Clearly the drivers were not paying attention. But that's all too easy. Decades ago I had a rental car with cruise control. After 20 minues or so I turned it off because I found that even not having to keep my foot on the accelerator led to my mind wandering.
And many of the headline accidents have been where Autopilot was used in situations it explicitly was not designed for. But how do you keep stupid drivers from misusing it?
So, I'm watching President Biden's remarks. Lots of explanations of politics and how the Afghan army wouldn't fight for their own country. And I get that. I get that we can't stay in Afghanistan. But I'm not hearing the President take responsibility for this terribly failed exit. The government of Afghanistan probably didn't deserve our continued aid. But what about the people? What about the people who feel abandoned? What will be the consequences of our actions? Have we just inspired a whole new generation of extremists who hate the USA?
I've also been listening to the Military and Defense dudes who are taking questions from the Press. They are hush mushing, as they do, and saying they looked at every scenario, and it went a little quicker than they had hoped. But no one is saying where the vast miscalculation came from.
John Kirby, Pentagon spokesman, got the hardest question, from a female Afghan reporter who was in tears over the situation in Afghanistan now, especially for women, and wanted to know where the Afghan President is, and why he left his people. Kirby did a decent job of acknowledging her feelings, at least, while really having nothing to add.
Afghanistan was always going to end badly. There was no other scenario. Both England and Russia had to abandon their wars in Afghanistan. What made us think we would be different?
It now seems possible that the Taliban will control the entire country. That's unprecedented. The nearest thing Afghanistan has ever had to a national government was during the British Raj, and even then you didn't travel more than 30 miles outside Kabul without a company of British soldiers or permission of the local warloard.
"What made us think we would be different?" Foolishness, ignorance or a combination of the two. There were people who recognized at the outset that the "project" was foredoomed to failure, but the jingos would not be dissuaded. A boil is not caused by the doctor who lances it.
Talking Points Memo: "The Republican Party wants you to forget that just a few months ago the GOP agreed that the move to withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan, which Biden is now being criticized for, was sound foreign policy."
By presenting my Covid vaccination record at the President's office of the junior college I am attending, I can get a $150 Amazon gift card. Prett good!
There's a chance the booster would be the last shot needed...not needing a new shot each year.
This is because, while there are variants, there is not a complete shift of the virus as happens with flu viruses. But they're still watching it. Apparently the data coming out of Israel has been helpful.
Not sure I'll be eligible, since today I signed up for a clinical trial of a vaccine for respiratory syncitial virus. They may not want me mixing vaccines.
What listener said, and it seems curious that they would enroll a person of mature years in a trial for a "childhood disease." And I hope (selfishly) tha you heard right, listener.
https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2021-08-15/a-falling-capitals-final-hours-fear-chaos-and-gridlock-then-eerie-silence [Click]
ReplyDeleteChild COVID-19 hospitalization rates hit record in U.S.—but not in California. Here’s Why. [Click] So far, anyway. . .
ReplyDeleteMore discoveries at Gobekli Tepe [Click]
ReplyDeleteBiblical speculations [Click]
DeleteJosh Marshall: After Sunday It’s Even More Clear Biden Was Right [Click]
ReplyDeleteAnti-Vaccine Cardinal Now on Ventilator [Click]
ReplyDeletePolice and prison guards much less vaccinated than California public [Click]
Tesla’s Autopilot faces US investigation after crashes with emergency vehicles [Click] Definitely not ready for prime time. The worst car on the US market today, in fact. In my opinion.
ReplyDeleteClearly the drivers were not paying attention. But that's all too easy. Decades ago I had a rental car with cruise control. After 20 minues or so I turned it off because I found that even not having to keep my foot on the accelerator led to my mind wandering.
DeleteAnd many of the headline accidents have been where Autopilot was used in situations it explicitly was not designed for. But how do you keep stupid drivers from misusing it?
Remove it.
DeleteMining multinational BHP starts talks to exit oil and gas industry. [Click] It has been reducing its involvement.
