Monday Afternoon Links

by | Feb 2, 2026 | Daily Links | 75 comments

Good thing I didn’t go heavy into this…

Grüezi mitenand. Trying to move money into IRAs, HSAs and the like has made me question the modern economy. Whycome I can’t just keep my munniez in the bank and use when I need it, with the G stepping all over it?

*plug for historical book* (there is a beheading in there)

OK, enough of that stuff, here are some links;

  • The warmth of collectivism.
  • Yeah, yeah…salacious details. But just look at the fiveheads on this family!
  • No word on if any NYC mayors have murdered either one.
  • I am still awaiting word from Tonio or Animal.

Music: Banking and Government make me feel like

Comments are open and yours.

About The Author

Swiss Servator

Swiss Servator

Currently serving at the pleasure of a Swiss multinational. Previously a Soldier, rugby player, lawyer, bouncer, bartender, substitute teacher, risk manager, and cubicle mushroom. Will work for raclette.

75 Comments

  1. kinnath

    I keep the munniez under the mattress

    • SarumanTheWoefullyIgnorant

      Didn’t Jesus speak against that in Parable of the Talents? (Which might be considered a plug for Capitalism).

      But I perfectly understand your sentiment.

      • kinnath

        Nickels and dimes. Some quarters as well.

    • Sean

      Then where do you put your porn?

      • UnCivilServant

        It’s the digital age – porn takes a lot less physical space than it used to.

  2. SarumanTheWoefullyIgnorant

    Based on current trends I expect the snowcrete outside will melt sometime in June.

    “Murdered either one”

    Fun fact: The local high school sports teams are the Woodchucks, usually shorted to ‘chucks.

    • Ownbestenemy

      We have a small warm up and then right back down in a few days here…

      • SarumanTheWoefullyIgnorant

        Same here. A few days of mid-30’s highs, then 20’s and under for at least another weeks.

    • Rat on a train

      It was warm enough today to clear the driveway to the street on one side.

    • Spudalicious

      We’re still waiting for winter to start, and the coldest part of the season is in the past.

      • Threedoor

        I’m loving it.
        I’m a bit fraid that mid season is going to suck.

  3. Ownbestenemy

    Im assuming NYC (or any other city) has always had shitty responses to storms.

  4. Shpip

    Identifying a brown bear with certainty is not as simple as it seems. A bear’s size, weight, and coat change with the seasons, making visual identification tricky, even for seasoned experts. To overcome this difficulty, researchers have turned to AI.

    The tool is based on a facial recognition system trained to distinguish the features specific to each brown bear.

    At first I thought that all of them looked alike. Then I remembered that that’s them black bears.

  5. Mojeaux

    Well, so we, myself and Chunky Monkey, are at the doctor.

    Poor blocked tomcat.

    • Tonio

      Oh, no. UTI no bueno.

    • Necron 99

      Poor kitty. I hope it works out well. I’ve had bad luck with blocked toms.

    • Mojeaux

      Don’t know if it’s a UTI yet, but he IS blocked. Small bladder to begin with, but it’s also very full. Also, he has a couple other issues. They’re keeping him overnight to observe and gather pee for testing.

      • Derpetologist

        Supposedly periodic wet food can prevent blocked urethras in cats. Cats don’t drink that much and in nature get most of their water from what they eat.

      • R.J.

        They just pretend like they don’t drink water, then go crazy drinking from the toilet at night

      • Mojeaux

        The key to getting them to drink more is keeping their food relatively far away from their water. Now, this one likes to drink from the mug I keep on my side table instead of the constantly running fountain full of fresh water, so I don’t know what his problem is.

  6. DEG

    The business ventures of Haakon’s sister, Princess Martha Louise, have drawn repeated criticism. In 2024, around the same time Hoiby’s case was making news, she married an American self-professed shaman, Durek Verrett.

    I really want to snark about European royals, but I think that would be like kicking someone when he’s down.

  7. Sensei

    Historically, science agencies like NASA or the National Institutes of Health tend to have fewer political appointees than many other parts of the federal government. Sometimes, very senior roles—with authority over billions of dollars of spending, and the power to shape entire fields of research—are filled without any direct input from the White House or Congress. The arrangement reflects a long-running argument that scientists should oversee the work of funding and conducting research with very little interference from political leaders.

    And those scientists never interfere in the political process, right? I find it amazing they not only say this with a straight face, but believe it.

    TW – The home of the Top Men.

    https://arstechnica.com/science/2026/02/at-nih-a-power-struggle-over-institute-directorships-deepens/

    • Ownbestenemy

      I as a FedGov worker have financial incentive other than paycheck and a healty bout of patriotism.

