David Passmore
@davidpassmore.bsky.social
Distinguished Professor, Emeritus, Penn State University (https://davidpassmore.net). Member, Battle of Homestead Foundation. Live in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Niagara Falls, New York, native. I post critical presentations & analyses of information I read.
Hell is empty and all the devils are here.
~ Ariel, Act 1, Scene 2, "The Tempest"
Real evil is present in the world rather than in a mythical hell.
~ Ariel, Act 1, Scene 2, "The Tempest"
Real evil is present in the world rather than in a mythical hell.
February 5, 2026 at 6:31 PM
Hell is empty and all the devils are here.
~ Ariel, Act 1, Scene 2, "The Tempest"
Real evil is present in the world rather than in a mythical hell.
~ Ariel, Act 1, Scene 2, "The Tempest"
Real evil is present in the world rather than in a mythical hell.
SUCH STUFF AS DREAMS ARE MADE ON....
All the infections that
the sun sucks up
From bogs, fens, flats,
on Prospero fall and make him
By inch-meal a disease!
~ Spoken by Caliban, Act 2 Scene 2, "The Tempest"
All the infections that
the sun sucks up
From bogs, fens, flats,
on Prospero fall and make him
By inch-meal a disease!
~ Spoken by Caliban, Act 2 Scene 2, "The Tempest"
February 5, 2026 at 6:17 PM
SUCH STUFF AS DREAMS ARE MADE ON....
All the infections that
the sun sucks up
From bogs, fens, flats,
on Prospero fall and make him
By inch-meal a disease!
~ Spoken by Caliban, Act 2 Scene 2, "The Tempest"
All the infections that
the sun sucks up
From bogs, fens, flats,
on Prospero fall and make him
By inch-meal a disease!
~ Spoken by Caliban, Act 2 Scene 2, "The Tempest"
At the National Prayer Breakfast, Paula White, a televangelist and director of the White House Faith Office, described Trump as “the greatest champion of faith that we have ever had in the executive branch,” who had “brought religion back to this nation and beyond."
bit.ly/teleeva
bit.ly/teleeva
February 5, 2026 at 3:36 PM
At the National Prayer Breakfast, Paula White, a televangelist and director of the White House Faith Office, described Trump as “the greatest champion of faith that we have ever had in the executive branch,” who had “brought religion back to this nation and beyond."
bit.ly/teleeva
bit.ly/teleeva
STRUCK BY A BRIGHT LIGHT?
"Souls...need opponents worthy of them, if they are to be tried and extended and pushed to the full use of their powers....The only way to find inner peace is to let go of our attachments and desires."
~ Thomas Merton, "The Seven Story Mountains"
Incredible? Tenable?
"Souls...need opponents worthy of them, if they are to be tried and extended and pushed to the full use of their powers....The only way to find inner peace is to let go of our attachments and desires."
~ Thomas Merton, "The Seven Story Mountains"
Incredible? Tenable?
February 5, 2026 at 11:48 AM
STRUCK BY A BRIGHT LIGHT?
"Souls...need opponents worthy of them, if they are to be tried and extended and pushed to the full use of their powers....The only way to find inner peace is to let go of our attachments and desires."
~ Thomas Merton, "The Seven Story Mountains"
Incredible? Tenable?
"Souls...need opponents worthy of them, if they are to be tried and extended and pushed to the full use of their powers....The only way to find inner peace is to let go of our attachments and desires."
~ Thomas Merton, "The Seven Story Mountains"
Incredible? Tenable?
It is almost impossible to smile at shit...
...it would be disingenuous and faux-naïf. You must have principles, right?
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/03/u...
...it would be disingenuous and faux-naïf. You must have principles, right?
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/03/u...
February 4, 2026 at 11:29 AM
It is almost impossible to smile at shit...
...it would be disingenuous and faux-naïf. You must have principles, right?
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/03/u...
...it would be disingenuous and faux-naïf. You must have principles, right?
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/03/u...
