Watched The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar last night. Had stayed away from it because just wasn't in the mood for a Wes Anderson film but honestly the thing about the cards made me curious. I'm glad it did because I found it delightful - and it's not a movie - its a short film (only 40 minutes in length). It stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Ralph Fiennes, and Ben Kingsley. Worth a watch.
Friday, February 20, 2026
Linky Links
Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- VDH: Why exactly did they destroy the border?
- Jonathan Turley: Mamdani and other people's money. "The greatest exodus since the Red Sea crossing."
- Steven Spielberg becomes latest billionaire to flee California. Well he is a well-known conservative - oh wait.
- NASA chief classifies Starliner flight as "Type A" mishap. Isaacman wants to fix the problem - not the blame but does not hide from taking responsibility.
Friday Flotsam and Jetsam
Have a new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post up on Substack.
Remember that Red Sox fan Stephen King used to call Terry Francona "Francoma" because he disagreed with some of the managers decisions. This was of course before Francona won his first World Series championship in 2004. Now many had been giving "cute" derisive nicknames to Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla. Wonder what these people think about their clever nicknames now?
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Quotes for Today
Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.
Have a new Quotes for Today up on my Substack. As I've mentioned doing this as a way to thank those who have Subscribed. If you are a Subscriber - you should have received an email. Thanks.
Thursday, February 19, 2026
More Linky Links
More stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- The comparison between AOC and Marco Rubio is pretty stark. I really want AOC to run for President now just for the unintentional comedy of her debate appearances.
- How Carthage challenged Rome with economics.
- From the archives: Matt Ridley - Why global warning is good for us.
Team Owners, the MLBPA, and Common Sense
I enjoy reading about the early days about pro sports teams because the one thing all those teams had in common was gaining and keeping fans. That seems to be replaced these days by many owners caring more about franchise evaluations and luxury boxes.
Linky Links
Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- Boeing defense HQ leaving VA to return to St. Louis. Every day it seems at least one company flees high tax blue states. You'd think at some point they'd learn the cause and effect at play here.
- From the archives: Pat Riley on the remarkable power of getting 1% better.
- Many a truth is said in jest.
- Grandson of Reese's Peanut Butter Cup inventor accuses Hersey of quietly relacing ingredients. Is there a patent on combining milk chocolate and peanut butter? If so Hersey's may be in violation of patent otherwise there may be a business opportunity to make original recipe peanut butter cups.
Thursday Flotsam and Jetsam
Gave a new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post up on Substack.
Happy Lent to all that observe. Piece of history but the McDonald's Filet O' Fish was actually started in 1962 by a Cincinnati franchise whose customers where mainly Catholics who would not eat hamburgers on a Friday during Lent. That was really hurting business. Corporate saw the success the Filet O' Fish was having and it was added to the menu. The rest is history.
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Quotes for Today
Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.
Have a new Quotes for Today up on my Substack. As I've mentioned doing this as a way to thank those who have Subscribed. If you are a Subscriber - you should have received an email. Thanks.
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Linky Links
Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- China is killing the fish. And not in China either (you'd think they'd learn after their killed all the birds in their own country).
- From the archives: Letter from a self-made merchant to his son.
- New investigation launched into Epstein's 7,600 acre Zorro Ranch.
Wednesday Flotsam and Jetsam
Have a new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post up on Substack.
While we wait for the US to (finally) bomb Iran - if we are honest with ourselves after the deaths of Robert Duvall and Jesse Jackson we are also quietly waiting for the passing a third celebrity (because even though its debunked as a myth it still seems these deaths seem to happen in threes).
As always - please Subscribe, hit the Like button, or share the Link. And if I happened to miss someone's passing please let me know. Thanks!
Quotes for Today
Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.
Have a new Quotes for Today up on my Substack. As I've mentioned doing this as a way to thank those who have Subscribed. If you are a Subscriber - you should have received an email. Thanks.
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Linky Links
Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
= Time to explore why so many modern politicians are getting rich. And if found they profited from graft or fraud - tie a bag of rats to their head and toss them in the Potomac.
