April 29, 2022

Just sent a suggestion to The Lincoln Project

Given the recent amount of BS put out by the Repukes, I suggested that TLP do a series of videos with the overall message that "Your Republican elected officials must think you're idiots." I said that this would probably hit (at least some of) the mainstream angry conservatives where it hurts: their self-importance, hubris, and arrogance.

Now I'm curious as to whether TLP will respond.

April 28, 2022

Interesting piece on CNN about Russian tanks.

https://www.cnn.com/2022/04/27/europe/russia-tanks-blown-turrets-intl-hnk-ml/index.html

The article says that there's a design flaw in the way the ammo is stored in the turrets of Russian tanks: they are liable to all go off in the event of a direct hit, blasting the turret right off the tank. The stated reasoning for the design is to give the tanks a lower profile.

It would seem to me, however, that, given how dangerous this is for the crew (as opposed to how other Western tanks are designed), that it might just be that the Russian designers -- or their bosses -- just didn't care about the crews. "Heck, they're expendable, right?" Back in WWII, the Russians just kept sending masses of troops to the front lines even as they were wiped out. So maybe the real reasoning behind the design is, just keep sending tanks and if they get blown up... well... send more tanks.

Which then makes you wonder if the tank factories are also run by oligarchs who just want to profit from having to sell more and more tanks.

Sometimes I can be a suspicious old fart.

April 10, 2022

Any science teachers here?

I've been looking for a source for very small lenses and round mirrors, as in 1/2" more or less. Just need a couple of mirrors and a couple of double convex and plano convex lenses. Any ideas where to find something like this? My first go-to was Edmund Scientific (now Edmund Optics, apparently), which used to sell inexpensive kits for experimenting. Don't seem to have those any more.

I'm totally open to getting "something" and cannibalizing the parts. Any leads would be welcome. Thanks much.

April 10, 2022

Groaner, inspired by the post on animal friends.

What do you get if you cross a cat with a giraffe?

I don't know, but I wouldn't want it to sit on my lap.