gowestyoungman's recent activity
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Comment on What kinds of part time jobs did you do when you first entered the job market? in ~life
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Comment on Today is the UK courts decision day on Julian Assange's extradition to the US in ~news
gowestyoungman Link ParentThe reason Epstein is particularly appropriate in this case is because there is very real concern that he won't suicide, but that those he has exposed will find a way to kill him in prison and...The reason Epstein is particularly appropriate in this case is because there is very real concern that he won't suicide, but that those he has exposed will find a way to kill him in prison and make it look like a suicide. Thats different than committing suicide and why the Epstein moniker was used.
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Comment on Today is the UK courts decision day on Julian Assange's extradition to the US in ~news
gowestyoungman (edited )Link ParentYou seem to be focusing on one dump, the Turkish names released, and ignoring some of the very significant cables and videos that he released. Not the least of which is Collateral Murder, which...You seem to be focusing on one dump, the Turkish names released, and ignoring some of the very significant cables and videos that he released. Not the least of which is Collateral Murder, which fundamentally changed the way many people viewed the US Armed Forces and their view on the war in Iraq. You cant watch American soldiers shred the bodies of journalists with massive rounds and then go on to kill the Good Samaritan who stops to help the wounded, while nearly killing his children, and not be moved to anger. I would go so far as to say it was a significant turning point that caused a massive drop of support of that war, which ultimately ended up costing hundreds of thousands of Iraqi lives, possibly up to 600,000 and over 4,000 American troops.
For NOTHING.
Bush, Powell, Cheney and Rumsfeld should all be serving hard time in a federal penitentiary for their war crimes. Instead the US is leaving no stone unturned in an effort to harass Assange, keep him in prison for the rest of his life and outrageously arguing that his leaks 'may have put people in danger' - Its so outlandish its lunacy.
Trillions of dollars wasted, hundreds of thousands of people killed, and a pointless war that turned much of the world against the US Endless Wars and starkly pointed out that the US administration will bold face lie and deceive (no weapons of mass destruction, chemical warfare mobile labs, nuclear weapons) its populace in order to promote a pointless war.
We wont even go deep into the mass troop suicides that have happened after Iraq as soldiers come to the realization they were used and their buddies died for zero reason - Thirty thousand veterans have died by suicide in just the Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom conflicts over 20 years. That's sickening.
Against this profound and starkly shocking release, your complaint about the release of names of Turkish female voters, while disturbing, is hardly enough reason to imprison the man and make his life hell for years. Several American politicians have called for his head on a platter and the way the US has spied on him and tried to trap him even while he was hiding out in the Ecuadorian embassy is reprehensible.
I support the man for numerous reasons. One is that Ive read a lot of the cables and releases and the information in them is shocking. We are so often fed bs from our gov's but its very eye opening to read how they actually operate behind the veil.
Also, he has the support of some brave and honorable people who have also gone to the wall for truth, not the least of which is John Pilger, Noam Chomsky, Tulsi Gabbard, Edward Snowden and Daniel Ellsberg (Pentagon Papers, Vietnam War).
In comparison those who hate him are those who hated being exposed. Hillary Clinton is at the top of that list. She was extremely embarrassed by some of the manipulation and outright gossip that he revealed from her diplomatic cables and harming her chances at the presidency.
I also support the man because major news organizations around the world can see the lasting effects that his conviction would bring and many are in support of him. Just the fact that he's been in prison this long awaiting a decision on his extradition has had a chilling effect on reporting corruption. Thus organizations like the Committee to Protect Journalists, The International Federation of Journalists, Pen International and most importantly Daniel Ellsberg's Freedom of the Press Foundation are all shouting the message that if Assange is convicted then freedom of the press is in jeopardy and corrupt governments will be able to hide their crimes in the dark without a free press. With all due respect, I trust their judgment of the situation much more than any average observer - they have a lot of skin in the game.
Assange's personality may even be objectionable in some ways, but its not his personality thats on trial. Its literally the right to publish gov secrets that are damaging to our society, to the entire world. Truth wants to be free, but it needs very brave people to push it out into the public and face the anger of those who have been exposed. He's one of the only people to do it, and the list of whistleblowers is so short that we know them by name.
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Comment on If you had up to US$250 to get one person into a hobby you're interested in, what would you do to get them started? in ~hobbies
gowestyoungman Link ParentI learned most of it from my father and woodshop in school, but youtube does have a surprising number of helpful videos.I learned most of it from my father and woodshop in school, but youtube does have a surprising number of helpful videos.
