Peter Matthiessen, At Play in the Fields of the Lord

At Amazon, Peter Matthiessen, At Play in the Fields of the Lord.

ICYMI: Rupert Darwall, Green Tyranny

At Amazon, Rupert Darwall, Green Tyranny: Exposing the Totalitarian Roots of the Climate Industrial Complex.

Third World Dump: Los Angeles Democrats 'Help' the Homeless with Public Toilets

If you read the New York Times' piece from the other day, "End of Apartheid in South Africa?", you would have noticed that black South Africans still live overwhelming in the poverty-infested "townships," one of the key institutions of apartheid. One of the photos at the story showed rows of porta-potties spread along garbage-strewn streets.

Well, it turns out Los Angeles Democrats have a Third World hellhole to emulate.

At the Los Angles Times, "L.A. adds more public toilets as homeless crisis grows":

Los Angeles officials have debated for decades how best to provide for one of the most basic needs of homeless people.

For those camped in the 50-block skid row district, the streets have been an open-air restroom — with only nine toilets available overnight in recent months to as many as 1,800 people camped on sidewalks.

Over the years, the city would install bathrooms and then haul them away after they were commandeered for drug use and prostitution. Some in downtown also worried the restrooms would give a permanence to the homeless camps, and argued that in the lawless atmosphere of skid row, people would not use them.

But with homelessness at crisis proportions, the first new public toilets on skid row in more than a decade opened Monday.

The action represents a new consensus among many downtown interests about how to provide the essential service on skid row. The restrooms also are expected to help in the fight against a statewide hepatitis A outbreak spread by poor hygiene in homeless camps that has killed more than a dozen people in San Diego.

The Los Angeles facilities will be decidedly different from those in the past, both aesthetically and culturally.

A key will be having full-time attendants, whom activists are calling "ambassadors," to monitor the restrooms and make people feel welcome. Homeless advocates also hope to have a snack stand and a bench for resting and chatting with friends, as well as provide feminine hygiene products, which are in short supply on skid row.

The new approach comes as the border between skid row and the rest of downtown is shifting. High-end development is rising at skid row's doorstep, and the tent cities that once were largely limited to skid row are spreading to other parts of the city.

"In other places, the bathrooms might be seen as something that's going to attract certain behaviors or people," said Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council director Nate Cormier, a South Park resident. "We have so many people under those conditions, we're all looking any way we can to turn the tide and deal with the crisis."

The latest $450,000 facility is modest — eight toilets and six showers, operating four days a week, in a trailer on a city-owned parking lot sandwiched between two homeless housing and service agencies. In addition to attendants, the toilets will be monitored by a maintenance crew and security, which organizers hope will forestall the problems that so long soured skid row bathroom politics.

A January expansion will increase the number of showers and toilets and add laundry facilities, officials said.

At the formal opening Monday morning, Mayor Eric Garcetti underlined the community’s role in the project.

"It is for decades that this community has cried out for the need for public restrooms," Garcetti said at the event, which featured a bongo and guitar trio and a dozen other city and county officials. "We know here that this is one step, but it is a critical step."

The celebratory atmosphere was broken when a skid row activist who worked on the project tore up the city certificate of appreciation that Garcetti had handed him.

"It's 10 years late and three times short," General Dogon, a member of the Los Angeles Community Action Network, an anti-poverty group, said as television cameras rolled. "This ain't nothing to what we laid out and what we need."

At the photo at the piece, "Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti tours the new Skid Row Community ReFresh Spot hygiene center."

We should dump his head in a public toilet and see how he likes it, the ghoul.

Driving on the 405 Near the Getty Center

It's Elex Michaelson:

#SkirballFire It’s eerie driving on the 405 near the Getty Center. There are charred hillsides, white smoke and almost no traffic.

Much like the weekend of #Carmageddon, it appears people are avoiding the westside altogether. pic.twitter.com/yIcPxKZasa

— Elex Michaelson (@elex_michaelson) December 6, 2017

Rita Ora Bootylicious (VIDEO)

At LOVE Advent:

Rita Ora is the busy little bootylicious bee of the 2017 LOVE Advent line-up. Directed by Rankin, the British singer is the latest star to be revealed for the sexy festive tradition. Ora’s sultry performance is set to her latest single, Anywhere, with the GIF-style film setting pulses racing.

Isaac Asimov, Foundation

At Amazon, Isaac Asimov, Foundation.

