We All Need a Purpose in Life

Long story...shortened

I have PTSD, but have learned how to live with it.

Recently, I discovered that I had a purpose again to my life. Frankly, up until now, I didn't think I was worth much to anyone anymore.

I saw myself more as a burden to my wife of 46-years, Shirley. She's a champ. Without her I wouldn't be blogging. More on that in a future post.

The main thing I want to convey today is that I'm now caring for my father (he's 92-two years old) fulltime as his Alzheimer's has been getting worse lately. My older sister was overwhelmed with his increasing needs.

That's when Shirley and I dedicated ourselves to making his last days as comfortable as possible and brought him up to Medford, Oregon where we live. 

Now it's time for me to re-connect even more to humanity. Challenges will come. It's life. We know that. We're counting on love and compassion to carry the days ahead.

My Evolving Blog is a Work in Progress

 

WORK in PROGRESS

I'm still passing judgement on priorities for this evolving blog.

I'm experimenting with this new format. Not sure I like it yet.

This format will only offer one short subject a day with an accompanying photo. Maybe that's a good thing. People tend to read shorter articles these days.

What do you think? Email me at richarddavestancliff@gmail.com and share your input. Have a great day!

Taking a Blog Break: New Format/ Direction Coming Soon For AS IT STANDS

 

Pandemic Diary - Day 151

Dear Diary,

The election is over and so is my political crusade against the Trump regime.

It also means that I'm reducing the political content in this blog to one-third of what it was.

In addition, I'm reducing the coronavirus coverage and ending my Pandemic Diary format on December 12th.

Some Background on this Blog

The name of my first newspaper column while in college (1975-1979) was, AS IT STANDS. It was a silly play on my last name, but has endured for 43 years - in one form or another.

When I became the editor of The Desert Trail (1983) Newspaper in 29 Palms, California my college column found a new home throughout my journalistic career.

Photo on left: I'm sitting on the left (pointing a finger) at some guy (can't remember his name) who was running for judge in the county.

It was on live radio (1985), and the host (in the middle) was Gary Dainuagh. 

It was my first foray into political reporting, but certainly not my last.

AS IT STANDS has appeared in daily and weekly newspapers for 24 years. 

During that span, I was the managing editor of a group of five newspapers in Palm Springs. From there I went on to become a publisher of three newspapers in Northern California. 

The last time my column was in a newspaper - The Times-Standard, (Eureka, Calif) was April 1, 2012 (here's a link to my columns there).

The next home for my traveling column was this blog. The rest is history. Look to the right of this page and you'll see all of my past posts.

I'm taking a blog break and will return with a wider variety of content. Hopefully, something for everybody. See you again on Saturday, Dec.12th.

Peace out, dude and dudettes!

What Does a 'Joker' Spider, a Pigeon, and a Dormouse Have in Common? Unique Stories

 Pandemic Diary - Day 250

Dear Diary,

I'm always amazed when scientists keep finding new species amidst the extinction of hundreds of others daily.

A recent example is the discovery of the "Joker" spider. Yup. That Joker. Batman's longtime nemesis (shown above). 

The newfound spider wears a striking red-and-white pattern on its back that resembles the Joker's unnerving smile with his white facial makeup. At least that's what the person who named it thought.

It's debatable.

Under Not All Pigeons Are Created Equal

What do you think a pigeon is worth these days?

Recently a Belgian racing pigeon (who knew they raced?) fetched a record price of 1.9 million dollars.  

Meet two-year old "New Kim" (Shown above) who set a new world record price at an auction in Knesselare, Belgium on November 15th.

Really Embarrassing: Glutton Dormouse Trapped in Bird Feeder

The dormouse that you see crammed into this bird feeder was apparently plumping up for the winter.

He did such a good job that he had to be rescued after becoming so chubby he couldn't escape.

All was well however, when someone eased him out and he waddled to a nearby hedgerow.

Thanks for stopping by.

