Omicron Covid

[MelroseHawkins]

Your claim of cognitive ability may well be correct. But your comments about Fauci don’t support your claim. You have become a sheep, herded by Fox News and other right wing conspiracy theorists. Good God. They are still having nightmares about Hillary. Ha Ha!

Really, why are the Democrats and media still obsessed with Donald Trump. Why do they care anymore and why haven't they moved on? It's weird.

 

[MelroseHawkins]

It's the peragative of each individual to have the choice to decide. I got my booster in January. I get a flu shot every fall.

I generally stopped wearing masks in public but will politely do so if asked, even if i think it's unnecessary. We're flying to tropical paradise at the end of April and there's no way airlines will have dropped mask requirements by then. But Dane County is supposed to be dropping indoor requirements the first week of March.

Just got back from a wedding in the Twin cities and a couple relatives of the married couple refused to attend because bride and groom asked for people to be vaxxed. That's sad. I know people who refuse to fly because of mask requirements.. thats sadder,, I can put up with a mask on a three hour flight.

This is where I'm at, except the getting to go to a tropical paradise!! When I where a mask, it's because of a school or local policy, mainly to appease those around me. I could care less at this point. I trust my immune system because I presume I've had to have it up to this point.

 

[MelroseHawkins]

This is a great attitude. I have a similar attitude however my life situation is completely different which is the main reason my reaction to this virus is not similar. As long as we can all do what we feel is best for ourselves I’m all good w/ it. It’s when lunatics try forcing me to inject a substance into my body is when I get incredibly defensive. There are many people that have benefited from the vaccines and that is a good thing.

Exactly where I am at.

 

[MelroseHawkins]

I was at the Iowa/Nebraska dual last night in Lincoln.

About two weeks after buying my tickets at the start of the year, I got an email saying masks covering mouth and nose were required on all UN-L grounds and facilities. Two days before the dual, I got another email from nebraska's ticket office reminding people that masks were required.

Had a mask in my pocket fully prepared to use it. I'm not a protestor, it's university property and if they say I have to wear one I will...their rules and I can take it or leave it.

Never saw a single mask worn by anyone. Not one. Not workers, not spectators, not coaches nor wrestlers. And I'll be damned that I didn't see the 500+ people keel over dead in the arena that the media predicted. To my absolute astonishment everyone had a damn good time and for a couple hours nobody even thought about covid. I mean, according to the news, that wrestling dual with no masks should've been responsible for at least 500 deaths before intermission, and probably 6-7,000 indirect deaths. I was a little wary when I pulled up to the venue and only saw 10 hearses...I figured, no way is that enough for all the covid deaths that are going to occur in the next two hours because of people being maskless...

Made me chuckle.

 

[MelroseHawkins]

I understand the argument "there is no need for someone to have that much money". What I don't understand is when people say "they need to pay their fair share".

Rich people drive on the same roads we do. They are protected by the same military that we are. They use the same schools, police, and fire fighters that we do. Why should they pay way more money than us? It's not "fair" to them at all. Sure they can afford it and it's nice that poor people get to pay nothing while they pay shit tons. But its not "fair". Fair would be a flat tax. If someone pays 10 times more than I do to fund the same things I fund, but I find out they pay a smaller percentage than what I do, I'm completely fine with that.

You are never going to be able to sell this to the liberal crowd. You pretty much stated above what taxes, SHOULD BE USED FOR, stuff that is used by most citizens in the country and should be supported because we all benefit from it.

But, what the liberals want is the tons of $$$$ for all programs needing financed. The minute the politicians started to divert $$ from good plans, I.E. Our Social Security System, it all went to shit, often times to secure a voting base. Let's take from this pool, this pool, and this pool to spread the wealth. Now our SS system is at risk. Our kids are going to be paying into the SS system and won't get shit out of it in the end.

 

[Ree4]

Judging by the stats, you could try to argue that lockdowns and mask mandates help the deaths from covid count a tiny bit. Once you start arguing that they help a lot, you're straight up lying. Even if it's true they help a little with covid deaths, then you have to factor in all the damage they do (especially to kids) and decide if it's worth it. In my mind it's not even close.

What damage do masks do to kids?

