Old Sierra Research Get-Together - June 1, 2024

It was very nice to see everyone who came out for the Old Sierra Research Get-Together at Hop Gardens on June 1st.  Thanks to Kate and Michael for organizing it.

The most interesting thing to me was talking with LW.  The acquisition of Sierra Research by Trinity Consultants wasn't a positive event for many, but LW benefitted from it greatly.  her career flourished. She's happy!  Can't ask for more than that!

So They Arrested *One* Guy

This is a major scandal here. Assembling a mob that attacked for hours and then dissolved away with no consequences whatsoever:

A pro-Israeli counterprotester was arrested Thursday morning by UCLA police, weeks after he allegedly assaulted occupants of a campus protest encampment with a wooden pole.

...A law enforcement source confirmed to The Times that the man is Edan On, who was identified by CNN last week as a counterprotester wearing a white hoodie and a mask in widely shared images and videos that showed him repeatedly hitting a pro-Palestinian protester with the pole. On is also listed on the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department arrest log.

In a deleted Facebook post, On’s mother, Sharon On-Siboni, shared a photo of her son from a Fox 11 news segment at UCLA that she captioned in Hebrew, “Edan went to bully the Palestinian students in the tents at UCLA and played the song that they played to the Nukhba terrorists in prison!” according to a law enforcement source.

...Protesters who erected a Palestine solidarity encampment came under attack by hundreds of pro-Israel counterprotesters armed with fireworks, a gas irritant and blunt objects. For hours, the violence intensified as private security guards and campus police watched from a distance.

...Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) said the images from UCLA were “appalling,” but even worse was “that it was completely preventable.” She told Block multiple times during the hearing that he should be “ashamed” for the injuries that took place under his watch.

“You, the UCLA leadership and law enforcement stood by for hours as the mob of agitators gathered near the encampment with a clear intention to cause violence,” she said. “I would like to know if you are truly committed to keeping your students safe. How did you fail these students at many critical points where you could’ve intervened?”

“Thank you for the question, but I’m sorry but I reject the premise,” Block replied, saying that UCLA is working with the LAPD to identify attackers. He said the university “tried to to get police there as quickly as possible.”

My Nephew Got Married

Aaron, together with Tiffany (aka Bunny), together with Rizz the Dog, at Los Poblanos Nature Area, in Albuquerque's North Valley.

Pop Music is the Best

Impeccable logic and sense.

@maddies_mundo Spanish speakers will turn any topic into a temazo LOL #learnspanish #spanishmusic #translatingmusic ♬ sonido original - Maddie’s Mundo

Rocky T. Pug Memorial Dog Business Center

Donald J. Trump, Convicted Felon

It's finally time for some personal responsibility. Every person who remains a Republican in this country should be ashamed for tolerating and promoting MAGA and Donald Trump, convicted felon. Either leave the GOP or leave America. Just get out.

 

@durry.music @Pearlmania500 🕺 guilty 🕺 guilty 🕺 guilty 🕺 . It was too good it needed a beat . #trumpguilty #pearlmania500 ♬ GUILTY X 34 - Durry

@madmcferrin ON ALL 34 COUNTS!!! LFG!!! #manhattanjury #trumptrial #guilty #fyp #madisonmcferrin #looper #looping #housemusic #indieartist ♬ original sound - Madison McFerrin

A Renaissance Look

Getting Closer to Lunar Standstill

[May 26th] As we get closer to what’s called “lunar standstill” in early 2025, the moon will appear in the sky farther south and farther north than it usually does. Tonight, with a declination of about -28 degrees, the moon is pretty far south - nearly as far south as it ever gets. 

[June 2nd] Right now, the moon is at +11.5 degrees north, and moving north quickly. (Too bad it's pretty close to the sun, and thus hard to see.)