Saturday, November 29, 2025

Sorry, Focus, "Begonia" wasn't built for the long haul

 
Not even Thanksgiving weekend can give it a lift.  The movie has already run out of gas.  

Box office receipts:  Box Office Mojo (black box added)

As reported by J. Kim Murphy in the 11/1/2025 edition of Variety: 
Meanwhile, “Bugonia,” a remake of the 2003 Korean film “Save the Green Planet!” from Universal’s specialty label Focus, is expanding into 2,043 locations after opening in 17 theaters last frame. The feature, which re-teams director Yorgos Lanthimos with his Oscar-winning “Poor Things” star Emma Stone, scored strong reviews and awards buzz out of its Venice Film Festival premiere in August. It earned $1.8 million on Friday and is projecting a $4.4 million three-day haul. The R-rated film earned a so-so “B” grade from moviegoer pollster Cinema Score, though it isn’t exactly intended as a crowdpleaser. Focus is aiming for the long haul. [emphasis added]

Related post:
2025
And the misses just keep on coming.  Say 'hello' to number 26: "The Running Man".  (11/16)

2024 
More evidence that Hollywood is out of fresh ideas.  (5/8)

2023

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Just in case you're wondering, William Calley was initially sentenced to life in prison but ultimately served 3 1/2 years under house arrest

 
Headline:  Washington Post, 11/28/2025

Alex Horton and Ellen Nakashima report that performative actions to please Dear Leader have consequences:
The alleged traffickers pose no imminent threat of attack against the United States and are not, as the Trump administration has tried to argue, in an “armed conflict” with the U.S., these officials and experts say. Because there is no legitimate war between the two sides, killing any of the men in the boats “amounts to murder,” said Todd Huntley, a former military lawyer who advised Special Operations forces for seven years at the height of the U.S. counterterrorism campaign. 
Even if the U.S. were at war with the traffickers, an order to kill all the boat’s occupants if they were no longer able to fight “would in essence be an order to show no quarter, which would be a war crime,” said Huntley, now director of the national security law program at Georgetown Law.  [emphasis added]

Related posts:
West Point graduate Lucien K. Truscott IV gives Trump's bonehead defense secretary Pete Hegseth a much-needed history lesson.  (6/27)Mimbo news bulletin:  When Trump sycophants go off the deep end (Pete Hegseth edition) .  (6/27)
Excuses, excuses:  Why these Republicans aren't attending Trump's birthday party military parade in Washington DC.  (6/14)

March-May 2025
CARRIER OVERBOARD!!!!  This is your U.S. Department of Defense under the woefully incompetent leadership of Pete Hegseth.  (5/2)

February 2025

January 2025

December 2024

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Not doing his job: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is trashing the mission of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

 
The mission of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is to enhance the health and well-being of all Americans, by providing for effective health and human services and by fostering sound, sustained advances in the sciences underlying medicine, public health, and social services. [emphasis added]
Source:  New York Times

Related posts:
August-September 2025

March-June 2025
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Vocabulary lesson: Anti-vaxxer quack Vinay Prasad @HHS clearly doesn’t know the meaning of 'open-minded'

 
Headline:  Washington Post, 11/29/2025
Dictionary definition:  Merriam-Webster

Dan Diamond and Rachel Roubein report:
Prasad also wrote that the new approach means the agency will have strict requirements for authorizing new vaccines for pregnant women. He concluded his lengthy email by maintaining that he was open-minded about next steps. 
“I remain open to vigorous discussions and debate,” Prasad wrote to his team, adding that staff who did not agree with the core principles of his new approach should submit their resignations. [emphasis added]

Related posts:
August-September 2025

March-June 2025
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It's still midnight in Gaza: Gaza Humanitarian Foundation edition

 
Top headline:  The Source
Bottom headline:  The Intercept

Jonah Valdez reports:
As the U.S. and Israel-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation announced its closure of operations in the territory on Monday, the organization tabulated its “success” by stating it delivered 3 million boxes of food “directly to civilians living in Gaza,” which, by the organization’s count, equals 187 million meals. 
Another way of measuring GHF’s achievements is by counting the hundreds of Palestinians killed while trying to access such aid and the hundreds more who died of starvation-related conditions amid famine when GHF was the only organization allowed to deliver aid.  [emphasis added]

Related posts:
November 2025

October 2025
Humanitarian crisis in Gaza: Read the definition of 'genocide'.  (10/9)

July 2025



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Donald Trump: Asleep at the wheel

 

Headline:  AlterNet, 11/28/2025

David Badash reports:
Trump has acknowledged the constitutional block on a third term, recently telling reporters that Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, a constitutional attorney, told him a third term is not allowed — a fact he appeared to accept. 
But Trump on Friday afternoon posted an AI meme of a silver-haired, older-looking Donald Trump, holding a campaign sign that reads — not “Make America Great Again” — but, “Trump 2028, Yes!”