 

[Ree4]

Wow, the omicron thread jumps to illegal immigration. Your point about us running over or running out of our resources by trying to link this to illegal immigrants is total shit.

I am not for unfettered illegal immigration but even the food, farming, construction, and other industries know we need many illegals to work in fields, put up our drywall, roof our houses, etc etc. There is about $90 TRILLION dollars in private wealth in this country. That is totally enough to make sure we all have enough resources of food, clean water, clothing, medical care, and all the main needs of citizens.

If you want to scream at illegals and blame them then you should really scream at the leaders who have forced a tax structure and loopholes that allow 1% of US citizens to hold about 25% of the wealth. REALLY YOU ARE BLAMING FUCKING ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS FOR OUR SUPPOSED WOES. That is totally stupid and a straw man argument just to deflect blame away from supply side trickle down dumb ass republican tax structures from Reagan to Trump and Paul Ryan.

Yeah these folks need to get some better info than regurgitating their fox news/tucker carlson talking points. It's so fucking funny, you can point out who they are by what drivel leaks out.

 

[Ree4]

Really, tell me what communist country is flourishing, especially the middle class or below. The wage gap and quality of life for the middle class in communist countries is shit. When the government controls the people and the people rely on government for their everyday needs, it absolute shit.

There is a reason why America has been an economic power and military power over the years and everybody flocks to America. There is a reason why middle east countries despise us. Why?..............because we flourish at the same time as giving our people freedom. As much as you hate 1% of the corporate leaders making all this wealth, one thing holds true, Capitalism works and private companies work. This provides competition to keep consumer prices in check and it provides pretty damn good salaries for the middle class, or people who choose to succeed or better themselves, or God forbid, have the balls and freedom to create and run their own damn business. Damn, we shouldn't let that happen. Let's let the government run and distribute EVERY DAMN THING, because they do it so well.

In addition, private business is so much better for quality control of goods and services. People need to put that into perspective. Compare products that are US made to products that come from China for damn sake.

I don't understand liberal democrats obsession with a certain small % of CEO's (who took the risk many times to start a business) who earn a high salary. Maybe that's the price to pay for a country to continue to be an economic power. The price to pay of it being that way over the years. You don't think there is a salary gap in communist countries or middle eastern countries? Take the goggles off bud. Many of these countries have their elite who have billions and most the general population with little. Look at Saudia Arabia. There is super elite there and a huge gap.

There are more individuals and families in at least middle class or even upper middle class than most other countries. On top of that, we live in a country that any individual, ANY, has the opportunity to create any path they want in life, including learning any trade they want and/or to start their own business. You are absolutely crazy if you ever want to go away from that model.

Having a country to just pool everybody's money with high taxes to distribute out doesn't work. When a country suppresses everybody, it does not work. People won't take the chance to open a business and many times be able to hire hundreds if it grows.

I can tell your the type that wants everybody to have a $80,000 year salary/stipend, but dude, that is just not feasible. Krist, just take a look at the democratic ran states and large cities, they are a financial mess. It is just not sustainable. Yea, the intention is fine, but it is not feasible.

Going back to the illegal immigration topic. I'm fine with immigrants. But we have a legal process and system to help them and to become legal residents. That is completely fine by me. But, we should be able to vet them. Every other country does. Do you think Germany just lets people freely across, China, Canada, etc..?? Why is it America is so bad when they want to limit or have a system. That's bullshit. The reason you have a system to follow is TO NOT RUN OVER YOUR COUNTRIES CURRENT RESOURCES. Countries can't just take on hundreds of thousands of people who aren't paying into the tax base to support them. They are going to end up needing healthcare which puts a burden on the resources. They are going to need $$ to live. The minute there are more people in the US that need free services than you have paying into the tax system, IT IS DONE! That is why you have a system for LEGAL immigrants. So you can control that balance.

So, yea, let's open the border and let everyone in DURING A PANDEMIC! That's the perfect time! Geesus, don't get me started there. I'd like to hear your thoughts on that. You've been a worry wart and have had many opinions about controlling the COVID-19. What are your thoughts on having open borders for illegal immigrants the ability to freely come over during a pandemic? Are you going to move the goal posts on that?

