How’s everyone’s weekend going? Thanks for spending a portion of it with the Six.
Case Closed: We now know science and data drove the Covid lockdown decisions.
This past week, President Biden declared a finishing date to the federal emergency order related to the “pandemic.” It’s May 11.
On that magical mid-spring day, the curve, which for three years we’ve been unable to sufficiently “bend,” will finally be flat.
When that day hits, we’ll get the perfunctory staged press conference, with bureaucrats spouting off “forever grateful” platitudes towards the medical community, lauding the educators and politicians that “worked tirelessly” to make “our country safe again from the deadly virus.”
And it will all be bullshit. Complete, utter poppycock.
What we know –– and will know more in coming months and years –– is how Covid was the 20th century’s greatest Grift. It allowed for an uncomplicated wealth transfer from the government to the already wealthy. It was the catalyst for one of the most egregious frauds in a generation –– billions of dollars stolen from the PPP and other federal and state programs.
It took a Republican-controlled congress to finally twist off the faucets of cash and close the books on the Con of the Century.
Even JB Pritzker, the rolly-polly priggish Governor of Illinois who used the water hose of federal cash to claim credit for balancing the state’s budget, “agreed” with the declaration. But not without a fear-based message, with no attachment to what we now know to be true about the virus and vaccine.
“Let me be clear: COVID-19 has not disappeared. It is still a real and present danger to people with compromised immune systems –– and I urge all Illinoisans to get vaccinated or get their booster shots if they have not done so already,” Pritzker said in a totally devoid of reality statement.
By the time May 11 hits, Pritzker will have issued emergency declaration number 39.
The Grift marches on.
At least now, there is some end in sight.
Let’s proceed with The Six.
1. Culture Wars Roll On In Florida.
More bickering in the state of Florida this week. Likely presidential candidate Ron DeSantis is reshaping the education landscape in the Sunshine State –– appointing more conservative-leaning trustees and removing texts deemed indoctrinate rather than educational. DeSantis is completely overhauling leadership at the New College of Florida, located in Sarasota (expected high Sunday: 78 degrees, but with a chance of showers. Humbug). One of the college’s newly installed trustees is Christopher Rufo, an advisor to DeSantis. In this video, Rufo confronts the school’s acting president who attempts to stand her ground and advocate for “safe spaces.” The faux confrontational drama on the video reminds me a bit of season 11 of the Real World, filmed in Chicago.
2. Reject Objectivity, Embrace “Lived Experiences” Says the Washington Post.
The Washington Post was the newspaper of my youth. I spent time in Fairfax County (VA) as a kid, vigorously reading the Post and for a time, delivered the then-25 cent daily edition out of a red wagon. But the paper of Woodward, Bernstein, Kornheiser and Wilbon are from a bygone era. A former editor at the WP –– now journalism professor –– penned an opinion piece disguised as a newsy feature. In the article, the former editor argued for how “truly accurate reporting may focus more on the backgrounds and points of view of modern journalists of color” and how “have found more value in diverse people’s lived experiences.” The article quotes several editors of major newspapers who feel the same and support reporters who “want to make a difference on such issues as climate change, immigration and education.” That’s all well and good. Put out the content, let the marketplace decide. But stop calling yourself the Washington Post, USA Today or the New York Times and label everything “opinion.” That’s what you are getting with these publications and reporter’s “lived experiences.”
Arguably the greatest athlete in American team sports history –– there’s only one other athlete in the conversation and that’s Michael Jordan –– retired this week (again). Tom Brady made the announcement in the most 2023 way possible, filming himself talking into his phone. Steve Young, the former 49ers QB and now a terrific analyst on ESPN (the only one worth watching on that network) said recently that retirement is “death.” Considering that Young, who retired over two decades ago, is still breathing tells us that Brady likely won’t die. But I don’t think there’s a contemporary American athlete comparable to Brady in terms of sheer fame and online following. Almost instantly after Brady posted his retirement video, internet content farms posted articles speculating on his next moves both professional and personal (will he become a broadcaster? Owner? Divorced, when will he start dating again?) We turn to the always objective Page Six that quotes “a source” that spills the beans on just how Tom Terrific will spend his post-retirement abundance of free time.
4. The Eyes of A Killer: Part 2.
In another captivating true-crime chronicle, Howard Blum of Air Mail picks up where he left off from the first piece, telling the story of Michael Kohberger’s capture following the killing of four University of Idaho students –– and wondering just what might have inspired such a grisly act. If you haven’t read Part 1, it’s equally as riveting. The piece is long, so pour a deep cup of coffee and buckle up.
5. Elton John Says He’s Retiring. If So, He Leaves as the Rocket Man of Touring.
Elton John’s “Yellow Brick Road” tour has grossed $817.9 million across 278 shows, which beats a previous record for the highest grossing tour set by pop singer Ed Sheeran. Going back to 1986, when more detailed records were kept, Elton John has grossed $1.863 billion and sold 19.9 million tickets across 1,573 shows, the highest career gross for a solo artist. The now-five-years and running alleged “farewell” tour ends later this year in Australia. I say alleged because what musical artist or band ever retires? KISS has been on its “end of the road” tour for as long as John and this is the second time they said they were quitting live performances. At some point, these boomer rockers will age out and be replaced by cover bands or holograms. Will the audience care? That’s a larger question for the year 2030 and beyond. For now, get out and see ‘em while you can.
6. Let This Be A Lesson: Don’t Ever Piss Off A Camel.
Some Russian guy got so angry at a camel that he punched it. The camel fought back and trampled the guy to death. Reports say the camel was there as part of a kid’s camp in Russia and the trampled guy was involved in organizing the event. Camels have always struck me as relatively low-key animals and it would take a bit of provoking for them to act out. “The animal did not appreciate such treatment,” said a local media report. “The man paid with his life after hitting the animal in the face…” Back when Hollywood made funny moves –– you know, that offended people for the purposes of comedy –– this man-on-camel incident could be written into a fictional scene. Alex Karras once punched a horse on screen (“Mongo…santa maria!) and we know what happened to that stallion.
Thanks for reading everybody and enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Have a suggestion for The Sunday Six? Send email to jonjkerr@gmail.com.
“And it will all be bullshit. Complete, utter poppycock.” Amen Brother. Thanks for having the fortitude to remain skeptical and say so from the beginning.
Loved your opening comments, Jon!
I guess I'm glad that they are FINALLY moving on (at the federal level). The truth is that many of us moved on a very very long time ago.
One thing I don't understand is how/ why they chose a day so far out? What's the basis or reasoning? Anyone wanna venture to guess,? Maybe they're deciding on their next LOCKDOWN measure and figured they'd at least take this stale piece of tyrrany away. :/
And roly poly,, who seems to be tied at the hip to DC, decides that that's when he'll get the boot off our necks too, when so many other state leaders have decided to move on long ago. Yeeesh! Such an embarrassment. Such a big guy with such small (stupid) thinking.
And Jon, thank you as always for keeping us informed and entertained. I appreciate it!!!!😁