Sunday, December 28, 2025

French

French forces, loyal to the collaborationist Vichy government, fought Americans in North Africa during Operation Torch (November 1942) because they viewed the Anglo-American invasion as an attack on French sovereignty, despite the U.S. recognizing the Vichy regime and the French military leadership hoping for a neutral stance or a switch to the Allied side later, leading to confusion and initial resistance before many French units eventually joined the Free French cause. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Context: A Divided France

• After France's defeat in 1940, the country split: the north was occupied by Germany, while the south (Vichy France) was run by Marshal Pétain's government, which collaborated with the Nazis but officially remained neutral.

• The United States initially recognized the Vichy government, creating awkwardness when American troops arrived in French North Africa, a key Vichy territory. [1, 2, 4, 5, 6]

Operation Torch & The Invasion

• In late 1942, the Allies launched Operation Torch, a surprise landing in Morocco and Algeria to open a second front, capture Axis forces, and secure the Mediterranean.

• The plan relied on secret negotiations with Vichy French officers who agreed to support the Allies, but the military command on the ground wasn't fully aligned. [1, 4, 7, 8]

Why the Fighting Occurred

• Defense of Territory: French troops, under orders from Vichy commanders, defended their territory against what they saw as invaders, leading to clashes with U.S. forces.

• Loyalty & Confusion: Some French soldiers were loyal to Pétain, while others secretly favored the Allies (Free French), creating a divided command structure.

• Miscalculation: The Allies, hoping for a quick surrender, didn't anticipate the ferocity of the initial resistance from the French Navy and Army. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Outcome

• After several days of fighting, Allied pressure and political maneuvering by American envoy Robert Murphy convinced French commanders, including Admiral Darlan, to switch sides, leading to a ceasefire and French forces joining the Allies against the Axis. [3, 4, 5, 9]

AI responses may include mistakes.

[1] https://www.history.navy.mil/browse-by-topic/wars-conflicts-and-operations/world-war-ii/1942/operation-torch.html

[2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmSWlJcz6yE

[3] https://www.reddit.com/r/WarCollege/comments/k17953/why_were_the_french_ever_forgiven_for_fighting/

[4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Torch

[5] https://study.com/academy/lesson/operation-torch-history-significance.html

[6] https://guides.loc.gov/french-resistance-world-war-two/free-french-africa-overseas-territories

[7] https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/history/1942-north-africa-invasion

[8] https://www.facebook.com/wwiiaviation/posts/operation-torch-816-november-1942-was-an-allied-invasion-of-french-north-africa-/1272614444908954/

[9] https://militaryhistorynow.com/2016/02/17/the-shot-that-set-the-world-on-fire-how-george-washington-started-the-first-world-war/

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Do you belong

Today, Sunday, December 28, 2025, the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library (TSCPL) is open from 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM, offering regular library services and access to special exhibits like "Up From the Roots" in the gallery. [1, 2]

Here are the library's typical hours:

• Monday–Friday: 9 AM – 9 PM

• Saturday: 9 AM – 6 PM

• Sunday: 12 PM – 9 PM [1, 3]

Note: The Millennium Café inside the library has different hours (closed Sundays), so check their specific schedule if you're visiting for food or coffee. [4, 5]

AI responses may include mistakes.

[1] https://www.visittopeka.com/listing/topeka-and-shawnee-county-public-library/121/

[2] https://tscpl.org/hours-and-locations

[3] https://tscpl.org/curbside-pickup

[4] https://tscpl.org/shop-dine

[5] https://tscpl.org/millennium-cafe

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Saturday, December 27, 2025

X

Yes, the provided explanation is **largely accurate and well-supported** by common experiences on X (formerly Twitter), expert advice, and platform mechanics as of late 2025. Stagnation around mid-level follower counts like **23,000** is a frequent complaint, and most of the listed reasons and strategies align with reliable sources.

### Core Concept: Equilibrium from Gains vs. Losses

The idea that stagnation happens when new follower gains roughly equal losses (from unfollows, inactives, or platform removals) is spot on. Follower counts often fluctuate naturally, and many users report plateaus or slow growth despite consistent posting, due to offsetting losses from inactive accounts, changing interests, or algorithmic deprioritization.

### Common Reasons – Mostly Accurate

- **Inconsistency in Posting**: Correct. The fast-moving feed and algorithm favor recency and consistency; infrequent posts reduce visibility.

