elderly patient: "doctor, did you say that I'm comatose?"
doctor: "no! I said that you have covid toes."
(public domain)
Saturday, November 27, 2021
Tuesday, November 23, 2021
gerrymandering
Reduce political polarization and extremism by establishing independent redistricting commissions.
To maintain equal representation, states are legally and constitutionally required to redraw their congressional and state legislative districts every 10 years, accounting for population changes documented by the decennial census. In most states, the boundaries are set by state legislatures, leaving the process vulnerable to manipulation by the party that holds a legislative majority—a practice commonly known as partisan gerrymandering. The artificial creation of “safe” seats for a given party, where candidates can—and are sometimes incentivized to—take extreme positions to win intraparty primary contests without fear of meaningful competition in the general elections, is a key driver of polarization and dysfunction in US politics. It can also create large gaps between a party’s share of the overall popular vote and its share of seats after elections, which leave voters feeling disenfranchised. Partisan gerrymandering is essentially an inversion of democracy, with politicians choosing their voters rather than voters choosing their representatives. Polling has shown that an overwhelming majority of Americans (more than 70 percent) support removing partisanship from the drawing of legislative boundaries. To address this problem, all 50 states should establish independent redistricting commissions, designing them carefully to ensure impartiality, inclusivity, and transparency.
Monday, November 1, 2021
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Friday, October 29, 2021
fascist or socialist?
thank God that another ugly campaign season is almost over--endless negative commercials repeated ad nauseam.
I've noticed that there are less campaign signs in yards this year. It seems that people are figuring out that a campaign sign in your front yard says more about you than anything else. it brands you as either a fascist or a socialist.
I'll probably sit this election out. I'm most likely in the 4th quarter of my life. I'll let those who are in the 2nd and 3rd quarters of their lives determine whether our elected representatives will be fascists or socialists (some choice!). after all, they'll suffer through more future elections than I will (unless there's a popular revolt!).
God bless america--and save the usa from the republican and democratic parties.
Friday, October 1, 2021
an ugly incident
Strasburg Police investigating a hate crime after a house was vandalized
thank you, WHSV, for your factual report. we don't get many of those here in strasburg.
despite politicians and others who may wish to put a lid on ugly incidents, and if unsuccessful, attempt to put lipstick on the pig, the fact remains that it's still a pig.
question: will we ever hear the results of the police "investigation"?
answer: I doubt it.
I'm puzzled by the statement from town police that "they will continue to investigate leads". does this mean that the police are relying on leads from the public to investigate trespassing and vandalism in this case? or are the police investigating these crimes independent of whether or not they get leads from the public? needless to say, the police should investigate these crimes irregardless of whether or not they receive leads from the public. the perpetrator(s) should be arrested, charged and tried.
are racists, bigots, homophobes and white supremacists good people? trump would have you believe that they are by the remarks that he made concerning the unite the right rally in charlottesville on august 12, 2017 during which Heather Heyer was killed. trump said that there were "fine people on both sides". the facts are that there were racists, white supremacists, a murderer and violent people on one side. these aren't "fine people". The same is true of january 6 when violent criminals stormed the US capitol destroying property, threatening lawmakers and assaulting, injuring and murdering police. these violent criminals are not good people.
the facts are that as long as racism, bigotry, homophobia, white supremacy, violence and murder are not roundly condemned publicly, then people in the USA and around the world will think that the USA tolerates racism, bigotry, homophobia, white supremacy, violence and murder.
citizens have the responsibility to speak the truth publicly.
Sunday, September 19, 2021
you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink
if there's one thing that covid has proven, then it's the old expression:
"you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink".
in the US:
673,637 deaths, and counting...
42,026,148 cases, and counting...
95,356 hospitalized, and counting...
only 54% vaccinated.
people who won't get vaccinated.
people who won't wear a mask.
people who won't social distance.
"you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink."
Saturday, September 4, 2021
pluot and anna's hummingbird
So, I see pluots in the grocery store. what's a pluot?
Pluots are later generations of complex hybrid between the Japanese plum, Prunus salicina (providing the greater amount of parentage), and the apricot, Prunus armeniaca. The fruit's exterior has smooth skin closely resembling that of a plum. Pluots were developed in the late 20th century by Floyd Zaiger.
did you know that a male anna's hummingbird travels more than 50 mph during a dive as he shows off to a female anna's hummingbird during mating season?
AMAZING!!!
