What? SNow in April? There it is: 2'-4' of powder to enhance the experience of Spring skiing in Tahoe. This late storm will top all recent snow pack measurements by the State water resource folks from down Sacramento way. Interstate 80 was closed down this week for a few hours due to conditions brought on by ; SNOW!
TAhoma welcomes the powder even though it doesn't help much in the village.
Oh, sure. We don't need all those workers. Stephen Miller, et al, architects of Project 2025 plan to reduce government spending to pay for tax breaks for billionaires, have taken the sledgehammer to a very populist program here in the US. It's called Social Security designed and implemented by Franklin D. Roosevelt. It has been a blessing for seniors ever since, reducing poverty in retirement and providing a dependable benefit for workers of all groups in the USA.
So, now what is happening is a reduction in the work force that operates the program to include staffing levels, program information availability, and contact information phone lines. Today, it has been reported that wait times on the phone can be 100 hours. Seems excessive. Also, even on the internet, the system has problems now and signals indicate a shutdown/breakdown. trump appointee, Leland Dudek, is focused on denying benefits to the State of Maine, Sen. Susan Collins state. She has already made phone calls to reverse some of the partisan order from Dudek.
These repercussions were predicted. These problems were anticipated and Terumpie's stooges were advised accordingly. Did his hand -picked staff do their homework? Did they tell Trumppie what would happen on Day 1 of new policies? Did anyone with a brain listen? Does anyone in the White House know anything? Hmmmmm.
All Aboard, the "SHIP OF FOOLS" is departing asap for ports unknown. Don't forget your luggage.
In the ongoing campaign by the White House to deflect attention from itself, the Secretary of HHS, the certified Crazy, Robert Kennedy, began the physical assault on the health of a nation, the assault on the world's greatest nation, the magnet for the entire world. He's firing over 10,000 employees he deems surplus to the needs of a system rife with bloat and inefficiency.
So, when in doubt, fire the masses. These 10's of thousands will descend on the unemployment offices scattered about the urban landscapes wherever they are found. The bewildered searchers will ask for assistance and be told, "Get in line, and remain silent until your number is called.
Welcome to Amerika.
So, we have the popular politician and political leader of the Far right conservatives guilty of criminal activity. Ms. La Pen was convicted of the misuse of EU funds for her own use, campaign funding. Approx. $4 millions of dolars were used for her personal campaign while running for office.
She was sentenced to 4 years in prison: 2 of which were suspended , and 2 years of monitored release to a facility. She will be ineligible to run for office for 5 years. Her attorneys will appeal. So much for a Far Right takeover of Europe/France/Germany.
Her late father, who ran the far right on France for years, forgot to mention about the use of public funds for one's own campaign(s). She now know about this abuse. Will she impart this lesson to her party? Hmmmmm.
Last Friday, March 28, a staff member at HHS, Peter Marks, submitted a letter of resignation from his position of managing biologics. He worked in that FDA division during COVID and helped then Pres. Trump to get Operation Warp Speed up and running.
Mr. Marks says in his letter that he was willing to work with Mr. Robert Kennedy after he was appointed Secretary by Pres. Trump. He offered to work with Mr. Kennedy to address concerns regarding vaccine safety and transparency. Sadly, Mr. Marks continued: "It has become clear to me and others in the department that truth and transparency are not desired by by this Secretary, but RATHER HE WISHES SUBSERVIENT CONFIRMATION OF HIS OWN MISINFORMATION AND LIES.
SO, HERE WE ARE: stuck in a time warp filled with lies promoted as alternatives to facts and scientific truths. Thank you, Senators of the Republican persuasion. Thank you, DJT, leader of those same Republican Senators. The Secretary is now ordering all research on mRNA vaccines to be reported to his office. Now his office(him) will start spewing forth with orders to shut down this valuable tool that has been one of the most remarkable success stories of the 21st century.
Red State voters are reveling in the first months of Dear Leaders administration.
You ain't seen nothin' yet.
Remember Ukraine? It was invaded by Russya over 3 years ago in an attempt to take over the country because Mad Vlad needed more elbow room. (lebensraum). After 700,000+ casualties, the Kremlin is getting nervous. However, a change in leadership from Biden to trump has given the Kremlin some hope that Trumpie will pull out American support for the government of Volodymyr Zelensky.
Time will tell; but in the meantime a media report today describes the American military's support of the Ukrainian military and its defense of the country against the Russyan invaders. The article and photos demonstrate the depth of support that continues. The HIMARS weapon is noted as a significant factor for Ukrainian forces on the ground. Have a look in NYT.
The roster of Final Four participants will be filled out today as two more games are played for 2 more spots. Houston v. Tennessee will be one game, and Auburn v. Michigan St. the other. The winners will play next week against Duke U. and U. of Florida.
The First Amendment Coalition filed a lawsuit this past week after the White House denied a FOIA request for DOGE communications between Musk and his staffers @ the DOGE office. Hmmm. How interesting.
New information has come out about the details of the operation against the Houthis in the Red Sea region was revealed today, Wednesday. The "pathetic" group of Trump appointees makes the world look over them and to their appointing authority: DJT.
Sec. of Defense, Peter Hegseth, said that 'no classified' information was included in discussions among the participants attending the SIGNAL chat. Hmmmmmm. The Atlantic magazine released more information today that counters that statement. The information gleaned from the discussion included time lines for the operation-the bombing of Houthi positions and the timing. Not secret? Not classified? Not worrisome? And then we have POTUS responding that it's not a problem, not an issue, and it's all Joe Biden's fault, or Mr. Goldberg of the magazine.
I wonder what the pilots of the jets that carried out the mission think of all this? Maybe the media types can go to the USS Harry Truman and ask them, post mission. How would they respond to these questions? Maybe they would be honest and explain their concerns about OPSEC(operational security, a term thrown around during the chat as if it meant something).
Some of the best comments came from Vice President James Vance. He made sure of his position as anti-Europe and the necessity of making the NATO/EU countries pay in some manner for the US' operation that keeps the Suez Canal fully functioning as a conduit for European container shipping. Ol' Elegy author opposed the timing of the operation, opining that it would be better to wait a month or more, adding he supports the POTUS fully on the decision to go(OPSEC?).
Reports are coming in that the new subscriber numbers for the Atlantic are through the roof, as Mr. Goldberg continues to dominate media coverage of the Federal government's predicament.
The Senate Intelligence Committee interviewed the nation's top leaders regarding intelligence oversight. Tulsi Gabbard, Director of National Intel was among the group; also Sec. of Defense, Pete Hegseth, Kash Patel, -F.B.I. Director, and a couple of high -ranking general officers. Instead of a state of readiness discussion, the topic was the group chat now resounding around the globe.
The Senators wanted answers; they got excuses and handoffs of responsibility. Their finger pointing was directed to the un-appointed 'chat' participant: Jeffrey Goldberg, a senior editor/reporter for the Atlantic magazine. He was invited to join the chat group. He reported in the Atlantic that he attended the group chat that discussed an impending attack on Houthi rebels in Yemen that took place within hours of this chat. Those officials said that nothing discussed was "classified". This statement, on its face, is a lie. Military operations are classified by their very nature. The information contained therein is viable in real time and can cause untold damage to military committed to the operation. To say otherwise by leaders is to cast serious doubt on their competence and commitment to the security of combat units and the men and women in those units.
Perhaps the South African Jackal should be called in to sanitize the group: send them all home on paid leave until such time as the orders can be written that will fire them once and for all. The MuskRat knows how to cut Federal excess and this group represents unqualified simpletons whose lack of experience clearly makes the whole unfit to serve anywhere in the federal workforce.
Trumpie only exacerbates the problem by making absurd responses. Many of those responding to questions pointed the finger at Jeffrey Goldberg of the Atlantic. He was astounded that he was invited to join the chat; but he was and he joiuned in to see if it was in fact a group chat. It was, as he reported in the magazine article yesterday.
Additionally, the special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, was included in the chat while he was in Moskva, visiting the Rus in the Kremlin. Was the FSB included in the chat? Of, corse. How could they not and be called the FSB?
Elon: fix this now.
So, we get the photos again of deported migrants being repatriated back home to Venezuela. Old Maduro has relented, under Trumpie pressure, to accept deportees air lifted home. What did it take to accomplish this act. Hmmmm. What oil cartel took up the deal and carried it across the goal line? No doubt, a deal was struck by some Muskratee who hand carried the paper work from the White House to Caracas over the weekend.
The deals are flying off the printer with increasing speed as the 100 Day Period of the 2nd Empire closes in on results. What a circus we have witnessed. Think about how the will of one has become the new norm of politics in North America. Have we seen this before? Not here, but in many other places: Russya, China, old Ottoman, Africa, Old Europe, old Germany, old Italy, etc., etc., etc....
