Lorraine Evanoff's Blog, page 3
September 1, 2023
Blue Moon
Here are my captures of the full Blue Moon. Cheers!
August 30, 2023
August 30, 2023
Correct Me If I’m Wrong
Twitter is Dead, Long Live Twitter…
After two years writing political analysis for my beloved Palmer Report, I am taking a break. Between finishing my fourth Louise Moscow novel, my newsletter, knitting, reading, and of course my day job as CFO of one of the world’s largest independent inflight entertainment companies, which is picking up again as the airlines move on from COVID, I don’t feel I can commit to a 500-word weekly Palmer Report piece.
But you can’t get rid of me that easily! Here I am on Substack, one of the best things to come out of the mass exodus from Twitter.Speaking of Twitter, Elon Musk can’t get rid of us so easily. It seems every attempt he makes to destroy the forum just makes it stronger. Many have left to join alternatives Tribel, Post, and Spoutible, myself included. Threads seems the most promising, provided they finally introduce a web browser version, so I can check in while I’m working almost 24-7 on the computer.
Many have opined on the rebranding of Twitter, (which I refuse to call it X, the URL is still www.twitter.com for fuck’s sake!) The Daily Beast and the lalochezia-prone Jeff Tiedrich both point out the tasteless rebranding was Musk’s obsession with naming everything X, including his failed attempt to rename Paypal (shot down by right-wing tech billionaire Peter Thiel), his own children, and his rocket company, SpaceX.
Musk’s willful destruction of the iconic global information-sharing brand may just be another attempt by the right to control the narrative, but that too shall fail. Another example, the propaganda film masquerading as an anti-child trafficking documentary, “Sound of Freedom,” was making impressive box office numbers (by dishonestly paying people to go in droves), only to be scuttled by two brilliant “woke” films, the fact-based “Oppenheimer,” and the phantasmic, “Barbie.”
Musk’s attempt to hijack the narrative by acquiring another well-established tech company, Twitter, that he had no part in creating, is pathetic. Like The Grinch, no matter how hard Musk tries to destroy Christmas in Twitterville, the proverbial Who’s in Whoville just keep on singing.
Of course, Musk’s heart didn’t grow ten times bigger. It grew greedier. He sees a long-term opportunity for profit, by creating his own “Metaverse” where everyone will come to do business, including trading in Crypto. But like blockchain, which gets stronger with its users’ efforts, the Twitter community only makes the platform stronger. Unlike MAGA, it evolves and takes on a life of its own. And we’re still there.
Personally, seeing that creepy X with a blood-red splotch in my browser tab makes me nauseous. If Musk really wants to keep the X logo, I have a simple solution. The color Baker-Miller pink has been proven to reduce hostile, violent behavior, and is even used in prisons and drunk tanks. Simply change the color of the X to Barbie pink! You’re welcome.
KNITTING WITH BACKSTORY SERIAL!
August 25, 2023
Maui Memories
🌺 Maui Mindful 🌺
My hubby and I have been going to Maui since 2007, and have a place near Lahaina that we visit regularly. Over the years I have obsessively taken photos – much to hubby’s annoyance. But I’m grateful I did, they are important historic records.
“The planet’ll shake us off like a bad case of fleas.“ ~ George Carlin
It has been heartbreaking to witness the destruction from the wildfires that started August 7th. The younger generations fighting for Earth are my heroes. Whether suing fossil fuels, or changing the fashion industry, they are fierce.
It’s not difficult to make sustainability changes. I’ve been driving a clean vehicle for over a decade and have been vegan or have limited my animal protein consumption almost my whole life.
Every bit helps. Thank you to all who try.
~ Mahalo 🌸 💕
Click On Images Below To Enlarge
May 28, 2023
May Give-Away – Only 3 Days Left!
WHAT DOES MAY MEAN TO YOU?
Each May, I’ve never made a big deal of my birthday. In fact, one year I had completely forgotten about it, until I received a fax dated May 25th and thought, Hmm, that date sounds familiar. 🤔 😆
But somehow it always becomes something special. It falls on Memorial Day Weekend honoring the heroes who fought for our dignity.
Also, I’m surrounded by generous souls with huge hearts who love to laugh and celebrate.