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It's karma!

 
Headline:  New York Times, 11/11/2025
Photo credits:  The Texas A&M University System
Final score:  ESPN

Related reading:

The Athletic, 11/29/2025


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Compensation Chronicles: Donald Trump's ballroom design keeps getting bigger and bigger!

 
Compensation as defined at 1 c.

Headline:  New York Times, 11/29/2025

In offering up his initial design, Mr. McCrery could not have known that Mr. Trump’s vision for the project was growing. What started as a 500-seat ballroom connected to the East Wing grew to 650 seats. Next, he wanted a 999-seat ballroom, then room for 1,350. Even as Mr. Trump assured the public in July that the ballroom would not touch the existing structure, he already had approved plans to demolish the East Wing to make way for something that could hold several thousand people, according to three people familiar with the timeline.

Related posts:
November 2025
White House Ballroom oversight gaps emerge: Let us count the ways  (Part 1:  National Capital Planning Commission).  (11/18)
What did Donald Trump know about the demolition of the East Wing of White House and when did he know it?  (11/2)

2025
October 24-31

October 23
Silver Springs Maryland-based ACECO, “premier demolition contractor in the D.C. metro area.” is tearing down the East Wing of the White House.  (10/23)


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Leon Edmiston (1948-2025) Warren Area High School class of 1966

 
1966 Dragon yearbook

1967 Warren City Directory 

  • Edmiston family lives in Tiona

1983 Warren City Directory



Leon was previously graphed in 2018 when it ranked #238.  Let's take another look.

Source:  Social Security Administration

Leon was a steady if unspectacular performer during most of the first half of the 20th century, spending years in the top 100 and peaking at #73 in 1926.   He bottomed out at #524 in 2005 and has since turned things around for himself.


Other members of the class of '66 (37):
2025
Gary Sorenson.  (7/21)

2024
Harold Cummings.  (8/29)

2023
Robert Nelson.  (11/30)
Michael Smith.  (10/27)
Kenneth Knight.  (4/26)
Linda Johnson.  (3/23)

2022
James Gray.  (7/14)

2021
Roger Jenkins.  (1/20)
Loren Sederberg.  (3/15)

2019
Edward Houser.  (10/22)
Michael Phillips.  (6/12)

2018
Sue Ellen Strandbert Nazario.  (11/25)
Frank Chiaravalloti.  (9/21)
Howard Johnson.  (8/3)
Albert Conklin.  (4/11)
Betsy Colt Brinkley.  (3/9)

2017
Deborah Snyder Sproveri.  (8/8)

2015
Sally Johnson Horrocks.  (4/3)

2014
Charlene Postlethwait Knowlton. (10/8)
Dennis Peterson.  (8/31)

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Meet Donald Trump, ephebophile. Another chapter in the Epstein-Trump coverup.

 
Dictionary definition:  Collins
Headline:  Public Notice, 11/17/2025

Paul Waldman reports:
Everyone assaults women, everyone cheats on their taxes, everyone uses public office for private gain. Propriety, upholding established norms, following the rules? That stuff is for suckers. In a world of grift and graft, the most corrupt man should be king. 
This has been the heart of Trump’s message about all kinds of corruption and malfeasance for the past decade. It’s the one he’s still using as the Jeffrey Epstein scandal consumes his administration. But this time, it’s not working. 
Up until now, however, it has worked pretty well — at least in keeping his base satisfied and his party behind him. Ask a Republican why it’s acceptable for Trump to order the attorney general to investigate and prosecute his critics, and they’ll probably answer that Trump was prosecuted when Joe Biden was president. They can’t claim commitment to the abstract principle that it’s bad for any president to weaponize the justice system against his enemies, so they accept that it’s just how things work. It’s bad when Democrats do it, but it’s good when he does it. 
But Trump may have found the limit of the everybody-does-it strategy in his association with the most notorious sex-trafficking pedophile (or, if like Megyn Kelly you want to get technical, ephebophile) in American history. This scandal is simply not like the others, since for so many years the MAGA base was told not only that Epstein was the key to exposing a horrifying world of abuse and moral corruption that encompassed much of the power elite, but that they should be genuinely, sincerely angry about it.


