RANT: Dental malpractice insurance rates will go up as a result of this

Saturday, January 3, 2026

https://nypost.com/2025/12/25/us-news/final-photo-of-arizona-man-killed-during-routine-dental-procedure-resurfaces-as-family-settles-wrongful-death-suit/

Final photo of Arizona man killed during routine dental procedure resurfaces as family settles wrongful death suit
By Caitlin McCormack
Published Dec. 25, 2025, 2:24 a.m. ET

*** begin quote ***

A haunting selfie taken by an Arizona man hours before he suffered a fatal brain injury during a routine dental implant procedure has resurfaced as his distraught parents settled his wrongful death lawsuit.

Derek Swanson, 40, took a picture of himself beaming in a dentist’s chair on March 3, 2023. He captioned the photo: “Yesterday, new car. Today, implant! Fun never stops.”

*** and ***

The grieving parents are also looking to amend Arizona law to require a dentist and an anesthetist to be present during dental surgery.

The current laws state that a dentist can perform surgery and administer anesthesia without an anesthetist present so long as they have the proper state permit.

“We would like to not have another family go through what we had to go through and are going through and will be for the rest of our life,” Swanson told the outlet.

*** end quote ***

I bet all the malpractice insurance rates will go up as a result of this.  If I was an insurance company, then I wouldn’t wait for the politicians and bureaucrats to update their diktats.  I’d be reviewing every individual dental procedure insured, as well as every individual practice’s methods for safety and their results.

The free market, if truly free, would have an “instant” feedback loop of price to adjust for risk.

Argh!

Gooferment is immoral, ineffective, and inefficient. As well as untrustworthy.

— 30 — 

 

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DISCOURAGING: Students can only receive money from merit-based financial aid or FAFSA.

Sunday, December 28, 2025

https://nypost.com/2025/12/27/sports/ncaa-bans-augsburg-university-cross-country-star-mohammed-bati-over-6000-donation-for-tuition/

Minnesota college running star Mohammed Bati says he was banned for accepting $6K donation to pay for tuition
By Nicholas McEntyre
Published Dec. 27, 2025, 5:26 a.m. ET

*** begin quote ***

The NCAA ruled Augsburg University senior Mohammed Bati — a two-time national runner-up — ineligible for the indoor and outdoor track seasons, the decorated runner said, according to Marathon Handbook on Friday.

The 26-year-old, who is majoring in nursing, revealed he was “struggling a lot with money” last semester at the private Minneapolis school, which is part of the NCAA’s Division III.

“The community around me came together to support me,” Bati wrote on the training platform Strava on Dec. 24. “People helped me with around $6,000 so I could pay for that semester. I’m still grateful for that it was love, it was support, not anything big or business or something bad. Just people helping someone who needed it.”

Division III schools are prohibited from awarding scholarships for athletics. Students can only receive money from merit-based financial aid or FAFSA.

Student-athletes in Division III are not allowed to accept outside financial assistance that pays for tuition unless it fits into the structure of financial aid or NIL guidelines.

“I don’t think some NCAA rules are fair to everyone,” Bati wrote in the post titled “Night Run.”

*** end quote ***

Sorry but the NCAA “rules” are just dumb in this case.

I don’t understand the “rules” and who cares down at Division III.

Argh!

— 30 —

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RANT: NYJETS suddenly find a “rule book” when they might have to pay off

Thursday, December 25, 2025

https://nypost.com/2025/12/25/us-news/jets-cancel-invite-to-super-fan-set-to-take-100k-field-goal-challenge-in-honor-of-dad/

Jets cancel invite to super fan set to take $100K field goal challenge in honor of her late father: ‘Could have made it’
By Alex Mitchell
Published Dec. 25, 2025, 7:00 a.m. ET

*** begin quote ***

(Ashley Castanio-Gervasi) felt ready to kick. But then the Jets pulled the ball away from her like Charlie Brown in a “Peanuts” cartoon, when they suddenly said that she was actually not eligible to kick in the final contest for the six-figure prize.

*** end quote ***

Sorry, but finding a “rule” at the 11th hour stinks.

I have no problem with them making whatever rule they want, but not deep into the competition.

Argh!

