A good letter today. Aside from the dark humor in the last paragraph, I am struck by this. Nothing matters right now more than the Voting Rights Bills. Nothing is more of a priority. Without fair and inclusive elections the misinformed minority will win. And the Earth will lose. If we are to address the Climate Crisis, Democrats and Inde…
A good letter today. Aside from the dark humor in the last paragraph, I am struck by this. Nothing matters right now more than the Voting Rights Bills. Nothing is more of a priority. Without fair and inclusive elections the misinformed minority will win. And the Earth will lose. If we are to address the Climate Crisis, Democrats and Independents who respect science must carry the day in every election. The Republicans have become something out of Dr. Strangelove. It's as if Peter Sellers was in Congress. (Although he did make a pretty good "President").
Chuck Schumer should make monumental history by carving out a way to remove the filibuster for the Voting Rights Acts. Only with real democracy can we make true progress on saving the planet. What could be more important?
Yesterday, my rain gauge registered 1.7 inches of rain, only the second time in three months there was enough rain to actually register. Agriculture is still the number one industry in Minnesota but this year’s drought means yields will be bad/non existent for those without big irrigation rigs-which many small to medium farms cannot afford. I saw ample evidence over the weekend of corn, soy beans and even fields of hops and barley that will provide little more than silage for livestock-provided the livestock has survived the endless heat, humidity and pest problems this weather pattern has produced. Don’t get me started on how many people have died during recent heat waves or because of respiratory or heart problems from smoke particulates from wildfires. The only good news here is that remnants of Henri will visit soon and tamp down the raging forest fires in the BWCA-I hope. My asthma is driving me nuts- and I have ample access to medical care? Oh wait, not at the moment. COVID!
The planet will survive regardless what happens in Congress but life as we understand it will not. I second your idea Bill, that Schumer needs to find a way to pass the Voting Rights Act. Without that, we cannot make progress nor work on the truly pressing problems we face. Thank you highlighting this.
One more note: during the last week, as the military has worked to evacuate Americans and Afghans from a war zone, no one has yet died. From the media frenzy, you would think hundreds, maybe thousands had been killed or maimed but the answer is none (so far). But how many Americans have died of COVID? Because of power hungry Republicans? Voting rights must be protected. Otherwise, these “pro-life” bastards will kill even more Americans. !&$#!
Sheila B, my fellow Minnesotan, you hit so many important points here! I hadn’t thought about how many, if any people have died in the Afghanistan crisis. Yet, I have seen posts and news stories of health care workers burning out, of COVID cases and hospital caseloads hitting highs worse than at any time in the pandemic. The blatant disregard for the science, the data, and the risk to the lives of their constituents by members of the current GOP is criminal. And continues to surprise me! Even though I should know better than to think any of them will have an epiphany.
It is mind boggling to me too but at least Walz/Flanagan follow the science! The media are doing a crap job, period. Creating drama where little exists and ignoring real trauma. I can just hear my Journalism advisor from the U of MN screaming from the beyond, “Back to work getting out the vote!” Yes sir. We the people. All of us this time!
Humans differ in the way we react to vaccines and Covid. One size does not fit all. Please stop demonizing people with whom you disagree. It makes you look stupid.
Are you against masks? Can you explain that stance? They are inexpensive and they save lives. I have a huge problem with anti-maskers who ignore science and data. They want to expose my children to their unvaccinated, unmasked children, who are daily exposed to their unvaccinated, unmasked selves. Anti-maskers make zero sense to me. If you are opposed to vaccines then you should be adamantly in favor of masks to protect yourself.
The Imperial Press Corpse: "But his truthfulness!" Ouside of about ten reporters, the rest of the otherwise-unemployables would serve us better as burger flippers (assuming they had the physical dexterity)
My understanding is that at least one person died after clinging to a plane that took off. At least one other person was trampled on and died(all from NPR). The problem isn’t how many have died trying to get out, but the fact that the Taliban is not unified in allowing safe passage. They have started to kill Afghanis. They suggested on NPR that they don’t want them to leave since they know how to do things to keep government going. That makes some sense to
me.
