It’s a hectic day here in the CatBox, as I try to get my head around the notion that my cancer is stage IV and metastatic, and that I’m very likely to die, before a year is up. I see Evelyn (my Oncologist) again next Tuesday. If my cancer tests amenable to immunotherapy, I’ll go that route. Evelyn wonders whether I can handle chemo. It causes severe Republicosis, and if it hits after I’m in bed, the time it takes to get my leg on and get to the throne is likely to be too long to hold it. I’ll need to do a pain/problem/benefit analysis and decide if the time is worth the decreased quality of life. I will be getting radiation for my spine. She also gave me liquid Oxycodone. Tonight is a WWWendy night. She was very upset to learn of this. Happy Hump Day.
Jig Zone Puzzle:
Today’s took me 3:27 (average 4:59). To do it, click here. How did you do?
Cartoon:
Trump* Virus Update:
Short Takes:
From Alternet: As nations around the world buckle down amid coronavirus outbreaks, approaches to isolation and social distancing are inconsistent, at best, in the United States. While some cities and states are implementing bans on restaurants and bars staying open and capping the number of people in a space, some groups are moving forward with, ahem, business as usual. One example from last Sunday morning? Pastor Guillermo Maldonado, of King Jesus International Ministry, a megachurch in Kendall, Florida, encouraged his congregation to keep coming to service, downplaying concerns about the coronavirus pandemic, as reported by the Miami Herald.
“Do you believe God would bring his people to his house to be contagious with the virus? Of course not,” Maldonado, a Trump supporter, said to his congregation, as reported by the outlet.
“This service is usually packed. So now they’re home in a cave afraid of the virus, that you want to transmit the virus,” Maldonado continued. The Herald noted the venue “appeared half empty…
…“If we die, we die for Christ,” Maldonado told parishioners. “If we live, we live for Christ, so what do you lose?”
The Jesus that I worship does not call us to be this stupid. I hate to say it, but this is an appropriate strategy for Republicans only! RESIST!!
From The New Yorker: Donald J. Trump has tested negative for empathy, the White House doctor confirmed on Monday.
In an official statement, Dr. Sean Conley said that Trump submitted to the empathy test even though, in the physician’s opinion, “it was not really necessary.”
“I expected him to test negative,” Conley said. “Empathy-wise, he has been entirely asymptomatic.”
The White House doctor attributed Trump’s empathy-free status to his established practice of social distancing from anyone showing even the faintest sign of compassion, kindness, or humanity.
Dang, Andy! I have zero trouble believing that! RESIST!!
From YouTube (a blast from the past): The Association – Windy (1967 Ravinia Festival – Highland Park IL )
Ah… the memories! RESIST!!
Vote Blue No Matter Who Top to Bottom!!
12 Responses to “Open Thread–3/18/2020”
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Cartoon – Don’t we though! Unfortunately, they’d be back within a generation.
Map/Stats – Yup. Every state. Still showing a very low death rate compared to the rest of the world. Early days yet.
AlterNet – Wonder what Maldonado thinks he’s going to do with his money when he’s dead. Idiot. “Sheriff” David Clarke is just as stupid.
TNY – Anyone could have predicted that.
Windy – I remember this one.
Thanks for the Reich on the Left. Great minds fall in the same ditch!
Cartoon: Gosh, if only St. Patrick were alive today……
TVU: I would think that every day there will be a few more added to the total(s) for that day. Austin is in lockdown, for safety and preventative reasons. Personally, I don’t think the schools are re-opening either. Meanwhile at the beaches…in FL…..
https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/articles/2020-03-16/coronavirus-wreaks-havoc-on-spring-break-in-florida
AN: Gulp…not good advice, nor is he concerned about his parishioners…depressing that he doesn’t care about their health and/or well being either.
NYer: Exactly, Andy.
YT: Great song!
