Reblogged with my thanks to Barry.
A New Zealander’s Counterpoint to 12/14/94’s “U.S. ‘Honoring'” New Zealand’s Nuclear Free Policies
Reblogged with my thanks to Barry.
Author: ali redford
I love dogs and people. I want living creatures to thrive. I love to cook, and share the food, but ya gotta get in line in front of the dog.
Sunday Night Viewing
Well, I think there’s a football game on, but thanks to a commenter in this Wonkette piece, I just learned there is a Star Wars Holiday Special. I had no idea. Did not see it in ’78, don’t recall ads for it, or anything, but there are many movie/TV stars in it, and here it is:
December 14th
blundersonword mentioned “Imagine” the other day in a post, and here we are on the morning of Dec. 14th. There are several items in Peace&Justice History for 12/14, including mourning the loss to the world and the effort for peace across the world, with the murder of John Lennon. 14 years later, the US acknowledged and honored New Zealand’s nuclear weapons ban, and 15 years later, the Dayton Accords were achieved, which guided the cessation of conflict between Serbia, Croatia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Progress happens.
| December 14, 1917 U.S. peace activist and suffragist Kate Richards O’Hare was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment for a speech denouncing World War I. Occupying a neighboring jail cell was Emma Goldman, the well-known anarchist organizer, feminist, writer and anti-war critic was imprisoned for obstructing the draft. O’Hare was one of a number of prisoners Socialist Party leader Eugene Debs cited in his “Canton Speech” for which he in turn was imprisoned. More about activist Kate Richards O’Hare Read the speech |
| December 14, 1961 In a public exchange of letters with South Vietnamese President Ngo Dinh Diem, U.S. President John F. Kennedy formally announced the United States would increase aid to South Vietnam, including the expansion of the U.S. troop commitment. Kennedy, concerned with recent advances made by the communist insurgency movement in South Vietnam, wrote: “We shall promptly increase our assistance to your defense effort.”  President Ngo Dinh Diem  President Kennedy and Secretary of Defense McNamara Kennedy – Diem letter exchange |
December 14, 1980 At Yoko Ono’s request, John Lennon fans around the world mourned him with 10 minutes of silent prayer. In New York over 100,000 people converged on Central Park in tribute, and in Liverpool, England, his hometown, a crowd of 30,000 gathered outside of St. George’s Hall on Lime Street. johnlennon.com >“You may say I’m a dreamer. But I’m not the only one.” Time capsules to mark John Lennon’s legacy |
| December 14, 1985 Wilma Mankiller became the first woman to lead a major American Indian tribe when she took office as principal chief of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma.  Wilma Mankiller on the day in 1985 when her election as chief of the Cherokee Nation was announced |
| December 14, 1994 After eight years of negotiations, the United States finally agreed to honor New Zealand’s ban on nuclear weapons in its territory. U.S. Navy ships armed with nuclear weapons no longer visited New Zealand’s ports. |
| December 14, 1995 Leaders of the states that were parts of the former Yugoslavia signed the Bosnia peace treaty, formally ending four years of bloody and vicious ethnic/religious conflict. The Dayton Accords, as they are known, committed the Balkan states of Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina to accept a division of territory, a process to deal with the more than 2 million refugees, and the introduction of 60,000 NATO peacekeeping forces. The negotiations were led by U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Richard Holbrooke, and held principally at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio. The Dayton Accords |
https://www.peacebuttons.info/E-News/peacehistorydecember.htm#december141980
Public Transportation Is The Way To Go
We can have it if we want it, but we have to do the work of getting it.
Baking with Trae-
He’s fully mastered puff pastry!
Fancy Fixins: Hillbilly Makes Cream Horns
Astronomy Pic Of The Day
Northern Fox Fires
Image Credit & Copyright:Dennis Lehtonen
Explanation: In a Finnish myth, when an arctic fox runs so fast that its bushy tail brushes the mountains, flaming sparks are cast into the heavens creating the northern lights. In fact the Finnish word “revontulet”, a name for the aurora borealis or northern lights, can be translated as fire fox. So that evocative myth took on a special significance for the photographer of this northern night skyscape from Finnish Lapland near Kilpisjarvi Lake. The snowy scene is illuminated by moonlight. Saana, an iconic fell or mountain of Lapland, rises at the right in the background. But as the beautiful nothern lights danced overhead, the wild fire fox in the foreground enthusiastically ran around the photographer and his equipment, making it difficult to capture in this lucky single shot.
Tomorrow’s picture: ocean of storms
A Resource For Planning
When I started reading here at Scottie’s, and later posting here, the blog purpose included providing online safe space and resources for LGBTQ+ people. I try to include posts directed at that readership whenever I can. Things are changing rapidly for everyone in the U.S., but bigots have been emboldened to discriminate whenever and however they like, for sport, even, if they wish. (My own observations.)
