The Net

Entertainment 4 Minutes

Sandra Bullock was born July 26, 1964 and I wanted to look at one of her earlier movies—The Net.  Released in 1995, The Net is relevant to today.  (Just as Dave and many other movies seem prescient in their releases, so does The Net.) The following is from the IMDb website:

Synopsis

In Washington DC, U.S. Under Secretary of Defense Michael Bergstrom (Ken Howard) commits suicide after being informed that he has tested positive for HIV.

Angela Bennett (Sandra Bullock) is a computer systems analyst in living in Venice, Los Angeles, California who telecommutes to her employment at Cathedral Software based in San Francisco. Her interpersonal relationships are almost completely online and on the phone, with the exception of forgettable interactions with her neighbors and visits to her 60-year-old mother (Diane Baker), who is institutionalized with an early onset type of Alzheimer’s disease and often forgets who Angela is. Angela’s co-worker Dale (Ray McKinnon) sends her a 3.5 inch floppy disk with a backdoor labeled ‘Pi’ that permits access to a commonly used computer security system called “Gatekeeper” sold by Gregg Microsystems, a software company led by CEO Jeff Gregg. Dale and Angela agree to meet, but later that night the navigation system in Dale’s private aircraft malfunctions and it crashes into a tower, killing him.

Angela travels to Cozumel, Mexico for a week-long on vacation, where she meets Jack Devlin (Jeremy Northam), a charming English-accent businessman who charms his way into her life. After seducing Angela, Devlin pays a local mugger to steal her purse as they walk along the beach during an after-dinner stroll. He chases the mugger into the foliage, catches the mugger, and roots through the purse to find the disk before shooting the mugger dead. Devlin takes Angela out on his speedboat to kill her as well after sleeping with her again, but she finds his gun and confronts him. While fleeing with the disk and Devlin’s wallet, Angela’s dinghy collides with rocks, destroying the disk and hospitalizing her. She is unconscious for three days.

When Angela wakes up, she finds that all records of her life have been deleted: She was checked out of her hotel room in Cozumel, her car is no longer at the LAX airport parking lot, and all of her credit cards are invalid. When she arrives home by taxi, Angela discovers that her house is now empty and listed for sale. Moreover, because none of the neighbors remember her, they cannot confirm her identity. Things turn from bad to worse when after contacting the police, Angela’s Social Security number is now assigned to a “Ruth Marx,” for whom Devlin has entered an arrest record by hacking the police computer system. Angela is forced to flee for her life. Once on the streets, she steals a cell phone from the real estate agent in her former house and calls her own desk at Cathedral Software, an impostor (Wendy Gazelle) answers and offers Bennett her old life back in exchange for the disk.

Angela contacts the only other person who knows her by sight, psychiatrist and former lover Alan Champion (Dennis Miller). He checks her into a hotel, offers to contact a friend at the FBI, and arranges to have her mother moved for her safety.

Using her knowledge of the backdoor and a password found in Devlin’s wallet, Angela logs into the Bethesda Naval Hospital’s computers and learns that Under Secretary of Defense Bergstrom, who had opposed Gatekeeper’s use by the federal government, was misdiagnosed. Fellow hacker “Cyberbob” connects ‘Pi’ with the “Praetorians,” a notorious group of cyber-terrorists linked to recent computer failures around the country. Angela and Cyberbob plan to meet, but the unseen Praetorians intercept their online chat and relay it to Devlin who is now relentlessly pursuing her. Angela manages to escape from Devlin… who is now revealed to be a contract killer for the cyber-terrorists, but the Praetorians kill Champion by tampering with pharmacy and hospital computer records for his medication.

Angela is forced to steal a car to flee from Los Angeles, but she is chased and arrested by the California Highway Patrol. While in jail waiting trial for a series of false criminal charges, a man identifying himself as Ben Phillips (Robert Gossette), Champion’s FBI friend bails her from jail. While driving, Angela realizes that “Ben” is an impostor after he makes a slip to her about the Praetorians, and escapes again, killing the impostor with his own gun.

Now wanted for murder and thought to be Ruth Marx, Angela hitchhikes to Cathedral’s office in San Francisco where, she triggers a fire alarm to evacuate the building and now using her impostor’s computer, she connects the cyber-terrorists to Gregg Microsystems and uncovers their scheme: once the Praetorians sabotage an organization’s computer system, Gregg sells Gatekeeper to it and gains unlimited access through the backdoor. Angela downloads another 3.5 inch disk and escapes just as the impostor realizes her presence.

Angela escapes from the building and makes her way to the Moscone Center with Devlin and the Bennett impostor in pursuit. After finding a desktop site to log on, she emails evidence of the backdoor and Gregg’s involvement with the Praetorians to the FBI just before Devlin and the Bennett impostor catch up with her. Angela then tricks Devlin into releasing a virus into Gregg’s mainframe, destroying Gatekeeper and undoing the erasing of her identity.

