Back from the stable, where we shoveled manure. "We'll have to do it again tomorrow," cheerfully remarked the young man named Blake who was in charge. Except I won't because I'm singing at a funeral tomorrow morning, so I'll drop D off and have a brother pick her up.
Fabulous! My favorite animal to see in the wild around the house! Ms. Pinki prefers the Desert Tortoise but loves these as well.
I have rescued 2!!
One baby got herimself (new word by me!! For an unknown gender...🦛🐐) stuck on a floating hose in the pool. Scoop and released!
Second Gila Monster save was on the road to/from our house. I saw her him on the road ahead. I pulled into the middle and stopped traffic as any good GilaCop should. The lovely Gila continued to pat pat pat 🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾 across the road.
They have nested around the house several times. And seeing 3 or 4 at once is pretty cool!
I had a brief fling with boots back in the 70’s. Remember Frye Boots? it was a fashion smash hit. I got ‘em, wore ‘em for about a year, then came to my senses.
This morning, I've read two utterly opposite and conflicting accounts, with quotes by the LA Chief of Police...one where the Chief said things were out of control and the other saying everything was under control until the Army got injected into the mess.
Best story I saw on X. Don Henley (the pretentious one of the Eagles) took a copy of "Pet Sounds" to Brian Wilson to autograph. Brian signed it to Don "Thanks for all the great songs". But as he began to take his leave Brian called him back, crossed out "great", replacing it with "good".
Pam had two favorite sing-a-longs with me, "Wild Thing" by the Trogs (for fun), and "Don't worry baby" by the Beach boys. She loved singing that one with me.
A satirical musician going by the name of Mojo Nixon had a song "Don Henley Must Die." ("Don't let him get back together with Glenn Frey.") Legend has it that in 1992 when Nixon was performing the song in a club, Don Henley happened to be in the audience, jumped onstage, and sang along.
I wonder why it was named Gila Monster instead of Gila Lizard? The lady in the last video says you don’t want to be bitten by one not so much because of their venom but rather because they don’t want to let go and they keep chewing.
Good morning. 68 predicted to rise to the 80s and sunny. Despite the daytime temperatures, we have not yet had a swarm night in the 70s or higher, so we haven’t yet seen lightning bugs.
The mothership is covering RFK JR’s firing en masse of the advisory body on vaccinations, because, it seems, they rely on science, not anti-vaxx ideology. They also note the passing of Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys. The FP headlines “Why Gavin Newsom will Never be President”.
A while back I listened to a FP podcast with Batya Ungar-Sargon debating Bari and someone else (can't remember). I did not find that she made much sense so now I skip over any content from her. I could be wrong, but she doesn't seem to belong in the ballpark.
Fair point. "Experts" are often too quick to invoke "the science" as we found out during COVID. Still, the general efficacy of vaccines, especially the MMR vaccine in use for years, is not in question by those who are knowledgable about "the science".
In any case, RFK Jr has replaced (arguably) slightly overzealous vaccine advocates, with a panel of (inarguably) unscientific anti-vaxxers.
Those vaccines aren’t up for review though, only future vaccines. If you got last year’s flu vaccine, you were more not less likely to get the flu. I think it’s past time to look a little closer at vaccines. If you read “Turtles all the Way Down” you will learn most vaccines aren’t tested against a placebo. I certainly would be much more skeptical nowadays than I was when my kids were babies. My daughters aren’t following the schedule. Their pediatricians are not militant about it either.
We just don’t know as citizens, so it would be nice to have a highly competent board to review this stuff. I believe it’s a certainty that we’ll not have one under RFK. I’m fine with skepticism. Im not fine with looney tunes in charge.
I honestly have no idea about the ACIP. The fact that there were looney comments from past members is not validation that RFK has 2 brain cells to rub together regarding public health. If folks are arguing that RFK is taking us to a smarter place, I have no comment.
I'm not sure what to make of that. That's kinda straw manning in reverse, or something. It makes no sense. Yes, stupid people ran free. So, because stupid people did stupid things, we're going all in on RFK? (backs away slowly feeling for the door....)
Dr. Fauci et al who got out well over their skis during COVID by advocating shutting down the economy and schools, did much damage to the credibility of expert scientific opinion,
Someone on some podcast asked the participants which conspiracy theory they are tempted by. I would have answered Fauci and his role in the gain of function research. I think there's a good chance he committed serious malfeasance. (Trying to stop short of saying he should be in jail.)
I’m not knowledgeable enough on the specific issues of malfeasance. He concealed information, he wasn’t ever out in front of this…ever…he only ever recited whatever the administration consensus was and whatever would keep him unscathed. He was/is the quintessential worthless bureaucrat catering to what keeps his career on track.
I agree 100% about the vaccine for children, and school closures, and shuttered businesses, etc, etc. But I dunno - swinging from one set of highly politicized experts(tm) to another set is pretty bad.
