World Views

[Amigoo]

Re: https://halturnerradioshow.com/index.ph ... r-48-hours

Interesting "behind the scenes" story about this man's radio show
(and what to expect for an online, low-budget, alternative news site).

Hal lives in New Jersey.

Rod

[Amigoo]

About the U.S. election ...

Re: https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/13/politics ... index.html

"Since Election Day on November 3, all 50 states and the District of Columbia have certified their votes and named slates of electors, who will meet on Monday to formally cast their ballots for President and Vice President -- the next step in the process of finalizing (President elect's) victory. Those ballots will be sent to Washington, where they will be counted by Congress on January 6."

The official elector count will be on January 6, 2021, but will probably be shared by the media, et al., starting today.

"Is (the current President) likely to accept the outcome after the electors meet?
Right now it does not seem like he will ever recognize the outcome of the election. He does not need to."
(but the family will probably be ready to leave when the movers arrive)

Rod

[Amigoo]

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

"Built as a 2.2 mile wide circle around an airport terminal, the runway would allow for a high volume of traffic
as several takeoffs and landings could take place simultaneously"

Today's computers could manage these takeoffs and landings on a sloped circular runway, but humans having piloted straight runways for years? Maybe those adept at roller blading on a circular track! The same might be true of air traffic controllers who would need to anticipate how
planes would be interacting on the circular track.

And what happens when landing pilots see a circular track (instead of straight runway)
with only markers for their precise landing point

And what happens to wind currents (and plane vortexes) on such tracks

Best guess: This needs to become a popular video game for several years
in order to starting training the young who will become those pilots.

Rod

[Amigoo]

Re: https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/ca ... imentation

"A professional at a mental health clinic for youth in Western Canada, transgender himself, said he tries to approach gender dysphoria clients in a balanced way, explaining both the risks and benefits of medical transition... I don’t feel good about transitioning someone and giving someone permanent changes to their body when they’re actually a gay woman"

Interesting discussion, hinting that society needs to be more accepting of gay and bisexual identity
rather than quickly promoting medical changes to "complement" that perceived identity.

Rod

[Amigoo]

Re: https://www.investmentwatchblog.com/ble ... attention/

"Miller explains what is happening today as each state presents and casts their votes for state electors.
The only date outlined in the U.S. Constitution is January 20th."

Ignoring the politics (another example of mass media influence) ...
Dec. 14th is when electors vote to identify U.S. President Elect,
Jan. 6th is when the Congress confirms the electors' votes,
Jan. 20th is when the President Elect becomes President.

The U.S. Code* sets the Dec. 14 and Jan. 6 dates
and the U.S. Constitution sets the Jan. 20 date:

* https://www.archives.gov/electoral-college/provisions

Rod

[Amigoo]

Re: https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/14/us/canni ... index.html

"Wisconsin Department of Health warns against eating the 'cannibal sandwich,' a traditional holiday dish in the state"

Unfortunately, gives cannibals a bad name (some cook their meat).

Rod

[Amigoo]

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

"Peloton founder reveals ... he starts the day with 40 sips of water from his hand from the bathroom sink and drinks until he feels he's going to throw up water. Foley began the practice 20 years ago when a colleague told him that hydration is the key to a good day"

On the other hand (en esta casa), hydrating with a mug (1 teabag + 1 1/2 cups water)
of hot green tea is a very motivating way to start the day ... and sans P. pedaling.

Rod

[Amigoo]

Re: https://www.nextgov.com/emerging-tech/2 ... es/170712/

"Intelligence and military researchers want to merge facial recognition with other biometric methods
to identify people from long distances and steep angles"

If public anonymity is preferred, now's the time to create your alternate public face(s)
since you won't know when a drone is peeping "from long distances and steep angles".

Re: https://www.reuters.com/article/japan-m ... SKBN28Q194

"Japanese retailer has come up with a new take on the theme of facial camouflage -
a hyper-realistic mask that models a stranger’s features in three dimensions."

Cool! ... but you need to properly accessorize if changing sex/age identity.

Rod

[Amigoo]

Re: https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news ... y-blockers

"Transgender activist makes argument for all children to be put on puberty blockers until they can determine identity"

"If children can't consent to puberty blockers which pause any permanent changes even with the relevant professional evaluation, how can they consent to the permanent and irreversible changes that come with their own puberty with no professional evaluation whatsoever?"

