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posted by Fnord666 on Tuesday July 14 2020, @04:23PM   Printer-friendly
from the riveting-drama dept.

Original 'Rosie the Riveter' makes masks to fight COVID-19:

At age 94, Mae Krier is back on the front lines — hard at work, helping her country.

One of the nation's original "Rosie the Riveters" employed by Boeing in Seattle during World War II, she built B-17 and B-29 bombers to help support the war effort decades ago.

Now she's fighting a different war, as her still nimble fingers turn out face masks to prevent spread of the deadly coronavirus.

"People say to me, "You helped win WWII and now you are helping our country win this battle over this virus. These are nice things to hear," Krier said.

She makes the mask like the red polka dot bandanas she also makes to remind people of the Rosies, those women who toiled in manufacturing plants with their heads wrapped in bandanas so their hair wouldn't get tangled in the machinery they used to make supplies for the military serving overseas.

They were depicted by a World War II era poster of "Rosie the Riveter" created by J. Howard Miller in 1943.


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  • (Score: 5, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday July 14 2020, @04:25PM

    by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday July 14 2020, @04:25PM (#1021324)

    Back when Boeing made airplanes to kill Germans, not its own passengers.

  • (Score: -1, Offtopic) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday July 14 2020, @04:31PM (2 children)

    by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday July 14 2020, @04:31PM (#1021329)

    Thanks boomer :D

    Oh wait, she is the mother of boomers. Here I thought I was gonna have a positive use for the boomer label.

    Learn something from yer parents ya whiny boomies!

    • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday July 14 2020, @05:48PM (1 child)

      by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday July 14 2020, @05:48PM (#1021375)

      Glamebait if you need extra Preparation H, but offtopic? Learn from her boomers, wear your damn masks!

      • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday July 14 2020, @06:23PM

        by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday July 14 2020, @06:23PM (#1021402)

        I think he got confused while thinking about bloomers.

  • (Score: 5, Insightful) by DannyB on Tuesday July 14 2020, @05:05PM (99 children)

    by DannyB (5839) Subscriber Badge on Tuesday July 14 2020, @05:05PM (#1021352) Journal

    Only in the United States. Where we have the worst numbers. The nation that no other nation wants to accept people from without a 14 day quarantine.

    The only nation with a continuous stream of health and science disinformation, from the highest levels.

    You can make a mask. But you can't convince people it's a good idea to wear it.

    --
    People today are educated enough to repeat what they are taught but not to question what they are taught.
    • (Score: 0, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday July 14 2020, @05:12PM (86 children)

      by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday July 14 2020, @05:12PM (#1021356)

      How could it not become political?

      There is no hard science with which to prove or disprove that mask-wearing makes a difference in slowing down the spread of Cooties-19. It's basically all guesswork, hunches, speculation, and anecdotal observations.

      In the absence of hard science, we have no choice but to fall back on things like personal risk assessment, our level of trust (or lack thereof) in government officials and the media, and the importance of freedom -- things that are clearly shaped by our political views.

      • (Score: 5, Insightful) by PiMuNu on Tuesday July 14 2020, @05:16PM (20 children)

        by PiMuNu (3823) on Tuesday July 14 2020, @05:16PM (#1021360)

        > There is no hard science

        There is, however, evidence-based decision making, and risk-aversion.

        1. The cost of wearing a mask is low.
        2. The risk that going without a mask will cause someone to get ill is, in fact, rather low; but non-zero.
        3. The impact of someone getting ill is rather high.

        So it's obvious - wear a mask.

        • (Score: 0, Troll) by VLM on Tuesday July 14 2020, @05:52PM (9 children)

          by VLM (445) Subscriber Badge on Tuesday July 14 2020, @05:52PM (#1021379)

          Follow the money. The people pushing masks want consumers out there and spending in bars, hotels, tourist traps, protests, malls.

          The impact of someone getting ill is in fact very low, zero for the vast majority. For a very small fraction of a percent, unfortunately, its fatal.

          If you don't care about a half million dead here or a half million there, then go out with substandard magical fake protection that protects against nothing. The economy will thank you for your spending.

          The economic impact of 0.5% of the population disappearing is minimal. The impact of actually beating the disease by staying home would be severe to the economy, so put on your magic mask and spend 8 hours window shopping at the mall for uncle sam today!

          The mask pushers sound exactly like cigarette mfgrs pushing filtered cigs "for your health". We all know how that turned out, lots of lung cancer patients.

          Likewise nothing is going to kill as many people as pushing magic fake masks.

          Kinda like how some people are sometimes very pessimistic about voting, where if voting did anything they would outlaw it, if wearing a bandanna magically prevented disease transmission then entire industries of OSHA gear and industrial kitchen sanitation gear would literally not exist. IF bandannas actually worked, they'd already have been outlawed by companies trying to sell $10K chromate/epoxy aviation paint protection respirator systems.

          • (Score: 3, Interesting) by RS3 on Tuesday July 14 2020, @06:33PM

            by RS3 (6367) on Tuesday July 14 2020, @06:33PM (#1021407)

            Reluctantly (because it's all sad but true) I have to agree. And augment- most of the COVID-19 deaths (maybe all) are due to some other significant concurrent health problem. Even very elderly have survived it.

            The fact that many people test positive but otherwise asymptomatic shows that as bad as COVID-19 is, it's not plague, or smallpox, typhoid, polio, etc.

            Please be clear: the masks mostly protect others from the mask wearer's germs. Some really good masks can protect the wearer.

            But the point is to 1) limit the spread rate, and 2) protect the vulnerable.

            My feeling about masks, and I wear them, is that it's cheap (unless you pay gouger's prices), easy to do, socially responsible, sets a good example, and is required by law in public places.

          • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday July 14 2020, @08:53PM

            by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday July 14 2020, @08:53PM (#1021467)

            They work better than wearing a banana.

          • (Score: 5, Insightful) by janrinok on Wednesday July 15 2020, @01:38AM (3 children)

            by janrinok (52) Subscriber Badge on Wednesday July 15 2020, @01:38AM (#1021618) Journal

            The economic impact of 0.5% of the population disappearing is minimal.

            And this is where your logic falls down. You are assuming that people either die or recover completely. Unfortunately, that [vox.com] simply [medicalxpress.com] isn't [healthcentral.com] the case.

            Many people who contract the virus will develop long-term conditions which will require medical intervention for many years, possibly for the remainder of that person's lifetime. This applies to ALL age groups from children upwards. And this is an area in which we are only just learning exactly how big a problem this will be:

            “The difficulty is sorting out long-term consequences,” says Joseph Brennan, a cardiologist at the Yale School of Medicine. While some patients may fully recover, he and other experts worry others will suffer long-term damage, including lung scarring, heart damage, and neurological and mental health effects.

            The figures so far indicate that the extent of the ongoing medical issues will be similar to that of SARS or MERS which result in many times the number of fatalities needing long-term medical care. This will hit those having some form of national health care quite hard, but in the USA I would imagine that it will also mean that many will not be able to afford the exorbitant cost of the care and treatment that they will need. Factor that into your calculations of the value of face masks, along with the fact that we should ALL be socially distancing, avoiding unnecessary contact with others, and taking basic healthcare measures such as frequently washing hands etc.

