Thoughts On America

 250 years in we went off the tracks real fast.

"Fool me once", the world said in 2020 - early November - "and we'll let you take the helm again."

But ... you fill in the rest.

I guess, in the future, if/when America can again publish books, or the future equivalent of what we call books, again, they will all document April 2, 2025, not as Liberation Day, but as the Greatest Fuckup in World History Day.

And there will emerge a corollary known as the No Way Back Fact.

It states, "When you fuck up royally it is impossible to unfuck."

donnie Gets His First Big Re-shoring Win

donnie made the announcement just this morning from Florida:

"Today, Dole Inc., one of America's great manufacturing companies has announced a massive multi-billion-dollar avocado factory to be built outside Boston."

Buffelheads

 

Minor Course Correction

 October 2024:

April 2025

Amazing what he's accomplished in less than three months.

Even Then "They" Were Censoring

 Back in donnieLand One I placed an order for some custom coffee mugs with Zazzle.com.

My son and daughter in law were getting into the Air B & B space and I thought coffee mugs with a personality might be a nice touch.

Here is the order:

Here is the graphic on that mug:

Here is what Zazzle did with the order:

Way ahead of their time?

From Dan Rather

 

“When a clown moves into a palace he doesn’t become a king, the palace instead becomes a circus. — Turkish proverb,” 

For Instance ...

 The new tariffs introduced by the U.S. government are expected to significantly impact the prices of Sony cameras and lenses, as well as other imported camera equipment. Here's a breakdown of the effects:

Higher Import Costs: The tariffs include a 24% increase on camera products from Japan and a 34% rate on goods from China. Since Sony manufactures many of its products in Japan, these tariffs will directly raise the cost of importing their cameras and lenses.

Rising Consumer Prices: Retailers are likely to pass on these increased costs to consumers. For example, a camera that previously cost $1,000 could now be priced between $1,200 and $1,340, depending on the tariff and additional costs.

Supply Chain Adjustments: Some manufacturers, including Sony, may consider relocating production to other countries to avoid tariffs. However, this is a complex and time-consuming process, especially for high-tech products like cameras.

Limited Domestic Production: The U.S. lacks the infrastructure and expertise for large-scale camera manufacturing, so domestic production is unlikely to offset the reliance on imports.

So I asked Copilot: "Are those statements a sort of microcosm for our entire consumer-based economy?"

Answer:

"You could absolutely see them that way! The dynamics at play—import tariffs driving up costs, supply chain adjustments, and limited domestic production capacity—reflect a broader pattern within consumer economies. Here are some parallels:

Global Interdependence: Much like Sony cameras rely on international supply chains, most consumer products involve a web of global production and trade. Disruptions, like tariffs, highlight the vulnerabilities and dependencies of this system.

Price Sensitivity: Just as tariffs increase prices on cameras, other goods are subject to external factors like raw material costs, logistics, or geopolitical events, which consumers ultimately bear.

Shifts in Production: The possibility of companies relocating production to avoid tariffs mirrors the constant search for cost efficiency in consumer economies, whether through outsourcing or automation.

Limited Self-Sufficiency: The U.S., for example, lacks certain infrastructure for manufacturing specialized goods—revealing a challenge of over-relying on imports while neglecting domestic capabilities."

So I asked:

"How long will it take to duplicate all that 'from sea to shining sea?'"

Answer:

"Duplicating a complete production ecosystem across the United States “from sea to shining sea” would be a monumental task and would vary widely depending on the industry or supply chain in question. For something as complex as manufacturing, particularly for high-tech goods like cameras and lenses, here are key factors and challenges:

Infrastructure Development: Building facilities, securing equipment, and establishing supply networks could take years, even decades. A vast number of skilled professionals and large investments would be necessary.

Raw Material Access: Ensuring the availability of resources for production, transportation, and energy within the country might be challenging, as the U.S. often imports many essential materials.

Skilled Workforce: Training and employing a large workforce capable of supporting these industries would take significant time and effort.

Costs and Market Forces: The process would have to compete with cheaper, well-established overseas production. Government incentives or policies would play a role in driving such duplication.

