What Is A Boltzmann Brain?

Brian Greene


Further Clarifcation

Ah, just as I thought.
You all just a figment of my imagination.
Good to know :-)


YEAH..KINDA LIKE THAT :-)

Wehr’s Dam Construction Almost Complete

Darlene Love's Final Christmas Performance On Letterman

This had become an annual tradition on the show.

December 18, 2014

Some Of Darlene Love's 'Christmas' Appearances Over 20 Years

ROD Show - Christmas Special, 1997

Imagine, she was able to fill a 200 person studio audience everyday!

Who Will Answer - Ed Ames

WIKIPEDIA:
"Who Will Answer?", released as a single in November 1967, is the title track of the 1968 album Who Will Answer? by the adult contemporary singer Ed Ames. Originally written as the Spanish song "Aleluya No. 1" by the Philippines-born Spanish singer-songwriter, poet and painter Luis Eduardo Aute, it was adapted into an English-language version with new lyrics by songwriter Sheila Davis.

Aute's English language version


Here's his original

Which of the three is the better version?
I prefer Aute's English version.

At US/Mexico Border With Texas Sheriff

2,825,514 views since Jul 3, 2022

I've been watching dozens of Youtubers travels throughout the world. What almost all have in common are the people unlike the governements they live under who create most of the problems.

A Philly Special Christmas (Jason Kelce, Jordan Mailata, and Lane Johnson)

Musk Blasts Griner Swap

Begs the question why Trump left him behind for three years

— Moe Black’s brother Fat Andy (@FatAndyBlack) December 9, 2022

Seems everyone's outraged. Hold on there's more to story.

yahoo.com
Marines provide details of Whelan court-martial January 4, 2019 "Court records provided by the Marine Corps headquarters show that he had been accused of attempting to steal more than $10,000 while serving as an administrative clerk in Iraq in 2006. The records show he was also accused of using a false Social Security number on a government computer system and using a false account on the system to grade his own examinations. Whalen was reduced in rank from staff sergeant to corporal and given a bad conduct discharge from the service..

The news that Paul Whelan holds citizenship in four countries brings international pressure on Russia from several fronts. Both Ireland and the U.K. have asked that their diplomats be allowed to visit him."

So the Biden administration is NOT the solo player in this situation. People need to cool their jets before they learn the whole story. Not that users of social media nor political pundits are known to do research before flapping their gums.

My question is why was Canadian born Marine reservist Whelan (director of global security for an American company)  so interested in frequently visiting Russia? I'm not saying he did anything wrong but his record certainly is not squeaky clean as some believe.

More importantly Musk needs to just shut up. He's no scholar by any means. Just a very rich man with diarrhea of the mouth.

America Becoming A Failed Country

Hospital closure leaves patients scrambling, owners collect millions

This is what is going on all over the place. Equity investors are buying up home owners properties "as is" in order to rent them (not sell them). Other equity partners are buying up the newspapers. Selling them off piece by piece to enrich their greed. Local governments lease their water companies and jails to private equity firms. Investors are replacing local school districts with charter schools.

More then ever today's consumers are leasing their cars. Leasing their housing. Leasing software based in the cloud. No longer able to download the programs to their own computers. One corporation after another creating artificial shortages to increase prices through demand. People paying for their education for decades The browser I'm using to compose this is expiring for my Windows 8. Now programmers are forcing me to buy Windows 10 or another upgraded system unnecessarily. Products shrink in size while prices continue rise.

Is capitalism a failure. Sure seems like it to me. I've said it many times. Nobody can regulate nor create laws to ensure ethics, morality or honesty. It has to come from people. These have been replaced by all time greed.

Let's talk about division.

Seems every one now has a problem with everyone else. Republicans vs democrats (prioritized over country). Every religion with another's. Skin color, male vs female, young vs old, well to do vs poor/middle income, ethnicity, gay vs straight, where someone was born even whole countries.

Unless I wake up one morning to something entirely different, we're screwed. There's nothing I nor anyone can say or do to make a difference. As far as I'm concerned stick a fork in it. I think we're done!

Amish Christmas Lights

Johnny FD Is Back In Kyiv

After around three months traveling through Greece, Italy, England, France, Poland, etc. Johnny has returned home. He had speaking and business engagements. I've followed along his video travels. Here is his latest video of his return home to his apartment in Ukraine.

Uploaded 11/30/2022

The Genius Of Robin Williams

genius- exceptional intellectual or creative power or other natural ability.


“Everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know absolutely nothing about. Be kind. Always.”
Robin Williams

I'd be hard pressed to find a film Robin Williams appeared in that didn't have some sort of greater meaning. I truly believe this man had more personalities living in his head waiting to come out had he been able to carry on for years longer then he was allocated to be on this earth.

I tend to think of him more as a conduit to personalities that live in another place rather then just an actor. Must have been very burdensome at times for him. What a gift he has given us that live on in his films. An inspiration. We've been lucky to have had him live his life with us for a time.

One of my all-time favorites..

These kind of videos and movies have been where I've been spending most of my time these days. It seems I was following too many idiots and not enough of the good things people do with their lives.

Leslie Jordan: Best Bio Of Him Ever!

Robert Plant Rocking An Oldie

Robert Plant ft. Imelda May

So many ways to change up musical arrangments.

