Message Received
I worked with a nice lady in the 90's who was a close relative of Robert Wyland. She introduced me to Wyland's iconic murals of whales. So this story … felt bad. Dallas, Texas decided, without telling anyone, to paint over one of his beloved murals occupying two walls of a parking garage painted in 1992. Why? Because they're hosting the World Cup this summer and want to paint over it with a soccer-related picture. The public is upset. I think it is an apt statement about our notion of the importance of public image in general and the trivial and trending in particular over a love of nature and concern for the public. Message received, Dallas.
Misplaced Emphasis
The NAACP is concerned about voting rights in the South. They're calling on black athletes, recruits, fans, and donors to withhold athletic and financial support … from state universities in the South. Whether or not their concern is valid, I'm always disappointed when these groups (all kinds of groups) target their protests at those who have no say in the matter. Universities don't make laws or policy. Why boycott them? Whether it's a protest blocking a freeway that fouls an entire city's traffic or an organization boycotting universities for something the governments are doing, I don't understand this misplaced emphasis as a strategy.
Maybe Not The Best Strategy?
In a bid to end the war, Iran has made a remarkable step at forming peaceful links. They’ve declared the Strait of Hormuz a “controlled maritime zone” where they plan to charge tolls of up to $2 million in tolls for passage. Yeah … that should settle the whole question. Or … maybe … make most governments turn on them. I don’t know.
Monkey See, Monkey Do
Two teen gunmen shot up the Islamic Center in San Diego, killing three, and then killed themselves. It illustrates a stupid trait among too many of us. We hate something about another group … so we express it … the way we hate they do. Like a son who hates his alcoholic father and gets drunk about it. Or a woman who becomes overbearing and obnoxious to men she hates for being overbearing and obnoxious. Sin rots the brain.
Your Best Source for Fake News
With the spate of fires around Los Angeles (actual story), the Bee takes the opportunity to note that the smoke signals Karen Bass is still mayor. And Zillow, seeing the trend, added a new feature showing if California homes listed are currently on fire. Helpful, aren't they? In other news, scholars have determined that John the Baptist chose the name to differentiate between his primary competitor, John the Presbyterian. Thanks, John.
Must be true; I read it on the internet.
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