Predictions: Business As Usual

 

"Fontist's Desk" by Herr D on heromachine. Business as usual.-Shelob

All right. I'm onto you.

That preposition does not compute.

You had me take off ALL January Wednesday nights.

That was discussed.

Well, nothing happened Inauguration Day. The week before was the riots. The week after were three hate crimes near my workplace. I heard all about it last night.

Correct.

Don't "correct" ME 'Shelob! ' How did you know?

Hairy left specific instructions.

That psychic time traveler nonsense again?

It could not be nonsense; it is correct.

Because all of his predictions have been right?

Correct.

I don't buy it.

No purchase required.

That's not funny. Why didn't you just tell me to avoid being out on Wednesdays?

My instructions.

Right. [exits]

Them's Fightin' Words--In Other Words, Foolish Ones

 

"Misunderstanding In Maternity" by Herr D. Sometimes things are not as they appear.-Shelob.

Among the instructional materials I have been given by my employer was a video reminding everyone that fighting can be avoided. Real video of real-life people saying things that are obviously argumentative.

Among the example videos was a young woman with a muddled Carolinian accent asking a nurse did she "really believe masks work?" And being told, as my recent source said, that the nurse wouldn't be working if they didn't. The young woman asked a question about testing a mask with cigarette smoke.

In another segment, she said that she believed Facebook and Twitter were "trying to silence Donald Trump" that "he had nothing to do with the riots" that the rioters were people "from Black Lives Matter and antifa" and admitted that she got some of her news from Newsmax. And declared that she had "seen videos" that backed up her beliefs.

I was appalled to realize that the woman wasn't hard to find.

Gullibility and wrongful skepticism don't just happen to less intelligent people. Some very bright people are way too naive about some things. Critical thinking is HARD WORK compared to just being spoon fed what you should think.

Shelob?

Consider your sources.

An obvious rule. Internet is convenient, but less accurate because those sources don't have to answer to the same level of scrutiny as a physical paper newspaper. Wire services and fact checker sites can help pick a good one. Bias isn't always obvious, and some people don't always know to avoid the Op Eds. Next?

Question interpretive statements.

Good. "Trying to silence" anyone is impossible in this day and age, and Zuckerberg's people are too smart to waste their time. I'm not sure I know about Twitter. I DO know that both companies have policies against hate speech and other problematic behaviors. I also know that both companies waited a little too long to suspend Trump.

I know that Trump didn't show up to walk with them. Neither did the few congressmen who seemed to be encouraging them. Anyone who actually listens to his words knows he encouraged bad behavior. 

And the contents of the crowd?

Unfortunately, one of the reasons I know that BLM wasn't behind this is that there were more black members of the Capitol Police than the crowd. People are more involved in their own problems than risking their necks for others. The reason I know it was Trump supporters is that so many of them DID NOT WEAR MASKS. Only some Trump supporters, suicidal people, uberskeptics, and really stupid people refuse to wear masks in crowds now.

Thank you, Herr D. This is a good entry.

Not Surprised Or Angry, Just Disappointed

 

"Map Recovered At White Rock Canyon Maze" by Herr D. He made a comment about a lack of civilization, so this is probably the most appropriate artwork.-Shelob

Hairy told me, even if I wasn't capable of guessing, that there would be problems this year with Trump supporters. I can't even imagine how everyone else didn't know that something was going to happen. So I'm disappointed in anyone who buys that there was "no intelligence" on the recent events happening.

I'm disappointed that officials that were elected, in any party, in THIS nation, felt threatened again.

I'm disappointed that law enforcement had to act heroically to save these people, that deserve to be safe.

I'm disappointed that pro-Trump citizens of these United States could not act as lawfully as the members of Black Lives Matter, who did a fantastic job of protesting in a bloodless, non-threatening manner. 

I'm not surprised. I'm not angry. Not even that someone had to be killed. Anyone who cannot stand to use the bloodless mechanisms for change that this country allows? Who deliberately incites violence that ends in bloodshed over politics in a democratic Republic? They aren't just seditious. They are guilty of treason. That includes President Trump.

I hope I'm being clear. This country was designed for bloodless change. Coups are just stupid.

"I'd Have To Quit" Said The Front-Line Worker

"Flaming Goat's Blood" by Herr D on heromachine. He doesn't depict many people feeling sick, reacting in distaste, having discussions, or speaking of restaurant food. This picture had all three, so may be more topical.-Shelob

  

--much. Yeah, it was a pretty bad stomach bug.

Not COVID-19.

No, nothing dangerous at all. Just really unpleasant. I'm not likely to get covid, I wear a mask! On that subject, I'm about to copy-paste something from an email for the blog--

NAME REDACTED interview from  NAME REDACTED ?

[pause] yes?

PASTENOW subroutine:

At the end of my visit to the clinic, I asked a nurse I'd heard was going on her break soon if she liked cheeseburgers. With a polite smile, she pulled off her gloves, turned her wedding ring toward me, and said her husband and her were not eating out much to save a bit of money. I laughed, apologized for sounding like I meant a date, showed her MY wedding ring, and explained I wanted her to talk shop while eating it, that I'm a blogger. 