An analysis of the Lincoln County (NM) War, the event which featured Billy the Kid, pointed out that pretty much all the participants were drunk, or at least impaired, pretty much all the time.
I bounced this off my nephew's book cites...if folks think alcoholism is a problem now, in previous American centuries everyone was pretty much hammered all the time.
Yes, they say "Prohibition failed," but Prohibition and the larger Temperance movement actually did produce a substantial reduction in alcohol consumption.
Right. It wasn't a failure if viewed as an attempt at public education. Even post WWII, folks still drank wildly, as in the 4 martini lunch and near constant tippling during work.
Mclean was a Presbyterian, the son of a Presbyterian minister. I suppose that was either a neutral observation or perhaps a mild insult to Methodists (with a bigger insult to Baptists of course).
Back from the stable, where we shoveled manure. "We'll have to do it again tomorrow," cheerfully remarked the young man named Blake who was in charge. Except I won't because I'm singing at a funeral tomorrow morning, so I'll drop D off and have a brother pick her up.
Remind me again: was this volunteer work to prep your kids to be a congressional intern? 🤔
:-)
Fabulous! My favorite animal to see in the wild around the house! Ms. Pinki prefers the Desert Tortoise but loves these as well.
I have rescued 2!!
One baby got herimself (new word by me!! For an unknown gender...🦛🐐) stuck on a floating hose in the pool. Scoop and released!
Second Gila Monster save was on the road to/from our house. I saw her him on the road ahead. I pulled into the middle and stopped traffic as any good GilaCop should. The lovely Gila continued to pat pat pat 🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾 across the road.
They have nested around the house several times. And seeing 3 or 4 at once is pretty cool!
I wanna get me a nice pair of new Gila Monster cowboy boots. Maybe a matching handbag for the MIssus....
You can get faux Gila boots.
Actually, I'm allergic to cowboy boots. I was channeling one of my imaginary acquaintances.
Growing up in Texas most in my circle wore boots. I always felt too silly, somewhat a poser. That and it's hard to beat sneakers for comfort.
I had a brief fling with boots back in the 70’s. Remember Frye Boots? it was a fashion smash hit. I got ‘em, wore ‘em for about a year, then came to my senses.
I had a pair of Frye boots back in the '70s. Got a lot of use out of them. Still have the boot jack that I bought at the same time.
Yeah. Everyone had ‘em.
Anything is possible in the land of the Dragon!
This morning, I've read two utterly opposite and conflicting accounts, with quotes by the LA Chief of Police...one where the Chief said things were out of control and the other saying everything was under control until the Army got injected into the mess.
New word for me....Brumation.
Best story I saw on X. Don Henley (the pretentious one of the Eagles) took a copy of "Pet Sounds" to Brian Wilson to autograph. Brian signed it to Don "Thanks for all the great songs". But as he began to take his leave Brian called him back, crossed out "great", replacing it with "good".
Pam had two favorite sing-a-longs with me, "Wild Thing" by the Trogs (for fun), and "Don't worry baby" by the Beach boys. She loved singing that one with me.
A satirical musician going by the name of Mojo Nixon had a song "Don Henley Must Die." ("Don't let him get back together with Glenn Frey.") Legend has it that in 1992 when Nixon was performing the song in a club, Don Henley happened to be in the audience, jumped onstage, and sang along.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Riqmsn4qGU
Gila monsters, of course, should not be confused with the Lovecraftian televangelism movement “Heal-a-Monster”.
How’s that, Phil? 🤩🤩🤩
What was that, exactly? A pun in an alternate universe?
Good one.
Be thankful there's not a biblical emoji of a group of pigs stampeding off a cliff to their deaths...yet.
I was told in a presentation that the average person who gets bit is a male between 14 and 22.
Perfect. Of course.
That's so unexpected!
I wonder why it was named Gila Monster instead of Gila Lizard? The lady in the last video says you don’t want to be bitten by one not so much because of their venom but rather because they don’t want to let go and they keep chewing.
My guess is someone had already trademarked "Loch Ness Monster", but I could be wrong.
See above under “cowboys, drunken”.
Correct. The venom is also an issue, though.
Good morning. 68 predicted to rise to the 80s and sunny. Despite the daytime temperatures, we have not yet had a swarm night in the 70s or higher, so we haven’t yet seen lightning bugs.
The mothership is covering RFK JR’s firing en masse of the advisory body on vaccinations, because, it seems, they rely on science, not anti-vaxx ideology. They also note the passing of Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys. The FP headlines “Why Gavin Newsom will Never be President”.
A while back I listened to a FP podcast with Batya Ungar-Sargon debating Bari and someone else (can't remember). I did not find that she made much sense so now I skip over any content from her. I could be wrong, but she doesn't seem to belong in the ballpark.
