Daily Tech News 19 February 2025

Top Story

AMD's Strix Halo laptop chip is here - or almost here; at least review embargoes have lifted on the Asus ROG Flow 13 which features it - and it's actually good. (Hot Hardware)

This chip has 16 Zen 5 cores - full size ones, not the smaller and slower Zen 5c - along with 40 RDNA 3.5 cores and a 256-bit memory bus.

CPU results range between solid and blowing everything else on the market into oblivion. On Geekbench 6 multi-threaded, it's 66% faster than its nearest competition - despite both chips having the same number of cores.

The selling point of this chip is the integrated graphics, which AMD promised to be competitive with Nvidia's RTX 4070. Now, they did mean the laptop 4070, which is about 20% slower than the desktop version. But this review includes multiple laptops equipped with the 4070 and the AMD chip's integrated graphics pretty consistently lands in the middle of that pack.

It's not cheap by any means, but Best Buy has a 64GB ROG Flow 13 for $2199, which is not insane for one of the fastest laptops you can buy.

Tech News

Adding a full disk drive to your computer can speed up calculations. (Qunta)

If you are using a computing methodology that nobody in the world uses for anything practical. Otherwise it will do exactly what you expect, which is nothing.
Public interest groups - which is to say communists and grifters - have asked the Sixth Circuit to reconsider its decision that killed the FCCs Net Neutrality rules again. (Reuters) (archive site)

The one slight problem with that is that the FCC doesn't want Net Neutrality, so any ruling from the court - in either direction - would be completely irrelevant.
Flash memory prices are down because - shockingly - nobody is buying gimmicky, unnecessary, and expensive AI laptops. (The Register)

Good.
Nokia is deploying a 4G cellphone network on the Moon. (MIT) (archive site)

Briefly. The Intuitive Machines lander carrying the 4G base station (to be launched of course on a SpaceX Falcon 9) is small and cheap and not designed to survive the long lunar night. But it should be long enough to return some interesting data, as long as the bundled talk minutes don't run out.
Acer, which ships most of its products from China, is planning to increase its prices in the US by 10% in response to 10% tariffs on products shipped from China. (The Telegraph)

But is also looking at moving manufacturing out of China, which is rather the point.

Musical Interlude

Disclaimer: Ew. Where did you get those?

Posted by: Pixy Misa at 04:00 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Hi Pixy.

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at February 19, 2025 04:04 AM (PiwSw)

2 Morning, 'rons and 'ettes.

Posted by: olddog in mo at February 19, 2025 04:05 AM (hoCmQ)

3 Morning all.

Posted by: Pixy Misa at February 19, 2025 04:05 AM (BLOW1)

4 Looks like about 6 inches of dry snow on the deck. Think it's finished. They were calling for 9".

Currently 14 degrees, WC -2.

Posted by: olddog in mo at February 19, 2025 04:11 AM (hoCmQ)

5 Birdbath status?

Posted by: Just Wondering at February 19, 2025 04:13 AM (dg+HA)

6 Top ten?

Cold here. Supposed to be a high of 8 or 9.

Phone says it is 9 out.

Posted by: Deplorable Ian Galt at February 19, 2025 04:19 AM (ufFY8)

7 Flash memory prices are down because - shockingly - nobody is buying gimmicky, unnecessary, and expensive AI laptops. (The Register)

--

Has anyone really explained what use the "AI" laptops are for beyond being able to say you've spent money on one?

Because from what I read the tech is mostly "the NPU will take on the role of blurring the background of video calls, freeing the processor or GPU to work more efficiently"

Which is nice and all, but is it mostly the same as every other mainstream "advancement" and almost entirely in pursuit of Global Warming / longer battery life?

Posted by: Boron Cobbie - Feminism moved women back to unregulated polygamy, forming harems among themselves at February 19, 2025 04:23 AM (OgBsb)

8 Good morning, good people. Looks to be one more week with frigid temps, then a weekend moderation to seasonal that should signal a general warming trend--Springtime, anyone? The preceding is if my memory of La Nina temp cycles is accurate, if not then get ready for some brutal betrayals concerning conditions.

Irrespective of the weather, however, may all your effort today and every day result in maximum benefit to you, and subsequent anguish for the leftwit fungus infecting our lives.

Posted by: IRONGRAMPA at February 19, 2025 04:24 AM (hKoQL)

9 Mornin'

The weather druids were predicting 16+ inches of white death. Alas, that's been revisioned downward to 2-3 inches. It will be cold and maybe some icey conditions tomorrow.

Posted by: Puddleglum, cheer up for the worst is yet to come at February 19, 2025 04:25 AM (sAmhv)

10 Cobbie,

Batten down, we might be getting SNOOWWW today.

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at February 19, 2025 04:29 AM (PiwSw)

11 Mornin' Horde. -1 degrees F. Wind chill: -9.

Real winter is here.

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at February 19, 2025 04:31 AM (O7YUW)

12 Evening and morning, late toilers and early risers! 'Tis Woden's Day, and soon we will be halfway along that winding dusty trail to the weekend.