- From the archives: They really should make a movie about political trickster Dick Tuck.
Tuesday Flotsam and Jetsam
Have a new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post up on Substack.
One of the great American actors Robert Duvall has passed away. Duvall had a distinctive look and style and could carry a movie as a leading man or steal the show in a bit part as he did in Apocalypse Now. Perhaps one of Duvall's secrets was he was the best version of an everyman portrayed on screen. He was an original and he will be missed.
As always - please Subscribe, hit the Like button, or share the Link. And Secondhand Lions is worth a watch if you haven't seen it.
Quotes for Today
Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.
Have a new Quotes for Today up on my Substack. As I've mentioned doing this as a way to thank those who have Subscribed. If you are a Subscriber - you should have received an email. Thanks.
Monday, February 16, 2026
Robert Duvall (1931-2026)
Robert Duvall has passed away aged 95. He had a filmography like no other. He was a giant and an American original.
Chaos: Charles Manson, the CIA, and the Secret History of the Sixties
Many have recommended the book Chaos but I need to get it off my chest that I was disappointed . Enjoyed author Tom O'Neill's appearance on the Joe Rogan podcast and the book was made into a Netflix documentary that was OK but the book? Meh.
Linky Links
Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- Kentucky Ford battery factory to shutter at cost of 1,600 jobs. Anyone paying attention could tell you the EV market was soft at best and that government subsidiaries were going away. Still something needs to be done here to help these workers.
- From the archives: When the Catholic Church did not want to suffer a cat to live.
Monday Flotsam and Jetsam
Have a new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post up on Substack.
Tyler Reddick won the Daytona 500 in a thrilling finish. It was the first Daytona 500 victory for Reddick and team co-owner Michael Jordan. Like Jordan my attention was on the race and not the NBA All-Star game. But unlike Jordan I haven't paid any attention to the game or who won. Guessing he at least probably knows who won.
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Quotes for Today
Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.
Have a new Quotes for Today up on my Substack. As I've mentioned doing this as a way to thank those who have Subscribed. If you are a Subscriber - you should have received an email. Thanks.
Sunday, February 15, 2026
When the NFL Championship was Almost Moved to Miami
The NFL's Championship almost went to warmer climates long before the Super Bowl was ever invented.
Way back in 1938 the NFL owners gathered to decide some important matters - including a response to a proposal from an American icon - Damon Runyan. Have a new post up on Substack how it almost happened.
Linky Links
Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- The full text of Marco Rubio's Munich Security Conference speech.
- Meanwhile in Munich, Democrats pledge to return to wealth taxes and climate hysteria. Sometimes you need to let the stupid people talk so you know who the stupid people are.
- RIP Chatbox era (2023-2025). "No wonder software stocks are crashing."
- America's future leaders are learning to become grifters. The situation is becoming absurd.
Sunday Flotsam an Jetsam
Have a new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post up on Substack.
Today is the NBA All-Star game and this event used to be a big deal to me but not any more. It used to be a simple East vs West affair and players actually cared who won. Now the format has changed so many times you can't keep up and many like me have stopped even trying. The NBA is no longer fan-tastic - that's for sure.
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Quotes for Today
Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.
Have a new Quotes for Today up on my Substack. As I've mentioned doing this as a way to thank those who have Subscribed. If you are a Subscriber - you should have received an email. Thanks.
Saturday, February 14, 2026
More Linky Links
More stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- Making sense of the EPA's Endangerment rule. That the EPA is supposed to protect the environment is something you should remind the people of Palestine, Ohio.
- From the archives: The surprising path to life on Mars; first go underground.
- The importance of the capture of Maduro and the $20 billion credit swap.
Linky Links
Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- The coming revolution down south. "Will Cuba be Libre soon, and if so what happens next?"
- Amazon's Ring and Google's Nest unwittingly reveal the severity of the US surveillance state. Admit I fell for the dog trick.
- Sports court rules disqualification of Ukrainian athlete justified.
- As strengths grow and erode. Good points.
Valentine's Day Flotsam and Jetsam
Have a new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post up on Substack.