Related posts
November 2025. 
Why is Donald Trump acting like a cornered rat? ("But his emails" edition).  (11/13)
September 2025

August 2025

July 2025
More evidence that Donald Trump is in full panic mode (tanking poll numbers edition).  (7/25)
Donald Trump to Jeff Epstein in October 1997:  "YOU ARE THE GREATEST!".  (7/25)
The Epstein Files: "A pal is a wonderful thing" (Joined at the Hip Once Upon a Time, chapter 5).  (7/19)
The Epstein Files:  Donald Trump as con artist AND sketch artist (Joined at the Hip Once Upon a Time, chapter 4). (7/18)
The Epstein Files:  Trump doesn't understand, but everyone else does (Joined at the Hip Once Upon a Time, chapter 3).  (7/16)
And no doubt for some very good reasons (Joined at the Hip Once Upon a Time, chapter 2).  (7/15)

June 2025

2024
.  
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Friday, November 28, 2025

Campbell's Soup is in the news and it ain't good

 
Headline:  Fox News, 11/25/2025

In the recording, a voice alleged to be Bally's can be heard criticizing Campbell’s products and mocking its consumers. 
"We have s--- for f---ing poor people. Who buys our s---? I don’t buy Campbell’s products barely anymore," the voice allegedly belonging to Bally can be heard saying. 
"Bioengineered meat — I don’t wanna eat a piece of chicken that came from a 3-D printer," Bally allegedly says, belittling Campbell's soup ingredients.

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Climate Change as a Matter of Fact: Rising insurance rates and falling housing prices on Louisiana bayou

 
Headline:  New York Times, 11/19/2025
New research shared with The New York Times estimates the extent to which rising home insurance premiums, driven higher by climate change, are cascading into the broader real estate market and eating into home values in the most disaster-prone areas. 
The study, which analyzed tens of millions of housing payments through 2024 to understand where insurance costs have risen most, offers first-of-its-kind insight into the way rising insurance rates are affecting home values. 
Since 2018, a financial shock in the home insurance market has meant that homes in the ZIP codes most exposed to hurricanes and wildfires would sell for an average of $43,900 less than they would otherwise, the research found. They include coastal towns in Louisiana and low-lying areas in Florida.

Other climate change posts:

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Just 1082 days left to 2028 election: GOP Shit Show in development

 
Headline:  ABC News, 11/24/2025

Kate Plummer reports:
According to the polling, in August Vance had a 20-point lead over Trump Jr., who is in second place, with 36 percent of the vote share to Trump Jr.'s 16 percent. This lead actually increased to 28 points in September. 
However, in October, his lead decreased and while Vance still enjoyed 38 percent of the vote share, Trump Jr.'s 20 percent of the share meant that just a few weeks ago Vance had a narrower 18-point lead. And in November, this lead decreased again to 10 points, with Vance on 34 percent and Trump Jr. on 24 percent.

COUNTDOWN TO NOVEMBER 7, 2028
November 2024
Day 1460.  Philadelphia Inquirer launches 2028 presidential election guessing game campaign.  (11/8)
Day 1452.  Sports metaphor malpractice in journalism at NBC News edition. 
Day 1449.   And here's the first of many useless 2028 presidential polls.
Day 1448.  "It's a done deal!" proclaims Newsweek 
Day 1447.  Dear Western Journal, it's the polling silly season. 
Day 1443.  Fentanylizing of the pollsters.
Day 1440.  Return of the post-election silly season for pollsters. 
Day 1439.  Adding AOC to the mix.  

December 2024
Day 1438.  NewsNation limits the field.  
Day 1437.  More AOC buzz.  
Day 1435.  NPR ma.  (12.15kes sure Andy Beshear  gets into the mix.  
Day 1433.  Time for some folks to get a life!  
Day 1432.  Primary calendar jockeying begins! 
Day 1431.  Kentucky media keeps eye on Andy Beshear's presidential ambitions.  
Day 1429.  GOP horror movie.  
Day 1427.  A woman for President?  Democrats throw in the towel according to Rasmussen.
Day 1426.  Looney Laura Loomer has it all figured out.  
Day 1425.  They expect you to pay to see the list!  
Day 1424.  Panic at the Democratic Left.  
Day 1423.  Fawning over JD Vance is not a bold move, Mitt Romney.  
Day 1422.  Wow, just WOW, a vice-president emerges as GOP front-runner.
Day 1421.  Fuggedaboudit JD Vance!  Steve Bannon is all in for a third Trump term.  
Day 1420.  GOP polling averages!!!  
Day 1419.  Newsmax gets in the game.  
Day 1418.  Buttigieg buzz.  
Day 1417.  Newsom buzz.  
Day 1415.  Actually, most folks are focusing on the holidays right now.  
Day 1414.  National Review doesn't mince words.  
Day 1412:  Matt Gaetz is not  on the list of GOP challengers.  
Day 1411.  Politico sez “Let’s get it on, Dems!” 
Day 1410.  You mean like Donald Trump? 
Day 1408.  Politico jumps the gun.  

