(Political Ramblings from a Little Left of Center)
Here’s an update to my COVID-19 analytics, now reflecting 6/20/2020 data. This snapshot begins to show the impact of the lifting of restrictions in the U.S. See below for commentary and some explanatory notes. Click on any table to display a larger version; hit the back button to return here. Selected Countries by % of…
As a non-young, middle-class, white male, I hesitated to immediately offer my thoughts on the racially-charged unrest currently sweeping the country. I am certainly in no position to comprehend the perspectives of any black American. I am even more incapable of fully understanding how a young, poor, black person views our shared country. However, as…
It tolls for thee. The twisted John Donne poem is sadly appropriate. Donne was saying that we’re all interconnected and that anyone’s death is a loss for all of mankind. So wear a damn mask! Here are just a few ideas for conversations with people that won’t. For those that don’t believe masks are necessary: …
Here’s an update to my prior COVID-19 analytics, now reflecting 5/23/2020 data. This snapshot is largely prior to the free-for-all lifting of restrictions in the U.S. See below for commentary and some explanatory notes. Click on any table to display a larger version; hit the back button to return here. Selected Countries by % of…
Ever wonder what foreigners think of Trump? A “Nate White” apparently posted a response to that question last year on Quora. While an appropriate Quora profile exists, I can find no direct proof of authorship. No matter. The essay has been preserved on the Internet and, regardless of the author, it deserves to be repeatedly…
It irritates the hell out of me that I have to keep coming back to this topic. The latest reason is the Republican argument against providing financial assistance to the states in the next stimulus package. The pandemic should rightfully be a political issue in the 2020 campaign. However, politics should be kept to a…
A good friend, knowing I’d be thoroughly appalled, sent me a link to buy a talking Trump figurine that excretes a collection of 17 recorded droppings from Trump himself. “It’s like having the President in the same room with you!” Thanks, Carol. I now have a new definition of Hell. Upon reflection, however, it occurred…
Joe Biden recently announced the formation of his VP selection committee. I’m hurt that I wasn’t asked to participate, but I thought I’d add my two cents anyway. Since Biden already announced that his pick will be a woman, that considerably narrows the field. I’ve identified thirteen women that, at some point, have been touted…
Since I had a positive response to my initial COVID-19 analytics, I’ll try to post updates on a semi-regular basis. This post uses data as of 4/24/20. See below for commentary and some explanatory notes. Click on any table to display a larger version; hit the back button to return here. Selected Countries by %…
The Priorities USA super PAC released a 30-second ad that juxtaposed Trump’s own pandemic statements with concurrent case counts. In response, the Trump campaign sent cease-and-desist letters to numerous TV stations – including a threat to pull their broadcast licenses – to try to keep the ad off the air. What an absolutely brilliant campaign…