Today is Valentine's Day. Be sure to remember the day to your loved ones and do something nice for them. Forgetting Valentine's Day is right up there with forgetting your anniversary.
As always - please Subscribe, hit the Like button, or share the Link. Happy Valentine's Day!
Quotes for Today
Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.
Have a new Quotes for Today up on my Substack. As I've mentioned doing this as a way to thank those who have Subscribed. If you are a Subscriber - you should have received an email. Thanks.
Friday, February 13, 2026
Linky Links
Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- Something big is happening in AI. Think of how clumsy the original Boston Dynamics robots were and how nimble they are now, That's like AI but AI is on a much more accelerated timetable. (HT A Layman's Blog)
- AJ Jacobs with a new way to watch TV. I'm going to give this a try.
- I'm a sucker for any posts about Christopher Lee. He was a badass.
- Inside Pickleball's plan to become a billion dollar platform.
Friday Flotsam and Jetsam
Have a new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post up on Substack.
Today is Friday the 13th. When I was a kid this seemed a bigger deal and we were all aware when the date was coming up. Now the date seems to just sneak up on you or you go halfway through the day until you realize "Oh yeah -today's Friday the 13th."
As always - please Subscribe, hit the Like button, or share the Link. And don't break any mirrors today!
Quotes for Today
Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.
Have a new Quotes for Today up on my Substack. As I've mentioned doing this as a way to thank those who have Subscribed. If you are a Subscriber - you should have received an email. Thanks.
Chuck Yeager
Thursday, February 12, 2026
More Linky Links
More stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- IOC disqualifies Ukrainian Olympian. The IOC can ban an entire country but an athlete cannot remember other athletes killed in a war that caused IOC to ban Russia. Bizarre.
- From the archives: Mitchell Paige - the real life face of GI Joe. Where do we find such men?
- President Trump and Administrator Zeldin deliver single largest deregulatory action in US history.
- Tracking the efforts to shrink the size of the federal government. Think its wise to show this as just an effort to get back to the size of the government during the Clinton Administration.
Linky Links
Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- All Euro-NATO reporting is suspect until further notice. He's not wrong.
- Good advice.
- Apple News is accused of a leftwing bias. No surprise here.
- When government subsidies stopped - Doritos got 15% cheaper. Cause and effect.
Thursday Flotsam and Jetsam
Have a new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post up on Substack.
Starting to think that Donald Trump may more correctly known as the common sense President. Stop sending payment checks to dead people - common sense. Ask big pharma companies to stop charging Americans three time what they charge others - they agree and lower their prices because he did the common sense thing and asked them to. Close the southern border - common sense. So many common sense actions - why weren't they done before? And why do so many hate him for doing these common sense things?
As always - please Subscribe, hit the Like button, or share the Link. Thanks!
Quotes for Today
Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.
Have a new Quotes for Today up on my Substack. As I've mentioned doing this as a way to thank those who have Subscribed. If you are a Subscriber - you should have received an email. Thanks.
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Louis L' Amour on Writing
Had a discussion with a friend about who would win a boxing match between Ernest Hemingway and Louis L' Amour. Both writers were known for being able to handle their firsts. That might be a good match but we'll never know the winner.
More Linky Links
More stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- Bad Bunny and the SCOTUS precedent that denies Constitutional rights to Puerto Ricans. Knew they were considered US citizens but article does not mention that Puerto Ricans do not pay taxes.
Linky Links
Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- The financial historian. Will have to check this channel out.
- To Democrats the Save Act is political kryptonite.
- The sanctioned / stateless tanker nabbing gives - if we are willing to take.
- Newsweek: NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell faces calls to be fired. People calling for Goodell to be fired are painted as fringe but as I've pointed out an empty suit could do a better job with less controversy.
Wednesday Flotsam and Jetsam
Have a new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post up on Substack.
Today has the feeling of the calm before the storm as far as news is concerned. You get used to the feeling like everything is happening all at once. Guess I should enjoy the quiet while it lasts but I can't help but wonder if the US men's and women's Olympic hockey teams ever won gold at the same games? Need to quiet my brain.
