My Picks for Top Tweets: 25 September 2017

by | Sep 25, 2017 | Freedom of Speech, Tweets | 25 comments

I’m having trouble getting back into the business of searching for tweets every day. I’ve become very slow at it after just a few days off. That was all it took to out of the habit – just like a diet. I forgot to put the last two onto social media as well, among other things. I’ll do my best to get regular again! Anyway, here we go for today.

There’s a well known Maori proverb in New Zealand that reader and website designer Martin Fuller reminded me of yesterday:

He aha te mea nui o te ao
He tangata, he tangata, he tangata

What is the most important thing in the world?
It is the people, it is the people, it is the people.

That’s something we would all do well to remember. With all the things that are going on around the world right now that mean people are suffering, that’s where our focus should be going forward. If you look after the people, everything else will follow.

One of the biggest natural disasters ever was the Boxing Bay tsunami in 2004 (it’s hard to believe it was that long ago!) Around 250,000 died and millions were in desperate need. Food, and money for food, was in short supply. It was hard even getting to many areas. Plenty were promising help but weren’t coming through with it. People were dying from lack of food just because rescue workers couldn’t get to them.

There was one charity that made it to the area, and it had plenty of money. What it was doing with that money though was not feeding people. It was buying them rosaries. Then, when people said they didn’t want the rosaries, some of the people from the charity became angry with them.

If people are believers that’s important to them during a crisis, but surely they don’t need a rosary to pray? And what good is a rosary if you’re dead from starvation? Who wants to pray to a god that let that happen anyway? Surely he’s not worth it? Tiaki i te tangata (Care for the people)

 

Cat Tweets

Aren’t they sweet? If they’re being bottle fed that might mean they have no mother though, so it might be a sad story.

 

You can never get too many kittens.

 

I love the way cats leap at their prey. I’ve only seen this once in real life, and it gave me such a surprise to see how they do it.

 

I’ve seen this before. I might even have posted it before. But it’s such a good video it deserves to go in again.

 

Beautiful cats in a beautiful pose in a beautiful picture.

 

This is a lovely moggy too.

 

This is the kitten I want, except I want two.

Dog Tweets

This is going to be one of those dogs that insists on walking itself.

Bird Tweets

Make sure you have the sound on for this one to hear what it sounds like when a penguin falls over. (I’m assuming it’s real.)
(Via Ann German.)

 

The question is answered!!!!

 

What do you do when a mocking jay has sore feet? Make it shoes of course!

 

Other Animals Tweets

I could find piles of old family photos that look like this, but it’s more exotic when it’s another country.

 

Flora Tweets

Very cool pic.

Scenic Tweets

I’m not sure whether to put this one in Scenic Tweets or Science Tweets, but they did it for the tourists, so here it is!
(Via Ann German.)

 

Isn’t it lovely?

 

Santorini again, looking just as lovely as ever.

 

Oh wow! It’s almost worth becoming a Muslim to see inside all these gorgeous mosques. Of course, I might have to become a man as well to see some of them.

Art Tweets

Look. Then look again. Then try and get your head back in order.

 

Healthcare Tweets

Another example of the appalling situation in health in the US.

He aha te mea nui o te ao
He tangata, he tangata, he tangata

People Tweets

Cool woman!

 

Political Tweets

I know I’ve posted some stuff about this before, but I think it’s important to point out this aspect of Trump’s speech on Africa.

 

It’s only bad when Hillary Clinton does it.

 

Human Rights Tweets

Today I’m supporting Colin Kaepernick and freedom of speech, which all began with Trump mouthing off again.

 

Are you watching Mr Trump? This is what a real man acts like.

 

The next three came from Ann German, then there are some from me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Kaepernick’s mum’s reaction to her son being called a “son-of-a-bitch” by Trump.

 

Weather Tweets

The people of the Caribbean are having a really tough time.

 

Stevie Wonder

Let’s finish with one more #TakeTheKnee tweet – the great Stevie Wonder.

