The Neutral Ground”: The United States Struggles Against Racism: The Haunting Past and Present of Confederate Monuments

Former President Donald Trump took the United States close to a coup d’’état amidst a background of smouldering race relations. For him monuments were just historical references. Pull down the Confederate ones and then George Washington would be the next. However it is not as simple as that. For Black Americans in the Southern United States they are a symbol of racism and white supremacy as indeed director C.J. Hunt discovers in his documentary “The Neutral Ground”. Not only are Confederate monuments an affront to black Americans but they are equally offensive to many white Americans, particularly if they are not Southern.

White Southern Supporters Protecting their White Supremacist History

The documentary starts in 2015 as the New Orleans city council votes to “relocate” 4 Confederate monuments including monuments dedicated to General Robert E. Lee, Jefferson Davis and The White League movement. You might want to equate the White League as a predecessor to the Ku Klux Clan. Robert E. Lee as a Confederate general and Jefferson Davis as the first president of the Confederacy. Historical research clearly indicates these men and the White League were beacons of white supremacy. The mayor of New Orleans said it was time to move these monuments from a place of reverence to remembrance. Heated public debate ensued with threats of violence. Despite an attempt at obtaining a federal injunction to block the removal almost two years later they are removed.

But the New Orleans heat spreads throughout the South and monuments come down with armed militia, like those in the Capitol Building insurrection, milling about threatening bloodshed. As one commentator states this is the beginning as streets, buildings and parks are littered with names of white supremacists. There is much more junk to clear.

Why so many trying to preserve the Lost Cause? Could it be the result of a post Reconstruction attempt to sanitize and gentrify the South from a squalid and miserable reality?

I have visited plantations and slave markets in Louisiana and Georgia and that was an eye-opening experience but I was somewhat blind to the monuments perhaps as a Canadian I did not feel the pain and shame of the South. This documentary is a searing expose of the lies of the myth of the Confederacy and what it is like to have been and be black in America told in a beautiful sarcastic fashion. C.J. Hunt weaves a fascinating story and he discovers as a Filipino and a black what it means to be black.

By the way to Canadians reading this it is no time to be superior given the discoveries of mass unmarked graves of aboriginal children at residential boarding schools. It’s beginning to look like aboriginal genocide and the monuments are beginning to be toppled.

“The Neutral Ground” won the Albert Maysles Award for Best New Documentary Director at the 2021 Tribeca Film Festival. It will have its television broadcast as the Opening Film for PBS POV 34th season on July 5th.. It will stream free on pov.org until August 4th.

You can watch the trailer here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxmkfIxdJz4

The Fully Vaccinated Elite/Caste Face Relaxed Entry Restrictions

Government of Canada’s first phase to easing border measures for travellers entering Canada

From: Public Health Agency of Canada

News release

June 21, 2021  |   Ottawa  |  Public Health Agency of Canada

The Government of Canada is taking a responsible, precautionary approach at the border by continually monitoring available data and scientific evidence to protect the health and safety of Canadians.

Today, the Government of Canada is announcing the details of the first phase of its approach to easing border measures for travellers entering Canada. These cautious adjustments are now possible because of the successes of the vaccine roll out in Canada and Canadians following public health measures.

Beginning July 5, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. EDT, fully vaccinated travellers who are permitted to enter Canada will not be subject to the federal requirement to quarantine or take a COVID-19 test on day-8. In addition, fully vaccinated travellers arriving by air will not be required to stay at a government-authorized hotel.

To be considered fully vaccinated, a traveller must have received the full series of a vaccine — or combination of vaccines — accepted by the Government of Canada at least 14 days prior to entering Canada. Currently, those vaccines are manufactured by Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca/COVISHIELD, and Janssen (Johnson & Johnson). Travellers can receive their vaccine in any country, and must provide documentation supporting their vaccination in English, French or with a certified translation.

For these new measures to apply to them, fully vaccinated travellers must still meet all other mandatory requirements, including pre- and on-arrival testing. Continued testing will allow public health experts to keep monitoring positivity rates at the border, monitor for variants of concern, and make further adjustments to border measures as needed.

