Monthly Archives: November 2023

THIS BLOG POST CLARIFYING ELEMENTS OF AMERICAN POLITICS FOR OVERSEAS READERS STILL HOLDS UP

mascot miniFor Balladeer’s Blog’s new readers, especially from overseas, this may clarify my reasons for so openly despising both of the rival gangs of white-collar criminals called the Democrat and Republican Parties. That contempt applies to the people who run those two gangs, not the general voters.

Here are some highlights from that November of 2022 blog post, which blasted both major parties after last year’s midterm elections. I will repeat this is for readers who express confusion regarding my preference for being an Independent Voter. 

RELEVANT EXCERPTS: Continue reading

4 Comments

Filed under LIBERALS AND CONSERVATIVES, Neglected History, opinion

HITTITE MYTHS: BOTH VERSIONS OF THE TARHUN VS ILLUYANKA TALE

Back in 2014, Balladeer’s Blog examined the top deities in Hittite Mythology. Here is my breakdown of the two separate surviving versions of the myth regarding the storm god Tarhun fighting the supreme serpent Illuyanka. Both versions tie in with the Purulli Festival.

Tarhun and his vizier Suwaliyut confronting Illuyanka

Tarhun and his vizier Suwaliyut confronting Illuyanka

VERSION ONE – Illuyanka, a miles-long serpent, emerges from his lair in the Netherworld (making him another ally and possible son of the god Kumarbi) and unleashes havoc and disorder.

Tarhun the storm god clashes with Illuyanka in Kiskilussa and, unexpectedly, the serpent is triumphant. Illuyanka plucks out Tarhun’s eyes and his heart and leaves him to live blind and helpless (yes, even though he has no heart now).

In this first version of the myth Tarhun’s daughter Inara, the goddess of the wild animals of the steppes, plots with her father to get revenge on Illuyanka and restore her father’s supremacy over the gods. Inara invites Illuyanka and all the other gods in the Hittite pantheon to a huge feast she is throwing for herself and a mortal man from Zigarratta named Hupasiya.
Continue reading

2 Comments

Filed under Mythology

NAIA COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS: ROUND ONE MATCHUPS

Dog in football uniformAs always, because the college football divisions covered here at Balladeer’s Blog kick off their regular season a few weeks earlier than the other divisions their playoffs begin earlier, too.

The NAIA is using a new format this year, expanding the playoff teams from 16 to 20 and with the top 12 seeds having a Bye in the 1st Round. November 18th’s matchups:

Dickinson State Blue Hawks helmet NEWMontana Tech Orediggers brand newThe MONTANA TECH OREDIGGERS (Frontier Conference) will host the DICKINSON STATE BLUE HAWKS (North Star Athletic Association)

Kickoff will be at 3:00PM Eastern Time

Ottawa (KS) Bravesdordt unversity defendersThe DORDT UNIVERSITY DEFENDERS (Great Plains Athletic Conference) will host the OTTAWA UNIVERSITY BRAVES (Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference)

Kickoff will be at 1:00PM Eastern Time  Continue reading

4 Comments

Filed under college football

MASTERS OF VENUS (1962) – BRITISH CINEMATIC SERIAL

masters of venusMASTERS OF VENUS (1962) – A year before Doctor Who came to British television this 8-part movie serial played theaters as part of the viewing block for Saturday Morning Cinema Clubs.

Our British cousins could drop their kids off at theaters for a few hours of tame entertainment from such “clubs” while they themselves shopped or ran other errands.

The Childrens Film Foundation produced several such serials into the 1970s.

masters of venus posterBecause Balladeer’s Blog reviews items that range from mild and child-friendly to blood-soaked and transgressive, let me make it clear that Masters of Venus, directed by Ernest Morris, is just fine for family viewing.

It’s available on DVD and streaming, so you could get it to enjoy with the kids or grandkids (“aliens” as the one and only SP Wilcen calls them). Some versions keep the story separated into all 8 15-minute episodes, complete with the teaser for the next week’s installment, while others jam the whole thing together. Among the jammed-up versions, some are complete at nearly 2 hours in length and others are trimmed down to 93 minutes or 72 minutes. 