Raining here, as the weather mavens predicted; 56 F. I got enough sleep last night, so there's that. Whassup?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at February 19, 2025 04:34 AM (omVj0)

13 Wolfus,

https://is.gd/spu9Il

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at February 19, 2025 04:35 AM (PiwSw)

14 Good morning from the deep freeze. Minus ten last night at nine pm. I haven’t had the courage to check this morning because I am in no hurry to go into chillier part of the house.

Hopefully warming starts in a couple of days.

Posted by: Pete Bog at February 19, 2025 04:39 AM (Bjq84)

15 Wolfus,

https://is.gd/spu9Il
Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at February 19, 2025

***
Cool! I like the Russian black cat with gun and bow tie, like a feline Philip Marlowe dressed for a formal event.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at February 19, 2025 04:44 AM (omVj0)

16 G'morning, all.

47.1 degrees with 71%RH

Looking good for the morning walk at 0545.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at February 19, 2025 04:47 AM (a1415)

17 What to think of an airport displaying signs saying "Celebrate your airport" next to "Do not abuse our staff"?

Posted by: Huck Follywood at February 19, 2025 04:53 AM (+3YmC)

18 It would be nice if we get another outdoor public shooting range out of this.

The closest one to us is about 45 minutes away, but is very well run by the State.

https://tinyurl.com/52ujy7mz

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at February 19, 2025 04:53 AM (a1415)

19 5 Degrees here. No morning walk in the immediate forecast.

Posted by: Notorious BFD at February 19, 2025 04:54 AM (mH6SG)

20 I'm destined to make a foray into town this AM to my eye doctor to see if the "freckle" in my right eye has changed at all. No change except shrinkage is expected if that happens then there is an extremely good chance I will expire with it years from now. 5 years now since double cataract surgery with no problems and what has been incredibly good eyesight.

Posted by: IRONGRAMPA at February 19, 2025 04:57 AM (hKoQL)

21 Batten down, we might be getting SNOOWWW today.

-

Yeah, I'm very much a "rock tied to string" kind of weather watcher, but I've made sure we've got everything in order for the snow.

Posted by: Boron Cobbie - Feminism moved women back to unregulated polygamy, forming harems among themselves at February 19, 2025 04:59 AM (OgBsb)

22 Knowing the rain was coming, I parked the car fairly close by. And he rain is trailing off. I shouldn't have too much trouble getting to the electron mines.

Linda had me keep the pink wrapping paper she used for my Valentine gift. We spread it out on the floor mat I provide, along with their scratching post, for the cats to work their claws on. The combo of crinkling paper and stiff mat has proved attractive to them.

It's supposed to be colder -- about freezing w/ wind chills well below that -- tomorrow morning, so my workout on Thurs. may wind up being short. Or nonexistent.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at February 19, 2025 05:03 AM (omVj0)

23 Good coffee morning, 4-6" of snow expected on the island. Virginia Beach is expecting 10. The wife is coming down today, her first visit since Labor Day.

Posted by: Accomack at February 19, 2025 05:07 AM (oERdd)

24 Good morning morons

I've been sleeping great lately but not tonight.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at February 19, 2025 05:13 AM (RIvkX)

25 "Virginia Beach is expecting 10. "

Our son is stationed at Oceana.

This could be fun to watch.

And not in a good way, as it seems that every driver in that area is convinced that the laws of physics does not apply to them.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at February 19, 2025 05:14 AM (a1415)

26 I just found this on the internet: A school bus drivers prayer. I laughed about "keep my hands from Johnny's neck." In FenSpouse's particular case, the "Johnny's" are Seamus and Luke'. Maybe G & C & Salty don't t have "Johnny's" on the bus. They're like the old fashioned nursery rhyme: with the curl in the middle of her forehead:
" When she was good she was very, very good and when she was bad she was dreadful.":

https://tinyurl.com/54w3b3ae

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at February 19, 2025 05:15 AM (tKt+W)

27 I've been watching a German fag cry to the applause of European fags because J.D. Vance was mean.

Ich trinke deine Tears, fag.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at February 19, 2025 05:16 AM (RIvkX)

28 Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at February 19, 2025 05:03 AM (omVj0

Pynchon likes to scratch the piece of cardboard in the big box still left over from when it had a computer chair which needed to be assembled.

I do think you should consider writing some children's books featuring your interesting cats.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at February 19, 2025 05:19 AM (tKt+W)

29 FenSpouse's prayer is sometimes may be "Dear. lLord, "May Seamus and Luke not be on the bus today."😉

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at February 19, 2025 05:22 AM (tKt+W)

30 Posted by: San Franpsycho at February 19, 2025 05:13 AM (RIvkX)

Sorry, you can't sleep but it's nice to see you, SanFranPsycho.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at February 19, 2025 05:24 AM (tKt+W)

31 Good morning early risers!

It is 10 degrees this morning. "Feels like" 0.

I'll be staying in. With a dog in my lap. Wake me up only if you need me.

Posted by: Rosasharn at February 19, 2025 05:27 AM (PzBTm)

32 Time to get ready for the morning walk.

BBIAB

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at February 19, 2025 05:27 AM (a1415)

33 @26/FenelonSpoke:

Ain't that prayer the truth. Most people have no idea and just see the big (or small) yellow vehicles as an annoyance and hindrance to their commute.