Fully vaccinated travellers must also be asymptomatic, have a paper or digital copy of their vaccination documentation, and provide COVID-19-related information electronically through ArriveCAN prior to arrival in Canada. They must still present a suitable quarantine plan, and be prepared to quarantine, in case it is determined at the border that they do not meet all of the conditions required to be exempt from quarantine. As with all other exempt travellers, they will be required to follow public health measures in place, such as wearing a mask when in public, keep a copy of their vaccine and test results, as well as a list of close contacts for 14 days after entry to Canada.

For travellers who are not fully vaccinated, there are no changes to Canada’s current border measures. They must continue to adhere to the current testing and federal quarantine requirements, which have been effective in reducing importation and transmission of COVID-19 and variants in Canada, and provide COVID-19-related information electronically through ArriveCAN before arriving in Canada. Unvaccinated air travellers must also book a three-night stay at a government-authorized hotel before their departure to Canada.

The Government of Canada’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to prioritize the health and safety of Canadians. As vaccination, case counts and hospitalization rates evolve, the Government of Canada will continue to consider further targeted measures at the borders—and when to lift or adjust them—to keep Canadians safe and the economy running. 

Passion Flower and Anxiety

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Passionflower

Common Names: passionflower, maypop, apricot vine, maracuja, water lemon

Latin Names: Passiflora incarnata

Background

  • Passionflower is a climbing vine that is native to the southeastern United States and Central and South America.
  • Native peoples of the Americas used passionflower as a sedative. Sixteenth-century Spanish explorers in South America learned of passionflower. The plant was then brought to Europe, where it became widely cultivated and was introduced to European folk medicine.
  • Today, passionflower is promoted as a dietary supplement for anxiety and sleep problems, as well as for pain, heart rhythm problems, menopausal symptoms, and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. It is applied to the skin for burns and to treat hemorrhoids.

How Much Do We Know?

  • Passionflower’s effect on anxiety and other conditions hasn’t been studied extensively.

What Have We Learned?

  • A small amount of research suggests that passionflower might help to reduce nonspecific anxiety and anxiety before a surgical or dental procedure, but conclusions are not definite.
  • There is not enough evidence to say whether passionflower is helpful for any other health conditions, including attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, congestive heart failure, insomnia, and stress.

What Do We Know About Safety?

  • Up to 800 mg daily of a dried alcoholic extract of passionflower has been used with apparent safety in studies lasting up to 8 weeks, but it may cause drowsiness, confusion, and uncoordinated movement (ataxia) in some people. Passionflower used in excessive amounts (e.g., 3.5 grams of a specific extract over a 2-day period) may be unsafe.
  • Whether it’s safe to use passionflower topically (on skin) is not known.
  • Passionflower should not be used during pregnancy as it may induce uterine contractions. Little is known about whether it’s safe to use passionflower while breastfeeding.

Keep in Mind

  • Take charge of your health—talk with your health care providers about any complementary health approaches you use. Together, you can make shared, well-informed decisions.

For More Information

NCCIH Clearinghouse

The NCCIH Clearinghouse provides information on NCCIH and complementary and integrative health approaches, including publications and searches of Federal databases of scientific and medical literature. The Clearinghouse does not provide medical advice, treatment recommendations, or referrals to practitioners.

Toll-free in the U.S.: 1-888-644-6226

tty (for deaf and hard-of-hearing callers):

1-866-464-3615

Website: https://nccih.nih.gov/

Email: info@nccih.nih.gov(link sends email)

PubMed®

A service of the National Library of Medicine, PubMed® contains publication information and (in most cases) brief summaries of articles from scientific and medical journals. For guidance from NCCIH on using PubMed, see How To Find Information About Complementary Health Approaches on PubMed.

Website: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/

Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS), National Institutes of Health (NIH)

ODS seeks to strengthen knowledge and understanding of dietary supplements by evaluating scientific information, supporting research, sharing research results, and educating the public. Its resources include publications (such as Dietary Supplements: What You Need To Know) and fact sheets on a variety of specific supplement ingredients and products (such as vitamin D and multivitamin/mineral supplements).

