World Views

[Amigoo]

Re: https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/20/us/flori ... index.html
"Pythons might become a new menu item in Florida"

"Mercury is a natural occurring element in the environment and it is high in the Everglades... Mercury bioaccumulates in the environment and you will find high levels of mercury at the top of the food chain where pythons have unfortunately positioned themselves."

"Kalil is the first female hunter in the python removal program, according to Kirkland, and she has so far captured and euthanized 473 pythons. When she catches smaller ones, about 7 feet long, she uses a mercury testing kit she bought online to confirm they're safe to eat."

Interesting use of "euthanized", a word not usually associated with eating what's killed. And humans are also "at the top of the food chain",
but maybe a bit higher if they can avoid hungry pythons.

Rod

[Amigoo]

Re: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/articl ... mands.html

"Parents at Manhattan's $54K-a-year Dalton School pull their kids after it imposes anti-racism manifesto"

Maybe some parents are intimidated by the 3700-word, 8-page memo*
that seems to require interpretation by their family lawyer.

* "usually brief written message or report" (Merriam Webster)

Immediate reaction hints that it could help close this elite school.

Rod

[Amigoo]

Re: https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/ ... 932217001/

"Lockdown? I've got this, I thought. But COVID-19 is lonely, even for loners like me."

Entertaining story, but obviously not written by a true loner whose satisfying social contact
may be the 5-minute encounter with a grocery store cashier ... or "Where's my stimulus check?"
question to the mail delivery person ... or "Here's your 50 cent tip" for the Uber Eats meal.

But virtual contact blurs the line ...
these "loners" are just interacting with more social distance.
Tip: You're not a loner if you look in the mirror every day.

Rod

[Amigoo]

Re: https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/la-sp ... s-homeless

"The 'tiny homes' are about the same size as a backyard shed than can be purchased for 'a few hundred dollars', the LA Times notes. They are about 8.5 feet by 7.5 feet and have two bunks each. Showers and bathroom facilities are in separate trailers. The trailers themselves cost about $8,600 each - but other costs included '$122,000 for underground utilities, $253,000 for concrete pads (one for each shelter), $312,000 for an administrative office and staff restroom, $1.1 million for mechanical, electrical and fire alarms and $280,000 for permits and fees.' "

Apparently, the city's mistake was calling these "homes" when the budget intent was "shelter".
Of course, new owners purchasing property called "home" (even for only 'a few hundred dollars'),
expect it to be more than "shelter" ... when located in a developed neighborhood.

Rod

[Amigoo]

Re: https://www.healthleadersmedia.com/welc ... oronavirus
"How China's Army of Paid Internet Trolls Helped Censor the Coronavirus"

"As the coronavirus spread in China, the government stage-managed what appeared on the domestic internet
to make the virus look less severe and the authorities more capable"

Actually, "trolling" is now widespread on the internet, manipulating truth according to agendas.
How to know the truth? Who can tell? Toss a coin? Ask 9 out of 10 doctors?

Rod

[Amigoo]

Re: https://www.wnd.com/2020/12/biden-advis ... nsumption/

"Emanuel, himself an ethicist ... went even further, questioning not just health care spending by elderly patients, but the overall purpose of their lives. In his 2019 interview, he said that 'when I look at what people over 70 do, almost all of it is what I classify as play. It’s not meaningful work. They’re riding motorcycles; they’re hiking. Which can all have value – don’t get me wrong. But if it’s the main thing in your life? Ummm, that’s probably not a meaningful life.' "

Ignore the political aspect - this questioning suggests that everyone - worldwide - will soon need to have opinion about the "retirement" class. This questioning also hints that retirement should not be permitted or should be redefined to include "meaningful work" (relative to age?).

Seems to me, retirement is already an investment paid for in one's productive years of "meaningful work", aka "taxes".

Rod

[Amigoo]

Re: https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2020 ... ding-bill/

"Several members of Congress are taking to social media to complain about the handful of hours
they have to read the 5,593-page spending bill."

So, 15 pages per minute is the reading speed expectation of today's political leaders?
Or maybe it's strategy to make sure that no one has time to read all that's included!

Nevertheless, it's notice that reading speed is a necessary skill for leadership now.
(AI personal robots might be available soon to help with the information digesting)

Rod

[Amigoo]

Re: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/articl ... Earth.html
"it's 'presumptuous and arrogant' to think humans are alone in the universe"

Actually, and considering how humans learn ...
it's presumptuous and arrogant to claim that thinking is presumptuous and arrogant!

