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.
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.
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.
The season progresses in spite of a drizzly day. Halloween approacheth.
October 28, 2025 at 7:05 PM
The season progresses in spite of a drizzly day. Halloween approacheth.
"[A]dvisory committees are populated by activists from organizations openly hostile to conservative principles who use the committees to impede conservative policy. [S]uch committees should be reviewed regarding whether they are required by statute and abolished if they are not." Project 2025 @ 666.
October 26, 2025 at 10:54 PM
"[A]dvisory committees are populated by activists from organizations openly hostile to conservative principles who use the committees to impede conservative policy. [S]uch committees should be reviewed regarding whether they are required by statute and abolished if they are not." Project 2025 @ 666.
My favorite time of year. The weather has been so warm these days that the leaves are just now starting to change. Take comfort from the fact that there still is a lot of beauty in our crumbling world.
October 19, 2025 at 12:33 PM
My favorite time of year. The weather has been so warm these days that the leaves are just now starting to change. Take comfort from the fact that there still is a lot of beauty in our crumbling world.
"the Gestapo reported to Police Headquarters but practically speaking it was under Goering's control.... It had full powers of arrest and interrogation and was formally removed from Germany's legal system. It's budget accounted for nearly one-sixth of Prussia's entire budget for police affairs."
October 4, 2025 at 4:00 PM
"the Gestapo reported to Police Headquarters but practically speaking it was under Goering's control.... It had full powers of arrest and interrogation and was formally removed from Germany's legal system. It's budget accounted for nearly one-sixth of Prussia's entire budget for police affairs."
Can anybody remind me where the story came from? You'd do me a favor if you would let me know.
September 18, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Can anybody remind me where the story came from? You'd do me a favor if you would let me know.
"An incident several days earlier had given the Nazi authorities an excuse to instigate the violence. On November 7th, a 17-year-old Polish Jewish student named Hershel Grynszpan had shot Ernst vom Rath, the Third Secretary of the German Embassy in Paris." www.pbs.org/wgbh/america...
September 12, 2025 at 4:36 PM
"An incident several days earlier had given the Nazi authorities an excuse to instigate the violence. On November 7th, a 17-year-old Polish Jewish student named Hershel Grynszpan had shot Ernst vom Rath, the Third Secretary of the German Embassy in Paris." www.pbs.org/wgbh/america...
"My administration will find each and every one of those who contributed to this atrocity, and to other political violence, including the organizations that fund it and support it,..."
Note the demagogic vagueness. It can apply to anyone who opposes him. presswatchers.org/2025/09/top-...
Note the demagogic vagueness. It can apply to anyone who opposes him. presswatchers.org/2025/09/top-...
September 12, 2025 at 1:20 PM
"My administration will find each and every one of those who contributed to this atrocity, and to other political violence, including the organizations that fund it and support it,..."
Note the demagogic vagueness. It can apply to anyone who opposes him. presswatchers.org/2025/09/top-...
Note the demagogic vagueness. It can apply to anyone who opposes him. presswatchers.org/2025/09/top-...
“I'm going to use Congressional authority and every influence with big tech platforms to mandate immediate ban for life of every post or commenter that belittled the assassination of Charlie Kirk.”
Rep. Clay Higgins (R-La.)
Rep. Clay Higgins (R-La.)
September 11, 2025 at 9:33 PM
“I'm going to use Congressional authority and every influence with big tech platforms to mandate immediate ban for life of every post or commenter that belittled the assassination of Charlie Kirk.”
Rep. Clay Higgins (R-La.)
Rep. Clay Higgins (R-La.)
Actually, that's because before the Great Depression it was his political allies who honored him "as possessing the fabulous intellectual and economic power" to Make the Ultra-Wealthy Ever Wealthier through abandoning the common citizen to his/her fate.
August 22, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Actually, that's because before the Great Depression it was his political allies who honored him "as possessing the fabulous intellectual and economic power" to Make the Ultra-Wealthy Ever Wealthier through abandoning the common citizen to his/her fate.
If you look out the back window, perhaps you can see the $550 billion personal investment account Trump receives from the "Japan Deal". No wonder he considers it the "Greatest Trade Deal Ever!"
July 24, 2025 at 7:58 PM
If you look out the back window, perhaps you can see the $550 billion personal investment account Trump receives from the "Japan Deal". No wonder he considers it the "Greatest Trade Deal Ever!"
*The Visible World in Pictures*, published in Czech and #Latin in 1658. The 17th century version of our present day *Latin Made Simple* and *Latin through Pictures* books. This, the first page, is taken from a 1728 English-Latin edition.
July 22, 2025 at 7:21 PM
*The Visible World in Pictures*, published in Czech and #Latin in 1658. The 17th century version of our present day *Latin Made Simple* and *Latin through Pictures* books. This, the first page, is taken from a 1728 English-Latin edition.
"I thank Him, just because he gave me the opportunity to continue to bear those concerns, to continue with my work"
Hitler announces over the radio that surviving an assassination attempt, #otd July 20, 1944, is a special sign from God that He is intervening in support of his actions.
