WilliamJames comments

Posted in: U.S. patient 'happy again' after brain implant treats epilepsy and OCD See in context

This is amazing research. Delighted but not surprised that it works. Deep brain implants are being done at Stanford too. It's a relatively new area of medical research that is yielding excellent results for individuals in seemingly hopeless situations:

https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2023/12/traumatic-brain-injury-implant.html

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Posted in: China plans easier border entry rules for some foreign tourists See in context

*China would be a wonderful place to visit and experience but with the CCP in charge of it now, it's rotten. Just ROTTEN.*

No, it's not Chinaa that is rotten, but rather it's the Chinese Politicians to whom you are refering.

To me China is its people and they are wonderful, hard working, doing all that they can to provide for their families and enjoy life. Not easy there with the stupid no covid policy.

Why do I say stupid? It's not just my opinion. I've a very close friend who is from Beijing, who now lives here in the USA. He's very famous. We had coffee last week, and I asked him about Xi Jinping. He stated, he's stupid.

My wife and I visited China for 3 weeks in 2010. The people were friendly, the sites we visted historical as well as beautiful, and the children wonderful. We visited an elementary school. We met joyous, well educated, and welcoming children. Yes, the visit was planned but no matter. The light of life in the children's eyes says it all. They also spoke excellent English. And spontaneously broke out into cute Chinese. Kid's talk.

Others we encounted while walking about Shanghai, Suzhou, Nanjing, etc., were always helpful and kind. We do speak Chinese albeit not perfectly. That helped.

We've also visited Japan 5 times, and like in China, have several close friends in this equally beautiful country. Our experiences were the same.

To be honest my wife and I have made more than 50 internationals trips. And yes, even in Russia. The Russian people are not Putin. It was a grand experience. The teenagers we randomly met are extremely well educationed, speak English, and enjoyed discussing ballet, Jazz and classical music with us.

Yes, the people are not the politics they are forced to endure.

Get out there, meet them, don't be shy, learn to say hello, thankyou, and you're welcome in the language of each country you visit. A little bit goes a long way.

Let's all have the best of intentions.

Bill

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Posted in: 'Lord of the Rings' prequel is Amazon Prime Video's biggest premiere See in context

Well, I watched the first 2 episodes. Not bad for TV. I've not yet watched the HBO prequel. I'm still ticked off on how they completely bombed on the GOT final episode.

I learned long ago that one cannot compare books and either movies or TV. The writers play to the average viewer. And you can bet that very very few of the latter have ever read a single page that Tolkien has written.

OK. Back to the US Open tennis grand slam. Reality TV at it's best.

Bill

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Posted in: Do you consider the A-bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki to be war crimes? See in context

I'm and American, and am 82 years old. I saw the headlines when I was 5 and it angered me. But, what do children know? Note that they've not yet been politicized.

It still pisses me off. A demo would have sufficed. All of the hypothetical, "it would have saved 100's of thousands of lives," are rationalizations to assuage guilt. It was ugly and is still unforgivable.

War crimes? YES ! I'm sure my good friend Yoshi who was also five and survived the Nagasaki bombing with still present burn scars agrees with me.

Bill

9 ( +11 / -2 )

Posted in: Webb telescope captures colorful Cartwheel Galaxy See in context

The last line of the story is absurd. Current state? We are seeing the state of the galaxy 500 million years ago.

"While Webb gives us a snapshot of the current state of the Cartwheel, it also provides insight into what happened to this galaxy in the past and how it will evolve in the future."

Still, it's a stunning revelation of the beauty of the Universe.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Posted in: Ash Barty’s retirement not really hard to fathom See in context

I'm sure Bjorn Borg understands Ashley very, very well. It's been brilliant watching her play, and one surely hopes that her life after tennis is equally so. Courageous she is.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Posted in: Figure skating age debate also exposes body image challenges See in context

In figure skating its all about physics. The center of momentum and conservation of momentum. This also applies to most sports that require controlled motion, and is exacerbated in figure skating, gymnastics, and as well as the field part of track and field - look at the shot putters and discuss throwers. In the latter large and muscular, and in the former small and thin.

One can definitely achieve the desired body form without eating disorders. Perhaps, the latter are caused by bullying like was exhibited by Kamila's coach. Pitiful for sure.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Teenage skater Valieva in action as fury mounts over Olympic reprieve See in context

Hmm ... let's see. Valieva tested positive in December, and tested NEGATIVE at the Olympic games in February. What is the half-life of that drug? Doubtful it effected her amazing performance. I hope she wins and sets another world record. She's the most talented ice skater that the world has ever seen.

