One of my childhood memories is that of all my toys being eaten up by our dogs. Army men, you know the green and grey figurines, always were chewed to Hell. I rarely ever saw my sisters dolls suffer the same fate. Probably for one reason or the other.
I never thought too much about it. I would just shrug my shoulders and consider it a part of my life. Ah. I was used to it.
I used to have this Major Matt Mason space toy. I had a couple of figurines and a space-station. One day I came home only to find my dog chewing up a major truss support. *sigh*
From that moment on, I adapted and used the chewed up truss in my play time activities.
So looking back, I think that this adaptation of adverse situations had a positive effect on my life. It made me more adaptive and resilient. I think that how we grow creates our personality. In this case, it was chew marks on all my toys.
How the dog got into my perpetually closed bedroom door remains a mystery. Though, I do have my suspicions.
Don’t ever forget. Remember the little things that you grew up. Like puzzle pieces they all come together in the end.
Today…
Hot Dog Chili
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 8 hot dogs or turkey hot dogs, cut lengthwise then into 1/2 inch pieces
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
- 2 (14 ounce) cans mild chili beans (not drained)
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup yellow mustard
- 1/4 cup relish
- 4 ounces chopped green chiles (optional)
- Salt
- Pepper
- Chopped onions and shredded Cheddar cheese for garnish
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large, heavy saucepan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add hot dogs and onions to the oil. Cook until hot dogs are browned, about 5 minutes.
- Add remaining ingredients. Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes.
- Taste and adjust seasonings.
- Serve hot, topped with chopped onions and shredded cheddar cheese.
The Real Reason Army Recruitment Is Plummeting
If there was a war between China and America, who would win?
China.
There’s a basic reason.
Chinese society considers society a feature. Chinese people (for the most part) reject Jewish supremacy. Chinese reject every social ill that can be used to divide the Chinese people, be it radical tribalism or liberal left-right-ism in all its forms. Chinese raised 800 million out of extreme poverty. Chinese built high speed rails all over their country. Chinese did not allow their GDP figures to be inflated, but rather, China ensured that the rich must benefit the entire nation, and not just themselves. Even then, China’s GDP is growing much faster than America’s GDP.
“The law in its majestic equality forbids the rich as well as the poor to beg in the street, to sleep under bridges, and to steal bread.”
— Anatole France
In American society, homelessness and desperate poverty are a feature, not a bug. Homeless panhandlers begging in the streets are a salutary reminder to American wage slaves of what’s in store for them if they don’t keep their shoulders to the wheel and their noses to the grindstone.
Western society in general is based on the relentless exploitation of the poor by the rich, the weak by the strong. You eat your own. Everyone in America kisses the ass of the person above them in the social order and shits on the one below them.
This is the way you like it. Why else the relentless persecution of the widow, the orphan, and the refugee? Why the gleeful mistreatment of the poor, making them abase themselves and jump through hoops for a pittance? You enjoy watching those less fortunate than you suffer, just as those more fortunate than you take pleasure in your misery.
You like it. You voted for it. You will vote for it again. You will trample on those that are lesser than you, even as you cry about being trampled by those above you.
This is the Way.
It’s a way China rejects, but it’s your way.
As benevolent as China is, China cannot help a masochistic society.
Using DNA, authorities identify man who brutally killed Dana Ireland in 1991
Why are Western countries so salty about the cooperation between China and Africa?
Western countries’ discontent with China-Africa relations isn’t about concern for African well-being—it’s about losing their grip. China’s approach flips the script by offering genuine development opportunities without colonial baggage. For decades, Africa has been reliant on aid and loans from Western nations and institutions like the IMF and World Bank, which often come with stringent conditions that can disrupt local economies and perpetuate dependency rather than foster real growth. Conditions such as structural adjustment policies (SAPs) demanded economic liberalization and reduced government spending, often to the detriment of local sectors like agriculture and small businesses.
In stark contrast, China provides infrastructure projects and funding without demanding sweeping political reforms, allowing African countries to chart their paths to development. The effectiveness of this approach is notably visible—Chinese-funded projects like roads, railways, and airports are transforming landscapes across Africa, achieving what Western aid has often failed to accomplish. China’s development model is based on mutual benefit and respect for sovereignty, focusing on tangible improvements in infrastructure and industrial capacity that meet the specific needs of African nations.
Financially, China’s engagement with Africa creates significant competition for Western businesses. Chinese banks have outpaced their Western counterparts in lending to Africa, providing vital financial support during global crises such as the economic downturns and the COVID-19 pandemic. According to reports, China’s development banks lent around $23 billion to sub-Saharan Africa, more than double the combined amount from the US, Germany, France, and Japan. This shift means Western countries, accustomed to having a monopoly over African markets, now face real competition from China’s efficient and large-scale ventures.
Moreover, accusations of “debt-trap diplomacy” raised by Western critics claim that China’s loans are unsustainable and infringe on African sovereignty. However, many African leaders and experts rebut these claims, noting that Chinese loans often come with more favorable terms compared to Western financial institutions. They also highlight that undue focus on debt ignores the broader context of infrastructure and economic advancement these loans support.
Another layer to Western consternation is rooted in deep-seated racial and cultural biases. The cooperation between China and Africa challenges the long-standing narrative of Western superiority and undermines the paternalistic attitude that has historically characterized Western aid. The perception that African nations are incapable of managing their affairs without Western oversight is deeply ingrained, and China’s success in establishing equal partnerships based on mutual benefit disrupts this ideology.
Therefore, Western countries’ irritation over China-Africa cooperation can be boiled down to a mix of threatened economic interests, disrupted historical influence, and underlying racial biases. China’s strategy of engaging with Africa stands in stark contrast to the conditional and often patronizing methods of Western nations, thereby promoting a new dynamic that favors African autonomy and sustainable development.
“Victor Davis Hanson: Please Listen… Because This is Important!!”
Russia’s unemployment rate is at an all-time low, wages are up, and Russians are spending money on leisure and recreation.
It will be interesting to see how Russia’s central banker, Elvira Nabiullina, deals with the impending Western stock market crash. She did a spectacular job in dealing with US sanctions, outwitting Biden, Nuland, Blinken, Sullivan, and the rest of the US kakistocracy.
Here’s the article:
Real disposable income of Russians (net of inflation and mandatory payments, such as taxes and interest on loans) increased by 9.6% in April-June, according to Rosstat agency data. This is a record figure since 2013, when the methodology for calculating the indicator changed. The last time real incomes grew at a rate close to the maximum was in the first quarter of 2022 (by 8.9%). Compared to January-March, the growth of real disposable income of Russians hit 8.7%. In the first half of 2024, the figure increased by 8.1%.