Look, Trump was a horrible president and I wake up every morning so relieved that he is no longer in charge. I have no doubt that he is deeply at fault for the chaos in Afghanistan. But this doesn’t mean that Biden may not have made some wrong calls. I only hope that we don’t see negative consequences in 2022.
You are correct Patricia. And as of earlier today, as many as 20 people are reported to have died at Kabul airport (I missed the fact that the Afghan who clung to the wheels of the plane died day one - my mistake) My point still stands - how many hundreds have died of COVID? Here where vaccines are free and readily available? As for Biden making mistakes, I’ll ask you to remember that Trump did not allow for the peaceful transfer of power and did not provide daily national security updates in a timely or acceptable manner. Trump negotiated with the Taliban. I suspect the Saudis helped because of Kushner’s and Trump’s cozy inside relationships that also did not follow national security protocols. Did Biden make bad decisions? How the hell could we know given the machinations of the previous administration? The good news is that if he did screw up, he’ll own it. The adults are back in charge- for how long is the question.
Did you see the woman and her baby who were beaten to death? As a nasty, power-hungry Republican, I believe you have failed to look at reality, science, and compassion.
How dare you demonize Republicans when Democrats are consolidating power so they can rule as the only party allowed in the U.S.
Excuse me, I think you have this place mis-identified as the Fleeceblock page were drooling morons like you congregate. I think it's called MAGA Wold - where the sky is green and the grass is blue. This is Reality world, a place you're obviously unfamiliar with.
Come now. If we don't mend our fences, some other idiot is going to get elected who wants to keep building the wall. Without civility, there is only "ization" and that doesn't make any sense.
One has to admit that Dems are incredibly bad at controlling the narrative, whereas Repubes excel at that. All we need to keep driving home is that the current GOP worldview is completely incompatible with a humane, inclusive, functioning society. "Okay, voter, do you want corporatocracy or democracy? You choose."
You couldn’t be more right on, Bill, if we don’t get voting rights right, we’re not going to have a country. The idea of these known nothings running the country is beyond comprehension. Just take a look 👀 at the maga crowds, how many of them are in the 1% that the huge tax cut benefits the most, probably less than that 1%. The intelligence level in that crowd is a clear demonstration that our education system has failed to educate a great many people, if that isn’t the case, then why in the world would so many vote against their own economic interests. Those people have no idea how to separate fact from fiction, truth from outright lies. The Democrats have some culpability here, the teachers unions are overwhelmingly Democratic and they are the ones that have educated those same people. How can they get through high school, and from the looks of them, that’s as far as they got in the education system, without being able to see where the truth lies. There is such a thing as the truth. WTF 🤬
I find it incredulous how many screaming maniacal mothers showing up at school board meetings. Putting the health of their own kids on the line, for WHAT? Oh yeah, their CHOICE!
Lynn, I agree! I want to be at one of those meetings and ask the anti-mask parents, “do you make your kids where seat belts? Or do you object because they should be free to move about the vehicle while the car is in motion? Masks are like safety belts. It’s not just about your driving or other drivers, it’s that plus the road conditions and the weather and the auto mechanics. Safetybelts save lives. Masks save lives. The science and the data prove that masks save lives.” Some of the screaming parents sound insane to me.
What I ask them is “why are you yelling with your child by your side? Is that how you want your child’s teacher to speak?
Calm the “f” down. Yelling like that adds 10 years to your face.”Honestly, it is not until the last sentence that there is a moment of pause on their part.
If there is one thing I learned clearly in 35 years of teaching the little ones is that when a parent disses or complains about a teacher in front of their child, it creates a real problem in the relationship of that child in relation to school. Feel what you want, but keep it from your child. Most of them adore their teachers, and to cause chaos is to harm your child.
