The Classical Saturday Morning Coffee Break & Prayer Revival

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Good morning Horde. Glad you joined us for the last Coffee Break thread of 2024. From Casa Misanthrope we wish you a Very Prosperous and Happy 2025.

Now before we enter the Prayer Revival, just some housekeeping matters to take care of. (Rulz for those of you in Sheboygan)

1) This is an open thread. Feel free to lurk, opine and/or bloviate.
2) Be nice, be kind. And for crying out loud, don't jump on the furniture.
3) Now is the time to run with sharp objects before the New Year's deductible begins.
4) Have a great weekend!

*****

AoSHQ Weekly Prayer List

Please submit any prayer requests to me, “Annie’s Stew” at apaslo atsign hotmail dot com. Prayer requests are generally removed after four weeks unless we receive an update.
Prayer Requests:
11/8 – Jim in Kalifornia could use prayers. He was scheduled for laparoscopic surgery to clean abscess(es) and add a drain.
12/11 Update – Jim had surgery, and the doctors removed “a couple of feet” of his small intestine and resected the large. Jim will be living with a colostomy bag for 6 months.
11/23 – Jewells sent an update. She has been taking ivermectin for 2 weeks, and the only side effect is extreme fatigue.
12/7 Update – Please keep praying. The past few weeks have been bad. Jewells is in a lot of pain. The bone lesions are spreading in her arms and rib cage. She is supposed to start radiation Wednesday, and is waiting to hear about a permanent drain to be put in her lungs.
12/14 Update – The drain was put in on 12/11. She was supposed to receive a sedative and medication for pain while they worked, and she received nothing. She felt everything and it hurt like hell. It also hurts when it is being drained, and that is daily for the first week. She has a great home health nurse coming in now, and she has shown Jewell’s daughter and husband how to do it.
11/30 – Tonypete offered prayers of thanksgiving - #4 son and his wife have announced the (estimated) May arrival of their first baby. They are all so thrilled.
11/30 – PabloD asked for prayers. He is currently on a two-week heart monitor and waiting for more tests. They are not sure what’s wrong. He is praying for favorable results, or at least a clear answer as to what the problem may be.
12/21 Update – The results came back showing nothing to be concerned about. They are waiting to see if insurance will authorize an echocardiogram. Thanks to the Horde for prayers.
11/30 – DiddlySquat requested prayers. After doing his normal weighted leg lifts, his foot went numb, with pain down his calf. He’s had constant pain and many sleepless nights for the last 6 weeks. He’s finally scheduled for a nerve test EMG.
11/30 – Megthered asked for prayers for her son-in-law. He had stepped on a nail, and it became infected. They took him to the hospital, and they did surgery to try and save his foot.
11/30 – W offered the following prayer, as a follow up on the election:
“Almighty and most merciful father, we thank thee for the great blessing you have heaped on the citizens of the United States. We thank the Lord for protecting President Trump from the assassin’s bullet. We thank the Lord for providing a fair and just election, and for the great electoral victory which you have granted us. We offer thanks for your guidance during the electoral contest, and humbly beseech thee to continue providing each of us and our leaders with courage and guidance so that we might crush the wickedness of the swamp and establish justice and moral rectitude in the United States.”
12/7 – Hrothgar sends continued prayers for future president Trump, to keep him safe from harm and that the many forces of corruption and evil arrayed against both him and our country be made ineffective and come to naught!
12/6 – Fenelon Spoke requested prayers. She was in the hospital, after having gotten sick while out with friends. She didn’t end up having to stay the night; tests showed she was dehydrated and had a UTI.
12/7 – Our Country Is Screwed asked for prayers. Just as his daughter completed her cancer treatment (and is now cancer free, praise be to God), he has been diagnosed with cancer as well. More tests are needed, but the biopsy was malignant. What is supposed to be a season of joy is once again dampened by cancer.
12/7 – Grammie Winger updated that Rev is scheduled to have a colostomy reversal in January. Thanks be to God.
12/7 – Jordan61 requested prayers for his mother, who is going in for a CAT scan. Mom has been coughing and congested ever since she caught a cold in August. They have done antibiotics, etc. since, and a chest X-ray revealed something that caused the doctor to recommend an urgent CAT scan.
12/14 Update – The CAT scan showed she had pneumonia. They gave her antibiotics (fourth round) and are continuing with prednisone. If this doesn’t work she will have to see a lung specialist.
12/7 – rhennigantx asked for prayers for his friend Mike, who lost his best friend of 50 years.
12/10 – Village Idiot’s Apprentice requested prayers for his father, who had a major stroke on 12/9, with not a good prognosis.
12/14 Update – His father has entered hospice. He is only expected to last a few days.
12/19 Update – His father was called home to be with God at about 1 am. It is so bittersweet to know that he is no longer here, but yet already at the side of God.
12/10 – Tonypete asked for prayers for his buddy, Larry, whose mother passed away during the night. This is after Larry’s wife passed away last year. Larry is having a tough time.
12/10 – Nurse Ratched asked for a prayer for Marine. He was in a motorcycle accident yesterday. He’s got a broken nose and arm, but no spinal injuries or concussion.
12/11 – Lady in Black requested prayers for her dad. He’s 89, in declining health, and suffers from mild dementia. Lady in Black’s dad’s wife of 45 years died on 12/3. Dad is lost without her and very sad. His dementia challenges are making it even worse. Prayers for his mental and physical well-being during the time would be greatly appreciated.
12/11 – Teresa in Fort Worth has had her second round of chemo, and it went well. Thanks to God for that! Also, the anti-nausea meds are working very well for her. (We have been praying for Teresa for a couple of months, as she found she had bile duct cancer, which had metastasized into her liver. It is very rare and very serious. She hopes for at least 12 months more to live, with chemo and surgery and prayers.)
12/12 – Cybersmythe is supposed to have outpatient surgery on 12/16, but he got an abnormal ECG. He’s asking for prayers for the best of all possible outcomes.
12/21 Update – the surgery went well and there appear to be no complications. He appreciates the horde’s prayers and well wishes.
12/12 – Bulg asked for general prayers for himself and his family.
12/14 – Dash my Lace Wings asked for prayers. She has had chronic hip pain for years, but it has really started to affect her mobility. The MRI showed torn tendons. She is going to try platelet-rich-plasma injections to stimulate healing, in lieu of surgery. That will happen in January. Please pray that the tendons are healed and that she might have reduced pain for a few years, and not have to have more expensive surgery. Thank you. Also, if anyone has had this treatment, what is your opinion of it?
12/14 – About That Time asked for prayers for a daughter who is trying to give them a second grandchild. The daughter lost a baby in early October, and is pregnant again. Prayers for success are appreciated.
12/14 – Commissar Hrothgar would appreciate a prayer or two for Tim, an acquaintance from Southern Virginia. He apparently dodged a deer while driving, but went off the road into a ditch, jamming the driver’s side door, and then the car caught on fire. Amazingly, there was an ongoing house fire nearby, so the fire department EMTs saw the flames and were somehow able to extract him from the car. However, he suffered severe burns on his hands and legs. He is already receiving skin grafts on his hands and legs and will be in a bad way for some time.
12/14 – Sock Monkey asked for prayers for Publius. His cousin passed away suddenly on 12/13.
12/14 – Sharon (willow’s apprentice) could use some prayers. She had a CT scan of her hip, and may be headed toward a hip replacement. She is not worried about the surgery, which probably will improve her life, but is concerned about the loss of autonomy during recovery.
12/14 – Duke Lowell asked for prayers for his father, who was taken to the hospital 12/13 in respiratory distress. They are thinking it’s an infection, but he’s 87, and at that age anything can be serious.
12/21 Update – Thanks for the prayers; they definitely helped. Dad is recovering at home now. He had an upper respiratory infection and esophageal spasms, all treatable.
12/16 – Teresa in Fort Worth requested prayers for Paul’s niece, Amanda, who had a heart transplant 4 years ago. Now her body has started to reject it. She needs another miracle.
12/17 – Bulg asked for prayers that he would find a job soon.
12/18 – neverenoughcaffeine could use prayers. She has 3 minor medical issues. One she can ignore, but the other 2 are causing loads of pain and discomfort. They may be related. She is praying that her ortho doctor has an answer for both.
12/21 Update – She did receive two shots of cortisone in her foot, which helped with her back issues. Her foot feels better and hopefully will continue to improve. Therapy for her back is also helping.
12/21 – Fenelon Spoke asked for prayers for E, the nurse and caregiver for her church’s retired organist. “E” has been in and out of the hospital for 2 weeks with a bleeding ulcer. Prayers are also needed for Fen’s son’s supervisor who has chest pain and a fever and has missed a couple of days of work. Fen also offered a prayer of thanks to God for FenSon completing his second week of work at a new job, which was a bit challenging since his boss was out ill.
12/21 – Tonypete requested prayers for his buddy Bev. She is normally happy, but something is going on. Lately she is very sad and depressed. One of Bev’s kids has been a cause for concern in the past, so there may be trouble there.
12/21 – J.J. Sefton sends his gratitude for all of the love, prayers, and support this past year. Last Monday, his latest MRI was also negative (that’s three in a row!) and his oncologist is very pleased with his progress.
12/21 – AZ deplorable moron asked for prayers. Her first cataract surgery went well and her right eye’s vision is much improved. The left eye, not so much. Infection set in and she’s had steroids and antibiotics constantly for 3 weeks. They don’t know how much vision she will have when it has healed.
12/21 – Brave Sir Robin requested prayers for his co-worker, Matt and his wife Jamie and 2 kids. Matt, about 42 years old, was diagnosed with glioblastoma. This same cancer to Brave Sir Robin’s mother. Unless treatment has changed radically, Matt does not have a happy ending. Please pray for wisdom and skill from his doctors, and peace and serenity for Matt and his family.
12/21 – Sugar Plum Fairy requested prayers for her brother-in-law, M, who found out yesterday that he has leukemia. He is only in his mid-thirties and his daughter is 2. He is heading to the hospital for 6 weeks on 12/23 for testing. Please pray for strength for his wife and mother who are in shock and understandably devastated. And for good doctors and total healing if it is God’s will.
12/25 – Molly k asked for prayers. This will be a different Christmas. Mr. k passed away on 12/22. Luckily the girls and grandkids were home. He passed at home, holding their oldest granddaughter’s hand. Christmas will be fun for the “littles” but tough for the rest. 12/26 is the funeral and she is dreading it, but will do her best to make it the best day possible and be thankful for the real meaning of Christmas.
12/25 – vmom deport deport deport asked for prayers for her brother-in-law in the hospital, and for her sister, who is looking out for him.

For submission guidelines and other relevant info, please contact Annie's Stew, who is managing the prayer list. You can contact her at apaslo at-sign hotmail dot com. If you see a prayer request posted in a thread comment, feel free to copy and paste it and e-mail it to Annie's Stew. She tries to keep up with the requests in the threads, but she's not here all of the time, so she may not see it unless you e-mail it to her. Please note: Prayer requests are generally removed after four weeks or so unless we receive an update.
2 Corinthians 4:8-9
We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair, persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian (ONT Cob Emeritus) at 08:18 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 oOF

Posted by: Blutarski, Gradually then Suddenly at December 28, 2024 08:20 AM (b294k)

2
*waves hankie*

Yoo hoo!

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 28, 2024 08:24 AM (dxSpM)

3 Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 28, 2024 08:25 AM (ZOv7s)

4 Hello, hello. Hello?

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at December 28, 2024 08:25 AM (YObWY)

5 *runs with sharp objects*

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 28, 2024 08:25 AM (ZOv7s)

6 Hadrian the Seventh at December 28, 2024 08:24 AM (dxSpM)

Good morning, how's the shoulder?

Posted by: dantesed at December 28, 2024 08:25 AM (Oy/m2)

7 Yoo hoo!
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 28, 2024 08:24 AM (dxSpM)
---
How's the shoulder doing? Will you able to go to Mass?

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 28, 2024 08:25 AM (ZOv7s)

8 En mi casa toman Bustelo!

Posted by: Caffiend at December 28, 2024 08:27 AM (G5+As)

9 (Rulz for those of you in Sheboygan)

Sheboygan is the one with the ginormous American flag, right? It's been a while since we've been past there.

Posted by: grammie winger - cheesehead at December 28, 2024 08:29 AM (SfhV1)

10
How's the shoulder doing? Will you able to go to Mass?
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 28, 2024 08:25 AM (ZOv7s)

_________

1) Bad
2) No

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 28, 2024 08:32 AM (dxSpM)

11 Sheboygan is the one with the ginormous American flag, right? It's been a while since we've been past there.
Posted by: grammie winger - cheesehead at December 28, 2024 08:29 AM (SfhV1)
---
Not to be confused with Cheboygan, which is in Michigan.

This brings the question: if I'm running with a sharp object, which is lawful, and I happen to encounter furniture incidentally, is that breaking a rule?

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 28, 2024 08:32 AM (ZOv7s)

12 Perhaps cancer is one of the worst things a person can hear, but if the next thing they hear is GOD, everything will work out.

Posted by: Eromero at December 28, 2024 08:33 AM (jgmnb)

13 Hadrian, have you tried alternating heat and ice along with the gabapentin?

Posted by: Ben Had at December 28, 2024 08:33 AM (XTmTf)

14 1) Bad
2) No
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 28, 2024 08:32 AM (dxSpM)
---
That sucks. Maybe get the Anointing of the Sick?