Hi Wendy! I know that I can’t speak for others here, but I do know in my heart that I wish you nothing but the best for your health and well-being. I hope that the immunotherapy works well for you. Prayers UP and fingers crossed for you. Hope that you get a chance to rest and relax too. Take good care, and Thanks, Tom.
This just in: “Has any one checked dt’s temp yet? Is he still slurring and wheezing? If he were truly negative, he’d post it on Twitter – like a 3rd grader with a good report card.” ~ John S. ~
2. “ykcutneK is backwards!” ~Steve J. ~
3. re: dt and the pandemic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HG-8uZg2uV0
*pb
4. “We owe a profound debt of gratitude to all our healthcare professionals and everybody who’ll be on the front lines of this pandemic for a long while. They’re giving everything. May we all model our own behavior on their selflessness and sacrifice as we help each other through this.” ~ President Barack Obama ~
Oh, I don’t know – you speak extremely well for me, and I would bet there’s not a soul here who would disagree.
‘Toon: Sadly, idiocy, and greed, seem to be too much a part of human nature.
TVU: Apparently, for every virus related death, there are 800 cases about which we do not know. This thing is not going away any time soon.
Alternet: Does this guy even make intact sentences?: “This service is usually packed. So now they’re home in a cave afraid of the virus, that you want to transmit the virus….” “that you want to transmit the virus?” WTF? I’m sorry, but somehow there are way too many jackasses wearing the cloth!
New Yorker: Any of us could have told the good doctor that!
BFTP: I love The Association.
Well, Pat can certainly speak for me!
Pat’s #2: May Amy beat his damned, scandalous arse!
Cartoon: I, like Pat, wish St. Patrick was still around.
TVU: Scary. Seeing the numbers continue to grow each day when I keep waking up. They are still saying we don’t have enough test, masks or ventilators. Our Mayor and the Governor of California said that the schools will not open till next fall.
Alternet: Where is his head?? Insane. Maybe he’s been hitting the wine too.
TNY: Andy got that one.
BFTP: Great song. The Association had many songs I always enjoyed.
Tell Wendy “Hello”. Yes I could image how upset she is about your medical news. Like Pat, I too wish you the best with all that you are currently taking on. I have been and will continue to pray for you. That whatever treatment you decide to go with, that it can be one that doesn’t cause you too much pain or suffering what so ever.
Take care. Thanks TomCat
I’m glad to hear you’re going to do a costs/benefits analysis of your medical options. It’s something only you do weighing the factors.
No doubt Wendy’s reaction mirrors all of ours. And like us, I have no doubt Wendy will be there for you as we will be.
Normally I would start pointing out the dangers of oxycodone but what the hell, TomCat, keep you pain manageable and ask for morphine patches when the drops no longer do the job.
3:27 What can I say…
Cartoon: Saint? He might do the trick with a few vipers, but to rid the US from Republicans you may need to do some recruiting down below.
Update: Only the numbers will change now.
TNY: Splendid. I doubt a test was necessary, but this bit of satire is so true it almost isn’t funny.
BFTP: I vaguely know it, but probably not from the time it was a hit in the US.
Oh TomCat, the news is just not good. I know whatever decision you make will be the best one for you. Take care, and I wish you peace and serenity.
Cartoon — Saint Bernie? Saint Elizabeth?
AlterNet — What a dangerous idiot! The following is an excerpt from a letter sent to the members of my church congregation:
I fully support this. All I can say is that this irreverend (he’s no pastor!) is only interested in his salary!
The New Yorker — Ain’t that the truth!
Thanks and Hugs to all!
Short Takes: Some people seem (ahem!) hell-bent on giving Christianity a sh***y name.
Vote Blue No Matter Who, top to bottom – absolutely! In some ways the bottom is more important than the top because we have to start locally and then build up to nationally. Stop whining about the Democratic nomination boiling down to “Grumpy Old Men” and instead focus on flipping House and Senate seats blue and getting some real Progressives installed there.