Dear friends,
An old military saying goes “no plan survives the first contact with the enemy”. I think I will modify it and say that no plan survives the first contact with reality. In my case my plan was to fly back home and be back at my computer by the 27th of July. I have had to make a rather dramatic change to this plan and now I will be driving home (about 2500 miles or 4000 kilometer). God willing I will be home by Sunday the 30th. Until then, the blog will be in “minimal service” and run by Scott and Herb. I hope to go back to full normal on August 1st.
One more thing: I have to report that my latest summer appeal for support has been, well, pretty much a disaster, the worst one ever, for sure :-( Maybe it is the weather, or you guys are all on holidays, or maybe there are not enough “hot crises” out there (and thank God for that!), but the fact is that this latest fund drive has been a failure.
Okay, life is life, there are good days and bad days, no big deal. A specially heartfelt “thank you!” to those who did send their contributions – at a time of belt tightening every dollar makes an even bigger difference!
And no worries: I won’t cut back anything or use pop-up ads – one way or another, we will survive this tougher period :-)
So, I apologize for the longer than expected “relative down” time and I wish you all a wonderful summer.
Hugs and cheers,
The Saker
While the cat’s away, the mice don’t pay.
Saker,
Your presentations are missed. You make it look easy.
Be well.
I want(ed) to give you some extra $ via Paetreon. But that f…ing page or app only offers $ per month. Am I stupid or is that a funny user interface? Let me know how to pledge a $ amount once. The regular $ per month shall stay as it is.
The support at Paetreon is a Joke!
Oscar The Red Cat,
Yes Patreon has quirks. Overall though it makes things easy.
I am the volunteer that helps with the Patreon Account.
If you do your donation, and write me on theSakerCommunityCooperative@protonmail.com, I will make sure on the back.end that it is a one time donation only.
Solon, thanks for that very funny comment!
Unless you have some sort of security objection you can donate via PayPal. That method is a one-time donation.
Good to hear from you. Man proposes and God disposes. In the large scheme of things, it’s a “widow’s mite” but tomorrow I’ll you a Franklin, via snail mail, in gratitude for value received.
The Saker ” I will be driving home (about 2500 miles)”
When I was 15 in 1968, we did a tour (my older brother, our mum and dad and a friend of the family (an RC catholic priest) of almost all of Europe ..starting with the Priest’s car. It got us from Oldham nearly to London…So my brother bought anotjher 1963 Ford Cortina made in Dagenham, London UK
Then we got to Dover – and Calais still with the priest – now in my brothers car…
We are now in France. Where do we stay the night? Does anyone speak French?
We never had any problem in any country in Europe in any language. We sometimes did 400 miles a day – but Europe is so beautiful and so diversified that you can’t get but get a taste of the beauty and the culture…
I’ve never been to the USA but driving about 2500 miles across it does not seem that interesting, though my Dad hitched West to East to rejoin his ship 6 months later in 1935.
Surely you’ve not suddenly got a fear of flying? I have enormous respect for you – The Saker.
Has someone clipped your wings?
Move back to Europe – they are all mad in America.
How on Earth can you live there?
Tony
Saker,
There is nobody to blame for the lack of financial support but the economy, many , like me, are mired in credit card debt, and simply cannot help. If I were to help you, South Front, almasdarnews, and a miriad of other worthy sites and people, I would not survive, It is called “weltschmerz”.
Yours in the love of our sacred motherland.
Saker
Did a similar 2500 mile drive not too long ago when I foolishly moved to hell. Took 4 days. If your are driving solo, don’t hesitate to pull off the road and take a short nap if you start feeling drowsy. Surprising how quickly those highways put one to sleep at the wheel. Take your time, stay safe.
Been cross usa several times. Once from san frisco to mass in 3 dys on motorcycle. I should not have hurried.
Stop and smell the flowers if you can. Beautiful land in west. Corn country lass for days.
be well and talk to some folks along the way.