The Problem of Illegal Aliens

Firing Line with William F. Buckley Jr.: January 15, 1978

A MORE SENSIBLE DISCUSSION YOU WILL NOT HEAR

(1) Was a time when TV hosts asked questions then allowed their guest to fully respond.
(2) This came from a time I voted Republican (before they become what they are today).
(3) William F. Buckley was not a screamer. He would likely bore today's audiences.
(4) This goes to show immigration has always been a problem since the U.S. was formed.

I've not posted much recently because I'm disgusted with nearly the whole lot. Both those on TV. The politicians themselves and the way people react today on social media. It exhaust me. We've come to act more like screaming idiots rather then rational well spoken intelligent beings. I have no taste for it. Thus why so few posts.

BTW
I've predicted for weeks Elon Musk will destroy Twitter by the end of the month. He's a fool who thinks he can kick everyone aside and do everything himself. He can't. I feel Trump has gotten so far out of whack he won't be a player with the majority of level headed republicans. Even if there's few left of them. Our mayor in Allentown has become a ribbon cutting feel good mayor doing little to improve the negative things going on in this town. He has avoided the big issues that we need to resolve. Don't even get me started on the Allentown School District.

Sorry if I sound negative but I remember when people in all corners were a lot more respectful. A helluva lot more intelligent and offered solutions rather then bitching out anyone foolish enough to enter leadership positions both in private and government. When we never knew what positions entertainers or sports figures took. They simply performed leaving us all the better for it while keeping their mouth shut.

So that's where I'm at right now. Not inclined to engage since it isn't bringing me joy to report or complain about things going on. Besides it wouldn't change one thing. I've been spending a lot more time catching up on movies I missed and other things which remind me when people weren't so damned paranoid and angry. Stay tuned I'll post again when it seems appropriate for me to do so. In the meantime here's something I recently found which I did enjoy...

Executive Armstrong Explains Lehigh County's Budget

I think it would be a good idea for Allentown's mayor to do the same since it's that time of year again for council's approval.

Keep Your Car Doors Locked Against Road Rats

Uploaded 11/01/2022

"Rats are roaming the streets of Pennsylvania...in ATVs.

One Of The Comments Left On This Video... M Christiansen- My Niece had this happen. Her doors auto lock when the vehicle starts. She didn't slow down when one got in front of her and she clipped his back tire and sent it into another atv and flipped them both. She was ticketed and charged with reckless driving, but when she and her attorney got to court, the case was dismissed because as proof of her "bad" driving the dipshit deputy brought in his dash cam video showing for a full 3 minutes the atv's attempting to stop her and open her doors! Her attorney had the tape of the 911 call of my frantic niece begging for help and there was a deputy right behind them filming it. My niece said the judge was livid berating the deputy for not doing anything.

At this point every car should come equipped with a dash cam.

More Of My Music Video Favorites

9 On This Autoplay Oldies Playlist


Thought I'd take a break from some of serious stuff going through my mind. BTW- Suzi Quatro is still going strong at 72 years of age. This past April (2022) she rocked out at Royal Albert Hall in England. She has many more gigs booked this year and into 2023

60 Minutes- Election Deniers Running For Office

If some get their way the next national election will be more corrupt then most imagine. What disappoints me is how close the votes appear to be in electing feeble minded candidates. Many which couldn't land a job in any other profession then politics.

Hopefully the outcome will prove things are not as close as they seem. If it turns out they are, as some believe, I'll be greatly disappointed. I've long held belief Americans have greater sense then to be this gullible. Those who shouldn't have the slightest chance of obtaining leadership seem to gaining ground

This election will determine whether I still maintain hope sensibility will prevail. 

Musical Servings Of "Hot Sardines" Plus Cab

Bei Mir Bist du Schoen


That's some hot stuff.
Speaking of hot stuff...

ASD Screwed Things Up.. AGAIN

newhavenindependent.org
Ed Board: Birks Is DoneOct 2, 2019  "At month’s end, Carol Birks will no longer be the superintendent of New Haven Public Schools, according to Board of Education President Darnell Goldson.

After a year and a half on the job, Birks has agreed to a settlement deal from the Board of Education to walk away for between $150,000 and $200,000, Goldson said...

With one opposing member saying Birks should’ve been fired instead of bought out, the school board voted 5 – 1 to agree to negotiate the termination of her contract..."

Are ASD members doing this on purpose OR are that damn stupid? 

Any one on that board could have used Google to search. At this point Allentown taxpayers should be screaming to high hell for help from legislators in Harrisburg and to the Pennsylvania Department of Education for a full investigation. Something smells rotten.

ENOUGH OF THIS BS IS ENOUGH!

5% Of Plastics Were Recycled

huffpost.com
Just 5% Of Plastics Were Recycled In The U.S. Last Year, And Things Are Only Getting Worse "The study estimates the U.S. produced about 51 million tons of plastic waste in 2021, but just 2.4 million tons of that was reprocessed."

It's time to get real.
Most paper and glass is not recycled either. Other then plain brown corrugated cardboard and aluminum cans need be put out by American households. Everything else is needlessly costing our cities and we taxpayers unnecessary expenses.

The alternative is require manufacturers to use only one type of plastic. Since this is never going to happen why not face the truth. Recycling has become a feel good nothingburger costing more then it's worth. One which is doing little to improve the environment.

Does anyone for one moment believe a bunch of workers are checking out the numbers on each piece of plastic they receive as it speeds past them on a belt.

I mean, come on, get real!

