Archaeology: Ancient tomb unearthed in Upper Egypt

“Archaeologists have discovered an 4,000-year-old tomb in Upper Egypt containing a sarcophagus inscribed with ancient funeral texts as well as ritual objects, Egypt’s archaeological treasures minister said Monday. “It is the first time in many years that such a well-preserved tomb has been unearthed, ” said Muhammad Ibrahim.

The tomb dates from ancient Egypt’s First Intermediate Period (2181-2055 BC) and is an unusual find, as very little archaeological evidence survives from this period. Ritual objects made from alabaster copper, terracotta and other materials were found in the tomb, located in the Deir al-Barsha archaeological area, in al-Minya province, 245 kilometres south of Cairo. The dig was coordinated by the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium.”

For more on the First Intermediate Period in Egypt, click HERE.

Shrine friend Kimberly Dvorak has an interesting story posted: California City billed Obama campaign for extra security costs

California is broke. How broke is the Golden State? It’s so broke that the wealthy beachside enclave of Newport Beach, is billing Obama’s reelection team $35,043 for the extra police security required for a presidential fundraising visit.

The exclusive fundraiser took place at the Stack’s Shore Cliffs home in February. Guests looking to support the President paid $2,500 to attend, $10,000 for a photo reception and $35,800 for a “greet and breakfast.” While the Obama campaign team has not disclosed the amount of money the President raised, in the month of February the reelection effort hauled in $45 million.

I can only hope that other cities see the sense in this approach.  That Obama sure is smart, though.

Sadly, it seems that Operation Counteract is slowing down in Texas:  Barack Obama  274,895  88%; John Wolf  16,264  5%   However, that is still no grand mandate on the Democratic side of the aisle, either.

Other items of note:

• I agree with Shane:  I am glad Lugar lost.  Also, I am looking forward to seeing the results of the Texas primaries.
• Savvy econo-pundit WC Varones has succinct thoughts on Facebook stock.
• B-Daddy and KT despair of the chaos in Europe.
• Beers with Demos has a few thoughts on Obama’s  Secret Kill List. I guess he likes to kit the Drone Button (good one, Professor Jacobson).
• Lonley Conservative notes that Romeny’s Mormon faith is the distraction du jour; Romney, wisely seems quite focused on the economy.
• Via Cal Watchdog: Reports of California’s debt usually just include the $17 billion budget deficit. But California also owes the federal government $14 billion, and public schools $10 billion.

To conclude, Political Junkie Mom has a post on the tomb that is North Korea, which ties this post back to the first item — except there is probably more meat left on an Egyptian mummy that a North Korean in a labor camp.

The story involves a lover seeing her warrior go off to battle and be killed, and all the grief associated with this:

从 前 冬天 冷 呀 夏 天 雨 呀 水 呀
Congqian dōngtiān lěng ya xiatiān yǔ ya shuǐ ya
Past winter’s cold ya, summer’s rain ya, water ya

秋天 远 处 传 来 你 声 音 暖 呀 暖 呀
Qiūtiān yuǎnchu chuanlai nǐ shēngyīn nuǎn ya nuǎn ya
Autumn, from far away carries your sound, warm ya, warm ya

你 说 那时 屋 后 面 有 白 茫 茫 茫 雪 呀
Nǐ shuō nashi wū houmian yǒu bai meng meng meng xuě ya
You said back then, behind the house was endless white snow ya.

山 谷 里 有 金 黄 旗子 在 大 风 里 飘 呀
Shāngǔ lǐ yǒu jīn huuang qizi zai da fēng lǐ piāo ya
In the mountain pass a golden banner flutters in the wind ya

*2/3 Repeat*
我 看 见 山 鹰 在 寂寞 两 条 鱼 上 飞
Wǒ kan jian shān yīng zai jimo liǎng tiao yu shang fēi
I saw a eagle in the loneliness, flying above two fishes

两 条 鱼 儿 穿 过 海 一样 咸 的 河水
Liǎng tiao yu r chuānguo hǎi yiyang xian de heshuǐ
The two fishes ya, crossed river waters as salty as the sea

一片 河水 落 下 来 遇见 人 们 破碎
Yipian heshuǐ luoxia lai yujian renmen posui
A flow of river water flows down here, encountering people’s destruction

人 们 在 行 走 身 上 落 满 山 鹰 的 灰
Renmen zai xingzou shenshang luman shanshang ying de hui
People walking by, their bodies covered in dust from the eagle

From Xiaobao, who provided the translation above: It seems slightly nonsensical, but at the same time paints a rather convincing picture of loneliness. Hope this is useful.

Dallas-based Host Silvio Canto Jr.

During the show I was on, Silvio was comparing and contrasting Spain and California, noting the similarities between the fiscally irresponsible policies both governments were following and the likely full-of-fail consequences. I had him in stitches, telling him I might be one of many other Californians coming out to Texas soon. (Click HERE for the podcast; my interview starts about minute 30).

