Daily Tech News 14 December 2024

Top Story

You can't sue your way to AGI, says OpenAI in response to Elon Musk's lawsuit over the non-profit organisation being taken over by snake-oil salesmen. (The Verge)
Believe us, we've tried.
AGI stands for Artificial General Intelligence, a term invented by the snake oil salesmen when everyone figured out there was no snake in the snake oil.

OpenAI now says AGI will arrive as soon as next year, as a result of a convenient redefinition of AGI to mean "whatever we manage to ship next year".
An OpenAI whistleblower has been found dead in his San Francisco apartment. (Tech Crunch)

Suchir Balaji called attention to what he believed was OpenAI's intentional breaches of copyright law in training ChatGPT.

Tech News

If Tesla won't launch an AI-piloted taxi service, we will, says Zoox. (Tech Crunch)

What is a Zoox?
A Waymo robotaxi got stuck in a roundabout. (Tech Crunch)

Yes, it was doing exactly what you think it was doing.
Bluesky has found out what happens if you take millions of the most demented users from a much larger platform and make them your own problem: They become your own problem. (Tech Crunch)

Jesse Singal, who is generally an intelligent and affable idiot, has written extensively on the insanity of the chemical sterilisation and surgical mutilation of children. To be completely clear, despite his otherwise mainstream left-wing views, he is vehemently against this, and his writing and research in this area is solid.

He created a Bluesky account because, being left-wing, he is unhappy with Twitter.

Bluesky went insane. The one thing you are absolutely forbidden to do is to question the orthodoxy.
He is now the most blocked user on the social network, and user outrage over his participation on the platform is growing. People are demanding that Bluesky take a stand: It's either a place that promises it won't host bad actors, or it's a place that promises not to inflate the reach of bad actors thanks to its various moderation tools.

It cannot be both.
Freedom of speech and freedom of conscience simply don't exist for these people. Anyone daring to offer a different opinion must be revoked.

And if you read Bluesky, they mean that in the Brontitall sense.
But many Bluesky users don't want to just moderate and ignore Singal, they want him gone. It's become a dealbreaker.

By keeping him, Bluesky risks harming the community, depleting its goodwill, and losing users, while also sending a signal to others that bad actors and harassers are welcome there.
To be clear again, Singal is not a bad actor, and has not harassed anyone. This is just crazy people being crazy.
But by banning Singal, Bluesky could come under attack from the next head of the FCC, Brendan Carr, who is ready to come after social networks he believes are suppressing conservative views. Whatever Bluesky does here will attract attention, for better or for worse.
Start banning the crazy people. They are the problem. Nobody wants them.

If they represent the majority of your active users, your platform will die.
The Minisforum MS-A1 is a big small PC. (Liliputing)

Measure about 8"x8"x2" it's a lot bigger than a small PC but a lot smaller than a big PC. And it supports desktop CPUs and laptop RAM, so it's easy to expand.

It's now available with a sixteen core 9950X if you need a very fast and quite small system. The only problem is that it doesn't have room for a graphics card, and the onboard graphics on the 9950X are... Meh.

A better option for most people is probably to install the Ryzen 8700G. It's only half as fast on the CPU side of things which makes sense as it only has eight cores, but it has twelve graphics cores against just two on all the 9000-series CPUs.

The 8700G is a laptop CPU adapted for desktop sockets. It doesn't look like we'll see a 9700G or anything similar, because the current Ryzen 370 laptop CPUs don't appear to have any support for socketed memory. (Though it's possible to work around this with CAMM2 modules.)
AMD's 4124P is designed for low-end embedded servers, but it uses the standard desktop AM5 socket. So how does a four-core CPU stand up in gaming in 2024? (Tom's Hardware)

Actually, pretty well. You're not going to want to pair it with a 4090 (if you can even find one), but for $149 it does everything you would expect.
Luon is an implementation of Oberon+ - a successor to Pascal developed by Niklaus Wirth - that targets the LuaJIT backend. (GitHub)

Which is a lot less crazy than it might sound, because Oberon+ is a clean and effective programming language, and LuaJIT runs anywhere and is extremely fast and efficient because Mike Pall is a robot from the future.
Apple broke the ability to back up the operating system on MacOS. (ShirtPocket)

You can't write a program to do this; you have to use the operating system itself.

The operating system itself is broken.

Apple is turning Macs, step by step, into iPhones that don't work.
Cognitive load is what matters. (GitHub)

A system that does everything perfectly that nobody understands is infinitely fragile.

A system that is simple but broken can be fixed.

Disclaimer: In time, all systems become rococo, and then rubble.

Posted by: Pixy Misa at 04:00 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 drones, drones, nothing but drones

Posted by: Ciampino - when you are no longer relevant ! at December 14, 2024 04:04 AM (i0xsb)

2 w00t

Posted by: m at December 14, 2024 04:04 AM (VnUSN)

3 Thanks, Pixy!

Posted by: m at December 14, 2024 04:04 AM (VnUSN)

4 G'Day everyone

Posted by: Skip at December 14, 2024 04:05 AM (fwDg9)

5 President Trump says shoot them down.
My guess is Jan 20 we won't see them anymore

Posted by: Skip at December 14, 2024 04:06 AM (fwDg9)

6 >>>What is a Zoox?

I mean, $20? Same as in town?

Posted by: m at December 14, 2024 04:09 AM (VnUSN)

7 I nooded

Posted by: Ciampino - when you are no longer relevant ! at December 14, 2024 04:11 AM (i0xsb)

8 Lizzo signed a petition to get Jesse Singal banned from Bluesky and then (then!) asked who he was and what he had done.

Posted by: m at December 14, 2024 04:14 AM (VnUSN)

9 There are a lot of badly broken people in our world. I’m dealing with one right now in my life and they are making my life miserable. Life is too short for this crap. Not surprised that bluesky is full of these types.

Posted by: neverenoughcaffeine at December 14, 2024 04:18 AM (gUEAT)

10 LB
@beyondreasdoubt
Dec 13
Y’all not going to care, but most of the commutations are people that were already released from jail some years ago during COVID-19. In some cases their release was ordered by a judge, and in others, the BOP granted release to home confinement.
There was an open question if these individuals would go back to jail after the pandemic and complete their sentences. By granting the commutations, Biden is allowing them to stay out.

Posted by: m at December 14, 2024 04:20 AM (VnUSN)

11 LB
@beyondreasdoubt
18h
I know I am beating a dead horse and facts are not fun, but Biden didn't "pick" any of these people. The 1,600 or so people whose sentences were commuted had already been released from prison. I'm not sure Biden even reviewed their cases; it was just a blanket commutation for everyone already released by either a Judge or the BOP during COVID.
And the Chinese were part of a prisoner swap.

Posted by: m at December 14, 2024 04:21 AM (VnUSN)

12 Bluesky is a mentally ill co-op. Buncha lunatics running their own sanitarium. They deserve each other.

Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls at December 14, 2024 04:22 AM (5NDL0)

13 I might need to sign up at bluesky.. just for the LOLs.

Posted by: JQ at December 14, 2024 04:27 AM (YoCnN)

14 It's like there's no downside to destroying society other than having to live in a destroyed society.

Posted by: pawn, RIP Vic at December 14, 2024 04:35 AM (QB+5g)

15 Good morning, good people, from the continuing Frigidondacks.

May all here enjoy maximum success from their efforts and the leftwits suffer extreme anguish from theirs, they earned it.

Posted by: IRONGRAMPA at December 14, 2024 04:40 AM (hKoQL)

16 Mornin'

8 Lizzo signed a petition to get Jesse Singal banned from Bluesky and then (then!) asked who he was and what he had done.
Posted by: m

LOL! She's probably too fat for a gestapo uniform though.

Posted by: Puddleglum at work at December 14, 2024 04:43 AM (C26rB)

17 IRONGRAMPA

Good morning.

*Crisp*

Hand Salute.
Ready
Two.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at December 14, 2024 04:45 AM (u82oZ)

18 Good morning!

Let's smile & be happy & strike fear in the hearts of killjoy leftists everywhere.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at December 14, 2024 04:45 AM (u82oZ)

19 My flu shot woke me. I was assured that this was the traditional egg-based flu shot. Without mRNA. Hurts, since I have not gotten one for several years.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at December 14, 2024 04:47 AM (u82oZ)

20 The US Military denies drones are theirs. Nor are they foreign. So DARPA is ruled out, but not the CIA, DOJ, DHS, or a secret deep state entity.

Open fire.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at December 14, 2024 04:49 AM (u82oZ)

21 20 The US Military denies drones are theirs. Nor are they foreign. So DARPA is ruled out, but not the CIA, DOJ, DHS, or a secret deep state entity.

Open fire.
Posted by: NaCly Dog at December 14, 2024 04:49 AM (u82oZ)

I wonder if they can just net them.

