tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83489175464982999882024-03-12T23:22:12.773-04:00Truth, Lies, Rumors, and RumblesThoughts, musings, observations and commentary on the human condition, with great latitude given to the definition of human.Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191518215607822910noreply@blogger.comBlogger181125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348917546498299988.post-7106244354904936982023-10-07T22:00:00.001-04:002023-10-07T22:34:31.910-04:00A Visit from the Secret Service<p data-sourcepos="3:1-3:122" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Google Sans", "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 24px 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2; word-break: break-word; word-spacing: 0px;"><span>Recently,</span><span> I reconnected with a high school buddy and subscribed to<a href="https://louismascolo.substack.com/?fbclid=IwAR0nZYOn6GRL54j0oUlmgKZCmdm2-P2lLwrLfxX5C2s09M7AXn7gThqXVHA" target="_blank"> his Substack, Lou's Joint.</a></span><span><a href="https://louismascolo.substack.com/?fbclid=IwAR0nZYOn6GRL54j0oUlmgKZCmdm2-P2lLwrLfxX5C2s09M7AXn7gThqXVHA" target="_blank"> </a>His posts resonate with me on a number of levels and,</span><span> in some cases,</span><span> bring back memories.</span><span> In his latest posts,</span><span> he tells us of his visit from two FBI agents and how he fell for the Nigerian Scam back in the 90s.</span></p><p data-sourcepos="5:1-5:88" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Google Sans", "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 24px 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2; word-break: break-word; word-spacing: 0px;"><span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiePHEGxLGrHbH2EWqlnX-fOgCJolYF4p9uszbtHFfYpfOFcoZFyHHvYmufbMMTnZngH0lkddbCtKF_RjcNJCQSOn-lcYN76euqQSrcO6M6sKG-UERTFbrE0CJ1ONc3pJ98PpXaM3tTNDu_GgZUZMm54k20CZ4BUgjnb62xjfq41TmxQdy4qfo7AqURaf4/s512/eUC83vDVA5JxOTdWjxBE--grid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="510" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiePHEGxLGrHbH2EWqlnX-fOgCJolYF4p9uszbtHFfYpfOFcoZFyHHvYmufbMMTnZngH0lkddbCtKF_RjcNJCQSOn-lcYN76euqQSrcO6M6sKG-UERTFbrE0CJ1ONc3pJ98PpXaM3tTNDu_GgZUZMm54k20CZ4BUgjnb62xjfq41TmxQdy4qfo7AqURaf4/w199-h200/eUC83vDVA5JxOTdWjxBE--grid.jpg" width="199" /></a></span></div><span>I don't remember the exact date,</span><span> but around the same time Lou was talking to FBI agents,</span><span> I was face-to-face with two Secret Service agents.</span><span> Here's the Reader's Digest version:</span><p></p><p data-sourcepos="7:1-7:37" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Google Sans", "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 24px 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2; word-break: break-word; word-spacing: 0px;"><span>It was a Monday morning when I walked into the school office to sign in,</span><span> and the secretary told me that the Superintendent wanted to see me right away.</span><span> I headed up to the office,</span><span> and when I walked in,</span><span> I saw two imposing men dressed in black.</span></p><p data-sourcepos="9:1-9:142" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Google Sans", "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 24px 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2; word-break: break-word; word-spacing: 0px;"><span>They told me that over the weekend,</span><span> someone had threatened the life of President Clinton,</span><span> and they had traced the computer back to our school.</span></p><p data-sourcepos="11:1-11:143" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Google Sans", "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 24px 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2; word-break: break-word; word-spacing: 0px;"><span>I said something like,</span><span> "Oh shit!</span><span> I think I know where that came from.</span><span>" I went on to tell them about the lesson I had given the previous Friday:</span></p><p data-sourcepos="13:1-13:69" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Google Sans", "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 24px 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2; word-break: break-word; word-spacing: 0px;"><span>"I stood in front of my class holding my keys,</span><span> my wallet,</span><span> and my cell phone,</span><span> and I told the class I would give them all of those things before I would give them my email password.</span><span> When they questioned why,</span><span> I told them that if you give someone your password,</span><span> they can have their lives destroyed.</span><span>"</span></p><p data-sourcepos="15:1-15:20" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Google Sans", "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 24px 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2; word-break: break-word; word-spacing: 0px;"><span>"No way!</span><span>" they said.</span></p><p data-sourcepos="17:1-17:98" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Google Sans", "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 24px 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2; word-break: break-word; word-spacing: 0px;"><span>I went on to say,</span><span> "I can destroy your lives with just two words.</span><span>" Again,</span><span> they said,</span><span> "No way!</span><span> How?</span><span>"</span></p><p data-sourcepos="19:1-19:252" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Google Sans", "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 24px 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2; word-break: break-word; word-spacing: 0px;"><span>I just said,</span><span> "All I have to do is use your email account,</span><span> address it to the White House,</span><span> and say,</span><span> 'You're dead!</span><span>' How long do you think it would be before the Secret Service was at your door?</span><span>" Well,</span><span> I guess I got the answer about how long it would take.</span></p><p data-sourcepos="21:1-21:175" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Google Sans", "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 24px 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2; word-break: break-word; word-spacing: 0px;"><span>I was finding it hard to believe that one of my students would be so stupid as to do that,</span><span> because they already knew about IP address tracing and the lack of anonymity online.</span></p><p data-sourcepos="23:1-23:319" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Google Sans", "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 24px 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2; word-break: break-word; word-spacing: 0px;"><span>As it turned out,</span><span> it wasn't a two-word message via email.</span><span> Someone had come to the White House website where you could leave a message for the President.</span><span> In the message,</span><span> they ranted and threatened the life of the President,</span><span> and left their email address.</span><span> The email address they left was to a student in a neighboring high school,</span><span> but the IP address showed it came from our school.</span></p><p data-sourcepos="25:1-25:257" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Google Sans", "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 24px 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2; word-break: break-word; word-spacing: 0px;"><span>We went to the computer logs and traced it back to a specific computer.</span><span> Apparently,</span><span> two boys were enamored of the same girl,</span><span> and the boy from our school wrote the message and left his rival's name.</span><span> Much to my relief,</span><span> it was not my lesson and not my student.</span></p><p data-sourcepos="27:1-27:240" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: "Google Sans", "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin: 24px 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: pre-wrap; widows: 2; word-break: break-word; word-spacing: 0px;"><span>The Secret Service didn't drag him out in cuffs and left the discipline up to the school.</span><span> As they left,</span><span> one of the agents turned to me as he put on his aviator sunglasses and said,</span><span> "Nice lesson.</span><span>" (Just kidding about the aviator sunglasses.</span><span>)</span></p>Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191518215607822910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348917546498299988.post-53843650383465946452023-09-26T16:05:00.003-04:002023-09-26T16:06:37.530-04:00An Open Letter to Facebook Administrators in the Raymond Area<div class="post-markdown flex flex-col gap-4 text-th-primary-dark text-base"><div class="whitespace-pre-wrap text-th-primary-dark antialiased break-words" style="word-break: break-word;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLhFtXLk1odZIv2QtcKGJfhJBI7VCt7DFIPavvH8tdktSuyCkBw8IZ_fPwyvQxzd08HEVYtqjKsghD_WklKgARmwRcQMW4A-YUc9YwWx_o_eaaJlfQKWxO4vFKFD_YyfJcIiI5HZ_ys649msWlm_hQUGjwIMp2EKhNWDx_6Y0RAPr55ReKs24K_abBKaQ/s400/Soapbox2.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="210" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLhFtXLk1odZIv2QtcKGJfhJBI7VCt7DFIPavvH8tdktSuyCkBw8IZ_fPwyvQxzd08HEVYtqjKsghD_WklKgARmwRcQMW4A-YUc9YwWx_o_eaaJlfQKWxO4vFKFD_YyfJcIiI5HZ_ys649msWlm_hQUGjwIMp2EKhNWDx_6Y0RAPr55ReKs24K_abBKaQ/s320/Soapbox2.jpg" width="168" /></a></div><br /></div>
<div class="whitespace-pre-wrap text-th-primary-dark antialiased break-words" style="word-break: break-word;">Dear Facebook Group Administrators and Members,</div><div class="whitespace-pre-wrap text-th-primary-dark antialiased break-words" style="word-break: break-word;"> </div>
<div class="whitespace-pre-wrap text-th-primary-dark antialiased break-words" style="word-break: break-word;"><br />I am penning this open letter, which I am sharing on only here on the Raymond, New Hampshire Residents group, to address a matter of growing concern. As this is a private group, Facebook's policies prevent direct sharing of this post. However, I encourage you to share this link in any other local groups you are part of.<br /></div><div class="whitespace-pre-wrap text-th-primary-dark antialiased break-words" style="word-break: break-word;"> </div>
<div class="whitespace-pre-wrap text-th-primary-dark antialiased break-words" style="word-break: break-word;">I am aware that this message may come across as boastful or arrogant, but I assure you, it is not my intention. I am writing this out of necessity, not choice.</div><div class="whitespace-pre-wrap text-th-primary-dark antialiased break-words" style="word-break: break-word;"> </div>
<div class="whitespace-pre-wrap text-th-primary-dark antialiased break-words" style="word-break: break-word;">My journey in the online world began before the term "online" was commonplace, and possibly even before some of you were born. Since 1983, I have been involved in online community building and administration, a part of my professional life in education. I am confident that my experience in online administration surpasses most.</div><div class="whitespace-pre-wrap text-th-primary-dark antialiased break-words" style="word-break: break-word;"> </div>
<div class="whitespace-pre-wrap text-th-primary-dark antialiased break-words" style="word-break: break-word;">If you've been in this field as long as I have, you'll likely resonate with my observations. If you're relatively new to forum administration, please don't take my words as a personal critique.</div>
<div class="whitespace-pre-wrap text-th-primary-dark antialiased break-words" style="word-break: break-word;">You may have noticed an increase in fake accounts attempting to join your group, a surge in scams being posted, and a rise in the number of posts and users you've had to deny or ban. If these trends have escaped your notice, it's crucial to understand that you may be inadvertently doing a disservice to your users.</div><div class="whitespace-pre-wrap text-th-primary-dark antialiased break-words" style="word-break: break-word;"> </div>
<div class="whitespace-pre-wrap text-th-primary-dark antialiased break-words" style="word-break: break-word;">Starting a Facebook page or group is easy, but managing it becomes increasingly challenging as the content grows. This increased responsibility includes protecting your members from scammers and ensuring their online safety.</div><div class="whitespace-pre-wrap text-th-primary-dark antialiased break-words" style="word-break: break-word;"> </div>
<div class="whitespace-pre-wrap text-th-primary-dark antialiased break-words" style="word-break: break-word;">Regrettably, I've found that individuals and scams I've banned from our group are still active in other local groups. As administrators, we are the first line of defense for our users, many of whom lack the necessary online survival skills.</div><div class="whitespace-pre-wrap text-th-primary-dark antialiased break-words" style="word-break: break-word;"> </div>
<div class="whitespace-pre-wrap text-th-primary-dark antialiased break-words" style="word-break: break-word;">It's our duty to stay abreast of technological advancements and scammer tactics. If you're wondering why scams have become more prevalent, the answer lies in two letters: AI.</div><div class="whitespace-pre-wrap text-th-primary-dark antialiased break-words" style="word-break: break-word;"> </div>
<div class="whitespace-pre-wrap text-th-primary-dark antialiased break-words" style="word-break: break-word;">An old Arab proverb states:</div>
<div class="whitespace-pre-wrap text-th-primary-dark antialiased break-words" style="word-break: break-word;">He who knows not, and knows not he knows not, is a fool—shun him;
he who knows not, and knows he knows not, he is simple—teach him;
he who knows, and knows not he knows, he is asleep—wake him;
he who knows, and knows he knows, he is wise—follow him.</div><div class="whitespace-pre-wrap text-th-primary-dark antialiased break-words" style="word-break: break-word;"> </div>
<div class="whitespace-pre-wrap text-th-primary-dark antialiased break-words" style="word-break: break-word;">In the context of Facebook administration, consider which description fits you best. If you believe you're fully informed about AI, you may need to revisit the first line. Artificial intelligence has empowered internet scammers in the same way email once did for Nigerian Princes. If this analogy confuses you, it's time to enhance your skills.</div><div class="whitespace-pre-wrap text-th-primary-dark antialiased break-words" style="word-break: break-word;"> </div>
<div class="whitespace-pre-wrap text-th-primary-dark antialiased break-words" style="word-break: break-word;">Over the past week, I've created numerous screen capture videos documenting my moderation activities on Raymond, New Hampshire Residents. Before investing time in editing these into a formal presentation, I want to gauge if it would be beneficial.</div><div class="whitespace-pre-wrap text-th-primary-dark antialiased break-words" style="word-break: break-word;"> </div>
<div class="whitespace-pre-wrap text-th-primary-dark antialiased break-words" style="word-break: break-word;">I propose a series of Zoom conferences with Facebook administrators from Raymond and nearby towns. While I bring considerable experience to the table, I am certain there is much I can learn from you. As a lifelong learner, I am acutely aware that the more I learn, the more I realize there is yet to know. I am eager to collaborate with you for the betterment of our community.</div><div class="whitespace-pre-wrap text-th-primary-dark antialiased break-words" style="word-break: break-word;"> </div>
<div class="whitespace-pre-wrap text-th-primary-dark antialiased break-words" style="word-break: break-word;">If you're interested, please send me a Facebook PM expressing your interest. If we're not already connected on Facebook, include the name of the group you administer, as I will need to verify your identity before responding and granting Messenger access.</div><div class="whitespace-pre-wrap text-th-primary-dark antialiased break-words" style="word-break: break-word;"> </div>
<div class="whitespace-pre-wrap text-th-primary-dark antialiased break-words" style="word-break: break-word;">Remember, a great leader doesn't say, "Follow me." Instead, they say, "Show me where you want to go, and I will help you get there." I don't seek followers, but I believe we can navigate this journey together.</div><div class="whitespace-pre-wrap text-th-primary-dark antialiased break-words" style="word-break: break-word;"> </div>