            • (Score: 5, Insightful) by Azuma Hazuki on Wednesday July 15 2020, @02:40AM (2 children)

              by Azuma Hazuki (5086) on Wednesday July 15 2020, @02:40AM (#1021666) Journal

              Come on now, this is VLM we're talking about. Haven't you been following his post history? He's another goddamn sociopath. He doesn't *care* about what you're telling him, and he's obviously happy for "0.5%" (and plenty more knowing him...) of the population to just "disappear."

              Note that he cites the economic impact of this "disappearance" first and foremost. What this means is that the real message he's broadcasting is "this is a perfect way to genocide all the undesireables and claim my hands are still clean."

              --
              I am "that girl" your mother warned you about...
              • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday July 15 2020, @06:59AM (1 child)

                by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday July 15 2020, @06:59AM (#1021757)

                Hurr hurr hurr. So that part about “and these shall go away into eternal punishment,” is that literal?

                His God runs an eternal, inescapable concentration camp full of fear and pain and horror and misery and torture for what amount to his political prisoners. That may very well be THE single worst idea ANY human has EVER had. You better pray that only niggers go to that place.

                • (Score: 2) by Azuma Hazuki on Thursday July 16 2020, @01:09AM

                  by Azuma Hazuki (5086) on Thursday July 16 2020, @01:09AM (#1022190) Journal

                  Interesting you mention that, because in English and Latin it is, *but in the original Koine manuscripts it isn't.* This happens to be a specialty of mine: the term translated "eternal punishment" here is the Greek "aionios kolasis," made of the word for duration that specifically does NOT mean "eternal" and the word for punishment that specifically means "reformative discipline."

                  This is not to say aion[ion/s] can't be used to mean eternal, just that the length of time the word specifies is determined by the word that gets joined to it. There is, IIRC, an example of the phrase "God's aion" somewhere in Romans, which is obviously eternal, because of the subject it's paired with. Punishment as you are intending this verse to be read is some variant on "timoria." The use and etymology of "aion" and its derivatives is well-known throughout ancient Greek philosophy. Plato refers to the gods as "aidios" and the human body and soul as "aionios," stating that they are part of time.

                  Here are some things I found in the Old Testament that are said to be "aionios" in Greek manuscripts:
                  - God's covenant with the Jews
                  - The priesthood of Aaron and his lineage
                  - The laws of Moses
                  - The time the Jews were to possess Canaan
                  - Mountains and hills
                  - The doors of the Jewish temple
                  - A man's lifetime
                  - The time Samuel was to be devoted to and live in temple
                  - The lifespan of David
                  - Jonah's time in the whale's stomach

                  A loose translation from Plato is useful here: An example from Plato: "For the natural or accidental evils of others, no one gets angry or admonishes or teaches or punishes (kolazei) them, but we pity those afflicted with such misfortunes. For if, oh Socrates, you will consider what is the design of punishing (kolazein) the wicked, this of itself will show you that men think virtue something that may be acquired; for no one punishes (kolazei) the wicked, looking to the past only, simply for the wrong he has done. That is, no one does this thing
                  who does not act like a wild beast, desiring only revenge, without thought. Hence, he who seeks to punish (kolazein) with reason, does not punish for the sake of the past wrong deed, but for the sake of the future, that neither the man himself who is punished may do wrong again, nor any other who has seen him chastised. And he who entertains this thought must believe that virtue may be taught, and he punishes (kolazei) for the purpose of deterring from wickedness."

                  The idea of eternal torment is a pagan one, and it entered into pre-Christian thought as a result of the Babylonian Captivity; the Zoroastrians were monotheists (theologians may squabble here and declare they were dualists, with a God of good and a God of evil in Ahura Mazda and Angra Mainyu respectively, but, uh...Yahweh and Satan anyone...?). The Jewish clergy ate Zoroastrianism whole during the Exile, and some of what they absorbed included such familiar "Christian" tropes as a great final battle between good and evil, a savior figure ("Saoshyant"), a final judgment of all humanity living and dead, and the ultimate defeat of evil, with the cosmos being remade and brought under the rule of good and God.

                  Add a few centuries of lurid Greek myth (Hades, Tartaros) and some Roman influence at the latter end, and it's very easy to see where the modern theological mishmash of afterlife ideas came from (and let's not even get into what happened when Dante wrote his masturbatory little revenge-fanfic...). Long story short, Jesus would not recognize modern Christian dogma on the afterlife. Oh, and it seems a bunch of the pre-Nicene church fathers were *Universalist,* of all things! Interestingly, the further removed in space, time, and culture from the start of all this and the Greek language, the more you find teachings shifting toward Annihilationism and eternal torment.

                  Even Augustine of Hippo, writing centuries after the fact, does not call Universalists heretics, merely referring to them as "tender-hearted" and stating that he disagrees strongly with them and makes his own case for eternal torment. His Greek was...sketchy, let's say, and he had more psychosexual hangups than the entire backlog of Penthouse's letters page.

                  --
                  I am "that girl" your mother warned you about...
          • (Score: 2) by PiMuNu on Wednesday July 15 2020, @12:53PM (2 children)

            by PiMuNu (3823) on Wednesday July 15 2020, @12:53PM (#1021868)

            > zero for the vast majority

            This is false. It's about 20 %; and about a quarter of those (5 % of total) end up in ICU.

            • (Score: 2) by VLM on Wednesday July 15 2020, @01:18PM (1 child)

              by VLM (445) Subscriber Badge on Wednesday July 15 2020, @01:18PM (#1021880)

              Actual numbers don't seem to match...

              Where I live that would either imply a 90%+ false positive rate on the tests or a irrationally massive conspiracy to fake that the hospitals are empty despite overflowing.

              I mean... 5% in ICU would imply my state's ICUs are multiple times capacity for the past couple months, but they're actually pretty much empty (and its good they're empty).

              I'm pleased to see in my state the daily death rate has dropped from 7x the automobile death rate at peak during the quarantine to only 50% more than the automobile death rate now that its BAU and nobody wearing masks for more than a month, and the COVID death rate continues to collapse soon to be below the automobile rate, eventually hitting zero, cool!

        • (Score: 3, Funny) by krishnoid on Tuesday July 14 2020, @06:55PM

          by krishnoid (1156) on Tuesday July 14 2020, @06:55PM (#1021418)

          I blame computer graphics in movies. "Evidence-based" means that a disease is no longer something that causes you to make some strangled noises in your throat and drop lifelessly to the ground.

          Nowadays, your body and/or face has to be bloating, pus-filled, and preferably melting off until you either dissolve into a puddle or disintegrating into powder and poignantly blowing away. Now *that's* what good evidence looks like!

        • (Score: 1, Flamebait) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday July 14 2020, @07:08PM (5 children)

          by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday July 14 2020, @07:08PM (#1021429)

          1. The cost of wearing a mask is low.
          2. The risk that going without a mask will cause someone to get ill is, in fact, rather low; but non-zero.
          3. The impact of someone getting ill is rather high.

          So it's obvious - wear a mask.

          This has always been true. With or without Covid.

          So your argument is that we have always been and always will be required to wear masks. Forever.

          Excellent preparation for the world-wide Ummah. Peace be upon you!