WADA is a group of fanatics and some of the drugs on their lists have zero effect on performance. Recall Maria Sharapova? A WADA scapegoat. They add a drug before the Australian Open; know she's taking it; and notify her by email?? They should've sent a courier to her front door. And the drug had been proven to not be performance enhancing. Etc ...

And just how many undetectable drugs are in use? You can bet there are many.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Posted in: For Asian American women, Olympics reveal a harsh duality See in context

I'm 82 and lived in America all of my life. But, my wife and I have visited most countries in this world. We've found that people everywhere apart from different cultural traditions are pretty much the same. We both speak multiple languages, and when we visit a country we make sure we at least know the expressions for gratitude, saying hello, etc ... . We've always been warmly greeted and have friends world wide. To be honest most of our closet friends are not from the US. The majority are Asian. That's how we've gravitated over the years.

And, as a graduate student doing my doctorate work we lived in a black American ghetto with our then 1 year old daughter. It is by far the best neighborhood we've ever known. The children were warm and wonderful, and the place was like a large, close family. I saw the police harass 10 year old children for no reason at all. And did not stand silently by. I still do not.

To wit, the endemic racism in the US is a sickness that I've seen since here I was a child. It must be stopped. It leaves me speechless. Education and familiarity is a long term solution. Our grandchildren who are millennials do not have a racist fiber in their being. Perhaps their generation will change this madness. Until then we must be kind to all, respect all, and not remain silent.

31 ( +38 / -7 )

Posted in: Djokovic 'shocked' by Chinese tennis star Peng's disappearance See in context

This must begin with the ATP and the WTA immediately boycotting China. And, if this doesn't work, that boycotting the upcoming winter Olympics must be next.

Peng Shuai, I hope you are safe, and without a mishap。I definitely look forward to watching again play tennis free from worry.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Posted in: Filming stopped on Black Panther sequel after Letitia Wright injury See in context

cla68: Wright has heroically rejected pressure from Hollywood’s bug pharma shills to take the clot shot. I hope her the best.

Actually, the incidence of blood clots is more common in the general population than among those who receive the vaccines. It's also much higher among those who have contracted covid-19. It's nice to know the facts. They protect all of us:

https://weillcornell.org/news/blood-clots-extremely-common-but-rarely-related-to-the-covid-19-vaccine

https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-perspective/2021/04/study-covid-much-more-likely-vaccines-cause-blood-clots

Please get vaccinated.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Posted in: COVID-19 deaths of people aged under 60 soar in Japan due to Delta variant See in context

This is also happening in the US. From the Washington post:

The COVID-19 death toll has started soaring again as the delta variant tears through the nation's unvaccinated population and fills up hospitals with patients, many of whom are younger than during earlier phases of the pandemic.

The U.S. is now averaging about 650 deaths a day, increasing more than 80% from two weeks ago and going past the 600 mark on Saturday for the first time in three months.

Data on the age and demographics of victims during the delta surge is still limited, but hospitals in virus hotspots say they are clearly seeing more admissions and deaths among people under the age of 65.

Wear your masks as I'm sure 99% of you do, and get vaccinated as soon as possible. My nephew's family are all vaccinated, and wear masks. Yet, they caught the covid delta variant when the dad interviewed someone at work and didn't wear his mask. Please, no guilt trips. He knows he made a serious error. Happily, all are fine after mild cases.

Be safe, careful, and enjoy life too,

William James

3 ( +11 / -8 )

Posted in: America's moral responsibility for the tragedy unfolding in Afghanistan See in context

Strange how everyone has forgotten the Vietnamese war: 53,000 American soldiers killed; 2 million Vietnamese; Agent orange used to defoliate jungles still resulting in birth defects; Mai Lai slaughter of innocent women and children. We saw all of this on the 7 o'clock news. Then the withdrawal and thousands escaping in boats and any other means possible. They worried back then that the communists would expand from Vietnam to take over the Philippine islands, Thailand, etc .... The famous domino theory. WRONG. Now we trade freely with all of Vietnam.

The USA should've learned its lesson. But no. The war in Afghanistan was an error. Period. What is happening there is sad but in no way begins to the Vietnamese war.

President Eisenhower said to beware of the military industrial complex back in the 1950's. They always profit from every war. Pitiful ...

