vxbush 11/7/2025 5:25:12 AM

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Prominent sign at local grocery store: "The federal government has stopped printing pennies. This may cause issues with getting correct change in cash form." 

So the grocery store can't go match change at a local bank? There aren't enough pennies already in circulation? I know it costs more to print a penny than a penny is worth, so it makes no sense to keep printing them, but this seems slightly stupid. As if somehow people might revolt against the Republicans if they can't get their pennies.

vxbush 11/7/2025 5:34:24 AM

2

China has been buying the power stations and infrastructure in South American countries. While some countries have put some guardrails on China's activity, you have to wonder why there were no US companies will to step in to prevent this. 

Wait--4 years of Biden? Ah, yes, that's probably why. 

vxbush 11/7/2025 5:46:26 AM

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vxbush 11/7/2025 5:47:31 AM

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JCM 11/7/2025 7:45:23 AM

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Reply to vxbush in 2:

We can connect James Monroe to a generator and solve the energy crisis!

Occasional Reader 11/7/2025 7:46:00 AM

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JCM 11/7/2025 7:54:10 AM

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Reply to vxbush in 4:

I have lost confidence in the election systems. It no longer represents consent of the governed but those who've learned to manipulate the system.

vxbush 11/7/2025 8:17:48 AM

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In #6 Occasional Reader said: Maybe y’all knew this already, but I just found out James Lileks and his wife are divorcing.

No, I didn't know that. Did either one specify the reasons they are willing to share publicly? 

JCM 11/7/2025 8:49:57 AM

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Awwww, poor wittle congrewss critter!

Report: Ilhan Omar 'In Collection Proceedings' for Her Student Loans and Is Trying to 'Bully' Her Way Out of Payments

Citing her financial disclosures, Jones called out the fact that Omar "currently has between $15,001 and $50,000 in outstanding loans."

Given her reported net worth is as much as $30 million... maybe she could ask Pelosi for a little on the side.

JCM 11/7/2025 8:59:23 AM

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RE Louisville UPS crash. NTSB briefing yesterday reported they found engine fan components on the runway before the point of separation. So indicators are pointing to catastrophic engine failure.

The No. 1 LEFT engine and supporting pylon were found around the 2000 feet remaining marker on the RIGHT side of the runway.

The engine in the event of a catastrophic failure is designed to separate from the aircraft so that an engine with sever imbalance or vibration doesn't damage the rest of the aircraft. There isn't any room for that to happen when the aircraft is on the runway.

The engine, or engine and pylon came off, bounced off the runway into the wing rupturing fuel tanks. In one video flashes can be seen from No. 2 engine the indication compress stall. Likely form debris from the departed No. 1. This would have reduced power on No. 2.

I would also suspect that No. 1 in going from left to right side had some impact on No. 3 engine.

They might have had a chance if the damage and failure was limited to engine No. 1/

Occasional Reader 11/7/2025 9:03:11 AM

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Reply to vxbush in 8:

I have only seen some online speculation.

I have never met the man, but I feel like this is happening to a friend of mine.

Occasional Reader 11/7/2025 9:14:25 AM

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Reply to JCM in 10:

You want to believe that we have a robust enough inspection system that this kind of thing could never happen. 

JCM 11/7/2025 9:17:16 AM

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OMGWEREALLGOINGTODIE! THEGOVERMENTMUSTSAVEUS!
screaming and running in circles.

Doctors Say A Highly Infectious Virus Is 'Out Of Control' Right Now. Here's What You Should Know.

Here's what you should ignore.

JCM 11/7/2025 9:25:18 AM

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Reply to Occasional Reader in 12:

NTSB will be going over engine maintenance records with a very fine tooth comb. The material science guys will be looking real close at broken ends of the blades with every conceivable tool.

buzzsawmonkey 11/7/2025 9:43:10 AM

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In #7 JCM said: I have lost confidence in the election systems. It no longer represents consent of the governed but those who've learned to manipulate the system.

There needs to be a DOGE-like investigation and purge of the state and local Election Boards.  Every time there's an election, these folks who "have ONE job"---and years between when that job has to ready---come up with mal- or non-functioning voting machines, ballot shortages and misprints, and faulty voter rolls, not to mention multiple votes and votes by people who should not be permitted to cast a ballot.  They've elevated incompetence-at-best, leavened with corruption, into an art form.

