the opposing party of corruption and send them to jail. In the current political/emotional climate it is quite conceivable were a R to become president, they might do that to the former Dem president as an act of revenge for convicting and jailing Trump.

It occurs to me our DOJ may be reticent to indict Trump, as they fear it would set a precedent which would propel us toward morphing into another “banana republic.”

It therefore might be better for Georgia, or any of the other states to indict, NOT the federal government, NOT the US DOJ to indict him. Spending time in the Georgia penitentiary might serve the interests of justice without setting a national or federal precedent. Neither the Dem president, or Dem appointed US AG would be involved, hands off and free and clear of the process. Only Georgia, or maybe the Fulton county AG would be “to blame.” Maybe that way we get justice without becoming a “banana republic.”

Just a thought, a speculation.

Eliseo, thanks for your ongoing comments and thoughts about the mess the world is in. A dose of philosophy is very balancing in these times and we sure could use more balance!

One thing about Trump, though, with reference to your speculation about punishment, is that (imo, as previously expressed) his chart shows he will never be imprisoned, or even materially punished financially for his crimes.

Trump was the president. Period. And without hard evidence and tons of it, he goes nowhere.

But, the office of the presidency itself, as you point out, has to be protected if the country is not to be entirely overwhelmed in chaos. The presidency is a keystone (albeit not the only one) of civil order in the US.

I believe that is what it will come down to. They, whoever they are, will just protect the presidency itself. The powers that be may TRY to frame a legal case against him, or even a constitutional one, but imo, they have no leg to stand on.

How can they PROVE anything? The answer is they can’t. And as everybody knows, without proof, there is no legal judgment.

The only judgment that remains is the one in the minds of the mass of people. They will speak collectively in good time in the next few elections and sad to say, probably in the streets as well. The political shakeout will take time.

Justice of the sort Dems are deeply wishing for is not in the cards (again, imo). It is amazing enough that the January 6th hearings are turning up such damaging information in the picture of the network of lies and plots. Then democracy will prevail or fail at the polls. The only thing that will make a difference is the elections to come in the fall and later, in November 2024.

UNPRECEDENTED

A 3 part documentary on the events leading up to Jan 6th 2021 and the aftermath. It was just released. I found the documentary to be extremely well done and riveting.

‘Unprecedented’: Six Shocking Moments in the Donald Trump Jan. 6 Documentary on Discovery+

Variety
July 10, 2022

“Unprecedented,” a new Discovery+ docuseries that pulls back the curtain on Trump world during the 2020 election, and in the aftermath of the Jan. 6 riot, debuted Sunday with an unprecedented look at one of the most chaotic periods in American history.

Filmmaker Alex Holder was given such unfettered access to Donald Trump and his family that his footage was subpoenaed by the Jan. 6 committee, making “Unprecedented” appointment viewing for people hoping get a better sense of how the president’s inner circle responded to the attack on the U.S. Capitol. In that regard, they may be disappointed. The series shifts its focus to the Trump-fueled insurrection in Episode 3, but there’s no footage of Trump lunging at his security detail in the Beast, for instance. But there are many shocking, enraging and genuinely WTF moments in the three-part series, which makes pretty clear that Trump doesn’t really think that the people who stormed Congress did anything wrong.

Continued……

https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/unprecedented-donald-trump-jan-6-documentary-discovery-plus-1235312905/

If anyone has an interest in watching this fascinating documentary, here it is in its complete form…….

The Roar/ Part 1

Video: 53 min

https://eztv.re/ep/1821084/unprecedented-2022-s01e01-the-roar-1080p-hevc-x265-megusta/

Continued below in the next entry…….

Beowulfie,

“or even materially punished financially for his crimes.” He’s had some significant rulings against him (TRUMP UNIVERSITY) which required him to forfeit millions of dollars in the decision against him. Who knows what might be brewing in the civil courts.

We’ve had mass-shootings at concerts, churches, synagogues, nigh-clubs, shopping centers, grade-school, high school and college campuses and many work-places. Still, we’ve seen a paltry effort of bipartisan cooperation and legislation to stop the madness. It is hardly inconceivable that it is only a matter of time before a mass-shooting takes place at a football game or golf-tournament (God forbid!); might those be the points of critical mass wherein we’d see some speedy, earnest progress in legislation?

Jerry, thank you.

Will, When I think about how we could protect some of these places, I guess a law about security guards and extra layers of gates would help block entry into someplace like a stadium. They must have a certain degree of that already. Would there have to be a law and at what level? Should companies be forced to pay out of their funds and I can’t see the government affording it. Here in NOLA, the new murder-capital of the U.S. (competing with Chicago I daresay), we do not have enough police on the force and the numbers are decreasing.

I cannot figure out why years ago a way wasn’t figured out to give all law enforcement officers bullet proofing and body armor of a sort.

Anyway, there are much better minds than mine that should be at work on this. Defund the police, my ass! We need police. We also need better police training but we need police.

It is mind boggling to think about how to protect society against this. So many have guns already or can borrow them or get them illegally that gun laws will not do the trick alone.

And now places like Copenhagan and Japan have had mass shootings.

Sorry, Copenhagen

From Johns Hopkins.

Updated June 3, 2022

“Following gun violence tragedies, familiar myths get recycled and recirculated—myths that distract from effective solutions and create smoke screens around the essential problem: We’re more interested in protecting sellers and buyers of guns than the public, Daniel Webster, ScD ’91, MPH, co-director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions, said in an interview.”

https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2022/debunking-myths-about-gun-violence

Sharon, Eliseo,

Wondering if the Copenhagen and Soweto shooters were copy-cats. We’re also only two days from a full-moon in Capricorn.

Even if there is something astir in our collective unconscious, a complete ban on assault weapons here will make a huge difference.

It would be effective as it was before, Will, but how do we enforce it now, especially with Trump and SC Libertarians in the picture. There is a reason the Uvalde police were afraid to go in. I am disheartened.

Sharon.

I understand your discouraegment; understandable. My take on Uvalde is that it was a colossal lack of preparation, skill, leadership. understanding protocol and a stunning degree of stupidity and ineptitude. Moreover, law enforcement had an abundance of weapons and manpower. Leave it to the legendary incompetence ofTexan politicians for such an epic failure.

Ironically, the SCOTUS Roe v. Wade stunt by the rabid right justices will prove most auspicious for Dems and Progressives as the are mobilized to galvanized snd set into motion a furious backlash. Game on! Keep the faith be it ever so faint. This too shall pass. Bluer skies ahead.

January 6 Hearings–Episode 7: Increasing Danger for Trump (by Andre of Astrology Alert)

Video: 4 min 4 sec

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQTYFL5Wxkk

Earlier, we pointed out that the July 20th Mars-Neptune semi-square (10 Taurus-25 Pisces) will be hitting key points in Trump’s chart. Andre in the above video mentions the Eris station (exact July 22nd at 25 ’01 Aries) in square to Trump’s Venus (25 Cancer).

Interesting to add, the the chart set for the early morning of July 20th has tr. Moon conjunct Eris in t square to the Sun-Pluto opposition (27 Cancer-Capricorn). Based on those overall transits, I would venture to guess we might be seeing some major events unfold in the January 6th investigation around this July 20th time period.

Pat Cipollone Spills the Beans

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ipa4iwgURUM

This reading matches a Sibly Pluto return on July 12th.

Thanks, Will.

NOLA can’t attract enough police and crime is very high.

I just think there isn’t enough money for public education and services!

But, I will keep the faith.

Right now I am watching today’s Jan 6 Hearing. Fascinating. Ex right-wing extremists (maybe because they don’t want to go to jail) testifying about these violent militias and asshole Trump enlisting them (he said “stand down” to the Proud Boys at a presidential debate and called them “fine people”). It’s just about ending right now.

These very people (ex-right wing extremists) are saying they fear future violence from these groups.

But the truth that these Hearings are revealing does give me HOPE.

Maybe one of the members of the Jan 6 Hearing Committe would be a good Democratic candidate? So far no one has emerged. I think Biden has been very good but we will most likely need someone else to run for 2024.

xoxoxox

Sharon, one of the goals of the Christian right is to bankrupt needed social services and public education. If you notice, when we were growing up, legislation was a few pages long. Now, the bills are thousands of pages. You don’t need thousands of pages for a law but the wealthy and well-connected have their lobbyists carve out exemptions for everything and now we are in a situation where the poor and middle class pay more than any corporation or the rich. Some of us pay nearly the same tax rate we would if we lived in Canada or even Denmark but we have very few services. We need to move to a flat tax without exceptions and begin to limit lobbyists role. We need to clean up the garbage of the past forty years of trickle down GOP bullshit.

Sharon K,
On 11 May 2028 we will have our Uranus return. Last time was a couple of days before D-Day. At that point we better have someone in charge who is acutely with it mentally, and physically,

Eliseo, of course! The question is, who?

Is the implication here that we will be at war? I sure hope not!

Sharon K,
I have no idea who might be best, but I feel certain were it Kamala Harris in the present crazy political climate, she would lose the election. Nor do I think she would be an effective president, were she to run and win. It has to be someone else.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin looks like a possibility and I’ve heard his natal chart jives well with the US and the office of the presidency. I really like Katie Porter. I think Mayor Pete would be a superb president, but I don’t think the US and/or much of the rest of the world is ready for an openly gay president. I have no idea whether any of these are even interested in the role.

I sometimes wish Houston, Texas Congresswoman Barbara Jordan was still with the living, and was young and healthy enough to run and win the presidency. LBJ believed she was going to be our first Black and Woman president.

Will we be at war in 2028? I hope not as well, but our Uranus return surely is indicative of a transformative crisis of some kind.

That should be no surprise considering the directions certain nations are taking. Both China and Russia are in terrible decline from which they are not likely to recover. For both of them, desperation is now their middle name! – And the mother of their irrational, not in their actual interest behavior.

We are on the cusp of a very different era. The era beginning at WWII’s end is over. By the 2022/2023 winter the greatest famine in world history will have commenced. Famine, climate change, and war will reduce our human population by half. We’ll likely be fine in N. America, but Germany and eastern Europe, Asia, and Africa are headed for serious pain and trouble.

I expect by 2030, (probably much sooner) India and China will be at war. Water rights will be the issue. The SE Asian nations will be allied with India. That war alone will be as big as was WWII. No telling when the Russia/Ukraine war will end. It could last a few more months, or a few more years, but I fully expect by the end of it Russia will have used either chemical weapons and/or mini-nukes.

Whether or not the US is at war in 2028, it will be necessary for the US president and congress to be hyper aware, less partisan, less ideological, more pragmatic and united than what we are presently experiencing. We are approaching a showdown between authoritarianism and the western way, i.e. the rule of law, democracy, and human rights. We are experiencing it first internally, but the process will find completeness externally.

Our first post-revolutionary war Uranus return was in 1860 at the beginning of the Civil War. It began the long process that transformed us from THESE United States into THE United States. Our second Uranus return transformed us from merely being a “Great Power” into a superpower and “Leader of the free world.” I expect our next Uranus return to be no less dramatic in how we understand and view ourselves, and how the world sees us as well.

Jan. 6 Committee Expected To Hold Next Hearing Thursday July 21 In Prime Time

The committee’s chairman, Bennie Thompson, said next week’s hearing would be “the last one — at this point” — declining to say whether there would be more down the line.

NBC News
July 13, 2022
____________________________________

This begs the question, is there a possibility the last of the Jan 6th congressional public hearings scheduled for July 21st, essentially a trial in the court of public opinion, will set the stage for the main encore, an indictment of Donald Trump and family by New York State Attorney General Letitia James (sworn depositions are scheduled between July 15th and July 22nd)? The astrological aspects seem to support that theory. Letitia has her natal Sun at 24 ’48 Libra and Nodes at 22 ’17 Aires-Libra. This forms a t square to Trump’s natal Saturn (karma) at 23 ’48 Cancer and natal Venus (financial dealings) at 25 ’44 Cancer. The July 22nd Eris station (25 ’01 Aries) will activate all of those aspects….

Letitia James & Audrey Strauss – Into Gear As Mueller Fades (posted by Marjorie Orr May 2019 complete with birth charts)

https://star4cast.com/letitia-james-audrey-strauss-into-gear-as-mueller-fades/

Eris in Astrology

Keyword: Feminine Warrior for Soul Purpose

Eris is a dwarf planet that travels outside of the orbit of Pluto. Eris is known as the Goddess of Discord and Strife, due to her Greek mythology of not being invited to a family wedding, and to get revenge, she later initiated the Trojan War. Eris, traveling in the shadow of Pluto, is the feminine archetype of an angry warrioress, a woman scorned, and the deep desire for revenge at any cost. She is the female counterpart of Mars, and the younger sister of Pluto, creating a feisty, powerful energy of aggression and independence pulsing through the bloodstream.

In astrology, Eris has been in Aries since June 1922, and she will journey through Aries until June 2044. Her slow-moving orbit means she only moves a few degrees a year, and she is currently moving between 23 degrees Aries and 24 degrees Aries over the next few years.

Eris In Aries ~ The Uninvited Feminine’s Arrival ~ Fiesty, Fiery Goddess of Soul Growth

Video: 17 min 57 sec

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntWw5WvbSdg

Wowee! The times they are a changin’

https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/13/opinions/gop-american-family-service-act-2-0-cass/index.html

There may be additional hearings in August. According to a congressional reporter, “Jan. 6 committee is considering a “second series of hearings” sometime towards the end of August, after next week’s prime time finale on Thursday, per source familiar.” I had seen a tarot reader/psychic predicting more hearings through August/September, so it was interesting to see a reporter saying that may happen.

Marjorie Orr has an interesting post on Trump and his ‘fall guys’:

https://star4cast.com/fall-guys-for-january-6-anyone-but-trump/

I wonder how Ivana’s death will affect the kids. Bad week all round it would appear.

Bannon Confirms Leaked Audio Of Trump Plan To ‘Declare Himself Winner’ (before the election results were in)

Video: 6 min 52 sec

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09jjIi88Sa8

Surprised no one commented on the url I posted above. It’s about a bill formulated by Romney & supported by several Republicans to give regular monthly universal income payments to working families who need it. I was rather surprised to read it.

Sharon K: So NOW I read it – the details I would have to suss out in a re-reading.

It brings to mind the inequality that the US has fostered in real time…..

Gender inequality, which is the biggest inequality of all…. then close after all the other inequalities the US has fostered.

And then the insult of these senators – on both sides – parsing out the money to the “poor” for the inequality they have caused.

After this I cannot say anything because of strong negative feelings that overwhelm me….. some things are better left unsaid.

Sharon K
Been busy. Haven’t got to it yet, but I will. Superficially, it appears Romney might be a practioner of true “compassionate conservatism,” as GWB called it. Time will tell. Nevertheless, he is a rich kid with his rich kid sense of entitlement, and calvinistically conservative notions. “Corporations are people too.” & 48% of the US population are parasitic “takers.” etc. IMO, what he did with Bain Capital was pure, unmitigated evil. But I’m sure he still believes it was all virtuous.

I wonder if he still believes in the Mormon prophecy of a Mormon president who “saves” and leads the nation successfully through a very dark time. I wonder if he still sees himself as that man.

Hi Sharon. The Romney bill is interesting and if the Republican party were to go in that direction it would take just a bit off the Dems’ accusation that the GOP is all for fetuses but not children. Not sure it will work given the extremism rampant in the party, but will see if it flies. Romney is not to be trusted, as Eliseo mentions. He did the right thing voting to impeach 45, but has shown distinct lack of courage many other times. Here in Massachusetts, he was behind “Romneycare” which meant to ensure health coverage for all residents but then weasled away from responsibility for it instead of touting it when running against Obama. He tends to sway with the political winds all too often, although within limits (see impeachment vote). And yes, he’s still a rich boy, albeit with some of the “compassionate conservatism” from his faith.

And, of course, everything a politician does is in their self-interest and meant to get votes from some group so they can attain and hold onto power and do a number of things that leave a lot of collateral damage.

And Romney is a Pisces (but so is McConnell, damn. born on my BD but older – he actually used to support civil rights marches I’ve heard) — anyway, I’ve seen some honesty, integrity and kindness in Romneybut he will never put that before money and business interests.

Eliseo, I think the Mormon prophecy is nothing more than a story they tell themselves so as to feel better about how they can – and often do – behave in real life. Unlike what they claim, people in organized religions create a higher power “in their own image” as they imagine it to be and then worship that power. More often than not, oddly, they’re men, but not always.

Or maybe I’m just in a bad mood…

Sharon and Les, in his youth Romney was a terrible bully. I doubt that he’s changed but has just acquired some polish. Bain Capital ran on bullying.

Sharon K,
Regarding the Romney Am Family Service Act. Oren Cass, who wrote the op-ed, worked at Bain Capital and later the 2012 Romney campaign. So, of course he painted a rosy picture of the plan. Unfortunately, as described it would leave out an awful lot of people in need. It’s the old conservative (Calvinistic) notion that there are deserving and undeserving people.

Arbo,
It’s not just people involved in what you are calling “organized religion.” EVERYONE who believes in, or worships ANY deity “creates a higher power “in their own image.” In the west, that’s usually the anthropomorphic cultural synthesis we’ve inherited of Zeus and YHWH, but nevertheless with the characteristics of their level of ethical maturity and meeting their particular emotional needs, be they healthy or downright sick. (Although close friends of mine as well as I, myself prefer a female egregore.)

In a sense the ancient Gnostics were right in recognizing whom most people worshiped was the “demiurge,” the imposter god. (Although this concept can be misapplied) Why were they correct? Because our god-concept is not the true deity. It is merely our personal concept of same. Such a hypothetical being of necessity would surely be beyond our limited capacity to correctly conceive. True worship requires altered consciousness.

BTW, when people say they “don’t believe in organized religion,” they are showing their ignorance, clumsily expressing themselves, and IMO unnecessarily being defensive. Usually, they mean they don’t feel the need to go to church, to involve themselves in social, ecclesial worship, or are simply not a religious person. Nothing wrong with any of that. Different people have different needs.

Religion has its good and bad side. It can be healthy or toxic. But religion’s problems have nothing to do with its being organized. We humans organize EVERYTHING! When people say such silly things, I sometimes say, “Oh, do you believe in disorganized religion?” Hopefully, that elicits a responsive laugh.

Unfortunately, there are few things people are more confused and misinformed about than religion, ALL RELIGIONS, and that’s true for so called “believers and unbelievers.” In sociology and anthropology we use the more clear and accurate phrase “ecclesial religion,” to refer to religion practiced in social groups.

You said that “in his youth Romney was a terrible bully.” According to my bias, that’s plausible.

His wealthy father was George Wilcken Romney (July 8, 1907 – July 26, 1995) chairman and president of American Motors Corporation, governor of Michigan and secretary of Housing and Urban Development under Nixon. George Romney also ran for the R nomination for president, in 1964 and 1968 but never attained it. He was a moderate R who supported the civil rights movement.

Having come from such a wealthy and powerful family, Mitt Romney’s sense of entitlement and polished arrogance is no surprise. I’m curious however, what are your sources for him behaving as a youthful bully? Such stories might be revealing. It is rare such princes ever learn humility, and to my knowledge, Willard Mitt Romney has never experienced such an epiphany.

