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Those are great ideas - both for the AI to expand on and (no longer so surely better) doing it myself.

Two things struck me on this experiment. I’ve been playing with this since they opened it to the public, with a lot of interesting but not terribly compelling results. This is the first time I’ve experienced something with real emotional pull in the sense of longing and anticipation. The second was its use of anthropomorphism in the tree’s POV.

This morning I used OpenAI's DALL-E 2 to paint an image from a dream I had years ago. My description: There is a fireplace with a heavy mantle. On the mantle is a potted tree sapling. Behind the tree on the wall is a painting of a forest. The potted sapling blends in with the forest in the painting.

It took seconds to produce the image. Then I asked the ChatGPT to write a short story about it using the same description. That also took a few seconds.

Here is the result:

The Tree On The Mantle

Once, on a grand mantle in a spacious living room, there sat a small potted pine tree. It was a young sapling, with delicate needles that rustled softly in the gentle breeze that drifted in through the large bay windows.

The tree was not alone on the mantle. Behind it, hanging on the wall, was a beautiful painting of a dense pine forest. The painting was so realistic that it seemed to come alive whenever the light hit it just right. The tree could see the tall, stately pine trees stretching up towards the sky, their branches reaching out to one another as if in a loving embrace.

The tree often found itself gazing at the painting, dreaming of one day being as tall and mighty as the trees in the forest. It would spend hours lost in thought, imagining what it would be like to stand amongst the other pine trees, to feel the wind rustling through its needles, to smell the fresh, earthy scent of the forest floor.

But for now, the tree was content to sit on the mantle, basking in the sunlight that streamed in through the windows. It knew that one day, it too would grow to be as tall and magnificent as the pine trees in the painting. Until then, it would patiently wait and dream of the day when it could finally join the forest.

---

All that is mine here is the description. Everything else was created by OpenAI.

Another great one in Michigan is Big John’s in Flint, Saginaw and Lansing.

I thought the health care bill said the health care bill could never be changed?

Or maybe you have to be a Democrat to change it? I’m missing something somewhere.

Either way, people in liberal college towns and on the coasts seeking to assuage their green guilt will rush into these vehicles. . . further reducing the demand for gas and oil. The result will likely be what always follows a drop in demand for an infrastructure-intensive commodity; a sharp reduction in price as facility owners scramble to keep their share of whatever market remains.

In other words, I expect the price of electricity, natural gas and coal to go up while oil and gasoline fall.

I’m keeping my Suburban.

Exactly.

What would become of the Department of Candles?

“Government is not reason. It is not eloquence. Government is force; like fire it is a dangerous servant — and a fearful master.” —George Washington

Where it started - Jim Quinn’s original:

http://www.warroom.com/antgh.php

Beck even mentioned Hannity’s running the fifth Acorn video before it aired - incredibly gracious, considering. He has not wasted his or our time engaging in the sorts of diatribes against our own that a few of the other hosts entertain themselves with.

They didn't like Beck before because he wasn't on board with the Republican party line. Now they don't like him because he's kicking their tails.

Good for you. Indeed - the unionization is a another very critical piece of the puzzle, and another piece that is on the table to be exported to the rest of the nation.

I’m a shop owner - or was. My little shop is just outside the city limits, and is in the process of being shut down. I’m trying to figure out how to store my beloved machine tools, because I refuse to give them away or scrap them after a life spent accumulating. We’ve not had enough work to maintain employees for a couple years, and have finally reached the point where the overhead is no longer being covered.

So why stay? Those elements that made us what we once were are still here - raw resources, land, transportation and most of the world’s fresh water. Politics can be changed. If we ever do recover from this disease that has swept our nation, Michigan will again be a viable place to run a business.

Until then, it’s grease and tarps for my iron.

I’m a life-long Detroiter, and I’ve lived long enough to witness the death throes from the Great Society years through today. I venture into Detroit often in the early morning hours, camera in hand, to record the amazing devastation - and to remind myself and anybody who will listen exactly where the collectivist mindset leads.

One critical piece of this puzzle has been left out of the story - the city’s tax policies. Detroit levied its own income tax, which was the straw that pushed many of the city’s workers out. This was often attributed to “white flight”, but it was a separate issue - an entirely economic one.