Dear Saker– the road trip will be better than flying, even with all the insane driving you will encounter on the highways these days (writing from Arizona)….perhaps our righteous Lord has a special meeting in mind for you that would not have happened otherwise. If there is any way to “get off the beaten path” even just for a few hours, you may see why the road trip needed to happen. For all of the problems we have in our country, there are parts of it that are absolutely gorgeous and inspiring! Our prayers are with you for your safety.
I can only add to that.
Dear Saker, if I’m not mistaken you are driving from California to Florida. Well, that’s a hell of a drive. The good part is that you will also be crossing the beautiful State of Arizona. Enjoy it.
I’ve driven many times to deep into France, where I had family living. A roughly ten hours drive from where I live. If I may make a humble advise; everyone is different, but roughly after 2 hours driving a break of something like 15 minutes is advisable.
The last years I’ve avoided gas stations to take a break or a nap, because in France they were already occupied by African gangs.
To illustrate the point, a deep investigation in France was held years ago about the many traffic accidents on a particular highway south of Orleans. All kinds of ‘hardware’ things were checked, but they all failed.
The real reason was, that almost all drivers take a break when they have passed Paris, which is hell. After more than 2 hours driving (from there), drivers will encounter sleep behind the wheel, even with their eyes open. That will go from seconds to longer.
I have had good experience with driving at night. It’s cooler, and traffic is lighter. But do that after Arizona.
Take care, and enjoy the ride.
Cheers, Rob
Saker, thoughts are deeds, and I think when there is big success with ‘fund driving’ its because you stew over the financial problems for a long time and then let us HAVE IT -!~
And this time it was pretty relaxed – and also the summer – and btw – I don’t think this reminder about funding is going to have much effect either – its probably not the best time – maybe ask in June rather than July – or May rather than June –
HI, Saker:
I am sorry the fundraiser has not gone well.
In the spirit of scientific enquiry, how about trying the “thermometer” gambit:
Put it out there what you need, and how much more is needed to reach the goal.
People often respond to a very concrete picture.
Which shows that, say, each ten bucks moves the needle.
Or forget the thermometer, but provide some kind of figure.
Or even, just a percentage.
Something.
That is my advice.
Katherine
It is simply not possible for me to donate, though I wish I could.
But yes I am with you in my deepest feelings and my prayers
bernie
Continue the excellent work; your web site is of fundamental to follow and understand what’s going on in Syria and what the ” neocons” are up to; really scarry stuff. I contributed to your fundraising campain; don’t get discouraged. Îm certain you have a lot support
Jean-Marie
After the business with the aeroplanes in the coup of 2000 some people made the connections…and decided that, while they did not object to flying per se, they would fly again when they could sit in the front left seat…
This is true in a double meaning, Comrade
I’d drive too… And take a few random double-backs too, and keep my scanner going, and wear dark polarized glasses and a hat…prefer bikes…as these are harder for licenseplatereaders both in optics and software.
Habits of a lifetime…nothing unusual except the flying bit.
People miss Saker’s “command presence”. Looking fwd to return…
LZ
Maybe the Saker had a prophetic view about flying.
Here’s a news link about a Russian removed from a Delta flight in the USA while a fellow passenger was accusing him for ‘occupying Crimea’: https://sputniknews.com/us/201707261055900526-russia-crimea-us-flight/
While I’m starting to worry about the anti-Russia sentiment in the USA going from hysterical to toxic, I’ll put my mind more at ease with the knowledge that 7% of adult Americans think that chocolate milk comes from brown cows.
Seems to me that it is barking crazy to get on a commercial flight…they would not bat an eye…
Have a safe trip home. Sent a little to help the cause. Arizona is a beautiful drive, this time of year keep the AC on high and the windows up. Even overnight it is in the low 90s F.
I thought I had avoided paypal by using the credit card option. Butnow I have two messages in my email from paypal about a payment. I didn’t authorize 2 payments, only one. How does one contact Saker analytics?
Brother I am traveling for a month now but the 4th I will be back home in lutz florida, and when there I will send you some help because your news and your knowledge cannot be put aside.
I have compared your accurately knowledge to convey the truth, and now cannot be without it!
Maybe we can go kayaking and or hunting together since we live in a very interesting area and state.
Blessings to ya buddy