During a battle on the catwalks of the convention center, in which Devlin accidentally kills the Bennett impostor from Cathedral Software (revealed to be the real Ruth Marx), Angela ambushes Devlin with a fire extinguisher, causing him to fall to his death.

At the end, Angela Bennett regains her identity, home, and life. She then reunites with her mother (who still does not remember her) and goes back to her old solitary life. In a series of news reports, the conspiracy is exposed, with Jeff Gregg being arrested by the FBI.

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Published by pat frederick

Published

144 thoughts on “The Net”

  1. Morning All!
    we were watching the black bear and her 4 cubs again this morning at the pond. the pond is about a foot lower than normal (typical hot summer level tho) and Mama could get the tasty plants surrounding the edge of the pond. We’ve nicknamed all the cubs now…lol.
    there’s the Straggler–again this morning it appeared to be only 3 cubs and after watching for several minutes, this 4th little one showed up…lol Then there’s the “twins” . These 2 are always tussling together. And finally Fraidy Cat…lol. One slight noise and this one is up the nearest tree–and it’s FAST too! LOL (btw, after Mama and 3 cubs moved into the woods, the Straggler was lying i the grass for a while before he got up and toddled off behind them.)
    But their presence so soon after their last appearance means they like it here. so the deer are staying away for now.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Morning, Pat! Live entertainment daily! Ya’ can’t beat it! What fun! Another humid day, 72 at the moment – no fog this morning at least. I never saw The Net – sounds really good!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Morning Filly!
        Happy Birthday to your mom!!
        it was a thriller. scary in 1995 they were already warning about back doors into computer systems…
        and wiping someone’s identity.

        Liked by 1 person

    1. it’s a thriller. My point in highlighting it, was this was movie–a “fantasy” released in 1995…and yet sounds like something that could happen TODAY. A cautionary tale if you will.
      there are many movies like this. when they’re released we think–that will never happen…and then in a few years…BOOM. it does. maybe we should pay attention.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. George Orwell predicted this in his novel “1984”, published just before he died in 1949 of TB, I think. He was Aldous Huxley’s student at Eton, I believe. Huxley, who wrote “Brave New World”, then “Brave New World Revisited” a few years later, said Orwell thought a totaliarian state could be achieved by fear. Huxley contrasted this with his own view that it is more likely to be achieved with seduction of people by their appetites for pleasure and sexuality.
        Now we are seeing both coming to fruition.

        Liked by 2 people

      2. I think motive plays a role in any activity. Nuclear power can be used to generate electricity or to build bombs. We have done both. Now, we are afraid of Russia, China, North Vietnam, Iran, and Pakistan’s nuclear capabilities. No one mentions Israel, as though it doesn’t exist, but for the protests now over Gaza.

        Liked by 1 person

          1. Not in the short term, anyway. It took Galileo and Copernicus years to overcome excommunication, and Einstein years to get confirmation of his relativity theories, but meanwhile much has been invented using those same theories. Bayer was the first to get a patent on using willow bark for its effect on reducing fain and fever: aspirin.

            Liked by 1 person

      3. I agree that we can all confuse fact with fiction. They are sometimes hard to distinguish. But fiction ofted gets its cues from factual occurrences, like from Madame Curie’s experiments with splitting the uranium atom. Albert Einstein read about it and wrote FDR that it could be used for making nuclear bombs. Thus was the Manhattan Project born. Einstein later complained the nuclear scientists then worked in secret locations, and even he was not informed, except when someone needed a technical question answered. FDR died before the bomb was completed, and Truman made the decision to drop the nuclear bombs the following August. I guess FDR had not informed his VP of the program.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. Update on Jimmy Carter: A local TV station in Savannah says Jimmy’s family is soliciting mosaics to help celebrate Jimmy’s 100th birthday on October 1. I guess the Carter Center in Atlanta is handling the contributions. No one says whether he is still alive, or his location . . .

          Liked by 1 person

  9. bjorkdream

    July 26, 2024 7:17 am

    WASHINGTON — Former President Barack Obama endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for president Friday, just days after she launched her campaign after President Joe Biden withdrew from the race.
    “Michelle and I couldn’t be prouder to endorse you and to do everything we can to get you through this election and into the Oval Office,” Obama says in a video that shows Harris getting a call from the Obamas.

    well now we know…………..OBAMA VS TRUMP………

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Morning GA!
      I think it definitely could. I know they “scan” barcodes on everything in hospitals these days–they don’t even read the labels–if the bar code matches, they give it to the patient. someone switches a barcode? you get poison instead of medicine. too much reliance on computers, technology instead of human beings.
      I can’t believe (i did expect it tho) that they released all those rioters. that’s complete anarchy against our laws!

      Liked by 2 people

          1. It’s going to be more ‘artistic’ and ‘impressionist’ ‘expressionist’ than a precision job. They made it look so easy on the video.