I also had him chuckling over the success of my “Operation Counteract” and my increasingly popular idea for disgruntled California Dems and Non-declareds to write-in “Mickey Mouse” for the Democratic Nominee. As a reminder, this is Operation Counteract:

This is directed at Blue Dog Democrats (such as myself), as well as PUMAs, independents and other Americans who may not be able to, or inclined to, participate in the GOP primary.

OPERATION COUNTERACT:
IF YOU ARE ABLE TO WRITE-IN A NAME FOR THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY’S PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE, WRITE IN AN ALTERNATIVE TO OBAMA!

So far, a summary of Operation Counteract Results show that Obama is losing about 20% of the Democrat vote in blue state and 40% or more in red states.

• “Uncommitted” gets 40% of the Kentucky democratic primary results and challenger John Wolfe gets a comparable amount in Arkansas.
• In New Hampshire: Obama lost 20% of the primary vote; the #1 write in name was Ron Paul.
• West Virginia has a convicted felon getting over 40% of the vote in the DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY and garnering at least a delegate. LMAO, indeed.
• Over 20% of North Carolina DEMOCRATS selected “No Preference” as the Presidential nominee.
• Via Moe Lane: Obama loses around 20% of the vote in blue states and also up to a comparable 40% of the vote in red states (Rhode Island, 83.4%. Louisiana, 76.5%. Alabama, 80.8%. Massachusetts, 81.2%, Oklahoma, 57.1%)

I think you can all thank Operation Counteract for the fact that… Nobody is challenging Obama in the primaries–and doing surprisingly well.  Money quote: Unlike the recently re-elected presidents, Obama does not have the full support of his party.

I am looking forward to our primary results on June 5th, to see what our primary numbers might be! Silvio has invited me to return for a future show — dealing with Women in Politics/2012. It should be fun!!

Here is more enticing news from the Golden State:

• A mountain lion is shot dead in Santa Monica.  For those of you have been following, I am big on letting hunters start going after mountain lions again, as they are becoming increasingly habituated to humans and viewing us as prey.  This is just the most recent example, which includes sightings around schools in Rancho Bernardo.
• In California, the Canary is dead:  On the astonishing level of domestic migration out of California.
• Hollywood Seeks Taxpayer Subsidies:  Yes, because they need a tax break to donate to progressives and their causes, and you don’t need the money to support your family or your ideals.  Toxic levels of hypocrisy in this.
• Service Tax Proposal:  Because our Assembly has decided that an income tax is just not enough for those of us with a service-based business.
• Vallejo, CA goes bankrupt and reinvents itself.Via Shrine-friend, Mark Meckler — regular Californians get to decide spending priorities. Innovative, that.

May God have mercy on us:  When we finally go bankrupt, none of our compatriots in the other 56-states will do so.

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NOTE: Silvio prepared this piece for “American Thinker”, which I wanted to share with you — What if they had an election and Hispanics voted for something other than immigration?

My impression is that Hispanics are not a single issue group. They live in the same US economy that other Americans do. They have sons in Afghanistan, too. They send their kids to failing public sector schools run by teachers’ unions that overwhelmingly support Dem candidates. Polls show that Hispanics are pro-life and favor traditional marriage, or one man and one woman. Hispanics are also very religious and can not be happy with the Obama administration “mandating” Catholic hospitals to discuss abortion with patients.
Last, but not least, I think that most Hispanos like me (naturalized citizens) are specifically aware of the value of “the rule of law” to a country. Most of us have seen our countries overrun by arbitrary and selective application of the law. All you have to do is look “south of the border” to see how corruption has hurt Mexico. Or look at Chavez’ Venezuela for crony capitalism. Or look at how Argentina has been hurt by a political class that takes care of its friends at the expense of the rule of law.

At the same time, look how a respect for the rule of law has helped Chile and turned around Colombia.

I will say it again. I don’t believe that immigration will drive Hispanics to vote this fall.

I think that this is the election that we blow up the myth that Hispanos are “talking immigration” from dawn to dusk.

About Carl, Donna had this to say:  He is a “Political Sociopath”.

Frye ran for San Diego Mayor herself, offering full-of-fail ideas about how to spruce up the city — from playing music at traffic crossings to putting up a moving, octopus sculpture near a traffic-clogged bridge. So, I take what she has to say and reverse it, which usually directs me to the most correct course of action.

Therefore, what I actually heard was:

Carl DeMaio is an awesomely awesome reformer who isn’t going to be a tool of the public employee unions or the hand-maiden of corrupt pompous bureaucrats, so go out and donate big time to his campaign today.

Thanks, Donna, I think I will: Donate to Carl DeMaio for Mayor

Thanks so much Captain!!!

I think his post today is an example of his amazing awesomeness: Updating the Factors of Production. He adds a fifth factor to the following 4 factors of products: 1) Land; 2) Labor; 3) Capital; 4) Entrepreneurs

However, I would like to tender a fifth.

I’m doing this not to make things more complicated or to somehow be enshrined in the Economics Hall of Fame, but because our economy today practically proves there is a fifth and final factor of production that is required to produce, but is not accounted for in the current list. That fifth component is:

A future.