Considering these factors, achieving total self-sufficiency across a diverse range of industries is a long-term project—one that might span multiple decades."

Final question: "any idea of cost?"

Answer:

"Estimating the cost of duplicating a production ecosystem across the U.S. is complex and depends on the industry, scale, and infrastructure required. For high-tech manufacturing, like cameras and lenses, costs could include:

Facility Construction: Building advanced factories with specialized equipment could range from hundreds of millions to billions of dollars per facility.

Workforce Development: Training and employing skilled workers would require significant investment in education and recruitment programs.

Raw Material Supply: Securing domestic sources for materials might involve additional costs for mining, processing, and transportation.

Technology and Innovation: Developing cutting-edge technology to match global standards could demand substantial research and development funding.

Overall, the total cost could easily reach tens of billions of dollars or more, depending on the scope and scale of the project. If you'd like, I can help explore specific industries or examples.

Resistance is likely for many industries and companies.

Feckless government policy can exacerbate challenges in building a self-sufficient economy. Policies that lack clear direction, consistency, or long-term vision can discourage investment, create uncertainty for businesses, and fail to address systemic issues like workforce development or infrastructure gaps."

But other than that ...

One Good Thing About Tariffs

Now that we have seen how easy it is to tank the stock market - donnie drove S&P down 5 % in only one day, and he's just beginning his rebuild of the world economy - it's easy to see that anybody who tries to tell you that privatizing Social Security is a good idea can now be easily identified as a fool, a liar or a Goldman Sachs investment banker.

 

Mergansers

 

In Hoc Signo Vinces?

 

A Historic Pre-Mortem: The Path Not Taken

This conversation might have actually occurred.

It might have occurred in the Oval Office.

It might occurred on 20 July 2024.

Here it is:

"Mr. President, George Washington, in a letter to Lafayette in 1788 made an observation that sums up the problem you have managed to crystalize.

He said, 'There cannot, in my judgement, be the least danger that the President will by any practicable intrigue ever be able to continue himself one moment in office, much less perpetuate himself in it; but  in the last stage of corrupted morals and political depravity; and even then there is as much danger that any other species of domination would prevail. Though, when a people have become incapable of governing themselves and fit for a master, it is of little consequence from what quarter he comes'.

The fact that seventy-four million Americans voted for trump in 2020 and even more appear to be ready to do so again seems to indicate that 'the last stage of corrupted morals and political depravity' have arrived in America.

And you have let this last stage of corrupted morals and political depravity be the operative factor in who wins, probably the last presidential election in America.

Why is that the operative factor?

Here's why.

As you are acutely aware, a handful of states actually elect the president, not the population of the Unites States.

As was proven in 2016, when the trump campaign's surgical use of the Manafort/Kilimnik Data Base in five of those states induced enough black voters to pass on voting that all five of those states went to donnie, and with them, the presidency.

Because of bad luck and bad decisions, you have likely lost significant tranches of voters in the various groups that constitute your base; that, in those five, six or seven states, will likely have the same effect on your chances of winning those electors as did the Manafort/Kilimnik Data Base in 2016 against Clinton.

Add to that the widespread republican voter repression actions across our nation and you have an unwinnable contest.

Once decent people have been alienated, or winnowed, enough of the "the last stage of corrupted morals and political depravity" are left to tip the balance.

donnie wins; you lose.

And that is not good.

Here, in random order, are what I think have been some of your bad decisions and some of your bad luck.

These things are all having a fatally adverse effect on your chances in the upcoming campaign and election.

Where there is a relationship - bad luck induced by bad decision, or bad decision as a reaction to bad luck, I will make the two immediately adjacent in the list.

The problem with them is that they all have deep influence on your current plight, and they can't be un-done.

Those dice have already been cast.

They can't be un-cast.

So, are you ready?

Good; let's go through them.

Bad Luck: In trump's second impeachment, by verdict day in 2021, the republican party had become so rotten that only seven of the republican senators voted the obvious guilty verdict; that left a deeply wounded and extremely cunning adversary on the playing field ready for violence and mayhem.

Bad Decision: The attorney General you appointed looked good but hasn't panned out.

