Jul 312026
 

Yesterday, I ranted about what the Do”J” is doing trying to convict Comey. Today, I learned Glenn Kirschner is even more pissed than I am. (He described the credibility of an anonymous witness mentioned in the prsecution documents as “lower than whale shit.” I might just add, inmy own experience between 50 and 60 years ago – we did use the tern “86.” It meant to “throw out” as one would a useless piece of paper into a wastebasket. That’s all.

Well, this is interesting (referred by Dose of Democracy). It does go along with his support of Native Americans, which has been consistent and pretty much passionate – and which is the reason I’ve been saying “If we must have one far-right justice on the Court, let it be Gorsuch.”

Apparently ProPublica has learned that there is something else that AI is food for – it can find bugs in software faster than Microsoft can fix them.

The Conversation addresses a case in the Texas court system which could change our national definition of the word “terrorism.” I’m not comfortable with it – the possible change reminds me of the McCarthy era -which resulted in entire generations thinking they know what “communism” is – and being wrong.

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Jul 292026
 

I have come to the conclusion that there is nothing I can do witr Paint software (and probably any other non-Wordpress or non-Bluehost software) to keep the inages from overflowing, even if I reduced them to 100 pixels (roughly the size of a postage stamp.) Instead, I don’t even know whether I need to make them 800 pixels or smaller,ut I do, then put them into the draft, preview it and watch them spred out beyond reason, then go into our library and scale them there. After which, I need to “refresh” the draft and preview again and see them fill (but not overflow) the space. At least it appears to work. Please, anyone and everyone, let me know it it’s not working for you.

This is Dropsite News from Saturday. It came only to the old email. I didn’t delete it but also didn’t read it then. Monday I read it and decided that in a time when I know there are many in the US feeling like nothing they can do makes a difference, we needed to see it. Though it would not work with every insult, I admired the power of embracing the opponent’s insult.

This is what VoteVets thinks of our “strategy” in the Middle East. Yeah. A second thing the Mango Moron and Kegsbreath have in common (besides both being playground bullies in adult bodies) is thet neither can read the room – or in this case the Theater – with the reuly that they are completely unable to construct – or even imagine – an actual strategy ( or even to recognize one when they see it. And Iran clearly has one. Or more.) Veterans with combat experience, particularly in the Middle East and pretty much regardless of rank, are all saying the same things about this war – just with different framing.

IANAL, but I think I can safely say Jim Jordan is out of his ever-hating mind if he thinks he has a case here. Of course, heANAL either – Harry Litman makes that painfully obvious.

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Jul 262026
 

Yesterday, the radio opera was La Nozze de Figaro – usually translated as “The Marriage of Figaro” – but I think it should be “The Wedding of Figaro.” There is a difference. But after 240 years – and with the original French play using “Le mariage…”, I guess we’re stuck with it. It does always take me back to when Virgil and I got married – by a JP with no one but him and us present – a friend was asking me beforehand about our plans, and when I told her, she said, “Oh, I get it – you don’t want a wedding, you want a marriage.” I couldn’t have put it better. My parents did the same thing, and if my father hadn’t died so young, I’m confident their marriage would have lasted at least as long as ours. Off to see Virgil now. Will check in upon return

66 billion is one heck of a lot of trees. And what we might br ablr to learn from them could be amazing.

I have never thought that rodeos had any positive aspecta. Well, I stand corrected. (or to be accurate, sit corrected.)

I certainly found this one heartwarming. (and it is on loop – though it’s long for ABC – it’s not repetetive. I’m in awe of the work that was required to put it together.

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Jul 242026
 

Yesterday, I didn’t get any knitting done – instead, I was untangling a ball of yarn I want to use for cuffs. Measuring it into two equal lengths is not difficult. but it does involve making tangkes along the way and then having to undo them, and this yarn was tangled before I started, and that had to be untangled first. I felt as if I were playing fast and loose – and losing. (“fast and loose” has nothing to do with speed – it was a grifting “hand is quicker than the eye” game similar to “which cup is the coin under,” played with a long belt which the grifter apparenly tangled up and challenged the mark to find the spot where a pull would un-knot the whole thing – make it loose. The mark almost invariably picked a spot where pulling would hold it fast, and lose his/her money.) Virgil didn’t call before curfew – but I’ll be seeing him on Sunday anyway

Referred by Daily Dose of Democracy. Just in case you missed it. It’s too good to miss.

This from The Conversation is not the least bit humorous. But some of the realities in it could lead to chuckles zt the potential consequences of new US military policy. This is not a good thing.

Archived from the New York Times, referred by VoteVets. The nest time you run into a MAGAt veteran, on social media, in person, or however, don’t forget that there are also large numbers of veterans like Thomas Gibbons-Neff – even though many don’t have whatever it takes to apologize in person.

In case you want to read her whole article which this is from, here it is.

