Occasional Reader 6/27/2022 6:07:54 AM

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Birx: Yeah, we kinda lied to the American public about the Covid vaxxes; because we were “hoping” stuff, or something:

https://pjmedia.com/news-and-politics/stacey-lennox/2022/06/26/astonishing-testimony-from-dr-birx-lost-amid-landmark-scotus-rulings-n1608251

lucius septimius 6/27/2022 6:49:42 AM

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So more house crap. The buyer called this morning and it looks like he's going to have to pull out of the deal because of ONE FUCKING TREE LIMB. The neighbor (who covets the property and wants to get it cheap) and the city arborist (fuck the Lorax) won't let them trim it enough for there to be a 2 story house on the lot.  That means that the developers won't want it - effectively I can't sell my property except for practically nothing.

I talked to my city council rep. He said this is because of an idiot ordinance (that he opposed) that designated some trees as "specimens." This means the trees have special rights and nothing can be done to/about them.  Even though the limb, were it to break, would crush my house, I can't do anything.  If I cut it myself, the neighbor could sue and the city could cite me.  Because the tree has more rights than I do.  

So basically, I'm screwed.  Because tree.

I hope every goddamned watermelon environmentalist chokes on xer lattes. 

Kosh's Shadow 6/27/2022 7:05:17 AM

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Reply to lucius septimius in 2:

If the property is worth less than thought, insist on a rebate on your property taxes, as they overvalued it. Threaten a lawsuit if they don't refund the excess taxes.

Watch them find a way to trim the tree instead.

JCM 6/27/2022 7:10:17 AM

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Reply to lucius septimius in 2:

Ask the arborist if the limb is a hazard, many place their are exception for hazards.

JCM 6/27/2022 7:11:56 AM

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buzzsawmonkey 6/27/2022 7:13:57 AM

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Reply to lucius septimius in 2:

Excellent suggestions by Kosh and JCM.  Meanwhile, your situation gives new meaning to the phrase, "Out on a limb."

vxbush 6/27/2022 7:51:15 AM

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In #6 buzzsawmonkey said: Excellent suggestions by Kosh and JCM.  Meanwhile, your situation gives new meaning to the phrase, "Out on a limb."

Ouch. Not sure that helps much to know you are literally (just for you, OR) experiencing the joys of an idiom. 

Kosh's Shadow 6/27/2022 8:05:38 AM

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On our neighbor's tree with a lot of hollow areas that are full of squirrels, it looks like only some of the branches had to come down, not the whole tree, as the tree people took down some branches and left.

Or maybe the squirrels successfully fought the eviction///////

buzzsawmonkey 6/27/2022 8:08:37 AM

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Occasional Reader 6/27/2022 8:09:10 AM

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In #5 JCM said: 90°F yesterday, 90°F today and tomorrow. Even discounted 3-5°F for the official weather station sitting between two runways it's rather toasting for the Pacific Northwet.

Meanwhile, it's quite pleasant here in DC, for this time of year; upper 70s.  It just goes to show you; it's always something.  If it isn't one thing, it's another... 

Occasional Reader 6/27/2022 8:43:14 AM

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In #2 lucius septimius said: Even though the limb, were it to break, would crush my house,

I would think that's your angle, right there.  I also like Kosh's suggestion. 

Occasional Reader 6/27/2022 8:48:31 AM

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lucius septimius 6/27/2022 9:05:57 AM

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In #4 JCM said: Ask the arborist if the limb is a hazard, many place their are exception for hazards.

They're claiming it isn't at the moment - in any event the tree's health takes precedent over anything else. And since it is on a neighbor's property and a "specimen" tree, I have no rights. If it did fall on my house then I could sue the neighbor for failing in due diligence, but that's about it.

In #3 Kosh's Shadow said: If the property is worth less than thought, insist on a rebate on your property taxes, as they overvalued it. Threaten a lawsuit if they don't refund the excess taxes.

If anything it's undervalued on the taxes by about 20 percent, so ...

buzzsawmonkey 6/27/2022 9:40:46 AM

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Reply to lucius septimius in 13:

This is where you want to induce some of the local vandals to hit the tree on the neighbor's side; once it's been damaged there---and, of course, you could not possibly be responsible for damage done on the neighbor's side---why then the special status of the tree could be voided, and the offending limb on your side could be removed.

JCM 6/27/2022 9:42:07 AM

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And another one!

Justices side with high school football coach who prayed on the field with students

@PBJ3 6/27/2022 9:58:26 AM

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doppelganglander 6/27/2022 10:18:26 AM

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Reply to buzzsawmonkey in 14:

It won't help immediately, but I would absolutely destroy the tree. I would just be sure the neighbor doesn't have a security camera on it.

buzzsawmonkey 6/27/2022 10:32:06 AM

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In #17 doppelganglander said: I would absolutely destroy the tree.

Release the beaver horde!

Kosh's Shadow 6/27/2022 10:40:29 AM

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A device that used to be ubiquitous with scientists and engineers is 400 years old this year.

I still have at least 4 of them and every so often go back and use them to make sure I haven't forgotten how.

doppelganglander 6/27/2022 10:43:17 AM

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Reply to buzzsawmonkey in 18:

In 2010, a Bama fan killed a grove of oak trees that were practically sacred to Auburn fans using a product called Spike 80DF. It would be a shame if someone dug into the roots on his property and spilled a gallon, wouldn't it? 

buzzsawmonkey 6/27/2022 10:44:35 AM

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Reply to Kosh's Shadow in 19:

++++++++++++++++++++++

My father had several.  I may have one kicking around somewhere, but I never learned to competently use one.  

He and his colleagues produced the atom bomb---and Dad, the hydrogen bomb---on the slide rule.  The astronauts went to the Moon on the slide rule.  What a fantastic tool; it deserves a statue in its honor.

buzzsawmonkey 6/27/2022 10:46:32 AM

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Reply to doppelganglander in 20:

Look, I love old oak trees, and hate the idea of seeing them damaged.  On the other hand, I also love ol' Lucius, and hate the idea of seeing him damaged because of some idiot ordinance.

Kosh's Shadow 6/27/2022 10:47:00 AM

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Reply to Kosh's Shadow in 19:

I still have at least 4 of them and every so often go back and use them to make sure I haven't forgotten how. This includes a circular one I used in high school, and a Pickett aluminum one in college. But calculators came out late in my time in high school; couldn't afford a $400 HP-35 but got a $150 SR-50 later.

Occasional Reader 6/27/2022 11:04:23 AM

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Occasional Reader 6/27/2022 11:06:20 AM

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In #19 Kosh's Shadow said: is 400 years old this year.

It was stolen, of course, from ancient Africans.  

doppelganglander 6/27/2022 1:09:41 PM

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Reply to buzzsawmonkey in 22:

That's just it. Most environmental ordinances and laws violate property rights. Who has the time or money to demand their rights? I hope the tree falls on the neighbor's house.

Occasional Reader 6/27/2022 1:25:15 PM

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In #14 buzzsawmonkey said: This is where you want to induce some of the local vandals to hit the tree on the neighbor's side

Dirty trees!

DONE DIRT CHEAP... 

Kosh's Shadow 6/27/2022 2:25:00 PM

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The squirrel tree

JCM 6/27/2022 2:34:45 PM

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Reply to Kosh's Shadow in 28:

Climb as high as you can.

Install a lightning rod.

Wait for the next thunderstorm.

Alice in Dairyland 6/27/2022 3:38:19 PM

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