June, 2019 archive
Open Heartland 0
In the Hartford Courant, Richard Brown and Ron Formisano argue forcefully that the term “American Heartland” is woefully misused when viewed as referring only to the Midwest and Plains states and, by extendion, their residents. Brown and Formisano posit that such usage ignores too many other hearts in the American land. They conclude
I commend their piece to your attention. Follow the link for their reasoning.
Suffer the Children 0
One more time, it’s not scripture. It’s Republican policy.
The Republican Party–the party of mean for the sake of mean.
Lowering the Barr 0
Connie Estrich, who went to law school with Attorney-General William Barr and remembers him as an honorable man, wonders what has happened to the Bill Barr she knew.
No excerpt or summary can do justice to her article. Just read it.
Minimum Qualifications 0
Paul Ekman, writing at Psychology Today Blogs, identifies six personality (as opposed to political) characteristics which he considers desirable in a president or presidential candidate. They are:
- Not impulsive
- Comfortable with ambiguity
- Tolerates taking risks
- Values transparency
- Takes the blame for mistaken actions
- Seeks to act consistently with our American heritage
Follow the link for his reasoning, and, as you do so, reflect on how well the incumbent embodies these qualities.
“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” 0
One of those “responsible gun owners” was just horsin’ around . . . .
(snip)
“He was limping, dragging that leg — it was really swollen. He just had marginal interest in food,” said Kelly Nelson, the owner of the boarding facility that cares for Jasper, according to KOIN. “His eyes just looked really dull and like he was in a lot of pain.”
And, in related news, politeness is going to the dogs.
Just the Vaxx, Ma’am 0
At Psychology Today Blogs, Bryna Siegel tries to make sense of the maelstrom of misinformation magnified in the electrons of the inner webs, primarily via “social” media. She focuses on anti-vaxx as a springboard. A nugget:
I commend the entire piece to your attention.
Meta: Blogroll 0
I’ve just gone through my Blogroll and deleted a few sites that are no longer active. (That’s something I’d encourage my fellow bloggers to do from time to time, based on my experience with their blogrolls. . . .)
I’ll likely add a few new links when I get a round tuit.
I know that blogrolls seem to have become an anachronism in these days of twits and Zuckers, but, dammit, it’s my site and I’ll try if I want to. You would try too if it happened to you.
Stray Thought 0
I’m so old that I can remember when politicians of a certain age voluntarily entered retirement.
Plastic People, You’re Such a Drag* 0
And it looks like all of us are becoming plastic people:
The study estimates that adults consume and inhale at least 98,000 of the particles each year, based on a review of previous research about microplastic intake from things like seafood, honey, bottled water and beer.
Many more particles at the link.
______________
*With apologies to Frank Zappa.
“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” 0
Extend the hand of politeness to our four-legged friends.
Philip H. Taylor, 54, of Bryan, Ohio, who is charged with a fifth-degree felony, is accused of killing the dogs Saturday with a handgun, according to records in Bryan Municipal Court.