Philly Council Members Keep Their Votes On Bills Mostly Hidden

I disagree with most things Jon Geeting says, BUT he got this one right!

thephiladelphiacitizen.org
TRACK CITY COUNCILMEMBERS’ VOTES "Almost every U.S. city discloses how their legislators voted on bills. Not Philly. With most of our mayoral field made up of City Council members, Isn’t it time?"

How the Sam Hill are Philly voters suppose to know what they stand for. Politicians words alone are meaningless. Actions matter. If voters don't know what their council members did they are being short changed. Where's the accountability?

This BS needs to stop I didn't realize any city kept these things under wraps making it difficult even for the media to research such things.

FOX News Dementia (Flipping Things Around)

'WISE GUY': The president has been hostile with the press on multiple occasions during his time in office. https://t.co/kDtLjpMvBq pic.twitter.com/LuPX5jZndn

— Fox News (@FoxNews) October 24, 2022

Here's their evidence..
Oops, sorry wrong clip :-)

OMG Shannon K. O’Brien Is Back

I've followed her for 14 years. She hadn't posted a singing video in a year. Hopefully now that she's almost done writing her books she'll dedicate more of her time getting back to them. As far as I know she never appeared publicly, only on YouTube. Here's one she just posted followed by a sampling of four amongst many, many videos she posted throughout the years. You'd be hard pressed to find anyone equal to her vocal talent.

About Just a boring homemaker who loves to write, sing, cook, and bake! Feel free to follow me on Twitter @ShannonK_OBrien Thanks for stopping by.


"I’ve always hated the karaoke version of that original cover,
so when I found this new one, I just had to redo it."

Posted October 19, 2022

Posted October 17, 2009


Posted March 17, 2011


Posted May 6,2011


Posted January 7, 2010

Looks Like Another ASD Superintendent Is Headed Out The Door

JUST IN: The Allentown School Board is negotiating a separation package for new Superintendent John Stanford, according to sources with knowledge of the talks. https://t.co/S5ZN6WnK4W

— LehighValleyNews.com (@LVNewsdotcom) October 17, 2022

LVN.com-"Stanford started work in the district’s top job in November 2021 and signed a five-year contract that would carry through June 2026. His first-year salary was $230,000."


Allentown has become a pipeline for top government executives looking for a huge payout for minimal short term work. The Allentown school district just has to be one of the worst managed in Pennsylvania. How pathetic!


UPDATED
(10/21/2022)
lehighvalleynews.com
Allentown school board removes its new superintendent "The board approved a separation agreement dated Oct. 20, to become effective Oct. 28."

Alaska's Most Remote Island

I've been following the recent posts of Peter Santenello as he visited the most remote area of the United States. A place where life is unlike anywhere else in the lower 48. Where people are fully reliant on one another. Surely one of our most overlooked areas in the United States.

Far from the Alaskan mainland is a secluded island in the Bering Strait. Here the views span for an eternity, Russia is within sight, and the Siberian Yupik People are living a unique lifestyle removed from everyone. Come join me to see what this unknown sliver of America looks like on the ground.

Uploaded October 16, 2022

As I watch many of these youtubers exploring the world I've come to this conclusion. Most people are honest and friendly. While political differences, governments and religions are hostile towards one another most people themselves are not. This is why I feel it most important to watch these kind of videos when I come across them.

AI: Text To Art

I wasn't aware this has been around since 2018. Apparently the user types text and with the proper software these computer programs do the rest.



Here's an example from Steve Schalchlin who
wrote this wacked out song. AI did the artwork
on it's own based off the lyrics he wrote.

AI images generated by DiffusionBee

Still Planning to Vote Republican?

Gee I sure hope that didn't offend anyone :-)

Tru Country Music

Uploaded In 2009
Actually this would have been considered "western music". Western is about kicking up one's heels. Nothing like it much exist anymore. As far as I'm concerned what passes for today's so-called CW music is little more then soulless machined music having nothing to do with country. True country music is about stories and feelings people experience.

Unlike today's tunes yesterday's true country moved your soul.

Oz Would Like To Privatize Medicare, Here's Why

crooksandliars.com
What Does Medicare Advantage Fraud Have To Do With Dr. Oz? "Read on. I think we've found the reason Mehmet Oz suddenly decided to run for the Senate...

Now, here's an interesting aside. Mehmet Oz is reported to own $550,000 in UnitedHealth Group stock -- the largest seller of Medicare Advantage plans. Guess what he's pushing?"

You always have to ask yourself why a multimillionaire is fighting for a job paying a fraction of what they now earn. Do you really think it's because they care about the plight of the average Joe Blow? I THINK NOT!

Anyone who has a half of brain understands Republicans have no desire to sustain Social Security or Medicare. They wish to privatize them handing them both over to for-profit companies. This not only is bad for customers but the government (federal taxpayers) get screwed as well.


commondreams.org
'Straight Up Fraud': Data Confirms Private Insurers Use Medicare Advantage to Steal Billions

Insurance is a fairly simple business. Take money in. Pay it out. The idea that private insurers would be able to somehow do this so much more efficiently than traditional Medicare that they could provide more benefit for less money while taking a profit is so facially insane. https://t.co/DuwLt9nKsU

— Matt Bruenig (@MattBruenig) October 8, 2022

The short of it is... if you think Oz is running out of the goodness of his heart, better think again. In my opinion he's just looking for another way to further feather his own nest.

