For those of you chosing to remain in the United States.....

[bae]

Chicago has a nice downtown. There is some crime, etc, but it’s nowhere near the ghetto that downtown St Louis sounds like it is.

Last time I was in Chicago, it was the traffic that got me, not the crime. On the way back, I rerouted to take the SS Badger ferry between Ludington, Michigan, and Manitowoc, Wisconsin, to skirt the whole mess. I recommend this approach.

[iris lilies]

Well, there's yer problem right there.

I won’t argue that.

This terrorizing of downtown St.Louis started with all of the-soft -on -crime pols elevated in the aftermath of Michael Brown’s death and the subsequent atmosphere after George Floyd riots. Gang bangers and unaffiliated criminal youth feel free to do whatever they wish, and they do so.

As an aside, already the politicians who pushed themselves forward at the Michael Brown riots are splintering, a dozen years later, in ideology direction. The soft on crime county prosecutor who kicked aside Cori Bush in the U.S. House is accused of being a shill for Israel and practically a Republican. That is a HUGE change in direction for the guy who purposely got himselfvarrested in street protests just a few years ago.

[LDAHL]

What is the Guard actually doing in places like LA and DC? Standing around federal facilities and train platforms with their M14s on display? I haven’t heard anything about them conducting raids or making arrests.

The whole threat and response kerfuffle reeks of kayfabe to me. Trump gets to pretend to be doing something forceful about the endemic disorder of certain sections of our less well-managed cities; his enemies get ammunition for their fascist fantasies.

[bae]

What is the Guard actually doing in places like LA and DC? Standing around federal facilities and train platforms with their M14s on display?

M14 rifle:



M4 rifle/carbine:

[catherine]

I remember getting off the plane in Italy and seeing guards with guns like that. It wasn't a very welcoming feeling!

[bae]

I remember getting off the plane in Italy and seeing guards with guns like that. It wasn't a very welcoming feeling!

I just spent some time in Michoacán and it was a bit daunting, between the official checkpoints and the unofficial cartel/gang/terrorist checkpoints.

[gimmethesimplelife]

I just spent some time in Michoacán and it was a bit daunting, between the official checkpoints and the unofficial cartel/gang/terrorist checkpoints.

Morelia? Patzcauro? That lake with the butterflies that is on the back of one of the Mexican banknotes? Rob

[iris lilies]

Speaking of Mexico and butterflies, I just learned yesterday that it is “my “generation of monarchs that will fly down to Mexico to reproduce.

after those eggs hatch in spring presumably, it takes several generations of monarch butterflies to make it up north to Canada. Then they start their descent in summer, hitting my area in very late summer, to reproduce. So the chrysalis that are hatching now fly all the way down to Mexico, and that’s why it’s important that we here in Missouri plant the Asclepius that feeds the monarchs.

[Tradd]

Choosing to remain in the US? What a crock of bullshit.

[catherine]

Speaking of Mexico and butterflies, I just learned yesterday that it is “my “generation of monarchs that will fly down to Mexico to reproduce.

after those eggs hatch in spring presumably, it takes several generations of monarch butterflies to make it up north to Canada. Then they start their descent in summer, hitting my area in very late summer, to reproduce. So the chrysalis that are hatching now fly all the way down to Mexico, and that’s why it’s important that we here in Missouri plant the Asclepius that feeds the monarchs.

Isn't it fascinating? I have Asclepius in my garden, too.