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Dr Nathan

@butnotdetroit

He/Him. Physics PhD. Patent agent. Bibliophile. Utahn. Negotiating with religion and history. I mostly post (and occasionally vent) about US politics, Utah politics, Mormonism, and occasionally patent law. Profile pic by @mae-bee-cringe.bsky.social

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26.08.2023
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Latest posts by Dr Nathan @butnotdetroit

Yep. Anyone who was hoping for a drop of progress just got served a big bowl of retrenchment.
Dude is 55, he'll be bigoting all over the place for decades.

13.02.2026 15:27 ๐Ÿ‘ 6 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Now, I'm part of "the problem":
I have thousands of ebooks and a collection of HCs of books I really enjoy. I still have a few PBs, but not many. And most of those are trade, not MMPB.
If my kids want to browse my version of my dad's library, they can log onto my calibre server and download a book.

07.02.2026 17:29 ๐Ÿ‘ 2 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Mixed feelings on this one. My dad had a small library in the basement with 4 walls of shelves filled with MMPBs. Teen me loved going down and browsing for an interesting book. Lots of war and spy thrillers. Some were hidden gems, some were crap, but this was a formative practice for me.

07.02.2026 17:29 ๐Ÿ‘ 2 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

My apologies, and I know you literally wrote the book on the subject, but I still read the headline as "Leading Ornithologists."

Also, my apologies to ornithologists for connecting them with these sickos.

30.01.2026 05:15 ๐Ÿ‘ 1 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Reply by Jerry to one of my comments

Reply by Jerry to one of my comments

Jerry being correctly identified as "and 1 other" in liking 2 of my comments.

Jerry being correctly identified as "and 1 other" in liking 2 of my comments.

To be jerrified would be jerrific

30.01.2026 05:04 ๐Ÿ‘ 3 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Is it still true that, in addition to being a ridiculous price, library ebooks are limited to a specific number of borrows before you would have to buy it again?

28.01.2026 15:49 ๐Ÿ‘ 3 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 1

Well, if we had just been good little voters and let the lege raid the income tax revenues instead of wasting it on silly things like education, we could have had the food tax repealed. So really, it's our own fault.
(Sarcasm, in case unclear. UT lege are a bunch of whiny bitches)

27.01.2026 19:35 ๐Ÿ‘ 4 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Preview
Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2019 for Windows | Techdirt <p>Microsoft-Verified Partner! Get All the Essential MS Apps for Your PC With This One-Time Purchase.</p>

I'll just leave this here.

12.01.2026 04:34 ๐Ÿ‘ 2 ๐Ÿ” 1 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Der Dativ ist dem Genitiv sein Tod - Wikipedia

Classic German pickup line from LOVE IS BLIND: GERMANY: "I find it so attractive that you use the genitive case." ๐Ÿ˜
Related link:

09.01.2026 21:47 ๐Ÿ‘ 2 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

He tries so hard to be cool and ends up shooting himself in the dick every time.

Most of the time I can just shorten it to "Pete Hegseth gives me the ick."

03.01.2026 18:48 ๐Ÿ‘ 2 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Good luck to you, sir! Regrettably, I can't vote for you, but I can make a donation :)

I bet @schotthappens.com would be interested in interviewing you.

02.01.2026 01:43 ๐Ÿ‘ 3 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

The one with Santa specifically is book 14, aptly named COLD DAYS.

25.12.2025 05:30 ๐Ÿ‘ 3 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Quiche is the worst type of pie.

24.12.2025 15:33 ๐Ÿ‘ 0 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
Preview
Providing for the Closure of Executive Departments and Agencies of the Federal Government on December 24, 2025, and December 26, 2025 By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered: Section 1.ย  All

I think the decision came from higher up the chain.

