The U.S. economy grew at a rapid rate of 4.3% in the third quarter of this year, according to an estimate released Tuesday by the federal Bureau of Economic Analysis. The estimate, which had been delayed by the government shutdown, shows that the economy remained resilient over a three-month period that saw fewer new tariffs announced and consumers shopping for back-to-school goods.
Carr used to insist on FCC independence. Now he uses FCC to fight Trump's battles. read more
Although the overall US economy added 64,000 jobs last month, the tech sector is softening when it comes to hiring.
The second-highest official at the DOJ, Todd Blanche rose to prominence as Trump's personal defense attorney. His actions violated the federal conflicts of interest law and his ethics agreement, experts told ProPublica.
This weekend conservatives across the coalition descended upon Phoenix, Arizona to pay tribute to the late activist at Turning Point USA's (TPUSA) marquee event, one of them being the second-in-command.
@#7 ... You tell me. Is there even such a thing? ...
From what I've heard, there do exist such American-made vehicles (GMC, Ford and such) but they were quoted to be so much more expensive than the BMW X5 sports cars that Dir Patel wanted.
That raises some questions ...
For starters, is Dir Patel blatantly saying that US car manufacturers are unable to provide a competitive vehicle to the one supplied by a German manufacturer?
And, perhaps as a follow-up question, I might ask ... WTF does Dir Patel need a vehicle like this for?
There's this ...
Kash Patel Purchases New Fleet of Luxury Armored BMWs to Be 'Less Conspicuous' During Outings
people.com
... FBI Director Kash Patel is flouting tradition by traveling in a luxury car instead of the department's standard-issue SUVs.
MS NOW reported on Monday, Dec. 22, that Patel, 45, pressured the FBI to purchase him a special, armored BMW X5, with sources saying he felt it made him "less conspicuous on his outings."
While the State Department contracts similar vehicles to transport foreign dignitaries in high-risk environments around the world, FBI personnel have traditionally been driven in a Chevrolet Suburban.
FBI spokesperson Ben Williamson confirmed the purchase of the X5s for Patel's use, saying, "Government agencies, including the FBI, routinely evaluate, replace and update vehicle fleets based on usage, security needs or budgetary decisions. The specific decisions referenced in this article were evaluated partly as a way to save taxpayers millions by picking cheaper selections or making cost structures more efficient."
The FBI did not, however, provide documents showing the cost of the new vehicle, prove that it was more cost-effective than using the pre-existing fleet of Suburbans, or explain why a new vehicle was needed. Public information about a fully-armored X5 isn't available online; however, Car and Driver noted that a similarly outfitted Cadillac Escalade went for $350,000 in 2019. ...
So I ask once again ...
Why?
@#2 ... From an investor perspective, not prosecuting crypto fraudsters has the effect of taking the bloom off of crypto. ...
I do not agree with that opinion at this point.
Not prosecuting crypto fraudsters would make crypto more valuable because of how it might be used.
Binance Still Processed $144 Million in Suspicious Crypto Payments After Plea Deal: Report
gizmodo.com
... The crypto exchange has been under scrutiny for its links to terrorist group payments. ...
A song that I can feel with (understatement ...)
Cascades - Rhythm of the Rain (1963)
www.youtube.com
Lyrics excerpt ...
...
A one hit wonder (1963) that kept the band and the songwriter's (John Claude Gummoe) well known 50+ more years.
Per Gummoe "
the lyrics began while I was serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the U.S.S. Jason AR8. I was standing a mid watch on the bridge while we were underway to Japan. We were sailing up in the north pacific and it was raining heavily and the seas were tossing.
[Verse 1]
Listen to the rhythm of the falling rain
Telling me just what a fool I've been
I wish that it would go and let me cry in vain
And let me be alone again
[Verse 2]
The only girl I care about has gone away
Looking for a brand-new start
But little does she know that when she left that day
Along with her, she took my heart
[Chorus]
Rain, please tell me now does that seem fair
For her to steal my heart away when she don't care?
I can't love another when my heart's somewhere far away
she took my heart
...
@#50 ... Lewzer tried to ban a book and now everyone wants to read it. That's what usually happens. ...
Really?
I found this ...
Between 2021 and 2022, more than 1,600 titles were removed from U.S. schools and libraries at the behest of parents, advocacy groups, elected officials, etc. The paradox? Banning these titles often dramatically increased readership interest in the circulation of banned books.
business.gmu.edu
... What began as banning a book over specific themes -- race, gender, or sexuality -- has turned into a widespread and successful unintended promotional tool for lesser-known authors and politicians.
In a forthcoming paper for Marketing Science, Sabari Rajan Karmegam, assistant professor of information systems and operations management at the Costello College of Business, found a 12% rise in circulation for the top 25 most-banned books. ...
Michael Stanley - Midwest Midnight (Live) (1977)
www.youtube.com
Lyrics excerpt ...
genius.com
...
