Friday Open Comments

The Apennine Colossus is a stone statue in Vaglia, Tuscany in Italy. Giambologna (Flemish sculptor Jean de Boulogne) created the colossal figure, a personification of the Apennine Mountains, in the late 1580s.

“The colossus is about 11 metres (36 ft) high. It was the water source for the Pratolino, its fountains and secret water plays. The colossus has the appearance of an elderly man crouched at the shore of a lake and is surrounded by other sculptures depicting mythological themes from Ovid’s Metamorphosis including Pegasus , Parnassus or Jupiter.It is presumed that Giambologna was inspired by the description of a mountain-like Atlas in Ovid’s Metamorphoses, when he designed the figure of Apennine. Other sources cite the Atlas as described in the Aeneid of the Roman poet Virgil as an inspiration.

With his left hand in front of him, the Apennine seems to squeeze the head of a sea monster through whose open mouth water emanates into the pond ahead of the statue. The stone colossus is depicted naked, with stalactites in the thick beard and long hair to show the metamorphosis of man and mountain, blending his body with the surrounding nature, populated by aquatic vegetation. The statue is described to originally have been emerging from its environment like being alive. The giant was able to sweat and weep over a network of water pipes. In the winter season, icicles would cover his body. The work was made of stone and plaster and appearing to be partially covered with moss and lichens.”
– Wiki

If I make it back to Tuscany, this is on my bucket list.


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squawkbox
Admin
September 27, 2024 9:20 pm

Texpat
For up to date news in Israel even during Shabbat, download Telegram for Mac create an account and follow this account @beholdisraelchannel. Amir Tsarfati is a native Israeli Jew and former major in the Israeli Defense Forces. Amir served as the deputy governor of Jericho, being tasked to negotiate and coordinate with the Palestinians for a successful Israeli withdrawal from the city. A lot of what you see on the news i have known about up to a month before you. BTW Beirut is burning.

Texpat
Admin
September 27, 2024 7:43 pm

I am still stunned by this sculpture in Italy by this Flemish man in the 1580s. Jean de Boulogne had nothing but a hammer, a chisel and maybe a crude trowel. These whiny, lazy, weasels today who claim to be artists have no idea what passion, hard work and dedication are. This piece is 36 feet tall, for crying out loud.

Last edited 5 months ago by Texpat
Texpat
Admin
September 27, 2024 7:34 pm

It is Shabbat right now and in Israel. All the news and media are shut down until sundown tomorrow. It’s 3:30 AM there now. Look for updated Israeli media and government updates after about 12:00 noon tomorrow EDT.

Tedtam
Admin
September 27, 2024 7:17 pm

I had some of my stitches removed today; I go back next week for the rest. We discussed my upcoming Nov. 6th surgery, which I have been dreading for a long time. “It shouldn’t be as bad as this one,” Dr. Lucena said. I replied “I don’t think anything could.” He chuckled. But he is pleased with the progress, and he confirmed that I will have a palate cover ready in November, when they take the tissue graft from the roof of my mouth. Since I was close to the VA Hospital, I stopped off to see my throat cancer… Read more »

Adee
September 27, 2024 5:49 pm

Above is a wonderful work of art. There is much to see in it and well worth looking at it several times to see it all. 🙂

wagonburner
Editor
wagonburner
September 27, 2024 2:41 pm

We can all relax now.

A White House official says that President Bidenhas been briefed on the operation.

squawkbox
Admin
September 27, 2024 2:24 pm

Seems to be a lot of good information here.

Last edited 5 months ago by squawkbox
Tedtam
Admin
September 27, 2024 2:14 pm
Texpat
Admin
September 27, 2024 2:08 pm
squawkbox
Admin
September 27, 2024 2:05 pm

Full text of Netanyahu’s UN speech: ‘Enough is enough,’ he says of Hezbollah, also warns Iran

You would do well to RDTWDT.

