RECOMMENDED: Netflix Siege of Jadotville or why politicians leave soldiers out to die

Thursday, June 12, 2025

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3922798/

Siege of Jadotville

1961 Irish UN troops defend against attack by Belgian and Kanganese soldiers

The siege of Jadotville was a major battle during the Congo Crisis, that began on 13 September 1961, lasting for five days, where a small contingent of the Irish Army’s 35th Battalion serving under the United Nations Operation in the Congo, designated “A” Company, were besieged at the UN base near the mining town of Jadotville by Katangese forces loyal to the secessionist State of Katanga. The siege took place during the seven-day escalation of hostilities between ONUC and Katangese forces during Operation Morthor. Wikipedia

# – # – # – # – # 

Amazing that the Irish took no casualties.  

IF THE MOVIE IS TRUE … … and that’s a big if … … the (French mercenaries) were poor strategists.  They must have studied the tactics of the Napoleanic period, the British during the American Revolution, the Union / Southern Armies, during the War of Northern Aggression, or WWI.  Lining troops up and having them advance and attack against modern weapons and machine guns is suicidal.  I’m surprised that they only suffered 1300 KIAs.

The lesson for soldiers is that the politicians and bureaucrats will always betray you and leave you to die.

So sad.

—30—


DISCOURAGING: Google URL Shortener links will no longer be available

Wednesday, June 11, 2025

https://developers.googleblog.com/en/google-url-shortener-links-will-no-longer-be-available/

Nie mój cyrk, nie moje małpy . . . literally, “not my circus, not my monkey;” figuratively, “not my problem.” — Polish saying

 I guess monkeys are “problems” in Poland, and circuses are where “problems” come from. If it’s not your monkey, and it’s not even from your circus, then it’s not your problem. — https://goo.gl/X7VEKG

# – # – # – # – # 

Google URL Shortener links will no longer be available

JULY 18, 2024

*** begin quote ***

In 2018, we announced the deprecation and transition of Google URL Shortener because of the changes we’ve seen in how people find content on the internet, and the number of new popular URL shortening services that emerged in that time. This meant that we no longer accepted new URLs to shorten but that we would continue serving existing URLs.

*** end quote ***

Once again a demonstration of the Internet axiom, “If you’re not paying of a product, then you are the PRODUCT.”  Sometimes even if you are paying, it still gets “deprecated”  —  a fancy word for “FU, we don’t need you”! For example, Pocket from Mozilla.  In this case, a service is disappearing.  

https://umatechnology.org/what-does-it-mean-when-an-app-gets-sherlocked-by-apple/

Being “Sherlocked” is a term that encapsulates the dramatic and often ruthless dynamics between smaller developers and larger tech companies like Apple. It serves as a reminder of how innovation and competition can shape the tech landscape, sometimes to the detriment of those who initially paved the way.

Not just APPLE, but GOOGLE and MICROSOFT do it as well.  Without the decency of acquiring the original developer.  Not that “guaranties” the product or service will survive. Some are acquired to kill the competition.

There is no doubt in my mind that Google intended to SHERLOCK BITLY (https://bitly.com/pages/products/url-shortener) but for whatever reason they decided not to.  I suspect that there was not margin in it for Google.  So after “pushing” it, like so many other GOOGLE “products and services” they give it the FU treatment and  “deprecate” it.

Sad for the Users who used it and good for BITLY.

And, for anyone who still “trusts” Gooferment to be a fair referee with respect to anti-trust issues, why do you think “corporations” “contribute” aka payoff politicians and bureaucrats?

Now I have to go and replace all “goo.gl” uses in my blog.  Argh!

—30—


ConspiracyTheories: Was Biden cloned or used doubles?

Tuesday, June 10, 2025

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14769003/Trump-shares-theory-Joe-Biden-DIED-2020-replaced-clone.html

Trump shares theory that Joe Biden DIED in 2020 and was replaced by a clone
By JAMES GORDON FOR DAILYMAIL.COM
Published: 01:42 EDT, 1 June 2025 | Updated: 11:21 EDT, 1 June 2025

*** begin quote ***

President Donald Trump shared a bizarre theory on social media Saturday night that suggested Joe Biden died in 2020 and has since been replaced by a ‘clone.’

The Truth Social post, which has since gone viral, stated bluntly that the former president of the United States had somehow been dead for years while still in office.  

‘There is no #JoeBiden – executed in 2020. #Biden clones doubles & robotic engineered soulless mindless entities are what you see,’ wrote the user named llijh. ‘#Democrats dont know the difference.’

*** end quote ***

Hard to believe but anything is possible.

Checking the Conspiracy Theorist “thermometer”  — I’d rate it as: 

Currently  “7. Unlikely” and  “Political” pending further real evidence.

I guess that future Presidents will have to sign bills into law and pardons in person in front of Congress!

—30—


MONEY: ZELLE’s use case doesn’t fit me at all

Monday, June 9, 2025

https://www.zellepay.com/

What’s Zelle®?

Zelle® is a great way to send money to friends and family, even if they bank somewhere different than you do1. That means it’s super easy to get paid back, or split the costs of things like dinner. With Zelle®, the money goes directly into your bank account. And when money goes into your bank account directly, you can live delightfully. Zelle® is already in lots of banking apps, so look for it in yours today.

