Reason for Optimism in a World Careening Badly

Text of Letter to NYT: "Let's put aside the travesties of Trump's dismantling democracy and the rule of law, neutering Congress and the Supreme Court, painting everything he can reach in gold, engaging in corruption like no one has ever seen, and slathering his name on anything he sees. It doesn't take a prophet or one gifted with ESP to see what could go badly wrong between now and November 3 (the coming midterm election day): (i) Ebola could turn into a pandemic a la Covid-19 (with the WHO crippled by the US having pulled out); (ii) the world's economies and markets could go into freefall depending on geopolitical events in the mid-east or elsewhere; (iii) on November 3 Trump's reconstituted January 6 zealots could seize the ballot boxes and stop the election he will have declared was rigged; or (iv) Trump, in one of his late-night madness screeds, could announce the implementation of something as bad or worse as any of those scenarios. While there's reason for pessimism given historical models of democracies failing, wars being blundered into, and economies and markets having their bubbles burst, there's reason for optimism: If the notion of the tipping point holds, sooner and let's hope before it's too late, his sycophantic protectors will stop protecting him not because of any enlightenment, but because they will start caring more about their own well-being and protecting themselves."

[EOP]

 

College Woman's Softball Championship

[Prefatory Note: I concede this can be taken as the screed of a grouchy old man longing for the good old days. That doesn't mean it is not accurate]

The WCWS used to be a delight to watch. The enthusiasm and glee with which they played, along with their spontaneity, was truly enjoyable. I will admit the level of play now is higher (these are great athletes), likely in large part due to the money they can make (they've broken the $1M/year ceiling). And while they clearly care about the game and their teammates and play with gusto, everything is choreographed the same by every team. By way of example, no matter  the score or the inning, on every home run, the whole team greets the batter at home plate and from their apparent ebullience you wouldn't know if the game was close or a lost cause.

PS: Before the ripostes come in about the circling home plate on home runs to not have a repeat where a  walk-off home run was nullified because the batter never touched home given the swarm of her teammates, let me say this: Every team does not need to go through this Kabuki dance to ensure the batter touches home.

[EOP] 

Samsung Z Fold Wide

Folding phones have become the new rage. But many of us don't want a big hunkin thing in our pockets. We crave the smaller phone that we have and wish even the non-fold phones would stop growing. That's where the Samsung Z Fold Wide comes in. As this article explains, by introducing a wider and shorter form factor, the device addresses long-standing usability challenges, offering a more practical and user-friendly experience. This innovative approach positions the Fold 8 Wide as a significant step forward in the evolution of foldable technology, blending functionality with modern aesthetics.

[EOP]

3 Easy Ways to Unclog a Bathroom Sink

This article sets out the steps to clear a bathroom sink clog in 3 ways: (i) with a drain snake; (ii) with dish soap and boiling water; and (iii) with baking soda.

[EOP]

Robot Vacuum Technology Gets Smarter and Better

As this article explains in reference to the Eufy Omni S2, robotic vacuums are better and smarter than ever at what they do. Don't leave home without one cleaning it.

[EOP]

Miss You, Love You (2026 Movie on HBO and MAX)

Miss You, Love You stars Allison Janney who, from The West Wing to SVU, never disappoints. And she outdid herself in this. It's more like the filming of a play than a movie, while it's beautifully shot in New Mexico. It's not an easy watch, but you can't stop watching. It checks the three P boxes of cinema, being: poignant, powerful, and provocative.

{EOP]

The New Yorker's Guide to Decluttering

[EOP]
 

A "Tax" Republicans Love

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee laid the groundwork last week in passing a five-year reauthorization of transportation programs. Greedy for more “infrastructure” dollars to shower on home states in a midterm and unwilling to raise the gasoline tax, Republicans conjured up a new revenue stream: the first-ever federal “annual registration fee” for vehicles. Specifically, the bill would establish a $150 annual fee on EVs and $50 annual fee on plug-in hybrids—a $30 billion new tax. It's arguable policy-wise whether this makes sense. On the one hand, it's a disincentive for buying a EV or plug-in EV, but on the other hand, it's unfair to have EV and plug-in EV owners, who don't pay taxes at the gasoline pumps, pay something toward maintaining roadways they are using. Given that those of you who have bought EVs are wealthier than the rest of us and the stated "tax" amount is modest, we favor such a fee to stop the free-ride you've been getting.

[EOP]

Tesla's $25,000 Optimus Robot Is Here

This is a half-hour video, but it takes only a minute or two (which is as far as I got) to see where this is going. It looks like whoever said they cannot solve the hand-problem didn't know what they're talking about.

[EOP]

Scope of Trump's Corruption

Michelle Goldberg: "Trying to fathom the scope of Trump's corruption is like trying to fathom the vastness of the universe." The same applies to the scope of Trump's narcissism.

[EOP]

Microsoft Revises Its Position on Microsoft Defender

Microsoft Defender has evolved from weak to solid built-in protection for everyday Windows use. As this XDA article explains, Microsoft published a bold article claiming Defender was all you needed, then deleted and revised it. While Defender covers the basics; third-party AV remains useful for advanced features and complex needs. For many Windows 11 users, Microsoft Defender Antivirus covers everyday risk without requiring additional software. The choice to add third‑party antivirus depends on how you use your PC and which features you value. Windows antivirus protection is usually sufficient when Windows 11 runs with default protections enabled, updates are installed regularly, and software downloads are deliberate. Microsoft Defender Antivirus and SmartScreen already address common threats such as malicious files, phishing sites, and unsafe installers. You might consider extra security software if you manage multiple devices, share devices with family members, or want services like identity monitoring or parental controls. Each added tool increases background activity and complexity, so choose tools that match real needs.

[EOP]

Waymo's Next Iteration

As this clip explains in words and pictures, Waymo's fleet is undergoing some changes, where its vehicles are more taxi-like compared to the Jaguars that now populate their fleet. Personally, I love how comfortable, cool, and luxurious the Jaguar is, and see the new vehicles as having a bit of a nerdy look, but if they bring down the prices, that would be great. What's also cool is soon they will have no steering wheels, break pedals, or gas pedals, but even now their doors open on their own. They are operating in San Francisco and Phoenix. 

[EOP]

Samsung Galaxy A57 vs Samsung Galaxy S25FE

I'm not saying one should stay in or switch to the Samsung Galaxy family for one's phones, but after owning my S10e for 7 years and it's still going good, and I understand the Samsung universe, if I were to buy a new phone today, it would be either the Samsung Galaxy A57 or the Samsung Galaxy S25FE. They are both mid-range in cost and, as this article details, very close in terms of specs. If you want wireless charging, which I do, I would go for the S25FE. If you like running the risk of a clogged port and the inconvenience of plug-in charging, I would say go with the A57.

[EOP]

Acer Swift Air 14

If you're looking for a new laptop, the Acer Swift Air 14 looks worth waiting until August for. It's powerful, thin, light, and well-priced (starting at $699), but best of all, it comes in neat colors.

[EOP]

Compact Backup Power for Refrigerator or Home Office Equipment

This article has a detailed, positive review of the  Anker Solix S2000 portable back-up charger. Here is a 5-second clip of how light and easy it is to use (although I can't figure out where their refrigerator plugged into when in regular use). It will be available on Amazon on June 2 for about $600.

PS: If you want a built-in whole-house back-up, then you might look at the Solix E10, which will run you upwards of $7,000.

