Friday Flotsam and Jetsam

Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.

Apple, "We're going to place the new U2 album on everyone's phone and most people are going to hate it." Facebook, "Hold our beer - we're going to announce a ridiculous name change to New Coke - sorry I meant Meta"... If I owned a restaurant in Atlanta or the surrounding area I would post a sign saying Rob Manfred or anyone who works for the MLB offices is not welcome in my restaurant and that we retain the right to refuse them service. I would also add that if they don't like this policy they can get their meals in Denver. This would have little negative effect on the restaurant's revenue but would be popular among the locals still upset with MLB taking away this past summer's All Star Game from Atlanta... Hey if you can get away with counting unrealized votes - why wouldn't you think you could get away with taxing unrealized capital gains?... I can recall Mitt Romney often being vocally critical of President Trump but somehow I have missed him saying anything bad about President Biden who has been a disaster. Then again - maybe he has but it was not reported by the media since he's no longer a useful tool... If Novak Djokovic is allowed to participate in the Australian Open despite his uncertain vaccine status - I think it would be hilarious if officials made him wear a surgical mask the whole time he's playing... History nugget: When Admiral Dewey destroyed the Spanish fleet in Manilla in 1898 - he only lost one US sailor. To heat-stroke... Agree with others who have observed that the term "main stream media" (MSM) has clearly run its course. When you look at the audience or readership numbers of these outlets you see that there's really nothing "main stream" about them any more. Also agree with those that say that "Corporate Media" for places like MSNBC or the Washington Post is a much more accurate label... Norway removed all COVID restrictions a little over a month ago. Now they have a seven day average COVID death rate of just ONE. Norway has a population that would put it between Minnesota and South Carolina if it were a US State. Maybe Minnesota and South Carolina should try to be more like Norway... Will self-driving cars greatly reduce the need for ambulances?... If I were running for President my platform would be simple. I would campaign on eliminating daylight savings time; replacing the TSA with local and State police; and making the Monday after the Super Bowl a national holiday. That platform should be good for at least 10 points in the polls... It has been reported that Russia, China, Japan and Mexico are skipping the upcoming G20 meeting in Rome. Explain to me again how Joe Biden is better suited to foreign policy than Donald Trump was... In 1938 Alan Turing was offered a job at Princeton University as John von Neumann's assistant. Can you imagine how the history of WWII and of computers may have been greatly different if he accepted?... Now that New York City has taken down a statue of Thomas Jefferson - may I suggest they replace it with one of Bill de Blasio? That's the statue the city deserves these days... Think one of the punishments Anthony Fauci should face is to forcibly and forever have his first name legally changed to "Grima"... As always if this column has made you smile or think - don't be afraid to hit the like button. Also please subscribe and share with your friends. Thanks in advance...