THE STORY – The fictional British space program is preparing an expedition to Venus. The man in charge of the project is Dr. Ballantyne (Norman Wooland), whose children Jim (Robin Stewart) and Pat (Mandy Harper) ride their bikes to visit the rocket base one day.

venusian men in blackThe base comes under attack by mysterious Men in Black (I’m serious) armed with ray guns that shoot knockout beams. Security guard after security guard falls to the Men in Black, who turn out to be Venusians who don’t want Earthlings visiting their planet.

Jim and Pat ultimately hide from the intruders in the project’s rocket the Astarte, where the black-garbed Venusians knock out the two pilots before the vessel winds up launched prematurely. The rocket seems destined to be lost in outer space until the two pilots regain consciousness and reorient the vessel for its original destination of Venus.  Continue reading

8 Comments

Filed under Bad and weird movies

NOVEMBER 13th ROUNDUP OF NEWS, MEMES AND POLITICAL CARTOONS

Independent Voter site Balladeer’s Blog takes another look at some of the latest. As always, everyone is welcome here no matter who they vote for. 

arthur engoron partisan hackFEMALE NEW YORK CONGRESSIONAL REP CALLS TO HOLD UNHINGED, NUDE SELFIE-POSTING, PARTISAN HACK ARTHUR ENGORON RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CIRCUS HE HAS REDUCED THE NEW YORK TRIAL TO.

RECORD HIGH ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION AS BIDEN APPEARS TO HAVE PROMISED TO FINISH TRUMP’S WALL AS JUST A PLOY TO SETTLE DOWN PUBLIC COMPLAINTS.

EVEN MORE OUTRAGE OVER THE UNCONSTITUTIONAL GAG ORDERS ON AMERICA’S OPPOSITION LEADER.

ONLY FOURTEEN PERCENT SAY JOE BIDEN’S POLICIES HAVE HELPED THEIR ECONOMIC SITUATION. Biden’s war on the working class and the poor continues. Continue reading

8 Comments

Filed under LIBERALS AND CONSERVATIVES, Neglected History, opinion

BALLADEER’S BLOG’S COLLEGE FOOTBALL RESULTS FROM NOVEMBER ELEVENTH

HEADLINES

Concordia_MINUMBER THREE TAKES A FALL – In the NAIA the CONCORDIA (MI) CARDINALS hosted the number 3 team in the nation, the INDIANA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY WILDCATS. A 7-0 1st Quarter lead for the Cardinals became 14-3 by Halftime. After a scoreless 3rd Quarter, the teams exchanged a Touchdown apiece in the 4th as Concordia University toppled the Wildcats 21-10.

Kutztown Golden Bears helmet“THAT WAS NUMBER FIIIVE!” – Over in NCAA Division Two, the KUTZTOWN UNIVERSITY GOLDEN BEARS took the field against the visiting 5th ranked SLIPPERY ROCK UNIVERSITY ROCK. The Golden Bears kept the forever-overrated Rock off the scoreboard until the 4th Quarter in a 31-7 Upset.

Southern Oregon RaidersAND ANOTHER NUMBER FIVE FALLS – Back in the NAIA, the SOUTHERN OREGON UNIVERSITY RAIDERS (should be Sea Gulls) went up against their guests, the number 5 COLLEGE OF IDAHO COYOTES. SOU put the Coyotes on Upset Alert by the Half, leading them 14-7, then carried through by winning the game 31-16.  Continue reading

6 Comments

Filed under college football

OCTOBER 2019: LOOKING BACK

FOR PART ONE (2016) OF THIS RETROSPECTIVE FROM INDEPENDENT VOTER SITE BALLADEER’S BLOG CLICK HERE.     

