Saturday Open Thread - 8/1/26: Odds and Ends
Good morning, good people! I hope this OT finds you ll in fine fettle!
This winding down of my legal practice to some sort of limited document producing practice has been interesting.
For example, I am taking on no new clients. That means, I do not attempt to appear in professional clothing. Which means, I wear flip flops, jeans, and tee shirts. Which means, I am wearing tee shirts I have purchased all over the world.
Now, why would I wear a tee that says, "I love Dubai"? Because I walked around a fancy hotel there, beer in one hand, cigarette in the other, amongst Muslim men. I was shocked at how many of them asked to bum a cig.
Brazil, S. Africa, Guatemla, Paris, and on and on. But the one I wore to work gave me pause as I walked out the door. The one from Italy, featuring a drawing with "leonardo" above the tee shirt's perfect redendition of a deVinci drawing. I asked JtC if he thought the full frontal nudity of the male might get me arrested. He said to avoid red necks who might think it was a drawing of Leonardo di Caprio.
I didn't get arrested, and every tee shirt has the potential of starting up an interesting chat with a stranger.
I once considered the world within my easy reach. Now, I don't think I could get through the airport in Houston without a search of my cell phone and lap top.
At least I saw 76, maybe 78 countries, got their people's point of view, before mine might get me charged with some crime.
I will just have to road trips.
Well, it is hot as hell here, and yet not as hot as usual. I hope all of you are getting ready for August heat.
And, careful about your well meaning tee shirts!
Since this is an Open Thread, open to any news, opinion f any subject, it is your opportunity to share whatever is on your mind, or what is on your plate, friends!
I look forward to your comments.
We ALL look forward to each other's comments!
Comments
Good morning, good people!
At this juncture, I must remind you, or encourage you, to
Let 'er rip!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Good morning...
Travel is enriching on many levels. Since the world is so volatile, we're keeping our travel to domestic trips within a few hundred miles of home. With the scarcity of aviation fuel, I look for airfare to become very expensive.
Rain due soon, and trade day was thin. None the less got some nice organic blueberries. We've eaten our meager crop.
Hope everyone has a great weekend. Stay cool, and thanks for the OT!
“Until justice rolls down like water and righteousness like a mighty stream.”
Good morning, LO!
Well, would I go back to Romania, spend some time traipsing around Vlad's castle, just about the time Russia bombed it? Or Spain, in time for Israel to arrange for another 60k immigrant dump? Or London, just in time to get the feel of a knife blade in my throat? I was in the planning stages for a trip to Cuba in 2019. Now?
Not to mention, many countries only transact in digital currency. That makes carrying a phone a necessity. That would be the time when my search history might show I read a lot about Israel's genocide, among other "crimes" I commit unintentionally.
Oh, well, I don't miss getting that feel up from some TSA dude.
August is starting off with a pleasant little rain and mild heat.
Enjoy your blueberries, friend!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Hey OtC, wear your flavored tees with pride
.
some do it with tats which are not as easily interchangeable.
A few items crossed the radar this AM of interest , at least to me.
1) China warns US over blockades to Cuba. Uh-oh.
https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202607/06/WS6a4b7332a310986e2b463c03.html
2) Trump sanctions Cuban Doctors. Again. What's up with that?
Are communist doctors a national security threat?
https://www.thedailystar.net/news/world/news/us-sanctions-target-cuban-i...
3) Trump cuts benefits affecting 21 million seniors. Not a very wise move. In an election year no less.
https://www.ms.now/opinion/trump-medicare-part-d-prescription-drugs
A decently warm day here. Drying-out after 3 days of rain. Sunshine and gentle breezes.
Thanks for the OT!
Zionism is a social disease
Good morning, Cap'n!
I wonder how far China would go to give protection to Cuba. And, everyone knows Cuban drs. are forced laborers, amirite?
And, of course, communism is Cuba's sole reason for economic failure, and has nothing to do with 60 years of US economic brutality toward the country. Cuba is the perfect example of how ruinous communism is, right?
