the little blogger who could

13/08/2023

So Friday I binge-watched one of the most binge-worthy reality TV series ever! It's called Farm Dreams, and it's hosted by one Indy Officinalis. Indy's show teaches how to make a farm -- any farm, whether it be on land, on water, on a rooftop, or indoors -- better. I picked up some tips that can help improve my own tiny veggie patch and herb garden. Farm Dreams is broadcast on the National Geographic channel, and you can also stream it on Hulu. Congratulations, Indy, on your amazing accomplishment! Wishing you continued success. DM

17/07/2023

Good morning, this is some scary s**t! (Yes, sorry, no time for niceties). This is why we MUST get out of our feelings and make sure a Democrat stays in the White House, the Dems maintain even their sliver of control over the Senate (Manchin and Sinema be damned), and take back the House. Yes, Joe is old, but do you want more Republican/Conservative control over your personal life and the government, control that doesn't benefit you one bit but whose only goal is to make sure they stay in power? If you can't or don't want to read the article, here is a summary: "Donald J. Trump and his allies are planning a sweeping expansion of presidential power...by increasing the president’s authority over every part of the federal government...bring[ing] independent agencies — like the Federal Communications Commission...and the Federal Trade Commission — under direct presidential control...reviving the practice of 'impounding' funds, refusing to spend money Congress has appropriated for programs a president doesn’t like...strip[ping] employment protections from tens of thousands of career civil servants, making it easier to replace them if they are deemed obstacles to his agenda...[and] scour[ing] the intelligence agencies, the State Department and the defense bureaucracies to remove officials he has vilified as 'the sick political class that hates our country' ". In other words, Trump and Republicans like him are planning to turn the United States into both a de facto and de jure dictatorship. We can't let them do that. Get the word out. Get registered. Donate some money to the presidential campaign and to any Senate and House Democrat campaigns that affect you. Then vote like your life depends on it, because it does. DM

The former president and his backers aim to strengthen the power of the White House and limit the independence of federal agencies.

09/07/2023

One of the commenters asked, how did we get here? Here is my reply: ", How did we get here? The answer is very simple: the 2016 presidential election. Failure to make Hillary Clinton the first female president of the United States allowed Donald Trump to give the Court its conservative majority. Instead people got caught up in their feelings, e.g., I don't like Hillary (I didn't like her either, but knew it wasn't about me liking her, it was about the Supreme Court and other important matters), and got played. The next question is how do we get out of this mess? Again, the answer is very simple: Biden HAS to be reelected. Yes, he's old, but look at the alternatives -- Trump or DeSantis. Those choices should be frightening enough for everyone who cares to do everything they can to ensure Biden is inaugurated again. It's very clear what Trump and DeSantis intend to do with what's left of our democracy -- and to their opponents. But reelecting Biden isn't enough. The Democrats also have to win back the House and keep at least their sliver of control of the Senate. Frankly, I don't know how they can do this because they still haven't mastered messaging, and they have a penchant for snatching defeat from the jaws of victory. But let's assume they can accomplish this Sisyphean task. Then one of the first orders of business should be to expand the Court to 13 Justices and make sure four liberal Justices are confirmed as quickly as possible. Doing anything else or less won't matter."

The constitutional world is profoundly different from when John Roberts became chief justice 18 years ago.

09/07/2023

Here is the comment I posted about this article: "I hope African-Americans in particular are paying attention to this story. I say this because many of them who had the power to do so did not object -- or didn't object strongly enough -- to then Mr. Thomas' nomination by the first Bush knowing Thomas' conservative leanings, on the grounds that "we" might not get another black Justice. Bush shrewdly calculated the ambivalence of many African-Americans and, frankly, counted on it. The Anita Hill fiasco, which should have been the nail in Mr. Thomas' nomination coffin, only exposed a division within the African-American community with many men taking the position that she -- Anita, a black woman -- shouldn't have tried to hurt the chances of a black man attaining such a high position in America. I don't know if Bush also counted on this division, but it's pretty moot as it ended up helping his nominee anyway. My position then and now is the color of this man's skin wasn't important, but his views and likely judicial leanings were. I'm hoping African-Americans have learned an important lesson." Regarding politicians, it's always going to be more beneficial for black people -- and probably other minorities -- to support a liberal or progressive white candidate than a conservative black one. There! I said it. DM

The exclusive Horatio Alger Association brought the justice access to wealthy members and unreported V.I.P. treatment. He, in turn, offered another kind of access.