A Trip Inside Taliban Controlled Afghanistan

"Backpacker Ben" - "bald and bankrupt" decide to visit Afghanistan. Here are both their videos starting with Backpacker Ben.




Something I observed with both of their many videos are the people. No matter where they go people seem friendly enough. Leaving politics aside the problem seems to be with their governments which create distrust and resentment among others. Seems to me most people just want to get through the day rather then be fraught with larger issues outside of their own immediate existence. The same could be useful for folks in this country. If we focus ourselves on our immediate personal sphere we might all be better off for it.

That said I'm most grateful of these two and others like them who take us to places and meeting people we'd never otherwise.

Neil DeGrasse Tyson With Piers Morgan

Everytime I watch Neil I find so little I could disagree with and am better for it.

OPEC+ Plans To Cut 2 Million Barrels Per Day

yahoo.com
House Dems introducing GOP-inspired bill to stripdefenses from Saudi Arabia,UAE following OPEC oil cut "Reps. Tom Molinowski, D-N.J., Sean Casten, D-Ill., and Susan Wild, D-Pa., called out Saudi Arabia and the UAE – both OPEC members – after President Biden had tried to work with them. The House members said the U.S. needs to reevaluate its relationship with both nations.

Their bill, the "Strained Partnership Act," takes its name and virtually all of its language from a 2020 bill sponsored by Republican Sens. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., and Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska. Both bills call for the removal of "[a]ll United States Armed Forces and equipment, including Patriot missile batteries and the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system" from Saudia Arabia within 90 days of the bill’s enactment. The only difference between the two bills is the new one from the Democrats says the defenses should also be removed from the United Arab Emirates."

As I see it this incentivizes the need to steer away our dependence on fossil fuels. It's almost as if they are egging it on to their own detriment in the long run. Republicans could possibly get behind this bill. We will see.

Why I Have Hard Time Voting For Republicans

I Think The Stock Market Is Rigged

nypost.com
Dow soars for 2nd straight day — climbs more than 700 points "Stocks rose sharply in morning trading on Wall Street Tuesday and clawed back more of the ground they lost in a miserable several weeks."

Sucker's game
We were told previously share values went down because of rising interest rates. Then yesterday went up because of "rising interest rates". Here's what I think. The stock market is for suckers. The big boys can do algorithm based flash computer trades. The average sucker doesn't stand a chance. By the time the average schmuck tries to sell off shares the big boys already unloaded them. Thus the big boys always get to sell off high while the little guy, waiting in line, is forced to sell lower then they intended.

At least in blackjack everyone knows how the rules are stacked against them. In the stock market don't expect brokers to educate the average Joe Blow. Plus brokers make money win, lose or draw on each trade.

Here's how the house always wins.. 

Still think you can match wits with the rich boys computer programs?

Up To My Ears With Political Ads

Last week I counted 7 political ads between 7:00-7:30 PM alone. Day after day at all hours TV has become inundated with these obnoxious ads. There should be a set limit.

Enough is enough already!

It reminds me of how AM radio made itself extinct. I used to constantly switch stations because they were loaded in between songs with unending advertisements. Please could we have just a little entertainment between ads?

For Fans Of Russian State TV

For fans of Russian state TV talk shows about the war Ukraine, this is absolutely, positively, awesome. https://t.co/NmivRwqjf1

— Daylin Leach (@daylinleach) September 28, 2022

If this is their version of cable TV news
which one is this, conservative or liberal?

NEITHER-- Relax it's a parody video.

BTW: I read Russian agents are waiting at the Georgia border to round up men trying to flee the draft.

More Of My Music Video Favorites

8 On This Autoplay Playlist

One of my most eclectic.
I was quite surprised to see Judy Garland in black face. As far as the JC Superstar motion picture, nothing done to date has ever surpassed it's greatness in moving my emotions. Hope you enjoyed all my selections.

Rod Wolfe WAEB Oct. 02, 1988

Posted By Rod Wolfe Himself
LV radio stations once were independently owned providing many jobs for local celebrities. Those days have mostly disappeared unfortunately.

They Walk Among Us

“Idiocracy” wasn’t just a movie. It was prophecy...


It makes me wonder how these people remember to breath.

Will Eli Manning Be Playing Penn State Football?

Eli Manning goes undercover as a College Football walk-on

Meet Yvon Chouinard the Existential Dirtbag

motherjones.com
Meet Yvon Chouinard, the “Existential Dirtbag”
Who Gave Patagonia Back to the Planet "Forbes crowned Chouinard as a billionaire and added him to its list of the world’s richest people. While many people daydream of achieving a nine-zero fortune, for Chouinard it was a sign he had failed in his life’s mission to make the world a better and fairer place.

The Forbes article set him on a journey to find a way of giving away Patagonia, the company he founded almost 50 years ago with a mission to help fellow climbers. This week he achieved that aim, announcing that he was giving away all of the shares in Patagonia to a trust that will use future profits to “help fight” the climate crisis."

Patagonia has hundreds of stores in 10+ countries across five continents, as well as factories in 16 countries. It's worth about $3 billion.

Attorneys For Migrants Sent To Martha's Vineyard Speak

Keep in mind none of the immigrants sent to Massachusetts came from Florida. Each and every one were sent from Texas by Gov. DeSantis of Florida.

Costs to Florida Taxpayers..

CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE

Mastriano, Oz Both From New Jersey

newjerseygloobe.com
Pennsylvania GOP gubernatorial nominee
was registered to vote in N.J. until 2021 "Gubernatorial candidate Douglas Mastriano was a registered voter in New Jersey for 28 years until July 2021 when election officials changed his status to inactive...