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 28, 2024 08:34 AM (ZOv7s)

15
That sucks. Maybe get the Anointing of the Sick?
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 28, 2024 08:34 AM (ZOv7s)

_________

I can't bother people with these little aches and pains. Others are in far worse shape and concerns should be directed to them.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 28, 2024 08:37 AM (dxSpM)

16 Yonder Horde

Posted by: Martini Farmer at December 28, 2024 08:37 AM (Q4IgG)

17 Good morning horde

Posted by: Skip at December 28, 2024 08:37 AM (fwDg9)

18 Prayers up for those that have asked us for them in the prayer list;
Prayers up for those that know they need them but have not asked us for them;
Prayers up for those that need them but don’t know it yet; and
Prayers up for those who pray alone, asking for help in silence, and whose prayers are known but to God!

Prayers up even for all "our" politicians who have decided that their 10% graft and power are still far more desirable than their honor or integrity, may they see the error of their ways, repent, and become true representatives of we the people!

And lastly, prayers up for our future President Trump, keep him and our beloved country safe from harm and may the many forces of corruption and evil arrayed against both him and our country be rendered ineffective and their plans come to naught!

Posted by: Commissar Hrothgar (hOUT3) ~ Next year in Corsicana - again! ~ at December 28, 2024 08:37 AM (hOUT3)

19 Have 1/2 cup and cinnamon donuts in a bit

Posted by: Skip at December 28, 2024 08:38 AM (fwDg9)

20 Perhaps cancer is one of the worst things a person can hear, but if the next thing they hear is GOD, everything will work out.
Posted by: Eromero at December 28, 2024 08:33 AM (jgmnb)
----
It's tough to remain in an attitude of gratitude. Very easy for little things to get to you.

I've been diagnosed with The Contracture in my right hand (of course) and while it's only a mild inconvenience, it's a reminder to take nothing for granted. Memento Mori and all that.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 28, 2024 08:38 AM (ZOv7s)

21 I can't bother people with these little aches and pains. Others are in far worse shape and concerns should be directed to them.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 28, 2024 08:37 AM (dxSpM)

It's not like there's a finite supply of mercy.

Posted by: grammie winger - cheesehead at December 28, 2024 08:38 AM (SfhV1)

22 5 *runs with sharp objects*
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd

And here I thought you knew better than that!

Posted by: Commissar Hrothgar (hOUT3) ~ Next year in Corsicana - again! ~ at December 28, 2024 08:39 AM (hOUT3)

23 covfefe

Posted by: m at December 28, 2024 08:39 AM (VnUSN)

24 I was reading last night's ONT and saw the mention of the near-sinking of the USS Iowa (BB-61) by the USS William D. Porter (DD-579). The "Willie Dee" was called "The Unluckiest Ship in the US Navy" for a series of mishaps (several involving injuries and/or fatalities) during her dismal career (which ended during a kamikaze attack off the coast of Okinawa).

After the USS Iowa incident, the ship was ordered to Bermuda, where the entire crew was placed under arrest. A chief torpedoman was sentenced to 14 years hard labor. FDR pardoned everyone involved.

Posted by: mrp at December 28, 2024 08:39 AM (rj6Yv)

25 21
It's not like there's a finite supply of mercy.
Posted by: grammie winger - cheesehead

And we should thank God for that!

Posted by: Commissar Hrothgar (hOUT3) ~ Next year in Corsicana - again! ~ at December 28, 2024 08:40 AM (hOUT3)

26 And lastly, prayers up for our future President Trump, keep him and our beloved country safe from harm and may the many forces of corruption and evil arrayed against both him and our country be rendered ineffective and their plans come to naught!

Posted by: Commissar Hrothgar (hOUT3) ~ Next year in Corsicana - again! ~ at December 28, 2024 08:37 AM (hOUT3)

Last night I had an awful dream that they shot down Trump's plane. It was so vivid I thought it was real.

Posted by: grammie winger - cheesehead at December 28, 2024 08:40 AM (SfhV1)

27 The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals can’t make up its mind regarding the constitutionality of the beneficial ownership reporting requirement to the FinCEN for small businesses under the Corporate Transparency Act, which was to take effect on January 1st.

I mean, I’m glad the court reversed itself and hopefully plaintiffs will ultimately prevail, but, jeez, what a clown show they have going on there in the Fifth Circus [sic].

If you own a small business and are unaware of the reporting requirements to the FinCEN should the court rule in favor of the government, which may occur by January 13, it would behoove you to get educated about it real quick-like. The penalties imposed for failure to comply are quite severe -- a civil penalty of $591 per day in addition to potential criminal charges.

Effin’ Deep State, man…

Posted by: one hour sober at December 28, 2024 08:41 AM (Y1sOo)

28 Hadrian, there is more than enough care and compassion in this group to include everyone. You are a part of this community and we have care and concern for you.

Posted by: Ben Had at December 28, 2024 08:41 AM (XTmTf)

29 8 En mi casa toman Bustelo!
Posted by: Caffiend at December 28, 2024 08:27 AM (G5+As
Tu aerodeslizador esta lleno de anguillas, eh?

Posted by: Eromero at December 28, 2024 08:42 AM (jgmnb)

30 This brings the question: if I'm running with a sharp object, which is lawful, and I happen to encounter furniture incidentally, is that breaking a rule?
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 28, 2024 08:32 AM (ZOv7s)

Yes

And a new deductible is only a few days away. So think twice about being a naughty author Arthur.

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian Who Lives In The Thawed Out Tundra at December 28, 2024 08:42 AM (QXQ4l)

31 Effin’ Deep State, man…

Posted by: one hour sober

Getting 10% of everything be hard work yo!

Posted by: Commissar Hrothgar (hOUT3) ~ Next year in Corsicana - again! ~ at December 28, 2024 08:42 AM (hOUT3)

32 I can't bother people with these little aches and pains. Others are in far worse shape and concerns should be directed to them.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 28, 2024 08:37 AM (dxSpM)
---
It's not minor if it keeps you from Mass. Our parish used to have a set time after the vigil Mass on Saturday but now they do it by appointment. It is worth doing, especially since what I've read on your condition shows a great deal of variation in outcomes.

I haven't gone in for my contracture, but I will after we get back into Ordinary Time. I got anointed in the immediate aftermath of my Cardiac Event and it was very calming. A month later the doc found no damage at all, which they thought was quite remarkable.

If nothing else, you can set an example for how important this sacrament is. My kids noticed, and now when they are in a bad way, they at leas think about turning to the Church for healing.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 28, 2024 08:43 AM (ZOv7s)

33 re: running with sharp instruments

***********

See Sharp or Be Flat - a limerick

This morning I'm home all alone
And I think I have reason to moan
I've broken the Rule
'Cause I ran, (like a fool)
With my slightly out-of-tune saxophone!

Posted by: muldoon at December 28, 2024 08:44 AM (991eG)

34 my slightly out-of-tune saxophone!

Nails on a chalkboard.

Posted by: grammie winger - cheesehead at December 28, 2024 08:45 AM (SfhV1)

35 I can't bother people with these little aches and pains. Others are in far worse shape and concerns should be directed to them.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 28, 2024 08:37 AM (dxSpM)

Stop that! That attitude is its own version of pride, although it isn't necessarily obvious at first glance. Given that it's keeping you from mass, asking for anointing is quite sensible.

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at December 28, 2024 08:45 AM (lFFaq)

36 I've had my share of aches and pains.

Back in November I did something to my knee. Tore tendons or something. Very painful. Took a month to heal. I lived off of Motrin 2X a day for 2 weeks with alternating ice and heat. Could barely walk. Spent the entire time house bound. Sucked bigly.

Probably 90% movement and strength back and not looking like it will improve any further.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at December 28, 2024 08:45 AM (Q4IgG)

37 36 I've had my share of aches and pains.

Back in November I did something to my knee. Tore tendons or something. Very painful. Took a month to heal. I lived off of Motrin 2X a day for 2 weeks with alternating ice and heat. Could barely walk. Spent the entire time house bound. Sucked bigly.

Probably 90% movement and strength back and not looking like it will improve any further.
Posted by: Martini Farmer at December 28, 2024 08:45 AM (Q4IgG)

You may want to try the home PT regimen I was given after my latest knee replacement.

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian Who Lives In The Thawed Out Tundra at December 28, 2024 08:47 AM (QXQ4l)

38 Posted by: muldoon at December 28, 2024 08:44 AM (991eG)

Thanks for the giggle

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian Who Lives In The Thawed Out Tundra at December 28, 2024 08:48 AM (QXQ4l)

39 With my slightly out-of-tune saxophone!
Posted by: muldoon at December 28, 2024 08:44 AM (991eG)
---
I am finally to the point where I can tolerate "Sleighride." For years the fasted recorded human movement was me turning off the radio when the first note came on.

The reason was that I played French Horn in school, sitting right in front of the saxophones, and I spent much of my young life listening to them massacre that song.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 28, 2024 08:49 AM (ZOv7s)

40 With my slightly out-of-tune saxophone!
Posted by: muldoon

A saxophone is an ill-wind that nobody blows good.

Posted by: Benny Hill, 1978 at December 28, 2024 08:49 AM (G5+As)

41 The reason was that I played French Horn in school

I did too!

Posted by: grammie winger - cheesehead at December 28, 2024 08:50 AM (SfhV1)

42 Good morning Hordelings!
Prayers up for those listed and not listed.

Posted by: Doof at December 28, 2024 08:50 AM (RFPHU)

43 What do you call 20,000 saxophones at the bottom of the ocean? A good start.

What's the difference between a saxophone and a trampoline? You take your shoes off to jump on a trampoline.

Terrible news. A bus of saxophone players drove off a cliff. Even worse - they had empty seats!

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 28, 2024 08:51 AM (ZOv7s)

44
There once was a lad from Sheboygan...

*ponders*

back in aa bit.

Posted by: muldoon at December 28, 2024 08:51 AM (991eG)

45 >>>The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) is a bureau within the United States Department of the Treasury that collects and analyzes information about financial transactions to combat domestic and international money laundering, terrorist financing, and other financial crimes.
---

That's an unconstitutional law written by a corrupt organization.
They should be RICO'd.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at December 28, 2024 08:52 AM (YObWY)

46 > You may want to try the home PT regimen I was given after my latest knee replacement.
Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian Who Lives In The Thawed Out Tundra at December 28, 2024 08:47 AM (QXQ4l)
------
The flexing, strength stuff? No weights...? I'm starting that now that I can walk without pain.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at December 28, 2024 08:53 AM (Q4IgG)

47 >>>Even worse - they had empty seats!
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd
---

Cruelty so early in the morning.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at December 28, 2024 08:53 AM (YObWY)

48 MisHum has asked us please
No sharp object in-jur-rees
But if I may ask
If it's not too crass
What if the object is cheese?

Posted by: fd, with apologies at December 28, 2024 08:54 AM (vFG9F)

49 >>>A saxophone is an ill-wind that nobody blows good.
Posted by: Benny Hill, 1978
---

It's French.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at December 28, 2024 08:54 AM (YObWY)

50 I did too!
Posted by: grammie winger - cheesehead at December 28, 2024 08:50 AM (SfhV1)
---
Horn players are a breed apart, that's for sure.

Ironically, I did not get selected for French Horn when I auditioned for Michigan State's band, but they had openings in Trumpet, so I tried there and with a week of practice, placed 43rd out of 64, which proves a third-rate French Horn player is a 2nd rate Trumpet player.

And so, despite spending so much of my life growing up with a French Horn, I'm now a Trumpet player. Weird how that worked out.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 28, 2024 08:55 AM (ZOv7s)

51 Terrible news. A bus of saxophone players drove off a cliff. Even worse - they had empty seats!
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd

*******

My, that escalated quickly...

Can you show us on the Clarence Clemons doll where the bad saxophone touched you?

Posted by: muldoon at December 28, 2024 08:55 AM (991eG)

52 Frank Zappa played a saxophone in his youth because he liked the raunchy sounds he could make. Age 18, he picked up an electric guitar and found out what raunchy, subversive, noise he could make. And we have all reaped the benefits.

Posted by: Man With The Showing Scalp Flat-top at December 28, 2024 08:55 AM (G5+As)

53 Good Morning, Horde.

Is it me, or is the phrasing just a tad garbled on the blackboard in this morning's pic?

Posted by: Just Some Guy at December 28, 2024 08:55 AM (q3u5l)

54 The reason was that I played French Horn in school, sitting right in front of the saxophones, and I spent much of my young life listening to them massacre that song.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 28, 2024 08:49 AM (ZOv7s)

Spoken like a true French horn snob.

//////

Says the guy who was in the back and played tuba

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian Who Lives In The Thawed Out Tundra at December 28, 2024 08:56 AM (QXQ4l)

55 Posted by: fd, with apologies at December 28, 2024 08:54 AM (vFG9F)

Well done!

Posted by: Commissar Hrothgar (hOUT3) ~ Next year in Corsicana - again! ~ at December 28, 2024 08:56 AM (hOUT3)

56 Posted by: Man With The Showing Scalp Flat-top at December 28, 2024 08:55 AM (G5+As)

Particular about the point it made.

One of my top 3 FZ albums.

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian Who Lives In The Thawed Out Tundra at December 28, 2024 08:57 AM (QXQ4l)

57 Good morning Horde. Glad you joined us for the last Coffee Break thread of 2024. From Casa Misanthrope we wish you a Very Prosperous and Happy 2025.

==

Thank you ! And to you!

Posted by: runner at December 28, 2024 08:57 AM (QTCRF)

58 I was reading last night's ONT and saw the mention of the near-sinking of the USS Iowa (BB-61) by the USS William D. Porter (DD-579). The "Willie Dee" was called "The Unluckiest Ship in the US Navy" for a series of mishaps (several involving injuries and/or fatalities) during her dismal career (which ended during a kamikaze attack off the coast of Okinawa).

