Links for 6/30/20
Hyperpartisanship by Republicans have put them into a hole they may not escape. We ill see this week if Trump can survive a personal Supreme Court loss and proof of his looking the other way while Taliban collected Russian bounties on our troops. My question is, why this was not brought up during impeachment?
Warren still has bad staff support and would alienate never-Trumpers who may come back to vote for Pence as nominee. Tammy is an insider Senator. Without Trump, the convention will not look the same. Also, if Pence is the nominee, no strippers.
Even knowing who Buckley was is inside baseball. So is knowing why Clinton lost (Kaine on ticket, comments on abortion).
Consumerism is the part of capitalism that stops revolution. It is a feature, not a flaw. Capitalism is the flaw.
Tuesday, June 30, 2020
Monday, June 29, 2020
Time for McConnell to help state and local governments cope with the pandemic
Time for McConnell to help state and local governments cope with the pandemic
Mitch is waiting for landlords to send some money to the RSCC (including Mnuchin and his LLC partners, who have substantial holdings in rental property). He is also worried about hyper-stagflation. He should be. People with $1000 per week should be able to both make rent and give to Republicans. They are not. A nasty game of chicken is going on here. Traditionally, states file for disaster assistance and a supplemental is passed, with fanfare. Separate out such a bill and it will pass. Of course, such appropriations should be done on a no-year (automatic) basis. With the number of states being hit with costs, it likely will be.
Mitch is waiting for landlords to send some money to the RSCC (including Mnuchin and his LLC partners, who have substantial holdings in rental property). He is also worried about hyper-stagflation. He should be. People with $1000 per week should be able to both make rent and give to Republicans. They are not. A nasty game of chicken is going on here. Traditionally, states file for disaster assistance and a supplemental is passed, with fanfare. Separate out such a bill and it will pass. Of course, such appropriations should be done on a no-year (automatic) basis. With the number of states being hit with costs, it likely will be.
Friday, June 26, 2020
The sycophancy of Raymond Arroyo
The sycophancy of Raymond Arroyo
Arroyo is the stool. Trump may win Wyoming.
Arroyo is the stool. Trump may win Wyoming.
Thursday, June 25, 2020
Links for 6/25/2020
Links for 6/25/2020
Hitting Vigano' and MAGA are shooting fish in a barrel.
Social distance at Church (and in society) is both inadequate and too much because the role of an initial cold was minimized due to perceptions. People are not virus monsters - if they don't sneeze, it does not spread. Of course, when sneezing does occur, many write it off as hay fever until it is too late. The pandemic will take vulnerable seniors out of Church. Some may surrender to age and not return.
I still contend that Barr is the bright shiny object making stupid and futile gestures to hold Trump off from doing more damage. The Flynn case needed an off-ramp. If he had kept his mouth shut (instead of pandering to Trump in a victory lap), his case would have been over a year ago. On NY, if I wanted to protect SDNY, I would have made the same moves. Barr is not a corrupt dolt, even if he plays one on TV. He knows never to look smarter than the boss, which is a tall order with this president.
Averages are misleading. When controlled by class, the significant difference for non-whites is that they have little income from stock market assets. Assets in the stock market are not real wealth - they are monopoly money. As for the poor, income figures don't generally include transfers. For the non-white elderly, not having the same level of assets does have an impact on quality of life - until markets crash and burn (as they always do). My former father-in-law found himself working in retirement because of the dot.com bubble burst.
Welfare programs need a huge rethink - with payments for gaining literacy at minimum wage levels, increasing the child tax credit and making it refundable and distributed with other benefits and higher minimum wage levels (much higher). This will also help seniors and the disabled without assets.
Trolling and threats are endemic on all Internet discussion environments. They are never to be taken seriously. They are only terrorism if you read them. Sadly, teens take them literally and sometimes they spill over into the hot house environment that is modern schools.
Non-Zionist history generally shows that Israelis picked their own fights in 1947 and responded asymmetrically. The treatment of Gaza is unconscionable. Cede it back to Egypt.
Pat Buchanan and his scotch bottle agree with Churchill on western civilization. Both were disastrously wrong. On statues, you can never be sure who the vandals are. Any counterfactual on Hitler winning would have to include him not being driven mad by syphilis. Unreal. For the Roma, life behind the iron curtain was no picnic.
Hitting Vigano' and MAGA are shooting fish in a barrel.
Social distance at Church (and in society) is both inadequate and too much because the role of an initial cold was minimized due to perceptions. People are not virus monsters - if they don't sneeze, it does not spread. Of course, when sneezing does occur, many write it off as hay fever until it is too late. The pandemic will take vulnerable seniors out of Church. Some may surrender to age and not return.
I still contend that Barr is the bright shiny object making stupid and futile gestures to hold Trump off from doing more damage. The Flynn case needed an off-ramp. If he had kept his mouth shut (instead of pandering to Trump in a victory lap), his case would have been over a year ago. On NY, if I wanted to protect SDNY, I would have made the same moves. Barr is not a corrupt dolt, even if he plays one on TV. He knows never to look smarter than the boss, which is a tall order with this president.