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Comment on What did you do this week (and weekend)? in ~talk
gowestyoungman Link ParentThe water stays in the tub, which is good because currently our well is not producing very much (5 gallons a day - it should be 5 gallons a minute) and we cant afford to waste any. Yes, the tub...The water stays in the tub, which is good because currently our well is not producing very much (5 gallons a day - it should be 5 gallons a minute) and we cant afford to waste any. Yes, the tub water is filtered with a disposable filter that gets replaced every few months. Meanwhile you have to test the water periodically and add chemicals to keep the pH in the proper range. That keeps the water clear and keeps it from getting smelly or even growing algae.
Thanks, Im 100% sure she's gonna love it, especially in winter since she loves cold air and hot soaking. -
Comment on Today is the UK courts decision day on Julian Assange's extradition to the US in ~news
gowestyoungman LinkFor those who have been following, Julian Assange has now been imprisoned for 1865 days. This is from his latest support email three days ago: There are now only three days left until a UK court...For those who have been following, Julian Assange has now been imprisoned for 1865 days.
This is from his latest support email three days ago:
There are now only three days left until a UK court will give its decision on the most consequential free press case of our generation: whether to allow the extradition of Julian Assange to the United States for truthful publishing which revealed war crimes, human rights violations and corruption.
Universally decried as an attack on the public’s right to know and journalism itself – the courts decision will determine if Mr. Assange can be transferred to the very country which planned to murder him in a plot described by lawyers for Assange in February as “truly breathtaking”.
Speaking on Wednesday to gathered journalists at a press briefing for the Foreign Press Association, Julian Assange’s wife Stella Assange, WikiLeaks Editor-in-Chief Kristinn Hrafnsson, Reporters Without Borders Rebecca Vincent and lawyer Jennifer Robinson outlined their grave concerns over the handling of the case, with Stella Assange telling reporters that Julian could be just one decision away from extradition.
https://twitter.com/FreeAssangeNews/status/1790717874379616767Lawyer Jennifer Robinson speaking via video link from Assange’s home country of Australia said that journalists everywhere should be deeply worried as the US was trying to set a precedent exercising jurisdiction over any journalist or editor anywhere in the world – yet would not afford them the same basic rights as US citizens if extradited. Stella Assange last month labeled US ‘non-assurances’ that Julian could “seek to raise” First Amendment protection once extradited as “weasel-words”; Amnesty International have previously said that US ‘assurances’ were “not worth the paper they are written on”.
https://twitter.com/FreeAssangeNews/status/1790720214016929853WikiLeaks’ Kristinn Hrafnsson said that it was abundantly clear that Julian Assange is a political prisoner, going on to say that it would be a “judicial scandal” if on Monday the court chose to accept US ‘non-assurances’.
https://twitter.com/FreeAssangeNews/status/1790720049545691187Reporters Without Borders’ Rebecca Vincent called on the Biden administration to immediately halt proceedings against the WikiLeaks publisher and to “act in the interest of press freedom and journalism, rather than enabling this very dangerous prosecution that will tarnish the reputation forever of the country of the First Amendment"
https://twitter.com/FreeAssangeNews/status/1790725944799293633
https://twitter.com/FreeAssangeNews/status/1790720214016929853.Stella Assange said that she expected a decision to be given on Monday – although nothing in the case was certain. Describing her need to stay positive, yet realistic, Mrs. Assange said that Julian could either be very close to being freed – or could be imminently on a plane to “never see freedom ever again.”
https://twitter.com/FreeAssangeNews/status/1791095601397940281
Should the UK court allow extradition the only bar to his immediate extradition would be the European Court of Human Rights – although it is by no means certain that the court would intervene.
On Tuesday Mr. Assange was visited by Council of Europe rapporteur Sunna Ævarsdóttir who expressed deep concern over his well-being and warned that his harsh treatment would deter others who “wish to report truthful information pertaining to armed conflicts”.
At this most crucial of times, with Julian's life hanging in the balance we urgently call for citizens to join us at the Royal Courts of Justice, London, WC2A 2LL from 8.30am on Monday May 20th to leave the world in no doubt of the strength of feeling,and our implacable determination to see Julian Assange freed and re-united with his young family.
Amnesty: “It is unacceptable that years of Mr. Assange’s life have been stolen"
Be on the right side of history – demand the immediate release of Julian Assange and protect your right to know.
More details here: https://freeassange.org/donate/
The grave concern from his supporters is if Assange is extradited that he will not only face a life in prison but there is great fear he may "Jeffrey Epstein" in prison. Given the abject hatred that some powerful politicians have expressed toward him, this doesn't seem unfounded.