<div class="whitespace-pre-wrap text-th-primary-dark antialiased break-words" style="word-break: break-word;">Art Wolinsky </div><div class="whitespace-pre-wrap text-th-primary-dark antialiased break-words" style="word-break: break-word;">Co-admin, Raymond, New Hampshire Residents</div></div><p> </p>Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191518215607822910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348917546498299988.post-5490917112656135892021-05-12T06:27:00.001-04:002021-05-12T06:29:22.310-04:00The Student Becomes the Teacher Again!<p><a href="https://educationpost.org/network/sarah-tantillo/" target="_blank">Sarah Tantillo</a> is the author of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Hit-Drum-Insiders-National-Movement-ebook/dp/B07R4Q1PJP/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=Sarah+Tantillo&qid=1620810193&s=books&sr=1-2" target="_blank"><u>Hit the Drum: An Insider's Account of How the Charter School Idea Became a National Movement</u>.</a> </p><p>I first met Sarah around 1995 when we were both in the Long Beach Island Elementary School. I was a 5th grade teacher, and Sarah was in my student. If you had told me then that by 2021 she would have four books and be one of the nation's top experts on the charter school movement, I wouldn't have doubted you for a moment. On the other hand, if you had told me that in 2021 she would be teaching me things about my wife of almost 55 years that would give me an even greater appreciation for her, I would ask you what you were smoking, but last night she did just that.</p><p>During an interview by Michael Scotto, one of her former students, she was asked to share some insights about how a parent can best support their child in school, and she told a story that hit me like a ton of bricks. Watch this six minute segment and I'll explain. </p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><p style="text-align: center;"> <iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7DnUR0pzb5Q?start=3746" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe> </p><p>If you ask me whether I prefer vanilla or chocolate, I would simply say, "Chocolate." If you ask my wife the same question, you will likely hear about the first time she tasted a Hershey bar, the time my son put a bowl of vanilla ice cream on his head, her introduction Neapolitan ice cream, and the plot of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Eventually, I would get the answer I was looking for five minutes earlier. </p><p>After listening to Sarah, I realize that at the same time she was sitting in my 5th grade classroom, Jill had been that mother in the supermarket for five years with our children. While I was teaching Sarah and the other students at LBI, Jill was laying down the educational foundation for our children in ways that I couldn't begin to match.</p><p>So after 55 years of marriage, the next time I ask my wife a simple question, instead of getting impatient when she goes on a verbal safari, I will think of Sarah, the woman in the supermarket, two amazing kids, and I will be thankful and grateful for all she has done.</p>Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191518215607822910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348917546498299988.post-38668883079066658062021-04-07T05:11:00.002-04:002021-04-07T05:11:36.136-04:00Chuck Brodsky, Holocaust Awareness, and Schools<p>Normally, the video would come at the end of my blog post, but don't waste your time reading my words until after you watch how Chuck Brodsky helps students at the Pine School in Florida relate to the Holocaust in a unique and powerful way. </p><p></p><center><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" scrolling="no" seamless="" src="https://raymondtv.viebit.com/vod/?v=WgjEQ6erTKqG&s=false&d=false" width="640"></iframe></center><p></p><p>This all started about two months ago, when I wrote about singer/song writer <a href="http://chuckbrodsky.com" target="_blank">Chuck Brodsky</a>, his thoughtful and reflective music. I explained how the pandemic was keeping him from touring, but how it offered a unique opportunity for schools and creative teachers to tap into a world class talent to provide a learning opportunity that would not be possible save for the pandemic.<br /></p><p>Most of his songs are based on true stories that are windows into the human condition. They are insightful observations of life, how it is lived, and how it should be lived. I knew his songs of the Holocaust could help students connect to history in a way that no text book could ever do. I knew that if I wasn't retired, I would be looking for ways to connect Chuck with my students and give them life lessons and experiences in history, story telling, and writing in ways that could never be done through text books. </p><p>My days in the classroom ended more than a decade ago, but my connections to schools and the like minded teachers I had worked over the years were still at it. After reaching out to Chuck with my thoughts about how his music could inspire students and offered to help connect him with schools and he took me up on my offer. <br /></p><p>In the beginning of February, I reached out to my friend Karlheinz Haas, who was the Educational Technology Curriculum Director at Southern Regional, where I was teaching and consulting in the 90's. He's now at the Pine School in Florida where 8th grade teacher, Kim Yaris, conducts an annual Holocaust unit. </p><p>The class had already read Eli Wiesel's "Night", done research, and had a visit from a classmate's father who was a Holocaust survivor. Kim's unit was based in story telling and after some planning it was decided that Chuck would could first conduct a Zoom concert, and perform some of his songs, tell their back stories, and answer questions as a way of leading the students into their culminating projects. Then about two weeks later he again once again met with the class for more in depth interviews about his life, his writing process, and to provide commentary and suggestions on their projects. It was one of the three most significant educational experiences of my 40+ years in education.</p><p>I documented the project and here's a 30 minute compilation of the activities. If you would like to connect Chuck before the pandemic begins to ease up and he resumes touring, you can reach him at chuck@chuckbrodsky.com .</p>Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191518215607822910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348917546498299988.post-9077360395269096572021-01-30T17:49:00.001-05:002021-01-30T17:49:40.070-05:00Chuck Brodsky, the Holocaust, Civil Rights, and Songs of Hope and Inspiration<p>If you are reading this, it is probably because we are Facebook friends and I personally asked you to come here. It's also very likely you are a teacher and we met because of our involvement with the Internet and school change. </p><p>I have invited you here to meet <a href="https://www.youtube.com/c/ChuckBrodsky99/about">Chuck Brodsky</a>, who I met about 20 years ago. I'm hoping he can touch and enrich you life and possibly the lives of your students, the way he has mine. I know his songs, stories, and insights into the human condition will touch your hearts and I'm hoping they might fit in your classroom or curriculum. <br /></p><p>I hope you will take the time to explore the links here and figure out ways to use his gift to reach the hearts and minds of your students in creative and powerful ways that can't be done with the simple written word alone.<br /></p>
<p>I first met Chuck around the turn of the century shortly after Pandora launched and I set up a folk channel. The first song I heard was, Radio, the story of a football coach, in Anderson, South Carolina, and a kid they called Radio. That prompted me to buy the CD and after listening to it, the possibilities for use in the classroom excited me. One thing led to another. I went to see him perform, spoke with him after the show, and began planning a cross-curricular project for the students in our high school, but I digress. Here's Chuck singing Radio.</p><p>We are in the middle of a pandemic (stated Captain Obvious), and teachers are scrambling to create engaging online lessons. Musicians, such as Chuck, who make their living performing live are in much the same boat. To make ends meet, Chuck is doing Facebook and YouTube live concerts, the concerts are free and Chuck asks that you tip as you see fit. He also has all of his songs available to download, and I've been introducing him to educators who can tap into the richness of his songs and stories. </p><p>I'm willing to bet that many, if not most of you will become Chuck Brodsky fans, and I hope you will use his songs in your classes. If you do you can support him in many ways. Simply paying $1 to download one of his songs from<a href="https://chuckbrodsky.bandcamp.com"> Band Camp https://chuckbrodsky.bandcamp.com</a> would help, but I'm betting some of you have the wheels turning about a Zoom concert.</p><p>You could spend the next week listening to his songs just to figure out which ones might suit your curriculum, but I know you don't have that kind of time. However, I do, and I know half of his songs by heart. There are at least two dozen songs that would overlap in a number of places and cover topics such as the holocaust, civil rights, values, immigration and more, including the division in our country today.</p><p>I've put together a short description of at least two-dozen songs on the topics listed above, along with links to them. If you are interested saving yourself hours of work locating the right songs for you and getting a copy of the list, or have any questions about the education potential, feel free to email me at<a href="mailto:awolinsky@3dwriting.com" target="_blank"> awolinsky@3dwriting.com</a>. </p><p>Oh, and by the way, if you are thinking about songs that will excite your class about song writing or poetry, there a few dozen more that would fit the bill. <br /></p><p>If there is a silver lining in this Covid-19 cloud, it is that you have an opportunity to bring a world class talent into your classroom via Zoom at a school budget price. If you're interested in having Chuck work with you students, you can contact him directly at <a href="mailto:chuck@chuckbrodsky.com">chuck@chuckbrodsky.com</a> . </p><p>Stay safe! Stay healthy! Stay sane!</p><p><br /></p>Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191518215607822910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348917546498299988.post-6536314600867344512020-12-26T12:47:00.004-05:002020-12-26T14:32:05.894-05:00A Christmas Surprise<p>Here's a huge shout out to my son-in-law, Paul Kerstein, for taking the lead on making this Christmas special for Jill. It was a year and a half in the making. In early 2019, Paul and I were talking about my father-in-law, Jack Saylor, and his service in the submarine service during WWII. I didn't know much. <br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu0BUuGMwt2MazAsjx3kbca-J-Mev9BsacBTWaJFjfIgOcpsJ1YKDfc0toIPO34aq0QHtlnSy_bS1K3_HDzDO4XhKb5hFdKzVkoYw2p0zRt0Z1GIzWURDWTXvgZGXvPL5CKIxMFx8u_rw/s934/p46552_200417023_2_re_jack-saylor.tif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="934" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu0BUuGMwt2MazAsjx3kbca-J-Mev9BsacBTWaJFjfIgOcpsJ1YKDfc0toIPO34aq0QHtlnSy_bS1K3_HDzDO4XhKb5hFdKzVkoYw2p0zRt0Z1GIzWURDWTXvgZGXvPL5CKIxMFx8u_rw/s320/p46552_200417023_2_re_jack-saylor.tif" width="320" /></a></div><p><br />Jack died less than three years after we were married. He never talked about his service to his family and of course I never asked him in the short time I knew him. The only story he ever shared with Jill was one of sinking a Japanese transport and what transpired after it sunk. Suffice it to say, they didn't take prisoners on the high seas, and like so many others, the man who left for war was not the man who came home and never would be again.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXSGUm2KmHo7StgBax8mhwZIBluwJD7iBJt64P52kQJ5Xofey-nxjbZfcjw0h14Pe90ydqTGm1rlk4p0vDtH4TbYzScNIJSQ2CtN8a3rhKDsyIp-ypMbHzYOE8L5dkp3LLLsn2rtx2Cdc/s1024/1024px-USS_Lapon%253B0826002.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="819" data-original-width="1024" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXSGUm2KmHo7StgBax8mhwZIBluwJD7iBJt64P52kQJ5Xofey-nxjbZfcjw0h14Pe90ydqTGm1rlk4p0vDtH4TbYzScNIJSQ2CtN8a3rhKDsyIp-ypMbHzYOE8L5dkp3LLLsn2rtx2Cdc/s320/1024px-USS_Lapon%253B0826002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">USS Lapon<br /></p><p>All I really knew was the name of the submarine he served on, the information on his service card, and a few other details I could find in the public record. As we talked, Paul mentioned a flag display he had made for his uncle. I had the flag from Jack's casket in the basement and the plan was hatched (no pun intended). We used to fly it regularly when we lived in NJ, but was stained and faded on one side. I had it professionally cleaned, but Paul had to fold it 7 different ways to display it at its best.<br /></p><p></p><p></p>Awards can only be secured by a blood relative. It was obvious I couldn't get Jill to sign the documents without letting the cat out of the bag, but my daughter could. That's when Paul took the lead. With Ranyde's access as a relative, Paul was able to dig into military records and found out things neither Jill nor I had any inkling of. <p></p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH7eT-62RIPUnMSptrbdTrUURp6Ts7QhVDZHI-Ts2TTft2OrDegohZmTAruRlmIX0ZmDXvg-H7FluLx9olxZB8fItT9TXUwtgwR3GlVcWhZanrjUbsqOJuPNzaED_AXXbE3wQeq0pSQmY/s967/medals.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="778" data-original-width="967" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH7eT-62RIPUnMSptrbdTrUURp6Ts7QhVDZHI-Ts2TTft2OrDegohZmTAruRlmIX0ZmDXvg-H7FluLx9olxZB8fItT9TXUwtgwR3GlVcWhZanrjUbsqOJuPNzaED_AXXbE3wQeq0pSQmY/s320/medals.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>Jack rose to the rank of Seaman 1st class, and worked in the torpedo room of the USS Lapon in four campaigns from 1942-1945. The Lapon was one of 214 US submarines that sunk 1264 enemy ships. Only 35 sank more than the Lapon.</p><p>Text messages went back and forth over the months, mostly me answering
questions, doing progress checks, and discussing the best display
case and how to get it. The about a year went by waiting for the
government to come through with the items you see on display. The last
items arrived about a week before Christmas!</p><p style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQdGHOZUb4NglN9YqA_6pQMs0r0ElUkALm1i3XK8qY20FBgkdr8cki0V270a4vl0nVru9hThE34b6uzHWsTeVZKThEzjwyb9GBcH7rHNwrm_y4qboJWUWE3RR3bwJwE9XzOkWWwac2E9Y/s2428/20201226_105727.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1831" data-original-width="2428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQdGHOZUb4NglN9YqA_6pQMs0r0ElUkALm1i3XK8qY20FBgkdr8cki0V270a4vl0nVru9hThE34b6uzHWsTeVZKThEzjwyb9GBcH7rHNwrm_y4qboJWUWE3RR3bwJwE9XzOkWWwac2E9Y/s320/20201226_105727.jpg" width="320" /></a></p><p></p><p></p><p>The display includes the Lapon patch, his stripes, and all the pins, ribbons and medals for which he qualified. The sub you see in the display box is a 1/350 EXACT replica of the Lapon, painstakingly and lovingly crafted by Paul. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi93_OIGon50MRqNiQttERvFrHqVrLyIgNYnNWCDdH39sJU5OYQJwevnNvjYZUMaXtMpn1e7XK4zfZGRQ4VlPRUeO0CJhcDI-1D7UPS03LpSO9tOgrX0BNQb33kehwNEIrPuaW-Hxwfkic/s1008/Model.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="477" data-original-width="1008" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi93_OIGon50MRqNiQttERvFrHqVrLyIgNYnNWCDdH39sJU5OYQJwevnNvjYZUMaXtMpn1e7XK4zfZGRQ4VlPRUeO0CJhcDI-1D7UPS03LpSO9tOgrX0BNQb33kehwNEIrPuaW-Hxwfkic/s320/Model.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>When Paul sent me the last text with the picture of the final product, I told him Jill always said he was the best son-in-law in the world, but after this it would be the galaxy. <br /></p><p></p>Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191518215607822910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348917546498299988.post-50245664903980345032020-09-05T18:34:00.000-04:002020-10-21T10:39:51.943-04:00Truth, Lies, Rumors, and Rumbles<p>The sacrifices and hardships endured by those who choose to serve are something most of us will never understand, but all of us should honor and cherish them. In keeping with my pledge to give thoughtful posts, I'll refrain from editorializing and offer this post in the hope it will help someone in some small way.<br /><br />Today, on Facebook, Mess Wright said, "My dad was a Vietnam vet who had some issues as a result. I got to grow up dealing with that. One brother served in combat in Kosovo and is totally traumatized from that. Another brother killed himself in his driveway after serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Trump calling dead vets losers is not surprising but it’s just one more way he beats up decent people who have served the USA in ways his accidental presidency never has and never will. I’ll never understand those of you who still support him, and I never will. I want you all out of my life for now and forever." </p><p>----------------------------------------------------<br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw4ZztSUtTXEdXAEHpeCBYcAJgEdd46eIs8TvsiEEYJ1zeHYPcS8eHVNRv1Zim5xUcLtht4i0vglFr8gVyr_1FUkiz0WqKVFUH2QmNxYZKzVks8_9sbQa3SMRPQ9PDYtG-WkDvbZtr660/s995/Harold1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="995" data-original-width="792" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw4ZztSUtTXEdXAEHpeCBYcAJgEdd46eIs8TvsiEEYJ1zeHYPcS8eHVNRv1Zim5xUcLtht4i0vglFr8gVyr_1FUkiz0WqKVFUH2QmNxYZKzVks8_9sbQa3SMRPQ9PDYtG-WkDvbZtr660/w163-h205/Harold1.jpg" width="163" /></a></div>Her story, like many others, brought to mind my Uncle Harold. He was a WWII vet, but didn't speak about it much. One day, when I was about 12, I asked him what he did in the Army. I didn't go into detail, but he told me of being stationed in Germany and of an anonymous poem pinned on the barracks bulletin board and the impact it made on him.