      Politics dont matter to me.

      A scientist or other areas of FedGov do…as Congress might dole out sweet grant monies for the correct narrative of the moment

    • Sean

      They’re domestic terrorists. I have zero problem with this. She had some privileges revoked, they didn’t ship her to CECOT.

      • Ownbestenemy

        Government giveth…government taketh.

        She should ask about coyote services for funsies

      • Sensei

        And so ICE guy just randomly stops, mixes up you for a different hippie that he thought was following him and you’ll get the exact same treatment with no recourse.

        That’s a problem for me.

      • Sean

        I’m 100% certain that scenario has zero probability of happening to me.

      • Sensei

        You’re lucky.

        I’m a generic looking white guy and my entire history of interaction with law enforcement of all kinds is roughly 75% negative.

      • kinnath

        mixes up you for a different hippie

        that didn’t happen here

        that would be a different issue

        She hasn’t been banned from flying. She just has to go through the screening process with the rest of the cattle.

      • Sensei

        kinnath – And you’re OK with as what Shpip noted below the Tulsi Gabbard Treatment?

        I’m not OK with government randomly revoking things with no explanation or recourse. Even when I like the outcome.

      • Suthenboy

        A problem? Then solve it. There are a hundred books on how to beat the cops at their games.
        Rule #1: Be invisible – hint: be the human version of the grey Honda crossover
        Rule #2: Using rule #1 never have interactions with them.

        Read those books.

      • kinnath

        She didn’t say she was flagged with the SSSS code. That means she not getting the Tulsi treatment. She been dropped from the “preferred” group that gets to skip the cattle car treatment.

        There are three levels. The normal security screening that everyone goes through. You can pay to get accepted into the global entry program (screening in advance to reduce screening at the airport). Then there is the SSSS flag where you have been determined to be a potential threat.

      • JaimeRoberto (carnitas/spicy salsa)

        They’re assholes, but they aren’t terrorists. Yet.

      • DrOtto

        Sensei – I get what you are saying, but something tells me there is a lot being left out of this story, based on the other “observations” I’ve watched.

    • rhywun

      “observer”

      Never change, Ars Technica.

      • Ownbestenemy

        Actions she described should drive more to the Libertarian party but will just entrench the crazies more into their parties.

      • Muzzled Woodchipper

        This stupid fucking language twisting is fooling exactly zero people, yet they insist on it anyways. They’re no more “observers” than a dude in a dress is a woman.

    • Shpip

      Cleland said she hasn’t performed any observation of federal agents since January 10, but has “continued to engage in peaceful protests” and is “assessing when I will return to active observations.”

      Sounds like she learned her lesson. She could’ve got the Tulsi Gabbard treatment.

    • Ownbestenemy

      The bar is low Sensei…its a whole of government problem

      Disqualifying factors. An individual is ineligible to participate in Global Entry if CBP, at its sole discretion, determines that the individual presents a potential risk for terrorism, criminality (such as smuggling), or is otherwise not a low-risk traveler. This risk determination will be based in part upon an applicant’s ability to demonstrate past compliance with laws, regulations, and policies.

      • juris imprudent

        Ask the govt for preferential treatment, cry when you don’t get it?

    • Sensei

      Suthen if you are talking to me I learned that and it’s worked well.

      However in urban environments post 9/11 it’s not always possible.

      Something as simple as asking a question why an exit that was ok yesterday in a public building is now blocked has a 50% chance of hostility. Failure to “obey”.

  8. Shpip

    Poking around the internets today, I was a little surprised that Europe doesn’t have groundhogs per se, but does have a large population of marmots.

    Since they live in an alpine environment, they don’t build nests in trees, but are perfectly capable of moving around rocks to strengthen their dens in preparation for winter — kind of like a mountain beaver, though less destructive.

    In fact, the Swiss town of Chancy has a festival very similar to that of Punxsutawney — only you get six more weeks of winter if Monsiuer Marmot emerges and sees his chateau.

    • Oy the Billy-Bumbler
  9. Suthenboy

    Robinhood.com
    You should check it out.All of you should

  10. Mojeaux

    In Cods & Cuntes, banking was a topic of conversation. The new clerk was recently returned from Italy and the Medici Bank, where he learned double-entry bookkeeping. Banking then becomes the entire point of Cods & Cuntes II: Trebuchet Boogaloo.

    England had banking for a while, but they didn’t in 1420. Then it came back again, but I don’t remember when.

