william.scherk

Art got in touch today! I'm hoping we remaining band members could bang out one last new A and B side. Here's hoping.

My fave of his mid-career. Big money? No. Lots of gratis labor and five thousand Canadian dollars. 
 

13 hours ago, Peter said:

My Dad's early death from lung disease was from working in the Philadelphia Naval Ship Yard back in the 30's and 40's. You had to wear a mask at all times but he would periodically pull his mask off to say something or smoke a cigarette . . . but the cigarettes didn't kill him though they didn't help his decline. Asbestos played a part in his death, but he was not allowed to sue the Navy or the Government.

My father Sidney's early death was from heart disease. Heart disease did not kill Sid's brother, my uncle Don Scherk. Uncle Don survived his 'big one' ... and lived on till age 75.

My dad was a boozehound of sorts in much of his 30s. He was sober and starting a new job when his 'big one' brought him down on a business trip.  He had just become a father to my half-brother David. David never knew his father. 

The maternal line is the one with a run on depression and mood disorders and cancer of the lung, with a bit of Dark Norwegian Fjord brooding that we don't talk about at family reunions. 

Our longest lived relative is from my mom's side -- an original Enwright. She is now 103 and lives in Seattle with her youngest son as home care-giver.  She's pretty frail, but gets to church on time, via ZOOM these days. 

After my cardiac 'big one' was averted by a successful arterial stent, I started to prepare myself mentally for the next family 'drop.' I figured it was me that would be dropping -- and soon. 

I figured wrong. 

3 hours ago, Peter said:

She was far from the only House Republican who was outraged at Biden's suggestion that the GOP would end Medicare or Social Security, massively popular federal programs.

I believe this apparent gross misidentification stems from Florida Senator Rick Scott big mouth -- he put forward some kind of point-form plan that offered an obvious target for the put-on 'outrage' we see in the House.

Quote

 

The Rick Scott-inspired moment in the State of the Union
By GARY FINEOUT  02/08/2023 07:00 AM EST
Hello and welcome to Wednesday.

A new kind of name check— President Joe Biden didn’t say Florida Sen. Rick Scott’s name during his State of the Union speech.

Ruckus — But oh, he said enough about Scott’s plans to create a notable moment where Republicans in the Capitol reacted sharply with even some lawmakers calling Biden a “liar.”

Setting sun— While Biden discussed raising the debt ceiling, he said “some Republicans” want to sunset Medicare and Social Security every five years. This was a reference to Scott’s “Rescue America” plan that calls for all federal legislation to include such a provision.

Exchange— As Republicans began to loudly yell back at Biden, the president said: “I’m not saying it’s a majority.” He also added, “I’m politely not naming them, but it’s being proposed by some of you.” Amid the raucous response, Biden then said, “So folks, as we all apparently agree, Social Security and Medicare is off the books now. They're not to be touched? All right. We've got unanimity!"

Familiar target— This of course is not the first time Biden has taken swipes at Scott’s plan, nor the first time Republicans sought to publicly distance themselves from it. The president mentioned it frequently in the run up to the midterm elections.

Response — Scott, who has insisted he would never support getting rid of Social Security, hit back on social media Tuesday night where he said on his political Twitter account that Biden “once again lies about Republicans trying to cut Social Security and Medicare.”

Going on air— Scott’s tweet includes video from a new ad from Scott that is scheduled to run in Tampa on Thursday and Friday to coincide with Biden’s planned trip there. In the ad, Scott rips into Biden and says he should resign. It wouldn’t be a surprise if Biden had a few words in return once he lands in Florida.

[...]

 

6 hours ago, Reason Man said:

My FB link: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000921224448

 

FB-Post no 51 is pinned, you will see it immediately;

I liked reading your OL post here, the first time and the second time. We are worlds away, but some words help move toward good moods. Hope you wake up cracking like that every day.

It's hard to push against a seemingly immovable mass, but. 