After the USS Iowa incident, the ship was ordered to Bermuda, where the entire crew was placed under arrest. A chief torpedoman was sentenced to 14 years hard labor. FDR pardoned everyone involved.
Posted by: mrp at December 28, 2024 08:39 AM (rj6Yv)

I believe Pres. Roosevelt onboard the Iowa at the time of inadvertent torpedo shot. Sometime after that incident, the "Willie Dee" was joining a convoy and one of the other ships sent a signal, "Don't shoot, we're Republicans."

Posted by: Retired Buckeye Cop is now an engineer at December 28, 2024 08:58 AM (pJWtt)

59 Effin’ Deep State, man…

Posted by: one hour sober at December 28, 2024 08:41 AM (Y1sOo)
------------
Even my wife had to file, with her little one-woman counseling gig. Those deep staters think they own us.

Posted by: Huck Follywood at December 28, 2024 08:58 AM (fmtFO)

60 That's an unconstitutional law written by a corrupt organization.
They should be RICO'd.
Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at December 28, 2024 08:52 AM (YObWY)

Greed knows no boundaries!

Posted by: Commissar Hrothgar (hOUT3) ~ Next year in Corsicana - again! ~ at December 28, 2024 08:58 AM (hOUT3)

61 >>> growing up with a French Horn, I'm now a Trumpet player. Weird how that worked out.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd
---

No more copping a feel.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at December 28, 2024 08:58 AM (YObWY)

62 Good Morning. Prayers up for the Horde and their loved ones in need. Nice freezing rain out this AM. Save my daily walk for later

Posted by: Smell the Glove at December 28, 2024 08:59 AM (URPU1)

63 46 > You may want to try the home PT regimen I was given after my latest knee replacement.
Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian Who Lives In The Thawed Out Tundra at December 28, 2024 08:47 AM (QXQ4l)
------
The flexing, strength stuff? No weights...? I'm starting that now that I can walk without pain.
Posted by: Martini Farmer at December 28, 2024 08:53 AM (Q4IgG)

Yes and a couple of others.
If you are serious contact me via email.

Between 2 knees I've had 9 surgeries.
One thing I've learned.

The older you get your knees don't like injury and it takes too damn long to recover.

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian Who Lives In The Thawed Out Tundra at December 28, 2024 09:00 AM (QXQ4l)

64 52 Frank Zappa played a saxophone in his youth because he liked the raunchy sounds he could make. Age 18, he picked up an electric guitar and found out what raunchy, subversive, noise he could make. And we have all reaped the benefits.
Posted by: Man With The Showing Scalp Flat-top at December 28, 2024 08:55 AM (G5+As
I had that same haircut in the 50s-60s, barberdude used a flat comb with a level bubble to get it perfect flat. Back then all I needed was Lucky Tiger hairwax. Today I’d need hair.

Posted by: Eromero at December 28, 2024 09:00 AM (jgmnb)

65 I would like to hear Beefheart tell us about when Sam met the man with the woman head.

Posted by: fd at December 28, 2024 09:00 AM (vFG9F)

66 one hour sober. Not just small businesses but other entities as well. Had to report due to being on the board of our HOA. I now have a FinCen id. Yay, me.

Posted by: neverenoughcaffeine at December 28, 2024 09:00 AM (Zu8BH)

67 Good Saturday morning, dear Horde!

Posted by: Ladyl at December 28, 2024 09:00 AM (+4oV5)

68 Good morning again dear horde with thanks and gratitude to mh and annie and you morons for your prayers

Add one for Hadrian even though he hasn't asked

Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 28, 2024 09:00 AM (RIvkX)

69 Best wishes to the horde, from our house to yours! May your burdens be lighter in 2025, and everyone's health outstandingly good.

Posted by: Huck Follywood at December 28, 2024 09:01 AM (fmtFO)

70 Today is the Feast of the Holy Innocents and are the children mentioned in the account of Jesus' birth in Matthew's Gospel. When the Magi came to Jerusalem to adore the Baby Jesus, King Herod requested they inform him of the Child's location under the pretense of offering Him adoration, too. After paying the Child homage and offering Him their gifts, the Wise Men were warned in a dream not to betray Jesus' location, and departed for their home country by another route. Meanwhile the Holy Family was warned by an Angel to flee into Egypt. King Herod fell into a jealous rage over the Magi's failure to report back to him. He ordered all the baby boys aged two years and under to be killed, according to the appearance of the Bethlehem Star to the Three Wise Men, in an attempt to kill the Baby Jesus. These baby boys died not only for Christ, but in his stead. The Church venerates them as martyrs. The Latin Church instituted the feast of the Holy Innocents in the fifth century. The Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome is believed to possess the bodies of several of the Holy Innocents.

Altar cloths are trimmed in red today in their honor.

Posted by: Tonypete at December 28, 2024 09:01 AM (WXNFJ)

71 53 Is it me, or is the phrasing just a tad garbled on the blackboard in this morning's pic?

Posted by: Just Some Guy at December 28, 2024 08:55 AM (q3u5l)

hmm; yep, garbled

Posted by: m at December 28, 2024 09:01 AM (VnUSN)

72 First, I want to give thanks to God the Father for all the thoughts and prayers.

I then want those mentioned above, here in the comments and especially the petitions known only to God, that I am praying for you. I pay He grants healing and peace to you all.

For me, it's looking like the breast cancer was caught early. Having the BRCA2 gene mutation means surgery (mastectomy). Radiation and/or chemo is still TBD. My daughter just beat breast cancer, so can I

To the men here - we are not immune from breast cancer BRCA positive or not.

Posted by: Our Country is Screwed at December 28, 2024 09:02 AM (2AW7/)

73 On Second Thought - a limerick

There was a young tranny from Sheboygan
Whose delusions were really annoying
Xhe told the experts,
"I've had some regerts,
Do you think you could make me a boy again?"

Posted by: muldoon at December 28, 2024 09:03 AM (991eG)

74 >>Even my wife had to file

Filing is voluntary at this point pending resolution of the legal challenge, but it could become law real quick-like in the coming days.

My wife and I, owners of a LLC, have refused to file thus far, but are ready to do so.

Posted by: one hour sober at December 28, 2024 09:04 AM (Y1sOo)

75 muldoon - you did it!

Posted by: grammie winger - cheesehead at December 28, 2024 09:05 AM (SfhV1)

76 I believe Pres. Roosevelt onboard the Iowa at the time of inadvertent torpedo shot. Sometime after that incident, the "Willie Dee" was joining a convoy and one of the other ships sent a signal, "Don't shoot, we're Republicans."
Posted by: Retired Buckeye Cop is now an engineer at December 28, 2024 08:58 AM (pJWtt)

He was. When notified that a live torp was headed his way, FDR ordered his aide to wheel him over to the rail so he could observe the shot. While the Iowa maneuvered out of the way, the BB's skipper ordered all three main battery turrets to target the Porter.

Posted by: mrp at December 28, 2024 09:05 AM (rj6Yv)

77 Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 28, 2024 09:00 AM (RIvkX)

I appreciate the "Thanks"

But it really isn't necessary.
I'm happy to post this thread.

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian Who Lives In The Thawed Out Tundra at December 28, 2024 09:06 AM (QXQ4l)

78 Sole proprietorships do not have to file. The Feds already know who to come after.

Posted by: fd at December 28, 2024 09:06 AM (vFG9F)

79 The William D. Porter ended up getting sunk by kamikazes at Okinawa. Somehow not a single crewman was killed

Posted by: Smell the Glove at December 28, 2024 09:08 AM (URPU1)

80 I just prayed through the prayer list. I asked God to bring healing, courage and peace to everyone on it. I also prayed for the health, safety and happiness of every member of the Horde.

Posted by: Ladyl at December 28, 2024 09:08 AM (+4oV5)

81
Told HM, who is anti-clerical but tolerant, that I'd try going to the Vigil Mass up the road this afternoon. It's a short drive - unlike the 45 miles to my regular parish - and if it hurts too much to sit for an hour, it'll be easy to come home.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 28, 2024 09:08 AM (dxSpM)

82 Ladyl, good morning, Sunshine.

Posted by: Ben Had at December 28, 2024 09:09 AM (XTmTf)

83 Good morning good people and prayers for all intentions: Those requested and those known but to God.

Today we have to deliver the little Christmas gifts to the neighbors. You know, plates of cookies and things. The folks next door are harmless but as emotionally needy as anyone I have every seen. Just dropping off a plate turns into a three hour 'tour' of her precious Christmas Village that she sets up every year and it is damn near impossible to escape from.

I know I sound like a heel but jeeze louise, it is painful.

Posted by: Tonypete at December 28, 2024 09:09 AM (WXNFJ)

84 These baby boys died not only for Christ, but in his stead. The Church venerates them as martyrs. The Latin Church instituted the feast of the Holy Innocents in the fifth century. The Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls in Rome is believed to possess the bodies of several of the Holy Innocents.

Altar cloths are trimmed in red today in their honor.
Posted by: Tonypete at December 28, 2024 09:01 AM (WXNFJ)

I was reading the Bible yesterday and came across a passage that is very apropos:

O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is thy name in all the earth! Thou whose glory above the heavens is chanted by the mouth of babes and innocents, thou hast founded a bulwark because of thy foes, to still the enemy and the avenger. (Psalm 8:1-2)

Posted by: Retired Buckeye Cop is now an engineer at December 28, 2024 09:09 AM (pJWtt)

85 Well Mrs. F. already warned me off from whining for pancakes this morning. We had our rich lib cousins for dinner and candle lighting last night and it put her "in a mood" just like I knew it would. I got yelled at for "hovering"

Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 28, 2024 09:11 AM (RIvkX)

86 Merry Christmas Horde 🙂

Prayers up for rons and ettes, especially those on the prayer list.

I am spending the holidays with my parents (and family that lives near them) I've been praying for my dad, he is very proud and his health is failing. He is ready to die, but I think his body won't give up with out a long fight. My prayer is that he may pass quickly and easily, that he will be given grace to accept help, that myself and those around him are given wisdom in our interactions.

Life is hard, we should be kind.

Posted by: AmericanKestrel at December 28, 2024 09:11 AM (Q34kU)

87
Pancakes are worth whining for, regardless of the cost.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 28, 2024 09:11 AM (dxSpM)

88 I know I sound like a heel but jeeze louise, it is painful.
Posted by: Tonypete at December 28, 2024 09:09 AM (WXNFJ)

Sounds like you could be a Cob.

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian Who Lives In The Thawed Out Tundra at December 28, 2024 09:12 AM (QXQ4l)

89 79 The William D. Porter ended up getting sunk by kamikazes at Okinawa. Somehow not a single crewman was killed
Posted by: Smell the Glove at December 28, 2024 09:08 AM (URPU1)
I think the survival means something, don’t know exactly what.

Posted by: Eromero at December 28, 2024 09:12 AM (jgmnb)

90 Spoken like a true French horn snob.

//////

Says the guy who was in the back and played tuba
Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian Who Lives In The Thawed Out Tundra at December 28, 2024 08:56 AM (QXQ4l)
---
French Horn players are remarkably arrogant. I was offered a chance to challenge in my sophomore year, but it would require completely relearning the pre-game music and I'd be assigned to a new squad, which seemed a lot of trouble.

By the way, I also played tuba my senior year in high school when marching season was over. It was an interesting experience.

I never thought of myself as a "serious" musician, but looking back on it, I had a tremendous amount of talent that I didn't bother to develop. I was one of those kids who practiced just enough to meet the standard but never pushed much beyond that.

Now that I've been 29 for a few years, I can't do that, and have to put in lots of practice just to maintain basic competence.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 28, 2024 09:13 AM (ZOv7s)

91 That's nice Tonypete. I'm sure she loves having someone to show it to.

Maybe you can make up stories in your mind about the people who live in the town as she shows you the buildings. Make them Hallmark-grade or Friday the 13th-grade, your choice.

Posted by: fd at December 28, 2024 09:13 AM (vFG9F)

92 85 Well Mrs. F. already warned me off from whining for pancakes this morning. We had our rich lib cousins for dinner and candle lighting last night and it put her "in a mood" just like I knew it would. I got yelled at for "hovering"
Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 28, 2024 09:11 AM (RIvkX)

We had wild blueberry pancakes and home smoked bacon the other evening for supper.

Dessert consisted of fruit cake and eggnog.

YUM

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian Who Lives In The Thawed Out Tundra at December 28, 2024 09:14 AM (QXQ4l)

93 Not just small businesses but other entities as well. Had to report due to being on the board of our HOA. I now have a FinCen id. Yay, me.
---
Hey nec, Do you know the specifics of why your HOA had to file?

My understanding is that if the HOA is organized under ss 501c3, and not under section 528, it is exempt from filing. I'm trying to get a hold of the lawyers that filed our incorporation for clarification.

No one has responded and Fincen is clear as mud on the issue.

Posted by: Derak at December 28, 2024 09:15 AM (w93IV)

94
We had wild blueberry pancakes and home smoked bacon the other evening for supper.

_________

Breakfast for supper is one of life's little delights.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 28, 2024 09:15 AM (dxSpM)

95 I need a better line than, "what's with the pancakes?" or "why are you just sitting there?" or even the old favorite "what, no pancakes?"

Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 28, 2024 09:16 AM (RIvkX)

96 I've had to monitor FinCen's Corporate Transparency Act as part of my day job. The good news is that it's on ice for the near-term and maybe forever. Filing at this time is optional but if you don't, you need to monitor if the filng requirement is reinstated because of the potential fines.

My bet is that the Fifth Circuit will knock it out entirely later in 2025.

Posted by: Ignoramus at December 28, 2024 09:16 AM (Gqoy+)

97 Dearest Ben Had. Good grief I miss you!

Posted by: Ladyl at December 28, 2024 09:17 AM (+4oV5)

98 I need a better line than, "what's with the pancakes?" or "why are you just sitting there?" or even the old favorite "what, no pancakes?"