... Dr. Mehmet Oz lived and voted in New Jersey until 2021, when he moved to Pennsylvania to seek a U.S. Senate seat. He remains on New Jersey’s voter rolls as a resident of Cliffside Park and could legally vote in his home state this November if he chose to not vote in Pennsylvania."

Both are NJ immigrants to Pennsylvania. Ain't that a hoot!

Graham To Introduce Bill Restricting Abortions Nationwide

Yes that’s me crashing @LindseyGrahamSC’s abortion sideshow presser. NO I didn’t have an abortion at 16 wks. Wes was born at 28 wks & lived for 8 days. But we made a choice that every parent should be allowed to make. @DailyMailUK @atrupar Here’s our story https://t.co/JbnLKFa1aI pic.twitter.com/cmiYmWNWxH

— Ashbey Beasley (@CampBeasleywood) September 13, 2022

This makes no sense--
* If Graham was concerned with the baby's pain after 15 weeks wouldn't then under his plan have caused the baby to suffer horribly for many weeks longer then necessary before it inevitably died just as the doctors said it would?

* Would this also not cause the mother to incur $100,000s more in unnecessary expenses? We damn well know pre-natal care plus an 8 day stay in hospital won't be fully covered no matter what kind of medical insurance she'd have.

* Graham has caused every Republican running for office in every state have to try and dodge the bullet he's interjecting into their local races. Not to mention only a few weeks ago he said it was a states rights issue, not the federal government's. Hypocritical , if not an outright lie made, is it not?

No Traditional Halloween Parade In Allentown

allentownpa.gov
Hallo-weekend 2022 "Join us on Saturday, October 29 for a HALLOWEEN WALKING PARADE that will be pedestrian and kid friendly - because who says parades have to be cars and floats?!

Safely trick or treat from 9th & Hamilton down to the Arts Park from 11am-1pm. Get a trick-or-treat passport and a Halloween-themed bag, candy, and access to all the free activities like face painting, games, smore-making, art, and more!"

Is this an improvment or not?

Interesting Tweet Videos I Came Across (Harry-AOC)

I’ve never seen this before and it makes the hounding of them by the British tabloids even more grotesque pic.twitter.com/zthh9Uqlgh

— Nadine Batchelor-Hunt (@nadinebh_) September 12, 2022

Every time AOC speaks, the possibilities of what we could be and should be, are so obvious.

“I am tired of communities of faith being weaponized and being mischaracterized, because the only time “religious freedom” is invoked, is in the name of bigotry and discrimination” pic.twitter.com/PCpNrWhZPk

— CHOOSY (@CH005Y) September 10, 2022

For all the crap directed at Harry I don't blame him one bit for the path he has chosen. As far as AOC. Despite what you think of her, is she right or not?

Both are quite courageous speaking out despite knowing the push back they recieve. I respect them both now more then before for doing so. Especially Harry who was stripped of two medals bestowed on him by the queen after leaving England.

Neil deGrasse Tyson's Life Advice

Immigration: Gov. Of Texas Doing NYC A Favor

nypost.com
Flood of migrant kids in NYC schools
to fatten DOE coffers by $19M–plus "The influx of school-age children – among the roughly 8,000 newcomers bused to Manhattan since May by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott – stands to help the enrollment-starved DOE reap millions of dollars in new revenue...

Councilman Joseph Borelli (R-Staten Island) said he opposes “illegal immigration” but called the city taking in migrants “an interesting way to get some state and federal per-capita funding for some of our under-enrolled schools.”

Maybe NYC's DOE should send a thank you card to Abbott. Course that's revenue Texas could have had instead of spending his taxpayers dollars chartering buses.

Economy Cars Are A Dying Breed

foxnews.com
These are the only new cars left for under $20,000 "There are now just three models priced under $20,000, including destination fees, but you can call it five if you're being generous."

I'm still driving my 1990 Dodge Caravan and love it. Yes I put some dollars into it but nothing near what any of these used and new cars cost. I had it since 1996. It held all my sheetrock I used redoing my basement and 3rd floor. Even 12ft 2x4's. Held four bikes when we went on trail rides. Many trips to the shore fully loaded with beach stuff. I never want to give it up. My only hope is some jerk doesn't smash into me. I'll never be able to afford a used car on my present retirement income.

More Of My Music Video Favorites

11 On This Autoplay Playlist

Run Time: 38 minutes

Playing For Change Message To Relatives Of Missing People

We are proud to share our new Song Around The World, “I Still Haven't Found What I´m Looking For,” by U2, to send a message to the relatives of missing people in the world: you are not alone in the search of your loved ones. This is a joint project by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Playing For Change in honor of the International Day of the Disappeared. This video features over 40 extraordinary musicians from 13 countries who played several instruments and combined their magnificent voices.

In the world, each day, dozens of people disappear for diverse causes related to armed conflicts, violence, natural disasters and on the migration route, among others. Some of their families have had no news of their missing loved ones for more than 20 years. Together, and through music, we would like to express our solidarity to those who are facing the profound and universal feeling of losing a loved one. The families of missing people will not stop searching, nor will we stop helping them.

We would like to thank all of the amazing musicians for their contribution and sharing their enormous talent with this project.


