In the long distant past, my commentary on current events would be published by the local papers. In the somewhat more recent past, I would have posted this on Google Plus, where I had 10,000+ followers (most of them were, admittedly, fake Russian accounts). I don’t have quite the reach now on the few social media accounts I use. So I’m posting here, among mostly friends, while I decide how and where-else to post this on-line. Feel free to pass this along in whatever fashion you like.

The Execution of Alex Jeffrey Pretti 

The man fatally shot by Border Patrol agents in the morning of Saturday, January 24th in Minneapolis was Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a U.S. citizen with no criminal record. Mr. Pretti, who was 37, was a registered nurse who worked in the intensive-care unit at the Veterans Affairs hospital. According to friends, he wanted to be a ‘force of good in the world.’ He was, but can be no longer. He was not just shot by Border Patrol agents. He was executed.

Almost immediately after agents shot Mr. Pretti, federal officials claimed that he had endangered agents with a gun he was carrying, and some later accused him of “domestic terrorism.” But videos on social media that were verified by The New York Times appear to contradict portions of the Department of Homeland Security’s account of the shooting. But let’s not, for the moment, debate about why the shooting happened. It happened. And what happened after is what made this not just a shooting. It was an execution.

Border Patrol agents threw Mr. Pretti to the ground and, within seconds, four or five agents started shooting him. Ten shots were fired. Afterwards, when agents could have been rendering first aid, they appeared to be inspecting the body, counting the number of bullet wounds. Like you might count the number of hits on a target at the shooting range.

There were five or more bullet wounds, three of them to his back.

A doctor on the scene told an agent that they were a physician and asked to check Mr. Pretti. He was initially refused, but eventually allowed to go to Mr. Pretti after being patted down. “Normally, I would not have been so persistent,” the doctor said in their statement, “but as a physician, I felt a professional and moral obligation to help this man, especially since none of the agents were helping him.”

Law enforcement officers are generally expected to render first aid after a shooting once the scene is safe and the threat has been neutralized. This expectation is rooted in federal policies, state laws, and professional standards. Once a person is incapacitated or arrested, they are considered to be in the officer's care, making the officer responsible for their safety and treatment. But the agents were not rendering first aid. And when the doctor asked if Mr. Pretti had a pulse, the agents allegedly stated they did not know.

The agents did not take Mr. Pretti’s pulse. They hadn’t applied first aid. Rendering first aid is what you do after a shooting. It’s not what you do after an execution.

This mirrors a similar shooting on January 7, 2026, involving Renée Good, where a doctor was recorded asking to check the victim's pulse. The doctor was initially told "No." The agent said "I don't care."

We do care. We should care. We should do something to stop the shootings and the deliberate indifference of federal agents.

We should do something to stop the executions.  

Es ist wieder soweit: Pangea Grid feiert den Kölner Karneval!
Unter dem Motto „ALAAF – Mer dun et för Kölle“ feiern wir 20 Jahre Kölner Karneval im virtuellen Leben – wow, was für ein Jubiläum!
Den Auftakt macht am 12.02. die große Karnevalsfeier im Funkhaus in Köln mit DJ Marlon Wayne, DJane Loru und DJane Marina – drei DJs aus drei Grids für einen unvergesslichen Abend. Zieht eure schönsten und kreativsten Kostüme an: Es wird bunt, fröhlich und einfach zauberhaft.
Am 16.02. folgt der große Rosenmontagszug mit traumhaften Wagen, liebevollen Details und ganz viel Staunen entlang der Strecke. Begleitet von mitreißender Karnevalsmusik – aufgelegt von unserem Marlon Wayne – wird der Zug zu einem echten Fest für Augen, Ohren und Herz.
Zum Abschluss treffen wir uns am 17.02. zur Nubbelverbrennung, verabschieden gemeinsam den Karneval und freuen uns schon jetzt auf das nächste Wiedersehen am 11.11.
ALAAF – wir freuen uns auf euch!
Ihr seid alle herzlich willkommen. Kommt vorbei, feiert mit uns, tanzt, lacht und genießt den Karneval in all seiner Lebensfreude. 🎭✨
It’s that time again: Pangea Grid celebrates Cologne Carnival!
Under the motto “ALAAF – Mer dun et för Kölle”, we celebrate 20 years of Cologne Carnival in virtual life – wow, what an anniversary!
The festivities kick off on February 12 with the big Carnival party at the Funkhaus in Cologne, featuring DJ Marlon Wayne, DJane Loru, and DJane Marina – three DJs from three grids for an unforgettable night. Put on your most beautiful and creative costumes: it will be colorful, joyful, and simply magical.
On February 16, the grand Rosenmontag parade follows, with dreamlike floats, loving details, and plenty to marvel at along the route. Accompanied by rousing Carnival music – played by our Marlon Wayne – the parade becomes a true feast for eyes, ears, and heart.
To close the celebrations, we meet on February 17 for the Nubbel burning, bid farewell to Carnival together, and already look forward to the next reunion on November 11.
ALAAF – we’re looking forward to seeing you!
You are all warmly welcome. Come and celebrate with us, dance, laugh, and enjoy Carnival in all its joy and spirit. 🎭✨

