I may be wrong, but I was brought up that America was aboiut good triumphing over evil. While Ukraine may have not strategic value to us, what Russia is doing there - see latest news on death of Nataly - is wrong and the horror they have inflicted on the Ukrainian people - see documentary 20 days in Mariupol - makes it a moral imperative for us to stand up for the freedoms of those oppressed. It is the responsibility of a global superpower. And Europe also just put up another $50 bill for the defense of Ukraine so it’s not like they are not helping.
I just read about his death.......there was no doubt his imprisonment would lead to death, but it is so incredibly sad. What makes me angry? Trump and his minions support a ruling party that destroys the very best in us.
The documentary “Navalny” was nominated for an academy award in 2022. It takes a great look at his opposition leadership and his decision to return to Russia even though he knew they would throw him in jail. I believed it is streaming on HBO Max now.
Definitely agree with you on this one Ken. I turned 70 last year. Definitely did not want to! I did not take it well. I am more than upset about this ageism bull****! So when I turn 80 in 10 years, according to some people, I guess I will no longer be of use. I won't know anything anymore, won't be able to make decisions anymore, and God forbid if I forget something. When you're 40 and forget something, it's no big deal. When you're 80 however, it's an earth shattering event and we shouldn't be left unattended! In all sincerity, if today's 30-40 year olds had HALF the wisdom and intelligence Joe Biden has, this country will have a decent future. I truly believe that today's teens and early 20's are going to be the future of this country.
June, you are 100% right. I especially enjoy how my priorities have changed. I will be 80 in April and sometimes am so frustrated when it seems so many think because we don’t walk along like we did at 30, or maybe speak as quickly as we once did, that somehow our brain isn't working. They don’t seem to consider that it might be because there is just soooo much wisdom & information inside maybe it takes a while to sort through? 😉😂
Electric school buses are ~$400,000. The ~$800 million NYS/Fed has made available state wide will purchase ~2000 buses, ~2000 buses state wide is a drop in the bucket, and we haven’t talked about infrastructure upgrade costs. To ask every school district to 100% electrify their fleet in 10 years is a monumental ask financial wise, which will raise school taxes and take funding away from other core areas. When landlord’s taxes are raised, what happens to rent? It’s a complex situation and questions should be asked, I agree we need to transition to electric, it just needs to be done at a responsible pace, affordably.
School buses have a lifespan. The cost of the more expensive models can be $400,000 but a replacement diesel would have a cost as well, so we are talking about the difference in cost. Meanwhile electric vehicles are far less costly to operate so those cost savings need to be applied to the differential. So, as you say, it is a complex situation and other costs associated with operation need to be considered. One would be the lost opportunity cost of not transitioning fast enough. The sooner manufacturers scale up production the quicker costs will drop, and by the same token the longer we keep polluting fossil fuel consuming vehicles on the road the more we harm the health of children and the environment. We old people remember when oil companies put lead in gasoline to make engines run better. It took legislation to end that practice. Diesel emissions are terrible for the young lungs of our children. Those costs are intangible but real.
You may be right. But look how much progress has been made in electric infrasture in the past 10 years. I don’t recall seeing any charging stations 10 years. Perhaps, Mr. Stec could lobby for more money for the bus issue instead of obstructing efforts to address climate change.
My husband and I both drive electric cars. I would never, ever go back to an internal combustion car. Mine is a Nissan Leaf, my husband’s is a Tesla. We had a Tesla home charger installed in the garage, and with an adapter my car can use it as well. The Nissan has older battery technology, with a range of about 100+ miles (more in warm weather when I’m not using my heated seat and steering wheel!) We took the Tesla cross country to Colorado to visit family this summer, and with its over 300 mile range we had zero issues. Tesla was smart enough to build a charging system all across the country, and the car’s onboard computer tells you where and when to charge up. It takes about 20-30 minutes, and after driving 4-5 hours it’s good to get out, stretch your legs, have a snack, etc. The cars are smooth, quiet, fast and comfortable. As the technology improves even more, range will go up and costs will come down, even for buses.
That being said, I also work at a school, and I am completely against mandating something like this without fully paying the cost. The system we have for funding schools is already so unfair, and so unequal, and this would only add to that. IF the state can figure out how to make it happen without rural schools having to drop electives and cut art and music, etc, then I am all for electric buses!