24.12.2025 15:15 ๐Ÿ‘ 1 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

1. Their logo looks like Aldi. Probably not enough to be a trademark issue, but still
2. Their website is terrible on mobile, which tracks for a retired couple in St George

10.12.2025 16:55 ๐Ÿ‘ 3 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Seems the same couple who runs this org also have a teen version. From their website:
"When they couldn't find an organization that was oriented for their teens, they organized Humanitarian XP (formerly HEFY)"

10.12.2025 16:52 ๐Ÿ‘ 2 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Tennessee is closer to Washington than Arizona is /s

04.12.2025 15:15 ๐Ÿ‘ 0 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

My version of this was when the USPTO raised all patent fees in January 2025. Everything went up by at least 7.5%, but certain fees went up by as much as 100%, plus some new fees were added for things that previously were free. That was an exciting Friday...

01.12.2025 23:07 ๐Ÿ‘ 2 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

I remember getting an invite last year to baptism for cousin's 8yo. The invite read, "[8yo] has chosen to become a member of the Church..." That seems to be the standard language on these things, and it's so disingenuous to the kids.

29.11.2025 15:26 ๐Ÿ‘ 7 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

I grew up in Michigan, so it's as much a harbinger of November as the gales it mentions.

27.11.2025 02:54 ๐Ÿ‘ 2 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

@golikehellmachine.com @peark.es @proptermalone.bsky.social @ed3d.net @rickywlmsbong.bsky.social does "The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald" count as a Thanksgiving song?

27.11.2025 02:39 ๐Ÿ‘ 3 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

*mellifluous Uchtdorf voice*
The note has been noted.

27.11.2025 02:17 ๐Ÿ‘ 1 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
6.2.1 Stake President
The stake president has authority over Check discipline in the stake. However, bishops normally administer Check discipline unless evidence indicates that a man who holds the Melchizedek...

6.2.1 Stake President The stake president has authority over Check discipline in the stake. However, bishops normally administer Check discipline unless evidence indicates that a man who holds the Melchizedek...

(continued from first screenshot) 
Priesthood is likely to be excommunicated. In that case, the stake president convenes a stake disciplinary council.

(continued from first screenshot) Priesthood is likely to be excommunicated. In that case, the stake president convenes a stake disciplinary council.

This is from the 2010 Handbook 1 and, indeed, it was previously just Melchizedek priesthood holders that would merit a stake disciplinary council.

26.11.2025 05:12 ๐Ÿ‘ 2 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1 ๐Ÿ“Œ 1

Was this changed recently? The handbook agrees with you that the dividing line between ward and stake membership council is temple endowment. My recollection was that it was Melchizedek priesthood holders (aka men) were subject to stake, all others ward.

26.11.2025 02:58 ๐Ÿ‘ 1 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0
About the Temple Endowment | The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Find out more about the temple endowment.

The endowment is a ceremony in temple. The term refers to the "gift" of knowledge that is given in that ceremony.

26.11.2025 02:49 ๐Ÿ‘ 3 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

I guess for the gunners in the SP who are calling/recommending bishopric, knowing who is in the presidency of the 70 makes some sense, though.

23.11.2025 02:07 ๐Ÿ‘ 2 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

Sure, but the visibility increases so much when it's an apostle, especially for those outside Utah. To me it's much more plausible to imagine, "we're calling bro Christofferson to be in the bishopric" while the congregation whispers excitedly, "his brother is an apostle!"

23.11.2025 02:07 ๐Ÿ‘ 2 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

If he really was excommunicated in 1995/1996, especially if for anything related to CSA, huge risk to call him into bishoprics after.

Uncharitably, I wondered if he was called because his brother was an apostle, but the first calling floodlit lists (2006) is before Todd was called (2008).

23.11.2025 01:07 ๐Ÿ‘ 5 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 2 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

An interesting fact pattern:
-lives in Ohio, had a calling there up to this month
-turned himself in in SLC

I'm sure more details will make this clearer. Was he in Utah (visiting family? Thanksgiving?), learned he was sought by law enforcement, and arranged the surrender?

23.11.2025 00:58 ๐Ÿ‘ 2 ๐Ÿ” 0 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 1 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0

She's narrating the audiobook herself. The level of overacting will be unfathomable.

17.11.2025 15:25 ๐Ÿ‘ 3 ๐Ÿ” 1 ๐Ÿ’ฌ 0 ๐Ÿ“Œ 0