Maggie's Farm

We are a commune of inquiring, skeptical, politically centrist, capitalist, anglophile, traditionalist New England Yankee humans, humanoids, and animals with many interests beyond and above politics. Each of us has had a high-school education (or GED), but all had ADD so didn't pay attention very well, especially the dogs. Each one of us does "try my best to be just like I am," and none of us enjoys working for others, including for Maggie, from whom we receive neither a nickel nor a dime. Freedom from nags, cranks, government, do-gooders, control-freaks and idiots is all that we ask for.

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Wednesday, January 27. 2021

Wednesday morning links

Wikipedia turns twenty 


 Via Insty, The One Fitness Test You Have to Pass


 If Teachers Won’t Go Back To School, Why Are They Getting The Vaccine Ahead Of Others?


 CDC: ‘Little Evidence’ That In-Person Schooling Contributes To Community Spread Of COVID


 The Serial Failures of Dr. Fauci


 Freedom of association is under attack. Will the Supreme Court protect it?


 Compulsory Political Ideology For Illinois K-12 Teachers And Classrooms Moves Closer To Finalization


 ‘My Pillow’ Founder Mike Lindell is Latest Pro-Trump Conservative Banned from Twitter for Wrong Thinking


 Schumer: Biden Should Consider Declaring ‘Climate Emergency’ So He Can Do Things Without Congress


 WHO IS RUNNING THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION?


 Biden Promptly Dismantles Trump’s Border Security Measures


 Buyer's Remorse? Let’s Blame the Press


 China Is Wasting No Time In Testing Biden


 Here's the Truly Beastly Helicopter That Might Replace the Black Hawk

Posted by Bird Dog in Hot News & Misc. Short Subjects at 06:50 | Comments (25) | Trackbacks (0)

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Where am I going to find four flights of stairs?
#1 Assistant Village Idiot on 2021-01-27 08:43 (Reply)
LOL

My thinking exactly AVI.

Where I live, none of the buildings are more than two stories.

We don't all live in multi-story apartments, or work in high rise office buildings.

Anyway . . . I thought breathing was the one fitness test you MUST pass.
#1.1 feeblemind on 2021-01-27 09:05 (Reply)
I was pondering that myself when I read the suggestion yesterday, and decided that doing a single staircase 4 time in quick succession with the average "up" time being under 12.5s, or the cumulative under 45, would probably be as good an indicator.

Before our worksite closed to 'outsiders' for COVID, some of our retirees would come back daily in the coldest parts of winter just to use our warm and long corridors for their power-walking exercise. I was actually kind of convenient when you needed some institutional knowledge, you could be pretty sure that they'd be in the building later and you could just fall in with them for 30 paces and ask. So I'm now thinking about local buildings where I have plausible right of access and whether they have tall staircases -- church, library, etc.
#1.1.1 Douglas2 on 2021-01-27 09:47 (Reply)
Thankfully, our new local hospital has 4 stories.
#1.2 Aggie on 2021-01-27 09:56 (Reply)
How about one flight of stairs four times?
#1.3 snopercod on 2021-01-27 18:28 (Reply)
Biden voter Buyer's Remorse?: Don't count on this; at best this is premature.
The Dems were up front about their job and economy killing policies, as well as their gender policies. Even though these voters deceived themselves into the belief that they were voting for moderation and a return to normalcy, I doubt most have realized that the Biden EOs are the antithesis, at least not yet. Even, if some come to recognize the unintended consequences, their misgivings will be quickly trumped (sorry) by magical thinking or peer pressure.
#2 Exasperated on 2021-01-27 09:05 (Reply)
As far as unions are concerned, the leadership has been disconnected from the rank and file for a decade or two.
Consider New Mexico: "NM has 3 house districts, basically 1)the north half of the state,2) metro Albuquerque, and 3) the southern half of the state. District 2 (the south, where all the oil is) actually did elect a Republican. Looking at things county by county there’s lot of red there, but as usual it’s major population centers (Abq, Santa Fe, Las Cruces) that “decide” for everyone and of course they vote for free stuff."(from Small Dead Animals website)
#2.1 Exasperated on 2021-01-27 09:28 (Reply)
The Enabling Act of 1933, formally titled Gesetz zur Behebung der Not von Volk und Reich (“Law to Remedy the Distress of People and Reich”), was a law that gave the German Cabinet —- most importantly, the Chancellor —- the power to enact laws without the involvement of the Reichstag or consult with the Weimar President Hindenburg, and to override fundamental aspects of the Weimar Constitution.
#3 Robert Sendler on 2021-01-27 09:50 (Reply)
Comment of the day.