Some would call it “political” or “economic certainty.” I’m calling it a future simply because if there is no hope an economy will be stable, MORE SO that you will be able to keep the majority of your gains….

Captain Capitalism will be on the blogroll under both “Capitalist Hero” and “Admired Patron”, because I can’t decide between the two. And his support and all the interested readers will inspire a few more Egyptology posts on a regular basis!  THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!

I also wanted to thank the Lonely Conservative, a New York working mom who was the winner of the Circle of Mom’s Political Moms contest. She and I have been corresponding, and I think I made her feel sorrier for my blue state status. This occurred when we were discussing New Your Senator Chuck Schumer’s proposed “exit tax”. I informed her that in 2009, the braniacs in Sacramento proposed an exit tax for those fleeing the Golden State.

She has the following take on the Catholic groups suing the Obama Administration over the Contraception Mandate.

Dozens of Catholic organizations are suing the Obama administration over the mandate to provide employees coverage for birth control, sterilization and abortion-inducing drugs. The administration had to see this coming, but they didn’t care. Now these schools, charities, dioceses and health care providers will spend a great deal of money bringing these suits, while the taxpayers will foot the bill for defending them. It was all so avoidable.

Speaking of California, here are some gems that we should know:

Legislature attacks California property rights

A bill was passed by the Assembly [AB 2299] Thursday which would allow a newly created, protected class of individuals to legally hide ownership of property by claiming a public safety classification.

By hiding their ownership information, these individuals would be able to conduct business outside of the scrutiny of the public, undoubtedly resulting in different classes of property owners, as well as the demise of California’s constructive notice property rights system…..

And AB 2299 would make it impossible for a member of the public to verify ownership of their own home. Under AB 2299, only the government could verify real property ownership.

The California Newspaper Publishers Association is opposed to AB 2299 and expressed concerns at a recent hearing about how a confidentiality program might be used to perpetrate fraud: “AB 2299 would bar journalists and the public from investigating the situation unfolding in Los Angeles where the assessor is accused of collecting campaign contributions from property owners in exchange for lowered property assessments. The bill would completely insulate and protect any public safety official who might be involved in this type of scheme and would eradicate any public scrutiny, oversight or accountability.”

Assembly hearings expose Brown budget gaps
Like a woman with a shopping addiction, California politicians are going to bankrupt the Golden State. California has a $16 billion deficit, a $4.6 billion budget spending increase since January, a credit rating which will probably be lowered and a big fat $10 billion debt owed to the K-14 public schools.

It doesn’t look good. Someone needs to cut up the state’s credit cards and put the Legislature on a Weight Watchers plan for big spenders.

UPDATE:  A Shrine friend notes:  Leslie, the debt is now 18 billion.  There was an accounting error just realized late last week per Senator Dutton’s office.

And Chris Reed gets us ready for the response to the above story: ‘Terrorists’ who oppose tax hikes: Prepare for the onslaught

Will Jerry Brown get lots of blame for his $4-billion-in-extra-revenue fantasy that he concocted last June? It’s made a dire situation much worse.

Will anyone in the media point out that contracts with gov unions that Jerry approved this fiscal year not only continue providing “step” increases for time on the job — in other words, just for showing up — but overall pay hikes?

Will anyone in the media point out that the people with power in this state have blocked all fundamental reforms — except the one (prisoner “realignment”) that allowed them to shift costs to local governments?

No, no and no.

Instead, we’ll see the usual one-two punch to explain all that is wrong with California.

1. Those damn Republicans who oppose tax hikes are to blame.
…
2. Prop. 13 is to blame. It ruined the state.

BIG MUT NOTE: YOU SHOULD ABSOLUTELY BE FOLLOWING THE ARKANSAS PRIMARY, IN WHICH A CHALLENGER IS REALLY CHALLENGING OBAMA.

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SLOB Stories:

• W.C. Varones: Checking the facts the MSM won’t: this weekend’s outrageous Obama and Pelosi lies  W.C. details a false narrative about JP Morgan and the debt ceiling (if you liked the first debt ceiling debacle, you will LOVE the second).
• Beers with Demos: Oddly enough, we don’t think he’ll take his own advice  Money Quote – Edenhofer let the environmental cat out of the bag when he said “climate policy is redistributing the world’s wealth” and that “it’s a big mistake to discuss climate policy separately from the major themes of globalization.”
• Shane Atwell: If You’re not on Twitter, You Should Be
• Related to the above SLOB link, Charles Caesar summarizes the Failed Obama Hashtag List.
• KT Cat: It’s Time For Germany To Leave The EU  Only if they like their money being worth something.
• Word Warrior: Romney Hits Back – Apparently, I’m not the only one growing wearing of Obama’s attacks on capitalism and private equity capital. Now even Democrats are speaking out…And some have even been leading the way!!!!

One last note:  I have been reading Edward Klein’s amazing book on the realities of the Obama Administration.  The most concerning thing I heard was how much a serious policy player Michelle Obama is — and you can click HERE to see a number of reasons for that worry.  Tammy Bruce has details and a public podcast that is essential listening.   Go check out Tammy Bruce (click HERE).

