Nostr notes by Hippasus500 aka jwn2

Following its mention by @npub1fdr…lvhs, I’ve begun reading ...

2026-02-05T19:21:36Z

Following its mention by Cory Doctorow (npub1fdr…lvhs), I’ve begun reading Madoff’s new book, The Second Estate. Early on, she observes the environment in which we’re living today “bears [a] remarkable resemblance to the tax system of prerevolutionary France.”

The book analyzes how in the last forty years #uspolitics has created a tax code that insured the rise of a new aristocracy. The only difference to 17th and 18th century France is the lack of royal titles.

What are we going to do about it?

I haven’t switched quite yet. I’ve got to make some changes ...

2026-02-04T21:00:53Z

In reply to nevent1q…r0jy
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I haven’t switched quite yet. I’ve got to make some changes for my stats calculations, and I’m headed outa town tomorrow. In the meantime:

Wordle 1,691 4/6*

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I’ve kept my NYT streak going. And once more claimed victory over the #OldGal. (See ya, Bot. It’s been nice knowin’ ya…) More later, #youngpups!

A further thought: Let’s say there exists a chain of reasoning ...

2026-01-27T22:11:06Z

In reply to nevent1q…4sjm
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A further thought: Let’s say there exists a chain of reasoning that ties Trump’s EOs to the murders of Good and Pretti. Murder ought to be encompassed by the phrase “high crimes and misdemeanors”, making Trump responsible thus qualifying as an impeachment count.

Like that would ever happen… <sigh>

#Wordle 1,683 5/6* mean: 3.74+ winning: 98.3507% streak(C/M): ...

2026-01-27T19:49:46Z

#Wordle 1,683 5/6* mean: 3.74+ winning: 98.3507% streak(C/M): 137/165 std dev: 0.98+ W/L/T: JvB: 35/29/39 JvOG: 48/21/34

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I took the long way home, #youngpups, earning a split with the Bot (lose - boo!) and #OldGal (win - yay!).

After 2, there were 6 choices, 4 ending with the same letter, 3 with the same last two. The destination was clear. But the kids in the back screamed for ice cream, and then had to pee. Dad’s a little put out.

But if the Minnesota state prosecutors can show evidence Bovino ...

2026-01-27T19:20:41Z

In reply to nevent1q…af0m
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But if the Minnesota state prosecutors can show evidence Bovino was complicit in the orders leading to the murders by ICE agents, perhaps he could be charged as an accessory and extradited back to Minnesota to stand trial. Assuming, of course, someone gets charged with murder…<sigh>

That’s the first laugh of the day! Thank you for tickling my ...

2026-01-27T16:58:50Z

In reply to nevent1q…psv4
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That’s the first laugh of the day! Thank you for tickling my rib(bit)s!

Well done! If I were the jealous type, you might see streaks of ...

2026-01-27T16:56:09Z

In reply to nevent1q…akaz
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Well done! If I were the jealous type, you might see streaks of red as I blush. <wink>

#Wordle 1,682 3/6* mean: 3.74- winning: 98.3493% streak(C/M): ...

2026-01-26T22:34:03Z

#Wordle 1,682 3/6* mean: 3.74- winning: 98.3493% streak(C/M): 136/165 std dev: 0.98+ W/L/T: JvB: 35/28/39 JvOG: 47/21/34

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Victories over both the #OldGal and Bot aren’t that extraordinary, #youngpups. Nevertheless, it always feels like an unexpected event.

After 1, there were only 2 possibilities. I may have to throw my probability tables out the window, though. Had I made the uncommon choice, I would have had it in 2. Considering the solution, that would have been fitting.

It’s Monday. I’m slow. I finally got it…

2026-01-26T15:53:48Z

In reply to nevent1q…s305
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It’s Monday. I’m slow. I finally got it…

Lots of catastrophic ice on the radio, tv, newspapers, social ...

2026-01-25T15:36:26Z

In reply to nevent1q…9nrx
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Lots of catastrophic ice on the radio, tv, newspapers, social media…<sigh>

OED definition of humane: characterized by sympathy with and ...

2026-01-25T15:29:55Z

In reply to nevent1q…a8r2
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OED definition of humane: characterized by sympathy with and consideration for others; feeling or showing compassion towards humans or animals; benevolent, kind.

#Wordle 1,680 3/6* mean: 3.74+ winning: 98.3464% streak(C/M): ...

2026-01-24T17:07:37Z

#Wordle 1,680 3/6* mean: 3.74+ winning: 98.3464% streak(C/M): 134/165 std dev: 0.9848+ W/L/T: JvB: 34/28/38 JvOG: 46/20/33

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No word yet from the #OldGal, #youngpups, but a win over the Bot. <fist pump>

The other day I reported I was down to two choices after my second guess. Leaning on my Scrabble and Sixties trivia I chose rightly. Well, today, it’s the other one. Boom!