- **Low Engagement**: Highly accurate. Interaction (replies, retweets, comments) is a key signal for the algorithm to promote content and attract new followers.

- **Irrelevant Content**: Valid. If content doesn't resonate, followers unfollow or ignore it, stalling growth.

- **Follower/Following Ratio Limits**: Partially accurate but nuanced. X enforces a **daily follow limit** (around 400-1,000 depending on account status) and a **ratio check after ~5,000 follows** (you need proportionally more followers to follow more without restrictions). This mainly limits aggressive following for growth, not directly causing stagnation at 23k followers unless you're heavily follow-churning.

- **Inactive or Bot Followers**: True. Many accounts accumulate inactives/bots over time, which don't engage and can hurt reach when purges happen (X periodically removes them, causing drops).

- **Lack of Value**: Accurate. Content must entertain, inform, or provoke to retain/grow audience.

- **Algorithm and Discoverability**: Spot on. Low engagement means less promotion; commenting on popular posts in your niche is a proven way to gain targeted visibility.

No evidence of "magical" hard caps at specific numbers like 23k—stagnation is organic/algorithmic, not arbitrary limits.

### Strategies to Overcome – Solid and Evidence-Based

These are standard, effective tips echoed across growth guides in 2025:

- Consistent posting (daily or scheduled) and optimal timing via analytics.

- Proactive engagement, especially insightful replies on big accounts (often called the "reply guy" strategy for small-to-mid accounts).

- Valuable, resonant content (threads, stories, lessons).

- Relevant hashtags (not oversaturated ones).

- Using X Analytics for optimization.

- Pruning inactives/non-reciprocals to improve ratio and feed quality.

Additional modern tips from recent sources: Focus on niche-specific content, mix formats (videos get priority), track engagement rate over raw followers, and avoid over-promotion.

Overall, this is truthful advice—practical, not hype. The cited sources (Quora, Reddit, blogs, YouTube) are typical community/expert discussions, though anecdotal. Platform changes under Elon Musk have made growth feel harder for some due to algorithm shifts and bot issues, but the core principles hold. If you're stuck at 23k, these strategies are a strong starting point.

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What is gogglebox

Gogglebox is a popular British reality TV show that films ordinary families and friends in their homes as they watch and comment on the week's television programs, offering hilarious, candid, and relatable reactions to news, dramas, and reality shows, creating a unique show-within-a-show experience that has spawned successful spin-offs like Celebrity Gogglebox. The show captures their genuine opinions, quirks, and interactions, earning it multiple awards and a dedicated following for its unfiltered British perspective. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Key Aspects:

• Concept: Viewers watch groups of people watching TV shows.

• Format: Families and friends sit on their sofas, reacting to a mix of popular and new shows from the past week.

• Content: Their unfiltered comments, witty remarks, and emotional responses to current TV moments.

• Production: Filming is done remotely to keep contributors comfortable and their reactions natural.

• Narration: Narrated by Craig Cash, following the late Caroline Aherne.

• Spin-offs: Includes versions with children (Gogglesprogs) and celebrities (Celebrity Gogglebox). [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Why People Watch:

• Relatability: Viewers see their own reactions reflected in the households.

• Humor: The unscripted, often hilarious, commentary.

• Insight: A glimpse into diverse British households and their honest takes on TV. [1, 2, 3, 4]

In essence, it's a show about the British public watching television, capturing the collective experience of the nation's armchair critics. [1, 4]

To understand Gogglebox better, would you be interested in learning about the specific types of TV shows they watch, or how the show chooses its participating families?

AI responses may include mistakes.

[1] https://play.google.com/store/tv/show?id=EE902BB25BDBB6D8SH

[2] https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2015/sep/11/gogglebox-everyones-favourite-show

[3] https://www.ultimateedgecommunications.com.au/blog/gogglebox-is-watching-other-people-watching-tv-something-to-watch/

[4] https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2023/02/06/gogglebox-shows-britain-want-live/

[5] https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj4yx0p4zrlo

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War

When George S. Patton Jr. died in late 1945, he was a four-star General and retired with numerous medals, including two Distinguished Service Crosses, three Army Distinguished Service Medals, Silver Stars, Legion of Merit, and Purple Hearts, among many others, making him one of America's most decorated soldiers of WWII. He achieved his fourth star in April 1945, but his career ended with a fatal car accident in December 1945, not a formal retirement. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Stars:

• Four Stars: Patton's highest rank was General (four-star general), achieved in April 1945 for his battlefield successes in WWII. [3, 6, 7]

Key Medals:

• Distinguished Service Cross (twice)

• Army Distinguished Service Medal (three times)

• Silver Star (twice)

• Legion of Merit

• Bronze Star Medal

• Purple Heart (twice)

• Navy Distinguished Service Medal

• Various foreign decorations. [1, 4, 8]

Context of His "Retirement":

• Patton wasn't formally retired but was relieved of command after the war for controversial statements.

• He died from injuries sustained in a car crash in December 1945 while serving as military governor in Germany. [3]

To help you understand his full military career, would you like to know more about the specific campaigns he led or the significance of his major awards?

AI responses may include mistakes.

[1] https://news.va.gov/111985/veteranoftheday-army-george-s-patton/

[2] https://www.octodaydispatch.com/column_posts/world_war_ii/the-death-of-patton-and-his-fall-from-grace/article_ff35d69e-fd5e-417e-a949-666976d4f46b.html

[3] https://www.tracesofwar.com/persons/34799/Patton-George-Smith-Jr.htm

[4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_S._Patton

[5] https://www.potterswaxmuseum.com/wwii/george-patton/

[6] https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/article/george-s-patton-jr-upbringing-the-making-of-the-legend/

[7] https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0666567/bio/

[8] https://valor.militarytimes.com/recipient/recipient-15688/

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Must start writing

Video generally gets better reach and initial engagement (views, shares) because it's processed faster and grabs attention, while well-crafted written posts often drive deeper, targeted engagement (comments, discussion) and are better for detailed info on platforms like LinkedIn, with the best strategy often using both formats to appeal to different user preferences and platform algorithms. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Why Video Excels:

• Faster Processing: The brain processes video much faster than text.

• Emotion & Connection: Video ignites emotion and builds personal connection more quickly.

• High Shareability: Video generates significantly more shares than text/image posts combined.

• Visual Appeal: It's inherently more engaging and can convey complex info visually. [1, 5, 6, 7, 8]

Why Written Posts Still Matter:

• Deeper Engagement: Text posts often get more comments and community building, as users have time to process and respond.

• SEO & Accessibility: Text offers better SEO and accessibility for those with disabilities.

• Detailed Info: Great for in-depth insights or technical topics where reading is preferred.

• Platform-Specific: On platforms like LinkedIn, text can outperform video for visible engagement. [2, 3, 4]

The Best Approach:

• Use Video for Awareness: Leverage video for broad reach, emotion, and storytelling (Reels, TikTok, YouTube).

• Use Text for Depth: Employ written posts for building community, sharing detailed insights, and targeted conversations.

• Mix Formats: Combine both for a comprehensive strategy to capture different audience preferences and platform strengths. [1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 10]

To help you decide, would you like to know which content types perform best on specific platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, or TikTok?

AI responses may include mistakes.

[1] https://www.leightonengage.com/blog/why-video-performs-better-on-social-media

[2] https://www.linkedin.com/posts/kimjwillis_video-versus-text-which-is-best-it-depends-activity-7174736105152421890-w2rB

[3] https://www.adweek.com/media/i-tried-linkedin-video-to-see-if-it-lived-up-to-the-hype-heres-what-i-learned/

[4] https://www.belmoredigital.com/tvfmw/content-strategy-creation/video-vs-text-content-the-era-of-reels-and-popularity-20240410

[5] https://oneims.com/blog/video-text-content-one-clear-winner

[6] https://vidico.com/news/why-is-video-marketing-so-effective/

[7] https://www.guidde.com/blog/why-videos-are-more-effective-than-text-for-support

[8] https://read.crowdfireapp.com/2023/04/05/written-content-vs-video-content-which-is-more-effective-and-when/

[9] https://www.cincopa.com/blog/video-content-vs-text-content-which-one-works-better-for-your-brand-and-why/

[10] https://makeyourcopycount.beehiiv.com/p/is-video-content-better-than-written-content

