Hawaiian

25 minutes ago, Etaoin Shrdlu said:

Mrs. Shrdlu used to string up old CDs around the balcony thinking they would scare away the birds. I told her that I didn't think that the pigeons would bring CD players, and perhaps if they did they'd like the music on the CDs and we'd never get rid of them.

 

The neighbors had huge plastic hornets on their balcony, but it did not take too long before the pigeons perched atop them. We had a similar experience when we tried plastic owls and snakes.

 

We have spikes on almost all places where a bird could perch and we don't have a pigeon problem any longer.

 

 

We hired a young man to secure plastic netting from the second story eaves.  It worked.

50 minutes ago, Social Media said:

 

Chinese Nationals Accused of Smuggling Agroterrorism Fungus into U.S. Lab

 

Two Chinese nationals have been charged in the United States for allegedly attempting to smuggle a biological pathogen into the country, a case that federal authorities say poses significant national security risks. Yunqing Jian, 33, and Zunyong Liu, 34, face multiple charges including conspiracy, smuggling goods, false statements, and visa fraud, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan.

 

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Gsi6oPEWUAAsoAQ?format=png&name=900x900

 

The federal complaint alleges that Liu attempted to bring a dangerous fungus, Fusarium graminearum, through Detroit Metropolitan Airport. The fungus is known to infect vital crops such as wheat, barley, maize, and rice, causing a disease that can decimate agricultural yields. If consumed in contaminated food, the pathogen can lead to vomiting and liver damage. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the fungus has been described in scientific literature as a “potential agroterrorism weapon,” responsible for “billions of dollars in economic losses worldwide each year.”

 

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Gsi6oTmXoAApIin?format=jpg&name=large

 

Authorities allege that Liu intended to study the fungus at a laboratory at the University of Michigan, where Jian, his girlfriend, was employed. Investigators further claim Jian received research funding from the Chinese government and is a member of the Chinese Communist Party.

 

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GsjOnq0XQAQKr7l?format=jpg&name=large

 

United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr. did not mince words in describing the severity of the situation. “These two aliens have been charged with smuggling a fungus that has been described as a ‘potential agroterrorism weapon’ into the heartland of America, where they apparently intended to use a University of Michigan laboratory to further their scheme,” he stated. “The allegations raise the gravest national security concerns.”

 

The joint investigation was conducted by the FBI and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Jian is scheduled to appear in court in Detroit, Michigan, on Tuesday. As of now, there has been no public comment from the University of Michigan or the Chinese embassy in Washington, D.C., though both have reportedly been contacted for a response.

 

This case surfaces amid increasing tensions between Washington and Beijing. The charges were filed just days after the Trump administration announced plans to “aggressively” revoke the visas of Chinese students studying in the United States. On the diplomatic front, Beijing has criticized Washington for what it described as a severe violation of a recent trade truce reached in Geneva, where both nations had agreed to reduce tariffs on a range of goods.

 

Adding to the tense atmosphere, another Chinese national—this time a student at the University of Michigan—was charged earlier this week with voting illegally in the 2024 U.S. election, further fueling debate about the presence and activities of foreign nationals in sensitive U.S. institutions.

The case involving Jian and Liu is now seen as part of a broader narrative of deteriorating U.S.-China relations, with implications stretching beyond criminal courtrooms and into the spheres of national security, agriculture, and international diplomacy.

 

Related Topic:

Trump Administration Targets Chinese Students in New Visa Crackdown

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from BBC | X  2025-06-05

 

 

Why sneak the fungus into the country since it is already present here unless the samples are of a different and more virulent strain?  The couple were definitely up to no good.

6 minutes ago, BLMFem said:

Well, the biggly biggest bromance the world has ever seen is inevitably over. Because when two ultra-thin skinned narcissists with delusions of grandeur, both surrounded by "crews" comprised exclusively of a** kissers, get together you know it can't last.

It will be interesting to see what will be posted on "Truth Social" in the coming weeks.

 

Musk calls Trump’s big tax break bill a ‘disgusting abomination,’ testing his influence over the GOP

https://apnews.com/article/elon-musk-trump-tax-spending-bill-abomination-157b8733b60c343a5f8e551ffc887bf3

 

" Elon Musk blasted President Donald Trump’s“big, beautiful bill” of tax breaks and spending cuts as a “disgusting abomination” on Tuesday, testing the limits of his political influence as he targeted the centerpiece of Republicans’ legislative agenda.

