mastodon 4.6.8A refugee from Google Answers, Google+, and No Agenda Social.
Sir Maniac of Colorado
@deprecated_ii@poa.st Bring back open book tests and finals.
Those are the ones that really challenge you. I had a one question three hour final in Physical Chemistry.
Yeah - you got partial credit for progress up to that final answer.
Not sure AI would help with that 1975 question.
From "Reason"
https://reason.com/2026/06/07/1776-all-stars-samuel-adams/
Another 1776 "all star" - Sam Adams, calling him a libertarian rabble rouser and propagandist.
From the "Midwestern Doctor"
https://www.midwesterndoctor.com/p/vaccine-amnesia-75-forgotten-segments
Writing about MDM outlet censorship about vaccine injuries. Noting things like
Cartoons for today (1/2)
Four by AF Branco
https://comicallyincorrect.com/branco-cartoon-feeling-the-love/
"Feeling the Love" (Islam, Nazi, and Communist holding donkey baby for the New Democrat Party).
https://comicallyincorrect.com/branco-cartoon-grave-diggers/
"Grave Diggers" (two donkeys in deep hole; hoping to reach China)
https://comicallyincorrect.com/branco-toon-democrat-autopsy-of-2024/
"Democrat Autopsy of 2024" (lots of smells coming out of dead donkey)
https://comicallyincorrect.com/branco-cartoon-hush-money/
"Hush Money" (Omar, Ellison, and Walz see no, hear no, speak no fraud using $$).
From "Reclaim the Net"
https://reclaimthenet.org/sdsu-adds-1300-ai-cameras-330-in-student-dorms
How San Diego State University (SDSU) deployed about 1300 AI enabled cameras across the campus including over 300 in dorms. No disclosure to the students (or faculty?).
From the "Brownstone Institute"
https://brownstone.org/articles/what-if-the-fda-were-eliminated/
A suggestion to end the Federal Drug Administration - there are equivalent public companies (like the Underwriters Laboratory) could do the same role without the subsidies and other distortions.
Ends with a video about a more general discussion of government intervention.
Cartoons for today
https://grrrgraphics.com/democrats-go-off-the-deep-end/
Ben Garrison has "Democrats Go Off the Deep End" (Democrat leaders down a green waterfall making various statements).
https://www.creators.com/read/al-goodwyn-cartoons/06/26/417232
Al Goodwyn with a British Policeman telling Henry Nowak that they will find him and it is concerning he might have sprained a wrist.
https://www.creators.com/read/tom-stiglich/06/26/417167
Tom Stiglich with Platner walking over Me Too symbol.
Wut?
The CDC to meet remaining Americans on the cruise ship and send them into quarantine in a Nebraska hospital facility.
Also mentions a few other people who got ill or are in quarantine in other countries.
One tech story
https://pivot-to-ai.com/2026/05/06/openai-chatgpt-goes-goblin-mode-let-none-say-model-collapse/
Apparently ChatGPT has a "goblin mode" - apparently version 5.1 started to respond about goblins and it is apparently worse in version 5.5.
MAGA Don speaks
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/2026/05/presidential-message-on-national-day-of-prayer/
Presidential Message on the National Day of Prayer (May 17) and an assembly on the National Mall to rededicate the United States as One Nation Under God.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/05/victory-day-for-world-war-ii-2026/
Proclamation for Victory [in Europe] Day on May 8.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/05/military-spouse-day-2026/
Proclamation for Military Spouse Day on May 8.
From the "Brownstone Institute"
https://brownstone.org/articles/cruising-toward-enslavement/
Commentary about a 2026 Toyota and the interaction of all of the "features" included in the vehicle. Suggesting the owner of this and future vehicles are somehow giving up their freedoms.
From Rod Martin
https://www.rodmartin.org/p/irans-oil-storage-clock-is-about
John Haughey as guest author writes about Iran and how their storage is about full - requiring either a peace agreement or shutting down oil production. Expect damage to those wells if they are shut down.
Cartoons for Today (1/2)
https://grrrgraphics.com/ted-turner-rip/
Ben Garrison has "Ted Turner RIP" (Ted's wish for less people granted by Death)
https://www.creators.com/read/chip-bok/05/26/415395
Chip Bok with Mamdani throwing a stone into Ken Griffin's window (moving jobs out of NYC).
https://www.creators.com/read/gary-varvel/05/26/415356
Hunter Trump has RINO head mounted above the fireplace.
