Protest, being indignant, or being stupid?...

 Last night President Trump addressed the nation in a speech. Several minutes into it, his speech was interrupted by a congressman from Texas, Al Green. Trump, stated owing to a significant margin of voters said he had a mandate to deliver promises made to the voters. Al Green stood and boisterously shouted, "You don't have a mandate!" He was warned by the Speaker of the House to cease the interruption, nevertheless he continued the babble and was ordered to be removed from the chamber by the Sargent-at-Arms. And he was. Today, he was duly censured by the House of Representatives. As he should have been. 

Throughout Trumps' speech the Democrats' side of the chamber remained seated, stoically ignoring any enthusiasm. Even when items were mentioned that were positive steps for everyone, economically, politically, what have you, they remained seated and motionless. On one occasion, Trump recognized a 13 year old boy suffering from life-threatening cancer his entire life, who aspired to a career in law enforcement. The director of the Secret Service presented the young man with honorary credentials as an agent of the Secret Service.  Myself, as I would think to most Americans, this was a heart-wrenching moment, devoid of political bent. To die-hard democrats it was a politicization of something. I'm not sure of what, nor do I think democrats know of what, either. For this, they did not stand or applaud. Disgusting, despicable, and appalling. 

To Al Green, and the rest of the democrats, trying to shame you is pointless. You dont care and everyone knows you dont care. Trump could cure every cancer patient on the planet and you'd still hate him. He could snap his fingers and inflation would be 1%, you'd still hate him. He could make a dozen eggs cost 98 cents, and you'd still hate  him. We have a framework of government that encourages debate and consensus. But we seem to have reached a point that one side wants to talk yet refuses to listen. One side hates the other no matter what they say or do. One side is on a sinking boat and seems intent on blaming the other side for the boat sinking instead of saving themselves. 

To say it's an historic low point is an understatement. To say it's sad and pathetic is accurate. As I have said in previous posts leadership is critical. It's necessary. Even when one party has effective leadership and is making progress, if the other party is going down with the Titanic, we're all getting wet. We're all on the same boat. Some have the sense to get in the life boats instead of running around the decks of a sinking boat panicking... Come on, democrats, get it together...

#alGreen #trumpspeech  #pasrtisanpolitics  #trumpspeech

Trumps' Tariffs.Let's have a look...

Tonight is Trumps’ first speech in his second term. It’s not a State of the Union speech as he has only been in office two months. He has a couple of topics on which discussion is  widely anticipated, such as tariffs and immigration. But, Trump being Trump will bang his gong on just about everything he has touched. 

I have mixed feelings about his tariff philosophy, in general I dont expect it to be the miracle cure he touts it to be. Sometimes, actually often times I’m not sure Trump understands a lot of things. Through all the bluff and blunder he convinces a lot of people that he knows a lot more than he really does. Even though he concedes that there will be ‘a little pain’ initially with the tariffs, I think he is greatly underestimating the pain. He won’t feel it, but an awful lot of Americans will. On the other hand there is much potential and rationale for tariffs. America has long been taken advantage of by our trading partners. There is little doubt about that. For instance, China dumping cheap goods here for decades, including infrastructure critical goods such as steel. Forcing American suppliers to lower prices to the point of being nonprofitable. Which of course eliminates American jobs. So there are some very deserving targets for tariffs that should have been placed long ago. As for for tariffs across the board, I dont think so. Consider housing costs in the US right now. Slapping tariffs on Canadian lumber imports will only add to the costs of housing pushing them even further into the unaffordable range. Inflation is bad, unaffordable housing is terrible. During your campaign you touted ‘common sense’ Donald. Use it. 

I also agree that Trump is pushing the envelope on invoking legislative authority in the executive branch. There is a fine line here that is being stomped on. Our constitution is clear on maintaining separation of power. The power to enact laws rests purely with the legislative branch. Though allowances have been made which enable the president to enact laws on an emergency basis. These executive orders enacting the tariffs are possible through a law passed by Congress called the IEEPA (International Emergency Economic Powers Act). If not for IEEPA, tariffs could only be imposed by Congress. Are these tariffs necessary as an emergency action? That would be a difficult position to defend. Congress could override these executive orders, but at the risk of defying the president... At present it would be hard to find volunteers for that.

