Tech Giants Cry Foul / Who Controls the Truth?

Most would agree that the days we are living are strange and getting stranger. Our republic is suffering from deep fissures and few agree on the most pressing issues, forget about a pathway to unity and healing. One thing is clear, we cannot fix ourselves and without real solutions soon, our country is no longer guaranteed a bright and stable future. 

Today let's examine a couple of issues that are facing our nation and impacting almost everyone on a daily basis.

This news came out of Washington D.C. this week. President Biden accused social media companies of "killing people' by allowing misinformation to be spread on their sites. (He was speaking in regard to Covid-19 information, which in his opinion, was spreading false information throughout the Internet)

Now we'll circle back to the phrase, "in his opinion", in a few moments. But for new let's examine the rather predictable reaction from the leaders of these tech companies - "We are doing the best we can" followed by the refrain, "We are not responsible for all the content on our sites."

The problem is they cannot occupy both sides of this issue . . . 

Jerry Granelli

In honor of Jerry Granelli who was the last surviving member of the Vince Guaraldi Trio. He was probably best known for playing drums on the soundtrack A Charlie Brown Christmas. Check out this video of his performance of "Linus and Lucy" in 2014. He died today at the age of 81.

The Shot Heard 'Round The World

Unveiled on April 19, 1875, The Minute Man statue, by sculptor Daniel Chester French, is an American icon and has stood guard over hallowed ground ever since. It is set near the spot where the first colonial militiamen were killed in Concord on that fateful day in 1775.

The seven foot tall bronze statue was cast from old Civil War cannons by the Ames Foundry of Chicopee Massachusetts. The pedestal base measures over seven feet tall and four feet on each side. Inscribed on the front facing is the first stanza of the poem “The Concord Hymn” by Ralph Waldo Emerson:

"By the rude bridge that arched the flood,

Their flag to April’s breeze unfurled,

Here once the embattled farmers stood,

And fired the shot heard round the world."

Random Thoughts . . .

I think it's so cool that my favorite sport considers their modern era to be anytime after the 1900's. (Baseball)

But I would be less than honest if I didn't admit that my loyalties start to shift as fall approaches and the college football season is just on the horizon.

I wonder who christened the sport, "Football" when only a small percentage of the time do feet even come in contact with the ball?

How many of you have spent any amount of time deconstructing the time / multiple universe theories put forth in Marvel's "Avengers: End Game?"

And why couldn't they simply go into the past and kill Thanos before he grew to adulthood?

I wonder how long Eve stared at the fruit hanging from the forbidden tree before taking a bite? Did she just get bored in paradise and wander over to the one place she wasn't allowed to be? Did she nonchalantly plan her morning walks to draw her closer and closer to that spot? And why did Adam not directly intervene instead of becoming a willing participant?

In the 1998 Home Run Derby there were 10 participants and they hit a total of 82 home runs. Twenty one years later in the 2019 Home Run Derby there were 8 participants and they hit a total of 312 home runs.

I think in 2021 fame is the most desired currency.

And at what cost?