Such an increase in income is primarily a consequence of a shortage of personnel. The unemployment rate fell to 2.4% in June, hitting a new all-time low. In May, the figure was at the level of 2.6%. Earlier, the Central Bank warned that in the second quarter, the provision of personnel updated the historical minimum in the history of observations. According to the monitoring of enterprises conducted by the Bank of Russia, there was a shortage of engineers, installers, IT personnel, warehouse workers and drivers.
The most acute shortage continued to be experienced by Russian manufacturing enterprises producing investment and consumer products. The head of the Central Bank, Elvira Nabiullina, noted that 75% of Russian companies complain about the shortage of personnel.
The problem of personnel shortages on the Russian work market, the training and competition in the labor market will stay in the coming years, Minister of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov said last February. According to Reshetnikov, this is now one of the main risks in the Russian economy.
How did incomes grow?
Cash income (on average per capita) amounted to 58,191 rubles in the second quarter, which is 16.8% more than in the same period last year. The acceleration in growth was mainly due to higher wages. In the structure of monetary incomes of the population, the share of wages increased from 59.9% in the second quarter of 2023 to 62% in April-June 2024. At the same time, the part that falls on social benefits decreased to 17.3% from 19%. Earnings from entrepreneurial activity in the total income structure also fell – by 0.9 percentage points to 5.9%. Other revenues, including shadow income, decreased from 7.5% to 6.6%.
The growth of incomes was also accompanied by an increase in household expenditures – they increased by 13.9% in the first half of the year compared to the same period last year. And Russians spent about 3 trillion rubles on savings in January-June (in 2023 for the same period – 1.8 trillion rubles).
The Central Bank of Russia has increased its growth forecast in 2024 by 0.3 p.p. to 3.2%. Analysts expect Russian GDP to grow by 1.7-1.8% in 2025-2027.
The IMF forecast the Russian GDP growth to reach 3.2% in 2024 and 1.5% in 2025.
Wages of Russians
Real wages in May increased by 8.8% in annual terms, nominal (before taxes) – by 17.8%, according to Rosstat. For five months, the growth of real wages amounted to 10.1%, nominal wages – 18.7%. On average, one employee in May earned for 86,384 rubles (around 927 euros).
The highest growth rates of wages in May were observed in the field of leisure, recreation and sports (by 29.5%), in the production of clothing – by 27.2%, coke – by 26.8%, in administrative activities – 26.6%, in wood processing – by 25.5%, in the financial and insurance sectors – by 24.8%, in the activities of extraterritorial organizations (including diplomatic missions) – by 24.7%. Also, wages in the production of finished metal products, computers and furniture grew at a rate of more than 23%.
In absolute terms, the highest salaries were traditionally observed in the fuel and energy sector – in pipeline transport (311,205 rubles), in oil and gas production (211,339 rubles), as well as in the financial and insurance sector (185,792 rubles).
Regional Breakdown
The lowest unemployment rate was recorded in Moscow (1%), Novgorod and Nizhny Novgorod regions (1.3% each), Khanty-Mansiysk, Yamalo-Nenets and Chukotka districts, in the Khabarovsk Territory (1.4% each), Bashkortostan (1.5%). At the same time, a high level is observed in the North Caucasus Federal District – in Ingushetia, unemployment in May amounted to 26.7%, in Dagestan – 10.8%.
In May, wages in the sectoral context grew at the highest rates in the Kurgan Region (by 30.1%), the Stavropol Territory (by 24.8%), Udmurtia (by 23.5%), the Bryansk Region and the Trans-Baikal Territory (by 23.4%), as well as in the Pskov Region (by 23.1%), the Chelyabinsk Region (by 22.9%), the Smolensk Region (by 22%), as well as in the Republic of Mari El (by 22%).
What professions are in demand in Russia in 2024
Drivers, loaders, delivery men, sales representatives and promoters have become especially in demand now, reported the Sovcombank. Since the beginning of 2024, drivers – 417 thousand and couriers – 115 thousand – have been looking for the largest number of published vacancies. Russian companies also lack 70 thousand loaders, reported Лента.Ру with reference to the data of the Работа в Москве, поиск персонала и публикация вакансий – hh.ru portal.
In May, wages in the sectoral context grew at the highest rates in the Kurgan Region (by 30.1%), the Stavropol Territory (by 24.8%), Udmurtia (by 23.5%), the Bryansk Region and the Trans-Baikal Territory (by 23.4%), as well as in the Pskov Region (by 23.1%), the Chelyabinsk Region (by 22.9%), the Smolensk Region (by 22%), as well as in the Republic of Mari El (by 22%).
What professions are in demand in Russia in 2024
Drivers, loaders, delivery men, sales representatives and promoters have become especially in demand now, reported the Sovcombank. Since the beginning of 2024, drivers – 417 thousand and couriers – 115 thousand – have been looking for the largest number of published vacancies. Russian companies also lack 70 thousand loaders, reported Лента.Ру with reference to the data of the Работа в Москве, поиск персонала и публикация вакансий – hh.ru portal.
West exhausted, Ukraine losing, NATO refuses peace
What would a second Trump presidency mean for China?
Whoever gets elected as the US president will not change the trajectory of the continuous decline of the US and the continuous uprising of China.
I’m calling this a financial crisis for the US kakistocracy. The faltering US domestic economy has triggered worldwide sell-offs in stock markets, cryptocurrencies, and commodities markets like gold. In the last six months, US banks have set aside reserves for significant, predicted loan losses in commercial real estate.
From the article:
NEW YORK (AP) — Nearly everything on Wall Street is tumbling Monday as fear about a slowing U.S. economy worsens and sets off another sell-off for financial markets around the world.
The S&P 500 was down by 2.4% in afternoon trading. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was reeling by 864 points, or 2.2%, as of 1:25 p.m. Eastern time, and the Nasdaq composite slid 2.8%.
The drops were just the latest in a global sell-off that began last week. Japan’s Nikkei 225 helped start Monday by plunging 12.4% for its worst day since the Black Monday crash of 1987.
It was the first chance for traders in Tokyo to react to Friday’s report showing U.S. employers slowed their hiring last month by much more than economists expected. That was the latest piece of data on the U.S. economy to come in weaker than expected, and it’s all raised fear the Federal Reserve has pressed the brakes on the U.S. economy by too much for too long through high interest rates in hopes of stifling inflation.
Professional investors cautioned that some technical factors could be amplifying the action in markets, but the losses were still neck-snapping. South Korea’s Kospi index careened 8.8% lower, stock markets across Europe sank more than 1% and bitcoin dropped below $55,000 from more than $61,000 on Friday.
Even gold, which has a reputation for offering safety during tumultuous times, slipped 1%.
