tdhoosier

Remember those texts message and social media posts about a federal shutdown back in March? Intel shows that China was behind those: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/22/us/politics/coronavirus-china-disinformation.html Regarding the tech companies, should they not block stuff like the above...a lie that Trump was going to shut down the country and bring out the national guard? Is that censoring if it’s origination was from a foreign government? On one hand, if you don’t like what FaceBook and Twitter censoring news, then you don’t have to use either of their platforms. And if we get our news from FB and Twitter, thanks to their algorithms, we are only getting news from our “bubble”.....it supports our individual narrative that is unchallenged and lacks any intellectual depth. ANY bit of info received on social media needs to be heavily vetted. I’ve seen 2 posts so far on Facebook before they were blocked and I knew they were so untrue it wasn’t funny. Both were easily disputed. After they were blocked the users were crying that they were censored, which I thought was laughable. I’m not sure quite how to feel about this. It’s like posting a meme that the sky is red and then getting mad at Facebook after they claim it’s false information. But I do understand it can be a slippery slope to ask social media companies to do this. In the end, if you don’t like it, then don’t use their platforms. Boycott them! I wish more people would stop using their platforms for news anyway. It’s slowly destroying our country by spreading us further apart. Social media is a huge reason to why we can’t even agree on what facts are actually facts anymore.

A couple of my favorite native Bloomington artists: Busman’s Holiday and Mike Adams at His Honest Weight:

I gotta admit that my wife and I watched Outer Banks too and enjoyed it, but man was it stupid. Haha. My wife just shared this article with me that I thought was funny: 7 Things About The Outer Banks That Simply Do No Make Sense. A couple of other not mentioned in the article that I thought of: How did the old blind lady move out of that house and how did they close on it so quickly? Since when do the police allow the public to join in on a man hunt?

Speaking of pre-planning...i really wish I could remember the Exact details so bear with me... Fauci said that they are going to work on manufacturing vaccines before they are approved, hoping to have one ready to administer right away upon approval. Apparently manufacturing these can take months. Of course, this can backfire if the vaccines don’t work because they’ll be left with a lot of useless vaccines. But desperate times are calling for desperate measures.

If you're counting overall deaths then, yes, suicides will be included. Everything is included. They will also be included in the '% of normal'. The article also said some overall mortality numbers are down in some states like California, which can be contributed to a lot of things but most particularly car crashes. Not nearly as many people are driving. So while you can blame isolation for suicides, on the flip side you can credit isolation for saving lives in car crashes. I believe the purpose of the article is not be 100% accurate, which is impossible, but more of a check on the numbers being currently reported. Does the change in mortality rates line up with the COVID numbers being reported? I agree with you on accuracy. However, I don't sense a conspiracy around the numbers being reported (not saying you do, but some have hinted of that on here). I think chaos can be blamed for the inaccuracies on both sides and numbers are being picked apart to support individual narratives....whatever they may be. I just don't know if we're nitpicking over an error rate of something like +/- 3% or +/- 20%? If the nitpicking adds up to an error rate of +/-3% does it really change the overall picture, or is it affecting policy? Now, if it one thinks it up to +/-20%, then that would be a problem. But to say that is true would be a very bold statement given the information we have.

Where did you find this image because it looks like a high schooler put that together? I even typed in the reference link and it says page not found: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/04/14/nyregion/new-york-coronavirus-deaths.html This looks fake. Edit: And if this graph is using the numbers in the link I provided it is far off. This is showing a 19% increase in total deaths. NYC is showing 325% increase.

There's articles that speculate deaths are over-counted and there are articles saying their under counted: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/04/28/us/coronavirus-death-toll-total.html If the COVID19 death projections are biased, then let's remove the bias. This article is interesting because they look at the average total deaths over the past 5 years from March 8 to April 11. This is everything: heart disease, flu, car accidents, etc., they then compare it to total deaths reported this year over the same 35 days. The difference in death rate is called the '% of normal'. This year, New York City has seen a 300+% increase. New Jersey is at +172%, Michigan at +121%, Illinois is at +113%, etc. The article goes on to say it was this method that was used to get a more accurate death toll In Puerto Rico from the Hurricane: It seems like my opinions are in the minority here, so I hope I'm not being 'that guy' who's a buzzkill. Just trying to bring balance to the conversation. While it's very possible some deaths have been over-reported it's just as likely as they have been under-reported. We see this every week when Indiana adds chunks of numbers to their death toll from the backlog of bodies testing positive postmortem. Whether the deaths are a little higher or a little lower......OR if the deaths are related directly to or as a result of the virus, the bottom line it that the death total is way, WAY up.

