Here is a list of Opinionated Blogs ordered by Last Liked, posted by members. A Blog is a journal you may enter about your life, thoughts, interesting experiences, or lessons you've learned. Post an opinion, impart words of wisdom, or talk about something interesting in your day. Update your blog on a regular basis, or just whenever you have something to say. Creating a blog is a good way to share something of yourself with others. Reading blogs is a good way to learn more about others. Click here to post a blog.
The Edmund Fitzgerald sunk in Lake Superior 47 years ago today
Gordon Lightfoot immortalized the wreck in a song that attributes it to the gales of November come early.
What are the gales of November? And did they come early that night in '75?
SS Edmund Fitzgerald was an American Great Lakes freighter that sank in Lake Superior during a storm on November 10, 1975, with the loss of the entire crew of 29 men. When launched on June 7, 1958, she was the largest ship on North America's Great Lakes, and she remains the largest to have sunk there. She was located in deep water on November 14, 1975, by a U.S. Navy aircraft detecting magnetic anomalies, and found soon afterwards to be in two large pieces.
For 17 years, Edmund Fitzgerald carried taconite iron ore from mines near Duluth, Minnesota, to iron works in Detroit, Toledo, and other Great Lakes ports. As a workhorse, she set seasonal haul records six times, often breaking her own record. Captain Peter Pulcer was known for piping music day or night over the ship's intercom while passing through the St. Clair and Detroit rivers (between lakes Huron and Erie), and entertaining spectators at the Soo Locks (between Lakes Superior and Huron) with a running commentary about the ship. Her size, record-breaking performance, and "DJ captain" endeared Edmund Fitzgerald to boat watchers.
Carrying a full cargo of ore pellets with Captain Ernest M. McSorley in command, she embarked on her ill-fated voyage from Superior, Wisconsin, near Duluth, on the afternoon of November 9, 1975. En route to a steel mill near Detroit, Edmund Fitzgerald joined a second taconite freighter, SS Arthur M. Anderson. By the next day, the two ships were caught in a severe storm on Lake Superior, with near hurricane-force winds and waves up to 35 feet (11 m) high. Shortly after 7:10 p.m., Edmund Fitzgerald suddenly sank in Canadian (Ontario) waters 530 feet (88 fathoms; 160 m) deep, about 17 miles (15 nautical miles; 27 kilometers) from Whitefish Bay near the twin cities of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, and Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario—a distance Edmund Fitzgerald could have covered in just over an hour at her top speed.
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What are the gales of November? And did they come early that night in '75?
SS Edmund Fitzgerald was an American Great Lakes freighter that sank in Lake Superior during a storm on November 10, 1975, with the loss of the entire crew of 29 men. When launched on June 7, 1958, she was the largest ship on North America's Great Lakes, and she remains the largest to have sunk there. She was located in deep water on November 14, 1975, by a U.S. Navy aircraft detecting magnetic anomalies, and found soon afterwards to be in two large pieces.
For 17 years, Edmund Fitzgerald carried taconite iron ore from mines near Duluth, Minnesota, to iron works in Detroit, Toledo, and other Great Lakes ports. As a workhorse, she set seasonal haul records six times, often breaking her own record. Captain Peter Pulcer was known for piping music day or night over the ship's intercom while passing through the St. Clair and Detroit rivers (between lakes Huron and Erie), and entertaining spectators at the Soo Locks (between Lakes Superior and Huron) with a running commentary about the ship. Her size, record-breaking performance, and "DJ captain" endeared Edmund Fitzgerald to boat watchers.
Carrying a full cargo of ore pellets with Captain Ernest M. McSorley in command, she embarked on her ill-fated voyage from Superior, Wisconsin, near Duluth, on the afternoon of November 9, 1975. En route to a steel mill near Detroit, Edmund Fitzgerald joined a second taconite freighter, SS Arthur M. Anderson. By the next day, the two ships were caught in a severe storm on Lake Superior, with near hurricane-force winds and waves up to 35 feet (11 m) high. Shortly after 7:10 p.m., Edmund Fitzgerald suddenly sank in Canadian (Ontario) waters 530 feet (88 fathoms; 160 m) deep, about 17 miles (15 nautical miles; 27 kilometers) from Whitefish Bay near the twin cities of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, and Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario—a distance Edmund Fitzgerald could have covered in just over an hour at her top speed.
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Plastic Recycling Is a Disaster and a ‘Myth,’ Report Says
Greenpeace warns in a new report that we've wasted decades and billions of dollars pretending single-use plastic recycling is feasible or desirable.
A new report from Greenpeace USA paints a dire picture for recycling efforts in the United States: They’ve fundamentally failed.