As always - please Subscribe, hit the Link button, or share the Link. Thanks and this would be a nice quiet day to do it!
Quotes for Today
Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.
Have a new Quotes for Today up on my Substack. As I've mentioned doing this as a way to thank those who have Subscribed. If you are a Subscriber - you should have received an email. Thanks.
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
Linky Links
Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- 10 books every high school (or college) student should read. Good list - I'd add the Almanack of Naval Ravikant and the Psychology of Money.
- Many NFL players had no idea who Bad Bunny was.
- Valero pays $1.1 billion fee to leave California. Why anyone would remain there is beyond me.
- Super Bowl LX: How the Seahawks shut down the Patriots. Long but interesting autopsy of the Super Bowl.
Tuesday Flotsam and Jetsam
Have a new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post up on Substack.
Today's offering is mostly about the Super Bowl and where the Patriots may go from here. Didn't mention Seattle even once because I'm so self-absorbed in my thoughts that I didn't even notice that until I was finished. Know I should be more generous in my praise of their well deserved victory but ones thoughts are what they are.
As always - please Subscribe, hit the Like button, or share the Link. If you do it may help me get my mind off that blowout.
Quotes for Today
Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.
Have a new Quotes for Today up on my Substack. As I've mentioned doing this as a way to thank those who have Subscribed. If you are a Subscriber - you should have received an email. Thanks.
Monday, February 09, 2026
Linky Links
Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- Are Rome's attractions scarce goods? If people are paying for their time at attractions then they may feel less compelled to pick up after themselves or act with decorum (although good Catholics may feel guilty if they don't).
Monday Flotsam and Jetsam
Have a new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post upon Substack.
They say in every life a little rain must fall but last nights Patriots loss to the Seahawks in the Super Bowl was a deluge. Was Drake Maye hurt or just bad? Our offensive line was exposed as being plain bad and those white uniforms - hope we never see those again. Congrats to Seattle - you were clearly the better team.
As always - please Subscribe, hit the Like button, or share the Link. Please help me find some solace after that beat down. Thanks!
Quotes for Today
Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.
Have a new Quotes for Today up on my Substack. As I've mentioned doing this as a way to thank those who have Subscribed. If you are a Subscriber - you should have received an email. Thanks.
Sunday, February 08, 2026
More Linky Links
More stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- The Supreme Court is poised to remind states that the Constitution doesn't stop at the liquor store.
- Japan's PM Sanae Takaichi's party is set for a landslide win in the elections.
Linky Links
Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- Jonathan Turley: Bill Clinton agreed to testify to Congress about Jeffrey Epstein but now wants the definition of "agreed." If the Clintons fail to appear for questioning, release the facts that are known to the public to remind folks the seriousness of the issue, then issue arrest warrants.
- 59 Super Bowl rings: 59 stories.
- Trump prods Congress to nationalize election integrity, but Supreme Court may deliver first.
- Rational Optimist: Shady stuff is happening underwater. Some undersea facts and developments to ponder.
Super Bowl Sunday Flotsam and Jetsam
Have a new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post up on Substack.
For the record - for this game I like the Patriots (+4.5 points) teased with the over (39.5 points) to give you New England +10.5 points and an over down to 33.5 points. You could also go with the Pats money line which is basically giving you 2-1 odds.
As always - please Subscribe, hit the Like button, or share the Link. Thanks and go Pats!
Quotes for Today
Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.
Have a new Quotes for Today up on my Substack. As I've mentioned doing this as a way to thank those who have Subscribed. If you are a Subscriber - you should have received an email. Thanks.
Saturday, February 07, 2026
Bad Bunny and the Super Bowl Halftime Show
The NFL learns why there's no such thing as a free lunch.
Many NFL owners, who are Roger Goodells' bosses, have become more upset about the choice of Bad Bunny as the half-time entertainment. This disillusionment is being led by Patriots owner Robert Kraft, whose team will be participating in Sunday's Super Bowl. The halftime show was supposed to be something that adds to the big game not a distraction.
