No Less Absurd Than Other Political Platforms

Hot people for hot people. "Ugly people do not deserve to hold office." 

Remember A Couple Months Ago

When Trump critics cited the plunging stock market as a sign of his policy failures. Does this mean those same critics will regard new all-time highs as policy success? 

Indeed

Good readers are hard to find. 

A Phenomenon, Again...

Once again when I offer extra credit in a class, the results are: A-students who don't need extra credit do it. Students whose grades could actually benefit from it don't.

All Socialists need a model to explain this phenomenon. Should I redistribute the extra credit?

Fascinating

Summary about Chinese car-making. A good model on how grit and competition work over the long haul and why not to be deterred by failure.

Is She Drunk?

She thinks Biden deserves a victory lap for the stalemate in Ukraine-Russia and the Iranian nuke situation?

Say Whatever You Want

About Trump, but he seems to be addressing and on top of the issues of the day. You might not like how he's handling them, but he addresses them. This is so foreign to the Democrats who literally ignore the relevant issues or just let the issues coast along. And then prioritize "non-issues" endlessly.

My Bias

If I were campaigning against this NYC mayor candidate it would be along the lines of his nepo-baby luxury beliefs and far left liberal madness NOT the fact that he lived outside the US for some part of his life and is a Muslim. 

Weird Theory

School needn't be difficult to learn a lot. Working on a theory that school could 2x the amount of material learned while simultaneously being easier and less of a grind.

My only issue with this theory is that perhaps learning to grind is itself a useful skill, though I'm not 100% convinced.

Me Either

"I'm upset that my parents never got rich enough for me to become a socialist."

Key Point

For those who seem to think the Iranian program was only set back a small amount or not at all. 

Lastly, as Iran starts thinking about digging up that 60% HEU and rebuilding its program, it now has to contend with the almost certain possibility that Israel and/or the United States will strike it again as those efforts begin in earnest.

The timeout works because the child knows the consequences of future misbehavior. Yes, Iran can continue toward the bomb. However, the people who must do it knowingly put a target on their back (and are incentivized to snitch to Mossad). Plus, the Iranians risk doing the work only for it to be blown up again.

Logging

TV: The Day of the Jackal S1 E1-E2

Strong set pieces, acting, and production value. So why isn't it very compelling? Because thrillers don't work terribly well in TV format. TV requires dimension and relationships, so they give the Jackal a wife and kid. The fucking Jackal! Not gonna work. Imagine the TV version of No Country for Old Men where Anton Chigurh goes home to deal with his gay son. Fuggetaboutit.

TV: Poker Face S2 E1

I can't figure out why I liked the first three episodes of S1 and abruptly stopped watching, and never felt a reason to go back. One theory is the format. I always liked mystery-of-the-week shows like Columbo, Murder She Wrote, even Scooby Doo. The problem with Poker Face - it's not a mystery! We know what happened. The format of the show is actually a short film from the villain's POV, followed by a truncated procedural from Natasha Lyonne's POV. In theory, this should work because I like procedurals and I like short films. But here's the rub - in the mixing of genres, they remove the two elements I like most from each. In short films, it's all about the tone and style. Story doesn't matter as much. But the tone and style of Poker Face is set. Once you've seen it once, you get it. Quirky, "intelligent" humor, for the avante garde college student. Good, great. Get it. Even like it. But the pleasure of short films is seeing a new, original, unexpected tone and style or place. What are the pleasures of the procedural? The mystery, the puzzle, the whodunit or perhaps even why dunnit. But in Poker Face we know who and we know why, so the only tension is seeing HOW Lyonne cracks the case. And it's not as compelling. The show knows it, so it leans on the charm of the performers. I suppose whether the show works rests on this question. It does seem like actors are "having fun" and yes, I put that in quotes. 

Good Idea

Villenueve to direct James Bond. 

American Socialists - the Lena Dunham Crowd

Rich kids who can't compete at the highest levels use their social charisma and terrible policy ideas to gather support amongst the lower 85% within elite and semi-elite society. I don't see this as a winning formula. These are the kids who had advantages but couldn't get into Ivies or semi-Ivies or elite professions - so you see them coming from Oberlin, Bowdoin, Boston University, etc., and having done jobs like aspiring rapper, waitress, assistant, etc. All they want to do is redistribute status away from the strivers toward themselves, but will incidentally turn our cities into shitpiles.

Iran and Nukes

We don't know the extent of the damage, but many of those who opposed any strikes seem pleased it "only" set back the program a few months. They don't see the irony that doing nothing would not have set back the program at all.

If these people were parents, they wouldn't discipline their kids, arguing to themselves that the kids would probably misbehave in the future anyway.

Suggestion to New York...

Run a Republican. Why not? This socialist nepo baby got 430,000 votes in a primary. You don't think a Republican can beat that?

Immigration

It is true that if Trump were serious about cracking down on illegal immigration, he would go after the employers rather than the ICE raids. Similarly, if the Iranians were serious about getting revenge, they would unleash terror cells around the world.

Perhaps these theatrical stunts are better for everyone. What do you think?

