Archive of entries posted by Oppo

2026

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‘Twas in truth an hour

Of universal ferment; mildest men

Were agitated, and commotions, strife

Of passion and opinion, filled the walls

Of peaceful houses with unquiet sounds.

The soil of common life was, at that time,

Too hot to tread upon; oft said I then,

And not then only, “What a mockery this

Of history, the past and that to come!”

— Wordsworth, The Prelude, Book 9

3

Friday Night Open Thread: Light Day

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On November 15, 2026, the Voyager 1 spacecraft will officially be one light-day from Earth.

Well, it’s also a light day here, so post a comment if you have anything noticeable to share. Not noteworthy, necessarily, just noticeable.

I’m losing my faith in my bet that the spacecraft will make the Kessel run in less than five parsecs.

Fnideq Open Thread

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Morocco launches mass deportations to block Europe migration route: As the EU rolls out its new, stricter migration pact, Morocco intensifies crackdown and interceptions of sub-Saharan Africans at Europe’s behest
Middle east eye | 22nd May 2026 | Kate McMahon

Europe has a behest?

Since 14 April, Morocco has been conducting large-scale deportation operations targeting sub-Saharan Africans migrating to Europe, reportedly arresting over 100 per day, local sources told Middle East Eye.

According to Moroccan human rights groups, around 800 people . . .

How does that square with “over 100 per day”?

. . . were detained during coordinated raids in the forests between Fnideq and Belyounech, in the northern tip of the North African state, where many were sheltering before attempting to reach Europe.

They still have forests?

Keep your browser here for more news from Fnideq, Belyounech!

Straight Line of the Day: And What, Exactly, Would You Expect To Find on the Trump Interstate?

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Sen. John Cornyn proposes naming major Texas highway ‘Trump Interstate’
WFAA (DFW) | 05/12/2026 | Jaime E. Galvan

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn is introducing new legislation that would designate a major U.S. highway as “Interstate 47,” or “Trump Interstate.”

Cornyn announced Monday that he introduced the I-47 Future Interstate Act, which would designate U.S. Highway 287 as a future interstate stretching from Port Arthur, Texas, to Choteau, Montana.

Beowulf

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I never read Beowulf — as far as I remember. If I did, the fact that I don’t remember says something.

Now I think I would, because of this guy’s description of it on the web:

The first 100 lines are basically “I’m going to tell you a story of this guy. He murders his way up and down the coast until everyone pays him to stop; that was a great king! Also, he had kids; this is the story of how his wealth got them in trouble.”

Imagine Hollywood effects and celebrity actors, and it might be an enjoyable read!