Public Comment

Kudos for Moe's 

Smithereens recently received a note from Doris at Moe's Books. It read: "I'm currently trying to generate some new business. I'm hoping you'd be kind enough to give my business a 'Fave' on Nextdoor, the neighborhood app, to help get the word out to our other neighbors. Sharing your support would be really appreciated and valuable for our growth—thanks!"
I don't have an account with Fave or Yelp and it's been a few months since I've made a pilgrimage to Moe's Biblio-Mosque—the Moskowitz Mecca of Tomes—but here are some of the delicious details that make Berkeley's historic multi-story bookstore unique. Moe's Books, founded by the inimitable Moe Moscowitz way back in 1959, is known across the country as one of the world's largest warehouses of the printed word, encompassing more than 200,000 titles at any one time in more than 70 niche categories made elevator-accessible from basement to loft. What's not to like? 

An Outcry Over Spilt Milk 

Shoppers who have grown accustomed to shortages of chicken eggs due to the spread of Bird Flu and Salmonella contamination now have a new collapse to kvetch about — collapsing milk cartons. Quart-size milk containers that used to be sturdy now need to be held from the bottom to avoid collapsing in the middle and fallingSeveral local grocery outlets have received these flimsy new cartons. . Trader Joe's has heard shoppers concerns and is investigating. In the meantime, when it's time to add some milk to your morning cereal: Proceed With Caution. 

Al Gore's Climate Forecast: A Gory Story 

Former VP, wouldabeen president, and current Founder and Chair of The Climate Reality Project Al Gore has an urgent message: 

"We are at a critical moment for our climate movement. 

"This year, landslides in India devastated entire villages, displacing thousands of people, and severe flash flooding wreaked havoc in Spain, killing more than 200 people. Extreme heat in Saudi Arabia killed over 1,300 people during the annual Hajj pilgrimage as heat deaths continued to rise worldwide. 

"And in the US, Hurricane Helene’s rapid intensification and record rainfall left widespread destruction and more than 100 dead in its wake. 

"Sadly, that’s only an abridged list of the climate catastrophes we witnessed in 2024. It's like a nature hike through the Book of Revelation on the news every day now. And as the climate crisis continues to supercharge more and more of these disasters, the clear reality of our current situation is that we don’t have time to waste. The climate crisis is at our doorsteps, and we must act now." 

Fashion Plates
Personalized license plates spotted around town.
LUV HY
ZHEER
LAPIN 23
WAU WAU
EBONYGB
CORETTO
CA DUBZ (Warriors Fan?)
12DYLAN (One to Dylan?)
AJZYLDY (A Jazzy Lady)
INAPCKL (In a Pickle)
GRN WMBT (Green Wombat?) 

Bumpersnickers
My Driving Scares Me Too
Free Punches in the Face
I Think Therefore I'm Single
Where the Hell Is Easy Street?
Drugs Lead Nowhere But It's the Scenic Route
I'm into Fitness: Fitness Whole Pizza in My Mouth
If You Can Read This…You Are Probably Pulling Me Over
I Have Good Brakes. Do You Have Good Insurance? 

The Xmas edition of Saturday Night Live's Weekend Update news round-up got off to a shocking start when co-host Colin Jost began a leading headline by uttering the name "Luigi Mangione" and recoiling in shock the studio audience erupted in cheers. Caught by surprise, Jost joked: "The 'wow' is for justice … right?" 

The crowd's startling chorus of approval for the alleged killer of healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, could have sent chills down the spines of any corporate oligarchs who may have been watching. It's one thing for police, teachers, preachers, shopkeepers, drivers, school kids and toddlers to lose their lives to gun violence but now the most rich and powerful Americans suddenly find themselves praying they won't become prey to armed vigilantes of social and economic injustice. 

These bleak prospects could give the well-to-do reason to protect themselves from the rage of up-armed social anger by promoting the rise of race-hatred and culture clashes confined to targeting victims among the country's poor and disaffected majorities. 

Welcome to the Oligarchy
Senator Bernie Sanders on Trump and Musk as Government Rulers. 

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