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Diaries

Saturday Open Thread - 3/7/26: Odds and Ends

Good morning, good people! I sincerely hope this morning finds you all safe, sound, and in fine fettle.

"We are in for a ride!" is the theme of my next two topics.

First, I took a 30 free continuing legal education course between client interviews on Thursday. It was about an aspect of law greatly changed by AI. These presentation are typically cringe worthy, but this one changed my customary views of travel drastically. I will point out the laws apply to Texas, but several aspect apply to the US.

Lyft and Uber. Who hasn't hired one? Ok. Uber is the Big Boy, but Lyft is identical except smaller. They operate Identically, they are the monopoly. They sent lobbyists to Austin, wrote some legislation, got it passed, campaign funds grew. Background checks on drivers are not conducted now. Fingerprints are not required of drivers now. Thousands of Texas men and women have been raped or victims of lesser sexual assaults by drivers. Prosecute, fine. Sue ? Forget it. The monopoly(s) are network transportation providers only. Their drivers are contract laborers. No point in suing them. Whereas they began as a cheaper choice than government regulated taxi services, taxis no longer exist, the the monopoly prices are now much higher that taxis ever were.

Friday Night Photos Surreal Art Edition

Happy Friday everyone. Welcome to Friday Night Photos your once a week escape from the day to day insanity of the world we live in. Post any photos, memes, music or whatever else you find of interest that helps tune out the madness.

February is half off admission month at many museums and other attractions in San Diego county. Last Friday I took advantage and went to the San Diego Museum of Art. I love surrealism so was happy to see the museum was featuring the art work of Mexican artist Alfredo Castañeda.
https://www.sdmart.org/exhibition/alfredo-castaneda-beyond-surrealism/

Hushed Music (2003)
001NZ9_1991_11100.1

Open Thread - 3-5-2026 - Beginning of a Long Winter

Morning,

A feeling of Déjà vu hit me this evening. 2020 the first feedback from the government was everything is fine, under control, just trust the experts. Oh we need to make a few restrictions, slight inconveniences for a few days, then a few week, eventually 3 years and some changes still in place.

Open Thread - Thurs 05 Mar 2026 - A Few Snippets and Some Music

A Few Snippets and Some Music

It’s just a few days past the first year anniversary of my father’s death. So I’m kinda sad and out of it. And then there’s all the crap Trump and his gang of a&&holes are doing towards WWIII. Good distraction from the Epstein stuff, right?

Ron Placone wrote a bit about this:

So, not only is WWIII a possibility, but now would probably be the easiest time, at least in all of the moments I’ve occupied this earth, for them to get away with such a thing. I just don’t see the country that can’t even have unanimous agreement that pedophilia is bad, and as of the writing of this has made zero arrests via the Epstein Files, somehow unite to stop a war.

Speaking of the Epstein Files, keep speaking of the Epstein Files, because that’s what they’re trying to distract you from.

Stuff is still happening with respect to the Epstein files, it’s just that so many have turned away from learning, reporting, thinking about them. But still… Really American notes that ‘Republicans Joined Democrats to Subpeona Pam Bondi in the Epstein Case’ . So there’s that, at least.

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