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Posted in: Sebastian Coe backs reviewing marijuana rules in doping See in context

Sebastian Coe is the president of the World Athletics governing body, and his word has significant weight in track and field:

"World Athletics is the international governing body for the sport of athletics, covering track and field, cross country running, road running, racewalking, mountain running, and ultra running."

I was surprised by his statement on marijuana given his past records on doping. I, by the way, agree with him with respect to marijuana.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Biden's test: Engineering economic boom in a partisan divide See in context

During the first nine months of the Obama presidency, the unemployment rate climbed to 10% and the swift recovery that was predicted never happened as the country took years to work through housing foreclosures and rebuild its financial system.

This say's everything about that administration..

The stock market was also at 6,000 or so. When he left in 2016 unemployment was at 4.2% and the stock market about 20,000. The republicans did not want QE because of inflation. There was no inflation. What an AMAZING job ! Never before equaled in just 8 years.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Posted in: Texas asks U.S. Supreme Court to help Trump upend election in long-shot lawsuit See in context

Then we have this from the Supreme Court today:

The Supreme Court rejected a Republican request to overturn election results in Pennsylvania that had already been certified and submitted.

Tuesday, December 8, 2020 5:09 PM EST

The justices said they would not block a ruling from Pennsylvania’s highest court that had rejected a challenge to the use of mail ballots in the state. The Supreme Court’s order was all of one sentence, and there were no noted dissents.

Says it all doesn't it LOL !

10 ( +13 / -3 )

Posted in: Experts slam 'dangerous fallacy' of virus herd immunity See in context

Herd immunity requires that at least 60% of a population become infected. In the US that is a little more that 200 million people. And, by the way. 60% is a conservative number. The current death rate in the US is 2.87. So, let's assume it's 1.0 since actual infections are much higher. That says 2 MILLION PEOPLE will die. A virtual crime against humanity by the Trump presidency.

Herd immunity is usually discussed when a vaccine exits. So, for measles where immunity is lifelong, 80% or so of the population being vaccinated guarantees that those who cannot be vaccinated because of compromised immune systems can safely go to school, etc ... Other examples are polio, smallpox, and chicken pox.

Flu vaccines as well as one for SARS-CoV-2 when it arrives after completed phase-3 trials and verification only give seasonal protection, and as is well known, do not prevent reinfections.

With respect to Sweden the government itself admitted that too many people died. Denmark just next door successfully implemented the necessary restrictions to flatten the curves while minimizing deaths.

Remember: Economies always come back even when obliterated as in 1929 and 2008. The dead NEVER COME BACK.

Please a little compassion for others and the vulnerable. SARS-CoV-2 is devastating often will serious long timer after effects.

Wear a mask. The life you save may be your own.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Posted in: High five See in context

Such a wonderful feeling to make an eagle. Nasa knows she has a great caddie and vice-versa. The caddie's advice on each shot is a key to success; they are a good team ... Bravo !

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Osaka to face Azarenka in U.S. Open final See in context

How did Serena Williams blow a lead of up 1-6 after the first set? Anybody see this and comment?

Victoria Azaranka wasn't quite into her game in the first set. When the 2nd set arrived, so did her game. At the same time Serena began to tire.

In the 3rd set Azaranka quickly broke Serena, and was up 4-1 in the blink of an eye. Serena was tired but somehow still found the energy to play, and her magnificent first serve enabled her to win two more games. In the end Serena could not match Victoria's superior conditioning.

All in all, the best player won the match last night. Bravo for both of them ! Serena is always gracious in defeat.

Otherwise, with respect to the opening couple of lines in this story. RIDICULOUS !! Both Naomi and Jennifer played picture perfect tennis. There were net cord winners for each of them at critical junctures as well as unchallenged, erroneous calls. This is sports; this is tennis. Naomi was the better of the two yesterday in the early, rainy NY evening. Naomi's tennis was impeccable, forceful, and there was never a single instant of self-doubt on either side of the net. Jennifer battled to the very last point.

Naomi's perfection was wonderful to watch. She is simply adorable. She sat in the stands to watch the 2nd match, She wore a Kobe Bryant basketball shirt. Bless her soul. The final is a toss up, but my wife and I will be rooting for NAOMI !

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Posted in: Osaka beats Rogers to reach U.S. Open semifinals See in context

I watched the match. Naomi played, solid, confident tennis. I'm happy she had the wisdom to withdraw from last week's match when she felt a hamstring twinge. Best to rest and have the best therapy available for the NY Open. She's sensible and dedicated.

