January, 2020 archive
Razzing the Barr 0
The New York Bar Association is fed up.
Deja Vu All Over Again 0
In a similar vein, David Niose discusses the conditioning. A snippet:
Fear is also a major element in conditioning minds for war. Americans of all ages are often reminded, by their government and the media, that perceived enemies pose a constant danger. The Soviet threat was used to justify military spending and adventurism around the globe for much of the latter twentieth century . . . . More recently, through constant reminders of the “war on terror,” Americans are effectively conditioned to see evildoers as always looming.
The Fire This Time 0
Paul Krugman remarks on the apathy which has greeted the burning of Australia. A snippet:
But the world isn’t rational. In fact, Australia’s anti-environmentalist government seems utterly unmoved as the nightmares of environmentalists become reality. And the anti-environmentalist media, the Murdoch empire in particular, has gone all-out on disinformation, trying to place the blame on arsonists and “greenies” who won’t let fire services get rid of enough trees.
These political reactions are more terrifying than the fires themselves.
Afterthought:
Unlike Ripley, science doesn’t care whether you believe it or not. Science just is–and will be–regardless of whether anyone believes it.
“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” 0
Demonstrate courtesy whilst going about your day-to-day business.
No Place To Hide 0
At the San Francisco Chronicle, Joseph W. Cotchett note the efforts of Big Data to weasel out from under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). Here’s a snippet (emphasis added):
Face, we have admitted–nay, invited–these parasites into our most private lives and now, like electronic bed bugs, they have no intention of leaving.
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*A distinction without a distinction, methinks.
Florida Man? 0
No relo, says the judge, noting that the wannabe Florida Man is unwilling to speak for himself.
Facebook Frolics 0
Shorter Facebook press release: Fact? What is this thing you call “fact”?
Spin Cycle, Tariffs Dept. 0
David explains how tariffs work. It’s not how Donald Trump claims they work, despite the Trumpettes’ spin.