Lloyd
@lloydian.com
Old guy in Arizona living in opposition to the religious and political beliefs of most of my neighbors. I'm a veteran, a Disney nut (DVC owner) and sports fanatic. Go DBacks, AZCards and Suns! And, for other reasons: San Diego FC.
I gave my 9 year old granddaughter a digital camera for Christmas. She left a note for Santa carefully instructing him on how to use it so he could take a photo of Rudolph for her. Do you know how much trouble it is to create a photo to save to her camera’s memory card?
December 25, 2025 at 11:52 PM
I gave my 9 year old granddaughter a digital camera for Christmas. She left a note for Santa carefully instructing him on how to use it so he could take a photo of Rudolph for her. Do you know how much trouble it is to create a photo to save to her camera’s memory card?
Oh, absolutely. But anymore, the only place I have to do that is Walmart. Even restaurants bring a tappable device to the table now. This is a good development.
Side note: I avoid Walmart, because they don’t accept Apple Pay.
And Italy, fining Apple for protecting their users, is out of line.
Side note: I avoid Walmart, because they don’t accept Apple Pay.
And Italy, fining Apple for protecting their users, is out of line.
December 22, 2025 at 11:40 PM
Oh, absolutely. But anymore, the only place I have to do that is Walmart. Even restaurants bring a tappable device to the table now. This is a good development.
Side note: I avoid Walmart, because they don’t accept Apple Pay.
And Italy, fining Apple for protecting their users, is out of line.
Side note: I avoid Walmart, because they don’t accept Apple Pay.
And Italy, fining Apple for protecting their users, is out of line.
I don’t mean to pick on you, but I’m seeing these one at a time…
The money transaction? That’s a cool thing about Apple Pay. Since every transaction gets a unique number, it’s harder to track.
I have a preferred solution: change the business model. I get that people want “free” stuff though.
The money transaction? That’s a cool thing about Apple Pay. Since every transaction gets a unique number, it’s harder to track.
I have a preferred solution: change the business model. I get that people want “free” stuff though.
December 22, 2025 at 11:17 PM
I don’t mean to pick on you, but I’m seeing these one at a time…
The money transaction? That’s a cool thing about Apple Pay. Since every transaction gets a unique number, it’s harder to track.
I have a preferred solution: change the business model. I get that people want “free” stuff though.
The money transaction? That’s a cool thing about Apple Pay. Since every transaction gets a unique number, it’s harder to track.
I have a preferred solution: change the business model. I get that people want “free” stuff though.
And are you saying that this gave Apple more power? I think you’re mistaken there.
Apple is subject to those rules as well. Their apps don’t ask for permission to collect data, because they don’t collect data. All developers have that option as well.
Apple is subject to those rules as well. Their apps don’t ask for permission to collect data, because they don’t collect data. All developers have that option as well.
December 22, 2025 at 11:11 PM
And are you saying that this gave Apple more power? I think you’re mistaken there.
Apple is subject to those rules as well. Their apps don’t ask for permission to collect data, because they don’t collect data. All developers have that option as well.
Apple is subject to those rules as well. Their apps don’t ask for permission to collect data, because they don’t collect data. All developers have that option as well.
I can appreciate that advertising (and data mining) is in the business plan. That simply means you make it a condition of using the software.
Make that tracking an explicit condition of running the app. Or tell users that functionality will be limited without that approval.
But that isn’t this.
Make that tracking an explicit condition of running the app. Or tell users that functionality will be limited without that approval.
But that isn’t this.
December 22, 2025 at 11:07 PM
I can appreciate that advertising (and data mining) is in the business plan. That simply means you make it a condition of using the software.
Make that tracking an explicit condition of running the app. Or tell users that functionality will be limited without that approval.
But that isn’t this.
Make that tracking an explicit condition of running the app. Or tell users that functionality will be limited without that approval.
But that isn’t this.
Just so I’m clear, you’re taking the position that it should be easier to track people online? And you’ve been saying that for years?
December 22, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Just so I’m clear, you’re taking the position that it should be easier to track people online? And you’ve been saying that for years?
It was fantastic throughout. Well, except that last episode which was kind of hokey, but I'm looking forward to the follow-up.
December 8, 2025 at 5:30 PM
It was fantastic throughout. Well, except that last episode which was kind of hokey, but I'm looking forward to the follow-up.
It's not there yet, but it will be soon. And that really is kind of scary to me. We need to plan for the time when white collar jobs can be mostly automated.
For now, I'm glad I'm over 60, and this is more of a problem for my children, but I fear for them.
