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Harold Hamm: a reader just wrote me, thank you. Remember that story earlier today that Harold Hamm may quit drilling in the Bakken because of low oil prices? Based on oil prices in 2020 (that's why I posted those prices) Harold Hamm's "oh-pity-me" announcement seemed not to ring true. In fact, for quite some time now Harold Hamm / CLR has had only one active rig in the Bakken. For him to make the announcement that he may quit drilling in the Bakken -- I'll repeat what I said earlier:
Harold Hamm: "cry for me, Venezuela." LOL.
Harold Hamm: link here.
Obama vs Trump: the one word many/most folks associate with Barack Obama: "audacious." The Audacity of Hope.
He said that about himself.
Trump has never had to say that about himself.
If asked what one word I would use to describe Trump: "audacious."
Maybe "fearless."
US DOJ: the governor of Minnesota and the mayor of Minneapolis are now under a criminal investigation for "obstruction of federal operations." It explains why Walz and Frey are walking back some of their earlier statements this week. Apparently this story broke after the weekly news cycle, 1700 hours, January 16, 2026.
MSNBC, when reporting the story, said they had never seen such militarization of the Justice Department. I guess they have short memories. Can you say "January 6th"?
Operation Inherent Resolve: the Brits do an incredible job producing monographs of military aircraft, military operations.
I have a library full of such monographs. I'm hoping we get a British monograph on the "peaceful extraction" of "President" Maduro from Venezuela. For the most part, no still photographs / no videos yet released of the operation. The best we can do is YouTube. A few days ago, it's barely been two weeks, I posted a number of must-watch links regarding that operation. Now a new one.
"Why a Nuclear Bomber Escorted a Helicopter to USS Iwo Jima." A must-watch. Link here. I was unaware that a US fighter can reach speeds of Mach 4. AI says no US fighter can fly that fast. Whatever.
Iran: after you watch the "new" Operation Inherent Resolve video, you will better understand why we have not yet attacked Iran.
Venezuela oil: as mentioned earlier, Trump is playing chess. XOM is barely playing checkers. And at one time, XOM was known for its prowess as an oil major. With Guyana, the mojo now belongs to CVX.
Greenland: explain to me again why Greenland "belongs" to Denmark.
Epstein Files: the Clintons thumb their noses at the US Congress, and the story has no legs. LOL.
A video interlude: for many reasons, this is the perfect music video. It's not the only perfect music video out there, but ... it's the perfect music video -- to be the perfect music video there needs to be several perfect elements ... and so we have "Pretty Blue Eyes."
"Mad About You." Considered their best song. Hooverphonic. Belgian. Link here. Can you say "worthy to be a James Bond theme song."
Personal vaccinations: copy of explanation of benefits:
Two vaccines, same date, local pharmacy:
- seasonal flu: Fluzone High Dose; billed by pharmacy: $217.97; Tricare paid: $93.89; Medicare did not pay any portion (at least not on this statement; though Medicare covers 100% of the cost of a seasonal flu vaccine; so, we'll see;
- Covid-19: MNEXSPIKE; billed by pharmacy: $349.99; Tricare paid: $182.16; Medicare did not pay any portion (at least not on this statement; though Medicare covers Covid-19; so, we'll see.
There must be a "fight" between Medicare and Tricare as to whom is "first payer" and "second payer."
Bottom line: no out-of-pocket expenses.
Note new name for Covid-19 vaccine: mNEXSPIKE (sic).
I had always gotten the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine but this year, there were limited supplies of that vaccine. Our vaccine never received any Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine. My only choice was Moderna. According to the pharmacist no difference between the two and okay to get Moderna even if the recipient only had Pfizer in the past.
Side effects of the vaccines: none, for the most part.
- Covid-19: absolutely no side effects;
- Fluzone high-dose: a small amount of pain at site of injection; generalized myalgia; no fever; Tylenol made a huge difference; I could tell when I did not take the four-hour dose.
Weekend: free. Four NFL playoff games. Whoo-hoo.
NY Times: incredibly childish. Exhibit A, this headline:
Does anyone care?
Back to Black, link here.
Weekend reading: a must-read, at least for me.
I would like to see this re-printed and expanded upon as only the Brits can do in a monograph. Link here. In realtor.com via The WSJ. I am not an apologist for the Kennedys. I don't care a whit about their wealth, their lifestyle, the family curse, whatever, but I do feel a twinge, a tear in my eye(s) when I read these stories. The story takes me back to an earlier time when I was very naive and perhaps happier in life because of that naivete. The innocence of Jackie Bouvier before she was married, before she met the Kennedys. Perhaps because I have three wonderful granddaughters who are not yet married, and perhaps just as innocent.
Dance me to the end of love. Link here. Leonard Cohen, Julie Christensen and Perla Batalla and Raffi Hakopian on violin. (May 12, 1993). One of the most fascinating musical moments of all time.
Oatman: I'll finish with this for now. Link here.