Budweiser Upside Down Clown
In what has become a Super Bowl tradition for me - I'm posting my favorite Super Bowl commercial of all-time - the Budweiser Upside Down Clown. This commercial only ran once because it was so disturbing (butt so damn funny!). Go Pats!
Linky Links
Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- Sebastian Junger: The loss of the Lily Jean. As the snow was falling during that storm I thought of The Perfect Storm and hoped there were no boats caught on the ocean in this weather. Sadly my fears were true.
- NASA finally acknowledges the elephant in the room about the SLS rocket. Slow and expensive is no way to go through life.
- Elon Musk getting serious about orbital data centers in space.
- Making any writing clear and concise is a skill. A skill that should be appreciated.
Saturday Flotsam and Jetsam
Have a new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post up on Substack.
One more day until we get the Super Bowl and it is snowing once again in New England. Many here are wishing for the snow to be gone (me included) but also know when the weather gets warmer and the mud comes that many will think fondly of the snow and frozen ground then too.
As always - please Subscribe, hit the Like button, or share the Link. Go Pats!
Quotes for Today
Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.
Have a new Quotes for Today up on my Substack. As I've mentioned doing this as a way to thank those who have Subscribed. If you are a Subscriber - you should have received an email. Thanks.
Friday, February 06, 2026
Linky Links
Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- Dan Wetzel on NCAA college eligibility. We are entering a strange new world.
- From the archives: Sahil Bloom's most powerful life hacks.
- More on the Jon Gruden lawsuit against the NFL. The gears of justice are grinding slow on this one.
Friday Flotsam and Jetsam
Have a new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post up on Substack.
This is Super Bowl weekend and starting to get the feeling the US is going to bomb Iran to distract people from the endless pregame shows or from Bad Bunny at halftime. President Trump has already said he's not attending the game. Maybe because he wants to be close to the situation room?
As always = please Subscribe, hit the Like button, or share the Link. Thanks!
Quotes for Today
Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.
Have a new Quotes for Today up on my Substack. As I've mentioned doing this as a way to thank those who have Subscribed. If you are a Subscriber - you should have received an email. Thanks.
Thursday, February 05, 2026
Starlink Direct to iPhone?
The Starlink Internet service needs some sort of receiver. Combined this news with the recent speculation of a SpaceX - Apple partnership makes you wonder if the next models of iPhones will have that receiver built in and allow for native Internet, voice, and texting via Starlink. Take you phone anywhere and still get a signal. That would be a big selling feature. (Photo via)
EDIT: Elon Musk says this report is fake news. Too bad - a guy can dream of a better iPhone though.
Linky Links
Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- From the archives: The acrobatic grace of Cary Grant.
- America's three biggest cities are swimming in employee pension debt. Unfunded or underfunded pensions are the biggest problem facing many municipalizes and some states.
- The EPA makes everything worse - case in point marine diesel engines. As an aside - you can't spell Borepatch without "epa."
Thursday Flotsam and Jetsam
Have a new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post up on Substack.
Today is kind of a schadenfreude day as many who were paying attention saw layoffs coming to the Washington Post and the truth about the LA fires long before it was finally being accepted by the left. Common sense told people paying attention that you can't drive away readers and lose $250 million a year or that you can't fight wildfires if you don't have any water going to the hydrants and cut $17 million from the fire fighting budget before hand. Common sense. It's fitting that Billy Eilish ends being the poster child for this day.
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Quotes for Today
Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.
Have a new Quotes for Today up on my Substack. As I've mentioned doing this as a way to thank those who have Subscribed. If you are a Subscriber - you should have received an email. Thanks.
Wednesday, February 04, 2026
Robert Kraft Not Elected to Hall of Fame
When Bill Belichick was passed over many excused the slight due to voters only being able to vote for three names and some players perhaps being on their last ballots. It was unfair to make them wait it was argued. But now that Robert Kraft has been likewise passed over by the voters - that excuse no longer holds water.
A price has to be paid for this travesty.
Linky Links
Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- Trump was right about tariffs. Agree 100% - reciprocal tariffs work!
