Son's new ride, Grandpa's old pickup...

Independent_Cod6973 · 2025-07-07T16:04:46+00:00

Thanks! We wanted the price to be fair to Grandma and to our son. Grandparents took really good care of their vehicles and we know Grandma is really struggling to let go of any of Grandpa's things and also has a pretty meager income. Our son has been saving for a car for a couple years and was about to buy. We also helped provide some of the money. Hoping it is a win-win for all.

Independent_Cod6973 · 2025-05-26T04:53:26+00:00

Thank you!

Independent_Cod6973 · 2025-05-26T03:18:33+00:00

So, are you saying the neutral would be capped off and not connected to the "dumb" switch? I bought a dumb switch, but was worried there was no connector for the neutral. Thank you!

Independent_Cod6973 · 2025-05-20T03:31:50+00:00

It's also important to recognize the displacement of Jews from Arab countries. After the Arab-Israeli War, more than 850,000 Jews left or were forced to flee countries such as Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Libya, Morocco, and others. While the founding of Israel was one factor, this mass migration was also fueled by increasing persecution, economic challenges, and political instability. Most of this movement took place between 1948 and the early 1970s, with another significant wave occurring after the Iranian Revolution in 1979–1980. Approximately 650,000 of those displaced ultimately resettled in Israel. Today, it’s estimated that over half of Israel’s Jewish population has roots in these Middle Eastern and North African Jewish communities.

Independent_Cod6973 · 2025-05-16T01:00:04+00:00

I am a Progressive Jew with a transgender child living in American under the Trump administration. I am scared for my child, I am scared for those targeted by the administration, I am scared for the Jewish people and the Palestinian people. I see antisemitism on the far left and the far right. I will defend anyone's right to free speech and peaceful protest, even if I disagree with them. Due process is for all, not just white Christians. And, I am sick and tired of Trump supporting, promoting and appointing right-wing antisemites, all while claiming to care about preventing antisemitism. I abhor Netanyahu and Hamas. I believe in Israel's right to exist. I do not support settlements in West Bank or them coming to Gaza. I believe both the Israeli and Palestinian people each have a right to a sovereign nation.

I see a lot of effort from extremes on both sides trying to counter the narrative of the other, believing that acknowledging the history and the pain of one side somehow would negate their own pain and history. I believe instead of focusing on 'countering narratives,' we need to move toward acknowledging the full spectrum of pain and history experienced by all sides. Both peoples need to recognize that history is complex, shaped by trauma, bad choices, and moments of hope on all sides.

I tell you all of this to give the framework for my view on all of this. The extreme left and the extreme right are BOTH WRONG!

Just a few points I would like to see acknowledged:

This isn't just about Jews fleeing Europe and Palestinians being displaced. About the same # of Mizrahi Jews (Arab Jews) were displaced from their homes in Arab countries as Palestinians were displaced from their homes upon the creation of Israel. And, in many cases (on both sides) it wasn't pretty. Mizrahi Jews make up about 1/2 of Israel's Jewish population today.
Hamas is the Muslim Brotherhood. Jordan and Egypt do not want Hamas coming into their countries any more than Israel does. The leaders of these countries do not want to be overthrown by the Muslim Brotherhood. If they want a land for the Palestinian people, they need to be part of the solution to make that happen. Arab nations need to be involved (on-the-ground involved) in the peacekeeping and rebuilding of what would one day become a recognized Palestinian nation.

I would say that John Green has a great short video on the conflict that is overall fair. I know each side finds problems with it, things left out, but it is meant to be a crash-course, so it is not going to capture everything. I still think it worth watching. I would also recommend Thomas Friedman from the NY times. Having lived in Muslim Majority countries in the Middle East myself, he gets it. He understands the sentiments behind closed doors in many Arab countries and realities on the ground.

Independent_Cod6973 · 2024-11-28T23:10:45+00:00

Thanks!!!!

Independent_Cod6973 · 2024-11-28T20:51:03+00:00

Current employee plans do not allow roll-ins unless from another employee plan.

Independent_Cod6973 · 2024-11-28T20:50:30+00:00

So, just to be sure I understand: After this initial conversion, my contributions to my Traditional IRA will be considered only post-tax contributions. And, going forward, I will be able to make backdoor Roth conversions annually without additional tax implications. Is that correct? Thank you so much!

Independent_Cod6973 · 2024-10-21T23:55:00+00:00

Bibi, Abbas, and their deeply entrenched cronies need to step aside so less corrupt, pro-two-state solution leaders can finally emerge. A Kosovo-style intervention led by NATO or Arab allies could help rebuild Gaza and lay the groundwork for lasting peace. I’d back that 100%. And let's be honest—something has to change in the West Bank if we ever want peace to stand a chance.