THE “RIGHT SIDE OF HISTORY” NONSENSE – People believing they are on “the right side of history” are as plentiful as people who believe they have “God on their side.” A look at the pomposity of idiots who claim they are on said right side of history. Click HERE.

john brennanC.I.A. DIRECTORS – THE MEN FROM S.C.U.M. – A reminder of what absolute garbage the people who have run America’s C.I.A. are. One of the reasons I used to be a Democrat before leaving that party of fascists to become an Independent Voter was because Democrats USED TO openly bash abuses by the C.I.A., F.B.I., N.S.A. and others.

        Unfortunately, in the past several years, Democrats have decided that as long as the dirty activities of those agencies benefit their political party, they are fine with them. Click HERE. More reminders about C.I.A. trash HERE.

matt taibbiROLLING STONE EDITOR MATT TAIBBI COURAGEOUSLY BASHES INTELLIGENCE AGENCIES AND POLITICAL PARTISANS FOR THE DANGERS POSED BY THEIR UNHINGED OBSESSION WITH TRUMP – Links below, but first some excerpts: “My discomfort in the last few years, first with Russiagate and now with Ukrainegate and impeachment, stems from the belief that the people pushing hardest for Trump’s early removal are more dangerous than Trump.” 

        “The Trump presidency is the first to reveal a full-blown schism between the intelligence community and the White House. Senior figures in the CIA, NSA, FBI and other agencies made an open break from their would-be boss before Trump’s inauguration, commencing a public war of leaks that has not stopped.” And the war against Trump by America’s cesspool of a political establishment continues to this day. Click HERE and HERE for Taibbi’s piece. 

lftJCN/ B2C STUDY: TRUMP’S ECONOMIC POLICIES ARE HELPING HISPANIC BUSINESSES THRIVE – Links below, but first some excerpts: Alfredo Ortiz said “The fact is that Hispanics are flourishing in the Trump economy. Democrats asserting the contrary is a mere partisan talking point to try to deny Trump the Hispanic support he has earned”.

        “Rohit Arora noted that “Latino business owners are enjoying a 46 percent jump in revenue this year, which will bolster the nation’s thriving economy.” For the full OCTOBER OF 2019 studies click HERE and HERE.

hillary clinton shame signHILLARY CLINTON ACCUSES COURAGEOUS TULSI GABBARD OF BEING (YAWN) “A RUSSIAN ASSET.” – All that plus more HERE

DE FACTO THIRD PARTY PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP PRAISED BY KAYLA MUELLER’S PARENTS – The link is below but first some excerpts: “President Donald Trump received praise from the parents of Kayla Mueller, the international humanitarian worker raped and killed by Islamic State officials when Obama was in office.

        pray for kayla“They praised the president for the recent raid in which Abu bakr al Baghdadi, current head of ISIS and one of Mueller’s rapists, was killed. Al Baghdadi’s likely replacement was also killed over the weekend.”

        “The Democrat media outlet the Washington Post (Motto: Democracy dies at our hands) eulogized Abu bakr al Baghdadi as ‘an austere religious scholar’ who ‘dies at 48.’ Sounds like the way the Washington Post carries Hamas’ water here in 2023.

       Marsha Mueller expressed gratitude that their daughter and the others who were tortured and killed by ISIS have not been forgotten. “I still say Kayla should be here, and if Obama had been as decisive as President Trump, maybe she would have been,” Marsha Mueller said. Click HERE.

MOTHER JONES: TRUMP IS THE NEW ABRAHAM LINCOLN – Click HERE.

NPR-PBS POLL: MORE PEOPLE TRUST THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION THAN TRUST THE MEDIA – Well, of course, given the corporate media’s hysterical distortion of everything Trump says and does. Click HERE. Continue reading

4 Comments

Filed under LIBERALS AND CONSERVATIVES, Neglected History, opinion

NICK FURY AND HIS HOWLING COMMANDOS

This weekend’s escapist, light-hearted superhero post from Balladeer’s Blog will take a Veterans Day theme with this look at some of the early stories about Marvel’s Nick Fury during his pre-eyepatch World War Two service. For some of my more serious Veterans Day posts click HERE.

sgt f 1SGT. FURY AND HIS HOWLING COMMANDOS Vol 1 #1 (May 1963)

Title: Seven Against the Nazis

Roster: Captain Sam Sawyer, Sgt. Nick Fury, and Commandos Dum Dum Dugan, Gabe Jones, Jonathan “Junior” Juniper, Reb Ralston, Dino Manelli and Izzy Cohen. 

