NEWS OF A MIRACULOUS MEDICAL DISCOVERY

This is what happens when I leave the house in the summer:  get a hat; get my sunglasses; get my reading glasses just in case I need them; put on my hearing aids; and then put on my mask.  So I got three things using my ears as "home" and invariably one or more of those things will not stay on due to the crowd up there..  This ordeal explains why this medical discovery is so important.  Thanks to late night tv (home of phil swift--google him if you don't know who he is), I learned about ear extensions!!  I have just returned from CVS and bought a pair--and knowing me, you probably guessed correctly that I bought a back up pair. Any how they adhere to the top of your ear which, in turn, gives me more space to hang all those things that travel with me.  I urge all of you to get a pair before the supply is runs out.  Or call:  1-800-blah blah blah.  Moving on.

--First off:  A prayer for RBG.  I have to assume that Potus will lose.  If he does and if the Senate has a 

Democrtic majority, she has to make it until mid January.

--I get pretty worked up with all the media when they start with "a new "COVID" record--in cases, in hospital admissions, in deaths, or anything else.  Records do not matter in the midst of this crisis. People matter.

--You all know, don't you, that Potus disbanded the office in charge of the nations response to pandemics.

--Governor Desantis and Governor Kemp are embarassments.  And, along with Potus, they are embarassing this country for all the world to see. The media is at fault, according to them,as their states implode.

--During the course of this past week, I came to believe that Stephen Miller and Betsy Devos were running the country.  First of all they have had their Kool Aid.  More importantly, they are smarter than Potus and pretty much get approvals for anything that further erodes our support of public education and then gets coupled with further restrictions on immigration.

--It never occurred to me but there is a strong argument to be made about licenses for law enforcement personnel since we do require licenses of barbers and other professions.

--Among other indignities, use of the words "they" or  "them"  really separate us from each other.  The words alone are kind of neutral.  When used with vitriol and venom, they send us down the road to George Wallace country.

--That itsy bitsy press secretary is a big liar and does it with a fat cross visible around her neck.  That type of consistency is consistent (!) with the other shenanigans.  If you or I lost a case at the Supreme Court, we would likely just comply.  But this tax case is being appealed despite what the court said.  Call in the lawyers. And we just say oh that's just Potus being Potusd.

--On a lighter note, since it is summer, the sharks are back and many people are wringing their hands over the sightings.  Don't people have other things to worry about?

--Disney has reopened with the permission of the Florida governor.  Who the fuck would take their kids there right now?

--I cannot even discuss that smarmy Roger Stone.

--I have a fantasy that one of these major sports leagues will not reopen because of the virus. I have no/zero sympathy for owners who are losing money.  They wanted to make money and have made money--lots of it.

I have a bit of sympathy for the marginal players who have families to support and unlike the mega stars will be in a bad financial state should a league shut down.

Shalom

I LIVE DEEP INSIDE MY HEAD

That's a quote from a song by John Prine.  The song is on his last CD and it has stuck in my mind ever since his death.  The more popular cut ("when i get to heaven") is the final song on that CD. But inside MY head, this is the song that resonates.  There is just too much going on sometimes.  I have even begun to respond to Mike Pence when he appears on my tv.  In many ways, he is worse than POTUS.  They are both smarmy but anyone who calls his wife "mother" is a step worse.  They are both liars except one of them is in charge. It is no longer humorous to hope that Moe shows up to take charge.  Please understand that the one lie about the curve flattening actually harms people and sometimes kills them. Moving on.