18/12/2022

Because I think today's doodle is cute. Vive la France! DM

22/11/2022

I don't really follow soccer but do find the goings-on between Cristiano Ronaldo and Manchester United interesting. By the way, they just parted ways according to the New York Times. And the controversy over the World Cup taking place in Qatar is also titillating. And, of course, we've been hearing about all sorts of scandals at FIFA for awhile. So, I've been kind of wondering if life is imitating art or vice versa after watching Netflix's series "Dogs of Berlin". The series is essentially about one particular cop, but its story begins in the world of football, as it's called by the rest of the world. It was OK, not great, and gave you some things to think about. DM

16/11/2022

Bring it on! DM

Building a world where we work to live, not live to work.

17/09/2022

Again, I just think the Dems/the Left/Progressives are looking at things the wrong way. That is they're looking at immigration with their hearts. And although the entire saga is really sad and hurts a lot of innocent people, they should have known better than to open their arms metaphorically to all comers. Mayors of so-called sanctuary cities should have anticipated that red state governors might put their words to the test and pull stunts like these. These stunts help those governors win valuable political points with their constituencies by not only getting rid of the people they see as the problem but simultaneously making blue state governors look bad. But once again the other side is left just wringing its hands and emoting about how bad the Republicans are. Yes, they are bad, but they've been bad for a very long time. The question is what can be done about them. DM

G.O.P. grapes of wrath at Martha’s Vineyard.

29/08/2022

Congressional Democrats up for reelection in November risk shunning Biden at their own risk. It really should be so easy for them to win and hold onto power -- they could just ask what Republicans have done for them, and not just lately, but in the last 30 years or so -- but time and time again they are afraid to run on their successes. The stable economy and budget surplus Clinton left behind and Obamacare come to mind. But Gore was afraid Clinton's sexual scandal would hurt his chances of winning the presidency (doesn't that sound hysterically funny now?) and so didn't campaign with him. Dems were afraid to even mention Obamacare during the midterms and got shellacked anyway. I think I know what Dems need to win, but I can't say it here. DM

President Biden’s successes are building momentum.

12/08/2022

A fitting tribute to a champion. DM

Russell, an 11-time NBA champion, is the first player to have his jersey number retired across the league.

09/08/2022

Yet another reason America cannot afford to elect another Republican president, and especially not one Donald J. Trump. They have no intention of playing fair and, according to Ms. Ingraham's statement, fully intend to seek retribution against all who dared to disagree with them. These actions are straight out of Sinclair Lewis' It Can't Happen Here and all of the well worn dictator playbooks. This explicit signaling leaves me completely baffled as to why the Democrats would openly discuss their qualms over President Biden running again. For one thing, it's still pretty early. For another thing, right now, there isn't another good option. But mostly, it's like, hey, stick together, at least as far as your enemies are concerned. Sheesh! Will the Dems ever learn? DM

SmartNews is the most efficient way to get all your news now.

02/08/2022

The NY Times deigned to allow me to give this article, so I am. I can't help but admire this picture of Ms. Nichols. Her lips: Perfectly shaped and pouty long before Botox. Her eyebrows: Slaying long before eyebrows became a thing and the word slay was used the way it's used now. Go on wit' yo bad self, Nichelle. You're about to be the foxiest astronaut in heaven. DM

As Lieutenant Uhura in “Star Trek” and an advocate for inclusiveness in the U.S. space program, Nichols made an indelible impact on our collective imagination.

19/07/2022

There are so many things in the world of medicine, treatment, and diagnostics that work differently for people of color. The only way to change this oversight is for the medical establishment to first acknowledge the differences and then design research and experiments to anticipate those differences. DM

Often when Dr. Thomas Valley sees a new patient in the intensive care unit at Michigan Medicine in Ann Arbor, he clamps a pulse oximeter on their finger -- one of the many devices he uses to gauge their health and what course of care they might require, whether they are a child having seizures, a te...

19/07/2022

This is a start. Prolonged civil disobedience is the only nonviolent way to stop these attacks on our constitutional rights. John Lewis would be happy to see Dems getting into some "good trouble". DM

Yahoo News At least 16 Democratic lawmakers arrested outside Supreme Court during abortion rights protests Christopher Wilson A number of Democratic representatives — including members of The Squad and House leadership — were arrested outside the Supreme Court Tuesd... Read the article Read in S...

19/07/2022

The Dems shouldn't give up. They should just try to buy Manchin off. I'm sure there's something he would be willing to trade in exchange for his support of the climate change and tax bills. After they secure his votes, they should then strip him of his committee appointments and chairmanships, if any. Then they should actively start trying to unseat him. The Dems have to learn how to play rough. DM

Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen’s signature achievement is in jeopardy if the United States cannot ratify the tax agreement that she brokered.