<br /><br /> I sat transfixed as he recited it. It made such an impression on me, I asked him to write it down, and I memorized it that same day. Over the past 60+ years, the more I learned about the war, the more I realized, how much that poem said about his time overseas. I have shared it with others hundreds of times and recited it in my mind thousands of times, but one time will live forever in my memory. <br /><br />Back in the mid-90s, our teachers and administrators were in a battle with a board of education who ran the school district much like the country is current administration is running the country. They had two agendas, neither of which had students in mind. In their efforts to implement them, the district suffered considerably. One was to get rid of the superintendent and the other was to cut spending as much as they could. They started on the later as soon as they had the majority. Sometime later, the superintendent resigned for the good of the district. <br /><br />The new superintendent, while not a puppet, was powerless to fight their decisions. Lies, backroom deals, cronyism, bullying, firings, transfers, and control of local media were their tools. If a teacher or administrator opposed them, they were called to task, fired, or transferred. After a year or more of this, I decided to use the internet to get the truth out, because I felt it was a tool that could make a difference. I created Truth, Lies, Rumors, and Rumbles. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ9mEweZeBtxFo6b8XP6_pJmXlZhF03m_Jl2jMGo1klkWSeDL4mo0kWuQxzO33wa4Y-v3wM2nIqzVLhE0HBYsk7PZ5dWc8N6mciUkfdjtJbwl_7QzL3hhiiWHWLu-cKLK3-HDGbGdOqmM/s1050/TLRR+Home+Page.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="850" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ9mEweZeBtxFo6b8XP6_pJmXlZhF03m_Jl2jMGo1klkWSeDL4mo0kWuQxzO33wa4Y-v3wM2nIqzVLhE0HBYsk7PZ5dWc8N6mciUkfdjtJbwl_7QzL3hhiiWHWLu-cKLK3-HDGbGdOqmM/w166-h205/TLRR+Home+Page.jpg" width="166" /></a></div>Over a 6 month period, my battle became public as newspapers began getting wind of it a teacher taking on the board on the web. The battle was no longer local as my website won a Point 5% award in the education category and the Electronic Freedom Foundation offered legal help. I thanked the EFF and told them I would let them know if I needed any. <p></p><p>I had a habit of fighting city hall, and as they say, this wasn't my first rodeo. More importantly, I had the advice of one of the top attorneys in the country, who just happened to be my first cousin. Before I began, I contacted him, told him I was going to take on the board, and knew they would come after my job at some point. He told me exactly what to do and as things turned out, his advice was golden. <br /> <br />When they eventually did come after me, it was a surprise attack. It happened one night at a televised board meeting. The meeting was almost over. They had just come out of a non-public session. After getting up to make a comment, they attacked me. I couldn't believe what they were doing, because it violated state law, our contract, and more, which you will soon see. As it was happening, I couldn't believe it, but then as looked at the table and realized the board attorney who was a regular fixture at EVERY meeting, wasn't there to stop them as he had in other instances when they were getting ready to cross a line. I later found out as they came out of non-public, the board president told him he could go home, because there was only 5 minutes left in the meeting. As it turned out, those 5 minutes were arguably the most important 5 minutes in the meeting. It became the next episode of As the Board Churns. <br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1PUIN6ReVWSEzJC_hyphenhyphenxCotIA3nSsy5BRvH4ACL2THtJ8_ayUiuBkQ37wvv3R1NhXKcdth0phqXj1FqH9EpgHEwBBWW_d8naBabNLcJWFFK-KToYFjBfb05Y4wU-kK01EqwpBboLMF0tw/s850/TLRR2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="568" data-original-width="850" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1PUIN6ReVWSEzJC_hyphenhyphenxCotIA3nSsy5BRvH4ACL2THtJ8_ayUiuBkQ37wvv3R1NhXKcdth0phqXj1FqH9EpgHEwBBWW_d8naBabNLcJWFFK-KToYFjBfb05Y4wU-kK01EqwpBboLMF0tw/w205-h137/TLRR2.jpg" width="205" /></a></div>It was at that point I decided to get the state teacher association's legal department involved. Our first and only meeting was held on the morning of the next board meeting. After I filled the attorney in on what had transpired over the past 5 months, he asked if I had any documentation. I could hear it in his tone and see it in his body language, he had heard it before. I knew he wasn't expecting the three ring binder filled with about 250 pages of notes, letters, newspaper clipping, and more. His eyes lit up like a kid at Christmas. <br /><br />As we continued, I asked what our next step should be, because the next board meeting was that night (Tuesday). He told me I had two choices.<br />1) I could sit in the audience and say nothing, and if they took any action against me, he would file in federal court by Thursday for violating my civil rights. 2) I could go in front of the board and say whatever I like, and if they took any action against me, he would file in federal court by Thursday for violating my civil rights. I opted for number 2.<br /><br />That night, as I stepped up to the podium, I saw the board attorney say something to the president. I began about a 10 minute speech that refuted everything they said during their attack on me, and then gave them a bit of their own medicine. If looks could kill, I would have been struck dead on the spot. At one point, the VP was getting ready to say something when the attorney to put his hand his shoulder and just nodded his head, no . It was obvious the attorney had updated them on how badly they had screwed up in the 5 minutes he was not at the previous meeting, because they never said a word. I really don't remember what I said in the speech, or how I made the transition to the poem, but I can still see their faces every time I recite it. <br /><br />I have hoped. I have planned. I have striven.<br />To the will I have added the deed;<br />All that is in me I've given<br />In the hope that I would succeed.<br /><br />I have dared and reached only disaster,<br />I have battled and broken my lance;<br />I am struck by a pitiless master<br />That the weak and the timid call Chance.<br /><br />I am old. I am bent. I've been cheated<br />Of all that youth urged me to win;<br />But name me not with the defeated,<br />For tomorrow, again I begin.<br /><br />Prologue: <br />Shortly after that, I reached out to LM_NET, the Internet's largest mailing list of librarians, to try to find out who wrote the poem. They came through in flying colors. The poem was titled, Unsubdued, and was written by S.E. Kiser. The version above, is how my uncle remembered it. The S.E. Kiser version had only a few words different, but the changes provide a powerful picture in to the mind of the GI who posted it on the bulletin board, but that's another discussion. <br /><br />Things came to a head with the board as we approached the April elections. Three of the members' terms were expiring. Two of them had decided not to run, but the president was up for re-election. On TLR&R, I said that on the day after the election, if the president was re-elected, I would take that as a message from the public, and would resign my teaching position. In his campaign literature, the board president said he was elected to the board by one of the largest margins in township history, and trusted that the voters would return him to the board. When the results came in he was defeated by one of the largest margins ever.<br /><br />The truth is a powerful thing!<p></p>Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191518215607822910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348917546498299988.post-61379156484204039572020-08-28T15:27:00.005-04:002020-09-06T22:54:01.914-04:00A Stroke of Luck<p>On Tuesday, 8/25 @ 2:15, Jill was scheduled to have a <a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/-/scassets/files/org/neurological/spine/lumbar-radiofrequency-ablabtion-2016.ashx?la=en">lumbar ablation.</a> It was the second in a series of
shots to deal with back pain. The first was two weeks ago. <br />
<br /> At about 12:00 she was getting nauseous and had a migraine, neither of
which were alarming, because she gets migraines and she wasn't allowed to eat 8 hours prior to the procedure
and nothing to drink for 4 hours prior. Because she doesn't get up until between 9 and 10 and her last
food was about 5 pm the previous day. All she had in her was a cup of
coffee. So we attributed the nauseousness to that not sitting
well. <br />
<br />
As time got closer to the procedure she began to get the dry
heaves. At this point it was about 12:20 and I wanted to call the
doctor and let him know. She wouldn't let me call. By 1:15 she
was not improving. I
took her temperature and blood pressure.
There was no fever, but her blood pressure was 212/113. I over
rode her objection and called.</p><p>On the call I mentioned the
migraine and nausea, but neglected to mention the blood pressure. The
nurse spoke to
the Dr. and said, they could give her something for the nausea and
to give her a little juice or something to get a bit of sugar in
her. She has a sip or two of water and a sip of Coke which did
nothing to settle the stomach. <br />
<br />
At 1:35 we headed out the office. During the ride she got worse,
continued with dry heaves, and became disoriented. There were a
few times she said things and got words wrong. I think the word
that was in her mind came out of her mouth as something entirely
different.<br />
<br />
As soon as we got into the office I asked the nurse to have the
doctor check her out right away, because I was concerned something
else was wrong. While there were no physical/classical signs of
stroke, that was my concern. The doctor suggested taking her to
the ER, which I did.<br />
<br />
The doctor called ahead and when I arrived at the ER, they were
waiting and took us right back into a room where the neurologist was
already waiting via video conference.
While the nurses were attaching wires, probes, and <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cannula">cannulas, </a>The
doctor began questioning her; name, age, where she was, and other
similar question. They showed her pictures of common objects to
identify. Most objects
were recognized, but others like a glove and a key, she wasn't
able to name. There was a scene with a few people in it and she wasn't
able to describe what was happening in the scene.<br />
<br />
Thankfully, the CT scan didn't show any bleeding. That ruled out <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intracerebral_hemorrhage">bleeding stroke</a>. It could still be a <a href="https://oregon.providence.org/forms-and-information/a/ask-an-expert-stroke-vs-tia/">TIA or an Ischemic Stroke</a>. Once the tests were done, the doctor said what was
happening could possibly be a result of the migraine, but knowing Jill and
her her history, I told the doctor I knew more than likely, the migraine and
disorientation was the result of a TIA or Stroke. <br />
<br />
Since we got to the ER within 3 hours of the event, Jill could be given <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007089.htm">clot busting medication</a>. He explained the treatment and
the associated risks. They administered the drugs and you could almost see the confusion leaving her mind. </p><p>They
moved her to the ICU for 24-48 hours to watch for any change or
adverse affects of the treatment. By the time she was settled into
ICU, it was 6:30 and past visiting hours. I headed home. We spoke on
the phone later and there were no signs of any speech or memory
problems, except there is no memory of the vomiting, dry heaves, the
trip to the first Dr. and the time in the emergency room. <br /></p><p>They
only allow one visitor a day for 2 hours. So we spoke on the phone a
few times during the day and I visited during the late afternoon. She
was in good spirits and was her old self. She made sure I brought her
makeup kit something to wear besides the hospital gown. She wanted a
shower and she wanted to go home, but that was not to be. Her blood
pressure was still too high and they had more monitoring to do,
including an MRI that would be performed the next day. <br />
<br />
That brings us to Thursday. The MRI was scheduled for the morning,
but I visited from 12-2 and she still didn't have it, but they decided
she was captive for another day, because her blood pressure is still too
high. It's bounce around the 188/90 level. They put her on a cardiac
diet and are trying to bring it down. It's 5:00 now and I just got off
the phone with her and still no MRI. I suspect they may hold off until
tomorrow morning. <br /></p><p>It is now 3:00 PM on Friday and Jill is
home. They took the MRI this morning and it was clear. We are home and
she is in good spirits with no apparent impairment. She has a follow up
with her primary care physician next week and a neurologist in about 3
weeks. </p>Fate, coincidence, or divine intervention, she was very
lucky. As I wrote, she was on the way to another doctor when things
really started going south. What is lucky is that the appointment we
were going to had been changed twice. If it had been the original time,
she would have had the stroke either during or right after the
procedure. If it had been the second date, she would have had the stroke
the day after the ablation. As turned out, it was a stroke of luck.<br /><p> </p>Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191518215607822910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348917546498299988.post-74373186733785949652020-07-22T16:40:00.001-04:002020-10-21T10:40:01.086-04:00Teaching About Fake NewsSince 1995, I've been saying the most critical thing we should be teaching students, is information literacy. Specifically, the ability to locate, evaluate, and use online information for problem solving. It has been 25 years of banging my head against a wall, while shouting into the wind, while swimming upstream, with one hand tied behind my back. Yet, I keep trying, because it is the key to understanding how to handle Fake News. <br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7MFdv8bt3E5DNaou-xtFPXkGxIdaPYc-X7FFqsAcD7U6GpF0qvBA8WFLCN3Zrs2rcDcL3Fb1VQuXihl3ETw0TzfsziFzp95TwcfBuvbbYLjZiC1lCBFtbA2jpMbLbnj-Q9efYemI9VTM/s1600/web.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="493" data-original-width="536" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7MFdv8bt3E5DNaou-xtFPXkGxIdaPYc-X7FFqsAcD7U6GpF0qvBA8WFLCN3Zrs2rcDcL3Fb1VQuXihl3ETw0TzfsziFzp95TwcfBuvbbYLjZiC1lCBFtbA2jpMbLbnj-Q9efYemI9VTM/s320/web.png" width="320" /></a></div>
I've written tens of thousand of words on the subject, most of them have probably been on Facebook. While looking back on some of my work, I came across the Internet Library, a series of 7 books for middle school libraries back in 1998. <br />
<br />
The problem with writing so much is you forget half of the things you wrote. It wasn't until I dug out the volume on Locating and Evaluating Information on the Internet, that I realized I had written about misinformation and the 1996 presidential campaign! Except for a half dozen links that have broken over the past two decades, everything I wrote then could have just as well been written yesterday! <br />
<br />
If you are a teacher or parent struggling with how to teach your kids about the whole "Fake News" problem, I would like to introduce you to Web, my computer sidekick. Here, he's helping me tell a story that actually took place during the 1996 presidential election. If you click on the link below, you can download three chapters from the book and use it with your kids or your class.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3dwriting.com/usinginfo.pdf" target="_blank">CLICK TO DOWNLOAD CHAPTERS 6-8 OF</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3dwriting.com/usinginfo.pdf" target="_blank">LOCATING AND EVALUATING INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET</a></div>
<br />
Note: The books are out of print, but I retain the copyright and am making some content available for free. You can probably find some on Amazon or other sites, but I do not profit from those sales. Use should be for education. No modification or commercial use, please. Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191518215607822910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348917546498299988.post-67395832619266070432020-05-01T00:18:00.000-04:002020-09-06T22:56:47.767-04:00Covid Journal 7 - The Dr. Erickson Interview<div class="ecm0bbzt e5nlhep0 a8c37x1j">
<span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"></span><br />
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<span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><img border="0" data-original-height="387" data-original-width="484" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL5Yxym2NMjCm2Qf7z6vX93m5usSS98y3qzcYfJrRINfhpupoxv4VD3l5Hw88QIX39Aph61f1SPId6qzuaxGgUVKeZ6RLy1uzgORfAkPgVJyjH58SQ7aQRChEyrPZGYvvuFbOwakNixEU/s320/post.jpg" width="320" /></span></div>
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Someone just posted a link to this article and said, <a href="https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/apr/28/coronavirus-hype-biggest-political-hoax-in-history" target="_blank">"Read this article. It’s the most important piece of journalism in many months."</a> I read it, but my opinion was considerably different than that of the poster. <br /><br />It references the video of a press conference conducted by Dr. Dan Erickson and Dr. Artin Massihi. They run an urgent care center in Kern County, California<br /><br />The video was taken down from YouTube because it violated community standards, which is a debate for another day. If you want to watch it, <a href="https://videos.utahgunexchange.com/watch/the-quot-cure-quot-is-killing-more-people-than-coronavirus-dr-erickson-covid-19-briefing_XgoYUhXl8R4EHcf.html" target="_blank">you can view it here</a>. <br /><br />I responded with as follows. <br /><br />Let me start by saying I am not a sheeple. During my 40 years of teaching, I've held many different positions in math, science and technology. If anyone asked me what I taught, my answer was the same. I taught critical thinking. I gave extra credit to any student who caught me in an error. I encouraged them to check anything and everything they see and hear. <br /><br />I read the article and I watched the Erichson video 3 times. I was tempted to created a point by point rebuttal, because when you pause to digest what they are saying, it's what they are not saying that tells a big part of the story. Then I thought, why should I spend 4-6 hours putting together a 2 hour video that no one would watch? I'll just spend an hour writing this reply and hope that at least one person reads it.<br /><br />I'll just focus on single point on which they hinge their entire argument. If you accept it, at face value, I urge you to reexamine the sheeple comment. <br /><br />First, I'll cut to my conclusion. Is covid as bad as we first thought? I don't think so, but I have no idea how bad it really is. I do know it is not as rosy optimistic as the picture they are painting. Are we ready to open? No. <br /><br />The first time I watched the video, I had to stop it when they said there was a .003% chance of dying if you get covid. That is 100x lower than the lowest estimate I have seen anywhere. </div>