          • (Score: 3, Touché) by Azuma Hazuki on Wednesday July 15 2020, @12:49AM (2 children)

            by Azuma Hazuki (5086) on Wednesday July 15 2020, @12:49AM (#1021586) Journal

            Because Japan and South Korea are so very Muslim, right?

            --
            I am "that girl" your mother warned you about...
            • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday July 15 2020, @07:03AM (1 child)

              by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday July 15 2020, @07:03AM (#1021759)

              Both of those countries are godless. It's so sad. The Gospel is the truth. Us humans have however jaded the truth. And one of those lies is the doctrine of eternal torture. The punishment for the wicked is death.

              Take this for example, what do you think will happen to you when you pass away? We were not born with immortal souls. However once you put your faith in Jesus, he will clothe you with life everlasting. He loves you so much and thought of you personally on that Cross when he was put to death (which is a historical fact) so that he can have a relationship with you now and forever. Don’t believe the lies telling you that God isn’t full of Love. He is Love.

              Do me a favour and say a simple prayer for me tonight. You don’t have to have too much faith, I have some for you. Just say “Lord, please open my eyes and my ears to see and hear you”. You will be amazed :). All it will take is 10 seconds, there is nothing to lose right?

              • (Score: 2) by Azuma Hazuki on Thursday July 16 2020, @01:16AM

                by Azuma Hazuki (5086) on Thursday July 16 2020, @01:16AM (#1022196) Journal

                Yes, I can read Koine and I know what aionios and kolasis (and for that matter, aidios and timoria) mean :) I, too, took the position of (eventual...) Annihilationism from a reading of the entire Bible, though I'm aware of people who derive Universalism from it and can see the logic in their thinking even if I disagree with the conclusion.

                When my body dies, as near as I can tell, there will be a life review and quite a lot of decisions to be made. I suspect I will spend very little or no time "in Hell," but may be encouraged very strongly to reincarnate. This I will refuse wholeheartedly; I plan to become what, with apologies to Dio, I think of as a "holy diver" and assist souls who've fallen into their own Hells.

                As to the rest? Don't insult me with that "God is Love" bullshit. Actions speak louder than words, and this Yahweh character would not know Love with either a capital or a lower-case L if it smacked him. The Bride of Christ is a battered wife. Once I had that realization, like the proverbial bolt from the blue, everything suddenly made sense. If your God exists, he is a blaspheming demon, a being claiming to be God without possessing the attributes and properties necessary for this to be the case, and with an odd, egoistic hunger for worship and acknowledgment.

                --
                I am "that girl" your mother warned you about...
          • (Score: 3, Informative) by PiMuNu on Wednesday July 15 2020, @11:34AM (1 child)

            by PiMuNu (3823) on Wednesday July 15 2020, @11:34AM (#1021821)

            > This has always been true. With or without Covid.

            But Covid means the risk has significantly increased.

            • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday July 16 2020, @04:56PM

              by Anonymous Coward on Thursday July 16 2020, @04:56PM (#1022475)

              But Covid means the risk has significantly increased.

              Perhaps. But that was not in the simplistic argument criticized and then lampooned.

              The real situation is far more complex and nuanced than any discussion here recognizes. There are multiple trade-offs, conflicting facts, developing understanding, and the typical order-counterorder-disorder nonsense that governments and authoritarians repeatedly descend into when they don't know what they are doing.

              Remember when we were told not to wear masks because they were ineffective?

              Remember when we were told that the virus is not aerosolized so six feet is far enough away to avoid it?

              Remember when we were told that is was safe for nursing homes to accept infected patients?

              Remember when we were told that flattening the curve was the only reason for lockdown?

              Remember when we were told the negative impact of lockdown was far less than the risk of Covid infections? (Watch as worldwide starvations skyrocket.)

              The list goes on endlessly.

        • (Score: 2) by DannyB on Wednesday July 15 2020, @01:45PM (2 children)

          by DannyB (5839) Subscriber Badge on Wednesday July 15 2020, @01:45PM (#1021901) Journal

          There is, however, evidence-based decision making, and risk-aversion.

          1. The cost of wearing a mask is low.
          2. The risk that going without a mask will cause someone to get ill is, in fact, rather low; but non-zero.
          3. The impact of someone getting ill is rather high.

          So it's obvious - wear a mask.

          1. The risk of a reactor core meltdown is low.
          2. The cost of a containment structure is very high, and must be amortized over the lifetime of the plant, making plant less profitable! (something, something rule of acquisition)
          3. The impact of a reactor core meltdown is devastating, catastrophic. An environmental, health and humanitarian disaster.

          So it's obvious - don't take nuclear plant safety seriously.

          --
          People today are educated enough to repeat what they are taught but not to question what they are taught.
          • (Score: 2) by PiMuNu on Wednesday July 15 2020, @02:20PM (1 child)

            by PiMuNu (3823) on Wednesday July 15 2020, @02:20PM (#1021923)

            I don't get your point - if risk is low but impact is high, one might well consider taking action even if cost is high. It is a balancing act.

            But one certainly should take action if cost is low.

            • (Score: 2) by DannyB on Wednesday July 15 2020, @02:27PM

              by DannyB (5839) Subscriber Badge on Wednesday July 15 2020, @02:27PM (#1021930) Journal

              To not be sarcastic for a moment, the cost of a reactor meltdown is so high that it simply cannot be allowed to happen. Ever.

              --
              People today are educated enough to repeat what they are taught but not to question what they are taught.
      • (Score: 5, Interesting) by DannyB on Tuesday July 14 2020, @05:23PM (37 children)

        by DannyB (5839) Subscriber Badge on Tuesday July 14 2020, @05:23PM (#1021364) Journal

        How could it not become political?

        Only in the US.

        And I would dare say, only among Republicans.

        Everywhere else it is a medical issue. Not a political issue.

        --
        People today are educated enough to repeat what they are taught but not to question what they are taught.
        • (Score: -1, Troll) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday July 14 2020, @05:58PM (36 children)

          by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday July 14 2020, @05:58PM (#1021384)

          "And I would dare say, only among Republicans."
          What have the Demokrauts accomplished in the last 4 motherfucking years besides the multiple witch hunts against Trump?
          GFY

          • (Score: 4, Informative) by DannyB on Tuesday July 14 2020, @06:29PM (30 children)

            by DannyB (5839) Subscriber Badge on Tuesday July 14 2020, @06:29PM (#1021404) Journal

            The Democrats are not the ones in power if you had not noticed.

            --
            People today are educated enough to repeat what they are taught but not to question what they are taught.
            • (Score: -1, Troll) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday July 14 2020, @06:39PM (5 children)

              by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday July 14 2020, @06:39PM (#1021409)

              Wake the F. up DannyB. Newsflash, hot off the presses: US House of Representatives is DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY.

              Since Trump has been in office the Dems have constantly attacked him in every possible way they can dig up. They alone have caused the political shitstorm that the US has degraded into. And at a time like this. They all need to be sent to Antarctica for a few years to cool off. I have NEVER seen any conservatives march in the streets and riot, arson, killing, etc. If you want to refer to the alt-right, please look in the alt-left mirror, they're just the absolute fringe idiots.