When possible, I like to give translations:

Oh, beautiful one, I am going crazy with your beauty.
There is no sleep at night, I lay awake.
You revealed your face like an angel and became perfect.
Oh, Lord, I feel jealous.

Your friends, they whisper I am a stranger to you.
You revealed your face to Mukimi and became perfect.
I am turning into misery.
There is no sleep at night, I lay awake.

For something a little more American, Beers with Demo is featuring Stevie Ray Vaughan. B-Daddy has his Weekend Music Chill with Warren Zevon.

Anybody who knows me well knows that one of my prime directives in life is to spread an appreciation of ancient Egypt wherever I go. So, to be able to share this book that I read when I was 12 was a very special experience (even though my son still loves Rome best). A summary of the book:

The Egypt Game (1967) is a Newbery Honor -winning novel by Zilpha Keatley Snyder. The story, set in California, follows the life of a lonely 11-year-old named April Hall ( April Dawn) (the daughter of an actress sent to live with her grandmother) and 11-year-old Melanie Ross, her new neighbor. Both share an interest in Ancient Egypt, and decide to create an elaborate “Egypt Game”. Their bright imaginations inspire the game- but strange, dangerous things happen in their neighborhood, including the murder of a girl.

In “The Egypt Game”, these 2 girls and 4 other friends build altars to various divinities, create spells and rituals, select names based on historical and quasi-historical characters, make a mummy from a dead pet, and make detailed costumes. The Young Prince and I worked-up a board where the players would have to build an altar, decorate it with idols, select a name and a god, obtain a spell, and decide on an ancient Egyptian look. The results were really cool:

My son won our test round. Interestingly, he chose to name himself “Ramses the Great” — a testament to his warrior spirit, good taste, and the imperial nature he got via my genetics. For the goddess, there was only one choice I could make (and if you need to click HERE to find our which one, you obviously have not been reading this site nearly long enough).

Now for my rant: It is said that just before the Roman armies of Octavian were to enter Alexandria, eerie, mystical music could be heard in the streets — the sound of Dionysus fleeing before the conquest. Cleopatra and her supporters used street theater and prophesies to persuade the superstitious population of Egypt and of the Roman East that a new age would dawn under the rule of Cleopatra Isis-Venus and Antony Dionysus-Osiris. So, this was not a real great omen for Team Egypt. Here is a poem that sums it up nicely:

The god forsakes Antony

When suddenly, at midnight, you hear
an invisible procession going by
with exquisite music, voices,
don’t mourn your luck that’s failing now,
work gone wrong, your plans
all proving deceptive—don’t mourn them uselessly.
As one long prepared, and graced with courage,
say goodbye to her, the Alexandria that is leaving.
Above all, don’t fool yourself, don’t say
it was a dream, your ears deceived you:
don’t degrade yourself with empty hopes like these.
As one long prepared, and graced with courage,
as is right for you who were given this kind of city,
go firmly to the window
and listen with deep emotion, but not
with the whining, the pleas of a coward;
listen—your final delectation—to the voices,
to the exquisite music of that strange procession,
and say goodbye to her, to the Alexandria you are losing.

I love ancient Egypt: I have come to revile the modern one. At this point, all of the ancient divinities have left and there is no magic left in the land.

To start with, as I and many other Egyptophiles anticipated, chaos has descended along the Nile instead of democracy and freedom. The quest for knowledge related to the ancient Egyptians is being crushed.

In Egypt Turmoil, Thieves Hunt Pharaonic Treasures

Taking advantage of Egypt’s political upheaval, thieves have gone on a treasure hunt with a spree of illegal digging, preying on the country’s ancient pharaonic heritage.

Illegal digs near ancient temples and in isolated desert sites have swelled a staggering 100-fold over the past 16 months since a popular uprising toppled Hosni Mubarak’s 29-year regime and security fell apart in many areas as police simply stopped doing their jobs. The pillaging comes on top of a wave of break-ins last year at archaeological storehouses — and even at Cairo’s famed Egyptian Museum, the country’s biggest repository of pharaonic artifacts.

Horrified archaeologists and antiquities authorities are scrambling to prevent smuggling, keeping a watch on European and American auction houses in case stolen artifacts show up there.

“Criminals became so bold they are digging in landmark areas.” including near the Great Pyramids in Giza, other nearby pyramids and the grand temples of the southern city of Luxor, said Maj.-Gen. Abdel-Rahim Hassan, commander of the Tourism and Antiquities Police Department.

“It is no longer a crime motivated by poverty, it’s naked greed and it involves educated people,” he said.

Just in case some have forgotten, here are some bright gems from Egypt’s “Arab Spring”.

• A priceless statue of King Tutankhamen was recovered, though damaged, along with three other also-ruined antiquities that were plundered from the Cairo Museum.
• Protestors destroy Egypt’s riches library with Molotov cocktails.
• The mummies of King Tutankhamen’s great-grandparents were damaged in rioting.

