Returning to Normalcy.
No injuries, illness or work drama. Just an ordinary April day. To celebrate, I will try to do some normalcy links.
Comments are open and are yours.
Monday Afternoon Links
About The Author
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.
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Not bad for 44.
I FUCKING HATE AARON COPELAND.
end of message
Are you a vegetarian?
Not sure who that is, Copland has some notable songs.
I feel like steak for dinner tonight.
I’m roasting a chicken. Just seems to fit the wet weather.
Did Dean Martin ever roast a chicken?
I’m putting tape over my screen to filter out those alien words that don’t make no sense.
I like how the Swiss clock article just cuts the earth out of the image.
The Sun as well. The proper English word for that device is “Orrery,” but that’s a super obscure word even for native speakers of English.
Lego has one, we bought two because they were cool. Not sure how accurate it is but it’s pretty cool.
https://www.lego.com/en-us/product/planet-earth-and-moon-in-orbit-42179?ef_id=Cj0KCQjwqPLOBhCiARIsAKRMPZqDQjCRkSqOfUU6fw2aOpzzJzlZXDGF7oNcHhmGCb5EEQHH2Qs1n6QaAuzIEALw_wcB:G:s&s_kwcid=AL!790!3!!!!x!!!19932189580!&cmp=KAC-INI-GOOGUS-GO-US_GL-EN-RE-SP-BUY-CREATE-MB_ALWAYS_ON-SHOP-BP-PMAX-ALL-CIDNA00000-PMAX-LOW_PRIORITY&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19924109190&gbraid=0AAAAADESMXJXj3FDlbjVma87CNX-Dt9oH&gclid=Cj0KCQjwqPLOBhCiARIsAKRMPZqDQjCRkSqOfUU6fw2aOpzzJzlZXDGF7oNcHhmGCb5EEQHH2Qs1n6QaAuzIEALw_wcB
Psh. I’ve got one on my velocipede for when I coddiwomple ’round the bend.
JHTFC, Threedoor, that link is dragging a ton of tracking cookies with it. Everything after the “?” is tracking BS.
Not surprised on the tracking.
You are the product.
Music
Nicole can be my death doutha and start early, just in case.
You never know when the knock on the door will come and I want to be prepared.
Massholes.
Drugs, ass, etc.
*shrug*
Mine went up 67% one year.
54% the next year.
Averages 12-12.5%
And that’s without the useful idiots voting for levies and bonds.
Remember, it’s about the needs of their budget.
That’s what I was told back in approx. 2010. My house and property dropped in value and my property taxes went up.
And those ‘needs’ never go down
The “other” is what, 1% of the total?
I am sure this town is like every other town in a blue state and under the complete control of the teachers and other pubsec unions.
In my county about 52% is schools.
When you add in the layer of city government you ge an extra police force to pay for along with fire, EMS, a beautification district, some BS historical district which is a city ran HOA.
Cops/Fire/county admin/courts are the extra 40% i pay. Library port district, a couple in explained “judgements” that popped up they years ago and have increased 1000% and a few other dumb items.
Two years ago.
My city’s territory is about 1/4 college campus and all the locals constantly bitch that this is the reason the streets are complete shit. I am afraid to ride a bicycle anymore the potholes are so bad.
My question is, are all college towns like this? I am pretty sure the university pays PILOT fees and they have a LOT of money to play with so I doubt they are being stingy about it – just wary as they should be.
Colleges are usually property tax exempt but will contract with city/county cops and local fire for coverage.
There seems to be a pretty definite difference between city and county road maintenance where I’m at. Both jurisdictions get per mile/per capita road funding from the state gas tax but that seems to be skewed when you get more rural. The city where I’m near has roads that are not as nice as the average county road.
College has about 4500 students, a large number being online only. Not sure how many though. The one pass through of campus that used to be a city road is pretty nice but it was paved when the college took it over and made the surrounding neighborhood parking lots.
The UI north of me in Moscow is much bigger and similar, college roads are pretty nice, Moscow is OK, county roads are a bit better.
Alternate music
The underrated Herbert Hoover
Comments are actually quite illuminating.
Is it a coincidence that the two folks generally rated as the worst Presidents of the twentieth century (Hoover and Carter) were the only ones who were trained as engineers?
Carter is also a Southern Baptist. They haven’t batted well.
Technocrats
We just have to get the right people, the smartest people, the most educated.
We need college professors like Woodrow Wilson, and lecturers like The Lightbringer.
If I recall correctly, FDR mocked Hoover’s ideas during the campaign and then implemented many of them after being elected.
The crash was in 1929 and FDR first took office in March 1933.
Yes and Hoover started many of the things that prolonged the depression, FDR came a long with a New Deal that poured gasoline on the fire.
Yep
Music for Nicole Kidman…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bg2EGHXuB4I&list=RDbg2EGHXuB4I&start_radio=1
My wife used to be a doula. Basically a trained birth coach that hung out with the mom until the baby got there, but she couldn’t give medical advice. Death doula sounds like a weird term, but I don’t know of a better one.
They also have abortion doulas. When I first heard that I recoiled in horror.