Things You Don't See Every Day: Rampaging White House Raccoons to UFO Confirmations

Pandemic Diary - Day 249, 

Dear Diary,

Things you don't see every day department:

Recently CNN's Joe Johns was live on camera when he was suddenly attacked by a marauding raccoon in the front of The White House.

His reaction; "Frickin raccoons man! God, again! It's the second time. Jesus!"

Apparently there was a gang of wily raccoons who took up residence on the White House lawn. The rascals were an ongoing problem, attacking numerous news crews filming in the dark.

Federal authorities reacted by setting traps for the raccoons using marshmallows as bait. (who knew?)

This effort was recorded by a White House producer for NBC News who shared some fun footage showing Secret Service agents trying to wrangle a raccoon from a tree.

Warning! Don't try to catch a raccoon up a tree in your yard. Not only is it dangerous, it's stupid. Unless of course, it's a matter of national security where trained Secret Service agents agree to help.

A TTS Academy concept for a vehicle embodying the technology of UFOs. 

Space Force News

A couple of weeks ago a former high ranking DOD official confirmed UFOs are real. 

(Long pause)

After leaving his post at the Pentagon, Luis Elizondo claimed that an official UFO Program exists.

Luis told assembled reporters that, "We are planning to provide never released footage from real US Government systems...not blurry, amateur photos, but real data and real videos."

Since then, Luis officially marked the launch of To The Stars Academy of Arts and Science (TTS/AAS). The goal is to release game-changing information about UFOs and to make one of their own.

Frankly, it's hard to tell if this is a really serious effort, or the works of a bunch of college educated conspiracy kooks on crack. 

A lot of "ex- government" types have banded together to prove there are UFOs, and to copy the alien technology behind them.

That's assuming any alien contact will be peaceful. No way of know that until it's too late and the planet gets invaded.

Just saying. I wish this aspiring collection of scientific stalwarts well in their efforts. If all goes according to Hoyle, the universe will be our pearl some day. 

Quote for the Day; "Those were strange days, now that I look back at them. In the midst of life, everything revolved around death." -Haruki Murakami 

Looking Forward to the Future: 'For Everything There is a Season...'

 Pandemic Diary - Day 248

Dear Diary,

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted."

During this season of COVID in America and the rest of the world, death is at every doorstep as the virus surges out of control.

Mental coping skills have never been more important than now. Depression is widespread amidst the countless challenges we all face. 

At times, I feel like my mental process is bogged down in a thick mud of misery that clings to my thoughts like blood-sucking leeches.

I'm watching my father fade away although he's alive and breathing. Dementia has robbed him of a once sharp mind. He barely recognizes my sister, and I.

His mind is caught in a life loop where his long deceased relatives and friends dwell. The conversations in his head manifest into words that blurt out of his mouth like vignettes from his past.

His condition is worsening as he doesn't remember to eat or take care of himself. We've had to get outside help and now are facing putting him in a nursing home during this season of COVID. It may very well be the last time I see my father alive, because of COVID-19 restrictions.

It's breaking my heart. There is no good ending to this personal story. 

But, I know that I'm not alone in my grief and sorrow. Millions of Americans are experiencing untimely deaths caused by the coronavirus.

Millions of families are faced with similar situations like mine. We're all together in this season of COVID... but it will pass with vaccines and time.

And when the new season comes there'll be healing, physically, and mentally. The human race will survive and eventually thrive.

Until that blessed season arrives we must give ourselves the gift of hope, and a positive mind-set to move forward... one day at a time.

Peace.

Thanksgiving Day 2020: Something We Can All Be Thankful For

 Pandemic Diary - Day 247

Dear Diary,

Like millions of Americans this Thanksgiving, my family has had to make adjustments to the holiday during a major surge of COVID-19 across the country.

That means we don't have family and friends over to celebrate our traditional holiday. It's just the four of us. But we're making do. We're still having a turkey with all the trimmings. And we're talking with family and friends via Skype and phone calls.

Despite the pandemic, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade still happened. It was an abbreviated version - from two-and-a half miles to a one block stretch of 34th Street - with participants having to be 18-years old to participate.