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at February 19, 2025 05:30 AM (O7YUW)

34 "Finding love in God." A reflection on Genesis 39:28-35 about Leah and dealing with rejection.
A devotional appropriate for interested Christians and Jews:

https://tinyurl.com/5n8m333e

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at February 19, 2025 05:31 AM (tKt+W)

35 Good morning all. Thx Pixy. Hoodoo Gurus were a pretty good band. Come Anytime is a great song

Posted by: Smell the Glove at February 19, 2025 05:31 AM (KXtU1)

36 John Spencer
@SpencerGuard
War is an act of force to compel your enemy to do your will (Clausewitz). Hamas started a war. Israel must finish it. Hamas cannot survive as a force (military or political) in Gaza or the cycle of violence continues and the seeds of the next war are laid.
5:55 PM · Feb 17, 2025
====

Wake me when "all hell breaks loose."

Posted by: San Franpsycho at February 19, 2025 05:34 AM (RIvkX)

37 {{Fen}}

Posted by: San Franpsycho at February 19, 2025 05:35 AM (RIvkX)

38 FenSpouse's prayer is sometimes may be "Dear. lLord, "May Seamus and Luke not be on the bus today."😉
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at February 19, 2025 05:22 AM (tKt+W)
===='
When Mrs. F. worked in the schools her policy was, "You don't want me to know your name."

Posted by: San Franpsycho at February 19, 2025 05:38 AM (RIvkX)

39 Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at February 19, 2025 05:30 AM (O7YUW

I just told your comment to FenSpouse and he laughed and he said, "It's true."

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at February 19, 2025 05:38 AM (Rnx7g)

40 I do think you should consider writing some children's books featuring your interesting cats.
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at February 19, 2025

***
Fen, about twenty years ago I wrote a series of comic sketches about our cats at that time, who were all strong personalities. The sketches were intended for all ages. I've often thought I should write a longer adventure for them, a capper for the series, and combine them into a book. But I'd have no idea how to write something intended only for kids; and those need an illustrator to be really effective.

Maybe there are some guidelines on the 'Net about how to write a book intended, say, for ten-year-olds.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at February 19, 2025 05:42 AM (omVj0)

41 I'd be surprised if he was allowed to leave his bunk. Everything south of Maryland is closed. Some schools have closed till Friday.

Posted by: Accomack at February 19, 2025 05:43 AM (4qMiv)

42 And not in a good way, as it seems that every driver in that area is convinced that the laws of physics does not apply to them.
Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at February 19, 2025 05:14 AM (a1415)

The problem is that they all start with the assumption that they're in a spherical car in a vacuum.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at February 19, 2025 05:43 AM (ExV1e)

43 Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at February 19, 2025 05

I think that's wonderful you write some stories and I'm sure you could find something on the internet about something longer. Maybe you could do an "All Creatures Great and Small" type of book told from the perspective of cats." 😉

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at February 19, 2025 05:47 AM (Rnx7g)

44 Posted by: San Franpsycho at February 19, 2025 05:38 AM (RIvkX)

LOL. True!

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at February 19, 2025 05:50 AM (42Vb+)

45 Haviv Rettig Gur
@havivrettiggur
This works for Ashkenazim too. By the logic of UNRWA, I have rights to an apartment building in Odessa abandoned by my great-grandma Dora’s family as they fled a literal pogromist mob in the street outside.

Ido Halbany
@IdoHalbany
I'm Jewish.
My father was born in Egypt.
He speaks Arabic.
My grandmother and grandfather were born in Egypt.
They owned land and businesses in Egypt.
According to the stupid Palestinian logic - Egypt belongs to us.
4:20 AM · Feb 18, 2025

Posted by: San Franpsycho at February 19, 2025 05:54 AM (RIvkX)

46 I think that's wonderful you write some stories and I'm sure you could find something on the internet about something longer. Maybe you could do an "All Creatures Great and Small" type of book told from the perspective of cats." 😉
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at February 19, 2025

***
The sketches about my Marie, Oreo, and Angelique featured them talking among themselves, displaying their different personalities, and their observations to each other about their Manservant (me) and Maidservant (Linda). Their idea of humans cooking spaghetti, for instance, was "They're placing straws in a steaming pot," and they were amazed at how one of the kitchen "cabinets" was always cold inside. "How do they *do* that?"

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at February 19, 2025 05:57 AM (omVj0)

47 Morning, 'rons and 'ronettes.

Another birthday come and gone. Wish I could say I enjoyed it, but only for an hour or so.

9 freezing degrees here at Stately Poppins Manor. No ice melt to be found anywhere near me. Snow on the way tomorrow.

Time to work.

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at February 19, 2025 05:58 AM (Q0kLU)

48 Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at February 19, 2025 05:57 AM (omVj0

That's great! I'm sure you could expand it .

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at February 19, 2025 06:00 AM (Rnx7g)

49 Happy belated birthday. MPPP. Sorry only an hour was good. We appreciate you on here - your humor, your interesting stories about early cinema. Your writing ability ( for those of us who have read something by you) and your perseverance despite troubles.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at February 19, 2025 06:04 AM (Rnx7g)

50 8 Good morning, good people. Looks to be one more week with frigid temps, then a weekend moderation to seasonal that should signal a general warming trend--Springtime, anyone?
Posted by: IRONGRAMPA at February 19, 2025 04:24 AM (hKoQL)

"Springtime! I vote for springtime!"

