Morning

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Happy Hour

Get happy

I Am Uncomfortable When We Is Not About Me

I recently had a conversation with a smart German friend  - historian - who put into words more clearly than I could something I had thought before.  She had taught in the US and had to explain to her colleagues that the basic American world history survey  - Greek/Roman history -> Magna Carta -> Renaissance -> some other bits of English history -> French Revolution ->  American revolution -> somehow made America the protagonist.

All of (one strand of) human history led to America.

No no it's true. After the Magna Carta, everything has been great, much law, total rule. No notes.

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— David M. Perry (@lollardfish.bsky.social) March 19, 2025 at 2:13 AM

Travel Ban

It will take a bit of time but people will stop coming.

United States: French researcher expelled for expressing "a personal opinion on the policies pursued by the Trump administration"

The French research minister expressed his "concern" on Wednesday following the decision by the American authorities. The CNRS researcher was reportedly subjected to random checks upon arrival, before his computer and phone were searched.

Chicken Eugenics

Sure why not.

Kennedy’s Alarming Prescription for Bird Flu on Poultry Farms

The health secretary has suggested allowing the virus to spread, so as to identify birds that may be immune. Such an experiment would be disastrous, scientists say.

How can an objective editor put "alarming" in the headline?

Lunch

Eat

Stay Away

Anyone without a US passport should 

Politics

I would humbly suggest that if you are a needy attention whore senator, then going out there and giving an inspiring speech to the rabble would be a fun thing for you.

Gym Buddies

Does Schumer tell this story because he is the mark or because we are?

2009:

"People are more frank when they’re wearing their gym clothes,” said Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), for years a House gym regular who finally, 10 years after being elected to the Senate, made the switch to the facility in his own chamber.

 Now:

And I talk to them. One of the places is in the gym. When you’re on that bike in your shorts, panting away next to a Republican, a lot of the inhibitions come off.

Morning

Almost every day.

Tuesday Night

Rock on.

Happy Hour

get happy

Pedocons

Never surprising.

Minnesota state Sen. Justin Eichorn was arrested Monday in Bloomington for allegedly soliciting a minor for prostitution.

Bloomington police said Eichorn was arrested near the 8300 block of Normandale Avenue at around 6 p.m. Eichorn, R-Grand Rapids, was booked into the Bloomington city jail and remains in custody.

Philly's Finest Contribution

It didn't get a lot of coverage, but concerns about possible Legionnaire's disease were a big deal as things started reopening from Covid. I remember one mall suddenly evacuating and being very cagey about why they did it, but it wasn't too hard to infer it was LD concerns.

All the employees told the AP that they brought their own drinking water Monday. That’s due to a monthslong issue involving Legionella, the bacteria that causes Legionnaires’ disease, which was detected at several FDA buildings. The General Service Administration, which oversees federal buildings, has been working on the issue since last summer.

Carville

I am sure he does give advice, but it is important to understand that when Carville writes for the NYT and goes on MSNBC, he isn't advising so much as he is trying to sell the strategy that has already been agreed to.

Lunch

eat

Sure Why Not

Sadly, the DOGE kids accidentally deleted them all (probably).

President Trump said on Monday his administration would release approximately 80,000 pages related to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on Tuesday afternoon. Mr. Trump did not provide additional details on what the trove of files would include, but he has long promised to release the unredacted documents.

Why Would They Do That

The greatest minds of punditry are having a hard time figuring it out.

After a recent change by the Trump administration, the federal government no longer explicitly prohibits contractors from having segregated restaurants, waiting rooms and drinking fountains.

Love Me

Schumer is that kind of politician who thrives on respect and adoration of people.  This is not how he thought he would spend the final era of his career, but he made his bed.

Morning

Another glorious day.