I have read at The Order Of The Good Death for years, watching Caitlin Doughty’s videos (she’s knowledgeable and hilarious,) watching legislation primarily on my own behalf (I want a sky burial, dang it!) Last night, I saw that The Order is generating an End-Of-Life guide for LGBTQ+ people. So, here’s the scoop, click on through. They’re only beginning this project, a guide for each state of the U.S. Here’s a snippet; go see it and become involved if you can.
“Our end-of-life experiences are as unique and varied as our lives, often reflecting the same challenges we experience in life. As a result, people in the LGBTQ+ community often have their own unique set of needs at the end-of life, placing them at a higher risk for discrimination and disenfranchisement.”
Additionally, I highly recommend looking over the Louisiana guide, by Ezra Salter, linked within. It’s a PDF, but covers numerous pertinent issues people might not consider in general.
LGBTQ End-Of-Life Guide
Music For Change
Sounds like activism: musicians who fight for change – in pictures
Photographer Janette Beckman and curator Julie Grahame have organized a one-time fundraiser for the ACLU that showcases images of musicians who have recorded protest songs or are known for their activism. Forty-three photographers have donated images of 50 artists, from John Lennon to Nina Simone to Bad Bunny, and 100% of the profits will go towards the ACLU and their efforts to protect equality, freedom and rights. In addition to the images there is a playlist of songs for the fundraiser.Bob Marley, who performed at Crystal Palace Bowl in 1980, is known for songs such as Get Up, Stand Up, War, Redemption Song and Concrete Jungle that advocate for social issues, human rights and resistance. Photograph: David Corio
Curated by Briana Ellis-Gibbs
(I posted a few here; go see the whole piece with all the photos. It’s motivating! A.)
Bruce Springsteen, New York, 2017
Songs such as American Skin (41 Shots), The Ghost of Tom Joad and Born in the USA highlight systemic injustice, racism and the struggles of working-class people and immigrantsPhotograph: Danny Clinch, Transparent Clinch Gallery
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Doechii, New York, 2025
She is known for songs like Anxiety that advocate for mental health awareness and has used awards show speeches to speak out against government overreach and oppression. Photograph: Sacha Lecca
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Nina Simone, London, 1968
One of Simone’s most prominent songs, Mississippi Goddam, was a direct response to systemic racial inequality in the US exemplified in the handling of the 1963 16th Street Baptist Church bombing and Medgar Evers’s murder. The song became an anthem for the civil rights movement. Photograph: Michael Putland
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Dolly Parton, Tennessee, 2003
Her songs, including A Woman’s Right and Coat of Many Colors, have addressed social issues, and she has been outspoken and financially generous as a philanthropist. Photograph: Clay Patrick McBride
(snip-Go See The Rest!)
Huh. Beware Of Republican Senators Touting “Invisible Reinsurance Pools”-
Seriously. I was looking at what’s on TV tonight, saw a story about Sen. Marshall and ACA, so I had to read that instead. It could be amusing; I didn’t watch the video and missed it on the news last night, but I read the story with it. Sen. Marshall is an M.D. Also nuts.
Senator Marshall’s five-part plan aims to cut healthcare costs as ACA subsidies near end
(video on the page; there is no share link for it.)
As Congress considers whether to extend ACA subsidies past the end of the year when they’re set to expire, Senator Roger Marshall offered a plan to lower the cost.
Now, the senator’s five part plan includes trying to stop ACA fraud by requiring ID, and also minimum monthly premium payments. Also, price transparency reform to allow people to shop for medical care.
Marshall also calls to support high risk patients by paying for what he called state run, invisible reinsurance pools.
Good Tidings Of Deeds & Surprises, From Jenny Lawson
Ow, my heart
Read this if you want to feel happy.
Jenny Lawson (thebloggess) Dec 09, 2025
Hello, friend!
I’m a little late on this because yesterday I opened up the James Garfield Miracle and so I’ve been giving out free stuffed animals to people who need them. It’s a weird, long story but basically an ancient taxidermied boar inspired a holiday giveaway for kids by strangers to strangers 16 years ago and we just kept doing it each year. It’s on the blog right now if you need help or want to help. Over 275 kids have been sent new plushies in the last 18 hours.
I’m giving out 150 myself and that’s funded by in part by you here in my substack and by the 2026 calendar I made with this years drawings so if you are reading here then you have already helped with this years James Garfield Miracle and I love you. I may not ever get to hug you all in person but I hope you can feel this:
I still have more stuffed animals to give out because people keep beating me to filling the wishlists and HOW AMAZING IS THAT?
There was even a person who once was a recipient as a child years ago and is now filling wishlists for others.
(Below was supposed to be another happy, sniffly image but my computer was apparently uncomfortable with my emotions and offered me this instead and it made me laugh so now you have to see it.)
Aaaanyway, I have to get back to it, but first, the drawing for this week is one I started long ago and just finished because somehow it feels really fitting.
“Together we rise, we soar, we touch the stars. We cannot quit. Together.”
I feel so lucky today.
I super crazy love you.
~ me
Scottie's Playtime 