I read an article about cutting the Part D subsidies this morning. Every old voter who is on daily prescription meds will vote their pocketbook. What does RFK, Jr., have to say about this?
Well, friend, stay high and dry!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Quite sure RFK Jr.
.
Was not consulted on this decree.
The fed has screwed around with
prescription meds forever. End the
subsidies. That's the ticket. Save money
and kill people. The govt. role.
Zionism is a social disease
Hola chica from steamy ECFL.
88 here, steamy with high humidity, and t-storms predicted. It can rain until its little heart's content cos it means NO brushfires!! I love that Ricky Nelson tune. I remember when it came out.
It was close to 2 of my faves at that time.
and
My parents weren't musicians, but they were fans. So, there was always something playing somewhere in the house. I am so glad cos music has gotten me through some very turbulent times. Boy, you have been one world traveler! I just did So. England, So. Germany and Austria (Alps), and Costa Rica. What fascinates people is I did a lot of miles sitting on the back of a large cruising motorcycle. Because one has to pack extremely light to use said vehicle, I collected a boatland of t-shirts as souvenirs. I was also gifted a few by friends and loved ones. In fact, I'm wearing one from Costa Rica as I type this.
That is one gorgeous country! My official retirement garb is loose shorts, loose pants, and lots of t-shirts. Anywho, this text is getting a bit long so I'm closing it. You and JtC attempt to stay outta trouble, ya hear?! 
Rec'd!!
Inner and Outer Space: the Final Frontiers.
Good morning, Obf!
Smokey the Bear was wrong about us being the only fire prevention. He totally omits rain. Which begs the question, why do we not use our existing technology to cause rain to put out wildfires? Is there some restriction that it can only be used on enemies as a battle tactic? I admittedly have not read the fine print on the patent.
I will never forget the 2 teens next door to my g'parents getting all dressed up to go see Ricky perform in Houston. I loved him!
Many people thought he was better than Elvis.
Mom sang, Dad played steel guitar. We had music roaring all the time. We watched all tv shows that featured music. We made a monthly tip to shop at the record store. When we bought vehicles, a god radio was a must have, while a/c was not. Priorities, doncha know
Those 2 songs bring back many fun memories, chica!
Enjoy your stormy weather!
We will attempt to behave today, although there is no guarantee.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
My funny Costa Rica
memory: We toured several national parks known for there abundant wildlife. We did not see a single animal or even a bird at any of them. It was so bad, when the guide saw a huge ant bed in a stump, she gave the group a short lecture on the ants.
I had told her my goal was to spot a sloth. On the last day at an outdoor picnic, she saw one, and excitedly grabbed me to go look at it.
I have recommended Imperial Beer to all my acquaintances who travel there.
The only motorcycle touring experience I have is getting into the side car while the local guide, a German chef ex-pat living in China, drove me out of Bejing, to a remote spot of The Great Wall of China for a gourmet picnic lunch and a lecture about the Wall.
Rode a horse on safaris in S. Africa, an elephant in Thailand, a camel in Jordan.
You and I just might be kinda crazy, ya think?
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
@on the cusp Well, the two of us
Well, the two of us being somewhat crazy
has helped us survive. My friends don't think I'm crazy; they compliment me by calling me a free thinker. LOL. Cuidate chica!
Inner and Outer Space: the Final Frontiers.
My friends typically say,
"OtC goes first!"We survived, didn't we? I am still trying to figure out what I will do and what I will be when I grow up.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
No doubt
.
you are destined to be what you already are
plus more!
Zionism is a social disease
That means
more free time, more mischief! Lol!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Good morning otc, thanks for the OT. I have difficulty
believing that you wore that t-shirt in public. What about the children? What about gen z? All those impressionable youths will now think that one or more of the x-men does porn. Shame on you. That's not to even mention those who will think they saw a de-shelled ninja-turtle.
