Virtual Vanaprastha
@virtualvanaprastha.bsky.social
Poet, essayist, amateur scholar of cultural anthropology and literary history who loves the small details. A throwback Progressive dedicated to the canon, rigorous rational analysis and ballasting the present with a strong knowledge of the past. No DMs.
“By Tudor times, when we begin to find documents that describe the already historical importance of the boar for upper class Christmas dinners, and the traditions that went with them, its population was small.”
The Wild Boar from Valhalla to Christmas Kitchen.
gilbertwesleypurdy.blogspot.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:10 PM
“By Tudor times, when we begin to find documents that describe the already historical importance of the boar for upper class Christmas dinners, and the traditions that went with them, its population was small.”
"Items that were removed included chicken broth; fresh onions and celery; poultry seasoning; Marie Callender’s pecan pie; frozen whipped topping; mini marshmallows; Jiffy Corn muffin mix; and three bags of sweet potatoes.
Three items also were downsized:..."
Three items also were downsized:..."
Trump cites Walmart’s Thanksgiving deal as proof prices are falling, but the package shrank instead - Poynter
Walmart’s $40 holiday bundle is cheaper than last year’s, but an analysis shows the savings come from fewer and smaller items — not lower food prices
www.poynter.org
November 24, 2025 at 11:20 AM
"Items that were removed included chicken broth; fresh onions and celery; poultry seasoning; Marie Callender’s pecan pie; frozen whipped topping; mini marshmallows; Jiffy Corn muffin mix; and three bags of sweet potatoes.
Three items also were downsized:..."
Three items also were downsized:..."
“This legislation prohibits federal immigration officials from arresting individuals attending or leaving New York courthouses, or those present for proceedings, unless a warrant signed by a judge is presented.”
Judge tosses lawsuit challenging law barring immigration agents from NY courthouses
This legislation prohibits federal immigration officials from arresting individuals attending or leaving New York courthouses
www.independent.co.uk
November 19, 2025 at 3:48 PM
“This legislation prohibits federal immigration officials from arresting individuals attending or leaving New York courthouses, or those present for proceedings, unless a warrant signed by a judge is presented.”
The U.S. State Department has declared Germany's Antifa-Ost — sworn enemies of the extreme right-wing (some say Neo-Nazi) Alternative for Germany party — a "terrorist organization". It is applying sanctions against it, its members and any Germans who support it.
"The Alternative for Germany (AfD), classified as extremist by Germany's domestic intelligence service and ostracised by mainstream parties, has held meetings with senior U.S. State Department officials in recent months — a rare move for a far-right opposition party in an allied country,..."
www.reuters.com
November 15, 2025 at 1:32 PM
The U.S. State Department has declared Germany's Antifa-Ost — sworn enemies of the extreme right-wing (some say Neo-Nazi) Alternative for Germany party — a "terrorist organization". It is applying sanctions against it, its members and any Germans who support it.
"The Alternative for Germany (AfD), classified as extremist by Germany's domestic intelligence service and ostracised by mainstream parties, has held meetings with senior U.S. State Department officials in recent months — a rare move for a far-right opposition party in an allied country,..."
www.reuters.com
November 15, 2025 at 1:24 PM
"The Alternative for Germany (AfD), classified as extremist by Germany's domestic intelligence service and ostracised by mainstream parties, has held meetings with senior U.S. State Department officials in recent months — a rare move for a far-right opposition party in an allied country,..."
A remarkable accomplishment. A 30+ minute AI generated video claiming the Mahmoud Mamdani was banned from the U.S. by the Trump administration in Oct. 2024 among other blatant errors/inconsistencies. Numerous tiny breaks in the flow. The general point of the presentation is actually well taken.
“Most People Have No Idea What Trump Just Did To Mamdani” - Obama
YouTube video by The Loud Room
www.youtube.com
November 14, 2025 at 6:35 PM
A remarkable accomplishment. A 30+ minute AI generated video claiming the Mahmoud Mamdani was banned from the U.S. by the Trump administration in Oct. 2024 among other blatant errors/inconsistencies. Numerous tiny breaks in the flow. The general point of the presentation is actually well taken.
No puppy. It's out of date. But still...
November 12, 2025 at 11:36 PM
No puppy. It's out of date. But still...
"Constitution Article I, Section 9, Clause 3:
No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed."
Could not be more blatantly unconstitutional.
No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed."
