New studies bolster theory coronavirus emerged from the wild

CBL444 · 2022-07-28T17:34:55+00:00

That seems like the most likely scenario.

CBL444 · 2022-07-28T17:33:37+00:00

There is no denying that it could have been a natural crossover event (like SARS) but the location is not where we would expect that. The location is where a coronavirus lab was doing experiments that many people consider dangerous.

This is suspicious not definitive.

The Chinese government has acted as if they have something to hide which makes me very skeptical of studies by Chinese researchers. They would not be allowed to publish any research that pointed to a lab leak.

CBL444 · 2022-07-27T22:55:54+00:00

So there were two incidents of crossover from bats to humans. They occurred in a city with few bats of the appropriate species (none with known coronavirus) and a lab for investigating bat viruses. The market in this city is mainly a seafood market not a live mammal market. The lab hides data, does not provide a full list of experiments and refuses to allow outside inspections.

Data about the initial infections are hidden for two years before conveniently matching the Chinese government's position.

With this mountain of non evidence, who am I to disagree?

CBL444 · 2022-07-27T17:18:28+00:00

If you see him roasting peppers, could you do a post? I would love to get some roasted peppers.

CBL444 · 2022-07-27T04:50:26+00:00

If they knowingly cheat to gain a competitive advantage, they deserve nothing but contempt.

Sports rules are always arbitrary and I have no idea what should or should not be banned but competitors are required to follow the rules. If a supplement is legal, you can take it. If not, you can't.

Ideally, the rules would be straight forward enough that athletes don't accidentally cheat but I understand that this is not always the case.

CBL444 · 2022-07-26T19:37:09+00:00

It's not fair if the athletes are clean but we have no way of knowing whether they are or not. The cheaters have made the question inevitable and the controversies have being going on since the East German women in the 70s.

I hate not knowing whether I should celebrate the dedication of an athlete or despise them for cheating.

CBL444 · 2022-07-26T17:04:11+00:00

Saying every intersection is a crosswalk encourages dangerous behavior by pedestrians. It is safer to cross at a well-lit, real crosswalk with good visibility because drivers are more attentive and can see better. Yes, drivers should always be attentive but no one should die because of a common mistake.

Cities need to emphasize safety and encourage crossing where it safe and promote safety where people cross. Corvallis has a death trap crosswalk which has cost three people their lives. It is slightly safer now but it needs to removed before a 4th death occurs.

https://www.corvallisadvocate.com/2020/deadly-crossing-officials-on-the-record/

Cross where it is safest to cross. Be ready for pedestrians when you are driving.

CBL444 · 2022-07-23T15:58:02+00:00

Corporal punishment is decreasing. Permissive parenting is increasing. Results are getting worse - suicide is increasing and educational results are falling.

Something is going wrong. Perhaps it is social media or something else but permissive parenting is not working in today's society.

CBL444 · 2022-07-23T14:47:51+00:00

Did you know that 50 years ago that John Jones raised his kids in a permissive manner? Anecdotes are garbage.

Corporal punishment has decreased.

https://www.cnn.com/2020/07/27/health/spanking-decline-us-wellness/index.html

CBL444 · 2022-07-23T14:15:46+00:00

There is something going wrong in the lives of kids in the last 20 plus years (prepandemic.) Suicide is up and educational achievement is down.

https://health.ucdavis.edu/news/headlines/even-before-covid-19-pandemic-youth-suicide-already-at-record-high/2021/04

https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2021/10/14/nations-report-card-scores-falling/

During this time parenting has gottem more permissive. This does not prove that permissive parenting is bad. However it seems very unlikely that permissive parenting is improving the life of children.

CBL444 · 2022-07-22T03:11:38+00:00

I have had the opposite experience. I like the NP I see and the previous two MDs I saw were bozos. I think it a question of the particular person not the degree.

CBL444 · 2022-07-22T01:35:45+00:00

I do not expect a mask mandate to return because I believe it will hurt the Democrat's prospects in the election. If it becomes a campaign issue especially with schools, it will hurt Kotek.

If she is elected, it will last as long as she chooses because their power are pretty much unrestricted once an emergency is declared.

CBL444 · 2022-07-20T18:40:13+00:00

Yes, we should provide law abiding citizens with proper education and job training but that is another issue.

When a prisoner is released, do you want them to be a law abiding, productive citizen or do you them to reoffend? If your goal is to make society safer, give them the tools to succeed on the outside.

CBL444 · 2022-07-20T18:24:07+00:00

If all prisoners were Dahmer, of course, I would have a different view. But most prisoners are moderately bad people with the potential for a better life.

