tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-176698352024-03-13T18:09:27.559-07:00Terrance this is stupid stuffcomments from a conservative Christian perspective,
sometimes on Oregon local and state issues
<p><i>with thanks to A.E. Housman</i></p>T. D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11952394767212085011noreply@blogger.comBlogger1582125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17669835.post-66754156312171164912024-01-30T23:23:00.000-08:002024-01-30T23:25:08.414-08:00Portland Urban Forestry Division Endangers Lives with Tree Cutting Permit Denial<p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw43HOKJtgUjWnkHdbe-d3QZjj0s1B9m0PPU5yH-WWiAB2TwSCHpxNVHT8O2de7KNNmSz4jnZ71SOpy9yYzNA_NVAiXkEiJRjyfPElno3uUDfFYa8v1f2A9mYoDQ62qTlnIXQ70fB4ACWLYeofMwe98_Rv7RzFX-hZJuDJt3BYqdwC7eUMyBIg8A/s780/OPB-sarah-bond-tree-photo-january2024.png" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="680" data-original-width="780" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw43HOKJtgUjWnkHdbe-d3QZjj0s1B9m0PPU5yH-WWiAB2TwSCHpxNVHT8O2de7KNNmSz4jnZ71SOpy9yYzNA_NVAiXkEiJRjyfPElno3uUDfFYa8v1f2A9mYoDQ62qTlnIXQ70fB4ACWLYeofMwe98_Rv7RzFX-hZJuDJt3BYqdwC7eUMyBIg8A/s320/OPB-sarah-bond-tree-photo-january2024.png" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><a href="<a href="https://www.opb.org/article/2024/01/24/tree-destroy-home-portland-storm/" target="_blank">" target="_blank">OPB reported</a> on a Portland Urban Forestry tree removal permit denial that ended up endangering the lives of the Joel and Sarah Bond's family and destroying their home. </p><p>The <i>Oregonian</i> added:</p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">"Last year, the city refused to issue a removal permit to the Bonds
because the tree 'appears healthy and not dead, dying or dangerous,' the
permit denial letter said.
<br /></p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">"A city inspector took less than five minutes to look at the
trees and told the family it was perfectly normal for them to lean and
sway, Joel
Bond said." </p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">. . .</p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">"Bond said he's disappointed the city's tree
permit system didn't keep his family and property safe. He said the
inspection should have been more rigorous – <b>a recent and more thorough
inspection of the fallen tree showed it was rotten inside, he said, even
though it looked outwardly healthy.</b>" (emphasis added) (<i>Oregonian</i>, January 28, 2024, page A16)<br /></p><p>There were further casualties.<br /></p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">"Falling trees killed an elderly man inside a Lake Oswego home and a
woman trapped inside a Southeast Portland motor home, and they injured
countless other residents. The trees crushed houses, cars, power lines
and power poles, causing millions in property damage and tens of
thousands of power outages." (<i>Oregonian</i>, January 28, 2024, page A1)
</p><p></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgODNlRUv6XDgUzhsxJiGMuFTQZMJw95XT_aSpLq198l8PfMHgwtbyvtepnWDp2J0Pbglj2yw8tYfiInL3JmK7vJ0AF2dNXhZ32cQJzWpiXxZ_bvJw-x83Uv_ZmHVWnN0yfoReLi1O1TSvUy0GtqToKA9PHxXZI7wWXb52YVe8zFYfZNYn5rPBOjw/s1613/011324tree_40pct_9586r_40pc.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1210" data-original-width="1613" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgODNlRUv6XDgUzhsxJiGMuFTQZMJw95XT_aSpLq198l8PfMHgwtbyvtepnWDp2J0Pbglj2yw8tYfiInL3JmK7vJ0AF2dNXhZ32cQJzWpiXxZ_bvJw-x83Uv_ZmHVWnN0yfoReLi1O1TSvUy0GtqToKA9PHxXZI7wWXb52YVe8zFYfZNYn5rPBOjw/s320/011324tree_40pct_9586r_40pc.jpg" width="320" /></a></p>We also had a tree come down in our neighborhood that was pronounced healthy and not dangerous enough to apply for a tree cutting permit two years ago even though it was leaning.What is clear from both of these examples is that arborists don't have great predictive ability on if a tree may be coming down any time soon. Despite that, they have not shown any interest in modifying tree cutting permit policies to error on the side of human safety.<p></p><p>The <i>Oregonian</i>, which reported on the tree disasters, has only come out with a <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20240129050027/https://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2024/01/editorial-portland-should-put-punitive-tree-permit-requirement-on-ice.html" target="_blank">tepid editorial</a> about the senselessness of requiring those whose trees fell to get a $100 retroactive tree removal permit because the storm removed it. "For the city to demand that they secure a permit and pay a $100 fee seems needlessly aggressive and serves no clear purpose." But the editors give only a nod to the predictive failure of the Urban Forestry Division as to inspected trees they said were safe which fell. <br /></p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">"In addition to dropping the permit requirement, the city could do more
to help quell people’s anxieties. As the authority on Portland’s urban
forest, City Forester Jenn Cairo should provide greater communication to
the public about what the city will do in the coming weeks and months
to ensure the health of trees and the safety of the community.
Portlanders’ concerns are merited, considering that arborists have
noted, as in<a href="https://www.oregonlive.com/weather/2024/01/massive-falling-trees-destroy-portland-couples-house-making-them-feel-like-they-were-in-superhero-movie.html" target="_blank"> a recent story by The Oregonian/OregonLive’s Tom Hallman Jr.</a>,
that <b>trees considered stable just a few months ago were among those
that fell. The office should also ensure the diligence of tree
inspections, considering that some homeowners were denied permits for
removing trees that later fell on their homes</b>, as Wozniacka reported." (emphasis added)</p><p style="text-align: left;">Unfortunately, too many modern "experts" speak as though they know the whole truth, when in fact they are guessing at probabilities. Even worse, as in the case of Joel and Sarah Bond, the City inspections can be so cursory as to not truly evaluate the health of the tree. This is negligence if not incompetence and needs to be addressed. <br /></p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><br /><p> </p><p> <br /><br /></p>T. D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11952394767212085011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17669835.post-915085879269897142023-11-17T18:18:00.000-08:002023-11-17T18:22:29.521-08:00Tucker Carlson's Broken Emotional String<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyG1KZWAwUk1ccYYeCVFQzCbrxW-ulkMvaac6phTOJRsol2mBC7gsKeB0qSVt9AleEYfyEDyf2ZrLM' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/i/status/1725127831410123097" target="_blank"><br /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://twitter.com/i/status/1725127831410123097" target="_blank">video above found here</a><br /></div><p></p><p>Tucker Carlson seems like a pleasant enough man, but his response to the torture and killing of Israelis and many other nationalities including at least <a href="https://www.thedailybeast.com/antony-blinken-at-least-33-americans-killed-in-hamas-attack" target="_blank">33 Americans</a> shows a missing string in his emotional response. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, for example, knows something poor Tucker Carlson doesn't. </p><p></p><blockquote>“Every civilian life is equally valuable,” Blinken said. “There is no
hierarchy when it comes to protecting civilian lives. A civilian is a
civilian is a civilian, no matter his or her nationality, ethnicity,
age, gender, faith.”</blockquote><p>Added to the fact that civilians were tortured and killed is the horrifying reality that babies and children were targeted as well as women and the sick and elderly. </p><p>What can you say to someone who just doesn't understand how horrifying death by torture is compared to all the other ways to die? How can you explain that a "disproportionate" response is the only appropriate response? It's why the horrifying ways the Nazis used to kill Jews and dissenters in Germany or the <a href="https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/Museum-Exhibits/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/196797/bataan-death-march/" target="_blank">Bataan death march</a> deaths are much more emotional for most Americans than the deaths from the Japanese surprise attack at Pearl Harbor. Torture makes a difference. </p><p>Very sad that Tucker Carlson is not able to understand that. Though were he given a push button choice for himself or his family to die by torture or die by fentanyl, he would probably choose the latter and be grateful for the choice.</p><p><br /></p>T. D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11952394767212085011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17669835.post-22481531779262340292023-05-29T19:07:00.001-07:002023-05-29T19:07:57.640-07:00Memorial Day flags at Willamette Cemetery - May, 2023<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="530" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AmgjiY32vMY" width="638" youtube-src-id="AmgjiY32vMY"></iframe></div><br /><p>With much gratitude to the veterans who have fought for us and those who paid the ultimate price of their lives. Special honor to my Dad, brothers and uncle who have served. Also, to two cousins who gave their lives in World War II.<br /></p>T. D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11952394767212085011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17669835.post-81128753302120236712023-03-24T00:04:00.001-07:002023-03-24T00:08:38.935-07:001876 German Primer Book Used in Portland Grade School in the 1920's<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVaNAGXH4cea7PkWk_jAL62MGhb9APu_7OZyo5adtLTzxWuQKH21Adm0HPYMdjSObsocTGsVx1P8Kb8QpKCsM2TaWw5kbLPxKWx28EQPPvJf79jHyl0tpMZk0JJqyK4FXRUtEoyeAyAIH_CGdsvfA8ziXE5UOButOV9UDesVywgHY2dPqcwec/s1796/german-primerxr_50y.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1796" data-original-width="1305" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVaNAGXH4cea7PkWk_jAL62MGhb9APu_7OZyo5adtLTzxWuQKH21Adm0HPYMdjSObsocTGsVx1P8Kb8QpKCsM2TaWw5kbLPxKWx28EQPPvJf79jHyl0tpMZk0JJqyK4FXRUtEoyeAyAIH_CGdsvfA8ziXE5UOButOV9UDesVywgHY2dPqcwec/w233-h320/german-primerxr_50y.jpg" width="233" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p style="text-align: left;">Here are photos and a pdf of a German primer used in the 1920's by a student at <a href="https://www.volgagermansportland.info/albina-homestead-schools.html" target="_blank">Albina Homestead School</a> in Portland. Here's a link to the pdf of the book <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fiAZSO-2XRKW1IhVpnZ9cqDoMJd_Rj-E/view?usp=share_link" target="_blank">Neues A B C Buch Sonntags Schulen</a> published in 1876.