Hemingway described the body of an avalanche victim, a man who had wriggled his head so frantically trying to get to air that the tendons of his neck were exposed.
Thank you Papa! Man, you were dark.
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
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Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Hem's Way
Why was he so negative? Why does no one ever live happily ever after in his books? Some people really do live happy lives of noodle salad. Why were there never any winners? There are winners in life, yet one of his own collection of short stories he titled...Winner Take Nothing. God damn the pusher, Hem, lighten the fuck up whydontja.
Why did he seek out danger and pain and death, tragedy and unhappiness? Was his life in Oak Park, Illinois, the son of a physician, so maddeningly, stultifyingly boring that he had to volunteer in wars and revel in bull fights where--guaranteed!--an animal is going to get tortured and be killed or his torturer is going to be gored?
By all accounts, he had friends who liked him, children who adored him, wives who loved him, people who were not just celebrity "pilot fish", real friends, real women who loved him and whom he loved. Agnes von Kurowsky. In Farewell to Arms she is Catherine Barkley. Agnes did not die in childbirth along with her and Hemingway's son. She wrote Hemingway a Dear John letter--ooh, that is tough. She was his first love and he was much the younger. Yes, crushing. But both Agnes and Ernest moved on. People do that too you know. Agnes married twice, Ernest fo' times. People never move on from loss and tragedy in Hemingway's semi-non-fiction fiction.
Why do you have to "bleed" to write really well?
He was a total success in writing--won the fucking Nobel Prize!
What is there in Ernest Hemingway's life to be unhappy about? Okay, his father blew his brains out, BIG DEAL. Seriously, Hemingway moved on from that...until he didn't. Let me put it differently: Hemingway had fun, he was funny, he was movie star handsome, he was loved, he was an artistic and financial Winner by writing of soo much pain. I don't understand why he deliberately chose that path.
Winners and Losers, I love Ernest Hemingway's books. Can't get enough of them. Hemingway is the best writer I have ever read. His sentences are as pure and precise--and as cold as a snowflake. His books, I can't choose one there are so many brilliant ones, are second only to Marcel Proust's Remembrance of Things Past as the greatest I have ever read. I also think I would have liked Hemingway personally, if I had known him. But why did he write so brutally? I don't know.
Fat Cuban Horse on Tanking
Mark Cuban almost always has a different take on issues, any issue. Thoughtful and ingenious, he should be taken seriously on this.
Mark Cuban
@mcuban
Why the NBA should embrace tanking -
The NBA has kate [I have no fucking idea what "kate" means here.] been misguided thinking that fans want to see their teams compete every night with a chance to win. It’s never been that way that way.
When I got into the nba, they thought they were in the basketball business. They aren’t. They are in the business of creating experiences for fans.
Few can remember the score from the last game they saw or went to. They can’t remember the dunks or shots. What they remember is who they were with. Their family, friends, a date. That’s what makes the experience special.
Fans know their team can’t win every game. They know only one team can win a ring. What fan that care about their team’s record want is hope. Hope they will get better and have a chance to compete for the playoffs and then maybe a ring.
To me, that is the best point of his tweet and it is telescopic. To bring "hope" into the foreground, what fans want when they pay money to go to a game is reason-based hope that their team will win the fucking game. You can have a special experience with someone for a lot less money. Hope for the future, near-term and long-term, is important in the midground and background. Fans need all three dimensions of "hope" as any Miami "Heat" fan can tell you. "Heat" fans get the single-game experience, they're team always has a reasonable chance to win a game. It is the two hopes out of the foreground that some "Heat" fans, I and a growing number, have given up on. It's (currently) 44-38 every year.
The one way to get closer to that is via the draft. And trades. And cap room. You have a better chance of improving via all 3 , when you tank.
We didn’t tank often. Only a few times over 23 years, but when we did, our fans appreciated it. And it got us to where we could improve, trade up to get Luka and improve our team.
The nba should worry more about fan experience than tanking. It should worry more about pricing fans out of games than tanking.
You know who cares the least about tanking , a parent who cant afford to bring their 3 kids to a game and buy their kids a jersey of their fave player
Tanking isn’t the issue. Affordability and quality of game presentation are
10:04 AM · Feb 17, 2026
·1.4M Views
Monday, February 16, 2026
Google query, Google AI answer: ""what would be the effect of a prc seizure of TSMC?"
A PRC seizure of TSMC would be "absolutely devastating" to the global economy, likely triggering a depression and massive tech supply chain collapse. As the source of 92% of the world's leading-edge chips, TSMC's capture would paralyze global tech, halt manufacturing...
Global Economic and Technological Impacts:
Tech Sector Shutdown: Global technology production could come to a standstill, as the majority of advanced chips used in AI, smartphones, and defense come from TSMC.