So cheers, I hope you enjoy some Pinot Noir!🍷♥️
ONLY THREE DAYS LEFT!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Pinot Noir is one of the best thrillers I have read in recent times.” ~ Readers’ Favorite
International spy, Louise Moscow, can handle a high-powered speedboat, an ex-lover, and a ginger-haired villain with equal ease. Her investigation takes her to the land of Pinot Noir, Burgundy, France, where she encounters uncooperative witnesses, a mysterious vine disease, a gun-wielding monk, and a murderous secret society.
FREE E-BOOK!
MAY MEANS THE START OF TRAVEL SEASON!
As a savvy practitioner in the art of packing, I love this newsletter!
Whether top recommendations for the best Sunscreen Sticks, stylish Walking Shoes, or Printable Packing Lists, you’ll find it here♥️
SUBSCRIBE
WISHING YOU A PEACEFUL MEMORIAL DAY
★★★★★ “Just read FOLIAGE. Great read, beautifully written, I highly recommend.” ~ Matthew J. Dowd, Chief Political Analyst, ABC News
★★★★★ “Being a major Bond fan, I have read all of Ian Fleming’s novels. It was so refreshing and entertaining to get the female spy’s perspective. PINOT NOIR is an intoxicating tale even to readers who are as sober as a monk.” ~ David Kempf, Award-Winning Author
★★★★★ “On par with Dan Brown novels, the historical aspects of DEVIL’S LEDGER are intriguing and thoughtfully included in a way that intelligently elevates the novel.” ~ Literary Titan
WALKING THE CAT – COMNG SOON! Retired CIA operative Louise Moscow gets a highly coveted all-access pass to Spring/Summer 2023 Paris Fashion Week. When a mysterious catwalk murder shocks the haute couture world, Louise springs into action to clear an old friend (and fellow spy) of the charges. But nothing is what it appears to be…
May 7, 2023
May Give-Away
🎂 MAY IS MY BIRTHDAY MONTH! 🎂
FOR MY BIRTHDAY,
I’m giving myself the gift of giving.
PINOT NOIR, A Louise Moscow Book 2
E-book is FREE for the whole month of May!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ “Pinot Noir is one of the best thrillers I have read in recent times.” ~ Readers’ Favorite
International spy, Louise Moscow, can handle a high-powered speedboat, an ex-lover, and a ginger-haired villain with equal ease. Her investigation takes her to the land of Pinot Noir, Burgundy, France, where she encounters uncooperative witnesses, a mysterious vine disease, a gun-wielding monk, and a murderous secret society.
FREE E-BOOK!
LOOKING FOR THE PERFECT WINE LOVER’S GIFT?
WINE & TRIVIA! VINEBOX has paired 6 hand-selected European wines with trivia questions that will expand your palate and wine IQ. Test your knowledge as you sip and savor, then tune into their sommelier-led virtual tasting videos to learn more about your wines and see how you scored.
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★★★★★ “Just read FOLIAGE. Great read, beautifully written, I highly recommend.” ~ Matthew J. Dowd, Chief Political Analyst, ABC News
★★★★★ “Being a major Bond fan, I have read all of Ian Fleming’s novels. It was so refreshing and entertaining to get the female spy’s perspective. PINOT NOIR is an intoxicating tale even to readers who are as sober as a monk.” ~ David Kempf, Award-Winning Author
★★★★★ “On par with Dan Brown novels, the historical aspects of DEVIL’S LEDGER are intriguing and thoughtfully included in a way that intelligently elevates the novel.” ~ Literary Titan
WALKING THE CAT – COMNG SOON! Retired CIA operative Louise Moscow gets a highly coveted all-access pass to Spring/Summer 2023 Paris Fashion Week. When a mysterious catwalk murder shocks the haute couture world, Louise springs into action to clear an old friend (and fellow spy) of the charges. But nothing is what it appears to be…
May 3, 2023
These Qanon Loons Are Even Further Gone Than We Thought
Majorie Taylor Greene’s antics are disturbing and sadistic. But it is even worse than that. As Daily Beast reporter Will Sommer writes in his new book “Trust the Plan,” what’s happening with the current Republican party is largely because of QAnon.
QAnon is a rightwing cult of millions who believe the world is run by a Deep State group of Democrats who drink the blood of “mole children,” and that Trump is a messianic figure who will bring world peace, absolve debt, and cure disease, or something. Yet, mainstream media remains mostly silent about how much control QAnon has over the Republican party. Greene is an important fundraiser for the Republican Party. Wife of a Supreme Court Justice, Ginni Thomas is a QAnon believer.