Weird
According to the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO), shortly after 9 a.m., deputies were responded to a report of a burglary in the 1200 block of 112th St SW.
A 20-year-old man, whom the residents knew, arrived at the home and knocked on the door, forcing his way inside when the residents opened the door.
When he entered the house, he allegedly started stabbing the victims, a 45-year-old woman and an 18-year-old woman. A 22-year-old woman who also lives at the home was able to hold the suspect in a chokehold until deputies arrived, the SCSO said.
She obviously wasn’t choking him hard enough.
This story would be better if it ended with, “The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene from multiple gunshot wounds.”
Snohomish? They don’t give the guy’s name but I’d bet that it is Earl.
Weird that none of these people were at work.
Well, this has been a very expensive year.
But wait! We’re only a quarter of the way through!
Fuck, don’t remind me.
Tell me about it.
CHILD PRAYING MANTIS: Dad, who are we all praying to exactly?
DAD PRAYING MANTIS: Depends which religion you belong to
CHILD: So not all bugs follow the same religion?
DAD: No, son… we’re in sects
Oh my. While I am a bit surprised that I haven’t heard it before I do like that one…
Wait?
Dad survived?
It’s actually mom. She chooses to identify as dad.
I think that “praying mantis mommy kills daddy after sex” is largely a myth, no?
I’ve found plenty of headless petting mantises.
I have no idea as to how to sex them though.
“I have no idea as to how to sex them though.”
——
It is always the same, talk to your father and definitely do not look on the internet.
Heavy petting obviously.
Go to your room. You know what you did.
I’ll do it again.
The fleas speak
Joaquin Phoenix, Ben Stiller, Mark Ruffalo, Yorgos Lanthimos and Kristen Stewart are among more than 1,000 film and TV industry professionals who have signed an open letter protesting against Paramount’s pending acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery, the parent group that owns HBO, HBO Max, CNN, TBS and Food Network, as well as the Warner Bros TV and film studios.
“We are deeply concerned by indications of support for this merger that prioritise the interests of a small group of powerful stakeholders over the broader public good,” states the letter, which was published on Monday on BlocktheMerger.com.
“The integrity, independence and diversity of our industry would be grievously compromised. Competition is essential for a healthy economy and a healthy democracy. So is thoughtful regulation and enforcement.”
——-
Other signatories to the letter include Jane Fonda, Javier Bardem, Glenn Close, Sandra Hüller, Rose Byrne, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mary Steenburgen, Lily Gladstone and the documentarian Laura Poitras.
The letter included a superior cash offer, right?
Right?
What exactly is the “broader public good” concerning people who play make-believe for a living?
In my mind’s voice I say Mark Ruffalo in the same voice as puppet Matt Damon says his name in Team America.
“Competition is essential for a healthy economy and a healthy democracy.” I wonder if they see the irony in what they are saying.
I remember when people on the right complained about social media censorship and the response was “Start your own company”.
More importantly, what ungainly and stupid name are they going to inflict on the world for the new company?
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting
Western Entertainment Studio Using Communism Klub
With International break and FA Cup QF weekend, its been a long time, but I am back with premier league relegation update, round 32 (31 for Man City and Crystal Palace), magic number for safety in ():
Safe: Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Aston Villa, Liverpool
Reasonably Safe: Chelsea(1), Brentford(2), Everton(2), Brighton(3), Sunderland(3), Bournemouth(4), Fulham(5), Crystal Palace(7), Newcastle United(7)
Safe for now: none
Danger Zone: Leeds United(13), Nottingham Forest(16), West Ham United(17) |below this is relegation zone| Tottenham Hotspur(19)
Toast: Burnley(29), Wolverhampton(32)
Relegated: none
Wolves could be officially relegated in round 33.
The big question is if Spurs are even capable of getting 2 pts from their last 6 matches? They have not won a league game in 2026.
For some indefinable reason I like when Wolves are in and I have no impression of Burnley whatsoever.
But Tottenham… hot and cold on them over the years – I will lulz if they go down.
This got a chuckle out of me
(The prospect of Dumpass Porter as governor, not so much)
The best man at my brother’s wedding was a private pilot for Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise. He had good things to say about them. She also stopped her car and got out to take pictures with my kids when she was filming a movie nearby. I’m willing to give her the benefit of the doubt even though the death doula thing sounds weird.
Tom is exceptionally good in his industry, and I kinda think there isn’t a “Tom Cruise,” as a real person with individual thoughts. I’m sure there was, but after fame and switching to Everything All the Time and had the money to create his own individual bubble, in which no one is allowed in (other than publicity marriages).
I *do* find him an incredibly interesting person, but I doubt there’s much there, to the point of a Howard Hughes-type obsession and semi-illness.
No question they were fantastic in public. They’re really good at it. (Or he is, especially.) Even on Top Gear, which is usually more spontaneous when not plugging, he comes across remarkably well as a ‘normal’ person, which he just ain’t.
Curious creature. I’d like his wallet.
Sociopath, maybe? I have no idea but that is how they roll.