After the worker’s exodus, the city decided to levy a commuter tax to make up the deficit. That’s when the businesses started pulling out wholesale.

That tax is still in effect. You actually pay a premium for the privilege of living in Detroit, putting up with non-existent city services, a city hall with a “greater than thou” attitude, rampant crime and entire regions where the police no longer patrol. Is it any surprise that you cannot find a supermarket in the city?

Detroit has been killed by politicians - politicians who arrogantly refuse to recognize the results of their own actions and decisions.

I love Detroit, but the city is beyond life support. There are sparks of life in there still, around the cultural center and in the very heart of downtown; the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the Detroit Institute of Arts, and a hanful of other institutions that have managed to survive in spite of the horrific conditions. These are the exceptions, standing in stark contrast to the rest of what remains - a city that was once the industrial center of the world.

To any who do not feel the national political battle worth fighting, I invite you to visit my home town.

From Thad McCotter, along with my reply:
—

Dear Friend:

Thank you for informing me of your opposition to cap-and-tax legislation. Your thoughts on this important matter are most welcome and appreciated.

I agree with you.

As you know, in this recession, we must defend our auto industry and manufacturing base from the so-called ‘cap-and-trade’ system. This massive tax and regulatory imposition upon our painfully restructuring auto industry and manufacturing base would compel the arbitrary limitation of carbon emissions through a system of carbon credits which can be sold and traded among companies emitting carbon gases. This cap-and-tax intends to reduce pollution but in reality would be a multi-billion dollar tax hike on Michigan families, small businesses and manufacturers. This new tax would not only decimate those companies who, by the very nature of what they produce, emit carbon; this new tax would unavoidably be passed on directly to working families and small businesses.

On March 31, 2009, Representative Henry Waxman (CA), introduced H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act. If enacted, this legislation would aim to cut United States greenhouse-gas emissions by 83% compared to 2005 levels by 2050, but then sets more aggressive short-term targets, such as a 20% reduction by 2020 and a 42% cut by 2030. Importantly, this legislation amounts to a cap-and-tax bill which would cover about 85% of the United States economy, requiring businesses like power companies, steel mills, and our domestic auto manufacturers to get permits to cover their emissions. After 2020, the net could get wider allowing the President to make even smaller industrial operations subject to the cap. To cushion energy intensive industries from these requirements, this proposed legislation would provide wealth transfers to cushion the higher energy bills brought about by climate legislation. The rebates aren’t open-ended, when 70% of the global production in an energy intensive industry is covered by similar climate-change programs, the rebates go away. Despite my opposition, on June 26, 2009, the House passed H.R. 2454 by a vote of 219-212. At present, H.R. 2454 awaits action in the Senate.

Obviously, this new tax would hit Michigan particularly hard. With our automobile industry and manufacturing comprising the engine of America’s economic prosperity, it remains as we warned before: what happens to Michigan will happen to America.

As an alternative to this crippling cap-and-tax legislation, on June 12, 2009, Representative John Boehner (OH) introduced H.R. 2846, the American Energy Act, which I have co-sponsored. If enacted, through the extension of tax incentives and the elimination of wasteful bureaucratic regulations and frivolous litigation, H.R. 2846 would facilitate energy independence, affordability, conservation and job creation by maximizing all American-made energy. Importantly, this legislation would increase environmentally-safe energy production on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), the Arctic Coastal Plain, and the oil shale; promote the use of alternative fuels which would reduce carbon emissions such as nuclear, clean-coal, and renewable energy technologies; and encourage increased efficiencies and cutting edge technologies to make the most of America’s energy potential. At present, H.R. 2846 awaits action in the House Committee on Natural Resources.

Rest assured, your opposition to cap-and-tax legislation will be well remembered during the 111th Congress. Again, thank you for contacting me; and for all you do for our community and our country. Should you have any further comments or questions on this or any other issue, please contact me at the Livonia or Milford district, or Washington, D.C. office.

I work for you.

Sincerely,

Thaddeus G. McCotter
Member of Congress

—

> I work for you.

Amen to that. Now how do we convince more of our public servants that this is the case? How do we remind Senators and Representatives, regardless of party, that they owe allegiance to the Constitution and representation to We the People?

