Monday Overnight Open Thread (7/8/24)

Quote I

"We are setting a very clear expectation in San Jose that we're not going to tolerate sideshows. We've passed laws that are indicative of that. It is illegal to promote or spectate at sideshows, not just be the one driving the vehicle," San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan

Quote II

“Workers all over the country are passing out, suffering heat stroke and dying from heat exposure from just doing their jobs, and something must be done to protect them,” Doug Parker, assistant secretary for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA),

Quote III

"I think we've all been guilty of throwing those little fireworks at each other," he said. "We've all gotten minor burns from faulty fireworks and stuff like that. But I know the running joke is you have all 10 of your fingers on July 3, and you only come back with nine on July 4. It'd be nice to avoid that.” Eric Evenson

Quote IV

"Something has broken inside me; from that hour on, I would have to wear a mask -- not only to the public but to the one I loved best in the world; for he must never know how ill he was, and I must carry on." Edith Bolling Galt Wilson, September, 1919, after President Wilson's stroke (H/T Isophorone Blog)

Quote V

"The combustion engine is our core product, and that will remain so for the coming future," Riley Nelson, NASCAR's head of sustainability

It isn't only the national Chamber of Commerce who dislikes you and I.

Coeur d’Alene’s regional chamber proves it hates the First Amendment and free speech

An uproar took place in the Idaho town of Coeur d’Alene prior to July 4th this year when the town’s regional chamber issued regulations on what was allowed to be displayed by individuals during its July 4th holiday parade.

Under parade regulations adopted by the chamber board this year, “Symbols associated with specific political movements, religions, or ideologies” were unacceptable. [Linda Coppess, chamber president and CEO,] wrote that in the past, the chamber received numerous complaints about displays that people found offensive, including “Confederate flags, derogatory illustrations, harsh politically-based language, and graphic photographs.” Coppess wrote that last year alone, she received over 50 complaints about different signage and symbols that were deemed offensive.

To address those concerns, the chamber consulted national organizations to ensure its guidelines were transparent and fair, she wrote. “Our intention with this policy was simple: to create an environment where everyone feels welcome and respected,” Coppess wrote.

The chamber listed several other things as unacceptable for the parade, including signs promoting controversial political issues, displays containing divisive or inflammatory language related to political debates and signs displaying slogans or messages that incite political division or unrest. [emphasis mine]

Within days the chamber was overwhelmed with thousands of complaints from local citizens, most of whom appeared to be especially offended by the ban of religious symbols. As a result, the chamber backed down partly, rescinding that particular restriction. Below is a short clip from the July 4th Coeur d’Alene parade. As you can see, a lot of people came carrying crosses. I suspect they would have been there whether or not the religious ban was rescinded, expressing defiance.

Certainly not the headlines the tourism commission of Chicago wanted to see.

19 killed, 86 wounded in shootings during extended Fourth of July weekend in Chicago
Of those shot, 24 were in mass shootings in Greater Grand Crossing, the Near West Side, Douglas and Austin.

More than 100 people were shot, including 19 who were killed, during shooting attacks in Chicago over the extended Fourth of July weekend.

By the end of Friday, the tally of shootings — six people shot Thursday and 62 shot Friday, 12 killed over both days — surpassed the numbers for last year’s entire holiday weekend. Last year, 11 people were killed and 62 wounded over the holiday weekend, which stretched over four days, July 1-4.

Oh no! Financial analyst Alice Isaac woke up to a good five inches. (Of wood bamboo specifically)

Woman’s home damaged by bamboo growing ‘five inches a day’

The stress of battling invasive and rapidly growing bamboo has pushed a homeowner almost to the brink of illness.

Financial analyst Alice Isaac, 42, bought her property in rural Gloucestershire last year for roughly £173,000.

At the time she claims not even to have noticed the bamboo growing in her neighbour’s garden.

One American company is betting on hydrogen.

This KDH engine has experts in suspense: new fuel predicted 100 years ago has worked

We once talked about the REx engines that nobody knew about, much less in America. However, in the country, we don’t know what the KDH engine is either, with a completely new type of injection that we are not used to. They have just unveiled the next generation, and the world is on tenterhooks while we are still watching for Tesla. The prototype runs on zero-emission fuel (and yes, remember, it’s combustion)—that’s why experts are talking about a “new era”.

