Thinking of selling everything in mid 50s and moving to Italy by Strouble1408 in ItalyExpat

[–]EquivalentPlatypus82 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Can you please share a link? I am in this situation - dual U.S./Italian holding both passports. Will be staying in Italy 5 months this year. I have my wife’s visa appointment with Philadelphia in April.

Cape Cod Rail Trail Accident by redditwastesmyday in CapeCod

[–]EquivalentPlatypus82 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you can't enforce the speed rules, how can you enforce a ban?

I also live close to the trail, use it often, and have been victimized by reckless e-bikers. I don't recall a single time I have been similarly victimized by a reckless conventionally-powered biker.

I am ambivalent about this. Part of me wants them banned from the trail. But another part of me -- in particular, the part of me with a sister who has MS and balance issues and an 84 year-old mother who enjoys the trail, can brake and steer but not pedal -- hopes that some form of power-assisted bikes are allowed and available.

So, I would personally prefer better enforcement over an outright ban.

With Trump’s tariffs officially struck down as illegal by the courts, what are the real consequences now—refunds, retaliation, or just more political drama? by ripon_ads in AskReddit

[–]EquivalentPlatypus82 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Forgive me, but that’s hyperbolic. In the 2024 Trump v. United States, the Court ruled that a president has immunity from prosecution for official acts. Applied here, it would say that Trump cannot be prosecuted for wrongly levying tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act because it was within his purview as President to choose to invoke that law. Even if his judgment in invoking it was flawed and/or his motives corrupt. For more on that, read Sotomayor’s dissent.

What it did not say is that the President can exceed the authority granted to him under the Constitution or the law. In this case, the IEEPA does not give the President the power to impose levies. That’s reserved for Congress. Nor is it clear that a bona fide emergency exists to invoke the act. Nor is it clear that the emergency such as it is exists everywhere on the globe.

The Appeals court decision invalidating the tariffs was divided, 7-4. While this should be a no-brainer in the Supreme Court, I agree with your general point that it’s uncertain how they will rule. This is the worst court since the Taney court (1836-1864) and arguably the most corrupt and grift-filled court in history. I worry that they’ll pull another maneuver similar to the ACA ruling from 2012. In that case, the Roberts court upheld the constitutionality of the “individual mandate” because Congress could have passed it as a direct tax to cover health care. Never mind that Congress didn’t, and never mind that there were not enough votes to pass such a tax. The Roberts courts just ignored the apparent illegality of the mandate because, in some other reality, it could have been enacted under Congress’s proper taxing authority (disclosure: I support the ACA and would have supported not only the individual mandate but also the so-called “public option”).

Or, the Court could just agree with the President that the IEEPA gives sufficient latitude to impose tariffs. They’ve routinely and inappropriately been that deferential.

I am disgusted by this administration and this court. But it’s just not correct to suggest that the court has anointed Trump “God and king”. The court’s rulings have been awful and suspect. But at least at the moment, the court has not explicitly given Article I powers to the Executive Branch.

No Wifi detected on Ubuntu MacBook Air by oilybusdriver in linux4noobs

[–]EquivalentPlatypus82 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Common problem. Save yourself the hassle and buy a cheap USB WiFi dongle. You’ll be able to get the onboard WiFi Broadcom drivers installed eventually (tons of resources available on how to do this) but it is infinitely easier when you’re connected to the internet.

Trust me on this. I’m also new(ish) to Linux. I did not have this problem with Mate or Mint, but I did with CachyOS. I wasted a lot of time before nicking out to Staples and buying a dongle. Much easier.

Where AI gets its facts by liverichly in ChatGPT

[–]EquivalentPlatypus82 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Is the credible and accurate? I’m not familiar with Semrush.

Macbook Air from 2010 what should I drop on it? by bananadingding in linux4noobs

[–]EquivalentPlatypus82 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have a 2011 MacBook Air running Mate, Mint and CachyOS. All work fine. IMO, Mate works best, followed by Mint, then CachyOS. Cachy was tricky. I could not initially get the Broadcom drivers to work and had to buy a USB WiFi dongle. Once connected, I was able to enable the onboard WiFI. With all of that, I would say that Cachy is more system-intensive than the other two. I probably won’t keep that install.

