Having flashbacks to a televised version of Douglas Adams’s Last Chance to See when either presenter Stephen Fry or his cameraman ( can’t remember which), was “shagged by a rare parrot”
What a remarkable film. It is always a renewing of my faith in the human animal to see them work tirelessly to preserve the biological diversity in a particular environment purely as an act of concern for an "other".
“a researcher documented a male using a lek: this is a bowl-like structure that the male kākāpō builds. He then sits in the lek and makes a booming call, the shape of the indentation helping amplify the sound for up to several miles. Females hearing the call will walk, sometimes for hours, to the lek.”
I’ve lost track of the number of times this has worked for me.
LOL! Although these critters are only in New Zealand. I once offended a New Zealander by incorrectly guessing he was an Aussie. They don't like that. Not sure if a kākāpō would react with as much indignation, but one never knows.
Oh bless the kakapo, such fabulous birdies. May they breed well and be many. As for Australians and NZers, we have a playful rivalry, we tease each other but we have great fondness really, deep down...unless playing rugby. x
New Zealand it just a nick away fromn Australia and also host myriad marsupials. Suffice to say that there is considerable overlap in regard to the human resident's
Those are a couple of ridiculously cute and dopey creatures and I look forward happily to learning what the fuck they even are 🥰
*I have a suspicion they originate somewhere like New Zealand or even Tasmania, but we will see, won't we?
***And what do you know! Those places seem to have funny-looking creatures and birbs, (which are not real) which cannot fly, maybe more than others, leading to my excellent guess. Even though the name (alleged!) at top made me think of an old friend whose family tribes include the Kickapoo, but whatever.
I looked into "birth tourism", and of course, the government has had a report on it the whole time. The fun part, the report notes that such travel became easier after State Department policies introduced in February 2015, and then became comparatively difficult after another policy change in January 2020. In other words, Drumpf spent three years of his 1st term doing absolutely nothing about this suddenly urgent issue, and as of the report's date of 2022, the policies to limit abuse that he could take credit for had not been reversed or changed in any way by the Biden administration.
You know, when Trump dies the White House insiders are going to deny it for weeks, And anyone who discovers his death will be treated like liars and traitors. A little error about Alito retiring is trivial in comparison.
Morning toot, 5:02 a.m. "The United States spends more money on NATO than any other country, by far, to protect them, without getting any benefit from so doing: U.S. 999 Billion Dollars, United Kingdom, 90.5 Billion Dollars, France, 66.5 Billion Dollars, Italy, 48.8 Billion Dollars, Poland, 44.3 Billion Dollars. Others, including Germany, are MUCH LOWER. (2014-2025) Ridiculous! President DJT"
HuffPost: It's unclear which estimates the president is referring to. The U.S. spends roughly $980 billion annually on defense and has interests beyond its commitment to the NATO collective. NATO's annual budget is about $6 billion. Next week, leaders from all 32 member states are expected to convene for a two-day summit in the Turkish capital of Ankara.
HuffPost/MS NOW: "The FBI is reportedly using more resources and manpower to investigate the 2020 presidential election results in Georgia over bogus claims it was rigged in favor of Joe Biden. Documents obtained by MS NOW reveal FBI leadership has authorized intelligence analysts to work overtime -- including weekends and holidays -- to desperately find evidence of election fraud.
“In support of the Director’s Office priority effort, the Directorate of Intelligence (DI) and Criminal Division are requesting all FBI field offices to immediately surge support to an FBI Atlanta priority investigation,” said an unclassified memo issued Wednesday and obtained by MS NOW."
Can they sue for this? Seems like it doesn't fall under "parody" when he (whoever created it, really) is using AI to manipulate their likeness and voice without their permission.*
I'm pretty sure i read something during the Tango Menace's first term about how his properties were being used for birth tourism by Russian oligarchs and Saudi royalty.
I just put in my own comment, there was actually a policy change in 2020 that the State Department acknowledged made "birth tourism" significantly harder, which means Drumpf is literally refusing to take credit for the actions of his own administration.
You know you love kākāpōs, and they are here in the hed gif. And I have some news about 'em! https://martiniambassador.substack.com/p/kakapo-chick-silliness
Also, I've got a meme chat. All service-y am I. https://open.substack.com/chat/posts/5f12e1ff-bcee-4a21-b78d-69861c602974
This is a very interesting bird that I knew basically nothing about! Thank you!
They look like reflecting pool algae cats.
Kakapos! Real cutie wooties! 🦜
Reminds me of an old song my band used to do, "Silly Birds."
Having flashbacks to a televised version of Douglas Adams’s Last Chance to See when either presenter Stephen Fry or his cameraman ( can’t remember which), was “shagged by a rare parrot”
I like walking parrots!
Couple a weirdos.
What a remarkable film. It is always a renewing of my faith in the human animal to see them work tirelessly to preserve the biological diversity in a particular environment purely as an act of concern for an "other".
It really is beautiful! If only humans acted more like them...
“a researcher documented a male using a lek: this is a bowl-like structure that the male kākāpō builds. He then sits in the lek and makes a booming call, the shape of the indentation helping amplify the sound for up to several miles. Females hearing the call will walk, sometimes for hours, to the lek.”
I’ve lost track of the number of times this has worked for me.
Obligatory:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9T1vfsHYiKY
Oh my.
Sirocco mentioned!
WIN!
Them's some odd critters, look like Muppets.
NO FAIR!
The Aussies have all of the really weird or just TOO bleedin' adorable critters!
LOL! Although these critters are only in New Zealand. I once offended a New Zealander by incorrectly guessing he was an Aussie. They don't like that. Not sure if a kākāpō would react with as much indignation, but one never knows.
