News

Beard in the know

In Support of Ukraine

/ fearsomebeard / 5 Comments

Yesterday that Claymation Carol of the Bells video popped into my YouTube feed and since it gave me a giggle I shared it. This morning I took it a step further and did a little Carol of the Bells research and learned that it was originally written by Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych.

I then discovered that this year marks the debut performance of Carol of the Bells in the United States some 100 years ago. To commemorate the 100 year anniversary of its debut here and to raise money to benefit Ukraine a live performance just recently took place at New York’s Carnegie Hall.

Here is the MSNBC report I stumbled upon:

I ended up needing a tissue to get through that report. Then I found this report from NBC Nightly News:

I needed another tissue.

From it I was inspired to find the actual Carnegie Hall performance. It was strange that in todays world of technology I could only find poor quality posts of it on YouTube, but persist I did and finally found this, it is superb.

Shchedryk (aka Carol of the Bells) at notes from Ukraine in Carnegie Hall –       December 4,2022

What I have also found is that the song has roots in pre-Christian folk chants and a traditional folk tale that a swallow flies into a home to bring news of the arrival of a bountiful and prosperous New Year. As I type this into my iPad, I shed tears in the hope that 2023 will bring a new year to all of the people of Ukraine that brings not only peace but health and prosperity.

The Ukrainians – Shchedryk (Carol of the Bells) – 2017

Long Live Ukraine!

 

 

Calling on Congress to uphold the constitution

/ fearsomebeard / 6 Comments

Inciting violence that overtakes the halls of Congress is treason. Lying about the results of an election is treason. Obstruction of justice is treason. Staging a coup to remain in office as an authoritarian is treason.

Period. Period. Period. Period.

I don’t care how few days are left, Impeach and remove the motherfucker from office immediately.

You, my dear reader, can reach your representative   HERE

…and your Senator  HERE

It doesn’t matter what your political party nor your Senator’s or Representative’s political party is, what happened today is not only wrong but unconstitutional and it is our duty as citizens to speak out and demand justice.

Otherwise your democratic government of the USA is over, it’s toast.

The results today in Georgia give me hope. Now it’s our turn to give the residents of Georgia hope.

The Choice

/ fearsomebeard / 5 Comments

I am exhausted.

I pause to take a good look into the mirror and examine why.

Why have a stopped reading my blogs? I read only the news these days.

Why am I usually feeling angst, anger, frustration and fear? I read only the news these days.

Why am I tired and distracted? I read only the news these days.

Why have I started feeling defeated and depressed? I read only the news these days.

Why do I only read the news these days? Because I’ve allowed the fear and alarm that is being spewed every single moment to enter into my psyche and alter my thoughts, dreams and values.

I have a choice. I can choose to continue down the slope I’m on and into a bad spiral, or I can choose to make another choice.

This morning for the first morning in recent memory, I chose to start my day by starting a book I’ve been wanting to read. I got my coffee, spinach smoothie and plain oatmeal and read as I consumed my daily breakfast.  By no coincidence the book I started today is appropriately named The Choice  by Dr. Edith Eva Egar.

My day started better. I read, I thought and I felt better. I blog to share, but I also blog to reinforce. Reinforce, inside of me, the better choice I just made.

I am better equipped to help myself, my family, my friends, my community, my country and my world if I put my oxygen mask on first. My oxygen is positivity and the good that still really does surround me. Through that I can find light.

Keep porn on Tumblr

/ fearsomebeard / 19 Comments

Porn.

To me porn is art.

Art is for enjoyment.

I am on Tumblr for the porn.

Tumblr has allowed porn since it’s inception and now wants to restrict artistic expression? Seriously?

If you are of a like mind and wish to add your name to a change.org petition for Tumblr to stay true to its roots then click the link below:

Click Here

Tumblr with restricted art? Not a good move, not a good Tumblr.

 

An Inspiration

/ fearsomebeard / 2 Comments

Verklempt I am.

Inspired  I am.

Courage. Vulnerability. Truth. Grief. Honor.

Leadership. Patriotism. Integrity.

Honesty. Reality. Respect.

Understanding. Cooperation. Humility. Equality. Democracy. Justice. Service.

There is a greater good. Let’s strive toward that.

We reflect with gratitude for the example given to us by Senator McCain as well as that shared by the speakers above.

Godspeed.

“We call BS”

/ fearsomebeard / 3 Comments

If you haven’t seen this, Fearsome reccomends you stop, sit, watch, listen and feel. It is well worth the 10 minutes.

If this resonates with you and your values, please follow her lead and “Call BS”.

This young girl is courageous and an inspiration that I hope many follow, including myself. May she inspire you.

Humanity needs more just like her. I believe there are more, many more.

I take this moment to encourage more to speak up, speak out and to take action.

Snatching smut

/ fearsomebeard / 11 Comments

According to the Washington Post a certain administration in Washington DC has commanded that the CDC, Centers for Disease Control, must refrain from using certain words in their reporting. These words include science-based and evidence-based.

No freakin’ kidding.