Posted by: m at February 19, 2025 06:10 AM (v0TzN)

51 Outside of DC today - always funny to see people down here get quite agitated over a couple inches of snow. Up where I live we don’t get concerned until talking feet (or ice - that’s the real problem).

Anyway - Pixy deserves a big shout out for posting the Hoodoo Gurus above - one of the best bands ever!

Posted by: CTSPURSMAN at February 19, 2025 06:11 AM (HkcaS)

52 Flat 5°
Good morning

Posted by: OkJohn at February 19, 2025 06:16 AM (NC/it)

53 Did you hear about the computer tech who gained weight?

He was bad a managing cookies.

O.k. After taking up so much bandwidth I will now slink away. May you all have a blessed and safe day and know that you are a blessing to others!

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at February 19, 2025 06:20 AM (Rnx7g)

54 Good morning, one and all. Had a good night in Aikido. 7 people on the mat (Including the teacher) and two visitors coming to check things out. Got a good workout and I'm currently paying for it.

But on the bright side, I have coffee right now.

Posted by: NR Pax at February 19, 2025 06:20 AM (+4yJ5)

55 50 8 Good morning, good people. Looks to be one more week with frigid temps, then a weekend moderation to seasonal that should signal a general warming trend--Springtime, anyone?
Posted by: IRONGRAMPA at February 19, 2025 04:24 AM (hKoQL)

"Springtime! I vote for springtime!"
Posted by: m at February 19, 2025 06:10 AM (v0TzN)

Winter, for England and France.

Posted by: Franz Liebkind at February 19, 2025 06:25 AM (PiwSw)

56 Thank you, Fen, you're very kind and I appreciate the compliment.

I thought I would enjoy the Titanic exhibit in Boston when I went on Monday. I did (though the gift shop ticked me off - nothing but cheap Chinese crap. People will buy just about anything with "Titanic" slapped on it), and the highlight of my visit was a picture taken on the replica of the ship's Grand Staircase. I told Nurse that it was the closest I'd ever get to time travel.*

And then I drove home, all the time with that awful voice in my ear saying, "Well, that's that. Might as well settle down and get ready for depression." I wish there were a pill or at least a strong enough drink to silence that voice forever.

*the one other place I want to visit for 'time travel' is the Universal Studio park in Hollywood. The last time I checked, they had a full-scale mockup of the Garden of Alla apartment complex, built by silent star Alla Nazimova and home, in the 20s - 30s, to many movie stars.

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at February 19, 2025 06:28 AM (Q0kLU)

57
That's great! I'm sure you could expand it .
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at February 19, 2025

***
And they had a positive feel to them, I think. At one point Marie, the smart leader of the trio, says to the others about showing affection to the humans: "It doesn't do to let them think you love them. Even though you do."

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at February 19, 2025 06:28 AM (omVj0)

58 Hokay, all . . . off to the electron mines!

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at February 19, 2025 06:29 AM (omVj0)

59 Good morning! Currently 14F with 10 knot winds out on the patio here in Cowtown. Pretty damn chilly!

I see we're continually finding billions of dollars here and there that seem to be 'unaccounted for'. What exactly is it you do congress?

Posted by: CrotchetyOldJarhead at February 19, 2025 06:34 AM (3Ope8)

60 Good morning fine people. I am enjoying a cup of coffee before I dash off again. Rev is back in the hospital. We went to his follow-up appointment yesterday and the surgeon sent him right to the ER. They say he has AFib and a blood pressure in the toilet. 80/39. I'm kind of upset. If anyone could spare a prayer, I would so much appreciate it.

Posted by: grammie winger - cheesehead at February 19, 2025 06:38 AM (SfhV1)

61
Good morning, Hordians. 'Tis well the dogs going to shows this weekend were washed yesterday, for today is much colder and windier. All we have to do is keep them clean until Friday but with a little jiggery-pokery I think we'll manage.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at February 19, 2025 06:38 AM (dxSpM)

62 "What exactly is it you do congress?"

Congress finds those unaccounted for billions and puts them safely in their bank accounts.

Posted by: Case at February 19, 2025 06:41 AM (IFQdH)

63 The ETA Prime channel on YouTube mainly reviews handheld gaming PCs, Mini-PCs, and Small Form Factor builds.

He got one of the Asus ROG Flow tablets with the AMD 395 Max+ chip in it.

https://youtu.be/v20kLX76_GU

He mainly shows what the device is, its features, and does a few synthetic benchmarks, then he’ll play a few games to show the performance at different TDP settings.

The highest this Asus device will go is 80 watts in the settings, which is understandable due to the form factor being so small.

He says at these settings on this device the AI Max+ is on par with the laptop RX 4060 in gaming.

But I can see these chips in a Mini PC with fans getting a full 120 watt TDP and truly coming close to the RX 4070 in performace.

