Open (More or Less) Post on Covid 65

[ecosophia]

As we proceed through the second year of these open posts, it's pretty clear that the official narrative is cracking as the toll of deaths and injuries from the Covid vaccines rises steadily and the vaccines themselves demonstrate their total uselesness at preventing Covid infection or transmission. It's still important to keep watch over the mis-, mal- and nonfeasance of our self-proclaimed health gruppenfuehrers, and the disastrous results of the Covid mania, but I think it's also time to begin thinking about what might be possible as the existing medical industry reels under the impact of its own self-inflicted injuries. 

So it's time for another open post. The rules are the same as before: 

1. If you plan on parroting the party line of the medical industry and its paid shills, please go away. This is a place for people to talk openly, honestly, and freely about their concerns that the party line in question is dangerously flawed and that actions being pushed by the medical industry et al. are causing injury and death. It is not a place for you to dismiss those concerns. Anyone who wants to hear the official story and the arguments in favor of it can find those on hundreds of thousands of websites.

2. If you plan on insisting that the current situation is the result of a deliberate plot by some villainous group of people or other, please go away. There are tens of thousands of websites currently rehashing various conspiracy theories about the Covid-19 outbreak and the vaccines. This is not one of them. What we're exploring is the likelihood that what's going on is the product of the same arrogance, incompetence, and corruption that the medical industry and its tame politicians have displayed so abundantly in recent decades. That possibility deserves a space of its own for discussion, and that's what we're doing here. 
 
3. If you plan on using rent-a-troll derailing or disruption tactics, please go away. I'm quite familiar with the standard tactics used by troll farms to disrupt online forums, and am ready, willing, and able -- and in fact quite eager -- to ban people permanently for engaging in them here. Oh, and I also lurk on other Covid-19 vaccine skeptic blogs, so I'm likely to notice when the same posts are showing up on more than one venue. 

4. If you don't believe in treating people with common courtesy, please go away. I have, and enforce, a strict courtesy policy on my blogs and online forums, and this is no exception. The sort of schoolyard bullying that takes place on so many other internet forums will get you deleted and banned here. Also, please don't drag in current quarrels about sex, race, religious, etc. No, I don't care if you disagree with that: my journal, my rules. 

With that said, the floor is open for discussion.    

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

meme:
https://t.me/covidbc/6142

[(Anonymous)]

Thats a good one, had to chuckle

Another sudden celebrity death

[(Anonymous)]

Former child star Aaron Carter dies at age 34:

https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/aaron-carter-dies-203011259.html

From drowning, it is claimed.

Re: Another sudden celebrity death

[(Anonymous)]

He was struggling with drug addiction, so I'd assume it was drugs before anything else.

[(Anonymous)]

Someone 'alternative' (a shaman and astrologer) who got the first 2 shots and derided us who didn't as weirdos who don't trust the government has posted this on FB.

"I wish the NHS would stop stalking me to have another Covid vaccine. I don't want one. I only had them in the first place as a protest against the paranoid nonsense that some people were coming out with."

The response was:

"Not sure if the nominees for this year's Darwin award have been submitted yet. But I think this statement is in with a good shout."

LOL.

[(Anonymous)]

Some conversations today. I'm getting the impression that there are many people who got vaxxed like good little citizens for school, work and travel, and being able to see elderly parents, etc., and actually, are still fine with that (for them, vaccines = modern + good, and authorized = approved, and gene therapy = conspiracy theory, and Bobby Kennedy = anti-vaxxer nut), however, they do not want the never-ending boosters and they're getting pissed about the many and ever-changing rules (masking especially) and social fussiness.

In other words, these people drank the Koolaid but they've had enough now, thank you very much.

They're not asking questions because they just want to close the whole chapter, keep their peace of mind, and move on.

It's been interesting, how month by month things change...

Cestiosuarus

[bofur_the_dwarf]

I have wanted to write about my time last weekend at the Free Speech in Medicine Conference (www.freespeechinmedicine.com/2022conf-agenda), but it's been hard to find words sufficient to express how powerful the experience was.

I think that the best way to convey it would be to refer to a comment on Trish Wood's substack:

https://trishwood.substack.com/p/of-heretics-and-heroes/comment/10174505

I agree with the commenter that perhaps it's no coincidence that the conference took place during the Emergencies Act Inquiry, because the two are spiritually linked.