Rod

[Amigoo]

Re: https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/sen-c ... -and-oreos

"McDonald's has entered the fray during an already strange year, as the American fast-food company
is now selling a burger made of Spam and topped with Oreo cookies Monday in China."

The more interesting news is that "burger" is now effectively redefined as "something between split buns"
... which reminds me of a true incident decades ago in Dallas (30 mi. east of beef-supplier Fort Worth):

When ordering burgers at a local fast food restaurant, enjoyed for the tart commentary of its staff,
my friend ordered a burger with everything except the burger (real meat at that time). The cashier
skipped the tart commentary and said "Get the hello out of here! ... and meant it!"

Consequently, split buns boot scooted off site sans split buns.

Rod

[Amigoo]

Re: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/arti ... class.html

"The heartwarming video has been shared more than 46,000 times on Facebook
and was later posted on Twitter, where it's been viewed four million times"

Perhaps the first "big one" heard around the world!

Rod

[Amigoo]

Re: https://www.foxnews.com/science/milky-w ... themselves
"Milky Way may be full of aliens who annihilated themselves"

"researchers also noted the potential for self-annihilation in galactic intelligent life to be 'highly influential,'
suggesting any intelligent life may have already destroyed themselves. 'If intelligent life is likely to destroy themselves,
it is not surprising that there is little or no intelligent life elsewhere' "

This perspective seems to assume that earth's human life is the pattern for life elsewhere.

Rod

[Amigoo]

Re: https://slate.com/culture/2020/12/willi ... er-80.html
“I Didn’t Ever Think I’d Get This Old”

"Well, I think it’s great*. It is a good medicine and I’m glad that it’s being accepted around the country,
and I’ll be glad when every state in the union legalizes it, because I think it will be healthy for everybody."

* more marijuana acceptance after recent voting in the U.S.

Entertaining Willie Nelson interview (he's 87 now!). However, stories in recent decades
suggest that smoking anything is not healthy long term, and that Willie seems one of the lucky few
to survive so long with this habit of smoking (whatever).

Rod

[Amigoo]

Re: https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/mom-r ... tmas-texts

"the parent explained that she was writing out Christmas cards, wondering, 'Shall I put to just Adem or do you have a boyfriend yet?'
Explaining that there was 'no boyfriend,' Waterman said it would be fine to simply address it to him. 'Okay will do,' his mom replied.
'Do you think it's your personality or your looks?' "

First thought: It's his looks - he was not looking for a partner.

Rod

[Amigoo]

Re: https://medium.com/sexography/are-you-d ... df978d6e29
"Are You Digisexual?— Purchases of Humanoid Sexbots Surged in 2020"

"A robot lover also may weaken our ability to empathize because it creates a one-sided relationship with the focus only on the owner’s needs being met. You won’t need to worry about forgetting your sexbot girlfriend’s birthday or what your sexbot boyfriend’s favorite color is. You don’t need to learn anything about your robot partner. You only need to teach them your needs and desires."

Of course, sexbots will eventually (sooner than later) become even more lifelike, perhaps even "having a headache" or being concerned about the children. A good article to start forming opinions! After all, the "person" at the table next to you might be a sexbot out on a dinner date.

OMG! A new race card starts! (sexbots have to sit in the other room ... or whatever).

Rod

[Amigoo]

Re: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/articl ... ateau.html

"Maskless 'superspreader' carol singers perform outside a COVID testing center in California -
as state's huge rise in cases stops the entire US average from falling"

"The potential superspreader event was the second like it hosted by Growing Pains actor turned evangelist Kirk Cameron.
He said on social media: 'Let your voice be heard at this peaceful protest praising the Prince of Peace.' "

For some participants, the saved video could be enjoyed later while they recover from infection.

Rod

[Amigoo]

Re: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/trumps ... oc-sanders

Eat, drink, and be merry! ... for tomorrow is tomorrow.

It's difficult to oppose significant monetary stimulus when financial loss has been occurring for months!
... and even "significant stimulus" is just sufficient to financially survive a bit longer.

Re: https://www.investmentwatchblog.com/for ... -disaster/

Also a continuing lesson: When financial assistance is required
just to "survive", lifestyle has to be seriously downsized.

