What have we become?

Back in 2000, Elian Gonzalez garnered *a lot* of attention. 

Quick recap, he was a young boy who was brought by his mother from Cuba to the US. They stayed with relatives in Miami and his father - still in Cuba - waged a legal battle to have him returned to him. 

People around the country took sides in the issue. It was a flashpoint. I’d invite you to Google the details if you don’t remember them. 

After some time, attorney general Janet Reno sent in a group of heavily armed agents to remove him from the home he was living in, and this picture summed up the experience (and won a Pulitzer).

People were outraged at the action.  While surely there were a few people who defended this course of action, sending armed soldiers to take a boy by force, in what amounted to an international custody dispute, caused quite the uproar. Over reach! Over reaction! Why were they armed? And since he was likely to be taken back to Cuba (funny, the word "deported" wasn't associated with this activity), that's outrageous!

Before she died, Janet Reno said that decision affected her deeply.

Ultimately, Elian was returned to his father in Cuba, and he now holds an office in the country. 

Compare and contrast. 

This week, we heard about a five year old boy being taken by armed ICE agents at school.  While we don't have the luxury of a picture of the moment (at least as far as I know), I have to imagine that he had a similar look of fear. 

In a way, what's the difference? Armed agents forcibly removed the boy - Liam (Ramos) Ornasser - in order to lure his parents out.  And surely he will be deported along with this parents. 

And in this case, our government is simply defending this. But what’s strange is that the outrage is muted.  And that’s because… the AG, the director of homeland security, and the criminal in the Oval Office are gaslighting us, talking about how it was necessary to make us safer. 

And I have no doubt that all of them have no trouble sleeping at night - and it is unlikely to affect them in any way at all. 

Damn.  A quarter century really has changed us. 

Kindness Looks Small but Changes the World / Bright Side

• Growing up, I was so poor I went to school without lunch. 
  My biology teacher, Mrs. Eva, noticed. Without a word, she started bringing me food every day. Sometimes she'd sit with me during recess, telling me I had a brilliant future ahead. She even encouraged me to pursue med school.
  I once asked why she was so kind to me. She just smiled and said, "One day, you'll pay me back." I never understood what she meant.
  Later, I graduated, got a scholarship, and left town. I became a doctor. 
  8 years later, a frail woman was a patient at my hospital. When she saw me, she whispered, "It's me, Eva. We finally meet again... I always knew you'd succeed."
  First, I didn't recognize her. But then I froze. She was a shadow of herself. Fragile and pale. 
  I learned she was alone, couldn't afford treatment, and had been skipping her medication. Without hesitation, I paid for everything. I gave her the best care andbecame her family during those long hospital days.
  One evening, I asked her, "How did you know we'd meet again?" She smiled softly. "I didn't. But I believe life places guardian angels on our path for a reason. When I met you, I just knew."
  Eva recovered. I visited her until her final days. She taught me a life lesson I'll never forget: kindness always comes back. Not because we expect it to—but because that's how the world heals.

https://brightside.me/articles/15-moments-that-prove-kindness-looks-small-but-changes-the-world-842807/

Dutch students unveil an electric car you can diagnose and repair yourself | Euronews

This is cool. The students found a simple way to interface with an electric car via USB, in order to get diagnostic information about what's going on, and provide a visual for how to repair what might be wrong. 

Car companies are unlikely to implement something like this. But I like the idea, and surely there will be some after market solutions in the future. 

https://www.euronews.com/next/2026/01/20/dutch-students-unveil-an-electric-car-you-can-diagnose-and-repair-yourself

A New York startup says it can already make gasoline from air on a rooftop, and it demonstrated the process in Manhattan with a machine about the size of a refrigerator

Hmmm. Is this idea BS, or is there something to it?

The idea is that a startup who has created a machine which captures carbon from the air, and then they cause a chemical reaction with water to produce a carbon-hydrogen bond. The result is a liquid, which they are saying is gasoline that can be used in a typical engine. 

Gasoline is, in fact, a carbon-hydrogen bond, which averages around C₈H_18. So it's not complete hokum. 

It just doesn't feel quite right to be able to create gasoline from the air in such a simple way, on a rooftop in Manhattan. 