No school bands, but there were some floats pulled by golf carts instead of humans who were social distancing. 

The lineup included Snoopy, "Diary of a Wimpy Kid," "The Elf on the Shelf," "SpongeBob SquarePants," and "The Boss Baby."

No crowds this year. Visitors were discouraged. A 2020 reality. Many performances were pre-taped and on TV. 

It's all about adapting to our new realities imposed by the coronavirus. We may not like it, but certain things have to change or there's going to be even more deaths this fall and winter.

I hope your family respected the restrictions on large gatherings today. If not, you may be having a last meal with some of them. The virus has no respect for holidays.

We can still be in contact with those friends and family without risking lives.

There is a light a the end of the tunnel as vaccines continue to get approved in record time. That's something we can all be thankful for today.

Quote for the Day; "I'm thankful for my struggle because without it I wouldn't have stumbled across my strength." Anonymous 

Today's Subject: Where Should a Trump Library Be Located?

 

Pandemic Diary - Day 246

Dear Diary,

Today's post was inspired by Michael Beschloss, author, and Presidential Historian.

Yesterday he asked his numerous Twitter followers, "Where should the Trump Library be located?

Here's a collection of responses that are hilarious:

--"You mean Trump Presidential Library and Casino?"

--"The Four Seasons...Total Landscaping."

--"The Hague."

--On the Mexican side of the wall."

--"There are several options here:

1) Moscow (They already have all his important personal papers, so it would save time.)

2) Riyadh

3) Inside an abandoned coal mine in West Virginia

--"Obviously, it belongs at the site of the Bowling Green Massacre."

--Riker's Island Prison

Moving on...

I have a few suggestions for a Trump Library location:

--Why have it located in just one place when there could be a traveling display?

Like a Three-Ring Circus featuring clowns from his administration; interactive displays of bronzer makeup application; the Sharpie pen and map that the weather service was forced to show how Alabama was in the way of a hurricane - when it wasn't; and countless other artifacts that will disgust and entertain future generations.

--In the center of the Florida Everglades. Since Trump made the state his new residence after fleeing New York prosecutors, it's appropriate that his (bookless) Library be located in a swamp. 

--Across the street from Florida State Psychiatric Hospital - Port St. Lucie Hospital. It's also just a few hour drive to Trump's residence at Mar-A-Lago.

Quote for the Day; "This life's hard, but it's harder if your stupid." -George V. Higgins

White House to Hold Auction When Trump is Kicked Out

 Pandemic Diary - Day 245

Dear Diary,

Hear ye! Hear ye!

As the official White House Auctioneer, I hereby invite collectors of presidential memorabilia to assemble on the South Lawn on January 21st, 2021, for a two-day sale of Trump's junk that was left behind after he was forcibly removed from office.

Category One 

The Oval Office

Taken from inside the historic resolute desk (made from English oak taken from the HMS Resolute and a gift from Queen Victoria to Rutherford Hayes):

--A deck of playing cards with women peeing on Trump in various famous hotels 

--Videos of Trump and Jeffrey Epstein on Pedophile Island chasing nubile teenagers under 16-years old.

--A pack of Sharpies engraved with Trump's name.

--Obviously a new addition, there was a mirror that popped up from the top right hand drawer with a recording, "You are so handsome! and You're a stable genius" on an endless loop.

Category Two

The President's Residence

--Expected to go only to the most serious collector, is Trump's shitter throne made from solid gold.

--Found in a dresser drawer, a supersize jar of face bronzer make-up, and a year supply of Tic Tac's engraved with Trump's name on them.

--Discovered in the bathroom, a solid gold scale that only went up to 240 pounds.

--12 94" flat screen TVs that surrounded the bedroom

Category Three

The Dining Room and Kitchen

A Trump ware dinner set for 64 people consisting of: 

--Plates and saucers etched in gold

--A massive Centerpiece with naked golden Trump cherubs frolicking in the Capitol Hill bathrooms

--4 gold Salt and Pepper shakers in the shape of a box of Kentucky Fried Chicken

--16 McDonald's themed tables and chairs for four.