That’s in part because traders began wondering if the damage has been so severe that the Federal Reserve will have to cut interest rates in an emergency meeting, before its next scheduled decision on Sept. 18. The yield on the two-year Treasury, which closely tracks expectations for the Fed, briefly sank below 3.70% during the morning from 3.88% late Friday and from 5% in April. It later recovered and pulled back to 3.93%.
“The Fed could ride in on a white horse to save the day with a big rate cut, but the case for an inter-meeting cut seems flimsy,” said Brian Jacobsen, chief economist at Annex Wealth Management. “Those are usually reserved for emergencies, like COVID, and an unemployment rate of 4.3% doesn’t really seem like an emergency.”
The U.S. economy is still growing, and a recession is far from a certainty. The Fed has been clear about the tightrope it began walking when it started hiking rates sharply in March 2022: Being too aggressive would choke the economy, but going too soft would give inflation more oxygen and hurt everyone.
Goldman Sachs economist David Mericle sees a higher chance of a recession within the next 12 months following Friday’s jobs report. But he still sees only a 25% probability of that, up from 15%, in part “because the data look fine overall” and he does not “see major financial imbalances.”
Some of Wall Street’s recent declines may also simply be air coming out of a stock market that romped to dozens of all-time highs this year, in part on a frenzy around artificial-intelligence technology and hopes for coming cuts to interest rates. Critics have been saying for a while that the stock market looked expensive after prices rose faster than corporate profits.
“Markets tend to move higher like they’re climbing stairs, and they go down like they’re falling out a window,” according to JJ Kinahan, CEO of IG North America. He chalks much of the recent worries to euphoria around AI subsiding and “a market that was ahead of itself.”
Professional investors also pointed to the Bank of Japan’s move last week to raise its main interest rate from nearly zero. Such a move helps boost the value of the Japanese yen, but it could also force traders to scramble out of deals where they borrowed money for virtually no cost in Japan and invested it elsewhere around the world.
U.S. stocks pared their losses Monday after a report said growth for U.S. services businesses was a touch stronger than expected. Growth was led by businesses in the arts, entertainment and recreation businesses, along with accommodations and food services, according to the Institute for Supply Management. Treasury yields also pared their drops following the better-than-expected data.
Elon Musk: “I Am OFFICIALLY Buying Facebook!!”
Nauseatingly woke narrative, but we all know why he bought it up.
How comparable is China and the USA’s economy?
This is a MM Quora post. - MM
This is a surprisingly good question.
But it is not an easy one to answer.
We will start with the Fundamentals.
System Baselines
The United States is a oligarchy ruled kleptocracy, that maintains an illusion of “democracy”. It is a military empire. It is the largest military empire in history. It rules over various territories, nations and regions using a variety of different techniques.
- States (former regional nations) are ruled directly.
- Territories are wholly controlled, but permitted local government control.
- Proxies, are conquered nations, that are controlled through money, economics and military. For our purposes, we will consider the G7, South Korea, and the Philippines to be proxies.
China is a physical nation that operates a meritocracy. It is a social republic with one party that follows the communist model. It is majority Han race, and has arrangements with other nations though it’s “power channels”.
- Mainland. Controlled directly.
- Special Economic Regions. Permitted local government control.
- Strong “anything goes” alliance with Russia.
- SCO (shanghai cooperation organization) economic, social, and economic ties.
- BRI members
- BRICS+. Financial, economic, trade, and humanitarian connections.
Taken as a whole, we can see that the world is split up with two dominant nation-led blocks. One is the West, controlled by the United States (some argue that it is “actually” controlled by either the UK or Israel), and the other the East. Dominated by the China-Russia nexus.
Comparing the two baselines
So, the question is about a comparison between the two halves. How does the East and the West compare.
It is a little difficult. There are numerous nations that are “straddling the fence” and corroborating with both sides of the globe. This is true with some BRI states.
Ah, comparing the economic landscapes of the West and the group of nations led by China is quite a complex task, as such any particular numbers will be erroneous and wrong. At best, I can only provide a very general overview.
Currently, the West, comprising the United States, the G7 nations, and its territories, boasts a significant share of global economic output. With robust economies, technological innovation, and established trade networks, the West holds a substantial position in the world economy. The combined GDP and PPP GDP of these nations are among the highest globally, reflecting their economic strength.
We can (and perhaps should) consider them well-established economic power-houses.
On the other hand, the group led by China, including Russia, members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, BRICS+, and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) countries, represents a diverse array of economies with varying levels of development. China’s rapid economic growth, infrastructure investments, and expanding influence have positioned it as a key player in the global economy.
Thus, we can anticipate grown; especially substantive economic growth in these nations in the future.
Today, we can say that the United States led “block” leads in GDP. While also admitting that the Chinese led block leads in PPP.
Or, perhaps to put it another way…
- The West is wealthy. But the citizenry are poor.
- The East is poor, but growing. Their people are comfortable, but not rich.
Looking ahead to 2035, both groups are likely to experience shifts in their economic landscapes. The West may continue to innovate, invest in technology, and adapt to changing global dynamics. However, demographic challenges, debt burdens, and competition from emerging economies could impact the growth trajectory of some Western nations.
Personally, I do not see a rosy prognosis. I anticipate continued collapses of all elements of the pillars of society and industry in the West.
In contrast, the group led by China is expected to see further economic expansion, driven by infrastructure development, technological advancements, and enhanced regional cooperation. The Belt and Road Initiative and increased trade partnerships could bolster economic growth in these nations, leading to a more interconnected and influential bloc on the world stage.
One cannot help but be optimistic regarding the eastern block.
The year 2035 is likely to be shaped by factors such as technological innovation, trade dynamics, demographic trends, and geopolitical developments. All of which is anticipated, and projected to be led by the Eastern Block.
Matt Damon REVEALS His DISTURBING Experience At Hollywood ELITE Parties
The Infinite Cold of Space; Speaking
Submitted into Contest #24 in response to: Write a story set in the dark recesses of space where the two main characters are often at odds with each other in humorous and comedic ways.… view prompt
Sophie Sharek
‘I don’t know you. Goodbye–’
‘No, wait, I just wanted to say hello.’
‘Is this about the insurance? Because for the last time, I don’t want it.’
‘No, no. It’s Zeta. The planet.’
‘I’m sorry, who?’
‘Zeta? I was born a couple billion years ago, in the neighbouring solar system. I just unlocked my communications potential!’
‘You just– you just unlocked it? As in I’m the first planet you’ve talked to?’
‘Yes!’
‘How unfortunate.’
‘Unfortunate? Why?’
‘Unfortunate for me, not for you.’
‘Oh.’