It seems the new era of enlightened Islamic rule has not put an end to bribery and corruption that occurs during dig permitting or organizing tourist sites, either.

“And the treasury for cultural heritage management, funded by tourism, is empty.”

Yeah, I bet it is! Because rape, harassment, and depravity aren’t what most tourists are looking for in a vacation.

Modern Egyptians have decided to forget their great cultural roots and special national identity as a cradle to civilization; they would prefer a Saudi Arabian Shariah-based government to a secular Turkish one. Given that Turkish officials believe that birds are being wired with spy devices by Israel’s Mossad, perhaps this is now a distinction without a difference.

As noted by famed Egyptologist Zahi Hawass - “These Sons of Bitches Have Destroyed Egypt” .

Yes, the gods have fled and the mourning begins — as this “Egypt Game” has only losers.

UPDATE:  A poll of Egyptians has them going for Romney over Obama, 73%/25%. I have to add this is an intriguing result which is sad news for the Light-Bringer.
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On a lighter note, I wanted to highlight a couple of pieces from my fellow SLOBs.

This picture from KT Cat (a Cheezeburger especially for me), who asks as for all of us for an act of kindness:

Beers with Demos has some amusing cartoons as well, and B-Daddy has an awesome one as well.

Finally, for my medieval history fans, Word Warrior has posted part 10 in his outstanding “Age of Arthur” series.

To get started, please review your ballot or a list of the current proposition slate for the June 5th election in California (click HERE for details).

Before I start on my list, I would like to direct you to a couple of others:

• WC Varones: Varones Tea Party Voter Guide to the 2012 California Primary Election. W.C. has a libertarian-based selection (e.g., Ron Paul for President/Gail Lightfoot for Senate). His insights are well worth considering.
• B-Daddy/The Liberator Today: San Diego tea party Ballot Proposition Recommendations B-Daddy has an independent Republican viewpoint, and a great take on the issues.
• CHECK BACK — As the other SLOBS develop their lists, I will add the link here!!!

In fact, B-Daddy had an innovation I would like to adopt for the purposes of this post. In regards to the propositions, he notes: I am using my own shortened and more accurate versions of the titles. I will follow suit, using the ones he recommended.

So, onto the Blue-Dog, Catholic, Rebel Democrat list:

1) For President: Write In – Mickey Mouse (see THIS for a solid, reasoned perspective).

2) For Senator: Diane Feinstein. An important note to my Republican/Conservative friends — when the “Big Red Wave of 2010″ stopped at the Sierras and the state GOP failed to eject the contemptible Babs Boxer, then how in the hell do you think they are going to get rid of the much more respected Feinstein? As a friend, I say this to you: Direct your money and energies to battleground Senate races (e.g., Richard Mourdock in Indiana). This in not a battle worth fighting, given the field that is being offered.

3) Proposition 28 – The Faux Term Limits Initiative – NO. Per B-Daddy – This will actually increase the time that legislators remain ensconced in uncompetitive districts. Vote NO..

4) Proposition 29 – Cigarette Tax Dollars for Special Interests – NO.  Increasing taxes on cigarettes to create another state government slush fund! A plan that is surely full of fail.

5) Mayor: Carl DeMaio. W.C. Varones summarizes the sentiments of all the SLOBs — DeMaio is the only reformer in the race. District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis is a GOP establishment coddler of corruption. Nathan Fletcher is a slimy opportunist who was behind the scenes supporting the Schwarzenegger tax hikes while pretending to be a fiscal conservative Bob Filner is a union-owned Washington Democrat. (MUT NOTE: Bonus — Fletcher became “Independent” so he enjoy the donations and support of progressives who realize Filner is an unsavory candidate unlikely to win this race).

6) San Diego County Propositions, as recommended by Dawn Wildman/SoCal Tax Revolt Coalition (with additional details from the San Diego Taxfighters).

• Prop A: YES – Open city jobs to non-union contractors.
• Prop B: YES – Reform pensions before they bankrupt us.
• Prop C: NO - City of Chula Vista Charter Amendment. Limit Authority, Compensation and Establish Term Limits for Elected City Attorney. Establish Office of Legislative Counsel (more government offices are not what we need).
• Prop D: YES – Municipalities going from General Law to Charter status gives cities greater control and flexibility in their decision making while holding officials accountable for those decisions.
• Prop E: YES -  Implementing vacancy decontrol...and decontrol is something a good capitalist can get behind.
• Prop F: YES - Under the current plurality election system, candidates can be elected to public office without receiving a majority of votes. Under a runoff majority system, the winner is guaranteed a majority of the support from the electorate.
• Prop G: NO - Californians should be very wary of any measure with the following words: “bond”, “student”, “teacher”, “schools”.  It is just another way to hose the taxpayer.
• Prop H: NO – For the same reasons as above.