I know it was in the news lately about Teslas and Tesla superchargers failing in severe cold weather, but it really was more of a failure of the car owners to understand how to manage them. The batteries need to be pre-conditioned (essentially warmed up) to accept the charge, something the car can do prior to reaching the charging station, but if you wait to let it get down to almost zero before you go charge it, yeah you may have a problem. You may need to plan ahead if you don’t have a home charger. My Nissan doesn’t have the pre-conditioning ability, but I just remember to plug it in overnight when it gets down to a 15-20% remaining charge. I have had no problems. Oh and for the record, with two electric cars, our electric bill has barely increased. I’d say about $20-30 a month. Literally hundreds of dollars cheaper than when we had two gas powered cars!!!
The Earth heats up we are in a period like the earth was 1000000 YA. Yes there have been 4, recorded ice ages!
But the grid now can’t support EVs especially if we get zapped by lan EMP( electromagnetism pulse) from an active sun. The sun is very active now in its 11 year cycle.
I’m putting this on the radar Hydrogen power and yes SMR ( Small Modular Reactors). I am a writer and published author and have written on all these topics. A physics and earth science teacher.
Yep, that person was definitely just starting trouble. He, or she, was only regurgitating conspiracy theories. Didn't even have the guts to print even just a first name. Good riddance!
Re spry, I had fun - an honor really - “ warming up” this week an amateur woman tennis player who will shortly be playing in a national women’s tournament in Houston before leading a team representing the US in an international event in Turkey. She is ranked #1 in Houston in the 85 and older event, is 87 and hits precision drop shots like Caitlin Clark drops 3 pointers for Iowa. Incredible talent, and probably lucky with her health too.
The choice in November is clear. Do people vote for a man who is experienced, compassionate and sincere or do people vote for the petulant liar who has been convicted of sexual misconduct, is facing multiple trials and who has insatiable lust for power.
It seems to me the issue of age is not well framed.
Physical age of a candidate is not the most pertinent problem, the age of their ideas is. Lots of people young and old love Bernie. Bernie is not young. Frankly, most of his ideas aren’t that young either. Most of what Bernie talks about are issues that were current around 1970 and we still haven’t resolved them. In some ways we’ve gone backwards. For example, in 1970 most young people were looking forward to positively assuring that women were recognized as fully equal human beings under the law and that the courts, religious leaders, and men in general would no longer be able to tell them how to live their lives or maintain their health. We have certainly gone back to some very old ways of thinking in that regard, tho there is the chance the ERA could be ratified still - that is still a live issue 50 years later.
George Washington was an old man for his time when he took office at 57 years old at a time life expectancy was 40. That was 42% older than he could have expected to live, statistically. Biden is about 5% older than statistical life expectancy now. Trump a bit less. Their physical age difference is not great but there is a chasm between their ideas about the world. Trump still complains about low flush toilets. A 5 gallon flush toilet hasn’t been available in this country in maybe 40 years. But Trump seems to have a fascination with toilets and flushing. Biden understands that water use is a considerable problem for the future of our nation. He understands the difference between toilets and the problems to be solved with better technology.
Paying extra money for a gold toilet is the product of a decrepit mind.
My 74th birthday was in December and I am happy to be here, I hope I can stay spry, lol, for awhile longer. I have thought that a younger person should be President, 60ish at least, crazy times
When I read the words regarding early bird special, I was somewhat saddened. I believe your intention was to emphasize the joy of being alert and able, perhaps to chide those who are, but do not participate actively in affairs.
However, since a move into senior independent living two years ago, though quite able and certainly involved in political action, civic activities, and intellectual pursuits., I am in awe of the courage and spirit observed in other residents who are not able. That early bird special, an in-house concert, a film may be the one event of the day to which they look forward and are capable of attending.
They are now in a chapter of their lives which requires a special kind of spirit to face each day.
“I thought I was beyond shockable, but this week has been profoundly shocking for me,” Brooks wrote while writing about Republicans refusal to approve aid for Ukraine and Israel. “I spent the bulk of my adult life on the right-wing side of things, generally rooting for the Republican Party, because I thought that party best served America.”
