Houstonians, here are a few items for you to read while you are stuck indoors, saving yourself from the heat from 1:00pm to 4:00pm, more or less:
- Akil Awan at Informed Comment writes on "Hiroshima and Nagasaki: the single greatest acts of terrorism in human history?"
As I was born three years to the day after the bombing of Hiroshima, I cannot avoid a certain morbid fascination with the event. Terrorism or the saving of our nation? Dad and I used to debate the subject of whether any of our family would be living if the Bomb had not been used; to no one's surprise, I always took the "terrorism" position (without using the word).
- Tan Copsy of Risky Business, writing at Informed Comment offers the irony: "Deep South, biggest Climate Deniers, will be among worst hit by Global Warming"
As the evidence emerges, it becomes clear that it is a good thing so many words have been spoken in vehement denial of climate change: the region is going to need to eat those words, or starve...
- Kevin Gosztola at Shadowproof ("the new FDL") offers us a "Podcast: Bernie Sanders, Black Lives Matter & Problem of Identity Politics"
No one, not even Sen. Sanders, can please all the people all the time. Sensibly enough, his event organizers allowed the Black Lives Matter activists to take the mic for a period of time; after all, theirs is a compelling and legitimate issue, and though I am not Black, I too would be glad to hear Bernie address race issues more firmly... he isn't going to lose any votes already committed to him by doing so, and there's much to be gained if Sanders gains the reputation as "the fair one."
- Motoko Rich at NYT notes with grim smile and shake of the head: "Teacher Shortages Spur a Nationwide Hiring Scramble (Credentials Optional)"
Never forget my two-parent two-schoolteacher household in my youth: that environment formed much of my political outlook, and I admit freely that it gladdens my heart when Republicans (and even some Democrats these days) try to cut corners on education costs and methods, blame teachers for the failure of a system pared to the bone and beyond in an attempt to pocket the tax money for their own purposes, and yet gaze drop‑jawed as teachers, counselors and even administrators flock to other occupations that pay better salaries for work involving a great deal less outright aggravation than schoolteaching. The ghosts of Bill and Irma are grinning at the sight!
That is really deadly. The heat index had to be around 120.
ReplyDeleteBryan, I had to go outside for several tasks Tuesday, and found myself literally almost sick from the first breath of air. If that's what the future holds, I may have to move from my heretofore lifelong home city, or else resign myself to dying younger even than I anticipated.
DeleteFortunately, it's not as hot today; we had a few rain showers last night and are forecast to have more over the weekend, along with two-digit (°F) temp's for a while, but it still feels wretched to be out in this weather and pollution.
There are other consequences you might not imagine: e.g., Stella headed for work this morning wielding her walker instead of just a cane for the first time in weeks. She looked frail (a real rarity) and had a terrified look on her face (also rare) as she contemplated some of the paths she had to take to her office in one of the buildings in the Texas Medical Center main campus. I worry about her today as I seldom do. I really don't feel like relocating, but as I look around I see the possibility that a large number of people will have to do exactly that as they dodge the most traumatic effects of climate change.