.
Not everyone needs to be understood—especially if they’re a gnome whispering nonsense at a rake
I have had numerous close buddies of mine who have died over drugs, or drug related effects. It's horrible, but true. This little video BELOW brought back all sorts of memories. And reminders.
I suggest you all watch it. It's real and it's raw.
Thankfully, I never had the horrific experience that this man had. But Jesus!
My Ex-Wife Cheated While Using Drugs with a Stranger, and He Died in Our Bed
Iran Foreign Minister Publicly REFUTES Trump: No Ceasefire and No Surrender
Duh! In the middle of successful negotiations, the USA blew up the building killing everyone. Then a second set of negotiations. And again, the USA blew up the building killing everyone. Now trump is saying that Iran wants a third attempt. Is he crazy? -MM
The Foreign Minister of Iran has publicly contradicted US President Donald Trump, who said earlier today "Iran wants to talk."
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi made clear during a televised interview with NBC, that Iran REFUSES to engage in Ceasefire Talks, and will NOT surrender.
He went on to say “The fact is that we don’t have any positive experience of negotiating with the United States. You know, especially with this administration. We negotiated twice last year and this year, and then in the middle of negotiations, they attacked us,” Araghchi said. “So we see no reason why we should engage once again with those who have, who are not honest in negotiation, and they don’t and do not enter into negotiation in good faith.”
U.S. Just INVADED Ecuador!! Here’s Why!
The reality is so absurd.
WTF?
Sir Whiskerton and the Gnome’s Secret Code: A Tale of Backwards Whispers, Bewildered Farmers, and a Very Confused Rake
Ah, dear reader, gather ‘round for a tale so delightfully silly that even the scarecrow might question its sanity. Today’s adventure begins with Gnomeo, the farm’s resident trickster, who claims to speak a language so secret, so profound, that only the wisest (or most gullible) can decipher it. What followed was a symphony of backwards whispers, a farmer’s existential crisis, and a rake that—against all odds—became the farm’s most sought-after therapist. So, tilt your hat (or your entire worldview) and join me for Sir Whiskerton and the Gnome’s Secret Code.
The Language of Gnomes (Or So They Say)
It all began when Gnomeo, perched atop a mushroom like a tiny, pointy-hatted dictator, announced his latest discovery:
- “Behold!” he declared, stroking his beard. “I speak Gnome-ish—the ancient tongue of my people. It sounds like whispering… but backwards.”
Sir Whiskerton, ever the skeptic, flicked an ear. “That’s just whispering with extra steps.”
Undeterred, Gnomeo demonstrated:
- “Emoclew,” he whispered reverently. (“Welcome” backwards, for the uninitiated.)
- “Yadhtrib,” he added, nodding sagely. (“Birthday”, apparently.)
- “Now try saying ‘haystack’ backwards,” he urged. “It’s life-changing.”
Porkchop the Pig squinted. “So… ‘kcatsyah’ is wisdom?”
“Exactly,” Gnomeo said, as if this clarified everything.
The Farmer’s New Best Friend
The real chaos began when the farmer, ever eager for “enlightenment,” overheard Gnomeo’s nonsense.
- “Fascinating!” the farmer gasped. “A language only the pure of heart can understand!”
Before Whiskerton could intervene, the farmer knelt before a rusty rake leaning against the barn.
- “Tell me your secrets, wise one,” the farmer whispered.
A pause. A breeze. Then—
- “Ekat em ot eht nekcihc,” Gnomeo “translated” from behind a bush. (“Take me to the chicken”, or so he claimed.)
The farmer’s eyes widened. “You’re oddly insightful.”
And so, the farmer spent the next hour in deep conversation with the rake, nodding solemnly as Gnomeo fed him increasingly ridiculous translations:
- “The rake says… you should wear your boots on your hands tomorrow.”
- “The rake strongly suggests talking to the scarecrow about its ‘trust issues.’”
- “The rake believes… squirrels are government spies.”
Sir Whiskerton watched, his face-pawing reaching Olympic levels.
The Moral of the Story
Eventually, the farmer wandered off, muttering about “rake therapy,” and Gnomeo collapsed into giggles.
- “Why let the truth get in the way of a good joke?” Gnomeo wheezed.
