No Confidence

As I mentioned before, I'm not tech-savvy.  Heck, I don't even have a "smart" cell phone.  I have the same clunky "dumb" phone I've used for a number of years.  It rings, I answer it.  I dial, I can talk to someone.  Every so often it dings and I have a text message.  That's about it.  It does, however, come in handy when my wife is trying to track me down in Walmart.

The same is true for "social media."  With the exception of this blog, I have no use for any other.  I don't Tweet.  I don't Facebook.  I don't Instagram.  I don't Pinterest.  I have no use for them, unless someone can explain to me exactly why I need them.

That is why I was bewildered when it was proven that Russia used social media to hack our elections.  No less than seventeen U.S. intelligence and security agencies have said conclusively that the Russians influenced our election.  How could people be so gullible (stupid?) that they wouldn't think independently and make even the slightest effort to verify the veracity of what they read on social media?

One thing my wife and I tried to instill in our kid's was to think for themselves and to think independently.  An important life lesson that seems to have gone by the wayside, especially with all of the social media.  

Let's hope, that as a result of Russia hacking our 2016 election, it will be a lesson learned.  Unless social media companies take responsibility and our government implements dramatic controls, we can expect Russia to once again play a role in our elections.  

I have no confidence that social media users will change.

Just one day more..

Dumb And Dumber

Not-my-president Trump, in a moronic response to the school shooting in Florida, expanded on his idea to arm teachers with guns, suggesting that school staff be given "a little bit of a bonus" for carrying weapons, and promising federal funds to train them.  He said that "highly adept people ... who understand weaponry" could carry guns in schools, estimating that 10 to 40 percent of teachers could be qualified for such a task.  When asked if he had concerns about teachers with guns making quick judgments in the chaos of a school shooting, he responded that he did not, because they would be "experts."

At the same time not-my-president Trump was spitballing his plan, NRA leader Wayne LaPierre, guest speaker at the Conservative Political Action Conference, spewed his usual crap, calling for more guns.  He included his out-of-touch line, "to stop a bad guy with a gun, it takes a good guy with a gun.”

Avery Gardiner, co-president of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, called it a "colossally stupid idea.”  "If having more guns in more places made Americans safer, then we would have the lowest rates of gun violence in any developed country in the world, and the exact opposite is true," she said, calling the notion that "the only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun" a myth.

"It's a crazy proposal," said Dr. David Hemenway, a professor of health policy at Harvard School of Public Health and an expert on the public health impact of gun violence.  "So what should we do about reducing airline hijacking? Give all the passengers guns as they walk on?"  To expect a teacher to be able to shoot down an attacker — and not accidentally injure anyone else — is highly unlikely. "To be trained is not just about shooting. Your heart is beating like crazy, your adrenaline is all over your body, and you have to make a wise decision about what to do," Hemenway said. 

Arming teachers?  We can't even get past the gun culture in society.  Why would we want to introduce it as part of our educational system?

As the spouse of a retired teacher and father of a teacher, I worry that our country is being controlled by Dumb and Dumber.

Just one day more...

It's The Money

Rubio didn't have a good night at the Florida town hall meeting. 

The financial grip of the NRA is just too much for him to give up. 

Just one day more...

Wake Up Wisconsin

House Speaker Paul Ryan is one for the books.  After every shooting he regurgitates the same exact crap, time after time.  Such was the case after the school shooting in Florida.  He is obviously so dense that he doesn't get the technology of video recordings or he just doesn't care.

As far as Ryan is concerned, everyone who is tall enough to plop down money on the gun store counter should have an assault rifle. 

It's time to stop sacrificing our children and teachers so the NRA can keep control of Congress.

There is an alternative to the NRA stooge Ryan.  Wisconsin ironworker Randy Bryce is running against Ryan.  https://www.randybryceforcongress.com/

Wake up America.  Wake up Wisconsin.  It's time to get rid of the do-nothings in Congress.  It's time to get rid of the NRA stooges.

Just one day more... 

Is It Any Wonder?

