No they're not "conservative"

 The following are not "conservative"

• dismantling our tripartite system of government established in the constitution 
• violating the 8th commandment by bearing false witness against innocent pharmaceutical products and scientists, based on unfounded malicious gossip
• preferring fake news to the truth
• decorating the White House in contravention of our decorating traditions: red Christmas trees, gold leaf in the Oval Office, paving the Rose Garden, adding an ostentatious ballroom
• preferring vicious authoritarian foreign leaders to those who lead democracies, similar to our democratic traditions
• weakening our traditional NATO alliance
• making government pronouncements on social media
• appointing television personalities to high office, rather than people with actual experience
• electing a convicted felon
• both of our divorced presidents have been Republican

Lack of Air Quality data in Coös County, NH

I'm learning a lot about the lack of air quality data in rural areas.  I am going to buy a Purple Air monitor and get it installed somewhere around here.  We probably need more than one.

I first noticed some oddities comparing the air quality maps from Apple and Weatherbug.  This was July 26.  That was the day I woke up with chest congestion when I was sleeping outdoors on the screen porch.

You'll notice that Apple, on the left, was saying 135 and Weatherbug, on the right, was saying 68.  It's hard to reconcile these maps; tho, given how I felt waking up that morning, I'm pretty clear that Weatherbug was lowballing it.

The air cleared up for a while after that, but then got bad again.

I had some conversations with Grok to help me learn more.  Grok introduced me to two websites that sell air quality monitors and then publish the results on maps

iqair.com

purpleair.com

After talking to Grok, I made an air quality collage (August 3, 2025):

Top (left to right)

• IQAir, showing several monitors nearby ranging from 63-147
• Purple Air, showing monitors raning from 116-126
• Weather bug showing the absurdly low value of 38
• AirNow (federal) showing no data for Randolph, but a forecast of 101

Bottom

• local mountains very hazy
• Apple air quality map, showing 74, which I also think was absurd, because the moon was orange, and I got a sore throat going out without a mask

Grok says that Apple uses an AI engine called "breezometer" to estimate air quality where there are no monitors.  Grok said it was unlikely that this AI engine could accurately estimate air quality with multiple mountain ranges and micro-climates.

Summary

no real data for most of Coös County NH

******

Here was my second day of trying to evaluate this (August 4, 2025)

top (left to right)

• WeatherBug 49 (again absurdly low)
• AirNow (federal govt) no data for Randolph.  this collage cut off the forecast, but it was 103
• IQAir ranging from 85-167 around here

bottom

• Purple Air ranging from 70-159 -- with the closest monitors all over 150
• Apple at 101
• photo of mountains even more hazy

August 5-6, 2025

Orange Moon

I tried to capture a snapshot of the moon looking orange.  Now normally, when I try to take a picture of the moon with this cell phone, I get a featureless white disk.  I don't see any of the normal moon markings.  This particular evening (August 5), because the moon was dimmed by smoke, the camera could capture features.  Unfortunately, at this magnification, I couldn't hold the camera still enough to get a clear picture, but maybe you can get the idea.

Normally, I'm in the NYC metro area, where there are a lot more monitors.  I trust the estimates of air quality there more, because there is more data.  I can assure you that the moon is not orange at an air quality of 72 down there.

Another collage (August 6)

• IQ Air ranging from 26-139
• Weatherbug again lowballing it at 36
• Apple at 72
• Purple Air ranging from 98-135

August 8

Today (August 8, below) I learned about a new App, Weather Underground, that is estimating higher than some others.  It's got 159 at the top for my community.  That's the highest estimate I've seen, but it makes some sense because this is a mountain valley.  Grok pointed out that valleys tend to accumulate pollutants.

otherwise

• AirNow no data but forecasting 55
• Apple at 70
• Weatherbug at 50
• IQair ranging from 67-110 nearby, with bigger variations farther away
• PurpleAir from 24-126

I feel communities in mountain valleys, like Randolph NH, really need their own air quality monitors in order to get accurate air quality data during smoke situations like we've been having in early August 2025

Another thing I’ve been watching this week is the wind patterns around here. Apple has a wind pattern map. I had once heard a discussion by a meteorologist associated with the weather observatory on the top of Mount Washington. He said that there were three major wind systems that were interrupted by the Presidential Range. I could really see that on the Apple map. For several days there was wind from three directions all blowing towards the Presidential mountains. There seem to be a system east of here, a system north of here, and a system south of here. After a while, the system east of here started blowing through so that area is now green on the maps. However, the area  north of here has had wind blowing south and the area south of here has had wind blowing north, so that the air was stagnating here around Randolph.

