Here are the opening paragraphs from Bob Wojnowski’s article today in the Detroit News. “Not me, not ever. I wear the mask, I wash the hands, I stay 6 feet away from humans, for the most part. COVID has no shot against me. That was me four weeks ago, dutiful and defiant. This is me today: 14 pounds lighter, still craving the taste of bacon, tired but getting better. It will find you, if you let it. I let it with a brief letdown, and near as I can tell, contracted COVID-19 on March 27, two days after getting my first Pfizer shot. Did I get cocky or cavalier after one shot, even though two days isn’t nearly enough time for the vaccine to take hold? I don’t think so. I was restless, bored, and frankly, dumb. It was the second Saturday of the NCAA Tournament and I joined a few friends at a restaurant-bar where tables were sufficiently spread out. As the games went on, more people came in, I stayed too long indoors, and that was it. I blame no one but me. Not the governor, not the government, not the CDC, not the bar, none of them. They made the mandates and recommendations, and the rest is on us. On me. (I guess I could blame whoever spread it to me, although many people don’t know they have it). So let this be a cautionary tale, if you’re inclined to listen to this sort of thing. It’s not over. Sorry folks, we’re gonna have to play this to the end, no timeouts, no letting up, no looking back. It’s not over until we make sure it’s over, and that includes vaccines and continued vigilance. If this sounds like preaching, it’s not my intent. I’m just relating a story that many, many others have experienced, and maybe some can learn from. ” We need to heed Wojo’s warning. We only have a few months to go. Let’s not let our guard down.
In all my years, I have never understood why Washington D.C. does not have the same benefits and rights of the 50 states of the United States. Yesterday, the House passed legislation allowing D.C. to become the 51 state. It is not a done deal because it still needs to be approved by the senate. Here are some reasons why D.C should be a state.
- Washington’s residents pay more taxes than residents in 22 states and pay more per capita to the federal government than any state—yet they have no votes in Congress.
- DC is subject to the whims of the federal government where Congress interferes with local laws, local funding and operations.
- DC has all the same responsibilities, but not the same rights, as other Americans—they are treated as second-class citizens
- D.C. residents pay federal taxes, serve in the military and on juries, start businesses and families, and contribute to our national economy.
- D.C is unable to control their own budget or their own laws, and they have no votes in Congress.
- DC residents want statehood and made their voter clear during the 2016 referendum with an 86% in favor to make Washington, DC the 51.
At 5:49 a.m. Eastern time, Space X’s Crew Dragon capsule lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. A smooth countdown proceeded through the early morning, and even ran ahead of schedule at times. Even though I watched a video of the launch, it still gives me chills to watch a rocket launch. As we have learned from past experience success is not guaranteed.
Akayed Ullah, who detonated a pipe bomb in a crowded subway tunnel near Times Square in the name of ISIS in 2017 was sentenced to life in prison on Thursday. Although no one died in the bombing, the Judge Richard J. Sullivan during sentencing said “This was a calculated, premeditated decision to kill as many people as you could, all in the name of an organization that is dedicated to spreading terror.The fact that Mr. Ullah had failed to execute his plan did not make him any less culpable or his intent less sinister. This is about as serious a crime as there is.”
Stay safe. Wear your mask properly. Wash your hands regularly. Social distance. Schedule your vaccine.
Quote of the Day: “My apologies. I should have been more careful.” Nolan Finley after Thursday’s newsletter included an item about a bedside visit between an ailing Ted Nugent and Kid Rock which was from a satiric website, and was a spoof.
Orchid of the Day: Elon Musk and Space X for their successful launch this morning of a previously used space ship.
Onion of the Day: Nolan Finley. See the above Quote of the Day.