Economic Depression: The disruption would likely cause a global economic crisis exceeding the 2008 recession and COVID-19.
Supply Chain Halt: The world would lose access to advanced semiconductors for 15-20 years.
A PRC seizure of TSMC would be catastrophically disruptive to the global economy, as TSMC produces over 90% of the world's most advanced chips. It would halt global technology production, cost trillions in revenue, break critical supply chain
Potential Global Impact
A PRC seizure of TSMC would likely trigger a global economic depression. Since TSMC produces over 90% of the world's most advanced chips, a disruption would cause massive supply chain failures for everything from smartphones and AI to military hardware.
Query: biden policy prc invasion taiwan, meaning of "unprecedented attack"
During his presidency, Joe Biden repeatedly stated that the U.S. would intervene militarily to defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion. These remarks were consistently qualified by the White House as not representing a change in the official U.S. policy of "strategic ambiguity".
Meaning of "Unprecedented Attack"
The phrase "unprecedented attack" was used by Biden during a September 2022 CBS "60 Minutes" interview to define the condition under which U.S. forces would defend the island. While the administration did not provide an official technical definition, analysts and context suggest several meanings:
A Full-Scale Invasion: When asked to clarify if "unprecedented attack" meant U.S. men and women would defend Taiwan in the event of a "Chinese invasion," Biden responded, "Yes".
Departure from Historical Norms: An attack that goes beyond past skirmishes or "gray zone" tactics, such as the 1950s Taiwan Strait Crises or recent military drills and drone incursions.
Direct Military Confrontation: It specifically implies an overt, large-scale military operation by the People's Liberation Army (PLA) rather than diplomatic or economic coercion.
Summary of Biden-Era Taiwan Policy
Strategic Ambiguity: While Biden's personal rhetoric leaned toward "strategic clarity" (openly stating the U.S. would fight), the official stance remained ambiguous to deter both a Chinese invasion and a Taiwanese declaration of independence.
One China Policy: The administration maintained the U.S. One China Policy, which recognizes Beijing as the legal government of China but allows for unofficial relations and arms sales to Taiwan.
Defense Capabilities: Under the Taiwan Relations Act, the U.S. continued to provide Taiwan with defensive weaponry to maintain a "porcupine" strategy, making the island too costly to attack.
Query: if prc seizes TSMC what should u.s. do?
If the People's Republic of China (PRC) were to seize TSMC, the U.S. response would likely involve a combination of immediate economic statecraft, military deterrence, and long-term industrial shifts. Because the U.S. maintains a policy of strategic ambiguity, there is no single pre-set script, but experts and officials have identified several key levers of response:
1. Immediate Economic and Technical Sanctions
Cutting Off the Ecosystem: TSMC cannot function as a "standalone" entity. It relies on a global ecosystem of U.S. chip design software (EDA), Japanese chemicals, and Dutch lithography machines (ASML). The U.S. would likely lead a global embargo to halt these critical upstream inputs, rendering the seized fabs inoperable for advanced production within a few years.
Invalidating Coerced Sales: U.S. authorities could invalidate any forced transfers of TSMC shares to PRC-linked entities. U.S. investors hold a significant portion of TSMC's equity (over 60% of ADRs), and the SEC could freeze these assets to prevent Beijing from gaining financial control.
2. Technological Denial (The "Poison Pill")
Remote Disabling: Both ASML and TSMC reportedly have the capability to remotely disable the most advanced extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machines if they are seized by force.
The "Broken Nest" Policy: Some U.S. and Taiwanese strategists have proposed a "poison pill" or "broken nest" strategy—the intentional destruction of TSMC's facilities to ensure they do not become a "silicon windfall" for the PRC. While controversial, this remains a discussed deterrent.
3. Military and Diplomatic Responses
Deterrence and Defense: Under the Taiwan Relations Act (TRA), the U.S. is committed to maintaining the capacity to resist force that jeopardizes Taiwan’s security. A seizure could trigger a U.S. military intervention to break a blockade or respond to an invasion, though this carries the risk of direct conflict with a nuclear-armed power.
Global Coalition: The U.S. would likely rally allies like Japan, South Korea, and the Netherlands to implement a unified front of sanctions and diplomatic isolation against the PRC.
4. Long-Term Strategic Shifts
Accelerated Reshoring: The U.S. is already working to reduce reliance on Taiwan through the CHIPS and Science Act, which provides billions in subsidies to build domestic manufacturing.
TSMC Expansion in the U.S.: TSMC is significantly expanding its footprint in Arizona, with a fourth plant recently announced. In a seizure scenario, the U.S. would likely prioritize the rapid completion of these facilities and potentially evacuate key Taiwanese engineering talent to staff them.
