Republicans in California in the 60's couldn't stop Hispanic organizers, and it will be even tougher in certain areas of Texas today.

It's easy to be cynical. And I sure don't have any faith in Democratic "leadership" to meet the moment.

But there are some signs of hope, if you look for them.

You noticed that too?

Did you notice that two of the gerrymandered districts in Texas, depend on GOP gains in the Hispanic community the last few cycles?

All of which predates ICE treating Hispanics like criminals and putting kids in cages.

Texas may have messed up.

The consumer models currently on sale are $6000 and up. How long do the batteries last and how much to replace? Induction ranges require special cookware.

A regular electric stove is $500 & works with the pans poor New Yorkers already have.

Pay an electrical contractor instead.

Editing an hour of rambling incoherence down to the relevant statements is called "journalism".

Not just trash food, but any classic.

I was once served eggs benedict on ciabatta bread.

I momentarily considered violence.

I see. So Japanese audiences are not immune to global trends towards casual clothing & attitudes.

But there are still some holding the line! I even see a few young people wearing traditional kimono.

It's one of my favorite parts of the tournaments.

There are nearly 2000 Americans serving life sentences in federal prisons for drug trafficking.

Not one of them has moved one thousandth of a percent of the pills the Sackler family did.

Neither the Sacklers, or one Purdue Pharma employee will ever spend a night in jail.

He is a dynamic wrestler when in top form.

For some reason, I thought he was a foreigner.

Change of subject, but is the crowd louder in Fukuoka than in Osaka or Tokyo?

Or are the crowds getting more noisy in general?

Modern society?

I'm struggling to think of a time in history when it wasn't this way.

I feel like the real difference is that they can't hide it anymore.

Too many cameras and microphones for the elites to control.

The real issue right now with renewable and AI data centers?

Aging electric infrastructure that requires billions of investment that has not materialized.

It's not just Texas. Some states like Cali are almost as bad.

Lines first, appliances next.

If we're talking about the percentage of the population in temperate zones that live in rural areas where ice storms can take lines down and leave old people with no heat for days or weeks?

Well over one percent.

What's the backup plan?

The real world is not an industry think tank.

That's all fair.

How much of that was this gentleman on Bluesky?

I'm not the one confusing anger.

Or telling you you don't have a right to be angry.

I know a guy in Iowa and he absolutely needs a propane furnace backup.

Because even a 10kw heat strip won't cut it during several days below zero temps.

He also has a massive PV solar setup.

And I'm an HVAC guy with 15 years experience in Florida.

Had more than a few heat pumps open.

You know what I do when they come around?

Invite them in and talk about how wrong their scriptural interpretations are.

Give them some coffee, and those particular ones never come back.

All kinds of salesmen and neighbors collecting for their kids charities come around.

Why does it make you angry when religious types do it? Just say no thank you and they'll stop.

You can disable public comment, and firewall yourself into Atheist communities online.

So why are you here?

It's funny you bring that up, because I was just thinking:

what's the difference between knocking on someone's door to offer unsolicited religion or Atheism and presenting it as an online comment that's equally unsolicited?

It's a legitimate question.

There isn't much difference, is there?

They've been around a long time, but were only useful as the primary heat source in mild climates. Even in Florida, you still need an emergency heat strip.

Now they can be used all the way into temperate zones.

On the coldest days you will need a backup heat source though.

I'm sure they know all about systemic issues in the military.

And they'll fix it all with smartass memes.