We are putting both executive and legislative power in one persons’ hands by allowing this. In the long run it could be beneficial for the country. Or, it may not. If the latter turns out to be the case, is Congress willing to take the bull by the horns, and take this specified legislative power away from the president? This is precisely what our framers feared, too much power in one persons’ hands. Checks and balances and separation of power...

#tariffs  #trumptariffs #executiveoverreach #constitutionalcrisis

The Oval Office Fiasco, Who's Fault was it?...

 Last Friday in the Oval Office, there was a televised meeting with Trump, Vance and Zelenskyy with the obvious presumption that there was going to be a 'deal' made. Trump prides himself on making deals. Thinks he's the best dealmaker in the history of the world. If you don't believe him, just ask him. This was purported to be a deal that would end the Ukraine-Russia war. In exchange for rights to rare-earth minerals in Ukraine, the US would get an agreement from Russia to end the war of aggression. The Ukrainian borders would not revert to pre-2022. The white elephant in the room, though it wasn't white at all from Zelenskyy's perspective, was security guarantees from the US. On this, Zelenskyy was insistent, his rationale being that Putin cant be trusted to honor a truce. The whole world knows this, why dont you Mr. President? JD Vance kept harping on how ungrateful Zelenskyy was, "You should be thanking the president." He actually has, JD. Many times. Sit down and shutup. 

The president then admonishes Zelenskyy by stating "You're messing with World War III." If what he was suggesting was that by obtaining security guarantees from the US and were Russia to renege on any truce and continue the invasion forcing the US to engage, then yes, World War III would be a definite possibility. Two nuclear superpowers, face to face. Do we really have that much skin in the game at this point? No. Should we? No. Who should? Europe. Continued aggression would bring Russia to another countrys' doorstep. Should the world assume that once Ukraine was part of Russia's domain they would be content to call it a day? Sure. And if you believe that I've got some oceanfront property in Arizona for you. 

So, who was out of line in the Oval Office on Friday? Trump was. By having some conversations with Putin and believing that they had some sort of 'bond' and believing that Putin would honor his word, Trump is entering the same Lala-land that Biden is hosting. Trump has a bevy of really smart people advising him, has the cat got their tongues? Shooting the shit with Putin and actually believing he will honor critically important obligations is akin to believing Kamala Harris would have been a great president. What evidence is there to support this? None. Not one iota, shred, speck, nothing. Go back as far as you wish, there is nothing. Russia is aligned with such rogues as Cuba, Venezuela, Iran, China, North Korea, Hamas, the world's premier bad actors. I really want to believe that Trump knows this and is simply 'playing along'. You know, keeping his cards close to his chest. If that's not the case, we're in big trouble. 

#trump. #jdvance  #putin  #ovalofficefiasco  #worldwarIII  #diplomacy

The Original Americans

I recently had an occasion to go with my wife to a tribal meeting of the Choctaw Indians in Houston. My wife is a 'card-carrying' tribal member. The tribal chief and his entourage tour every couple of years to major cities and areas where there are a large number of tribal members outside of the reservation. The main speaker was none other than the chief himself, Chief Gary Batton. The story of the Choctaws is especially interesting, as was their presentation last night. The role that American Indians play in modern society isn't well-known by most people. I have been researching the tribe for several years as I am currently writing a novel and many of the characters in the book are based on real-life people who were indeed real Choctaw Indians. The tribal meeting I attended gave me a little more first-hand insight into the people and their culture. 

First, a little history of the Choctaws. The Choctaw Nation is the third-largest Indian Nation in the United States. There are over 225,000 tribal members. They were the first tribe over the Trail of Tears from their original homeland in what is now Mississippi and Alabama to Indian Territory in southeast Oklahoma. Today, Choctaw people are enrolled in four federally recognized tribes; The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, Jena Band of Choctaw Indians in Louisiana, and the Yowani Choctaws enrolled under the Confederacy of the Caddo Nation. Choctaw descendants are also members of state-recognized tribes. One Choctaw origin story relates to pre-historic times when the Choctaw people lived in areas near or around what is now the Yucatan Peninsula. Technological advances (DNA)  have provided insights into the origins of indigenous peoples of North and South America that were completely unknown until the past couple of decades. 