# – # – # – # – # 

So, it all works great  —  sort of — if you have one bank, one cell phone, and one email account.

What happens when you have Bank#1, Bank#2, Bank#3, and one cell phone?

Chaos!

I’ve had to enroll in Zelle three times.  Bank#1 and email#1, Bank#2 and email#2, and Bank#3 and email#3. Good luck keeping that all straight.

Argh!

—30—


INTERESTING: NOTEBOOK LLM review of RFL blog. for May 2025 — pretty accurate from my POV

Monday, June 9, 2025

NotebookLM Logo

Sources

Chat

Studio

😤

Reinke Faces Life: May 2025 Entries

1 source

 

The sources consist of blog posts from “Reinke Faces Life,” a blog where the author shares content they find interesting, amusing, or enraging. The topics covered are varied, including the shutdown of the Pocket app, thoughts on the elimination of the penny and its connection to inflation, a review of a World War II movie, a discussion on corrosion-resistant steel for infrastructure, and advice on security for Bitcoin holders. Other posts address potential issues with government agencies, the ethics of selling scanned public domain books, a survival story, a software bug, the controversy surrounding President Biden’s physician, and concerns about Google’s search algorithms. The author also reflects on Memorial Day, offers a resource for free e-books, and criticizes government involvement in energy and air travel.

 

What is the overarching sentiment towards government and authority across these sources?

Across the provided sources, the overarching sentiment towards government and authority is highly negative, critical, and deeply distrustful. The author frequently expresses frustration and anger regarding the actions and perceived failures of government entities and individuals involved in politics and bureaucracy.

Several sources explicitly criticize governmental bodies and their impact:

The US Treasury and Federal Reserve are blamed for inflation and the devaluation of the dollar, with the Federal Reserve described as a “private cartel of the elite banks run for their benefit and that of the entrenched politicians”

. The author views the decision to stop circulating one-cent coins as a sign that “We, The Sheeple” will be forced to recognize the inflation caused by the Federal Reserve printing “so many ‘dollars'”. The author advocates for ending the Federal Reserve entirely, citing reasons such as its inability to accomplish objectives, acting against the public interest, generating unfair tax, encouraging war, destabilizing the economy, and being an instrument of totalitarianism. The author contrasts the current fiat money system with a gold standard, which they believe led to lower prices and predictable life, arguing that fiat dollars enable the “Gooferment” in endless spending, “forever wars,” and welfare

.

Politicians and bureaucrats are generally portrayed as untrustworthy and lacking incentive to solve problems

. In the context of infrastructure, the author suggests that bridges are failing because the “Gooferment” is involved in their construction and that an entrepreneur would build bridges that last longer because politicians and bureaucrats “have no incentive to solve the problems of the world”

.

The author questions the role of government in areas like air travel security and air traffic control, suggesting the TSA and FAA should be ended and these functions turned over to airlines, arguing that government involvement adds unnecessary overhead that could be better managed privately

. The author sees government programs, like the temporary ones Jeff Thomas discusses, as becoming permanent and overbearing

.

In the context of Bitcoin, the author expresses concern about “Gooferment involvement,” specifically mentioning the IRS wanting to report capital gains and coercing crypto exchanges to cooperate via KYC rules

. They highlight the ability to transfer assets without “Gooferment involvement” as a valuable use case for Bitcoin

.

The author is highly critical of perceived government cover-ups and lack of accountability, such as questioning President Biden’s physician and staff, and suggesting they should face repercussions for statements about his competence

. This situation is labeled a “national disgrace”. The author calls for reforms like term limits, age limits, and citizenship requirements for politicians and bureaucrats

.

The New Jersey “Pepuls Republik of Nu Jerzee Gooferment” is criticized for a significant increase in electric rates and the lack of competition in energy

. The author states the Board of Public Utilities (BPU) “ain’t looking out for the consumer”

.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is described as “unscientific” and accused of unnecessarily culling birds

. The author questions the motivations of bureaucrats in such agencies, imagining them justifying their paychecks without adding value, and states a strong dislike for politicians and bureaucrats

.

The 1986 SHIELD ACT is heavily criticized for shielding vaccine manufacturers from lawsuits, which the author believes leads to a lack of safety testing and contributes to health issues

. The author calls for its repeal

.

The author frequently uses the derogatory term “Gooferment”

 and the exclamation “Argh!” to convey frustration related to government actions or perceived failures. The sentiment is further reinforced by headings like “GOVEROTRAGEOUS” and topics listed in the sidebar such as “Political,” “Ranting,” “TYLER DURDEN,” “tyranny,” and “VICTIM DISARMAMENT”. The focus on “Conspiracy Theories” and the mention of perceived “crimes committed by the Political Class” also contribute to this negative view

.

The sources suggest a preference for private sector solutions over government involvement, as seen in the discussion of infrastructure

, airline security/air traffic control, and energy competition. There is also an emphasis on self-reliance and skepticism of authority, exemplified by the advice to “TRUST NO ONE, EVER” in the context of Bitcoin security and government involvement, the suggestion to save in gold and silver, and the inclusion of a quote about an armed society

.

