unicorn

What would be your concern?

You're diverting again (instead of apologizing, as usual) for being FACTUALLY wrong about Zoroastrianism being an official religion in Iran. And the overwhelming majority of nations in the UN General Assembly is hardly the "American view," quite obviously. Without even delving into the facts, if you had known the official name of the country, you'd have known what the only official religion of the country is.

Putin doesn't seem to have followed your sage advice. He's been helping the Iranians. I'm sure that'll really endear himself to Tumplethinskin. It might push the rug-wearing thunder-nugget to let Ukraine get more weapons?

Zoroastrianism is NOT "one of Iran's official religions." It is a recognized minority religion, but non-Shias, and especially non-Muslims have been persecuted by the Iranian government. https://2001-2009.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2006/71421.htm "The constitution declares the "official religion of Iran is Islam, and the doctrine followed is that of Ja'fari (Twelver) Shi'ism." The Government restricts freedom of religion. There was a further deterioration of the extremely poor status of respect for religious freedom during the reporting period, most notably for Baha'is and Sufi Muslims. The country's religious minorities include Sunni and Sufi Muslims, Baha'is, Zoroastrians, Jews, and Christians. There were reports of imprisonment, harassment, intimidation, and discrimination based on religious beliefs. Government actions and rhetoric created a threatening atmosphere for nearly all religious minorities, especially Baha'is and Sufi Muslims. To a lesser extent, Zoroastrians, evangelical Christians, and the small Jewish community were also targets of government harassment. Government-controlled media, including broadcasting and print, intensified negative campaigns against religious minorities – particularly the Baha'is – following the June 2005 election of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The U.S. government makes clear its objections to the Government's harsh and oppressive treatment of religious minorities through public statements, support for relevant U.N. and nongovernmental organization (NGO) efforts, as well as diplomatic initiatives towards states where religious freedom is a concern. Since 1999 the Secretary of State has designated Iran as a "Country of Particular Concern" (CPC) under the International Religious Freedom Act for its particularly egregious violations of religious freedom. In 2003, the U.N. General Assembly passed Resolution 58/195 on the human rights situation in the country; it expressed serious concern about the continued discrimination against religious minorities by the Government. In 2004, the U.N. General Assembly passed a resolution condemning the human rights situation in Iran. In March 2006 the U.N. General Assembly adopted Resolution 60/171 expressing serious concern about the continued discrimination and human rights violations against religious minorities by the Government. Also in March 2006, the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief issued a statement of concern about the treatment of the Baha'i community in the country. The Special Rapporteur's statement claimed that Supreme Leader Khamene'i has instructed security officials to identify and compile information on Baha'is..."

I was a joke--an obvious one. Everybody understood this (including yourself, since you went to the trouble of switching the emojis I used from a laughing one to a quizzical one). Obviously, almost no one is alive today who can remember events from the mid 1940s, so I obviously didn't think you were in your late 90s or 100s. Thank you for your response about the name change from Persia to Iran, although if it really has Zoroastrian roots, you'd think Iranian officials would want to scrub it, since the Iranian government has harassed the Zoroastrian minority (although that religion, but not Islam, has its roots in Persia). FWIW, I personally find Zoroastrianism one of the least stupid religions on the planet. For the most part the newer a religion, the dumber I find it (with Scientology and Mormonism/Moronism being so incredibly stupid I can't believe anyone would fall for that).

So like you to change the emoji I wrote from a laughing one to a quizzical one, to completely change the meaning of my statement, from an obvious joke, to one suggesting a lack of understanding. Lying by data manipulation. Moses must be proud of you. Are you like Trump, who likes meaningless "awards" based on deception? OK, here's your Golden Weasel Award:

Speak for yourself. I was decades away from being born. 😄 That reminds me of the time Queen Elizabeth II was visiting Jamestown, Virginia (in 2007, at its 400th anniversary), and her guide said "You'll recall that Jamestown was England's first settlement in North America...". She gave that speaker a dirty look. I suppose he should have said "You'll recall from history books...". 😉 You may need to explain to us hoi polloi why Iran is a more secular name than Persia. If it's so secular, why didn't the ayatollahs change it back to Persia? 🫤

I would think that without ensuring fair elections with UN monitors, it's going to be same old-same old. At least I think that unlike the Afghanis, who are split into tribal factions and know only of "might makes right," I have a sense that Iranians are ready for democracy. I could be wrong. Just killing one leader after another doesn't solve any long-term problems. It just kicks the can down the road.

My hubbie and I will be going on a Danube trip in May, including several countries in which my understanding of the local lingo is either zero (Hungarian) or close to nonexistent (Serbo-Croatian, Bulgarian, Romanian). I'm thinking of getting translating earbuds, but don't know anyone who's actually used them. Have you had the opportunity to use them? How well do they work?