Deal of the Day

At Amazon, Today's Deals.

More, Up to 40% Off Coleman Camping Gear.

And especially, Coleman 24-Piece Enamel Dinnerware Set.

Plus, Samsung Gear VR w/Controller (2017) - Latest Edition - Note 8, GS8s, GS7s, Note 5, GS6s (US Version w/ Warranty).

More, Olive Drab Green Warm Wool Fire Retardant Blanket, 66 x 90 (80% Wool) - U.S. Military.

Also, Carhartt Men's Arctic Quilt Lined Sandstone Traditional Coat.

Still more, Honeywell 360 Degree Surround Fan Forced Heater with Surround Heat Output, Charcoal Grey.

BONUS: Charles A. Murray, Coming Apart: The State of White America, 1960-2010.

Economic Freedom Fighters

Katie Hopkins was tweeting about her supposed upcoming visit to South Africa yesterday, but those tweets have been taken down. Here's a blog post (attacking her) with some screen shots, "Katie Hopkins Joins Apartheid Deniers."

She tweeted:

“If you are a white farmer / former farmer in #SA and would be prepared to share your truths face to face - katie@katiehopkins.co.uk Jan 2018 … Thank you. I am hoping to inspire ‘real journalists’ to get off their sofa / WiFi to search for the stories that matter” she Tweeted. So what are these “stories that matter”?

She also engaged the Economic Freedom Fighters, and I checked them out. They're freakin' hardcore, man. From their "about" page":

Remembering Frantz Fanon who died on this day in 1961 #ForwardToDecolonization pic.twitter.com/I5Ml74OyMr

— EFF (@EFFSouthAfrica) December 6, 2017

1. The ECONOMIC FREEDOM FIGHTERS is a radical and militant economic emancipation movement that brings together revolutionary, fearless, radical, and militant activists, workers’ movements, nongovernmental organisations, community-based organisations and lobby groups under the umbrella of pursuing the struggle for economic emancipation.

2. The EFF is a radical, leftist, anti-capitalist and anti-imperialist movement with an internationalist outlook anchored by popular grassroots formations and struggles. The EFF will be the vanguard of community and workers’ struggles and will always be on the side of the people. The EFF will, with determination and consistency, associate with the protest movement in South Africa and will also join in struggles that defy unjust laws.

3. The EFF takes lessons from the notation that “political power without economic emancipation is meaningless”. The movement is inspired by ideals that promote the practice of organic forms of political leadership, which appreciate that political leadership at whatever level is service, not an opportunity for self-enrichment and self-gratification.

4. The EFF draws inspiration from the broad Marxist-Leninist tradition and Fanonian schools of thought in their analyses of the state, imperialism, culture and class contradictions in every society. Through organic engagement and a constant relationship with the masses, Economic Freedom Fighters provide clear and cogent alternatives to the current neo-colonial economic system, which in many countries keep the oppressed under colonial domination and subject to imperialist exploitation.

5. The EFF is a South African movement with a progressive internationalist outlook, which seeks to engage with global progressive movements. We believe that the best contribution we can make in the international struggle against global imperialism is to rid our country of imperialist domination. For the South African struggle, the EFF pillars for economic emancipation are the following:

a. Expropriation of South Africa’s land without compensation for equal redistribution in      use.
b. Nationalisation of mines, banks, and other strategic sectors of the economy,       
    without compensation.
c. Building state and government capacity, which will lead to the abolishment of 
    tenders.
d. Free quality education, healthcare, houses, and sanitation.
e. Massive protected industrial development to create millions of sustainable jobs,
     including the introduction of minimum wages in order to close the wage gap
     between the rich and the poor, close the apartheid wage gap and promote rapid
     career paths for Africans in the workplace.
f. Massive development of the African economy and advocating for a move from
   reconciliation to justice in the entire continent.
g. Open, accountable, corrupt-free government and society without fear of
    victimisation by state agencies.

6. The EFF appreciates the role played by the fathers and mothers of South Africa’s liberation movement. The EFF draws inspiration from the radical, working class interpretation of the Freedom Charter, because, since its adoption in 1955, there have been various meanings given to the Freedom Charter. The EFF’s interpretation of the Freedom Charter is one which says South Africa indeed belongs to all who live in it, and ownership of South Africa’s economic resources and access to opportunities should reflect that indeed South Africa belongs to all who live in it. The EFF’s interpretation of the Freedom Charter is that which says the transfer of mineral wealth beneath the soil, monopoly industries and banks means nationalisation of mines, banks and monopoly industries.

