FCC Chair Brendan Carr wants broadcasters to air "patriotic, pro-America content" to support the White House's plans to celebrate the nation's 250th anniversary. read more
The Supreme Court's decision to strike down many of President Donald Trump's tariffs came as a relief to many small-business owners struggling under the weight of higher prices. But uncertainty still reigns as the administration pushes ahead with other kinds of tariffs and companies figure out if they will get refunds. read more
A banner of U.S. President Donald Trump has been unfurled outside the headquarters of the Justice Department in the latest effort to stamp his identity on a Washington institution. read more
The people loudly departing the biggest AI companies aren't necessarily looking for fatter paychecks or more stock options; they're worried that AI businesses are putting profits over sanity and safety.
In January 2026, the U.S. government approved the potential sale of American-made missiles to Denmark to strengthen its defensive capabilities in and around Greenland. On its face, the transaction looked routine: a NATO ally purchasing weapons through the Foreign Military Sales program to improve readiness and interoperability.
@#21 ... But will that fun last until 4am?
Who knows. ..
It has lasted.
Listening to CSN&Y
Crosby, Stills Nash & Young - Almost Cut My Hair (1970)
www.youtube.com
Curious, the artist on the website is CS&N, but the artist on the album cover shown is CSN&Y.
I cited the song as the latter.
Lyrics excerpt ...
...
This is the third track from Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young's 1970 Deja Vu written by David Crosby. It was one of the few tracks that was recorded in the studio with the entire band who were engaged in internal squabbling.
[Verse 1]
Almost cut my hair
It happened just the other day
It was gettin' kinda long
I could-a said, it was in my way
But I didn't and I wonder why
I feel like letting my freak flag fly
Yes I feel like I owe it to someone
[Guitar Solo]
[Verse 2]
Must be because I had the flu for Christmas
And I'm not feelin' up to par
It increases my paranoia
Like lookin' at my mirror and seein' a police car
But I'm not givin' in an inch to fear
'Cause I promised myself this year
I feel like I owe it to someone
[Guitar Solos]
[Verse 3]
When I finally get myself together
I'm gonna get down in that sunny southern weather
And I find a place inside to laugh
Separate the wheat from the chaff
I feel like I owe it to someone
...
@#20 ... And when they're asked if they know extending otherwise expiring tax cuts is based on all new borrowing! ...
OK, I was having some fun here, and then you came in with your usual fact-based reality. :)
{sigh}
OK, back to the GOP and deficits...
My long answer short...
The GOP complains about the deficit, vociferously.
But, the GOP seems to be the main contributor to the deficit.
U.S. Presidents and the Federal Deficit (2023)
amarkfoundation.org
... By looking at the federal deficit or surplus based on fiscal year, the data in this report show all four Republican presidents since 1980, with our methodology, increased the federal deficit during their time in office: Ronald Reagan had a 94% increase, George H.W. Bush had a 67% increase, George W. Bush had a 1,204% increase, and Trump had a 317% increase.
Both Democratic presidents since 1980 with completed terms decreased the federal deficit while in office: Bill Clinton had a 150% decrease to end his presidency with a federal surplus of $128 billion, and Barack Obama decreased the deficit by 53%. Joe Biden decreased the deficit by 50% in his first fiscal year, but his overall results are pending the end of his presidency. ...
@#17
A question...
I'm having fun this evening listening to music.
But will that fun last until 4am?
Who knows.
In case it doesn't, allow me this ...
The 4 a.m. mystery (TED Talk)
www.youtube.com
Is it a mystery, or a conspiracy?
You decide. The video is kinda long (a bit over 11 minutes), but entertaining, imo
:)
Apropos?
Golden Earring - Twilight Zone (1982)
www.youtube.com
(the long version of the song)
Lyrics excerpt ...
...
Songwriter George Kooymans of Golden Earring was inspired not by the TV show "Twilight Zone", but by the (at that point obscure) novel The Bourne Identity, which years later would be made into a successful movie.