MEASLES
The "first building block of childhood disease protection falls in real time: protection against measles. Because this is the most contagious virus on Earth, even small drops in vaccination coverage give it an opening.... In January 2026...662 measles cases were reported."
bit.ly/Measdrops
The "first building block of childhood disease protection falls in real time: protection against measles. Because this is the most contagious virus on Earth, even small drops in vaccination coverage give it an opening.... In January 2026...662 measles cases were reported."
bit.ly/Measdrops
February 3, 2026 at 3:29 PM
MEASLES
The "first building block of childhood disease protection falls in real time: protection against measles. Because this is the most contagious virus on Earth, even small drops in vaccination coverage give it an opening.... In January 2026...662 measles cases were reported."
bit.ly/Measdrops
The "first building block of childhood disease protection falls in real time: protection against measles. Because this is the most contagious virus on Earth, even small drops in vaccination coverage give it an opening.... In January 2026...662 measles cases were reported."
bit.ly/Measdrops
HANNIBAL CROSSED THE ALPS
"He was one, by nature, eager for action, yet an oath-breaker,
cunning beyond all, though of questionable fairness. Armed, he was no respecter of the gods; bold to do wrong, scorning
the virtues of peace."
~ "Punica (Second Carthaginian War)," Silius Italicus, c. 96 AD
"He was one, by nature, eager for action, yet an oath-breaker,
cunning beyond all, though of questionable fairness. Armed, he was no respecter of the gods; bold to do wrong, scorning
the virtues of peace."
~ "Punica (Second Carthaginian War)," Silius Italicus, c. 96 AD
February 3, 2026 at 3:21 PM
HANNIBAL CROSSED THE ALPS
"He was one, by nature, eager for action, yet an oath-breaker,
cunning beyond all, though of questionable fairness. Armed, he was no respecter of the gods; bold to do wrong, scorning
the virtues of peace."
~ "Punica (Second Carthaginian War)," Silius Italicus, c. 96 AD
"He was one, by nature, eager for action, yet an oath-breaker,
cunning beyond all, though of questionable fairness. Armed, he was no respecter of the gods; bold to do wrong, scorning
the virtues of peace."
~ "Punica (Second Carthaginian War)," Silius Italicus, c. 96 AD
'If we cannot now end our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity....Our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet...breathe the same air...cherish our children’s future. And we are all mortal."
~John .F. Kennedy, 1963, American University
~John .F. Kennedy, 1963, American University
February 2, 2026 at 4:26 PM
'If we cannot now end our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity....Our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet...breathe the same air...cherish our children’s future. And we are all mortal."
~John .F. Kennedy, 1963, American University
~John .F. Kennedy, 1963, American University
Groundhog Day generates millions of dollars for the local economy. Median household income of Punxsutawny is half the PA average & 40% of children live in poverty. The event attracts around 20,000-25,000 visitors, benefiting local hotels, restaurants, & shops.
A ballad:
youtu.be/7MHKV3tEL4U?...
A ballad:
youtu.be/7MHKV3tEL4U?...
February 2, 2026 at 2:52 PM
Groundhog Day generates millions of dollars for the local economy. Median household income of Punxsutawny is half the PA average & 40% of children live in poverty. The event attracts around 20,000-25,000 visitors, benefiting local hotels, restaurants, & shops.
A ballad:
youtu.be/7MHKV3tEL4U?...
A ballad:
youtu.be/7MHKV3tEL4U?...
If there are no reports of anyone being sent to the hospital during the Groundhog Day celebrations this year in Punxsutawney, then why was the 1993 movie, Groundhog Day, released if not to warn us?
Scene in hospital where in the background you can see a young boy with a broken leg.
Scene in hospital where in the background you can see a young boy with a broken leg.
February 2, 2026 at 2:52 PM
If there are no reports of anyone being sent to the hospital during the Groundhog Day celebrations this year in Punxsutawney, then why was the 1993 movie, Groundhog Day, released if not to warn us?
Scene in hospital where in the background you can see a young boy with a broken leg.
Scene in hospital where in the background you can see a young boy with a broken leg.
THE WHISTLE PIG LONG-TERM WEATHER FORECAST
PA is the corporate home of AccuWeather (www.accuweather.com), but the state prefers, offers, and promotes long-term forecasts from a Marmota Monax, a rodent of the family Sciuridae in the order Rodentia.
BTW, did you know the Earth is a flat planet?
PA is the corporate home of AccuWeather (www.accuweather.com), but the state prefers, offers, and promotes long-term forecasts from a Marmota Monax, a rodent of the family Sciuridae in the order Rodentia.
