Frankly Speaking

I asked Grok to create congressional maps with these basic instructions: Using the latest available US census data, create a map of US congressional districts for each state with the following rules, in addition to those set in the U.S. Constitution for districting: 1. Each district is as close to a square as possible, given state borders and populations. 2. Within each state, each district's population is as equal as possible. 3. There must be no partisan considerations. (No bias toward any political party.) 4. There must be no racial considerations. 5. Rural areas must not be subsumed by urban interests. - Ensure you include all 50 states, placing Alaska and Hawaii in the upper left and lower left borders, respectively. - Produce 3 such possible maps. For example, while still following the rules, you may start creating districts in the NW corner vs NE corner or SE corner, or state center, etc., resulting in different district borders, but satisfying all rules. (NOTE: after some dialog, it was decided that the three would be one that prioritized rectangular/orthogonal grid-like districts, one that applied Polsby-Popper to create smooth, organic shaped districts, and one that balanced grid & organic.) - Color-code each map indicating which districts would be dominated by Republicans (red) and which would be dominated by Democrats (blue), based upon voter registration roles for each party. Use or 3 shades of each color to indicate how strongly they're dominated, with the deeper colors indicting stronger dominance. - Include a legend on each map that indicates the number of districts that would be dominated by each of the two parties, and if any, how many districts would be toss-ups in an election. It took a few iterations to get Grok to colorize the maps properly with correct legends (it doesn't seem to be very good at drawing), but eventually got it right. SEATS BY PARTY: Map 1 (orthogonal / grid): R=230-240 D=175-185 Toss-up=15-25 Map 2 (Polsby-Popper / organic): R=210-220 D=195-205 Toss-up=15-25 Map 3: Balanced of 1 & 2: R=220-230 D=185-195 Toss-up=15-25. The conclusion: Drawing districts fairly, even with slightly varying prioritization on shapes, Republicans dominate the country, but the margin varies some between three non-partisan district shapes. Democrats have been winning thanks to gerrymandering. If you doubt me, you can see the entire prompt with clarifications here: grok.com/share/c2hhcmQt… If you're curious, the term gerrymandering came from the Massachusetts governor, Elbridge Gerry, of the "Democratic-Republican" party (ironic, eh?) creating oddly shaped districts to win control over senate seats. The Democratic-Republican Party split into two separate factions following the contentious 1824 presidential election -- The Democratic Party: Led by Andrew Jackson and organized by Martin Van Buren, this faction shortened its name to the Democrats by 1828. It exists today as the modern Democratic Party. The National Republican Party: Led by John Quincy Adams and Henry Clay, this faction opposed Jackson. In the 1830s, it merged with other anti-Jackson groups to form the Whig Party. (The modern Republican Party is not a direct descendant of the Democratic-Republicans; it was formed later, in 1854, by anti-slavery activists and former Whigs.)

@oelma__ 1. @PeterSweden7 2. IKEA 3. Swedish Meatballs 4-∞. A lot of gorgeous, tall, blonde women. Oh, and Surströmming. (I did have to Google that one because I couldn't remember what it was called, but 🤮)

Without using Google - Name ONE thing from Sweden

There was nothing like Radio Shack in the 70s & 80s and I to the 90s. I miss definitely miss it. I'd settle for Fry's (not nearly as good as RS for parts, but made up for it with everything else they carried), but that's gone, too.

@Oceanbreeze473 No he wasn't! Bison lie! 😜

Before you judge, let me explain.

@Mellypaw21 @cactusncookies It's a bison not a Ferengi.

@cactusncookies Did you rub his ears? 🤔🤣🤣

Idk if this was the guilty bison from the Yellowstone attack but the day before we had to wait for this guy to cross the road before we could go. T’was just incredible to see him up close!

@cactusncookies Yeah, it was a little nerve racking when all these were all headed right toward the car. You can see by the pic out the side window how close they were. At least we weren't on a motorcycle.

When the genie simply does not understand your wish.

@Oceanbreeze473 Two words: Benito Mussolini

I can’t believe Italians woke up one morning, saw this, then said let’s move to New Jersey.

@Soaringeagle45 I would just be happy with restaurants having acoustics better than that of 50gal drum. Does nobody care about acoustics anymore?

I'm gonna open a restaurant and call it "Peace And Quiet” Kids meals starting at $100 🤣

@Reeseforsure @garyboomer58 I'm sure Gary will donate space on his property, run an extension cord out there for power, a garden hose for indoor plumbing, and, heck, since he could afford to retire at 52, maybe throw in some insulation, a hot plate to cook on, and a mini-fridge.

@garyboomer58 Where tf is he gonna put it

Some dumb 32 year old kid is out there paying $4k/month in rent when this is available

@Saxxon68 @PoliticalStacy Yep. We had to pay back my mom's last check too.

@PoliticalStacy My mom got 2 social security checks. She didn’t live till the 3rd was processed so the 2nd check funds they wanted returned.

Social Security is a fucking SCAM. Let's use Lindsey Graham's recent death as an example. Graham died at the age of 71. This is way too early to draw enough benefit from Social Security to recoup the money he was forced to pay in during his adult working life. If he had been permitted to deposit that money into a Roth IRA or various 401k funds he would have been able to select a beneficiary that those funds would go to upon his untimely death. As it stands - No one gets that money. The IRS keeps it. That's fucking criminal.

@BTC_for_Freedom More people need to realize inflation is a tax by another name.

- You: “Is inflation bad?” - Government: “Very bad. We fight it every day.” - You: “So the goal is 0%?” - Government: “No, the goal is 2%.” - You: “So the goal is… inflation?” - Government: “The goal is stable inflation.” - You: “Stable loss of my money?” - Government: “You’re not an economist.”

I can’t picture Greta Thunberg wearing a thong.

@Reeseforsure Hey, I talk to mine, so I totally get it.

I’m sorry if you don’t understand me treating my car like a person…..it’s saved me many times

@Eric_Smith08 Thanks! I didn't realize they expire...but I just checked and they don't expire as quickly as you said. It's been at least a month, probably 2 since I've gotten any no-rush credits, but I just checked, and what I have don't expire for 2 more months (9/15).

4. No-Rush Shipping credits free money that expires if you don't spend it. At checkout, choose "No-Rush Delivery" instead of 2-day Prime shipping. Amazon gives you a $1-3 digital credit for waiting. The credits stack across orders. The credits expire. Amazon gives you a limited window to use each credit typically 2-4 weeks. If you don't spend them, they disappear. Usable on: Kindle ebooks, digital music, Prime Video rentals, Amazon apps, and select product categories. A regular shopper who chooses No-Rush 3-4 times per month earns $5-10/month in credits $60-120/year on orders they weren't in a hurry for anyway. Free money. For being patient. That vanishes if you forget to spend it.

Amazon Prime costs $139/year. Most members use 2 features: free shipping and Prime Video. That's a $139 subscription doing the job of a $5.99 delivery fee. J.P. Morgan estimates the actual value of Prime benefits at approximately $1,430/year more than 10x the membership cost. But most of that value sits unclaimed behind tabs, menus, and pages 200 million members have never opened. And 4 of those benefits expire monthly. If you don't claim them by the end of the month, they're gone. Amazon resets the clock. You paid for them. You lost them. Amazon is counting on you not knowing. Here are the 12 Prime benefits most members have never activated including the 4 that vanish every 30 days 🧵

@Reeseforsure Too late. I completed a lap around the sun yesterday. Maybe next year? 🙂

I’m actually really nice and if life would leave me alone for a min, I’d bake you a cake and bring it over

@Reeseforsure Groovy

Gonna start wearing flowers in my hair

@Reeseforsure Why do hills only ever seem to go up?

Sorry I’m late, I’ve been pushing a boulder up hill

The main entrance door at work sounds like the 6-million Dollar Man jumping, every time it closes. I always look to make sure it really isn't Steve Austin coming through it.

@Amer1can_Barbie Oh, she's just horsing around.

I feel personally attacked 😂

Nick Shirley uncovers an adult day care in Flushing, Queens with 7,000 phantom members. Nick: “This public document says you have 7,899 members.” Employee: “No, we don’t have 7,000 members.” Nick: “So you’re overbilling then? You’re getting paid $1,600 per patient — that’s how you got $12.9 million in 2024.” Employee: “Please leave.” American taxpayer dollars at work.