            Liked by 1 person

              1. There’s no way to make it neat. I have to brush it on, then wipe with a folded damp cloth. A film of the light color goes on the tile.

                If it doesn’t hold up – I’ll acid wash the floor and scrub it off and just clear seal it from now on. Or maybe use a darker beige that matches the tile better.

                Liked by 1 person

  12. Liked by 1 person

  13. Well, Wheezer’s back for seconds! I dished out her tuna earlier, then she left so I covered the doggie door to let Jake go out. He was on the sill on the west end and started growling and complaining so I knew she was out there. I chased him back inside and into the BR, then let her in – she wanted more to eat.

    I can’t figure out why she never gains any weight and I’m wondering if another dose of wormer is called for…..tried to call Mom w/no answer – I’m guessing she was in the shower so I’ll try again in a little while. Garage doors are open ready for the A/C repairman.

    Well, ok, Wheezer…just come on in. She sauntered in and is sitting in the kitchen checking things out – ok, she’s seen enough and back to sit on the patio and clean herself….and gone again. Alrighty then – guess I’ll let Jake out.

    Liked by 1 person

  14. Just The News: “The House of Representatives adjourned for August recess on Thursday until September 9 when lawmakers will return with a short amount of time to tackle the federal budget.

    Federal appropriations run out on September 30. The House has only passed 5 or 12 appropriations for fiscal year 2025, which increases the likelihood of Congress passing a temporary Continuing Resolution to keep the government funded.

    The last vote the House took before recess on Thursday was on a resolution denouncing Vice President Kamala Harris’ performance as the Biden administration’s “border czar.”

    Liked by 2 people

    1. okay this is PURE RIDICULOUSNESS!

      they need to either a) MAKE A DAMN BUDGET ALREADY or b) rearrange their freaking vacation schedule to get important things done BEFORE not after when they run around with their hair on fire passing CRS!

      Liked by 2 people

  15. Excuse me? Because Barr shared info with the President??!!?? WTF? The President should be given ALL info!!!

    Just The News: “The Department of Justice’s Inspector General’s office on Thursday found that former Attorney General Bill Barr violated the department’s policy by openly discussing an investigation and allegedly misleading the public.

    Barr, who most recently served as the attorney general during former President Donald Trump’s administration, encouraged Pennsylvania prosecutor David Freed to make statements about election security in the 2020 election. The statements included comments about mail-in ballots that were found discarded in a Pennsylvania county.

    The statements included “selective details” about the investigation, according to the 82-page report, which misled the public and violated department policy. But the department’s Inspector General Michael Horowitz did not formally accuse Barr or Freed of misconduct.

    “Nearly every DOJ lawyer we interviewed — both career employees and Trump administration political appointees — emphasized how ‘unusual’ it would be for the department to issue a public statement containing details about an ongoing criminal investigation, particularly before any charges are filed,” the report said, per The Hill.

    Freed, who is also a U.S Attorney, had revealed that the discarded ballots all contained votes for Trump, and Barr shared that information with Trump while he was president. However, Barr’s decision to share the information with Trump was not in conflict with department policy, despite Trump talking about the information to the press.

    The report recommended that the Office of Special Counsel investigate Barr and Freed for potential Hatch Act violations, and encouraged the DOJ to re-write its policies on sharing information with the White House to avoid any further incidents.”

    Liked by 1 person

  16. Just The News: “Former Secret Service officer Gary Byrne said Thursday that over the years, management of the Secret Service has increased while employees have left in droves. 

    “The one thing it does do right is it protects its name, the Secret Service,” Byrne said on a “Just the News, No Noise” TV show special with AMAC. “And each year it gets bigger and bigger [with] more management and less workers.”

    Byrne is a former Secret Service officer and the author of a book titled “Secrets of the Secret Service: The History and Uncertain Future of the U.S. Secret Service.”

    The Secret Service has been under scrutiny the past month due to the security failures at a rally in Butler County, Pennsylvania, where former President Donald Trump was shot. 

    Byrne explained that the agency is very low in manpower due to bad employee treatment. “They always keep expanding their responsibilities and not their manpower,” he explained. “And they end up treating their employees so bad … that they leave in droves.” Byrne added that the attempted assassination occurred because of incompetence of the Secret Service.”

    Liked by 1 person

  17. Just The News: “Former President Donald Trump on Thursday outlined a plan to overhaul the American education system and restore parental rights.

    The 12-point plan entails cutting federal funding for institutions espousing Critical Race Theory, gender ideology, and other sexual or political content, as well as aggressively investigating institutions accused of racial discrimination.

    Trump also hopes to keep men out of women’s sports programs, remove radical activists in the Department of Education, embrace merit-based pay for teachers.

    “Our public schools have been taken over by the Radical Left maniacs,” Trump declared. 

    “We will begin to find and remove the radicals, zealots, and Marxists who have infiltrated the federal Department of Education, and that also includes others, and you know who you are,” he continued. “Because we are not going to allow anyone to hurt our children. Joe Biden has given these lunatics unchecked power—I will have them fired and escorted from the building.”