My ancestrals back a scant hundred years were dark and brooding, extremely hidden fjord Norwegian, who found an even starker forest inlet at Bella Coola.

Closest counterpart in 2023, would have to be that scream of a TV show, "The Truth Will Out." Norwegians do not always show a grim face to the world, or greet each curtly or with disdain. They will not feed you dinner if you linger, yes, but neither do the Swedes, also dour and prone to axe murdering.

My clan was Enwright down the male line and Norwegian Depression down the maternal mitochondrial.

That means yes, all you Enwright lot will be bald like every uncle. 

I am half-joking about the Norwegian heritage. Most Norwegians I know are your basic convivial, temperate Hosehead Canuck. Prone to screaming at hockey games and drinking Molson.

On the other hand, there are senseless, brutal, shocking and mystifying murders in every locale on this old blue Earth. 

For a scream of an introduction to the Mirth of WSS, be content to not understand half of this on first watch ...

On 1/23/2023 at 7:02 PM, william.scherk said:

My manager says great people can produce great things when they "Fuck It Up."

Which we did ... 

5 hours ago, Marc said:

And she has proof Peter!

She does!

8 hours ago, Michael Stuart Kelly said:

Why is nobody asking a questions about the following question?

Who is behind ChatGPT?

Nobody? 

I'd maybe go with "Who is asking a questions about the following  [blah blah]?"

Some crackhead ChatGPT YouTube mavens asking a questions:
 

Maureen Dowd, seer?

A.I.: Actually Insipid Until It’s Actively Insidious

Opinion | A.I.: Actually Insipid Until It’s Actively Insidious - The New York Times

WWW.NYTIMES.COM

---

ChatGPT ain’t Shakespeare, but it’s still a threat to humanity.

Good piece, Michael. Looks like you have fun while writing each day. 

Well nigh impossible to clear "Can't Come Back" out of my head now. I am in deepest Nostalgistan listening for '15 second video intro' candidates. I think it was penned in 1981.

Reviewing five more candidates from Los Popularos vinyl ... still hunting down "Mystery to Myself," which being ersatz Punk-Disco, may appeal to Michael Stuart Kelly, arranger and conductor. Fuck you, Perigo. I shagged all your sisters.

My ear says that the last chorus iterations: "I heard the words she never said" --from the struggling lead singer, is shit ... my sister suggested that the drunk flat hoarseness oughta be replaced by Ooooh and Aaaaah like The Carpenters. What the hell does she know?

Having listened to the outro at top volume via Audacity ... I am sick of the flat drunk maniac at the mic.

• Five bucks via  to Michael should you know if The Carpenters OOOAAAH is the right way to go to fix that flatness the fuck out of here.
• Expect subtitle options for KARAOKE.
• Ten bucks if you can quickly sketch out where a 2:17 meatchopper should strike .... just kill the second verse?

Until then, I will drop in a shorter, brighter, AM Radio mix. Download it and fuck it up, if you want.

CAN'T COME BACK

Can't Come Back

Or can you?

My manager says great people can produce great things when they "Fuck It Up."

He was a junkie and a burglar, so take that with a grain of salt. It works for me once a decade.

On 1/14/2023 at 5:53 AM, Marc said:

Trump/MGT 2024 ( or before ) 

• MTG == Marjorie Taylor Greene, freshly divorced from Perry Greene (the Daily Mail went all tabloid suggestive last year, using photos of MTG "schmoozing" with Bryan Glenn, Right Side Broadcasting Network executive and on-air personality ... )

We don't accept rumours about who is fucking who or shacked up in Cuba with Fidel Castro's cousin It, but still.

• MGT ~= Mar jGorie Taylor, if she drops the last name¹.

On 1/11/2023 at 7:50 AM, Michael Stuart Kelly said:

I just instructed the OpenAI Playground to give me information about neurochemicals and questions and it blew my mind.

I asked the ChatGPT borg to summarize MSK's post. Was it fair?

