Oct 162021
 

Yesterday, I put everything in place to quickly get out the door this morning. Of course that isn’t all I did … but it’s what mattered.   When this posts, I will be on the road.  ALSO, in case anyone did not receive the email from Malala Yousafzai, here is the petition she is asking as many as pissible to sign.

Cartoon –

Short Takes –

AP News – Social Security checks getting big boost as inflation rises
Quote – The COLA, as it’s commonly called, amounts to an added $92 a month for the average retired worker, according to estimates Wednesday from the Social Security Administration. It’s an abrupt break from a long lull in inflation that saw cost-of-living adjustments averaging just 1.65% a year over the past 10 years. With the increase, the estimated average Social Security payment for a retired worker will be $1,657 a month next year. A typical couple’s benefits would rise by $154 to $2,753 per month. But that’s just to help make up for rising costs that recipients are already paying for food, gasoline and other goods and services.
Click through for full story and human examples. Just on a ball park quote, I’m about at the average, maybe a trifle more. But I am comfortable because my needs are comparatively few. The truly average person needs more.

The Conversation – More ‘disease’ than ‘Dracula’ – how the vampire myth was born
Quote – The first known reference to vampires appeared in written form in Old Russian in A.D. 1047, soon after Orthodox Christianity moved into Eastern Europe. The term for vampire was “upir,” which has uncertain origins, but its possible literal meaning was “the thing at the feast or sacrifice,” referring to a potentially dangerous spiritual entity that people believed could appear at rituals for the dead…. The vampire served a function similar to that of many other demonic creatures in folklore around the world: They were blamed for a variety of problems, but particularly disease, at a time when knowledge of bacteria and viruses did not exist.
Click through for history. Yes, this is a fluff piece (HAppy Hallowe’en.) But interesting. Knowing how things get started is seldom wasted.

Mother Jones – Who Keeps Us Safe?
Quote – What happens next—a series of events involving a filming bystander, a burgeoning anti-police organization, court-ordered police reform, and Jones’ own mother—has everything to do with the questions many started asking after the murder of George Floyd. Are police the best way to keep us safe? Can they be reformed? Are they necessary—or even equipped—to respond to the mental and behavioral health issues that underpin many emergencies? And if not police, who? Jones’ experience might just point toward some answers.
Click through for details. These two incidents had some differences, but were very similar in key points. Both happened in the same city. The issues of policing may not be in the foreground at the moment, but IMO should not be forgotten.

Food for Thought –

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  23 Responses to “Open Thread for October 16, 2021”

  1. Safe travels to and fro, Joanne. Enjoy your visit, and take good care. HI, Virgil!! Signed petition, thanks! 

    Cartoon: Conversation and info probably spread like wildfire on this subject. Brave and honorable women, to be sure.
     The Conversation: Always felt scared after watching Dracula (and other vampires) on tv growing up. 
    MJ: So sad. How most unfortunate for those who died, by use of force. Instead of non escalating, the cops do the opposite. A crying shame for the brutality and deaths of these folks. Yes! Remember. Saving this article. 
    FFT: Scary!!! 

    This just in: BREAKING – “The Pentagon says defense contractors in Texas must get Covid-19 vaccine despite Texas Governor Greg Abbott banning a vaccine mandate in the state. These requirements are promulgated pursuant to Federal law and supersedes any contrary state or local law ordnance.” ~ Marcus Weisgerber ~ 
    1. Judge in sentencing hearing in *misdemeanor* Jan 6 case. Big warning flag: “It’s become evident to me in the riot cases, many of the defendants who are pleading guilty are not truly accepting responsibility. They seem to trying to get this out of the way as quickly as possible” ~ Scott McFarlane ~
    2. “If you’re not worried about our democracy, you’re not paying attention. And that’s exactly what those who would undo it are counting on!” ~ David Axelrod ~
    3. “To everybody who’s ready, Happy #ComingOutDay! To those who aren’t ready yet, we’ll all be here for you when you are.” ~ Mary L. Trump ~
    4. “If you don’t want the vaccine because you don’t know what’s in it, then you shouldn’t ask for treatments likemonoclonal antibodies or remdesivir once you’re hospitalized with Covid—unless you’re cool with what’s in them. Oh, you don’t know what’s in them? Hmm, didn’t think so.” ~ George Takei ~
    5. “To the corporate media. Why do you allow Trump to undermine our democracy, by spreading and promoting his election lies?” ~ Maxine Waters ~

