I am a big believer in feeding pigeons (and well honestly I don't mind the rats too much) but these theoretical pigeon feeding stations seem like a good way of keeping our flying friends well fed without also providing a rat banquet. Hopefully it comes to fruition.

Labels: local, New York

I'm currently reading Israel in Egypt, a review from the perspective of an Egyptologist on where the evidence sits for Israel's journey into and out of Egypt. It seems most of the in-vogue theories are from biblical scholars wit no knowledge of the Egyptian language or latest archeology. I think it's pretty good but not being fluent in Ancient Egyptian, it's hard to say if the author is right. Regardless, would recommend.

Labels: books, religion

Looks like the city of Jerusalem is trying to forclose on the Armenian Orthodox property by charging them a tax that they have been exempt from. Probably warrants a nuclear response.

Labels: eastern orthodox

For reasons apparent to no one the MTA, instead of either investing in electrification or using standard EMU technology, is paying Siemens to invent a battery powered locomotive. Truly bizarre.

There are multiple superior, proven train options that can handle the different types of electrification on PSA. Improving connectivity between Midtown West, the Bronx, and Southwestern Connecticut is only possible with the right trains, but battery locomotives will condemn new Bronx riders to slow, unsatisfactory service, and worsen existing service on the New Haven Line. Furthermore, the rationale for acquiring new trains is inscrutable, given that the MTA already purchased M8s for PSA.

Labels: local, trains

If you believe this article, this is more or less mandated by the laws of economics, as goverments get more desperate for money, and interfere more and more in the banking system.

First of all: avoid government bonds. Investors in government debt are the ones who will be robbed slowly. Within equities, there are sectors that will do very well. The great problems we have – energy, climate change, defence, inequality, our dependence on production from China – will all be solved by massive investment. This capex boom could last for a long time. Companies that are geared to this renaissance of capital spending will do well. Gold will do well once people realise that inflation won’t come down to pre-2020 levels but will settle between 4 and 6%.

Labels: economics

If you'd like a little coin dispenser, here's one! Going to be buying a few soon.

Labels: fun

Lots of stuff I've missed here ... but this article is truly fascinating, about how bar associations try to make it more difficult to exist to gin up business, more or less.

In the early 1900s, the country’s 1,100 automobile clubs did far more than provide the roadside assistance, maps, and towing services familiar to AAA members of today. Auto clubs also provided, free to their members, a wide range of legal services. Teams of auto club lawyers defended members charged with driving-related misdemeanors and even felonies. They filed suits that, mirroring contemporary impact litigation, were expressly designed to effect policy change. And they brought and defended tens of thousands of civil claims for vehicle-related harm. In the throes of the Great Depression, however, local bar associations abruptly turned on the clubs and filed scores of suits, accusing them of violating nascent legal ethics rules concerning the unauthorized practice of law (UPL). In state after state, the bar prevailed—and, within a few short years, auto clubs’ legal departments were kaput.

Labels: law

The unsigned introductory article, which described Teilhard as "a brilliant and stimulating thinker," recalled the Holy Office's 1962 monitum (warning) against his writings. It then quoted comments about Teilhard by Pope St. Paul VI (1966, 1975), Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (1968), Pope St. John Paul II (1981), Pope Benedict XVI (2009), and Pope Francis (2015, 2023). The article inaccurately stated that Pope Francis cited Teilhard in footnote 83 of his encyclical letter Laudato Si' (it was actually footnote 53), before concluding with the Pope's tribute to Teilhard after a 2023 Mass in Mongolia.

Interesting thought, I have opinions pro and con on Teilhard de Chardin but I think on the balance his thought should be read instead of banned, particularly due to his optimism and engagement with science.

Labels: catholic