Blowing on the Embers – 31st Jul, 2012,

http://starlightnews.com/wordpress/2012/07/blowing-on-the-embers/

My August 5, 2012, post:
http://www.politicususa.com/mitt-romney-psychopath.html

“Scrutiny of Mitt Romney’s Character Reveals Psychopathic Tendencies

… “people with psychopathic personalities are not exclusively found among criminals. In reality, they are often described as “charming” and quite normal, even functioning in high profile professions.” …

“There is abundant evidence that Romney doesn’t maintain any strong convictions, but rather forms opinions in service of his ultimate political goals. For example, where he once promised to be “better than Ted Kennedy on gay rights,” he now promises to be the most regressive Republican presidential candidate on gay rights in over a decade. The money he donated to Planned Parenthood has morphed into promises to shut them down. This sort of deceit is characteristic of a psychopath.”

“While Romney may not display the level of psychopathy necessary to be considered diagnosable as a psychopath, he does fit what Silver and Schouten call, “almost a psychopath.” He demonstrates a lack of empathy, no remorse or guilt for past assaults or mistreatment, a high degree of narcissism, and a capacity to ceaselessly lie and manipulate to get what he wants. If there was any doubt, his inability to stop laughing while recalling these events, when others have been harmed, proves this is a man with a highly questionable character.”

What follows below is written by unique_astrology. (My screen name in other places).

“While Romney’s angular Venus at the MC and Moon-Jupiter conjunction near the Desc of his chart allow him to express a charming facade, it is made a facade because of his equally angular Saturn and Pluto. In fact the midpoint of Saturn and Pluto in his birth chart is at 130°22′ just 000°25′ from an exact opposition to Venus in the chart and 1°15′ from an exact conjunction to the IC.. It is this strong Saturn-Pluto presence which strips away the gracefulness and ease of Venus and is so noticeable in his physical manner and at times in his speech. This combination in his chart could also be taken as indicative of one who is cold-hearted and/or stubborn.

But there is another, less obvious, element in his chart, which is also part of his psychological make-up. The square of Mars to his Asc is easy enough to see but it’s entourage, which changes the initiative or aggressiveness of Mars into something more foreboding is not. That Mars at 338°25′ is in opposition to the midpoint of Saturn and Neptune in his chart at 157°17′ and that Saturn is already tied to Pluto and given strength by virtue of being angular. Here you have a possibly depressive indicator (Saturn-Neptune) opposed by a dynamic, aggressive related, Mars.

The whole picture, angular Venus and Moon and Jupiter, twisted by angular Saturn and Pluto, Saturn-Neptune midpoint opposite Mars, could suggest an “almost a psychopath” or perhaps bipolar behavior which is contained (when there are witnesses) because of the strong controlling nature of Saturn and Pluto. At any rate a push-pull nature is evidenced. I think a similar chart could be found for acclaimed artists in various fields or hardened criminals.”

Hi, Eliseo. How about holding down a gay high school classmate and cutting off the relatively long hair that Romney deemed “wrong,” a story reported by the WaPo and backed up by five witnesses?

Romney — always the political animal — claimed when this was reported during his presidential bid that he had no recollection of the incident. Plausible deniability in the mind of a man who views himself as a busy and important one. Although some of us might see it as evidence of one hiding in the closet.

At the farther end of the timeline, Bain Capital’s reason-to-be was the hostile takeover of companies in order to fire the employees and suck the monetary value out of them — including the pensions of said employees. Bullying of the highest order. IMO, of course, which I admit is not at all humble nor particularly objective.

As one who has always resisted following the crowd, I admit also to being ignorant when it comes to all of the ones that profess to know the thinking of their particular chosen god. The ones I do have experience with tend to believe that god is within, not up in the sky looking down on the minions. Always an amusing image to me as a follower of astrology.

Of course, the difference between me and those who have their invisible friend in the sky is that I — as one who studies the psychology, like Jung did — can see the evidence of its accuracy when I meet someone and learn their sun sign. Revelation of birth date and time tends to prove it even further. As you may have guessed, Scorpio rises in my birth chart.

Many modern organized religions display little ethical maturity, as evidenced by five current Supreme Court members (members of the oldest surviving “Christian” religion) who don’t need to be named. And, with all due respect toward your opinion, organizing into a group affords these people the opportunity to come to believe they must be right in their thinking because there are so many of them. Hey, it worked in Nazi Germany.

Eliseo, I understand your professional background and I get the joke. All I can say to it is that a disorganized religion would be less harmful to others. Rimshot.

I still believe that what organized religions do is give insecure people something that makes them — in their own minds –“better” than the rest of the mammals.

Witness their hysteria over the need to force women to do something against their will that every mammal, save some Australian rebels, do in the exact same manner, thus placing themselves above the rest of the warm-blooded creatures of the earth. Humbug, I say. An opposable thumb and the mouth structure that allows the ability to form words isn’t a ticket to much more than — as is apparent now — an ability to destroy those who disagree with their belief system. Not to mention the earth.

Every mammal does…it was a complex sentence…

And right on, Bob.

The complete “Scrutiny of Mitt Romney’s Character Reveals Psychopathic Tendencies” post is no longer available at the link in my post. Here it is from my files.

Scrutiny of Mitt Romney’s Character Reveals Psychopathic Tendencies

By: Deborah FosterMay 19th, 2012see more posts by Deborah Foster

People tend to associate the word psychopath with serial killers or other violent criminals. The word conjures up images of anti-social monsters who are unable to fit into everyday society. This makes sense since everything in our media teaches us that psychopaths are predatory murderers. Indeed, experts on psychopathy have estimated that up to 25% of prison populations include people who could be labeled as psychopaths. However, people with psychopathic personalities are not exclusively found among criminals. In reality, they are often described as “charming” and quite normal, even functioning in high profile professions. Recently, Sherree DeCovney made controversial headlines by making the assertion that as many as 1 in 10 financial services workers on Wall Street were psychopaths, which was probably an overestimation. But, DeCovney was on to something. There are many highly successful people who can also be observed to have psychopathic tendencies, and recently, evidence has been piling up that one of them is none other than presidential wanna-be Mitt Romney.

There are three major patterns of qualities that characterize a psychopath: 1) interpersonal conduct such as dishonesty, narcissism, and arrogance, along with a marked lack of consideration for the rights and well-being of others 2) affective deficits such as lack of empathy or guilt, and 3) impulsiveness or risk-taking. Based on established criteria, psychologists estimate that approximately 1% of the population or 3 million people could be classified as having a psychopathic personality. However, these are people who meet the cutoffs for diagnostic criteria, which make it seem like people either have it or they don’t. Psychopathy doesn’t work that way. It occurs on a continuum with some people having none at all and others having the range from a few tendencies to a full blown diagnosable personality disorder. James Silver, co-author of “Almost a Psychopath: Do I (or Does Someone I Know) Have a Problem with Manipulation and Lack of Empathy?” explains,

“Almost psychopaths differ from true psychopaths not in the types, but, rather, in the frequency and intensity of their remorseless and damaging behaviors.”

It would probably have been more accurate for DeCovney to have stated that Wall Street employees had a greater than average overall tendency toward psychopathy than to suggest that so many would fit the diagnostic criteria necessary to be labeled with the actual personality disorder.

James Silver and his co-author, Ronald Schouten, explain in their book that people who could be described as “almost a psychopath” are quite plentiful. They estimate that up to 15% of the general population fits the profile of people who use manipulation to get what they want and who lack empathy or a capacity for guilt, all while displaying grandiosity, egotism and disregard for others.

Mitt Romney ran Bain Capital, a company that operated a business model nearly exclusively built on firing employees, canceling pensions, loading businesses with debt, taking millions in profit, and walking away. His claim is that he saved businesses but nearly a quarter of those Bain Capital touched went bankrupt; this occurred even with previously healthy companies. Countering the notion that Romney and Bain Capital were venture capitalists who developed new jobs, Aaron Goldenberg, wrote:

“Mitt Romney was NOT primarily a venture capitalist. A venture capitalist invests in early-stage businesses with the hope that they grow and prosper…By contrast, Mitt Romney was primarily what is affectionately known as a vulture investor. Bain Capital invested in failing companies with the intention of either restructuring their business or stripping the business and selling its assets.”

Goldenberg goes on to say that while what his company did may not have been evil or immoral (which is debatable), it was absolutely predicated on the belief that eliminating jobs was the best way to go even when bankrupting businesses could have taken other measures. It shows that Romney’s track record as a job-creating businessman is abysmal. It would take a hardened heart to look in the mirror each day, knowing that your business was in the business of forcing people out of their livelihoods, regardless of the justification. But, in and of itself, this fact doesn’t prove that Romney is a psychopath. Instead, an alarming anecdote shared by Rachel Maddow on her show does point to Romney’s issues with lack of empathy or remorse.

On May 10th, Maddow played an excerpt from an interview with Romney in which he relayed a story from his past along with many inappropriate chuckles:

Romney: “I have a few connections with the State of Wisconsin. One of the most humorous I think relates to my father. You may remember, my father, George Romney, was the President of an automobile company called American Motors. And as the President of the company, he decided to close the factory in Michigan and move all the production to Wisconsin…they had a high school band that was leading each of the candidates, and his band did not know how to play the Michigan fight song. It only knew how to play the Wisconsin fight song. So every time they would start playing, “On Wisconsin, On Wisconsin,” my dad’s political people would jump up and down and try to get them to stop because they didn’t want people in Michigan to be reminded that my dad had moved production to Wisconsin.”

This was Mr. Romney’s idea of funny, people losing their jobs and getting upset when being reminded about it.

In the same segment, Maddow discussed two of Romney’s other psychopathic behaviors, the recent revelation that he forcibly held down another teen in high school and cut off his hair as he cried and screamed and the now famous story where Romney strapped his dog to the roof of his car in a kennel for hours in defiance of Massachusetts law as he drove 60 miles per hour. In both cases, she played Romney’s “apologies” for the incidents, in which he laughed inappropriately throughout each.

These incidents and the insincerity of the apologies that followed them provide some of the strongest evidence of his psychopathy. In the case of the attack with the scissors against his classmate, Romney claims to have no memory of an occasion that still haunts the eyewitnesses to the event. Nevertheless, despite not remembering it, he also claims he must not have done it because the boy was presumed gay, because no one talked about homosexuality in the 1960s, despite evidence to the contrary. It takes a remarkably callous and disturbed individual to forget causing another human being to scream out in terror, let alone to have instigated the incident at all. With regard to the abuse of his dog, the story takes a particularly disturbing twist when one learns that his dog appeared to have developed diarrhea as a result of stress and fear. In response, Romney simply hosed off his SUV and continued the trip with the dog still atop the roof.

There is abundant evidence that Romney doesn’t maintain any strong convictions, but rather forms opinions in service of his ultimate political goals. For example, where he once promised to be “better than Ted Kennedy on gay rights,” he now promises to be the most regressive Republican presidential candidate on gay rights in over a decade. The money he donated to Planned Parenthood has morphed into promises to shut them down. This sort of deceit is characteristic of a psychopath.

Showing that he also displays the impulsivity characteristic of psychopathy, there were recent revelations about his repeated issues with losing his temper, including to the point of two skirmishes with law enforcement. Here he repeatedly shows contempt for people in positions of authority, even getting himself arrested for directly defying the instructions of an officer. If he weren’t an incredibly wealthy man, one wonders how often his flaunting of laws the little people have to follow would have gotten him in trouble.

While Romney may not display the level of psychopathy necessary to be considered diagnosable as a psychopath, he does fit what Silver and Schouten call, “almost a psychopath.” He demonstrates a lack of empathy, no remorse or guilt for past assaults or mistreatment, a high degree of narcissism, and a capacity to ceaselessly lie and manipulate to get what he wants. If there was any doubt, his inability to stop laughing while recalling these events, when others have been harmed, proves this is a man with a highly questionable character.

Oh yeah, that poor dog…

arbo,

Your superb snark has been missed; maybe more than just your ascendant in Scorpio?

We should also recall the evening Romney dined with Trump and according to DT, “begged me for the vice-presidency.”

Hi Will!

Snark? Sweet little me? But then Nancy tells me Scorpio is all over my natal chart. Sort of offsets the Gemini and Pisces.

Thanks. And by the way, I wouldn’t take anything either one of them said to the bank.

this interview needs to be spread far and wide
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=di4TySxfZ7E

It’s getting to the point in my personal life where I say: “Ok, what am I supposed to be learning from this?”

My natal Mars is at 19*49 Leo. At the end of August and through September and October 2022 I will experience tr Saturn oppose this, and tr Uranus square this simultaneously ….. or close enough.

I am feeling this now. I think I have been just unaware enough to act out, and then even at the time or immediately thereafter, feel the discomfort of being out of sinc with people with whom I interact… especially those closest to me.

So I think I might be projecting some things.

But before I forget, my favorite sentence in the last couple days came from arbo:

‘Or maybe I’m just in a bad mood…’ 🙂

Sharon K, Bob, Eliseo, Les, arbo writing on Mitt Romney, and then obviously kiwi and will, following along…..

I am familiar with, or became familiar with, the “style” or culture Bob and Eliseo describe when describing Mitt Romney. Like say the cutting off of the hair of the gay boy or the like.

I was shocked and dismayed when I came across this in my newly married husband especially when we moved back to Phoenix… in the early ’70’s.

It was part of a sort of “culture” as I have said….

Probably I would not be talking about this were not I having the hard aspects from 2 disparate planets to my Mars. To me, it feels risky, almost unsafe emotionally to talk about it.

My young husband described participating in such activities as depicted earlier that Mitt Romney participated in.

He and Romney were just a couple years apart in age – my husband being the younger, and both were connected to the Mormon church. Both had ties to Arizona and Utah. AND it was the time of the Viet Nam war…. or coming out of the war.

I was shocked and dismayed and disgusted at my husband laughing at the same things you all describe Romney laughing at. I said to my husband – “So you believe Might is Right? How can you believe that?”

I was disturbed. But I tried to see things from his point of view. What was I missing?

Well, I still don’t know. But it wasn’t for lack of trying.

As earlier said… I felt as if it must be part of a style or culture that I missed out on because of our DIFFERENT cultures or countries or upbringings…. I saw at the time that there was a certain fostering or support for the way he was thinking….

I could not get into it.

Anyway…. hopefully there will be someone out there reading this who has been grazed at least by a similar circumstance ….

Guess I have run out of my initial energy and I have to get up relatively early tomorrow….

Not asleep…. About the experience of Saturn hitting my Mars, and Uranus near the same time hitting it…. Saturn is the planet of the established, of boundaries, of the interest in safety, security and longevity. This is at odds with Uranus, the planet of truth, freedom, and the latest information. Whew!

Mars is the planet of the Male. It is part of the animus, and the animi It is one half of us – the male being one half and the female being the other half – in each of us. So I think I have issues, currently, with all of this…..

Arbo & Bob,
Thank you! I had forgotten about the dog incident and the forced haircut. Bain Capital I knew about. I’m sure there are many stories illustrating Prince Romney’s bullying. He does indeed exhibit signs of callousness, lack of empathy, and anti-social behavior. Were justice to prevail, IMO the man should have gone to jail long ago, especially for Bain Capital.

Bob – many good insights and observations!

BTW Arbo, bully’s often sincerely do not recall their cruelties as such incidents for them are routine. We, the receivers remember such incidents vividly, as for us they are hopefully rare, and often traumatic. We are amazed they don’t remember, but the incident which affected us personally, maybe caused us PTSD, was just one of thousands for them. Romney not remembering holding down the gay guy and cutting his hair might be actually plausible, but then again he might just be lying. In any case, he should have gone to jail for assault.

I’m wondering what was Romney’s reasoning, and motives for twice voting to convict the Donald in the two impeachment hearings. Maybe he is more far seeing, reckoning those votes will make him look good in the history books; maybe he believes he can lead a revival of “True conservatism” when the Trump era is over. Maybe he sought to portray himself as the “good conservative,” an honorable family man in contrast to the womanizing wannabe mafia style DJT. I have no idea, but like you I trust the man about as far as I can throw a rattlesnake. And guess what? I don’t pick up rattlesnakes!

Arbo, I agree with you, the more “religious” justices on the SC are to put it politely, deeply “ethically challenged.” Religion without spirituality can be twisted to the ends of one’s ego, as several of the founders of our major religions have clearly cautioned.

I’ve personally hob knobbed with many clergy of various religions, Buddhist, Christian, Jewish, Wiccan, etc. most of whom were men and women of conscience. IMO, some were misguided and held what I thought were false beliefs, but were nevertheless honorable. My caveat is I never dealt with fundamentalists or evangelicals to any great degree. Just the mainliners. In contrast, in my experience Southern Baptist clergy were difficult, rarely reflecting the norm, often a real pain to deal with.

You are absolutely correct in saying, “organizing into a group affords these people the opportunity to come to believe they must be right in their thinking because there are so many of them.” But that applies to politics, the arts, the sciences, to all social human endeavors I can think of. Herd thinking seems to be more epidemic today than decades ago, but perhaps that’s just my perception, as my knowledge and critical thinking skills have hopefully improved with age.

Religion is IMO neither black nor white. In the name of religion some have done terrible, evil things. This is also true of some political ideologies. But religion has also inspired some to acts of profound kindness and courage. We tend to remember the harm done, but take for granted the good that was done.

The ancient Romans believed compassion was a terrible vice, a weakness and repulsive perversion. In contrast, 2000 years ago Judaism, early Christianity, and the mother goddess religion of Isis all advocated compassion as a virtue. No wonder they found themselves afoul of the prevailing culture.

With all its many faults, and despite those faults, IMO the extraordinary achievement and legacy of the Judeo-Christian ethos was that it very slowly and gradually, over the centuries transformed compassion from a vice into a virtue in the context of the Western mind.

It is true some varieties of Christianity took a very wrong U-turn during the Protestant Reformation with the development of Calvinism. Calvinism gave and still gives people permission to hate again, especially our enemies.

Therein lies one of the most basic conflicts of our time within and without religion, economics, and social policy. (Much of economic theory is based unconsciously as much in theology, most of it bad theology, than in actual empirical study or science.) There are those of us who believe in and see compassion as a virtue and necessity, and our opponents who see it similarly as did the ancient Romans.

There are always those who need to feel superior, or “saved,” to be part of an elite, and need to justify their oppression of those in the “outgroup.” They will use whatever is handy in the formation and maintenance of that thought structure, be it religion, political or economic ideology, Trumpism, fascism, Marxism, or whatever fantasies they might conjure in their sorcery of the heart. They find deep fulfillment and sometimes ecstasy in following such leaders as a Trump, a Mussolini, or a very polished sociopath like Mitt Romney.

Sunstars,
“It’s getting to the point in my personal life where I say: “Ok, what am I supposed to be learning from this?”

Yeah. Me too.

Beowulfie & BuckeyeShadow,
Per our previous discussions, you will likely find this story interesting. I’m personally pleased such systems are gaining ground.

Trump Rips Ranked-Choice Voting in Alaska—a ‘Moderating Force’ in Australia
BY THOMAS KIKA ON 7/10/22
Excerpts:
“Ranked-choice voting has slowly been adopted over the years by numerous lower-level jurisdictions in the United States. As of this year, 20 cities use them, including New York City and San Francisco.”

“Alaska is the second state to adopt ranked-choice voting for elections statewide, with residents approving the change in the 2020 election. The change also replaced partisan primaries with a single blanket primary, in which the top four candidates advance to the general election. Alaska followed Maine, which adopted ranked-choice after a proposal passed the state legislature in August 2019.”

https://www.newsweek.com/trump-rips-ranked-choice-voting-alaska-moderating-force-australia-1723233?_gl=1*pi2rh1*_ga*cDNsZnhmWTFscmNRaVdsdTBPY015U21OQ0lLd3VrQ09lTlJqSjRoRVJXRHp1bXdQU0RVTWpKd1RjVUo5ZVg3Tw..

