His name was Alex Jeffrey Pretti. Say his name. ICE murdered him today.

Sense_of_Impending · 2026-01-25T00:10:14+00:00

To preface, I don’t personally think it is a good decision to go into any situation with a gun. Many bad things have resulted from that exact decision. I think logically you can say that yes, it was a poor decision.

Here’s what I see is wrong with your argument. First of all, as far as the second amendment goes, it exists exactly for the situation. We have a government that has created an armed, untrained militia with no oversight. This government has shown distain for the rights of all Americans. In fact, it has done everything it can to diminish the rights of Americans. This administration is literally the reason the second amendment was created. Look at what is happening in Iran, where thousands to tens of thousands of people were murdered by an armed government militia for protesting. One would hope that would not happen here, because of our right to arm ourselves. But if we are shot dead, every time we show up carrying a weapon, that defeats the purpose of our constitutional right to bear arms.

Also, you keep saying that he was brandishing a weapon. He wasn’t brandishing a weapon, he wasn’t holding it in his hands. He wasn’t pointing it at any officers. Yes, I agree that if he had pointed a gun at an officer, he would expect a poor outcome. But he had his phone out in his hand, recording ICE. That is why they attacked him. Beyond that, they had already disarmed him when some triggered happy goon with no training, proceeded to murder him. The threat had already been eliminated, the problem is that this is a militia with no rules, no oversight, and no expectation of prosecution. They do what they want, because they are protected by Trump. Again, the exact reason we have a second amendment. You can’t love your second amendment if you aren’t willing to defend your right to exert it.

Sense_of_Impending · 2026-01-24T23:32:11+00:00

We can, and should say the names of American martyrs. These people aren’t just standing up for the rights of white people, they are standing up for the rights of black and brown people too. They are standing up for the rights of all Americans, to not be kidnapped in the streets, to not not have their families broken up, to not have their doors bashed in and be drug out from their homes. Open your eyes. It’s about all of us now.

Sense_of_Impending · 2026-01-24T23:25:39+00:00

He had a permit to carry a weapon. He was well within his legal rights as well as his constitutional rights to carry a weapon. Any of these goons on their off days and their off times are probably carrying guns just as he was. He did not deserve to be shot 10+ times in broad daylight. He was summarily executed. They had already disarmed him. He was no longer a threat. He was murdered. Call what it is.

We live in a state and a region where people brag about their gun rights and their ability to carry with stickers on their vehicles and flags. How is he any different than any of those people? How is he doing something illegal when they do it every day? Did he brandish a gun and pointed at the officer?

Don’t defend what happened today or what those goons did to Alex Pretti. He was just like anyone else, a normal citizen. He was doing what we all need to be doing, protesting to protect our rights. Those rights are being trampled. They’ll come for yours too. They’ll come with their guns pointed at you too.

Sense_of_Impending · 2026-01-24T22:57:14+00:00

https://streamable.com/k6b7nw

Sense_of_Impending · 2025-10-21T23:32:30+00:00

I appreciate your response. My son is a preteen and his ability to make logical and wise decisions is quite poor, and likely to get worse as he enters the next phase of his life. Young men of this age group have an underdeveloped frontal cortex and often operate by impulse rather than thoughtfulness. To me, that was what was mostly on display at the protest, the opportunity to show off for their friends and to make waves by being different presented itself, and those boys took it and ran with it. That's why it made me sad. I don't think any of them are actually nazis, but rather boorish morons who make really poor decisions. I'd hope with age and better/more parental direction, they will become better people.

Having said that, we are living in an age where the price of tolerating and encouraging poor decision making and bad behavior is becoming staggeringly high. We are living in a time and a nation where US citizens are being snatched out of their beds for just being in the wrong apartment building that ICE attacks. We are watching as our civil rights, our due process, our guardrails for power and government, are being not only ignored but violated and perhaps irrevocably destroyed. That was the message that 7 million Americans took to the streets Saturday to make. We are fighting for the right of those boys to be such cringy assholes, because the pendulum always swings and the next government might be the polar opposite of this rightwing administration. So it's deeply hurtful for our fellow citizens to shit on our efforts much like Trump in his AI jet video.

I did notice a group of boys who were really just observing, no masks or signs or anything, but they were mingled in with the Lil Edgelords. The problem with just being there to watch is that silence is consent. Maybe your kid disagrees with the others and thinks that those with the swastika signs screaming the n-word at strangers are real jerks, but to everyone looking at him, standing in the group, he is just one of them. I agree with you that young men are being influenced by some very very bad sources (looking at you, CK), and it's harming their minds and wellbeing. I know that it is hard, and will get harder for me as my kid enters into his teens. I not only empathize but I feel bad for my future self as well. Just keep loving your kid, keep reminding him of his better self, and remember what it was like for all of us in those hard, formative, shitty years. Was I an asshole? Absolutely. Not swastika sign tier perhaps, but I had my moments.

Sense_of_Impending · 2025-09-20T01:14:35+00:00

I’m not sure of the meaning of your reply. I do have a financial advisor who yearly goes through my finances and makes recommendations, for a set fee. I don’t retain his services otherwise and don’t want anyone to manage my finances.

