I am sitting here dreading taking that dumb pill at noon, Eating some pineapple jello ( only liquids from now till after the procedure.) I have headache...sure it is anxiety related. Bingeing Star Trek Voyager, again.
I don't have anything pithy or substantial to say about Turkey and Sweden and Muslims...though I hope eventually Turkey relents, Erdogan has a habit of walking a thin line between two sides...I do know that there were some men from Turkey on the dating site I used to be on, interesting people...
Yeah, I like them all, TNG, Voyager, Deep Space Nine is my favorite, I haven't seen any of the new ones after DS9..Sentimental about the original, but haven't rewatched it in a long time...I have some of the collectible stuff...when the TV is on, it is mostly when I am here alone and I am doing stuff on the computer and I can't watch anything new, as I can't pay attention...lol..so I rebinge my favorites
Thanks, the last one was fine, this is just to remove one too, the prep is the yucky part...lol..and I am starving already...lol..
Oh god, I wish....lol...coffee, tea ( but no cream), water, gatorade, clear pops, white juices, chicken or beef broth, and jello ( which I have pineapple Jello ( not red or purple dye stuff) , and I have pineapple popsicles, that is about it...lol...
I am starting now to drink the stuff, it is made with the clear Gatorade which is supposedly cherry flavored...lol..
"The annoying contrast, of course, is between the way Muslim-world governments behave toward western democratic countries that accord equal human rights to their Muslim citizenry and how the same governments have nothing critical to say against the genocidal government of the Chinese Communist Party."
Back during the Cold War I observed the same thing as most countries, including Western democratic countries, condemned apartheid South Africa but said nothing about human rights violations in the Soviet Union or Mao's China.
And much the same pertains today toward Israel but not the Palestinians or Hamas. That is, given the 2 hostile populations in close contact with each other, one is expected to bend over backwards to follow the rules, while the other is given a pass to commit atrocities.
Marque, did you know TMD would be covering the problems facing Sweden and Finland in being approved as NATO members this morning? Both your and their writing on this subject are interesting.
It’s difficult to understand the kind of hold these Muslim countries have on their citizens, and how it is that the rest of the world ends up having to deal with it. I realize this doesn’t mean that all Muslims are the same, and I’m not meaning “Muslims” as “all Muslims.”
It sounds as though the elections in Turkey are part of the reason Erdogan is holding out. It also sounds as though the U.S. will have some pull because Turkey wants to buy fighter jets from us. I think, as long as someone doesn’t screw things up, we have a good shot at influencing Turkey to make the right decision.
Also, your recommendation to subscribe to Kyle Orton‘s Substack newsletter is much appreciated. I’m interested, but I’m not sure I can take much more bad news about the world we’re living in these days. (That’s not to say that we haven’t always had problems.)
I thought about that, but then I wondered about the downside. I’m not sure there is one, but it’s not like anyone is making a case for it. It’s also not as though Turkey is threatening to leave, either. This is where TD needs to have someone who is deeper into foreign affairs. I know they have some good, young staff, but I’d like to hear from someone who has been directly involved or has those sources. I’m sorry to see Klon go, although this might not have been his thing either.
I have no idea what would have to happen to expel a member, assuming it's possible without one having attacked another. Just a thought and the logistics (impossibility of it?) may be why it's not being discussed. It also might be fear of driving them to make a different alliance choice.
Same here, Josh. And, I also wondered about alliances. It reminds me of "keep your friends close, and your enemies closer." Not sure I have that right, but I think it's approximate.
Eeeew. I'd rather live with episodes where everything smells like artificial vanilla flavoring, although I might feel differently if I were stuck with rotting meat, like some people.
Heard some radio show or podcast with a food chemist at a major company (like M&M Mars or Haribo) that had experimented to develop truly revolting flavors just to prove they could do it. In a bowl of jelly beans sampled during the interview, they’d mixed some horrible but true-to-life surprise flavors like vomit, rotting flesh, blue cheese, and so on.
At Christmas a few years ago they had a game where one ate a jelly bean without knowing if it was a good flavor or a gross flavor. I cannot remember the name of it, but it was good.