Category Four

The Secret Nursey

Background: Many historic (and horrible) decisions were made there where most of the staff couldn't see Trump throwing temper tantrums and acting like a baby.

--A gold leaf crib padded with stuffed hamburger cushions.

--A Big Boy wooden Playpen (with metal bars) made by illegal immigrants at Mar-A-Lago.

--A golden pacifier dispenser in the shape of a golf club.

--A gold encrusted height chair sturdy enough to hold an elephant. The tray is decorated with flying hamburgers wrapped in a Carl's Jr. motif.

Note to All Buyers

All sales are final and permanent. We accept VISA and MasterCard.

Hope Springs Eternal: Enduring 2020- Day-By-Day

 

Pandemic Diary - Day 244

Dear Diary,

In a year where some days feel like a week, Americans are exhausted with 38 days left in an what's been a constant stream of major challenges.

The two biggest challenges have been the pandemic, and a corrupt president unwilling to concede he lost the election.

In the waning days both will be front and center.

The fact that we're faced with a sociopath whose probably going to have to be put in a straight jacket and wheeled out of the Oval Office on a handcart on Jan. 20th, 2021, is discouraging to say the least.

Thanks to Trump our highly valued smooth transition of power was violated and continues to be a dicey subject. Welcome to our banana republic. It only took one con man to pull it off.

So how do we handle the twin challenges facing us all this fall and winter?

As for the pandemic all we can do is to slow down the deadly surge. That requires wearing face masks, practicing social distancing, and good hygiene. Vaccines are on the way next year.

The problem is too many Americans are not following CDC guidelines because they see it as a challenge to their personal liberty, or they're Trump followers who universally scorn science. 

The other challenge, the one threatening our democracy, is a demented Donny. He's going to continue with a scorched earth policy designed to hurt the Biden presidency.

I expect the stupidity to last until January. Meanwhile, taking it day-by-day is the answer. In addition, don't spend more than an hour on the news of the day.

I'd go further than that and exclude talking heads on biased news channels. Personally, I watch the nightly news on NBC with Lester Holt and our local news. Total one hour. 

That leaves you the rest of the day to divert from the madness around you. Despite having to avoid public situations, there's numerous alternatives to making your confinement more bearable.

--Try reading a book. It's a lost art getting rediscovered in the Age of COVID-19. 

--Don't forget Zoom, phone calls, texts, emails and snail mail to stay in touch with friends and family.

--Hobbies. Whatever tickles your fantasy. You might even come up with a way to make money and soften your financial burdens.

--Use humor like a shield against the negativity your exposed too. Jokes, comedies and comedians can take you to a happy place.

Enduring 2020 hasn't been easy. Over a quarter of a million Americans have died from the coronavirus thus far with little end in sight.

Our republic has been rocked by a lunatic on the loose in The White House for four years.

But, there's hope. There's always hope. Americans have been through many hard times in the last 240 years, and we're still the United States of America... despite Trump.

Quote for the Day; "Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, today is a gift of God, which is why we call it the present." --Bill Keane 

America Will Never Be The Same After Trump and the Pandemic

 Pandemic Diary - Day 243

Dear Diary,

Between the pandemic that's killing 2,000 Americans daily, and a treasonous president who won't except the results of a fair election, America will never be the same.

Age old traditions have been trampled on by Trump and his enablers. Laws have been lynched by his crooked lawyers and cronies in key government positions.

Morality is mocked. Science is scorned. Civility is a casualty. Compromises have been crushed by Trump's authoritarian regime. 

Democracy has never been this close to collapse. If Trump would have won, there was a distinct chance that future generations would be living in a fascist state.  

But Biden won, and Trump melted down trying to reverse the will of the voters with lies that appeal to his QAnon, and extreme right-wing followers.

The country has to endure 59 more days of Trump's terrible tantrums and purging of people disloyal to him, and the lighting of foreign fires to hamper the incoming Biden administrations foreign affairs.