And now the I.R.S. is getting some action, as in a reduction of manpower. Wheeeeeeee. No more audits; no more tax bills, wheeeeeeeeeee. Freedom from taxation. Who needs taxes? Not us said the billionaires, only 'those' people.
Democrats? Deadocrats.
So, we now know that Wall St. heavyweight Blackrock has worked a deal for port operations in the former CAnal Zone, now known as Panama. The investment bank signed on with Hutchinson Co. of Hong Kong to buy a majority interest in port ops, east and west ends of the canal. And Beijing-(Xi & Co.) doesn't like this. What can they do about it. Very little as it turns out. Hutchinson & Co. started moving money and ops out of Hong Kong years ago after the billionaire head of the company realized that Xi would be an opponent of good business practice.
Bye, bye, Hong Kong; Hello any place else.
Well, the whole country is laughing, except those in the military who work for the "new" Defense Department 'Boob of the Month'. Pete Hegseth, Sec. of Defense, is on the carpet-not the red carpet of fame, but the RED carpet of SHAME. The new Boob @ the Dept. of Defense is walking back his crowd chat with other boobs who discussed secret war plans on chat app SIGNAL. Signal developers like the media coverage; MAGA fools don't. as of today. Hmmmmm. How could this serious faux pax be walked back? MAybe if they bribe the editor in chief of the Atlantic magazine they 'll get lucky. Fat chance. This is a once in a career bump up by a magazine editor.
Ol Pete Hegseth has demonstrated his incompetence, again. And what about his co-conspirators? They're right there with him. Boobs, all. Again, the poor infantry will have to pay the price if push comes to shove. With this cabal of idiots in charge, the military is screwed, big time.
MAGA will want to change the spelling of magazine to eliminate any confusion with its movement. And Trumpie says he didn't know anything about no signals.
Ah, realtors: they are ranked just below lawyers for low lifes. In today's WSJ, there's a section with special ads for locations with recent disaster effects. One property is in the Pacific Palisades section on the coast of California. The beautiful home is listed -with photos-as a 4 x 4 home, well appointed.
It gives the address as 532-N.Las Casas Ave., 90272. (note the 902-- zip code area). The lister is---Zillow, the online realty site.. One problem:
The home is gone-burned to the ground in the devastating Malibu Fire of recent time. Really? Who would do this? Typical corporate business model.
Gives the NAR another 'black eye'. Well deserved, too.
Truth in advertising? Not today, Bunkie. Maybe tomorrow, but not today. Given the "new" definition oif truth spewing forth from the White House, we might have to wait awhile for truth to be redefined, again.
So, VOVA, former KGB Lt.Col., will now agree to stop blowing up poer plants, and EV charging stations in Ukraine. No doubt some buffoons will trumpet this statement about to indicate the Kremlin Jackal has demonstrated a willingness to talk about peace in Ukraine. Some will acknowledge that this is just Rus Posturing and means nothing. There's no 'there, there'.
The Kremlin is in a bind: the war initiated by Kremlin scum continues, Rus conscripts continue to die by the hundreds, and progress is measured by how many didn't die today. Volodymyr Zelensky, meanwhile, continues to make progress in Europe to enlist greater support from EU governments in his attempts to thwart the Rus invaders.
The fictional "Deal Maker" in the White House has talked with Putin, this past Tuesday most recently, and negotiated 'the agreement to stop targeting electrical generating sites in Ukraine. Wow, amazing. We are soooooooo proud. Maybe now we can expect a breakthrough when it comes to all the children taken by the Rus army units in Ukraine that captured the babies and shipped them home to distribute the captured Ukrainians to sterile Rus peoples who can't produce any offspring because of the copious amounts of state-issued vodka that suppresses free thinking and other revolutionary thoughts(not to mention lack of ability to perform).
So, the world watches as the Rus continue their onslaught down south.
If you work for the US government in many departments, often you are "commissioned" as an officer. In the military, there are officers and 'enlisted' members. In the Dept. of State, there are civilian employees and 'commissioned' Foreign Service Officers. The 'commissions' are signed by, among others, the President of the United States. A commissioned Foreign Service Officer has a document signed by the POTUS at the time of appointment. This document is proof positive that the individual has some recognized powers and skills essential to the performance of his duties.
So, now we have the Oranged-haired Baboon stumbling around the White House as the duly elected head of state. Since January 20th, the baboon has appointed various individuals to perform duties pertinent to the assigned role, wherever that may be. We also have seen something new: the Department of Government Efficiency. Ha,, ha, ha, haaaaa. And the baboon in the White House appointed the Mushrat/South African Jackal as the leader. And now we know the truth: the Baboon didn't commission the Jackal; the Jackal has no 'status' as an officer in our government. He leads nothing, officially! He's a "paper tiger" in every sense of the term. Or, as some have described him, he's nothing more than a wandering bumpkin looking for some free publicity so he can sell cars(Tesle's).
All the childish disruptions that have recently occurred have little if any legal foundation. Federal courts have now issued a dozen decisions and opinions against moves instituted by DOGE. Most of the employees of DOGE have had very little scrutiny since being "hired". Claims of their being vetted are as valid as their boss's appointment to head a 'department'.
The populous will continue to deal with the theatrics of the White House baboon as the Musk Rat tromps around, wielding tools as a symbol of his masculinity and manliness, similar to his friend DJT. All those folks who didn't vote for anybody last November are probably wondering what would be different if they had paid a bit of attention to the political situation of 2024. Perhaps things would be different today across the "red" regions of the country. Perhaps not. We'll never know.
Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams and two other astronauts returned to earth yesterday, splashing down off the coast of Florida, east of St. Augustine. The capsule was gently placed on the retrieval barge and the group was gently lifted to the craft.
So, after a 8 1/2 month exercise in the ISS(International Space Station), Wilmore and Williams will spend the next few days acclimatizing to Mother Earth's environment where gravity will come back into play. Much ado was made of the voyage, not the least of Elon "The Muskrat" Musk involvement. The original space craft used initially was a Boeing unit called Starliner. Upon arrival at the ISS, the Starliner craft developed leaks in its propulsion systems. It was decided that this craft would be too risky to return the 2 recent arrivals. It returned empty on its own without incident. Williams and Wilmore were then included in the regular rotation of ISS astronaut crews. Nine more months to go.
The two celebrated both their birthdays, Christmas, New Years, and Thanksgiving. They included many ongoing research projects that kept them very busy, including ISS maintenance. When they returned, they were joined by 2 regular rotating astronauts.
Now, at ages 59, and 61, their recovery and adjustment to earth will be closely observed. It is known that the body ages more quickly in space. Fluids build up not just in the extremities, but in various other locations, including the brain. Bone density is reduced due to lack of gravity. It may or may NOT return to normal levels, which could be late life issues for the two. If they aged excessively at the known rate, the two are 10 earth years older, physically. Mentally, TBD.
Welcome home you two. Well done. Both are former Navy pilots=experienced.
As Mayor of Tahoma, I'm charged with keeping tabs on names that include "Tahoma". It is commonly known and accepted that 'tahoma' comes from an indigenous tribal language that translates or was translated to mean "snow-covered", or "snowy mountain", or "mountain peak with snow", or maybe "there's snow up there on d' mountain".
A few years ago, Mt. Rainier was named for Rear Admiral Peter Rainier Jr. by his friend, Captain George Vancouver. Vancouver was an explorer who mapped the western coastal regions of North America. The mountain is still considered an active volcano, one of the many that are found along the Pacific Rim that encircle the Pacific Ocean north through Alaska, across the Aleutian Islands, south through the Rus peoples Kamchatka Peninsula, on to Japan(Mt. Fuji), then to the Philippine Islands(Mt. Mayon here), and on to the island nations, ending in Indonesia(home to the remnant Krakatoa,et.al.)
In the Navajo language, 'Tahoma' means "waters edge". A noted artist, Quincy Tahoma(b.1920, d. 1956 age 35). Quincy served as a "code talker" in the US Army during WW II. He worked at the Santa Fe Indian school where he developed pastoral landscapes. He established a gallery in Santa fe that he shared with famed artist Harrison Begay. After the war, his subject matter included bloody Indian war subjects and action scenes with Plains Indians. Clara Lee Tanner and Dorothy Dunn considered Quincy to one of the great creative artists of the American Southwest.
So, ddespite over 100 years of controversy, the name "Rainier" sticks to the glaciated slopes of the volcano. additionally, the mountain is the most glaciated geologic feature in North America with 26 active glaciers on its slopes.(Will have to verify such a claim these days!).
So, we have a "name changer" in the White House now, DJT. See claim that the Gulf of Mexico is now the "Gulf of America". Would the MAyor be surorised if Tahoma would be named in the middle of the night as "Trump Town"? or maybe "Trumpie Ville"? or "Lago di Trump"? All of this will take 4 years at least to shake out. Meanwhile, keep your eyes on Mt. rainier on the map.(s).
