Your Bag of Nothing for Friday, June 20, 2025

  • I’m sorry to only post twice a week; I’ll try to pick up the pace. I also hope I can find a job soon; it’s tough out there.
  • I think my next mini-vacation road trip will be to the LBJ Ranch or the National WWII Museum in New Orleans.
  • Nails on a chalkboard – Anytime CBS airs a Big Brother commercial in which everyone whispers.
  • Glad to see Rick Carlisle’s Indiana Pacers win last night to take it to a game seven. He took them to the Finals before only to come up short; hopefully, he can finish the job this time. It was nice to see him grow into a better, or at least a nicer and more appreciative person, during his years in Dallas. How often do you hear of a head coach attending a fan’s funeral?
  • When I saw this headline I thought it couldn’t be true – The U.S. Army swore in four senior executives with ties to technology companies Meta, Palantir and OpenAI as lieutenant colonels in 2025. 

    But according to Snopes, it is.
  • But can they have frickin lasers on their heads?

    Florida Republican Proposes New ICE Detention Center Surrounded by Alligators
  • War is Hell.

    Netanyahu stuns Israelis by describing ‘personal cost’ of Iran war – postponing son’s wedding
  • Minnesota’s Hormel sues Wisconsin’s Johnsonville alleging stolen sausage secrets
  • Albeit, in France – Netflix will start showing traditional broadcast channels next summer
  • On one of the dating apps, a woman’s initial message to me asked me exactly how bad my back is and exactly how much I dislike modern country music, and does that include Texas Red Dirt? Even though modern country music is the Special Olympics of music, I do have an appreciation for other forms of country; it’s the bro-country that kills me.
  • There is a local connection to the two massive flagpoles that President Trump had installed on the White House’s North Lawn and south side.

    A Plano small business, US Flag & Flagpole Supply, is having its flags and two 80-foot flagpoles permanently installed at the White House today.




    Personally, I liked the traditional look of Old Glory flying atop the White House. These are almost too big and gaudy.
  • In other White House landscaping news, the Rose Garden is getting paved over. I hear Trump believes there’s a draining issue and doesn’t like the soft ground that chair legs stick into. But, let’s make up a conspiracy theory, that’s more fun. Perhaps this is a cover for something secret they are installing, like a super weapon or a safety shelter.

  • In case you missed it, the Stanley Cup was damaged during the Florida Panthers’ celebration of their victory. I’ve heard it often gets damaged and repaired, but incidents like this are probably out of the norm.

  • 75,000 pounds of THC products seized in DFW raids as Texas Gov. Abbott weighs statewide ban
  • This is insane. It’s two weeks old, but I’m just now seeing it. The new administration has changed the process for applying for a job with the federal government. Take a look at question number three. How the heck is a freshman out of college applying for a call center job answer this?
    The Trump administration is adding four essay questions to applications for civil service jobs, asking applicants about their favorite executive orders and their commitment to government efficiency.

    The essay requirements apply even to relatively lower-level jobs starting at the GS-5 pay scale or above—positions that can begin at base salaries as low as $32,357. Those jobs include nursing assistants, park rangers and firefighters.

    The new questions, outlined in a memo from the Office of Personnel Management on Thursday, include ones that could give insight into the applicant’s political philosophy for civil service jobs that are supposed to be nonpartisan.

    The Four Questions:
    1. Constitutional Commitment: How has your commitment to the Constitution and the founding principles of the United States inspired you to pursue this role within the Federal government?
    2. Government Efficiency: How would you use your skills to improve government efficiency and effectiveness? Cite specific examples.
    3. Policy Alignment: How would you help advance the President’s Executive Orders and policy priorities? Reference initiatives that resonate with you.
    4. Work Ethic: How has your work ethic shaped your achievements? Link your personal traits to professional readiness. 

    I’m floored that this is being covered more by the media.

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Your Bag of Nothing for Monday, June 16, 2025

  • Standing in a slow-moving line to purchase some food, an older, white-bearded gentleman behind me asked me, out of the blue, if I liked the outdoors. I said that while I don’t hunt or camp, I do like the outdoors. He then pulled out his phone and started showing me some photos of rattlesnakes he had caught on the land he owns in the panhandle. I told him I spent some time in Abilene and learned to be careful while walking out of a friend’s house outside the city at night, you’ve got to be careful where you step, so as not to step on any snakes as you walk off the porch and as you get in your car. He shared a few stories about rattlesnakes that had lost their rattles, and then mentioned that he and his family spend a lot of time on the property hunting and riding four-wheelers. I told him that it must create some great opportunities for bonding and making memories, and he shared a few more family stories with me. I wasn’t really in the mood for talking, but I hope I helped make his day better.
  • Since my father served most of his military career in the Army, I was looking forward to the Army’s 250th birthday parade. Especially seeing the troops march in different era uniforms. I didn’t like the idea of how much it was going to cost, especially having to retrofit the tanks with special tracks to avoid damaging the streets of DC and to ship them via rail all the way from Texas. I know it coincided with Trump’s 79th birthday, and that didn’t bother me too much, but I certainly didn’t want it to have the appeal of the parades we’ve seen in China, Russia, and North Korea. A lot of folks have forgotten that tanks and missiles have been part of FDR’s, Ike’s, and Kennedy’s inaugural parades.




