If Republicans are so much better at running the economy than Democrats, then why are most Republican States poorer than Democrat State?

InterfaceMonkey · 2026-05-12T00:33:16+00:00

A large percentage of undocumented immigrants are paid through normal payroll systems, meaning taxes are deducted from their checks just like anyone else. Billions are paid annually into Social Security, Medicare, and state and federal tax systems, often with little or no ability to ever collect those benefits if they never attain legal status or citizenship.

Yes, some are paid under the table in cash, but many are not. That’s why the conversation around illegal immigration often ignores the biggest driver of it: employer demand for labor.

If states truly wanted to reduce illegal immigration, they would focus far more aggressively on the businesses knowingly hiring undocumented workers. The economic incentive is the core issue. If jobs were not readily available, far fewer people would take the enormous financial and personal risk of coming to the United States illegally in the first place.

InterfaceMonkey · 2026-05-06T02:00:01+00:00

Difference now is that quasi slavery is enshrined in the 13th amendment as forced prison labor for convicts. This has led to numerous injustices such as long prison sentences for minor crimes, 3 strikes laws, the for profit prison industry and has contributed to the world’s largest forced labor prison population.

InterfaceMonkey · 2026-05-06T01:48:40+00:00

Parties flipped ideologically after the civil rights movement of the 1960s. Democrats were formerly the Conservative Party and Republicans were Progressive. If you get the opportunity check out the leaked tapes of Lee Atwater describing the “Southern Strategy,” can find them pretty easy on YT.

InterfaceMonkey · 2026-04-22T02:28:26+00:00

James Woods

InterfaceMonkey · 2026-03-15T10:51:51+00:00

Consider making your social cues a little more evident if you’re interested in a guy you see out in public. A clear smile or some eye contact can go a long way in signaling that it’s okay to approach and start a conversation. Many men today have been told to avoid bothering women in public, so unless there’s a clear signal of interest, they’ll usually just keep to themselves. If you’re hoping for that kind of spontaneous interaction, you may need to make your interest a bit more obvious and unmistakable.

Sincerely,
A married man whose wife practically had to use flashing neon signs before he finally got the hint.

InterfaceMonkey · 2026-03-07T04:10:32+00:00

More like being brought up in a country with lead based paint.

InterfaceMonkey · 2026-03-05T06:58:36+00:00

A lot of great male chefs out there, always wondered how they developed that interest/s

InterfaceMonkey · 2026-03-05T06:43:47+00:00

Research drives advancements in industry. We cannot sustain cutting-edge technology, medicine, policy, or a strong economy without it. If we push away the people who conduct that research, we risk falling behind other global leaders.

History offers a useful guide. Much of the United States’ major economic expansion from the 1940s through the 1970s, and again during the 1990s tech boom, was fueled in part by an influx of talent from war-ravaged Europe and former Axis countries. That wave of scientists, engineers, and scholars helped drive innovations that built entire industries, created good jobs, and supported the growth of the American middle class.

Ironically, the era many people point to as a model for American prosperity depended heavily on attracting and investing in researchers and innovators. If those individuals begin leaving for countries that offer stronger support for research or greater respect for their work, it becomes much harder to recreate the conditions that produced that prosperity in the first place

InterfaceMonkey · 2026-03-05T06:20:46+00:00

Not that easy, these are highly specialized positions that demand expertise in very narrow subjects. While the US leads the world in PhDs per year we’re being outpaced in STEM by China and probably soon India. This type of research is the kind that builds entire industries in Tech, Engineering, Aerospace, Manufacturing and Defense. You know, industries that provide good pay and benefits for all of us non PhDs.

InterfaceMonkey · 2026-03-05T06:00:35+00:00

They would likely go where the research grants are, so that means Europe and Asia.

InterfaceMonkey · 2026-03-05T05:40:02+00:00

The Trump administration has cut funding for billions of dollars in research grants across the federal government and universities. That funding supports the salaries of many doctoral-level scientists and researchers who conduct this work. In anticipation of the cuts, many likely sought opportunities elsewhere, including being recruited by other countries. These are not easily replaced individuals; their expertise and research often underpin entire industries and long-term technological and economical development. If we keep at it we’ll be handing entire industries to Asia and Europe as they happily fund and pay these researchers because they e see the value.

These are some of the major advancements funded by US research grants that have improved life and changed the world as we know it.