  11. Mojeaux

    That feeling when you, a complete misanthrope, make immediate friends with a stranger whose name you don’t catch and will never see again.

    • Ownbestenemy

      Welcome to everyday life.

  12. The Other Kevin

    One positive development, The Most Interesting Man in the World is back. I strive to be like him, but my life is lacking mountain lions in the kitchen and skydiving for starters.

  13. DEG

    TOO LOCAL NEWS: Speculation that the NH Attorney General tanked the inspections case

    Well, it turns out that Judge McCafferty’s decision is clearly erroneous. But not for any of the reasons claimed by House Republicans like Spillane and Berry. Rather, McCafferty’s decision is obvious legal error because it unconstitutionally “commandeers” New Hampshire State government to carry out a federal regulatory program:

  14. The Other Kevin

    I don’t know about the rest of you, but I watched the Grammy’s, and a bunch of clueless people who I never heard of reciting the same talking points have convinced me to change my mind on just about everything.

    • UnCivilServant

      I have never had interest in watching awards shows. But I’m sure their rote recitals were very well thought out and deeply insightful.

      • The Other Kevin

        I think in high school I might have watched a few. But that was in the 80’s, where you’d have one or two weirdos spouting some cause nobody ever heard about. I think AIDS ribbons were the first iteration of what we’re seeing now.

    • rhywun

      I had a roomie into the aughts who was on the periphery of the entertainment world so I got an eyeful of all the awards shows during those years.

      Have not seen a second of it since I moved out on my own and you could not pay me enough to watch that garbage.

    • JaimeRoberto (carnitas/spicy salsa)

      Next time I’m in LA I plan to stay at Billie Eyelash’s place. I can’t be guilty of trespassing, right?

      • DrOtto

        Not if you shout “No one is illegal on stolen land” followed up by “am I being detained?”

      • creech

        Be prepared to “hands up, don’t shoot!”

  15. Rat on a train

    The school district created a new code for virtually learning. The current plan is maybe have kids back in class on Wednesday.

  16. JaimeRoberto (carnitas/spicy salsa)

    That Norwegian prince gives off a Lord Joffrey from the Game of Thrones vibe.

    • R.J.

      He does have a massive five, maybe even six finger forehead.

  17. The Late P Brooks

    I was perusing my IRA yesterday. Trump is making me look like a financial genius.

  18. Shpip

    My local does a “Burger of the Week,” only available on Mondays. The missus picks one up once or twice a month, just so she doesn’t have to cook.

    I told the barman what I didn’t understand is why today’s wasn’t made with pork, since it’s Ground Hog Day.

  19. Gender Traitor

    The proprietor of a reputable local PC repair shop sas he “can put whatever flavor of Linux you like” on my laptop (a step I’m interested in taking because I’m running Windows 10, apparently can’t upgrade this machine to 11, and had the Microsoft account I didn’t even know I had get hacked.) He mentioned one called ZORIN “that looks pretty similar to Windows so it is easier to get used to using.” Any of you techy types ever heard of it or know anything about it? I’ve heard some positive things about Mint, so I’d be curious to know the difference between the two.

    • PutridMeat

      I have used many Linux distros over the years (Redhat->fedora, ubuntu, PoP, tails, gentoo, arch) for some value of the word use, but am most familiar with the redhat family. I’ve no experience at all with Zorin – looks like Ubuntu based with a few customizations for appearance sake. Presumably a newer distro. I’d caution about distros that are not long lived/been around as they can come and go as developer interest wanes; so I’d look into the history of Zorin, presumably they have something on the website. That said if it is really ubuntu with some customization, even if it goes away, should be an easy transition to ubuntu.

      Plus, what’s to lose? If you can’t “upgrade” (for some value of the word upgrade…) to 11, your laptop will soon be dead in the water vis a vis security patching anyway. Give it a shot, if it doesn’t work out, you’re going to have to buy a new ‘modern’ machine for the borg, I mean windows 11 anyway, so you haven’t lost much.

    • PutridMeat

      Oh and as for mint – also ubuntu based and is community developed. Been around for probably 15ish+ years as well, so some hope that it won’t disappear as soon as you get comfortable with it!

      • Gender Traitor

        Thanks, PM! That’s very helpful!

    • R.J.

      Ubuntu is good, if properly installed. I have it on a very old laptop. And a Raspberry Pi box. All Linux is a pain with the computer screen backlight – make sure your tech patches that properly, and if necessary, get your proper print drivers installed too. You will get used to it quickly.

      • R.J.

        Also Ubuntu comes with LibreOffice, which is equivalent to Microsoft Office about 6 years ago. (Plenty good).

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