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So I started running my own calculations using the exact same method they used, which happens to be basic 7th grade math. That itself is a huge red flag. I remember my college genetics final. It was a single question that was 2 hours worth of calculations using calculus. What scientist worth their degree would do calculations of a situations that complex while ignoring all of the variables? <br /><br />How irresponsible is it to ignore date from other places around the county? Those figures are there to use. Why ignore them? Any 7th grader can do the calculations the way they did and come up with considerably different results than they did, but once again their method of calculation is seriously flawed. <br /><br />They were basing their figures on Kern county figures and extrapolating for then entire state, and then for the entire nation. Do you know how ludicrous that is? <br /><br />They said, in Kern county they have tested 5,213. What they didn't say is that represented just 0.6% of Kern county. There is no mention of the demographics of the population or the test sample. The entire state of California has tested only 0.7% of the state. <br /><br />So I started pulling statistics from around the country and the world to see how things compared. Needless to say, every one showed higher death rates than their calculations, keeping in mind, that is using their method. <br /><br />Am I right? I can't say for sure, but you will have to prove me wrong to get any credit at all, let alone extra credit. If you prove me wrong, I'll be happy to change my opinion.<span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"></span></div>
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Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191518215607822910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348917546498299988.post-37089625443134553722020-04-27T12:33:00.001-04:002020-09-06T22:57:37.582-04:00Covid Journal 3 - Who Will You Kill Today?Note: This is being published out of order, because I started it on April 8, but didn't finish until today.<br /><br />I've just about had it with people who compare coronavirus to the flu! Ignorance is NOT bliss. Ignorance can kill.<br />
<br />
In response to a Facebook question about going back to work and social distancing, I just posted a graph of the growth of Covid 19 cases in NH. I asked if it looked like it was a good idea to get back to work.<br />
<br />
Within moments there was a reply that said, "<span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto">Thank you art. So why don’t we shut down the state when we have 8,000 flu cases?" Then he added, "</span><span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto">We’ve had 24+ flu related deaths this year."</span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto">After counting to 10, I took a few breath's and said, "</span></span><span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto">In all the years, we've have the flu going around, have we ever had to
social distance to slow its spread? Of course not, but this IS NOT THE
FLU!!!</span></span></span><br />
<span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto">Its epidemiology is different, it's more deadly, and because it
is so contagious, unchecked it would have crashed our health system.</span></span></span><br />
<span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><br /></span></span></span>
<span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto">Do
you remember last year during the flu season, when NY was piling bodies
in refrigerator trucks and burying people in mass graves? NO? Well,
neither do I. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto">If we did for Covid 19 what we do for the normal flu, the
number of cases and the number of deaths would DWARF the worst flu
statistics, and I don't even want to start on the shape the economy is
in. </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto">The fact is we are peaking shortly. If we keep doing it right, we
will start on the down side, but what goes down can go right back up." </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto">Shortly thereafter, a friend of mine chimed in and said, "</span></span></span><span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto">Insufficient
Data...The testing, both detecting presence, and those that have it,
and may be immune...we don't have the data yet. The finger-prick test
that could detect forensic presence (present but defeated), if rolled
out enmasse, COULD give us the necessary information. but we're finding
out where this virus was 10 days ago...not where it is now.."</span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto">I have no idea whether our message got through, but my question in the title, is aimed at people who don't get it. Consider John Doe, who is a symptomatic, and is not taking precautions. </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto">My mother is 98 years old and living in an assisted living facility in NJ. Early on, they began taking precautions. They were cleaning, social distancing, no activities, no visitors, and other precautions. Despite their efforts, two residents tests positive. The facility went on a tighter lock down and everyone was restricted to their rooms. Then two staff members tested positive, followed by another resident. Since then the number as grown. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><br /></span></span> </span></span><br />
<span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto">During the lock down, my mother fell and couldn't get up. Even though she had the alert necklace, so does everyone else in the facility. She was on the floor with a broken hip for about a half hour before anyone got to her. The worst thing was, she was able to call my sister who also was not able to get through to alert the facility to her problem. </span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto">My sister was 30 minutes away and couldn't get in even if she was there. She was eventually able to make contact and get staff on the phone. They found her on the floor in pain. From the position of her leg, the suspected a broken hip, but they had to wait for a doctor to do anything. It took about 30 minutes for the doctor to tell them to take her to the hospital. The preferred hospital where she had been treated a number of times, had no beds and she had to be taken to a less desirable hospital? </span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto">24 hours earlier, she was a completely independent. Now she is confused a 98 year-old, in terrible pain. She needed a hip replacement and was extremely high risk just for the operation. She is on Plavix and has only one kidney. <br /><br />She is from hearty stock and came through the surgery the operation fine. She is now in rehab now, but in a few weeks will be going back to assisted living. Both the rehab center and the assisted living facilities have positive Covid patients. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto">There is an up side to this story (at least so far). They were going to put her into a rehab center that might have been her death sentence. It had 82 confirmed cases and 14 deaths! My sister was able to do the leg work and got her into the facility we had suggested which has only 7 cases on 0 deaths. Someone was looking out for her, because when she called, they had just one bed available.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto">When we open up, there will be more case and more deaths than if we sheltered in place. Of course, we have to open up some time, but it needs to be based on science. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><br /></span></span> </span></span>Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191518215607822910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348917546498299988.post-26505856254589651782020-04-27T11:51:00.000-04:002020-04-27T12:37:13.119-04:00Covid Journal 6 - Who's Data is Accurate?<div class="ecm0bbzt e5nlhep0 a8c37x1j">
<span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"></span><br />
<div class="kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql">
<div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">
<span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto">A friend posted this video saying it was fake science. It is base on what she and I both agree is a erroneous extrapolation to arrive at a death rate figure. </span></div>
<div dir="auto" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xfLVxx_lBLU" width="560"></iframe><span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto">
</span></div>
<div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><br /></span></div>
<span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"></span><br />
<span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto">I
watched this yesterday and was temped to turn it off after the death
rate calculation, but I decided to watch it all, because the simple fact
is that without adequate testing the actual death rate is impossible to evaluate effectively and I want to get all views in order to form my own opinions.</span></div>
</div>
<span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto">
</span>
<br />
<div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql">
<div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">
<span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto">I'm
a biology major and like looking at the data. Right now there is
enough data to make predictions that are as accurate a hurricane
landfall predictions when the storm is still well out to sea. So I am
willing to listen with an open mind to anyone who has more knowledge
than me. It helps me come to my own conclusions. </span></div>
</div>
<span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto">
</span>
<div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql">
<div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">
<span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto">I
do like that they tried to stick to the data and not let their bias be
front and center or assign blame. The conference actually spread over
two videos. The second part was 12 minutes long and their bias did come
through as the camera rolled after the official press conference came
on. To that end, I will try to do the same here.</span></div>
</div>
<span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto">
<div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql">
<div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">
Their
extrapolation is no less valid than the projections being posed by
those on the other side of the argument. You really have to listen with
an open mind, because they repeatedly say that these are real figures
based "on what they are seeing." In other words, they are saying this is
what is happening where we are. Your situation may be different. The
other side of that coin is that they point to the difference between
Sweden and Norway as being statistically insignificant, but their study
is no more or less statistically significant. </div>
</div>
<div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql">
<div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">
You
may have turned it off before they said that isolation and shut-down
was absolutely necessary. Their point is that is it time to begin
opening up. where they are. They recognize and acknowledge there are
other parts of the country where that is not the case.</div>
</div>
<div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql">
<div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">
Getting
back to their point about the figures being valid for their situation, I
don't discount their position. The shut down was never intended to end
the virus, but simply to slow it so that our systems are not
overwhelmed.</div>
</div>
<div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql">
<div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">
The
other point I question is their contention that our immune systems will
suffer as a result of the isolation. To that point, even as a bio
major, I don't have enough expertise to make a judgement. I know some
immunity is for a life time. Others have a shelf life much shorter.</div>
</div>
<div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql">
<div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">
Make
no mistake about it. From day one, for many this was simply a question
of weighing the effects of the shut down on the economy against the
number of deaths which will result.</div>
</div>
<div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql">
<div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">
They
are real doctors, but had they done a different extrapolation, I would
have been more likely to accept more of their argument. They did what
others have done, just in the other direction. The fact is, we still do
not have a handle on the death rate. If you calculate it based on the
number of test given, it is ridiculously high. If you base it on the
total population it is ridiculously low.</div>
</div>
<div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql">
<div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">
A few things appear evident to me. </div>
<div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">
1) Testing has sucked from day one, but we are making progress. </div>
<div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">
2) We will never go back to the way it used to be. Social distancing will be with us for a significant period of time. </div>
<div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">
3) We will be opening up (slowly I hope) at some point. When that is, is beyond my capabilities of predicting.</div>
<div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">
4) Things were NOT done properly in the early days and we are paying a price for that.</div>
</div>
<div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql">
<div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">
<br />
I
mentioned their bias came out in the last minutes of the second part of
the conference. So, to be fair and balanced, I will let my bias be
know through this post I made 5 days ago, which coincidentally, was the
same day I posted this blog. <a class="oajrlxb2 g5ia77u1 qu0x051f esr5mh6w e9989ue4 r7d6kgcz rq0escxv nhd2j8a9 nc684nl6 p7hjln8o kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x jb3vyjys rz4wbd8a qt6c0cv9 a8nywdso i1ao9s8h esuyzwwr f1sip0of lzcic4wl py34i1dx gpro0wi8" href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Ftlrr.blogspot.com%2F2020%2F04%2Ffor-want-of-nail-and-swab.html%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR1-4hzmD4KBrPrLOKocy8aUUxt0F2nki7RVgaaBAml-AUKu4iqNtOIdzoQ&h=AT1hd1U2QWk16aEcyvDBZBqiNP9cYA60N0zlCN8KQGBQo__-vTeuMAQw7PHEyxR8py8VBbX6fYosiM8K9OutC14zCafA6xa2MFyWuZvz9AUmJNqmQC8MNXTHrMgR_xIDiWdqdhnE_KYFeDS-8g&__tn__=R]-R&c[0]=AT0MtuE0Drjp6ElyxDERA8AZRLM8SU-Mns6SFvfJalXYZ7c0JW2I7TTJ24XqSnep2qp8g8sUUUl95nHM5dHUEeNzco3yQpw1ITV-QoGZDHXNytO2Jvc09MFcljcAB9-KVCRNRDspwVWh7ykVmpgH8g" rel="nofollow noopener" role="link" tabindex="0" target="_blank">https://tlrr.blogspot.com/2020/04/for-want-of-nail-and-swab.html</a></div>
</div>
</span></div>
Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191518215607822910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348917546498299988.post-61457138626850011982020-04-22T13:23:00.000-04:002020-09-06T22:58:35.337-04:00Covid Journal 5 - For want of a nail and a swab...Here in NH, we have not felt the pain of major cities, and the urge to reopen the economy is sparking some debate on local Facebook groups. Recently, someone posed an article about Catholic Medical Center furloughing over 400 employees. That got me to thinking about why this is happening.<br />
<br />
If we go with the President's idea that we are at war, simply put, they are collateral damage caused by failing to engage the enemy in a timely and strategic fashion. <br />
<br />
Have you ever heard the ancient story that starts, "For lack of a nail, the horse was lost"? This version was penned by Ben Franklin.<br />
<br />
<div class="quotebox-title">
For Want of a Nail</div>
<div class="quotebox-quote left-aligned">
<div class="poem">
For want of a nail the shoe was lost.<br />
For want of a shoe the horse was lost.<br />
For want of a horse the rider was lost.<br />
For want of a rider the message was lost.<br />
For want of a message the battle was lost.<br />
For want of a battle the kingdom was lost.<br />
And all for the want of a horseshoe nail.
