Briefly...

It seems to me a lot of folks are making the mask wearing thing more complicated than it needs to be. Basically, you need not wear it at home, in your yard, or in your car except when pulling up to a drive in. You also need not wear it when in public when you are not around people or when you are but you can keep a respectable distance away. But going into a store or walking in a crowd is a different situation and the common courtesy of masking there would be appropriate. That need not mean full on mask at all times though.

If I am in public and likely to run into people inside of say ten feet, I keep my black mask on my chin and only pull it over the nose when in close proximity to other folks. Otherwise, the mask is in my pocket.

Seriously folks, this really is not that hard!

Rosenstein-Mueller scope memo: Probe Russia collusion we kinda already know didn’t exist

Exclusive: 1996 court document confirms Tara Reade told of harassment in Biden’s office

More in Brief on Third Parties in General and the American Solidarity Party in Particular:

The following was posted over two months ago to one of the social media platforms and is a continuation of sorts to the overall subject of third parties in American politics. Without further ado...

That is the problem with other parties: unless its a Perot type situation where someone can come into the race with a visible and undeniable chunk of support, it is a fools errand. (And I say this as someone who voted for Perot the first time he ran.) But then I suppose if kids can believe in the fantasy of Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy, there are some adults that can believe in certain economics fantasies as long as said fantasies unlike communism remain in the realm of make believe and do not hurt other people. (It would not be the first time adults believed in fantasies and I am sure it will not be the last.)

However, I have been known to throw a bone to local third party candidates and declared independents from time to time. (I used to vote for folks like Mike the Mover back in Washington State in years past as well as a smattering of Libertarian, Reform Party, and various proclaimed Independent candidates.) So if there is an ASP local candidate in Westchester County in the Yonkers/Mount Vernon vicinity, I could seem myself voting for them in spite of the distributist nonsense. I could even forgive Carroll of that foolishness if that was the only glaring problem he had as I do like principles such as solidarity and subsidiarity. But the thought that Carroll once supported communist lover Bernie Sanders as recently as four years ago (and not as an idealistic misguided young man but instead as an older fellow) as well as that he buys into that "kids in cages" political propaganda? Sorry, that's three strikes. [Circa 3/7/20]

My father in law Frank Barone passed away yesterday morning. If those who read these words would say a prayer for him and his family, it would be appreciated.

Eternal rest grant unto his soul oh Lord and may thy perpetual light shine upon him...May his soul and all the souls of the faithfully departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen

For my father in law Frank Barone I pray...

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.
[Dylan Thomas (published 1951)]

Instant reaction: Thoughts on Seattle's draft

To post just a bit from the thread above...click on the link for more...

Seahawks 2020 draft class

R1 — Jordyn Brooks (LB)
R2 — Darrell Taylor (EDGE)
R3 — Damien Lewis (G)
R4 — Colby Parkinson (TE)
R4 — Deejay Dallas (RB)
R5 — Alton Robinson (DE)
R6 — Freddie Swain (WR)
R7 — Stephen Sullivan (TE)

Thoughts on Seattle’s 2020 draft

The Seahawks know they need to be tougher.

They’re no longer the bully in the NFL. They’re not even the bully in the NFC West.

The attitude, intensity and swagger of the LOB era is missing. Their run defense is poor. Their pass rush is poor. They miss tackles. They struggle to defend the perimeter.

They’re trying to fix the problem.

They added a thumping, physical linebacker, a speedy edge rusher who plays with attitude and a violent run blocker with their first three picks. They followed it up with more pass rush help, a big move TE and a fierce running back.

They’re going to keep trying to create the team they want. They crave to be the punishing, physical, take-your-soul team that they used to be.

Smart, tough, reliable.

It makes sense. It’s reasonable. It’s something they’ll need to reclaim if they’re going to get back to the top.

If you take a step back and acknowledge, rightly, that the Seahawks were never going to blow your socks off with this class — you can look at it through a positive lens. It wasn’t realistic to address the large collection of needs they had. They needed to do more in free agency for that to be the case. They’ve added fast, physical tough guys with upside and potential. That’s a good thing.

There are also issues though.

They didn’t draft a defensive tackle to help anchor or provide pass rush. In a reasonable DT class, that’s disappointing.

They drafted two pass rushers but they still require the veteran proven quality of a Jadeveon Clowney or Everson Griffen. It’s an absolute must that they secure one of those two as soon as possible.

They’ve not added a nickel corner. They need one. Ugo Amadi is not a guaranteed solution.

They’ve not added a developmental left tackle or further competition for Brandon Shell.

They’ll need to add at least one more running back to the stable.

There’s so much that still needs to be done.

While there’s nothing this draft class could really do to change this — the Seahawks have not moved the needle this off-season towards winning a Super Bowl. San Francisco added two first round picks then stole Trent Williams from Washington. The Cardinals nabbed DeAndre Hopkins and Isaiah Simmons.