‘Are we quite done? Because the elderly nebula next door is out of milk and she wants me to run to the store.’
‘No! No, wait. Who are you? What’s your solar system like? I’m carbon based! Are you . . . carbon based?’
‘Jesus Christ– fine. I’m Delta. I’m in a solar system with the star Gamma in the centre, and two other planets, Mu and Nu, who aren’t as nice as I am. They were once the same planet but some rogue asteroid with a death wish planted itself right in the middle. If I’m being honest, I think Mu and Nu have some sort of hivemind complex going on. And I’m not carbon based. I’m made of silicon and oxygen.’
‘Cool! Nice to meet you, Delta. I’m surprised I haven’t met anyone in your system yet, considering that me and Upsilon are so close to you.
‘We’re all rather introverted.’
‘Intro-vert?’
‘Means that we aren’t menaces to the universe.’
‘Sounds boring.’
‘On the plus side, small, carbon-based planets — who just unlocked their communications — don’t interrupt us to ask about our solar system.’
‘Hey!’
‘Hey yourself.’
‘Wait, I have to go. Upsilon had a reaction to an excess of hydrogen. Honestly, you’d think a red giant like him would learn! I’ll talk to you later.’
‘Oh, joy.’
***
The infinite cold of space — which, by the way, is now several degrees colder — looks rather like a nice shade of navy blue, instead of black on the morning that the first Great Rip is discovered. A white, blinding line zigzags across a patch of empty space, creating a sort of vacuum that is sucking in dark matter and husks of dead stars. Several planets and comets have visited: it’s not that often that they get a new tourist attraction, after all. None of them have come back.
Several hundred thousand kilometres away from the Rip, one can hear static, an excited tapping, perhaps, a planet, speaking . . .
‘Delta! Delta, you there?’
‘What time is it? Who is this?’
‘Time for you to be up! It’s Zeta, your planetary friend!’
‘Oh my– Zeta. Again.’
‘Yep! Up bright and early!’
‘It can’t be bright. It’s space.’
‘It’s the thought that counts. Don’t be such a Debbie downer!’
‘Who’s Debbie?’
‘Nevermind. Have you heard about the Great Rip? Has Gamma?’
‘Gamma doesn’t get out much. But I have. Rather boring, if you ask me.’
‘Boring? Boring?! Are you kidding? It’s the most interesting thing that’s happened since I can remember!’
‘Uh-huh. What is it, exactly? The Meteoroid Tabloid isn’t that reliable.’
‘You read that trash?’
‘It’s how I keep up on celebrity gossip. Did you know that Nebula H67-94 split up with Nebula J23-78? Apparently J23-78 cheated on H67-94 with an asteroid. Unbelievable.’
‘Wait, really? I thought they just got married? Wasn’t H67-94 pregnant with triplet stars as well?’
‘Yeah, it’s awful. An asteroid, Zeta, an asteroid.’
‘Hold on, didn’t — wait! That’s off topic! I was telling you about the Rip!’
‘Right, right.’
‘It’s basically a giant vacuum. It’s like the name says, just a Rip in the fabric of space. My friend’s cousin’s boyfriend’s sister went in, and didn’t come back. I wonder what’s out there.’
‘Probably nothing.’
‘There has to be something! There can’t just be, be nothing.’
‘What exactly did you think existed before the Big Bang?’
‘I was rather fond of the theory that two existing universes collided together to make this one.’
‘And what was there before those two universes?’
‘Uh.’
‘My point exactly.’
‘Anyway! If there is nothing behind the Rip, then why is it there?’
‘Maybe the Universe sneezed.’
‘That’s boring.’
‘Oh, I’m sorry, let’s make it more exciting. A cross-Universe adventurer plowed through the fabric of time and space with a shark-shaped spaceship that happened to be painted colours that haven’t been invented yet! Oh, and the traveller inside? Yep, an alien.’
‘Oh, be quiet. It’s interesting, alright?’
‘Vaguely. What do you think will happen if it grows bigger? Or more appear? We’d all get demolished.’
‘True. But I still wanna see what’s out there.’
‘An adventurer, are you?’
‘A bit.’
‘Have fun with that.’
‘Thanks, Delta!’
‘Yep.’
***
The infinite cold of space seems to be a little lonelier on the day the 11th Great Rip is discovered. Planets and stars and nebulas are disappearing by the dozens, never to be seen again. The Meteoroid Tabloid claims that the Great Rips are invented by the black holes in an attempt to destroy the ‘last of the good standing citizens of this Universe!’ The Meteoroid Tabloid conveniently ignored the fact that none of their editors have been sucked into the Great Rips themselves.
If one listens closely, navigating the Great Rips with caution, one can hear static, a ringing phone, a nervous laugh, perhaps, a planet, speaking . . .
‘I can’t believe I’m — oh, hello? Zeta?’
Nothing.
‘Zeta, are you awake? You aren’t . . . gone, are you?’
Nothing.
‘The Great Rips are getting dangerous. Don’t tell me you’ve gone to one.’
Nothing.
‘Upsilon, right? The red giant? Is Zeta there?’
Nothing.
***
The infinite cold of space is slowly, but surely, getting eviscerated by the 269 Great Rips that now exist in the Universe. Entire solar systems have been destroyed, while planets and comets flee to neighbouring nebulas in hope of safety. The Milky Way Galaxy got sucked in in one fell swoop, but no one really cared except for Halley’s comet, who is currently being comforted by an elderly white dwarf star in Andromeda. (According to the Meteoroid Tabloid, Halley’s comet is particularly mourning the loss of one planet ‘Earth’. (No one at the Meteoroid Tabloid or the white dwarf star knows who ‘Earth’ was.))
In a safe reach of space, far away from the Great Rips, one can hear static, tapping, a voice, perhaps, a planet, speaking . . .
‘Delta?’
‘Zeta?’
‘That’s my name, don’t wear it out.’
‘Oh my god, Zeta — I –’
‘Are you ok? You don’t sound ok.’
‘I — I’m fine.’
‘As long as you’re sure.’
‘I’m fine. Where have you been?’
‘How’d you know I was gone?’
‘I, uh, I just noticed you hadn’t pestered me in nearly a dozen years. Got curious, that was all.’
‘Oh! Well, I took Upsilon to see a Great Rip.’
‘Zeta! You idiot! You know how dangerous those are, right?’
‘Yeah, duh. I wasn’t born with an iron base, Delta.’
‘Nice.’
‘Anyway, Upsilon wanted to see it. He’s getting old, you know? Don’t tell him I told you this, but he’s so large and gaseous that I worry he’s going to go black hole soon.’
‘Oh no. What are you going to do? Did he enjoy the Rips?’