They won’t be cheap, but if you can get models with the maximum of 128GB of RAM and enough storage, you could definitely run a full-size LLM or other AI without having to use the cloud or try to build your own server-PC with that much RAM.

People are using maxed out M4 Mac Minis to run Deepseek R1 locally and this AMD chip will do that and then some at a cheaper price.

I love where AMD is going with these APUs.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at February 19, 2025 06:41 AM (6ydKt)

64 59 I see we're continually finding billions of dollars here and there that seem to be 'unaccounted for'. What exactly is it you do congress?
Posted by: CrotchetyOldJarhead

Waterboarding should be on the schedule over this.

Posted by: NR Pax at February 19, 2025 06:41 AM (+4yJ5)

65 mornin yall

Hey MPPPP did you see the article about the sketch of Theda Bara on the Lincoln memorial?

Posted by: fd at February 19, 2025 06:43 AM (vFG9F)

66 Trump should start offering rewards for these unaccounted trillions of dollars.

Posted by: Anna Puma at February 19, 2025 06:43 AM (GP8rd)

67 {{{ grammie winger }}}

Fervent prayers for the Rev.

When I go outside this morning I will hook up the backup prayer wheels for aid from a different pantheon.

Heal, Rev, heal.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at February 19, 2025 06:44 AM (u82oZ)

68 Good morning!

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

Posted by: NaCly Dog at February 19, 2025 06:45 AM (u82oZ)

69 Congress finds those unaccounted for billions and puts them safely in their bank accounts.
Posted by: Case at February 19, 2025 06:41 AM (IFQdH)

I think it's a general rule of auditing an organization to assume that every dollar not accounted for has been thoroughly accounted for.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at February 19, 2025 06:46 AM (jKo6M)

70 This seems so appropriate for the 'entertainment' industry.

At the BAFTA Mark Hamill literally lost his pants up at the podium so everyone got to see him go full Looney Tunes struggling to pull them up.

Posted by: Anna Puma at February 19, 2025 06:46 AM (GP8rd)

71
Once you start making government spending accountable to every Tom, Dick and Harry, who knows where it all might end? Besides, too much curiosity about where all your tax dollars go might jeopardize valuable intelligence assets.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at February 19, 2025 06:47 AM (dxSpM)

72 grammie, prayers.

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at February 19, 2025 06:47 AM (PiwSw)

73 Not so cold here. 0, with -17 wind chill.

But school is closed. Again. My snow dance and chant is more powerful than I know. Or the NWS got it right, for once.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at February 19, 2025 06:47 AM (u82oZ)

74 Happy birthday MPPP

Posted by: San Franpsycho at February 19, 2025 06:47 AM (RIvkX)

75 Hammil was force-pantsed.

Posted by: fd at February 19, 2025 06:48 AM (vFG9F)

76 Use the Belt Loops, Luke!

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at February 19, 2025 06:48 AM (PiwSw)

77 I see we're continually finding billions of dollars here and there that seem to be 'unaccounted for'. What exactly is it you do congress?
Posted by: CrotchetyOldJarhead

Imagine a wedding with 535 flower girls throwing rose petals only every petal represents $1B.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at February 19, 2025 06:48 AM (ExV1e)

78 Please spare a tear for poor old Mark Hamill
He showed off his hams, and made the whole crowd ill.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at February 19, 2025 06:49 AM (jKo6M)

79 Village Idiot's Apprentice

Top o ta mornin to ya, gov'nor.

10 inches of snow in Virginia Beach!!? That is entertainment right there. We need traffic cam videos of the carnage.

Hope your son and his new bride are safe and warm.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at February 19, 2025 06:49 AM (u82oZ)

80
Congress finds those unaccounted for billions and puts them safely in their bank accounts.
Posted by: Case at February 19, 2025 06:41 AM (IFQdH)

"A lawyer is a learned gentleman who preserves your fortune from your enemies and then keeps it for himself." - Henry Brougham, 1st Baron Brougham and Vaux

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at February 19, 2025 06:50 AM (dxSpM)

81 Posted by: grammie winger - cheesehead at February 19, 2025 06:38
--------

Prayers up, grammie.

Posted by: olddog in mo at February 19, 2025 06:50 AM (hoCmQ)

82 Hey MPPPP did you see the article about the sketch of Theda Bara on the Lincoln memorial?
Posted by: fd at February 19, 2025 06:43 AM (vFG9F)

No, I didn't. I'll have to check that out.

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at February 19, 2025 06:50 AM (Q0kLU)

83 Wes Roth works with different AI models on his YouTube channel. He’s tested Elon’s xAI neediest model, Grok 3, and it beats everything, including R1.

https://youtu.be/Rxbirwpq9FA

So China was ahead, for about three weeks.

Grok 3 will be in the cloud for now, but this means Grok 2 will soon be open source and available for anyone to setup on their own system.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at February 19, 2025 06:51 AM (6ydKt)

84 77 I see we're continually finding billions of dollars here and there that seem to be 'unaccounted for'. What exactly is it you do congress?
Posted by: CrotchetyOldJarhead

Imagine a wedding with 535 flower girls throwing rose petals only every petal represents $1B.
Posted by: I used to have a different nic at February 19, 2025 06:48 AM (ExV1e)

Nice!

