SoINeedAName

“The Dog Ate My Homework”

 Posted by at 1:20 pm  Politics
Aug 062022
 

There’s a reason I have not been as active here as I usually am – and that I would like to be.  Unfortunately, it’s medical in origin.

My Atrial Fibrillation (AF) had been acting up recently, so after seeing my regular cardiologist I got to repeat my 6-week long Cardiac Monitor ordeal.

Subsequently he wanted to change a main cardiac med I take because he thought it was the culprit.  But since the new med requires hospitalization for at least three days to be sure I don’t have a fatal cardiac arrest, he referred me to an electrophysiology cardiologist for input.

The electrophysiology cardiologist said I don’t meet the criteria for the new med, so we’re back to square one and living w/ careful monitoring.

Additionally, I’m pretty sure I’ve mentioned I’ve been battling a “hole” in my left big toe for almost a half-year.  The Wound Clinic doctor (finally) agreed to do an MRI of it.  And sure enough – I have an osteomyelitis in both the distal and proximal phalanges (the only two bones in our big toe).

This usually requires amputation because osteomyelitis is so difficult to treat in any bone, but particularly so in the toes.  That’s because while bones make red blood cells, they themselves have a terrible circulation, making it difficult for antibiotics to reach the infection.

I was referred to an Infectious Disease specialist.  He said because: [1] I am not a diabetic; [2] he assessed & felt I have good circulation;  [3] there are no other ulcers or sores on either foot; [4] my CBC was unremarkable; [5] my C-Reactive Protein (CRP) was normal; & [6] my Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) was only 19 (usually close to 100 in most osteomyelitis) that there is a 75% chance of curing it with long-term IV treatment.

[CRP & EST are both acute phase reactants that give a measure to the amount of inflammation going on.]

So, this past week I had a PICC (Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter) line placed.  (It’s inserted in a vein in your right arm and then is threaded into the superior vena cava.)   And now I have to go in every day (weekends included) for my infusion therapy.

It takes about half-hour to get to the Infusion Center, and the infusion itself takes about 45 minutes IF they have the medicine mixed up – which they usually don’t.  And it takes almost an hour to mix it up.

I can’t really blame them too much: Because it’s a very expensive medicine they typically don’t mix it up until they “see the whites of your eyes”.

We now have a setup that I call them an hour before my treatment to tell them I’m coming, so they can start the process.  Hopefully that will cut down on some of the time involved.

Bottom line: It all takes up about a good half-day of time – every day for the next six weeks.

So, I’ll probably be fairly scarce as far as actually posting new things.  I’ll try to keep up participation-wise, but it’s a good-sized chunk of time that I “lose” every day.

I’m hopeful this will save my toe, because the big toe is the most important toe.  It’s the one you push off with when you walk.

Between the cardiac & infectious disease issues, bear with me.

 

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1st Grade Reader: “See Josh Run. Run, Josh, Run” [Part 2]

 Posted by at 7:20 pm  Politics
Jul 242022
 

Thanks to the J6 Hearings, America’s perception of my senator, Josh “Hawlinass” Hawley was forever changed when they showed the video of him running from the mob he fostered and incited with his infamous fist salute.

As I noted yesterday, I decided as a Missourian I should really try to curate some of the best mocking Sen. Hawlinass has been subjected to.   There has been such a wealth of material I decided to do it in two parts – this being that second part.

Today I’ll be highlighting unique observations, limericks, vocal parody of Monty Python, and quite a few graphics.  So let’s get started!

An in-depth search of the Hawley files going back to his youth reveals a candid video as a toddler showing we really shouldn’t be that surprised by his turning tail and running away:

In fact, Hawlinass’ infamous desertion has spread so fast that even Kermit the Frog does a great imitation of him:

You probably noticed that in my yesterday’s Part 1 post focusing on Tweets, I did not include the virtually ubiquitous one of Forrest Gump  endless running.  But someone did a masterful job of superimposing Hawley’s face on Forrest when he ran through the football field:

I couldn’t resist trying my hand at a bit of graphic creativity myself:

 

I’d be remiss if I also didn’t showcase Hawlinass’ own creative skills.  It appears he’s actually authored two books.  One already published:

And one that won’t be published until next May 16, 2023, that Hawlinass unbelievably titled “Manhood: The Masculine Virtues America Needs”.