In summary, the sources consistently portray government and authority as inefficient, untrustworthy, detrimental to individual liberty and economic well-being, and often acting against the public interest for the benefit of insiders

.

1 source

NotebookLM can be inaccurate; please double check its responses.

—30—


GLOBAL: Maybe some arrows painted on the roads?

Sunday, June 8, 2025

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy4kqq8dw00o?utm_source=fark&utm_medium=website&utm_content=link&ICID=ref_fark

Rise in crashes caused by tourists driving on wrong side of road
9 hours ago
<<No author cited>>
<< EDITOR ADDED DATE 2025-05-31>>

*** begin quote ***

The UK is one of few countries in Europe where vehicles drive on the left

The number of crashes caused by visitors to Scotland driving on the wrong side of the road has increased by 46% in a year.

Figures released by Transport Scotland showed there were 35 collisions caused by “inexperience of driving on the left” in 2023, up from 24 the previous year.

Campaigners have described the rise as “disappointing” and called for additional signage and prompts to be put in place as a reminder for tourists, particularly in rural areas.

Road Safety Scotland said there was no clear reason for the increased frequency of crashes.

*** end quote ***

I’d suggest some arrows painted on the roads.  

Some countries have optical illusions or wavy lane lines to slow drivers.

You’d think that paint would be a cheap solution.  

Certainly around cities and maybe on tourist routes to scenic viewpoints.

Just a thought.  Not that drivers in the Pepuls Republik of Nu Jerzee are any example to follow.

—30—


ENGINEERING: What other hidden disasters don’t we know about?

Saturday, June 7, 2025

https://nypost.com/2025/05/28/us-news/nyc-citicorp-tower-skyscraper-was-almost-toppled-by-winds/

This famous NYC skyscraper was almost toppled by winds — and the people who worked inside it had no idea of the danger they were in

By Steve Cuozzo 

Published May 28, 2025, 4:44 p.m. ET

*** begin quote ***

The Citicorp Tower has been a Manhattan skyline icon for nearly a half-century with a glimmering silhouette and unique, prism-topped roof. 

The 54-story skyscraper was dedicated on Oct 12, 1977, by Gov. Hugh Carey and Mayor Abe Beame. Less than a year later, chief engineer William LeMessurier found it had a 1 in 16 chance of toppling over in hurricane winds. 

*** end quote ***

Fascinating read.  And what about all the occupants would would have been killed if the wind blew in the “wrong direction”?  Notice that the elites in the know never told “We, The Sheeple” that they were in mortal danger.

Argh!

Special place in hell fo those in the know.

What other hidden disasters don’t we know about?  Can we trust anyone, any institution, or anything?

—30—


VETERANS: 81 Years Ago Today

Friday, June 6, 2025

https://legalinsurrection.com/2025/06/d-day-81-years-ago-today-the-greatest-generation-pulled-off-a-miracle/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=d-day-81-years-ago-today-the-greatest-generation-pulled-off-a-miracle

D-Day: 81 Years Ago Today the Greatest Generation Pulled Off a Miracle

Posted by Mary Chastain  —  Friday, June 6, 2025 at 11:00am 

*** begin quote ***

The Greatest Generation accomplished one of the most unbelievable military victories in history.

The odds were stacked against them, facing certain death. The Allies had 160,000 troops, 5,000 ships, and 13,000 aircraft.

*** end quote ***

upload_2025-6-6_0-19-23.

How soon we forget.  While “We, The Sheeple” fritter away the advantages they secured for us.  

Homeless vets, a VA hospital system that tries to kill its patients, and perfidious politicians that use “patriotism” to embroil us in the endless creation on new vets are all examples of what’s wrong.

GBA 

—30—


HEALTH: Fried foods are really “greasy”

Friday, June 6, 2025

Personal Observation:

Got some take out last night and it came with French Fries.  My better half today gave me all the fries to break up for the birds.  In the process of doing that, my hands were covered with “grease” and some of it leaked out on the bottom of the dish.  

Yuck!  

I’ve come to the conclusion somewhat very very belatedly, that all that “grease” can’t be good for our health.  Some of it actually congealed at room temperature into globs.  Clearly that can’t be good for veins and arteries.

Now I love McDonald’s French Fries when they are hot as well as KFC.

(Was the name change from Kentucky Fried Chicken to KFC because they took the “chicken” out?)

But no more, too much grease in  anything “fried”?

YMMV FWIW

—30—


GOOGLE: Google photo’s people identification … …

Thursday, June 5, 2025

Google photo’s people identification … …

… … does it, can it, transfer to someone else’s “google photos”? Sort of like how contacts with a gmail account will pick up their contact card image if they have one.  

In my case, I identified all the people I can in my google photos. I’d like to send her a picture of a group shot from a wedding WITH my identification and have her fill in what she knows.

Doesn’t seem like a far fetched request.

I’ve been unable to find any answers.  Would appreciate any meaningful comments.