The transgender twist on the "chicken or egg?" causality dilemma. However, any need for "puberty blockers" suggests that, as a result of DNA at birth, a specific biological sexual direction is already in motion ... despite any later mental rejection of that direction.

The problem may start with DNA (determines how the brain develops as well as biological sexual identity). However ...
that DNA seems unlikely to be so confused hints that nurture - not nature - is the real cause of a later problem.
Or maybe there's no problem with DNA! Perhaps society is still unwilling to accept the atypical behaviors.

Rod

[Amigoo]

Re: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/hindsi ... redictions

"Report says dire climate predictions have failed to materialize"

"The year 2020 is ending as it began in some ways -- with politicians sounding the alarm over the 'existential threat' of climate change and its allegedly catastrophic impacts. But, as many have noted, predictions of climate devastation have historically included major flops."

[a comment] "Modest reductions in greenhouse gasses by the US and Europe over the past 20 years have been more than offset by China's increases alone. Add the rest of the developing world and one can quickly see how futile these feel-good green projects are."

Maybe not so futile, but expectations need to be more realistic ...
until ALL countries participate in the reduction of greenhouse gasses.

Rod

[Amigoo]

Re: https://www.foxnews.com/world/man-maule ... -pet-hippo

"Man mauled to death by pet hippo who said animal was 'like a son' "

Apparently, non-domesticated animals retain that potential wildness
that can still be triggered ... despite displaying pet affection.
Even some dogs seem to have such triggers.

Rod

[Amigoo]

Re: https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/c ... estaurants

"couple converts van to dining room to enjoy restaurants despite COVID restrictions"

"After investing just under $100 to convert the van, the couple is now able to enjoy date nights again, eating takeout meals in the parking lots of their favorite restaurants from the comfort of a table covered by a red-and-white checkered table cloth."

A faux B&B could be next ... and it's best to park where a bathroom might be available.

Rod

[Amigoo]

Re: https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/17/africa/u ... index.html

"The 'Gastrodia agnicellus' -- labeled the 'ugliest orchid in the world' -- is one of this year's newly described plants and fungi, researchers from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (RBG Kew) have announced. The orchid, located in Madagascar, has no leaves, grows from a woolly tuberous stem, and spends most of its life underground, emerging only to flower or produce fruit."

This orchid may not be so ugly to creatures with pre-human vision ... in Madagascar:

Re: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech ... rs-go.html

"The evolution of human vision can be traced back to the very first primates*
that evolved 55 million years ago, a study of a tiny mammal from Madagascar found"

"despite their diminutive size, the endangered grey mouse lemur's visual system
is just as big as that of other primates."

* reference to a small lemur found only on the island of Madagascar.

Rod

[Amigoo]

Re: https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/5 ... ent-delays

"Pfizer says no COVID-19 vaccine production problems or shipment delays"

A quick read of this article hints Pfizer's vaccine contribution
is being limited to allow another vaccine distribution to begin ...
perhaps relating to who profits from the vaccines.

Rod

[Amigoo]

Re: https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/t ... -outbursts

"Tom Cruise to wrap filming for the year early following outbursts"

"Several employees have reportedly quit after the actor's loud and expletive-filled rants on set in which he threatened people's jobs. Now, it appears the 58-year-old actor will be taking a break from filming the movie for an early Christmas holiday"

"Cruise control" comes to mind with this new movie production vehicle.

Rod

[Amigoo]

Re: https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/rev ... 938821001/

"Nordstrom is having a huge sale on face masks for adults and kids right now"

Less than a year into promotion of a new product and it's already time to discount with a "huge sale"!
We might believe that this reflects marketing anticipation of successful widespread vaccination.

Rod

[Amigoo]

Re: https://www.reuters.com/news/picture/co ... USRTX8GSOL

"Coronavirus vaccines roll out around the world"

Today's best caption for this "drive-in" photo:

"Thanks, but I just wanted a burger and fries."

Rod

[Amigoo]

Re: https://populist.press/justice-caught-o ... raud-case/

"Loud Arguments in U.S. Supreme Court"
(after the two commentary paragraphs)

Apparently, even at the highest levels of a judicial system
"the greater good for all" has priority over "right vs wrong" ...
suggesting that wherever there is judicial "wiggle room",
the greater good should (?) be mandated.

