Still on yesterday’s “sailing” theme: CSN and Southern Cross (live). Put some headphones and take in the brilliant bass part…
Month: July 2023
Been There, Done That
This little item brought back a few unpleasant memories:
Three Transportation Security Administration officers were arrested at Miami International Airport for allegedly stealing from passengers during security screenings.
Arrest affidavits show that 22-year-old Elizabeth Fuster, 33-year-old Labarrius Williams and 20-year-old Josue Gonzalez were all arrested Thursday on charges of organized schemes to defraud.
According to the affidavits, the airport federal security director for law enforcement at MIA contacted a Miami-Dade Police detective regarding thefts that occurred at Checkpoint E involving TSA officers. The investigation revealed that three officers, while on duty, were seen on surveillance video conspiring together to distract passengers as they were being screened and stole money from their belongings.
This has happened to me too, only it wasn’t at Miami but at Jan Smuts O.R. Tambo Airport in Johannesburg, at the end of my last [sic] visit to my hometown. After unloading my pockets to go through the security cameras, I was (very politely) asked to open my carry-on bag for “extra” security checking. I did all that, then redressed (shoes, belt etc.) and went off to get some coffee before takeoff…
…only to discover at the coffee bar that all the cash had been stripped from my wallet — about $200, £250, R300 and €50 all told. Nothing to be done, of course — cash is untraceable, so I had no proof that I’d arrived with any cash in my wallet.
Plus, this was Johannesburg so what else could I expect? South Africa wins again. Bastards.
The Story That Broke The Internet
…or at least won Comment Of The Decade.
Seen at Kenny’s place.
Even if it’s NOT true, it’s the funniest story ever.
Today’s Earworm
Christopher Cross sailing somewhere.
Possibly one of the most melodic love songs ever.
Swinging Sixties
…and I’m not talking about granny-swapping at the retirement home, either.
Earlier in the week, I referred to the “Swinging 60s” in talking about the late Jane Birkin, and I found her pics in a long-forgotten pic folder of similar totties. So why not show them? After all, they make a great review of what the latter half of that decade was all about.
Anita Pallenberg
Brigitte Bardot
Charlotte Rampling
Françoise Hardy
Jane Seymour
Jean Shrimpton
Judy Geeson
Julie Christie
Julie Ege
Lulu
Lynda Bellingham
Lynn Redgrave
Sally Geeson
Twiggy
Verushka
Random Totties
Down The Blue Sinkhole
Illinois has joined California (and not for the first time) in their blue-state legislative insanity, and IlGov Fatboi is leading the charge:
Starting January 1st, 2024, Illinois landlords will be required to rent or sell property to illegal aliens. Illinois Democrat Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed SB 1817 into law in late June, which will add “protections in the Illinois Human Rights Act for housing regarding immigration status protection and discriminatory advertising.”
Did I mention that Illinois also passed legislation, which Pritzker also gleefully signed into law, extending standard driver’s license privileges to illegal aliens?
Illinois Democrat State Sen. Ann Gillespie led the effort to expand housing rights to illegal aliens, absurdly claiming that the bill will ensure that illegals aren’t “unjustly denied housing.”
“Someone’s background should not disqualify them from buying or renting property.”
Almost without reflection, I can think of five reasons why illegal residence (which has nothing to do with “background”, by the way) is a very valid reason for disqualification.
To my Ill-Annoys Readers (and I think you know who I’m talking to): it’s time to leave the state, or actively start seeking employment- and residential opportunities elsewhere so that you can. Your state is fucked, California-not-so-lite, and that’s the beginning and end of it. As I say to recalcitrant South Africans: you don’t want to be in the line for a seat on that last helicopter on the rooftop; get out while you can.
Look, I know that it’s not an easy decision: I myself decided to flee Chicago only after much thought, soul-searching and anguish, especially as Connie really didn’t want to leave. We even looked at northern Michigan for a while (I wouldn’t now, but that’s a different discussion), but eventually decided on Texas because Texas.
Ultimately, we were driven out by the combination of horrible gun laws, high taxes and a Marxist congressional representative (Jan Schakowski), but even when we lived in the NW burbs, our state senator was… the above-mentioned Ann Gillespie. All those factors forced us to leave. And that was then. Now? Huh. Like a flash.