Her next opponent, Jennifer Brady, will be a difficult challenge. I certainly hope Naomi prevails. I also doubt that Serena is worried. She never worries.

-4 ( +6 / -10 )

Posted in: Osaka to play in Western & Southern Open semifinals, after all See in context

Hmmm ... Seems you don't get it:

"They offered to postpone all matches until Friday and in my mind that brings more attention to the movement. I want to thank the WTA and the Tournament for their support.”

Her single withdrawal coerced them to postpone all matches until tomorrow (today in Japan). That is a major concession by the WTA and USTA, MAJOR.

Naomi's timid personality has overwhelming power. Jacob Blake was shot 7 TIMES in the back when he attempted to enter his car where his 3 children were sitting. That is attempted murder in anyone's mind. It's not clear he even committed a crime. He said he had a knife in his car. If you wish to stop the fellow, just shoot the tires on his car. Not traumatize 3 children for the rest of their lives. This reckless racism must stop now. His mother stated that Jacob is a peaceful person, please have peaceful, intelligent, loving demonstrations in his honor. Jacob lived but will be partially paralyzed for life.

I'm 80 years old and have lived in the black ghetto. I'm white. I've seen this BS even applied to 10 year old children for doing nothing, ZERO. Putting a child in the back seat of a police car because they think he stole the 10 speed he was riding. And threatening him to admit he stole it. It was my 10 speed and he was welcome to use it whenever he wanted to. Right, the POlice let him go. Happily, his father stepped in, phoned the Chief of POlice and the latter along with the two offending cops sped by my home to apologize to the dear little fellow. His hobby was collecting butterflies and he enjoyed flying kites. Doesn't always end that way.

BRAVE NAOMI, and OF COURSE BLACK LIVES MATTER. That doesn't mean your life does not matter by the way.

Wake up America ...

-2 ( +12 / -14 )

Posted in: Nishikori tests positive second time for COVID-19 See in context

Pukey2

LOL ! Well said. I was also somewhat deceived. Then my wife asked me, "When was the first test." I read the article and thought, "Come on, what a ridiculous headline/story!"

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Posted in: Virus immunity may disappear within months: study See in context

I suggest all of you look at the following article on the vaccine created by Oxford University in England. It causes the immune system to generate both anti-bodies and more critically T-cells to combat the virus. While antibodies fade in time, T-cells do not. This is the most promising vaccine out there;

https://www.biospace.com/article/astrazeneca-s-early-covid-19-vaccine-data-show-a-double-defense-against-the-virus/?utm_campaign=GenePool&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=91520047&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-95gFb3hJRIrO-CR6okbf22fv2zY23EkkDGD82wP-WJdrxeASS42E-Plu5AjlovvIoEyLZERqEhUbv0DcsjY6McDdSBqw&utm_content=91520047&utm_source=hs_email

William James ...

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Posted in: China leads COVID-19 vaccine race See in context

Monty, apparently you don't understand virology. None of the covid-19 viruses that are infecting people, and there are multiple mutations were made in a laboratory. Straight forward DNA analysis by virologists can identify lab made viruses because they have a specific design pattern or backbone.

Made in a lab in China or anywhere else is false. Also, the viruses infecting New York came from European mutations. This explains why NYC took such a hard hit. Scientists really should be consulted before political decisions are made. Flights from Europe to the US should have been stopped or quarantined.

Kyronstavic: Chinese science is sound as well as respected by scientists world-wide.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Posted in: Some people argue that mandating anyone to wear face masks during the pandemic is a violation of human rights. Do you agree? See in context

So much BS above. Yes, wearing a mask does slow or stop the spread of COVID-19. Don't argue with me, rather argue with the Mayo Clinic in the USA. The latter is one of the largest and most reputable medical schools and hospitals in the USA. To wit for those who are witless and don't give a damn about others. And by the way, in the US the new cases are among the 17-49 and group who were deniers, and they are dying. THis virus is not the flu. The after effects are unheard of in the common flu. This can leave someone who is cured devastated, crippled, etc.

From the Mayo Clinc :

Can face masks help prevent the spread of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19? Yes, face masks combined with other preventive measures, such as frequent hand-washing and social distancing, help slow the spread of the virus.

So why weren't face masks recommended at the start of the pandemic? At that time, experts didn't yet know the extent to which people with COVID-19 could spread the virus before symptoms appeared. Nor was it known that some people have COVID-19 but don't have any symptoms. Both groups can unknowingly spread the virus to others.

