uhhhhngg….
Took a break for the first time in a month as old friends were in town. We all discovered that we are slowing down a bit. That is OK, I think. Should keep me out of trouble in the foreseeable future. I feel like I can get back into the work and home routine now, without being restless, at least for a while.
So, links are here;
- Attention C-Suite people. Stick to bland platitudes.
- SMDH.
- You know what? Imma skip this one, ok?
- These guys get big respect back in the CH. Even the Protestants think they are to be admired.
Music. An oldie.
As always, the comment section is open and yours.
Can we please turn this Jetpack shit off?
I hope your father is feeling better.
Ditto.
I’m here to say the same thing.
Samsies.
Likewise.
Ditto.
“Stick to bland platitudes.”
They should hire beauty contestants.
Given most of them come up from the Marketing side, I thought they pretty much did… or am I just biased because I had Carly Fiorina inflicted on my workplace?
“The cadets are then sent to the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino in Switzerland, where they are instructed in self-defense and the use of firearms by local police. While the guards carry medieval halberds — an ax blade topped with a spike mounted on a long shaft — during official papal events, each is equipped with a 9mm GLOCK 19 Gen4 pistol, taser, and pepper spray. ”
Pole arms can be very effective.
But sometimes you just need to reach out and touch someone.
Unless the Germans already acquired the tanks to keep them in Czech.
And drones are keeping the tanks in check…you did natzhee that coming.
I recall Tom Clancy using the Swiss Guard as an ecumenical security solution in one book.
Hmm, Swiss Guard vs. French Foreign Legion…who wins?
Not sure, but the winner has to take on the the winner of this
Today, the Internet is a wonderful place.
Two hours of Blaire White Reacting To The Most Extreme Woke TikToks Ever Made
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZHaGZd5yuo
Two hours of anyone reacting to TikToks is a hard pass for me.
It’s a compilation.
“Huma Abedin and Alex Soros make rare public appearance at Anna Wintour’s pre-Met Gala dinner – as longtime Hilary Clinton aide dons $5,990 designer gown”
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-13388109/huma-abedin-alex-soros-met-gala-2024-pre-dinner.html
She has the best taste in men.
Apparently she has a thing for nominally Jewish men.
Paging Sugar Free, Mr. Free please pick up the white courtesy phone…
So in touch with the common people, they are.
*swoon*
Every election nowadays is the Doom of the Nation / Humanity if the Wrong People(tm) aren’t elected, it seems.
Must be something they’re taught at the Young Leaders WEF meetings or whatever they’re called.
Saw this in one of those Mike Benz videos. This has a very long history. One of the first elections the CIA influenced in the late 1940’s was in Italy, and they used the “If x candidate wins it will be the end of democracy” line.
If the other side wins, am I right?
“Breastfeeding moms sent naked photos, videos to purported lactation consultant on Facebook. Now they fear it was a scam.
Sleep-deprived and anxious about feeding their babies, tens of thousands of moms in Illinois and elsewhere recently turned to a variety of Facebook groups offering support for breastfeeding, pumping breast milk and postpartum care.
Direct responses were often remarkably prompt from the creator and admin of these groups, a Facebook user named “Cathy Marie Chan,” whose profile featured a smiling picture of a woman purporting to be a board-certified lactation consultant and founder of Chan Lactation LLC.
Via Facebook Messenger, “Cathy Marie Chan” would request photos and video recordings of the mothers’ naked breasts — and in some cases vaginal areas — for supposed health care purposes, according to multiple members of the groups and screenshots of private messages.
Some of the images of breasts that women sent were bare, others were taken while expressing milk or feeding infants; some women received specific instructions to include their face in the shot, according to group members’ recollections and screenshots of messages…..”
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/05/05/breastfeeding-moms-sent-naked-photos-videos-to-purported-lactation-consultant-on-facebook-now-they-fear-it-was-a-scam/
“Show Charlie Murphy your titties.” – Rick James
They probably should have suspected something when Ms. Chan requested “nudez”.