Website: https://ods.od.nih.gov/

Email: ods@nih.gov(link sends email)

Key References

This publication is not copyrighted and is in the public domain. Duplication is encouraged.

NCCIH has provided this material for your information. It is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your health care provider(s). We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with your health care provider. The mention of any product, service, or therapy is not an endorsement by NCCIH.Last Updated: August 2020Share

Passionflower
© Steven Foster

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Herbs at a Glance

“Mutantism on the March” :Chapter 72 “More Trouble in Quebec”

Spiritaki Jiber and his self exiled group of scallywags were wiping the sweat off their brows after their narrow escape from Zortixia. They had vacated the Zortixian atmosphere at such great velocity it was a wonder the navigator had held the ship together.

Their destination was Earth where they were hoping to join forces with Eno Ergot and launch an epic battle campaign that would result in the subjugation of the entire galaxy. Jiber thought Ergot was an idiot and that he could easily manipulate him and his crew. Jiber had always thought most Zortixians were imbeciles. They had savoured a wholesome and beneficial power rather than riches and luxury. The Jiber would rather horde gold bullion than rule fools because from wealth power was generated. Jiber’s father near the end of his rule was savouring philosophy rather than greed and when you followed that path a population was bound to become rebellious.

Jiber had scant knowledge of Earth. He planned to join forces with Eno Ergot and swindle Earthlings into believing they were embarking in a great Crusade. These Earthlings, primitive and aggressive as he had heard, would make a great conquering army and the first planet to fall under the flag of The Opposite would be Zortixia. All he had to do was promise them something grand and they would come flocking to his cause. Or perhaps he could cause discontent, seize power in some state and enslave enough people to create his army. Lacking soldiers he would be forced to rely on Earthlings.

Few Zortixians had ever visited Earth and no one had been interested until recently after Montenez had returned for a visit. All voyages to Earth were forbidden without the highest approvals. There was fear that Earthlings were so backward that unscrupulous Zortixians were afraid they could be very easily manipulated through superior Zortixian technology and intellect. Earthlings were always on the verge of war and if any side were given the advantage of advanced Zortixian weaponry the consequences would be grave.

They touched own in the black of night in some deserted area full of odd-looking buildings. Many of them sported different flags. A survey party scouted the area finding they were on an island with a vast metropolis across a river. The river that swirled around the island had a foul odour. The survey party reported several signs with a message “WELCOME TO EXPO 67”. The crew bedded down for the night.

RKS Wine: Smoke and Gamble’s Appassimento: My Grandmother Would be Mortified!

My late mother used to sing part of a song of which I do not know the name of but she did say she learnt it from my grandmother. The refrain was “lips that touch liquor will never touch mine”. Yes my grandmother was in the Temperance movement in Ontario. Grandmother would be mortified by not only wine but the other sins of smoking and gambling. The question is what decadence does this wine bring to the glass? Is it sinfully delicious? Nanny R was also a member of the Ontario Censor Board for films. God help a film that dared showed a breast!

It is garnet in colour. On the nose very dense and rich with black cherry, cassis, blackberry and blueberries. A vague resemblance to Late Bottled Vintage Port but this wine is higher toned. On the palate moderate tannins and very a long decadent finish. The fruit seems distant and builds like a tidal wave more than a tsunami. Full of blueberry, cherry pie, marshmallows, vanilla and a hint of milk chocolate. Consider this as a high-quality Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc on steroids. Hand me a pack of cards and a pack of smokes but first I should say this wine might be good for sipping for a glass but I think it really deserves the very best cut of beef or ox and you’ll have hit gold at the craps table not at a somewhat second-rate casino in Ontario but more of a Bellagio casino in the sin city of Las Vegas.

grapes on tray to be inserted into kiln
A kiln used for drying grapes at Smoke & Gamble

Now the price? A bit high at $49.95? Well, the quality is extremely high so why not splurge. You’d pay the same price for a bottle of entry level Champagne so why not transfer that thought of bubbly luxury to a bottle of this Smoke & Gamble wine?

