Reinke Faces Life

https://www.futilitycloset.com/2021/05/11/consequences-2/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+FutilityCloset+%28Futility+Closet%29

Dutch Anabaptist Dirk Willems had made good his escape from prison in 1569 when a pursuing guard fell through the ice of a frozen pond and called for help.

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https://www.zerohedge.com/covid-19/top-10-absurdities-covid-pandemic-so-far?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+zerohedge%2Ffeed+%28zero+hedge+-+on+a+long+enough+timeline%2C+the+survival+rate+for+everyone+drops+to+zero%29

The Top 10 Absurdities Of The COVID Pandemic… So Far
BY TYLER DURDEN
SATURDAY, MAY 08, 2021 – 09:20 AM
Authored by PF Whalen via TheBlueStateConservative.com,

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#10 – One-way traffic rules in supermarket aisles –
#9 – COVID is Trump’s fault –
#8 – Teachers can’t go back to work, but everyone else can –
#7 – It was xenophobic for Trump to halt travel from China  –
#6 – Fifteen days to slow the spread  –
#5 – President Joe Biden: “Help is on the way” –
#4 – The response by The World Health Organization –
#3 – Blue states did it better –
#2 – Get the vaccine, but keep doing all of the other stuff  
#1 – Wear two masks  –

*** end quote ***

Absolutely absurd.

Perhaps this will lead people to find a free market solution to education.

It’s hard to believe that there is NOT a better way.

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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Signal_for_Help

Did you know? – source Wikipedia 

The Signal for Help (or the Violence at Home Signal for Help)
is a single-handed gesture that can be used by an individual to alert others that
they feel threatened and need help over a video call, or in-person. It was originally
created as a tool to combat the rise in domestic violence cases around the world
as a result of the self-isolation measures related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The signal is performed by holding your hand up with your
thumb tucked into your palm, then folding your fingers down, symbolically
trapping your thumb in your fingers. It was intentionally designed as a single
continuous hand movement, rather than a sign held in one position, that could be
made easily visible.

The Signal for Help was first introduced in Canada by the Canadian
Women’s Foundation and in the United States by the Women’s Funding Network
(WFN) in April 2020. It received widespread praise from local, national, and
international news organizations for helping provide a modern solution to the issue
of a rise in domestic violence cases. The signal has been recognized by over 40
organizations across Canada and the United States as a useful tool to help
combat domestic violence.

Addressing concerns that abusers may become aware of such a
widespread online initiative, the Canadian Women’s Foundation and other
organizations clarified that this signal is not “something that’s going to
save the day,” but rather a tool someone could use to get help.
Instructions for what to do if an individual sees the signal, and how to
check-in safely, were also created.

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I never heard of this.

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A New Force of Nature

An experiment two decades in the making has provided strong evidence that the current theory describing the universe’s fundamental forces is incomplete, suggesting the existence of a fifth force currently unknown to science. 

The experiments, carried out at Illinois’ Fermilab, focused on subatomic particles known as muons—basically fat but short-lived electrons. Magnetic measurementsconfirmed, with much higher precision, tantalizing previous 2001 results that the particles’ properties deviate slightly from theoretical predictions. Scientists think the anomaly may come from an unknown interaction with the quantum foam—a sea of virtual particles perpetually popping in and out of existence. 

The chance of a fluke was calculated at around 0.0025%. If correct, the finding may suggest physics beyond the Standard Model—the theoretical framework that describes all known elementary particles but still faces a number of challenges (like explaining gravity). 

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More evidence that humans know so little.

Maybe that should be the new norm for a know it all like me — muon — as in “Mooo on you dumb cow”.   Actually cows are probably smarter.

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https://getpocket.com/explore/item/the-five-universal-laws-of-human-stupidity

POCKET WORTHYStories to fuel your mind.
The Five Universal Laws of Human Stupidity
We underestimate the stupid, and we do so at our own peril.
QuartzCorinne Purtill

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Law 1: Always and inevitably everyone underestimates the number of stupid individuals in circulation.

Law 2: The probability that a certain person be stupid is independent of any other characteristic of that person.

Law 3. A stupid person is a person who causes losses to another person or to a group of persons while himself deriving no gain and even possibly incurring losses.

Law 4: Non-stupid people always underestimate the damaging power of stupid individuals. In particular non-stupid people constantly forget that at all times and places and under any circumstances to deal and/or associate with stupid people always turns out to be a costly mistake.

Law 5: A stupid person is the most dangerous type of person.

*** end quote ***

This explains how some “smart” people can be so “stupid”.

Wonder where I fall in this spectrum?