              • (Score: 5, Insightful) by Pslytely Psycho on Tuesday July 14 2020, @09:31PM (3 children)

                by Pslytely Psycho (1218) on Tuesday July 14 2020, @09:31PM (#1021486)

                When you elect a criminal with total contempt for the well-being of the country and its citizens who sees the constitution as little more than a bunch of words restricting what he wants to do, then constant attacks are called "being responsible."

                --
                Alex Jones lawyer inspires new TV series: CSI Moron Division.
                • (Score: 2, Troll) by VLM on Wednesday July 15 2020, @01:23PM (2 children)

                  by VLM (445) Subscriber Badge on Wednesday July 15 2020, @01:23PM (#1021882)

                  restricting what he wants to do

                  Such as?

                  I was promised by our unbiased media that if Trump were elected he'd put all the Jews in ovens. Instead it appears the truth of the matter is he wanted to move our embassy to Jerusalem. Slight disconnect between shrieking propaganda and reality, LOL. The problem with that massive disconnect is continuing to shriek doesn't have any future impact on people who very wisely no longer believe.

                  • (Score: 4, Touché) by Aegis on Wednesday July 15 2020, @02:31PM

                    by Aegis (6714) on Wednesday July 15 2020, @02:31PM (#1021934)

                    I was promised by our unbiased media that if Trump were elected he'd put all the Jews in ovens.

                    [CITATION NEEDED]

                  • (Score: 2) by Pslytely Psycho on Thursday July 16 2020, @08:47AM

                    by Pslytely Psycho (1218) on Thursday July 16 2020, @08:47AM (#1022332)

                    What the fuck are you even talking about? You know that's a lie, and yet you spout it off anyway?

                    As to "such as?"
                    Christ, I simply don't have the time for a task so overwhelming, I have and actual life!

                    --
                    Alex Jones lawyer inspires new TV series: CSI Moron Division.
              • (Score: 4, Informative) by DannyB on Wednesday July 15 2020, @01:37PM

                by DannyB (5839) Subscriber Badge on Wednesday July 15 2020, @01:37PM (#1021895) Journal

                One word: Moscow Mitch

                Or three words: He won't bring anything to a vote

                --
                People today are educated enough to repeat what they are taught but not to question what they are taught.
            • (Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Tuesday July 14 2020, @07:04PM (23 children)

              by Runaway1956 (2926) Subscriber Badge on Tuesday July 14 2020, @07:04PM (#1021424) Journal

              The Democrats ARE IN POWER. They control the House, which controls the purse strings. What do you mean by "power", anyway?

              • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday July 14 2020, @07:11PM (22 children)

                by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday July 14 2020, @07:11PM (#1021433)

                If the Democrats have that much power, how come the Heroes Act [congress.gov] isn't law? Please do tell.

                • (Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Tuesday July 14 2020, @07:20PM (20 children)

                  by Runaway1956 (2926) Subscriber Badge on Tuesday July 14 2020, @07:20PM (#1021438) Journal

                  Theater.

                  They offered a version of the bill to the Senate, that the House knew the Senate would reject. So, the left has on record that the right rejected the attempt. But, it's all theater. If the Dems were serious, they would have offered a somewhat different bill that the Republicans in the Senate would have accepted.

                  • (Score: 2, Touché) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday July 14 2020, @07:26PM (2 children)

                    by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday July 14 2020, @07:26PM (#1021443)

                    If the Democrats have to offer a bill that Senate Republicans will accept, then the Democrats aren't really in control.

                    • (Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Tuesday July 14 2020, @07:53PM (1 child)

                      by Runaway1956 (2926) Subscriber Badge on Tuesday July 14 2020, @07:53PM (#1021452) Journal

                      AH-HAA!!! You've figured it out!! Neither the House, nor the Senate, nor the President is SUPPOSED TO BE IN CONTROL!!! But, as I said, the House controls the purse strings. Only Congress can make a budget. Those other guys and only approve, or disapprove of a budget. And, in the case of a presidential veto, Congress can override that veto with a supermajority vote to override.

                      So, uhhhmmmm, what was the point again? Oh yeah. Your Dems are NOT powerless. They are in charge, if they just figure out how to get stuff done.

                      • (Score: 3, Insightful) by cmdrklarg on Wednesday July 15 2020, @04:07PM

                        by cmdrklarg (5048) Subscriber Badge on Wednesday July 15 2020, @04:07PM (#1021973)

                        Sure, just do everything that the GOP wants. Easy!

                        You'd be right if the Democrats controlled the Senate, which they don't. Mitch McConnell can stop anything the House sends their way, and does so with regularity.

                        --
                        The world is full of kings and queens who blind your eyes and steal your dreams.
                  • (Score: 4, Insightful) by PartTimeZombie on Tuesday July 14 2020, @09:49PM (16 children)

                    by PartTimeZombie (4827) on Tuesday July 14 2020, @09:49PM (#1021493)

                    So the House Democrats are in power, and if they just give the Senate Republicans what they want, they can exercise that power?

                    Jesus that's stupid.

                    • (Score: 2, Insightful) by Runaway1956 on Tuesday July 14 2020, @10:07PM (15 children)

                      by Runaway1956 (2926) Subscriber Badge on Tuesday July 14 2020, @10:07PM (#1021500) Journal

                      No, it isn't that stupid. It's politics. Give a little to get a little, everyone gets something they want, nobody gets everything they want. Politics. Instead of playing politics, they've been acting like they are the heroes in the final confrontation between good and evil, or some such silly shit.

                      • (Score: 2) by PartTimeZombie on Tuesday July 14 2020, @10:39PM (10 children)

                        by PartTimeZombie (4827) on Tuesday July 14 2020, @10:39PM (#1021520)

                        And yet you're claiming the Democrats are in power. It can't be both.

                        • (Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Tuesday July 14 2020, @10:48PM (9 children)

                          by Runaway1956 (2926) Subscriber Badge on Tuesday July 14 2020, @10:48PM (#1021529) Journal

                          They impeached the president, didn't they?

                          • (Score: 2) by PartTimeZombie on Tuesday July 14 2020, @11:51PM (8 children)

                            by PartTimeZombie (4827) on Tuesday July 14 2020, @11:51PM (#1021555)

                            Seriously? Why not just admit you're wrong?

                            • (Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Tuesday July 14 2020, @11:55PM (7 children)

                              by Runaway1956 (2926) Subscriber Badge on Tuesday July 14 2020, @11:55PM (#1021559) Journal

                              Because I'm not wrong. The Dems control the House. If they didn't have their heads up their asses, they could do a whole bunch of shit. Instead of getting things done, they've done little more than impeach the president. This is called Trump Disorder Syndrome. They have sacrificed damned near everything that WAS possible, just to TRY to make Trump look worse than he is. And, when anyone says, "Hillary would have been worse", that makes them a Trump supporter.

                              How about Dems get down to the business of politics, and stop the divisive character assasination? Stop with the identity politics? They HAVE POWER that they aren't even trying to use. TDS.

                              • (Score: 4, Insightful) by PartTimeZombie on Wednesday July 15 2020, @12:50AM (6 children)

                                by PartTimeZombie (4827) on Wednesday July 15 2020, @12:50AM (#1021587)

                                Of course you're wrong.

                                The House sends literally hundreds of bills to the Senate, and they just get ignored, because the Republicans don't want to do anything with them.

