From 7:00 AM, when The Arty Blog's day begins, until 10:30 AM the current post will be President Biden's address to the nation. Come over, discuss, commiserate, whatever.
The US weather service says cooler weather begins in Fresno today; high 108F yesterday, 106 today, 102 Friday, and 92 Saturday. Record 14-day streak of 105 degree days set in 1988 stands, along with 20-day streaks of 100 degree days in 1983 and 1984 and a single day of 115 degrees in 1905. I know where my long johns are, but are not getting them out just yet . . . ——Alan
"That law, which limits magazine sizes to 10 rounds for long guns and 15 rounds for handguns . . ." That seems very generous for the "sportsmen." As memory serves me, when I was a kid long guns could have 5 rounds, and handguns 8. ----Alan
I only know about shorguns, which is what my father used. I believe his gun held four rounds, but later Ducks Unlimited got a law passed limiting them to two rounds.
I remember back in the late 1970's when mortgage interest rates rose to 16% or maybe slightly more. That put the kibosh on home sales until inflation had wrung out about a third of their value. In the interval, those who needed to buy often used variable rate mortgages, which they refinanced when rates declined and stabilized. According to Zillow, the estimated value of our home went up significantly during the early Covid-19 pandemic (presumably due to more people working from home), then settled down to where it would have been without that excursion; I have observed such temporary offsets a couple of times before. Houses are a usually a poor short-term investment; better by far to purchase them to live in. My brother and his wife happened to luck out on house price increases twice, but squandered it all in the subprime mortgage scandal and ended up living in an apartment and ultimately filing for bankruptcy. They could have sold their house in the San Francisco Bay Area, bought another in a far more affordable area and invested the balance for income, but they lacked adequate discipline. [Shakes head.] I am reasonably sure that they looted our mother's estate to the extent they could, but were limited by a well-written will. ----Alan
I'm drinking coffee when Netanyahu comes on NPR talking about how the "forces of civilization"--the U.S. and Israel--need to unite. I've heard this kind of stuff over and over from him but for some reason I just went ballistic this time. "Forces of civilization"? How many dead Palestinians do we have? Of course if we're the forces of civilization, the Palestinians are barbarians who can be massacred at will. --nordy
How Kamala Harris took command of the Democratic Party in 48 hours. (NYT) The blitz demonstrated exactly the kind of vigor and energy that Biden had lacked in recent weeks. Biden had reportedly made 20 calls to congressional Democrats in the first 10 or so days after the debate, while his candidacy hung in the balance. Harris made 100 calls in 10 hours. --nordy
(WAPO) -- Why almost everyone assumes Kamala Harris has to pick a white man as VP. ... But the degree and speed with which the conventional wisdom took hold — that if she wants to win, Harris must choose a white man as her vice president — reflects, at its most cynical, that the nation will tolerate only so much deviation from its white male founding, even as the overall political world is more diverse than ever. --nordy
Moreover, there's only so much the Republicans, pro-democracy though they may be, will tolerate. Like it or not, we need them. So, don't get carried away. Moderation is a good thing.
I think Gretchen Whitmer is a VERY conservative, balanced choice. Especially compared to Vance. look at how she has worked with Republicans to lower taxes, balance the budget, and improve services. I think the days when the Democratic nominee had to have a Dixiecrat VP "for balance" ought to be in our rear view mirror. No matter my opinion, it is Harris's choice. I remain of the opinion that the Republican Party is on the verge of joining the Whigs on the trash heap of history. The center-left and center-right of the political spectrum are both contained in the Democratic Party these days. (From an old lefty's point of view, granted.) ------Alan
President Biden is first!
ReplyDeleteFrom 7:00 AM, when The Arty Blog's day begins, until 10:30 AM the current post will be President Biden's address to the nation. Come over, discuss, commiserate, whatever.
ReplyDeleteThanks; so far I have not had the heart to watch it.
Delete------Alan
{listener}
DeleteI felt it reads better than it watches. Hard to watch…awesome to comprehend.
The US weather service says cooler weather begins in Fresno today; high 108F yesterday, 106 today, 102 Friday, and 92 Saturday. Record 14-day streak of 105 degree days set in 1988 stands, along with 20-day streaks of 100 degree days in 1983 and 1984 and a single day of 115 degrees in 1905. I know where my long johns are, but are not getting them out just yet . . .
