The Second Dose
Last Thursday, I received the second dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. I have a few thoughts on this and wanted to share my experience with those who are wondering what to expect.
Why did Sage get the vaccine?
Wonderful question. By day, I work at the Colorado General Assembly, where I interact daily with lawmakers, lobbyists, media, and the public. I don’t generally consider myself as an “essential worker,” but I was “bumped up” by the Polis Administration for that reason. Yes, I was hesitant, but after reading that the vaccine also greatly reduces the chance of you being a vector, I decided to go for it. I also didn’t really want to have to go through the hell of being blasted in the media for not taking the vaccine and “putting people at risk” while working in the Capitol.
What were the side effects?
Unlike any other vaccine I’ve gotten before, this one had noticeable and lasting side effects. The first night, I felt drowsy, almost like the beginning stages of intoxication. I slept hard. The next morning, I was very achy. Almost like just before the onset of flu symptoms - when you know the next day is going to suck. I didn’t have any chills until the second night. The third day, the aches were nearly gone, but I’ve was battling on-and-off headaches until this morning. It seems ibuprofen does a good job on those. Interestingly, my arm (injection site) doesn’t hurt nearly as much as it did from the first shot.
Needlephobia
I have terrible needlephobia. The last time I got a shot (outside of my mouth - that’s another story) was when I had a lingering ingrown toenail removed. By the third numbing shot, I nearly passed out (first time in my life) and went into hyperventilation. Then began the carpopedal spasms. They had to bring in another nurse to put a bag over my face while my hands contorted. I felt like I was suffering from rigor mortis while still alive.
Thankfully, the nurse practitioner was awesome and explained exactly what my body was going through. Though I certainly wasn’t stoked about being a 250-pound scaredy cat, I did appreciate the amazingness of the human body in that moment, despite the fact that it was betraying me.
Those spasms look really trippy when you’re double jointed, by the way.
Oh, and I guess I’m double jointed. As the second nurse said, “whoa.”
Anyways, it’s a fear I’ve been trying to overcome. I was prescribed hydroxyzine to help with anxiety (generic for Atarax) that helps bring down my heart rate and brings a sort of warmth over me. The first shot was a bit tough, but the second one was much, much better.
The downside to the medication is I need to sleep afterwards.
It’s a very small personal victory, but it’s one I’m proud of. Neither shot really hurt. Literally pinching yourself with moderate pressure hurts more.
No, I didn’t always have this fear growing up.
No, I don’t know how it manifested.
Yes, I know it’s completely stupid.
My coworker and I (who went with me to get their shot as well) grabbed an ice cream cake from Dairy Queen afterwards. I consider it a modest upgrade from the lollipops my childhood doctor would give me.
If I can answer any more questions about the vaccine, side effects, or overcoming needlephobia, just shoot me a reply.
Ben Sasse Censured and Unsensored
Senator Ben Sasse (R-Nebraska) is being threatened by the Nebraska GOP with a censure for his comments regarding President Donald Trump and the events that unfolded on January 6th. Watch the video above for his response.
(Side Note: I still don’t know what to call the events of January 6th. Anything that resembles “siege” or “attack” seems to give too much credit to a gang of infantile morons, but I don’t wish to underplay the situation. Advice welcome.)
"You are welcome to censure me again. But let’s be clear about why this is happening: It’s because I still believe, as you used to, that politics isn't about the weird worship of one dude." - Senator Ben Sasse
Tom Brady Does It Again
The first sports poster I had on my wall as a kid was that of the New England Patriots. I recall Tom Brady, Adam Vinatieri, Teddy Bruschi, and possibly one or two other Patriots on that poster.
The first Super Bowl I recall with any specificity was Super Bowl XXXVIII - in 2004 - where Tom Brady led the Patriots to their second-straight championship against the Jake Delhomme-led Panthers.
Safe to say, I’ve been a Brady fan for a long time. His victory on Sunday night only proves what legitimate, objective sports fans have known for awhile: Tom Brady is indeed the G.O.A.T.
You can hate him - but you just have to respect him. With 7 Super Bowl rings, Brady now has more than any NFL franchise.
Have a friend still in denial?