BTW, did you know the Earth is a flat planet?
February 2, 2026 at 2:52 PM
THE WHISTLE PIG LONG-TERM WEATHER FORECAST
PA is the corporate home of AccuWeather (www.accuweather.com), but the state prefers, offers, and promotes long-term forecasts from a Marmota Monax, a rodent of the family Sciuridae in the order Rodentia.
BTW, did you know the Earth is a flat planet?
PA is the corporate home of AccuWeather (www.accuweather.com), but the state prefers, offers, and promotes long-term forecasts from a Marmota Monax, a rodent of the family Sciuridae in the order Rodentia.
BTW, did you know the Earth is a flat planet?
META'S AGRESSIVE AI ACCOUNTING
"Meta wants other people’s money to pay for the data center. Those investors want to know Meta ultimately has their backs....[But} Meta wants to keep its near-pristine credit rating and doesn’t want the extra assets and debt on its books."
on.wsj.com/4c3eMl8
"Meta wants other people’s money to pay for the data center. Those investors want to know Meta ultimately has their backs....[But} Meta wants to keep its near-pristine credit rating and doesn’t want the extra assets and debt on its books."
on.wsj.com/4c3eMl8
February 2, 2026 at 12:28 PM
META'S AGRESSIVE AI ACCOUNTING
"Meta wants other people’s money to pay for the data center. Those investors want to know Meta ultimately has their backs....[But} Meta wants to keep its near-pristine credit rating and doesn’t want the extra assets and debt on its books."
on.wsj.com/4c3eMl8
"Meta wants other people’s money to pay for the data center. Those investors want to know Meta ultimately has their backs....[But} Meta wants to keep its near-pristine credit rating and doesn’t want the extra assets and debt on its books."
on.wsj.com/4c3eMl8
"About 200 courses are said to be under review by the administration for prohibited content. A master’s class entitled “Ethics and Public Policy” was cancelled in its first week after its black professor refused to tell the college dean exactly which days he planned to discuss race."
econ.st/4qfSJLA
econ.st/4qfSJLA
February 2, 2026 at 11:17 AM
"About 200 courses are said to be under review by the administration for prohibited content. A master’s class entitled “Ethics and Public Policy” was cancelled in its first week after its black professor refused to tell the college dean exactly which days he planned to discuss race."
econ.st/4qfSJLA
econ.st/4qfSJLA
SONNET 138, WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
When my love swears that she is made of truth,
I do believe her, though I know she lies,
That she might think me some untutored youth,
Unlearnèd in the world’s false subtleties.
Thus vainly thinking that she thinks me young.
When my love swears that she is made of truth,
I do believe her, though I know she lies,
That she might think me some untutored youth,
Unlearnèd in the world’s false subtleties.
Thus vainly thinking that she thinks me young.
January 30, 2026 at 11:32 AM
SONNET 138, WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
When my love swears that she is made of truth,
I do believe her, though I know she lies,
That she might think me some untutored youth,
Unlearnèd in the world’s false subtleties.
Thus vainly thinking that she thinks me young.
When my love swears that she is made of truth,
I do believe her, though I know she lies,
That she might think me some untutored youth,
Unlearnèd in the world’s false subtleties.
Thus vainly thinking that she thinks me young.
Gross domestic product (GDP) at purchasing power parity (PPP) compares countries' economic productivity and standards of living by adjusting for the relative purchasing power of their currencies.
See: paulkrugman.substack.com/p/the-world-...
See: paulkrugman.substack.com/p/the-world-...
January 29, 2026 at 3:24 PM
Gross domestic product (GDP) at purchasing power parity (PPP) compares countries' economic productivity and standards of living by adjusting for the relative purchasing power of their currencies.
See: paulkrugman.substack.com/p/the-world-...
See: paulkrugman.substack.com/p/the-world-...