- The Artemis II launch date has been pushed off till March at the earliest. This was the sort of bad publicity I was talking about.
Wednesday Flotsam and Jetsam
Have a new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post up on Substack.
The NBA trade deadline is drawing near (Thursday at 3:00 PM) and the trades are already starting to fly. The big highlight so far is the Clippers trading James Harden to Cleveland for Darius Garland. The Celtics and Bulls also made a trade - Boston sending Anthony Simmons for Nicola Vucevic. Will keep an eye on this situation for the next couple of days.
As always - please Subscribe, hit the Like button, or share the Link. Thanks!
Quotes for Today
Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.
Have a new Quotes for Today up on my Substack. As I've mentioned doing this as a way to thank those who have Subscribed. If you are a Subscriber - you should have received an email. Thanks.
Tuesday, February 03, 2026
Linky Links
Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- Thoughts on guilds from Adam Smith's The Wealth of Nations. Was surprised by the link between guilds and universities.
- Danielle Bolelli: The Melian Dialogue and the Nature of Power.
- The worldwide humiliation of Bill Gates: From tech god to global embarrassment.
- The fraud in California will dwarf the amount of fraud in Minnesota.
Tuesday Flotsam and Jetsam
Have a new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post up on Substack.
Perhaps lost in the news that SpaceX is acquiring xAI was the earlier announcement Apple may be partnering with Starlink (also owned by SpaceX) to provide space based Internet service on all new iPhones. This could be a game changer and potentially allow any iPhone to become a hot spot replacing home Internet service for many users. A game changer.
As always = please Subscribe, hit the Like button, or share the Link. Thanks!
Quotes for Today
Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.
Have a new Quotes for Today up on my Substack. As I've mentioned doing this as a way to thank those who have Subscribed. If you are a Subscriber - you should have received an email. Thanks.
Monday, February 02, 2026
Linky Links
Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- SpaceX seeks to launch 1 million solar powered satellites to create AI datacenters in space.
- 200 Reasons Why I'm Here. Good advice. (HT Cultural Offering)
- The long poverty decline: Before and after the war on poverty. It was going better before the government got involved.
- Dan Wetzel: NFL should look into Giants co-owner Steve Tish. Tish's behavior was disturbing.
The Bombing of Hiroshima
One of the things written on the first atomic bomb ever to be used in war was written, "Greetings to the Emperor from the men of the Indianapolis." That was the sort of feeling that was common in US forces in WW II.
Enola Gay navigator "Dutch" Van Kirk said shortly after the A-bomb exploded, "I thought, Thank God the war is over and I don't have to get shot at any more. I can go home."
The book notes, "It was a sentiment hundreds of thousands of American soldiers and sailors would soon express." And could you blame them?
Japan had been warned before the bombing to surrender or face destruction. The Japanese refused and instead issues sharpened sticks to civilians to fight invaders to the death if necessary. General Curtis LeMay had been firebombing the cities of Japan so much that LeMay lamented that he was denied cities targeted as possible sites for the atomic bomb. Despite the unprecedented firebombing damage - Japan didn't surrender. They didn't even surrender after the bombing of Hiroshima. They only surrendered after the destruction of Nagasaki.
Quotes from The Making of the Atomic Bomb by Richard Rhodes.
Monday Flotsam and Jetsam
Have a new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post up on Substack.
The Bruins played the Lightning at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa last night for a cool outdoor game. Boston raced to a 5-1 lead, there was a goalie fight, but then lost 6-5 in an OT shootout. The team arrived dressed as patriots and the initials of all six New England states were on their uniforms. Not sure if this was to support the Patriots in the Super Bowl or a reminder to sports fans that there's more than one team in Boston.
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Quotes for Today
Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.
Have a new Quotes for Today up on my Substack. As I've mentioned doing this as a way to thank those who have Subscribed. If you are a Subscriber - you should have received an email. Thanks.
Sunday, February 01, 2026
More Linky Links
More stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- Learning from "Kill the Wabbit." Remember that when Curious George was learning the alphabet we saw "D" is for "dromedary" - wonder what today's generation would use for "D."
