See also: Previous and Next (View all)
MISTAKEN ICE RAID: The most shocking things is that it took days for Department of Homeland Security to admit its mistake and still hasn’t returned the family’s belongings.
I must have missed this anti-renewable energy bill. The TX Senate passed this bill, but the House is still considering. Here’s a (gifted) article in the Chronicle by Claire Ho:
Renewable energy companies that can’t pass costs onto their customers might shut down projects instead.
In fact, 15% of the existing wind fleet in Texas could shutter, according to a recent analysis of HB3356 and SB715 from the consulting firm Aurora Energy Research.
The two bills exempt natural gas and coal-fired power plants. In other words, if fossil fuel power plants aren’t reliable enough per a certain standard, they wouldn’t have to acquire backup power like their renewable energy counterparts.
However, “the retroactive nature of the bills is something that could send a chilling market signal to anybody wanting to do a long-term investment in Texas,” said Walt Baum, CEO of Powering Texans, a trade association representing the largest companies developing gas-fired power plants in the state.
Here’s an advocacy video by energy analyst Doug Lewin (YT).
Wow, here’s an unaired pilot (YT) of the failed attempt to adapt the British scifi comedy Red Dwarf to US TV. Highlights: Jane Leeves (aka Daphne Moon from Frasier) plays Holly the computer. Kryton is included from the very start, and Broadway actor/dancer Hinton Battle played the Cat. It’s a shame that it wasn’t picked up.
Update: They did a second partial pilot, this time having CAT played by a female (Terry Farrell — yes, that Terry Farrell who went on to play Jadzia Dax in Deep Space Nine). Of course, the British version (and its actors) can’t be beat, but the Americanization of it was still amusing, and plus I generally like efforts to adapt UK shows into American versions.
Here’s a nice alternative to the 10 Commandments. (These were the winners of a contest).
- Be open minded and be willing to alter your beliefs with new evidence.
- Strive to understand what is most likely true, not just what you wish to be true.
- Science is the most reliable way of understanding the natural world.
- Every person has the right to control their body.
- God is good for those who believe, but is not necessary to be a good person or to live a full and meaningful life.
- Be mindful of the consequences of your actions and take responsibility for them.
- Treat others as you would want them to treat you and as you expect them to want to be treated.
- We have the responsibility to consider others, including future generations.
- There is no one right way to live.
- Leave the world a better place than you found it.
DISHONORING MEMORIAL DAY: Trump Administration shows contempt for US veterans and the rule of law by wrongly arresting a female Australian police officer who had married a US soldier. What’s so contemptible is not merely that this wrongful arrest occurred but that US border officials illegally prevented her and her mother from communicating with her husband and pressured her to sign unnecessary statements. Also, I expect that DHS will publish a press release this week containing ludicrous and unsubstantiated statements justifying this arrest.
Humor writer Merrill Markoe (of Stupid Pet Tricks fame) helpfully breaks down the U.S. holidays. It is such a delight to subscribe to her newsletter.
In this 8 minute comedy sketch, an Australian comedy writer asks two comedians to read aloud sight unseen from an absurd cop drama script. Lots of hilarity and surprises. Perpetrated by Australian comedy writer Rob Hunter. (YT) Rob Hunter was a writer for that hilarious Tasmanian/Australian show, Rosehaven. (Oops, didn’t realize I posted this for next month as well).
Leave a Reply