Thank you for the courtesy of a response. It is very much appreciated.

The things going on in Washington are truly frightening, but I know you are one of the precious few there who really get it. I’m proud to say that you represent me.

If there is anything I can do for you from this end, now or at any time in the future, please do not hesitate to ask.

I feel the same way about Michigan. My grandparents from Sicily settled here a hundred years ago, and my great grandparents from Finland even further back settled in the Copper Country.

There are many reasons Michigan became the center of the industrialized world. Only one thing has changed - our government. We still have oil, natural gas, most of the world’s fresh water, shipping access to the world, iron ore, copper, silver, brine, timber, fertile land and more. Unfortunately, we also have progressives who taxed Detroit’s workers out of the city and followed that up by taxing business out as well. Progressive state government followed that. Now, as the progressive federal government imposes themselves more and more in any ability to exploit our natural resources, even a change in local or state government will not likely make any difference.

I love this place. I love the history here. My roots run deep. I must, however, recognize that being buried here before my time because of succumbing to government imposed starvation or restricted medical access may not be best serving my family or my ideals.

It remains to be seen whether my end will come here or elsewhere - but it will not happen huddled in a corner waiting for disease or starvation to take me.

The American ideal we thought we knew has been dying for a hundred years already. We are just now REALLY beginning to see the results of the decay that has been happening under the surface all that time. The love of liberty, however, is not dead or dying. Liberty and individual sovereignty are bigger than any government or monetary system or tyrant.

Liberty and individual sovereignty are ideals worth fighting for no matter where the battle may call us.

The Old Order Amish we know do not vote, though there are other groups who do. After this last election, that aspect of their Ordnung has become a real hot topic.

They don’t vote - but they do pray and talk to those around them who do.

Bolt of Fate: Benjamin Franklin & His Electric Kite Hoax
by Tom Tucker

Well researched and presented argument that two of Franklin’s best known electric experiments were actually satirical slaps at the British that ended up being taken seriously in France and Russia. I’m nearing the end. Good read.

It looks to me like a sign-up form to get on the IRS’ audit list.

The HSUS is not your local Humane Society - it is PETA. They are treacherous in discrediting the real Humane Society and using the good name for fundraising that goes entirely to collectivist and eco-extremist causes.

Yep - a couple.

Almost every state proposal to limit or nix the Kelo decision passed.

Here in Michigan, Democrats were voted in or back in while Props 2 and 4 decisively carried - limiting the Kelo decision and putting an end to most affirmative action programs.

Sooo... we're here voting Democrat with one hand while clamping down on government power and liberal "progress" with the other. If that's not a paradox, I don't know what is... and it isn't unique to Michigan.

Re - Central Time in the UP...

The line runs right through the Porcupine Mountain State Park - west of the "rabbit's ear" that is the Copper Country.

OPEC SAYS they'll cut production, but none of them are trustworthy. 1.2 million barrels per day - multiply that by $60, and that's how much cash we are talking about PER DAY in the face of a falling market, rapidly developing alternatives and new sources. OPEC won't abide by their own cuts, because each of them recognizes that the longer they wait, the less they will get overall. There are too many others outside of OPEC who are able to make up the difference. The OPEC countries don't want to lose that market - but they want everybody else to.

Venezuela and others are already known to be lying about their production so they can pretend to abide by cuts - but each of them just hopes the others do so they can still maximize their own sales. Saudi Arabia is in a really tight situation now. They have built such a monstrously huge social system that they can't afford for oil to fall that low. Nor can they afford not to sell as much oil as possible. There is no easy answer for them other than to hope that everybody else cuts production and the prise rises.

I expect to see a very short-term spike in futures, but even that really hasn't happened yet because nobody believes OPEC has the ability to do what it wants to. The weekly reserve numbers will likely continue to prove that nobody's cutting anything... and the market will continue to fall to a more realistic level - probably in the 40's or lower.

OPEC was powerless to bring prices down when they were insanely inflated. They remain powerless to do any more than very temporarily shoring up the prices. The point of maximum return for them is a complex calculus involving sales volume and price per barrel as only two of many factors. In the end, the market will be what it is going to be.