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Jul 232026
 

Yesterday, I did some knitting. I didn’t accompplish much, but I did manage to clean up some glaring issues on the piece I’ve been working on, so from now on it should be smooth sailing. Today is Virgil’s birthday. He’s 83. I hope he calls – because I can’t call him – and while I could send a wish through the limited email system, he wouldn’t receive it, because instead of printing them as they used to do, they now go to the inmates’ tablets, and he has no idea how to access them. (This is nothing new. When he decided to finishis BA in Alamosa, he had to take a very basic computer course. He passed, with the lowest possible passing grade, and quite possibly only because I knitted a Dr; Who scarf for the instructor. Neither he nor I are even boomers – we’re in the Silent Generation.)

This analysis from the Brennan Center may or may not tell you anything you do not know – but it may give you some hard facts and resources for refutation.

Also notsurprising – but also not something to write off. (Dirty tricks never are.)

Archived from The Tennessean, referred by ActionNetwork.org. It’s easy to see how execution negativelt affects those executed and their families. But those who must take part in the execution are also affected.

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Jul 202026
 

Wednesday, after watching I Puritani, I ordered a DVD of Lorin Maazel’s opera “1984,” which arrived Saturday. Maazel was best known as a conductor, but he alo played the violin and composed.  He (and/or his stage manager and director) was certainly able to pull together a stellar cast – Simon Keenlyside, Richard Margison, Diana Damrau, Lawrence Brownlee, and more. Jeremy Irons (in absentia – he taped it) was the voice on the telescreen. The only less familiar name there is Richard Margison -I’m aware of him because he is agenuine heldentenor who doesn’t look terribly heroic – which makes him perfect for O’Brien. (He’d also be a stunning Peter Grimes, though I can’t find a record of his having sung it.) He’s better known in Canada, his home country, than here. It’s on two DVDs, so I may not watch both in the same day. We’ll see.

I have to throw in that someone referred yo Mitch McConnel as “Schrödinger’s Senator.”

I have a question for y’all. I’m catching up on pet video so I may have a couple of months worth again. As you know, many rescues are of abandoned animals, one I just picked up is if an animal who was “abandoned” because ICE deported his family. Should I put a hanky alert on it (and on similar ones)?

Well, this is close to home for me. There used to be a theory – or a superstition – that events come in threes. I hope that works for this. We could all use a little break. I also hope this victim recovers fully. “Lower body” is pretty vague – and I’m visualizing things lik a broken hip, a broken pelvis, even a broken femur.

I envy anyone who has time or energy for hiking in the woods, or even dealing with a yard. But you may know and care about someone who does. And precaution are always easier than remedies.

Archived from The Guardian. When I read the allegation, I thought, “Oh, he probably donated money to help the starving in Gaza.” Bingo.

Could not size it to fit without blurring.  So here’s the link

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Jul 172026
 

Yesterday, Kegsbreath announced that all military personnel would be required to take testosterone level tests, and, if indicated, to get testosterone therapy. If this is not the definition of “toxic masculinity,” I don’t know what would be. (And, as I have often said, saying “toxic masculinity” no more implies that all masculinity is toxic than saying “counterfeit money” implies that all money is counterfeit.

I have no idea what this is all about – but it certainly seems to be odoriferous, not in a friendly way.

I trust no one is surprised by this. Evil people are evil.

I don’t expect anyone to be surprised by this either. I think y’all are paying enough attention that you probably predicted it.

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Jul 152026
 

Monday, another killing by ICE. More on it and last week’s tomorrow. Also on Monday, Lindsey Graham’s sister was appointed to finish out his term. I don’t think I’ll hold my breath waiting for another Margaret Chase Smith. I expect to remain fully behind Dr. Annie Andrews. And yesterday – while I often use my new day up for catching up on personl stuff – I managed to strem I Puritani from the Met. It only became available on Sunday, and it will only be available until the 29th, so I knew I had to find time or miss it. I’m so glad I didn’t miss it! Yes, I had heard it on the raio when it was live.  But there’s nothing like seeing it.

https://thefuckingnews.substack.com/p/lindsey-graham-noted-country-ruiner
Andy Borowitz’s take on this is amusing, but I think Jonathan Larsen is more level headed. Graham was only 71. I’m in spitting distance of 81, and I think I look younger than he did (although he could move better.) Robert Reich is kinder than either of the others.
https://robertreich.substack.com/p/lindsey-graham-rip

https://steveschmidt.substack.com/p/the-greatest-roosevelt-youve-never
Steve Schmidt knows what he wants to say, and he generally says it well. In this article, he wants to compare and contrast (but mostly contrast) two sets of brothers whose families have something out unusual in common.

https://www.muellershewrote.com/p/breaking-exclusive-fbi-admits-it
For anyone deeply invested, intellectually or emotionally, in the Epstein files, here is this. I hve not watched it as I type, but also have not deleted it, and may well watch it before you see this post. The woman in the screenshot is not Allison – Allison is blonde and has tattoos on both shoulders and both upper arms. She has filed a civil lawsuit against the DOJ on the release (failure to release) the Epstein files, citing professional harm as an independent journalist, and has the go-ahead from a district court that she has standing to sue, so she has a lawyer – apparently a good one. And – od course – there’s a transcript.

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