David Brooks seems to be a slow study. Barack Obama took office 15 years ago and was immediately greeted by birtherist conspiracy theories from the Republican Party. The most prominent birther was Donald Trump.
The 8 years before that saw the Republican Party painting anyone who opposed going to war in Iraq as a terrorist sympathizer. Max Cleland who lost 3 limbs in Vietnam was successfully smeared as such and lost his seat in Georgia. Jack Murtha received 2 Purple Hearts for his Marine service in Vietnam and was similarly slandered. George W. Bush spent his Vietnam era in the safe sinecure of the National Guard.
Kay Granger, Cathy Rodgers, Patrick McHenry and Mike Gallagher are normies who have recently announced their retirement from Congress. I could add Kevin McCarthy to that list whose fundraising will surely be missed. So yeah, the Grand Old Party seems to be going through some things since selling out to Trump. Putting his daughter in law and an election denier in charge of RNC probably isn’t a positive step.
Then there’s the indictment of Alexander Smirnov yesterday whose lies about the Bidens underpins much of the smear campaign against them. Looking forward to the president loudly declaring exoneration while Trump is on trial for one of his many crimes.
Thoughts and prayers to David Brooks. The continuing slow death of the Republican Party couldn’t happen to a nicer group of people.
I’ll give Lara Trump points for honesty in saying every penny of RNC money is going to Trump. This reminds me of the Stefanik grift the “Official Trump Defense Fund” where she was taking 99% of the donations. I’m still surprised Trump was cool with that.
I may be wrong, but I was brought up that America was aboiut good triumphing over evil. While Ukraine may have not strategic value to us, what Russia is doing there - see latest news on death of Nataly - is wrong and the horror they have inflicted on the Ukrainian people - see documentary 20 days in Mariupol - makes it a moral imperative for us to stand up for the freedoms of those oppressed. It is the responsibility of a global superpower. And Europe also just put up another $50 bill for the defense of Ukraine so it’s not like they are not helping.
I just read about his death.......there was no doubt his imprisonment would lead to death, but it is so incredibly sad. What makes me angry? Trump and his minions support a ruling party that destroys the very best in us.
The tongue bath that Tucker Carlson just gave to Vladimir Putin shows exactly what the modern day America First Party is.
https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/russian-than-democrat-shirts/
The documentary “Navalny” was nominated for an academy award in 2022. It takes a great look at his opposition leadership and his decision to return to Russia even though he knew they would throw him in jail. I believed it is streaming on HBO Max now.
Thank you for the reference.
Bravo Donna. I hope I can duplicate your feats.
This is why the Independents are increasing in number!
66 is young! I’m 75 + and still involved in teaching and community
Definitely agree with you on this one Ken. I turned 70 last year. Definitely did not want to! I did not take it well. I am more than upset about this ageism bull****! So when I turn 80 in 10 years, according to some people, I guess I will no longer be of use. I won't know anything anymore, won't be able to make decisions anymore, and God forbid if I forget something. When you're 40 and forget something, it's no big deal. When you're 80 however, it's an earth shattering event and we shouldn't be left unattended! In all sincerity, if today's 30-40 year olds had HALF the wisdom and intelligence Joe Biden has, this country will have a decent future. I truly believe that today's teens and early 20's are going to be the future of this country.
Love it June. Keep fighting the good fight. It will keep you young.
June, you are 100% right. I especially enjoy how my priorities have changed. I will be 80 in April and sometimes am so frustrated when it seems so many think because we don’t walk along like we did at 30, or maybe speak as quickly as we once did, that somehow our brain isn't working. They don’t seem to consider that it might be because there is just soooo much wisdom & information inside maybe it takes a while to sort through? 😉😂
Glad to see I'm not alone out there! 😊
Electric school buses are ~$400,000. The ~$800 million NYS/Fed has made available state wide will purchase ~2000 buses, ~2000 buses state wide is a drop in the bucket, and we haven’t talked about infrastructure upgrade costs. To ask every school district to 100% electrify their fleet in 10 years is a monumental ask financial wise, which will raise school taxes and take funding away from other core areas. When landlord’s taxes are raised, what happens to rent? It’s a complex situation and questions should be asked, I agree we need to transition to electric, it just needs to be done at a responsible pace, affordably.