Local Hearts Foundation

I give it a 40% chance someone in this organization gets convinced of an awful, heinous crime within the next 5 years. People will then say, "I can't believe it."

The guy is driving around in a white van picking up vulnerable immigrants with promises of food and money.

Narcissim vs Ideology

Would you rather have a leader who desperately wants to be loved and admired by his "people" or a person guided by ideology? Which option has better checks and balances and leads to better outcomes?

Irony

Could closing the Straight of Hormuz ironically benefit the United States as a net energy exporter?

Wow, And Just in Time For Father's Day

Karl Marx's dad shits all over his philosophy. 

Incredible.

Reminder

Trump is actually moderate on illegal immigration. He's prioritizing sending back criminals, not the regular hardworking folk. 

Value Proposition

Can someone explain the value proposition of AI making movies or writing novels or journalism? Say you drive down the costs. What does this achieve? More movies and novels and news articles? Has anyone out there seen all the movies or read all the novels they want to? I doubt it. In fact, my lists are too long already.

It's like AI is designed to put Hollywood out of work so they can get back to the real fun stuff like gardening and washing dishes and raising kids. 

When you step back, the thing makes no sense. Why invest trillions in this? Why not invest trillions in solving real problems? Like maybe AI could solve medical problems or have a military function, but that's not what we see right now.

What I've Been Saying

"Watching Morning Joe talking about California and Trump and Newsom and the military and I'm seeing Republican dominance of American politics for the next two decades unless these people stop being psychotic"

Democrats been captured by the mentally insane wing of the party.

PS - Pitch: to hold elected office one needs to pass a mental health check. Reasonable, right?

"Fascism"

LA Times reports 330 illegals detained. Hundreds protest. Consider the population of LA area - around 12 million. The turnout and stakes of this situation is smaller than a high school football game. 

Live action role playing for all involved. 

What Am I Missing?

Republicans and Democrats see immigration differently. Republicans want to crack down on illegal immigration. Democrats don't. Republicans won the national election handily and thus control policy. They won the debate politically. California Democrats think it doesn't matter, they want to oppose how the Federal government enforces immigration policy under vague reasoning like "democracy is under assault." I think what they are attempting to argue is that what Trump is doing violates rights. But they can't articulate what rights. So what they are really arguing is that it's "mean." Their actions in this matter are seditious.

I Don't See the Argument

Maybe ICE raids are brazen, cruel, and unnecessary. But I don't see how they are illegal. Newsom and Bass are encouraging insurrection and non-compliance with federal law. We live in a country last time I checked. 

Democrats

Burning an American flag is freedom of expression but burn a Mexican flag or a Pride flag is a hate crime.

Why Does Anyone Object to ICE Raids?

If in the US legally you should man up and accept the occasional ICE raid. This seems to me entirely fair game. If you're under 21 and wandering around drinking booze and acting like an idiot, accept you'll get an occasional minor in possession. If you keep it on the down low, you'll probably get away with it. Same with being an illegal immigrant. If you act cool, you'll probably be fine. 

This systematic rejection of any immigration enforcement makes zero political sense. You're just helping Trump. If anything, let him overextend himself. 

Da' Mayor

Karen Bass claims we would not have protests if not for ICE raids. Another way to look at it - we would not have ICE raids without open borders and sanctuary cities. 

UPDATE: After spending about 6 hours over the last couple days weather treating a new gate, I am officially in favor of all illegal immigrants, especially for those with painting and fence building skills.

Great Tweet

"Hey guys, instead of taking the 20% side of 80/20 issues, let's take the 5% side of 95/5 issues"

Trump's greatest skill is simply knowing how to bait liberals into looking like the idiots they are. 

LA Riots

First they rioted for BLM, then Palestine, now immigration. It's all organized by the same people. The only unifying idea is a hatred for what Americans prefer (no DEI, Israel to win, and legal immigration).

Logging

Film: The Plot Against Harry

The most Jewish movie I've ever seen and you can consider that a recommendation. 

Also one of my favorite subgenres called "Man Gets Out of Prison and struggles to recacclimate." 

They Won't Dude

Bill Maher suggests to liberals bringing Elon and Joe Rogan back into the fold. 

They won't because they can't. They bet the farm on pronouns and Hamas. Aren't gonna recover. 

Best Headline of 2025 So Far

"Alex Jones-Catturd Proxy War Breaks Out Amid Trump-Musk Feud. 

Logging

Film: The Substance 

Starts terrific but gets progressively worse. Need a word for that in a film. It's the same beat over and over. I got so sick of the film last night, started thinking this should've ended 15 minutes ago. What's going on. Then I check the time - 30 minutes left! Unbelievable. When did we start taking 90 min genre pics and attempt to turn them into 2.5 hour epics? Horrible idea.

20 Years

Like I've said, Dems won't win a Presidential election for 20 year operating at this level of absurdity. They don't want to enforce immigration laws and give illegals free healthcare. And this while our national debt spirals out of control. They want to bankrupt the country.

Evil

Officials in North Carolina charging parents with a felony for letting their kids walk to the store and one gets hit by a car and dies. 