Today, the wind is blowing pretty steadily from the south, but that is substantially blocked, by the Presidential Range here.

********

August 9

• Wunderground 165 (this seems to be an outlier.  I wonder if they actually know where Randolph NH is, or whether they are really doing some kind of special calculation relating to our local mountainous conditions)

• Airnow no data, but forecasting 51 from NH weather service

• Apple Weather 56 (uses Breezometer)

• Weatherbug 47 ( they’ve consistently had the lowest value.  I wonder if they have the wrong location for Randolph, NH)

• Purple Air — nearest sensor near Littleton “middle beach hill” 83; also to the north, near Canada “murphy dam” 71; Bartlett NH 59; Rumford, ME (4 sensors 54,57,59, 71)

• IQAir ledgewood drive, Littleton NH 81; Murphy Dam Road, Colebrook 69

I did some research and found that the Wunderground says their information is from the Copernicus website  https://climate.copernicus.eu/

Copernicus has world wide forecasts for several different pollutants: aerosols, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, methane, nitrogen dioxide, and ozone https://atmosphere.copernicus.eu/global-forecast-plots

I spent some time conversing with Grok about whether Breezometer or Copernicus was more accurate.  Breezometer claims to be accurate down to 5m, while Copernicus only has a 40km resolution.  Otoh, my impression is that during the recent smoke events the value cited by Apple has been way too low on bad days.  This is likely due to the mountainous conditions and lack of local data around Randolph, NH.

Still being puzzled about how Weather Underground (wunderground app) got such a high level, I went to the Copernicus website, where Wunderground says they get their data.  I see this map for aerosols, which I think woodsmoke is

It's a little hard to interpret this, because it's not US units, but it's hard to see that this would be as bad as 165, which is what the wunderland app is saying on iphone at approximately 4:45 pm Eastern Time August 9.  

I also went to the Weather underground website to see their local sensors.  I got this map

In the vicinity of Randolph, NH, the values are in the 80's and 90's.  Granted Randolph is in a mountain valley, so particulates could accumulate here, but it's hard to see how they came up with 165.

******

August 11, 2025

Here is today's air quality collage with annotations.  At least they mostly seem in agreement that the air is in the moderate range, except for the perpetually optimistic Weatherbug.  Still I was coughing in Gorham, NH without a mask.

******

Link to NH state weather information

www4.des.state.nh.us/airdata

It appears that there are some air quality monitoring devices on Mt Washington, but that they only have ozone data.

******

August 14

We had some rain, but the numbers aren't as much better as I might have hoped.

****

#AirQuality #CanadianWildfires #Breezometer #WeatherBug #WeatherUnderground #Wunderground #AirNow #PurpleAir #IQAir #AppleWeatherApp #CoösCountyNH #RandolphNH 

Cbs/Skydance/Paramount/Colbert & bribery allegations

I have been concerned with this whole SkyDance/Paramount/CBS/Colbert & bribery allegation thing.  I am not sure I want to be patronizing this organization.  I'm not participating in any streaming services.  I do sometimes go to movies in theaters, so I asked google to tell me what movies are out there from this group.  The following is google's response

Skydance Media recently finalized its merger with Paramount Global, creating Paramount Skydance Corporation

. Skydance has been a co-producer on several major Paramount franchises for over a decade. 

