Follow the bouncing ball; if you can — this one went instantly, again

134 Lockwood Road, Riverside, sold via bidding war April 16th of this year for $2.625 million on an original price of $2.475. The buyers changed their mind and put it back up for sale three months later for $2.950 million and today it’s reported as pending.

I’m a little surprised by the popularity of this 1947 house, but it’s certainly sold well over the past few years. Owned by very good friends of mine from 1993 to 2018, it was, putting it gently, not updated very much during their tenancy. No matter; they listed it for $1.575 million in May 2018 and sold it immediately for $1.638. Those buyers, in turn, upgraded the kitchen and baths and, as noted ,resold it to the current, albeit temporary owners for the aforesaid $2.625.

((updated to correct typos))

How much of this is going on in our own schools? Quite a lot.


U.S. Storycrime

Australia: Parents complain that their kids are being forced to do Acknowledgement to Country at daycare

Some parents have claimed their children, as young as three, are being forced to participate in daily Acknowledgement to Country ceremonies at daycare, sparking outrage.

Possums' Corner Child Care Centre at Lane Cove on Sydney's lower north shore is among many daycare facilities that commemorate the cultural ritual, which has divided Australians.

Parents were shocked to learn about the 'not age-appropriate' activity mentioned in a weekly recap sent out by Possums' Corner, which charges up to $165 [about $109 in real money, if that matters —Ed] per child per day.

As part of the daily routine to acknowledge the traditional custodians of the land, children gather in a 'yarning circle to share stories, play music and dance around a pretend campfire.'

'These experiences help the children connect with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures in a meaningful and respectful way,' the weekly recap stated.

'We remain committed to fostering an environment that recognises and respects Indigenous peoples' past, present and emerging, as the continual custodians of this land.' ….

Of course, Australia being the land of sheep and sheeple, the parents aren’t totally opposed to this bullshit:

The parent clarified that the ceremony does have a place in society, but believed they were 'overused' at the otherwise 'wonderful' childcare centre.

Fordham agreed and described the growing use of the ceremonies as 'virtue signalling'.

'I just don't know how we went from doing these things at the start of significant events to every time the kids go to daycare,' he told listeners.

'There's a time and a place for everything, but not every damn day!'

Possums Corner Childcare Centre confirmed that educators led an Acknowledgement of Country as part of planned activities to mark NAIDOC week recently. 

'These activities are in line with the Early Years Learning Framework – the national curriculum set by Australian governments to ensure quality and consistency in the delivery of early childhood education in all early childhood settings,' a statement to Daily Mail Australia read. 

'In line with the EYLF, educators at Possums Corner Childcare Centre plan engaging and educational activities to mark a range of different cultural events and holidays throughout the year.

'The rights and autonomy of children are respected at all times and Possums Corner Childcare Centre welcomes input and engagement from all families who are part of our community.'

The centre also acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on its website.

The debate sparked a divided response on social media.

'That's not teaching kids that this is their country too and to be proud to be Australian, it's teaching division,' one woman commented.

Another added: 'They were born less than five years ago, they don't need to endure this. They were born here. Ridiculous.'

…. But others pointed out that Acknowledgement to Country ceremonies are conducted at many childcare centres in line with the Early Years Learning Framework set by governments at both state and federal levels.

'I think you will find this is daily practice in all daycare centres around the country it is part of the curriculum and a national requirement,' a childcare worker commented.

school board equity statement https://redstate.com/mike_miller/2025/07/21/watch-wisconsin-school-board-members-open-meeting-by-taking-turns-reading-cringe-worthy-equity-statement-n2191909

Meanwhile, back in the USA …

Mike Miller, RedState:

School Board Members Taking Turns Reading 'Equity Statement' Shows Everything Wrong With Public Education

First member: The mission of the Sun Prairie School District is to inspire, and today, by providing relevant, engaging, and innovative learning experiences in and out of the classroom.  

Second member: The Sun Prairie School District celebrates and values our diverse community. We support and are inclusive of all students, staff, families, and community members of all races, ethnicities, faiths, national origins, home languages, socioeconomic status, immigration status, political viewpoints, abilities, sexual orientations, and gender identities. 