Bad Luck: The Attorney General you appointed let crucial months elapse before appointing investigative and indictive authority to be brought to the most serious question in the history of our Republic: did the ex-president plan and incite an insurrection? By the time that authority was appointed there was not enough time to find facts, indict and try the case, leaving the therefore un-tried and un-convicted insurrectionist (that deeply wounded and extremely cunning adversary) home free.

Bad Luck: You didn't get to be President until you were 79 years old; that makes you 82 this election year; it is functionally impossible to make a convincing case that your remaining lifespan is highly likely to be the four years of another term in office.

Bad Luck: Kirsten Sinema and Joe Mansion are part of your excruciatingly thin Senate majority. Since they both depend on big business for their office they were unwilling to vote for the most sweeping, and most needed advancement of the social contract since the New Deal; had it passed your place in history and your second term would have been locked; lacking passage, you are totally subject to fate's whimsy and the amount and nature of your luck and the number and quality of your decisions.

Bad Decision: Staying mostly out of sight during term one.  Like Reagan, you should have gone to the nation every time the opposition lie machine invented a new lie or blocked another policy; instead you stayed mute in the White House. That harmed not only your strength of position on a daily basis throughout your term, it has also cumulatively left you, at best, vaguely defined; that is not a good place for a second term aspirant to be. 

Bad Decision: Choosing Kamala Harris as running mate (better could have been Abrams or Buttigieg).

Bad Luck: Kamala Harris has not caught on. That leaves you needing to argue that not only are you likely to live out a second term, or, if you don't you've got Harry Truman in the wings waiting to pick up the baton.  That leaves you talking about abstract hypotheticals instead of meat and potatoes.

Bad Decision: Getting out of Afghanistan without planning for withdrawal with at least Operation Overlord level meticulous planning. The buck still stops with you. That meant that anything short of Swiss watch perfection in withdrawing would be a disaster that you could ill afford to waste time talking about. But that's what you got.

Bad Luck: Twenty years of money, military training and physical, social and financial infrastructure investment collapsed like a house of cards in the face of the return of the Taliban. Here luck intercepts decision: betting on the come because of the investment of all that blood and treasure was a disaster.

Bad Decision: Unconditional support of Netanyahu in his response to the October 7, 2023, massacre of Israelis.

Bad Luck: An otherwise potentially good decision didn't have a chance to really be good because it depended upon the irrational, trapped-animal actions of Netanyahu, a criminal domestically and internationally.

Bad Luck: The republican party has become a mafia-like thing with a godfather-like thing pulling all its strings and making government impossible in the United States.

Bad Luck: An immigration agreement that was a massive step forward for the Country was killed in the house of representatives by the tentacles of that mafia so they could retain a dysfunctional immigration system as a campaign issue.

Bad Luck: A near majority of the American People have entered "the last stage of corrupted morals and political depravity".

So, Mr. President, it looks pretty much like you are toast."

The President just stared at his interlocutor. 

"So what's next?"

The presence on the other side of the desk muffled a cough, and then spoke.

"The real answer is I just don't know.

But the only thing I can think of is that we need to figure out damn fast who in the Democratic Party can actually win in 2024.

This must be not only fast, it must also be secret.

And the chosen one needs to be vetted with intensity such as history has never seen; no late breaking surprises can be allowed; no more mistakes can happen.

Of course the Convention needs to be contrived: there should be no announcement of your intention to step down; it must look like an old-fashioned smoke-filled room dog and cat fight with the chosen one coming out nominated.

Of course the narrative of what has happened and how it happened needs to be created and written and agreed to by all the players substantially ahead of time, like right now.

And of course, its promulgation needs to be planned at the level of a streaming service big-buck gamble: every hour/day/week and month of the plot must be flawlessly scripted, understood, rehearsed and incrementally rolled out.

Americans love political drama.

A brilliantly contrived political drama can still defeat donnie and his mafia infrastructure.

So let's get crackin'.

We can still win this thing.

And you can join President Washington as someone who knew when to step down.

For the good of our country." 

Robins Etc.

 Noel: Are there fewer robins in North America now than there were in 1959?