George Vancouver's expedition of 1791-1795 on the British ship HMS Discovery explored the west Coast of North America including British Columbia, Alaska, and the Aleutian Islands. Vancouver also was aboard a ship of Captain Cook's 2nd voyage.
The world has witnessed another example of abhorrent behavior by the world's most notorious pirate Group- HAMAS of Gaza. While killing over 1200 Israeli victims on October 7th, they took over 200 hostages to use to further their warped cause of terrorism. MAny of those hostegs were killed while in captivity while being denied all human rights. So, during this temporary halt to the conflict, HAMAS continues in their heinous crimes against humanity.
Isreal has little patience with these murderers, but they continue to negotiate while the world watches. President Trump is also watching and waiting. HAMAS is in the crosshairs(shooting term, not hairdressers) of Trump. He has stated that 'his' patience with terrorists is running short.
The clock is ticking for Palestinians. HAMAS does not care one bit.
In last night's NBA contest, all eyes were on Steph Curry. Will tonight be the night? He has reached a new number for fans to think about: he has put 4000 3-point baskets in the books. While only scoring in the low teens last nigh(out shot by teammate Draymond Green), he was not too concerned. But finally he nailed the basket and a new high as the only player in NBA history to have achieve this lofty goal. During the post game interview, he acknowledged that he remembers his 1st 3-point basket early in his wonderful career. This means as much, too.
Keep on playing, Steph.
Hundreds of Italian workers in Italy received emails this past week asking them what are they doing on the job. This was sent by DOGE scum at the behest of Trumpie's South African Jackal Elon "Chainsaw" Musk. Many were perplexed as to how they might respond to such a query.
Hmmmm. Some responded with claims of 'slicing pizza'. Some responded with a question, "right know or yesterday?". But, the more creative types and those jaded by years of dealing with Italy's notorious bureaucracy, responded with "Ba, fun' 'cul'. " Translated, this oft use and well known phrase among ALL Italians means KISS MY ASS"!
So, even among Europeans across the Atlantic, workers are familiar with the likes of DOGErs. The MuskRat is reeling after his SpaceX mission to rescue two NASA astronauts at the I.S.S. was scrapped yesterday. They might try again today. If this is scrapped, the Jackal might have to go to Brownsville Texas and fix the computers.
Oh, and thanks to trumpie and his bizarre economics, the price of 1 ounce(Troy) of gold surged past $3000/oz. A record. Well done, Trumpie and your throng of Bootlickers now running our gov'ment into the toilet.
I.C.E. arrests former student leader at Columbia University where he led protests against Israeli aarmy efforts to eliminate HAMAS terrorists in their GAZA haven. Today, students on campus are gathering in support of "free speech", hoping to cow the already cowed administration. Trump announced he is withholding $400 millions in federal funding because of the schools lack of protections for Jewish students on campus and the unwillingness to control supporters of HAMAS terrorists.
This is a big win for Trumpie and his goal of stifling Libs everywhere across the landscape. He is just beginning and the academics are trembling in their beds as they wait for the "knock" on the door at midnight.
The protest leader/spokesman is a palestinian Mahmoud Kahlil. He is a former grad student at Columbia and has made a court appearance after his arrest. His case for deportation is being promoted by DJT/POTUS. we'll see soon enough how much sway can affect the courts in this case. There's a lot of sway from the Oval Office as we have collectively observed since inauguration day on 1.20/25.
The Rus folks got a surprise visit from some Ukrainians this week. The Ukrainians came to visit not in person-too cold in February/March. They came in the form of armed drones controlled fromafar, sent from Ukraine(or maybe not). Russia Today announced the unexpected visits and reported they were unruly visitors who had no respect for local property, damaging many building during the visits.
The Kremlin voice-Pepe Lavrov, announced outrage at this gesture, while a cease fire is proposed by Putin's Bro trumpie. Hmmmm. Will the Rus peoples protest-hardly. They remember what happened recently to Alexei Navalny in Siberia-death by starvation and freezing. So, no protests. Maybe the North Korean troops ordered to attack into well-aimed machine gun fire will protest; maybe not.
Perhaps the EU will consider an offer for peace; maybe not. Will Volodymyr Zelensky offer peace at any price? Hardly. Despite his well televised abuse by Pres. Trumpie and his Boot Licker VP-James Vance, Zelensky continues to lead his country's efforts to repel the Rys Invasion Forces in his country. As Easter approaches, Christians across the world are praying for Pope Francis I and all Ukrainian people, not Putin or any Rus anywhere.
Just what the Dems need now: a "new" podcaster. The Dems can't get out of their own way as they try to remain somewhat relevant as they search for a new leader. Good luck with that. Maybe podcasting will launch a pretty face, but it won't be from California. Gruesom Newsom is a known entity and will never advance the Libs cause beyond the California/Nevada border-too much baggage folks.
So now his handlers, advisors, sycophants, wives and girlfriends suggested he start a podcast. Be hip; be something, be anything but the Governor of the Left Coast. So: podcaster. And who does he open up with: the South African Jackal's main opponent-Steve Bannon, Trumpie's rejected advisor, the "War Room" podcaster, and ex-con, former leader of Breitbarth Radio. Is Gavin hoping for relevance? No, he's hoping for some clicks. Not happening by any number.
He can't tout his success in California, not after the devastating fires that ripped through Malibu in the middle of winter. Can you imagine: wildfires destroying lives and property any place in the US in the middle of winter? Well, the property insurance industry has taken a multibillion dollar hit this year that ultimately will be shouldered on the backs of California's beleaguered home owners reeling from huge increases in their insurance costs. Gov. Gruesom announced a suspension of the CEQA Act that called for planning reviews of anything built larger than an outhouse in California, hoping that local planners would speed up plan approvals before 2050(many fire victims have already sold the smoldering sites to speculators).
Gavin just bought a $10 million dollar estate in Ross, Marin County, where he can hobnob with other techies and bureaucrats(no fires this year).
Maybe Gavin will report live from Ross, California. Wouldn't that be fun! What will Gavin's audience have to say after a few more podcasts about the Dems' rebounding efforts? Hmmmmmm.
So, the Sacramento Solon- Marin County's Man on the Job in Sacto, has again changed his position. This time in regarding LGBTQ policy. He will no longer support trans children on girls sports teams. Wow-what a flip! Momentous even for a classic flipper/opportunist pol. This sad individual is the Dems answer to DJT. Not exactly the type of pol even calfornia voters would like to see in the White House in 4 years.
We have suffered through DJT's 1st term(COVID term); then suffered through 4 years of Sleepy Joe Biden(successfully propped up by his wife-Dr. Jill and a willing Party), and now we must suffer through another 4 year term-"The Retribution Tour".
Gavin Newsom must lie in bed at night, staring at the ceiling, thinking of the Oval Office and why he deserves that place. What has this man done that gives him confidence that he would make it acceptable to be POTUS? Hmmmm. Delusional thoughts seem to be at a cheap price these days. Newsom was/is a wine merchant. Foreign policy-he visited Europe once. Family man: got divorced, remarried, has significant offspring in grammar school. Forward thinker-Mayor of San Francisco and didn't do anything to enhance business excepting turning the town into a haven for tech nerds and Twitter/Uber (Now X, but left for Texas).
So Gavin seems to think that the Dems/Blues will send him on-to somewhere else where he won't have to work for a living. Just show up and look pretty, get paid. Marin County, 'nough said.
Back in the box, Gavin.
During the most recent Cabinet Meeting in the White House, the Muskrat berated a sitting member, Sec. of State Marco Rubio, for not doing enough firing of 'excess staffers'. Marco Rubio fired back that his advice was not needed and that as Secretary, he makes all decisions regarding staffing. The Jackal snapped back that he's got license to reduce the Federal workforce as he sees fit.
At this point, Stumpie interjected with the comment that the agency secretaries have control of their respective employees and that the Jackal is only in "advisory role" at the fake dept. of gov. efficiency. This was a clear slap in the face of the Musk Rat. Musk Rat doesn't like to conform to orders he doesn't give out. Stumpie also doesn't take orders- he gives them out. Hmmmmmmm.
Is this the end of the high profile "Bromance" we've been reading about for the last few months? Could be. Additionally, Musk Rat's space company has a little egg on its face. One of his rockets blew up this week during a launch from the launch pad in Brownsville, Texas, and 2 nearby airports had air traffic controllers scrambling to re-route commercial aircraft away from the zone of falling debris. The rocket team was able to retrieve the booster section, again, but the payload section was destroyed after it failed after l;iftoff. This was probably what set off the Jackal's temper during the Cabinet meeting in Washington. This is the 2nd failure during launching by Space X. Musk Rat was having a 'bad' day all around. His detractors were having a 'good' day.
