I suspect that the Census data, collected before the pandemic was full blown, reveal some devastating information about the REAL state of the nation. I notice that in December 2020, the Census bureau was still issuing estimates based on extrapolations from the 2010 Census. Now the actual data is not scheduled to be released beginning on May 4, 2021. Meanwhile, the FED researchers have diswcontinued the tracking of the velocity of uncategorized currency, probably because the trend lines for M2M are just as bad. People are hoarding because they are scared. Biden and Harris are hitting the road because spirits need to be lifted. Four decades of Republican authored deprivation has left a lot of people really depressed. Birth rates are dropping despite people having to stay at home. We are now way below replacement values.
Fact is that current global food production is one third more than is needed to provide an adquate diet for the current population. One third is going to waste and that is not even counting what is thrown out because it does not taste right. So, the problem is not production, but distribution. It's a management problem which will not be corrected as long as managers are convinced that being nice to their inferiors is all it takes. Management is a function, not an attitude. Calling distribution "logistics" is not going to fix it either. We used to laugh at the Soviets leaving beets and potatoes to rot in the fields becuae they had not recruited a workforce to collect them. We have the same problem in spades.
The Civil Rights legislation of the sixties and societal changes in the seventies created the POTENTIAL for government by the people. Since then that potential has been resisted by elected and appointed public officials who are reluctant to become public servants. Republicans, in particular, promoted the notion that democracy is an occasional process evidenced by rubber stamp elections. Sort of "in loco parentis" on a community-wide basis. Various long-time bureaucracies proposed another "compromise," the deployment of temporary expert consultants to replace what were known earlier as "technocrats." Remember "the best and the brightest"? That was not a government by the people agenda. Judd Gregg identified the enemy as "populism" when he refused the Commerce Secretary gig under Obama. More recently, Donald Trump has been identified as a "populist candidate," in an effort to validate that government by the people and tyranny go together like a horse and carriage. Trump is just a Conman, but that is another matter. The police are just another bureaucracy resisting being governed by law. It will take some time to disabuse them of their error.
Generally I don’t care for British political cartoons, but this is a good one. [Click] The reference to Elizabeth Butler in the upper left leads here. [Click]
Positivity Rate down to 1.5% Death Rate still holding at 1.3% Another death reported today. It's always heartbreaking. But it feels sharper and sadder now, when we are so close to most being vaccinated. My heart goes out to those left behind.
In today's press conference, VT Gov. Phil Scott said that Vermont will not only meet but exceed the President's goal of opening vaccine eligibility to all adults by May 1st.
He is still planning a methodical reopening, turning the spigot a little at a time, though likely more frequently that was done last year.
Most oddly (!) he said that beginning now two NON-vaccinated families may get together (one other household at a time, but no limit to how many one after another.
Also, children may now have playdates with other children...!
He said it's based on the guidance from the officials. But I find I'm really not comfortable with this.
The following is the portion of a talking points memo column that is outside the paywall. IMO Josh Marshall would not make such a statement without very good evidence. I will root around for related information.
It’s True. Trump Had No Plan to Vaccinate the Country Prime Membership Required Josh Marshall
Below I publish TPM Reader WH‘s note. He’s also pretty high on President Biden’s speech. But he asks whether there’s any good rundown about what’s true and not true about vaccine preparation under Biden and Trump. Is it really true, as a number of publications like the Times have reported in recent days that the Biden administration is taking credit for a lot of great stuff Trump had underway? Or resorting to the devious trick of underpromising and overdelivering? (Yes, really.) Our team was actually pretty deep into the reporting on this story last year. So we are going to put that piece together. Look out for it. But I think I can preview that briefly.
Hi Alan, Can you let the blog know that my power is out? Back when I can.
💥We heard a small explosion sound and the power cut out. Turns out only 5 families are affected and we are the only problem Green Mountain Power has right now in the whole state. Just lucky I guess! Ha! Power should be back “by 11:59pm.”⚡️
Thanks, Alan! Our power just came back on! YAYYY!!!
At ten thirty on the morning of Saint Patrick's Day, they are bringing me my J&J covid vaccine! I am astonished at how up to date and efficient my medical caretakers are. One and done. I'm over the moon!
The Politics of Biden’s Rescue Plan [Click]
ReplyDeleteBiden and Harris to go on the road to plug COVID aid package [Click]
Joe Biden’s Line Of The Night Shows His Biggest Difference From Donald Trump [Click]
I suspect that the Census data, collected before the pandemic was full blown, reveal some devastating information about the REAL state of the nation. I notice that in December 2020, the Census bureau was still issuing estimates based on extrapolations from the 2010 Census.
DeleteNow the actual data is not scheduled to be released beginning on May 4, 2021.
Meanwhile, the FED researchers have diswcontinued the tracking of the velocity of uncategorized currency, probably because the trend lines for M2M are just as bad. People are hoarding because they are scared. Biden and Harris are hitting the road because spirits need to be lifted. Four decades of Republican authored deprivation has left a lot of people really depressed.
Birth rates are dropping despite people having to stay at home. We are now way below replacement values.
Computerized farming advances. [Click]
ReplyDeleteScience fiction becomes science fact.
DeleteFact is that current global food production is one third more than is needed to provide an adquate diet for the current population. One third is going to waste and that is not even counting what is thrown out because it does not taste right.
DeleteSo, the problem is not production, but distribution. It's a management problem which will not be corrected as long as managers are convinced that being nice to their inferiors is all it takes.