These discoveries led the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to do an about-face on face masks. The CDC updated its guidance to recommend widespread use of simple cloth face coverings to help prevent transmission of the virus by people who have COVID-19 but don't know it.

Some public health groups argue that masks should be reserved for health care providers and point to the critical shortage of surgical masks and N95 masks. The CDC acknowledged this concern when it recommended cloth masks for the public and not the surgical and N95 masks needed by health care providers.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

Posted in: Naomi Osaka using lockdown to conquer inner demons See in context

Mr. Robert Mass, Shyness is NOT a defense mechanism. Some people are shy, and the world's needs them as much as the extroverts. Pretty much genetic.

I've known some of the world's greatest mathematicians, and among them are so many shy individuals who love to be alone and dedicate themselves to advancing one of the most difficult mental subjects. Among them also are extroverts as well as introvert/extroverts.

So, unless you are her personal psychiatrist or psychologist, your opinion is worthless given your domain of expertise.

I view Naomi as a wonderful, hyper talented young woman who I think should learn to love her shyness. And the results of such acceptance just might be surprising.

I'll always root for her for sure, and adore her shyness. It also just may be that the latter is what makes her a winner. One never knows.

Best regards, stay safe, and make someone else's day a better one,

Bill1940

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Posted in: Thailand to promote domestic tourism first, then Japan, China and Europe See in context

Hello OriginalOne,

I'm American and I'd say American tourists = BAD Idea. Way too soon given the miserable job that is being done at the national level here. Tourists from the San Francisco Bay Area as well as from Taiwan, New Zealand, and Hong Kong tourism is a good idea.

And I'd take China over the US anytime in this situation. I've quite a few friends who live there and we communicate regularly.

The real solution should be strict arrival control and screening along with mandatory two week quarantines for all. This means it's way too early PERIOD.

Not jumping on you :-)

zhufu ni ri ri hao ri, pingan ...

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Posted in: Graffiti targeting Wuhan residents over virus found at Yasukuni shrine See in context

Just who are these "Some people in or around WuHan?" This is neither the first pandemic nor the last one. It is not the fault of the Chinese. MERS happened in the mid-East when a corona virus passed from a camel to a human. These viruses are out there mutating. When the next one arrives it will be from some other random place in the world. What the Chinese did to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus in HuBei province is unbelievable. The people of WuHan suffered horribly. We should be thanking them for the efforts and sacrifices they made to control its spread.

Today I read that a case of COVID-19 occurred in France in December. They had well preserved swabs from a sick individual who recovered. They recently tested them three times and each time the test was positive. It is unclear when exactly this virus initially arrived outside of China. Some here in the US expect it was last fall. We had an unusually early flu season.

There is only one thing we can do to assure our futures. Be prepared. Stockpile Personal Preventative Equipment and Maintain it to assure it is working condition. Give much more of our defense budgets to support scientific research in vaccine preparation; searching for and cataloguing viruses in the wild; do not encroach upon wild animal habitats like bats; and build world-wide cooperation in these areas.

This political brow-beating countries for things that happened in the past or to generate hatred among voters to win elections is idiotic. All countries are guilty of this. It is simply stupid. We are one world and we need one another to solve these problems. Unite and Make the World Great Again.

And remember: Economies come back, the dead do not. All living species are special. Those who are willing to sacrifice the lives of others for their own personal or political gains should never hold a position of power. Never.

Bless all of you, be safe, and I cannot express with words the admiration I have for those nurses, doctors, scientists, etc., for their efforts to save lives and stop this virus. They have gone beyond the political madness that seems to surround us and given all of us an example of how to live our everyday lives helping others.

Bill

1 ( +12 / -11 )

Posted in: Tennis players cry foul after shock French Open move See in context

expat and Kumagajin

LOL !! You've both hit this one with a couple of aces ...

I'm a hyper-tennis fan, but, c'mon, give the World a few break points. There is a very important match to win right now !

Bill

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Posted in: Hokkaido declares state of emergency over virus See in context

The corona virus morality rate is higher than for the previous SARS.

False ! SARS was 9.5% and currently COVID-19 is 2%. The latter is expected to diminish as the number of cases increases. I know it's easy to mix up %'s but still ... Let's not spread unnecessary fear.

US CDC: Also, COVID-19 rarely effects children, and when it does, it is usually quite mild.

Bill

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

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