Random Stuff and the Administration

Well, I have not dropped off the face of the earth, I've just had too much ennui to buckle down and put words on the screen.  

Yesterday I saw the ENT, good thing.  My left ear canal has collapsed, so wax can't easily leave the area.  ENTs are good for removing the build up.  It looks like I'm back on the once a year torture plan.  I also picked up my new ear plug.  No water is allowed to enter that ear ever, so showers require a swim plug.  The technology has changed.  The top one is from 2015, the new one is from now.  It's smaller and more flexible.  It works, so that's good.  It's also easier to get in the ear, since it's flexible, and the old one is not.  The black mark on the new one is a serial number.  The ENT did say that the hole in my ear drum is not terrible, which is good.  

We have a nesting hummingbird.  This year the bird has picked a better place to build her nest.  It's really difficult to get a photo of her because of all of the leaves.  Look in the middle of the photo, about 1/3 down from the top.  Her face is in the sun, so look for the bright spot.  She's in there.  Unlike last time, I won't be taking photos of the babies, the nest is too high.  If you want to see the last nest, look at the labels, and click on the Baby Hummingbirds.

Jim took this the other night, there wasn't much color, but it was a nice sky.

47 has said, out loud, that he thinks Republicans should run the elections.  Any Democratic win is always fraud.  The Speaker of the House said he had not evidence to support that opinion, but it made sense to him.  These people are idiots.

Other odds and ends from twitter; Mark Kelly tweeted "We had a hearing on what happens when the last major nuclear treaty between the U.S. and Russia expires this week. It's nothing good. Unfortunately, reducing nuclear risk doesn't seem to be a priority for this Administration."  Then there was this: The last nuclear arms treaty between the US and Russia expires today. For the first time since 1969, there will be no treaty constraining the nuclear arms race. It's worth remembering that when Trump scrapped the Iran nuclear deal in his first term, he said he'd get a "better deal." It never happened. 

Ukraine is freezing to death.  47 is not sending any weapons, the EU is busy having meetings and clutching their pearls.  There are two primary factories producing the missiles that are taking out all of the electrical production in Ukraine.  With long range missiles, these could be destroyed.  But no.   

What they say: just give Donbas to russia to end the war. What they mean: stop defending yourself, reward russia with land it can't take from you, condemn your people to a silent genocide under occupation which we'll look away from, & start a countdown to russia's next invasion. It's just appalling.

The Washington Post has gutted the reporting it used to do.  No more coverage on Asia, Ukraine, the Middle East and many other areas.   I guess Bezos needed to save some money after spending all those dollars on the Melania movie.   

Oh, and then there was this from Dr. Oz.  "Seniors should retire later and kids put off schooling and work right out of high school. They should do this in order to make up for federal debt." Oprah owes us an apology for this fraud. 

Cactus and the Administration and Science

Greetings Earthlings.  It's been a week hasn't it?  Oh wait, it's only Tuesday.  There has been some hiking.  We're trying to get more weight bearing exercise, so we've been lifting weights more consistently, and walking more.  We've not seen much that's interesting.  

The tall plants are Chollas.  They're very unattractive, but also very successful survivors of the desert.  Each spine has a tiny hook on the end, so they can latch on and travel with you.  Carry a pocket comb to remove a pup, slide the teeth under the pup and pull it away.  Never use fingers for that.

A member of the Mammilaria family.  They're small, and sometimes live under other plants.  If you look for them, they're everywhere.

A Teddy Bear cholla.  These are wicked for sticking to your skin.  

Other than that, I have not much of interest to recount.  So, on to the horrors that is our country.

The shootings in Minneapolis have been documented up the ying-yang with video.  And yet, the administration continues to lie about it, blaming the victim of brandishing a gun and like that.  They're contemptible.  Bovino has been sent back to El Centro California, which almost counts as cruel and unusual punishment.  There are rumors that the poison dwarf, Stephen Miller, may be thrown under the bus for his role in inciting violence by ICE.

Trump  has been threatening us with a $300 billion tax increase (a 100% tax on Canadian imports), the largest tax hike ever, because Mark Carney made a fool out of him at Davos.  Apparently he has backed down on this threat after Canada said they were not pursuing a free trade agreement with China.  

The soon to be announced EU / India trade agreement will see a seismic shift in global trade. The impact on both China and the US is going to be felt for generations to come. This opens many markets for trade.  The US has no involvement here, as you recall, the EU put the recently negotiated trade agreement with the US on hold.

