Nicola Sturgeon resigns as first minister of Scotland [Click] “In a shock decision, Scotland’s longest-serving first minister said she had instructed the Scottish National party (SNP) to begin the process of electing a new leader and would remain in office until her successor is chosen.” —-Alan
The Atlantic: Bring on the Boring EVs [Click] “The next step toward electric cars just becoming cars is playing out on your TV screen.” I remain rather surprised by how many people publicly opining about EVs seem unaware that lithium batteries are on the way out, to be replaced by sodium batteries. As I recall CATL is going to be selling sodium EV batteries at scale next year. —Alan
I had noticed decreases in birds--notably swallows--around here for some time, and supposed it was due to nicotinoid pesticides. There is a tree maybe about 300 yards farther down the river from our place that has hosted red-tail hawks, and we have seen an occasional bald eagle. cruise by. It could be my imagination after having read that article, but I wonder if the vultures are fewer now. In India some years ago there was a massive die-off of vultures because of an analgesic given to cattle, and that caused no end of problems. ---Alan
You'd think that after Thalidamide and DDT we'd know to be more careful, huh?
Hopefully something will be devised to help the birds. One thing we can all do is clean thoroughly our bird feeders and the areas around them frequently.
Oh, we have noticed lately that the river level has fallen, maybe three or four feet; so the dam operators must figure there is enough space in the big reservoir upstream to handle the freshet. ---Alan
Credible? Maybe. Or might it be an olive branch to restart US-China relations? The question remains...what was China doing sending a spy balloon to US Guam?
As for Chinese reconaissance of Guam, it has long been an important US naval base, and in recent years there has been a buildup of US amphibious and air assault forces there.
When the US ship charged with capturing Guam showed up, they fired a round that fell somewhere into the jungle; they were about to fire a second round when they saw a man in a fancy uniform running down the beach and getting into a boat, which then came out the US warship. It was the Spanish governor of the island, who did not know there was a war on, and thought the ship was firing a salute. ----Alan
In my second year of German, in high school, I sat next to a lovely, somewhat shy classmate who had lived for years on Guam. She was still trying to acclimate to modern teen ways, but one thing she was clear about was that she did not miss the isolation of living on Guam.
Russian-linked malware was close to putting U.S. electric, gas facilities ‘offline’ last year. [Click] I remember seeing the control panel for a milk drying facility once years ago— with huge numbers of switches, buttons, lights, dials, analogue indicators, etc—obviously intended to be operated by numerous engineers. The tour guide said it was the last of its kind to be built. A malevolent person at some remote location could not turn a valve or throw a switch. Just sayin’. ----Alan
I am reminded of a video from the Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial that I saw yesterday, about methods developed between the World Wars to protect capital ships from torpedoes. All the countries with such ships came up with roughly the same way to protect against torpedoes striking the sides of the ships. But modern torpedoes go under the ships and explode beneath the keel, thereby breaking it. ---Alan
I remember my folks talking about seeing the Northern Lights where we lived when I was born, near Cape Mendocino [Click], so that would be around 1950, give or take a bit. ---Alan
Just the slightest hint of frost on the neighbors' roof across the street from us.
ReplyDelete--Alan
The wind machines in the citrus orchards across the river are at work.
Delete---Alan
We sure are loving oranges this time of year! Thanks for putting up with the sound of the wind machines.
DeleteNicola Sturgeon resigns as first minister of Scotland [Click] “In a shock decision, Scotland’s longest-serving first minister said she had instructed the Scottish National party (SNP) to begin the process of electing a new leader and would remain in office until her successor is chosen.”
ReplyDelete—-Alan
House GOP paralyzed [Click]
ReplyDelete—Alan
The Atlantic: Military History Doesn’t Say What Ukraine’s Critics Think [Click]
ReplyDelete—Alan
The Atlantic: Bring on the Boring EVs [Click] “The next step toward electric cars just becoming cars is playing out on your TV screen.” I remain rather surprised by how many people publicly opining about EVs seem unaware that lithium batteries are on the way out, to be replaced by sodium batteries. As I recall CATL is going to be selling sodium EV batteries at scale next year.