— 30 —

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GUNS: If we respected people’s constitutional right, and provided practical means for citizens to exercise that right … … 

Monday, December 22, 2025

https://nypost.com/2025/11/20/us-news/queens-senior-citizen-who-fatally-shot-would-be-mugger-headed-to-prison-for-four-years/

Metro
Senior citizen who saved himself from would-be mugger is heading to prison because of NYC’s ‘draconian’ laws
By Kevin Sheehan and Ben Kochman
Published Nov. 20, 2025, 5:16 p.m. ET

*** begin quote ***

A Queens senior citizen who shot dead a man who tried to rob him will spend four years in prison after admitting to toting an unlicensed revolver — as his lawyer ripped the city’s “draconian” gun laws.

Charles Foehner, 67, pleaded guilty to one count of criminal weapons possession Thursday in a deal to end his case more than two years after he fatally shot would-be thief Cody Gonzalez, who charged at him near his Kew Gardens home.

The Queens District Attorney’s Office chose not to prosecute Foehner, a retired doorman, for Gonzalez’s killing after he told cops that he’d defended himself from a mugger who lunged at him late at night holding what looked like a knife — but which turned out to be a pen

Foehner was not charged with manslaughter after claiming self-defense, but pleaded guilty to a lesser gun charge.  But prosecutors slapped Foehner with a slew of weapons raps for the unlicensed handgun and for an arsenal of illicit handguns, revolvers and rifles inside his home in the quiet neighborhood. 

*** and ***

“If we respected people’s constitutional right, and provided practical means for citizens to exercise that right, Mr. Foehner would not be in the position he is in today,” Kenniff added.

*** end quote ***

So, let me understand this, the Queens DA Melinda Katz didn’t prosecute a “hard to win” case but did prosecute an “easy to win” one and insisted on a harsh punishment.

Sounds like “prosecutorual misconduct” to me.

Buffing up the old political resume and punishing self-defense.

Without allowing “self-defense”, “We, The Sheeple” has no defense against career criminals and the crazy insane that are allowed to roam at will.

Fighting this injustice is a just a war of attrition against a Gooferment bureaucrat with unlimited funds.

One would hope that:

  • the Queens voters would put a curse on the Queens DA Melinda Katz at the next election.  
  • And, that Queens DA jurors would “inflict” justice on their prosecutions by jury nullification of the top count in EVERY trial.
  • Additionally, Queens residents should lodge Bar Complaints on EVERY lawyer in the Queens District Attorney’s Office
  • Badger the Governor Kathy Hochul to correct this miscarrage of justice
  • Everyone should vote against EVERY incumbent lawmaker in New York City and Albany who have “repeatedly frustrated the rights of law-abiding Americans, New Yorkers, that possess firearms.  All candidates should be questioned on this issue.

That should get the attenton of ALL current and potential politicians and bureaucrats.

Where is the Federal Gooferment’s politicians and bureaucrats standing up for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms.  At the very least, federal funds for “law enforcement”  should be impounded until rights are restored.

— 30 —

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HEALTHCARE: Died from anaphylactic shock after CT dye

Sunday, August 31, 2025

https://nypost.com/2025/08/25/world-news/law-graduate-leticia-paul-dies-at-22-after-routine-ct-scan/

Law graduate Leticia Paul dies at 22 after routine CT scan
By Richard Pollina  —  Published Aug. 25, 2025, 3:05 a.m. ET

*** begin quote ***

A young, thriving Brazilian lawyer tragically died after suffering a severe allergic reaction during a routine CT scan.

Leticia Paul, 22, suffered an anaphylactic shock on Wednesday while undergoing a contrast-enhanced CT scan at Alto Vale Regional Hospital in Rio do Sul, according to G1.

The fatal reaction was triggered by the contrast dye injected before the scan. 

*** and ***

Anaphylactic shock is a sudden and life-threatening allergic reaction that can cause airway constriction, throat swelling, a sharp drop in blood pressure, and other severe symptoms, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Urgent medical care is needed to avoid fatal outcomes.

*** end quote ***

This is so sad.  No indication that anyone did anything wrong. 

I guess that the treatment guidelines will need to be revised for (I assume) first time dye recipients?

So young.  

Argh!