This brought me to tears: The writer is interviewing a Puerto ...

2026-01-23T18:04:39Z

In reply to nevent1q…zqj8
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This brought me to tears:

The writer is interviewing a Puerto Rican woman, a mother. “At first her 9-year-old was carrying her passport in her backpack; now it’s in her back pocket. ‘I have to prepare them for it if they get stopped,’ she says. ‘I said, Do not engage. This is not the time to be cussing at anyone. But she said, Mom, ‘if I create enough noise, my friends can get away.’”

#FUCKICE #Protest #Strike #Minnesota

#Wordle 1,679 4/6* mean: 3.74+ winning: 98.3449% streak(C/M): ...

2026-01-23T17:42:31Z

#Wordle 1,679 4/6* mean: 3.74+ winning: 98.3449% streak(C/M): 133/165 std dev: 0.9850+ W/L/T: JvB: 33/28/38 JvOG: 46/20/33

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The same trick did not work two days running, #youngpups. A right shift after 1 was the smart, and I was left with two choices after 2. But probability was not my friend. As I peer at my peers, I’ll pretend to noblesse oblige and bow to the #OldGal’s superior play. I matched the Bot, so it wasn’t a total loss.

I just heard about Trump’s post regarding “Global Warming ...

2026-01-23T15:24:01Z

I just heard about Trump’s post regarding “Global Warming Insurrectionists.” Why is it every time he opens his mouth he demonstrates for the world his idiocy and incompetence?

Perhaps the Republicans would be in favor of “Duct Tape Act” to seal his mount to prevent him from embarrassing himself and themselves.

Oh…wait…someone would have to explain “embarrass” to them. It’s kind of a big word…

#winterstorm #trump #nokings

I was high school freshman, and the year after the last babies of ...

2026-01-23T00:31:53Z

In reply to nevent1q…7tdn
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I was high school freshman, and the year after the last babies of the Baby Boom generation were born when the show with this catch phrase debuted. What changes our generation has wrought in the world. Can you imagine a show like this today?

Now that made me giggle!

2026-01-23T00:19:48Z

In reply to nevent1q…2aq3
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Now that made me giggle!

#Wordle 1,678 3/6* mean: 3.74+ winning: 98.3435% streak(C/M): ...

2026-01-23T00:18:57Z

#Wordle 1,678 3/6* mean: 3.74+ winning: 98.3435% streak(C/M): 132/165 std dev: 0.99- W/L/T: JvB: 33/28/37 JvOG: 46/19/33

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A win over the #OldGal, #youngpups! Only a tie with the Bot. It could have been worse. After 2, I saw only two possibilities, differing only in the last two letters. How I decided was to add together the scrabble values of the two letters in each word, choosing the pair with the lower total. That’s basically the same as choosing the most probable pair.

#Wordle 1,677 3/6* mean: 3.74+ winning: 98.3421% streak(C/M): ...

2026-01-22T00:15:51Z

#Wordle 1,677 3/6* mean: 3.74+ winning: 98.3421% streak(C/M): 131/165 std dev: 0.99- W/L/T: JvB: 33/28/36 JvOG: 45/19/33

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After 1, there were too many possibilites, 200+, #youngpups. I covered my eyes to make my choice, interpolating a couple of golds. Being mathematically inclined, I found a fitting curve yielding a third order solution. Tying the #OldGal, we squarely left the Bot on the outside looking in.

Maybe if you can get her alone in a room you can give her the 3rd ...

2026-01-21T21:18:30Z

In reply to nevent1q…27s9
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Maybe if you can get her alone in a room you can give her the 3rd degree. <wink>l

#Wordle 1,676 4/6* mean: 3.74+ winning: 98.3406% streak(C/M): ...

2026-01-21T00:00:02Z

#Wordle 1,676 4/6* mean: 3.74+ winning: 98.3406% streak(C/M): 130/165 std dev: 0.9858+ W/L/T: JvB: 32/28/36 JvOG: 45/19/32

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Back to back wins over the #OldGal, #youngpups! A win yesterday, but a loss today to the Bot. Its maneuver on 2 gave it an edge. It’s a risky play, but it paid off for the Bot.

I’m undecided about my new starter. It’s an uncommon choice containing three high frequency letters. Papers on optimal solutions strategies are inconclusive (so far).

In the same vein, I found this while reading Thomas Paine’s ...

2026-01-18T20:53:45Z

In reply to nevent1q…pywd
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In the same vein, I found this while reading Thomas Paine’s 1776 pamphlet, “Common Sense”:

“it is the pride of kings which throw mankind into confusion”

#fascism #tyrant #nazis #resistance #activism #antiFascist #revolution

Some time ago Asakiyume gave me a wonderful bit of ascii art for ...