    • John Pavlovitz: 2 hours ago –

      “I am so glad to be out of the hospital.Still on many restrictions regarding lifting, exercise, and general overexertion, but feeling really great.Walking three hours a day, sense of smell has returned, and blood work is back to normal which is amazing.Need to have MRI to see if any of tumor remains and if more treatment is needed, but for now just enjoying the fact that 2 weeks post-op, I can walk the dogs, drive, and feel almost normal.Thanks for all the kind words, prayers, gifts, and encouragement.My family and I are grateful.Long way to go but we’ve come a long way.” 

      • Wow…Wonderful news about John, especially that he’s able to go out for walks, including walking his dog and even drive again. He’s in my daily prayers and I will say an extra one that his MRI comes out clean, no more cancer/tumor. Thanks Pat for the update. 

      • There is nothing luike walking for recovering post-surgery.  It is excersise, but it doesn’t stress anything (barring arthritis or the liek) and the more you can do the better.  If he can do three hours a day, well, Glory!  (I’m sure the dogs help.)  He’s in my prayers and heart also.

    • TJI#1: Maybe if the judge slaps them good with a heavier punishment, they’ll get the message.
      TJI#2: True. People do need to care what’s happening to our democracy. We had four years of a leader who didn’t and still is out to destroy it.
      TJI#3: Yes we are. I too wish them a pleasant day. They deserve it too.
      TJI#4: Idiotic anti-vaxxers. People are so stupid, they get meds from their doctors and whomever and take it without knowing what’s in them. They’re just told to take one 3 or 4 times a day till gone.
      TJI#5: Good question??? Why do they????

    • TJI #0 – Maybe he’ll think he can disregard this and we can pu HIM in jail for a while. Wouldn’t that be nice.
      TJI #1 – Judge needs to put that in a letter and send it to the DOJ Not that they haven’t almost certainly seen or heard it … but they can pretend they haven’t at this point.
      TJI #2 – Yup.
      TJI #3 – Well and graciously said. The one member of the family I can really like.
      TJI #4 – They can’t tell you what’s in ivermectin, either. Or probably even aspirin, for that matter. I want to know what’s in enything I take – but it’s almost always the so-called “inactive” ingredients, if any, which are problematic. Fortunately for me, there are people who specialize in leaving known common allergens out of their inactive ingredients.
      TJI #5 – And Echo answers “Why?” But I know, and she does too. Ratings and clicks.

    • TJI #1: May all judges have this insight and come down on these “guilty-but-no-remorse” cases like a ton of bricks.

      TJI #5: I don’t think Auntie Maxine will ever get a satisfactory answer.

  2. Just before and after the turn of the last century millions immigrated to the U.S.  Eventually those people were absorbed into our country and actually made our country stronger. Yes, there were many sad stories, but that was at a time before safety net programs and when corporations were abusing Americans before the government stepped in and stopped those abuses. Back then we had our haters that also made life difficult for our new citizens. We are much more prepared and able to absorb thousands of immigrants today, than the millions that came to our shores back then. Of course, we have our haters today, who seem to be the only ones trying to create false fear against these new immigrants. As we did before, we must suppress these haters and help find a better life for these new citizens.

  3. Cartoon: Certainly an important day and place for women, too bad we have so many rotten R’s who are trying to change it now.
    AP News: Great news. Nice of them to take in consideration of the rising cost of essentials; like food, gas and other items. 
    The Conversation: Interesting article comparing various diseases to vampires. 
    Mother Jones: Times sure have changed when it comes to the Police. It seems to have turned to being much more abusive and violent on their part. One thing that bothers me is how fast they automatically jump at using their guns, especially at times where it seems like it wasn’t necessary in the first place. They definitely need their policies and actions reviewed and retrain. Plus get rid of the ones who are racist/bulling types, plus even the ones who aren’t willing to change their negative ways.
    Food for Thought: Awful, evil deadly creatures indeed.
    Gee, time sure flies. I didn’t realize that it was time to visit Virgil again. When I seen this first thing this morning, I did say a prayer that you were kept safe driving to and from your visit. I hope Virgil is doing well. Sure you told him “hi” for us. Keep us posted when you get back.
    Take care. Thanks Joanne

  4. Got back (and changed and the mail in) about 6:30 my time. Safe, despite unfavorable sun in my eyes – scared myself once but nothing happened. Virgil thanks and returns all greetings. The visits are virtually always good, but this one was better than usual. I don’t know whether being the only visitor had anything to do with that … but I was. Sad for other inmates.