    But I was disappointed in what I saw. Not so much of the thin crowds, but the soldiers that marched didn’t look sharp or in synch. Granted, I hear that’s because, unlike those communist regimes, these soldiers don’t march often and perform actual real jobs, and special ceremonial troops are used for marching at public events.

  • The assassination and attempted assassination of two members of the Minnesota State Congress isn’t getting as much coverage as I expected it to. Especially when the suspect was still at large. It was disappointing to see how many conservatives condoned and found humor in the fact that these two victims were of the opposing political party.
  • CBS’ Watson Is Popular, But There’s Another Sherlock Holmes TV Show That’s Been A Quiet Success, And I Hope More People Start Watching It

    Y’all know I have a high appreciation for all things Sherlock Holmes. I’ve only caught a few segments of Watson, but I felt it was really a remake of House and quickly lost interest. However, I’ve only recently learned about Sherlock & Daughter, and it seems pretty intriguing with a new concept and twist on things.
  • Bill Murray recently shared a story about how Bruce Willis used to be an NBC Page and would refill his and Gilda’s M&M’s when they were on Saturday Night Live. I had no idea.
  • I love slapstick comedy movies and was a big fan of the Naked Gun franchise, at least the first two films. So, when I heard Liam Neeson was cast in the remake, I had high hopes. Leslie Nielsen? Liam Neeson? See the play on names? Not to mention, both were known for playing serious characters, so they fit this brand of comedy. I was also familiar with Neeson doing some great straight-laced comedy in one of the Ted movies and with Ricky Gervais. However, my expectations have lowered after seeing a few clips, and now the new movie poster, featuring him and Pamela Anderson on the cover. I was slow to realize it’s a play off the James Bond Octopussy poster.
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Your Bag of Nothing for Friday June 13, 2025

  • Ninety-four-year-old William Shatner was a guest on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert earlier this week. He has more energy and better health than I do at 49 years and 10 months.
  • I’m happy but not overjoyed to hear that there will be a sequel to Spaceballs. But there will be such an empty void knowing John Candy won’t be a part of it. Mel Brooks plans to be in it, and he’ll be over 100 years of age after it’s released. And it’s cool that Rick Moranis will be coming back to film after decades off to raise his kids following his wife’s death.
  • News I couldn’t imagine as a freshman while at Hardin-Simmons University.

    K-LOVE pulls Newsboys, DC Talk amid sexual misconduct allegations against Michael Tait
  • Here are the isolated vocals to the end of God Only Knows, the masterpiece song. Brian Wilson wrote and produced when he was 23 years old. It’s beautifully haunting.
  • Cleveland Browns QB Joe Flacco recently told the media that he’s the only member of the team who has actually gone through two-a-day workouts. That none of the current players ever participated in them when they were growing up. And, during recent OTAs, they complained that the outdoor session was an hour and fifteen minutes long. Man, times have changed. Growing up, two-a-days were a rite of passage. But then again, coaches tried to toughen players up by taking as few water breaks as possible because hydration wasn’t a thing.
  • You often hear that a resume should be one page, but that’s really intended for those who are starting fresh. Whenever I have had to interview someone for a position, it’s always two to four pages long due to their extensive experience. Recently, I heard of the rule of 10 years per page per experience. Sounds good.
  • I’m not sure how anyone can root against Murray State this weekend.

  • Aaron Rodgers is now a Steeler. He requested a physical or hard copy of the playbook as opposed to using an iPad. This part of the story stood out to me. I don’t know if that means he’s considerate or just hates to be wateful.

  • Old news, but new to me:  Pope Leo XIV’s Childhood Home Was Taken Off Market on Day of His Election as Realtor ‘Reevaluates’

    And in other old Pope news that is new to me: Pope Leo XIV is distantly related to Madonna and Justin Bieber –In addition to the “Baby” singer and the Queen of Pop, the same ancestor also links the Pope to Justin Trudeau, Angelina Jolie, Hillary Clinton and Jack Kerouac, according to the publication.
  • I’m surprised this hasn’t been more newsworthy. But with a Trump presidency, there’s so much chaos a lot of things get overlooked.

    Russia recruits Cubans for the frontlines in Ukraine

    Nearly 20,000 Cubans have signed contracts with the Russian military since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. According to testimony and reports, many were allegedly lured by promises of high pay, Russian citizenship and job opportunities. Some traveled to Russia without a visa, as Cuban citizens are permitted to enter the country without a visa for 90 days.