— 30 —

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SURVIVAL: Children should ALWAYS have a way to communicate with their parents or guardians

Saturday, July 19, 2025

https://nypost.com/2025/07/10/us-news/camp-mystic-cabins-were-in-known-flood-zone-despite-recent-5m-overhaul/?utm_source=sailthru

Almost 20 Camp Mystic cabins were in known flood zone — despite recent $5M overhaul of century-old site
By Anthony Blair
Published July 10, 2025, 4:05 p.m. ET

​*** begin quote ***

In addition, many of the campers and counselors didn’t have their phones on them, as the children were not allowed access to any technology, camp counselor Nancy Clement, 18, told the Times.

*** end quote ***

I think that children should ALWAYS have a way to communicate with their parents or guardians. Argh! I’m well aware of all the negatives of “having a cell phone” in screen-free “zones”, but I think the alternative — being out of touch with the world — is much worse.

— 30 —

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GOVERNACIDE: ‘Flash Flood Alley’ warning system was considered “too expensive”

Thursday, July 17, 2025

https://nypost.com/2025/07/07/us-news/texas-officials-scrapped-flash-flood-alley-warning-system-before-27-kids-killed-at-camp-mystic-because-it-was-too-expensive/

Texas officials scrapped ‘Flash Flood Alley’ warning system before 27 killed at Camp Mystic — because it was too expensive
By Anthony Blair
Published July 7, 2025, 8:45 a.m. ET

*** begin quote ***

But the county, which has an annual budget of around $67 million, lost out on a bid to secure a $1 million grant to fund the project in 2017, county commission meeting minutes show.

Instead, local officials relied on a word-of-mouth system to pass messages about raging floodwaters downriver from the camps upstream.

In a recent interview, Rob Kelly, the Kerr County judge and its most senior elected official, said residents were hesitant about the high cost of a warning system.

*** end quote ***

Sure, blame it on “the residents”!  Argh!

I’d like to go line by line through that budget and see all the stuff that was NOT “too expensive”.

How about the cost of the “rescue and recovery”?  What do you think the parents of those children would think about “too expensive”.  Bet the Insurance Companies aren’t happy with that trade off either.

No consideration of “User Fees” or “Special Project Zone”.  

Argh!

— 30 —

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SURVIVAL: Disney Cruise passengers – father and daughter – went overboard

Wednesday, July 9, 2025

https://nypost.com/2025/07/01/us-news/disney-cruise-passenger-describes-terrifying-moment-a-father-and-daughter-went-overboard/

Disney Cruise passenger describes terrifying moment a father and daughter went overboard

# – # – # – # – # 

​I don’t know if I would jump over. It’s probably one of those “reaction” to stimuli — in USAF survival skrule, we were taught that in a crisis, 80% of people will “freeze”, 15% will “panic”, and 5% (or less) will immediately take effective personal action due to prior planning or training. We had to tread water for 60 minutes although we were allowed to use our pants as a life jacket as we were trained. Not sure I could do that now. Kudos to the crew and cruise line for being prepared for an accident or a drunken fool.

— 30 —

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SURVIVAL: Due to that unprepared hiker’s age, she would not be qualified for a Darwin Award.

Wednesday, July 2, 2025

https://nypost.com/2025/06/24/us-news/hiker-suffers-hypothermia-during-trek-on-new-englands-highest-peak-amid-east-coast-heat-wave/

Hiker suffers hypothermia during trek on New England’s highest peak amid East Coast heat wave
By Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, Fox News 
Published June 24, 2025, 8:21 p.m. ET

*** begin quote ***

In a striking contrast to the sweltering heat gripping much of the East Coast, a 55-year-old hiker from Texas was rescued in frigid and treacherous conditions Friday evening from the high peaks of New Hampshire’s White Mountains.

Caroline Wilson, 55, of Austin, Texas, was found hypothermic and unresponsive on the Gulfside Trail, approximately one mile north of the Cog Railway tracks, while hiking Mount Washington, New England’s highest peak, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department said in a release.

The department said Wilson became incapacitated during the hike, prompting her husband to call 911 at 5 p.m. He told authorities that she could no longer move or communicate.

*** and ***

The White Mountains can be pretty unforgiving,” she said. “Weather changes here in a flash.” Photos from the scene of the rescue captured the misty environment and steep rocky terrain.