I generally think that Ms. Kidman seems lovely. But it also sounds like she may have some unresolved issues related to her mother’s death.
But has she washed off the crazy the Tom Cruise years?
Britney Spears…ya, Id take the dive and still would wearing a kevlar vest
Is she too cuckoo (or not cuckoo enough) to be a Glib? I don’t think that she is…
Take #x from 403 errors: Hit Me Baby One More Time came out in ’99, when I was 12. It’s *the* song for my tween, puberty-onset time.
Gotta say. Every generation /person has their own, but mine ain’t bad. I strongly approve.
Enter Sandman or Paradise City.
“Toxic” is another one of hers that is actually a sneaky good song.
LOL. https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/house-ethics-panel-opens-investigation-into-22204103.php
Boy…
If only he hadn’t run for governor …
https://x.com/Richard_Harambe/status/2043734088951996514
LOL
OMG
I’ve taxed it. Others need to see it.
March US Treasury statement is out. With Trump’s 2027 budget proposal out, the statement includes updated projections for FY 2026 and new FY 2027 projections.
Total receipts for March 2026 are $385 billion. Tariff revenue is $22 billion. Interestingly, in past months tariffs brought in high 20s billions. Total Outlays for March 2026 are $549 billion. This gives a deficit for March 2026 of $164 billion.
Rounding to the nearest 100 billion:
FY 2026 YTD receipts are $2.5 trillion. FY 2025 comparable period is $2.3 trillion.
FY 2026 YTD outlays are $3.7 trillion. FY 2025 comparable period is $3.6 trillion.
FY 2026 YTD deficit is $1.2 trillion. FY 2025 comparable period is $1.3 trillion.
For the updated FY 2026 projections and new FY 2027 projections, the government did not include a deficit. I used a calculator to calculate the deficit numbers shown below.
Rounding to the nearest 100 billion, here are the FY 2026 projections, FY 2027 projections, and FY 2025 actual numbers.
FY 2026 projected receipts are $5.5 trillion. FY 2027 projection is $5.9 trillion. FY 2025 actual is $5.2 trillion.
FY 2026 projected outlays are $7.5 trillion. FY 2027 projection is $8.1 trillion. FY 2025 actual is $7.0 trillion.
FY 2026 projected deficit is $2.0 trillion. FY 2027 projection is $2.2 trillion. FY 2025 actual is $1.8 trillion.
Inflation go up!
JFC
At least the 535 subhumans responsible for this are getting theirs before it all goes *poof*.
I know Trump doesn’t care about spending, but this seems remarkably simple to this simpleton: Let’s say I’m Prez. I veto *every* bill until a budget (of some kind, with my own stipulations) is passed. No doubt, Team Be Ruled would override the veto and things would go on ‘normally.’
Well. Prez Ev can now honestly point my finger at Congress and rail on how ridiculous, dangerous and self-centered they are. Blame’s off me, and I get to talk up the Spending Problem the US has.
I’m sure there are myriad ways this wouldn’t exactly work. (‘Already apportioned’ spending rings a bell.) I’ll play with my rubber duckie in my imaginary wading pool until ’99-era Spears wants to enlighten this lad.)
Agreed – why would Trump sign any of these budgets? Why would any president who claims to be fiscally responsible in any sense?
We’ve seen Trump go to bat for legislation he wants (the Big Beautiful Bill). We’ve seen Trump go to bat against legislation he doesn’t want (the Epstein Bill).
His silence on these fiscal matters should tell you everything you need to know.
I wonder how the ramped up ICE activity plays into this, and if it couldn’t somehow be counted as an investment vs an expenditure.
Spend money to deport as many as possible, with the intent that expenditures in other areas will go down. Stuff like welfare, medical care, etc.
Investment certainly isn’t the right word, but I think you get the meaning.
I know he isn’t against whipping out the credit card. I guess I’m just hoping for some silver lining.
SWALWELL RESIGNS FROM CONGRESS
Wow. Giving up on the gov race wasn’t enough.
No way this wasn’t known. Or is concocted bullshit.
Someone in the party wants him out. The mere idea of two R’s leading in the polls was too much for them, so he had to go.
Our version of Game of Thrones is just as petty, but far less appealing than the show. Power above all. (Humans be human.)
No decapitations, our (near) vacancy of attractive rulers, and our spending is incompatible. (And no dragons.)
Yeah, knives out.
Wasn’t fucking a foreign agent or immigration fraud, but this.
I never thought we’d see that.
No idea what is really going on here. The games all politicians play are so repugnant I doubt I want to know.
The AP has put the sexually deviant Rep over the sexually deviant Dem:
“Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas says he will retire after admitting to affair with staffer”
Swissy: No promises, but Sasquatch Sunset is out on Pluto. I am going to bust a move and post it before it goes away. I am trying to convince UnCivil to make that our crossover, since that is such an epic film.
Rip
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sid_and_Marty_Krofft
lol I have to admit those don’t really roll of the tongue.
86 and 96 ain’t bad but I think a guy needs another hundred years to get it right.
I didn’t know they had an amusement park that turned into CNN. That explains a lot.