Averages are misleading. When controlled by class, the significant difference for non-whites is that they have little income from stock market assets. Assets in the stock market are not real wealth - they are monopoly money. As for the poor, income figures don't generally include transfers. For the non-white elderly, not having the same level of assets does have an impact on quality of life - until markets crash and burn (as they always do). My former father-in-law found himself working in retirement because of the dot.com bubble burst.
Welfare programs need a huge rethink - with payments for gaining literacy at minimum wage levels, increasing the child tax credit and making it refundable and distributed with other benefits and higher minimum wage levels (much higher). This will also help seniors and the disabled without assets.
Trolling and threats are endemic on all Internet discussion environments. They are never to be taken seriously. They are only terrorism if you read them. Sadly, teens take them literally and sometimes they spill over into the hot house environment that is modern schools.
Non-Zionist history generally shows that Israelis picked their own fights in 1947 and responded asymmetrically. The treatment of Gaza is unconscionable. Cede it back to Egypt.
Pat Buchanan and his scotch bottle agree with Churchill on western civilization. Both were disastrously wrong. On statues, you can never be sure who the vandals are. Any counterfactual on Hitler winning would have to include him not being driven mad by syphilis. Unreal. For the Roma, life behind the iron curtain was no picnic.
Wednesday, June 24, 2020
Debate the issues; don't destroy the statues
Debate the issues; don't destroy the statues
My concern about tearing down statues is that it may be prompted by Boogaloo Boys who are aiming at starting a race war. The FBI needs to go after them. Questions of anti-Catholic bigotry should be investigated and debated, both to repeal the Blaine Amendments and to point out that some of it was deserved, considering the disastrous papal encyclicals attacking democracy, freemasonry and academic science. Add sex to the list. Students should not be penalized, but the Church needs to examine its actions and teachings - as well as its assumptions in evangelizing indigenous populations.
My concern about tearing down statues is that it may be prompted by Boogaloo Boys who are aiming at starting a race war. The FBI needs to go after them. Questions of anti-Catholic bigotry should be investigated and debated, both to repeal the Blaine Amendments and to point out that some of it was deserved, considering the disastrous papal encyclicals attacking democracy, freemasonry and academic science. Add sex to the list. Students should not be penalized, but the Church needs to examine its actions and teachings - as well as its assumptions in evangelizing indigenous populations.
Tuesday, June 23, 2020
Links for 6/23/20
Links for 6/23/20
Covid response could include Ad Orientum. Priests and seminarians are already in close quarters. No need to do it for show or solidarity, which did not stop a virus that is more likely spread by sneezing. Trump cannot be blamed for the virus or the CDC/NIH response (which was inadequate), but flapping his gums is all him. Not even Vigano' or the pro-life movement can save it. Indeed, no one can save the pro-life movement if June is decided Per Curium (unless they play the politics of grievance really hard). Inept Sheriffs won't help Trump either. The biggest environmental (and abortion) risk to the unborn is still poverty. Trump has no desire to fix it.
Covid response could include Ad Orientum. Priests and seminarians are already in close quarters. No need to do it for show or solidarity, which did not stop a virus that is more likely spread by sneezing. Trump cannot be blamed for the virus or the CDC/NIH response (which was inadequate), but flapping his gums is all him. Not even Vigano' or the pro-life movement can save it. Indeed, no one can save the pro-life movement if June is decided Per Curium (unless they play the politics of grievance really hard). Inept Sheriffs won't help Trump either. The biggest environmental (and abortion) risk to the unborn is still poverty. Trump has no desire to fix it.
Monday, June 22, 2020
Biden's lead in polls is growing but is no cause for complacency
Biden's lead in polls is growing but is no cause for complacency
Media loves the horse race, its good for ratings. The reality is that all the toss-ups are likely blue and the red wall will likely be breached. Trump has a Wilder problem. America's pitchforks are out, with a vengeance. If Biden and NARAL handle June v. Gee with grace, the pro-life movement will begin to fade. At least 5 million red staters are about to suffer through having SARS-CoV-2 or know someone who has. Trump is Carter, but worse.
Media loves the horse race, its good for ratings. The reality is that all the toss-ups are likely blue and the red wall will likely be breached. Trump has a Wilder problem. America's pitchforks are out, with a vengeance. If Biden and NARAL handle June v. Gee with grace, the pro-life movement will begin to fade. At least 5 million red staters are about to suffer through having SARS-CoV-2 or know someone who has. Trump is Carter, but worse.
Friday, June 19, 2020
The American people did their job, but the president did not do his
The American people did their job, but the president did not do his
The current occupant of the White House (who I shall not name), is not a moral agent. Vice President Pence either has no moral courage or is also as dumb as a bucket of hammers. Tragically, no one has challenged the assumptions used to form policy, so the government and even the American people have it wrong.
This crisis is worse than you think. For whatever reason, the Coronavirus Task Force has ignored the first round of symptoms of this ailment. In my experience, it begins as a cold with heavy product. Bad timing made many sufferers believe that they had merely suffering from hay fever. There is then a week of dormancy. If you assume that exposure occurs two weeks prior to the first symptoms, there are four weeks, rather than two, before SARS symptoms are manifested, including fever, fatigue from low oxygen levels and fatigue from the manufacture of immunity (which feels like a gut punch over a two-week period).
