I thank you for your patience over the last 10 years and 1,245 posts. We have not always agreed, the posts may not have been to your liking, but you have given me the kindness of your attention.
In this post I come to you with a set of appeals, and, as is the case, the appeals are to a higher principle or value, or an effort to change a judgement or reality.
the list
- An appeal for a place of history, just up the Pacific Coast Highway. It is a very special place.
- An appeal to the Biden Campaign.
- An appeal to Donald Trump
- An appeal to you and the news media. We begin here.
a plea for perspective and proportionality
covid-19
At this writing 101 thousand people in the US have died from Covid-19. Most have been horrible deaths, often alone, following terrible suffering. The attempt to save victims has overwhelmed some hospitals and has cost the life of medical personnel.
101 thousand deaths in three months=33,000 deaths a month.
At this time 1.72 million cases have been reported and 365 thousand are reported to have recovered. Hold these numbers.
Most of the stats are from the CDC and the calculations are estimates based on several years.
heart disease
More than 647 thousand people in the US die from heart disease. That is 1 in 4 US deaths=53,916 deaths a month.
cancer
More than 606 thousand people in the US die from cancer=50,000 deaths a month
stroke
More than 140 thousand people in the US die from stroke=11,000 deaths a month
alzheimer's disease
More than 122 thousand people in the US die from Alzheimer's disease=10,000 deaths a month.
influenza 80 thousand people in the US died from influenza last year=6,666 deaths a month.
Covid-19 fatalities will increase. If it kills at the rate it has thus far, it will not be the most lethal disease on our shores.
It is a new and changing virus and it may prove to be more deadly than any disease. We are still not sure about legacy effects and so it needs study and research. You and I and the media can't help but pay attention.
It is a new and changing virus and it may prove to be more deadly than any disease. We are still not sure about legacy effects and so it needs study and research. You and I and the media can't help but pay attention.
A raging, invisible enemy virus is too important a story to ignore.
But when the pandemic is under control, and/or when a vaccine or treatment drug is available, will there be dire reporting about the monthly or weekly toll of heart attacks, cancer, stroke, alzheimer's?
I'm not suggesting an equivalency. The virus has hit like an invasion and it kills, some, rapidly by comparison.
I wonder as some talk about "herd immunity" why we then don't also speak of "thinning the herd?" It is an indelicate and insensitive thought, akin to "survival of the fittest" or, in my view, the detestable concept of Social Darwinism. But when a disease attacks the most vulnerable, the eldest, those with illness, it operates functionally as such.
In some some cultures, those least able to keep up are left behind. Today we hear people say reopening the economy puts some at risk.
As the virus has killed, it has killed people of color and disadvantage disproportionately. There are reasons for that, but few seem interested in that discussion. That topic is much like the economic disparity the resulting pandemic recession has brought to light. There is much in the US that is not equal, despite our creeds otherwise.
I'm not suggesting an equivalency. The virus has hit like an invasion and it kills, some, rapidly by comparison.
I wonder as some talk about "herd immunity" why we then don't also speak of "thinning the herd?" It is an indelicate and insensitive thought, akin to "survival of the fittest" or, in my view, the detestable concept of Social Darwinism. But when a disease attacks the most vulnerable, the eldest, those with illness, it operates functionally as such.
In some some cultures, those least able to keep up are left behind. Today we hear people say reopening the economy puts some at risk.
As the virus has killed, it has killed people of color and disadvantage disproportionately. There are reasons for that, but few seem interested in that discussion. That topic is much like the economic disparity the resulting pandemic recession has brought to light. There is much in the US that is not equal, despite our creeds otherwise.
If we care about the daily death toll of the virus, should we not also care about other killing illnesses? At this time they are more lethal and less likely to be halted by a vaccine. Certain clarifying truths have been revealed since Covid-19 attacked, and there is much about our for profit medical system, our ailing government, our strategic readiness, and our priorities that need attention.
I'm appealing for perspective, and a sense of proportion.
attention biden campaign
A thought about bona fides; there are resumes more impressive than mine, still I made a living covering politics. I was on campaign trails since 1968, covered conventions, moderated senate and gubernatorial debates, questioned presidents, was an on air analyst, have written and reported and documented. So consider this as worth two cents, or not.
This speaks to two tracks, the election and then governance.
It behooves Joe Biden to do early transition work and reach out for Cabinet members and key roles now. There is much to do to repair the damage of the last 4 years, at home and around the world. Works and strategies should be underway now. It also helps strengthen the campaign's appeal.
If US voters can see the experience, stability and qualification of the Biden team, it helps to draw a clear picture of comparison. What is most appealing-calm, experience, and strategic or irrational, erratic and inexperienced bungling, compounded by deception?