Whiskerton sighed. “Not everyone needs to be understood, Gnomeo. But you? You deserve to be put in time-out.”
Moral: Not everyone needs to be understood—especially if they’re a gnome whispering nonsense at a rake.
Post-Credit Scene
The next morning, the farmer introduced the rake to the hens as the farm’s new “emotional support tool.” Doris, ever dramatic, immediately asked it for relationship advice.
Best Lines:
- “Say ‘wheelbarrow’ backwards. Now weep.” – Gnomeo, faux-mystic
- “The rake’s silence speaks volumes.” – Farmer, deeply invested
- “I’ve decoded Gnome-ish! It’s nonsense.” – Sir Whiskerton, exhausted
Starring:
- Gnomeo (Tiny Con Artist)
- The Farmer (Gullible but Well-Meaning)
- Sir Whiskerton (Long-Suffering Genius)
- The Rake (Silent MVP)
Key Jokes:
- Gnomeo claiming “Yadhtrib” is the Gnome-ish word for “serenity.”
- The farmer offering the rake a cup of tea.
- Rufus the Dog howling “Em pleh” (“Help me”) backwards, then forgetting why.
P.S.
Remember: If someone whispers “Erom ym tsohg” at you, just nod and walk away. (Probably.)
The End.
If the United States launches a full-scale attack on China, and joins forces with Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, Italy, the Philippines, India, and Israel to attack China, how long can China persist?
China is ready.
The countries you mentioned can prepare in advance the draft treaties on cession of territory and payment of compensation after defeat and submit them to us for review.
You are not naive enough to think that there will be no cost for actively provoking China with force, right?
Do you imagine that you are like a movie director who can shout "Cut!" at any time?
No! You can't stop the war at any time after you start it!
Once a war breaks out, the initiative of the war will no longer belong to the countries you mentioned. The location of the battlefield and the duration of the war will no longer be controlled by the countries you mentioned, but by China.
Napoleon once said, ‘China is a sleeping giant. Let China sleep, for when she wakes, she will shake the world.’
She's already awake, and you're still trying to provoke her. You're simply courting death.
Is China’s GDP Actually 3 Times Larger Than America’s?
Can a rich family attain liberation (Moksha) as it has too much money to spend and will use the money only for material (temporary) enjoy?
I follow Deng Xiaoping
He has the perfect philosophy when it comes to the Rich and the material enjoyment
Any man who grows rich, has the right to grow as rich as possible provided the money he earns benefits the community at least twice more than it benefits him
In short if a man earns ₹100/- more than the money needed to live a comfortable life , then his benefit should be ₹33/- and the benefit to the community / people should be ₹67/-
Simple as that
Any man who doesn't follow this rule will have his extra money taken away by the State and used for prosperity of the community
This is called Capitalism with Chinese Characteristics
It is basically progressive taxation where the rich have to pay more taxes than the low income
It is why China has CAPITALISTS BUT NOT A CAPITALIST CLASS
People who follow this are respected greatly
People who DARE question this incredible philosophy are RUTHLESSLY CRUSHED INTO SUBMISSION 👏👏👏
The laymans version is
Become Rich but ensure your economy around you becomes richer
Its why you won't find any other country where a Top Surgeon has no problems when his per surgery fees are capped at 35000 Yuan ($ 4,655) and he averages 300,000 Yuan a year when he can make $ 1.5 Million a year in US or SGD 1 Million a year in Singapore
Yingming is among the wealthiest Chinese today
Yet his profits are capped at 18%
The State ensures that Bytedance spends a minimum of 12% Revenue or 36% Profits in Research, Development and Fostering Civilization (Basically for Education and Programs)
In addition to taxes!!!!
Does he care?
Nopes
To him, he makes 240 Million Yuan a year ($ 34 Million) and that's enough for him and his entire family to live a very luxurious life, a super luxurious life
That he could be making 500–600 Million Yuan a year if the Dividend caps were removed, is not even in his mind
He has a duty to his civilization as a rich man, exactly as Deng Xiaoping envisioned many years ago
So a Rich family that spends money on itself will never attain Moksha
That includes Thelawallahs who create absolutely zero wealth and whose entire strategy is patronage and corruption
They are part of a CAPITALIST CLASS
A Cancer to Society and Economy
Remember - Capitalists are fine, A Capitalist Class is terrible
So I believe the Chinese Strategy is the best
- Capping how much money someone can have to live a comfortable life
- Ensuring every dollar earned beyond that, must enrich the community more than the Individual or his family
A truth about the USA
Tariffs are a headache but have a surprise upshot: the U.S. is raking in billions more than expected. What are your thoughts on this?