To learn more about the work of the PFC Foundation,
visit http://www.playingforchange.org

The Playing For Change Foundation is a global nonprofit organization offering creative opportunities for marginalized and at-risk youth, most specifically in the developing world. 17 music programs across 13 countries

Journey Is Over For "bald and bankrupt"

I've followed Benjamin's travels for four years. He certainly is no supporter of the Russian government (the people yes, the government no). Over the years he has video documented plenty of it. His travels were mostly in abandoned cities and old Russian facilities from the time it was the U.S.S.R. He even managed to get himself arrested sneaking into an old hidden Russian space center where the never flown rusting shuttles were stored. It appears this has come to an end. Hopefully he will be back with other travels like he once did into other obscure cities. I'm sure his 3.61 million subscribers hope this won't be his last.

This journey that started for me aged 17 in Anna’s Russian class has now come to an end. I’m glad that you were there to see a huge part of it. From the villages of the Komi republic to the mountains of Dagestan, we have experienced so many adventures ( and Soviet sinks ). I'll always remember the forays into the hinterland and the people I met with great fondness but it's time to to bring the curtain down.

New Principal At WAHS Under Fire Two Days In

www.change.org
Help William Allen High School replace their current principle. "Our current principle Ms. Cheryl Clark (who has only been principle at our school for 2 school days) has already made our 2022-2023 school year a living hell..."

This is sure to become a big news story. 1,500 signed the peition as of 10:13 AM 08/31/2022.

How Well Do You Know John Fetterman?

CBS Sunday Morning March 04, 2015


CBS Pittsburgh June 07, 2019


CBS Sunday Morning January 24, 2021


Mayor John Fetterman at TEDxHarlem July 30, 2012

I do understand he has his detractors. However ask yourself what was Dr. Oz doing during those years Fetterman put himself out there for Pennsylvania? Does anyone actually believe Fetterman hasn't earned his chance to represent Pennsylvania in the U.S. Senate? Especially considering OZ hasn't done a damn thing for Pennsylvania.

Seems to me Fetterman will be able to bring his vast experience in Pennsylvania unlike OZ.

Utility Rates Set To Soar. Here's Why

wlvr.org
As electric rates set to soar,
PUC tells customers to shop for best provider "The PUC offers the following tips for saving money on summer energy bills:.."

Even a simpleton should understand..
The less electric we use..
The less natural gas we use..
The less water we use..
The less gasoline we use..
The less new cars we buy..
The less of anything we use decreases profits.

Companies exist solely to make ever increasing profits. THEREFORE the more their income is reduced they will be forced to increase their charges to consumers. Consumers may make sacrifices but companies never will. Save now, pay more later. We're being handed one gigantic pile of...

Meet Sen. Cruz's "Slackers"

Oh Ted I can't count the ways you make youself look ignorant. One thing I do know. Ted should stay out of coffee shops. Maybe out of the fast food joints as well. In fact maybe Ted you should just continue to hole up in the Washington bubble. Get his hair done in the capitol hill barber shop. Use the gym there. Have his suits pressed and shoes shined as well. All safely under one roof. I mean you might as well since you're hardly visiting your home state of Texas very often anyway.

Folks ask yourself.. when was the last time you saw Ted do an interview from Texas? For that matter has he ever addressed a Texas problem? Maybe he's unaware Texas has any.

Religion & Science - Neil deGrasse Tyson

Yeah Neil said it all. There's nothing I could add that he didn't say better.

The Streaming Services Ripoff

Here's how its done... 

(1) Corporate media giants buy up nearly all the channels offered by cable companies. Even a few of the cable companies themselves.

(2) Air garbage programing forcing cable to buy their crappy side channels if they want to carry their few major broadcasts. Even many of those have now become crappy now too except for a few.

(3) Produce some good stuff making it only available on their own streaming services.

(4) Start off commercial free. Then start adding ads. Eventually making it available commercial free only through  their premium packages.

(5) Then exclusively offer only one or two programs or movies anyone's interested in. If people are interested in one or two others they have to subscribe separately to other streaming services. As a result cutting the cord soon becomes as expensive as consumers' prior cable bills. Where they once watched many more entertainment programs on each of the channels.

(6) As if collecting money off the cable companies and sponsors weren't enough. Now their fleecing (with ever increasing rates) the suckers who buy into their (so called exclusive) streaming.

I was once for making  à la carte channels available on cable. This most certainly wasn't what I had in mind. Basically the corporate media giants have made it impossible for cable companies to provide entertainment at a flat rate all in one place. These greedy giants are similar to a spider spinning a web around consumers till cable companies and their paying stream subscribers soon find themselves trapped into their expensive schemes.

In reality we had more quality entertainment in the past on the three major networks then we do now at far greater cost.  I refuse to be tempted by their promoted content. I'll find other ways to amuse myself.

I'd put up an antenna if it would be a better option.

PROBLEM IS... If I drop the TV channels from my current TV/telephone/internet cable package the rate only goes down a little bit. An decent antenna setup (with 50 less channels) would cost more.

GOTCHA!

SEE ALSO: NBC Considers Cutting Off Prime Time Programming After 10 P.M. in the Wake of Committing Billions to College, NFL Football

Simple Oil Pan Gasket Leak Repair-- NOT!

Here's another regular I watch on YouTube, "Rainman Ray's Repair". He's in Florida. In this video his task is to drop the oil pan and replace the gasket. Seems simple enough, right?