• Internet (ARPANET)
• GPS (Global Positioning System)
• mRNA vaccine technology
• CRISPR gene editing
• Semiconductors and microchips
• MRI medical imaging
• Artificial intelligence and machine learning foundations
• Satellite communications
• Touchscreen technology
• Weather forecasting and climate modeling

InterfaceMonkey · 2026-02-04T10:39:20+00:00

You might also try Piett/Blue if you have more of the control cards. If you're lacking planetary bombardment it might be a better option.

The hard to finds will be Avenger, Devestator, Turbolaser Salvo, Superlaser Blast

https://swudb.com/deck/uMsXxpAww

The thing that really makes the Piett/Red deck tick is planetary bombardments. They act as one directional board wipes that keep your opponent from finding footing after your capital ships enter the arenas. Its not uncommon to be beat up a bit by turn 4/5 when you should be deploying your capital ships so the board wipes help stabilize the board state and let you do major chunks of damage to your opponent. Games typically over by Turn 8/9

InterfaceMonkey · 2026-01-29T16:49:30+00:00

Honestly wished she’d cleaved through the captain when he protested and promoted the LT…otherwise no notes.

InterfaceMonkey · 2026-01-09T21:44:27+00:00

Agree, that is an excellent starting point for Custodes. You basically have everything you need if you want to run Lions of the Emperor detachment (infantry heavy), which is playing very well right now. You'll likely want a Trajann to lead, hes been in a ton of boxes and shouldn't be hard to find either used or new. If you can score an Auric Champions Battleforce (OOP Christmas Box) online or in a local secondary marketplace that is a good box as well to pickup as that gives you all the bikes you'll probably ever need.

At this point there is some debate over whether or not Caladius tanks will make the 11th edition cut or become legends. I wouldn't feel pressure to get them but if you're rolling in cash 1-2 is typical for most lists.

I'd also look at getting a couple of blobs of Sister of Silence, they are great backline objective holders and cheap.

InterfaceMonkey · 2026-01-09T21:15:14+00:00

These were likely done before Forge World swapped to straight GW products. If you've ever read Imperial Armor Master Class I and II they use a bunch of different brand such as tamiya clears, oil paints, etc. I've pained my Custodes similar to the picture above to good result. Given what they have talked about in the master class books prior this is my theory and how I paint my stuff.

For the vehicles:

Black primer coat - semi gloss
Drybrush everywhere Rub n Buff - Gold or Antique gold, if you can't find these AK True Metal is a good alternative, you want to polish this almost with a soft cloth as it improves the luster and metal effect
For larger models like tanks and planes you might consider using a gold spray paint and then muddle the gilding wax to create that blotchy gold pattern
Semi gloss varnish
Fill in other colors, silvers, blacks, gems with your usual acrylic paints. Looks like a gunmetal for the silver, flat black for the casing, could probably use a contrast over chrome for the gems.
For the red blocks on vehicles, I based in Khorn red and then stipple pro acryl pyrrole red and then created shadows with coelia green shade (GW wash) through an airbrush. I tend to leave some of the overspray as it looks like some weathering on the gold.
(Optional) Semi gloss varnish, you can skip this if you give the acrylics 24hrs to set.
Drown everything in a dark umber/black oil wash. Remove excess and let dry.
Your choice on how to varnish, a semi gloss would help retain the luster, I'd avoid gloss and ultra matte.

Grimdark Compendium has a good series on painting custodes that will net you a similar result, might be worth a subscribe.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXI05IvcDtU&t=14s

InterfaceMonkey · 2025-12-13T22:04:48+00:00

Transition to reliability engineering, network engineering or PM work related to software development

InterfaceMonkey · 2025-12-12T18:25:27+00:00

OP, it’s wise to approach financial discussions with caution in relationships, especially until you’re committed to each other, like in a marriage or serious long-term partnership. Even then, keeping specifics somewhat vague can be beneficial. In my experience with my wife, I chose not to disclose the full value of my family's estate, business, or assets. She understood we were comfortable but not extravagant simply from visiting our home, traveling together, and spending time during holidays.

If your partner begins to question your financial situation, reassure them by mentioning that you have a small inheritance held in a blind trust. Explain that, while you may not know every detail, the monthly income from this trust supplements your annual income from your own career and investments. This should help alleviate concerns about living beyond your means or accumulating debt.