                                But even though the Republicans hold two of the three parts of your government, it's somehow the Democrats fault. Yeah, ok then.

                                • (Score: 2, Touché) by Azuma Hazuki on Wednesday July 15 2020, @02:42AM (5 children)

                                  by Azuma Hazuki (5086) on Wednesday July 15 2020, @02:42AM (#1021667) Journal

                                  He's a complete piece of shit isn't he? Someone should shove him up Mitch "turtlehead" McConnell's ass so he can suffocate amid the 400+ bills the guy stuffed up there to suffer the same fate.

                                  --
                                  I am "that girl" your mother warned you about...
                                  • (Score: 2, Insightful) by PartTimeZombie on Wednesday July 15 2020, @03:35AM (4 children)

                                    by PartTimeZombie (4827) on Wednesday July 15 2020, @03:35AM (#1021697)

                                    To be fair, Fox News spends 24 hours a day, every day turning some Americans into enemies of other Americans.

                                    Some people, it seems, have just absorbed too much of the propaganda to see it for what it really is.

                                    • (Score: -1, Troll) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday July 15 2020, @06:55AM (3 children)

                                      by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday July 15 2020, @06:55AM (#1021755)

                                      It’s like this administration has been carefully planning to do the exact worst thing at the exact worst time to produce the exact worst possible outcome. Hanlon’s Razor has lost its edge; this level of incompetence is itself malicious.

                                      I don’t know what I was expecting for 2020, but it wasn’t this. I’m a pharmacy technician and will likely be indirectly responsible for infecting and killing many elderly customers, as I will likely get the virus and recover quickly, but have to work because 1) there is no plan for closure and 2) like all poor Americans, I very literally cannot afford not to work.

                                      When this all clears out, I hope like hell the US will realize that we need universal healthcare as a matter of cost savings and national security. And I hope every single Republican politician and every single nigger dies of the virus and wakes up in Hell to the sensation of a double lungful of exudate boiling off…

                                      • (Score: 2) by Azuma Hazuki on Thursday July 16 2020, @01:21AM (2 children)

                                        by Azuma Hazuki (5086) on Thursday July 16 2020, @01:21AM (#1022200) Journal

                                        Why are you quoting my old posts and adding "nigger" into them? That's bizarre. You're not even using the blockquote tag or attempting to attribute them or anything.

                                        --
                                        I am "that girl" your mother warned you about...
                                        • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday July 16 2020, @08:53AM

                                          by Anonymous Coward on Thursday July 16 2020, @08:53AM (#1022333)

                                          Because this place is infiltrated by assholes and supported by a couple of vocal assholes and apathetic editors.

                                        • (Score: 2) by PartTimeZombie on Friday July 17 2020, @12:48AM

                                          by PartTimeZombie (4827) on Friday July 17 2020, @12:48AM (#1022675)

                                          Wear it as a badge of honour Azuma, your comments are so insightful that our resident flat-earth A/C feels the need to try to use them against you.

                                          He is a very weird dude, and is just pushing buttons trying to figure out what he can get away with.

                      • (Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday July 15 2020, @02:51PM

                        by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday July 15 2020, @02:51PM (#1021948)

                        It's politics. Give a little to get a little, everyone gets something they want, nobody gets everything they want. Politics.

                        It's a bit hard to "play the game" when the Republicans' definition of "compromise" seems to be "give us everything we want and we'll give you nothing in return, otherwise go fuck yourself."

                      • (Score: 3, Insightful) by cmdrklarg on Wednesday July 15 2020, @04:16PM (2 children)

                        by cmdrklarg (5048) Subscriber Badge on Wednesday July 15 2020, @04:16PM (#1021974)

                        What you are talking about is compromise. The GOP isn't talking compromise, however; they are all about obstruction.

                        You cannot compromise with someone who is simply refusing to deal.

                        --
                        The world is full of kings and queens who blind your eyes and steal your dreams.
                        • (Score: 2) by Runaway1956 on Wednesday July 15 2020, @05:02PM (1 child)

                          by Runaway1956 (2926) Subscriber Badge on Wednesday July 15 2020, @05:02PM (#1021990) Journal

                          You're kinda making my point for me, aren't you? Trump wasn't even sworn in yet - in fact, the ballots were still close to body temperature from voting day - and the Dems were clamoring for impeachment. The Dems swore before Trump was sworn in that they were going to get him out, one way or another. WTF is there to compromise, when they come at the sitting president like that?

                          It really didn't HAVE TO BE like this. FFS, look how many women are in congress, I guess most of them are Dem. Women are supposed to be far more socially sophisticated than men, right? Why didn't they quietly collude to entrap the president, while talking all sweet and lovey-dovey in public? No - these women are just as fucking batshit crazy as any male warhawk politician. They were openly looking for a fight even before day one.

                          And, you think the R's should have compromised? What compromise would that have been? "Alright, we'll give you Trump's head on a platter, and we get Pelosi, McConnel, the Muslim, and three more heads on platters."

                          Actually, I would have liked such a compromise, except for one thing. The Veep would have become Pres - and even most Dems admit that he would have been a worse pres than Trump. Hell, I don't want some fundamentalist religious nut running the country!! That would have called for a new compromise. "Hey, Dems!! We really want to give you Pence's head on a platter. Offer us anything - we'll even consider a shit sandwich in exchange!"

                          • (Score: 2) by cmdrklarg on Wednesday July 15 2020, @09:31PM

                            by cmdrklarg (5048) Subscriber Badge on Wednesday July 15 2020, @09:31PM (#1022109)

                            A few Democrats were calling for impeachment early on. Pelosi resisted that call for quite a long time (rightly) before more evidence came to light. Even then I knew it was a waste of time, as the Senate GOP were never going to convict no matter what. Nor would I expect them to "compromise" on the trial.

                            Where I do want to see compromise is with some of the legislation that the House has sent along. No reason to not bring them to a vote other than obstruction. The obviously partisan crap can go down the drain as far as I'm concerned, but there's enough good stuff in there that deserves honest discussion, with deals hammered out and votes cast.

                            Openly looking for a fight day one? Nothing to do with the GOP openly looking to fight day one of Obama's term, obviously.

                            100% agreement with regards to Pence. Having that nutbag as VP was good insurance against Trump getting assassinated.

                            --
                            The world is full of kings and queens who blind your eyes and steal your dreams.
                • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday July 14 2020, @07:21PM

                  by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday July 14 2020, @07:21PM (#1021440)

                  "survivor bias"

          • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday July 14 2020, @08:56PM (3 children)

            by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday July 14 2020, @08:56PM (#1021470)

            They pointed out all the ways that Trump and his followers are morons.

            • (Score: -1, Flamebait) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday July 14 2020, @09:07PM (1 child)

              by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday July 14 2020, @09:07PM (#1021474)

              Which proves that Demokrauts only have an IQ 2 points higher than fools gold.

              • (Score: 2) by Pslytely Psycho on Tuesday July 14 2020, @09:42PM

                by Pslytely Psycho (1218) on Tuesday July 14 2020, @09:42PM (#1021492)

                Which is an improvement on the Rupublicunts IQ being 4 points lower than fools gold.