Rod

[Amigoo]

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

"Son, 42, wins lawsuit against his parents for throwing away his $25,000 porn collection"

" David Werking, 42, moved back to his parents' house in 2016 after a divorce"
" He brought his stash of pornography and sex toys during the 10-month stay"
"When he moved out, his parents threw away his X-rated collection"
"They claimed some of it included child porn, that he had an addiction"
"Twerking had asked them for his 12 boxes of porn, sex toys, tambourine"

The interesting aspect of this story is the final misspelling of David's name
(his divorce was easy to predict): Apparently, it's "David T. Werking".

Rod

[Amigoo]

Re: https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/2 ... crocodiles

" 'If you turn into a crocodile, it's your problem,' Bolsonaro said on Thursday."

" 'If you become superhuman, if a woman starts to grow a beard or if a man starts to speak
with an effeminate voice, they (drug companies*) will not have anything to do with it,' he said"

A crocodile would be the state's problem (crocodiles don't pay taxes).
However, a bearded woman used to have opportunity in a circus ...
and effeminate men are well-distributed in today's societies.

But a vaccine that puts hair on a bald head would make millions
... as long as the head is still attached ... to the crocodile ...
or bearded woman ... or effeminate man.

* Re: https://bigleaguepolitics.com/you-are-n ... 9-vaccine/

"The US government has granted Pfizer and Moderna immunity from liability
in case people develop severe side effects from their COVID-19 vaccines."

Rod

[Amigoo]

Re: https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/17/business ... index.html

"Becoming a vegan didn't stop Pinky Cole's cravings for fast food. When she got sick of not being able to find the vegan options she wanted, she decided to solve the problem herself. So in 2018 she opened Slutty Vegan, an Atlanta-based restaurant designed to upend expectations with plant-based burgers that could taste good and be a little fun too."

"Slutty Vegan has the One Night Stand, loaded with vegan cheese, vegan bacon, caramelized onions, lettuce and tomato, and the Super Slut, with guacamole, jalapeño and vegan cheese."

"Another crucial growth engine: Buzz around the brand. The party atmosphere at Slutty Vegan restaurants is a key part of its strategy. If people are excited about visiting the store, they'll be willing to shell out for meals that can cost up to $19 each."

New business excitement with "redefined" menu names (everybody wants to be this kind of "slutty").
Not so low-calorie items, but appealing with plant-based nutrition ... and great pandemic timing!
(lotsa outdoor exposure via food trucks).

Since better nutrition is just assumed, this business will likely boom on into 2021,
well-supported by the wealthier (re: $19) Slutty aficionados.

Rod

[Amigoo]

Re: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/a ... ry-up.html

" 'If you're worried about the price, you can't f***ing afford it' ...
Gordon Ramsay hits back at critics of his £19 full English (breakfast)"

Actually, £19 and no bread carbs* is f***ing unrealistic
... but bring your own buns and a guest (with theirs)
since this could make two satisfying meals ...
at a ladies' tea house.

* served with a "pot of beans"

Note: A serious "full English" appears later,
presented by the Fry Up Police.

Rod

[Amigoo]

Re: https://news.trust.org/item/20201219044418-ktub3

"Panama will next week reimpose nationwide curbs on movement by requiring men and women to carry out festive shopping on different days, the health minister said on Friday, imposing drastic measures following a surge in coronavirus cases... with the aim of reducing mobility, purchases will be made by gender"

Since women usually perform the traditional "festive shopping", this suggests that men will have to do more shopping instead of just carrying the packages. Not to worry! Cell phones now permit men to call for advice as they roam the aisles trying to find whatever's on their list.

Rod

[Amigoo]

Re: https://www.frontpagemag.com/point/2020 ... reenfield/

"I Worked Really Hard on My Misspelled, Mathematically-Incorrect, Dissertation"

Once the degree is granted by the institution, the graduate acquires the right to use the associated title
... regardless of later critiques of their degree-qualifying dissertation.

Rod
.

[Amigoo]

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

"Every single US state is being advised to consider ethnic minorities as critical groups for vaccination
with HALF prioritizing black and Hispanic residents over white"

"Racial" priority with positive perspective: If the virus is spreading faster
amongst ethnic minorities, then more vaccination therein is justified.
However, additional vaccines are due to arrive within weeks,
requiring less and less distribution priority.

Rod