Posted by: m at February 19, 2025 06:52 AM (v0TzN)

85 neediest = newest.

All this AI around and autocucumber screws me every day.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at February 19, 2025 06:54 AM (6ydKt)

86 Chores continue, even with school closed.

Have a safe, warm, and wondrous day, everyone. Amidst the shoveling, may you see the beauty all around you. May you have deer and bunny tracks, with no coyotes trails.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at February 19, 2025 06:56 AM (u82oZ)

87 This seems so appropriate for the 'entertainment' industry.

At the BAFTA Mark Hamill literally lost his pants up at the podium so everyone got to see him go full Looney Tunes struggling to pull them up.

Posted by: Anna Puma at February 19, 2025 06:46 AM (GP8rd)
-

Let's roll the film!

https://tinyurl.com/3ntw8kjt

What the hell was he doing back there?!

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at February 19, 2025 06:56 AM (xF8Ny)

88 Posted by: grammie winger - cheesehead at February 19, 2025 06:38 AM (SfhV1)

Sorry to hear.Of the setbacks How very frustrating and worrisome! Will pray a lot today for Rev and you too, dear.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at February 19, 2025 06:56 AM (Rnx7g)

89 Retard Mark is.

Posted by: Yoda at February 19, 2025 06:57 AM (/d5KG)

90 "No, I didn't. I'll have to check that out.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing"

The article I saw was at the NY Post a couple of days ago.

Grammie and Rev, I'm sorry you are back at the hospital. We've got you in our prayers.

Posted by: fd at February 19, 2025 06:57 AM (vFG9F)

91 Maybe this will be the last we'll see Mark in public.

After your pants fall down in front of an audience, well you are kinda infamous.

Posted by: Anna Puma at February 19, 2025 06:59 AM (GP8rd)

92 I see the Senate finally got off it's ass and confirmed the Commerce Secretary.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at February 19, 2025 06:59 AM (ExV1e)

93 Everyone hearing about Steve Bannon's cursing out Musk?

Screw loose? Sore ego?

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at February 19, 2025 07:00 AM (xF8Ny)

94
After your pants fall down in front of an audience, well you are kinda infamous.
Posted by: Anna Puma at February 19, 2025 06:59 AM (GP8rd)

My final ambition is not to "go viral".

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at February 19, 2025 07:00 AM (dxSpM)

95 Musk says they are going to get the stranded astronauts back in about 4 weeks. Their frequent flier miles are going to off the chart, but they may never want to fly again anyway.

Posted by: fd at February 19, 2025 07:02 AM (vFG9F)

96 "Screw loose? Sore ego?
Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey"

Yes.

Posted by: fd at February 19, 2025 07:03 AM (vFG9F)

97 I can't figure out why anyone pays attention to Steve Bannon.

Posted by: Bram Stoker's Chocula at February 19, 2025 07:04 AM (OT7dQ)

98

*hic*

Posted by: Hillary Clinton at February 19, 2025 07:04 AM (c0tJM)

99 92 I see the Senate finally got off it's ass and confirmed the Commerce Secretary.
Posted by: I used to have a different nic at February 19, 2025 06:59 AM (ExV1e)

Cantor Fitzgerald CEO Howard Lutnick

Posted by: m at February 19, 2025 07:05 AM (v0TzN)

100 100

Posted by: m at February 19, 2025 07:05 AM (v0TzN)

101 If any government worker steals tax money from their country then they in my book are traitors. It's that simple. The death penalty should not be off the table.

Posted by: Case at February 19, 2025 07:06 AM (NMZGW)

102 93 Everyone hearing about Steve Bannon's cursing out Musk?
Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at February 19, 2025 07:00 AM (xF8Ny)

This could play out well. The lefty press is screaming the story to the stars and, really, in a match between Musk and Bannon, who is gonna be looking better?

Posted by: m at February 19, 2025 07:08 AM (v0TzN)

103 Looks like Kash Patel is almost across the finish line and they'll vote on his nomination as early as tomorrow. I can only imagine what kind of jackassery is going on to try to keep that guy out.

Posted by: CrotchetyOldJarhead at February 19, 2025 07:08 AM (3Ope8)

104 "After the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, Lutnick started a relief fund for families who lost loved ones. Cantor’s headquarters occupied some of the highest floors of the North Tower, and on the day of the attack, the company lost several hundred employees, including Lutnick’s brother." (CNN)

Posted by: m at February 19, 2025 07:09 AM (v0TzN)

105 Bannon is a has been. Trump has a new line-up of warriors we need to support.

Posted by: pawn at February 19, 2025 07:11 AM (QB+5g)

106 "After the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, Lutnick started a relief fund for families who lost loved ones. Cantor’s headquarters occupied some of the highest floors of the North Tower, and on the day of the attack, the company lost several hundred employees, including Lutnick’s brother." (CNN)
Posted by: m at February 19, 2025 07:09 AM (v0TzN)

Only got 51 votes to confirm. I assume the Democrats were concerned that, as someone who hadn't been in government their entire adult life, he might actually know something about commerce.