As a billionaire POTUS, Trump is always expecting this :
However the outcome after reality check is this :
Only when these two largest economies can sit together talking in Chinese terms & conditions in accordance with WTO’s rules & regulations, then the global economy will be bright.
Another Chinese Dollar-Killer: Gold For Oil
If you've got oil, China's got gold–the second-most traded financial commodity after the dollar.
Godfree Robert
As we saw in China’s Dollar Killer is a Stablecoin?, the US Treasury is playing defense against China’s mBridge, currency swaps and stablecoin. Now Beijing has opened a fourth front in its attack on dollar hegemony: paying for imports in gold. Tons of gold.
De-dollarization is unfolding in central bank FX reserves, where the share of USD has slid to a two-decade low. In fixed income, the share of foreign ownership in the U.S. Treasury market has fallen over the last 15 years, pointing to reduced reliance on the dollar. De-dollarization is most visible in commodity markets, where a large and growing proportion of energy is being priced in non-dollar-denominated contracts. – JP Morgan, July 01, 2025.
If you sell a supertanker of oil to a Chinese refinery for $240 million you’ll incur transaction costs in the millions: the dollar is losing value daily, SWIFT takes forever, will charge you $4.8 million and expose you to US Government scrutiny. “Or,” asks your Chinese buyer, “Shall we simply pay you in gold?”
How it works
The People’s Bank of China, with 2,250 tons of gold in its vaults worth $243,000,000,000, also owns the Shanghai Gold Exchange, the world’s largest physical gold trading floor. Your buyer will exchange your 1 million barrels of oil for 1.2 tons of gold, so the PBOC delivers your 1.2 tons to the International Gold Delivery vaults it also owns in Hong Kong, from where you can send it anywhere.
Big Picture
Gold for Oil is another strategic initiative to bypass dollar-denominated trade, reduce reliance on Western financial networks and secure energy supplies. It
- weakens the petrodollar system that has propped up dollar demand since the 1970s and
- encourages Iran, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia to accept non-dollar payments.
- reinforces the idea of gold as a neutral reserve asset in the midst of currency wars
- locks in oil supplies without FX risks
- fuels the China-Russia-Iran commodity-backed financial bloc,
- challenges Western monetary hegemony,
- erodes dollar dominance,
- protects sanctioned partners,
- builds a parallel, gold-anchored trade system,
- accelerates de-dollarization, a core BRICS strategic goal.
- and above all, it’s working – JP Morgan testified.
Watch/Read
China is aggressively dumping U.S. Treasuries, building yuan trade systems, and creating alternatives to SWIFT. This isn’t symbolic. It’s systemic.
Cloud Capital–Yanis Varoufakis
The Creature from Jekyll Island. The creation of America’s privately owned Federal Reserve and its role in war-making.
Stablecoins: FDIC bailouts, redemptions and run risks: who bails out stablecoin issuers?
The stablecoin loophole that could expose the EU.
Stablecoins Are WORSE Than CBDCs! with Mark Goodwin.
As of July 17, 2025, BRICS consists of nine member countries: Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates. The original five members (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) were joined by the four new members (Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, UAE) on January 1, 2024. Saudi Arabia has not formally joined, but participates in some BRICS activities as a partner. Another 40 countries have expressed interest in joining, with 24 (including Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, and others) formally applying for membership or invited as partner countries.
How do prisoners who are serving a life sentence manage to find any purpose to live?
I was locked up and had a cellmate who had been locked up for over 40 years. He got locked up for murder when he was 19. He's been in prison longer than I've been alive. He was a no bullshit kind of guy, which I respected. He was pretty smart as well. He read all types of shit. From Nietzsche to fucking Highlights.
He worked out in our cell right after I got done doing my thing. We had good conversations, and for an old biker, he was a pretty solid guy.
One night, I asked him how he has been able to keep his sanity being locked up for so long and knowing he's gonna die in prison. His only reply was, “What makes you think I still have my sanity?”