Bonecrusher
September 27, 2024 1:58 pm

This is a new source of info for me, the newspaper israelhayom.com. The link goes to this newspaper and is confirmation of Squawk’s 1:52 below.

squawkbox
Admin
September 27, 2024 1:52 pm

Israel targets Hezbollah leader Nasrallah in strike on Beirut headquarters

Last edited 5 months ago by squawkbox
Tedtam
Admin
September 27, 2024 1:12 pm

The Cackler’s new political ad about how she’s going to fix the border situation – I thought it was a joke at first.

It wasn’t. It was a serious ad.

But there is a joke. It’s her.

Texpat
Admin
September 27, 2024 12:22 pm

Syrian journalist Hadi al-Abdallah wrote, “Even if the devil himself came and killed Hezbollah’s thugs, we’d be just as happy.” Many Syrians are celebrating Israel’s operations against Hezbollah because of the terror group’s role in atrocities during its civil war.During the Syrian Civil War, which began in 2011, Hezbollah assisted the government of Syria’s Alawite president, Bashar al-Assad, as part of the Iranian-Shia so-called “axis of resistance.”Hezbollah perpetrated numerous atrocities as they were deployed in various areas in Syria to crush Sunni resistance.Syrians have taken to social media amid Israel’s operations and are rejoicing over the Jewish State’s targeted strikes… Read more »

Texpat
Admin
September 27, 2024 12:11 pm

WOW. Check out this blue agave plantation in Israel’s Negev desert.

It’s almost 35,000 acres of Mexican cactus. Soon tequila from Israel. It’s one of the few crops you can grow in an arid desert.

Texpat
Admin
September 27, 2024 11:56 am

It’s one thing to appropriate money to Israel and another thing to actually deliver it or not slow walk the delivery. (Sep. 26, 2024 / JNS)Israel’s Ministry of Defense announced that it had secured an $8.7 billion military aid package from the United States on Thursday.According to the ministry, $3.5 billion of the money is for “essential wartime procurement” and the remaining $5.2 billion is for air-defense systems, including Iron Dome and David’s Sling.“This substantial investment will significantly strengthen critical systems, such as Iron Dome and David’s Sling while supporting the continued development of an advanced high-powered laser defense system currently… Read more »

Tedtam
Admin
September 27, 2024 11:27 am

I was transferring my cooked pork into vacuum bags for freezing this morning, and was taking the bone out to the trash can before the truck arrived. (Made it just in time!) My neighbor called me over and before I knew it…. Anyway, I’m back now. The OC pic looks interesting. So much to see and do in this big wide world, but I wonder how much of it I’ll get to see. The influx of people who’d object to my presence has grown in Europe. My dream trip would be to get in a car and just start driving… Read more »

Texpat
Admin
September 27, 2024 10:12 am

As usual, Peachy Keenan is correct. Like Rush Limbaugh always said: You have to change the hearts and minds of the people to rid the nation of abortion. But abortion is at its tiny beating heart not, I repeat not, a political issue. It never has been, actually. It is not solvable at the federal, or even state, level. It cannot be eradicated via executive order, law, or any craft we here possess. “Abortionist” is the second oldest profession after “prostitute.” Humans are human. They will therefore sin and keep on sinning until the very end of time. You could sooner… Read more »

Texpat
Admin
September 27, 2024 9:33 am

Conservatives continue to win around the world despite the best cheating intentions of the Left. In what was the week’s second biggest surprise – the first one being China’a bazooka stimulus announcement – Shigeru Ishiba, who was widely viewed as an underdog in today’s LDP leadership election, was elected leader of Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic party, handing national power to a noted China and monetary policy hawk who wants a more equal defense relationship with the US and has vowed to fight to prevent the nation falling back into deflation.Ishiba, the 67-year-old former defense and agriculture minister, was elected LDP… Read more »

Texpat
Admin
September 27, 2024 9:27 am

Kamala Harris keeps repeating this line. We have the ability to see what can be, unburdened by what has been and then to make the possible happen actually. A writer pointed out this week the line is lifted almost verbatim from Communist dogma. Unsurprising, since Harris’ father is a Marxist economics professor. George J. Woolridge writes… The phrase “What can be, unburdened by what has been” resonates with themes found in revolutionary movements, including the Chinese Revolution, by suggesting a radical break from the past to envision a new future. Here’s how it parallels with the Chinese Revolution:Vision of a… Read more »