As anyone will know who's been following this week's testimony by Convoy organizers, one of the dominant themes that emerges is the way that the Convoy brought hope to so many people. The Convoy broke the Narrative with a message of love, not fear. There are thousands and thousands of people who feel the same way as you.

I felt that for me, as a physician, last weekend broke the Narrative in a bit of a different way, which is, it's not possible to believe any longer that doctors, lawyers, professionals and academics who see a problem with the past 3 years are a "small fringe minority".

I described the weekend to several friends as "healing", but to misquote Sam Gamgee, "that don't do it justice by a long road". I believe (literally) that the atmosphere was supernaturally charged with a spirit of unity and humanity. Prior to the weekend, one might say that I saw through a glass darkly; now I see clearly that there are many others, from everywhere, on this journey, and the time for being afraid is past.

If you get a chance to attend anything like this, please do. You won't regret it.

A highlight of my life was hanging out with Jay Battacharya in his hotel room, which goes to show that when you step out on a path that you know is right, even if it seems scary, incredible doors get opened.

P.S. I met up with a doctor friend of mine at the conference. This friend had lately come from his class reunion. He told me, "Initially I didn't even want to go to my reunion, I didn't want to have to get in arguments with people and so forth. And do you know what happened? The whole evening people were coming up to me saying, 'Hey, you know what, you were right the whole time.'"

[(Anonymous)]

Thank you for this, bofur, and I am delighted to hear that it was such an excellent experience.

Cetiosaurus

Well blow me down

[(Anonymous)]

Fetterman speech about Biden being 100% sedition free is immediately followed by all the flags in the background being blown down by a gust of wind.

The gods are not happy with this lot

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JFVugCsIsro

Re: Well blow me down

[(Anonymous)]

That was rather Biblical-esque, but seriously.

[(Anonymous)]

meme

https://twitter.com/CryptoSplurge/status/1589007901594898435/photo/1

[(Anonymous)]

In war sometimes a retreat is fake just to draw you in and give the final blow, and I think Amnesty post and these kind of post announcing an early victory qualify for this.

Vaxx Injuriies / Adverse Reactions

[(Anonymous)]

Just posted -- young and healthy ex-commercial driver left with debilitating headaches and diagnosis of permanent blindness in one eye (therefore can no longer work as a commercial driver).

Brenden Joyce
First Dose of Moderna on 08/24/2021
Second Dose of Moderna on 09/25/2021
Fremont, California
47 yrs old

EXCERPT:

"I am sharing my story in the hopes of being heard and finding what kind of options there are for a case like mine."


READ THE COMPLETE Q & A
https://www.realnotrare.com/post/brenden-joyce

Re: Vaxx Injuriies / Adverse Reactions

[(Anonymous)]

This could be giant cell arteritis

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/giant-cell-arteritis/symptoms-causes/syc-20372758

COPY-PASTE:
"Giant cell arteritis is an inflammation of the lining of your arteries. Most often, it affects the arteries in your head, especially those in your temples. For this reason, giant cell arteritis is sometimes called temporal arteritis.

Giant cell arteritis frequently causes headaches, scalp tenderness, jaw pain and vision problems. Untreated, it can lead to blindness.

Prompt treatment with corticosteroid medications usually relieves symptoms of giant cell arteritis and might prevent loss of vision. You'll likely begin to feel better within days of starting treatment. But even with treatment, relapses are common.

You'll need to visit your doctor regularly for checkups and treatment of any side effects from taking corticosteroids."

[(Anonymous)]

Is this tweet about RFK Jr. and the Supreme Court ruling true or somebody's
imagination / misunderstanding / hopeful thinking?
I'm a bit surprised (if it is true) that there have not been bonfires in the streets.

https://twitter.com/JDTomba/status/1588976658563756032/photo/1

[tritumi]

It is a hoax.

[(Anonymous)]

Nice picture of pills!