This fuel was predicted 100 years ago: Now, it has been used on an engine prototype
Kohler Engines, a manufacturing company that deals in engines for different sectors, has recently exhibited its latest creation, the KDH hydrogen engine, at the 2023 Agritechnica show held in Hannover, Germany. This brand-new internal combustion engine, which can use hydrogen sourced and developed by Kohler itself, represents an important development in the company’s strategic line.

A new hurdle for the anti-gun zealots to leap.

Ammo Vending Machines a Big Hit at Alabama Grocery Stores

The company American Rounds has actually installed their automated ammunition vending machines in six grocery stores; four in Oklahoma and two in Alabama, where the machines have drawn the interest of local media (and local politicians) in places like Tuscaloosa.

During a briefing of the Tuscaloosa City Council before their regular slate of meetings, city council president Kip Tyner asked police chief Brent Blankley and other municipal leaders to explain a vending machine selling people ammunition at the Fresh Value store on at the corner of Skyland and McFarland Boulevards.

"I got some calls about ammunition being sold in grocery store vending machines," Tyner said. "I thought it was a joke, but it's not."

Not only can you win the Jack Ass Award Neil McCarthy, 25, of Oregon. You have won tonight's Genius Award.

American Airlines passenger drinking 'Jack and Cokes' reportedly exposes himself, forces emergency landing
The disruptive passenger told police he had downed several 'Jack and Cokes' before the flight

No names. But there were Genius Award Winners on this flight as well.

'Mass brawl' forces Ryanair 'flight from hell' to make emergency landing after just 36 minutes
Ryanair flight from Morocco to London diverted after passengers become disruptive

A Ryanair "flight from hell" was diverted for an emergency landing just 36 minutes after takeoff due to a "mass brawl" that broke out between travelers aboard the aircraft, according to passengers.

The flight departed from Agadir, Morocco, to London on Wednesday when the disturbance broke out mid-flight, the Sun reported.

"It was so stressful. It was like the flight from hell," an unnamed passenger told the outlet. "And it all escalated from that one passenger wanting to change seats."

I had a job that took me into other people's homes. If they had family photos up I never thought of it as tacky. Actually, I thought it was kind of nice.

Interior designer says that having family photo 'shrines' in the house is poor taste
Is decorating with family photos tacky?

Shannyn Weiler, a Utah-based interior designer, has caused a debate on TikTok after she urged people to use caution when displaying family photos in the home. The discussion started a debate over whether a home should be decorated for visitors or the family itself and if having a “shrine” dedicated to family members is tasteful.

I wonder if Little Lawrence's nickname was "Squishy Boy"? What a sniveling coward.

MSNBC Host Calls For Biden Aides To Be Allowed On Stage With Him At Next Debate

MSNBC host Lawrence O’Donnell has called for allowing Joe Biden to have aides with him on stage to speak for him and help him sound coherent.

O’Donnell said that it would be good to “Allow the candidates to have as many staff as they want, join them on the stage throughout the debate, and make sure that all of them have microphones.”

He added that “the candidates should be allowed to turn to their staff and confer with them about anything at any time in the debate.”

“And we should be able to hear everything they say. So we can hear if the candidate has competent or incompetent staff, we could hear the candidate overrule some advisers and say something else,” he continued.

“We could watch the candidates actually think and process information, including including possibly information that they might not know until a staff member tells them or reminds them,” O’Donnell further suggested.

He continued, “A candidate should be allowed to let staff members actually answer questions for them.”

Stop that boat!!!! Tonight's Feel Good Story of The Day.

A leap of faith.

A New Hampshire teen heroically jumped from a jetski onto a rogue boat to stop it from spinning uncontrollably in a popular lake after its captain was knocked off during a sailing lesson.

Brady Procon, 17, sprang into action Wednesday when his father, Justin, told him an unmanned boat was speeding in circles in Smith’s Cove on Lake Winnipesaukee, according to WMUR-TV.

Tonight's ONT has been brought to you by Underachievement.

Notice: Posted with permission by the Ace Media Empire & AceCorp, LLC. For a transcript of tonight's festivities and/or a Cardboard Membership to the Horde please send $5.00 with SASE to petmorons at gmail dot com.

posted by Misanthropic Humanitarian at 09:57 PM

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