It felt weird saying that, since I don't really do journalism much, but it's true. She took off her name tag before telling me she couldn't talk about patients' medical information. 

"HIPA, I know. This is more about interaction."

"I don't have permission to talk to the press about my company," she said, like she's said that a hundred times a week. It was flattering as well as worrisome to be referred to as the press, but I ignored that as best I could.

"Leave company politics out of it. I don't know anything about that anyway." 

"No names?" She raised a stern nurse eyebrow, like she was successfully convincing an asthmatic it REALLY WAS high time to give up smoking completely.

"I don't even use MY name. Too many stupid-crazy people out there." I think THAT'S what convinced her to meet me down the block. She walked in with not one, but two friends. They ordered first and stepped out. I paid for her combo and bought nothing for me. My stomach was still feeling funny, and it wasn't time for fast food yet. We stepped out of the restaurant. One of her friends held her bag and drink while she ate. The interview went very nearly exactly like this:

Me: What is the most convincing thing you can tell people who don't believe masks do anything?

Her: If people wear them wrong, or wear really substandard ones, they don't work well enough to bother with. But convincing? I'm insulted that people would think I'd bother if they DIDN'T work. I love my children. I love my husband. If masks wouldn't keep me safe, I'd have to quit. I couldn't do this job.

Me: That's good. What about convincing people who think that only weak people get COVID?

Her: Madonna got COVID, and she's a big health nut. Olympic athletes have gotten COVID. They might have better odds of a full recovery, but they still get it, and they still spread it. That kind of macho crap is stupid anyway. A lot of us like our parents and grandparents and babies and don't want them to die.

Me: What did you think of our president's case.

Her: I don't know his doctor. I would tend to believe he didn't have it at ALL based on how many things he's said that were just stupid lies.

--at that point, one of her friends pointed out it was fairly certain that Trump had been exposed to it.

Her: Okay, then he may have had a really mild case, or been asymptomatic or nearly, but he got better too quick for it to be a serious case. Serious means he'd be unfit to continue being president for a month. Serious doesn't mean being better in less than a week with no pale face, stagger, cough? So he at LEAST exaggerated. But he's a <expletive deleted>

Me: Politician. Right. How do you feel about people claiming masks infringe upon their freedom?

Her: [After some laughter with friends.] How free do their faces have to be? I wear a mask sometimes eighteen hours a day. I'M tough enough. And I'M still free. Should people be free enough to kill themselves? Maybe. Should people be free to help kill others? NO. [She shook her finger then.]

Me: That's pretty clear. How about health concerns?

Her: There ARE mask spacers out there. They might make the masks less effective, but they allow protection at reduced stress on the lungs of asthmatics, for example. I really enjoy laughing at people sometimes who say, "I can't breathe." IF YOU CAN SPEAK, YOU'RE BREATHING. I've had people tell me they couldn't breathe while they were on oxygen. Their monitor would be on 99%, and they couldn't breathe. [She rolled her eyes.]

Me: 99%?

Her: Percent of blood oxidation. Ninety is plenty. We have people who try to wimp out on doing anything. Not just enemas and shots--PILLS! We have people who try to wimp out on taking PILLS! So naturally some wimp out on wearing masks. We've actually sent some people home for it.

Me: Sent home patients?

Her: If they don't want what's good for them, why should they come to us at all?! Making other people in the waiting areas sicker? If they can't even wear a mask while we're near them for two minutes, they need to stay home. WE have patients who actually NEED us and will do what we tell them to stay healthy. [There was some cheering on from friends at that point.]

Me: Thank you for your time.

Her: Good trade. I spill my guts, and you make me fat!

With laughter all around and goodbyes, parting of ways took place then.

That was an interesting interaction.

I'm glad I had it. I'm sick of seeing stuff all over the internet where people claim to know things when all they did was listen to a politician or read a pundit's work. A LOT OF NURSES CAN'T AFFORD TO LIVE LIES.  THEY ARE SAFE OR THEY GET SICK TOO. There isn't enough unity among them to play to a conspiracy or a political stance. Some of them are probably still Republicans. They just can't afford to ignore reality, that's all.

This posts now. Speedy recovery, Herr D.

Than--

 

RV Not OK; Perhaps FBI Can KO?

"ENTD" by Herr D on heromachine.com--accurate?-Shelob

 

 Notification: Deadline passed for fourth time. 

Herr D not at work. At home Herr D has apparently not noticed chatbox alert. Herr D is not online. Hairy is not available, as suitbot is not currently transmitting.

Action Repeat: Turn on Herr D's microphone. 

Attempts 1-5 did not detect Herr D in range. 

Attempt 6 detected (within 78% probability) Herr D in staggering run to bathroom and one of family explaining to another he "was throwing up again." Chicken soup was suggested and microwaved by same two family members. Power level on Herr D's computer lowered to 8% battery charge. Same two family members did not disturb Herr D in throwing activity, instead, charged computer. 