Thanks Eliseo.

Nothing is ever really erased, Eliseo. Not when they know what they’re doing, and I expect they do.

Hey Arbo,
I’m no tech-geek, but that’s my understanding as well. Nothing is truly erased. But where do we find those text messages? The problem I see is they switched to new phones. Whether they were able to get hold of the old phones, I have no idea. But as above, I’m presuming, hoping they obtained the texts.

I’ve heard Trump chose secret service agents who were also supporters. It is suspicious they did the switch only AFTER the texts were requested.

This whole thing smells. In late 2019 Trump named the Deputy Assistant Director of the Secret Service — Tony Ornato — as his Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations. My impression of the Secret Service is that they’re not progressive, politically speaking.

Ornato contradicted Huchinson’s testimony regarding Trump lunging at his driver. He denies telling her despite her testimony about his having told her the story. Of course, Ornato wasn’t under oath. Hutchinson was.

It would be interesting to learn who in the agency ordered and organized the phone switch – must have been initiated long before – these things in govt depts dont happen overnight.
But the big question really is why? Was the change set in motion by the trumpsters in anticipation of them having full control After Jan 6th? Or is this a periodic routine upgrade and timing was coincidental?

Arbo,
I agree. Same impression. I think they have quite a lot to hide going back decades. As “secret” guardians they can hide their culture and errors without too much trouble.

Although they present themselves as tried and true “Boy Scouts,” occasionally their image becomes a tad tarnished, mostly because it is relatively public when they drunkenly consort with hookers in a strip club. Easy to see. Easy to report. We may not personally care, but they’ve done this sort of thing the night before they had to protect the president. We know it happened during Obama’s and GW Bush’s administrations, and most tragically the night before JFK was assassinated.

November 22, 1963 most of them on duty were severely hung over, definitely not at their best. In the context of Occam’s Razor, IMO the thesis Agent George Hickey accidently fired the 3rd and fatal shot which killed JFK with the AR-15 that was in the floor of the follow up car is correct. It is supremely simple and is the explanation most consistent with the facts of the case.

Lee Harvey Oswald evidently fired the first two shots. Hickey having spotted Oswald, picked up the AR-15, flipped the safety, but stumbled when the car lurched forward, accidentally firing the fatal shot. You can see a photo of Hickey in the follow up car with the AR at Wikipedia.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mortal_Error

and at

https://mokan9997.medium.com/what-if-hickey-didnt-pull-the-trigger-dd9fae6a664c

As to what we can actually prove, there were only two high powered rifles, in Dealey Plaza on that day. One was Oswald’s old fashioned, slow, clunky 6.5×52mm Mannlicher-Carcano, the other the modern semi-automatic AR-15.

The accidental shooting thesis is documented in Mortal Error: The Shot That Killed JFK, by Bonar Menninger, and in JFK: The Smoking Gun, by Colin McLaren. If the accidental thesis is true, it goes a long way to explain the belligerence, paranoia, and militancy of the SS Agents at Parkland Hospital. They actually drew their guns on the unarmed Texas coroner to maintain control of the body. They had much to hide.

Thereafter AR-15’s were banned from use by the SS. On Nov. 22, minutes after the accident, George Hickey was assigned to drive SS cars over to the airport, wash them, and wait there for further instructions. He was there by himself for the rest of the day.

Presuming the accidental hypothesis is fact, (and I think it is) it is the darkest and most embarrassing secret of the Secret Service. But I suspect there are more stories and examples. It should not surprise us some sympathetic Agents might have chosen to hide the president’s Jan. 6th seditionist ambitions. I don’t think their culture has changed all that much since 1963.

Eliseo, if that’s what killed JFK, one of the things the agents would have been hiding was the lack of much of a presidential head. Difficult secret to keep.

I think the simplest explanation of what happened on November 22 is that the Mob was fed up with the Kennedy brothers and killed both of them. They had the opportunity, the expertise and the motive. And the patience as well.

Arbo,
Well, there was an effort to obfuscate what was the actual trajectory of the fatal bullet, and the brain did indeed go missing.

Nevertheless, you pose what may be the most emotionally satisfying and attractive hypothesis, and the Mob certainly had motive, as did many, many others. It is difficult to believe the Mob would have taken that kind of risk, but crazier things have happened. With all due respect, upon deeper examination the Mob hypothesis turns out to be pretty complex, and as with most theories contains many contradictions.

I’ve read most of the available literature on the JFK and RFK assassinations. My wife and a close ex-FBI friend have researched the matter far more than have I. The test of a good hypothesis is how many questions it adequately answers, with no “loose ends.” The accidental hypothesis is the only one that answers ALL the questions satisfactorily with nothing left hanging. I’m therefore of the opinion, there was no conspiracy to kill JFK, but there was a conspiratorial cover-up.

Conversely, it is far more clear there really was a conspiracy to kill RFK. There were more bullets lodged in the walls than an Iver Johnson revolver can possibly hold!

As a former criminal investigator, the accidental hypothesis makes the most sense to me. You certainly have the right to your opinion. It’s the classic cold case, and we may never know for sure.

But please, don’t take my word for it. I suggest you read JFK: The Smoking Gun, by Colin McLaren, and/or Mortal Error: The Shot That Killed JFK, by Bonar Menninger. The former title is better in my opinion. The ballistics, autopsy analysis, and other forensic evidence and logic in both tomes are in my opinion far stronger and simpler than in any of the other explanations that have been put forward. And even if you find yourself disagreeing, you will at least be fascinated.

Ultimate Sacrifice: John and Robert Kennedy, the Plan for a Coup in Cuba, and the Murder of JFK by Lamar Waldron and Thom Hartmann

It’s all speculation, Eliseo. And a real cottage industry.

Manchin Natal and Prog w 2022 Midterms

https://i.imgur.com/LdqIAp3.gif

I think Dems will elect enough Senators to make his votes irrelevant after the next Congress is sworn in come January 2023.

For Manchin Noon chart used. Mars traveled just over 1/2 of a degree the day of his birth so it’s progressed position is fairly accurate.

113 days before election day – 114 to the end of election day.

So…. my contribution to these posts is that among other things I cannot remember is that I read
“The JFK Assassination”
Parts I and II excerpted from the book Dirty Truthss by Michael Parenti

Also read another book/theory that went into similar detail…

Sounded good to me! at the time several years ago…

Hey, what can I say? There’s a lot of info out there…. incomplete of course … but we do the best we can with what we have……

PLUS I was in my teens when I read “Teddy Bare” and Chappaquiddick… wherein Teddy Kennedy was driving Mary Jo Kopechne home… the car drove into the water -he got out – but apparently due to his reputation he did not save Mary Jo…. she lived for a while in an air bubble tortuously of course and for hours Teddy did not dive to save her, or have rescuers
save her — so she died a tortuous unnecessary death.

Later on Teddy Kennedy did good things for the American public due to his stance on Democratic policies. All I can think of is that he was trying to make up for Mary Jo Kopechne’s torturous death, and to say that this is all he was getting at, at the time.

Ok I checked. “Teddy Bare” was published in 1971. It was well after the “Incident”… I’d had time to reflect and wonder on THAT… the original incident… and then the book came out after I had made my big move to the States. Wow … those were some action packed years …..

Randi Rhodes is on fire over the anti-life repubs. The Aries female energy is steamed! Listen to the latest clip of her quoting a governor then going blazing hot on the topic!! I’ve listened to her for years and was impressed and awed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bU_xpVxqRss

WaPo has an article this morning about a 1792 case that strongly indicates key founders considered abortion to be a private matter. I wonder how this info might shake up holier than thou Alito and cronies
https://www.washingtonpost.com/made-by-history/2022/07/19/1792-case-reveals-that-key-founders-saw-abortion-private-matter/

kiwi, you raise a good point. In the original Roe decision, the argument was one of privacy – not abortion per se. What the Court is attempting to do is to say that the concept of privacy is not specifically outlined in the Constitution. Therefore, there is no right to privacy. This has huge implications that I do not think we have fully grasped as its not just healthcare but all aspects of our lives that are being endangered.

Must read article in Salon by Joe Walsh, on MAGA and troubles a-brewing. Here’s an excerpt:

https://www.salon.com/2022/07/18/joe-walshs-maga-warning-if-is-indicted-expect-major-violence/

“……..Walsh also warns that today’s Democrats have no momentum or energy to effectively counter this anger, because unlike the MAGA movement and TrumpWorld they lack a sense of group identity, cohesion and sense of mission and destiny………….The Democrats don’t have a train. We are living in populist moment here in America and around the world. We’ve been in a populist moment for a while. What does that mean? It just means regular people. Populism is bigger than MAGA. These low information voters in the middle will dance with MAGA and they’ll hang out with MAGA and they’ll get on the MAGA train, because again, the train’s going somewhere. Many of these people were attracted to Bernie Sanders six years ago. Ultimately, “populist” just means average, regular people — white, Black and brown — who are pissed off at an elite political system that is no longer meeting their needs and seems to be ignoring them. Populist leaders can be good or bad. Republicans have recognized this populist moment and what have they done? They’ve offered up populist leaders. Donald Trump. DeSantis is next in line. They are bad populist leaders because they are delivering an ugly, divisive message. Democrats are missing the moment. There are no democratic populous leaders to be found……….The average working class guy doesn’t want to hear about wind and solar and renewable energy right now…………I still believe that nothing will happen to Trump. Perhaps a few of the people around Trump will get indicted. I do not believe that the DOJ can or will go after Trump. They believe that it is just too difficult and risky to prosecute a former president. There may also be some wiggle room for Trump where his attorneys claim that he is not mentally competent or something of that sort. It would be really hard to convict him. If you don’t convict that evil man, if you indict him and don’t convict him, he becomes a god to his followers. Worst case scenario, Trump becomes a god to people outside of MAGA world if the DOJ goes after him and is not successful. Trump may actually end up being more powerful.…………Q: If you were called to be an expert witness at Trump’s trial for the crimes of Jan. 6, and the coup more generally, what would you tell the court? …I’d detail how Trump had been a criminal his whole life. And he’s been a criminal his whole life because he’s always gotten away with it. He’s never been held accountable. And he won’t stop until he’s held accountable……………..There is a percentage of Trump’s followers who would become violent. There would be a major uptick in violence from the right around this country if Donald Trump was indicted. He is their cult leader. They would see it as “the Deep State” going after their leader. There would be major violence. We are too far down the road. It cannot be turned off. I think we may be irrevocably divided and the ugliest manifestation of that now is a fully radicalized Republican Party base. Most of them will remain radicalized until they die.…………..” Etc.

Another link on the trends:

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/jul/19/one-in-five-us-adults-condone-political-violence-survey

Beowulfie – the whole ‘low information voters’ thing reminds me of the mob’s very fickle attitude difference between the week of palm sunday ‘praise him’ and easter friday’s ‘crucify him’.
The trouble is not so much trump per se, but the leaders of the money grasping manipulative corporate media pushing his narrative.

I find the really tragic part of all this is the hard realization that there may be so many stupid and/or selfish people in the country, unable to possess intelligent reasoning or grasp the concept of the honest greater good of the whole, that true democracy may be no longer possible.

So, kiwi, who’s going to turn over the tables of the money lenders? Buttigieg?

Arbo, good suggestion, but to continue the biblical theme, I think its going to take a united righteous and honest ‘heavenly host’ to battle all the ‘fallen angels’. LOL

Kiwi,
RE:
“that there may be so many stupid and/or selfish people in the country, unable to possess intelligent reasoning or grasp the concept of the honest greater good of the whole, that true democracy may be no longer possible.”

Good observation. It started innocently in 1956 with the reaction to Sputnik. Suddenly STEM subjects were more emphasized, and of itself there was nothing wrong with more science, technological subjects, engineering or math study. The problem was the STEM subjects were emphasized in our schools and colleges at the expense of the Humanities and Social Sciences.

Gradually Humanities and Social Science courses normally and traditionally required for a B.S. or B.A. degree were reduced, in some states more than others. At the university I last taught at, those requirements were reduced by 1/3 to 1/2 (depending on the major & minor) from what they were when I graduated decades ago.

Frankly, it appears the corporations who pay for the campaigns of the state legislators (who in turn make decisions and rules for educators) don’t want us truly educated, but merely trained. They’d prefer we study only those things essential for our specific jobs. Ignorance makes for more compliant employees, at least until they can replace us with robots and automation.

Those fools who marched in the 2017 Charlottesville “Unite the Right” demonstration focused on the wrong target. “Jews will not replace us!” they chanted. Absolute racist and dangerous silliness. It’s the corporations using robots and automation who seek to replace us.

Two other major factors:
(A) Specialization. I saw a dermatologist about a month ago. She really knew her dermatology and related subjects, but not much else. Seems like that’s true throughout. The folks that are actually competent, mostly only know what’s necessary for work and superficial living. Too much information to process, or so we’re told. Not enough time to learn things which have liittle or nothing to do with money.

(B) Cost of education. Federal and state funding for colleges and universities has seriously diminished. Each year it is a bit less than the previous year. Adjusting for actual purchasing power, in many states funding for the public schools is reduced as well, putting more of the burden on property taxes.

Result: We increasingly have a nation of culturally retarded citizens who in turn vote for culturally retarded politicians who in turn legislate stupidly from purposeful ignorance and appoint other culturally retarded blockheaded nitwits to make decisions about our education process.

In Texas, where I last taught, the chairman of the State Board of Education was an insurance salesman who never attended college! I’m not sure if he still “serves” but during his tenure that fundamentalist fool was clear that he was on a mission from the Almighty to stop our colleges, universities and public schools from “poisoning” the minds and hearts of our young people.

Next: News used to be a public service. TV and radio news in particular was not expected to make a profit. But since the advent of 24 hr corporatized news channels, quantity has gone up, with quality going down. Left or Right, the purpose is no longer to inform, but to inflame. Sensationalized news attracts more viewers, therefore more money to the corporation.

Our so called “journalists,” particularly those well paid talking heads on cable news shows are obliged to follow the formula to keep their jobs. But they too are “culturally retarded.” They know their craft and do it well. Many are certainly more knowledgeable than the average citizen, more politically aware. But they, like everyone else had to specialize at the expense of broader, deeper knowledge to learn their craft. Time constraints and corporate need require shallow, sesationalized, reporting colored ever more deeply by the biases and prejudices of their targeted audience.

I’m amazed as to how well we are doing relative to what I’ve described above. It looks like we are surely on a “highway to hell,” a worse hell than the one we currently inhabit.

But I also see “black swans” flying in our direction. Profoundly transformative international, political, economic, military, technological and environmental events are I believe as it were “just around the corner.” This is what astrologers see. This is what I see.

We ARE culturally retarded. We don’t know or truly understand our own history or purpose. We don’t know half of what we think we know. Perhaps I am naive. Naivete is the persistent affliction of Liberals. We underestimate the predatory propensities and compulsions of our fellow humans as well as ourselves. Yet I believe, partially by what we see of our future astrologically, the rule of law and our humanitarian values will in time prevail.

We are on the precipice of a painful and dark era. The feeling is similar to that before WWI and WWII. Our US Pluto and Uranus returns are coinciding with the challenging astrologies of our adversaries as well as our friends.

Beyond the presaged darkness however, I also see light. Sometimes we have to lose something to come to understand its value. Somerimes we lose things that we might regain them, albeit in a higher, better and more appropriate form.

We’ve lost so much understanding of the value of our own unique culture. I cannot help but think our loss and the threats of more loss, as expressed by anti-democratic, authoritarians domestically and abroad are forcing us into a posture which will lead to a deeper, stronger humanitarian affirmation, a cultural renaissance.

Eliseo, I watched an interview with Bob Woodward the other day saying he was shocked when talking to a group of texas republicans who said they would support trump again if he ran. What shocked me was the fact that Woodward seemed to accept as OK and normal them doing whatever it takes to win to gain self serving power and control, and not highlight to his viewership the long term folly of that attitude. In other words, his view of politicians seemed to imply it was OK they were all in it for themselves rather than the altruistic greater good of the nation.

Elisio, thank you for articulating what I also perceive and especially the prospect of a cultural Renaissance. The Malcolm Nance book out today has cast a grim shadow. May the dark days be few in number.

Kiwi,
Texas R’s are among the craziest, if not THE craziest. I know. I grew up there. Things got better through the 70’s but by Reagan’s era the culture began to worsen and has continued on that trajectory through the present. Toxic religion. Toxic politics. A truly horrible place to raise children, work, or live. Decades ago I seriously considered moving to Canada or New Zealand. Those were my top two choices. It was on my mind by the late 60’s when I was in high school. Sometimes I regret not having made that move.

EricB,
You are very welcome. It feels like 1920 all over again. Prohibition went into effect and in that decade the Klan came back into prominence. Bank robberies, kidnappings, auto theft, gambling, drug trafficking, lynchings and race riots all become increasingly common. Now we have new prohibitions, not just abortion, and there will be more if the trumpers have their way. They’d like to repeal the progress of the entire 20th century.

In the long run it can’t and won’t work. You can successfully change a No to a Yes, but not a Yes to a No without enormous opposition and trouble. Malcolm Nance is probably right in his predictions. He’s been on the mark time and again when other pundits were completely wrong.

I’m with you in your statement of hope, “May the dark days be few in number.”

Eliseo, thanks for your post above — you truly captured it.

When you can, read this from the Guardian and watch the video – it contains the trailer for a nearly twenty year old movie that is becoming prophetic.

https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2021/jul/19/idiocracy-a-disturbingly-prophetic-look-at-the-future-of-america-and-our-era-of-stupidity

Malcolm Nance interview today is the stuff of nightmares
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mkExBLKsJA

silcominc,
I’ve seen the movie. It IS prophetic. When he was alive, my brother frequently referenced it, and persuaded me to see it. Unfortunately, the growing stupidity satirized in the film was what in the real world killed him.

Although he wore a mask, tried to stay 6 feet from everyone, etc., trumpers who refused to wear masks, refused to follow recommended guidelines, and denied the disease, thereby exposed him to Covid before a vaccine was available. He died on 20 January, a few hours before Biden was inaugurated.

The problem of intelligent couples choosing to have fewer children, or none at all, while lesser intelligent, less responsible people breed like rabbits, in my experience was first discussed in my first sociology class in the early 70’s. Although it is not “politically correct,” on the other side of this mess, this hole we’ve dug for ourselves, I think it will be eventually necessary to pay and assist intelligent couples and families to have more children.

And – here we are with whopping too many people believing Biden stole the election, that Dems are Satan-worshipping pedophiles who eat Kentucky Fried Fetus, and the latest conspiracy theory that casts the people they disagree with as mired in deep, insidious, and unredeemable evil.

Meanwhile, an arms race is transpiring, particularly in Red states. (The media hasn’t caught onto this yet, and frankly I hope they don’t as they would surely worsen the problem.) Gradually, an increasing number of ordinary moderates and liberals are obtaining concealed carry permits, and carrying pistols and revolvers out of fear of their out for blood red trumper neighbors who most definitely tend to be armed and increasingly dangerous. WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG!?!??

If it gets so bad people are turning their communities into OK corrals, I’m sure the boys and girls in Russian intelligence will be laughing so hard as to fall out of their chairs, unless of course they are overwhelmed by their own problems, which frankly are at least ten times worse than ours.

Anyone else having trouble managing your emotions? Neptune…

Eliseo, I found this article quite enlightening. I just wish it had better news.