This realization destroys the paradigm behind of social distancing, which did not catch the first two weeks of the pandemic. Also, because of the regional spread of the disease, distancing and closure occurred earlier than necessary and is ending just when it is most needed. 22 states should be closing now rather than starting phases one or two of recovery.
On the positive side, our experience is that once one has marked symptoms (other than simply a cold – which is the only symptom younger people likely experience), full immunity is most likely. All of my associates who have been tested after being sick have antibodies and test negative on the RNA virus screen. Neither I, nor they, need to wear protection except for reasons of solidarity. The desire for solidarity, however, is getting a bit thin, especially as those living in fear tend to shun people who admit to having had the virus.
This realization will also allow people who work in hospitals and nursing homes who have been sick to work without personal protective gear (even a mask). The best thing for their patients and residents is to actually be sick or exposed, quarantined for one month, and then return to work at no risk.
Social transmission of the disease is as likely among peers than across generations. Snowbirds are returning and visiting their older friends. One sneeze by one old friend could kill a nursing home. Snowbirds that quarantined in their winter homes likely believe they are not a danger. Disease rates in the Midwest will prove that assumption to be deadly.
For those outside nursing homes, and likely within, the diagnosis of COVID is seen by many as a death sentence. This has become a self-fulfilling prophesy because care is not sought until it is too late. Asthma sufferers actually have an advantage here, because we know and can manage SARS2 symptoms with our current medications. For me, Hydoxyzine, fever reducers and an inhaler were adequate.
Likewise, because heart disease is common among older patients, it may be that cardiac history is not a complicating factor. We will see how high COVID deaths reach in comparison to heart attack death for the year. I suspect the latter will be down and the former may be second to cancer, if not the number one cause of death this year.
If social distancing to date has not worked, it is probably too late for re-imposing it to prevent the rest of the nation from experiencing levels of disease, especially in nursing homes, on the order of those experienced in the State of New York. The death rate there is 150 per 100,00 – or 0.15% of the population. Our calculations are a bit more optimistic at 120 per 100,00 – or 0.12% of the population, with most or all states currently in the exposure phase. If this is the case, the virus should burn itself out by October, with many older citizens, both in and out of nursing homes, being infected.
We predict approximately 400,000 deaths nationwide. We have attached a state by state breakdown based on population. We believe that using the word doomed is essential, given that it is too late to correct the current course. This death rate converts, based on the case to death ratio of 5.6%, to 7 million recorded cases in the next few months. (and many more for those who are never tested but who become ill). The good news, however, is that late distancing makes a rebound unlikely. Everyone who will be infected have likely been exposed, or soon will be.
CDC guidance is inadequate to protect seniors and middle aged adults. It is almost impossible to stop a disease that begins in the same manner as a bad cold. CDC guidance (and proposed guidance for after the pandemic) will make the situation worse, not better.
This virus does not seem to hurt most children and teens, and likely most young adults, because they have colds and are constantly fighting them off. Older citizens are farther away from having colds and being exposed to them. Current precautions also degrade immunity because it is not challenged. This is also why Influenza is so dangerous to nursing home residents. Older citizens who are not in a nursing home, especially those in a multi-generational household, are less likely to become sick, primarily because their immune systems are challenged by their snot-nosed grandchildren.
Any parent will confirm that their younger children are constantly sick and that they share the pain – much to the horror of co-workers – although having sick parents come to work also spreads manageable illness. Being shielded, however, leaves on vulnerable to symptoms. My daughter is with her mother in Knoxville. I got sick. My ex-wife probably will not.
The current occupant of the White House (who I shall not name), is not a moral agent. Vice President Pence either has no moral courage or is also as dumb as a bucket of hammers. Tragically, no one has challenged the assumptions used to form policy, so the government and even the American people have it wrong.
This crisis is worse than you think. For whatever reason, the Coronavirus Task Force has ignored the first round of symptoms of this ailment. In my experience, it begins as a cold with heavy product. Bad timing made many sufferers believe that they had merely suffering from hay fever. There is then a week of dormancy. If you assume that exposure occurs two weeks prior to the first symptoms, there are four weeks, rather than two, before SARS symptoms are manifested, including fever, fatigue from low oxygen levels and fatigue from the manufacture of immunity (which feels like a gut punch over a two-week period).
This realization destroys the paradigm behind of social distancing, which did not catch the first two weeks of the pandemic. Also, because of the regional spread of the disease, distancing and closure occurred earlier than necessary and is ending just when it is most needed. 22 states should be closing now rather than starting phases one or two of recovery.
On the positive side, our experience is that once one has marked symptoms (other than simply a cold – which is the only symptom younger people likely experience), full immunity is most likely. All of my associates who have been tested after being sick have antibodies and test negative on the RNA virus screen. Neither I, nor they, need to wear protection except for reasons of solidarity. The desire for solidarity, however, is getting a bit thin, especially as those living in fear tend to shun people who admit to having had the virus.
