Yesterday, after reading the manual for the player with the opera on it, I realized the reason I wasn’t able to load anything was that I didn’t have the software installed on this computer (or on any compluter I’m currently using), and I couldn’t find the CD. I tried downloading it, but that didn’t work. However, what did work is the FM Radio feature, and I managed to get it tuned to my favorite station and get a strong signal. I also pulled out everything I intend to wear from the skin up and put it all together so I won’t be scrambling at the last minute. Then I pulled out the insulated bag for my water (which will go in frozen), my way-back snack, and to prevent a few ohther things from becoming untouchably hot while I’m inside – and found a sealable plastic bag to protect them from condensation. Finally, I printed and filled out the form that needs to be filled out and put it and the player and speaker with my purse and lunchbox I could have waited and filled it out when I get there, but with my limited eyesight and having to repeatedly remove and replace my glasses to see what I’m writing that small, I’d just rather do it ahead. So I think I’m pretty well set.
Cartoon –
Short Takes –
Mother Jones – To Beat Anti-Vaccine Trolls, Sometimes You Have to Think Like One
Quote – The first example is typical of how scientists communicate with us: Most major scientific bodies instruct scientists to stick to the facts when correcting misinformation. Yet a growing number of experts believe that facts alone can’t compete with the narrative techniques deployed by the purveyors of bunk. In her forthcoming book, Viral BS: Medical Myths and Why We Fall for Them, Seema Yasmin, a professor of primary care at Stanford University, argues that science communicators must harness the power of storytelling to beat the trolls at their own game. “Facts don’t really seem to be able to change people’s minds,” Yasmin says. “Stories can be much more powerful.”
Click through for the full article. I’ve been pushing the communication power of stories as opposed to straught facts for years … and so have religions, including the crazy ones, which means they have a terrifying head start on us.
Democratic Underground – Nicolle Wallace On What Everyone Got Wrong About Biden – The Beat – MSNBC
I could have just put this into the Video Thread, but that thread is fairly full, and I liked the comments here. Several anecdotes about the contributions of immigrants, a little abut Nicolle’s background, and her track record since joining MSNBC.
Click through for the video and comments.
NBC News – Woman who drove into 2 children because of their race gets 25 years in federal prison
Quote – Poole Franklin sped from the scene and saw the 14-year-old victim walking near Indian Hills Junior High School in Clive about 30 minutes later. Believing the girl was Hispanic, prosecutors said Poole Franklin drove her Jeep over the curb, struck the child and drove away. The girl hobbled to the school for help and was taken to the hospital to be treated for serious injuries, including a concussion and bruises, court documents state. Poole Franklin was arrested later that same day after police responded to an incident at a gas station. According to court documents, she allegedly tried to steal items from a convenience store and began yelling racial slurs when she was confronted by an employee. It wasn’t until days later, while still in custody, that police connected Poole Franklin to the hit-and-runs.
Click through for a little more. It’s too bad, IMO, that the Federal and state sentences will run concurrently.
Food for Thought – animated – wait for it.
9 Responses to “Open Thread for August 21, 2021”
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.
Cartoon: I d/not know this. I learn alot on this page.
MJ: I think stories explaining different subjects works well. Great article.
DU: Love Nicole. She speaks and explains how it is the truth, and is spot on with her comment(s).
NBC News: Those two children could have died or been crippled for life, from her despicable actions. Such horrible trauma! She deserves every minute of her sentence. Vile, horrible, disgusting and sickening.
FFT: Yep. Yes, they did.
Seems like you’ve checked off all your necessary items and belongings for your trip/visit. I wish you the best on a safe trip to and fro too. Take care, Joanne.