7) Heaven Help me! I am suppose to select between Scott Peters for Congress/52nd District (a member of the council who was embroiled in the pension deficit scandal) or “true believer” Lori Saldana (who ordered the toxic “global warming solutions act”). I am going to have to go with the choice based an a Clintonian perspective: I think with enough pressure, Peters will be responsive to a little fiscal sanity. As you can tell with what is going on in the nation’s capital, “true believers” will double down whenever they are wrong.

8) State Senator: 39th district: George Plescia, a small business consultant.

9) Board of Supervisors, 3rd District: Dave Roberts. See W.C. Varones post for the reason, which I think is sensible.

10) City of San Diego Council District 7: Scott Sherman -- he is a small business owner who is closely aligned with Carl DeMaio. Plus, he has been calling the house alot — working hard for the vote. I have to respect the effort.

11) Judges: I will recommend that everyone head over to CALIFORNIA JUDICIAL VOTERS GUIDE and make your pick.

Artwork By Alyssa Moulton – http://alyssamoulton.com

When I began my study of Egypt about 40 years ago, very little was known of Tausert (aka Twosre, Twore, Tawosret and Twosret), the the 19th Dynasty queen who was the sole ruler around 1200 B.C.E. She was the King’s Great Wife of Seti II…then Regent of the young Pharaoh Siptah (who was afflicted by polio)… then the lone royal until the next Pharaoh, Sethnakht, established Dynasty 20. The item that perked my interest when I was young was the speculation that she had an affair with the Vizier Bay (rather like the more famous Hatshepsut may have done with her adviser, Senmut).

Recent finds, including those of the University of Arizona group, have unveiled intriguing new information about Tausert. For example, the length of her Regency and Sole Rule needs to be extended by at least 2 years, which puts question marks around the timeline of the 19/20 Dynasty transition.

.

Her full name is Tausert Setep-en-mut (“Powerful One”, “Chosen of Mut” — which I appreciate). She was born at the end of the reign of Ramses the Great — and while her parentage is unknown, there are theories that she was one of the last children fathered by this pharaoh. And while Egyptian records give just enough information to titillate, and rarely enough to answer fully, I like to think of her as the daughter of this “badass” pharaoh, as it turns out she was pretty badass herself! And given the number of queens/wives/concubines and children Ramses the Great had, I think that we can safely assume she is descended from him in some way.

Queen Tausert Engages the Enemy in Fully Female Royal Regalia (From “Tausert”, page 45, Image by Jolana Malatkova)

There seemed to be an optimum lifespan for an Egyptian king that guaranteed a smooth transition. Ramses II exceeded it by 30 years. By the time he died, 12 of his eldest heirs had already”went west“. This left lucky #13, a 50-something Merenptah, to lead the nation. However, when he died, there were complexities. Ramses had grandchildren from the first 12 sons (and also from Ramses’ daughters, also important to consider because  an element of the complexities regarding royal claims were dependent on the female line), several of whom felt entitled to a little power. When Merenptah died, there was a challenge to the succession.

Seti II, Merenptah’s heir, theoretically should have been the automatic pharaoh. However, he was challenged by another claimant named Amenesse (who was likely descended from another branch of Ramses’ vast tree). In fact, Amenesse was at one point in charge of the Theban area down to Nubia from year 2-4 or Seti II’s reign.  This impertinent imp even usurped a few statues and carved a royal ureaus or two in his old images highlighting his newly exalted status. It seemed Seti II and Tausert kicked Amenesse to the curb, establishing Ma’at once again.

Therefore, if Tausert was Ramses daughter (as I suspect), it would be in Seti II’s best interest to highly honor her as the Great Wife. It would help seal his legitimacy to rule. Interestingly, Seti II ordered her tomb to be built in the Valley of the Kings during his reign: She is one of the few woman to make the grade.

Sadly, it seemed Seti II didn’t inherit Ramses II’s longevity, as forensic studies indicate that he died at the age of 25. And while Tausert gave birth to his first born son, Seti Merneptah, this child died young. So, Tausert became Regent to Siptah, the son of a Syrian woman named Tiaa (NOTE: Seti II may not even have been the father — they boy may have been the son of one of Ramses/Merenptah’s other descendents). This Syrian woman had a close relative, perhaps a brother, who became very powerful during Siptah’s early years. This relative was Bay, who I mentioned earlier. It seems Bay helped Siptah consolidate power.

Instead of a love relation, it turns out Bay and Tausert were actually less than enamored of eachother. In year 5 of Siptah’s short reign, after hitting the pinnacle of power, Bay was sent “West”. Two ostraka fragments tell the story of his undoing: “Pharaoh, Life! Health! Prosperity! has killed the great enemy Bay”. As Siptah was merely a boy, and Tausert firmly took charge at that point, one can readily connect the dots.

With two power-hungry opponents so adeptly handled, it is easy to see that the name “Powerful One” suited this queen so well. “Chosen of Mut”, indeed!!!

Siptah died shortly after this coup, in year 6 of his reign. Given that he had a club foot and evidence of other chronic illness, he totally missed out on the Ramses longevity genes.