Somehow we'll get through this assault on democracy and Trump will have to go back to being a civilian facing numerous crimes in the year(s) ahead.

It's the pandemic that will have longer lasting effects on America as a whole. Surviving this dark winter is going to be a bigger challenge than anyone alive in the country today has ever faced.

Despite COVID-19 vaccines that are predicted to be available next spring for the majority of Americans, many won't take it for myriad reasons.

Unfortunately, the virus will be around for the foreseeable future. There's hope for mitigating the virus with the arrival of Biden's Health Advisory Team whose decisions will be based in science, not politics like Trump's Coronavirus Task Farce.

Everything we once took for granted, from sports to entertainment, is going to be different. The days of football stadiums with 60,000 cheering fans are gone.

Americans are going to have to accept new norms, like wearing masks, social distancing, and avoiding large indoor gatherings. Holiday traditions are going to have to evolve to accommodate our new reality.

While the challenges are many, I'm confident Americans will meet them and our republic will stand as a beacon of freedom in the world.

Quote for the Day; "Nothing is so painful to the human mind as a great and sudden change." -Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley

Open Treason: Trump is Trying to Unravel Democracy and Doesn't Care Whose Watching

 

Pandemic Diary - Day 142

Dear Diary,

Reality is dawning on some Republicans, but it's been a long haul. Democrats are losing their patience waiting for Trump to wake up and admit he lost the election. 

Yesterday the House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said Trump's efforts to persuade Republican officials to reverse election results in key battleground states "borders on Treason." 

What we have here is an open season for treason as Trump misuses his office to try and steal an election he lost fair and square.

He believes he's above the law and has demonstrated that throughout the four years of his disastrous reign.

Sure he was impeached, but the Senate let him off the hook in a treasonous display of Trump over country.

Trump and his court clown Rudy Giuliani are busy spreading lies like manure about the election results in swing states.

Their no evidence-based accusations have fallen flatter than pancakes in the courts (over 30 kicked out and counting).

How much longer is Congress going to stand by and watch Trump set fires abroad and at home before taking some action to defend the country?

What's the breaking point where someone finally admits our wannabe emperor has no clothes (or sense)?

It's getting worse by the day.

Republican Mitt Romney tweeted this yesterday;

"Having failed to make even a plausible case of widespread fraud or conspiracy before any court of law, Trump is now openly putting overt pressure on state and local officials to subvert the will of the people and the rule of law."

The consensus among the GOP is that Trump is getting revenge because he doesn't think the Democrats ever thought he was a real president.

In layman's terms, Donny is butt hurt and intends to throw tantrums until he's kicked out of the White House on Jan.20th, 2021. 

Quote for the Day; "Your treason shall be your poison." - Noha Alaa El-Din 

A 2020 Photo Collection: Chaos Characters in America

 Pandemic Diary - Day 141

Dear Diary,

As the saying goes, "a picture is worth a thousand words," so let's go:

Rudy Giuliani looks skyward with a smile after lying about election results at a press conference held at a landscaping business situated next to a crematorium and an adult book store. 

Trump was last seen crying and throwing a temper tantrum 12 days ago at the White House where he's bunkered up.

He's still tweeting, however.

Trump appointed minion, Chris Miller, was appointed the Acting Defense Secretary when Trump arbitrarily fired Mark Esper for standing up to him. Miller has been tasked with making life hell for Joe Biden abroad. 

Watching Mitch McConnell sell out the country to appease Trump is sickening, but it's his indifference to the millions of Americans who need a stimulus relief bill that will earn him a permanent spot in the Hall of Shame.

General Services Administration chief Emily Murphy has refused to authorize the transition process for president-elect Joe Biden because Trump won't let her, and she doesn't have enough moral rectitude to do her job legally.

One of the biggest hypocrites on Capitol Hill is Lindsey Graham. He's been calling secretary of states in Georgia, Nevada, and Arizona, to get them to throw out legal votes for Biden. When confronted, he lied about the conversations claiming he did nothing wrong. 