TJI: TJI 1. “The House today is taking a momentous step to secure the sacred right to vote for generations to come. With the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act @House Democrats are fighting back against an anti-democratic tide & protecting access to the ballot box for every American.” ~ Nancy Pelosi ~
2. “Brave Afghan women protesting for their rights in Kabul. “Work, education and political participation is every woman’s right”. ~Richard Engel ~
3. “A Texas Couple who refused to get vaccinated died of Covid 19 within days of each other, leaving their 4 children as orphans. The mom’s final wish was “Make my kids get vaccinated.” ~ Jon Cooper ~
4. “Florida kindergartners offer to explain mask issue to DeSantis.” ~ Andy Borowitz ~
5. Boarding a plane – “There is a passenger wearing an ‘Adios! Trump!’ tee shirt, and I swear to God he just got 25 fist pumps walking down the aisle of the plane to his seat.” ~ Eric Swalwell ~
Thanks – I will take care (always do.)
TJI #1 – I wish I had more optimisim (actually more reason to be optimistic) about its chances.
TJI #3 – They stood their ground. At least one came around before dying – more than we can imagine die still claiming it’s a hoax (and that yes, they’re dying, but not from CoViD.)
TJI #4 – LOL! They could, too.
TJI #5 – Delightful. And, in one way, not too surprising. So many Trump** supporters are already on the no fly list from having previously made scenes. So nice for Eric to see – few if any have worked harder than he to bring the nation back to reality.
TJI #3 – Has anyone ever seen a video of an anti-vaxxer who got COVID & landed in the hospital, and then gets on the news saying: “Boy, am I GLAD I didn’t get vaccinated!”?
TJI #4 – Nice gesture, but that would be a lecture too advanced for DeathSantis.
TJI $5 – Count me among them!
TJI #3 – Of course not. Those who are glad they didn’t get vaccinated are dead, and therefore not talking.
Sounds like you’ve dotted all your t’s and crossed all your i’s. 😉
To Beat Anti-Vaccine Trolls, Sometimes You Have to Think Like One
Not a bad idea. But it’d be hard to execute.
Nicolle Wallace On What Everyone Got Wrong About Biden
No idea where she got that “95%” figure – but it’s obviously bogus.
But I think her point is that how this is playing is largely a matter of the media getting a bone that they can chew on for days. But outside the Beltway, assuming we get the Americans out and make an honest effort of saving the Afghanis who worked for the US, the public will forget about this in a couple of weeks.
I’ve said before, Americans very rarely cast their votes based on foreign policy issues.
Woman who drove into 2 children because of their race gets 25 years in federal prison
*sigh*
Food for Thought
Liked it (and stole it)
Ann Telnaes is another force of nature.I found her style of caricature took alittle getting used to, but her wit is compelling
Mother Jones: Really like Seema Yasmin’s suggestion, that storytelling is a much better way to getting important points across to people.
DU: Enjoyed watching the video. I feel that with all the President Biden is pushing for getting all of the Americans and Afghans out, that things will get taken care of at a smoother way.
NBC News: Despicable racist bi*ch. Should of gotten life for admitting that she deliberately hit them.
Food for Thought: Perfect place….exactly what these anti-vaxxers deserve.
Glad that you got everything all setup and ready to go tomorrow. Please be safe driving to and from there.
Do enjoy your time/visit with Virgil.
Take care. Thanks Joanne
Looks like you’re set to go. Have a safe trip, Joanne.
MJ: There’s no getting through to these people whatever you do, IMO.
DU: Republicans can try and pin Afghanistan on Biden all they want, it won’t stick for long and soon will be forgotten.
NBC: There’s no doubt that what Poole Franklin has done is racist and very wrong. However, this lady has a history of substance abuse and mental illness and her erratic behaviour indicates mental illness to me too. As seen from afar, she was born on the wrong side of the track and seemed to have little or no proper representation. Twenty-five years for rather stupid and botched attempts by a disturbed mind seems a bit harsh for someone who pleaded guilty. I can understand the harsh penalty from the perspective of retaliation for the inequity in the sentencing of coloured people, but two wrongs do not make one right.
Thanks Joanne–a growing body of research showing the effectiveness of personal stories that aligns with the research that most decisions, especially major ones, are first made based on emotion and then seeking the factual rationale to justify it.
Glad you prepare so effectively and hope all goes smoothly.
For the past 5 yrs. the media basically ignored Afghanistan so nothing they are writing or reporting is actually based on context, and thus virtually all is skewed, misleading, etc.
I find hope in the occasional accountability for racist behavior in our criminal justice system