Saturday Open Thread 4/4/26: Odds and Ends
Good morning, good people!
This short video just may shock and dismay you! Or not.
Due to hospital trips, doctor's appointments, we haven't gone anywhere or done anything in almost a year. Blame this on cancer. But there has been a couple of weeks pause on all things medical crap, and we scored really good tickets to see Jorma Kaukonen and John Hurlbut at Main Street Crossing in Tomball, Texas, a nice venue only an hour and 15 minutes away! Jorma was lead guitarist for Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna. His current thing is acoustic blues, rock and folk. I am hoping to shop for merch!
So, I will be absent early afternoon, might be able to check in late afternoon, then again late in the evening. We will spend the night at a tiny motel, and we will keep you posted on any motel horrors.
What that all means is that you all should feel free to pitch in some comments and info you wish to share.
We did buy groceries and such yesterday. Extra soup with "meat" in it, and I have been replenishing things we use all the time that might break or get lost, that might be hard to replace in the future. Kitchen scissors do break. They are available now. Toe nail clippers. Cheese graters. Spare cheaters glasses. Things like that. I did notice the price of a bottle opener with magnet on the back was $0.98 ten months ago, and was now $1.17. Tariffs, no doubt. China doesn't give a shit, since they know you and I ultimately pay the price.
Well, I am gonna get packed for the overnighter. Not everyone gets to prepare!
Comments
Good morning and Happy Saturday!
Let's see what stupid shit Trump does and if our soldiers get killed for it.
I think something is gonna fly south this weekend.
Whatever you learn about it, PLEASE share!
This is an open thread, and as I always encourage you to do, Let 'er rip!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Iran
Have fun, safe travels! You’ll probably enjoy a more pleasant weekend if you stop looking at what comes out of Trump’s mouth. But you asked us to post what we know, so this is his weekend plans per Zero Hedge:
“ As the long weekend continues, President Trump has issued a statement on his social media feed, reminding Iranian negotiators of his timeline for a deal:
Remember when I gave Iran ten days to MAKE A DEAL or OPEN UP THE HORMUZ STRAIT.
And then the threat:
Time is running out - 48 hours before all Hell will reign down on them.
Glory be to GOD! President DONALD J. TRUMP”
Anya
Good afternoon, Anya!
About the only deal Iran could make for Trump to end this war is to just hand over their country, move all their inhabitants to some place in Africa, and live like it was The Stone Age.
Even if we are a short drive to and from the venue, we don't want to drive at night unless we have no choice. Yesterday, 4 oclock, driving home from the grocery store, we got behind a guy in a pickup who must have been out of his mind drunk. Going up a hill, he straddled the center stripe. He went off the road on both sides of the road. Imagine it had been dark.
Don't you wish people could be as perfect as you and I are, chica!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Interesting how old rockers
go acoustic. Sounds like a fun venue.
Enjoy!
Getting foodstuffs prepared today for a gathering
on Easter, or eater as may be the case. Boston baked beans
and a dam ham are my things.to start today.
Starting to act spring-like here which is great. Much anticipated.
Thanks for posting.
Zionism is a social disease
Good morning, Cap'n!
Your meal sounds great! Must be a thing. Baked beans are on sale at the local grocery store.
The Houston area is gonna get hammered by a storm. With luck, it comes right after we get checked in at the motel, ends just as we head for the concert venue.
Well, all those hard rockers have done much harm to their ear drums, likely can't bear up to the loud electric sounds. Every musician I have known has been hard of hearing.
I read that Hegseth, the super duper Xtian, has mandated the conscientious objection due to religious beliefs is now forbidden as a deterrent to being drafted. I can't make this shit up, Cap'n!
Well, enjoy your holiday with friends and family, friend, and be glad you are beyond draft age!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Good morning...
I hope they get rid of Petey the war mongering Zionist. Insider trading sounds about right.
Y'all enjoy the show and trip!
It is lovely here this AM, but Trade day was very thin. I guess people are busy on Easter weekend.
I'm actually surprised the ground force invasion hasn't started, or perhaps was/is but our aircraft are being shot down. Think that will make Trump back down? I doubt it. Double down Don is digging us all deeper into the hole.
Have a great day, and thanks for the OT!
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
Good morning, LO!
I was surprised no land invasion was reported this morning. That doesn't mean it hasn't started, though. In a just world, we would experience Nuremberg trials and hangings, but justice is no longer what we think it is.
Packing for an overnight stay is so uncomplicated, it gets complicated! The temperature will drop about 25 degrees from the start of the concert to its' end.
