WTF-Beta

@Daniel I suspect AIPAC is probably one of the reasons Ken Martin isn't releasing the report. This will hurt the party. There are way too many Democrats who want to see big money out of politics. Martin, as a fundraiser is obviously kissing a** to raise funds which will, in turn, require Democratic candidates to bend the knee to the moneyed interests sending in checks. This is no longer a viable approach for Democrats. I hear a lot of acquaintances saying they will no longer give to the DNC and prefer to send checks directly to the candidates themselves. I think this is a good idea. DNC money is as dirty as GOP money when it comes to politics and it steals politicians away from the average voter's interest. Not always, of course, but way too often.

If this goes on much longer, the guillotines will be rolling out.

The problem is not that people are getting rich, the problem is the inequality of it. For the richest to have so much more than the average worker is an obscenity, a gross side effect of unfettered capitalism. Something is structurally very, very wrong with our current economic system.

CEO Pay Soared in 2025, 20 Times Faster Than Worker's Pay

When adjusted for inflation, global worker pay declined 12% between 2019 and 2025, the equivalent of 108 days of free work during that time period. In comparison, CEO compensation increased by 54% between 2019 and 2025.

I immediately thought of you while watching this. I love her experiments.

https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:sk6jryjhuavqchpa53jlcsyu/post/3mkqrxf4txc2b?ref_src=embed&ref_url=https%253A%252F%252Fdisqus.com%252Fembed%252Fcomments%252F

You are way ahead of us, wtg. We are at the daffodil stage.

I used Brasso on my Yamaha logo and it worked great. Used Q-tips carefully.

@Mik said:

In the progressive-moderate clash roiling his new home state, Frank supports Gov. Janet Mills for Senate over Graham Platner.

Janet Mills Suspends Campaign

Mills said she does not have the financial resources to keep her campaign going. She recently stopped spending money on advertising.

The early wild flowers are back. It makes me happy to see them return year after year.

Yellow Trout Lily (Erythronium americanum)

Red Trillium (Trillium erectum)

Viola

@Steve-Miller said:

The only thing I question is this new emphasis on protein. They’re even adding it to bottled water!

Yeah, and how long before we start hearing about the bad side effects of ingesting so much protein? It seems like replacing one extreme for another. Balance should be the aim.

"Mom... Mom, can you buy us a surprise snack this week? But please spare us the butylated hydroxytoluene."

Really? Kids are reading ingredient labels these days?

How wonderful to have had that opportunity. To play it, let alone see it! Wow.

I have often wished for the ability to record and playback smells, and many times felt grateful that we don't have that ability.

“But it’s one thing to advocate something knowing that you’re going beyond the current viewpoints, and another to make it a litmus test,” he said.

This is his most important statement. The party needs to accept that Democrats are not losing on trans issues, police accountability, etc. Most of these issues are supported by large majorities of Americans. That does not mean that those issues need to be front and center in every election. It can be implied by prior statements how a candidate will vote when in office and that can be enough.

But there is a problem if we have Democrats running actively against progressive issues, or candidates taking right-wing bait and declaring that they are ready to toss progressives under the bus. Or Democrats who haven't the balls to declare their support for issues already supported by a majority of Americans. Those Democrats will bring the party down with continued losses.

For example, any Democratic candidate not willing to declare that we need to put the brakes on our continued unconditional support of Israel won't win. Any Democratic candidate who doesn't support women's right won't win. Any Democratic candidate who says they don't support socialism had better be ready to explain how they understand "socialism" and if they understand the difference to Democratic Socialism. Call those litmus tests if you want, but they are the reality.

We need to give the heave-ho to Schumer and probably Jeffries, as well as this sickening clown, DNC Chair Ken Martin. If you can watch 5 minutes of this without barfing, kudos to you.

I'm glad this topic came up.... I just checked and my passport expired at the end of January but it looks like I can renew online. OMG, I don't want the orange one's image on my passport!

What's your opinion on listening to recordings of pieces that you are working on?

I had a teacher of 10 years who was adamant (as they tend to be) that one should never listen to recordings of pieces one has in the works. I left her many years ago and got over her admonishments.

I don't tend to listen to recordings until I have done some work on a piece. But there usually comes a time when I might ask myself, 'I wonder how Arrau does this?' Or Lisitsa? Or Ohlsson? Mind you, I don't normally listen to just one recording. I find it helpful; often illuminating. One can't practice in a bubble.

Anyway, the teacher of the class I'm taking said today that he generally advises people not to listen to recordings of pieces they are working on. No comprendo.

It appears the fear(?) is that one won't develop their own voice if they listen to others, but I don't believe that would happen unless one is passive at the piano. Artists, for instance, spend time copying the masters... the masters were very good at what they did, why not check it out?

I don't spend a lot of time listening to other's playing but once in a while it really seems useful.

So, the agent ‘knew’ it was in the wrong.

The agent was oblivious--as they always are--until it was questioned. So no, I would not say it knew anything.

@Jodi Nor I. The nearest Trader Joe's is an hour away by car.

Belated Birthday greetings, Jodi! Many happy returns of the day.

@Daniel Actually, I don't think it's all dumb. I think calling it intelligence is dumb, and insulting to mankind. But the problem is the way AI is being developed and enveloping society by a handful of tech corporations, some of whom are showing clear signs of fascism. Congress should do its duty and put the brakes on AI until a clear understanding of its damaging effects is better understood. What negative side effects will AI bring? What danger will it pose to the safety of citizens? How can it be controlled by other than the profit seeking sector? The power in this country belongs to the people, not corporations who will do anything for power and money.