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2022/05/social-media-democracy-trust-babel/629369/?mc_cid=d5b21709e2&mc_eid=97e5af538e

Beowulfie, I read the Joe Walsh article. He was a former republican turned independent just recently. He says that Democrats apparently don’t have the momentum or energy to take on the MAGA voters. Not True. Just remember, we voted Trump out of office and took over the senate–and this with a lot of voter suppression, etc. Also, he discounts the anger of women over the extreme Republican positions over abortion, contraception, and gay marriage. Just since Dobbs decision, the number of registered voters who will vote for a generic Democrat over Republican increased by 11 points! This was before Uvalde shooting. Lots of really angry parents and young people over the republicans extreme positions on guns. Their vote against gay marriage and contraception will only add fuel to the fire. Abortion, gays and guns will propel the Dems to get out and vote. Now if we only can make sure that Repubs don’t cheat.

Also remember, Pluto is going into Aquarius. No way we are going to vote in a fascist administration, which is what we would have if the MAGA people take over.

I do worry that we are in for violence and riots come the Midterms with Uranus conjunct the Lunar eclipse in a T-square with Saturn. I suspect it will be triggered by several election officials in red counties/states who refuse to certify the election. Today, we still have three red counties in Pennsylvania who have refused to count absentee ballots for over two months that lacked a date even though SCOTUS said they have to count these ballots. And that was during a GOP primary.

silcominc,
I’ve read Jonathan Haidt’s material before, particularly some of the chapters from his book, The Happiness Hypothesis: Finding Modern Truth in Ancient Wisdom. I find his moral foundations theory worthwhile and interesting, although it is in direct opposition to the basic ideas of one of my favorite theorists, Lawrence Kohlberg, Paradoxically, I see both theories as accurate and very applicable.

Unfortunately, the Atlantic only lets me read the first paragraph or so as I’m not a subscriber. Nevertheless, many thanks for the link. I might be able to access it a month from now.

Eliseo check your mail. An attachment is waiting for you.

Astrology for the president on midterm election night does not reflect the loss of even one of the houses of Congress. Could Pluto’s involvement signify a record breaking night?

https://imgur.com/z5HicQK

and

https://imgur.com/rmxroDC

Also, my charts for Republican leaders of the House and Senate do not interpret as winners for the night.

Who was it here who said that they feared a Josh Hawley presidency down the road? Andre? Eliseo?

We may no longer need to fear such a thing after his being exposed as an utter hypocrite and coward during the J6 hearings last night.

Fist pumper to fleeing coward: Jan. 6 video shows Missouri who Josh Hawley really is

Josh Hawley is a laughingstock. During Thursday night’s televised hearings of the House committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, coup attempt at the U.S. Capitol, Rep. Elaine Luria played video of Missouri’s junior senator that will surely follow him the rest of his life. In the clip, Hawley sprints across a hallway as he and his fellow senators are evacuated after insurrectionists had breached the Capitol building. When it went across the screen, the audience in the room with the committee erupted in laughter.

Of course, Twitter immediately dogpiled. Hawley’s name was the No. 1 trending topic in politics that evening as users shared the hashtag #HawlinAss along with GIFs of a galloping Forrest Gump. “From now on, if political reporters ask Josh Hawley if he’s planning to run, he’s going to have to ask them to clarify,” quipped one.

Read more at: https://www.kansascity.com/opinion/editorials/article263718073.html#storylink=cpy

I know the memory of the electorate is notoriously short, but whomever is running against Hawley next time needs to bring this up at ever turn and beat him utterly senseless with it. People are literally LAUGHING AT HIM because of this. That’s pretty much a cement block around his legs in the Hudson river where our politics are concerned.

The only thing worse that could have happened for him would have been tripping and falling down on his face as he was running away.

Fascists HATE to be ridiculed. People like Hawley, DeSantis, Trump, Bannon, Richard Spencer, David Duke, etc. desperately want people to fear them and take them seriously, but comedy and laughter destroys all of that and whatever veneer of credibility they have managed to manufacture around themselves.

I’m honestly surprised that no one has yet managed to nail Trump also with something like this, although he looked pretty bad too last night with his speech outtakes and childish, tantrumy behavior.

Stephanie: Yes!

“…….. Now if we only can make sure that Repubs don’t cheat.”

That’s the message.

BuckeyeShadow,
As I recall, Andre first expressed concern about Josh Hawley, seeing him as a younger, potential threat equal or greater than Mr. Trump, were he to run for the presidency. I and others concurred, seeing the same dark potential.

Although he was no fascist, enough jokes were told at Dan Quayle’s expense to make him seem sufficiently ridiculous to eventually bar him from elective office. Hopefully, more will continue to laugh at Hawley, thereby likewise eventually dismissing him from politics.

I think fascists spend an awful lot of emotional energy suppressing their own fears. They MUST maintain a public image of power and self control to convince themselves that’s who they really are.

On July 21 2022 at 8 pm EDT, Hawley natal Saturn at 26°59′ Virgo was opposed by transiting Neptune at 25°18′ Pisces. His progressed Sun at 22°41′ Aquarius was conjoined by transiting Saturn at 23°36′ Aquarius.

Those positions fit the posting I made on July 28, last year.

“Josh Hawley’s progressed Pluto at 206°32′ will be exactly squared by stationing transit Pluto at 296°32′ on October 6. On the same day his natal Mars/Saturn midpoint at 172°15′ will be opposed by transiting Neptune at 352°22′.

He joins the tRump family and Putin being affected by that station. None of the aspects are good for any of them. All, or most of them, may have indictments, arrests, trials, and possibly convictions and sentencings to deal with beyond that date. Such events would likely have aspects from transiting Saturn, Neptune, and/or Pluto or combinations of those Planets or midpoints of combinations of them aspecting their natal or progressed charts.”

Bob, as they say…from your lips to God’s ears.

Bob,
As always, thank you for your excellent & precise astrological work. Your posts are always appreciated.

Wondering if anyone has looked at Liz Channey’s chart for 2024 and Presidential election. I find myself pondering if she were to run against Joe Biden would I vote Republican and my answer surprised me. I know it’s a ways off.

Laura Willow, you might want to study Cheney’s voting record before you drop your surprise bomb.

I know her voting history is certainly not aligned with mine. Just a thought that she may be able to navigate a win by winning over voters from all sides. And my thought was perhaps she can bring some balance to what we are seeing and experiencing in government. I certainly don’t want to see a Jan 6 repeat or even worse. I’m just trying to keep an open mind and heart, and not look at the astrology as doom and total destruction of democracy.

Nicely put, Laura. LC IS likeable for her values and her integrity. Is she moderate enough as a Republican though? I don’t know what her approach will be now but from her past record, people say she voted with Trump, and is very Conservative, etc. She really is a breath of fresh air though. I always liked John McCain, and Mitt, to some extent, and, now Kinzinger. It’s certainly great to see people stand up for the truth, no matter their platform or their party.

Laura Willow,
How we define liberal, and conservative depends greatly on geography, local history, and events, both anticipated and unforeseen.

In Europe, conservatism long meant support of the monarchy, the established church, and/or a hereditary aristocracy. Obviously, that’s not the meaning in American conservatism today, nor in many European nations now governed as republics.

Pre-Trump, American political conservatism meant opposition to utopian ideas of progress. American conservatives were certainly opposed to monarchy, and an established church, but were and remain classists, always supporting upper class power and control, i.e. our commercial and financial aristocracy. And of course, it was always a matter of debate as to what was utopian vs what might be practical.

Until the Great Depression, American Liberals were advocates of free market, laissez-faire economics. Most US Liberals today believe in free markets, but not in laissez-faire.

Peter Zeihan, our most popular and esteemed geopolitical analyst, and futurist believes none of the “isms” we’ve developed in theory and practice in the last 500 years, communism, fascism, capitalism, and socialism will be applicable to the coming social and technological reality into which we are emerging. I concur.

What’s coming in the near future, the next few decades looks to be a complex and intense mixture of unprecedented man made and natural catastrophes, simultaneous with extraordinary medical, scientific, and technological breakthroughs, discoveries, and inventions. Good or bad, what they all portend is serious disruption of our ordinary manner of doing things, and how we understand ourselves and the universe. What we perceive as “liberal” or “conservative” will I believe change radically.

In the past decade we’ve discovered Liberals and Conservatives literally are wired quite differently neurologically. Madam Cheney was pretty consistently in tight harmony with the policies of Mr. Trump, just not his personal morality or character.

I think we can be fairly certain Ms. Cheney will remain very conservative. The question is what will that mean as history redefines it. We are headed for a political realignment like nothing we’ve seen before.

I have always thought that US government determined whether a person could get a job or not. Then certain people say that people are on their own – it is their fault or virtue whether they get a job or not.

A society, thus a government that fosters inequality through racial injustice and the like, is responsible for the poverty and death of millions. And then this government says – not us! We are pure. It’s those lazy stupid people.

So we have the haves and the have nots. The people who “have”, have a high percentage of people who are selfish and stupid, and blame their victims.

Corporations are, in general, criminals. they legally have the same rights as humans. What a mistake! By and large they are, by their very nature, destined to become soulless.

The Constitution is the greatest governmental document ever written. Sadly, some of the very people who laud it have found ways to make sure it doesn’t apply to everyone.

Enter INEQUALITY. Enter injustice supported by the government. Enter the setup where certain people get an education in the US society, and certain people do not.

Enter slave labor in the form of minimum wage.

Do not tell me about “middle of the road” political ideas. These ideas do not heal the terrible injustices done to a large sector of the population of the United States.

To move the United States into the future there needs to be healing of these grave injustices and inequality. The government and US citizens must move toward an awareness of how the present day attitudes and politics are hugely in “blame the victim” mode.

The government and citizens must recognize this in living color so that HEALING can start, and so that the US can move truly toward LIVING the CONSTITUTION that they say they revere.

Middle of the road? This means that the people – the living, breathing people on the left side of the road – are completely disenfranchised.

The US as it stands today tolerates and supports “Low Information Voters”.

The best thing about Liz Cheney is her integrity and fearlessness.

In her heart she has had the experience of living with Dick Cheney, her father….. This gave her great experience in dealing with power.

She is backed by the American Experience on paper. She may not be fully informed of the experience of the totally disenfranchised, God bless her soul. What’s not to like in the way she is conducting herself in the Hearings? She has the background and upbringing on how to do power and how to understand, and live, the Constitution.

Her inherited understanding of the US Constitution seems to be the sentiment of the Old West – that of self-sufficiency – every man for himself – which is not true. We don’t live that way. There is interdependence among us. One life does affect another in everyday life. How we respect or disrespect another’s personhood is at the basics of the health of the nation.

The Constitution at present is not for everyone. Certain slick sly people have carried over their status from centuries past and found ways to bolster their self esteem by empowering themselves at the price of disempowering others.

This MUST be recognized …. and then healing must begin.

Yes, it’s a big job. But it’s the only place we can go.

Or lose this Grand Experiment. But I think we will go there ….. It’s going to be tricky but I think we will go there.

It’s gonna take a while. I hold out great hopes for Pluto in Aquarius.

Early Pluto in Aquarius is accompanied by early Neptune in Aries, and early Uranus in Gemini, and early Saturn in Aries.

So no matter what else happens, Pluto in Aquarius is off to a good start.

But then there are those individuals who either switch from Conservative to Liberal or Independent.

538 said today that, for the first time, it looks like the Democrats will keep the Senate, and I also just read that Warnock opened one poll with a 9 pt lead over Walker (who was not a good choice as the Republican candidate, and he doesn’t appear to be very smart).

And, as we have been discussing, there is a movement to create a 3rd party, that was created by former Republican and Democratic officials, and is led by people like Yang and Christine Todd Whitman — called the Forward Party (not so sure I like the name but I love the concept). https://www.reuters.com/world/us/exclusive-former-republicans-democrats-form-new-third-us-political-party-2022-07-27/

Another bit of good news is the healthcare & climate bill breakthrough as Schumer got Manchin to support it!

For those who are interested:

Today, 27 July 2022 the Serve America Movement, founded by David Jolly, plus Andrew Yang’s Forward Movement, and the Renew America Movement merged to form a single party, now called the Forward Party.

They plan a national tour this coming Fall and a national convention in the summer of 2023. They intend on being on the ballot in all 50 states by 2024. It will be interesting to see how well they do. They are essentially rejecting overly ideological theory in favor of pragmatism.

Their motto is Not Left. Not Right. Forward.

https://fwdtogether.org/

Sharon K,
Some thoughts about the Forward Party, the R’s, and DJT.

When John Anderson formed a third party, it was not a down ballot effort. Same with Ross Perot. Their parties fizzled primarily because they were essentially instruments of one man. Furthermore, at the time no one was asking for a third party. 2022 is different. According to Gallup, 2/3 of US citizens believe we need the option of a third party.

I notice AZ Senator and former astronaut, Mark Kelly, husband of Gabby Giffords, is not just a Dem but is also associated with the Renew America Movement, as of yesterday merged into the Forward Party. It would not be unprecedented for him, or other candidates to receive dual nomination and endorsement. This happens in every election with the Democratic Farm & Labor (DFL) party of Minnesota, and the Liberal Party of New York.

Apparently, there are several sensible, prominent, former, and current Dem, R, and Independent elected office holders and officials now promoting the FWP. In addition to those now serving, some are former congressional reps and governors.
Unlike most previous efforts to form a third party, this feels different. It echoes what occurred in 1854.

The Whigs were just about done. It was time for something new. Technology, industrialization, and new knowledge had radically transformed the North, and it was obvious that ongoing transformation was just beginning. Meanwhile, the agrarian South was totally disinterested in any technological or social change.

Seeing the “writing on the wall,” former and present Whigs and Dems, some serving in elected office at the time, plus members of the Free Soil Party, Liberty Party, Anti-Nebraska movement, and North American Party formed the new Republican Party. It was viable because it was well funded, and run by competent, shrewd, and experienced politicians.

Likewise, the new FWD Party is well funded and administered by competent people, none of whom, (so far) and unlike many in the two major parties, seem to be suffering from cranial rectal inversion syndrome. I’m impressed they’ve elected Andrew Yang as chairman of their party. Amongst all the Dems who ran for the Presidential nomination in 2020, he was IMO the only one who truly grasped the probable social, cultural, and economic consequences of our advancing technology. As much as I liked the policy proposals and personalities of Elizabeth Warren, and Joe Biden as examples, I don’t think they grasped the future as
acutely as Andrew Yang.

Meanwhile, the Trumper style R’s are in their very own arms race, competing to out fascist one another to win their primaries and R nomination. Not to diminish the danger they represent, in the long run I suspect, (and hope) the R’s will continue to tarnish their brand, and alienate enough citizens to eventually put themselves out of business.

I think that will especially be true if there are more insurrectional events, and/or if the Supremes go forward with their stated efforts to roll back more freedoms. The majority of citizens are already mighty upset about Roe. Imagine if they, as Clarence Thomas has announced his intentions, end access to birth control, reverse same sex marriage, etc., ad absurdum, ad infinitum.

Imagine also Trump again receiving the R nomination. I’m not saying it will happen, but that it is possible, even if he is indicted or is in jail. Eugene V. Debs ran for president while in prison and garnered 3.4% of the popular vote in 1920.

I have a feeling, unless he’s dead by then, Trump will run in 2024 either as the R candidate, or as an independent if they nominate DeSantis or some other R. As long as he lives, I suspect he will continue to poison his party and our politics. He will not cease his efforts until he has departed this plane, the odor of his bitter toxicity remaining with us for some time after.

RE: The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022

“Sen. Ron Wyden, the Oregon Democrat who leads the Senate Finance Committee, hailed the bill as a “historic victory.”

“For the first time, the tax code is going to reward emissions reductions, and encourage the development of new clean energy technologies as soon as they come online. No longer will Congress need to legislate technology by technology, making it easier to bring new technologies to market,” Wyden said in a statement. “Importantly, this is permanent energy policy. Congress will no longer need to extend these incentives every few years, giving companies and states certainty to plan clean energy projects and create jobs.”

https://www.eenews.net/articles/how-the-senate-climate-bill-could-slash-emissions-40/

Eliseo, thanks for the info on 3rd parties. It’s pretty interesting. Let’s get the birth info on the Forward Party (not sure I like the name though & Yang as chair, as smart as it is, might make people think it’s too far left, but maybe not).

Dare I say that fortunes are reversing for the Democrats and Biden (see the 1st 2 links I just posted above).

I don’t know if the flooding in KY (5 feet above river levels) affected Manchin – maybe it happened after he supported the climate healthcare bill, but something got to him! Shrewd of Biden and Schumer to have secret talks.

Well, Bob forecast us getting both branches, we shall see.

Maybe the Repubs with their Christian nationalism stuff went just a little too far. Rachel had a piece on it 2 nights ago; it dates back to someone in the 40s who started the movement; she said he was racist and antisemetic; and, after all, the other 2 Abramic religions (Judaism & Islam) have come out against the R v W reversal as their belief is to put the life of the mother first. The new red state restrictions do no such thing – not to mention there not being any protection for pregnant “children”.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forward_Party

Founded 10/5/21. Headquarters: River Vale, NJ

just a quick observation:
the striking difference in facial expressions of russian foreign minister Lavrov, from what I perceive as ‘cat that ate the canary’ during the trump admin, to the latest photos as ‘oh s**t’

OK, just put it into my astrodienst chart (astro.com)

4 planets in Libra!
Several planets form aspects to U.S. moon (it looks like) including conjuncting Jupiter in a wide conjunction. If I copied it correctly, these are the placements:

Sun 12 Lib 32’47”
Moon 1 Lib 58′ 10″
Mercury 21 Lib 7’45”
Venus 28 Scorpio 0’54”
Mars 1 Libra 27′ 12″
Jupiter 22 Aquarius 35’35”
Uranus 13 Taurus 57’18”
Neptune 21 Pisces 12’56”
Pluto 24 Capricorn 18’52”
True Node 2 Gemini 50’5″
Chiron 10 Aries 33’43”

I just caught that Forward Party op ed by Yang et al. in the Washington Post, and I immediately thought of you, Eliseo. Seems quite timely with the imminent N.Node-Uranus conjunction as well as the incoming Pluto in Aquarius energies.

This indeed seems very much a sign of something bigger to come that could profoundly influence, if not transform completely, our politics. Very Aquarian in terms of its inclusiveness and participatory approach, something badly missing from our politics and political structures today. It is a novel approach to a third party, and I do believe they will make quite a bit of headway in spearheading reforms at all levels of govt and the electoral process, from ranked-choice voting, to open party primaries, to deeper, fundamental changes eventually such as multi-member legislative districts and proportionality.

All of the above is also heavily supported by the end of Pluto’s transit of Capricorn, and with it, and end to empowerment of old structures and conservative control and dominance of our politics and processes. We are seeing the early rays of new approaches and ideas. This is only the beginning, and it is a genuine breath of fresh air amidst a stifling status quo.

Sharon,

Airy, idealistic chart, and quite participatory. I see quite a bit of resonance also with Pluto in Libra Gen X, which has been mostly overlooked, sandwiched between the Pluto in Leo Boomers, Pluto in Virgo Gen X, and the Pluto in Scorpio Millennials. Maybe this is how they will step into politics in a bigger way? I can’t imagine that godawful likes of Ron DeSantis and Marjorie Taylor Greene are the best they’ve got along their ranks. The incoming Pluto to Pluto trine from Pluto in Aquarius certainly suggests that as a generation, collectively they are about to come into their own in a major way.