    Not prepared for tomorrow, but I do have some head starts and a few hours before I must crash.

    • Happy to hear that you made it back safely, Joanne. Glad to hear Virgil is doing well and that you both had a nice visit.
      You normally go on Sunday’s correct? So do you think that more people go on that day? If they work, maybe they use Saturday to wash, clean and shop?
      Hope you’re able to relax and get some sleep.  
      Take care, Joanne

      • The way the schedule is means I can’t go on the same day of the week twice in a row unless I want to wait four weeks, which i don’t.  And that’s true for everyone, although there are four different rotations, depending on what part of the prison a particular inmate is assigned to.  Between last visit and this visit,they moved Virgil to a different one is what caused this to be Saturday.  I’ll verify this as soon as I can … but it looks probableI’ll have to change to a different two-week rotaion which means at some point making a singl week of meds again. then going back to two weeks of meds.  I can probably find out Monday or Tuesday.

    • It must have been a joy to have Virgil all to yourself for once, except for the usual prison staff, that is.

      I think I understand what you mean by unfavourable sun in your eyes. If I go to the village around 5 pm late in autumn and now in spring, the sun is full in my eyes below the visor by the time I get to the top of the crest I encounter. It is a very narrow road, and if there’s traffic from the opposite direction, both cars need to seek the equally narrow shoulder to pass. But with the sun in my eyes, I can’t see any traffic coming in or see where the shoulder ends so it’s like driving with your eyes closed at snail’s pace until I reach the top of the crest. I haven’t encountered a car coming my way yet at that time, but it’ll happen one day.

      • NOt only could I briefly not see any other cars, I couldn’t even see the painted lines on the road.  The road is full of twists and turns, and I have to routinely turn the visor or the sun will (and this time did) get by it.  I got it turned just in to=ime to get back into my lane (we were two lanes one way at that point and get off.  But it was scary.  I have seen clipons for visors which extend them downeards a little – some solid, other colored transparent.  I know my Mom used one of those.  I’ll have to shop for one.  Because that is a problem too.  It just wasn’t the one that scared me today.

  5. Comment from Mitch –

    Petition signed!’Toon: Would one of those folks be Margaret Sanger?  In Brooklyn, N.Y.?
    AP: Nice.
    Conversation: People need a something to blame when things go badly, in this random ruled universe.
    MJ: Can’t open it.  The police, in the U.S. were initially instituted to catch run-away slaves, and some of that history seems to have remained in their self-image.
    FFT: And, they are getting still crazier!
    Mitch

  6. I forgot to mention in my original comment that I signed the petition too.

  7. Social Security checks getting big boost as inflation rises

    Looks like inflation will probably outpace the COLA increase – but it’ll help.

    More ‘disease’ than ‘Dracula’ – how the vampire myth was born

    Very interesting – and a great seasonal post w/ Halloween right around the corner.

    Plus I learned a new word: nixtamalization

    Who Keeps Us Safe?

    “To Protect & Serve”

    It’s a nice motto – which it was put into use more often.

  8. Cartoon: We’re now waiting for the last one to close in red states.

    AP: It was a long time coming, but this administration finally took it on. Aussies wish they were so lucky.

    Conversation: Many cultures believe there are demons, spirits or monsters that suck the life force out of their victims to sustain themselves. It would help them explain the many wasting diseases, like TB or sleeping sickness, they had to contend with.

    MJ: Police forces have become militarized far too much and have seen their tasks multiplied and extended at the cost of their main task: to protect citizens. Instead, in some areas, it has come to citizens needing protection from the actions of a police force.

    FFT: A very well executed cartoon. I especially like the elephant literally blowing up the fears to superhuman proportions with a pump. And it’s only fears to be had here there are no sweets on the porch or behind the door.

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