I saw yesterday that a small meteor is heading towards earth! Its orbit could take it within 10,000 km of earth! They theorize it is so small that if it were to enter the Earth that it will break up and burn up before it destroys Cincinnati, or wherever it lands.
So you probably have nothing to fear, except for the destruction of earth, shortly before you find out whether or not the daffodils you planted last fall will bloom or not.
So if this is it, it has been nice knowing you all. But if it isn’t good, keep calm and carry on.
I remember seeing meteors on the roads when I was a kid. You see, Ford of Canada then made Fords that were 90% identical to US models and one, maybe it was the Fairlane, was called the Meteor and I saw them when we visited family in Montreal.
Oh, and you know the difference between regular meet balls and veggie meet balls? Yes, the regulars are from out of this world. They are meatier.
My mom's first car after she learned to drive at ag e 29!, was a dark green Fairlane, it was the first car I drove and I used it after I got my license.
You remind me of how insulted my brother was when our dad made some comment about dropping a bomb on Madison, Wisconsin. My dad was harmless, but he sure had some violent fantasies.
MG, What's up with the "pledge your support" and how does Substack work? Do you have expenses here? If so, I don't mind chipping in. Is this pledge thing a revenue source for Substack? Do you get a free ride until you don't?
Thanks for the explanation. I was actually wondering if you were hard up for cash and hoping you hadn't come across some emergency. So that's a relief.
Today’s special animal friend is the Proboscis Monkey, Nasalis larvatus, a large monkey native to Borneo. Found in coastal areas and mangrove forests around the island, the proboscis monkey is one of the largest monkeys in Asia. Males have a head-body length up to 30 inches, and they can weigh up to 66 lbs. Female grow up to 24 inches long and weigh up to 33 lbs. The males’ proboscis or nose can grow up to four inches long and hang below their chins. Females have much smaller noses. Specialized cartilage holds the noses on the face.
Proboscis monkeys have gray underfur and thicker, brown overcoats on their backs and shoulders, like they’re wearing a brown jacket over a gray jumpsuit. Adults of both sexes have cream-colored faces and bulging stomachs.
Like the pig-tailed macaques, proboscis monkeys live in family groups which assemble in larger bands of up to 60 individuals for protection at night or when food is very abundant. Males establish dominance with only mild violence, for primates, and females pass status to their female offspring. Mating season varies depending on weather patterns. Gestation is up to 200 days, and one baby is typical. Infants are weaned at about 7 months and remain with their mother for another year or so.
Fruit and leaves comprise most of the monkeys’ diet. Proboscis monkeys are largely arboreal, but they are also excellent swimmers. They prefer young leaves and unripe fruit. They are picky about their diet and are difficult to keep in zoos. The Singapore Zoo is one of the few that has kept them successfully.
Proboscis monkeys are rated Endangered by IUCN. Natural predators include crocodilians, clouded leopards, pythons, and sun bears. Young or sick individuals are vulnerable to birds of prey. Habitat loss is a significant threat as native forests are cleared for wood sales or oil palm plantations. They are hunted for meat in some areas and are in demand for traditional Chinese medicine, in spite of CITES Appendix I listing.
It is believed that the noses help to amplify their sound effects:
True. Although there are indications that the younger generation of Chinese people cares more about wildlife conservation, there are a quite a few species for which collection for the Chinese market is a very significant threat.
It seems so weirdly out of touch. But then again, we have a lot of people here who believe all kinds of strange things here that are completely illogical, along with the fact that they’re getting their info from people they would call frauds if those people were associated with the other side.
Lol before I married Katie I avoided caffeine, but she grew up drinking soda, so I began too. My drink of choice is diet mountain dew. But I buy it after morning activities (handling stuff about the house, walking laps at the Y, driving to the office). So early morning replies are not caffeinated! Imagine my comments AFTER a 2 liter of diet dew!😱
I wish we could trade Turkey for Sweden, but I don’t think that’s feasible.
Plus, kicking Turkey out may drive them closer to Russia or China, which isn’t what we want, either.
Foreign Policy, am I right?
Morning everyone....