They LIED abt China! America can't compete with China's infrastructure! (Insane food)
Apricot Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 fryer, cut up
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1/3 cup teriyaki sauce
- 2 tablespoons apricot preserves
- 1 tablespoon minced onion
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- Coat chicken with flour; brown slowly in hot oil.
- Combine remaining ingredients. Pour evenly over chicken.
- Cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 45 minutes, or until chicken is tender, turning over once.
What happens to soldiers when they see enemy tanks?
Most often, you hear an enemy tank long before you see it.
Good soldiers will be prepared. The guy who spots the tank first will (calmly) inform his comrades: “Tank at 600 meters, left of the barn on the edge of the forest!”
If they haven't done so already, the anti-tank team in your squad or platoon will ready their weapons.
Most of the time, the tank will be out of range of your weapons, especially if you only have RPGs and not a modern anti-tank guided missile like a Milan, Javelin, or N-LAW. This means the anti-tank team will need to get closer to the target (if you decide to engage).
A Ukrainian soldier with a N-LAW ATGM (anti tank guided missile). Modern anti-tank tank weapons have made the hunt for enemy tanks much safer but it's still not without risks. (Picture: AFU)
This is the dangerous part of the mission: getting close enough to the tank to take a shot at it. Never forget that where there's one tank, there are often more, along with enemy infantry.
If you miss, you’re probably screwed. So, you fire, then change position to try another shot (if the first one missed or didn’t have the desired effect), and finally return to the rest of your team. This retreat is often the most dangerous part: the enemy has spotted you and is firing all their weapons at you.
It's an interesting job, but it requires a certain mindset and, of course, a lot of balls.
Your Point Is?
Written in response to: "Set your story after aliens have officially arrived on Earth."
LeeAnn Hively-Insalaco
India and China represent 35% of the world's population. By alienating them, does the US risk its place as the superpower?
Thanks for the request.
So what? Do you think world powers care about the poor of the world'?
You’re forgetting Africa? This is another 18% of the global population. You don’t hear anybody talking about them. . . . . except for China.
China’s been investing a lot in Africa and of course, this is not for pure altruism as it has also been closing deals to ensure access to Africa’s abundant natural resources.
But back to the question, alienating India and China? Not exactly - in fact, far from it.
The U.S. sees China as a threat to our hegemony and reacting as such. . . . and manipulating India to be a proxy to contain China. trump’s latest treatment of India however puts a new progression to the global geopolitical equation.
It’s the major U.S. allies - U.K., E.U., Canada and Mexico - that trump’s alienating and its the U.S. vassals - South Korea, Japan and India - that trump’s working over like worn-out punching bags. And its China that trump’s losing his tariff war over.
trump is retreating so badly and fast that he’ll be landing on his fat ass conceding everything very soon. . . and you’ll have U.S. allies and vassals all cheering on the sidelines.
trump’s moronic quest with his tariff war might just have one silver lining - the billions in tariff revenue should put a brake on our runaway debt crisis. And ultimately it will be the American consumers paying the price. The days of free lunches are over as the U.S. printing increasing depreciating US$ is inevitably now coming to an end.
Pictures
Is it ever cheaper to switch to American-made products when tariffs are high, or do we still end up paying more?
You don’t seem to understand how the world works.
OK lets make it simple.
A silk shirt, everybody likes a silk shirt. So lets find an American sourced silk shirt.
Oh, there are no silk worms native to America. So ya fucked.
How about a cup of coffee, Americans drink gallons of the stuff. Lets find American coffee.
Oh, coffee does not grow in America, no rain forests. Again, ya fucked.
Bananas? No, ya fucked.
Tires for the truck? No rubber trees, so there you go, fucked.
So switching to American-Made products, you end walking around bare footed (rubber soles) naked, hungry and thirsty.
Is that what you want?
We live in a global village, international trade has been the order of the day for nigh on three thousand years. Global trade is what makes the world go round. Makes all our lives richer.
And Trump wants to cut you off from all that.
Well you elected him. It’s your problem.
I wish you the best of luck. You’re gunna need it.
This woman is unreal
Is having children worth it?
It's worth it if you want it.
But even when you do want it, there are probably still going to be times where you gaslight yourself and wonder if the stress of being a parent was worth giving up so much of your personal freedom for.
