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Showing posts from February, 2022

For some, ignorance is bliss; for others, ignorance is something else

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  Is ignorance truly bliss? Or is it destructive? What role does it play in our daily lives? What harms can it cause, or leave behind? These are just some of the questions my colleagues and I are studying in our ongoing research of agnosis. Agnosis means  without, or lacking, knowledge . Agnotology  is the study of ignorance , the apathy towards knowledge and the creation of non-knowledge and stupidity. Unfortunately,  there are plenty of examples  to suggest  ignorance continues to be a concern  in Canada, the U.S. or elsewhere. Often, victims of ignorance are left unaware, or at least uncertain, about the source of their harms — and sometimes, they’re not even aware they’ve been harmed. ‘Ignoring’ as an activity People, organizations and governments can all partake in “ignoring” as an activity. When information isn’t sought out — in other words, ignored —  it can offer motivation and excuses  for the perpetration of even the most harmful actions. For example, we continue to live thro

A big lug

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 So... lately, my lovely lady, has gotten into the routine of calling me her  So... I asked her, because I had my doubts, if she really understood what that colloquialism actually means. She told me, so I stand corrected. She knows. She also told me she knows what colloquialism means. She proceeded to tell me that if I was going to question her knowledge she might have to resort to calling me a big lout instead. And then with a quizzical look, she pondered if I KNEW the difference between a big lug and big lout. I told her the difference, so score one point for me. While having this conversation, we also mused about how those two terms differ from being called a big oaf. We both recognized that a big oaf is somewhat different from a big lug and a big lout. Where I got stuck is when I suggested that a big oaf is a lot like a big goof.  She said, not so, they too are different. Upon reflection, she may be right on that count as well. Depends of course entirely on their usage, but there i

Talkin' 'bout My G- g- g- generation!

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 Which generation are you?  I'm a Boomer, myself.  Been watching my fellows aging, gracefully and gracelessly in different measures, since my teens.  We've gone from the protesters who defied the draft to the angry old farts who yell "get off my lawn!"   See,  now, here's how we like to see ourselves: But here's what we look like to everybody else: We've gone from being the most educated generation in U.S. history to being the generation that denies climate change, even as our shores are washed away.  We've gone from being the Civil Rights generation to the anti-BLM, anti-ANTIFA generation.  We've become the generation of sore losers who can't admit we lost an election.  We've become, not to put too fine a point on it, Old Farts. So talk to me about your generation!  Boomer?  Share the misery!  Gen-Z?  Share the Slack!  Millennial?  Share the debt!  And never forget: AlextheKay, approaching 70

Fox News opposition to Ketanji Brown Jackson

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 WOW, just WOW! Didn't take long for Fox News to start taking pot shots at Joe Biden's SCOTUS nominee - Ketanji Brown Jackson. Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson, a politician in robes President Biden has delivered exactly who the left demanded. https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/supreme-court-nominee-ketanji-brown-jackson-biden-carrie-severino Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson is a threat to Constitutional rights President Biden’s nomination is a move to push the Supreme Court in the direction of the left https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/supreme-court-ketanji-brown-jackson-biden-kelly-shackelford Harmeet Dhillon blasts Biden's SCOTUS selection process: 'He is beholden to the left' Joe Biden is beholden to the far-left and dark money, the system needs to change said Dhillon https://www.foxnews.com/media/harmeet-dhillon-blasts-biden-on-scotus-pick Tucker Carlson Says Joe Biden Chose SCOTUS Pick 'On the Basis of Appearance' https://www.newsweek.

NATO'S ( And the U.S.'s) SHAME!

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  Zelensky calls for world leaders to help Ukraine or 'tomorrow war will knock on your doors' "If you my dear European leaders, my dear world leaders, leaders of the free world, don't help us today, if you do not strongly help Ukraine, then tomorrow war will knock on your doors," he said https://theweek.com/russo-ukrainian-war/1010583/zelensky-calls-for-world-leaders-to-help-ukraine-or-tomorrow-war-will Will Zelensky's prediction come true? Consider: First  Abkhazia and South Ossetia were seized from Georgia and where was Nato and the U.S. in response? Then Crimea fell to the Russians, and all that was done in response was a few sanctions. Now we are to believe, should Ukraine fall, Putin will finally stop?  America Could Have Done So Much More to Protect Ukraine The paths to deterrence were not taken. After Ukraine became independent and forfeited the world’s third-largest nuclear arsenal, the West could have loosened the purse strings to guarantee the countr

How the ‘Candy Bomber’ Left A Lasting Legacy in Cold War Germany

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How the ‘Candy Bomber’ Left A Lasting Legacy in Cold War Germany Former WWII pilot Gail S. Halvorsen is still fondly remembered as the American who delivered sweets to German children during the Berlin Airlift David Kindy February 24, 2022 8:00 a.m. A monument in Germany acknowledges Halvorsen's contributions during the Berlin Airlift. OFTW/Wikimedia Commons Gail S. Halvorsen, a U.S. military pilot known as the “Candy Bomber” who, during the Cold War, dropped sweets from his plane to German children in West Berlin, passed away on February 16 at age 101, report Colleen Slevin and Kirsten Grieshaber for the  Associated Press  (AP). He died in his home state of Utah after suffering a brief illness. His funeral took place this week in Provo, Utah. Remembered in Germany as  Der Schokoladen Flieger , the Chocolate Flyer, Halvorsen first served as an Army Air Force pilot in World War II, flying transport planes in England, Italy and North Africa, reports Angela Cullen for Bloomberg in the