With thirteen lovers I hid beneath the covers
Got staples in my hands for my time
With the radio low so the folks don't know
I proceed with my passion of crime...
And though somewhat obtuse, I've been told this abuse
Will more than likely make me go blind
But with a heart that's aching, it's a risk worth taking
'cause true love, they say, is so hard to find...
Why can't she see what she's doing to me
If that bandstand girl only was here
And I'm living the dream, getting lost on the screen
Doing Presley in front of the mirror...
Hanging around, getting high on the sounds
Of the ladies and electric guitars
Cross a double yellow line to who knows where
With six sets of glory a night in some bar
...
MSB is obscure. Rightfully so?
Even the area FM station that plays obscure songs has not yet played this tune.
Yet, back in the day, the area college FM stations were playing this tune.
Interesting.
Another view ...
Trump announces new Trump-class battleship' as part of Golden Fleet'
breakingdefense.com
... The new vessel, coming in around 30,000 tons, will be capable of carrying surface-launched nuclear missiles, creating what Navy Secretary John Phelan called a new nuclear deterrent.
President Donald Trump today announced the Navy would pursue a new class of "battleships" as part of the White House's "Golden Fleet" concept.
"They'll be the fastest, the biggest and by far, 100 times more powerful than any battleship ever built," Trump said at his Mar-A-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Fla. "Battleships are the largest, sturdiest and most heavily armed vessel built specifically for naval combat. While America has built many new warships over the years, they've tended to be smaller, much smaller, and not conducive to where we are and where we're going " peace through strength."
Trump, flanked by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Navy Secretary John Phelan and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, also said the Navy would aim to quickly start building two battleships, but that the class could ultimately have between 20 and 25 ships. Photos on display on each side of Trump suggested at least one of the "Trump class" ships would be named "USS Defiant."
The new "battleship" is planned to be around 30,000-40,000 tons -- considerably larger than the Navy's current fleet of destroyers -- and capable of using a variety of future weapons, such as electromagnetic railguns and hypersonic munitions. Trump said the new ships would also carry nuclear-armed sea-launched missiles, creating what Navy Secretary John Phelan amounted to a new nuclear deterrent. ...
Stan Ridgway - Camouflage (1986)
www.youtube.com
Lyrics excerpt ...
...
[Verse 1]
I was a PFC on a search patrol huntin' Charlie down
It was in the jungle wars of '65
My weapon jammed and I got stuck way out and all alone
And I could hear the enemy movin' in close outside
Just then I heard a twig snap and I grabbed my empty gun
And I dug in scared while I counted down my fate
And then a big marine, a giant with a pair of friendly eyes
Appeared there at my shoulder and said wait
When he came in close beside me he said
"Don't worry, son, I'm here
If Charlie wants to tangle now he'll have two to dodge."
I said, "Well thanks a lot."
I told him my name and asked him his
And he said, "The boys just call me Camouflage."
[Chorus]
Whoa Camouflage
Things are never quite the way they seem
Whoa Camoufalge
I was awfully glad to see this big marine
[Verse 2]
Well I was gonna ask him where he came from
When we heard the bullets fly
Coming through the brush
And all around our ears
It was then I saw this big Marine light a fire in his eye
And it was strange but suddenly I forgot my fears
[Verse 3]
Well, we fought all night side by side we took our battle stance
And I wondered how the bullets missed this man
Cause they seemed to go right through him
As if he wasn't there
And in the mornin' we both took a chance and ran
[Verse 4]
And it was near the river bank when the ambush came on top of us
And I'd thought it was the end and we were had
Then a bullet with my name on it came buzzin' through a bush
And that big marine he just swatted it with his hand
Just like it was a fly
[Chorus]
Whoa Camouflage
Things are never quite the way they seem
Whoa Camouflage
This was an awfully strange Marine
[Verse 5]
And I knew there was something weird about him
Cause when I turned around he was pullin' a big palm tree
Right up out of the ground
And swattin' those Charlies with it from here to Kingdom Come
When he led me out of danger
I saw my camp and waved goodbye
He just winked at me from the jungle and then was gone
And when I got back to my HQ, I told 'em about my night
And the battle I'd spent with a big marine named Camouflage
[Verse 6]
When I said his name a soldier gulped
And a medic took my arm
And led me to a green tent on the right
He said, "You may be tellin' the truth boy
But this here is Camouflage
And he's been right here since he passed away last night."
In fact, he's been here all week long
But before he went he said, "Semper Fi,"
And said his only wish
Was to save a young marine caught in a barrage
So here, take his dog tag, son
I know he'd want you to have it now."
And we both said a prayer for a big marine named Camouflage
[Chorus]
Whoa Camouflage
Things are never quite the way they seem
Whoa Camouflage
This was an awfully big marine
[Verse 7]
So next time you're in a jungle fight
And you feel the presence near
Or hear a voice that in your mind will lie
Just be thankful that you're not alone
And you got some company
From a big Marine the boys called Camouflage
...
They don't write song lyrics like that anymore ...
More from the article ...