What needs to be said is that, more often than not, it is exactly the same pill made by the same manufacturer being sold for widely different prices.
Even comparing the US and Canada, the prices are often very different. For example, Jublia (Efinaconazole), a liquid antibiotic to treat toenail fungus, wholesales for about CDN $100.00 (US $75) for an 8 ml bottle. For a 4 ml bottle in the US, made by the same manufacturer, the wholesale price is US $750.00 (CDN $ $1000.00). Ten times the price for half as much.

As for the future of pharmaceuticals, I can suggest an easy fix that will take care of a lot of such problems: Allow local pharmacies to make from scratch their own preparations of prescription drugs.

As a recent example, I remember when Albuterol nebulizer pods went off patent--
A pack of 30 generic pods sold for about $25.00 at the time. Then, a pharmacist started manufacturing pod-filling equipment, empty pods, a sealer, and albuterol powder by the pound. Pharmacists who bought this setup could manufacture pods with the same content for about $3.00 a box. We sold them for $10.00 a box, far undercutting the generic manufacturers.

Unfortunately, it all came to a sudden end when, by a freakish coincidence, all the generic Albuterol pod makers lowered their wholesale prices to about $6.00 a box! Shortly after, additional regulations were put into effect prohibiting local pharmacies from compounding generic products that were otherwise commercially available--Unless they apply for a manufacturer's license and pay for the required extra licenses and inspections.
This one-two punch put most of us pod-makers out of business, and prices for generic pods began to inch up after that.

It is still possible to skirt the restrictions for things like this. If a prescriber writes for 0.090% pods (instead of the standard 0.083%) they can still be legally compounded.

With the current environment of rolling shortages of many types of prescriptions, combined with increasing transport costs, I can see that we will need to go back to a model of making our own Rxs from local ingredients. Probably there won't be as many types of meds, but don't be surprised if they are cheaper...

Supercomputers, models, machine learning and reality

[(Anonymous)]

I am just thinking how come none of those supercomputer models predicted 1 foot blood clots.

Or did they?

Re: Supercomputers, models, machine learning and reality

[(Anonymous)]

Well, that's easy. Those models are garbage.

Pandemic, Bovid, Lock Down and Peak Oil Science and the next begging for amnesty

[(Anonymous)]

This comment may come as off topic, but Peak Oil, much exactly Peak Tight Oil, more exactly Permian Peak is interrelated to the whole PMC, "science" debate and "experts know better" narrative. One of those discussion that will surely affect our future even more than the whole pandemic, Bovid, lockdown is taking place in the comments of this thread, this against is against people drawing models and people who worked in the field:

https://peakoilbarrel.com/us-august-oil-production-at-post-pandemic-high/#comment-748473

...

If skinny goat pasture away from these core areas was so good, and going to result in so much EURR in the future, why aren’t these Permian guys out there banging away at that stuff at these higher prices? Because it sucks out there, thats why. Pioneer’s jefe just last week said exactly that and that his company is retreating back to the safety of its sweet spots for better returns.

...

It makes for an interesting reading, I would follow Gerry, Mike and Ron, LTO Survivor

If Permian just slows down then, the entire way of living business as usual is over and done in US and pretty much everywhere within Global American Empire sphere.

I think this is very important because it relates with the whole post-pandemic, post-lockdown, post-waxxine tinder box atmosphere, and when everyone and their pundits mentions civil war like is the next Thanksgiving.


An oil crisis in US just when the SPR is at historic lows would be catastrophic. And I can see the PMC class begging for amnesty, that they didn't know better. Check the comments in the thread there people working in oil for 60 years say it loud and clear.




Another of commenters who worked in the field :

...
There is no way the increase you suggest will be happening. Did you notice the aggressive drawdown of DUC inventory in the last 18 months? Without the DUC completions, we would have seen little to no production growth in the Permian (including New Mexico) Prices need to be at least above $125 per barrel to expand drilling and completions taking into account current inflated costs. Furthermore, once we do start seeing production declines, they will be like falling off of a cliff. You will see a greater than a 100,000 BOPD each month.

Another real problem with the Permian is gas take away. The Producers are getting hammered with low Natural gas prices and Pipeline Midstream Companies are loathed to commit a tremendous amount of capital to build to this region when they know, the region will begin terminal decline very shortly.


...

what gives? is this the reason why the Russians and the Chinese buy time?

Maybe our generous guest will open a thread on these matters.

