Standards have fallen over the past couple of generations which is not to say that the US Senate wasn't without its characters over the course of its being. I'd add that the electorate-at-large is less discerning present day than at any other time in the body's history.

Because we lost manufacturing. The middle-classes derived their economic clout from manufacturing. Making things (which we now import) to sell to each other. The support industries for manufacturing were formidable. The wealth generated was spread around more equitably, if grudgingly

October '78 my wife and I were 20/22 y/o. Four year-old home $45k, 3BR, 1.5 baths, full finished basement, 1/4 acre lot, northeast suburb of Philly. Taxes less than $600.....a year(!). I was employed in manufacturing my wife held down the fort and worked to beautify our home, raise our child.

The climate demands backbone.

Hear, hear!

I'm very deserving of degraded VHS recordings. Several years ago I watched a VHS recording of Scrooge (1951) on YouTube. The experience felt so genuine with period artifacts in the recording. It was wonderful. Sadly, when I looked for it the next year it was gone.

Pending-Armageddon might very well put pause to some weekend plans.

Gold's down $200/ounce today. In the Great Long Ago, late-'70s(?) Gold was $200/ounce. Among other fluctuating indicators it's difficult to get a read on the relative value of anything.

Where charity and love prevail.

Concur, was up at the right hour by chance. We were socked-in. Still overcast. Better luck next time 😃

Word is Bond, as has been said; maybe not with as much ambiguity as I'm reading here.

YouTube video by John Carpenter Express elevator

"We're on express elevator to hell" -Pvt. Hudson

In observance of today's market activities.

youtu.be/bHzov33tgfg?...

This seeming market crash brought to you by Pent-Up Anxiety.

YouTube video by Warner Bros. Classics Ice Station Zebra | Torpedo Hatch Flood | Warner Classics

Ice Station Zebra (1968).
In honor of today's plunging markets.

"Put it in the Red" comes at 2:28

youtu.be/o9thLXcyqbo?...

Thud.

'There's something happening here...'

It will be a 'privilege' to pay $60/month (introductory price) for that.

On our backs. Well, not everyone can win the Lottery.

He should sell Senate-branded Beer, 'The August brew of that August body'.

Those random sculptures in this vein are largely intriguing. The rhino is nicely done and is a real day-brightener.

The Dow and that irritatingly resilient bitcoin.

It was that X-Files episode which got my attention. I hope that Mr. Campbell can power through this. I was stunned to see this just now.

Too bad none of 'em will see it. Even if they were to see it, they wouldn't recognize themselves. It's a 'gift'.

I made the mistake of watching this late one fall night when there was a thunderstorm rising. The windows were open and the curtains moved in the dim light like phantoms.

It really wasn't that long ago when Merrill Reese was calling this man's name in a broadcast. I can imagine my hearing that even now.

Oh, so true. There's a Twilight Zone episode which addresses precisely that.

It's an evolving and ongoing process; that's from my experience at least.

In all sincerity, here's hoping that you find each other. Best wishes.

Now that is a novel way to flaunt having a spacious freezer 😉