2026-01-18T19:33:01Z

In reply to nevent1q…nnxh
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Some time ago Asakiyume gave me a wonderful bit of ascii art for “oh well”: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

#Wordle 1,674 4/6* mean: 3.74+ winning: 98.3377% streak(C/M): ...

2026-01-18T19:31:16Z

#Wordle 1,674 4/6* mean: 3.74+ winning: 98.3377% streak(C/M): 128/165 std dev: 0.9864+ W/L/T: JvB: 31/27/36 JvOG: 43/19/32

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I snuck up the answer today, #youngpups. The Bot was quicker, no win over the #OldGal. The NYT testers had considerable trouble, averaging 5.7 guesses. That’s something.

I might say my play was wooden. If you think that’s too much, so sue me. <wink>

I don’t have specific recommendations but a quick search ...

2026-01-18T19:11:04Z

In reply to nevent1q…eq8m
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I don’t have specific recommendations but a quick search yielded <https://techjobsforgood.com/>; If you try it, let me know whether it helps.

#MeaningfulPurposeFirst
#FediHire

Apparently you need a cup of coffee before you have a cup of ...

2026-01-17T22:50:43Z

In reply to nevent1q…yfhy
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Apparently you need a cup of coffee before you have a cup of coffee.

In the January 15th edition of The Atlantic, Jake Lundberg writes ...

2026-01-17T22:35:07Z

In the January 15th edition of The Atlantic, Jake Lundberg writes about Thomas Paine’s 1776 pamphlet, Common Sense. The subhead of the article: “Common Sense was a provocation in 1776. Maybe it’s the provocation we need now.” A bit later he writes: “…we seem to be reverting to the old world Paine wished to bury.”

Perhaps we should all take a little time to reread Paine’s words. Get a free copy at Project Gutenberg <https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/147>;

#uspolitics

Perhaps as a result the eggs were whiskied…no..maybe not.

2026-01-17T21:00:12Z

In reply to nevent1q…v0j5
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Perhaps as a result the eggs were whiskied…no..maybe not.

I do like a good jelly roll.

2026-01-17T20:47:29Z

In reply to nevent1q…aulu
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I do like a good jelly roll.

Completely rejecting US military presence would be problematic. ...

2026-01-17T20:44:48Z

In reply to nevent1q…xcxl
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Completely rejecting US military presence would be problematic. But economic sanctions of some sort seem like an appropriate response, particularly those that hurt Trump’s financial backers. Since many members of the U.S. Congress draw financial support from the same people, that is likely to get noticed.

#Wordle 1,673 5/6* mean: 3.74+ winning: 98.3363% streak(C/M): ...

2026-01-17T20:37:51Z

#Wordle 1,673 5/6* mean: 3.74+ winning: 98.3363% streak(C/M): 127/165 std dev: 0.99- W/L/T: JvB: 31/26/36 JvOG: 43/19/31

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I fell to both the Bot and the #OldGal, #youngpups. But worse, today’s tiles are a monument to stupidity.
My second guess was mostly wasted, my fourth completely wasted. <sigh>

I think I’ll sit in the doghouse licking my wounds while the rest of your frolic. <SIGH>

At least my streak lives on. That’s my only solace.

You prove my case. <grin> The Wright Brothers used the ...

2026-01-17T19:43:23Z

In reply to nevent1q…6t04
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You prove my case. <grin>

The Wright Brothers used the power they had to effect their ideas and build their airplane.

The history of human-powered flight is replete with those who had similar ideas and lacked the means and ability (read power) to succeed.

Nazo, I’m not trying to throw off your argument. I’m only ...

2026-01-17T19:35:13Z

In reply to nevent1q…426e
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Nazo, I’m not trying to throw off your argument. I’m only asking you to think about how ideas are spread. An idea in isolation can do nothing. It is only when an idea is used to effect an action that it has a consequence.

In the case of my ridiculous metaphor, the likely outcome is my sore shoulder.

Trump speaking as the President resulted in January 6th.

As a simple idea consider this: I have the idea I’m strong ...

2026-01-17T19:23:11Z

In reply to nevent1q…zghm
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As a simple idea consider this:

I have the idea I’m strong enough to push over the Empire State Building. Simply having the idea doesn’t give me the ability to topple it.

You’re quite right that flooding the world with horrible ideas is ugly and must be stopped. But both the flooding and the stopping require power to do so.

Power can be acquired in many ways. Money is a convenient means.

First and foremost, Stux, I applaud your stance. No one should be ...

2026-01-17T19:12:30Z

In reply to nevent1q…cylg
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First and foremost, Stux, I applaud your stance. No one should be compelled to do business with those who lack the morality and ethics to recognize others’ humanity.

But ideas are not power. One must be careful about censorship.

There is a simple logic that applies to BlueSky. (See Doctorow):

Money is isomorphic to power.
Power corrupts.
Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

This is the path the BlueSky founders chose.