Heh… I’ve had that in my head more than once in the decades since I probably heard it. Never tracked down who sang it — thanks, Swiss!
The Swiss Guard is indeed the smallest standing army in the world, numbering only 135 members (Pope Francis increased its ranks from 110 in 2018), protecting not only the smallest sovereign territory in the world, Vatican City State, but also acting as the personal security force of the Holy Father.
My visit to the Vatican was mixed. I really enjoyed seeing the art and history of St. Peter’s Basilica, but while the tour guide promised that we’d get to look at sixteen chapels, we only went to one.
They couldn’t let you view them en Mass, after all.
(Kidding aside — while that’s probably a trip I should make at some point in my life — I expect I’d be too busy thinking about the Bible verses along the lines of “Sell what you have and aid the poor”. Parish churches need buildings — I don’t begrudge the Vatican office spaces / cathedrals… but there’s such a thing as too much wealth hording for a Church and I strongly suspect my bar is much lower than the College of Cardinals…)
It’s really funny how you guys altar the spelling like that.
Wait until they teach that special card game, it’s a cross between eucher and wist. You bet little slices of bread.
That game is very serious. No smiling, joking or any other leavenity is allowed at the table.
Are you allowed to wine a little?
“Vatican City”
I remember one of the monks harassing me at the catacombs even after I already paid the admission fee. Dude was trying to double dip.
I always get Sixteen Chapels and Pretty in Mitre mixed up.
And The Fasting Club.
Vatican was my favorite of the lot. Cardinal W. Griswold is a funny character.
I watched the Tom Brady roast as background noise today. It was…fine. Nikki Glaser, whose standup is just sex and butt jokes, was really good. Jeff Ross, Tony Hinchcliffe, Andrew Schulz all good. Everyone else, not so much.
Everyone who thinks Tom was mad at the Kraft massage joke is clearly a moron, it was all jokes.
“Revealed: Trump hush money prosecutor was paid $12,000 by Democratic National Committee for ‘political consulting’
The prosecutor left a senior role at Biden’s Justice Department to join Bragg’s office in December 2022….
Just four months after Colangelo was brought on to the Manhattan DA’s office, Bragg decided to bring charges against the former president in April 2023. This has raised concerns among Republicans that the case is politicized.
When the DNC paid Colangelo the $12k, he was serving as deputy attorney general for social justice in the New York Attorney General’s office.”
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13387951/Matthew-Colangelo-paid-democratic-national-committee-political-consulting.html
Totally unbiased.
This has raised concerns among Republicans that the case is politicized.
Hmm. Ya think?
Even among some non-Republicans!
deputy attorney general for social justice
🤦♂️
“Chinese migrants are using Mexican IDs to ease their passage to the US amid a huge increase in arrivals from the communist country.
The puzzling trend was revealed in new footage from the San Diego border, where the number of China nationals entering from Mexico so far this year is already more than double its total for the whole of last year.
It is thought the IDs are being made and sold by cartels so that migrants travelling to the US from Asia and elsewhere can pass checks by Mexican police as they travel through the country.
The documents are then destroyed or discarded by migrants as they cross the US border, making it harder for authorities to identify them and easing their path to asylum.
Video shared with DailyMail.com shows Bill Wells, Mayor of El Cajon, a city about 17 miles east of San Diego, inspecting dozens of cards left behind by Chinese nationals at a crossing point between Jacumba Hot Springs and Campo.”
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13387713/Chinese-migrants-Mexican-IDs-San-Diego.html
They can’t tell they’re not Mexican?
All foreign languages sound the same.
Don’t judge, Mexico is such a melting pot.
Akshually Chinese have been in Mexico for centuries. They came as part of the Spanish trade with Asia and the Philippines, and Mexico City has a Chinatown. Not that that’s what’s going on here, though.
Roll your R’s “Jose Chan”. – border guard
“The documents are then destroyed or discarded by migrants as they cross the US border, making it harder for authorities to identify them and easing their path to asylum.”