Tausert then became the sole ruler of Egypt. I would like to point out that in this essential aspect she differs from Hatshepsut greatly. Hatshepsut ruled as the senior partner in a regency shared by Thutmosis III – she never held power strictly on her own. In fact, the luminous Cleopatra VII never held power solely on her own, either: She sat on the throne of Egypt beside a brother or a son.

Tausert dated her reign starting with the Regency; she reigned for at least 8 years, and new evidence from the University of Arizona team shows that she may have been on the throne for as long as 11 years.

And, once Siptah died, Tausert shared power with nobody else.

One aspect of the art associated with Tausert’s reign, which I think speaks to her as an individual, is that she never totally masculinizes her dress. Compare this image of Hatshepsut:

To the drawing of a statue taken of Tausert:

“Tausert”, page 56; Drawing by Scott Murphy

Tausert makes it a point during her reign to maintain a semblance of femininity. That is why I hesitate to use the term “Pharaoh” for her, even though she is the lone royal on the throne. In fact, the flail she is depicted with in statues and other artwork is that of the “Great Royal Wife”, never the standard one used by kings. She takes on only a few male trappings in all her images:

“Tausert”, page 74

What was the fate of this powerful queen? It also seemed she missed out that long-life DNA, though the exact reason for her  end is uncertain. It is thought that she died in her 30′s. The ostrakon I depicted above, showing an Egyptian queen in a rain of arrows, hints at a possible outcome. Records of her successor, Sethnakht, indicate peoples from the east were invading:

(MUT Note:  Putting on my geology hat, it has been ascertained that this region went through a drastic climate change around this period, which could result in the massive population migrations that are being described.  Presently, solar fluctuations and ocean current changes are being propsed as potential candidates).

Tausert could have died in battle, as it was not unheard of for Egyptian rules to fight beside their troops — sometimes successfully, sometime with mixed results. It is obvious Sethnakht picked up where Tausert left off, and contained these invaders.  But it must be pointed out that the figure Tausert is facing in the picture I showed above has elements of pharaonic dress — so, the piece could be depicting a civil clash between Tausert and another contender to the throne (perhaps Sethnakht).

As Thutmosis III did for Hatshepsut, Sethnakht and his successor (Ramses III, Egypt’s last truly magnificent king) essentially did to Tausert — can’t have any uppity women disrupting Ma’at. Tausert was essentially erased.  If it weren’t for her beloved husband Seti II, who was very closely associated with his queen, she may have been much more lost to history.

Tausert’s tomb was recarved by Ramses III to be used for his father’s remains. As Sethnakht only managed to reign 4 years before dying, and royal tombs took a normal reign of about 15-20 years to carve out, this must have seemed a practical solution.

Tausert’s sarcophagus, interestingly recovered in the tomb of her arch-enemy Bay, was the reworked for Ramses III’s son Amunherkhopshef.

“Tausert”, page 87.

Her mummy has never been identified, though it is speculated she is “Unknown Woman D” in the Cache found in KV35:

The book notes that the time-frame for Tausert’s rule corresponds to the period of the Trojan War. In fact, Homer makes reference to the Theban rules in his Odyssey, and editor Richard Wilkinson made this comment regarding the reference in his interview about the University of Arizona expedition: She was known at the time of Homer, who referred to her in the Odyssey as king of Egypt — and assumed she was a man…Homer confused the relationship, and in his Odyssey “talks about the King of Egypt and his wife, referring to Tausert as King, and the young boy, Siptah, as the wife.”

His whole interview is excellent, and is must-read if my piece interests you at all: A Forgotten Female Pharaoh Comes to Life

As a side-note, here is an Egyptian myth that relates to the fall of Troy:  The Greek Princess.

The following University of Arizona publications may also be of interest, as it details the amazing work being done on her “Temple of Millions of Years”, which was only lightly excavated previously and not properly recorded nor appreciated:

• TAUSERT TEMPLE PROJECT REPORT FOR THE 2009–10 SEASON
• THE TAUSERT TEMPLE PROJECT 2009 SEASON

To wrap this up, I hope you enjoyed learning about a fascinating woman warrior who is now being rediscovered.  Now, for something lighter, a classic horror tale featuring a Egyptian queen who was not afraid to take out a few opponents to her rule:

Dear Readers: I wanted to report on the amazing success of OPERATION COUNTERACT, which is the Democrat’s alternative to Professor Jacobson’s/Legal Insurrection’s OPERATION COUNTERWEIGHT!As a reminder as to what OPERATION COUNTERACT is:

This is directed at Blue Dog Democrats (such as myself), as well as PUMAs, independents and other Americans who may not be able to, or inclined to, participate in the GOP primary.

OPERATION COUNTERACT:
IF YOU ARE ABLE TO WRITE-IN A NAME FOR THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY’S PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE, WRITE IN AN ALTERNATIVE TO OBAMA!

Let’s review some OPERATION COUNTERACT successes:

• In New Hampshire: Obama lost 20% of the primary vote; the #1 write in name was Ron Paul.
• Tuesday nights election results in West Virginia has a convicted felon getting over 40% of the vote in the DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY and garnering at least a delegate.    LMAO, indeed.
• Over 20% of North Carolina DEMOCRATS selected “No Preference” as the Presidential nominee.

