Monday, April 24, 2017

How about a week of rest? ...


12 comments:

  1. Posted a comment on the last threat.

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  2. Don't know about a week of rest. On Friday I head to another science fiction convention. Fun but hardly restful.

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  3. Have you all checked out Dan Rather's news company "News and Guts"? He's doing it through social media, so you'd need to be connected in some way, I think. Here's his Facebook version:

    https://www.facebook.com/newsandguts/?pnref=story

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  4. Gleanings during breaks today; and now homeward--I suddenly feel less than well.
    —Alan

    The Fall of the French Socialist Party[Click] The argument is not without relevance to the US, and the Democratic Party in particular.

    The Very Hungry Plastic-Eating Caterpillar[Click]

    The Mystery of 'Venus's Hair' After a Volcanic Eruption[Click]

    Campaign promises: DT’s 100-day action plan to Make America Great Again[Click] His “Contract with the American Voter.” Sounds to me like he is likely not to be in full compliance with the terms of the contract.

    New Orleans takes down Confederate monuments under cover of darkness[Click] Workers wear bulletproof vests and balaclavas amid safety concerns.

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  5. A bit more:

    Graydon Carter: “You’re not alone if you think you are living through an Allen Drury novel—or, depending upon your age, Dr. Strangelove or Wag the Dog. Sean Spicer, the poor fellow, is living through his own episode of South Park. In the B.T. (Before Trump) era, most people I know went about their daily lives reasonably confident in the knowledge that the papers or news sites they read that morning were all they needed to stay informed for the rest of the day.”

    “But now, A.T., all that has changed. Those same people check their phones with the regularity of lovelorn teenagers—wincing as they look to see what fresh horrors the great man in the White House has unleashed. Trump may thrive on conflict and disorder, but most of us do not.”

    Here is today's horror...[Click]

    —Alan

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    1. Pardon my French but... Holy shit!

      You know, I think the United States today would give Orwell and Kafka migraines.

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  6. Okay, so I just read yesterday's highly interesting thread. Thanks for the great conversation!

    Cat...yes, ask Jean. Or find of the cost of cab fare and we'll chip in and get you there.

    As for what to do about the Dem Party, here's where I am in the quandary:
    In Vermont we don't have to declare for one party or the other. For the Primary we just say which ballot we want to use. For the general election, of course, all names are on the ballot. The only time affiliation matters, ironically enough, is when counting the vote, because we need to pair up by differing affiliations, to keep it honest.

    I suppose my view is born of living in the State where both Pat Leahy and Jim Jeffords got the majority of votes from all party members. But where I have come since the Dean days and where I recommend the country go is this: I am an Independent. This is exactly because it does not assist any party. What if everyone simply became Independents? Wouldn't that diminish the pull of the Parties? Wouldn't that either render party politics obsolete or MAKE them have to pay attention to Independents? They do that a little now, since we can sway the vote. But just imagine a country with no party affiliations. Everyone running would be on equal footing and have to convince THE VOTERS instead of the party "elite."

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    Replies
    1. You may say I'm a dreamer.
      But I'm not the only one...

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    2. Here are California registration statistics.[Click] The percentage of registered Dems has stayed pretty constant for some time, GOP has been going steadily down, and “No Party Preference” has been going up—it nearly equals the GOP numbers now. How they generally lean is another question, which I cannot answer.

      —Alan

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    3. Cat--I am sure we would be glad to chip in, not just to get you there, but for a round trip! [he ducks]

      --Alan

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