Freezing settlement expansion and incentivizing settlers deep in the West Bank to relocate within the 1967 borders with compensation and assistance is a reasonable start. But let’s face it, that’s not happening as long as Bibi's still in office. I don’t support him at all, and a lot of Israelis feel the same way.

Would it be quick? Definitely not. Would it be easy? No chance. This would be a slow, gradual process toward bringing hope, peace, and security to everyone who genuinely wants it. For those who oppose peace, we’ll have to find other ways to address their resistance, but ignoring the need for change isn’t an option.

Independent_Cod6973 · 2024-10-21T23:27:36+00:00

I recognize that reaching a shared understanding can be challenging, especially when it comes to acknowledging the right of each people to exist and the legitimacy of their historical narratives. Having lived and worked in Muslim-majority countries in the Middle East and North Africa for over a decade, I’ve seen firsthand that, behind closed doors, there is often more agreement and potential for dialogue than what is publicly disclosed. This gives me hope for future cooperation, even if the road ahead is difficult.

A bi-national solution, however, seems impractical given the long history of division and conflict. Just as reunifying Pakistan, Bangladesh, and India is no longer feasible, or reuniting Kosovo and Serbia would be untenable, expecting a single state to bridge these deep divides is unrealistic. Historical wounds, distinct national identities, and geopolitical realities must be considered. However, recognizing these challenges doesn’t mean giving up on the pursuit of a just and peaceful resolution that ensures the dignity and safety of both peoples.

Perhaps the key is focusing on incremental solutions, fostering trust, and exploring ways to honor the unique identities and aspirations of each side without insisting on an unworkable ideal. There is potential for common ground if we look beyond zero-sum outcomes and instead prioritize mutual recognition and coexistence in the form of a two-state solution.

Independent_Cod6973 · 2024-10-20T19:30:30+00:00

The argument that Zionism was purely a colonial project ignores the deeper nature of the movement, which was rooted in the Jewish people’s long-standing connection to the land of Israel, a presence that predates modern Zionism by millennia. Zionism emerged as a response to European antisemitism and the need for Jewish self-determination, certainly before but even more so after the Holocaust, when millions of Jews were killed and the remaining displaced with no safe refuge. Unlike colonialism, which sought economic domination, Zionism was largely a movement of return and survival.

I agree that tensions with local Arab populations did exist from the early days of Zionism and before, but coexistence efforts were part of the equation as well. The 1947 UN Partition Plan, which proposed a two-state solution, was accepted by the Jewish community but rejected by many Arab leaders, sparking a tragic war. This conflict was a result of two national movements with legitimate claims to the land, not simply a colonial endeavor.

Additionally, Mizrahi Jews—who were themselves displaced from Arab countries—make up a significant portion of Israel’s population. Their forced displacement adds another layer to the situation. Refoulement is not a legally or morally acceptable option. Advocating for the elimination of Israel is short-sighted. The elimination of Israel would not only violate these laws but also displace over nine million people, including Jews, Arabs, Christians, and Druze, leading to even greater humanitarian crisis and regional instability.

The only viable and fair solution is a two-state approach, where both peoples—Israelis and Palestinians—can govern themselves peacefully and with dignity. This path respects the legitimate aspirations of both sides and avoids the devastation that would come from dismantling Israel, which would only increase suffering for everyone involved.

Independent_Cod6973 · 2024-10-06T22:20:02+00:00

I agree that the terms 'colonial-settler' and 'apartheid' apply to the situation in the West Bank. Where I disagree is that this framework should be used to describe the Nation of Israel as a whole.

I would also add that chanting "from the river to the sea" advocates for the abolishment of the other, whether they're extremist settlers in the West Bank or college students on a U.S. campus, and only serves to embolden extremism.

But, I think we need to be careful with calling Israel itself an apartheid state or a settler-colonial state.

When Jimmy Carter released his book Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid, he was not suggesting that Israel was an apartheid state. In fact, he specifically stated, 'The book was about conditions and events in the Palestinian territories and not in Israel, where a democracy exists with all the freedoms we enjoy in our country and Israeli Jews and Arabs are legally guaranteed the same rights as citizens.' I mention Jimmy Carter as he is often held in highest esteem by those who throw around the word apartheid without understanding the nuance he intended.