Re: Pandemic, Bovid, Lock Down and Peak Oil Science and the next begging for amnesty

[(Anonymous)]

As a long time peak oil follower I'd suggest it's a fool errands trying to guess future oil price or availability

That being sad, sooner or later it will all come crashing down, so why not tomorrow?

Dr John Campbell UK

[(Anonymous)]

Dr Campbell has been a must follow since this whole covid nonsense started,
of late he has become quite distressed and world weary, there are limits to what he can express explicitly on youtube,

in his latest vid he lets EU and UK representatives do the talking and submits official data, he is very concerned by excess deaths and the establishments lack of reaction to this disconcerting data,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gstEyC0eMQ

Re: Dr John Campbell UK

[(Anonymous)]

The denial is great with Dr. Campbell

Also he is hooked on YT, if he would have wanted to talk more truth he would have turned to rumble and changed his patronage to a freer platform, he is still on the fence 2 years latter not acceptable stopped following his videos.

Flame of Freedom Still Burning Bright in Alberta

[(Anonymous)]

While the interminable inquiry into the evocation of the Emergencies Act has been the elephant in the room in Canada, other “freedom stuff” has been going on. One is the trial of three Albertans in association with the blockade of the border crossing between Coutts Alberta and Sweet Grass Montana at the time of the massive protest in Ottawa. Many of us believe that it was the massive blockade by truckers, farmers and cowboys/cowgirls (yes, seriously – gotta love Alberta!) that was the event that triggered the abandonment of provincial fox-and-mask mandates across the country. There was not a single event of violence during the two-week blockade (although large group singing of the national anthem and recitations of the Lord’s Prayer happened a lot– not sure if that counts as ‘violence’ in Canada these days). Just the same, a false flag was created to discredit the protest and so these three men (Marco Van Huigenbos, Alex Van Herk, and George Janzen) were charged with ‘mischief over $5,000’ and have been incarcerated ever since. They appeared in court yesterday (Saturday): the lawyer representing the province wants each man to serve a 10 year sentence.

Word got out about the court proceedings: add freedom-loving Albertans and mix and what have you got? A convoy! Truckers and civilians from all corners of the province converged on the small city of Lethbridge to show their solidarity. Plenty of police were also there (y’know, to prevent Armageddon or something). As far as I know, it was an entirely peaceful event. One protester held a huge sign which asked, quite logically: “If these men deserve 10 years for blocking 1 border for 2 weeks, how long should some politicians serve for blocking all of our crossings for a year?”

Rebel News had a strong presence at the event (it is also crowd funding the legal fees for the three accused protesters): https://www.rebelnews.com/convoy_supporting_truckers_charged_in_relation_to_coutts_blockade_heads_to_lethbridge?fbclid=IwAR0SZsESw7ftlL5FguWNb4_dlSXWE9akKzcSVJOOW6-yNbqWwV0uyyBH7ng

Though it has not been covered by the media (even alternative, as far as I know), freedom fighters in many cities across Canada did a 'slow roll' on Saturday in support of, and out of respect to, the three men accused in Alberta.

Also - though it does not directly tie in with the topic of this post - one of the unions of the Toronto District School Board went on ("illegal") strike on Friday (i.e., they are defying freshly created back-to-school legislation). Virtually all other school-related unions across the province have joined in, as well as many non-school unions. Naturally, trucker unions joined in the fray. Various unions are pouring money into the protest. And lots of parents are in full support. A strong mood of determined opposition to tyranny is brewing among an ever larger proportion of the populace. Coming soon: pitchforks and torches. If I were Premier Doug Ford, I'd be packing my bags and buying a flight to some remote corner of the planet just about now.

Honk honk!

Ron M

Re: Flame of Freedom Still Burning Bright in Alberta

[(Anonymous)]

Those cowboys and cowgirls out on their horses were amazing!!!