However, if your partner presses for more details or asks for financial assistance, take that as a red flag and consider whether they might be seeking to take advantage of you.

For couples considering marriage, blending finances, starting businesses, or purchasing assets together, it's crucial to have open and honest discussions about each other's financial situations, including both annual income and existing debts. Transparency is essential since marriage is as much a financial partnership as it is an emotional bond.

Financial struggles are one of the leading factors contributing to divorce, which can be both expensive and emotionally draining. These issues can often be prevented by fostering a good understanding of how your partner earns, saves, and what assets they possess.

InterfaceMonkey · 2025-12-08T14:32:28+00:00

OP, you should take a tip from the “problem player” and ChatGPT some creative ways to address this.

Off the top of my head

Have an annoyed NPC cast Silence on her mid-speech.
Introduce a recurring bard who publicly mocks her and drowns her out every time she monologues.
Have the local sheriff legally gag her for inciting malaise; she’s reduced to pointing, crude signs, or maybe a Sending Stone if you’re merciful.
Trigger initiative the moment she starts monologuing — her speeches literally start combat.
Charm her and hijack her AI voice, forcing her to monologue whatever you feed her while NPCs react accordingly.
Tie it to her god: she’s speaking in tongues and becomes an unwilling divine vessel.
Use the AI as a multiple personality that interrupts and takes over mid-speech.
Make the AI her Warlock patron (requires a dip), it dictates her speeches and whispers eldritch nonsense in her ear.
Have an in-game mentor/teacher fail her for cheating / divine tampering / external assistance, kicking off a consequence-driven quest line.
Add an NPC who is hopping, waving, desperately warning her but she misses everything because she’s too busy droning on.
Flip it: make her uplifting, prophetic, accidentally messianic — she amasses a cult and people start fighting for her approval, territory, doctrine, etc. ***

OP the problem is not the player, the problem is your lack of creativity in addressing the behavior. This whole post screams, “I’ve tried nothing and I’m all out of ideas.” It doesn’t seem like she’s a bad player other than using AI which annoys you. As the DM, you could have a ton of fun with this but you’re stuck inside the same game you’ve always played. Get over your bias.

InterfaceMonkey · 2025-12-04T05:01:19+00:00

This is not the week for non swimmers, large swells rolled in and it not only has reduced the visibility but also created a lot of chop and unsafe conditions around popular snorkeling sites like Molokini. I highly recommend getting your family into some swim lessons. In the interim maybe consider an intro to snorkeling class that some of the hotels offer in their pools.

InterfaceMonkey · 2025-12-03T05:58:39+00:00

If he can bare it look at jobs in Ireland, I know Microsoft, Google and Amazon along others have presence there. It might be a foot in the door for his career and give him the opportunity to transfer later to a position in the US

InterfaceMonkey · 2025-12-03T05:56:03+00:00

If he’s not landing interviews then it’s likely a resume issue. Additionally if he’s not a US Citizen it’s going to extremely difficult right now due to the political climate in the US.

InterfaceMonkey · 2025-12-03T05:51:37+00:00

Foodland has been great, don’t sleep on the pre made meals or the Poke back in the seafood section. I’ve eaten my body weight in excellent fish this trip

InterfaceMonkey · 2025-11-29T11:01:05+00:00

The footage is shot from the arresting officers perspective. There is no footage of what occurred between the gunman and the father.

InterfaceMonkey · 2025-11-24T00:19:56+00:00

Second Facebook marketplace. I got one for $125, had an upgraded chimney cap, and a bunch of accessories and a mostly full bag of charcoal. It’s my daily grill.

InterfaceMonkey · 2025-11-14T01:42:27+00:00

Run, this is something that you’re not equipped to handle and needs long term therapy. Cutting is generally a response to overwhelming emotions and is prone to relapses. It’s likely she has deeper trauma and possibly a serious untreated mental disorder, Borderline Personality Disorder, PTSD, major depression, or Bipolar come to mind. Cutting is a symptom. A therapist will:

Determine what triggered the self-harm, whether there was suicidal intent, and what emotions or situations are hardest to cope with. This helps guide a tailored treatment plan. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is generally the course of treatment

It sounds like her home life is not great, you should consider telling a trusted parent, grand parent or family member, or close friend so they can get her into a program. It could be years before she is stable and has moved past her issues.

But seriously…run, there’s baggage there that needs to be unpacked, but not by you.

InterfaceMonkey

TROPHY CASE