For now, I'm glad I'm over 60, and this is more of a problem for my children, but I fear for them.
December 1, 2025 at 10:25 PM
It's not there yet, but it will be soon. And that really is kind of scary to me. We need to plan for the time when white collar jobs can be mostly automated.
For now, I'm glad I'm over 60, and this is more of a problem for my children, but I fear for them.
For now, I'm glad I'm over 60, and this is more of a problem for my children, but I fear for them.
Here’s the thing, and maybe I’m just the wrong audience, but one reason “Andor” was so amazing, was the recognition that people don’t need magic powers to be evil, and people don’t need magic powers to defeat evil.
I now crave that.
I now crave that.
December 1, 2025 at 1:49 AM
Here’s the thing, and maybe I’m just the wrong audience, but one reason “Andor” was so amazing, was the recognition that people don’t need magic powers to be evil, and people don’t need magic powers to defeat evil.
I now crave that.
I now crave that.
Other taxes.
To offer a tax break to encourage people to buy an EV only to then charge an extra tax specifically on EVs demonstrates fungibility of those taxes, but it looks bad. Worse, it provides the excuse for some to stick with gas cars.
To offer a tax break to encourage people to buy an EV only to then charge an extra tax specifically on EVs demonstrates fungibility of those taxes, but it looks bad. Worse, it provides the excuse for some to stick with gas cars.
December 1, 2025 at 1:35 AM
Other taxes.
To offer a tax break to encourage people to buy an EV only to then charge an extra tax specifically on EVs demonstrates fungibility of those taxes, but it looks bad. Worse, it provides the excuse for some to stick with gas cars.
To offer a tax break to encourage people to buy an EV only to then charge an extra tax specifically on EVs demonstrates fungibility of those taxes, but it looks bad. Worse, it provides the excuse for some to stick with gas cars.
My prediction: hundreds of thousands of jobs were added. Inflation is down to 1.5%. And GDP is up 3%.
What the hell? Let’s also say that unemployment is now 3%.
Reports: ✅
And you can trust that, because it’ll have Trump’s stamp of approval.
What the hell? Let’s also say that unemployment is now 3%.
Reports: ✅
And you can trust that, because it’ll have Trump’s stamp of approval.
November 25, 2025 at 9:34 PM
My prediction: hundreds of thousands of jobs were added. Inflation is down to 1.5%. And GDP is up 3%.
What the hell? Let’s also say that unemployment is now 3%.
Reports: ✅
And you can trust that, because it’ll have Trump’s stamp of approval.
What the hell? Let’s also say that unemployment is now 3%.
Reports: ✅
And you can trust that, because it’ll have Trump’s stamp of approval.
Barely. Still asserting that the 2020 election was stolen. And it’s just a turnaround based on, “He isn’t pandering to me anymore. I bought into the racism and cruelty, and I demand my just reward. How dare he not give it to me?”
November 18, 2025 at 5:30 AM
Barely. Still asserting that the 2020 election was stolen. And it’s just a turnaround based on, “He isn’t pandering to me anymore. I bought into the racism and cruelty, and I demand my just reward. How dare he not give it to me?”
Also, where do those numbers come from? The BLS whose leader was fired when she posted a number he didn't like? What is the real inflation rate? Sure can't trust BLS to provide it.
November 12, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Also, where do those numbers come from? The BLS whose leader was fired when she posted a number he didn't like? What is the real inflation rate? Sure can't trust BLS to provide it.
Yes, but…
It was never $2 billion to start with. That number is the sum total of all payments if he took the annuity option. The pretax total lump sum was just under $1 billion, but the 37% held for taxes is still a good start.
It was never $2 billion to start with. That number is the sum total of all payments if he took the annuity option. The pretax total lump sum was just under $1 billion, but the 37% held for taxes is still a good start.
November 12, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Yes, but…
It was never $2 billion to start with. That number is the sum total of all payments if he took the annuity option. The pretax total lump sum was just under $1 billion, but the 37% held for taxes is still a good start.
It was never $2 billion to start with. That number is the sum total of all payments if he took the annuity option. The pretax total lump sum was just under $1 billion, but the 37% held for taxes is still a good start.
... and let him hand off the office afterward. It wasn't a perfect solution, but it was better than a litany of liberals telling people who don't follow politics that the liberal on the ticket was a bad choice.
We'll never know now. But rest easy. We won't ever have a real election again anyhow.
We'll never know now. But rest easy. We won't ever have a real election again anyhow.
November 3, 2025 at 9:07 PM
... and let him hand off the office afterward. It wasn't a perfect solution, but it was better than a litany of liberals telling people who don't follow politics that the liberal on the ticket was a bad choice.