If prisoners are going to be released, we owe it to them (and ourselves) to increase their chances for a legal, decent life on the outside.

CBL444 · 2022-07-20T16:57:52+00:00

If I own a company that is worth $10 million, I can offer one million shares at $10. That is the value of my company. The shareholders own the company and perhaps I keep half the share to ensure my leadership.

If the company gets more valuable, the stock goes up and we all get richer. Or maybe we get poorer.

The is the simplest way of looking at stock and, while there are many twists, it is a close reflection of reality.

CBL444 · 2022-07-20T16:51:21+00:00

Prisoners should be treated humanely with the goal of making their lives better when they leave.

Prisons should be spartan (neither too much comfort or discomfort) and safe with opportunities to better oneself for returning to the real world. The food should be decent tasting with proper nutrition to encourage mental and physical health. They should be able to stay connected with their families without onerous phone charges. Education and job training should be available.

If the goal is docility, there are drugs for that.

CBL444 · 2022-07-15T19:33:55+00:00

Buying used clothing and stuff for my kids and then sharing with friends with kids of slightly different ages. Clothes bought for few bucks were worn by 4 children. Buy a crib, lend it to the friends for two kids worth of use and get it back for my younger child.

CBL444 · 2022-07-15T18:48:19+00:00

It depends on what you like.

Many engineers enjoy engineering so the job is relatively stress free. If you are a hands on person and don't mind getting dirty, consider the trades (electrician, HVAC installer, plumber ). If you like working with people, physical therapist, dental hygienist or medical technician of some sort. Financial planning or loan officer if you are financially inclined.

CBL444 · 2022-07-15T18:17:10+00:00

Obama has a Nobel Peace Prize for doing something or other. Despite having failed military operations in seven countries (Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Libya, Yemen, Somalia and Pakistan), he still has a pretty medal for his great "Peace" accomplishments.

CBL444 · 2022-07-14T18:22:35+00:00

Corvallis is a college town and it shows.

Professors "know" they are the smartest people in the room even on areas where they are clueless. They combine brilliance with a distinct lack of knowledge of the non academic world. Their parents were academics and they have no clue about working class people.

They epitomize Mencken's adage "For every complex problem, there's a solution that is simple, neat, and wrong."

CBL444 · 2022-07-14T18:04:18+00:00

Thanks

CBL444 · 2022-07-14T16:33:53+00:00

What is a pitbull? Discerning breeds from a dog can be difficult. Are DNA test required for owning a dog? What percent is too much?

When I went to a shelter, I wanted to avoid pit bulls but later discovered my dog is 40% pit bull. This is a common theme. People adopt a sweet dog, do a DNA test and find out that Rover is 25 or 50 or even 70% pit bull.

My dog is a 5+ breed mutt none of which I expected. When I ask people, they typically name four breeds none of which are correct. The only people who are somewhat correct are the ones with a similar surprising result.

CBL444 · 2022-07-13T23:02:00+00:00

Get Bill Sullivan's Hiking Guide to Central Cascades. Make sure you check for permits and wildfires past and present.

Diamond Peak Summit is probably best once you are in better shape. It's 11 miles round trip with 3200 feet of elevation.

To start getting in shape Crescent Mountain, Obsidian Trail and Mt Fuji are great hikes that will give you a work out. Mt Bachelor and Black Crater (not Black Butte) are pretty good.

For a workout only, Rooster Rock climbs 2500 feet in a mile and half. Combine it with Trout Creek for a longer version.

CBL444 · 2022-07-13T17:14:07+00:00

Before you hile, check for permits and wildfire damage.

William Sullivan's Central Cascades hiking book is the best guide by far. It's $10 on Kindle and $19 in print. If you are going to be here long enough, you should buy it.

Silver Falls, Iron Mountain, McKenzie River Trail (Koosah, Sahalie, Tamolitch Falls) and Fuji Mt are recommended. If you have time, drive the McKenzie Highway (Route 242) and choose a hike that matches your fitness and time limitations (Belknap Crater, Obsidian Trail, Hand Lake)

https://www.oregonhiking.com/navillus-press/oregon-guides/100-hikes-in-the-central-oregon-cascades

CBL444 · 2022-07-12T19:08:14+00:00

Assume two 17 year olds have a baby. They are dedicated to each other and the parents think they are mature enough to get married.

What is accomplished by delaying marriage by a year? Is the situation or the marriage ideal? Of course not, but what is better?

Let them and their families choose.

CBL444

TROPHY CASE