I sure hope Russia doesn't see this as an opportunity to arm al Shabab with man portable anti-air/anti-armor weapons... that would suck.

They wouldn't do that, right?

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/biden-approves-plan-to-redeploy-several-hundred-ground-forces-into-somalia/ar-AAXlbyi

Guy was caught up in the whole China v Taiwan political drama...

https://www.npr.org/2022/05/16/1099244312/hate-against-taiwanese-led-to-church-attack

https://www.ocregister.com/2022/05/15/multiple-people-wounded-in-shooting-at-laguna-woods-church/

A gunman killed one person and wounded five others at a Taiwanese luncheon in a Laguna Woods church on Sunday, then was tackled by churchgoers who hogtied his legs with extension cords, officials said. The crowd also managed to take two handguns away from him, said Orange County Undersheriff Jeff Hallock.

The man’s name was not released Sunday, but Hallock described him as Asian in his 60s, and not believed to live in the area. Any connection to the church wasn’t known.

“That group of churchgoers displayed what we believe is exceptional heroism and bravery,” Hallock said.

https://www.16personalities.com

I'm an INTP-T... aka a "Logician"...

A Logician (INTP) is someone with the Introverted, Intuitive, Thinking, and Prospecting personality traits. These flexible thinkers enjoy taking an unconventional approach to many aspects of life. They often seek out unlikely paths, mixing willingness to experiment with personal creativity.

Logicians often lose themselves in thought – which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. People with this personality type hardly ever stop thinking. From the moment they wake up, their minds buzz with ideas, questions, and insights. At times, they may even find themselves conducting full-fledged debates in their own heads.

From the outside, Logicians may seem to live in a never-ending daydream. They have a reputation for being pensive, detached, and a bit reserved. That is, until they try to train all of their mental energy on the moment or the person at hand, which can be a bit uncomfortable for everyone. But regardless of which mode they’re in, Logicians are Introverts and tend to get tired out by extensive socializing. After a long day, they crave time alone to consult their own thoughts.



very accurate description... In my nearly 60 years I've never been lonely and don't really understand the feeling.
People frequently think I'm "distant" or not paying attention. and I can think of no other person to be with... than myself. Just ask my wife, lol...

I certainly support doing SOMETHING about student loan debt.

I'm also a realist and realize that picking and choosing millions of people in debt up to their eyeballs... who way overspent on their Degree with little chance of paying it off...

Will result in a COLOSSAL political backlash.

I'm talking about a political volcano like Krakatoa or Thira.

The ONLY way this works is IF all people feel rewarded.

Make a formula to adjust the social security of people.

The gov't pays off 25,000 of your student loan debt, and you're 32... at 67 you will receive $43 less a month in SS

You're 56 and paid your own way through college or paid off your loans? You see an extra $53 per month in SS

Didn't go to college? You get the $53 also...

Sorta like your grandmother saying "I'll give you $10k now but your inheritance will be reduced to @25k after I pass..."

You CAN NOT assign a benefit to a select group of people without pissing off a hundred million+ people and WE ALL KNOW what happens when enough Americans get pissed off.

Mid day today it crossed the -20% line...

The markets have been brutalized... basically nearly dragged back to Spring of 2021.

https://www.dailyfx.com/forex/video/daily_news_report/2022/05/12/SP-500-Nears-Official-Bear-Market-EURUSD-Breakout-Overdue.html

For some, it'll be a 20 minute drive over a border... but for some, a $99 ticket on Spirit/Southwest might be the ticket.

Hopefully private and public funding helps make the logistics work.


PS I don't know why the map won't load...

https://people.com/health/see-what-states-have-abortion-restrictions-in-place-and-what-would-change-if-roe-is-overturned/

If you live in Texas or Oklahoma, the exercise of States' Rights can seem like a local attempt to take rights away.

In California and New York, States' Rights means shielding you from an authoritarian or tyrannical Federal Gov't.

States' Rights get a bad rap because people think of the Confederacy and some States trying to "get around" Federal laws and regulations that extend rights to larger groups of people.

But I think States' Rights might be JUST what keeps a level of sanity to this nation in it's badly fractured state.

So today, States' Rights sounds scary re: abortion... but States' Rights might be exactly what keeps abortions legal and available.

PS I live in California, more than 35 years.

Yeah, I know it's Daily Mail... but they have the video of thermobaric warheads being used... confirmed reporting by a handful of European agencies.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10782185/Ukraine-war-Communications-lost-Mariupol-defenders.html

Communications have today been lost with the last heroic defenders of Mariupol holed up inside the Azovstal steel works, after Russian forces stormed the complex.

Vadym Boichenko, mayor of the besieged city, said there is 'heavy fighting' ongoing inside the plant today and that he had 'lost contact' with those inside. There is no way of knowing 'what's going on, whether they are safe or not,' he said.

The grim news came as footage emerged showing Russian forces using what appeared to be lung-crushing thermobaric rockets to bombard Azovstal as tanks and troops moved into the sprawling industrial zone.

Hmmm??