Kosh's Shadow 11/7/2025 9:58:30 AM

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There is a Nuremberg movie in theaters now.

Reminds me I think there should be an opera about the Nuremberg trials, using the music from the Jew-hating RIchard Wagner's "Die Meistersingers von Nurmberg" (sp?)

"The Master Racers of Nuremberg" or "The Master Racists of Nuremberg"

But who would want it?

JCM 11/7/2025 10:06:13 AM

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Reply to buzzsawmonkey in 15:

Like DOGE, a little forensic accounting revealed much.

Clean up the election system is pretty straight forward. However there is no political will to do so because everyone in power benefits.

JCM 11/7/2025 10:20:55 AM

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Special forces sent to tanker hijacked by Somali pirates

European Union naval forces have successfully rescued 24 mariners from a Malta-flagged tanker attacked by pirates off the coast of Somalia, an incident that has raised renewed fears about piracy in the region.

I get why they don't just hang a minigun on each bridge wing. Pirate speed boats appear. brrrt brrrt.... problem solved.

buzzsawmonkey 11/7/2025 10:52:53 AM

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"New York, you elected Mamdani?"

"Yes."

"Uganda hell in a handbasket."

JCM 11/7/2025 11:13:15 AM

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What a reporter found when she investigated US military strikes on Venezuelan drug boats

GÜIRIA, Venezuela (AP) — Regina Garcia Cano was the reporter behind The Associated Press story that provided the first comprehensive account and identifies of some of the men killed in recent U.S. military strikes on alleged drug-smuggling boats.

In dozens of interviews in villages on Venezuela’s breathtaking northeastern coast, from which some of the boats departed, residents and relatives told Garcia Cano the dead men had indeed been running drugs but were not narco-terrorists, as alleged by the Trump administration, or leaders of a cartel or gang.

Most of the nine men were crewing such craft for the first or second time, making at least $500 per trip, residents and relatives said. The four dead men included a fisherman, a down-on-his-luck bus driver, a former military cadet and a local crime boss. Others included laborers and a motorcycle driver.

"Comprehensive account"... yeah, like agenda driven piece of propaganda with people pruported to be "family" and approved by the Maduro regime.

Running drugs, you are not an Amazon delivery person... you are a narco-terrorist, you don't have to be a "leader". 

Why are they down on their luck? Chavez followed by Maduro. They decided to take the risk of being part of the drug problem.

What a loathsome piece of propaganda out of the AP.

Occasional Reader 11/7/2025 1:11:02 PM

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Reply to JCM in 18:

not even a mini gun. even one good sniper and spotter team would, in my uninformed opinion, make it near impossible for Somali Pirates to board a container ship. The pirates are bouncing around in a flimsy skiff, trying to board a steel sided castle. Trying to do that under fire? Forget it. 

JCM 11/7/2025 1:58:35 PM

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Reply to Occasional Reader in 21:

You're right... but minigun sets a certain tone. And requires less skill.

Kosh's Shadow 11/7/2025 1:59:54 PM

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In #21 Occasional Reader said: he pirates are bouncing around in a flimsy skiff, trying to board a steel sided castle.

Sounds like a good use for a Molotov coctail. Here, pirates, drink this. Oh, your boat was wooden. Too bad.

Occasional Reader 11/7/2025 4:05:41 PM

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Reply to Kosh's Shadow in 23:

Molotov cocktails have a certain pizza to them, but I think in real life are kind of risky propositions for the user.

Kosh's Shadow 11/7/2025 4:26:32 PM

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In #24 Occasional Reader said: Molotov cocktails have a certain pizza to them, but I think in real life are kind of risky propositions for the user.

Light and drop over the side onto the pirate boat. No actual throwing needed.

Occasional Reader 11/7/2025 5:49:07 PM

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Reply to Occasional Reader in 24:

*pizzaz

Occasional Reader 11/7/2025 5:58:41 PM

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Reply to Kosh's Shadow in 25:

 I don’t know. Watch the boarding scene in “ Captain Phillips” again. I’m just not seeing a Molotov cocktail as being the weapon of choice there.