As reported by the Washington Post please read for yourself:

The Trump administration is prohibiting officials at the nation’s top public health agency from using a list of seven words or phrases — including “fetus” and “transgender” — in any official documents being prepared for next year’s budget.

Policy analysts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta were told of the list of forbidden words at a meeting Thursday with senior CDC officials who oversee the budget, according to an analyst who took part in the 90-minute briefing. The forbidden words are “vulnerable,” “entitlement,” “diversity,” “transgender,” “fetus,” “evidence-based” and “science-based.”

In some instances, the analysts were given alternative phrases. Instead of “science-based” or ­“evidence-based,” the suggested phrase is “CDC bases its recommendations on science in consideration with community standards and wishes,” the person said. In other cases, no replacement words were immediately offered.

The question of how to address such issues as sexual orientation, gender identity and abortion rights — all of which received significant visibility under the Obama administration  – has surfaced repeatedly in federal agencies since President Trump took office.

Vera Carp from our favorite fictional town of Tuna Texas seems to have infiltrated the current administration.

 

“Bigotry or White supremacy, in any form, is blasphemy against the American creed” …George W. Bush

/ fearsomebeard / 3 Comments

Fearsome and I hereby express our gratitude to our 43rd President for standing up and speaking out. It’s about time that leaders, current and past, of our country say something. There is a point of silence at which they become complicit and will therefore be just as guilty as the perpetrators of the crime.

Kudos George W. Bush for speaking out today. May his inspiration lead others to step in line behind true American values. The moral ground of our democracy is at stake.

If you haven’t watched or heard this speech do yourself a favor and hit play. It’s worth your time no matter what your political affiliation.

The Iconic Boeing 747

/ fearsomebeard / 2 Comments

First released in 1968, Boeing’s 747 was, and still is, an engineering marvel.

United is retiring their 747 fleet for more fuel efficient 777 & 787 aircraft and fuel efficiency is a definately valid reason. Other airlines will continue to fly them so the iconic look will still be seen in larger international ports. However their numbers may continue to dwindle as technology changes.

I’ve only flown the 747 six times in all of my travels on these routes:  Miami to Aruba, San Diego to London, Los Angeles to Sydney. Thus far it is my favorite airliner. The adjectives roomy and majestic come to mind. I even know the layout well enough that I have a favorite seat. I’ll miss this mighty bird for she gave me many wonderful memories.

Hero

/ fearsomebeard / 4 Comments

Carmen Yulín Cruz, Mayor of San Juan Puerto Rico (United States of America for those who skipped class during geography and American History.)

The Oxford English Dictionary defines Hero as:

noun:  A person who is admired for their courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities.

Carmen Yulín Cruz is a Hero. Carmen Yulín Cruz is a leader. Fearsome applauds her for taking ownership of the title given to her by a certain President.

The time to talk about gun control is now. Period.

/ fearsomebeard / 5 Comments

It’s time. Whether you are for it or against it. It’s time to fucking talk. To stay silent only let’s all those just injured, to have been injured in vain. To stay silent only lets all those murdered to die in vain. Meaningless, yes their injury and their death will be meaningless.

Do I believe that all guns should be illegal? No I don’t.

Do I believe all guns should be taken away? No I don’t.

Do I own a gun? No I don’t.

Do I know how to shoot a gun? Yes I do.

Have I ever been a member of the NRA? Yes I have.

Am I a member of the NRA now? No I am not.

Do I believe in gun control? Yes I do.

Do I believe that people have a right to own guns? Yes I do.

Do I believe that people have a right to own automatic weapons or assault rifles or machine guns or silencers? No, I do not.

Do I believe in background checks? Yes I do.

Do I believe that some people should be prevented from owning guns? Yes I do.

Do I believe in limits on the number of guns one can own? Yes I do.

Do I believe that people should be able to stockpile unlimited amounts of ammo? No I don’t.

Do I believe that limiting guns through sensible controls will stop all crime? No I don’t.

Do I believe that limiting guns through sensible gun controls will reduce violence, crime and mass shootings? Yes I do.

Do I believe gun control will lead to a safer society? Yes I do.

Will I let all those innocent mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, daughters, sons, friends, and lovers die in vain without speaking my truth? No I will not.

Am I going to write my Senator, Congressperson, Governor and state legislator about initiating gun control bills and passing responsible gun control legislation? Yes I am.

As Fearsome Beard has done in the past, I will post links below for your convenience to look up and contact your representatives so that you may voice your opinions as well.

If our leaders will not talk about gun control when it really matters I feel we should hold all of their feet to the fire. I believe we should let them know that now is the time to talk. Now is the time to discuss and work towards a safer place that we all may live in without the fear.

Courage and strength is saying something when you see something.

Silence is just fucking complicit.

Why sit there stunned, mourning, angry, hurt, fearful and silent? Do something.

Contact your Senator.

Contact your Representative.

Contact your Governor.

Contact the White House.

Contact your state legislators.

Thank you in advance for your courage. Thank you in advance for standing up. Thank you in advance for making yourself heard. It all starts with each of us standing up and speaking our truth.