Weirder

Seems like things are just gonna keep getting weirder for awhile longer. I wish there was a way to bet on this.

Democrats Are Quiet Quitting

In Minnesota, a boy "powers" his softball team to state championship while the league, etc force everyone to remain silent.

I continue to think Dems won't win a Presidential election for 20 years. 

“You’re looking at a whole team of future Republicans,” one man said.

Personally, I don't see why the teams don't protest now and sit it out, but I'm sure it comes with annoying consequences. But the real dummies are the Democrats. Do you think people are going to forget this - ever?

Liberals

I'm sure liberals don't know how to react to the Elon / Donald feud. My guess is they start removing the bumper sticks off their Teslas? 

Class Based Affirmative Action

I want to congratulate myself for coming to this conclusion in high school roughly 30 years ago after a friend claimed he was African American because he had French ancestors who lived in Morocco at one time.

Oh, Good News...

"Life really does begin at forty. Up until then, you are just doing research." Carl Jung

Accreditation for Columbia

If colleges want to die on the DEI hill, I suppose they will get their wish.

Be Careful With AI People...

"To the red country and part of the gray country of Oklahoma, the last rains came gently, and they did not cut the scarred earth."

Here are a few improved versions, depending on the tone you're aiming for: 

Option 1 (More concise): "The last rains fell gently on Oklahoma's red and gray counties, barely touching the scarred earth." 

 Option 2 (Maintains original rhythm): "To Oklahoma's red country and the gray, the final rains came softly, leaving the scarred earth untouched." 

Option 3 (More vivid): "The last rains whispered across Oklahoma's red and gray counties, too gentle to heal the wounded earth." 

The original has a nice biblical cadence, but "part of the gray country" is awkward, and "they did not cut" is unclear—rains don't typically "cut" earth. The improvements clarify the geography, strengthen the imagery, and create smoother flow while preserving the elegiac tone.

No.  

Bi, Non-Binary

Although I don't really understand these fashionable concepts, the closest thing I can come to is that I don't identify as my actual age but as both 37 and 57. 

A Possible Future

AI won't write our fiction for us, but we will write our fiction for the AIs. 

Yes...

The majority of guys I know are Democrats.  I would guess exactly 0% are pleased with the direction of the party in the past 10 years and every single one at least flirts with jumping to the other side if they haven't already.

The guys who are super vocal supporters of Dems nowadays are weird tools and normal dudes see right through them.

Delusions

On the left and right.

China - Pretending to Work

In China, they pay to pretend to work. In America, we simplify the expression and just call it work.

Logging

Film: Wicked

Watched last weekend and forgot to log it...suppose it had that much of an impression on me. Story not bad, emotions not bad. If China could make such a film, I'd be worried. But still not my cup of tea.

Film: Sicario 

Rewatch...although this film seems right up my alley, I never loved it. In fact, I contend the sequel is better (contrarian coming out). But upon rewatch, I'm not totally wrong. Something is off about the film. The main issue is the lack of an underlying morality, or the moral universe in which the film operates. It's so deeply pessimistic about human nature, the vibe asserts that "American" values are only slightly superior to the cartels because we manage to be moderately less evil. Bleak! No universal, humanistic concerns. In fact, Emily Blunt's moral objections to the actions of Brolin and Del Toro seem to amount to "not following the rules." As if FBI procedures are the thing that makes us non-savages. 

In Public Enemies, Michael Mann shows numerous characters disgusted by the FBI guy torturing a woman for information. In Sicario, we are all meant to understand and root for Del Toro the torturer because he gets results. 

But this isn't the biggest problem with the movie. The biggest problem is how the film represents itself as gritty reality, but is in fact completely absurd. A former lawyer becomes a Sicario for the Columbian cartel to get revenge for his family while secretly also working with the CIA? We're sending over Delta Force and the CIA to Juarez to kill cartel dudes because of bad press in Arizona? Huh? If you've seen any of the Tom Clancy or Michael Mann films, I don't see how this film feels plausible to you. It bears closer resemblance to John Wick than Jack Ryan.

Credit Default Swaps

"Analysis by Torsten Sløk, chief economist at Apollo, suggested that US government credit default swap spreads — which reflect the cost of protecting a loan against default — are trading at levels similar to Greece and Italy."

I can't pretend to understand what this means, but it can't be good.

Ukraine and Drones

Can't stop reading about this Ukraine attack. So impressive. I guess I keep going back to my theory on these wars - my feeling is our strategy should be to help Israel and Ukraine win.

Logging

Film: Mission Impossible Final Reckoning

Every parent of a young boy in the world is familiar with "hey dad, look at me..." followed by jumping off the bunk bed, climbing the monkey bars, or throwing a curve ball, etc. These films are Tom Cruise doing "hey dad look at me" to the whole world as a 60-something year old man with a $500 million dollar budget.

Other observations:

-a lot of nuclear bombs laying around on timers in this world

-exposition at the beginning comically poor

-set pieces are beyond incredible

-nice final moment as a callback to the conceit of the franchise

The best part of the later part of the franchise: side character casting. A lot nice discoveries.