From: jdr@chi.meh   
      
   On Sat, 3 Jan 2026 08:54:08 -0500   
   Frank <"frank "@frank.net> wrote:   
      
   > On 1/2/2026 10:55 PM, Clare Snyder wrote:   
   > > On Fri, 2 Jan 2026 09:50:10 -0000 (UTC), Cindy Hamilton   
   > >  wrote:   
   > >      
   > >> On 2026-01-02, MikeJ  wrote:     
   > >>> Frank  wrote in   
   > >>> news:10j7285$2hl7u$1@solani.org:    
   > >>>> On 12/31/2025 8:06 PM, rbowman wrote:     
   > >>>>> On Wed, 31 Dec 2025 15:28:07 -0500, redacted wrote:   
   > >>>>>     
   > >>>>>> On 12/31/25 11:02, Ed P wrote:     
   > >>>>>>> The tradition continues and a new ball in Times Square   
   > >>>>>>> tonight.   
   > >>>>>>>   
   > >>>>>>> This is from USA Today   
   > >>>>>>>   
   > >>>>>>> The Constellation Ball for 2026 is the largest one yet,   
   > >>>>>>> measuring 12.5 feet in diameter and weighing 12,350 pounds.   
   > >>>>>>>   
   > >>>>>>> Organizers said the ball also 'features new modernized   
   > >>>>>>> technology, with state-of-the-art lighting, motion, and   
   > >>>>>>> control system, as well as a new signature sound and   
   > >>>>>>> interactive capabilities.'   
   > >>>>>>>   
   > >>>>>>> On New Year’s Eve, the massive shimmering ball will be   
   > >>>>>>> lowered at Times Square in New York City to kick off the new   
   > >>>>>>> year. Though the ball drop tradition at Times Square began in   
   > >>>>>>> 1907, New Year’s Eve celebrations at the iconic venue were   
   > >>>>>>> first held in 1904.   
   > >>>>>>>   
   > >>>>>>> The original ball, measuring 5 feet in diameter and weighing   
   > >>>>>>> 700 pounds, was made of iron and wood and was covered with   
   > >>>>>>> 100 25-watt light bulbs. It was made by a young immigrant   
   > >>>>>>> metalworker named Jacob Starr, according to the Times Square   
   > >>>>>>> website.   
   > >>>>>>>   
   > >>>>>>> Over the years, the ball witnessed major changes. It went   
   > >>>>>>> from a 400-pound iron ball in 1920 to a 150-pound aluminum   
   > >>>>>>> ball with 180 light bulbs in 1955. In 1995, the aluminum ball   
   > >>>>>>> was upgraded with aluminum skin, rhinestones, and computer   
   > >>>>>>> controls. The crystal New Year’s Eve ball, meanwhile, was   
   > >>>>>>> introduced in 1999 to welcome the new millennium.   
   > >>>>>>>   
   > >>>>>>>     
   > >>>>>> I heard the DeepState has replaced the 180 lightbulbs with 180   
   > >>>>>> Flock cameras so   
   > >>>>>>   
   > >>>>>> the commie Democrat mayor can spy on We the Taxpayer People.     
   > >>>>>   
   > >>>>> He also banned Raspberry Pis and Flippers from the inauguration   
   > >>>>> so people can't analyze the Flock transmissions.   
   > >>>>>   
   > >>>>>   
   > >>>>>     
   > >>>> He took the oath of office today on a Quran.   
   > >>>>     
   > >>>   
   > >>> He thumbs his nose to America.  Not so mazing he got elected.   
   > >>> Uniformed voters that think they'll get free stuff, good luck.     
   > >>   
   > >> Why does it matter he took the oath on a Quran?     
   > >   It doesn't, except to xenophobic racist anti muslims     
   >    
   >    
   > Maybe you do not understand the Muslim mentality.  There is not only   
   > the religious part but the part that wants to control all aspects of    
   > society.  They do not believe in separation of church and state.  To    
   > oppose the political part is not racist.  Take a look at Europe to   
   > see what they want to bring to us.   
      
   +1   
      
   oR dEARBORN, mICHIGAN...   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)