Totally agree. I would not continue a conference with students or younger ones in the room if the meeting got contentious and parent was choosing to rant.
My dad died in Mississippi last century, so IDK if he would be an anti-masker, but it is likely. My last visit with him in 1987, he was driving his pickup truck and I was looking for the passenger side seat belt that was tucked away. He saw this & told me I didn't need to put it on because MISSISSIPPI DIDN'T HAVE A MANDATORY SEAT BELT LAW. So, I was supposed to be comfortable riding with a man driving with a pig valve and pacemaker in his heart?
Tough memory, Rob. I feel for you. We may at least smile thinly that some of us have them as memories of a past, and were (somehow) able to escape the local cultures not of our choosing in which we were embedded for a time. I've been trying to understand my own journey and appreciate the key people and events that carried me into my present mindset. Is there anything about such experiences that can be generalized? If there is, perhaps it can be somehow taught.
Oh, but it's too much control as one of my ex-classmates in Indiana told me yesterday. I expect she watches Fox because I don't know how anyone could be tuned in to nightly news elsewhere and see all the full ICUs, the medical personnel begging people to get vaccinated and telling of their anger and exhaustion, and the data on how the it's mostly the unvaccinated who are filling the hospitals....and dying. Our governor just expanded the mandate on masks yesterday and sure enough, there was a post on Next-door about dictatorship within hours. I deleted it because I don't want to debate every internet medical "expert."
I always find the connection to trumpism in these so called protests. Usually in comments on FB posts and our local paper. Push them enough, and they blurt out their alliance with our ex president.
As a school librarian for 22 years, I always started my online research unit with “I could create a website stating that the moon is made of green cheese, citing “studies” that support my claim. There is no law or rule against my doing that.” I would go on to talk about sources, currency, etc. I also cautioned them about choosing only the top three or so hits in a search, with a discussion of how Google chooses the first ones to appear. Most teachers have done what they can, but between the reach of social media and a significant lazy streak among many students, it’s like pushing a boulder uphill.
A significant factor has been the growing lack of respect for teachers, including a lack of support from parents. In the mix is the onslaught of massive standardized testing and the constant blame of only the teachers for the poor scores. We don’t hear blame of the parents for not insisting homework be done or that the student behave in class. We don’t hear blame on all the cutbacks in funding for public education or the poor quality of textbooks that cater to Texas. As the cost of testing has climbed, more of school budgets are paying for that (and all the computers needed now that they’re online), less is available for support staff like librarians and counselors, or field trips or science kits. With the testing focus on language arts and math, science and history have gotten lost at the elementary level, so students go to middle school without a basic foundation.
And now, at the beginning of the school year, news broadcasters are lamenting the shortage of teachers. Who wants to take a job where you’re underpaid for the level of education required, and also blamed for student failures and half the problems in society?
The dark humor in the last paragraph got me off to a good start today. Since Biden’s success in the 2020 election, my righteous indignation response has cooled to a “so there!” I hope the victims of Covid working to invalidate the election results will recover enough to have an epiphany and pay attention to more constructive business.
Those that dont vaccinate or mask. Those that dont believe there is a climate crisis. Those who dont want all eligible voters to vote. You guess which party they may belong to.
A good letter today. Aside from the dark humor in the last paragraph, I am struck by this. Nothing matters right now more than the Voting Rights Bills. Nothing is more of a priority. Without fair and inclusive elections the misinformed minority will win. And the Earth will lose. If we are to address the Climate Crisis, Democrats and Independents who respect science must carry the day in every election. The Republicans have become something out of Dr. Strangelove. It's as if Peter Sellers was in Congress. (Although he did make a pretty good "President").
Chuck Schumer should make monumental history by carving out a way to remove the filibuster for the Voting Rights Acts. Only with real democracy can we make true progress on saving the planet. What could be more important?
