Saudi Arabia and Oman are both ruled by absolute monarchies that have cemented political control over their respective nations. Both countries have plenty of corruption and poverty, and the governments are shit, but at least things are stable and predictable for the populace.

Yemen has not found a stable political structure yet. Since throwing of British colonial rule in the 1960s (not the first foreign power to control the region, and surely not the last) Yemen has been in on-again off-again civil wars as various factions fight for control. Continued foreign intervention has not helped calm things down. The Yemeni people will continue to suffer as long as the fighting continues.

Oh, and Yemen’s aquifers are drying up. Yemen may become the first country in the world to literally run out of fresh water. That is not going to help anything.

P

Is she consenting and into it? Some people are freaks, and that’s okay.

#1 peace prize candidate for sure

Mama told me not to listen to strangers on the internet, so I’m going to do exactly the opposite of what you said.

The US has had a continuous and significant military presence in Kuwait since 1991. They have multiple bases in Al Jahra Governate. The whole world already knows where these bases are. You didn’t score some great gotcha against the US military.

Fuck Trump and fuck this stupid war with Iran. But even so, it’s shitty of you to fantasize about getting someone killed.

“It’s not a problem until the government says so.” Sure, buddy.

The article does say there are already lawn watering restrictions in Colorado, talks of water cuts coming soon in Wyoming, and water conservation goals (voluntary for now?) in Utah.

“Let’s go, boys! Big push before the finish!”

Some constellations are more visible than others. For example, “Satellite Constellations Exceed the Limits of Acceptable Brightness Established by the IAU”: https://arxiv.org/abs/2507.00107

This figure is from the paper. Everything above the green line is visible to the naked eye.

I went camping this past weekend and I couldn’t look up at night without immediately seeing multiple satellites wandering around. It was cool as a kid when I saw my first Iridium satellite, but the current swarm of lights feels like we have ruined the sky.

Well you see, half the voters decided it would be a good idea to elect total outsiders with no relevant education or experience, whose only qualification was a willingness to say crazy shit out loud. The unqualified outsider-in-chief has now packed high-level offices with his favorite TV and podcast personalities, who also have no relevant education or experience but have made a living saying crazy shit out loud.

Given how shitty humanity has historically been, I would be happily surprised if any large population isn’t at least 20% racist. It’s more a matter of how loud the racists think they can be without getting in trouble.

Vinny Bagadonuts

The value of a currency is not purely a function of supply. It changes based on the relative values of the things you can buy with it, including the relative values of alternate currencies. Human emotions play a large part, too. Simply coming up with a number for the inflation rate is a complicated and inexact exercise. Actively controlling inflation is even more difficult.

A little inflation is generally considered a good thing because it incentivizes people to spend their money rather than hoard it.

They were oppressed and exploited to the point of famine. It’s not slavery, but it rhymes.

Presumably an outsourced version of Guantanamo Bay: pay foreign countries to hold them indefinitely. Eventually the media cycle moves on and everyone forgets about them.

… in Minecraft.

Wonder if I’m going to the good place or the bad place.

Otherwise, probably nothing different than I’m doing already.

“My state was great before all the Californians moved here.”