Novel ideas for the election
Could illiteracy alter our election?
Candidates rely on memes, reels, half-truths, sound bites, multiple sources, propaganda vs. promotion. How effective is that if 14% lack reading skills?
Since low literacy skews informed ability to select leaders, Storyshares literacy organization develops books for older students who file taxes, vote, read prescriptions.
They say: “Illiteracy could affect our election. Per UNESCO, 773 million worldwide are illiterate. US National Center for Education Statistics indicates 32 million lack basic reading and writing.”
2020’s census reported a bachelor’s degree had a 78% turnout rate. A high school diploma voted at 56%.
Pew Research Center says misinformation potentially sways results. Arizona, Georgia, key swing states, where elections can be contested — lower literacy may rep part of the electorate and impact close elections.
In the 2020 presidential election, outcomes were influenced by a small percentage. With millions of adults disenfranchised or less likely to vote, collective absence or participation can alter the results.
The H’wood fix is in for Cohn
Back when G. Washington was still in his drawers, reporters had pencils, notepads. Now, computers. Mine hate me. With Roy Cohn’s new biopic, my old cranky one remembers my many Cohn stories.
My late husband emceed every major political gala at the Waldorf and Roy craved prime dais position. So they were close. Roy threw Joey’s birthday parties. When we were in Hong Kong, he flew there for one day to celebrate Joey’s birthday. He cared nothing about me — but it’s where — before he found Ivana — I met Donald.
Many stories. Roy loved our antiques. I wouldn’t introduce him to any dealer because he didn’t pay bills. Joey introduced him. Roy hauled home three costly objects immediately. Six months pass. The dealer calls. Roy still hadn’t paid.
I went to Roy’s East 60s town house. Housekeeper Elvira knew me well. I said I had to collect something. My driver and I repossessed all three and returned them to the dealer.
Roy never mentioned it. That night he escorted me to Le Pavillon for dinner. Immediately after we entered, he told the maître: “The check is in the mail.”
Just thinking big
Now, heavy-duty thoughts. Like: Why’s Mrs. Biden suddenly taking over meetings, ordering orderlies around and directing affairs of the USA which no longer craves her, her husband, her stepson, her stepbrother-in-law, her hairdresser — or her?
Heavy-duty thought No. 2: Remember Dr. Forget U. Fauci saying the pandemic didn’t begin in Wuhan? Bear in mind that what he meant was Wuhan, North Dakota.
No. 3: Madonna, gearing for big-time full-time return time, is still with that boyfriend who’s younger than her underwear. I’m naturally too gracious to pursue that subject — however, I would like his phone number.
No. 4: And let’s discuss Meghan Markle’s husband Prince Empty. He wears ankle socks on TV. Those bare legs hang out. It’s probably how he got her. He flashed something else bare.
And if it’s all not only in New York, only in New York — so what?