- Astronauts are going back to the moon for the first time in half a century. Interesting read on the Artemis II mission.
- All 10 NFL head coaching jobs are now filled - with grades for each!
Linky Links
Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- It's really cold. Here's how to stay happy (with science). (HT Jake)
- Peter Attia: Metformin misses the mark? Maybe when it comes to extending longevity that is.
- The chip rebellion is on. Interesting look at potentially the future(s) of computer chips.
- The qualities of decent, cultured people. (HT Cultural Offering)
Sunday Flotsam and Jetsam
Have a new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post up on Substack.
Each morning I wake and wonder if there'll be overnight news about the fall of the regime in Iran, the government in Cuba, or a clarification of the situation in China. And each morning I'm slightly discouraged there's not. Now I'm getting worried that all three situations will choose next Sunday when I'm preparing for the Super Bowl to all resolve at once.
As always - please Subscribe, hit the Like button, or share the Link. Go Pats!
Quotes for Today
Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.
Have a new Quotes for Today up on my Substack. As I've mentioned doing this as a way to thank those who have Subscribed. If you are a Subscriber - you should have received an email. Thanks.
Top 5 Quotes from Groundhog Day
2. "Who wants some flapjacks?"
3. "I was in the Virgin Islands once. I met a girl. We ate lobster and drank pina coladas. At sunset we made love like sea otters. *That* was a pretty good day. Why couldn't I get that day over and over and over..."
4. It's the same things your whole life. "Clean up your room.", "Stand up straight.", "Pick up your feet.", "Take it like a man.", "Be nice to your sister.", "Don't mix beer and wine, ever.". Oh yeah, "Don't drive on the railroad tracks."
5. "This is one time where television really fails to capture the true excitement of a large squirrel predicting the weather."
Saturday, January 31, 2026
USS Indianapolis
_underway_at_sea_on_27_September_1939_(80-G-425615).jpg/330px-USS_Indianapolis_(CA-35)_underway_at_sea_on_27_September_1939_(80-G-425615).jpg)
Many only learned of the USS Indianapolis from Captain Quint's speech in the movie Jaws. Here's what really happened after the Indianapolis delivered the bomb at Tinian.
"...the Indianapolis, an older vessel, lacked sonar gear for submarine detection and was top heavy. Japanese submarine I-38 discovered the heavy cruiser in the Philippines Sea a little before Midnight on Sunday, July 29...
The torpedoes and following explosions of ammunition and aviation fuel ripped away the cruiser's bow and destroyed the power center. without power the radio officer was unable to send a distress signal - he went through the motions anyway - or the bridge to communicate with the engine room, The engines pushed the ship forward unchecked, scooping up water through the holes in the hull and leaving behind the sailors thrown overboard who had been sleeping on deck in the tropical heat. The order to abandon ship, when it came, had to be passed word of mouth."
About 850 sailors went into the sea facing 12 foot waves:
"Most had kapok lifejackets. Few could find their way to the life rafts. They floated instead in clusters, linked together, stronger men swimming the circumferences to catch sleepers before they drifted away, one group numbered between three and four hundred souls. They pushed the wounded to the center where the water was calmer and prayed the distress call had gone out.
The captain had found two empty life rafts and later that night encountered one more unoccupied. He ordered the rafts lashed together. They sheltered ten men and he thought them the only survivors. Through the night a current carried the swimmers southwest while winds blew the rafts northeast: by the light of morning rafts and swimmers had separated beyond discovery."
What happened next to those in the water was beyond terrorizing and I'll omit because words can't do it justice.
"Thursday morning, August 2, a Navy plane spotted the survivors. Because of negligence at Leyte the Indianapolis had not even been missed. A major rescue effort began, ships streaming to the area. PBY's and PBM's dropping food, water, and survival gear. The rescuers found 318 naked and emaciated men."
Linky Links
Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- How to sleep well and wake up energized. I don't adopt all the methods but your mileage may vary, (HT Jake)
- Aren't they even aware of the two tiers of justice in this country?
- Tim Ferriss: How I beat Lyme disease with the Ketogenic diet.