From the "Midwestern Doctor"
https://www.midwesterndoctor.com/p/the-incredible-secrets-of-coconuts
About several benefits of coconut products. The oil and water and related items. Plus the monthly Q&A after the paywall.
Cartoons for today (1/2)
https://grrrgraphics.com/fall-of-the-maga-doomers/
Ben Garrison has "Fall of the MAGA Doomers" (Trump kicking Tucker, Alex Jones, and others off a cliff)
Two by Broc Smith
https://rofcbybroc.com/2026/04/12/still-good-enuf-for-congress/
"Still Good Enuf for Congress" (Angry donkeys around Eric Swawell)
https://rofcbybroc.com/2026/04/12/like-bowling-pins/
"Like Bowling Pins" (a Trump cat knocking immigration judge mice off a table)
MAGA Don doesn't speak
Nothing new posted on the White House web site.
Several tweets about Trump at UFC 327, praise for Rory McIlroy, the Strait of Hormuz, and other topics.
From Rod Martin
https://www.rodmartin.org/p/midway-the-battle-that-almost-lost-6f1
A guest story by George Friedman that describes what could have happened if the US had lost the Battle of Midway. We could have lost both Australia and USSR as a result (and explains why).
Some local stories
https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/colorado-ai-chatbot-restricting-interactions-children/
CO Governor Polis signs bill restricting AI chatbots (affecting kids).
https://coloradosun.com/2026/06/06/latest-colorado-river-proposal-disappointing-boulder/
Long term Colorado River water agreement unlikely.
https://coloradosun.com/2026/06/06/barbara-kirkmeyer-scott-bottoms-victor-marx-colorado-primary-election-gop-governor-issue-guide/
Finally a guide for CO Republican candidates for governor.
https://coloradosun.com/2026/06/06/the-aces-investigation-colorado-facility-schools-restraints/
Special school under investigation after student injured when restrained.
https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/colorado-team-sonar-drone-recover-drowning-victims-evidence/
Puff piece about a team with special equipment for water recoveries.
MAGA Don speaks
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/2026/06/america-250-presidential-message-on-the-anniversary-of-d-day/
Presidential message honoring 82y since D-Day.
From the "Manhattan Contrarian"
https://www.manhattancontrarian.com/blog/2026-5-6-two-bets-on-the-future-of-wind-energy-who-is-right
Looking at a couple NYT stories about wind power. Praising huge deployment in China and condemning Trump and the US Military for not approving more in the US.
Plus no mention of new coal power plants in China to carry the real load.
One tech story
https://www.theregister.com/2026/04/11/trivy_axios_supply_chain_attacks/
Going a bit into the details about two supply chain attacks
- Trivy (a malware scanner) - leveraged by Team PCP and affected KICS, LiteLLM, and Telnyx. May affect over 10K organizations.
- Axios (HTTP client library) - leveraged by North Korea / UNC1069 and affected other products.
Both could have been avoided by waiting a bit after new releases.
Some local stories
https://coloradosun.com/2026/06/07/colorado-water-saving-crops-versus-market-demand/
Suggestions on "water saving" (but perhaps not salable) crops for farmers.
https://coloradosun.com/2026/06/07/colorado-debates-bennet-weiser-opinion-littwin/
Littwin opinion piece praising the Democrat candidates for Governor and bashing the Republican ones. Of course.
https://coloradosun.com/2026/06/07/parole-review-errors-opinion-nicolais/
Nicolais opinion piece praising a new law to reform the CO parole system after several failures of the risk assessment system and cover ups.
Cartoons for today
https://grrrgraphics.com/swalwell-gets-exposed/
Ben Garrison has "Swawell Gets Exposed" (nude Swawell opens coat; "SWAWELL for Governor")
https://rofcbybroc.com/2026/04/10/mercy/
Broc Smith has "Mercy" (Big Trump next to huge US military nut asks small Iran leader what he is negotiating with)
https://www.creators.com/read/gary-varvel/04/26/413823
Gary Varvel with donkey in straight jacket cursing Trump.
https://www.creators.com/read/tom-stiglich/04/26/413818
Tom Stiglich with Swawell covered by misconduct charges; would hold Trump accountable.