So, Stumpie now wants a 30 day reprieve for auto tariffs on cars made in Mexico and Canada. No doubt, some thoughtful insiders told Stumpie that lots of Repulsicans would be offended, especially those in Congress representing voters in certain states. So the Grifter-in-Chief issued a stop work order to the Tariff Enforcers to have another look see on the auto industry. We call this back tracking; or backlashing; or stupidity; or just plain stupid.
Stumpie hasn't had an original thought of any consequence in 20-30 years. He has buffaloed observers and followers for decades as he has bluffed, lied, cajoled, ranted his way through media outlets who use his persona to gather sales and onlookers for profits. And now, we, the people, have to live with the results. When will this nightmare end for the United States? Maybe after Putin croaks; or maybe when Elon croaks; or after Vance croaks; or after Mike Johnson croaks; or......... whenever.
We(the 1.5 million who voted this nut case into the White House) have only those voters to blame; but what about the 90 millions who didn't vote-do we give them a pass? NO. Absolutely not; those abstaining voters put this Stump into the role where he now resides. Yes, 90 million Americans decided that it was not in their best interest to show up at the polls and cast a vote for America. Shame on you; better yet, a curse on your house----F O R E V E R.
So, tonight, on the day of imposing tariffs on 3 of our largest trading partners (China, Mexico, and Canada), he probably might mention these acts/facts, and spin them to be positive for our economy. However, economists and trade representatives might differ with him.
So, how many lies and half truths will spew forth from the 'Mouth That Roared". It will be interesting for by now, most republicans are looking for a hiding place from the voters. Those 'flippers', we know them, will be the hardest to find as they scurry about looking for an exit. Some democrats will avoid the joint session, a gesture sure to make no impression on anybody over 5 years of age. The President will blather on about how he convinced the president of Ukraine that he, Volodymyr, started the war, and as a result must accept DJT's advice and give up territory of his country to the invaders(Mad Vlad & Co.). Well, now European leaders are venturing forth on their own to deal with this turn of events in the US. The historic contract with the West has been upended by a blowhard/ incompetent boob elected by the slimmest of margins because the Dems didn't show up at the polls. (90 millions of eligible voters stayed home) and America can only look in the mirror and say, "We did it to ourselves".
What information will he foist on the viewers tonight? It could be some fantasy thought up by James Vance, or Kash Patel, or Robbie Kennedy, head of HHW, or Tulsi Gabbard, head of National Security, or Billy Long, or Emil Bose III, or some Heritage Foundation gopher. Can't wait as the media trips over the words he'll use to mock the USA/Europe/Canada/Mexico/Colombia/Ukraine/ Great Britain/Germany/ France.and others.
Maybe he'll introduce his plans for tomorrow, given that he can only think ahead 1 day. Maybe he'll mention Elon the Muskrat, aka The South African Jackal. Good Ol' Elon, a perfect fit for anti-Americanism in the White House. What does John Boltonb really think of Elon? Time will tell.
The Mayor Of Tahoma will skip the speech tonight, I have to rearrange my socks drawer.
So, we have seen the vice president of the USA make a fool of himself on national TV. This is in line with his boot-licking persona developed while attending Yale University, where Donald Trump attended for awhile. James Vance is noted for writing a pathetic memoir about a dysfunctional childhood in an area of the US that is historically dysfunctional. Then he hooked up with right wing crazies who used him to gain a US Senate seat where he could be a member of the right wing Crazy caucus.
Then Peter Thiel, money bags Pete, funded his advance on the national seen by telling Trumpie that this pawn would be perfect to support voters who think Trumpie is some national savior. Sadly, 90 million would be voters decided to stay home and Trump /Vance won the popular vote, thereby ascending to the White House, Trumpie for the 2nd time. Vance was on full display kissing the boots of Trumpie as he insulted Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine who came to the White House to discuss terms for an agreement that Trumpie touted as a must -do to guarantee American support for Ukraine at this time of crisis caused by the invasion of the country by Russyan military forces ordered by Mad Vlad of Kremlin fame.
Trumpie went out of his way to insult the courageous Ukrainian whose country has been fighting on its own for 3 years. A deal was not achieved as Trumpie mis-read his guest who did not fall into line of Trumpie's child-like deal offering.
So, there was James David Vance mocking this hero along with Trumpie in a despicable display of incompetence, hubris, ignorance, and many more standard dictionary definitions of shitheads, assholes, fools, dickheads, and other commonly used expressions found in the American vernacular used to describe bad actors.
Today was to be the final day of the cease fire in GAZA, to give the pirates time to deliver the hostages taken at the start of the invasion of Israel. Also, Israel would release several hundred of the pirates taken prisoner during the fighting. Included would be dozens of dead bodies of Israelis murdered while in captivity in GAZA. So, the Palestinian scum are talikning while rearming their pirates to take advantage of the Israelis who want their people returned. No peace will be achieved after the exchange is made as HAMAS is still a force. Until they give up their arms and their leadership is rewmoved, the conflict qwill continue.
Trumpie and his resident Boot Licker: Mr. Vance, hosted Volodymyr Zelensky in the White House yesterday. The goal: to sign an agreement that allows the USA to mine Ukrainian minerals necessary for strategic industries in the US. All media types were invited to record the events. Cameras were turned on, and Trumpie geared up to make a splash that would be duly noted by the public and his vast array of political croniwes now dependent on his "largesse" with taxpayer funds.
Within a very short time period, it became evident that Trumpie is an ignoramus of gross proportions and Vice President Vance is right up there with him. The two boobs tripped over each other as they combined to belittle, humiliate, and insult the leader of a sovereign country that has been at war with Vladimir Putin and his thugs for over 3 years. This hero, a man who has endured the effects of total war on his country, has come with hat in hand to the US to ask for continued help to fight this invasion. He even has to endure the recent statements from these two idiots who claim erroneously that Ukraine started this war. That alone is evidence of the mental health deficiencies of the POTUS and VPOTUS. THios may go down in history as the worst display of stupidity in our long history.
Sad but true the US electorate has put these two pathetic creatures in positions of power. When weill this end? Only time will tell; and as the efforts to shrink the federal government continue unabated, the future does not look good for the country as a whole.
Volodymyr Zelensky, president of Ukraine, met with Pres. trumpie in the White House today, ostensibly to sign an accord that would afford security commitments by the USA for Ukraine security while fighting Russyan army units in Ukraine. Trumpie verbally abused Mr. Zelensky after which Mr. Zelensky and Mr. trumpie called off the signing of any documents related to the mineral exchange for security guarantees.
So, Americans everywhere can thank the South African Jackal and the Orange-Haired baboon for another failure in diplomacy.
Golden State Warriors point guard, Steph Curry, put on a big show last night in a regular season game against the Orlando Magic. He started the game at a regular clip. As the clock moved forward, Curry adjusted his tempo: shifting the momentum to Golden State. By virtue of his uncanny ability, he started dropping 3-point shots with aplomb. The Warrior's lead opened up.
By the 3rd quarter, the crowd sensed that they were witness to a very memorable night. He scored 22 points- in the 3rd quarter alone. Defensively, the Warrior's efforts were slipping, and the Magic closed the gap, getting to w/i 6 points in the 4th quarter. But Curry continued his"magic" dropping more 3's on the opponents. He finished the night with 56 points, putting his career among the best of the NBA greats. He had 12 3-point baskets.
Well done, Mr. Curry.
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| Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dumb |
Well, now, Chaos-in-Chief in the Oval Office has put an offer in front of 2 million Federal workers: tender your resignation by Feb. 6, 2025 and we will pay you your salary through September, 2025. All that one needs to do is put the word 'resign' in an email in your personal account to OPM. And you can go home and play pickle ball all day; go to the race track; build a hot rod; take a lesson in bon sai; or sit on the porch and read Camus, or Kafka, or Hemingway. Hmmmm. Sounds almost too good to be true.
Well, perhaps it IS too good to be true. Congressional opinion runs to: 1) there is no legal basis for the offer; 2) Congress holds the purse strings by law; 3) Trumpie would take any opportunity to change his hare-brained mind midstream; 4) resulting chaos would put millions of American families in financial jeopardy; 5) court challenges could tie things up for a very long time,w/o paychecks for those who submitted the word resign in an email.
Hare brained Musk, the premier Anti-American foreign-born alchemist, lauded the move on X platform, telling his simpleton followers that this would help the country. Hah.
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| Dear Leader, Mr. Trump |
How did other actions keep computer chips from DeepDeek? Hmmmm. Vaunted export controls of Ai-necessary chips didn't work. The Chinese startup foound a way around those controls to build a new, simpler AI program at a much smaller cost apparently, the results which cratered the tech values of American companies that thought it would be years before the PLA/Beijing techies would catch up. Oh, you Nvidia stock owners, stop whining. Oh, LArry Ellison and all the "Stargate" billionaires, just stop it. trumpie & Co. only fooled all.