Yesterday, my rain gauge registered 1.7 inches of rain, only the second time in three months there was enough rain to actually register. Agriculture is still the number one industry in Minnesota but this year’s drought means yields will be bad/non existent for those without big irrigation rigs-which many small to medium farms cannot afford. I saw ample evidence over the weekend of corn, soy beans and even fields of hops and barley that will provide little more than silage for livestock-provided the livestock has survived the endless heat, humidity and pest problems this weather pattern has produced. Don’t get me started on how many people have died during recent heat waves or because of respiratory or heart problems from smoke particulates from wildfires. The only good news here is that remnants of Henri will visit soon and tamp down the raging forest fires in the BWCA-I hope. My asthma is driving me nuts- and I have ample access to medical care? Oh wait, not at the moment. COVID!
The planet will survive regardless what happens in Congress but life as we understand it will not. I second your idea Bill, that Schumer needs to find a way to pass the Voting Rights Act. Without that, we cannot make progress nor work on the truly pressing problems we face. Thank you highlighting this.
One more note: during the last week, as the military has worked to evacuate Americans and Afghans from a war zone, no one has yet died. From the media frenzy, you would think hundreds, maybe thousands had been killed or maimed but the answer is none (so far). But how many Americans have died of COVID? Because of power hungry Republicans? Voting rights must be protected. Otherwise, these “pro-life” bastards will kill even more Americans. !&$#!
Sheila B, my fellow Minnesotan, you hit so many important points here! I hadn’t thought about how many, if any people have died in the Afghanistan crisis. Yet, I have seen posts and news stories of health care workers burning out, of COVID cases and hospital caseloads hitting highs worse than at any time in the pandemic. The blatant disregard for the science, the data, and the risk to the lives of their constituents by members of the current GOP is criminal. And continues to surprise me! Even though I should know better than to think any of them will have an epiphany.
It is mind boggling to me too but at least Walz/Flanagan follow the science! The media are doing a crap job, period. Creating drama where little exists and ignoring real trauma. I can just hear my Journalism advisor from the U of MN screaming from the beyond, “Back to work getting out the vote!” Yes sir. We the people. All of us this time!
Humans differ in the way we react to vaccines and Covid. One size does not fit all. Please stop demonizing people with whom you disagree. It makes you look stupid.
Are you against masks? Can you explain that stance? They are inexpensive and they save lives. I have a huge problem with anti-maskers who ignore science and data. They want to expose my children to their unvaccinated, unmasked children, who are daily exposed to their unvaccinated, unmasked selves. Anti-maskers make zero sense to me. If you are opposed to vaccines then you should be adamantly in favor of masks to protect yourself.
The Imperial Press Corpse: "But his truthfulness!" Ouside of about ten reporters, the rest of the otherwise-unemployables would serve us better as burger flippers (assuming they had the physical dexterity)
Not that he can in any way be considered a reporter but your comment gave me a vision of Tucker, bow tie and all, flipping burgers. Still laughing….
Tuckems would last 5 min at Mickey D’s.
(F)ucker Carlson is definitely one of the "otherwise unemployables."
Could be made into a reality show!
My understanding is that at least one person died after clinging to a plane that took off. At least one other person was trampled on and died(all from NPR). The problem isn’t how many have died trying to get out, but the fact that the Taliban is not unified in allowing safe passage. They have started to kill Afghanis. They suggested on NPR that they don’t want them to leave since they know how to do things to keep government going. That makes some sense to
me.
Look, Trump was a horrible president and I wake up every morning so relieved that he is no longer in charge. I have no doubt that he is deeply at fault for the chaos in Afghanistan. But this doesn’t mean that Biden may not have made some wrong calls. I only hope that we don’t see negative consequences in 2022.
