My Desultory Blog

Posted By RichC on April 25, 2025

Today’s Tech Friday post is a full Linux server backup, a snapshot and finally an update that includes one that brings WordPress to 6.8. Nobody really cares until something doesn’t work … including me! 

WordPress 6.8 is code named “Cecil” … in keeping with jazz music pioneers, this one Cecil Taylor. 

Cecil Taylor was an American jazz musician and composer, renowned as one of the leading free-jazz pianists. He was born on March 25, 1929, in New York City and began playing piano at the age of six, under his mother’s encouragement. Taylor’s musical style was characterized by a furious attack on the piano, using the entire range of the instrument to create a unique musical language that inspired other musicians. He studied at the New York College of Music and Boston’s New England Conservatory, and his work was influenced by 20th-century classical composers, as well as jazz musicians like Lennie Tristano, Dave Brubeck, Duke Ellington, Thelonious Monk, and Horace Silver.

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Category: Music | No Comments »
Tags: backup, brave leo ai, linux, npr, server, snapshot, update, wordpress

Posted By RichC on April 24, 2025

​U.S. markets closed on a high note today, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average jumping over 500 points to 40,093 and the Nasdaq surging nearly 3% to 17,166, marking the third consecutive day of gains. Investor optimism was fueled by positive developments in U.S.-China trade talks and robust corporate earnings reports. The S&P 500 also edged higher, reflecting broad-based market strength.​

After the closing bell, Alphabet Inc. (GOOG) reported impressive first-quarter 2025 earnings, surpassing Wall Street expectations. The company announced a 12% year-over-year increase in revenue, totaling $90.2 billion, and a net income of $34.5 billion, equating to $2.81 per share. These results were driven by a 10% rise in Search revenue to $50.7 billion and a 28% increase in Google Cloud revenue to $12.3 billion. Alphabet also declared a 5% dividend increase to $0.21 per share and authorized a $70 billion stock buyback program. In after-hours trading, Alphabet’s stock rose more than 4%, reflecting investor confidence in the company’s performance and strategic direction. 

Category: Financial, News | No Comments »
Tags: $goog, indices, stock market, tariffs, trade, wsj

Posted By RichC on April 24, 2025

Category: Aviation, Humor | No Comments »
Tags: airlines, Humor, luggage

Posted By RichC on April 23, 2025

Likely my right-column bloviating on TheHustings.news is not of interest or even worth archiving, but since I put a little effort into it, I’m saving it here. This week’s commentary was a little more challenging for me because I do understand the line between an authoritarian executive branch (ie. Jan 6 participants) and having ICE sending “illegal aliens” back to their home country with minimal judicial oversight. Personally I think being in the U.S. illegally is enough to send criminals back to their home country, but I do understand the argument from the left that non-gang members could get heavier sentences when sent back. 😉 

The Cost of Illegal Immigration

Commentary by Rich Corbett

The Supreme Court’s 7-2 emergency order, halting the Trump administration’s use of the Alien Enemies Act to deport immigrants, erodes national sovereignty. This unsigned ruling, opposed only by Justices Thomas and Alito, delays critical deportations under a law designed to empower decisive action against border security threats. By prioritizing judicial oversight over executive authority, the Court undermines the president’s ability to protect American communities from the consequences of unchecked migration.

Illegal immigration imposes a staggering $150 billion annual burden on taxpayers, according to the Federation for American Immigration Reform (2023). The Court’s decision risks emboldening open-border policies, incentivizing further illegal entries and straining public resources. Conservative principles demand robust enforcement of immigration laws to ensure public safety and economic stability, yet this ruling creates uncertainty, leaving communities vulnerable to the impacts of lax border control.

Congress must act swiftly to clarify the Alien Enemies Act’s scope, reinforcing the administration’s authority to secure the border. Activist courts should not obstruct lawful measures that prioritize citizens’ interests. Conservatives call for bold, unapologetic policies to restore order and safeguard the nation’s future against the perils of illegal immigration.