--I am a child of the South.  I have mentioned before that my schools were segregated for my entire public school experience.  I have mentioned before the white lines on the bus which separated the "Negroes" from us.  I have mentioned before the sight of 4 bathrooms in public places:  one for white men, one for "colored" men, one for white women, and one for "colored" women.  That is part of my history; a history that I was reminded of these past few weeks.  I am glad the Confederate flag has been lowered in Mississippi.
But, that does not change history nor does it change the fact that the south is different--and not in a good way; not kind of quaint or charming.  Just because you have virtually all African American football athletes at your two big universities does not mean things have changed--it just means you want to win.
--Then there is Atlanta.  Like Miami, we are supposed to think of it as not really southern city.  But it too has a history despite having Mayors who are African American. But go look up at Stone Mountain and tell me who is carved on its cliffs.
--John Bolton is not a hero.  He is a slime ball who gutlessly refused to testify in front of Congress and preferred writing a book.  That does not mean what he wrote is a lie--it just means he does not deserve all these accolades shortly after these same media outlets were castigating him for his hawkishness. And I wish to hell he got rid of his yellow pad.
--And Dr. Brix should ditch her scarves unelss she can tell me how I can get my hair cut from a 6 foot safe distance.
--When and if I ever have to dial 911,I do not want to find out that the service has been defunded.  I'm not sure what needs to happen but I do know it requires a massive culture change.  When I was hired to run a state hospital, the person I replaced smilingly informed me how hard it was to turn the Queen Mary around.
Culture change is not easy or quick.
--Anyone seen Jared or Rudy lately?
--So sweet that both POTUS and Roger Goodell want Kapernick to play now.  Thats their committment to equity--now that he is probably too old to lace them up.
--Just because I can get and wear a Morehouse tee doe not mean I am such a great person--it just means I can afford it.
--Seen any tv ads lately?  Seems as if corporate america (actually the corporate world) has decided that some customers are actually people of color.  They get no credit in my book for coming to the party way too late.
--Carl Reiner passed away.  He and Mel Broks were hysterical.  On an episode of "Comedians in Cars...", they had dinner together every night and ate on those old fashioned tv tables some of us used to have. Watched tv together and yakked.
--I will leave you with this quote from a 7 minute video by Arthur Jafa:
     "What wold America be like if we loved black people as much as we liked black culture".

Shalom

HE GOT HIS FENCE!!

Whoops!!  No, not that fence down there on the US/Mexico border. The one separating the citizens of this country from the White House.  You know:  the White House where the President of the United States lives and the House that is visible from Pennsylvania Avenue. Not so much now.  You can only see the top of the house because we now have a fence all around the grounds.  We have it because Mr.Scaredy Cat ordered a fence built after he got scared shitless during a demonstration. Baron and the Missus went down there with him for the "inspection".  I wonder if Baron's therapist joined them.

--This same POTUS then took a walk to a church for a photo op. Apparently, he was no longer scared because the protesters had been dispersed by police/national guard.  The demonstration was a peaceful one.
But they were forcibly removed so we could see POTUS raising an upside down bible. The Episcopal leadership in DC were not informed of this visit.  The police and Guard had covered up their name tags.  It was the 60's all over again. Then the General, in full combat fatigues, decided to survey the scene as if he was on a battlefield.
--I acknowledge his apology.  But I am sick and tired of people yakking out loud and then, the next day,  walking back all the impulsive shit they said.
--I am also sick and tired of hearing we need more training for the police.  We need fewer macho men who are living out some perverted dream of being in control--and they are usually white guys putting knees on the necks of black men.  You do know that officer in Minnesota had 18 complaints in his personnel folder, right?
--On the other hand every picture I see of a police officer taking a knee with a protester gives me some hope.
--Being only liberal, I am not in the mindset to defund the police.  But I do wonder why they need armored personnel carriers and other military-like weaponry.
--My "free delivery" of prescriptions from CVS (and advertised on tv by Joe Willie Namath) is a big lie. Someone is getting billed for that service.  Nothing is free tho I appreciate not having to go into the store in this day and age.  My guess is that either Medicare pays or Medicare Advantage pays--but it is not free, it is just safer.
--He cancelled the G-7 blaming it on the virus but in truth Angela and Macron said no thanks and he was just trying to avoid embarassment. We are also withdrawing from the WHO because, well you know, we don't need them because we did such a great job with Covid.
--I am also clear about this: I have no sympathy for the franchise owners in professional sports.  I'm supposed to care that they are now losing money?  They are bazillionaires who are mainly overseeing leagues that virtually resemble the plantations of the olden days. Not too many owners are people of color but I have noticed the color of the skin of the majority of players.
--Check out Alex Beam in the Globe of 6/8.  And Maureen Dowd in this past Sunday's Times interviewing Greg Popovich the NBA coach.  Such good writers.
--In the midst of all this chaos, a neighborly opinion.  I completely regret joining one of those neighborhood websites where you can ask your neighbors for this and that and offer all sorts of opinions on anything. So I now know about the albino squirrels and could see their pictures if I wish.  I can also hear from all sorts of very privileged folks (a lot like me) about why their asparagus did not come up yet.  Have tried to unsubscribe from this and have yet to succeed.  EEK!!
--Not sure it is a trend but Gorsuch and Roberts came through in a big way yesterday.