Woof! That’s showin’ us the way!

2026-01-17T17:45:46Z

In reply to nevent1q…46cp
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Woof! That’s showin’ us the way!

Good to see you(r posts) again! Unplugging is good for the soul.

2026-01-17T17:45:06Z

In reply to nevent1q…6lwj
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Good to see you(r posts) again!

Unplugging is good for the soul.

#Wordle 1,672 4/6* mean: 3.74+ winning: 98.3348% streak(C/M): ...

2026-01-16T17:35:39Z

#Wordle 1,672 4/6* mean: 3.74+ winning: 98.3348% streak(C/M): 126/165 std dev: 0.9865+ W/L/T: JvB: 31/25/36 JvOG: 43/18/31

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I couldn’t keep up with the Bot and the #OldGal today, #youngpups. I’d say I’ve lost a step due to my advancing age, but then the #OldGal would just snicker in derision.

I have, however, decided to change my starter. The odds are not in my favor. Maybe I should relocate to a different District before the next Reaping.

It’s a photo finish, Chris. I’ll take that with the #OldGal, ...

2026-01-16T17:15:43Z

In reply to nevent1q…y7yn
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It’s a photo finish, Chris. I’ll take that with the #OldGal, any day.

Bot the Bot and the #OldGal were faster out of the blocks than I ...

2026-01-16T17:06:57Z

In reply to nevent1q…728d
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Bot the Bot and the #OldGal were faster out of the blocks than I was today, too.

It’s an interesting statistical problem to decide whether hard ...

2026-01-16T17:03:01Z

In reply to nevent1q…ec2n
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It’s an interesting statistical problem to decide whether hard mode is more difficult than non-hard (avoiding the word “easy”) mode. I found this article: <https://laurentlessard.com/solving-wordle/>; that discusses the problem. The author concludes it is more a matter of preference which you choose. Although there is a hard mode strategy that performs better than par.

I, however, don’t use it.

#Wordle 1,671 2/6* mean: 3.74+ winning: 98.3333% streak(C/M): ...

2026-01-15T15:55:57Z

#Wordle 1,671 2/6* mean: 3.74+ winning: 98.3333% streak(C/M): 125/165 std dev: 0.99- W/L/T: JvB: 31/24/36 JvOG: 43/17/31

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Some days, it’s better to be lucky than good, #youngpups. Today was one of those days. From 0 to 60 in nuthin’ flat! I took a leap of faith and landed safely on the other side with a double victory over both the Bot and the #OldGal. Phew!

#Wordle 1,670 3/6* mean: 3.74+ winning: 98.3319% streak(C/M): ...

2026-01-14T18:23:20Z

#Wordle 1,670 3/6* mean: 3.74+ winning: 98.3319% streak(C/M): 124/165 std dev: 0.9860+ W/L/T: JvB: 30/24/36 JvOG: 42/17/31

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<bark><bark><bark><bark><bark><launches self into air> Dogpile here I come, #youngpups! The #OldGal left the door open, and there was no way she was getting out this one! (I can hear her “tsk-tsk-tsk” through the kitchen window).

The Bot went down in flames, too. I’ll take the win!

#Wordle 1,669 5/6* mean: 3.74+ winning: 98.3304% streak(C/M): ...

2026-01-14T06:50:04Z

#Wordle 1,669 5/6* mean: 3.74+ winning: 98.3304% streak(C/M): 123/165 std dev: 0.9862+ W/L/T: JvB: 29/24/36 JvOG: 41/17/31

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A dismal score, #youngpups. I was no competition for the Bot and the #OldGal.

3 was something of a whimsical choice. Whimsy is not the recipe for anything. No recipe would have helped. I burned the roux and was left with red beans and rice. What am I going to do with all this andouille and crawfish?

For the win! Go #youngpups! The #OldGal will have to try again ...

2026-01-13T17:55:37Z

In reply to nevent1q…t7th
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For the win! Go #youngpups! The #OldGal will have to try again tomorrow. <wink>

“Hellloooo, Dolly,” he trumpets. <wink>

2026-01-13T17:39:09Z

In reply to nevent1q…qxpd
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“Hellloooo, Dolly,” he trumpets. <wink>

Spicy rejoinder, Barrie.

2026-01-13T17:37:46Z

In reply to nevent1q…59t8
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Spicy rejoinder, Barrie.

When I was a kid, every time the Cubs won a game, Ernie Banks ...

2026-01-13T17:33:34Z

In reply to nevent1q…dvym
_________________________

When I was a kid, every time the Cubs won a game, Ernie Banks would proclaim it the start of a new winning streak. He was ever the optimist.

#Wordle 1,668 3/6* mean: 3.74+ winning: 98.3289% streak(C/M): ...

