Ryan Binkley Suspends 2024 Campaign, Leaving GOP Race to Trump and Haley
New York Post | Feb. 27, 2024 | Diana Glebova

And then there were two, officially.

Longshot Republican presidential candidate Ryan Binkley suspended his campaign Tuesday after failing to crack 1% of the vote in any early state contest.

Pet Gila Monster Bites Colorado Man, Who Dies in What Experts Call a “Rare Event”
CBS News | February 20, 2024 | Brian Maass

The Jefferson County coroner has confirmed that a 34-year-old Colorado man died this month, days after being bitten by one of his two pet Gila monsters.

“I think this case highlights that any venomous animals should be respected” …

… the precise cause of death won’t be known until additional toxicology testing is completed.

… “venomous reptiles are hazardous and should only be handled or possessed by people with the proper training.”

… experts will “look at the venom components and see if there is some reason this might occur.”

Venom. Venom . . . VENOM! Can I be promoted to Investigator now?

If your autopsy contains the word “monster” . . .

Don’t . . . don’t jump the fence.

Stellantis Patents Vibration System To Mimic Combustion Engines In EVs
www.carscoops.com | 20 February 2024 | Sam D. Smith

The system, if introduced, would likely feature on the Charger Daytona, with EV muscle cars highlighted in the patent.

Performance EVs have proved to be quicker to 60 mph than the vast majority of the ICE alternatives, more refined by virtue of having fewer moving parts, and more pliable, offering instant power and torque. However, there’s one thing that even the most die-hard electric zealots will struggle to argue against: when it comes to emotion and character, an EV powertrain can’t harness the same characteristics that make a great ICE so unique.

Or can they? If you’re an engineer at Dodge, chances are you may disagree. A patent filed last year by Stellantis showcases a new Active Sound Enhancement (ASE) system and Active Vibration System Enhancement (AVE), which aim to bring back some of the fizzes that will be lost as their upcoming muscle cars go electric.

The patent, filed with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), . . .

“WIPO”? Cue the surfer music accompaniment of the group the Surfaris.

. . . specifically cites muscle cars, making it a safe bet that one of the intended applications of the ASE and AVE systems will be the all-electric Dodge Charger Daytona.

While Dodge has already showcased its Fratazonic Chambered Exhaust that aims to generate artificial exhaust notes for the Charger Daytona, the ASE/AVE system — if employed — would take the experience a level further. The AVE aims to recreate the vibrations felt that would normally be experienced with an ICE vehicle — presumably a muscle car with a big ol’ V8.

“Why, this could be Fratazonic — Hydrophonic — Catatonic . . . It could be — Greased Lightning!”

Hamas Isn’t a Terror Group, Says UN Relief Chief — Indeed. It’s a UN Agency.
Frontpagemagazine | February 20, 2024 | Robert Spencer

No sooner had Martin Griffiths, the UN’s Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, declared that Hamas was not a terrorist group than it came it light that at least 30 UNRWA employees actively participated in Hamas’ Oct. 7 jihad massacre of 1,200 Israelis. So now we see: of course Hamas isn’t a terror group. It’s a UN agency.

The Jerusalem Post reported Friday that Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant “announced on Friday the details of 12 UNRWA employees who are members of Hamas and participated in the October 7 massacre.” That wasn’t all: Gallant “told reporters that Israel has intelligence that more than 30 of the organization’s employees actively participated in the murder spree, assisting in the kidnapping of civilians and soldiers.” What’s more, “he presented data, according to which 12% of the 13,000 UNRWA employees are connected to terrorist organizations in Gaza, and 1,468 of the employees are even active in them.”

The Proposal

The Party pooper:

Ultra tall commercial skyscrapers may be impressive vanity projects for architects and urban planners but they are technically obsolete and therefore, economically unviable.

The reason is obvious. Think about how you are reading this comment. Over the Internet from home, over a Wi-Fi connected mobile laptop, or a smart phone.

How can the developers make a proposal that makes economic sense for this investment? How can they charge enough rent per square foot to cover the cost of development, maintenance and make a profit?

It is impossible. This is both technical and economic insanity.

I would be quite pissed off if any of my tax dollars were being dumped into this boondoggle.

Yes, but the IMAO cocktail lounge needs both a physical address and lots and lots of levels.