Based on currently available information, here are some films currently playing or recently released that are associated with Paramount or Skydance:

• Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning: This film, part of a franchise co-produced by both studios, is currently playing in theaters.
• The Naked Gun: This reboot, from Team Robbins, is set to be released soon.
• Roofman: This crime dramedy is set to be released soon.
• Regretting You: This Colleen Hoover book adaptation is set to be released soon.
• The Running Man: This film starring Glen Powell is set to be released in November.
• The SpongeBob Movie: The Search for SquarePants: This animated film is set to be released around the Christmas holiday season.
• Gladiator II: This sequel was produced by Ridley Scott and Paramount Pictures. It's available on streaming platforms like MGM+ and Paramount+.
• Novocaine: This action comedy film was released in March 2025 by Paramount Pictures. It's available on streaming platforms such as Paramount+, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube TV.
• Smurfs: This animated musical fantasy comedy was released in 2025 by Paramount Animation. It's available on YouTube.
• Smile 2: This supernatural psychological horror film is a sequel to Smile and was released by Paramount Pictures in October 2024. It is available on streaming services like Paramount+, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube TV.
• Transformers One: This animated film is based on Hasbro's Transformers toy line and was directed by Josh Cooley. It is available on streaming services such as Paramount+, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube TV.
• The Gorge: This action film is available on Apple TV+.
• Fountain of Youth: This action adventure film is available on Apple TV+.

Note that this list may not be exhaustive, as release dates and distribution channels can change. Some films might be available for rent or purchase on various platforms, or could be streaming on services not mentioned above. You can often find the most up-to-date information on official movie websites, streaming service platforms, or by checking local movie listings.

I did already see Dead Reckoning.  I was thinking of seeing Smurfs.  I might hold off on that. 

Why do I like Solar Cookers International?

 Graphic showing UN sustainable development goals:

Solar Cookers work towards all of these goals

Examples of positive results of solar cookers:

• reduce indoor air pollution and childhood asthma
• reduce production of greenhouse gasses
• preserve trees and bushes
• give people more free time -- because they don't have to gather wood -- allows people more time for cash producing activities and education
• can pasteurize water
• reduce rapes -- as women aren't out gathering wood
• basic solar cookers are very cheap and easy to transport 
• people can often build their own solar cookers (reflector plus black pot)
• reduce cost -- pays for itself, if people are buying fuel

link to the website of Solar Cookers International 

Guest speaker, who is working on pollution in Cameroon, at the webinar July 17, 2025

School in Nepal with solar cookers on the roof

https://solarcooking.fandom.com/wiki/Vajra_Foundation

Artwork & Animation

For the most part, my art is a hobby.  I have sold a few directly and given them as gifts, but more commonly I have donated them to charities for fundraising.

If you want a still art piece, I ask that you make a donation to Solar Cookers International as payment https://www.solarcookers.org/  I'll send you the item, if I still have it. I will ask to see your receipt.  Why I like Solar Cookers Internationa

Links to salient creative works

Animation Studies & other courses Blog

My storefront on Tee Public 

Still Art Examples

Here's an example of my doodling style:

Musings about getting into art

Fantasy referendum for 2026 election

This is a draft. I may change it in response to comments or afterthoughts. 

The word president is deliberately not capitalized, out of disrespect

Whereas: a totalitarian has been elected president of the United States, who is demolishing our constitution and our civil rights;

Whereas: this president has vowed to discriminatorily enforce laws against our state, our cities, and our non-white immigrants (

Whereas: this president is incarcerating and deporting our innocent friends, neighbors, and workers out of racial hatred, thereby endangering our economy, our future, and our food supply;

Whereas: the president cultivates an atmosphere of lies in preference to the truth;

Whereas: Congress is dominated by allies of this president; 

Whereas: Congress and the president have been undermining necessary, social welfare programs for our state; 

Whereas: our state is paying disproportionately into the cost of the running of the federal government, while Congress and the president run the government in manners prejudicial to our state;

Whereas: the president is threatening to use our tax dollars to invade innocent allied countries;

Whereas: the president is abandoning our nation’s allies in favor of dangerous totalitarians abroad;

Whereas the president has pardoned dangerous insurrectionists and at least one paid illegal agent of a foreign country and loosed these criminals on the public;

Whereas the president and Congress are cutting taxes on the wealthiest and increasing spending in a way that is totally fiscally irresponsible;

Whereas the president is sending innocent people to concentration camps;

Whereas the president is threatening US citizens with loss of citizenship for exercising their rights to free speech

Now, therefore: Be it resolved that:

The Governor of the State of New York is directed to pursue all legal alternatives to secede peacefully from the United States and join Canada

This course of action is to be pursued with with all deliberate speed

Asking Grok about allegations of tax increases in 2015

 

I saw the above image on Facebook.  I asked Grok if it were true.  This is what Grok said

The image claims that on January 1, 2015, several tax increases were implemented through the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, with changes to the Medicare tax, top income tax bracket, top income payroll tax, capital gains tax, dividend tax, and estate tax. It states these were passed solely with Democratic votes, without Republican support, and implies the public was unaware due to not reading the bill.