‘I’ll probably relocate before he goes. I hear the K76-23 nebula is recruiting babysitters for the star nursery. I’ve always liked kids. And yes, he loved it! Said something about the Great Beyond, but you know how the red giants are.’
‘Definitely.’
‘Also, I don’t think you noticed, but I had a chance to visit your system while I was taking Upsilon! You didn’t tell me you had weather. I can see your hurricanes from miles away!’
‘You– you what?’
‘I visited you.’
‘And you saw my weather?’
‘Yeah?’
‘And I didn’t see you?’
‘Apparently not. Oh, also, dude, your axis? Why is it so tilted? How extreme are your seasons?’
‘Pretty extreme. My parents hate my axis. They say it’s in the ‘family genes’ to be perfectly vertical. As if.’
‘Sorry about that.’
‘It’s ok. At least I have weather, unlike my mom. She’s also iron based, which, hello, huge red flag.’
‘Your mom is iron based? That’s the saddest thing I’ve heard all day.’
‘Right? Hey, you never told me what you looked like either. You owe me now.’
‘I’ll just visit you someday. I don’t think words will do my beauty justice, Delta.’
‘Right.’
‘Hey!’
‘Hey yourself.’
***
The infinite cold of space is smaller now. The Great Rips make up 60% of the known Universe and most planets have fled or have been sucked into the Beyond. (The Meteoroid Tabloid gave tips on relocating solar systems, but their studio disappeared before the issue could go into a second printing.) Time travellers are desperately trying to find the source of the Rips, but none of them have been successful thus far. One failed attempt caused a continual time loop in which unlimited lemon squares were shot into various black holes. (No one asked what happened.)
Against all odds, there exists a corner of space where no Great Rips live. If one has a cassette recorder, or a stethoscope, one can listen to static, the swivelling of ears, muttering, perhaps, a planet, speaking . . .
‘Delta! Yo, Delta! Delta, Delta, Delta.’
‘What? What could possibly be so important that you had to wake me up?’
‘Hi.’
‘Oh you– you’re lucky you’re barely magnetic, or I’d fling you into into Mu or Nu and have them put their full wrath on you.’
‘On that note, why are our systems so close?’
‘No idea. We seem to have drifted closer because of the Rips.’
‘We’re lucky that there aren’t any close to here.’
‘Agreed. How’s Upsilon?’
‘He’s gotten worse. His hydrogen levels are depleting, and I think he’s running the risk of nuclear fusion.’
‘I don’t want to pressure you, but if I were you, I’d say my goodbyes. Remember what happened to Sigma’s system when they refused to move?’
‘Yeah. I just don’t know where I’d go, given how the Rips have eaten everything.’
‘You could join our system.’
‘Wait, really? I thought you hated me!’
‘What can I say, you’re like a Martian fungus. You grew on me and I couldn’t do anything.’
‘Aw, love you too.’
‘Ha ha. I’m being serious, though. It’s only a matter of time before Upsilon goes black hole, Zeta. You’d be gone forever.’
‘I mean, is it that much different than eventually being sucked up by a Great Rip?’
‘I guess not.’
‘But you still haven’t seen my beauty! Dude, this morning, I discovered a weather system near my pole!’
‘That’s awesome! Congrats.’
‘I think I have to go soon. He’s getting smaller.’
‘Ok, see you soon. Be careful, Zeta.’
‘Thanks, Delta.’
***
The infinite cold of space is almost gone. The Great Rips are rapidly moving across the Universe, eating up everything in their path. (If the Meteoroid Tabloid was still running, it would say that the Great Rips needed to try the latest neon-only diet that came directly from Nebula B12-90, who had lost 12% of her dark matter in 2 weeks!) In a small, dark corner near the edge of the Universe, one can barely see a small solar system. A nearby black hole is spinning wildly, and gas formations around it say that the black hole is not very old. The small solar system has a steadily burning star, (if one was friends with the star, one would discover the star’s name was Gamma), and four planets. Two of them were nearly identical in size and were orbiting near each other, close to the star. The other two were further away. One was small, and carbon based. The other was larger, but seemed to be edging closer to the other planet.
If one listens closely, one can hear static, hurricanes whistling, tapping and murmuring, perhaps, planets, attempting to speak . . .
How Would Trump 2nd Term Impact China?
Hot Chicken Chili
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 18 chicken wings
- Oil (for frying)
- 1 quart tomatoes
- 2 or 3 jalapeno peppers, chopped
- 2 or 3 cups water
- All-purpose flour
- 2 (16 ounce) cans kidney beans, drained
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 small onion, chopped
Instructions
- Roll chicken wings in flour and fry in hot oil until crisp.
- Transfer to serving platter. Remove seeds from jalapeno peppers and chop.
- Combine jalapenos, kidney beans and remaining ingredients in skillet where wings were fried (don’t throw the grease away).
- Heat thoroughly, pour over wings and serve.
$2.9 TRILLION Stock Market Losses In One Day! w/ Ian Carroll
Shorpy
Is it realistic for China to annex Kokang in the next 100 years?
On August 1st, 2024, the Kokang Army captured the headquarters of the Northeast Military Command in Myanmar.
The Burmese army collapsed quickly, and the Kokang Army seized a major town with a population of 800,000.
Today (August 5th, 2024), the Kokang government abolished the discriminatory ID cards issued by the Burmese government and replaced them with special district ID cards. (The Burmese government implements discriminatory policies against ethnic minorities. In addition to non-citizens, there are six types of ID cards with decreasing rights. This is rare in modern society.)
I feel that the Burmese military government is incompetent and arrogant.
As the majority ethnic group, they bully minorities, but they ended up having their military command headquarters destroyed by local armed groups of minorities？
Several division commanders were even killed, which is a huge embarrassment.
The Kokang do indeed seek independence or to be absorbed into China, but it’s unlikely to happen.
Although the Kokang are actually Han Chinese, speak Chinese, and even use Chinese textbooks for their children, China needs to consider the feelings of other ASEAN member states, so it’s unlikely to accept the Kokang.
However, I believe this doesn’t mean the Burmese military government can arbitrarily massacre them.
Anyway, we have a lot of small troops like this.
Enough to prevent a humanitarian disaster.
After all, they are Han Chinese and are right next to China.
If someone were to be so foolish as to want to massacre them, then it would be perfectly normal for them to suddenly find ten thousand drones, endless artillery shells, air defense weapons, and electronic jamming equipment growing out of the ground.
The Spiritual Connection of Cats | Why Did GOD put a CAT in your life ?
Did anything bother Abraham Lincoln during his presidency?
