Fa – the Green Dragon

A Place for the Odd Musings of an Expat Bristolian

Category Archives: Trumps are best in cardgames


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The Double Meaning of “Ice Out”

Understanding the Double Meaning of “Ice Out” in Minnesota

In Minnesota, the phrase “Ice Out” carries two distinct meanings, each deeply connected to the state’s unique climate and recent events. Traditionally, “Ice Out” refers to the official notice issued by the Department of Natural Resources, declaring that lakes and rivers are now free of ice. This announcement signals the end of the winter freeze and allows shipping on the Great Lakes to resume.

“Ice Out” as a Seasonal Marker

Northern states like Minnesota are known for their harsh winters, with extreme cold temperatures causing lakes and rivers to freeze over. Minnesota, famously called the land of 10,000 lakes, experiences these conditions every year. The Mississippi River, which has its source in Itasca, Minnesota, can freeze as far south as Saint Louis, Missouri, interrupting shipping traffic throughout the winter months. Duluth, Minnesota, stands as the most western city on Lake Superior, highlighting the state’s strong connection to major waterways.

These frozen lakes and rivers not only affect transportation but also create opportunities for popular winter activities such as ice fishing. However, the ice can be deceptive and dangerous; thin ice has tragically claimed many lives over the years when unsuspecting individuals have fallen through into the icy water below. This danger is well-documented, as seen in Laura Ingalls Wilder’s writings about her family’s crossing of the frozen Mississippi River at Lake Pepin during their journey from Wisconsin to Minnesota.

The Official “Ice Out” Notice

The Department of Natural Resources issues an official “Ice Out” notice when all rivers and lakes are confirmed to be ice free. This key announcement marks the reopening of shipping routes on the Great Lakes, restoring an important aspect of Minnesota’s economy and reconnecting the region to broader commercial activities.

“Ice Out” as a Protest Movement

In more recent times, “Ice Out” has taken on a different, protest-related meaning. The phrase has become a rallying cry against the presence and actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Minnesota, particularly in response to federal intervention and the deployment of troops in the state. This movement began after the discovery of a significant fraud scheme in which federal and state funds were diverted, leading to charges against about 67 individuals, including some of Somali descent. Unfortunately, this has resulted in the unjust scapegoating of the broader Somali community due to the actions of a few individuals.

Minnesota is typically known for its Democratic-leaning political tendencies and is currently governed by Tim Walz, a Democrat. Tensions escalated when the current president, who opposes Governor Walz, increased federal involvement in Minnesota’s affairs, including the deployment of approximately 3,000 federal troops and ICE detachments. This situation has caused unrest among many residents of Minneapolis and Saint Paul—the Twin Cities—who have responded with protest calls and signs demanding “ICE OUT,” expressing their opposition to ICE operations in their communities.

Further Reading

For more insights into Minnesota’s culture and communities, consider visiting the blog Minnesota Prairie Roots by Audrey Fletcher Helbing, who offers an authoritative perspective on the state.


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Ice Out has a double meaning

In the northern part of the United States and in particular Minnesota where I reside, winters can be quite harsh. The extreme cold temperatures cause our lakes and rivers to freeze over.

Minnesota is known as the land of 10,000 lakes.  The mighty Mississippi river rises here in Itasca and freezes as far south as saint louis Missouri, inhibiting shipping during the winter months. Duluth Minnesota is also the most western city on Lake Superior.

All these lakes and rivers give rise to a favorite winter pastime, namely that of ice-fishing.

Ice, as you may well imagine, can be very deceiving. Thin ice has claimed many lives over the years of unwary people falling through into the frigid water below.

Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote about crossing the Mississippi during winter time by a family travelling from Wisconsin to Minnesota at lake Pepin.

But back to the meaning of Ice Out. On the one hand it’s a notice issued by the department of Natural Resources to declare that all rivers and lakes are now ice free. Shipping on the Great lakes can resume. The other meaning is more recent.

Some time ago, a group of people were discovered perpetrating  a massive fraud scheme. They were diverting federal and state funds into their own pockets. So far, about 67 people have been charged with crimes. Among these were a number of people of Somalian descent.

Minnesota is typically a state which is known for voting Democratic. Our Governor Tim Walz is a Democrat. Our current president does not like Gov. Walz and has gone out of his way to interfere in Minnesota’s state affairs. The unfortunate part of this is that Somalis in general have now become the villains because of a few bad actors. Part of the interference in the state’s internal affairs is the deployment of some 3,000 federal troops  and detachments of ICE.

ICE stands for Immigration and Customs enforcement. Naturally this has upset many of the residents of the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and saint Paul. Part of their protest calls and signs are for “ICE OUT”. So, there you have it.

For more about the State of Minnesota, I would like to suggest looking up Minnesota Prairie Roots by Audrey Fletcher Helbing. She is a better authority.


