2021 archive
The Courage of Their Conniptions 0
It should surprise absolutely no one that the Trumpettes don’t take well to the notion of being held accountable for their actions and are trying to play this card.
Vaccine Nation, the Rich Are Different from You and Me Dept. 0
It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.
Vaccine Nation 0
Here at the farm, we got our first doses of the Pfizer vaccine yesterday; we are scheduled to get our second doses in three weeks after scheduling our appointments as instructed via email from the CDC.
Neither of us has suffered any serious after effects. I had more discomfort after receiving the shingles vaccine (also two shots) a while ago. (My grandmother had a bout with shingles; the vaccine is well worth a couple of days of a soreness in one arm.)
The level of organization at the Virginia Beach Convention Center was impressive and the staff, many of whom were volunteers, was courteous and helpful. I was in and out in half an hour, including the 15-minute post-injection waiting period as a precaution against adverse reactions.
Fantasy 0
Steve M. lets his imagination run wild.
A Notion of Immigrants, Reprise 0
In a larger piece discussing what is wrong with press coverage of the immigrant situation at the southwestern border, Will Bunch provides a partial answer to one of the questions I raised earlier today:
Here’s another bit of Bunch’s article (linked above), regarding what is wrong with the coverage of the current situation; I commend the rest to your attention.
The border situation is neither the first crisis facing the new administration nor close to the biggest — not with a pandemic that has killed more than 500,000 Americans and the related economic crisis leaving 10 million out of work — but it is the nation’s most visible problem that can be so easily demagogued by Republicans looking to score cheap political points against a popular president, or get lapped up by Beltway journalists eager to go back to the brunch of lazy punditry.
Aside:
It is worth remembering that much of the chaos in those countries is the direct result of Ronald Reagan’s policies.
Freedom of Screech 0
The Orlando Sentinel’s Scott Maxwell finds Florida legislators’ attempt to bend Twitter and Facebook to their will to be–er–somewhat problematical. Here’s a tiny bit of his article; follow the link for the rest.
They want to force social media companies to leave untouched any post any politician ever shares — no matter how vile or false.
One legislator described the bill as a dream come true for “Nazis and child molesters and pedophiles.” Then he voted for it.
A Notion of Immigrants 0
At the Washington Monthly, Bill Scher tries to put what’s happening at the southwestern border in context.
It is a worthwhile read.
Aside:
I completely sympathize, indeed, support President Biden’s desire not to replicate the sadistic cruelty of the previous federal executive.
What I’m yet to see explained is why so many of those attempting to enter the country are reported to be unaccompanied minors.
Geeking Out 0
I do likes me my pretty pictures.
Ubuntu MATE with the Fluxbox window manager. The wallpaper is from my collection.
Misdirection Play, Bogus Excuse Dept. 0
A psychology professor explains that, as far as clinical psychologists are concerned, “sex addiction” is not a thing.
Right now, there is no diagnosis of “sex addiction” in any diagnostic manual that psychologists consult when working with patients. It’s not a recognized disorder in the mental health community. This may come as a surprise to some, as many people do believe that sex can be addictive.
Follow the link to find out what is a thing.