Hitler announces over the radio that surviving an assassination attempt, #otd July 20, 1944, is a special sign from God that He is intervening in support of his actions.
July 20, 2025 at 10:54 PM
"I thank Him, just because he gave me the opportunity to continue to bear those concerns, to continue with my work"
Hitler announces over the radio that surviving an assassination attempt, #otd July 20, 1944, is a special sign from God that He is intervening in support of his actions.
Hitler announces over the radio that surviving an assassination attempt, #otd July 20, 1944, is a special sign from God that He is intervening in support of his actions.
In 1850, Victor Hugo escaped arrest as an opposition member of the Legislative Assembly under then President Louis-Napoleon III. L-N intended reelection although the office was limited to one term. H. nicknamed him "Napoleon the Little" in an 1852 book of that name, written in exile, quoted here:
May 22, 2025 at 9:05 PM
In 1850, Victor Hugo escaped arrest as an opposition member of the Legislative Assembly under then President Louis-Napoleon III. L-N intended reelection although the office was limited to one term. H. nicknamed him "Napoleon the Little" in an 1852 book of that name, written in exile, quoted here:
One word changed. Can you see it?
May 18, 2025 at 5:21 PM
One word changed. Can you see it?
Klemens von Metternich, the man that some have claimed "defeated Napoleon," was born #otd in 1773. He equally known for establishing the system of international conferences still used today. He held it absolutely necessary that Germany not unify declaring that it would result in devastating wars.
May 15, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Klemens von Metternich, the man that some have claimed "defeated Napoleon," was born #otd in 1773. He equally known for establishing the system of international conferences still used today. He held it absolutely necessary that Germany not unify declaring that it would result in devastating wars.
"The first day of summer, leaves visibly drawing out of the bud, & the square almost green. Oh what a country day — and some of my friends are now reading Mrs. D. in the country."
Diary of Virginia Woolf, May 14, 1925.
It seems that *Mrs. Dalloway* was released #otd 100 years ago.
Diary of Virginia Woolf, May 14, 1925.
It seems that *Mrs. Dalloway* was released #otd 100 years ago.
May 14, 2025 at 4:29 PM
"The first day of summer, leaves visibly drawing out of the bud, & the square almost green. Oh what a country day — and some of my friends are now reading Mrs. D. in the country."
Diary of Virginia Woolf, May 14, 1925.
It seems that *Mrs. Dalloway* was released #otd 100 years ago.
Diary of Virginia Woolf, May 14, 1925.
It seems that *Mrs. Dalloway* was released #otd 100 years ago.
Apr CPI: 2.3%? First of all, just about all of the tariffs have been paused or temporarily dialed way back thus greatly altering expectations. Those that remained in force effect manufacturing materials — will take time to affect prices. Second of all, CPI numbers just ain't what they used to be....
May 13, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Apr CPI: 2.3%? First of all, just about all of the tariffs have been paused or temporarily dialed way back thus greatly altering expectations. Those that remained in force effect manufacturing materials — will take time to affect prices. Second of all, CPI numbers just ain't what they used to be....
Remembering the World's Greatest Mom on this day. And to all the other World's Greatest Moms, Happy Mothers' Day!
May 11, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Remembering the World's Greatest Mom on this day. And to all the other World's Greatest Moms, Happy Mothers' Day!
Wouldn't you change your dwelling for my palace in the dew?
Emily Dickinson to her brother Austin, May 10, 1852.
Emily Dickinson to her brother Austin, May 10, 1852.
May 9, 2025 at 2:41 PM
Wouldn't you change your dwelling for my palace in the dew?
Emily Dickinson to her brother Austin, May 10, 1852.
Emily Dickinson to her brother Austin, May 10, 1852.
Alonzo Alvarez de Pineda traveled and mapped the entire Gulf coast in 1519. It is said to show the Mississippi with the name "Rio de Espiritu Santo". It also showed that Florida was not an island, as thought until then. The following copy of the map is from Roy Archuleta's *Where We Come From*. 58.
May 8, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Alonzo Alvarez de Pineda traveled and mapped the entire Gulf coast in 1519. It is said to show the Mississippi with the name "Rio de Espiritu Santo". It also showed that Florida was not an island, as thought until then. The following copy of the map is from Roy Archuleta's *Where We Come From*. 58.
'Physical training in the Hitler Youth is designed to develop the young Germans, in Hitler's own words, into junior supermen: "hard as steel, tough as leather and swift as greyhounds".'
Wartime report of the United States G-2 Counter Intelligence group. Declassified and published 1945.
Wartime report of the United States G-2 Counter Intelligence group. Declassified and published 1945.
April 30, 2025 at 4:40 PM
'Physical training in the Hitler Youth is designed to develop the young Germans, in Hitler's own words, into junior supermen: "hard as steel, tough as leather and swift as greyhounds".'
Wartime report of the United States G-2 Counter Intelligence group. Declassified and published 1945.
Wartime report of the United States G-2 Counter Intelligence group. Declassified and published 1945.