"Wanna go to Waffle House? I got a bunch of quarters for the jukebox."

Posted by: Oddbob at December 28, 2024 09:18 AM (86uPL)

99 mh, that is a great menu

We have a lot of blackberries so I could go with, "what are we supposed to do with all these blackberries?"

Or I could just pretend to start to make them myself. The clattering will be sure to draw attention.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 28, 2024 09:19 AM (RIvkX)

100 Derak. Do not have specifics. BOD president asked all of us to file, so I did. It’s painless doing it online and as my last day on the BOD is the 31st I agreed to file. Least I could do knowing that my torture will soon be over and done.

Posted by: neverenoughcaffeine at December 28, 2024 09:19 AM (Zu8BH)

101 "why are you just sitting there?"

uh-oh

Posted by: grammie winger - cheesehead at December 28, 2024 09:19 AM (SfhV1)

102 Things are kinda horny up in here.

Posted by: Casual observer at December 28, 2024 09:19 AM (dg+HA)

103 A rhetorical question just occurred to me: in this Age of The Internet, globalization, off-shoring, zoom meetings, cloud storage, overseas replacement labor and management... why is there a need for a single, solitary H1b visa, let alone millions of them?

Posted by: t-bird at December 28, 2024 09:19 AM (QrkKu)

104 I'm trying to think of another town name for muldoon to generate another limerick.

Appreciate grammie's short uplifting comments.

Appreciate the love you all show by praying for one another.

Posted by: AmericanKestrel at December 28, 2024 09:20 AM (Q34kU)

105
Effin’ Deep State, man…

Posted by: one hour sober at December 28, 2024 08:41 AM (Y1sOo)

__________

What! (he roared). I spent $200 to have my agent file one of those things after getting a string of bloodthirsty warnings about the consequences.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 28, 2024 09:20 AM (dxSpM)

106 I've a few minutes before I head out to the barber and do other errands. Good morning, all! The Killer Kittenz From Outer Space, Stirling the big black and Dagny the little gray Siberian, are doing well, as am I. Only a few more days before I have to descend back into the electron mine, so I'm trying to enjoy myself -- and sleep more.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 28, 2024 09:20 AM (omVj0)

107 we wish you a Very Prosperous and Happy 2025

I initially read that as a "preposterous" 2025.
I think the last 4 years have really gotten to me.

Posted by: GWB at December 28, 2024 09:21 AM (WlvCt)

108 Las Cruces

Posted by: Try this one at December 28, 2024 09:21 AM (dg+HA)

109
I need a better line than, "what's with the pancakes?" or "why are you just sitting there?" or even the old favorite "what, no pancakes?"
Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 28, 2024 09:16 AM (RIvkX)

________

I can think of lots of potential replies, starting with, "You want them, you make them."

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 28, 2024 09:22 AM (dxSpM)

110 Ignoramus at December 28, 2024 09:16 AM (Gqoy+)

Ignoramus, my understanding is filing is back on, and Jan 13 is the new deadline.

Posted by: Derak at December 28, 2024 09:22 AM (w93IV)

111 95 I need a better line than, "what's with the pancakes?" or "why are you just sitting there?" or even the old favorite "what, no pancakes?"
Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 28, 2024 09:16 AM (RIvkX)

Bring me pigs in a blanket, Sugar Tits.

Guaranteed to be the highlight of the day!

Posted by: Misanthropic Humanitarian Who Lives In The Thawed Out Tundra at December 28, 2024 09:22 AM (QXQ4l)

112 Good morning all.
Surprised to see me on the list this morning but thank you for thinking of me.
Definitely going to have the surgery but will be months and months before it happens. There is a prep routine which will take a while before they will even schedule it. Then waiting. In the meantime, I hurt every day. But it is bearable. So I'm doing okay. It is helpful to know that so many of you have been through it and results are positive.
Life is good.❤️

Posted by: Sharon(willow's apprentice) at December 28, 2024 09:23 AM (t/2Uw)

113 >>Posted by: Derak

HOAs organized under 501(c)(3) are exempt from reporting. But don't take my word for it. Make your attorneys tell you that.

Posted by: one hour sober at December 28, 2024 09:24 AM (Y1sOo)

114 > Breakfast for supper is one of life's little delights.
--------
My mom used to make ham, eggs and grits for "breakfast supper" back in the day. Usually during the winter months. And only once in a while.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at December 28, 2024 09:24 AM (Q4IgG)

115
What's annoying is that I have only a little penny-ante LLC and I have to file it like I'm Engulf & Devour.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 28, 2024 09:25 AM (dxSpM)

116 Good Saturday morning, horde.

Prayers have been offered for each of you. I pray that He heals you of illness and comforts you in your grief. That He fills your heart with hope and gladness. That He leads you to lucrative and fulfilling vocations. That He heals rifts in your families, and brings the wayward home. His will be done.

And thank you for prayers said on my behalf, I appreciate them.

Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at December 28, 2024 09:25 AM (OX9vb)

117 we wish you a Very Prosperous and Happy 2025

I initially read that as a "preposterous" 2025.
I think the last 4 years have really gotten to me.

***
The last four were quite preposterous, let's hope the next four will be prosperous instead.

Posted by: AmericanKestrel at December 28, 2024 09:26 AM (Q34kU)

118 103 A rhetorical question just occurred to me: in this Age of The Internet, globalization, off-shoring, zoom meetings, cloud storage, overseas replacement labor and management... why is there a need for a single, solitary H1b visa, let alone millions of them?
Posted by: t-bird at December 28, 2024 09:19 AM (QrkKu)

Take the case of Elon Musk, since he’s part of this debate. His company hires a lot of engineers, and I presume he would like to have them working at the campus he is building in Texas where he can keep close tabs on how they are proceeding, rather than having them scattered around India and the far east, subject to the laws and influences of those countries and pretty much operating on their own.
It’s a myth that anyone can be supervised through a computer screen half a world away.

Posted by: Tom Servo at December 28, 2024 09:26 AM (7MHHr)

119 This is the last Drink and Pray of 2024. It's been a highlight of my Saturdays, all year long. Thank you Mis Hum and Annie.

Posted by: grammie winger - cheesehead at December 28, 2024 09:26 AM (SfhV1)

120 Effin’ Deep State, man…

Posted by: one hour sober at December 28, 2024 08:41 AM (Y1sOo)
-----------
Perhaps the corporate form matters, as our accountant and lawyer agreed my wife had to file (she works through an LLC).

Posted by: Huck Follywood at December 28, 2024 09:27 AM (3BCV6)

121 Told HM, who is anti-clerical but tolerant, that I'd try going to the Vigil Mass up the road this afternoon. It's a short drive - unlike the 45 miles to my regular parish - and if it hurts too much to sit for an hour, it'll be easy to come home.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 28, 2024 09:08 AM (dxSpM)
---
Go for the comfy look.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 28, 2024 09:27 AM (ZOv7s)

122 https://tinyurl.com/48r92de2
"In an order filed December 26, 2024, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has vacated their own stay of the District Court’s preliminary injunction of the enforcement of the January 1, 2025 deadline for reporting compliance under the Corporate Transparency Act."

@110 Do try to keep up. Kidding

Posted by: Ignoramus at December 28, 2024 09:27 AM (Gqoy+)

123 What's annoying is that I have only a little penny-ante LLC and I have to file it like I'm Engulf & Devour.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 28, 2024 09:25 AM (dxSpM)

The Administrative state and their kept congressmen live in mortal fear that you have money they can't take

Posted by: Kindltot at December 28, 2024 09:28 AM (D7oie)

124 Prayers up for all the Horde's intentions. Those asked and unasked.

Posted by: olddog in mo at December 28, 2024 09:29 AM (hoCmQ)

125 "In an order filed December 26, 2024, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has vacated their own stay of the District Court’s preliminary injunction of the enforcement of the January 1, 2025 deadline for reporting compliance under the Corporate Transparency Act."

What's that in English?

Posted by: grammie winger - cheesehead at December 28, 2024 09:29 AM (SfhV1)

126 A rhetorical question just occurred to me: in this Age of The Internet, globalization, off-shoring, zoom meetings, cloud storage, overseas replacement labor and management... why is there a need for a single, solitary H1b visa, let alone millions of them?
Posted by: t-bird at December 28, 2024 09:19 AM (QrkKu)
---
I think a deeper question is why we have to import anyone, given the vast number of people already here. Are there no magnet schools for tech?

Of course, there is a strain of American culture that finds efficiency to be the highest good, so spending money when you can just import foreigners is a moral necessity because profit is the highest good.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 28, 2024 09:30 AM (ZOv7s)

127
What's that in English?
Posted by: grammie winger - cheesehead at December 28, 2024 09:29 AM (SfhV1)

_________

Yes

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 28, 2024 09:30 AM (dxSpM)

128 Drizzling outside

Posted by: Skip at December 28, 2024 09:30 AM (fwDg9)

129 {{{Ladyl}}}!!!!

Posted by: Doof at December 28, 2024 09:31 AM (RFPHU)

130 It's not like there's a finite supply of mercy.
Posted by: grammie winger - cheesehead at December 28, 2024 08:38 AM (SfhV1)

Oh, so true.

Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at December 28, 2024 09:31 AM (OX9vb)

131
In Texas, I have to file a franchise tax return annually but it takes something like $2 million to trigger a tax, a target I miss by about $1,980,000.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 28, 2024 09:33 AM (dxSpM)

132 I can think of lots of potential replies, starting with, "You want them, you make them."
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 28, 2024 09:22 AM (dxSpM)
====

I'm not sure you know how this game is played.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 28, 2024 09:34 AM (RIvkX)

133 Came down with the flu the day after Christmas. 1 of 5 stars. Would not recommend.

Posted by: Duke Lowell at December 28, 2024 09:34 AM (u73oe)

134 prayers for all who need them. Here's hoping Sugar Plum's BIL has the type of Leukemia that can be cured with arsenic and vitamin A

Posted by: long night ending, dawn in January at December 28, 2024 09:35 AM (2NXcZ)

135 What's that in English?
Posted by: grammie winger - cheesehead at December 28, 2024 09:29 AM (SfhV1)

Right? Also, are they *trying* to cause mass confusion, or is it a side effect of their incompetence?

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at December 28, 2024 09:35 AM (lFFaq)

136 My wife is a, um, 29-year+ CPA who specializes in corporate tax and accounting. Via her quarterly newsletters, she has been telling her clients for a year that this was coming. In the last week, she has received several calls/emails from clients wanting to know what this FinCEN reporting thing is all about.

Read the newsletters you receive from your tax professionals, people.

Posted by: one hour sober at December 28, 2024 09:36 AM (Y1sOo)

137 to descend back into the electron mine, so I'm trying to enjoy myself -- and sleep more.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius

Just watched an extended farm report long-range weather forecast for winter through early spring. Delta region to have mostly above average temps and an early spring warm up. You may want to escape to Indiana or environs early.

Posted by: Sweatin' to the Oldies! at December 28, 2024 09:36 AM (G5+As)

138 I mean, I’m glad the court reversed itself and hopefully plaintiffs will ultimately prevail, but, jeez, what a clown show they have going on there in the Fifth Circus [sic].

Posted by: one hour sober at December 28, 2024 08:41
---------------

Reversed what? The stay that removed the temporary injunction? They stayed the stay? I'm so confused. Are we supposed to file by Jan 13 or not?

Posted by: olddog in mo at December 28, 2024 09:36 AM (hoCmQ)

139 I have a puny little LLC and I'm confused.

Posted by: grammie winger - cheesehead at December 28, 2024 09:36 AM (SfhV1)

140
Right? Also, are they *trying* to cause mass confusion, or is it a side effect of their incompetence?
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at December 28, 2024 09:35 AM (lFFaq)

___________

It reads like your typical ballot proposition. You can't be sure what your "Yes" or "No" does.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 28, 2024 09:37 AM (dxSpM)

141 Read the newsletters you receive from your tax professionals, people.
Posted by: one hour sober at December 28, 2024 09:36 AM (Y1sOo)
===

Wait. All those newsletters I keep hearing about on this blog are real?

Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 28, 2024 09:37 AM (RIvkX)

142 Seems like there is a lot of angst over Musk and Ramaswamy and the h1bs. There is *so* much rot to clean up, I pray (see what I did there) that the team won't get bogged down in the weeds, but that they will be able to prioritize, that they will be given tasks best suited to their abilities, and that much clean up can occur.

Posted by: AmericanKestrel at December 28, 2024 09:37 AM (Q34kU)

143 The Fifth Circuit covers TX and LA and is the most conservative. So many cases get filed there strategically.

But some judges on the Fifth Circuit lean left. Normally a decision is made by a random set of three judges out of 20+. But this sometimes get the "wrong outcome" so the entire 20+ will review "en banc." This is supposed to be rare but it's been happening more on politically-driven cases.

By taking this case "en banc" and reissuing the injunction, odds are high that the Fifth Circuit will kill this with extreme prejudice.

Posted by: Ignoramus at December 28, 2024 09:37 AM (Gqoy+)

144 It reads like your typical ballot proposition. You can't be sure what your "Yes" or "No" does.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 28, 2024 09:37 AM (dxSpM)

Yes! Knew it reminded me of something.

Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at December 28, 2024 09:38 AM (lFFaq)

145 one hour sober at December 28, 2024 09:24 AM (Y1sOo)

Gotta love the horde!

Typical government bs. I can't rely on what I ferreted out after hours on the internet. Even printed everything that supports my opinion, but when dealing with FINCEN, no less, I think you're right and we need a written attorney letter for our files.
The penalties are too stiff and would bankrupt our little HOA immediately.