Mr. Biden and his advisors should be meeting with Speaker Pelosi and Senator Schumer collaborating on a legislative agenda. This is the time to work out the friction points and polish off the agenda for the first 100 days.
When congress convenes in 2021 a united Democrat effort, from the White House to Capitol Hill, should immediately jump into recovery from the pandemic's economic impact.
The Biden team should look closely at the FDR approach. Something like a new version of WPA could put millions to work rebuilding infrastructure, roads, bridges, schools, sewer systems, neighborhoods and more.
What have we learned during the lockdown that might help to positively shape education, business, and a transactional culture? The Biden team should be on top that.
The Biden team should look closely at the FDR approach. Something like a new version of WPA could put millions to work rebuilding infrastructure, roads, bridges, schools, sewer systems, neighborhoods and more.
What have we learned during the lockdown that might help to positively shape education, business, and a transactional culture? The Biden team should be on top that.
The Biden effort could tap Bill Gates to assemble a team of thinkers to advise the administration in how to embrace the technology and communication driven changes that are necessary in the Federal system and in the wider economy. The conundrum of a 21st Century population dealing with federal agencies that are still using 20th Century data and processing allows for fraud, waste, and results in things like veterans having to wait for attention, or delays in getting small business loans processed, lack of oversight in how the Trump people are dumping millions to favored businesses and countless other problems.
It is an organizational as well as functional problem and the expertise and brilliance of innovative minds could make an impact. Think of it as a new generation of bright ideas.
Biden should speak of the New Beginning, and set the vision for repairing the damage done by the stooges of the last 4 years.
hit hard and often
The campaign should hit Trump hard. It is effective to simply show video of his thousands of lies and his egregious behavior, and his traitor like sycophantic pandering with Putin and Kim. No one has held his feet to the fire because he is the master of slime and changing focus and he keeps putting a new bright shinning object out there to distract.
I appeal to the White House Press corp to continue to evince courage and to challenge lord blowhard and not let him prevaricate and lie.
The Biden campaign should unleash a full scale assault on the Trump deceptions, fraud, failure and his unfitness to lead. They should reach out to Republicans, true traditional Republicans, to help with the repudiation.
This heavy work is to be done in the media, mainstream and social. No one should be able to turn on screen without seeing the dissembling of the Trump era.
target keys
As noted earlier there must be a full on campaign in those key swing counties and states. A majority of popular vote for Biden is likely, but the Trump path is in the key counties and precincts that could swing an electoral vote.
The Biden team should include, Sanders, Warren, Klobuchar, Castro, Harris, Booker, Buttigieg, Yang, at the very least. Let them campaign to those segments and regions where they have appeal.
A good question to drive home time and time again in those traditional Democrat states that voted for Trump in 2016 is the old "Are you better off than you were" before Trump? Ask that to the coalminers for example. Just this week it was announced that 13 coal mines are closing. This on the watch of the man who was going to open the mines. Remember the video of him shoveling and crowing about how he was going to reopen the mines? There is a lot of that sort of thing available.
His shamelessness can be used against him, by the media team, while Joe and his administration team explain how they will rebuild and repair and recover and make a New Beginning.
an appeal for an historic piece of california
Just up the road from this iconic view of Big Sur is bit of California hospitality that has enchanted visitors since the 1930s.
I provide just one more space for their outreach.
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the appeal to trump
Find a reason to go away. Blame it on the deep state conspiracy that created the pandemic just to ruin your reign.
Blame Obama, Hilary, Comey, and all of the fake media for setting out to get you. Just leave, quit, go back to your faux palace and gold leaf toilets.
There is a reason why some 50 high Republicans warned us about you. As they said in August of 2016 you are unfit, unqualified and you lack the character to lead. You have proven that every day. They said you would be dangerous, and you have been.
The people who were once decent Republicans would be so much better served if you left now, blame it on those bad bone spurs. Tell us that Obama snuck into the White House and put drill worms in your ears. Tell us that Melania is worried about how Mike Pence looks at her. Anything, just say it. Tell us you are going to invent a new florescent suppository that will cure the next pandemic the Deep State will unleash. Maybe you've already said all of that. I'm like millions of others, we just don't listen anymore. The country is over you.
Let your buddy Mr. Mannequin have his day in the sun. Tell us you made America great again and did everything to make it all perfect, and then just shrink away. That would be beautiful, just beautiful. You know, that's what we're hearing, that's what people are saying. Now, just go.
Take care of each other.
See you down the trail.
Take care of each other.
See you down the trail.
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