    To address parental concerns, Trump proposed implementing “the direct election of school principals by the parents.”

    “More than anyone else, parents know what their children need. If any principal is not getting the job done, the parents should be able to vote to fire them and select someone who will. This will be the ultimate form of local control,” he asserted.”

    Liked by 1 person

  18. Hmmmm……

    Just The News: “Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk says news reports that he is contributing $45 million a month to a pro-Donald Trump political action committee are false.

    “What’s been reported in the media is simply not true. I’m not donating $45 million a month to Trump,” Musk said during an interview Monday with Jordan Peterson, a conservative Canadian psychologist and YouTube star. Musk said he is donating to America PAC at a “much lower level” than $45 million each month.

    The owner of the social media platform X said that he created America PAC to “promote the principles that make America great in the first place.”

    Musk was a guest of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his joint address to Congress Wednesday. A journalist caught up with Musk and asked him about the reports of him donating $45 million monthly to the PAC.

    In response, Musk said that figure was made up by the Wall Street Journal.”

    Liked by 1 person

  19. Oh, dear! Why can’t people stay the fuck out of things that are none of their fricking business?!? Talking to my Sis about Mom and people interfering and just confusing Mom…..jeez!!! And my asshole brother still hasn’t brought her car back and Mom needs to go to the pharmacy to pick up meds! I’ve tried twice to call her w/no answer so Sis tried – still no answer…..I’m not feeling good about this…..

    Liked by 1 person

      2. She was trying to read all the crazy paperwork they send along with meds or after a hospitalization and getting all confused. Sis told her to just put the papers aside and take them with her when she sees her regular doctor so he can explain what she does and doesn’t need to worry about. All these people calling her and telling her this, that, and something else – she doesn’t know whether she’s coming or going. And a cousin, Linda, who lives in KS, FFS, trying to get involved! Grrrrr…..

        Liked by 1 person

  21. NF: I’m not posting the ones I know were already posted.

    “Friday Funnies: The Logical Fallacy — Stop the steal”

    Robert W Malone MD, MS, Jul 26, 2024

    Liked by 1 person

  23. “The deep state wants us all to forget about this assassination attempt as quickly as possible. Do not comply.

    We, the people, must demand that the investigations continue, but even more importantly, the DHS and the Secret Service must be overhauled.

    It’s imperative that our elected representatives hear from all of us on this issue. Our engagement and advocacy can significantly impact the push for change.

    Logical fallacy: errors in reasoning that undermine the logic of an argument.

    For instance: “If only we had enough data, we could save the world”

    Liked by 1 person

  24. Characteristics of Logical Fallacies

    • They are errors in reasoning that undermine the logic of an argument.
    • They can be either illegitimate arguments or irrelevant points.
    • They often lack evidence to support their claim.
    • They can be used intentionally to deceive or manipulate, or unintentionally due to flawed thinking.

    The Race to the White House Polling site, which analyzes the 2024 election cycle in real-time, is intriguing. Their rigorous analysis is useful, and their purported track record seems sound. Although the founders are on the left side of the fence, the site doesn’t seem biased in one war or another.

    Race to the White House Polling

    RacetotheWH – About Us

    Our goal at RacetotheWH is to help our viewers understand the current political landscape. Using our election forecast and polling, they can determine which races are in play and which candidates stand the best chance of winning. We project the outcome of every single House, Senate, Presidential, and Governor race in the nation, and we’ve designed our graphics to make it as easy to use as possible.

    Simply put, we’ve meticulously analyzed each race using our battle-tested election forecast, and we’re offering you straightforward insights free of charge. They are updated daily with the latest information and polling.

    And now for something completely different: Honestly, how did I not know this?…

    Liked by 1 person

  27. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/article/2024/jul/25/ioc-investigation-child-rapist-steven-van-de-velde-paris-olympic-games-2024

    Our Take: The 2024 Olympic Games in Paris kick off tonight with opening ceremonies, and there’s already a scandal. Dutch beach volleyball player Steven van de Velde was convicted of raping a 12 year old British girl in 2016, and child advocacy groups are outraged.

    The Dutch athlete was sentenced to four years in a British prison, served one, was transferred to his home country, and released after a month. Olympians are our national champions in athletics, and one of the Dutch people’s national champions is a convicted pedophile. How very 2024.

    Advocates rightly point out that the van de Velde’s inclusion in the games removes important deterrents and sends a message to all sex criminals that consequences will be minimal if you’re a leader in your craft. This is dangerous.

    It does not appear the IOC will investigate or take any action because Dutch experts ‘had concluded that there was no risk of him reoffending.’