New Hampshire Fish and Game Department conservation officers, along with volunteers from Androscoggin Valley Search and Rescue, Pemigewassett Valley Search and Rescue, Mountain Rescue Service and personnel from the Mount Washington Cog Railway, mounted a complex response in severe alpine conditions to rescue Wilson.

*** end quote ***

Again, another unprepared hiker not ready for “severe hypothermia” in the middle of a heat wave.  Gets cold and wet in the mountains.  

And, from personal experience, I saw those conditions twice.  

First, in USAF Survival School, at ground level somewhere in the Idaho Montana forrest, we had hiked a few miles (maybe five) on a hot fall afternoon.  We camped out (think of a bunch of city boys playing Boy Scouts) and it start to rain.  The temperature dropped like a rock (Say 30 degrees) and everyone was cold, wet, and hungry.  Oh what fun!  At the debriefing from the “exercise”, the Senior Chief asked what we learned.  After eliminating the profanity, his message was “be prepared for the weather to change on a dime, Mother Nature ain’t your Mom”.  A lesson I soon forgot.

Second, a decade later, in Switzerland, as a tourist, we took ride to a (short) mountain by tram for five bucks a head and when we got out at a few thousand feet up, it was <synonym for the act of procreation> COLD.  I got the pleasure of buying a (one size too small) sweater at the Gift Shop at a premium price (which I donated before we left).  I remember that Senior Chief saying “I told you so!”.

Due to that unprepared hiker’s age, she would not be qualified for a Darwin Award.  But Mother Nature is not very strict about the award rules when handing out death sentences.  Again, look at all the resources used to save her.  Who pays?

—30—

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RANT: Hey, “kill the ump” isn’t even acceptable these days

Sunday, June 29, 2025

https://nypost.com/2025/06/25/sports/diamondbacks-ketel-marte-cries-on-field-after-fans-disturbing-comments/

Diamondbacks’ Ketel Marte cries on field in heartbreaking scene after fan’s disturbing comments
By Mitch Fink 
Published June 25, 2025, 8:36 a.m. ET

​*** begin quote ***
“I hope MLB can do something with that guy. I don’t know who it was, but they’ve got to do something. We can’t continue to do that [expletive] here in MLB … he should be banned, for sure. Everybody knows Ketel lost his mom. She was the world to him.”
*** end quote ***

I’d hope that MLB would ban this bozo fan for a decade. Hey, “kill the ump” isn’t even acceptable these days. I think that the “bread and circuses” crowd has lost all public decency. Cheer, boo, whatever, but personal slurs are, or should be, severely punished.

Same with verbal and physical assaults at ANY sporting event should be prosecuted to the full extent of the local law. It’s a real “HATE” crime. (Even though as a little L libertarian, I don’t believe in “hate enhanced penalties”.)

I can’t imagine how I’d react if I was really focused on my job and performing it to the best of my ability and someone came up behind me and yelled slurs about my sainted past wife.  I’d probably try and deck the guy.

Argh!

—30—

UPDATE: 2025-Jun-30 

https://1057thehawk.com/ixp/385/p/branchburg-youth-baseball-umpire-assault/

*** begin quote ***

Read More: Major win for youth umpire punched by coach at NJ baseball game | https://1057thehawk.com/ixp/385/p/branchburg-youth-baseball-umpire-assault/?utm_source=tsmclip&utm_medium=referral

In March 2023, he was sentenced to five years’ probation. He also had to complete five months of anger management counseling, NJ.com reported.

*** end quote ***

FJR: No jail time? To light IMHO.

— 30 —

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SURVIVAL: Another person is almost a Darwin Award winner

Friday, June 27, 2025

https://nypost.com/2025/06/24/us-news/hiker-rescued-after-falling-out-of-tree-and-getting-lost-in-washington-woods-for-nearly-a-week/

Hiker rescued after falling out of tree and getting lost in Washington woods for nearly a week
By Caitlin McCormack 
Published June 24, 2025, 7:02 p.m. ET

*** begin quote ***

A hiker survived nearly a week lost in the woods of Washington state, including a fall from a tree, and was finally saved after someone heard his desperate cries for help.