The Choctaw Reservation refers to the land designated as the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma which is a federally recognized Native American reservation primarily located in southeastern Oklahoma, where the Choctaw tribe resides. The Choctaw Nation functions as a sovereign entity within the United States. The reservation is in fact a self-governing sovereign nation. Tribal sovereignty is the right and ability to govern themselves as a people. The Choctaws have been exercising sovereignty since the 1830's. Choctaw Nation has a tribal government including executive, legislative and judicial branches.  Through treaties established with the US as early as 1786, they are guaranteed certain rights and responsibilities to their land and their people.  Tribal members living within the boundaries of the reservation are subject to the laws and constitution of the Choctaw Nation. Yes, they actually have their own constitution. Any ruling of the judicial courts of the Choctaw Nation cannot be overruled by any court, including federal courts, in the United States with but one exception, The United States Supreme Court. They are not even subject to being overruled by federal district courts that have been interfering with the executive agenda of the President of the United States that we have been seeing recently. 

Choctaw culture has historical roots going back to the 16th century. The very rich culture of the Choctaws is expressed through rich traditions of song, dance, dress, beading, pottery, basketry, and stickball. It is so wonderful to experience how the Choctaw people maintain their ancient traditions in their personal and daily lives. The Choctaws sense of community and enterprise is a paradigm rarely seen in modern society. One of the greatest acts of caring, compassion and empathy occurred in 1847 when the Choctaws, who had only recently suffered the travesty of the Trail of Tears to what is now Oklahoma, took up donations of about $5,000 to support the Irish during the Potato Famine. The Choctaws' donation was sent to the town of Midleton in County Cork, south of Dublin. Many years later, the people of Midleton learned the aid had come from a people who were themselves re-establishing their society and government after a long an painful migration. In 2018 Ireland's prime minister visited Choctaw Nation's headquarters to thank the Choctaws and establish continuing scholarships for Choctaw students to study in Ireland. It is a deeply meaningful relationship that still exists today and likely will forever. 

More than 90 years ago, 19 young Choctaw soldiers, who were not yet even American citizens, made a significant difference in the outcome of World War I. Through using their native language for communications on the battlefronts to confuse the enemy, the Germans were left clueless to Allied forces messages. After World War I, in 1924, Congress granted citizenship to all Native Americans in part because of native enlistment during World War I. 

I am currently wrapping up work on my second novel which is set in Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. Though it is fiction, it is set in a real location and based on real people, the Choctaws. From my research and experience, America and the world could learn a lot by looking to the nation within a nation. 

#choctawindians. #chatha  #originalamericans   #trailoftears   #nativeamericans  #historicalthriller   #novelintheworks

May God Bless Paul Simon.

 Paul Simon's self-titled solo album was released in January 1972, the same year I graduated from high school. During my college years, with fond memories I recall listening to Paul Simon's music. During the preceding ten years, Simon and Garfunkel was a staple, not only for high schoolers but for people of all ages. "Sounds of Silence", "Mrs. Robinson", "The Boxer", songs that are instantly recognizable, even some fifty odd years later. Their final album, as a duo, "Bridge over Troubled Water" in 1970 is among the best selling albums of all time. Paul Simon has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice, and is the recipient of 16 Grammy Awards, three for album of the year. Two of his works, "Sounds of Silence" and "Graceland" were inducted into the National Recording Registry for their cultural significance and in 2007 the Library of Congress voted him the inaugural winner of the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song. 

There are many great musical artists that have produced iconic works appreciated and enjoyed the world over. But few have produced works that became a part of the culture of their time. Paul Simon is undoubtedly one of those artists. In 2018, Simon announced that he was retiring from touring. In a social media post, he wrote, "I feel the travel and time away from my wife and family takes a toll that detracts from the joy of playing, adding "it feels a little unsettling, a touch exhilarating, and something of a relief." In May 2023, Simon revealed that most of the hearing in his left ear was gone. Now 83 years old, he is returning to the stage for a special tour, called "A Quiet Celebration Tour." He will be performing in intimate venues where the acoustics are optimal in consideration of the hearing loss he has incurred over the last few years. "A Quiet Celebration Tour" will kickoff in New Orleans on April 4 and travel throughout North America, in addition to performances in Canada. The tour will conclude in Seattle in August. 