Posted by: m at December 14, 2024 04:50 AM (VnUSN)

22 pawn

Some twisted people want to rule over an diseased anthill.

Not me.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at December 14, 2024 04:50 AM (u82oZ)

23 m

Too high. Conveniently.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at December 14, 2024 04:50 AM (u82oZ)

24 23 m

Too high. Conveniently.
Posted by: NaCly Dog at December 14, 2024 04:50 AM (u82oZ)

Hmm. Thanks.
I've often wanted to do that with pigeons.

Posted by: m at December 14, 2024 04:51 AM (VnUSN)

25 m

We have few pigeons. Too many hawks.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at December 14, 2024 04:52 AM (u82oZ)

26 Going back to sleep.

Have a great day, everyone. May the drone you down be carrying a check to you from the Publishers Clearing House.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at December 14, 2024 04:57 AM (u82oZ)

27 We have few pigeons. Too many hawks.
Posted by: NaCly Dog at December 14, 2024 04:52 AM (u82oZ)

Hawk too, huh?

Posted by: Warai-otoko is being topical at December 14, 2024 04:57 AM (y/ZMQ)

28 Home life just got really weird, here..

Hubby is still loopy. Slept most of the evening after supper, then woke a little while ago. Hungry again. Went to kitchen (without cane, which he usually needs) and ate THREE bananas while waiting for hot water to make cup of cocoa. Forgot about the cocoa, so I made it for him...

He sat in living room, then went back to bed without the cocoa (fine with me). He seems to have forgotten that he smokes (also, fine with me!) and I've hidden the lighters & cigarettes & ashtrays.

Back to sleep.. I'm *afraid* to go to sleep now. What if he wakes again & hurts himself? Oh boy, oh boy, I hope he regains some sensibilities soon!

Posted by: JQ at December 14, 2024 04:59 AM (YoCnN)

29 27 Hawk too, huh?
Posted by: Warai-otoko is being topical at December 14, 2024 04:57 AM (y/ZMQ)

LOL

Posted by: m at December 14, 2024 05:00 AM (VnUSN)

30 Maybe the drones are just Allstate checking out peoples roofing and gutters.

Posted by: Jinx the Cat at December 14, 2024 05:02 AM (qHx0q)

31 Problem of who or what these flying objects are can be resolved by just lifting an Apache off, finding one and address it with the bullhorn, telling it to land or be shot out of the sky. Dumb shits watching them fly around is maximum stupid.

Posted by: IRONGRAMPA at December 14, 2024 05:04 AM (hKoQL)

32 Maybe the drones are just Allstate checking out peoples roofing and gutters.
Posted by: Jinx the Cat
--------

Insurance companies do use drones now, I've read.

F them, though. I hope they all get shot down. What an invasion of privacy!

Posted by: JQ at December 14, 2024 05:04 AM (YoCnN)

33 Birdbath status?

Posted by: Just Wondering at December 14, 2024 05:07 AM (dg+HA)

34 No birdbath here anymore-- it broke & never got replaced.

"Hiya!" and I hope JT can join us again soon.

Posted by: JQ at December 14, 2024 05:08 AM (YoCnN)

35 So two things from dave's ont seemed to be related enough to comment on but i was too asleep to do it myself....

There's the poll about how kwanza and juneteenth are fake. Then there's the guy learning ASL for his gf's deaf brother and creeps trying to say that's creepy....

I think the common theme is what Stephen Jay Gould once called the "es-ex" factor, which kind of described the pathology behind wokeism before woke was even a thing. There's a sort of joy in creating a subgroup that you can identify with, and people will be very irrational in making their out-group as out as possible. In language, people make up their own speech tics to mark their group as special, but being special is fun, so it gets adopted by everyone else.

Reject Christmas as "White", and then make your own holidays and feign injury from being excluded from that which you excluded yourself from.

Or, passively, make "deaf" an out-group for others and demand the purity of it. Why learn ASL if you're not deaf? That's a Deaf Thing. You're not deaf. Would they react the same if the little brother only spoke Spanish, so the boyfriend started learning Spanish? I say maybe. I don't know. Just musing.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at December 14, 2024 05:15 AM (y/ZMQ)

36 G'mornin' everyone!

Posted by: sock_rat_eez - they have been lying to us for decades at December 14, 2024 05:16 AM (cY18j)

37 Good morning morons

I thought that stuck Waymo must have been from here but it doesn't look that here.

I can state with 100% confidence my sorry ass will never ride in one.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 14, 2024 05:29 AM (RIvkX)

38 Posted by: Warai-otoko at December 14, 2024 05:15 AM

Interesting insights.

Juneteenth is an actual observance, whereas, Kwanzaa is a fictional thing.

Every *generation* has their own words, to differentiate themselves from everyone else:
Groovy. Far-out. Heavy.
Awesome. Excellent.
Bad. Sick.
???? (I'm too old for this sh1t)

But learning ASL, because your SO's sibling is deaf?
GOLD f'n STAR decent behavior. (IMO, of course)

Posted by: JQ at December 14, 2024 05:29 AM (YoCnN)

39 Also, Warai-otoko, this is the *money quote*:

"feign injury from being excluded from that which you excluded yourself from"

This.

Posted by: JQ at December 14, 2024 05:34 AM (YoCnN)

40 Our birdbath has been very busy with a warbler that I think is nesting in my neighbors's camelia.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 14, 2024 05:35 AM (RIvkX)

41 F them, though. I hope they all get shot down. What an invasion of privacy!
Posted by: JQ at December 14, 2024 05:04 AM (YoCnN)

That ship's already sailed. We already live in that world. Satellites take pictures of your back yard whenever they like, and post it online for anyone on earth to see. Heck, anyone in a small commuter aircraft can fly right over your house and snap a picture. That's been a thing for 100 years.

If it ain't inside your house, it ain't private. Whatever ought to be, or whatever we think ought to be, that's been the way it is for years now.

I figure if these drones aren't attacking people in any way, then stay calm and wait until you know what's up before making a friend or foe decision. It's especially asinine to be shooting at them in a panic or, worse, out of boredom.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at December 14, 2024 05:40 AM (y/ZMQ)

42 Was cat napping a bit, now coffee making time

Posted by: Skip at December 14, 2024 05:40 AM (fwDg9)

43 Gadzooks, Batman!

Posted by: Robin, the Boy Wonder at December 14, 2024 05:41 AM (dg+HA)

44 Also, Warai-otoko, this is the *money quote*:

"feign injury from being excluded from that which you excluded yourself from"

This.
Posted by: JQ at December 14, 2024 05:34 AM (YoCnN)

Is pretty nuts starting to realize how pervasive this kind of thing is...

Posted by: Warai-otoko at December 14, 2024 05:41 AM (y/ZMQ)

45 If my homeowners' insurance company wants to "have a look around" my property, then they can By Gawd make an appointment with me, to come and look.

F that "flying around" horsecrap.

No, I'm not some dumbass redneck idiot with a gub, lookin' to have a shootout.

Posted by: JQ at December 14, 2024 05:42 AM (YoCnN)

46 "It's especially asinine to be shooting at them in a panic or, worse, out of boredom."

This is about us, isn't it?

Posted by: The people of West Virginia at December 14, 2024 05:44 AM (dg+HA)

47 Problem of who or what these flying objects are can be resolved by just lifting an Apache off, finding one and address it with the bullhorn, telling it to land or be shot out of the sky. Dumb shits watching them fly around is maximum stupid.
Posted by: IRONGRAMPA at December 14, 2024 05:04 AM (hKoQL)

I gotta figure the people with the Apaches already know what's up and have some very good very stupid reason to not tell anyone.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at December 14, 2024 05:45 AM (y/ZMQ)

48 Back to sleep.. I'm *afraid* to go to sleep now. What if he wakes again & hurts himself? Oh boy, oh boy, I hope he regains some sensibilities soon!
Posted by: JQ at December 14, 2024 04:59 AM (YoCnN)
====

JQ pardon my not knowing but what is your husband's diagnosis?

Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 14, 2024 05:45 AM (RIvkX)

49 Who wrote that story about the guy who claimed to own the moon because it occasionally passed over the column of sky above his property? The Man Who Sold The Moon or something. Probably Heinlein. Maybe Le Guin. I don't know.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at December 14, 2024 05:47 AM (y/ZMQ)

50 No, I'm not some dumbass redneck idiot with a gub, lookin' to have a shootout.
Posted by: JQ at December 14, 2024 05:42 AM (YoCnN)

You're certainly not...

But my buddy's dumbass buddy certainly is.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at December 14, 2024 05:48 AM (y/ZMQ)

51 46 "It's especially asinine to be shooting at them in a panic or, worse, out of boredom."

This is about us, isn't it?
Posted by: The people of West Virginia

Well, no. You all would just shoot at them on principle. Maybe boredom too.