Trump's chief ass wipe, Mark Meadows, got out of quarantine and holed up in the White House bunker with Trump. His job has boiled down to keeping Donny from hurting himself as he rages through the near-empty White House ranting he won the election.

                               Fleeting Images

Quote for the Day; "A photograph is a moral decision taken in one eighth of a second." -Salman Rushdie 

Loser Trump Checks Out On COVID-19 Surge

 
Pandemic Diary - Day 340

Dear Diary,

Thanks to Bob Woodward's book, Rage, we know that Trump checked out on the coronavirus in January when he thought it was going to hurt the economy.

For a while he pretended to be concerned about the pandemic and set up a Coronavirus Task Force to combat it.

He even appeared daily with health briefings (thinly disguised bullshit sessions) on the progress HE was making to save the country.

The briefings faded away when his advisors convinced him he needed to move on after recommending bleach injections to cure the virus.

When it became apparent that healthcare officials wouldn't pass on the false information Trump wanted he attacked them. Then shut them up. Then he hired a quack off of Fox News to head up the new farce force.

With the country consumed with a growing healthcare crisis spiraling out of control Trump turned ALL of his attention towards getting re-elected.

After losing the election he claimed it was rigged. He's still playing out his fantasies that would overturn the results of one of the safest elections ever held.

What bothers me is that it seems like no one can stop from him from purging the Pentagon and other government agencies of people he thinks are disloyal to him.

Worse, he's looking abroad to start trouble. Ordering troops to summarily come home from Afghanistan and Iraq was a reckless move that no one in the military, and the intelligence community, wanted to see happen.

Republicans in Congress are holding their breath waiting for reality to sink into Trump's tiny brain. They're afraid to acknowledge Joe Biden won because they fear Trump and his base.

The result was predictable. The nation's on hold while Trump bounces around in the White House bunker in a childish rage against reality.

Until January 20th rolls around the chaos will continue.

Quote for the Day; "I don't like losers." -Donald Trump 

From Russia With Love: Putin Puppet Trump Praised for Election Interference

 

Pandemic Diary - Day 339

Dear Diary,

I've obtained a copy of a secret letter from a source that shall remain unnamed (dated 11-7-20) from V. Putin to D. Trump, that I'm sharing with you today. Don't tell anyone okay?

-------------------------------------------

Greetings from Moscow (future home of Trump Tower) to our favorite wannabee dictator Donald J. Trump

From the Desk of President Putin;

Dear Donnie  -may I continue to call you that in the years to come? - you have earned my highest praise for your efforts in the last four years of your presidency for chipping away at the laws and other foundations of freedom in America.

Your constant attacks against the Constitution and the judiciary systems, have instilled confusion in many people's minds... to my absolute delight!

Your ability to divide the nation has resulted in chaos at home, and abroad with America's allies. The world is laughing (but fearful) at what's been happening in the so-called "Land of the Free."

I have to say I'm particularly thrilled to see your scorched earth policies and actions during your last days in power. Backing US troops out of Afghanistan is a masterstroke of treachery that gives me goose bumps!

You have been such a loyal lackey I have commissioned a special medal for you featuring two lovely women pissing on you.

You know I never forgot that moment (my heart still skips a beat!) when my secret police informed me we had some serious leverage against a presidential candidate. 

My agents told me you readily agreed to sell your country out when they showed you the film of your little escapade with a couple of prostitutes' in Moscow when you brought the Miss Universe Beauty Contest to our fair city. 

Like I promised back then, you were elected, and the rest is history. Again, Congratulations for a job well done comrade! See you soon. Unless you go to prison first.

Still your master, Vladimir Putin

------------------------------------

Quote for the Day: "A traitor leader is the outcome of a fool nation." -M.F.Moonzajer

Where will Trumplicans Go After Administration Purge on Jan. 21st?

 

Pandemic Diary - Day 338

Dear Diary,

The cleansing is coming.