January 2025
Day 1407.  Correction:  Pundits are already looking to 2028.  
Day 1402.  As usual, the New York Times gets lost in the weeds and can't see the big picture. 
Day 1401.   Iowa GOP vows to keep status of first in the nation for what white people like 
Day 1400.  The Advocate foresees a crowded Democratic candidate pool party. 
Day 1396.  Oh dear, Joe Biden offers his 2 cents.  
Day 1394.  It's a rhetorical question, of course.  
Day 1390.  Reason #1,145,562 to ignore early polls.  
Day 1387.  GOP hopefuls DeSantis, Youngkin, and Haley left to wander in the wilderness.  
Day 1386.  Place your bests.  
Day 1385.  Place your bets (covering the spread).  
Day 1384.  GOP clearly has a bench problem (Donald Trump Jr. edition).  
Day 1383.  Donald Trump Jr. ranks 8th on this hit parade. 
Day 1382.  First Felon Donald Trump as White House squatter.  
Day 1381.  WaPo foresees a big Dem field in the race.  
Day 1380.  Trump Crime Family looks to take over the White House.  
Day 1379.  Get your facts straight, guys!  
Day 1378.  Blowing things up is not a sustainable GOP game plan. 
Day 1377.  Shaping up to be a complete shit show.  

February 2025
Day 1376.  Remember when John Edwards topped the polls in 2007, 22 months before the election?  
Day 1375.  Welcome to your Sunday morning buzzkill. 
Day 1372.  The GOP is a cult from which, apparently, there is no escape.  
Day 1371.  The crazy is already well underway
Day 1367.  Trump flips off Vance.
Day 1364.  Ooooo…Freedom Caucus Crazy Godfather Ron DeSantis hits double digits.
Day 1358.  Keep in mind, this is from the cartoon show otherwise known as The Daily Mail.
Day 1357.  First Felon Donald Trump never wanted to leave in the first place. 
Day 1355.  First Felon Donald Trump never wanted to leave in the first place.
Day 1351.  Democratic strategists inject element of horror into contest
Day 1350.  The other 48% haven't been paying attention

March 2025
Day 1346.  No, the Democrats are not looking for a fraud, serial liar, con man, carnival barker and felon to lead the party
Day 1338.  Rahm reading to run
Day 1337.  Pete Buttigieg's U.S. Senate decision has tongues 
Day 1336.  Long irrelevant Newsweek jumps the gun
Day 1331.  Gavin Newsom becomes first casualty of 2028 Democratic presidential campaign.
Day 1330.  Already the silly season at CNN
Day 1329.  There's no stopping him if this spinelessness continues
Day 1327.  Plurality of Dem poll respondents pick the name of previous party candidate.  That’s a big WOW, huh?
Day 1326.  Media hand-wringing and pearl-clutching over Dems as the GOP tears down democracy and  opens wide the door to authoritarianism
Day 1321.  Steve Bannon is assuming there will be an election in 2028 
Day 1319.   By 2028, the joke will be on an 82-year-old has-been.

April 2025
Day 1312.  In her heart, Pammi (JD #98 Stetson University) wants Trump to be prez til he’s 94 years old! 
Day 1292.  Newsweak edition.

May 2025
Day 1287.  Maryland Governor and Democratic Party rising star Wes Moore sez 'no' to running for President.  For now.
Day 1286.  Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear says the door is open.
Day 1285.  Arizona U.S. Senator Ruben Gallego steps up to the plate in Pennsylvania.
Day 1280.  More inanity from S. E. Cupp.
Day 1279.  The Hill isn't having it with Wes Moore's talk about not running.
Day 1278.  As some Dem strategists of the male persuasion look for the safest white guy.
Day 1271.  Mike Pence is not running.
Day 1264.  Nancy Pelosi shines a light on Rahm Emanuel candidacy

June 2025
Day 1248.  Charlie Cook tosses in his 2 cents
Day 1240.  Gavin Newsom's rollercoaster ride
Day 1237.  This is what the execrable GOP has to look forward to

July 2025
Day 1224.   Media's Gavin Newsom presidential campaign watch already in full swing. 
Day 1221.   Is Kentucky governor Andy Beshear Democrats' best bet to win?
Day 1211.   Wackadoodle media outlet Newsmax brings comic relief to presidential campaign news cycle.
Day 1205.   Politico conducts a master class in jumping the gun.

August 2025
Day 1190.  2 fun guys.
Day 1181.  Polls shows Vance trailing Newsom and Buttigieg.
Day 1177.  Washington Examiner has it all figured out more than 3 years before the election.

October 2025
Day 1113.  Gavin Newsom works overtime to keep name in the running.

November 2025
Day 1099.  Newsweek publishes the latest gossip about Mike Pence
Day 1097.  Latest horror story about Donald Trump Jr.
Day 1091.  Ted Cruz doesn't realize he's well past his sell-by date
Day 1089.  Move over Usha, Erika is taking over!
 
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