Author Archives: James Higham

Epiphany [11 to 15]

(0911) Time for breakfast and reading about Epiphany. (1052)

 

15. They breed em toof

… as in Tue 12.


14. Twofer


13. Going to run this one at OoL and here as well

The text below is exactly as I wrote it at Orphans:

https://orphansofliberty.blogspot.com/2026/01/predictable.html

… plus there are lessons here for readers to see for themselves. For that reason, this is a good cautionary tale.

There are two admins at OoL … Julia and myself.  She takes care of the overall, plus comment moderation, I look after the tech side.

As part of that, I expressly agreed with the host that there can be nothing misleading allowed to stay up … fully agree with that. Sometimes we might run something, or a reader might, which turns out not to be initially, factually, completely so … this happens on X a fair bit, resulting in a “community note”.  However, I’ve seen a “community note” to a “community note”, disagreeing with the first “community note”.

To my mind, that’s fine, however ludicrous it seems, as it enables readers to see different angles. The one exception is that if something has been thoroughly debunked over a long period, e.g. Net Zero, then it gets short shrift at sane sites such as OoL, Julia’s or ours across the way … sites where we do deep dives, do our homework before mouthing off.

Uh huh.  So what’s the issue?  This is:

Now, there’s zero point arguing with them as it’s a bit like someone trying to get justice for DJT.  So Letitia James flags it, on the phone to Obama, the case is heard in NYC by Jack Smith, with a handpicked anti Trump jury.  Hardly justice, is it?  Zero percentage for the defamed and that’s the case with all issues today, e.g. the raped girls seeking justice or the vaxx injured and dead.

So, moving past that … that post has clearly gone forever … the more important issue is the toerag or toerags who “flagged” it to a known-known unjust committee and once again, truth bites the dust.

Now, moving even further along, Julia is a libertarian, I am a “classical liberal” in the sense of freedom afap but if there is a clear enemy trying to harm us or in blig terms, a hostile troll … well it’s insanity to allow them. Yes, so there are two readers only on permamoderation, put there by me, plus I request you use a moniker, not Anon by itself, or Unknown. Occasionally the Blgr comments mechanism plays up with that, so it’s a fluid situation.

The libertarians and classical liberals can argue this point until the cows come home. It still doesn’t alter the situation that some toerag flagged the post and I was given no say, except by kangaroo court or star chamber.

On the other hand, this is a known-known, par for the course … we makes our choices, we takes our chances.  And we can never be free of trolling.  Just one more thing … if by some chance anything happened to OoL, you know where Julia blogs from, you know where I do. Keep your eyes open, dear sane reader.

12. Chuckling quietly about this one

… adore it:

11. Epiphany and this winter season

Epiphany (from Greek for “manifestation”) refers to both a Christian feast day on January 6th celebrating Jesus’s divinity revealed to the world (Magi, Baptism, Cana) and a moment of sudden, profound realization or insight in general life, like Archimedes’s “Eureka!” moment, often occurring after deep thought or a new piece of information. It marks the end of the Christmas season in the West, while some Orthodox churches call it Theophany, celebrating Christ’s revelation.

Uh huh … sounds good enough to me. I’ve been trying to get my past in proportion in terms of world events, songs, things which happened to lil ole me (excuse an aging man) and one of those things is exactly when does “my” winter season start and end?

Problem is this … and Dearieme and Toodles might actually agree on this point … the chance of it actually being December 25th, even January 6th/7th, is fairly slim, given that many who’ve studied it put it more likely in September or whenever.

For me, it’s reasonably irrelevant … we need a date or three, the west and east do not agree, just as Iona and Lindisfarne did not agree … so let’s settle on an official Advent, Christmas, Twelve Days of, then Epiphany, Orthodox Christmas (this evening and tomorrow morning) and that’s about it.

In Russia, we’d go back to studies (this year Monday the 12th) somewhere around the 10th … that was a fair end of year break, any longer would be a bit uncomfortable, weatherwise … thus I can count back to just before Christmas during advent … pretty much near the shortest day or the nearest weekend before that (December 20th/21st this year) and again that seems a fair timeframe.

Thus, were someone to ask my fave season, I’d say that specific winter period first, about to end this coming weekend … my second fave would be autumn when the weather turns, leaves fall … third would be early spring when new life appears, rivers flow etc.

Tuesday [6 to 10]

(0700)(0729)

 

10. Moosh corner


9. Does seem a lapse … why? Who?


8. Uh huh


7. IYE in comments

I’d like to re-emphasise some points about nourishing unherdables. When I signpost drops (from there) over here, it is no longer primary source, it’s through my filter here, innit … human nature, no apple-logs. NOWP is the primary source for each new day and I for one do this in the morning => short prayer for the day, coffee on, correspond in emails, check in at HQ, head for NOWP, check the other outlets, then look at the blogrolls.

Back at HQ, I certainly look at comments first:


To my mind, the summary in the sidebar does its initial job … then clicking the post link in green brings up the post itself, scroll down to comments for the overview. I prefer the raw comment to my interpretation of it … one is primary source, the other (of mine in my post) … just interpretative.

