Leaders can't save us from viruses. Here's food for thought as mass panic ensues and a stock market meltdown ruins our retirement investments:

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/03/coronavirus-showed-america-wasnt-task/608023/

[It's allegorical to say that] the Emperor Nero fiddled while Rome burned. (History repeats itself.)

As is the author of the linked article below, I, too, have been a life-long Republican. Hell, I went to college with Tony Snow, the late Fox News host and Bush 43 Press Secretary. And I agree with every word in this article:

https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/03/peter-wehner-trump-presidency-over/607969/

I did a search on this subject and most of the threads are 2017 or older. I have a stitched 20x40" landscape that I think will translate very well to high gloss metal. Aluminyze offers this size and finish as one of their standards (Costco does not). It's a bit pricey but given where I'm going to place it (over the fireplace in the living room) I'm okay with a $225+ tab. The reviews from 4 or 5 years ago were overall positive about the quality from Aluminyze, but things change. Does anyone have recent experience with them or is there another vendor I should check out before placing the order?

It is with some real sadness that I report that Steve Perry has decided to discontinue his periodic podcast. Apparently some bitched and moaned about the format and the presentations in general. To my way of thinking, these are the same kinds of people who would bitch and moan if they were hanged with a new rope. If they didn't like the podcasts, they didn't have to participate. Instead, they spoil it for the rest of us. I know Steve is a much-respected hedgehogger--and I enjoy his posts and responses here as well. Sorry to vent and rant a bit, but I'm just sorry to lose one means of education that I truly appreciated and looked forward to hearing. I'll watch for Steve's advice wherever I can get it.

I understand that the NASCAR promoters see their racing as a means to make money and crashes tend to get a lot of attention. So, they have little reason to change things. The lack of discipline among the drivers also contributes to the problem. I doubt they will make much of a change because it would effect their pocket book. Truly sad as well as dangerous. I watch Formula 1 quite a bit, and while they have some horrendous crashes, for the most part, it is not the plan. The organizers in F1 simply don't allow dangerous driving and nearly always fine the drivers or the teams severely when they drive dangerously.

I just received the following email from the CEO of B and H. This should clear solutions to the imposed sales tax charged for out-of-state purchase transactions.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Customer,
Everybody likes to save money! I am excited to share B&H’s new way to save
you money.

Last year, the Supreme Court ruled that out-of-state retailers must collect
sales tax on online sales. As a result, on December 5th, B&H will start
collecting tax on shipments to Arizona, as required by state law. We have
been working hard to develop a solution to eliminate the impact of this
ruling on our customers.

Our solution is named Payboo! When you use the new B&H Payboo Credit Card*,
you can save the equivalent of the tax — you pay the tax, and we pay you
back instantly! Make any purchase at B&H with Payboo, and you will receive
an instant reward equal to the sales tax you paid. And at B&H, instant
means instant — no expiring points, credits, or coupons to worry about.
It’s that simple. (B&H collects and remits state sales tax in accordance
with state laws, so all required tax is collected and paid, and B&H issues
the instant savings credit to you.)

Payboo is an exciting store credit card with, we believe, the most valuable
benefit in the industry — the instant credit equal to the sales tax. As
long as you pay your bill on time, you will not incur any interest or other
costs. I invite you to apply today at www.BandH.com/payboo.

I know you have many choices where to buy creative tech gear, and I truly
appreciate your business. With Payboo, I believe B&H will become an even
clearer choice for all your technology needs.

I look forward to a continued great business relationship. Please remember,
at B&H the customer always comes first. That’s why we’ve created Payboo to
eliminate the impact of sales tax for you.

Please visit us today and start saving!

Thank you,
Menashe Horowitz
CEO