Just One Thing: India vs Pakistan
About two weeks ago when India threatened to withhold water from Pakistan (by controlling a river that runs from India to Pakistan) -- which was a response to a horrific attack by Pakistani Muslim terrorists on Indian (presumably Hindu) tourists in India-controlled Kashmir -- I told listeners to keep a close eye on the situation because it could easily turn into the most dangerous situation on the planet, more than Israel vs Hamas and even more than Ukraine vs Russia.
Developments over the past 24 hours are rather frightening though I maintain a moderate expectation that things will not escalate too far, because that would be so bad for everybody. Still, wars often happen because of miscalculations and the level of emotion in this particular situation is extremely high (and has been for decades.)
This happened yesterday: Pakistan says it is responding to 'act of war' after India missile strikes - ABC News
India launches air strikes on Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir - latest - BBC News
India fires missiles into Pakistani territory in response to Pahalgam attack | AP News
Today, Pakistan reports shooting down 5 Indian military aircraft and a drone, including three advanced Rafale fighter jets made by French company Dassault.
Some of my thoughts, first from last night and then from this morning:
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One More Thing: Selecting a new pope
133 cardinals from 70 countries: Cardinals set to enter conclave to decide who follows Pope Francis | Reuters
Cardinals are set to begin the conclave to elect a new pope | AP News
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Another thing, tied to the last pope: Great art
I don't usually include a lot of this in the blog and I often find article like these to be condescending and navel-gazing but I think this is just great and reminds us of things that are truly beautiful.
A Closer Look at Pope Francis’ Favorite Painting - The New York Times
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Today's Guests
Debak Das is an Assistant Professor in Peace and Security Studies at the Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver. We'll talk about the India/Pakistan situation.
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Toby Damisch is the Douglas County Assessor. With new property valuations going out soon, we'll talk with Toby about what to expect. Keep in mind of course that changes in values can differ somewhat widely even within a county.
Assessor Toby Damisch - Douglas County
Front Range home values dip in latest property tax assessments
Colorado property assessments will be sent out soon: what homeowners should know | FOX31 Denver
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Other Stuff
This is NOT a list I want to see Colorado on: Denver King Soopers Rated Second Worst Grocery Store in U.S. | Westword
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DeSantis must act: Florida man convicted in spoonful of cocaine case seeks clemency | NewsNation
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This is probably coming from US pressure on Iran. It's probably good news but What if the Houthis keep attacking Israel?
Trump announces deal to stop bombing Houthis, end shipping attacks | Reuters
It's also a reminder of just how truly terrible the Biden administration's foreign policy was, which wasn't a surprise if you knew anything about the history of Joe Biden who was MUCH worse than flipping a coin when it came to making the right decision.
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It wouldn't surprise me if hyper-partisan FBI leadership during the Biden administration did in fact change the outcome of the investigation: GOP says FBI mishandled 2017 Scalise shooting probe | wwltv.com
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The end of the first famous online video call service: Skype, RIP - FEE
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Real ID enforcement starts today, sort of
Real ID deadline is Wednesday, May 7 but you can show TSA a passport
Real ID deadline is here but travelers can still fly without one, Noem says
Is Your Colorado ID or Driver's License "Real ID" Compliant? | Westword
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The real or perceived conflict of interest, or outright corruption, of the Trump family's involvement in cryptocurrencies jumped to a new level with news of a foreign deal to use a Trump-related "coin" to invest in a major crypto exchange that's under investigation for fraud. At the same time, there's a major crypto bill making its way through Congress and the bill itself is probably a good idea and necessary. But Dems want more in the bill to prevent elected officials from sponsoring or having other business relationships with particular cryptocurrencies (which is not to say they couldn't own any). This bill will need Dem and GOP support and until a few days ago it had that. But now things are getting dicey thanks to the Trump family's shameless grifting. I should note that it's unclear just what the business relationship is between the Trump family and World Liberty Financial, but it's obviously something and obviously important to the family. I also note that their "business partner" in the crypto venture is the son of the guy whom Trump has named to go around the world negotiating peace deals, so that seems a little fishy too.
Democrats start finding power in their division — and it could take down a crypto deal | Semafor
Trump's stablecoin chosen for $2 billion Abu Dhabi investment in Binance, co-founder says | Reuters
Trump family crypto venture tapped as part of $2B Emirati-backed investment deal - ABC News
I'd add that I'm VERY uncomfortable being on the same side of any issue as Elizabeth Warren. I'd also add that far more Republicans would be screaming about what the president is doing if the president were a Democrat. It's obviously wildly inappropriate.
Finally, I don't have anything against World Liberty Financial...there's a big world out there of interest in crypto and while I suspect that most of it will end in financial pain for people who buy the stuff, I could be wrong and people should have the freedom to try new things. I just don't like tying in the family of the president, and especially not with a big transaction by a foreign government.
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A few stories I didn't get to yesterday:
This case took NINE YEARS to get to trial. Kim Kardashian will likely testify a week from today in what promises to be the media circus of the year.
I note that one of the defendants is dead and another one will be tried separately for health reasons and also that the stolen stuff was never recovered
Kim Kardashian: Man accused of Paris robbery 'regrets' $10m heist
Kim Kardashian robbery case: Ten stand trial in Paris over 2016 gunpoint jewel heist
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Wow, this is something I didn't know. It's interesting, and the argument for enforcing the law is sensible. But it also stands the risk of reducing the number of truck drivers, an already understaffed industry. Well, I guess the good news is that if Trump keeps going with his trade wars there will be a lot less work for truck drivers so maybe we won't need as many.
Enforcing Commonsense Rules of the Road for America's Truck Drivers – The White House
CVSA votes to put truck drivers with limited English out of service - FreightWaves
Enforcing Commonsense Rules of the Road for America's Truck Drivers – The White House
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I expect that Trump has already approved this. I know it seems weird that a US president has that kind of power over another country's military actions but such is the relationship between the two nations. Also, this moves in the direction of Trump's stated desire to see Gazans moved out of Gaza. Frankly, I'd love that too but I don't see where you'd move them or who would take them. It's a region of terrorist-loving anti-Semitic brainwashed troublemakers and I can't imagine what Mideast nation would want lots of people like that (and a few of the countries there already have a lot of them, especially Jordan).
Israel cabinet approves plan to 'capture' Gaza - official
Israel plans to seize Gaza under a new plan, officials say | AP News
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I like it! Trump Administration Offers $1,000 to Illegal Aliens Who Self-Deport | National Review
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This story is nuts: She Called a Kid the N-Word. The Right Is Making Her Rich.
I'm showing you the "Christian" version of Go Fund Me (though this sure doesn't seem like WWJD stuff), but please do NOT donate to her. Just want you to see what's happening: GiveSendGo | Help Me Protect My Family
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Maybe the only good bill from the state legislature this year
Unanimous in both chambers!
Title Register & Drive Kei Vehicles | Colorado General Assembly
15 Kei Cars That Prove Japan Has it Right
Colorado Enthusiasts Seem To Win Battle Against One Of The Worst Proposed Car Bans - The Autopian
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Most of us are already compliant: Is Your Colorado ID or Driver's License "Real ID" Compliant? | Westword
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Everything old is new again: Lactose-free milk is more popular than almond and oat milk
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And now you know: Why don’t Colorado cities plant more fruit trees so urbanites can enjoy free, fresh fruit?
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Fine with me: PepsiCo to remove artificial ingredients from popular food items by end of 2025
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Today's Video
Love at first sight
Ask and you shall receive
(Yes, I know that's an improper use of "shall")
I stole this from Mandy's blog
THAT is a happy dog!