John Oliver

Getting rid of Hamas

The Israeli people do not want to return to war.

But as more hostages reveal how they were held as sex slaves in Hamas' dungeons, we will not let the Hamas Rapist Regime exist mere meters from Israelis' homes.

Either diplomacy finds a solution, or we will have to. pic.twitter.com/QypjmkBvG5

— Eylon Levy (@EylonALevy) February 16, 2026

Top Netanyahu aide: Hamas will have 60 days to disarm or IDF will ‘complete’ mission

As far as I can tell, the "board of peace" has no realistic plan ... none ... for how to disarm Hamas. There will be troops from countries like Indonesia, apparently, but those troops are not going to be fighting with Hamas, they will be doing "strictly humanitarian" work, not combat. No country has agreed to actually take weapons away from Hamas by force.

Jared said Hamas would be disarmed by a Palestinian police force trained by Egypt and Jordan, but this force still does not actually exist ... Who will disarm Hamas under Trump’s ‘Board of Peace,’ and how?

The "board of peace" disarmament plan is a plan built on avarice and fear - the idea that you can bribe people and threaten people into doing your bidding. This is Trump's plan for every endeavor, from tariffs to Greenland. Thing is, it won't work on fanatics (or people who see through you). I think they actually have a final fallback plan ... leave Hamas in power and pay them to be nice. Utter fail.

So, it will have to be up to Israel to get rid of Hamas, because they do need to be gotten rid of.

Valentine's Day

Think Valentine's Day stinks? Then the stinking corpse lily is perfect for you! It may look beautiful, but its rotten-flesh scent will make you think twice before gifting it to your sweetheart. Its pungent smell is a come-hither to carrion flies, which spread pollen. pic.twitter.com/J6g7QEYoB8

— American Museum of Natural History (@AMNH) February 14, 2026

Eeeek! ;)

Epstein's people

Ezra Klein talks to Anand Giridharadas about the Epstein files. They discuss the many different kinds of people Epstein knew ... the rich, the famous, politicians, academics, left wing, right wing, movers and shakers, low profile people behind the scenes, almost all men ... and how they wanted something that Epstein could provide.

I realized what Epstein's circle reminded me of ... high school. Guys, trying to impress other guys, using girls as currency-widgets to improve their standing amongst themselves. Pathetic, and given their relative power, dangerous to us normal people.

Mayor Jacob Frey

Chris Hayes talks to the mayor of Minneapolis, Jacob Frey ...

Robert Palmer

Song in my head today ...

Robert Palmer turned attitude into a song.
pic.twitter.com/MhxnfIBPBA

— Music and lyrics! 🎙️🎵🎸🎼🎹🤘 (@somethingrand77) January 23, 2026

More on the EPA change

From CNBC ...

EPA climate regulation

EPA abandons the foundation of greenhouse gas rules

This decision will be devastating for the health and wellbeing of people/animals and for the sustainability of our physical environment.

I guess Trump and his toadies don't give a poop about the future for anyone, even their own grandchildren, as long as they themselves can be ever more rich and powerful.

I don't doubt but that this will be contested and will end up in the Supreme Court, but the conservatives rule there.

Another victim

Evidence Shows Feds Lied To Justify Shooting Marimar Martinez, Lawyer Says

I recall when this incident was in the news. The government said she had rammed their car, that she was a domestic terrorist. They shot her five times ... an American citizen and a teacher ... and then joked about it on social media.

Bye bye billionaires

Startup founder behind San Francisco pro-billionaire rally

There are about 214 billionaires that reside in California, but none of them attended the March for Billionaire’s rally held this week to honor their hard work ....

One of the state’s largest labor unions crafted a proposed wealth tax, which would be a one-time 5% income tax on the state’s wealthiest residents. The proposal is in the signature collection phase and if it garners 874,641 signatures, as required by state law, it qualifies for the ballot this November ...

I think the tax ix a good idea. It is only a one time tax ... just one time ... and just 5% of their vast fortunes, to make up for cuts to programs for California's needy by Trump's "big beautiful bill".

But Gavin Newsom, a multimillionaire himself, is against the idea - another reason I would not want to vote for him for president. And the ultra-rich are threatening to leave the state because of this one time tax.

Go ahead, billionaires. Leave the most wonderful place to live in the US because you were too selfish to use 5% of your untold wealth to help those less fortunate, just one time. I won't miss you.

Ezra Klein - the internet

An interesting conversation about the internet with Tim Wu and science fiction writer Cory Doctorow. They talk about how the internet has changed from when they were kids, how optimisitic they felt then about it, and how that feeling has changed.

