Month: June 2023

Different Universe, Part 17

Economics

The usual snow job on the economy:

The CPI report shows that inflation rose four percent from last May, which is less than half of what it was at its peak in 2022, when it hit 9.1 percent year-over-year in June. Economic forecasts had predicted inflation would come in at 4.1 percent, meaning that the current economic climate is doing better than expected.

Uh huh.  Considering that our “expectations” were of the Four Riders genre, that doesn’t mean much.  And it gets worse:

However, core CPI – which excludes volatile food and energy prices – rose 5.3 percent from last May, which is a far less-rosy picture of the state of the economy.

Yeah, I’m so glad that the first inflation “estimate” just happens to exclude the two categories which affect ordinary people’s lives the most.  And for the record, I’m still of the mind that the “5.3 percent” inflation rate is only about a third of what I’m seeing at the grocery store — i.e. 15 percent would be closer to the mark, which is about how much my closely-budgeted grocery spend has gone up in the past three months.

By the way: has anyone priced tires recently?  Holy shit.

When the history of this era comes to be written, one of the most egregious falsehoods to be exposed will be the “official” inflation rate.

Just Stupid

Drive Time

I see that Eyetie supercar maker Pagani has made a new one:

It’s called the Codalunga, which I assume is Italian for “Fat-Ass”:

But that’s not the ridiculous part of the Kardashian-styled kar.  The interior is worse.

Hands up those who can think of at least two sexual innuendos contained in the design… oh, all of you, huh?

The most charitable thing I can say about those seats is that as a supercar, of course, the Codawhatsit won’t have any cupholders;  but at least you’d be able to wedge a Big Gulp in your crotch without freezing yer dangler/ladyparts.

And if the center dashboard console brings to mind the name of the Irish airline…

[exit, laughing sardonically]

Dept. Of Righteous Shootings

Righteous Shootings

Sent to me by several of you, this welcome news:

According to investigators, the chain of events began when Serigny first targeted a car parked in the driveway, setting off the alarm and drawing the homeowners’ attention. The residence was equipped with multiple security cameras, which captured footage of the suspect engaging in bizarre behavior, such as eating grass and striking his chest.

Video evidence showed Serigny subsequently attempting to break the glass door of the home. At this point, the homeowner discharged a single shot, causing the intruder to collapse. However, Serigny managed to regain his footing, puncturing another hole in the door before eventually breaking it open. The homeowner responded by firing three to four additional shots, ultimately leading to Serigny’s death.

I know, I know:  the choirboy was mentally disturbed and deserved the proper treatment.

Which he got.

Wasted Money

Entertainment

I note this development with something approaching gloom:

Amber Heard has finally paid Johnny Depp the $1million settlement she owed him after their bitter legal battle – as the Pirates of the Caribbean star vows to split it five ways among his favorite charities.

Depp and his ex-wife eventually settled their defamation claims against each other in December after five years of furious legal battles.

I know, ’tis a noble thing to do, giving away that demented tart’s money to worthy causes etc. etc.  And I know that Depp has enough money so that he can afford to give a million spondulicks away.

But I also wish he’d spent just a little of that money on something completely frivolous — say, a flashy Ferrari with a custom plate reading “BYTE MEBTCH” — because there’s nothing like creating a constant reminder to all the other gold-digging whores (thank you, Bill Burr) who want to enrich themselves at their wealthy paramours’ expense.

Actually, it would be a public service.