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RedTagAlan · 13/05/2026 13:39

So. watching a film just now, and the opening scene has someone running around the reflecting pool. And a thought struck me.

So off to the architectural websites to confirm or rubbish my thought.

And yes, it appears my thought was correct. If one want's a pool to be a reflective architectural feature, then it should have a dark bottom.

But I am way behind here because it has already been discussed.

How Will Painting the Reflecting Pool Blue Affect Phot... (factually.co)

AcrossthePond55 · 13/05/2026 14:08

@Spandauer

Your meme on the last thread reminded me that on Sunday DS1 and I had a philosophical (wine fueled) discussion vis a vis the lyrics to 'Nowhere Man' and Scrotus.

We decided that it was a fitting song, but one line needs a little updating: "Nowhere man, the world's not yours to command". We also decided that there is a Beatles song for every situation. I suppose he and I are not the only ones who silently sing "Yesterday" or "Mean Mr Mustard" when we see Scrotus.

I also realized that my laptop often tries to auto-carrot 'Scrotus' into 'Scrofula'. It knows whereof it speaks.

MarmaladeorJam · 13/05/2026 14:15

Does anyone have insight into what is happening in the SoH now? Are some ships getting in and out?

Why are we not getting pictures or videos of the Straits? It seems so weird.

MsJinks · 13/05/2026 14:17

BruceAndNosh · 13/05/2026 09:06

Trump's preparation for the upcoming Chy-na trip

I was just thinking - perhaps Hillary no longer needs to be embarrassed by her husband’s acts now - Trump surpasses them!

logicisall · 13/05/2026 14:19

This is exactly what I was expecting to happen, because the US wouldn't dare fire at, or attempt to block any Chinese vessels while Trump is in China. So Trump out played by China and Iran.

Chinese supertanker crosses Strait of Hormuz ahead of Trump and Xi talks
An update on the Chinese crude oil tanker attempting to exit the Strait of Hormuz - it has now crossed the waterway.
The tanker is registered and managed by the Chinese state-owned Cosco Shipping. The Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) Yuan Hua Hu was last seen on marine tracking east of the strait.
The tanker had set its destination to "CHINESE OWNER&CREW" during its transit.
It appears to have been captured in a satellite image shortly after it turned its tracking off.
A handful of other Chinese-managed ships have crossed the Strait of Hormuz over the past 24 hours.
All have taken an Iranian-controlled route close to Iran's waters.
It's impossible to get a full picture of crossings as most vessels transiting the strait have their tracking system off.
Sky news

RedTagAlan · 13/05/2026 14:24

logicisall · 13/05/2026 14:19

This is exactly what I was expecting to happen, because the US wouldn't dare fire at, or attempt to block any Chinese vessels while Trump is in China. So Trump out played by China and Iran.

Chinese supertanker crosses Strait of Hormuz ahead of Trump and Xi talks
An update on the Chinese crude oil tanker attempting to exit the Strait of Hormuz - it has now crossed the waterway.
The tanker is registered and managed by the Chinese state-owned Cosco Shipping. The Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) Yuan Hua Hu was last seen on marine tracking east of the strait.
The tanker had set its destination to "CHINESE OWNER&CREW" during its transit.
It appears to have been captured in a satellite image shortly after it turned its tracking off.
A handful of other Chinese-managed ships have crossed the Strait of Hormuz over the past 24 hours.
All have taken an Iranian-controlled route close to Iran's waters.
It's impossible to get a full picture of crossings as most vessels transiting the strait have their tracking system off.
Sky news

Sure I saw that a Qatar ship went out too. Gas.

But yup. That could be a bit awkward. Trump captures a China state owned supertanker on the same day as he lands in BJ.

MarmaladeorJam · 13/05/2026 14:42

Do the ships pay the Iranians for safe passage?

logicisall · 13/05/2026 14:44

MarmaladeorJam · 13/05/2026 14:42

Do the ships pay the Iranians for safe passage?

Didn't they say free for friends? Qatar probably paid, but no one knows.

Justsaynonow · 13/05/2026 15:51

RedTagAlan · 13/05/2026 13:03

Photo attached.

So they appear not to have done all the air cleaning thing. Where they shut factories and construction, seed the clouds etc.

Or maybe the camera lens needs a clean.

Ooh, bad air quality can push some disease processes/ barely functioning body systems over the edge. (fingers crossed, champagne selected)

REP22 · 13/05/2026 16:05

Your thread titles are a thing of beauty @Spandauer - thank you. This is the first place I come to now to gain a balanced view of what's going on these days with Fantapants and for an injection of wry, educated humour that makes it a tiny bit bearable in amongst the frightening grimness.

MrTiddlesTheCat · 13/05/2026 17:47

I can't keep up right now. These threads are filling up so fast.

Spandauer · 13/05/2026 23:17

Think they're getting worried about empty seats?