*** and ***

The man’s calls in the woods of Suquamish were heard by a nearby tribe member who called 911 on Saturday around 12:30 a.m. to alert authorities, the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Office said.

Rescue workers attending to an injured person. 3

A hiker was rescued after spending four or five days lost in the woods in Washington. Kitsap County Sheriff

When a sheriff’s deputy arrived, he too heard a “faint, distressful voice coming from the woods from a man saying he had fallen from a tree,” the office wrote in a Facebook post.

The deputy quickly helped form a search party with assistance from the Washington Explorer Search and Rescue, Kitsap Search Dogs, Olympic Mountain Rescue, and the Suquamish Tribal Police Department.

*** end quote ***

Another person is almost a Darwin Award winner!

Unprepared for a day in the woods; let alone a week.  Sorry but Mother Nature doesn’t forgive foolishness easily.  Look at the number of organizations, amount of human hours, and just the sheer effort.  Who pays for all that?

No compass, no map, no cell phone … …. I could go on and list all the things that he should have had.  Not the least of which is a hiking buddy.

Hiking alone is a sure fire way of winning that Darwin Award!

—30—

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RANT: Red Sox fans fume over Rafael Devers trade — Any taxes due?

Friday, June 20, 2025

https://nypost.com/2025/06/16/sports/red-sox-fans-fume-over-rafael-devers-trade-with-100m-conspiracy-theory/

Red Sox fans fume over Rafael Devers trade with $100M conspiracy theory

By Ryan Giancola 

Published June 16, 2025, 9:37 a.m. ET

*** begin quote ***

The owner of the Red Sox, John Henry, also owns the Premier League-winning soccer team Liverpool.

Simmons hinted on X that the possible motive behind the trade was to help finance the newest transfer to Liverpool, Florian Wirtz. Liverpool reportedly paid his former club $100 million for the midfielder.

Devers is in the third season of a 10-year, $313 million contract and had been at odds with the team this spring training, after he was moved from third base to DH for the newly signed Alex Bregman.

*** end quote ***

Good for the Yankees? 

It’s all about $.  Who cares what the rubes think?  They will just keep spending their money on these circuses.

My question is “Is that taxable”?   Short term capital gains, long term capital gains, sales tax?

—30—

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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—

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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—

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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—

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ENCOURAGING: a team of ~50 make a “triple play”

Friday, May 9, 2025

https://nypost.com/2025/05/07/health/10-year-old-heart-transplant-patient-saves-lives-of-two-toddlers/

Hero 10-year-old heart transplant patient pays it forward — to save the lives of two toddlers
By Diana Bruk  — Published May 7, 2025, 6:00 a.m. ET

*** begin quote ***

Doctors at New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital performed an extremely rare series of surgeries in July that changed the lives of three children forever. 

A heart from a deceased donor was transplanted into 10-year-old Hend Almesafri, who paid it forward by then providing her pulmonary valve to John Catoliato, 2, and her aortic valve to Teddy Carter, 3. 

*** end quote ***

Again a team of ~50 make a “triple play” IMHO.  Three beautiful babies all getting a new lease on a real life without the future of more surgeries in the future.

Really amazing.

Just goes to show you what humans are capable of when someone really “makes it happen”.

I don’t care what it cost because it’s time, attention, and resources well spent.

Now let’s focus on the “lessons learned” and AAR (after action reports).  

How can we as a society of caring responsible adults make this the norm rather than the “news”?

I pray this inspires everyone to look around to make their own “miracles”.

Dona Nobis Pacem

—30—

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GOVEROTRAGEOUS: Once wildlife center should always be a wildlife center

Monday, May 5, 2025

https://nypost.com/2025/05/02/business/six-flags-america-shutting-down-maryland-amusement-park-in-portfolio-revamp/

Six Flags America shutting down Maryland park — home of one of the oldest roller coasters in US — in ‘portfolio’ revamp: ‘Deeply disappointing’
By Nicholas McEntyre
Published May 2, 2025, 4:26 a.m. ET

*** begin quote ***

The land was originally used as a wildlife center created by former presidential candidate Ross Perot in 1974.

*** end quote ***

Why did the wildlife center get replaced?  And, why not put it back?

Not everything is about “development” and “tax revenue”!

