The Beast

The odd thing is that I know people who are college educated and even voted for Biden who won’t get the vaccine because of the data argument. I haven’t pressed them on it but I have heard because it was rushed and doesn’t have full FDA approval. Why drop tea leaves of what you want to say and not elaborate? What is it about what you said that is political? Just say it. That’s the question I want to ask these people, what data do they need to see?

What does your statement over the “sudden love of China” mean? What lies were told for political reasons? Do you know anyone who wants more data before they get the vaccine?

I have come across people who are afraid to get the vaccine too, but they say they want more data first, but do not specify how much data and what else they need to see. It’s mine they are running the clock out on the pandemic. I want to know what they fear from taking a vaccine, as in what will happen to them. Is it death? Is it something that harms their other medical conditions? It doesn’t make sense.

Greg, vaccines changed the entire narrative. I still can’t understand why people think it is political. Like some thought the lockdowns were to control the narrative, the continued COVID conversation hurt Trump electorally and also hurt the economy on purpose. No, it was a matter of public health and safety and the former president failed his test with the virus. He set the vaccine on the right track, but his absolute lack of regard for masks, providing stupid ideas at odds with the scientists and doctors and his missteps were ultimately what did him in. Not to mention his unpopularity and policies that were unpopular beforehand did him no favors. Politics is “out of control” because of the social issues on the extreme wings, the misinformation, lies and conspiracy theories of the right and some of the crap you see on the left. It’s to be expected in a country of varying perspectives. Look at how hard it is to get things done in congress. Is it really that political or is it how things have always been? Maybe if people got their vaccines and realized Covid would only get better with getting them, things would change. But we live in a country where people want their individual rights than give a damn about their neighbors and the world beating the virus. Good thing we can get the kids vaccinated soon so then we will know who the remaining people who didn’t get vaccinated are.

1. I don’t really want to get on the scale right now. I had to cancel my gym membership with my wife because we couldn’t feel safe working out while she was pregnant with our son or when he was at home, afraid that we would bring something home. I want to rejoin a gym again because my muscle tone suffered. But I have been running even though I have ran less than normal because of work projects I am trying to use to get promoted and get overtime. I also have more responsibility with my son now so I can’t work out as much as I would like. I might get some weights to use when I don’t have the time to go out for a run, even if it is just some 25-45 lbs dumbbells. We will see. 2. Mentally, I’m better than I had been. I still work in a job that I find to be meh but I have had to carry the insurance for this year. At least I can leave my employer after this year if I don’t get promoted since she will carry the insurance. While I do get nervous about what I will do if a data analyst position doesn’t work out, I am glad that I could try other jobs and that I have about 40 years worth of work left to go back to school (maybe for health care) since I’m only 33. My mental health had been impacted by feeling like I could have done more academically and focused more on practical careers and that life had passed me by, but I know that there’s still time and that things are still possible even with a mortgage and a kid. Some counseling sessions really helped that before the pandemic hit too. 3. Financially, pretty good considering we cut the gym expense, I don’t take a bus and train to an office anymore and my wife has been off of work taking care of our son. We also haven’t had tuition expenses for her grad program she is using to get a masters so she can get a raise as a teacher. We will be in even better shape when she goes back to work, even with the cost of daycare. Good thing we will get Biden’s child tax credit each month since we are middle class earners.

What is what? Both are inconsistent right now and suck ass. Blame the pitching if you want, but the offense has been regressing for some time now. The pitching staff is getting hit hard this series but my god the offense and the defense really sucks and has been mediocre for a little while now. Some players have regressed since last year, namely Abreu. And Mercedes can go down to AAA for a while if he has an option rather than pretending to hit at this level. He is the king of regression and should teach it in a stats class.

It makes me wonder what really could help this team right now. Clearly they can’t play against the big boys without Robert, Jimenez and maybe Madrigal. Good god do they suck right now.

Does Yermin have an option remaining?

How long will they have to wait to have Jimenez and Robert back though? It is going to be some time before that happens. I want to see guys like Moncada, Anderson and Abreu play better. If they need the others to be healthy to get better, it’s going to be a while before they play better.

Rizzo was quoted as saying he isn’t anti-vaccine but he needs to see more data. What frustrates me about this argument is that I don’t know what data they need to be comfortable with the vaccine. Its like they want years of studies to go by and run the clock out on the pandemic and not get it. From a team perspective, if they can’t reach the 85% threshold, it does limit them, even if it doesn’t limit them as much as unvaccinated NFL players. Those guidelines, while tough to enforce, really restrict players from what they can do and their endorsements.

Word on the street is Rizzo is trying to knock his wife up and so they aren’t getting the vaccine because of that.

Sure, with a phantom injury and another Charlotte replacement since Hamilton isn’t ready yet.

They also have never won a World Series and have a fan base that doesn’t show up so there’s that.

Don’t know. But some people believe Vaughn, Hamilton or the Charlotte outfield would be better than Eaton.

Because run a converted catcher out there to pitch.

I remember when people had a huge throbbing time piece for Yermin. Too streaky of a player.

Like TA’s bad out this inning? Should JR pay that bad out Eaton’s salary? Welcome to the majors again Goodwin!

And replace him with who?

Any thoughts on what Jason Heyward and Anthony Rizzo said? I don’t agree with them but I didn’t have an issue with Rizzo like I did Heyward, who pointed the fingers right back at the fans in the stands. My response to him is that it takes all of us, including the highest paid men in the ballpark, to beat the virus.

“Boom! Fuck you! Mother fucker! Bull shit.” - Lance Lynn

Nice team win! La Russa is just there guiding the plane on auto pilot and the players are making it happen.

Huge double play early on, huge at bat by Vaughn and good for them picking up the ducks on the pond.

Things on my mind today in the wake of the recent news: What do conservatives hope to accomplish by showing evidence that the Wuhan lab leak theory was being considered and I guess in their minds, ignored? What are they implying that Fauci did with the grant his department provided? Is it being suggested that the lab leak theory was being dismissed to harm Trump’s chances of re-election? Do people point out media bias to say I told you show or show how they perceive the media to be biased against conservative viewpoints? What is their goal? Is it possible for scientists to update their findings when new information has become available and facts are clear (especially with how reliable China is)? Is it also possible for readers to read something and think to read other websites for different perspectives to get a sense of the larger picture?

Dumb question, what does Abreu chew when he’s at the plate?

Can confirm.