    Trust the experts, right? — Ashe in America

    Liked by 1 person

  31. OK, finally talked to Mom – she slept late this morning. Sis called her and told her I was trying to reach her ’cause I was worried. Her reply: “Tell Judy she needs to sleep in once in a while!” LOL – yep, Mom’s back and meeting with everyone at the bar at 6 pm today. She still doesn’t have her car back yet but she’s ok with that for now. I’m betting they are having it serviced for her before they bring it back. But, then, her precious Jerry can do no wrong! Pffttt…I told her about using the black pepper to stop bleeding so she’s going to keep it close at hand from now on.

    A/c is in good shape – he removed one loose screw in the housing and the grinding noise stopped completely. He also gave it a shot of coolant so I’m all set there. I was planning on going to West Hodson hardware in Osmond to buy a new door for my patio but it’s already too hot. I’ve managed this long with the bungee cord – it can wait until I can go first thing in the morning when it’s still cool.

    Liked by 1 person

      1. She had told me that her cat, Charley, bites her occasionally and she was worried about the possible bleeding – I’m sure to him it’s a love bite but for her, with her paper-thin skin, that could be a problem. Kea told me about the black pepper – I looked it up on the link she gave me and it is an old-time remedy that works to stop bleeding from superficial cuts and scrapes. This is the link she gave me:

        https://www.peoplespharmacy.com/articles/can-you-stop-bleeding-with-black-pepper

        Liked by 1 person

  32. Called Mom again to pass on everyone’s BD greetings – she is painting a frame for one of the great-grandkids’ BD present – she finds out what each one is interested in then finds a puzzle of that subject, puts it together and pastes it onto a backing, then frames it. Hobby Lobby had a sale on raw wood frames so she picked some up for her puzzles.

    She told me that one of the boys likes trains and another one likes farms. So I suggested that I return to her the big picture of the Watson farm in western NE from years ago to pass on to him – I want to keep these things in the family.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Oh, wait….that’s the great-great-grandkids….they all call her “GiGi.” Years ago, when she was doing all the sewing, she had fabric labels printed with “GiGi” on them and she’d put them in all the shirts she made.

      Liked by 1 person

  33. great…NOW it’s $8.2 BILLION in accounting errors.

    sync

    July 26, 2024 11:20 am

    well, it’s only printed money…so who cares….

     The Pentagon has found $2 billion worth of additional errors in its calculations for ammunition, missiles and other equipment sent to Ukraine, increasing the improperly valued material to a total of $8.2 billion, a U.S. government report revealed on Thursday.

    https://www.reuters.com/world/us/pentagon-finds-another-2-billion-accounting-errors-ukraine-aid-2024-07-25/

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It’s just too disgusting for words!!! Meanwhile, Americans suffer under the burden of sky-high inflation…..SMDH

      Liked by 1 person

  35. EXCERPT: “(The Center Square) — Pennsylvania has a mine pollution problem. America has a critical mineral shortage.

    And both problems may get solved as researchers find these critical and strategic elements in the polluted waters that come from acid mine drainage. If all goes well, Pennsylvania could become a leader in boosting national security — while potentially creating billions of dollars in value from environmental hazards.

    “You don’t need hundreds of billions of dollars to do this; you just need tens of thousands to capture rare earths that have no domestic sourcing at this point,” Bernie Lynch, project manager for the SCORE Consortium, said during a July meeting of the Department of Environmental Protection’s Citizens Advisory Council.

    SCORE, which received a Department of Defense designation as a community support program, is working to create a domestic supply of scandium in America within three years by extracting it from mine and industrial waste.

    Scandium is one of 30 elements prioritized by the DoD and is used in alloys, ceramics and fuel cells. Other elements, like lithium, gallium, and neodymium, have military, tech and medical uses, but are non-existent in American supply chains, leaving the country dependent on countries like China for sourcing and processing.

    So far, SCORE has received $6 million from defense funding and match partners; Lynch described the designation as a deputization for the country’s military-industrial base to support the department’s goals….”

    https://justthenews.com/nation/states/center-square/40b-critical-mineral-supply-chain-could-start-pennsylvania

    Liked by 1 person

  36. Just The News: “Ford Motor Company continues to rethink its electric vehicle production plans. The company announced it will produce its diesel-powered F-Series Super Duty pickup trucks at the Oakville Assembly Complex in Ontario, Canada – a plant originally scheduled to produce EVs. 

    According to the company’s announcement last week, the decision will allow for the production of up to 100,000 units of its Super Duty trucks and provide customers with “more freedom of choice,” which will support the company’s electrification plans. 

    “Super Duty is a vital tool for businesses and people around the world and, even with our Kentucky Truck Plant and Ohio Assembly Plant running flat out, we can’t meet the demand. This move benefits our customers and supercharges our Ford Pro commercial business,” Ford CEO Jim Farley said in a statement. 

    Reuters reported in April that Ford had delayed launches of an electric SUV with three-row seating at the Canadian plant, and in June, the company delayed plans to produce its electric F-150 Lightnings at a plant in Tennessee. 

    Farley said Thursday that the company still plans to introduce electric SUVs with three seating rows by 2027, but he didn’t say at what manufacturing facility. 

