Blog: If I understand this

President Trump suggested Tuesday night the Jan. 6 rioters he pardoned could get compensation payments. – Axios.  So now we are going to pay them for the riot? Wait, maybe some Presidential Medals of Freedom, like he gave to Limbaugh?

………………………………………

Our investment counselor, years ago, when I asked about crypto, said his advice was one word – “No!”

…………………………………………..

Speaking of baseball . . .  Now that he is dead, I do think Pete Rose should be in the Hall of Fame, along with a note saying why he was kicked out of baseball all those years.  I would add something about what a jerk he was besides the betting, but ok, leave that out – other baseball stars were jerks, too.

………………………………………

Jobs we grew up with that are mostly (or completely) gone:

Telephone switchboard operator

Milkman

Elevator operator

Typist

Movie projectionist

………………………………………

The above reminds me of a hotel in San Francisco that for years had a machine that would wash loose change, so when the hotel gave you coins, they looked brand new!  They eventually stopped doing that, which I thought was a shame.  Few us even get change in coins now.

…………………………………………….

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s words in a Cabinet meeting Monday that she plans to eliminate FEMA. – The Hill. — Yeah, just get rid of this useless agency!  Wait, what if a hurricane hits Mar-a-Lago?  I know – his supporters would buy Trump bibles to help him!

……………………………………..

The fact that this idea has been disproved is not stopping the Trump administration from establishing a large-scale federal study looking at the “link” between vaccines and autism, and the Washington Post reported that David Geier, a known vaccine skeptic, has been hired to head the analysis. – Huffpost.  Gee, I wonder how it will turn out?

……………………………………………

From an email I got today from Vote Vets, a group I have given small amounts to:

“From the man (Trump) who trampled the graves of our fallen in Arlington National Cemetery for a photo op.

The man who refused to honor the fallen at an American cemetery in France because of some rain.

Who refused to be seen with wounded Veterans because, “it doesn’t look good for me.”

Who attacked Gold Star Parents multiple times.

Who called the fallen “suckers” and “losers.”

Donald Trump does not care about the Military. He does not care about the millions of Veterans who depend on the VA, Medicaid, or Social Security. Elon Musk is destroying vital services for Veterans. Republicans in Congress are enabling both of them, and abandoning their obligations to check Trump’s power.”

…………………………………………..

In yet another move backwards: “Universal mail voting was enormously popular in Utah because it gave voters more freedom and flexibility to vote,” Chris Diaz, the director of legislative tracking for Voting Rights Lab, said. “Utah is now the first and only state to roll back a universal mail voting system. Voters, especially those in rural areas, will bear the brunt of this restrictive move.” – I spent 8 years working for one of the largest election departments in the country, and I know that mail in voting is very safe, but, alas, it makes it easier to vote!  Isn’t that bad?  Wait . . .

Also in Utah:  SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah has become the first state to ban fluoride in public drinking water, despite widespread opposition from dentists and national health organizations.

And:  The addition of low levels of fluoride to drinking water has long been considered one of the greatest public health achievements of the last century.

…………………………………………….

AG Pam Bondi wants to distract us about the insecure chat room thing by talking about . . .  wait for it . . . . Hillary Clinton’s emails!  From eight years ago!

……………………………………………

Basketball fans, it ain’t just me:  Philadelphia 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey said that, “We have hit the point where [the 3-pointer is] turning toward making the game worse.”

………………………………………………

‘Nightmare’: Kansas Babysitter Checking For ‘Monster’ Finds Man Hiding Under Child’s Bed

Authorities said the woman was trying “to show the child there was nothing under the bed” when she “came face-to-face” with a 27-year-old man. – He ran away, but she knew him and he was arrested the next day.  Like a damn movie!  Good for her!

…………………………………………………

The White House ramped up its attacks on federal labor unions Thursday by trying to strip away collective bargaining rights from a large chunk of the government workforce.

………………………………………………..

How we welcome foreign students now: “We gave you a visa to come and study and get a degree, not to become a social activist that tears up our university campuses,” he said. “So, we’ll revoke your visa, and once your visa is revoked, you’re in the country illegally and you have to leave.” – Sec of State Rubio.  Hell, I thought most US colleges liked foreign students, as they generally pay more in tuition . . . his complaint sounds a lot like Nixon during Vietnam demonstrations on campuses.  Note:  I went to a college that had a few demonstrations in favor of that war!

………………………………………………

The Washington Monthly is one of my favorite magazines.  Current issue has an article on the military significance of Guam.  We have bases there, and own the island (part of our spoils of war from the War of 1898).  With China’s oft repeated threats to take back Taiwan, Guam is strategically very important, and for sure, would be targeted by China.  A lot of Americans might have to learn where it is.  And yes, I have sailed there a few times, mostly dropping off military cargo on our way to Japan, Korea, Taiwan and/or Hong Kong.  I have seen Russian “trawlers,” read “spy ships,” hanging outside Guam’s waters, tracking (or trying to) what went in or out of Apra harbor.  One time, another mate forgot to turn on the navigation lights leaving at night, so we were a darkened ship, and the trawler followed us for a long time!

………………………………………………

Didja know Ben Franklin:  In 1731, he established the Library Company of Philadelphia, the first successful public lending library in America.  He also gets credit for one of the first hospitals, and fire departments (volunteers in those days).  Franklin was a prolific writer, famously contributing words to the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution.  He wrote some works with the pen name of a woman.

…………………………………………

As an infectious diseases’ physician and emergency physician, we have been trained to think objectively, remain level-headed and stay calm amid uncertainty. But watching the Trump administration’s dismantling of the U.S. research and public health infrastructure — which will allow infectious diseases to spread like wildfire and disrupt progress to combat all other conditions — has made us angry. – written by a doctor.

…………………………………………

Didja know Dept.:  The name LEGO comes from:  The Danish phrase “Leg Godt,” which translates to “play well,” and is the origin of this brand’s acronym.

………………………………………….

From CNN:  To stay with the grocery store comparison, the price of an average chicken is now over $2 more expensive than it was in February 2020. The price of a loaf of white bread is $0.50 more expensive. A pound of ground beef is over $1.50 more expensive.

Keep in mind that an estimated 25% to 30% of Americans live paycheck-to-paycheck.

…………………………………………..

We can end this post with the “Men’s Prayer,” as told by Red Green (Stage name for a Canadian comic):

I am a man . . .

But I can change . . .

If I have to . . .

I guess.

……………………………………………

Enough out of me.  All take care,

Kevin