ReplyDeleteSimon Jenkins: It has taken 20 years to prove the invasion of Afghanistan was totally unnecessary. [Click] “Western involvement in the country was a post-imperial fantasy that has led to the current ghastly situation.”
ReplyDeleteGlobal supply chains are being battered by fresh COVID surges. [Click]
ReplyDeletePresident Biden to speak on Afghanistan at 3:45pm EST.
ReplyDeleteIf you see this in time, maybe come by and we can live blog it together.
DeleteSo, I'm watching President Biden's remarks. Lots of explanations of politics and how the Afghan army wouldn't fight for their own country. And I get that. I get that we can't stay in Afghanistan. But I'm not hearing the President take responsibility for this terribly failed exit. The government of Afghanistan probably didn't deserve our continued aid. But what about the people? What about the people who feel abandoned? What will be the consequences of our actions? Have we just inspired a whole new generation of extremists who hate the USA?
DeleteHe finally said "The buck stops here" well into the speech. It's something. And it's something we NEVER would have heard from DT.
DeleteI've also been listening to the Military and Defense dudes who are taking questions from the Press. They are hush mushing, as they do, and saying they looked at every scenario, and it went a little quicker than they had hoped. But no one is saying where the vast miscalculation came from.
DeleteJohn Kirby, Pentagon spokesman, got the hardest question, from a female Afghan reporter who was in tears over the situation in Afghanistan now, especially for women, and wanted to know where the Afghan President is, and why he left his people. Kirby did a decent job of acknowledging her feelings, at least, while really having nothing to add.
DeleteAfghanistan was always going to end badly. There was no other scenario. Both England and Russia had to abandon their wars in Afghanistan. What made us think we would be different?
ReplyDeleteIt now seems possible that the Taliban will control the entire country. That's unprecedented. The nearest thing Afghanistan has ever had to a national government was during the British Raj, and even then you didn't travel more than 30 miles outside Kabul without a company of British soldiers or permission of the local warloard.
Delete"What made us think we would be different?" Foolishness, ignorance or a combination of the two. There were people who recognized at the outset that the "project" was foredoomed to failure, but the jingos would not be dissuaded. A boil is not caused by the doctor who lances it.
DeleteYes, but the boil needs to be removed with a little skill; use a sharp implement swiftly and you could remove a leg or something.
DeleteTalking Points Memo: "The Republican Party wants you to forget that just a few months ago the GOP agreed that the move to withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan, which Biden is now being criticized for, was sound foreign policy."
ReplyDeleteTonight, Stephen Colbert did a fine intro on the subject, with video of DT that is very damning.
DeleteBy presenting my Covid vaccination record at the President's office of the junior college I am attending, I can get a $150 Amazon gift card. Prett good!
ReplyDeleteNice perk! That could buy some sweet art supplies!
DeleteThe thought crossed my mind that I could buy lottery tickets, but I doubt that Amazon sells them [grin].
DeleteLocal air quality index has risen from 81 this morning to 87 now (7PM).
ReplyDeleteWe're at ... 34 !!
DeleteBreaking News (CNN):
ReplyDeleteBiden Administration expected to advise
booster shots for most Americans
8 months after fully vaccinated.
There's a chance the booster would be the last shot needed...not needing a new shot each year.
DeleteThis is because, while there are variants, there is not a complete shift of the virus as happens with flu viruses. But they're still watching it. Apparently the data coming out of Israel has been helpful.
It sounds like they actually mean "8 months after second dose."
Delete5-12 year olds may be allowed to get the vaccine as early as October. 2-5 year olds next. Then 6mos to 2 year olds.
Not sure I'll be eligible, since today I signed up for a clinical trial of a vaccine for respiratory syncitial virus. They may not want me mixing vaccines.
DeleteGood for you, doing that, Bill. I hear it's another bad virus and children are being hit hard by it. The kids really need all the help they can get.
DeleteWhat listener said, and it seems curious that they would enroll a person of mature years in a trial for a "childhood disease." And I hope (selfishly) tha you heard right, listener.
Delete