Quote

The writer is discussing their experience using the OpenAI Playground, an AI tool that they instructed to provide information about neurochemicals and questions. They express some caution about taking information from AI as sourced truth, but note that the information provided was a good starting point. The writer goes on to suggest that using questions in writing or speech can make it more interesting, as it activates the release of neurochemicals in the brain that are associated with understanding, formulating, and communicating answers. They also note that asking questions can help to reset the listener's brain and wipe away the "glaze" that can come from listening to a monologue.

I just finished a session with the ChatGPT borg starting with "Can you transform raw YouTube captions into a readable format?"

Borg said, yes ma'am, and we had a useful talk. It blew my mind how much help and in-your-face/use-it tools are provided. Eg, 

It might be about time to Coillect AI-Generator commentary in one spot. The field is on fire with invention and competition. 

Anyone think that is a good idea, a new collector thread? I'll put in on my blog if no other suggestions come in ...

I couldn't stream the Levin-Trump interview, but caught up with it shortly thereafter on Rumble; there is a lot packed into the fifteen minutes:

President Trump’s First Reaction To The Biden Special Counsel With Mark Levin

RUMBLE.COM

---

President Trump joins Mark Levin to give his first reaction to the President Biden special counsel.

President Trump will be interviewed by Mark Levin on his radio show tonight -- 7PM Eastern.

4 hours ago, Michael Stuart Kelly said:

Man, I was right there and didn't look hard enough.

Here's Kash talking about all of it, including Susan Rice, Eric Ciaramella, and others.

 

New tool ... ClipChamp

On 1/3/2023 at 12:42 PM, william.scherk said:

On 11/8/2022 at 2:43 PM, william.scherk said:

My wild guess is the GOP gains ~25 seats in the House in early projections, and that the totals will be within five seats once each seat is certified.

From a Democratic majority of 222–213 seated in 2021, to a Republican majority of 222-213 seated today.

Two wrongs make two wrong.

Make that three wrong. The majority is having a hard time gathering its factions together, so Congress can't start its season. No head coach, no refs, no teams on the ice, no committees lumbering into the light.

Which may or may not be a good thing.

You certainly get a fair long look at the inhabitants of the House of Representatives. I am impressed with the incoming Clerk. She doesn't give a shit about the screaming or try to gavel it down. The screams and shouts eventually die down, and she still gets paid.  Nobody seems to be in a hurry, except Putin tooters, maybe. 

Today is Grandstanding Groundhog Day.

On 8/24/2022 at 10:30 AM, william.scherk said:

On 8/23/2022 at 3:32 PM, tmj said:

They were/are multiple videos?

There are hours and hours of recorded video of the room in question from security cameras at State Farm arena -- preserved by the state of Georgia. Call this set of raw footage 'State Farm Security Footage.' 

Then there are videos in which a section or part of the SFSF material is presented -- raw, orwith comment and analysis overlaid. Eg, 

Jacki Pick appeared on the day of Rudy Giuliani's briefing before a Georgia state senate special committee (one of two briefings before the state senate on December 3 2020). Her video presentation was just under 20 minutes of the whole six hours.

Then there are many types of reports, TV show segments and further interviews that were broadcast or posted to social media-- using the Giuliani/Pick presentation to summarize what was claimed -- or/and to add further questions and answers. 

Then there are later campaign videos -- which in some cases played a broadcast editorial on a screen during a public event.

For example, there is footage from Newsmax played on-screen at the Valdosta Georgia Trump rally  December 6 2020 January 2021.  

When someone tells me something like "I saw it with my own eyes" ... I have to guess what it is they are remembering, what is is they saw; while the Pick/Giuliani presentation in December was what 'kicked off' the theory of "professional vote scammer and hustler" Ruby Freeman, a month of video and commentary was circulating by the time Trump played the Stinchfield clip.