Posted by: Puddleglum at work at December 14, 2024 05:49 AM (C26rB)

52 I think Apple wants to make phones and iPads.

Posted by: Accomack at December 14, 2024 05:52 AM (UcGHj)

53 10 days till Christmas Eve.

Posted by: rhennigantx at December 14, 2024 05:52 AM (gbOdA)

54 San Franpsycho--

Hepatic Encephalopathy.

He has cirrhosis. Has had TIPS surgery, to alleviate ascites. (successful). We've been through a wringer, but the last couple of years have been relatively mellow, considering.

We were told he had "a few weeks, or maybe a few months" to live, approx. 4 YEARS ago. Dr. said to get his affairs in order. Hubby & I had some LONG, heart-to-heart convos at that point.

I goofed, and had not been administering enough Lactulose for a few days... He hates the stuff. But! It's important that he gets it.

So-- he had an episode of H.E. and landed in hospital for 3 days.

Posted by: JQ at December 14, 2024 05:53 AM (YoCnN)

55 https://www.americanthinker.com/ 20 or so obvious questions about january 6

I want t o know, Who was Scaffold Commander?

Posted by: Skip at December 14, 2024 05:56 AM (fwDg9)

56 So-- he had an episode of H.E. and landed in hospital for 3 days.
Posted by: JQ at December 14, 2024 05:53 AM (YoCnN)
====

Sorry to hear that and will make a prayer for a complete and speedy healing. I had presumed over the years based on your comments he had some form of dementia...

Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 14, 2024 06:00 AM (RIvkX)

57 Evening and morning, early risers and Saturday toilers! (It IS Saturday. Right?) Saturn's Day at last!

Pixy, "What is a Zoox?" is a question worthy of Dr. Seuss.

Got to feed the furry thugs in a minute. Coffee first. Howzit with all of you?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 14, 2024 06:01 AM (omVj0)

58 Morning, 'rons and 'ettes.

Posted by: olddog in mo at December 14, 2024 06:03 AM (hoCmQ)

59 Morning, Horde...How goes it?

Finals Week is officially OVER.

Now all I have left to do is grade students' final projects and turn in their grades by Tuesday.

Or else...

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at December 14, 2024 06:03 AM (BpYfr)

60 I had presumed over the years based on your comments he had some form of dementia...
Posted by: San Franpsycho
------

Correct. It's been mostly manageable. But he hates the Lactulose because of its laxative effect. Ugh.

Thanks for your prayers, always welcome!

The thing with H.E., is that it can sometimes be reversed, even if only *somewhat*, and hubby has been extremely lucky so far.

I suspect that this time may take longer, and we both understand that his condition is progressive and (eventually) terminal. He does not desire liver transplant, and I support whatever he decides. His body, his choice.

Posted by: JQ at December 14, 2024 06:07 AM (YoCnN)

61 Who wrote that story about the guy who claimed to own the moon because it occasionally passed over the column of sky above his property? The Man Who Sold The Moon or something. Probably Heinlein. Maybe Le Guin. I don't know.
Posted by: Warai-otoko at December 14, 2024

***
The Man Who Sold the Moon, Heinlein. D.D. Harriman, a wealthy businessman who's always wanted to go to the Moon, mounts a plan to make it economically possible to go. One of his planks is, "Who owns the Moon?" The satellite at different times passes over an enormous portion of the Earth's surface between, I don't recall, 30 N and 30S or something. And if the rule of "If you own your land, you own the air above it" is pressed to its limit, there are a lot of countries that could be said to share the ownership of the Moon. I think he told his lawyers to get a release from as many of those countries as they could. I forget his endgame on that, though.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 14, 2024 06:07 AM (omVj0)

62 I cant believe I remembered so many details of the Heinlein novel I read first in '73 and haven't reread in quite a while. Especially after just waking up. Wow.

JQ, I'm sorry to hear about your husband. Is he doing better?

And Jim in Kalifornia: How are you doing?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 14, 2024 06:09 AM (omVj0)

63 I'll take some whiskey in my coffee.

Posted by: Old Lady Emhoff at December 14, 2024 06:10 AM (dg+HA)

64 Mornin' Wolfus!

Hubby is 'better' enough that he came home.

Thanks for asking!

How are YOU doing?

Posted by: JQ at December 14, 2024 06:10 AM (YoCnN)

65 Morning, all.
I had a nice day yesterday- heard from all the kids, my sister drove up to have lunch and I didn't cook all day.
She had great news- a grandson arriving in May.
So there needs to be a quilt.

Just one thing - our late brother used to call us and do a harmonica solo of "Happy Birthday" over the phone.
We will all miss that.

Posted by: sal at December 14, 2024 06:20 AM (f+FmA)

66 Powerline Week in Pictures:

https://is.gd/TxHrGH

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at December 14, 2024 06:22 AM (PiwSw)

67 My wife is going into finals week and part of the deal are meetings with her professors to discuss her grade, I.e. "the most accurate representation of your work that won't result in 0 star reviews"

Posted by: Accomack at December 14, 2024 06:24 AM (UcGHj)

68 38 days until the inauguration

Posted by: Skip at December 14, 2024 06:24 AM (fwDg9)

69 Have a lovely day, all.
Like the Perfessor, I have a time-limit project.
And today, damp and windy, looks like an excellent day to not hang lights.

Posted by: sal at December 14, 2024 06:25 AM (f+FmA)

70 An OpenAI whistleblower has been found dead in his San Francisco apartment. (Tech Crunch)

Amazing how many whistleblowers keep winding up dead.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at December 14, 2024 06:26 AM (bss/y)

71 I might need to sign up at bluesky.. just for the LOLs.
Posted by: JQ at December 14, 2024

***
See how fast you can get yourself banned!

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 14, 2024 06:26 AM (omVj0)

72 67 My wife is going into finals week and part of the deal are meetings with her professors to discuss her grade, I.e. "the most accurate representation of your work that won't result in 0 star reviews"
Posted by: Accomack at December 14, 2024 06:24 AM (UcGHj)

May we ask what her field is? So, it's just not an exam any more?

Posted by: sal at December 14, 2024 06:27 AM (f+FmA)

73 Hubby is 'better' enough that he came home.

Thanks for asking!

How are YOU doing?
Posted by: JQ at December 14, 2024

***
I'm glad to hear that.

I'm up, I'm still wearing my robe though I'll get dressed in a bit, having coffee and my first pipe in a week. Still I sound tinny even to me when I talk, but no more coughing and sneezing.

I gave the bottle of wine to my former boss and we talked for a bit. He's retiring to FL, where he and his wife are from. He suggested I get a cat sitter to take care of my monsters when we (if Linda will go) travel up to Indiana, and promised to send me a couple of names of people they've used.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 14, 2024 06:30 AM (omVj0)

74 I think this could be the actual stupidest thing I have ever seen:

Biden admin says it doesn’t have authority to shoot down mysterious drones

Posted by: Don Black at December 14, 2024 06:31 AM (/7KEl)

75 Basic college classes she needs for billing/ records degree.
But, it is NYC

Posted by: Accomack at December 14, 2024 06:35 AM (dtQZx)

76 Biden admin says it doesn’t have authority to shoot down mysterious drones
-----

Sure, sure... whatevs.

But the admin can do *anything else* that "it" wants.

F.J.B.

Posted by: JQ at December 14, 2024 06:35 AM (YoCnN)

77 74 I think this could be the actual stupidest thing I have ever seen:

Biden admin says it doesn’t have authority to shoot down mysterious drones
Posted by: Don Black at December 14, 2024 06:31 AM (/7KEl)

Fucking imbeciles.

It's like FUD runs in their veins. They don't even have to try, it just oozes out from them like pheromones.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at December 14, 2024 06:36 AM (y/ZMQ)

78 The BlueSky game is to beat the censors with snark, vocabulary and convoluted sentences.

Posted by: Accomack at December 14, 2024 06:37 AM (dtQZx)

79 I like Jesse Singal, he's affable and acerbic. And had more ability for self reflection than most hard core libs. On his Blocked and Reported podcast, in the ep where he revealed he had finally joined BlueSky, they found out in real time at the end of the podcast he'd been censored! BlueSky wasted no time, apparently.

He's one of the few journalists willing to share the documented negative research about transitioning children. Therefore he was summarily canceled and must die. Glad that podcasting has given him a second life.

Posted by: LizLem at December 14, 2024 06:40 AM (wcIbG)

80
BlueSky is the mental asylum to which the crazies self-deport. They all deserve one another.

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at December 14, 2024 06:41 AM (xG4kz)

81 74 I think this could be the actual stupidest thing I have ever seen:

Biden admin says it doesn’t have authority to shoot down mysterious drones
Posted by: Don Black at December 14, 2024 06:31 AM (/7KEl)

Which... could imply they are saying it is a domestic operation, but even then you'd think...

