12 thoughts on “Wednesday Open Thread”

1. South Korea buys 29% of Colorado's beef, according to Tamara Chuang at the Colorado Sun. The Trump Trade war hasn't affected that particular market much, although pork and chicken exports were affected. 

   Climate change has much more of a negative impact on ranchers, due to drought and the cost of feed. Some around here are feeling it.

   The only direct impact of the trade war on me personally has been that China has stopped buying used plastic for recycling, and US recyclers haven't picked up the slack. So all of those bags of rinsed plastics to recycle may still end up in the landfill.

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   1. If it's any consolation – there's short term recycling. There is long term recycling. Long term needs no rinsing.

      Physics and conservation of energy or mass or something.
       

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   2. We bought a $26 ham for $3 at the supermarket…and McDonalds is GIVING AWAY bacon during a promotion. Not a good time to invest in pork bellies, I'm thinking.

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      1. Pork is cheap. Especially compared with some other foods.

         https://www.southernliving.com/meat/bacon/bacon-history-pork-belly-prices
         Bacon costs less in real dollars now than when I was born 70.2 years ago.

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         1. Bacon is considerably more expensive if you pro rate the quadruple bypas s you need after 30 years of eating it.

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            1. Externalities are always the catch…😏

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2. Putin laughs as *rump plays 3 Card Monte with American voters ("Follow my hands") to distract us from the real threats facing us today and in the future.

   The written threat review also found that Russia’s ability to conduct cyberespionage and influence campaigns remains similar to its efforts in the 2016 American presidential election. But, it said, the bigger concern is that “Moscow is now staging cyberattack assets to allow it to disrupt or damage U.S. civilian and military infrastructure during a crisis.”

   It specifically noted Russia’s planting of malware in the United States electricity grid. Russia already has the ability to bring the grid down “for at least a few hours,” the review concluded, but is “mapping our critical infrastructure with the long-term goal of being able to cause substantial damage.”

   Taken together, the report paints a picture of threats vastly different from those asserted by Mr. Trump.

   Notably missing in the written review was evidence that would support building a wall on the southwestern border; the first mention of Mexico and drug cartels was published nearly halfway through the report — following a range of more pressing threats.

   Mr. Trump has said the wall is among the most critical security threats facing the United States.

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3. Well, I guess we know now how the Hick/Kasich dream ticket will order itself out.

   Airline Downgraded John Kasich – But He Wouldn’t Leave First Class https://t.co/rGx9Nsm9SN via @garyleff pic.twitter.com/YwfGZxX4VL

   — BoardingArea (@BoardingArea) January 29, 2019

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4. More love for Hickenlooper in the WAPO — Beyond liberal base, some Democrats pitch to party moderates

   Interesting summation of his pitch:

   The brewpub magnate recently swung through early-voting Iowa to test his theory that what voters really are interested in is someone with a record of achieving liberal goals even in a divided government.

   “My whole public life is about bringing people together who are feuding and can’t stand each other,” Hickenlooper said at a house party.

    

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   1. Other than his fetish for fracking, I would have absolutely no problem with this guy as our president. Sure, he is as boring as watching paint dry, but after the last two years, my 401k doesn't need excitement and entertainment anymore.

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      1. I'm with you, R&R. We could do with another "no drama" president. But, man, I'd hate to be the one who has to clean up the mess The Screaming Yam is leaving behind.

          

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   2. *Jack off motion.* What an absolute tool.

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