Is our policy really: “Whelp. We can’t tell who you are. You get to stay.”?
It should be “Looks like you don’t exist” *BLAM*
Seen in a recent ebook I formatted, written by a UK libertarianish flat-earther:
“No way, Hosea.”
Hey Zeus.
If the sensor trips it also needs to be reset by a service call. Best hope it doesn’t nuisance trip.
Biden Is Coming for Your Air Conditioner
More expensive and more dangerous? It’s a win-win!
“Green” status confirmed.
It is amazing that anyone is still buying this shit.
Propane is a great refrigerant, til it leaks.
It’s all in the vibration
Sounds like a boost in window based unit sales!
#Bidenomics
“A zoo in China sparked all out panda-monium after they dressed dogs as pandas because they didn’t have the genuine artifact, as seen in viral photos.
The fake pandas, unveiled May 1 at the Taizhou Zoo in Jiangsu Province, were actually Chow Chow dogs — a big-haired breed from Northern China, Jam Press reported.”
https://nypost.com/2024/05/06/lifestyle/zoogoers-outraged-to-discover-panda-exhibit-was-actually-dogs-dyed-black-and-white/
LOL
So you’re saying that it’s a shih tzu?
More like a shih tsu not.
OFFS. I guess there are people who have never seen a panda but in China?!
There’s no way that country would have any shoddy practices that would let a deadly virus escape.
A third of a million bucks for a hatebird, the bird that hates (and it’s not even real)!
Seriously, I had no idea that the decoy market was that lucrative.
There’s a joke in there about a huge bill, but I’m not into that sort of low humor.
Take a gander at those prices.
“The Massachusetts Institute of Technology will no longer require prospective hires to pledge allegiance to the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion as an employment condition, becoming the first elite university in the country to do away with the controversial practice denounced by free speech advocates as a “political litmus test.”
“Requests for a statement on diversity will no longer be part of applications for any faculty positions at MIT,” a university spokesperson told The Post in an emailed statement, noting that the decision was made by MIT president Sally Kornbluth along with the support of the provost, chancellor and all six academic deans.
“My goals are to tap into the full scope of human talent, to bring the very best to MIT, and to make sure they thrive once here,” Kornbluth said. “We can build an inclusive environment in many ways, but compelled statements impinge on freedom of expression, and they don’t work.””
https://nypost.com/2024/05/06/us-news/mit-bans-controversial-diversity-statement-hiring-requirement-they-dont-work/
Huh. An unexpected brightener to the day…
Last night of league bowling tonight – it’s the high-low tournament. I already paid my entry fee, But I expect to lose. I don’t think I can match my performance from thursday.
That’s the spirit!
GL.
Not so fast
The Japanese steelmaker revised the timeline after receiving the second request “and following careful deliberation with respect to the regulatory processes,” it said.
The delay comes three weeks after U.S. Steel shareholders approved the acquisition, despite opposition from the Biden administration, steelworkers and congressional lawmakers.
Nippon announced the delay two weeks after President Biden “promise[d]” American steelworkers that U.S. Steel would remain American owned and operated, despite the previous week’s shareholder vote.
“U.S. Steel has been an iconic American company for more than a century. And it should remain a totally American company — American owned, American operated, by American union steelworkers — the best in the world. And that’s going to happen. I promise you,” Biden said in remarks at United Steelworkers headquarters in Pittsburgh.
Silly shareholders, acting as if they own the company.
Uffda. Thank doG for the Minnesoda state legislature. Minneapolis had proposed a minimum wage for ride share drivers and it was so bad that Lyft and Uber said they’d leave the city if it was enacted.
The more sane DFL-ers at the state legislature stepped in with a proposal that would override those crazies in Minneapolis. The result? Lyft now says it will leave the entire state if the law goes into effect
Nice legislative work there Lou.
Perfect.
I will never understand the left’s hard-on to destroy that industry.
DUI Lawyer Lobby?
Easy. Uber proved that anyone with a sedan and a GPS-equipped cell phone can do a taxi driver’s job — and for less money.