This realization will also allow people who work in hospitals and nursing homes who have been sick to work without personal protective gear (even a mask). The best thing for their patients and residents is to actually be sick or exposed, quarantined for one month, and then return to work at no risk.
Social transmission of the disease is as likely among peers than across generations. Snowbirds are returning and visiting their older friends. One sneeze by one old friend could kill a nursing home. Snowbirds that quarantined in their winter homes likely believe they are not a danger. Disease rates in the Midwest will prove that assumption to be deadly.
For those outside nursing homes, and likely within, the diagnosis of COVID is seen by many as a death sentence. This has become a self-fulfilling prophesy because care is not sought until it is too late. Asthma sufferers actually have an advantage here, because we know and can manage SARS2 symptoms with our current medications. For me, Hydoxyzine, fever reducers and an inhaler were adequate.
Likewise, because heart disease is common among older patients, it may be that cardiac history is not a complicating factor. We will see how high COVID deaths reach in comparison to heart attack death for the year. I suspect the latter will be down and the former may be second to cancer, if not the number one cause of death this year.
If social distancing to date has not worked, it is probably too late for re-imposing it to prevent the rest of the nation from experiencing levels of disease, especially in nursing homes, on the order of those experienced in the State of New York. The death rate there is 150 per 100,00 – or 0.15% of the population. Our calculations are a bit more optimistic at 120 per 100,00 – or 0.12% of the population, with most or all states currently in the exposure phase. If this is the case, the virus should burn itself out by October, with many older citizens, both in and out of nursing homes, being infected.
We predict approximately 400,000 deaths nationwide. We have attached a state by state breakdown based on population. We believe that using the word doomed is essential, given that it is too late to correct the current course. This death rate converts, based on the case to death ratio of 5.6%, to 7 million recorded cases in the next few months. (and many more for those who are never tested but who become ill). The good news, however, is that late distancing makes a rebound unlikely. Everyone who will be infected have likely been exposed, or soon will be.
CDC guidance is inadequate to protect seniors and middle aged adults. It is almost impossible to stop a disease that begins in the same manner as a bad cold. CDC guidance (and proposed guidance for after the pandemic) will make the situation worse, not better.
This virus does not seem to hurt most children and teens, and likely most young adults, because they have colds and are constantly fighting them off. Older citizens are farther away from having colds and being exposed to them. Current precautions also degrade immunity because it is not challenged. This is also why Influenza is so dangerous to nursing home residents. Older citizens who are not in a nursing home, especially those in a multi-generational household, are less likely to become sick, primarily because their immune systems are challenged by their snot-nosed grandchildren.
Any parent will confirm that their younger children are constantly sick and that they share the pain – much to the horror of co-workers – although having sick parents come to work also spreads manageable illness. Being shielded, however, leaves on vulnerable to symptoms. My daughter is with her mother in Knoxville. I got sick. My ex-wife probably will not.
Thursday, June 18, 2020
Links for 6/18/20
Links for 6/18/20
From Barron, Fox and EWTN to Beverly Leslie and the Sphinx Orchestra, What times we live in.
Catholic elementary schools have been recreated as charter schools in the Washington Archdiocese. Archbishop Lori, call Archbishop Gregory. As for Covid, it will be over and much worse than anyone now projects publicly. Bishop Barron will be as well. Cardinal Sean, call your office.
American education (including Catholic high schools), need to spend as much time funding vocational training as pre-college. Grades 11-14 in both tracks need to be free and students need to be paid their opportunity costs at minimum wage levels (and I don't mean $7.75). Junior year and above need to be funded by employers with a service requirement. Parental wealth or the lack thereof should have no say in the matter. In the end, such advantages don't help much anyway. Trump and his children are a prime example of affirmative action for the rich and stupid.
I do not agree with Ruth's assertion that the racism of law enforcement is a flaw rather than a feature. The movement was in danger of losing steam because of the sound of defund the police. However, cooler heads have provided enough definition to make it mainstream - as well as to point out (as I too have) that part of the solution is dealing with mental illness (although I have seen no one talk about shifting from imminent danger to probable harm).
From Barron, Fox and EWTN to Beverly Leslie and the Sphinx Orchestra, What times we live in.
Catholic elementary schools have been recreated as charter schools in the Washington Archdiocese. Archbishop Lori, call Archbishop Gregory. As for Covid, it will be over and much worse than anyone now projects publicly. Bishop Barron will be as well. Cardinal Sean, call your office.
American education (including Catholic high schools), need to spend as much time funding vocational training as pre-college. Grades 11-14 in both tracks need to be free and students need to be paid their opportunity costs at minimum wage levels (and I don't mean $7.75). Junior year and above need to be funded by employers with a service requirement. Parental wealth or the lack thereof should have no say in the matter. In the end, such advantages don't help much anyway. Trump and his children are a prime example of affirmative action for the rich and stupid.
I do not agree with Ruth's assertion that the racism of law enforcement is a flaw rather than a feature. The movement was in danger of losing steam because of the sound of defund the police. However, cooler heads have provided enough definition to make it mainstream - as well as to point out (as I too have) that part of the solution is dealing with mental illness (although I have seen no one talk about shifting from imminent danger to probable harm).