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RANT: Lotto tries to welch on a winning ticket

Saturday, March 29, 2025

https://nypost.com/2025/03/25/us-news/mystery-winner-of-83-5m-lottery-may-never-see-her-money/

Mystery winner of whopping $83.5M lottery may never see her money — due to a sudden technicality

By Isabel Keane   —  Published March 25, 2025, 9:53 a.m. ET

*** begin quote ***

A Texas woman with a winning $83.5 million lottery ticket may never get her mega payout because officials are investigating the app she used.

The woman, who has not been publicly identified, bought $20 worth of Texas Lotto tickets for the Feb. 17 drawing on the app Jackpocket — a lottery courier service state lawmakers are now trying to ban.

*** end quote ***

Why is the Gooferment involved in gambling in the first place?

And, if the “courier service” is a legal business now, what’s the problem?

Will the State refund all the tickets purchased thru the app?

I don’t think so.

And, economics experts have all pointed out that these State run games are a tax on the poor.  As well as provide lucrative “jobs” for Gooferment bureaucrats.

Like so many other things run by the Gooferment, the private sector could do it better and give the players a better prompter payout.

Argh!

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SURVIVAL: Get out of bad weather road conditions

Friday, February 21, 2025

https://nypost.com/2025/02/13/us-news/about-100-cars-and-trucks-involved-in-oregon-highway-pileup/

100 vehicles involved in Oregon highway pileup in treacherous whiteout conditions
By David Propper 
Published Feb. 13, 2025, 10:40 p.m. ET

*** begin quote ***

A highway pileup involving 100 vehicles, including big rigs, grinded an Oregon highway to a destructive halt during a nasty whiteout snowstorm Thursday, according to authorities.

The series of crashes caused a SUV fire and closed a part of Interstate-84 where numerous drivers and passengers were trapped in their vehicles late morning, the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office said.

*** and ***

The conditions were so treacherous the Oregon Department of Transportation closed the highway in both directions between La Grande and Baker City – a stretch of roughly 50 miles between the two cities.

“Closures are due to blowing and drifting snow with visibility less than 500 feet,” the state DOT wrote before later reopening that section. 

*** end quote ***

Lucky that no one was killed or seriously injured.  First rule in survival training was “AWARENESS”.

Did these folks not realize the danger of the weather?

Visibility of less than 500 feet didn’t happen because the weather gods waved a magic wand.  I’ve driven some costal roads, even in Oregon, and fog can be just around the next bend.

At 30 MPH, and 10 second reaction time, you’ve used up your 500 feet.  

And, seriously who goes 30?

The other night was a passenger in car and all the drivers in the car thought 15 was fast.  Yet we were being passed by drivers doing far in excess of 50.  No way they could stop on an ice covered road.  Even at 15, we could all feel the slip of the tires on gentle curves.

I guess I’m getting old.  But, I think drivers in the Pepuls Republik of Nu Jerzee are all insane!

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INTERESTING: “America’s Checkbook” is an interesting idea, but may not satisfy a “deep dive”

Wednesday, February 19, 2025

https://nypost.com/2025/02/11/opinion/make-doge-stick-let-taxpayers-monitor-americas-checkbook/

 Make the DOGE revolution stick: Let Musk and taxpayers reveal what’s really in America’s checkbook

By John Hart 

Published Feb. 11, 2025, 6:29 p.m. ET

*** begin quote ***

A federal judge’s decision to bar Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency from reviewing the Treasury Department’s payment system is most likely a temporary setback — but it illustrates the urgent need to secure a permanent win for transparency.

Progressives are panicking because their 100-year, largely successful assault on American constitutional government is in danger of being reversed.

Thanks to Musk’s wise plan to follow the money, he has a historic opportunity to mount a coup — not on behalf of himself or President Trump, but for We the People.

*** and ***

Crowd-sourcing oversight will shift the balance of power away from the bureaucracy and back to individuals.   

“America’s Checkbook” will give citizens a megaphone and silence critics.

It will prove our leaders’ confidence in the wisdom of We the People, our system of checks and balances and the genius of America’s founders.

John Hart is the chief executive officer of Open the Books and the former communications director for US Sen. Tom Coburn.

