I took a picture of my office desk phone at 1:11pm on 11/11/11. I’m sure I’ve still got that picture saved somewhere amongst my thousands (tens of thousands?) of saved images.
That’s one of the problems with the advent of digital photography. Back when it was film that had to be developed, you took a snapshot or two of memorable events, got them developed and put them in an album. I’ve still got quite a few of those pictures from back in the day.
With digital, I tend to take lots and lots and lots of photos with the thought that I’ll cull out all but the best, which I never seem to get around to, so I end up with a stupid number of photos saved.
Hamas parading the coffins of four hostages “is abhorrent and cruel and flies in the face of international law,” the UN Human Rights chief has said.
In what was described as a “disgusting spectacle” in Gaza, coffins assumed to contain the bodies of Shiri Bibas, four-year-old Ariel and his infant brother Kfir as well as 85-year-old Oded Lifthitz were presented on stage in Khan Yunis, central Gaza.
Behind them was a poster depicting Benjamin Netanyahu as a vampire, with blood dripping from his fangs.
It must’ve been horrid if the UN condemns Hamas…
It makes all them look bad for all the money they have given hamas
What i see in that picture is there is too much of khan yunis still standing
The countries that gave to hamas through aid through the foreign office all have the blood of the bibas family on their hands
Thats not metaphorical this is the blood price of the esteemed international community
We use to take rolls and rolls of pictures when we traveled. Then came digital cameras. Took lots and lots of pictures, which I have put on my computer. So they cycle through when I am not on the net. I get to see my memories. Then came cameras on Phones. I take fewer pictures now, and transfer them to the computer.
It was. And Now the question is what the UN is going to do about it to try and “ensure respect for the dignity of the deceased and their families.” I think I know broadly what will happen, and I wish I were less cynical on this matter and others.
President Donald Trump removed the Resolute Desk from the Oval Office to be ‘refinished’ a week after Elon Musk’s son X left a ‘gift’ on it.
Geez!? How much did it cost the Taxpayers to move and refinish, and then have it moved back later?! For a small booger from a 4 y/o boy!? 😉
Not all the government waste has been identified and eliminated. Removal to another location for refinishing when a “Clorox wipe” or a paper towel and squirt of Simple Green would have done the trick.
From Kate’s RedState article:
There is not a demographic on earth that has shown itself to be more completely captured by deranged bloodlust and self-destructive tendencies than the Palestinians. There’s a reason no other Arab nations will take them as refugees. Where they go, destruction follows.
The Roman invented name “Palestine” was an attempt to blot out Israel from history. Namarupa – name and form. The land of genocide, and “Palestinians” – those who commit genocide.
BTW, it’s safe to assume the Israelis have facial recognition capabilities to sort out those genocide rallies. On the other hand, Palestine might be a nation where Elon Musk’s metaphor of an apple with a worm vs a complete ball of worms applies.
Mitch McConnell will not seek reelection in 2026.
“From Kate’s RedState article:
There is not a demographic on earth that has shown itself to be more completely captured by deranged bloodlust and self-destructive tendencies than the Palestinians. There’s a reason no other Arab nations will take them as refugees. Where they go, destruction follows.”
So… what does the supposedly civilized world do with them? This isn’t an urban street gang of a few dozen or a drug cartel counted in the hundreds. We’re looking at 2-3 million people… including women and children. “Rabid beasts” is what comes to mind… “evil” surely describes them well. What do we do with them?
TBH… I’m not comfortable with my own inclination here, how about you? And… would you offer your services to go do it?
John Guilfoyle, it is precisely those ethical standards (founded in the Torah) which prevented Israel from simply carpet bombing Gaza without regard to the lives of its monstrous inhabitants.
I don’t know the right answer. I don’t think anyone does. Stopping all funding of any kind going in to the terrorist areas (Gaza/Judea/Samaria) is about the only thing that comes to mind.
Sailorcurt,
Hmmm, photography through the ages. I started as a kid in maybe 1965, and my parents got me a mid priced 35mm SLR. A little later, we made a darkroom in the basement.
I was just talking to a musician last night in between sets. He was getting into photography and had an interest in the old film based stuff. “Have you ever heard of Kodachrome?,” he asked. I laughed. He’s perhaps 30 years old. He brought up the difference in the quantity of photos taken.
Sailorcurt is correct that just taking a large number of digital photos isn’t necessarily an unalloyed, “good thing.” You should follow up with cutting the junk out, but will you? I reflected that ages ago I would buy 50 or 100 ft. rolls of bulk B&W film and roll my own. So I got used to shooting lots of photos. I also shot a lot of Kodachrome, as a matter of fact, and was then much more sparing with the shutter release button.