Appassimento is an old Italian tradition of drying grapes naturally until they are shrivelled leaving a concentrated juice as compared to “regular wine” made with ripe grapes with more liquid juice so you are getting a concentrated and more intense wine with the appassimento method. And it results in a more expensive product as water in the wine is reduced. In this case the grapes are placed on a tray and placed in a kiln. A kiln you say? Well a kiln can be an entire building or a smaller shipping like container like structure. Kilns were used for tobacco drying years ago when Ontario was a big tobacco producer. The idea is that air circulation is constant created by fans that dries the grapes. Might I say you are drinking an Ontario Amarone?

spreading out grapes on tray for insertion into the kiln

By the way my grandmother might have been a stern old bird but she taught me to be a very mean Scrabble player that could rack up over 300 points in every game. And as to the sins of gambling, smoking and alcohol I respect her beliefs and I even agree with her about smoking and gambling but a life without wine is like doing San Quentin time.

A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc with all ageing finished in French and American oak for close to five years.

(Smoke & Gamble 2015 VQA Appassimento, Dover Wines and Spirits, Norfolk, Ontario, $49.95, LCBO # 19933, 16.5%, 750 mL, Robert K. Stephen A Little Birdie Told Me So Rating 94/100). 

The Unvaccinated: A new social class of lepers?

Should I Ask My Friends If They Are Vaccinated?

COVID-19 vaccine etiquette and considerations for all the people in your life.

BY KERI ALTHOFF AND ELIZABETH STUART | JUNE 21, 2021

If you’re fully vaccinated, almost all interactions are quite low risk for you. But you might still want to know about others’ vaccination status to help think through how to make activities as low risk as possible for everyone.

This is particularly true if you interact regularly with high-risk individuals or people who haven’t been vaccinated yet, such as children under 12 years old.

You can get practice and gain comfort in asking friends about their vaccination status before interacting closely with them. Below are a few specific examples of navigating some tricky scenarios.

If you learn that someone isn’t vaccinated, when appropriate—with close friends and family, for example—consider asking them why not and see if you can help address their concerns. (See How Can I Talk to My Friends and Family About Vaccines)

Let us know what questions you’re hearing: publichealthquestion@jhu.edu

SCENARIO: I am fully vaccinated. How can I ask my friends if they are also vaccinated before we hang out? Should it change our plans if someone is not?

Absolutely! If you are hanging out with fully vaccinated friends, you can enjoy each other’s company without masks and social distancing.

If there are unvaccinated friends in the mix, you may wish to enjoy your gathering outside or in spaces where masking and social distancing is more comfortable. Asking your friends about their vaccination status is as simple as “I have been vaccinated for COVID-19. Have you?” If they don’t wish to answer, you should engage with the person as if they are unvaccinated.

SCENARIO: My dentist told me that she’s not going to get vaccinated. Should I find another provider?

It is perfectly appropriate to seek out service providers who you know are vaccinated.

SCENARIO: My friend told me that asking someone about their vaccination status is a HIPAA violation. Is that true?

It is not a violation of HIPAA to ask someone about their vaccination status. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) restricts doctors and insurance companies from disclosing information about their patients.

SCENARIO: My fiance and I are finally rescheduling our postponed wedding for later this summer. Is it ok to ask that guests who plan to attend get vaccinated beforehand so everyone can be safe? Should we require proof of some kind?

Encouraging guests to be vaccinated to attend your wedding is appropriate. You may even wish to gather information on an individual’s vaccination status on the RSVP card.

But people may be dishonest about their vaccination status, proof may be difficult for vaccinated people to provide, and there may be people who are vaccinated but still practice masking and social distancing as extra layers of protection for themselves (particularly if they are immune compromised) or others in their household. You might want to also consider how or whether knowing that information would or would not change your plans.

Unless you have a small gathering and you are confident everyone is vaccinated, remind your guests of the CDC guidance for unvaccinated people and provide masks and space for guests to socially distance themselves.

SCENARIO: I’m newly back into the dating scene and eager to meet people. How can I ask them about their vaccination status before we hang out?

Communication is key to relationships. Asking about vaccination status can help build communication and is important for understanding how to follow CDC guidelines.

