Spring Is Precious

-- A valley in the Rockies --

Spring is precious, this I know

     – Bout flowers, leaf’s and fragrance in the wind that blow Baseball, BBQ’s, Track & Field – Give a sense of life’s rebirth,

                    no longer bound in our homes, we yield

 Neighbors, best friends, even first time folk

     – Join in conversation, play, laughter and joke

 Summertime plans and what you’ll do

     – Discussions of the simple, the difficult, these make us what & who

 But that was Spring of yesteryear

     – Now germs, science, and politics … things we fear

 Create stress, anger, division great

     – We’re a country of freedoms, not one, but fifty States

 To separate ourselves, put on the mask 

     – This is the science … say they, so tend to your task

But science is such that many do test

     – Allow me to decide, intelligent am I and so are the rest

The need of a friend, to work and provide 

     – Essential are these, but from them they must hide

The answer, not so easy to see

      – Your rights, my rights … Let’s honor them, be kind and be free

Spring is precious, this I know

     – Bout flowers, leaf’s and fragrance in the wind that blow

 Rick Williams 20th May, 2020

  

--- 'First Rose of Spring' is the title track of Willie's 70th solo album scheduled for release on July 3, 2020 ---

During this unprecedented time of --- COVID-19 --- our country is at such amazing opposition to each other. The “narrative” speaks to obedience of the "authority" … of the “science”. None-the-less, there IS another side. And yet the other side is looked upon as mere idiots. I’m sorry, but I’m intelligent as well. Please allow me the freedom to look at the evidence, for much there is contrary to the “establishment”.

There have been a few times that I’ve wanted to respond out of anger, but then I’m reminded of what I call the “Wilberforce Factor”. His fight, his perseverance with integrity intact. So, on the morning of May 19 I sat and penned the above in about an hour.

Let’s continue to fight … continue to persevere … with our integrity intact!

Is it not worth dialogue? You're telling me that each one is conspiracy? --- Or perhaps it is "science" as well ---
Dr. Jeff Barke - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSQwVDn2_YM&t=506s --- Dr. Yvette Lozano - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3Q3SwGuR7o --- Dr. Zach Bush - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5RAtFBvKrVw&t=1604s --- Dr. Daniel Erickson - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93QGMEERgMk&t=112s --- Professor Dolores J. Cahill - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czjAebDKsEw&t=2s --- Dr. Jay Bhattcharaya - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=289NWm85eas&t=4s

Stealing of Science

Cinco de Mayo --- What is it? I'm sure that most would say that it is the celebration of Mexico's Independence Day. In fact, that is what I believed growing up in Southern California, where it was an annual holiday. But in fact, the day represents the victory of the 'Battle of Puebla' over French forces. And oh, their Independence Day is September 16th. 

Up there with the BIG questions of life is, "What is Truth"? And in our busy...hectic life, often we don't even care. Does it really matter that 'Cinco de Mayo' is not Mexico's independence day?

Some aspects, such as 'religious' truth has reasonable debate. Math on the other hand --- 'two plus two', seems like it should always be four. Sadly 'truth' has been stolen on many fronts. History is one such example. A blog for another day. Yet for our present time, the truth of science and the 'Stealing of Science' thereof has taken perhaps the greatest turn in the history of man.

Below I've added just a couple recent articles regarding "conspiracy theories", vetting our sources and knowing whom we 'should' believe. But isn't that the question. Who should we believe? And just when we thought that we should be able to believe the "Science" community, we're given much to question their integrity of the facts. Are they just "Fake News" as well? Can we, should we not be able to trust the CDC or WHO? The answer, well yes of course! But...that question still remains, can we trust them? 

Watch the "science" that Doctor Zach Bush expounds on regarding this COVID-19 response.VERY intriguing! ~~ the video was removed by Google/YouTube. So, here's another by Dr. Jay Bhattacharya

(If you watch nothing more, I would encourage you to watch from minute 1:12:30, where Dr. Bush begins his response by saying, "If there's crimes against humanity being exercised right now, I don't believe that it's in a military lab. I believe that it's in those ICU's of dying patients alone".

"Mainstream coronavirus conspiracy theories come in two varieties: those that doubt the virus’s severity and those that suggest it might be a bioweapon." The Atlantic

"And if the one in three Americans who believes that the effects of COVID-19 have been exaggerated choose to forgo crucial health practices, such as social distancing, frequent hand-washing, and wearing a mask, then the disease could spread faster and farther than otherwise, and could cost many thousands of lives." The Atlantic

Could it "spread faster and farther"? Or, is that just what they're telling us. 

 Katie Pine, an assistant professor in the College of Health Solutions at Arizona State University, is currently interviewing people around the United States on how they’re navigating covid-19. She said people “feel like they’re inundated with information, but they don’t have the information they want,” and as a result, they might be more willing to believe outlandish claims. The Washington Post

Perhaps some of the "outlandish claims", are coming from the science community.

 “Misinformation spreads everywhere the same way information spreads everywhere,” said Leticia Bode, an associate professor in the communication, culture and technology master’s program at Georgetown University. And “repeating misinformation makes it seem more plausible over time.” The Washington Post

But who gets to be the 'bastion of truth'? Who says, "what is misinformation"? Surely not YouTube!

But it can be done. Bode emphasized the importance of correcting untruths in person or on social media, saying, “You need to be nice and provide some indication that you know what you’re talking about. We generally recommend you provide some kind of link to an authoritative source like the CDC or the WHO.” Having multiple people weigh in with the truth is even more effective. The Washington Post

The CDC and the WHO should be "an authoritative source". Yet, how quickly will they shut down some sources in which they claim as "misinformation"

Oh well --- for now the day continues. Go out, enjoy your 'Cinco de Mayo', if you so celebrate it. I'm thinking that it is 'Taco Tuesday'. Or, at least 'Tamale Tuesday' :)

And know that no matter how much they (whomever 'they' are) are 'stealing science', that the Creator of science, from the smallest of molecules, to the blue in the sky --- from the muscles that allow a baby to smile, and that little organ that can make transitions faster than Mario Andretti ... we call the eye --- He, our Creator cares for you.

And He says in the tiny book of Philippians, "Be anxious (or be distracted by) for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be know to God. And the God of peace who surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus" Philippians 4:6-7

The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/author/joseph-e-uscinski/
Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/travis-andrews/