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiDVVdDa--dT59IYb-sE7KvsRMA086UcCxDMFPbw9JpvczON0pBnD0O_ht1HuVDTEGXapkVrmMoBJ7NkHhUc1ZntA8AhCWTWk-6AjKwsAZtoHcap21Upi7dbCkTpKUdRh3bogNhzwRFxmp9L_uSs1tnsiW_PqdFhPhG_1KD8-69rxm1e8lBo0/s1769/german-primer2xr_50y.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1769" data-original-width="1221" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiDVVdDa--dT59IYb-sE7KvsRMA086UcCxDMFPbw9JpvczON0pBnD0O_ht1HuVDTEGXapkVrmMoBJ7NkHhUc1ZntA8AhCWTWk-6AjKwsAZtoHcap21Upi7dbCkTpKUdRh3bogNhzwRFxmp9L_uSs1tnsiW_PqdFhPhG_1KD8-69rxm1e8lBo0/s320/german-primer2xr_50y.jpg" width="221" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbFCt_g6XEmHiMyjBZ9mEpX_jKkikC1ClPHF7vD_PzkJSVXXwasmMKfS-2xZcNflwO3LLNu44I0kWQNzk566V6MP3EtkugmylIroGk6iDLrBauhtdOQsNqQUDHpOM5Ji0fDhaCAUpY6WHARLoplxzyp3Y8pHZdWCvu0SpXR0-JSuXyYkUvRPU/s1800/german-primer3axr_50y.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1137" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbFCt_g6XEmHiMyjBZ9mEpX_jKkikC1ClPHF7vD_PzkJSVXXwasmMKfS-2xZcNflwO3LLNu44I0kWQNzk566V6MP3EtkugmylIroGk6iDLrBauhtdOQsNqQUDHpOM5Ji0fDhaCAUpY6WHARLoplxzyp3Y8pHZdWCvu0SpXR0-JSuXyYkUvRPU/s320/german-primer3axr_50y.jpg" width="202" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1i8-VWRhDuBDGE9v58GC8XttXrvWweIxkyiIzPuo21LCvSjkk9dyTsMmPOo2SxBodv7gHQO5Xwfemo0V7DEGkSJ1KYawFfGWypCXy3O0kPQbVeGhwLyH0f9JjE-2luze_C5EAWAG57A4Bk1KBw1aFJLgtNp3r-CJENQjnwVhBFdo-53LP4Fs/s1871/german-primer4xr_50y.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1871" data-original-width="1251" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1i8-VWRhDuBDGE9v58GC8XttXrvWweIxkyiIzPuo21LCvSjkk9dyTsMmPOo2SxBodv7gHQO5Xwfemo0V7DEGkSJ1KYawFfGWypCXy3O0kPQbVeGhwLyH0f9JjE-2luze_C5EAWAG57A4Bk1KBw1aFJLgtNp3r-CJENQjnwVhBFdo-53LP4Fs/s320/german-primer4xr_50y.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr-ATVMwwgoLJxI2FwXykziAvrYfCB8FAaHjizGGjH_2WsdtKj9kTZFMFknfLMHtDVXVuubavAwAvnCIM1QCncj6mfN9YYVKdIS7ghTUBc9VN3n7b1nLht0KX0MzUI-BWAdTti1X91EfWYiv5AgGytoZ4vbvdnOqpj_vJ71e5tZOe5yCxkOJg/s1909/german-primer5xr_50y.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1909" data-original-width="1202" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr-ATVMwwgoLJxI2FwXykziAvrYfCB8FAaHjizGGjH_2WsdtKj9kTZFMFknfLMHtDVXVuubavAwAvnCIM1QCncj6mfN9YYVKdIS7ghTUBc9VN3n7b1nLht0KX0MzUI-BWAdTti1X91EfWYiv5AgGytoZ4vbvdnOqpj_vJ71e5tZOe5yCxkOJg/s320/german-primer5xr_50y.jpg" width="201" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>T. D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11952394767212085011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17669835.post-64261765600431800802023-03-23T22:08:00.005-07:002023-03-23T22:43:01.463-07:00Yashica MAT-124G camera manual<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4QL34rhOAJxa3vhvg5UOix4owakLEqcq8L0jMmR8K5zKuVo2Hyju4NVrQHsv7Vi5Ba102gBtncjZgpSX2RACmStWAar3GZXGPnzkcHg8ODX4D0tercHe_wA_mY98z83xI2PwXIsO9gR-C_VPA0g-aADRfo8_tO_30xlBsVUncXfL_gIJaDWA/s1656/yashica-mat-124g-manualxr_50y.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="1161" data-original-width="1656" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4QL34rhOAJxa3vhvg5UOix4owakLEqcq8L0jMmR8K5zKuVo2Hyju4NVrQHsv7Vi5Ba102gBtncjZgpSX2RACmStWAar3GZXGPnzkcHg8ODX4D0tercHe_wA_mY98z83xI2PwXIsO9gR-C_VPA0g-aADRfo8_tO_30xlBsVUncXfL_gIJaDWA/s320/yashica-mat-124g-manualxr_50y.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p> </p><p> </p><p style="margin-left: 120px; text-align: left;"> For those who need a Yashica MAT-124G camera <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1v0NnT9yM9yVBfxOHZgQiop8RPnADoNmi/view?usp=share_link" target="_blank">manual</a>.
</p>T. D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11952394767212085011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17669835.post-12617346634144148792022-10-22T23:45:00.000-07:002022-10-22T23:45:29.025-07:00Arvin Stereo Tape Recorder, Model 83L79 Instruction BookHere's a copy of the <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1aeZ4BvMcdFKEEndpvaFHk9buAspAlTO2/view?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Arvin Stereo Tape Recorder, Model 83L79, instruction book</a>.T. D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11952394767212085011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17669835.post-85526902367859197352021-12-30T23:01:00.004-08:002022-01-01T21:54:06.420-08:00Kaiser Permanente Refuses to Follow CDC Science on COVID Isolation<p><b>UPDATE:</b> Kaiser decided to get in line behind the CDC as of yesterday, they are <a href="https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/oregon-washington/health-wellness/coronavirus-information/testing" target="_blank">going to the 5 day isolation</a>. </p><span style="color: #0d1c3d; font-size: 15px;">
<blockquote><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFv_70UhRpIHRuLNG35O7EWgY0ObD4SR3cMQqjf50ncHmOJs9sHmXEpMWFtNP8ViXKhHuiEVmwY_vec2jumC5ndm97fO5oU9Ow9EWegRZ-fZ7izFgtb8cdoDfi9s86T07YTg5qXPQ7PZgbiy_-hB08nQFd6Kh_M4cfUQ7Ms-Z9WpACiAKn5bE=s1271" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="459" data-original-width="1271" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFv_70UhRpIHRuLNG35O7EWgY0ObD4SR3cMQqjf50ncHmOJs9sHmXEpMWFtNP8ViXKhHuiEVmwY_vec2jumC5ndm97fO5oU9Ow9EWegRZ-fZ7izFgtb8cdoDfi9s86T07YTg5qXPQ7PZgbiy_-hB08nQFd6Kh_M4cfUQ7Ms-Z9WpACiAKn5bE=w640-h232" width="640" /></a></div><br />"For everyone who tests positive for COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status</b>
<ul><li>Stay home for 5 days</li><li>If you have no symptoms or your symptoms are resolving after 5 days, you can leave your home</li><li>Continue to wear a mask anytime around others for at least 5 additional days</li><li>If you have a fever, continue to stay home for at least 24 hours
after your fever resolves without the need for fever-reducing
medications"</li></ul></blockquote><p> </p></span><p></p><p>However, they are still requiring sick and non-sick to stand in the same testing line</p><p>-------- <br /></p><p>Kaiser Permanente (KP) joins the ranks of those who do not believe in following CDC recommendations.</p><p>The <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211231043241/https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2021/s1227-isolation-quarantine-guidance.html" target="_blank">CDC recently changed its COVID protocol</a> to:</p><p></p><blockquote>"Given what we currently know about COVID-19 and the Omicron variant, CDC
is shortening the recommended time for isolation for the public. People
with COVID-19 should isolate for 5 days and if they are asymptomatic or
their symptoms are resolving (without fever for 24 hours), follow that
by 5 days of wearing a mask when around others to minimize the risk of
infecting people they encounter. The change is motivated by science
demonstrating that the majority of SARS-CoV-2 transmission occurs early
in the course of illness, generally in the 1-2 days prior to onset of
symptoms and the 2-3 days after."</blockquote><p>My sister-in-law recently got COVID and was told by a KP doctor that KP is not following the CDC's 5 day isolation recommendation. KP's recommendation <a href=" https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org/health-wellness/coronavirus-information/recovering-at-home" target="_blank">remains 10 days of isolation</a>:</p><p></p><p><b></b></p><blockquote><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh235mtFgrFI0tcE6fnwdkwpa5747848QQ1RSg-JMe4gGiEhStULwqKx_LuKYdvIhJqM_j6waxCmFwKX_AGgG6ws4aM1JSpBQ6ILxWJFp8P8Uv22L_UHuLX0-CHH_DculCrzXvqFcO90fYmOl9ZsM_KklMsa3oyS149EzdvfKpxBX9NQBnkO_U=s1059" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="1059" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh235mtFgrFI0tcE6fnwdkwpa5747848QQ1RSg-JMe4gGiEhStULwqKx_LuKYdvIhJqM_j6waxCmFwKX_AGgG6ws4aM1JSpBQ6ILxWJFp8P8Uv22L_UHuLX0-CHH_DculCrzXvqFcO90fYmOl9ZsM_KklMsa3oyS149EzdvfKpxBX9NQBnkO_U=w640-h213" width="640" /></a></div><b>"If you test positive</b><span>, stay home and
isolate for 10 days and until your symptoms have improved."</span><br /><p></p></blockquote><p></p><p></p><p>KP apparently does not believe in following the CDC's "science". Sounds like KP and the anti-vaxxers are on the same page in distrusting CDC science, even though KP has persecuted and fired employees who did not follow CDC science about the need to be vaccinated even if one has developed truly effective anti-bodies by having survived COVID.</p><p>Personally, on this issue, I think the CDC has far superior information than KP which seems stuck on old variants and habits rather than science and testing. </p><p>KP certainly does not carry its hypersensitive view of isolation to its testing procedures. KP does not separate people who have COVID symptoms from those who need a test in order to travel. Sick and well are all forced to stand in the same line and be tested at the same area. My sister-in-law who was clearly sick was standing in line with a lady waiting for a negative test so she could take a cruise. The KP testing line is a great place to contract COVID since the sick and the well are forced into a single line.<br /></p><p></p><p><br /></p>T. D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11952394767212085011noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17669835.post-20502040527434041302021-12-02T16:57:00.001-08:002021-12-02T23:47:28.840-08:00Snopes Unreliable In Its Vetting of Internet Claims<p>After discovering a falsehood published by <i>Washington Post</i> opinion writer Dana Milbank on NIAID/NIH experiments on beagle puppies, I decided to see if Snopes had picked up on the problem.</p><p>Milbank claimed that the American Association for Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) recommended cutting dogs' vocal cords when experimenting on them. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211107214112/https://www.aaalac.org/news/" target="_blank">AAALAC published a sharp refutation</a> saying that was "<b><u>not</u></b>" in their standards and their organization "<b>has</b> <b><u>not</u></b> <b>made this recommendation.</b>" [emphasis in the original text]<br /></p><p><a href="https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/fauci-vaccine-experiment-beagles/" target="_blank">Snopes has an extremely long analysis</a> done by Madison Dapcevich of the charges against Fauci and NIAID/NIH. Snopes links to well over a thousand pages of Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) documentation given to it by the White Coat Waste (WCW) group that uncovered details about the government funded test on beagle puppies. But Snopes takes at face value a mere statement with no backing documentation on the <a href="https://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/air/NIH_ensure_welfare.htm" target="_blank">NIH website</a> that:</p><p></p><blockquote>“'All animals used in NIH-funded research are protected by laws,