Saturday, August 28, 2021
Tuesday, August 24, 2021
Wednesday, August 18, 2021
here we go again!
great! the last time it was months before we were contacted by the virginia department of health to get our vaccine--despite the fact that we're in our 70s. at one point virginia had the lowest percentage of "shots-in-the arm" in the nation--20%. neighboring west virginia had 80%. walgreens (our town's only drugstore) never had the vaccine, despite being named by the federal government as being a major vaccine distributor.
we can only hope that it's better the second time around, but I'll believe it when I see it. it's more likely that SNAFU and FUBAR will be the order-of-the-day again.
Saturday, July 3, 2021
life in a "black box" world
what's a "black box"?
In science and engineering, a black box is a device, system or object which can be viewed in terms of its input, output and transfer characteristics without any knowledge of its internal workings. Its implementation is "opaque". Almost anything might be referred to as a black box: a transistor, an algorithm, or the human mind. The opposite of a black box is a system where the inner components or logic are available for inspection, which is sometimes known as a clear box, a glass box, or a white box.
in short, a "black box" is a "plug in" where data is input and output is produced without knowledge of how the data is manipulated to produce the output.
in 1969 and 1970 while I was an assistant instructor for the Infantry Officers Advanced Course at Ft. Benning, the acronym "GIGO" was used in one of the classes--Garbage In, Garbage Out. Beware of "black boxes" where the user doesn't know the exact steps in manipulating the input to get the output.
"black boxes" are everywhere in the world in which we live--computer programs, algorithms, calculators, circuit boards in our phones, appliances, cars, weather forecasts, outcome projections (e.g. elections) , etc.
how many people today don't prepare their income tax returns?
answer: 56%
granted that IRS tax forms are a HUGE "black box"--but more than half of US taxpayers have no idea of how their income tax is calculated.
suffice to say, the examples of "black boxes" in our world today are far more numerous than can be listed.
small wonder that there's so much misinformation, deceit and fraud in our world today.
trump lied more than 30,000 times while he was president. Trump Lied More Than 30,000 Times During His Presidency. No Wonder We’re Exhausted. – Mother Jones worse than that, half of the country believes his lies.
garbage in, garbage out.
Monday, June 28, 2021
Sunday, May 23, 2021
the democratic and republican parties sow divisiveness which is destroying the USA.
had enough?
George Washington believed that political parties would divide and destroy the US. Political Parties · George Washington's Mount Vernon
I agree with GW. our "two party" system of government has divided the US and is destroying the USA. I favor the no-party government that author Tony Bracks outlines in his book "solving for democracy: a democracy without politics, removing the problems that limit our government". to get there voters must stop voting for republican and democratic party candidates, including incumbents.
image by Democracy Chronicles
public domain
even with their billion dollar donors, if voters don't vote for republicans and democrats, then the republican and democratic parties will shrivel up and die.
once the republican and democratic parties are gone, and lobbyists are rendered powerless, then our no-party representatives can fix the USA. much-needed changes to the constitution can be made--like "no taxation without representation", a.k.a. powerful national politicians (e.g. pelosi, mcconnell, etc.) that 99+ percent of americans didn't vote for.
hopefully, some day, when the republican party, the democratic party, antiquated party rules and lobbyists are gone, and the constitution has been amended, then we'll be able to vote for leaders who we can stand behind.
once the republican and democratic parties are gone, and lobbyists are rendered powerless, then our no-party representatives can fix the USA. much-needed changes to the constitution can be made--like "no taxation without representation", a.k.a. powerful national politicians (e.g. pelosi, mcconnell, etc.) that 99+ percent of americans didn't vote for.
hopefully, some day, when the republican party, the democratic party, antiquated party rules and lobbyists are gone, and the constitution has been amended, then we'll be able to vote for leaders who we can stand behind.
nothing will be better for our country.
the same goes for the news media--stop patronizing biased news media that lobby for the republican and democratic parties instead of reporting the news factually and truthfully. they'll go out of business. nothing will be better for the USA.
Thursday, May 20, 2021
George Washington on political parties
George Washington believed that political parties would divide and destroy the US.
