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ROWLETT RAMBLINGS

Notes from an "at risk" person.

4/23/2020

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If anyone I know was asked if they wanted any others to die from COVID 19, the answer would be a resounding "NO." if anyone I know was asked if they would like to see the US economy completely destroyed, the overwhelming answer would be "NO."

Therein lays the rub. We are fighting a two front war. However, each of the wars interacts with the other. The tactics differ with each battle. If one overreacts to the needs to win one war, you most certainly will lose the other. In both wars, emotion is not a good soldier.

For example, I have just read that the brother of the ex-mayor of Chicago is now a consultant to Joe Biden and he is proclaiming that quarantining is recommended for another 12-18 months. Of course, this jerk is a compete idiot. Total lock-down for another 12-18 months would destroy any semblance of a US economy. Conversely, any relaxation of controls TOO EARLY would run the risk of firing up COVID 19 all over again.

Proponents of each war are very vocal in their support. For example, they are protesting in the streets of several major cities in the US supporting a relaxation of the quarantines. At the same time, we have the moron in Chicago campaigning for 12-18 month continuation of a lock-down. Emotions are running wild without checks. This is not good. If one war is won, the other is lost under current "wisdom." If one saves lives successfully combating COVID 19, how many lives are lost because of disappearing jobs, bankruptcies, alcoholism, suicide, divorce? Thousands of lives are lost or destroyed no matter which war is won.

It is clear to me that the best solution is somewhere in between the two extremes. Can I tell you what that particular compromise is? Nope. However, I can tell you that if we don't get our heads out of our butts, and start thinking instead of emoting, we are in for some dangerous and destructive times ahead. I don't think you have to be too smart to figure that out.

It is easy to be compassionate for victims of COVID 19. It is also easy to be compassionate about victims of a destroyed US economy. You can shout your pain and compassion for either of the victims to the rooftops and you will not necessarily be wrong..........but you haven't solved anything. You have succeeded in only making noise.

I would like to see some probability numbers for each of the two scenarios. I would like to see informed and educated forecasts of loss of life and the economic probabilities and it's estimated loss of life. I have not seen any on any news sources. Any veteran knows that if you are ordered to take a hill, you are going to lose troops. But you also know if you don't take that hill, you're going to lose more troops. It's a calculation.

To any that say I'm tossing away lives, particularly those at more risk because of age, other sickness, or any of the other maladies of the "high risk group," I would like to point out I am a member of that "high risk group." I would prefer to put myself at risk rather than my kids or grand-kids. My kids and grand-kids need a secure and safe economic future, as well as a vaccination against COVID 19.

So, even tho I don't have the answer, I admit it. It is time to stop bloviating on Facebook about uninformed and unsubstantiated stories and start looking for informed answers. I feel everyone is dedicated and busy on the official front trying to solve this mess. No one wants it. Quit wasting energy blaming Trump. He didn't cause this crap. If you're going to spend energy, spend it on intellect, not politicizing. I am so fed up with self appointed experts that have no idea what they're talking about. I appreciate the work being done by our medical experts in Washington, but they are not economists. Conversely, people who are facing destruction of their lives due to hunger, foreclosure, utility shut-offs, loss if insurance, and depression can hardly be blamed for wanting to go back to work.

Folks, it's time to use our heads rather than our mouths. Me included. As soon as I get this figured out, I'll let you know.


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Official Rowlett and Facebook

4/8/2020

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It's been a while since I have written here.  I've been writing on Facebook and some other sites.  It has gotten me around the country more.  Interesting responses from different parts of the country.  In any event, a Facebook commentary I made about something in Rowlett stirred up some trouble.  The issue went away, but it is still caught in my throat and I want to write about it. 

Let's talk about Facebook, first.  In my opinion, Facebook has both good and bad features to it.  There is no doubt it comes under the first amendment and enjoys the rights of free speech.  Back in the ole days, one could grab an orange crate off the back porch, drag it out to any public park and call the President a fool, or the Democrats a bunch of thieves.   In these modern times, one can do the same with Facebook.  However, just as in 1780, you can't cause harm, as in crying FIRE in a crowded theater. 

Whether at a keyboard, or on an orange crate, you are free to voice your opinion.

The main difference between Facebook and orange crates is that on Facebook everybody gets to share an opinion on the same subject........and maybe they may get off the subject.  This includes people who can think, and others who don't.  Unfortunately, one has to sift out the brain dead from the serious commentary if one is to get to the thoughts with substance.  It's a pain in the neck, but the price of technology.    Therefore, if you're a Facebook affectionado, you have to accept the good and the bad......two parts.  The chemical mixture is one part substance and one part National Enquirer.

What's that got to do with Rowlett, you say.   Well, the good Facebook is an excellent place to post official information on a variety of city subjects:  notices, newsletters, reports, etc.  Facebook provides a valuable service here and the city should take advantage of it.  However, it's hard for a dummy to disagree with an intelligent official notice.  I'm sure it has been done, but its harder.

Because of this Facebook with two faces, it seemed logical to me that official Rowlett discourse should be divided into two faces, also; one face suitable for Facebook and one that isn't.  The posting of events, newsletters, FAQs, etc., works well with Facebook.  However, there are some official Rowlett issues that, in my opinion, doesn't need to be on Facebook.  These would include all issues that are decided upon and reported from the dais.  This would certainly include City Council and probably P&Z.  Any official commentary about city management issues and decisions do not need to be discussed on Facebook.  It my opinion that any messages to the public regarding finance, employees, appointments, etc. should be delivered from the dais........NOT FACEBOOK.

A couple of weeks ago, the mayor discussed an issue on Facebook regarding some citizen's critisizm of some Rowlett employees.  I took exception to reporting such issues on Facebook.  I did not attack the mayor.  In fact, I was somewhat supportive because the mayor was covering the employee's backsides.  I liked that.  My only issue was that she should have let it rip from the dais, rather than Facebook.  Anybody reading the string of commentary could easily see that my only opinion was the issue of where is was done, not what was done. 

Well, the Part II Facebookers came out.  One suggested I change toilet paper to a less abrasive brand.  One accused me of concocting a conspiracy of some kind and anointing my self as Facebook Boss.   They read the Facebook commentary and had no clue what they just read.

I am not writing this to change any opinion you may have.  That's all part of Facebook, Part I, and covered by the Constitution.  My opinion remains unchanged.  The sensitive nature of employee relations has no business on Facebook.  However, I am writing this to plead with you to use you brains.  We just don't need any more dumb asses around here.  Oops, there goes another opinion.

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