In comparison, the Seahawks have been strangely quiet. They’ve padded their depth. Their biggest investment so far is on a linebacker — despite the fact Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright are taking up $25m in cap space this year.

Russell Wilson keeps Seattle a contender of sorts but his presence shouldn’t be taken for granted. You can’t pretend that this team isn’t dragged along by the quarterback. It is. And there’s been a lack of aggression this off-season. Failing to land the pass rushers in free agency or improve the front seven forced them to prioritise both areas in a draft that was superior at offensive tackle and the skill positions early.

Russell Wilson called for superstars. They haven’t been added.

The roster, currently, is good enough to once again make the playoffs. Taking the next step — being a genuine contender and reaching a Super Bowl — requires more talent. Whether it’s developed or added. There’s still an awful lot of work to do.

The problem is — they no longer have the benefit of draft picks and a heap of cap space to work with. They are somewhat limited — even if they start cutting the likes of Justin Britt to create space.

The next few weeks are vital. They have to find a way, somehow, to add more...

Day two review: Seahawks make two quality additions

Points to Ponder:

I ask if anyone is truly learning anything from what we are all going through with this pandemic. Sadly, if the feeds are at all an accurate indicator, the answer is no.

Far too many of you continue to play politics with this pandemic, whether from the #Resistard left or the #Trumpbot right trying to manipulate various and sundry kook conspiracy narratives for some perceived political payoff. FFS, knock it off! There is a time for everything and now is not the time for politics.

The bottom line is, more places will start opening soon because they have to. Deal with it. There will be correspondingly greater restrictions on public gatherings of any sort for some time and social distancing, masks, gloves, etc will be the new norm for an indefinite while. Deal with it. If you flout safety protocols because you have a retarded notion of "muh liburty" that endangers the common good, then you will be made to pay for it. Again: Deal with it.

You are guaranteed to see some things in how we move forward that you do not like. Deal with it. Stop acting like whiny brats and grow up. It is not all about you and never has been. [Circa April 24, 2020]

NFL scout praises Seahawks pick LB Jordyn Brooks: 'He brings the juice'

NFL draft analysis: Three reasons the Seahawks picked Texas Tech’s Jordyn Brooks

Seahawks select Jordyn Brooks out of Texas Tech in the first round

Points to Ponder:

You are the agent of your own destiny, whether you realize it or not, whether you act it or not. [Mike Mentzer]

"One From the Vault" Dept.

The following is a flashback to the archives of this website from 2003...

I found myself focusing on a radio ad this morning which was targeted against youth smoking. The ad was actually well done; however it revealed of course the kind of absurd double standards that many who crusade in that field utilize. The line that began the ad was "there is no such thing as a safe cigarette." And the ad built on that theme with the usual statistics approach. I found myself substituting the word "sex" for the word "smoking" when listening to the ad -knowing that those who promote "safe sex" amongst the youths would never run such an ad as I envisioned. Think about that for a moment if you will.

The same people who would never accept the argument that "well, you should not smoke but if you do try to smoke a low tar cigarette because that is safer" nonetheless promote condoms under the rationale that "kids are going to do it anyway." Well, if that is the case, there is always the possibility of handing out free low tar cigarettes to the youths who are "going to smoke anyway." Is this going to happen anytime soon??? Do not bet on it if you have any pretentions of being smart.

For the same people who post these ads against youth smoking who like to point to statistics that show that said ads have a positive effect in reducing the number of youths who smoke are not infrequently the same people who get outraged about sex education programs that emphasize abstinence or even (God forbid) do not explain in detail -and with props at that- how various contraceptives actually work.

And do not think that when supporters of such programs point to statistics that show that their programs result in a reduction in the number of youths engaging in sexual activity that these statistics are going to be accepted as viable arguments for the program -though for some reason these are viable arguments for the anti-youth smoking commercials. No, in the case of the sex education situation, these kinds of statistics -valid or not- will be swept aside and not honestly interacted with. And this brings us to the notion of consistency and how it must undergird any method which can have a potential claim to be true...[Excerpt from Rerum Novarum (circa December 4, 2003)]

How to Make China Pay

This should be done as soon as possible...

"...In addition to halting any further trade cooperation with Beijing, the administration could also seize the assets of Chinese state-owned companies. Under its Belt and Road Initiative, Beijing reportedly has loaned billions to developing nations in Africa, Eastern Europe, and Latin America, and then taken over their strategic ports and facilities once the debts fall due. The U.S. could turn this strategy on its head by supporting the expropriation of these assets by legal process and the cancellation of these debts as compensation for coronavirus losses.

Seizing Chinese property would allow the United States to finally use international law to its advantage. Let China try to go to court and claim that the U.S., its allies, and the developing world have violated international rules. Let Beijing try to show that these nations have no right to compensation for its coverup of the coronavirus outbreak. Let the Chinese Communist Party try to claim, outside its own borders, just as it does within them, that it can deny common sense and blame the very victims of its wrongdoing for the worst public-health catastrophe in a century."

