Retiring Guy's Digest: 2023-10-29

Saturday, November 4, 2023

When swooning over Sam Bankman-Fried was a thing

Headline: New York Times, 11/2/2023

Sequoia Capital, a top venture firm that has funded Apple, Airbnb, Instagram and WhatsApp, all but begged Mr. Bankman-Fried to take its money during the mad rush when crypto was shiny and new. The FTX founder did. Sequoia then commissioned a very long celebration of Mr. Bankman-Fried by Adam Fisher, a longtime Silicon Valley writer who fell hard for the man whose fans called him S.B.F.

“After my interview with S.B.F., I was convinced: I was talking to a future trillionaire,” Mr. Fisher wrote. He added: “The FTX competitive advantage? Ethical behavior.”

Less than two months after the interview was published, FTX collapsed. Sequoia put a note at the top of the story saying this was an “unexpected turn of events.” It later took the story down and wrote off its $214 million investment in the exchange. Sequoia and Mr. Fisher declined to comment.

Related posts:

So at what point do we call it ‘klepto’ instead of ‘crypto’? ()

Apparently, this clown doesn't realize he's Exhibit A in the cryptocurrency pay-to-play storyline. (4/11/2022)

Day 447 of aftermath 2020 Wisconsin election review clown show: Michael Gableman and the nursing home vote

Headline: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 11/2/2023

Former Supreme Court Justice Michael Gableman, who was hired by Assembly Republicans to investigate the 2020 election, claimed in his report that the WEC rule change led to the emergence of coerced votes from nursing home residents. Former President Donald Trump later alleged, without evidence, that those practices led to "thousands and thousands and thousands of crooked votes."

Related posts:

Alabama librarians meet the enemy within: Nancy C. Pack

Headline: Publishers Weekly, 11/3/2023

Photo: Alabama Public Library Service

It was unsurprising to learn this week that Alabama's state agency for public libraries has recommended severing ties with ALA, given the right wing political attack aimed at the association and Gov. Kay Ivey's recent demand for action. But in a head-snapping turn of events that hints at the depth of the political pressure state library leaders are facing, Alabama Public Library Service (APLS) director Nancy C. Pack has not only turned away from the ALA (after previously defending ALA in a September letter) but apparently from the ALA's Library Bill of Rights as well.

AL.com reports that, in an October 12 memo, Pack recommended that the APLS board “strongly consider discontinuing the application of the ALA’s Library Bill of Rights as our guiding principle," and "place a much greater emphasis on addressing community needs.” Matthew Layne, president of the Alabama Library Association, told AL.Com that he "vehemently disagrees" with Pack's recommendations. "We as Alabamians should in no way capitulate to a vocal minority of individuals who wish to control what our citizens choose to read for themselves and for their families,” Layne told reporters. Pack's recommendations also include "finalizing a parent's list of potentially inappropriate book titles to serve as a valuable resource for public libraries." The recommendations will be voted on by the APLS Board later this month.

Related reading:

ALcom, 10/28/2023

In response to Pack’s recommendations, librarian Marylyn Eubank said in a letter sent to the Alabama Library Association, “it is hard to compose a professional response to fear-based, unfounded, reactionary actions. One shakes with anger and the righteous indignation born from years of professional study and development. But shaking with anger doesn’t make the situation better for the millions of Alabama residents (mostly children) who have been betrayed by the very professionals meant to protect their rights.”
Eubank said “Alabama kept books used by her black residents separate from books used by white residents” until the 1960s, and today, “funding for libraries is being held hostage by the governor and the state legislature.” “
Pack is simply providing the state what it wants - censorship in exchange for funding,” Eubank said.

Hmm...

The state of higher education in Florida under Governor Ron DeSantis

Headline: New York Times, 11/2/2023

At Miami University, degrees on the chopping block include critical race and ethnic studies, social justice studies and women’s, gender and sexuality studies.

