Things

A two-page spread in today’s NY Post provides an excerpt from conservative journalist Kimberley Strassel’s new book, Resistance (At All Costs): How Trump Haters Are Breaking America. She cites that Dems were considering having the whistle-blower testify from a remote location in disguise, and how the Washington Post justified it. That newspaper’s slogan is: “Democracy Dies in Darkness.” Writers of fiction would have trouble making this stuff up.

A Facebook post led to an interesting article by Mike Bell. I found a lot of the info amusing, as I always do with thoughts that fly in the face of climate paranoia. I suspect his aim is to generate interest in a business in which he has invested, and not to get at the truth of the issue. Here are a few quotes: “If carbon dioxide is so bad for the planet, why do greenhouse growers buy CO2 generators to double plant growth?” “Attacking carbon dioxide is hate speech against Mother Nature.” “CO2 is a plant NUTRIENT.” “… the slight rise in CO2 levels of the atmosphere has actually helped re-green deserts and arid areas, accelerating the growth of trees, shrubs and grasses which produce the oxygen humans needs to breathe.”

From the Weird But True column in the NY Post, in my own words: Chernobyl’s Reactor #4 is now open to tourism. Protection gear is required, visits are limited to five minutes, and a test to measure radiation exposure follows. There really is a market for everything and anything.

Damn, pro sports is cold. Following an illness to starting Jets QB Sam Darnold and a season ending injury to backup Trevor Siemian, second year pro Luke Falk was pressed into action . He started on the road against both the mighty Patriots and the good, possibly very good Eagles, and did not fare well, which was no surprise given the competition. Now that Darnold is back, the Jets have cut Falk, and it seems a dirty, nasty move by a franchise that struggles to get anything right. Boo. No knock on journeyman David Fales, who’s been bouncing around the league since 2014 and is now number two. Gang Green is his sixth stop.

Also in sports: South Carolina, at home, shocked undefeated Georgia, 20–17, in OT yesterday. Israel Mukuamu, a sophomore cornerback, had three interceptions, taking one all the way for a TD. Kudos.

Last night Movies!, channel 5–2 on over the air antennas in NYC, ran Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) and The Thing From Another World (1951) back to back. Now that’s a double feature. Here’s a publicity photo from the latter. A pat on the back to those who recognize the actor. Answer below.

It’s James Arness of Gunsmoke fame.

It was a very quiet day at the floating book shop, despite the beautiful weather. My thanks for the mom who bought a Dora the Explorer booklet for her darling little girl, and to the elderly woman who did her usual weekend swap of books in Russian, this time three for three.

My Amazon Author page: https://www.amazon.com/Vic-Fortezza/e/B002M4NLJE

FB: https://www.facebook.com/Vic-Fortezza-Author-118397641564801/?fref=ts

Read Vic’s Stories, free: http://fictionaut.com/users/vic-fortezza