This is like the balloon thing: Complete jumbled, retarded and passive. Strange for jackbooted Stalinists.

Which could mean it is one of their projects.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at December 14, 2024 06:41 AM (bss/y)

82 Even back when that stupid spy balloon was a thing, I thought, OK, fine, it's a balloon, so what. Don't leave your top secret shit lying around outside. Whatever they can see with a balloon they can see with a satellite. No reason to panic.... hell, let the damn thing float around and give it a whole bunch of misinfo to report back on. Think on your heels for once. Wheel out some inflatables. Paint some goofy shit. I don't know, whatever. But for crying out loud, the dithering and fecklessness from the gov't about it was sickening to see. And here it is again.

A thing is going on. There's no demonstrable need to panic. But nothing good or useful is being done, and the gov't is feeding into panic by being bumbling idiots about it.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at December 14, 2024 06:42 AM (y/ZMQ)

83 >>> Now all I have left to do is grade students' final projects and turn in their grades by Tuesday.
Or else...

Is rate my professor still a thing? Hopefully they are nice to you if it is.

Posted by: LizLem at December 14, 2024 06:44 AM (wcIbG)

84 Cat came back & is happily snoozing next to his Big Buddy again.

Time for bed, for me also.

Thanks for listening, all. Prayers welcome, of course.

Take care and have a great weekend! Maybe see ya on the garden or pet or hobby threads....

Posted by: JQ at December 14, 2024 06:45 AM (YoCnN)

85 G'moring, all from cold and dark Baltimore

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at December 14, 2024 06:45 AM (oeJyF)

86 I mean, hell, just fucking lie if you want to, you assholes lie about every other damn thing. "We intercepted their control signals, and our cryptologists have determined they are not of nefarious origin". Say something other than "We have literally no idea stop asking".

Posted by: Warai-otoko at December 14, 2024 06:46 AM (y/ZMQ)

87 Perfessor Squirrel is an excellent teacher, a caring academic professional who goes out of his way to nurture and support students, fellow faculty, and the community at large. He is also a friend to kittens.

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, oh, here's an apple, too at December 14, 2024 06:47 AM (PiwSw)

88 I have authority to shoot down a drone if it threatens me, my family, or my property. It’s a GOD given right.

Posted by: Eromero at December 14, 2024 06:47 AM (I6DeU)

89 Will pray for your husband and you, JQ.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 14, 2024 06:48 AM (NpYE8)

90 I want to know, Who was Scaffold Commander?
Posted by: Skip

Ditto. It's got real possibilities, and a "just in time for Christmas!" marketing vibe. Good name for a video game, also, "I saw them open for..."

A Chief's rating, back in the days of hull scraping, or something from a really big revolution. Hang 'Em High?

In Japan, the scaffolds are made of lashed bamboo.

Posted by: Way,Way Downriver at December 14, 2024 06:50 AM (zdLoL)

91 Speculation article at American Thinker is this drone stuff is a lot to do about nothing, but if so the government could brush it away better than we no nothing, see nothing and hear nothing

Posted by: Skip at December 14, 2024 06:50 AM (fwDg9)

92 Thanks, Mapes, I needed a good laugh!

& thanks for that update, Skip! O the joy!

17 degrees, some clouds, breezy, gonna be a brisk hike this morning lol; snow/freezing rain expected later.

Posted by: sock_rat_eez - they have been lying to us for decades at December 14, 2024 06:51 AM (cY18j)

93 A thing is going on. There's no demonstrable need to panic. But nothing good or useful is being done, and the gov't is feeding into panic by being bumbling idiots about it.

Posted by: Warai-otoko

You have everything to fear, including fear itself!!

Posted by: US Federal Government at December 14, 2024 06:52 AM (sAmhv)

94 re drones: I dunno nuffin about whats up with that, but I am dead certain that they are lying, and think we are stupid.

Posted by: sock_rat_eez - they have been lying to us for decades at December 14, 2024 06:53 AM (cY18j)

95 Just a short drop-in to update.

M father is now in Hospice with we estimate 1-3 days before God calls him home.

Our son and his wife were able to get here to Baltimore so that he may spend time with his Grandfather.

So, any prayers would be appreciated.

On the road to Allentown Pa to visit in a few.

BBIAFD's.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at December 14, 2024 06:53 AM (oeJyF)

96 In Japan, the scaffolds are made of lashed bamboo.
Posted by: Way,Way Downriver at December 14, 2024 06:50 AM (zdLoL
Wouldn’t you hate to get a splinter in your toe climbing those steps?

Posted by: Eromero at December 14, 2024 06:53 AM (I6DeU)

97
Cognitive load is what matters. (GitHub)

A system that does everything perfectly that nobody understands is infinitely fragile.

--
I got sucked into that article
It's interesting

Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at December 14, 2024 06:54 AM (gDlxJ)

98 Prayers up, VIA.

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at December 14, 2024 06:54 AM (PiwSw)

99 My silly hunch is it's some kind of test for something like Starlink, but with terrestrial drones instead of satellites.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at December 14, 2024 06:55 AM (y/ZMQ)

100 In Japan, the scaffolds are made of lashed bamboo.
Posted by: Way,Way Downriver at December 14, 2024
*
Wouldn’t you hate to get a splinter in your toe climbing those steps?
Posted by: Eromero at December 14, 2024

***
Are we talking about scaffolds for painting/construction work, or scaffolds for hanging criminals? If the latter, a splinter in your toe is the least of your worries. . . .

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 14, 2024 06:57 AM (omVj0)

101 Back to sleep.. I'm *afraid* to go to sleep now. What if he wakes again & hurts himself? Oh boy, oh boy, I hope he regains some sensibilities soon!
Posted by: JQ

I remember sleeping with one eye open hoping and praying husband wouldn't decide he needed to go for a walk in the middle of the night. No fun.

Posted by: Tuna at December 14, 2024 06:57 AM (oaGWv)

102 This means something...

Posted by: fd, sculpting his mashed potatoes at December 14, 2024 06:57 AM (vFG9F)

103 Scaffold Commander sounds like a key role in the movie Bridge Over River Kwai.
Probably would have been played by Kam Fong Chun.

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at December 14, 2024 06:57 AM (dg+HA)

104 Just one thing - our late brother used to call us and do a harmonica solo of "Happy Birthday" over the phone.
We will all miss that.

Posted by: sal at December 14, 2024 06:20 AM (f+FmA)
====
May his memory be a blessing.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 14, 2024 06:58 AM (RIvkX)

105 Looking over yesterday's Ace headlines, I see Nasty Pelosi has fractured a hip -- at eighty-four. Combined with McConnell's recent fall and, as Ace put it, F. Joke's "Lived Experience as a Vegetable-American," is it possible that we will at last demand some term limits for these feeders at the public trough?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 14, 2024 07:00 AM (omVj0)

106 Sorry about your dad’s critical condition, VIA . Will pray for him, for yiu and your family.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 14, 2024 07:00 AM (GUkbW)

107 Thank you, SF- it is indeed.

Prayers for your father, VIA, and for all your family.

Posted by: sal at December 14, 2024 07:02 AM (f+FmA)

108 Can you imagine what reaction the Eisenhower admin. would have had to drones flying over U.S. territory?

"Mister, we could use a man like Dwight D. again!"

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 14, 2024 07:02 AM (omVj0)

109
Jesse Singal, who is generally an intelligent and affable idiot, has written extensively on the insanity of the chemical sterilisation and surgical mutilation of children. To be completely clear, despite his otherwise mainstream left-wing views, he is vehemently against this, and his writing and research in this area is solid.

---

Ah, except he's not canceled AND his Fellow Travelers are flocking to his platform.

I'm going with "he found a particular niche to exploit in a particular way" similar to the pro-gun ban / Hillary donor Black Rifle Coffee guy with conservatives.

He is probably beginning to realize his friends might not eat him last.

I wonder if he's seen the posters supporting the shooting of the CEOs?

Posted by: Infidelity during the entire month of December on Hallmark and Lifetime at December 14, 2024 07:03 AM (J+Ee3)

110 In Japan, the scaffolds are made of lashed bamboo.
Posted by: Way,Way Downriver at December 14, 2024
*
Wouldn’t you hate to get a splinter in your toe climbing those steps?
Posted by: Eromero at December 14, 2024

***
"Maybe get a blister on your finger, maybe get a blister on your thumb. . . ."

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 14, 2024 07:03 AM (omVj0)

111 "is it possible that we will at last demand some term limits for these feeders at the public trough?"

If nothing else, their terms will be limited by their mortality.

