Thursday Ramble: Effing Idiots

Noteworthy today, we are closer to the year 2050, than we are to the year 2000. And the millennium bug still has not brought modern civilization to its knees. 

This was written last Friday morning, as the US Supreme Court was closing out the session with the most politically difficult cases, no doubt with armored SUVs waiting in the garage to whisk them away to their summer retreats while the smoke clears and the cries die down. 

The Opinion in the first case came out, the one on Birthright Citizenship and my reaction was what a bunch of effing idiots. Not the Supreme Court Justices, they are being very careful jurists, doing their jobs, and not the lawyers for the Justice Department, they are being very careful in their research, and crafting their appeal. The the lawyers for the immigration advocates who failed to review existing Federal Case Law, on procedural issues. 

The appeal was brought purely on the issue of a Federal District Court, issuing a national injunction.  The case law is clear that this exceeds the authority of the Federal District Courts (or Circuit Courts) under federal law. The District Court should not have issued the sweeping injunction and the lawyers for CASA should have made the case law clear to the Court that the injunction needed to be more limited. 

The Justice Department lawyers, wisely stuck to this procedural issue knowing that they were likely to prevail, and avoided the bigger issue of birthright citizenship. When the opportunity is presented to avoid the third rail issue, the wise lawyers limit the issue to the easy one. 

Effing idiots should go back and take Civ-Pro 1 and Civ-Pro 2, Professor Abramson would have failed them on THE exam for this kind of an effing mistake.  

To fix our messed up immigration system, Congress needs to update our immigration laws, and no one seems to be demanding that be done. 

My World of Wonders, aka the Wednesday Ws, July 2, 2025 edition

Where have I been this week? Close to home for the most part, the weather has been hot. The outdoor pool, the treadmill in the gym, the pharmacy and a shopping center to walk inside air conditioned stores.  I drove friends to the airport on Saturday. The Community Center for an Arts meeting and a gallery opening. Trader Joe's and Aldi for some specialty shopping - we are hosting friends for the 4th of July on Friday.  

Who have a talked with? Pratibha, Linda, Guido, Joan, Jon and Rebecca - the arts group. Giuseppe and Larry from water aerobics. Emily, Kathy, and Sydney an editorial board.   

When was I lazy? Last Friday, it was cooler and drizzling rain and I didn't feel like doing much, I spent four hours laying on my bed watching a marathon of "Waiting for God" (a great older British comedy) on DVD.  No pool, no walk, I didn't leave the house. I hadn't done that in weeks.  

What am I reading? "Humans are Underrated" a book about the role of humans in evolving technology. I have been a little distracted from my reading. Up next is Revenge of the Tipping Point. 

What did I hear while floating in the pool this week? Two mid-20-something dudes talking about what they did when they were young. I wanted to interrupt and point out that they are still young. 

What was the flashback memory of the week? Remembering about 1975, pink mauve corduroy, low-rise bell bottom trousers, my mother let me pick out clothes that made my father shake his head in wonder.  If only I knew then, what I knew later. 

What did I mess up this week? I posted two moody Monday posts. The negative one, was suppose to have been replaced by the happy one. I know how it happened, but it kind of makes me wonder. 

Who died? No one is saying, but Monday afternoon a body was found just off of one the trails here at the Condo. The community sits on 30+ acres on a hilltop, with trails that runs around the property, through the trees, up and down the hills.  Rumor has it that one of the regular trail walkers, was overcome in the 95 degree (f) heat, with humidity to match, collapsed and died.  The police and coroner were onscene and there was a message asking residents to please stay away and respect the privacy of the scene and the family. 

When does the highlight of the sporting year start? Saturday in Lille France, the start of the Tour De France, my favorite sporting event for many reasons. I don't expect others to understand. Cycling is a team sport, through amazing countryside and cities, and it is in France. I will be glued to the television for a couple of hours a day until Paris in about three weeks. 

What have I been up to in the kitchen? Fried chicken, potato salad, cheese spread, fresh broccoli, and the most surprising - suckling goat ravioli.  Open Hand Pasta sells at the King Street Farmers Market in Alexandria. He always has a featured filled pasta or two.  Two or three weeks ago, I stopped to see what he had. The feature that day was suckling goat, he assured me that it was delightful, mild and flavorful.  I'll try anything once, so I brought it home, dropped it in the freezer - label side down so I didn't have to explain the goat. Friday evening I cooked it per the package direction, made a simple sauce with sauteed onions, mushrooms and a small can of tomato sauce. It was wonderful. Flavorful and mild, just as he told me it would be.  Try it, you will like it! I will buy this again if he ever has it.

What made me smile this week? Reading blogs, framing more photos, relaxing and enjoying life. 

Travel Tuesday: Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens

The Gulf Stream gathers warm waters in the Gulf of Mexico and flows as a current north and east, moderating the climate along the way, with some unexpected effects, like palm trees growing along parts of the south coast of England.  The warming effects of the Gulf Stream along with a steep valley made the perfect place for a Florida style garden in the south of England. It was pretty. It was extremely steep. The Map was useless, and the visit felt rushed. Still it was a pretty place. 

Legend has it that praying at this abandoned church, will help loveless ladies find a husband.