You Know You're Old When....

I spent most of my mid-50s to 60s pining after food.  I grew up without lacking sustinence, even though much of Mom's menu would likely be poo-poo'd nowadays, for canned was big back then.

This photo is proof-positive of my words. In 2009 I was alone on Ruff Life down in Puerto Rico, trying to get her in enough shape to sell so I could follow 'the Captain' back to America.  Just a bit of backstory.

For months I worked with limited electricity and water; swealtering days of sanding, painting and other repairs (click on link for Befores and Afters).  I had hardly any money and was sick of dreaming of food; until one day, weak with desire, I decided,

"If I can't buy the food I want, I'll PAINT it!"  My refrigerator, left unplugged to conserve power, had become a storage cabinet and I had the door all planned out; but sold the boat before I could finish that project.

I sent Ben & Jerry's a picture and they rewarded me with a nice letter from Customer Service, along with the magnet on the bottom right of my current collection (r). Companies don't do that anymore.

Back on dry land, $5 hot chickens sold at Walmart were a splurge I'd allow myself on special occasions.  I'm past those bleak times but still rarely eat out, even fast food, which has become outrageous.  But a couple weeks ago I went for a walk on the beach and decided to treat myself (for exercising) at the Chinese counter in Safeway.

Some dishes I could identify but not all.  I chose General Tso's Chicken with rice; plus an eggroll.

"For another dollar you have have TWO entrees and it already comes with an eggroll or 2 potstickers."

Couldn't pass up that Friday special.  I asked what I was looking at and she rattled off Chung King-This, Szechuan-Chu-That and the like, to my ignorant ears.  OK, I'll also have (and pointed to the sliced pork).  While I was struggling for a name she advised,

"That isn't an entree."  A woman had arrived and stood to my bad, right side so I couldn't see her clearly.

Then what is it, I wondered silently.  Hmmm..."Ok, what's that again?"

She repeated all my choices, patiently; but the waiting woman began shuffling, breaking my concentration.

"OK, I'll have the Sesame-Orange Chicken."

"Those are two different dishes, you have to choose one or the other."

"AW, C'MON," I heard off my starboard side

The deli-gal momentarily paused and I was proud of myself for controlling Amy's mouth and not moving a muscle, took all my concentration.  I was not going to allow her to spoil my treat.  After I finalized my selection, neither rushing nor apologizing for being me, I finally turned to look. Here's how I described her to the first person I told:

"She looked like a skinny, stringy white-haired crack-head on her lunch break, probably."  That was harsh but I was peeved.  I knew if I said a word she'd berate me like those people at the recent No Kings protest, but she avoided my glance. Good thing for all involved.

Which brings me back to the title - for me this was it - being harangued for being confused, aged, or something else.  How can they know I've been like this my whole life?  Another lame attempt at public humiliation to boost someone's self-esteem, you see it all the time, from people who post horrid ratings without first attempting to contact a Seller to politicians becoming octogenerians.

No Kings #3 on the Left Coast

It was pretty much the same as the first two, with more people honking for us - hope it was the same across the country.  There were the usual Bubbas racing their trucks through the rally to express their opinions, and sometimes instead of a Peace sign out the window there was only one finger. (Photo: Cheri Brubaker, running for county Commissioner, stopped to speak)

I held no sign, only waving one arm and smiling at passing vehicles.  My other hand held the walking stick I'd brought to lean on, primarily.  When the light turned red I paused my waving to give my arm a rest before the green.

A woman in a yellow vest with a Stop sign played Crossing Guard, assisting the crowds back and forth.  A police vehicle periodically drove by.  Most of the people I saw were of my generation, and it was nice to converse with like-minded people.  Everyone was friendly; no one was shouting obscenities; only a few FDT signs.  Lots of Veterans.

What surprised me was the 80+-yr old couple stopped at the light, their open window directly in front of me, who immediately launched into a vicious octogenerian tirade.   Amy started rumbling as I stared back, likely open-mouthed, along with the people beside me; stunned by their utter contempt.

"You don't have to insult us," was all I could manage; we're supposed to respect our elders, aren't we?

"YOU INSULT YOURSELF - GET A JOB!"

Amy threatened to overpower by that point, but everyone has a phone nowadays.  Still, I'm kicking myself for at least not hollering back,

"We're retired!"

They went on and on, deriding us in stereo until the light changed, the woman as hateful as her husband at the wheel.  Amy managed a lame 'Inbreds' as they drove off and the woman next to me said something about, "Not everyone is going to agree."  Sure, but still.  If you were introduced to them by mutual friends you wouldn't have a clue as to their true nature.