</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
That's what is going on today. The nail in this case could be swabs, the horse would be test kits, and so on. <br />
<br />
The CMC employees are out of work because of lack of testing. Had the Defense Production Act been used as it should have been, and testing ramped up as it should have, it's possible if not likely, that elective surgery would never have stopped in NH. <br />
<br />
There are plenty of elective surgery centers not in hospitals. There are elective surgeries done in doctor's offices. They are not in the battle against coronavirus. If testing was widely available they might be opening now.<br />
<br />
Testing ramp up was a month late in coming. We are at the very least suffering in a shutdown that is going to be a month longer than it need be, and it's impossible to tell how much damage it has done to our economy. <br />
<br />
At this point someone chimed in with the opinion that nail was PPE that was needed and Ventilators that weren't needed, both were depleted by our previous administration causing the use of the DPA for those items.<br />
<br />
The problem with playing the blame game is that it does nothing to solve the problem that exists today. The PPE and ventilators have nothing to do with testing. In the nail and swab analogy, they have no real status. Test is what it critical to opening the economy. Even if there was an abundance of PPE and ventilators, we would be in the exact same place we are today. Pointing fingers doesn't save lives!<br />
<br />
My contention was that the most important thing we need is this fight is DATA. Data can only be collected with adequate testing. Our testing is nowhere near where it needs to be. A look at the testing supply chain sees it is broken in many places. Without swabs, you can't test. It's like having a million horses waiting to be shod.<br />
<br />
I don't think the poster understood the supply chain dynamics or the point I was trying to make. More importantly it doesn't appear he understands the nature of a pandemic, because he said, "I agree but if this were a pandemic they could use these people to
assist in helping patients like they are in NY. They're saying they have
empty beds. That's because we don't have the cases NY does (thankfully)
but now elective surgeries are on hold for nothing at this point."<br />
<br />
"If this were a pandemic?" It's not a bomb that's dropped on us. It infiltrates our ranks and spreads from there. I doesn't pop up out of nowhere. It has to be carried by someone. Once it enters an area, without proper testing and social distancing, it will grow exponentially. <br />
<br />
As far as elective surgeries being on hold for nothing at this point, I say elective surgeries are NOT on hold for nothing. It goes right back to the swabs. They are on hold because we have no way of knowing if the doctors and nurses treating you have covid 19 and visa vera. That's is a formula for disaster. If we could be test whenever needed, elective surgeries might not be on hold.<br />
<br />
When it comes to opening up, the people in state government are doing one of two things. They are either doing what they feel is best based on the data and erring on the side of caution, or they want things open, but are covering their asses. If they open early, and things go wrong they know they will be out on their asses for opening up without the data that EVERYONE acknowledges we need. If the testing was in place, their asses would be covered, because when things go wrong when they open up, they can blame bad data.<br />
<br />
To that the the poster said, "Art Wolinsky but isn’t it up to them to procure and perform the tests for their own data. It’s not up to the Fed to do this. Even Cuomo agreed."<br />
<br />
The poster left out one small detail. In order for states to be able to procure their own tests, there have to be tests for them to procure. If there is no product, we have stated bidding against each other for what little there is. ONLY federal government can use the Defense Production Act to get supplies into the supply chain so that states can procure the test.<br />
<br />
I finally got some agreement when he said, "But haven’t they? Yesterday there were 50,000 testing kits sent out to states." <br />
<br />
He was making my point for me, because 50,000 test kits is a drop in the bucket compared to what's needed. On top of that, they were sent out yesterday, but should have been shipped a moth ago. <span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto">What
we should be doing right now is antibody testing. The covid test kits
will soon be there for those with the symptoms meeting current
protocols, but the antibody tests are what are really needed in order to
open the economy again. </span><br />
<br />
The reply was, "I know I know. I’m saying it’s a good start."<br />
<br />
Really? I would agree if a one month late start is a good start. I have always said there are students who blossom because of teachers and there are those who blossom in spite of them. We will come through this and we will blossom, because of who we are as nation. We <span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto">will blossom in spite of the early failure of the federal government to take the lead.</span><br />
<br />
The retort? "I think it’s unfair for you to think we are one month late based on bad information. Its a weak argument at best."<br />
<br />
To answer that, I pointed to the fact that during the past few press conferences when asked what actions were taken in February, Trump answers were attacks on the reporters. He also claimed he has hardly been out of the White House in the past two months. <br />
<br />
Then when questioned about the campaign rallies, he couldn't remember them. I went to a Trump rally and I will NEVER forget it. He held FIVE in February and doesn't recall? Was he lying or is it time for Article 25? He certainly wasn't inspiring confidence or gaining the trust of the public. What information would you like to share that shows we were doing a good job? <br />
<br />
I then pasted a post which orginated with Robert Braunstein, right after Trump claimed he was distracted by the Impeachment<br />
<br />
Dec 18th - House Impeaches Trump<br />
Jan 8th - First CDC warning<br />
Jan 9th - Trump campaign rally<br />
Jan 14th - Trump campaign rally<br />
Jan 16h - House sends impeachment articles to Senate<br />
Jan 18th - Trump golfs<br />
Jan 19th - Trump golfs<br />
Jan 20th - first case of corona virus in the US, Washington State.<br />
Jan 22nd - “We have it totally under control. It’s one person coming in from China. It’s going to be just fine.”<br />
Jan 28th - Trump campaign rally<br />
Jan 30th - Trump campaign rally<br />
Feb 1st - Trump golfs<br />
Feb 2nd - “We pretty much shut it down coming in from China."<br />
Feb 5th - Senate votes to acquit. Then takes a five-day weekend.<br />
Feb 10th - Trump campaign rally<br />
Feb 12th - Dow Jones closes at an all time high of 29,551.42<br />
Feb 15h - Trump golfs<br />
Feb 19th - Trump campaign rally<br />
Feb 20th - Trump campaign rally<br />
Feb 21st - Trump campaign rally<br />
Feb 24th - “The Coronavirus is very much under control in the USA… Stock Market starting to look very good to me!”<br />
Feb 25h - “CDC and my Administration are doing a GREAT job of handling Coronavirus.”<br />
Feb 25h - “I think that's a problem that’s going to go away… They have studied it. They know very much. In fact, we’re very close to a vaccine.”<br />
Feb 26th - “The 15 (cases in the US) within a couple of days is going to be down to close to zero.”<br />
Feb 26th - “We're going very substantially down, not up.” Also "This is a flu. This is like a flu"; "Now, you treat this like a flu"; "It's a little like the regular flu that we have flu shots for. And we'll essentially have a flu shot for this in a fairly quick manner."<br />
February 27: “One day it’s like a miracle, it will disappear.”<br />
Feb 28th - “We're ordering a lot of supplies. We're ordering a lot of, uh, elements that frankly we wouldn't be ordering unless it was something like this. But we're ordering a lot of different elements of medical.”<br />
Feb 28th - Trump campaign rally. “This is their new hoax.”<br />
March 2nd - “You take a solid flu vaccine, you don't think that could have an impact, or much of an impact, on corona?”<br />
March 2nd - “A lot of things are happening, a lot of very exciting things are happening and they’re happening very rapidly.”<br />
March 4: “If we have thousands or hundreds of thousands of people that get better just by, you know, sitting around and even going to work — some of them go to work, but they get better.”<br />
March 5th - “I NEVER said people that are feeling sick should go to work.”<br />
March 5th - “The United States… has, as of now, only 129 cases… and 11 deaths. We are working very hard to keep these numbers as low as possible!”<br />
March 6th - “I think we’re doing a really good job in this country at keeping it down… a tremendous job at keeping it down.”<br />
March 6th - “Anybody right now, and yesterday, anybody that needs a test gets a test. They’re there. And the tests are beautiful…. the tests are all perfect like the letter was perfect. The transcription was perfect. Right? This was not as perfect as that but pretty good.”<br />
March 6th - “I like this stuff. I really get it. People are surprised that I understand it… Every one of these doctors said, ‘How do you know so much about this?’ Maybe I have a natural ability. Maybe I should have done that instead of running for president.”<br />
March 6th - “I don't need to have the numbers double because of one ship that wasn't our fault.”<br />
March 7th - Trump golfs<br />
March 8th - Trump golfs<br />
March 8th - “We have a perfectly coordinated and fine tuned plan at the White House for our attack on CoronaVirus.”<br />
March 9th - “This blindsided the world.”<br />
March 13th - [Declared state of emergency]<br />
March 17th - “This is a pandemic,” Mr. Trump told reporters. “I felt it was a pandemic long before it was called a pandemic.”<br />
March 18th - "It’s not racist at all. No. Not at all. It comes from China. That’s why. It comes from China. I want to be accurate."<br />
March 23th- Dow Jones closes at 18,591.93<br />
March 25th - 3.3 million Americans file for unemployment.<br />
March 30th - Dow Jones closes at 21,917.16<br />
April 2nd - 6.6 million Americans file for unemployment.<br />
<br />
I was then corrected about my response to bad information when he said, "I’m saying bad info from China." and he pointed to the fact that only about 100 people were dead in February. <br />
<br />
Seriously? Bad information from China, really? You mean President Chi wasn't being transparent? I think any 5th grader could have tipped him off. When have we EVER relied on China giving us good information? We didn't push and we praised them for their efforts. Good thing the WHO did the same thing, because that allowed Trump to defund them for doing exactly what he did. He didn't listen to his advisors or the intelligence. As far as the number dead goes, I have two words. EXPONENTIAL GROWTH. The ramp up should have started BEFORE we had our first case, not after we had our 100th.<br />
<br />
The conversation then turned to the number of tests needed when someone else said, "...sadly, there are 325 million of us in USA. You need to be conducting 10 million a day to test everyone in a month. The response from the poster was, "...that’s just stupid to think EVERYONE needs to be tested. Absurd."<br />
<br />
Finally a point of agreement, and I said, "On this one we actually agree. Testing everyone is absurd and I don't know of a single expert who supports that. What is needed is widespread testing to the extent that we can test anyone who needs a test and get results quickly, but we are nowhere near that. Dare I mention the word swabs? <br />
<br />
Check this quote, and follow the link for a better idea of what is needed in testing. "We're only able to do approximately 1,000 to 1,200 tests a day because of limitations in supplies like swabs ... chemical reagents that actually do the test," said Dr. Bruce Meyer of Jefferson Health, which operates 14 hospitals in and around Philadelphia, in an interview with NPR Tuesday. "So our capacity to test is really limited." Read the full article here<a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/04/22/840526338/is-the-u-s-testing-enough-for-covid-19-as-debate-rages-on-heres-how-to-know" target="_blank"> https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2020/04/22/840526338/is-the-u-s-testing-enough-for-covid-19-as-debate-rages-on-heres-how-to-know</a><br />
<br />
That's where things left off yesterday. This morning there was a new development that aplifies the need for adaquate testing. A phenomonon being dubbed Covid Toe, is starting to look like a way of identifying asymptomatic Covid carriers. Unfortunately, there is no testing of these people and there is no way of determining if this can be used as a solid indicator. Here's the full article. <br />
<a href="https://www.wavy.com/news/covid-toes-puzzling-condition-a-possible-coronavirus-symptom-in-young-people/">https://www.wavy.com/news/covid-toes-puzzling-condition-a-possible-coronavirus-symptom-in-young-people/</a><br />
<br />
So who wants to take the literary challenge and write the poem, For Want of a Swab?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191518215607822910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348917546498299988.post-2503477504514889172020-04-19T12:45:00.000-04:002020-04-27T12:36:52.040-04:00Covid Journal 4 - Ben Carson Has a Problem with Math!The lack of leadership and action from the top, and the conflicting or erroneous (being nice with that
adjective) information coming from the White House, is staggering. We've all see the timelines and flip-flip statements about
the President's actions or inactions, but here's one that hasn't gotten
the attention is should.<br />
<br />
Ben Carson said that 98% of people recover from Covid 19 and we can't operate out of hysteria. I agree that we can't operate out of hysteria, but it patently obvious the he and the president are working out of ignorance.<br />
<br />
He is absolutely right. We can't operate from a position of hysteria. However, the rest of his statement is wrong on so many levels.<br />
<br />
I can't help but wonder where he got his figure. The last time I hear mention of 2% was when news of the Italian health system collapsing. I don't think he have a handle on the survival rate, because we have no idea how many cases there actually are. If we examine the statement a number of different ways, his math just doesn't add up.<br />
<br />
First, let's apply truth in advertising to the statement. If 98% survive, that means 2% don't. Then his statement would say, 2% of the people with Covid 19 will die. <span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto">We know the
mortality rate of the flu is 0.1%. By Ben's calculations, a 2% mortality rate make Covid 20 times more deadly than the flu, and that is AFTER social distancing.</span><br />
<span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"> </span><br />
<div class="ecm0bbzt e5nlhep0 a8c37x1j">
<div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql">
<div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">
</div>
</div>
<span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto">
</span>
<br />
<div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql">
<div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">
<span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto">Right now there are
73,988 cases of Covid 19 and 38,928 deaths. That's not 2%. That's 5%!!! </span></div>
</div>
<span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto">
</span>
<br />
<div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql">
<div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">
<span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto">I'm sure Ben knows there are more cases not identified, including deaths and asymtomatic diagnosed, because we have inadequate testing and reporting. That should come as no surprise to anyone but our president. </span></div>
</div>
<span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto">
</span>
<br />
<div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql">
<div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">
<span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><br /></span>
<span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto">Assuming Ben's mortality rate is correct, and 2% die. That would mean there have to be
just about 2 million active cases RIGHT NOW. </span><br />
<span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><br /></span>
<span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto">The chances are that he is wrong,
and that the actual death rate will be less than 2%.</span></div>
</div>
<span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto">
</span>
<div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql">
<div dir="auto" style="text-align: start;">
<span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto">That's good, but only in the sense that the number of unnecessary deaths will be fewer that he is projecting. You know what's bad? Political clowns treating daily pandemic briefings into campaign rallies. </span><br />
<span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><br /></span>
<span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto">The American people need, and
deserve better!</span></div>
</div>
<span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j muag1w35 ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto">
</span></div>
Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191518215607822910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348917546498299988.post-34862242141218154712020-04-16T15:25:00.005-04:002020-10-21T10:40:20.204-04:00Did I Find Bernie Dodge's Senior Picture?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiuQxh2VJkdYaKsWMat5tF47RKBt6lPj-zCE0wV368bhBAOVWViIUgOb69aVyGzb_BEq45GrU4-47bcPvAOMTmgSe0KELT-UCv-m7Oz4wJb8UrgoH8QL14NfDnXhORj77LJrHX75888vk/s1600/Bernie+post2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="703" data-original-width="564" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiuQxh2VJkdYaKsWMat5tF47RKBt6lPj-zCE0wV368bhBAOVWViIUgOb69aVyGzb_BEq45GrU4-47bcPvAOMTmgSe0KELT-UCv-m7Oz4wJb8UrgoH8QL14NfDnXhORj77LJrHX75888vk/s320/Bernie+post2.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
