Aging #347
By Hank Silverberg
Commentary
I'm 70 years old. Every now and then I have trouble coming up with the right word, or I forget the name of something. It's called a "senior moment," and everyone will have a few eventually. Most of us get nervous that it might be the beginning of something else, like dementia, but most of the time it's not. I joke often with young people that "I have forgotten more than you know."
Yesterday I forgot the name of the company we use to protect our property from termites every summer.
Kennedy's office later issued a statement saying it was a "malfunction in his earpiece" that caused him to suddenly stop. I doubt both of those explanations.
I don't want this post to look like ageism. I am by no means saying that 73 is too old to be a senator or a president. But I am saying the media must be more vigilant in questioning the abilities of those in office. Joe Biden was crucified for his faux pas and forced out of the presidential race. I see very little of that for Donald Trump, who often seems unable to complete a comprehendible sentence. The same goes for some of those octogenarian senators who may experience too many "senior moments."
News You May Have Missed
Virginia has a new law designed to protect women's privacy. Retailers will now have to disclose when they collect data on reproductive or sexual health products. For example, a new pop-up on Walmart's on-line site discloses to those who look up or purchase such products and even those who sign up for baby registries, that the information is collected.
The law, which took effect July 1st, requires Virginia shoppers to consent to the collection of such information before they continue to use the site. If the customer does not consent, they are advised to avoid viewing, searching for, using, or purchasing the products or services online.
It's a common practice for information collected on- line to be sold to other entities for product research and marketing.
The Walmart message is clear, but other retailers have not been so assertive about warning customers. CVS, for example, displays a general data collection warning at the bottom of its website. COSTCO sent emails to its customers and lists its health data collection policy on their website.
If you are concerned about data tracking, the Federal Trade Commission recommends using ad blockers, adjusting your privacy settings, and checking a site's cookie policy for opt-out options.
https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/virginia-law-reproductive-sexual-health-purchases-july-10-2025
Injustice
With all the things going on in the immigration mess this one makes no sense at all. The United States has prohibited a Venezuelan Little League team from entering the United States to compete in the Senior Little League World Series in South Carolina in August. The team representing
But the U.S. State Department denied the team members the appropriate visas to travel to the U.S.
Why? On June 4, Venezuela was listed as one of seven countries subject to partial travel restrictions. The U.S. says conditions in Venezuela threaten the safety and security of the U.S.
So far, those restrictions have not impacted Major League Baseball which has a number of players from Venezuela.
Hurricanes
Batten down the hatches if you live in hurricane country. Forecasters say August could be the worst of a very active hurricane season. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasters say it's going to be an above normal season with 13 to 19 named storms. Storms get names when their winds reach speeds of 39 mph or higher. NOAA expects three to five major hurricanes this year.
 |
| (Tropical storm Chantel over Hispaniola, NASA) |
Forecasting just where and when they might hit landfall may be a bit more sketchy this season. The National Hurricane Center is fully staffed, but more than 600 people have been let go from the 122 local forecasting offices. The hurricane season actually started in June, but will reach its peak in late summer and early fall. So far, there have been three tropical storms which have killed 14 people and caused more than $61 million in damage.
Dumbest Quote of The Week!
This week I have chosen a baseball play-by-play call as the dumbest quote of the week. It comes from Sacramento, California, where the formerly Oakland, soon-to-be Las Vegas, Athletics play home games these days. It comes from A's play-by -play man Chris Cary, the grandson of iconic baseball announcer Harry Cary, and son of current Cardinals broadcaster, Chip Caray.
It was a blown home run call. A's centerfielder Lawrence Butler had just launched a homer into right center field, nowhere near the foul pole.
Cary's call??
"High in the air deep to right. That ball is foul... or gone."
Cary says he lost the ball in the lights. Okay, play- by-play is not that easy, nor is the ability to do it genetic.
(You suggestions and comments are welcome)
My recent book "The Campaign" can be purchased at the links below. Or you can buy a copy by emailing me at: HankSilverberg@gmail.com for instructions on how to get a copy at a reduced price and with my signature)
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B084Q7K6M5/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0
My NEWEST book is now available. It is designed for use in Public Speaking and entry level communications classes.
Comments
Post a Comment
Reactive comments are welcome. Please keep it civil. Any direct attack on the blogger or those who post is not welcome and will be deleted.