More on the warmongers

/

I’m proud to see that our senator Murphy’s fame is now being recognized as far away as Minnesota:

An “Arm of the Kremlin”?

John Hinderaker:

On CNN this morning, Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy, who might be the dumbest man in government today, decried the Trump administration’s position on the Russia/Ukraine war. You can read much more at the link, but I am going to focus on just a couple of points. First, the question asked by CNN’s Dana Bash:

Host Dana Bash said, “Do you think there’s hope of salvaging this relationship with Ukraine?”

This is mind-numbingly stupid. The proper question, as even Zelensky realizes, is whether Ukraine has hope of salvaging its relationship with the United States. So in this interview, you know from the beginning that you are in a fog of unknowing.

Murphy’s response–you can read much more at the link–included this:

So it is absolutely shameful what is happening right now. The White House has become an arm of the Kremlin.

Of course, if the White House were really an arm of the Kremlin, it would be suppressing domestic oil and gas production and pursuing “green” energy fantasies. That, much more than anything else, is how an American administration either helps Russia (Obama) or hurts Russia (Trump). Which is why for decades, as official intelligence reports have documented, Russia has provided covert support to American environmentalist groups.

But of course, Murphy isn’t talking about that. He is talking about the fact that Russia apparently is willing to agree to an immediate ceasefire and a permanent resolution of the conflict, while Ukraine, under Zelensky, wants to fight on. At our expense, of course. President Trump thinks that after three years, the war has gone on long enough, and the pressing need is to bring it to an end.

I agree. Estimates vary, but there have been something like a million casualties in this conflict. And the war has ground to a halt: it now resembles World War I trench warfare. Russia holds a slice of Ukrainian territory, where most residents speak Russian and probably are pro-Russia, but there has been little movement for months. So the outlines of a settlement are obvious.

Why, exactly, are people like Chris Murphy determined to fight on? What is the point? What is the goal? I am generally a hawk in military matters, not reluctant to use military force. But to what end? To recover a few square miles of Russian-speaking territory, historically a part of Russia, for Ukraine? What vital American interest is at stake here?

Europe Not So Unified on Ukraine After All

When Zelenskyy rushed to Great Britain after the fiasco in the Oval, Europeans embraced him in public while chastising him in private for going too far. They, too, hoped that Trump could be publicly shamed into writing a blank check, of course, and I think they underestimated Trump's intransigence given their history with Biden. Biden had been frustrated with Zelenskyy and had even yelled at him in private, but always stood with him publicly. Zelenskyy likely thought, especially given the advice from Democrats before the meeting to renege on the deal, that he could win a fight with Trump. 

That was a stupid gamble, obviously, but everybody thought it would be relatively cost-free. 

Now that it's clear that it was hardly that, Europeans are doing an about face, with even the most hawkish, like Kier Starmer, making Churchillian noises while doing the Chamberlain dance. 

The French are splitting off, as is Hungary. Germany has always been skeptical of sending weapons to Ukraine and deeply opposed to striking inside Europe, although they have kept their criticisms muted in public. Germany has been deindustrializing and can't afford to divert massive resources, especially without US backing. And the UK Ambassador to the US has said Zelenskyy must agree to Trump's plan. 

There’s much more at the link, all worth reading, but let’s move on to a related story:

European leaders on edge as prospect looms of Trump pulling 20K troops from continent

"The Europeans have a serious problem of readiness … that they’re trying to fix, but it takes time," Camille Grand, a former NATO official who is now with the European Council on Foreign Relations, said in a Washington Post report Sunday. "If Trump decides ‘I’m going to pull out U.S. troops from Germany because I’m upset with the trade imbalance,’ that’s much more complicated to manage than to say we have a plan to do this within X years."

The comments come as European leaders have become increasingly anxious about the future of the security of the continent in the second era of Trump, with the Washington Post reporting that leaders are wary that the American president is too friendly with Moscow and that they widely expect him to pull back roughly 20,000 U.S. troops that were deployed to the continent by former President Joe Biden in the aftermath of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

"I would not be surprised if at some point [those troops] go back to their home base in America," a NATO diplomat told the outlet while noting that those troops were sent to Europe at the height of an emergency and that their exit "would be, so to speak, a return to normalcy."

The current number of U.S. troops in Europe has fluctuated between 75,000 and 105,000 since 2022, according to data from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), with the higher end of that number being a result of the surge of forces into the region ordered by Biden.

…..