Thanks Robert Sendler.
#3.1 feeblemind on 2021-01-27 11:02 (Reply)
It can't happen here.
#3.1.1 snopercod on 2021-01-27 18:30 (Reply)
Executive Orders
#3.1.1.1 missred on 2021-01-28 11:19 (Reply)
Re: Freedom of association is under attack.
weaselzippers.us/463318-schumer-biden-should-consider-declaring-climate-emergency-so-he-can-do-things-without-congress/

Let me tell you, that was one strange article. The author threw in everything but the kitchen sink. Here's a list of what the author calls President Biden's "Commitments". Biden campaigned on a platform of a dramatic push to combat climate change. On Wednesday he is expected to announce a series of measures that he will create: First, a White House interagency council on environmental justice. Also, an office of health and climate equity will open within the Justice Department. The argument is then made that "cancel culture" which is a series of personal attacks on those who hold unpopular opinions, will continue. Further, all contributors must be named and shamed. Therefore, past contributors to organizations must continue to suffer "public threats, harassment, intimidation, and retaliation" on account of their association with the groups. 65% of American are afraid to say anything, for fear of losing their jobs. https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2021/01/25/protect-free-association-donor-anonymity-column/6622550002/

What these articles really mean is that the Democratic party is going to create a"New Deal". Pretty soon, we'll have members of the civilian conservation corp driving around, and planting little trees. And the women's auxiliary will cook-up a nice dinner for the Marines, who are stationed in their home. And all of this is being done because of previous "commitments". Nobody saw these commitments in writing, they were never explained on T.V. but all of a suddenly we "owe" unlimited (and free) wheat, corn, and rice to the whole world. In truth, our only commitment is to the world ecology. So no more food for Africa, or Asia, or anyone outside our own borders. Yes, people will starve to death. But that doesn't imply any kind of commitment on our part. The best population for earth is one billion people with no blacks whatsoever. And if the blacks try to bum-rush Africa, by having a billion children, then "justice" mean will mean reducing their numbers the hard way. I would reduce their numbers to zero.
#4 Ron Liebermann on 2021-01-27 09:52 (Reply)
To live anywhere in the world of A.D. 1955 and be against equality because of race or color is like living in Alaska and being against snow. ~William Faulkner, 1955
#4.1 r on 2021-01-27 21:37 (Reply)
So teachers in deep blue cities get all the best perks, promotion on the basis of union position instead of merit, priority access to the preferred health care, and no requirement to show up for work. What a gig! Sorry about your kids and all.

The Press is not to blame for the election result. Politically-obedient election officials and voters being stupid are to blame for the election results. I guess the only satisfaction is that their kids may end up too ignorant to know about voting - if that matters anymore.
#5 Aggie on 2021-01-27 09:52 (Reply)
Who is running the Biden administration?

Probably Obama or more accurately Obama's posse.

I also think that Xi Jinping has the administration's ear. I suspect that the bargain was that China would help steal the election if America would let them take Taiwan.

On that same note it is clear to the entire world that our commander in chief is incapacitated and our polices are in disarray while special interest groups battle for money and power. I would put the odds at even that a major war breaks out in the next 4 years. The world knows our trans gender diverse army will not be effective. The door is open, come and take it.
#6 OneGuy on 2021-01-27 10:15 (Reply)
Regarding "Buyers Remorseless pertains to the Biden Administration, I am reminded of Otter's comme t to Flounder, after the road trip in Animal House: "Hey! You fucked up. You trusted us!"
#7 Steve on 2021-01-27 10:20 (Reply)
WHO IS RUNNING THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION?

CHINA! ....... Next question?
#8 Old Codger on 2021-01-27 11:16 (Reply)
https://www.t-nation.com/living/tip-the-one-fitness-test-you-have-to-pass: My house has only two flights of stairs.

If teachers won’t go back to school, why are they getting the vaccine ahead of others? EXACTLY!!

Who is running the Biden administration? Alien Democrats, is my guess.