Third member: In order to realize our mission, we are committed to changing the foundational inequities that we acknowledge exist in our system. And we unequivocally stand by our black and brown students, staff, and families. We will continue to speak and act swiftly against statements of bigotry, social injustice, discrimination, racism, and hate that plague members of our community. We are committed to developing and implementing strategies and best practices that dismantle racism, bigotry, and ethnic oppression within all aspects of our schools and school districts.  

Fourth member: We stand by our immigrant students, staff, and families. All are welcome and safe in our schools regardless of immigration status. 

Fifth member: We stand by our students, staff, and families with disabilities. We will continue to staunchly protect the rights of people of all abilities, and create educational environments in which all educators collaborate for high educational outcomes for all students. 

Sixth member: We stand by our LGBTQIA-plus students and staff and families. we take seriously our responsibility to provide safe, non-discriminatory, and inclusive environments for people of all orientations and identities as they reflect our diverse community. 

Seventh member: We stand by students, staff, and families of lower socioeconomic status. We will do all we can to meet their nutritional, physical, and emotional needs of all students, regardless of their economic status. All children will be safe and loved in our schools. Every child, every day. 

Coming soon to Candlestick Park:

This is why we can't have nice things

Trump’s Copper Tariff Plan Shines Light On Regulatory Mess Holding US Mining Back

President Donald Trump’s plan to slap a 50% tariff on copper imports is exposing the tangled web of regulations that have long stifled America’s ability to mine and refine its critical minerals.

The new tariff is set to take effect in August and will target refined and semi-finished copper, which is essential to everything from power grids to military equipment. The move builds on Trump’s June decision to impose 50% tariffs on steel and aluminum, as part of a broader effort to boost domestic mineral production. 

While the Trump administration is trying to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign copper, experts say a surge in domestic production won’t happen without major regulatory reform.

“If we want to develop a domestic industry, overhauling the permitting process should be the number one priority,” Alexander Stevens, manager of policy and communications at the Institute for Energy Research, told the Daily Caller News Foundation. (RELATED: How America Can Break Free From China’s Minerals Stranglehold)

….

“Copper, scrap copper, and copper’s derivative products play a vital role in defense applications, infrastructure, and emerging technologies, including clean energy, electric vehicles, and advanced electronics. The United States faces significant vulnerabilities in the copper supply chain, with increasing reliance on foreign sources for mined, smelted, and refined copper,” the Trump administration said in February when it first announcedan inquiry into the national security implications of copper. 

Despite abundant copper reserves, the U.S. imports 45% of the refined copper it consumes, primarily from Chile, Canada, Mexico and Peru. Moreover, the lengthy process of establishing new mines, which takes more than 30 years on average, hampers efforts to boost domestic production.

Even with a stable supply of domestically mined copper, the U.S. operates only a limited number of smelting facilities, while China controls approximately 44% of global copper smelting capacity. 

In 1997, there were 35 mines and 11 smelters in the U.S., according to Bloomberg. Today, there are just 25 mines and three smelters. 

“Most of that is due to the web of overlapping federal laws: National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act. Each of those has lengthy public review processes, and each of those processes invites litigation, which stretches out the permitting processes even longer,” said Stevens. 

The Resolution Copper mine is a prime example of how bureaucratic delays can stall important projects. 

The copper deposit was discovered in 1995, and Resolution Copper formally entered the federal permitting process in 2004. However, more than two decades later, the mine still hasn’t broken ground, bogged down by complex regulatory hurdles under NEPA and lawsuits from Native American tribes and environmental groups.

“You can tariff things as much as you want, but if there’s a 10-20 year permitting process, it’s going to take a long time for us to develop anything,” Stevens said. 

The Trump administration says that it is taking a comprehensive approach to revitalizing the production of copper and other critical minerals. 

Trump issued an executive order in April to fast-track the Resolution Copper mine, among other mining projects. Moreover, the Supreme Court in May rejected a lawsuit challenging the project, bringing Resolution Copper one step closer to potentially becoming the world’s largest copper mine.

