Showing posts with label santa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label santa. Show all posts

Wednesday, May 20, 2026

The Fire Next Time: California Burnin'



Like LA Uprising, things blow up
Last near, a large part of Los Angeles County burned in the "LA Fires" -- Eaton Fire in the foothills of Altadena above affluent Pasadena and the Palisades Fire in the affluent coastal area of Pacific Palisades near Malibu -- but did anyone like the mayor learn anything? Not so far as anyone can tell. No official has read The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin?

OJ: Blame it on him. I'm the Juice
Granted it's about igniting social unrest (like the LA Uprising of 1992 triggered by racist LAPD cop and disgraced perjurer Mark Fuhrman, who died last week) rather than wildfires burning out of control, but whatever we've been through as a county, there's worse to come. There's the Big One, an earthquake to flatten the place, a tsunami to inundate the low lying areas of the basin, and there's a cosmic radiation solar emission to take out all the electronics and powerlines.

Fraud Fuhrman hired by FOX
What did the Buddha say about being in this sort of position? He once asked a king what he would do if messengers were to tell him that an adversary were approaching from the east, west, north, and south. The king replied, "What could I do but rely on the Dhamma?" The Buddha then said that there were four such enemies approaching so that whatever he was going to do, it would be wise to do it NOW. The thing is, the Buddha wasn't only talking to that king. Those same adversaries are approaching each of us. But do we notice, listen, pay attention, or act accordingly?
  • Murder in Brentwood
    In 1995, Det. Fuhrman was called to testify regarding his alleged "discovery" of evidence in the OJ Simpson case, including a bloody glove recovered at OJ's Brentwood estate. During the trial, witnesses claimed that in the 1980s, LAPD cop Fuhrman frequently described African Americans as "niggers," claims he denied. In response, Simpson's defense team produced recorded interviews with Fuhrman, and witnesses proved that he had repeatedly used racist language during those interviews [1]. As a result, the defense claimed Fuhrman had committed perjury and was not a credible witness. The credibility of the prosecution has been cited as one reason big Simpson was acquitted [2]. The defense claimed Fuhrman planted key evidence as part of a racially motivated plot against Simpson. When asked under oath (without the jury being present), Fuhrman declined to answer all questions, invoking his Fifth Amendment right. These questions included whether he planted or manufactured evidence. He didn't want to answer? Fuhrman "retired" from the LAPD in 1995. In 1996, he pleaded guilty by pleading "no contest" to perjury for his false testimony related to his use of racial epithets. Fuhrman claimed he was not a racist and apologized for his use of racist language [3]. He did not apologize for potentially starting the deadly "LA Riots" or the people killed, an uprising that was a long time in the making due to flagrant LAPD racism. More

Bain Fire: Jurupa Valley, Ventura County next to Los Angeles County

The Simile of the Mountains
Dhr. Seven, Pabbatopama Sutta (SN 3.25) based on Ven. Thanissaro (trans)

The Buddha was dwelling in Savatthi. Then King Pasenadi of Kosala approached the Blessed One in the middle of the day, bowed, and sat respectfully to one side. Sitting there, the Blessed One said to him, "Great king, where are you coming from in the middle of the day?"

"Venerable sir, just now I was engaged in the affairs of an anointed noble-warrior king, enjoying the intoxication of royal sovereignty, obsessed with lust for sensual pleasures, who has attained stable control of his kingdom after having conquered a great sphere of earthly territory."

"Great king, what do you think? Suppose a trustworthy and reliable man were to come to you from the east and say, 'If it please your majesty, know that I come from the east where I saw a great mountain, as high as the clouds, coming this way, crushing all the living beings [in its path]. Do as you see fit.'

"'Then suppose a second man were to come from the west... Then a third man were to come from the north... Then a fourth man were to come from the south and say, 'If it please your majesty, know that I come from the south where I saw a great mountain, as high as the clouds, coming this way, crushing all living beings. Do as you see fit.'

"Great king, if such great peril should arise, such a terrible waste of human life — a human rebirth being so hard to obtain — what should be done?"

"Venerable sir, if such great peril should arise, such a terrible waste of human life — a human rebirth being so hard to obtain — what else should be done but conduct in accordance with the Dhamma, right action, skillful deeds, meritorious karma?"