— 30 —


ENCOURAGING: A local champion and educator for proper childhood nutrition overcomes challenges

Thursday, June 5, 2025

Nurse Swaps Medicine for Mangos After Epiphany: Patients Were Malnourished While Fruit Rots All Around

Nurse Swaps Medicine for Mangos After Epiphany: Patients Were Malnourished While Fruit Rots All Around

By Andy Corbley – May 23, 2025 

*** begin quote ***

In Uganda, a nurse was excited to start practicing medicine, but realized only afterwards that his patients didn’t so much need pharmaceuticals as proper nutrition.

14 years ago in northern Uganda’s Yumbe district, Francis Asiku was riding home from that nursing job having witnessed a four-year-old suffering from acute malnutrition. It was a disturbing experience he admits, but while passing by some mango trees in the village of Midigo, he saw birds feasting on mangos that were rotting on the ground.

A question stopped his pedals and his mind: why were the birds eating that nutritious fruit? Why was it left to rot? The epiphany which followed gave rise to the Mango Project, a local-led initiative to preserve mangoes from the two harvests per years, and get them into the mouths of the least-fortunate children.

*** and ***

“Should we wait for the government to come to our rescue, and yet the situation keeps getting worse?” he remembers asking his earliest colleagues on the Mango Project.

*** and ***

Asiku has become a local champion and educator for proper childhood nutrition, armed with an orchard of 310 hybrid mango trees bred to resist fruit flies and erratic weather. He knows that mangos alone can’t resolve the problem: for example they contain virtually no protein or iron, vitamin B2, B1, choline, or zinc.

So in response to the interest in the project from donations, Asiku managed to squirrel away enough money to afford a solar-powered drier, with which he dries okra and eggplant, adding sources of vitamin K, B1, magnesium, and calcium.

He hopes to obtain a government license to distribute his foods further afield.

*** end quote ***

Amazing what one human can accomplish from a simple observation and follow thru.

I was shocked at his realization that Gooferments really don’t help and often frustrate solutions.

If the fellow had a GOFUNDME, then I’d have chipped in.  A few dollars may translate into saved lives.

Never underestimate the power of one motivated individual.

“Everything is theoretically impossible, until it is done.” — Robert A. Heinlein

“Give me the place to stand, and I shall move the earth.” Attributed to Archimedes of Syracuse (c. 287 BC – c. 212 BC) was a Greek mathematician, philosopher, scientist and engineer. 

This fellow found his lever, his place, and moved the world!

—30—


HEALTHCARE: Amazing that Brain tumour diagnosis could be made within hours

Wednesday, June 4, 2025

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/may/21/brain-tumour-diagnosis-could-be-made-within-hours-say-researchers?utm_campaign=website&utm_medium=email&utm_source=nautilus-newsletter

Cancer research
Brain tumour diagnosis could be made within hours, say researchers
New testing method means treatments could start sooner, possibly before patient leaves the operating table
Nicola Davis Science correspondent
Tue 20 May 2025 19.01 EDT

*** begin quote ***

A new method for diagnosing brain tumours could cut the time patients wait for treatments by weeks to hours and raise the possibility of novel types of therapy, researchers have said.

According to the Brain Tumour Charity, about 740,000 people around the world are diagnosed with a brain tumour each year, around half of which are non-cancerous. Once a brain tumour is found, a sample is taken during surgery and cells are immediately studied under a microscope by pathologists, who can often identify the type of tumour. However, genetic testing helps to make or confirm the diagnosis.

“Almost all of the samples will go for further testing anyway. But for some of them it will be absolutely crucial, because you won’t know what you’re looking at,” said Prof Matthew Loose, a co-author of the research from the University of Nottingham.

Loose noted that in the UK there could be a lag of eight weeks or longer between surgery and the full results of genetic tests, delaying the confirmation of a diagnosis and hence treatment such as chemotherapy.

*** and ***

And there are other possibilities. “If you could identify, as we think we might be able to, the specific tumour type fast enough, and drugs were available that could be administered during surgery directly to the tumour area, then you have opened up a whole new class of potential treatment options,” he said.

In addition, he said, rapid diagnoses could help ensure patients are recruited into relevant clinical trials for new treatments as quickly as possible.

Dr Matt Williams, a consultant oncologist at Imperial College healthcare NHS trust, who was not involved in the work, said while faster diagnoses were welcome and reduced the period of uncertainty for patients, the main question was how the new technology could be used to change care.

“At the moment [intra-operative treatments] don’t really exist, although several groups are working on it ,” he said. “But if [we] want to unlock these approaches, we need to be able to make those diagnoses in the operating theatre to then be able to deploy these treatments.” 

*** end quote ***

Now that’s impressive.  And, it can completely change treatment and outcomes.  At the very least, it can reassure the patients with slow tumors to be reassured and those with fast ones to be expedited. 

And, intra-operative treatments will surely soon follow.

Kudos and congrats to the team.

—30—


BIGOTRY — RELIGIOUS: A private Christian school doesn’t seem very “Christ-like”

Tuesday, June 3, 2025

https://nypost.com/2025/05/24/us-news/georgia-high-school-senior-emily-wright-withdraws-from-north-cobb-christian-school-over-transgender-prom-date/

Georgia high school senior allegedly forced to withdraw from Christian school over transgender prom date — weeks before graduation

By Nicholas McEntyre 

Published May 24, 2025, 5:47 a.m. ET

*** begin quote ***

A Georgia high school senior claims she was forced to withdraw from school weeks before graduation because her prom date was transgender, going against the Christian academy’s values.

