Random Roundup of Interesting Posts
Week of 8/18/2024
It’s been a difficult week.
Retinal issues - last Friday, i noticed some odd visual changes. Flashing lights resembling lightning, a sharp increase in dark floaters, and a large shadow in the perimeter of my visual field that looked like dark lace. As it was late in the day, I resolved to call my ophthalmologist on Monday.
The next day, I did a search on those terms, and was sufficiently concerned to call my son and ask for a ride to the ER. I was aware that they might be putting drops in my eyes, and was concerned that I might not be able to drive.
At the ER, I was swept ahead of everyone else, some of whom seemed quite ill or injured. From that reaction, I confirmed what the web sources had named those symptoms - an Optical Emergency.
Fortunately, it was not a tear. I have some follow-up appointments, but it appears that, like Trump, I dodged a bullet.
I booked a ticket for Charlotte, managed to get the incredible price of $19 for the flight from Cleveland - a direct flight.
The downside? i arrived a little early for my departure of 8 pm. The flight was delayed multiple times at its previous location, and we only started boarding at 12:30 am. The staff was great, the flight was easy, and I was in bed by 3 am.
I slept until 7:30, got my breakfast, and went right back to bed. I feel refreshed, if a little stiff.
Did manage to find some interesting blog posts, including this:
The Coup Toppling Biden has - I know you will be astonished! - been reframed as a Voluntary Step Aside. Rather like Louis XVI “decided” to step down from the throne.
https://althouse.blogspot.com/2024/08/it-can-be-dizzying-for-outsider-to-see.html
A commenter on Althouse’s blog (Paul), quotes Arendt:
“This constant lying is not aimed at making the people believe a lie, but at ensuring that no one believes anything anymore.
A people that can no longer distinguish between truth and lies cannot distinguish between right and wrong. And such a people, deprived of the power to think and judge, is, without knowing and willing it, completely subjected to the rule of lies.
With such a people, you can do whatever you want.”
—Hannah Arendt, German historian and philosopher (1906–1975)
And, she would know.
This is a lighthearted link to finish with - the Trump trolls Commie-La, with a site that has the Unofficial, but Accurate, Harris Positions for 2024. The Trump campaign did this, because - somehow - the Harris-Walz team doesn’t think it important for America to know what she stands for.
We do.
https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2024/08/21/kamala-harris-doesnt-have-a-policy-page-so-trump-created-one-for-her/
Glad your eyes are doing better.