[(Anonymous)]

So there's been a bust up in twitterland between the pro vaxx occultists like Hughes and the antis like Gordon White. White writes:

You cannot hold onto the anger and resentment or it will make you sick. Releasing and clearing that energy is not forgiveness. It is healing and self-preservation. If you don’t do this, you will die mad like my tory cokehead stalker. How do you know when you’re ‘done’? Something Joe Dispenza says is useful here: “A memory without energy is wisdom.” When you recall what happened to you, or what people said about you, or the threats and coercions and other violences done to you, do the memories still have a ‘charge’? If so, then you need to be doing some energy releasing until they don’t.

https://runesoup.com/2022/11/dont-get-it-twisted-i-didnt-say-forgive/

[(Anonymous)]

Excellent, balanced, sound, sane advice.
Thanks for sharing this!

Ron M

Another update from one nursing student

[(Anonymous)]

I have posted here before, and now it is time to give an update. The curriculum at my school seems to demand that all of us listen to the lies and be as indoctrinated as possible. I write this update out of great sadness because while we are participating in classes called "Health Literacy," where they teach us how to write propaganda professionally, two of my classmates have attempted suicide, which I personally believe is from the ever-growing demonic chants and mantras from the vax, that have been thrown around recently. Many around me are saying life is not worth it and have suicide jokes hinted in every single sentence. My friends tell me that there is no life for them... I'm not sure what to do, but this frightens me. If I could ask a small favor of any of the commentariat to pray for me. I am young, and I came to nursing school to learn basic skills to care for people. I'm not so sure about that idea anymore.

Re: Another update from one nursing student

[ecosophia]

Positive energy en route!

David Bell Article on Really Big Lies

[(Anonymous)]

I came across a recent article by David Bell (public health physician and biotech consultant) for Brownstone Institute that looks at the phenomenon of the Really Big Lie (i.e., a lie that is so divorced from reality that the listener will assume their own perception must be flawed rather than the claims of the person speaking to them) in the context of what’s been going on since early 2020 regarding a particular health ‘crisis’. See: https://brownstone.org/articles/global-health-and-the-art-of-really-big-lies/

Not only does he describe the current manifestation of the phenomenon but the long-term damage that it will do.

One of my favourite excerpts: “Standing on 2019 principles and practice, refuting the falsehoods [previously listed] has been sufficient for health practitioners to be denigrated and forced out of employment in many Western countries. This is the clear mark of fascism and is making the international public health field a specific threat to the health and welfare of others.”

Though it covers a lot of ground that is familiar to yours truly and many members of this group, I found the writing style to be refreshing and so felt inspired to sharing it.

Ron M

[(Anonymous)]

I have a theory about this amnesty/forgiveness jibber jabber.

Instead of the pro-vaccinators making an actual appeal for an amnesty/forgiveness, perhaps what this represents is the bargaining phase of grief?

It seems pretty obvious that IF the pro-vaccinators have all made a terrible health mistake by getting vaccinated that they cannot become 'right' by receiving an amnesty, or forgiveness, from the anti-vaccination side. Instead, they'll have to work things through with nature/reality.

Surely, being 'right' in this case can only come from thinking and behaving in a way that comports with the facts/reality, so the whole forgiveness/amnesty proposition seems wrongheaded if what they are looking to achieve is safety and security. And of course, how we 'feel' about reality doesn't change the fact that it exists. Pleading with the oncoming hurricane is unlikely to help so much as seeking shelter. Similarly, the unvaccinated could wish the vaccinated all the well in the world as the storm approaches, and it won't mean a whole lot if the physical reality of receiving the shots is 'category 5' dangerous.

Same thing applies if events happen to go the other way of course.

Only the pro-vaccinated can make themselves in the 'right' if their perceptions/beliefs and actions are out of lockstep with reality. Fortunately for them, they also happen to be the ones with all of the institutions, politicians, media, etc. lined up on their side, so they are in a good place to change how they think and behave. After all, they are the ones with the power and msm authority, including presumably the power to amnesty themselves (the unvaccinated certainly are surely in a worse position to do that) if they wanted to. I guess all 'team vaccinated/pro-vaccinators' have to do is get over themselves and get motivated to do something different.

"Can we please all just let bygones be bygones and get along?"

Sure, if it helps get people moving, but the vaccinated really need to plead their case with nature/reality, not the unvaccinated, because concessions from nature aren't the unvaccinated's to give!

The vaccinated must realize this themselves, which seemingly supports the argument that what is happening is opening salvos of the bargaining process that the vaccinated need to go through before they can arrive at accepting the inevitable conclusion that nature/reality doesn't bargain, followed by going about the business of comporting with reality like all rational and logical people ultimately have to do after they have made a mistake.

