O Pinions!

#1005934

March 6, 2021 at 7:48pm

Cultural Wars a la Seuss 6 march 2021 I have no problem with Seuss's heirs deciding to not continue to publish 6 of his books. His other books have withstood the test of time but in time some of them will be left by the wayside as well. I do have one issue with all my friends who are offended by this though. They are all White, by-the-way. A White person doesn't get to decide whether or not a depiction of an Asian or African is acceptable or not. Any more than a Man gets t... [Read more]

#1003610

February 4, 2021 at 2:06am

On reviewing, mea culpa 3.February.2021 I mini-whined at Blimprider: "My reviews tend to be short. I wish I could review without rating. I also wish I weren't reviewing newbies or works 10 years old. I'm part of a blogging group and I don't choose what to review. I do a mini-critique in my blog. Then within the month I dump a bunch on the review page as I reread and tweak what I wrote and the rating I gave. I send a trinket that explains my rating system. I cring... [Read more]

#1002872

January 26, 2021 at 12:22am

What's your fear? 25.januar.2021 Posted on facebook: "Allen Tiffany: I'm a democratic socialist in the Nordic sense. Yes, I hear your fear... I just don't understand it. (I've visited Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Estonia... didn't feel oppressed nor fearful.) What I suspect many Americans fear is having to share the American Pie (bad joke) with people they don't approve of, including, but not limited to: non-Christians, non-English speakers, non-3rd-plus-g... [Read more]

#1002721

January 24, 2021 at 5:22pm

Going the Way of the Whigs 24.january.2021 As I commented elsewhere: "The news has been 'calmer' without T stirring the pot and adding eye-of-Hillary, soiled lace and arsenic to his cauldron of conspiracies. There are so many issues that need to be tackled. Did you hear that there's a killer pandemic out there? Obviously, T hadn't. So, yeah. I think that to move forward we all need a break and there's some glimmer of hope that a certain Ghost of ... [Read more]

#1002129

January 14, 2021 at 9:57pm

For: Do you feel banning Trump on Twitter, Facebook,etc is only allowing one side to talk as some of the GOP is claiming? Is this opening a door to changing the US to a police state because we've invited censorship? NO! But there are concerns... Lets get some FACTS straight. President Trump, like any president, can hold a briefing or press conference. He can even make a national address. No one is stopping him. He can even issue directives and proclamations. He has... [Read more]

#999779

December 6, 2020 at 10:08pm

Covid-deniers 6.desember.2020 Commented to Elisa re covid-deniers: "I remember watching that clip [march for guns] from Helena. I'm in Missoula so "we love our guns" is an issue throughout the state. Denial... not the only reason. Some people really believe they are 'sanctified' from anything bad (and churches instill this). Others are born skeptics, questioning everything. Some have the screaming me-mes and little empathy. For the racists it became appa... [Read more]

#998429

November 15, 2020 at 6:00pm

Culture Shift 15.november.2020 As I bleated (edited) to : "The culture is shifting due to covid... will it go back to 'normal'? No. A new 'normal' maybe. I'm a Cafe Culture person and now I don't dare step into buildings. I love cash not credit (so some places have lost my business). I live up 42 steps; delivery is 'iffy'. Plus, I don't believe in it. I'm not a shopper on-line and even in person; Target/BestBuy once, twice per year is... [Read more]

#998139

November 11, 2020 at 3:19pm

Misperceptions... things will change with Joe and Kamala. 11.november.2020 Comment sent to Zehra Shallwani in Pakistan (edited). "Perceptions can start wars. I fear American xenophobia and islamophobia. Not as bad as Hungary or Slovakia but they can't nuke the world; the US most definitely can. There is hope here... especially with Kamala as vice-president. She brings a sensitivity to South Asian culture. Yes, I know Pakistan and Bangladesh aren't India but her cultural... [Read more]