But who knows? Maybe there's something to this.  

https://www.ecoticias.com/en/a-new-york-startup-says-it-can-already-make-gasoline-from-air-on-a-rooftop-and-it-demonstrated-the-process-in-manhattan-with-a-machine-about-the-size-of-a-refrigerator/25755/

Original Star Wars Trilogy Coming to Galaxy's Edge

At the end of last year, Disney announced that "The Rise of The Resistance" attraction at Disneyland would be closing January for a significant refurbishment. It's a fairly new ride, so this was surprising. But it's fairly technical, so maybe not. 

And then, early in the year, they announced a sort of re-theming of the Star Wars themed land in Disneyland (only). 

A little context: Disney created an immersive themed land called Batuu (as a planet in the Star Wars universe, which includes a storyline as to how it fits into the lore). It has shops, and things going on, and a couple of rides. 

The original intent was create different lands, that fit into different time periods, in Disneyland and Disney world. But they ultimately decided to make them pretty much exact duplicates…

One of the key problems was that Disney was confusing the lore and timeline and it became messy. The land was supposed to fit in somewhere in the timeline near episode 7, but they include elements from the original trilogy, and even some from the prequel. And they mix up what things might happen in these timelines. 

So the change they announced was that they're going to try and break up the area in Disneyland into different time periods, as a means to rectify this. They have said the storyline of the "Rise" attraction will remain the same, but I have heard some rumors that it may change when it re-opens.but, we'll have to wait and see. 

Disney world will remain the mish-mash it is for now. I suppose while they figure out whether this works or not. 

https://disneyparksblog.com/dlr/star-wars-galaxys-edge-timeline-expands-at-disneyland/

Inside's Disney's search for a CEO to replace Bob Iger - Los Angeles Times

The search for a CEO successor at the Walt disney company is ongoing. 

Bob Igers contract runs through the end of 2026, so the clock is definitely ticking. And the goal, from the company's standpoint, is to get it right this time (and avoid the cluster that was the 2020 appointment of Bob Chapek).

So the company now has hired some outside help to run the search, and has a committee to oversee the process. 

Which all sounds nice, and it reportedly down to four candidates, but time is definitely an issue if you want to make it a smooth transition. 

We'll see how it goes….

https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/business/story/2026-01-20/disney-ceo-succession-who-will-replace-bob-iger-what-to-know

News of a team of NFL replay officials was a surprise to NFL teams - NBC Sports

Well this is kind of crazy. 

It changes the way we see officiating in the league…

https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/news-of-team-of-nfl-replay-officials-was-a-surprise-to-nfl-teams

Barry Manilow Wrote A Jingle In 1971 That Everyone Still Sings Today

I admit that I had no idea Barry Manilow wrote jungles before he hit the big time. State Farm, McDonald's, and the iconic band aid songs are all his doing. 

https://www.grunge.com/2073608/barry-manilow-wrote-state-farm-jingle-1971/

The Story Of The Rogue Burger King In Pittsburgh | Cracked.com

This is such a fun story. And be sure and check out the embedded news report. 

https://www.cracked.com/article_28014_the-crazy-story-fake-burger-king-in-pittsburgh.html

Headlines are often misleading

Here's an example of a headline that seems to suggest that eating meat helps people to live to 100. 

The commenter at the bottom makes an astute observation that causation and correlation are being confused in the headline. Does eating meat cause one to live to 100? Or is it a correlated factor?

Never stop being a critical thinker!  

And anyway, that's not really the point of the article itself. 

To our gormless senators

Just a reminder that, during her confirmation hearings, Pam Bondi swore up and down that she wouldn't go after political rivals. 

And here she is doing just that. 

She LIED TO YOU. 

That's bad enough. But letting that lie go without saying anything is much worse. 

Several of your colleagues raised concerns about this, but you accepted her words. That have now turned into action. 

Your job is to hold her accountable. She should be removed from office.  

Super Bowl prediction

The prediction proved correct again! 

One of the teams with the highest point differential in week 10 will win the Super Bowl.

The last four standing all come from this group.

Seattle should still win it all based on the lowest points allowed per game through the regular season. 