Ron DeSantis's Florida Board of Education bowdlerizes Shakespeare. (9/10/2023)

Florida governor Ron DeSantis continues to support conservative indoctrination in schools. (8/6/2023)

College Board refuses Florida request to bowdlerize Advanced Placement Psychology course. (8/4/2023)

At the behest of Governor Ron DeSantis, Florida Board of Education turns back the hands of time. (7/24/2023)

Florida Board of Education approves new social studies standards. (7/23/2023)

Apparently, you can't be a Dick on Next Door

Next Door

Related posts:

2023

November

Halloween candy thief caught on Nest home security system. (11/1)

October

Major Pokémon disaster. (10/30)

Inconsiderate toss of bag of poop has social media up in arms. (10/2)

September

Meet Christina Hill, another Gladys Kravitz wannabe. (9/4)

August

Michele has some fun with the Gladys Kravitz wannabees. (8/23)

Noelle wants to know what that crazy contraption is. (8/18)

June

Gladys Kravitz sez she's not cleaning up the horse poop. (6/26)

Adventures in misinformation. (6/18)

Here we go again....is it gunshots or it is fireworks? (6/16/2023)

Jean deservedly roasted for her 'shocking' observation. (6/10/2023)

May 2023

What the Huell! It's a "Grumpy Old Men" audition. (5/29)

Daniela has a Gladys Kravitz moment. (5/21)

Wondering Mary channels Alice Kravitz. (5/19)

Gladys Kravitz peers out her front window and wonders, "What can we do?". (5/14)

Viewing the Wisconsin State Capitol: I'm not like Lesa, let's move on. (5/12)

Gladys Kravitz would be so proud of Reginald. (5/7)

April 2023

Val channels Gladys Kravitz, peers out the window, lasers in on trouble. (4/17)

Is the pope Catholic? Do bears shit in the woods? (4/15)

Jenn overshares like a contestant on "Queen for a Day". (4/12)

March 2023

UFO lady gets weak response to birthday wish. (3/20)

January 2023

Turning the social media app into a 21st century version of "Queen for a Day". (1/15)

Dog poop in garbage can gets neighbor's dander up. (1/12)

Anyone doing a production of "The Princess and the Pea"? Free stage props!. (1/9)

2022

Amanda shares her stupidity with the world. (12/5)

Dialogue for the ages. (10/25)

Laments the closing of Middleton Cleaners. (10/16)

Kathleen Otterson shares a first-world problem. (8/24)

Day 1099 of GOP election denial hysteria (Trump Big Lie Clown Show Circus, Colorado edition)

ATTACK Of the Clown Show zombies

Starring TEA PARTY HOLDOVER Amy Kremer

Headline: Colorado Newsline, 11/2/2023

“People were happy. It was a fantastic event. They got to hear their president, and they love him,” Kremer said. “It was just a happy, joyful event, and you could see it on their faces.”
On cross-examination, Kremer acknowledged that she had been onstage near Trump during his speech, left promptly afterwards to return to her hotel, and was not among the crowd that began marching to the Capitol. And she said that she continued to believe that the results of the 2020 election were fraudulent, and that a “coup” had taken place.
“Your view is that there was no insurrection on Jan. 6, but there was a coup on Nov. 4, 2020?” asked Sean Grimsley, an attorney for the plaintiffs.
“I was talking about, metaphorically, they stole an election. So, metaphorically, they were taking out a sitting president,” Kremer said. “We don’t know who stole the election. It happened in a number of states.”

Related posts:

Day 662 to 702

Day 929 (Patricia McCullough)

Day 930 (Ashley Duff)

Day 931 (Roy D'Agostino and Josh Parsons)

Day 932 (Samuel DeMarco)

Day 934 (Kari Lake)

Day 936 (Robert Beadles)

Day 937 (all election deniers)

Day 938 (Doug McLinko)

Day 942 (Glenn Youngkin)

Day 944 (Janel Brandtjen)

Day 945 (Jeff Serdy)

Day 946 (Todd Graybill)

Day 947 (Kyle Ardoin)

Day 949 (Frank LaRose)

Day 951 (Garland Favorito)

Day 952 (Doug Logan)

Day 954 (Brian Pritchard)

Day 955 (David Cross)

Day 956 (Suzi Voyles)

Day 957 (Josh McKoon)

Day 958 (David Whipple)

Day 960 (Joe Oltmann)

Day 961 (Theresa Manzella)

Day 962 (Sandra Merchant)

Day 964 (Stuart Hadlund)

Day 965 (Kari Lake)

Day 966 (Andro Lerario)

Day 971 (Jason Snead)