Jimmy Kimmel And Arnold Schwarzenegger Poke Fun At Anti-Vaxxers

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https://www.msn.com/en-ca/entertainment/celebrity/jimmy-kimmel-and-arnold-schwarzenegger-poke-fun-at-anti-vaxxers-in-new-psa-video/ar-AAUcwuu?ocid=mailsignout&li=AAggNb9

PSA

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McDonalds violence

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 What is up with all these violent incidents at a McDonalds? Child Shoots at Cops Over McDonald's Order Dispute—Police A  man in Utah instructed his 4-year-old son to shoot at officers following an argument at McDonald's, according to police. https://www.newsweek.com/shooting-4-year-old-father-mcdonalds-police-salt-lake-city-utah-1681251 A shocking video which appears to show a security guard punching a woman customer in McDonald’s is being investigated by police. https://yorkmix.com/watch-shock-video-shows-violence-erupt-in-york-mcdonalds-woman-arrested/ Driver drags woman accused of cutting the McDonald’s drive-thru line, CA cops say https://www.sacbee.com/news/nation-world/national/article258627653.html Man turns violent after £50 note is refused by McDonald's staff https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/crime/man-turns-violent-after-ps50-note-is-refused-by-mcdonalds-staff-3581505 Police looking for woman suspected in attack at McDonald’s drive-thru in Richmond Victim’s child

SO, it's begun.

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  Putin sends troops into eastern Ukraine Recognition by Mr Putin of their independence paves the way to give them military support - and the president has now ordered an operation in the two regions. https://news.sky.com/story/ukraine-crisis-putin-recognises-breakaway-regions-in-ukraine-as-independent-bringing-war-a-step-closer-12548265 AND the price Putin will pay for this action? At an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, chaired by Russia, US ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield said "the consequences of Russia's actions will be dire - across Ukraine, Europe and the globe". Dire, umm, how dire? In response, the White House said President Joe Biden signed an executive order prohibiting "new investment, trade, and financing by US persons to, from, or in" the two breakaway regions. Umm, punish the two regions, NOT Russia itself? WOW, is Joe Biden tough or what? A top EU official, Didier Reynders, said the bloc is ready to implement

List Your Prejudices

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  When I hear of children being homeschooled, the first things I think about them ( whether true or false) are… [Your thought list here] In other words, what are your prejudices regarding home schooling, if any? (by Primordial “recess is over” Soup)

GIVE US A FREAKIN' BREAK!

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  WEATHER ALERT Issue Date: 350 AM CST Sun Feb 20 2022 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight Light snow will occur over portions of northern Minnesota this morning with a possible wintry mix in spots. Additional snowfall will range from a dusting to 3 inches through noon with little expected this afternoon. Far northern Minnesota has the best chance at seeing the higher snowfall amounts. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday Wind Chill Advisories may be needed over portions of northern Minnesota each night and morning from tonight into Wednesday morning. An extended period of snow is expected from late tonight into at least Tuesday evening. Most of the snow will come in two main waves, the first from late tonight through early Monday evening with the second during the day Tuesday. Snowfall amounts from around the Brainerd Lakes and Walker areas east-northeast to the Twin Ports and T

Deal Breakers

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In my  Op from yesterday,  I had asked what the right age for marrying would be.  I got a lot of participation, thank you. 😊 The subject of intolerance came up, and what would be a “deal breaker” for you in a new romantic relationship.   Deal breakers would be those things that you just cannot tolerate, and/or the other cannot tolerate in you, and that end up ruining the relationship in the early stages. Question 1 : Have you ever experienced a deal breaker in a romantic relationship?  If yes, how long did the ill-fated relationship last/continue? Question 2 : Were you the ‘ee’ or the ‘er’, meaning the victim or the perpetrator?   In other words, who ended up being the intolerant one?   You or the other person?  Or both?   Elaborate if you want. Question 3 : What do you consider a deal breaker(s)?   List your “intolerance of” item(s) regarding a new romantic relationship. Thanks for posting and recommending. (by Primordial “sorry, no can tolerate” Soup)

It’s the “right” time

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Of course, it depends on one’s goals in life, but… Question 1 : What would you say is the right age bracket for someone to get married? Age 18-25 Age 25-30 Age 30-35 Age 35-40 Age 40+ Never get married! Question 2 : Why did you pick that age category?   What major factors did you consider as relevant/important (to you)? Question 3 : If you ever did marry, what age were you at the time?   If married more than once, at what ages? (by Primordial "still happily married - yes it can be done!" Soup)

Worst toys ever

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 Ah, childhood.  The time of jolly fun, delightful games and toys that, if you were lucky, didn't kill you. Remember "lawn darts?"  Lawn darts were short spears that you chucked at targets.  They had big tailfins and weighted points that quite literally stuck in the lawn.  And trees.  And other kids.  And if you were unlucky, you. These were eventually banned, of course, but not before over 5,000 injuries sent people (mostly children) to the hospital.  Darn, some bureaucrats have no idea of fun, y'know? And many fine toys helped to get your parents involved.  Who can forget this? But, hey, at least that one's not dangerous, unless you count lower back pain.  I mean, it's not radioactive. Yep, this delightful teaching toy came with actual radioactive ores, a Geiger counter and a comic-strip (staring Dagwood) that explained how you could split the atom in the comfort of your own home! And I refuse to even talk about this one. So, as always, it's sharing tim