Cogito Ergo Non Serviam
Simone Biles and the Twisties -- That headline is not the name of a justly forgotten new wave band from 1986. Simone Biles is the greatest gymnast of all time, and she has rocked the sporting world and the commentariat by withdrawing from the Olympic team competition. She may also drop out of the individual apparatus competitions. She says she has the "twisties," which in other sports is known as the "yips." Caused by over-thinking, high-level pressure and/or other psychological issues, these are the brain failing to do its job during the activity in question. In some sports, the athlete just doesn't win as a result. In gymnastics, death is a genuine risk. Those criticizing Ms. Biles simply don't know what they are talking about. [30 July]
Bipartisan Instrastructure Bill Overcomes Filibuster -- The United States Senate voted to begin debate on the bipartisan infrastructure bill last night on a vote of 67-32, with 60 yeas needed. The bill calls for $1 trillion in spending, some but not all of it new, to fix America's bridges, roads, rails and other items. The American Society of Civil Engineers believes more than $2 trillion is needed, but one thing at a time with this Congress. Despite this vote, there is no guarantee that the final bill will ever get to the president's desk. Progressives and wrecker Republicans both have reason to oppose it. [29 July]
Cops Testify Before January 6 Committee -- Four police officers who defended the Capitol from terrorists on January 6, 2020, testified before the House Select Committee investigating the attack. Capitol Police officers Harry Dunn and Aquilino Gonell along with D.C. police officers Michael Fanone and Daniel Hodges gave lie to the Republican Party's claim that there was hugging and kissing and that the terrorists were no different than tourists. They spoke of the physical, emotional and spiritual pain the thousands of terrorists inflicted. But as Congressman Adam Kinzinger (R-IL) said they held, they won. [28 July]
US Ending Combat Mission in Iraq, Again -- The United States under George W. Bush led an attack on Iraq in 2003 claiming the Saddamite regime had or was developing weapons of mass destruction. That turned out to be a lie, but the US had taken Baghdad by then, so the US stuck around. Eight years later, the Obama administration announced the end of the combat mission. Then, the Iraqi army ran away from ISIS, and the US came back to shore up a government for which few would fight. Now, a decade later, the Biden administration and the Iraqi government have agreed on an end to the US combat mission in Iraq again. One hopes there won't be a third time [27 July]
Ben and Jerry's Ending West Bank Ice Cream Sales -- Ice cream is probably one of the least political things in all creation. Almost everyone likes it. Those who can't eat dairy try to find adequate substitutes. It can be any flavor at all from plain vanilla to rocky road to green tea. Yet, the moral purists in the world have managed to make ice cream in the West Bank a matter of international dispute. Ben & Jerry's brand is made under license in the region, and the US company will not renew it because the firm doesn't want to sell ice cream so long as Israeli policy is what it is. This will accomplish absolutely nothing positive. It is a moral tantrum and counter-productive. [23 July]
© Copyright 2021 by The Kensington Review, Jeff Myhre, PhD, Editor. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent. Produced using Ubuntu Linux.
Volume XIX, Number 175
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