But okay, if it helps the vaccinated feel any better to have my personal forgiveness then they have it. Now it's up to them to go out and make themselves 'right' with nature/reality, which is something that they have to do for themselves. And if the pro-vaccinators have actually made the worst of all terrible mistakes, then for whatever that's worth. I'll be around to hold their hands as events unfold.

This is a very strange time, with all sorts of strange behaviour due to stress, fear, isolation, and mountains of irrational thinking/logical fallacies etc., so if I've lost it a bit myself, I trust you'll all understand.

And whatever the case, and for whatever it's worth, I still plan on objecting to and resisting various aspects of this whole self-inflicted bio-techno authoritarian disaster.

The Ninth Mouse

Censorship and More Tech Layoffs

[(Anonymous)]

In the layoffs of Twitter employees, many of the recently canned posted their screeds to the bird app. It was then revealed that there was a team of people who reported to the United Nations to ensure that UN principles were applied to moderation policies. There were also teams who focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion, and now we also know there was a link to the Homeland Security to ensure disinformation was prevented.

I knew the censorship was bad, but didn't realize there were multiple teams focused on it. Easily 100 managers, plus who know how many direct reports.

Like clockwork, once the layoffs happened a huge surge in "the n word" was reported. The blue checks began fanning themselves like Scarlet O'Hara appalled, never once considering it could be bots or just people goofing off. My word, the elite are a bunch of pansies.

Now Facebook leaked that they are doing massive layoffs this week and I wonder if it will be made up of the same content moderators that Twitter had. If so, I expect the same kind of apoplectic response from the media.

I'm enjoying seeing their agony that their spaces they claim they fought to make safe are now soiled. So many of them are claiming that they are leaving and going to Mastodon but I have the feeling they'll be back. Their whole identity is based on punching down at normal people - finding someone who isn't towing the lib agenda and publicly shaming them into following it. If they are on a social network only with each other, not enough fresh meat for them. Maybe they'll circular firing squad faster.

Twitter firing the censors just prior to the election is interesting, and Facebook doing it right after (hopefully!) is interesting too. They've already said the vote counting will take at least a week which is ridiculous and insane since they've installed computerized everything now. Stay safe out there everyone!

Re: Censorship and More Tech Layoffs

[hearthspirit]

"Their whole identity is based on punching down at normal people - finding someone who isn't towing the lib agenda and publicly shaming them into following it. If they are on a social network only with each other, not enough fresh meat for them. Maybe they'll circular firing squad faster."

[(Anonymous)]

meme:

https://t.me/wakingup1984channel/38980

(asked in EU if the waxxine was tested against transmission the Pftitzer representative said, they had to move to the "speed of science")

[(Anonymous)]

Just read an article about reinfection
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20221031/Italian-study-evaluates-COVID-19-reinfection-risk-among-previously-infected-and-vaccinated-individuals.aspx

There's nothing particularly noteworthy about the numbers, though it does show natural immunity to be better.
However this line in the background section is funny:

"Although disease mitigation measures suggested by the World Health Organization (WHO), such as lockdowns and mask-wearing, were effective, they have not significantly reduced transmission and mortality."

In what way can these measures be called "effective" if they have not significantly reduced transmission and mortality?

[dendroica]

"Although our chemotherapy was effective, it did not significantly extend lifespan or reduce death from cancer."

"Although wind farms were effective, they did not significantly reduce dependence on fossil fuels."

"Although our novel aircraft adhesive was effective, it was associated with a number of aerial wing separation events."

Bitten

[(Anonymous)]

Just read Bitten by Kris Newby and all i gotta say is wow! You know there are people who say we need more data, we need to watch excess deaths, we need to watch fertility rates and stillbirths etc etc. Well i got news for you- we don’t! The writing is on the wall. The damage has been done. They ( the government scientists/researchers etc) have WEAPONIZED NATURE!

Making a weapon of war is one thing, tinkering with creation to make a weapon out of a living entity is another.