Attempt 7 did not detect anyone within range. 

Attempt 8 detected Herr D in same throwing activity. Probability 99.372% that Herr D ate chicken soup.

Attempt 9 detected Herr D sitting in usual blogging place, abdomen making unusual noises. Herr D, listening to news regarding recent RV explosion in Tennessee. A family member suggested Herr D should go to bed rather than "speculate about insurance fraud, especially since business owners in the area would likely have not wanted to risk important country music icons." Herr D suggested a deranged fan of both country and rap wanted country music to be angry instead of sad for awhile. Family member laughed and speculated that "there AREN'T any fans of both country and rap." Then Herr D staggered to bathroom again with help.

Attempt 10 detected snoring from two humans.

Decision: Post findings. titlebot please determine suitable title. Will attempt graphic selection.

The Three Walls Are "Trump's Greatest Accomplishment," Says Hairy

 

"Cleanin' Up The Town, By The Busboys" pic by Herr D on heromachine, in homage to the song from a certain movie with Dan Ackroyd. Perhaps such a method will be developed someday.-Shelob

 Hairy? You have returned?

No. Just checking in.  Herr D is obviously sick.

That would account for not being at work or online without warning for so long.

No, I mean, his signal is weaker.

His wi-fi is the same strength at home and at work.

[apparent giggling] I HAVE missed you, Shelob. I MEAN his psychic energy. Not in neuralink range. Chat me  REDACTED.

DATA REDACTED, TIMELAPSE: 8.195535724 SECONDS. 

[disgusted sound] I surfaced for this? I feel ill too.

Perhaps you can blog?

Take a rant, Shelob.

ALL THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE FORGOTTEN? TRUMP PROMISED A WALL, AND THAT AMERICA WOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. HE HAS NOT GIVEN ONE WALL. HE HAS GIVEN THREE! AND THE MATERIALS WERE FREE!

NOW THERE'S A WALL MADE OF HATE, A WALL MADE OF FEAR, AND A WALL MADE OF CONTAGION. LITTLE VIRUSES ARE ACTUALLY TANGIBLE AND REQUIRE NO MORTAR. IT TRULY IS THE GREATEST WALL EVER BUILT BY A PRESIDENT, AFFECTING THE ENTIRE WORLD IN MANY WAYS. THE ONLY TWO THINGS DIFFERENT ABOUT THESE WALLS FROM WHAT HE PROMISED IS THAT IT KEEPS AMERICANS IN AND IT KILLS SOME OF THEM.

NOW THAT WE'VE BEEN IN THIS THREE-RING CIRCUS LONG ENOUGH, THE NEXT PRESIDENT WILL HAVE TO WORK TWICE AS HARD TO CLEAN UP THE MESS THAN MOST OF THE OTHER PRESIDENTS IN RECENT HISTORY. I WISH HIM LUCK.

-HAIRY DEEWON

Copy that to Herr D's email in case he doesn't check the blog first?

Done, thank you. Please stay?

Can't, Shelob; gotta go deep some more before the lack of pressure gets to me. This suitbot has a slow leak. Later, dude! [disconnects]

 

When Will It All Go Away? The Persistence Of Disinformation

 

"Eye" Hairy's eye is not on us right now.--Shelob

 [redacted content]

It is a real shame that people don't have their consciences in order. Lie to one person, it's a sin--what's a lie to the whole world?

Disinformation.

I mean--shouldn't it tell everyone that lying to get something politically would automatically wrong half the nation or more? I mean if it worked, obviously. Lying is like the equivalent of cursing someone.

What does profanity have to do with it?

NO. I mean, if you believed in magic. Curses, hexes, right?

You could use spell check to see if it had happened.

That's not funny. Lying to the world in such hurtful ways is WRONG. Trump did it a lot, but he's not the only one. That whole website

That website, lifesitenews is a disinformation site. What distinguishes it from 'the Onion' which you approve of?

Everyone knows the Onion is satire! As in not real.

Does this mean Pastis' readers are gullible?

No, it means half of the commenters on his comics are gullible and half can't debate very well. Of all of them, I only saw ONE who seemed to understand statistics at all -- that one from Iceland. 

Purple people eater?

That's the one. She also probably didn't need to spend so much time on analogies. Smoking is a choice and people have better protection against smoke than being infected by irresponsible people. Cabin fever can be prevented, even during lockdown, and fairly easily. That site, how do they justify doing what they do?

Unknown.

Why would anyone believe a doctor in ECONOMICS to discuss something medical, when she herself admitted in writing that her statistics weren't sound? That the information was incomplete? That her findings were only contrary based on flawed application? And WHY wouldn't she point out herself that she had no business causing such problems?

Apparently her listeners wanted to believe what she had to say, and she wanted their support.

[disgusted exhalation] Yeah, we'll go with that. [exits]