    Recruiters reportedly offered between $2,000 and $2,500 per month.

    Social media, word of mouth, and informal recruiters have played key roles in recruitment. Reports say Cubans were often told they would work in construction or other noncombat roles, only to find themselves in war zones. Many signed contracts were written in Russian, which they could not read. A BBC analysis matched dozens of names from leaked Russian military documents to Cuban social media accounts. Radio Free Europe investigators used satellite images and geolocation to confirm that Cuban fighters had trained with Russia’s 106th Airborne Division.
  • The timing and content of Secretary Rubio’s statement appear to be generating significant attention, with the Kremlin welcoming the message as “very positive news” and indicating it shows Washington’s willingness to engage in dialogue.

  • This is from a recent meeting of the Tarrant County Commissioners Court. There is a debate over a redistricting plan with accusations of gerrymandering. I’ve been keeping an eye on this judge since he was a controversial mayor in Farmers Branch. He now leads the Republican Party in Tarrant County.

  • In college, we sometimes had a “Bad Movie Night.” We’d rent a notoriously bad movie and poke fun at it as we watched it. You know, movies that are so bad, they’re good. I don’t know how we never came across the 1985 film Gymkata. I’d love to know who was responsible for coming up with the fictional country of Parmistan.

  • Smarter Every Day is one of the best YouTube channels that’s full of substance and quality. He recently did a deep dive into just how hard it is to manufacture a product solely using parts made in the U.S.A. It answered a lot of long, lingering questions I had about the subject, and I learned a thing or two. So, I thought you might like to watch it this weekend.
  • By Mennon!
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Your Bag of Nothing for Monday, June 9, 2025

  • I’d love to be a part of a discussion debating who is more powerful, taking everything literally, the President of the United States or the richest man in the world?
  • Because of my Evangelical roots, I considered never setting foot in a night or dance club a badge of honor. I admired friends in college who would wait outside to “witness” to college students leaving any of the clubs. But, since I’ve taken a few dance lessons, I decided to visit one of the more established clubs in the area. It was one of those moments when I was ashamed of my younger self, who used to be so judgmental of others. When I was inside, I didn’t see any bit of debauchery I was told was rampant. It was full of people just wanting to have fun, unwind from the stress of the world, absolutely nothing seedy about anyone there. I don’t know what I was thinking when I was younger; I guess I just wanted to be accepted by my Christian friends, so I felt I had to support what they were doing, and the adults we respected were teaching us. I’m not saying I’m going to be a regular or that I had the time of my life, but I will admit I’ve missed out on a lot of life.
  • Former DOGE engineer says federal waste and fraud were ‘relatively nonexistent’

  • Job hunting is still a challenge. I think I mentioned I’ve found several jobs at the Department of Education that I’m qualified for, but was hesitant to apply since the Trump administration is trying to dissolve it. However, a recruiter called me about one of those positions. He was selling the fact that the firm his client has a ten-year contract, so the work is guaranteed. While I wasn’t buying that, since I know the government has been cancelling or modifying, he said something that made me think it might be worth taking a risk on. Many of those roles will be absorbed by another part of the government, as that type of work still needs to be done. Not to mention, it would allow me to tread water for a little while.
  • Eight US states seek to outlaw chemtrails – even though they aren’t real
  • As of June 8, 2025, the Texas hemp bill, specifically Senate Bill 3 (SB 3), which would ban the sale and possession of consumable hemp products containing THC, has passed the Texas Legislature and has been sent to Governor Greg Abbott on May 27, 2025, for his consideration. I may be wrong, but I think in Texas, the governor doesn’t need to sign the bill; it becomes law if he doesn’t sign it, but he has 20 days after the final adjournment of the legislative session (June 2, 2025) to veto it. However, for fanfare and publicity, you will often see the governor hold a signing ceremony. I say all that because I’m curious about why the governor has been so quiet about what he plans to do with the bill. I have no evidence to support this claim, and it’s bordering on a conspiracy theory, but I have a feeling he’s holding it over someone’s head for some political leverage. That’s just a kinder way of saying blackmail, I guess. Anyway, it’s just hard for me to accept that Texas wants to shut down such a large and still-growing industry, putting many small businesses out of business. But then again, these political leaders have done plenty of stuff that hasn’t made sense.
  • U.S. Air Force cadet who graduated with flying colours isn’t allowed to serve their country – 3 U.S. Air Force Academy graduates denied commission under Trump’s transgender military ban
  • The 10 Hottest Cities in the US, Ranked by Temperature – Texas shows up five times on this list, including Dallas.

    The last three in the top ten are San Antonio, College Station, and Dallas. Hey, I know Dallas is hot, but Houston is a more miserable place to be with that humidity, not to mention all the chemical pollutants in the air.
  • Texas transplants shook by ‘cult’-like state pledge.

  • Humbling.

  • Long video, but I really enjoyed it as it answered in detail something I always wondered about.
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