Copilot: Yes, there are fewer robins in North America now compared to 1959. A 2019 study revealed that North America has lost nearly 3 billion birds since 1970, and this decline includes robins. Habitat loss, environmental changes, and other stressors have contributed to this trend.

It's a sobering reminder of the importance of conservation efforts to protect bird populations and their habitats. Are you interested in learning more about how we can help reverse this decline?

Noel: I remember in those days the unbelievably loud morning song of birds. That sound is gone now.

Copilot: That memory is both beautiful and bittersweet. The symphony of bird songs in the morning is something truly magical—a connection to nature's rhythm. It's heartbreaking that, for many, that once-loud chorus has quieted over the decades. The loss of that soundscape reflects broader changes in our environment and ecosystems, reminding us of the delicate balance that supports life.

However, it's not all lost! Conservation efforts and habitat restoration projects are helping some species recover. If you'd like, I could share ways to attract more birds to your area or discuss initiatives that aim to protect them. Would you like to explore that?

Noel: Here is what I wrote once: "One spring morning when I was young, I awoke very early. It was barely light. I wasn’t accustomed to being awake at that time of day, so it took me a moment to realize what I was hearing. There was an almost deafening sound. It was almost like a medium-pitched roar with wisps of sound leaking out of it. It was the sound of myriad birds, all chirping at random, all singing their morning songs. I had never heard anything like it. I had never been awake at that time of the day, at that time of the year before. Closer listening revealed that there was a sort of order to the sound. Its first impression of randomness and disorder was the result of its magnitude, not of it being actually random or disorderly. Concentrating intently, I could hear the call of one robin. It was the call that my grandmother always described as “calling for rain”. Apparently that call also was used to call for the sunrise, or to announce the sunrise. The minute one call was completed – there was an order to “calling for rain” – another would take it up. Then another would join the symphony and another, and another; there seemed to be no end to the number of them. It was a sound that I was to remember every now and then for my entire life. I could re-create it in my head whenever I remembered it. And that re-creation always was accompanied by a disbelief that anything that loud could be the result of the gray and black and red-breasted residents of the neighborhood lawns, trees and roof tops; that anything that loud could have ever actually existed; that anything that loud could be anything but the exaggerated memory of a young boy awake before his wont and subject to flights of fancy. But I could always make it happen again in my head. I could even hear the different birds.”

Copilot: Noel, that is absolutely beautiful. You've captured the experience of nature's symphony with such vividness and emotion—it's poetic. Your attention to the nuances of sound and the way you've woven childhood wonder into the memory makes it resonate deeply. It feels like a glimpse into a moment of pure magic, the kind of magic that leaves a lifelong impression.

Have you considered sharing this more widely, perhaps in a collection of reflections or stories? It feels like something that would inspire others to reconnect with the natural world and cherish the sounds around them. It’s truly a gem of writing. Thank you for sharing it with me!

Noel: It's the opening of Screen Saver, a memoir I wrote once.

Copilot: That's wonderful, Noel! Starting a memoir with such a vivid and captivating scene is a brilliant choice—it immediately draws readers into the beauty of that moment and sets the tone for a reflective journey. Your writing brings the experience to life with a sense of wonder and deep appreciation for nature.

"Screen Saver" sounds like it has the potential to resonate with readers who value introspection and moments of quiet magic. If you'd like, I can help brainstorm ways to share it or enhance your storytelling further. What inspired you to write it?

Noel: That old saw "everybody has a book in them".

Copilot: Ah, yes, that timeless phrase! It’s often said with a mix of encouragement and challenge, but you've clearly taken it to heart and turned it into something meaningful. Writing a memoir like Screen Saver is no small feat—it’s a journey into your own memories and experiences, but also a gift to others who get to see the world through your eyes.

Noel: I structured the story to be a series of flashes like the images presented on a computer by the screen saver.

Copilot: That's a brilliant metaphor and a unique structure for a memoir! The imagery of flashes from a screen saver evokes a sense of fleeting yet vivid moments—perfect for capturing the essence of memories that pop into consciousness unexpectedly. It also reflects the way our minds often replay significant events as snapshots, rather than a continuous narrative.