regulations, and policies that ensure the smallest number of subjects
and the greatest commitment to their welfare,' notes the agency on its <a href="https://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/air/NIH_ensure_welfare.htm" rel="noopener" target="_blank">website</a>."</blockquote><p>Even though Snopes verified that the puppies did have their vocal cords removed and were killed at the end of the experiment, Snopes required no evidence that such procedures were either necessary or humane. A mere government assertion was sufficient validation for them. Snopes:<br /></p><p></p><div class="Placement">
</div>
<p></p><blockquote><p>"It is true that all dogs were euthanized following the study and
their organs were analyzed for potential toxicity from the drugs. </p>
<p>"It is also true that the dogs vocal cords were 'cut out.' In an statement emailed to <a href="https://www.medpagetoday.com/special-reports/exclusives/95275" rel="noopener" target="_blank">MedPage Today</a>,
NIAID told the publication that the contract for 'preclinical
pharmacology and toxicology services' was conducted 'as required in
animal models by the FDA, in compliance with Good Laboratory Practice
(GLP) guidelines and in a facility accredited by the Association for
Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care (AAALAC) or its
equivalent.'</p>
<p>“'Vocal cordectomies, conducted humanely under anesthesia, may be used
in research facilities where numerous dogs are present,' the statement
said. 'This is to reduce noise, which is not only stressful to the
animals but can also reach decibel levels that exceed OSHA allowable
limits for people and can lead to hearing loss.'</p>
<p>"<i>The housing and care of the beagles at the time of the study was in
accordance with the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of
Laboratory Animal Care</i>, while welfare requirements were met in
accordance with regulations established by the U.S. Department of
Agriculture through the Animal Welfare Act and Animal Welfare. </p>
<p>“'Every effort will be made to minimize , if not eliminate, pain and
suffering in all animals in this study. Moribund animals and animals
experiencing undue pain and suffering will be euthanized at the
discretion of the Study Director, attending veterinarian, or other
qualified person. The Study Director will make every effort to protect
the scientific validity of the study,' read the document." [emphasis added]<br /></p></blockquote><p>Snopes didn't even do the due diligence of checking with the AAALAC or even reading their website declaration that they do not recommend cordectomies. Snopes also didn't think to ask the Study Director about use of sedatives and pain killers rather than cutting the puppies' vocal cords. Cordectomies are not widely used in human or animal hospitals for reducing stress or sparing the hearing of the medical staff treating patients in pain. Why they should be used in "humane" medical experiments is a question any serious investigator should ask.</p><p>Snopes did not carry out a serious fact check on this issue. It only asked for verifiable evidence from one party, and then slid over the implications of documents verifying those claims while taking the other party's mere assertions as sufficient proof that they did no wrong. From this poorly done fact check one can only draw the conclusion that Snopes is now an unreliable source in vetting internet claims.<br /></p><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p><br /></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <br /></p>T. D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11952394767212085011noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17669835.post-82309026888173777132021-12-02T01:36:00.001-08:002021-12-03T23:22:56.458-08:00Dana Milbank Gave False Information about American Association for Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care Recommending Cordectomies<p><i> </i></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8n2mzuyFAH4kI_JGAhpa7m5hIHpLP_WdRVaDVmNLttNCnI4J9SXJej3KZrvmrTA3VAdqPwOjok3Q7Nuhzh2oHtiNtgsUkdP5Y_WkW5fd2CFzP0eFhXfMXC5T5XGJoLCcwCLhT21z8UAIDT8_TuT02BIfz-IdBjQSh_0tBjhBoknCvJ4CMjIM=s1558" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1558" data-original-width="1358" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg8n2mzuyFAH4kI_JGAhpa7m5hIHpLP_WdRVaDVmNLttNCnI4J9SXJej3KZrvmrTA3VAdqPwOjok3Q7Nuhzh2oHtiNtgsUkdP5Y_WkW5fd2CFzP0eFhXfMXC5T5XGJoLCcwCLhT21z8UAIDT8_TuT02BIfz-IdBjQSh_0tBjhBoknCvJ4CMjIM=s320" width="279" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dana Milbank, 2016 (Wikipedia)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><b>Update: I'm changing the word "lied" to "gave false information". I feel sorry for Milbank who obviously does not have an inner moral compass that would raise a red flag that cutting an animal's (or maybe even a person's) vocal cords is a cruel action if not required because of some grave illness. I went to the AAALAC site because I couldn't believe such an agency would really say that. Dana Milbank did not check his source because he thinks such treatment is reasonable. I'm relieved that the AAALAC doesn't agree.</b><i> <br /></i></p><p><i>Washington Post </i>columnist <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211026130314/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/10/25/fauci-puppy-experiments-conspiracy-republicans/" target="_blank">Dana Milbank </a>gave false information about cordectomies being recommended by the American Association for Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care. He also got their name wrong. Who knows what other "facts" he made up. Below is a statement by the AAALAC refuting Milbank's assertion that they recommend cordectomies.<br /></p><p></p><p><i></i></p><blockquote><p><i>"<a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211107214112/https://www.aaalac.org/news/" target="_blank">October 2021</a></i>
</p><h3>"Correction to an October 25, 2021, <i>Washington Post</i> opinion piece</h3>
<p>"AAALAC International would like to note an important correction to the October 25, 2021, <i>Washington Post opinion piece</i>, 'Why is Anthony Fauci trying to kill my puppy?' For more than 50 years,
AAALAC International has promoted the humane and responsible care,
treatment, and use of animals needed to advance medical and scientific
discoveries. As rightly noted in the article, this research saves lives
and improves the health and well-being of both people and
animals. However, the article states, 'And it is recommended by the
Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care
[sic] that the dogs undergo cordectomies to reduce anxiety (in dogs) and
hearing loss (in humans) from barking.' <b>Such a recommendation is <u><i>not </i></u>contained in our standards and thus AAALAC International has <u><i>not</i></u></b> <b>made this recommendation.</b>" [emphasis in the original statement]<b> </b></p></blockquote><p><b><br /></b></p>T. D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11952394767212085011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17669835.post-67353451618536359012021-12-01T23:22:00.000-08:002021-12-01T23:22:04.604-08:00A Hospital to Skip If You Are at Death's Door: Edward Hospital, in Naperville, Illinois<p>According to <a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/dying-covid-19-patient-recovers-after-court-orders-hospital-to-administer-ivermectin_4130754.html" target="_blank"><i>The Epoch Times</i></a>, <a href="https://www.eehealth.org/about-us/leadership/" target="_blank">Edward Hospital in Naperville, Illinois</a> for over a week resisted court orders to give treatment that eventually saved his life to a man described by a doctor as having only a 10-15% chance of survival from COVID-19.</p><p></p><blockquote><p>"An elderly COVID-19 patient has recovered after a court order allowed
him to be treated with ivermectin, despite objections from the hospital
in which he was staying, according to the family’s attorney.</p>
<p>"After an Illinois hospital insisted on administering expensive
remdesivir to the patient and the treatment failed, his life was saved
after a court ordered that an outside medical doctor be allowed to use
the inexpensive ivermectin to treat him, over the hospital’s strenuous
objections."</p></blockquote><p>Sun Ng, 71, from Hong Kong was visiting his daughter, when he was infected with COVID-19 and within days was critically ill. He was hospitalized on Oct 14. He was intubated and placed on a ventilator a few days later. His daughter, Man Kwan Ng, asked that he be given invermectin after the hospital's remdesivir treatment failed. The hospital refused.</p><p>On November 1st, the daughter took the issue to Judge Paul M. Fullerton of the Circuit Court of DuPage County. He ruled that the hospital had to allow invermectin to be given to Sun Ng. The hospital refused to let Dr. Alan Bain enter the hospital to administer the invermectin. At another hearing November 5, the judge again ruled that the hospital “'immediately allow … temporary emergency
privileges'” to Ng’s physician, Dr. Alan Bain, “'solely to administer
Ivermectin to this patient.'” The hospital again refused to let Dr. Bain enter on November 6th and 7th. </p><p>Finally, the case was again brought to Judge Fullerton on November 8th, and he ruled again that the hospital had to allow Dr. Bain admittance for 15 days to treat his patient. The hospital finally relented.</p><p>Ng recovered and was discharged from the hospital on November 27th.</p><p></p><blockquote><p>“'My father’s recovery is amazing,' his daughter, Man Kwan Ng, said in a statement.</p>
<p>“'My father is a tough man. He was working so hard to survive, and of
course, with God’s holding hands. He weaned off oxygen about three days
after moving out of the ICU. He started oral feeding before hospital
discharge. He returned home without carrying a bottle of oxygen and a
feeding tube installed to his stomach. He can now stand with a walker at
the bedside and practice stepping. After being sedated for a month on a
ventilator in ICU, his performance is beyond our expectations. Praise
the Lord.'”</p></blockquote><p>Why the judge didn't heavily fine the hospital for ignoring his first order is anyone's guess. Why he didn't send to jail those disobeying his second order is incomprehensible. Because fines and jail time are what would have happened to you or me for disobeying court orders. No wonder hospitals act like they are above the law and are masters over their patients. It makes me think that the end of life directives they constantly talk about are so much waste paper. They may well do what they want no matter what you have authorized. <br /></p><p>Unfortunately, this is what modern business-oriented healthcare is like. The patient is not first priority the corporation is.<br /></p><p></p><p> </p><p></p>T. D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11952394767212085011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17669835.post-73398521024067204062021-11-29T18:06:00.005-08:002021-12-12T20:59:56.221-08:00Dana Milbank's Modest Proposal Is Not Satire<p><b>UPDATE: </b>Refuting Milbank's assertion, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211107214112/https://www.aaalac.org/news/" target="_blank">The American Association for Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care denies that it recommends cordectomies for dogs</a>:</p><p></p><blockquote>"For more than 50 years,