*** end quote ***

Not sure how that could possibly work but I like the idea.

But I’m a like foggy on the usefulness of:

“Check #, Payee Joe Blow, Amount 1B$”

But it should give investigative journalists a lead.  (If there are any such left? Other than Sharyl Attkisson and James O’Keefe.

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ECONOMICS: Economics teaches that monopolies don’t last

Sunday, February 16, 2025

https://nypost.com/2025/02/07/business/investors-take-aim-at-nba-with-plans-to-create-5b-basketball-league/

Investors take aim at NBA with plans to create $5B basketball league: ‘Opportunity is massive’
By Reuters 
Published Feb. 7, 2025 Updated Feb. 7, 2025, 5:54 p.m. ET

*** begin quote ***

A group of investors are looking to create a new basketball league that will span Asia and Europe to one day rival the NBA, with Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund as a strategic partner and Swiss bank UBS serving as an adviser.

The Financial Times reported that the $5 billion basketball competition plans to create six men’s teams and six women’s teams that will compete in eight host cities.

*** end quote ***

​Interesting. The NBA is a “monopoly”. Economics teaches that monopolies don’t last since competition seeks to “eat their lunch”. Here’s real life proof of that economic ‘lesson”.

From Standard Oil on to every other attempt to corner the market, we see monopolies destroyed without Gooferment intervention almost immediately after they come into being.  Remember Standard Oil went from 100% market share to under 70% in a decade due to competition.  And, then the Gooferment got involved.

The only way you can have a monopoly today is with a Gooferment grant of immunity.  Like Baseball, the Post Office, or Amtrak.  And, it usually comes with subsidies (i.e., why does the Gooferment build NFL stadiums?) that return to the politicians and bureaucrats as payoffs (i.e., campaign contributions).

 In the end, the Taxpayers and the Customers get <synonym for the act of procreation>!

Argh!

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GUNS: Old man kills a young robber — so sad for all involved

Monday, February 10, 2025

https://nypost.com/2025/02/02/world-news/moment-78-year-old-fatally-shoots-teenager-trying-to-rob-him-in-argentina/

Shocking video shows 78-year-old fatally shoot teenager who tried to rob him in Argentina
By Ronny Reyes 
Published Feb. 2, 2025, 9:13 p.m. ET

*** begin quote ***

A 78-year-old retiree shot and killed a 15-year-old boy who tried to rob him outside his home in Buenos Aires, Argentina, shocking video shows.

*** and ***

The teenager, who was described by a friend online as a “great person,” was holding a fake gun meant to resemble a gray .22-caliber mini Bersa Thunder, Page 12 reported.

*** and ***

Local prosecutor Diego Rulli, who is in charge of the case, will not seek charges against the 78-year-old man, who he said acted in clear self-defense with a weapon that he is licensed to carry and use.

*** end quote ***

It seems like a gang related crime and a case of “kill or be killed”.

Fake gun or not, in the heat of the moment, the old man really had no choice.

I can’t imaging how he must feel especially after finding out it was a fake gun and a teenager.

FAFO is the common refrain we hear these days and this is an example of the “FO” part.

Can not fathom the depth of evil that this teenager go into.

Guess that this will put a damper on car jackings.

As I’ve blogged before:

“I particularly like unlimited concealed carry. If the criminal regards the general public as sheep to be shorn, then let’s sprinkle in a few “sheepdogs” with big teeth in the flock.

Guess which gay to bash? Buzz, wrong, you picked a Pink Pistol and you’re dead!

Guess which woman to bash? Buzz, wrong, you picked a Paxton Quigly and you’re dead!

Guess which brown person to bash? Buzz, wrong, you picked a Massad Ayoob and you’re dead!”

https://reinkefaceslife.com/2006/11/02/guns-lets-sprinkle-in-a-few-sheepdogs-with-big-teeth-in-the-flock/
GUNS: Let’s sprinkle in a few “sheepdogs” with big teeth in the flock
Thursday, November 2nd, 2006 at 20:26

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ENCOURAGING: Kate Middleton looks like she’s enjoying just doing something normal

Saturday, February 8, 2025

https://nypost.com/2025/02/06/entertainment/royal-family-live-updates-news-photos-feb-6/

Royal family live updates: Kate Middleton pairs up with girl, 5, on field trip who has no idea she’s a princess
By Sarah Ng, Kaydi Pelletier and Nika Shakhnazarova 
Updated Feb. 7, 2025, 6:28 a.m. ET

# – # – # – # – # 

Maybe I’m a sucker for a photo op, but the lady looks like she was just having bit of fun doing something “normal”.  I’m sure that the security was really tight wvwn though it was “invisible”.  And the children had no idea something special was happening.  