And no, I’m NOT kidding on the second book – straight from Barnes & Noble:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/manhood-josh-hawley/1141411331

 And JL was correct – Missouri Democrats have announced they are trolling Hawlinass Hawley with the “Hawlin’ Hawley 5K Run”.:

Fortunately, it’s a virtual event that you can do from anywhere for a whole week.  And I’ve already am registered and have my ticket:

Missouri Democratic State Committee – Federal Account — Donate via ActBlue

Well, of course Missouri Democrats realized Hawlinass tucking tail and running is a ready-made moneymaker!  So of course, there are t-shirts, coffee mugs and buttons available at their store.  I bought a couple of t-shirts & coffee mugs – and you can too!

Missouri Democratic State Committee Webstore (missouridemocrats.org)

I noted there are quite a few other coffee mugs out there mocking Hawley’s own “Show Me Strong” mug:

There’s a wonderful – and very detailed – analysis of Hawlinass’ run to find how fast he did run.  Using an umbrella stand he found in the corner of the video, he was able to measure the distance he covered in his sprint.  He thereby determined that Hawlinass ran the 40 in 7.2 seconds!

https://www.sbnation.com/2022/7/22/23274106/josh-hawley-january-6-capitol-run-40-time

 

The Poetry Corner

Some wordsmiths were inspired by Hawlinass to create a few limericks and update the famous Monty Python rendition of “Brave Sir Robin”:

Josh Hawley went out to incite

The mob in DC with delight.

He stood as their cheerer

And when they came nearer

He galloped away in a fright

 

https://twitter.com/Limericking/status/1550301426001248256

 Which then inspired these:

There once was a man from Missouri

Whose ethical vision was blurry

His fist he did pump

In support of old Trump

Before fleeing his job in a hurry.

 

Josh Hawley, he tried to deliver

A performance with nary a quiver

But when the mob got rough

He wasn’t so tough

And away Hawley ran like a river.

 

Did you see what the Senator did?

What he’d like to keep buried and hid?

He fled like a kitten

Or a dog that’s been bitten

Thus killing his national bid.

 

He raised up his fist like a bro,

To honor the Karens and Joes.

But then they got raucous

And too close to his caucus

Now Hawley’s the clown of the show.

 

https://lithub.com/josh-hawley-is-a-bitch-and-other-poetic-mockeries-of-a-cowardly-senator/

And a mildly R-rated one:

 There once was a Senator Hawley

Mocked for supporting Trump’s folly

By pumping his fist

But look at that wrist

It’s limp as his pecker, by golly!

 

And closing with a great parody of Monty Python “Brave Sir Robin” with Brave Sir Robin’s protests dubbed in by Hawlinass:

 HAWLEY: “That’s, that’s enough music for now lads.  There’s dirty work to do.”

CHORUS: Brave Sir Robin ran away.

[“No!”]

Bravely ran away away.

[“I didn’t!”]

When danger reared its ugly head,

He bravely turned his tail and fled.

[“I never!”]

Yes, brave Sir Robin turned about

And gallantly he chickened out.

[“You’re lying!”]

Swiftly taking to his feet,

He beat a very brave retreat.

Bravest of the brave, Sir Hawley!

 

 It’s been great fun to make fun of Hawley, but we need to remember that there’s a serious aspect to this episode.  Serving as my Senator, I can categorically state that he is a vile, dangerous and unscrupulous person who has been placed in a position of great power.

We’ve all seen the videos of other elected officials during the 1/6 Capitol riot aiding each other and providing comfort to anxious peers.  But NOT Hawley.  He truly did a “Brave Sir Robin” and ran away by himself – focused only saving his own hide and showing not a bit of concern for others.

I hope and believe that at least the line from the Oscar-winning musical, “Hamilton” will be true:

 

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1st Grade Reader: “See Josh Run. Run, Josh, Run” [Part 1]

 Posted by at 4:58 pm  Politics
Jul 232022
 

Sadly, Josh “Hawlinass” Hawley is my senator.  Until Thursday he was best known for his infamous seditious fist salute to fellow seditious traitors on 1/6/21.

But Thursday’s J6 Hearings changed all that!  He’ll now forever be known for fleeing the traitors that he had just saluted.  An ignominious, but oh-so-fitting, remembrance!

