Why are you idiots standing on milk crates? After that question, my real issue is where do you get all these milk crates? I mean really, I cannot put my finger on a milk crate right now and I do not know where to get one. The grocery store? I don’t know. But really, why are people standing on them, to fall and injure themselves? To your credit you have provided me with lots of laughs and great entertainment over this last week. But you should stop for your own health and safety. Needless to say, I will not be doing this. But good luck out there!
Save the Date
President Joe Biden has decided to stick with his deadline next week for completing the U.S.-led evacuation from Afghanistan. The decision reflects a growing fear of extremist attacks at the Kabul airport but also opens Biden to domestic political complaints of caving to Taliban demands and of potentially leaving some Americans and Afghan allies behind. A Taliban spokesman, speaking prior to word of Biden’s decision, said anew that the militant group would oppose any extension of the Aug. 31 deadline. It has allowed the airlift to continue without major interference. Pressure from U.S. allies, Democratic and Republican lawmakers, veterans groups and refugee organizations has grown for Biden to extend his deadline, which he set well before the Taliban completed its lightning takeover of Afghanistan on Aug. 15. It remains unclear whether the airlift from Kabul’s international airport can get out all American citizens and other foreigners by next Tuesday, as well as former translators and other at-risk Afghans who fear for their lives under Taliban rule.
AP News: Biden sticking to pullout deadline though lawmakers complain
So, this withdrawal has been fraught with poor planning and intel, Biden will have to or continue to answer for that. However, few experts think we should have stayed longer. A U.S. marine who served twice in Afghanistan, summed up the truth in two sentences. “One: For 20 years, politicians, elites and D.C. military leaders lied to us about Afghanistan. Two: What happened last week was inevitable, and anyone saying differently is still lying to you.” The inevitability of this will remain to be debated by experts and civilians alike for years to come. The reality: we are getting out and I do believe the administration is trying to get as many out as they can. Now, that the Taliban is in control, we shall see what the future has for Afghanistan. But I will say this, the Taliban’s mask of civility is slipping and to the critics, do we really want to start the war again? Because to, as they say, not “cave to the Taliban” would mean talking up arms against them.
Keep My Name Out Cha Mouth
Using Black America as a scapegoat for all negative news is as old as America. The latest one to use this old cliche is Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick. Delusional Dan made false claims that Black residents were responsible for the surge in COVID-19 cases. His first time, yes, he said it more than once, was during a Fox News show while talking to Laura Ingrahm.
“The biggest group in most states are African Americans who have not been vaccinated,” he said. “The last time I checked over 90 percent of them vote for Democrats in their major cities and major counties. So it’s up to the Democrats—just as it’s up to the Republicans—to try to get as many people vaccinated.”
Patrick then went to Twitter:
Patricked doubled down with the lies. So what are the real facts? The Guardian reports that
Black Texans, make up about 12% of the state population of 29 million people, and they account for 15% of total Covid-19 cases and just more than 10% of deaths. 8% of the eligible population in Texas that has been vaccinated is Black, according to state data, compared with 35% of the white population. But white people make up the largest racial group in Texas at about 40%. Overall, 44% of Texans are fully vaccinated, less than the national rate of about 50%. The Texas Tribune confirms this by pointing out that vaccine hesitancy is higher among Republicans than with Black residents. In a recent poll conducted by the newspaper, thirty-eight percent of Republicans said they would not get the vaccine versus 18 % of Blacks. The Root: Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick Doubles Down on Falsely Blaming COVID-19 Surge on Black Residents Listen! Stop blaming Black people for stuff. And we know who’s not getting these vaccines and who’s out in the world causing a ruckus over it, that and mask wearing. We see you.
#AppleToo
“For too long, Apple has evaded public scrutiny,” the website reads. “The truth is that for many Apple workers … the culture of secrecy creates an opaque, intimidating fortress. When we press for accountability and redress to the persistent injustices we witness or experience in our workplace, we are faced with a pattern of isolation, degradation, and gaslighting. No more. We’ve exhausted all internal avenues. We’ve talked with our leadership. We’ve gone to the People team. We’ve escalated through Business Conduct. Nothing has changed. It’s time to Think Different.”
Verge: Apple employees are organizing, now under the banner #AppleToo
Apple employees are continuing to fight back. They say they are tired of the culture of harassment and discrimination. They recently launched a website, AppleToo. The goal is to collect stories from workers at all levels of the organization who’ve experienced harassment or discrimination. Apple it sounds like your day of reckoning is coming. iWatch Out.
The Culture Commentary 