May 11, 2017

On allowing Russian state press with electronic equipment exclusive Oval Office access

May 10, 2017

You can't make this stuff up

Notice the sub-headline of this NYT front page:



And then today:



Right down to Henry Fucking Kissinger:



You just can't make this shit up.

May 8, 2017

Taking a detour

The easy road was closed today. Oh well.

May 4, 2017

Bored? Want to tie up a scammer?

I just got a phony, phony, phony "Unsecured Debt Resolution Letter" saying that I owe (un-named creditor) $19,000, but that if I call them, I can get it reduced to $6,000.

I am supposed to call 877-233-5647 give them my "processing number" and then work out payment.

It's total bullshit.

I'll be taking the letter to the postal inspector tomorrow, but I thought I'd have a little fun with them first and tie them up by acting endlessly "confused" about what I'm supposed to do.

The best way to start is to say you were talking to (make up a first name) and that your call got dropped, and that you want to be reconnected to that person.

Or, "the ink is smeared on the letter and the reference number looks like" CRDE041427842 "or, wait I mean..." and keep screwing up the "reference number" by changing a digit each time you read it. Intersperse these attempts by making up long stories and reasons for "oh, hang on a minute"... blame your ex for the debt... whatever... be creative.

https://twitter.com/Berryhillj/status/860273467559735298

April 29, 2017

Hey, what happened to O'Reilly's "evidence"?

Wasn't he going to regale us with evidence of a massive conspiracy of some kind?

April 27, 2017

"Behind China and Russia's 'Special Relationship'"

During the Cold War, one of the ways that the US sought to maintain the status quo was by playing China and Russia against each other.

Looking at how we are essentially conceding to Russia on subjects such as Ukraine, Syria, along with easing sanctions, etc.; it is also curious that we also look to be conceding regional hegemony to China. Our current government seems to be perfectly happy to denigrate NATO, the EU, etc. in the West, and it is clear that we are not going to pursue a regional trade pact (which was going to exclude China) in the East.

So if you, like me, are curious about "How are Russia and China getting along these days?" the answer appears to be "quite well":

http://thediplomat.com/2016/12/behind-china-and-russias-special-relationship/



The 2014 Strategic Partnership, ratified shortly after Russia’s annexation of Crimea, amid the launch of U.S. and EU sanctions against Russia, is widely regarded as the most enhanced in terms of depth and breadth of economic, political, and security relations of any one of China’s or Russia’s network of strategic partnerships.

Some of the much-publicized and high-profile deals emerging from the 2014 Strategic Partnership included a 40-year gas supply agreement between Gazprom and China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC). The landmark gas supply deal, including plans to build the “Power of Siberia” gas pipeline, was indirectly referred to in the 2014 Strategic Partnership as a measure aiming to “strengthen the Sino-Russian energy partnership.”

A further deal with Russia’s largest oil company, state-owned Rosneft, involving financing deals with CNPC to supply oil worth up to $500 billion from Russia’s largest oil field, was also established shortly after, prospectively enabling Russia to surpass Saudi Arabia as China’s main supplier of oil.

....

In this vein, China and Russia have been accelerating their joint military drills including holding their first joint naval drills conducted in the South China Sea this year. According to senior officers at China’s Central Military Commission and Russia’s Defense Ministry, since both sides are faced with a more complex international security environment, closer mutual cooperation has been widely considered a necessity.

April 24, 2017

Dealing with self-driving vehicles

Lancaster County, PA was years ahead of everyone else in self-driving vehicle technology.

Three things to keep in mind:

1. Draft on the uphills, and pass at the crest. They aren't going to accelerate downhill, and it's dangerous if they have to pass you.

2. They leave a groove in the road surface, and you want to stay to the right of that groove.

3. Look out for the solid exhaust. It's slippery on turns and WILL come off your front wheel into your face if you aren't careful.

On the other hand, drivers in the area are used to the fact that there could be a slow moving vehicle around any bend or intersection.

April 19, 2017

Allegations Come In, Bill O'Reilly Goes Out - You Can't Explain That

April 17, 2017

Little Italy, Wilmington DE and points north...

The original DuPont gunpowder mills along the Brandywine River mark the dividing line between Wilmington and Northern Delaware's "Chateau Country".

Starting out in DUer LynneSin's neighborhood, we head north to take a look at Montchanin, Delaware and then to one of my favorite "happy places" at a new top speed....

April 17, 2017

Little Italy, up the Brandywine to Montchanin and turn left...

A little bit of everything on today's ride, including my favorite spot in Valley Garden Park down by Hoopes Reservoir.