And the chaos: does he care a wit about workers no matter where they are found? NO, NO, and NO.
Sec. of State MArco Rubio will talk with the President of Panama this week. The topic-the Panama Canal. A side light will be the Darien Gap-that jungle covered extension of Colombia that occupies the southern edge of Panama, and is the passage way to the north and America of migrants looking for work in America. Trumpie wants to plug the "Gap" or at least put in a "wall" that will keep out undocumented migrants, killers, rapists and criminal elements among them.
By Monday, we'll know what was said during conversations overlooking the Canal.
Newly appointed Sec. of State, Marco Rubio, will head to Central America to talk for his boss, Trumpie, about the Canal. You know, as in Panama Canal that we built. Yes, somehow someone in Trumpie's world mentioned it. Now he feels he has to own it. Next he'll tell ship owners to boycott the Canal passage and go the long way around Cape Horn to get to the Pacific Ocean, soon to be the American Ocean.
Or maybe, Elon will build a new canal through Nicaragua to reduce the price tag for a ship's passage across the isthmus. A million dollars for a one way ticket? Hmmmm. Sounds reasonable, but I'm not buying a ticket. Recently, while in Panama, the Mayor was able to witness ships passing through the canal. Looking closely, a sailing yacht was observed joining a large container ship in the lock. The yacht probably paid less than a million $$.
What will Marco Rubio say to the president of Panama? "Well, Mr. President, President trump is concerned about the Chinese Government taking control of the canal. This will not stand. Have you heard of the Monroe Doctrine.? Yes, Marilyn Monroe did not like Chinese either; so we have to preserve our rights in the Western hemisphere and protect you and me from the Peoples Liberation Army and its Communist leaders. We are not afraid of Communists wherever they appear. So, let's agree: we'll take back our property and you can keep your sovereignty. Deal?"
SO, the pirates of Gaza released a few hostages as part of the cease fire agreement. Israeli families whose loved one were returned, rejoiced in the experience. UN investigators spoke with the released captives to learn details of their individual and collective experiences while in captivity. The information reveals a group of depraved Palestinians bent on revenge and retribution for alleged past behaviors. All the released captives had been subjected to various forms of torture. The women were especially targeted for violence by the Palestinians. Many were subjected to inhuman sexual violence, physical abuse in all its forms.
None of this information is surprising given the past of HAMAS and its soldiers. The IDF will not forget-ever. The world cannot be stunned by this news; the world has only recently faced the fact that HAMAS is a terrorist organization run by depraved individuals who rule by terror and fear, the same as its chief sponsor, Iran. That Iran has been able to continue its campaign against Israel with its proxies clearly indicates the depth of the Middle East world and its vexatious cultural divide: Arabs v. Jews.
On the 80th Anniversary of the opening of Auschwitz Concentration Camp at the end of WW II yesterday, the Israelis are more aware of the ongoing efforts to erase the facts of the Holocaust by modern revisionists. This week, oligarch Elon Musk, the American billionaire, told a German audience to move on from the past history of the country. This did not go over well, even in Germany.
The IDF has allowed Palestinians to return to the northern Gaza area, now mostly ruins. What will become of them is an open question, even as Trump asks that nearby countries accept palestinian refugees as permanent residents. This is a non-starter for most of them: who wants resident terrorists in their midst? None, thank you.
Now, about housing in Gaza. Hmmmmmm. will the Saudis help out their neighbor? Don't hold your breath.
It was close and the Buffalo Bills did their best, and it was just not enough. Wth his legs, his arms and a bit of luck, Bills QB, Josh Allen, had a good game. They were behind some; they were ahead some, and they were tied some. Patrick Mahomes had a great game: with his legs and his throwing arm, he was ahead some; he was behind some, and he was tied some. But...... at the end of 4 quarters of play, the Chiefs won the game by a late field goal margin of 3 points.
The home town crowd was very enthusiastic about their team and its prospects of winning another Suoer Bowl or 3 in a row. No other team has accomplished this feat. It will be a game worth watching.
Our Minister of Latin American Affairs has notified the Mayor's office in Tahoma that there are changes in the immediate future. Such as: repatriation flights from the USA carrying deported individuals from many countries south of the US border will not be accepted in certain nations on the continent. Hmmmm.
How will Trumpie react to this "affront"? He'll tell his taodies to fix it or they'll be 'FIRED". Business as usual for a dictator.
Vivek Rahmaswamy has been cut loose. Who ordered that? Hmmmm. Bye Bye; nice knowing you. Not.
Where will he resurface: unknown at this time. Look for comments on XYZ media.
Hmmmm. Inspector Generals are a fact of life among bureaucracies ; they are the overseers of policies, budgets, and mission(s). They are the onboard responsible parties who ask the questions of the members tasked with carrying out the assignments of the bureau.
Trumpie ordered a large number to be fired. Like he did on TV all those years ago. Maybe Vice President Musk sent him a message on X to do same. They'll be looking for jobs on Wall St., Hedge Funds(no, not there), big banks, big Pharma, big oil, big anything. While the cats away, the mice will PLAY.
Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.
So, HAMAS scum signed an agreement. Included was the decision to free an Israeli woman captured during the terrorist incursion on Oct. 7th a long time ago. The Israeli woman was specifically named in the agreement as a person who would be immediately released when the Palestinian prisoners were simultaneously released. Ms. Arbel Yehoud was not among the 4 women soldiers released. Hmmmmm. And now the HAMAS scum say that the IDF is dragging its feet on the agreement terms.
Clearly, dealing with pirates is akin to having wisdom teeth slowly-and painfully- extracted, over and over. Palestinians are never to be trusted. Ever. The IDF knows this but negotiators of the ceasefire deal are apparently new to the business of dealing with PIRATES. Perhaps some lessons are slow than others in the game of thrones.
So, now the worls watches as things are, again, in limbo(that oft -sited location of never-neverland). The IDF will hold out on this 1 issue: HAMAS agreed to release the woman. She has not been released. We all will wait, as will the thousands of Palestinian subjects of the terrorist organization they support.
Good luck, Israel.
HAMAS released 4 women soldiers from Israel that were captured on October 7 during the invasion of a kibbutz. They have been held hostage since. Fortunately, they appear from the agreement to be alive, unlike the 1200 victims of murder when Palestinian terrorists of HAMAS descended on the unprotected region of Israel. Meanwhile, the Isralei army general in charge of defense and security, resigned under pressure because of his failure to prevent the attacks.
Media outlets have highlighted the return of HAMAS control in the GAZA strip which underscores Israeli security problems. Yes, the IDF has leveled 70% of Gaza structures; yes, they have killed tens of thousands of Palestinians; yes, the job will not be finished until there is no more HAMAS fighters to squeeze a trigger on a Chinese-made AK-47.
The IDF is using this pause to identify locations of HAMAS fighters and positions of arms caches that remain. This externally framed agreement will lastmaybe 6 weeks. However, the IDF will return to the attack phase instantly upon the termination of conditions agreed to by negotiators. At the same time, in the West Bank area adjacent to GAZA, the armed Israeli settlers will continue to harass and disrupt residents there in sharpdisagreement with the Israeli government. This in itself is a significant problem down the line.
As long as HAMAS holds hostages and continues to use them as bargaining chips at the table, the IDF will remain in force throughout GAZA. New HAMAS leaders? Great. You will be terminated asap.
Did you look at some of the photos of firefighters on the line in LA? Did you see the equipment/hoses they had employed? A PISS STREAM AGAINST THE INFERNO. Hardly effective at all. These urban efforts against wind-driven conflagrations proved inadequate by every measure. Certainly, fire of this magnitude needed heavy streams to contain and control the advance. The efforts lacked volume, water volume pumped from remote sources through small nozzles. What is needed is a complete revision of the tactics employed by these departments.
Cal Fire and the large counties need a re do of their customary fire fighting plans. The current plans and tactics don't work. The wind is too strong, the manpower insufficient, and the leadership lacking. Gov. Newsom should resign immediately. He's out galavanting around the country while the state is foundering under his governance. Time to go, Gavin, back to Marin County where you belong. Not Sacramento.
As the insurance companies and the insured address their issues, the evidence is plain to see: poorly planned warning systems; inadequate evacuation plans and routes; overall complacency by residents in the "It can't happen here" communities; and an aversion to put in place systems that could utilize unlimited salt water found next to the fire storm that enveloped the coast cities and towns.
Salt water is good for extinguishing fire: use it next time you go camping at the beach(many campgrounds exist along the California coast). Salt water is cheap and in many cases/areas, easily made available.
Try it, Gavin.