We'll never know now. But rest easy. We won't ever have a real election again anyhow.
We'll never know now. But rest easy. We won't ever have a real election again anyhow.
... that wasn't the problem. It wasn't her record that doomed her. What doomed her was the continuing legacy of misogynism and racism that had the power to influence a critical mass of voters.
At that point in the game, the correct choice was to go with Biden... (cont)
At that point in the game, the correct choice was to go with Biden... (cont)
November 3, 2025 at 9:07 PM
... that wasn't the problem. It wasn't her record that doomed her. What doomed her was the continuing legacy of misogynism and racism that had the power to influence a critical mass of voters.
At that point in the game, the correct choice was to go with Biden... (cont)
At that point in the game, the correct choice was to go with Biden... (cont)
I'm still pissed off about this. He says that he would publish that op-ed again with the benefit of hindsight. His excuse was that running Biden meant losing the presidency, the House and the Senate. Well. Good on you for avoiding that.
No, the problem was choosing Harris. No, George,... (cont)
No, the problem was choosing Harris. No, George,... (cont)
November 3, 2025 at 9:07 PM
I'm still pissed off about this. He says that he would publish that op-ed again with the benefit of hindsight. His excuse was that running Biden meant losing the presidency, the House and the Senate. Well. Good on you for avoiding that.
No, the problem was choosing Harris. No, George,... (cont)
No, the problem was choosing Harris. No, George,... (cont)
Beyond that, I’d like your friend to justify the extreme party Republicans have become. They are now the norm for their party. There are extreme liberals who may be the things you described, but they aren’t the norm.
6/6
6/6
October 24, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Beyond that, I’d like your friend to justify the extreme party Republicans have become. They are now the norm for their party. There are extreme liberals who may be the things you described, but they aren’t the norm.
6/6
6/6
5. You believe in a hybrid version of abortion rights. This is another false front for most conservatives. You say that if the pregnancy is viable, abortion shouldn’t be allowed. Okay. But that isn’t what the debate is about.
5/6
5/6
October 24, 2025 at 7:42 PM
5. You believe in a hybrid version of abortion rights. This is another false front for most conservatives. You say that if the pregnancy is viable, abortion shouldn’t be allowed. Okay. But that isn’t what the debate is about.
5/6
5/6
4. You believe in limited government. So do Democrats. But there are some things that only government can do, and they should. It’s the choice of where government gets limited that separates us. And that’s where varied voices are important in any party.
4/6
4/6
October 24, 2025 at 7:42 PM
4. You believe in limited government. So do Democrats. But there are some things that only government can do, and they should. It’s the choice of where government gets limited that separates us. And that’s where varied voices are important in any party.
4/6
4/6
3. You have no problem with billionaires. That matches most Democrats. I don’t have a problem with people getting rich. But those people should still be paying at least as high a tax rate as I do. Are you different from that?
3/6
3/6
October 24, 2025 at 7:42 PM
3. You have no problem with billionaires. That matches most Democrats. I don’t have a problem with people getting rich. But those people should still be paying at least as high a tax rate as I do. Are you different from that?
3/6
3/6
2. You say you love guns. The Democratic Party is incorrectly labeled by conservatives as being anti-gun. We aren’t. What we’re against is complete gun freedom. Do background checks on every purchase. Register them like cars. Don’t insist that everyone allow them. Are you different from that?
2/6
2/6
October 24, 2025 at 7:42 PM
2. You say you love guns. The Democratic Party is incorrectly labeled by conservatives as being anti-gun. We aren’t. What we’re against is complete gun freedom. Do background checks on every purchase. Register them like cars. Don’t insist that everyone allow them. Are you different from that?
2/6
2/6
Here’s the thing.
1. You say you’re pro-Israel. So am I. I despise Netanyahu, and I believe Palestinians should enjoy self-rule, but I don’t believe that is incompatible with being pro-Israel. Are you different from that?
1/6
1. You say you’re pro-Israel. So am I. I despise Netanyahu, and I believe Palestinians should enjoy self-rule, but I don’t believe that is incompatible with being pro-Israel. Are you different from that?
1/6
October 24, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Here’s the thing.
1. You say you’re pro-Israel. So am I. I despise Netanyahu, and I believe Palestinians should enjoy self-rule, but I don’t believe that is incompatible with being pro-Israel. Are you different from that?
1/6
1. You say you’re pro-Israel. So am I. I despise Netanyahu, and I believe Palestinians should enjoy self-rule, but I don’t believe that is incompatible with being pro-Israel. Are you different from that?
1/6