Don't have many foreign t-shirts, but I do have one from YoYodyne, A Growing Excited Company, with corporate logo on front and a quote from one of their executives on the back:
Time to get down to farmers' market.
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!
I know, I know...I could have faced criminal charges for exposing young folks to art, science, history, and culture. I'm bad. I won't do it again. Ever. Pinky swear.
Your tee shirt is certainly a conversation starter, something along the line of wtf, dude? Lol!
Dear One is grocery shopping, and I am thinking deep thoughts bout how I will enjoy watching him grill the steaks this evening. So relaxing ... for me.
I can't name a person in their 40s or younger that can calculate interest, or calculate percentages. Or something like this: child support is based upon a percentage annual take home pay. It is payable once a month. The payee gets paid every 2 weeks. Voluntary retirement deductions are not deducted from the salary. Health care premiums are deducted. Without locating the child support calculations data provided by the Attorney General's Child Support division, all young folks would die from heart attacks if they had to do their own math.
Or, they understand selling property and splitting the costs equally, 50/50, but lose it if it is a 55/45 split. They did earn their bachelor's in "Social Interaction".
I will do my best not to expose 49 yr old children to my tee shirt.
I hope your shopping trip was good, friend!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Hehwtf indeed, As we say here at yoyodyne
Interest is easy enough, (1+i)n, but sinking funds are a PITA, much easier to cheat.
Otoh, I have this small drawer in which I have dumped all those bits of foreign currency and coin that it simply wasn't worth the trouble to go exchange. I would hate to have to try to compute its value, but I can proudly claim to own some actual swiss francs. However, regardless of their fluctuations is relative "value" or purchasing power, the Euro coin weighs exactly 7.5 dollar bills.
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 --
That reminds me...
I should go to the airport in Houston and exchange my foreign currency into Almighty Dollars. Or mail it, if I can't find or afford gas.
I gag when locals, many of whom have worked in the oil patch, say that we have net export oil, so what's going on in that Strait won't affect us. Well, if Exxon can sell to a foreign country at $20 per gallon, what would Exxon's incentive be to sell it to OtC and el at $4 per gallon? Didn't the oil field hands notice price had already jumped and still hasn't returned to where it was in January 2026?
Can't wait for the future to kick in!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Why was Spain invaded by Africa?
.
And how does AI 'breakout' and compromise other systems?
Don't the rulers think of these things? Too many questions.
Zionism is a social disease
According to Google AI,
, which is kind of news to me. I had always learned that it was just part of the "moorish expansion" across north africa which made it sound like population pressure.
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 --
The recent invasion
of fit, military age men just might have been encouraged by Mossad as payback for Spain's President condemning this genocide going on in Gaza. Just a ct, of course.
The AI breakout has lent itself to similar cts.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
A bit of good news for Mr. Hearne
The Olypian had his felony vandalism charge dropped, finding by the DOJ that the Reflecting pool vandalism was actually crappy installation, done by Trump's pal under a no bid contract.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/doj-dismiss-david-hearn-reflecting-pool-van...
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
That seems to be the way
.
trumpet blames his f*ck-ups on others.
Unable to accept responsibility.
Zionism is a social disease
This was a particularly nutty
deflection, since the installation defects were obvious to even casual tourists. Mr. Hearne paid a lawyer a lot of money for this 1 yr long prosecution. Trump is furious with atty Pirro for dropping the charges.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Maybe it might be more accurate if it said after consulting
with Bibi.
Good afternoon, humphrey!
I am not finding much news about the hard hitting attack we are doing on Iran. Let us know if you find a good source, friend.
I see that Moon of Alabama hasn't posted an Iran open threat today. I will check the comments shortly.
My money is on Bibi and Trump having the same stock broker! Lol!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
With the MSM securely in their pocket it is becoming more
difficult to find accurate information. Facebook and X are impacting the distribution of ongoing events.
Everything is secret
except the US is winning.
It is obvious military casualties are being "cloaked".
I just read a claim that CBS is Israeli owned. In fact, I have read that a few days ago some where.
