Any exit would always be imperfect, but surely the exit from Afghanistan was a huge screw-up?
We all agree that it's better to end the war sooner rather than later, that any exit would be imperfect, sure. But it is genuinely a huge intelligence and execution screw up by this administration right? Do you guys not feel like for the country which spends so much on the military, this level of incompetence is not okay? I mean all I'm seeing is the most capitalism focused country in the world completely laughing off a negative return on investment. People want to focus on the ineffectiveness and inefficiencies in healthcare, in education, hell, even in things like energy expenditure and coastline maintenance and such. Well here's a situation where so much money has been put in, and not even a suboptimal result has been achieved. People don't understand 1 trillion. It means nothing to them. Most people barely grasp what the real difference between a million and a trillion is. They're all big numbers beyond a point. I feel like it's really important to make people realise that '1 trillion' number in relativistic terms, because the GOP loves to talk about 'trimming the fat' around things like NASA, research, public schools and stuff, when that money is chump change compared to military expenses.
Masking in Schools
After today’s episode I want to ask how you all felt about, at minimum, teacher’s and adults masking? While I have seen children spread delta just as effectively as adults, I think this is still worth discussing even if we are going to dismiss masking children. I think I can offer a different view point in that I have a 3 1/2 year old son with a genetic condition that includes epilepsy making him high risk if he were to catch COVID. He was supposed to start special education pre-k this year he is non-verbal and the peer interaction as well as the additional therapies provided by school would have been very beneficial to him. Unfortunately, he is unable to attend, we live in a rural part of WV with no mask policy and a 41% vaccination rate in the county. His doctor’s one requirement was that his teacher and aide mask. They as well as most other adults in the building are unwilling to do this. While I think there is room for questioning mask mandates for children I also hope you can consider that the lack of them is keeping many disabled and immunocompromised children under 12 out of schools. These are the kids that have had the least amount of normal for the last year and a half. Now because many don’t think masks work or are worried about the emotional state masks will put their children in many of these children will not get to participate in school which is often the most typical experience to kids their age disabled children get. While I don’t disagree that small children (including my son) likely aren’t able to effectively keep a mask on I do think it’s worth noting that many parts of the country have adults, whether parents or teachers, that are unvaccinated and anti mask making the unvaccinated under 12 a very vulnerable population as school gets back in full swing. With that in mind does at least trying to mask really offer more risk than reward? I love your show and hoped to offer another perspective. Our disabled kiddos get left out of a lot and I think it’s important to teach our kids that sometimes we have to go out of our way a little to include everyone.
Newsom Recall Election
You keep saying that whether Newsom is recalled or not will depend on TURNOUT for the recall election. Remember, though, that at this point, I believe CA automatically sends mail-in ballots to every voter. People can vote by mail if they wish. Don't you think that may actually help Newsom? Given the alarming press warnings about how close the recall count is, I suspect many people will bother to send in their mail-in ballot.
Ms. Barbara Howard
I was a bit disturbed by the mask discussion in today's show. It is frustrating to me that we can no longer discuss COVID topics without emotion and vitriol due to it's being so politicized. I share this article from the Atlantic which details how this emotional/political factor is blocking any concrete and constructive discussion of mask use especially for children. If you are not a parent you don't really get to judge parents who are saddled with the great challenge of juggling fears for your child re the risks of COVID infection. This is an emotional issue WITHOUT making it political. When you discuss this on your broadcast, it would really be helpful to keep that in mind so that you aren't unintentionally adding fuel to this horrific fire. Thank you. https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/08/some-americans-no-longer-believe-in-the-common-good/619856/?utm_content=edit-promo&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=the-atlantic&utm_term=2021-08-22T21%3A21%3A34&fbclid=IwAR2Rns-6YbhmflnWfRiANBR-uWiEjnBR3Vm2RMt4E43pTn8RwpISqQBEqMY