MedicineDan

Heh, the old thread is locked. Probably a decent amount of traffic in political threads. I've no doubt Biden won and I would assume he won fairly until any real evidence of widespread wrongdoing is found. It's not that I doubt the possibility for corruption, malfeasance, and fraud. It's just that those are irrelevant unless they can both be proved and also result in overturning the election. Court cases might impact things I suppose, but recounts don't overturn tens of thousands of votes. That said, I think the mail-in ballot debacle should be rectified. If it results in Biden getting the edge this time, we'll have to live with it, but every state should tighten things next time around. Nevertheless, I don't want to waste time on corruption. I'll give you advice. I know, no one wants to hear it. Fair enough. Ignore me. Hate me. Laugh at me. Good chance I won't read it this time around now that things are behind us, so why bother? Anyhow, here goes: It will be an increasingly losing proposition to continue using the "Republicans are racists" tag line. Seriously, it's going to hurt your cause over time. This election is a sign that using that particular stick is starting to hurt leftist causes. Throwing everything at Trump, including the kitchen sink, barely squeezed out a win *this* time around. I don't want to take away from people's joy at Biden getting elected. I'm a Republican who believes in the right of people to vote their conscience, even if I think they're wrong. Even if it's to my disadvantage. Even when it's clearly to their own detriment. I would just say, as I did a couple of days ago, the Democrat establishment are not happy with the way this election turned. If anything, they are less happy now. I guess, if I wanted to harsh your buzz, I would simply remind you we could see Trump return in 2024. No, to *really* harsh your buzz, I would suggest he might win. Yep. I know. It's laughable. Remember you are mortal.

Hell of a state to miss, but aside from that, look at the RCP polling averages. It will be amusing to me if people let Trump hate encourage them to think that the polls were actually good. If people think this bodes well for Democrats... go with God, my mythic hero friend. I'm telling you, Democrats are not happy about this race. They may yet win, but shoving ~100 million bucks into a senate race that the polling average said was a tossup only to lose by double digits? Naw, the people in the coalition who dumped Trump will return after it's not a popularity contest. The fact that Republicans could make inroads into minority populations and get them to see that they have common ground with us is simply brilliant.

Even if Biden wins, I was wrong. I thought the polls were improved this time. The polling industry is a shambles. On the other hand, I said a while back I thought the Republicans would keep the senate, and the polls on the senate side were absolute rubbish. As bad as the state to state and even the national vote showed the failing of the polling institutions in calling the presidential race, the senate races were simply... there are no words. Lindsey Graham? I'm telling you, Democrats should be terrified of the results of this election, whether or not Biden wins. Theoretically, the Dems could still win the senate, but it turns out the pundits are wearing no clothes. The worst thing is that they threw everything at us this election and the best they'll likely get is the presidency with a Republican Senate and a House that has a smaller Democrat majority. ...And Republicans might put forth a good candidate next time and bring home some folks who hated Trump just because of how he tweets and talks. heh Children.

Agiel, you should be rightfully frightened by this election. I'll give white suburban/white college educated voters (who are usually Republican) for minority voters. You'd best hope that everyone returns to their prospective quarters next election. If, however, the suburbanites return to the fold and minorities don't... :wicked grin: I know! I know! You're looking at the last 200 hundred years. I'm looking at the last several thousand. We can lose this one, especially if we keep the senate. The Democrats can't see a crack in the minority coalition. It is their end.

Yeah, Biden is easy on your eardrums. <.< Partisan much? Anyhow, it's ten to midnight and I think it's going to be tough this week. All our hopes hinge on President Trump, a truly terrible candidate. Hoong, as ridiculous as I find him, is correct, wtihout Covid Donald Trump wins. More importantly, without his tweets, interviews, and statements, Trump also wins. If he manages to win, however, to uuuhhii's point, there will be reckoning. Even if he doesn't, Dems should be scared. I know I know. Dan is a fool. What does he mean? The demographics are not kind. The best you can see at this point is Trump loses by a much narrower margin than predicted by the media. Either way, we've managed to crack the demographic. Make fun of me, but this is a real problem for democrats in the future.

I think Senate stays in Republican hands. Thank God.