School buses have a lifespan. The cost of the more expensive models can be $400,000 but a replacement diesel would have a cost as well, so we are talking about the difference in cost. Meanwhile electric vehicles are far less costly to operate so those cost savings need to be applied to the differential. So, as you say, it is a complex situation and other costs associated with operation need to be considered. One would be the lost opportunity cost of not transitioning fast enough. The sooner manufacturers scale up production the quicker costs will drop, and by the same token the longer we keep polluting fossil fuel consuming vehicles on the road the more we harm the health of children and the environment. We old people remember when oil companies put lead in gasoline to make engines run better. It took legislation to end that practice. Diesel emissions are terrible for the young lungs of our children. Those costs are intangible but real.
Good points.
You may be right. But look how much progress has been made in electric infrasture in the past 10 years. I don’t recall seeing any charging stations 10 years. Perhaps, Mr. Stec could lobby for more money for the bus issue instead of obstructing efforts to address climate change.
My husband and I both drive electric cars. I would never, ever go back to an internal combustion car. Mine is a Nissan Leaf, my husband’s is a Tesla. We had a Tesla home charger installed in the garage, and with an adapter my car can use it as well. The Nissan has older battery technology, with a range of about 100+ miles (more in warm weather when I’m not using my heated seat and steering wheel!) We took the Tesla cross country to Colorado to visit family this summer, and with its over 300 mile range we had zero issues. Tesla was smart enough to build a charging system all across the country, and the car’s onboard computer tells you where and when to charge up. It takes about 20-30 minutes, and after driving 4-5 hours it’s good to get out, stretch your legs, have a snack, etc. The cars are smooth, quiet, fast and comfortable. As the technology improves even more, range will go up and costs will come down, even for buses.
That being said, I also work at a school, and I am completely against mandating something like this without fully paying the cost. The system we have for funding schools is already so unfair, and so unequal, and this would only add to that. IF the state can figure out how to make it happen without rural schools having to drop electives and cut art and music, etc, then I am all for electric buses!
Thanks for the experience with electric cars. I think it is something a lot of us are wondering about, especially on longer trips.
I know it was in the news lately about Teslas and Tesla superchargers failing in severe cold weather, but it really was more of a failure of the car owners to understand how to manage them. The batteries need to be pre-conditioned (essentially warmed up) to accept the charge, something the car can do prior to reaching the charging station, but if you wait to let it get down to almost zero before you go charge it, yeah you may have a problem. You may need to plan ahead if you don’t have a home charger. My Nissan doesn’t have the pre-conditioning ability, but I just remember to plug it in overnight when it gets down to a 15-20% remaining charge. I have had no problems. Oh and for the record, with two electric cars, our electric bill has barely increased. I’d say about $20-30 a month. Literally hundreds of dollars cheaper than when we had two gas powered cars!!!
Ken
The Earth heats up we are in a period like the earth was 1000000 YA. Yes there have been 4, recorded ice ages!
But the grid now can’t support EVs especially if we get zapped by lan EMP( electromagnetism pulse) from an active sun. The sun is very active now in its 11 year cycle.
I’m putting this on the radar Hydrogen power and yes SMR ( Small Modular Reactors). I am a writer and published author and have written on all these topics. A physics and earth science teacher.
Yep, that person was definitely just starting trouble. He, or she, was only regurgitating conspiracy theories. Didn't even have the guts to print even just a first name. Good riddance!
Re spry, I had fun - an honor really - “ warming up” this week an amateur woman tennis player who will shortly be playing in a national women’s tournament in Houston before leading a team representing the US in an international event in Turkey. She is ranked #1 in Houston in the 85 and older event, is 87 and hits precision drop shots like Caitlin Clark drops 3 pointers for Iowa. Incredible talent, and probably lucky with her health too.
What an awesome story.
The choice in November is clear. Do people vote for a man who is experienced, compassionate and sincere or do people vote for the petulant liar who has been convicted of sexual misconduct, is facing multiple trials and who has insatiable lust for power.
And actually is a pretty bad businessman on top of that.
It seems to me the issue of age is not well framed.
