Trump administration detains Turkish student at Tufts, revokes visa – https://www.reuters.com/world/us/tufts-says-international-student-taken-into-us-custody-visa-revoked-2025-03-26/
Best Wishes and Hugs,
Scottie
Category: Uncategorized
Incompetence
Hi Everyone. I was going to do a post on this, even though I know it is being run everywhere. Why? Because it signifies just how juvenile this administration is in so many ways. But, our friend Mayor Pete beat me to it, and I know it rings very loud with Scottie as well.
Does anyone know if a T-Shirt is being made that reads something like 25th-4-47th-B4-2-L8! ?? -Randy
A Birthday Post
Today is Elton John’s birthday! I have celebrated every year since 1973 (when I found out his birthday is 3/25,) so if you’re also a fan, join me in a celebratory post. If you don’t care for Elton’s music, maybe you still are thankful he’s a good human out there doing good things for people. Or, of course, you could just skip the post, and no worries. Anyway, it’s Elton John’s birthday, and he’s 78 today! 🎊 🎂 🎂
Much of what is here will come from his own page, About Elton John. Fair’s fair; there was quite a bit of is-he-or-isn’t-he in “Tiger Beat” and the other teen celeb/music magazines, and who knows what the old people were saying about him as if they knew anything. (wink) Anyway, I’m taking info from his own pages these days, now that I’m an old people and realize I know much less than I did when I was a young tween-teen.
So, music will be scattered throughout, but I’m cutting directly to the humanitarian work Elton John both funds and participates with. We likely recall the song collaboration to benefit ill people during the nightmare early years of AIDS. From his page, here is what he has done and continues, over the years:
The Elton John AIDS Foundation: our mission is to end the AIDS epidemic.
People can live a full and healthy life with HIV, yet 15 million people today are not accessing the life-saving HIV treatment they need because they are already restricted in their own society: gay men, young people, those who inject drugs or sell sex, and transgender women. Most new HIV infections are in these marginalised groups. They face abandonment, discrimination and violence. This just isn’t good enough. Tragically, it stops them from getting the effective, life-saving services that already exist and so prolongs the AIDS epidemic. The Elton John AIDS Foundation harnesses local expertise across four continents to challenge discrimination, prevent infections and provide treatment for these groups, as well as mobilising governments to end AIDS. We will not stop until the AIDS epidemic is over.
As a leader in the global AIDS community, the Elton John AIDS Foundation is committed to helping overcome the stigma, discrimination and neglect that keeps us from ending AIDS.
In 1992, Elton established the Elton John AIDS Foundation after losing many friends and loved ones to the AIDS epidemic. Today, after years of fundraising, advocacy, and funding innovative grants, the Foundation is the 6th largest independent AIDS funder globally. Elton has travelled from South Africa, Ukraine, Armenia, across the US and to many other countries as well as speaking at many International AIDS conferences to use his platform and influence to push, persuade and demand change and care for people at risk or living with HIV and is committed to not leave anyone behind in the AIDS epidemic. Elton has been acknowledged for his philanthropic and music contributions with a knighthood from HM Queen Elizabeth II and most recently, Elton received the Legion d’Honneur from President Macron, the Companion of Honour in the UK.
Follow the Elton John AIDS Foundation on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter. To learn more visit eltonjohnaidsfoundation.org or to give a gift, please donate here.
You can see more about his charitable work here.
So, the MUSIC! There is a great timeline, again on his own page, and what fun it is to follow along there. But in case someone doesn’t want to click, here are a few videos of some music.
Elton writes the music to “Your Song”.
On October 27 1969, Elton “didn’t do anything” apart from writing the song that would change his life and career forever.
Your Song was released a year later, on 1970’s album Elton John, and has been described as “near-perfect”. It is certified platinum in the USA, has been streamed over 100 million times on Spotify and is considered by Rolling Stone as one of the Greatest Songs of All Time. (Hear it again up above in this post. Or get out your album/cassette, or dare I say, 8-track!)
Some other work Elton has done includes:
Musical Theatre
Elton has composed songs, in collaboration with lyricists Sir Tim Rice, Lee Hall, and Bernie Taupin, for:
★ The Lion King (1998) – Six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and named the highest-grossing stage show or film release in the world.
★ Elton John & Tim Rice’s Aida (2000) – Tony Award for Best Original Score; Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album.
★ Billy Elliot the Musical (2005) – Olivier Award for Best Musical; 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
★ Lestat (2006)
And then, though I personally have little interest in sports, Elton John does:
Sports
Music may be Elton John’s first passion, but another abiding interest runs it a close second: sport.
In some ways, it’s an unsurprising second love, as the parallels are numerous. A devotion to high-level performance, the adrenaline rush of playing in front of big crowds — and the ever-present knowledge that you’re only as good as your last performance. To rise to — and stay — at the top in both disciplines also requires similar qualities: stamina, endless practice and an unstinting professional approach. Oh yes, and a rich seam of natural talent. (snip)
So, the post is getting long, I’ll cut it short for some party music. It is a day we can celebrate in small ways all day, and music does soothe the savage beast, etc. I’m so thankful we’ve had Elton John all these years to provide entertainment, refuge, and respite from daily life. Happy Birthday, Sir Elton John!