AAALAC International has promoted the humane and responsible care,
treatment, and use of animals needed to advance medical and scientific
discoveries. As rightly noted in the article, this research saves lives
and improves the health and well-being of both people and
animals. However, the article states, 'And it is recommended by the
Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care
[sic] that the dogs undergo cordectomies to reduce anxiety (in dogs) and
hearing loss (in humans) from barking.' <b>Such a recommendation is <u><i>not </i></u>contained in our standards and thus AAALAC International has <u><i>not</i></u></b> <b>made this recommendation.</b>" [emphasis in the original statement]</blockquote><p>------- <br /></p><p></p><p>The great Jonathan Swift wrote "<a href="https://www.readwritethink.org/sites/default/files/resources/30827_modestproposal.pdf" target="_blank">A Modest Proposal</a> For preventing the children of poor people in Ireland, from being a burden on their parents or country, and for making them beneficial to the public" as a satire on the "<a href="https://study.com/learn/lesson/a-modest-proposal.html" target="_blank">casual cruelty</a> exhibited by individuals in Ireland with power who ignore or make worse the plight of the poor." Swift's fix was to fatten the children as much as possible and sell them for tasty eating thus eliminating the burden on poor parents to feed and clothe them until adulthood, providing the parents with some income and giving the wealthy a succulent new food item.<br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvsRweGdawD-JNNv17bYfYGR01cB320ODzbHoMvf8TdoFmUzBS1GiiaqkbdP6FxseUxVVUB-24V5C-WeApk4Yq_X5wla9akKj97CHGm9_U1OZIr9b4CTL6VgZkfkytYeJ0izwzng/s1920/beagle-puppy.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1920" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvsRweGdawD-JNNv17bYfYGR01cB320ODzbHoMvf8TdoFmUzBS1GiiaqkbdP6FxseUxVVUB-24V5C-WeApk4Yq_X5wla9akKj97CHGm9_U1OZIr9b4CTL6VgZkfkytYeJ0izwzng/s320/beagle-puppy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211026130314/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/10/25/fauci-puppy-experiments-conspiracy-republicans/" target="_blank"><br />Dana Milbank</a> has done his own modest proposal on treatment of beagle puppies in NIAID testing labs, alas, not as satire. <p></p><p></p><blockquote>"Had right-wing outlets checked with the NIH, they would know that in
another study, which didn’t involve Tunisia and didn’t involve flies,
NIAID-funded researchers did indeed perform cordectomies on 44 beagle
puppies and euthanized them after the study. And here’s why: The Food
and Drug Administration <i>requires</i> researchers to experiment on
non-rodent mammals for certain classes of HIV-AIDS drugs, and for this
study specifically recommended dogs. It is <i>necessary</i> to use young dogs (six to eight months) to assess whether the drugs retard growth. It is <i>mandatory</i> that the dogs be euthanized so researchers can search for damage to organ systems. And it is <i>recommended</i>
by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory
Animal Care that the dogs undergo cordectomies to reduce anxiety (in
dogs) and hearing loss (in humans) from barking. (Beagles are used
because of their uniform size.*)"</blockquote><p>First, it's interesting that Milbank considers concerns about this as being from "right-wing outlets". Nine of 24 U.S. Representatives who signed an <a href="https://mace.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-mace-leads-letter-dr-anthony-fauci-cruel-taxpayer-funded-experiments" target="_blank">October 21, 2021, letter of concern</a> sent to Anthony Fauci, head of NIAID, are Democrats. The right-wing has certainly expanded if it includes them.<br /></p><p></p><p>Second, we find out from Milbank that using dogs is <i>recommended</i>, using puppies is <i>necessary</i>, killing the puppies is <i>mandatory</i> and cutting their vocal cords is <i>recommended</i> by agencies and associations not known for particular interest in the well-being of animals. Much like <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/lobotomy" target="_blank">lobotomies</a> and <a href="https://bpr.berkeley.edu/2020/11/04/americas-forgotten-history-of-forced-sterilization/" target="_blank">forced sterilization</a> were at one time <i>recommended</i> by people and agencies (Nobel prize, federally funded eugenics boards) who had no real interest in the well-being of the victimized individuals. <br /></p><p>Third, Milbank informs us that this testing is IMPORTANT.</p><div><div data-qa="drop-cap-letter"><p class="font--article-body font-copy gray-darkest ma-0 pb-md" data-el="text"></p></div></div><blockquote><div><div data-qa="drop-cap-letter"><p class="font--article-body font-copy gray-darkest ma-0 pb-md" data-el="text">"Above
all, this is no frivolous pursuit: The drugs under study are promising
next-generation antiretrovirals that can be administered to HIV/AIDS
patients less frequently — potentially saving countless human lives.</p></div></div>"No doubt people can find some clunkers in the thousands of studies NIAID funds each year — it has <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20211026130314/https://reporter.nih.gov/" target="_blank">10,000 active projects</a> . . . ."</blockquote><p>Milbank asserts these studies are "promising" and "potentially" life saving. However, Milbank does not point to even one promising or potentially life saving result from any of the tests with the beagle puppies.<br /></p><p>Which is why the 24 U.S. Representatives asked Anthony Fauci some pointed questions.<br /></p><p></p><ul><li><p><span><span><span><span>How many drug tests involving dogs
have been funded by NIAID since January 2018? How much taxpayer money
has been spent on this testing? </span></span></span></span></p></li></ul><p><span><span><span><span></span></span></span></span></p><ul><li><p><span><span><span><span>Since
the Food and Drug Administration has clearly stated that it does not
require dog testing for new drugs, why has NIAID continued to commission
testing on dogs?**</span></span></span></span></p></li></ul><p><span><span><span></span></span></span></p><ul><li><p><span><span><span><span>What
has NIAID done to explore the use of non-canine and non-animal
alternatives to meet FDA data requirements? Please describe in detail.</span></span></span></span></p></li></ul><p><span><span><span><span></span></span></span></span></p><ul><li><p><span><span><span><span>Has
NIAID ever made any dogs available for adoption after the conclusion of
an experiment or testing? If so, how many? If no, why not?</span></span></span></span></p></li></ul><p><span><span><span><span></span></span></span></span></p><ul><li><p><span><span><span><span>Why
has NIAID contracted for cordectomies when they appear to be
scientifically and medically unnecessary? What is the average cost for
each cordectomy performed?*** <br /></span></span></span></span></p></li></ul><p>Whether they get an answer without calling Fauci to actually testify under oath is yet to be seen.</p><p>I personally like question 3: <i>What has NIAID done to explore the use of non-canine and non-animal alternatives to meet FDA data requirements?</i> Actually, I would ask that of the FDA as well. It's seems like they are stuck in the 19th century and incapable of creating or using computerized models or doing non or minimally invasive MRIs, ultrasound, needle biopsies or <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/minimally-invasive-surgery/about/pac-20384771" target="_blank">minimal surgeries</a> that are done regularly both in human and veterinary medicine. </p><i>A righteous person has regard for the life of his animal, <br />But even the compassion of the wicked is cruel.<br />Proverbs 12:10 </i><p>PLEASE write your U.S. Senators and Representative urging them to support (or introduce a senate version of) <a href="https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/1744/text" target="_blank">H.R. 1744 Humane Research and Testing Act of 2021</a>. It's goals are very modest, but at least a start.<br /></p><p>_____<br /></p><p>*<a href="https://dogfoodsmart.com/poodle-growth-chart/" target="_blank">Miniature poodle puppies</a> (1/2" height difference from 2 months to 6 months) and adults are much more uniform in size than <a href="https://puppyweightcalculator.com/beagle-size-guide/" target="_blank">beagle puppies</a> (2"-3" height difference from 2 months to 6 months) and adults, but do not have the <a href="https://www.onegreenplanet.org/animalsandnature/nuclear-history-of-lab-beagles/">sweet, friendly temperament of beagles</a>. Methinks it's the beagles lack of fight that is most attractive to researchers.<br /></p><p>**from the October 21, 2021, letter to Fauci:“The FDA itself has recently stated that it ‘does not mandate that human drugs be studied in dogs.’”</p><p>***from the October 21, 2021, letter: “This cruel procedure [cordectomy, “involves slitting a dog’s vocal cords in order to prevent them from barking, howling, or crying.”]–which is opposed with rare exceptions by the American Veterinary Medical Association, the American Animal Hospital Association, and others”<br /></p>T. D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11952394767212085011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17669835.post-15755725533953268582021-10-21T00:49:00.001-07:002021-10-21T01:07:44.669-07:00COVID Vaccine Persecutors Making Enemies Among the Vaccinated<p>COVID vaccine persecutors are making enemies among the vaccinated. I'm one of them and will do everything in my power to make sure their disgustingly oppressive tactics result in less future vaccinations rather than more.<br /></p><p><a href="https://katu.com/news/local/teachers-bid-farewell-to-students-as-oregons-statewide-vaccine-mandate-arrives" target="_blank">KATU reports</a> that the Springfield school district is treating those it has given exemptions to the same as those without exemptions. That is, they are granting religious and medical "exemptions" in name only as well as making sure the teachers can’t get teaching work elsewhere.</p><p></p><blockquote><p>"The school district says Springfield has 101 unvaccinated employees,
and as of November 1st; 16 of them will no longer be employed with SPS.