And, Kate Middleton has a beautiful smile and an air of Noblesse oblige.

Again, she makes you forget just how evil and expensive “monarchy” is.

—30—

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DISCOURAGING: The Kanye West and Bianca Censori publicity stunt sets a new low in taste and class

Monday, February 3, 2025

https://nypost.com/2025/02/03/entertainment/why-kanye-west-bianca-censori-decided-to-cause-a-stir-on-grammys-2025-red-carpet/?lctg=6080ba40747925275a09dcd3

Why Kanye West and Bianca Censori decided to cause an ‘outrageous’ stir on Grammys red carpet

By Nika Shakhnazarova 

Published Feb. 3, 2025, 8:07 a.m. ET

*** begin quote ***

And while the ordeal may have seemed like it was an impromptu decision made by the married couple, Hollywood PR expert Quincy Dash believes that the move was carefully thought out by the “Vultures” rapper ahead of time.

“They’re in a business called showbusiness,” Dash, founder of PR firm Quincy Dash Co., exclusively told The Post. “What Kanye understands better than any other celebrity or talent is the game of public relations. His strategy is that all press is good press, and there’s no such thing as bad publicity.”

“While we are thinking, ‘Oh wow, this is crazy. What is she doing?’ she is actually going to gain as much as he is, because prior to their relationship, no one knew who she was. Fast forward to today, everyone knows her. She’s getting fame, recognition, and soon she will transition to be able to do what she wants to do,” he said, adding, “It’s a crazy strategy, but it works.”

*** end quote ***

They both should be “cancelled”.  

Laugh!

It’s shameful behavior.

Hopefully it sends their “brands” into the trash bin of history.

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VOCABULARY: ‘future-faking’ — making promises to their partner that they have no sincere intent on making true

Sunday, January 19, 2025

https://nypost.com/2025/01/12/lifestyle/psychologist-warns-future-faking-is-subtle-narcissistic-behavior/

Beware ‘future-faking’ — this common relationship behavior is actually narcissistic manipulation: expert
By Eric Todisco 
Published Jan. 12, 2025, 12:49 p.m. ET

*** begin quote ***

Partners who do this should be left in the past.

Los Angeles-based psychologist Dr. Ramani Durvasula made a YouTube video with a dire warning about “future-faking,” a common manipulation tactic used by narcissists in romantic relationships.

Future-faking involves a person making promises to their partner that they have no sincere intent on making true.

*** and ***

She noted that society “didn’t talk about narcissism until relatively recently in the way that we do now,” so many people who are in their 40s and older “are tolerating toxic relationships but didn’t have any word or model for it.”

*** end quote ***

Interesting that not having word or model for a behavior prevents humans from recognizing it.  Never thought of that concept.  It’s like another “window” in the Johari window Quadrant 3  — “what I can’t see that others can”.  

Have to think about that?

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FUN: Cute — a little dumb — what if she said no?

Saturday, January 18, 2025

https://nypost.com/2025/01/11/sports/knicks-fan-proposes-to-girlfriend-at-thunder-game/

Knicks fan proposes to girlfriend at Thunder game in OKC: ‘I could have gotten booed’

By Angela Barbuti 

Published Jan. 11, 2025, 9:01 a.m. ET

*** begin quote ***

Diehard Knicks fan Joseph DeSimone popped the question to his girlfriend Erica Vann on the Kiss Cam in Oklahoma City as the team took on the Thunder in a clash of NBA heavyweights last Friday. 

*** end quote ***

I thought this was funny.  Clearly she might have said “no”.  Not sure what you do then.  Propose to each and every cheerleader.  Even the male ones?  Maybe the mascot.

Anyway it all worked out for the happy couple and I hope they have a long and great life.  One can only hope.  

Maazel Toff!

—30—

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