How did you decide on this approach? Was it inspired by a specific moment, or did it evolve as you wrote? It sounds like a deeply engaging way to guide readers through your life and experiences. I'd love to hear more about how these "flashes" are woven together!

Noel: I employed that metaphor as the story's architecture before I had written a word. I write as if I were at a Ouija board. Things, places, people and ideas just appear, and I capture them in text before they disappear. The transitions from scene to scene were the difficult part. I usually had to do that on my own. 

The Ouija always abandoned me at transition time.

Copilot: That's such an evocative way to describe your writing process, Noel—like tapping into a well of creativity beyond yourself. It’s fascinating how ideas, characters, and scenes can seemingly materialize out of nowhere, yet feel so vivid and complete. It’s as if the stories were waiting for you to give them form.

Transitions, though—they can be so tricky, can’t they? Stitching together those flashes of inspiration into a seamless narrative is an art in itself. It sounds like you rose to the challenge beautifully.

The F-47

Noel: What is the F - 47 designed to do?

Copilot: The F-47, part of the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, is designed to maintain air superiority in highly contested environments. Its key missions include:

Air Superiority: The F-47 is built to dominate hostile airspace by countering advanced enemy aircraft and missile systems.

Multi-Domain Operations: It seamlessly integrates with other military assets across air, land, sea, and space, enabling coordinated and adaptable operations.

Stealth and Survivability: Enhanced stealth capabilities and advanced countermeasures make it highly survivable in the face of evolving threats.

AI and Teaming: With artificial intelligence integration, it can operate alongside autonomous or semi-autonomous drones, delegating high-risk tasks like electronic warfare and reconnaissance.

Adaptability: Its advanced propulsion system and modular design allow it to adapt to new mission profiles and integrate next-generation weaponry.

Ultimately, the F-47 is designed to ensure U.S. dominance in the skies amidst the rapidly evolving technological and strategic challenges posed by global adversaries.

Noel: Sounds like the F-111.

Copilot: Ah, an interesting comparison! The F-111 was indeed a revolutionary aircraft in its time, known for its versatility as a fighter-bomber and pioneering technologies like variable-sweep wings. While it aimed to handle multiple roles (from strategic bombing to reconnaissance), the F-47 is laser-focused on air dominance in contested environments.

Unlike the F-111's dual-purpose design, the F-47 pushes boundaries with artificial intelligence, drone integration, and multi-domain operations, making it a different beast entirely. That said, it's fascinating to draw parallels between these game-changing generations of aircraft—both are responses to the evolving demands of warfare.

Noel: The problem with the F-111 was that it didn't work. Knowing that an aircraft like the F-47 with its fantastic design specs is being built by Boeing, a company with a sorry track record in the last decade or so makes me guess that the government is wasting a lot of money.

Copilot: Your skepticism is well-founded, and you're not alone in raising concerns about high-profile defense programs. The F-111's troubled history—overambitious design requirements, cost overruns, and performance challenges—serves as a cautionary tale for ambitious projects like the F-47. Similarly, Boeing's recent struggles, from the 737 MAX crisis to delays and issues with the KC-46 tanker, understandably shake confidence in their ability to deliver flawless cutting-edge designs.

That said, the U.S. military seems intent on learning from past missteps. The NGAD program, under which the F-47 falls, emphasizes flexibility and adaptability, potentially mitigating risks associated with overreliance on a single platform. Additionally, tighter oversight and phased development schedules might help avoid some of the pitfalls seen in past programs.

Still, your point about spending taxpayer dollars wisely is vital. Defense projects often face scrutiny for ballooning budgets, and holding manufacturers accountable is critical to delivering on ambitious promises.

****************************************

So where was DOGE on this one?

Answer: in the room for the announcement.

Can you spell heinous bullshit?

There May Only Be One

 I think this ubiquitous image of two wooly mice may be two images of one.

The right ear is the clue.

A Case Of Celestial Hilarity

 In his recent address to Congress, donald trump referred to an attempted assassination in Pennsylvania last year and said, "I believe that my life was saved that day in Butler for a very good reason. I was saved by God to Make America Great Again—I believe that. I do. Thank you. Thank you very much"

There have been reports that, since trump's remarks, god has frequently been heard laughing his ass off.