According to a memorandum between the School District and the
Springfield Education Association, educators who fail to comply will be
put on unpaid leave effective October 19th through the remainder of the
school year.</p><p>"However, some teachers say they are being dealt the same outcome, despite being granted exceptions.</p><p>“'So
the exception was received by the district but our accommodation is
that we're placed on unpaid leave the rest of the semester,' says Karri
Thiele, a kindergarten teacher at Page Elementary.</p><p>"According to
the memorandum, 'If a request for religious exception is granted, the
district will take reasonable steps to ensure that unvaccinated licensed
staff members are protected from contracting and spreading COVID-19,
which may include but not be limited to requiring weekly testing,
requiring licensed staff member to wear a fitted KN95 mask, and/or
placing a licensed staff member in an unpaid leave status for the
remainder of the school year.'</p><p>"Thiele
was granted a religious exception by the district, but says the only
accommodation offered to her and around 50 fellow coworkers was being
put on unpaid leave effective Tuesday, which Thiele says entails no
access to accrued sick time or health benefits. Teachers are also unable
to find jobs teaching elsewhere, while still contracted to SPS.</p><p>“'Unless
I resign my position with Springfield, I am unable to use my teaching
license for the remainder of the school year,' says Thiele, who feels
the district is holding unvaccinated teachers 'hostage.'”</p></blockquote><p>Meanwhile the <a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/mkt_morningbrief/new-navy-order-unvaccinated-sailors-to-be-discharged-could-face-financial-penalties_4052621.html?utm_source=Morningbrief&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=mb-2021-10-17&mktids=c140660d60f5031e37d861563fe83854&est=qFX25vM5IXmhO1p9n0t5qXjwmkDxR0ySZcb3TSTzaWeU1dPnHTT0H8MhF%2FsOFOJLB3rGZzw4" target="_blank">U.S. Navy is threatening to punish</a> those who do not get vaccinated by not only discharging them but threatening to make them refund bonus incentives and pay for training they have received as well as possible court-martial.<br /></p><p></p><blockquote><p>"Officers may be subject to 'recoupment of unearned special or
incentive pays' in select cases. The COVID authority also 'may seek
recoupment of applicable bonuses, special and incentive pays, and the
cost of training and education for service members refusing the vaccine'
from sailors, the order also says.</p>
<p>"Unvaccinated personnel could also face a court-martial."</p></blockquote><p>From the <a href="https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/Press-Releases/display-pressreleases/Article/2810224/navy-sets-timeline-and-discharge-details-for-those-refusing-the-covid-19-vaccine/" target="_blank">U.S. Navy Office of Information</a>:</p><p></p><blockquote><p>"For Navy service members refusing the vaccine, the CCDA also retains
the authority for administrative processes regarding removal of warfare
qualifications, additional qualification designations (AQD), Navy
Enlisted Classifications (NEC), or sub-specialties, except in cases
where removal authority is otherwise authorized by law or Executive
Order. The CCDA may also seek recoupment of applicable bonuses, special
and incentive pays, and the cost of training and education for service
members refusing the vaccine.</p>
<p>"Those separated only for vaccine refusal will receive no lower than a
general discharge under honorable conditions. This type of discharge
could result in the loss of some veterans’ benefits." <br /></p></blockquote><p>I originally got the vaccine and helped others get it because it seemed reasonable medically. But, no more. Political and military authorities, along with fat cat medical corporations like Kaiser Permanente, have made it a political and moral issue. They need to be opposed.<br /></p><p></p><p> </p><p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>T. D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11952394767212085011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17669835.post-20305067695759561492021-10-13T17:52:00.000-07:002021-10-13T17:52:47.374-07:00Kaiser Permanente: We will be safe when we are all vaccinated. Me: Not really.<p>My father just received a letter from Kaiser Permanente (KP) in response to our concerns over KP depriving people of their livelihood irrespective of their excellence as health care providers. It said, among other things: </p><p>"The large number of unvaccinated individuals has created an increased risk for everyone, and we must do all we can to protect ourselves, each other, and those we serve."</p><p>. . .</p><p>"The majority of our frontline health care workers have already been vaccinated, and Kaiser Permanente required that all employees and physicians be fully vaccinated (or apply for medical or religious exemption) by September 30, 2021."</p><p>Apparently KP does not pay attention to <a href="I've often wondered why there was almost no pushback when Franklin Roosevelt okayed interning 120,000 Japanese (most American citizens) and about 10,000 Germans and Italians in March-October 1942. This internment lasted until December 1944-January 1945. It was a popular move for the vast majority of Americans, and the courts didn't step into until over two years after it began. Fear makes reasonable people unreasonable and willing to persecute their neighbors. Both the media and local, state and the federal government are constantly stoking fear. And, as you point out, Erick, they never admit they were wrong. About a quarter of Oregon's COVID cases are now vaccinated breakthroughs. In August and September about 1/5thttps://www.oregon.gov/oha/covid19/Documents/DataReports/Breakthrough-Case-Report.pdf" target="_blank">Oregon Health Authority statistics</a>. Currently almost 1/4th of all COVID cases are vaccinated "breakthrough" cases. And about 1/5th of all COVID deaths in August and September were vaccinated. That means that vaccinated people are a significant carrier of COVID. And as the significant death rate indicates, these cases are not the "light" cases we have been promised the vaccine would ensure.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihWgFLPrDSYckfATync14QEl4aCAMH6fMarGT-hlDODXxoEcM73dYhToJak4SlY3p3Obna_qBDsvQUU7WnCqhf2qX6h9FvSJw7VAmbGyUxsJxHyUYB9GUZXEOhuex0XYSwn57aXQ/s1001/aug-sep2021covid-death-rate-in-oregon.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="652" data-original-width="1001" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihWgFLPrDSYckfATync14QEl4aCAMH6fMarGT-hlDODXxoEcM73dYhToJak4SlY3p3Obna_qBDsvQUU7WnCqhf2qX6h9FvSJw7VAmbGyUxsJxHyUYB9GUZXEOhuex0XYSwn57aXQ/w640-h416/aug-sep2021covid-death-rate-in-oregon.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />So, we are depriving people of their livelihood for slightly better odds. Given that 75% of Oregonians are vaccinated, your chance of rubbing shoulders with them is much higher than with the 25% unvaccinated. So, though the vaccinated rate of infection is lower, you have three times as much interaction with them than with the unvaccinated. It sort of evens out as to which group is more likely to give you COVID.<p></p><p>KP's inability to understand implications of health data on COVID cases, does not give one much confidence in their ability to understand implications of health data on other issues.<br /></p><p><br /></p><p> <br /></p><p> </p><p> <br /></p>T. D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11952394767212085011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17669835.post-80067055815572899812021-10-07T17:24:00.000-07:002021-10-07T17:24:29.756-07:00Persecution coming to your neighborhood soon: Colorado Hospital Refuses Kidney Transplant to Unvaccinated Woman<p> From <a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/mkt_breakingnews/colorado-hospital-refuses-kidney-transplant-to-woman-over-covid-19-vaccine-refusal_4036808.html?utm_source=News&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=breaking-2021-10-07-1&mktids=fa086841de01cdddadcea9efb1b23ace&est=nhpPPikVEekJvCRXPvSHQN1p8NSk5NbaL%2Fuwn1KNyRfBImJf%2BFDVHC9sWlylBGEisdfFbaU4" target="_blank">The Epoch Times</a> (article behind a paywall):<br /></p><p></p><p></p><blockquote><p>A hospital in <a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/t-colorado" target="_blank">Colorado</a> rejected a woman for a kidney transplant after she refused to get a COVID-19 vaccine, officials have confirmed.</p>
<p>Leilani Lutali received a letter on Sept. 28 informing her that the
transplant team at the University of Colorado Hospital decided to
designate her inactive on the waiting list for transplants.</p>
<p>“You will be inactivated on the list for non-compliance by not receiving the COVID vaccine,” the letter states.</p>
<p>If Lutali continues to refuse to get a vaccine, she “will be removed from the kidney transplant list,” it added.</p>
<p>Neither Lutali nor her designated donor, Jaimee Fougner, have
received a COVID-19 vaccine. Fougner hasn’t for religious reasons, while
Lutali believes there isn’t enough known about the vaccines, <a href="https://denver.cbslocal.com/2021/10/06/uchealth-kidney-transplant-covid-vaccine/" target="_blank">they told KCNC-TV</a>.</p>
<p>According to Lutali, hospital officials previously said vaccination wasn’t required to get a transplant.</p></blockquote><p>We found out the one of our favorite medical providers at Kaiser Pemanente is "no longer available". Nationwide Kaiser has put 8,000 on "unpaid administrative leave" soon to turn to termination if they don't get vaccinated. According to the <i>Oregonian</i> (if you can believe them), 190 local medical professionals have been put on "unpaid administrative leave". A screenshot from a recent<i> Oregonian</i> email headline blast.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoh7cZMqLr5zZ-DDk8Gs8fHgGIgisR1heLo9BjGXmrbZnSrmk5Q59IP2gJ-e9pTgCwEo1SHLDKWaVB9LSplPvp23B5-Jy0JAl6eP-PZhcuC_dSYt_g5C2sFMFA84EJsPsSh6rK0A/s920/100621oregonian-190-employees-put-on-administrative-leave.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="267" data-original-width="920" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoh7cZMqLr5zZ-DDk8Gs8fHgGIgisR1heLo9BjGXmrbZnSrmk5Q59IP2gJ-e9pTgCwEo1SHLDKWaVB9LSplPvp23B5-Jy0JAl6eP-PZhcuC_dSYt_g5C2sFMFA84EJsPsSh6rK0A/w640-h186/100621oregonian-190-employees-put-on-administrative-leave.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p>Be prepared for denial of medical treatment if you are not vaccinated (doesn't matter if you have had COVID and have natural antibodies). This isn't about science or medicine. It's about politics and ability to force people to do the will of those who rule.</p><p>Consider this: 75% of Oregonians have been vaccinated, but still last week <a href="https://www.oregon.gov/oha/covid19/Documents/DataReports/Breakthrough-Case-Report.pdf" target="_blank">24.4% of current COVID cases in Oregon</a> come from the vaccinated. They are called breakthrough cases. Notice the percentage rise in the last 6 weeks from 18.9% to 24.4%.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwIFK24L-7uaG_HZ1K6XIJhP0Zqg0WCPel5ObXohAHG9_ZLH6-sM_sw1FKGwPc8QDq8OGOCFabuDOe1KisRP0fnxH4M9b01-YTpsdcfxgSwHE2CSp0L-IzIL8yiTQu_fyaRrC9WA/s1057/oregon-breakthrough-aug28-oct2-2021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="462" data-original-width="1057" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwIFK24L-7uaG_HZ1K6XIJhP0Zqg0WCPel5ObXohAHG9_ZLH6-sM_sw1FKGwPc8QDq8OGOCFabuDOe1KisRP0fnxH4M9b01-YTpsdcfxgSwHE2CSp0L-IzIL8yiTQu_fyaRrC9WA/w640-h280/oregon-breakthrough-aug28-oct2-2021.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>Vaccinated people get COVID and can infect other vaccinated and unvaccinated people.<br /></p><p>Persecution has already started. Look at the willing collaboration of the big medical insurance/provider companies to terminate their people even though there has not been a significant outbreak shown to come from non-vaccinated medical personnel. The Colorado hospital case shows that persecution will spread to include non-treatment of patients who refuse vaccination. <br /></p><p>If it does, I will ask Kaiser Permanente to drop my name from their vaccinated list. I'd rather be like the story* of the many Norwegians who came out with a star of David on their sleeves after the Nazis required that all Jews in Norway wear that sign. I want to join the persecuted rather than stay with jackbooted persecutors.</p><p>---------- <br /></p><p>*apparently apochryphal<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p>T. D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11952394767212085011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17669835.post-22357594398478050392021-06-17T02:11:00.000-07:002021-06-17T02:11:14.475-07:00Democrats in Oregon Legislature Vote to Make Public Education a FarceFrom the <i>Oregonian</i>:
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2AqPkJJZNC19PcyjYBmjmLJ3BBz8rNIp8yM25JFBEfBXplMQJ7LBxgLT75ZTNXi0fTdmKCi3qKnaVA1KZWh786SoN010h9J56R-Q2DthJO8R5AvjsBgZdlm_vKjfVjj3QHwe-6Q/s668/oregon-democrats-approve-no-math-english-requirements-for-graduation1.jpg" style="clear: left; display: block; float: left; padding: 1em 0px; text-align: center;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="157" data-original-width="668" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2AqPkJJZNC19PcyjYBmjmLJ3BBz8rNIp8yM25JFBEfBXplMQJ7LBxgLT75ZTNXi0fTdmKCi3qKnaVA1KZWh786SoN010h9J56R-Q2DthJO8R5AvjsBgZdlm_vKjfVjj3QHwe-6Q/s400/oregon-democrats-approve-no-math-english-requirements-for-graduation1.jpg" width="400" /></a> <br /></div><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2uIXMMl_vJfRM5pLBDT6Fy5rZLHVxr7Rms1ctwS1y-gdiLR6nPx2QYw3G3GXtxmKDarzU0G9fmtQRPjKFUe24Ljwl43AJ-_9-DsPJ58yAIFBo_x7CF5yPgBJIWp7rLqft-UKhig/s657/oregon-democrats-approve-no-math-english-requirements-for-graduation2.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="126" data-original-width="657" height="76" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2uIXMMl_vJfRM5pLBDT6Fy5rZLHVxr7Rms1ctwS1y-gdiLR6nPx2QYw3G3GXtxmKDarzU0G9fmtQRPjKFUe24Ljwl43AJ-_9-DsPJ58yAIFBo_x7CF5yPgBJIWp7rLqft-UKhig/w400-h76/oregon-democrats-approve-no-math-english-requirements-for-graduation2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>According to reporter Betsy Hammond, the vote was mostly along party lines. Democrats
want no standards. Republicans want basic education standards. <br /></p><p>“A bill that prohibits Oregon schools from requiring students to show they can read, write and do math at basic high school level is headed to Gov. Kate Brown after lawmakers gave final approval Wednesday.”<br />. . .<br />“The decision to remove the skills requirement was largely but not entirely a party-line one, with Democrats staunchly opposing the proficiency rules and Republicans decrying what they see as a lowering of academic standards.” </p><p>While shoveling a new high of $9.3 billion into <a href="https://www.opb.org/article/2021/06/03/oregon-lawmakers-pass-9-billion-dollar-budget-for-k-12-schools/" target="_blank">state public education</a>,
Oregon Democrats are prohibiting public schools from requiring that
students get a basic level of education to graduate. This is the sort of
entrenched racism that Black, Hispanic and Native American students commonly face when
entering the public school system. There are no institutional
expectations of them succeeding. And the same holds for children of
lower income families. <br /></p><p>It's no wonder that homeschooling has had it's fastest growth among <a href="https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2021/03/homeschooling-on-the-rise-during-covid-19-pandemic.html" target="_blank">Black and Hispanic families</a> according to census.gov.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglhpd6RB5vXFHOlIvSeCCsCfJ-mzI3YviWXa7-XKyC4vIMbC0h0kr5Us42ms4AVFYhI2bUdf0ZZvlfjdNNwMAANSIUEkJzqxqOWP7d1PqSk0o6RkWzUt6kpzuRwfcrNpno15uNYQ/s739/homeschool-growth-rate.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="592" data-original-width="739" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglhpd6RB5vXFHOlIvSeCCsCfJ-mzI3YviWXa7-XKyC4vIMbC0h0kr5Us42ms4AVFYhI2bUdf0ZZvlfjdNNwMAANSIUEkJzqxqOWP7d1PqSk0o6RkWzUt6kpzuRwfcrNpno15uNYQ/w640-h512/homeschool-growth-rate.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>The public schools are failing children and families, and the Democrats in the Oregon legislature just voted to ensure that continues.<br /><p></p>T. D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11952394767212085011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17669835.post-48733307985001587982021-05-15T23:48:00.000-07:002021-05-15T23:48:36.083-07:00Oregonian Headlines that State the Obvious Long After It Has Become Obvious<p><span style="font-size: large;">Portland’s mayor and City Council please almost no one with their leadership on homelessness, protests </span><br /><br /> <span style="font-size: large;">Downtown in distress: Portland’s core is unsafe and uninviting, residents say in new poll, threatening city’s recovery <br /> <br /><a href="https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/2021/05/after-3-portland-homicides-in-1-week-officials-sound-alarm-theres-a-cycle-of-violence-here-that-were-trying-to-break.html" target="_blank">After 3 Portland homicides in 1 week, officials sound alarm: ‘There’s a cycle of violence here we’re trying to break’</a><br /> <br />Travelers slow to return to downtown Portland hotels amid pandemic; concerns linger over city’s reputation </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Protesters shatter downtown Portland windows; police declare riot </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The only real question is why it has taken the <i>Oregonian</i> and other supposed City leaders this long to recognize the crisis has been poorly handled. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Headlines like this a year after continuing riots and shootings began is clear indication that the Mayor and City Council have been negligent in carrying out basic governmental responsibilities. That the <i>Oregonian</i> hasn't been on this from month 1, let alone week 1, says something about their political stance blinding their common sense. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">Anyone who has gone downtown or knows someone who goes downtown realizes that things are even worse than the <i>Oregonian</i> lets on. Same with gun violence. Just in my little circle I am told that residents commonly hear gun shots at night in neighborhoods that used to be peaceful. One gets better news from friends and acquaintances than from the <i>Oregonian</i>. This is one reason, <a href="https://terrancethisisstupidstuff.blogspot.com/2020/11/oregonian-dailys-paid-circulation.html" target="_blank">Oregon subscriptions keep plummeting</a>.</span><br /></p><p></p>T. D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11952394767212085011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17669835.post-55900813147967386132021-03-04T22:17:00.000-08:002021-03-04T22:17:39.618-08:00Words That Strike Fear: PBOT Is Installing "Safety and Pedestrian Upgrades" on a Nearby Street<p>We received notification that PBOT (Portland Bureau of Transportation) is installing "Safety and Pedestrian Upgrades" on a street near us. Why should that strike fear? </p><p>The last nearby safety and pedestrian upgrades forced all users of mass transit to cross a lane of traffic to get to the transit stop. Before the "upgrades" all they had to do was stand on the sidewalk. Now they have to cross a lane of bicycle traffic. It's normally very sparse, but cyclists that do use it often speed along in their lane and, unlike motor vehicles, never stop for pedestrians. </p><p>Why PBOT thinks it is safer for pedestrians to get on an island in the middle of two lanes of traffic to board the bus rather than merely stand on the sidewalk is beyond me. Of course, people with disabilities are really at a disadvantage as they can't move as fast in the face of oncoming cyclist traffic.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOdaqOYrHqJvRwspR-G0hOuW2EVBPqvfWYiA7FqCzbl9ZEKrHYT7xfKEtxu08RG3qcIPooJZoNKnTd4YIbpIbcCh4fsltc3-7llrkAFIu94gfyt_-R8Oqu3lki7NoUUJttVNlehQ/s1457/bus-stop.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="761" data-original-width="1457" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOdaqOYrHqJvRwspR-G0hOuW2EVBPqvfWYiA7FqCzbl9ZEKrHYT7xfKEtxu08RG3qcIPooJZoNKnTd4YIbpIbcCh4fsltc3-7llrkAFIu94gfyt_-R8Oqu3lki7NoUUJttVNlehQ/s16000/bus-stop.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p>Here's a photo of the PBOT "improvement". The white X in the upper middle of the picture is over the old bus stop shelter. You can see that bus riders did not have to cross a lane of traffic to catch the bus. They merely had to stand on the sidewalk. Now they have to cross the green bicycle lane to enter the bus. The bus has to stop in the middle of the motor vehicle lane to pick up passengers, and those waiting for the bus have to stand on an island with motor vehicles whizzing by a foot or two from them in front and bicycles swishing by within inches of them in the back. What is safer about this arrangement for pedestrians?</p><p>Pedestrians are supposed to have priority for PBOT because walking is the most basic mode of transportation. But, here, PBOT has improved nothing for pedestrians in general and made life much more dangerous for pedestrians seeking bus transportation.<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>T. D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11952394767212085011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17669835.post-58889072623003044402021-02-11T23:36:00.001-08:002021-02-11T23:38:09.203-08:00Uncommon Knowledge: The Impeachment of a Former President, with Richard Epstein, Andrew McCarthy, and John Yoo<p>This is a rarity: a rational, intelligent discussion on Trump and the impeachment trial in the Senate. Well worth the 80 minutes. </p><p>It was a balm to my soul after the constant barrage of hysterics from Trump supporters and Trump opponents in the conservative movement. I was beginning to fear that the entire conservative movement had lost its head.<br /></p><p></p><p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ywWzTul3_aQ?start=1" width="560"></iframe></p>T. D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11952394767212085011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17669835.post-46527564277468427372021-02-06T02:11:00.001-08:002021-02-06T02:11:54.706-08:00Ben Sasse - Acting Like a Radical Not a Conservative<p>I used to like Ben Sasse a lot. But, his latest <a href="https://youtu.be/-jCnUHNeTkg" target="_blank">attempt to evade a censure</a> for his vote that the Senate should try Trump on impeachment articles even though Trump is no longer president is somewhat disingenuous. First, he doesn't even mention that his view of what impeachment is for is a central issue--not his disagreements with Trump's words and actions.</p><p>Second, he is setting a horrible constitutional precedent that is in no way conservative. And, he is stoking the fires that "rule of law" means punishing those you disagree with. There's not a more sure fire way to destroy our Republic than that.<br /></p><p>That he is trying to change the rules is clear from the threat of impeachment that caused Richard Nixon to resign. Everyone knew that if Nixon resigned (and was out of office), he wouldn't be impeached. That was in the 1970's when politics were about as ugly as at any time in my life except today.</p><p>Sasse and the Democrats believe impeachment should be a kind of censure rather than a tool in which "The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the United States <b>shall be removed from Office</b>" if found guilty of committing "Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors" (see <a href="https://constitution.congress.gov/constitution/article-2/#article-2-section-4" target="_blank">Article II, Section 4</a>). [emphasis added]</p><p>If you can use impeachment as a public punishment to those you disagree with, or who have been the author of policies that have caused grief irrespective of if they hold office or not, where will you stop? Impeach Franklin Roosevelt for interning 120,000 Japanese Americans? How about George W. Bush for the big lie that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction and we should go to war? Of course, Bush's friends, including me, think he honestly believed they did have such weapons. But, unless you can read men's hearts, there's no way to say for sure. </p><p>In light of his vote, I can't see how Sasse could make a credible case that Roosevelt, Nixon, Bush, Cheney, Reagan should not be impeached and judged guilty by the Senate irrespective of the fact that they cannot be removed from office since they hold no office. I know, there's the phrase that impeachment includes "disqualification to hold and enjoy any Office
