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Schumer Shutdown FAFO Update

Politics, Trumpism

Well they started it, so what did they think would happen?  How about this:

White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russ Vought on Friday announced that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is halting $11 billion in federal funding for projects in four states amid the government shutdown.

And the four states thus targeted?

New York will face the biggest bulk of funding cuts with its projects in New York City, but cities in California, Massachusetts and Maryland will also see reductions because of the shutdown.

My reaction:

Of course, they’re upset about this:

Rep. Marcy Kaptur (Soc-  NY  OH) warned the pause will devastate American families.

“Cutting $11 Billion in Corps projects will devastate communities across America & drive up costs for working families. Infrastructure investment keeps ports competitive, protects homes from flooding, & supports good-paying jobs. Infrastructure investment keeps ports competitive, protects homes from flooding, and supports good-paying jobs.”

Hey Marcy, your constituents and those from the other four Left-wing states voted you and your little socialist buddies into office, and now they get to face the consequences of your actions.  Suck on it, Lefties.

As for the rest of us:

Correction:  Alert Reader Jon M. informs me that said Kaptur reptile is in fact from Ohio — in the ninth district, a little bluebottle in the tomato soup that includes the garden spot of Toledo.  My apologies both to her and to the state of New York.

About That OTA Software Thing

Corporate Fuckery, Drive Time

Loyal Readers will remember this little rant of mine about stupid car manufacturers:

And while we’re on high-level fools in Big Auto, ladies and gentlemen, I give you:  Stellantis.

And heeeeere’s the latest from this clown car maker:

A recent software update to the Jeep Wrangler 4xE plug-in hybrid has reportedly caused major malfunctions, leaving many owners stranded and some in potentially dangerous situations after their vehicles were “bricked” by the botched upgrade.

The Stack reports that on Friday, Stellantis released an over-the-air (OTA) software update for the uconnect system, which is installed in various Jeep Wrangler 4xE — the company’s plug-in hybrid model. However, the update contained bugs that caused vehicles to malfunction or become “bricked” if owners installed it. Bricking is technology slang for a device rendered completely useless by an upgrade or software change. The issue quickly became apparent as numerous Jeep owners across the United States reported problems with their vehicles following the update.

Loyal Readers will also recall that I have ranted frequently and angrily about this automotive software issue, so I’m not going to repeat that familiar theme.  Suffice it to say:

   

No electronic / software doodads, powered by a modern VW engine (more powerful than the original Porsche one), stick shift;  and all at a price that’s much less than any entry-level Porsche on the market today.

Okay, to be fair:  I have never been a potential buyer of any Jeep Wrangler of any vintage, and if you add battery power / software to the equation, exponentially less so.

And this, the latest-but-by-no-means-last episode of stupidity, simply increases my hostility to the cars-as-software-platforms concept.

Fuck ’em.

Sad Trend

Bad News, Lifestyle

I read this article with a great sense of sadness:

Founded in 1759 by the pioneering Josiah Wedgwood, the housewares brand quickly rose to prominence, earning fans in high places. Its elegant, often hand-painted china was used in Buckingham Palace, the White House, the Vatican, and even the Kremlin.

But fast forward to today, and once-prized porcelain pieces that were lovingly gifted at weddings, and saved for anniversaries and Christmas dinners are gathering dust, or worse, going for pennies on online marketplaces. 

The sparkle has well and truly faded for the formal dining crockery, pieces that once fetched hundreds of pounds are now struggling to sell at car boot sales, with some saying they can’t even ‘give the sets away’.

Why?

Expert and prolific author on ceramics and glass, John Sandon, who makes regular appearances on the BBC Antiques Roadshow, revealed the decline in demand for traditional porcelain is less about quality and more about shifting cultural attitudes. He told the Daily Mail: “Most people consider their best china and family inherited crockery is ‘old fashioned’, whatever that means. Most old sets are regarded as impractical for everyday use, and very, very few people want to use them.”

Reflecting on changing attitudes toward inherited tableware, John noted the growing disconnect between sustainability messages and modern family preferences. He added: “The much quoted ‘Antiques are Green’ message has tried to emphasise that old china sets are the ultimate recyclables. And Granny’s china sets should be used. But most modern families don’t want to.”

Highlighting the gap between appreciation and practicality, John pointed out that admiration for antique ceramics doesn’t always translate into everyday use.

“Not using your old china tea services and fruit sets is nothing to do with the reason people choose plain white from Ikea and The Range instead of very expensive Wedgwood.”

One of my abiding regrets about emigrating was that I couldn’t bring over my (inherited) dinnerware with me.  What was it?

It was Wedgwood Signet Platinum, and it was the classiest, most elegant dinnerware ever.

At dinner parties, even my rowdy, uncouth friends would comment on how lovely it looked, and how it set off the meal perfectly.

It’s profoundly sad, but not altogether surprising, that people nowadays would rather use cheap shit from Ikea or Walmart than bother to put out a decent table setting for their guests.  I guess that utility wins over style and grace.

I think I’ll go and eat some worms.  Off a paper plate.