“Oooh, we need more time! We never expected this!”

Uh huh — sure. But:

“ American presidents from both parties have been warning European leaders for more than a decade of the potential shift of troops away from the continent as the U.S. seeks to focus more effort on confronting the emerging threat of China in the Indo-Pacific, leaving Europe in charge of a greater share of its own security.”

And from a reader:

I love to bring in numbers to discussions like this: Ukraine Support Tracker

 The US has provided more military aid than all of Europe.  when you combine financial, humanitarian aid and military aid, the US is $114b vs ALL of Europe of $132b. And this is a war in Europe. So when you see 44 countries in Europe tweeting versus one President in the US = basically the same voice when it comes down to dollars. 

 Europe gutted its military when they thought they could and decided, effectively, to let the US defend it as they wanted to reallocate those taxes into social programs. Thats fine and dandy until another war in Europe starts and (shockingly) they are unprepared. 

Sounds a lot like WW2, when all the countries stopped investing in defense until it was too late. 

The reason you study history is so that it doesn;t repeat itself. There are always going to be bad people who want to do bad things; no matter what you want to believe. Thats why you need a military.  Yet again, WW1, WW2 and now Ukraine .. the US needs to come to Europe's rescue because they are too divided and too short sighted.

I only disagree with the reader when he says that the U.S. needs to come to Europe’s rescue. Screw’em: Trump has given them warning; they can act on it, of we can just let them return their continent to the neolithic paradise it once was, and free the new muslim population to frolic to their hearts’ content.

Third price cut; maybe this will prove the charm, but anything that’s gone stale in the current Old Greenwich market must have some problems

/

I’d start with the developer’s decision to sacrifice the entire tiny backyard to a swimming pool: half the market doesn’t want one, and that percentage only decreases when buyers have young children, as so many do in Old Greenwich.

Regardless, 60 Park Avenue has now dropped to $5.195 million from its September opening price of $5.495.

Just for fun, here’s how the listing broker for the bungalow that was replaced by this one wrote up her listing. A combination of Kamal Harris-speak and dripping sentimentality all in just one paragraph.

Plan, Design, and Build your dream home in Old Greenwich Connecticut. Currently, 60 Park Avenue is the site of a 1912 Bungalow in need of a singular vision of what could be. This incredible home site is nestled directly in the heart of the highly desirable enclave of Old Greenwich. Imagine the forever home you could build on this .26 acre level lot in a neighborhood full of historic and modern reimagined homes. This opportunity, to create your ideal home in this location, rarely happens in life. Moments from the quaint yet tony Old Greenwich Downtown Restaurants and Shops, @ 1/2 mile to Metro North Old Greenwich Train Station, and @ 45 minutes from Grand Central this is the opportunity you've been looking for.

Listed in January 2020 for $1.2 million, it finally sold that July for the plebeian sum of $915,000.

The mid-range market continues its recovery

/

Not so very long ago, houses between, say $3.5 to $7.5 million were a drag on the market; that’s changed these past two years, as shown here at 19 Parsonage Road, listed at $5.8 million ten days ago and reported pending today.

Owners bought it new in December 2007 for $4.750 ($7.184 million in current dollars) at the apex of that decade’s market. The house it replaced was sold for its full asking price of $1.995 million in 2004.

Just like their noisy cicada cousins, the Ladies of the Invisible have completed their dormant cycle and, sadly, reemerged on the Greenwich/Stamford border.

/

Remember the “non-partisan” Belle Haven ladies group, Greenwich Invisible*, that swarmed out from behind the gates after the 2016 election to take on Trump in the Town’s RTM? Well, they’re still around — who knew? — and now they’re having a hissy fit over Trump Elon Musk’s threat to stop funding for the Ukrainian bloodbath. What Mr. Musk’s role in stopping that slaughter is unclear, at least to any sentient being, but then, we’re talking about Greenwich Invisible here.

Anyway, they’re out, and boy, are they angwy! No Teslas for you!

will work for orthodontia

Not surprisingly, the Ladies, although not the charmer pictured above, are also celebrating National Hijab Month, to show solidarity with their Muslim sisters across the world who are being so cruelly oppressed by westerners like The Orange Man and his fellow Russian collaborators.

Or something.