2025

>> Entering playoffs

Seattle +103

Denver +62

New England +73

Kansas City +76 (did not make playoffs)

LA Rams +98

Green Bay +37

Indianapolis +115 (did not make playoffs)

Detroit +83 (did not make playoffs)

Likely winner: Seattle

>> After Wildcard

Seattle +103

Denver +62

New England +73

Kansas City +76 (did not make playoffs)

LA Rams +98

Green Bay +37 (lost in wildcard)

Indianapolis +115 (did not make playoffs)

Detroit +83 (did not make playoffs)

Likely winner: Seattle

>> After Divisional Round

Seattle +103

Denver +62

New England +73

Kansas City +76 (did not make playoffs)

LA Rams +98

Green Bay +37 (lost in wildcard)

Indianapolis +115 (did not make playoffs)

Detroit +83 (did not make playoffs)

Likely winner: Seattle

Google Earth amusement

Gotta love when people have some fun!

New evidence humans evolved from an African ape-like ancestor - Earth.com

Here's another scientific bit of research that examines an ancestor who was ape-like that may have been a direct ancestor. 

It's not quite the proverbial "missing link" but it does provide some clues as to our own evolution.  

https://www.earth.com/news/evidence-humans-evolved-from-african-ape-like-ancestor-ardipithecus-ankle-bones/

Suitcase stored in a bank vault for over a century reveals lost Habsburg jewels

The story about the suitcase full of presumed lost Habsburg jewels turning up in Quebec of all places is quite the intriguing story. 

But the story of Zita, who was the last leader of the Austria-Hungary empire, and how she lost it all, but made it to Quebec with the jewels is equally fascinating. A short summary is in the second link. 

https://www.earth.com/news/century-old-suitcase-reveals-lost-hapsburg-jewels-diamond-pr25/

https://www.factinate.com/people/zita-bourbon-parma/amp/

Unknown humans lived in the Americas for millennia, then vanished - Earth.com

This story about human lineage worth a read. 

Several times in human history, we've noted that a humanoid lived near (or even with) our ancestors, but they disappeared in history. Though they often left traces of their DNA with our ancestors. 

Here's another case where archeologists have uncovered a mystery group of humanoids that don't fit neatly into what we understand about human history. 

But again, the cool part is that science allows for this, and the theory of our evolution gets updated as we learn more. 

https://www.earth.com/news/unknown-human-lineage-lived-argentina-for-millennia-disappeared-remain-mystery/

When V Sagittae Explodes You’ll Be Able to See It During the Day

Here's a story about V Sagittae, a relative nearby star that scientists have been  studying for some time now. 

The way it's behaving, they believe it will go supernova soon (in cosmic terms, it could be 100 years, or maybe in our lifetime). 

But the resulting explosion will be visible from earth, even with the naked eye. 

I hope it happens in my lifetime. I think that would be cool to witness (even if technically it already happened). 

https://www.syfy.com/syfy-wire/when-v-sagittae-explodes-youll-be-able-to-see-it-during-the-day

Toyota Is Being Sued After a Driver Discovered His Car Was Tracking Him - Autoblog

I've been railing about this for some time now. By simply agreeing to purchase the car, the manufacturer can and does collect all manner of information about you - from your driving habits to anything that is said in your car. 

Passengers are automatically opted in by simply entering the vehicle. 

And you have no recourse, other than to drive a car that was manufactured in the late 20th century, finding a way to disable the information gathering in your car, or simply not driving. 

While it's a nice story that he's outraged and suing, I have no doubt that Toyota will win. He signed a contract when purchasing the car. And that's in there. 

https://www.autoblog.com/news/toyota-is-being-sued-after-a-driver-discovered-his-car-was-tracking-him

Superbowl Winner will be...

Defense wins championships!  So I looked at the average points allowed per game across the NFL, but focusing only on the 8 teams that had the best turnover margins.

Seattle is the favorite to win it all this year, but we're likely to be sure of it after this weekends games.

Why?