Posted by: Derak at December 28, 2024 09:38 AM (w93IV)

146 slavery and indentured servitude are conditions of legal status, not social or economic class structure. Neither exist outside of governmental enforcement.
The argument that labeling an individual as illegal is a method of making a valid classification like slavery is a valid argument, but it changes nothing of the situation. Similarly, the H1b program creates a situation of indentured servitude, perfectly legal. Enlarging it does not do away with the abuses.

Do you know what the main difference between H1b (general labor) and H1a (ag labor) are?

H1a has minimum required standards for employment, pay, working conditions and after-employment treatment, and they are specifically covered by the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act (MSPA) section of FLSA

H1bs are disposable.

Posted by: Kindltot at December 28, 2024 09:38 AM (D7oie)

147
I'm not sure you know how this game is played.
Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 28, 2024 09:34 AM (RIvkX)

_________

I likely don't. Because if I suggested that HM make something for me, that's the reply I'd get.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 28, 2024 09:39 AM (dxSpM)

148 Guys, merry Christmas. I am feeling pretty rough today, with the rain and everything.

Hope your day holds up, I will wander off for a bit and not be bitchy

Posted by: Kindltot at December 28, 2024 09:40 AM (D7oie)

149 Of course, there is a strain of American culture that finds efficiency to be the highest good, so spending money when you can just import foreigners is a moral necessity because profit is the highest good.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 28, 2024 09:30 AM (ZOv7s)

They want cheap labor here. India does not produce boatloads of geniuses. Elon wants more billions. Nicole Shanahan makes more sense than he does. Sounds like he wants a huge payoff. Maybe he needs investigating.

Posted by: long night ending, dawn in January at December 28, 2024 09:40 AM (2NXcZ)

150 "In an order filed December 26, 2024, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has vacated their own stay of the District Court’s preliminary injunction of the enforcement of the January 1, 2025 deadline for reporting compliance under the Corporate Transparency Act."

=====

"It's your lucky day. We happen to know of a firm that, for a slightly n less than extortionate fee, can help you navigate the rules and regulations. They literally helped us write the legislation. And we went to college together. OK, it's my wife's firm. But its not a conflict of interest."

Posted by: 2009Refugee at December 28, 2024 09:40 AM (8AONa)

151 Isn't Las Cruces a popular destination for retirees from up north?

Plinking at the Mobile Home Park - a limerick

There once was a man from Las Cruces
Whose rifle had multiple uses
Jack rabbits, prairie dogs
Coyotes, feral hogss
And damn snow birds, Canadian gooses!

Posted by: muldoon at December 28, 2024 09:41 AM (991eG)

152 Yesterday there was a discussion on the Art Thread about intercessors, particularly Mary. Such discussions often come down to dueling interpretations of Scripture and theology and that's all well and good, but to me the decisive point of the debate is observable reality.

The instances of Marian intercessions and apparitions are simply to comprehensive to dismiss. Our Lady of Guadalupe not only converted millions, the tilma with her sacred images still survives, impervious to the element or normal processes of decay.

The healing waters of Lourdes have 71 documented cases of healing that cannot be explained by science.

The events in Fatima were documented by modern media, and even skeptics could find no explanation.

The Christian fleet at Lepanto rowed into the Ottomans chanting the Rosary and Pope Pius V knew the exact moment of the victory even though it took days for the news to reach him.

At a certain point, logic and reason have to give these events some kind of credence. Hand-waiving away such things just doesn't work.

As someone raised to despise organized religion, this was difficult for me to accept, but I finally had to admit that I was totally boxed in. (cont)

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 28, 2024 09:42 AM (ZOv7s)

153 Good morning, everyone. Beginning week three of deleting one of my bp meds in preperation for allergy testing. 133/90, pulse 75. That's where it was 20 years ago when i got put on bp meds to begin with.

Who knew that Nebivol blocks histimine reactions while lowering your heart rate? Week one was full of sinus discharge while not being unwell with a slight spike in bp (141/94, 79). Bp went back down quickly, but it took untill now for the snot fest to subside.

Anyway, prayers for continued good behaviour from both my sinuses and my bp would be much appreciated through the 3nd of Feb wehn I get the battery of allergy testing completed.

Posted by: BifBewalski at December 28, 2024 09:42 AM (MsrgL)

154 I likely don't. Because if I suggested that HM make something for me, that's the reply I'd get.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 28, 2024 09:39 AM (dxSpM)
====

I've perfected my whining over a lifetime. The key to success is knowing when the odds are in your favor, or not.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 28, 2024 09:43 AM (RIvkX)

155
H1bs are disposable.
Posted by: Kindltot at December 28, 2024 09:38 AM (D7oie)

So let's dispose of them. And if another program of it's ilk arises let's make sure no anchor babies or chain migration is possible. Disincentivize it. I recall the stories of Americans being forced to train these people in order to get severance...but Elon needs more billions.

Yeah, I know, I was impressed by his stand against censorship, but demanding cheap labor from India and threatening "war" if you don't get it in not OK

Posted by: long night ending, dawn in January at December 28, 2024 09:43 AM (2NXcZ)

156 >>>Posted by: olddog

I've been having problems with tiny.url of late, otherwise I would link you up..

Just go to The National Law Review website and look for its article entitled, "Corporate Transparency Act Whiplash: Fifth Circuit Reinstates Preliminary Suspension of Deadline Pending Merits Ruling."

It'll explain it to you.

Posted by: one hour sober at December 28, 2024 09:45 AM (Y1sOo)

157 The SOB is threatening us:
https://tinyurl.com/3p2ha9b7

Maybe RICO is in order

Posted by: long night ending, dawn in January at December 28, 2024 09:46 AM (2NXcZ)

158 To make a long story short, I'm having pancakes.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 28, 2024 09:46 AM (RIvkX)

159 Anyone think our lame duck President even knew where he was when he woke up in USVI this AM?

Posted by: Hope and Change at December 28, 2024 09:46 AM (G5+As)

160 Either what Musk says is true or not true. The critics are responding about how America used to be when it had no problem getting talented engineers/scientists to fill the open and necessary positions so we could continue to advance. Even then we ended up using Nazis .

Is it accurate to say that there are far more positions opened and needed than Americans qualified to fill them? Or are these potential HB1 candidates taking jobs away from qualified Americans?

Seems to me that issue could be solved with the requirements I think now in place that positions have to be offered to Americans first . They could just make those requirements stricter where unscrupulous employers can't use loopholes.

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at December 28, 2024 09:47 AM (D6PGr)

161 It's not like there's a finite supply of mercy.
Posted by: grammie winger - cheesehead at December 28, 2024 08:38 AM (SfhV1)

Oh, so true.
Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at December 28, 2024 09:31 AM (OX9vb)
------------------
Yikes! I pray not!

Posted by: Huck Follywood at December 28, 2024 09:47 AM (4iNbz)

162 The thing is, once I yielded ground, and accepted that at least some of them might have happened, I began to see the reality of the spirit world. It was like getting a new set of glasses that put *everything* in focus. It explained so much, and it changed my perception of observable reality.

At that point, history took on a whole different look, and actions that used to be explained by "well they're crazy" become completely rational and predictable.

Part of this process was humbling myself to accept that a great many people with far larger brains already figured this out centuries ago. I was like the guy in Princess Bride, smugly denouncing great thinkers as idiots. How prideful was that?!

(cont)

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 28, 2024 09:48 AM (ZOv7s)

163 95 I need a better line than, "what's with the pancakes?" or "why are you just sitting there?" or even the old favorite "what, no pancakes?"
Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 28, 2024 09:16 AM (RIvkX)

How about "You know what? I'll bet pancakes would cheer you right up!"

Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at December 28, 2024 09:48 AM (OX9vb)

164 I was kind of up in the air about what to make for breakfast this morning but, I must say, pancakes have leap to the front of my admittedly small brain.

Posted by: Tonypete at December 28, 2024 09:48 AM (WXNFJ)

165 "Read the newsletters you receive from your tax professionals, people."

Oh my yes. Ive had multiple emails from my cpas in the last month. It's on! No, it's off! No, it's on again! All red lettered.

I filed for my small llc in early December. The HOA situation totally threw us off kilter as we had not considered that organization we are involved with and the rules here are pretty fkcg murky.

As I said, the answer I came up with was a deep dive. None of the authorities I(CPA's, lawyers) have gotten back to me. I suppose they are swamped. And holidays.

No one is in the office.

Posted by: Derak at December 28, 2024 09:48 AM (w93IV)

166 160: No t's not accurate. They redefine the positions, lower the wages and insist of foreigners who are lured with staying and chain migration. It only benefits the very rich.

Posted by: long night ending, dawn in January at December 28, 2024 09:49 AM (2NXcZ)

167 I have a question for the horde which is sort of prayer revival-adjacent. Does anyone know of a good place that does Bible rebinding? I have a Bible that my Mom bought me when I was a kid. It's nothing fancy, she bought what she could afford, but it has great personal value. It's in great condition including the cover, but the glue which held it together has deteriorated and flaked away. It hasn't reached loose-leaf folder status yet, but it's getting there. I don't want a new cover, I just want the old parts put back together. Any suggestions?

Posted by: Pennsyltucky at December 28, 2024 09:49 AM (QdGJh)

168 As a historian, I can't take one set of writings as genuine and discard others because I don't like them and they don't sustain my worldview. The people at the time - the ones living the events - wrote down what they saw, and that included God and yes, Mary. The Grand Master of the Knights of Malta made a votive offering of his sword and hat to Mary after the siege, because he believed She had interceded. To this day, Malta honors Our Lady of Victories because both the Great Siege and Italy's blockade ended on the same day for the same reason: divine intervention.

I guess I could sneer at them, laugh at their dumb superstition even though they lived through a level of privation I have never known, or I can accept them at their word.

And since I made this decision, I've felt similar sensations, the presence of good and evil. So maybe the secular materialists are wrong.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 28, 2024 09:50 AM (ZOv7s)

169 How about "You know what? I'll bet pancakes would cheer you right up!"
Posted by: Dash my lace wigs!

You've done this before, haven't you?

Posted by: Tonypete at December 28, 2024 09:50 AM (WXNFJ)

170 Last Cruces.

Thanks Muldoon!

Posted by: Try this one at December 28, 2024 09:50 AM (dg+HA)

171
How about "You know what? I'll bet pancakes would cheer you right up!"
Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at December 28, 2024 09:48 AM (OX9vb)

________

"Make me some pancakes and you can enjoy my strong loving tonight."

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 28, 2024 09:50 AM (dxSpM)

172 >>>A rhetorical question just occurred to me: in this Age of The Internet, globalization, off-shoring, zoom meetings, cloud storage, overseas replacement labor and management... why is there a need for a single, solitary H1b visa, let alone millions of them?
Posted by: t-bird at December 28, 2024 09:19 AM (QrkKu)
---

Short answer, Elon Musk was an H1b immigrant.
The Turk that brought 5G to life, here in the US, was an H1b immigrant that Biden, because of misuse of immigration law, threw out of the country. He now resides in Chyna which has recently broke our 5G code, fancy that. Coincidence?

Longer and more complete answer here:

Elon Musk retweeted 6h
https://tinyurl.com/yr9k2vtv

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at December 28, 2024 09:51 AM (YObWY)

173 Seems to me that issue could be solved with the requirements I think now in place that positions have to be offered to Americans first . They could just make those requirements stricter where unscrupulous employers can't use loopholes.
Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at December 28, 2024 09:47 AM (D6PGr)

Unscrupulous politicians with desire for money make this crap legal, just as greedy academic administrators take "endowed chairs" to set aside large admissions numbers for Chinese, Indians and Arabs.

Posted by: long night ending, dawn in January at December 28, 2024 09:51 AM (2NXcZ)

174 Re: Willie D; no the hilarity of this “Don’t Shoot! We’re Republicans” deal, this was a permanent thing, that every ship would greet them with routinely until the ship met its demise.

If you shoot a torpedo at USS Iowa with Roosevelt on board, you’re never gonna hear the end of it. Ever. The military is great that way. All in good fun.

Posted by: Common Tater at December 28, 2024 09:52 AM (hoi0O)

175 During this time around the Winter Solstice, consider enjoying a mug of hot Cream of Lutefisk soup.

Many have found that starting your day with Thorvald's Cream of Lutefisk soup guarantees the rest of your day will be better!

Posted by: Thorvald, creator of Thorvald's Cream of Lutefisk Soup at December 28, 2024 09:52 AM (a3Q+t)

176 Many have found that starting your day with Thorvald's Cream of Lutefisk soup guarantees the rest of your day will be better!

Posted by: Thorvald, creator of Thorvald's Cream of Lutefisk Soup at December 28, 2024 09:52 AM (a3Q+t)

Especially when paired with pancakes.

Posted by: grammie winger - cheesehead at December 28, 2024 09:53 AM (SfhV1)

177 I wish I could tell you where my husband had his family Bible redone. They did a good job.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at December 28, 2024 09:53 AM (NQtI0)

178 So on one hand we have greedy Elon wanting cheap labor and assuming every foreigner is brilliant, and on the other we have a DHS director insisting that the core principle of our founding was "equity" and that equity extends to all the people of the world and that tikkun olam is above the law.

Posted by: long night ending, dawn in January at December 28, 2024 09:54 AM (2NXcZ)

179 No t's not accurate. They redefine the positions, lower the wages and insist of foreigners who are lured with staying and chain migration. It only benefits the very rich.
Posted by: long night ending, dawn in January at December 28, 2024 09:49 AM (2NXcZ)

That's what is argued but I have seen no evidence regard to the positions Musk is referring to which is advanced engineering and not a level entry programmer. Again though that also may not be accurate. Any cases of qualified engineers not able to get jobs?