 

Oh, and by the way, just sayin’ …

 

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25 Comments

  1. j.a.m.
    j.a.m. on 25th September 2017 at 4:54 pm

    The ignoramuses who disrespect the very republic that guarantees their rights and liberties are indeed craven hypocrites, to say the very least. Their actions are beneath contempt. Shame on anyone who gives them the notoriety they seek.

    Reply
    • HaggisForBrains
      HaggisForBrains on 26th September 2017 at 1:55 am

      That’ll be the Donald you’re referring to.

      Reply
    • Trevor
      Trevor on 26th September 2017 at 1:59 am

      Go away and burn all your confederate flags, you contemptible little troll.

      Reply
    • Heather Hastie
      Heather Hastie on 26th September 2017 at 7:22 am

      You seem to have missed the point that what previous generations fought for was freedom, democracy, equality, and the right to freedom of speech and expression. You know, the things enshrined in your constitution. I guess you also didn’t take the last tweet of the day to heart.

      Reply
      • j.a.m.
        j.a.m. on 26th September 2017 at 3:10 pm

        No, actually I would suggest it is others who have missed the point. The point is not the God-given right, as secured by the Bill of Rights, to make a splendid ass of oneself. No, rather, the point is the craven hypocrisy (and/or sheer stupidity) of exercising that right WHILE simultaneously disparaging everything that preserves it and gives it effect (and oh, by the way, while thrusting a fat thumb in the eye of every last fellow citizen). Those who engage in such stupid and hypocritical acts don’t deserve the time of day, but their actions should be called out for what they are.

        Reply
        • Heather Hastie
          Heather Hastie on 27th September 2017 at 2:43 am

          Why would a God-given right need the support of government?

          Why are you so worked up about this? Your reaction to this protest seems completely out of all proportion. You continue to support a president who is disrespectful towards just about everyone and everything, and who has forgotten to put his hand on his heart when the national anthem is played on several occasions, but your anger here seems OTT.

          Reply
    • Mark R.
      Mark R. on 26th September 2017 at 9:32 am

      You think they are seeking notoriety? They’re already famous…what a stupid statement. If you can’t empathize or at least understand what these athletes are protesting against, it is you who is the true ignoramus. But I already knew that.

      Reply
      • j.a.m.
        j.a.m. on 26th September 2017 at 3:11 pm

        Their cause is irrelevant. By demonstrating one’s contempt for civil discourse, one forfeits any role in it.

        Reply
        • Trevor
          Trevor on 26th September 2017 at 5:47 pm

          I wish you’d take that principle to heart and apply it to yourself.

          Reply
        • Diane G.
          Diane G. on 26th September 2017 at 6:15 pm

          Yeah, why can’t they be just as civil as POTUS and call their opponents sons of bitches?

          Reply
        • Heather Hastie
          Heather Hastie on 27th September 2017 at 2:45 am

          Their protest is peaceful. Many have made entirely reasonable comments about why they’re doing it.

          Reply
        • Mark R.
          Mark R. on 27th September 2017 at 5:12 pm

          “Their cause is irrelevant.”

          You’re a real prick, aren’t you? Plus they aren’t demonstrating contempt for civil discourse, they’re actually creating the discourse; the uncivil dividers are the deplorable like you. Really j.a.m., how confused or dumb or just troll-ish are you? You degrade your stance, and thereby diminish yourself with each and every post. Never a hint is taken by you. Why do you even shadow-troll this blog with your discord and confusion? Got any converts yet? No one likes you here. Why linger? Please go away and allow the adults to converse.

          Reply
  2. Diane G.
    Diane G. on 25th September 2017 at 9:27 pm

    Who sez Trump isn’t bringing us together? We all hate him.

    Well, a significant number of us, anyway, and it seems to be growing by leaps and bounds.

    Really liked your selection on Trump/Kaepernick. As to the former Republican whose life was saved by the ACA–sorry he found out the hard way, but I have little respect for those who only notice an evil policy when it affects them. Cf. those Republicans who rethink their homophobia only when it turns out a family member is gay…

    Reply
    • Heather Hastie
      Heather Hastie on 26th September 2017 at 7:18 am

      I agree – it’s disappointing that empathy only comes when people are directly affected.