Day 982 (Joseph Mastroianni)

Day 983 (Mike Lindell)

Day 984 (Robert Sutherland)

Day 985 (Charlie Kirk)

Day 992 (Stan Grot)

Day 996 (Tim O'Hare)

Day 998 (Shawnna Bolick)

Day 999 (Dave Williams)

Day 1000 (Mike Lindell)

Day 1003 (Janel Brandtjen)

Day 1004 (Dinesh D'Souza)

Day 1005 (Sonny Borrelli)

Day 1006 (Daire Rendon)

Day 1007 (70% of GOP voters)

Day 1011 (Peter Bernegger)

Day 1013 (Sidney Powell)

Day 1015 (Matt Maddock)

Day 1016 (Nick Sherman)

Day 1017 (Boris Epshteyn)

Day 1019 (Rudy Giuliani)

Day 1020 (Eric Burlison)

Day 1025 (Mark Finchem)

Day 1026 (Brian Schimming)

Day 1027 (Jenna Ellis)

Day 1030 (David Whipple)

Day 1031 (Jeffrey Clark, John Eastman)

Day 1032 (Joe Oltmann)

Day 1033 (Kari Lake)

Day 1035 (Abe Hamadeh)

Day 1037 (Douglas Frank)

Day 1039 (Warren Daniel)

Day 1040 (Craig Berland)

Day 1041 (Jason Frazier)

Day 1042 (Tina Peters)

Day 1044 (Meshawn Maddock)

Day 1046 (Jim Womack)

Day 1049 (Devin LeMahieu)

Day 1051 (Shawn Still)

Day 1053 (Ron DeSantis)

Day 1054 (Kristina Karamo)

Day 1055 (Cathy Latham)

Day 1056 (Kari Lake)

Day 1057 (Janel Brandtjen)

Day 1059 (Warren Daniel)

Day 1064 (Mike Thompson)

Day 1065 (Scott Hall)

Day 1069 (Janel Brandtjen)

Day 1072 (Mike Lindell)

Day 1074 (Sharon Hewitt)

Day 1081 (Mike Lindell)

Day 1082 (Amanda Jennings Smith)

Day 1083 (Kari Lake)

Day 1084 (Bob Bachenberg)

Day 1085 (Sidney Powell)

Day 1086 (Kenneth Chesebro)

Day 1087 (Gym Jordan)

Day 1088 (Mike Lindell)

Day 1089 (Tom Emmer)

Day 1090 (Mike Johnson)

Day 1091 (Jenna Ellis)

Day 1094 (Jim Marchant)

Day 1095 (Donald Trump)

Day 1096 (Mike Johnson)

Day 1097 (Seth Keshel)

Day 1098 (Doug Basler)

Friday, November 3, 2023

Cruising Redwood Street in Warren Pennsylvania (summer of 2023)

Screenshots and video by Retiring Guy

Other posts in the Cruising series:

2023

September

Cruising Wisconsin state highway 213 between Orfordville and Evansville. (9/29)

Cruising Broad Street in Beloit, Wisconsin. (9/23)

Cruising West Blackhawk Avenue in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. (9/18)

Cruising Hiawatha Pioneer Trail (State Highway 35) in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin. (9/16)

Cruising Marshall Street in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. (9/12)

Cruising Waldo Boulevard in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. (9/11)

Cruising Washington Street in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, part 2. (9/11)

Cruising Washington Street in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, part 1. (9/11)

Cruising 8th Street in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. (9/6)

Cruising Vietnam War Veterans Memorial Highway in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. (9/6)

July

Cruising from Warren Area High School to East Fifth and Redwood in Warren PA. (7/27)

Cruising 57th Street North to River Drive North in Great Falls Montana, September 2020. (7/19)

Cruising East Fifth Avenue to Warren Area High School in Pennsylvania. (7/10)

June

Cruising past Donald Trump's and Scott Walker's 8th Wonder of the World in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin. (6/29)

Cruising Algoma Boulevard Historic District in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. (6/28)

Cruising Main Street in Waterford Wisconsin. (6/26)

Cruising Vosen Road to view some of the 371,436 acres of farmland in Dane County, Wisconsin. (6/26)

Cruising the 17th Street bridge leading to site of former Hamilton Industries in Two Rivers, Wisconsin. (6/25)

