rjshae

I can't imagine it's very efficient as a police force. Just a big waste of taxpayer money while putting on a show. I.e. it's a parade.

A meeting in Alaska means Putin doesn't need to land in any territory where he could be arrested.

I'd heard that rabbits can be h*rny, but this is ridiculous: https://apnews.com/article/rabbits-with-horns-virus-colorado-tentacles-papillomavirus-98b1ad95ba3a0f308bf884d79d1eea7c

There's one thing we can say about this event with reasonable assurity: this is not about crime. Crime in Washington D.C. is down 26% since this time last year. Violent Crime in D.C. Hits 30 Year Low (January 3, 2025)

"...mesa propose that the senate give immediately emergency powers to the supreme chancellor." - Jar Jar Binks

I signed up for Peac*ck via Roku because it's near the start of the Premier League season and I wanted more access. Okay, I got charged for a month and the app showed up, but when I opened it I had to sign in. Unfortunately, it didn't recognize my Roku account and wouldn't let me create my own sign-in. I tried every online help page I could find, but they mostly said to reset Roku, check for updates, delete the app and re-create it. Okay fine: after a reset and an update check, I go to delete the app... and there's no delete option. Grr. Well I've cancelled my subscription renewal and I'm out a few $$$. Buh-bye Peac*ck.

I'm sure the agreement will be upheld by Russia as they did the Budapest Memorandum. I.e. not. Sorry, but trusting in Putin to be satisfied by his conquests is optimistic thinking on your part. More likely he'll need a peace interlude for his military to upgrade.

Unlucky enough to go to the Moon twice, then never land. At least his role got played by Tom Hanks in the movie... and he lived to the ripe old age of 97.

DOGE staffer attacked in DC, Trump says in threat to federalize city So basically a proposal for a military takeover of our capital. Nothing to worry about, right? Followed by martial law at some point to "quell" the crime rate. Uh-huh. Yeesh.

DOGE staffer attacked in DC, Trump says in threat to federalize city So basically a proposal for a military takeover of our capitol. Nothing to worry about, right? Followed by martial law at some point to "quell" the crime rate. Uh-huh. Yeesh.

There has been work on a universal flu vaccine for several years now, predating this administration. NIH clinical trial of universal flu vaccine candidate begins That doesn't mean you won't need to have regular updates to deal with mutations.

There's another side to this: Eygpt is not allowing in refugees from Gaza. This is despite Eygpt being a signatory to the Geneva Convention of July 28, 1951. Populating Gaza refugee camps outside the war zone would remediate much of the starvation. Where's the international pressure on Eygpt?

Final season of Picard became "Star Trek: The Next Geriatrics". Hmm. While I enjoyed it for the most part, I actually preferred the earlier seasons when it was less about nostalgia. Different strokes, I guess. Still, it was fun seeing the band get back together again.

Loni Anderson of WKRP fame, age 79.

At one time there was a hope that states might start to move past Gerrymandering, but then Trump won. Texas Republicans aim to redraw House districts at Trump’s urging, but there’s a risk On DJT's behest, the Pubs are trying to gerrymander Texas to gain 5 seats in the House. What do the Dems do in response? How California draws congressional districts, and why it might change in a proxy war with Trump Texas has 38 seats, of which 13 or so are Democrat California has 52 seats, of which 9 are Republican.

Penny Dreadful is quite well done. It's like watching a Masterpiece Theater series, except it's 19th century horror. Eva Green remains a particularly good actor who is perfect for her role, and the cast is marvelous.

Trump removes official overseeing jobs data after dismal employment report Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that the type of action only a rather stupid person would take? "Speak not into the ears of a fool; for he will despise the wisdom of your words.”

I present to you, the very first meeting of this administration's economic team: Et voilà, the plan for world-crushing tariffs is born.

Weirdly, I find this song cleanses my musical palette. Maybe it's the contrast between the guitar distortion and Kim Deal's haunting background melody? But, where is my mind?

Canada is the largest exporter of energy goods to the USA, and that is the sole cause of the trade deficit between the two nations. DJT seems to view trade as a zero-sum game, so he's looking to zero out our trade deficit with Canada. Well just stop importing oil from Canada then. Sure, sure, the price at the pump will go way up.

Yes, this may be currently driven by the stockpiling that took place during the early period of DJT's tarrif threats. Eventually these will run out and the increased cost of imports will need to be absorbed. It's already hitting the Auto industry in the form of billions in losses that the companies have had to absorb.

Countries keep holding out recognition as if it is an incentive to settle on peace. But that just isn't happening. Just recognize the palestinians already and move on. Recognition is no guarantee of survival. But perhaps it'll get them talking to each other.

To stay where nobody has stayed before...

The way I read it, this is a "framework" for a trade deal. The details have yet to be worked out, and those may balance the equation depending on the particular classes of goods. I suspect Germany supports it because of their energy needs (per Russia embargoes); France, naturally, does not. The revenue differences may instead be balanced out with digital taxes, &c. Then again, DJT is known for his negotiating flakiness, so who knows how long it will last?

Professor Tom Lehrer at age 97, the author of so many fine satirical songs. Many youngsters probably don't know him.