[EOP]

Hacked Routers

This cnet article reports the menace of routers (mostly enterprise but some home) hacked by Russia. Yours likely is fine. But, particularly if you have a TP-Link router, you might take a minute and see if it's on the infected list and, then, if so, what to do about it.

[EOP]

Shohei Ohtani

In his last outing (Wednesday night), Ohtani pitched 6 scoreless innings, gave up no hits, allowed 1 earned run, struck out 7, and hit a lead-off home run.  As a hitter this season, he has a .269 AVG, 9 home runs, and 30 RBIs. As a pitcher, he is posting a 0.82 ERA with 61 strikeouts and a 0.82 WHIP over 8 starts. I don't understand why ESPN or MLBTV don't broadcast at least every game he pitches. Imagine if Tiger Woods were not covered when he was in his ascendency or at his peak or, actually, whenever he plays.

[EOP]

Why Soaring Bond Yields Could Protect Against AI Bubble

This piece by James Mackintosh explains why investors who worry that AI euphoria has gone too far might consider Treasuries as an alternative with a chance to benefit if AI excitement fades and brings down yields. 

[EOP]

Browser Review

This pithy PC Magazine article intelligently and clearly explains why one might consider each of the four main browsers: Brave, Chrome, Edge, Firefox, and Safari.

[EOP]

Ikea Refrigerator Storage Box

Ikea's KLIPPKAKTUS storage box for $6 is a no-brainer to increase your refrigerator storage space. Here's a 10 second clip on how it easy it is to pop in and how it works. The only apparent problem is that they won't ship it unless your order is $35 or more, which tells you why many in the traditional retail space, unlike Amazon, don't get it. 

[EOP]

Hijack (S2 on Apple TV+)

S2 of Hijack dropped a couple of months ago but I missed it. S1 with Idris Elba was raved here and elsewhere. I am told by a non-reader who has a better memory than most that S1 is based on S2 and therefore it is advisable to rewatch the last EP of S1 before starting EP2. I watched the last EP of S1 and it was as riveting as when I first watched it. I've now seen EP1 of S2 and, while I don't see the connection to S1, it looks like it's going to be terrific.

[EOP]

Think About the Impact of Elevated Fuel Prices on Your Help

The rise in gasoline and diesel prices might not affect you, but it could be a big deal to people who do work for you and have trucks and have to drive, like your gardener, and especially those with diesel trucks. One thing to consider is raising their weekly/monthly rate at least until fuel prices moderate.

[EOP]

Windows 11 Optional Update Brings Improvements

Microsoft has rolled out a new Windows 11 update that brings with it a number of quality of life and foundational OS improvements that will make using your PC feel faster, with better responsiveness, and more reliability. The update, dubbed KB5089573, is now generally available as an optional OS update. KB5089573 is notable as it's the first OS update designed to make Windows 11 faster under Microsoft's special Windows K2 effort, which is seeing the company focus on addressing top criticisms around the OS and deliver foundational improvements. Mentioned in the changelog for this release is general OS performance improvements, which "accelerates app launch and core shell experiences such as Start menu, Search, and Action Center." Additionally, Microsoft says that this update also "improves Windows reliability on the sign-in and lock screens, in File Explorer, when using touch gestures on touchscreen devices, and when changing themes in Settings." So, giddy up!

[EOP]

Best Phones in 2026

This cnet article lists its picks, sorted in quite a few categories (from overall best to best cheapest), for top-rated cellphones.

[EOP]

Don't Wait to Book Your Summer Flights

As the war in Iran grinds on, and jet fuel becomes more expensive and shorter in supply, airfares are rising and flights are getting canceled. This WSJ article  has some tips as to how best to navigate these turbulent skies. I would add the following: While you will get refunded if your flight is canceled, that doesn't help for your non-refundable pre-paid destination costs, nor might it be a big enough help if it's your return flight (especially from a distant land far far away) particularly if you bought two one-way tickets instead of a round-trip ticket.

[EOP]

10 Best Selling EVs of 2026

Here are CarandDriver's 10 best selling EVs so far for 2026.

[EOP]

Why Trump Might Never End the Iran War

Trump knows he lost his war in Iran. But he has little incentive to get out. It appears his polling is such that there are 36% who will support him no matter what. No matter what happens short of a mishandled Ebola outbreak in the U.S. (the WHO is sounding alarms as a consequence of the resources they no longer have because Trump withdrew us from the WHO), that number is not likely to drop no matter what. And given the lasting harm that is evident to anyone with eyes and a few brain cells, nor will the war's ending on any terms (no matter how good) boost Trump's numbers. At the same time, the war gives Trump the things he craves the most, namely, making money and attention, because every day (or several times during any day) he can get the press's attention and move the stock market open to insider trading by making an announcement on the state of the negotiations or on the possibility of resuming and escalating military operations. 

[EOP]

Affordability as a Campaign Issue?

Affordability (aka inflation) is certainly a driver of consumer discontent. And affordability should give Dem challengers to Rep incumbents a strong tailwind. But to the extent a Dem candidate makes affordability the keystone campaign issue, it will be interesting to see what that candidate says when asked what they would do about it if elected. Even if the House and Senate were to flip, it's not clear what the Congress could do to make major changes in affordability. 

[EOP]

Camera vs Lidar Technology in Self-Driving Vehicles in Inclement Weather

This article discusses the differences between camera-based (Tesla) and Lidar-based (Waymo, Lucid) technologies when it comes to self-driving, focusing on which is better especially in inclement weather.

[EOP]

PS re the Mid-Term Election Doomsday Scenario

It has been pointed out to us by an astute reader that our secession idea should Trump's private army seize the ballot boxes and tabulation machines and such won't work because Trump, like Lincoln on the eve of the earlier Civil War, will still control the army. The only possible remedy we see is impeachment and conviction by the then-sitting Congress, which will have until their term ends to do it.

[EOP]

JSX Will Soon Be Flying From Scottsdale to Cabo

JSX will begin flying from Scottsdale to Cabo San Lucas on Oct. 8. Cabo San Lucas is one of the two resort towns, along with San José del Cabo, that make up the area known as Los Cabos. JSX uses 30-seat Embraer jets with business-class legroom, power outlets in each row, and no middle seats. Flying JSX puts travelers much closer to points of interest in Cabo San Lucas. The airport is about 4 to 5 miles from the city center and about 6 to 8 miles from the beaches and resorts. Flying on JSX offers travelers from Phoenix "an expedited customs and clearance process once reserved exclusively for private jet patrons."

[EOP]

The Sunlit Night (2019 Movie on Netflix (Until June 1) and on Prime)

The Sunlit Night is a beautifully shot, strange, poignant movie about an aspiring painter who meets eccentric locals and a fellow New Yorker while working on a barn in Norway. There's no way for me to describe it, and I certainly don't understand it, but I found it totally enjoyable to watch.

[EOP]

Why Working in an Ice Cream Parlor Is Good Training For a Pitcher

As Trey Yesavage will show you, MLB pitchers are grown up ice cream scoopers.

[EOP]

The Case for Bonds Over Stocks

A few days ago we put up a post that made the case for overloading stocks viz bonds. The contrary view is set out in this front page WSJ article: "Investors are piling into stocks at a feverish pace. But by one measure, equities look as unattractive as they did after the dot-com bubble burst. That metric is the equity risk premium, often defined as the gap between the S&P 500’s earnings yield—the profit companies generate relative to stock valuations, expressed as a percentage—and that of the 10-year Treasury note. In recent weeks, it has nearly disappeared and is hovering among its lowest levels since the start of the new millennium. In other words, a rough gauge of stocks’ expected returns is only slightly higher than what ultrasafe government bonds will produce."