So, Alexei Navalny is dead. Died in prison at age 47, a symbol of political opposition to Mad Vlad(Vova) and his Kremlin enablers. Now we have the fallout from some kangaroo court(Russyan 'court') that held a "trial" for 3 lawyers who represented Navalny in defense. The 3 lawyers were sentenced to prison for being involved with Navalny for up to 5 years.
Ahhh, Russya-it just can't move into the modern era. It prefers the 19th century and all it brought to the czar. Mad Vlad thinks he can move the Rus back to the glory days that only existed in the minds of the rich.
Navalny's widow, Yulia, commented that there are no surprises here: the fake legal system is nothing more than an extension of the reach of the Kremlin. The FSS will ensure that there is no organized opposition to Mad Vlad's international reach at this moment in history.
The 3 lawyers, Vadim Kobzev, Igor Sergunin and Aleksei Liptser were arrested quite awhile ago-October 2023. mr. Kobsev got 5 1/2 years, Mr. Liptser to 5 years, and Igor Sergunin 3 1/2 years.
Two other lawyers for Navalny, Olga Mikhailova and Aleandr Fedulov were charged in absentia since they had enough smarts to flee that rathole country, the largest country in the world(mostly uninhabiable wasteland in Siberia and the Arctic where the taiga precludes any useful area that could be made available for human occupation. Old Fat Josef used the Arctic as a punishment for most opponents he didn't murder, including those Russyans who didn't like his politics(of murder).
Terrorists operatives of HAMAS in Gaza released 3 Israeli hostages as part of the cease fire agreement signed this past week. What about the rest of the hostages? Where are they? The IDF is standing bye and will be ready to continue the eradication of HAMAS from Gaza should the terrorists fail to abide by the signed cease fire. The IDF is not ready to stand down and they won't. HAMAS scum are known to violate any prior agreement(s) on a whim.
These Palestinian pirates still have some life left but their days are numbered. They know, instinctively that when the final hostages are given up they will be eradicated once and for all. You can takle that to the bank, any bank, even in Switzerland.
Shocking news out of Beijing: TikTok monitors who focus on the USA reported to their superiors that the internet feeds to them have gone dark. Admin types who are responsible for oversight gathered to discuss the situation. They in turn reported up the chain of command that something was very very wrong. Not wishing to run afoul of leadership, the techies soon descended on the electrical systems to find the root of the problem.
They worked non stop through the night Sunday/Monday(it's Monday in Beijing). All systems appeared to be in good order. No failures detected. Superiors ordered more testing. Alternative power sources were brought in; generators backing things up were turned on and switches were activated to alternative sources. Still: only darkness from the USA.
One brilliant monitor techie mentioned "Trump". He was immediately honored as the smartest man in the room. His supervisor put his name in for recognition. Then another mentioned Christie Noem as a new cabinet member. He was named as second most brilliant monitor and given several Starbuck's gift cards. A third techie mentioned the TikTok COO as the leader of the effort to keep the feed up and running as he did under the last threat under #45. He was recognized and given a new EV Made in China. Free charging for 5 years.
Then just before the sun came up this morning, the custodian came in and mentioned that #47 would take over today and the SCOTUS declared that Congress could pull the plug on the app for the entire USA(joining several European nations). He was given a promotion immediately that included a new apartment with a deck overlooking Shanghai, an EV(new), a vacation voucher to Hainan Island beachfront hotel, a gift card to Starbucks for the year, a new laptop and an iphone(or equivalent), and the names of several young local women looking for husbands who want to start a family and have 3+ children right away.
So, the American market and influencers there in will have to watch football today. Some will talk with their parents for the first time in years. Some will remember they have children they haven't talked with for 5 years. Some will get depressed and go to dating sites to find a lonely ex-TikTok-er. Some will go to church. Some will see the sun rise and set. Some will play chess. Some will learn to play the piano. Some will read a book(just kidding: they don't know what books are for anyway).
Some will realize that Biden left the White House after 4 years of living in the dreamtime. Some may remember they are illegally present in the USA and pack their bags before ICE descends on their apartment. Hmmmm. Changes are coming, children. Don't forget to go to class tomorrow. And stop the crying. There's no crying in baseball or the internet app(s).
SCOTUS rules against Chinese web app designed for the American market. The ban on the app in the USA takes effect this Sunday. The sitting panel of judges listened to lawyers representing the company and decided to let the ban stand. CEO of the company is no doubt wandering around Washington, D.C. at this moment as he looks forward to the celebration parties after Trump jumps into the whiye House on Monday.
Millions of users of the app will jump their business to Instagram and What's App and other apps for their work efforts.
Now the PLA will have to come up with a different method to subvert the citizens of the USA. See what Trumpie does on Tuesday.
Oh, let's not overlook the inauguration where the CEO of TikTok will be on the dais in a seat of honor. More humor than not.
So, media orgs are tripping over each other to grab a few nuggets of the Gaza Deal between HAMAS and Israel. A very sad cease fire it is: serious players-eg. USA, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Iran, Russya, are calling the deal great. The Israeli Cabinet has not approved the deal-yet. Why would they at this point; seems like not much will change and the murderers who attacked the kibbutz on Oct. 7th, killing innocent civilians, will not be held accountable. So, we should cheer a deal with PIRATES?
HAMAS is nothing more than an organized criminal enterprise, holding Palestinian citizens hostage while they hold on to power in an isolated desert environment. Iran and the crazies who run that rat hole think the West and Israel will settle for anything hail the deal. However, Bibi is not ready to push the stop button. he's lived through all the Arab/Islamist BS and sees no future by riding the same camel around and around on the merry-go-round of Arab lies, deceptions and bedouin double crossing business.
The West wants peace so that business can be conducted uninterrupted. Israelis want the Arab world to stop lobbing missiles into their homes. Simple. But when the Big Boys push, things can happen, but often the outcome is not to everyone's liking. 6 weeks-the length of the agreement, will pass in a flash. A few hostages will be sent home, and gangs of Palestinian murderers will also return to Gaza to fight another day. Great. Who loses? How about the remaining hostages? What about them? Enough of the Pirate's BS.
Time to wipe the Gaza desert clean of HAMAS. Oh, and what about Yawya Sinwha's brother, Mohammed, stirring the ashes of his brother's body, hoping to gain a little power that had rubbed off the relative's remains? Hmmmm. Won't be long before the Mossad puts Mohammed where he belongs: in the ash heap of Gaza.
Oh, the media types use related ink to fill their columns with: hope? Doesn't help. Actions speak louder than words. Remember this in 6 weeks.
Have a nice day; get ready for the Trump Go Round.
The old reprobate leaders of Iran are in a bind: Israel is on the march and is about to ink a cease fire agreement with Iran's proxy HAMAS. Israel will reaim its arsenal at Iranian targets as the IDF appears ready to give some payback to the source of most of the weaponry unleashed on the Jewish population during the Gaza conflict.
The mullahs are squirming in their seats as their world has been upended by a rebel force in Syria that has reconfigured the playbook in the whole Middle East. Seems the mullahs didn't count on the IDF to wreck Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria after the HAMAS onslaught into Israel. Bad advice, again. Sure Bibi has been under pressure, but he's still there and Bashar and his family of murderers are in Moskva, under Putin's wing.
So, Putin will listen to the pleas from the people that he has made partners. But Mad Vlad has issues at home, too. He's been waging a big loser battle in his own backyard, aka Ukraine. The Zelensky -led government has not given up and the Great Satan has donated billions of dollars in modern weapons to cause nothing but grief to Putin. Now he has to use North Korean soldiers, untrained and unwilling, to fight on his behalf. Hmmm. What could go wrong this time? So, Putin will want some cash, good old American dollars as his oil market keeps shrinking, and who knows what will happen when the new American Mad Man takes over in a week.
It is way past time for a Middle East shake out and shake up. That Iran's proxy idiots from Palestine was the instrument makes it a great game to watch. While Americans are watching football come to the finale, Western Europe is focused on the Middle east, whether it's Israel, Turkey, Syria, or Egypt, the continent is watching closely.
Who maintains Elon's file on court cases? Must be a regiment of lawyers; but then, when you're the richest man on the planet with a company that publishes all your mental whims, it's not a big deal, even when it's the Federal Government going after you. In this case, the S>E>C> wants some of Elon's butt for violating reporting rules on stock purchases ahead of the pack. When he decided he wanted Twitter, he began buying the stock. At a certain date, he exceeded the 5% rule which requires an announcement to the public sphere of your purchases. He was late, taking advantage of the market's ignorance of his position which exceeded 5%.
Let's assume that Gary Gensler is out in a week. Will the new S.E.C. chief follow up on the charges? Hmmm. A Trump appointee. What will Trumpie tell him to do-pursue of forget it? Money says we'll never hear another word by January 22, 2025.