Sharon K,
Would the correct chart be for the founding of the Forward Party? Or for the merger with the other two movements?

BTW, Christian Nationalists have been with us since before the Constitution. But they’ve never before been as numerous or powerful.

Also, Fundamentalists and theological conservatives were not always politically conservative. 120 years ago they tended to be democratic socialists or social democrats. William Jennings Bryan is a good example. He was the Dem candidate who ran for president in 1896, 1900, and 1908, and the person most responsible for transforming the Dems into a more liberal party.

Whether Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi decides to include Taiwan as one of her stops in her US delegation visit to Asia in early August or not, tensions in the region are on the rise. China has threatened unspecified military action if Pelosi goes ahead with her plans to visit Taiwan.

Astrologically this seems to reflect the powerful influences of the Mars/Uranus/North Node conjunction (18 Taurus) exact on August 1st. With China’s natal Venus-Pluto square (19 Scorpio -17 Leo) and Taiwan’s natal Mars-Venus opposition (24 Taurus – 25 Scorpio) in the cross-hairs, I suspect China will ratchet up the military rhetoric as we cross the August 7th Mars-Saturn square (22 Taurus-Aquarius) and come to culmination (possible war?) with the August 11th Full Moon (19 Aquarius). The Aug 11th Full Moon has tr. Mars at 25 Taurus activating Taiwan’s Mars-Venus opposition.

Here’s the August 11th Full Moon chart for quick reference…..

https://cafeastrology.com/events/full-moon-on-august-11-2022/
______________________________

Nancy Pelosi’s Visit Lends Urgency To Taiwan War Games

China has stepped up military activity, stoking fears of a once ‘unthinkable’ conflict

Financial Times
July 28, 2022

https://www.ft.com/content/1e79e212-d869-4530-80ec-d0caa2290e03

Addendum to the above.

The August 1st Mars/Uranus/North Node conjunction (18 Taurus) and subsequent August 11th Full Moon (19 Aquarius) will be t squaring the much talked about August 11, 1999 solar eclipse……..

The Grand Cross and Solar Eclipse of August 11th, 1999 by Wendy Munro

A celestial event of great significance will take place on the 11th August, 1999. It has been termed the most potent planetary event for 2000 years. A total solar eclipse will occur, the last one for the 20th Century, with the Sun/Moon conjuncting to form a grand square (creating considerable tension) with Mars, Saturn and Uranus. The Sun and Moon conjunction in Leo opposes Uranus in Aquarius. Mars in Scorpio opposes Saturn in Taurus. All planets square (are at 90 degrees to) each other.

This pattern is known as a Grand Cross. It is remarkable because it forms a fixed cross in the signs of Aquarius, Leo, Taurus and Scorpio. These are described in the Biblical Book of Revelation as the Four Beasts of the Apocalypse.

Continued……..

https://www.netowne.com/astrology/western/grandcross.html
____________________________________

Re: The August 11, 1999 Grand Cross Square Eclipse

“………One major point about New Moon eclipses are the results of actions started on the Eclipse have a twenty year period of harvesting the energy. This information comes from a lecture by Carolyn Torrko, of the Denver area, when she spoke of the chart for the beginning of the Gulf War. Her studies have shown that whatever we have our intention focused on during a New Moon Eclipse, we will resolve it fully in twenty years. The Gulf War was started just after the New Moon eclipse of January of that year. New Moons are historically used for the assistance of total darkness for attacks. Also, New Moon energies are resolved within two to four weeks. Unfortunately, an eclipse new moon creates problems for twenty years. We know that military action continues with Iraq – it’s just not front page news any more.”

Excerpted from the following article……

The Grand Cross:
History and Observations
and How to Cope

https://innerself.com/personal/intuition-awareness/astrology/horoscope/4484-the-grand-cross.html

Does anyone have a date or chart for the Chinese Communist Party?

I’m wondering what might happen if the Chinese economy collapses. Could it be like the US 1929 crash leading to a depression? I don’t know. It seems it would at least be disruptive. Although the US, Europe, and most of the world’s corporations are gradually “decoupling” from doing business with China, we are all very much intertwined.

Chinese banks, financial organization, and real estate companies are in extremely severe and serious trouble. They’ve been having runs on their banks, and literally millions are refusing to pay their mortgages as a form of protest. The Chinese Communist Party can only retain power if the economy is strong. The CCP decided to “bail out” the real estate companies to get construction going again, but it may not be enough.

China’s Mortgage Crisis, Banks are Failing, Protests Everywhere. China’s financial crisis is Here…
Jul 28, 2022
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YBBnQmRcRI4

Hi Eliseo,

I was using the most widely recognized chart for the Republic of China: DOB October 1, 1949……

https://i0.wp.com/astrologyking.com/wp-content/uploads/china-horoscope.gif?ssl=1

BuckeyeShadow,
When the stories came out regarding the merging into the Forward Party, you were immediately on my mind, per our many previous discussions.

RE: “…they will make quite a bit of headway in spearheading reforms at all levels of govt and the electoral process, from ranked-choice voting, to open party primaries, to deeper, fundamental changes eventually such as multi-member legislative districts and proportionality.”

I agree. But I think they will have to play the game VERY carefully. Some Dems are alarmed by the development of the Forward Party. They fear FWD will take votes away from the Dems. That won’t happen however if Dems embrace and institute open party primaries, and ranked-choice voting. If FWD becomes as viable and successful as I suspect, Dems will be forced to adopt such policies to survive.

But it may also be as I suggested upthread. FWD and the Dems might end up nominating and endorsing some of the same candidates. In the past this has happened innumerable times, like with the DFL of Minnesota, the Liberal Party of New York, and many others.

As much as I truly like Biden, and believe he’s doing a pretty darn good job considering the circumstances he’s inherited, I see him as representing what I would call the old 20th century New Deal. I’m comfortable with that as I at least partially agree with the Progressive Dem agenda. In most respects I’m definitely a New Dealer, i.e. a Social Democrat who believes the New Deal should have continued unto this day.

Conversely, I see Andrew Yang, now chairman of FWD, as representing a newer, better, 21st century New Deal. Yang appears to understand the new and coming technology, as well as its social, cultural, and economic implications. IMO, most Dems do not.

IMO, Dems, especially the Progressives, hold to a few ideological delusions and myths which Yang does not entertain. Their errors of fact and delusional beliefs don’t hold a candle however to those of the R’s.

The R ideological foundation is so severely cracked, based on so many false facts, false beliefs, and delusions it is hard to keep count. I believe this is one of the principal reasons Trump could engineer a hostile takeover of the party so easily. I think many R’s subconsciously know the hollowness of their beliefs. They nevertheless continue deriving meaning from them, desperately wanting to believe; it takes an obnoxiously loud extremist like Trump to distract them from their hidden doubts.

Time and the natural, evolving complexification of our economies and societies have rendered R core beliefs and policies only appropriate for economies and societies which no longer exist.

Having embraced Trump so intensely and obsessively, I believe they’ve forever tarnished their brand. It may take a while longer, but IF, – – IF they survive, it will have to be in the context of a major ideological switch or reversal. Were that to happen, it would not be the first in American history. I think it more likely they will in time go permanently out of business.

Also I’m fascinated by your astrological musings about the generations. Your speculation makes good sense!

Jerry,
The DOB for the PRC is certainly pertinent, but as I recall the CCP was formed quite a number of years before. The party was founded in 1921, but I have no idea as to where precisely in China, the month and date, and of course have no actual time of day.

Eliseo,

Although there may be some relevance to previous charts, I tend to side with astrologer Marjorie Orr’s view on this, that the more recent chart tends to reflect a truer depiction of what the nation represents.

For a fascinating round-table discussion on China-US relations and Pelosi’s tentative visit to Taiwan; from the Chinese perspective…..

Headline Buster: Is the U.S. testing China on Taiwan?

Video: 28 min 23 sec

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gcZlSUxR8s

Nancy Pelosi DOB March 26, 1940 Baltimore Md 3:10 pm/ Natal Venus/Uranus conjunction at 19/20 Taurus…………

A Dangerous Moment’: China Warns of Consequences If Pelosi Visits Taiwan

De-escalation difficult for US and China, say analysts, amid widespread support in Taiwan for potential trip

The Guardian
July 27, 2022

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jul/27/a-dangerous-moment-china-warns-of-consequences-if-nancy-pelosi-visits-taiwan

https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2022/07/29/liv-golf-tournament-saudi-arabia-backed-trump-protester-invt-newday-vpx.cnn

“Son who lost father on 9/11 says Republicans are turning on Trump over golf event”

Keep ’em coming folks –

Interesting opinion on what makes a 3rd party succeed and why Yang’s & Whitman’s Forward Party will fail.

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/29/opinion/why-andrew-yangs-new-third-party-is-bound-to-fail.html

The Recount
@therecount
Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) on his friendship with Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY):

“I told Liz I can’t wait to going back to disagreeing with her about everything. But right now, we are in a constitutional emergency, and we are all constitutional first responders.”

9:29 AM · Jul 8, 2022·Twitter Media Studio

Sharon K,
RE: the CNN video

Interesting discrepancy. CNN reports 15 of the 19 9/11 hijackers were Saudi nationals. Very shortly after the event in 2001, Time magazine reported all but 1 were Saudis.

Time’s cover story revealing the Saudi connection, though well documented, was ignored. Intelligence operatives have long been aware of who the real culprits were and who funded them. They just don’t talk about it in public. The Saudis are happy to smile and take our money, but we’ve long been in denial as to how much and how deeply they hate us.

The Bin Laden family and the Bush’s had long done business together through the Carlyle Group. Within a day or two of the attack Bush allowed a 747 to jet about the country, city by city to pick up Bin Laden’s relatives in the US, and fly back to Saudi Arabia before the FBI could interview them.

Of course, considering the family connections No Way was GW Bush going to seriously pursue Osama. When he was surrounded at Tora Bora, the order came down to let him go. GWB put the Bush family business interests before the welfare and needs of the country. It had to be under Obama’s command for Osama to be dispatched.

Meanwhile, George ordered our troops to retaliate against the wrong country. Totally absurd political correctness borne from our oil addiction. Like as if Greenland attacked the US, but we went to war against Brazil.

And now, finally the truth is re-emerging? Plus DJT’s involvement with the Saudis? Trump needs to be in jail. Hopefully, as a minimum, GWB’s underhanded dealings with the Saudis while he was president, plus the war in Iraq will get him ranked near the bottom on the list of best and worst presidents. But he should be in jail too.

Yeah, Eliseo, but Biden just paid them a visit, too, and asked for oil? Of course, part of the reason is to strengthen the ME Arab countries alliance against Iran.

Eliseo: What you said ….. 🙂

Sharon K,
(1) IMO, the Saudi government is the singularly most evil one on the planet.

(2) I have no doubt Biden felt humiliated having to kow tow to Prince M. But a president’s duty is to his/her country and allies, not one’s personal feelings. A president must do what a president must do.

As strong as is the USA, we cannot afford to stand alone. We must stand with our allies. We must be concerned with their well being. Right now, until we can make the necessary energy and environmental transitions, our allies desperately need the oil and gas the Saudis can supply.

Be careful what you wish for, lest it comes true. Or so the old adage goes.

This brings into sharp focus the question I had in mind recently. In the event of a Trump indictment, what can be anticipated? It would certainly come as a welcomed relief to many. It would vindicate the US judicial system and restore faith in our democratic principles. But on the negative end of the spectrum, Trump’s arrest could spark a furious backlash among the ultra right conservatives (Trump supporters and other nefarious miscreants) to the point of precipitating riots in the streets. A distraction at best from the Biden agenda’s vantage point, but more ominously, would that weaken America’s resolve in the international arena by virtue of America being consumed with domestic unrest? And would that send the wrong signal to our adversaries that they can now take serious advantage of their long-standing grievances? I’m thinking specifically of current US-China tensions. How real is the danger? One miscalculation could throw everything into a downward spiral……..

Expert Analyzes China’s Threat To Shoot Down Nancy Pelosi | On Balance

Video: 8 min 20 sec

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qGkIu0szSI

The August 7th Mars-Saturn square (22 Taurus – Aquarius) forms a grand cross square to Attorney General Merrick Garland’s natal Sun-Pluto square (21 Scorpio – 23 Leo). Would that indicate a turning point in the investigation that would facilitate a Trump indictment?

Getting back to Pelosi’s safety. I don’t think China would resort to political assassinations, but tensions are extremely high. Anything can happen. The Mars/Uranus/North Node conjunction remains in effect over the next few weeks……

The following is an extensive opinion editorial published by Bloomberg. It is by subscription only. I took the liberty of posting the entire article because of its comprehensive look at the dilemma the complicated China-Taiwan-US dynamic poses. Well worth the read….

The Four Mysteries of Pelosi’s Troublesome Taiwan Trip

Tensions over the island haven’t been this high since 1996, and a visit by the House speaker could push China to the brink.

Bloomberg
July 30, 2022

“Taiwan will be next. You won’t have any computer chips. They’ll blow them off the face of the earth.”

Well, who said that? My question, dear readers, is part of the mystery of the Taiwan Strait. And who better to unlock that mystery than Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, whose summer trip to Asia may well include a stop in Taiwan? Indeed, she could already be on her way there as I write.

I just hope she has packed her SPF 50 sunscreen, as the Asian island is really warming up. When it came up during their call on Thursday, Chinese President Xi Jinping warned President Joe Biden that “resolutely safeguarding China’s national sovereignty and territorial integrity is the firm will of the more than 1.4 billion Chinese people. … Those who play with fire will perish by it.” On second thoughts, better pack a Kevlar pantsuit.

Pelosi’s Taiwan trip would hardly be a surprise. In early April, Japanese media reported that she would go there after a trip to Japan. Right away, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi warned that a visit to Taiwan by such a high-ranking legislator would be a “malicious provocation.” However, Pelosi had to postpone the visit after she contracted Covid-19. Two weeks ago, the Financial Times broke the story that she had rescheduled the trip for August.

“Pelosi would be likely to fly to Taipei on a U.S. military aircraft,” reported the New York Times on Monday. “Some analysts looking at Chinese denunciations of the proposed visit say that China could send aircraft to ‘escort’ her plane and prevent it from landing.” A nervous Biden told reporters: “The military thinks it’s not a good idea right now.” That seems not to have changed Pelosi’s mind.

So here’s the first part of the mystery. Why did the Pentagon take three months to figure out that a trip by the House speaker to Taiwan was “not a good idea”? It’s not as if relations between the US and China took a turn for the worse only a week ago. Taiwan has been the key flashpoint of Cold War II — Berlin plus Cuba plus the Persian Gulf — since the Sino-American relationship decisively soured over four years ago.

As I argued here in March last year, bringing Taiwan under the control of Beijing has been the consistent objective of the Chinese Communist Party for decades. Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian is a noted exponent of the new “wolf warrior” diplomacy. But there was nothing novel about his warning that Pelosi’s visit would pose a threat to Chinese sovereignty and territorial integrity and that China would have to respond with “strong and resolute measures.”

We have seen this movie several times before: in 1954-55, 1958 and 1995-96. The most recent case was the most similar to today’s. In June 1995, President Lee Teng-hui of Taiwan was granted a visa to deliver a speech at his alma mater, Cornell University, on “Taiwan’s Democratization Experience.”

President Bill Clinton was not looking for trouble with Beijing. He had campaigned against George H.W. Bush with a pledge not to “coddle” the “tyrants” of Beijing, but his early threat to restrict trade with China in the absence of “overall, significant progress” on human rights had been a failure — despite the enthusiastic support of one Nancy Pelosi. The Clinton administration had denied Lee Teng-hui a visa once before. This time, Congress forced the issue, passing a resolution in favor Lee’s visit by 396 votes to 0.

As the speech was less than a year before the first free election in Taiwan’s history, many people expected Lee to use the occasion to declare the island’s formal independence. Lee’s position was deliberately vague, though most observers believed that he privately supported independence. (Years later, he surprised the Taiwanese public by stating that he did not.) His election opponent, however, favored unification with the mainland.

Beijing’s retaliation to the US decision to grant Lee a visa was both diplomatic and military. The Chinese ambassador to Washington was withdrawn and an American photojournalist in Beijing arrested. On July 21, the People’s Liberation Army began firing two missiles a day into an impact zone 100 miles north of Taiwan. Washington responded by ordering a series of naval operations in the Taiwan Strait, culminating in December with the transit through the strait by the aircraft carrier Nimitz battle group. (In response to Chinese protests, the Clinton administration explained the transit as a “weather diversion.”)

As the Taiwanese election date of March 23, 1996, approached, Beijing announced new missile tests and naval exercises, including an amphibious landing on an island selected “because of the similarity of the topography there with that of Taiwan.” China fired M-9 ballistic missiles that landed not far from the Taiwanese ports of Keelung and Kaohsiung, and conducted live-fire exercises near the Taiwanese island of Penghu.

That the missiles were capable of carrying nuclear warheads was noted with deep disquiet in Washington. Two months earlier, according to a 1998 story by the Washington Post, the deputy chief of China’s general staff, General Xiong Guangkai, had told Chas W. Freeman Jr., a China expert who had served as assistant secretary of defense: “In the 1950s, you three times threatened nuclear strikes on China, and you could do that because we couldn’t hit back. Now we can. So you are not going to threaten us again because, in the end, you care a lot more about Los Angeles than Taipei.”

To their credit, the Clinton team did not blink. On March 7 — in a State Department dining room overlooking the Potomac River — Defense Secretary William J. Perry warned Liu Huaqiu, a senior Chinese national security official, that there would be “grave consequences” should Chinese weapons strike Taiwan. Secretary of State Warren Christopher and National Security Adviser Anthony Lake, who were also present, repeated those words.

On March 11 the Nimitz — redirected from the Persian Gulf — sailed through the Taiwan Strait again. “It was very tense,” a senior defense official told the Post. “We were up all night for weeks. We prepared the war plans, the options. It was horrible.” But it worked. Beijing backed down. Lee won the election and tensions receded.

This brings us to the second mystery of the Taiwan Strait: Why, when they already have their hands full with the Russian invasion of Ukraine, would Biden’s national security team want a repeat of that 1996 experience?

Part of the explanation must be, as I have argued here before, that the Biden administration remains committed to being more hawkish on China than its predecessor. The pattern is consistent. In May, Secretary of State Antony Blinken criticized “Beijing’s growing coercion — like trying to cut off Taiwan’s relations with countries around the world, and blocking it from participating in international organizations” and its “increasingly provocative rhetoric and activity, like flying PLA aircraft near Taiwan on an almost daily basis.”

In June, Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III warned China against “provocative and destabilizing” activity near Taiwan, following talks in Singapore with the Chinese defense minister, General Wei Fenghe. Speaking in Singapore, Austin declared that the US would maintain its “capacity to resist any use of force or other forms of coercion that would jeopardize the security or the social or economic system of the people of Taiwan.” And the president himself has indicated several times that he no longer favors a policy of “strategic ambiguity,” whereby the US simultaneously acknowledges that Taiwan is part of “one China” and commits to resisting a forcible subjugation of the island by Beijing.

They must know what’s coming. In September 2020, when President Donald Trump’s administration sent Keith Krach, the under secretary of state for economic growth, to Taipei, China’s military retaliated by overstepping the median line that bisects the Taiwan Strait. Last November, when a US House delegation visited Taiwan, the PLA deployed two dozen aircraft to enter Taiwan’s southwest air-defense identification zone.