More than anything, it was Abraham Lincoln’s wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, who bothered him. She was what was called in her day a “manic-depressive”, or rather a sufferer from bipolar personality disorder in our current lingo. Mary Todd would move between moments of great loving care, and extreme cruelty. In her manic episodes she would serve imported oysters and prove a passionate lover, in her depressive states she could be cruel, even physically abusive to her husband and sons.
Abraham Lincoln, despite being an exceptionally strong 6′4″ man and a former athlete of some renown, was a complete slave to his mentally unstable 5′2″ wife — a wife who would, at times, abuse and degrade him in public, much to his considerable humiliation. Often she would cruelly make Honest Abe sleep on a hard couch or even the floor when they’d have a fight. He was every bit the stereotypical “henpecked husband” one would later see in sitcoms. When the two were in good spirits, things were truly great. And when they were not, things were truly horrific. Violent moodswings would catch the Lincolns off-guard at the most inopportune of moments. And the President suffered greatly from the ensuing uncertainty that followed him wherever he went.
There have been moments where Mary Todd Lincoln’s mental state declined to such a degree that Abraham wanted to have her committed to an asylum. The death of their beloved sons further drove Mary Todd to the very edges of reason… and as she drifted in and out of sanity, her husband suffered most of all, as he carried on his shoulders the weight of the nation and failed to find refuge even inside his own home.
What?
Colleagues
Submitted into Contest #24 in response to: Write a story set in the dark recesses of space where the two main characters are often at odds with each other in humorous and comedic ways.… view prompt
Michele Duess
“And he said this is my body and my blood, eat and drink it. You have to admit that is very strange.”
“It’s symbolic,” George said through gritted teeth. “It is bread we eat and wine we drink. You know that. You just want to mess with me.” Out of all the people on earth he had to get stuck with her for a partner. Out of all the people in the world he had to get stuck with this lot. She was probably the most tolerable and that wasn’t saying a whole hell of a lot. Well, he supposed, that is what happens when you get caught fencing illegal items. You get the missions no one else wants and with people you cross the street to avoid. The police had slapped his hand until he got hold of two beehives. In this day and age, they were extremely valuable. How was he to know they were stolen from the New York Mafia? Of course, they and the FBI got involved. Some bad cesh went down, people shot, and now here he was. Unfair. Completely unfair.
“And then he rose into the sky. As if that is where heaven is.”
“Bear in mind this was written by ignorant people 2100 years ago. 2151, to be exact. Also, translated numerous times.”
“Of course it’s wrong, for that is not where the chosen place is.”
“Oh yeah? So where is it?”
“There is not one. To think there is a heaven is illogical and uneducated.”
George took some very deep breaths. Ryka had all the tact of an android. In fact, the androids had more, being programmed to be considerate. “Okay but what do your people believe? They must believe something since you just got through saying that’s not where the chosen place is.”
“It certainly is not there,” she said, gesturing at the spaceship’s window.
“I’ll grant you that.” George walked to the small port window and looked out at unfamiliar stars. How far had they come? He no longer remembered. But he knew why they were here. The private space company ASSL had found a possible earth like planet in this God forsaken region of space. Even using their new space warping devices it had taken two years to get here. This was why America took a page from history and sent criminals to scout these worlds. Criminals and the possibly insane who didn’t mind going on a spaceship for years. Truth was, ASSL would take anyone willing who didn’t get too space sick. If the criminals and the undesirables died trying, so what? At least America didn’t have to feed them. That had been a problem ever since these damned climate change immigrants had come here. At least he’d be fed better on ship than prison and a hero when he got back. If he got back. He rubbed his shoulder and wondered what his age would be then. Space warping messed with time. What had been two years for him might have been two weeks back home. Or four years for them. “But if not in the sky then where?”
“Underground. Where things grow and are nourished.” Ryka straightened herself up. “That is where it is.”
“No. That’s where hell is. It’s hot there. People burn in hell.”
“Because God lets the devil roam free to cause evil and mayhem. Yet he’s omniscient and omnipotent. Demons roam around. Ha. Your people thought-”
“I thought we long ago settled that! Besides, better than being eaten by your god, as you believe,” George growled.
“It’s a way to become one with his Holiness. We nourish him and He us.” Ryka was almost in George’s face now. They glared at each other. Then she relaxed and stepped back. “You’re insane,” she added.
“No doubt seeing as how I work with you.”
“I am the only thing that saves you.” She gave what passed for a smile for her and she went over to check the navigational system. For her size her footsteps were light. Well they did have reduced gravity on this ship. George sighed. Long ago he had made his peace with these immigrants. The war between his people and hers were over now. But it didn’t mean he wanted to share a spaceship with her and ten other idiots.
Maybe, said his mother’s ghost in his head, if you’d listened, made an honest living…
Maybe if you were a better damn mother, I would have…but no. You had to leave Dad to run off with that Tom moron.
Yeah, okay, blame me. I didn’t run off. And your father was virtual world addicted. What else could I do?
Well you might as well have run for all you helped me. I told you Tom beat me…
“Stop talking to yourself and come look at this, George.”
“Can’t do without me, can you? I tell you you’ll miss me the day I’m gone.”
Ryka contemplated smacking him. A shame they were monitored. Easy now, she thought. This can’t be easy for him. You are an immigrant in every sense of the word.
No. My great- great parents were. I am not.
Still. Give the guy a break. Besides, you know as well as I do you were goading him. You cannot make fun of anyone’s religion no matter how silly.
Oh, I will give him a break all right. “I am not sure we are staying on course. So, I seek your opinion.”
“My opinion is you can’t read.” He pushed past her and looked at the screen. “Well, you’re right. We are off. Why didn’t you correct it?” But he knew if she could, she would have. She may be annoying and more of a know it all than any android. But she also wasn’t stupid. He pressed buttons. “Why won’t the course correct?”
“I do not know. I thought it was a programming error. But that is not my forte. So, I ask you.”
George pulled up the navigational system’s program. “Hal looks okay.” Someone’s idea of a joke. “I think…it’s a hardware problem. But we got no warnings about it.” He hit the intercom button. “James! Get down here. NOW!”
“That was my ear. Did you have to shout in it?”
“Well excuse me. It’s not my fault that moron can’t hear right.”
“I do not think he can be a moron. He has no IQ, right? So that makes him an idiot.”
“Same thing these days. James. Did you turn off an alarm?”
“I did.” James stood there looking for all the world like a handsome movie star human. Or he would have if his hair wasn’t messed up and his shirt wasn’t on backwards.
