Existing In BFE

There is an argument from some Republicans, specifically Fox News (Brit Hume) and right wing wackos (Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Glen Beck) that we older Americans should lay down our lives so that the economy can get back to making money for them.  I have three responses.  One, we all have value.  Two, you first. And three, fuck you.  ++++++++++ ++++++++++ ++++++++++ I've caught up with Better Call Saul and watched the 7-part nefdlix documentary Tiger King .  TK is the damndest thing I think I've ever seen.   ++++++++++ ++++++++++ ++++++++++ ++++++++++ Hey Trumpers in blue states:  he's basically telling you to drop dead.  If you are a blue state or criticize the government's readiness, you won't get enough medical supplies.  Red states and particularly red governors who suck up, will get all they need.  The good news: I'm in a red state. ++++++++++

March 29, 1973 The last U.S. military unit leaves Vietnam. In over a decade of fighting, some 58,000 U.S. troops have been killed. Vietnamese casualties include more than 200,000 South Vietnamese troops and more than 1,000,000 North Vietnamese soldiers and Viet Cong irregulars. Civilian deaths total as many as 2,000,000. Small Pain in My Chest The soldier boy was sitting calmly underneath that tree. As I approached it, I could see him beckoning to me. The battle had been long and hard and lasted through the night And scores of figures on the ground lay still by morning's light. "I wonder if you'd help me, sir", he smiled as best he could. "A sip of water on this morn would surely do me good. We fought all day and fought all night with scarcely any rest - A sip of water for I have a small pain in my chest." As I looked at him, I could see the large stain on his shirt All reddish-brown from his warm blood mixed in with Asian dir

None of us have been through anything like this.  What is at this writing a state by state "shelter at home" depending on where you live, will likely end up a nationwide quarantine before it is all over.   I wouldn't presume to tell you anything you don't already know.  I have no great insight, no original thought, no ready quote or sentence to give you hope that we may make this a shorter experience for all of us.  I'm just like you, watching the news and seeing the increase in positive tests and deaths worldwide and in the US.  Am I scared?  Sure.  But a lot less scared than if this virus attacked kids.  I'm scared for the front line guys putting on 10 day old masks and protective gear.  We have now learned these are called PPE.  I'm scared for all the old people who won't be able to live out their lives in peace.   I do have a suggestion for you.  It works for me.  Go a long time without watching you favorite news channel.  Take a walk o

We took Steve to the train station in Galesburg while I was back North.  He was on an adventure out west.  It had been a while since I'd been at the depot.  Outside was a statue of Abe Lincoln that actually reminded me of Wally Cox.    Next to the depot was a couple of bike racks.     Chained to the racks were two bikes that had been stripped of their seats and wheels.  Welcome to Galesburg.

CORONAVIRUS SPECIAL EDITION Think of your loved ones.  Now think about their lives in the hands of the Trump family.  Good luck to us all. ++++++++++ ++++++++++ ++++++++++ ++++++++++ Overused phrase by the talking heads:  "It's all hands on deck." +++++++++++ ++++++++++ On Reddit:  "Isn't it funny people who live paycheck to paycheck are supposed to have months of savings while big corporations are so mismanaged that they are on the brink of bankruptcy after a week of crisis."  +++++++++++ In any disaster there are untold heroes.  This disaster will herald the sacrifices of the front line healthcare personnel, grocery checkout people and shelf stockers, while our government will likely be found wanting.  ++++++++++ ++++++++++ Rand Paul is a doc and he was still going around infecting Congress.  Oh wait - get that man out of quarantine and back in

Part Two  “A fool in a high station is like a man on the top of a high mountain: everything appears small to him and he appears small to everybody.” Professor Leader W. Matsch “One of the worst things that can happen in life is to win a bet on a horse at an early age.” Danny McGoorty “Success is when your mother reads about you in the newspaper.” Mike Nichols “Someone else probably has the same ideas so a) get started, b) plan to do it better.” Paul Obis “Stand on any street corner in any city of the world. Close your eyes. Stick out your arms. You will touch a schmuck.” William Marks “After all is said and done, a hell of a lot more is said than done.” Clark Olmstead “The optimist thinks this is the best of all possible worlds; the pessimist knows it.” J. Robert Oppenheimer “You don't win wars by dying for your country; you win wars by making the other poor bastard die for his country.” George S. Patton “In a hierarchy,