I’m sure you’ve all seen this clip, but I decided as a Missourian I should really try to curate some of the best mocking Sen. Hawlinass has been subjected to.

There has been such a wealth of material I decided to do it in two parts – today and tomorrow (if all goes well).

But to begin I’m going to focus on the huge number of Tweets that Fistpump McRunpants’ has generated, with quite a few from well-known folks.  Tomorrow will be limericks, a vocal parody of Monty Python, unique observations and quite a few graphics.  So stay tuned!

How fitting that Lincoln Project will lead us off:

But we also need to remember how it was (most deservedly) greeted by those in attendance at the J6 hearing – derisive laughter:

Retired Officer Michael Fanone (who was beaten with pipes, stunned with a Taser and threatened with his own gun on 1/6/21) had this to say about Hawlinass:

It should be noted that he’s not the only one who has called Hawley a BITCH:

On a lighter note, George Takei weighs in:

Joined by Al Franken:

And this note:

This one became so popular …

That you can now buy it as a t-shirt”

(I bought two of them!)

On a more serious note, my Metro’s main paper (Kansas City Star) published an editorial calling Hawley “a laughingstock”.  Unfortunately, it’s behind a serious paywall – but here are a couple of Tweets concerning it:

And before I close with an extensive music interlude, I can’ stress the importance of this post enough:

There’s been quite a few Tweets with Hawlinass’ cowardly escape that have been set to music.  Giving my hearing loss, most of it is lost on me (although I can recall some of the older tunes).  But I decided I should share it with those whose world isn’t silent:

And rather than post her nine other interludes, to save space just open Mallory Nees’ above Tweet [click on the Time & Date stamp in the lower left corner], and then scroll down.  That way it saves space, and you can pick and choose which one you want to listen to.

… But Wait – There’s More!

The Lincoln Project also has quite a few musical Tweets.  Again, I’ll let you open the first one and scroll down for the rest:

 

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Only One More Supermoon Left for 2022 …

 Posted by at 3:08 pm  Politics
Jul 182022
 

If you were lucky enough to be treated to clear skies last Wednesday, you were able to enjoy the third Supermoon of the year – the “Buck Moon”.

by AZP

What Is A “Supermoon”?

Although there are several technical definitions of what constitutes a Supermoon, the most widely accepted one is a full or new moon that is near the perigee (point in the Moon’s orbit where it is closest to Earth).  The term “Supermoon” was coined by astrologer Richard Nolle in 1979 and stipulates the Moon must be within 90% of perigee.

Although the distance parameters would include new moons, since new moons are virtually invisible to the naked eye we tend to use the term only for full moons.

For 2022 there will be four Supermoons – with only one remaining:

Supermoons in 2022
Name Date Distance from Earth
Full Flower Moon May 16 at 12:15 A.M. EDT 225,015.3 miles (362,127 km)
Full Strawberry Moon June 14 at 7:52 A.M. EDT 222,238.4 miles (357,658 km)
Full Buck Moon July 13 at 2:38 P.M. EDT 222,089.3 miles (357,418 km)
Full Sturgeon Moon August 11 at 9:36 P.M. EDT 224,569.1 miles (361,409 km)

What Is a Supermoon? | When to See Supermoons in 2022 | The Old Farmer’s Almanac

by AFP

Why Do Supermoons Occur?

Two astronomical phenomena explain why Supermoons occur.

Foremost is the fact that the moon does not travel in a perfect circular orbit around the Earth.  Rather, it travels in an elliptical path.

The other contributing factor is that our Earth does not sit in the smackdab center of this orbit.  So consequently, there are points when the moon is closest to the Earth (Perigee), and others when it’s furthest away (Apogee).

So Why Is the July Supermoon Called the “Buck Moon”?

Like many, if not most, of our Supermoons, the Buck Moon was so named by Native Americans.  This time of year is when the new antlers of buck deer begin pushing out of their foreheads, covered in the usual velvety fur that’s loaded with blood vessels.  (This extraordinary supply of nutrients in the velvet makes deer antlers the fastest growing tissue of any mammal.)

But it is also called the “Thunder Moon” because of so many frequent thunderstorms at this time of year.  And in Europe it’s commonly called the “Hay Moon”, because it’s the time of year when farmers start making hay.

So let’s enjoy some Supermoons from near and far.

