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csziggy

csziggy's Journal
csziggy's Journal
May 27, 2021

Subaru cat ad

I don't usually like car commercials - but this one has a cat in it!



The ending got a laugh from me.
May 27, 2021

Another phone scam

Just got a call from what appeared to be a local number. Robocaller claims to be from AMERICAN POLICE OFFICERS ALLIANCE, INC. NomoRobo identifies it as a charity.

Well, guess what - it is NOT a legitimate charity. NomoRobo gives the first clue with a transcript of a call:

Hello is guy there. Well perhaps you could help me this is really American police officers alliance I just wanted to call out today to remind everyone they're kicking off their new campaign for the year and I'm sure you heard it's been an awful time for the officers so they're going to be supporting efforts to like lawmakers to advocate a 5 for those who protect our nation's citizens if we were to sing your support on the loping the mail to the officers count on you to return a one time donation for the Dr.
https://www.nomorobo.com/lookup/850-400-8751




Then I found this article:

Group spoofing local phone numbers and posing as police charity
By John P. Muldoon -
January 14, 2020

The public has been urged to be cautious after a group named the American Police Officers Alliance (APOA) became active in town again.

Representing itself as a “non-profit,” it is spoofing local phone numbers to request donations on behalf of police and then asking for credit card details over the phone.

“At best, it is a money-making endeavor for personal or political activism, and at worst a straight-up scam,” Police Chief Paul Nikas said in an email.

The local calls come from a man named “Roy,” and the phone numbers on caller ID look like they come from Ipswich.

More, including an analysis of the "charity" designation: http://thelocalne.ws/2020/01/14/group-spoofing-local-phone-numbers-and-posing-as-police-charity/
May 15, 2021

Pete Buttigieg talks Florida's deadly roads and Biden's transportation plans

Pete Buttigieg talks Florida’s deadly roads and Biden’s transportation plans
The Tampa Bay Times spoke with the transportation secretary about high speed rail, pedestrian deaths and Republican criticisms of the proposal.

By Steve Contorno
Published Yesterday
Updated Yesterday

President Joe Biden has proposed a $2.5 trillion plan that his administration says would put tens of thousands of people to work rebuilding the country’s ailing infrastructure network and accelerating the fight against climate change. It also includes money to train workers and provide care for older and disabled Americans — investments that don’t meet the traditional definition of “infrastructure.” To pay for it, Biden would raise taxes on corporations.

The Tampa Bay Times recently spoke via Zoom with U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg about the administration’s new proposal. The following is a transcript of the conversation, edited for clarity and brevity.

When President Barack Obama attempted to use the stimulus to push high speed rail, he was met with tremendous opposition and many of those new proposed lines were rejected — including in Florida. How did that experience affect the Biden administration’s approach in addressing transit in his jobs and infrastructure package?

We’ve got to prepare for the future in a long term and comprehensive way. So a lot of what was proposed in 2009 had enormous benefit for the long run, but it was really proposed as part of a short-term stimulus. The American Jobs Plan, on the other hand, is about making sure that the American economy is competitive for the rest of our lifetimes. There will certainly be a lot of what are called “shovel-ready projects” that can add to job creation as soon as the bill is enacted. But we’re also talking about really gearing up for a future in which all different forms of modes of travel need to be integrated in a better way than they are now.

More: https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida-politics/2021/05/13/pete-buttigieg-talks-floridas-deadly-roads-and-bidens-transportation-plans/
May 14, 2021

Influencer Paints Mask Onto Her Face To Go Into Bali Store--And Ends Up Getting Deported

Influencer Paints Mask Onto Her Face To Go Into Bali Store—And Ends Up Getting Deported
John Sundholm
May. 11, 2021



Russian influencer Leia Se thought she got away with what she seemed to think was the ultimate stunt during her trip to Bali—an island that is part of Indonesia.

Se painted a mask on her face instead of wearing a real one. She then violated pandemic protocols and completed a shopping trip in a Bali grocery store.

And she did get away with it, for a time—until the authorities saw the video of the incident her companion, YouTuber Josh Paler Lin, posted. The two were detained and their passports seized.

It was decided both would be deported once they were tested for COVID-19. Se would be deported back to Russia. Lin is from the United States, but holds a Taiwanese passport.

More: https://www.comicsands.com/influencer-painted-mask-bali-deported-2652943220.html


May 13, 2021

"Crack" in the Hernando deSoto Bridge



Re-posted from GD on request
May 12, 2021

Lightning strikes Florida highway causing 'chunk of road' to fly through truck windshield

Lightning strikes Florida highway causing ‘chunk of road’ to fly through truck windshield, officials say
By FOX 13 News staff
Published 1 day ago



DEFUNIAK SPRINGS, Fla. - A lightning strike in the Florida Panhandle led to an chain reaction that injured two people inside a vehicle.

On Monday, around 7:30 a.m, the driver of a pickup truck was heading east on Interstate 10 near DeFuniak Springs when a bolt of lightning struck the roadway.

According to Walton County Fire Rescue, it caused a chunk of road to break off and fly through the windshield of the truck. The two occupants inside were taken to a nearby hospital with injuries. Fire rescue officials did not specify the extent of their injuries.

Photos provided by the agency show a gaping hole in the front windshield. The rear window was also shattered. The headrest for the center backseat was pushed back.

More: https://www.fox13news.com/news/lightning-strikes-florida-highway-causing-chunk-of-road-to-fly-through-truck-windshield-officials-say


This was Tuesday morning, 7:30 AM according to the Walton County Fire Rescue tweet.
May 6, 2021

Help identify this mystery plant in my garden



It was a volunteer but I've never seen anything like it in my garden. I did get a load of topsoil last winter so the seeds may have come in that. It is low growing, the blossoms only are about 4" above the ground, but it has spread to cover about half a square yard. The foliage is delicate. When we pulled weeds and mulched I left it because it is sort of attractive, even if does have purple flowers.

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Hometown: Leon County, Florida
Member since: Tue Feb 12, 2008, 10:18 PM
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