If Pelosi’s trip goes ahead, we can expect more in this vein, but on a larger scale. In addition to flyovers, there could be maritime militia operations around Taiwan. Beijing could also test its latest ballistic missile, the DF-26 (the so-called Guam Killer, capable of reaching the US base on that Pacific island).

Presumably, the calculation in the White House remains, as in the 2020 election, that being tough on China is a vote-winner — or, to put it differently, that doing anything the Republicans can portray as “weak on China” is a vote-loser. Yet it is hard to believe that this calculation would hold if the result were a new international crisis, with all its potential economic consequences.

It is not 1996, in four fundamental respects. First, China’s leadership has a very different outlook. President Xi Jinping is hardly Jiang Zemin, the CCP general secretary during the earlier crisis. Xi harks back to a style of personality cult not seen since Mao Zedong’s time, and an ideological rigor very different from the economic pragmatism of post-1989 period.

Second, while Jiang had growing pains to contend with, today’s Chinese economy has acute slowing pains. Growth was negative in the second quarter. The International Monetary Fund expects growth this year overall to be just 3.3% — and that strikes me as optimistic.

The demographic trends and debt dynamics are dire, presaging continued trouble in an over-leveraged real estate sector. On top of policies that have knocked the stuffing out of the country’s big technology companies and private education sector, Xi’s doctrine of “dynamic zero Covid” has crushed consumer confidence. The latest reading points to the worst collapse since surveys began, back in those distant 1990s.

According to economists Hunter Chan and Ding Shuang of Standard Chartered Plc, there are some signs of economic improvement in the most recent data. Car sales are up; so are real estate sales, while steel rebar inventories are down. But all this tells me is that the third quarter will be better than the second, mainly because the government cannot risk lockdowns as severe as those imposed on Shanghai earlier in the year. Covid restrictions persist. They’ve simply moved to Anhui, Lanzhou, Shenzhen, Xi’an, Wuhan and Wuxi, and are no longer being imposed in such a draconian fashion.

The latest data from China’s National Bureau of Statistics put youth (ages 16 to 24) unemployment at a shocking 19.3% in June. Small wonder “tang ping” — lying flat — has become this year’s catchphrase among young Chinese. It’s shorthand for checking out of the rat race. “Bai lan” — let it rot — is even more fatalistic.

The mystery of the Taiwan Strait deepens. Surely it is obvious to someone in Washington that such a severe economic crisis increases rather than reduces the incentive for conflict with the US. How ignorant of history do you have to be not to see Xi’s urgent need for a new source of legitimacy for the CCP, now that economic growth can no longer provide it?

The third difference between the Clinton era and the Biden era is the military balance. To be sure, as Nan Tian, Diego Lopes da Silva and Alexandra Marksteiner recently pointed out in Foreign Affairs, “U.S. military expenditures have risen by approximately 40% over the past two decades.” But China has seen “27 uninterrupted years of increased military spending” since the last Taiwan Strait crisis, taking total military expenditures to $293 billion last year.

In 1996, the Chinese had no way of sinking American aircraft carriers. Today they have missiles that can do just that. In 1996 their nuclear saber-rattling was a bluff. Today it is not.

In their new book, “Danger Zone: The Coming Conflict with China,” my Bloomberg Opinion colleague Hal Brands and Michael Beckley argue that the possibility of a war over Taiwan is much higher than conventional wisdom assumes. I am inclined to agree.

“Beijing’s political window is closing,” Brands wrote on June 23, “as the population of Taiwan becomes ever more determined not to accept reunification on the mainland’s terms. Impending demographic decline and a slowing economy are also threatening China’s long-term trajectory, perhaps putting President Xi Jinping in a ‘now or never’ position. Historically speaking, this sort of situation has often tempted dissatisfied powers to use force to achieve objectives they cannot attain peacefully.”

It is not strong, confident powers that start wars; it is weakening powers that know time is not on their side.

The timing of a potential Chinese attack on Taiwan is endlessly debated by war wonks. I often hear time frames ranging from five to 10 years — or even longer (a case in point: Bloomberg Opinion columnist Admiral James Stavridis’s novelistic war of “2034”). But I was very struck by a New York Times report last week saying some Biden administration officials fear that “Chinese leaders might try to move against the self-governing island over the next year and a half — perhaps by trying to cut off access to all or part of the Taiwan Strait, through which U.S. naval ships regularly pass.”

I don’t know who those officials are. They may be scaremongering. Or they may know something we don’t.

The fourth respect in which this isn’t 1996 is that we’ve shown our hand. As Senator Chris Coons of Delaware said last week, “there is a lot of attention being paid” to the lessons China may be learning from events in Ukraine. “One school of thought,” said Coons, Biden’s closest congressional confidante, “is that the lesson is ‘go early and go strong’ before there is time to strengthen Taiwan’s defenses. And we may be heading to an earlier confrontation — more a squeeze than an invasion — than we thought.”

Xi did nothing to dissuade Russian President Vladimir Putin from invading Ukraine and trying to topple its government. Apart from heroic leadership and courageous defense by the Ukrainians, the main reason Putin’s invasion failed are that Western governments imposed a wide range of sanctions on Russia and, perhaps more importantly, shipped large quantities of weapons to Ukraine.

Yet even with Western support, the Ukrainians have been unable to drive the Russian army out of the Donbas and the territory east of Kherson in the south. A fifth of Ukraine is in Russian hands (though a successful Ukrainian counteroffensive could change that).

Xi understands that a Chinese invasion of Taiwan would be a riskier undertaking than the Russian invasion of Ukraine. On the other hand, he knows that Taiwan is much less of a “porcupine” than Ukraine when it comes to self-defense. He knows that supplying Taiwan with arms would be far harder for the West than supplying Ukraine. He knows that the economic costs of imposing sanctions on China would be higher for the West than imposing them on Russia. And he knows that a protracted war over Taiwan would be even more disruptive to the global economy than a protracted war over Ukraine.

As Brands puts it, “The fighting would turn parts of the most economically dynamic region on earth into a free-fire zone; it would threaten critical shipping lanes through which perhaps one-third of the world’s seaborne traffic passes.”

Not only that, but thanks to the world-leading position of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. — which makes 92% of the advanced semiconductors necessary for every smartphone, laptop and ballistic missile in the world — a war for Taiwan would devastate the world economy, including the US technology sector, as Graham Allison and Eric Schmidt pointed out last month. According to estimates by the RAND Corporation, a one-year war between the US and China would cut U.S. gross domestic product by 5% to 10%. Even this administration would have to acknowledge that as a recession.

The war in Ukraine has in many ways taken us back more than a century, to the kind of conflict we saw in World War I. There are brutal battles of attrition in which artillery is the crucial weapon. And there is economic warfare in which the private property of enemy citizens and the reserves of central banks are fair game.

In recent weeks, I have discussed the implications with two eminent central bankers. One worried that the confiscation of private assets had fundamentally discredited the Anglo-American claim to uphold the rule of law and private property rights. Another feared that the freezing of the Russian Central Bank’s reserves could ultimately undermine the reserve currency status of the dollar. Neither talked of these measures as secret weapons China would be unable to withstand. As one of them put it, the key question is: “What do the Chinese do now that we’ve shown them our playbook?”

The final mystery of the Taiwan Strait is that a Democratic administration is on a collision course that its predecessor would never have risked. True, Trump’s administration did a great deal that upset Beijing, not least imposing the tariffs that the Biden administration can’t seem to lift.

But would Trump have gone to the brink of war over Taiwan? According to former National Security Adviser John Bolton’s memoir, Trump liked to point to the tip of one of his Sharpies and say, “This is Taiwan,” then point to the Resolute desk in the Oval Office and say, “This is China.”

“Taiwan is like two feet from China,” Trump told one Republican senator. “We are 8,000 miles away. If they invade, there isn’t a f***ing thing we can do about it.”

In March, Trump had a phone conversation with the professional golfer John Daly that future historians will quote, whether they believe a word he said or not. “It’s like they’re afraid of him,” Trump said, referring to Putin. “You know, he was a friend of mine. I got along great with him. I say, ‘Vladimir, if you do it [attack Ukraine], we’re hitting Moscow’… and he sort of believed me, like 5%, 10%, that’s all you need.

He never did it during my time, John, you know … Why didn’t he do this during the last four years? … Xi didn’t bother me either. I told him the same thing.”

And Trump added: “Taiwan will be next. You won’t have any computer chips. They’ll blow them off the face of the earth.”

Yes, that’s who said the words I began this column with. And we’d all better hope — Nancy Pelosi, especially — that they don’t turn out to be prophetic.

https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2022-07-29/pelosi-s-taiwan-trip-would-anger-china-and-may-trigger-trump-prophecy

Sharon,
It also has to do with protecting Israel. For the time being, the Saudi government is an ally of Israel, and unlike Iran they are not working on creating a nuclear bomb.

The Iranian government is so virulently antisemitic in their rhetoric, it compares well with the rhetoric of 1930’s Nazis. Internally, they persecute Bahais and Christians. To my knowledge there are no practicing Jews in Iran, but I might be mistaken.

Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Turkey are all rivals to be the boss in the middle east. Were it not for democratic Israel, and for oil, we could leave these foolish people and their ancient hatreds to kill one another off. Climate change may do it anyway.

Jerry,
Many Thanks for the Bloomberg piece!
I agree the time is not right for Pelosi to visit Taiwan. How she might back out of it and save face, I don’t know. Here are some of my observations on the Bloomberg piece.

“It is not strong, confident powers that start wars; it is weakening powers that know time is not on their side.”

Often True. Both China and Russia are in that category.

“Xi understands that a Chinese invasion of Taiwan would be a riskier undertaking than the Russian invasion of Ukraine.”

True.

It would be exponentially riskier, with significant chance of failure. It would require massive casualties among the troops of the PLA, and probably last for years.

The Taiwan strait is no serene little creek. It is far too turbulent for an amphibious assault for 9 months out of the year. Taiwan’s coastal topography is extremely rugged. Apart from their formidable coastal defenses, the Taiwanese military has food, water, fuel, medical supplies, arms, vehicles, and aircraft of many varieties hidden in their many caves throughout the island. Military experts estimate a PRC/PLA invasion of Taiwan would be 5 times more difficult than was the D-Day invasion of Normandy.

“On the other hand, he knows that Taiwan is much less of a “porcupine” than Ukraine when it comes to self-defense.”

Completely False!

The Taiwanese having been preparing for war with the PRC since 1949. Their troops are very well trained, disciplined, and motivated. If memory serves, about 1/3 of their adult population served previously and are now in the reserves. They are analogous to Israel militarily. If anything, they are far more of a “porcupine” than Ukraine or most other countries.

“He knows that supplying Taiwan with arms would be far harder for the West than supplying Ukraine.”

Irrelevant.

Why? We’ve been supplying them with the most modern and best arms and hardware available for 73 years. Unlike Ukraine, they don’t need to be armed because they already are armed to the teeth and beyond. They already have what they need to repel any invasion and win!

He knows that the economic costs of imposing sanctions on China would be higher for the West than imposing them on Russia.

Partially True but Essentially False

China does not export oil and gas, but they do manufacture enough goods to cause significant inflation were those exports to suddenly stop.

Companies are leaving China daily, tired of the costs of labor, now 12 times higher than when they first began, tired of their intellectual property being stolen, and ever afraid the CCP might confiscate or shut down their business.

Current Chinese policy is that ALL FOREIGNERS MUST LEAVE! They are gradually replacing foreign company managers with Han Chinese CEO’s etc.

Practically ALL nations are gradually “decoupling” with China. At current rate, by 2030 there will be no foreign companies in China to speak of. If there is a crisis, that will become reality sooner.

Most importantly, were the West to impose the same sanctions on China, we now have on Russia, the Chinese economy and therefore the CCP would be hurt far worse than what is happening to the Russians. Sanctions on China would hurt the West some, would cause some inconvenience, but would quickly drive the Chinese economy into the dust, with no conceivable recovery.

And he knows that a protracted war over Taiwan would be even more disruptive to the global economy than a protracted war over Ukraine.

True – no quarrel there.

BTW, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. is opening a plant in Arizona, AND a few days ago the House passed the bipartisan “chips bill” allocating billions to domestic semiconductor manufacturing and science research to be done in the US. Joe Biden will sign it into law any day now. Our lawmakers are preparing for the economic worst.

China is doing all it can to hide their troubles as opposed to facing them squarely and creating fixes. I’m not convinced they will be a unified nation ten years from now.

Our serious and severe domestic troubles pale compared to theirs, though I agree that if they worsen here, like more insurrectional acts, perhaps riotous reaction to Trump going to jail, or something similar; if our attention by necessity becomes focused on such events, it is certainly conceivable the authoritarian bad actors on the world stage might freely choose even worse bad behavior.

When the cat’s away, the mice will play!

Jerry,
I did not mean to imply the PRC will absolutely not invade Taiwan. Though I believe it would be a profound strategic error were they to invade, it would not be the first time a national leader or party chose to do something extraordinarily stupid.

Win or lose, in the long run Russia’s invasion of Ukraine will prove ultimately suicidal. Likewise, I believe it would be so were the PRC to invade Taiwan. Were they to invade, I feel sure the world would descend into some kind of WWIII.

According to polls, relative to the Ukraine war, 75% of Americans believe we are already at the beginning of WWIII. I hope they are wrong, but I think it is probably true. If it is true, I suspect it will play out quite differently from WWI and WWII. Much of it may be fought by proxies, as the nuclear powers avoid direct on the ground conflict, much as we are doing in Ukraine.

It feels like it’s 17 January 1920 (Prohibition) and 1939 all over again.

Eliseo,

You raised some excellent, salient points.

Because the triple Mars/Uranus/North Node conjunction (18 Taurus) happens to coincide with the ratcheting up of Chinese/Taiwan tensions and taking note of this rare configuration forming a t square to China’s Pluto-Venus square (17 Leo – 19 Scorpio), I can’t help but wonder. It is striking and remarkable. The energies could certainly contribute to outright hostilities. The culmination; the August 11th Full Moon at 19 Aquarius may prove to be a major catalyst with a fixed grand square to those aspects.

More on this ongoing dramatic configuration here……

Mars, Uranus and North Node Conjunction: August 1, 2022

Video: 16 min 58 sec

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lbljZFDuUk

Very informative article, Jerry, as well as your comments, Eliseo.

This mars/uranus/nn conjunction is square my approx 18 degree moon & pluto conjunction in Leo, and my 17 degree mercury in Aquarius. So far so good but it’s not Aug 1 yet – I’ll report back.

It will be interesting to see what take-action sun-in-5 degrees Aries (opp 1 degree Libra midheaven), outspoken-ascendent-at-13 Sag, moon-in-8-51-Scorpio Nancy Pelosi does with this one. It sounds like it would be an unnecessarily provocative act. I don’t think she will be able to go.

Eliseo, there are a good number of Jews still in Iran. I’ve read conflicting views about their lot there, ranging from books & articles about the difficulties of being Jewish in Iran like this one from 2016 – https://www.thetower.org/article/the-silent-scream-of-irans-jews/ – to articles like this one from 2018 that state that they feel safe and well treated, so who knows? These are old communities.
https://www.usatoday.com/in-depth/news/world/inside-iran/2018/08/29/iran-jewish-population-islamic-state/886790002/

It is obvious that the U.S. is trying to strengthen & back-up Israel. With or without U.S. influence (which is great of course), ME countries have been recognizing and aligning with Israel for several decades, before DT sent Jared Kushner to the ME to get credit for it. SA and smaller countries have no intension of letting Russia-, Syria- and China-backed Iran become too powerful (and they have smuggled arms & explosives to Hamas & Hezbollah for years), so it works to the U.S.’s benefit, in addition to Israel’s, but it is really to create a fulcrum against Iran’s power in the ME (and Iran and SA follow opposing sects of Islam). After all, they took U.S. hostages during the Carter administration, and many seem to hate the West.

Sharon K,
WOW! When we put our respective heads together it is so much better. Many Thanks for the information you provided, especially about Jews in Iran.

So much going on, particularly as we approach Fall and Winter. I see the coming November through May as pivotal, determining the fate of 100’s of millions. The world drama continues. We are but bit players on the stage.

You’re welcome, Eliseo, and that’s why this forum is so nice – we all pool are knowledge, interpretations, opinions.

By the way, I didn’t post Nancy’s chart but the first one puts MC 2 Libra, not 1, and gives her Sag rising, but many online charts use Aries.

https://www.astrotheme.com/astrology/Nancy_Pelosi

https://astro-charts.com/persons/chart/nancy-pelosi/

The Aug 1 conjunction of mars/uranus/nn is right on her natal venus/uranus/ conjunction as Jerry said, but it she also has natal mars is in 25 Taurus so it would be included.

I just noticed a number of typos. Sorry about that, but I think the meaning is clear.

Simon Rosenberg – Washington, District of Columbia

“Veteran political strategist, writer, commentator. Proud globalist, I believe in democracy, not autocracy.”

https://twitter.com/SimonWDC/status/1553019053731610624?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet

9:06 AM · Jul 29, 2022

“Have updated my 2022 election analysis:

– Dems have momentum now, generic moving, Biden approval up 4 points

– Senate now leaning Dem, chance of Dems keeping House rising

– Rs underperforming across US, landscape likely to get worse for Rs

More ? 1/”

Simon Rosenberg
@SimonWDC
9:30 AM · Jul 30, 2022

“Hard to overstate how wrong the red wave take was. ”

“There is – literally – no evidence of a red wave anywhere. Any objective look at public polling right now shows the landscape favoring Dems, w/GOPers underperforming everywhere, struggling to raise money.”

Bob, Good news! There’s always the old Oct surprise. Maybe they’ll try to pull Hunter Biden out of the hat but that won’t work.

Here is more about the aspects in the weeks ahead from the Astrodienst newsletter.

https://myemail.cox.net/appsuite/#!!&app=io.ox/mail/detail&folder=default0/INBOX

I think the Oct surprise will come during the course of the last 1/2 of the month and may cement a “Blue Tsunami” that gives Democrats control of Congress when it is sworn in, in January. Possible date may be the 22nd.

Sharon K,
Thank you again! The two stories of Jews in Iran were very enlightening. I am grateful.

I wonder what is at the heart of Iranian antisemitism. It seems so much more virulent than what obtains in the rest of the Islamic world. I know this is awfully simplistic, but it makes you wonder if a good portion of the Nazis killed in WWII for some reason reincarnated in Iran?!!?!

I’m concerned about Biden’s health.
Reports are he has a rebound of Covid as of Saturday morning.

Biden Tests Positive for Covid Again in ‘Rebound’ Case
The president tested positive on Saturday morning and will once again isolate, although his symptoms have not come back, the White House physician said.

https://www-nytimes-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.nytimes.com/2022/07/30/us/politics/biden-covid-positive.amp.html?amp_gsa=1&amp_js_v=a9&usqp=mq331AQIKAGwASCAAgM%3D#amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&aoh=16592257051428&csi=1&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&ampshare=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2022%2F07%2F30%2Fus%2Fpolitics%2Fbiden-covid-positive.html

Iran hates the West and it hates Israel and I’m not saying that they were not given any reason to. The U.S. & Britain installed the shah over the elected ruler, I believe, and Israel, of course, makes the Palestinians’ lives difficult and some of that is in response to the terrorism and suicide bombs they have experienced. There should have been a Palestinian state a long time ago but I don’t know if even that would have solved the rivalry for land between the 2 peoples. Before the current revolution, under the shah, Iranians enjoyed a very Western lifestyle. Then came the religious police that are sort of the equivalent of Christian nationalists and Evangelicals, but worse. Fundamentalists in any religion or group can distort things or be closed minded. I think there are more fanatics in Iran because the revolution was so all-encompassing (I’ve read several novels and memoirs about this, including the very wonderful graphic novel by Marjane Satrapi,
“Persepolis”. https://www.amazon.com/Persepolis-Childhood-Pantheon-Graphic-Library/dp/037571457X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=36TP9ISH2ID6Z&keywords=persepolis&qid=1659230422&sprefix=persepolis%2Caps%2C114&sr=8-1

Eliseo, I also don’t think it’s so uncommon to test negative, thinking one is done with Covid, and then test negative again. I’m not sure why. It could be a false positive or another reason (as I think they’d redo Biden’s tests a few times to make sure results are accurate).