Oh bless the kakapo, such fabulous birdies. May they breed well and be many. As for Australians and NZers, we have a playful rivalry, we tease each other but we have great fondness really, deep down...unless playing rugby. x
We're like family. We're the only ones allowed to pick on each other
New Zealand it just a nick away fromn Australia and also host myriad marsupials. Suffice to say that there is considerable overlap in regard to the human resident's
accent.
On the other hand, they will all kill you if given the chance.
Even the platypuseseses ?
especially the platypuseses!
They have a venomous spur!
Babby birbs are everywhere right now. https://substack.com/@beelzebubba/note/c-286688487
I love this, Beelz!
To get that knot out, you're gonna need some dino-might.
How many articles are you going to read that mention an "ejaculation helmet?" If you click, you'll read at least one today.
Wait, is that for the ejaculator or the ejaculatee? Must read!
Those are a couple of ridiculously cute and dopey creatures and I look forward happily to learning what the fuck they even are 🥰
*I have a suspicion they originate somewhere like New Zealand or even Tasmania, but we will see, won't we?
***And what do you know! Those places seem to have funny-looking creatures and birbs, (which are not real) which cannot fly, maybe more than others, leading to my excellent guess. Even though the name (alleged!) at top made me think of an old friend whose family tribes include the Kickapoo, but whatever.
Trump is going to entertain the masses with a Fidel Castro length speech on July 4th. Not gonna watch since I'm not into train wrecks.
Next I want a Big and Beautiful obit for YOU KNOW WHO
I just want a Mitch McConnell obit tout de suite…please and thank you!
I looked into "birth tourism", and of course, the government has had a report on it the whole time. The fun part, the report notes that such travel became easier after State Department policies introduced in February 2015, and then became comparatively difficult after another policy change in January 2020. In other words, Drumpf spent three years of his 1st term doing absolutely nothing about this suddenly urgent issue, and as of the report's date of 2022, the policies to limit abuse that he could take credit for had not been reversed or changed in any way by the Biden administration.
https://www.hsgac.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/imo/media/doc/2022.12.20-%20Final_Birth%20Tourism%20Report.pdf
You know, when Trump dies the White House insiders are going to deny it for weeks, And anyone who discovers his death will be treated like liars and traitors. A little error about Alito retiring is trivial in comparison.
Appropriately disrespectful Alan Greenspan obit: https://jimearl.substack.com/p/alan-greenspan-fed-reserve-chairman?r=3ik5b&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
Morning toot, 5:02 a.m. "The United States spends more money on NATO than any other country, by far, to protect them, without getting any benefit from so doing: U.S. 999 Billion Dollars, United Kingdom, 90.5 Billion Dollars, France, 66.5 Billion Dollars, Italy, 48.8 Billion Dollars, Poland, 44.3 Billion Dollars. Others, including Germany, are MUCH LOWER. (2014-2025) Ridiculous! President DJT"
HuffPost: It's unclear which estimates the president is referring to. The U.S. spends roughly $980 billion annually on defense and has interests beyond its commitment to the NATO collective. NATO's annual budget is about $6 billion. Next week, leaders from all 32 member states are expected to convene for a two-day summit in the Turkish capital of Ankara.
HuffPost/MS NOW: "The FBI is reportedly using more resources and manpower to investigate the 2020 presidential election results in Georgia over bogus claims it was rigged in favor of Joe Biden. Documents obtained by MS NOW reveal FBI leadership has authorized intelligence analysts to work overtime -- including weekends and holidays -- to desperately find evidence of election fraud.
“In support of the Director’s Office priority effort, the Directorate of Intelligence (DI) and Criminal Division are requesting all FBI field offices to immediately surge support to an FBI Atlanta priority investigation,” said an unclassified memo issued Wednesday and obtained by MS NOW."
This is so, so, so wrong:
President Donald Trump on Wednesday posted an AI-generated video depicting himself as a doctor treating celebrities who have criticized him.
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-ai-doctor-video_n_6a45edcae4b03060a84bb1ec?origin=home-latest-news-unit
Is he presidential yet?
Pivoted like a motherfucker.
Can they sue for this? Seems like it doesn't fall under "parody" when he (whoever created it, really) is using AI to manipulate their likeness and voice without their permission.*
*I'm not a lawyer, obvs.
My thoughts, as well.
https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/regulating-ai-deepfakes-and-synthetic-media-political-arena
Dammit. Day two of “Yellow Submarine” stuck in my head. I need a musical intervention.
Here, have the Meow Mix theme:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTunhRVyREU
I find that mentally singing the "Green Acres" theme song will immediately chase any other song out of my head.
morning, sinners
this is my last birthday on 4 july, i’m switching it to a new date for next year
Happy birthday! Have some of those cakes we like.
We can *do* that?
I'm pretty sure i read something during the Tango Menace's first term about how his properties were being used for birth tourism by Russian oligarchs and Saudi royalty.
I just put in my own comment, there was actually a policy change in 2020 that the State Department acknowledged made "birth tourism" significantly harder, which means Drumpf is literally refusing to take credit for the actions of his own administration.
LOL! What a maroon he is.
Yeah.
https://www.pbssocal.org/shows/to-the-contrary/clip/ttc-extra-russian-birth-tourism-trump-properties-qj0wgl
It's good to know I wasn't imagining it.
We Regret The Error should be the caption on the Trump portrait in the Hall of Presidents gallery thing he built.
Especially for his second term. His first term could be captioned "An Honest Mistake".
Re upcoming parties: When are you coming to Boston?
“Stonks?” You sent me into the arms of Urban Dictionary for that one.