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Off Key - General Discussion

A place to talk about whatever you want

2.7k Topics 19.3k Posts
  • Pinned threads

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    Great!
  • End of an era?

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  • Greetings from SFO!

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    wtgW
    @Steve-Miller said in Greetings from SFO!: I’ve never had Panzanella and I want to try it. Great idea! Hey @Steve-Miller !! Winter panzanella.... Balsamic Butternut, Kale and Cranberry Panzanella https://cookieandkate.com/balsamic-butternut-kale-cranberry-panzanella/
  • Trying something new

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    wtgW
    What my Ukrainian student and her family are going through. Reuters reporting. Nearly 200,000 Ukrainians in US thrown into legal limbo by Trump immigration crackdown https://archive.is/izxz0 Our representative is quoted in the article. My student has already reached out to ask for his help in ascertaining the status of their re-parole applications, and she's asked me (as a voting constituent) to contact his office as well. This is an excerpt from the letter she sent to our congressman's office office. My family and I moved to the United States in March 2023, under the U4U program, legally and with all proper documentation. We are from Crimea—Ukrainian Crimea—which has been under Russian occupation since 2014. Those years of occupation were extremely difficult for my family. Schools and kindergartens forced children into Russian indoctrination; families were pressured to take Russian citizenship under the threat of losing access to education, healthcare, and employment. Ukrainian language and culture were suppressed, but we did our best to preserve them and to continue supporting Ukraine discreetly. After 2022, everything changed dramatically. For even a small word of disagreement with the occupation authorities, people began receiving prison sentences of 5–15 years under Russia’s so-called “law against discrediting the military.” I never planned to immigrate, but the situation forced us to seek safety, fairness, and the rule of law. Moving to the United States was a very difficult decision, but we were ready for hard work and to contribute positively to our new community. My husband is a skilled plumber and has received strong recommendations from his workplace. He also frequently provides his services for churches and charitable organizations such as the X. I received a WIOA grant from the Job Center to study at ITExpert School and make a transition into a new career. I am proud of my children as well. My older son, despite the language barrier, has been accepted into AP History, Honors Math, and Honors Physics, and he also participates in community service. My younger son is very friendly, helps his teacher with classmates who speak Ukrainian or Russian, and is a promising taekwondo athlete, already winning two gold medals and other awards. Our family is determined to contribute fairly and fully to the U.S. community, economy, and society, always respecting law and order. All we ask is for your help in securing our legal status and work authorization permits sooner (since ours have expired), so that we can continue building our future here and giving back. Thank you very much for considering this request. Yea, these are the people who need to be deported.
  • Whatever happened to...

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    I think Venice switched to a different form of government a long time ago.
  • The King and Queen at the Vatican

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    You can try to dress her up but you can't take her anywhere without that social climbing smirk on her face. Was that mean? My bad.
  • Laughter is the best medicine

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  • What about this 'house'?

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    @AndyD The one you chose is beautiful, Grade II as you know, and more manageable I would imagine than your 1st link. The 1st link is mind boggling. Grade I and that price?! I'll take the Georgian mansion in your other post. I love them as I'm sure you've noticed by now.
  • The new system

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    +1
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    Wrong.
  • What's up for Thanksgiving this year?

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    Piano*DadP
    We're heading out to Santa Fe for the week. Our sons, daughter-in-law, two step grands are joining us from Las Vegas.
  • Has Marjorie Taylor Greene ...

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    @ShiroKuro said in Has Marjorie Taylor Greene ...: Greene’s resignation from her seat could set the stage for her to seek to replace Trump in the White House in the 2028 election, and possibly become the next leader of the MAGA movement once he exits political life. So is that the real reason? No.
  • Not shocked at all

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    Thanks for the tips, @Rontuner . I think the iron I bought is faulty. It would melt a little solder and then completely fail to melt any more, even with the solder pressed against the iron.
  • The Chicago kidnappings have begun

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    RontunerR
    "Small business owners in some of Chicago’s predominantly Latino neighborhoods say business hasn’t bounced back since Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino and his team of agents left Chicago last week." https://www.wbez.org/immigration/2025/11/21/small-businesses-still-reeling-from-operation-midway-blitz
  • James Comey

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    Good post, Ax.
  • Saudi Public Investment Fund low on cash?

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    What is a trillion here or a trillion there to Saudi Arabia. Seriously.
  • We failed the young generation

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    wtgW
  • Anyone following the latest flap?

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    RontunerR
    Once again, Republicans seem to only consider laws binding if they help themselves or can be weaponized against those they want to hurt.
  • ICE agent caught in sting

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    DougGD
    A simple case of mistaken identity. (“ I THOUGHT that cop was a prostitute… “)
  • Just my luck…(health update)

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    @ShiroKuro I tried it and it works relieves the swollen feeling, though the discomfort comes back. Shall be doing it again this evening. They do say ending a hot shower with a very brief cold rinse is good for you but I'm not a fan.