For the full flavour of Trump's January 3 slurs on Freeman, see the unredacted or un-bleeped phone call from the White House to Georgia secretary of state Raffensperger:

NB -- OAN settled a defamation lawsuit with Freeman and Moss, "obviously busted" or not.

Trump and Ruby Freeman war on social media ... as it began (images linked to TruthSocial.com posts:

...

... judge and prepared to be judged for prejudging prejudice:

Thus Spake McCullough!

On 1/3/2023 at 12:12 PM, Michael Stuart Kelly said:

On 1/3/2023 at 12:05 PM, william.scherk said:

... what is 'Commotio cordis' ... ?

Big Pharma opposition research.

I'm going to have to do some Entity Thinking.

Dr Peter McCullough initially speculated and then ruled out the possibility of Commotio Cordis, as reported by Steve Kirsch at his Substack newsletter:

-- so what information would one need to consider -- to rule out any given speculation?

In other words, "Is the 'case closed' now that McCullough has spoken?"

All rise ...

On 1/4/2023 at 12:29 PM, Strictlylogical said:

On 1/4/2023 at 12:14 PM, william.scherk said:

When a football player has heart stoppage on the field, explanations of all kinds rush in from all sides. Interpretations, speculations, pet theories, habitual mysterianism, and trollish 'what-ifs' ...

So, I ask a question sparked by Dr Peter McCullough's mention of a cardiac phenomena, 'commotio cordis' ...

What do 'we' know?

We know that creating a laser or a supercomputer or a rocket is a generally uncomplex, localized, predictable endeavor.

Ah ... 

Bills Say Damar Hamlin Is Improving While Still in Critical Condition - The New York Times

WWW.NYTIMES.COM

---

Doctors treating Damar Hamlin at a hospital said he was beginning to awaken but still critically ill and on a ventilator.

From the hospital ...

From the hustler Stew Peters on GAB ... coupon code STEW

Knowledge is power. The ability to know things with reasonable certainty gives humans power over their lives and environment. 

When a football player has heart stoppage on the field, explanations of all kinds rush in from all sides. Interpretations, speculations, pet theories, habitual mysterianism, and trollish 'what-ifs' ...

So, I ask a question sparked by Dr Peter McCullough's mention of a cardiac phenomena, 'commotio cordis' ...

2 hours ago, Michael Stuart Kelly said:

2 hours ago, william.scherk said:

3 hours ago, Michael Stuart Kelly said:

3 hours ago, william.scherk said:

10 hours ago, Michael Stuart Kelly said:

Do your own thinking...

... what is 'Commotio cordis' ... ?

Big Pharma opposition research.

What does that mean, please?

Refusal to bow. [...] My thing is knowledge, not power.

What do 'we' know?

42 minutes ago, Michael Stuart Kelly said:

49 minutes ago, william.scherk said:

... what is 'Commotio cordis' ... ?

Big Pharma opposition research.

What does that mean, please?

Some wrongs, some rights.

On 11/8/2022 at 2:43 PM, william.scherk said:

My wild guess is the GOP gains ~25 seats in the House in early projections, and that the totals will be within five seats once each seat is certified.

From a Democratic majority of 222–213 seated in 2021, to a Republican majority of 222-213 seated today.

Two wrongs make two wrong.

On 11/8/2022 at 2:43 PM, william.scherk said:

I think the GOP will ultimately gain three seats in the Senate, but it might not be apparent until later. I'll know how wrong I am if Georgia does not go to a run-off.

Well, a one seat 51-49 majority for the Democratic Party means  that this a fresh Senate, which means that previous holdover committees will be renewed and repeopled. 

On 11/8/2022 at 2:43 PM, william.scherk said:

States in my top five Whither list are Arizona, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Nevada and New York.

I guess a clean sweep of the statewide races in Arizona by GOP candidates, and have no "feel" for the others, though I will not be surprised at broad GOP gains or increased margins for incumbents.