I mean, and then test positive again – trying to do too many things at once!

I wouldn’t worry too much about Biden retesting positive :this exact thing happened with a friend last week who was on the same drug as Biden, apparently it can happen with this drug.

James Carville slams the new 3rd party as a very stupid idea — and when you think about the harm the Green Party has done to getting Democratic presidents elected, I understand what he means.

https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2022/07/30/james-carville-andrew-yang-political-party-acostanr-sot-vpx.cnn

Sharon, Im intrigued by their mandate according to David Jolly – ‘pushing decision making more to the local level’ and the fact that he says they are not going to participate in running a presidential candidate but will be focused on building consensus and coalitions from the ground up, mayoral level etc. If the bipartisan cooperation of the Jan 6 committee is an example of how cooperation might work, Im for trying it to help overcome such widespread gridlock and hatred.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAtf0cL-GJU

Hi Sharon,

About the “October surprise”, Saturn stations direct in the latter part of October at 18 Aquarius. It squares the current Mars/Uranus/North Node conjunction so that should be interesting.

Not much has been written about the implications of the November 8th midterm elections falling on the same day as the 16 Taurus lunar eclipse, but it is remarkable. The Eclipse conjoins Uranus opposes Mercury and squares Saturn, which leads one to believe that the November midterms could be upsetting and chaotic. Here is Alex Miller’s analysis on it…….

The 2022 Midterm Elections: Expect the Unexpected

Election Day 2022 promises to be quite a stunner, a supercharged day which is, ultimately, unpredictable. Held November 8, the day features multiple activations of Uranus, the planet of the shocking and unexpected, disruption, turmoil, revolution and change, including a conjunction by the Moon and oppositions from the Sun and Mercury. As well, it’s the day of the Sun/Mercury conjunction, and the Sun/Moon opposition, which just happens to be a total Lunar Eclipse!

Given the instability built into the day, it’s a fool’s errand to suggest an outcome, but let’s dive in and take a look anyway, shall we?

Continued…….

https://alexasteroidastrology.com/astrology-of-the-2022-midterm-elections/

interesting article to ponder
covid, uv light and pluto in aquarius
https://www.jessicaadams.com/2022/07/17/blog/covid-in-the-age-of-aquarius/

Sharon K & kiwi,
Thank you both for those links!
I had to laugh at James Carville’s reaction. I love the man, but his rejoinder was very predictable, based on his false assumptions. FWD planners are realistic in their approach, building support at local levels, planning to run candidates for city councils, mayors, state legislatures, congressional seats, etc. They have no intention of running a presidential candidate until at the earliest in 2028.

Furthermore, if Dems feel threatened, all they have to do is (as before) co-opt FWD issues, most of which should be palatable to Dem sensitivities. As a minimum, if Dems get behind open primaries for all elections, and ranked choice voting, things should go reasonably well, and they will increase their own electability.

Co-opting another party’s issues is a special talent for Dems. The Socialist Party of America, (1901-1972) adopted essentially the same platform every election year consisting of 48 “planks.” Dems stole (shall I say adopted) the entire program, eventually getting all but one of those planks established into law. The one exception was and is socialized medicine. Most of those planks became law by 1952, but some under the administration of LBJ. Harry Truman felt he had failed because he was unsuccessful in getting socialized medicine enacted into law during his administration.

The video with former congressman David Jolly, as interviewed by Shepherd Smith of CNBC, was far more informative. His primary point was by inference, both parties have become too dogmatic.

DJ said he was FOR gun control, but also for low taxes. He said he therefore could fit into neither party. I definitely get his point. I’m pro-choice, but my sister-in-law is very much against abortion in most cases, but otherwise a strong Democrat. She despises Reagan, both Bush’s, and especially Trump. Suppose she decided to run for office. What then?

My politics is a bit complex. Some say I’m a Left Libertarian, though I’m not sure that description really fits well.

I strongly support socialized medicine, not Obama Care, or Canadian style socialized health insurance, AKA “single payer,” but a British styled National Health Service. However, as I’m not a single issue voter, I supported Obama Care when it passed, as I felt it was an improvement, and would vote for single payer, if it came up, though neither are my preference.

For several years now I’ve refused to vote for any Republican under any circumstances at all, but that doesn’t mean I agree with Dems on ALL issues. Some of my political positions are moderately conservative, foreign policy as one good example. Conversely, there are issues on which I’m further to the Left than 98% of the Dems. And there are several issues on which I strongly disagree with both parties, taking an approach which just doesn’t fit into either ideology.

From my perspective, the formation of the FWD Party is a good thing, even if it is ultimately unsuccessful, as it will perform a function the R party cannot possibly fulfill. It will goad Dems into supporting several modernizing electoral reforms they might or might not have supported on their own. Their survival will require it!

But who knows? Perhaps history will repeat itself.

In 1860, at the time of our Uranus return, the Whigs were no more, and the Dems were dominated by slavery supporters. Six years after their founding, the Republicans elected their first president, albeit with a plurality. Under our next Uranus return in June of 1944, General Eisenhower led the D-Day invasion. Let us hope by our next Uranus return in 2028, the R’s will be out of business. Perhaps in 2028 we’ll elect another Lincoln, or great president from a new alternate party. OR maybe we’ll get a great Dem president and congress which will enact into law reform issues they stole from another party.

For the moment, I don’t see the founding of the Forward party as a threat to Dems, nor as “stupid,” but as a catalyst for necessary reforms, an incentive to political creativity, and as an invitation to move away from ideological dogmatism.

Sharon & Kiwi,

Side Note: FWD Co-Chairman Andrew Yang was Obama’s Presidential Ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship. After Biden’s election many expected Yang would receive a cabinet position, probably with Commerce or Energy. Biden, who for reasons unknown apparently dislikes Yang, slighted him and his millions of supporters by offering nothing and actively ignoring the man. Many were very disappointed.

Had Yang become part of the Biden cabinet, the FWD party would probably not exist.

Sharon, I also have Moon 18 Leo conjunct Ascendant plus natal Uranus at 14 Leo. I think sunstars mentioned planets similarly affected by the Uranus-Mars-Node transit.

Astrologer David Crook posted this weekend:
“The Sabian Symbol for 19* Taurus per Dane Rudhyar:
PHASE 49 (TAURUS 19°): A NEW CONTINENT RISING OUT OF THE OCEAN.
KEYNOTE: The surge of new potentiality after the crisis.

“When the mind has been emptied and light has been called upon to purify the consciousness freed from its attachment and contaminations, a new release of life can emerge out of the infinite Ocean of potentiality, the Virgin SPACE. What will it be used for?”

New potential after crisis sounds about right, though we continue to be in the midst of the political crisis or crises. Glad to entertain some visions of potential changes for the good though.

Hoping for positive outcomes, personal and political. But not at all immune from high anxiety.

Thanks Les 🙂

Justa let you know…. My NN is at 17* Taurus.

I’ll let you know.

Also Zelensky’s Moon is 17+ Leo square Uranus 16+ Scorpio and has MC at 20 Aquarius. Hope he’s staying safe.

Eliseo & kiwi, I didn’t know the FRD party wasn’t going to run a presidential candidate in 2024 and was going to concentrate on local elections. Knowing that now I both feel better and can support them. Thanks for all the historical b.g., Eliseo.

Les & SS – so far things are falling into place for me although there are responsibilities and decisions, but, for some reason, I have more physical energy. Maybe the planets are the reason? I also got to rest a lot the past few days as Myron has not felt well and has been sleeping a lot. I kind of hung loose. I found out this morning Myron is + for Covid but I don’t have it (got the booster 2 weeks ago – could be why). Anyway, with Myron home for the next week isolating – he can help with a lot more things on our agenda.

Les, I love: Sharon, I also have Moon 18 Leo conjunct Ascendant plus natal Uranus at 14 Leo. I think sunstars mentioned planets similarly affected by the Uranus-Mars-Node transit.

Astrologer David Crook posted this weekend:
“The Sabian Symbol for 19* Taurus per Dane Rudhyar:
PHASE 49 (TAURUS 19°): A NEW CONTINENT RISING OUT OF THE OCEAN.
KEYNOTE: The surge of new potentiality after the crisis.

“When the mind has been emptied and light has been called upon to purify the consciousness freed from its attachment and contaminations, a new release of life can emerge out of the infinite Ocean of potentiality, the Virgin SPACE. What will it be used for?” And will print it and re-read it.

Putin is coming up with new weapons to use and made a major, although vague, threat today. Let’s hope that Zelensky as representative of Ukraine experiences the new continent after the crisis!!

Sharon K,
I’m glad you are feeling better about the Forward Party.

My hope is the R party will go away, as did the Whigs. The R’s seem capable of singing only one song, and that with fascist lyrics. In so doing, they continue to tarnish their brand; they are far, far away from their original home planet of progressive abolitionism.

As I look at the social dynamics, and as we move toward Pluto in Aquarius, I see their demise as a 50% possibility. Were the R’s to disappear into the history books to be replaced by FWD moderates, IMO that would be far better than the crazy politics we have now.

I have a suspicion, just a kind of gut feeling the R’s, might cause at least one more crisis, but I don’t see them as even semi-permanently dragging us back in the late 1800’s. They will fail.

Social and economic conservatism just won’t apply in a world of artificial intelligence, robotics, automation, climate induced (fires, category 6 hurricanes, epidemics, pandemics, sea level rise, high temperatures, climate migration, and existential wars over resources including water.)

If you haven’t seen it already, I recommend you view the video Kiwi posted wherein Shepherd Smith interviews David Jolly about the FWD party.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAtf0cL-GJU

To All of a certain persuasion:
Happy Lammas & Blessed Lughnasadh!

Because the November 8th lunar eclipse ties in so closely with the current Mars/Uranus/North Mode conjunction and the mid term elections, I was beginning to wonder if the current transits is merely a prelude to major events that will come into full prominence at the time of the mid term elections.

I just received Joni Patry’s newsletter for August 2022 and although she doesn’t address that point specifically, she does confirm my sense of things….

One particular potential event I am extrapolating in her analysis is the possibility President Biden may have severe health issues in late October that will force him to step down and hand over the presidency to VP Kamala Harris. It could be any number of things., but that is one interpretation So here is Joni’s August newsletter (all calculations are rendered in siderial/vedic astrology which simply means there is an approximate 23 degree difference)………

Monthly Predictions & Spiritual Insights: August 2022

To my Dear Friends and Community,

And so it begins…A chaotic concert is commencing, and the end of the year will lead to a concerning crescendo. The remainder of this year will be action-packed with one shocking event after another.

These next few months are overflowing with immensely impactful astrological events, and we can be assured that major world events will play out. Here are some key dates:

* August 1: Uranus/Rahu/Mars conjunct @ 24 degrees Aries

* September 26 – October 7: Saturn and Uranus last square at 24 degrees Capricorn/Aries

* August 24: Uranus turns retrograde @ 24 degrees Aries

* August 14 -16: Mars conjunct worse fixed star Algol

* Mars in Aries – August 10 enters Taurus

* September 9: Mars enters Shadow zone of Mars retrograde

* Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto all retrograde

* October 25: Solar Eclipse: 7 degrees Libra, Ketu 19 degrees Libra

* October 30: Mars turns retrograde @ 1 degree Gemini

Let’s dissect some of these dates a bit more.

The Uranus, Rahu and Mars conjunction July 31-August 1st kick starts the round of events with an explosive effect that will surprise everyone around the world. It is very rare that all three planets collide exactly on the same degree, plus this is the same degree that transiting Saturn retrogrades back to station @ 24 degrees Capricorn to square this previous triple conjunction. This mix represents major events. The Saturn and Uranus square is a hard aspect that occurs every 11 -12 years and historically has caused huge natural disasters such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, storms, economic downturns, airline crashes, and many deaths (from research article July issue Joni Patry’s Astrology Insights). In addition, Uranus turns retrograde this month which is also notorious for creating earthquakes. Plus, six weeks prior to eclipses there are typically more earthquakes.

Mars transiting in Aries intensifies the energy of Mars, and being in its own sign of rulership means Mars’ effects will be stronger. Mars rules violence, anger, war, weapons, and fire. Things quickly begin heating up with building events, but when Mars goes into Taurus on August 10th, the heat will turn to flames. Mars will be transiting over a very detrimental fixed star, Algol. This star literally means decapitation and is symbolic of people losing their minds. I expect there will be a barrage of events involving insane and unpredictable behaviors.

Because Mars will begin to slow down in speed due to the on coming retrograde, Mars will stir up more violence around the world. Just as we note the shadow period of Mercury retrograde, there will also be the beginning and an end of a shadow period of Mars retrograde. What this means is that when a planet is actually retrograde it will transit through certain degrees of the zodiac, but before and after when a planet transits over these degrees (even though it is not retrograde) it gives the effects of it being retrograde. Mars will be retrograde October 30 – January 12, 2023, and it will be retrograde at 1 degree Gemini to 14 degrees Taurus. As Mars transits over these degrees, before and after it is retrograde it will feel like it is retrograde . Mars is in the shadow phase from September 9 till October 30. And although it turns direct on January 12, it will still be in the shadow zone till March 15.

This begs the question: Historically, what kind of events have been caused by this retrograde? As you are probably aware, the cycle of Mars is monumental in its effects. I always consider Mars as a trigger to all the events presently going on.

Mars’ cycle is very interesting, as it basically moves up approximately one sign when it goes retrograde every two years. This means that the next time it goes retrograde in two years, it will be in the sign of Cancer (since it will retrograde in early Gemini this year). But sometimes Mars will skip one sign in the cycle of retrograding all 12 signs. It usually takes about 16 years to retrograde through all the 12 signs.

The last time Mars was retrograde in early Gemini, stationed directly 0 degrees in Gemini, was January 2008. During this cycle, it was retrograde solely in Gemini so it skipped Taurus. The last time Mars was retrograde entirely in the sign of Taurus was October 1990 – January 1991. Going back, there was a recession in 1990, and we saw some countries broken apart while others united. Yugoslavia broke apart into six republics while Germany’s east and west united. In both cases, there was an economic recession which makes sense since Taurus is the sign of money and finances.

I believe eclipses and the placements of Rahu and Ketu are the most powerful determinants for prediction in astrology. The next huge event involves the Solar Eclipse which occurs October 25 @ 7 degrees Libra and Ketu will be 19 degrees Libra. The effects of this eclipse will begin now, and much preparation must be sought out. The degree markings of the eclipse plus the Mars retrograde makes me believe that this is a crucial and sensitive time.

I have never seen these degree markings so telling as to the crises I see coming. Let me explain in detail.

When making world predictions we as astrologers must take into account the charts of world leaders to better understand what these planetary aspects could bring.

As noted, the solar eclipse degree is 7 degrees Libra and President Biden’s natal Moon is 7 degrees Aries, which is exactly opposed to the Solar eclipse degree. His natal Mars sits at 19 degrees Libra exactly where transiting Ketu will be at the time of the eclipse. Furthermore, around the same time Mars goes retrograde at 1 degree Gemini, this links up Kamala Harris’ chart as her Ascendant and Rahu @ 1 degree of Gemini is the degree of stationary Mars. On top of that, Chinese President Xi Jinping’s natal Sun sits at 0 degrees Gemini. This connects the dots of world events that are due to occur at this time.

President Biden is in a very difficult place since Ketu is crossing his Mars in the 12th house of hidden enemies and health. His natal Mars rules his 6th house of open enemies and health, and Mars sits in his 12th house of loss. This is extremely critical!

On another note, the Solar eclipse occurs @ 7 degrees Libra and Harris’ natal Mercury sits at 8 degrees of Libra. With the eclipse on her natal Mercury (ruler of her chart) and retrograde Mars stationing on her ascendant and Rahu, there will be an event that is extraordinarily stressful and karmic that will shift the course of her life remarkably. This could mean she takes over the Presidency and a stream of events will change the course of history. Riots and chaos will follow, and somehow China may be involved as Xi Jinping’s planets are connected to Harris’ chart. Plus, in the the United States birth chart natal Mars sits at 0 degrees Gemini, right where transiting Mars will station.

And if that wasn’t enough, let’s look at U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi’s chart. Pelosi will be visiting Taiwan and her chart ties into this triple conjunction of Uranus, Rahu, and Mars, indicating something massive is about to come down. Her natal Moon sits at 24 degrees Libra exactly opposed this conjunction. Additionally, her natal Saturn sits at 7 degrees Aries exactly opposite the October Solar eclipse of 7 degrees Libra. Amazingly, President Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and Speaker Nancy Pelosi all have planets connecting the events that represent great danger and major events that will change our world.

The Astrological evidence is astounding, and I am predicting a huge turn of global events. Regardless how this all plays out, the world will go through a major transformation and will never be the same. The onset is now in August as the Uranus, Rahu and Mars collide, and they set the stage of all that is coming.

My predictions are purely based on astrology with probabilities that some of it can be averted, but these are planets (AKA“Grahas” in Vedic astrology). They take hold of us, the future is already set into motion, and the momentum is moving us towards these events. It would take a monumental force to stop this, and now more than ever is the time we must diffuse this energy.

Please, focus on the light and good to come forth. Everything happens for a reason, and we may not understand the reason now. I do believe that we are constantly healing and sometimes things must be destroyed to create anew.

I think transiting Jupiter’s trine to president Biden’s natal Sun, Jupiter and Venus in late October and through the midterm election and his secondary progressed Venus conjunct his progressed Sun during the same times forecasts a positive outlook for him during those times.

Belligerent Dogmatism?
Saturn – Mars – Taurus relationship? I’m guessing.
This is one for you more experienced astrologers.

In recent decades we’ve seen the rise of the religious right in the West, increasing authoritarian radicalization of the R party, Islamic radical militancy, etc.
In natural and defensive response, the Left has also become more rigid, the effect of which escalates our polarization.

Parallel to the politics, in religion and philosophy we’ve also seen Fundamentalists, particularly in the Abrahamic religions doubling down on their literalist beliefs inadvertently fomenting the rise of militant atheism.

What is the signifier astrologically of all this militancy? When, if ever might we see the end of this plague of self righteous, woefully ignorant, religious, philosophical, and political belligerence and militancy?

OR – Is it as I suspect, a trend likely to last for several more decades?

Bob, Andre Kahr at Astrology Alerts has also been saying that Biden looks very happy over the midterms, which he posits must mean that Democrats take both the House and Senate. Those are pretty straightforward transits and progressions (Jupiter trining Sun, Jupiter and Venus; pVenus conjunct Sun) that support that.

I always wonder about Marjorie’s use of transits to midpoints which seems to be her predominant method of analysis (she sees problems for Biden using midpoint transits and doesn’t mention the direct trines from Jupiter and the pVenus aspect). Apparently it works for her. But she does seem to come off negative most of the time regardless.