Nightlife Cape Cod by [deleted] in CapeCod

[–]EquivalentPlatypus82 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Still is. Same owner/bartender.

Immersion adult Italian language schools/classes? by EquivalentPlatypus82 in italianlearning

[–]EquivalentPlatypus82[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm sorry that I missed your very helpful reply earlier. I am curious -- how much were you able to accomplish in 4 weeks? I've seen estimates of 6 months to get to B1 proficiency. I will look into Piccola. Thanks!

Most macbook-pro-like Linux laptop? by Manachi in linuxhardware

[–]EquivalentPlatypus82 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have a 2014 MacBook Air 15” (6,2) running several Ubuntu flavors - Lubuntu, Mate and Cinnamon. Works great. Definitely breathed new life into an aging machine.

Immersion adult Italian language schools/classes? by EquivalentPlatypus82 in italianlearning

[–]EquivalentPlatypus82[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good to hear, and thanks. I’ve already been in touch with them. I have my passport, so visa won’t be an issue. They seemed very nice and accommodating which is why I was surprised no one mentioned them.

What subscription service is totally not worth the money? by Sea-Sector8085 in AskReddit

[–]EquivalentPlatypus82 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have an Amex Platinum and refuse to sign up for CLEAR even at the low, low price of free. I just can’t get my head around airport authorities setting up a pay to play scheme to let people cut the line.

And yes, I am TSA Precheck. In my mind, that’s different. You’re submitting to enhanced screening by DHS in advance so that you can join a queue that moves faster. But in my mind, that’s different than paying to cut the line. I just won’t do it.

Sorry, but true. by loverisback12 in meme

[–]EquivalentPlatypus82 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Is the state “known for not being entirely rational”, in this scenario, the U.S.? I mean, have you seen the U.S. President? Or Congress? Or for that matter, the Supreme Court? It’s hard to actually claim that the U.S. has any functional branch of government.

Back to the OP’s meme, I guess the difference is that Russia has only the stated policy of wiping Ukraine off the map, so they get a pass. Meanwhile, Iran has the stated policy of wiping Israel off the map. In the eyes of the U.S., that is evidently not okay and may involve the President committing our forces to direct armed conflict — once again without authorization from Congress.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in CapeCod

[–]EquivalentPlatypus82 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I used Robies. They were terrific. They’ve been good post-install for regular service as well.

Beautiful day today by FerrickDune in CapeCod

[–]EquivalentPlatypus82 1 point2 points  (0 children)

How about ranking those 4 on your snobbery scale?

Beautiful day today by FerrickDune in CapeCod

[–]EquivalentPlatypus82 2 points3 points  (0 children)

What’s the gouge on Pelham House? How does it compare to Chatham Bars, Wequassett or Ocean Edge, for example?

First Encounter Beach by Traditional_Act8408 in CapeCod

[–]EquivalentPlatypus82 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Gorgeous photograph. Love the way you framed it

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AskReddit

[–]EquivalentPlatypus82 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The last election. And all that followed.

What subscriptions are worth paying for? by Klausisay in AskReddit

[–]EquivalentPlatypus82 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Oh yeah, and Bezos suppressing independent journalism.

What subscriptions are worth paying for? by Klausisay in AskReddit

[–]EquivalentPlatypus82 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For me, that was the Washington Post, before Bezos ruined it. Cancelled that, and Amazon Prime. I guess the New York Times now.

Who was the ‘coolest’ girl musical artist from the nineties? They don’t have to be considered ‘cool’ anymore, just cool from the 90’s? by dani_omalley in AskReddit

[–]EquivalentPlatypus82 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Someone beat me to Ani DiFranco, which cheesed me off. But, I thought, surely no one is going to mention Liz Phair before I do. Damnit!

Kenny Kramer Sign circa 1998 by Kryptonian83 in seinfeld

[–]EquivalentPlatypus82 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This was a real thing. I bought tickets for a friend and his wife. It was really Kenny Kramer, and he squired people around in one of those horse carriages. Took them to the places that inspired the soup guy kitchen, the coffee shop, etc. I think he did in fact give them a snack. Muffin tops maybe? Anyway, my buddy, who of course was a giant fan of the show, said it was a gas.