6. Over at OoL

https://orphansofliberty.blogspot.com/2026/01/if-people-themselves-are-ecstatic-does.html

Epiphany [1 to 5]

(0549) Morning all … grand sleep, unintentional but welcome, the better to blog with. (0618)

 

5. Again see OoL for overview

… or at least some sidelights.


4. Steve at 1254

  • Maduro Issues Statement as He Pleads Not Guilty and is Stunned by Rights Extended to Him in Court
  • Sounds Good to Me’: Trump Signals Possible Military Operation Against Colombia’s Marxist Leader — Months After Gustavo Petro Mocked US and Dared Arrest
  • Tim Walz Drops Out of Minnesota Governor’s Race (JH: ha ha)
  • A Strategic Trap For [The] Ukraine: The Impending Encirclement Of Orekhov And The Widening War
  • New Zealand: Newly released data suggests link between Covid ā€œvaccinesā€ and increase in cancer
  • Is Nick Shirley’s Somali ExposĆ© an Astroturfed Diversion For Special Interests? (JH: See Tue

3. Andy at 1254

“The hyphenated unherdable Mogg has something to say about the Maduro affair. |  https://youtu.be/bgaz4kVjCVI?si=kwOj9X-0x_6IxPUz …”

I need to speak of Andy here. Old Labour, which means much patriotism but also sees the light today, but still reads the old media. Andy goes to JMR whereas I go to Annunziata, his sister. JMR is straight establishment … therefore anything he says is through that filter. Andy is very much part of this site, giving that alternative take … a bit like Rolf in his way … still bothers with PMQs in parlmt. Just because I could nae longer be bothered does not mean others shouldna.

2. Justin at 1254, with someone called Dominic Frisby

“Ten found guilty over calling Brigitte Macron a man! Better watch what I say”

Seems a musician but the verdict is bizarre.

1. DAD at 1254

Tuesday. Snow here overnight.

a) Why is it that Moose-limbs demand special actions? Can a Moose-limbs defendant appear before a criminal court while observing the Nadamar fast? (JH: Quick reminder about euphemising … good to do but I adopt the IYE framings largely because they seem to work, plus letter rearranging, sometimes other methods. Good reader dropper … we really must you know … just to survive.)

b) Fifteen international bus drivers have been arrested in the province of Barcelona, ​​accused of transporting undocumented migrants between France and Spain. The arrests were announced Monday by the Spanish National Police.

c) More on the ā€œVolcano Groupā€ who claimed responsibility on Sunday for the cable fire that plunged tens of thousands of German homes into darkness: a massive power outage in the midst of a cold snap.

d) Historians will struggle to find another nation so thoroughly deceived by a small clique of people cocooned in taxpayer-funded NGOs or state employment. Germany is entering the eighth year of industrial contraction.

Twelfth Night [21 till close of play]

(1805) Evening all.

ddddd

21. Steve corner

War Room snippets…

  • David Zere: Maduro Was Indicted In 2020, And Prosecutors Have Expanded That Indictment With Charges Of Narco-Terror, Weapons, Corruption, And More
  • Erik Prince: We’ve Given One Warning To The Gangster Class That Still Remains In Venezuela; We Might Need To Send A Few More Remotely For Them To Get The Full Memo

According to Marxist theory socialism is the transitional phase between capitalism and communism:


Two faced:

Screenshot only

Mon Mat

 

“A by-the-books bank manager is forced to rob his own bank by a charming thief who holds his family hostage.

Peter Cushing and Andre Morrell repeat the solid on screen chemistry they displayed three years earlier when they teamed up as Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson in Hammer’s version of The Hound of the Baskervilles (1959). This time they are antagonists with Morrell playing the suave robber and Cushing – in a change of pace role – as the ultra priggish banker. Morrell is deliciously nasty but Cushing really deserves some acting kudos for creating a “jerk” of a character that you actually start to sympathize with as Morrell turns the screws.

Quentin Lawrence, a veteran of British TV, skillfully directs a tight script in a confined setting and keeps the tension high and story moving – almost like it’s unfolding in real time. Once the normal routines and relationships are quickly established, he ratchets up the tension with Morrell’s arrival and never lets up. The psychological duel begins and it’s a treat to watch.

My only nitpick about the film is the ending which I thought was a little too neat and tidy for my taste.”

Monday [16 to 20]

(1119) Afternoon all, film coming up, having a short break. (1242)

 

20. Councils making redacted payments


19. Moosh corner


18. And once again


17. Some of you will recall mention of an ARC Conference

… whatever that is. Now, in the interest of knowing whose bias is which way, Wolf is heavily down on Yusuf Farage, to the point he explores more deeply:


My reaction is … uh huh … always interesting to know a bit more, such as with Badlands and that Danny Thomas tweet. Still not altogether sure what that was meant to signify. Three nationalists went to France where the migrant camps are, in order to break them up in “Overlord 2”.

With three unarmed guys, what were they hoping for? Was it to spark a general rising across the UK? Not knocking their loyalty to their country and culture but it was hardly in the 3 million march category of September 13th.