[Verse 1]
It's two a.m., the fear has gone
(It's two a.m., the fear has gone)
I'm sitting here waitin', the gun's still warm
(I'm sitting here waitin', the gun's still warm)
Maybe my connection is tired of takin' chances
Yeah, there's a storm on the loose, sirens in my head
Wrapped up in silence, all circuits are dead
Cannot decode, my whole life spins into a frenzy
[Chorus]
Help, I'm steppin' into the Twilight Zone
Place is a madhouse, feels like being cloned
My beacon's been moved under moon and star
Where am I to go now that I've gone too far?
Help, I'm steppin' into the Twilight Zone
Place is a madhouse, feels like being cloned
My beacon's been moved under moon and star
Where am I to go now that I've gone too far?
...
@#68 ... **** First Photo of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor After His Arrest (via Reuters) ***** ...
Related ...
How Reuters captured the photo of former Prince Andrew leaving custody
www.reuters.com
... Slumped in the back seat of his Range Rover, a visibly shaken man once referred to as the "Playboy Prince" stares ahead of him as the car leaves Aylsham police station in Norfolk, England.
The photo, taken by Reuters photographer Phil Noble, went viral when it was published late on Thursday.
It shows Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the younger brother of King Charles, after he was released from police custody following a day of questioning over allegations he sent confidential government documents to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
When news that Mountbatten-Windsor had been arrested broke early on Thursday, Manchester-based Noble began the six-hour drive south to Norfolk.
Journalists knew the former prince had been arrested in Norfolk -- the county that is home to the royal Sandringham estate where he resides. Since officers from Thames Valley Police -- covering southeast England -- were questioning him, there were potentially 20 or more police stations where he could have been held.
Following a tip, Noble headed to the police station in the historic market town of Aylsham.
Not much was going on, Noble said. There were a couple of other members of the media there, including Reuters video journalist Marissa Davison.
Six or seven hours went by. Darkness fell. Still, nothing was happening. It seemed like this was the wrong station -- after all, it was well over an hour's drive from Mountbatten-Windsor's home.
The team of two Reuters journalists decided to book rooms at a hotel. Noble packed up and started heading down the road towards it.
Minutes later, he got a call from Davison. Mountbatten-Windsor's cars had arrived. ...
@#12 ... St. Louis Circuit Judge Tim Boyer ...
Timothy Boyer
ballotpedia.org
... Timothy Boyer is a judge of the Missouri 22nd Judicial Circuit Court. He assumed office in 2017. His current term ends on December 31, 2026.
Boyer ran for re-election for judge of the Missouri 22nd Judicial Circuit Court. He won in the retention election on November 3, 2020.
He was appointed as a circuit court judge by Gov. Eric Greitens (R) on November 21, 2017, to replace Judge Philip D. Heagney.[1]
Boyer was an associate judge on the 22nd Judicial Circuit Court from 2016 to 2017. He was appointed by Gov. Jay Nixon (D) on August 3, 2016.[2] ...
@#6 ... Pedo 47 seeks to protect weedkiller at center of barrage of lawsuits ...
Meanwhile, the Judge appointed to the case seems to have a reputation of being a ~cut-to-the-chase~ Judge.
Bayer Draws No-Nonsense Missouri Judge to Vet Roundup Deal Plan
www.bloomberg.com
... The Missouri judge overseeing Bayer AG's effort to resolve current and future Roundup lawsuits through a class-action case is known as a no-nonsense jurist who will closely scrutinize the proposed $7.25 billion settlement.
St. Louis Circuit Judge Tim Boyer, 48, has presided over several cases alleging the Roundup pesticide caused cancer -- including a $1.25 million jury award that the US Supreme Court has agreed to hear. Lawyers and retired jurists say he'll move quickly to weigh the accord's merits and won't waste time having to learn the case. ...
Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band - Canyons of Your Mind (1969)
www.youtube.com
Lyrics excerpt ...
...
[Spoken:]
This is the B side of our platter, sports fans
And I'm singing for you just covered in sequins
[Sung:]
In the canyons of your mind
I will wander through your brain
To the ventricles of your heart, my dear
I'm in love with you again!
'Cross the mountains of your chest
I will stick a Union Jack
To the forest of your cheek
Through the holes in your string vest
...
@#23 ... Separate the wheat from the chaff ...
In the past I have noted lyrics excerpts that just seem to stay with me.
"Separate the wheat from the chaff" is one of those lyrics excerpts.