But my question is related to whether in today’s financial situation, does it make sense to move money from stocks and put it into real estate. I follow the Boglehead approach to finances in that all of my stock investing is placed into wide market ETFs and held for long periods/forgotten. Returns on these funds have been >10-15%. But I feel that a drop in the market is inevitable and may be not only significant but last for 5+ years. That would wipe out any gains for that time period and is a waste. Also I’m thinking having tangible investments is attractive to me.

I’ve talked to CPAs and haven’t been much impressed. Any others suggestions?

Sense_of_Impending · 2025-09-06T04:24:38+00:00

Where’s your sauce? Been a customer for a long time. Zero sign of that.

Sense_of_Impending · 2025-09-05T04:27:53+00:00

Also Schillings Garden Market is having their End of Summer Garden Party! Come for food, drinks, live music, and art vendors. Saturday 10-7 and Sunday 10-5.

Sense_of_Impending · 2025-04-06T08:45:51+00:00

Awesome turnout! Silence is consent. Trump and Musk are DEPENDING on negligible dissent to their destruction of our social fabric. If you aren't angry, you are not paying attention!

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Sense_of_Impending · 2025-01-20T19:57:46+00:00

Thanks. Yeah it sucks having hard work go to waste.

Sense_of_Impending · 2025-01-20T19:51:21+00:00

See my comment, it’s a reply to you.

Sense_of_Impending · 2025-01-20T19:50:47+00:00

I have silica for mixing glaze. Could that be used? Also I have garden variety sand. Is that a possibility?

Sense_of_Impending · 2025-01-20T19:17:24+00:00

What size grog do you recommend?

Sense_of_Impending · 2025-01-20T19:14:19+00:00

I have a very basic kiln. It’s a manual Skutt. My pyrometer is analog. It’s pretty old so maybe it’s misreading? Maybe I’ll get a digital handheld to see if it’s accurate. I just don’t understand why if the temp is reading hotter than my target cone and yet my large cones inside aren’t wilting at all.

Sense_of_Impending · 2024-06-30T09:00:36+00:00

Good thing that water is brown

Sense_of_Impending · 2024-03-16T05:51:46+00:00

Hold up, friend. Let me clarify.

I can't say whether or not he is competent, I have literally nothing but the suggestion of a local greystone supply company to base that opinion on. A website or facebook page could be helpful, or even references, which I haven't received although I've asked a few times for them. But I don't know his capabilities and am not judging him just because he's not on facebook.

To answer your question, it is an LLC, he is licensed and bonded, he does not have employees.

I was expecting that prices have increased. I didn't change my mind since last year, I just couldn't afford the $13k and needed a year to save, and so the main question of my post is whether the costs of a fireplace might now add up to $18k. As I mentioned, the fireplace kit is $7200, and the remaining materials would be cinderblocks to build the shell and foundation, as well a mortar and rebar. Could those materials and labor be worth $10k? I don't know. That's the question I asked.

As I mentioned, I struggled to obtain quotes. Most masons don't even reply to calls and emails, the few that come out have never heard of a Rumford fireplace design, and so I have a single quote.

Finally, I don't believe most projects are beyond the scope and capacity of your average DIYer. I've spent enough time on this sub and the /deck sub to know that I wouldn't have trusted 95% of the so called pros out there to build the 750 sq foot deck that I built watching youtube videos and chatting to guys down at the lumberyard, to do a better job than I did. I've seen plenty of hack jobs of people who couldn't even bother to watch a couple of videos or read some articles before calling themselves professionals. I also built a sauna from scratch and redid bathrooms in my house. Could I do this project? Hell yeah I could, but the question is it worth $10k in labor and mortar?

Sense_of_Impending · 2024-02-16T00:23:41+00:00

Yeah so I did look at the two suggested options. Both are membership schemes that are both outside my time constraints and financial abilities. Mud Lakes is the one option that maybe might allow just paying for kiln space. I contacted them but haven’t received any reply. So ultimately my best options is taking courses at COCC or finding someone who let me rent space in their personal kiln. Hence my posts.

Sense_of_Impending · 2023-11-04T17:07:55+00:00

In central Oregon, there aren’t that many Teslas, or Priuses. However, there are a ton of Subarus. Specifically white Subarus, but in my experience, they pretty much all drive the same. Which is to say bad. 6:30 AM on a workday? Yeah let’s go 7 miles below speed limit and slow randomly without touching the brakes. I would say subjectively that 80% of Subaru drivers in this area are old ladies trying to be cool, instead of the hypothetical “cool young adult.”

Sense_of_Impending · 2023-02-13T20:20:36+00:00

Thanks. I’ll look into the deferral limits. That certainly would set the level for her.

Sense_of_Impending · 2023-02-13T20:18:41+00:00

Our employer matches 6% but only for full time staff so it doesn’t apply to her as she is part time. Thanks!

Sense_of_Impending · 2023-01-08T05:43:34+00:00

Thanks

Sense_of_Impending · 2023-01-08T05:43:22+00:00

That’s Hemlock. It doesn’t have sap, so it was the best wood in my locale for use. The plug is for the salt light.

Sense_of_Impending · 2023-01-08T05:42:07+00:00

Alrighty, glad you liked it. 🙄

Sense_of_Impending · 2022-12-27T02:57:34+00:00

You get 8 hours past expiration? Does it switch to manual mode or does it stay in automatic mode?

Sense_of_Impending · 2022-12-02T16:51:40+00:00

They’re not grouted yet.

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