15/07/2022

Manchin is a DINO! It is truly disgusting that ONE person can keep this country from implementing measures to combat climate change and income and wealth inequality. I think he is up for reelection in 2024. The DNC needs to start strategizing NOW to replace him. DM

The West Virginia Democrat’s decision dealt a crushing blow to President Biden’s domestic agenda, effectively ruling out action on anything beyond prescription drug pricing and health care subsidies.

13/07/2022

An interesting idea. DM

A California obstetrician and gynecologist is proposing a floating abortion clinic in the Gulf of Mexico as a way to maintain access for people in southern states where abortion bans have been enacted.

08/07/2022

If anyone wants a cinematic retrospective of the late, great James Caan. Like many of you, I remember him best as Sonny Corleone in The Godfather. However, I read the book before I saw the movie and so was very disappointed when I saw the actor selected to play Sonny. Mario Puzo wrote of a beefy Sonny. Yet Mr. Caan was this scrawny, wiry guy who I didn't think fit the bill. Good thing the casting director had more imagination than I did. Rest in peace, Mr. Caan. Bada-bing, bada-boom. DM

Drama, comedy, suspense, action, kids’ movies — there was truly nothing he couldn’t do. Who else could star in both “The Godfather” and “Elf”?

30/06/2022

The best thing to happen today, this week, this month, and all year. Congratulations! All the Women Are White, All the Blacks Are Men, But Some Us Are Brave. Damn right, we are! DM

Her confirmation comes as the newly expanded conservative majority moves to give states more control over things like abortion and energy policy.

23/06/2022

Hmm, I was just talking about this. (Is the New York Times stalking my page? LOL) The article even mentions Emmett Till. DM

A violent society ought to view its handiwork.

23/06/2022

DM

23/06/2022

Is our side ready? Or are we still caught up in our "values"? Values won't make a damn bit of difference if Republicans manage to throw out enough votes by Democrats. The mid-terms and other future elections will be full contact sports. We need talented team members, quarterbacks, coaches, etc.. DM

Placing operatives as poll workers and building a "hotline" to friendly attorneys are among the strategies to be deployed in Michigan and other swing states.

23/06/2022

This is a good read. DM

No weapon has been more in the public eye than the AR-15, in large part because of the tragic role it has played in some of this country's deadliest shootings, former DC police officer Michael Fanone writes. Fanone, who owns one of the weapons, writes that the AR-15 has the dubious distinction of be...

23/06/2022

(Phew!) Who knew? DM

A shortage of chemical fertilizer, worsened by the war in Ukraine, has growers desperate. It just so happens that human urine has the very nutrients that crops need.

23/06/2022

We knew this was coming. The takeaway should not be to give up. Remember how many times Republicans voted to repeal Obamacare? Well, we must exercise the same zeal and determination. Usually what happens is that the offending law ends up being chipped away at. In New York's case, I think we should go big and push for FIRSTT, the Fi****ms Insurance Responsibility Training and Transfer Act. FIRSTT would attach strict liability, with very limited exceptions, to any person, company, or business in the chain of custody or ownership of certain fi****ms or ammunition used illegally that causes harm or injury to another or to property who transferred that firearm or weapon to the next person in that chain of custody or ownership who was not trained in the use and storage of that firearm or weapon, insured, screened by a state-licensed mental health professional, subjected to a minimum 30-day cooling off period, and whose background was not subject to a state-by state and international review for criminal conduct. FIRSTT is far reaching as it could subject people and companies in different locations to serious penalties, including significant jail time and monetary fines. And that's the whole point. There should be common sense regulations on the transfer -- whether intentional or not, with some exceptions -- of fi****ms or ammunition. This approach is similar to regulations regarding who your lend your car to. If that person is not licensed and causes harm or injury to another or to property, guess who is liable? And, depending on the circumstances, your insurance company may not pay any of the resulting claims. FIRSTT is designed to make everyone and every company in the chain of custody of certain fi****ms or ammunition subject to liability. To fight back against this Supreme Court opinion and the nation's o**y of gun violence, New York should be first. DM

The 6-3 decision was based on a broad interpretation of the Second Amendment.