Opening another topic on Open Thread. It seems that the Russians are having shipping troubles in the Black Sea and eastern Mediterranean, including ships breaking “in half” and unexplained hull damage. Whats Up With Shipping has several YouTube posts on this. The host also gives reference to some earlier posts on the same topic. No fingers pointed, but there are some names that no one wants to mention… for now.
Did you know that ships, merchant and military, have transponders and they can be tracked just like aircraft (except in only 2 dimensions). This site accesses this stuff, as he does regarding the collision of our aircraft carrier and a grain ship last week… Interesting stuff.
I have been saying there is no perfect solution for the Palestinians.
You have to manage, not solve the issue.
Israel should just close all land borders they share with Gaza and strengthen their borders. Arm local defense groups. Make sure there are plenty of mobile rapid reaction forces on standby. Install plenty of counter fire radar batteries with mortar and artillery to locate and respond to indirect fire attacks. Install plenty of air defense systems. Just leave Gaza be until they attack and warn them the response will be ten fold. Let the Arabs rebuild Gaza using port facilities as access or Egypt if they allow.
Basically, just wash their hands of Gaza until they attack.
Re: Film cameras
When photographers were photographers, Tri-X was Tri-X and Kodachrome was Kodachrome.
TommyJay, nothing like Kodachrome, though it’s low ASA made it a specialty film.
I set up and processed Cibachrome, but it’s a shame that we’ve lost the nuance that b&w offered. Light and shadow. Texture.
I’ve given up photography– though I still have several SLR’s kicking around and a Rolleiflex 2-1/4.
Hmm. Might be time to sell it. They’re bringing $1,000 plus on ebay.
Mitch McConnell will not seek reelection in 2026.
==
A decision he should have made 10 years ago. In a sane world, anyone who has been in Congress for 14 of the last 16 years (or would hit that wall in a coming term) would be required to stand down. Anyone who has passed by the calendar year wherein they reach their 72d birthday would be required to stand down.
==
Short of that, the congressional caucuses could implement sensible rules.
==
The Speaker of the House and the President pro tem of the Senate would be drawn from outside the membership of the chamber. (You could remove them from the Presidential Succession Law as well).
==
Anyone who has held the position of floor leader (whether in the majority or the minority) for 11 of the last 12 years (or would hit that wall in a coming Congress) would have to stand down. Anyone who has held the position of whip for 11 of the last 12 years (or would hit that wall in the coming Congress) would have to stand down. Anyone who has held a seat on a given committee for 11 of the last 12 years (or would hit that wall in the coming Congress) would have to stand down.
==
Anyone who has surpassed their 80th birthday or would hit their 80th birthday during the coming Congress would be ineligible to hold office as floor leader, whip, officer of the chamber, committee chairman, or ranking-minority-member on a committee.
==
Any election conducted in a caucus would always have a none-of-the-above option. All elections in a caucus would be conducted by confidential ballots with ranked-choice voting (unless there were only two options from which to choose).
==
Seats on committees would be apportioned according to the ratio of the majority to the minority in the whole chamber, with the qualification that the majority delegation would always exceed the minority by at least 1.
==
Returning members would have a qualified option to retain the committee seats held in the previous Congress. Open seats would be assigned by lot.
==
The floor leaders would be, ex officio, the chairman and ranking-minority-member on the Rules Committee. The chairman and the ranking-minority member on the Budget Committee would be elected by their respective caucuses. The chairman and the ranking-minority-members of the other committees would be determined by rank-ordering the members of each caucus according to seniority, excising those who have aged out of eligibility for the positions, excising those under a disciplinary interdict, and then running down the list in rank-order having each pick a committee he was on to chair (or serve as ranking minority member) if the position was still available.
Pleased to say that Kashyap Patel is the new FBI Director.
Mitch McConnell will not seek reelection in 2026
Likely stays Republican, but maybe not. Kentucky is a very weird state politically.
Pleased to say that Kashyap Patel is the new FBI Director.
==
Time to lance that carbuncle and SQUEEEZE.
Of all Trump’s “controversial” nominees, he’s the one I wanted most.
I’ve dated a lot of 2s in my life.
Likely stays Republican, but maybe not. Kentucky is a very weird state politically.
==
Kentucky’s seats have been held by Republicans about 2/3 of the time during the post-war period. Last time a Democrat won a seat was in 1992.