I was definitely in the camp of wanting children.
The problem was that I had a completely unrealistic view of what parenthood would be.
I thought it would be the kids playing hide and seek together in the garden while I cooked delicious family dinners for us all listening to my podcasts while my wife read her book peacefully on the sun loungers sipping tea.
I thought it would be introducing the kids to the Back to the Future series and relaying to them the best of my music tastes.
I thought it would be taking them to watch the local football team and then having a kickaround in the garden afterwards.
I thought it would be playing videogames together.
I thought it would be reading cool books to my kids at bedtime.
…
And it is those things, but in each and every one of those things, there are fights, tempers lost, negotiations, tears, stress, wild mood swings, feelings of inadequacy, and much much more.
For all the beautiful experiences you have, you will always have to deal with the fact that your children are not tamagotchis but real living people who are predictably unpredictable and prone to not being amenable. There are times when they will not have any sense of gratitude for the things you do for them and the sacrifices you make daily to make sure they're safe, healthy and happy.
And sometimes that's really hard to deal with.
But, at the end of the day, you have someone who, at least in their youngest years, loves you with an intensity that will never be matched again in your life. And hopefully you'll love them back the same.
Honestly, for all the ups and downs, I can imagine that I would feel incredibly empty if I were not a father. Being a father gives my life meaning beyond just living out my life. It makes me feel like I'm contributing to the world in a meaningfully positive way rather than just passively existing.
I know that is not something that everyone will feel about their own lives, and I absolutely respect that, but it is what I feel.
Underground Nuke Facility, Iran ALLEGEDLY Orders Scientists to IMMEDIATELY Enrich Uranium to Weapons Grade
FLASH TRAFFIC: Reports Claim U.S. Strike on Suspected Underground Nuclear Site in Iran. Unconfirmed reports claim the U.S. Air Force struck a suspected underground uranium enrichment facility in Bukan, Iran.
According to the reports, the facility was allegedly concealed beneath a dairy company used as a cover operation.
The claims further suggest that several Iranian nuclear scientists were killed in the strike and that the site was completely destroyed.
At this stage, major international news agencies have not yet confirmed the existence of the facility or the strike, and details remain unclear.
If verified, it would represent a significant development in the ongoing campaign targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. More information is expected as intelligence assessments and satellite imagery begin to emerge.
ALLEGED ENRICHMENT ORDER
Hours after the attack, INTEL CIRCUITS began carrying FLASH TRAFFIC alleging that Iran had ordered their remaining nuclear scientists to "immediately commence enriching existing Uranium to weapons grade."
This allegation is just that: an ALLEGATION. While Intel Agencies may have firm evidence, I DO NOT.
I am reporting the information I received but it is vital that you understand I cannot prove the allegation of an enrichment order. I have merely been TOLD by a highly credible, and long-known, reliable, source in the Intel Community, that such an order was given in Iran.
The Human Invasion
Written in response to: "Set your story after aliens have officially arrived on Earth."
Matthew Ruiz
Connor wasn’t listening anymore, it really didn’t matter. His eyes hurt so much he couldn’t keep them open and his body had gone completely numb. The only thing that seemed to work normally was his hearing, albeit at a much more sensitive level.
“Connor!”, he could hear Matt calling his name as if he were sitting beside him, but Connor couldn’t move at all. “Con, you’re scaring me man, didn’t you say you weren’t feeling well?”
Connor focused his hearing outside of the apartment. It was an odd sensation, like clogging one ear while you put the other to a door to hear through the other side. Except now, those sounds weren’t muffled. He could clearly hear his neighbors across the hall, Mike and his girlfriend Jess, packing frantically, moving around their apartment as if it was on fire. Jess was on the phone talking to her mother, trying to figure out a place to meet up and hunker down together. Mike was on the phone as well, whispering to his ex-fiancé about how badly he wanted to be with her.
Gunshots echoed loudly from somewhere outside the window, but for Connor that bullet might as well have lodged itself in the back of his skull because his head felt like it split in half with pain. He fell to his knees, squeezing his head in between his hands, crying out with every ounce of his body it hurt. His blood now ran boiling hot like lava scorching its way through his body and destroying everything it touched. His heart beat so hard he swore he could see it hitting his chest when he tore off his shirt and looked down. His eyes burned and tears streamed down his face freely like an overflowing sink.