Could not be more blatantly unconstitutional.
Shutdown deal lets senators sue for $500,000 over data seizures like those in Jan. 6 probe
A provision of shutdown deal authorizes senators to bring lawsuits if federal law enforcement seizes or subpoenas their data without notifying them, with potential damages of $500,000.
www.cbsnews.com
November 12, 2025 at 11:27 PM
"Constitution Article I, Section 9, Clause 3:
No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed."
Could not be more blatantly unconstitutional.
No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed."
Could not be more blatantly unconstitutional.
All the right way to spend Veterans Day.
The days of thanking veterans today and forgetting them tomorrow has to come to an end.
November 12, 2025 at 2:49 PM
All the right way to spend Veterans Day.
'Obama said. "To all those who bravely served our country, thank you to you and your family for your extraordinary service. The sacrifices that all of you made to protect our country will be honored, today and every day."'
Happy Veterans Day to all who have served.
Happy Veterans Day to all who have served.
Obama surprises dozens of veterans after their plane arrives in Washington for Veterans Day
Former President Obama surprised dozens of Korean and Vietnam War veterans by greeting their plane after it arrived in Washington for Veterans Day on a flight organized by a nonprofit group.
www.cbsnews.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:48 PM
'Obama said. "To all those who bravely served our country, thank you to you and your family for your extraordinary service. The sacrifices that all of you made to protect our country will be honored, today and every day."'
Happy Veterans Day to all who have served.
Happy Veterans Day to all who have served.
"Democrats expanded their majority in the 100-member chamber from 51 to 64 seats, according to unofficial [now official] results from the Virginia Department of Elections.
The victories came alongside a clean sweep of statewide offices,..."
The victories came alongside a clean sweep of statewide offices,..."
Blue wave sweeps Virginia, Democrats flip 13 House seats
(The Center Square) – In a historic blue wave across the commonwealth, Virginia Democrats flipped 13 House of Delegates seats on Tuesday, giving the party full control of the General
www.thecentersquare.com
November 8, 2025 at 3:00 PM
"Democrats expanded their majority in the 100-member chamber from 51 to 64 seats, according to unofficial [now official] results from the Virginia Department of Elections.
The victories came alongside a clean sweep of statewide offices,..."
The victories came alongside a clean sweep of statewide offices,..."
"Women candidates have powered the party’s resurgence in Virginia since 2017, when voters tipped the state blue in response to Donald Trump’s initial White House victory. That year, Democrats took all three statewide offices and came within one seat of control of the House of Delegates,..."
Beyond Spanberger, women fuel a Democratic resurgence in Virginia
In Tuesday’s election, women made history in the executive branch, set records in the House of Delegates — and evoked pride from female leaders of generations past.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 8, 2025 at 2:55 PM
"Women candidates have powered the party’s resurgence in Virginia since 2017, when voters tipped the state blue in response to Donald Trump’s initial White House victory. That year, Democrats took all three statewide offices and came within one seat of control of the House of Delegates,..."
[Incl. video, 2:13] '“Our administration is fully standing by to support in any aspect necessary to make sure that the transition goes extremely smoothly and that Governor-elect Spanberger is ready on Day One to do the job of the people,” Youngkin said.'
Youngkin and Spanberger meet to discuss transition of power
Just two days after Abigail Spanberger became Virginia’s Governor-elect, the transition between her administration and Governor Glenn Youngkin’s is in full swing.
www.wric.com
November 8, 2025 at 2:45 PM
[Incl. video, 2:13] '“Our administration is fully standing by to support in any aspect necessary to make sure that the transition goes extremely smoothly and that Governor-elect Spanberger is ready on Day One to do the job of the people,” Youngkin said.'
An oldie but a goodie.
November 6, 2025 at 10:54 PM
An oldie but a goodie.
'Duran was sentenced to 50 years in prison, and he and other collaborators were ordered to pay $87 million in restitution.
Trump commuted Duran’s sentence, and wrote in his clemency order that Duran would be subject to “no further fines [or] restitution” related to his case.'
Trump commuted Duran’s sentence, and wrote in his clemency order that Duran would be subject to “no further fines [or] restitution” related to his case.'
Trump Grants Clemency to Executive Who Led $205M Medicare Fraud Scheme — as GOP Says They’re Eliminating “Fraud”
Republicans have claimed they’re “saving” Medicaid from “waste, fraud and abuse” with massive cuts.
truthout.org
November 6, 2025 at 10:14 PM
'Duran was sentenced to 50 years in prison, and he and other collaborators were ordered to pay $87 million in restitution.
