Steve

So frustrating -- I just got a generic letter from one of the senators that supposedly is representing the state - his subject line is "The Schumer Shutdown Must End Immediately" -- I just sent him a quick note taking exception ; this is failure of Congress to work together -- do the job !

YouTube video by Global News Former US president Ronald Reagan FULL 1987 speech on tariffs and free trade

Make up your own mind - President Reagan's radio address on tariff's in full context -- www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fogg...

Looking for a Thanksgiving weekend hike?

Limberlost Forest & Wildlife Reserve

Open to the public 9-5

Multiple easy to moderate trails.

Huntsville, Ontario

limberlostforest.com/activities/h...

#Canada
#Ontario

Trump's Gaza plan is a significant step - but faces fundamental obstacles The proposal may shift the focus towards negotiation, but longstanding issues mean achieving peace will be difficult.

Latest proposal for Gaza has good points - but how do you negotiate peace without involving the Palestinians ? The BBC did a good job putting into perspective - points taken from previous proposals made by others and thin on details.
www.bbc.com/news/article...

Obama: We have to recognize that on both sides there are people who are extremists 

But I will say that those extreme views were not in my White House. I wasn’t embracing them. I wasn’t empowering them. I wasn’t putting the weight of the government behind extremist views.

As Android developer verification gets ready to go, here's a new reason to be worried An Android SDK update raises questions about the impact of developer verification on users' ability to sideload apps when offline.

As Android developer verification gets ready to go, here’s a new reason to be worried - https://www.androidauthority.com/android-sideload-offline-3598988/

The US is at a dangerous crossroads after Charlie Kirk shooting This moment has parallels with other periods of discord in US history, but it is more complicated than simply repeating them.

Well said

www.bbc.com/news/article...

TACO

How to poop outdoors in a way that won’t harm the environment and other hikers Most people want to properly dispose of their waste, but they’re typically not prepared. Land managers can help users meet the moment.

💩 Have to sh— in the woods during a hike or camping trip?

Do it right.

Improper waste disposal can harm water, wildlife and fellow hikers.

Tips for leaving no trace:

How Trump's tariffs are pushing food and drink exporters closer to China Agricultural brokers tell the BBC there has been a surge of interest from exporters in trade with China.

www.bbc.com/news/article...

No surprise - restrict trade to US; business goes elsewhere. China showing what steady long term consistent planning can do -- success has been accelerated with current regime in US. simple economics 101

Lisa Simpson standing on a stage in front of a projector screen. The words on the screen are "If you're afraid that books might change someone's thinking, you're not afraid of books, you're afraid of thinking."

🪬🧿 #simpson #books #thinking #reading #education #wisdom

Legal Issues Raised by a Lethal U.S. Military Attack in the Caribbean The Trump administration’s extraordinary lethal attack on this purported smuggling vessel raises significant potential legal issues.

www.justsecurity.org/119982/legal...

IMHO - this adminstration continues to look for events that will be their "Reichstag Fire" to get the green light to consolidate power with one person.

Scene from "Sound of Music" with Julie Andrews twirling in a meadow with the text "Me not caring about 2 rich people getting engaged.

Linux Turns 34 Today! 🥳 🐧

From 1991 to 2025, it’s been 34 years of freedom, open source, and innovation.

view from top of mountain

young deer observing us as we pass on trail

hiking in Georgia, US .. Yonah Mountain

Trump still working to find his Reichstag Fire

Helen Mirren decries condescending attitudes towards couples in their 80s Actor says she finds the condescension she faces when holding hands with her husband in public insulting It’s a sight that makes even the most hard-hearted millennial coo: an octogenarian couple expressing their affection towards one another. But Helen Mirren has railed against being so “insulting”, saying such condescension makes her want to tell people to “fuck off”. Continue reading...

Helen Mirren decries condescending attitudes towards couples in their 80s

Private browsing: What it does – and doesn’t do – to shield you from prying eyes on the web Private mode browsing is a useful way to cover your online tracks. Just don’t read too much into the word ‘private.’

Important information for anyone who uses “Private” or “Incognito” mode browsing: it’s not really that private.

Private browsing mode does not prevent your employer, school or internet service provider from seeing your web activities.

buff.ly/SaLbYmg

Trump is losing his foolish trade war. This will cost ordinary Americans greatly | Steven Greenhouse Trump’s trade war has pushed up inflation, slashed US job gains, slowed economic growth and caused the manufacturing sector to sputter

Trump is losing his foolish trade war. This will cost ordinary Americans greatly | Steven Greenhouse

Dawn

The Ampace Andes 1500 Power Station is my go-to portable power station for picnics and camping The Ampace Andes 1500 is a very special power station, offering a balance between portability and power. Let me tell you how I use it!

The Ampace Andes 1500 Power Station is my go-to portable power station for picnics and camping - https://www.androidauthority.com/ampace-andes-1500-power-station-review-3582361/

Guy thing - our hazard was making creepy crawlers :)
Sadly - with the ban of the incandescent light bulbs that were used in these fun toys, the ones from "back in the day" are obsolete. Just did a quick search - I did not realize there is a modern alternative available - cool

'Nightmare' tariff wall emerges for US companies Businesses both small and large are already reckoning with Trump's tariffs, and new levies are set to start this week.

To me, this should be getting more emphasis, trade "deals" are no deal for anyone.

BBC notes "In general, goods coming into the US are to be taxed 10% to 50%, depending on their origin, compared to an average tariff rate of less than 2.5% at the start of this year. "

www.bbc.com/news/article...

US-China Trade War Tariffs: An Up-to-Date Chart

www.piie.com/research/pii...
MEGA supporters note "wonderful" trade agreements -all that has been done is reduce from the threatened tariffs (taxes) -- but still raising costs for goods to US consumers. Here we go from ~20% both ways to high (2x) tax coming in. Links to show full impact ?

Facts matter.

Rainbow with Niagra Falls in background

Still amazes me the pictures you can capture with cell phone .. Rainbow over Niagra Falls ..looking from Canadian side