"Quite suddenly I lost most of the hearing in my left ear, and nobody has an explanation for it. So everything became more difficult. My reaction was frustration and annoyance; not quite anger yet, because I thought it would pass, it would repair itself." It hasn't repaired itself, nor will it. I, personally have lost most of the hearing in both my ears. Yes, it is definitely annoying. Along with a lot more emotions. It hurts, because you know your life will never be the same. You can no longer engagen with others the way you once did. At the time Simon was experiencing hearing loss he was also recovering from a bout of Covid. "Boy, have I been beaten up these last couple of years," he says.

I hear you, Paul, no pun intended. I started losing my hearing about fifteen years ago. As it started to become obvious, my first feeling was denial. This can't be happening, it can't be real. It happens gradually, in the beginning it seems innocuous. At some point, reality becomes very difficult to deny. It was real. It was very hard. All the beautiful things you were used to hearing in life suddenly were difficult to hear or they simply weren't there anymore. It becomes a constant struggle. Simple conversations, the nuances of music... I also succumbed to the ravage of Covid. I spent two weeks in an emergency room, surviving by the skin of my teeth. To say it gives a new perspective on appreciating life is an understatement. 

Not in quite the same way, but music was a huge part of my life as well. I was in the high school band, I was a drummer, and music became an underpinning of my life. It provided the distraction, the support, the inspiration to be happy. And it worked for me. Probably, just like it did for you. 

Losing your hearing doesn't get any better. If anything it only gets worse. If anything, you're lucky this travesty waited until the age of  80 to strike. For me it began much earlier.  Life forces us to make allowances, to compensate, though living without hearing, or limited hearing is especially difficult. Hearing aids help for many, but it's not the same as having your hearing, It'll never be the same again. We just have to do the best we can with what we have. Deciding to do your "A Quiet Celebration Tour" is a testament to your resilience. You were given a wonderful gift that we are so very grateful that you shared with us. And despite the circumstances that life has thrown your way, you're still sharing. Thanks Paul... All the best to you, and Godspeed.

#PaulSimon. #AQuietCelebrationTour. #AmericanMusic. #RockandRoll. #Losingyourhearing

The Green Light Law.

 During the Biden administration New York enacted a law called "The Green Light Law" which allows undocumented aliens to apply for driver's licenses without providing a Social Security number. The US Attorney General has recently announced that the DOJ is suing New York over immigration enforcement. The Green Light law bars state authorities from sharing Department of Motor Vehicles information like addresses, vehicle registrations, and ID photos with federal authorities. The Green Light Law also requires New York's DMV Commissioner to tip off any illegal alien when a federal immigration agency had requested his or her information. Kind of smells like the same stench coming from the leaks concerning upcoming ICE raids... The only difference being this is a New York law. Sounds like something from a cheap novel, but it's not. It's real. 

This violates, according to the DOJ suit, the constitution's Supremacy clause. The supremacy clause says "The constitution and the laws of the United States which shall be made in pursuance thereof; and all treaties made, or which shall be made, under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law of the land; and the judges in every state shall be bound thereby, anything in the Constitution or laws of any state notwithstanding. The core message of the Supremacy Clause is the Constitution and federal laws take priority over any conflicting rules of state law. 

If the issue of federal judges issuing rulings and injections overruling  executive orders, of which there have many of late, continues, which it will, the matter will surely go to the Supreme Court. The Supremacy Clause appears to be the kryptonite that will shut this ridiculous white noise down. As it should be. There are other states with similar measures which interfere with and obstruct the work of cleaning up the illegal immigration issues and deporting illegal immigrants with criminal records. With a ruling for the Supreme Court that communities to these recalcitrant rogue states that your state laws are all fine and good, but the Supremacy Clause renders them irrelevant. So stand down, or face the consequences...

#supremacyclause. #greenlightlaw.  #trump. #supremecourt. #politico

A Constitutional Crisis?...

 Are we having a constitutional crisis in the US? Yes, as a matter of fact we are. It's in the incipient stages and there's more to come. Much more. The experts are weighing in and the opinions as usual, are divided. I love experts, except when they're wrong, and they often are. 

Since Trump took office about three weeks ago, democrats have been running around like chickens in a barnyard clucking "constitutional crisis, constitutional crisis...". I'm not exactly sure what they think Trump is doing that is a constitutional crisis (I don't think they're sure either...) but I'm willing to bet that as usual, it's whatever he's doing is somehow a constitutional crisis. Cutting off funding to advance DEI in Serbia's workplaces and business communities, a DEI musical in Ireland?... A transgender opera in Columbia, a transgender comic book in Peru, LGBT activism in Guatemala?... A $6 million agreement to fund tourism in Egypt? And as you might expect, this is but the tip of the old iceberg. How about let's just call a spade a spade, the American taxpayer has been embezzled and played for a fool by the liberals for far too long. It seems now, cutting off funding for this bullshit is a constitutional crisis. 

