Archive for 2024

PETER THIEL: California As Saudi Arabia. “It’s not the way you might want to design a system from scratch, but it’s pretty stable. People have been saying Saudi Arabia is ridiculous, it’s going to collapse any year now. They’ve been saying that for 40 or 50 years. But you know, if you have a giant oil field you can pay for a lot of ridiculousness… I think that’s the way you have to think of California. There’s things about it that are ridiculous, but there’s something about it. It doesn’t naturally self-destruct overnight.”

MEMORY-HOLED:

Disney has been memory-holing embarrassingly unloved streaming shows like “Willow” to save money. It looks like “The Acolyte” might be next.

The eight-episode first only season reportedly cost $180 million to produce — not including marketing expenses.

‘ENDORSED BY SELINA MEYER’ IS NOT THE FLEX THEY THINK IS. Or is the message here the meta-message: that they can nominate anyone regardless of actual votes, rub it in your face, and you just have to deal with it? More from my unwilling membership on the DNC Endless Spam List. (Khaaaaan!)

 

I’M SO OLD, I CAN REMEMBER WHEN THE LEFT EXCORIATED CULTURAL APPROPRIATION:

SHAPING OUR CONTEMPORARY INTERNATIONAL HELLSCAPE: The Biden-Harris Afghanistan Bugout 3 Years On

August 2024 marks the third anniversary of the Biden-Harris administration’s most consequential international policy action: the disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal.

Why Biden-Harris? Vice President Kamala Harris has said on several occasions she was “in the room” — meaning in the decision loop — when Joe Biden ordered a withdrawal based on the calendar and not on battlefield conditions. “Completely out by 9/11” is a sound bite, a political bumper sticker. It isn’t clear-headed senior leader strategic guidance for a military withdrawal from a complex war zone.

Read the entire essay.

SPEAKING OF NATIONAL DEFENSE: Let’s Kick-start US Naval and Commercial Shipbuilding

YOU DON’T SAY:

Sounds serious.

MAGGOTS FOR THEE, BUT NOT FOR ME: FBI probes possible maggot attack on food at Ohio delegation hotel at Democratic convention.

Chicago Police and the FBI are investigating if saboteurs placed maggots in the hotel breakfast being served to delegates at the Democratic National Conventionon Wednesday, local media reported.

The incident took place at Fairmont hotel, where delegates from Ohio, Indiana, Minnesota, Missouri and South Dakota are staying.

“Multiple unknown female offenders are alleged to have entered a building…and began placing unknown objects onto tables containing food,” the convention’s information center said in a statement cited by WGN. “The offenders are believed to have then left the area. One victim was treated and released on-scene. Along with CPD, FBI-Chicago is assisting in the investigation. No further information is available at this time.”

“Saboteurs?” Update your Newspeak Dictionary; you spelled environmentally conscious people on the cutting edge of doubleplusgood sustainable resources incorrectly, comrade! Maggots, other insects could become U.S. food staple as consumers seek out sustainability.

“ONE FOR THE ROAD:” The Grand Tour Reveals First-Look Image, Release Date for Final Episode: Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May Head to Zimbabwe for Last Ever Road Trip.

The final ever episode of “The Grand Tour” is almost here and Prime Video is giving fans a sneak peak of what to expect — and when.

“The Grand Tour: One for the Road,” a one-off special representing the conclusion of the long-running series, is set to launch on Sept. 13 on the streamer in over 240 countries. Producer Andy Wilman unveiled a first-look image (see above) and release date at the Edinburgh TV Festival, where he is appearing on a panel.

It will see Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May reunite on a final road trip.

“In their last adventure, Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May ignore the instructions of Mr Wilman and head to Zimbabwe in three cars they’ve always wanted to own, a Lancia Montecarlo, a Ford Capri 3-litre, and a Triumph Stag*, for a stunning road trip through beautiful and sometimes challenging landscapes leading to an emotional ending on a strangely familiar island,” reads the synopsis.

More details at the Daily Mail: First look at The Grand Tour’s ‘weepy’ final episode as Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May unite for last time in ‘One For The Road’ special — and it’s just weeks away from hitting screens.

Long-time producer Andy Wilman told the Edinburgh TV Festival that filming the episode was ‘quite weepy’ and ‘quite heart-stringy’.

Asked why the trio had decided to bring to a close the global phenomenon, Wilman said: ‘We are getting to the point where enough is enough. On top of that, there is the sense that we want to end things on our own terms. It had to come to an end and we wanted to be the ones who called it.’

They shot the last episode in September last year. It will see the hosts return to Kubu Island, Botswana, which was the location of their first ever special. Wilman described the episode as “deliberately gentle” as the three stars wanted to go back to basics.

He said: ‘They wanted to go “unplugged”. We wanted to go back to 2005, leave the dynamite at home, we will go with s*** old cars. They give you more TV than modern new cars, they give you more stories, more laughs. So they wanted evocative cars that they adore and they wanted to be in Africa. It is the favourite continent we ever filmed in.’

The producer added: ‘Their comradery is next level. I think that you can see that they know this is the last time they will do this.’

Here’s the trailer:

* Officially pronounced Triumph “Staaaaaag,” as it was Clarkson’s ‘90s inspiration for the boys’ long-running Jaaaaaaag riff: