SHANE'S EXCELLENT NEW WORDS: The PLANdemic is hokum, doofus.

Here's the best current definition of the word "hokum."

It's so obvious that even the namesake of this column understands it. The etymology is somewhat mysterious, not unlike the reasoning of pandemic conspiracy nutjobs.

hokum (n.)
1917, theater slang, "melodramatic, exaggerated acting," probably formed on model of bunkum (see bunk (n.2)), and perhaps also influenced by or based on hocus-pocus.

And, a standard definition:

hokum [ hoh-kuh m ]

noun

out-and-out nonsense; bunkum.

elements of low comedy introduced into a play, novel, etc., for the laughs they may bring.

sentimental matter of an elementary or stereotyped kind introduced into a play or the like.

false or irrelevant material introduced into a speech, essay, etc., in order to arouse interest, excitement, or amusement.

"I argue that Fischer’s vision for Louisville is lackluster at best and lacks the compassion he claims we have."

After Fischer met Bob Marley.

"We can’t eat bourbon, Sir" is about as scathing as it gets. It remains fascinating to observe big brother Fischer and little brother Jeff Gahan, with the latter gazing at his idol with goo goo eyes. It's revealing and revolting in equal measure.

The basic problem, as identified so presciently by Gertrude Stein a whole century ago, is when it comes to either of them, there's no there there.

GUEST COMMENTARY: Can Greg Fischer Really Deliver For Louisville As ‘America’s Mayor’? by Cassia Herron (LEO Weekly)

 ... In his interview with The Courier Journal’s Darcy Costello, Fischer painted a picture of a dreamy 2020, which centers on him being “America’s mayor” as the chair of the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

This role will allow him, he says, to lobby on behalf of the country’s cities, attract more attention to Louisville (which equals more investment) and receive support from his peers — like that which helped him with the national search to hire police Chief Steve Conrad. Fischer said he’d encourage his fellow mayors to be more vision-oriented as they continue providing basic services and managing normal operations of the city.

Sounds good, but can Fischer really deliver?

I argue that Fischer’s vision for Louisville is lackluster at best and lacks the compassion he claims we have. We can’t eat bourbon, Sir, and for those homeowners and residents in the California neighborhood with black residue on their homes from the production of our sacred drink, bourbonism hasn’t been so good to them.