Physical age of a candidate is not the most pertinent problem, the age of their ideas is. Lots of people young and old love Bernie. Bernie is not young. Frankly, most of his ideas aren’t that young either. Most of what Bernie talks about are issues that were current around 1970 and we still haven’t resolved them. In some ways we’ve gone backwards. For example, in 1970 most young people were looking forward to positively assuring that women were recognized as fully equal human beings under the law and that the courts, religious leaders, and men in general would no longer be able to tell them how to live their lives or maintain their health. We have certainly gone back to some very old ways of thinking in that regard, tho there is the chance the ERA could be ratified still - that is still a live issue 50 years later.
George Washington was an old man for his time when he took office at 57 years old at a time life expectancy was 40. That was 42% older than he could have expected to live, statistically. Biden is about 5% older than statistical life expectancy now. Trump a bit less. Their physical age difference is not great but there is a chasm between their ideas about the world. Trump still complains about low flush toilets. A 5 gallon flush toilet hasn’t been available in this country in maybe 40 years. But Trump seems to have a fascination with toilets and flushing. Biden understands that water use is a considerable problem for the future of our nation. He understands the difference between toilets and the problems to be solved with better technology.
Paying extra money for a gold toilet is the product of a decrepit mind.
Excellent. Thank you ❤️❤️❤️
With age comes wisdom......but not necessarily in all instances!
True enough.
Ken
Thanks for supporting the Light Brigade
and alerting our community!
Yes to electric busses!!
Diane Collins
My 74th birthday was in December and I am happy to be here, I hope I can stay spry, lol, for awhile longer. I have thought that a younger person should be President, 60ish at least, crazy times
When I read the words regarding early bird special, I was somewhat saddened. I believe your intention was to emphasize the joy of being alert and able, perhaps to chide those who are, but do not participate actively in affairs.
However, since a move into senior independent living two years ago, though quite able and certainly involved in political action, civic activities, and intellectual pursuits., I am in awe of the courage and spirit observed in other residents who are not able. That early bird special, an in-house concert, a film may be the one event of the day to which they look forward and are capable of attending.
They are now in a chapter of their lives which requires a special kind of spirit to face each day.
So true. I work in a pre-K classroom. If I judged my energy level against theirs, I’d think I was ready to be put down!
“I thought I was beyond shockable, but this week has been profoundly shocking for me,” Brooks wrote while writing about Republicans refusal to approve aid for Ukraine and Israel. “I spent the bulk of my adult life on the right-wing side of things, generally rooting for the Republican Party, because I thought that party best served America.”
David Brooks seems to be a slow study. Barack Obama took office 15 years ago and was immediately greeted by birtherist conspiracy theories from the Republican Party. The most prominent birther was Donald Trump.
The 8 years before that saw the Republican Party painting anyone who opposed going to war in Iraq as a terrorist sympathizer. Max Cleland who lost 3 limbs in Vietnam was successfully smeared as such and lost his seat in Georgia. Jack Murtha received 2 Purple Hearts for his Marine service in Vietnam and was similarly slandered. George W. Bush spent his Vietnam era in the safe sinecure of the National Guard.
Kay Granger, Cathy Rodgers, Patrick McHenry and Mike Gallagher are normies who have recently announced their retirement from Congress. I could add Kevin McCarthy to that list whose fundraising will surely be missed. So yeah, the Grand Old Party seems to be going through some things since selling out to Trump. Putting his daughter in law and an election denier in charge of RNC probably isn’t a positive step.
Then there’s the indictment of Alexander Smirnov yesterday whose lies about the Bidens underpins much of the smear campaign against them. Looking forward to the president loudly declaring exoneration while Trump is on trial for one of his many crimes.
Thoughts and prayers to David Brooks. The continuing slow death of the Republican Party couldn’t happen to a nicer group of people.
I’ll give Lara Trump points for honesty in saying every penny of RNC money is going to Trump. This reminds me of the Stefanik grift the “Official Trump Defense Fund” where she was taking 99% of the donations. I’m still surprised Trump was cool with that.
https://www.msnbc.com/all-in/watch/lara-trump-vows-every-single-penny-of-rnc-funds-will-go-to-trump-204321861629?cid=eml_mda_20240216&user_email=3c53e6344c761a04a9c81a3ae2c7e48d8b925be7f6b2e8ab61b5ceaac2320963
I would agree with Brooks that it just keeps getting worse.