This hurts the taxi industry, who pay lots of
protectionmoney to cobalt-blue cities to be allowed to work.The cities want to protect their revenue stream. Simple as that.
They don’t want people working for themselves.
And there are a lot of idiots who have somehow gotten the idea that every job should be remunerative enough to support a family of four on one income.
You know what? Imma skip this one, ok?
You’ll be fine, just don’t forget your axe-wielding Nork spray.
Biden and lawmakers have specifically voiced concerns arguing the deal could threaten American steelworkers.
Those filthy nips are gonna pack those steel mills up and move them to Japan.
Didn’t you see “Gung Ho”?
Another Uffda Moment. Local proggie news site extolls the wonderful way that THE U of M came to an agreement with campus protesters. Why it could be used as an example for other schools!
I guess the secret is to go belly up and agree to whatever the trouble makers demand.
Well, short of wiping out the Jews for them.
Are you sure that’s off the table?
I will never understand the left’s hard-on to destroy that industry.
They despise gig work in general. Everybody should be a full time unionized employee with full benefits, including a defined benefit pension plan.
I would guess that youngsters who get a taste of the gig economy probably don’t become good union members.
Even if they end up joining a union, I would think that their background would be a hindrance. “What do you mean I don’t get paid more if I hustle more?”
WTF?
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday announced more than $100 million in funding and resources to support American auto workers and small auto suppliers.
Historic contracts secured by the United Auto Workers with the Big Three Detroit automakers and recent organizing victories ensure that these jobs will provide comparable wages, retirement security and respect at work, the office of the VP said in a statement.
That is the entirety of the Reuters story.
That’s some mighty fine journalisming. Mighty fine.
It’s a girls thing.
– “The vice president will be joined by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Department of Energy Secretary and former Gov. Jennifer Granholm, Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su”
Oh, and vote buying.
https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/michigan/2024/05/06/vp-kamala-harris-announces-new-auto-parts-funding-electric-vehicles/73582371007/
That’s all that was in the press release.
You know who else…
As part of the Vice President’s Economic Opportunity Tour, Kamala Harris has announced that the White House will free up $100 million in funding to help small- and medium-size auto parts manufacturers prepare to produce components for electric vehicles.
The money will support “retooling to keep good, good-paying and union jobs in the same communities as automakers and auto suppliers transition to electric vehicle manufacturing here in America,” the White House wrote.
Vice President Harris is announcing the program today in Detroit, alongside Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm, and Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su. Michigan is an important swing state, making this an important time to convince autoworkers that the White House is serving them ahead of this year’s election.
We need close collaboration between government and corporations to build a strong well planned economy.
We could use some sort of slogan stating how together we’re stronger, or something. Maybe a snappy logo , with an axe or something.
As part of the investment, the Small Business Administration will provide millions of dollars in private capital to help suppliers grow and diversify their business with the help of the DOE. In addition, the SBA will provide lines of credit to small businesses and will provide business counseling to suppliers.
These programs will be funded by the Inflation Reduction Act and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The investments follow the March announcement that the DOE has set up a training program for battery plant jobs. The measures are being celebrated by experts, such as Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity senior deputy Jonathan Smith.
The SBA is private capital?
Ryan Hall Y’all is live in OK & KS. Be safe out there!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBw3XJc7jRc
Still mostly sunny with calm skies here. Supposed to start getting nasty about 9p.
I love watching this kind of live stream. There are a bunch with their own YouTube channel. There are so many storm chasers now that they have traffic jams in the areas with severe weather.
Over the weekend, I told Mom my response to a global warming story she read. Calmly, she responded “You have a point ” The conversation naturally moved on but it was clear she listened but rejected my statements. My lede was about only having accurate satellite data since ~1979, not even a blink in climate/geological time. Knowing her, she did at least GET my points. Gaia runs strong in my family other than me/Dad.
Work went well. It’s predictable how work makes one feel bette . Been a bit, but *Costanza’s voice* “I’M BACK, BABY!” (Am prioritizing on keeping it that way.)