#997830

November 7, 2020 at 3:00am

6.november.2020 I'm very sorry to inform you-all that Montana doesn't give a fuck what you who live in Nevuh-Land think. We just voted in fascists across the board. Am I bitter when the fucking Left thinks that moderates are evil or that a better candidate would matter? You-betcha. Hitler got in because the Socialists and Communists couldn't get along. And if you're young and too dumb to figure that out? What the Leftists do NOT understand is compromise and playing well with ... [Read more]

#997451

November 2, 2020 at 2:47am

Votes: 153 million. 52% Biden 46% Trump 02% other A voting margin of 10 million. Electoral College: Wrapped up: 240 Biden 100 Trump Almost wrapped up (only a surprise): 240 Biden 116 Trump Most probably: 251 Biden 131 Trump Notes: Alaska and Montana are both elastic and very hard to predict. Both states can be ornery. I think Alaska will tighten to +5 for Trump and Montana to +3 (compared to +20 in 2016). Arizona is also in this group as the West can be under... [Read more]

#995735

October 12, 2020 at 5:27pm

12 oktober 2020. I posted in WDC newsfeed: Oh... fighting... with online grammar know-it-alls. How many syllables are there in a string of four letter words... hmm. Okay. As a poet, I hear what I read (a gift or curse...mostly a gift). But "grammar" is based on standard written language that would be used in an essay... not the way I speak or anyone speaks really. Not always useful for poetry! Which I will defend as an oral-aural art form. (I pronounce those two words the same.... [Read more]

#995075

October 5, 2020 at 1:09am

I could make this a fuller opinion piece but the news/fake-news surrounding Emperor Trump and King Covid is so uncertain I leave this here: I responded to Bleak but reasonable assessment. I guess I'm not surprised that I basically agree with you (for lots of reasons). I've told people, "I hope he gets good and sick for a few days." Is that a shock? Shouldn't be. Most people do get ill occasionaly. Most suffer personal heartbreak, poverty, random disabilities, a... [Read more]

#993508

September 16, 2020 at 3:51pm

Crossroads of covid and racism 16 september 2020 Covid-in-Montana. Too many stories and details. Too many headlines. I responded to Nick Engler: "190 new cases today. 9% positivity rate. Overall death rate once hospitalized about 30% (overall death rate about 2% when figuring that 32 of the presently 106 hospitalized will die). I've been looking at these numbers and they stay fairly stable. However, there's reason to believe that testing is inadequate. Also, many ... [Read more]

#993507

September 16, 2020 at 3:30pm

Crossroads of covid and racism 16 september 2020 Covid-in-Montana. Too many stories and details. Too many headlines. I responded to Nick Engler: "190 new cases today. 9% positivity rate. Overall death rate once hospitalized about 30% (overall death rate about 2% when figuring that 32 of the presently 106 hospitalized will die). I've been looking at these numbers and they stay fairly stable. However, there's reason to believe that testing is inadequate. Also, many lo... [Read more]

#993263

September 13, 2020 at 3:40pm

Why hasn't there been more progress? 13.september.2020 Zehra Shallwani [from Pakistan, on facebook]: Yes, I would too. What immediately comes to mind: 1. The government shot at its own citizens (Kent State May 1970), 2. Many hippies became yuppies; they liked the party but then decided they liked money better. 3. The following half-generation (Late Boomers, now 56+) reacted and became me-me-me (basically the mantra of genX now 40-55 who grew up with Reganomics and the War-on-the-Po... [Read more]

#991570

August 25, 2020 at 5:42pm

Response to : "When covid hit I was in Taiwan. They did two things of note: 1. banned the export of masks, 2. upped the production to millions per day. They also rationed at the beginning to prevent hoarding. Later they made mask mandatory to enter certain buildings and on the metro/trains. This was 'easy' to accomplish because East Asian cultures do not have a cultural fear of masks and use them when someone is sick. They also have a high level of respect for others. And ... an ... [Read more]

#988252

July 28, 2020 at 8:39pm

2020 unmasked You with your fist raised to high-heaven, singing praises of corrupt politicians, treating themselves to roe-of-salmon, eating their lobster on the finest linens! Anger that comes from being a minion, spitting and sputtering trumped-up opinions, praying for the wrath of God's Dominion, blaming 'others' for your own situation. Never have you picked that thorny cotton. Never do you put on masks of cotton. What will you do when you face this dra... [Read more]

