Sunday Poll: More Gun Control or Just Enforce Existing Laws?

Last week’s shooting in Florida has sparked heated debate about solutions to the rising number of mass shootings:

More than a dozen school shootings have already occurred so far in 2018.

According to non-profit organization Everytown for Gun Safety, a total of 17 shootings have occurred on school campuses across the United States as of February 14.

The Wednesday shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida marks the 18th incident so far this year. (ABC15 Arizona)

One issue raised is more gin control vs enforce existing legislation vs less gun control. Today’s poll question is focused on this aspect of the debate.

Today’s poll will close at 8pm. If mass voting is detected it’ll be closed sooner. Results, and my view, on Wednesday.

— Steve Patterson

Sunday Poll: Should We Return To A More Traditional Celebration of Valentine’s Day?

Wednesday is Valentine’s Day — a holiday celebrated around the world — in very different ways. Here, it’s about gifts. From a year ago:

Valentine’s Day spending is expected to drop 7.6% this year to $18.2 billion from last year’s $19.7 billion, according to the latest annual survey form the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights and Analytics. It turns out that 9% fewer people plan on celebrating the occasion.

“Valentine’s Day continues to be a popular gift-giving occasion even if consumers are being more frugal this year,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “This is one day of the year when millions find a way to show their loved ones they care regardless of their budget. Consumers will find that retailers recognize that their customers are looking for the best deals and will offer good bargains just as they did during the holiday season.”

Once again it looks like department stores will have their hearts broken. They are the favorite shopping destination for Americans purchasing Valentine’s day presents. The average spending per person is expected to drop from last year’s $146.84 to $136.57. Discount stores are the second choice, while online shopping comes in at third. (Forbes)

This year it looks like spending will rebound.

Apparently, most Americans won’t be celebrating Valentine’s Day by offering their sweetheart a heart-shaped box of chocolates from the grocery store and a cheap bouquet of flowers. Instead, the 55% of Americans who say they plan to celebrate the holiday are estimated to spend, on average, $143.56, according to an annual survey by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Prosper Insights & Analytics. That’s up from last year’s $136.57.

Total spending will hit $19.6 billion, according to the survey, a dramatic increase from the $18.2 billion spent last year. The 2018 number, however, won’t quite break the record of $19.7 billion set in 2016, when the average was $146.84, for a $19.7 billion total. (The Motley Fool)

Today’s poll is about Valentine’s Day:

This poll will close at 8pm.

— Steve Patterson

Sunday Poll: What Type Of Car Would You Like Next?

Thursday & Friday of this will I’ll be at the media-only events at the Chicago Auto Show, it’s open to the public Saturday February 10-19, 2018. Before each show I think about what new models I want to see, what press events interest me. As fuel prices remain low, the small cars I prefer continue being pushed to the back as trucks, SUVs, and crossovers show increased sales & profitability:

Automakers posted mixed U.S. new vehicle sales data for January, with American consumers showing little sign they will stop abandoning passenger cars for the larger pickup trucks, SUVs and crossover models that manufacturers also love because they are far more profitable. (Reuters)

For today’s poll I’m curious about what type (body style) vehicle, if any, you desire. The list in the poll (below) is listed alphabetically and is based on lists from Edmunds & NADA.

This poll will close at 8pm. On Wednesday I’ll share the results and share my thoughts on the subject.

Thursday & Friday I’ll be posting to Twitter & Facebook from the Chicago Auto Show.

— Steve Patterson

One Decade Since My Hemorrhagic Stroke

Ten years ago today I thought I was going to die on my cold concrete bedroom floor. It was the afternoon and I thought I suddenly got a headache. I laid down on the bed then decided to go into the bathroom and take an aspirin. That’s when I realized I wasn’t going to be able to remain standing, so I lowered myself to the floor. I thought I should call 911 but I couldn’t think of where my phone was. I began vomiting…a lot. I pulled the comforter off the bed for some warmth.

I heard my phone ringing, it was in the kitchen. I couldn’t move.

I began realizing that I was likely to die — one month to the day after my dad. I thought about loose ends I hadn’t taken care of. Then I must’ve blacked out. The next morning my close friend Marcia used the emergency key I gave her to check on me. Apparently I was conscious and told her to grab my phone so she could call my brothers.

It was Saturday February 2nd — the big Mardi Gras parade meant the emergency room was busy. Marcia and other friends waited amongst the ill party goers. I was at St. Louis University hospital for more than 3 weeks. In that time I had many visitors, though I was sedated most of the time.

My friends Rich & Andrew, from Seattle & Kansas City, respectively, arrived a week after my stroke. Thankfully Rich documented his visit and my condition.

This is a good place to discuss the types of strokes:

All types have one thing in common: a loss of blood to part of your brain. That causes big problems.

Your brain cells need the oxygen that’s carried by your blood. So when a stroke cuts the supply, some of the cells start to die. And that sets off trouble like memory loss, confusion, and numbness on one side your body.

There are two main types of stroke:

• Ischemic
• Hemorrhagic

If you have signs of any of them, call 911 right away. The sooner you get treated, the less likely you are to have long-term effects. (webMD)

Ischemic, caused by a blood clot, is far more common than the type I had, hemorrhagic.

My first memory after February 1st is of waking up on February 25th. I’d been transported to St. Mary’s on Clayton Rd to begin therapy, a cousin and one if my brothers was there. Two trips in an ambulance and I have no memory of either!

On the 25th I had a trachea (voice box) in my throat, initially I thought it was permanent. Even once I knew it was only temporary I would pull it out — nurses had to restrain my right arm to prevent me from interfering. No need for them to strain my left side — I had zero movement. After nearly 41 years as a leftie I would need to become right-handed.

By the 28th I was allowed to eat foods and drink liquids — I had to pass a swallow test first.

Therapy (physical/occupational/speech) should begin within hours/days after a stroke — but it was several weeks in my case. Before leaving St. Mary’s on March 21, 2008 friend Antonio French stopped by to document my progress.

On March 21, 2008 one of my brothers drove me to a now-closed state rehabilitation facility in Mt. Vernon MO. There I continued to work on physical, occupational, and speech therapy. On April 30, 2008 myself and a few others from the St. Louis region were taken to our respective residences.

During these first three months after my stroke I wasn’t sure what my future would be like. I didn’t know I’d be able to live well on a fraction of my prior income. I didn’t know just 5 years later I’d find love. I didn’t know I’d be forced to narrow my focus and rethink my priorities.

Ten years ago today I thought I was going to die — but it was the day I really began to live!

— Steve Patterson

Sunday Poll: How Will You File Your Taxes?

The federal government is reopened. at least temporarily, so the IRS will be anticipating your 2017 tax return. The tax season begins tomorrow:

Although the IRS will begin accepting both electronic and paper tax returns on January 29, 2018, paper tax returns will be processed later, in mid-February, as system updates continue. The IRS strongly encourages people to file their tax returns electronically for faster refunds

The filing deadline to submit 2017 tax returns is April 17, 2018.  That’s because April 15 falls on a Sunday in 2018. That would normally result in a move to the following Monday (April 16, 2018). However, Emancipation Day falls on Monday, April 16 this year. Since that’s a legal holiday in the District of Columbia, the tax filing deadline will be pushed ahead for all individual taxpayers to Tuesday, April 17, 2018. (Forbes)

In years past I’ve had to file extensions, now I file as soon as I get all our W-2s & 1099s. Today’s poll isn’t about when you’ll file — but how you’ll file. The options are numerous:

The answers above are presented in a random order. this poll will close at 8pm tonight.

— Steve Patterson