    Ford lost $132,000 on each electric vehicle it sold in the first quarter of this year, and according to reports, the company cut orders from its battery suppliers as production plans were scaled back.”

    Liked by 1 person

  37. EXCERPT: “Despite a hefty taxpayer price tag, several states are requiring cities to transition their public transportation to emitting zero greenhouse gasses. Since 2022, seven states have passed laws to transition to zero-emission school buses.

    In Illinois, a law passed last year requiring all transit agencies to purchase zero-emission buses by 2026. Similar legislation was passed in California, Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland and New York.

    The Chicago Transit Authority reports that the transition will require an extra $1.8 to $3.1 billion taxpayer dollars in order to fund the transition, as opposed to diesel trucks.

    In order to make that transition, cities will have to invest heavily in green infrastructure, like charging stations and batteries, or staffing electrical engineers….”

    https://justthenews.com/nation/states/center-square/states-force-green-transition-public-transportation-despite-taxpayer

    Liked by 1 person

  39. “Obama Reluctantly Endorses Kamala After Butt-Dialing Her”

    Politics · Jul 26, 2024 · BabylonBee.com

    Article Image

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Vice President’s campaign for president received a highly sought-after boost this week, as former President Barack Obama reluctantly endorsed Kamala Harris after butt-dialing her.

    The unintentional endorsement occurred yesterday while Obama was reportedly sitting down to enjoy some chips and salsa and inadvertently called the vice president. A source close to Obama confirmed that the former president improvised the endorsement as a way to cover the embarrassing butt dial.

    “Ah, shoot, I accidentally called Kamala,” Obama was heard whispering as he pulled his phone out of the pocket of his slacks. “What do I say now? How am I going to play this off? I don’t know what to — Hey, there, Kamala! How are you? Barack and Michelle here!”

    Insiders disclosed that Obama’s cover for the butt dial was successful, with Harris coming away from the conversation proudly boasting about having the former president’s blessing. “She was thrilled,” said one source. “She was giggling uncontrollably and smiling from ear to ear like she was hopped up on something. Then again, I guess she’s pretty much always like that, but still, you could tell she was relieved to have Obama’s endorsement.”

    Sources within the Obama camp refused to comment on whether or not he would have endorsed Harris at some point anyway, conceding that his selection of Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State was also done by accident. “Sometimes things just work out,” one insider said. “He’s had a pretty good track record with his butt dials.”

    At publishing time, Obama was reportedly stuck making small talk with Joe Biden after yet another accidental butt dial.

    Like

  40. “Fury as John Deere dodges questions after laying off 1,800 US workers amid manufacturing shift to Mexico factory”

    EXCERPT: “John Deere has laid off even more workers – at the same time it is moving more of its tractor and farming gear manufacturing to Mexico. The agricultural giant on Wednesday informed officials in Iowa that 103 employees – 34 in Dubuque and 69 in Waterloo- are being laid off in the state immediately.

    It takes the total this year to around 1,830. They layoffs are across several Iowa sites – Ankeny, Dubuque, Ottumwa, Urbandale, Waterloo – plus Davenport and East Moline in Illinois, as well as a research center in Urbandale. In many instances, production that these US workers were responsible for has been shifted to new locations in Mexico. 

    At the start of the year, John Deere employed about 22,600 salaried and production workers across the two states. DailyMail.com asked John Deere how many new jobs had been created in Mexico in recent years – as the US workforce has been cut. It did not answer….”

    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/yourmoney/article-13672411/john-deere-layoffs-reason-iowa-illinois-salaried-workers.html

    Liked by 1 person

  42. Sheesh! Already hit 90 and not a breath of air! Stifling! Good thing I have nothing I need to do outside today since I watered everything yesterday.

    Liked by 1 person

  45. The top 10 major U.S. cities with the highest 

    parking ticket revenues per capita are:

    Baltimore, Maryland — $100.87 per capita ($61,695,948 in total)

    San Francisco, California — $98.80 per capita ($68,200,000 in total)

    Washington, D.C. — $98.27 per capita ($68,200,000 in total)

    Chicago, Illinois — $97.20 per capita ($264,000,000 in total)

    Boston, Massachusetts — $83.37 per capita ($57,800,000 in total)

    New York, New York — $63.20 per capita ($545,000,000 in total)

    Philadelphia, Pennsylvania — $45.70 per capita ($72,279,047 in total)

    Denver, Colorado — $38.98 per capita ($27,466,003 in total)

    Los Angeles, California — $37 per capita ($148,000,000 in total)

    Seattle, Washington — $28.66 per capita ($20,773,136 in total)

    You read that right – NYC takes in over a half-billion $$$’s a year just from parking tickets!

    Liked by 1 person

  46. “This may well be the greatest scam of the year – it even happened to me. Two pretty hot looking blonde Russian babes come over to your truck while you are getting the boat out of the water. Without saying a word, they both start cleaning your boat with sponge and soapy water, with their boobs almost falling out of their skimpy dresses. It’s impossible not to check ’em out.