Stephanie,
I reread your July 21st, 2022 8:09 pm post.

I absolutely agree with your assessment. The pundits are underestimating the backlash of moderates and Liberals who are appalled by Dobbs and all the other crazy, far right, radical, noxiously regressive feculence they propose and intend to force upon us.

I see definite probability of violence at the midterm election when they realize they are losing, and some R officials refusing to accurately report or to certify the real results. But in the end we will likely gain seats in the Senate, and hopefully hold the House.

We have 220 House Dems and 211 R’s presently seated. I suspect some of the R’s will be exposed for their roles and foreknowledge of the Jan. 6th coup attempt.

Les: I too have wondered about Marjorie’s attention to the midpoints and her lack of attention to the direct transiting aspects to both natal and progressed planets. Although she is an astute and informed commenter on current affairs, one wonders, with the great lassitude of midpoint inclusions, if storytelling isn’t bolstered by this method……as she also is an author of books that are presented on her site.

I DO respect her as she almost effortlessly puts out day after day…. astrological commentary on any subject. Whew!

We know we can’t rely on him telling the truth but “Putin says no one can win a nuclear war”

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/putin-says-no-one-can-win-a-nuclear-war/ar-AA10bUw1?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=990a53a5bdf74aaf9a5b4762900fb0bc

Bob,

“I think transiting Jupiter’s trine to president Biden’s natal Sun, Jupiter and Venus in late October and through the midterm election and his secondary progressed Venus conjunct his progressed Sun during the same times forecasts a positive outlook for him during those times.”

Thank you for always accentuating the positive, Bob.

Pluto in Capricorn has been the secret driving force behind so much of the violent, reactionary conservative element we have seen and experienced as permeating our politics, culture, and society as a whole. Many of us will recall how religion, particularly Christianity, dominated our dialogue and politics during the Pluto in Sag era. While religion remains influential, the vibe around it is much less one of Sagittarian fiery ideological zeal, and much more one of Capricornian reactionary entrenchment of long-enduring, yet increasingly outmoded, patriarchal structures. Pluto in Aquarius offers something of an idealistic, collectivist, humanistic, and perhaps utopianesque, vibe that stands in start contrast with the Pluto in Cap era. I suspect, among other things, that we will see the far right and its religious affiliates go through a serious collapse from which they may never truly recover, particularly with the eventual conviction and fall of their avatar, TFG.

Pluto in Aquarius also suggests to me that we will see a dramatic rise in atheism as increasing numbers of people reject Christianity in all forms thanks the the evangelicals’ incredibly damaging embrace of TFG.

Hi Will, Bob,

Just looking at all the possibilities here. The October 23rd Saturn station (18 ’35 Aquarius) forms a conjunction right on Biden’s progressed Sun (18 ’48 Aquarius) AND it is in square to tr. Uranus (17 ’32 Taurus). Saturn (karma) conjunct Sun (identity) square Uranus (sudden, unexpected events) could indicate a radical shift in ones life.

As one astrologer puts it; tr. Saturn conjunct ones Sun sometimes “weaken vital and physical energies and often cause illness if one is not in good health.”

With that being said, the man is nearly 82 years old. He just had a relapse, a second bout with COVID 19. The office duties of a president are astoundingly taxing, even for a young person. I would not be surprised under current circumstances if Biden is forced to resign due to ill health.

Typo: I stand corrected. Biden is nearing his 80th year. (DOB Nov 20, 1942)

Bob, According to my calculations, Biden’s progressed Venus stands at 8 Pisces. Perhaps you were referring to some other aspect?

BuckeyeShadow,
I certainly see the effect of Pluto in Capricorn, and Pluto in Sagittarius, but I feel there must be some very strong additional aspects, reflective and causal of the escalating extremism and militancy, the widening mental/emotional chasm between people of opposing belief systems, and their vastly different interpretations of reality. But astrologically, I just don’t know what it is. I attribute that to my own ignorance and lack of astrological expertise.

RE: “I suspect, among other things, that we will see the far right and its religious affiliates go through a serious collapse from which they may never truly recover, particularly with the eventual conviction and fall of their avatar, TFG.”

I hope you are correct, but I think it will take more than the conviction of DJT to disabuse them of their most cherished toxic beliefs. Perhaps climate change catastrophes and world events will do the job?

Regarding changing religious conceptions under Pluto in Uranus: IMO, it would certainly be good for folks to move beyond anthropomorphic god concepts, but I’m concerned about the escalating rise in the number of atheists, just as all my life I’ve been dismayed with the number of literalist believers. From my perspective, militant atheism is just the flip side, itself just another form of fundamentalism. As a package, it usually includes thanatism, and a pathological, unscientific skepticism towards any and all robust evidence of things “paranormal.” Atheists, in my experience can be as intolerant and hateful as any religious fanatic. In the 20th century, at least as much evil was perpetuated on humanity (if not more) by those of atheistic ideologies, as was done in the name of any particular deity.

I would much rather see more people view existence from the pantheistic perspective of Baruch Spinoza, or Albert Einstein, or conversely the pan-EN-theism of someone like Meister Eckhart, or Alfred North Whitehead.

Although pantheism and atheism are seen from some points of view as philosophically similar, they are profoundly different in effect. Generally, the pantheist and/or the panentheist of whatever variety remains open to spiritual experience. The atheist does not.

In your opinion, if Uranus in Pluto brings us more atheists, might it also increase the number of pantheists?

Postscript: I’ve never known an atheist who wasn’t virulently hostile to astrology.

Jerry, I found the source for the Venus-Sun conjunction. It is in a transit chart for October 22 (Sun 29°36′ Libra, Venus 29°39′ Libra) that I am using in work on the charts for president Biden, tRump, Gaetz, Garland, Bannon, and the Supreme Court [too many irons in the fire, so to speak]. I took the aspect from the transit chart around president Biden’s progressed chart.

The transiting Jupiter trine to the president’s natal Sun, Venus, and Jupiter during the period still stands.

The transit chart also shows Saturns’ conjunction and Uranus’ square to the president’s progressed Sun as you noted.

Bob,

We are referring to the late October period – correct? Regarding Biden’s chart you wrote: “….. secondary progressed Venus conjunct his progressed Sun during the same times forecasts a positive outlook for him during those times.”

Was that statement an unintentional mistake, or are you referring to something else? It’s rather easy to get things mixed up when typing. I do it quite often.

Reply

unintentional mistake. I sometimes make them.

Bob, you mean you’re not perfect lol?

Anyway, I very much appreciate your input, and Jerry’s as well. I wonder how many contexted elections there will be in the midterms (whether they’re close or not)?

It will be a tense time but hope in the end we do keep both branches.

Contested! lol

The conjunction of transiting Saturn to president Biden’s progressed Sun must be acknowledged as well as the transit of Jupiter trining his natal Sun, Venus, and Jupiter.

My progressed lunar return technique does this with fairly good accuracy. The aspects trigger when they are swept by a progressed angle of the return. It places return Saturn on the progressed lunar’s ASC in the wee hours of October t31 and on the progressed lunar’s MC during prime time on October 5th. Neither on election night.

The technique places the chart’s Jupiter on the progressed MC very late on election night (about 10:30 to 11 pm, EST) with his progressed natal Jupiter on i’ts ASC.

“The technique places the chart’s Jupiter on the progressed MC very late on election night (about 10:30 to 11 pm, EST) with his progressed natal Jupiter on i’ts ASC.” Bob, that does sound very promising!

good news from Merrick Garland on the abortion front
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtZhy8yVURw

I can’t open that, kiwi. I’ll cut & paste tomorrow. More good news: Kansas protects right to abortion in their constitution! Follow the yellow brick road!

CONGRATULATIONS KANSAS!
Overwhelming Victory RE: abortion rights

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHV3c9SbprA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjCoUvaTpto

Sharon, basically Garland is saying that federal law regarding the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, requires any hospital receiving federal medicare funds to provide emergency medically necessary care even if it is for abortion, and as such it trumps any state law that would criminalize medical staff for providing such care, and that they will be suing Idaho to prevent implementing their no exception law.

“…on the progressed lunar’s MC during prime time on October 5th. “should read on November 5th.”

Thanks, kiwi. Excellent news.

Krystn Sinema better not sink this new bill, she’s disgusting imo.

Diana,
She definitely IS odd, describing herself as a “Prada socialist,” but voting conservative, having been a Green before becoming a Dem, the only openly bisexual senator, and with some very NOT mainstream views, but I don’t find her disgusting, merely frustrating. She’s been very quiet about how she will vote on the Manchin/Schumer Inflation Reduction Act. That’s what’s disconcerting to me. I do not find her unpredictability “charming.”

She’s very smart, and very educated with a MSW, a MBA, a JD, and a PhD. Seems like to me she should know climate change is real, only government action not market solutions will serve to mitigate it, and the filibuster IS NOT in the Constitution.

She also apparently seems to have a slippery relationship with the truth, having greatly exaggerated the depth of poverty she experienced as a child. Considering her many various peculiar public statements, including things like R. Reagan and George H. W. Bush were the “real” Osama bin Laden’s, I wonder about her relationship with reality. She’s hard to figure. Does she really believe the things that come out of her mouth? I don’t know.

She was born in Tucson, Arizona July 12, 1976.

From https://www.astro.com/astro-databank/Sinema,_Kyrsten

Kyrsten Lea Sinema

Born on 12 July 1976 at 12:10 (= 12:10 PM ) MST
Place: Tucson, Arizona, 32n13, 110w56

Source Notes
Sy Scholfield provided copy of birth notice, Tucson Daily Citizen (Tucson, Arizona), 14 July 1976, page 10.

Eliseo, she’s not hard to figure at all. She’s an opportunist. And a newly rich one at that.

Wow, if that time for Sinema is accurate (gets an A rating), her Moon is opposite Saturn, trine Pluto, square Uranus, sextile Neptune, and inconjunct Mars. And it’s an Aquarius Moon to boot. She would have had her Uranus opposition in 2021 with Uranus transiting square her Moon at the same time, which might explain some unpredictable, um, choices last year. I kinda feel for her given that. I haven’t looked at progressions, but transit-wise not as much going on with that Moon now except getting a Jupiter sextile transit. Transiting Pluto is opposing her Venus at 27 Cancer.

arbo, you are so right. Sinema is a former liberal who is now a full time grifter. I hope we get two new Senators this fall so she and Manchin become irrelevant.

I believe she is definitely a little wacky, manipulative, & ambitious about her power in the party, and taken with herself (arrogant). Over-education can do that to you.

How do these kinds of people get voted into office?

It is a weakness of democracy for sure – and now with so many people deluded and bamboozled, especially on the right it seems.

I’m taking a CE class on mass shootings and gun violence. Extremism-motivated in the U.S. goes back to the late 1800 Anarchist movement against Gilded Age capitalists that ignored the plight of the working classes. It included stikes, riots, bombings & assassinations. Between 1894 & 1900, 5 heads of state were assassinated and U.S. President Wm McKinley. Industrialists were targeted for murder.

I checked her chart briefly and noticed mercury conj sun and moon in cap — so this accounts for her being clever, cagey and ambitious.

(I left out a word above – I should have written “extremism-motivated violence”)

Sinema’s Horoscope:

https://imgur.com/DWRyhxh

Sen. Whitehouse Questions FBI Director Wray on the Kavanaugh supplemental background Investigation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlD2P4194hg

Kavanaugh’s noon chart with transits for today’s session.

https://imgur.com/wBfSAxh

Diana,

My thoughts exactly. Sinema is disgusting, indeed. I don’t care how supposedly brilliant she is, or how many degrees she has. Her narcissistic, selfish actions clearly show her to be someone who lacks the empathy and wisdom we should expect of someone in her position. With Democrats like her, who needs Republicans?

I hope she’s primaried and soundly defeated next election and sees her political fortunes completely dry up and blow away.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/democrats-sinema-reach-deal-on-new-taxes-in-inflation-reduction-act/ar-AA10k4nq?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=d51586372a3b46df99ffbcfa6a0c737f Dems & Sinema reach a deal (I knew the Democrats weren’t going to let this deal slip away!)

Orban’s warm reception to his speech in texas is downright scary.

Arbo,
You must surely be correct. I don’t want to demonize anyone, but she undoubtedly is an opportunist, and apparently very manipulative. I suspect she is a sociopath, but that’s harder to diagnose from afar.

Whatever, I agree with Sharon, she’s a real screwball. Let us hope we can replace her when she’s again up for re-election.

Sharon K,
Good news they’ve made a deal. Thanks for the link!
BTW, that sounds like a truly interesting course!

Krysten Sinema and Joe Manchin managed to amass obscenely-disproportionate levels of power. Together they have essentially held the Biden Administration hostage since the get-go. Their suffocating grip on the Executive and Legislative branches flies in the face of the “balance of power” that was baked into our democracy. There wasn’t a day that passed that I wouldn’t cherish throttling the both of them. Their desire for publicity and cheap power grabs has been beyond vexing. My sixth-sense informs me that someone got some accu-dirt on Manchin last week and threatened to expose him and/or literally kick his ass; otherwise what could possibly have turned him so resolutely in such short order? He acted like a man with a target on his back. He and Sinema formed a Faustian bargain of sorts. When Manchin got threatened she had little choice other than to acquiesce. Kriysten is a shameless political whore who is working some nefarious angle. Why else would highly-educated, life-style liberal social worker/attorney from an impoverished and very challenging family life and youth jam up their own extremely-embattled party, half the nation and the President just to suck up to hedge-fund investors and other trash-with-cash? Eliseo believes she is a sociopath; certainly possible. Sharon says she’s whacky, manipulative and ambitious I have her pegged as a borderline personality with a generous flare of narcissistic features. She does not belong in government, Criminal law would be the more fitting milieu She’s as manipulative and as slick s they get. And yes, BuckeyeShadow – she is most definitely disgusting – a veritable bucket of pus.

Yes I checked out Sinema’s chart with time of birth earlier… Cancer with Aquarius Moon….. It was a pleasure to read everyone’s take on it… 🙂 I totally concur.

In my experience Cancer/Aquarius can be warmly social, and nurturing either individually or for group cohesion – or a total whack job who seems unaware of how they come across or unaware of the people they hurt in collateral damage.

I have been blessed to be in the environment of the highly developed Cancer/Aquarius who strove to elevate society….And in retrospect, appreciative of the experience of seeing the total whack jobs in action …..

Sinema’s chart located to DC with transits to it on October 22.

Transit Saturn is on her natal IC and opposite her natal Mars/Saturn midpoint.

https://imgur.com/3uV6rlg

Senate is expected to vote on the IRA, Inflation Reduction Act, Saturday.

My take on Manchin is that Schumer threatened to take away Manchin’s chairmanship of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Staffers wrote a letter demanding his removal a couple of weeks ago and I suspect Schumer strong-armed Manchin with it if he didn’t go along.

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2022/07/25/federal-agency-staffers-tell-biden-play-hardball-manchin-climate

I guess the context is that they both represent right-wing, conservative states….I mean look who just won the Republican primaries in AZ (an Aquarius state).

Well, at least they arrived at a compromise. However, I just read an article today that I cannot find for the moment, which reports that those who live where the pipeline will go have been stalling it for years with lawsuits, and now must bite the bullet and accept it? I don’t know if the bill will allow for more lawsuits.

Eliseo, yes, it is a very interesting course. The article is almost 60 pages and then I take a test after I digest it. I’ll report back if there is anything significant to share.

Cancer sun, Aquarius moon is a strange combo. Cancer is moody, subjective, sensitive, empathetic…and moon-in-Aquarius, although Aquarius is concerned with helping and elevating mankind, can appear (in my experience) to be impersonal and not so empathetic. I guess it would also be objective since I feel my mercury in Aquarius allows me to be fairly objective.

Les, the day Manchin agreed to the deal transit Saturn (325°58′) was opposite his natal Sun/Saturn midpoint (145°08′) and opposite his progressed Saturn (144°42′). That was his progressed Saturn on his natal Sun/Saturn midpoint. A rough day for him.

Jury just ruled alex jones to pay $45Mil+ in damages
Maybe this will slow the avalanche of liars seeding chaos, so prevalent in recent years.

Kiwi,
How serious is the effort to change the name of New Zealand to Aotearoa? Is that actually likely?

Eliseo, Aotearoa is already legally used in conjunction with New Zealand because Maori is recognized as an official language – e.g. its already on the cover of our passports. Sometimes it is referred to as New Zealand – Aotearoa. Many in the Maori community are pushing as a standalone name, I think because of their perceived suppressed identity (some revisionist history going on too); Me and most people I know are against. Many are opposed because the NZ name has such a good and longstanding image on the global stage regarding produce and tourism marketing.
I put it in the same category as the failed push a few years ago to change the flag.

I just heard Joy Reid say regarding Kyrsten Sinema “…. And a big old fat tax break for the wealthy.”

So, to your point: arbo – silcominc – will. You’re on it.

Too bad…

We have those grifters in our midst in the Democratic Party in 2022

Eliseo, here is an example of global country names, native language versus english
https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/names-of-countries-in-their-own-languages.html

the results of big fat tax breaks for the wealthy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ym9fc1bovlk

KIwi, thank you for the link in your August 6th, 2022 at 12:08 am post. It is to 1 in a series of 17 spoken essays.

“The Scheme” is a series about the plot by rightwing donor interests to capture the supreme court and achieve through the institution’s power what they cannot through other branches of government.”

02.22.22 ‘The Scheme’: a senator’s plan to highlight rightwing influence on the supreme court

The Scheme: Sheldon’s Court Capture Speeches</strong?

17 videos 12,386 views Updated 2 days ago

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhyg5hj7I21i1Aqcaym9TRFrpWjPN9_ms

The site should be a "must read" for everyone who reads here.

02.22.22 ‘The Scheme’: a senator’s plan to highlight rightwing influence on the supreme court

The Scheme: Sheldon’s Court Capture Speeches

17 videos 12,386 views Updated 2 days ago

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhyg5hj7I21i1Aqcaym9TRFrpWjPN9_ms

The site should be a “must read” for everyone who reads here.

thank you so much Bob for the link to “the rest of the story” !!!!

The coming Pluto return for the United States is the time to purge government in this country at all levels of lawmakers and/or judges who espouse following the “Powell Plan” in any way and to any extent and change laws they have passed that hurt the majority of citizens. The time is now and we, with our votes, are the instrument.

Thank you kiwi!!!

I just got chills thinking of the changes we can start with this years midterms and with the number of actual voters advantage we have for the foreseeable future how quickly changes may come. The writing will be on the wall in less than 100 days. I am nearing 82 years and they can’t come fast enough!

The break Sinema got for her wealthy friends is at least offset by another measure, per HR Richardson’s latest newsletter: “The carried interest loophole would have raised $14 billion, but Democrats instead added a 1% tax on stock buybacks, which is expected to make up that money.”

I guess her friends will give her a cushy job once she’s out of Congress. But I’m glad they found some way to satisfy her without detracting from the bill overall. The Repubs are already spinning it as the Dems doing tax and spend so the Dems have got to double down with how it helps the majority of Americans. Aside from that, they need to be running on how extreme the Republican party has become, taking away your freedoms, having the government sticking their noses into your most personal and private decisions on family, love, healthcare, not to mention their support for the insurrection. Many election deniers have won GOP primaries, but chances are they’re likely to be defeated by both Dems and independents who don’t support the extremism and lying (fingers crossed).

New thread up!
http://starlightnews.com/wordpress/2022/08/new-discussion-thread-8/

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