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Friday, December 26, 2025

New Choice

https://share.google/S9jvHeQ0zCGT9toVh

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Jimbo

Repair

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627-635 S. Kansas Avenue Topeka, KS
3 Historic Topeka Buildings for Sale or Lease | 85,000 SF | Historic Tax Credits Approved
https://www.crexi.com/properties/1777659

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Thursday, December 25, 2025

https://www.reddit.com/r/WholeFoodsPlantBased/comments/118optg/is_the_method_of_preparation_of_lentil_flatbread/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb3x&utm_name=mweb3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

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Eye of the Tiger

Tiger Balm's main health benefits revolve around temporary relief for minor aches and pains, acting as a counterirritant with cooling and warming sensations to distract from discomfort, making it useful for muscle strains, joint pain (like arthritis), backaches, and tension headaches, while also potentially helping with cold symptoms like congestion and insect bite itching due to ingredients like menthol and camphor. [1, 2, 3, 4]

Pain Relief Uses:

• Muscle Aches & Strains: Alleviates soreness from overexertion, sprains, and general muscle discomfort.

• Joint Pain: Provides relief for arthritis, knee pain, and stiffness in joints.

• Back & Neck Pain: Helps ease tension and pain in the back, neck, and shoulders.

• Headaches: Can reduce pain from tension headaches.

• Bruises: Soothes discomfort from minor bruises. [1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8]

Other Potential Benefits:

• Colds & Congestion: Menthol and camphor can help clear nasal passages and ease coughing.

• Insect Bites: Provides temporary relief from itching.

• Poor Circulation: May help improve blood flow. [3, 7, 9, 10]

How it Works (Active Ingredients):

• Camphor & Menthol: Create a cooling/warming sensation, distracting the brain from pain signals.

• Clove Oil & Capsicum: Provide additional warming and counterirritant effects in some formulas. [1, 2, 4, 11, 12]

Key Takeaway: Tiger Balm offers topical, localized relief, often reducing the need for oral pain medications, but its effects are temporary and it's best for minor, everyday discomforts, with stronger formulas available for deeper aches. [2, 3, 4, 6, 13]

Would you like to know which specific Tiger Balm products are best for headaches versus muscle pain, or explore the potential risks and side effects in more detail?

AI responses may include mistakes.

[1] https://fsastore.com/tiger-balm-ultra-strength-ointment-50g-1.7-oz.-2-pack/10564b.html

[2] https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-178184/tiger-balm-methyl-salicylate-menthol-topical/details

[3] https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-is-tiger-balm-2552293

[4] https://www.healthline.com/health/tiger-balm-uses

[5] https://www.tigerbalm.com/us/product/tiger-balm-liniment/

[6] https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/top-docs-tiger-balm-one-094726255.html

[7] https://www.goodrx.com/health-topic/aanhpi/tiger-balm-uses

[8] https://www.tigerbalm.com/us/product/tiger-balm-arthritis-rub/

[9] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323771

[10] https://www.cocooncenter.co.uk/journal/tiger-balm-a-chinese-remedy-with-a-multitude-of-benefits.html

[11] https://www.tigerbalm.com/ca/products-overview/

[12] https://essentiapura.com/tiger-balm-benefits-uses/

[13] https://www.tigerbalm.com/us/product/tiger-balm-extra-strength-ointment/

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Merry Christmas 🎅 🎄

Jesus is born.

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Monday, December 22, 2025

Oppps

**Yes, the core claim in the MSNBC video thumbnail and title is based on real reporting, but the story is highly contested and unresolved.**

In September 2025, **MSNBC broke a story** (later corroborated by outlets like The New York Times, Reuters, Politico, The Guardian, ABC News, and others) alleging that in September 2024, undercover FBI agents—posing as business executives seeking border-security contracts—recorded Tom Homan (then a private citizen and Trump ally) accepting **$50,000 in cash** (reportedly in a Cava restaurant takeout bag) after he indicated he could help steer future government contracts in a potential second Trump administration.

The investigation began under the Biden administration, stemmed from a separate probe, and reportedly involved audio/video evidence and internal DOJ documents. Prosecutors considered charges like conspiracy to commit bribery but planned to monitor whether Homan followed through once in office.

After Trump's inauguration in 2025, the probe was quickly closed by Trump-appointed officials (including FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy AG Todd Blanche), who stated there was **"no credible evidence of criminal wrongdoing"** and called it a politically motivated "deep state" or entrapment effort.

