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FLOSSI STARS IN TOTAL RECALL

Tesla's recent recall of approximately 46,000 Cybertrucks due to the potential detachment of exterior panels is significant for the company but relatively modest compared to the most extensive automotive recalls in history.

Notable examples include:

  • Takata Airbag Recall: Over 65 million vehicles were recalled due to defective airbags that could explode upon deployment, causing injuries or fatalities.

  • Ford's 1996 Recall: Approximately 22.7 million vehicles were recalled due to faulty ignition switches that posed fire hazards.

  • General Motors' 2014 Recall: Around 30 million vehicles were recalled because of defective ignition switches that could unexpectedly shut off engines and disable airbags.

In this context, the Cybertruck recall is relatively small.

However, it's noteworthy that this is the eighth recall for the Cybertruck since its release in late 2023.

The recalls address various issues, such as sudden loss of drive power and tire pressure warning light failures.

Tesla Recalls Nearly All Cybertrucks Due to Detaching Panels

Since its release in late 2023, the Tesla Cybertruck has been subject to eight recalls addressing various safety and performance issues.

Here's a chronological overview:

January 29, 2024: Instrument Panel Visibility

Issue: Warning lights are displayed in a small font, making critical safety information hard to read and increasing the crash risk.

Solution: Software update to enhance display readability.

April 16, 2024: Accelerator Pedal Malfunction

Issue: The accelerator pedal pad could dislodge and become trapped in the interior trim, potentially causing unintended acceleration.

Solution: Replacement of the pedal assembly.

June 18, 2024: Loose Trim Panels

Issue: The trunk bed trim sail could come loose, creating a road hazard for other motorists or pedestrians.

Solution: Reattachment using improved tape or adhesion methods

June 18, 2024: Windshield Wiper Failure

Issue: Windshield wipers could fail, reducing visibility and increasing the crash risk.

Solution: Replacement of the wiper motor.

September 25, 2024: Rearview Camera Delay

Issue: A delayed rearview camera image could increase the crash risk while backing up.

Solution: Software update to reduce image delay.

November 24, 2024: Drive Inverter Fault

Issue: A fault in the drive inverter could cause a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the crash risk.

Solution: Replacement of the drive inverter.

December 17, 2024: Tire Pressure Monitoring System

Issue: A malfunction in the tire pressure monitoring system could prevent drivers from being alerted to low tire pressures, significantly raising the risk of a collision.

Solution: Over-the-air software update to address the issue. 

March 20, 2025: Detaching Exterior Panels

Issue: A defect where a cant rail, a stainless-steel trim panel, can detach from the vehicle, posing a road hazard.

Solution: Replacement of the faulty part at no cost to owners.

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TESLA OWNERS OUTED BY HACKERS

Elon Musk-hating hackers have doxxed Tesla owners in the United States, releasing an interactive map showing their names, addresses, phone numbers and emails.

The website, DOGEQUEST, also provides the locations of every Tesla showroom, charging station and the known residences of Department of Government Efficiency employees.

It even lists FBI Director Kash Patel's home and uses a symbol of a Molotov cocktail as its cursor. 


The site's operators said they would only remove identifying information about Tesla drivers if they provided proof that they sold their electric vehicle amid a national boycott of the carmaker.

It is unclear where the hacker got the information about the Tesla owners, but it has caused a lot of concern - with Musk labelling it 'extreme domestic terrorism.

''Encouraging destruction of Teslas throughout the country is extreme domestic terrorism!!' he wrote on X Tuesday night.

The website says it 'neither endorses nor condemns any actions.' 'If you're on the hunt for a Tesla to unleash your artistic flair with a spray can, just step outside - no map needed,' it reads.

'At DOGEQUEST, we believe in empowering creative expressions of protest that you can execute from the comfort of your home.

The site's operators said they will only remove identifying information about Tesla drivers if they prove that they sold their electric vehicles during a national boycott of the carmaker.

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FLOSSI: 21st CENTURY GOLD RUSH

Many countries offer Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs or Golden Visas, allowing individuals to obtain citizenship or residency in exchange for a significant financial investment. These programs often attract wealthy individuals, entrepreneurs, and investors.

Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programs

These programs grant direct citizenship in exchange for investments such as:

  • Government donations

  • Real estate purchases

  • Business investments

  • Job creation in the country

Countries Offering Citizenship by Investment

Caribbean Nations:

  • St. Kitts & Nevis 🇰🇳 – $250,000+ donation or $400,000 real estate

  • Dominica 🇩🇲 – $100,000+ donation

  • Antigua & Barbuda 🇦🇬 – $100,000+ donation

  • Grenada 🇬🇩 – $150,000+ donation

  • Saint Lucia 🇱🇨 – $100,000+ donation

Europe:

  • Malta 🇲🇹 – ~$750,000 donation + investment

  • Austria 🇦🇹 – ~$3-10 million investment (strict vetting)

  • Turkey 🇹🇷 – $400,000 real estate purchase

Middle East & Asia:

  • Jordan 🇯🇴 – $1 million investment

  • Egypt 🇪🇬 – $250,000+ donation

  • Vanuatu 🇻🇺 – $130,000+ donation

Golden Visas (Residency by Investment)

These programs offer residency permits (not citizenship) but can lead to citizenship after several years.

Notable Golden Visa Programs

Europe:

  • Portugal 🇵🇹 – €280,000+ real estate or business investment (ending in 2024)

  • Spain 🇪🇸 – €500,000+ real estate investment

  • Greece 🇬🇷 – €250,000+ real estate investment

  • Italy 🇮🇹 – €250,000+ investment

United Arab Emirates (UAE):

  • Dubai Golden Visa – $550,000+ property investment

United States (EB-5 Visa):

  • $800,000+ investment in a job-creating enterprise

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FLOSSI’S SURGICAL STRIKE

The chainsaw was invented in the late 18th century for medical purposes—not for cutting wood! It was designed as a surgical tool for cutting bone, particularly during childbirth.

The First Chainsaw (1780s) – Surgical Use

  • Inventors: John Aitken and James Jeffray, Scottish doctors.

  • Purpose: It was created to assist in symphysiotomies, a medical procedure used to widen the pelvis during childbirth when a baby was stuck.

  • Design: It looked more like a modern-day bone saw—a small, hand-cranked chain with fine teeth.

The First Chainsaw for Wood (1920s)

  • Inventor: Andreas Stihl, a German engineer, is credited with developing the first gasoline-powered chainsaw in 1929.

  • Purpose: Stihl’s design was intended for logging and forestry work.

  • Impact: This innovation revolutionized the timber industry, making tree cutting faster and more efficient.

Stihl’s company, STIHL, remains one of the top chainsaw manufacturers today.

Evolution of the Modern Chainsaw

  • 1926: Andreas Stihl patents the first electric chainsaw.

  • 1929: Stihl develops the first gas-powered chainsaw.

  • 1930s–1950s: Early chainsaws were huge and required two people to operate.

  • 1960s: Lighter, one-man chainsaws were introduced, leading to the modern chainsaw design.

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FLOSSI: THE PRESIDENTIAL KISS TEST

The tradition of kissing the ring of a sovereign or high-ranking leader dates back to ancient civilizations and was used as a gesture of respect, submission, or fealty. Historically, it has been particularly prominent in royal courts, religious institutions, and nobility.

Ancient Civilizations: A Symbol of Submission

  • In the Persian Empire (c. 500 BCE) under the Achaemenid dynasty, subjects were required to prostrate themselves (proskynesis) and sometimes kiss the hand or ring of the emperor to show absolute loyalty.

  • Ancient Rome (c. 100 BCE—400 CE): Roman senators and officials kissed the emperor's ring as a sign of political allegiance. Julius Caesar and later emperors used rings to seal documents, reinforcing their divine authority.

Medieval Europe: Fealty and Divine Right

  • By the Middle Ages (500–1500 CE), the practice became standard in European monarchies. Kings and emperors often wore signet rings that symbolized their divine right to rule.

  • Nobles and clergy were expected to kiss the monarch's ring when swearing oaths of loyalty or vassalage.

  • The Holy Roman Emperors (800–1806 CE) and the French and English kings maintained this tradition to reinforce hierarchical order and submission.

The Catholic Church: The Papal Ring Tradition

  • The Pope’s Fisherman’s Ring is perhaps the most famous religious adaptation of this practice.

  • Since at least the 9th century, Catholic believers and clergy have kissed the Pope’s ring as a sign of obedience and respect for his authority as the successor of Saint Peter.

  • Cardinals and bishops also received ring-kisses as a gesture of recognition of their spiritual status.

Renaissance and Beyond: Political & Diplomatic Custom

  • During the Renaissance (15th–17th centuries), ambassadors and dignitaries often kissed the ring of foreign rulers during diplomatic visits as a sign of goodwill.

  • Even in France under Louis XIV (the Sun King), courtiers performed this ritual to demonstrate their place in the monarchy’s hierarchy.

Decline in Modern Times

  • By the 19th and 20th centuries, the practice of kissing a monarch's ring gradually disappeared in secular governments.

