From the Wide, Wide World of Logical Fallcies

Friday, November 23, 2018



When you assume a fringe element of a community of thought is representative of all elements of the community, you are guilty of the Hasty Generalization Fallacy.

Remember, kids, Nazis are to conservatives what Antifa is to liberals. And it's probably a-okay to punch either of them in the face.

Link Me Up, Scotty - And then fly me away from here

Tuesday, November 13, 2018

From the "the older I get the more I realize how much I don't know" files: Psychology Today reports the Dunning-Kruger effect may help explain Trump's support. It's worth noting that this phenomena is not limited to conservatives. Ignorant liberals are just as likely to believe they're the cat's pyjamas in lieu of alternative evidence. It's also worth noting that this phenomena strikes the less educated more often than the highly educated, and is thus more common among 45 supporters.

H/T Debbie the Librarian
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As most of the geek-iverse is aware, Stan Lee shuffled off this mortal coil yesterday. He will be wildly missed by those who came of age with his art at their side, and also by those of us who began enjoying his imagination later in life. He was 95, which constitutes a good, long life, and I was unsurprised by the announcement of his death. He lost his wife of 69 years last year, and such an emotional blow often leads to health issues. Fair winds and following seas, Stan Lee. Your legacy lives on.
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When I started seeing memes on Facebook about 45's cancellation of his visit to the Aisne-Marne American cemetery due to rain, at first I thought it was a case of overreaction. Surely, I thought, even the Asshat in Chief wouldn't be so crass as to skip this event on such an important anniversary.

Of course I was wrong - he is that crass and that soft. Apparently it's just too much to ask for him to be driven to an event in a limousine rather than riding there in Marine One. Disgraceful.
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The rumor mill has Hillary Clinton running for President again in 2020. I'm not sure how I feel about this, other than to comment that I'd really like to see younger candidates on my ballot in 2020. I'm at a point where I'd like my choices to be something other than people over 70.

Disclaimer: No offense meant to those over 70. After all, my favorite government official is over 80. I just want candidates who have more flexible minds, and are able to offer fresh insight into our problems.
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Speaking of the Notorious RBG, she's out of the hospital and already back to work. Because of course she is. Holy guacamole, that woman is a badass.
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Apparently the NRA stuck their foot in it again when they tried to tell doctors to "stay in their lane' when they published a study regarding gun violence. Doctors responded ferociously.  Forensic pathologist and author Judy Melinek provided my favorite tweet: "Do you have any idea how many bullets I pull our of corpses weekly? This isn't just my lane. It's my fucking highway."

Bonus foot-in-mouth disease: The NRA tweeted their ignorance just hours before the tragic Thousand Oaks shooting.
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Let's do a little Video of the Week and end on a positive note: Here's Black Violin performing their single "Stereotypes."


I am a Veteran

Sunday, November 11, 2018

I am a veteran, a veteran's wife, a veteran's mother, a veteran's daughter, a veteran's granddaughter.

I've been in harm's way, and watched while those I loved were in harm's way.

I've served on land, and on sea, in the United States, and abroad.

I've worked to keep the sea lanes open around the world, and instructed the next generation of warrior sailors.

I've slept on the ground, in Navy ships, in barracks, and on cots.

I've seen regard for the military ebb and flow, depending on the politics of the moment. I've seen my brothers and sisters in arms used for political capital at the hands of the dishonorable, and I've seen the Armed Forces receive the highest level of respect from the population we protect.  
And never, for one minute, have I regretted my service. It was my privilege to come of age in the warrior culture, and to serve alongside my brothers and sisters in arms. 

So today I salute my fellow veterans, my fellow sailors, my fellow warriors. Thank you for your service, and for serving with me.

Today

Tuesday, November 6, 2018

Today, we exercise our franchise by partaking in our Republic's democratic process.

Today, we perform our duty as citizens of our country, regardless of our political preferences or positions.

Today, we honor those who have fought for this freedom, by doing our research, and voting responsibly and in accordance with our values. 

Today, we help determine the course of our country, for good or for ill. 

Today, we determine the fate of many of our fellow Americans, and those who do not yet have the privilege of helping to choose our nation's path.
 
Today, we make a statement about our character, and the character of our nation, which is a reflection of the women and men we choose to lead us.
 
Today, we take responsibility for our country and our leaders, because our leadership is a reflection of us, and what we believe. 

Today, we vote. Let us do so wisely.