Enjoy the holiday, dear friend!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
A thought about Daniel Davis' Deep Dive
At the end, Davis, asks his audience to pray, because the situation he describes does not look good. But to whom? Here's a possible prayer: Oh Baal, please talk to your good friend Donald Trump. He won't listen to anyone else...
https://x.com/DD_Geopolitics/status/2040102390280704467?s=20
"I hang out with losers because it makes me feel better. I hate guys that are very, very successful and you have to listen to their success stories. I like people that like to listen to my success.” -- Donald Trump
Good afternoon, Cass!
Col. Davis doesn't hold back. I think retired military folks are heartbroken at what is coming for the troops.
That song is genius, friend!
I hope your weekend is pleasant and war-free, friend!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Col. Davis
Why couldn’t we have someone as clear-thinking as Davis in charge? What have we done to deserve Trump? I like his straightforward language e.g., Trump is a “lawless bully,” we’re “quadrupling down in failure,” there’s “no operational or strategic value” in our plans, “there’s no good way out,” “nobody on either side should be dying from this.”
At least there’s something amusing in the closed captions of all these videos which I use due to a bit of hearing loss. They really struggle with the Strait of Hormuz. I’ve seen “straight of hormones,” “hor moose,” and in this one “horror moves.”
Anya
Because we do not get to choose.
A sane, rational America would have put Jill Stein in the White House. We don't have that, nor will it be permitted soon. Remember, AMLO had to suffer through a few rigged elections before they permitted him to be President of Mexico.
"I hang out with losers because it makes me feel better. I hate guys that are very, very successful and you have to listen to their success stories. I like people that like to listen to my success.” -- Donald Trump
Good morning otc. Computer has been giving me grief
and then my cell dies. My wife is running assorted errands leaving me to do Farmers' market solo, just unloaded and stashed everything, so now it is off to a local phone repair dude to see if I can get my phone working again. Have some critical apps on it and all my banks and such use it for their "two factor authentication" fetish. Hope you toy can enjoy your time together.
be well and have a good one
That, in its essence, is fascism--ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or by any other controlling private power. -- Franklin D. Roosevelt --
Good afternoon, el!
My cell phone is connected to all kinds of accounts. And people. Recently, the truck battery went dead, and we didn't have our phones with us. Never again! I had to find a neighbor to get us back home.
Well, best of luck getting your computer and phones back on track, friend, and that you will be able to enjoy your weekend!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Don't you hate the two step?
.
This has become a bit more than a plain hassle.
Username, password, verification and registering
the device. How crazy is this? These are not state
secrets. Just want to respond to some prompt.
Enjoy your Saturday.
Zionism is a social disease
So glad to hear
....you two are getting a break OTC! Loved that performance of Watchtower. Enjoy!
We've been tied up basically since early November preparing for and then carrying out our move. It was and still is a very trying experience. As usual, I was on the warpath this am. I thought I would get a break from Kafkaesque digital corporate nightmare world but it was not to be. One of the construction workers damaged an irrigation line just in front of our place, and it was gushing water all morning. There is a drought emergency here, and there are fines for such matters. Took four hours of hollering and bitchin, playing the grouchy old man to get one of these corporate slackers to get off their ass and shut the line off. We've no control over it.
The rest has been internet ministruvia. The physical work of actually moving was easier than the former. (Only hurt myself twice so far. Ms So hurt her back because she works too hard, but I think her sciatica is getting better.) I insisted the closing take place in person. I guess no one else does it, we wouldn't do it online. They didn't like it, treated us rudely, like shit really. Reminded of the time I paid cash for a car after the first flood with the insurance money, and the dealer people treated us like shit because no loan. The notary was telling me about real estate law, etc., like we were ignorant hicks and he was from the big city. Probably a racist. Bunch of ignorant alpha hotels.
We traveled back and forth across the state maybe six times in connection with the move. The experience got more harrowing each time there are so many lunatic drivers. This last round trip was a little over three hundred miles. We saw three multiple car collisions, a two, a three, and a four car. Then a single car that just drove off the shoulder and down a steep embankment into a deep ditch. The traffic jams were unbelievable.
There were various people obviously too old to drive weaving in and out of their lane due to some sort of neuro disability; some people obviously under some substance abuse; people texting while driving; people racing, doing road rage, and we saw one car obviously doing over a hundred mph in a 65 zone, weaving in and out of all three lanes until he passed a police car. The latter went after him of course and got him. It was the beginning of the month so there were a lot of police on the road comparatively speaking usually over the three hundred miles I'll only see 2 or 3 cops.