The only exposure I have to MSM is if it is on the screen at some restaurant or some waiting room.
Apparently Iran has said they are prepared to take out infrastructure in several Gulf states if their critical infrastructure is hit.
Adm. Caine has stated publicly that we do not have the capacity to hit military installations, so that pretty much tells the story on why we are killing so many Iranian families. Family houses and schools and hospitals are our targets.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
As far as CBS is conerned it is common knowlege that it
controlled owned by the Ellisons who are big supporters of Trump and Israel.
Excerpt from wikipedia:
I had some T shirt ideas
Based on tattoos I had seen while working at the pub. Then you could change your designs if they no longer appealed to you. I never got desperate enough to try it, I should have.
I just came back from an errand and I saw some biker looking guy with his partner. He was wearing a Blackwater tee with the big skull and flames a couple of firearm images, and a logo that said something like, "we kill people." How nice.
I used to copy old sketches and statues by Leon and Michael. I never did copy the genitalia because I wanted to bring the sketches to the art class in hs. I had a friend once who used that expression doncha know.
This is kinda a nice song. The story of my later working life, except the idea of driving around in a Winnebago somehow no longer appealed to me after 750 thousand miles. Same goes for cruises, and airline flights. Smokey would search for me in the truck stop parking lot when I got back. Ms. So wouldn't even have to look, she'd just follow his lead.
How to win friends and influence people-
Thanx for the Odds n Ends OtC!
己所不欲，勿施于人。
Good evening, soryang!
So, you could sketch without a full reveal? Lol!
Tee shirt design would have been a blast and I wish you had done it.
I had a client years ago that worked for Blackwater. He bragged about their expertise and how glad he was to be in their ranks, although he could not give me details about where he had been or what he did, beyond middle East. Suffice it to say, he was a sadistic weirdo, and his wife gave him absolutely no argument and signed their divorce decree and hauled ass out of Texas.
I loved the song! And like you, after that career, driving around in a Winnebago or pulling a camper would have not been an 18 roses sort of retirement celebration.
I don't understand how little the rest of the globe is saying anything critical of our fake Caribbean drug boat attacks. No drugs are ever recovered, and if they were, they went straight to the CIA, the world's biggest international drug trafficker. We should be held fully accountable for these crimes.
I toured Ecuador twice, actually thought at one time about becoming an ex-pat to a city there. At the time, they offered free birth to death health care, free higher education, free housing for the elderly and disabled. The tour guide actually bitched about these left-wing policies, that it killed incentive to work hard and get rich because the rich were heavily taxed. I wonder how he likes this right-wing dictatorship. Medical costs and housing cost more than taxes, but you just can't handle those trughs if you hate Bolivarian government structure.
Interesting times, friend!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
I used to follow
the Gary Web story, I read one of Mike Levine's books with DEA stories from Latin America, and Michael Ruppert narcotics conspiracy stories, etc. So the drift of this story in Ecuador is that not only were civilian fishing boats attacked, civilians killed etc., but the survivors were kidnapped and tortured. It's alleged the perps were US active duty personnel. So the cover here is "we're trying to stop the drug trade," by attacking these boats, while at the same time, supporting a drug trafficker in power.
Maduro is taken prisoner after an invasion by the US military because he's allegedly supporting drug traffickers. Yet we put drug traffickers in power in other countries and carry out these murder at sea operations to pretend we're trying to stop it. Reminds me of the circumlocutions with terrorists in the middle east. It's like a night club magic act.
Orankkae loves tough guy talk, loves to say things like "locked and loaded." It has a special appeal to his audience, he thinks. The idea of war as MMA promotion.
Stayed in Ceuta briefly a long time ago. Le Maroc will do anything the US says. Want a highway named after you? No problem. What do you want us to do next?
己所不欲，勿施于人。
This video is approx. 9 hrs old.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Trump has an insatiable appetite for lining his pockets as it
controls his behavior.