On the other hand, what sparked Venezuela and Iran? There has to be something, does there not? Some catalyst … though in Iran, the empire has certainly struck back at disorganised patriots. It’s a thorny problem … initial rising is one thing but it definitely needs a major person or event.

The reason I could not run that tweet was it did a Lucy Connolly … urged direct action … knock on the door stuff. I’m of course not against the people across the land saying no more but there needs to be a clear path, a series of steps taken by someone strong and experienced. It needs to be organised by someone dangerous but I don’t see anyone like a Trump emerging. Not yet.

16. The Zombies

Another Quora effort by music writer Sam Steiger. Many remember She’s Not There as part of the British Invasion of the US. It was the band’s only really big hit, they did their obligatory tour of the States but failed to follow up with anything much, splitting up a year or two later.

However, as the article says:

“The Zombies, from St Albans in the U.K. scored a huge billboard hit in 1969 with ā€˜ Time of the Season’. Despite having split-up two years previously due to a failure to follow up on initial success, American label CBS continued to release singles from the band’s album ā€˜Odessey & Oracle’.

ā€˜Time of the Season’ became a surprise hit when it crept inexorably to #3 in the charts.

Delta Productions, an extremely unscrupulous booking agency, decided to capitalise on the hit single by filling the vacuum for a touring band left by the absence of the originals.

As such, at least two separate bands were sent out on the road as The Zombies. One of them included Frank Beard and Dusty Hill, two thirds of the future ZZ Top and despite having no keyboard player and wearing cowboy hats they got away with the ruse. For a while, in any case.

Colin Blunstone, of the original band, finally got wind of the shenanigans and Delta Productions’ fun came to a stop.

Not before they also attempted a similar scam with a fake The Animals band and, of all things, a knock-off The Archies. Yes, the cartoon group.”

Twelfth Night [11 to 15]

(0842)(0920)

 

15. Russia

14. Greenland


13. An oldy but a goody from Scotland

Of course it’s total fiction as a Scot never loses his temper and comes charging at you at Murrayfield with sword and shield in full regalia.

12. Twelfth Night

Here’s one view below (from RTE) of Twelfth Night (tonight), Epiphany being tomorrow. However, the evening of the 6th and morn of the 7th are also Orthodox Christmas. I take down during the 6th as a nod to both eastern and western traditions.

Monday [6 to 10]

(0516) Still dark. Yes, yesterday was difficult, as issues also came up domestically, catching up now, some concerns still, hopefully to be resolved. Snow outside right now. (0613)

 

10. Moosh corner


9. Steve

“The execution of a warrant for the arrest of El Presidente was more than just remarkable. US forces neutralised the entire Russia-supplied air defence network, including the Pantsir system (in service 2012), which provides point air defence. Rumours are they also used something entirely new to knock out all the power, rather like an EMP would do.

Oh, and AC-130 Spectre Gunships began arriving at airfields in England this morning. Make of that what you will.”

8. IYE

Turn the music off – it’s a visual – but watch to the end. Trump junior’s latest squeeze’s background.

7. Over at Roobeedoo

HERE


6. Steve and war room at 1253

  • Todd Wood: This Is A Much Bigger Operation Than What You See On The News. There Were Literally Hundreds Of Aircraft Involved
  • Javier Negre: Venezuelans Are Celebrating In Cities Across Spain, Chile, Mexico, And South America, While Socialist Governments Criticize The Move Amid Longstanding Ties To Maduro’s Regime
  • Oscar Ramirez: Maduro Isn’t the Regime. These Two Men Are
  • Frank Gaffney: The people of Venezuela, not American troops, are the only way forward

There are two sets of principles I need to reiterate:

a. The big nations are gangsters, the small nations whores. The nations surrounding the big nations will always be subject to the big … at a minimum, they need neutrality and demilitarisation, they must not cross the red lines of the big nation. China-Japan are two cases. Anything else is destabilisation by letter agencies.

b. There are things an admin or webmaster sees inside the engine room and communication centre which even close people outside do not. His job is to minimise threats to the complex from any source, sometimes requiring adherence on some anathema demands, with ways around those aspects then built into the system.

The reason he does it is to ensure the communication outlet stays open. There are some weird things which those with power over the linkages in the broadcasting get into their heads and will not budge on. We here pick up on ones known to us … usually we put them on our watch list (navbar) but sometimes it needs a post sub-item like this. One thing the platforms seem implacable on is a site starting with “rum…”

The whole idea of Unherdables is to provide an outlet for various authors, protected from attack on them.

Separately, HQ, as I’ve warned over and over, has specific vulnerabilities different to the others. While powerful inside its guts, it can still instantly be lost, by pinpointed attack. When there is no percentage in making things into red lines of our own, i.e. unnecessary provocation of the big boys, then as long as these things are still accessible to the reader indirectly, then that’s a “work-around”.

There are decisions having to be made all the time on this or that, there’s no emotion or “ruffled feathers” involved … it’s forever “this works”, “this doesn’t”, “this is an asset”, “this is not”. Only the guy getting the constant messages and threats sees the overview, only he must weigh up best way forward but only in the context of the needs of all personnel involved. One of those needs is no empire building, extract ego from the equation (reference to me by the way).