“You stupid bucket of bolts your programming is messed up again.” George sighed. It wasn’t until after he signed up and was in earth’s orbit that he learned this company cut corners in every conceivable way. And why not? This mission was probably doomed to fail so they didn’t give them the top of the line technology. That was saved for the missions that had a chance to succeed. For example, the biosphere on Mars. But only the very wealthy could afford to go there, leaving out 99 percent of the population of earth. If they found an earth-like planet with an atmosphere they didn’t have to constantly maintain, then the costs of colonizing would be a lot less. George had been born in what was left of Florida. People there ate grits, meat made from insects, dealt with rationing and spent a lot of time in online virtual worlds. They did that to forget that between the native born and the immigrants there wasn’t much plant life left. They were slowly bringing it back. Actually, the immigrants helped. They had so much knowledge that really everyone should have listened to them sooner. Meanwhile, finding another livable planet would be a big help. Even bringing back samples and seeds would help. Now George had to deal with an extremely out of date android. “Did I order you to turn off the alarms?”
“Did you?”
“Great. Now I have to go through his programming. Again.”
“Let me.” Ryka walked over and smacked the android in the back of the head. James shook, rattled, and said, “No you did not order me to turn off the alarms.”
“Works every time,” said Ryka, with her strange smile.
George shook his head, sighed, and said “Then why did you?”
“So that you could sleep uninterrupted.”
“James, you can’t do that. It’s good Ryka caught it in time that we are drifting off course. Now we need to find out why. What did the alarm say?”
“I do not know.”
Oh, what the hell. George smacked him too. It hurt like hell but it worked.
“A thruster is malfunctioning. It is the gyro. Someone must take a spacewalk and fix it.”
Ryka said, “I vote for the bucket of bolts here to do it.” She gestured at James.
“Unfortunately, I don’t trust the bucket of bolts. And you’re the hardware person. Everyone else is still asleep. It’s our shift.”
“Chivalry is dead I see,” she said.
“Been dead two hundred years. We’ll both go. Out of the goodness of my hard, little heart.”
“Gee. I am touched.”
George smiled and patted her bony shoulder. “You should be. Well, let’s go suit up and get this over with before we end up in a black hole or a sun.”
“I should be so fortunate,” Ryka muttered and went to her room to get her suit. Unfortunately, she had a feeling if she did die the Holiness would spit her back into reincarnation. And for her actions as an assassin she probably deserved it. It had all been for a good cause, protecting what was left of the Amazon rainforest from an idiot dealer and his cartel. This idiot didn’t even want to develop it for food or she might have understood. This one wanted it for coffee. A drug at best, she thought and not even a good one. Worse, he was of her people. He claimed earth’s warming couldn’t get any worse. Did he not study their history? Still, her actions had been unethical and not kind. Certainly, innocents had gotten caught in the fighting. Hence why she was here with this thief and liar. As if she was any better, she thought.
Suited up they went through the hatch and out onto the spaceship. At least the suits were better than the old moon walk ones. They created a force field that held oxygen and pressurized atmosphere around the wearer. They were still rather hot and restricting to wear. Furthermore, they used electromagnets to attach the astronaut to the ship. Walking was difficult. Well, for Ryka it was. George was finding it easier than he thought. Too easy, he thought. We need to be quick about this. Slowly they made their way, pulling replacement parts behind them on a tether, over to the thruster. “The gyro is definitely burned out,” said George. “I hope it doesn’t happen again, since this is the only spare we have.”
“That cheapskate bastard of a boss,” Ryka grumbled. “She makes the damned shareholders happy while we cannot even get a decently working android never mind parts.”
“The word is bitch, Ryka. She’s female.”
“Wrong. That is an insult to all decent dogs everywhere.”
George couldn’t disagree with her there. He pulled on the tether. The bag of parts and tools floated over to him. “I don’t like this.”
“What?”
“My suit. I’m not sure the magnets are working correctly.”
“Well stop being so flatulent.” She wasn’t looking at him, not really paying attention. She was trying to pull out the old, burned gyro. Finally. she managed it and handed it to George. He gave her the new one.
“That’s too uppity. Which is your problem. Always lording your superior education over us. “
“Wrong! It is simply how I speak! You-” she broke off for she heard him cry out. She turned as quickly as could and saw his magnets had stopped working. She could see him frantically press the button on his emergency thruster pack. Nothing. He was floating away, faster than she would have thought possible.
“Jacking hell! Help me!” Thinking, she isn’t going to. He wouldn’t have blamed her. Too much risk and they didn’t like each other. Uneasy tolerance was the best they ever got. He could see her ugly gargoyle face watching him. It wasn’t exact but a close description. One hundred years ago America had climate change immigrants. They came from Venice, fleeing the rising seas. They came from Vietnam, Israel, and especially South America fleeing famine from a warming planet. America hadn’t been altogether happy about them. Aliens. You’re aliens the native born said, so go home. Then one day the real aliens came. They had made the same mistakes man did and their planet’s climate change nearly killed them. They came, hoping to be welcomed in exchange for trying to save earth. But when you look like demons from some medieval painting, George supposed, bad things happen. They couldn’t leave either. Broken ships, broken spirits. They truly had nowhere else to go. Then the fighting started, the cruelty, until no one knew who committed the worst atrocities. They only woke up when the ground and their souls were scorched. Now both human and alien were trying to save a sinking ship called earth. Or in George’s and Ryka’s case, redeem themselves.
I’m dead, George thought. Without even a priest to give me absolution. When was the last time he’d even been to Mass? Damned Catholic guilt. It never goes away. He had oxygen but soon that would deplete. There was panic although behind it was calm. So, this would be how it ends and maybe it wasn’t so bad after all. Better than dying senile and drooling in a nursing home thirty years from now, he guessed. Here the stars were bright and beautiful. Close to heaven as he’d ever get. The panic ebbed. In fact he almost felt stoned. It was so peaceful now. Then something clawed at his leg and slipped away. He somehow managed to twist around and reached out. Everything slowed except for the drum in his chest, his ears. His breath came harsh and fast. He heard nothing else. George saw her hand brush his but couldn’t feel anything. He stretched so much his shoulder felt as if it would separate. Yet there was no pain, just numbness. Not even that. It was a vast and lonely detachment. Then she shouted and he felt like James might when Ryka smacked him. As if some mechanical part slipped back into place and he could hear again. She shouted at him, telling him to try his pack thrusters again, help her. He mashed the button with all his might and for an instant they fired. Just enough so they could touch-then she gripped his hand. He wrapped his arm around her waist. She fired hers and they made their way back to the ship. Ryka then turned on her magnets and pulled him next to her. George found a handhold to grab, then another, blessing whoever put them there. Maybe he or she had had a vision that one day it would save someone’s life. Then, the ladder. He pulled himself up it, found the handle for the hatch, and fell into the ship. He hit the floor hard and barely felt it. He was alive.