The spirit that animates The Technological Republic, by Alexander C. Karp and Nicholas W. Zamiska, is manifestly noble. It is a moral and political exhortation to business leaders, especially those in the technology sector, to otherwise private men, to eschew “the trivial and ephemeral,” the “narrow consumer products” of online advertising, shopping, and social media, and to accept rather their obligation, their duty, their public responsibility to concern themselves with the political (xiii). Their concern for the political requires rebuilding America’s technological republic after a long hollowing out both of it and of the American mind, and to do so in a spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation. This book is, therefore, and by its authors’ own lights, a “political treatise,” an admittedly “unusual” work for such men (xv). But nonetheless they have written it, moved as they are by the obvious and pervasive narrowness and shallowness that surrounds them and by a quiet call to leadership, patriotism, and even the heroic that must reside within them—and which they now, with this book, seek to replicate in their fellow leaders and, I suspect, the nation as a whole. In its unflinching willingness to speak in lofty language without irony or affectation, despite generations, if not longer, of intellectual elites sneering at such terms, the exhortation this book contains justly deserves our praise.
President Donald Trump is ‘very frustrated’ with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky as relations appeared to reach a new low, the White House has revealed.
Trump’s National Security Advisor Mike Waltz detailed what Zelensky needs to do to get back in Trump’s good graces…
Almost unbelievable…!?!
Slapping down the Ukrainian president, Waltz said: ‘Look, his (Trump’s) goal is to bring this war to an end period…Some of the rhetoric coming out of Kyiv, frankly, and insults to President Trump were unacceptable.”
He added that Trump’s frustrations with Zelensky were ‘multifold. Zelensky needed to ‘come back to the table’ on the minerals deal.
Yeah, it’s not peace that is important to Trump, its sucking the blood outta Ukraine that is important. Same MO that Trump got impeached for…give me what I want or suffer for not doing so.
Waltz said Zelensky needs to show a ‘deep appreciation’ for the sacrifice the United States has made to help the Ukraine.
Yeah, bend the knee before King Trump!
Trump’s obsession with critical minerals doesn’t just include Ukraine but is part of the reason he wants the United States to take ownership of Greenland, which is also rich in rare earth minerals.
Someone needs to tell Trump to stay away from International affairs…he is terrible at it.
Just caught the end of a CPAC interview with Speaker of the House Mike Johnson. He was asked about another aid bill for Ukraine and he said there was no appetite for that .
So basically, they had better make a deal . The US is getting ready to cut off the aid.
No wars broke out under trumps aegis two wars broke out afterwards with the ‘grownups’ in charge, so sure
Miguel cervantes
No wars broke out under trumps…
No one flew to Pluto under Trump either. That one has been beaten to death more times than Trump had Soleimani killed.
Wars were going on in Trump’s first term, but he didn’t do much to stop them. He didn’t tell Russia to get out of Crimea. The Russo-Ukrainian War began in 2014 and spread to the War in Donbas (before Trump took office) and he didn’t try to stop it/those during his first term—now suddenly, he wants to stop wars!?! Even blames Ukraine for Russia reinvading it in 2022…
I have a large group of friends who love dancing and live music. That song, “Car Wash,” became a bone of contention for one of them. She’s a musician who grew up in Oakland, and considers that song to be “faux funk.” She takes music way too seriously IMO, and she actually walks out and leaves if a band plays that song.
BrianE & huxley,
Ooo. I always lusted after 120 roll film cameras & thought I’d get one eventually, but never did. I figured it would be one of the Mamiya cameras.
In my conversation last night, I was trying to remember all the different film types I tinkered with. The memories were too distant for the spur of the moment.
I shot a lot of Tri-X, but I got tired of its grain structure and wasn’t thrilled with it’s tonal gradations either. Then, if the photography wasn’t action oriented, I’d shoot Plus-X. Towards the end of my film photography, I switched to Ilford FP4. Their version of Plus-X. The fine grain structure of that film that was really lovely.
With color, I tried Agfachrome and for some time shot Fujichrome, but mainly I was doing travel photos, so eventually went back to Kodachrome for it’s availability in stores.
My musician buddy from last night says he really wants a Leica camera. But with kids at home, it’s not within his budget.
TommyJay,
I shot a lot of Tri-X during my time as a reporter/photographer.
Yes, I used FP4 for my personal photography. You could get some very nuanced highlights.
Jon Baker writes:
You have to manage, not solve the issue.