2026-01-12T18:49:10Z

#Wordle 1,668 3/6* mean: 3.74+ winning: 98.3289% streak(C/M): 122/165 std dev: 0.9859+ W/L/T: JvB: 29/23/36 JvOG: 41/16/31

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I’ll bow to the #OldGal today, with a match, #youngpups. Also a tie with the Bot.

I made a face after 2. It was objectionable, violating one of my laws for managing the golds. But I got the necessary verdict with 3, despite gathering less evidence than I should have with 2.

I guess we have to deal with these things on a case by case basis…

You prosecuted that well.

2026-01-12T16:31:05Z

In reply to nevent1q…lsgj
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You prosecuted that well.

Some days are like that. Silent, careful steps, then pounce. ...

2026-01-12T16:29:12Z

In reply to nevent1q…vmxd
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Some days are like that.

Silent, careful steps, then pounce. Inspired by a certain feline companion, no doubt.

Showin’ the #youngpups how it’s done!!!!!!

2026-01-12T16:26:59Z

In reply to nevent1q…09f0
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Showin’ the #youngpups how it’s done!!!!!!

Of course the other option was to try to fake you out with ...

2026-01-11T23:00:51Z

In reply to nevent1q…nnxz
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Of course the other option was to try to fake you out with obscure reference to a science fiction novella that plays on the works of Joyce. But I chose not to.

#Wordle 1,667 4/6* mean: 3.74+ winning: 98.3275% streak(C/M): ...

2026-01-11T22:55:28Z

#Wordle 1,667 4/6* mean: 3.74+ winning: 98.3275% streak(C/M): 121/165 std dev: 0.99- W/L/T: JvB: 29/23/35 JvOG: 41/16/30

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As predicted, #youngpups: an ace, an eagle, a birdie, now a par. I’m rather hopeful we go back to a birdie tomorrow, rather than continuing an unseemly progression.

Being an aficianado of physics, I was happy I could see traces of the answer in my first three guesses and settled for ties with both the Bot and the #OldGal.

Regarding Trump’s laughable (if only it were so) justification ...

2026-01-11T20:48:45Z

In reply to nevent1q…mywm
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Regarding Trump’s laughable (if only it were so) justification for invading Venezuela, the New Republic writer writes: “It all smacks of the schoolyard bully sneering, ‘What did you say about my mother?’ to a hapless smaller kid who actually said nothing, then citing this invented insult as justification for forcibly taking his lunch money.”

I never doubted you for a second! They are famously adept at ...

2026-01-10T15:38:30Z

In reply to nevent1q…4vju
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I never doubted you for a second! They are famously adept at wqpk423upds#@…dammit…pouncing on keyboards.

#Wordle 1,666 3/6* mean: 3.74+ winning: 98.3260% streak(C/M): ...

2026-01-10T15:36:02Z

#Wordle 1,666 3/6* mean: 3.74+ winning: 98.3260% streak(C/M): 120/165 std dev: 0.99- W/L/T: JvB: 29/23/34 JvOG: 41/16/29

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🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

An up and down day, #youngpups; victory over the #OldGal(yay!); only a tie with the Bot (boo!).

There seemed to be a lot of choices with the gold in first on 2. Turns out I merely had it backwards. Up and down, back and forth. Yup. It fits.

I had to get this in early. I have plans later. It’s a grim day. I hope many are similarly occupied.

Fitting. Of course you’re going to #blamethecat on #caturday. ...

2026-01-10T15:12:44Z

In reply to nevent1q…cpp7
_________________________

Fitting. Of course you’re going to #blamethecat on #caturday. Who amongst the #youngpups wouldn’t? <grin>

Marginally better. I’m not sure the nation can afford to wait ...

2026-01-09T20:30:57Z

In reply to nevent1q…jfch
_________________________

Marginally better. I’m not sure the nation can afford to wait that long, though. Sadly, the spineless GOP would never muster the courage.

Is it possible to simultaneously impeach both President and ...

2026-01-09T16:45:28Z

Is it possible to simultaneously impeach both President and Vice-President? I’d take an ineffectual pansy as President any day over the corrupt depravity of the White House.

Oh! Sorry, Mike, were you listening?

#NoKings #uspol

#Wordle 1,665 3/6* mean: 3.74+ winning: 98.3245% streak(C/M): ...

2026-01-09T16:36:10Z

#Wordle 1,665 3/6* mean: 3.74+ winning: 98.3245% streak(C/M): 119/165 std dev: 0.9867+ W/L/T: JvB: 29/23/33 JvOG: 40/16/29

⬜🟨⬜🟨⬜
⬜🟩🟩⬜🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

A win against the #OldGal is always nice, but there’s a particular pleasure defeating the Bot, #youngpups. Today is a good day.

After 2, what filled a grey was obvious. For the other, it could have gone badly, but I chose the most probable letter of those remaining.

Lessee…two days ago, 1. Yesterday, 2. Today a 3. I suspect I know tomorrow’s score.