Wednesday, June 17, 2020
Equal rights win at the court is worth celebrating, no matter what US bishops' conference thinks
Equal rights win at the court is worth celebrating, no matter what US bishops' conference thinks
The missing words regarding the bishops are "sour grapes." The problem with the bishops is that they think they are the Church, not all of us (as in I am the State by Louis XIV). Dealing with the religious freedom issues in the judgment cuts the bishops off at the knees, as does the real fact that being in any civil marriage constitutes a violation of Church rules - so just firing gays in civil marriage is pure bigotry. Gomez is going back to the contention that lost horribly in Perry v. Brown. That dog could never hunt - it is prima face evidence of their sour grapes. The Church position on homosexuality in a marital situation is obviously wrong - as in not even close - unless God is Ogre rather than humble (meaning God is fine their selves, needing nothing from their creatures).
The missing words regarding the bishops are "sour grapes." The problem with the bishops is that they think they are the Church, not all of us (as in I am the State by Louis XIV). Dealing with the religious freedom issues in the judgment cuts the bishops off at the knees, as does the real fact that being in any civil marriage constitutes a violation of Church rules - so just firing gays in civil marriage is pure bigotry. Gomez is going back to the contention that lost horribly in Perry v. Brown. That dog could never hunt - it is prima face evidence of their sour grapes. The Church position on homosexuality in a marital situation is obviously wrong - as in not even close - unless God is Ogre rather than humble (meaning God is fine their selves, needing nothing from their creatures).
Tuesday, June 16, 2020
Links for 6/16/20
Links for 6/16/20
Million dollar hospital bills are a formality and a billing error to even send. Putting them on the books is good for the balance sheet in the short term. GAAP needs to be changed to make them worth only likely value - including the likelihood of bankruptcy relief.
The Xavier case shows why ownership must be part of unionization. Seats on the Board of Regents would stop such nonsense. Religious orders a form of union. They should know better.
If the pandemic is as bad nationally as it was in NY and NJ, deaths will be upward of 400,000. This won't be good for Pence in November. Pence on the ticket is the only way the GOP can survive - especially with Warren on the ticket. Biden against Trump, especially without Warren, puts the Never-Trumpers in the catbird seat - not good for Warren on the ticket. Reacting to racism does not change the economics of the anti-Trump movement.
Most people who think PC is bad are looking at the bathroom wars, speech codes, identity labels and correct small stalk. Trump has made them woke. Bruce Bartlett's current column in the New Republic gives a good analysis of the NTs and how they ignored racism. The same principle of ignoring faults also exists on the left, although in the current round of protests, marchers are very vocal about disowning organized looters, anarchists and right-wing plants who are doing most of the burning.
Million dollar hospital bills are a formality and a billing error to even send. Putting them on the books is good for the balance sheet in the short term. GAAP needs to be changed to make them worth only likely value - including the likelihood of bankruptcy relief.
The Xavier case shows why ownership must be part of unionization. Seats on the Board of Regents would stop such nonsense. Religious orders a form of union. They should know better.
If the pandemic is as bad nationally as it was in NY and NJ, deaths will be upward of 400,000. This won't be good for Pence in November. Pence on the ticket is the only way the GOP can survive - especially with Warren on the ticket. Biden against Trump, especially without Warren, puts the Never-Trumpers in the catbird seat - not good for Warren on the ticket. Reacting to racism does not change the economics of the anti-Trump movement.
Most people who think PC is bad are looking at the bathroom wars, speech codes, identity labels and correct small stalk. Trump has made them woke. Bruce Bartlett's current column in the New Republic gives a good analysis of the NTs and how they ignored racism. The same principle of ignoring faults also exists on the left, although in the current round of protests, marchers are very vocal about disowning organized looters, anarchists and right-wing plants who are doing most of the burning.
Monday, June 15, 2020
Will conservative Catholics be horrified by latest Viganò letter?
Will conservative Catholics be horrified by latest Viganò letter?
Catholics who love their guns probably think Francis and Benedict socialists and share Viganos' attitudes on sex (and love NP45's judges). Likely they already read LSN, if the NCR and America Magazine Facebook feeds are any indication. Mentioning Arroyo and LSN wastes bandwidth.
Catholics who love their guns probably think Francis and Benedict socialists and share Viganos' attitudes on sex (and love NP45's judges). Likely they already read LSN, if the NCR and America Magazine Facebook feeds are any indication. Mentioning Arroyo and LSN wastes bandwidth.
Friday, June 12, 2020
Did Times forget its motto of 'All the news that's fit to print'?
Did Times forget its motto of 'All the news that's fit to print'?
The old saying is that to enjoy freedom of the press, you have to own one. Media is product and the Times caught a QC error late (although QC is sometimes used for personnel reasons). My Progressive Catholic column on the DC Examiner web page was fine when i opened it, but at some point I went a bridge too far disagreeing with Trump and I was fired and all past posts deleted. I was made a non-person.
This is what responsible media outlets should do about Non-Person 45.. Nothing he says or "orders" is news. He is an irascible dotard who, if he were not President, would be ignored. Even as President, he should be. The real story is why Pence has not removed him. Even when the White House does good things (don't hold your breath), it was likely not due to Trump.
