More Thoughts from the Self-Isolation Front

Mark Rubin

I’m here! Apologies – as always – for not blogging often enough.

Candidly, spare time involves more activities than “stuck” might suggest, and I’m spending writing time working on my personal memoir. I expect to be around for a long time, but I’d be a G.D. Fool if I didn’t note my age (62), my four pneumonias, and the absence of a solid, functioning health care system. Those who deliver health services deserve every bit of love we can offer them, but if we don’t take away from this crisis a recognition that we don’t have a functioning public health system, We. Are. Blind.

The memoir enlivens my time. I’m blessed, and

Numbers Illiteracy

Mark Rubin

John Allen Paulos teaches math at Temple University. He writes books, too. Good books. Books for lay people about math. One of which he titled Innumeracy … which is why this post got titled Numbers Illiteracy, as opposed to … Innumeracy.

Stupid numbers drive me nutso. They abound now, in an era when stupid, vapid creatures rule.

I hear lots of people talking about how the United States has the largest number of COVID-19 cases in the world. These comments come, mostly, from those whose fury focuses first on our Fearless Leader.

Well, duh! More people live in the United States than in any other country, save China and India. Among large nations we have, by

Random Thoughts About the Corona Virus Crisis

Mark Rubin

It’s week — (who knows) in the annals of the Corona Virus Crisis. Some random thoughts are on offer here.

Bad Math

I love my Wingnut friends. They’re mostly in their 60s, 70s and 80s, but they still drink Kool-Aid every day. Flavor? Trump-Aid. Have you read or heard from one of them, comparing the 20K deaths per year from influenza with the double-digit deaths in the United States of America in the first few weeks of the pandemic? (Think: Week 5 v. Week 50. One might be bigger than the other, and it’s an irrefutable fact that death after Week 5 will be no less than death after Week

Stupid R Us: COVID-19 Version

Mark Rubin

Respectfully, we’re one stupid 320M people. Not all of us, for sure, but collectively? Duh.

Listen, the people who liked Trump liked his “tells it like it is” persona. But, when he said something offensive, his enablers told us “he doesn’t really mean it!” Huh?

We elected a no-nothing, self-absorbed idiot. Now, we get to watch him and his “only the best people” Administration bumble along as a real crisis faces us and the rest of the planet.

A real crisis? Uh, yes. OK, on one side we have people who bring up influenza deaths, auto accidents, guns deaths etc., reminding us that not so very many people have / will die from

Super Tuesday

Joseph R. Biden Jr.

Super Tuesday! The day when Ds, in 2020, vote in lots of places, all at once.

I’m writing in real time, and it’s Biden Time. Remember, last Saturday (February 29) Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. won the South Carolina primary. The victory … in his third presidential run – he ran in 1988 and 2008 – was his first primary win, ever.

Will Rogers said, decades ago: I am not a member of any organized political party. I am a Democrat. I love Mr. Rogers’ willingness to acknowledge his party affiliation, even if he used his affiliation to poke at what has always been the group of people who won’t be told they

San Francisco

SF Crosstown Trail Map

My San Francisco adventure was is marvelous! Before I share details, though, indulge me as I give thanks.

First, off to play for four days, what with a needy four-legger and a crazy busy law / fiduciary practice, happens only because LB minds the store, and Max. As I age, I recognize the need for breaks and nary a one gets a challenge from my best friend, girlfriend, and law and business partner. Thank you, sweetie pie.

Second, Leigh and I go nowhere if we didn’t have a great young attorney, Matthew Scarber, to step up. Thank you Matt and, too, the staff we love – Kathleen Dugan, Carla Flores, Katie Petrick, and Connor

The Candidates’ Debate

Mark Rubin

Going to the candidates’ debate, Laugh about it, shout about it, When you’ve got to choose
Every way you look at this you lose. (For the rest of the lyrics, with the melody and harmony, click here.)

I’m watching D Debate No. 9. Here’s my comment, 10 minutes in, to LB: Effing goddamn f****** circular firing squad. Now, 53 minutes in, nothing differs.

I want President Elizabeth Warren. She warms my heart, for she’s brilliant, with a huge heart and a deep, deep understanding about what ails those who struggle. Can she solve their problems? Probably not. (Quick aside: I got drawn into an interesting debate about the future of the legal profession. Bottom