Überarbeitete Sound Vendoren in der "Sound Machine"

Nachdem die Original Sound Vendoren, die ich vor ein paar Jahren von einem Freund geschenkt bekommen habe, die dumme Angewohnheit hatten, die Scriptengine zu triggern, mit dem Ergebnis, dass die Skripte regelmäßig versagt haben, habe ich mich endlich dran gemacht, die Vendoren auszutauschen.
Sie sind vielleicht nicht mehr so schick wie die alten, dafür laufen die Skripte jetzt aber ohne Gemecker...
Und wo ich gleich am Überarbeiten war, habe ich gleich noch einige neue Sounds dazu gepackt... :)
* * * * *
Revised sound vendors in the “Sound Machine”

After the original sound vendors, which I received from a friend a few years ago, had the annoying habit of triggering the script engine, resulting in the scripts regularly failing, I finally got around to replacing the vendors.
They may not be as fancy as the old ones, but now the scripts run without any problems...
And while I was revising them, I added a few new sounds... :)

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
From everyone here on the GENESIS ROLEPLAY GRID to everyone in OPENSIM, may you know the blessings of God's love and the joy of His Salvation now and throughout the coming year!
MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Done deal! Luna's star has been ordered! Just awaiting the coordinates, but maybe we wont know until Luna's rl family has been shipped the rl materials. Thank you to all who donated! i will be ending the fundraiser now, more details will follow.

Die Tage werden kürzer und das Jahr neigt sich dem Ende zu. Wir wünschen Euch eine friedliche Weihnachtszeit im Kreise Eurer Lieben. Mögt ihr Momente der Ruhe finden, um neue Energie zu tanken und sich auf das kommende Jahr vorzubereiten.
As the days grow shorter and the year comes to a close, we wish you a peaceful holiday season surrounded by your loved ones. May you find moments of stillness to recharge and prepare for the year ahead."

OPENSIM MULTI DESTINATION TELEPORTER ** NEW RELEASE***
Use only ONE teleport script for many, many destinations!
Teleport within a same region, to different regions or even for different grids!
Easy to use! No need to mess with script, just insert data inside a notecard!
Available for FREE and FULLPERM at URBAN MUSEUM, ground area, inside the building.

(reposting this for as long as necessary until goal is achieved. hoping to announce success asap so that we can have it concluded and move on to a happy and festive christmas/holiday for all) :)

Our dear Luna Lunaria has passed. Rather than only mourn her, which we all do in our own ways, let us band together and show Luna's real life family...just how much she meant to us.