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at December 28, 2024 09:54 AM (D6PGr)

180 If you shoot a torpedo at USS Iowa with Roosevelt on board, you’re never gonna hear the end of it. Ever. The military is great that way. All in good fun.
Posted by: Common Tater at December 28, 2024 09:52 AM (hoi0O)

Just to underline the comment above, the Roberts shot a LIVE torp at Iowa, primer installed and ready to go.

Posted by: mrp at December 28, 2024 09:54 AM (rj6Yv)

181 I don't want a new cover, I just want the old parts put back together. Any suggestions?
Posted by: Pennsyltucky at December 28, 2024 09:49 AM (QdGJh)
---
I have had good success using rubber cement. Apply with great care, though.

I've used it to "rebind" two different editions of Lord of the Rings, one paperback, one hardcover.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 28, 2024 09:55 AM (ZOv7s)

182 Seems to me that issue could be solved with the requirements I think now in place that positions have to be offered to Americans first . They could just make those requirements stricter where unscrupulous employers can't use loopholes.

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth

=======

The companies will continue to play the "shortage" card. It may even be true.

So make it more financially attractive to train a US citizen than to bring in a non-citizen, and the problem will get solved.

Our design center has a summer picnic. If we tried to have a softball game, it would be teams of 50 somethings. However, we had some very lively cricket.

Posted by: 2009Refugee at December 28, 2024 09:55 AM (8AONa)

183 Posted by: Commissar Hrothgar (hOUT3) ~ Next year in Corsicana - again! ~ at December 28, 2024 08:37 AM (hOUT3)

Hrothgar and Lloyd,
I look forward to your prayers every week.

Prayers for all, every day.

Posted by: sal at December 28, 2024 09:56 AM (f+FmA)

184 Bif

I'm sorry for your problems and will pray for your healing. I did get a chuckle from the phrase "snot fest"' because it's so accurate. I feel like I should have taken out stock in the Kleenex brand. Uggh!

I

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 28, 2024 09:56 AM (UVWK5)

185

I have no pancakes.

I am out of raspberry lemonade.

My wife snores

The cat won't stop bitching.

My penis is so huge I routinely sit on it.

Did I mention I'm out of pancakes?

Posted by: My Pimp Shot My Dealer at December 28, 2024 09:56 AM (ycpZt)

186 Here's two that came up in a search for rebinding

https://tinyurl.com/5n75ma9v

https://tinyurl.com/3b37rjjp

Posted by: Notsothoreau at December 28, 2024 09:57 AM (NQtI0)

187 95 I need a better line than, "what's with the pancakes?" or "why are you just sitting there?" or even the old favorite "what, no pancakes?"
Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 28, 2024 09:16 AM (RIvkX)

How about "You know what? I'll bet pancakes would cheer you right up!"
Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at December 28, 2024 09:48 AM (OX9vb)

Thanks for the reminder. Shrove Tuesday 2025 is on March 4.

Posted by: mrp at December 28, 2024 09:57 AM (rj6Yv)

188 The complaints today are that we're not hiring Americans who are the best and the brightest while the complaint for at least the past. at least, five years was that colleges were not graduating enough STEM students and that the graduates were under educated.
There's a cognitive dissonance between these two opinions.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at December 28, 2024 09:57 AM (YObWY)

189 That's what is argued but I have seen no evidence regard to the positions Musk is referring to which is advanced engineering and not a level entry programmer. Again though that also may not be accurate. Any cases of qualified engineers not able to get jobs?
Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at December 28, 2024 09:54 AM (D6PGr)
---
I'm not versed in immigration law, but it seems there are already situations where specific individuals can be "sponsored" and get work permits with a view to eventual citizenship. This is just more indentured labor in pursuit of pure profit.

And yes, people with billions can afford to set up some magnet academies to train future students.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 28, 2024 09:58 AM (ZOv7s)

190 A common misconception about the H1B program is that it is tool used strictly to recruit the best and brightest rocket surgeon. That's wrong.

Oilfield_Rando and now some other have focused their database searching talents on the H1B pool of foreign workers in this country.

Do you really think we need to have an H1B program for convenience store clerks in New Haven, CT or cooks in Key West? Because we have them. Lots of them.

What needs to be done is fixing our education system and making it more appropriate for today's economy.

Posted by: JackStraw at December 28, 2024 09:58 AM (LkLld)

191 Thanks Muldoon!
Posted by: Try this one

*********

My pleasure!

I enjoy the challenge.

Posted by: muldoon at December 28, 2024 09:59 AM (991eG)

192
Off to feed the kennel dogs and change their water. This should be fun.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 28, 2024 09:59 AM (dxSpM)

193 I doubt for faint at heart but there of course are videos how to remind books, if nothing else see how it's done.

Posted by: Skip at December 28, 2024 10:00 AM (fwDg9)

194 Hrothgar and Lloyd,
I look forward to your prayers every week.

Prayers for all, every day.
Posted by: sal at December 28, 2024 09:56 AM (f+FmA)
---
Thank you!

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 28, 2024 10:00 AM (ZOv7s)

195 Posted by: one hour sober at December 28, 2024 09:45
-------

Thanks.

Posted by: olddog in mo at December 28, 2024 10:00 AM (hoCmQ)

196 PANCAKES ... FYI, the batter can be oven-baked on parchment-lined sheet pans, cut into squares after baking using a pizza wheel, wrapped in plastic film, and frozen ... Thaw and reheat using a toaster oven ... This method requires little prep or cleanup on busy mornings ... Suggest cutting the squares so they easily fit into Ziploc freezer bags.

Posted by: Kathy at December 28, 2024 10:00 AM (qpw89)

197 181 I don't want a new cover, I just want the old parts put back together. Any suggestions?
Posted by: Pennsyltucky at December 28, 2024 09:49 AM (QdGJh)

https://www.leonardsbooks.com/
I've seen some very rough antique books that they've repaired, and they do amazing work.

Posted by: barkingmad59, wandering lurkette at December 28, 2024 10:00 AM (R3yzU)

198 What's Elon's plan to get the gubmint out of the student loan bidness?

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at December 28, 2024 10:01 AM (dg+HA)

199 Jill wants everyone to know our vacation plans are wonderful and we thank everyone for paying for them. I am in the Caribbean right now and my whole family is here too. Watch out for Bidens!

Posted by: Joey Choo Choo. A Scarborough-Approved President at December 28, 2024 10:01 AM (Gr2Nw)

200 >>>That's what is argued but I have seen no evidence regard to the positions Musk is referring to which is advanced engineering and not a level entry programmer. Again though that also may not be accurate. Any cases of qualified engineers not able to get jobs?
Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth
---

They are looking for the top 0.01%, that's a rarified group.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at December 28, 2024 10:01 AM (YObWY)

201 My pleasure!

I enjoy the challenge.
---
Hoboken.

Posted by: Pushing my luck at December 28, 2024 10:03 AM (dg+HA)

202 Here's just one example. These are all H1B eligible jobs.

https://tinyurl.com/344r4tua

Posted by: JackStraw at December 28, 2024 10:03 AM (LkLld)

203 With regards to the debate over H1B visas and the tech sector can someone explain what, specifically, is the current need for "people who can code?"

What is on the tech sector's plate that's more important than what is currently consuming a huge percentage of the entry-level coders than programming AI chatbots, anime pr0n and yet another video sharing social media site?

I'm not seeing this "need" in the sense that we need to import thousands of Indian or Chinese computer developers for stuff already out there. Stuff that's basically useless in the grand scheme of things.

Are any of these 3rd world code monkeys going to rewrite the FAA's flight tracking and collision avoidance software that's 50 years old? Or nah...

Seems like a solution in search of a problem to me.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at December 28, 2024 10:03 AM (Q4IgG)

204 Change the H1B or create a new one that restricts it to the type of engineers that are in shortage here now and have been for a while.

I just don't want qualified Americans to be jobless in favor of a foreigner. And my question is is that happening in large part?

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at December 28, 2024 10:03 AM (D6PGr)

205 Posted by: Martini Farmer at December 28, 2024 10:03 AM (Q4IgG)

Is it just entry level coders Musk was referring to or more advanced talent?

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at December 28, 2024 10:05 AM (D6PGr)

206 121 Told HM, who is anti-clerical but tolerant, that I'd try going to the Vigil Mass up the road this afternoon. It's a short drive - unlike the 45 miles to my regular parish - and if it hurts too much to sit for an hour, it'll be easy to come home.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at Decem

45 miles? Dang, son. You should go read the series on the Sunday Mass obligation over at Tradition and Sanity on Substack.
But I admire your devotion.

Posted by: sal at December 28, 2024 10:05 AM (f+FmA)

207 202 Here's just one example. These are all H1B eligible jobs.

https://tinyurl.com/344r4tua
Posted by: JackStraw
---

You appear to be disregarding the fact that they want to overhaul and refine the H1B program.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at December 28, 2024 10:07 AM (YObWY)

208 My take on H1B is that if America's education system produced the workers that companies need then the visa system would wither. Moreover, America's native entrepreneurs cannot possibly have every great business idea, so if a foreign-born person wants to come here and found nVidia or SpaceX ir whatever, I think those people need a visa program that welcomes them, like H1B.

If H1B, which is defined in regulation to apply to jobs employers cannot find Americans to fill, is abused to allow store clerks in (and the like), then penalties aren't stiff enough.

Posted by: Huck Follywood at December 28, 2024 10:07 AM (Mocvc)

209 Morning.

Posted by: Robert at December 28, 2024 10:08 AM (V4fVr)

210 >>Change the H1B or create a new one that restricts it to the type of engineers that are in shortage here now and have been for a while.

Saw a post on X yesterday by a professor of computer science at Berkley. Fairly prestigious program and right in the heart of high tech country.

He said he is getting lots of calls from some of his best 4.0 GPA students who say they aren't even being offered interviews let alone jobs.

The H1B system has been abused for so long that they are no longer cherry picking the best and brightest from overseas. They are hiring wholesale.

I don't think anyone is objecting over recruiting some of the best like an Elon but they are few and far between. We don't need to import everyone who went to the University of Mubai.

Posted by: JackStraw at December 28, 2024 10:09 AM (LkLld)

211 https://revolver.news/turns out the h-1b lotto system is totally and-completely rigged
https://tinyurl.com/fa5df7f9

Anyway started with best intentions gets abused almost as soon as it starts

Posted by: Skip at December 28, 2024 10:09 AM (fwDg9)

212 PANCAKES ... FYI, the batter can be oven-baked on parchment-lined sheet pans, cut into squares after baking using a pizza wheel, wrapped in plastic film, and frozen ... Thaw and reheat using a toaster oven ... This method requires little prep or cleanup on busy mornings ... Suggest cutting the squares so they easily fit into Ziploc freezer bags.
Posted by: Kathy at December 28, 2024 10:00 AM (qpw89)
==================
Ok, that's a great idea!

Posted by: Huck Follywood at December 28, 2024 10:09 AM (Mocvc)

213 I just don't want qualified Americans to be jobless in favor of a foreigner. And my question is is that happening in large part?
Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at December 28, 2024 10:03 AM (D6PGr)
---
The argument is always that these are "jobs Americans won't do," but they make no effort to recruit for them.

it's the old lie that "free trade" benefits everyone, when in fact it was winners and losers, particularly where the "free part" is dirt-poor wages.

Our leadership class has abandoned any concept of working for the common good and instead hides behind abstractions like GDP to justify their Scrooge-inspired economics.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 28, 2024 10:10 AM (ZOv7s)

214 And on the subject of needed skills I see a huge decline in Americans learning the trades and that affects me directly more than these STEM jobs.

We definitely need to change up our high school education system where schools aren't just college prep but can be trade schools. Or even separate entities.

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at December 28, 2024 10:10 AM (D6PGr)

215 Went to the National Law review website and reviewed the on again off again Fincen bs.

Thanks, ignoramus. What nonsense. No wonder no one can keep up.

I feel bad for the cpas and attorneys that are having to pump out these on again off again alerts.
Damages their credibility in a "shoot the messenger "sort of way.

I guess I'll be getting another slew of alerts Monday, as this just happened.

Horde on top of things, as usual.

Posted by: Derak at December 28, 2024 10:11 AM (w93IV)

216 125
'What's that in English?'

Since I didn't see a straight answer to your question. I would interpret that as the 5th Circuit went back from not having an injunction on the Corporate Transparency Act to having an injunction.

Posted by: Dr. Claw at December 28, 2024 10:11 AM (3wi/L)

217 Short answer, Elon Musk was an H1b immigrant.
The Turk that brought 5G to life, here in the US, was an H1b immigrant that Biden, because of misuse of immigration law, threw out of the country. He now resides in Chyna which has recently broke our 5G code, fancy that. Coincidence?

Longer and more complete answer here:

Elon Musk retweeted 6h
https://tinyurl.com/yr9k2vtv
Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at December 28, 2024 09:51 AM (YObWY)

Wow. That gentleman really covers the issue very well. However, how many here will even bother to watch the entire video before they comment on the subject? I mean, 15:03 is a very long! s/

Posted by: thatcrazyjerseyguy at December 28, 2024 10:11 AM (iODuv)

218 H1B argument over the past is irrelevant. We know was was bad about the old program. They are going to overhaul the program. What are they planning to do with it and what is good or bad about the plan?

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at December 28, 2024 10:13 AM (YObWY)

219 >>You appear to be disregarding the fact that they want to overhaul and refine the H1B program.

You appear to be disregarding the fact the initial H1B program was never intended to bring in people to work at McDonald's and yet it does.

We were never supposed to have a tax system that took an army of tax lawyers to answer a simple tax question but we do.

The road to hell is paved with good intentions and government programs that were never intended to do what they actually do now. We just spent 4 years being invaded with over 10 million illegal aliens. That wasn't supposed to happen either. Elon's H1B remake is far down on my list of things that need to be fixed.