Israel should just close all land borders they share with Gaza and strengthen their borders. Arm local defense groups.
———————————–
This is basically what was foisted upon us during Ariel Sharon’s term in office – Israel’s Leftie elites hamstrung him with lawfare and forced him to evacuate the settlers and continue the Piece Process.
This is also why Iron Dome was invented – but we have learned that it is impossible to seal a border hermetically, and the threat of missiles still means Israelis cannot live normal lives.
———
Kate writes:
It is precisely those ethical standards (founded in the Torah) which prevented Israel from simply carpet bombing Gaza without regard to the lives of its monstrous inhabitants.
I don’t know the right answer. I don’t think anyone does.
———————————-
It is a mistake to apply these ethical standards to barbarians.
This is part of the sloppy, morally aimless “all cultures are equal” brainwashing.
The Torah requires one to prove their humanity and earn their equality by upholding its moral code.
The ancient Israelites did did not sink to the level of inhuman abuse they saw around them, but they did not treat the Canaanites – or any other pagan neighbor – as their equals, or as “victims” of “colonialism”. The Torah reformed slavery, but still mentions vanquished Canaanites becoming slaves to Jewish victors – pagan nations that still abused the weak and enslaved each other deserved no better.
Similarly, no Christian nation ever “turned the other cheek” in battle with non-Christian enemies – the instruction to turn the other cheek applies to one – a “brother” or “neighbor” in the words of the Torah – who has already taken up their end of the fabric of moral society.
The sages of the Talmud said it best:
“Those who are kind to the cruel end up being cruel to the kind.”
That is what has happened here.
The kindest, most vulnerable have been betrayed by people who wanted to think themselves “lovers of humanity”…. like many Israelis, I have no patience for the crocodile tears of the self-absorbed Lefties whose emotional displays signaled weakness and only made this situation worse. There is nothing more repulsive to me than their continued self-absorbed, unthinking reaction to this story as it unfolds.
Re: Leica
TommyJay:
I satisfied my Leica itch with a digital Fuji X100T. It’s modeled on the classic film Leica with many of the same controls. The X100T is a great, unobtrusive, everyday carry camera.
It’s also held its value astonishingly well. In 2016 I paid $949 for a used X100T. Today I would have to pay $888 to replace it.
It’s a pretty cool little camera and the only one I have ever received compliments on.
Ben David, I do recall God’s instructions to the Israelites as they went in to conquer the Canaanites, whose cult practices were an offense to God. Personally, I could support such an approach to this clearly demonic culture in Gaza, and to a large extent in Judea and Samaria as well.
As you point out, many modern Israelis cannot understand, or won’t.
3 buses exploded in Israel tonight and undetonated bombs were found on another 2 buses.
According to initial reports, they were supposed to explode tomorrow at 9am but instead exploded tonight at 9pm when the buses were empty and not in use
Susan Klausner, I made a poster for the work team for 2/22/22 back then. It was a Tuesday, so I called it TWO’Sday. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the energy to organize a potluck in which every food item would come in pairs. Alas!
A video by an experienced pilot analyzing the crash in Toronto. As usual, it’s too early to tell and we need to wait for more facts. Thank goodness the people survived.
“Bat Yam Mayor Tzvika Brot, who arrived at the scene with senior police officials and municipal security teams, urged residents to stay away from the area. “All emergency teams are here, including municipal emergency responders,” Brot said. “I ask residents not to approach the scene as investigations are ongoing.”
Seeing that, I had the awful thought that perhaps next time the terrorists will realize so many valued law enforcement and political folks will converge on a bomb site, so wait until then and then explode another ???
[I wrote the above before reading sdferr’s comment about 9am. That would have been awful as well. (Saving this edit so I can view his links)
Nothing more to add.]
If there ends up being territorial concessions as part of any peace deal, the citizen’s of Ukraine will have the final say, according to their constitution.
Article 72.
An All-Ukrainian referendum is designated by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine or by the President of Ukraine, in accordance with their authority established by this Constitution.
Article 73
Issues of altering the territory of Ukraine are resolved exclusively by an All-Ukrainian referendum.
The fact that Steve Miller feels the need to or wants to provide a civics lesson to the press corp may be one solid piece of evidence that the Dept. of Ed. has failed ever since it was initiated.
But also, when he states it so forcefully, it brings home just how much power is invested in one person (with selected constraints). It gives me pause, that potentially going forward, we may very well want to reexmine the extent of, and limits on, those powers for our modern high tech world (vs. what might have been envisioned in 1787). We might conclude we can’t or don’t want to change anything in today’s situation, but perhaps we really ought to have that conversation.