What I've described above is not a constitutional crisis by any stretch. All that is simply the democrats disabusing themselves of common sense. If we expect that to stop then we are guilty of the same. But we do have one (a real honest-to-goodness constitutional crisis) popping its head above the horizon like the morning sun. It consists of filing lawsuits for injunctions to halt executive orders in federal district courts (invariably in solidly liberal districts). For whatever reason it has come to bear, legally or not, that federal district judges have the authority to tell the President what he can and cant do and whom he can appoint to do certain tasks. The President was elected by the people, federal district court judges weren't elected by anyone. Yet presumably they can impose, even force their opinion and will on an elected US president? Why don't we simply move all these little Napoleon-complex addled bastards into the White House and not bother with electing a president? Does anyone else smell the stench of the continuation of lawfare? 

This particular 'constitutional crisis' was kicked off by Letitia James (remember her?...) and 16 other attorney generals of blue states in an attempt to stop Elon Musk's DOGE from reviewing whom the government pays. The injunction put in place by Judge Paul Engelmayer of the Southern District of New York issued the order without even letting the defendants respond. So much for the liberals cackling the virtue of being held to the rule of law. The true purpose of the lawsuit is to prevent DOGE from informing the president, the Treasury Secretary, and the voters about who receives the public's money as a result of executive agency decisions. There are indeed resounding constitutional issues with hiding from the president and the voters where government agencies are spending taxpayer money. 

All this begs the question, how and if the executive branch is bound to submit to the decisions of these lower courts. This is not the first time this issue has arisen in history. However, no president has ever directly challenged the obedience of the executive branch to the courts. The notion that courts can order literally anything on whatever basis they might fabricate and the two elected branches have no recourse is a monumental problem. Something equal to the severity of the issue when Commander Jack Swigert on Apollo 13 said to ground control in 1970, "Houston, we have a problem here...".  Arguably, the executive branch would be derelict of duty in allowing executive powers to be simply taken over by a rogue and biased district judge. Attempting to usurp the president's power by merely inquiring what the executive departments are doing is preposterous and absurd. Indeed, to order the president to cease and desist executive action and even to immediately destroy evidence as Judge Engelmayer did... sounds tantamount to subversion to me... Yes, this is a constitutional crisis and the court needs to step in. But so far, it has been the wrong court. 

#constitutionalcrisis. #DOGE. #JudgeEngelmayer. #districtcourtjudges

Federal Judges and the President...

 Now that the President is in office and his Cabinet in place for the most part, he has begun the work of delivering on his campaign promises. He is clearly making an earnest effort to do what he said he was going to do. What he said he was going to do is the reason he won the election, in profound ways, I might add. But, as was to be expected, in a bipartisan system of government there is going to be those who are opposed to practically any executive action. You know, as Mark Twain once said, "You can please some of the people some of the time but you can't please all of the people all of the time." That's all fine and good, and as it should be. It's why it's called democracy, while allowing for debate the majority rules. Winning an election doesn't give the president free rein to any type of autocracy. Another wonder of a constitutional democracy, checks and balances and separation of powers. 

However, I think the framework of the system of checks and balances has gotten a little out of whack, with the whimsical, partisan input of federal judges when they personally (and I mean that word literally...) take offense to a particular executive action. Let's take the U.S. Agency of International Development (USAID) controversy as an example. This is a case of executive control over government priorities and spending. There is an element of constitutional interpretation involved that goes back to John Marshall and Thomas Jefferson and has been affirmed in Supreme Court jurisprudence as practically unconditional. There are a few exceptions, such as the power of Congress to declare war, the power of the Senate to ratify treaties, and the requirement of Senate consent before diplomats may take their posts. There are numerous cases where congress may compel the president to operate bureaucracies and spend public funds but in general, foreign affairs is not one of them. USAID was established by president Kennedy in 1961. The original charter of USAID was quite progressive in nature, very well-meaning but also very vague, and in the long term very short on American interests. 