                --
                Alex Jones lawyer inspires new TV series: CSI Moron Division.
            • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday July 14 2020, @09:07PM

              by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday July 14 2020, @09:07PM (#1021475)

              And the "woke" "cancel culture" idiots burning and looting are Einsteins.

          • (Score: 5, Insightful) by Pslytely Psycho on Tuesday July 14 2020, @10:23PM

            by Pslytely Psycho (1218) on Tuesday July 14 2020, @10:23PM (#1021506)

            Oh did your feels get hurted? Of course the witch hunts the Republicans ran against HRC over Benghazi were just peachy, but don't do it to our side?

            I listened to eight years of the right calling out Obama for ruling by fiat and golfing too much. Only to see the Orange Shit-stain break every record for both of those (In only THREE years!) plus massive abuses of power, Nepotism, lying even when the truth would serve him better, pardoning his accomplices, horrid response to COVID19 (remember, Obama was a failure because TWO people died of Ebola, so what does that make the Creamsicle Charlatan at 130,000 plus?), insulting everyone he doesn't like and then complaining that he isn't treated well (no shit dumbass!), being the biggest disseminator of fake news while calling legitimate reporting fake news... etc, etc, etc. while the right goes "yeah, own the libs even if it hurts me! Get rid of Obamacare (Romneycare actually) but save the ACA!" Wearing masks violates my right to infect others....and on and on.

            And they have done a lot, ask Moscow Mitch how many bi-partisan bills he has stacked up he won't even allow a vote on.

            The Republican party has always been the party of refusal, proven years ago by the pledge to make Obama a one term president and followed by their refusal to do anything good for this country unless you are a millionaire. ONLY the Republicans have ever pledged to no compromise regardless of if it was good for the country or not, ONLY the Republicans have ever signed a pledge from a political activist, Grover Norquist, who was a private citizen. So take away healthcare, screw the middle class some more. November is coming, and I have a hope and a feeling it's going to leave the right feeling very 'blue.'

            --
            Alex Jones lawyer inspires new TV series: CSI Moron Division.
      • (Score: 0, Troll) by VLM on Tuesday July 14 2020, @05:33PM (3 children)

        by VLM (445) Subscriber Badge on Tuesday July 14 2020, @05:33PM (#1021367)

        There is no hard science

        OSHA would beg to differ.

        https://www.osha.gov/Publications/laboratory/OSHA3404laboratory-safety-guidance.pdf [osha.gov]

        If you want to work with COVID your employer will require gloves, surgical cap hoods, booties, gowns, face protection shields, eyepro, a bunch of other stuff.

        Basically if you aren't dressed like an HIV biochem researcher, you're merely virtue signalling by wearing a mask.

        Could you even imagine an employer in 2020 requiring lead paint removal or mercury abatement or asbestos removal providing the advice "just wear a bandanna around your pie hole" ? All those activities are less risky than COVID.

        Masks are the filtered cigarette of 2020. Nothing but false hope. Minimize your risk and take risks wisely, but don't think fake magic will prevent a real disease.

        Another excellent analogy would be pretending a bandanna prevents COVID is about as stupid as the Army trying to change the women's utility uniform to a literal DnD style chainmail bikini. Sure, young athletic women in chainmail bikinis would look impressive, and would probably wildly improve the male soldier's morale, but can anyone actually be gullible enough to think a chainmail bikini is as effective armor as wearing an IOTV with (full) plate carrier?

        • (Score: 2, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday July 14 2020, @05:50PM

          by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday July 14 2020, @05:50PM (#1021376)

          "Virtue signalling by wearing a mask"

          Wow, you really are dumb. I know it isn't ignorance, the reasons for wearing masks have been widely discussed on SN. That means you are guzzling Fox News propaganda, or worse, Facebook groups!!!

        • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday July 14 2020, @06:42PM

          by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday July 14 2020, @06:42PM (#1021411)

          [...] Masks are the filtered cigarette of 2020. Nothing but false hope. [...]

          Being a smoker, I just cut the filter off.

        • (Score: 2, Informative) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday July 14 2020, @06:57PM

          by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday July 14 2020, @06:57PM (#1021420)

          I think it's very justified to expect that employers should do far more than just require masks. And I'd agree that employers aren't doing nearly enough to protect people. No problem there, masks are only one part of the solution. I see no problem with expecting other measures to be taken like physical distancing, temperature screenings, and having employees work remotely whenever possible. Improving ventilation in buildings would also be helpful.

          However, your comment that masks alone are virtue signaling amounts to weapons grade stupidity. The primary sources of viral particles that infect others are the nose and mouth. Masks don't filter out all viral particles, but will certainly catch some of them. This means fewer viral particles make it into the air, resulting in lower airborne concentrations of the virus. This matters because reducing the viral load can prevent people from being infected or quite possibly reduce the severity of infections.

      • (Score: 5, Informative) by DannyB on Tuesday July 14 2020, @05:39PM (16 children)

        by DannyB (5839) Subscriber Badge on Tuesday July 14 2020, @05:39PM (#1021370) Journal

        Miami is now the coronavirus epicenter as cases surge, expert says [cnn.com]

        Coronavirus: How did Florida get so badly hit by Covid-19? [bbc.com]

        Gee? I wonder how?

        Florida has more Covid-19 than most countries in the world. These stats show how serious the problem is [cnn.com]

        Photo in article shows tons of people, some shirtless, no masks in sight, no social distancing.

        I'm from Florida. Our coronavirus crisis doesn't surprise me [theguardian.com]

        As COVID-19 surges in Miami-Dade, county and city leaders struggle to see eye to eye [miamiherald.com]

        It's basically all guesswork, hunches, speculation, and anecdotal observations.

        Yeah. I can stand out in the rain, and wonder why it is that I'm getting wet? It's all just guesswork, hunches, speculation, and anecdotal observations.

        Scientists' lab notebooks have hunches, speculation and anecdotal observations.

        The sad thing is that I could add more links than the above. Easily.

        The sadder thing is that the US is the only country with this level of stupidity. How did we get to be this unique? What other countries have climate change deniers? Flat Earthers?

        --
        People today are educated enough to repeat what they are taught but not to question what they are taught.
        • (Score: 3, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday July 14 2020, @06:49PM (2 children)

          by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday July 14 2020, @06:49PM (#1021414)

          The US isn't the only country like this. The same bullshit is happening in Brazil, where Jair Bolsonaro is a Trump wannabe. Americans and Brazilians aren't stupid. The real problem is that both of our countries have been infested by a cancer, the far right, which is driving these absurd policies. We can either let this cancer destroy our countries or we can collectively decide that the far right should never get close to power again.

          • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday July 14 2020, @07:40PM (1 child)

            by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday July 14 2020, @07:40PM (#1021447)

            I dunno about Brazilians but the Americans prove they are stupid almost every day.

            And there's Florida... A place where a guy punches an ATM because it gave too much cash...

            • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday July 15 2020, @01:01AM

              by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday July 15 2020, @01:01AM (#1021596)

              And there's Florida... A place where a guy punches an ATM because it gave too much cash...

              That's understandable. The fuckers keep track and they know who got the extra. It's a pain in the ass to have to go back during bank hours to return it, but if you don't they will charge you with robbery.