Meanwhile, up in Ski Country, the Invisibles — oh, if they only were — dispatched their domestics from slopeside condominiums to the streets of Waitsfield to protest JD Vance and his family, there for a brief ski vacation at Mad River Glen. “I couldn’t attend myself”, Greenwich resident Penelope Greensward told FWIW during a cellphone conversation conducted while Penelope was nearing the summit in her private gondola, “but I felt it important enough to show a presence that I told Consuela that she could save the toilet cleaning for the evening, and go wave angry signs in the air down in town. I’ll text you a picture: she’s in full regalia, what with the keffiyeh, rainbow flag, and, of course, swastika. Quite the look, isn’t it? Sooo positive, So empowering!”

*Officially, “Indivisible”, an ironic twist to what they see as their actual role: dividing the country by race, gender, economic status and political party. One ring to bind them all.

This is what Murphy and his fellow warmongers are demanding more of:

/

“Body parts! I wanna see body parts!”

Murphy on Ukraine: “The fate of the free world is at stake”. He’s just dumb enough to believe that (although he probably doesn’t, he just likes the sound of air whistling through his empty skull.)

I pointed this out yesterday, but it deserves to be hammered home:

They — U.S. Democrats, Neo-cons, Europeans, and the British, want WW III; I’m not sure why, except that it would take the minds of the masses off the ongoing destruction being brought upon the countries by their own politicians.

Say WHAT? British PM Starmer Vows to Put 'Boots on the Ground' in Ukraine

First, he relied on the Democrats to support his endless ground war, now he's trying to enlist who, the King’s Cavalry? Two poor choices in three days. (Updated)

/

In August 1898, British General H.H. Kitchener reached Omdurman. The stage was set for the last cavalry charge in British military history.

who’s gonna tell him?

“Tally ho, boys! We’ll give the Kaiser and Putin a through drubbing!” (Then the maxims opened up)

UPDATE: Related?

What can you do with GROK for simple household questions? This:

/

it’ll even help you gather the ingredients!

So, I found myself with a bag of frozen corn, an onion on the counter, some potatoes in the cupboard, and bacon in the fridge. Cold and windy this day, so a chowder seemed like a good idea. Rather than scour the internet and wade through various recipes, I went the easy route, and just asked Xi/Grok. In, literally, two seconds, back came an ingredient list, prep instructions, and even a calorie count. I just made and had a bowl of it; it was delicious.

I certainly know how to make a simple chowder, but it was handy to have a checklist on my notebook perched on the counter, just to ensure that I had the rough proportions/ratios of ingredients and didn’t forget to add anything.

Q: devise a recipe for corn chowder, including frozen corn, chicken stock, potatoes and anything else that might sound good. A general calorie count would be useful

A: Here’s a hearty recipe for corn chowder using frozen corn, chicken stock, potatoes, and a few extras to make it delicious. This version includes bacon for smoky flavor, cream for richness, and some seasonings to tie it all together. I’ll also provide a rough calorie estimate based on typical serving sizes.

Corn Chowder Recipe

Serves: 6
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 4 slices bacon, chopped (optional, but adds great flavor)

  • 1 medium onion, diced (about 1 cup)

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 3 medium potatoes, peeled and diced (about 3 cups, Yukon Gold or russet work well)

  • 4 cups chicken stock (low-sodium preferred)

  • 2 cups frozen corn kernels

  • 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter option)

  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, for depth)

  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (optional, for thickening)

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (if skipping bacon)

  • Optional toppings: chopped green onions, shredded cheddar cheese, or fresh parsley

Instructions:

  1. Cook the Bacon (if using): In a large pot or Dutch oven, cook the chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside, leaving the drippings in the pot. If not using bacon, melt 2 tablespoons of butter in the pot instead.

  2. Sauté Aromatics: Add the diced onion to the bacon drippings or melted butter. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and translucent, about 4-5 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.

  3. Add Potatoes and Stock: Add the diced potatoes, chicken stock, smoked paprika, and thyme to the pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.

  4. Incorporate Corn and Thicken (if desired): Stir in the frozen corn and cook for another 5 minutes to heat through. For a thicker chowder, whisk the flour into 1/4 cup of the cold cream until smooth, then stir this slurry into the pot. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until it thickens slightly.

  5. Finish with Cream: Stir in the remaining heavy cream and heat through, about 2-3 minutes. Avoid boiling after adding the cream to prevent curdling. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper.

  6. Serve: Ladle into bowls and top with the crispy bacon (if using), green onions, cheddar cheese, or parsley as desired.

Tips:

  • For a lighter version, swap heavy cream with half-and-half or whole milk, though it won’t be as rich.

