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Another entry in the selective outrage ledger, headline from nypost.com: “‘Don’t say gay’? Hypocritical Disney makes money in countries that ban homosexuality.”

For those amused by the label, NYP headline: “69-year-old Asian woman randomly punched in Chelsea, hate crime possible: cops.” Ya think?

Changing world, NYP headline: “I hate looking after ill people so I’m removing ‘in sickness’ from my wedding vows.” It’s honest, but I don’t think I would want to be married to someone like that.”

Snippet from NYP editorial: “… McKinsey consultants estimate that corporate investment in ‘racial justice initiatives’ has topped $200 billion.” And the results are obvious.

Interesting headline from foxnews.com: “Superyacht captain fended off Kalashnikov-wielding pirates with ‘pain rays,’ worker says.” According to the article by Bradford Betz, the sonic weapons deliver “ear-splitting, high-volume acoustics and ‘pain rays’ that transmit a narrow beam of electromagnetic energy. This energy reportedly heats the skin, causing a burning sensation.” I hope cargo ships are using them too.

Sub-headline from FN about NYC subways: “Total subway crime up 65% year to date, police say.” I don’t know what to say.

I’m happy to see Elon Musk seems to have won his battle to acquire Twitter, but I’m not sure I’ll rejoin the site. I always felt my presence there was simply shameless promotion, so it was easy to stay away when I read about its selective view of free speech. Facebook is similar in that regard, but I would really miss not being in contact with everyone I’ve friended there. I’ve reconnected with so many people I likely would have never heard from again, and made new acquaintances. And my presence there results in an occasional book sale.

When HSBC closed all its branches a few months ago, my debit card’s pin number was unrecognized at any ATM I tried and Stop n Shop. A phone call resolved the issue. I even was sent a backup card. This morning neither worked. I was pissed. Tomorrow I’ll try it at one of the banks in the area. If it doesn’t work, I’ll walk to Bank of America and see if I can transfer my money there, though I dread the hassle. I’ve been using its credit card for decades. It came in handy today.

Business was good at the floating book shop despite the dreary weather. My thanks to the kind folks who bought, donated and swapped books. Here’s what sold: nine books in Russian, including volumes of Pushkin and Chekhov; two kids’ books; four DVDs; Lauren Bacall By Myself, a bio; a beautiful pictorial on Paris; Family of Secrets: The Bush Dynasty, America’s Invisible Government, and the Hidden History of the Last Fifty Years by Russ Baker; and Elizabeth I: Red Rose of the House of Tudor, England, 1544 (The Royal Diaries) by Kathryn Lasky.

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