I am sitting here dreading taking that dumb pill at noon, Eating some pineapple jello ( only liquids from now till after the procedure.) I have headache...sure it is anxiety related. Bingeing Star Trek Voyager, again.
I don't have anything pithy or substantial to say about Turkey and Sweden and Muslims...though I hope eventually Turkey relents, Erdogan has a habit of walking a thin line between two sides...I do know that there were some men from Turkey on the dating site I used to be on, interesting people...
Voyager is a good show.
I hope the procedure goes well for you.
Yeah, I like them all, TNG, Voyager, Deep Space Nine is my favorite, I haven't seen any of the new ones after DS9..Sentimental about the original, but haven't rewatched it in a long time...I have some of the collectible stuff...when the TV is on, it is mostly when I am here alone and I am doing stuff on the computer and I can't watch anything new, as I can't pay attention...lol..so I rebinge my favorites
Thanks, the last one was fine, this is just to remove one too, the prep is the yucky part...lol..and I am starving already...lol..
If milkshakes count as liquids, you could always have one of them.
Oh god, I wish....lol...coffee, tea ( but no cream), water, gatorade, clear pops, white juices, chicken or beef broth, and jello ( which I have pineapple Jello ( not red or purple dye stuff) , and I have pineapple popsicles, that is about it...lol...
I am starting now to drink the stuff, it is made with the clear Gatorade which is supposedly cherry flavored...lol..
"The annoying contrast, of course, is between the way Muslim-world governments behave toward western democratic countries that accord equal human rights to their Muslim citizenry and how the same governments have nothing critical to say against the genocidal government of the Chinese Communist Party."
Back during the Cold War I observed the same thing as most countries, including Western democratic countries, condemned apartheid South Africa but said nothing about human rights violations in the Soviet Union or Mao's China.
And much the same pertains today toward Israel but not the Palestinians or Hamas. That is, given the 2 hostile populations in close contact with each other, one is expected to bend over backwards to follow the rules, while the other is given a pass to commit atrocities.
Marque, did you know TMD would be covering the problems facing Sweden and Finland in being approved as NATO members this morning? Both your and their writing on this subject are interesting.
It’s difficult to understand the kind of hold these Muslim countries have on their citizens, and how it is that the rest of the world ends up having to deal with it. I realize this doesn’t mean that all Muslims are the same, and I’m not meaning “Muslims” as “all Muslims.”
It sounds as though the elections in Turkey are part of the reason Erdogan is holding out. It also sounds as though the U.S. will have some pull because Turkey wants to buy fighter jets from us. I think, as long as someone doesn’t screw things up, we have a good shot at influencing Turkey to make the right decision.
Also, your recommendation to subscribe to Kyle Orton‘s Substack newsletter is much appreciated. I’m interested, but I’m not sure I can take much more bad news about the world we’re living in these days. (That’s not to say that we haven’t always had problems.)
The solution is simple. Vote Turkey out of NATO, vote the newbies in and then Turkey can reapply, if they so choose.
If we could and *did* kick the Turks out, they’d probably find an excuse to go to war with Greece.
NATO would side with Greece and in the end, what would we have? (Hint: Oily Thanksgiving)
🙄
I thought about that, but then I wondered about the downside. I’m not sure there is one, but it’s not like anyone is making a case for it. It’s also not as though Turkey is threatening to leave, either. This is where TD needs to have someone who is deeper into foreign affairs. I know they have some good, young staff, but I’d like to hear from someone who has been directly involved or has those sources. I’m sorry to see Klon go, although this might not have been his thing either.
I have no idea what would have to happen to expel a member, assuming it's possible without one having attacked another. Just a thought and the logistics (impossibility of it?) may be why it's not being discussed. It also might be fear of driving them to make a different alliance choice.
Same here, Josh. And, I also wondered about alliances. It reminds me of "keep your friends close, and your enemies closer." Not sure I have that right, but I think it's approximate.
I found the contention that there is going to be a free election in Turkey, with an actual possibility of booting Erdogan, to be rather dubious.
I wondered about that too, since Erdogan has been consolidating his power since his election.
Good point. That’s not happening.
Assuming you posted (or at least wrote) this before TMD hit your inbox, congrats again for scooping the Mothership.