**Tom Homan** has denied wrongdoing, calling reports "bullshit" in some interviews and later stating outright, "I didn't take $50,000 from anybody." The White House initially denied he took the money, then shifted to defending him while acknowledging the probe existed but found nothing illegal. No charges were filed, and Homan remains in his role as "border czar."

Democrats in Congress have demanded release of the recordings, files, and details, alleging a cover-up; the administration has resisted full disclosure. Questions linger about the money's fate (e.g., whether it was recovered or declared as income) and the probe's abrupt end.

The thumbnail mentions "massive corruption in Kristi..." (likely Kristi Noem, DHS Secretary), but that's incomplete/truncated—reporting ties it to broader concerns about border contracting influence, not direct Noem involvement. Some stories note tensions between Homan and Noem over policy/contracts.

In summary: Credible major media reported the FBI sting and cash acceptance based on sources/documents; the Trump administration closed the case without charges and denies criminality. It's a partisan flashpoint with no public resolution or independent verification of the recordings.

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Who is who

The current mayor of Auburn, Kansas, is Mark Brown. He has been serving in this position for several years and was re-elected in 2025. [1, 2, 3, 4]

The governing body and officials for the City of Auburn, Kansas, are available on the city's official website. [1, 5]

Auburn City Council Members

Dorothy Bryan, Council President
Tom Randles, Council Member
Mark Benaka, Council Member
Paul Harper, Council Member
Tony Trower, Council Member [1]

AI responses may include mistakes.

[1] https://auburnks.citycode.net/governingBodyAndOfficials.htm

[2] https://www.lkm.org/members/?id=57584675

[3] https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.lkm.org/resource/resmgr/files/kma/2025_kma_directory.pdf

[4] https://candidatefiling.us/Info/Default?st=KS&s=1923100185&j=308882223&e=741606016&d=765001525&det=Y

[5] https://www.auburnks.com/index.php/download_file/view/411/364

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Fwd: When tinsel was toxic

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---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: History Facts <hello@historyfacts.com>
Date: Mon, Dec 22, 2025, 5:16 AM
Subject: When tinsel was toxic
To: <mcre13@gmail.com>

Tinsel used to be made out of real metal.

Science & Industry

O nce upon a time, no Christmas tree was complete without a healthy coating of tinsel hanging from the boughs. Those shimmering threads are less common now, though far from gone — especially in households that like an extra touch of sparkly holiday magic. But today's tinsel, which is usually made of PVC plastic, has a different look and feel than vintage varieties, which were made of real metal. Before you go scouring antique malls looking for a little Christmas cheer, however, know that older tinsel isn't always better, because sometimes, that metal was lead.

Tinsel made of tin-laminated brass or silver-plated copper began gracing Christmas trees in wealthy American homes in the late 19th century. At the turn of the 20th century, mass production drove the price down and made the decoration accessible to more households. Lyon, France, was a tinsel manufacturing powerhouse, but factories struggled to keep up with U.S. demand due to metal rationing during World War I.

Lead became a popular material for tinsel after a German company received a patent for lead tinsel in 1904, and American companies followed suit. (At the time, the United States was the world's largest producer and consumer of refined lead.) It remained popular for decades, so much so that tinsel was sometimes referred to as "lead icicles." Scientists already knew that lead could be toxic, but activism in the 1970s started drawing attention to the hazards the substance posed to children, and the FDA pulled lead tinsel from the market in 1972. Luckily, a Dow Chemical engineer had patented an iridescent plastic tinsel in 1969, so a replacement was already waiting in the wings.

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By the Numbers

Amount Americans spent on tinsel from Lyon in the first nine months of 1916

$909,788

Year the world's oldest surviving artificial Christmas tree was purchased

1886

Christmas trees cut at U.S. tree farms in 2022

14.5 million

Geese a-laying, in the song "The Twelve Days of Christmas"

Did you know?

The earliest fake Christmas trees were made from goose feathers.

The modern Christmas tree originated in Germany, where people have been decorating them since at least the 18th century. But many Germans were also concerned about deforestation, so in the 19th century, craftspeople started dyeing goosefeathers green and attaching them to wires to make facsimiles of Christmas trees. Eventually, as with real Christmas trees, German immigrants brought the artificial tree tradition to the United States.

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