"The plastics and products industries have been promoting plastic recycling as the solution to plastic waste since the early 1990s. Some 30 years later, the vast majority of U.S. plastic waste is still not recyclable,” the report reads. “The U.S. plastic recycling rate was estimated to have declined to about 5-6% in 2021, down from a high of 9.5% in 2014 and 8.7% in 2018, when the U.S. exported millions of tons of plastic waste to China and counted it as recycled even though much of it was burned or dumped."
In 2020, Greenpeace USA published a survey of plastic recycling in America that looked at about 370 material recovery facilities (MRFs) as part of a larger survey of America's capacity for domestic plastic waste reprocessing. One key result was that only some types of plastic containers could actually be recycled—specifically PET#1 and HDPE#2—but that MRFs regularly accepted other types of plastics, then disposed of them because there was no "end-market buyer." But it gets worse: PET#1 and HDPE#2 are hardly recyclable themselves, falling well below a 30 percent threshold established by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation's New Plastics Economy initiative.
Recycling plastic waste fails for a variety of reasons that Greenpeace boils down to: the impossibility of collection and sorting, the environmental toxicity, synthetic compositions and contamination, and a lack of economic feasibility.
There are thousands of different types of plastics with different compositions that cannot be recycled together, let alone sorted. Plastic recycling facilities are likely to catch on fire because plastic is flammable, and living near one poses a huge health risk—take Turkey, which became a new plastic waste export destination after China banned imports and saw an influx of EU waste expose workers and communities to new health risks. Plastics can also absorb toxic chemicals, further complicating recycling efforts and increasing their toxicity. On top of all this, recycled plastic costs more than new plastic because of the aforementioned factors encouraging companies to simply make more instead of pursuing alternatives.
Greenpeace points to a 2022 interview with Craig Cookson, senior director of plastics sustainability at the American Chemistry Council, where Cookson insists it "is a little bit more in its infancy compared to paper and aluminum and steel.” That’s an interesting way to talk about an industry that has existed for about three decades. But this sort of rhetoric, which Greenpeace dismisses as a delaying tactic, tracks with what recent investigations have found.
In 2020, NPR and PBS Frontline spent months looking into the recycling industry and found that "the industry sold the public on an idea it knew wouldn't work—that the majority of plastic could be, and would be, recycled—all while making billions of dollars selling the world new plastic." In 2022, The Atlantic ran an essay titled “Plastic Recycling Doesn’t Work and Will Never Work” which argued the industry was lying to the public about fundamental roadblocks to plastic waste recycling in part because of how profitable keeping up the facade was.
Read more:
A new report from Greenpeace USA paints a dire picture for recycling efforts in the United States: They’ve fundamentally failed.
"The plastics and products industries have been promoting plastic recycling as the solution to plastic waste since the early 1990s. Some 30 years later, the vast majority of U.S. plastic waste is still not recyclable,” the report reads. “The U.S. plastic recycling rate was estimated to have declined to about 5-6% in 2021, down from a high of 9.5% in 2014 and 8.7% in 2018, when the U.S. exported millions of tons of plastic waste to China and counted it as recycled even though much of it was burned or dumped."
In 2020, Greenpeace USA published a survey of plastic recycling in America that looked at about 370 material recovery facilities (MRFs) as part of a larger survey of America's capacity for domestic plastic waste reprocessing. One key result was that only some types of plastic containers could actually be recycled—specifically PET#1 and HDPE#2—but that MRFs regularly accepted other types of plastics, then disposed of them because there was no "end-market buyer." But it gets worse: PET#1 and HDPE#2 are hardly recyclable themselves, falling well below a 30 percent threshold established by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation's New Plastics Economy initiative.
Recycling plastic waste fails for a variety of reasons that Greenpeace boils down to: the impossibility of collection and sorting, the environmental toxicity, synthetic compositions and contamination, and a lack of economic feasibility.
There are thousands of different types of plastics with different compositions that cannot be recycled together, let alone sorted. Plastic recycling facilities are likely to catch on fire because plastic is flammable, and living near one poses a huge health risk—take Turkey, which became a new plastic waste export destination after China banned imports and saw an influx of EU waste expose workers and communities to new health risks. Plastics can also absorb toxic chemicals, further complicating recycling efforts and increasing their toxicity. On top of all this, recycled plastic costs more than new plastic because of the aforementioned factors encouraging companies to simply make more instead of pursuing alternatives.