You are correct Patricia. And as of earlier today, as many as 20 people are reported to have died at Kabul airport (I missed the fact that the Afghan who clung to the wheels of the plane died day one - my mistake) My point still stands - how many hundreds have died of COVID? Here where vaccines are free and readily available? As for Biden making mistakes, I’ll ask you to remember that Trump did not allow for the peaceful transfer of power and did not provide daily national security updates in a timely or acceptable manner. Trump negotiated with the Taliban. I suspect the Saudis helped because of Kushner’s and Trump’s cozy inside relationships that also did not follow national security protocols. Did Biden make bad decisions? How the hell could we know given the machinations of the previous administration? The good news is that if he did screw up, he’ll own it. The adults are back in charge- for how long is the question.
Did you see the woman and her baby who were beaten to death? As a nasty, power-hungry Republican, I believe you have failed to look at reality, science, and compassion.
How dare you demonize Republicans when Democrats are consolidating power so they can rule as the only party allowed in the U.S.
Excuse me, I think you have this place mis-identified as the Fleeceblock page were drooling morons like you congregate. I think it's called MAGA Wold - where the sky is green and the grass is blue. This is Reality world, a place you're obviously unfamiliar with.
Come now. If we don't mend our fences, some other idiot is going to get elected who wants to keep building the wall. Without civility, there is only "ization" and that doesn't make any sense.
One has to admit that Dems are incredibly bad at controlling the narrative, whereas Repubes excel at that. All we need to keep driving home is that the current GOP worldview is completely incompatible with a humane, inclusive, functioning society. "Okay, voter, do you want corporatocracy or democracy? You choose."
By voting against all legislation the Democrats pass, the Republicans are causing their party’s own demise .
How are “they,” the Democrats, consolidating power?
You couldn’t be more right on, Bill, if we don’t get voting rights right, we’re not going to have a country. The idea of these known nothings running the country is beyond comprehension. Just take a look 👀 at the maga crowds, how many of them are in the 1% that the huge tax cut benefits the most, probably less than that 1%. The intelligence level in that crowd is a clear demonstration that our education system has failed to educate a great many people, if that isn’t the case, then why in the world would so many vote against their own economic interests. Those people have no idea how to separate fact from fiction, truth from outright lies. The Democrats have some culpability here, the teachers unions are overwhelmingly Democratic and they are the ones that have educated those same people. How can they get through high school, and from the looks of them, that’s as far as they got in the education system, without being able to see where the truth lies. There is such a thing as the truth. WTF 🤬
I find it incredulous how many screaming maniacal mothers showing up at school board meetings. Putting the health of their own kids on the line, for WHAT? Oh yeah, their CHOICE!
Lynn, I agree! I want to be at one of those meetings and ask the anti-mask parents, “do you make your kids where seat belts? Or do you object because they should be free to move about the vehicle while the car is in motion? Masks are like safety belts. It’s not just about your driving or other drivers, it’s that plus the road conditions and the weather and the auto mechanics. Safetybelts save lives. Masks save lives. The science and the data prove that masks save lives.” Some of the screaming parents sound insane to me.
Or they scream that God will provide while wearing glasses that make their statement null and void.
What I ask them is “why are you yelling with your child by your side? Is that how you want your child’s teacher to speak?
Calm the “f” down. Yelling like that adds 10 years to your face.”Honestly, it is not until the last sentence that there is a moment of pause on their part.
If there is one thing I learned clearly in 35 years of teaching the little ones is that when a parent disses or complains about a teacher in front of their child, it creates a real problem in the relationship of that child in relation to school. Feel what you want, but keep it from your child. Most of them adore their teachers, and to cause chaos is to harm your child.
Totally agree. I would not continue a conference with students or younger ones in the room if the meeting got contentious and parent was choosing to rant.
My dad died in Mississippi last century, so IDK if he would be an anti-masker, but it is likely. My last visit with him in 1987, he was driving his pickup truck and I was looking for the passenger side seat belt that was tucked away. He saw this & told me I didn't need to put it on because MISSISSIPPI DIDN'T HAVE A MANDATORY SEAT BELT LAW. So, I was supposed to be comfortable riding with a man driving with a pig valve and pacemaker in his heart?