Woof! You definitely had the #OldGal’s number today. Time for a ...

2026-01-09T16:16:11Z

In reply to nevent1q…ng32
_________________________

Woof! You definitely had the #OldGal’s number today. Time for a #youngpups puppy dance!

. . . .

(Puppy dance? Whatever could that be? It just seemed right. The words just kinda popped out on their own. Now I’m struggling picturing it. No, don’t send memes! I’m just gonna cower in the corner with eyes covered in embarrassment…😳)

#Wordle 1,664 2/6* mean: 3.74+ winning: 98.3230% streak(C/M): ...

2026-01-08T18:08:05Z

#Wordle 1,664 2/6* mean: 3.74+ winning: 98.3230% streak(C/M): 118/165 std dev: 0.9869+ W/L/T: JvB: 28/23/33 JvOG: 40/16/28

🟨🟨⬜⬜⬜
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

First day with a new starter, and I’m stepping out in style, #youngpups! You might even say I exploded out of the gate. But I won’t. <rolls eyes>

A deuce and victories over both the #OldGal and the Bot. Plus it’s sunny and warm here in Southern California. I’ll take my pleasures where I find them, and put the rest of the world out of mind, as best I can.

Boom!

2026-01-08T17:47:22Z

In reply to nevent1q…dn4k
_________________________

Boom!

Keeping pace with the #OldGal is nothing to be sneezed at!

2026-01-08T17:46:54Z

In reply to nevent1q…awn9
_________________________

Keeping pace with the #OldGal is nothing to be sneezed at!

If you’d gotten it in 2, I’d say you were a real beast. ...

2026-01-08T17:45:25Z

In reply to nevent1q…zus9
_________________________

If you’d gotten it in 2, I’d say you were a real beast. <wink> I mean that in the nicest possible way, of course.

!Wordle 1,663 1/6* mean: 3.75- winning: 98.3216% streak(C/M): ...

2026-01-08T03:54:05Z

!Wordle 1,663 1/6* mean: 3.75- winning: 98.3216% streak(C/M): 117/165 std dev: 0.9860- W/L/T: JvB: 27/23/33 JvOG: 39/16/28

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Ding! Ding! Ding!

An ace, #youngpups! An ace!

My apologies for leaving you tingling so long. I suppose you’re all well-tired of that…But…An ace!

I do hope the #OldGal got home safely.

Drinks are on me at the Wordle-teenth hole!

(Now I have to choose a new starter…Doh!)

That’s insane. I like the logo, btw.

2026-01-08T03:42:48Z

In reply to nevent1q…dqfg
_________________________

That’s insane.

I like the logo, btw.

Maybe I’ll try it, just to see. Generally I abhor graphics in ...

2026-01-07T20:29:44Z

In reply to nevent1q…luxt
_________________________

Maybe I’ll try it, just to see. Generally I abhor graphics in signatures from others. But I’m obviously in the minority on this.

Maybe try sharing it via iCloud Drive? It might work. Probably ...

2026-01-07T20:28:06Z

In reply to nevent1q…lwwd
_________________________

Maybe try sharing it via iCloud Drive? It might work. Probably not… 🙄

Yes. Indeed. It is the Christian thing to do. <wink> It is ...

2026-01-07T20:23:40Z

In reply to nevent1q…wsup
_________________________

Yes. Indeed. It is the Christian thing to do. <wink> It is the moral thing to do. We ^cannot^ sit idly by and watch our nation destroyed by would-be despots and tyrants.

That was my intention, until I stumbled across the MPR story. I ...

2026-01-07T20:19:56Z

In reply to nevent1q…p0h4
_________________________

That was my intention, until I stumbled across the MPR story. I have family in the Twin Cities (headed there next month), I lived there back in the late 70’s for an eventful 18 months, and I like to keep up with news there.

I gotta stay away from the news. I just gotta.

<sigh>

I can’t.

I’ll have to talk to my friends in the local ACLU chapter. I need to become more active is something like:

https://immigrantdefensenetwork.org

Can’t do it on iPadOS, either. Have you tried it with Mail on ...

2026-01-07T20:05:54Z

In reply to nevent1q…lc90
_________________________

Can’t do it on iPadOS, either. Have you tried it with Mail on MacOS?

Not that Apple is much better than other companies regarding their adoration of #AIslop, I’m pretty sure we don’t have to worry about Siri spouting sonnets any time soon.

Although, no doubt there is some high school junior desperate to complete their English assignment five minutes before it is due in class has asked ChatGPT to write one.

We are so screwed.

But I digress…

I wrote the post above ^before^ I saw the MPR story about the ...

2026-01-07T19:43:01Z

In reply to nevent1q…slkl
_________________________

I wrote the post above ^before^ I saw the MPR story about the woman just killed by ICE in Minneapolis. I thought I was making a sad, sick joke.