Last Friday, Judge Carl Nichols of the Federal District Court in Washington DC, temporarily paused Trump's directives placing about 2,700 USAID employees on administrative leave and evacuating them from their host countries on an expedited basis. The objections were raised by employee unions. Nichols rejected the union's objections to stopping new spending after being informed that the administration was not blocking spending for obligations already in progress. Judge Nichol's concern was whether there would be irreparable harm resulting from the abrupt manner in which employees have been cut off from USAID information systems and directed to evacuate. It is not the role of any judge to rule on potential illegalities. 

FULL STOP. This is clearly, even to the most casual observer, well into the realm of foreign diplomacy. A US Federal District Court judge has no damn business issuing orders, of any type to a US president on any matters that involve foreign diplomacy. This role was relegated to Congress and having a law degree is not required to comprehend that. Federal judges who take it upon themselves to inject their (almost always) liberal bias into executive action should also take it upon themselves to stop trying to usurp the role of the United States Congress. I can assure you the framers of our constitution did not intend for small-minded, biased judges to force their opinions on the executive branch. 

Judge Nichols and Judge Engelmeyer, stick to your dockets and leave governing the country to those we, the American peopled elected to do so. Had we wanted you to make these decisions we would have elected you to the office of president. We did not do that. 

#USAID.  #Trump.  #JudgeCarlNichols  #JudgeEngelmeyer

Senate Democrats. Jerks, Idiots, or both?...

When I started this blog almost fifteen years ago, I was determined to discuss important topics with a tone of objectivity, intellectualism, and rationality. I still am. But, there are some topics, and a few individuals that really stir my passions and as we say in America 'get my goat'. It's really difficult to restrain my self from saying what I really want to say at times. One such topic has come up that I want to talk about. I'll do my best to stick to my goals of civility but please bear in mind my only real boundaries are my first amendment rights of freedom of speech and freedom of the press. 

Today, Senate Democrats decided to 'take a stand' against President Trump's nominee for Director of the FBI. Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats moved to delay a procedural requirement in the confirmation of Kash Patel as FBI Director. They took advantage of committee rules to delay the confirmation vote for a week. According to Senator Dick Durbin, "The appointment of the head of the FBI is one of the most serious that the Senate Judiciary Committee should consider. We decided 50 years ago to de-politicize the FBI by giving ten year tenures to those who headed up the FBI to transcend any single president." 

I'm a bit surprised that this level of hypocrisy didn't spark an alert from the Earthquake Notification Service that the San Andreas Fault shifted about a foot today. "We" decided 50 years ago to de-politicize the FBI? Who in the hell exactly is "we", Dick? And where exactly have you been for the past four years, Dick? Where were you when the FBI was directed to conduct operation 'Crossfire Hurricane'? You know, the one that alleged that Trump's 2016 campaign colluded with Russia. Where were you when the FBI was directed to pressure social media platforms to censor stories concerning Hunter Biden's laptop? Where were you when FBI field offices were circulating a memo tagging traditional Catholics as domestic terrorists? Where were you when Attorney General Merrick Garland gave the directive to target parents at school board meetings who voiced discontent with certain policies? One more, if I may. Where were you when the FBI was directed to raid Mar-a-Lago to bolster Jack Smith's lunatic 'classified documents case'? I suppose it doesn't really matter where you were when all the above happened, but wherever it was you sure as hell weren't paying any damn attention to what was going on. "We decided 50 years ago...". What an arrogant and stupid thing to say. 50 years ago you were a pimple-faced illiterate barely-out-of-college kid probably wasting someone's scholarship money. Your colossal gall won't get much attention unfortunately because such is what we have come to expect from Democrats of late. Kind of like the 'New Norm'. You obviously didn't get the memo from November 5, 2024 Dickie. The New Norm is no more. America is tired of the Democrat's New Norm. Like DEI, it's gone. As you should be, as well...

#dickdurbin.  #kashpatel.  #fbidirectorconfirmation. #dumbdemocrats

The Tragic DC Air Crash, a Little History...

 The crash that occurred last night between an American Airlines regional jet and a military Blackhawk helicopter that claimed 67 lives was extraordinarily horrendous. Unthinkable. The cause, of course, yet to be determined. The president and his co-leaders wasted no time in beginning the investigations into the possible causes with the intent to do whatever needed to be done to ensure such never happened again. 'Never' might be a little optimistic but they're doing all that can be done. Trump, as he is so inclined to do threw in a cup of criticism of policies of the last administration regarding hiring policies, specifically structured around the tenets of DEI. I'm not implying that the criticism wasn't well-deserved, but there is a time and a place for everything. 