[EOP]

How to Ace the 5-Word Memory Test

The 5-word memory test is a short test designed to challenge the ability to recall words. It’s often used to evaluate a person’s short-term memory. Some of us have quirky brains and just can't do it, especially if there is more than a few minutes between when the 5 words are given and when they are to be repeated back. The way to beat the test is to create a mnemonic (such as HOMES for the Great Lakes), and then you need remember only 1 word. If you can't do that, then your kids are entitled to commit you and take all your money which likely was the real reason they wanted you tested in the first place.

[EOP]

Waiting to Get an EV Was Worth the Wait

We pity those who jumped at getting an EV before now, and are so glad we waited the arrival of the Ferrari Luce. Here is a short summary of the specs (a fuller description along with the details of its launch party can be found in this WSJ article):

Performance: 1,035 hp generated by four radial-flux electric motors (one at each wheel).

Battery & Charging: Built on an 800-volt architecture with up to 350 kW DC charging. It can reach roughly a 57% charge in 20 minutes.

Design: Features a unique "glass house" body and coach-style (suicide) rear doors. 

Interior: Heavily minimalist cabin co-designed by former Apple designers, featuring tactile physical controls and a gauge cluster that rotates with the steering wheel.

[EOP]

Cleaning Carpet With Baking Soda

Before you hire and pay for a carpet cleaning company, read this Southern Living article. It will explain how easy it is to get and keep your carpets just as clean and remove stains simply with baking soda.

[EOP]

The Singers (2025 Oscar Award Winning Short Film on Netflix)

The Singers is a very strange, very short (18 minutes), Oscar-winning (Best Action Live Short Film) movie of an impromptu sing-off to decide the best singer in the bar that night. I had no trouble making it all the way through in one sitting. I liked the songs. I cannot say I got the movie. 

[EOP]

Router Setting to Eliminate Buffering

Most routers, by  default, have a Quality of Service (QoS) setting that will treat all devices connected to it the same. It is a snap to change that setting so your TV is always given high priority, which will go a long way to eliminate the dreaded buffering when you're streaming something. This MUO article will walk you through the quick, easy steps to change your router's QoS router setting to give your TV priority.

[EOP]

What a Potential NBA GOAT Does

The way a GOAT would end the half in playoff game.

[EOP]

How to Read Expired Free Websites

Many websites, like Wired, let you read a fixed number of articles for free. When you reach their limit, you have to subscribe for a fee. There's a way around it, which we pass on not because we condone such unethical, but so that Wired and other websites that read this blog are aware of the problem: Load the site in Incognito Mode.

[EOP]

Samsung vs Pixel Phones

This MUO article has a brief, but informative, comparison of Samsung vs Pixel phones. Ultimately, it prefers Samsung phones, but it does not omit the advantages of Pixel phones.

[EOP]

Tesla's Latest Release Notes

Teslas are essentially computers strapped to battery-operated golf carts. Tesla updates its vehicles over-the-air (OTA) once or twice a month. Sometimes the updates are minor bug fixes. Other times, they are a whole raft of things. This article details the many, and there are many, things that have changed with the latest OTA software update. It's hard enough keeping up with Microsoft or Apple updates and with Chrome updates, so it takes a special kind of masochist to deal with another source of update-neurosis. Good luck to all of you.

[EOP]

Aerodynamic Drag Revisited and Explained

As this Wired article explains, for more than 80 years, a basic principle of aeronautical engineering has been that the surface of an object must be smooth in order to reduce aerodynamic drag. This premise was based on the results of a 1940 study by Ichiro Tani, a Japanese scientist who demonstrated the relationship between surface roughness (an indicator of the state of the machined surface) and turbulent transition, arguing that surface roughness, which was unavoidable with the manufacturing technology of the time, prevented laminar flow from being realized. However, in 1989 Tani reinterpreted the experimental data on rough-surfaced pipes obtained by fluid engineer Johann Nikulase in the 1930s, suggesting that “roughness may not necessarily only promote turbulent transition and increase fluid resistance.” (In physics, air is considered a fluid.) Inheriting this idea, a research group led by Yasuaki Kohama of Tohoku University demonstrated in the 1990s that fibrous rough surfaces, which have fine fibrous irregularities on their surface, have the effect of delaying transition under certain conditions. The same Tohoku University research team recently announced a discovery that significantly advances this idea. Aiko Yakino, associate professor at Tohoku University's Institute of Fluid Science, and her research group were the first in the world to demonstrate that aerodynamic drag can be reduced by up to 43.6 percent simply by applying distributed micro-roughness (DMR), a surface roughness so fine and irregular that it cannot be distinguished by the naked eye. Makes you think.

[EOP]

Legends (6EP Series on Netflix)

Legends is a drug crime, gangster movie where customs agents go undercover to infiltrate Britain's most dangerous drug gangs, following a criminal investigation based on extensive research and interviews with those involved in the top-secret operation. Based on real events, EP1 is terrific. The writing is tight, the acting is excellent, and the story is compelling.

[EOP]

Samsung S25 FE

The Samsung S25FE is worthy of consideration as a mid-range (priced about $500) 5G phone, particularly if you want a phone that is good-looking, thin, light, and charges wirelessly. It gets quite good reviews.

[EOP]

Recommended Summer Thermostat Setting

As this article reports, though the ideal temperature may vary depending on where one lives, 78 degrees Fahrenheit is the recommended average, according to several energy companies, including Chicago's Constellation, New York and Massachusetts' National Grid, and Florida's Carrier. The Department of Energy recommends keeping a home warmer than normal when away to avoid unnecessary air conditioning use. A programmable or hub-controlled thermostat allows homeowners to start cooling down the home before they return.

[EOP]

Pilot-less Planes Are on Their Way

I just finished "flying" a plane where AI took over. As a pilot myself, surrendering control to a computer did not come naturally. But the demonstration is an important one as more aviation companies are looking to AI to usher in a new evolution in air travel by using it to automate tasks for pilots and perhaps one day enable fully autonomous flights, all as explained in this CNN article. I cannot begin to imagine the blowback that's going come from the Luddites out there who would decry the advance because pilots would lose their jobs and would be uncomfortable not having (an often drunk, teenage-looking) two pilots in the cockpit.

[EOP]

Backpacking Lesson: Resting Is More Important Than Sightseeing

I backpacked through Europe for the first time and learned the hard way that resting is more important than sightseeing. This backpacking mistake taught me an important lesson: Sleep makes everything better. And if I don't take time to rest, my body will force me to — even in the least convenient times. This Business Insider article has more details on the matter.

[EOP]

Two More Letter Shots to the NYT

On Housing: "The Editorial Board's Opinion piece's conclusion that the shortage of housing supply is a major factor contributing to the rise in housing prices that have shut many potential buyers out of the market is clearly correct. And while it's prescription to "build more houses" is a long-term solution, it's not an answer for the short-term. One of the forces driving housing units off the market are short-term rentals (STRs), both corporate-owned and individually-owned. In addition to the other harms STRs inflict on  residential areas and the hospitality industry, in many places STRs represent a withdrawal of 20% of the housing supply and in some places as much as 50%. While outlawing STRs would produce an immediate burst in housing supply, given that might not be possible, taxing them at a rate to reflect the effect they've had on driving up housing prices would have an immediate and substantial positive impact of increasing housing supply and thus lowering prices."