Emily Wright feared for her future as her family revealed the tumultuous month she experienced because her guest didn’t meet the standards of North Cobb Christian School, a private preparatory institute in Kennesaw, Georgia, according to Fox 5 Atlanta.

Four weeks before graduation, Wright attended her school’s prom — held at an off-campus venue — where she was allowed to bring a guest who didn’t attend the school, but was threatened with expulsion after the dance.

*** and ***

The senior was questioned for details about her date that would be concerning to the Christian school.

“I was asked, ‘Is there anything we should know about the guest you brought to prom?’ And I knew exactly what they were talking about, so I said, ‘Yes, he’s transgender,’” Wright told the outlet.

The school’s principal then called Tricia Wright to confront her on her knowledge of the date’s gender identity, which the mother confirmed.

*** and ***

Tricia Wright blasted the school for their lack of acceptance to her daughter’s date, saying it went against the institution’s Christian values for the “discriminatory decision.

*** end quote ***

https://www.ncchristian.org/

*** begin quote ***

North Cobb Christian School feels

LIKE HOME

We hear these words continually from parents and students alike. From our founding in 1983 by a few faithful families to today’s thriving student body of over 1,250 learners from K3 through 12th grade on our expansive 55-acre private Christian school campus in Kennesaw, Georgia, NCCS has stayed true to our calling of teaching biblical truth in a uniquely nurturing environment.

*** and ***

Todd Clingman
North Cobb Christian School
4500 Eagle Drive Kennesaw, GA 30144
770.975.0252
tclingman@ncchristian.org

*** end quote ***

I’m sure there are many sides to this one.  

Luke 15:1-32 ESV 

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” So he told them this parable: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. …

and

Mark 10:14 ESV 

But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 

Seems to me, that the School’s leadership blew a great teaching opportunity.

And, I’m going to send them a letter to this effect.

You can take any action you see fit, but I think it should be calm and respectful.

—30—


NEWJERSEY: Three juveniles were charged with felony murder

Monday, June 2, 2025

https://nj1015.com/millville-shooting-tragedy/?lh_aid=84349&lh_cid=zroonokoqd&utm_campaign=3_teens_charged_with_felony_murder&utm_medium=email&utm_source=letterhead&utm_term=nj1015&di=1b5f88f15bc67247b38fad0f2b4a4a61

NJ student killed in suspected planned attack while driving; 3 teens charged with felony murder
Dan Alexander Published: May 22, 2025

*** begin quote ***

✅ The family of Lucas DeGeorge said he was shot Saturday night while driving

✅ Three juveniles were charged with felony murder

✅ The victim was set up, investigators say

MILLVILLE — Three teens have been charged with shooting at a 17-year-old high school junior as he was driving on Saturday night.

The family of Lucas DeGeorge said he was behind the wheel on Washington Street in Millville when a shot was fired, causing him to lose control and crash around 10 p.m.

The Buena Regional High School junior was pronounced dead at Inspira Medical Center Vineland.

*** end quote ***

Sadly this is a trend in crime.  It is like “juveniles” think they are in a video game and some sort of magical reset button will bring back life.

I see it my little one’s world.  Can’t distinguish between movies and games with what happens IRL.

Argh!

I have to believe that “We, The Sheeple” need to recognize that:

  • “I told you that ‘juvenile delinquent’ is a contradiction in terms. ‘Delinquent’ means ‘failing in duty.’ But duty is an adult virtue—indeed a juvenile becomes an adult when, and only when, he acquires a knowledge of duty and embraces it as dearer than the self-love he was born with. There never was, there cannot be a ‘juvenile delinquent.’ But for every juvenile criminal there are always one or more adult delinquents—people of mature years who either do not know their duty, or who, knowing it, fail.” ― Robert A. Heinlein, Starship Troopers 
  • And, “broken windows” aka petty crime  — in criminology, the broken windows theory states that visible signs of crime, antisocial behavior and civil disorder create an urban environment that encourages further crime and disorder, including serious crimes.[1] The theory suggests that policing methods that target minor crimes, such as vandalism, loitering, public drinking and fare evasion, help to create an atmosphere of order and lawfulness.  — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broken_windows_theory

We have to insist that we distinguish between “children” and “juveniles”.  The dividing line can’t be 16, 17, or 18.  But 12/13.  With compassion for children who commit crimes and juveniles who may not get the same punishment as an adult, but severe enough to change their thinking.

Argh!

—30—


DISCOURAGING: Pocket shutting down

Sunday, June 1, 2025

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/future-of-pocket

Pocket is saying goodbye – What you need to know
Last updated: 1 day ago 78% of users voted this helpful

<< EDITOR ADDED DATE 2025-05-23>>

*** begin quote ***

We’ve made the difficult decision to shut down Pocket on July 8, 2025. Thank you for being part of our journey over the years—we’re proud of the impact Pocket has had for our users and communities.

 

*** end quote ***

Argh!

Another free resource bites the dust.