So, the insurance companies and Sacramento are bracing for the numbers related to the conflagration in southern California: they will be bracing. The pictures we have seen tell everything: block after block of rubble piles with maybe a chimney or two. History repeats itself. Gavin Gruesom, governor, has signed a law suspending the CEQA environment review necessary to build anything in the State from an outhouse to a high rise. His advisors tell him to get ahead of the curve/wave.
Sorry Gavin; you've got 2 more years in office and most of that time will be spent parrying Trump's arrows flung across the country in an attempt to quash any of your ideas about going to Washington in 2028. Who will suffer: homeowners who lost their homes to fire. For starters new homes built since 2001 have had to have fire sprinkler system installed during construction, including garages. Not cheap but cheaper than insurance premiums are sure to be. And Ricardo Lara, erstwhile State Insurance Commissioner, will be arguing mightily with insurers to keep rates under control. Good luck, Ricardo-ain't happening in your lifetime or Gavin's. These rate hikes will drive even more high earners to Florida and Texas where they will spend their dollars on real estate in Austin and Dallas. So long tax dollars, hello deficits.
And on top of it all, insurers will do their usual scrutiny of all claims as the homeowners cast about for help. This charade in Sonoma and Napa counties 5 years ago led to extreme discord among Sacramento politicians whose phone were deluged with complaints about settlements that in some cases didn't happen. Even the revered company USAA was ordered to pay claims they denied in their largest market outside of home base Texas. The company got reams of bad press, well deserved. State Farm and others had cancelled many policies in LA county BEFORE the fires began. How many homeowners were forced to go to the outrageous state FAIR Plan? Unknown at this time.
Get ready for California political shenanigans, AGAIN.
What is "dharma" rain? It's a defensive system of sprinklers that is installed on roof tops to thwart the spread of fire that is wind driven into built up neighborhoods. Works great and is cheap to install, even cheaper than indoor systems which require permits and skilled plumbers. Been around for a long time.
Pete Hegspeth, nominee for Sec. of Defense, was questioned today by Congressional members as part of the approval process. The Army veteran and Fox news analyst deflected many of the questions asked about his past performance and his business dealings in companies that he worked for when a civilian.
Will he get approved or will he bounce back to the airwaves to spill discord and lies associated with Fox news.
6 more days until trumpie takes over. Wheeeeeeeeee.
Ongoing negotiations indicate that a decision may be close regarding the Palestinian War initiated by HAMAS when they murdered innocent civilians to goad Israel into an armed conflict. The Palestinians have suffered mightily as the IDF retaliated with overwhelming forces to snuff out the rats who started this war. The pirates of Palestine kidnapped over 200 hostages which they have used as barter in the negotiations.
The IDF and PM Netanyahu have not fallen for this ruse. Yes, they are involved in the talks about a cease fire, but they will keep their powder dry as time goes on. The HAMAS scum will still have to be rooted out of GAZA as quickly as possible before they have a chance to rebuild their forces. The IDF will not let this happen. Already Syria has fallen to rebels. Lebanon has been declared a haven for terrorists and has reeled under IDF invasion. Hezbollah leadership is under threat. A ceasefire has taken hold as Lebanese army forces have pulled back from the border areas. While the IDF has been restrained in pursuit of terrorists in the border area, Hezbollah militiamen continue to position rocket artillery aimed at Israel. This will not do; and the Israeli citizens will push for a wide neutral zone empty of Hezbollah.
BiBi is recovering from major surgery and will respond to any and all provocations from Hezbollah, HAMAS, Houthis, or Iranian mullahs looking for trouble.
Why Gov. Newson/gruesom sent them to-------TaDa-Iraq and the Middle East. Over 12,000 men and women of all ages and specialties deployed last summer when a National Guard composite unit joined the US Army division being sent to the Middle East to replace a deployed unit as it rotated home.
Hmmm. And this is at a time of full employment. Who is replacing all these workers? Imiigrants? No, they don't have skills or education needed in the jobs now vacant. case in point: a municipal police officer is activated by the Guard to deploy. He's on duty for 50+ plus hours a week as a state certified (P.O.S,T.) police officer. How long does it take to find a replacement? Months or more than a year given the necessary background checks required. So, over time will be mandatory for those on duty, putting added stress on all members of the force and the civilians who support the uniformed force.
So Gavin and his cronies played with the budget by having the Guard signed up to join the Army. All those soldiers thought they would support the State Emergency Services only to find out they are on call to deploy at anytime. And they have. welcome to the "New" US Army-a professional force, instead of a citizen army, we have mercenaries. No, wait, that's a word we can't use here. That's for "those" people over there.
So Congress uses subterfuge to maintain a standing army. It's really a fake army made up of unskilled workers who need a job with meals and a bed. many are ill-equipped for the tech economy and find a different skill set in the military: marching, hiking, camping, driving tanks, driving trucks, driving artillery caissons, or learning how to load ammo into a rifle. Hmmmm. Not much can transfer to the real world. But Gavin says it's a "good" deal" for California as he balances the budget using his super majority in the Legislature populated with Democratic toadies who fall in line with the Gov's dictate as he plods a path to Washington, D.C.
It ain't happening, Gav. You'll end up just another californ ia wine salesman in 2 years. Meanwhile, the few Guardsmen called to fight the SoCAl blazes are limited in numbers and skills. But they look good.
After several explosive packages were found on cargo aircraft, it was announced that foreign actors were involved. Hmmmm. Who could it be this time? North Korea? No, they're in Ukraine getting their lunch handed to them. Iraq? No, they're at home picking up the pieces of their Syrian forays. Hmmmm. Raul Castro & Co.? no, they're trying to get the lights turned back on.
Who is left? Our old fave: Mad Vlad of Kremlin fame. So, US Homeland Security chief sent a message: stop now or else. Seems to have worked. The shrimp put a hold on the project in an attempt to move the maker closer to USA. This is after several ships carrying Rus oil were found to have sragged anchors cutting internet cables from Sweden to Estonia. Bad, Vlad. very bad. So, the dictator of Moskva is scrambling around the halls of the Kremlin shouting about trump, qElon, Joe Biden, and BiBi, and Bashar. What a scene around Red Square. It's winter there, and cold.
So what's next for Vova? Just wait. The inauguration is in a week. Then the fun begins, again. Oh, can't wait. Bring in the Clowns and get the circus rolling. Wheeeeee.
Hmmmmmm. Who said that? Who said what? Who said we can't trust the economic data put out by the Chinese government? It was an economist. Not just any economist, but a respected Chinese economist who mentioned at an international meeting that the numbers put out by Beijing didn't add up or make sense. Something was not quite right. The date was not only confusing, but also contradicted other recorde mdata sets. Hmmmm.
Then what happened? well the economist was then subjected to discipline. He was detained. He is now regretting what and where he spoke. He will have to answer for making that error in judgement. Oh, to be able to speak freely. Not in Chhina sir. Speak only when told to speak and only say what Beijing wants you to say. Whatever, don't speak the truth if it contradicts Communist Party "truths". Don't make dictator Xi look like a fool.
Spread the word: top economist speaks bad words. Now disciplined. Numbers will add up or else. Don't doubt the Party numbers. If you do, bad things will happen.
Ahhh, China. So much potential but the country can't shake the aParty, yet.
It was close: Penn State V. Notre Dame. Even matchup. It would come down to 1 mistake with less than a minute to go. After posting 10 points, Penn St. looked like they were ready to advance. The running game was working and the Irish couldn't figure out the right defensive posture to hold the Lions. With seconds to go in the 1st half, ND scored 3 points on a field goal to get on the board. 10-3 at the halfway mark.
A revitalized team came out of the Irish locker room and put a quick 7 spot on the board to tie the score. 10-10. It didn't take long before thery added another TD to go ahead 17-10. Then the lions came roaring back, adding another TD to tie, 17-17. Then another TD to take a commanding 24-17 lead. But the Irish were not finished either. They found the end zone to make it another tie at 24-24. But, they copuldn't get into field goal range and they had to punt with under 2 minutes to play. Penn State had the advantage: time was on their side and they started to move. And then DISASTER: the Nittany Lion QB threw an interception, a remarkable catch in Lion territory. After a review, it was ND ball on the Lion 45 with 3 time outs and excellent field position. As the clock ticked away, Notre Dame moved the ball to within easy field goal range. With 8 seconds left, kicker jeter put a kick through the uprights to lead 27-24. 8 seconds remained.
Penn State threw one pass incomplete. Then a lateral or two and the game ended. A good game for all involved. Noter Dame team has a new school record of 14 wins. See you in the National Vhampionship game against the winner of the Cotton Bowl next week.