        • (Score: 2) by RS3 on Tuesday July 14 2020, @06:53PM (12 children)

          by RS3 (6367) on Tuesday July 14 2020, @06:53PM (#1021417)

          Thanks for all the info and links. It saddens me, as an "American", that the rest of the world sees this and very unfairly lumps us all together, when in fact we're some of the most diverse people on earth (to a fault I think).

          Any ideas of why people are doing this? I know Americans are somewhat gamblers (I'm not) so I wonder if that's some of the motivation. That and we're a country of liberty and freedom-seekers, often fiercely independent. People pride themselves on defying govt., alternative lifestyles, individualism to the point of foolishness, that "watch this" thing, the jackass nuts (extreme risk-takers), bravery to the point of stupidity, some kind of distrust of anything govt. and/or public organizations (like health dept.)...

          • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday July 14 2020, @07:33PM (3 children)

            by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday July 14 2020, @07:33PM (#1021444)

            when in fact we're some of the most diverse people on earth

            American exceptionalism strikes again. What makes you think you're more diverse than, say, India, Brazil, or Turkey?

            • (Score: 2) by RS3 on Tuesday July 14 2020, @08:10PM (2 children)

              by RS3 (6367) on Tuesday July 14 2020, @08:10PM (#1021457)

              I wish there was a way to identify you ACs. You're that same AC with short-circuited brain. Please get an appt. with a neurologist. Probably can't be fixed though, but worth a try.

              What makes you think you're more diverse than, say, India, Brazil, or Turkey?

              Because we have lots of people from, oh say, India, Brazil, and Turkey.

              We're known as the "world's melting pot". Idiot.

              • (Score: -1, Flamebait) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday July 16 2020, @07:00AM (1 child)

                by Anonymous Coward on Thursday July 16 2020, @07:00AM (#1022320)

                Brazil is pretty damn diverse. India has more large-scale cultures than the USA. Turkey has multiple "major cultures" living in mosaic instead of melting together.

                The rest of the world considers the US "melting pot" to turn all folks into Americans within 0-2 generations, and considers "Americans" culturally homogenous, and not diverse at all. Of course that's a foolish opinion, ignoring Black culture and others, but that's no more valid than Turkey's mixed cultures.

                • (Score: 2) by RS3 on Thursday July 16 2020, @02:56PM

                  by RS3 (6367) on Thursday July 16 2020, @02:56PM (#1022421)

                  Nice attempt at disputing me, but face facts, you're just troll.

                  You're that same moron who has brain short-circuits. You take things I write (and I'm sure others too) out of context, then you troll on that thing that you imagined.

                  Sure, all of those countries are diverse. So what? Doesn't take away from what I wrote that you trolled. My point stands. Go do something constructive for a change.

          • (Score: 2) by DannyB on Wednesday July 15 2020, @01:33PM (4 children)

            by DannyB (5839) Subscriber Badge on Wednesday July 15 2020, @01:33PM (#1021891) Journal

            Any ideas of why people are doing this?

            Stupidity.

            Our education system has failed.

            --
            People today are educated enough to repeat what they are taught but not to question what they are taught.
            • (Score: 2) by RS3 on Wednesday July 15 2020, @02:28PM (3 children)

              by RS3 (6367) on Wednesday July 15 2020, @02:28PM (#1021931)

              Definitely, but what's the cause, and what's the fix?

              I have thoughts, but no time to write them now...

              • (Score: 2) by DannyB on Wednesday July 15 2020, @04:53PM (2 children)

                by DannyB (5839) Subscriber Badge on Wednesday July 15 2020, @04:53PM (#1021985) Journal

                Betsy DeVos will fix it.

                We just need to divert money from those poor public schools to the rich charter schools. That's an easy fix.

                --
                People today are educated enough to repeat what they are taught but not to question what they are taught.
                • (Score: 2) by Pslytely Psycho on Thursday July 16 2020, @09:14AM (1 child)

                  by Pslytely Psycho (1218) on Thursday July 16 2020, @09:14AM (#1022337)

                  And religious schoolz! They want public funding for fundies and well!!!

                  (spelling misteaks proudly braut to you by underfon....err...underfundemention....fuck it....skoolz with no dollorz...)

                  --
                  Alex Jones lawyer inspires new TV series: CSI Moron Division.
                  • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday July 16 2020, @02:37PM

                    by Anonymous Coward on Thursday July 16 2020, @02:37PM (#1022409)

                    But it's okay to forceably steal my money and give it to anti-religious schools.

          • (Score: 2) by DannyB on Wednesday July 15 2020, @01:35PM (1 child)

            by DannyB (5839) Subscriber Badge on Wednesday July 15 2020, @01:35PM (#1021892) Journal

            Any ideas of why people are doing this?

            I should have added a few things to my previous reply:
            * reality TV
            * social media
            * dancing with the stars
            * Barney

            Any wonder why we are the stupidest people on Earth.

            --
            People today are educated enough to repeat what they are taught but not to question what they are taught.
            • (Score: 2) by RS3 on Wednesday July 15 2020, @02:11PM

              by RS3 (6367) on Wednesday July 15 2020, @02:11PM (#1021917)

              Gotta agree wholeheartedly! And I don't watch any of those things.

              But I have to wonder: why are so many people watching those shows anyway?

              (My very cynical thought is: "low IQ", but then I wonder what's causing low IQ, if it's a factor?)

          • (Score: 1, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday July 15 2020, @08:50PM

            by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday July 15 2020, @08:50PM (#1022098)

            Nobody cares. They don't care about their own life and death, and definitely not yours. What xan you expect from so many years of corruption, political dynasties, and aristocratic disdain? Nihilistic hedonism is a perfectly reasonable choice in a world that doesn't give a fuck about you.

      • (Score: 5, Insightful) by Opportunist on Tuesday July 14 2020, @06:17PM (5 children)

        by Opportunist (5545) on Tuesday July 14 2020, @06:17PM (#1021396)

        Hmm... let's see... countries where the people act like sane members of society, do what scientists tell them and generally behave in a level headed manner are pretty much over the hump and getting their economy back on track.

        As exhibit B, we have people lamenting about "muh freedumz", consider wearing masks an attempt to silence them and are generally acting like spoiled children who got told that they should play inside while it's raining, are considered a first world country with first world medical facilities and have infection rates that rival third world countries.

        No hard science to be found though. Carry on.

        • (Score: 2) by RS3 on Wednesday July 15 2020, @02:15PM (4 children)

          by RS3 (6367) on Wednesday July 15 2020, @02:15PM (#1021919)

          In no way defending it (in fact, as an "American", I'm very embarrassed at the least) but I wonder how much https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crowd_psychology [wikipedia.org] is the main mechanism. That we're more interconnected than ever would contribute to the crowd psychology mechanism that seems to bring the collective IQ down.

          • (Score: 2) by Opportunist on Wednesday July 15 2020, @06:51PM (3 children)

            by Opportunist (5545) on Wednesday July 15 2020, @06:51PM (#1022046)

            In terms of connectivity, Europe is at the very least on par with the US. It would play a role, no doubt, but it can't explain the difference because the two continents barely differ in terms of technology.

