Archive: School is starting, but a little more fun in Toledo
Posted By RichC on August 17, 2025
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Intensive or Intents: What is the world is an Eggcorn?
Posted By RichC on August 16, 2025
Earlier this month while sending a few quick text messages back and forth, I started to type the message “for all intensive purposes” to my brother when my iPhone started a predictive typing suggestion: “for all intents and purposes.” Hm .. so down the rabbit hole I jumped.
According to Merriam-Webster …
In a 1546 Act of Parliament, the phrase “to all intents, constructions, and purposes” was used to convey that King Henry VIII had unlimited power to interpret laws. Apparently, the people of England took a liking to the phrase—just not the “constructions” part. Thereafter, the phrase began appearing in legal documents and other writings in forms such as “to all intents” and “to all intents and purposes.” Nowadays, the latter phrase has survived—chiefly in British English—and “for all intents and purposes” was popularized in American English.
When looking up the semi-idiom desultory thought, it brought me to Eggcorn … or “slip of the ear” repeated word or phrase. Very interesting … and I don’t think 
I’ll ever say “intensive” again without remembering this post?
Tech Friday: Should students do their work with or without AI?
Posted By RichC on August 15, 2025
Last month I had a discussion with a friend and we debated how much of what we read on the internet these days is being created by … or at least assisted by … artificial intelligence. It was more concerning to 
him since his children are old enough to be regular users of AI (unlike most older adults). Without question, students are quicker to accept, adapt and to use chatbots now that they are part of everyday life.
Although neither of us are currently teaching, both of us have it in our background. I am of the opinion that educators need to teach students how to “use” AI … much as previous generations needed to know how to use computers. Tools assist us and the proficiency will be imperative for future success. He took the position that critical thinking and ability to communicate without the aid of artificial intelligence requires working without help. I’m not sure either of us are convinced that our point of view was correct.
So … I decided to use Duck.AI to see if there was a way to know when humans were being assisted? This is also test post to see if my personal automator app that would convert an “Apple Note to HTML” for blog inclusion. It works!
Identifying AI Assistance in Writing
Testing ChatGPT assistance in coding HTML for a MDB post: Charting a Better Future for Native-Born American Workers
Posted By RichC on August 14, 2025
Previously I added the chart below to a filler post and contemplated posting something to TheHustings.news … but instead wanted to test the “HTML coding ability” of ChatGPT. The AI was “so-so” … but required WAY too much tweaking on my part and ChatGPT adding 3-failed (404) links is unacceptable (highlight below). Of course when using it, “my writing” required “WAY too much” clean up and editorializing by ChatGPT too. 😉
We are definitely in a new era … humans using AI and AI editorializing what humans are writing. The lines are getting blurred … I feel a post coming on that subject.
The latest employment data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — visualized through the FRED chart below — offers more than just a trend line. It offers a cautionary tale and a path forward. While foreign-born employment (red line) has surged since the pandemic, native-born employment (blue line) has grown at a slower pace — despite forming the foundation of our nation’s workforce.
Chart: Foreign-born employment (red) has surged—bolstered by unchecked illegal immigration—while native-born employment (blue) has grown modestly. A Trump economy will reignite wage growth, domestic industry, and opportunity for U.S.-born citizens.
But … that red line doesn’t tell the whole truth. The “foreign born” category includes both legal immigrants and a growing number of illegal aliens, now reflected in workforce statistics. This rise isn’t solely due to merit-based immigration or skilled labor demand — it’s also the result of mass illegal entry, sanctuary policies, and lack of enforcement.
The result? Wage pressure, benefit dilution and increased competition in sectors — and from a Democrat Party that have long claimed to support working-class, native-born Americans. Construction, hospitality, food services and entry-level trades are being flooded with low-wage illegal labor, directly harming those already struggling to keep up in a inflationary economy under the post-pandemic leadership of President Biden.
A Trump Economy Will Ignite a Native-Born Jobs Boom
A Trump economy will ignite a powerful resurgence in American employment and wage growth, especially for native-born citizens.
Under the Trump administration (2017–2020), we witnessed:
These gains were fueled by strategic tax cuts, deregulation, and tariffs that helped level the playing field for U.S. manufacturers and workers. Trump’s “Tariff as Stick” policy compelled trade concessions from adversarial nations like China and incentivized domestic production.
Restoring Wages, Respect … and Rule of Law
With strong border enforcement and meaningful deportation efforts, the next Trump term would relieve the wage-crushing labor glut caused by unchecked illegal immigration. This would reopen opportunities for native-born citizens across countless industries and restore upward mobility to millions of families.
The chart below makes the contrast clear. While illegal labor boosts the foreign-born employment level, native-born workers remain the real engine of this economy—and legal citizens deserve policies that put them first.
Conclusion
America doesn’t need more illegal workers … as legal immigration and Native-Born U.S. citizens are sufficient. We need to restored pride, wages and dignity for the legal American workers. With the current leadership in Washington DC, that blue line is ready to rise again — and bring all of America along with it.