I assume that John "I'll vote for all of Trump's nominees" Fetterman was a no.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at February 19, 2025 07:12 AM (ExV1e)

107 Everyone hearing about Steve Bannon's cursing out Musk?
Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at February 19, 2025 07:00 AM (xF8Ny)

Any idea as to the issue?

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at February 19, 2025 07:13 AM (ExV1e)

108 "Everyone hearing about Steve Bannon's cursing out Musk?"

Instant head line for Steve. He needs to be careful that he doesn't start grifting from the left.

Posted by: pawn at February 19, 2025 07:14 AM (QB+5g)

109 "Lutnick edged out Robert Lighthizer, the US trade representative during Trump’s first term, and Linda McMahon, an administrator of the Small Business Administration from 2017 to 2019" (CNN)

Posted by: m at February 19, 2025 07:14 AM (v0TzN)

110 Bannon is a has been. Trump has a new line-up of warriors we need to support.
Posted by: pawn at February 19, 2025 07:11 AM (QB+5g)

We've supported people in the past who've then fucked us over. We should always be able to look at evidence dispassionately. To close out eyes and refuse to see because we've chosen a course is a bit too European for my tastes.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at February 19, 2025 07:15 AM (ExV1e)

111 I checked out that Theda Bara story. I suppose the artist could have meant her - especially with the word 'vamp' right there - but it doesn't look much like her.

Of course, what do I know? He was there and I was not.

Thanks for the heads-up.

Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at February 19, 2025 07:16 AM (Q0kLU)

112 107 Everyone hearing about Steve Bannon's cursing out Musk?
Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at February 19, 2025 07:00 AM (xF8Ny)

Any idea as to the issue?
Posted by: I used to have a different nic at February 19, 2025 07:13 AM (ExV1e)

The New York Times is delighted to chime in:

In the interview, published last week, Mr. Bannon said of Mr. Musk: “He's a truly evil person. Stopping him has become a personal issue for me.”

Posted by: m at February 19, 2025 07:17 AM (v0TzN)

113 Mornin', Horde.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at February 19, 2025 07:17 AM (6FVgO)

114 107 Any idea as to the issue?
Posted by: I used to have a different nic at February 19, 2025 07:13 AM (ExV1e)

— —

It all started when Elon came out for H1B import workers.

Bannon has been on the warpath with him since then.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at February 19, 2025 07:18 AM (6ydKt)

115 Bannon is unhinged. Musk is not.

Posted by: m at February 19, 2025 07:19 AM (v0TzN)

116 It all started when Elon came out for H1B import workers.

Bannon has been on the warpath with him since then.
Posted by: SpeakingOf at February 19, 2025 07:18 AM (6ydKt)

I thought Elon stepped back from that.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at February 19, 2025 07:20 AM (ExV1e)

117 "Steve Bannon knocks Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg ahead of Trump's inauguration" (USA Today)

Posted by: m at February 19, 2025 07:21 AM (v0TzN)

118 Bannon is a has been. Trump has a new line-up of warriors we need to support.
Posted by: pawn at February 19, 2025 07:11 AM (QB+5g)

Bannon is in the same shit pile as Newt, Dick, Karl, Bush The Living, Jeb! and any other grifter, hanger on, bankrupt and all hat, no cattle sumbitch in the GOP. Someone needs to tell Steve to pay his bills and get a real job already. Fuck him and his $5.00 haircut.

Posted by: The Truth at February 19, 2025 07:21 AM (NAF5O)

119 Musk is a true American even if he wasn't born here. Bannon is a grifter. Musk is bringing his keen intellect and business acumen to the federal government. Cut almost all of it and what is left run it like a cut throat business.

DOGE is the best thing to happen to the federal government and America.

Once DOGE turns on DoD we will see some real savings as DOGE guts the military-industrial complex that is sapping taxpayers dry.

We won't need all that war making capability once Trump brings Putin and the Chicoms to heel.

Posted by: Diabeetus at February 19, 2025 07:24 AM (SawFp)

120 "In the interview, published last week, Mr. Bannon said of Mr. Musk: “He's a truly evil person. Stopping him has become a personal issue for me.”"

As I said, he needs a new meal ticket.

The left and the media are probably beating the bushes looking for former Trump supports that have turned or were really just there for the money.

Posted by: pawn at February 19, 2025 07:24 AM (QB+5g)

121 87 Let's roll the film!

https://tinyurl.com/3ntw8kjt

What the hell was he doing back there?!
Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at February 19, 2025 06:56 AM (xF8Ny)

— —-

I’ve been seeing everyone talk about it, first time seeing it. Hilarious.

Trump getting elected has him so depressed he must’ve quit eating.

I guess nobody told him that he needed a belt.

His constant jackassery has finally come back to him in karama form.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at February 19, 2025 07:26 AM (6ydKt)

122 "but it doesn't look much like her."

No, it doesn't. Maybe an ex-girlfriend?

Posted by: fd at February 19, 2025 07:26 AM (vFG9F)

123 DOGE is the best thing to happen to the federal government and America.

Assuming it's not a one-off thing then it's pretty good. We need to establish absolute transparency in government.

We won't need all that war making capability once Trump brings Putin and the Chicoms to heel.