Popped in to say I still think Biden wins, but the polls were definitely off no matter what. Biden's home state is Delaware, allegedly. <.< He's talked about Scranton because he wants to win the state, but he lived there a short time in his youth. That's not a partisan thing. Literally, his home state is considered Delaware. It's hard to explain to people who aren't from the US. In reality, anyone who's been in federal elected office for as long as Biden really should consider DC his home. If Trump had won AZ, the Dems would be screaming at the sky right now. As it is, they are sweating bullets and biting their nails. This is *not* how they thought it would end up. I think there's a good chance Trump can pull this out, but I think the edge still goes to Biden. If I'm wrong, I will come here and let folks take shots at me. If I'm right, I'll regret it. I get Grom's response to me about gloating. I honestly don't wish anyone any ill will. I literally take care of sick folks for a living, and white people are not only not the majority, they aren't even a plurality of my patients. Hispanic is the largest group and then, confounding statistics, Black is slightly second that this point. I've held their hands, stroked their heads, fought with their doctors to get more care, and had them call me on my own time for things ranging from getting a hospital bed to directions to the clinic. People can think I'm a heartless white racist if they want (although the feds certainly don't mind counting me as Hispanic when it suits their needs), but I'm not. I hate these times. I'm just trying to make it through as best I can. It's 2130 in California. I doubt the election will be called before tomorrow and probably not even then. When this is all over, let's continue our debate. We can turn up the heat and even insult each other. Fair enough, but let's hold back from trying to draw real blood. If it had been a Biden blowout, I couldn't have said all this because it would have sounded like I was trying to get out of a bashing. I'll take the bashing. I will read every insult. It will take me some time, but I will. I might even throw some your way if Trump wins. All fair. After that, let's act as people of goodwill. lol I have a feeling I'll be mocked over this, but I don't mind that either.

No time to respond at length, but I appreciate the list. I have many of the games you suggest already. It's funny, but mel's game was some funny very low budget game that was mostly text with merely a nod at graphics. Terribly clunky, but fun as hell. That was some time ago. Now, along with what I see on Hawke's list, I now need to purchase Stygian reign of the old ones. Damn it! However, in such a terrible year, at least we have games. I think, sometimes, facing crazy assed darkness in games makes us feel better about facing dark realities in real life. Anyhow, thanks, guys. I'll definitely chime in after I've had the chance to try the suggestions. This board is funny in that I've always gotten good pointers here.

First, Hawke, I want you to recommend a game for me. In my years following and often stalking without posting, I've found your input useful. Ironically, considering your quote, I've found mel's advice useful also. I still have that quirky little Lovecraft game that he recommended. Hell, I've finished it twice! Meanwhile, I started Amulet of Naheulbeuk (or something like that). I was playing it on hard. I guess 3rd highest setting out of 4? I was managing to muddle through the fights, but I don't have the time to patients for that, so I put it on 2 out of 4. Now I roll everying. I don't care. I get such little time to let loose. I don't want challenge so much as distraction.

So much to observe. I will say, I still say it's Biden's to lose. This is especially true since early voting came in before people realized that this is truly a binary election. No, not Trump or not Trump. It's Trump or Biden. Will the thousands... tens... hundreds of thousands... millions? of Demosthenes carry the day? Probably. For a recovering nihilist like me, defeat isn't forgone. It's a way of life. Still, it's really interesting. If there really is a shy voter in any number, this will be interesting. I'll give permission in advance for the anti-Trumpers to gloat if he loses. They were going to do that in any event, of course. They really want nothing more than to gloat. We're alike in this, however. When Trump won in 2016, I had pity on the people who thought he was terrible. I assiduously avoided sounding triumphant. I imagine the leftists will spare no time stuffing crow down my throat. This time, if we win, it's time to remind them that you. threw. every. thing. at. US! If we win this time, stop trying to destroy the fabric of our society. Stop trying to pit us against each other. Start trying to have reasonable and rational conversations. Stop trying to be lawyers and try being decent and amenable human beings for once. BTW: I'll forgo responding to people who's mantras ping pong between "muslim ban" and "Fox news" (as if I didn't have a better record in understanding the electorate than these misguided people) and simply point out the irony of Hurlshot, for whom I have a certain fondness, calling me out for ambiguity and then citing his gut feelings after a 60 Minutes segment. Aw, who am I kidding. I'm fond of everyone here. Even the terrible hypocrites.