I ordered the entries based on that (lowest points allowed at the top), and predicted a winner for each round of the playoffs:

In 2019, the winner (KC) appeared after the divisional round

In 2020, the winner (Tampa) appeared after the divisional round

In 2021, the winner (LA Rams) appeared after the divisional round

In 2022, the prediction was Philadelphia (it was actually KC), and that wasn't clear until after the Conference Championship (but see my note about how close their points were, and the final in the contest was 38-35)

In 2023, the winner (KC) appeared after the conference championship

And in 2024, the winner (Philadelphia) appeared after wild card weekend.

And that means in 5/6 of the most recent years, we could pick a winner correctly based on points allowed per game.  And in 4/6 we knew when the divisional round was over who it would be.

(OF COURSE this is all speculation and a bit of fun. It means nothing, and with humans involved in the playcalling, plays, and officiating literally ANYTHING is possible),

Details:

Using Defensive Pts allowed / game

2019

>> Entering Playoffs

New England +172 (lost in wild card round)

Baltimore +111 (lost in divisional round)

Minnesota +80 (lost in divisional round)

Kansas City +45 (won superbowl) 

San Francisco +130 (lost superbowl)

Green Bay +45 (lost in conference championship)

Dallas +81  (did not make playoffs)

Houston +45 (lost in divisional round)

Likely winner: New England

Outcome: Wrong

>> After wild card

New England +172 (lost in wild card round)

Baltimore +111 (lost in divisional round)

Minnesota +80 (lost in divisional round)

Kansas City +45 (won superbowl) 

San Francisco +130 (lost superbowl)

Green Bay +45 (lost in conference championship)

Dallas +81  (did not make playoffs)

Houston +45 (lost in divisional round)

Likely winner: Baltimore

Outcome: Wrong

>> After divisional round

New England +172 (lost in wild card round)

Baltimore +111 (lost in divisional round)

Minnesota +80 (lost in divisional round)

Kansas City +45 (won superbowl) 

San Francisco +130 (lost superbowl)

Green Bay +45 (lost in conference championship)

Dallas +81  (did not make playoffs)

Houston +45 (lost in divisional round)

Likely winner:Kansas City

Outcome: Correct

>> After conference championship

New England +172 (lost in wild card round)

Baltimore +111 (lost in divisional round)

Minnesota +80 (lost in divisional round)

Kansas City +45 (won superbowl) 

San Francisco +130 (lost superbowl)

Green Bay +45 (lost in conference championship)

Dallas +81  (did not make playoffs)

Houston +45 (lost in divisional round)

Likely winner: Kansas City

Outcome: Correct

----

2020 

>> Entering Playoffs

Baltimore +79 (lost in divisional round)

Pittsburgh +100 (lost in wildcard)

New Orleans +58 (lost in divisional round)

Miami +69 (did not make playoffs)

Tampa Bay +70 (won superbowl)

Kansas City +103 (lost superbowl) 

Arizona +56  (did not make playoffs)

Green Bay +53  (lost in conference championship)

Likely winner: Baltimore

Outcome: Wrong

>>After Wildcard

Baltimore +79 (lost in divisional round)

Pittsburgh +100 (lost in wildcard)

New Orleans +58 (lost in divisional round)

Miami +69 (did not make playoffs)

Tampa Bay +70 (won superbowl)

Kansas City +103 (lost superbowl) 

Arizona +56  (did not make playoffs)

Green Bay +53  (lost in conference championship)

Likely winner: Baltimore

Outcome: Wrong

>>After Divisional round

Baltimore +79 (lost in divisional round)

Pittsburgh +100 (lost in wildcard)

New Orleans +58 (lost in divisional round)

Miami +69 (did not make playoffs)

Tampa Bay +70 (won superbowl)

Kansas City +103 (lost superbowl) 

Arizona +56  (did not make playoffs)

Green Bay +53  (lost in conference championship)

Likely winner: Tampa Bay

Outcome: Correct

>>After Conference championship

Baltimore +79 (lost in divisional round)

Pittsburgh +100 (lost in wildcard)

New Orleans +58 (lost in divisional round)

Miami +69 (did not make playoffs)

Tampa Bay +70 (won superbowl)

Kansas City +103 (lost superbowl) 

Arizona +56  (did not make playoffs)

Green Bay +53  (lost in conference championship)

Likely winner: Tampa Bay

Outcome: Correct

----

2021 

>> Entering Playoffs

Buffalo +145 (lost in divisional round)