You and @mrflynn03 peaked my curiosity and I found article about India. It raises more questions than it answers but still pretty interesting. https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.cnn.com/cnn/2020/04/28/india/india-coronavirus-outbreak-explained-intl-hnk/index.html

Not accusing you of saying that is was bioengineered, but I’ve heard many people suspect that and i was referencing the claim from Shi that COVID19 is some sort of hybrid virus or mutation. Which is also highly improbable, again, I’ll direct you to the podcast for more info on that. I guess I believe the most plausible explanation until I’m proven otherwise, which is: it was transferred to humans from animals. Just like SARS, Ebola, H1N1, and most other new/dangerous viruses. Not saying it’s not impossible that a lab somehow got a hold of the virus, was studying it and the let it slip out, but as you said nobody knows. Anything’s possible, I just find the former much more likely because that’s how viruses have historically started.

Far from common knowledge. And the claim that that it was bioengineered is just not true, they can tell this from the RNA. Here's a podcast with 98 different citations that explains why. An interesting listen: https://gimletmedia.com/shows/science-vs/dvheexn/coronavirus-was-it-made-in-a-lab?utm_source=gimletWebsite&utm_medium=copyShare&utm_campaign=gimletWebsite

The whole GT album is crazy! I love Tame. It’s weird you bring that up because I had ‘Cause I’m A Man’ in my head all day. Not sure how I feel about their new album, but that song ‘On Track’ is so awesome, especially loud and in the car with it fading to various speakers. Kevin Parker’s production is one of a kind. Watch this lady...... haha

Another good interview on The Daily; this time about testing. Both diagnostic and antibody testing.... https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-daily/id1200361736#episodeGuid=gid%3A%2F%2Fart19-episode-locator%2FV0%2F3sNgr8C9Qk9jqGIUS9jLtYnD07Qik8CDbDcnvGB06bM Interesting for me to learn that because the CDC was heavily criticized for being too conservative with regulations in regards to not allowing private labs and universities to develop diagnostic tests back in February; they went in a complete different direction with the antibodies tests. They allowed private labs to administer to the public and regulate themselves without any CDC certification in hopes of speeding things up. Problem was that only 3 of the 15 tests were reliable and it created confusion. Some tests had an error rate of 15% for false positives, which is stupidly high.

I'm thinking 'moving the goalposts' was the plan all along. It's been a matter of stalling until they learn more about the virus: where it's most prevalent, how doctors are treating it/what the best practices are, what underlying health issues are most at risk, why it affects people differently, etc. They were also stalling to make sure hospitals could get the equipment they need. I'm not saying they'll learn everything in the next month, but every bit of information they can gather now allows them to make more informed policy decisions in the future, which can save lives. And if you think about it, there's a lot of info that we know now that we didn't know just a week ago. I mean, doctors are finding out that ventilators are now harming some people. At first masks were bad...now they're good. etc. Every week we wait gives us a clearer picture, but the question is: how clear of a picture is needed before we re-open? That answer is different in every state.

I’m tired of getting wrapped up in the internet, social media and cable news. It’s very interesting that ‘side 1’ is painting ‘side 2’ as wanting to open up immediately without restrictions. Side 2 apparently doesn’t care about people dying and is in denial. Side 2 is painting ‘side 1’ as wanting to quarantine until this whole thing is over. Side 1 apparently doesn’t care about the economy and wants to live off the government. There may be people with more extreme views on side 1 who have very weakened immune systems and are scared of getting sick, or on side 2 who are living paycheck to paycheck and desperately need to work to put food on the table. I think it’s important to respect each of these realities and consider it. BUT we also need to remember that the majority of us have an opinion that lies somewhere in the middle. The policies set in the future will also most likely be somewhere in the middle. The gray area is VAST on the issue of moving forward from COVID19. However, this culture of ‘owning’ the enemy with sick burns and stupid memes during a pandemic is absolutely shameful. There’s a fine line between being critical of others’ views and completely dismissive because it pushes people further into their corners. I find this especially troubling, because now more than ever, whatever is decided by states or on the federal level will only be successful if a majority of us respect it. We can and should be critical (note: not dismissive) of whatever those policies may be without fear of giving up our liberties, but let’s at least respect them, try to make it work and continue to learn from and adapt these policies - whether you are in Georgia, whether you are in Michigan, or somewhere in between. There are no easy decisions right now, especially because we are fighting a virus we know so little about. We are truly in this together, especially in a time when one person’s dismissiveness can effect another’s way of life or their actual life. ...just needed to get that off my chest.

I took the opposite path you did. I started off with acoustic because I could never afford the gear in HS and College. And about 8 years ago I switched to electric, which was like a completely new instrument...especially because I grew up on playing Dave Matthews which made me sound really sloppy on electric. Ever since I’ve been chasing that Jimi/SRV sound. Strat with the neck and middle pick up going through a blues deluxe. I hear what you say about Strats, but I love them and my shoulders aren’t strong enough to have Les Paul hanging on them for 2 hours. Haha. I do have an Epiphone dot too though. Hotel California may be my favorite solo. I never really appreciated it until I learned how to play it....Felder just covers so much in it. I’m going to go back and listen to Walk This Way right now.