I’ll begin exporting and seeking alternatives. (https://alternativeto.net/software/pocket)

Argh!

 

—30—


RANT: Good bye “penny candy” as the Gooferment forces us to recognize inflation

Saturday, May 31, 2025

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/yourmoney/article-14739561/US-Treasury-gives-final-decisions-pennies-creates-new-problem.html

US Treasury gives final decisions on pennies…. and it creates a new problem
By ALICE WRIGHT FOR DAILYMAIL.COM
Published: 09:45 EDT, 22 May 2025 | Updated: 11:50 EDT, 22 May 2025 

*** begin quote ***

One cent coins will stop entering circulation next year. 

After more than two centuries the US government has finally decided to kill the penny.

The Treasury Department will stop minting new pennies and putting them in to circulation by early next year.

*** end quote ***

Now will “We, The Sheeple” recognize that the Federal Reserve … …

The Federal Reserve Bank is a misnomer. IT ain’t “federal”. It reserves nothing. And, it ain’t a “bank”. It is a private cartel of the elite banks run for their benefit and that of the entrenched politicians.

… … has printed so many “dollars” that the resultant inflation has devalued the “dollar” by 95% since about 1970.

That’s why there is no more “penny candy”, “nickel cigars”, “dime comic books”, or “quarter a gallon gas”.

Remember in history when the dollar was “as good as gold”.  From 1870 to 1913, we had a gold backed dollar and prices went down as the standard of living went up.

Then, arguably, the second or third worst President FDR took the dollar off the gold standard,  allowed the Federal Reserve to take over “money”, and passed the “income tax”.  This started the USA down the road to perdition.

Here’s one of the signs that it’s going to get a lot worse.

Save in gold and silver.  Avoid anything denominated in dollars.  

Beans, Band Aids, Bullets, and Bullion.

Semper Paratus

—30—


HISTORICAL: Narvik: Hitler’s First Defeat

Friday, May 30, 2025

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9737876/

Narvik: Hitler’s First Defeat

2022 1h 48m Drama / History

*** begin quote ***   

April 1940. The eyes of the world are on Narvik, a small town in northern Norway, source of the iron ore needed for Hitler’s war machinery. Through two months of fierce winter warfare, Hitler is dealt his first defeat.

*** end quote ***

From a civilian Mom’s pov.

Essentially, she is faced with a Sophie’s choice decision.

Not to spoil it, you learn that you have to decide for yourself what is your best course of action for you and yours.

Hard to criticize anyone who is not living through the decision.

Politics aside, it also teaches that you can’t trust politicians and bureaucrats!

—30—


ENGINEERING: Almost all of our infrastructure has this corrosion problem

Thursday, May 29, 2025

https://news.mit.edu/2025/allium-engineering-enables-100-year-bridges-corrosion-resistant-steel-0520?utm_source=join1440&utm_medium=email&utm_placement=newsletter&user_id=66c4b9c55d78644b3a882a4d

Startup enables 100-year bridges with corrosion-resistant steel

  • Allium Engineering, founded by two MIT alumni, has developed a process for improving steel rebar to triple the lifetime of bridges and other infrastructure.

Zach Winn, MIT News

Publication Date: May 21, 2025 

*** begin quote ***

Now Allium Engineering, founded by two MIT PhDs, is tripling the lifetime of bridges and other structures with a new technology that uses a stainless steel cladding to make rebar resilient to corrosion. By eliminating corrosion, infrastructure lasts much longer, fewer repairs are required, and carbon emissions are reduced. The company’s technology is easily integrated into existing steelmaking processes to make America’s infrastructure more resilient, affordable, and sustainable over the next century.

*** and ***

Allium is also experimenting with other cladding materials and composites. Down the line, Jepeal sees Allium’s tech being used for things beyond rebar like train tracks, steel beams, and pipes. But he stresses the company’s focus on rebar will keep it busy for the foreseeable future.

“Almost all of our infrastructure has this corrosion problem, so it’s the biggest problem we could imagine solving with our set of skills,” Jepeal says. “Tunnels, bridges, roads, industrial buildings, power plants, chemical factories — all of them have this problem.”

*** end quote ***

Considering that the Gooferment is up to “its elbows” in bridge construction, it’s no wonder that the bridges are falling down.  If an entrepreneur was “selling bridges”, then we would have bridges that would last virtually forever.  But politicians and bureaucrats have no incentive to solve the problems of the world. 

Argh!

—30—


BITCOIN: OPSEC with your ₿itcoin holdings

Wednesday, May 28, 2025

https://blog.bitbox.swiss/en/dont-talk-about-your-bitcoin/?utm_source=brevo&utm_campaign=BitBoxNewsEN039&utm_medium=email

Bitcoin

Don’t talk about your bitcoin!

Why operational security and being mindful with whom you share information is an important aspect of Bitcoin security.

Sebastian

22 May 2025 • 6 min read

*** begin quote ***

Avoid bragging

Putting the altruistic idea of peer-to-peer cash aside, Bitcoin has been a great asset to own over the last few years when it comes to return on investment. Many have purchased their coins at significantly lower prices than we see today, and some may even consider themselves rich now – and that’s great!