Now, with the impugned take-over of SCOTUS by rightwing extremists complete, and QAnon believers like Greene and Boebert elected to Congress, Republicans have gone local. A terrifying number of QAnon are scattered throughout local government, creating a devasting force. Sommers contends that QAnon is behind the wave of anti-trans, anti-abortion, pro-child labor, anti-education, and anti-voter laws on the local level. Republican state legislators are brazenly defying the will of the voters in North Carolina, Tennessee, and Montana. They may even be behind the fake democrats being elected only to switch parties giving Republicans supermajorities to North Carolina and Louisiana.
QAnon also embraces violence. Sommers provides many examples of QAnon incitement to violence, including January 6th. In 2019, the FBI considered QAnon a potential source of domestic terrorism. Unlike “Antifa” which really doesn’t exist in any organized form, QAnon has well-coordinated communications networks, like 4chan.
After years of avoiding public acknowledgment of his QAnon supporters, Trump finally gave his blessing. In August 2020, during a White House press conference, Trump publicly accepted his role as QAnon messiah. Before he was banned in January 2021, Trump was Twitter’s biggest promoter of QAnon accounts.
For months after the 2020 election, a friend of mine kept receiving text messages from an angry Republican friend who had worked at the DIA under Michael Flynn, saying they were “releasing the Kraken” and Trump would be reinstated. At the time, my friend was shocked such a highly intelligent person could succumb to such cult behavior. As we now know, it is no longer just a cult. The Republican Party is QAnon.
May 1, 2023
Top Secret
In this Newsletter:
SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE:
Book #4 Cover Reveal!Introducing Best-selling Author Ethan JonesMystery Writers UniteMy new crossword puzzle! Book #4 Coming October 2023! Dearest Reader,
My usual October book release is months away, but I’m too excited to wait for the LOUISE MOSCOW BOOK #4 title and cover reveal! This is very preliminary, so before making final decisions, I need your opinion.
I look forward to your honest feedback on the title and cover!
~ Lolo 🙏🏻💙
Retired CIA operative Louise Moscow gets a highly-coveted all-access pass to Spring/Summer 2023 Paris Fashion Week. When a mysterious catwalk murder shocks the haute couture world, Louise springs into action to clear an old friend (and fellow spy) of the charges. But nothing is what it appears to be.
Meet International Best-selling Author
One of the perks of working in the literary world is getting to personally meet great authors. Recently I was introduced to British mystery writer, Ethan Jones and have been devouring his thrillers ever since!
Click the series above to check out the Jack Storm Spy Thrillers. Or click the image below to delve into his many other tantalizing series.
A DAY OF MYSTERYIt was an honor to return to the LA Festival of Books this year, where I had the pleasure of promoting Mystery Writers of America and signing books with the foremost authority of all things mystery, Leslie S. Klinger. Best of all, I got to chat with many avid readers!
LOLO’S CROSSWORD PUZZLE
My New Crossword Puzzle is Here!
(Check back monthly for a new puzzle.)
March 19, 2023
There’s a Whirlwind of Crap Falling on Donald Trump’s Head
What a week! As we fight for democracy, it is as important to publicize the multiplying Republican scandals, as it is to broadcast the Democrats’ accomplishments. Below is a list of this week’s biggest developments:
On Trump-indictment watch, we learned that local, state, and federal officials are beefing up security around the Manhattan courthouse where Trump will be indicted any day now.Trump’s Truth Social is a worthless money-laundering scheme. We learned there was a Federal investigation into the company’s laundering $8 million through bridge loans tied to Russian President Putin, and the NASDAQ is delisting the Truth Social holding company. Investors are screwed, with the stock now worthless.The DOJ arrested Chinese billionaire Guo Wengui, who has deep ties to Trump’s closest co-conspirators. Could Guo flip on Steve Bannon who was arrested on his yacht in 2020?Because of banking deregulation under Trump, three Silicon Valley banks filed for bankruptcy or were downgraded to junk, after improper divesting by their billionaire investors. Biden vowed to fully cover customer bank deposits, while telling the reckless investors they are on their own. “That’s how capitalism works,” Biden said. Zing!Biden is making the U.S. safer. He signed a 10-point executive order to reduce gun violence, and he also is using diplomacy to pressure Chinese investors into divesting in the TikTok app which has been deemed a U.S. national security threat.DeSantis shot himself in the foot, politically, for publicly defending Russia by downplaying the conflict in Ukraine as a mere turf war. His timing couldn’t have been worse. On Friday, the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague issued arrest warrants for Putin and his Commissioner for Children’s Rights for unlawful deportation of children from Ukraine. Take that DeSantis!In a huge win for the Mar a Lago classified documents investigation, a federal judge ruled Trump’s attorney Evan Corcoran – who attested in writing that there were no more classified documents at the Trump residence – must provide additional testimony to the grand jury.