The fact that I'm writing this is testament to the cabin fever of Covid 19 social distancing. The fact that you are reading it confirms your situation as well. <br />
<br />
I just came here from Facebook, where I was going to reply to the post from Bernie Dodge on the left. It set off a bizarre chain of events that just couldn't be typed as a Reply, mainly because I'm incapable of writing a long post inside FB without accidentally posting it 15 times before I finish typing. <br />
<br />
I'm giving the Reader's Digest version, because the chain of events continues beyond the topic of this post. The full version is something for a much longer post or series of posts that will put most people to sleep, but may be of interest to a few.<br />
<br />
By now you have read Bernie's post. When I read it, something clicked and my mind went back to an unsolved mystery from the late 90's. It took place on the K-12 Admin mailing list. A debate was taking place about the nature of schools and change between the Sages on the Stage and the Guides on the Side crowds. Then along came Ditherhead. <br />
<br />
Ditherhead was definitely aligned with the Guides on the Side. He was an in your face kinda member who came out of nowhere. His opinions were not take well by the Sages, but what bothered them most was the fact he didn't identify himself in any way. They demanded to know who he was, but he never said.<br />
<br />
The debate became more heated, not about school change, but about Ditherhead's anonymity and his lack of respect for their opinions and PhD's in their signature lines. Ditherhead was relentless in putting forth his vision of schools, and the Sages were relentless in their attacks on him.<br />
<br />
Then things took a turn for the better or worse, depending on your perspective. Ditherhead began toying with them about his identity. One day, in response to the demands that Ditherhead reveal himself he said that he wouldn't say who he was, but would post a picture of himself.<br />
<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6B5nZsXtrznZVoqgP65IuV4ZKDgKo-HwCEijdqfXsPKIYilt6L_69e1bYKozAnU7S1xKJH__3BcZ3kRJVDvFdomAr9frxMvhPHo_4IzlmVOdnzeas0yjepiRsaksQEajAotn8DmBX3PQ/s1600/ditherhead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="209" data-original-width="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6B5nZsXtrznZVoqgP65IuV4ZKDgKo-HwCEijdqfXsPKIYilt6L_69e1bYKozAnU7S1xKJH__3BcZ3kRJVDvFdomAr9frxMvhPHo_4IzlmVOdnzeas0yjepiRsaksQEajAotn8DmBX3PQ/s1600/ditherhead.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b>IS THIS BERNIE DODGE'S SENIOR PICTURE?</b><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Note: There is much more to the chain of events that unraveled as a result of Bernie's post. I've heard nothing from Ditherhead in more than 20 years, but I have run into this photo in context of my work, including an interesting discussion with an FBI agent and his familiarity with it, my first meeting with Tom March, the discovery of a long lost video, and a 9 year search for a decent haircut in NH, but those are all stories for another day.</i></span></div>
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Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191518215607822910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348917546498299988.post-30176612077090293182020-03-23T15:50:00.003-04:002020-03-23T15:50:53.071-04:00Covid Journal Entry 2 - The Keys and the PuzzleIt's day two of the basement clean up and as yesterday, I found a memory that takes on a whole new meaning. <br />
<br />
I hang around with folks who like to help other folks and volunteer in the community. Our reward is an inner one, and our payment is a thanks, a smile, and a handshake. (Today, 2 out of 3 ain't bad.)<br />
<br />
From time to time we receive thanks in the form a small gift. Some, like the police patch given to me by the Raymond Police Department, or the woven basket given to me by the Indiginous People of Quebec, are treasures I keep and display. Others like tote bags or certificates, are no less appreciated, but often are much less visible, and often stored away in a drawer or box.<br />
<br />
I found one such gift, but it has new status and meaning to me. It was key ring given to me by the Raymond School District for being part of the strategic planning initiative. At the time, I was struck by the message on the inscription The problem was, I have so many keys. I think I lean to the right when I walk, and they eat through pockets like a caterpillar eats through leaves. So it sat in a drawer in the basement.<br />
<br />
Today, when I opened the drawer and read the inscription again, it struck home in a new way. It is now attached to my keys, pockets be damned!<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://3dwriting.com/covid19/words.jpg" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: red;">CLICK HERE TO SEE INSCRIPTION</span></b></a></h2>
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<b>We are all in this together!</b></h2>
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Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191518215607822910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348917546498299988.post-62517825352977177582020-03-22T19:05:00.001-04:002020-03-22T19:22:04.114-04:00COVID Journal Entry 1 - Finding a Long Lost PetThis is the end of our first week of social distancing. Like most, of us doing social networking our routines have been occasional trip to the grocery store, or for take out food. Up to this point, my days have been nothing to write about and certainly nothing I thought would be of interest or value to others. I think that changed today and I would like to share it. <br />
<br />
Jill is a neat freak and I'm not. (Monumental understatement) Our home looks like a magazine spread unless you open the door to my office or walk into the basement.They contains 60 years of my life and my "stuff". (Insert George Carlin routine here.) Organizing it would normally be a multi-day job that probably wouldn't get done until I died, but thanks to COVID 19, it is on my radar.<br />
<br />
I announced to Jill I was starting Phase 1 of organizing the basement and my office and that I hoped I could finish all the phases before I ran out of numbers. If it wasn't for social distancing, I think she would have thrown a party. Aside from her expressions of joy, she had only on directive. "Don't throw out any of my stuff."<br />
<br />
It's turning out to be a silver lining and a break from the daily chaos. I away from the TV and the computer, though I just took a break to write this. I'm reminded about how
much I have and how rich my life has been in memories and experiences. I'm finding memories on every shelf and in every box I open. <br />
<br />
For example, I had a pet back in the 70's, but you know how pets
are. Sometimes they run away and sometimes they get lost. I'm not sure
which it was, but when we arrived in NH, in 2009, Mergatroid was not with us. I
searched high and low to no avail and mourned him for almost a year. <br />
<br />
Just about that time, I was walking along the Lamprey River in Exeter. It was there I found my new pet Horatio. He has been by my side ever since. Then today, while cleaning the basement, I FOUND MERGATROID! <br />
<br />
He and Horatio are getting along
famously, and living together on the memory shelf above my desk.<br />
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Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191518215607822910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348917546498299988.post-55326289597465514632020-03-14T12:29:00.000-04:002020-03-14T15:12:36.406-04:00Why the Coronavirus Panic?<div data-contents="true">
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="bcube" data-offset-key="knfr-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="knfr-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="knfr-0-0"><span data-text="true">There will be books written about our response to the Coronavirus and why supermarkets shelves all around the nation look like a category 5 hurricane is knocking at the door. The answer is complicated, but I'm certain every book will point to conflicting information coming from the White House as a major factor.</span></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="knfr-0-0">
</div>
<br />
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="knfr-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="knfr-0-0"><span data-text="true">Right or wrong, good or bad, there is a significant portion of the population that believes little or nothing that comes from the president and an equally significant portion that believes most or all that comes from him. </span></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="knfr-0-0">
</div>
<br />
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="knfr-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="knfr-0-0"><span data-text="true">When it comes to an election lies result in a significant portion of the population being pissed off. In the case of a global pandemic, false information and conflicting statements results in a significant number of people DEAD!</span></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="knfr-0-0">
</div>
<br />
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="knfr-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="knfr-0-0"><span data-text="true"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/ken.hajjar.5/posts/10221384616394072" target="_blank">This is a link to a timeline of Trump statements about Coronavirus</a>. I'm sure every book written have a tweetologist who will analyze the impact of these denials and obfuscations, but I would like to take it to an extreme to make a point about how the decisiveness in this country. </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="knfr-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="knfr-0-0"><span data-text="true"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="knfr-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="knfr-0-0"><span data-text="true">Below is the same set of statements with a bit of word substitution that is admittedly, extreme. As extreme as it is, there are still way too many people would would believe none of it and and equal number that would take the words as gospel.</span></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="knfr-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="knfr-0-0"><span data-text="true"> </span></span></div>
</div>
<br />
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="bcube" data-offset-key="aclaj-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="aclaj-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="aclaj-0-0"><span data-text="true">January 22: “We have it totally under control. It’s one <span style="color: red;">missile </span>coming in from China. It’s going to be just fine.”</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="bcube" data-offset-key="29b1f-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="29b1f-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="29b1f-0-0"><span data-text="true">February 2: “We pretty much shut it down coming in from China.”</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="bcube" data-offset-key="bjvbr-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="bjvbr-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="bjvbr-0-0"><span data-text="true">February 24: “The <span style="color: red;">bombing </span>is very much under control in the USA… Stock Market starting to look very good to me!”</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="bcube" data-offset-key="f94ft-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="f94ft-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="f94ft-0-0"><span data-text="true">February 25: “<span style="color: red;">Defense </span>and my Administration are doing a GREAT job of handling <span style="color: red;">the bombs</span>.”</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="bcube" data-offset-key="e7b11-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="e7b11-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="e7b11-0-0"><span data-text="true">February 25: “I think that's a problem that’s going to go away… They have studied it. They know very much. In fact, we’re very close to a <span style="color: red;">defense</span>.”</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="bcube" data-offset-key="9lfkh-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="9lfkh-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="9lfkh-0-0"><span data-text="true">February 26: “The 15 (<span style="color: red;">bombs </span>in the US) within a couple of days is going to be down to close to zero.”</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="bcube" data-offset-key="6dble-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="6dble-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="6dble-0-0"><span data-text="true">February 26: “We're going very substantially down, not up.”</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="bcube" data-offset-key="6qo5p-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="6qo5p-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="6qo5p-0-0"><span data-text="true">February 27: “One day it’s like a miracle, it will disappear.”</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="bcube" data-offset-key="6bm5f-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="6bm5f-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="6bm5f-0-0"><span data-text="true">February 28: “We're ordering a lot of supplies. We're ordering a lot of, uh, elements that frankly we wouldn't be ordering unless it was something like this. But we're ordering a lot of different elements of <span style="color: red;">defense</span>.”</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="bcube" data-offset-key="crgl0-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="crgl0-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="crgl0-0-0"><span data-text="true">March 2: “You take a solid <span style="color: red;">missile</span>, you don't think that could have an impact, or much of an impact, on<span style="color: red;"> their bombs</span>?”</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="bcube" data-offset-key="70mi3-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="70mi3-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="70mi3-0-0"><span data-text="true">March 2: “A lot of things are happening, a lot of very exciting things are happening and they’re happening very rapidly.”</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="bcube" data-offset-key="c94r4-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="c94r4-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="c94r4-0-0"><span data-text="true">March 4: “If we have thousands or hundreds of thousands of people that <span style="color: red;">are safe</span> just by, you know, sitting around and even going to work — some of them go to work, but they </span></span><span data-offset-key="c94r4-0-0"><span data-text="true"><span data-offset-key="c94r4-0-0"><span data-text="true"><span style="color: red;">are safe</span></span></span>.”</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="bcube" data-offset-key="fi2q-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="fi2q-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="fi2q-0-0"><span data-text="true">March 5: “I NEVER said people that are feeling sick should go to work.”</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="bcube" data-offset-key="bp273-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="bp273-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="bp273-0-0"><span data-text="true">March 5: “The United States… has, as of now, only 129 <span style="color: red;">bombings</span>… and 11 deaths. We are working very hard to keep these numbers as low as possible!”</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="bcube" data-offset-key="t07b-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="t07b-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="t07b-0-0"><span data-text="true">March 6: “I think we’re doing a really good job in this country at keeping it down… a tremendous job at keeping it down.”</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="bcube" data-offset-key="8tnfv-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="8tnfv-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="8tnfv-0-0"><span data-text="true">March 6: “Anybody right now, and yesterday, anybody that needs a <span style="color: red;">shelter </span>gets <b>a </b><span style="color: red;">shelter</span>. They’re there. And <span style="color: red;">they </span>are beautiful…. the <span style="color: red;">shelters </span>are all perfect like the letter was perfect. The transcription was perfect. Right? This was not as perfect as that but pretty good.”</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="bcube" data-offset-key="bp88g-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="bp88g-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="bp88g-0-0"><span data-text="true">March 6: “I like this stuff. I really get it. People are surprised that I understand it… Every one of these <span style="color: red;">generals </span>said, ‘How do you know so much about this?’ Maybe I have a natural ability. Maybe I should have done that instead of running for president.”</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="bcube" data-offset-key="50ip4-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="50ip4-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="50ip4-0-0"><span data-text="true">March 6: “I don't need to have the numbers double because of one ship that wasn't our fault.”</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="bcube" data-offset-key="16heq-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="16heq-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="16heq-0-0"><span data-text="true">March 8: “We have a perfectly coordinated and fine tuned plan at the White House for our <span style="color: red;">defense against the bombs</span>." </span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="" data-block="true" data-editor="bcube" data-offset-key="87ujg-0-0">