Seventeen students and teachers dead in Florida yesterday.  And what is Congress doing and saying?  Exactly what they did and said after the Las Vegas massacre.  "Thoughts and prayers."

As reported by the New York Times on Oct. 4, 2014 following the mass shooting in Las Vegas. Top career recipients of NRA money and their "thoughts and prayers."

SENATE

HOUSE

The Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA) is a United States law which protects firearms manufacturers and dealers from being held liable when crimes have been committed with their products.  15 U.S.C. §§ 7901-7903

Passed by Congress and signed into law on October 26, 2005 by President George W. Bush.  Wayne LaPierre of the NRA thanked Bush for signing the Act which the NRA lobbied for, describing it as "... the most significant piece of pro-gun legislation in twenty years."

Is it any wonder this country can't get past the gun culture?  Is it any wonder this country can't get gun control legislation?  Is it any wonder innocents will continue to die?

Wake up Congress.  Wake up America.  Screw the NRA.

Just one day more...

It Is Time

17 killed in shooting at high school in Parkland, Florida

At least 17 people were dead after a 19-year-old former student opened fire at a South Florida high school on Wednesday afternoon, officials said.  At least 14 other people were injured in addition to the 17 people killed.

Officials believe the gunman had one AR-15-style semiautomatic rifle and multiple magazines.

Once again this country must endure another school shooting.  All the while our worthless Congress does nothing to regulate assault weapons.

After the horrific shooting of elementary students at Sandy Hook one would have thought that would have resulted in action by our "in-the-pocket of the NRA" Congress.

This country must get past the gun culture.  

We must get past all the crap about "good guys with a gun."  We must get past all the crap about "it's too soon after the event to take action."  We must get past all the crap about concealed carry and open carry as the answer.  We must get past the crap of "pray for the victims."

It is time to make AR-15's and all military assault weapons illegal.

Just one day more...

Diamonds In The Rough

Last week I commented on a cool shop in Wenden (Mas Paz).  Yesterday we went back to Wenden and checked out The Courtyard Gallery on 60 (link).

A local artist has converted the old motel on the highway into a venue for other local artists.  Each former motel room is filled with various types of artwork.

While visiting with the owner of Mas Paz, we discussed the prospect of Wenden attracting other artists and tourists.  In conjunction with The Courtyard Gallery, she seems to be on a mission to revive Wenden and I commend her for that. 

It's a tall order, since Wenden has seen better days, and it isn't likely it would be on the scale of Jerome or Bisbee.  However, both Mas Paz and The Courtyard Gallery are diamonds in the rough waiting to fulfill the potential of Wenden. 

Just one day more...

Our Time In Hope

We are well past half way on our winter stay in Hope.  The weather continues to to be perfect.



At home it is still in the grip of winter.




Grandson #2 turned one this past week, so we are anxious to see him and his brother when we get back home.

Until then, we'll continue to enjoy our time in Hope.

Just one day more..

Oasis In The Desert

Just twelve miles from Hope is Wenden.  We've passed through Wenden on the number of trips we have taken to Wickenburg and noticed a business situated right on the highway.  Today we decided to stop and for anyone who wants a flashback to the hippie days, this is the spot.

This is a great little store with welcoming smells and equally welcoming items for sale right out of the sixties (former hippies welcome).

 

There is a link on the right side bar to the MAS PAZ facebook page.  What an oasis in the desert for those of us who experienced that era.  I'll leave it to you to translate the business name.   

Far Out Man.  

PEACE.

Just one day more...

The Now Normal. Again.

L.A. middle school shooting: Two students wounded, female student in custody

A female student was taken into custody after two students were shot inside a classroom at a Los Angeles middle school on Thursday, authorities said.

The gunfire wounded a 15-year-old boy, who was shot in the head and is in critical condition, and a 15-year-old girl, who was struck in the wrist and is in fair condition, the Los Angeles Fire Department said.

Three other people — a 30-year-old woman, an 11-year-old boy and a 12-year-old girl — suffered minor injuries and were taken to local hospitals, the fire department said.

Hmmm...  When was the last school shooting?

The now normal.  Again.

Just one day more....