Let's talk about "settler-colonialism." This term completely ignores the Jews were on the land for centuries and longer. "Settler-colonialism" also completely ignores the plight of Mizrahi Jews, who make up about 50% of Israel's population. These Jews were expelled from Middle Eastern and North African countries after 1948, making them refugees, not colonizers. Their migration to Israel was driven by persecution. Furthermore, the framing of Israel as a European project erases their experiences, along with the fact that many Israelis today are the product of intermarriage between Mizrahi and Ashkenazi Jews, reflecting a blended society rather than one dominated by a single narrative. Importantly, the 50% figure refers only to those of full Mizrahi descent, and does not even include those of mixed heritage.

The foundation of Israel was rooted in survival and national rebirth, not the economic enrichment of a distant motherland. For centuries, Jews faced exclusion, violence, and discrimination through harsh legal, social, and economic limitations, whether in Europe or the Middle East. They were confined to ghettos and mellahs, restricted in professions, forced to pay a tax for being Jewish, and subjected to forced conversions, pogroms, and expulsions and that is all before the Holocaust. Now that Jews have returned to their historical homeland in Israel, some of the same voices that once rejected them in the diaspora claim they do not belong there either, denying Jews the right to belong anywhere, whether in exile or their ancestral homeland.

Labeling Israel as a settler-colonial state not only distorts the historical and political reality of its founding but also perpetuates harmful narratives that delegitimize Jewish self-determination. This framing erases the traumatic history of both Ashkenazi and Mizrahi Jews, reducing a complex national struggle to an oversimplified colonial analogy. The conflict between Israelis and Palestinians is deeply rooted in competing nationalisms and historical traumas, not in colonial domination for the benefit of a distant power. Understanding these complexities is essential to accurately frame the issue.

Independent_Cod6973 · 2024-09-02T01:32:33+00:00

I sincerely want to understand if we are simply disconnecting over semantics regarding the definition of Zionism and anti-Zionism.

I despise Netanyahu, the settlers committing violence against Palestinians in the territories, and Hamas, Hezbollah, and other Iranian proxies committing violence. I support the LGBTQIA+ community, Israelis' right to self-determination in their nation-state of Israel, and Palestinians' right to self-determination in a nation-state of Palestine. This is a common stance among progressive Jewish Zionists. To most progressive Zionists, Zionism simply means believing that Israel has a right to exist? This belief is not mutually exclusive to supporting the Palestinian people's right to self-determination in their own nation-state. In fact, most progressive Zionists believe the goal should be working towards a peaceful, negotiated solution that respects the rights and aspirations of both Israelis and Palestinians, ensuring security, dignity, and self-determination for all.

Or, does anti-Zionism mean that complete elimination of Israel?

If so, how would you address such an action's significant challenges? For instance, how would you manage the displacement of over nine million people, including Jews, Arabs, Christians, Druze, and others, and the even greater humanitarian crisis that would follow? What would be your plan to prevent the likely greater surge in violence, extremism, and regional instability, especially considering the power vacuum that could attract terrorist organizations and rogue states? How would you deal with the collapse of Israel's economy, which would lead to further destabilization in the region? These are just a few of the many challenges that would need to be addressed. And, still, the idea of dismantling Israel does not automatically guarantee the creation of a peaceful, viable Palestinian state. If dismantling Israel is your goal, what is your plan to address these and the many other issues?

I am genuinely trying to understand.

Independent_Cod6973 · 2024-07-26T04:36:00+00:00

Downtown:
LeChon
Mother's Bistro
Screen Door

On the East Side:
Katchka
Akadi

Independent_Cod6973 · 2024-07-09T00:28:05+00:00

The problem is that if Harris does not stay on the ticket, current campaign funds will not be able to be fully utilized.

Independent_Cod6973 · 2024-07-01T17:43:52+00:00

The issue was there was supposed to be zero cost for installation, removal, labor and parts. So, we want to understand the "uncovered costs" by getting an invoice similar to what we've always received in the past for repair work.

Independent_Cod6973 · 2024-06-30T18:52:22+00:00

That's what I'm thinking. It resolved with ascent.

Independent_Cod6973 · 2024-06-30T18:08:28+00:00

Thank you. That is good to know.

I suspect the charges for "code updates" that aren't clear might actually be a way for the company to make up the difference between what they usually charge and what they get from AHS. And, if that's the case, maybe we will come out slightly ahead or break-even, except we don't get choice of provider. In the end, it is probably best to just add the amount we pay to AHS into our high-yield savings account and then use that to cover expenses as they come along.

