A thoughtful response to this tweet

Stan at TYWKIWDBI posted the above tweet with this response and it’s a breath of frustratingly fresh air. Frustrating because the tweet’s author is endlessly lying about errrrrrrrrrthing.

A snip:

“Rather than talking about putting up a fence, why don’t we work out some recognition of our mutual problems, make it possible for them to come here legally with a work permit,” he said. “And then while they’re working and earning here, they pay taxes here. And when they want to go back they can go back.”

 “There was not any discussion at the senior policy levels during the Reagan administration about fencing or a wall that I can recall,” Doris Meissner,

Be sure to check out the comment thread, which at the moment is only one Wall supporter and Stan.

Popular Science: The best of what’s new in 2018. Yes, please!

This list of what’s new in science in 2018 reinforces that technology is evolving at such an astounding rate. Take a look!

A snip:

Artificial intelligence mastered a lot of tasks in 2018. There are algorithms that win human debates, book dinners, eliminate checkout lines, tend gardens, spot plumbing leaks, and call for help when we trip and fall. But the machines aren’t completely taking over just yet. There’s at least one thing we’re sure even the savviest silicone noggin can’t do: put together Popular Science’s annual list of the year’s most pivotal, influential, and just plain awesome innovations.

The winning just won’t stop

A conversation I had with a Trump supporter keeps echoing laughably in my head: “So long as this president is in the White House, the economy will do GREAT!”

We storm toward 2019 with so much winning, so little time.

As of now, “this is going to be the worst year for U.S. stocks since 2008. The Dow is up 18% under Trump, compared with 45% at this point under Obama. The Dow and S&P 500 are expected to notch their worst December performances since 1931.“ https://t.co/GhsVgIVs7O

— Kurt Andersen (@KBAndersen) December 21, 2018

"Because you have the right to have a Secretary of Defense whose views are better aligned with yours … I believe it is right for me to step down from my position," Secretary Mattis' letter to Trump states.

Full letter: https://t.co/1dl7Eip6Jz
Story: https://t.co/Z1WHZ6xsow

— NPR (@NPR) December 20, 2018

"This may have been the most chaotic week of what’s undoubtedly the most chaotic presidency ever in the history of the United States," says @SenSchumer in remarks on Senate Floor. Tells President Trump: "you won't get your wall." pic.twitter.com/TpFiNy35zp

— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) December 21, 2018

 

Compiled notes on visiting France

I’ve been to France seven times since 1996. Each time, I glean some new understanding or nuance about the culture that I’ve never known before. Or I have to remind myself of the little things I’ve learned in the past. Below is a compilation of these thoughts.

It’s a long list, so I put the majority under the fold.

If you know any that I’ve left out or I’m wrong on, please leave word on the comments.

• French are polite. They greet each other respectfully with hellos, pleases and thank yous. They pay respect to elderly and handicapped. Salut each other with goodbye. When exiting the metro, the person in front of you will hold the door longer than you think to exit. They will wait for someone they didn’t see yet. It’s amazing. I watched three different people take turns escorting an elderly lady through a courtyard with different tiers of stairs, most of the escorts were teenagers. And their patience and sense of duty is awe-inspiring. I’ve even been reprimanded for using “Merde” (shit) with someone I don’t know — as opposed to a kinder “zut” (crap) or “ma parole” (my word).  
• Even if you speak NO french, when in shops, restaurants, museums, say “Bonjour,” “S’il vous plait” and “Au revoir”! If you’re a foreign traveler in France, be sure to at least say, “Bonjour” upon entry to any store, restaurant, or establishment. “Merci” when given what you want and “Au revoir” when you leave.  Even your apartment super or concierge. It’s not only polite, it’s considered rude not to. I’ve been reminded on a few occasions of a forgetful rudeness for not doing it. If you don’t speak the language, you will likely not hear their disdain. Unless you don’t care, then fuck it. Don’t. They won’t see you again. I personally like to assimilate to the country or environment I’m in. This is a small, courteous way to respecting the local culture. 

“This season, give your parents the gift of blocking their Fox News”

Put your parents on the right path.
Not the alt-right one.

Parents these days. They’re at such an impressionable age. Use their cable company’s Parental Controls to block content unsuitable for older audiences.

$100 for your thoughts: Kindness is a bridge between all people

Warm story for good tidings of great joy.

Our holiday card behind the scenes video

Enjoy!

Getting revenge on package thieves

 

The top video is slightly — okay — monstrously less entertaining than the second. But both are good views.

The second one will blow you away. I laughed very hard a few times.

Hugs, hugs, hugs … glorious hugs #animalhugs

This made my day ❤️ pic.twitter.com/b1WPALpkNd

— Nature is Amazing ☘️ (@AMAZlNGNATURE) December 19, 2018

Step back in historical Paris with the Lumiere brothers early work

In film history classes, you learn about the first motion pictures. The Lumiere Brothers were two of the first filmmakers in history. This is some of their work, remastered with sound added.

It’s awesome. And it’s Paris.

Yes.

A collection of high quality remastered prints from the dawn of film taken in Belle Époque-era Paris, France from 1896-1900. Slowed down footage to a natural rate and added in sound for ambiance. These films were taken by the Lumière company

0:08 – Notre-Dame Cathedral (1896)

0:58 – Alma Bridge (1900)

1:37 – Avenue des Champs-Élysées (1899)

2:33 – Place de la Concorde (1897)

3:24 – Passing of a fire brigade (1897)

3:58 – Tuileries Garden (1896)

4:48 – Moving walkway at the Paris Exposition (1900)

5:24 – The Eiffel Tower from the Rives de la Seine à Paris (1897)