Something interesting I happened to read that I believe is worth noting. A number of years ago, the Obama administration summarily rejected 1000 candidates from the Collegiate Training Initative Program. This was a program designed to provide a pathway to a career in air traffic control and to ensure the future ATC's had the skills and knowledge to perform the job. These 1,000 candidates studied, took the exams and passed with flying colors. The administration's excuse was that the pool of applicants weren't diverse enough. Instead of hiring candidates with the most competency, individuals were elevated for hiring consideration based on their race. They were no longer considered for the position of air traffic controller based on their skin color. Which happened to be white in many cases. 

Trump has recently sign an executive order prioritizing safety over diversity, equity and inclusion. This EO included the deletion of DEI from the operations of the FAA. ATC's will be hired on the basis of merit and merit alone. Skin color will not be a factor. It also requires that the FAA administrator to review the past performance and performance standards of all FAA employees in critical safety positions and make clear that any individual who fails to demonstrate adequate capability is replaced by someone who can and will ensure American's flight safety and efficiency. If you're a proponent and believer in DEI, now might be a good time to keep your mouth shut...

It's not Really Inflation, It's Just a Hangover...

 I don't think any normal, rational person thinks of themself as stupid. Sure, we all do stupid things at times and realize that we have done so. But rarely, if ever, do we think of ourselves as 'stupid'. I mean, stupid is foolish, senseless, a slow-witted doofus, on a continuous basis. No one thinks of themselves in this way, it's just human nature. Even if one is indeed, stupid. There are a multitude of factors that can account for being stupid, such as lack of education, culture, environment, influences early in life, genetics, and so on. However, there is another explanation for stupid. One that I think most have not thought of. Biases, prejudices, intolerances, narrow-mindedness, bigotry, inability to be objective, enmity for whatever reason. These 'states of mind', though state of mind tends to be ephemeral and these conditions tend to be somewhat permanent, often form the framework of a person's thinking and behavior. And the thinking and behavior that comes from these characteristics isn't usually objective and rational. And, more often than not it enters the realm of foolish and senseless, hence, stupid. 

Let me give an example. A president, at a time that a pandemic disease was spreading around the globe, shuttering businesses, schools, and institutions, causing millions to lose their jobs and livelihoods decides to begin to disburse funds to individuals and businesses to help them endure unprecedented hardships. Government funds, checks in the mail to enable them to weather the storm. Not just billions but trillions. I mean, who doesn't like getting a check in the mail, especially if it's 'free money'. Prop up the masses until times are better. Fair enough. 

Here's another. It's no secret that millions are struggling with student loan debt and have been for years. Part of the American Dream is to go to college and prepare oneself to get a good paying white collar job. After a few years, since you now have that good paying job you pay back the student loan. The crash-landing called reality was not everyone got a good paying job. Degrees, even advanced degrees in philosophy, don't often lead to high paying jobs. In fact, they often don't even lead to a job at all. So this overly compassionate president decrees that this burdensome student loan debt shall be forgiven. Erased from the books, like it never happened. So in many cases very expensive educations suddenly became 'free'. Hundreds of billions of dollars given away for free. What could possibly be more altruistic and magnanimous than forgiving debts, and giving money to people who had lost their jobs. It's exactly what one would expect from a great leader, right? Right?

Life is not that simple and easy, except for the simple-minded. We've all heard it and we all know it, nothing is free. There is no free lunch. And when the government is involved, absolutely nothing is free. A stark fact is the government does not generate income. It cannot generate wealth of any kind. It is incapable of producing anything of value. It collects taxes and fees from the working populace and distributes that money in myriad places. If the government gives out 'free money', it's not actually free, it's coming from another source. And 99 times out of 100 that 'source is the American taxpayer. Now here's the really bad news, when the government spends large sums of money for whatever reason it has a negative effect on the economy in the form of inflation. AKA, rapidly rising prices for goods and services. The government is in effect flooding the economy with dollars which has the effect or reducing the value of the dollar, causing inflation. 