The Americas

Asia

Europe

New York City

Seattle

But no matter what it’s called, it truly is a beautiful event.

by BELatina

 

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Saturday Smiles – Courtesy of Mitch

 Posted by at 4:36 pm  Politics
Jul 092022
 

Thought it was time to let Mitch regale us with a few humorous photos.

How to get that surly teenager to do his/her chores:

 

BONUS

As a follow-up (NOTE: I no longer use the standard medical abbreviation for “Follow Up” of f/u since my nephew gave me a heads up) to my July the 4th post on the use of safer drones for celebrations, I came across these events to buttress the point.  Whether done by the neighbors …

Or professions, like the infamous 2012 San Diego fiasco – “Big Bay Boom” – that went BUST and lasted less than 30 seconds …

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Drought-Resistant Fireworks: “BOOM” Time for Drone July 4th Shows

 Posted by at 6:07 pm  Politics
Jul 042022
 

It’s that time of year when we literally have a reprise of “the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air” with our traditional annual fireworks displays.

But a number of factors have joined forces to make it become less a tradition, supplanted by colorful and brightly-lit drones.

Firework critics, who have voiced their disfavor due to noise, pollution, injuries, and environmental harm, are celebrating the pandemic’s supply chain shortage of fireworks.  They even find a silver-lining in the megadroughts plaguing the West that are forcing municipalities to forgo fireworks in favor of drone light shows.

Drone light shows have become so popular that they’re booked up months in advance for July 4th.  And it’s easy to understand why>

 

Typical drone shows last 10-12 minutes, comparable to and average firework display.  And they will use from 100 drones (felt to be an “entry-level” production) up to 500.

A drone July 4th generally starts at around $25,000 – which can be about twice as much as a municipal fireworks display.  But they are much more technically cumbersome to design, setup and run.  (To add some perspective, the American Pyrotechnics Association reports that firework displays are a $375 million industry.)

While the cost of drone light show might cause concern, they do have a number of advantages when compared to traditional fireworks.  They are much quieter, cause significantly less pollution, result in far fewer injuries (including deaths) and dramatically less environmental harm.

It’s no surprise that the drought conditions in most of the West have really sparked communities to move to drone shows.  Even before conditions became dire, there were approximately 19,500 fires caused by fireworks back in 2018, with the peak occurring on July 4th.

Also disturbing is the fact that the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reported that there were over 9,000 fireworks-related injuries seen in emergency departments in 2018.

I was a bit surprised to learn that one of the strongest supporters of drone light shows is from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).  “Drone shows are quiet, safe, practically pollution-free,” says PETA President Ingrid Newkirk.

As many pet owners can attest, fireworks are pretty much loathed by our cats and dogs.  PETA also points out that besides frightening for small children, they can also be a trigger for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

 

I’ve yet to enjoy a 4th of July drone show, but I certainly can see they offer a variety of pluses.

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There Is No Joy in Mudville …

 Posted by at 3:05 pm  Politics
Jun 262022
 

Oh, somewhere in this favoured land the sun is shining bright,

The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light;

And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout,

But there is no joy in Mudville America — mighty Casey has women’s rights were just struck out.

After what SCOTUS has done to America and our Constitution, I just really couldn’t put my heart into going whole hog on something funny.

But I’ll share a couple of things that brought a smile …

This is TFG imitating a female weightlifter at his latest rally in Illinois on Saturday.

Entertaining enough for me to make a GIF of it:

And this morning on “Meet the Press” Peggy Noonan actually got the entire panel to laugh when she said the GQP should become the party that helps women and children (because, Lord knows, they do NOT do that currently).

Wanting to leave on a positive note, I’m sharing a Tweet I came across of a young woman who composed a post-Roe version of “My Country ‘Tis of Thee”.  It was posted in the response to TFG’s latest rally where MAGA Rep. Mary Miller (R-IL) [she’s actually quoted Hitler in the past] thanks TFG “for the historic victory for white life in the Supreme Court yesterday”.

.

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Brilliant Workaround to “DON’T SAY GAY!”

 Posted by at 12:58 pm  Politics
Jun 062022
 

What’s a class president, who is a gay activist and just chosen to give his high school’s Commencement Address, to do when he’s called into the principal’s office and told he can NOT say the word “GAY” during his speech.  And if he does, his microphone will be cutoff, and the graduation ceremony ended.

That was the dilemma facing Zander Moricz just a few weeks ago.

