Wintry Mix-ed Signals

 

January 5, 2025

 

We’re in the middle of a snowstorm (of apparently Biblical proportions, if you listen to the news) complete with snow, sleet and ice—a wintry mix, as they call it; and the TV stations spend quite a bit of time warning people to stay off the roads.

 

In the same broadcast, they show pictures of people at the local skiing spot, and of people sledding down Art Hill in St. Louis. “Doesn’t that look fun?” they ask. “Look at all these people enjoying themselves!”

 

If I were the highway patrol, I might send a strongly-worded message to the stations: “Quit encouraging people to be out and about!” Obviously, some people didn’t need any encouragement to act foolishly; but showing them in a positive light encourages others to get out and drive for recreational purposes.

 

The patrol might add this message: “To those who drive for recreation: Enjoy yourselves. If you get in a wreck, or get stuck on the highway, we’ll be by to help you out after the roads clear.”

 

 

He'll Make Kids Have Babies, but not Get Vaccines?

 

December 30, 2024

 

The attorney general of Missouri doesn’t want pregnant teenagers to get abortions because they might be a drain on Medicaid, and because fewer children mean that there will eventually be fewer adults, and a lower tax base. (Yep, he really said it.)

 

So: Where does he stand on getting kids vaccinated? More kids with polio will certainly be a drain on Medicare; and will probably lower the birth rate significantly. That’s not counting cases of measles and whooping cough, which can also impact the health of the population (and yes, lead to drains on Medicare).

 

AG Bailey, can we get an opinion?