Potential Global Impact
A PRC seizure of TSMC would likely trigger a global economic depression. Since TSMC produces over 90% of the world's most advanced chips, a disruption would cause massive supply chain failures for everything from smartphones and AI to military hardware.
###
My take from this is that the Biden "strategic clarity" response, full-scale commitment of U.S. troops in defense of Taiwan is the only answer. The bullshit alternatives rely on "deterrence" when the question assumes that deterrence has failed.
Sunday, February 15, 2026
AIPAC: Israel First, the Dual Loyalty "Libel" Admitted, Unapologetically*
*Update
The American regime's top diplomat, Little Marco Rubio, in Bratislava, Slovakia today:
"We don't want Europe to be dependent on us, we're not asking Europe to be a vassal of the United States." We already have a vassal of the United States, Israel.
- Feb 14, 2026, 11:33 pm:
- Endorsements of 2020 Election Objectors: In the 2022 midterm cycle, AIPAC's political action committee endorsed and funded over 100 Republican members of Congress who voted against the certification of the 2020 election results. [Google search query "aipac gave money to 2020 election deniers"]
The who attempted to thwart American democracy and endorsed for reelection by AIPAC include two active participants, Jim Jordan and Scott Perry.
...
There are many important issues on which Americans disagree – but Israel should not be one of them.
I would say "There are many important issues on which Americans disagree--but arithmetic should not be one of them". AIPAC is backing those who flunked and passed arithmetic equally--as long as they can give Israel nine figures every year.
...
...We have friends from from every state and every region. ...We have friends in Congress who are
skeptical of foreign aid for any nation – except for Israel. We have friends who are pro-choice and pro-life... those who are liberal on immigration and those who want to tighten our borders, and yes, those who disagree strongly on issues surrounding the 2020 presidential election.
These disagreements are not minor. They are, in many respects, critical to the future of America. But [But you don't care. Your concern is that...] they do not determine the fate of America’s enduring commitment to the State of Israel.
...
This is no moment for the pro-Israel movement to become selective about its friends. ...
And you have not! And that's admirable of you, a little chin-leading in a bout with George Foreman but you seem confident that you can absorb the sledgehammer blows.
The one thing that guarantees Israel’s ability to defend itself is the enduring support of the United States.
Thank you for confirming Israel's vassal status to the U.S., unapologetically.
When we launched our political action committee last year, we decided that we would base decisions about political contributions on only one thing: whether a political candidate supports the U.S.-Israel relationship. Not on any other issue – just this one.
Can't make that much clearer! God, you have cleared away so much antisemitic smoke that I can see so clearly your Israel First dual loyalty.
...Israel needs America in its corner, always. ...
Yes, because Izvassal could not survive on its own. She's too weak and too comfortable having Big Bad America fight her fights for her. Wise!
Our job today, as it has always been, is to bring more people to Israel’s side...We can never let the things that divide Americans politically determine whether the United States will support Israel.
Of course you couldn't. Let American Democracy survive or not, but your First country, and its survival with unequivocal American support whether America is Democratic or authoritarian is the KEY!...You sure about that Aipie?
We must be willing to stand with those who stand with Israel.
Could you at least, as good faith in truth in labeling, call yourselves the Israel American Political Action Committee and register as an agent of a foreign government? No. They actually play a shell game with the names of their PACs to avoid being caught.]
Of course, all members of the pro-Israel community are free to set their own individual political priorities, and support candidates who meet their other political tests. That’s not only acceptable, it’s the nature of a healthy democracy.
But our organization and our PAC will not make those judgments or do that work.
Regardless if it weakens and threatens Democracy in America: not our job!
We will pool our energy, resources and support behind candidates on one single issue, regardless of any other priority. That’s why we exist, and that’s why we are successful.
Wail, Aipie, that successful biz has hit a bumpy patch, ain't it?
...
Our job is to make America’s friendship with Israel so robust, so certain, so broadly based, and so dependable that even the deep divisions of American politics never imperil that relationship and the ability of the Jewish state to defend itself.
How's that going?
Betsy Berns Korn
AIPAC President
Howard Kohr
AIPAC Chief Executive Officer
]Thank you Ko-Ko for clarifying where the Israeli Jews in America who are members of your anti-American group really stand. How's the future look for Israeli Jews like you in America? You confident, secure, safe? You sure?
###
A few years ago, a major controversy was stirred when Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, at an appearance in Washington, said “I want to talk about the political influence in this country that says it is okay to push for allegiance to a foreign country” a statement which was taken as evidence of Omar’s supposed antisemitism. Yet AIPAC itself is openly saying that its sole concern is what it sees as best for “the U.S.-Israel relationship”... https://www.972mag.com/aipac-republicans-capitol-riot-israel/
That's all accurate, isn't it Ko-Ko?