The old saying is that to enjoy freedom of the press, you have to own one. Media is product and the Times caught a QC error late (although QC is sometimes used for personnel reasons). My Progressive Catholic column on the DC Examiner web page was fine when i opened it, but at some point I went a bridge too far disagreeing with Trump and I was fired and all past posts deleted. I was made a non-person.
This is what responsible media outlets should do about Non-Person 45.. Nothing he says or "orders" is news. He is an irascible dotard who, if he were not President, would be ignored. Even as President, he should be. The real story is why Pence has not removed him. Even when the White House does good things (don't hold your breath), it was likely not due to Trump.
Thursday, June 11, 2020
Links for 6/11/20
Links for 6/11/20
Note to Vigano', Fox News, Obianuju Ekeocha, Doreen St. Felix, Bob Barr and that random priest from Wisconsin - when your side is losing the week and you have nothing positive to say - hide, even if you have access to cable TV and the Internet. God can speak through the people in the modern age - but claiming to speak for God when you are wrong does not stop you from being wrong. Humanae Vitae proved that point in 1968. The voice of the people got it right that time. The marchers do too.
Pandering on a charitable deduction is still a bad tax idea. No one ever gives more or less to charity because they get a tax break. Catholic Charities USA should instead focus on how to offer alternatives to defund the police, working with Catholic Health USA to provide residential mental health services in lieu of jail.
Note to Vigano', Fox News, Obianuju Ekeocha, Doreen St. Felix, Bob Barr and that random priest from Wisconsin - when your side is losing the week and you have nothing positive to say - hide, even if you have access to cable TV and the Internet. God can speak through the people in the modern age - but claiming to speak for God when you are wrong does not stop you from being wrong. Humanae Vitae proved that point in 1968. The voice of the people got it right that time. The marchers do too.
Pandering on a charitable deduction is still a bad tax idea. No one ever gives more or less to charity because they get a tax break. Catholic Charities USA should instead focus on how to offer alternatives to defund the police, working with Catholic Health USA to provide residential mental health services in lieu of jail.
Wednesday, June 10, 2020
Will it be different this time? Will we face our racism?
Will it be different this time? Will we face our racism?
Face it? Both sides embrace the question of race in identity politics, including those who identify as White Catholics. Will it ever be different? Only when we go beyond both capitalism and embrace cooperation in production, consumption, finance and human services. Until cooperation on all these levels is tried, we will be stuck doing the same things and making the same pious noises.
Sadly, the demands of the Shutdown movement, the environmental coordinating committee which has embraced the marches, are divisive and unrealistic. It is not enough to cite 400 years of White Supremacy and demand defunding the police. The economics behind that racism need to be laid bare. Most importantly, the closing of mental health facilities in the 1970's must be undone. We need more money, not less. Demands that Non-Person 45 do something are even worse. The first demand should be that Vice President Pence and the Cabinet declare him disabled under the 25th Amendment. Until this happens, the entire movement is feeding NP45's ego.
Face it? Both sides embrace the question of race in identity politics, including those who identify as White Catholics. Will it ever be different? Only when we go beyond both capitalism and embrace cooperation in production, consumption, finance and human services. Until cooperation on all these levels is tried, we will be stuck doing the same things and making the same pious noises.
Sadly, the demands of the Shutdown movement, the environmental coordinating committee which has embraced the marches, are divisive and unrealistic. It is not enough to cite 400 years of White Supremacy and demand defunding the police. The economics behind that racism need to be laid bare. Most importantly, the closing of mental health facilities in the 1970's must be undone. We need more money, not less. Demands that Non-Person 45 do something are even worse. The first demand should be that Vice President Pence and the Cabinet declare him disabled under the 25th Amendment. Until this happens, the entire movement is feeding NP45's ego.
Tuesday, June 9, 2020
Links for 6/9/20
Links for 6/9/20
Like religion, people have a belief in the belief of science. Paradigms are both essential and dangerous. As for insurance rates on beachfront property, they should go up. Way up. And be capped. The rich need more skin in the game to want to deal with warming. It turns out that people also believe in the disbelief of science.
I suspect that Vigano' likes Non-Person 45 more than NP45 likes Vigano'. If NP45 knew who the Archbishop was, I would be shocked, shocked, I tell you.
People now believe in defunding the police, good idea or not. Don't let facts interfere with a good meme - the evil child of paradigms. The necessary condition to defund police is to find a solution to adequately funding mental health care, as well as changing the standard for receiving benefits and being admitted to be probable harm rather than imminent danger. Making someone become a criminal to get care gives us our police culture.
Laura I needs to be seen and not heard - or simply just not seen. Drew believes in not believing in equality too strongly. Memes abound. As for the Examiner, it believes in firing columnists (like me).
Like religion, people have a belief in the belief of science. Paradigms are both essential and dangerous. As for insurance rates on beachfront property, they should go up. Way up. And be capped. The rich need more skin in the game to want to deal with warming. It turns out that people also believe in the disbelief of science.
