Dear KAG: 20200707 Open Thread

Cover image: John Singer Sargent, American, Fishing for Oysters at Cançale (1878), oil on canvas, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.

One more time, a reminder that the American people can’t be contained behind authoritarian dictates like no fireworks on Independence Day. The people of Los Angeles had something to say about that.

In loving memory of one of Hollywood’s great composers who left us at the age of 91 this week, Ennio Morricone:

Sadly, I had to add this one. RIP to a classically American man.

And a reminder to take the pledge:

“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.”

And now for the nitty gritty of the Q Tree 5 minute, stand up, Tuesday morning meeting version of the Daily Thread.

Ahem.

Guidelines for posting and discussion on this site were outlined by our host, WolfM00n. Please, review them from time to time.

The discourse on this site is to be CIVIL – no name calling, baiting, or threatening others here is allowed. Those who are so inclined may visit Wolf’s other sanctuary, the U-Tree, to slog it out.

This site is a celebration of the natural rights endowed to humans by our Creator as well as those enshrined in the Bill of Rights adopted in the founding documents of the United States of America. Within the limits of law, how we exercise these rights is part of the freedom of our discussion.

Fellow tree dweller Wheatie gave us some good reminders on the basics of civility in political discourse:

1. No food fights.
2. No running with scissors.
3. If you bring snacks, bring enough for everyone.

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From the prophet Hosea, Chapter 8:

Let there be a trumpet in thy throat like an eagle upon the house of the Lord: because they have transgressed my covenant, and have violated my law. [2] They shall call upon me: O my God, we, Israel, know thee. [3] Israel hath cast off the thing that is good, the enemy shall pursue him. [4] They have reigned, but not by me: they have been princes, and I knew not: of their silver, and their gold they have made idols to themselves, that they might perish. [5] Thy calf, O Samaria, is cast off, my wrath is kindled against them. How long will they be incapable of being cleansed?

[6] For itself also is the invention of Israel: a workman made it, and it is no god: for the calf of Samaria shall be turned to spiders’ webs. [7] For they shall sow wind, and reap a whirlwind, there is no standing stalk in it, the bud shall yield no meal; and if it should yield, strangers shall eat it. [8] Israel is swallowed up: now is he become among the nations like an unclean vessel. [9] For they are gone up to Assyria, a wild ass alone by himself: Ephraim hath given gifts to his lovers. [10] But even though they shall have hired the nations, now will I gather them together: and they shall rest a while from the burden of the king, and the princes.

[11] Because Ephraim hath made many altars to sin: altars are become to him unto sin. [12] I shall write to him my manifold laws, which have been accounted as foreign. [13] They shall offer victims, they shall sacrifice flesh, and shall eat it, and the Lord will not receive them: now will he remember their iniquity, and will visit their sins: they shall return to Egypt. [14] And Israel hath forgotten his Maker, and hath built temples: and Juda hath built many fenced cities: and I will send a fire upon his cities, and it shall devour the houses thereof.

As always, prayers for the fight against that which seeks to enslave us are welcome. Via con Dios.