It's no wonder why today's repairs are crazy expensive. In some of his videos he's had to pull the whole top of the engine off just to replace a $30 part. This man has more patience then I could ever muster. 

Fortunately for me my old dodge caravan has only one oxygen sensor. Some of these beasts have as many as four buried deep in the bowels of the engine. Many which also require the same amount of disassembly of the vehicle to get at as this oil pan did. Often times required him to be sprawled out on top of the engine under the hood no matter how uncomfortable. Whatever he is paid wouldn't be enough for me.

YouTuber "JohnnyFD" Yanukovych's House/Ukraine Independence Day

I follow this guy all the time. Much better then other sources I've found.

Uploaded May 10, 2022
Talk about opulence and wasted extravagance. This house sitting on 350 acres is now nicknamed the museum of corruption because over $1,000,000,000 of tax payers and state funds were wasted to build, buy and decorate Viktor Yanukovych's Mezhyhirya Residence. Join me today as we go inside the house... Russia's FSB had lined up at least two pro-Russian governments ahead of invasion. A Washington Post investigation found the FSB had worked closely with former Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych and pro-Kremlin politician Viktor Medvedchuk."It's interesting to see it confirmed publicly.


Ukrainians will no longer put up with Russians puppets of previous. They've had with greedy power mongers. This is why Volodymyr Zelenskyy has the strong support he has.

Live from Kyiv, Ukraine: Independence Day (08/24/2022)

Today Is Independence Day In Ukraine

Ukraine declared their independence from Russia in 1991.


How Stalin starved Ukraine

Is Putin planning to take them back to those days under Stalin?
The Russian government can not be trusted.
They've proven it time and again.

Putin's war on Ukraine, explained

Are We Being Visited By Aliens?

Neil deGrasse Tyson on UFO's

Are We Being Visited by Aliens?
ANSWER: I've never seen any evidence of it. Not one single piece of equipment left behind. Millions of cell phones and not dozens of videos that would be captured at every angle on any one single sighting. Especially if it were LIVE streamed like everything else countless times everyday. So I'm with Neil deGrasse Tyson on this one.

Electric Vehicles Are Not A Green Solution

Click Above For Many More Details 

Putting the cart before the horse.

About 20% came from renewables. It makes no sense if 61% of electric cars require fossil fuels at the generator sites to power them. Shouldn't we be finding alternative methods of generating electric before we add to the already overburdened fossil fueled grid systems?

Seems to me we're jumping the gun before the technology is available to live up to the claims made by probably those who stand to gain by false promises. Not to mention many of the materials required to produce these batteries can create more toxicity then fossil fuels. Also consider electric prices have risen more sharply the fuel prices. After spending the $60,000+ for these vehicles it certainly doesn't make it more economical for buyers.

Until these concerns can be addressed I wouldn't recommend jumping on the notion technology has advanced enough to make it feasible for either the environment nor consumers.

If You Just Landed Here

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Two Of The Best Local Performance Groups

My thanks to Service Electric Cable TV for making this last video possible. They are generous to share many of their videos on YouTube to none cable subscribers. Probably one of the few cable companies in the United States who professionally broadcast tons of local sports and entertainment events. Still family owned.

I might add this video shows a Bethlehem Musikfest tradition that continues to this day. It may not be the biggest revenue generator nor most most popular. However steeped in the deep history of where it all began.. LOCALLY!

Been Using Your Can Opener Wrong?

Joe Biden Ice Cream Scandal

OMG!!!!

What I'm Leaving Behind

A greater legacy then myself.
I'm proud of my step-daughter who has been an ICU nurse for almost 30 years, She's treated countless Covid patients before she transferred to now treat patients in recovery from surgeries. Her husband a highly skilled oncologist who treats cancer patients for a major medical facility. Two wonderful twin granddaughters whom seem to be on a greater path then I once was.

My Stepson who has spent 40 years as an emt and now a dispatcher for Medivac and still does occasional ambulance runs. His son who has done musicals and sings off and on publicly. Has a steady job which will help support his social teacher wife getting married soon. My stepson's daughter and her husband who both worked steadily since high school. Now raising their own son who is emotionally challenged with all the devotion they can provide.

A wife who always has been faithful and encouraging no matter my faults.

An old man's lament.
In other words, leaving a greater world behind then myself. Not everyone is fortunate enough to leave behind people who can make this world a better place. I consider myself fortunate. I never considered myself able to imagine such was possible through my own efforts. For that I am grateful.

I have no other reason posting this other then to let it be said sometimes we don't appreciate the good fortunes we've had in our lives and those who will carry on in this world beyond us. I've may not have contributed much. Knowing I might have added to this world in some unknown way brings me peace in-so-much that I haven't added to this world's misery.

Hopefully I will have many more years left looking forward to more of the same.

Another Favorite Music Video Of Mine

Nathaniel Rateliff and The Night Sweats
The Gothic Theater in Denver November 2013

If a performer is lucky enough there will be one time where everything comes together. This, I feel, is the one time there will be no greater venue then when it occurred.

My grandson Scotty performing this same tune at a bar in South Bethlehem

Whatcha think?

I Have No Cell Phone Get Over It

I've been going through this crap for a long time. Three of my prior YouTube accounts I can no longer log onto w/o one. So I'm locked out of them since they cannot send text to my landline. Everywhere I log onto (including the Google account for this blog) they nag me for one. What kind of hell is this!