Shalom

MIAMI

Grew up there.  Left there after high school graduation.  It has been on my mind as the tension and violence ripples through the large cities of America.  With fake ID's, we used to head to the "CND" and its night clubs. Back then, now more than 50 years ago, we would go to the "Central Negro District" to listen to James Brown, Wilson Pickett, Otis Redding, Sam and Dave, and others.  I am not trying to establish some credibility here.  I am trying to say that Miami is on my mind as the confluence of the virus and the violence erupts around me.  This quote from Chief Headley in 1967 (I was already physically gone):  "When the looting starts, the shooting starts" has set me off on this nostalgia trip. A quote appropriated by POTUS and used in reference to the protesters he called "thugs".  Already felt helpless and immobilized by the virus--now feeling doubly so as protest turns into violent chaos--to steal a phrase used by the mayor of Atlanta. I feel as if the 60's changed everything and nothing.  The guys with automatic weapons walked into the capital of Michigan and there was no collective outrage.  Were we/you/us serious?

Some other items:
--POTUS claims he is taking hydroxychlorine (I don't even believe that) based on no science and no medical facts.  Wonder how many of his supporters have followed suit.  Supplies of it have run low and people who really need it are having trouble getting it.
--Lebron produced a one hour commencement show for 2020 HS grads.  At the very end, Obama spoke and epitomized what being a leader is all about.  No one could imagine POTUS reading those words let alone saying them.
--Renee Graham in the Globe of 5/20:  "we are the home of white fragility"..and that was before we saw the ugly videos of a white police officer with his knee on the neck of a handcuffed black man.
--And where is Rudy anyway?
--Twitter, his favorite mode of communicating, sets some mild limits on his lies.  His response is to escalate the fight with social media and attempt to limit their power.  All of which has me more sure of never ever posting a word on Facebook,  Mark Z. is a grandiose power hungry robot.
--John Roberts just sided with the 4 liberals to rule that churches/houses of worship can be closed during the virus.  And, I think, some people thought Kavanaugh would be a moderate?  Not likely.
--Not missing sports as much as I thought I would.  Am loving German soccer--the Bundesliga.
--Please do not hold up Dr. Birx as an exemplar of someone moderating POTUS.  She is just an exemplar of scarf selection.

Two less intense thoughts:
--Amy Shumer has a cooking show with her chef husband that is just hysterical and yummy.  Monday nights.
--Watched a You Tube concert with the Dropkick Murphys.  Guesting was Mr. Bruce from Asbury Park.  Played in an empty Fenway Park.  I played it as loud as possible and forgot many of my troubles.

shalom

I'M NOT ON YOUR TEAM AND I'M DAMN SURE NOT PART OF YOUR FAMILY

I have been watching way too much tv.  John Prine once sang about"blowing up his tv".  I am more surprised that my tv has not just sat down in the room and decided he/she had had enough with how much he/she is being used.  The first ever sit down strike of a tv. I try to watch commercial free channels.  But sometimes, just sometimes, I watch a channel with commercials.  Every company, with the bucks to pay for ads, tells me I am on their team during this pandemic.  We are all in this together just like "health care professionals".  Or, we are all part of the same family.  No and no.  We are not on Team Toyota and, even if we were, the ER team is a real team working collaboratively.  The softer ads telling me that I am in their family are truly worse. Buying a new house from a specific realty company does not make me that company's nephew.  In both of these instances, and others, I am not on the team and have a real family.