On the Slush Fund: "The stated outrage on ethical, self-dealing, and legal grounds to Trump's $1.776B slush fund misses the real danger. Specifically, that slush fund's real danger is to reward the January 6 rioters so that, when we get to the mid-term elections, they won't make the same "mistake" they made on January 6, namely, they weren't funded well enough and didn't go far enough. Now, fully-funded and with time to prepare, if called upon by Trump to not let another "fraudulent and rigged" election be certified, there's little doubt they will do so by force--seizing voting and tabulating machines and such (there are not many that they need seize to stop the counting), and it's hard to see what would stop them. There's no one to command the military to intervene and the Republicans will have control over Congress and their track record provides no solace or comfort. In short, the American  experiment in democracy, which has been under unrelenting assault, will be over.  The only answer then to preserve democracy might be for states not under MAGA's control (e.g., CA, CO, DEL, MD, MA, NM, PA, OR, WA et al) to secede, and draft a new constitution that would form a more perfect union and put in the guardrails the Founding Fathers failed to do because they could not see how fragile the democracy they created was."

[EOP]

Ladies First (2026 Movie on Netflix)

Ladies First is the story of a male chauvinist who is transported to a matriarchal society, facing challenges from a formidable female version of himself. If you can't guess, it's supposed to be a comedy, and here's another clue--it stars Sacha Baron Cohen and Rosamund Pike. It bears some resemblance to the Bill Maher movie about Amazon women in the 1989 campy comedy film Cannibal Women in the Avocado Jungle of Death (available on Prime). Unfortunately, while what they are trying to pull off and point out is commendable, it's not funny and is done ineptly. 

[EOP]

Ancient Elections per The New Yorker

[EOP]
 

Weird ETFs

This piece by Jason Zweig has a fascinating discussion of really weird ETFs you can now "invest" in, such as a "Midnight-Bitcoin" ETF that gives you exposure to bitcoin returns but only when the market is closed or a fund that is made up of stocks that might benefit depending on the government's release of UFO files.

[EOP]

100 Fastest Pitches Thrown by MLB Starters So Far This Season

 

[EOP]

Beer vs Wine

We know how difficult the choice is between having a beer and having a wine. So, we tapped top nutritionists to determine whether beer or wine is the healthier option. Each drink has its own benefits and drawbacks, and it really comes down to a person’s overall lifestyle. The bottom line is both drinks are fine to consume in moderation, with wine having a slight edge over beer, as explained further in this delish article.

[EOP]

Tips on Cleaning a Coffee Maker

Keeping a coffee maker clean is essential to keeping the coffee it makes tasting its best. This Southern Living article sets out the simple things to do daily and monthly.

[EOP]

PS re the Doomsday Scenario of the $1.776B Fund

Assume for the moment that, indeed, a principal purpose of Trump's creating the $1.776B slush fund is to establish his own private militia to make sure that, in the upcoming elections, the "mistake" of the January 6 insurrectionists is not repeated, namely, they weren't strong enough and didn't go far enough. Now, fully funded and with time to prepare, if called upon by Trump to not let another "fraudulent and rigged" election be certified, there's little doubt they will do so by force (seizing voting and tabulating machines and such), and it's hard to see what would stop them. So, if the military can't or won't stop them and Congress and the states and the courts won't or can't, then the only answer to preserve democracy just might be for California, NY, et al to secede, and draft a new constitution that would put in the guardrails the Founding Fathers failed to do because they could not see how fragile the democracy they created was.

[EOP]

The Case Against Bonds

While this blog does not favor holding individual bonds or ETF or mutual bond funds, it has been said to have a bias to fixed income investments, including iShare bond ladders (where there is a fixed termination date for each component). That said, because we strive to bring all views, this piece by Robert Pozen makes a strong case that one's bond holdings should be much lower than many people hold.

[EOP]

NoMoWaymoFreewayo

Waymo has suspended robo-taxi service on freeways in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Miami as it works to improve performance in construction zones. Waymo said it’s in the process of integrating “recent technical learnings into our software and expect to resume these routes soon.” Waymo robo-taxis are still operating on surface streets in those cities.

[EOP]

Airplane Mode

This article explains why requiring airplane mode on take-offs and landings is not needed for any safety or other reason, but also why it's not going away anytime soon.

[EOP]

Trump Figured Out How to Pardon Himself

There are two problems with a president pardoning themself: (i) It could be declared unconstitutional (albeit not likely with this Supreme Court and Trump was the president); and (ii) the acceptance of a pardon is an imputation of guilt. You have to hand it to Trump. He figured out how to pardon himself (and his family (and anyone else)) at the same time without opprobrium. He sues the government and with a corrupt AG settles for a release for whatever crimes he and anyone else he wants to include have committed.

PS: This was written before the NYT, which monitors everything I say or write, saw it, and fed it to Jeffrey Toobin for a guest essay.

[EOP]

Pistachios vs Walnuts

As this verywellhealth article explains, both pistachios and walnuts support heart, gut, and metabolic health. Pistachios provide more protein and fiber per serving, while walnuts are higher in heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Pistachios may help with satiety, blood sugar control, and cholesterol levels, while walnuts offer powerful anti-inflammatory benefits and may support brain health. Enjoy them in moderation as part of a varied diet—but watch portions, as both are calorie-dense.

[EOP]

PS re Shohei Ohtani

After yesterday's post, Ohtani took the mound, and notched another win, lowered his ERA, and, on his first at bat, hit a home run. Here's his YTD pitching-record summary:

[EOP]

Connectivity Satisfaction

As this Phone Arena article reports, when it comes to customer satisfaction, T-Mobile beats Verizon and Samsung beats Apple. Although not part of the report, it is meet to note that those two winners also beat their rivals on price. Google Fi Wireless wins on price (at least for a year), but I don't have any data on customer satisfaction.

[EOP]

Sunscreen and a Note on SPF

This informative article reports on the top sunscreens as rated by Consumer Reports. This year, Coppertone Water Babies Lotion SPF 50 earned a perfect overall score at the top of Consumer Reports ratings. Among sprays, Eucerin Advanced Hydration Spray SPF 50 came out on top. When choosing between lotion and spray, Consumer Reports says lotions generally make it easier to see how much you’re applying and to get even coverage. Adults need about one ounce — roughly a shot glass full — to cover the body, and sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours. The article also explains why the SPF number is not always accurate.

[EOP]

Access to Airport Lounges Without Paying a Hefty Credit Card Fee

If you don’t travel frequently and tend to travel solo, the U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card offers a 12-month Priority Pass Select membership and comes with a $0 annual fee. While this only allows for four free visits per membership year, you can simply pay a lounge entry fee if you exceed four visits. The card also comes with up to a $100 statement credit to cover your TSA PreCheck® or Global Entry® application fee. Any no-annual-card that offers lounge access — even in a limited form — is likely to catch our attention, as it’s a highly sought-after perk in an affordable package. A potential tradeoff could be that the card doesn’t have the strongest everyday rewards potential; it earns a solid 4X points on travel, but you’ll earn a lower 2X rate on dining, streaming services and at grocery stores. It also earns 4X points at gas and EV charging, but it’s capped at $1,000 each quarter (which is lower than the $1,500 quarterly cap most cards impose). 

PS: Given that there's no annual fee, if you have someone you travel with for most flights, they can get their own card and you both then can enjoy the lounge.