However, this high financial success can also result in a need to share the story with family members, friends or even strangers. First and foremost, you should be aware of when this “desire to brag” comes up and stay on top of it. It may be perfectly fine to share the fact that you own bitcoin with a close friend, but it may be out-of-line to share how much bitcoin you own with a stranger in a café, where even more strangers might be listening in. Of course, this entirely depends on your personal situation and how you value your privacy at any given moment.

In any case, bragging about your wealth is rarely a good idea, especially in front of strangers. The main reason for this is how difficult it can be to accurately predict what the other person is gonna do with the information that, for example, you “own six figures in bitcoin”. They may forget it five minutes later, but they might also start to envy you, develop negative feelings – or in the worst case, come up with a plan on how to get a slice of the pie!

Even if you do want to tease your friends and family a bit with your “Bitcoin gains”, it’s probably better to do so in a private environment and without revealing too many specifics. This is not to say you shouldn’t trust anyone at all, but to be more aware of who you entrust with what information.

*** end quote ***

No one needs to know about your bitcoin holdings except the executor of your estate.

One of the more interesting USE CASEs of ₿ is the ability to transfer assets without the Gooferment involvement.  And, this is important even if you’re NOT in a Third World Country.  Here in the USA, the IRS wants you to report all capital gains.  Even in ₿!  They have coerced the various Crypto Exchanges to cooperate by rating you out to the IRS under KYC rules.

Remember not your keys; not your coins.  

AND

TRUST NO ONE, EVER.

—30—


LIBERTY: End the TSA and the FAA; let the airlines “do” security

Tuesday, May 27, 2025

https://internationalman.com/articles/the-day-freedom-ends/

The Day Freedom Ends
by Jeff Thomas

<< EDITOR ADDED DATE 2025-05-20>>

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Temporary Becomes Permanent

Sounds Orwellian. And of course, it is. It worked well for others (Messrs. Hitler and Stalin come to mind), and if a population is properly prepped (as Americans have been), it should be accepted. After all, it’s for the sake of safety and will only be temporary, right?

Possibly not. As Milton Friedman so correctly stated, “Nothing is so permanent as a temporary government program.” So, if the above premise seems to the reader to be the logical outcome of the present direction of the government, what of the timing? Well, if we observe the rapidity at which the US is implementing its controls and we hazard a guess as to when they will become so overbearing that a dramatic event is necessary before full lockdown can be implemented, the reader can make his own guess. A year? Two years? Longer?

*** end quote ***

Seems like a great time to end the TSA.  DOGE likes to nuke whole functions; turn them lose on the TSA.

If El Al can do their own security, why not all the other airlines.

And, while we’re at it, why should Gooferment run airports and Air Traffic Control?  Let’s turn that over to the airlines as well.  #endtheFAA

That’s a lot of overhead that can be better managed that with Gooferment politicians and bureaucrats involved.

I think FedEX and UPS would like to have voice in “air travel” and I bet they are not using obsolete systems on 1950’s hardware and COBOL/CICS.

Argh!

—30—


VETERANS: Never forget what this day is supposed to be about

Monday, May 26, 2025

Words can’t describe the sacrifices made.

—30—


ConspiracyTheories: Jean Paul Luwig or Barak Hussein Obama? SSN# 042-68-4425

Sunday, May 25, 2025

NewsBarron (@Barron🇺🇸) posted: Well, Well, Well,

Jean Paul Luwig or Barak Hussein Obama? SSN# 042-68-4425

An intensive investigation has revealed the identity of the man whose Social Security Number (SSN) is being used by Barak Obama:

Jean Paul Ludwig, who was born in France in 1890,immigrated to the United https://x.com/_newsbarron/status/1924191340201734447?s=51&t=fNifJ9M-EU2FgGneNcz51w

# – # – # – # – # 

On Sun, May 18, 2025 at 10:18 PM My Favorite Luddite wrote:

“Born in Kenya”

[JR: A very succinct statement!]  

# – # – # – # – # 

As a Conspiracy Theorist, I think this a “Likely” and “Political”.

Checking the Conspiracy Theorist “thermometer” — I think it’s overwhelmed by all the myriad of crimes committed by the Political Class. It’s almost like “Conspiracy Theory” fatigue. So many are true and there is never anything done about it.

So, for example, the “autopen” Conspiracy Theory sucks all the “air” out past Conspiracy Theories.

“We, The Sheeple” don’t know what to believe and even if they did believe nothing appears to be able to be done.

Trump just “resurrected” the one about all the Hillary suicides; but, after a brief flash of Twitter outrage, business goes on as usual. Chelsea’s wedding and house grift out of USAID for Haiti gets similarly ignored.

Guess I should create a list on this blog of ConspiracyTheories and a link to my post about them? 