And to slow it down a bit,
If you want to, add some info, experience, or your own favorites in the comments, and enjoy your day today!
Trump envoy blasted over ‘insane’ pro-Putin comments in Tucker Carlson interview
Check out this article from USA TODAY:
Trump envoy blasted over ‘insane’ pro-Putin comments in Tucker Carlson interview
Best Wishes and Hugs,
Scottie
HUFFPOST: There’s 1 Way To Combat Trump’s Immigration Crackdown — And It’s Getting More Popular
There’s 1 Way To Combat Trump’s Immigration Crackdown — And It’s Getting More Popular
There’s no greater evidence that “know-your-rights” training is working than from what Trump officials themselves have said.
Read in HuffPost: https://apple.news/ArrG-BUXwSXawqmWO1oZAyQ
Shared from Apple News
Best Wishes and Hugs,Scottie
NBC NEWS: Columbia University agrees to Trump demands in effort to restore federal funding
Columbia University agrees to Trump demands in effort to restore federal funding
The Trump administration — which canceled $400 million in grants — had ordered the school to implement a mask ban, discipline protesters, reform admissions and more.
Read in NBC News: https://apple.news/ATC_B6YBKTCSxvkh_G7IdKA
Shared from Apple News
Best Wishes and Hugs,Scottie
Domestic Day
Hi All. Doing some cooking and cleaning today, general domestic duties day, with music playing. Thought I would share a favorite singer for my slow days like this. I often have music playing, and it sort of matches my mood – like most people. I hope you find him enjoyable. Hugs. Randy
ok…. back edit. I added some. Home you find them all enjoyable. The Trace Adkins one bumps a bit and wakes you up a bit. Don’t want to get too relaxed :).
An Inconvenient 4th
Hello Everyone. Recently there has been some hijinks and controversy over the ousting of suspected/alleged gang members from the US. On the surface of things, I support the very thing that was done, but it was done quite wrongly and that is the problem.
The United States Constitution outlined our form of government in such a manner that things could – and could not! – be changed as we grew. Chief among these unchangeable is that there are three branches of the government: The Legislative, the Judicial, the Executive, and those branches are created so that no one branch could run unchecked. The sad truth is that no form of government can withstand the greed and avarice of powerful men and women, as has been made quite clear all too often.
Under the very tired and troubled Aliens Enemies Act the drumpf admin. chose to deport suspected ~ alleged Venezuelan gang members prior to the normal hearings and those very pesky things that the Legislative branch seems to like to throw around. This Aliens Enemies Act was last used to imprison Japanese Americans because the Nation of Japan attacked the United States 80+ years ago.
But, so what, right? I mean, they aren’t even citizens, and it would appear that they are gang members breaking the law. Why shouldn’t they be deported?
Ok, fair question. But, who says they are gang members? Who says they are breaking the law? For that matter, are we even sure they are not citizens? I mean, do you carry around your citizenship papers everyday?
The very people who will go to extremes to demand their 2nd Amendment rights seem to lose focus after #2. They don’t mind the violations of the 4th Amendment – until it happens to them. Until they need it. Until someone takes their rights. And it is the very presence of the 4th’s Due Process that gave us the idea that we are a land of laws and rights that can’t be violated at the whim of the powers that be.
There are those who voted this man in who cheer these violations of due process, but they are the same who voted in a man who supported an insurrection, who then pardoned people who broke into the house of government and vandalized, stole, disrupted, threatened, assaulted, brandished weapons and sought to kill the Vice President.
The same man who stole government secrets and papers, perhaps gave them to our enemies, who was convicted of felonies himself, or at least his administration while he naps and plays golf, is telling you that not only do these people not need a 4th Amendment protection, but that the Judge who demands those protections is to be removed. Perhaps they will see their error when he comes for them?
Hugs. randy
Dark humor
It’s a beautiful sun-shining day today, all of 31 degrees. But that is my life these past weeks: if it’s warm and sunny, I’m at work. If I’m at home and it’s warm, it’s raining. And, if it’s warm and the sun is shining and I’m at home… yeah, I’m too lazy to go out. Who am I kidding. Hugs everyone!
CNN: Lawmakers clash with constituents following more angry town halls
Lawmakers clash with constituents following more angry town halls
Shouts of “January 6” and “tax the rich” flooded a town hall in Laramie, Wyoming, on Wednesday, where GOP Rep. Harriet Hageman faced a hostile crowd as she attempted to drown out the noise and answer questions – the latest such Washington lawmaker to be grilled in their home states.
Read in CNN: https://apple.news/AlF7d6jvGQUWa64vy0Mt0wA
Shared from Apple News
Best Wishes and Hugs,Scottie
Scottie's Playtime 