He may be right.
voting for a republican or a democrat is a vote for their party and a vote for our country's dysfunctional two-party system of government.
nothing will be better for our country.
had enough?
the good news is that to fix our dysfunctional government and its two-party system is simple and easy--stop voting for republican and democratic party candidates, including incumbents.
image by Democracy Chronicles
public domain
even with their billion dollar donors, if voters don't vote for republicans and democrats, then the republican and democratic parties will shrivel up and die.
once the republican and democratic parties are gone, and lobbyists are rendered powerless, then our no-party representatives can fix the USA. much-needed changes to the constitution can be made--like "no taxation without representation", a.k.a. powerful national politicians (e.g. pelosi, mcconnell, etc.) that 99+ percent of americans didn't vote for.
hopefully, some day, when the republican party, the democratic party, antiquated party rules and lobbyists are gone, and the constitution has been amended, then we'll be able to vote for leaders who we can stand behind.
once the republican and democratic parties are gone, and lobbyists are rendered powerless, then our no-party representatives can fix the USA. much-needed changes to the constitution can be made--like "no taxation without representation", a.k.a. powerful national politicians (e.g. pelosi, mcconnell, etc.) that 99+ percent of americans didn't vote for.
hopefully, some day, when the republican party, the democratic party, antiquated party rules and lobbyists are gone, and the constitution has been amended, then we'll be able to vote for leaders who we can stand behind.
nothing will be better for our country.
the same goes for the news media--stop patronizing biased news media that lobby for the republican and democratic parties instead of reporting the news factually and truthfully. they'll go out of business. nothing will be better for the USA.
I agree with GW. our "two party" system of government has divided the US and could destroy our democracy. personally, I favor the no-party government that author Tony Bracks outlines in his book "solving for democracy: a democracy without politics, removing the problems that limit our government". short of that, what if, instead of two parties, they each split into two: republican conservative, republican moderate, democrat liberal and democrat moderate? (there'd still be independents, libertarians, green party, etc.) which would be the biggest party? it would be interesting to know.
Wednesday, May 19, 2021
GOP: the party of obfuscation
had enough?
the good news is that to fix our dysfunctional government and its two-party system is simple and easy--stop voting for republican and democratic party candidates, including incumbents.
image by Democracy Chronicles
public domain
even with their billion dollar donors, if voters don't vote for republicans and democrats, then the republican and democratic parties will shrivel up and die.
once the republican and democratic parties are gone, and lobbyists are rendered powerless, then our no-party representatives can fix the USA. much-needed changes to the constitution can be made--like "no taxation without representation", a.k.a. powerful national politicians (e.g. pelosi, mcconnell, etc.) that 99+ percent of americans didn't vote for.
hopefully, some day, when the republican party, the democratic party, antiquated party rules and lobbyists are gone, and the constitution has been amended, then we'll be able to vote for leaders who we can stand behind.
once the republican and democratic parties are gone, and lobbyists are rendered powerless, then our no-party representatives can fix the USA. much-needed changes to the constitution can be made--like "no taxation without representation", a.k.a. powerful national politicians (e.g. pelosi, mcconnell, etc.) that 99+ percent of americans didn't vote for.
hopefully, some day, when the republican party, the democratic party, antiquated party rules and lobbyists are gone, and the constitution has been amended, then we'll be able to vote for leaders who we can stand behind.
nothing will be better for our country.
the same goes for the news media--stop patronizing biased news media that lobby for the republican and democratic parties instead of reporting the news factually and truthfully. they'll go out of business. nothing will be better for the USA.
Saturday, May 8, 2021
A NEW CHAMPION ATOP THE LIST OF "ALL-TIME LAMEST EXCUSES"
topping the former all-time lamest excuse champion for the past 100 years: "the dog ate my homework".
CONGRATULATIONS, IRS!
Tuesday, May 4, 2021
mexican tragedy
while it's no consolation to the victims of this collapse, structural failures of this magnitude are rare. sometimes postmortem forensic investigations find that the signs were already there. "...tracks visibly shaking when the trains crossed ... warnings about humid soil being unfit for major construction ... After a powerful 2017 earthquake, government data show there was also damage to the line's support columns ... "Every time I saw the train, I saw the columns and beams shake," said Victor Lara, a daily commuter on the line. "They're not well made."
the forensic investigation into this tragedy will likely take months or years. by the time that the report for the investigation is complete, the public/media will have lost interest. will the politicians' promises of a thorough, honest investigation and justice for the victims be realized? will the public care? only time will tell.
the forensic investigation into this tragedy will likely take months or years. by the time that the report for the investigation is complete, the public/media will have lost interest. will the politicians' promises of a thorough, honest investigation and justice for the victims be realized? will the public care? only time will tell.
