The New Coffee Room

Provides some encouragement to move more operations overseas or develop companies overseas to do the work.

@Mik said in Anyone else do the monthly Apple iPhone plan?:

I’ve e been considering taking up the guitar again, maybe buying a good acoustic.

Clickbait for @mark

Charlie Kirk’s alleged assassin wrote a note saying he planned to “take him out”, Kash Patel, the FBI director, has said.

In an interview with Fox News, Mr Patel said the note, allegedly written by Tyler Robinson, read: “I have the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it.”

His remarks do seem to lead down a very dangerous slippery slope - physically disabled, dementia patients, etc., but he didn't criticize a sacred member of the tribe so he should be ok.

@LuFins-Dad said in Time to Kash out?:
Go for life in prison.

That's a rough thing to consider for a 22 year old. I remember when the Manson women were being tried. They came to court arm in arm happy and singing. Some 50 plus years later - not so much joy.

@LuFins-Dad said in Charlie Kirk Shot:

@kluurs said in Charlie Kirk Shot:

Interesting that the story about the casings having trans focused messaging was erroneous -

One of the casings was etched “Notices Bulge, OwO, what’s this?” That’s actually a furry/trans joke. So the reports were kinda accurate.

When I had asked AI the meaning it referenced it as a furry meme. If there's more to it, I'm unaware.

Shooter ruined his life, his family's, Kirk's and horribly...Kirk's wife and two children - and for the hatred he alleged to be fighting.

I read a book about a woman who was the chief information officer for the Westboro Baptist Church. She was related to the founder and enjoyed the slogans - had definitely bathed in the Kool-Aid of her group. She was in charge of their social media strategies, "winning" the on-line battles - until she encountered a few folks who ignored the slogans and challenged her - engaged her in honest discussion. It took a bit of patience and effort, but over time, she recognized them less as "the enemy" and more as thoughtful people. She left the Church - and family - and to her credit, the book explained a bit of how Westboro became what it is - and how she sees the world now through different eyes.

I could have seen someone wanting to execute Christopher Hitchens because he clearly was leading people away from salvation. Justifying violence comes easy when you're sure of the righteousness of your cause - saving souls, saving lives, fighting hatred, etc.

One thing that I wish could be emphasized is that assassinations - whether done by pro-right or pro-left - shooting a Minnesota politician, a couple of young people working for the Israeli embassy or Charlie Kirk - typically don't do much or anything to further the cause - most often, it does the opposite. In the case of Charlie Kirk, while he said some things which I might characterize as ill-considered, I appreciate that he seemed to be willing to engage in dialogue with people who disagreed with him. That's something i think we need more of - and silencing someone who was willing to do that - is particularly sad. If he disagreed with Kirk, prepare a compelling argument and go to the rally - and argue the points - destroy the message, not the messenger.

Interesting that the story about the casings having trans focused messaging was erroneous - and much like some of the erroneous 9/11 stories from back in the day, it helps to wait a bit to react to verified information. I'm as goofy as the next person in wanting to pick up and run with something that fits my world view, so I understand why it happens and how a mob can feed on such red meat. It's human nature. Hopefully, when the dolphins evolve and take over the world, they'll do better.

We live in an era of always being on camera. In some instances, it has helped to perhaps address the worst of human behavior - but in the scheme of things as poorly as this woman's actions appear, they are by no means the worst behavior committed on that day. It is a sad thing that a camera may be present at those couple of minutes when we are not our best and be forever judged by those moments.

On the other hand, it is very, very rare that as a runner I see inappropriate behavior - but the time I did, just putting my phone in video mode seemed to make things a little calmer.

And while I have a lot of empathy and want to give police the benefit of the doubt, every once in a while there's a case that clearly demonstrates such an egregious lack of judgment as to call to question their ability to be in that profession - so perhaps a net benefit for the more transparent world in which we live. Sadly, the mob often overreacts.

Solving the problem won't come from one sector. We have 1,100 military bases with over 700 of them being overseas. DJT questioned that but now seems distracted. Eisenhower, of all people, who knew military spending better than anyone - didn't trust it. We ensure that some nations have wonderful healthcare systems and free education while denying it to our own citizenry. Something isn't working right.

I wonder if Jon's neighbors felt this way....