This is not good.  "The International Monetary Fund is preparing for the possibility of a rapid sell-off of US dollar-denominated assets, its managing director, Kristalina Georgieva, said," per Euractiv. Also not good is the current price of gold and silver.  When people have lost faith in the dollar, they head for metals.  

This is a good article about how Secretary of the Treasury, Scott Bessent, is not helping things.  I enclose an excerpt.

It doesn’t reflect well on a treasury secretary when the price of gold goes through the roof. As I explained in October (“Gold Is Booming and That’s Really Bad News”), it means people expect higher inflation and are losing faith in the stock market along with the overall health of the economy. In such moments, Wall Street longs for a steady hand at the helm. Instead, they get Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent hurling insults in every direction and giving every impression that he’s about to have a nervous breakdown.

Bessent previously enjoyed a reputation as the sole grown-up in Trump’s Cabinet. But at Davos last week, Bessent engaged in a frantic sort of MAGA minstrelsy, or possibly he converted under duress into a true-believing thug. I’m not sure it matters. But the more Bessent shoots his trash-talking mouth off, the more the dollar’s value falls and the higher the price of gold rises. Probably the best thing Bessent could do right now—for himself, for the dollar, and for your 401(k)—is to shut the fuck up.

Canada is still mulling over which aircraft to buy.  The F-35 order appears to be in jeopardy.  Sweden makes the Gripen, which is a seriously good airplane, and it's not from the US.  I cut and pasted this off twitter.  

The Gripen E outperforms the F-35 in key areas: quicker acceleration, higher top speed, longer range, shorter and narrower runway requirements, superior maneuverability, lower maintenance downtime, and better value - we can acquire more jets per dollar. 

Meanwhile, U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra warns that if Canada skips the 88 F-35s, American F-35s will need to fly over our airspace to defend the Canadian North. Good luck enforcing that! It appears Americans are intent on terminating the Canada United States relationship.

From whom would the US be defending Canada?  Greenland, perhaps.  You don't get to violate a country's airspace.  They could shoot us down.  The F-35 is a maintenance hog, their reliability numbers are bad.

I find this to be extremely interesting.  There is still a fair amount of science posted on twitter, which is where this came from .  It's worth a read, especially if you're plagued by kidney stones.

For decades, doctors believed the most common kidney stones (calcium oxalate) were lifeless lumps formed purely by chemistry—minerals building up in the kidney. ​A groundbreaking study published this month (Jan 2026) by UCLA Health has proven this wrong. ​ Using high-tech fluorescence microscopy, researchers discovered that these stones actually contain live bacteria and fungal-like biofilms "entombed" inside them. The bacteria act as a scaffolding (nidus), allowing the minerals to crystalize and grow layer by layer. ​ This solves a long-standing medical mystery: Why do patients sometimes get severe infections (sepsis) after stone-breaking treatments (lithotripsy), even when their urine was sterile? The answer: breaking the stone releases the bacteria trapped inside. ​This could revolutionize treatment, shifting focus from just diet changes to targeting the hidden microbiome within the kidney.                                      Journal Reference: Wong, Gerard C. L. et al, Intercalated bacterial biofilms are intrinsic internal components of calcium-based kidney stones, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2026). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2517066123. https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2517066123

Pretty cool, eh?

Davos

There has been riding.  We saw this the other day.  Here we have a pot with a saguaro skeleton in it.  The pot has a lizard attached to the outside.  It's really attractive.

This is the house next door.  I really like this paint color.  If you look at the shrubs that are up against the wall, they're almost the same color.  Those are Brittlebush.  They're very hardy, and self seed like crazy.

Other than that, we're completely and totally unexciting.  Maybe we should paint something.  Or not.

47 has been on a tear.  Monday he gave a three hour press conference in which he raised old grievances, complained about Greenland, and told lies.  Three hours is a long time to talk.   Then he got on a plane for Davos.  His first set back was a mechanical that caused the plane to have to return to base.  He ended up being three hours late upon arrival.  

This is an interesting photo of how the arrival went.  If I could embed the video you would see him walking down the red carpet with two members of his security walking behind him.  I think this may not be AI, Russia carried the video as well.  Even if it is AI, it's a nice image for him.