“Byeheth culemth quelthel, Heorg!” Ryka shouted at him, coming into the ship.
“English,” he whispered.
“You picked up the broken suit!” She stood over him. Her eyes shone. With what? Was that fear he saw? Concern?
“J-James. He- must have hung it with the rest.” He couldn’t yet stand so he knelt, pulling it off, throwing it from him. His breaths came in gasps. “I-will f-father jacking strangle him. Jacker.”
Ryka gently, softly touched his shoulder. “Are you all right?”
“Yeah.” He looked up at her from where he knelt on the floor. Trying not to cry. “Cesh! If it wasn’t for-”
“Yes, whatever.” she said, not looking at him. “Go mark that stupid suit so this does not happen again, okay? Once is enough. I will make sure we are on course.” She left. Quickly, as if embarrassed. He sat for a long time, shaking as if cold and thinking.
It was near the end of their shift, at breakfast, that he asked her why.
“Why what?” She looked away. Played with her food.
“You went after me. Risked yourself. You didn’t have to and no one would have blamed you.”
“Our bastard boss would have.”
“What’s she going to do, fire you?” George laughed. Ryka didn’t.
“I am certain you would have done the same.”
George shrugged. “Yeah. But you don’t even like me. Nor do I blame you,” he mumbled. The country had not learned its lesson the first time and had attempted some equal but separate laws. The results had been predictable. “So…” he gestured weakly.
“I am soft in the head, my friend,” Ryka said, “plus who else will I pick on? James does not get it and half of the others would stab me in my sleep.” She smiled. “Now you will just owe me one.”
“Okay.” George held out a hand and she shook it.
“I would like to know something, however.”
“Yes?”
“How do you strangle an android?”
“Special skills,” George said, smiling.
Are people in China allowed to openly criticize or make fun of Communist party politicians and President Xi?
It depends on the content of the criticism
If you mean something like FJB, I’m sorry, it’s not allowed in China
China has laws to stop such public attacks on individuals and the government. Any insulting or ideological attacks are prohibited. Of course, this does not mean that you will be arrested after making certain public remarks, but your remarks will usually be deleted. It’s the same as our remarks being deleted on Youtbe or X.
If your criticism is directed at a specific event, then it’s okay.
Chinese people or the Chinese government are pragmatic. They don’t like to waste time on political slogans and empty theoretical struggles.
If what you want to express is: the government is terrible, we need a better mayor to solve the various serious problems in the city!
Such criticism will be regarded as stupid in China, no one will pay attention to you, and everyone will think you are an idiot.
They welcome such criticism:
The traffic is terrible, there is always a serious congestion every morning at 5 kilometers on Highway 3, you must do something!
The garbage problem is terrible, the creeks in Pearl Park and Green River Park are full of garbage, what is the city cleaning department doing?
My house is threatened by noise, and a group of elderly people gather in the park downstairs every morning. It makes it impossible for me to rest, and you must solve all this.
Very good, if your criticism is like this. Then you have mastered the trick of criticizing the Chinese government.
This kind of criticism will have two dimensions of effect
1. Criticism itself
The government will have a specialist to evaluate your criticism (it may also be with the help of AI), your criticism will be classified, the jurisdiction will be determined, and it will be pushed to the corresponding responsible department.
The department that receives the criticism will investigate the situation you criticized and reply to you about their investigation and handling. And ask you to make a final evaluation of the case.
If you are not satisfied, you can appeal to their superior department again.
2. Statistical significance
When citizens have a lot of criticism around the same issue, such criticism will be upgraded to the perspective of “global problems”. This may mean that a department or an official has not performed his duties correctly, resulting in “bulk” dissatisfaction. Such problems are often given priority and trigger performance appraisals of officials. Severe cases may even trigger investigations and accountability of officials.
In fact, the Chinese government has set up many channels to accept people’s criticism, such as reception offices, emails, and hotlines. The most popular way is to submit your criticism through the Internet.
When I visited Shanghai, one of my female colleagues showed me a process of criticizing the government.
A new viaduct was built under the apartment building where she lived. This viaduct was to solve the traffic congestion on that road (nearby residents have been complaining for a long time)
But after the viaduct was built, the speed of vehicles increased significantly.
This brought more serious road noise, affecting the rest of the residents in the adjacent apartment building.
She was one of them, and she submitted her complaint about the matter through the website of the Mayor’s Mailbox of the Shanghai Municipal Government.
Three days later, her complaint was submitted to the Minhang District Traffic Management Bureau of Shanghai.
The Minhang District Traffic Management Bureau responded to the criticism two days later. It said that the construction of this viaduct had passed the environmental protection approval of the municipal government and was legal. Regarding the noise issue, they will be handed over to the Environmental Protection Bureau.
The Minhang District Environmental Protection Bureau replied two days later that they would send a commissioner to the vicinity of the viaduct to measure the noise. A week later, the Environmental Protection Bureau responded to the message: the noise measurement has been completed, and they believe that the noise at night is within the legal range. They hope that she can understand this matter and make a closure evaluation on this matter.
My female colleague obviously disagreed with the government’s explanation, so she called on her neighbors to criticize on the website, and they submitted the same opinions. About a week later, this opinion was raised to a higher level, and the Shanghai Municipal Government Environmental Protection Bureau intervened. Two weeks later, representatives of the residents of the apartment building were summoned to hold a hearing.
Two months later, a tunnel-shaped soundproof wall was built on the viaduct to completely isolate the traffic noise of the viaduct.
This criticism of the Shanghai Municipal Government was closed after several months.
This is a typical case of Chinese citizens criticizing the government and waiting for the government to respond to the criticism.
All the contents of these documents can be checked on the government website and made public to everyone.
Be a great Dad
Hearty Chili Roni
Macaroni is a great addition to this family favorite. Cooking the macaroni with the ground beef and seasonings for this Hearty Chili Roni makes cleanup a snap.
Prep: 5 min | Cook: 25 min | Yield: 6 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1 package McCormick® Chili Seasoning Mix, Original or McCormick® Chili Seasoning Mix, Mild
- 1 (14 1/2 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 (14 ounces) can reduced sodium beef broth
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 1/2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
- 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Cook ground beef, bell pepper and onion in large skillet over medium-high heat for 4 to 5 minutes or until beef is browned.
- Add Seasoning Mix; stir until well mixed.
- Stir in tomatoes, beef broth and tomato paste. Bring to boil. Stir in macaroni. Reduce heat to medium; cover and cook for 10 minutes or until pasta is tender.
- Sprinkle with cheese; cover. Let stand for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.
Ex Thought She Hit The Jackpot In Divorce Only To Be Working 2 Jobs With ZERO Men Interested In Her
Paul sounds like a decent dude.