The Trump administration is suspending a requirement that foreign visitors from countries that have qualified for the World Cup and have bought tickets for the soccer tournament pay as much as $15,000 in bonds to enter the United States, the State Department said Wednesday.
www.npr.org/2026/05/13/g-s1-121912/foreign-ticket-holders-world-cup-bonds

OP posts:
AcrossthePond55 · 14/05/2026 01:22

Today has been a long one and I am done in. I think I'll just post this;

NACHO, NACHO Man - Trump Thread #164
BruceAndNosh · 14/05/2026 01:31

Well Trump managed to make it down the steps of Air Force 1 without falling arse over tit.
Shame.

RedTagAlan · 14/05/2026 01:49

AcrossthePond55 · 14/05/2026 01:22

Today has been a long one and I am done in. I think I'll just post this;

Edited

Him having a doze might be quite apt.

12 hour time difference between DC and Beijing. So his 9am today will be 9pm yesterday for his old body clock. I wonder if he will be drugged up to keep him awake.

AcrossthePond55 · 14/05/2026 02:00

RedTagAlan · 14/05/2026 01:49

Him having a doze might be quite apt.

12 hour time difference between DC and Beijing. So his 9am today will be 9pm yesterday for his old body clock. I wonder if he will be drugged up to keep him awake.

Having him drugged could only be an improvement.

RedTagAlan · 14/05/2026 02:18

AcrossthePond55 · 14/05/2026 02:00

Having him drugged could only be an improvement.

Apparently he is staying in a 4 seasons hotel. Hope Rudi did not book it,

logicisall · 14/05/2026 06:25

Sky News.
Donald Trump and Xi Jinping put on a united front as the leaders of the
world's two biggest powers met for more than two hours in Beijing. Both have exchanged warm words - but Xi also warned of the importance of Taiwan

Trump enjoyed the greeting by school children while Xi referred back to the war between Athens and Sparta in a veiled warning about the demise of one superpower and the rise of a new.

Two plus hour long meeting. Did they have to prop open Trump's eyes for the duration? He's so slumped in his chair that even lil Marco looks taller.

eta link as photo didn't post
https://news.sky.com/story/trump-state-visit-latest-us-president-prepares-to-meet-chinese-president-in-beijing-13540731?postid=11685592#liveblog-body

JoshLymanSwagger · 14/05/2026 06:53

RedTagAlan · 13/05/2026 13:39

So. watching a film just now, and the opening scene has someone running around the reflecting pool. And a thought struck me.

So off to the architectural websites to confirm or rubbish my thought.

And yes, it appears my thought was correct. If one want's a pool to be a reflective architectural feature, then it should have a dark bottom.

But I am way behind here because it has already been discussed.

How Will Painting the Reflecting Pool Blue Affect Phot... (factually.co)

Technically, you can turn any pond/pool into a reflecting pool by adding a specialist non-toxic black dye to the water.

One way to "restore" the reflective properties once 🍊🌮 has gone in 981 days if not before.

RedTagAlan · 14/05/2026 07:23

logicisall · 14/05/2026 07:04

Questioning WH Regime propaganda on Iran's military capabilities is apparently "treason". Which set of figures will Trump use in his talks with Xi 🤔Will it be, we got it bro, don't need your help, or Help! Give me an offramp!

https://www.cnn.com/2026/05/14/politics/trump-iran-strait-of-hormuz-missile-military-analysis

Edited

PRC state media are taking no risks at all on that front. In todays edition, the Chinese super duper anti missile missile thing. Timing is saying... LOOK WOT WE GOT.

PLA Navy’s new terminal defense system completes type certification trials; expert cites world-class ultra-low-altitude interception capability - Global Times

Note what the Chinese military experts say :

"The report also noted that all command screens visible in the television footage were heavily blurred, drawing significant public attention.

Wang Yunfei, a Chinese military affairs expert, told the Global Times on Wednesday that the strict "mosaic" blurring treatment applied to the command-and-control center's core screens indirectly demonstrated the system's extreme technological sensitivity and strategic value."

Yup, they talk about the quality of the blurring on the footage. It is really well blurred, so it must be important.

It looks a bit sparse and odd to me. I have no idea what the electric sockets are along the top right, and is that clock at dead on noon ? As if it has been taken out the box for the "set" and not had batteries out in ? (screen shot att).

NACHO, NACHO Man - Trump Thread #164
MushMonster · 14/05/2026 07:28

Oh, the return of words like treason for the mere act of thinking... surely clocks move backwards much faster than forwards!

RedTagAlan · 14/05/2026 08:09

He looks totally knacked from what I can see. Barely functioning. And it seems they flew over the pacific. So from east to west. Now I don't recall the mechanics, but for jet lag that is worse.

There is a clip on CNN of them at the Temple of Heaven. Screen shot attached. Chinse security are automatic... camera.. stand in front. BLOCK BLOCK BLOCK.

NACHO, NACHO Man - Trump Thread #164
BruceAndNosh · 14/05/2026 08:39

With Trump hegseth and Rubio out of the country, can someone sneak into WH and change the locks?

PerkingFaintly · 14/05/2026 08:48

It looks a bit sparse and odd to me. I have no idea what the electric sockets are along the top right, and is that clock at dead on noon ? As if it has been taken out the box for the "set" and not had batteries out in ? (screen shot att).

Oh nice one! Grin