My wife and I heard a smile inducing fact on last night's news report:

When Dolly showed up to film 9 to 5 (she'd never acted before), the cast was heartwarmed by the fact Dolly had memorized the entire script, not knowing she only needed to learn her own lines. So Dolly. Always the hard worker who gave everything 100% ...

More:

Gen. Randy George, whom Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth removed as the Army chief of staff without explanation, felt it was important to follow typical protocol and determine whether any safety regulations had been violated during the March 28 flyby, these people said. Like some others, they spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the episode.

Gen. Chris LaNeve, the Army's No. 2 officer, told George that Hegseth did not want the investigation to proceed, one person said. The two others said that George later confided in colleagues about the encounter with LaNeve and seemed troubled bit it. George told them that LaNeve suggested it would be best if the review was scuttled, those people said.

The revelation, which has not previously been reported, adds a new layer of understanding to Hegseth's potential motivations for firing George on April 2. Kid Rock, whose legal name is Robert Ritchie, is a vocal supporter of President Donald Trump and avowed critic of many Democratic politicians and causes.

WP article - no pay wall

Trump's ICE has decimated meat processing plants. Companies like Tyson have actually closed processing plants, further raising prices.

What gets me is how these fuggin farmers take in more money from subsidies than every single mother on WIC in the country (true story) and act like some kind of champions of capitalism when they're all a bunch of socialist welfare queens..

Right?!

She was an incredibly generous, kind, and talented person. A national treasure ... The transformation of Sevierville from poverty to a thriving destination that employs thousands of people, her Imagination Foundation that puts millions of books into the hands of children, and all her other philanthropic ventures (and many more gifts given anonymously), are all testament to a generous, kind soul.

My wife frequently interacted with Dolly when she was on RCA records. Dolly was known for always being nice to everyone ...

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This is the true story of how Dolly didn't end up - like so many female country singers of that time - playing little county fairs and fading into obscurity after she'd left her recording partner Porter Wagoner:

A friend of mine, Ron Bledsoe, who owned lots of radio stations at the time and had been president of a label here, was visiting Mac Davis at the Spence Manor, a boutique hotel on Music Row. when Dolly, a friend of both, rang the room. They invited her up.

She told them she'd just left Porter and was about to sign with an iffy manager/booking agent and launch a solo career. Ron said she got weepy at the prospect, but her options were limited as a female singer back in the 70's, when they weren't taken seriously.

Mac Davis picked up the phone and called his manager in L.A., the legendary music manager, Sandy Gallin, who made household names of artists like Mac Davis and Neil Diamond as well as managing others like Michael Jackson and Mariah Carey.

Sandy Gallin also happened to be gay, which proved to be important later on in this story.

Ron and Mac arranged a meeting in L.A., and Ron, who was also a friend of Gallin's, flew out with Dolly.

As Ron told it, Dolly pleaded with Sandy to manage her. He said, "I wouldn't know the first thing about managing a country artist," etc, fending off her pleas. Dolly kept pleading with him to no avail.

Finally, Sandy said, "Since you're out here, why don't you come to a party at my house tomorrow night?" He'd just completed a renovation on another mansion in Holmbly Hills and was hosting a large party to celebrate the completion with 200 gay and straight friends.

Party Night:

A large crowd of Sandy's friends and music business associates (many of them gay, like Sandy) were there when Ron said he heard a gasp as all eyes turned to the top of the grand staircase.

There stood Dolly, wearing a full length gown onto which she'd sown buttons over ever square inch. When she reached the bottom of the grand staircase dozens of gay men surrounded her, fascinated, and fawning over her. Sandy thought, "hm, we might have something here," thinking of other acts like Bette Midler and Cher.

Sandy ended up asking Dolly to move into his house so she'd be in L.A., making it easier to get started working together. Dolly lived in his mansion for well over a year. He set her up with a personal trainer to get her in shape, began discussing ideas for a more modern career, and planned. He got her on Carson, Carol Burnett, and other L.A. based TV shows.

He also convinced her to record "Here You Come Again," which was a huge smash and elevated her into the wider music world.

PICTURED BELOW: Sandy Gallin & Dolly Parton when she lived in his mansion (1976):

#5 | Posted by sitzkrieg

Here's an in depth look at the current situation in Lyman:

Good old American ingenuity, resourcefulness, and determination on display.

Trump votes by mail.