None of us deserved that; what is wrong with you MAGA people?  Peaceful protesting is what we're allowed to do, like it or not.  We're not burning effigies; or talking about people of color, women, dyslexics, and LGBTQ's as if we're of a 'lower caste' the way your Leader does.  I've said it before, we're ALL on their list only at different levels, so if nothing's affected you personally yet, don't get too comfortable for your time will come.  Believe it or not, we're demonstrating for ALL of us.

There are so many people who simply don't care.  It's disappointing to hear of the wealthy fleeing the country and buying homes in picturesque foreign lands, perfectly happy to advise you and me via videos how to protect our freedoms.

Well I say, 'GET YOUR YOU-KNOW-WHATS BACK HERE TO HELP'

The Peter Principle* At Work in the White House

* "People are promoted to their level of incompetence."

In a previous post I wrote that Yes, I'd have to support the war for the sake of our troops and innocent civilians, but that doesn't mean I'm FOR the war.  I remember the abuse soldiers returning from Vietnam faced from the moment they stepped off the airplane, adding to their psychological trauma; and I didn't want another generation suffering in the same way.

And the civilians?  Iranian demonstrators were promised we'd have their backs if they rose up and overthrew the government; but (we) were a month too late.  How many were massacred for believing us - more than 20,000?  And now Trump's ready to cut and run, let them fend for themselves.

Turning tail will make loads of military families happy if not the soldiers themselves, and I'd love to see my friend's grandson return home safely; but did we leave the people better or worse off?  Sounds like we facilitated the replacement of one monster with another who, by all accounts, is worse than his Dad.

And what about the Lebanese, sitting off to the side, now getting blown to bits like Israel did to Gaza.  I'm talking about the innocents, not Hezbollah, Hamas, et al.  I was about to write that I can't imagine losing everything and sleeping in a tent on a street, but of course that happens here every day, just without the bombed rubble in the background.

How many transitional housing units could be purchased for one day's worth of fighting?  In 2022, these tiny homes were purchased for $15,000 each.  Even with inflation, they're cheap and can be used over and over as people wait for REAL housing to be built.  Take a couple more day's worth of the war to help us out with health insurance and food.

This seems such a sloppy war, flown by the seat of Trump's pants.  And what's happening now?  Lifting sanctions on Iranian oil for 30 days to save us a few cents per gallon but really to pump up his popularity before the midterms. The fear is that Iran will get lots of money (to purchase weapons) but I just read this from the WSJ:

"U.S. sanctions waivers allowing the sale of Iranian oil already at sea are unlikely to free up more barrels because Tehran can't get paid.  It doesn't include waivers on a ban on banking with Iran."

I didn't subscribe so couldn't read much before the screen blurred, but if this is true what a bait-and-switch on the public.  We'll hear about it.  Or not.

Putin's off to the side, laughing his you-know-what off while watching our leader dancing like a marionette at the hands of others; doesn't matter who, it's definitely NOT us.

Poor Ukraine, they'll fall further behind while we go after Cuba; it completes Trump's domination of three dictatorships to further cement his legacy.  Doesn't he realize letters can be yanked off marble and tacky gold fixtures removed, melted, sold and the money donated to a worthy cause?  Can't sell the gold unmelted, for fanatics would snatch them up to create a future god-like aura around the man.  The Germans prevented that with Hitler's Bavarian digs - blew it to bits so it didn't become a shrine.

And it's only been 14 months.

I don't blame our Nato allies for not jumping into the fray - after the way our Commander-in-Chief berates, insults and tariffs them to death, then expects abject loyalty the same way he does ALL his appointees.

We're used to it, for doesn't he tell us all that time that we're stupid if we don't believe as he does?  He lies so often but is rarely taken to task.  I don't believe a word he says and detest the way he spins falsehoods to fit his narrative.

He was surprised the Strait would be closed?  And now that the war hasn't gone the way he thought, because he's not qualified for his job any more than most of his advisers; and he can't fix the mess he's made without troops on the ground, he'll declare his 'part' over and leave the mess to everyone else to clean up.  Walk away smelling like a rose, if you don't count the blood from over 150 killed at an Iranian school.

(sic) "We don't need (the Strait).   Let China, India and our Allies clean it up (if it doesn't clean itself up), since they need it more than we do."  We have our own supply, and anything we need can come from Venezuela, isn't that why we commandeered it?