Finished Pathfinder. Now, I will say that I wasn't enamored of the writing, but a few story lines did catch me a little. Tristian's story of redemption combined with his ragged heart appeal to the bad guy in his quest line not to succumb to hatred was brilliant. A couple others were nice enough. I didn't really *love* them, per se, but I liked them a lot. The only one that came close to the blind cleric was . It was smaltzy, but it wasn't over the top and I thought it was a good ending. I really rather enjoyed it and it did tug a little at the heartstrings, assuming ol' drunks have heart strings to tug.

Good God, man! The hypocrisy! lol Okay, just thought I would pop in and say I still think this is Biden's race to lose. I think he's got the definite edge. Of course, I thought that about Clinton in 2016. The polls are starting to more mirror the ones in 2016, but I have a couple reasons not to take it the result will be the same. Well... maybe three. One, the polls are a little better for Biden still. Not a whole lot, but the last election was decided by tiny margins in a small number of states. Two, the pollsters are being more careful. At least, there are more polls, but of course the general public still foolishly focuses on national polls that are more ubiquitous. Three, a *lot* of early voting has already occurred. With that in mind, assuming the early vote mimics the early polls within the margin of error, that's bad news for Trump. A Biden administration will be a nightmare, but what can you do. The low information voters (I *might* actually pop in to see if that got a rise out of highly educated/low information lecturers in these parts) will hate on Trump for his personal foibles, but Biden is a flesh golem enthralled to the forces of the left, and the worst thing about them isn't a socialist agenda. It's a self-loathing hatred of the very country that has afforded them the opportunity to attack it.

I'm plugging away at Pathfinder: Kingmaker as I can. Great game. The writers aren't all that great, but they have their moments. Huge game.

I always try at least to look over the last few posts when I come to this thread. I also *always* come to this thread no matter where else I go for the past several months. I'm going to make a simple statement to start: my friend Gorth is very Jeffersonian. There's a grand and long tradition among some of the best thinkers to lean anarchist. I pray that true anarchy doesn't come until long after you're gone. The anarchy writ small that you describe? Enjoy it before it takes over everything. Anarchy writ grand is your undoing. Democracy must live its day between tyranny and anarchy. Well.. maybe that's the recovering nihilist talking. Anyhow, I never buy into people arguing against the polls. Trump did overperform them in the last election. I suspect he will overperform him in the next election. Still, unless they tighten considerably, however, I can't see them being *this* wrong. However, while I won't make apologist arguments, unlike some of the double or triple hypocrites here, I still think Trump voters should show up to the polls. Just because your guy might lose is never an excuse to stay at home. The Biden people can afford to relax and stay at home. They've got the numbers. Trump Righteous supporters might lose, but make them count your vote!

Yeah, happy birthday, Comrade. So, my old smoker has been working great for some time. I love it, but it's a real pain sometimes because it's a charcoal based smoker which means I have to babysit the BBQ. For those of you who smoke beef, pork, or whatever, you know how long that is. So, I'm actually kind of cheap, but I want something that will manage itself a bit more, and I've considered getting a pellet smoker. No soaking chunks. No having an offset tray for smoking chips. No micromanaging the smoke for hours at a time. I see things that range from a few hundred to a few thousand. I typically don't like to drop the coin for these things, but once I do, I tend to get as big a beast as I need. I refuse, on principle, to spend more than two grand on it, but I also have loved this backwater community for giving me advice that has *actually* been useful. Don't leave me hanging. I know there are some of you who know a bit about the smoke. Give me a couple tips about a good place to look. I've done my research, but one to two thousand dollars is a chunk o' coin for the humble likes o' mehself. Also, poultry lends itself to rotisserie, but not as much to smoking in my experience. Maybe a pellet driven smoker that could smoke good poultry or waterfowl would be most welcome.

Thought I'd stop by since I was already here. There is no way in hell that the polls are *that* wrong. I don't see Trump winning this. If the polls are wrong by that amount in that many states, it is all havoc! Doesn't mean people shouldn't vote for Trump. Just means that they should do so with their eyes open and without their head in the sand.

