RACE

"We always hear that the U.S. has to engage “a deep and honest conversation about race.” That’s good. We need to work out how to move past our nation’s greatest historical failing. But “conversation” doesn’t mean what it used to. You see, that word implies openness to diversity of expressed thought. But these days, one has to agree with the BLM, “structural racism,” and/or “critical race theory” sides of the topic even to be allowed to express an opinion. And if you don’t, CANCELED, baby!" Wesley Smith, National Review Online 3/10

COVID

The City of Norfolk has ended its mask mandate, although some stores & restaurants are still requiring or strongly recommending them. Most of us are no longer wearing masks to church. Attendance was back to normal at our worship services this past week. At our Church Council mtg last night, there was some discussion, however, re:  whether we're doing enough to social distance at the communion rail.

"The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are not having a great week. First, in USA Today, a group of doctors is accusing the CDC of misinterpreting their research and using it to downplay the need to reopen schools, contending the CDC guidance on reopening schools is an  “example of fears influencing and resulting in misinterpretation of science and harmful policy” . . . Second, the airline industry argues that the CDC guidelines for vaccinated people issued this week make no sense because they still discourage vaccinated people from traveling. Unvaccinated people are traveling while wearing masks now; why would it be considered particularly risky for vaccinated people to do the same while wearing masks on airplanes, etc.?" Jim Geraghty, NRO, 3/10

"Noem:  Meia used fear 'to push an agenda' during COVID pandemic." Drudge, 3/10 She's the governor of SD. She's my 2nd favorite governor after our own NE governor, Pete Ricketts.

"Vitamin D supplements offer NO Covid benefits." Ditto

DR. SEUSS

This week, Dr. Seuss Enterprises announced it would stop the sale and distribution of six classic volumes from the great children's author. Those volumes, said the company, violate its commitment to "messages of hope, inspiration, inclusion, and friendship." The books include portrayals of people "in ways that are hurtful and wrong" . . .  

"Our societal turn from actual, measurable harm toward subjective, psychological harm places us on the road to complete devastation of our culture and our rights. Now anyone who offends -- or even has the potential to offend -- can be, and indeed ought to be, fired. Now any book -- no matter how old or how inoffensive -- can be, and indeed ought to be, banned. Now any kernel of information -- no matter how true -- can be discarded. 

"This formulation puts all power in the hands of those who are most easily offended -- or at least those who claim to be. The offense itself is the weapon. Legal torts require damages; societal torts merely require a claim of damages, without evidence. No one can explain just how a drawing in "If I Ran the Zoo" has contributed to actual racism; there are no recorded incidents of a single white supremacist citing "And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street" as a formative source in his racist worldview. But any academic with a computer and a degree in postmodern nonsense can take those books off the shelves simply by claiming that offense is possible." Ben Shapiro, Townhall, 3/10

TRENDING

"Oldest known pet cemetery found in Egypt." Drudge Report, 3/10

"MO angler catches 112-lb invasive black carp." Ditto  The largest fish I've ever caught was a 10-lb snapper in the Gulf of Mexico.

"42% now consider themselves germaphobes." Ditto

"STUDY:  'BS artists' most likely to get duped themselves." Ditto  

"Biden removed from White House after biting aide." Babylon Bee

"SD passes controversial law banning mountain lions from competing in women's sports." Ditto

"'I sure am glad I don't live in one of those Banana Republics' says man as he walks by wall indefinitely surrounding capitol." Ditto

POLITICAL POTPOURRI

"At a March 8 White House event to announce the nomination of two female generals to lead U.S. military combatant commands, President Joe Biden seemed to forget the name of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and where Austin works. Since the theme of the president's mental acuity is still associated with memes of former President Donald Trump, the media desperately wanted to forget this happened . . . Is it any wonder that half of America thinks the press is in the tank for Biden?" Tim Graham, Townhall, 3/10