To some, perhaps Luna was a character from one of her rl human creator's stories. To most of us, she was much, much more. It is with a heavy heart that I have shouldered the responsibility as one of her many friends, to setup a GoFundMe for an idea i had: to name an actual star (or multiple stars different names from her stories or rl family), depending on how well this goes. If you like this idea, please find it in your heart to contribute to a worthy cause! https://gofund.me/60f7d925d

Not one thin penny will go to anything not Luna related, with the main goal being at least an "ultimate" star package from the international star registry. All pertinent information is listed in the interest of transparency. If we exceed the $200 goal, additional items or a bigger package may be purchased. I will be working with Lone Wolf on this, and any real life items to be mailed, will be sent discreetly and privately to Luna's real life family, pending their approval. For now, let's just get this ball rolling and see how much this OpenSim community loves and embraces her. She inspired us and gave us so much. Let us give back. Seriously, if you can spare only a buck, 1 dollar of your native currency, 25 cents, whatever it may be, it all comes from the heart. You are not required for your real name or any info to be publicly disclosed if you donate, so keep that in mind, friends. Any questions please contact Leonitas Lionheart or Remmy Ravenhurst of Homelandz Grid, Star Ravenhurst of Tenth Dimension Grid, or Lone Wolf of Wolf Territories grid.

In wenigen Stunden ist es soweit und auf Eternal Ice öffnet der 10. (und letzte) Adventskalender sein erstes Türchen!
Alle Geschenke bleiben bis Anfang Januar 2026 erhältlich, danach wir die Region Eternal Ice nicht länger auf OSW gelistet. Danach gehen die Teleports nur noch über die Karte ( pangeagrid.de:8002:Eternal Ice ) oder eine bestehende Landmarke.

Frohe Vorweihnachtszeit!

* * * * *

In just a few hours, the 10th (and final) Advent calendar will open its first door on Eternal Ice!
All gifts will remain available until early January 2026, after which the Eternal Ice region will no longer be listed on OSW. After that, teleports will only be possible via the map (pangeagrid.de:8002:Eternal Ice) or an existing landmark.

Happy holidays!

### 🌡️ **OPENSIM THERMOVIBE – Dynamic Avatar Thermometer!**
AVAILABLE FOR FREE AND FULLPERM AT PARTY SECTOR (BOX 03)

Bring life to your region with **ThermoVibe**, the ultimate interactive avatar activity meter!
Perfect for clubs, events, or community hubs.

**🔥 Features:**
* Detects live avatar count on your sim in real time. (P.S)
* Visual “thermometer” display with **21 progressive tiers**.
* **Automatic lava particle & sound celebration** at peak activity! (P.S1)
* Smooth tier transitions and optimized low-lag operation.
* Fully automatic — **no clicks or menus needed**.

Make your sim **vibe with energy** — when the crowd heats up, ThermoVibe shows it!

P.S: Avatar detected up to 4,096 meters, easily modified inside script // Owner counted even if on God Mode // Sensor detects avatars on range preset each 15 seconds.
P.S1: Lava particles rezzed when number of avatar is = 12 and =21 or higher.

Enjoy :)

Just completely retextured the interior of the Meditation Temple at Luxor. A beautiful song by Lisa Gerrard plays there and I added meditation stools for those who wish to come and experience some time alone in peace in a beautiful space.

Luxor is my home so nothing is for sale here. The region rewards the patient explorer with hidden grottoes and quiet songs playing at various locations. You can hear them if your sounds are on and you wait for a minute or so for them to load. Luxor is best viewed using a PBR viewer with Shared Environment activated to complete your experience in this place of peace. All are welcome.

Working on a V3 (VERSION 3) of the Weather Online System. A friend once reminded me "-What about cities you find on many places with same name?". I was a valid question: V2 script would take one randomly. Now, one can either specify on dialog menu "Springfield, IL,US (Illinois, United States) or insert the latitude/longitude coordinates. Also I made all, I said ALL countries codes available on script so if one select a city, it will show on open chat the full name in English of the country. Still need do some tweaks and test before releasing it.

Taaaac! 💥 5 more Mia Breil outfits just landed, and they're killer! 🚀
Stefy, Euphoria, Ayka, Courtney, and Lella... names to remember, style to envy.
Super cool, super fresh, and always super fashionable! 😎✨
hop://sciattisigrid.it:8002/MiaBreilSciattiShopClothes/97/...