The most interesting thing was a border patrol car going slow in the left lane in very heavy traffic east of Tampa. Old folks like me go around 70. The go getters go 80-85 typically. The hotshots 90 and up. Going slow in the fast lane is a traffic offense but the border patrol car was doing this intentionally and the cars getting around him showed uncharacteristic caution passing him. I got stuck behind him for almost 10 miles. I think he was up to something but don't know what. Never saw BP on that highway ever before. We had our papers with us, naturally.
When we got our new licenses, everyone stared at Ms. So like they never saw an Asian before. She was the only Asian-American in the government center. So it's a hick town. I know there are large Asian communities in Tampa not too far away as the crow flies, but very far in terms of traffic. The sizable Asian population there is a consequence of the military base there. Car insurance rates went up about sixty percent higher here due to all the lunatics. I'll drop my life insurance to help pay for the increase.
All the military aircraft losses are deeply disturbing to me. The loss of lives on the ground as well, so unnecessary. I checked in over at the new VA. The people over there were so great! They are outstanding in that respect. It was my best experience here so far. They went out of their way to be helpful, and help us with our situation.
己所不欲，勿施于人。
Glad you found a new shelter
Can only imagine the hassles involved.
Times are strange and people are crazy.
Just getting from point A to point B
requires a mountain of patience.
祝你好运 (Good luck)
Zionism is a social disease
Thanks Q!
I should mention that the manager and staff at the apartment complex we moved from two weeks ago were extremely gracious. The manager sent our deposit back to us by overnight FEDEX. The first time that ever happened. Usually they keep it, and make up some bs excuse. They knew what we had been through and were always very considerate. So we did meet good people along the way.
己所不欲，勿施于人。
Good afternoon, soryang!
You are a good example of why moving is ranked as one of life's most stressful events. What a mess! Not sure why in person closing is so old school.
Houston sprawled out in all directions. Every town has developed to the point you feel you have to drive 40 miles to get out of town. It is full of traffic congestion. Tomball was once a very rural town where I used to go to horse shows. Barns and trainers everywhere. I don't know if they still exist. Condos and subdivisions are all I saw.
I am so sorry your wife is made uncomfortable because she is Asian. And the border patrol needs to be brought under control. I would like a return to what we had before Trump. We controlled our borders fairly effectively. What caused this dire need for roaming bp gangs?
Well, this little motel is well maintained, the room is very spacious and comfy. We won't hesitate to book a room here the next time we get concert tickets here. We are so thrilled to be able to see these guys live. Jorma is 85. We may never get another chance.
Anyway, I hope you will find friends in your new community and make it truly your home.
Enjoy your weekend, my friend!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
The congestion really is an issue
Years ago we lived in Pinellas county which wasn't too bad, if you didn't need to drive to Tampa. The beaches and parks were beautiful which made up for any inconvenience which was limited to particular commuter roads.
The last time we went back to the Daytona Beach area, we realized that by comparison, it was certainly a more balanced community. The tradeoff between congestion, convenience, and a relatively quiet suburban community, in a beautiful coastal environment, was really about as good as it gets. There were some pockets of poverty and higher crime levels, but it was relatively easy to stay away from those. We are going to miss that area and the people we knew there a great deal.
Everyone has their challenges, I wish you all the best. Enjoy the show!
己所不欲，勿施于人。
soryang, we just got back from the concert
and I just do not have the words to explain my reaction to it. The musicianship was off the charts. Jorma is 86, not 85. He struggled a bit with the 3 steps to the stage. How in the world did his fingers escape the arthritis that afflicts the rest of us?His voice was strong and did not quaver?
His body language showed he was so intensely immersed in the music. He made one guitar sound like a band.
Anyway, this night is one for the ages for me.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
86!
Wow! I'm really impressed. I saw Jefferson Airplane once live like half a century ago. Remarkable! And he's still got it!
己所不欲，勿施于人。
Well, that is the age his partner
said to answer our question if he was gonna come do a crowd meet and greet. He didn't because he is 86. But the partner got us his autograph. Wiki says 85.
I told John to tell him that practice makes perfect, and that if Jorma keeps at it, he will be a star. He laughed, promised he would give the message to Jorma.
*edited to correct name and spelling
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
This assessment seems to be spot on.
And we struck a nuclear facility
Bushoer was hit, a nuclear incident could e imminent, mass evacuations are ongoing. It was a Russian company, and they have evacuated 198 employees.
Chris Mortenson has an x post for those of you who visit that site. Reuters is reporting it, but I couldn't find it...pay wall and all.
Trump should be removed from office. 25th Am, iirc.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Our Proud Tradition of Mentally-Defective US Presidents
.
The fact is, I don't fear either of those two mentally damaged Presidents as much as I fear the distorted mental landscape of the American People.