“This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination. Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong."

 

Will be very interesting to see where Musk's comment leads to.  So far Trump and his GOP supporters haven't made any nasty remarks.  

9 hours ago, Na Fan said:

which countries are those? 

 

The US has just released some questionable "advise"...

More than just questionable.  Totally conflicting.  Department of Health & Human Services says one thing and the CDC says just the opposite.  What a mess!

2 hours ago, nick supreme said:

We need to embrace diversity.   Diversity makes us stronger. 

Only if everyone respects and follows the rules of the country.

1 minute ago, Tug said:

No he is supposed to uphold the law and honor his oath to the constitution.

You and I know that, but Trump doesn't.

14 hours ago, Real Name Hidden said:

Yes, no one is above the law.  Tell that to Trump.

He IS the law. 

6 minutes ago, connda said:

I've been here 18 years and have had a cold twice. Flu - zero.  Covid - once (mild).  I just don't get respiratory infections at all like I did annually (or more often) back in the temperate latitudes of the US.  Don't mask up, don't take shot.  Everyone has an immune system - let it do its job.

Not everyone has a strong immune system as you do.  And as we age our immune systems also age (weaken).

7 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Those little gecko things will be having a nibble too

Like freshwater turtles, they carry salmonella.

Time to deal with the real culprit, Iran.  The sooner the better as time is growing short before Iran becomes a nuclear threat.

5 minutes ago, Hawaiian said:

Two ways to contact Schwab from Thailand:  By mail: 

                                                                      Charles Schwab & Co,

                                                                      International Account Solutions

                                                                      P.O. Box 982601

                                                                      El Paso, TX  79998-2601

                                                                      USA

                                                         By phone:  001-800-12-066-4363

 

 

https: international.schwab.com/expatriate-essentials

Two ways to contact Schwab from Thailand:  By mail: 

                                                                      Charles Schwab & Co,

                                                                      International Account Solutions

                                                                      P.O. Box 982601

                                                                      El Paso, TX  79998-2601

                                                                      USA

                                                         By phone:  001-800-12-066-4363

17 minutes ago, FlorC said:

Trump’s immigration ratings turn negative

 

Of course they are . Deportations numbers are too low.

He has to ramp up the deportations , but how when law enforcement and lefty justices are sabotaging ICE.

Seems there are quotas set for ICE to ramp up deportations.  In desperation they are picking on legitimate tourists and green card holders.  America has become a police state.

10 hours ago, Bannoi said:

Does any sane rational person still bevieve a word this clown says.

No, only the insane irrational do.

On 4/25/2025 at 5:52 AM, SunnyinBangrak said:

Ring any bells?

 

"Survey finds Hillary Clinton has ‘more than 99% chance’ of winning election over Donald Trump"

 

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/sam-wang-princeton-election-consortium-poll-hillary-clinton-donald-trump-victory-a7399671.html

Opinions are not necessarily the same as predictions.

46 minutes ago, frank83628 said:

What has the chinese guy got to lie about? Another thread here claims the chinese want to humiliate Trump, perfect time to do it, but instead Hes lying for trump.... flip flop goes the libtard, move the goal posts to suit.

Nowhere did I say he lies for Trump.  I said he lies like Trump.  Both have their own confusing reasons.

1 hour ago, frank83628 said:

On Thursday, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China told reporters they were “not familiar” with the reports of a stop to Boeing orders. 

The Boeing plane story seems to be total BS

He lies, just like Trump.

32 minutes ago, jas007 said:

That's been my philosophy for the last 2 1/2 years.  Every time I get extra cash, it's immediately invested.  And it stays that way, regardless.  

 

People trying to time the market will likely lose.  And when you miss out on big up days, you tend to do much worse than if you just stayed invested in the first place.  Just look at the past week or so.  People thought the world was about to end. Many sold stocks to "be on the safe side."  And now, they're sitting there hoping they can get back in at some point.  Maybe they can, or maybe not.  And let's not forget the tax complications. 

 

Everyone knows where the dollar is headed. The Fed has no real choice, regardless of their public pronouncements. 

I took my gains when my stocks were riding high and bought CD's.  Now I can buy them back when the time is right. At my age I don't have enough time, or the patience, to play Trump's idiotic games.

I am well aware of the possible tax consequences.

3 minutes ago, Tug said:

Awww come on it’s the art of the deal……ya da ya da ya da…..?had enough yet?flush!

Trump uses a stacked deck and has dealt America only deuces.