Arizona's GOP wins were notable by their absence. The Trump-backed candidates for state office failed also in Pennsylvania, Georgia and New York. Win some, lose some.

Donald Trump may be having a good day down in Mar-a-Lago watching the struggle to elect a Pelosi replacement, though he maintains support for Kevin McCarthy.

Here's his last full interview with a reporter, Wayne Allyn Root with a Christmas theme. Trump speaks of McCarthy at around 1:20

7 hours ago, Michael Stuart Kelly said:

Do your own thinking...

... what is 'Commotio cordis' ... ?

Commotio cordis - Wikipedia

EN.WIKIPEDIA.ORG

6 hours ago, Michael Stuart Kelly said:

Ah, come on, William.

You know you don't give a shit about Christianity.

I don't know for sure, but I imagine you have not read the Bible cover to cover and would consider the effort stupid.

You only liked this Pope because he wasn't very Christian, but instead a leftie.

I am not clairvoyant, as I must assume you profess yourself to be.

I have paid attention to Christianity and the flux of religion and its varied powers all my rational life. One of my mental tentactles is currently down deep holes in study of the development of the standard works of the Latter-Day Saints traditions. The richest religious corporation in the land ... the most troubled by modernism.  My favourite bible translation comparison site is currently ... well, a good mind reader can fill in such blanks. Hint: It's not Bible Hub.

"You only liked this Pope because he wasn't very Christian" ...

Ah, come on, William.

That guy ('this [dead] Pope') was complicit in a cover-up of priestly abuses of children under his benedictship back when he was the ecclesiastical authority in Germany. He was a foul conservative bag of repression and criminal negligence, in my opinion. He was a vain, ugly, stupid pope, to my eyes.

I smiled in reaction because it almost appeared you believed that the current Argentine-born pope whatsisname had just died, and not his predecessor, Benedict the rampant Child Sexual Abuse Cover-upper.

Going forward, the General Authorities advise less psychic-epistemology and more assumption-checking, Maestro. Folk reasoning can only get us so far ... which reminds me, can you imagine a revamped Screaming Pope** depicted with the current maniacal throne-holder? This is via AI on Discord ... nobody there has heard of Francis Bacon.

** 

6 hours ago, Michael Stuart Kelly said:

Bolsonaro came out and said he wasn't behind any attempt to stop Lula from taking power.

I've been watching the Brazilian military YouTube channel updates for signs that Steve Bannon's correspondent is not full of shit. So far, lots of fun, not a lot of repression, seizures and Securitate-style action.

The best part of not understanding a language is watching as if a tableau vivante. I was especially struck by  one of Bolsonaro's recent impromptu appearances before supporters at a kind of moat on the grounds of the official presidential residence in Brasilia, Alvorada. Bolsonaro has been relatively quiet, resolute, and austere.

The Brazilian media sphere is pretty damn lively. I have no idea where the 'centre' lies in terms of accuracy and relative sobriety. 

But raw, this is from today, the President of Brazil speaking freely, live eleven hours ago:

He is now on his way to Orlando, Florida?

Final Brazilian connection, the fabulist facing a full reckoning, "George Santos," from I forget where today:

“We don’t carry the Ukrainian last name,” Santos said. “For a lot of people who are descendants of World War II refugees or survivors of the Holocaust, a lot of names and paperwork were changed in the name of survival. So I don’t carry the family last name that would’ve been Zabrovsky. I carry my mother’s maiden name which is the Dutch side of the family.”

News outlets have questioned Santos’s claims about his family in recent weeks, citing genealogy records that show his grandparents were born in Brazil before the Nazis rose to power. Santos claimed that they emigrated to Brazil during World War II.
 

Zabrovsky! I will not be surprised if rumours turn out true -- that one of Santos's imaginary friends or alter-egos will somehow have arranged for the mysterious slushPAC funding.  I won't really be satisfied until he is discovered to have been doing GOP drag boot-shake fundraising as Rhonda Santis.