"Then, great king, I inform you, I announce to you, aging and death are rolling in upon you. Great king, when aging and death are rolling in upon you, what should be done?"

"Venerable sir, as aging and death are rolling in upon me, what else should be done but conduct in accordance with the Dhamma, right conduct, skillful deeds, meritorious karma?

"Venerable sir, there are elephant battles [fought by] anointed noble-warrior kings enjoying the intoxication of royal sovereignty, obsessed by lust for sensual pleasures, who have attained stable control of their kingdom and who rule having conquered a great sphere of earthly territory. But there is no use in elephant battles, no sense in them, when aging and death are rolling in.

"There are cavalry battles... chariot battles... infantry battles... But there is no use for such battles, no sense in them, when aging and death are rolling in.

"In this royal court there are counselors who, when the enemies arrive, are capable of dividing them by their wit. But there is no use for such battles of wits, no sense in them, when aging and death are rolling in.

"In this royal court there is abundant gold and silver stored in vaults and depositories, and with such wealth we are capable of buying off enemies when they come. But there is no use in battles of wealth, no sense in them, when aging and death are rolling in. As aging and death are rolling in upon me, venerable sir, what else should be done but conduct in accordance with Dhamma, right conduct, skillful deeds, meritorious karma?"

"So it is, great king, so it is! As aging and death are rolling in upon you, what else should be done but conduct in accordance with Dhamma, right conduct, skillful deeds, meritorious karma?"

That is what the Blessed One said. Having said it, the One Well-Gone [the Welcome One], the Teacher, went on to summarize:

Like massive mounds
mountains press against the sky
move in from all sides
crushing the four directions.
Just so aging and death
roll over living beings, be they
warriors, Brahmins, merchants,
workers, outcastes, or untouchables.
They spare no one and nothing.
They trample all underfoot.

Elephant troops cannot hold their ground
nor chariots nor infantry
nor can a battle of wits or wealth win out.
So the wise, seeing their own good,
steadfast, secure their confidence in
Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha
[Teacher, Teaching, and Taught].
For one who practices Dhamma
in thought, word, and deed
is praised here on earth
and passing into the afterlife
rejoices in the many heavenly abodes.

Tuesday, January 7, 2025

Deadly winds, fires, and Biden hit LA


Tragedy has struck, and we have been impacted. From the Santa Monica Bay to the foothills, Los Angeles is burning. Even Hollywood has not been spared. January 2025 Southern California wildfires. Is it natural? It's at least partially manmade because of the unnatural drought that uses a ridiculously high ridge of air to keep moisture away. Weather wars are real and have been in use by the military since the U.S. War on Vietnam. Paradise got it, Hawaii got it, why not the most populous city in the most populous state? All around us are scenes of devastation and normality, intermingled in a way that we did not imagine the Apocalypse. We were expecting "The Big One," a massive quake to end all services, civility, and any semblance of law and order. Instead, it's quite nice. People are pleasant, if not the best drivers. Mountains are smoldering, but otherwise most people are just carrying on their day-to-day existence without a visible change, except maybe rushing home to watch the news. The revolution will not be televised but the disasters will. We have an incompetent mayor and an even worse egomaniacal governor. What was anyone to expect? It's the perfect formula for imagining something fishy is going on, something willed. This is not just incompetence. But try to prove it.

Live KTLA 5 coverage: Wind-driven Palisades Fire in LA destroys homes

(KTLA 5) BREAKING NEWS: Firefighters are battling a fast-moving wildfire that has destroyed an undetermined number of homes (seaside mansions between the Hollywood studios and Santa Monica Bay) in the very affluent Pacific Palisades area of west Los Angeles. Watch KTLA 5 News team coverage. Liveblog: trib.al/tBDjKJ0



It was just wind damage in the morning

'Life-threatening windstorm' over SoCal
High pressure wind Diablo, Santa Ana
(FOX 11 Los Angeles) Jan. 6, 2025: The NWS said winds will reach "dangerous levels" by Tuesday afternoon, hitting LA and Ventura counties. Meteorologists estimated widespread gusts of 50 to 80 mph, with isolated gusts of 80 to 100 mph across the mountains/foothills possible. Red flag warning in effect.
SoCal sees its 'most destructive windstorm' in over a decade

(ABC7) Jan 7, 2025: Potentially destructive Santa Ana winds will blow through Southern California, elevating fire risk to dangerous levels for the next few days. abc7.com/los-angeles-weather-... Gusts up to 85 MPH, with sustained winds over 40 MPH, continuing for a few days.