NOTE: A few years before Marvel Comics created S.H.I.E.L.D. their Nick Fury character led this World War Two series. The characters were the same basic walking cliches that many B-Movie actioners rehashed in war story after war story.

        Nick was the tough-talking New Yorker, Dugan was the mouthy Irishman, Juniper was the naive Ivy Leaguer, Gabe Jones was “the black guy”, Reb Ralston was the Southerner, Izzy Cohen was the sardonic Jewish guy and Dino Manelli was the ladies’ man movie star who enlisted after Pearl Harbor.

Synopsis: Our title heroes, a special missions force, were sent to France to exfiltrate a French Underground leader who possessed vital secrets.  Continue reading

10 Comments

Filed under Superheroes

NEWS, MEMES AND POLITICAL CARTOONS ROUNDUP: NOVEMBER 10th

this entireIndependent Voter site Balladeer’s Blog once again takes a look at some of the latest. As always, everyone is welcome here no matter who they vote for.

RAMASWAMY LEADS CALL FOR REPEATED LOSER RONNA ROMNEY MCDANIEL TO STEP DOWN AS REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE HEAD AFTER YET ANOTHER BOTCHED ELECTION CYCLE. More HERE

trump avenue signHIALEAH’S CUBAN-AMERICAN MAYOR ESTEBAN BOVO ANNOUNCES PLAN TO DESIGNATE AN AVENUE AS PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP AVENUE.   

GOVERNOR SARAH H. SANDERS ENDORSES DE FACTO THIRD PARTY CANDIDATE DONALD TRUMP FOR PRESIDENT IN 2024 RACE.

CNN REPORTS THAT MINNESOTA SUPREME COURT REJECTS ATTEMPT BY BIDEN REGIME ALLIES TO KEEP OPPOSITION LEADER DONALD TRUMP OFF OF THE MINNESOTA BALLOT IN 2024. Yet Trump’s unhinged foes continue trying to throw out the baby with the bathwater in their unconstitutional attacks on him.  Continue reading

2 Comments

Filed under LIBERALS AND CONSERVATIVES, Neglected History, opinion

ANCIENT SCIENCE FICTION: PLANET AT THE CENTER OF THE EARTH (1821)

voyage toVOYAGE TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH aka Planet at the Center of the Earth aka “Journey to the Centre of the Earth, or Various Adventures of Clairancy and His Companions, to Spitsbergen, to the North Pole, and to Unknown Countries, translated from the English of Hormidas Peath by M. Jacques Saint-Albin”.

Jacques Collin de Plancy, who is more noted for his writings on occult subjects, authored this work. Odd, considering how occultism and superstition are ridiculed in parts of the story.

Decades before Jules Verne’s better-known story about subterranean exploration came several other “ancient” science fiction works about strange worlds inside of a hollow planet Earth. Some of them have already been reviewed here at Balladeer’s Blog.

plancyThis particular story centers around the fictional seaman Hormidas Peath and his crew who became shipwrecked in the icy Arctic Sea in 1806. They were shocked to discover that temperatures got warmer the further north they went, so they kept following the warmer air until they reached the Iron Mountains.

That mountain range was perfectly circular and the North Pole at its center was really the opening to the Inner Earth planet called Pluto after the Roman god (The dwarf planet Pluto was not discovered until 1930.) Peath and his companions explored that much smaller planet inside of the Earth, which was kept rotating by magnetic forces.  Continue reading

3 Comments

Filed under Ancient Science Fiction