I enjoy watching the Winter Olympics. My favorite events are speed skating (especially short track), downhill skiing, ice dancing, and snowboarding (halfpipe is unbelievable). But why isn’t there a competition of doing aerials off the ski-jump hill? Why doesn’t the sled track have a corkscrew or 360 loop? Shouldn’t there be a winter pentathlon competition involving ski jumping, luge, cross country skiing, downhill skiing, and speed skating?
I shake my head when I see Russian athletes participating. Their hockey team even where’s the team colors and jerseys except for the name on the front. The IOC should be ashamed of themselves.
The possibility of the US Men’s Hockey Team going winless is very likely.
This past Monday marked the 209th birthday of two influential figures born on opposite sides of the Atlantic: Abraham Lincoln and Charles Darwin. The occasion serves as 9th anniversary of me diving deep into a personal study of the interchange between science and religion – yes – it was reading various reactions to the 200th anniversary that started my journey.
Although more BLINK posts will come in time, none this weekend because I have other posts scheduled around a special event.
Embed from Getty ImagesAnother mass shooting in the US is followed by more Republicans offering prayers and talking about mental health while failing to back their talk with any action.
Months ago I contacted my Republican Representative and Senator asking them a question about mental health. I just received a response from Senator Portman (R-OH), to which replied with the following: “Senator Portman. Thank you for the gracious form letter that didn’t come close to answering my question.”
It’s so interesting that Republicans are now less concerned with fiscal responsibility – which also means that such a future stance is actually an excuse to say No.
For the fall midterm elections, Republicans have the following problems on their plate: President Trump, ignoring President Trump’s continual misplays, and force feeding party policy down the public throat. On the other hand, Democrats are having a problem finding their voice other than anti-Trumpian.
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) promising a fair and open debate on immigration also serves as an admission that he hasn’t been doing that. Besides, anyone thinking he doesn’t have something up his sleeve is wishful thinking.
Embed from Getty ImagesTo lead you into this week’s dose of satirical headlines, The Onion provides suggestions about climbing the corporate ladder.
Weekly Headlines from The Onion (combos welcome)
Poignant dying words wasted on dumbshit nephew
Queen Bun gives birth to thousands of tiny rolls
Detective refuses to pry into circumstances of murder out of respect for deceased
Study finds cats only meow when they want to alert owner of neighbor’s murder they witnessed through window
Italian grandmother doesn’t have the heart to tell family any dipshit can make lasagna
Interesting Reads
History and future of the plastic bag
Volcanoes making lightning
Looking back at a fight to vote
Lincoln’s secret visits to slaves
Limits of technology: Paper jams
(Pictures) Nature’s gardens
To send you into the weekend, enjoy this classic. In the words of Garrison Keillor, Be well, do good work, and keep in touch.
A Frank Angle 
We can certainly use a peace train.
The Atlantic story about slaves believing Lincoln visited was fascinating.
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Merril,
I had reasons for selecting Peace Train! 🙂 … I love it when someone finds a worthy article in the Interesting Reads. Many thanks for letting me know.
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Great post Frank. I have been following the Olympics half heartedly. I too love the snowboarders and ice skating and the luge. It’s impisdible not get excited for these young athletes !
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Holly,
Competition is exciting. Every 4 years I like watching events as cross country skiing, luge, and others … then wait for another 4. The athletes work so hard .. so hard … therefore magnifying the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. I also like the way most are very supportive of others.
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That’s the beauty of it Frank. They are supportive and I feel very encouraged that these are the new generation that will lead us hopefully into a world without borders. Cliche but wouldn’t it be great!
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I often wonder where politicians are made. The Onion headlines gave me a hint. “Queen Bun gives birth to thousands of dumbshit tiny rolls” One could substitute politicians for bun and lawmakers for rolls. Super post, Frank.
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John,
Perfect … absolutely perfect!!!!!
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Ha ha ha . You know my feeling about those bottom feeders. I loved your reply to the form letter.
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I sent that letter long ago, so the besides the untimely response, the response itself was poor! … so I simply did what they didn’t – get to the point!
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😀
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The only thing I’ve been watching in the Olympics is the figure skating. I tape the evening events and just fast forward to the skating. Just not enough time to watch more. But they put the skaters on so late that I usually end up having to watch it the next day. I’ve got last night’s men’s short program to look forward to tonight. Should go well with my Friday night Stella. 😊
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Carrie,
Ah ha … you enjoy Stella … Not surprising because I recall you telling me your beer preferences. Good choice! In terms of watching the Olympics, I don’t like them when they are in the Far East. … and I don’t like the way NBC plays with events to show certain ones during prime time. Fortunately, I tune into their sports channel for live viewing. Enjoy tonight!
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That’s the way to do it if you can. Thanks, you too!
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I noticed that the article on the ubiquitous plastic bag made no mention of alternatives. A short search reveals that a “compostable” bag exists. Seems to me that governments would do well to promote such. The plastic bags are too versatile, cheap and handy to disappear on their own. Kinda like climate change I think.