I figured they’d get around to it. I think their foreign policy reporting is quite good for a smallish news site.
Anyway, Orton’s angle on this topic today is different. Iirc, he has a strong background in Islamic cultures and countries—and the history.
Okay, I’m convinced I need to read that!
In a happy confluence of yesterday's "ants can smell cancer" and today's "will ya look at the honkers on those monkeys" this is from today's WaPo:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2023/01/26/smell-loss-covid-bionic-nose-brain
We can rebuild him…
Wut?
Eeeew. I'd rather live with episodes where everything smells like artificial vanilla flavoring, although I might feel differently if I were stuck with rotting meat, like some people.
Heard some radio show or podcast with a food chemist at a major company (like M&M Mars or Haribo) that had experimented to develop truly revolting flavors just to prove they could do it. In a bowl of jelly beans sampled during the interview, they’d mixed some horrible but true-to-life surprise flavors like vomit, rotting flesh, blue cheese, and so on.
Thank goodness I don’t like jelly beans.
Bertie Botts Every Flavor Beans.
I have a box of those. Didn't eat any; saving them for the collectibles market.
Did you buy them from the snack lady on the train?
Got them for Christmas. I don't recall asking how they were acquired.
Really? Oy veh!
Not really: fictionally.
At Christmas a few years ago they had a game where one ate a jelly bean without knowing if it was a good flavor or a gross flavor. I cannot remember the name of it, but it was good.
See incognito below.
Jelly Belly has made it real. 😀
https://www.jellybelly.com/weird-wild-and-gross-jelly-beans/c/289
[ETA]
One product’s description:
Flavor pairings in the mix include:
Stink Bug - Toasted Marshmallow
Liver & Onions* - Cappuccino
Rotten Egg - Buttered Popcorn
Toothpaste - Berry Blue
Barf - Peach
Dirty Dishwater - Birthday Cake
Booger - Juicy Pear
Old Bandage* - Pomegranate
Stinky Socks - Tutti-Fruitti
Dead Fish - Strawberry Banana Smoothie
Heh. I had no idea…
"Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone", with the first mention of Every Flavor Beans, was published in 1997.
I saw yesterday that a small meteor is heading towards earth! Its orbit could take it within 10,000 km of earth! They theorize it is so small that if it were to enter the Earth that it will break up and burn up before it destroys Cincinnati, or wherever it lands.
So you probably have nothing to fear, except for the destruction of earth, shortly before you find out whether or not the daffodils you planted last fall will bloom or not.
So if this is it, it has been nice knowing you all. But if it isn’t good, keep calm and carry on.
I remember seeing meteors on the roads when I was a kid. You see, Ford of Canada then made Fords that were 90% identical to US models and one, maybe it was the Fairlane, was called the Meteor and I saw them when we visited family in Montreal.
Oh, and you know the difference between regular meet balls and veggie meet balls? Yes, the regulars are from out of this world. They are meatier.
My mom's first car after she learned to drive at ag e 29!, was a dark green Fairlane, it was the first car I drove and I used it after I got my license.
I think I know you well enough to guess you had a good time in that car. You know, driving around the countryside.
Yes, I did...lol
You remind me of how insulted my brother was when our dad made some comment about dropping a bomb on Madison, Wisconsin. My dad was harmless, but he sure had some violent fantasies.
I mentioned earlier this week that it's time for SMOD. Maybe this is a warm-up.
MG, What's up with the "pledge your support" and how does Substack work? Do you have expenses here? If so, I don't mind chipping in. Is this pledge thing a revenue source for Substack? Do you get a free ride until you don't?
You can ignore it—it’s a Substack innovation. I reckon they added it to help their writers who are trying to write here for a living.
Thanks for the explanation. I was actually wondering if you were hard up for cash and hoping you hadn't come across some emergency. So that's a relief.
But is this costing you? I remember having to pay for my grandson to have fun time in a particular play space and I was okay with that.
😀
Nah, I’m not out any expenses. But thanks for asking.