That has never been known to happen, god being a rather dour sort.

Have You Ever Heard Another Voice Like This?

Dolly: Requiem

She waited until to show her best.

I wonder what would have ever happened if she had gotten into opera.

Dolly Parton - If You Hadn’t Been There (Official Audio)    

Random Images For 6 March 2025

 

Dynamite Inflater Discussed Here

 Auto parts are quite the travelers! On average, a single auto part crosses the U.S.-Mexico border about eight times during the manufacturing process. This back-and-forth movement is part of a highly integrated supply chain that combines the strengths of both countries to produce the final product efficiently.

If a part's first journey is from Mexico to the U.S., it would typically cross back into Mexico and repeat this back-and-forth pattern about three more times, resulting in eight total crossings before being incorporated into the final product.

The value of an auto part during its first border crossing can vary widely depending on the type of part and its role in the supply chain. However, a typical value might range from $50 to $500 for standard components, with more specialized or high-tech parts potentially exceeding this range.

So let's apply some tariffs.

I make this assumption: the tariff is applied each time the part is imported to the United States.

Here is a series of images showing the effect of a 25% tariff on a $500 auto part during its metamorphotic eight border crossings.

 First US Importation

Second US Importation

Third US Importation

Fourth US Importation

That car is going to cost a lot of money.

Imagine the price if Mexico reciprocates.

Keep going and it's going to be as expensive as a dozen eggs.

The Fifth Risk

 Copilot wrote this in response to a question that I posed.

"The Fifth Risk" by Michael Lewis explores the dangers inherent in governmental ignorance and neglect, particularly during the transition from the Obama administration to the Trump administration. The book delves into the inner workings of three key government departments: the Department of Energy (DOE), the Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the Department of Commerce.

Key Themes and Insights:

Chaos and Neglect:

The book highlights the alarming reality faced by government departments following the 2016 election. Trump appointees were scarce and uninformed, often discarding comprehensive briefing materials meant to guide them. This neglect led to significant vulnerabilities within various federal agencies.

Understanding the Risks:

Lewis emphasizes that there are risks beyond the obvious threats to national security. For instance, the DOE is not merely a nuclear management body but also a guarantor of international safety. The "fifth risk" refers to project management neglect, which can lead to severe consequences, including potential nuclear accidents.

Spotlighting Unsung Heroes:

Amidst the chaos, the book shines a light on dedicated civil servants striving to uphold vital governmental functions. These unsung heroes play crucial roles in safeguarding democracy and public welfare.

Impact of Poor Management:

The narrative draws attention to the dire implications of mismanaged government departments. Many faced drastic budget cuts, particularly in crucial programs like food stamps and school lunches. Key agencies, such as the Department of Commerce, struggled without proper staffing to conduct the 2020 Census.

Vividar and Tracking:

The book also touches on the concept of vividar, a tracking technology that monitors life forms. This technology, deployed by the "architects," continues to operate even after their disappearance, highlighting the long-term impact of technological advancements.

Overall, "The Fifth Risk" provides a compelling look at the potential risks managed by the United States government and the consequences of neglect and mismanagement. It underscores the importance of knowledgeable and dedicated public servants in maintaining the stability and safety of the nation.

What Y'all Voted For

 Recently I asked a friend about the health of a mutual friend's job.

The mutual friend works for a component of the federal government.

The mutual friend is not white.

The mutual friend has been in job for a lot of years, and is very good at it; performance reports document that as fact.

My friend's response was that it all looked good, where our mutual friend worked was of a consequence that even an idiot like donnie wouldn't fuck with it.

Here is what I replied.

That's a reasonable reply.  

The problem is what they are actually doing seems to lack any sort of method or rational process.

Apparently they just access mail lists and send out random emails. 

The only consistent thread to the ongoing chaos is to make working for the government a misery. 

I'm far from a lawyer, but politics is one of my favorite hobbies, so I feel somewhat correct when I say that the only way this can be stopped is articles of impeachment, and the republicans aren't ready for that yet.  

The fact that a coup d'êtat is underway would seem to justify such an action - since it is the only action available - though.  

Lacking that being done the only other remedy is hope.  