Do they rely on “science” though? Recommending the covid vaccine for children? Really? I’m OK with this decision.
Fair point. "Experts" are often too quick to invoke "the science" as we found out during COVID. Still, the general efficacy of vaccines, especially the MMR vaccine in use for years, is not in question by those who are knowledgable about "the science".
In any case, RFK Jr has replaced (arguably) slightly overzealous vaccine advocates, with a panel of (inarguably) unscientific anti-vaxxers.
Those vaccines aren’t up for review though, only future vaccines. If you got last year’s flu vaccine, you were more not less likely to get the flu. I think it’s past time to look a little closer at vaccines. If you read “Turtles all the Way Down” you will learn most vaccines aren’t tested against a placebo. I certainly would be much more skeptical nowadays than I was when my kids were babies. My daughters aren’t following the schedule. Their pediatricians are not militant about it either.
We just don’t know as citizens, so it would be nice to have a highly competent board to review this stuff. I believe it’s a certainty that we’ll not have one under RFK. I’m fine with skepticism. Im not fine with looney tunes in charge.
I know you don’t like pods but listen to Peak Prosperity released today and you’ll hear plenty of looney tune comments from past ACIP members.
I honestly have no idea about the ACIP. The fact that there were looney comments from past members is not validation that RFK has 2 brain cells to rub together regarding public health. If folks are arguing that RFK is taking us to a smarter place, I have no comment.
I doubt anything he does will even be close to the damage inflicted on this country during Covid by the “powers that be.”
I'm not sure what to make of that. That's kinda straw manning in reverse, or something. It makes no sense. Yes, stupid people ran free. So, because stupid people did stupid things, we're going all in on RFK? (backs away slowly feeling for the door....)
I can well believe that the process of testing vaccines needs to be tweaked. I cannot believe it needs to be blown up.
In true Trump "bull in the china shop" fashion, RFK Jr is blowing it up.
Yes. Buffoonery on parade.
I’m not privy to any evidence of that, but I’d be glad to learn. Replacing ACIP members doesn’t make the hair on my neck stand up.
Replacing a few, to add more viewpoints, perhaps not so bad. But replacing them all at one fell swoop? That’s blowing it up.
It's unfortunate that, "Doctors rely on science," now inspires so much skepticism, but it's not unreasonable.
Dr. Fauci et al who got out well over their skis during COVID by advocating shutting down the economy and schools, did much damage to the credibility of expert scientific opinion,
Yes. In (mho) retrospect, Doc Fauci was a buffoon and should be excoriated for his equivocating, outright lies, and concealment of information.
Someone on some podcast asked the participants which conspiracy theory they are tempted by. I would have answered Fauci and his role in the gain of function research. I think there's a good chance he committed serious malfeasance. (Trying to stop short of saying he should be in jail.)
I’m not knowledgeable enough on the specific issues of malfeasance. He concealed information, he wasn’t ever out in front of this…ever…he only ever recited whatever the administration consensus was and whatever would keep him unscathed. He was/is the quintessential worthless bureaucrat catering to what keeps his career on track.
I agree 100% about the vaccine for children, and school closures, and shuttered businesses, etc, etc. But I dunno - swinging from one set of highly politicized experts(tm) to another set is pretty bad.
Yes. Of all the "arguments" going both ways, this bothers me most.
I read the Biden administration appointed all 17 with 13 of them appointed in 2024 so this really seems much ado about nothing.
Yes, it is another episode of selective outrage.
> Gila monsters “brumate” from October to March <
I’d assumed this was just a frat rushing gambit.
Pretty darn interesting! A question: Isn't the phrase "drunk cowboys 150 years ago" redundant?
Sobering thought.
I saw that — 🚪
Heh.
An analysis of the Lincoln County (NM) War, the event which featured Billy the Kid, pointed out that pretty much all the participants were drunk, or at least impaired, pretty much all the time.
I bounced this off my nephew's book cites...if folks think alcoholism is a problem now, in previous American centuries everyone was pretty much hammered all the time.
Yes, they say "Prohibition failed," but Prohibition and the larger Temperance movement actually did produce a substantial reduction in alcohol consumption.
Right. It wasn't a failure if viewed as an attempt at public education. Even post WWII, folks still drank wildly, as in the 4 martini lunch and near constant tippling during work.
So were sailors in HRM's Navy when England controlled the seas.
Maybe some cowboys were Methodists.
Methodists are Baptists that can read....no credit because I forget who said it.
As a former Methodist, I'm not sure if that's a complement or an insult. 🙂
I looked it up. Normal Mclean said it, recounted in "A River Runs Through It."
Mclean was a Presbyterian, the son of a Presbyterian minister. I suppose that was either a neutral observation or perhaps a mild insult to Methodists (with a bigger insult to Baptists of course).
His father, the minister, said it, not Norman. You gotta admit it's a good line.
Or southern Baptists
Always a possibility