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="87ujg-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="87ujg-0-0"><span data-text="true">March 9: “This blindsided the world.”</span></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="87ujg-0-0">
<span data-offset-key="87ujg-0-0"><span data-text="true">March 13: </span></span><b><span data-offset-key="87ujg-0-0"><span data-text="true"><span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j s89635nw ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto">“I don’t take any responsibility at all." *</span></span></span></b></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="87ujg-0-0">
</div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="87ujg-0-0" style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span data-offset-key="87ujg-0-0"><span data-text="true"><span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j s89635nw ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto">Wash Your Hands</span></span></span></b></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="87ujg-0-0" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span data-offset-key="87ujg-0-0"><span data-text="true"><span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j s89635nw ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto">Keep Your Distance </span></span></span></b></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="87ujg-0-0" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span data-offset-key="87ujg-0-0"><span data-text="true"><span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j s89635nw ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto">Conserve Toilet Paper </span></span></span></b></span></div>
<div class="_1mf _1mj" data-offset-key="87ujg-0-0" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span data-offset-key="87ujg-0-0"><span data-text="true"><span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j s89635nw ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto">Carry on!</span></span></span></b></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span data-offset-key="87ujg-0-0" style="font-size: x-small;"><span data-text="true"><span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j s89635nw ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"> * If this post give you the idea to publish a book of Trump Tweet Mad Libs, I would appreciate a cut of the profits.</span></span></span><b><span data-offset-key="87ujg-0-0"><span data-text="true"><span class="oi732d6d ik7dh3pa d2edcug0 qv66sw1b c1et5uql a8c37x1j s89635nw ew0dbk1b jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id" dir="auto"><br /></span></span></span></b></span></div>
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Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191518215607822910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348917546498299988.post-88367475566659103392019-08-17T11:42:00.002-04:002019-08-17T14:45:53.540-04:00Trump Rally @ SNHU Arena<div dir="ltr">
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There are some things I've done in life, but will never do again, things like touch a hot stove, bite into a ghost pepper, and attend a Donald Trump Rally.<br />
<br />
As part of my effort to video every presidential candidate who visits New Hampshire, I filed for press credentials for the Trump rally in Manchester. When they came through, I was in Maine with my wife for R&R. I realized that I might not be able to make the event. It would require leaving earlier than we had planned. It would be tight, but thanks to a wonderful, understanding, and supportive wife we headed back home right after breakfast.<br />
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When I got home I began to gather my gear. I knew it was going to be a long day, so I packed accordingly. I had the studio camera and tripod that I would set up in the press area. I had my personal camera to get shots of the crowd inside and out. I also packed an extra cell phone, iPad, two small tripods, and a mono-pod, along with a small hand cart for easy transport. Contained therein where a half-dozen mistakes.<br />
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I've covered about a dozen candidates and each one was a relaxed, simple check in. They were easy to easy set up and shot. This would be different. As a novice to a high security shoot, I soon learned about my newbie mistakes.<br />
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After parking the car, I loaded up my gear and walk the block and a half to the arena. Unfortunately, pre-setup was from 10:00-12:00 and I missed it by 2 minutes. That meant that I had to wait until 2:30 to set up. So it was a block-and-a-half back to the parking lot, where I put the gear back in the car.<br />
<br />
I grabbed my smaller camera, and decided to spend some time filming the crowd that was already forming in front of the arena. As I took shots, I spoke with a few folks. There was no doubt of their support, love and admiration of Donald Trump. At no time did I have cause for concern. If they considered us fake news reporters, it did nothing to dampen their enthusiasm to get in front of the camera.</div>
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As 2:30 rolled around, it was time to get my credentials and set up. I packed everything back up again and headed to the back of the building for press check in. There were about 100 members of the press waiting to get in. Most had already been set up inside, and just had to go through a typical TSA body scan.<br />
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The rest of us had to put all of our equipment on the lawn, start all of our electronics, and then do the body scan. While all of this was going on, there was security with bomb-sniffing dogs checking the bags and the vans in the press area. I took out my cell phone and began filming, which I quickly learned was a no-no.<br />
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Armed with my credentials, I loaded everything back up on my cart and headed to the inside press area to set up on the risers. It wasn't long before I realized that going down about 50 stadium steps with a cart full of equipment was not going to work.<br />
<br />
Putting the backpack on, I threw 1 camera bag over my shoulder, the tripod case over my other shoulder, grabbed the other tripod in my left hand, and the handcart in my right. Navigating the 50 steps wasn't fun at 2:30 in the afternoon, and I knew repeating it going up the steps at 9 at night with about 12,000 people trying to get out of the arena was going to be even less fun.</div>
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When I reached the camera risers, I saw that pretty much every spot was already filled, but there was one open prime spot left in the second row from the front. I asked the staffer if I could set up there. He said it was reserved for networks that had correspondence with them. He asked if I had a correspondent and I said that I had one coming. I didn't, but it was still a few hours before things would start, and I figured I would take my chances.<br />
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I set up right next to Fox and pointed the camera to the gap between the White House camera and the Press pool camera that we're set up directly in front of me.<br />
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Once I was set up, chatting with the folks around me. <a href="http://keikohiromi.com/" target="_blank">Keiko Hiromi</a> , a freelance photo journalist, was only about 5 feet tall. I invited her to stand in front of me because she was small enough to not block the camera, and I jokingly told her she was my correspondent.<br />
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As the arena filled, there were there or four platforms set up for photographers. Every time one of them pointed to an area of the audience, the entire section reacted with sign waving and cheers.</div>
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As we drew closer 2 event time music became louder. To say the least, the choice of music was interesting, especially YMCA. At times, it was so loud that the bass would actually cause the camera platform to bounce in time with the beat. I had the volume input turned all the way down on my camera, but the meter was still redlining. In the second part of this video you'll notice the bounce and the focus going in and out because of the music and bouncing platform. When it was time for the president to arrive, the lights in the arena
began changing with the music and the only thing missing we're
pyrotechnics.<br />
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As Trump made his way to the stage, the crowd went wild and gave him a full 5+ minute ovation.</div>
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The rest of the night went pretty much as I had envisioned, but the noise intensity, and fervor of the crowd was something that one must experience to appreciate. His talking points, name calling, and had been heard by everyone in the room, but the crowd responded to each one with deafening approval.<br />
<br />
When he started talking about the fake news, he pointed to us and said, "Look at all of them" and 12,000 heads turned toward us and booed. As I looked around the room, it was obvious that many were just having fun, but others were less than jovial as they flipped the finger in our direction. One woman, wearing a CNN shirt which had the Soviet hammer and sickle as the C, spent a good part of the night standing right in front of us in her personal Tienanmen Square moment. Serious or jovial, they were all being controlled by the master puppeteer on stage.<br />
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The only thing new to me and this crowd were the banners around the stadium reading, Keep America Great, a prelude to an audience poll to determine if it should replaced Make America Great Again. The NH audience endorsed it wholeheartedly. You can watch the full hour and twenty-eight minute speech on RCTV's Streaming channel by clicking the image below.<br />
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<a href="https://raymondtv.viebit.com/player.php?hash=cp37wy2O5GPI" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="." border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="830" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJLslgyu9924a90zaWossEVmW2fi3Q3aeyWim7dS-GTeI7lD2JK2MTRg1aKPsLWazdQlcwjeyVc94IrEnj7kZplfEtvi4B5gmSrHNjUXrqwR50DFj5qxT4VnErXl6LRpTAfFg3vV8_Vpo/s320/t.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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When it over, I packed my gear and began to head to the exit with 12,000 people who had not long ago booed me and the other press representatives. I was very pleasantly surprised at the number of people who stopped to let me pass or even stopped others to let me through. It reminded me that we are all in this together and have to make it our job to heal the divide.<br />
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Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191518215607822910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348917546498299988.post-69036841285236324272019-08-07T17:24:00.000-04:002019-08-07T17:31:00.302-04:00Gun Safetey and DrivingI was sitting at my computer checking email and watching news coverage of the mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton. Because I do own guns, I get plenty of mailings. Most are OK, but one came today that is a prime example of why I left the NRA and why we to have to remove loop holes and institute background checks and other measures to keep guns out of the hands of those who would abuse them.<br />
<br />
Below is the ad word for word, except that I made a few word cross outs and substitutions to make a point that will become self evident. Imagine if your child was of age to get a drivers license...
<br />
<br />
First, if you act fast you can download the nation’s best<strike> Concealed Carry Permit</strike><i><b> Drivers License</b> </i>available today. It’s important you download it ASAP as <strike>anti-gun</strike> groups are trying to get rid of it. Fortunately, because of a legal loophole you can still download a certification for America’s top <strike>CCW gun permit</strike> <i><b>Drivers License </b></i>from this website. (And you don’t have to leave your house to do it).
<br />
<br />
It’s as simple as visiting this site and answering a few questions (they’re simple). Plus you can complete the entire certification process online. Download it directly to your phone or computer in as little as 30 minutes.
<br />
<br />
You don’t even need to <strike>own a gun</strike> <i> <b>have a car</b></i> to get this permit. That’s why it’s been named America’s #1 <strike>Concealed Carry Permit</strike> <b><i>Internet Driver's License.</i></b> 31 states have agreed to accept this permit so far (it’s simply the closest and easiest path to a semi-nationally recognized permit that’s available right now).
<br />
<br />
This permit isn’t just a basic <strike>concealed carry permit</strike> <i><b>driver's license</b></i> either. It’s one of a kind… and is available to you No Matter what state you reside in. But there is one thing you need to know…
<br />
<br />
Since this loophole makes it so easy to get this permit, <strike>pro-gun-control</strike> <b><i>sensible </i></b>lawmakers are aggressively searching for ways to ban access to it. As such, you’ll need to download your online certificate today, especially since tomorrow this fast-track site could be shut down for good.
<br />
<br />
If you ever thought about getting a <strike>concealed carry permit</strike> <b><i>online driver's license</i></b> here is your chance <strike>to carry legally</strike>. If you think you know some <strike>“gun basics”</strike> <i><b>"driving basics"</b></i> click here and download the certification today. Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191518215607822910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348917546498299988.post-9932669727895836082019-05-10T13:27:00.002-04:002019-05-10T18:39:38.172-04:00New Hampshire Campaign FinanceLast night I attended a non-partisan campaign finance forum at IGHMS, sponsored by the Raymond Democratic Organizing Committee. The event was organized by Nate Bernitz, and moderated by Representative Kathy
Hoelzel. The participants were Steve Marchand seated on the right and representing the left, and Greg Moore seated on the left representing the right. They both agree that the system is
broken, but disagree considerably on what should be done about it.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6yZPhacAgPpuF6ksNSajTJ6hEXHI6BI5iyLx4rRlV_GgnUzJ6A7Sf4OpI7IlAL30Mk3v7I9fc-shplYwaKmjdSvJVOoDGmdsPo4vTZv613h-EhWTGYqbFspFeXwQ9FTbwPE8Flz-tfx4/s1600/finance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="1199" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6yZPhacAgPpuF6ksNSajTJ6hEXHI6BI5iyLx4rRlV_GgnUzJ6A7Sf4OpI7IlAL30Mk3v7I9fc-shplYwaKmjdSvJVOoDGmdsPo4vTZv613h-EhWTGYqbFspFeXwQ9FTbwPE8Flz-tfx4/s400/finance.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<a href="https://raymondtv.viebit.com/player.php?hash=ST7n4vJQXsww" target="_blank"><b><br /></b></a>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://raymondtv.viebit.com/player.php?hash=ST7n4vJQXsww" target="_blank"><b>Watch the Full Forum on RCTV Streaming</b></a></div>
<br />
In today's polarized atmosphere it was refreshing to sit for two hours without hearing a single angry word or disparaging remark by either participant or audience member. Each participant focused on their plan rather than denigrating their opponent's plan or attacking them personally. It was the kind of discussion that should be taking place in Concord, in Washington, and online. It can serve as a model for other to follow.<br />
<br />
The participants and even the audience members have probably forgotten more about campaign
finance than I know. Long ago I was told that a fool is one who knows
not, and knows not that he knows not. So I went to learn more. I went to learn from those who did know.<br />
<br />
I will tell you up front I went it with a bias. From what I do know, it was my belief that Citizens United was about the worse thing that has happened to our campaign finance system in a very long time. However, I also went it with an open mind. That being said, while I learned a great deal about the complexities of the system, nothing was said that changed my mind. If anything, I am now more convinced that Citizens United is critically flawed. Let me to tell you a bit about what I learned.<br />
<br />
Steve Marchand wanted to replace the
current system through his plan of public financing of campaigns. Greg Moore
wanted to repair the current system build around Citizen United which
recognizes corporations as people and money as free speech.<br />
<br />
As an illustration of how the current system is broken, Greg Moore spoke about how large corporations often donate considerable money to candidates
running against each other when races are close, or supporting the candidate who is most likely to win. He pointed out, it doesn't matter so much who wins. The reason corporations donate here is because when an issue that impacts them is
being considered, they want to be able to have the legislator take their
calls. (When was the last time you called a state senator and was able to speak directly to them?) By doing this they ensure that they will be heard. This is took
place with Northern Pass and other issues.<br />
<br />
Steve Marchand pointed out that individuals circumvent the limitations for donations.
