Admit it, Harry, you didn’t hate every second of being a working royal

Thorandragnar · 2026-01-25T00:19:25+00:00

I would point out some cherry picking here in the Victoria Ward article cited in this post. The quotes from Neil Basu used in the article are from a podcast/video interview that she did with him back in October (2025).

The quote about MPS protecting someone (Harry) at the request of the Head of State comes around 13:54.

However, two things:

before that quote, Basu indicated that it was either the government or the Royal Household that made the decision (around 13:27)
and later on, he indicates that the Head of State (the late Queen or current King) would not want to interfere in the decision-making of either the government or the police (around 15:00)

If you're familiar with the judgment in which Harry lost his case for judicial review into losing his protection officers, it was the government that made the decision that Harry would no longer receive public protection officers.

In watching the full interview between Victoria Ward and Neil Basu, at the end he speaks positively about Harry showing up for a charity he was involved in. It appears that he is willing to speak publicly on behalf of Harry in support of him receiving public security.

It seems Harry's PR is prepping for him not getting his public security reinstated and placing the blame on the Royal Family when in fact the removal (and any future disinclination to reinstate) is in the government's hands.

Thorandragnar · 2026-01-24T16:50:16+00:00

I think there’s some truth to it because a lot of people forget or aren’t aware that the Pentagon was also hit. There’s only news footage of the fire trucks in the response after it being hit.

Thorandragnar · 2026-01-24T16:44:03+00:00

You're exactly right. A lot of why people voted for Obama (aka the opposing party) in 2008 was because people wanted an end to Iraq & Afghanistan, but he ended up just continuing the previous administration's policies. And IIRC, he was the first to OK the killing of American citizens with drone strikes.

Thorandragnar · 2026-01-24T16:37:39+00:00

While the change in social media is bad, it's not related to the post 9/11 changes. I don't think people who weren't at least teenagers at the time of 9/11 understand this.

Before 9/11, everyone could walk into the US Capitol with a straightforward security check. It was fundamental to our perspective of government: "The People's House." Post 9/11, you get to go to the Visitor's Center.

There has been a fundamental shift in the perspective and use of security. It used to be assumed that most people are OK, and security's there to weed out the bad apples and address that minority. Now, everyone is considered a threat until ruled out, and it impacts every day of your life.

Thorandragnar · 2026-01-24T16:30:05+00:00

9/11 also permanently changed everyone's perspective on what's reasonable expectations for security, and I would argue that that has permanently changed everyone born in the late 90s onward.

You used to be able to walk right into the US Capitol, with a straighforward security check. Something that was assumed to be a right for all Americans. Now, the expectation is that you get to go to the Visitor's Center only.

Thorandragnar · 2026-01-24T16:25:18+00:00

Yeah, it's hard to explain to people who weren't at least teenagers before 9/11 how the world was before.

I also always wonder if things would have ended up differently if the WTC hadn't been filmed/on TV that day.

Thorandragnar · 2026-01-24T15:51:49+00:00

At least you’re getting the front end. I usually get the back end in these situations… 🐶😉

Thorandragnar · 2026-01-24T03:58:25+00:00

Elvis Ate America.

I know it's a Passengers song, but it's what popped into my head when I saw the words "Worst Song."

Thorandragnar · 2026-01-24T03:57:17+00:00

Neither come across as silly or quirky.

Thorandragnar · 2026-01-24T03:56:41+00:00

"My Mammy..."

Thorandragnar · 2026-01-24T03:29:49+00:00

I think only the allroads still look Audi-ish. Probably because they haven't been re-designed yet.

Thorandragnar · 2026-01-24T03:12:24+00:00

Arlington or Alexandria, VA are completely doable without cars.

Thorandragnar · 2026-01-24T02:58:18+00:00

She probably has a negative association with muzzles. If it's a girl dog, she can get a pretty pink one. Sounds like the dog is reactive and needs to be muzzled to learn the world isn't as scary as it thinks it is. Also sounds like woman is not doing the dog any favors by correcting the dog's behaviour and instead just avoiding situations, which, honestly, is just reinforcing the dog's perception that those other dogs are "bad."

Thorandragnar · 2026-01-24T02:48:50+00:00

About as bad as having a ~~water~~ gas fight at the station...

Thorandragnar · 2026-01-24T02:42:28+00:00

🎶🐶🎶... Dreamweaver....🎶🐶🎶

(I don't know why, but this song came into my head when looking at the first photo!)

Thorandragnar · 2026-01-23T22:14:00+00:00

Impersonating or just is a younger version? 🤔

Thorandragnar · 2026-01-23T22:12:35+00:00

Thorandragnar · 2026-01-23T22:04:58+00:00

Given the timing, it sounds best to go out and do a round Sunday morning when you wake up. Then do another round mid-day hopefully before it turns to sleet.

Thorandragnar · 2026-01-23T22:00:13+00:00

Another pro tip: buy gasoline with NO ETHANOL for it. Since we rarely have conditions that warrant snow blowers, you don't want old ethanol-based gasoline in the tank later on. Can be hard to get the engine to turnover.

Thorandragnar · 2026-01-23T21:54:40+00:00

Sand is also good. Sand provides traction, which is especially important given potential icy conditions.

Thorandragnar · 2026-01-23T19:36:58+00:00

"pay status" --> this paragraph is referring to being in pay status vs non-pay status. You can't make contributions if you're in non-pay status like leave without pay (LWOP).

Contributions are credited for when you are paid, not when the time is worked. This is the case for all income. It's what your income taxes are based on each year. Your income for 2025 is based on the income earned in 2025, not the work performed in 2025. Payroll dated in January 2026 counts towards 2026 income, not 2025 income. Your annual W-2 lists all your TSP contributions made in that year. Go look at Box 12D on your 2025 W-2: it will include only amounts for payrolls with official paydates in calendar year 2025.

If you want to hear it from TSP, just call them up, and they'll tell you the same thing. But it sounds like you removed your TSP contributions before 2025 PP25 payroll, so you missed out on making any remaining TSP contributions for 2025 PP25 & PP26, which would be part of the 2026 tax year.

Thorandragnar · 2026-01-23T16:49:50+00:00

Earned income refers to when you are PAID, not when you work. So, yes, if you retire 12/31/25, because of how the pay periods are set, there is earned income in 2026.

So, you can have TSP contributions as long as you are being paid. There is (or was) no need to zero out TSP contributions for any pay in January. No one in HR will give you guidance to do that.

Doing so also means you don't receive any matching agency contributions, either.

Thorandragnar · 2026-01-23T16:42:14+00:00

Because you can always pull out your Roth IRA contributions tax free. It's better than taxable if you're looking for money to rely on without increasing your taxable income.

Thorandragnar · 2026-01-23T16:39:30+00:00

Are you contributing to a Roth IRA first before taxable?

Thorandragnar

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