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I took a picture of my office desk phone at 1:11pm on 11/11/11. I’m sure I’ve still got that picture saved somewhere amongst my thousands (tens of thousands?) of saved images.
That’s one of the problems with the advent of digital photography. Back when it was film that had to be developed, you took a snapshot or two of memorable events, got them developed and put them in an album. I’ve still got quite a few of those pictures from back in the day.
With digital, I tend to take lots and lots and lots of photos with the thought that I’ll cull out all but the best, which I never seem to get around to, so I end up with a stupid number of photos saved.
Hamas coffin parade ‘broke international law’, says UN
It must’ve been horrid if the UN condemns Hamas…
It makes all them look bad for all the money they have given hamas
What i see in that picture is there is too much of khan yunis still standing
The countries that gave to hamas through aid through the foreign office all have the blood of the bibas family on their hands
Thats not metaphorical this is the blood price of the esteemed international community
We use to take rolls and rolls of pictures when we traveled. Then came digital cameras. Took lots and lots of pictures, which I have put on my computer. So they cycle through when I am not on the net. I get to see my memories. Then came cameras on Phones. I take fewer pictures now, and transfer them to the computer.
We already picked him you dont need endorsements
https://x.com/stillgray/status/1892594122050961526
@Karmi
It was. And Now the question is what the UN is going to do about it to try and “ensure respect for the dignity of the deceased and their families.” I think I know broadly what will happen, and I wish I were less cynical on this matter and others.
Carrying over
https://www.eenews.net/articles/epa-green-bank-recipients-lose-access-to-citibank-accounts/
https://jonathanturley.org/2025/02/19/were-winning-across-the-board-raskin-takes-a-slightly-premature-victory-lap-just-before-a-slew-of-court-losses/
In 2 days there’ll be even more!! I guess we missed our _big_
“2” chance 3 years ago…!
Why all the caterwailing
https://x.com/glennbeck/status/1892406319295983660
Trump reveals he removed the Resolute Desk from the Oval Office days after Elon Musk’s son X left a ‘present’
Geez!? How much did it cost the Taxpayers to move and refinish, and then have it moved back later?! For a small booger from a 4 y/o boy!? 😉
Not all the government waste has been identified and eliminated. Removal to another location for refinishing when a “Clorox wipe” or a paper towel and squirt of Simple Green would have done the trick.
can’t wait for 2/22/2222. it’s gonna be awesome!
For those of us who can’t read the Telegraph:
https://redstate.com/bonchie/2025/02/20/new-what-palestinians-did-with-murdered-bibas-babies-sparks-outrage-new-calls-to-resume-war-n2185784
Grotesquely evil.
From Kate’s RedState article:
There is not a demographic on earth that has shown itself to be more completely captured by deranged bloodlust and self-destructive tendencies than the Palestinians. There’s a reason no other Arab nations will take them as refugees. Where they go, destruction follows.
The Roman invented name “Palestine” was an attempt to blot out Israel from history. Namarupa – name and form. The land of genocide, and “Palestinians” – those who commit genocide.
BTW, it’s safe to assume the Israelis have facial recognition capabilities to sort out those genocide rallies. On the other hand, Palestine might be a nation where Elon Musk’s metaphor of an apple with a worm vs a complete ball of worms applies.
Mitch McConnell will not seek reelection in 2026.
“From Kate’s RedState article:
There is not a demographic on earth that has shown itself to be more completely captured by deranged bloodlust and self-destructive tendencies than the Palestinians. There’s a reason no other Arab nations will take them as refugees. Where they go, destruction follows.”
So… what does the supposedly civilized world do with them? This isn’t an urban street gang of a few dozen or a drug cartel counted in the hundreds. We’re looking at 2-3 million people… including women and children. “Rabid beasts” is what comes to mind… “evil” surely describes them well. What do we do with them?
TBH… I’m not comfortable with my own inclination here, how about you? And… would you offer your services to go do it?
John Guilfoyle, it is precisely those ethical standards (founded in the Torah) which prevented Israel from simply carpet bombing Gaza without regard to the lives of its monstrous inhabitants.
I don’t know the right answer. I don’t think anyone does. Stopping all funding of any kind going in to the terrorist areas (Gaza/Judea/Samaria) is about the only thing that comes to mind.
Sailorcurt,
Hmmm, photography through the ages. I started as a kid in maybe 1965, and my parents got me a mid priced 35mm SLR. A little later, we made a darkroom in the basement.