Posted by: fd at December 14, 2024 07:04 AM (vFG9F)

112 VIA tough times ahead, praying for your family

Posted by: Skip at December 14, 2024 07:04 AM (fwDg9)

113 This drone drama and the government's response feels like a poorly scripted 50's sci-fi.

Posted by: Ordinary American at December 14, 2024 07:06 AM (UseAb)

114 "Happy Holidays is commonly touted as a more inclusive festive greeting, which is intended to also recognize the multiple religious and cultural holidays at this time of year."
Hilarious moment Jill Biden's woke pronouncement is shot down by no-nonsense child https://mol.im/a/14191141

Let's analyze that a moment. Firstly it's the Holiday Season because a long time ago the Congress of this predominantly Christian Nation declared that December 25, the Day Christians celebrated the Birth of Christ, be a Federal Holiday (Holy Day). Not because of any other religious reason, Id, Festivus (lol), kwanzaa (made up, as if East African Blacks were the same as West or Southern Africans), etc.
Secondly except for Hanukkah I don't know of any other major religion that celebrates some milestone in December, let alone the 25th. so what are these multiple religious and cultural holidays?

Posted by: Ciampino - Heathens all of them! at December 14, 2024 07:08 AM (i0xsb)

115 VIA, a prayer for peace in your house.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 14, 2024 07:09 AM (RIvkX)

116 . . . Secondly except for Hanukkah I don't know of any other major religion that celebrates some milestone in December, let alone the 25th. so what are these multiple religious and cultural holidays?
Posted by: Ciampino - Heathens all of them! at December 14, 2024

***
What are we, chopped liver?
(-- Celebrants of Sol Invictus, the Unconquerable Sun)

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 14, 2024 07:11 AM (omVj0)

117 In local news, a woman wants to shut down the railroad because people get hit by trains at a crossing she has to cross to get to the grocery store:

"Cramer says they need to shut down the railroad permanently.
There would be no more accidents there and no more lives would be lost, "Cramer said. "

Posted by: fd at December 14, 2024 07:11 AM (vFG9F)

118 "is it possible that we will at last demand some term limits for these feeders at the public trough?"
*
If nothing else, their terms will be limited by their mortality.
Posted by: fd at December 14, 2024

***
But think of the damage they've done to America up to now. If their public careers had been ended (by Constitutional amendment, Ace told us) twenty or twenty-five years ago, we'd all be a lot better off.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 14, 2024 07:13 AM (omVj0)

119 "The Gate". Woman from Georgia reflects on John 10:1-10 and also on the gate keeping ability of dogs:

https://tinyurl.com/5n8bn8u2

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 14, 2024 07:14 AM (MQJVv)

120 "except for Hanukkah" is a big one, though. Bitching about "The Holidays" is always and forever a complaint against those pushy Jews, no matter what you try to fogey.

Posted by: Way,Way Downriver at December 14, 2024 07:15 AM (zdLoL)

121 96
Wouldn’t you hate to get a splinter in your toe climbing those steps?

Posted by: Eromero at December 14, 2024 06:53 AM (I6DeU)
----
Not as bad as a marble splinter in the Rotunda!
("Rinse The Blood Off My Toga" or "Caesar's Assassination" by Wayne & Shuster -- it's on uTube an worth it, very funny).

Posted by: Ciampino - The teargas is funny at December 14, 2024 07:15 AM (i0xsb)

122 If nothing else, their terms will be limited by their mortality.
Posted by: fd at December 14, 2024 07:04 AM (vFG9F)

Considering the likes of Pelosi and McConnell, cold comfort.

Posted by: Ordinary American at December 14, 2024 07:15 AM (UseAb)

123 “ But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

Luke 1:30-33

Posted by: Marcus T at December 14, 2024 07:17 AM (AUAq6)

124 "Considering the likes of Pelosi and McConnell, cold comfort.
Posted by: Ordinary American"

Something will have to be done when they finally figure out how to transfer a person's consciousness into an android body.

Posted by: fd at December 14, 2024 07:18 AM (vFG9F)

125 Not as bad as a marble splinter in the Rotunda!
("Rinse The Blood Off My Toga" or "Caesar's Assassination" by Wayne & Shuster -- it's on uTube an worth it, very funny).
Posted by: Ciampino - The teargas is funny at December 14, 2024

***
I remember Wayne & Shuster's records. That cut -- "Flaxius Maximus, private Roman eye" -- and their Shakespearean baseball game.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 14, 2024 07:19 AM (omVj0)

126 Happy Holidays is commonly touted as a more inclusive festive greeting, which is intended to also recognize the multiple religious and cultural holidays at this time of year."

-

Remember that time you heard about the nonbeliever employees who were bothered by the phrase" merry Christmas " volunteer to take on the hours for their coworkers since they didn't celebrate Christmas or believe in Christ's birth?

No? You don't remember ever hearing about that? Huh. That's weird, isn't it?

Posted by: Boron Cobbie - society needs the pejorative faggot, so the term sassy is now used at December 14, 2024 07:19 AM (OfSBu)

127 Come to think of it, it's pretty much always been the young traditional guys with traditional upbringings and who want families one day that tell their coworkers with kids "I'll cover for you."

Meh, it's probably not related.

Posted by: Boron Cobbie - society needs the pejorative faggot, so the term sassy is now used at December 14, 2024 07:22 AM (OfSBu)

128 I don't like the "holidays" because it is a washed-out and meaningless greeting.

The problem is the reflexive attempt to equate Christmas and Chanukah merely because they tend to co-occur. The theological meanings of the two holidays are totally different orders of magnitude.

Also, I love fruitcake.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 14, 2024 07:24 AM (RIvkX)

129 Remember that time you heard about the nonbeliever employees who were bothered by the phrase" merry Christmas " volunteer to take on the hours for their coworkers since they didn't celebrate Christmas or believe in Christ's birth?

No? You don't remember ever hearing about that? Huh. That's weird, isn't it?
Posted by: Boron Cobbie - society needs the pejorative faggot, so the term sassy is now used at December 14, 2024

***
Years ago at the Christian radio station, I'd volunteer to work Christmas Eve -- not because I was a non-believer, though to an extent I was, but because I was alone and my co-workers had family. Plus it was quiet and relaxing. I was off at midnight, and would drive over to my "home town," the Quarter -- 12/24 was the quietest night of the year there, back then -- and walk around, or have a late dinner at a diner or local place that was open.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 14, 2024 07:24 AM (omVj0)

130 Until I retired I always worked on Christmas to help "cover" and it was a blast and a joy every single time.

Plus, Christmas buffet.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 14, 2024 07:27 AM (RIvkX)

131 130 Until I retired I always worked on Christmas to help "cover" and it was a blast and a joy every single time.

Plus, Christmas buffet.
Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 14, 2024 07:27 AM (RIvkX
Rate this act 100% righteous.

Posted by: Eromero at December 14, 2024 07:28 AM (jgmnb)

132 Cramer says they need to shut down the railroad permanently.
There would be no more accidents there and no more lives would be lost, "Cramer said

"They can just write it off, Jerry"

Posted by: Ms Cramer at December 14, 2024 07:30 AM (dEYSD)

133 Apple is turning to chaos as a way to convince people to upgrade. My iPhone 12 often will not connect incoming calls any longer, unless I restart the phone at least once a day. This started after an update was installed and, yet, Apple tells me to just buy a new phone and it'll all be good again.

Sure, break my phone. Good way to get me to spend another thousand bucks with you, Apple.

Posted by: Huck Follywood at December 14, 2024 07:30 AM (oA3dc)

134 I think it was linked here after the election, but there's a hilarious Christmas card based on the election map.

Red electoral map of America with the caption Merry Christmas

Blue with And Happy Holidays

Posted by: Boron Cobbie - society needs the pejorative faggot, so the term sassy is now used at December 14, 2024 07:30 AM (OfSBu)

135 This was my scripture at home this morning before leaving for work.

Posted by: Eromero at December 14, 2024 07:31 AM (jgmnb)

136 120 "except for Hanukkah" is a big one, though. Bitching about "The Holidays" is always and forever a complaint against those pushy Jews, no matter what you try to fogey.

Posted by: Way,Way Downriver at December 14, 2024 07:15 AM (zdLoL)
----
I originally put it in that rant but took it out because 1) Its date varies and 2) I don't recall Jews clamoring for recognition. As far as I can tell Christianity is still the majority religion even if nominally so.
The people clamoring for inclusiveness are usually White people who are fallen Christians or are atheists, wanting to belittle actual Christians out of jealousy, and pretend to be concerned with other peoples who in the main don't care anyway - except those kwanzaa supporters "Whitey has a holiday so we demand one too!", just like little kids.

Posted by: Ciampino - The jerks could go back to Africa & find a holiday at December 14, 2024 07:32 AM (i0xsb)

137 Perfessor Squirrel is an excellent teacher, a caring academic professional who goes out of his way to nurture and support students, fellow faculty, and the community at large. He is also a friend to kittens.
Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, oh, here's an apple, too at December 14, 2024 06:47 AM (PiwSw)
-----------------
This will be great on "Rate My Professor.com"

Posted by: Huck Follywood at December 14, 2024 07:34 AM (oA3dc)

138 As rhennigantx mentioned, ten days until Xmas Eve. I always found the stores exciting when I was a kid, and even into young adulthood, though by then (my drinking days) I was more about "What am I going to drink to celebrate?"