Trump commuted Duran’s sentence, and wrote in his clemency order that Duran would be subject to “no further fines [or] restitution” related to his case.'
Trump commuted Duran’s sentence, and wrote in his clemency order that Duran would be subject to “no further fines [or] restitution” related to his case.'
Several hours ago, Novo Nordisk exec Gordon Findlay lost consciousness, during a press conference, and collapsed in the Oval Office. Donald Trump stood waiting for the event to resume.
November 6, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Several hours ago, Novo Nordisk exec Gordon Findlay lost consciousness, during a press conference, and collapsed in the Oval Office. Donald Trump stood waiting for the event to resume.
Great day. A long way yet to go.
November 6, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Great day. A long way yet to go.
The MAGA GOP had one huge election win last night and they are crowing about it to the exclusion of all else. A Muslim is now available to serve as their new "face of the Democratic Party". The talking points memo clearly reads "jihadist, Communist, anti-Semite". You're going to hear it endlessly.
Survivors of ‘93 World Trade Center terror attack bash Zohran Mamdani for smiley pic with unindicted co-conspirator: ‘Hellish experience’
Survivors of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing slammed mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani for his smiley pic with a controversial imam federal prosecutors considered an “indicted co-conspirator.…
nypost.com
November 6, 2025 at 3:26 PM
The MAGA GOP had one huge election win last night and they are crowing about it to the exclusion of all else. A Muslim is now available to serve as their new "face of the Democratic Party". The talking points memo clearly reads "jihadist, Communist, anti-Semite". You're going to hear it endlessly.
It seems that the new trendy phrase, "6-7," is setting the world at sixes and sevens. Perhaps the most impressive proof ever that styles always come back around again. Shakespeare would be amused.
November 5, 2025 at 4:42 PM
It seems that the new trendy phrase, "6-7," is setting the world at sixes and sevens. Perhaps the most impressive proof ever that styles always come back around again. Shakespeare would be amused.
I disagreed with Dick Cheney's politics more often than not. But he redeemed himself more than a little, with me, through his daughter, Liz, and this advertisement.
November 4, 2025 at 8:49 PM
I disagreed with Dick Cheney's politics more often than not. But he redeemed himself more than a little, with me, through his daughter, Liz, and this advertisement.
Vote YES!!!
November 3, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Vote YES!!!
'The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has told grocery stores....
An email sent by the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to stores, posted on X by Catherine Rampell, co-host of MSNBC's The Weekend, said: “You cannot treat SNAP-EBT customers differently than any other customer.”'
An email sent by the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to stores, posted on X by Catherine Rampell, co-host of MSNBC's The Weekend, said: “You cannot treat SNAP-EBT customers differently than any other customer.”'
SNAP update: USDA tells grocery stores not to give discounts to customers
The USDA told grocery stores not to give SNAP recipients special discounts as benefits remain unpaid amid the government shutdown.
www.newsweek.com
November 3, 2025 at 4:30 PM
'The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has told grocery stores....
An email sent by the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to stores, posted on X by Catherine Rampell, co-host of MSNBC's The Weekend, said: “You cannot treat SNAP-EBT customers differently than any other customer.”'
An email sent by the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to stores, posted on X by Catherine Rampell, co-host of MSNBC's The Weekend, said: “You cannot treat SNAP-EBT customers differently than any other customer.”'
Reposted by Virtual Vanaprastha
RepubliKKKans like SQUEAKER
Johnson Don't Want Healthcare or
Food Subsidies For Americans.
But It's Just Fine If We Taxpayers
Fund His Healthcare and Salary....
Johnson Don't Want Healthcare or
Food Subsidies For Americans.
But It's Just Fine If We Taxpayers
Fund His Healthcare and Salary....
November 2, 2025 at 12:03 PM
RepubliKKKans like SQUEAKER
Johnson Don't Want Healthcare or
Food Subsidies For Americans.
But It's Just Fine If We Taxpayers
Fund His Healthcare and Salary....
Johnson Don't Want Healthcare or
Food Subsidies For Americans.
But It's Just Fine If We Taxpayers
Fund His Healthcare and Salary....
Both a humble and a great man.
November 2, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Both a humble and a great man.
😢
November 2, 2025 at 12:24 PM
😢