I suspect that Vigano' likes Non-Person 45 more than NP45 likes Vigano'. If NP45 knew who the Archbishop was, I would be shocked, shocked, I tell you.
People now believe in defunding the police, good idea or not. Don't let facts interfere with a good meme - the evil child of paradigms. The necessary condition to defund police is to find a solution to adequately funding mental health care, as well as changing the standard for receiving benefits and being admitted to be probable harm rather than imminent danger. Making someone become a criminal to get care gives us our police culture.
Laura I needs to be seen and not heard - or simply just not seen. Drew believes in not believing in equality too strongly. Memes abound. As for the Examiner, it believes in firing columnists (like me).
Monday, June 8, 2020
What Archbishop Gregory did, and did not, do
What Archbishop Gregory did, and did not, do
I still don't care what Arroyo and his ilk say or do and believe that we should quit reporting on Non-Person 45 where possible. Shutdown DC should have marched on Observatory Circle. NP45 does not care about bad news coverage as long as they spell his name right. Comparing Biden to NP45 because of abortion is ceding ground to the right-wing agenda, which has more to do with state power over women than it does the unborn. Only Congress can pass laws to change their status (so says the 14th Amendment, Section 5). They won't. Status would require investigation of every miscarriage to make sure it is not really a voluntary abortion. Congress will never go there. Quit asking it to. Economic protection is the only way available to protect the unborn - and it would at least 74% of the time. A wage bonus for children and increased minimum wages to assure equality of result for singles and families is the only answer. Arroyo would never support it, nor would NP45. 4000 Church leaders, however, will. So will Biden and the Archbishop.
I still don't care what Arroyo and his ilk say or do and believe that we should quit reporting on Non-Person 45 where possible. Shutdown DC should have marched on Observatory Circle. NP45 does not care about bad news coverage as long as they spell his name right. Comparing Biden to NP45 because of abortion is ceding ground to the right-wing agenda, which has more to do with state power over women than it does the unborn. Only Congress can pass laws to change their status (so says the 14th Amendment, Section 5). They won't. Status would require investigation of every miscarriage to make sure it is not really a voluntary abortion. Congress will never go there. Quit asking it to. Economic protection is the only way available to protect the unborn - and it would at least 74% of the time. A wage bonus for children and increased minimum wages to assure equality of result for singles and families is the only answer. Arroyo would never support it, nor would NP45. 4000 Church leaders, however, will. So will Biden and the Archbishop.
Friday, June 5, 2020
Something like a pandemic
Something like a pandemic
As I write this, I have just sent comments on unemployment insurance in the COVID economy. They would make Cassandra swoon. Be sure, however, that God has a plan and turmoil is often part of it, especially when big change needs to happen. I am not talking about a parousian fantasy, but God using events to bring us to where we need to be. For racism to fall, capitalism's hold on the economy must yield to massive cooperation in work, finance and consumption.
As for Trump, he will barely be a footnote. The history of the future will be interactive and link to the Daily Show and Late Night with Steve Colbert. I have more faith in the GOP 's survival instinct too think that Trump will be on the ticket this year. That George Will says it won't happen means that it is a sure thing. We truly live in interesting times.
As I write this, I have just sent comments on unemployment insurance in the COVID economy. They would make Cassandra swoon. Be sure, however, that God has a plan and turmoil is often part of it, especially when big change needs to happen. I am not talking about a parousian fantasy, but God using events to bring us to where we need to be. For racism to fall, capitalism's hold on the economy must yield to massive cooperation in work, finance and consumption.
As for Trump, he will barely be a footnote. The history of the future will be interactive and link to the Daily Show and Late Night with Steve Colbert. I have more faith in the GOP 's survival instinct too think that Trump will be on the ticket this year. That George Will says it won't happen means that it is a sure thing. We truly live in interesting times.
Thursday, June 4, 2020
Links for 6/4/20
Links for 6/4/20
I am not sanguine about this generation of the wealthy allowing anything to occur that could cost them an investment opportunity. Until workers have alternatives, both here and abroad, they will fight all change. Privilege concedes nothing without struggle, cash and prizes. That especially applies to Africa, which the wealthy loathe.
Trump is history. The only question is when. His party will shrivel up and die with him at the helm for even one more month. Always expect the unexpected - which in this case, is Pence 2020. The measure to watch (aside from what the Court announces on Monday based on today's conference) is whether donations to GOP Senators are up or down. If they are down, Trump is toast. (I mean the real ones, not the ones laundered originating in Moscow). The Convention will be held in Indianapolis. It will have 56 attendees linked to delegates in their states and Pence looking presidential by handling Covid like an adult.
I buy into a God who is truly humble, needing nothing from creation but to love it. Still, I have nothing against us entertaining ourselves with our art projects on God's fridge.
I am not sanguine about this generation of the wealthy allowing anything to occur that could cost them an investment opportunity. Until workers have alternatives, both here and abroad, they will fight all change. Privilege concedes nothing without struggle, cash and prizes. That especially applies to Africa, which the wealthy loathe.