7. The EFF’s interpretation of the Freedom Charter also accepts that while the state is in command and in control of the commanding heights of South Africa’s economy, “people shall have equal rights to trade where they choose, to manufacture and to enter all trades, crafts and professions”, meaning that there will never be wholesale nationalisation and state control of every sector of South Africa’s economy. Nationalisation of strategic sectors and assets will be blended with a strong industrial policy to support social and economic development.

8. Economic Freedom Fighters will contest political power, because we are guided by the firm belief that we need political power in order to capture the state and then transform the economy for the emancipation of black South Africans, especially Africans. The forms in which the EFF contests political power will, from time to time, be reviewed in the light of prevailing circumstances, but the primary role of mass organisation and activism, as a means to raise the political consciousness of the people, will remain the bedrock of our political practice.

9. Therefore, the EFF will be involved in mass movements and community protests that seek the betterment of people’s lives. The EFF will also associate with movements that demand land through land occupation, aimed at making the message clear that our people do need land. The EFF will support all trade unions and workers that stand up in demand of better working conditions and salaries wherever and whenever they do so. The EFF will not be bound by narrow alliance loyalties that compromise the interests of workers just because they are in a different trade union. Our pursuit of the basic demands of the Freedom Charter is above forms of organisation that the working class, and indeed black people, may fashion in the course of struggles. In other words, alliances and other forms of organisation are relevant to the extent that they maximise our march towards realising the vision outlined in the Freedom Charter.

10. The EFF is guided by revolutionary internationalism and solidarity that defined the politics of the July 26 Movement, which led the Cuban Revolutionary struggles. We will partake in international struggles that seek to emancipate the economically unliberated people of Africa and the world. We will form part of the progressive movements in the world that stand against continued imperialist domination.

Aims and Objectives:

To establish and sustain a society that cherishes revolutionary cultural values and to create conditions for total political and economic emancipation, prosperity and equitable distribution of wealth of the nation.
To attain and defend the National Integrity and Liberation of the oppressed black majority of South Africa.
To participate in the worldwide struggle for the complete eradication of imperialism, colonialism, racism and all other forms of discrimination.
To participate in, support and promote all struggles for the attainment of the complete independence and unity of African states and by extension, the African continent.
To oppose resolutely, tribalism, regionalism, religious and cultural intolerance.
To oppose oppression of women and the oppression of all other gendered persons.
To oppose patriarchy, sexism, and homophobia and any cultural or religious practices that promotes the oppression of anyone, women in particular.

Why is Everything Burning?

Arson's one of the main causes of the fires. It makes me so angry.

A good piece, at USA Today, "California fires: Why is everything burning?"

#California #wildfires: Why is everything burning? https://t.co/dJzSwZBa1A

— Donald Douglas (@AmPowerBlog) December 8, 2017

Gift Guide

Love it, heh.

At the O.C. Register, "Holiday gift guide."

Holiday gift guide https://t.co/o0atK2lX6q pic.twitter.com/nrVDsOXbcM

— O.C. Register (@ocregister) December 8, 2017

Porn Star August Ames Commits Suicide

This story is sad and infuriating.

At the Independent Journal Review, "Porn Star August Ames Found Dead After Bullying Over Refusing to Shoot With Man Who Does Gay Scenes."

TWITTER- @AugustAmesxxx ❤
INSTAGRAM- https://t.co/UB42y0wW9q ❤
ONLYFANS- https://t.co/CpeVxiWNnI ❤
WISHLIST- https://t.co/Qj9lsCzcnV ❤ pic.twitter.com/9FLF3XehkW

— AugustAmesFan™ (@AugustAmesFan) December 4, 2017

Also, at the Federalist, "Porn Star Commits Suicide After Mob Hounds Her for Refusing Partner Who Had Gay Sex":

August Ames was a porn star who said she would not have sex on camera with a guy who had done gay porn. Apprently the "tolerance brigade" of gay porn starns litterally hounded her until she really did kill herself

— Kinda Bored & Why Am I Wasting Time Here? (@lamblock) December 8, 2017

The Gaystapo drove August Ames to suicide because she wouldn’t work with a crossover actor in a state where it’s no longer illegal to knowingly infect someone with AIDS.