[EOP]

Refrigerator Backup and a Comment

Anker SOLIX just unveiled the S-Series, a new home-backup line built around a single, very specific promise: keep the fridge running longer than any other 2kWh power station, per Anker. The debut model, the Anker SOLIX S2000, packs 2,010Wh of LiFePO4 capacity, 1,500W of continuous AC output, and the first-ever TÜV SÜD A+ Runtime certification, which Anker says translates into up to 35 hours of refrigerator backup on a single charge. It also lands with an aggressive launch price. Early-bird signups at Ankersolix.com unlock a $599 code for launch day on June 2, with a $679.99 introductory price after that. MSRP is $1,199.99.

Comment: I cannot figure out how this makes economic or any other sense. But I pass it on for anyone who wants to pay $100s of dollars to keep their refrigerator going for 35 hours in a blackout.

Cheapest and Rankings of EVs

Cheapest: This MotorTrend article lists the 15 cheapest EVs for 2026, and the Chevy Bolt leads the list.

Ranking: Here are Car and Driver's ranking of 2026 EVs.

[EOP]

Award-Winning Bourbons for 2026

There's nothing more pleasant after a grinding day preparing a blog email than to sit down in a comfy chair and sip down a bourbon or two. This The Whiskey Wash article reports on which bourbons earned unanimous 90+ scores in one of America's toughest blind-tasting competitions. 

[EOP]

Shohei Ohtani (After 7 Starts and 3-2 W/L): No Explanation Needed

 

[EOP]

Hopeful Signs re Air Travel to Europe This Summer

As noted here and elsewhere, jet fuel shortages have been a significant fallout from the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz, causing flight cancelations (particularly trans-Atlantic routes) and even some airline bankruptcies. As the WSJ now reports, however, United Airlines and others are expecting to see a rise in summer air travel, especially between the US and Europe.

[EOP]

Google Fi Wireless

We recently noted Google Fi as what looks to be an excellent, less expensive alternative to the Big 3 for cellphone service. I didn't realize they offer a 7-day free trial, and you don't have to discontinue your current service. So, you have nothing to lose but your chains.

[EOP]

Converting a Screed Into a Letter

After much prodding, I submitted yesterday's screed on the "anti-weaponization" fund into a  letter to the NYT under the Subject Line, "The "1776 Weaponization Fund": Learning From January 6," and the text of which read as follows: "President Trump is likely (and justifiably) scared that the mid-term elections will flip the House and the Senate. If that were to happen, rather than accept the results, Trump will declare the elections to have been rigged and a fraud and need to be overturned. Trump learned from January 6, when it comes to undoing an election, not to rely on an ad hoc effort.  What better way to stop the mid-term election results from being counted and certified than having a para-military group, made up of people who "proved" their loyalty and mettle at the January 6 insurrection, seize key district voting booths and tabulating machines.  This so-called $1.776B "anti-weaponization" fund is a hefty down-payment toward establishing and funding those January 6 rioters as the core of his own private army to do just that. The corruption that permeates the creation of this fund is outrageous, but misses the bigger point. What looms for our democracy from what might be better called a "weaponization" fund is terrifying."

[EOP]

How to Put an End to Trump's Corruption

Text of Letter to WSJ: "Trump is not the first corrupt politician, but he might be the most brazen (e.g., as reported here (May 20, "A Look at the Trump Accounts Busy Trading Big Tech Stocks")). The more dangerous problem, however, is Trump's apparent willingness to mix policy and timing of announcements to serve his insatiable greed irrespective of the harm that might be inflicted on national security and the national interest. As distasteful as it might be, perhaps the wisest course would be to make a deal with him, such as, give him $25 billion if he agrees no more graft or grift. Unfortunately, given his history of reneging on deals and the Supreme Court's insulating him from legal redress (while he remains free to sue the government and people),  there's no reason to believe that he would abide that agreement."

[EOP]

Right Way to Vacuum

Those short, quick, back-and-forth motions that the majority of people do when vacuuming isn't sucking up all that dust, dirt and lint that is embedded into carpets and floors. The more efficient way to vacuum -- and the way professional cleaners do it -- is to go forward, in structured rows. You'll start by vacuuming a row of your carpeting in one direction, wall-to-wall. This first pass should be against the nap of the carpet to fluff up and make the deeply embedded dirt come up easier. A way to tell if you're vacuuming against the nap correctly is if the carpet piles stick up or look a little darker. Next, push the vacuum back over that strip you just vacuumed. This will lay the carpet back down flat and will suck up the rest of the dirt you missed on the first pass. Once you're back to your starting place, vacuum another strip right next to the first, overlapping slightly. Keep repeating this routine until the whole room has been vacuumed thoroughly. Once you've completed that step, go perpendicular: If you were vacuuming north to south the first time, vacuum east to west on this second pass. If you think of your floor as a grid, you're going to want to pass over each square both ways for the best results. Yes, it's extra work and maybe it even seems like overkill, but this method ensures you get every bit of dirt and debris, which will keep your carpet cleaner and looking newer for longer. 

[EOP]

Detective Hole (2026 Norwegian Series on Netflix)

Detective Hole is the story about a brilliant but troubled detective, Harry Hole, who hunts a serial killer while battling a corrupt adversary, Tom Waaler, as they navigate ethical gray areas, with Harry determined to bring the criminal to justice. The first EP of this 9EP series (all of which have dropped) was good. But the violence in EP2 was so over the top that that's end for us.

[EOP]

Trump's $1.776B "Anti-Weaponization" Fund

Does one have to be a left-wing, nut-job, conspiratorialist to believe that: (i) The devout MAGA-ets (about 30% of the voting population) are a cult who will support anything Trump says or does; (ii) Trump is demented at best and insane at worst; (iii) Trump is terrified that the mid-term elections will flip the House and the Senate; if they go badly for him, Trump will declare the elections to have been rigged and a fraud and need to be overturned; (iv) Trump wants a mechanism to help him overturn or stop the reporting and certification of the election results; (v) Trump sees creating his own private army as such an insurance policy mechanism toward that end; (vi) his so-called $1.776B "anti-weaponization" fund is a hefty taxpayer-funded down-payment toward establishing and funding the January 6 rioters as the core of that army; and (vii) what better way to stop the mid-term election results from being counted and certified than having a para-military group, made up of people who "proved" their loyalty and mettle on January 6, seize key district voting booths and tabulating machines. Put more simply, this might be better called a "weaponization" fund.

[EOP]

Center Alignment of Windows 11 Taskbar Icons

The Windows 11 taskbar icons default to align to the left (top pic below). To have them center-align (low pic below), right click on the Taskbar/left click on Taskbar Settings/ click on Taskbar behaviors/ choose Center. Obvious how to revert to left-alignment if you want. I have switched to the center-alignment mode and have found it more soothing.

[EOP]

How Best to Keep Blueberries Fresh

Until reading this article, I used the cold-rinse with vinegar method to keep blueberries fresh. As it turns out, no need for the rinse. After testing 18 methods, here's what appears to be the best way: Remove any moldy berries from original packaging,  and then store remaining blueberries (in that same packaging) in the fridge. (If your blueberries come in a cardboard carton and that carton becomes damp, you should transfer the berries to a clean, dry container.) Rinse well right before consuming.

[EOP]

Question re Presidential Etiquette

When Trump passes, how many then-living ex-presidents, vice-presidents, and other dignitaries would you expect to attend?

[EOP] 

Song Ultra EV: It's Not in the Future, It's Now

As this electrek article reports, BYD's Ultra EV takes just 5 minutes to charge from 10% to 70% and 9 minutes to 97%, costs under $25,000, and has a clean minimalist design inside. It's selling like hotcakes in China. 