  • However, it still persists in religious circles, particularly in Catholic, Orthodox, and some Islamic traditions.

  • In Britain, formal bowing and hand-kissing were once common, but Queen Elizabeth II discouraged ring-kissing, preferring a simple bow or handshake.

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FLOSSI PONDERS MSNBC DEAL

  • "To his dog, every man is Napoleon; hence the constant popularity of dogs."
    – Aldous Huxley, writer and philosopher

    In the 19th and 20th centuries, several notable individuals blended careers in media or entertainment with involvement in U.S. politics, often using their platforms to influence public opinion or pursue political office. Here are some examples:

     19th Century

    1. Horace Greeley:

        Media: Founder and editor of the New York Tribune, one of the most influential newspapers of the 19th century.

        Politics: Greeley was a prominent political figure who supported the abolitionist movement and ran for president in 1872 as the candidate of the Liberal Republican Party.

    2. P.T. Barnum:

        Entertainment: Known as the Barnum & Bailey Circus founder, Barnum was a master showman and marketer.

        Politics: Served as a member of the Connecticut Legislature and later as the Mayor of Bridgeport, Connecticut, using his influence to advocate for causes such as temperance and antislavery.

    3. Frederick Douglass:

        Media: As a former slave, Douglass founded and edited several abolitionist newspapers, including The North Star, to advocate for emancipation and civil rights.

        Politics: Douglass held various political appointments, including U.S. Marshal for the District of Columbia and Minister Resident to Haiti.

     20th Century

    1. William Randolph Hearst:

        Media: Built a vast newspaper empire, including the San Francisco Examiner and New York Journal, and became a pioneer of "yellow journalism."

        Politics: Served as a U.S. Congressman from New York (1903–1907) and unsuccessfully ran for Mayor of New York City and Governor of New York.

    2. Joseph Pulitzer:

        Media: Pulitzer, who published the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and New York World, used his newspapers to champion progressive causes and expose corruption.

        Politics: Served as a U.S. Congressman from New York (1885–1886) and was deeply involved in political advocacy through his media outlets.

    3. Al Jolson:

        Entertainment: A celebrated vaudeville and Broadway performer known for his groundbreaking work in The Jazz Singer (1927), the first "talkie."

        Politics: Actively campaigned for various political figures and supported war efforts during World War II through USO performances.

    4. Ronald Reagan:

        Entertainment: A Hollywood actor and Screen Actors Guild president during the 1940s and 1950s.

        Politics: Transitioned into politics, serving as Governor of California (1967–1975) and later as the 40th President of the United States (1981–1989).

    5. Shirley Temple:

        Entertainment: A child star of the 1930s and one of Hollywood’s most iconic actresses.

        Politics: Served as a U.S. diplomat, including roles as U.S. Ambassador to Ghana (1974–1976) and Czechoslovakia (1989–1992).

    6. Bing Crosby:

        Entertainment: An iconic singer and actor, Crosby became a cultural phenomenon through his music and films.

        Politics: Though he did not hold office, Crosby was an active supporter of various political campaigns, including that of Dwight D. Eisenhower, and used his platform to influence public opinion.

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Flossi and the Falcon Heavy

The Falcon Heavy rocket is SpaceX’s most powerful launch vehicle, featuring 27 Merlin engines (nine per booster) and generating 5.13 million pounds of thrust at liftoff. The rocket consists of three Falcon 9 first-stage cores designed for reusability, reducing costs significantly by recovering and reusing the side boosters. Falcon Heavy can lift 64 metric tons (141,000 pounds) to low Earth orbit (LEO) and approximately 26.7 tons to geostationary transfer orbit (GTO).

Some key advancements include:

- Reuse of boosters: The rocket’s side boosters land back on Earth, ready for reuse, significantly reducing costs.

- Payload capacity: It can carry large payloads, making it ideal for launching large satellites, space probes, and crewed spacecraft for potential deep space missions.

- Flexibility: Falcon Heavy can send payloads to the Moon, Mars, and beyond, making it essential for NASA’s plans for deep space exploration and commercial missions.

 Significant Milestones:

1. Maiden Flight (February 6, 2018): The first flight of the Falcon Heavy launched Elon Musk’s Tesla Roadster into a heliocentric orbit, demonstrating the rocket's capabilities.

2. U.S. Air Force STP-2 Mission (2019): A critical demonstration of Falcon Heavy's ability to perform complex missions, delivering multiple payloads to various orbits.

3. NASA’s Artemis Program: Falcon Heavy has been selected for missions supporting NASA's Moon exploration efforts, such as the Psyche mission and Gateway station logistics.

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