After thoroughly disinfecting and fumigating the White House in January when Trump's gone, there's going to be a lot of unemployed Trump supporters.

It's true that there's still Trump parasites in Congress and others who are burrowed into some key positions in government agencies... like The Pentagon.

While it'll take voters to cleanse Congress, the rest of the Trump trolls submerged in the system will eventually be rooted out.

So where will Donny and his ragtag cult members go after being purged from the government?

My first guess is some will find fame (notoriety) on right-wing TV and websites continuing to serve orange Kool aid to all who'll listen.

I think it's safe to say some will end up in jail.

As a matter of fact, Trump's fat ass could end up behind bars if the two criminal AG cases against him in New York are successfully prosecuted.

I have to pause here. It feels so good to think about that very real possibility.

More likely, Trump will continue to rip off his gullible supporters by having them send money to his most recent PAC, giving him and the family a piggybank to ruthlessly raid (remember the Trump Foundation charity rip off?).

Moving on, I suspect there will also be Trumplicans who won't find safe harbor anywhere in the big business world again.

They'll have to settle for minimum wage jobs like cleaning toilets' in Trump-owned hotels.

But there's one more thing...

Those GOP members of the House and the Senate who got booted out (or retired) after the election will have to face their legacies.

History will not be kind to them for enabling corruption while slavishly following a sociopath who did everything he could to undermine our democracy.

I wouldn't bet on it, but there might be a few Trumplicans who repent for their crimes against America and go on to do some good in society.

Quote for the Day; "Guilt and fear are a kind of rot. It spreads unless it's cleaned. And there's only one way to do that." -Lee Goldberg 

Who Could Have Predicted? People Who Don't Believe in Science in the 21st Century

 

Pandemic Diary - Day 337

Dear Diary,

I remember when The Jetson's (Sept.1962-March 1963) were one of the hottest cartoons on TV.

Characters traveled in flying cars and lived in floating homes. The futuristic inventions in each episode were part of the fun for children and adults alike.

I was five years-old when I first went to Disneyland in 1955. "Tomorrowland" was the last land to be finished in the park and was only partly open. It represented the future in the year 1986.

Tomorrowland's showpiece was The Moonliner, the tallest structure in the park at the time. I was starry-eyed with wonder at the thought of flying to the moon.

Space and science were cool when I was in high school. The movies of that era reflect that:

Last Man On Earth (1964). Night Caller from Outer Space (1965). Cyborg 2087 (1966). The Andromeda Nebula (1967). 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968). 

Science fiction has always fed off of real science which has made it all the more popular. People loved science back then. Scientists were respected in the society.

The important thing was people knew the difference between science and fiction. 

In an unimaginably ironic twist millions of Americans today - in the 21st century - question the validity of science when we are at the very peak of technology and scientific breakthroughs on multiple fronts.

The president of our country doesn't believe in science and famously stated "...the experts don't know what their talking about" in reference to climate change.

Growing up and in the ensuing decades, I've always given science its due. To see a generation of conspiracy theories supplanting science seems like a scary movie in progress.

I'll be glad when the curtains come down on the science-deniers, and the lights come back on.

Quote for the Day: "Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity. I'm not sure about the universe." -Albert Einstein

Nothing Is Ever Going To Be The Same - We're Just Going To Have To Move On

 

Pandemic Diary - Day 336

Dear Diary,

No home for the holidays this season. 

The pandemic that's surging through the country has no respect for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Hanukkah.

Family gatherings have become COVID-19 spreader events from coast-to-coast. Healthcare officials are pleading with families to scale down on their gatherings this fall.

Until there's a vaccine for the virus it's going to regulate how we live, like it, or not. Wearing face masks is not some passing fad, it's become the new normal in America in an effort to contain the virus.

Healthcare professionals are suggesting a vaccine won't be available to the majority of Americans until next fall. If then. When it does become available only half of Americans say they will get it.

The bottom line is everyone is going to have to adjust to a brave new world with restrictions on our most beloved activities. From live entertainment to sports stadiums with 40,000 fans (or more), human interaction on a large scale is a thing of the past.