If mail voting restrictions were to begin before the midterms, both would be bad for Trump.

A. Rural and Republican voters vote by mail too
B. Trump would have to walk 150 ft or more to get inside the polling station AND keep his hair in place if there was a breeze.

(Even the boats in the video still are drones)

With cutting edge inventiveness, Ukraine is still holding off mighty Russia.

What an impressive nation.

Turns out the only Vegetable that hasn't been recalled is Mitch McConnell.

#9 | Posted by Danforth

#5 | Posted by catdog

Dr. El-Sayed is an incredibly intelligent, likeable guy who has that Obama way of effectively articulating the needs and concerns everyday people are facing.

His campaign is doing a terrific job of countering MAGA fear bombs aimed at white folks in MI about his name and religion by running ads featuring his adorable white grandparents.

Here's the first ad featuring his grandparents:

Didnt hear any mention of Akhenaten. Who truly tried out monotheism (unsuccessfully) for the first time on a national scale.

#9 | Posted by donnerboy

Indeed. An interesting bit of history many don't know. The back story of before, during, and after is fascinating.

#7 | Posted by reinheitsgebot

What a ridiculous idea!

It seems new reports of tainted food are rolling out on a regular basis. This incredibly uncaring plan will only increase them.

Hopefully, after enough MAGAats get sick, they'll realize the government they voted for doesn't give two schitts about their health, pocketbooks, or anything else to do with their well being.

#8 | Posted by bat4255

Over the past 3 years GFiber (Google Fiber) has installed of miles and miles of fiber where I live, offering up to 8GB down/up speeds.

TIP: The GFiber rep who came to our house after they finished laying cable in our neighborhood gave us a neat tip:

If you initially sign up for the next higher tier (3GB), you get the WiFi 8 router and TWO mesh extenders instead of a WiFi 7 router with one extender they provide with a 1G signup. Then, you simply downgrade to the 1G plan during that first month and get to keep the newer equipment. Ready for upcoming WiFi 8 in new devices.

That's exactly what we did. And we're paying 30% less than we paid Comcast ( with slower upload speeds). Very happy campers.

- Starlink? We'll continue avoiding anything that benefits Elon Musk.

The GOP loves to take credit for things that democrats do. In district after district, they love to go to ribbon cutting ceremonies for projects that were passed by Biden and they voted against.

Like Trump took credit for the roaring economy he inherited from Obama, who achieved it without a lick of help from the GOP. An economy he promptly let fall into the ------- when COVID, which he downplayed, hit.

BTW, inflation was lower (2.7% and falling) when Biden left office than it is now. So much for "ending inflation on Day One," which Trump promised, eh?

"I'll be so busy I won't have time to play golf"

- Trump during the 2016 campaign

2020:

Obama got our annual deficit back down to $500b from Bush's last fiscal year deficit of $1.4 trillion.

Where are all the right wing morons who only scream about debt and deficits when a D is in the White House?

Trump spends like a drunken sailor and grifts billions of dollars to line his own pocket ... crickets.

And this know-nothing -------- needlessly blows more billions:

Of course the lying -------- did:

Conditions on US aircraft carrier at sea for more than 250 days raise alarms

Thousands of US military members who have lived aboard an aircraft carrier for more than 250 days are reportedly contending with food shortages, broken plumbing and exhaustion, leading lawmakers to demand answers from the Pentagon and pressuring the Trump administration over the Iran war.

Military news outlets reported that some USS Abraham Lincoln sailors have attempted to jump overboard, and families have raised concerns about mental health onboard the ship.

...

No supplies, a food shortage and dark thoughts: Families of sailors describe life on the USS Lincoln

Conditions on board are declining " and so is morale " after hundreds of days at sea, families say.

Mike Lindell refuses to concede in Minnesota primary despite getting far fewer votes

Mike Lindell, the pillow salesman, Trump supporter and election denier, has refused to concede defeat in Minnesota's Republican gubernatorial primary, despite trailing by a double-digit margin the morning after polls closed.

The Associated Press called the race for Lisa Demuth, the Minnesota House speaker, late on Tuesday night.

With almost all votes counted, Demuth was more than 45,000 votes ahead of Lindell, who had the backing of Donald Trump, beating him by 43.4% to 32.5%.

This worthless company continues to be a means of bribing Trump by allowing unknown fat cats to pump the stock so Trump can get that cash out at a decent prices and line his pockets.

That's all it is.