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Today is the UK courts decision day on Julian Assange's extradition to the US
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Comment on What did you do this week (and weekend)? in ~talk
gowestyoungman LinkI bought a mini hot tub, a SpaBerry two person hot tub. My wife has arthritis and takes very hot baths nightly for relief and it dawned on me that rather than use up our precious well water on a...I bought a mini hot tub, a SpaBerry two person hot tub. My wife has arthritis and takes very hot baths nightly for relief and it dawned on me that rather than use up our precious well water on a nightly bath, a hot tub would make more sense. I got it off the trailer myself and its sitting outside, getting ready to fill. We're looking forward to spending some evenings outside, soaking in the heat and enjoying the great outdoors at the same time.
The cool thing about SpaBerry is that they're movable by one person with a bit of ambition and they run on 120v so you dont need special wiring. Just fill and plug it in. FAR less work than a typical 6 person spa.
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Comment on The spectacular failure of the Star Wars hotel in ~movies
gowestyoungman LinkIs that video.... FOUR hours long? I hope the presenter is amazingly entertaining.Is that video.... FOUR hours long? I hope the presenter is amazingly entertaining.
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Comment on If you had up to US$250 to get one person into a hobby you're interested in, what would you do to get them started? in ~hobbies
gowestyoungman LinkWoodworking. For $250 I could buy them good used woodworking tools online or at any pawn shop. Ryobi has very reasonably priced 18v power tools so a drill, driver, powersaw and jigsaw would be a...Woodworking.
For $250 I could buy them good used woodworking tools online or at any pawn shop. Ryobi has very reasonably priced 18v power tools so a drill, driver, powersaw and jigsaw would be a good start. Then a set of screwdrivers, some glue, clamps and scrap boards and we'd be off to the races. -
Comment on Fecal microbiota transplant: Inside the black market for human poop in ~health
gowestyoungman (edited )LinkI look forward to more research and finding out how to access a fecal matter transfer safely from a certified supplier. Like anything else in the medical field, you can be sure there are labs...I look forward to more research and finding out how to access a fecal matter transfer safely from a certified supplier. Like anything else in the medical field, you can be sure there are labs working overtime behind the scenes to find out how effective this can be and then hope to corner the market so they can sell an expensive miracle poop pill. If its possible it'll happen.
Meanwhile I have a great deal of sympathy for those who suffer from gastro problems. Ive never had anything more than stomach cramps for most of my life but suddenly, during covid, I developed severe gastrointestinal pains. They were so bad one day when I was on a road trip that I pulled over because I was in too much pain to drive and there was a point that I thought I might pass out. It was intense and lasted for 6 hours and there was no way to get relief. I honestly think getting stabbed would be less painful. My daughter (an MD) asked why I didnt go to emergency, but I was in so much pain that I wasn't even thinking straight.
Fortunately I have a med that seems to keep it at bay and it only seems to be a very intense case of GERD. Gastroesophageal reflux disease. But in the moment of that attack if someone had told me they had a solution that would calm my gut, but it would involve an awkward enema and cost $5000 I would've paid them in a second.
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Comment on Students invent quieter leaf blower in ~engineering
gowestyoungman Link ParentIm all in on banning gas lawnmowers and going electric only. Now that Ive had both, I can honestly say there's no advantage to gas anymore, other than faster 'refueling' but thats solvable by...Im all in on banning gas lawnmowers and going electric only. Now that Ive had both, I can honestly say there's no advantage to gas anymore, other than faster 'refueling' but thats solvable by having two batteries in the latest mowers - you mow with one while the other one is charging and then swap them. Not a big deal and far less hassle, less smell, less work than running to the service station for gas. Going electric for lawn and garden equipment is a no brainer and I wouldnt be surprised if gas mowers go bye bye within a few years - they sit around all winter and always give you grief in the spring anyway. Such a pain.
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Comment on I am a witch. Well, a well witcher... in ~talk
gowestyoungman Link ParentGood word. Im gonna admit to Littlestitiousness. Also the name of my garage band.Good word. Im gonna admit to Littlestitiousness. Also the name of my garage band.