I hope that when I move and buy my house, it will be someplace that is more Christmas-traditional. With cats, of course, it'll be hard to have a tree. I've read a suggestion that you put your tree up, undecorated, about three days early, so the cats can get used to and bored with it. Then put wooden or unbreakable ornaments on the bottom branches, so if the little monsters play with them, the baubles won't get broken.

I'll probably accompany Linda to Christmas Eve mass at her Catholic church nearby. It's nice to see the painted animals and human figures of the Nativity there, and to be surrounded by civilized people. Some of them ever dress up for the occasion still.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 14, 2024 07:36 AM (omVj0)

139 This drone drama and the government's response feels like a poorly scripted 50's sci-fi.
Posted by: Ordinary American at December 14, 2024 07:06 AM (UseAb)

Plan 9? Ah, yes. Plan 9 deals with the resurrection of the dead. Long distance electrodes shot into the pineal and pituitary glands of recent dead.

Posted by: The Ruler at December 14, 2024 07:37 AM (R/m4+)

140 Retired fire captain saves six year old at movie theatre:

https://tinyurl.com/yc4472kw

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 14, 2024 07:39 AM (lZ3sq)

141 I think it's an attempt to get Trump to say something that will justify disqualification or not certifying him, but if you don't know what Project Blue Beam was / is, it's worth a read.

Posted by: Boron Cobbie - society needs the pejorative faggot, so the term sassy is now used at December 14, 2024 07:39 AM (OfSBu)

142 I'll ask Linda, too, to find some kind of Christmas movie we can watch that night. Of course my local NBC outlet has It's a Wonderful Life, and I have a copy of the rather slow-paced The Bishop's Wife, but I would like something off the beaten track.

Any ideas? Something where the story and the people would grab you even if it weren't about Christmas? (Die Hard could work. . . .)

Holiday Affair w/ Janet Leigh and Robert Mitchum?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 14, 2024 07:41 AM (omVj0)

143 I worked Christmas for years. Not sure anyone ever appreciated it

Posted by: Notsothoreau at December 14, 2024 07:42 AM (NQtI0)

144 Youngest D and her husband were picked to light the Advent wreath at their church last Sunday.

She got to tell the story of "How My Mother Almost Burnt up the Creche with a Poorly Constructed Advent Wreath".

Posted by: sal at December 14, 2024 07:42 AM (f+FmA)

145 Morning peeps.

It's another frosty morning here in Bourbon Country. Beautiful sunrise underway. Supposed to start raining late this afternoon and continue through Tuesday. That'll be fun.

All our decorations are up, lights outside are (thankfully) working this year. I think there's an entire FWP thread on Christmas lights that don't work.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at December 14, 2024 07:43 AM (Q4IgG)

146 Holiday Affair w/ Janet Leigh and Robert Mitchum?
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere

Try "Remember the Night" with Barbara Stanwyck and Fred McMurray. Lovely Christmas movie.

Posted by: Tuna at December 14, 2024 07:44 AM (oaGWv)

147 8 Lizzo signed a petition to get Jesse Singal banned from Bluesky and then (then!) asked who he was and what he had done.
Posted by: m

--

She wanted to hop on thr banned wagon
Which promptly broke

Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at December 14, 2024 07:46 AM (OTdqV)

148 Movie?
"Remember the Night". TCM will have it on sometime soon, I'm sure. It is lovely.

Posted by: sal at December 14, 2024 07:46 AM (f+FmA)

149 Good morning all!

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (tT6L1) at December 14, 2024 07:48 AM (tT6L1)

150 146. 148
Horde Mind.

Posted by: sal at December 14, 2024 07:48 AM (f+FmA)

151 150 146. 148
Horde Mind.

Posted by: sal

Just what I was going to say. LOL

Posted by: Tuna at December 14, 2024 07:49 AM (oaGWv)

152 141 I think it's an attempt to get Trump to say something that will justify disqualification or not certifying him...
Posted by: Boron Cobbie - society needs the pejorative faggot, so the term sassy is now used at December 14, 2024 07:39 AM (OfSBu)

Interesting theory. Makes more sense than anything else I've heard.

Posted by: Ordinary American at December 14, 2024 07:51 AM (UseAb)

153 @74/Don Black: "I think this could be the actual stupidest thing I have ever seen:

Biden admin says it doesn’t have authority to shoot down mysterious drones"

When you consider how compromised Biden is by the Chinese, and understand that the authority to do anything comes from them where he's concerned, the statement then makes sense.

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at December 14, 2024 07:51 AM (O7YUW)

154 We have "Remember the Night" on our movie server. As is "Doulbe Indemnity."

Interesting how Fred and Barbara made two such completely different movies together

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (tT6L1) at December 14, 2024 07:53 AM (tT6L1)

155 An OpenAI whistleblower has been found dead in his San Francisco apartment. (Tech Crunch)

------------------

Was a hammer involved and do they know the whereabouts of Paul Pelosi?

Posted by: ShainS -- Deus Ex Muskina [h/t Mike Benz] at December 14, 2024 07:54 AM (0Q8Z+)

156 Name field test

Posted by: Boron Cobbie - the drones are an attempt to get Trump to disclose classified info at December 14, 2024 07:54 AM (OfSBu)

157 Easy solution to the drone problem: Put a bounty on the drones and let regular Americans solve the problem.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (tT6L1) at December 14, 2024 07:55 AM (tT6L1)

158 "Considering the likes of Pelosi and McConnell, cold comfort.
Posted by: Ordinary American"

Something will have to be done when they finally figure out how to transfer a person's consciousness into an android body.

Posted by: fd at December 14, 2024 07:18 AM (vFG9F)

-----------------

If there is any justice in this world and God truly does have a sense of humor, their consciousnesses will be transferred into the body of cockroaches.

Posted by: ShainS -- Deus Ex Muskina [h/t Mike Benz] at December 14, 2024 07:56 AM (0Q8Z+)

159 Try "Remember the Night" with Barbara Stanwyck and Fred McMurray. Lovely Christmas movie.
Posted by: Tuna at December 14, 2024 07:44 AM (oaGWv)
-----------
Prompted by the mention of Barbara Stanwyk I read her wikipedia entry. What a life! Orphaned as a child, foster care, botched anortion at 15, a Ziegfeld girl at 16, and then movie star and the highest paid actress in Hollywood. Big fan of Ayn Rand.

Posted by: Huck Follywood at December 14, 2024 07:57 AM (oK2x9)

160 TCM starts a Classic Christmas Marathon on 12/21. All sorts of goodies to be shown. Something for everyone.

Posted by: Tuna at December 14, 2024 07:57 AM (oaGWv)

161
Try "Remember the Night" with Barbara Stanwyck and Fred McMurray. Lovely Christmas movie.
Posted by: Tuna at December 14, 2024

***
Trailers and commentary for it are on YooToob, but I can't find the film itself. I wonder if any of our libraries would have such an old film that is not super-famous, though.

It is amazing that MacMurray and Stanwyck could do that, and then four years later turn their screen personas around completely in Double Indemnity.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 14, 2024 07:58 AM (omVj0)

162 Easy solution to the drone problem: Put a bounty on the drones and let regular Americans solve the problem.

Posted by: blake - semi lurker in marginal standing (tT6L1) at December 14, 2024 07:55 AM (tT6L1)

------------------

"Welcome to the first annual skeet & greet competition!"

Posted by: ShainS -- Deus Ex Muskina [h/t Mike Benz] at December 14, 2024 07:59 AM (0Q8Z+)

163 Light outside at last. Time for me to get cleaned up, and maybe I'll have time to nip out and wash the car before Linda gets here for her trip to the Red, White, and Blue thrift Store.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 14, 2024 08:01 AM (omVj0)

164 Try "Remember the Night" with Barbara Stanwyck and Fred McMurray. Lovely Christmas movie.
Posted by: Tuna at December 14, 2024

***
Trailers and commentary for it are on YooToob, but I can't find the film itself. I wonder if any of our libraries would have such an old film that is not super-famous, though.

It is amazing that MacMurray and Stanwyck could do that, and then four years later turn their screen personas around completely in Double Indemnity.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 14, 2024 07:58 AM (omVj0)

---------------

Try this, Wolfus:

https://is.gd/h0L0Qx

Posted by: ShainS -- Deus Ex Muskina [h/t Mike Benz] at December 14, 2024 08:03 AM (0Q8Z+)

165 Trailers and commentary for it are on YooToob, but I can't find the film itself. I wonder if any of our libraries would have such an old film that is not super-famous, though.