My (adopted) nephew was chatting with me before the 5th edition game yesterday and he was talking about how the submariner school is challenging but he feels good about it. Then he says he'll feel proud when I pin his dolphins on him. You know, I don't come around here all the time, but it's kind of cool to come somewhere I'm anonymous to be able to say how happy this makes me feel. I don't want to post about it on any social media because, frankly, I'm going to convince him to let a "blood" family member do it. I think it will cause familial strife, but the idea that the kid, a naval academy graduate, thinks enough of a sorry old drunkard like me to ask is... words fail. ...And he's only one of three strapping Lads. One passed the Bar earlier this year. The third is doing well studying to be a paralegal. The three of them range from Bernie Bro to "Bernie is too far to the right!" You can imagine political discussions are lively and often heated, but I love the Lads. Great men, one and all. As I get older, eternal things like Country and Church start to matter to me less. God, not the church, is my guide. The world can, and eventually will, survive without my country. As painful as it is to admit, we're not indispensable. Friendship is. EDIT: I was a bit worried about how one statement would be understood, so I changed it to one just as true.

I've been transferring batches of mead from primary to secondary fermenters. I went a little puree happy on the previous three, so it's been tough to clarify. In the case of the pear, peach, and plum, I've made about as much sauce with a high alcohol content as I've made mead. Damn it! Live and learn. In all seriousness, if you guys lived closer, I'd treat you to a round or two of the latest stuff I've had aging. We could fight and argue and solve all the world's problems. That's how it is, of course. I'm a rather big, gregarious, and menacing looking fellow until you get to know me, but I'm softer than a Teddy bear in my heart and wouldn't even use an unkind word without serious provocation. It would be great to sit down and sip a brew or two and come to realize that, no matter how bad this year has been, we're all brothers-in-arms. Sisters too, Red.

The results are mixed, but I think the current polling supports a Biden win over Trump in the debates. Meh. I can admit I'm wrong, but being wrong about these things is only as significant as the end result. So, when someone snips 13 to 15 words out of this text as a concession, keep in mind that current polling doesn't make any difference. I tend to believe in the fundamental science behind polling, but it has had some significant errors in the past. There might be some genius, a real braniac, who can tell you what's going to happen in this election, but most people who make such claims, regardless of whether or not they're true, are either fools or liars. No one in our lifetime has had the sheer number of random variables in an election year as we've had in 2020. I'm a recovering nihilist, so I tend separate my religious conviction from my rational assessment, but it's hard not to wonder who broke the ****ing mirror this year. Seriously, WTF? So, I'll stick by my previous statements. Not because of Robert's rules or some other dismissive statement from the Demonsthenes among us, but because it's just good form. I called it likely for Biden, but this Covid-19 thing is really interesting. ...And, as someone who has cared for Covid patients and had Covid coworkers, I do get tired of the "think of the children!" arguments. I'm putting my money where my mouth is. My actions attend my prayers. The president coming down with Covid-19 one month before the election? If his campaign doesn't start running, "Covid, I'm facing it with you!" ads, they deserve to lose. I have never been more invested nor more confounded by an election in my life. ...And I have donated time, talent, and treasure to campaigns in the past. I can't stomach going door to door for Trump. It's just not in me, but I have donated to the RNC. Still feel stupid, but, like my actions, my money goes where my mouth dictates.

Well, the only currently alive candidate just came down with Covid. I had this long explanation typed up, Garth, but it was too much. I have an appt in the morning, so I'm going to sit on this. IIRC, I think the party gets to put in the candidate if the candidate dies or drops, but I'm not sure and need to get sleep. God bless. Interesting Times.

Yep, crazy just went insane. The Covid has shaped our world. I would chastise the disgusting people who will crow about the President testing positive, but I'm the disgusting person who's first thought is how it will impact the election. What a bunch of bastards we are.