Read more about Dating in the Time of COVID-19

SCENARIO: My 12- and 14-year-old kids are newly fully vaccinated and want to hang out with their friends, but there are some kids under 12 who haven’t been vaccinated and others whose status we don’t know. How can we keep everyone safe?

A general rule is that if you’re going to be gathering with people from multiple households who aren’t vaccinated—or if you don’t know everyone’s vaccination status—look for lower-risk activities:

  • Stay outdoors
  • Keep masks on while indoors
  • Keep the group small

When considering gatherings, keep in mind local COVID-19 spread and protection in your community. The number of cases per 100,000 population and the proportion of people vaccinated can help guide your decision-making. If COVID-19 rates are high and the gathering is large and among people whose vaccination status is largely unknown, or if there are going to be lots of children, consider more safety measures or even postponing the event for a later time.

This guidance could also apply to families who each have children older than 12 and children younger than 12 under the same roof who want to socialize with other families.

Keri Althoff, PhD ’08, MPH ’05, is an associate professor in Epidemiology with a joint appointment at the School of Medicine. She is the Provost’s Fellow for Research Communication at Johns Hopkins.

Elizabeth Stuart, PhD, AM, is the associate dean for Education at the Bloomberg School and a professor in Mental Health, Biostatistics, and Health Policy and Management. She was recently appointed as a Bloomberg Professor of American Health.

Canada announces more sanctions on Belarus

Canada imposes additional sanctions on Belarusian individuals and entities over attacks on human rights and fundamental freedoms

From: Global Affairs Canada

News release

June 21, 2021 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced new sanctions against 17 individuals and 5 entities under the Special Economic Measures Act (SEMA) in response to gross and systematic violations of human rights occurring in Belarus. These measures are being taken in coordination with the United States, the United Kingdom and the European Union.

On May 23, 2021, the Belarusian regime yet again demonstrated its clear disdain for fundamental human rights—and media freedom in particular. On the pretext of a dubious and still unverified bomb threat, the Belarusian regime diverted Ryanair Flight 4978 from its planned course in order to land in Minsk. Upon landing, Belarusian journalist, Roman Protasevich, and his companion, Sofia Sapega, were detained by Belarusian authorities.

In addition to being a flagrant attack on freedom of expression, this reckless, brazen act by the Belarusian regime jeopardized the safety of the flight’s other passengers and constitutes serious interference in the fundamental principles and international rules that ensure civil aviation safety around the world.

Once again, side by side with the United States, the United Kingdom and the European Union, Canada is maintaining pressure on the Belarusian regime to end its repeated assault on the human rights and dignity of the Belarusian people.  

“Tove”: Finnish Entry for Best International Feature Film at the 93rd Academy Awards”

“Tove” is Finnish gem. Impeccable as to acting, writing, cinematography and direction. As a reviewer of films, I have little interest in the big Hollywood “blockbusters” although I will admit “Sound of Metal” which received a few Oscar nominations was a welcome break from the Hollywood blockbusters one sees 70% of Air Canada passengers watching on a flight to and back from Europe. That was years ago when I was last in Europe where just about everyone was watching “Black Panther” while I was listening to Electro Trance. And I had the East Indian special meal while for most it was chicken or pasta and knowing Air Canada they run out of the standard choices so you end up with pasta. So my tastes may differ from the mainstream.

The Moomin World of Tove!

It is during the end of the Second World War in Helsinki that painter Tove Jansson struggles as a painter to make a living. Her art on canvass does not capture the Finnish audience. She is the daughter of a famous Finnish sculptor who urges Tove to continue painting but Tove isn’t selling oil on canvas very well. But as a sideline to keep her relaxed she has created a comic series of drawings-based on creating characters called Moomins that live in a fantasy world. To put her work into context she is ahead of H.R Crumb “Felix the Cat” by decades although her cartoons are much more wholesome. But they are innovative and unique. She is asked by Vivica Bandler, daughter of the mayor of Helsinki and a theatre director, to make invitations for her father’s birthday party. She then is asked to create a mural at City Hall. And her distraction now becomes her career which takes off after she writes a play on the Moomin world, directed by Vivica, which is a smashing success and leads to a daily comic strip in a leading London newspaper.

