Monday Stuff On the Way to Other Stuff: Fussing -- For Good Cause

What a week. What a summer. More heat. More typing, to the point my hands are starting to ache. (I know. Gripe, moan, complain.)  I found so many odd and frustrating things reported this week that I'm seriously considering just not watching the news anymore. Or maybe a schedule of one week on, one week off. It would certainly be easier. As you and I both know, the weird stuff is only going to proliferate, the closer we approach Election Day.
    Maybe I'll start weaning myself off today. 

A 'nutty' 1850s block, courtesy of Woodard and Greenstein. Just seemed to fit.

There is one point I do want to make, before Holding Forth. It's about geography. 

Perhaps the Brick and I are more aware of this, because of the world cruise we tried to take in 2020. (We did go around the world -- we just didn't stop much.) While we were on the boat, we were hearing British, U.K. and European news far more than anything on the U.S. The exception was reporting on election primaries, lots of jabs at President Trump -- and a tiny bit on the coronavirus. I actually began to think (naively, as it turns out) that Covid-19 wasn't having that much impact on America.

     I was wrong, of course. 

What many people seem to forget is that the United States is a BIG country. This was reinforced by the smug responses of U.K. friends who had visited New York City, Las Vegas and L.A. -- and assumed that they knew what all 50 states of the United States were like. We could easily fit pretty much all of the European countries, the U.K. included, into the U.S...and still have plenty of room to stuff in some South American countries, as well. 
     So comparing U.S. rates of infection to, say, Sweden or Brazil, is a bit like putting a gorilla next to a spider monkey, and arguing that they're the same. Which they are...yet they aren't. Percentages show this inequity up quickly -- then again, that would put the administration in a better light. 

     Please consider this the next time you read an outraged report on how awful it is here, Covid-19-wise. Do I feel badly about those who have been sick...and/or died? Absolutely. Can we do better? Are preventative measures still important (though debated)? Of course. But is this country a skyrocketing hotbed of sickies with the rest of us teetering on the edge, destined for oblivion?
     You do the math.

Meanwhile:

Was Paul Krugman (gasp) wrong? From the article:

The Nobel Prize-winning economist rose to international fame...by lacerating his intellectual opponenets in the most withering way. Krugman branded just about everybody who questioned the rapid pace of globalization a fool who didn't understand economics very well. "Silly" was a word Krugman used a lot to describe pundits who raised fears of economic competition from other nations, especially China. Don't worry about it, he said: Free trade will have only minor impact on your prosperity.
    Now Krugman has come out and admitted, offhandedly, that his own understanding of economics has been seriously deficient, as well. In a recent essay titled "What Economists (Including Me) Got Wrong About Globalization," adapted from a forthcoming book on inequality, Krugman writes that he and other mainstream economists "missed a crucial part of the story" in failing to realize that globalization would lead to "hyperglobalization" and huge economic and social upheaval, particularly of the industrial middle class in America...which economists made a "major mistake" in underestimating, Krugman says.

   While typing this in, it suddenly occurred to me: Krugman not only has messed up a bunch of people, places and groups for believing in his theories -- he now will profit from same with a hefty book advance and royalties. Hmmm... do they take Nobel Prizes back?

Ten children's toys that saved people's lives. (Thanks, Listverse)

Two people's experience at Ubud, Bali. Sadly, this was similar to our time there...except for tea at a wonderful carved temple, looking out at the rain. Then we had to go out into it, which was not so nice. (From Millenial Revolution)

"Six reasons I will never trust Suze Orman."  Well, yes...and no.

A sub ran into the Titanic! Fortunately, the damage appears to be minor. Captain Smith's bathtub has disappeared, however.

Seven natural swimmng holes in Colorado. Water is little and far-between here, so anything like this is appreciated.

Michigan's dear little governor is at it again. This time, she's announced that Michigan will probably have to return to serious restrictions -- because Covid-19 cases are spiking again (or projected to). And it's all because of "spotty compliance," including the thousands of protesters that clogged up Michigan's capital, Lansing, the past week or so who didn't practice social distancing, mask-wearing, etc. etc. (They were protesting the state's and the governor's treatment of the pandemic.)

    Wait a minute, Governor Whitmer. Why didn't you say this about the BLM protesters that have been making their presence known for months? Do you really think they've been acting more responsibly? Maybe looting and graffiti makes you magically immune from coronavirus. (Yes, I'm being rude. Shame on me. Timeout in the corner.) 
    Wrong, one of my Gentle Readers protests. Whitmer was pointing out that protesting was harmful to containing the spread of Covid 19 -- and she said this months ago. I just checked -- and you're right. She's been mentioning it as early as May -- but focusing on the people who were protesting HER or (and this sounds weird), protesting the protesters. Nada mentioned about Whitmer herself marching in the parade, social distance be damned. (Okay, she is wearing a mask.) Selective protesting makes you immune, as well? (Back to the 'bad girl' corner. My much-loved Auntie Carolyn, a Whitmer supporter, would personally escort me there.)

     I'd better behave. 
If I keep this up, she may not let us into the state when we go to visit The Mama next month.

A new book about Trump's 'lies.' Ab-so-lutely fascinating. Just as interesting as the book his niece wrote, "Too Much And Never Enough."

The University of Georgia employee who's CLEARED by the university for posting such mild comments as "Some white people may have to die for black communities to be made whole." That gem was followed by "Fighting white people is a skill." Shades of Nikole Hannah-Jones.
    From the article: "Though he claims he is not calling for violence, Osei-Primpong believed it should still remain as an option when speaking with local media." Why -- so he can beat them up, too?

    Obviously the University of Georgia does not have a problem with this viewpoint. One could celebrate their political correctness, following the leads of other institutions like Seattle University, which punished its dean for recommending Dick Gregory's memoir. (Click on the link, if you're curious why. His book is one of my favorites, and has a permanent spot on my bookshelf. A post is coming soon on this, as well.)

No-bake cheesecake. Easy to make, too. (From Taste of Home)

Olivia deHavilland died this past weekend. A wonderful actress, but had a tendency to hold a grudge. (Regis Philbin died this past week, too.)

Parts of Oregon want to secede and join Idaho, instead. You can laugh -- but they've collected enough signatures to have the initiative on the ballot for November. (Blame it in part on the protests -- and the response to said protests -- in Portland. Who can blame them, at this point.)

A 15th century Gothic cathedral is badly damaged -- by a church volunteer. Sigh...

A hotel room with a view of the walrus tank? Sign me up!

Budget-friendly copycat restaurant recipes. The Cheesecake Factory may have gone out of business in our part of the state, but we can still have its Shrimp Scampi. (From Taste of Home)

Nancy Pelosi says rude things about President Trump. (Did you know he caused the virus? He must have...since she's trying to name it after him.) Or is just plain rude. (To reporters, no less.)

President Trump returns the favor.
    What's new...sigh.

Did you read my earlier post about Nick Sandmann's vindication? This seems like valid news -- do you think we're going to read much about it in the big news outlets, including CNN and the Washington Post?

Grrrumph. Harrrumph. Stepping off the soapbox. 
                          Now I think I will go take a nap. Work on a quilt. 




Watch The Princess Bride. ANYTHING but check on the news. Have a good week.