ReplyDelete——Alan
{listener}
ReplyDeleteVT: Federal judge rules against gun rights groups seeking to block enforcement of 2 state firearms laws
"That law, which limits magazine sizes to 10 rounds for long guns and 15 rounds for handguns . . ." That seems very generous for the "sportsmen." As memory serves me, when I was a kid long guns could have 5 rounds, and handguns 8.
Delete----Alan
I only know about shorguns, which is what my father used. I believe his gun held four rounds, but later Ducks Unlimited got a law passed limiting them to two rounds.
Delete{listener}
ReplyDeleteThe US economy is pulling off something historic
I remember back in the late 1970's when mortgage interest rates rose to 16% or maybe slightly more. That put the kibosh on home sales until inflation had wrung out about a third of their value. In the interval, those who needed to buy often used variable rate mortgages, which they refinanced when rates declined and stabilized. According to Zillow, the estimated value of our home went up significantly during the early Covid-19 pandemic (presumably due to more people working from home), then settled down to where it would have been without that excursion; I have observed such temporary offsets a couple of times before. Houses are a usually a poor short-term investment; better by far to purchase them to live in. My brother and his wife happened to luck out on house price increases twice, but squandered it all in the subprime mortgage scandal and ended up living in an apartment and ultimately filing for bankruptcy. They could have sold their house in the San Francisco Bay Area, bought another in a far more affordable area and invested the balance for income, but they lacked adequate discipline. [Shakes head.] I am reasonably sure that they looted our mother's estate to the extent they could, but were limited by a well-written will.
Delete----Alan
I'm drinking coffee when Netanyahu comes on NPR talking about how the "forces of civilization"--the U.S. and Israel--need to unite. I've heard this kind of stuff over and over from him but for some reason I just went ballistic this time. "Forces of civilization"? How many dead Palestinians do we have? Of course if we're the forces of civilization, the Palestinians are barbarians who can be massacred at will. --nordy
ReplyDeleteTell me about it! Yesterday I read a few short exerpts from his address to Congress, and they made me ill.
DeleteHow Kamala Harris took command of the Democratic Party in 48 hours.
ReplyDelete(NYT) The blitz demonstrated exactly the kind of vigor and energy that Biden had lacked in recent weeks. Biden had reportedly made 20 calls to congressional Democrats in the first 10 or so days after the debate, while his candidacy hung in the balance. Harris made 100 calls in 10 hours. --nordy
Cauliflower ear?
Delete----Alan
Maybe. I'm sure she had speed dial. --nordy
DeleteProbably had a headset too.
Delete----Alan
Harry Litman: Pro-Trump Lunatic in Nevada Arrested for Threatening Judges [Click]
ReplyDelete—Alan
Arrested and confined.
Delete-----Alan
13 KEYS TO THE WHITE HOUSE (JULY 2024 UPDATE) | Lichtman Live #61 [Click] New today
ReplyDelete—Alan
(WAPO) -- Why almost everyone assumes Kamala Harris has to pick a white man as VP.
ReplyDelete... But the degree and speed with which the conventional wisdom took hold — that if she wants to win, Harris must choose a white man as her vice president — reflects, at its most cynical, that the nation will tolerate only so much deviation from its white male founding, even as the overall political world is more diverse than ever. --nordy
I hope she defies that expectation and soars to victory anyway.
DeleteIt's just another gyration of the old "electability" claim.
DeleteThere is something to be said for balance.
DeleteMoreover, there's only so much the Republicans, pro-democracy though they may be, will tolerate. Like it or not, we need them. So, don't get carried away. Moderation is a good thing.
DeleteI think Gretchen Whitmer is a VERY conservative, balanced choice. Especially compared to Vance. look at how she has worked with Republicans to lower taxes, balance the budget, and improve services. I think the days when the Democratic nominee had to have a Dixiecrat VP "for balance" ought to be in our rear view mirror. No matter my opinion, it is Harris's choice. I remain of the opinion that the Republican Party is on the verge of joining the Whigs on the trash heap of history. The center-left and center-right of the political spectrum are both contained in the Democratic Party these days. (From an old lefty's point of view, granted.)
Delete------Alan