The Peak Design charger has failed after an iOS iPhone update
Posted By RichC on August 13, 2025
Initially I blamed a “failing to charge“ problem on a recent iOS update from Apple (updated the previous night), but after a little trial and error testing, 
have concluded something isn’t working with my relatively new Peak Design wireless charging stand. Up to this point, it has been just fine and sits next to my MacBook Air M2 comfortably and it works with my Peak Design case … where the Magfast wireless charger did not.
The charging indicator pops on, but then turn off and back on again. If the phone is left on the charger, it continues to lose charge, just as if it were not on the charger — it actually seems even faster, if that was possible? I’ve switch USB-C power blocks, tried different cables and finally ended up plugging it. Over lunch I took off the Peak Design case and tried charging it on my old Magfast charger that Brenda is using and it worked fine — so long as the case was off.
An email was sent to tech support at Peak Design (a pain) and I’m still waiting to see if they have a solution. Bummer.
The CPI and Trump/Putin news saw Financial Markets Rally
Posted By RichC on August 12, 2025
If you are an investor or just someone wanted some good news as inflation held steady, the market gained and had added hope noting the upcoming peace talks between President Trump and Russia’s Vladimir Putin. You might even say, “America’s Future is Bright” … a reference to my TheHustings commentary today after my previous polite comment on immigration. 😉
Part of the market rally was due to thinking the Federal Reserve might start a series of rate cuts in September. The hope is that reducing the cost of capital (borrowing) will make 
conditions even more attractive for businesses in America to expand and hire more workers.
In terms of consumer lending, the higher rates in recent years has made buying new car and in particular homes difficult for those starting families. Having lower rates should help move people who want to buy rather than rent into homeownership. Of course, unless supply increases, we could still see prices rise triggering higher inflation again.
I don’t envy the Fed Chair.
Happy Birthday Brenda! Are we still counting the years?
Posted By RichC on August 12, 2025
As the saying goes, “better to have a birthday then not to have one.” Yet most of us watching the years tick by wonder, why do the years seem to 
tick by so much faster the older we get?
So, Happy Birthday, Brenda – here’s a George Meredith quote to ponder.
It has been a wonderful year and we both have been abundantly blessed. The medical issues that have been part of the last decade are mostly behind us and Brenda in particular has rehabbed AND then some since her ladder fall in 2015 (has it been that many years!) . Personally I think she is in better shape now than she has been in a long time even with a new shoulder and new hip — and has diligently been spending time improving on all aspects of her health (still watching those 2020 compression fractures in her back). Better health and no pain is something to celebrate on her birthday.
Now the question is, as we prepare to go hiking with Brenda’s sister in Utah, can we keep up with her? (Reminder to younger and middle-aged women in particular: Prioritize your bone health!)
Lots of things can affect bone health. For example:
- The amount of calcium in your diet. A diet low in calcium may lead to low bone density, early bone loss and easily broken bones.
- Physical activity. Exercise makes bones stronger. People who aren’t physically active have a higher risk of osteoporosis than people who exercise regularly.
Music Monday: Ringo Starr – “It Don’t Come Easy” (1971)
Posted By RichC on August 11, 2025
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The family is vacationing, I’m reading and saving a project idea
Posted By RichC on August 10, 2025
Today’s post is part photo archive, a project idea and a little on “what I’m reading this summer” — but I do miss the World War II history books of previous years.
KDAE were off to Colorado on a family vacation this past week and were enjoying there time hiking and outdoors. They were with Drew’s family and I could see by the photos that they were enjoying themselves … after a rough start (a little sickness delayed their departure by a day … but ended well). I’ve been praying for them and will be glad when they are home save and sound.
I’ve been reading a couple of different books this month, one a little dated on the “Coming Collapse of China” by Gordon G. Chang (“Plan Red,” an ebook is on hold at the library) … as is another that I”m first in line for 
called “On Power” by Mark Levin. Both sound interesting.
Finally … because I can’t figure out where else to save these couple of photos for a workshop welding project … here’s an idea for a grinder powered cut-off tool. There’s not much these handy 4 to 4-1/2” hand grinders aren’t being adapted to do. 😉
How much should non-business people be spending for AI?
Posted By RichC on August 9, 2025
Since someone commented to me online, knowing that I’ve been tinkering with AI chatbots, “How much should everyday non-business users be paying for artificial intelligence?”
I thought to myself and then decided to test the new ChatGPT4o … better known as ChatGPT5 … what “it” thought we should be paying (BTW, ChatGPT5 “really likes designing with the color purple). 😉
You raise an important point — while AI tools are powerful, their cost-to-value ratio can vary significantly for non-business, personal users. Here’s a breakdown to help assess what’s worth paying for:
Desultory - des-uhl-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee
- lacking in consistency, constancy, or visible order, disconnected; fitful: desultory conversation.
- digressing from or unconnected with the main subject; random: a desultory remark.