If you were an investor,
it would be cost effective. Hell, if Trump can make billions, why can't I? $100k is small potatoes for all the insider trader info.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
About the Morocco-Spain Criss
https://www.rt.com/news/643727-spain-ceuta-crisis-explainer/
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 --
Trump is referring to Cuenta
as a Moroccan territory governed by Spain. Hmmm...
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Yes, its a small colonial outpost that Spain has held for
over a century but Morocco believes to properly belong to it.
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 --
Then back to Gulf of Mexico,
return Texas to Mexico, unless they don't want that fight again, and just say, Republic of Texas.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Heh,, the Ceuta thing is vastly weirder. The Moors conquered
Spain and Portugal back in 711 to 713 or so, Various smaller Spanish monachies, Castile, Leon, Aragn, Navarre slowly took it back, Meanwhile the king of Leon gave what was to become Portugal to a French Kniggit as a land grant in reward for services. Eventually the Kniggit's kids made Portugal a country (1143), the Spanish mini-kings pushed the moors out (the Reconquista - 1492) and Portugal took Ceuta from the Moors somewhere along the way. The crowns of Portugal and Spain got merged in one of those internecene hassles somewhere around 1500. Eventually Portugal won it's freedom from Spain but let Spain keep Ceuta as a bribe or something. Meanwhile the Moors, Morocco in this case, never quit thinking that it belonged to them. The French Kniggit was from Burgundy, FWIW, so I think I'll go have some.
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 --
Interesting history, el!
It just seems really odd these males, 60,000 of them, all decided all at once to claim Moroccan sovereignty. All at once. Without food, water, money, leadership, or weapons. Has the government of Morocco made any public claim of taking the territory back? Has Morocco had any recent hostilities or public disputes with Spain?
But some good news: TACO again!
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2026/8/2/iran-war-live-tehran-wa...
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
A couple of items about ukiestan, both from RT
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Ukraine transfers some of weapons supplied to it to hot spots in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, Russian Foreign Ministry Ambassador-at-Large Rodion Miroshnik told Sputnik.
"Weapons are supplied to hot spots in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East through the 'Ukrainian hub,'" Miroshnik said.
He said Ukraine is currently one of the largest hubs for the illegal trade in arms, which is in huge quantities given to it by "Western partners."
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Mafia buying up some of 800,000 weapons missing from Ukraine – Italian prosecutors
Military drones and other advanced arms are reportedly flooding the European black market, officials have warned
Published 30 Jul, 2026 13:18 | Updated 30 Jul, 2026 14:20
Mafia buying up some of 800,000 weapons missing from Ukraine – Italian prosecutors
FILE PHOTO. © Getty Images / South_agency
The Italian mafia is seeking to buy up some of the 800,000 firearms reportedly missing or stolen from Ukraine since 2022, including drones and other advanced arms, senior prosecutors have warned.
Some 780,465 items sent to Ukraine have reportedly disappeared since the escalation of the conflict, including around 149,000 during the first five months of 2026. The Il Fatto Quotidiano newspaper reported on Wednesday that much of the arsenal consisted of European military supplies intended for Kiev.
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 --
the key difference between the mafia
.
and governments is one is organized crime
the other is a bunch of unorganized criminals.
Crime pays either way.
Zionism is a social disease
There was a mystery crash of an F-35B wonder weapon at Miramar
which is in San Diego and quite near SP, who may getteer better information than the rest of us are likely to get.
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 --
ooh..
keep us posted!
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Alexander's August 1, 2026 update on the Ukraine War.
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 --
Ass exposed,
ass kicked.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
A late night post by Trump as he attempted to save face in
calling off attacking Iran.
From Aljeezra there is this that might help to explain things.
@humphrey Oh, you mean posted on
Oh, you mean posted on the Maggot's site Lies Social? It can barely read, write and think 'cept for prison and copping all those Benjamins. UGH!! Rec'd!!
Inner and Outer Space: the Final Frontiers.
Now a word from the Iranian side.