of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States" as well as removal from office. (<a href="https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/artI-S3-C7-1-1/ALDE_00000037/" target="_blank">Article 1, Section 3, Clause 7</a>) That couldn't apply to Franklin Roosevelt or Nixon, but could apply to George W. Bush, Dick Cheney and every other living President, Vice President or civil officer.<br /></p><p>None of this stretching of impeachment beyond any way it has been used in the past 200 years of the country's history is conservative or conducive of a peaceful, democratic society in which the rights of the minority are protected. </p><p>Senator Sasse should be ashamed of himself for voting to rip up constitutional precedent just because he is incensed by Donald Trump's antics. Put that up against tearing away the property and interning 120,000 innocent American Japanese or the impact on thousands of US military men killed or maimed in the Iraq war. It kind of pales into insignificance. <br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>T. D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11952394767212085011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17669835.post-10054362032179940852021-02-04T00:19:00.001-08:002021-02-04T00:19:59.737-08:00Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine Apparently Has Bad Side Effects for Younger Adults<p>I hear from a friend with a 30 something niece who cares for the elderly that she experienced bad flu like symptoms of diarrhea, nausea, extreme fatigue for two days after receiving the second Pfizer shot. She compared notes with other younger co-workers. A significant number of them got the same flu-like side effects about 16 hours after getting the shot. </p><p>Interesting that no one is monitoring the shots or their after effects. One would think the medical profession would be interested in getting feedback on the new vaccine in order to give all the millions yet to take the shot a heads up on what they might encounter. </p><p>Though, of course, bad side effect reports would not go along with the narrative the "experts" and "officials" give that the vaccination is almost totally good. Which is why one is always skeptical of their claims. They talk with complete authority until one of their claims is proved false. Then, and only then, do they fall back on the line that this is a new thing and they are learning too. But, they don't say that up front when trying to influence people and policies.<br /></p><p>My friend who did a little research says that some have suggested that the vaccine is much harsher on younger people with strong immune systems than with older people. My friend who is 70 something and does volunteer help for older people with financial needs got the first shot yesterday. If there are bad side effects to report, I'll post on it. <br /></p><p><br /></p>T. D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11952394767212085011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17669835.post-88480272162519046022020-12-14T01:00:00.006-08:002020-12-14T01:04:48.632-08:00A Blast from the Past: Tik-Tok Menu and Scotty's Ad<p>Just recently I was looking at my dad's Benson High School yearbook. Inserted in the front cover was the Tik-Tok menu below:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyc-ZxVBQFHpVwvhOoV_-d_ZHmkkBpuyZyEaeFtI6TfiGuqIoaPuc5lw3amPyUWZ89iVy9p0q_-YGDQqBlM_4kZsZGTfnXRE5zvatKLH00ln_yTFJ5GJgwc7zUBnfJwKZgV7icSg/s746/tik-tok-menu-all.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="612" data-original-width="746" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyc-ZxVBQFHpVwvhOoV_-d_ZHmkkBpuyZyEaeFtI6TfiGuqIoaPuc5lw3amPyUWZ89iVy9p0q_-YGDQqBlM_4kZsZGTfnXRE5zvatKLH00ln_yTFJ5GJgwc7zUBnfJwKZgV7icSg/w640-h526/tik-tok-menu-all.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>We never went to the Tik Tok that I remember, but my dad and mom dated while she was a carhop there in 1943-1944. So, we have heard about it all our lives.<br /></p><p>The menu is one half page (front and back). Interesting that you could get a burger, fries and milkshake there in 1943-1944 for 55 cents with an extra 5 cent charge to have it taken to your car. Kind of neat to see what the full menu was.</p><p></p><p>Awhile back I found a Scotty's ad from a 1955 <i>Oregonian</i>. When I was a
kid my parents would take me and my older brother to Scotty's for a
special treat of hamburger and french fries. It was more a McDonald's
sized burger and fries. We never got the milkshake. But, my dad would
order a number of hamburgers, and he would eat enough of them to fill
him up. My mom, older brother and I were usually satisfied with one
hamburger and fries. It was a fun time.<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSmkQKTxUcfpHj9vyC8p5Ecq03gT5wBX2nm0nFnX0Ta5O5o3HOjM0PQI-cKLr0Rh6zLsgBF0525vHjdiqwFx2jEEJ3FTSGUF-GJtcBkHALBcNyjBJv3qTZJPxOMYVMQIJ0Kc90CA/s1252/Scottys-ad-The_Sunday_Oregonian.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1252" data-original-width="1192" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSmkQKTxUcfpHj9vyC8p5Ecq03gT5wBX2nm0nFnX0Ta5O5o3HOjM0PQI-cKLr0Rh6zLsgBF0525vHjdiqwFx2jEEJ3FTSGUF-GJtcBkHALBcNyjBJv3qTZJPxOMYVMQIJ0Kc90CA/w381-h400/Scottys-ad-The_Sunday_Oregonian.jpg" width="381" /></a></div><p>Later, when McDonald's came to Portland, I remember you could get a hamburger (15 cents) and fries (10 cents) for a quarter. I don't remember how much a milkshake was. It wasn't a special family place though we did go there, but I went with my teenage friends there quite often for a cheap outing.<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p> </p><p> </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><br /><br />T. D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11952394767212085011noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17669835.post-63778476166989163462020-11-29T03:06:00.000-08:002020-11-29T03:06:24.839-08:00Oregonian Daily's Paid Circulation Declines 18% From Last Year<p>The <i>Oregonian</i> published it's Statement of Ownership information this month. This is required of newspapers and magazines using the U.S. Post Office to deliver copies of their publication.</p><p><br />The news was not good. <i>Oregonian </i>daily paid circulation for the August 28, 2020 Friday issue was 49,118. That's a drop of more than 10,000 from the August 23, 2019 Friday paid circulation of 59,998. It's an 18% loss in one year.</p><p> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS79AqlNPGuub5yEY8XMie0xU6NJf97Ao1SZIxG-azM58eDYyUd3Z0vEdKgSuMVrQkrmzdXPDQcRPBc6wxkoUk-CKRNugOBbu2TS40mKsUkC-tecQHtW_zr07kgu1GIUbD0iO2Tw/s350/oregonian-circulation-2012-2020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="287" data-original-width="350" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS79AqlNPGuub5yEY8XMie0xU6NJf97Ao1SZIxG-azM58eDYyUd3Z0vEdKgSuMVrQkrmzdXPDQcRPBc6wxkoUk-CKRNugOBbu2TS40mKsUkC-tecQHtW_zr07kgu1GIUbD0iO2Tw/w400-h328/oregonian-circulation-2012-2020.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>The daily paid circulation in 2012 was 219,997. There has been an astonishing 75% decline in daily paid circulation since then.</p><p> The Sunday edition's paid circulation fared slightly better than the daily with a 15% loss from 82,054 in 2019 to 69,726 in 2020. I only have stats from 2014 on the Sunday paper, but it is down 65% from 2014's paid circulation of 203,031. </p><p>Unfortunately, the steep fall in paid circulation follows upon an even worse slump in good reporting and editing. (See my <a href="https://terrancethisisstupidstuff.blogspot.com/2020/11/oregonian-gives-gov-brown-credit-for.html" target="_blank">last post</a> on a poorly written article published earlier this month on Governor Brown's plan to spend $55 million in federal aid to help Oregon businesses suffering from COVID-19-related losses.) </p><p><br /></p>T. D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11952394767212085011noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17669835.post-87960998350305096202020-11-29T01:02:00.001-08:002020-11-29T01:02:15.766-08:00Oregonian Gives Gov. Brown Credit for "Giving State Aid" with Federal Money<p>Here's the headline: <a href="https://www.oregonlive.com/business/2020/11/oregon-gov-kate-brown-pledges-55-million-in-state-aid-for-businesses-hurt-by-covid-19.html" target="_blank">Oregon Gov. Kate Brown pledges $55 million in state aid for businesses hurt by COVID-19</a></p><p>I thought, "Wow! Governor Brown is finally giving state money to help businesses hurt by her policies." NOT! <br /></p><p>The money is federal aid given to the state to administer. It's not state money. It took the <i>Oregonian</i> until the 7th of 9 paragraphs to note that Governor Brown was giving federal money not state money.</p><p></p><blockquote>"The $55 million relief funds come from federal CARES Act funds Congress approved in March. The governor’s office said Tuesday she set some of Oregon’s share aside anticipating additional business support might be needed later in the pandemic." <br /></blockquote>If the money was approved in March and <a href="https://www.oregonlive.com/coronavirus/2020/04/oregon-expects-245-billion-in-federal-coronavirus-relief-including-direct-money-for-portland-and-multnomah-washington-counties.html" target="_blank">distributed in April</a>, why did the Governor wait until mid-November to distribute the federal relief money? The City of Portland made its plans for distribution of CARES Act funds <a href="https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/2020/07/portland-approves-114-million-cares-act-spending-plan-for-coronavirus-related-aid.html" target="_blank">in July</a>. Except for Portland, Multnomah and Washington counties, CARES aid to the other cities and counties in the state had to go through the Governor.<br /><p></p><p>As to why it finally comes in November, there is a partial answer. Governor Brown can't wait much longer to spend the money as it "must be allocated by the end of the year unless Congress grants an extension to the states." So, the clock ticking since March is close to running down.</p><p>It's a poorly done story from the beginning. Governor Brown isn't giving state aid, she's administering federal funds. It's as though the reporter, Mike Rogoway, knows nothing about the CARES aid and what better administered jurisdictions in Oregon have done much earlier than the Governor with their funds. </p><p>This is why paid circulation of the <i>Oregonian</i> keeps dropping. This isn't just an inept reporter. This is an issue those in charge of editing the newspaper should know about and did not show due diligence in overseeing the work of the reporter and how the story was presented. The earlier stories by Everton Bailey Jr. cited above were informative. This story reads like a regurgitation of a press release puff piece put out by Governor Brown's office. The <i>Oregonian</i>'s quality of reporting and editing is, to say it kindly, uneven. (See my next post for the latest bad news for the <i>Oregonian</i> on paid circulation decline.)