    When you thank them and offer them a tip, they say no thanks and instead ask you for a ride to the 24 hour Racetrack a couple of miles down the road so they can get smokes and a cold drink. You agree and they get in the backseat.

    Then on the way, they pull their dresses down, then one of them climbs over into the front seat and starts crawling all over you, while the other one steals your wallet, so tell your boaty buddies to be careful. I had my wallet stolen July 4th, 9th, twice on the 15th, and then again yesterday morning. 

    Oh – juss’ so ya know, Walmart sells wallets for only $7.00. Juss’ sayin’…”

    Liked by 1 person

  48. July 26, 2024­

    “Many of you saw in a recent Dr. Phil interview with former US President Trump the alarming issue with Chinese Communists buying strategic swaths of land around US military bases. This is not the only land-based threat the Chinese Communists pose from within America’s borders. In the landscape of modern warfare, China and our other adversaries are not just aiming at our military infrastructure but at the everyday essentials we take for granted – like our food.

    Our food supply stands as a glaring vulnerability—a weak point that, if compromised, could thrust our society into utter chaos. China has already set its sights on our food supply, and alarmingly, many Americans, including elected officials, fail to recognize the Trojan Horse that’s in our backyard. Now, it’s gone from the shadows to inside the House of Representatives’ Farm Bill.

    The Farm Bill—recently passed out of the House Agriculture Committee—contains language known as the “EATS Act,” an altered version of H.R. 4417, led by Rep. Ashley Hinson, R-IA. This insidious clause gifts Chinese-owned Smithfield Foods more control over our agriculture at the expense of states’ rights and America’s farmers. Surprisingly, members of my own party are pushing it.

    Here’s what the EATS Act would do: It eradicates state and local control over agriculture, allowing foreign conglomerates to operate without restriction in our communities. If the EATS Act eliminated state and local authority over agriculture, it would allow companies like Smithfield Foods to synchronize their American production practices with how they do it in China.

    In China, so-called pig skyscrapers are commonplace. These facilities resemble industrial sized wet markets where hundreds of thousands of pigs are crammed together on each floor. Such places are rife with diseases from daily pig waste and could be where our ongoing avian flu crisis jumps to pigs and then humans. In an April 2020 report based on a three-year study, the Animal Welfare Institute identified Smithfield Foods as one of the worst slaughter plants in the US, which explains their preference for reduced oversight that the EATS Act provides.

    Consolidation is also a major threat to our food supply. The hog farming industry in Iowa has seen significant consolidation over the past few decades, leading to a decrease in the number of small, independent farms. Most of Iowa’s hog farms disappeared between 1982 and 2017 due to the expansion of large factory farms, known as Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs). This trend has continued, with one-third of the remaining small hog farms in Iowa disappearing from 2007 to 2017. Four companies control 60% of the pork industry, with China’s Smithfield Foods being the largest. Hog farms in Iowa are under its control, either directly or through contracts. If Smithfield Foods could operate without restriction, it would consume the remaining traditional and multi-generational American pork producers.

    The more we let our supply chains become consolidated the more they are vulnerable to Chinese direct supply chain disruptions and cyberattacks. A 2021 ransomware attack on JBS, a Brazilian company, who controls a fifth of America’s beef industry, forced them to temporarily close production facilities in Australia, Canada, and the United States. Another cyberattack in 2021 threatened to impact 40% of all grain producers in the country who used the same software. We all know that China actively engages in cyber warfare. Why then would we allow China to put our food supply at risk and give them more direct ways to attack the sustainability of our nation?

    If China’s Smithfield Foods gets its way and the Farm Bill passes with the EATS Act intact within it, we are facing a ticking time bomb that will irreversibly change rural America and threaten our food security. That’s why I am disheartened that so many Republicans have not vocally opposed this Farm Bill provision and why I am equally dismayed by those who seem blind to the Chinese threat to our food supply.

    I am troubled by Rep. Ashley Hinson from Iowa’s 1st Congressional District for her stance on food control, potentially providing China with a path to monopolize America’s food industry. Iowa’s 1st Congressional District, a pivotal agricultural hub, plays a crucial role in leading the nation in pork production. Annually producing over 30 million hogs, Iowa is consistently at the forefront of this industry, as reported by the Iowa Pork Producers Association and the National Pork Board. This sector serves as a cornerstone of Iowa’s economy, contributing billions annually.

    Instead of granting more concessions to the Communist Chinese government over our food supply, we should promote more competition and diversity within our agricultural sector. Encouraging a variety of American food producers and reducing reliance on a few large entities mitigates the risks associated with cyberattacks and supply chain disruptions.

