Ok, we understand that we need to change this, but how? With the aid of hindsight, I can’t believe we didn’t see this one coming. Police brutality wasn’t invented a few years ago. Black American anger didn’t just begin to simmer a few weeks ago. This isn’t ALL a Covid thing, but that certainly hasn’t … Read more
Ever since this website began, we felt a strong reluctance to open up posts to commenters. Let’s just say we’ve seen situations where commentability didn’t work out so well. While there are many people who post very thoughtful and intelligent comments, some websites seem to be magnets for commenters who have a loose association with … Read more
We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity right now to reform/re-form our society, to tweak it for the better. It’s a chance that probably won’t come again. So, let’s take advantage of this. Some ideas: 1) We can let people out of prisons. Just open the doors and let them go. It will save their lives and … Read more
One aspect of the response to the coronavirus that is increasingly obvious is that rich people don’t give a damn about poor people’s lives. I understand the desire to protect your portfolio, but is that really more important than human lives? Human lives? That’s what we’re talking about here. I get all of the counter-arguments … Read more
Subtitle: Despite the fact that it might sound like I’m pooh-poohing the whole coronavirus hysteria, I really just wish to draw attention to our species’ fear of the unknown. They, the ubiquitous, hard to define and evil they, are always trying to scare us. Some of what they use is real. Other times they try … Read more
Posting a nasty shout-out on Facebook will not stop Burger King from relocating to Ireland to avoid paying taxes. Putting an anti-Republican bumper sticker on your Saab will not in any way make Senator Ted Cruz change his position on women’s reproductive rights. Shaving “Down with Starbucks” into your head will not convince the commissioners … Read more
It’s not what you think. It’s not that poor, hapless students with few defense mechanisms are being offended by other students who talk about race issues, or want to talk at all. Something far worse is happening, something that will erode the heart of education. ONLINE CLASSROOMS. Yes, a great idea on some levels. You … Read more
(Or why hospitals are horrible ideas) Think about the concept of a hospital. It’s an ass-backwards idea when you get right down to it. Bringing sick people into an enclosed building with a bunch of other sick people in order to cure them of their sickness? That’s the polar opposite of how we’ve treated the … Read more
Unfortunately, most of the signs are pointless. “Look Twice. Save a Life. Motorcycles are Everywhere.” Yeah, they’re really not. Motorcycles aren’t everywhere. Matter is everywhere. Motorcycles are confined to roads, driveways, Sturgis, North Dakota, and the Wendy’s parking lot on Saturdays. “Deaf Child at Play.” What if he’s not at play? What if he’s at … Read more