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https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/parrots-share-currency-help-their-pals-purchase-food-180973917/

Researchers taught African grey parrots to buy food using tokens. They were then paired up, one parrot given ten tokens and the other none. Without any incentive for sharing, parrots with tokens started to give some to their broke partners so that everyone could eat.

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Wow!

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https://ritholtz.com/2021/03/the-landscape

The Landscape
March 7, 2021 10:00am by Bob Lefsetz

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COMPLAINTS

Go nowhere today. They’re forgotten. And oftentimes there’s not even anyone to complain to, try tweeting Apple, it cannot be done! Your goal is to improve your own little life. You need to seek out your own answers. Google is your friend. When you don’t know something, immediately go to Google, don’t ask the purveyor, you just look dumb, they put in the effort, why can’t you? Same deal with tech help. Figure it out yourself, once again Google is your friend. This is a huge sea change between the past and the present and future, between the young and the old. If you need to call someone to fix your problem, forget it, you’re already history. If you’re complaining your product didn’t last, you’re forgetting that if it was available at all, in the past it was ten times the price and it doesn’t pay to repair it.

*** end quote ***

I think this bit of realization is earth-shaking.

When I reflect on my efforts this week, I recognize this wisdom in my interactions:

• Trying to get a vax appointment for an 81 year old with health problems is a giant waste of time.  And, the frustration of hearing that a healthy 21 year old girl got one with ease just sends me into a spiral.
• Attempting to get my mortgage paid automagically from my bank into my credit union led to an inane email response from my credit union which was just a cut ’n’ paste from their help screen.
• My ongoing fight about some doors with transparent “opaque” doors continues with a letter from my credit card company asking for more details. Argh!
• My car tire has a slow leak that the dealer has “fixed” at least twice.  This morning the tire is nearly flat. I can’t just put air in it; it’s nitrogen.
• Recently I showed up for an MRI, only to find out I need to prep for it.  No one eve mentioned that fact, but I did get two tests and two emails about Covid safety. Argh!
• I got a bill for a recent ER visit.  What little that was itemized was for labs.  You know the ones that I asked for copies before I left the ER, was promised, but never received. When I called about the bill, I was referred to another number.  Voice mail!
• Don’t ask about my gal pal’s ongoing frustration with Optimum.

In short, this snippet is insightful.

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https://whowhatwhy.org/2021/01/09/ex-monk-takes-on-the-thai-sex-mafia/

JANUARY 9, 2021 | EDWARD GIRARDET
EX-MONK TAKES ON THE THAI SEX MAFIA

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We have selected Hartanto Gunawan as one of our Global Genevans. These are inspired individuals whose work or legacies represent key issues ranging from human rights and humanitarian concern to health and climate change as embodied by the worldwide “international Geneva” community. Photo credit: Global Geneva

*** and ***

Hartanto now lives and works out of Wat Arun, or Temple of Dawn, an early 19th century Buddhist enclave from the reign of Rama II, which is located in the Thong Buri district of Bangkok. Overlooking the Chao Phraya River, this is where in 2007 Hartanto established the Wat Arun Rajvararam Community Learning Centre (CLC) to train teenage high school graduates as nurse assistants. The one-year course is aimed at susceptible girls from poor families, but also orphans, who are the ones most likely to be taken by the traffickers.

*** end quote ***

Hope he becomes even more successful in his mission.

Wish there was a way to contribute to his efforts.

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The other day I was watching the end of the “Price Is Right” — yeah I know “vast wasteland” blah, blah, blah — and I forged myself a “moral lesson” out of it.  The one contestant won both showcases with a bid that was only off by 150$.  It’s a rare event when that happens.  And I immediately thought … … …

… … … if it was me, I’d have given the “loser” her showcase.

Maybe I’m naïve, but what a lesson in … … something … … “good karma”?

After all what does one need with TWO cars when you can spread such joy?

Guess I’m just naïve.

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https://sjatabletalk.typepad.com/my-blog/2014/01/movie-groundhog-day-a-deeply-catholic-movie.html

Jan 23, 2014
MOVIE | Groundhog Day (a deeply Catholic movie)

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Groundhog day with Bill Murray and Andie MacDowell is on many peoples Top 10 favorite movies of all time.  But who knew that the movie has deep philosophical and Christian themes – in fact, it is a very Catholic. 

*** and ***

The movie, the article went on to observe, “has become a curious favorite of religious leaders of many faiths, who all see inGroundhog Daya reflection of their own spiritual messages.” A professor at NYU shows it in her classes to illustrate the doctrine of samsara (the endless cycle of rebirth Buddhists seek to escape), while a rabbi in Greenwich Village sees the film as hinging on mitvahs (good deeds). Wiccans like it because February 2nd is one of the year’s four “great sabbats,” while the Falun Dafa sect uses the movie as a lesson in spiritual advancement.