His speech was predictably obnoxious, he insulted NATO repeatedly saying they had given us nothing in 30 years.  I wonder how the families of the NATO soldiers who died in Afghanistan after 911 feel about that statement.  The good news is that he has backed down on invading Greenland.  There is supposed to be some sort of long term frame work put in place, which means nothing will happen.  

Other things that I have cut and pasted off twitter are here.

Prime Minister Carney received a standing ovation.  That has happened only three times, I think the other two were Mandela and Zelenskyy.  Here is a frequently quoted excerpt.

"American hegemony in particular helped provide public goods, open sea lanes, a stable financial system, collective security ... this bargain no longer works.  Let me be direct: we are in the midst of a rupture, not a transition. Over the past two decades, a series of crises in finance, health, energy, and geopolitics laid bare the risks of extreme global integration. More recently, great powers began using economic integration as weapons. Tariffs as leverage. Financial infrastructure as coercion. Supply chains as vulnerabilities to be exploited. You cannot “live within the lie” of mutual benefit through integration when integration becomes the source of your subordination."  

Full text of speech is here. 

47 covered himself in glory when he said that Canada could not exist without the US.  "Canada lives because of the United States - remember that Mark, the next time you make your statements."

The EU realized that Trump will raise tariffs for any reason, a deal with him is worthless, so they terminated the deal they made last year. The European Parliament has decided to freeze the approval of a trade agreement with the United States. The decision was reported by the news agency AFP and the French newspaper Le Monde. The trade agreement between the European Union and the United States was concluded in July. On Saturday evening, leaders of the largest political groups in the European Parliament said they would not vote in favour of the EU’s trade deal with Washington. According to Le Monde, the leader of the Socialists and Democrats group, Iratxe García Pérez, said there is now a “broad majority” among the political groups in favor of freezing the agreement. 

Bessent was asked about these two events.  He blew them off, characterizing them as insignificant.

Danish pension fund AkademikerPension announces they will sell all US Treasuries by month-end, citing "rising credit risk" under President Trump. The fund's CIO says US finances are no longer "sustainable," due to weak fiscal discipline, a softer Dollar, and Trump’s push for Greenland.

Sweden’s pension fund Alecta has divested most of its U.S. Treasury holdings, citing increased risk and unpredictability in U.S. politics. The sell-off totaled roughly 70–80 billion SEK ($7.7–8.8B) - Reuters

Anyway, 47 has given up his plans for invasion.  So now we wonder where he is sending the two battalions of the 11th Airborne division.  Perhaps martial law is back on the table.  Who knows.

 

I swear the uncertainty is sucking the life out of me.  The financial talking heads have spent the last two days forecasting everything from economic slow down to runs on the banks.  The stock market has been whip-sawed as well.

 

So, that's what I know. 

 

There is a massive geo-magnetic storm in progress, it's a big one.  I don't remember where this was taken, it's impressive.

 

Today in Dementia

This was on the front page of the Washington Post this morning.  Apparently our president really has lost his mind.

Here is the message he sent.  This should be the first exhibit in a case for the 25th Amendment removal from office. 

Dear Ambassador:  
 President Trump has asked that the following message, shared with Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, be forwarded to your [named head of government/state]

“Dear Jonas: Considering your Country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped 8 Wars PLUS, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace, although it will always be predominant, but can now think about what is good and proper for the United States of America. Denmark cannot protect that land from Russia or China, and why do they have a “right of ownership” anyway? There are no written documents, it’s only that a boat landed there hundreds of years ago, but we had boats landing there, also. I have done more for NATO than any other person since its founding, and now, NATO should do something for the United States. The World is not secure unless we have Complete and Total Control of Greenland. 

Thank you! President DJT”

As you no doubt recall, this is the history of when the US bought the Virgin Islands, and signed over Greenland to Denmark.  This issue really is closed.

The US bought the Danish West Indies during 1916. The two sides agreed to a sale price of $25,000,000. As part of the sale, the United States accepted a Danish demand for a declaration stating that they would "not object to the Danish Government extending their political and economic interests to the whole of Greenland". Although the US had a claim on northern Greenland based on explorations by Charles Francis Hall and Robert Peary, the United States decided that the purchase was more important, especially because of the nearby Panama Canal. Historian Bo Lidegaard questions the utility of such a declaration, as the country had never disputed Danish sovereignty.

Denmark is not going to Davos.  I guess they've had enough of 47, and are taking some time away from him. 