I've always wanted to visit the Land Down Undah. 'Course, right now would be a bad time. I'd be treated to a hotel... kind of like Hotel California. Check out any time you like, but you can never leave. Wait, that's the damned Kiwis, isn't it? <.< Anyhow, I'm starting to be more convinced I was right and Trump came out better after the debate. I get the point about softening his image, but that's too late. I moreso get the point about him letting Biden stumble all over himself. I think the left and right are wrong on this one. Conventional wisdom is that Trump really blew it by being rude, but I don't think so. I'm not saying I like the fact that he was rude. I just don't think it hurt him. As usual, I'm more looking at how it went down than pushing an agenda. That is to say, when I want to exhort people to put aside the ridiculous nonsense and vote a certain way, I'm up front about it. Most of the time, I'm merely making observations. Scoff at me. Fair enough. The proof isn't in holding forth here. The proof is in the result. Now, I've said Biden is probably winning this thing, but that's because I believe in putting my money where my mouth is. The reality is, I can't sort this election at all. I was pretty much spot on about the spread of the popular vote in the 2016 election. I also figured the house would fall in 2018 (yeah, genius!), but I also thought the republicans would hold on to Florida's governor's manion despite the polls. Republicans are generally outperforming the polls in Florida for the past few cycles, at least statewide, so maybe there's something amiss with the methodology or something. I think Trump probably wins Fla. If he doesn't, no need to worry about a long election night. I also have my doubts about Ohio being a tossup, but I think overall Trump's in trouble. The polls could be wrong. However, this isn't like the lying media (yeah, I know, hur hur hur FOX NEWS! I undoubtedly get news from more sources, and a wider variety, than most folks here). Anyhow, the media can get it wrong and even need to fire or call for resignations for bad stories. :waves to CNN: Pollsters and polling organizations have to protect their cred. Even if you want to shade the election by shading the polls, it doesn't work as well as it did and you can't move the needle if you're entirely discredited. Whatevah. We'll see.

Facebook has literally caused nurses to get fired and, good Lord, having their licenses revoked. Even if the wife thinks it's okay to share information, the pt might not. Other family members might see if it she posts it on my page and tags her husband. Seriously, Bruce, there're too many ways for this to come back to haunt me. On the other hand, I make myself available. Home health means getting texts and calls all the time. In fact, I have one patient who literally called me for directions to the clinic from where he was. Of course, he gave me the wrong clinic. I'm even super careful about what I post on here, which is why I don't give ages or ethnicities and the like. I mean, if I were completely anonymous, I guess I could tell stories, but there are a couple people here who know who I am and one person with whom I actually *am* a Facebook friend. lol Granted, having known him for... 20 years? I trust him implicitly. :wry grin: Anyhow, today I'm up and looking at the various tasks I have to do and instead wasting time at Obsidz! I need to beat feet, get the hell out of Dodge, and start ta crackin'! Later alligator!

Never having to do this (I've been a nurse since December), I would think so. I want to be kind about it. This is someone who is in some emotional distress. @BruceVC, it would be nuts for me to be Facebook friendies with patients and families. What if she were to post something about her husband on my page? There are so many chances for a HIPAA violation that it's astounding. I think what I'll do is simply talk to my boss and set aside a little extra time after patient care to talk with both pt and wife. It's home health and caring for patients often means caring for family too, at least in being available and talking and whatnot. ...And, hell, since my travel down the FNP track got pushed off since I don't have a preceptor, I have a little extra time. Home health is weird. Frankly, I liked the hospital better. Just couldn't do school and NOC shift very well and when my wife started working from home, it was downright impossible. I guess I get paid more per hour now, but I'd go back to the hospital per diem in a heartbeat if I could.

Gotta take a break from the political stuff, although I enjoy reading the thread. Guilty pleasure, I guess. Anyway, two things are apparent today. The Covid-19 craze has made it so I can't get a preceptor anywhere from LA to the High Desert to SD, the OC, and, most importantly, the IE. I think I'm going to be forced to drop the adult and aging family. However, at least I'll get my money back and, technically, I shouldn't be able to take it until next semester. They let me take a pre-requisite concurrently. Aw well, that's life. The other thing is work related. The wife of one of my patients has sent me a friend request on Facebook. Now, I *really* freak out if I have a friends list greater than 40. I like to be able to visit and disappear on my own terms. However, that's irrelevant. I can't have patients and their families on social media. It's unethical and unprofessional. She was upset about stuff last time and I stayed for about 20 minutes after attending to the patient so she could have someone with whom to talk. Nothing untoward. The patient was also in the room talking at the same time. Still, the thing is, while that clearly was seen as an invitation, I can't see doing anything different. What am I supposed to do? This is someone who also needs help. I'll figure out some way to defuse the situation, but I can't "hang out" with patients outside of work. It's seriously not a good arrangement. Something I had kind of thought of in a remote sense, but now that it's in my face it's just... weird. Good people, though, so no need to be hurtful. Just have to figure out the best way forward.