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Jim,
As usual, I love the fact that you found an article to comment about. Mentioning alternatives to plastic bags would be another article. 😉 …. I couldn’t resist!
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A winter pentathlon competition involving the sports you mentioned is an interesting idea. The key would be to downsize the severity of each event to insure the participants come out alive!
So, what’s behind the GOP’s wholesale dismissal of fiscal responsibility? You’re on the right track with it being a future stance to say No, but I’d like to know the details.
The world would be a better place if everybody read today’s Interesting Reads.
A splat from “Italian grandmother doesn’t have the heart to tell family any dipshit can make lasagna.”
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TIm,
My idea for a winter pentathlon would be continuous … a race from one event to the next …. not over a certain number of days. I may come up with a sequence.
The GOP losing sight of fiscal responsibility is simple …. get what you can when you can … that’s what majorities do … and a reason why I’ve been an advocate for divided government during this toxic period of our history.
Meanwhile, glad to know I delivered a splat.
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Curling is becoming my favorite winter sport.
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Hansi,
I like curling … Kind of like watch chess … a bit slow moving … but strategic and very skilled. … and yes …. I’ve curled before!
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IT is so strange that I get into curling only during the Olympics. Of course, Canadians rule at curling 😉
That said. I have no words for yet another mass shooting.
And, strangely, or ironically, you are the second blogger I follow who shared Cat Stevens’ “Peace Train” this week….
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Dale,
Canadians have been rocking in Korea … and yes, in terms of curling, the road to the Gold goes through Canada. Believe or not – I’ve curled …. took it as a PE in college as we had one of the few on-campus curling rinks in the country!
Peace Train twice this week? Wow … serendipity strikes!
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Cool… on the trying curling. I still have not!
Serendipity indeed…
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It’s fun! … and not easy!
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Ha! Your senator and one of mine (Cory Gardner) must subscribe to the same list service that churns out non-sensical form letters that do not answer legitimate questions to constituents. And because of gerrymandering in the House, there is little incentive for any of them to respond to anyone not in their tribe. Our country devolves a little lower each day. *Sigh* {Exhibit A: Lindsey Vonn having to defend her recent run without reaching the medal stands from Trump supporting hateful trolls. Egad people, WTH is wrong with us?}
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Monika,
I’m about as independent and moderate as there is, so I dish my criticisms and deliver praises without looking through a partisan lens, but too many of these jokers make it very easy. Senator Portman is a good guy, but in the last year his actions have caused me to sour on him. Whereas I voted for him before, but didn’t last time (even knowing he would win). What the partisan trolls are doing to Lindsey Vonn is ridiculous! Thanks for stopping by your initial OITS. 🙂
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Tribal politics are making life far more difficult than it should be-for everyone. These guys were elected to legislate, not fall lock step into a gigantic lemming leap. Grrr
Once again, I’m grateful for coming across your thoughtful blog. Thanks for keeping it real.
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These days not only do we have tribal politics, we also have tribal morality. … and to think I know people who voted for President Trump because they thought Hillary Clinton was such a bad person.
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Oh…don’t get me started. The short sightedness of electing that man over someone (regardless of what you thought of her) who was so well qualified is astounding to my brain. So much for the greater good mentality. Something truly lacking in this country for some time. Being a naturalized citizen I take the current state of affairs so hard. And to think me and my mom had to work to become citizens and for what…this?
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I too was foreign born … but immediate citizenship. … but my mother had a green card.
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The US government (by way of the military) refused by immigration. My dad had to obtain special permission from our state US senator at the time. He wrote a special bill to allow reunification with my parents who came to America months before I was allowed in. The Army made my parents formally ‘adopt’ me after my birth. Despite all this I have been a proud and active citizen, doing what all citizens should do-vote and participate. These days I am ashamed at what this great country has deteriorated into. From where do you hail?
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Thanks for sharing your story. We look at the issue through a different lens. Italian born … Dad first-gen born here as grandparents also Italian … On Mom’s side, still have an aunt and 4 first cousins there. Any you?
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German born and think I’m a few years older than you. There was a lot of backlash against German war brides. My mom is an only child so not much in the way of relatives beyond a grand niece to my step grandmother who is long passed. I am good friends with her the niece though and wish I could get backfire visits more often. We have traveled together to various destinations around the world.
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I see you point. Regarding my age … hmmm … you’ll find out. 😉
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PS: On a lighter note, come on over to the next post.
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Working on it. My inbox has exploded these past couple of days (BTW, thank you very much for the ginormous boost in my blog stats!). Will get there ASAP.
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No problem … I remember those days before learning how to streamline blog email.
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I’m a bit OCD and go berserk when there’s a backlog of emails.
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Oh my … hope you get it under control … it’s too overwhelming.
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I’ll get ‘er done…one way or another, even if I stay up all night. I think the OCD is known as being a Virgo! LOL
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I can provide pointers if you like. (but not today)
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I would be very grateful for that!
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If I forget, remind me!
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You got it!
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