Notices by RolloTreadway (rollotreadway@beige.party)

I don't normally say anything about the terrible things happening in the Middle East right now. This isn't because I don't care, I care very much. It's because other people have far more useful things to say, I have nothing worthwhile to contribute. And also, I don't want to have to deal with replies.

But this particular matter is something that's been bothering me and I have to get it off my chest, sorry. It's this:

In the media, I overwhelmingly see Israeli attacks on Beirut and other Lebanese cities described as attacks on Hezbollah.

An attack on Beirut is an attack on Lebanon. Hezbollah is not Lebanon. Hezbollah is not the Lebanese government. Hezbollah is not the Lebanese people. An attack on Lebanon is an attack on Lebanon. An invasion of Lebanon is an invasion of Lebanon. Lebanon is an independent, sovereign state - yes, one in which some terrorists live and operate, but that is true of many countries.

During the Troubles, there were many supporters and funders of the IRA in parts of the US. Does that mean that Britain should have invaded America and have it described as an operation against the IRA? I'm sure nobody would think that makes any kind of sense at all.

If Israel invades a sovereign independent state, then it should be reported as that. Lebanon is not Hezbollah. The Lebanese people are not Hezbollah. They are being punished, killed, because they happen through no fault of their own to live in the same country as some terrorists.

I'm just really pissed off by this, it's not okay at all.

Okay, that's off my chest, I'll go back to talking about music and rain and sandwiches and stuff. I just had to say something somewhere. Sorry.

The #TuneTuesday topic this week, from @SimoRavens19 via @Kitty, is #AreWeThereYet - for songs about transport.

It's a grim Tuesday morning here, so let's add a bit of energy. Here's King Boy D and Rockman Rock in their ludicrous, world-bestriding imperial phase. Altogether now: MU MU. MU MU.

The KLF - Last Train to Trancentral (Live from the Lost Continent)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pC_zffOenk8

Here's a new album. It's by a band from Niger, Etran de l'Aïr, and it's called 100% Sahara Guitar.

I don't think I really need to describe it; it's by a Nigerien band and it's called 100% Sahara Guitar. The cover has four guys with guitars and drums on a tuktuk in the desert. You know exactly what you're getting. If it's your kind of thing, I recommend it, it's a very enjoyable album. If that's not your kind of thing, probably not worth your while.

https://etrandelair.bandcamp.com/album/100-sahara-guitar

#music #NewMusic

#Eurovision Yes Nemo! Very much appreciating them marching out with the non-binary flag during the flag parade. :blobcatenby:

Blimey! Barry the sandwich guy made a Wigan kebab! https://youtu.be/ROzIqKLcyS0

Went to the library. Aren't libraries great? FREE BOOKS.

@selzero I know we're not sticking to 1989 songs exclusively (given your own choice), but as 'all music up to 1989' is an impossibly huge thing, I'm going to stick to 1989 anyway.

And I'm putting on Pacific State.
https://youtu.be/Tv0UiQ5n7SM

A first #bloomscrolling of the year from my own garden. The little sweet box bush that I planted towards the end of 2022 is doing quite nicely, and there's snowdrops blooming too.

#gardening

@Bwee Been a huge improvement. It's the only good thing in my life at the moment. I've met lovely people who I talk to all the time, but none of that time is infected with twitter bullshit.

Can someone help me with a Fedi question?

Is universeodon.com widely defederated or otherwise limited at the moment? I know there have been issues with it at some time.

(I have a good friend on that instance and I'm curious about if they should move.)

#Fediverse #Mastodon

@Gargron You do realise, don't you, that this is a very awful country?

@passenger @Gargron But there are lots of beautiful countries, and in some of them, everything isn't irretrievably broken.