Then it stopped.
The episode was over as quickly as it began and Connor laid out on his floor panting and more afraid than he had ever felt in his life. His body calmed quickly, however, and he was able to sit up with relative ease and surprise at how well he was feeling. He had overturned his table during his spurt of madness, so he crawled over to find his phone and laptop.
“Matt?”Connor said, “you there?”.
“Uh..yea Con. What the fuck was that?” He sounded scared and Connor couldn't blame him, but he was better now. Wasn't he?
“I don't know, but it's over now, I feel fine. Listen, the world is going to go to shit. I can hear it already outside my window. Am I going to you or you coming to me?”
“Were you exposed to the UFO mist, Con?” Matt asked, a seriousness in his voice that Connor had rarely heard.
Connor hesitated to answer the question and he wasn't sure why. He trusted his brother, knew he would never rat him out. If he was asking it had to be for good reason.
“Yea, I was, a few nights ago on my way back from your place. They were all over the sky, Matt, coming down really low too. At first I just thought it was raining, but now, thinking back on it, it had to be the stuff coming from the UFOs.”
It wasn't until he said it out loud that the magnitude of the situation began to make sense in his mind and the implications hit him like a runaway train.
“Get back on your laptop, Con, now.”
Connor grabbed his laptop and opened it up, refreshing the news channel it was on. The president was still on. In fact, Connor was stunned to realize that only a few minutes had gone by since his whole thing had started. He zoned his hearing to focus solely on the laptop, unsure of when he had figured that out.
“We have identified the mist as a biological weapon that the ET’s have told us will change the biology of those it has affected to the detriment of the major population. Anyone who has been affected, please, stay inside and call the number down below, and if anyone knows or sees anyone-”
The screen went black.
Connor could hear as the world around him gasped in surprise or screamed out in fear. His laptop was completely dead, which made no sense as the charger was plugged in. He checked his phone and it was dead also. His hearing pierced the walls of his apartment and he could hear the entire building coming alive as all the tenants scrambled in panic, wanting to get out.
Connor was unsure what his next move should be. He was affected by the bio weapon the aliens had spread, of that he was sure. The president had specifically detailed that people like him should stay inside, not only for their safety but the rest of the population as well. They also had a number that he had not recognized nor was he stupid enough to call it and turn himself in. Anyone with a brain could determine what would happen if you called that number.
Connor stood from the couch feeling stronger than he ever had before, an energy coursing through his entire body begging to be released. His ears detected a sound by his door, like someone was tugging at the door knob.
God, he thought, the world is ending and people immediately start becoming assholes. He took long powerful strides to the door and reached it just as it exploded inward, just inches from slamming into his body. The first thing he saw was the gun, right in his face, and he somehow was able to hyperfocus on the finger starting to squeeze the trigger.
Connor casually dipped his head away from the gun just as the bullet came flying out. His left hand shot out to grab the invaders gun, ripping it out his hands, and his right hand shot out into the man’s face. He dropped cold into the hallway, leaving Connor standing in the doorway holding a gun for the first time in his entire life. He studied it and had this overwhelming feeling that he didn't need it, that it would be wrong to use. He tossed it back onto his couch and stepped out into the hallway. He couldn't stay home, no matter what the president had ordered, he wouldn't be a sitting duck. Besides, he felt completely fine.
As he moved down the hall to the stairway he could hear people rushing down the steps, making their way slowly down. It was then he realized that there were no lights on in the entire building. He looked up at the ceiling and down the hall. He could see the fixtures but no illumination and it did nothing to deter his vision.
What in the hell, he thought to himself, shaking his head and pushing himself into the stairway with the humans who were struggling to make it down without hurting themselves.
Humans. That was a weird thing to call them. Aren't I human?
As he moved around the people his body began to throb, not painfully, but knowingly. It was alerting Connor that there was something he was supposed to be doing. It wasn't until he exited the building and entered into a world of chaos of apocalyptic proportions that he understood. People were running everywhere and others were chasing them, moving insanely fast and not like humans at all. Buildings and cars were burning all around them, a person ran by completely engulfed in flames, his screams making Connor cringe like someone scratching a chalkboard.