      One thing that may be an advantage – there are a lot more Republicans who will lose health care if Obamacare is gone than are gay. A majority of LGBT USians already vote for the Democratic party.

      Reply
  3. nicky
    nicky on 26th September 2017 at 10:30 am

    I can hardly see this kneeling as a sign of disrespect, on the contrary, it appears quite respectful to me. A kind of brilliant way to respectfuly protest. Kudos to them.

    Reply
  4. Mark R.
    Mark R. on 26th September 2017 at 10:36 am

    Maybe you should start with the political tweets and then end with kittens and puppies. That way I can get angry and then calm down with the cuteness. Now I start warm and fuzzy and end cold and spiky. 🙂

    Two states and one US province devastated by hurricanes in a matter of days. They’re going to need billions of dollars and esp. Puerto Rico, where 3.4 million Americans are without power and in serious need of immediate help and supplies. No tweets about it though, no aid from the navy (I guess they requested a naval hospital ship). And the monstrous republicans want to send the US healthcare system into chaos without a debate or any normal legislative process; this is 1/6th of the US economy we’re talking about. AND THEY DON’T EVEN WANT A DEBATE! Iirc Obamacare had around 70 debates from all sides including citizens. But these republicans need to give billions of dollars to their billioanaire overlords; the overlords demand it. The American people are of little consequence, this is what a dysfunctioning democracy looks like.

    Meanwhile North Korea says we declared war on them…
    Jared Kushner is using a private email server for White House biz…
    Protesters in wheelchairs are being arrested and dragged out of public chambers because they don’t want to die…
    POTUS just can’t help proving to the world that he’s a heinous, bigoted, senseless dickhead.

    Reply
    • Heather Hastie
      Heather Hastie on 26th September 2017 at 1:14 pm

      I’ve got more on Puerto Rico and the wheelchair/health thing in today.

      The good news is that Susan Collins has now said she’s a “no” too, so the Bill has failed.

      Reply
    • Heather Hastie
      Heather Hastie on 26th September 2017 at 1:40 pm

      I’ve got more on Puerto Rico and the wheelchair/health thing in today.

      The good news is that Susan Collins has now said she’s a “no” too, so the Bill has failed.

      I think I might do what you say about the tweets too starting Wednesday.

      Reply
    • j.a.m.
      j.a.m. on 26th September 2017 at 3:38 pm

      @MarkR: Now there’s a case of convenient memory, friend. You’ve conveniently forgotten shenanigans like the Cornhusker Kickback; Obama’s despicable double-cross of Bart Stupak; the sneaky subterfuge to bypass the filibuster rule after the Democrats lost a seat to Scott Brown; the empty-headed Pelosi famously explaining that you have to pass a bill to find out what’s in it; etc., etc., etc. With all that, 34 Democrats in the House still voted against it, bless ’em.

      Reply
      • Mark R.
        Mark R. on 27th September 2017 at 5:16 pm

        If you don’t like how the sausage is made, don’t look behind the curtain. At least Obama et al. allowed people to look behind the curtain. Try again. You’re not going to win this dude.

        Reply
        • j.a.m.
          j.a.m. on 27th September 2017 at 8:20 pm

          “Obama et al. allowed people to look behind the curtain.”

          No, actually, they said you must first pass a bill in order to learn what is in the bill you just passed.

          Reply
          • Heather Hastie
            Heather Hastie on 28th September 2017 at 6:50 am

            And once people found out, they came to love it. The approval rating for Obamacare continues to rise. The best approval rating the GOP has been able to get for any if its replacement bills is c. 20%.

  5. nicky
    nicky on 26th September 2017 at 1:01 pm

    “The Architect” is basically a wonderfully illustrated Necker cube.

    Reply
    • Mark R.
      Mark R. on 26th September 2017 at 1:26 pm

      Yes, I loved that tweet and forgot to comment on it.

      Reply

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