  • Add diced carrots or celery with the onions for extra veggies.

  • For a spicy kick, toss in a pinch of cayenne or a chopped jalapeño.

Calorie Count (Approximate)

Based on 6 servings, here’s a rough breakdown per serving:

  • Bacon (4 slices, divided): ~70 calories

  • Onion (1 cup): ~40 calories

  • Potatoes (3 cups): ~240 calories

  • Chicken stock (4 cups): ~50 calories

  • Frozen corn (2 cups): ~160 calories

  • Heavy cream (1 cup): ~800 calories

  • Flour (2 tbsp, optional): ~60 calories

  • Butter (2 tbsp, if no bacon): ~200 calories

  • Total (with bacon, no toppings): ~1,420 calories for the pot, or ~235 calories per serving

  • Total (with butter, no bacon): ~1,550 calories for the pot, or ~260 calories per serving

Notes on Calories:

  • Toppings like cheese or extra bacon will add 50-100 calories per serving depending on amount.

  • Using half-and-half instead of cream cuts the total by 300-400 calories (50-65 calories less per serving).

Enjoy your warm, comforting corn chowder! Let me know if you’d like any tweaks.

What would we do without experts?

/

JOSEPH CAMPBELL:  ‘The Internet? Bah!’ Remembering 1995, the year of the world wide web.

Skeptics scoffed that the “massive seething monument to human expression” was little more than a fad. No contrarian was more insistent than Clifford Stoll, an astronomer who in 1995 brought out the book, “Silicon Snake Oil: Second Thoughts on the Information Highway.” It makes for entertaining reading — if mostly for its jaw-dropping assortment of misguided predictions. Stoll, who said he been online for years, wrote, for example:

“Video-on-demand, that killer application of communications, will remain a dream.”“I don’t believe that phone books, newspapers, magazines, or corner video stores will disappear as computer networks spread. Nor do I think that my telephone will merge with my computer, to become some sort of information appliance.”“What will the electronic book look like? Some sort of miniature laptop computer, I’d guess. We’ll download selections and page through them electronically. Try reading electronic books. They’re awful.”

Stoll previewed his book in an essay in Newsweek on Feb. 27, 1995, that has become something of a cult classic, which is frequently rediscovered online. The essay, in which Stoll dismissed the online world as a “most trendy and oversold community,” appeared beneath the headline, “The Internet? Bah!”

Color me skeptical

/


The unique charm of rowhouses, Craftsman-style homes, and Victorians is fading beneath a coat of gray in gentrifying neighborhoods across the US.

In some areas, the rapid 'grayification' of homes is dramatically transforming the visual landscape. In Washington, DC, for instance, red-brick rowhouses and colorful murals have steadily been replaced by monochromatic facades.

A Washington Post analysis found that gray homes are increasingly common in gentrifying DC neighborhoods, coinciding with rising home prices, noise complaints, and the displacement of Black residents.

Newly built or renovated homes are replacing vibrant shades of red, yellow, and brown with muted tones like Shark Fin and Deep Space. 

The study, which used Google Street View, grouped exterior colors into broader categories to track the shift.

Academics note that gray, modern homes often signal wealth and luxury. These neutral tones are seen as status symbols, reflecting both meticulous upkeep and an appeal to specific buyers.

'It all comes down to this perception of wealth and luxury, this idea that neutrals indicate status - painted brick takes more to upkeep than regular brick,' Libby Rasmussen, a color enthusiast who lives in DC and owns a home decor company, told the Post.

'If you have a light-gray or white house, it signals you can afford to keep it clean.'

'But when you create an aesthetic that is supposed to be minimalist and monocultural, it extinguishes difference. It doesn't allow different people from different cultures to actually be different.' 

DC's real estate market has embraced the trend, with agents advising sellers to repaint their homes in neutral tones to attract buyers. 

Sales analyses reveal that homes with the updated gray aesthetic often sell for significantly higher prices than those with original colors and designs.

Nationwide, the preference for darker, muted exteriors has been growing, according to surveys from platforms like Zillow. 

This shift accelerated during the pandemic, as buyers increasingly sought homes as retreats. In DC, noise complaints in gentrified neighborhoods highlight a preference for quieter, more controlled environments.

Still and all, if you disregard the social blather, it is true that monochromatic tones are the new black in Greenwich homes, and new and renovated houses generally cost cost more than the old and dilapidated. Cause and effect? No more than wet streets cause rain, I suspect.