Management is a function, not an attitude. Calling distribution "logistics" is not going to fix it either. We used to laugh at the Soviets leaving beets and potatoes to rot in the fields becuae they had not recruited a workforce to collect them. We have the same problem in spades.
Things are not looking good in Minneapolis. [Click]
ReplyDeleteThe Civil Rights legislation of the sixties and societal changes in the seventies created the POTENTIAL for government by the people. Since then that potential has been resisted by elected and appointed public officials who are reluctant to become public servants.
DeleteRepublicans, in particular, promoted the notion that democracy is an occasional process evidenced by rubber stamp elections. Sort of "in loco parentis" on a community-wide basis. Various long-time bureaucracies proposed another "compromise," the deployment of temporary expert consultants to replace what were known earlier as "technocrats."
Remember "the best and the brightest"? That was not a government by the people agenda.
Judd Gregg identified the enemy as "populism" when he refused the Commerce Secretary gig under Obama. More recently, Donald Trump has been identified as a "populist candidate," in an effort to validate that government by the people and tyranny go together like a horse and carriage.
Trump is just a Conman, but that is another matter.
The police are just another bureaucracy resisting being governed by law. It will take some time to disabuse them of their error.
The Left’s Answer to Trump Is 6 Foot 8 and Wears Shorts in February [Click] “There’s never been a statewide politician like John Fetterman. Now he’s a front-runner for the U.S. Senate.”
ReplyDeleteGenerally I don’t care for British political cartoons, but this is a good one. [Click]
ReplyDeleteThe reference to Elizabeth Butler in the upper left leads here. [Click]
VTcases: 16,623-16,500 = 123
ReplyDelete2518 active cases
212 deaths(+1)
Recovered 13,893(83.6%)
Hospital:23(-5) ICU:4(+1)
Tests 340,210 (+1027)
Positivity Rate down to 1.5%
DeleteDeath Rate still holding at 1.3%
Another death reported today. It's always heartbreaking. But it feels sharper and sadder now, when we are so close to most being vaccinated. My heart goes out to those left behind.
In today's press conference, VT Gov. Phil Scott said that Vermont will not only meet but exceed the President's goal of opening vaccine eligibility to all adults by May 1st.
DeleteHe is still planning a methodical reopening, turning the spigot a little at a time, though likely more frequently that was done last year.
Most oddly (!) he said that beginning now two NON-vaccinated families may get together (one other household at a time, but no limit to how many one after another.
DeleteAlso, children may now have playdates with other children...!
He said it's based on the guidance from the officials.
But I find I'm really not comfortable with this.
What do you think?
I should suggest greater caution.
DeleteIMO the Prez gave a superb address last night.
ReplyDeleteINDEED. It feels so good to have a compassionate human for President again.
DeleteI would settle for simply human. Trump is not IMO a complete human being.
DeleteMan, you can say that again!
DeleteI would settle for simply human. Trump is not IMO a complete human being. [grin]
DeleteThe following is the portion of a talking points memo column that is outside the paywall. IMO Josh Marshall would not make such a statement without very good evidence. I will root around for related information.
ReplyDeleteIt’s True. Trump Had No Plan to Vaccinate the Country
Prime Membership Required
Josh Marshall
Below I publish TPM Reader WH‘s note. He’s also pretty high on President Biden’s speech. But he asks whether there’s any good rundown about what’s true and not true about vaccine preparation under Biden and Trump. Is it really true, as a number of publications like the Times have reported in recent days that the Biden administration is taking credit for a lot of great stuff Trump had underway? Or resorting to the devious trick of underpromising and overdelivering? (Yes, really.) Our team was actually pretty deep into the reporting on this story last year. So we are going to put that piece together. Look out for it. But I think I can preview that briefly.
This column from Jan. 22nd tells us much of the story. [Click]
DeleteUpdate:
DeleteTPM: No, Trump Doesn’t Deserve Credit For Planning Vaccine Distribution [Click]
Revisting Trump’s Speech from a Year Ago [Click] “. . .like a hostage video.”
ReplyDeleteMinneapolis to pay George Floyd's family $27m in police custody death lawsuit [Click]
ReplyDeleteDavid Cross: Why America Sucks at Everything - Click
ReplyDeleteWell, we are not without competition; see the post below re No. 10. . .
Delete'No 10 was a plague pit': how Covid brought Westminster to its knees [Click] Egad.
ReplyDeletePuerto Rico sees a surge in tourism – and a rise in aggressive tourist behavior [Click]
ReplyDeleteAlan in CA3/12/2021 05:48:00 PM
ReplyDeleteHi Alan,
Can you let the blog know that my power is out? Back when I can.
💥We heard a small explosion sound and the power cut out. Turns out only 5 families are affected and we are the only problem Green Mountain Power has right now in the whole state. Just lucky I guess! Ha! Power should be back “by 11:59pm.”⚡️
Thanks, Alan! Our power just came back on! YAYYY!!!
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteAt ten thirty on the morning of Saint Patrick's Day, they are bringing me my J&J covid vaccine! I am astonished at how up to date and efficient my medical caretakers are. One and done. I'm over the moon!
ReplyDeleteSounds great!
DeleteOHIO; COVID cases 986,740 and 17,871 deaths.
ReplyDeletePassage of the American Rescue Plan Marks Victory for Disability Community - Click
ReplyDeleteExcellent!
DeleteThere are a lot of good things tucked away in that bill/law. I am pleasantly surprised. Forward to infrastructure!
DeleteLatest movie from Mars [Click]
ReplyDelete