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Please Help the FBI Find Those Who Perpetrated U.S. Capitol Violence

craigshieldsPosted on January 1, 2022 Posted in Renewables - Politics

From the FBI’s website, which contains many hundreds of photos and videos of the insurrectionists in action. Not for the faint of heart:

The FBI is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying individuals who made unlawful entry into the U.S. Capitol building and committed various other alleged criminal violations, such as destruction of property, assaulting law enforcement personnel, targeting members of the media for assault, and other unlawful conduct, on January 6, 2021, in Washington, D.C.

We have deployed our full investigative resources and are working closely with our federal, state, and local partners to aggressively pursue those involved in these criminal activities.

If you have witnessed unlawful violent action—or have any information about the cases below—we urge you to contact us.

You can call ‪1-800-CALL-FBI (1-‪800-225-5324) to verbally report tips.

Wish I could help, but I don’t travel in those circles.

Tagged with: insurrectionists in action

U.S. Democracy Teetering on the Brink, But Let’s Keep This in Perspective

craigshieldsPosted on January 1, 2022 Posted in Sustainability

This does sound scary until you realize that whatever happens here and now in the United States is just a blip on the screen of world history. All would-be totalitarians ban the teaching of truth, but, even if they are successful in the short run, they never last. (more…)

Tagged with: attempted coup, FreedomHouse.org, Is it possible that the U.S. will go the way of Turkey and Hungary and become democracies in name only?, us democracy teetering

“I Do My Own Research.” No You Don’t

craigshieldsPosted on January 1, 2022 Posted in Renewables - Science

A reader sent me the meme here.

What he appears not to understand is that people without scientific training are incapable of performing scientific research. Most hairdressers and swimming instructors are fine people, but the very highest they’ll be able to reach, in any given arena of science, is to comprehend the prevalent theories of the day.

If they go online and read about things like climate change and the pandemic and reach a conclusion that is at odds from the scientists, they are not in disagreement; they are simply incorrect.

There are two independent factors that make this universally true.

The first is the scientific method itself, with its hypotheses, experiments, data collection, analyses, and conclusions, followed by rigorous peer review, culminating in rejection, modification, or acceptance. That has no resemblance to any process of which this reader is capable.

The other is cognitive bias. I would ask the reader mentioned above to be honest with himself: Is he completely objective in what websites he selects? Is he interested in learning, or in corroborating what he already believes? I think we both know the answer.

Tagged with: climate change and the pandemic, people without scientific training are incapable of performing scientific research

The Simplicity of Being a Decent Human Being

craigshieldsPosted on December 31, 2021 Posted in Sustainability

We really do have a twisted notion of what it means to want our fellows to be healthy.

It’s a shame we have such a hard time with the core elements of living in a society.

Tagged with: Being a Decent Human Being, core elements of society

Another Perspective on Climate Change

craigshieldsPosted on December 31, 2021 Posted in Climate Change

Not all of our discussions on climate change need to be dark, humorless, and overly academic.

Meet “Gemma,” a delightful Brit whose understanding of global warming and its effects, while perhaps not 100% accurate, is worth a look-see.

Tagged with: Another Perspective on Climate Change, discussions on climate change, understanding of global warming and its effects

Dostoyevsky on Suffering

craigshieldsPosted on December 31, 2021 Posted in Sustainability

This quote here reminds me of a time when I was running my marketing services agency. I had many personal assistants through the decades, but my favorite one called me, in tears, one morning at home shortly before I left for the office. Through her spasmodic whimpering she explained that a pet, a rabbit of all things, had died and that she couldn’t muster herself to come into work.

I told her that I completely understood, and said that, by all means, she should take the day off. I went on to say, “You are a fine human being. You’re highly intelligent and deeply compassionate. That enables people like you to have profound life experiences that are completely unavailable to the ignorant, mean jackasses of this world. Tears are the price that must be paid for the privilege of fully immersing ourselves in life.”

I hadn’t thought about that moment in many years, reminded only by these words from the great Dostoyevsky.

Tagged with: deeply compassionate

Looking Ahead

craigshieldsPosted on December 31, 2021 Posted in Sustainability

Considering the events of the past two years, few of us have high hopes for 2022.

I don’t feel that way. There is a very good chance that this year will see a pandemic under control, the insurrection put to bed and the guilty punished, and great strides in terms of environmental sustainability.

Tagged with: environmental sustainability, insurrection put to bed and the guilty punished, pandemic under control

What’s Up with the U.S. Justice Department?

craigshieldsPosted on December 31, 2021 Posted in Renewables - Politics

My wife just asked me, “Why isn’t the justice department moving against these brazen criminals who are defying congressional subpoenas?” to which I replied, “I have no more insight into this than you or the other +/- hundred million Americans who are asking that very question.” (more…)

Tagged with: abuse of process, brazen criminals who are defying congressional subpoenas, filing frivolous law suits, flushed American democracy down the toilet, Justice Department, U.S. Supreme Court is as conservative as it's been in our lifetimes

Dealing with the Pandemic

craigshieldsPosted on December 31, 2021 Posted in Renewables - Science

Scientists hope the omicron variant of COVID-19 takes us to the point of herd immunity and becomes a manageable, albeit permanent, feature of human society, like the flu.

The graphic here illustrates part of the challenge, however. Decent people are surrounded by selfish, arrogant pigs.

For me, wearing a mask serves dual purposes. In addition to protection from spreading disease, those without masks can’t see my face, and the pure contempt I have for them.

Tagged with: Dealing with the Pandemic