Why do people insist on believing that Putin is our enemy? Maybe if western countries would stop fucking with Russia we'd be closer.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at February 19, 2025 07:28 AM (ExV1e)

124 116 I thought Elon stepped back from that.
Posted by: I used to have a different nic at February 19, 2025 07:20 AM (ExV1e)

— —

He kinda just shut up about it after people pointed out how much the program is abused.

But Bannon, honey badger that he is, never forgives or forgets.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at February 19, 2025 07:28 AM (6ydKt)

125 Prayed for grammie and Rev just now.

Happy Birthday MP4!

Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at February 19, 2025 07:29 AM (WIRXc)

126 Global warming starting to accumulate on the roads out there.

Posted by: BeckoningChasm at February 19, 2025 07:30 AM (CHHv1)

127 He kinda just shut up about it after people pointed out how much the program is abused.

But Bannon, honey badger that he is, never forgives or forgets.
Posted by: SpeakingOf at February 19, 2025 07:28 AM (6ydKt)

In fairness, saying something spectacularly wrong and then shutting up isn't the same as saying "wow, I might have been off on that one."

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at February 19, 2025 07:30 AM (ExV1e)

128 Why do people insist on believing that Putin is our enemy? Maybe if western countries would stop fucking with Russia we'd be closer.

Putin is an ally. We just need him to stop invading countries and focus on bringing back the territories he wants in a more peaceful manner. Together Putin and Trump can ensure we get a steady supply of rare earth minerals to alleviate China's supply chain stranglehold on high tech.

Posted by: Diabeetus at February 19, 2025 07:31 AM (SawFp)

129
Assuming it's not a one-off thing then it's pretty good. We need to establish absolute transparency in government.

I doubt that we'll go back to Business As Usual. It's like a cheating spouse: you never completely trust them again.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at February 19, 2025 07:32 AM (dxSpM)

130
Justine Bateman
@JustineBateman
15h
I want the national and all the state governments @DOGE’d every other year, from now on.

Posted by: m at February 19, 2025 07:32 AM (v0TzN)

131 Putin is an ally.

I don't know that I'd go that far but he is rational. He wants what's best for Russia. We don't always have to be at odds over that.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at February 19, 2025 07:33 AM (ExV1e)

132 JJ is nood.

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at February 19, 2025 07:34 AM (ExV1e)

133 "241 million in taxpayer dollars were used to study transgender surgeries and treatments on animals. What is perhaps more, former National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases chief Anthony Fauci gave the green light to the bulk of these cruel and unusual experiments."

We would have never heard about any of this crap had Camela prevailed.

Posted by: fd at February 19, 2025 07:35 AM (vFG9F)

134 "In helping instigate a heated debate over H-1B visas, Elon Musk is speaking both from personal experience and as a business owner." (CBS News)

Debate is good.

Posted by: m at February 19, 2025 07:37 AM (v0TzN)

135 Bannon looks like he should be holding a cardboard sign and a cup at a freeway offramp. Lose the hobo look, pal.

Posted by: Halfhand at February 19, 2025 07:38 AM (7uxlX)

136 In fairness, saying something spectacularly wrong and then shutting up isn't the same as saying "wow, I might have been off on that one."

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at February 19, 2025 07:30 AM (ExV1e)

— —

I think Elon accepted it was being abused and some changes needed to be made but yeah at that point he just wanted to change the subject and move on.

Elon isn’t in control of immigration policy so it’s no big deal either way.

Bannon had some uses, similar to an Alex Jones, in saying things other people won’t say.

But I’ve never really liked Bannon that much after he showed his ass at every opportunity and started so many conflicts within the Trump 1.0 administration. He was leaking to Breitbart like a sieve from day one and I think he ended up hurting Trump in that regard.

I think Bannon’s main problem is that he’s on the outside looking in and believes he should me as influential as Elon is in Trump 2.0.

Which isn’t going to happen because Bannon has burnt too many bridges.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at February 19, 2025 07:39 AM (6ydKt)

137 @ 128. Russia is the largest country on earth. Yet Putin just has to invade some small country because he wants a few minerals? He can't just trade with that country? Common sense is just out the window, lets just kill a few thousand people.

Posted by: Case at February 19, 2025 07:42 AM (NMZGW)

138 Elon Musk on X: "Maybe this is a helpful clarification"

Dec 26, 2024 — I am referring to bringing in via legal immigration the top ~0.1% of engineering talent as being essential for America to keep winning.

Posted by: m at February 19, 2025 07:43 AM (v0TzN)

139 Bannon once was on the inside looking out, and i don't recall him doing much productive besides being loud and yelling "Everyone Look At Steve Bannon".

Talked a lot. Pissed off a lot of the right people. Not a lot to show for it.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at February 19, 2025 08:04 AM (jKo6M)

140 Hi, I very much enjoy your informative columns, even if some of it is over my head. I wanted to say how much I enjoyed your including one of my favorite Hoodoo Gurus songs! I bought that album when it first came out in the US, and still listen to it. Actually got to see them here late last year, and they did not disappoint!

Anyway, thanks for all that you do. Much appreciated.

Posted by: Happy at February 19, 2025 04:21 PM (8wFql)

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