Greenpeace points to a 2022 interview with Craig Cookson, senior director of plastics sustainability at the American Chemistry Council, where Cookson insists it "is a little bit more in its infancy compared to paper and aluminum and steel.” That’s an interesting way to talk about an industry that has existed for about three decades. But this sort of rhetoric, which Greenpeace dismisses as a delaying tactic, tracks with what recent investigations have found.
In 2020, NPR and PBS Frontline spent months looking into the recycling industry and found that "the industry sold the public on an idea it knew wouldn't work—that the majority of plastic could be, and would be, recycled—all while making billions of dollars selling the world new plastic." In 2022, The Atlantic ran an essay titled “Plastic Recycling Doesn’t Work and Will Never Work” which argued the industry was lying to the public about fundamental roadblocks to plastic waste recycling in part because of how profitable keeping up the facade was.
Read more:
Trump to Announce 2024 Presidential Run on Nov. 14
Former President Donald Trump is tentatively planning to announce the launch of a 2024 presidential campaign on Nov. 14, possibly kicking off a multiday series of political events, three sources with knowledge of the matter tell Newsmax.
Newsmax’s Mark Halperin reports that the 45th president’s inner circle is blocking off days in their calendars and preparing to travel in anticipation of the official announcement, as they await the midterm election results.
Following what is widely expected to be a night of historic gains for the GOP on Tuesday, Trump apparently plans to ride the post-election excitement to build momentum for his 2024 bid.
According to Halperin’s sources, part of the delay is also related to a personal reason.
Tiffany Trump, the fourth child of the former president, is getting married at her father’s Mar-a-Lago estate on Nov. 12, the sources said, pushing back any potential announcement about running to Nov. 14.
An announcement then would also come just days before the wedding of President Joe Biden’s eldest granddaughter Naomi Biden on Nov. 19 and Biden’s birthday on Nov. 20, according to the sources.
The daughter of Biden’s son Hunter and his first wife Kathleen, Naomi is set to be married at the White House, according to Women’s Health magazine.
In recent weeks, Trump has been endlessly teasing the prospect of running at his rallies, absorbing the applause as he hints that he’s about to make another run.
“In order to make our country successful and safe and glorious, I will very, very, very probably do it again,” he said at his rally in Sioux City, Iowa, according to Axios. “Get ready, that’s all I’m telling you — very soon. Get ready.”
According to Axios, the discussions are ongoing and plans could change, depending on Tuesday’s results, especially if the Senate is still undecided and the Georgia race between Herschel Walker and Raphael Warnock heads for a runoff.
Newsmax’s Mark Halperin reports that the 45th president’s inner circle is blocking off days in their calendars and preparing to travel in anticipation of the official announcement, as they await the midterm election results.
Following what is widely expected to be a night of historic gains for the GOP on Tuesday, Trump apparently plans to ride the post-election excitement to build momentum for his 2024 bid.
According to Halperin’s sources, part of the delay is also related to a personal reason.
Tiffany Trump, the fourth child of the former president, is getting married at her father’s Mar-a-Lago estate on Nov. 12, the sources said, pushing back any potential announcement about running to Nov. 14.
An announcement then would also come just days before the wedding of President Joe Biden’s eldest granddaughter Naomi Biden on Nov. 19 and Biden’s birthday on Nov. 20, according to the sources.
The daughter of Biden’s son Hunter and his first wife Kathleen, Naomi is set to be married at the White House, according to Women’s Health magazine.
In recent weeks, Trump has been endlessly teasing the prospect of running at his rallies, absorbing the applause as he hints that he’s about to make another run.
“In order to make our country successful and safe and glorious, I will very, very, very probably do it again,” he said at his rally in Sioux City, Iowa, according to Axios. “Get ready, that’s all I’m telling you — very soon. Get ready.”
According to Axios, the discussions are ongoing and plans could change, depending on Tuesday’s results, especially if the Senate is still undecided and the Georgia race between Herschel Walker and Raphael Warnock heads for a runoff.
54 states
81 million votes for this guy?
In a fresh gaffe, US President Joe Biden claimed there are "54 states" in the United States. He was delivering a speech at the Pennsylvania Democratic Party reception ahead of the midterm elections in the US. Biden said that "we defeated it in 2018 when they tried to do it. We went to 54 states." The video of Biden's latest gaffe has gone viral, drawing criticism and mocking of the US President.
In a fresh gaffe, US President Joe Biden claimed there are "54 states" in the United States. He was delivering a speech at the Pennsylvania Democratic Party reception ahead of the midterm elections in the US. Biden said that "we defeated it in 2018 when they tried to do it. We went to 54 states." The video of Biden's latest gaffe has gone viral, drawing criticism and mocking of the US President.
Twits on Twitter...