New England +98 (lost in wildcard)

Tennessee +46 (lost in divisional round)

Tampa Bay +67 (lost in divisional round)

Dallas +89 (lost in wildcard)

Indianapolis +38 (did not make playoffs)

Arizona +98 (lost in wildcard)

Los Angeles Rams +44 (won superbowl)

>> 5th best Cincinnati +33 (lost superbowl) 

Likely winner: Buffalo

Outcome: Wrong

>> After wild card

Buffalo +145 (lost in divisional round)

New England +98 (lost in wildcard)

Tennessee +46 (lost in divisional round)

Tampa Bay +67 (lost in divisional round)

Dallas +89 (lost in wildcard)

Indianapolis +38 (did not make playoffs)

Arizona +98 (lost in wildcard)

Los Angeles Rams +44 (won superbowl)

>> 5th best Cincinnati +33 (lost superbowl) 

Likely winner: Buffalo

Outcome: Wrong

>> After divisional round

Buffalo +145 (lost in divisional round)

New England +98 (lost in wildcard)

Tennessee +46 (lost in divisional round)

Tampa Bay +67 (lost in divisional round)

Dallas +89 (lost in wildcard)

Indianapolis +38 (did not make playoffs)

Arizona +98 (lost in wildcard)

Los Angeles Rams +44 (won superbowl)

>> 5th best Cincinnati +33 (lost superbowl) 

Likely winner: LA Rams

Outcome: Correct

>> After conference championship

Buffalo +145 (lost in divisional round)

New England +98 (lost in wildcard)

Tennessee +46 (lost in divisional round)

Tampa Bay +67 (lost in divisional round)

Dallas +89 (lost in wildcard

Indianapolis +38 (did not make playoffs)

Arizona +98 (lost in wildcard)

Los Angeles Rams +44 (won superbowl)

>> 5th best Cincinnati +33 (lost superbowl) 

Likely winner: LA Rams

Outcome: Correct

----

2022 

>> Entering playoffs

San Francisco +35 (lost in conference championship)

Buffalo +99  (lost in divisional round)

Baltimore +39 (lost in wildcard)

Dallas +47 (lost in divisional round)

Cincinnati  +43 (lost in conference championship)

Philadelphia +79 (lost superbowl) 

Kansas City +64 (won superbowl) 

Minnesota +35 (lost in wildcard)

Likely winner: San Francisco

Outcome: Wrong

>> After wild card

San Francisco +35 (lost in conference championship)

Buffalo +99  (lost in divisional round)

Baltimore +39 (lost in wildcard)

Dallas +47 (lost in divisional round)

Cincinnati  +43 (lost in conference championship)

Philadelphia +79 (lost superbowl) 

Kansas City +64 (won superbowl) 

Minnesota +35 (lost in wildcard)

Likely winner: San Francisco

Outcome: Wrong

>> After divisional round

San Francisco +35 (lost in conference championship)

Buffalo +99  (lost in divisional round)

Baltimore +39 (lost in wildcard)

Dallas +47 (lost in divisional round)

Cincinnati  +43 (lost in conference championship)

Philadelphia +79 (lost superbowl) 

Kansas City +64 (won superbowl) 

Minnesota +35 (lost in wildcard)

Likely winner: San Francisco

Outcome: Wrong

>> After conference championship

San Francisco +35 (lost in conference championship)

Buffalo +99  (lost in divisional round)

Baltimore +39 (lost in wildcard)

Dallas +47 (lost in divisional round)

Cincinnati  +43 (lost in conference championship)

Philadelphia +79 (lost superbowl) 

Kansas City +64 (won superbowl) 

Minnesota +35 (lost in wildcard)

Likely winner: Philadelphia

Outcome: Wrong

Kansas City finished second, 20.2 vs 21.7 PPG allowed

----

2023

>> Entering playoffs

Baltimore +113 (lost in conference championship)

Kansas City +65 (won superbowl)

San Francisco +109 (lost superbowl)

Buffalo +78 (lost in divisional round)

Dallas +104  (lost in wildcard)

Miami +60  (lost in wildcard)