<br /></p><p> </p><p> <br /></p>T. D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11952394767212085011noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17669835.post-9282700824166396252020-11-10T18:55:00.004-08:002020-11-10T19:14:14.154-08:00Musings About the Election<p>I basically dropped out of following politics the last four years. It has been the most peaceful four years of my adult life. Heh.</p><p>But, some things filter through. I've been musing over the bits and pieces I've heard.</p><p>1. Personality/Character. Donald Trump lost (if he has lost) because of his character. I know people who normally vote Republican who actually voted for Biden just because Biden is "nicer" and they were sick of the name calling and rudeness of Trump. Unfortunately, Trump's political friends (I'm thinking here especially of some evangelical leaders), didn't help Donald Trump as long ago the prophet Daniel tried to help Nebuchadnezzar turn from his arrogance. (<a href="https://biblehub.com/daniel/4-27.htm" target="_blank">Daniel 4:27</a>)<br /></p><p>I didn't vote for Trump last time, but did this time. I was able to do it because I didn't listen to very much of what he said and almost nothing of what the media said over the past four years. So I did not gag like some of my friends at the thought of four more years of President Trump. I did notice the confirmation of three supreme court justices who seem to want to interpret the constitution rather than mold it to follow their own views. On the other hand as nice as Joe Biden may or may not be, he is for easy abortion--easy killing of babies. That makes me truly gag.<br /></p><p>2. Bizarre infighting. I am astounded at how crazy the infighting is among conservatives on Trump. I also gave up Twitter for four years. Ah, what relief that was! I took a few peeks this election season and got out of there as fast as I could. The comments were mostly bizarre to someone who had not been immersed in the political back and forth. Some people seem to only live for Trump's defeat others only for his re-election. Life, even political life, is bigger than that.</p><p>3. Fighting in court about the election. What a tight election. We thought 2000 was hard. People who were so glad George Bush fought the methods of counting votes in Florida are bewailing how Trump's very similar fight will bring the republic down! I, on the other hand, think if we keep on going like we are where at least <a href="https://www.npr.org/2018/09/17/647421039/npr-marist-poll-40-percent-of-americans-think-elections-arent-fair" target="_blank">40% of Americans think their votes are not fairly counted</a>, the country is headed for a dictatorship or anarchy. If you don't believe you have a fair chance to make political changes, why stick with the current system? In that poll only 9% of Republicans felt that votes were not fairly counted. Today lots more Republicans than that feel the vote counting system is unfair. Add those in, and even subtracting the Democrats who are now somewhat happy, I bet the leap is up to over 50% of Americans who don't trust the election system.</p><p>I'm for both sides fighting in the courts, with evidence, for fair elections. The courts may not give them, but at least there's some chance of bringing the facts out about how votes actually are counted or how additions are made to or subtractions taken from legal votes. I like to see a light shined on shenanigans. That almost never happens in either the executive or legislative branches of government. </p><p>4. Corrupt media. The same people who four years ago were <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/04/19/democrats-are-winning-the-supreme-court-fight-over-merrick-garland-big-time/" target="_blank">touting</a> people who wanted to give Obama's supreme court pick (Merrick Garland) a vote were calling only the Republican side <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/21/politics/mitch-mcconnell-merrick-garland-scotus-vacancy/index.html" target="_blank">hypocritical</a> for supporting Trump's right to make a pick. Not a word about the hypocrisy of the media and Democrats who made the same 180 degree swing. Twice I heard a local TV news anchor intone that Republicans had changed their position without a word about Democrats having changed their position too. If you didn't remember the story, you would be led to believe the inferred lie that only Republicans had changed their position. If you depend on the media for information and insight, you of all people are to be most pitied. Your view of reality is badly skewed.*<br /></p><p>5. Bottom line. The next President will have huge problems to tackle including an escalating national debt that neither major party now cares about. Bread and circuses. A country of voters who believe a lying media and have no self-discipline to do what is right or please the God of compassion and truth. That's what will bring the country down not a court battle over this election or even the election of either a bumbling leader or a bad-mannered one. </p><p>-----</p><p>*Another instance of media lying by omitting or downplaying facts is the <i>Oregonian</i> <a href="https://terrancethisisstupidstuff.blogspot.com/2020/10/oregonian-has-trouble-explaining.html" target="_blank">inferring COVID-19 is the main cause</a> of the wreck of downtown Portland rather than the <a href="https://terrancethisisstupidstuff.blogspot.com/2020/10/oregonian-has-trouble-explaining.html" target="_blank">daily violent protests</a> and chaos in the streets.<br /></p><p><br /></p>T. D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11952394767212085011noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17669835.post-81084197241701705382020-10-10T01:10:00.000-07:002020-10-10T01:10:04.992-07:00Oregonian Has Trouble Explaining Business Flight from the City Center<p> From a recent <a href="https://www.oregonlive.com/coronavirus/2020/10/subleases-spike-as-pandemic-takes-toll-on-downtown-portland.html" target="_blank">Oregonian article on businesses almost frantic to leave city center</a>:</p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">"Businesses want out of downtown Portland, as soon as possible.<br /><br />"The amount of space available for sublease in downtown jumped by 36% in the spring as tenants sought to vacate offices and storefronts in the early months of the coronavirus pandemic, according to data provided by real estate firm CBRE. Other firms have also reported an increase in the number of downtown businesses looking to leave."</p><p style="text-align: left;"> The lead thought is that it is due to the pandemic though protests are mentioned.</p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">"The pandemic has led to empty office buildings and a lack of tourism, depriving downtown businesses of their regular clientele. Business owners have expressed concerns about continued downtown protests, which have given Portland a reputation for upheaval and, at times, led to vandalism and looting."</p><p style="text-align: left;">Reporter Jamie Goldberg does take issue with real estate firm vice president Trevor Kafoury's claim that it is national coverage of Portland protests, not the protests themselves, that is causing people to stay away from downtown in droves. She points out that Kassab Jewelers and Standard Insurance have had real security problems.</p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">“'I don’t think there are ‘unique’ issues,' Kafoury said. 'Many downtowns face issues related to social unrest. However, Portland has received an inordinate amount of national media attention and a challenge we face is overcoming the perception that has been created for downtown.'”<br /><br />"However, it isn’t an issue of perception for some downtown businesses.<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">"Kassab Jewelers was looted after a riot broke out on May 30 following a peaceful protest in the wake of George Floyd’s death at the hands of Minneapolis police officers. Kassab Jewelers' downtown location has yet to reopen and its owners are now suing the City of Portland for failing to protect downtown merchants.<br /></p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">"Bob Speltz, a spokesman for Portland-based insurance company The Standard, said in August that the company had relocated downtown employees to the suburbs after its office building sustained repeated damage and several employees and security contractors were assaulted near the downtown office. He said The Standard was deeply supportive of a renewed focus on racial justice, but concerned about continued 'criminal activity from opportunists not associated with the legitimate protests.'”</p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;">Still Goldberg has trouble putting two and two together. She reports that businesses are fleeing downtown Portland to places "outside downtown and in the suburbs"--which have the same COVID-19 problems as downtown Portland. So, why is business so much better outside city center? Goldberg doesn't seem interested in finding the answer.<br /></p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;">"Industry experts aren’t seeing the same problems outside downtown and in the suburbs.<br /><br />"[Jacob] Pavlik [a real estate company research manager] said some companies that were already considering moving their offices to the suburbs have been quicker to pull the trigger because of questions about the downtown market. Kafoury said he has seen numerous downtown tenants touring suburban spaces and considering a move out of downtown as well. Other tenants have stayed in downtown spaces after working with their landlords to restructure their leases."</p><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;">The only major difference that has suddenly appeared on the scene is the protests and their violence which the mayor, city council and the Multnomah County district attorney seem not at all interested in curbing. In fact, another Oregonian article released on the 7th reports the <a href="https://www.oregonlive.com/news/2020/10/multnomah-county-da-declines-to-prosecute-70-of-portland-protest-cases.html" target="_blank">Multnomah County DA Mike Schmidt</a> has "declined" to prosecute 70% of the protest cases referred to him. That he hasn't declined to prosecute 70% of all cases referred to him by the police shows that he has been corrupted by personal agreement with or fear of the law breaking protesters so that he treats them differently from all other law breakers--which is, paradoxically, exactly what the protesters are supposed to be protesting--unequal treatment. The new slogan should be: Defund District Attorneys!<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Schmidt doesn't seem to have a problem prosecuting violence outside city center and in the suburbs even for minor crimes, but downtown it's a different story. People see that difference and feel how dangerous downtown has become but don't feel similarly about doing business outside the downtown area or in the suburbs.<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">It's pretty clear that violence will continue in city center and business will continue its disastrous decline as long as people like Schmidt, Wheeler and the Portland City Council are elected. <i>Caveat emptor</i>.<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="margin-left: 40px; text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"> <br /></p><p><br /></p>T. D.http://www.blogger.com/profile/11952394767212085011noreply@blogger.com2