After months of capitulation, Elon Musk signs the Twitter deal and all those who were fearful of their 'freedom of speech' being repressed can sing happy phrases.
On day one, the axe swings and some top executives disappeared. This morning I see he also fired a woman who was a key figure in permanently banning Donald Trump.
Does that mean he will be invited back to spew more lies that got him banned in the first place? I wager yes and that will only accentuate his ability to say literally anything he wants without fear of repercussion. Anything goes as the worlds greatest con artist will have millions of loyal followers and exercise no restraint.
Thanks Elon, you're my hero!
On day one, the axe swings and some top executives disappeared. This morning I see he also fired a woman who was a key figure in permanently banning Donald Trump.
Does that mean he will be invited back to spew more lies that got him banned in the first place? I wager yes and that will only accentuate his ability to say literally anything he wants without fear of repercussion. Anything goes as the worlds greatest con artist will have millions of loyal followers and exercise no restraint.
Thanks Elon, you're my hero!
Monday, 31 October Halloween
One of the few days when the nut jobs can run free...
Wear outrageous costumes
Walk the streets scaring children and animals
And have groups of small children come to their doors mostly unsupervised, and be invited in with offers of candy.
Boy oh boy
Wear outrageous costumes
Walk the streets scaring children and animals
And have groups of small children come to their doors mostly unsupervised, and be invited in with offers of candy.
Boy oh boy
Some useful information...
Living by these 4 simple life-truths can encourage better quality life, and dating relationships:
- True fulfillment comes from thinking beyond yourself
Meaning and purpose are heightened by helping others and by looking at life beyond your own needs and desires. Helping others without seeking validation for yourself is a priceless way to add value to others’ lives and make a difference. The emotional rewards are immense.
- Congruency adds to contentment and peace of mind
When your ideal self (the image you show to others) and your actual self (the real vulnerable you) are congruent, amazing things occur. When your ideal-self and actual-self match and are the same, contentment and peace of mind are attainable. This is because you feel ‘at one’ and show the world your true essential self. You can help yourself towards inner and outer congruency by sticking to your goals and values, even in the face of opposition. Never change yourself to please others.
- Happiness is a fleeting feeling
There is a common misconception that happiness is a consistent state of being. A feeling or emotion that lasts for hours on end. The truth is that happiness is a fleeting emotion. It appears, sometimes we acknowledge its presence, and then it disappears. The last time I felt this brief burst of joy was when I danced around my bedroom to one of my favorite songs. I remember thinking, “I feel very happy right now.”
- We all want love and acceptance
No matter who you are or where you are, love is a feeling that we all want to experience. Feeling loved validates us and helps us to feel important. Whenever you don’t understand someone or feel detached from them, remind yourself that they too, just like you, want to be loved and accepted. I have never met anyone who disagrees with this life truth, and the ‘Universal' Golden Rule is the perfect reminder for us all.
- True fulfillment comes from thinking beyond yourself
Meaning and purpose are heightened by helping others and by looking at life beyond your own needs and desires. Helping others without seeking validation for yourself is a priceless way to add value to others’ lives and make a difference. The emotional rewards are immense.
- Congruency adds to contentment and peace of mind
When your ideal self (the image you show to others) and your actual self (the real vulnerable you) are congruent, amazing things occur. When your ideal-self and actual-self match and are the same, contentment and peace of mind are attainable. This is because you feel ‘at one’ and show the world your true essential self. You can help yourself towards inner and outer congruency by sticking to your goals and values, even in the face of opposition. Never change yourself to please others.
- Happiness is a fleeting feeling
There is a common misconception that happiness is a consistent state of being. A feeling or emotion that lasts for hours on end. The truth is that happiness is a fleeting emotion. It appears, sometimes we acknowledge its presence, and then it disappears. The last time I felt this brief burst of joy was when I danced around my bedroom to one of my favorite songs. I remember thinking, “I feel very happy right now.”
- We all want love and acceptance
No matter who you are or where you are, love is a feeling that we all want to experience. Feeling loved validates us and helps us to feel important. Whenever you don’t understand someone or feel detached from them, remind yourself that they too, just like you, want to be loved and accepted. I have never met anyone who disagrees with this life truth, and the ‘Universal' Golden Rule is the perfect reminder for us all.
A Blog is a journal you may enter about your life, your thoughts, interesting experiences, or lessons you have learned. It's your own page on Connecting Singles that you can update on a regular basis, or just whenever you have something to say. You can write about an opinion, impart words of wisdom, or talk about something interesting in your day. Creating a blog is a good way to share something of yourself with Connecting Singles members. Reading blogs is a good way to learn more about members you have met here. Please be sure to read the blog rules before posting.
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