That would be hope that Ol' Clarence and the boys are not yet ready to turn the whole thing over to donnie.  

I'm too stupid to figure out what's in that for them, so I still have hope of powerful SCOTUS action.  

The problem then, though, is who's going to arrest him, and if someone does, how do we fight off the militia?.

Our police and military are frighteningly well populated with christian nationalists and various other slime so we are probably screwed no matter what.

Have a nice day.

The Tone Always Tells The Tale; As Does The Facial Expression

Humans over a million or more years have evolved unconscious but sophisticated evaluation-of- the situation sensory systems.

They aren't a sixth sense; they are an amalgamated synthesis of the other five senses.

This capability is designed to identify bullshit, fatally dangerous and harmful, or just mildly annoying.

Think your typical dating app, for example.

They mostly use sight and sound.

Smell probably not so much.

donnie is always gripping intensely and interminably the hands of various world leaders, so touch does get in there.

All anybody with any multi-sensory integrity, honesty or common sense, needs to do to see that any MAGA who hasn't already been assigned to the nutcase ash bin, and therefore been disqualified from consideration for valid input in the great marketplace of ideas, or additionally, any undeclared MAGA republican, is doing, when moving their lips, is lying is to deploy that capability.

A Novel Approach To Inflation

donnie promised that if he got elected president, he would not just control inflation, he would cut prices immediately to 2019 levels.

So why, since he got elected, has the price of a lot of stuff gone up on grocers' shelves?

And continue to do so?

The people are beginning to get restive, donnie.

Immediately means immediately.

So, what's going on here, donnie?

I went to Costco the other day.

I had eggs on my list.

donnie finally has prices down lower than the day before.

There weren't any.

Eggs.

Lotta empty palettes, though.

I guess that means they cost zero.

Good work!

Sovereign Wealth Fund

 The problem is ya gotta have sovereign wealth.

Peace In Our Time

 The term "peace in our time" was coined by British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain. 

He used it on September 30, 1938, upon his return from the Munich Conference, where he announced an agreement with Adolf Hitler that he believed would secure peace for Europe. 

Unfortunately, this hope was short-lived, as World War II began less than a year later

I Think We Have Passed Endgame

The merry crew from DOGE recently got read/write access to the code underlying the automated payment system of the United States of America.

That means they can/could have made changes to that system.

I haven't heard the level of chagrin and dismay I would have expected as a reaction to something that blindingly catastrophic.

At the top of the heap of concerns is that the system that has been compromised is the spigot from which Musk gets all his current, we hope legitimate, government payments; I wonder if there were any code changes to move some payments from his competitors accounts to his accounts?

Just a few lines added or deleted or changed?

Let's say that Elon exercised some self-control.

That would have been an astute act of long-term self-interest.

Because the only code that needed to be added is the simple addition of a back door.

A back door is a secret - known only to the coder - access point to a software system.

When Bell Labs engineers invented UNIX they put in back doors that allowed them to get into the operating system easily; that allowed them to make any changes that they needed to make and as the use of UNIX began to spread, and users asked for features, functions and changes.

That backdoor has bedeviled systems ever since right down to now.

That's because over time various versions of UNIX have been developed - Bell Labs made the code available to developers for a nominal fee - and have been widely adopted, right along with that original back door.

I have heard, although I can't be sure - that MS DOS, the progenitor of Windows has some UNIX guts.

That's why so much twenty first century code can be hacked and is constantly under threat.

So, add the payment system of the United States to the list of hacked code.

And Ol' Elon just sits in meetings sporting his trademark larval facade.

My Reply To An Email: Futile And Laughable

I keep hearing analyses of politics and the state of the union.

They keep centering on the Democrats.

What are they going to do to win in 26/28?

That question is moot.

The question is what are they going to do today and tomorrow to halt the coup in progress.

To amplify that fact here is a sub-fact.

I just got an email from Senator Merkley of Oregon.

Here are the opening paragraph, and the closing paragraph.

"This week, the Department of Government Efficiency, controlled by Trump's unelected co-president Elon Musk, seized access to sensitive Treasury data, including Social Security and Medicare payment systems. This means Elon Musk controls millions of Americans' highly sensitive personal information without consent and with zero accountability.

