Jonathan H. B. Lobl

The new vaccine from Johnson and Johnson will help a lot. Only one dose instead of two Normal refrigeration instead of deep freeze Smaller vials so less waste High production in the pipe line Things are looking up. All we have have to do now, is avoid being stupid for a few more months. That sounds like famous last words.

A gluten free diet is a serious undertaking. Something to consider, but not now.

We can speak more plainly than that. It's because our politicians are vote sucking whores, who depend on money from the deep pocket corporate interests. Because the stupid, uninformed sheep who vote for them, let them get away with their lies.

First off, America is a land of slogans. Americans think that all we have to do is get a bumper sticker. The sticker says -- Support our troops. In America, people think that this is actually doing something -- or giving a crap. Actually fixing the V.A. would really mean something. Second, Americans can't tell the difference between words and deeds. A nation that actually trusted God, would never have -- In God we trust -- as a national motto. They would be too busy actually living those words. Not pretending. It's all part of the same gap between words and deeds. Like saying how much we value children, then not funding education. Like respecting our elders, then cutting back on social Security and Medicare. Like praising valor, then not funding the Veterans Hospitals. In America, when we say -- I will pray for you -- congratulations. That is their actual contribution to your problems. They can not tell the difference between prayer and actually doing something. Remember: When all has been said and done, a lot more has been said than done."

Our veterans need and deserve a lot more than prayer. They need and deserve real, actual support, for lives of comfort and dignity. Thank you for your service.

Wheat? Why wheat?

We might as well vote the Angel of Death into office. As in -- Death rides a pale horse. It would cut out the middle men.

You probably know about the super spreader events that were the maskles Trump rallies. Even now, after everything, the mask mandates in Texas were rescinded. Knowledge has limits. Stupidity has no limits at all.

Everyone with a basic education knows that viruses mutate. Children know this from the News.

I look to British Medical as a shining example for the rest of the world. Is that really in danger?

A moment of clarity. It is the intent which is important. Not the means. Your "friend" intended to harm the manager. It would not be more virtuous if he had used a gun or poison. He intended to harm another human being, without just cause. The use of harmful magic as means is mere detail. I am as flawed as anybody else. Over the years, I think I have offended most of the people I have ever met. My friends forgave me and we moved on. My friends understood that I had done something stupid, or weak, or otherwise unworthy of me, and they were willing to let it go. In turn, I have often needed to forgive them. We have such a tiny world. We have to find ways to live with each other. I don't need anybody in my life, who is willing to harm me. Not by magic. Not by throwing a rock at my head. Not by posting on face book about me. As you say, he was willing to harm the manager. You might well be next.

Just so. That applies to much of the economy. Housing comes to mind.

We don't need to be mystical about this. Nice people tend to have nice friends. People who will have dinner with you, for the pleasure of your company. Who do mean people associate with? Nobody who cares about them -- If they are not alone, because nobody likes them. I don't need my friends to be like me. It makes much better conversation if we don't agree. I don't mean debate. I don't mean argue. That means a winner and a loser. I mean conversation.

It depends on which part of the economy. Big Pharma needs people who are old and sick.

Alright. Let's try to separate the issues. 1. This person who claims to be Wiccan. This person who places a "hex" for no reason other than petty grievance and revenge. Is he actually Wiccan? Does he have a clue about what Wicca is? To my limited knowledge, Wicca is about reverence for Nature. As part of this, they will study herbalism and nature and natural healing magic. They will be oriented towards harmony and balance. They will have rituals celebrating the turning of the seasons. Harmless stuff. 2. Just like the major religions, the minor religions are filled with fraud, stupidity and humbuggery. There are a lot of stupid people, who can't tell the difference between Wicca and black magic. To such people, it's all "witchcraft". This applies both to the practitioner and to those who fear them. For the moment, we can set aside the issue of whether or not black magic really works. The people who are attracted to black magic, tend not to be nice people. Many of them have a few loose screws. They are nut jobs. They can be dangerous in ways that have nothing to do with magic or the supernatural. Your priest friend is right. Best to stay clear. 3. Does black magic work? This is a complex topic. I'm going to cut to the chase. No. It doesn't work -- unless you believe in it. This is what creates vulnerability to it. If you believe it can harm people, then it can harm you. 4. About my reiki training. I'm going to make this simplistic. If you walk a path of healing, you will encounter other healers. Many will be more highly developed than you, and they will help you. If you walk the path of Vampirism -- People who feed off the energies of others -- you will encounter other vampires. Many of them will have bigger and sharper fangs than you. Good luck with that.

The myth persists that suffering brings out the best in people. That suffering makes us noble. No. Suffering makes people mean. If we close our selves off from the suffering of others, we can't do justice to our calling. If we do share in the pain -- we share in the pain. I can't even imagine what it's like to work in a Covid ward. It's beyond anything I've even been exposed to. So much death and suffering. So relentless.

From what little I know of authentic Wicca; there is a teaching. What we do to others comes back three times. I practice reiki. As part of my training, I was taught something similar. The short version. Healers are healed. Harmers are harmed. Now that the mystical stuff has been mentioned, we can get down to the pragmatics. I am seldom lonely. This is because I'm such good company. If I were the kind of person who takes joy in hurting others -- I would not be such good company. I suggest being the kind of man you would want to pal around with. It's not like we have a choice. If you don't like the man in the mirror, you will not be happy.

On the most basic level, this is what comes of having outside people define a group. It would help if our Witch members or Pagan members would speak up. Groups should define themselves. Even now, Communism is conflated with Atheism. This much I understand. Minority groups get tired of arguing. The more so, when dealing with willful and obstinate ignorance.

Aside from the qigong/reiki -- there are other things I take for my arthritis. I take these supplements on the advice of my rheumatologist. Fish oil (Omega 3 fatty acids; Cinnamon capsules, turmeric capsules, ginger capsules and garlic pills. These are natural anti-inflammatories. She also has me taking daily Vitamin D3. On the advice of my nutritionist, I also stopped drinking cow's milk. I was amazed by how much that helped. I still have osteoarthritis and it still hurts, but these things help. Getting old is not for wimps.

I was ordained as a minister of the Apathetic Agnostic Church. The church motto was -- "We don't know and we don't care." Words of wisdom. Words to live by. Sadly, the church is gone. The motto still reflects my outlook. I'm an amiable fellow, given to friendly conversation. I'm done with arguing. It's not fun and I'm bored with it.

Welcome.

Good. We can keep this simple. A god -- or God -- that can not be demonstrated to exist, is irrelevant and meaningless. Even if that god actually exists -- so what? Just like that, no big arguments. It doesn't matter.

I'm an Agnostic. I don't know is a good answer. You seem stressed. Really. Try to relax.

Of course it is. That is why people want God to be real. Why sheep follow shepherds. Why authoritarians like Trump prosper. Peter Pan lives. "I won't grow up."

I was a Home Health Aide for three years. Enough to know what you're talking about. It can be rough.