My first computer at home was in the mid 90s, when my sister loaned me her Macintosh Color Classic. We felt so enthusiastic and hopeful about the internet back then, even about Amazon - I placed my first order there in 1999. I still like the internet, but it has become more human over the years, with all of our frailties represented.

The video

Trump’s racist post about Obamas is deleted after backlash despite White House earlier defending it

The Republicans in Congress could impeach Trump, but they will won't, no matter what terrible things he does. Republican lawmakers, I hope you rot.

25 or 6 to 4

Chicago, 1970 at Tanglewood, 25 or 6 to 4. One of my favorite Chicago songs. Peter Cetera is singing. I'm always intrigued by his teeth - his jaw was once broken in a fight and had to be wired shut for a time, thereafter making him wary of opening his mouth very wide.

Renee Good's brothers

Renee Good's brothers and a woman shot five times by CBP decry DHS' tactics



No Republicans attended the hearing.

All the best people

The recent release of Epstein documents by the DOJ has revealed the names of many more famous people. It's discouraging to see the names of people I had once respected or liked. And it reinforces some of my worst beliefs about the wealthy and powerful.

People will say, of course, that just having a name mentioned doesn't mean that person participated in wrongdoing. I would say that the company a person keeps reveals who they are - if you simply enjoy the company of a man like Epstein, there is something effing wrong with you.

Thought experiment. Imagine someone saying "Yes, I was friends with Hannibal Lecter, often visiting his home, but that doesn't mean I knew he was a cannibal or that I ever helped him murder and eat people. I just loved his witty repartee and his amazing recipe collection."

Anyway, read a who's who in this article from CNN - There are many famous names in the Epstein files

See a more complete list of Epstein's buddies at Wikipedia: Epstein files

Won't Get Fooled Again

I have this song in my head today ...



Won't Get Fooled Again by The Who, 1971.

Rafah border crossing open

60 years ago

Released in 1966, "For What It's Worth" by Buffalo Springfield captured the restless spirit of a generation grappling with social upheaval, yet its message still resonates today.
pic.twitter.com/i2LGyTiKUI

— Music and lyrics! 🎙️🎵🎸🎼🎹🤘 (@somethingrand77) December 31, 2025

The Buffalo Springfield. Saw them once, here at the state fair when I was in high school. They were only around for a couple of years, and later morphed into Crosby, Stills & Nash. My favorite song of theirs was this one ...

In the yard

It's sunny today so I took out the camera.

Here are some privet tree berries. Pretty but poisonous ...

Here's a picture of Hansel. Her tortie colors make her kind of blend in ...

Tiny yellow flowers ...

And some periwinkles ...

And more berries, but I don't know what these are called ...

Prince Wendell naps on top of a (pretty dirty) cat condo ...

Latest video analysis

The New York Times has a new video analysis of the killing of Alex Pretti by federal agents (CBP) ...



When Alex Pretti was laying on the ground, surrounded by agents, he held his phone in one hand and his glasses in the other :( After watching this, I have no doubt that this was an unprovoked killing ... an apparent murder. It's important for us to keep abreast of the available facts, because if you think that the DOJ or Homeland Security or the FBI is going to do an impartial and complete investigation of what happened, think again.

Some hope?

I sure hope Pete is right.

But being the pessimist that I am, I worry Tim might be more right ...

Last hostage returns home

Israel launches 'large scale operation' to locate last hostage in Gaza

Israel said Sunday its military was conducting a “large-scale operation” to locate the last hostage in Gaza, as Washington and other mediators pressure Israel and Hamas to move into the next phase of their ceasefire ...

I’m keeping my hostage pin in my pocket.

We paid a terrible ransom to get the hostages out, because we had no choice.

But ransoms teach kidnappers that taking hostages pays. They will strike again. pic.twitter.com/OH67h7KJFs

— Eylon Levy (@EylonALevy) January 26, 2026

Adam Schiff

My Senator on Meet the Press today ...

Video analysis

There is a new video analysis by The Washington Post of the killing of Alex Pretti. Sadly, I'm not a subscriber so haven't seen it, but here is an earlier analysis from CNN with commentary by Andy McCabe, former deputy director of the FBI under James Comey.

Both videos show that the victim never had his gun in his hand, and that his gun was taken from him before he was then shot 10 times ...

Jared's plan for Gaza

At Davos ...



He says everything depends on Hamas demilitarizing, but I haven't seen any plan for who is going to make them give up their weapons and their political power. No country has agreed to force Hamas to do this - no country is willing to fight them. So ... ?

And then there's the de-radicalization of Gaza. Peace won't naturally follow rebuilding if the Gazans still hate Israelis and want to kill them all. What's the plan for this problem?

I fear Jared believes money can buy eveything and everyone. I think he's wrong.