My latest round was with one of the banks we do business with. They insist my phone number be a mobile one. I called service. Transferred twice ending up with the person stating it's impossible for him to tell the system otherwise since it's their default. Nor will they allow me to delete it. So far I can still log on to their site to do business and receive email updates but otherwise I'm SOL

 

Since I am retired I don't need a cell phone. I get along perfectly fine talking to people. The hell with texts they suck when trying to communicate properly. Nor do I want apps I'll never use And I'm sure as hell not going to spend another $30 a month on up (in addition to my landline) just to satisfy their idiotic desires.

I suppose no matter how I complain I'll never get that through their thick heads. How can people sit around a room with people talking while half are ignoring the rest of the room totally occupied by their cells?

Surely I can't be the only one who feels this way.

World's FOS

I'm coming to conclusion the whole world is full of shit.

 
(1) I've paid over $10,000 into car insurance over several years. Called in a $500 claim which would not satisfy my deductible. Waited 2 weeks.. nothing. Email bounced back. Voice mail ignored. Sent cancel claim notice. Less then 2 hours later they canceled claim per my request. Quite amazing since they wouldn't acknowledge our existence otherwise. The collision repair shop wants to charge us $200 (1 1/2 hours labor) for a simple slide and snap part that would take me less then 5 minutes to put in place if they would allow me to do it myself. Another $200 to paint the part (which they probably could get in the proper color via the VIN#). Another $79 for a light that isn't damaged. To top it off wait 6 more weeks to do even that!

(2) Medicare Part D scam. Deductible now is $500 before they even begin to pay partial coverage. Company that owns my coverage also owns the pharmacy. Likely next year it could go well beyond $500. Isn't that like nearly a $50 a month increase over 2 years ago? I was told by my doctor the two meds she ordered would be covered my Medicare. Sure enough.. after I satisfy my $500 deductible and my $200 portion for the prescription. COVERAGE MY ASS!

(3) We're using about 10% less gas, water and electric. Yet bills 20% higher. So these companies are making more despite their costs going down. What the hell!

Then there's those robocalls with fake ID's. The list goes on and on. I will not whine further other then to say the world right now is very much FOS (especially politicians).

So that's my mood for today. So many people trying to be tricky. More arsholes then I can count. I don't want to be pissy but...how can I not?

US Senate Democrats Push Ahead On $430bn Drug, Energy Bill

times.live.co.za
US Senate Democrats push ahead on $430bn drug, energy bill "Republicans have promised to do everything they can to stall or block the bill, with Senator Lindsey Graham on Friday calling the legislation, “this jihad they’re on to tax and spend.” But Democrats are betting that they can ram it through the Senate, using an arcane and complicated “reconciliation” procedure allowing passage without any Republican support in a 50-50 split Senate.

'VOTE-A-RAMA'
An arduous process that could extend into early next week and will see senators offer amendment after amendment in a time-consuming “vote-a-rama.”

Is there a damn thing Republicans won't do to try and make Democrats fail no matter whatever endeavor they set about on in every turn? Vote on the damn bill and get it over with already. All this bullshit is nothing more then that.. utter bullshit. No wonder nothing gets done.

Everything they are doing changes nothing. It's an exercise that serves no other purpose then to piss Democrats off. Everything they end up doing will end up with either a passage of the bill or not. What a bunch of arsholes!

UPDATE
politico.com
Senate Dems pass long-awaited climate, tax and health care bill "The majority party guided the legislation they'd labored over for more than a year through a 15-hour vote-a-rama, a last-minute snag with Sen. Kyrsten Sinema and several rules challenges...

...The core of the legislation includes lowering some prescription drug prices, providing more than $300 billion into climate change and clean energy and imposing a 15 percent minimum tax on large corporations, plus a new 1 percent excise tax on stock buybacks. The bill also increases IRS enforcement and extends Obamacare subsidies through the 2024 election."

Jim Acosta Mocks CPAC's Capitol Riot Prisoner Exhibit

Makes one wonder if the Republican party will ever regain the sanity it had before the 'Tea Party' and Trump came along.

A Few Music Videos I'm Enjoying Today

Nothing like those over-the-top arena concerts, eh?

PACT Act For Vets Blocked in the Senate- MUST READ With UPDATES

Somebody explain to me what Republicans exists for?
Only to try and make this adminstration fail in whatever way possible?
The hell with good government. Party dominance is the only thing that matters?
Not woman. Not gays. Not retirees. Not the poor or unfortunate or those with medical needs.
Just who the hell is their base they expect to slide them into power?

“The #PACTAct passed the House, and then it passed the Senate. 84-14! So I want people to understand – The #PACTAct passed with overwhelming Republican support. Toomey hasn’t supported it at all, because I think robots can’t feel.” – @jonstewart on @TheLeadCNN with @jaketapper pic.twitter.com/b0G5Hi3B8O

— The Problem With Jon Stewart (@TheProblem) July 28, 2022

A Message to and from Mister Senator Ted Cruz...Attorney at Law#PassthePactact pic.twitter.com/QjGRGdPmq4

— Jon Stewart (@jonstewart) July 29, 2022

Sunday, July 31, 2022


Tuesday, August 02, 2022


Wednesday, Auagust 03, 2022

Rep. Raskin Gunsplains The Constitution To GOP Lawmaker

I can't tell you how many times some dope quotes the 2nd amendment this way, "... the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." Yea just ignore the words before... "A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State,..". That seems to be a important qualifier to me. Why ignore it?