THE REST OF THE STORY
Not Paul Harvey’s version, unfortunately.
Reuters posts: “Millions lose food stamps under Trump cuts. Arizona is hardest hit.“
I read the story. I looked for something therein and did not find it.
Here’s the issue … If I tell you that “Product A is 40% cheaper” you should know what it is “cheaper than.” Is it cheaper than gold? Or than Product B?
So, in this post I was left asking, “Who lost food stamps? Were they dead people? Were they illegals? Were they people whose names ended in “-er”?
Of course, the persons chosen as examples in the story were not identified as people who fit SNAP benefit criteria. If someone was earning $20,000 per month AND they were receiving SNAP benefits I would sure hope they were kicked out of the program.
In other words, I’d like to know what research Reuters did to find out WHY so many were kicked out. What should a reasonable reader know about this?
Ah! I think I found the answer in a FoxNews story: “USDA: FY25 state payment error rates for SNAP benefits shows $10.1 billion in improper payments nationwide.” That’s the info the first story did not include.
CBSNEWS was better: “Can Slate’s $24,950 electric pickup truck win over EV skeptics?”
At least they acknowledge that what most people want is a gas powered small truck.
The problem with electric is EXACTLY that. Price is not the elephant in the room. If you buy an electric vehicle you know you should not travel beyond the length of the e-cord without much thought and concern. And you know that an e-truck will NOT be able to tow or carry a load as far as its e-mile rating. You’ve got a truck, but you have to stay close to home or face risks.
How would you use such a truck? You wouldn’t want it as a farm truck, because it is a long walk back to the house and the heavy beast would get stuck in soft or moist soils. So, not farm…not a jobber who needs to work off-road anywhere. Not a camper puller (it can’t pull but the tiniest campers). Exactly what is the niche for this vehicle? I’m thinking it is for anyone who might be interested in a Cybertruck but doesn’t have that much money. Cybertrucks aren’t selling like hotcakes either, by the way.
The one thing in your favor with this little truck is that you won’t be stuck inside if the batteries die. The windows have old-fashioned crank handles. There’s no radio (and no speakers in the base set-up). There are few comfort features, like map lights (why would any be needed?) The buyers will be able to say, “Look at me. I’ve got a Slate.” It will be the only small pickup with 2 seats. It reminds me of the days when you had to pay extra for a cigarette lighter, center arm rest, or intermittent wipers. What comes standard? (A charging port.)
I’m not the only one questioning the value of Slate. Road&Track writes: “A Ride in the $25,000 Slate Truck Brings More Questions than Answers.” The biggest question they ask is about value. Compared to vehicles which have stuff included, like a info screen, seating for twice the people, and, and, and … is Slate a value? After all you can get a Ford Maverick with seating for four, radio and speakers, auto windows, and an info screen for only $4,000 more … and it will get more than 400 miles per tank.
Axios.com treats its readers with this: “Why Americans hate the ‘good’ economy.”
In the article it indicates that the price of ground beef has risen by perhaps 27% in the last two years. That sounds bad, right?
It would if common economic factors caused meat prices to rise. But the price of meat has many factors. WHAT caused meat prices to rise. One, a good deal of meat used to be shipped to US markets from Canada. Imported meats depressed US rancher income for decades. When tariffs slowed meat crossing the border our ranchers started to see some relief. Second, just about then there was a reduction in government support for ranchers and farmers. The cost of fencing, feed, and fuel ballooned. Even shipping of cattle, hogs, and other meats to market rose in price. Third herd numbers began to decline. Naturally meat prices increased.
One would think that is the whole story, but alas, no. Meat prices have always grown. Look at Axios’ own chart about ground beef prices over the last 10 years and you will find that meat has ALWAYS out-grown inflation. The average annual increase is about 8% (inflation averages 3.2%) with some single years topping 20% (from 2021 to 2022).
The story is supposed to make Americans angry at the economy. However, Axios.com admits that the economy is really fine: “The big-picture indicators of the U.S. economy — GDP, unemployment and so on — are doing fine while public opinion on economic conditions is at rock bottom.” Sometimes the truth gets in the way, right! So, instead they chose to focus on a single issue which is not indicative of the economy as a whole. One would think that Axios.com would be pleased that people could be eating less animal protein in order to save the planet. NOPE! They are angry that people have to pay more to destroy it. That’s politics!
Paul Harvey would have gladly shared the next story from Yahoo.com … “Nurse, 41, Dies on Operating Table During Surgery to Remove Toxic Butt Fillers.”
Most women don’t need any extra. They are naturally full and that is a good thing. There are special exercises for those who want to enhance those muscles which don’t demand surgery or poly-fillers. Considering the location of the extra padding, I would think women with fillers would have at least one brain cell screaming … “How do you safely sit on those bubbles?”
I have three issues with this. First, why did this woman imagine she needed padding? Second, when she decided to remove them, why didn’t she arrange for the surgery to be done near her home in Great Britain? (Oh! That’s right! You’d have to queue for about 19 months, but it would be “free.”) Third, she went where? She went to a shopping center in Columbia, handed them about $11,000 cash (US equivalent), and came out of the surgery breathless.
The story is illustrious of the rampant body-silliness: Lips that look like balconies. Piercings and tattoos everywhere. Bangles and paint everywhere. And, of course, body extensions and fillers. Learn to accept yourself and take care of your health.
One more?
Frank Landymore “wrote” this post for Futurism: “Boys Are So Unprepared by the Education System That They’re Hitting High School Unable to Read Anything More Challenging That (sic) a Children’s Book.”
Yah! I know!
Copyright 2026 Donald Whelpley
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