"Immigrants consumed about 24% less in welfare benefits than native-born Americans on a per capita basis....immigrants made up about 14.8% of the US population but accounted for only 10.4% of...welfare & entitlement benefits....53% less than native-born Americans."
bit.ly/4q52lIU
bit.ly/4q52lIU
January 29, 2026 at 11:50 AM
"Immigrants consumed about 24% less in welfare benefits than native-born Americans on a per capita basis....immigrants made up about 14.8% of the US population but accounted for only 10.4% of...welfare & entitlement benefits....53% less than native-born Americans."
bit.ly/4q52lIU
bit.ly/4q52lIU
HUBRIS
Thucydides said hubris leads to the downfall of powerful states. In the Peloponnesian War, overconfidence led to poor decision-making & ultimately tragedy. Arrogance blinds leaders to the consequences of their actions, resulting in catastrophic outcomes for their cities & allies.
Thucydides said hubris leads to the downfall of powerful states. In the Peloponnesian War, overconfidence led to poor decision-making & ultimately tragedy. Arrogance blinds leaders to the consequences of their actions, resulting in catastrophic outcomes for their cities & allies.
January 27, 2026 at 5:37 PM
HUBRIS
Thucydides said hubris leads to the downfall of powerful states. In the Peloponnesian War, overconfidence led to poor decision-making & ultimately tragedy. Arrogance blinds leaders to the consequences of their actions, resulting in catastrophic outcomes for their cities & allies.
Thucydides said hubris leads to the downfall of powerful states. In the Peloponnesian War, overconfidence led to poor decision-making & ultimately tragedy. Arrogance blinds leaders to the consequences of their actions, resulting in catastrophic outcomes for their cities & allies.
WHAT? BACK OVER THE ASIA/NORTH AMERICA LAND BRIDGE?
This would sound like an SNL skit. But, it is true.
This would sound like an SNL skit. But, it is true.
January 27, 2026 at 12:02 PM
WHAT? BACK OVER THE ASIA/NORTH AMERICA LAND BRIDGE?
This would sound like an SNL skit. But, it is true.
This would sound like an SNL skit. But, it is true.
THE ECONOMIST SAYS IT WILL BE DIFFICULT
"ICE agents...enjoy “supremacy-clause immunity”—an umbrella that generally protects federal officials from state prosecution when they are on the job."
"Verdicts against...agents would be state convictions insulated from presidential pardon."
bit.ly/3ZFpjLT
"ICE agents...enjoy “supremacy-clause immunity”—an umbrella that generally protects federal officials from state prosecution when they are on the job."
"Verdicts against...agents would be state convictions insulated from presidential pardon."
bit.ly/3ZFpjLT
January 27, 2026 at 11:24 AM
THE ECONOMIST SAYS IT WILL BE DIFFICULT
"ICE agents...enjoy “supremacy-clause immunity”—an umbrella that generally protects federal officials from state prosecution when they are on the job."
"Verdicts against...agents would be state convictions insulated from presidential pardon."
bit.ly/3ZFpjLT
"ICE agents...enjoy “supremacy-clause immunity”—an umbrella that generally protects federal officials from state prosecution when they are on the job."
"Verdicts against...agents would be state convictions insulated from presidential pardon."
bit.ly/3ZFpjLT
“The Death of Sarandapalus” painted in oil by Eugène Delacroix French artists, 1827.
The painting was inspired by a Lord Byron play.
Delacroix said, “A man will be bored by prosperity and even think himself supremely miserable” (19 July 1854).
The painting was inspired by a Lord Byron play.
Delacroix said, “A man will be bored by prosperity and even think himself supremely miserable” (19 July 1854).
January 25, 2026 at 2:37 PM
“The Death of Sarandapalus” painted in oil by Eugène Delacroix French artists, 1827.
The painting was inspired by a Lord Byron play.
Delacroix said, “A man will be bored by prosperity and even think himself supremely miserable” (19 July 1854).
The painting was inspired by a Lord Byron play.
Delacroix said, “A man will be bored by prosperity and even think himself supremely miserable” (19 July 1854).
REAGAN CALLED FOR A "MORNING IN AMERICA".....
Is this its dark, moonless might?
Is this its dark, moonless might?
January 24, 2026 at 11:24 AM
REAGAN CALLED FOR A "MORNING IN AMERICA".....
Is this its dark, moonless might?
Is this its dark, moonless might?
POSTED WITHOUT COMMENT....YOU DECIDE:
January 23, 2026 at 4:12 PM
POSTED WITHOUT COMMENT....YOU DECIDE:
January 23, 2026 at 11:12 AM