They're not even trying to hide it, which I actually find quite refreshing.

And what's the endgame?

"How about a nice game of....chess?"

And just because you aren't paranoid, doesn't mean they aren't out to get you

Thank you Dr. Johnny Fever....and, watch out for the "phone cops"...those guys play hard ball!!!

Ok...I've just severely dated myself...

After I had to be on Facebook for my work,

This part of your post really caught my eye...

Did your employer actually state you had to have a FB account in order to perform your job??

If so, I've never heard of such a thing.

I've never had a FB or any other social media site account, and by my accounts...it's actually been beneficial to my lines of work over the years.

So, genuinely curious about this....what kind of job what kind of work if you don't mind me asking....

Thank you in advance...

You should buy nicer coffee beans - if your coffee tastes bad without milk or sugar and tastes terrible when cold, that is a sign you are buying trash coffee beans.

Ugh...I don't think so....I can't agree.

I have relatives and friends that are coffee snobs, and have explained in great lengths what makes the superior coffee...from bean to brewing style to even the freakin' temperature you steep it.

No matter the quality, it all basically tastes like bitter dark liquid....no flavors really that overpower the bitter.

The only way I generally like coffee, is to booze it up, lots of heavy cream and sweetener so that by the time I'm one with it...tastes like boozy hot chocolate....and they generally frown on one for drinking that on the job site, so I generally only partake at home on weekends.

And no, I don't waste my money on the "good stuff" when I drink it like that, so don't worry.

It's all just bitter to me and needs a ton of additives to make it pleasurable.....everyone has different taste buds you know.

Is that really up to some random superintendent to decide. In most countries it would have to be an act of parliament.

Well, the US is set up that way...MOST local power is reserved for the States and the localities within.

The Federal govt is set up to be weak, at least constitutionally it is only supposed to have the limited, enumerated powers and responsibilities listed in the US Constitution.

That has been bastardized greatly over the years, but it also still largely applies.

For the most part, the Feds can't order the states to so jack shit....they can coerce them by trying to withhold tax monies...etc....but that's largely it.

Oh, so you are just going to fly the confederate flag

Why?

Are you trying to start a Lynyrd Skynyrd concert or something....?

Be able to make it rain in the Champaign Room.

But then you also need to add a retractable roof.

Holy cow! Kids are definitely going to fuck these things, I don't know what Woz is thinking.

Except that there's a lot of money riding on US having the lead. Anthropic investors are panicking right now and they should be.

More like it's the only thing they have to offer.

Kimi can't make CSAM. And if it could it would be more like 70% cheaper.

Interesting to hear China blamed for the environment when they lead in solar and the US president beefs with wind.

I mean, will it censor you if you ask about the Chinese premier looking like Winnie the Pooh or tienaman (sp?) square....will it say it can't answer that...or give answers that only praise china?

Genuine question with potential genuine concerns....