I cannot resist the observation (like the one Colbert made last night, regarding Trump's supposed media site being hacked, in the first hours of its existence -- see last paragraph below!) that -- throughout the nation, every Coinstar machine I've ever seen in any retail location. . . is simply a one armed bandit.
For the unfamiliar, one brings lawful coin of the realm, and pours it into the counting hopper, provided by Coinstar. The machine whirs and clicks. . . and spits out a fraction of what you put in, in paper Federal Reserve notes.
So the company charges you real money, for the "service" -- of accepting your money.
Charming.
Skip ahead to yesterday: Coinstar and Wal-Mart announced that Bitcoin "ATMs" will be placed in at least 200 outlets, on a trial basis. [One of my local gas stations, a Citgo franchise, for the now 19 months of COVID-19, has sported a Bitcoin ATM -- disgusting. It collects... dust -- "the lights are on; no one is home" -- the gas station owner / franchisee tells me (but he gets paid a small amount of rent to leave it inside, in the corner).]
In any event, here's that Wal-Wart story:
. . .Wal-Mart said on Thursday customers at some of its U.S. stores will be able to purchase bitcoin using ATM-like machines installed by Coinstar.
Coinstar, known for its machines that can exchange physical coins for cash, has partnered with digital currency exchange CoinMe to let customers buy bitcoin at some of its kiosks.
There are 200 Coinstar kiosks located inside Walmart stores across the United States that will allow customers to buy bitcoin, a Walmart spokesperson said. . . .
So again, Coinstar -- with the same model: have people who shop at Wal-Mart convert their USD holdings (i.e., non-existent -- in the main) to. . . Bitcoin(?!) -- to go shopping?
Huh?!
And they get charged, as the "depositer" -- an otherwise usurious fee, I am dead-bang certain.
Yet another case of trying to sell fish. . . bicycles, in the crypto-evangelism sphere.
But yes -- 100 per cent on brand for both names. Fleecing the have-nots, in the main.
Which brings me to Colbert, last night. He laughed about Trump being hacked (someone created a fake account, in Baby-T's name -- on his own platform -- and posted the matter at left).
And then Colbert said (more or less) -- "are we SURE it is not REALLY Tangerine? I mean. . . crapping on your own scrotum. . . sure seems. . . 100% on brand, for him."
Indeed it does, in both cases. Out -- grinning, with my Friday trivia assignment now completed.
नमस्ते
3 comments:
No block on existing law but, early hearing: https://www.huffpost.com/entry/supreme-court-texas-abortion-law_n_6169b44ce4b005b245bcdd51
The excellent analysis, as well -- from SCOTUSBlog.com:
". . .What seems clear is that the justices are taking S.B. 8 seriously now. Respect for the gravity of the issue had long been the hallmark of the court’s abortion jurisprudence, which recognized the dignity of life in the womb and the importance of pregnant women’s interests in equality and autonomy. In the court’s response to S.B. 8, that respect was nowhere to be found. The court’s indifference was even more breathtaking because of what S.B. 8 represents -- other states could easily use a similar scheme to frustrate the exercise of everything from the right to bear arms, to religious liberty. . . ."
As just one example, a blue state (like Illinois) could then pass a law saying that any private citizen may bring a suit for damages, against any gun owner personally -- residing in the state, whenever a ghost gun (once long ago owned by that owner) ends up killing someone. Anywhere -- even 50 years later (for example).
I don't imagine the Texans would be very comfortable with such a law, but if the Supremes uphold SB-8, I myself may work to pass such a law in a blue state.
C R A Z Y. . . .
That SCOTUSBlog link:
https://www.scotusblog.com/2021/10/supreme-speed-the-court-puts-abortion-on-the-rocket-docket/
Namaste. . . .
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