Bag of wind visits SoCal to sign bill
We must not let Trump ruin this country like I ruined it, tried not to ruin it, y'know what I mean!
.
Is it true you tried to hang me on Jan. 6th?
Meanwhile, the weather is being worsened by a bag of hot air (Genocide Joe Biden) on the loose out there, east of Los Angeles, looking for a photo op as he declares public lands around Joshua Tree National Park a new monument dubbed Chuckwalla. Having arrived yesterday to disrupt the traffic, lame duck Biden is trying to leave a positive environmental legacy on top of all the destruction he has wrought with the U.S. War Machine as an old-timer with decades in Washington, DC, doing nothing to commend him or establish a good reputation.

Thursday, December 5, 2024

California: 7.0 quake, aftershocks, tsunami

Will Japanese tsunami ever overtake San Francisco or New York? (bigcanvasartprints.com)

Live updates and coverage

Magnitude 7.0 earthquake hits Northern California, tsunami watch, strong aftershocks
(KTLA 5) Dec 5, 2024: Coastal Santa Cruz to Oregon in danger of tsunami. A spate of strong earthquakes struck near the Bay Area on Dec. 5, 2024. This video aired on the KTLA 5 Morning News on Dec. 5, 2024. KTLA 5 News: Keeping Southern Californians informed since 1947.

Friday, October 6, 2023

Develop and practice Reiki skills (10/18)

Kerri Draper, Huntington Beach Reiki, Santa Ana, California; Dhr. Seven, Ananda (Dharma Buddhist Meditation, Disclosure Project), Jen B. (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Enjoy an evening of meditation, Reiju ("attunement"), and Reiki energy healing. We start the evening with a very brief meditation then practice Reiki on each other, taking turns on the massage table.

The chakras are energy centers of the body.
The instructor attunes everyone during the healing session and is available to work with anyone who wishes. Groups of three form to alternate hands on healing.

This is a great time to meet others in the group and practice healing skills. For those who are new to Reiki, come enjoy a night of healing.

Monday, May 18, 2020

The Most Poisonous Mushrooms (May 18)

.
Assessing risk is one of the most important things we do as humans, and mycology (the study of mushrooms) is no exception.

Distinguishing the poisonous from the delicious is square one for beginning mushroom hunters. But what if we're almost completely ignoring the world's truly dangerous fungi?

Are these magic kind safe, Chris?
Let's take a tour of candidates for this category, exploring our blind spots, discussing problems of scale, and thinking together about how to move forward as a civilization.

The Los Angeles Mycological Society (LA's Mushroom Club or LAMS) is hosting UC Santa Cruz Norris Center Mycologist Christian Schwarz to take us on this online tour.

Sunday, December 24, 2017

Movies and Chinese Food Day (cartoons)

South Park; Sheldon S., Dhr. Seven, Seth A., Pat M., Wisdom Quarterly; David Pakman; FckConi


Y'know, it's not just Chinese food. There's Indian, and lots of popcorn and Junior Mints.

Fortunately, this year has many great cinematic releases. May we suggest "Pitch Perfect 3"? Or that "Star Peace," can't see that enough times. Laemmle's has a great selection of elevated art house fare. "My friends won't let me join in any games. And I can't sing Christmas songs or decorate a Christmas tree or leave water out for Rudolph, cause there's something wrong with me. My people don't believe in Jesus Christ's divinity. I'm a Jew, a lonely Jew, on Christmas. Hannukah is nice, but why is it that Santa passes over my house every year? And instead of eating ham I have to eat kosher latki. Instead of 'Silent Night' I'm singing 'Hu, haghtol gavish.' And what the f*ck is up with lighting all these f*cking candles? Tell me please. I'm a Jew, a lonely Jew. I'd me merry, but I'm Hebrew on Christmas." Hooray for South Park's irreverence and Mr. Hankey's (sh*tty) Christmas Classics!