polymerpunkah

Looking at the cockpits on those planes, hopefully it's a while before they let AI actually design any.

The one thing Part I had that II didn't was a typical (and much simpler) story arc. Beginning, middle, end. There's something to be said for that. (Just look at the amount of half-written garbage that's out there now.) Though I think II is a masterpiece.

[s]Did they say if he ever got infected?[/s] The 62-year-old from Magdeburg, Germany showed no sign of being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 as well.

Like a wounded antelope and a pack of hyenas.

McConnell endorses Trump. Hopefully the next time Trump's supporters storm Congress, they manage to catch a few of the Republicans they were threatening last time.

CBC reporting that Canada will resume it's funding of UNRWA. The federal government is resuming funding to UNRWA, the United Nations relief agency for Palestinians, CBC News has learned. In addition to going ahead with a scheduled payment in April of $25 million, Canada's international development minister also intends to announce new funding, according to a senior government official. The Canadian government announced a pause on funding in January after Israel alleged that 12 employees of UNRWA were involved in some capacity in the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas and the affiliated group Islamic Jihad. FWIW, Canada has given $25 million per year to UNRWA, and gave an additional 20 million in December. (By way of comparison, China gives 2 million, as does Russia. They talk a good game, but that's about it.) I doubt the US will follow suit, but perhaps Germany and the EU will. Hopefully so.

"Blackberry" The rise and fall of Research In Motion. Starts out funny, ends up sad. A bit uneven--the last half seems rushed--but still a good story, well-acted and told, with plenty of familiar (to me) Canadian faces. I saw a three-part version on my streaming service, but couldn't find any links--if it's longer than the movie, it might be a better choice.

She's running for '28 as well. Presumably she thinks the longer she stays in this time the louder she can shout "I told you so!" next time. Either at the clusterfuck Trump creates or the fact that they lost to Biden again.

They had their chance to get rid of him after January 6th, but they were all too afraid. McConnell and McCarthy should be lined up against a wall and shot (metaphorically, at least). WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate leader Mitch McConnell is the highest-ranking Republican in Congress who has yet to endorse Donald Trump’s bid to return to the White House — having once called the defeated president “morally responsible” for the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol attack. But that’s potentially about to change. McConnell’s political team and Trump’s campaign have been in talks over not only a possible endorsement of the former president but a strategy to unite Republicans up and down the party’s ticket ahead of the November election, according to a person familiar with the situation and granted anonymity to discuss it.

And to take it a step further, there are approximately 200,000 people in the northern half of the province. An area twice the size of the UK.

We can make more money killing the planet than saving it, so we'll kill it.

Heading to the referee's room to see if he can get a bite of that sandwich before the assistant referee finishes it.

Gives him a good opportunity to demonstrate that he doesn't actually favour the big clubs.

I binned Hank after two episodes. Not consciously; I just never went back to find #3, and when I see it in my favourites I just walk on by. Watched half of "The Leftovers" and never went back to it, either. The setting? All just a bit too "meh" I guess.

La Liga to analyse alleged racist abuse of Real Madrid forward at Valencia

Another highlight: early in the first half a very good cross comes in and VVD, at near full speed, just ducks down and heads it calmly back to Kelleher. The confidence to do it, and the confidence in Kelleher not to fuck it up.

"Referees are the most hated species in football, people vent their anger at them. It's a thankless job. That's a society issue as well, keyboard warriors who are faceless and can constantly abuse you. Some people find that hard to deal with. Nobody likes negativity. "You make decisions in a split second and most of the time you are correct. If you get them wrong you are going to get death threats and social media abuse. These things go on in your head before you make those decisions.” Mark Clattenberg

Got to give credit to Diaz for the past couple of weeks. He's played a lot of minutes, he's been giving it everything right until the last minute, and he's created a lot of chances. Of course we all want him to take more of them--all of them ideally--but he has really stepped up in the absence of Salah/Jota/Nunez.

Ray Hudson, the worst pundit who has ever lived, in any sport, on the "soccer channel" over here touting Real vs Valencia because the "passionate and knowledgeable" Valencia supporters will be going after Vinicius Jr every time he touches the ball. He didn't mention it explicitly, but he was actually touting the racist abuse by the fans as a positive reason to watch the match. He really is a cunt.

The USA is going to start air-dropping aid to Gaza. I hope they don't mix it up with the bombs they're sending to Israel for the Israelis to drop on the Gaza. Maybe what they should do is attach an aid package to every bomb, and kill two birds (or children as the case may be) with every stone. Is this real? Can this actually be happening? Is someone slipping acid into my tea?

What're the chances Konato told him "just keep going to the net, kid, and good things will happen"?

This picture of a young boy whose flock had been hit by a car killed me when I first saw it in National Geographic. It still does. The way his toque has bent his ear over, for some strange reason, just absolutely kills me. The patch on his elbow, so carefully sewn. I wasn't alone. People donated to replace his sheep. Which led to this picture, which also kills me:

Criminal Record Excellent.

Been out of rep for hours now, but that deserves a watch. cheers

High point for me was a few minutes before VVD scored, Klopp was standing there with a big smile on his face. Put me in mind of Milner, a couple of years ago, talking about not taking anything for granted, and enjoying every moment. [Turns out it was after he turned his back on Tsimikas' pen to win the FA Cup]: "I wanted to watch the Liverpool fans. You don't know when it'll be your last trip to Wembley, do you? I fancied Kostas — he's got a great left foot — and I wanted to see the fans' reaction.