Friends, Americans, California Democrats — lend me your eyes. I come to bury Obama, along with our friends in New Hampshire, West Virgina, and North Carolina. Are you going to tolerate Team Obama’s cynically political moves, distractions, and “War on Women“?

The Goddess of Capitalism officially nominates MICKEY MOUSE as the designated write-in choice for the June 5th California Democratic Primary!

I now offer you some of my most persuasive arguments:

1) THERE IS ALREADY A MICKEY MOUSE FOR PRESIDENT MOVEMENT….so some Americans already see the sense in this choice!

2) Mickey Mouse is an icon of the successful practice of CAPITALISM. He lives it, he loves it, and he does not belittle it.

3) Mickey Mouse strongly supports our military men and women; he is not likely to say that the troops are “fighting on my behalf“. Mickey honors our service men and women for sacrifices made on behalf of all Americans.

BONUS — Mickey Mouse will get badass on our foes!!!

(MUT aside: NoOneofAnyImport features some wonderful vintage ads featuring men and women, and presents them in homage to the Other McCains’s “Offend a Feminist Week” project.)

4) First Lady!!! Fans of Michelle’s Mirror will recognize the immediate upgrade we get in sense of style if Minnie Mouse becomes the First Lady! Bonus — Minnie is proud of her country, too.

5) JOBS, JOBS, JOBS!!!! As a Californian, I would like to point out Mickey Mouse is actually creating employment in California. Team Obama, not so much. And recent employment numbers show that Obama’s policies are not likely to promote meaningful expansion in employment in this state or any other in the near future — even with tons a statistical manipulation.

6) Disney Parks: HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH. Contrast that with Obama, who has a “Misery Index” worse than Jimmy Carter’s.

I hope I have made a solid case for Mickey Mouse. One June 5th, I hope my fellow California Democrats will join me in writing in an alternative to Obama in percentages as least as great as those in our sister states.

In conclusion, I am looking forward to this conversation on Nov. 7th 2012: MUT, Obama has just been defeated in a landslide. What are you going to do?

I’M GOING TO DISNEYLAND!!!!

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SLOB Stories:

Members of the San-Diego Local Order of Bloggers have been commenting on Obama’s “evolution” on gay marriage and “coming out of the closet“.  I would feel remiss if I didn’t add a comment or two, given that I am slated to be interviewed on the subject shortly by the San Diego Union Tribune.

• Lipstick Underground asks if we are buying this “evolution.  Clearly, NO!
• Left Coast Rebel questions Obama’s convictions.
• Beers with Demo takes a look at another Obama “evolution”, regarding attitudes toward food.
• B-daddy and I agree as to the timing of this “evolution” announcement:  It is a distraction to divert focus from the horrendous election results for Team Obama I detailed above.
• Charles Caesar notes this “gutsy” call is simply to rally the base.

I have these three items to contribute to this discussion:

1) As one-in-size of Obama’s money “bundlers” is gay, and the sudden release of funds was rehearsed and a desperate maneuver for a campaign that is not getting donations at the levels they were expecting. In a nutshell: When having to decide between a heavily unemployed black community opposed to gay marriage, and a wealthy gay community, Obama went green.

2) Hillary is 44 offers need-to-know background for point #1:

Enter Jonathan Lewis. In June of 2009 we advised women, Jews, and gays to “wake up”. We noted that the organizations supposedly established to fight for these groups were more interested in defending Barack Obama than in their mission statements. We recently noted this pro Obama hypocrisy was also evident in the actions of environmental groups and labor unions – they’re more interested in protecting/helping Barack Obama than in their own constituents. Jonathan Lewis and a few gay leaders were the only ones that fought for the gay community and today their strategy threatens a meltdown of the Obama campaign. If other constituent groups learn from Jonathan and demand Obama act on their issues Obama will be caught between today’s Obama and the other Obamas from yesteryear and Obama “present” votes of convenience.

Who is Jonathan Lewis and why is he so important? Well for one thing Jonathan is the son of Peter Lewis and Peter Lewis is a very wealthy man. Peter Lewis (of “Flo” and Progressive Insurance) along with George Soros has been one of the rivers of money for the democratic left. This campaign season Peter Lewis has not been contributing money to help the Obama cause. Lewis’s money distributor Michael Vachon, has been dripping disdain on Obama’s pleas for Superpac money. Peter’s gay activist son Jonathan has been a thorn on Barack Obama’s side…

3) Ego (and I fully concur with PoliticalJunkieMom)

EdgeoftheSandbox notes the next issue for “evolution” — Polygamy!

To round out this section, Word Warrior offers a video featuring another disgruntled California Democrat (and my new favorite comedy star) Jon Lovitz.

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UPDATE:  A big shout-out to Captain Capitalism, who sent a bunch of new readers my way today!!!  This Goddess will be totally adding you to the blogroll soon!!!