Zander had been elected class president each of his four years at Pine View High School for the Gifted in Osprey, FL, and came out in his freshman year because of the supportive environment at Pine View.

He has been an activist against Gov. DeSantis’ “Don’t Say Gay” (Parental Rights in Education) bill, leading a school protest walkout in March along with organizing a similar protest in downtown Sarasota attended by hundreds of people, including the mayor and county commissioners, before DeSantis signed Florida House Bill – HB 1557 into law.

In fact, Moricz is the youngest plaintiff in a lawsuit against DeSantis and HB 1557:

https://www.kaplanhecker.com/sites/default/files/ECF%201_Complaint_Equality%20Florida%20et%20al%20v%20Desantis%20et%20al_22cv00134.pdf

As class president he was accustomed to being called into Principal Stephen Covert’s office for meetings – but Zander immediately felt this one was going to be different.  He was warned that if mentioned the word “gay” or alluded to his activism his microphone would be cutoff.

I am the youngest public plaintiff in the “Don’t Say Gay” lawsuit. I am my Florida high school’s first openly-gay Class President. I am being silenced, and I need your help.

A few days ago, my principal called me into his office and informed me that if my graduation speech referenced my activism or role as a plaintiff in the lawsuit, school administration had a signal to cut off my microphone, end my speech, and halt the ceremony. (2/8)

At what should be one of a student’s most joyous moments, Moricz now faced a dilemma he hadn’t anticipated: “I cannot ruin something that hundreds of my friends have worked for, for years.  I will not take away their moment simply because we have an administrator and a government that is telling us that those are the two choices.”

At the same time Moricz says he would also not compromise his principles. “That is something that I will not compromise over anything at any point in time. I will simply find a way to have both.”

But Moricz gave Principal Covert his word that he would conform to the school’s wishes.  As the adage goes: Where there’s a will, there’s a way.

Tasked with staying true to his principles while keeping his word to his principal, Moricz found the perfect metaphor for “Gay”: His curly hair!

During his Commencement speech, after a few brief introductory remarks, Moricz brilliantly transitioned to a metaphor for his being gay and the damage that Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill will do to students in the LGBTQ community.

“I used to hate my curls. I spent mornings and nights embarrassed of them, trying desperately to straighten this part of who I am—but the daily damage of trying to fix myself became too much to endure.

“So, while having curly hair in Florida is difficult—due to the humidity—I decided to be proud of who I was and started coming to school as my authentic self.”

He shared that a teacher, Ms. Ballard, answered his questions “because I didn’t have other curly-haired people to talk to,” and that he found support from other students and adults.

“It’s because of the love I’ve drawn from this community that I came out to my family. Now I’m happy….  And that is what is at stake. There are going to be so many kids with curly hair who need a community like Pine View and they won’t have one.”

After receiving a standing ovation for his speech, Moricz was interviewed on ABC’s Good Morning America:

 

On a more serious note, he spoke with NBC News concerning the federal lawsuit against DeSantis and the price he has paid for his activism:

Moricz joined a group of over a dozen students, parents, educators and advocates who have filed a federal lawsuit against DeSantis and the state’s Board of Education, alleging the law would “stigmatize, silence, and erase LGBTQ people in Florida’s public schools.”

“The reason something like the ‘Don’t Say Gay’ law seems like nothing but is actually everything is that when you cannot talk about or share who you are, there is a constant subconscious affirmation that you are not valid, that you should not exist,” Moricz said.

This fight against the legislation is personal for Moricz, explaining it was because of his school’s support system that enabled him to become confident about his sexuality.

“I would not be fighting for these things, I would not be standing up for these causes in the way that I am, if I had not been able to do so at school first.  I think in the same way that school is where you learn so many important things about life, you also learn about yourself, and that looks different for LGBTQ kids.”

But there has been a price Moricz has had to pay for his activism.  He has been harassed online and has received in-person and online death threats from strangers.  He even said strangers have come, unannounced, to his parents’ offices looking for him.

“I do not feel safe operating as an individual on a day-to-day basis in my county.  Pineview as a student community has been incredible for me.  Sarasota as a community has been something I’ve had to endure.”

But I doubt this will be the last we hear from Zander Moricz.  This fall he will begin his government studies at Harvard.

The world could use more chutzpah like that of Zander Moricz.

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