As an example, he told of one person owns a few dozen Dunkin Donuts in NH. Each
store is an LLC. By having each store donate the maximum amount, this
one individual was able to donate a few dozen times more than the law intended.<br />
<br />
The topic of PACs and SuperPACs came up and I think they both agree that
the transparency intended by regulations has become opaque at best. I
seem them as black holes for money. <br />
<br />
Compounding the issue is the technology used to house the
campaign finance information. It is not in the least user friendly and
makes it extremely difficult to determine the source of campaign
donations.<br />
<br />
I have a background in technology and have created systems
for large organizations. Trust me when I tell you that is NOT difficult
to design a system that is easily searchable. The fact that the Attorney
General's data base system is difficult for the public to use is not a question of money or technical difficulty. <br />
<br />
When it comes to money influencing votes, Greg Moore stated that the large size of the NH house assured that it could not be bought. He sited a bill that PASSED the Senate by something like 21-3, but FAILED in the house something like 200 and something to 50 something. In my mind, that went a long way toward making the point that the House wasn't bought, but at the same time, it seemed to suggest that we have the best senate that corporate money can buy.<br />
<br />
Having the best senate money can buy isn't necessarily a bad thing. We always want the best people in the job, but it seems to me that we can only get the best people for the job if the "buying" is done by the people they represent. The current system silences the voters. While the voters are the ones who elect the representative, the huge sums of money being pumped into the system ensure that the candidates are often those who respond to the dollar sign.<br />
<br />
Think about the two examples above. Those thirty Dunkin Donuts have hundreds of employees. The money made by the owner came from money of his customers and the blood, sweat, and tears of his employees, yet none of us had a say in who got the money. His abuse the system and effectively disenfranchised many of the people who made it possible for him to donate.<br />
<br />
In the Northern Pass example, large corporations pumped money into NH from outside the state and had ZERO interest in the well being of our citizens. Their donations drowned out many of the voices from within the state. Yes, I know that Northern Pass failed, which indicates that the system isn't yet fatally flawed, but it was only because of the huge public outcry and the SEC that made the difference.There are plenty of other examples where public outcry was silenced under a ton of money.<br />
<br />
Ultimately, ALL campaign money comes from the people. However, much of that money is in the hands of individuals and corporations so that when it is used, it supports their wishes, which are often at odds with the public's.<br />
<br />
Having the best government that money can buy is not a bad thing as long as that money has no strings attached. If public money finances all campaigns to the same level, the person being sent to Concord will be the one who has convinced the voters that he or she is the best suited for the job, and once in office they will be accountable to voters and not big money donors and corporations. <br />
<br />
Of course I realize that money is just one of the issues impacting votes and there are ample examples of highly financed campaigns
failing, but there were other factors at work that overshadowed
financing. In many races, financing is what made the difference. I don't have a solution, but I do have some insights and suggestions based on my experience as one who taught systems thinking and problem solving.<br />
<br />
Peter Senge, considered by many as father of systems thinking in business, teaches if a system is
seriously broken, you shouldn't try to fix it. All you will have is a patched system that functions a bit better than before, but won't be the
system you want. If a system is seriously broken, it should be rebuilt from the
ground up based on the vision of what you want. <br />
<br />
I also taught problem solving using the <a href="https://thebig6.org/" target="_blank">Big6 method</a>. Much problem solving goes astray because the problem or task is improperly defined. In part, that is what is going on here. The problem that needs to be solved should be stated as, "How do we ensure that money does not determine the outcome of elections or the decisions of those who are elected?"<br />
<br />
I know there is still much I do not know, and I am more than willing to listen to anyone who can teach me more, but if you disagree with me, the surest way to ensure that I won't listen to you is to attack my position or my person. So sell me your plan or teach me what I don't know, because my mother didn't raise a fool.Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191518215607822910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348917546498299988.post-10349858382797861792019-02-24T14:18:00.001-05:002019-02-24T15:58:43.960-05:00Stress Free 2020 Primary Coverage<div style="text-align: center;">
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In 2013, I began volunteering with RCTV, our local cable TV channel and had the opportunity to play with the big boy toys. In late 2018 I came up with a plan that would help me provide drama free coverage of the 2020 primary that would allow people to access the views of the candidates without having to wade through flames or having to consume large quantities of Ibuprofen. <br />
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The plan was to combine my hobby with Facebook, YouTube, and the RCTV streaming server to create a set of tools and resources that could be used by people in a variety of ways without the stress or turmoil that always accompanies any kind of political forum.<br />
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Here is a guide to my tools along with links to access them.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxIBjavR4NL4gNRaUm9kdck_RAs-yRCkF8wBGLAVv6vEMoTygt5lft91tz2f-fFY9XdXctkYvzDNLIbiXZDZADAzxItEfxYUwJMmz137ejYjBwLI017UQ9pff_iK-ufXQkbOi1S6L7wdY/s1600/rctv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="176" data-original-width="268" height="131" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxIBjavR4NL4gNRaUm9kdck_RAs-yRCkF8wBGLAVv6vEMoTygt5lft91tz2f-fFY9XdXctkYvzDNLIbiXZDZADAzxItEfxYUwJMmz137ejYjBwLI017UQ9pff_iK-ufXQkbOi1S6L7wdY/s200/rctv.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
1) The Wired Geezer Facebook page - <a href="https://facebook.com/wiredgeezer" target="_blank">https://facebook.com/wiredgeezer </a><br />
I'm recording as many of the candidates from as many parties as I can, as they appear in NH. The videos are hosted on the RCTV streaming server and posted on the WiredGeezer Facebook page. The unique aspect of the server is that it allows me to index the video so that I break each hour into 2-4 minute segments based on topics being presented or questions being answered. The stress free aspect is ensured by having commenting turned of on the page.<br />
<br />
2) Raymond Community Television - <a href="http://raymondtv.viebit.com/">http://raymondtv.viebit.com</a> (Videos are in the Primary 2020 folder) <br />
If
you want to bypass the WiredGeezer and avoid any kind of commentary.
visit this folder to access the indexed videos of all the presentations I
have shot or will be shooting. So far I have Andrew Yang, John Delaney,
Elizabeth Warren, Julian Castro, and Pete Buttigieg.<br />
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3) The Wired Geezer YouTube channel - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb3nfamt3loK1ufA1Mv78ig">https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb3nfamt3loK1ufA1Mv78ig</a><br />
The videos here are devoted to my candidate of choice, Andrew Yang. <a href="http://yang2020.com/">http://yang2020.com</a> When I mention that name, I get a variety of responses. In no particular order they are: <br />
a) Who???<br />
b) You mean that liberal wingnut that wants to give everyone $1000 a month.<br />
c) Yeah, I know him, but he hasn't a snowball's chance in hell of winning.<br />
<br />
If you are thinking any of those, you are not alone. I thought the same thing for at least 30 minutes after I heard his name, but as I read, my opinions changed. I found out who he was. I found out he wasn't a nut case. He is actually an Independent, but anyone knows a total unknown Independent truly wouldn't have a chance. He a visionary who actually has plans and policies thought out and carefully detailed in his book and on his website.<br />
<br />
While only time will tell if he can win, I see his recognition and following growing ACROSS party lines, including a lot of die-hard Trump votes who say he is the only Democrat they would vote for over Trump. Finally, and how many of us thought Trump would win in 2016?.<br />
<br />
I could go on in great detail about him, but I'm not going to do that. I would rather you visited the YouTube channel and learn for yourself. I will give you one teaser to help peak your interest. IMHO, until recently he has been intentionally ignored by much of the mainstream media, because he poses a new and different kind of threat to the 1%ers and the status quo. What has changed is that he has been he is polling higher than at least two of the other Democrats in the image above, and that was before he appeared on the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTsEzmFamZ8&t=317s" target="_blank">Joe Rogan podcast,</a> where his was seen by more than a million YouTube visitors, many of whom were Trump voters and have since appeared to support him on his base camp Facebook page. <br />
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<br />Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191518215607822910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348917546498299988.post-19976217938364819342019-02-09T12:32:00.003-05:002019-02-09T12:53:43.018-05:00A Drama Free 2020 Primary Tool for Teachers<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9BV25WeK8Py96aweKtG5skdUAjCnwmjIfL12sEWGOqFA4eziADEcRF8RiGc9GiKXgfY7KnB_ONp9BGx7GwEbwlg-9XnA02CJnK3SFJqDr26IGp2iTlN7xUr8of8RADKj_caOAxzsd09A/s1600/NODRAMA.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="553" data-original-width="608" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9BV25WeK8Py96aweKtG5skdUAjCnwmjIfL12sEWGOqFA4eziADEcRF8RiGc9GiKXgfY7KnB_ONp9BGx7GwEbwlg-9XnA02CJnK3SFJqDr26IGp2iTlN7xUr8of8RADKj_caOAxzsd09A/s320/NODRAMA.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>Imagine a political Facebook page without drama, profanity, flames, or memes.</b><br />
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Imagine a Facebook page where you could send your students to presentations by all the 2020 presidential primary candidates.<br />
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Imagine if all of those presentations were indexed by topic and you could go to any part of their presentation with the click of the mouse.<br />
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Imagine no more!<b> Just visit and follow the Wired Geezer on <a href="http://facebook.com/wiredgeezer">facebook.com/wiredgeezer</a> </b>, where I'm recording and posting all the candidates that visit New Hampshire.<br />
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What's that you say? <b>Your school won't let your students anywhere near Facebook during class?</b> Don't worry. The Wired Geezer has you covered, because this UNIQUE format is made possible by Raymond Community Television. <b>Just go to RCTV's streaming site <a href="http://raymondtv.viebit.com/">raymondtv.viebit.com</a>, locate the Primary 2020 folder</b> and all of the video will be right there! <br />
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Each indexed topic is typically 2-3 minutes long, so you can make the most of precious class time.<br />
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Commenting has been disabled on the page to eliminate the decisiveness of typical Facebook political pages. All you will see is the candidates presentations and the Q&A sessions that follow them. However, you can send a private message to the Wired Geezer or comment here.<br />
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If you like this idea, please share this post.<br />
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Thanks,<br />
Art Wolinsky AKA - The Wired Geezer<br />
<br />Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191518215607822910noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348917546498299988.post-45645997852279896722018-02-26T18:37:00.002-05:002018-02-27T09:36:44.856-05:00YouTube Just Fired Me!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhADE_Z1KuYFjyBc7GflL6M9OmDzfe6UyQlRNAMBG0xFLOG7blMsJiKfKFAH0zF_eP-09FFjZJBuBUF1skgW_9V82UG0kiKPnaIw-MkvZH9B-K8Kwb8OeOTjaakSFx6PAHhyphenhyphenARD87ELvP8/s1600/ThanksYouTube.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="685" data-original-width="541" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhADE_Z1KuYFjyBc7GflL6M9OmDzfe6UyQlRNAMBG0xFLOG7blMsJiKfKFAH0zF_eP-09FFjZJBuBUF1skgW_9V82UG0kiKPnaIw-MkvZH9B-K8Kwb8OeOTjaakSFx6PAHhyphenhyphenARD87ELvP8/s200/ThanksYouTube.jpg" width="157" /></a>Thanks, YouTube! You shut me and other loyal YouTubers off without any recourse. A lot of small YouTube content providers like me are feeling this way, because you changed your partnership rules. In order for me to make money, my videos must be viewed at least 4,000 hours in the past year and my channel must have 1000 subscribers.<br />
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I've been posting since 2005, when you first opened your doors. Just by the brute force of multiple posts, and a few videos that are popular, my videos have been viewed close to 12,000 hours in the past year, but because I never promoted my channel and hardly even added subscribe buttons to the videos I only have 483 subscribers.<br />
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My videos were and always will be about anything and everything. Most of them were for family, friends, or students. I would get a real kick out of seeing any video get over 100 views. I've posted and removed hundreds of videos over the years. I didn't create them with the idea that I would make money. I never even thought about actively promoting my channel. Even so, I've made a few hundred dollars, most of which was passed on to charity.<br />
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It's hardly the end of the world, but you are forcing me to change the way I post. I will adjust and now that I know subscribers are important, I will do what I must to gather them, but you've taken some of the joy and fun out of how I use YouTube.<br />
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I will narrow the focus of my channel to videos that I think have general appeal. Instead of public posts on any and all topic. I will stick to wildlife, recipes, and a few other topics. All the rest will be unlisted videos that will be shared with a smaller target audience who might be interested in my grandson or the growth of perennial rye grass.<br />
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So in a shameless act of self promotion, I will now ask you to subscribe to my channel. </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: red;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/tarbon" target="_blank">Here's a link to my channel where you can help by subscribing.</a></span></b></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/tarbon" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="https://www.youtube.com/user/tarbon" border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1600" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5HYH4iDIu7O08u4nmaopJ7U1dXey65YldZNQO6MnnuCh4kMNndOgeg1xsn298lxBhF9i1jG5sxYvIHS2aLSiq1YRSZZE9OswVig2jlzKs7CyfkKZhNdTiFfByayCh2iv1QLs24UMXegE/s200/Recipe8.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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If YouTube did the same thing to you, feel free to share your story and a link to your page in the comments.<br />
<br />Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191518215607822910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8348917546498299988.post-36824792901475498262018-02-05T10:34:00.001-05:002020-10-21T10:40:39.882-04:00The American School System Stinks!It was 1970, and I was one of 15 teachers
sitting in a large circle in the faculty room at Fairleigh-Dickinson
University. Superintendent Bob Linette of Rockaway township was our
professor. After asking up what we thought of the American educational
system, one by one, he asked us to respond. I was the last to answer.
After hearing 14 people sing the praised of our system, he said, "Mr.
Wolinsky?"<br />
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I swallowed hard and said, "I think it
stinks.." The collective gasp in the room was audible. Bob's
response was to ask me to explain. I said that we were supposed to be
preparing students for life, but we weren't teaching life skills. Life
wasn't broken down into 1 hour subjects. The was no math part of my day,
not science part, no social studies part. Life is problem solving,
communication, and collaboration, but none of those things were what
school was about.<br />
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His response was simple. He said,
"You're absolutely right." Those few minutes validated what I felt
throughout my high school and college years, and formed the based of my
work for the next forty years. From that day on, I taught to give the
kids what they needed and deserved, rather than what the system
dictated and worked to try to change the system.<br />
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That often put me at odds with my colleagues
and administrators. In my early days, I got the reputation as a radical
nut, but 20 years later I found myself, like Bob Linette, working with
teachers who were entering education. During one workshop a teacher
asked me how I made the switch from the sage on the stage to the guide
on the side. I told her I never made the change, because I never changed. The only thing that changed was the label. I was teaching that way since 1970. The only difference was that back then I
was a radical nut, and the previous week someone had called me a
visionary.<br />
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Fast forward to 2018, and the pendulum of change is swinging slowly. There is no denying that the skills needed for today's
world are at odds with the form and function of many or our schools, but
change is often painfully slow! It only took 50 years for the chalkboard to go
from prototype to common place, and 25 year for the overhead projector
to make it from the bowling alley to the classroom.<br />
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Many schools are recognizing the importance of communication, collaboration, problem solving and project
based learning. This video is actually from India, it is just one of any number of countries who are moving toward 21st century education faster than we are.<br />
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Next Saturday, here in Raymond, New Hampshire, citizens have a chance to weigh in on the school budget at the 10:00 AM deliberative session. I know for a fact that people will be there arguing that the budget needs to be cut. While I support the budget, I completely understand their desire to keep taxes down, I am a serious odds with some of the rationale for doing that. They will point to graduation rates and test scores, but neither is indicative of what it going on in our schools.<br />
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Remember, change is slow. Over the past 5 years or so, our schools have been changing from teacher delivered instruction to problem and project based learning that develops the competencies needed for 21st century life. Evaluation is changing from one size fits all numeric and bubble sheet testing, to competency based assessment, that measures internalized skills rather than arbitrary memorized facts.<br />
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We have a new superintendent, a new curriculum director, and a new technology director. All of them are well versed and committed to the necessary change, but as a community we need to support that change and give it time to take hold. <br />
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I implore those who are concerned with taxes AND education, to learn more about school change and how it is being implemented and do whatever you can to support that change. On of my contentions is that we are being held hostage by a multi-billion dollar testing industry that is hold us back, because it the kind of assessment needed for the 21st century is bad for their bottom line.<br />
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Einstein said, "Everyone is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a
tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid."Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04191518215607822910noreply@blogger.com1