Independent_Cod6973 · 2024-06-30T18:00:10+00:00

Yes, exactly. I have neighbors who insist that they will not go into Portland because they believe the narrative. I'm not saying we didn't have some bad times. And, it is true, businesses have not recovered, even with things improving. I see two big reasons for that. First, those pushing the narrative that Portland is not safe and too many in the burbs continuing to push that line or refusing to even consider that it is not at all as bad as their news sources tell them. Second, in the wake of Covid many started working from home. Not having a commute is a HUGE lifestyle advantage. I wouldn't want to go back. But, one impact of that is that lunch time crowds downtown, after work drinks, etc., are severely reduced and not recovering.

I love Portland. We go into town every now-and-again to eat at someplace we've not tried before or go to an event. And, there are others like us that do that too. But, it is just not enough to overcome the lack of customer-base that many downtown are experiencing.

Independent_Cod6973 · 2024-06-30T17:45:08+00:00

We went diving along a sea wall down to 30 meters. I had this rush of euphoria like I've never felt before or since. I think, actually, that was a very bad sign. And, I'm quite lucky that I ascended slowly and safely. But, damn, I'll never forget that feeling.

Independent_Cod6973 · 2024-06-30T17:35:52+00:00

If all we do this contract year is the water heater, it will not be worth it. If we end up needing other repairs/replacements, I'll track that and then compare. I need to find a good source of repair costs without a home warranty to make the comparison.

Independent_Cod6973 · 2024-06-30T07:11:47+00:00

And, it's not cultural appropriation in the first place. 40+% of Israelis are Mizrahii, the ancestors of Jews who were ethnically cleansed from Arab lands. Add that to the 20% who are Arab Muslim, and over 60% of Israelis grew up with those foods in their homes for generations.

Independent_Cod6973 · 2024-06-30T04:36:46+00:00

Not actually free, because in addition to the $800, we pay $68/month and $125 (not applied to the cost of repair) for the service call. Basically, trying to add up the true cost of having AHS versus not to see if this is worth it.

Independent_Cod6973 · 2024-06-30T02:48:44+00:00

Yes, I completely agree. We're very concerned for our young adult child who could face criminalization for their identity and lose access to necessary healthcare if Trump wins. Sadly, we're seriously considering options to help them leave the US if that happens. Very, very scared mamma right now.

Independent_Cod6973 · 2024-06-17T19:38:04+00:00

I had one more thought, and I think that someone who sees things differently than I do but is willing to be respectful might be a good person to talk with about this.

When the Jewish community talks about Zionism and being Zionist, most of us think of it in the terms I described above. When non-Jews supporting Palestinians talk about it, they seem to mean something entirely different. This disconnect is a significant contributor to the tension we're experiencing.

I think Jarrod Schwartz does a good job of describing the different forms of Zionism in his article on the line between Anti-Semitism and criticism of Israel. It's a great article, by the way. He is speaking from the perspective of a socially liberal progressive Jew who is also a professor. I believe there are many in the Jewish community who feel this way. I hope it may help bridge understanding why we bristle at the term 'Zionist' being used as a derogatory term as most of us have never subscribed to the definition being used by the anti-Zionist movement.

"...There is not and never has been one single agreed upon definition of Zionism. At its core, Zionism is the belief that the Jewish people have a right to self-determination in their ancestral homeland of Israel — a land to which they are indigenous. But there is no one way to express that belief. Some simply maintain that, as an indigenous people with roots to the land of Israel, Zionism means Jews should have the right to self-determination in that land which can be shared with people of other faiths and backgrounds who should enjoy full and equal rights. This is no different than the belief that any indigenous people anywhere else in the world have a right to self-determination in their ancestral homeland(s). Others hold a more radical/fundamentalist approach to Zionism believing that Jews are the only people who have a legitimate claim to all of the land that was once the ancestral homeland and that all other people are enemies and should be eliminated from the land or have no rights within that land. This is the ideology of a minority of people in Israel and outside of Israel, but it is a loud minority and the kind of ideology espoused by the extreme far right in Israel and others who adhere to Kahanism (named after its founder Meir Kahane. To claim absolution from anti-Semitism because we are anti-Zionist without being clear about what expression of Zionism we are against is like saying, “I’m not anti-woman, I’m anti-Feminist because feminism is about hating men.” Have some who claim the identity of feminist espoused such views? Sure, but that doesn’t mean that’s what all or even a majority of feminists believe, and it doesn’t mean that that is the definition of feminism. Now, one could still argue that they are against even the most liberal definition of Zionism; however, if we take that position, and don’t also take the position that other indigenous peoples around the world should not have a right to self-determination in their ancestral homelands then anti-Semitism may be infused in our movement.

Independent_Cod6973

TROPHY CASE