Author Archives: Michael Froomkin

An Open Letter to Pretty Much Everyone I Ever Bought from or Donated to Online

Posted on October 11, 2022 by Michael Froomkin

Dear Online Retailers:

I am so tired of you punishing me for having bought from you by automatically sending me marketing emails, often only days after the sale — even when I don’t check “YES! Send me lots of email I don’t want.”

For the record,

  • I don’t want a follow-up email asking me to give you a high rating on Amazon or some other platform;
  • I don’t want a follow-up email asking how much I love the product, doubly so if the choices regarding filling in the survey are “Yes” or “Later”;
  • I don’t want to know about your new items on sale;
  • I don’t even want a reminder, after a decent interval, to buy more of your consumables, although this at least is more forgivable.

Your Former Customer,

Michael Froomkin

P.S. And please don’t get me started on all the punishment I’m getting for having made some political donations.  Candidates from all over the US are sending me appeals for funds that look like they came out of one of the same pair of cookie-cutters. All opt-out, never opt-in.

It’s so bad that I am ready to give to the first candidate who sends me an email, even an unsolicited one, promising never to email again unless I reply. Although, come to think of it, if I do that, I guess I’ll get more email anyway…

Posted in 2022 Election, Personal, Shopping | Comments Off on An Open Letter to Pretty Much Everyone I Ever Bought from or Donated to Online

Got My COVID Bivalent Booster Today

Posted on October 10, 2022 by Michael Froomkin

It seemed fairly busy at the vaccine station at the CVS; “it picks up in the afternoons,” the lady holding the wicked-looking syringe said.

Posted in COVID-19 | Comments Off on Got My COVID Bivalent Booster Today

Ukrainian Government Continues Media Dominance

Posted on October 6, 2022 by Michael Froomkin

This superior piece of trolling is by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, and ostensibly aimed at Russians in danger of being called up for service in the war.

Spotted via Crooks & Liars, Ukraine’s Ministry Of Defense Trolls Fleeing Russians.

Posted in Ukraine | Comments Off on Ukrainian Government Continues Media Dominance

“Back and Angrier than Ever”

Posted on October 5, 2022 by Michael Froomkin

Press Watch My brother’s blogging hiatus is over and, as he put it, “I’m back and angrier than ever.”

The newest offering is The facts need a bullhorn. I guess he’s shrill. But not without reason:

In just over a month, voters will decide the future of the United States, quite possibly sending it into a downward spiral of know-nothing autocracy, oppression, and white Christian nationalism. And if not this November, then quite possibly in 2024.

But far from shouting the news from the rooftops, our elite political reporters are mewling about dueling parties, polarization, and codependency.

They are failing to call out the hucksters, zealots, charlatans, loons, dupes, and agents of chaos who would lead our country to disaster. They don’t merely treat them with equanimity, they express admiration for their strategy and achievements.

There’s more, of course.

Posted in Dan Froomkin, The Media | 1 Comment

Not the Lifetime Achievement Award I Was Hoping For

Posted on September 26, 2022 by Michael Froomkin

A couple of years ago I was honored to receive the 2020 University of Miami Distinguished Faculty Scholar Award in recognition of my writing.  Little did I know what was yet to come.

What my name was used to publicize.

Now comes Mashable to identify my highest and best contribution to the world:

The name Michael Froomkin likely doesn’t mean anything to you. That’s because his biggest and most important contribution to the world is a post on Discourse.net where he states, “If You Wait Long Enough, Everything Comes Back Into Style.” It’s not clear if this is true or not, but it seems common enough.

A backhanded compliment, perhaps, but does it mean it’s all over now and I should retire?

Posted in Personal | 2 Comments

Ian Recalibrates, Aims for Tallahassee

Posted on September 25, 2022 by Michael Froomkin

Promoted to Ian from TD9, the soon-to-be category 3 (at least) storm has a new projected track. The current projection, still much subject to change,is significantly westward of Friday’s, now avoiding south Florida entirely, before making a now more-leisurely turn to the East, weakening a bit, and heading straight for Tallahassee.

If Ian does hit Tallahassee, don’t hold your breath for claims from local divines that Ian is divine retribution for the recent actions of Gov. Evil™ and the state legislature.

 

Posted in Florida, Weather With a Name | Comments Off on Ian Recalibrates, Aims for Tallahassee