2021 archive
“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” 0
Drivers demonstrate politeness in traveling to their intended destinations.
Payday 0
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette takes a long look at whether unemployment benefits keep persons from applying for jobs. In a lengthy article, they explores the pros and cons of the issue. Given all the shouting, the piece is worth a read. Here’s a bit:
“I have not heard a single person in our group say, ‘These benefits are great, I’m going to stay at home,’” said Ms. Deutsch, who also is the director of worker justice campaigns at the Center for Popular Democracy, a progressive advocacy organization based in New York. “They don’t want to experience the shame of being unemployed. They know that even under the best-case scenario, these benefits will not last forever.”
Afterthought:
I doubt seriously that many persons would choose unemployment benefits over gainful employment and suspect that those who do are likely battling other issues, such as drugs or alcohol or personal issues or lack of means of transportation to and from work.
The key phrase, of course, is “gainful employment.”
I believe that what underlies the claims by employers that persons willingly choose unemployment benefits, which are meager at best, is that employers would rather pay meager wages than living ones. So they point their fingers elsewhere to take attention away from the starvation wages they are offering.
But that’s just me.
Snow Fall(out) 0
Boris Johnson’s colossally stupid Brexit is likely to have all sorts of unanticipated consequences, but at home and abroad. The Local reports on one that I suspect no one expected.
(snip)
Since the end of the Brexit transition period, Brits wishing to work in France may need both visas and work permits – and it seems that employers looking for temporary seasonal staff have decided that this is simply not worth the hassle.
Freedom of Screech 0
Florida Man told to leave Twitter alooooooone.
A Universe of Parallels 0
The Arizona Republic’s E. J. Montini sees the similarities.
Vaccine Nation 0
Bob Molinaro, sportswriter extraordinaire:
In contrast: Speaking for the dumbest sex, Buffalo Bills anti-vaxxer, anti-masker Cole Beasley tweeted, “I may die of COVID, but I’d rather die actually living.” What a drama queen. One who sings in the key of me. The comic irony of NFL players avoiding vaccine needles is that in their line of work, they get shot up more often than race horses.
A Taxing Issue 0
At the Washington Monthly, Jennifer Taub takes a deep dive into the tax fraud charges against Alan Weisselberg and, by implication, Donald Trump’s “business” ventures.
It’s long, complex, and boring, and a very worthwhile read.
Fragility 0
AL.com’s Roy Johnson discusses the 625 persons who have signed a petition against providing anti-bias training to educators in an Alabama school district. A snippet:
This is like saying, say, nutritional counseling focuses too much on food.
Follow the link for context.
“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” 0
When out with your wife, dine with politeness.
One more time, “accidentally” is not a synonym of “negligently.”
Guns and stupid, guns and stupid.
They go together like love and Cupid.
Let me tell you brother,
You can’t have one without the other.
Just the Vaxx, Ma’am 0
It’s not just in the U. S. that some folks deny scientific reality.