rjshae

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.

Man down...

Yeah, but for every Foxconn there are dozens of US businesses that are hurt by Tariffs. It's going to be a two-way street, and in the end it's a gamble how it will all turn out. They also destabilize the market, reducing incentives to invest in the short term, and make the US less competitive.

I'm starting to view the tariffs as a form of gambling, a tactic that DJT seems to enjoy. They don't really generate significant wealth on the whole, but they can be used as a type of shell game with presumably DJT being the only one who knows where the marker is hidden. The real victim of the tariffs will be the public, through higher prices and more limited good selection.

Scientists are developing artificial blood that could save lives in emergencies If it works in humans, this could be an amazing advance. Good to see.

Maybe it's like that story of the UNIX server that got buried behind a wall and just kept running? Hopefully he's still patching the server for security flaws. Missing Novell server discovered after four years

At first I wasn't all that interested in D. Trump's connection with Epstein; after all, you can say similar things about W. Clinton. But DJT is putting so much effort into distracting from Epstein, that I'm starting to wonder if there's more to it. Heh. This thing could backfire. Wouldn't that be fun? Meanwhile: Johnson sending House home early amid push to force Epstein files vote and: House Republicans propose naming Kennedy Center's opera house after Melania Trump Amusing.

Picard gets an 89 rating on Rotten Tomatoes, but a fan rating of 57. Either it's been review bombed, or this is one of those shows where the critics differ significantly from the fans. ... I do wonder though how the crew smell the odorless deuterium gas... maybe there's an additive, like we do with methane?

RIP Ozzy

I'm trying hard to avoid noticing, but Stewart's age issues with his voice just break my sense of immersion. It's unfortunate. There are some likeable characters in the series though, so I've enjoyed it.

It feels like they are trying to introduce a horror vibe. Watching the Gorn youth skitter about is a strong Alien trope.

A drinking song... sort of.

House gives final approval to Trump’s $9 billion cut to public broadcasting and foreign aid Honestly, the country feels diminished now. Public broadcasting, NPR, and others made it feel like I was getting my money's worth out of the taxes. Now the money is just going to line wealthy tax shelters. Booo!

What we know so far about 3I/ATLAS, the interstellar visitor This is the third interstellar object discovered passing through the Solar System. Based on its hyperbolic orbit, this may be from a thick disk star system and hence it could be (2/3 chance) older than the Sun. They expect it to be a water-rich comet; it's already developed a coma from solar heating. The new VCR observatory is expected to discover many more such objects. Maybe one day we'll be able to get a sample?

Well that's what happens. Stephen Colbert’s ‘Late Show’ canceled by CBS, ends May 2026 Uh-huh. Sure, sure.

If they were always evenly distributed, they wouldn't be random events. Disasters can cluster together and there's little that can be done about that fact. That's all the more reason to enjoy life while you can. Sh*t happens.

DJT is still trying to oust Jerome Powell, employing Nixon-level trickery: How Trump could use a building renovation to oust Fed Chair Powell The worrisome aspect is who he'll set in his place, and what impact that'll have on the nation's economy and inflation. The inflationary aspect of tariffs appear to be just setting in, and at least with Powell there's a shot to keep it somewhat managed. Lowering the rate by three points, as desired by DJT, could significantly boost inflation. Didn't they just elect DJT because of the persistent inflation under Biden? Here we go again.

Any male who even remotely flatters Trump is a "terrific guy". As for judging youth, I'm not always certain myself whether an older teen is of legal age. It can be hard to tell without ID.

It's been consistent Trump behavior to bury news that is bad for him or his party so that nobody hears about it, and thus far it's working. Just look at everything he's doing to conceal climate change. I don't think it necessarily means he's doing it to protect people. He just does it primarily to avoid controversy. (Don't mistake my opinion for defending him. I just think it's part of a pattern of behavior.)