Alina Custom Vehicles.
Open now at AMV a new store better than before easy access around the region bringing you unusual and unseen vehicles in Opensim.
Classic vehicles, Nascar race cars, Huge Hotrod range, Monster Trucks, Heavy Commercial Vehicles, Agriculture Vehicles, Huge Dinkie Vehicle section , Pick up trucks, just about something for everyone.
There are just a few vehicles from the living legend Victor DeAngelo, a truly kind person.
In region tp to make it easier .
Many vehicles lost because of OS grid previous issues but in all a great start to a new store.
Complete sim full of vehicles, it costs nothing to look, so take home something great.
All vehicles can be altered or modified should you need, adjustments or additions happily done on request..
Hope to see you soon.
hop://alternatemetaverse.com:8002/luna/126/128/22
Alina.

Of all the venues I've made, this is the one I see most often in photos from around the hypergrid. It's also my oldest venue, which means it is far overdue for a rebuild with better mesh and PBR. There is an overhaul of all the venues planned for the near future. Currently I'm preparing for an upcoming exhibition I'm excited to be part of, after that I'll have to work the venues in between game development, writing, and other projects some of you have been asking for. We'll get there.

🩷 X-Petite by BK-Mode – Klein? Vielleicht. Wirkung? Gigantisch.

Vier Looks, vier Provokationen – jedes Outfit ein Widerspruch auf zwei Beinen. Hier wird nicht kombiniert. Hier wird kuratiert.

🔸 Crop & Clash: Pinker Tiefschnitt trifft schwarze Powerpants – ein Outfit wie ein Konter.

🔸 Jogger Riot: Sportlich? Ja. Bequem? Auch. Aber mit Jacke, die aussieht wie ein Farbgewitter auf Speed.

🔸 Rainbow Raw: Pant und Top in Regenbogenoptik – nicht für den Strand, sondern für Statements ohne Worte.

🔸 Iridescent Impact: Glitzerndes Minikleid, das nicht funkelt, sondern flimmert – wie ein Gedanke, der nicht zu greifen ist.

🎯 X-Petite ist kein Stil. Es ist ein Störsignal. Für Avatare, die nicht gefallen wollen – sondern auffallen. Für Körper, die nicht viel Raum brauchen, um alles zu sagen.

Hey guys, I cleaned up my inventory and packed all the drug items into boxes and put them on display at Needful Things. They're waiting for you in the back room of the coffee shop. These are just decorative items, the stuff doesn't really pack a punch. There are also things at the front of the coffee shop that will definitely make your avatar stagger... Have fun with them!
* * * * *
Hallo Leute, ich habe mal mein Inventar aufgeräumt und sämtliche Drogenartikel in Boxen gepackt und auf Needful Things ausgestellt. Sie warten auf euch im Hinterzimmer des Coffeeshops. Es handelt sich dabei nur um Dekoware, das Zeug knallt nicht wirklich rein. Es gibt vorn im Coffeshop auch Sachen, die euren Avatar durchaus zum Wanken bringen... Viel Spaß damit!

✨ BK Mode präsentiert: ATHENA – Vier Facetten der modernen Göttin ✨

Tauche ein in die Welt von Athena – kraftvoll, wandelbar und immer stilvoll. BK Mode bringt vier ikonische Looks, die den Puls der Fashionistas höherschlagen lassen:

🖤 Urban Rebel Athena zeigt Kante: Mit schwarzem Graphic-Top, glänzender Lederhose und auffälligen Gürtel-Details wird sie zur Streetstyle-Ikone. Ein Look, der Stärke ausstrahlt und Individualität feiert – kompromisslos und cool.