Odd: My parents have been to the DMZ, but not I. Never really crossed my mind. Just a tightly-run State Approved field trip.
*Shrug*
Relax.
Don’t do it
When you gotta get… Back to it.
Someone’s giving California’s nanny state the mocking it deserves (original WSJ link paywalled)
A Proposition 65 warning can be required even if there is no scientific evidence that anyone has been sickened by consuming a given product—chocolate, for instance. While a Consumer Reports study in 2022 found that popular chocolate bars contained more than California’s recommended allowable doses of cadmium and lead, no research has linked eating chocolate to a higher risk of birth defects or metal toxicity.
Dandelion Chocolate started its warning by covering its legal bases, as all California businesses must. But then, in smaller print further down, things got cheeky: “Cadmium is a naturally-occurring component in soil, and many plants take it up as they absorb nutrients, which is how it gets into our cocoa beans. According to the CDC, cadmium is commonly found in vegetables, and in relatively high concentrations in leafy greens like spinach. The law won’t allow us to say much more about how the tiny trace amounts in our product will affect your health, but if you want to reduce your exposure to cadmium generally, you might consider eating fewer leafy greens.”
In this short paragraph, I saw something I had almost never seen before. During the two years I lived in San Francisco and on many visits since, I had often seen businesses—straining under the city and state’s regulatory and tax burdens—react with acceptance, a sigh or even an exasperated roll of the eyes. But with laughter and open ridicule? With the sarcastic suggestion that customers worried about chocolate bars should instead eat fewer vegetables? This was entirely new. This wasn’t mere frustration, but the anger of a San Francisco business tired of being asked to behave like an obedient child in the face of overbearing authority run amok.
Maybe this is where it starts… ah, who am I kidding.
I predict a boot on the neck of that company.
Good on them, I’ll seek out their products
Dandelion Chocolate is good stuff.
Maybe, but why should I support a CA based business?
https://ashers.com/
Eh, not really the same thing. /Chocolate snob.
Fine, here’s a bean-to-bar maker in PA: https://mokaorigins.com/
Thanks!
Ghirardelli and See’s have a sad.
See’s (and also Russell Stover’s) is overrated.
That said, I had a couple bites of Nestle Crunch and the chocolate was worse than a hollow Easter bunny or gold coins.
I mean, Hershey’s is barely adequate for a fix, but Nestle was just disgusting.
This right here. The wife is a serious chocolate snob, and while my palette is not up to the job of picking out the subtle flavor notes, constant exposure to the high end stuff has ruined me for commodity chocolate “candy”.
When we went to Yellowstone, we went by way of Salt Lake City, largely so we could stop at Caputo’s
Ouch, that hurts like an arrow to the knee.
Obsessed
It’s hard to catalog all the ways in which likening the current administration to the brutal Gestapo is so deeply offensive and so off the mark, including the casual use of language that invokes Nazis – something Trump does all too often.
For one thing, it trivializes the history of the Holocaust and the perpetrators of the unspeakable crimes carried out by Adolf Hitler and his followers. For another, there is not a scintilla of evidence that the current administration harbors authoritarian tendencies. But, as is so often the case with Trump, he tarnishes the object of his scorn with the failings that he himself could reasonably be accused of.
Stop it. You’re killing me.
We’re the only ones that are allowed to call our political opponents Nazis. Constantly. It says so right here in the rules.
This hack can’t possibly be that lacking in self-awareness.
The projection is strong in that article.
Since it’s not Thursday, a space link in the comments will have to suffice.
Boeing attempting to launch crew tonight. Thoughts & prayers
Fuck’s sake
https://www.youtube.com/live/JI1u80rw5LY?si=RNveiO-3T6aegtLi
I remember when Airbus made me nervous and I preferred Boeing aircraft. Such innocent days.
“If it’s not Boeing, we’re not going!”
Forecasting 75-mph straight line winds and hail.
I guess that means I won’t be working.