What the hell does communism have to do with his post and why do you throw it out there? Do you have any clue what communism actually is? Do you actually believe that any of us in here thinks authoritarian communism is a good thing?

 

[HuckFinn]

What the hell does communism have to do with his post and why do you throw it out there? Do you have any clue what communism actually is? Do you actually believe that any of us in here thinks authoritarian communism is a good thing?

Good grief, Melrose. No wonder I have you on ignore.

 

[PCHawk]

What damage do masks do to kids?

Mostly communication issues. My 8 year old still doesn't talk the clearest and wearing a mask only makes it harder to understand him. If I were him, I probably wouldn't even bother talking. I think masking is horrible for little kids.

I still remember the day we told our kids they didn't have to wear masks anymore. It was one week before the school year ended which was pretty stupid timing if you ask me. Anyway, I didn't think it was a big deal either way. Figured kids are resilient and it probably didn't even bother them. They were more excited than you could imagine. It made me feel like the shittiest parent ever to just assume my kids were fine without asking them. When omicron got going, our school sent out an email saying we might have to go back to masks. My kids were really bummed about it. Fortunately it never happened, but that made me once again reflect back to my shitty parenting not knowing my kids feelings. And remember, my kids were 7 years old. They weren't swayed by Fox News. And we make it a point to not talk about shit like that in front of them so they didn't hear any opinions from us either.

 

[PCHawk]

Yeah these folks need to get some better info than regurgitating their fox news/tucker carlson talking points. It's so fucking funny, you can point out who they are by what drivel leaks out.

Most people don't listen to people so they can steal their opinions. They listen to people who have the same opinions as they already have.

Every single opinion I have on covid comes from living it for 2 years. I don't get opinions from anyone else because I don't even listen to anyone else. When's the last time you heard something from the news or social media and changed your opinion to form to theirs? I assume you do what everyone else does and either agree or disagree based on your opinion you already had.

 

[PCHawk]

Take the Russian deal going on right now for example. It's entirely possible that the US is just jumping in to "save the day". But it's also entirely possible that the US in conjuring a reason for war. There is no way for any of us to know what's going on. We don't have inside sources. If you blindly believe the left, you blindly believe we are doing the right thing. If you blindly believe the right, you blindly believe something shady is going on. If you don't blindly believe either side, you openly admit you have no idea what's going on here.

 

[MelroseHawkins]

What the hell does communism have to do with his post and why do you throw it out there? Do you have any clue what communism actually is? Do you actually believe that any of us in here thinks authoritarian communism is a good thing?

Because I can do rudimentary math. What is the opposite of capitalism, free markets and private businesses. It's government suppressing and controlling people and limiting private business. To me that is social communism. Perhaps, I should have limited it to socialism. I'll give you that.

Just because you want to plug your ears or cover your eyes, that's not my issue.

 

[okeefe4prez]

What the hell does communism have to do with his post and why do you throw it out there? Do you have any clue what communism actually is? Do you actually believe that any of us in here thinks authoritarian communism is a good thing?

It's a right wing talking point. Anti-communism has long been a scare tactic. Communism isn't a threat, the far more likely end game for the US is some sort of pseudo-fascist plutocracy similar to China's where freedom is unrestricted for the elites (who along with government form, to steal a term from Orwell, an "Inner Party") and highly rationed for everyone else. It will be stated simply as "you will relinquish political freedom in exchange for security." Dissidents, of course, will have their "security" removed. Americans have readily demonstrated time and again that if Uncle Sugar can create a big enough crisis, they want "somebody" to "do something." 9/11 ushered in the PATRIOT Act and consent to open up a two front war. The Germ has ushered in tens of millions of people begging to be governed harder. It's impossible to look at what has happened in places like Australia and Canada over the past 90-ish days and not be absolutely frightened for the future of liberal (used in the classical sense) Western democracies.

 

[MelroseHawkins]

Good grief, Melrose. No wonder I have you on ignore.

Oh, the power of the mute button when you don't want to hear another individual's opinion.

"I don't hear you. I don't hear you! But, I'll respond when convenient"

So weak.

 

[MelroseHawkins]

Most people don't listen to people so they can steal their opinions. They listen to people who have the same opinions as they already have.