Hugging and shaking hands with strangers in public is no longer proper etiquette - if you believe in science and the reality of what's happening around you.

There will always be people who will resist wearing face masks and not go along with public safety measures. I suspect their numbers will dwindle in the coming years.

As for the rest of us, we need to learn how to make the best of our new reality. There's always hope for better days if we're united in our efforts to survive.

Our traditions and celebrations will have to conform to these uncomfortable realities and make them more palatable. Adapting to our environment is also necessary if we want to be happy. That's one thing all Americans can do to improve their lives. 

We're a social species that will find workarounds to stay in touch with one another and to thrive once again some day.

Quote for the Day: "Adapt to your surrounding but remain flexible for growing." --Ashley Porter

You Know It's 2020 When Charles Koch Congratulates Biden and Says He Looks Forward to 'Working With Him"

 Pandemic Diary - Day 335

Dear Diary,

Historians will someday agree that 2020 was a unique year full of challenges without comparison.

The year started off with the whole West Coast on fire, and a deadly pandemic that swept through the country taking lives in record numbers.

In an effort to stop the spread the nation had to shut down causing economic hardships not seen since the Great Depression.

Despite knowing how deadly the coronavirus was in early January, Trump downplayed the "Kung Fu Virus" and mocked masks when healthcare professionals cautioned they were vital (along with other advise) in stopping the spread.   

Trump was impeached in February. Farmers were getting massive government bailouts because of Trump's war with China.

The centerpiece of this year was the presidential election.

Democracy was shaken to the core as an out-of-control Trump tried to steal the election by whatever means were available to him.

Trump appointed a minion to slow down the USPS as part of his effort to discredit mail-in voting. He hired a legion of lawyers to file frivolous lawsuits in every swing state he was losing in. All were rejected.

When Biden was declared the winner on November 7th, Trump locked himself in the White House bunker and refused to concede to reality.

As Trump was going through the first of five stages of grief - denial - GOP leaders put their blinders on and pretended he didn't lose. Some are still pretending. Some have chosen to recognize reality.

Amidst all the tribalism I've seen this year something stunned me yesterday. 

Charles Koch (and democratic boogeyman) not only congratulated Biden on his victory, but he said he looked forward to working with him (!) to restore protection for "Dreamers," enacting policing reform that addresses systemic racism, and rolling back Trump's tariffs.

I know, I shouldn't be surprised by anything. It's 2020 after all.

Quote for the Day: "No one is exempt from the surprises of life." -Mehmet Murat ildan

'Baby Trump' Is Going To Have To Recognize Reality Eventually

 

Pandemic Diary - Day 334

Dear Diary,

Our cry Baby-in-Charge is in deep denial.

He can't change reality regardless of his frivolous lawsuits. Some Republicans have begun to accept the inevitable and are trying to get Trump to stop whining by coddling the orange buffoon.

The royal ass wipes - you know who they are - are carefully coaching Donny to calm down. It's a herculean effort. 

He doesn't want to admit he's a loser and they have to figure out how to get his fat ass out of the White House before January 20th when he'll be dragged out kicking and crying if he's still squatting there.

I don't envy his minions task. Changing his dirty diapers daily is one thing, but getting their terrible infant to vacate the White House is quite another.

Somehow, without riling up his rabid base, they have to figure out a course of action in the next 68 days.

Right now that mission seems impossible. Donny is angry and pounding his rattle on the resolute desk calling for heads to fall.

Their only hope is he'll be placated enough by firing everyone he doesn't like in government, and giving pardons to his criminal friends - and himself (if he can pull it off) that he'll leave.

To be sure no one - including Donny - knows what he'll do with the remainder of his regime. 

Meanwhile, his enablers will also have to figure out how to keep him out of prison when he leaves office. They know the IRS has unfinished business with their baby Trump.

Quote for the Day; "It's human to be angry, but childish to be controlled by anger." --Mokokoma Mokhonoana