12/03/2022

"Abbot Elementary" is blowing up. Yay! It was mentioned yesterday on CBS Mornings, the show co-hosted by Gail King, and I'm watching its star and creator, Quinta Brunson, on the Kelly Clarkson show. For those of you who don't know, Abbott Elementary is a sitcom about a school in urban Philadelphia. It's funny because it turns the concept of teaching on its head as the principal, played by a hilarious Janelle James, who is also a stand-up comic, shares the most demotivating and uninspiring messages with both students and staff. It also stars the venerable Sheryl Lee Ralph as a veteran teacher and an all grown up Tyler James Williams, the eponymous lead actor on "Everyone Hates Chris", as a substitute teacher. Abbott Elementary airs Tuesday nights on ABC. Tune in. You won't be disappointed. DM

12/03/2022

A little comedy never hurts when the situation is dire. DM

Britain is having a hard time quitting its addiction to Russian money.

23/02/2022

It couldn't have happened to a bunch of nicer guys! But their sentences in no way make up for Kyle Rittenhouse getting away with murder, George Zimmerman getting away with murder, Kim Potter getting away with murder, or Amber Guyger getting away with murder. Justice in one case is not justice in another case. DM

Jurors delivered a swift verdict after a weeklong trial in which prosecutors presented voluminous evidence of the men’s racist beliefs and language.

11/01/2022

This was my reply to a NY Times comment about "[n]urses, doctors, firefighters and cops...not refusing to work": [M]any [of those professionals] are out sick. And who said teachers are refusing to work? The so-called protocols put in place to protect the school community are a joke. First of all, school authorities acted as though the virus was done with when classes began in the fall as evidenced by the total lack of social distancing. So, it's not surprising that a new variant is running rampant throughout schools. Second, they're STILL not requiring that EVERYONE get tested on a regular basis in order to enter a school building. That makes absolutely NO sense as the head of the CDC herself just said the vaccines DON'T stop transmissibility. Third, as many have already noted, schools are open, but they're really not functioning given all of the staff absences and, a fact that's not given enough attention, student absences. Overall NYC student attendance is running at about 70%. At some schools, the attendance rate is much lower. So the 30+% of students who are staying home are learning nothing. This push to keep schools open is all about form over substance and trying to vilify teachers who want to do the sane thing, the science thing, which is not to keep spreading this bleepin' virus." Yep, I said that. I'll have to wait to see if the NYTimes publishes my comment. DM

Even with Omicron, the teachers’ union leader isn’t calling for shutdowns.

05/01/2022

Indeed they are, so here's my easy to follow advice on getting vaccinated, masking, getting tested, isolating, etc.: Vaccinations. That's a big one. In many cases, you may not have had a choice because your employer required you to get vaccinated. So, for you, getting vaccinated is a moot point, unless you can afford not to work. You may also have been or will be required to get vaccinated because you want to go some place. There again, getting vaccinated is a moot point. Get the jab -- or two or three jabs -- or stay home. For everyone else, my recommendation would be for those who are older, 65 or better, or who are immunocompromised, or who have other health issues, to get vaccinated. If you don't fall into one of those categories and didn't have to get vaccinated, I would recommend that you carefully consider your risk of becoming ill from COVID-19. That is, if you are a social butterfly, live with more than one or two people, or tend to have a lot of people in and out of your home, you should strongly consider getting vaccinated because there is a HUGE chance you are going to run into the virus at some point. And you don't want to be one of those people lying on their death bed wishing you had gotten vaccinated. Vaccinations done. Re: masking, mask up EVERY time you are indoors, whether or not you are vaccinated, whether or not you are boosted. Vaccination does not prevent you from either contracting or spreading the virus, so just keep your mask on. But understand that dining indoors -- at a restaurant, on a plane, etc. -- is risky no matter what because you have to remove or lower your mask in order to eat, leaving you vulnerable to infection no matter how quickly you pull up your mask. That should sound like common sense, but no one has said it as explicitly as I've said it here. We all take SOME risk with this virus, just know that you are. As to the type of mask, yes, the KN95 and the N95 are the best. And, yes, they're hard to breathe in. So perhaps reserve them for when you are in a really tight, enclosed space, like on a plane. As for all other times, DITCH your cloth masks now. They don't work. The ubiquitous blue masks are not as effective as the 95s, but they're better than cloth masks. Getting tested. You should get tested from time to time, especially after you've been around groups of people, have travelled, or have engaged in risky activities. Get a rapid antigen test a few days before you reengage and then again one day before. Isolating. If you are sick, please stay home. And, contrary to the CDC's muddled guidelines, get tested again before you come out of isolation. That also sounds like common sense, but for some reason the authorities are making testing more complicated than it has to be. DM

The government’s haphazard and disorganized response to Omicron doesn’t bode well.