2021 archive
Geeking Out 0
Looking at a map of southwest England, where I spent my Junior Year Abroad at the University of Exeter, using Marble on Mageia v. 8 under the Fluxbox window manager.
Vaccine Nation 0
While we’re on the subject, here’s an excerpt from an article by the Arizona Republic’s E. J. Montini about persons taking ivermectin horse de-worming pills to cure COVID:
He responded, “You expect me to believe the FDA? How naïve are you?”
We are a society of stupid.
Alibis for Assault 0
He claims he was “standing his ground.”
Also, pigs, wings.
Aside:
This is what “stand your ground” laws are about: Providing alibis for assault.
Vaccine Nation 0
David analyzes the latest COVID vaccine FUD from Fox News. (Short commercial at the end.)
Devolution 0
At Psychology Today Blogs, Clifford Lazarus takes a look at common myths and misinformation being spread about COVID-19, including the following:
- Myth 1: Masks Do Not Protect People from COVID-19
- Myth 2: Vaccines Cause COVID-19
- Myth 3: Vaccines Contain Micro-Tracking Technology
After demolishing them, he comes to a disheartening conclusion:
It is this latter fact that seems to support our species’ scientific classification as Homo sapiens — “wise man.” But, in general, that classification seems to be a misnomer. Why would people choose to ignore scientific realities and act in personally reckless, socially irresponsible, and globally destructive ways? Perhaps because the prevalence of superstition, fear, denial, greed, shortsightedness, and ignorance are integral aspects of our species? This is why I propose a different, seemingly much more fitting classification for our kind, Homo stultus — “stupid man.”
Follow the link for more about the myths, his debunking thereof, and the reasoning behind his suggested change in nomenclature.
Gutting Out the Vote 0
And the moral of the story is, “Show a Republican a new depth and he’ll stoop to it.”
Maskless Marauders, Suffer the Children Dept. 0
Julie Heller spent some time with school children to determine their feelings about wearing masks in school. She found that they did not consider themselves to be abused, despite what some parents might be thinking–and saying. She quotes one little girl as replying, when asked how she feels about wearing a mask, “Doesn’t matter,” she said, “as long as we get to go to school.”
So she wonders about the source of parents’ anxiety. Here a little bit (emphasis added):
So where’s all this added anxiety and stress parents claim kids are feeling from wearing masks?
Maybe, just maybe it’s the parents who are feeling this. Maybe they’re watching their kids get on the school bus with covered faces and it reminds them their kids aren’t having the “normal” childhood they had mask-free. . . .
But, logically, it makes no sense to care about your kids more than anything in the world while also pushing to send them into a microscopic war zone without protective gear.
Pressing for War, Reprise 0
While on the topic, Gwynne Dyer offers an historical perspective on the roots of Islamic radicalism. Her article provides a context sadly lacking from dis coarse discourse.
Those Who Ignore History . . . . 0
A Random Memory:
I remember standing outside my workplace in the smoking area (it was right outside the back door and, yes, I freed myself from that addiction over a decade ago, thank heavens) with my boss at the time (he was, by the way, a really good boss and a pleasure to work for), a veteran army NCO who, among other things, had participated in “drug interdiction” efforts in Central America.
He was enthusing over President George the Worst’s proposed war in Irag, saying that he was glad “there is a Texan in the White House.”
All I could say in reply was, “I have a bad feeling about this.”