Less than 5 minutes later, I saw the MPR story.

#NOKINGS

Nostr event nevent1qqsp4ugrltpmd2rn3u6d6ma6wzd70c65qjfgeagtt8gmjgcza07amrczyzv020a4j8rmpvlf3p5j8697rsakyjd26mr36fuhatlv6ww5j3stsm9k56r

2026-01-07T19:25:30Z

In reply to nevent1q…7hn7
_________________________

https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/01/07/shooting-south-minneapolis-ice-agents-federal-operation

‘[Mayor] Frey said he’d seen video of the confrontation and said ICE was “already trying to spin this as an act of self-defense. That is bullshit. This was an agent recklessly using power … that resulted in someone dying, getting killed.”

“The narrative that this was done in self-defense is a garbage narrative.”’

#NoKings

Pivots? The Trump Administration is personified as a crazed ...

2026-01-07T19:19:10Z

In reply to nevent1q…n9hw
_________________________

Pivots? The Trump Administration is personified as a crazed gunman dressed in camo gear, flak vest, multiple hi-capacity ammo clips on its belt, armed with an AR-15 stuck on auto, standing on a spinning turntable with the world’s citizens in a horrified circle unable to escape.

#NoKings

Safe travels, #OldGal! Meanwhile, #youngpups, I have exciting ...

2026-01-07T19:15:11Z

In reply to nevent1q…a2jn
_________________________

Safe travels, #OldGal! Meanwhile, #youngpups, I have exciting news. But I’ll leave you tingling with anticipation for just a little while. I’m hanging out at one of my Starbucks hangouts now. Once I’m back Rosie’s studio (where I have one of my desktops), I’ll share.

Only if he stuck around for all 12 bongs. Bongs?! I’ll be back ...

2026-01-07T19:10:35Z

In reply to nevent1q…nae0
_________________________

Only if he stuck around for all 12 bongs. Bongs?! I’ll be back later, #youngpups!

✔️ Thanks for the suggestion! Are the number of complaints in ...

2026-01-07T17:09:26Z

In reply to nevent1q…uklv
_________________________

✔️

Thanks for the suggestion!

Are the number of complaints in each classification published by Apple. It might be fun to watch if they are.

Nuts! I was gonna say that!

2026-01-07T16:35:25Z

In reply to nevent1q…8prw
_________________________

Nuts! I was gonna say that!

#WritersCoffeeClub January 4: Share a tool of your trade. The ...

2026-01-06T19:14:09Z

#WritersCoffeeClub January 4: Share a tool of your trade.
The OED. Indispensable.

It’s in the OED which gives its first print citation [1900] ...

2026-01-06T19:01:38Z

In reply to nevent1q…xmw3
_________________________

It’s in the OED which gives its first print citation [1900] from a story by P.L. Dunbar. Dunbar, the son of ex-slaves, was born in the late 19th century was a poet, novelist, short story writer and lyricist. He died an early death caused by tuberculosis.

He used the word when writing in dialect. Clearly, it was in common use earlier.

Dunbar essays are due on my desk by the end of class on Friday.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Laurence_Dunbar

You definitely got more help from the clouds than me. Nice work!

2026-01-06T17:45:03Z

In reply to nevent1q…wg8y
_________________________

You definitely got more help from the clouds than me. Nice work!

Nice! You clearly had plenty today.

2026-01-06T17:43:39Z

In reply to nevent1q…flf3
_________________________

Nice! You clearly had plenty today.

#Wordle 1,662 4/6* mean: 3.75- winning: 98.3201% streak(C/M): ...

2026-01-06T17:41:50Z

#Wordle 1,662 4/6* mean: 3.75- winning: 98.3201% streak(C/M): 116/165 std dev: 0.98+ W/L/T: JvB: 26/23/33 JvOG: 38/16/28

🟨⬜⬜⬜⬜
⬜🟨⬜⬜⬜
🟨🟩⬜🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

I’m with the #OldGal on this one, #youngpups. Of the roughly 11,000 5-letter words not among the Wordle solutions, this is one that gets added? A bit of a head-scratcher if you ask me. After 3, there was only one choice. Holding my nose, I laid out the tiles and claimed victory over the #OldGal.

I tied the Bot.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

My report will be coming soon. <grin>

2026-01-06T16:48:24Z

In reply to nevent1q…rx9a
_________________________

My report will be coming soon. <grin>

<shakes head in sorrow> Thanks, Jake. I can only hope the ...

2026-01-06T05:29:00Z

In reply to nevent1q…dge7
_________________________

<shakes head in sorrow> Thanks, Jake.

I can only hope the enough Americans wake up and rise up before it’s too late. The horrors of the Third Reich and the global convulsion Hitler and the Nazis caused can’t have been completely forgotten.

More from Applebaum’s The Atlantic article today: “Most ...