Buyer's Remorse? Let’s Blame the Press: "Biden voters were victims of a four-year propaganda campaign to smear Donald Trump and drag the Democrat nominee -- any nominee -- across the finish line, truth be damned." Ahhh, but will they learn this lesson? My Magic 8-Ball says "Signs point to NO."
#9 Sam L. on 2021-01-27 11:24 (Reply)
Critical Race Theory = Asset re-apportionment = Land re-distribution.

Our new leaders believe that if the Indians get a rez the African/Americans should have free land also.
#10 Apple Pie on 2021-01-27 11:58 (Reply)
Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, Milwaukee, Philadelphia, one or two more; that should do, shouldn't it?
#10.1 barnhill on 2021-01-27 15:59 (Reply)
I started climbing stadium stairs in November so my heart and overall cardiovascular system is doing pretty well lately.

Legs, core, cardio, balance, checks all the important boxes. Twenty minutes, 2-3x per week. I regularly do 60 stairs in 25-30 seconds, 12 times with minimal rest.
#11 Jeff Brokaw (Link) on 2021-01-27 12:03 (Reply)
Freedom of association...The IRS sabotaged tea party conservative groups and what happened to any of the IRS culprits. Absolutely nothing. When the uniparty assisted the administrative state to kill off political competition the SCOTUS said nothing. The same uniparty along with the administrative state kept Trump in the corral and what did the SCOTUS have to say about any of it? SCOTUS seems to have denied any appeals over voting law...anyone surprised? When political and corporate entities mandate critical race theory does anyone see the courts opposing the brainwashing. When trannies are mandated the use of women's facilities and women's sports has anyone seen SCOTUS intervene? Freedom of association died when Congress mandated quotas, now referred to as affirmative action and SCOTUS approved. SCOTUS if the enemy of freedom of association and not the protector.











s
#12 indyjonesouthere on 2021-01-27 13:04 (Reply)
Our current crop of educators are really glorified babysitters, and warrant no special treatment in respect of the pandemic (if for any other reason). Particularly since their unions seem to object to anything but virtual classrooms.

I would have no problem abandoning the public school system as it currently exists. And for pity's sake, quit making school mandatory beyond Grade 6. I suspect those kids who don't want to be there beyond that, learn very little anyways, and just make everyone else miserable.

Starting around grade 7, there should be a distinct split between liberal academics, hard science and math, and trades/skills.

I would have been happy with a mix of the latter two, but didn't care for the fact that by high school, a significant number of kids who took the trades/skills route (such as it was) generally didn't want to be there and just caused trouble. But the junior high shop teachers were clearly retired millwrights, electricians, and carpenters, and worth their weight in gold. How they ever gave them the patience to herd a bunch of 7th, 8th, and 9th graders through learning basic shop skills is a miracle.

I was lucky, because how many high schools in this day and age have a well-stocked chemistry lab? No analytical instrumentation to speak of except a spectrometer. Quite a bit of hands-on bench chemistry in all the chemistry classes. But that was back in the days when we rinsed our glassware with benzene and poured it down the drains. Then they decided benzene wasn't good, so they switched over to toluene. Only one hood in the entire room, and if I recollect, it was only used when the teacher showed us how thermite worked.
#13 ruralcounsel on 2021-01-27 13:32 (Reply)
It is an indication of how oppressive, how overweening politics has become as a segment of our society, the power that the education unions have right now.

Consider: Here is a union of employees that exemplify mediocrity (at best) in their performance track record, and who personify radical politicization in their remit, and whose promotion schemes largely do not take performance into account. They are so politically powerful, that they can command salaries, command preferred benefits, and yet refuse to work - with volumes of scientific evidence contrary to their position - and get away with it, in spite of the rest of society's critical workers showing up without missing a beat, for the past 9 months.

And our political leaders are so cowed and terrified of their wrath, that they are too timid to just fire all of them. How politically powerful do you have to be, to get paid for refusing to work at all, without fear of termination, as the children suffer? The education unions show us all how. One state has taken the right approach by putting the funds allocated for students into the hands of the parents, to choose their schooling.
#14 Aggie on 2021-01-27 14:14 (Reply)
Why are teachers on full salary and not in the class room?
Lay off 100 a let one due a virtual class.

Wikepedia turns leftist
#15 Dennis Lukas on 2021-01-27 22:35 (Reply)

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