Corbett writes about myriad issues at My Desultory Blog.

Category: Archive, Politics | No Comments »
Tags: commentary, editorial, opinion, Politics, richc, thehustings

Posted By RichC on April 22, 2025

Category: Entertainment, Human Interest | No Comments »
Tags: comedy, nbc, quote, saturday night live, snl, television

Posted By RichC on April 22, 2025

This content is restricted.

Category: Archive, Personal, Photos, Travel, Video | No Comments »
Tags: annalyn, beach, bunny, drew, easter, ellerie, family, florida, katelyn, megan, oostra, taylor, vacation

Posted By RichC on April 21, 2025

My daughter recommended the Christian band CAIN to me last month. She thought that I would enjoy their music … and remembered that I used the lyrics from “Landslide” in our Christmas 2011 Letter; also she knew Brenda and I both enjoyed Rumours of Fleetwood Mac in 2018 (music from our era). 😉
  

So it seems fitting to post CAIN’s song “Lifeline” from their “Jesus Music” album (above) as today’s Music Monday highlighted song, but am including their version of “Landslide” from YouTube below … and yes Katelyn, I enjoyed the band and both songs!  

Category: Music, Video | No Comments »
Tags: cain, fleetwood mac, landslide, lifeline, music monday, musicmonday, youtube

Posted By RichC on April 20, 2025

Category: Faith, Holiday | No Comments »
Tags: christianity, easter, Faith, jesus, risen, salvation

Posted By RichC on April 19, 2025

After posting about Alligators, Crocodiles and Caimans previously and noticing just how much traffic continues to find its way to the post (just as does this old 2008 post on Great White Sharks post). So, when I saw this email when clearing out my Gmail junk, it seemed like a great follow up to both prehistoric looking reptiles and South Florida, especially since a neighbor saw a small alligator scurry out of our banana tree grove at the condo a couple weeks ago.

South Florida is the only region where both alligators and crocodiles coexist in the wild

Alligators and crocodiles have a lot in common. They’re both beefy reptiles with a serious set of teeth and strong Triassic vibes. However, there are some big differences between them: Alligators usually have a more U-shaped snout, whereas crocodiles sport a more V-shaped schnoz; alligators stick to fresh water, while crocodiles live in salty environments; alligators are blacker, while crocs prefer earth tones like brown. However, the biggest difference is usually in the locations these two gargantuan reptiles call home. American crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus) can be found in Cuba, Jamaica, southern Mexico, Central America, Ecuador, and elsewhere. Meanwhile, the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) mostly sticks to the southeastern U.S. You’ll likely never be tasked with differentiating the two creatures in the wild — that is, unless you find yourself in south Florida.

On the tip of the Florida peninsula lies the U.S.’s third-largest national park — the Everglades. It’s here that the southern extreme of the American alligator’s range overlaps with the northern extreme of the American crocodile’s range. The 7,800-square-mile expanse of wetlands has both brackish and saltwater environments that create a perfect home for crocs, while fresh water supplied by lakes, rivers, and rainfall provides the preferred habitat for alligators. Alligators vastly outnumber crocodiles in the U.S., with about 200,000 alligators in the park alone. And while crocodiles are considered more aggressive, the two rarely fight with each other or with humans. Still, it’s probably a good idea to keep a minimum safe distance between you and their frighteningly numerous teeth.

Of course seeing an alligator sunning when KDAE were at Legoland … where the entertainers waterski … was a little disturbing too!

Category: Environment, Nature, Travel | No Comments »
Tags: alligator, caiman, crocodile, everglades, reptiles, south florida

Posted By RichC on April 18, 2025

When scanning my X.com social media feed, the handy short video tips often catch my eye. Most I’ll never need, but there are a few I wish I could remember when I need them. Saving them here likely won’t help, but who knows? 

Category: How-To, Social Media, Tidbits, Video | No Comments »
Tags: mp4, social media, tips, video, workshop