—30—

 

 

 

On Sun, May 18, 2025 at 10:18 PM John Francois <dude51_97@yahoo.com> wrote:

 

    Born in Kenya

 

    Sent from my iPad

 

> On May 18, 2025, at 7:36 PM, reinkefj via gmail <reinkefj@gmail.com> wrote:

>

>      

> _NewsBarron (@Barron🇺🇸) posted: Well, Well, Well,

> Jean Paul Luwig or Barak Hussein Obama? SSN# 042-68-4425

>

> An intensive investigation has revealed the identity of the man whose

> Social Security Number (SSN) is being used by Barak Obama:

>

> Jean Paul Ludwig, who was born in France in 1890,immigrated to the United https://x.com/_newsbarron/status/1924191340201734447?s=51&t=fNifJ9M-EU2FgGneNcz51w


PRODUCTIVITY: Another free dikw (i.e., data, information, knowledge, wisdom) source — free of course

Saturday, May 24, 2025

https://makeuseof.tradepub.com/?

*** begin quote ***

My Library

Browse your personal collection of resources. Hosted content can be accessed by clicking “Open Now.” Content hosted on other sites is marked as “Requested.” Please contact the content creator directly for access.

Windows 11 , ChatGPT, iPhone Help, Gaming Tips, Facebook Help, Avoiding Scams, Emojis Explained, Free Movie Streaming 

*** end quote ***

Require a “work address” but I’m not sure how that’s enforced.

FWIW YMMV

—30—


RANT: “Hard Back Press” and Amazon are selling old scanned books; who has the copyright?

Friday, May 23, 2025

https://www.amazon.com/Line-Mans-Bible-Foot-Ball-Instruction/dp/0371724171?&linkCode=sl1&tag=stucosuccess-20&linkId=bc86c9a014f89e03bf2127d551eb5a42&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

The Line Man’s Bible: a Foot-Ball Text Book of Detailed Instruction Paperback – August 12, 2021

by Ernest Graves (Author)

# – # – # – # – # 

FROM AMAZON

This is a copy of the original book. In this series, we are bringing old books back into print using our own state-of-the-art techniques. Generally, these books are created from careful scans of the original. This allows us to preserve the book accurately and present it in the way that the author intended. However, as we are working with old material, so occasionally there may be certain imperfections within the text. We are so pleased to ensure these classics are available again for generations to come. 

# – # – # – # – # 

Copyright by Ernest Graves in 1921

# – # – # – # – # 

By my understanding, this should now be in the Public Domain.

Yet, “Hard Back Press” and Amazon are selling it.

Are they asserting a copyright?

I’m confused.  Can I take old out of copyright books and sell them as well?

—30—


SURVIVAL: Someone trying to win a “Darwin Award”!

Thursday, May 22, 2025

https://nypost.com/2025/05/16/us-news/tiffany-slaton-survives-getting-lost-in-sierra-nevada-for-3-weeks-thanks-to-unlocked-cabin/

Lost hiker missing for 3 weeks in Calif. mountains survives — thanks to cabin left unlocked for this exact reason
By David Propper 
Published May 16, 2025, 12:47 a.m. ET

*** begin quote ***

A lost hiker missing for three weeks in the California mountains miraculously survived when she stumbled upon an unlocked cabin that had been left open by its owner for this exact situation — and was rescued just in time to celebrate her 28th birthday.

Georgia woman Tiffany Slaton found shelter at a closed resort in the eastern Sierra Nevada range after she was initially reported missing on April 29, authorities said.

*** and ***

He typically leaves the cabin doors open while the resort is closed during the off-season in case a wayward hiker needs a place to crash amid harsh weather conditions like blizzards.

“It’s mainly for people, just as this scenario played out, if they need to hole up in there one of shelter then it’s available,” Gutierrez said.

Slaton, who hails from Jeffersonville in the Peach State, told Gutierrez she survived for weeks solely munching on leeks before the resort owner fed her a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

“It was a blizzard, and she pushed through that blizzard, and the first thing she saw was a cabin,” said Gutierrez. “And she held up in the cabin overnight … this girl was saved for the reason.”

*** end quote ***

Needs more details.  

If you leave the cabin unlocked, then you should leave some food and communications gear.

Happy she survived, but the story is incomplete.

Who goes hiking without gear?

Answer: Someone trying to win a “Darwin Award”!

I hope there is some follow up.

—30—


SOFTWARE: Found a strange software bug but don’t know who to blame

Wednesday, May 21, 2025

SOFTWARE: Found a strange software bug but don’t know who to blame

I downloaded my EKG from MYCHART into my MACOSX Sequoia 15.5 using FIREFOX 138.0.3 (aarch64).

No problem.

Went to attach it to an email.  Problem.  File’s not there?

Fist time in a long time I was befuddled.

Repeat the process.

“Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” — attributed to Einstein, Ben Franklin, and Rita Mae Brown

Same result.

Restart. Rinse and repeat.  Same result.

“Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” — attributed to Einstein, Ben Franklin, and Rita Mae Brown

Try SAFARI version 18.5 (20621.2.5.11.8)

Rinse and repeat.  Same result.

“Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting diffe rent results.” — attributed to Einstein, Ben Franklin, and Rita Mae Brown

Since I echo all my stuff into DROPBOX 224.4.4811 and the file is there as expected.

Attached it to my email and away it goes.

Now really confused.

Go back to FINDER version 15.5 and … …

<drum roll>

It’s there.

Argh!

I don’t know who to blame.

“It is a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma; but perhaps there is a key.”  — Sir Winston Churchill, in a radio broadcast in October 1939

I guess I’ll never know!

—30—