No matter the chain of events, oil is predicted to increase, but hopefully it doesn't go as high as $190 a barrel.  The President said prices were better than he'd thought, so how bad did he think things would go, and why not tell us in advance?  We could have stocked up on food and basic necessities.  We should be happy, his implication.

It will take time to clear any mines, finish destroying Iranian missiles and drones and rebuild docks and infrastructure.  But by cutting his losses, Trump will be able to blame future delays and increases on our Allies who would not come to our aid; and Democrats, who would not fund the war without clarifications.

"Everything's been destroyed," they told us that last summer, too; but we're seeing photos depicting otherwise.  Why are thousands of Marines heading for the Gulf?  And they're sending ships from San Diego, that'll take time to arrive.  In the meantime, the pummeling continues.

You don't advocate for Peace while recreating the Department of War, so it stands to reason they're not deploying 3,000 troops on a fishing venture.  Let's see how long it is until Trump claims this is the 9th or 10th war he ended, omitting why it suddenly became necessary, and demanding the world's subjugation.

And one last thing:  why didn't DJT place his hand on the Bible while being sworn in to office (top photo)?  He did the first time, you can see online.  That was a definite statement but to who and meaning what?  Isn't he all-for Christian Nationalistm, and if so, wouldn't they be disappointed in that slight of the Lord?  Does Trump care about anyone?

No, unfortunately he has no sympathy for anyone or anything outside of his immediate circle.  Proven just now by his response to today's news that former FBI Director Robert Mueller had passed away.  The President posted, "Good.  I'm glad he's dead."

How refined.

We Need AI Why?

I must have I missed something, for a little over a year ago I hadn't really thought much about AI, but now we can't get away from it.  My questions is simple:  why?  What's happened that we suddenly need computers to do more of our thinking?

More than one advertisement stresses the need to beat the Chinese, or else...

Or else what?  What would happen if we suddenly held up our collective hands to Xi Jinping and cried, Wǒ fàngqì! We'd be forced to eat more rice?  Would he enslave us in camps?  Tell us what we can and cannot do and say?  Who we can and cannot vote for?

We have that already.

"They'll be able to react much faster and fire deadly missiles quicker."

So the idea is to create a wasteland out of the Mongol Empire and mount one more defeated leader's head in the Oval Office?  Doesn't make sense to me.  But neither does the deal-making that continues with those who we're supposdedly at odds.  We buy and sell commodities, lift sanctions and educate their elite while our young men and women on the battlefields contemplate Kill or be killed.  It's not a game, contrary to Pentagon propaganda.

So why the need for AI?  It's already making people dumber because there's no need to compose one's thoughts;  assuming there continues to be original thoughts.  Creative souls are threatened; employees are laid off for the sake of efficiency; and we can truly no longer believe what we see.

The energy required for all this advancement is forcing increased consumption of fossil fuels.  Some are trying solar and other means, but how expensive (for them) and how far into the future will that become viable?  And if it comes down to supplying scarce resources to the people or tech giant's supercomputers, who do you think will win?

Maybe that's what China wants, but they won't politely ask Sam Atlman, et al, for their permission.

Don't Worry, Be Happy

Week two of our 'war' with Iran; let's stop debating semantics, for the result's the same.  I think it's safe to say we're all still in shock:  not again, various generations are bemoaning.  One poll asked listeners how long they think the war might last and most guessed one year; half-that said one month, and the rest split between one week or not in our lifetime.

I filled my tank with gas two days after hearing we were at war, $4.15 a gallon.  It's always been higher out here plus I get the Hi-Test for my 2004 Volvo, but I don't drive much so a full tank can last a month.

Yesterday I saw the prices up to $4.50-something, and I pitied those who must commute some distance to work or school, or heading for vacation (especially with their RV).  But I remember in one college class, c. 1973, being asked by the instructor, "Who would pay $1.00 a gallon for gas," and most everyone's hand shot upwards. He gradually increased the price per gallon and fewer hands went up; until he said $4.00 a gallon and mine was the only one up.

Why, he asked me and I replied, "I'm not a walker.,"  but I always regretted not adding my second reason:  Prices would increase gradually and there wouldn't be such sticker shock so we'd all pay anyway.  I'd answer the same now if someone asked if I'd pay $10 a gallon, for the same reasons.

As to our war with Iran, if someone asked me whether I'm for or against it, how would I answer? I've long been in favor of cutting the head off that snake, since Iran has indeed been a thorn in our side for far too long, and I bet the majority of Americans agree.