Cruising Riverside Cemetery, on the National Register of Historic Places, in Oshkosh Wisconsin. (6/25)

Cruising the streets of Waterloo, Wisconsin. (6/24)

Cruising Main Street and Commons Park in Lake Mills, Wisconsin. (6/24)

Cruising Charles Street in Rockford Illinois. (6/23)

Cruising our way to the 8th wonder of the world on state highway 311 in Mount Pleasant, Racine County, Wisconsin. (6/23)

Cruising south on state highway 213 through Orfordville, Wisconsin. (6/23)

Cruising east of the the Washington Avenue Neoclassical Historical District in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. (6/22)

Cruising the older housing stock on the streets of the south side of Manitowoc, Wisconsin. (6/22)

Cruising Village Square Park in East Troy, Wisconsin. (6/22)

Cruising Main Street in Whitewater, Wisconsin. (6/21)

Cruising downtown Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. (6/21)

Cruising downtown Cambridge, Wisconsin. (6/20)

Cruising I-24 in Tennessee heading to Chattanooga. (6/20)

Cruising Main Street in Waunakee, Wisconsin. (6/19)

Cruising Main Street in Stoughton Wisconsin. (6/18)

Cruising Main Street in Evansville, Wisconsin. (6/18)

Cruising Fulton Street in Edgerton, Wisconsin. (6/18)

Cruising roundabouts near me. (6/18)

Cruising roundabouts on Wisconsin state highway 19 between the Interstate and Waunakee. (6/17)

Cruising through downtown Columbus, Wisconsin. (6/17)

Cruising downtown Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. (6/17)

Cruising around the block at Waupun Correctional Institution, Wisconsin. (6/17)

Does Wisconsin highway 26 need a bypass around Rosendale? (6/17)

Cruising downtown Waupun, Wisconsin. (6/17)

Cruising downtown Two Rivers Wisconsin on a sunny Saturday morning. (6/5)

GET ME REWRITE: WISN broadcasts Foxconn puff piece

Headline: WISN, 11/2/2023

The production is taking place in the smaller of the two side-by-side buildings the Taiwan-based company produced and once promised 13,0000 jobs and a $10 billion investment.
"Market conditions have changed as to the original scope as to what Foxconn wanted to do in 2017 and 2018," Schlaeger said. "But what hasn't changed -- what hasn't changed is Foxconn's continued efforts to find business opportunities that can succeed."

2023

Welcome to Donald Trumps 8th Wonder of the World. (8/22)

Cruising our way to the 8th wonder of the world on state highway 311 in Mount Pleasant, Racine County, Wisconsin. (6/23/2023)

Continuing the cruise to Donald Trump's and Scott Walker's 8th Wonder of the World in Mount Pleasant, Racine County, Wisconsin. (6/25/2023)

Cruising past Donald Trump's and Scott Walker's 8th Wonder of the World in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin. (6/29/2023)

2021

Four years in, Foxconn still hopes to hit a bullseye. (10/1)

GET ME REWRITE: Yes, Foxconn's $100 milion pledge to UW-Madison was nothing more than a cynical election ploy by Scott Walker. (8/11)

The mysteries of Foxconn (season 2). (5/12)

The collapse of Donald Trump's '8th Wonder of the World'. (4/20)

2020

Apparently, that's not what Scott Walker heard. (12/19)

Just wondering what else in this Foxconn op-ed is off the mark. (11/17)

GET ME REWRITE: Two gullible guys from Racine County still believe anything Foxconn tells them. (10/23)

Keeping tabs on Foxconn Place in

This week in the cereal aisle: Cheerios wins the shelf display against Lucky Charms

Photo by Retiring Guy

Bleeding Cool, 8/22/2023

General Mills is bringing back the Pumpkin Spice for a variety of items, but the big one to make a massive return is the Pumpkin Spice Cheerios. Believe it or not, this one was a super popular addition last Fall that got a ton of people talking, as you didn't have to go wait in line at a coffee shop to get your morning fix of the seasonal flavor. You could now just walk over to the cupboard, pull out a box of cereal, add milk, and you had a Pumpkin Spice start to your day. The cereal is making a return, but as always, it's going to be for a limited time as they don't want to make it a year-round thing.