Saturday, February 27, 2021
texas nightmare
demand pricing for electricity during a cold weather disaster. another example of putting the shaft to those who can afford it the least. think about it. residential HVAC systems are crude. (1) one thermostat. temperatures in individual rooms are likely to be several degrees different from the temperature where the thermostat is. (2) when the temperature at the thermostat causes the HVAC system to kick in, air from the furnace, air conditioner or heat pump goes through a duct system into rooms regardless of the temperature in that room. crude. not much different than a wood stove in a log cabin. (3) those with heat pumps get whacked the worst. the heat pump goes into auxiliary heat mode--heat from coils like an electric stove. crude. expensive. how many people with heat pumps even realize that their heat pump has an auxiliary heat mode and they're getting shafted with exorbitant high-demand electricity rates? (when the temperature outside is near or below freezing, our heat pump automatically goes to auxiliary heat mode if we increase the thermostat heat setting by more than one degree) $9K per megawatt hour! part of the responsibility for this outrage also lies with residential builders and heat pump manufacturers.
Sunday, February 21, 2021
virginia's pandemic puzzle
my wife and I have spent hours trying to find out how we get the covid-19 vaccine--most of it going around in circles. it has been reported that "...the Virginia Department of Health has directed all local health districts to close their pre-registration forms and surveys at 5 p.m. on Friday, February 12, and replace them at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, February 16 with a link to the new statewide system." we've spent hours this morning looking for the promised link, including being on a call to the lord fairfax health dept. with an hour waiting time to speak to someone. a few weeks ago it was reported that Virginia is LAST of all 50 states with only 20% of the vaccine getting into people's arms. West Virginia had 80%. government promises a link to preregister for the shot--but it can't be found. sounds about right for 50th out of 50.
sent on 2/16/21 on virginia's health department website via "contact us".
no reply.
go figure.
Wednesday, February 17, 2021
Sen. Pat Toomey faces censure over impeachment vote: 'We did not send him there to do the right thing'
"we did not send him there to do the right thing" WOW! there you have it. the republican party shows its true colors. personally I prefer the no party system of government to the 1 or our 2 party system of government. government is broken in this country. the time to fix it is LONG overdue. if you're interested in a solution, then read "solving for democracy" by tony bracks.
had enough?
the good news is that to fix our dysfunctional government and its two-party system is simple and easy--stop voting for republican and democratic party candidates, including incumbents.
image by Democracy Chronicles
public domain
even with their billion dollar donors, if voters don't vote for republicans and democrats, then the republican and democratic parties will shrivel up and die.
once the republican and democratic parties are gone, and lobbyists are rendered powerless, then our no-party representatives can fix the USA. much-needed changes to the constitution can be made--like "no taxation without representation", a.k.a. powerful national politicians (e.g. pelosi, mcconnell, etc.) that 99+ percent of americans didn't vote for.
hopefully, some day, when the republican party, the democratic party, antiquated party rules and lobbyists are gone, and the constitution has been amended, then we'll be able to vote for leaders who we can stand behind.
once the republican and democratic parties are gone, and lobbyists are rendered powerless, then our no-party representatives can fix the USA. much-needed changes to the constitution can be made--like "no taxation without representation", a.k.a. powerful national politicians (e.g. pelosi, mcconnell, etc.) that 99+ percent of americans didn't vote for.
hopefully, some day, when the republican party, the democratic party, antiquated party rules and lobbyists are gone, and the constitution has been amended, then we'll be able to vote for leaders who we can stand behind.
nothing will be better for our country.
the same goes for the news media--stop patronizing biased news media that lobby for the republican and democratic parties instead of reporting the news factually and truthfully. they'll go out of business. nothing will be better for the USA.
Thursday, January 21, 2021
Sunday, January 17, 2021
the REAL cause for the Capitol riots: USA's two-party system of government
face it. our two-party system of government is broken. it's been broken for a LONG time.
it takes a book to explain all of the reasons that the USA's two-party system of government is broken and how far back the break occurred. that book is "Solving For Democracy: A democracy without politics, removing the problems that limit our government" by author Tony Bracks. it's required reading for all americans who are concerned about our broken government.
the good news is that Bracks doesn't just document the problems with our two-party system of government. he also provides solutions. his solutions not only preserve our constitution, but also get rid of the party system of government and all of the graft, fraud, corruption, chaos, rancor, discord, malfeasance, ineffectiveness and inefficiency that go with it.
if you're as concerned about the future of our country as I am, then you'll get a copy of Brack's book, read it and DEMAND that our government representatives fix the problems.
Friday, January 15, 2021
Na Na Na Na Hey Hey-ey Goodbye
NRA files for bankruptcy, to move to Texas - UPI.com
how can the NRA be in great shape financially, says Wayne LaPierre, if the NRA is filing for bankruptcy? answer: because LaPierre graduated cum laude from the d j trump school of bullshit.
rollin' out a golden oldie to use twice in one week.
Na Na Na Na Hey Hey-ey Goodbye - YouTube
SWEET!
Wednesday, January 13, 2021
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