Tove’s Moomin sidelines her desire to be a painter and the fantasy world she has created strikes a chord with the world so a painter is converted into a comic strip artist. She is exposed to the comic strip world by her lover a married Parliamentarian Socialist and newspaper owner Wirtanen. And her cartoon fantasy world takes Finland and Europe by storm. This includes a passionate lesbian relationship with Vivica Bandler.

Vivica is a bit of a promiscuous lesbian with a long string of lovers. There is no permanent connection with her and Tove eventually settles down with a Finnish lesbian until her death in 2001.

A story of an artist with a love of painting overshadowed by her comic strip, plays and novels based on the Moomin world. One is not certain if Tove has accepted her fame without reservation.

Tove settled into a lesbian relationship until her death in 2001. I see her as a combination of H&R Crumb “Felix the Cat” and J.K. Rowling “Harry Potter”.

Was there some horrific struggle consuming Tove as a painter vs. a cartoonist? I do not think that is the case but there is her strong desire to be recognized as a painter which is not accepted by her sculptor father nor the authorities awarding grants to artists. She is hurt by the lack of recognition as a painter but well rewarded as a cartoonist.

The film starts either virtually or in theatre July 2 in the Inside Out Festival (Toronto)/Cinema du Musée (Montreal)/ViIFF Connect (Vancouver)/Carbon Arc (Halifax). As of August 10th it can be rented on Vimeo.

Note the title of the picture she is painting at the end of the film!

The film is based on Tove Jansson’s life. With English subtitles.

You can catch the trailer here. https://vimeo.com/ondemand/tove2/518184800

The film seems promoted subtlety as an LGBTQ film. I can agree with that but the life of Tove is so fascinating the LGBTQ angle is subsumed.

The film is directed by Zaida Bergoth. Alma Pöysti as Tove deserves an Academy Award for her riveting performance. Krista Kosonen as Vivica also deserves an Academy Award for best supporting actress.

“Mutantism on the March” :Chapter 71 “Is Eno Ergot a Mutant?”

At Le Havre the SS Zorollia was granted with the same curiosity and fanfare that it had received in New York City. To the relief of Ergot and his crew the French customs authorities did nothing but stamp the crew’s passports and did not bother to search the ship. After the first day of the “museum exhibits” Eno wandered into town looking for some inspiration. He stepped into a co-operative café operated by a group called L’Ordre des Mutantes Francais”. He found a deserted booth and ordered a Pernod from a midget waiter. He noticed the clientele to be a different lot with many of them walking on crutches missing limbs or rocking back and forth uttering strange phrases. The last time he had observed so many strange looking people was the night he and his crew had organized a charity ball of the United Mutations in New York. Now they were staring at him, the only “normal looking” person in the establishment. Probably he thought as he was wearing a garish pirate outfit he was simply another mutant. But there was one fellow who continued his staring at Eno and he introduced himself as Jean-Paul Tarty an eminent French philosopher. Tarty bowed and introduced himself to Eno. Eno sensed this was an intelligent man who might be able to tell him where he could find Bluebeard. After Tarty and Eno finished their small talk about their favourite French wines Eno popped the question if Tarty knew the whereabouts of Bluebeard. The reply from Tarty was, “Monsieur Ergot you must be aware this pirate Bluebeard is but a myth or if he did exist he has been dead for many years. But then again you look like a mutant to me. He may exist for you so please excuse my forthrightness with you.”