Saturday Flotsam and Jetsam
Have a new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post up on Substack.
In what may be the mother of all Friday news dumps - 3 million more Jeffrey Epstein emails were released and some pretty big names like Bill Gates, LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman, and Giants part owner Steve Tish were implicated. If Jack Smith was working the case he's give just till Monday for all the emails to be read.
As always - please Subscribe, hit the Like button, or share the Link. Thanks and oh - Jeffrey Epstein didn't kill himself.
Quotes for Today
Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.
Have a new Quotes for Today up on my Substack. As I've mentioned doing this as a way to thank those who have Subscribed. If you are a Subscriber - you should have received an email. Thanks.
Friday, January 30, 2026
Robert Oppenheimer and the Bhagavad Gita
In battle, in forest, at the precipice in the mountainsOn the dark great sea, in the midst of javelins and arrows...In sleep, in confusion, in the depths of shame,The good deeds a man has done before defends him
Linky Links
Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- Protest culture is annoying and un-American.
- From the archives: On the Shortness of Time. A lesson that has to be drilled into oneself - over and over.
- President Trump nominates Kevin Warsh for Federal Reserve Chairman to replace Jerome Powell.
- The 35 countries with the highest household debt. The US not as bad as I'd have guessed.
Friday Flotsam and Jetsam
Have a new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post up on Substack.
President Trump is said to be naming a new Fed Chairman today to replace the soon to be leaving Jerome Powell who for some reason still has not lowered interest rates. Many mortgage holder have been paying inflated rates for a long time and there's no justification for this. Where's Elizabeth Warren or Bernie Sanders when you need them?
As always - please Subscribe, hit the Like button, or share the Link. Thanks!
Quotes for Today
Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.
Have a new Quotes for Today up on my Substack. As I've mentioned doing this as a way to thank those who have Subscribed. If you are a Subscriber - you should have received an email. Thanks.
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Thursday, January 29, 2026
More Linky Links
More stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- "The Laffer Curves are flat." Taxing the rich schemes are fantasies.
- On Technologies vs Commodities. Long but interesting read.
Linky Links
Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- The purge of Zhang Youxia. Interesting they call what happened in China a purge instead of a coup.
- Tesla shareholder updates. No mention of the Model S or Model X being discontinued in Q2 2026.
- Dan Wetzel: If Bill Belichick isn't first ballot, just shut the Hall of Fame down.
- Southwest Airlines ends open seating after 54 years. The end of an era.
Thursday Flotsam and Jetsam
Have a new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post up on Substack.
Most every football fan knows the name Bill Belichick but if the names of the voters who snubbed his election to the Hall of Fame are ever revealed - how many of those names will you recognize? I'm guessing very few if any. They were trying to make a name for themselves by voting "No" but now as the pettiness of their actions are made plain to the world they hide behind anonymity. I agree with Jimmy Johnson - that's the act of cowardly assholes.
As always - please Subscribe, hit the Like button, or share the Link. Thanks!
Quotes for Today
Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.
Have a new Quotes for Today up on my Substack. As I've mentioned doing this as a way to thank those who have Subscribed. If you are a Subscriber - you should have received an email. Thanks.
The HOF Knows Voters Screwed Up Not Selecting Belichick
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
Greenland and the US
Also keep in mind that the country is rich in natural resources including many rare earth metals. The big drawback is said to be the cost to mine these resources. Would that still be true of a person like Elon Musk who owns the Boring Company and manufacturers robots? As an aside - what better way to stress test robots for the harsh environments of Mars than testing them in the harsh environments of Greenland?
This is true - isn't it? Do you think this possibility has been discussed?
College Football Thoughts
Some offseason thoughts and observations as the transfer portal continues to spin.
Was having these thoughts anyway and figured I'd jot them down and post on Substack.
Linky Links
Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.
- The Van Natta and Wickersham article on Bill Belichick not being voted into the HOF.
- Interesting look at the CIA under John Radcliffe.
- John Stossel on unions. He's not wrong and the story is particularly relevant given UPS is set for another round of layoffs..
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