*** end quote ***

No secret this is my “favoritetist”movie.

The more the story unwound, the more engulfed I became.

I can see how it “grabbed” others.

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Trump: Far-Left’s ‘Goal Is Not a Better America, Their Goal Is to End America’

Source: Watch – Trump: Far-Left’s ‘Goal Is Not a Better America, Their Goal Is to End America’

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I think he is correct about that!

That doesn’t make me “fan”.

But in the upcoming election — barring some “October Surprise”, I don’t see how anyone can NOT pick the lesser of two evils.

Sigh.

How about ranked choice voting?

While I’m wishing: term limits for politicians and bureaucrats!

Argh!

“We will not go quietly into the night!
We will not vanish without a fight!
We’re going to live on!
We’re going to survive!”
Today, we celebrate our Independence Day!

https://www.americanrhetoric.com/MovieSpeeches/moviespeechindependenceday.html

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What prompts the Japanese to be so diligent in handing over items? Respect. Children are taught in school that returning belongings to police is part of their civic duty. It’s also law. The Amended Lost Property Act of 2007 mandates that lost items be turned over to authorities if the owner can’t be located. The same law also enforces a reward that’s a percentage of the value of the item if it’s reunited with its owner.

Source: Inside Japan’s Highly Effective Lost and Found System | Mental Floss

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WOW!  This is something that “we” should import to the USA.

“Finders keepers; losers weepers” is the paradigm for the USA.

(Wonder why this was never addressed in Catholic grammar school that I attended?  I remember other moral lessons.)

“Catholic school taught them that it was their obligation, and could even be a mortal sin, if you didn’t use all your talents to the greater glory of God.” — “Chapter Fifty — Samaritans going to Jericho / Monday November 5, 1962 – Church Day + 17 (continues)” CHURCH 10●19●62 Volume 1 Page 296

Perhaps it’s not to late to change that to Finders returners; losers grateful”?

— 30 —

http://highexistence.com/self-help-minus-bullshit/

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1)  If you CONTROL YOUR MIND, you CONTROL YOUR LIFE.

This is the foundation of every success theory ever written. It’s the “eat healthier; exercise more” of self-help. It’s also where most people fail, because the mind is a fickle, petulant child that hates discipline. To clarify, “control your mind” means…

*** end quote ***

Doesn’t it always?

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http://highexistence.com/self-help-minus-bullshit/

The 7 Universal Life Lessons Contained in Every Self-Help Book Ever Written

As Jon Stewart once said, “Bullshit is everywhere.” It stinks up politics, news, TV, school, religion, and of course, many self-help books.

*** begin quote ***

1)  If you CONTROL YOUR MIND, you CONTROL YOUR LIFE.

2)  FOCUS YOUR THOUGHTS in order to CONTROL YOUR ACTIONS.

3)  Controlling your mind takes PRACTICE EVERYDAY.

4)  Goals are useless unless you create SUCCESSFUL DAILY HABITS to achieve them.

5)  Results TAKE TIME.

6)  BLAME NOTHING.

7)  DON’T BE AN ASSHOLE.

*** end quote ***

Interesting list.

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https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2018-01-15/ron-paul-who-killed-martin-luther-king-and-why

Ron Paul: “Who Killed Martin Luther King… And Why?”
by Tyler Durden
Mon, 01/15/2018 – 15:45

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Martin Luther King, Jr.’s own closest advisors begged him to avoid focusing on the Vietnam war.

It will alienate President Johnson, who is doing so much for the civil rights movement at home, they argued.

As Ron Paul and Daniel McAdams discuss below, MLK ignored his advisors, vocally opposed the war, and found much of the liberal establishment had turned on him (having applauded his work on civil rights in the US).

*** end quote ***

I never connected this set of dots.

Argh!

I loved the “content versus color” spirit.

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http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2017/12/20/quiet-hero-its-wonderful-life-hint-its-not-jimmy-stewart.html

The quiet hero of ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ (Hint: It’s NOT Jimmy Stewart)
By Paul J. Batura| Fox News

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As we approach the 71st anniversary of Frank Capra’s perennial Christmas classic “It’s A Wonderful Life,” I think it’s time to reexamine the film’s heroes. The result might surprise you.

As a child, I assumed the hero was Jimmy Stewart’s wholesome hometown character, George Bailey. The American Film Institute agreed, listing George as the ninth greatest screen hero of all time. After all, the whole point of the movie is to show us what life in Bedford Falls would be like without George.