I was just talking to a musician last night in between sets. He was getting into photography and had an interest in the old film based stuff. “Have you ever heard of Kodachrome?,” he asked. I laughed. He’s perhaps 30 years old. He brought up the difference in the quantity of photos taken.
Sailorcurt is correct that just taking a large number of digital photos isn’t necessarily an unalloyed, “good thing.” You should follow up with cutting the junk out, but will you? I reflected that ages ago I would buy 50 or 100 ft. rolls of bulk B&W film and roll my own. So I got used to shooting lots of photos. I also shot a lot of Kodachrome, as a matter of fact, and was then much more sparing with the shutter release button.
Opening another topic on Open Thread. It seems that the Russians are having shipping troubles in the Black Sea and eastern Mediterranean, including ships breaking “in half” and unexplained hull damage. Whats Up With Shipping has several YouTube posts on this. The host also gives reference to some earlier posts on the same topic. No fingers pointed, but there are some names that no one wants to mention… for now.
“Are Russian Ships Going Boom?” [ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0203MPraczg%5D
Did you know that ships, merchant and military, have transponders and they can be tracked just like aircraft (except in only 2 dimensions). This site accesses this stuff, as he does regarding the collision of our aircraft carrier and a grain ship last week… Interesting stuff.
I have been saying there is no perfect solution for the Palestinians.
You have to manage, not solve the issue.
Israel should just close all land borders they share with Gaza and strengthen their borders. Arm local defense groups. Make sure there are plenty of mobile rapid reaction forces on standby. Install plenty of counter fire radar batteries with mortar and artillery to locate and respond to indirect fire attacks. Install plenty of air defense systems. Just leave Gaza be until they attack and warn them the response will be ten fold. Let the Arabs rebuild Gaza using port facilities as access or Egypt if they allow.
Basically, just wash their hands of Gaza until they attack.
Re: Film cameras
When photographers were photographers, Tri-X was Tri-X and Kodachrome was Kodachrome.
TommyJay, nothing like Kodachrome, though it’s low ASA made it a specialty film.
I set up and processed Cibachrome, but it’s a shame that we’ve lost the nuance that b&w offered. Light and shadow. Texture.
I’ve given up photography– though I still have several SLR’s kicking around and a Rolleiflex 2-1/4.
Hmm. Might be time to sell it. They’re bringing $1,000 plus on ebay.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eB0aROCl530
==
Neo has not been persuaded to dance to “Car Wash”.
Mitch McConnell will not seek reelection in 2026.
==
A decision he should have made 10 years ago. In a sane world, anyone who has been in Congress for 14 of the last 16 years (or would hit that wall in a coming term) would be required to stand down. Anyone who has passed by the calendar year wherein they reach their 72d birthday would be required to stand down.
==
Short of that, the congressional caucuses could implement sensible rules.
==
The Speaker of the House and the President pro tem of the Senate would be drawn from outside the membership of the chamber. (You could remove them from the Presidential Succession Law as well).
==
Anyone who has held the position of floor leader (whether in the majority or the minority) for 11 of the last 12 years (or would hit that wall in a coming Congress) would have to stand down. Anyone who has held the position of whip for 11 of the last 12 years (or would hit that wall in the coming Congress) would have to stand down. Anyone who has held a seat on a given committee for 11 of the last 12 years (or would hit that wall in the coming Congress) would have to stand down.
==
Anyone who has surpassed their 80th birthday or would hit their 80th birthday during the coming Congress would be ineligible to hold office as floor leader, whip, officer of the chamber, committee chairman, or ranking-minority-member on a committee.
==
Any election conducted in a caucus would always have a none-of-the-above option. All elections in a caucus would be conducted by confidential ballots with ranked-choice voting (unless there were only two options from which to choose).
==
Seats on committees would be apportioned according to the ratio of the majority to the minority in the whole chamber, with the qualification that the majority delegation would always exceed the minority by at least 1.
==
Returning members would have a qualified option to retain the committee seats held in the previous Congress. Open seats would be assigned by lot.
==
The floor leaders would be, ex officio, the chairman and ranking-minority-member on the Rules Committee. The chairman and the ranking-minority member on the Budget Committee would be elected by their respective caucuses. The chairman and the ranking-minority-members of the other committees would be determined by rank-ordering the members of each caucus according to seniority, excising those who have aged out of eligibility for the positions, excising those under a disciplinary interdict, and then running down the list in rank-order having each pick a committee he was on to chair (or serve as ranking minority member) if the position was still available.