            • (Score: 2) by RS3 on Thursday July 16 2020, @02:52PM (2 children)

              by RS3 (6367) on Thursday July 16 2020, @02:52PM (#1022420)

              Most of my life I've perceived that Europeans are more relaxed and accepting of individual differences than here in the US. Not a psychologist nor sociologist nor anything close so I don't understand the underpinnings. It may be that "Americans" are inherently more competitive, including social things. "Keeping up with the Joneses" is a thing in America. Kids in school have to wear very very certain specific clothes, shoes, styles, hair. There's huge social pressure and competition. And that continues into adult life.

              We (not me!) call entertainers "celebrities". That sickens me. Not just because I'm an engineer and somewhat scientific, but I just think there should be higher priorities in life, like science and medicine. Who knows- maybe if we really focused on science and medicine we'd have COVID-19 and most viruses figured out and be enjoying life and, well, entertainment.

              • (Score: 2) by Opportunist on Sunday July 19 2020, @08:55AM (1 child)

                by Opportunist (5545) on Sunday July 19 2020, @08:55AM (#1023665)

                I wish I could agree, but no, Europeans are the same greedy "keeping up wiht the Joneses" assholes. We're maybe not as competitive and don't consider it a personal insult if you dare to buy a larger car than I do, but we also love our celebrities (especially soccer players) and actually consider something someone who can kick a football says on par with something someone says who actually studied something worth a damn.

                People are people, and people are stupid. It's not a US-exclusive thing.

                • (Score: 2) by RS3 on Monday July 20 2020, @02:42AM

                  by RS3 (6367) on Monday July 20 2020, @02:42AM (#1023943)

                  Thanks for the insight. I don't think it's a black-or-white thing. I'm aware that Europeans celebrate soccer and other sports stars, but I will still argue that much of the US really really celebrates actors/actresses and sports stars even more so. The salaries are a big indication. An entertainer can make millions per year, and frankly work very few hours, but a top medical research scientist makes tens of thousands per year working 60 hour weeks. It just ain't right. Downright embarrassing. But I admit, we rarely (if ever) have people trampled due to sports game riots...

    • (Score: -1, Flamebait) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday July 14 2020, @05:58PM (10 children)

      by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday July 14 2020, @05:58PM (#1021383)

      If stupid pieces of shit weren't trying to violate people's rights by forcing them, people would be more inclined to wear them. I'm currently boycotting all businesses in my area b/c they have decided to play cop for the governor's unconstitutional order. The same one the police can't even enforce. Not to worry, the Suited Whores of the business world will do anything they are told.

      • (Score: 3, Touché) by DannyB on Tuesday July 14 2020, @06:40PM

        by DannyB (5839) Subscriber Badge on Tuesday July 14 2020, @06:40PM (#1021410) Journal

        If stupid pieces of shit weren't trying to violate people's rights by forcing them

        If smart scientists and doctors weren't trying to protect people's health and protect the nation.

        --
        People today are educated enough to repeat what they are taught but not to question what they are taught.
      • (Score: 2) by DannyB on Tuesday July 14 2020, @06:51PM

        by DannyB (5839) Subscriber Badge on Tuesday July 14 2020, @06:51PM (#1021415) Journal

        Doctors in states with rising COVID-19 cases share their fears: "Is this the tipping point?" [cbsnews.com]

        On not wearing masks or taking the virus seriously, Tran said, "People that you know are thinking that masks don't matter and that coronavirus isn't real, or it's not as big of a problem as it is ... it kind of hurts actually."

        --
        People today are educated enough to repeat what they are taught but not to question what they are taught.
      • (Score: 2) by Phoenix666 on Tuesday July 14 2020, @07:01PM (1 child)

        by Phoenix666 (552) on Tuesday July 14 2020, @07:01PM (#1021423) Journal

        I'm currently boycotting all businesses in my area b/c they have decided to play cop for the governor's unconstitutional order.

        Voting with your wallet is more effective than voting at the ballot box. If the money stops, they stop.

        Gillette ran its "Toxic Masculinity" ad campaign for its razors, and it cost them $8 billion dollars.

        --
        Washington DC delenda est.
        • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday July 14 2020, @09:03PM

          by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday July 14 2020, @09:03PM (#1021472)

          I'm sure the local undertaker will be willing to take your business and won't require you to wear a mask.

      • (Score: 5, Insightful) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday July 14 2020, @07:08PM (1 child)

        by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday July 14 2020, @07:08PM (#1021427)

        Mask requirements primarily exist to prevent infected people from spreading the infection to others. What you're saying is that your petulant whining is more important than the health of other people. When you refuse to take reasonable precautions and, instead, insist on recklessly endangering other people, you're violating their rights.

        I'd like to see people who refuse to wear masks be held liable for some of the damage caused by COVID-19. I don't mean just the medical bills of infected people, either. I'm talking about the larger scale economic damage caused by this crisis. If you insist on recklessly endangering others, you need to held responsible for the consequences of your actions.

        • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday July 16 2020, @05:17PM

          by Anonymous Coward on Thursday July 16 2020, @05:17PM (#1022482)

          No you stupid bitch. i didn't say anything about other people (or me) not wearing a mask. I said i was boycotting b/c i am not the slave of the state or these whore ass companies. This is about control for them (and CYA), not health.

          Also, i'm not responsible for nature, or your shitty fucking immune system. Your logic is prima facie fucking stupid. Why do all you authoritarians think this is an intelligent concept or viewpoint? it would be hilarious if it weren't so dangerous.

          Let me assure you that when the government starts trying to file charges on me for not doing something in regards to my own health or safety gear i'm going to show you motherfuckers what a rights violation really is.

      • (Score: 2) by RS3 on Tuesday July 14 2020, @07:18PM

        by RS3 (6367) on Tuesday July 14 2020, @07:18PM (#1021436)

        But even if you were right (which you obviously are NOT), how and why is it such a big deal to wear a mask? I would do it with or without govt. requirement.

      • (Score: 2) by Kitsune008 on Wednesday July 15 2020, @02:55AM (2 children)

        by Kitsune008 (9054) on Wednesday July 15 2020, @02:55AM (#1021677)

        I'm currently boycotting all businesses in my area b/c they have decided to play cop for the governor's unconstitutional order.

        Hahahaha! Stupid git.
        How's that working out for you? Getting hungry yet?
        By all means continue your boycott on humanity, I'm sure it will work out in your (rear)end.

        • (Score: 2) by Pslytely Psycho on Thursday July 16 2020, @09:21AM

          by Pslytely Psycho (1218) on Thursday July 16 2020, @09:21AM (#1022341)

          Don't be so hard on him, trucking companies are making a fortune storing people like him in refrigerated trailers, he's good for the economy!

          --
          Alex Jones lawyer inspires new TV series: CSI Moron Division.
        • (Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Thursday July 16 2020, @05:22PM

          by Anonymous Coward on Thursday July 16 2020, @05:22PM (#1022484)

          Just like every other issue. The masses, even people who are otherwise intelligent, grovel to their masters and rat on anyone who tries to escape, or who isn't wearing their shackles. Pitiful slave fucks. You will get yours.

    • (Score: 2) by PartTimeZombie on Tuesday July 14 2020, @09:34PM

      by PartTimeZombie (4827) on Tuesday July 14 2020, @09:34PM (#1021488)

      And then our friendly flat-earth anonymous coward replies, starting with:

      How could it not become political?

      as if there was no option but to make it political, proving your point.

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