ReplyDelete—Alan
The Atlantic: This Bird-Flu Outbreak Is Unprecedented [Click] “H5N1 is everywhere, and the effects on wildlife are catastrophic.”
ReplyDelete—Alan
This is utterly tragic and so concerning for where we go from here. Definitely something to keep tabs on.
DeleteI had noticed decreases in birds--notably swallows--around here for some time, and supposed it was due to nicotinoid pesticides. There is a tree maybe about 300 yards farther down the river from our place that has hosted red-tail hawks, and we have seen an occasional bald eagle. cruise by. It could be my imagination after having read that article, but I wonder if the vultures are fewer now. In India some years ago there was a massive die-off of vultures because of an analgesic given to cattle, and that caused no end of problems.
Delete---Alan
You'd think that after Thalidamide and DDT we'd know to be more careful, huh?
DeleteHopefully something will be devised to help the birds. One thing we can all do is clean thoroughly our bird feeders and the areas around them frequently.
Postmortem testing finds Chilean poet Pablo Neruda was poisoned [Click]
ReplyDelete---Alan
Oh, we have noticed lately that the river level has fallen, maybe three or four feet; so the dam operators must figure there is enough space in the big reservoir upstream to handle the freshet.
ReplyDelete---Alan
Biden Says GOP Plans Will Explode the Federal Debt [Click] Go, Joe!
ReplyDelete—Alan
Talking Points Memo: Finally a Credible Balloon Story [Click]
ReplyDelete—Alan
Credible? Maybe. Or might it be an olive branch to restart US-China relations?
DeleteThe question remains...what was China doing sending a spy balloon to US Guam?
New York rejects Fox News’ bid to end voting firm’s lawsuit [Click]
Delete^^^^ Oops.
Delete---Alan
As for Chinese reconaissance of Guam, it has long been an important US naval base, and in recent years there has been a buildup of US amphibious and air assault forces there.
DeleteWhen the US ship charged with capturing Guam showed up, they fired a round that fell somewhere into the jungle; they were about to fire a second round when they saw a man in a fancy uniform running down the beach and getting into a boat, which then came out the US warship. It was the Spanish governor of the island, who did not know there was a war on, and thought the ship was firing a salute.
Delete----Alan
In my second year of German, in high school, I sat next to a lovely, somewhat shy classmate who had lived for years on Guam. She was still trying to acclimate to modern teen ways, but one thing she was clear about was that she did not miss the isolation of living on Guam.
DeleteNew York rejects Fox News’ bid to end voting firm’s lawsuit [Click]
ReplyDelete---Alan
Bill banning paramilitary training camps in Vermont clears hurdle as governor takes wait-and-see stance
ReplyDeleteTrump chief of staff Mark Meadows subpoenaed by special counsel in Jan. 6 investigation
ReplyDeleteRussian-linked malware was close to putting U.S. electric, gas facilities ‘offline’ last year. [Click] I remember seeing the control panel for a milk drying facility once years ago— with huge numbers of switches, buttons, lights, dials, analogue indicators, etc—obviously intended to be operated by numerous engineers. The tour guide said it was the last of its kind to be built. A malevolent person at some remote location could not turn a valve or throw a switch. Just sayin’.
ReplyDelete----Alan
I am reminded of a video from the Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial that I saw yesterday, about methods developed between the World Wars to protect capital ships from torpedoes. All the countries with such ships came up with roughly the same way to protect against torpedoes striking the sides of the ships. But modern torpedoes go under the ships and explode beneath the keel, thereby breaking it.
Delete---Alan
Very good point about "old school" methods being harder to hack!
DeleteJake Broe: Russia Just Had It's Worst Week Yet - 6,000+ K.I.A. [Click]
ReplyDeleteNorthern Lights create spectacular show seen from atop Mount Washington
ReplyDeleteI remember my folks talking about seeing the Northern Lights where we lived when I was born, near Cape Mendocino [Click], so that would be around 1950, give or take a bit.
Delete---Alan