A couple local stories
https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/colorado-u-s-congressmen-force-of-nature-approach-problem-solving/
A puff piece about a couple congress critters - Joe Neguse (CO2 - D) and Jeff Hurd (CO3 - R) who work together on some issues.
https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/11/phil-weiser-name-id-colorado-poll/
A story about a recent poll finds that Phil Weiser (CO Attorney General) isn't known by many likely voters. About 1/3rd never heard of him. No mention of Republicans running for Colorado Governor.
From "Reason"
A proposal by Bernie Sanders to "tax" AI companies to get 50% of the ownership. A one time 50% tax. Yeah, right.
Not mentioned - if this is a taking (5th Amendment), why aren't regular taxes a taking? Inquiring minds want to know.
Some local stories (1/2)
https://coloradosun.com/2026/05/07/road-funding-fight-colorado-initiative-175-house-bill-1430/
CO legislators oppose voter initiative to limit how gas & vehicle taxes are used.
https://coloradosun.com/2026/05/07/colorado-bill-targeting-credit-card-swipe-fees-advances-to-governor/
CO bill to end swipe fees on sales tax goes to Governor Polis.
https://coloradosun.com/2026/05/07/colorados-wolf-reintroduction-hits-inflection-point-as-program-leader-retires-and-conflicts-increase/
CPW wolf reintroduction head retires.
https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/aurora-development-boom-gas-service-snag-schools-builders-limbo/
Regulations holding up natural gas service and affecting school & home development in Aurora CO.
https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/colorado-neighbors-react-high-dollar-healing-center-historic-greystone-estate/
Residents in Evergreen CO want no "healing center".
From the "Manhattan Contrarian"
A comparison of the FY 2027 budgets for NY and FL. NY spends about 2.5x more per person than FL and other comments.
MAGA Don speaks
https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/06/granting-pardon-to-stephen-e-buyer/
Proclamation granting a full and complete pardon to Stephen E Buyer. Includes a long list of people who supports it.
Bunch of Margolis & Cox cartoons (1/5)
https://margolisandcox.com/2026/05/11/monday-may-11-2026/
Jeffries knocked out in a Redistricting Wars boxing ring.
https://margolisandcox.com/2026/05/12/tuesday-may-12-2026/
Witches of "The View" saying the brew needs more TDS.
https://margolisandcox.com/2026/05/13/wednesday-may-13-2026/
Alien with sign saying Aliens are Real!; couple say it is a conspiracy.
https://margolisandcox.com/2026/05/14/thursday-may-14-2026/
NY Governor Hochul on knees with bag of $$; Mamdani saying "Who's a Good Girl!"
From "Reason"
https://reason.com/volokh/2026/05/07/important-takings-challenge-to-los-angeles-historic-preservation-law/
A story about a "historic" (okay, Marilyn Monroe used to live there) home that was declared "historic" 60y after her death. A taking by the city of Los Angeles - now going to court.
https://reason.com/2026/05/07/expect-the-data-center-backlash-to-get-worse/
Kind of the opposite in UT - a county approved a new data center on 40K acres of land despite hundreds of residents protesting.
But that isn't happening everywhere....
One tech story
NY State legislators pass a bill to ban data center building (20MW or more) for a year; waits for NY Governor Hochul signature. Plus green energy required for 5MW or larger data centers.
MAGA Don speaks
Proclamation honoring the life of Henry Clay (April 12).
Some local stories
https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/denver-beats-wisconsin-11th-national-title/
Praise for Johnny Hicks, goalie for the Denver Pioneers.
https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/12/amid-air-traffic-controller-shortage-this-colorado-college-is-fast-tracking-the-next-generation/
Puff piece about a college training air traffic controllers.
https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/coal-mine-debris-colorado-extinguished-burning-20-years/
Burning pile of coal finally extinguished in Florence CO after 20 years.
https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/12/littwin-strategy-to-end-iran-war/
Littwin opinion piece bashing Trump about the war in Iran.
https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/12/ice-immigration-court-opinion-nicolais/
Nicolais opinion piece about getting an illegal alien out of ICE custody.
From "Reason"
https://reason.com/2026/03/21/chinas-rare-earth-dominance-was-made-in-america/
Noting that rare earth mining in the US is held up primarily due to the permit process. Over 7 years - one example now at 46 years - to get approval.
https://reason.com/2026/03/21/seattles-minimum-wage-laws-backfired-on-uber-and-lyft-now-the-union-wants-to-limit-drivers/
The Seattle minimum wage is reducing demand for Uber and Lyft rides. Now the union wants to limit the number of drivers to reduce idle time for the remaining drivers.