2026-01-05T19:35:55Z

In reply to nevent1q…243s
_________________________

More from Applebaum’s The Atlantic article today:

“Most Americans still do want their country to stand for something other than greed, and most don’t want their expensive military to fight on behalf of Trump’s oil-industry donors.”

#uspolitics #uspol #nokings

Reading the article, I am struck by: “Back in 2019, Fiona Hill, ...

2026-01-05T17:49:16Z

In reply to nevent1q…mqmu
_________________________

Reading the article, I am struck by:

“Back in 2019, Fiona Hill, a National Security Council official in the first Trump administration, testified to a House committee that Russians pushing the creation of spheres of influence had been offering to somehow “swap” Venezuela, their closest ally in Latin America, for Ukraine.”

Putin, the Trump whisperer…God save us (says the atheist) <sigh>

#Wordle 1,661 4/6* mean: 3.75- winning: 98.3171% streak(C/M): ...

2026-01-05T17:42:17Z

#Wordle 1,661 4/6* mean: 3.75- winning: 98.3171% streak(C/M): 114/165 std dev: 0.9838+ W/L/T: JvB: 26/23/31 JvOG: 37/15/28

⬜⬜⬜⬜⬜
⬜⬜🟨⬜⬜
🟩🟩🟩⬜🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

Just an average day, #youngpups (if only that were true. What I wouldn’t give for a boring, uneventful day).

Shut out on 1, an inkling on 2; looking to eliminate letters on 3, I nearly stumbled into the answer. The #OldGal has no time for puppies today. The Bot did no better so it’s a split decision.

I’m reading Philip Bump’s “Aftermath/The Last Days Of The ...

2026-01-05T17:23:59Z

In reply to nevent1q…qvz2
_________________________

I’m reading Philip Bump’s “Aftermath/The Last Days Of The Baby Boom…” (subtitle goes on…). No doubt some future historian will describe these years as the death throes of our generation. One hopes it is not described as the death throes of the American Experiment.

#Wordle 1,660 3/6* mean: 3.75- winning: 98.3171% streak(C/M): ...

2026-01-04T18:17:16Z

#Wordle 1,660 3/6* mean: 3.75- winning: 98.3171% streak(C/M): 114/165 std dev: 0.9838+ W/L/T: JvB: 26/23/31 JvOG: 37/15/28

🟩🟨⬜⬜⬜
🟩⬜⬜🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩

I’m back in the game, #youngpups. Barely. Ties with both the Bot and the #OldGal, who, menace that she is, claims the win. <wink>

I didn’t know about the resignations. It would seem that ...

2026-01-04T18:12:53Z

In reply to nevent1q…5kkk
_________________________

I didn’t know about the resignations.

It would seem that whomever remains do not draw their lines high enough.

I’m still reeling. Late on Friday, Trump ordered the U.S. ...

2026-01-04T17:11:33Z

I’m still reeling. Late on Friday, Trump ordered the U.S. military to snatch the president of Venezuela with virtually no justification. I am not a lawyer. But even the most naive student of civics can see It is highly illegal. The most frightening part of this is senior U.S. military leaders didn’t simply say, “No.”

I weep for my country.

#uspolitics

Thank you! I’ll be back with my report tomorrow. I did manage ...

2026-01-04T01:52:05Z

In reply to nevent1q…uwup
_________________________

Thank you! I’ll be back with my report tomorrow. I did manage to keep my streak alive today. I was not in the mood for playfulness much beyond that.

Thank you! She’s a strong girl. I’m hopeful she’ll recover ...

2026-01-04T00:32:42Z

In reply to nevent1q…qtj2
_________________________

Thank you! She’s a strong girl. I’m hopeful she’ll recover quickly.

Thanks. My wife is doing as well as can be expected. Days 3 & ...

2026-01-04T00:31:42Z

In reply to nevent1q…536y
_________________________

Thanks. My wife is doing as well as can be expected. Days 3 & 4 are supposed to be the most painful post-surgery. Mostly I’m just embarrassed to be a member of the Baby Boom generation today.

I’m sorry, #youngpups. My apologies to the #OldGal. I don’t ...

2026-01-03T16:29:52Z

I’m sorry, #youngpups. My apologies to the #OldGal. I don’t think I can play today.

You are not wrong, but isn’t it the case that verified stories ...

2026-01-02T20:41:05Z

In reply to nevent1q…dzzh
_________________________

You are not wrong, but isn’t it the case that verified stories of corruption and abuse often begin with an anonymous tip?

Ye gods! The only times I see 4:30a are from the wrong side, or I ...

2026-01-02T20:28:24Z

In reply to nevent1q…hyq6
_________________________

Ye gods! The only times I see 4:30a are from the wrong side, or I am forced to conform to some airline schedule. When I am forced to confront such an event, unless coffee is magicked into my hand upon attaining a seated upright position, disaster ensues.