It is amazing that MacMurray and Stanwyck could do that, and then four years later turn their screen personas around completely in Double Indemnity.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere

TCM has it on 12/22 at 10 PM

Posted by: Tuna at December 14, 2024 08:03 AM (oaGWv)

166 @5/Skip: "President Trump says shoot them down.
My guess is Jan 20 we won't see them anymore"

Jan 20, 2025 @ 12:01 PM: SpaceX launches new test rocket. Drones conveniently disappear at 12:06 PM.

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at December 14, 2024 08:04 AM (O7YUW)

167 The Man Who Came To Dinner is very funny and Christmas is the backdrop for it. And it features a penguin, as all good movies should.

Posted by: Ann Sheridan, Bette Davis, Mary Wickes at December 14, 2024 08:06 AM (G5+As)

168 For the past couple years Seb Gorka (on his radio show) and his podcasting buddy Chris Kohls have been doing a weekly hour-long segment called "Making Movies Great Again" where they revisit and review old movies (primarily, but not exclusively, from their younger years of the 80's).

Anywho, next week they're doing one I'd never heard of with Michael Caine: "The Muppet Christmas Carol."

Posted by: ShainS -- Deus Ex Muskina [h/t Mike Benz] at December 14, 2024 08:07 AM (0Q8Z+)

169 RE: Drones

I have not seen any increased reports of cattle mutilations or anal probing incidents, so I guess aliens have been ruled out.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at December 14, 2024 08:07 AM (BpYfr)

170 The Man Who Came To Dinner is very funny and Christmas is the backdrop for it. And it features a penguin, as all good movies should.
Posted by: Ann Sheridan, Bette Davis, Mary Wickes

Love that one. The whole cast is wonderful. Always liked "Shop Around the Corner" too.

Posted by: Tuna at December 14, 2024 08:09 AM (oaGWv)

171 133 Apple is turning to chaos as a way to convince people to upgrade. My iPhone 12 often will not connect incoming calls any longer, unless I restart the phone at least once a day. This started after an update was installed and, yet, Apple tells me to just buy a new phone and it'll all be good again.

Posted by: Huck Follywood at December 14, 2024 07:30 AM (oA3dc)

— —

That does suck.

I’ve been lucky with my iPhone X (from 2017) so far. It still works fine, only at 90% battery health but I don’t use my phone as much as tablet or other computers.

The worst problems I ever had with iPhones were the 4s and 5s I had.

The 4s was my favorite iPhone that I ever owned, my second after owning the 3G.
It bricked itself completely during a software update one day. We had spotty WiFi then and I think it lost the connection in the middle of the update. Took it to Apple and they couldn’t even get it to work,

So had to replace that with the 5s, which I had for several years until the battery blew up & bulged out until the screen was damaged and wouldn’t hold a charge. That’s when I went to the X.

I imagine I might upgrade to a iPhone 17 or 18 if that one hangs on a little longer.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at December 14, 2024 08:10 AM (6ydKt)

172 169 RE: Drones

I have not seen any increased reports of cattle mutilations or anal probing incidents, so I guess aliens have been ruled out.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at December 14, 2024 08:07 AM (BpYfr)
----
Well the cows are not talking and those anally-probed enjoyed it.

Posted by: Ciampino - & they weren't wearing pants at December 14, 2024 08:14 AM (i0xsb)

173 In other news, women are getting ‘designer nipple’ filler for perkier bosoms. This seems to be to be a pointless procedure.

Posted by: fd at December 14, 2024 08:15 AM (vFG9F)

174
g'mornin', 'rons

Posted by: AltonJackson at December 14, 2024 08:15 AM (tljrc)

175 169 RE: Drones

I have not seen any increased reports of cattle mutilations or anal probing incidents, so I guess aliens have been ruled out.
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at December 14, 2024 08:07 AM (BpYfr
I say, Perfesser! If there were lots of anal probings the internet would be chokablok with them, wot? But the poor cows have no voice on social media, flatulence, don’t you know? Thus, the drones are surely a government op, but whose goverment? That’s the rub. Have you seen my pipe.?
- a detective

Posted by: Eromero at December 14, 2024 08:17 AM (jgmnb)

176 Mornin' Horde. Blueberry pancakes are ready. Come on over!

Posted by: screaming in digital at December 14, 2024 08:17 AM (JRHzL)

177 All these Christmas movie discussions around here lately and I haven’t seen anybody mention A Christmas Story or Home Alone?

Of course, here the past few years I’ve seen the cable channels playing Home Alone in July more than December.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at December 14, 2024 08:17 AM (6ydKt)

178 Scan complete, no drones here.

Posted by: Erik In Texas at December 14, 2024 08:18 AM (zVGVg)

179 Everybody knows 'Die Hard' is the best Christmas movie.

Posted by: dantesed at December 14, 2024 08:19 AM (Oy/m2)

180 @169

this happened

Nearly 200 cattle worth at least $300K stolen, missing from Colorado’s Uncompahgre Plateau

https://tinyurl.com/38fb82vh

Posted by: Don Black at December 14, 2024 08:20 AM (/7KEl)

181 Anywho, next week they're doing one I'd never heard of with Michael Caine: "The Muppet Christmas Carol."
Posted by: ShainS -- Deus Ex Muskina [h/t Mike Benz] at December 14, 2024 08:07 AM (0Q8Z+)

The Alistair Sims version is my favorite, but the Michael Caine Christmas Carol is 2nd for me out of all the versions that have been done. A big reason is that Caine said at the outset that the Muppet characters could do whatever, but he was going to play Scrooge very seriously, exactly as portrayed in Dickens’ original. It worked wonderfully well. It ends being basically a one man show by Michael Caine, with some comic relief along the way.

Posted by: Tom Servo at December 14, 2024 08:20 AM (W6hoT)

182 how would one hide 200 cows

Posted by: Don Black at December 14, 2024 08:20 AM (/7KEl)

183 JQ … hepatic encephalopathy … see if the hepatologist can start him on rifaxamin. It’s not cheap, but drug company has a program if you can’t afford it.

Posted by: FloridaBrian at December 14, 2024 08:21 AM (9/iQf)

184 It's a fun movie, but no one can seriously argue that you can plop kids down in front of it and say: "This will teach you the true meaning of Christmas. Yippie-ky-yay, muthafuckers!"

OK, here’s a sort of corollary that explains, kinda.

Many many years ago I was laying on my bed at home for Thanksgiving, listening to my Pioneer SX-550 Stereo receiver. Those beautiful brushed aluminium faced all in one devices. This tune comes on. “Alice’s Restaurant” by Arlo Guthrie. 18 minutes worth. I’d never heard it.

For some reason, DJs started playing it on Thanksgiving. They were probably out back smoking dope and talking shit about the gubbmint I betcha!

Posted by: Common Tater at December 14, 2024 08:22 AM (dpz3y)

185 "how would one hide 200 cows"

It cud be a problem.

Posted by: fd at December 14, 2024 08:22 AM (vFG9F)

186 JQ … the tips can also be reduced in severe cases.

Posted by: FloridaBrian at December 14, 2024 08:23 AM (9/iQf)

187 The Alistair Sims version is my favorite

Mine too, as far as Scrooge goes. My favorite Christmas movie in general is Christmas in Connecticut with Barbara Stanwyck.

Posted by: grammie winger - cheesehead at December 14, 2024 08:23 AM (SfhV1)

188 Nearly 200 cattle worth at least $300K stolen, missing from Colorado’s Uncompahgre Plateau

https://tinyurl.com/38fb82vh
Posted by: Don Black at December 14, 2024 08:20 AM (/7KEl)

Set to music;

They’re eating the cats
They’re eating the dogs
They’re running off with the cattle
Of Colo-ra-do

Posted by: Tom Servo at December 14, 2024 08:23 AM (W6hoT)

189 Set to music;

They’re eating the cats
They’re eating the dogs
They’re running off with the cattle
Of Colo-ra-do

Posted by: Tom Servo at December 14, 2024 08:23 AM (W6hoT)

I wonder if he will perform at the Inauguration, he has offered to.

Posted by: grammie winger - cheesehead at December 14, 2024 08:25 AM (SfhV1)

190 The Niners lost so my blueberry pancakes prospects are bleak.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 14, 2024 08:25 AM (RIvkX)

191 Maybe Battleground is the 2nd best Christmas movie

Posted by: Skip at December 14, 2024 08:27 AM (fwDg9)

192 I’ve seen It Happened One Night, I think the name is, with Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert several times and loved that one, but it’s not a Christmas movie, just a proto-Rom-Com.

Wasn’t there a similarly named film about the Titanic?