Every single opinion I have on covid comes from living it for 2 years. I don't get opinions from anyone else because I don't even listen to anyone else. When's the last time you heard something from the news or social media and changed your opinion to form to theirs? I assume you do what everyone else does and either agree or disagree based on your opinion you already had.

To be honest, I don't even watch Fox or any mainstream news. I may catch little clips from now and then on Youtube, and it is from all including MSNBC, CBS, ABC, sometimes Fox, but this is usually small 3 min clip on what is happening with Russia and Ukraine to stay on top of that. I don't get into any of the hosted shows by them.

 

[MelroseHawkins]

It's a right wing talking point. Anti-communism has long been a scare tactic. Communism isn't a threat, the far more likely end game for the US is some sort of pseudo-fascist plutocracy similar to China's where freedom is unrestricted for the elites (who along with government form, to steal a term from Orwell, an "Inner Party") and highly rationed for everyone else. It will be stated simply as "you will relinquish political freedom in exchange for security." Dissidents, of course, will have their "security" removed. Americans have readily demonstrated time and again that if Uncle Sugar can create a big enough crisis, they want "somebody" to "do something." 9/11 ushered in the PATRIOT Act and consent to open up a two front war. The Germ has ushered in tens of millions of people begging to be governed harder. It's impossible to look at what has happened in places like Australia and Canada over the past 90-ish days and not be absolutely frightened for the future of liberal (used in the classical sense) Western democracies.

Well stated.

 

[okeefe4prez]

Take the Russian deal going on right now for example. It's entirely possible that the US is just jumping in to "save the day". But it's also entirely possible that the US in conjuring a reason for war. There is no way for any of us to know what's going on. We don't have inside sources. If you blindly believe the left, you blindly believe we are doing the right thing. If you blindly believe the right, you blindly believe something shady is going on. If you don't blindly believe either side, you openly admit you have no idea what's going on here.

One of my favorite books is called "Manufacturing Consent." It was written in the 1980's by a self-proclaimed communist who is highly critical of US interventionism, which I am as well. In the opening chapter, there is a quote that I think you would find poignant in light of modern events:

In assessing the newsworthiness of the U.S. government's urgent claims of a shipment of MIGs to Nicaragua on November 5, 1984, the media do not stop to ponder the bias that is inherent in the priority assigned to government-supplied raw material, or the possibility that the government might be manipulating the news, imposing its own agenda, and deliberately diverting attention from other material. It requires a macro, alongside a micro- (story-by-story), view of media operations, to see the pattern of manipulation and systematic bias.

 

[Ree4]

Because I can do rudimentary math. What is the opposite of capitalism, free markets and private businesses. It's government suppressing and controlling people and limiting private business. To me that is social communism. Perhaps, I should have limited it to socialism. I'll give you that.

Just because you want to plug your ears or cover your eyes, that's not my issue.

Hahahah, you might want to brush up on your political and economic system definitions if you're trying to have a a discussion, makes you look like an idiot.

I'll rephrase the question I guess, do you actually believe that any of us in here want "government suppressing and controlling people and limiting private business"? I'm a libertarian, so I sure don't.

Quite the straw man you've built, but that's pretty common with you. Can't beat a good argument so you make up your own.

So you're against any kind of socialism then, or just any kind that helps poor people?

 

[Ree4]

It's a right wing talking point. Anti-communism has long been a scare tactic. Communism isn't a threat, the far more likely end game for the US is some sort of pseudo-fascist plutocracy similar to China's where freedom is unrestricted for the elites (who along with government form, to steal a term from Orwell, an "Inner Party") and highly rationed for everyone else. It will be stated simply as "you will relinquish political freedom in exchange for security." Dissidents, of course, will have their "security" removed. Americans have readily demonstrated time and again that if Uncle Sugar can create a big enough crisis, they want "somebody" to "do something." 9/11 ushered in the PATRIOT Act and consent to open up a two front war. The Germ has ushered in tens of millions of people begging to be governed harder. It's impossible to look at what has happened in places like Australia and Canada over the past 90-ish days and not be absolutely frightened for the future of liberal (used in the classical sense) Western democracies.

Pretty sure we're almost already there unfortunately.