It's how we went about it.  I don't expect instant notifications every time the State Department takes a breath; but they should have been better prepared to help Americans get out of harm's way.  Twenty-four hours is not enough notice to fly everyone out, so since the President announces most threatening timelines at "2 weeks" why couldn't he have used that bluff, get them out, then begin?

Thank goodness they're helping now.  Lots of us remember watching the 1979 hostage crisis on TV and counting the days of captivity along with Ted Koppel on ABC's new show, Nightline.  My Ex was in the Army working with the new Patriot missile project on White Sands Missile Range, and everyone was on edge. Kinda like how military families are feeling right now.

As I watch the bombardment of Tehran and elsewhere, I can't help thinking that after all we've seen in Gaza, we're becoming sort-of immune to destruction like that.  How many people will be displaced, and how much is this going to cost?  Three fighter jets get accidentally shot down - how many tiny-homes and other social services could that have funded?

A definitive reason and clear objectives would also have been nice; but despite my nit-picking, I suppose my answer is Yes, I must support the war for the sake of our troops and innocent civilians.  Unfortunately, the Genie is out of the Bottle and we can't put him back, so all we can hope is it's over quickly. 

After this then Cuba and back to Venezuela to defend oil companies; and when NATO-minus the US focuses on war approaching their backyards will they still defend Greenland or will it become a casualty of war?  What'll happen to Ukraine?  

How thin can we be stretched and still defend ourselves if our enemies strike?  Doesn't sound so implausable anymore, does it?

Nobody's Talking About Epstein and THAT's Why We're At War

I don't know why this isn't coming up, at least not on the stations I listened to.  If others have voiced the same, then I agree!  Let's see, how did that work out?  Things were getting dicey, and then there were the 3 missing FBI interviews of the woman who charged the President with sexual assault decades ago.  Since it's older in time I'm pretty sure she means rape and not a simple pat on the como-se-llama.

What else can it be?  I don't trust most of what the Administration says, but you must admit the changing excuses for this war makes your head spin.

"We've got to take out their nuclear capabilities!"  I thought they did that last summer.

"We want the Iranian people to be free!"  Trump promised to help them last month when they were already out and fired up, encouraging them to overthrow the government.  So why didn't we cut off the head of the snake then?  What happened this past month?

THE  FBI INTERVIEW FILES WEREN'T REPORTED MISSING YET

After 20-30,000 demonstrators were killed without reprisals from America and their brief uprising squashed, how anxious can they be to take Trump at his word now?

I love the idea that 'Whatever the Iranian people want to do after we've achieved our (vague) objectives is fine with us.'   That must be reassuring to the Iranian people.  And when they don't rush out into the streets, and/or the few who do are slaughtered because we're not putting 'boots on the ground,' what are we saying?

They don't have any Internet access, so how are they supposed to organize?  Hegseth made surreptitious remarks suggesting undercover people already there doing who-knows-what; perhaps they're the folks who will accept the Iranian surrenders.

Everything's so unclear. What if NATO encouraged us to rise up against Trump (because they think we're being oppressed) and they'd back us with military force?  Would that be deemed acceptable?  Before any help would arrive, ICE will have done something with loads of us, that's what they're for; which is precisely what lots of people fear for the Iranian people from the IRGC.

Regime Change was used for killing 49+ top people, but Hegseth says that's not true.  If regime changes does occur, cool.  I hate the way they act like we didn't hear things they've said either during the past 10 years or 10 minutes.  Old Petey couldn't avoid acting 'snarly' to one reporter, "Did you not hear me?"  But I guess that's better than, "Quiet, Piggy."

If Trump was so damned proud about what he's doing, why hasn't he posted ad nasuem and been all over TV?  How lame to make such an important announcement in the middle of the night on Truth Social.

HE'S AVOIDING ANY POSSIBILITY OF BEING ASKED ABOUT THE EPSTEIN FILES

I can't imagine anyone asking him any questions about that right now, not after he's unleashed such carnage across the globe, but you never know.

If Rubio's telling the truth about total obliteration of Iran's Navy, ballistic missiles, etc. and NOT for regime change, imminent threat or saving the people;  then it sounds like we're doing  Israel's bidding; for Bebe's bragging it's what he's wanted for decades.

Glad somebody's happy.  But I still think the reason is

AVOIDING THE EPSTEIN FIASCO.   And the oil.