Rod

[Amigoo]

Re: https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/23/tech/kfc ... index.html
"KFC launches game console that keeps your chicken warm"

Seems to me ...
Heat and grease and food crumbs are not usually paired with delicate electronics!
Probably 2020's Rona Revolution where "consumer" electronics is redefined.

A mini fire extinguisher might be complementary for intense gaming ...
since meat needs to be hot - not warm - to control bacteria.

Rod

[Amigoo]

Re: https://www.wnd.com/2020/12/americans-b ... 1-million/
"Americans bought 73% more guns in 2020, overall approximately 21 million"

This suggests that many people you meet on the streets have access to a weapon
... and that avoiding all emotional confrontation is now the better rule of thumb.

This reminds of the time this year when I noticed a woman putting groceries
in the back of her car and offered to take her basket back to the store.
Surprised by me quietly approaching from behind, she screamed!
I apologized and diplomatically cancelled the offer.

Speaking of baskets (there must be a phobia term), I recently started to offer the same basket return
to a man in another grocery store parking lot who saw me approach. He said sternly "You can't have it!"
when I had raised my hand without yet speaking. I quickly rationalized that it was coronavirus issue
and that I didn't want to touch the basket anyway!

Rod

[Amigoo]

Re: https://www.militarytimes.com/off-duty/ ... s-in-wwii/

"How some bra-wearing pigeons saved thousands of lives during WWII"

"Originally toting messages in a tiny capsule fastened to the pigeons’ legs, the advent of Maidenform’s pigeon bra/vest allowed handlers and service members to attach larger message items to the birds, including maps, photos, reports, and even tiny cameras."

Re: https://www.kalw.org/post/fast-and-furi ... g#stream/0

"in general, while hens would be more interested in flying home to their babies or eggs, the male birds are more interested in flying home to the hens... trainers will separate the male bird from his mate a few days prior to the race, and then right before the truck arrives, they reunite the lovebirds just before hauling the male to the start line. So, that bird’s got one thing on his mind."

" 'There she is, I got to get back!' is how Milestone puts it. 'So, the bird that is racing, wants to come back to his nest box, and when he arrives there, the hen is waiting for him. And that motivates him to... full performance!' "


Somehow, the male knows to remove his Maidenform before approaching his love nest.

See also: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homing_pigeon

Rod

[Amigoo]

Re: https://www.investmentwatchblog.com/ant ... christmas/

"London telling the new world order to shove their poison vaccine up (somewhere)"

Entertaining chutzpah to end the year (by a large maskless crowd)
... and "they've all gone out to greet (?) when she comes".

Rod

[Amigoo]

When current events refer to the classics ...

Re: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/a-capi ... tmas-carol
"Battles over COVID package, omnibus spending bill playing out like a Dickens tale"

Which brings to mind Oliver's "Please, sir, I want some more (stimulus money)."

Rod

[Amigoo]

Re: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/articl ... g-650.html

"GoDaddy ... teased 500 employees into replying to email promising Christmas $650 bonus"

In recent years, the email return link (move mouse pointer over link to display actual link)
has been a good clue about email "phishin' ". However, if this return link was to GoDaddy,
this is a bit akin to "entrapment" - not "phishin' ".

Now, GoDaddy needs to compensate the responders with a real bonus
for participating in the scam and illustrating Daddy's security point.

Rod

[Amigoo]

Re: https://www.debka.com/johnsons-coup-a-u ... t-a-price/

"Johnson’s coup: A UK Brexit deal with Europe – at a price"

However, this sounds like a rebuilding of relationship ...
such as a multi-family home being restructured as a duplex,
giving separate entrances/exits for a bit more independence
yet still acknowledging and perpetuating "family".

Rod

[Amigoo]

Re: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-boei ... SKBN28Z0VS

"Air Canada Boeing 737-8 MAX suffers engine issue"

"Shortly after take-off, the pilots received an 'engine indication' and 'decided to shut down one engine,' an Air Canada spokesman said.
'The aircraft then diverted to Tucson, where it landed normally and remains.' "

This might hint that these planes, just returning to service, should not be stuffed with passengers and cargo
when their route does not permit a more immediate landing - with one engine - in case of mechanical difficulty.

Rod

[Amigoo]

Re: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech ... cisco.html

"A tower made of gingerbread appeared in Corona Heights Park Christmas Day"
"No one has taken credit but locals are calling it a 'Christmas miracle' "
"Visitors say the tower smelled good and at least one passerby licked it"

Makes sense! A Christmas monolick! (with complementary aromas)

Rod