Diaries

A shot across the bow?

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Do you think Trump knows what he is doing by closing up USAID and dispersing its workforce?
Is USAID something of a Trojan Horse designed to insert operatives into sovereign countries to effect regime change or color revolutions?
Are the infrastructure projects they fund designed to benefit American construction, agricultural, and mining industries?

The Weekly Watch

Groundhog Day, All Over Again!

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Today is mid-winter, halfway between the winter solstice and the vernal equinox. Round we go on the wheel of time. Domestically, the news this week focused on the hearings for Tulsi, RFK, and Kash Patel. All three are targeted by the deep dark state, which makes me pull for all of them. If confirmed will they be able to substantively effect their departments? I'm not holding my breath. Kash seems a sure bet for confirmation. The other two are touch and go, but there's always recess appointments. Globally, Europe is circling the drain as they scream democracy while canceling elections, censoring media outlets, and eliminating undesirable parties...all as businesses and industries go under. The Ukraine proxy war is going well for Russia, and they are in the catbird's seat. BRICS+ is finally getting some attention in the west. And China's new AI programs are causing a stir in the tech world. All that and more below the fold....

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Album of the Week 2-1-25

Afternoon folks!

This week, as usual, we've got some blues, starting off with Chicago blues guitarist Mighty Joe Young, followed by a compilation of (then) younger Chicago blues artists including impressive vocalist Valerie Wellington and slide guitarist Lil' Ed. Following that there's a Funkadelic album, followed by a bunch of blues rock and r&b albums from The Siegel-Schwall Band, Tracy Nelson and The Ikettes. After that is an album from John Prine and some bluegrass from Robin & Linda Williams.

Enjoy the tunes and have a great weekend!

Saturday Open thread - 2/1/25: Odds and Ends

Good morning, good people!

Hope everyone is in fine fettle.

Another hope is no declaration of WWIII this weekend, as we all have errands to run, shopping to do, etc..

The crew is coming to build a back room onto the house. Lots of windows to be able to see birds and deer, away from the hwy with loud tough trucks showing off their special non-existant mufflers, and just to see the back 10 acres of my property. Old oaks, beautiful fields of grass.

When the contractor called to confirm the crew would arrive Monday, we had just listened to a Stevie Ray and Jimmy Vaughan album. The contractor is their first cousin. RIP, Stevie Ray.

Friday Night Photos Feathered Friends Edition

Welcome to Friday Night Photos everyone. Your once a week break from the daily madness of the crazy world we live in. Post any photos, memes, music, or whatever else you find of interest that helps you escape the madness.

After a very dry month with very low humidity we finally got a little rain this week on Sunday and Monday. Little being the key word. .21in. total. It wasn't much but it did help get the wildfires in the county under control. If we're lucky we may get a little more rain early next week. It won't be a lot, probably less than what we got this week, but every little bit helps.

A mix of some of the year round residents and winter visitors at Santee Lakes.

Great Blue Heron
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