Century Links 4/19: Draft Week is Finally Here

Points to Ponder:

Alright, here goes. I'm old. What that means is that I've survived (so far) and a lot of people I've known and loved did not. I've lost friends, best friends, acquaintances, co-workers, grandparents, mom, relatives, teachers, mentors, students, neighbors, and a host of other folks. I have no children, and I can't imagine the pain it must be to lose a child. But here's my two cents.

I wish I could say you get used to people dying. I never did. I don't want to. It tears a hole through me whenever somebody I love dies, no matter the circumstances. But I don't want it to "not matter". I don't want it to be something that just passes. My scars are a testament to the love and the relationship that I had for and with that person. And if the scar is deep, so was the love. So be it. Scars are a testament to life. Scars are a testament that I can love deeply and live deeply and be cut, or even gouged, and that I can heal and continue to live and continue to love. And the scar tissue is stronger than the original flesh ever was. Scars are a testament to life. Scars are only ugly to people who can't see.

As for grief, you'll find it comes in waves. When the ship is first wrecked, you're drowning, with wreckage all around you. Everything floating around you reminds you of the beauty and the magnificence of the ship that was, and is no more. And all you can do is float. You find some piece of the wreckage and you hang on for a while. Maybe it's some physical thing. Maybe it's a happy memory or a photograph. Maybe it's a person who is also floating. For a while, all you can do is float. Stay alive.

In the beginning, the waves are 100 feet tall and crash over you without mercy. They come 10 seconds apart and don't even give you time to catch your breath. All you can do is hang on and float. After a while, maybe weeks, maybe months, you'll find the waves are still 100 feet tall, but they come further apart. When they come, they still crash all over you and wipe you out. But in between, you can breathe, you can function. You never know what's going to trigger the grief. It might be a song, a picture, a street intersection, the smell of a cup of coffee. It can be just about anything...and the wave comes crashing. But in between waves, there is life.

Somewhere down the line, and it's different for everybody, you find that the waves are only 80 feet tall. Or 50 feet tall. And while they still come, they come further apart. You can see them coming. An anniversary, a birthday, or Christmas, or landing at O'Hare. You can see it coming, for the most part, and prepare yourself. And when it washes over you, you know that somehow you will, again, come out the other side. Soaking wet, sputtering, still hanging on to some tiny piece of the wreckage, but you'll come out.

Take it from an old guy. The waves never stop coming, and somehow you don't really want them to. But you learn that you'll survive them. And other waves will come. And you'll survive them too. If you're lucky, you'll have lots of scars from lots of loves. And lots of shipwrecks.

From all appearances, I have finally finished the project I mentioned earlier in the week. Essentially, when I was researching my archives for material to use in the magisterium project published on Ash Wednesday, I noticed some glaring problems with the template that was reflected across many past postings. Most dialogues had a colouring scheme that worked with the old templates but with the new one did not work at all and made in many cases differentiating who said what difficult.

To address this apparently longstanding problem, I undertook a restoration of colouring schemes for all the posts in the Dialogues main threads so that problem was fixed. I then applied the same scrutiny to the Expository Musings main threads and then waded through the Miscellaneous Threads/Brief Musings main threads. In the process, I found some threads with two main thread tags and fixed them so that each only had one main tag. I also reclassified some main tags to more accurately reflect the nature of the particular posting in question. Also in the process, I made sure any noticeable spelling or grammar glitches in the applicable threads were also fixed as well as making sure the threads were more uniformed going back to January 1, 2003. There was a process of finding a uniform approach to footnoting, source citing, etc, in postings that gradually took hold by some time around mid-2004.{1} However, prior to that, there was some variegation going back to the very beginning of this site's founding. I sought to iron a bunch of that out as well. I had to pick a hard delineation point for the sake of time and my sanity so I chose January 1, 2003 for that purpose.

Prior to January 1, 2003, there was a lot of postings numerically to an extent that was not replicated much past that time{2} that made tending to them in that fashion far more daunting than I cared to undertake. I did however where applicable in those postings still fix colour differentiations and glaring spelling or grammar glitches in those postings too but uniforming the whole site was impossible. But I did what I could to fix the majority of the site archives in the areas above and make sure all postings on the site had only one main tag delineation which was my intention all along but for reasons of complexity{3} was not always achieved previously.

Notes:

{1} It was so gradual that it was hard to find a definitive point where things were permanently what they eventually became. The same issue presented itself the last time I undertook an archival restoration project somewhat similar to (but by no means as extensive) as what I just undertook over the past week.

{2} It was a mixed bag in 2003 in this respect but at least moving in the direction of what I settled on eventually whereas 2002 was all over the map as this site gradually found its footing.

{3} See the threads HERE and HERE for an explanation of this process as I originally envisioned it being.

Points to Ponder:

Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged. [James v,9]

My mother in law Raffaelina Barone passed away last night. If those who read these words would say a prayer for her and her family, it would be appreciated.

Eternal rest grant unto her soul oh Lord and may thy perpetual light shine upon her...May her soul and all the souls of the faithfully departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen