Paul Turner
@pst1953.bsky.social
Retired with more time now for history and science. One of the ex-X jackals who have moved here.
I got a huge kick out of his performance as the bond company stooge in The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. It was hard to believe that old man was the same Bud Cort, but the character had a certain heroic stubbornness that struck a familiar chord.
February 12, 2026 at 1:49 AM
I got a huge kick out of his performance as the bond company stooge in The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou. It was hard to believe that old man was the same Bud Cort, but the character had a certain heroic stubbornness that struck a familiar chord.
If you’ve never seen it, I urge you (and everyone) to check out the bluegrass version of White Rabbit (is such a thing possible?) by Molly Tuttle and Golden Highway. Don’t leave before the banjo coda.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeHl...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeHl...
Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway - White Rabbit (Live)
YouTube video by Molly Tuttle
www.youtube.com
February 10, 2026 at 10:45 PM
If you’ve never seen it, I urge you (and everyone) to check out the bluegrass version of White Rabbit (is such a thing possible?) by Molly Tuttle and Golden Highway. Don’t leave before the banjo coda.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeHl...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=LeHl...
Slotkin for President
February 6, 2026 at 7:30 PM
Slotkin for President
While conceding the dropped demand for $200 million, the Times claims that it was because “Harvard, wary of backlash from liberal students and faculty … rejected the idea." As if it is inconceivable that it could have acted on principle, or from a position of strength, or out of plain cussedness.
February 3, 2026 at 1:12 AM
While conceding the dropped demand for $200 million, the Times claims that it was because “Harvard, wary of backlash from liberal students and faculty … rejected the idea." As if it is inconceivable that it could have acted on principle, or from a position of strength, or out of plain cussedness.
I try not to give Harvard too much credit, since its age, wealth, and connections allow it to take risks and ride out storms that other institutions may not feel they can, but I'm still proud of it on this front. (Not that I'll be writing checks any time soon.) 3/3
February 3, 2026 at 12:12 AM
I try not to give Harvard too much credit, since its age, wealth, and connections allow it to take risks and ride out storms that other institutions may not feel they can, but I'm still proud of it on this front. (Not that I'll be writing checks any time soon.) 3/3
The Times concedes that Trump dropped his demand for $200 million, but explains that "Harvard, wary of backlash from liberal students and faculty, has rejected the idea." As if it is inconceivable that it could have acted on principle, or from a position of strength, or out of plain cussedness. 2/3
February 3, 2026 at 12:12 AM
The Times concedes that Trump dropped his demand for $200 million, but explains that "Harvard, wary of backlash from liberal students and faculty, has rejected the idea." As if it is inconceivable that it could have acted on principle, or from a position of strength, or out of plain cussedness. 2/3
While we're dumping on the NYT, let us recall endless stories claiming inside information that Harvard is about to settle obviously pretextual allegations of antisemitism by paying large sums of money and making concessions that compromise its independence. It hasn't happened. The latest? 1/3
February 3, 2026 at 12:12 AM
While we're dumping on the NYT, let us recall endless stories claiming inside information that Harvard is about to settle obviously pretextual allegations of antisemitism by paying large sums of money and making concessions that compromise its independence. It hasn't happened. The latest? 1/3
Thanks for the tip. I didn’t know about this. The city does a pretty good job with ice. I’m heading to the grocery store on my bike just now, which I wouldn’t do if the surfaces were too iffy. Just another Chicago winter day.
February 1, 2026 at 7:30 PM
Thanks for the tip. I didn’t know about this. The city does a pretty good job with ice. I’m heading to the grocery store on my bike just now, which I wouldn’t do if the surfaces were too iffy. Just another Chicago winter day.
Until you get sick and die.
January 30, 2026 at 5:41 PM
Until you get sick and die.
OMG, that looks good! I had no idea Whole Foods even had goose. I often check there for duck to make with red cabbage but am usually disappointed. Would you agree that a sparkling wine, like a cava for example, is the perfect thing to cut the greasiness of goose?
January 28, 2026 at 1:18 PM
OMG, that looks good! I had no idea Whole Foods even had goose. I often check there for duck to make with red cabbage but am usually disappointed. Would you agree that a sparkling wine, like a cava for example, is the perfect thing to cut the greasiness of goose?
I love that look on Pam Bondi's face in the photograph as she gazes at Trump. It reminds me of how my dog looks at me.
January 28, 2026 at 12:27 PM
I love that look on Pam Bondi's face in the photograph as she gazes at Trump. It reminds me of how my dog looks at me.
Imagine, if you will, how this would have played out if Mr. Pretti had followed the Chip Roy rule in the chaotic moment when he stepped between the ICE agent and the woman being pepper-sprayed: "Officer, you should be aware that I have a gun."
January 25, 2026 at 12:18 AM
Imagine, if you will, how this would have played out if Mr. Pretti had followed the Chip Roy rule in the chaotic moment when he stepped between the ICE agent and the woman being pepper-sprayed: "Officer, you should be aware that I have a gun."
Not when you’re carrying a glaive-guisarmier they can’t.
January 23, 2026 at 11:39 PM
Not when you’re carrying a glaive-guisarmier they can’t.
Once burned, leading Democrats are afraid of making the same mistake even though “abolish ICE” is popular, feasible, and frightening to no decent person. They have to get over it get on board. A few have.
January 22, 2026 at 11:13 AM
Once burned, leading Democrats are afraid of making the same mistake even though “abolish ICE” is popular, feasible, and frightening to no decent person. They have to get over it get on board. A few have.
This seems like a case of fighting the last war. “Defund the police” was understandable as a reaction but a terrible idea easily turned against any politician who flirted with it, something obviously impossible but nevertheless useful for frightening people. 1/1
January 22, 2026 at 11:13 AM
This seems like a case of fighting the last war. “Defund the police” was understandable as a reaction but a terrible idea easily turned against any politician who flirted with it, something obviously impossible but nevertheless useful for frightening people. 1/1
Only to the Level I memory unit. He wouldn't be in the locked ward and could still come to the cafeteria if he behaved.
January 20, 2026 at 7:51 PM
Only to the Level I memory unit. He wouldn't be in the locked ward and could still come to the cafeteria if he behaved.
It means change the channel.
January 15, 2026 at 7:15 PM
It means change the channel.
It’s amazing how much the right frames bring to the party.
January 13, 2026 at 11:37 PM
It’s amazing how much the right frames bring to the party.
But then Vance et al undermine that lesson by providing an out: “At least I didn’t go to Yale.”
January 13, 2026 at 2:03 AM
But then Vance et al undermine that lesson by providing an out: “At least I didn’t go to Yale.”
Damn right we need it, and as much more as we can gather. RIP.
January 13, 2026 at 12:07 AM
Damn right we need it, and as much more as we can gather. RIP.
I’m pleased by each tribute I see. Together with mourning for Weir, this weekend brought flashbacks of the shocked sorrow we felt at Jerry Garcia’s sudden passing, but with the comforting thought of Weir’s life as one fully lived.
January 12, 2026 at 12:42 PM
I’m pleased by each tribute I see. Together with mourning for Weir, this weekend brought flashbacks of the shocked sorrow we felt at Jerry Garcia’s sudden passing, but with the comforting thought of Weir’s life as one fully lived.