“America cannot be reliant on foreign imports of the copper that’s necessary for key military hardware, infrastructure, and everyday electronics,” White House spokesperson Kush Desai told the DCNF. “The Trump administration is committed to reshoring manufacturing that’s critical to our national and economic security with a two-pronged approach of tariffs and a full suite of supply-side reforms like deregulation and the pro-growth tax cuts of The One, Big, Beautiful Bill.” 

Without deeper regulatory reforms, however, the tariff is likely to cause supply disruptions and hurt consumers, Competitive Enterprise Institute senior economist Ryan Young told the DCNF. 

….

Young warned that “even in the best-case scenario,” the U.S. could face “several years of copper shortages and higher prices, which can affect all sorts of industries.” 

Stevens said that although the administration has taken steps to ease regulations and streamline approvals for new mining operations, lasting reform will ultimately require action from Congress. 

“There has been a lot of discussion about a permitting bill coming through Congress now that the reconciliation is wrapped up,” Stevens said. “To the extent that they can make changes, they’re going to have to get 60 votes in the Senate, so it’s going to be a tough task.” 

It’s not just minerals that our “environmentalists” oppose, of course. From oil refineries, to new power grids to bridges to roads — every part of America’s infrastructure, in fact,

Lithium Mining - or not mining —in Maine

The Maine Monitor has a surprisingly objective article on the huge lithium discover in western Maine, and offers a good discussion of both sides. I know which one I agree with, but still, I like to know what the opposition is thinking, and the paper gives proponents and opponents an opportunity to speak. That’s unusual, but the Monitor is outside the mainstream media.

A nation of judges, not of law

Obama judge overrules Congress, blocks defunding Planned Parenthood facilities

A judge in Massachusetts temporarily enjoined the Trump administration from stripping some Medicaid funds from the nation's largest abortion provider

The press coverage describes the judge as having blocked the Trump administration’s actions here, but in fact the defunding was part of the rescissions bill that clawed back $9 billion in previously approved spending, a bill enacted by the Legislative Branch: Congress, so she isn’t blocking Trump, she’s denying the power of t\\Congress to control spending, control that is granted to the legislative branch by our Constitution.

Readers with a memory capable of stretching back several months will recall that previous District Courts’ injunctions forbidding cuts were based on the theory that the Executive branch lacks the power to rescind Congressional authorizations of spending; so Congress acted, and reversed those authorizations. Now our judicial leftists claim that even that isn’t enough: the judges themselves must approve.

The judge who has issued this injunction is Obama-appointed Indira Talwani, the same one whose earlier stay forbidding Trump’s executive order that had rescinded Biden’s executive order on the granting of humanitarian parole program for refugees was overruled by the Supreme Court last May. Judge Talwani continues to defy higher judicial, binding authority.

Not to be outdone, yesterday two additional judges purported to have the authority to overrule the constitution’s grant to the Executive Branch the power and the duty to enforce the nation’s immigration laws:

Obama Judges Set Abrego Garcia Free and Protect Him From ICE

…. [B]ack-to-back rulings from U.S. District Judge Waverly Crenshaw in Nashville, Tennessee, and Judge Paula Xinis in Maryland ... ordered Abrego's release and blocked his detention by immigration authorities in Tennessee.

Who’s the threat to democracy that the Democrats and their media monkeys claim to see? The threat can be found on the bench, not in the White House.

Unfund the UN

“Hello? Hello? wake up in there, it’s time to leave” *

Top UN court says countries can sue each other over climate change

A landmark decision by a top UN court has cleared the way for countries to sue each other over climate change, including over historic emissions of planet-warming gases.

The ruling is non-binding but legal experts say it could have wide-ranging consequences.

…. The unprecedented case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) was the brainchild of a group of young law students from low-lying Pacific islands on the frontlines of climate change, who came up with the idea in 2019.

…. The ICJ is considered the world's highest court and it has global jurisdiction. Lawyers have told BBC News that the opinion could be used as early as next week, including in national courts outside of the ICJ. 

Campaigners and climate lawyers hope the landmark decision will now pave the way for compensation from countries that have historically burned the most fossil fuels and are therefore the most responsible for global warming.

…. Judge Iwasawa Yuji also said that if countries do not develop the most ambitious possible plans to tackle climate change this would constitute a breach of their promises in the Paris Agreement.

