We need more jabs, Gabriel's & Greg's

I'm all boosted up as of today, Pfizer Comirnaty x 3! I would be a hypocrite if I didn't get poked for the betterment of the world. Once again, thanks to the great German Turks from BioNTech for their ingenuity. For those fruitcakes that are still sprouting their anti-vaxx nonsense, remember, we do this for humanity, not self interest. 

Another earthling will be joining my family (perfect timing during Armageddon), and it got me thinking about all the vaccines they'll have in their first four years. As a soon-to-be parent, I'll proudly watch my offspring get all the jabs necessary, and I'll also take any jab to ensure we do our part. This is why I'm a proud globalist, we're all in this together, no borders, ethnicities, religions, we're all earthlings, now and forever!

Birth Hepatitis B H-B-Vax II or Engerix B (IM) Within 7 days of birth

(ideally within 24 hours)

6 weeks Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, Haemophilus influenzae type b, hepatitis B, polio Infanrix Hexa (IM)

Pneumococcal Prevenar 13 (IM)

Rotavirus Rotarix (Oral) Dose 1 limited to 6-14 weeks of age

Bexsero (IM) Prophylactic paracetamol recommended.

4 months Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, Haemophilus influenzae type b, hepatitis B, polio Infanrix Hexa (IM)

Pneumococcal Prevenar 13 (IM)

Rotavirus Rotarix (Oral) Dose 2 limited to 10-24 weeks

Bexsero (IM) Prophylactic paracetamol recommended. 

6 months Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, Haemophilus influenzae type b, hepatitis B, polio Infanrix Hexa (IM) Children ≥6 months with at risk conditions for invasive pneumococcal disease are recommended to receive an additional dose of Prevenar 13 

12 months Meningococcal ACWY Nimenrix (IM)

Pneumococcal Prevenar 13 (IM)

Measles, mumps, rubella MMR II or Priorix (IM or SC)

Bexsero (IM) Prophylactic paracetamol recommended.

18 months Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis Infanrix or Tripacel (IM)

Measles, mumps, rubella, varicella Priorix Tetra or Proquad (IM or SC)

Haemophilus influenzae type b ACT-HIB (IM or SC)

4 years Diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio Infanrix-IPV or Quadracel (IM)

I guess anti-vaxxers never took these shots in infancy and won't allow their offspring to be jabbed - pigs might fly! All power to babies, the real whiny babies are those dying on a hill over tokenism. You know, kale eating hipsters and right wing nut jobs that are meant to hate each other, but deep down share the same hatred of science. Who said these two would never getting married? Nothing like conspiracy theories to unite left and right. 

Now back to geopolitics...What a way to end the year (according to the Gregorian calendar, of course a vast majority of earthlings will be celebrating the new year in all different years, our Hindu friends are currently in 2077) in geopolitics. If you don't know what I'm excited about then you haven't been an avid reader. Americans are outraged (well, not really, they don't know a world that doesn't revolve around the US) that the new leftist President-elect of Chile (only took 90 minutes to decide the result), Gabriel Boric (dob: Feb 11, 1986) was a newborn when Joey (dob: Nov 20, 1942) had already aged four decades.

I expect a lot from Boric, including being a peacemaker in the Balkans (just kidding, dad is Croatian, so I'd add that little tidbit). He banged on about green investment, lowering the work week from 45 to 40 hours, boosting healthcare and pensions during the campaign, and the elephant in the room, income inequality. Chile has one of the world's highest disparities, the richest 1% own 25% of the country's wealth.

Bulgaria also promoted a Millennial as its new PM. Kiril Petkov (dob: April 17, 1980) managed to take the job while holding Canadian dual citizenship. Sadly, he's a Harvard graduate, and you know how incompetent Ivy League politicians are, refer to Dubya. For those wondering about my thoughts on Germany's new government, here's my bite-size take (you're welcome to use it at times when you want to bore fellow earthlings of the insular variety): No shock Germany's cabinet lacks visible minorities (only diversity, Agriculture Minister with Turkish origin). It will no doubt offend capitalists. Many key appointees are Greens: Vice Chancellor, Foreign Minister, Environment. Will this stop the global 1% from buying Porsche's?

It wouldn't be GE if we don't go off on a tangent to the end the year. How good is 'Succession'? (Season 3 finale made a case to be on the Mount Rushmore for event TV). I don't say this lightly, but it's entering territory that is saved for the likes of 'Six Feet Under', 'The Americans', 'The Leftovers', 'Twin Peaks'. Still a way to go to, as the aforementioned have arguably the greatest finale's in the history of the idiot box, but the world needs a show to unite us, even it means celebrating a complete bunch of narcissistic ego maniacs that have no redeeming qualities, except of course for cousin Greg. The world needs more uncoordinated gangley earthlings bringing us collective joy. 

Banana Republic

Some intriguing votes took place over the weekend, none more exciting than in the Banana Republic (Honduras, for those not familiar with its nickname, definitely not referring to that atrocious retail outlet). Former First Lady, Xiomara Castro representing the left-wing Libre Party took the Presidency after the first round of voting. She was denied the top job in 2017 when the incumbent stuffed ballots (sadly, still a common Central American election trend) in his favour, no longer eligible for reelection, his counterpart Nasry Asfura (son of Palestinian immigrants) failed to keep the right-wing National Party of Honduras in power. FYI: Asfura is the mayor of the capital, Tegucigalpa (a city where murder thrives, a topic that should get more traction on podcasts). 

Let's all rejoice that another nation on the North American continent elected its first ever female President. That's right, Good Ol' US of A, since 2010 Costa Rica and Honduras outright elected Presidents of the fairer sex, best you could do was elect two white male septuagenarians. Joey temporary transferring power to Kamala for 85 minutes due to a colonoscopy does not count.

Kyrgyzstan, a country that Freedom House deemed not free (scored 4/100 for political and 24/100 for civil liberties) had their first parliamentary election since the October 2020 protests. The uprising didn't bring the change to democracy that was hoped, but there has been some small wins. It's now required that party lists for elections meet the following requirements: minimum 30% from each gender, 15% ethnic minorities, 15% of candidates under 35, and two candidates with disabilities. As for the results (turnout was only 35%), not one party has received a majority, 6 parties and 35 independents are set to make up the 90-seat Supreme Council. 

Talking about lack of freedom, it's an opportune time for a segue into global photography...Who said the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) was not making waves (pardon the pun) at the world's most overrated beach (if you guessed Malibu, you're wrong, keep going south some 7500 miles).

Orphans in Nampo orphanage lining up beneath portraits of Kim II-sung and Kim Jong-il. Dear First World earthlings: spend less time on your stupid smart phones watches, and put more emphasis on what you can do for DPRK kiddies. 

Sit back (or shall I say put your head down and scroll on a plastic device) and enjoy some highlights from this exhibition showcasing a global kaleidoscope of photography. No hipsters were harmed in the filming. 

Don't be fooled by the above laid-back scenes, these lands are and will forever be known for extermination. Here's a harrowing exhibit currently on display in the Great Southern (Racist) Land.