Hot Water Tank and the Administration

We've been hearing the hot water heater popping when it's heating water.  That's a sign that sediment from our very hard water is precipitating out, covering the bottom of the tank.  When water gets hot, it boils underneath that layer and then bubbles up and pops.  It's not difficult to drain and flush, you just have to do it.  So today we did.  

Fifty feet of house were required to get the water down the driveway.  Here it is, water coming out of the tank.

There is sediment in the water.  It's really hard to see because it's in the water, the sun is really bright and the camera can't really focus on it.  See the white patches on the road - sediment. 

It looks like we'll be having some cactus death.  This part of the Mexican Fence Post is dying.  There is another arm that is leaning.

There are two more arms that are leaning, as well.  There is one that's still green on top, and one that is yellowed in front.  There is nothing to be done about this, eventually they'll fall down.  There is a dying arm in the middle of the plant, and another one in front of the tall leaner.  None of my photos are particularly good.

Well, this has been a very full week in the US government.  This is one of my favorites.

“One of ours, all of yours.” 
That was the slogan behind the 1942 annihilation of Lidice in the Nazi Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia, in what is now the Czech Republic. Czech resistance fighters assassinated Reinhard Heydrich, a senior SS leader and one of the principal architects of the Holocaust. Hitler and Himmler ordered the complete destruction of Lidice as collective punishment and a warning. All men over 15 were executed. Women were deported to Ravensbrück. Children were either murdered in gas vans or taken from their families and placed with SS households for forced “Germanization.” The Nazis also systematically abused and tortured dogs, primarily as part of their racial ideology and military programs.  

Kristi Noem, Secretary of DHS thinks its appropriate to have this slogan printed on her podium when she's speaking.  Nice, really nice. 

Canadian Prime Minister Carney went to China.  Here is his synopsis. "We’re removing trade barriers to unlock billions of dollars in business for Canadian farmers, fish harvesters, and workers across agri-food sectors. By March 1, we expect that China will lower tariffs on Canadian canola from 84% to about 15%, and that Canadian canola meal, peas, lobster and crab will no longer be subject to the anti-discrimination tariffs." Canada is moving on without us.

Mr. Carney stopped in Qatar on the way back from China, and then on to Davos.  Busy Busy.

47 continues to demand ownership of Greenland.  If he invades, this will be the end of NATO.  It's hard to believe he's still going on about this.

-74% of all insulin used in America comes from Denmark. 
-100% of all Ozempic used in America comes from Denmark 
-15% of all shipping containers arriving in America come from a Danish company 
All 3 are being discussed within Denmark to halt. 

His current position is give us "Greenland or we will increase taxes on American citizens for things that they buy."  He thinks that he can tariff part of the EU if he doesn't get his way. It doesn't work that way.  EU is a trading block, tariff one you tariff them all.  The good citizens of the US actually pay the tariffs, he's shooting us in the head to try to get his way.  So, threatening tariffs is not the win that he thinks it is.

Minneapolis continues to be a misery.  He's now threatening to declare an insurrection and bring in 1,500 people from 11th Airborne who are currently based in Alaska.  One wonders how that will work out.

OK, I am now sufficiently depressed.  Enough.

Shocks and a Ride

This morning we were on the phone to the HVAC guy early.  It's cold and dry here, and the wearing of polar fleece pants makes static electricity.  Last night Jim got up to adjust the thermostat.  From down the hall I heard the zap of his finger touching a button.  He killed the thermostat.  So, if your house has an issue with static electricity, ground yourself prior to adjusting the temperature.  We're very happy they were able to get out here today and install a new one.

Today we were able to ride.  It was good, it's been really windy the last few days.  I suppose we could have ridden, but I would rather not.  Anyway this is what we saw today.  I believe it's a Cardon.  I could be wrong, there are many cacti with this general shape.  The cactus in the back is a Saguaro.

This is a deer who is not afraid of people.  I guess she spends enough time in the neighborhood that she knows no one will shoot her.  Out in Tucson Mountain Park they run, so they know the bow hunters might get them.

Yesterday we were out in the yard doing nothing, and I pulled the fruits off the red barrel cactus.  One of them had a hole in the bottom, and released all the seeds.  There are many.  I've always wondered what was inside, so now we know.  See all of the little black dots?  Seeds.  Those all came from the one fruit on the end. 

Today 47 flipped off an auto worker at the River Rouge Ford plant.  The worker called him a pedo protector.  He's right.  Such a classy move from a world leader.

That's it!  That's all I've got.