I know how to deal with insane Presidents who have serious physical defects in their brains. But I cannot deal with the massively misinformed and ignorant and gullible American voters, who have been lied to and brainwashed for their entire lives. The Democratic Process is a hoax in the US.
If no one over age 50 could voted in the next few elections — I think the voting process could actually pull the nation out of the dangerous and deadly trajectory we are on. Under normal voting demographics, USians should be prepared to ride out the Depression, clinging to the nation, and ride it all the to the bankrupt bottom.
Hey, PR!
Sadly, nobody under the age of 50 knows anything that wasn't fed to them by the internet. Yes, they are pissed, and oldsters with retirements (for now) maybe not so much. But young folks do not know unpropagandized existence.I will say, any Prez that screws around with Social Security will bring out the guns.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
I guess that now we will have to rely on satellite images from
Russia and China to confirm what is happening!
Stakeholders?
They need to have war images screened and approved before they see them? Are we stakeholders? wtf?!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
It is impossible to keep track of the incoherent statements
coming out of the lunatic's mouth.
The rest of the tweet:
He talks about people dying
like it is just to be expected in war. Whether it is our troops or Iranians. He does not value anyone's life except those in his small circle, and he has no problem kicking them out of said circle at his whim. Just ask Bondi.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
A typical reaction of the psychopathic regime as they don't want
there to be any live hostages as it might not play well with the public.
The rest of the tweet:
What kind of pilots
in our air force would accept an order to kill a fellow airman?
Just because Israel does it, it must be ok?
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
I guess this explains the generals getting fired
and the little pissy fit from Hegseth and Company about treasonous kibbitzing by "leftists" on the topic of "illegal orders" being declined.
The purge hits just before the holy war comes out of the closet.
I cried when I wrote this song. Sue me if I play too long.
Hey, fwf!
A theory is floating around that Trump is firing and appointing now because after the midterms, the Dems have to vote and approve of his appointments.
Anyway, everyone in Trump's administration had better be a Zionist or get gone.
What has happened to the US? Did we, the people, agree to this?
I consider Hegseth to be a nut.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
So far I’m not seeing any evidence that would support a belief
that the party of Chuck Schumer, Josh Shapiro, Rahm Emanuel, the Pritzker clan, etc. — is, or would be, any less Zionist in practice than the current administration.
They’d just be more underhanded (or even treasonous — see the case of LBJ and the USS Liberty) and mealy-mouthed about it, and have slicker hasbara.
Equal time: a couple links to the communities and media ecosystems who are among Israel’s strongest backers:
https://jewishinsider.com
https://www.israelnationalnews.com
Standoff weapon draw down
US to Commit High-Grade Weapons Stockpiles to Iran War—Report
Standoff weapon which allows air launched strikes from outside Iran's air defense systems.
己所不欲，勿施于人。
Good grief.
And I thought i might have a nice night of music as an escape from the madness.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Oh my!
To say I dislike
Fetterman is a gross understatement. He was a damn plant. He is an asset.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Hola, otc. I'm very glad to
read that you and JtC were able to see Jorma Kaukonen and friend play live. Of course, I am very familiar with Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna.
Jorma fights arthritis simply by being a guitar picker, and a damned good one! He's always got him fingers in motion. I'm avoiding current events like the plague they are. I skim the "news" sources, and then go to reading more pleasant stuff that might even teach me something. None of this Iran crap nor Maggot Brained's (tRump) antics surprise me. My deal is why haven't the Iranians killed off Netanyaboob and his cast of looneytunes yet? We're space nuts here and following Artemis's mission live on the NASA channel. 
So, you and JtC take good care, and stay safe, amiga! Rec'd!!
Inner and Outer Space: the Final Frontiers.
Hey, obf!
Well, we are not venue averse. The events we attend usually appeal to older crowds. I doubt there were more than a dozen people at the concert under the age of 65. They were quiet and polite.
We had ordered 3 beers, then the concert ended and we paid the bill, tipped the waitress. Well, the line at the merch table was long, so I asked for a beer while I waited. When I offered to pay for it, she said it was on her!
We were shocked at the broad age spectrum for The Gypsy Kings concert. They were loud, standing in front of us, blocking any view of the stage, just completely rude. They all had accents and were likely Romas. Still, the lead singer and founder is old, and more than likely that was the last chance we would be able to see them.
Jorma's tour is his last bus tour. Again, that was likely the only chance we will ever have to see him dazzle the crowd. From what chatter I overheard, there were lots of musicians in the crowd, coming to see the master.
It was good to just escape into the music, chica.
Well, I keep up with current events because I don't like surprises!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981