Pleased to say that Kashyap Patel is the new FBI Director.
Mitch McConnell will not seek reelection in 2026
Likely stays Republican, but maybe not. Kentucky is a very weird state politically.
Pleased to say that Kashyap Patel is the new FBI Director.
==
Time to lance that carbuncle and SQUEEEZE.
Of all Trump’s “controversial” nominees, he’s the one I wanted most.
I’ve dated a lot of 2s in my life.
Likely stays Republican, but maybe not. Kentucky is a very weird state politically.
==
Kentucky’s seats have been held by Republicans about 2/3 of the time during the post-war period. Last time a Democrat won a seat was in 1992.
Collins and Murk no but McConnell yes(?)
Your hustle finally pays.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDIqkEWLYzE
Alex Priou, a review of The Technological Republic by Alexander Karp and Nicholas Zamiska: https://alexpriou.substack.com/p/on-the-technological-republic-by
1st paragraph
Feel better. At least you’re not Betsy Hodges.
==
https://betsyhodges.com/
Trump just can’t let it go…
White House reveals Trump’s personal problem with Zelensky and issues furious demand of Ukrainian leader
Almost unbelievable…!?!
Yeah, it’s not peace that is important to Trump, its sucking the blood outta Ukraine that is important. Same MO that Trump got impeached for…give me what I want or suffer for not doing so.
Yeah, bend the knee before King Trump!
Someone needs to tell Trump to stay away from International affairs…he is terrible at it.
Just caught the end of a CPAC interview with Speaker of the House Mike Johnson. He was asked about another aid bill for Ukraine and he said there was no appetite for that .
So basically, they had better make a deal . The US is getting ready to cut off the aid.
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/h12g11zsqye#autoplay
No wars broke out under trumps aegis two wars broke out afterwards with the ‘grownups’ in charge, so sure
Miguel cervantes
No one flew to Pluto under Trump either. That one has been beaten to death more times than Trump had Soleimani killed.
Wars were going on in Trump’s first term, but he didn’t do much to stop them. He didn’t tell Russia to get out of Crimea. The Russo-Ukrainian War began in 2014 and spread to the War in Donbas (before Trump took office) and he didn’t try to stop it/those during his first term—now suddenly, he wants to stop wars!?! Even blames Ukraine for Russia reinvading it in 2022…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eB0aROCl530
==
Neo has not been persuaded to dance to “Car Wash”. — ArtDeco
________
Ha! Is there a context for the above??
I have a large group of friends who love dancing and live music. That song, “Car Wash,” became a bone of contention for one of them. She’s a musician who grew up in Oakland, and considers that song to be “faux funk.” She takes music way too seriously IMO, and she actually walks out and leaves if a band plays that song.
BrianE & huxley,
Ooo. I always lusted after 120 roll film cameras & thought I’d get one eventually, but never did. I figured it would be one of the Mamiya cameras.
In my conversation last night, I was trying to remember all the different film types I tinkered with. The memories were too distant for the spur of the moment.
I shot a lot of Tri-X, but I got tired of its grain structure and wasn’t thrilled with it’s tonal gradations either. Then, if the photography wasn’t action oriented, I’d shoot Plus-X. Towards the end of my film photography, I switched to Ilford FP4. Their version of Plus-X. The fine grain structure of that film that was really lovely.
With color, I tried Agfachrome and for some time shot Fujichrome, but mainly I was doing travel photos, so eventually went back to Kodachrome for it’s availability in stores.
My musician buddy from last night says he really wants a Leica camera. But with kids at home, it’s not within his budget.
TommyJay,
I shot a lot of Tri-X during my time as a reporter/photographer.
Yes, I used FP4 for my personal photography. You could get some very nuanced highlights.
Jon Baker writes:
You have to manage, not solve the issue.
Israel should just close all land borders they share with Gaza and strengthen their borders. Arm local defense groups.
———————————–
This is basically what was foisted upon us during Ariel Sharon’s term in office – Israel’s Leftie elites hamstrung him with lawfare and forced him to evacuate the settlers and continue the Piece Process.
This is also why Iron Dome was invented – but we have learned that it is impossible to seal a border hermetically, and the threat of missiles still means Israelis cannot live normal lives.
———
Kate writes:
It is precisely those ethical standards (founded in the Torah) which prevented Israel from simply carpet bombing Gaza without regard to the lives of its monstrous inhabitants.
I don’t know the right answer. I don’t think anyone does.