He added that broader international law applies, which means that countries which are not signed up to the Paris Agreement - or want to leave, like the US - are still required to protect the environment, including the climate system.

The court's opinion is advisory, but previous ICJ decisions have been implemented by governments, including when the UK agreed to hand back the Chagos Islands to Mauritius last year.

…. The court ruled that developing nations have a right to seek damages for the impacts of climate change such as destroyed buildings and infrastructure. 

…. It is not clear how much an individual country could have to pay in damages if any claim was successful. 

But previous analysis published in Nature, estimated that between 2000 and 2019 there were $2.8 trillion losses from climate change - or $16 million per hour.

As well as compensation, the court also ruled that governments were responsible for the climate impact of companies operating in their countries.

It said specifically that subsidising the fossil fuel industry or approving new oil and gas licenses could be in breach of a country's obligations. 

Developing countries are already exploring bringing new cases seeking compensation for historic contributions to climate change against richer, high emitting nations citing the ICJ opinion, according to lawyers the BBC spoke to.

If a country wants to bring a case back to the ICJ to make a ruling on compensation then it can only do so against countries which have agreed to its jurisdiction, which includes the likes of the UK, but not US or China.

But a case can be brought in any court globally, whether that be domestic or international, citing the ICJ opinion, explained Joie Chowdhury from CIEL.

So instead a country may choose to take their case not to the ICJ but a court where those countries are bound e.g. federal courts in the US.

But the question remains whether the ICJ opinion will be respected.

Trump to UN: “Sod off, Swampy”.

When asked about the decision, a White House spokesperson told BBC News:

"As always, President Trump and the entire Administration is committed to putting America first and prioritising the interests of everyday Americans."

Obviously, Two-New-Coal-Plants a Week-China will pay no heed to this, but U.S. corporations have to deal with U.S. Courts and their lawless judges, and that’s a danger.

* (Jesus has nothing to do with this story, but I’ve always been amused by the picture of him visiting the UN back in 1961)

Someone's bound to want this one, I suppose

382 North Street, up the hill and across from North Street School originally hosted a very nice 1956 house of 3,615 sq. ft., and in 2022 its owners tried for a price that reflected what they thought was the value of the house, $4.1 million. Alas, it was its 2.39-acres in the R-1 zone that held value, not the house itself, and it finally sold to a builder in 2024 for $2.950 and was immediately razed and replaced.

That replacement has now been completed and listed for sale at $17,875,000. 13,326 sq. ft. in the main house (pool house, etc excluded from that calculation), 6 bedrooms, 8.3 baths, and “garaging” for 7. No word of how many Tesla chargers are in that garage, but I think we can assume at least 5 or 6.

The house’s style is described as “transitional”, which seems to mean a bridge from the traditional architecture of Greenwich to last year’s retro-framhouse look, to this year’s industrial warehouse/professional building, with a heavy tilt towards the commercial end of that scale.

Fascinating to watch.

Rebound on Richmond Hill

85 Richmond Hill, listed at $6.75 million, has sold for $6.7; that’s quite an improvement from its previous appearances on the market, as I wrote back in March when this listing came on:

New again on Richmond Hill

85 Richmond Hill Road, 10,000 sq.ft., 9 bedrooms, $6.795 million. Constructed in 2004, this property’s had a checkered sales history:

  • 2006 $7.1 million

  • 2007 tried for $8.9 million, no go

  • 2013 sold $4.825

  • 2020 sold $3.550

The market’s improved since 2007-2020, so things will probably go better this time.

And so they did.

Best done in one swell foop

Why take tiny, incremental price cuts when a bold stroke will immediately bring it closer to where it should be? After a bit of dithering — $7.495 million to $7.250, 2 Winding Lane took a real price cut yesterday dropping from that $7.250 million to $6.395.

I’ve always thought it was a pretty house, and it’s far enough off Lake Avenue to mitigate traffic noise, but this property’s always been a bit of difficult sell. Purchased for $4.3 million in 2002, those buyers put it back up for sale in Marchg 2013 for $5.195, but eventually capitulated to the market and sold it at a loss to the present owners a year later for $4.075. It will be interesting to see if this latest price cut produces a buyer: I’m betting it will.