--There is a thread (see:  I know electronic threads) that links the protesters carrying automatic weapons to the anti-vaxers to the anti-semites. Someone smarter than me needs to write something about it.  Meanwhile, I believe in its existence. Angry about any attempt to assert authority in order to address the better good. Let me bring that AK 47 into the State House.  And while I do that, I want my unvaccinated child to attend school.  But make sure there are no homosexuals or Jews in that building.  I am not paranoid bu I am scared.
--Saw a bit on the 538 website about all the polls that show Biden ahead (these are the same people who predicted a Clinton victory).  But people in those polls still say the Trumpster will win.  I believe both those things are true.  I am trying not to believe any of the polls and am deeply worried about November.
--BTW, these people hate us for all the usual reasons plus we live on the coast.
--When RBG was hospitalized last week, I needed to immediately get under the covers.
--The two main topics of conversation around here are what is for dinner in the next week and what is on tv tonight.  I think I forgot how to read.
--Saw Joe on some msnbc show.  He appeared with Stacy Abrams.  My final take on that was she should run for President.  Joe has trouble connecting sentences into a coherent thought.  I shutter to imagine Joe debating POTUS.
--I have come to like my Governor a lot.  His daily news briefings are terrific except for some of the most stupid media questions.  Hot topic this week (even as we prepare to re-open):  when will the golf courses open up?  Really?  It is not enough that you cannot pray at your house of worship. you also want to play golf? Pathetic.
--On 5/5, the Boston Pops zoomed a song written by John Williams.  He played the piano and Keith Lockhart led the virtual orchestra. I loved it.
--A Native American tribe in South Dakota (I believe they are a branch of the Cheyenne River Sioux) are blocking a state highway which goes through their reservation.  The Gov is upset,  The same
governor who did nothing in the face of the pandemic and its impact on employees at meat packing plants. Its all a hoax perpetrated by the deep state and the medica.
--Speaking of science, Deborah Brix seems to have an unlimited supply of scarves.  Her career is in serious jeopardy after sh explained how hair salons in Georgia could work with customers from a 6 foot distance. Only Edward Scissorhands could do that.
--The White House rejected the first draft of the CDC report which focused on how states can safely re-open. Science denial is also on their agenda unless it affects them personally.  All government is bad unless I need something like a bailout.
--Did anyone see Rand Paul try to to outsmart Fauci?  He did not succeed but oh my--Rand is a physician who does not believe in science.
--A reminder to Mitch:  There was a nearly 70 page report left by the Obama administration.  So you lied.

--A remembrance.  DP would not play cards with me until I stopped cheating.  I will never forget that.  Seems like a minor issue but it has stuck with me.  RIP.

Shalom

OPEN THE CAR WASHES

Just got back from Georgia.  Flew down with a friend from Kindergarten.  We first got massages (done by masseuses without gloves) and then went next door and got tattoos.  I got one like Ben Affleck covering my whole back.  A bit painful on the flight home but I had a whole row to myself.  Couldn't figure out where the other passengers were.  Steven Miller is now affixed in ink on my back.  Forever. My tattoo confirms the theory that:  "Just because you are paranoid does not mean they are not out to get you." 

--In hindsight, why didn't the Georgia governor open up car washes which seem much safer than massage parlors and tattoo shops.

--If you, dear reader, have been reading this screed faithfully, you know I was worried that Steve Miller was going to use this pandemic as a way to further limit immigration.  And guess what, he succeeded.  Our borders are now officially closed except for some minimal exceptions.  He acknowledged his success in some conservative media interview. 

--Gotta give a shout out to Governor Whitmer of Michigan.  She extended the stay at home order despite seeing white thugs with assault rifles in the Michigan state house.  They want the state open and who cares about people of color who live in Detroit anyhow--and you know we would never go to Detroit because it is not safe.

--Can someone please tell Dr. Brix to ditch the scarves and, while she is at it, perhaps ditch the Prez.  I'm thinking her career is over. Once she tried to explain how barbers/hair stylists could maintain 6 feet of distance, she was done.

--I will not worry about the oil companies as they wring their hands about the drop in oil prices.  Fuck 'em.