*** end quote ***

Here’s a lesson about why we need “our” “female Human Resources”. (And, we should thank all the countries of the world who keep “their” females barefoot, pregnant, and uneducated.)

While my personal “Christmas hero” is pre-transformation old Ebenezer — who gets a bum rap imho, I can certainly make room for a heroine as #2.

Dona Nobis Pacem

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http://tomwoods.com/ep-1043-spontaneous-order-or-lord-of-the-flies-an-inside-look-at-a-school-that-puts-students-in-charge/

Ep. 1043 Spontaneous Order or Lord of the Flies?
An Inside Look at a School That Puts Students in Charge
21st November 2017 Tom Woods

A promotional video about this school sparked a heated debate among listeners in my private Facebook group. The video describes the school as having no classrooms, tests, or homework, in which the students direct and evaluate themselves, etc. Is this a natural model for libertarians, or is it just plain silly? I talk to a staff member and a student at the school in today’s episode.

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I bet I would have done well in a school like this. 

“Institutional prisons” replaced by a different meme!

Remember that the “Prussian model” for education was to create cannon fodder for the Army, willing morons for the factories, and useful idiots to vote for and be led by the elite. Remember that the “elite” cite NEVER sent their children to the “public school”.

Argh!

Great idea.

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2017-Sep-27

FROM BEHIND THE WSJ PAYWALL

https://www.wsj.com/articles/i-used-to-sit-for-the-national-anthem-too-1506464031?mod=djemMER

I Used to Sit for the National Anthem Too
But here’s the question: Is the ‘police brutality’ that NFL players are protesting based in reality?
By Jason L. RileySept. 26, 2017 6:13 p.m. ET

*** begin quote ***

An increase in press coverage of police shootings isn’t the same thing as an increase in police shootings.

*** end quote ***

As a vet and a little L libertarian, I am conflicted. 

I respect that the Dead Old White Guys and lot of good young women and men have sacrificed lives, blood, tears, and sweat for the ideal the Flag and Anthem represent.

I also know that the ideal is long gone and that freedom and liberty are barely holding on.

So what should one do.

Boycott the NFL?

Seems a silly response. Respect the views being expressed — whatever they are — damned if I know.

OR —  “Move along, people. Nothing to see here. Go home, you looky-loos.” Officer Barbrady’s Catch Phrase South Park

I think the reasonable approach is to: demilitarize the police, require a uniform police reporting system for officer involved shootings, and transparency.

For example, why aren’t police body cams and car cams ever off? 

(Sidenote: I think that politicians and bureaucrats should have to wear them 24/7 also. Remember ABSCAM?)

For example, a felon recently used a gun and it was reported that he was released after 4 years of a 5 year “felon in possession” offense. Sorry DJT45 should pass the word — on “felon in possession”, no plea deals, vigorous prosecution, opposition to any early release, and federal time for such. That should  “disarm” the bad guys.

For example, let’s have a DOJ review of any officer involved shooting, which if warranted should be prosecuted by the DOJ in a federal court.

For example, let’s put pressure on the various State and City Gooferments to protect their citizens. The murder rate in Chicago specifically is unacceptable.

With those reforms, let’s see if there is a real problem or if it’s just “optics”.

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http://www.care2.com/greenliving/expressing-ourselves-through-writing-helps-us-handle-stress.html

Expressing Ourselves Through Writing Helps Us Handle Stress
By: Katie Medlock September 23, 2017

*** begin quote ***

“Worrying takes up cognitive resources; it’s kind of like people who struggle with worry are constantly multitasking—they are doing one task and trying to monitor and suppress their worries at the same time,” lead author Hans Schroder, an MSU doctoral student in psychology and a clinical intern at Harvard Medical School’s McLean Hospital, told Science Daily. “Our findings show that if you get these worries out of your head through expressive writing, those cognitive resources are freed up to work toward the task you’re completing and you become more efficient.”

*** end quote ***

Interesting. I should try this since lately I’ve been worrying a lot. That in and of itself IS very unusual for me since I think I am a “take it as it comes and roll with the seas” kinda of fellow. As a fat old white guy retired injineer who’s a poor old senior citizen on a fixed income, I tend to plan a lot. 

“In preparing for battle I have always found that plans are useless, but planning is indispensable.” — Dwight D. Eisenhower

Always have a Plan B, Plan C, and as many others as is unreasonable. (Once I had alternatives up to the letter M and never needed any of them.)

I wonder if it is the physical act of writing or will an online journal do?

Hmmmmmmm?

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