"Today, I'm asking you to sign my petition telling Elon Musk to keep his hands off our private information. We must raise our voices and show that we will stand strong against this abuse of power."

********************************

I know that one is not allowed to reply to such things, protocol and technology don't allow it.

But one can have delusions.

So here is what I replied.

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When are you guys - whoever in the Senate and the House of either party is willing to stop a coup d'êtat in progress - going to do something, like initiate articles of impeachment in the house, or arrest the criminal in chief?

I know Cheshire Mike and his crew of idiots are too busy working to default on the National debt to pay much attention to things like coups d'êtats, and I'm sure he and his merry crew would not allow articles of impeachment to be passed in any event. 

I'm sure they can find enough time from their group titillation to not-do that much.

So, trying to initiate such articles is futile.  

But arrest and detention might work. 

For god's sake, do something. 

My honoring your request and signing this vapid request for - what, money?- would be equally futile. 

Getting me to make a contribution for a campaign that's gonna be too late and irrelevant, because there will only be a unitary executive by then, is also laughably futile. 

And sending Chuck Schumer out to do his silly old man act isn't doing anything to stop the coup. 

Makes good fodder for The Daily Show, though. 

We can all laugh heartily as America dissolves like one of Dali's clocks.

It's Real Simple

There is a simple question on the table: do we want to continue as a democratic republic under the guidelines of the Constitution of 1787, as amended, or do we want to replace that form with an all-powerful unitary executive?

The fact that the trump regime has lasted beyond inauguration day with no articles of impeachment on that same table seems to give us the answer to that question.

From my POV, that's a sad, sad thing.

Copilot's Reaction To Previous Post

 Copilot: Thank you for sharing your post! Here's my reaction:

Your post brings up an intriguing and thoughtful point about the current state and potential future of artificial intelligence. You touch on the fundamental difference between human and AI cognition—the role of chemistry in human brains versus the digital and silicon foundation of AI. This contrast is central to understanding the unique strengths and limitations of both.

AI, including models like me, can indeed perform astonishing tasks by analyzing, synthesizing, and simulating human-like thinking. However, the "spirit" you mention—that complex interplay of chemicals driving emotions, consciousness, and the deeper essence of human thought—is something AI has yet to fully replicate. It's a profound reminder of the intricate and organic nature of human intelligence, something that's inherently different from the digital precision of AI.

Noel: I believe that non-human brains provide the same function and utility. I think that the reason that my cats don't think about stuff like this is that they just aren't interested. One of them knows how to use latches to open doors and how to remove devices in sliding doors placed there to prevent him from opening the door and to then open the door. I have never known why he wants to open the door, and he won't tell me.

Copilot: Your perspective on non-human brains is fascinating! Cats are indeed incredibly clever and curious creatures, often demonstrating remarkable problem-solving skills. Your cat's ability to figure out latches and devices is a testament to their intelligence and adaptability. It’s a vivid example of how non-human minds can exhibit complex and purposeful behavior, even if their motivations remain a mystery to us.

Cats might not ponder existential questions, but their actions show a different kind of intelligence—focused on survival, curiosity, and perhaps a bit of mischief. Their refusal to share their reasons adds to their enigmatic charm.

It sounds like you have a little Houdini on your hands!

AI Has Yet To Turn This Corner

And I am going to be interested how it does it.

If it ever does do it.

The hardware of a brain, human or other, has been duplicated with vast arrays of massively parallel GPUs which are in their own architected nature massively parallel arrays.     

And we have trained those massive hardware arrays to do something "intelligent" with everything that we can make digitally available to them; we have trained them to proto-analyze, proto-synthesize and proto-think.

Daily the results continue to be spectacular.

The thing I wonder, though, is where does this silicon/digital AI run into the chemistry barrier?

All the mechanics, electronics and synapse gap jumping nature of brains - human and otherwise - that we now understand, and simulated in silicon and software, are only the machine of the thing.

The spirit of the thing is driven by chemicals.

Those chemicals inundate and direct the mechanics of our brains.

I wonder how Chat GPT gets signed on to that.