Posted by: JackStraw at December 28, 2024 10:13 AM (LkLld)

220 wrapped in plastic film, and frozen ...
Posted by: Kathy at December 28, 2024 10:00 AM (qpw89)

It's just the two of us, so I cut a pound of bacon in half vertically, peel off enough strips from each side for a meal and roll these up in a long strip of plastic film, stacking them on top of each other.
Might could do pancakes the same way.

Posted by: sal at December 28, 2024 10:14 AM (f+FmA)

221 https://tinyurl.com/yr9k2vtv
Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at December 28, 2024 09:51 AM (YObWY)
====================
Great explanation of the H1B issue.

It ignores the "onshoring" issue, though, when Tata (to take one example), or maybe Accenture, sends an army of programmers into a US-based company, where they are trained by the engineering staff they will replace.

Posted by: Huck Follywood at December 28, 2024 10:14 AM (4dFVt)

222 The SOB is threatening us:
https://tinyurl.com/3p2ha9b7

The dude's autistic. Once he gets something in his head, he's fixated on it until something else forces it out. It makes him a great engineer/entrepreneur but a lousy politician. PDJT needs to take him aside and gently explain the difference.

Posted by: Oddbob at December 28, 2024 10:14 AM (86uPL)

223 Posted by: JackStraw at December 28, 2024 10:09 AM (LkLld)

3rd hand info which in fact may be true but the professor should have told these students that there are laws on the books that are supposed to prevent that from happening and they should use them.

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at December 28, 2024 10:17 AM (D6PGr)

224 Why does Insia, with its quasi socialism posing as Democracy, a caste system and a strong 3rd world feel have what we don't?

Posted by: runner at December 28, 2024 10:17 AM (QTCRF)

225 Good morning, good people, from the Adirondacks.

I would like to add to the prayer list my beloved country, that she may continue to be blessed by God in her endeavors as she has been to date.

Posted by: IRONGRAMPA at December 28, 2024 10:19 AM (hKoQL)

226 Why does Insia, with its quasi socialism posing as Democracy, a caste system and a strong 3rd world feel have what we don't?
Posted by: runner at December 28, 2024 10:17 AM (QTCRF)
=================
Oh look! Squirrel!

Posted by: Randi Weingarten at December 28, 2024 10:19 AM (4dFVt)

227 I think lack of tech , STEM educated workers is a problem experienced worldwide. Technology leaped forward faster than supply.

Posted by: runner at December 28, 2024 10:19 AM (QTCRF)

228 His company hires a lot of engineers, and I presume he would like to have them working at the campus he is building in Texas where he can keep close tabs on how they are proceeding

In other words, returning to the original, common-sense way of running a business, but only *after* you've destroyed the home-grown pipeline.

Posted by: t-bird at December 28, 2024 10:20 AM (qL8Uu)

229 : JackStraw at December 28, 2024 10:13 AM (LkLld)
---

That's all history. That's why they are overhauling they system.
H1Bs for bs jobs is history. We don't need to hash over what Biden and the others did wrong.
Concern should be on getting the new one right.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at December 28, 2024 10:20 AM (YObWY)

230 Another thunderstorm coming through. We've had them for the last few days, off and on.
Appreciate the rain.

Posted by: sal at December 28, 2024 10:21 AM (f+FmA)

231 This H1B debate is a great example of what can now by discussed openly when, under the third Obama era, every Demofascist would have immediately started yelling "racist!".

When H1B is debated and reformed, I believe the debate process will make it much better.

Posted by: Huck Follywood at December 28, 2024 10:21 AM (4dFVt)

232 >>3rd hand info which in fact may be true but the professor should have told these students that there are laws on the books that are supposed to prevent that from happening and they should use them.

LOL. Guess what? There are laws on the books preventing people from breaking into this country illegally. There are also laws about visa overstays. And there are laws about how H1Bs are supposed to be used. All are routinely broken.

Just because Elon and Vivek decided, dumbly in my opinion, to bring this issue to the front now doesn't mean it's new. The tech industry has been saying for decades they just couldn't find any good US engineers to justify hiring armies of foreigners.

Posted by: JackStraw at December 28, 2024 10:22 AM (LkLld)

233 So is the real problem that we don't like where these foreign stem people are coming from? If they were white Europeans would the criticism be less? I bring this up because more than a few comments have implied this.

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at December 28, 2024 10:22 AM (D6PGr)

234 Musk can establish and endow own STEM universities instead of borrowing from India and who knows where else. In 4 years he can have a supply he and others like him needs. Alternative is to break into the current Uni system and reform it.

Posted by: runner at December 28, 2024 10:22 AM (QTCRF)

235 I haven't seen any Drone News in the past week.

Is this because it has stopped, been solved or is it just no longer news because no hair on fire event lasts more than a couple weeks?

Posted by: Unknown Drip Under Pressure at December 28, 2024 10:22 AM (rHxhM)

236 So is the real problem that we don't like where these foreign stem people are coming from? If they were white Europeans would the criticism be less? I bring this up because more than a few comments have implied this.
Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at December 28, 2024 10:22 AM (D6PGr)
---
Are you saying that language and culture should not be taken into account? That so long as they have skills, we should not discriminate between a radical prone to violent fantasies and someone comfortable with Christianity and demogratic government?

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 28, 2024 10:24 AM (ZOv7s)

237 tinyurl.com/4au8wn5k
Women Warriors- Special Ukraine edition

These are like what Powerline week in pictures has been having at end, women in uniform

Posted by: Skip at December 28, 2024 10:24 AM (fwDg9)

238 Meanwhile, the junta is licking its chops as Yellen says the debt limit is going to be hit the last week of Biden's Italian vacation. More political BS from the Demofasicsti.

Posted by: Huck Follywood at December 28, 2024 10:25 AM (4dFVt)

239 Musk can establish and endow own STEM universities instead of borrowing from India and who knows where else.

General Motors Institute offered STEM degrees where the students alternated between work and studies at General Motors factories and design offices.

I had a relative that did GMI and AC Spark. Musk could easily do the same thing with his technology companies.

Posted by: Unknown Drip Under Pressure at December 28, 2024 10:25 AM (rHxhM)

240 >>>Just because Elon and Vivek decided, dumbly in my opinion, to bring this issue to the front now doesn't mean it's new. The tech industry has been saying for decades they just couldn't find any good US engineers to justify hiring armies of foreigners.
Posted by: JackStraw
---

It wasn't brought forward by Elon or Vivek it was brought forward by an Indian that Trump hired for an entirely unrelated job who then mouthed off about immigration. It caught on at X and went like wildfire.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at December 28, 2024 10:27 AM (YObWY)

241 So is the real problem that we don't like where these foreign stem people are coming from? If they were white Europeans would the criticism be less? I bring this up because more than a few comments have implied this.
Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at December 28, 2024 10:22 AM (D6PGr)

This has been a problem since Operation Paperclip.

Posted by: runner at December 28, 2024 10:27 AM (QTCRF)

242 Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 28, 2024 10:24 AM (ZOv7s)

I've found in our discussions you definitely have a warehouse full of strawmen .

Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at December 28, 2024 10:27 AM (D6PGr)

243 >>So is the real problem that we don't like where these foreign stem people are coming from? If they were white Europeans would the criticism be less? I bring this up because more than a few comments have implied this.

No. That's the counter argument people who are in favor of H1B growth use. You're a racist if you object.

It's retarded to think the US doesn't have enough smart people from all over the world already to staff positions. The entire "there aren't enough Americans to do the jobs" is 3rd hand hearsay that never has any factual data behind it. As many have pointed out the decades of abuse of the H1B system have discouraged a lot of people from pursuing these fields because the hiring process favors H1B applicants. It's become a self-licking ice cream cone.

Posted by: JackStraw at December 28, 2024 10:28 AM (LkLld)

244 ---
Are you saying that language and culture should not be taken into account? That so long as they have skills, we should not discriminate between a radical prone to violent fantasies and someone comfortable with Christianity and demogratic government?
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd
---

That fish isn't even a red-herring.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at December 28, 2024 10:29 AM (YObWY)

245 Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and IBM

Posted by: runner at December 28, 2024 10:29 AM (QTCRF)

246 *Ahem*

Posted by: Herring of color at December 28, 2024 10:30 AM (dg+HA)

247 Good morning, horde mates.
Does anybody remember Schaeffer Beer. The jingle just popped into my mind, probably because I'm making a second pot of coffee.

....when you're having...more.....than one!

Posted by: From about That Time at December 28, 2024 10:31 AM (4780s)

248 Remember this little gem?

>>Instead, about 250 Disney employees were told in late October that they would be laid off. Many of their jobs were transferred to immigrants on temporary visas for highly skilled technical workers, who were brought in by an outsourcing firm based in India. Over the next three months, some Disney employees were required to train their replacements to do the jobs they had lost.

https://tinyurl.com/mrwnde9e

Posted by: JackStraw at December 28, 2024 10:32 AM (LkLld)

249 Musk can establish and endow own STEM universities instead of borrowing from India and who knows where else.

General Motors Institute offered STEM degrees where the students alternated between work and studies at General Motors factories and design offices.

I had a relative that did GMI and AC Spark. Musk could easily do the same thing with his technology companies.

Posted by: Unknown Drip Under Pressure

=====

Exactly

A modern version of GMI/Kettering would force the university system to reform.

It's a two-fer. Elon gets his engineers, and America benefits from a revitalized education system.

But it won't happen organically. Create the right incentives, and it will happen.

Posted by: 2009Refugee at December 28, 2024 10:32 AM (8AONa)

250 Right there in the meaty part of the curve.

Posted by: Obscure Seinfeld reference at December 28, 2024 10:33 AM (dg+HA)

251 So is the whole Drones Over New Jersey thing done now?

Posted by: Cicero (@cicero43) at December 28, 2024 10:33 AM (hY4dx)

252 We went to Bermuda for the holidays.

Posted by: The Drones Over New Jersey at December 28, 2024 10:35 AM (dg+HA)

253
45 miles? Dang, son. You should go read the series on the Sunday Mass obligation over at Tradition and Sanity on Substack.
But I admire your devotion.
Posted by: sal at December 28, 2024 10:05 AM (f+FmA)

______

I regularly attend an FSSP apostolate which is on the northwest side of Houston. I live about 20 miles south of the city. There's a diocesan parish (sorry, Catholic community) nearby.

I'm afraid I have trouble getting the same spiritual benefit from the N.O. than I get from the TLM, even though the N.O. Mass is now better conducted than it was in the past. This, of course, is not to question its canonical validity or the piety of those attending.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 28, 2024 10:35 AM (dxSpM)

254 If they were white Europeans would the criticism be less?

The Great Replacement is only being carried out in white European countries, that is, the Five Eyes and Europe.

Posted by: t-bird at December 28, 2024 10:36 AM (D5SRX)

255 employees were required to train their replacements to do the jobs they had lost.

https://tinyurl.com/mrwnde9e
Posted by: JackStraw
---

History. bitchen' bout history doesn't go forward.
It's all going to be revised.
That should be the concern.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at December 28, 2024 10:36 AM (YObWY)

256 Not surprised if the Drone excursions ended
1st they got discovered to happen so alone would end it
2nd if what I think was done by foreign governments, ie China, they were not going to go on much longer anyway

Posted by: Skip at December 28, 2024 10:37 AM (fwDg9)

257 247 Good morning, horde mates.
Does anybody remember Schaeffer Beer. The jingle just popped into my mind, probably because I'm making a second pot of coffee.

....when you're having...more.....than one!
Posted by: From about That Time at December 28, 2024 10:31 AM (4780s)

Indeed! Schaeffer was the official beer of the NY Mets after they dropped longtime sponsor Rheingold. I think Schaeffer was also a NYC based brewery.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at December 28, 2024 10:38 AM (x0n13)

258 214 And on the subject of needed skills I see a huge decline in Americans learning the trades and that affects me directly more than these STEM jobs.

We definitely need to change up our high school education system where schools aren't just college prep but can be trade schools. Or even separate entities.
Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at December 28, 2024 10:10 AM (D6PGr)

I had a link a couple weeks ago about Elon Musk starting up a massive trade school.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at December 28, 2024 10:39 AM (x0n13)

259 >>History. bitchen' bout history doesn't go forward.
It's all going to be revised.
That should be the concern.

Not learning from it is exactly why it gets repeated so often.

You have no idea how it will be revised and even if it is Musk isn't going to be there to babysit it. Eventually a new administration will come in and do whatever they want with it. Just insisting this time it will be done perfectly is silly. It won't be done perfectly. Not ever.

Posted by: JackStraw at December 28, 2024 10:39 AM (LkLld)

260 I'm not seeing this "need" in the sense that we need to import thousands of Indian or Chinese computer developers for stuff already out there. Stuff that's basically useless in the grand scheme of things.

The model now-a-days is to bring in a large contractor like ACS, Deloitte, UST, et al and have their Indian teams write all of the main-line code and then let US teams maintain and continue adding business functions.

The contract, often fixed bid, occasionally T&M, allows the contractor to decide what level of disposable engineers they need for a project. Once the project is over, (usually phased out over time) the developers either scatter, sit on the bench or join another project.

That model doesn't work well with American workers who want a regular 9-5 with growth path and pension at the end.

Posted by: Unknown Drip Under Pressure at December 28, 2024 10:41 AM (rHxhM)

261

Yup. Elon ponied up $100 million to start the Ad Astra school program.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton at December 28, 2024 10:41 AM (x0n13)

262 It won't be done perfectly. Not ever.
Posted by: JackStraw
---

Yep, that's what he said. Perfection is the enemy of good.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at December 28, 2024 10:42 AM (YObWY)

263 Elon Musk retweeted 6h
https://tinyurl.com/yr9k2vtv

This is outstanding. I encourage everyone to watch it.

