George Budd @Gbudd@qoto.org

What’s the worst that can happen 🖱️

So today @Teri_Kanefield put up an analysis of the problematic legal issues surrounding a gag order for Trump >>> https://law-and-politics.online/@Teri_Kanefield/111133028862927449

Rather than learn from Ms. Kanefield's vast expertise in these matters, some responses gave vent to their anger against Trump by accusing her of taking his side etc.

Listen up. Mastodon is not a cheering squad. Most of us value honest in-depth facts, even if uncomfortable, and we treasure those who contribute their time and expertise to keeping us informed.

A year ago today, a friend of mine took his own life. Outwardly things seemed fine. He had just sent me a picture of him and his wife kayaking at a state park, with beautiful scenery all around. When we got together for martial arts he always appeared happy and well balanced. But internally he was struggling with profound sadness and despair. I wish I had known. I wish he knew how much we all miss him, and how his absence diminishes the world.

#blackmastodon SHOW'EM.

#mentalhealth

Some dogs can detect bombs and drugs. And some have trouble perceiving stairs.

"Female 'Samurai'

While 'samurai' is a strictly masculine term, the Japanese bushi class (the social class samurai came from) did feature women who received similar training in martial arts and strategy. These women were called “Onna-Bugeisha,” and they were known to participate in combat along with their male counterparts. Their weapon of choice was usually the naginata, a spear with a curved, sword-like blade that was versatile, yet relatively light.

Since historical texts offer relatively few accounts of these female warriors (the traditional role of a Japanese noblewoman was more of a homemaker), we used to assume they were just a tiny minority. However, recent research indicates that Japanese women participated in battles quite a lot more often than history books admit. When remains from the site of the Battle of Senbon Matsubaru in 1580 were DNA-tested, 35 out of 105 bodies were female. Research on other sites has yielded similar results."

During WW2 the British kept captured Nazi generals and other high ranking officers in a couple of stately homes, treated them well, with good food and even trips to London for lunch. The Nazis spoke freely among themselves about important German military stuff, presumably thinking the British were either too gentlemanly or too foolish to do anything so crass as bug every room in the building.

Spoiler alert: the British had bugged every room in the building.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-20698098

One year ago, this lil hillbilly appeared in my backyard crying for help. As it turned out, she was in heat and wanted to get affectionate with every thing and everyone. We got her all fixed up and showed her that living in a house is the best. Hobbies include boxes and attacking shadows. Has a huge collection of plastic bottle caps. Her name is Peach Lorraine #CatsOfMastodon #caturday #rescuecats

📌Today at 10am ET special grand jury report in #Georgia to be released. #TrumpIndictment

When your dog thinks he's in the Matrix

The UK's Civil Aviation Authority have a brief report about what caused all the flight cancellations the other day:

https://publicapps.caa.co.uk/docs/33/NERL%20Major%20Incident%20Investigation%20Preliminary%20Report.pdf (440KB PDF)

A few interesting thoughts about their findings…

The major cause was:

> The plan included two waypoints along its route that were geographically distinct but which have the same designator.

I don't know enough about ICAO4444 / ADEXP to be sure, but it sounds like an understandable, albeit avoidable, error.

(1/n)

Kiddo and I went for a walk to get the aforementioned iPad. It's stupidly hot, so we were both in sundresses.

Honked and catcalled at so many times it was ludicrous.

I hope the women in the cars with them eviscerate them, if not for disrespect to a nearly 50yo woman and a child waiting to cross the street then for disrespect to them for doing that WHILE THEY WERE RIGHT THERE.

Do not do this. Do not honk, do not whistle, do not yell. You are not being "appreciative", you are not giving a compliment. You are harassing and advertising that you are a threat.

This is not a good survival strategy.

A day-late "Hurah!" for the men who did the first Space Strike:

Gerald P. Carr
Edward G. Gibson
and William R. Pogue

something something fully automated...