Jim Kelly-Evans on Tumblr
Challenging The NDAA
Chris Hedges on why he and others are challenging the National Defense Authorization Act in court:
Totalitarian systems always begin by rewriting the law. They make legal what was once illegal. Crimes become patriotic acts. The defense of freedom and truth becomes a crime. Foreign and domestic subjugation merges into the same brutal mechanism. Citizens are colonized. And it is always done in the name of national security. We obey the new laws as we obeyed the old laws, as if there was no difference. And we spend our energy and our lives appealing to a dead system.
(via hardtoport.blogspot.com)
Since Jim was underwater photographing the fishes, it was left to Dan to document the island of Grenada. Dan’s photos show the town of St. George, a garden at a nutmeg factory and the ancient stills at a rum distillery. Read more at hardtoport.blogspot.com
(via hardtoport.blogspot.com)
Sunday was a day at sea for us on board the Atlantis chartered Celebrity Solstice. After breakfast we utilized the track for a 2 mile walk. Then we spent time poolside (Jim) and in the solarium (Dan,) The solarium is a glass enclosed pool on the same deck as the outdoor pool. Lunch was a sumptuous brunch that included an extensive array of entrees and a tasty assortment of desserts/ Cruises are not designed for dieters. In the late afternoon Atlantis sponsored the “dog tag” tea dance. The theme was military and passengers came prepared with costumes for this as well as the other theme parties of the cruise. Today we’re in Grenada, the small island that we invaded back in the 1980s.
Returning To San Juan
RETURNING TO SAN JUAN The island of Puerto Rico is much more beautiful than one remembered, with its lush green vegetation and surrounding oceans of aquamarine and deep azure blue.
(via hardtoport.blogspot.com)
It’s been about 20 years since we’ve been to San Juan. Much has changed it appears for the better. While there is still some restoration going on particularly in Old San Juan, the city looks very good. On Sunday we visited Old San Juan, We started at one of the two big fortresses, San Cristibal, built during the 18th century. The ruins inSan Juan are administered by the U.S. National Park service. First we viewed a very nice video before our self-guided visit to the fortress. It is a very photogenic local. After the fortress we boarded the free sightseeing trolley that circumnavigates Old San Juan. The buildings in the old town are painted in vibrant colors. After our trolley ride we walked down the main street inOldTown…Calle Foteleza until we found a great local restaurant El Punte, where we had our lunch. I particularly enjoy the local dish Mufungo…cooked plantains combined with seafood, chicken or meat. After lunch we returned to the hotel, picked up our bags, and made our way to our ship. Boarding was relatively smooth this time probably because this ship is a big smaller than we are used to holding about 2,000 passengers. We had a delightful dinner and watched the show by a performer calling herself Dame Edna before retiring for the night. Today, Monday will be a relaxing day at sea. Tomorrow we will visitGrenada.
The Condado district of San Juan is full of luxury hotels with beautiful beachfront amenities. Things have really become fancy probably with the advent of gambling here. The ocean is a delight although it was a bit rough due to the strong breeze we have here.
Jim in San Juan…A dip in the ocean, an afternoon poolside, warm tropical breezes, rum drinks…what more can we say? The photos show us on the balcony of our room…with a great scenic ocean view. The view out of the airplane window shows our approach to the airport. The peninsula in the distance is Old San Juan.
From the Huffington Post:
Interviews with more than a dozen party officials and activists reveal that despite widespread and growing support for marriage equality among Americans, the issue is still viewed as politically sensitive in the top ranks of the Democratic Party. While many high-profile figures have publicly advocated for including strong language in the platform, the Obama campaign and the allied Democratic National Committee are searching for ways to split the difference: showing support for equality but stopping short of a full-fledged endorsement.
Split the difference? Obama and top Democrats want to “split the difference” when it comes to my marriage to my husband? Yet, they expect my vote in November. I think I’ll split the difference and vote Green Party, where there is unqualified support for my marriage.
[P]rison as a deterrent does not work. If it did, America would be the safest country on earth.
Best to stay out of the Amerikan “justice” system if you can.
— The Economist (via letterstomycountry)(via bencrowther)