Detroit +38 (lost in conference championship)

Philadelphia +57  (lost in wildcard)

Likely winner: Baltimore

Outcome: Wrong

>> After wildcard

Baltimore +113 (lost in conference championship)

Kansas City +65 (won superbowl)

San Francisco +109 (lost superbowl)

Buffalo +78 (lost in divisional round)

Dallas +104  (lost in wildcard)

Miami +60  (lost in wildcard)

Detroit +38 (lost in conference championship)

Philadelphia +57  (lost in wildcard)

Likely winner: Baltimore

Outcome: Wrong

>> After Divisional round

Baltimore +113 (lost in conference championship)

Kansas City +65 (won superbowl)

San Francisco +109 (lost superbowl)

Buffalo +78 (lost in divisional round)

Dallas +104  (lost in wildcard)

Miami +60  (lost in wildcard)

Detroit +38 (lost in conference championship)

Philadelphia +57  (lost in wildcard)

Likely winner: Baltimore

Outcome: Wrong

>> After Conference championship

Baltimore +113 (lost in conference championship)

Kansas City +65 (won superbowl)

San Francisco +109 (lost superbowl)

Buffalo +78 (lost in divisional round)

Dallas +104  (lost in wildcard)

Miami +60  (lost in wildcard)

Detroit +38 (lost in conference championship)

Philadelphia +57  (lost in wildcard)

Likely winner: Kansas City

Outcome: Correct

----

2024

>> Entering playoffs

LA Chargers +68  (lost in wildcard)

Philadelphia +72  (won superbowl)

>> 5th best  Kansas City +58 (lost superbowl) 

Minnesota +64  (lost in wildcard)

Detroit +113 (lost in divisional round)

Pittsburgh +69  (lost in wildcard)

Baltimore +65 (lost in divisional round)

Buffalo +97 (lost in conference championship)

Washington +73 (lost in conference championship)

Likely winner: LA Chargers

Outcome: Correct

>> After Wildcard

LA Chargers +68  (lost in wildcard)

Philadelphia +72  (won superbowl)

>> 5th best  Kansas City +58 (lost superbowl) 

Minnesota +64  (lost in wildcard)

Detroit +113 (lost in divisional round)

Pittsburgh +69  (lost in wildcard)

Baltimore +65 (lost in divisional round)

Buffalo +97 (lost in conference championship)

Washington +73 (lost in conference championship)

Likely winner: Philadelphia

Outcome: Correct

>> After Divisional round

LA Chargers +68  (lost in wildcard)

Philadelphia +72  (won superbowl)

>> 5th best  Kansas City +58 (lost superbowl) 

Minnesota +64  (lost in wildcard)

Detroit +113 (lost in divisional round)

Pittsburgh +69  (lost in wildcard)

Baltimore +65 (lost in divisional round)

Buffalo +97 (lost in conference championship)

Washington +73 (lost in conference championship)

Likely winner: Philadelphia

Outcome: Correct

>> After Conference Championship

LA Chargers +68  (lost in wildcard)

Philadelphia +72  (won superbowl)

>> 5th best  Kansas City +58 (lost superbowl) 

Minnesota +64  (lost in wildcard)

Detroit +113 (lost in divisional round)

Pittsburgh +69  (lost in wildcard)

Baltimore +65 (lost in divisional round)

Buffalo +97 (lost in conference championship)

Washington +73 (lost in conference championship)

Likely winner: Philadelphia

Outcome: Correct

---

2025

>> Entering playoffs

Seattle +103

Denver +62

New England +73

Kansas City +76 (did not make playoffs)

LA Rams +98

Green Bay +37

Indianapolis +115 (did not make playoffs)

Detroit +83 (did not make playoffs)

Likely winner: Seattle

>> After Wildcard

Seattle +103

Denver +62

New England +73

Kansas City +76 (did not make playoffs)

LA Rams +98

Green Bay +37 (lost in wildcard)

Indianapolis +115 (did not make playoffs)

Detroit +83 (did not make playoffs)

Likely winner: Seattle

Suck it Rodgers.

This makes me LOL

https://youtube.com/shorts/EJy0G3bhV1c?si=bYRv5kvFPQmjlvvQ