I ran across what I thought were some hot photos of this man with birthmarks. I looked him up on LPSG, and apparently he's AI! I then also noted that his birthmarks changed. He has a Pay-Per-View site (to which I did not subscribe). After careful exam, the birthmarks did move around. He goes by "Alex Pumar," or "Alex Pumare," stating he's 25 and living "somewhere in the USA." He apparently just popped up out of nowhere a few weeks ago. Soon we'll be paying PPV/OnlyFans, etc., for AI content. If they're going to charge us for artificial beauty, I hope they get the technology for hot androids soon... https://linktr.ee/alexpumar86 https://www.instagram.com/alexpumare/

On a personal note, I'd sure like to be able to safely visit Iran one of these days. Hopefully it won't remain a theocracy until the day I die.

Reminds me of that movie... 😄

I would encourage to OP's actions to be guided by a urologist, and not by YouTube ads. The presence of paraphimosis really makes matters more complicated and more urgent than simple phimosis. PhimoStop is only indicated for Kikiros Grade 2 or less: As I mentioned earlier, paraphimosis can lead to gangrene, which has truly debilitating consequences:

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/02/rightwing-brazilian-influencer-junior-pena-arrested-by-ice "A rightwing Brazilian influencer who claimed Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown targeted only “crooks” has been arrested by ICE agents in New Jersey. Júnior Pena, whose full name is Eustáquio da Silva Pena Júnior, declared his support for the US president in a recent video message to his hundreds of thousands of social media followers. “I [support] Donald Trump – I like the guy,” announced the South American TikToker and Instagrammer whose account purports to show “the reality of the United States” from a migrant’s perspective. In a previous video, Pena reportedly urged Brazilians to stay calm and not “despair” after reports that ICE agents were rounding up migrants, including Brazilians. “But they’re all crooks. The lot of them,” he falsely claimed of the migrants being seized. On Saturday, Pena was himself reportedly detained and sent to the Delaney Hall detention facility in Newark, New Jersey. One friend told the local newspaper the Brazilian Times that Pena had been taken into custody after missing a court hearing. The detainee’s lawyer, Andrew Lattarulo, was reportedly trying to resolve the situation and prevent him being transferred to another state. The Brazilian influencer has reportedly lived in the US since 2009 and hails from Belo Horizonte, the capital of Minas Gerais, from where a large number of people have emigrated to the US and Europe...".

He's working hard trying to rig the elections. He thinks he can. I'm not sure he can do as much as he thinks he can. He's mostly acted like he's above the law (because he essentially is), but at least there are some brakes being applied by the Judicial branch.

On today's ABC News with David Muir, he said that "Martin Short's family break their silence on his daughter's death!". His daughter had only died the day before! He made it sound as if Martin Short "owed" him some kind of statement the moment his daughter died. It seemed rather disrespectful to my ears. The clip is at 16:35

I was tempted to add this to a different string but resisted the temptation...

Don't worry. The last time snow was recorded in downtown LA was in 1962.

LA can be at its most beautiful in the winter...

People are free to choose to donate their money to millionaires instead of to the truly needy if they wish. I do think it's sad, given all of the real human suffering in this world. Trump himself is always begging for money, and getting it. AI Overview As of early 2026, Donald Trump's campaign has continued to solicit donations from supporters, frequently using urgent, high-stakes messaging via email . Recent requests have included calls for $47 in response to potential legal, political, and financial challenges, often framing donations as necessary to prevent Democrats from impacting supporters' finances. Recent Donation Request Details (2025-2026): Fundraising Goals: Solicitations have requested sums like $47 for a "limited-edition 2026 Trump Calendar" and $15 during a "24-HOUR TRUMP FUNDRAISING BLITZ". Urgency & Messaging: Emails often claim that the "end is near," referencing potential "FAKE impeachments," and warn against the "woke mind virus". Direct Appeals: Trump has asked for donations to "get to Heaven," framing his political survival as a spiritual mission. Donation Tactics: Recent requests have claimed that Democrats want to steal "tariff rebate checks" if supporters do not donate, according to The New Republic. Why don't you send money to Trump? Even sociopaths can use the extra $$, and maybe it'll help you "get to heaven." 😁 In the case of Dane' widow, she was actually estranged from the actor at the time of his death, yet apparently still stands to inherit some $7 million. I have no doubt that she learned something from JvdB's widow. 😉 AI Overview Eric Dane had an estimated net worth of $7 million at the time of his death in February 2026, according to Celebrity Net Worth. The Grey's Anatomy and Euphoria actor, who passed away at 53 from ALS, left his estate to his estranged wife, Rebecca Gayheart, as their divorce was dismissed in March 2025. Yahoo +2 Key Details Regarding His Estate: Net Worth: Approximately $7 million, accumulated from roles in Grey’s Anatomy, The Last Ship, and Euphoria. Beneficiary: Rebecca Gayheart, his wife from whom he was separated, is expected to inherit the estate because they remained legally married. Assets: His estate includes accumulated wealth from a three-decade career and potential real estate investments in Los Angeles. Dane passed away on February 19, 2026, 10 months after announcing his ALS diagnosis. While people are free do donate to whomever they wish, I personally find this trend sad, given all of the real human suffering on this planet.