👗 Preppy Chic Beige trifft auf Karomuster – dieser Look kombiniert verspielte Eleganz mit einem Hauch College-Flair. Die Minirock-Silhouette und die selbstbewusste Pose sagen: „Ich weiß, was ich will.“

💎 Futuristic Glow Transparenz trifft auf Türkis: Ein Outfit wie flüssiges Licht, das Athenas Silhouette umschmeichelt. Für alle, die sich trauen, anders zu sein – und dabei umwerfend aussehen.

🌸 Glam Pop Lavendel-Minirock, schwarzes Top, ein Hauch von Glanz: Dieser Look ist ein Statement für alle, die Mode als Ausdruck ihrer Persönlichkeit sehen. Verspielt, sexy, selbstbewusst.

💫 BK Mode – Für alle, die Mode nicht nur tragen, sondern leben.

Update!! I just placed the Fairy for you!

A special thank you to Fred for creating this beautiful Dryad Fairy. She brings the forest to life in ways that feel both magical and timeless. If you’d like to see her in person, come visit and experience the wonder for yourself. three.hills.grid.outworldz.net:8002/FairyDemesne/128/128/23 I am loving all this magic :) Thank you @FerdFrederix !! 🌳🧚🏽

Romantic Place /Dancefloor
Set up the rezzbox in a location.
Click on the box.
Then follow the build menu.
Please wait; it may take a while until everything is in its place.
If errors occur, rezz the new rezzbox.
Please don't forget to delete the scripts.
Thanks, Karin Becker
Die rezzbox aufstellen an einem platz .
Auf die box klicken
dann menü folgen build.
bitte warten es kann etwas dauern bis alles an seinen platz ist
falls fehler auftreten dann neue rezzbox rausrezzen.
bitte vergesst die skripte nicht zu löschen
danke karin becker

Romantic Place Big in RezzBox
Set up the rezzbox in a location.
Click on the box.
Then follow the build menu.
Please wait; it may take a while until everything is in its place.
If errors occur, rezz the new rezzbox.
Please don't forget to delete the scripts.
Thanks, Karin Becker
Die rezzbox aufstellen an einem platz .
Auf die box klicken
dann menü folgen build.
bitte warten es kann etwas dauern bis alles an seinen platz ist
falls fehler auftreten dann neue rezzbox rausrezzen.
bitte vergesst die skripte nicht zu löschen
danke karin becker

The Administrators of the Asylum wanted to thank everyone who came and made the grand opening a resounding success! The Region is now open to the public 24/7 if you dare. Thank you again for all your support and Kind comments. ~ Steamy and Edison

╔═══◈◈Porto Felice ᴘʀᴇsᴇɴᴛs ◈◈
╫◈ ᴅᴊ ◈DjChanel Hurricane
╫◈ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ◈ Deep in the Groove☻
╫◈ ᴛɪᴍᴇ ◈13.00 SLT
╫◈ where ◈♬ Porto Felice, Arkham Grid ♬
╫◈ when ◈1-3 pm grid time 3 August , Sunday
hop://grid.arkhamgrid.org:8002/Asteria Haven/120/218/28

I love working with PBR. These are all real reflections and the photos are unretouched.

Some full-perm instruments available for free on the Art Deco area at the Emporium. There's also a set of drums and a bass. Please note these are unscripted, but you're free to add what you like and do with them as you will. Click the Art Deco sign in the lobby to teleport. You'll find them inside the separate Ballroom build.

Note: PBR textures can only be seen with a PBR viewer on a PBR-enabled region. Fall-back textures are included for non-PBR viewers.

@FerdFrederix shared this with me. To remind us what virtual means to so many of us. Watch The World by Robbie Dingo posted by SHAREFESTIVAL
https://youtu.be/vV1YbWBSXS8?si=7mD8FnIMCPD7fkCZ
Thank you Ferd, 🌸💗🌸

Hello my friends
ill do a tribute set for Ozzy Osborne
to honor his life work and to
say him good bye.
Rest in Peace Ozzy

Hallo meine Freunde
ich werde ein Tribute Set für Ozzy Osborne
veranstalten um sein Lebenswerk zu honorieren
und ihm auf Wiedersehn zu sagen.
Ruhe in Frieden Ozzy