The screaming, the fighting, the dying, it was all too much for him. It was enough to drive a person…but he wasn't a person now. He could feel it right now, in the midst of all of this, he could feel himself removed from it all. He was not afraid, nor did he shy away from all the destruction. His body felt stronger because of it, excited by the revelation that he was no longer human.
“Con!” The voice sounded familiar, even the name seemed to hold some kind of meaning.
“Matt”, came the response, quiet and emotionless as if the word meant nothing. But the being that now stood in Connor’s body did not care to try to unravel the sudden mystery of what this encounter meant. He did, however, wish to satisfy his need to destroy the human race.
Why couldn't the Iowa class battleships reduce armor or speed to accommodate a fourth turret without compromising their effectiveness?
Because that design wasn’t deemed sufficient enough.
What you’re describing here is the Montana Class battleship. A battleship very similar to the Iowa, but slightly larger, heavier, and a fourth turret, at the cost of speed. Now, when designing something like a battleship, you can’t have it all. If you make a battleship heavily armored, it’s gonna be heavy, and it takes fuel and power to push heavy things through the water faster. At some point, it’s gonna consume too much fuel to be practical or efficient to make it go that fast. The Iowa battleships already sacrificed enough armor (in my opinion) for speed and the ability to go through the Panama Canal, although some can argue that 12.1 inches is sufficient, especially since it was entering an era where plane attacks were the main method, and the armor belt wouldn’t be a factor.
Iowa (Top) compared to Montana (Bottom)
Back to the Montana. Construction was delayed repeatedly, but after the success of Midway, as well as a need for destroyers for Atlantic convoys, these ships were delayed again and finally canceled for good in July 1943. This was ultimately a good call, especially since these ships were on track to be finished in the fall of 1945. And as many of you know, they would have been finished after the war ended. And it wouldn’t be a case like the Midway, which was finished just days after the Japanese surrendered, because carriers were the new face of naval warfare. The Montanas, had any of them been completed, would have most likely been scrapped. Why not the slightly older Iowas? Because they had enough firepower, and they were more suited for keeping up with carrier task forces. The things that made Montana stand out from the Iowa - more armor and more guns - were no longer relevant.
It’s also worth noting that the AB-Y turret layout seemed to work just fine, since the Iowa’s, North Carolina’s, and South Dakota’s used it. But really, the main reasons was that it wasn’t necessary and didn’t fit with US Naval doctrine.
Braised Chicken with Papaya
This tropical chicken dish is one of the simplest to prepare. Pair it with basmati rice.
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, cut into 1-inch lengthwise strips
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 (10 1/2 ounce) can low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 large papaya, peeled, halved lengthwise, seeded and cut into 1/2-inch thick slices
- Basmati Rice (follow package directions for 4 servings)
- Garnish: freshly ground pepper and sprigs of fresh cilantro
Instructions
- Combine the flour and pepper in a shallow bowl.
- Flour the chicken by lightly pressing both sides of each chicken strip into the flour mixture.
- Heat the olive oil in a large nonstick sauté pan over medium-high heat.
- Arrange the chicken strips in a single layer; cook for 2 minutes on each side, or until they are lightly browned but not cooked through.
- Reduce the heat to medium and pour the chicken broth over the chicken.
- Place the papaya slices atop the chicken.
- Cover and cook for about 8 minutes or until the chicken is thoroughly done.
- To serve, spread a mound of rice on each of 4 plates.
- Top with the chicken strips and papaya slices.
- Drizzle with the chicken broth, sprinkle with pepper, garnish and serve immediately.
Why does the U.S. have trade imbalances with so many countries, and how did these imbalances start in the first place?
Let’s look at two households: one rich, one poor.
The rich household has a lot of money, so they buy a lot of things—fancy things, luxury items, lots of clothes, shoes, furniture, boats, etc.
The poor household has very little money, so they don’t buy as much. They try to re-use items and make do with what they have.
Now do this with countries. Which countries will buy the most stuff from overseas, and what will poor countries do?
Obviously, the US, being one of the richest countries on earth, likes to buy a lot of stuff: olive oil from Greece, wine from France, sugar from the tropics, chocolate, and coffee and tea, and also televisions and smartphones and clothes and shoes—everything!