All of this on top of Democrats continuing to fight for student loan debt relief, social security, Medicare, and our Constitutional rights to bodily autonomy and freedom of speech. When it comes to good guys on the Left, verses evil on the Right, the Left has pulled the plug and the Right is circling the drain.
March 15, 2023
So much for all that doomsday hysteria about Georgia Republicans saving Donald Trump by firing Fani Willis
After doomsday ground zero, November 8, 2016, for my mental health, I began meditating, 10 minutes every day, and also reading Palmer Report. One of the latest doomsday talking points is the bills recently passed by the Georgia Republican state legislators. But as Palmer Report already pointed out, even if signed into law by Governor Kemp, while eroding the separation of powers between legislative and judiciary branches, these laws don’t come close to stopping Fani Wallis from issuing imminent indictments.
There were two different bills passed by the Georgia House and Senate. Both bills would create a commission that could recall any state elected prosecutors. The state Senate bill reduces the number of signatures needed to seek the recall. But even if signed by Kemp, the commissions wouldn’t be put in place until 2024. While indictments brought against Trump and his allies might still be ongoing, the bills couldn’t stop the indictments from being issued before then.
Still, this is part of a bogus Republican effort to “reform” local prosecutors. One Georgia bill includes language allowing the commission to fire prosecutors for refusing to enforce certain laws. Career sadist Florida governor Ron DeSantis illegally removed twice-elected state attorney Andrew Warren from office, for declaring he would refuse to enforce strict abortion bans. Warren sued to get his job back, and in January 2023, a Judge ruled DeSantis violated U.S. and Florida law, but declined to reinstate Warren. This week the court agreed to fast track Warren’s appeal. But DeSantis is undeterred. In a shocking move, he appointed Suzy Lopez to replace Warren who immediately rolled back all Warren’s policies.
That begs the question, why didn’t Governor Kemp simply remove Fani Willis? Perhaps, for the same reason he gave for refusing to block certification of the 2020 election, because state law prevented him from doing so. Kemp is walking the line. Despite lower crime rates, he claimed in a tweet, “Far-left local prosecutors are making our communities less safe…I look forward to working with members of the General Assembly to address it…” This latest legislation effort is bogus. But it’s not a magic wand.
March 7, 2023
The GOP Appears To Be Breaking Itself In Two
Since Republicans barely won the House, and with Democrats in the White House and holding the Senate, and several investigations at grand jury stage with indictments looming, it’s fascinating to observe the fracturing of the GOP. Despite doomsday punditry on the left, the timing seems almost poetic, even strategic, like a peaceful swan whose feet are paddling away below the surface.
One observation, the few bits of information released about ongoing investigations into Trump and his co-defendants seem to keep Republicans sweating and making panic moves. Take CPAC 2023. The Republican party cleaved in two, with the most insane members attending in support of Trump, including Marjorie Taylor Greene, Matt Gaetz, Ted Cruz, Jim Jordan, and former Brazilian dictator Bolsonaro.
While prominent Republicans such as Kevin McCarthy, Mitch McConnell, Ron DeSantis, Ronna McDaniel, and Mike Pence excused themselves for undisclosed reasons. It’s likely they are distancing themselves from toxic Trump and CPAC 2023 chair, Matt Schlapp, who was credibly accused of sexually assaulting a male staffer for Herschel Walker’s campaign.
Will their voters also be split? So far, there are no moderate Republicans in their 2024 presidential primary race, with moderate Larry Hogan now declining to run, and Liz Cheney a non-starter. With only MAGA and Ultra MAGA announcing runs, there’s no one for Independents or moderate Republicans to vote for.
As the investigations move forward, keep in mind, media frenzies can be bad. According to legal expert Joyce Vance, criminal defense attorneys can try to use sideshows like grand jury foreperson Emily Kohrs, or even the House subcommittee hearings on January 6th, to delay, arguing that massive coverage makes it impossible to get an unbiased jury. But as Vance assures us, “Defendants don’t get a pass just because there’s a lot of interest in their crimes.” Still, pundits on the left should avoid doomsday hysteria. Leave the histrionics to the Republicans.
