February, 2019 archive
Use Time Wisely 0
No, I did not watch the SOTU (or, as Juanita Jean aptly dubbed it, the STFU).
As I have mentioned before in these electrons, I refuse to spend hours in front of my telly vision for something I can read about in ten minutes the next day.
Suffer the Children 0
Yastreblyansky marvels at the contortions to which the Trump administration is willing to go to justify stealing children from their parents.
The Lies of the Land 0
Aside:
I saw a news story saying that the State of the Union address would be about Donald Trump’s “policy priorities.”
As far as I can tell, Donald Trump does not have “policies.” He perhaps has whims, obsessions, phobias, and fixations, but he does not have “policies.”
Image via Job’s Anger.
What’s Going on in Venezuela? 0
David takes a look at what’s happening in Venezuela. He suggests that
(a) disturbingly large portion of “the left” is getting events in Venezuela really wrong, opting to stand behind Russia-backed strongman authoritarian Nicolas Maduro.
I’m posting this because I have no idea what’s going on there, except that I know it’s not good, and I know also that the U. S. press has a horrible record of misreporting events in Central and South America, so I think a perspective would be welcome. I will also note the David has some credibility regarding South American politics, as he’s originally from Buenos Aires.
(Here’s another perspective from Badtux.)
Make TWUUG Your LUG 0
Learn about the wonderful world of free and open source. Use computers to do what you want, not what someone else wants you to do. Learn how to use GNU/Linux and its plethora of free and open source software to get stuff done with computers.
It’s not hard; it’s just different.
When: Monthly TWUUG meeting at 7:30 p. m. on the first Thursday of the month (February 7, 2018). Pre-meeting dinner at Chicago Uno, JANAF shopping center, 6:00 p. m. (map)
Who: Everyone in TideWater/Hampton Roads with interest in any/all flavors of Unix/Linux. There are no dues or signup requirements. All are welcome.
Where: Lake Taylor Transitional Care Hospital in Norfolk Training Room (map). (Wireless and wired internet connection available.) Turn right upon entering, then left at the last corridor and look for the open meeting room.
Twits on Twitter 0
Eugene Robinson considers an untethered twit.
The Rule of Lawless 0
Joe Patrice sees eerie similarities between Donald Trump and the New England Patriots.
Ralph Northam 0
I waited a bit before commenting on this story, as I have found that initial reports are often flawed, especially when promulgated by twits on Twitter and frolickers on Facebook. He is the governor of my state and I supported him.
And he has been a decent and reasonable governor.
My primary reaction is disappointment. Plunging-to-the-bottom-of-the-well disappointment.
As my local rag pointed out in an excellent editorial, these events happened in 1984, not in 1924, and there’s no conceivable excuse for someone over the age of consent not knowing that blackface and Klan robes are vile and racist.
Hell, I’m two decades older than him, and I knew that when I was still in high school.
Should he resign? Not for me to say–who am I to call for resignation? I’m just a third-tier blogger with opinions and a keyboard–but I suspect he likely will eventually do so.
It’s frustrating, though, as Republican office-holders with track records of overtly racist conduct while in office serve out their terms and, indeed, seek higher office, with impunity.
Are his political career and his effectiveness as a leader toast? Oh, yes-indeedy-do, with butter and marmalade.
Afterthought:
I’m from the Eastern Shore, as is Northam (though I never knew any Northams when I was growing up). I’m still scratching my head about why my local rag decided to describe the Shore as “rural and rugged.” It is a lot of things, including rural, but “rugged” isn’t one of them.
What You Don’t Drink Can’t Hurt You 0
Farron has the latest from the Environmental Predation Agency.
“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” 0
Children should be polite to their parents.
(snip)
(Sgt. Ryan Abbott of the King County, Washington, Sheriff’s Office–ed.) Abbott said the boyfriend – and father of the child – told deputies he had just moved the gun from a higher location and placed the loaded gun between the mattress and the box spring Friday night, after hearing some noises outside their home.
“He (the child) found a handgun that was unsecured there and he grabbed it, and before anyone knew what happened, heard a pop sound. And the mom was shot on her face area,” Abbott said.