And this is a just plain interesting story

The National Anthem Was a 19th-Century Meme

Like many patriotic songs of its time, ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ was created by fitting a popular tune with topical new lyrics

 

Electromagnetic warfare is a thing

SpaceX beating Russian jamming attack was ‘eyewatering’: DoD official

'WASHINGTON: The US military’s electronic warfare enterprise needs to take a page from SpaceX when it comes to responding to new threats, the Pentagon’s director for electromagnetic warfare said today.'


But is Elon?

Everybody's always complaining about the cost of gas

 

Why gas cost so much in 1955

And for that 4 cents an attendant would check your oil, check your tire pressure, and wash your windshield in addition to filling up your car.

I could borrow my Dad's car, put in $1 worth of gas, go on a date, and bring the car back with more gas in it than when I left.

Of course there was the movie to pay for too—another buck. And popcorn.

And I was making 75 cents/hour mowing lawns or shoveling snow, and babysitting.

Good times.

And Ukraine. And abortion.

Jan. 6 Committee Is Battling Monkeypox, Gas Prices, Guns for U.S. Attention

At the same time, polling also indicates that Americans on both side of the aisle are growing tired of tuning into politics—a bad sign for the January 6 commission.

519 days from then until now. Today. 

I guess we're about to see how much that matters. 

Can the English language be saved?

 Not looking good. This "tweet" from EFF:

We’re hopeful that policymakers will shift in the right direction on internet policy and affirm the important role of immunity for online intermediaries in fostering an enabling environment for users’ freedom of expression.

But still, we're hopeful. But maybe it would be a good idea to start learning another one, just in case.

The fence line…

 

…and the wall

 

It's come to this

42% of Americans Say Money Has a Negative Impact on Their Mental Health

No kidding.

According to experts (who are these experts anyway, does anybody know?)…

"We can't control things like inflation, war, market cycles or economic cycles — those things are going to happen"

And…

Keeping spending within your budget may mean you have to cut certain extra things such as entertainment, travel or dining out.

In other words, it's all your fault, you mope. Suck it up.

"It's almost a grin-and-bear-it type of situation."

And don't get us started about actual health health here.

[NECN]

The rescue

 I go to the grocery store this morning and, checking out, the counter with the null line is attended by a woman of a certain age – within, say, a decade of my own, more or less — whom I've never seen there before, so probably new. I put my stuff on the belt.

She picks up the first item, a bag of green stuff with reddish stems, and says, "Rhubarb, right?"

l say, "No, it's …

"…."

And there we stand. Helpless. Locked into some kind of mutual Senior Moment. Until, finally, some kid comes along and rescues us.

It's Swiss chard. Duh.