Texpat
Admin
September 27, 2024 9:00 am

Let me introduce you to Dahlia Rose Hibiscus. Don’t be drinking your coffee when you watch this. It is priceless. Meet Kamala Harris’s holistic thought advisor Dahlia Rose Hibiscus (Desi Lydic), who is deeply committed to helping the Vice President translate words into idea voyages. Hibiscus preaches the practice of speaking without thinking and encourages Harris to describe her journeys, molding our Vice President into a meditative guru. Some friend of Ed Morrissey found this Comedy Channel’s The Daily Show video. It was made back in May when any reasonable person couldn’t imagine a Kamala Harris candidacy for president. Shockingly,… Read more »

Super Dave
September 27, 2024 8:48 am

Reel Companions, Miller Brewing Company Ad 1958 with a Rainbow Trout.
The good old days?

squawkbox
Admin
September 27, 2024 8:35 am

The land for the Arlington National Cemetery was stolen from General Robert E Lee. How is an intriguing story.

The 45 Graves that Defended Arlington National Cemetery

Texpat
Admin
September 27, 2024 8:35 am

He is right, you know. Trying to make freedom of movement illegal is unconstitutional. I’ve been a lifelong opponent of abortion and was horrified as a teenager when the original Roe vs Wade suit was filed. However, this seems over the top, a violation of basic rights and unnecessary virtue signaling by some people in Amarillo. It’s entirely possible that there was an Amarillo resident or two in the crowd who quietly rejoiced to see Stanley topple over. In his brief tenure as mayor of the Panhandle capital, Stanley has managed to upset and surprise a whole range of constituents.… Read more »

Texpat
Admin
September 27, 2024 8:00 am

A Bellville woman is in custody, accused of stealing more than $10,000 from her local little league baseball organization.

Hoffman first came under the radar of authorities after claims surfaced that receipts were missing from the concession stands at Bellville Little League baseball games during the 2023-24 season. Through bank records, authorities discovered more than $10,000 had been stolen from the league.

Texpat
Admin
September 27, 2024 7:45 am

This is the worst case of corporate moral deviancy I have seen. If there is worse, I’m unaware of it. Anti-woke crusader Robby Starbuck has been on the front lines, combating the rise of “wokeism” that has infiltrated the nation, primarily through mega-corporations pushing this far-left sinister agenda to undermine the West. This public/private partnership is being achieved through corporations, governments, and large non-governmental organizations to usher in wokeism, or as some experts suggest, ’21st Century Communism’. and this unbelievable garbage can of corporate behavior, Toyota sponsored a drag queen program at a summer camp for kids identifying as LGBTQ+.Toyota opposes laws that ban sex changes for kids and funds groups… Read more »

Super Dave
September 27, 2024 5:56 am

Sister just reported in and she didn’t get any real wind at all. Little rain overnight.

Super Dave
September 27, 2024 5:45 am

I saw a Mattress Mac commercial and dang he’s looking bad, how old is he, a 100?!? If memory serves he’s only a few years older than me. He didn’t age very well. He is a good man though.

Super Dave
September 27, 2024 5:41 am

Watching the local news here is fun, it seems that y’all have a Federal Judge that pulled a “Jesse Smollette” and faked a MAGA attack on-line. Of course the Police Officer Gerald Goines conviction was interesting and they even tied him to George Floyd some way? OH and please tell me the clown running against Ted Cruz doesn’t have a chance. He seems to be running on abortion per his ads. FWIW; The Ted Cruz race is of course on nation news when the Senate is discussed. Oh wait, I have to check out Jennifer’s traffic report. 😀

Super Dave
September 27, 2024 5:33 am

Well as expected the brunt of the storm missed the old home place and is now up in north central Georgia, man that was fast! Sister reported about 3″ of rain from 10 AM to 4 PM but it had slacked off by then. Looking at the radar it didn’t look like there would be much more rain after that. The bulk of the rain came when the eye of the storm was 150 miles south the Big Bend area of Florida and about 300 miles from Podunk. No reports on any damage from the wind yet but it was… Read more »

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