    Policies that support small and mid-sized farms, local food systems, and sustainable agricultural practices are essential for creating a robust and resilient food supply. Smithfield Food already has a substantial presence in the state, with facilities in various cities and employing around 4,000 people. The new change not only gives more control to Chinese communists over our nation’s food, but it also gives them influence over jobs in Iowa at a time when we should be incentivizing American businesses to hire Americans.

    Food security is foundational to our national security. As Alfred Henry Lewis famously observed, “There are only nine meals between mankind and anarchy.” This profound statement highlights the fragile nature of our food supply and the swift descent into disorder that any significant disruption could cause, especially by foreign adversaries. This risk escalates dramatically when we permit China to own and control more of our food supply.

    Eliminating restrictions on their operations in our country—specifically the EATS Act language in the Farm Bill, which removes nearly all protections—places us in a perilous position, starting with the pork sector, where China can dictate what food Americans can eat, how much food is available and how much American consumers must pay to feed their families. Giving a monopoly on food to China should be a non-starter in agricultural policy and a red-line issue for legislators that all should pledge never to support. It’s up to all of us to remain informed, be vocal and demand accountability from our representatives.”

    Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn (U.S. Army, ret.)

    Liked by 1 person

  49. 10 Most Badass Muscle Trucks:

    Chevy Big 10

    Monster pickup
    via Pinterest

    A surprisingly forgotten entry in Chevy’s lineup, the Big 10 was offered from 1976-79. A base version wasn’t too bad, with a 110 hp straight-six. But better were the options of either 165hp 350-cu.in. V-8 with a four-speed or a 245hp 454-cu.in. V-8 with the Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 automatic transmission.

    via: Bringatrailer.com

    For 1976, a pickup going from zero to 60 in under nine seconds was terrific, and the Big 10 also had sufficient hauling power. It’s great for collectors to modify to nearly 400 hp as the Big 10 remains a top number.

    2004–13 Toyota Tacoma X-Runner

    Toyota Tacoma X Runner
    Driving

    A Toyota listed among muscle trucks? Believe it. Somehow, the Toyota Tacoma X-Runner slips through the cracks when the best muscle trucks are mentioned. It may look small, but under the hood is a 4.0l V6 with 245 hp and 282 lb-ft of torque, mated to a six-speed manual transmission.

    Toyota Tacoma X-Runner '04 | Gran Turismo Wiki | Fandom
    via: Gran Turismo Wiki – Fandom

    Plus, an optional charge can push it to 300 hp. It goes zero to 60 in seven seconds and, better yet, because it’s a Toyota, its reliability is much better than other trucks. It’s no “sport” truck but also a muscle machine that deserves attention.

    2004–06 Dodge Ram SRT-10

    via Mecum

    The Ram has seen a lot of generations, good and bad. Yet somehow, the 2004-06 SRT-10 stands out. Everything about it was oversized from the 22-inch wheels to the front end. And the engine? An 8.3-liter V-10 that made 500 hp and 525 lb-ft of torque with a top speed of about 153 mph.

    2004 Dodge Ram SRT-10 Pickup
    Mecum Auctions

    It was the fastest production truck ever created in its time, able to hit 60 in 5.2 seconds yet carry a 7000-pound payload. If you can put up with the crummy mileage, this is a truck meant to command the road.

    Liked by 1 person

  50. 1989 Dodge Shelby Dakota

    White 1989 Dodge Shelby Dakota
    Via: Hemmings Motor News

    A regular Dodge Dakota was already a good pickup truck. When you put a name as important as Carroll Shelby to it, it has to be good. Shelby took on the challenge of making a truck into a muscle machine with a 5.2 L V8 that produced 175 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque.

    That may sound low, but it was married to a fantastic suspension that could make zero to 60 in eight seconds. Add to that a stunning interior and its low production numbers, and this truck should be remembered for kicking off a new era for muscle trucks.

    1970 Chevy El Camino SS 454

    via Mecum

    Many “car/truck hybrids” were flawed as it’s hard to make two vehicle types work together. But the 1970 El Camino SS 454 bucked the trend. It looks for all the world like a muscle car with a flatbed instead of a trunk so some may sniff at it as a “pure” pickup.

    Chevrolet Bucks Up El Camino SS 454
    via Hagerty

    But it’s also an El Camino, meaning which means it’s got a 360hp 454-cu.in. V-8 with 500 lb-ft of torque. Anything in that flatbed had to be tied down to keep from flying out when this monster tore up the road with style.

    1970 Ford Ranchero GT

    Via: Mecum Auctions

    The “muscle car/truck hybrid” trend could be annoying in many ways. But now and then, it produced beauty. The 1970 Ford Ranchero GT looked like a truck and station wagon’s mishmash, but under the hood was nothing but muscle power.

    1973 Ford Ranchero:
    Via: Wikimedia

    A standard version had a 220-bhp 302 V-8 for some excellent performance. But there was also the option of the legendary 429 Cobra Jet V8 for 370 hp and superb handling. This didn’t last long but should be remembered as one “truck car” that could outpace anything on the road.

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