--Ditto for the big banks.  Nik Paumgarten in the New Yorker said the following so try it out:  "Bank higher ups get paid like geniuses but every 10 years, they need a bail out".  Oh yeah.

--According to Jared (now that he has stabilized the Middle East), our government's covid 19 efforts will be a success during the month of June.

--And yet each day brings more deaths and more cases.

--An aside:  During this crisis the Globe decided to explain what we could learn from mother bears in terms of daily activities for our children.

--That bright shining light Pence defends his mask-less visit to the Mayo clinic as an effort to normalize.  Bet the Medical staff could tell him how not normal things are not.

--When I hear politicians or advertisers (kind of similar, no?) tell me I am part of the team or we treat you like family, I want to puke.  I'm on my own team and know who my real family is.  EEK!

--John Prine died way too soon.  You need to listen to one of his latest songs in light of his death.  It's called "When I Get to Heaven".

--Cuomo and Baker are not perfect but boy have they come through for their respective states.

--I immediately demand that the new White House press secretary rid herself of that gold chain with a big cross.  No need to remind us that God is on her side.

--Nada on the sports front.

HOPE EACH OF YOU IS SAFE AND HEALTHY.  SHALOM.

GOTCHA!!

But first this:  I hope each of you and your loved ones are safe and healthy.

--Rarely, if ever, have I sympathized with POTUS,  But as I watch his press briefings, I kind of think the reporters are really in a gotcha frame of mind.  They know what he said yesterday, last week, last month, or whenever.  And they nail him every time.  On some level he cannot win.  And maybe he shouldn't--but there is a moment for me when I think, oh fuck, they are "gotcha-ing" him. Lets move on.
--He deserves every gotcha he gets.  He is an inveterate pathetic liar who is more infant than adult.  He cannot even correctly read what is in front of him in his prepared remarks.  When he does read them, he interrupts himself and goes to his ritual of "greatest"' "most beautiful"' "biggest"'--a litany of grandiosity that only an insecure deranged person would dabble in.
--Speaking of which, I miss not having Hunter Thompson around to witness this.  He would have already convinced me that POTUS was on some sort of pyschedelic drugs imported from indigenous tribes in South America--curare or something.
--But his ratings are excellent. And people in his base never did like NYC or the NY Times anyhow so he is just feeding them reassuring messages
--Does anyone else think Jared is really one of the Munsters or a member of the Adams family?
--So, here we have my home state of Florida whose Governor believes professional wrestling is an essential service and will let them wrestle but without an audience.  The same governor who kept beaches open during Spring Break.  The same governor who won election by less than a hair.
--His non biological sister is the Gov of South Dakota.  While the state remains open (she suggested to residents that they do not watch the news), Smitfield closed its meat processing plant in Sioux City after 50% of its employees tested positive.  The Mayor wants a stay at home order but not the Gov.
--I listen intently to Cuomo, to my Governor Baker, and to my Mayor Walsh.  They each actually believe in facts, believe in science, and as far as I can tell, speak honestly with compassion.  They do not get into pissing matches with the media to prove how big their bully pulpits are.  Maybe they are all still pols.  But in this moment, they are also leaders.  POTUS has no clue.
--Would you like to have the virus and be in the district of the Indiana Congressman who said if it is a choice betwen the economy and saving lives, the economy comes first.  Might as well phone the funeral home so he can go get his Big Mac.
--What to make of conservative members of Congress when they read that both China and Russia are making donations to us to fight the virus.  Are they not virulent haters of those reds?  Or will they also speak differently when this is all over.
--I become scared when I hear POTUS say he has total authority even though he changed his tune the next day.  My fantasy is he thinks he can cancel November elections.
--Biden and the Dems better figure out a way to get air time.  POTUS is getting all this free/daily tv time during which he mainly boasts and lies and Joe can only respond from his basement.  But Bernie did come through and it was not some mealy mouthed support speech like with Hilary.
--And in the midst of this pandemic, we pull out of WHO.  Really it s not surprising.  Any effort at being good neighbors has been killed.  We are building a bubble but one that is not permeable.

Watching a bunch of games from yesteryear.
Stay safe.
Shalom