Let’s break this down based on my knowledge:

1. Medicare Tax Increase (1.45% to 2.35%): The ACA did introduce a Medicare tax increase, but the numbers here are misleading. The ACA added a 0.9% Additional Medicare Tax on earned income above certain thresholds (e.g., $200,000 for individuals) starting in 2013, not 2015. The base Medicare tax rate remained 1.45% for both employees and employers (2.9% total), but the additional tax brought the effective rate to 3.8% on high earners. The claim of 1.45% to 2.35% oversimplifies this and incorrectly suggests the base rate changed.
2. Top Income Tax Bracket (35% to 39.6%): This is partially true but not directly tied to the ACA. The top income tax bracket increased from 35% to 39.6% starting in 2013, not 2015, due to the expiration of the Bush-era tax cuts under the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (ATRA), signed into law on January 2, 2013. This was separate from the ACA, though the ACA did add a 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT) on high earners, which could affect perceptions of overall tax burden.
3. Top Income Payroll Tax (37.4% to 52.2%): This claim is inaccurate and unclear. The "payroll tax" typically refers to Social Security and Medicare taxes. The Social Security tax rate in 2015 was 6.2% on income up to a cap ($118,500 in 2015), and Medicare was 1.45% (plus the additional 0.9% for high earners). Combining these with the top income tax rate (39.6%) and other taxes might get you a higher effective rate, but the jump to 52.2% is exaggerated and not a standard metric for payroll taxes. This appears to be a misrepresentation.
4. Capital Gains Tax (15% to 28%): This is incorrect. The ACA did increase the capital gains tax for high earners, but not to 28%. Starting in 2013, the top capital gains rate went from 15% to 20% due to ATRA, and the ACA added the 3.8% NIIT on investment income for high earners, making the effective rate 23.8%, not 28%.
5. Dividend Tax (15% to 39.6%): This is also incorrect. Qualified dividends were taxed at the capital gains rate, which, as mentioned, went to 20% in 2013, plus the 3.8% NIIT, totaling 23.8% for high earners. The 39.6% rate applies to ordinary income, not qualified dividends, though non-qualified dividends could be taxed at that rate.
6. Estate Tax (0% to 55%): This is a gross exaggeration. The estate tax rate in 2010 was 0% due to a temporary repeal, but it was reinstated in 2011 at 35%. Under ATRA in 2013, the top rate was set to 40%, not 55%, with an exemption of $5 million (adjusted for inflation). The ACA did not directly affect the estate tax.
7. Passed Solely with Democratic Votes: This is true for the ACA itself. The ACA was passed in 2010 (not 2015) with only Democratic votes in both the House and Senate, as Republicans unanimously opposed it. However, some tax changes mentioned (like the top income tax bracket and estate tax) were part of ATRA, which had bipartisan support.
8. Timing (January 1, 2015): Most of these tax changes took effect in 2013, not 2015, as part of the ACA or ATRA. The image incorrectly attributes them to 2015.
9. Public Awareness and "No One Read the Bill": The claim that "no one read the bill" is a common critique of the ACA, often attributed to its length and complexity (over 2,000 pages). While it’s true the bill was complex and some provisions weren’t widely understood, many of these tax changes were debated publicly, especially the NIIT and Additional Medicare Tax.

Conclusion

The image contains a mix of truths, exaggerations, and inaccuracies:

• Some tax increases (like the Additional Medicare Tax and NIIT) were part of the ACA and took effect in 2013, not 2015.
• Other changes (top income tax bracket, estate tax) were part of ATRA, not the ACA, and also started in 2013.
• The percentages cited (e.g., 28% capital gains, 55% estate tax, 52.2% payroll tax) are exaggerated or incorrect.
• The ACA was indeed passed with only Democratic votes, but the broader tax changes weren’t all tied to it.

The allegations are partially true but heavily distorted. I can search for more specific details if needed!