[EOP]

Running Point (2025 Series on Netflix)

Running Point might get better after the first 10 minutes, but I'll never know. Those 10 minutes were excruciating enough.

[EOP]

The Dems Need to Do Two Things: Find a Leader and Find a Solution

Trump's poll numbers continue to crater given how the economy, inflation, the war, the price of gas, and such are. At the same time, Americans hold highly unfavorable views of both the Republican and Democratic parties, with each struggling to break 40% favorability. Net favorability ratings frequently fluctuate, but both parties generally hover between negative \(10\%\) and negative \(25\%\) in national polls, depending on the exact survey. The standing of both parties is highly polarized: The Republican Party: Favorable ratings hover between \(38\%\) and \(40\%\), with about \(75\%\) to \(90\%\) of Republicans viewing their own party positively. The Democratic Party: Favorable ratings also sit near \(38\%\), with roughly \(65\%\) to \(85\%\) of Democrats viewing their own party favorably. The Dems have identified their principal issue: affordability. But, what the Dems have not done are two things: (i) Come forward with a clear message of what they would do if they gained control of the House and the Senate (a la a "contract with America"); and (ii) identify someone who can be the driving force of selling that message (a la [I won't say his name]).

[EOP]

Leon Messi

While Messi is best know for his goals, he can pull of an assist like few, if anyone else, can.

[EOP]

Number of Women Among the 50 Highest Paid Athletes in 2025

See this headline for the answer.

[EOP] 

Stopping Sheets From Balling Up in the Dryer

This RealSimple article  suggests several easy ways to stop sheets from balling up in the dryer. It omits the easiest, least costly, and most eco-friendly way: Hang them out on a drying line.

[EOP]

Soundbars vs Speaker Systems

Even if you're floored by the picture quality of your brand-new TV, you probably can't say the same about its audio performance. That's to be expected, as TVs are thinner than ever these days, and built-in speakers have gotten less powerful. Fortunately, you can upgrade your TV audio, and there are two main ways to do so: adding a soundbar or installing a dedicated speaker system. As this BGR article explains, there are pros and cons to both of these audio products, and which is best for you will depend on factors like what you like to use your TV for (e.g., streaming apps, video games, watching old DVDs), room size, furniture, and how "cinematic" you want your movies and shows to sound. Generally speaking, though, a soundbar is designed to enhance dialogue, overall clarity, and volume, while a dedicated speaker system will deliver a wider, more immersive soundstage, making it feel like you're a part of the movie or show you're watching. If you're more the "set it and forget it" type, the plug-and-play design of many soundbars will be a huge benefit. The lion's share of systems connect to your TV via HDMI ARC/eARC or digital optical; this ensures that all AV components plugged into your TV route audio to the soundbar, including your TV's built-in apps. Features like HDMI-CEC should also allow you to control the soundbar volume with your TV remote, and many bars have a dedicated center speaker for boosting dialogue and vocals.

[EOP]

Enhancing Your Streaming Experience

One of the quickest ways to improve your streaming experience is by adjusting your TV’s picture settings. Most smart TVs are set to preset modes like “Vivid” or “Dynamic” by default. While these may look impressive in stores, they often over-saturate colors and unnaturally boost brightness. Switching to a user preset like “Movie” or “Cinema” mode is usually the best starting point for more accurate colors and balanced contrast. From there, you can fine-tune your brightness, contrast, and sharpness settings to suit the ambiance of your living space. Lowering sharpness can reduce artificial edge enhancement, while adjusting brightness helps reveal details in darker scenes. If your TV includes advanced settings like white balance or color temperature, choose a “Warm” setting for a more natural look. These changes, while small, can make movies and shows appear less saturated and closer to what their creators intended. This MUO article has more detail.

[EOP]

DTF St. Louis (2026 Series on Hulu)

A source whose reliability on what is good can be spotty,* has an excellent record on and eye for what is bad (except when it comes to rom-coms and schmaltz, and his refusal to watch Barbie continues to confound us). In any event, he assures us that DTF St. Louis "ended up being affirmatively bad," and we trust him totally on this, and appreciate his heads-up on it.

_________________

     *   We note that his tolerance for violence is higher than ours, and confess that our lower tolerance for violence is out of step with most viewers' tolerance, which might explain and put in context the "spotty" comment.

[EOP]

Benefits of Google Wallet

I mainly used Google Wallet for one thing: tap-to-pay purchases. At first, I found most of the extra features in Google Wallet to be unnecessary. I often kept loyalty cards buried in my emails, event tickets saved as screenshots, and transit passes scattered across different apps. However, my perspective changed as I began to incorporate more everyday items into Google Wallet, rather than just using it as a payment app. Now, I frequently use it for boarding passes, store memberships, tickets, backup payment cards, and quick-access passes. I did not anticipate that Google Wallet would become such an integral part of my daily routine, but a few simple features have made it surprisingly hard to stop using. This article has more on the topic.

[EOP]

Why TV Golf Commentary Is So Insufferable

If you watched late Saturday (moving day) of the PGA Championship, the commentary was dominated by the phrase, "the cream rises to the top." With no dissent in as the several stove-pipes repeated the mantra. Then, late on Sunday, without blinking an eye as to what happened to the cream, the tune became, "no one could have expected a leaderboard like this." The point is this: There are an elite few who, over a span of years, will have better careers than the pack. But these are all world class players, almost any one of whom can beat the cream like a drum on any given day or in any one tournament. The PGA in particular is littered winners we rarely hear from again, which might be the fate of our the heir-apparent to Tommy Two-Gloves (and who also apparently covers his irons with head covers), who turned in a fabulous final back nine to seize the day.

[EOP]

Google Fi Phone Plans

Google Fi  looks to have excellent phone plans that could save you a lot of money--at least for the first year after you have switched.. You can bring your own phone or buy one through it at what look to be good discounts.

[EOP]

TVs' Stand-by Mode Explained

As this BGR article explains: When you turn a smart TV off, you aren't actually turning it off. According to manufacturers such as Sony, if the screen isn't on but the power light is, the TV has entered a "standby mode." Depending on the brand and model, standby mode can install apps and updates in the background, maintain voice recognition features, and quickly power the set on to resume watching TV. Different manufacturers often hide an actual powered-off state behind a maze of settings menus, although some, such as Amazon Fire TV, simply don't give you the option — you either have "On" or "Standby." If you can't find the option to turn off your TV (or it doesn't come with one), you can always just unplug it or hook up a smart plug between the TV and the wall so you can physically cut off power through an app. Just make sure the TV is the only gadget connected to the plug; you should never run a power strip through the smart plug. Is standby mode really such a drain? There aren't enough hours in the day for a TV's standby mode to put a dent in your budget. If you want to save money with your TV, you have plenty of other options than worrying about standby mode. For instance, many sets have an Eco Mode that reduces power consumption at the cost of low performance. If you don't mind this setting ruining your screen's brightness (and other quality-enhancing features), activate Eco Mode, and you will probably see more savings in one day than you would with a year of standby.