You can't fix stupid.
Tough memory, Rob. I feel for you. We may at least smile thinly that some of us have them as memories of a past, and were (somehow) able to escape the local cultures not of our choosing in which we were embedded for a time. I've been trying to understand my own journey and appreciate the key people and events that carried me into my present mindset. Is there anything about such experiences that can be generalized? If there is, perhaps it can be somehow taught.
Idiotic, imbecillic, deranged, maniacal was my best adjective I could think of....but, sad also comes to mind.
Oh, but it's too much control as one of my ex-classmates in Indiana told me yesterday. I expect she watches Fox because I don't know how anyone could be tuned in to nightly news elsewhere and see all the full ICUs, the medical personnel begging people to get vaccinated and telling of their anger and exhaustion, and the data on how the it's mostly the unvaccinated who are filling the hospitals....and dying. Our governor just expanded the mandate on masks yesterday and sure enough, there was a post on Next-door about dictatorship within hours. I deleted it because I don't want to debate every internet medical "expert."
Fox News enthusiasts don't like their news, but are addicted to their opinion writers and commentators. That says everything.
I always find the connection to trumpism in these so called protests. Usually in comments on FB posts and our local paper. Push them enough, and they blurt out their alliance with our ex president.
As a school librarian for 22 years, I always started my online research unit with “I could create a website stating that the moon is made of green cheese, citing “studies” that support my claim. There is no law or rule against my doing that.” I would go on to talk about sources, currency, etc. I also cautioned them about choosing only the top three or so hits in a search, with a discussion of how Google chooses the first ones to appear. Most teachers have done what they can, but between the reach of social media and a significant lazy streak among many students, it’s like pushing a boulder uphill.
A significant factor has been the growing lack of respect for teachers, including a lack of support from parents. In the mix is the onslaught of massive standardized testing and the constant blame of only the teachers for the poor scores. We don’t hear blame of the parents for not insisting homework be done or that the student behave in class. We don’t hear blame on all the cutbacks in funding for public education or the poor quality of textbooks that cater to Texas. As the cost of testing has climbed, more of school budgets are paying for that (and all the computers needed now that they’re online), less is available for support staff like librarians and counselors, or field trips or science kits. With the testing focus on language arts and math, science and history have gotten lost at the elementary level, so students go to middle school without a basic foundation.
And now, at the beginning of the school year, news broadcasters are lamenting the shortage of teachers. Who wants to take a job where you’re underpaid for the level of education required, and also blamed for student failures and half the problems in society?
Perhaps not so much the teacher’s unions as the school boards who decide the curriculum.
The dark humor in the last paragraph was priceless imo.
Herman Cain “There is no pandemic”.
Pandemic “There is no Herman Cain”.
Love this! Thanks for the belly laugh. (Sad how much I enjoy macabre humor these days…
Since I live in 'fraudizona' I found it quite a chuckle.
I read the term "fraudit" applied to the Ninja's efforts the other day.
You are spot on, Bill. And not one Republican voted for the voting rights bill, not even Chaney or Kissinger.
Yes, really sad, and unfortunately, telling. I thought they favored democracy.
Sad!
Agree agree agree, I could not agree more, Bill Alstrom.
The dark humor in the last paragraph got me off to a good start today. Since Biden’s success in the 2020 election, my righteous indignation response has cooled to a “so there!” I hope the victims of Covid working to invalidate the election results will recover enough to have an epiphany and pay attention to more constructive business.
Who is the misinformed minority? Perhaps they are not Democrats?
Those that dont vaccinate or mask. Those that dont believe there is a climate crisis. Those who dont want all eligible voters to vote. You guess which party they may belong to.
I think you are right. The importance of BEING THERE is important.
Just to answer your rhetorical question, Bill: NOTHING! The nation and a form of government is at the edge of an abyss.
Nothing.