Trump is history. The only question is when. His party will shrivel up and die with him at the helm for even one more month. Always expect the unexpected - which in this case, is Pence 2020. The measure to watch (aside from what the Court announces on Monday based on today's conference) is whether donations to GOP Senators are up or down. If they are down, Trump is toast. (I mean the real ones, not the ones laundered originating in Moscow). The Convention will be held in Indianapolis. It will have 56 attendees linked to delegates in their states and Pence looking presidential by handling Covid like an adult.
I buy into a God who is truly humble, needing nothing from creation but to love it. Still, I have nothing against us entertaining ourselves with our art projects on God's fridge.
Tuesday, June 2, 2020
Archbishop Wilton Gregory: 1; Trump and Knights of Columbus: 0
Archbishop Wilton Gregory: 1; Trump and Knights of Columbus: 0
Non-Person 45, who is a wannabee dictator, was not invited to St. John's. He, metaphorically, crashed the gates. The St. John Paul Shrine is its own thing. That they would give Trump a venue says everything about the Knights. Bravo to the Archbishop for not backing their play. He speaks from a humble heart, which is the antithesis of Trump. Note to Pope Francis: red hat! Bless BLM for having protesters protect a Target, delivering a vandal to police, extending the movement world-wide and accepting fellowship with police when offered! We know where Christ is. BVM too.
Non-Person 45, who is a wannabee dictator, was not invited to St. John's. He, metaphorically, crashed the gates. The St. John Paul Shrine is its own thing. That they would give Trump a venue says everything about the Knights. Bravo to the Archbishop for not backing their play. He speaks from a humble heart, which is the antithesis of Trump. Note to Pope Francis: red hat! Bless BLM for having protesters protect a Target, delivering a vandal to police, extending the movement world-wide and accepting fellowship with police when offered! We know where Christ is. BVM too.
Links for 6/2/20
Links for 6/2/20
No justice, no peace, is also advice to police who cannot have peace in their hearts if they do injustice. Trump too. And the GOP. And us.
I still think Robert Barr is a double agent (and not in a good way for Non-Person 45).
The GOP Senate can only save itself (as even a minority party) by turning on Non-Person 45. After last night, the polls cannot be good. Even Red States will rebel if the disaster aid does not flow soon.
No justice, no peace, is also advice to police who cannot have peace in their hearts if they do injustice. Trump too. And the GOP. And us.
I still think Robert Barr is a double agent (and not in a good way for Non-Person 45).
The GOP Senate can only save itself (as even a minority party) by turning on Non-Person 45. After last night, the polls cannot be good. Even Red States will rebel if the disaster aid does not flow soon.
Monday, June 1, 2020
The Trump and Barr un-reality Twitter show
The Trump and Barr un-reality Twitter show
I refuse to name the current President by name. The media should not either. Becoming a media non-person is the one thing that would rile him most. I refer to him as Non-Person 45 (NP45).
CDA 230 stops anyone from enforcing any action against social media. It essentially operationalizes the First Amendment. The old saw, of course, is that freedom of the press is only effective if you own one. Twitter can do what it wants to regulate Non-Person 45's - and he can be sued for liable for what he says, Twitter cannot be.
No one has bothered suing NP45 because NP45 is a clown. Still, as President, he is standing against the Constitution and should have been impeached for doing so. Let McConnell try to defend THAT! Sadly, the House took a pass on holding him accountable. Most of N45's fanboys don't take him seriously and those that do are their own malignancy, as the last week's violence by the Boogaloo Boys shows.
As for Robert Barr, he is the bright shiny object that keeps NP45's attention while the Department of Justice makes its case against him. The Supreme Court will receive its last brief on releasing the Mueller Grand Jury to the House Judiciary Committee by close of business today. It won't take them long to throw NP45 under the bus. The question is whether McConnell will do so first, although Mitch is not known for courage. The real villain in this case is Michael Pence, who should have removed clown NP45 years ago. Biden needs to ignore NP45 and attack Pence instead for his moral cowardice.
I refuse to name the current President by name. The media should not either. Becoming a media non-person is the one thing that would rile him most. I refer to him as Non-Person 45 (NP45).
CDA 230 stops anyone from enforcing any action against social media. It essentially operationalizes the First Amendment. The old saw, of course, is that freedom of the press is only effective if you own one. Twitter can do what it wants to regulate Non-Person 45's - and he can be sued for liable for what he says, Twitter cannot be.
No one has bothered suing NP45 because NP45 is a clown. Still, as President, he is standing against the Constitution and should have been impeached for doing so. Let McConnell try to defend THAT! Sadly, the House took a pass on holding him accountable. Most of N45's fanboys don't take him seriously and those that do are their own malignancy, as the last week's violence by the Boogaloo Boys shows.
As for Robert Barr, he is the bright shiny object that keeps NP45's attention while the Department of Justice makes its case against him. The Supreme Court will receive its last brief on releasing the Mueller Grand Jury to the House Judiciary Committee by close of business today. It won't take them long to throw NP45 under the bus. The question is whether McConnell will do so first, although Mitch is not known for courage. The real villain in this case is Michael Pence, who should have removed clown NP45 years ago. Biden needs to ignore NP45 and attack Pence instead for his moral cowardice.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)