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Comment on ‘Furiosa’ fires up Cannes with six-minute standing ovation for Anya Taylor-Joy and teary Chris Hemsworth in ~movies
gowestyoungman LinkJust a comment that the '6 minute ovation' in the title is not really an indication of the quality of a Cannes film. Ive read more than one article that says that long ovations are now pretty much...Just a comment that the '6 minute ovation' in the title is not really an indication of the quality of a Cannes film. Ive read more than one article that says that long ovations are now pretty much standard and expected at most big flicks at Cannes and whether its 4 minutes or 6 or 8 is more an indication of a crowd that desperately hopes for its own self aggrandizement and recognition when their turn comes, than an indication of a superb film.
Having said that, I dont care. I'll go because its got fantastic special effects and I could stare at Anya Taylor-Joy for two hours just because she's intriguingly beautiful.
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Comment on I am a witch. Well, a well witcher... in ~talk
gowestyoungman Link ParentIm not really defending dowsing because I really dont have a vested interest in it just a fun thing that happened yesterday, but there ARE things that exist in this universe that are inexplicable....Im not really defending dowsing because I really dont have a vested interest in it just a fun thing that happened yesterday, but there ARE things that exist in this universe that are inexplicable. Science does not and cannot prove or disprove everything. We can have theories, we can run experiments, we can hypothesize but some things are still a mystery - for instance, what happens to us after we die? Science doesnt know nor can it prove anything, only theorize, postulate and wait to find out for ourselves.
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Comment on ‘Mitzvah night is cancelled’ Inside the sex strike that has infuriated husbands and shaken the ultra-Orthodox world in ~life.women
gowestyoungman Link ParentI have had that thought but expressed more broadly as 'this is why fanaticism should not exist'. In any realm. I have very little problem with people of a particular faith, or political belief, or...This is why insular groups shouldn't exist.
I have had that thought but expressed more broadly as 'this is why fanaticism should not exist'. In any realm. I have very little problem with people of a particular faith, or political belief, or lifestyle choice as long as they are not fanatical and proselytizing that everyone else should believe as they do and support them without question which I also see as hurting others and significantly lacking respect.
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Comment on I am a witch. Well, a well witcher... in ~talk
gowestyoungman Link ParentInteresting. Ive never thought of myself as the least bit superstitious. I see it more as a phenomenom that I dont understand but I dont ascribe any mystical or supernatural beliefs to it which...Interesting. Ive never thought of myself as the least bit superstitious. I see it more as a phenomenom that I dont understand but I dont ascribe any mystical or supernatural beliefs to it which Ive always thought of as the basis for a superstition.
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Comment on I am a witch. Well, a well witcher... in ~talk
gowestyoungman Link ParentIt could easily be bio blockage. Also the sudden insertion of a large amount of water from his water truck puts pressure on the slits to open them up. I live in a small rural subdivision and asked...It could easily be bio blockage. Also the sudden insertion of a large amount of water from his water truck puts pressure on the slits to open them up.
I live in a small rural subdivision and asked for recommendations for the local well experts in our local fb group. Apparently its this guy or the other guy, so I have a 50% chance of picking the best guy for the job, but he does come recommended :)
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Comment on ‘Mitzvah night is cancelled’ Inside the sex strike that has infuriated husbands and shaken the ultra-Orthodox world in ~life.women
gowestyoungman Link ParentExactly my thought too. If this was written by an outside reporter looking for clicks and eyeballs, it would very easily have descended into casting aspersions on these orthodox enclaves. I dont...Exactly my thought too. If this was written by an outside reporter looking for clicks and eyeballs, it would very easily have descended into casting aspersions on these orthodox enclaves. I dont know much about extremely conservative Judaism so I found this peek behind the veil fascinating.
The only other recent media Ive seen about it was the movie 'Unorthodox' which was again, fascinating, but more critical of the community but well worth watching
I think its intriguing to visit these kinds of places which is why Ive visited a Jewish synagogue, a Hutterite colony, a Sikh temple, many variations of Christian/Catholic churches, Mormon temple, and even a Masonic Lodge (not during ceremonies) in the past. People are vastly different in belief but there is something of value to be learned from each belief system.
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Comment on I am a witch. Well, a well witcher... in ~talk
gowestyoungman Link ParentWith all due respect to the "God is having a laugh" guy, he seems to believe heavily in the mystical side of dowsing. You dont have to believe there's anything 'supernatural' about it to see it work.With all due respect to the "God is having a laugh" guy, he seems to believe heavily in the mystical side of dowsing. You dont have to believe there's anything 'supernatural' about it to see it work.
Painted houses in university and for a year or two afterwards. Started my own company and had enough business to run two crews. It didnt make me a millionaire but it was steady work during three seasons of the year and it kept 5 of us employed. Winter time I did interiors but that takes more skill and I worked alone on those.