STABLES AND HAREMS

Just when viewers may have believed it was safe to go back into the water (https://soundcloud.com/aamandacarp/jaws-theme-song) I’m addressing something other than photography and related again that by any analysis is more important than my photographic pursuits.

The only incentive Republican pols need, the threat that their handlers will cut off their allowance/bribe money.

Need anymore proof they are bought and paid for?

The infusion of corporate money into politics isn’t something new, it hasn’t been a secret.

People may have condemned it, looked away if they believe it advanced their own personal or party agenda, or grudgingly accepted it as just the way it is and nothing can be done about it – especially in view of the SC ruling related to Citizens United.

Both the law and the SC ’s mandate is or should be based on sound reasoning, not favoritism, political debts, or personal ideology.

If that in fact were the situation we would be living in an entirely different society.

At the very core of the Constitution is a stated principle to insure and protect the common welfare of citizens – this isn’t nor ever will be the guiding principle if wealth and it’s accompanying influence direct either policy, legislation, the enactment of biased laws, or the failure to exclude corporate money and lobbyists working on their behalf.

I seriously doubt the rank and file actually understand healthcare issues, the impact it will have that will affect a great many among those who march in lockstep based singularly on misinformation and an agenda to further increase the wealth of one percenters via the vehicle of “tax breaks” they will receive.

Populism can be reflective of many things, it has and can serve a viable purpose at times, but it can also be a snare, a wolf clothed in sheeps clothing.

History speaks to that, and a history ignored will repeat itself.

Examples of this repetition can be seen everywhere as we see a resurgence in racism, the strategy of pitting demographic against demographic and the increasingly overt denigration of the disenfranchised, those at or below the poverty line.

“Alternative facts” presented as truth and truth as “fake news” – nothing new in this either and to paraphrase former president Ronald Reagan there isn’t a great deal of difference between politics and prostitution.

It isn’t that there is no historical precedent for politicians selling themselves, the problem is their respective parties are taking on the appearance of a pimps “stable” or a potentates harem.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/koch-urgency-conservative-network-fears-closing-window-075811642–election.html

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMFgCSwAOzs

PLUG INS AND SILVER EFEX PRO

 

After having been asked in a previous blog if I were familiar with Nik Sliver Efex Pro, did I use it and my related opinion I decided on checking it out – part of the incentive is it’s basically freeware now and downloads as part of collection of useful plugins.

Never used it before and somewhat surprised – the U points are handy and there’s some options which you won’t find in LR or PS.

What may set it apart if that’s the correct word is the way it renders – kind of like lenses, the way they handle color for instance – an example would the reputation Zeiss has earned for colors that pop, the Zeiss look.

The downside is Google has orphaned the program – no further development, no updates.

The above represents my first experience with Silver Efex Pro, nothing fancy, invested a minimum amount of time and effort, but will spend more in the next day or two.

My first impression – don’t really have any negatives at this point to address but also know it has some serious competition.

That being said it certainly warrants a place in anyone’s plug in folder. 

APPRECIATION

I had a child ask me why were butterflies called butterflies?

I have to admit I was stumped, I scouted around the net for an answer but there doesn’t seem to be anything definitive – more of what could be referred to as educated guesses and speculation.

It was something of a revelation that the average lifespan for a butterfly is two weeks though some species can live up to a year or so.

Something to keep in mind this short lifespan as we appreciate their beauty and service as pollinators.    

FOLLOW THE LEADER

Kinda reminds me of children playing follow the leader.

GOLDEN 2

A little more gold

NIGHTFALL BEGINS

Nightfall isn’t an abrupt occurrence, it kind of slides over you like pulling a blanket up, something to nestle and wrap yourself in.

RETURN THE SMILE

Flowers usually appear in clusters swaying and dancing in the wind – a large field of them can take on the appearance of what’s known as a “mosh pit” or perhaps even a “rave”.

If the wind is gentle their movements mimic a highly choreographed chorus line or rhythmic movement of ocean waves, the gentle caress of a river or stream along a shore line lapping at your feet.

Flowers seem gregarious to me, outgoing and interactive, they like company whether it is their kindred or that of pollinators.

If you see a flower return the smile, maybe even join the dance ……. you know, that dance like no one is watching thing.