The pictures of the raging wildland fires in Los Angeles County tell a grim story: Santa Ana winds carry embers a long way in a very short time. Whole neighborhoods were affected by the flames in Malibu, Pacific Palisades, and in several other locations including Pasadena, Altadena, and Sylmar.These citiesare not in the middle of a forest, they are suburban communities: low rise ranch-style homes, separated by side and back yards. Some vegetation obviously existed in the various locations and all were served by fire protection services with fire hydrants well placed.
Nobody seemed to envision this situation despite other fire that roared down the canyons with similar results. A rethinking of fire protection efforts is necessary and with it, the expenses that go along with those improvements.
Over 100 years ago, the San Francisco earthquake which spawned the fire that destroyed the downtown section of the City, gave rise to efforts to protect the inhabitants and their property. A well designed and engineered water system was the result. The key to the system was the design of a separate firefighting water system that served the high value district(downtown) with high pressure pipes fed by static reservoirs and tanks strategically placed so gravity could provide the pressure. The entire system was inter-connected and available only for fire department usage. Almost 2 million gallons of fresh water is available. Additionally, two standby pump house were constructed to make SF bay water available. These 2 stations are on the edge of SF Bay and can provided unlimited amounts of salt water which works as well as fresh.
Looking at the scenes in SoCAl, one wonders why nobody wanted to provide access to the Pacific Ocean, the obvious source of unlimited supply that could have thwarted the worst fires. Next time.
Sad to think that it could have been different if only. If only politicians looked ahead as this situation was easily foreseen.
President -Elect DJT gave a speech in Florida at his home at Mar-A-Lago, aka Mar-A-Wacko. As he talked randomly about all kinds of weird and wacky topics, his equally weird son, Donald Jr., appeared in video on the coast of GREENLAND.
Can you imagine? Even Elon wouldn't show up for that Foto OP. Too cold for X-Man. Meanwhile, at Mar-A-Wacko, DJT expounds on crazy stuff, again. This is a prelude to what's coming in a couple of weeks. In Congress, Kamala Harris certified the election results of 2024 making them official. No problems were in evidence: no rioting mobs with buffalo horned helmets or MAGA sweatshirts and outfits. The `1000+ felons sentenced for their criminal acts in 2021 are now awaiting pardons which may or may not happen.
On the legal front, Judge Juan Merchan will impose a sentence on DJT this Friday, but indicated he will not impose jail time for the incoming president, especially in light of the inauguration day. DJT will most likely to have continued legal issues throughout his 2nd term in office. For Trump businesses, they will continue as always.
The former mayor of New York City, Rudy Giuliani, was held in contempt of court by a federal judge for repeated obstruction and failure to provide personal property details necessary to pay the $148 millions owded to two poll workers that he defamed after thge results of the 2020 election when DJT claimed he won and Joe Biden lost. Judge Liman stated that he will decide the appropriate action which could include jail time unless the 80 year old former chief executive of NYC.
There are few mfolks who have any sympathy for this former federal prosecutor who knows the law. He has gone "rogue' in his attempt to curry favor with president elect DJT. As his former legal counsel, Mr. Giuliani has felt that he is untouchable. However, the courts have not agreed. His world is crashing down around him but the poor sap won't acknowledge the situation in any manner that makes good sense. He is obviously deranged; he lives in a fantasy world of his own creation that he cannot escape from on hios own. Sad. ? No, not really; he is the same as he has always been: sleaze bag extraordinaire; lawyer who thinks the law and its mandates is for chumps, not him. Get ready for a 10'X 10' cell, Rudy. Maybe it won't be as cold as Siberia, but it won't be Florida.
Too bad for you, Rudy. At 80 years old, a very sad case indeed.
And who will do the certifying: the 2nd best candidate for the presidency: Kamala Harris, Vice President of the United States. This time, as opposed to last time, will not be the same: there will not be a mob in place ready to prevent the certification of the Electoral College voting results. The Biden Administration will pass the baton to the incoming Clown and his circus of wackos who were elected in November 2024 by a very slim margin which was provided by the $250 million dollars of donations by Elon Musk who could safely claim he owns the White House along with X and a few other properties.
What a country. High jinx, low jinx, get ready for the jinx administration. How about chief anti-vaxxer: Robert F. Kennedy(why does he continue to apply junior after his name?) MOst juniors drop off the Jr. when the senior dies. The poor old sap struggled all his life trying to live up to that famous senior without success. The pathetic candidate found a following as a crank funded by money he didn't have but others were willing to provide to support his far out positions.
How about Kash Patel? Head of the FBI? Ha, ha,ha,ha,ha. First thing he'll do is fire all the agents and hire trump's family members. Maybe Barron will want to be an agent. Or, better yet, Melania will want to carry a badge and carry a 9mm in her underware. HHmmmm.
Tulsi Gabbard. Really?
Mt. Lutnick? Come on, you must be joking.
Steve Bannon? Oh, please. My sides are already aching with laughter.
The last regular season contest pitted two teams with equal records:14-and 3. It was expected to be a good one despite not really affecting the playoffs. The winner would have home field advantage and the loser would be playing on the road to start.
Veteran QB for the Lions, Jared Goff of California, would face Sam Darnald, the rookie. The first half was tied after 30 minutes and neither team dominated the other. Dropped passes, fumbles, sacks, and missed opportunities characterized the play. The Lions defensive unit showed some success in the red zone, thwarting the Vikes efforts to score a TD. QB Darnald missed open receivers several times. Field goals seemed to be each team's answer to failure to score.
The second half seemed to indicate more of the same: fumbles, dropped passes, missed opportunities. Then, things changed: the Lions started to run the ball successfully against the Vikes spread defense. Goff now had an advantage: sure I can pass against the blitz and aggressive rushers, but I can challenge the Norsemen and keep them honest with a running game. With a mix of runs and passes, the most successful strategy, worked quite well as the Vikes fumbled and stumbled as the clock wound down. The Lions completed the most successful season in their history with 15 regular season games in the win column. The home town crowd were duly impressed and expressed satisfaction following a nice victory at Ford Field.
The Western reaches of the largest country in the world is in the grip of winter, 2025. History records the various difficulties faced by the Rus peoples when winter descends on the Steppes: Baby, it's cold outside. Frigid temperatures not only drive the locals indoors, but also drives them to drink-as in vodka. Rus peoples like their vodka, in varying amounts depending on ones personal feelings of safety and security.
Meanwhile, down south, in Ukraine where the "Special Operation" continues after more than 1000 days, the drain on the Rus economy continues unabated. Moskva and the Kremlin continue to pump more worthless rubles into the economy. They pay a death bonus to families who have lost loved ones in the war. There are lots of them and the numbers continue to go up. recently, North Korean mercenaries have added their bodies to the count. Is Kim Il eligible for a death bonus for each of the North Koreans who die on Ukrainian soil? Probably, since Kim Il knows that some foreign exchange helps his economy and his bank account. Will the families see any of it, if paid? Hardly, they are North Koreans.
So, what is to be done? Putin's answer: raise the interest rates. That will nullify the effect of sending more worthless rubles into the marketplace. How about 21% interest rates? Sounds like Paul Volcker in the '80's: when in doubt, raise interest rates. How about a mortgage of 18 1/2%, as was common in the US in '80's. Hmmmm, Mad Vlad has his hands full; and those hands include the Murderous Bashar al-Assad and his family, now living in Moskva. The Old Syrian dentist arrived at the end of the road just before Christmas when rebels took over the country and all support for Bashar the Bastard evaporated even before he fled.
So, Bashar will now have to pay rent to the Kremlin. His Swiss bank accounts will suffer withdrawals and few if any deposits. MAd Vlad will probably raise his rent soon, especially if he wants a dacha in a nice 'hood. What's a guy to do?
21%-it's not fair; the poor Rus who makes about $800/month will hardly have enough left to pay for state-controlled vodka. The Rus like their vodka neat, right out of the freezer when it has the consistency of syrup-ahhhhhhh vodka, nectar of the gods or soon to be dead Rus.
In a close call for his survival, Mike Johnson overcame opposition to his Speakership by convincing 2 party members to change their votes as a second ballot appeared necessary. The 2 conferred separately with other party members who made the decision to vote for his election. DJT had offered support and it appears that was all that was needed.
Mike Johnson: Speaker of the House of Representatives-2025. Sad but true.
In a long awaited declaration the US Surgeon General spoke out to the public realm about the health effects of consuming alcohol. He declared that ALL alcohol consumption has significant health risks and is responsible for over 100,000 cases of cancer diagnoses from all types. He asks that Congress overcome the considerable efforts of the industrial production of familiar products that contain alcohol, including but not limited to beer, wine, whiskey, and white spirits(vodka, rums, gins, etc.).
She suggests at minimum: warning labels attached to all products to at least advise consumers that there are health effects when consumed, not unlike those on cigarettes that have warned smokers for years. This will be a major effort to reduce alcohol-related deaths in Us.