Eno was a bit surprised about being called a mutant and although he did not understand what it meant he did not like the sound of it. Tarty had vast experience with French mutants and was accustomed with self-denial when it was first suggested to one such a person could be a mutant. There was no need to pressure Eno as one day he would realize the truth. He said to Eno, “My my. You should consider joining the mutant ranks. They will help you find Bluebeard even if he will exist only in your mind. You will find mutants to be a helpful and soulful group of people. They are only too willing to help those mutants who initially fail to recognize they are mutants. Mutants defy existence. They are the sole group in the human species that are responsible for their actions. They negate the established and entrenched way of existence. Therefore they are compelled to reflect upon their own existence. It is only mutants who view life as sacred and that is precisely why they are fighting for their rights. Others who have had these rights ignore them or take them for granted blind to the historical struggle that was waged to obtain these rights, no matter how limited they are. Mutants are fighting for those dreary middle carnivorous man eat man rights they say but that is a lie. They fight for the right to exist, the most basic and unadulterated right. This is the essence of their pureness. They are downtrodden and innocent and the basis for a new civilization. Through the international struggle of the mutants the decadent proletariat, long ago corrupted by their masters, can visualize this corruption and fight for the erection of a just and egalitarian society. In short the mutants are the best societal reflectors around. It’s like being able to see England from Calais on a clear day. If England did not exist then no one could see France just as England could not see France if there was no England. These mutants are pure and simple people yet exceedingly complex. I am sure that they can help you find your Bluebeard.”

Eno considered Tarty a spewer of ridiculous gibberish. Whomever these mutants were they sounded like a ridiculous conglomeration of idiots. Eno responded to Tarty,” listen here Tarty. I came here for a Pernod. Whomever these mutants are I really don’t give a flying fuck about them . I am on earth for adventure. We set sail for Montreal tomorrow and my ship has been converted to a floating restaurant and we are going to make a bundle in Montreal for their world fair called Expo 67. We pirates have never required any organization. We are the only free people and to hell with these sad sack mutants.” With these words Eno left the bar as Tarty mumbled about Kierkegaard and the foundations of Nordic arrogance.

“Mutantism on the March” :Chapter 70 “Boredom Sets In”

The crew was enjoying the racy and fast paced lifestyle but a few of them had succumbed to a strange disease called AIDS. Kind of like scurvy endured by Jacques Cartaway when he had landed in Montreal 400 years ago but boiling birch bark was not the cure? The crew were inter-stellar vagabonds and while the landlubber’s life had its attractions the open seas and adventure were compelling forces they had to reckon with. And besides Rauncho had been sending an endless stream of telegrams pleading with Ergot to return to Columbia. The good life had to end so a farewell banquet was held at the Grump Hotel just off of Columbus Circle where Eno announced it was time to lift anchor and head off. Two New York senators, the mayor of New York and assorted hangers on gathered to pay homage to the goal of international exchange. The puffed-up senator Snurder summarized the ambiance of the evening when he rose to make a toast, “Dear guests New York City is the finest in the world. It has been people like Eno Ergot and his crew that have helped to make it so, Ever since the SS Zorollia has docked he has done much to brighten up and enrich this great town. With the flame of international friendship, he has lit up the face of many a citizen with his warm hospitality and generous manner. We wish Eno the best of luck and fortune in the future and he will be always welcome back in our city with open arms. Our Mayor has informed me as a token of our gratitude all docking charges will be waived. Thank you Eno Ergot and your crew!”

These kind words brought cheers and restrained society ladies banged their shoes on their tables like Nikita Khrushchev yelling, “Bravo”. More toasts were proposed and the festivities lasted until dawn. At this point the totally inebriated crew glided out of the harbour accompanied by fireworks and hoopla that had not been seen since the last visit of the Queen Senilizabeth to the harbour. It was a smooth sail back to Columbia with the crew sucking back a few hundred pounds of Paraguay weed they had skimmed from the cargo and spent time happily fishing for tuna and swordfish.

Rauncho, somewhat distraught as he was behind his delivery schedule, sped up his delivery schedule of the Paraguayan weed to at least 12 more American ports where the SS Zorollia and its “museum” were lauded by politicians and the local populace.

Eno and his crew were becoming somewhat bored with their celebrity status whereas weren’t they to be seen as terrors of the sea and not darlings of haut society? Notoriety seemed to be overcome by respect. Would Bluebeard agree to the taming of the shrew? Eno and his crew were wealthy beyond belief. Eno was willing to make one last trip to France with a huge stash off Paraguayan hashish. This delivery would make all the crew multi-millionaires.