October 10, 2020

Monsterland on Hulu

I have gone through the first four episodes, and it is a horror anthology series with an edge to it. I actually like it quite a lot, and I am a big fan of horror tv, movies, books, and comics.

I recommend anyone who likes horror anthology like the old Amicus films, EC Comics, or a more serious Creepshow. Does have similarity to some of the more recent anthology SF shows like Black Mirror.

October 5, 2020

'Fox and Friends' Host Steve Doocy Trashed by Fans for Wearing a Mask at Walmart

The Frankenstein monster comes to mind.



https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/fox-friends-host-steve-doocy-015805041.html

April 9, 2020

Joni Ernst pathetic response to my concerns about removing IG Fine

This is one of the most pathetic form letters I have ever seen. As a part of a funny note, my email service flagged this as a Red Zone Spam (you know the one that contains extortion, inappropriate offers, and other garbage). I think the algorithm has it right.

Dear Mr.


Thank you for taking the time to contact me about your perspective on President Trump. It is important for me to hear from folks in Iowa on matters such as these.

As you know, on November 8, 2016, Donald Trump was elected the 45th President of the United States. On December 19, 2016, the Electoral College voted to officially confirm his victory and on January 20, 2017, Donald Trump was officially sworn in as the 45th President of the United States. Those that did not support him have continued to raise concerns about his election and administration. I certainly respect these concerns, and I will continue to work in the Senate to fight for the issues of most importance to all Iowans and ensure three co-equal branches of government.

For two decades, I proudly wore our nation's uniform in the Iowa Army National Guard and the Army Reserves, and I am proud now to represent you in the United States Senate. As both an Army officer and a United States Senator, I swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. This is an oath I take very seriously. I will keep fighting to defend the Constitution and stay focused on issues of importance to Iowans.

I am ready to make Washington work for you and please know that I will continue to keep your views in mind going forward. Please feel free to contact my office in the future with any further information, as I always enjoy hearing from Iowans.

Sincerely,

Joni K. Ernst
United States Senator

March 22, 2020

A couple of articles about CDC funding cuts from 2018

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2018/07/when-the-next-plague-hits/561734/

https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2018/02/cdc-funding-pandemics/552224/

This is now coming to pass. Two weeks ago, Betsy McKay at The Wall Street Journal reported that the CDC, with no firm promise of future funding, is indeed preparing to downsize its work in 39 countries. Those include the Democratic Republic of Congo, which recently experienced its eighth Ebola outbreak, and China, which is recently underwent its worst outbreak of H7N9 bird flu.* Lena Sun of The Washington Post confirmed this report on Thursday, writing that “notice is being given now to CDC country directors” as the first part of a transition.

Feb. 2018. Now I wonder who controlled all the levers of executive and legislative power. Who could that be?

March 13, 2020

DEAD CAT 2

You have five minutes to lock in a 7-8% gain on S&P 500.

March 12, 2020

When will the Romney vs. Biden polling start?

Someone better get on it. Democrats better have contingency plans for it.

December 17, 2019

In light of Richard Jewell, how soon to spin up a Seth Rich movie

Could it be ready to go by September assuming the family agrees to it of course? Drop for a nominal price to all the streaming platforms.

This is how the GOP plays the game. In our case it would be a factual movie showing the documented indiscretions and coordinated propaganda attack that harmed the Seth family. I got to think they feel a little like Richard Jewell.

Hopefully the murder will be solved one day. Maybe the movie might enhance the chance of that happening.

Of course I guess it could also backfire. Whatever happens it needs to be truthful in all the particulars unlike the Jewell movie.

April 30, 2019

Great tactical analysis of Season 8 - Episode 3 of Game of Thrones - Spoilers

https://www.wired.com/story/game-of-thrones-winterfell-battle-tactical-analysis/#comments

This move, sometimes known as a “Custer,” predictably ends in ruin for the Dothraki cavalry.

The forces of man are led by idiots. It was only a miracle they won. Oh for a Randall Tarley or Tywin Lannister or even a Robb Stark.

My theory is that the cavalry was used, along with the trebuchet volley, was used to take out the wight giants. There were at least a half dozen when the wall was breached, but only one made it to Winterfell. Using the cavalry to take out the siege engines seems like a good use.

June 24, 2018

Association removes Laura Ingalls Wilder's name from award

https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/books/association-removes-laura-ingalls-wilders-name-from-award/2018/06/24/bd258926-77c5-11e8-ac4e-421ef7165923_story.html?utm_term=.d7668595dec2

"A division of the American Library Association has voted to remove Laura Ingalls Wilder’s name from a major children’s book award over concerns with how the early-to-mid 20th century author portrayed blacks and Native Americans."


I cannot agree with this decision. Wilder's books have been beloved by generations. I read them out loud in speech therapy (made the therapist mad because I would always burn through them when not in therapy because they were so interesting). My wife absolutely loves her. Her books are a product of her time.

I think this decision just throws red meat to the Trump base.

April 23, 2018

Well my alma mater has finally done it

They slapped the Purdue name on Kaplan.

It sucks. They are operating just like every one of the for profits.

I knew it was coming, but I am depressed.

$371/credit for a Business degree which requires 180 credits = $67K before fees.

https://go.purdueglobal.edu/?source=SF45778&ve=61951&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=ps&utm_campaign=pgg_pr_soco_gen_2018-Q2&utm_content=WorldClassEducation-General-LPP-WomanChildComputer-21to65-AllGenders-1WCA-FB-NA-Logo_LPP&gclid=CIHEoJCn0doCFS6WxQIdjyAGBg&gclsrc=ds&dclid=CPvgpZCn0doCFRS_Twod8ToAIg