From Pine View Farm

June, 2024 archive

Courting Disaster 0

More Cannon law.

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QOTD 0

Johnny Carson:

People will pay more to be entertained than educated.

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A Tune for the Times 0

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Left Unsaid 0

Writing at the Las Vegas Sun, Mark Peckham notes a curious omission.

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American Taliban 0

Thom discusses the danger posed by right-wing evangelical they-call-themselves Christians.

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“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” 0

Yet another “responsible gun owner” indulges in a random act of politeness.

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How Stuff Works 0

B. c.:  Who wins the war between the middle class and the poor?  Thor:  The rich.

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The Party of Flaw and Disorder 0

In related news, Republicans announce plans to end the rule of law, at least insofar as it applies to Donald Trump.

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No Place To Hide 0

The EFF explores how some car manufacturers’ are tracking your movements and selling their findings. Needless to say, the EFF thinks oversight is required. Here’s a bit of the article.

Technological advancements in cars have come a long way since General Motors launched OnStar in 1996. From the influx of mobile data facilitating in-car navigation, to the rise of telematics in the 2010s, cars today are more internet-connected than ever. This enables, for example, delivery of emergency warnings, notice of when you need an oil change, and software updates. Recent research predicts that by 2030, more than 95% of new passenger cars will contain some form of internet-connected service and surveillance.

Car manufacturers including General Motors, Kia, Subaru, and Mitsubishi have some form of services or apps that collect, maintain, and distribute your connected car data to insurance companies. Insurance companies spend thousands of dollars purchasing your car data to factor in these “select insights” about your driving behavior. Those insights are then factored into your “risk score,” which can potentially spike your insurance premiums.

Afterthought:

It’s ironic, is it not?

Many persons sweat bullets about government surveillance, which has rules and regulations (and is nowhere nearly so extensive as some would have us believe), then run nekkid through industrial for profit tracking of their day-to-day activities.

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QOTD 0

Stephen Jay Gould:

I’m a profound anti-romantic. Romanticism is dangerous. Romanticism untrammeled by intellect gives rise to fascism after all.

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Foundering Fathers 0

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Sea Change 0

Hose labeled

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“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” 0

According to a preliminary investigation, the (four-year-old–ed.) child found a loaded “ghost gun” — a firearm without a serial number — under a bed during a game of hide-and-seek. In a news release Monday, police said it appears a round was accidentally discharged, striking the child in the arm.

Too many guns.

Too much stupid.

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Guilty! Guilty! Guilty! 0

Seth notes that “it’s amazing when the actual news intrudes on Fox’s talking points.”

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Courting Disaster 0

Cannon law.

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This New Gilded Age, the Snaring Economy Dept. 0

When you run the numbers, it sure begins to look as if the “gig economy” is a rigged economy.

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Behind the Curtain 0

At the Inky, Jenice Armstrong explores explodes four myths that she has heard repeated by Trump’s supporters, myths which she thinks may be eroding support for Biden the crucial voting demographic of black voters.

Here one of them; follow the link for the others (emphasis in the original):

Myth

Trump is a successful businessman.

Reality

Trump certainly gives off the air of being a successful businessman. However, a review of his tax returns by the New York Times found that his businesses take in hundreds of millions annually, yet “rack up chronic losses.” The Times reported that from 1985 to 1994, Trump’s businesses lost more than a billion dollars. When compared with other high-income earners during that period, the Times found that Trump “appears to have lost more money than nearly any other individual American taxpayer.” The former president’s business prowess is an illusion.

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QOTD 0

Sophocles:

To him who is in fear everything rustles.

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A Tune for the Times 0

Mangy notes that “irony is not dead.”

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Trumpled Talking Points 0

Frame One, title:  Trump Felony Convicetion Talking Points from the G. O. P.--an incomplete list.  Frame Two, captioned

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