— Craigé Schmuckatelli (@CraigR3521) December 8, 2017

For a while now, the joke has been that political correctness is moving so swiftly that not only will you have to approve of gay sex, it will become mandatory. I don’t mean this as an unfortunately literal bit of gallows humor, but Ames’ death does raise eyebrows because it speaks to a frightening dystopia where any traditional deference to female vulnerability becomes subservient to liberal pieties about sexuality.

The day Ames killed herself, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments about a case involving a Colorado cake baker who doesn’t want to make cakes for gay weddings. The baker, quite understandably and credibly, insists there’s a rather large expressive and artistic component to his vocation, so he shouldn’t be forced to endorse any particular message or religious ceremony he disagrees with. The counterargument is that it’s just a cake, and as long as you’re open for business, you have to serve anyone without discrimination.

Well, I’m scratching my head trying to figure out how Ames’s detractors weren’t extending the exact same logic of “public accommodation” to her. After all, she’s open for business, if you want to call it that. Wouldn’t it be discrimination to exclude working with an entire class of people?

RTWT.

Scenic View

Viewed on Twitter:

pic.twitter.com/1rYubbm8rj

— Jessica Miller (@camstarwar) October 29, 2017

'Say You Love Me'

From yesterday's drive-time, at Jack FM Los Angeles:

Pearl Jam
Alive
9:17 AM

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
American Girl
9:16 AM

Capital Cities
Safe And Sound
12/06/17
9:13 AM

Pink Floyd
Another Brick In The Wall
9:10 AM

Berlin
The Metro
9:06 AM

AC/DC
Dirty Deeds
8:54 AM

Third Eye Blind
Semi-Charmed Life
8:49 AM

David Bowie
China Girl
8:45 AM

Elton John
Rocket Man
8:40 AM

Kings Of Leon
Use Somebody
8:37 AM

ZZ Top
Sharp Dressed Man
8:32 AM

Dead Or Alive
You Spin Me Round
8:22 AM

Red Hot Chili Peppers
Dani California
8:17 AM

Fleetwood Mac
Say You Love Me
8:13 AM

REO Speedwagon
Keep On Loving You
8:06 AM

New Order
Bizarre Love Triangle
8:03 AM

Today's Shopping

At Amazon, Today's Deals.

See especially, Save Up to 40% on Maxi-Cosi & Safety 1st Car Seats.

Plus, Shop Fisher-Price Toys.

And, Save 30% or More on Toys from ECR4Kids.

More, Olive Drab Green Warm Wool Fire Retardant Blanket, 66 x 90 (80% Wool) - U.S. Military.

Also, Carhartt Men's Arctic Quilt Lined Sandstone Traditional Coat.

Still more, Honeywell 360 Degree Surround Fan Forced Heater with Surround Heat Output, Charcoal Grey.

BONUS: Douglas Massey, American Apartheid: Segregation and the Making of the Underclass.

The Silence Breakers

Time jumped the shark years ago. They can't give the "person of the year" to just one person. It has to be for a movement, otherwise no one would give a fuck.

Here, "The Silence Breakers."

“Women have had it with bosses and coworkers who not only cross boundaries but don’t even seem to know that boundaries exist,” Time magazine writes. “These silence breakers have started a revolution of refusal, gathering strength by the day.” pic.twitter.com/NUr6wo50ZR

— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) December 6, 2017

Sara Sampaio for LOVE Advent (VIDEO)

Here's the latest installment:

SoCal Wildfires (VIDEO)

Here's the report from last night at CBS Evening News:

Wildfire on the Sepulveda Pass, Nearby the Getty Center (VIDEO)

The 405 freeway is closed nearby the Getty Center in Los Angeles.

At CBS News 2 Los Angeles:

Evelyn Taft's Wildfires Forecast

It's bad people.

Something like 150 structures destroyed by fire up in Ventura. It was windy, cold, and dry when I left for work yesterday at 6:00am. Then I saw the news about the fires.

Here's the lovely Ms. Evelyn. Stay safe, folks:

The Tax Reform Bill is Killing and Raping Americans

Oh my goodness this is cracking me up!

Leftists have lost their minds, heh.

From yesterday's roundup, at Maggie's Farm, "Tuesday morning links."

BONUS: Today's roundup, "Wednesday morning links."