And poor countries set up factories to make these things for American consumers, but they are still poor, so they don’t buy much from the US, because. . . they are poor!
And then genius president Trump comes along and says, This is so unfair! This is an imbalance! We will punish those other countries! We will make American consumers pay more for the things they buy! Until poor countries start buying things from us.
Let’s take the country of Lesotho. My niece worked there in the Peace Corps. A country surrounded on all sides by South Africa. Lesotho's per capita GDP was approximately $972 in 2024. Yes—the average person in Lesotho works all year for less money than the average American earns in a week.
American companies set up clothing factories in Lesotho, because the wages paid there were so low. They also happen to produce diamonds. Not that it helps the poor people of that country much.
(btw, Lesotho is in the mountains and it is very cold there.)
Trump announced 50% tariffs on Lesotho, because we buy diamonds and clothes made there, and they don’t buy Ford F-150s at all!
Then he changed his mind (TACO) and reduced the tariffs to 15%. Meaning what? Meaning that when American companies have clothing manufactured in Lesotho, they have to pay 15% more to bring that clothing back into the US. Will that make Lesotho more prosperous, so that they can buy stuff that we make?
No! It caused factories there to shut down! Made them poorer. So of course they can’t buy American stuff!
Now you understand world economics better than the US president.
FLASH FLASH FLASH: Iran Launches Massive Missile Attack: USS Eisenhower Crippled – USS Gettysburg Hit…USS Nitze Sinking – 3 other ships Seriously Damaged
It just happened. At 0342 hours local time, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched a massive missile barrage targeting the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower carrier strike group in the Arabian Sea.
47 ballistic missiles. 93 cruise missiles. 38 attack drones. All launched within a 7-minute window. All targeting America’s most powerful naval formation.
The Pentagon has confirmed the attack. What they won’t confirm is what happened next — and why the U.S. Navy’s response signals a fundamental shift in how America will fight Iran going forward.
This video contains the first complete analysis of what actually happened, which missiles got through, how the Navy responded, and why the next 24 hours will determine whether this becomes a full-scale war or the most dangerous standoff since the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Trump Demands "Unconditional Surrender" from Iran
If anyone had any thoughts that the US/Israel/Iran conflict would be resolved quickly, those thoughts were stomped when US President Donald Trump announced on social media "There will be no deal with Iran until UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER."
The United States Special Combat Operation in Iran was initially believed to run about 3-4 days. Except Iran had other ideas. Then, Americans were told the operation "may last 4 weeks."
On March 3, we heard "there may be boots on the ground." That night, Trump Administration gave another Briefing to members of Congress. Senator Richard Blumenthal came out and had said: "I am more fearful than ever after this briefing, that we may be putting boots on the ground."
Eight hours later, the very next morning, we started being told publicly the US expects the conflict to last "maybe 8 weeks."
Last night, I spoke with a source in Washington who told me ". . . by September!" Yes, you read that correctly: "By September."
This morning, President Trump demands "unconditional surrender."
Hal Turner Editorial Opinion
Suddenly, a whole slew of people all over the world realize this conflict is simply not going away. The promises by Trump on the Presidential campaign trail wherein he said "no new wars" was nonsense.
I do not profess to be any kind of military tactician or even a historical expert. It seems to me that in order for one country to get an "unconditional surrender" from another country, that other country needs to be completely beaten into the ground and unable to continue in existence unless they surrender. That is not the case (yet) with Iran.
Iran is a huge country - twice the size of Texas and 3.8 times bigger than California. Iran's population is about 90 million people. No rational person could possibly believe a country that large, with that many people, will simply accept defeat after a week, and grant "unconditional Surrender."
Moreover, Russia and China have their own national interests in Iran. Russia and China can supply Iran with an almost endless stream of weapons, ammunition, missiles and the like to keep right on fighting.
Trump's statement about "unconditional surrender" is a staggering blunder.
I fear that Iran is going to become America's "Waterloo."
Whoever is giving President Trump advice on this Iran situation, is either psychotic or so grossly incompetent as to warrant being instantly fired and escorted out the door. My bet: Both.
KRONOS (1957) – The Giant Alien Machine That Eats Energy | Full Sci-Fi Movie
Ah this is a hoot. I think that everyone in the 1950's "dug" those scary vibes.