[EOP]

Beef (Season 2 on Netflix)

The first season of Beef was hard to watch (and some of us didn't watch it), with lots of conflict, problems, and setbacks, but it actually worked up to an amazing ending. It's hoped S2 will have a similar high quality. Having seen only the first 2 EPs of S2, we are reluctant to say more than that, if this season is as good as the first was, it will be worth watching. There are, however, indications online that viewers are not as pleased with S2 and some of us are not keen on what they've seen so far. (The two seasons feature different actors and storylines.)  In S2's first two episodes, Oscar Isaac and Carey Mulligan, playing the seemingly wealthy managers of a lush country club, have an extremely violent and destructive fight. Initially unknown to them, a young couple (Cailee Spaeny and Charles Melton) who work at the club in low-level jobs, have witnessed the fight and take a video of it. Cash-strapped, the younger couple soon use this video evidence as a way to get better jobs at the country club, but things start to fall apart for both couples as well as the imperious owner of the club, visiting from Korea. 

[EOP]

Windows 11 New Task Bar

Windows 11 new task bar is moveable and resizable, as this short video shows.

[EOP]

Used EVs Arguably the Best Car Deals

We envy those who can and do, not everyone can afford to buy a new EV. But, there's good news for the rest of us. As this WSJ article reports, EVs are now the most affordable type of personal transportation around.Until recently, this wasn’t true. Even used EVs were too expensive and scarce. And while EV “fuel ups” are typically cheaper than the cheapest gasoline, the cost difference between charging and pumping wasn’t big enough. With rising oil prices and more used EVs coming off leases every month, the total cost of ownership equation has flipped. A recent analysis by researchers at the University of Michigan found this holds true across a variety of vehicle types, U.S. cities and charging patterns. The article goes on to give good tips in what to look for in buying a used EV.

[EOP]

Benefits of Using a Travel Agent

Many people do all their travel planning themselves with no help. Others do it themselves but with heavy reliance on various AI tools. Lest you think the travel agent has attained dinosaur status, this WSJ piece will make you think again as it explains that the travel agent is alive and well, and can be quite helpful.

[EOP]

Simple HDMI Setting Tweak for an Optimum TV Picture

To ensure maximum compatibility between the source (e.g., the cable box or other external device) and your TV and avoid HDMI handshake issues, manufacturers set the HDMI format on modern TVs to the Standard setting. The HDMI standard format ensures stability but limits signal strength, degrading image quality and gaming performance. This is why I toggle the HDMI format to Enhanced on a new TV the moment I set it up. This setting prioritizes image quality and performance by allowing the full strength of the HDMI signal to pass from the source to the TV. What you get is better colors, maximum frame rates, and the best HDR performance possible on your panel. You can find this setting in the TV's input settings. Different manufacturers call it by different names, such as HDMI Ultra, HD Deep Color, Input Signal Plus, HDMI UHD Color, or simply HDMI Enhanced Format. You'll need to toggle this for each HDMI port individually, depending on which ones are currently in use. 

[EOP]

Good News re Cellphone Coverage in Remote Areas (Like Manzanita, Oregon)

Not having cellphone coverage in a remote vacation spot is disconcerting, not because one wants to spend any significant time on the phone, but to have access and be accessible in the event of an emergency. Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile have agreed in principle to form a joint venture to tackle U.S. wireless dead zones. The partnership plans to use satellite based direct-to-device connectivity and shared spectrum to extend coverage to rural and remote areas. The collaboration is intended to support more reliable service during emergencies and offer more consistent experiences across networks.

[EOP]

Fitbit Update

Google has rolled out version 4.69 of Fitbit for Android as the last update before the Google Health rebrand. Upon updating, you’re greeted with: “The Fitbit app is becoming the Google Health app.” Focus stats have been redesigned with a larger set of selectable metrics. Of note is the ability to remove the Large circular Steps or Cardio load for a dense 2×3 grid. There’s also the ability to have more than one page. Similarly, you can customize “Key metrics” in the Health tab. This two-wide grid makes use of large square cards. Instead of a FAB (for non-Premium users), you get a “Log” button beneath the focus stats. This slides up the “Log manually” sheet that has been redesigned with a more grid-like interface. Temperature logging has also returned to the app. For subscribers, you can log with the Health Coach by using an image. Finally, on the widgets front, your only choice now is the “Steps Widget.” Fitbit 4.69 has also removed the long-press app shortcuts. This update is now widely rolled out via the Play Store.

[EOP]

Flaw in the Market's Volatility Index (VIX)

This piece by Spencer Jacob provides a lucid explanation of the VIX, aka the volatility index or fear index, and why it might not be telling you what it used to tell you. The obvious way to measure a market selloff is by the amount that stocks went down, but that doesn’t tell you investors’ emotional state. A recession is unpleasant. A terrorist attack, bank collapse or pandemic can be downright terrifying, even if prices don’t fall by quite as much. That’s where the market’s “fear gauge” comes in. The Cboe Volatility Index, or VIX, has become a quick-and-dirty way to quantify caution. Well, it used to be. The VIX holds steady all the inputs in the formula for pricing S&P 500 call or put options contracts over the next 30 days, except for how much choppiness they assume— the market’s implied volatility. (Calls confer the right to buy, puts the right to sell, at given prices.) Those options are a bit like insurance. Premiums surge when a storm is upon us and gradually get back to normal. Lately, though, options prices have been tamed by an influx of supply from deep-pocketed insurance agents. Popular funds like the JPMorgan Equity Premium Income ETF sell calls to boost their payouts. So the VIX’s signal as an indicator of investor angst is being muted, and when it does spike it doesn’t stay high for as long.

[EOP]

Where the World Stands re Oil

An underappreciated surplus of crude oil, sloshing around storage tanks and aboard ships, cushioned the global economy when the Persian Gulf closed 2½ months ago. That excess supply is now dwindling at a record pace, with oil executives and analysts predicting that a harsh reckoning is set to upend the relative calm in energy markets. Acute shortages of key fuels and soaring prices could emerge within weeks if the Strait of Hormuz remains shut. The drawdown in private storage and government strategic reserves, along with a fall in demand because of the higher prices, has bought time and prevented oil prices from exploding. But it has left little margin for error in the months ahead. The runway to avoid reaching critical levels—known as tank bottoms in industry parlance— is vanishing rapidly. As noted yesterday, China still has 1.5 billion barrels of oil in reserve.

[EOP]

PS re The PGA Championship's Course (Aronimink) and a Correction

PS re Aronimink: An eagled-eyed astute loyal reader has pointed out that Aronimink, where the PGA is being played this years, seemingly has been deforested, and it has. As the WSJ reports, the idea was to take the course back to how it looked in 1928 under Donald Ross's original design.

Correction: This blog referenced the 1960 PGA Championship as taking place at Aronimink. That same loyal reader quite deftly and subtly, and with no insult or denigration which would have been deserved, pointed out the mistake: That PGA Championship was held in 1962 and not 1960, so the kid that was mentioned was actually 16 not 14, which makes sense because he remembers driving himself to perform his 10th hole duties.

[EOP]

Understanding Why China Feels No Compulsion to Help Out the US in Its Iran Pickle

China gets most of its oil from Iran. Many think that makes China vulnerable in the present circumstance so that it would be eager to help resolve the "skirmish" Trump initiated with Iran, and have the Strait reopened. Here's the key fact: China has 1.5 BILLION barrels of oil stored in reserve. 

[EOP]

Wirecutter's Choice for Printers and MFCs

We have a laser Brother MFC (printer/copier/scanner/fax) that is at least 10 years old, and it works as good as it did on day one. We were not surprised to see, when it comes to home laser printers and MFCs, that similar looking Brother machines are Wirecutter's top-choices across the board. 

[EOP]

Motorola Phones Worthy of Consideration

As this article explains, if you're looking for a new cellphone, Motorola is definitely worth considering from their budget phones through their high-end foldables.