———————————-
It is a mistake to apply these ethical standards to barbarians.
This is part of the sloppy, morally aimless “all cultures are equal” brainwashing.
The Torah requires one to prove their humanity and earn their equality by upholding its moral code.
The ancient Israelites did did not sink to the level of inhuman abuse they saw around them, but they did not treat the Canaanites – or any other pagan neighbor – as their equals, or as “victims” of “colonialism”. The Torah reformed slavery, but still mentions vanquished Canaanites becoming slaves to Jewish victors – pagan nations that still abused the weak and enslaved each other deserved no better.
Similarly, no Christian nation ever “turned the other cheek” in battle with non-Christian enemies – the instruction to turn the other cheek applies to one – a “brother” or “neighbor” in the words of the Torah – who has already taken up their end of the fabric of moral society.
The sages of the Talmud said it best:
“Those who are kind to the cruel end up being cruel to the kind.”
That is what has happened here.
The kindest, most vulnerable have been betrayed by people who wanted to think themselves “lovers of humanity”…. like many Israelis, I have no patience for the crocodile tears of the self-absorbed Lefties whose emotional displays signaled weakness and only made this situation worse. There is nothing more repulsive to me than their continued self-absorbed, unthinking reaction to this story as it unfolds.
Re: Leica
TommyJay:
I satisfied my Leica itch with a digital Fuji X100T. It’s modeled on the classic film Leica with many of the same controls. The X100T is a great, unobtrusive, everyday carry camera.
It’s also held its value astonishingly well. In 2016 I paid $949 for a used X100T. Today I would have to pay $888 to replace it.
It’s a pretty cool little camera and the only one I have ever received compliments on.
Ben David, I do recall God’s instructions to the Israelites as they went in to conquer the Canaanites, whose cult practices were an offense to God. Personally, I could support such an approach to this clearly demonic culture in Gaza, and to a large extent in Judea and Samaria as well.
As you point out, many modern Israelis cannot understand, or won’t.
https://x.com/visegrad24/status/1892691686699970734
Another link with photos: https://x.com/Osint613/status/1892674655489597889
And another with “Security footage of terrorist who planted bombs on buses in Gush Dan area.”: https://x.com/TheMossadIL/status/1892723101617852695
Susan Klausner, I made a poster for the work team for 2/22/22 back then. It was a Tuesday, so I called it TWO’Sday. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the energy to organize a potluck in which every food item would come in pairs. Alas!
A video by an experienced pilot analyzing the crash in Toronto. As usual, it’s too early to tell and we need to wait for more facts. Thank goodness the people survived.
https://youtu.be/Z1sHnkF-088?feature=shared
From: Miguel cervantes on February 20, 2025 at 3:51 pm said:
https://www.ynetnews.com/article/h12g11zsqye#autoplay
“Bat Yam Mayor Tzvika Brot, who arrived at the scene with senior police officials and municipal security teams, urged residents to stay away from the area. “All emergency teams are here, including municipal emergency responders,” Brot said. “I ask residents not to approach the scene as investigations are ongoing.”
Seeing that, I had the awful thought that perhaps next time the terrorists will realize so many valued law enforcement and political folks will converge on a bomb site, so wait until then and then explode another ???
[I wrote the above before reading sdferr’s comment about 9am. That would have been awful as well. (Saving this edit so I can view his links)
Nothing more to add.]
If there ends up being territorial concessions as part of any peace deal, the citizen’s of Ukraine will have the final say, according to their constitution.
Article 72.
An All-Ukrainian referendum is designated by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine or by the President of Ukraine, in accordance with their authority established by this Constitution.
Article 73
Issues of altering the territory of Ukraine are resolved exclusively by an All-Ukrainian referendum.
1) No, President Trump, your are wrong once again, i.e., America hasn’t given Ukraine “$350-Billion” – U.S. has given Ukraine $67 billion in weapons and $31.5 billion in direct budget support.
2) BEST CLIP OF THE DAY FROM STEPHEN KICK ASS MILLER
The fact that Steve Miller feels the need to or wants to provide a civics lesson to the press corp may be one solid piece of evidence that the Dept. of Ed. has failed ever since it was initiated.
But also, when he states it so forcefully, it brings home just how much power is invested in one person (with selected constraints). It gives me pause, that potentially going forward, we may very well want to reexmine the extent of, and limits on, those powers for our modern high tech world (vs. what might have been envisioned in 1787). We might conclude we can’t or don’t want to change anything in today’s situation, but perhaps we really ought to have that conversation.