...
...in 2011, the Center for American Progress (CAP), a centrist think tank closely associated with the Democratic Party, was the target of a campaign aimed at its news blog, ThinkProgress. The charge was led by Josh Block, a former AIPAC spokesman, who would later go on to head the right-wing group, The Israel Project.
Further back in 2011, the Center for American Progress (CAP), a centrist think tank closely associated with the Democratic Party, was the target of a campaign aimed at its news blog, ThinkProgress. The charge was led by Josh Block, a former AIPAC spokesman, who would later go on to head the right-wing group, The Israel Project.
In defending his attacks on ThinkProgress, Block wrote to a reporter, “Those who accuse pro-Israel advocates and American Jews of having “dual loyalties” and being “Israel Firsters” are engaged in anti-Semetic (sic) hate speech. Period. These are age-old canards and anti-Semetic (sic) smears that go back centuries, suggesting that Jews are disloyal, alien and cannot be trusted. This kind of rhetoric has no place in civil dialogue and anyone’s politics, but especially among progressives.” In Block’s telling, no substantive proof is required to back allegations of placing Israeli interests ahead of American ones:
Well by jiggered Jo-Blo, Ko-Ko CONFIRMED the "smear" 11 years later!
The tactic was effective. Not long after the campaign against ThinkProgress was launched, most of the targeted writers left CAP. As one of them, Ali Gharib, put it later, “CAP’s positions moving forward from the attacks — including but not limited to virtually banishing criticisms of Israel and Netanyahu from our writings and, in at least one case, needlessly censoring a piece after publication — were guided by how to return to AIPAC’s good graces, often in coordination with AIPAC itself.”
I detect that Israeli American Jews are not reading from the same page of the Torah. I detect their heads are lodged somewhere in their nether regions where the air is spare and malodorous. But so far since 2024, I want to encourage all the Jo-Blos and Ko-Kos to keep on keeping on. You're learning us goyem and it is very inn-teresting, to quote Bugs Bunny.
Public Occurrences February 25, 2026
"I come from a country that ranks second in the freedom of speech index, and for me to hear lectures about free speech from a country that ranks 58th in that same index is… interesting."
European Union top diplomat and former Prime Minister of Estonia Kaja Kallas, responding to U.S. regime false claims that the EU has to improve press freedom.
European Union top diplomat and former Prime Minister of Estonia Kaja Kallas, responding to U.S. regime false claims that the EU has to improve press freedom.
Saturday, February 14, 2026
Public Occurrences February 14, 2026
Russia Murdered Alexei Navalny with Poison from Dart Frog
The foreign ministries of the U.K., France, Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands said analysis in European labs of samples taken from Navalny’s body “conclusively confirmed the presence of epibatidine.” The neurotoxin secreted by dart frogs in South America is not found naturally in Russia, they said.
A joint statement said: “Russia had the means, motive and opportunity to administer this poison.”
The five countries said they were reporting Russia to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons for a breach of the Chemical Weapons Convention. There was no immediate comment from the organization.
For All the World to See, This is Who the American People Are
And on...
[Trump's racist Obama meme is] something which had, for many years, been confined to the dustbin of history, while still very much a part of the vocabulary of white supremacists.
But something has changed.
Maybe it's social media, maybe it's something else, but something has changed. We are in a new reality where, for more than 12 hours, Trump's White House thought this was OK.
sky.com (UK)
Trump: "I looked at the beginning of it. It was fine. Nobody knew that that was at the end."
Trump said he looks at "thousands of things" when he spoke to reporters on Air Force One en route to Palm Beach.
Friday, February 13, 2026
Public Occurrences February 13, 2025
A Pilot Fired Over Kristi Noem’s Missing Blanket and the Constant Chaos Inside DHS
Thursday, February 12, 2026
Insulting Trumpists in the language of Trump
Mama Mia, Southern Dago Pamel Jo Bimbobondi on the rag spewing blood from all of her orifices! Calls Rep. Jamie Raskin "washed up loser-lawyer". Some Angry Ladies Fight On PMS! Be quiet, piggie.
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
FT High Seas 111 High Cs 123
High Ceilings enter the all-star break with a low ceiling, 29-27, .518-->4240.
Queens Rule! FT 110-107 Pigeons
Shout out and blushes to Sensitive City. Their ignore-November-and-December strategy has paid off. They blew out the Tanking Lizards 138-113 tonight in the Pawn Shop. They have won 10 of 11 now that the games "just mean more", traded for James Harden at the deadline and have home court advantage in the Least as the fourth seed. 👏Well done.
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