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Strength and Stamina are Improving

While the title is true, I have found that the Honey Do’s are increasing. Saturday was spent doing errands together with my dear spouse coupled with a few more around the house chores when that was done. I’m glad to be getting better but I was feeling quite “pooped” by the end of the day. Hence no post from yours truly, in spite of my goal to be more consistent. anyway, all is well on the mid-western front. However, the temperatures are extremely cold. On Saturday n we experienced -27F which is -29C. My sister in Warwickshire had a simple remark – “blimey”. Will post again soon.


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If the hat fits

An expensive gift

Shows someone is up for sale

Greed has no limits


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What’s that I smell?

Heavy redaction

Affidavit revealed

A goose is cooking!


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In recovery from PTSD

In Recovery from PTSD
You may have noticed; I have not posted anything for quite some time. This has been due to dealing with an ongoing incidence of PTSD. And, for clarification, PTSD stands for Post Trump distress Disorder.
Even before the 2016 election which brought Donald Trump to the presidency of the United States, I had a feeling that the way he ran his campaign was indicative of the way in which he would preside as president. I did not vote for him. However, many of my friends did ( I will return to this point later).
Before Donald Trump we had George W. Bush as president. I considered George Bush to be the worst president in recent times. I have since changed my mind and now consider Donald trump to have been the worst.
There is a special committee whose mission is to investigate the riot which happened on January 6th, 2022, at the nation’s capital. This riot it seems was part of Donald Trump’s attempt to stage a coup d’état and remain as president of the united states of America.
Looking back, one must ask oneself, where did Trump get his idea? Was it during his closed-door meetings with Vladmir Putin? Was it during his visit with Kim Jong Un of north Korea? As an aside, do you recall the admiration he had for the way people of north Korea obeyed Kim’s every whim (that it was out of fear was never mentioned by Trump). Somewhere along the way, Trump became indoctrinated with totalitarian ideas.
Had Trump’s attempted coup been successful, we can only imagine that our democracy would be gone and given time, Trump would create a family dynasty supported by loyal oligarchs. Then of course, declare himself president for life. In the meantime, he would discontinue support for NATO, terminate many of the social services we have established and begin a true plunder of the nation’s wealth and resources.
According to the January 6th committee, Trump together with some of his advisors, supported by several GOP members of congress planned and put into action a plot to hold onto the presidency by preventing the Vice president from certifying the election. Part of this plan involved an ongoing propagandist barrage of lies and other false information.
Groups of Trump’s supporters believed this untrue and misleading information and gathered in Washington DC prepared to support Trump’s claims of a stolen and fraudulent election.
Most upsetting about this event is that Trump knew otherwise and yet he did nothing to terminate it once it became apparent that the situation had gotten out-of-hand and people were getting injured.
More than a year ago I started writing a post about Trump and what I thought was going on. I Saved it as a draft and for whatever reason did not find the appropriate opportunity to publish it. I will insert it here as I believe it contains pertinent information. (Part 2. To follow)


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Depressing

We have Reps and Dems

Two political parties

At constant discord


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Did I miss something?

I am an immigrant to the USA. I came to the United States of America while employed by Lufthansa German Airlines. As it turned out, by the time my visa was approved I actually started to work for Air France when I arrived in the USA. This was because Air France needed a French speaking employee. It’s a long story so I’ll spare you the details.

One of the first actions I took on arrival was to register myself (required by law) for the draft. My draft number was 252. Later I received a letter to tell me that my draft status had changed due to prior service in NATO and that I was now head of family. The Vietnam war however, continued.

It took me a while to settle in to the American way of life. There were many wonderful things to get used to.

I should mention that did not opt to leave the U.K. for discontent, simply that I was sked if I would like to go where I could be helpful. I had previously worked in Hamburg for the same reason.

Now to the point f this posting; America was a Great Country, a world leader, a great participant in world affairs and a great contributor and supporter of Democracy and the fight against Communism, poor health and poverty.

So it was with some reason to wonder why Don the Con launched his presidential bid with the slogan to Make America great Again.

Looking back on the events of this past week clearly demonstrates that this was ot his goal. In fact, the opposite has happened during his presidency: the USA is the laughing stock of our former allies throughout Europe and Scandinavia in NATO. The USA is the talk and mirth at vodka drinking parties hosted by Vladimir Putin about how that managed to compromise a a future resident to the point of treason. Donald Trump is a disappointment! He is clear and present danger.

And yet I have friends who still say things like, Yes but what about Hilary Clinton’s emails and one who says, what about ANTIFA – anti first ammendment.

Gimme a break. Did I miss something?


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HUMPTY TRUMPTY

Humpty Trumpty wanted a wall

Humpty Trumpty had a great fall

All the Would-be King’s horses

And all the Would-be King’s men

Could not put Humpty Trumpty together again