As I’ve mentioned, my mom is a life-long conservative Republican, and now in her elder years, unfortunately, a Fox News devotee. Nonetheless, we have extremely civil and mutually respectful discussions on politics.
One of her observations of me, is that, regrettably, I regard people who disagree with me as “bad human beings.” I have to admit this is true, if that point of disagreement is something with heavy moral implications. (Obviously, I’m fine with people who dislike my favored art, music, literature, outdoor activities, brands of beer, etc.) (more…)
It’s hard to think of a single person in history who made a marked improvement in the lives of the common person who did so without irritating the living bejeesus out of the people in power at the time.
From Frederick Douglass: “It is not light that we need, but fire; it is not the gentle shower, but thunder. We need the storm, the whirlwind, and the earthquake.” (more…)
It appears that Trump is making a multi-pronged attack on the November election with a variety of voter suppression tools. Assuming, however, that he will ultimately fail and faces a free and fair process, it’s clear that he will no longer be president after January 21, 2021. At that point, we need to expect indictments to rocket down from the sky like a hard, pelting hail-storm.
It will be interesting to see what tack prosecutors like. The author of the cartoon here suggests that money-laundering will take a key position. But does that seem more likely than any of several others? (more…)
The Center for the Study of Liberty is a group whose ostensible purpose is fostering civil discussions on the subject of liberty and human rights. It appears to be just an advocacy group for the no-mask, selfish Republicans who want to legitimize their refusal to be a part of society and help bring an end to the pandemic.
The moment we start to look at people’s rights to do as they please, we see a continuum. (more…)
Which is the greater understatement: the photo at left, or the statement, “An unpopular and egomaniacal leader suggesting that the coming election be indefinitely postponed represents a threat to American democracy?”
I believe we can fulfill everyone’s objectives simultaneously, if we all acknowledge certain truths here:
Yes, there is a 1.5% fatality rate, though many will suffer horribly, and a great number will live with damaged organs for the rest of their lives.
Fear is never a good reaction to a situation we can’t avoid; we need to promote rationality. This means taking precautions such that we don’t carelessly or selfishly make one another extremely sick.
In dangerous situations that have scientific phenomena at the core (diseases, climate change, ocean acidification, loss of biodiversity, etc.). it’s best to take direction from those who understand the science, rather than, say, incendiary talk show hosts or those with political agendas.
Everyone wants to see fast economic recovery, but at this point it’s clear the only way to achieve this is heeding the advice of those whose life’s work is dealing with pandemics.
When I walk by a house with a solar PV array, I often think about the specific design. Is it facing the right direction, at approximately the correct angle, etc? In our neighborhood, there is such an array built too close to the chimney, the shade from which impairs its effectiveness.
That’s why the pic at left got my attention. One needn’t be a senior engineer to see the issue here.
I don’t own a gun, and I certainly don’t carry one, but if I did and such a person grabbed me, I have to think, if I were physically able to unholster it, I would instinctively put a bullet in his chest, and let him bleed on the sidewalk while I called 911 to report the incident.
This is one of the reasons that the local police are a much better choice to contain any criminality that may be connected with the protests.
Also, the police of any city in America would far rather handle this themselves, which I happen to know for a fact via my connections to the Philadelphia Police Department.