Posted by: SpeakingOf at December 14, 2024 08:27 AM (6ydKt)

193 I love A Christmas Story because it reminds me of the America I was born into, and wish I could have back.

Posted by: Tom Servo at December 14, 2024 08:27 AM (W6hoT)

194 62 I cant believe I remembered so many details of the Heinlein novel I read first in '73 and haven't reread in quite a while. Especially after just waking up. Wow.

JQ, I'm sorry to hear about your husband. Is he doing better?

And Jim in Kalifornia: How are you doing?
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 14, 2024 06:09 AM (omVj0)

Trying to get used to my ostomy bag. My sense of smell has always been keen, and I can smell it. Not pleasant. Don't think Lume can fix it.

Posted by: jim (in hospital in Kalifornia) at December 14, 2024 08:27 AM (SSBCb)

195
Mine too, as far as Scrooge goes. My favorite Christmas movie in general is Christmas in Connecticut with Barbara Stanwyck.
Posted by: grammie winger - cheesehead

One thing about these "favorite" Christmas movies is that they all have great supporting casts which make them extra delightful.

Posted by: Tuna at December 14, 2024 08:27 AM (oaGWv)

196 Nooding in lieu of Firsting.

Posted by: Way,Way Downriver at December 14, 2024 08:28 AM (zdLoL)

197 The drones: reminds me of the story of Union General McClennan; his army spent a couple of days in camp on a riverbank, while he wondered, "Is the river too deep to cross?" Finally, one of his cavalry officers rode to the middle, remaining and dry, and he asked, "Does this answer your question,"

Can't we just go up, get a look and follow one back home?

Posted by: JM in Ill -- Behold the Manchurian Candidate at December 14, 2024 08:28 AM (LR6o1)

198 Theys a nood

Posted by: fd at December 14, 2024 08:29 AM (vFG9F)

199 Die Hard is one of my faves

Posted by: jim (in hospital in Kalifornia) at December 14, 2024 08:29 AM (SSBCb)

200 I have not seen any increased reports of cattle mutilations or anal probing incidents, so I guess aliens have been ruled out.

They reserve those actions when buzzing in the Ozarks.

Posted by: Unknown Drip Under Pressure at December 14, 2024 08:29 AM (rHxhM)

201 Wasn’t there a similarly named film about the Titanic?
Posted by: SpeakingOf

Yup. With Stanwyck

Posted by: Tuna at December 14, 2024 08:29 AM (oaGWv)

202 Is Alice’s Restaurant a thanksgiving tune? Well some people have made it so. Old hippies and freaks play it on thanksgiving as a tradition. Limber up yer pinky in October if you want to play it by November on guitar though jeez. 18 minutes!!

Posted by: Common Tater at December 14, 2024 08:30 AM (OQcP8)

203 I wonder if he will perform at the Inauguration, he has offered to.
Posted by: grammie winger - cheesehead at December 14, 2024 08:25 AM (SfhV1)

That would be one of the greatest trolls ever!
You know that in honor of all the new Indian heritage appointments they’ve got to do a big Bollywood number, I nominate the Trump Warrior Dance.

Posted by: Tom Servo at December 14, 2024 08:30 AM (W6hoT)

204 Can't we just go up, get a look and follow one back home?[

I think the Bongino answer is correct here: "They don't want to".

Having an AWACS loiter over the area one night, and the mystery is solved - ergo, it isn't a mystery. They are just trolling us now.

Posted by: Unknown Drip Under Pressure at December 14, 2024 08:30 AM (rHxhM)

205 Trying to get used to my ostomy bag. My sense of smell has always been keen, and I can smell it. Not pleasant. Don't think Lume can fix it.

Posted by: jim (in hospital in Kalifornia) at December 14, 2024 08:27 AM (SSBCb)

There are cloth 'belts' you can get with a pouch to put your ostomy bag into. It closes around your back with velcro. It has a zipper so you can empty your bag. It cuts down on the smell and hides the bag.

Posted by: grammie winger - cheesehead at December 14, 2024 08:31 AM (SfhV1)

206 Cattle and livestock mutilations were pretty damn strange and some of them never explained too very well.

Posted by: Common Tater at December 14, 2024 08:33 AM (OQcP8)

207 The George C. Scott version of A Christmas Carol was pretty good from what I remember it was a 70s or 80s TV movie, I think.

And I also liked the one with Patrick Stewart that came out a decade or more ago.

I’ve probably seen a half dozen or more Christmas Carol films, including Scrooged.

I’ve loved that story since I was a kid.
Probably Dickens’ best creation.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at December 14, 2024 08:34 AM (6ydKt)

208 Maybe Battleground is the 2nd best Christmas movie

My dad's first sergeant used to call him right at dawn every December 16th and say "What the hell is that noise?" (the German tanks were out of grease, and from Krinkelt they could hear them coming from miles away. Also? Barrage.)

He had a memorable account of Christmas that year, as the skies cleared and Air Power arrived at three levels.

Posted by: Way,Way Downriver at December 14, 2024 08:34 AM (zdLoL)

209
Having an AWACS loiter over the area one night, and the mystery is solved - ergo, it isn't a mystery. They are just trolling us now.

Posted by: Unknown Drip Under Pressure at December 14, 2024 08:30 AM (rHxhM)

And I heard him say they keep the lights on for the same damn reason

Posted by: JM in Ill -- Behold the Manchurian Candidate at December 14, 2024 08:34 AM (LR6o1)

210 And the movie The Man Who Invented Christmas (2017) about Dickens writing and publishing A Christmas Carol is very good, as well.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at December 14, 2024 08:36 AM (6ydKt)

211 Easy solution to the drone problem: Put a bounty on the drones and let regular Americans solve the problem.

Apparently it is completely legal and within all guidelines of the law top operate a drone of the sizes and scale reported that the answer is not to shoot down a privately held drone, but this seems like tacit permission to bypass the FAA and do whatever the hell you want with a drone without any government interference.

Drone clubs should host night time Gladiator battles over different sites for the ground public's entertainment and amusement.

Posted by: Unknown Drip Under Pressure at December 14, 2024 08:36 AM (rHxhM)

212 @133/Huck Follywood: "Apple tells me to just buy a new phone and it'll all be good again."

No problem Apple, I'll do exactly that, it just won't be yours, nor will any of the future ones.

I'm seeing the same nonsense with my Kindle Paperwhite 10 that I purchased in November of 2019. I've gotten five good years out of it, but with each update, it gets slower to respond as I use it over a week. A restart clears most of the delays, though I'm starting to see some weird formatting of the book I'm reading for 10 to 15 seconds after the book displays when I open the cover. I just have to wait it out until it sorts itself out and then I can start reading and flipping pages normally.

Now to be fair, I only spent $120 CDN on the device itself, $45 on the hard shell cover, and $18 on the charger, and with sales taxes it came to about $207 CDN so that's not that bad, and is working out to about $42 a year so far.

And y'know what? I want another 5 years out of this thing. Minimum. And I'm going to get it. Because I'm stubborn like that.

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at December 14, 2024 08:38 AM (O7YUW)

213 And I heard him say they keep the lights on for the same damn reason

I for one am grateful that the Iranian or Chinese mothership that is running a Klingon level cloaking device offshore is abiding by with basic decency and flight rules by maintaining operation lights while they do their surveillance and espionage.

Posted by: Unknown Drip Under Pressure at December 14, 2024 08:39 AM (rHxhM)

214 201 Yup. With Stanwyck
Posted by: Tuna at December 14, 2024 08:29 AM (oaGWv)

— —

I think I watched it once on TCM.
They even had the orchestra play until the end, like in the 90s version.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at December 14, 2024 08:39 AM (6ydKt)

215 Having an AWACS loiter over the area one night, and the mystery is solved - ergo, it isn't a mystery. They are just trolling us now.

Posted by: Unknown Drip Under Pressure at December 14, 2024 08:30 AM (rHxhM)

It’s like watching UFO’s that are pulling a banner saying “Look at Me! Look at Me!” Whoever is responsible *wants* them to be seen.

Posted by: Tom Servo at December 14, 2024 08:41 AM (W6hoT)

216 Cattle and livestock mutilations were pretty damn strange and some of them never explained too very well.

That was alpha and beta level work before they finally rolled out version 1.0 on "transitioning" or "gender confirming" children

Posted by: Unknown Drip Under Pressure at December 14, 2024 08:42 AM (rHxhM)

217 If the president doesn’t have the authority to shoot down unknown flying objects over the USA then who, exactly, does?

That’s what makes me think it’s a fed.gov operation.

They’re acting as cagey as they were when the Chinese balloons were flying across the country.

Which, I suppose, could mean they are from a foreign adversary or something?
They are scared of being totally embarrassed by their incompetence a second time.

It would be a fitting end to this embarrassment of an administration.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at December 14, 2024 08:50 AM (6ydKt)

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Posted by: tekun77 at December 14, 2024 03:51 PM (KMmoa)

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