Today’s special animal friend is the Proboscis Monkey, Nasalis larvatus, a large monkey native to Borneo. Found in coastal areas and mangrove forests around the island, the proboscis monkey is one of the largest monkeys in Asia. Males have a head-body length up to 30 inches, and they can weigh up to 66 lbs. Female grow up to 24 inches long and weigh up to 33 lbs. The males’ proboscis or nose can grow up to four inches long and hang below their chins. Females have much smaller noses. Specialized cartilage holds the noses on the face.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1C9rM76BpI
Proboscis monkeys have gray underfur and thicker, brown overcoats on their backs and shoulders, like they’re wearing a brown jacket over a gray jumpsuit. Adults of both sexes have cream-colored faces and bulging stomachs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6JwIbU7W8U
Like the pig-tailed macaques, proboscis monkeys live in family groups which assemble in larger bands of up to 60 individuals for protection at night or when food is very abundant. Males establish dominance with only mild violence, for primates, and females pass status to their female offspring. Mating season varies depending on weather patterns. Gestation is up to 200 days, and one baby is typical. Infants are weaned at about 7 months and remain with their mother for another year or so.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pzO6xlf-y4
Fruit and leaves comprise most of the monkeys’ diet. Proboscis monkeys are largely arboreal, but they are also excellent swimmers. They prefer young leaves and unripe fruit. They are picky about their diet and are difficult to keep in zoos. The Singapore Zoo is one of the few that has kept them successfully.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZf4tLXvFwA
Proboscis monkeys are rated Endangered by IUCN. Natural predators include crocodilians, clouded leopards, pythons, and sun bears. Young or sick individuals are vulnerable to birds of prey. Habitat loss is a significant threat as native forests are cleared for wood sales or oil palm plantations. They are hunted for meat in some areas and are in demand for traditional Chinese medicine, in spite of CITES Appendix I listing.
It is believed that the noses help to amplify their sound effects:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1X2TTP2pQjk
Well… that’s a thing.
Traditional Chinese medicine really sucks for a lot of species.
True. Although there are indications that the younger generation of Chinese people cares more about wildlife conservation, there are a quite a few species for which collection for the Chinese market is a very significant threat.
It seems so weirdly out of touch. But then again, we have a lot of people here who believe all kinds of strange things here that are completely illogical, along with the fact that they’re getting their info from people they would call frauds if those people were associated with the other side.
Yes. Any idea that people aren't nuts quickly runs into reality.
Sniff! To think the crocs I wear in the morning when I take my dogs out to do their business contribute to the demise of these monkeys. Sad!
Although I am surprised that the clouded panther is a predator of theirs. I assumed they’d be spotted.
So incredibly lame, it almost is not a recognizable pun, not even worth a groan.
Do your business out the 🚪
In vaudeville days they would have gotten you offstage with a 🪝.
Damn, you’re good, Phil! 😍
I don’t know how you manage to get started like this so early in the morning! 😉
He just fires up the ol' ChatGPT
Hmmm, that might be a way to add more puns and bad jokes!
Noooooo! 😱
😉
Hard to show the 🚪 to a bot.
Instead, we can chuck ‘‘em over the firewall.
Coffee?
😂 Lots of it, too! However, I can see that Jay says he doesn’t drink coffee. ADHD? But I have that, and waking up is a lot of work. 🤷♀️
I don't drink coffee!
Maybe you should!!
Lol before I married Katie I avoided caffeine, but she grew up drinking soda, so I began too. My drink of choice is diet mountain dew. But I buy it after morning activities (handling stuff about the house, walking laps at the Y, driving to the office). So early morning replies are not caffeinated! Imagine my comments AFTER a 2 liter of diet dew!😱
"I'll have what she's having."
😂
Yeah. Cynthia could have just said that the predators included most of the TSAF posts.
Nature is where stuff eats other stuff.
Now THAT should be a t-shirt.
"Today's Special Animal Friend wants to eat you, but it's nothing personal."
It's likely to be on sale before anything good from The Dispatch.
Someone recommended “Today’s Special Animal Friend” merch on TMD this morning. 👍
I saw announcement over at the main site. Frankly, The Bulwark has better merch. So does the WWE. The Dispatch could use a TSAF line of merch.
I am sure the humor today will nose no bounds...
That's a good start.