It seems likely that great wealth drives people crazy. At least “crazy” in the sense that they are derailed from the sort of schema that governs for the vast majority of us.
It’s intolerable that we let people get so rich; that some of us take pleasure in it is a kind of casual civic sadism.
I can’t believe W. told us to avenge 9/11 by going on vacation to Disney World.
I can.
The Shrub/w wasn’t exactly the most “intellectually gifted” individual, but sadly he’s smarter than the orange traitor/russkie asset about to take office again.
I am thinking less in terms of political economy and more in terms of the abject ruination of the concept of citizenhood that has landed us in this hot mess.
So very true, sadly.
We exist only to be consumers. If we stop consuming, which is what was happening in the aftermath of 9/11, the entire house of cards falls down.
I’ve long subscribed to the theory that every billionaire is (1) a sociopath and (2) a failure of public policy.
This is true. The winds, combined with the current hydroclimate volatility implications created a perfect storm of circumstances. 2 years of exceedingly wet growing seasons in '23 and '24 coupled with rapidly increasing drought conditions in the area over the last 5 weeks + anomalously low water vapor in the air led to massive amounts of tinder-dry fuel at ground level.
Here’s a great read on hydroclimate volatility. Just published today.
Listen, Mr. Deep State, we all know DEI caused these fires.
I have a friend that lives in the Mt. Hermon area of Scotts Valley. She has been trying to get fire insurance for 10+ years and can’t understand why she can’t. I told her that her house, which is in the middle of a redwood forest, is in a spot literally designed to periodically burn and she scowled at me and would not talk to me for the rest of the evening.
Throw in earth quakes and tsunamis for good measure
I’ll take this opportunity to point out that while most billionaires run around acting like super villains, George Soros, yes, THAT George Soros, founded and in no small part funds Open Society Foundations which allocates its considerable resources to doing good things around the world which is for some reason deeply troubling to lunatics everywhere.
Saw a story last night, about how those folks should have had an insurance option, through what is called the FAIR program, described as basically a ticking insurance bomb offered through private insurers, but ultimately backed by their legal ability to cover their losses by increasing the premiums of all other policy holders in CA. It might ultimately be backed up by taxpayers, given the way we operate.
I could be butchering the description, but it is an option, although more expensive. An insurance option for the uninsurable properties.
Yes, there are exceptions. Soros is probably the individual most responsible for the expansion of democracy throughout the world.
When I was living in Latvia in the late 90s there was a restaurant called Osiris Cafe, on the ground floor of the building where the Soros Foundation set up shop after independence. The manager told me that the Soros folks started the restaurant so they could have a place to eat, as there weren’t many restaurants in Soviet times. A few weeks after they opened, some mobsters came around for their shakedown share. “We’re here for the money,” they said. “Of course!” The Soros guy said, “that’s what we do. Just fill out these forms and we will work to get your grant.” Confused, the mobsters balked at the forms and reiterated their demand. The Soros guy said “I’d be delighted to provide you with money, but you have to fill out the appropriate paperwork.” “Do you know who my boss is?” the mobster asked. The Soros guy responded “Yes. And ask your boss who my boss is.” The mobsters never came back.
SCOTUS declined to stomp Trump’s sentencing, 5-4
I’m guessing Roberts and Serena Joy said “how about ‘no!’, ya crazy orange bastard.”
The fact that there were 4 votes to stay sentencing of an entirely state prosecution that is - by the convicted defendant’s own court filings - nothing to do with presidential duties and hasn’t even begun the appeals process is…
… entirely too fucking predictable.
Also this evening, the 11th Circuit told Judge Cannon to butt the fuck out. Her completely meritless order to stay the release of Jack Smith’s report has been kicked to the curb.
Garland has already said that he will release the report, so tick tock motherfuckers.
Garland has 11 days and no way will he get permission before then. It will never see the light of day. Garland has been an abject disaster as AG. His indecisiveness has been devastating.
I don’t disagree about Garland’s performance or the consequences thereof, but he said he will release the report before Trump’s inauguration, and the road blocks have been swept away.
Cannon’s injunction remains in effect for at least three more days (they did not grant the DOJ relief from that) and who knows how much longer.