[EOP]

Tipping in an Inflationary Era

When inflation creeps in, people tend to cut back on non-essential expenses. In particular, they tend to eat out less frequently and, when they do eat at a restaurant, tend to tip less than they otherwise would. That's why it's important to think of the plight of the food-server when calculating the amount of tip to leave. If the food-server worse off than you are, consider not cutting back when it comes to the tip.

[EOP]

China vs USA

It used to be that the USA was the most powerful stabilizing force in the world. Trump's hat-in-hand trip to China underscores that China now holds that position as as a weakened USA continues careening down its course of international destabilization.  

[EOP]

Migration Out of America

As this article reports, Americans appear to be leaving the U.S. at once-in-a-century levels, fleeing divisive politics and a cost of living crisis. In 2025, the flow of Americans ditching the 50 states for good caused the first estimated net outward migration of the U.S. population in decades, something that likely hasn’t happened since the 1929 Great Depression.

[EOP]

PS re Minor Sports Things

Further yesterday's post, it is meet to note that football has its moments: Passing and receiving.

[EOP]

Don't Beat Yourself Up For Missing a Huge Market Correction

Beside Buffett, noted Fed Chairs including Greenspan, Yellen, Bernanke, and Powell, all of whom are really really smart, didn't see tectonic changes in the market that became obvious in retrospect. And it isn't as if they all weren't warned. They were. The problem they had (which is akin to the flaw in the argument that a president doesn't need to be smart because they will have great advisors) is that, for every brilliant advisor saying X, there was another brilliant advisor saying Not X.

[EOP]

Three Minor Sports Things

Tiger Woods: The prosecutors in the Tiger Woods DUI case have subpoenaed his prescription drug history records. TW objected, and a settlement was reached whereby the records would be turned over but not made public. Maybe there's something else in those records, but many suspect that the PGA has colluded to keep his alleged steroid use a secret. If in fact he was doping while collecting major victories, it would be an indelible stain on him and on the PGA. As is often said in the context of the family he is recently been dating, that would be shocking, but not surprising.

The PGA Championship: The second major of the year takes place this week at Aronimink outside Philadelphia. We have little interest in it (Tiger will not be playing and the only two story-lines are: (i)  whether Jordan Spieth can become a grand slammer; and (ii) how can they justify a 6:45 am start-time when the sun doesn't rise until 6:00 am?), don't expect to watch except perhaps the back nine on Sunday. But, for those of you who do watch, here's what to watch for: In 1960, the PGA Championship was played at Aronimink and, in those days, they had volunteers who handled (and got paid $10/day) the green-side sand-traps, and a precocious 14yo phenom did so on the 10th hole. So, if they show file footage of how the kid took charge of the crowd when Arnie's Army came through and other such historic highlights, you can say: I know that kid!

Why Baseball Is Considered a Team Sport: Take a look at this catch in a Stanford/St. Mary's game.

[EOP]

PS re Durant's (Phoenix Restaurant)

Durant's has been a Phoenix landmark for decades (serving at one point as the unofficial campaign headquarters of the great lawyers this  country has seen in his unsuccessful run for Congress in 1972). As it has gone through several ownership changes and as time has marched on, prices have gone up. I haven't been there in a while, but I looked at the menu that came in with its recent re-opening in December 2025. To say the prices are eye-popping would not describe them adequately. Talking about a K-shaped economy: Not everyone can afford to pay over $200 for a dinner. I'll stick with my Happy Meals.

[EOP]

Another Excuse for Not Selling Your Tesla Has Been Eliminated

Tesla has quietly rolled out one of its most practical software updates yet — and it could add real dollars to every used Model 3, Y, S, and X on the road. Starting with the latest Tesla app version, owners now receive an official “Certification of Repaired HV Battery” whenever Tesla performs a major high-voltage battery repair or full replacement. The digital certificate appears directly in the vehicle’s Service History tab inside the Tesla app. It’s permanent, verifiable, and downloadable as a PDF, so sellers can hand it over to buyers in seconds. For years, the used EV market has suffered from one glaring problem: nobody could prove what happened to the battery. Service invoices often vanish when a car changes hands. Third-party battery-health scans are expensive and inconsistent. Buyers, staring at a car with 80,000 miles and an 8-year warranty ticking down, would negotiate hard — or walk away entirely — because the battery is the single most expensive part of any Tesla. That uncertainty routinely shaved thousands off resale values and slowed the entire secondhand market. Now Tesla has eliminated the guesswork.The new certificate, which was spotted by Tesla App Updates, logs exactly what work was done, when, and by whom. It lives inside the car’s digital profile forever, exactly where any future owner will look. No more digging through old emails or hoping the previous owner kept paperwork.

[EOP]

Another Milestone Thanks to the Bots

Why the bots love this blog (which has now put up 14,611 posts) is beyond me, but they surely do, as they, along with our loyal, occasional, and other readers, have taken our total hits to over 1.5 million:

[EOP]

Amazon 30-Minute Delivery

For many of you who hate waiting overnight or even a few hours to get stuff, your long national nightmare is (at least partially) over: Amazon announced the launch of its 30-minute delivery option, dubbed “Amazon Now,” in dozens of U.S. cities. This ultra-fast delivery option will allow customers to shop across “thousands” of items, Amazon says, including fresh groceries, household essentials, and other locally-relevant items. At launch, Amazon Now will be widely available in Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth, Philadelphia, and Seattle, and is expanding to Austin, Denver, Houston, Minneapolis, Orlando, Oklahoma City, and Phoenix. By year-end, Amazon expects to bring the service to tens of millions of customers in these and other cities, as the rollout continues across the U.S. The eligible items will be flagged with “30-minute delivery” banners in the Amazon app and website. Amazon Now offers will also be displayed to customers as they shop.

[EOP]

The Stock Market and the Iran War

There's only one way to explain the continued rise of the stock market as the Iran war continues: As a forward-looking-discounting mechanism, it believes that there will be a resolution at least on the Straight of Hormuz so that the economic dislocations going on will end and normalcy will return. But, think about what happens: (i) if there is no such resolution, and Iran continues to exercise a choke-hold on the Straight; (ii) oil and gas prices not only don't come down, but supplies of jet fuel, fertilizer, petrochemicals, transportation costs, food, pharmaceuticals, and such dry up; and (iii) the market says, oops, we were wrong about their being an accommodative end-game. By all measures, that flex-point looks to be sooner rather than later.

[EOP] 

The Next Testament: What If There Is an Interventionist God

As might be written in the Next Testament: If there is a God who chooses sides, one might say that, in 2016, God wanted to see what Trump might do to fix the problems that had festered too long in this country. But God quickly saw that was a mistake, and sent a plague (Covid) to make clear that Trump was the problem, not the answer. Figuring the job was done as the people rose up against Trump in 2020, God took a well-deserved nap, only to wake and realize the Golden Calf had come back and was being worshiped again in 2024. So, God let Trump play with his video-like war games figuring the people would see the folly of allowing such a creature to be their leader, but unfortunately they still didn't learn. So, then, God sent the Hantavirus, whose early days of denial, misinformation, miscalculation, and mistakes look possibly to be a replay of Covid's early days under Trump. Yes, and how many times can a man turn his head, And pretend that he just doesn't see?

[EOP]

NYT's Folding to Trump

In the May 12 Spelling Bee (as seen below), "conman" produced a "not on our word list" response. I submitted a "suggest a word" on their form and sent them a blistering email about how outrageous it was not to include a word unqualifiedly accepted by Merriam-Webster (as seen below).

[EOP]