#986708

June 28, 2020 at 3:47pm

2020 wish for secular governments and human rights 28.june.2020 Don't get me started... In politics and culture: 1. Secular governments that affirm human rights. 1a. Race? We can start with the US. 1b. Religion? Again ... the US. Christians oppose a secular government, as does the GOP and political parties in Costa Rica. Iran. 1c. Sexuality? Poland and again the US. 1d. Indigenous/minority rights? China, Brasil, Australia and ... you guessed it ... the US. Balkans, Bur... [Read more]

#986617

June 27, 2020 at 1:12am

Rebuilding a blogging community? 25.june.2020 When spacebook and Open Salon got popular circa 2009 bloggers drifted off. Serious bloggers went to Open Salon. And then people who wanted to chit-chat went you-know-where and eventually those who needed a quick fix switched to Tweeter. Of those left I think Robert Waltz is about the only serious blogger. The rest of us are sharing personal stuff ... more like a diary or memoir. Prompts can help, but frankly, half don't. It's wh... [Read more]

#985553

June 13, 2020 at 12:05am

See me take your dis out of dis ABLED 12.june.2012 We all rant and rage and have a right to do so. There's so many injustices out there and some have found you and some have found me! But to explain these injustices to others I need to build bridges. As a wordsmith I use words. Writing stories may help the public to change their hearts, but asking leaders to makes changes is a different audience. In many cases one needs to be clear, direct and eloquent. I wrote to a fellow... [Read more]

#985256

June 13, 2020 at 12:04am

Cops should be civilian peace keepers 8.juin.2020 To Serena Valentino: Oh, I'd argue ... except I agree. Beat cops? So 1950 ... like Mayberry. I do believe we need: 1. cops on the beat, 2. cops must live in the city they serve, preferably in the neighborhood they serve; everyone should know their name. 3. peace-keeper cops not Rambos. 4. total disarmament; first step is to take away all the military toys; second is to determine whether they even need a gun. 5. traini... [Read more]

#985001

July 5, 2020 at 8:14pm

Botanist's conspiracy 4.juni.2020 I don't need to be woke, J Shimmers! I have believed and worked on racial and peace issues for 40 years. I know a thing or two besides being a gardener since age 9. Can you tell the difference between tomatoes, eggplant and nightshade? Clue: one is poisonous. Bon appetite! When you eat rhubarb do you eat the leaves or the roots? Hmmm... things that are related or look similar aren't the same. The protesters are not the same people as rioters.... [Read more]

#984860

July 5, 2020 at 8:20pm

It was 'death by cop' and 'being black'. [re autopsy] 2.june.2020 Some of my facebook comments today: More succinct: it was 'death by cop' and 'being black'. [re autopsy] Actually ____, people who live together get along just fine ... with people they live with. Racism kicks in very strong however when people don't. It's basic fear, distrust or hatred. It's taught by 6, 7, or 8 (to quote 'South Pacific'). Racism at its core is a... [Read more]

#984685

June 1, 2020 at 5:56pm

Protesters or Rioters? 31.may.2020 Response to Joey at spacebook: "These are just the armed members! I'll challenge every 'good' Christian here lurking in the background ... how doesn't praying in your churches every Sunday for the Apocalypse not feed this glorification of violence at the ever-present (for generations) End Times? Oh yes, I blame those without guns as well. And I'll go further ... how does glorifying Christians (many by name only) above all others... [Read more]

#984429

July 5, 2020 at 7:45pm

Communitarianism 27.mai.2020 To a friend of a friend (who has since clarified her point of view, so I'm glad I didn't post this) but I share now to shed some light as to where I'm coming from. You're American! The American definition: welfare = something people don't deserve but "we do-gooders begrudgingly support them because we can't kill them (thankfully we don't have to associate with them or allow them to live where we do)". That's not ... [Read more]