Sorry to hear that. You, like me and many others are stuck in limbo. I have a distributorship for branded merchandise and the sales from most of my customers are event driven. No events means no orders, so this uncertainty is pretty scary. I remarkably had a pretty good month this past April, but everything I put through is not sustainable as a future revenue source. Luckily we secured a PPP loan to hold us over through the summer, but it looks like it's going to be a rough ride. Luckily, I don't have much overhead. My car lease (business expense) is up in May and I'll hold off on getting a new car because I haven't driven anywhere in a month. Best not to take continue a monthly expense if I don't have to. My wife is also on limited hours, but has still been able to get around 30 hours the past 3 weeks. Overall, I guess the only plan right now is don't spend money, unless its on the essentials like groceries....and alcohol. Best of luck to you @BGleas .

This is some random Japanese dude on YouTube. I'm pulling this out of my butt, but I can't imagine there are more than 20 people in the world who could do that. He is playing the beat, bass line, chords and melody all at the same time with just two hands. I've seen people do 2 of the 4 at the same time, but all 4? Just ridiculous. For anybody who liked that, he has his own youtube channel....so you can go down that wormhole. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNYlXBcX43XtXOxzzKmps2w

Just wanted to say how much I Love the Last Dance and all the memories it brings back. Funny, that I odn't remember much when I was 8, but I hated the Pistons so much that I'd yell at the TV because they were so dirty. Also, my entire extended family lived in Michigan and would wear those stupid championship shirts with the cartoon big head drawings and rub it in. I ultimately got the last laugh though.

If you can't tell from my user photo I love guitar. Been playing for 25 years. I can get along, but definitely am no prodigy. Definitely have a long list of favorite guitarists, but IMO, you always have to separate into 2 categories: based on skill and based on creativity. This doesn't mean the creative ones aren't 'skilled' or the skilled ones aren't 'creative'. Most of my favorites are the creative ones; the ones who write melodic solos that are remembered - ones that are printed on you brain and you could whistle from memory. That said, my favorites are Slash, David Gilmour, Don Felder, Jimi, etc. But every now and then I'll come across skill like in the video below that makes me want to give up and smash all my guitars.

Glad you liked it, but just realizing now that I inserted the wrong quote. I meant to reply to @Lostin76 . Haha.

Man, I haven’t had a Long Island since I was at Killroys Sports 20 years ago. I should try a ‘real’ one.

Give this a try. Jazzy at times. Psychedelic at times.

OK....I’m drinking and bored on this rainy day. How about a cocktail thread? You can spare us the responses “I only drink beer” or “straight bourbon”. I like both, don’t get me wrong, but sometimes a finely crafted cocktail hits the spot. My cocktail needs an introduction. My wife took me on a surprise trip to Austin in May last year. It happened to be Paloma season, aka grapefruit season. I may have had the best Paloma and mixed drink of my life down there and I’ve been trying to replicate it ever since. I just made a pretty darn good one with some common household ingredients. This is my Jimmy rigged Peppered Paloma with some Kirkland Silver Tequila (Best value ever) 2 parts tequila .5 parts triple sec 2 parts margarita mix 1 part Simply Grapefruit juice 2 fresh jalapeño coins

I’m not sure where to start. Asking me what my favorite band is like asking Shawn Kemp who his favorite child is. I grew up in the 90s, but love so many things that came out before that. I’ll listen to anything except that pop country stuff. I like a lot of current music and believe there’s a misconception that there isn’t good music out there any more. There is a ton of great music, it’s just harder to find because there’s so many outlets. Some of my favorite bands/artists of the last decade: The War on Drugs - it’s like Springsteen meets Pink Floyd ethereal-ness Father John Misty - Best lyricist out there right now, but the lyrics lyrics are oozed in sarcasm. Folky vibe (used to be the drummer in Fleet Foxes) Jason Isbell - 2nd best lyricist out there right now. Americana country vibe. If you want to cry, listen to ‘Elephant’. My Morning Jacket - My favorite live band. Dig their earlier stuff more though. Whitney - 70s groove vibe. The guitarist is just insanely good - so clean and precise. Khrungbin - Ambeint guitar music. The trio is just ridiculous. Great for background music that has a Latin feel; I’m obsessed with his guitar tone right now, it’s like a reverb drenched surf tone, but rich instead of twangy. White Denim - Guitar rock at it’s finest . White Reeper - If you just want some 70’s era riff driven rock. Lord Huron - Not quite sure how to explain their sound because it’s pretty unique. I’m forgetting so many others, but those are probably my most played. OH - best album ever is Girl Talk - All Day. I’m pretty sure everybody I’ve introduced this to became obsessed; it’s like a journey through the history of rock, rap and pop. *free DL on illegalart.net

Agree. I think it’s only a matter of time and it didn’t happen sooner because hospitals needed to secure inventory before they started to compete with the public. I personally don’t mind wearing one. I think we just need to remember it’s not necessarily for your protection, it’s for others’ protection. I don’t want asymptomatic people breathing on the apples I pick out at the store.