So, you have a friend who is still convinced the 2020 election was stolen from Donald Trump? Perhaps some of the quotes below may be useful in showing that the Trump team’s legal arguments were, at best, paper thin, and at worst, complete and utter bull.
“Free, fair elections are the lifeblood of our democracy. Charges require specific allegations and then proof. We have neither here.”
Judge Stephanos Bibas, U.S. 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals
Appointed by President Donald J. Trump
(Source)
“To halt the certification at literally the 11th hour would breed confusion and disenfranchisement that I find have no basis in fact and law.”
Judge Steven Grimberg, U.S. District Court
Appointed by President Donald J. Trump
(Source)
“While Plaintiffs may not need to prove actual voter fraud, they must at least prove that such fraud is ‘certainly impending.’ They haven’t met that burden. At most, they have pieced together a sequence of uncertain assumptions.”
Judge Nicholas Ranjan, U.S. District Court
Appointed by President Donald J. Trump
(Source)
“A sitting president who did not prevail in his bid for reelection has asked for federal court help in setting aside the popular vote based on disputed issues of election administration, issues he plainly could have raised before the vote occurred. This court allowed the plaintiff the chance to make his case, and he has lost on the merits. In his reply brief, plaintiff ‘asks that the Rule of Law be followed.’ It has been.”
Judge Brett Ludwig, U.S. District Court
Appointed by President Donald J. Trump
(Source)
“In many respects, this case requires the Court to separate fact from fiction. Central to some of the Plaintiffs’ claims is the contention that the upcoming election, both nationally and in Montana, will fall prey to widespread voter fraud. The evidence suggests, however, that this allegation, specifically in Montana, is a fiction.”
Judge Dana Christensen, U.S. District Court
Appointed by President Barack Obama
(Source)
“Plaintiffs offer no instances of voter fraud resulting from ballots cast after Election Day, or any reason to suspect that a fraudulent ballot or a ballot cast after Election Day is more likely to lack a postmark.”
Judge Michael Shipp, U.S. District Court
Appointed by President Barack Obama
(Source)
“Not only have plaintiffs failed to allege a substantial risk of voter fraud, the State of Nevada has its own mechanisms for deterring and prosecuting voter fraud. Here, plaintiffs do not allege that those mechanisms would fail and that they would need to divert resources accordingly.”
Judge James Mahan, U.S. District Court
Appointed by President George W. Bush
(Source)
The Trump lawsuit was marred by “strained legal arguments without merit and speculative accusations…unsupported by evidence...In the United States of America, this cannot justify the......disenfranchisement of a single voter, let alone all the voters of its sixth most populated state."
Judge Matthew Brann, U.S. District Court
Appointed by President Barack Obama
(Source)
There are probably dozens of other examples, such as when Representative Louie Gohmert (R-TX) attempted to sue Vice President Mike Pence in an effort to get him to throw out certain electoral votes. That was also shot down by a Trump-appointed judge. That being said, I think this gives people a good idea of just how stupid this whole charade was.
Why does it matter?
A few reasons.
Firstly, it exposes the lie that was told to millions of Americans that the election was fraudulent. That not only cast a shadow on the Republican Party, but on the nation as a whole. We shouldn’t trust those who peddled this garbage.
Secondly, the Republican Party cannot move forward and focus on winning without admitting where we’ve fallen short. In 2020, we fell short. There are still millions of Republicans who believe we won in 2020, which means they won’t recognize that we’ve fallen out of favor with the majority of Americans.
Third and finally, because what the hell.
Gallup Polling Not Good for the GOP
We’ll see if this trend continues, but the percentage of Americans who identify as being Republican is falling, and independents are certainly leaning towards Democrats. This isn’t a particularly unique circumstance (we’ve been this low before in just the last few years), but it is certainly a trend to watch.
More importantly, it’s a good gauge of how independents are perceiving Republicans as of this moment, which is not great.
What Does Your Necktie Say About You?
Neckties are being hotly debate in New Zealand’s Parliament.
Click the headline to read, if you dare. It’s the first time I’ve ever heard that the necktie was specifically designed to “designed to promulgate white male power.”
If you’re wondering, that’s not why I wear my tie. I just like ties.