To say we’ve gone too far or sold our soul is just the
tip of the iceberg

VA Mtn Man

Re: Bitten

[(Anonymous)]

horror inc thy name is normal.
I'm probably not a good candidate to read such a book.
Now I'm thinking of A Hard Rains' a gonna fall.

[stcathalexandria]

I don't know if this is more of a Magic Monday question for JMG or more of a community question, but its definitely covid related -

The more things return to normal, the more reluctant I am to return to the things I used to enjoy doing. Some of it is the places I was banned from not being jabbed, and knowing those places are filled with and run by people who likely wished me to die last winter. But mostly I just can't get enthusiastic about doing anything that involves large events or being in public places.

So much of what I enjoyed feels so empty and meaningless now. I don't know if its because I now see how many people are going through the motions of life, or if its the knowledge of how quickly people are willing to destroy everything for their ideological (religious?) reasons. I've gone to events again, that I went to every year for over a decade (even in 2020 with masks and thankfully didn't have vax passports in 2021) and this year in 2022 those events are so devoid of life. Things look like they did in previous years, but it just doesn't feel real anymore.

I don't know if any of this makes sense. I can't tell if it's a me problem or others have experienced it too. My vaccinated family still doesn't want to talk about the vax or what people are like out there or anything really. Covid is like the biggest dead elephant in the room suffocating everything.

It could be depression but I'm sleeping like normal, and dressing/showering and actually more productive than ever work wise. In fact I'd say I'm less depressed than I've been through most of the covid mess. Probably finally getting used to living in low-level anxiety.

[(Anonymous)]

Thank you for framing this! Yes, I feel almost exactly the same way.

Immediate family life is full of joy (and challenge), the kid's school is worthwhile, this group here is highly engaging and entertaining, a small group of family friends (who had mixed beliefs over the past few years) is fun, work is enjoyable, but when I enter larger aspects of society, the drive to engage is like having no wind on a flat sea. I just can't bring myself to care, and not for lack of trying or desire. I miss large family gatherings, I miss cultural events, I miss music, I miss holiday celebrations, I miss museums, I miss feeling exasperated at politics. These are all extras for sure, and the important parts of life feel full, but it feels like being in a little bubble, seeing other bubbles float by, with no connection to a societal narrative. More than anything, I miss not feeling like I have to watch the news all the time, because if I don't, some crazy and dangerous thing may be in the process of being mandated.

I've wondered if it was depression as well, but this doesn't feel like it. The outcome seem the same, but the cause feels different. It's hard to verbalize, but you did a good job above.

Murmuration

Election Day

[(Anonymous)]

Tomorrow is election day in the US. I live in what is effectively a blue, one-party state, among the worst in its overreaction to Covid. Many offices won't even have a Republican running.

I plan to write in "RFK Jr." for any such unopposed office, to force the election officials to record it as a more visible protest. (A blank vote is too easily forged after the fact.) Other good candidates might be "Tiffany Dover" or "Hank Aaron."

I'm sure we can have some fun with this folks. Who else should appear as a protest write-in?



*And I'm of course really voting for the few opposition candidates who have opposed mandates, and writing letters to incumbents explaining why I will never again vote for anyone who has not admitted and apologized for their egregious abuse of power.

Re: Election Day

[(Anonymous)]

How about writing in your own name?

[(Anonymous)]

Speaking of Emily Post and proper etiquette
er, Emily Oster and covid etiquette
I just found this Kunstler column from Friday last.
https://kunstler.com/clusterfuck-nation/emily-osters-plea-bargain/

[(Anonymous)]

I would also recommend it.
Cetiosaurus

[(Anonymous)]

As one could have predicted, it appears that Ontario's premier, Doug Ford, has been given immunity from having to testify at the Emergencies inquiry due to "parliamentary privilege".

Note that the judge is from the Federal court. The rot runs deep in Canada.

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/canada/judge-rules-doug-ford-sylvia-jones-immune-from-testifying-at-emergencies-inquiry/ar-AA13PU7U?ocid=mailsignout&pc=U591&cvid=c9379099bc724b01b13cf9c7ea12bc2a

Liam in Toronto

[(Anonymous)]

Well, doesn't that just stink to high heaven?
Maybe Turdeau still has a use for his poodle Dougie-boy... after which he will be thrown to the wolves.

Ron M