Posted by: Archimedes at December 28, 2024 10:42 AM (xCA6C)

264 I've found in our discussions you definitely have a warehouse full of strawmen .
Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at December 28, 2024 10:27 AM (D6PGr)
---
Show it to me. You brought up ethnicity and I took it to it's logical conclusion.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 28, 2024 10:42 AM (ZOv7s)

265 So is the whole Drones Over New Jersey thing done now?

The story went *poof!* once the slimmed-down Continuing Resolution passed. I don't know if the drones were the op or if their coverage was the op, but their need for a distraction seems to be over.

Posted by: t-bird at December 28, 2024 10:43 AM (1dUol)

266 I regularly attend an FSSP apostolate which is on the northwest side of Houston. I live about 20 miles south of the city. There's a diocesan parish (sorry, Catholic community) nearby.

I'm afraid I have trouble getting the same spiritual benefit from the N.O. than I get from the TLM, even though the N.O. Mass is now better conducted than it was in the past. This, of course, is not to question its canonical validity or the piety of those attending.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 28, 2024 10:35 AM (dxSpM)
---
Even within the same parish the settings matter. Both locations use the Novus Ordo, but the student site is more 1970s with bongos and such than the residential one, which is becoming more orthodox by the month. Altar servers got more traditional apparel, more icons are going up, music setting is more traditional.

The same is true of the student site as well, but I prefer the other one. I got to the student site when compelled by scheduling and the Mass feels more like checking a box.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 28, 2024 10:46 AM (ZOv7s)

267 So is the whole Drones Over New Jersey thing done now?

I think it was pretty clear that the Drones Over New Jersey, now that it is statistically demonstrated that the bulk of flights were centered around military bases is that it was indeed military contractors training Ukrainians to fly drones.

That explains everything, including why Trump said "They need to tell us" but also declining to say what it is because he is not currently POTUS which prevents him from discussing classified information to the public.

Posted by: Unknown Drip Under Pressure at December 28, 2024 10:46 AM (rHxhM)

268 A lot of the NJ "drones" were just the kinds of things you might normally see in the skies being reported by morons who believe everything they read

Helicopters. Planes. Pie plates hovering at 30,000 feet.

It was just a huge freak out.

Posted by: Robert at December 28, 2024 10:47 AM (gK8kK)

269 Yup. Elon ponied up $100 million to start the Ad Astra school program.
Posted by: J.J. Sefton at December 28, 2024 10:41 AM (x0n13)
---
So a bunch of this is slow news cycle hand-wringing, then.

Okay.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 28, 2024 10:47 AM (ZOv7s)

270 *Ahem*
Posted by: Herring of color at December 28, 2024 10:30 AM (dg+HA)
-----------------

LOLOL

Posted by: olddog in mo at December 28, 2024 10:49 AM (hoCmQ)

271
I had a link a couple weeks ago about Elon Musk starting up a massive trade school.

Posted by: J.J. Sefton
---

One or two are paying attention to what's actually being done or said the rest are airing grievances.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at December 28, 2024 10:50 AM (YObWY)

272
I got to the student site when compelled by scheduling and the Mass feels more like checking a box.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 28, 2024 10:46 AM (ZOv7s)

_________

I get up at 4:30 to take care of the dogs and get to 7:00 Mass and yet I look forward to it every Sunday. I go to the nearby Mass when circumstances demand it and, to my shame, I feel like I'm just getting something out of the way.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 28, 2024 10:50 AM (dxSpM)

273 Training drone flying doesn't need to always be at night, might be almost always over government controlled area.

Posted by: Skip at December 28, 2024 10:50 AM (fwDg9)

274 Me, I going to have some eggs and bacon before K.T. gets here.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at December 28, 2024 10:51 AM (YObWY)

275 >>One or two are paying attention to what's actually being done or said the rest are airing grievances.

You mean grievances like this?

>>@elonmusk

>>The reason I’m in America along with so many critical people who built SpaceX, Tesla and hundreds of other companies that made America strong is because of H1B.

>>Take a big step back and FUCK YOURSELF in the face. I will go to war on this issue the likes of which you cannot possibly comprehend

Some of us have been saying since the beginning of this conversation that training Americans is the way to go and big tech ought to be leading the way.

Some haven't been paying attention to his issue for years and think it just happened because Musk and Vivek decided to go to war over it.

Posted by: JackStraw at December 28, 2024 10:52 AM (LkLld)

276 And on the subject of needed skills I see a huge decline in Americans learning the trades and that affects me directly more than these STEM jobs.

We definitely need to change up our high school education system where schools aren't just college prep but can be trade schools. Or even separate entities.
Posted by: Sebastian Melmoth at December 28, 2024 10:10 AM (D6PGr)

Middle grandson is enrolled in the welding program at the local Career Technology Center. He's going to graduate in May 2025 with zero debt and great earning potential.

Posted by: Retired Buckeye Cop is now an engineer at December 28, 2024 10:54 AM (pJWtt)

277 "AZ deplorable moron asked for prayers. Her first cataract surgery"

Thank you for the Prayer Listing; however, I DID NOT have a sex change operation!

All kidding aside, my vision is much improved. The right eye is great and the left is seeing more each day.

Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at December 28, 2024 10:55 AM (CnqNO)

278 Good evening from London, Horde. This place is insanely wet and cold and sunset is in 3 minutes.

Posted by: BCochran1981 at December 28, 2024 10:55 AM (q2utD)

279 > So is the whole Drones Over New Jersey thing done now?
--------
Presuming it was an op, or test of new tech, yea. Or the feds collected all the info/data from whatever, whomever they were interested in that was located in that area.

Bet a story breaks in the next couple weeks about a business or lab there that was doing some hanky stuff for the feds...

Posted by: Martini Farmer at December 28, 2024 10:55 AM (Q4IgG)

280 279. Maybe that big defense contractor on rte 1

Posted by: long night ending, dawn in January at December 28, 2024 10:57 AM (2NXcZ)

281 And on the subject of needed skills I see a huge decline in Americans learning the trades

-
We've lost a skill the days of $24 for Manhattan.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Now Is the Winter of Our Discontent at December 28, 2024 10:57 AM (L/fGl)

282 "...or said the rest are airing grievances."

Festivus was last week.

Posted by: Frank Costanza at December 28, 2024 10:57 AM (dg+HA)

283 So is the real problem that we don't like where these foreign stem people are coming from? If they were white Europeans would the criticism be less?

I can only speak of software development, but I bring a lot of data points from real-world-experience.

The largest challenge I see to offshoring is quality of code. When the US based company has their own stake holders, architects and product owners working with people on the other side of the planet, latency becomes an issue too.

As an architect, I see some really terrible code, and where I'll reject work, most often will demand fixes or course-corrections. This takes time and will smoke a two or three week sprint in short-order.

The culture is an entirely different thing and has an effect on camaraderie, trust and mission focus. There is a reason why some countries are S-Hole countries, and that in part is due to a lack of a sense of craftsmanship, pride or job well done.

Posted by: Unknown Drip Under Pressure at December 28, 2024 10:58 AM (rHxhM)

284 Some haven't been paying attention to his issue for years and think it just happened because Musk and Vivek decided to go to war over it.
Posted by: JackStraw at December 28, 2024 10:52 AM (LkLld)

Nobody elected Musk, if he tries his war....well, if we can expropriate Russian oligarchs, we can expropriate him. We can break his doors down and if he's broken immigration law, we can prosecute.

Posted by: long night ending, dawn in January at December 28, 2024 10:59 AM (2NXcZ)

285 This place is insanely wet and cold and sunset is in 3 minutes.

Posted by: BCochran1981 at December 28, 2024 10:55 AM (q2utD)

Get thee to a pub, and order a cask ale.

F*cking amateur.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at December 28, 2024 10:59 AM (d9fT1)

286 So is the real problem that we don't like where these foreign stem people are coming from? If they were white Europeans would the criticism be less?

No

Posted by: long night ending, dawn in January at December 28, 2024 10:59 AM (2NXcZ)

287 AZ deplorable moron at December 28, 2024 10:55 AM

Great news about your left eye!

Posted by: KT at December 28, 2024 10:59 AM (xekrU)

288 *Throws bucket of Holy Water on H1b arguments.*

Remember, as the Bard, oft quoted: To H1b, or not to H1b, the prayers are that the Horde findeth Jobs!

Jim
Sunk New Dawn
Galveston, TX

Posted by: Jim at December 28, 2024 11:00 AM (Xo+UM)

289 need a better line than, "what's with the pancakes?" or "why are you just sitting there?" or even the old favorite "what, no pancakes?"
Posted by: San Franpsycho

Try this....

Honey, your pancakes make me think about doing very naughty things with you.

Posted by: Madame Mayhem (uppity wench) at December 28, 2024 11:00 AM (4XwPj)

290 I'm afraid I have trouble getting the same spiritual benefit from the N.O. than I get from the TLM, even though the N.O. Mass is now better conducted than it was in the past. This, of course, is not to question its canonical validity or the piety of those attending.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 28, 2024 10:35 AM (dxSpM)
---
Even within the same parish the settings matter. Both locations use the Novus Ordo, but the student site is more 1970s with bongos and such than the residential one, which is becoming more orthodox by the month. Altar servers got more traditional apparel, more icons are going up, music setting is more traditional.

Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 28, 2024 10:46 AM (ZOv7s)

I'm fighting the same battle at my local parish. The aging hippies love the folk songs and bongos. I've been calling for more traditional hymns during Communion and I know the pastor wants more traditional music but has, so far, not asserted his authority.

Posted by: Retired Buckeye Cop is now an engineer at December 28, 2024 11:00 AM (pJWtt)

291 "Middle grandson is enrolled in the welding program at the local Career Technology Center. He's going to graduate in May 2025 with zero debt and great earning potential."

This is the way.

Working as an engineer these days sucks balls.

If the US wants to continue to benefit from having a technical superiority, there needs to be an effort to Make Engineering Great Again.

Posted by: pawn, RIP Vic at December 28, 2024 11:01 AM (QB+5g)

292 I'm fighting the same battle at my local parish. The aging hippies love the folk songs and bongos. I've been calling for more traditional hymns during Communion and I know the pastor wants more traditional music but has, so far, not asserted his authority.

Posted by: Retired Buckeye Cop is now an engineer at December 28, 2024 11:00 AM (pJWtt)

I can sympathize.

If I walk into a synagogue and see a guitar on the bima, I know that I am going be be angry and irritated for the next two hours.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at December 28, 2024 11:04 AM (d9fT1)

293 I remember East Angela to be very Foggy in December

Posted by: Skip at December 28, 2024 11:04 AM (fwDg9)

294 nood

Posted by: Retired Buckeye Cop is now an engineer at December 28, 2024 11:04 AM (pJWtt)

295 KT HAZ A NOOD UPSTAIRS

Posted by: Skip at December 28, 2024 11:05 AM (fwDg9)

296 Thank you for the Prayer Listing; however, I DID NOT have a sex change operation!

All kidding aside, my vision is much improved. The right eye is great and the left is seeing more each day.
Posted by: AZ deplorable moron at December 28, 2024 10:55 AM (CnqNO)

=====

Me neither!

Glad you are doing better. As for my prayer, Mom has FINALLY improved a bit this week. She's off to AZ on Monday to spend New Year's with my sister and her family.

Posted by: Jordan61 at December 28, 2024 11:06 AM (xOnCy)

297 Someone Might’ve Been Set on Fire in NYC Again

A man was found with burns on his body at Penn Station in New York on Friday evening and was transported to a hospital, where he was in stable condition, fire and police officials said.

-
I guess this going to be a thing now.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Now Is the Winter of Our Discontent at December 28, 2024 11:08 AM (L/fGl)

298 I can only speak of software development, but I bring a lot of data points from real-world-experience.

The largest challenge I see to offshoring is quality of code.

Yeah, ^^^that^^^. In general, the Indian and Chinese software developers I have worked with have been good but the Indians in India have been awful. On the other hand we did have some work done by a team in Ukraine that were pretty good.

Posted by: Oddbob at December 28, 2024 11:10 AM (86uPL)

299 What does Tom Selleck wear when he's cold?
Quigley down underwear!

Posted by: Commissar of Plenty and Lysenkoism in Solidarity with the Struggle at December 28, 2024 11:22 AM (kUMx7)

300 I regularly attend an FSSP apostolate which is on the northwest side of Houston. I live about 20 miles south of the city. There's a diocesan parish (sorry, Catholic community) nearby.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 28, 2024 10:35 AM (dxSpM)

I know, I drove 17 or 20 miles to their Dallas sites for nearly 30 years before we moved.
I hear you re: the NO which is what I have now. With the same disclaimers.

Posted by: sal at December 28, 2024 11:28 AM (f+FmA)

301 This James Lindsey guy on X has lost his marbles.

Had a good thing going but couldn't be happy with it so he makes shit up and complains about it.

RIP JL

Posted by: GigantorX at December 28, 2024 11:35 AM (x8k2o)

302 I've been diagnosed with The Contracture in my right hand (of course) and while it's only a mild inconvenience, it's a reminder to take nothing for granted. Memento Mori and all that.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at December 28, 2024 08:38 AM (ZOv7s)

The Viking's Disease can be stopped, but not reversed.
Get treatment sooner rather than later.
Es muy importante!

Posted by: waepnedmann at December 28, 2024 11:55 AM (xeYRn)

303 Late to the prayer thread, had to make an airport run this morning. Bless the Horde, and comfort those afflicted.

Posted by: Debby Doberman Schultz at December 28, 2024 11:55 AM (Sgq8y)

304 I coulⅾ not refrain from commenting. Exceptionally well wrіtten!

Posted by: loved at December 28, 2024 10:23 PM (2vTcr)

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