All that presidential magnanimity came at a price. Kind of like a drunken binge. It seemed to be so much fun at the time but the next day was hell-to pay. I'm doubting that many would argue that one of the definitions of inflation is 'hell-to-pay'. So, back to the original premise, was that president, compassionate, prescient and forward thinking? Or perhaps foolish and short-sighted, maybe even self-serving. Were the stimulus checks and forgiven loans really good for the people and the country, or was it all just a forbearance to the pain of the present situation? Hangovers are hell...

Goodbye Jim Acosta, and good riddance...

 Jim Acosta, the embattled and controversial CNN anchor announced Tuesday that he is leaving the network after 18 years. CNN offered Acosta a demotion to a middle-of-the-night time slot when practically no one is watching TV and those that are certainly aren't watching CNN News. "I have decided to move on," said Acosta. 

Acosta distinguished himself as the Anti-Trump icon during the President's first term. "I have always believed it's the job of the press to hold power accountable. I have always tried to do that here at CNN. One final message, don't give in to the lies. Don't give in to the fear. Hold onto the truth, and to hope." Such eloquent articulation coming from a douchebag 'reporter' who thought himself to be a qualified political commentator. Like so many liberals, Acosta was unable to control his disdain for people and ideology that he didn't agree with. His job was to report, not opine, but he never seemed to get that. 

Just another liberal terminally ill with Trump Derangement Syndrome. Only Acosta, by fate or fortune found himself in a position to take advantage of any and all opportunities to increase his own public profile. As a reporter, he never actually provided any useful information to the public. One of his publicity stunts was in a 2018 press conference he sparred with White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders over Trump calling the press the "enemy of the people." Acosta said he thought it would be a good thing if Trump would disavow the comment because "I think we deserve that, " before he got up and left the room. He later claimed that leaving the room was an act of protest. Probably his most infamous moment came in a press conference that same year when he was arguing with Trump and refused to give up the microphone. He pushed aside the arm of a female aide, and the White House promptly revoked his press pass. A court restored his credentials in response to a lawsuit from CNN. 

Acosta, absent the ability or intelligence to execute the job of a reporter, and now absent employment will fade away from the profession of journalism. A job best handled by earnest and capable people. Acosta will undoubtedly join the group of misdirected, twisted liberal idealists who washed up on the deserted shores of politics where no one is around to give a crap.

I Used to Be a Conspiracy Theorist...

 Now it appears, that isn't so anymore. Because there is evidence and some who knew the truth from the beginning are talking now. The Coronavirus was not a natural pathogen. Its origin is none other than a Chinese laboratory. In Wuhan. The CIA released an updated assessment indicating such. The Department of Energy and the FBI also have information that supports the lab-leak postulate. 

Remember back to late 2019 into 2020 the discourse about Covid-19 being a product of 'gain of function' research in the Wuhan virology lab, and was accidentally leaked from the lab? At the head of the camp to dismiss that theory was the unyielding argument posed by a Dr. Anthony Fauci. I think it's worth noting that Dr. Fauci recently was the beneficiary of a presidential pardon from Joe Biden. It wasn't stated that the pardon was for any particular grievance, however, I think it's becoming quite clear to even the most casual observer why he may be in need of one in the future. Fauci was responsible for some NIH funds there were channeled to Wuhan to study gain of function of the SARS-Cov2 virus. Gain of function means the transmissibility of a pathogen of a virus normally only found in animals to humans. It has not been proven conclusively that Covid was leaked from the lab but there are clues emerging that such was the case. 

What has been proven is the significant efforts that have been made to conceal and cover up information concerning the chain of events. An unnamed whistleblower described by House Republicans as a "highly credible senior level CIA officer" alleged that some of his colleagues that were of the opinion that a lab-leak was likely were offered a "significant monetary incentive to change their opinion." An 'omerta' of sorts emerged in the scientific community to mislead investigators. 

As of April 2024, over 7 million people have died as a result of the outbreak of the coronavirus. Countless millions have had their lives upended, lost jobs and livelihoods. Infirmities resulting from the effects of the disease. The fallout effects in the U.S. education system from school closings and remote learning have been disastrous. Thousands of U.S. military and government employees were laid off for refusing the Covid vaccine. The same fate was met by countless people in the private sector as well. Firearm sales surged during the early months of the pandemic as Americans feared an outbreak of violent lawlessness as a result of the social upheavals that were occurring. Beginning with the death of George Floyd, the summer of 2020 resulted in 19 deaths attributed to protests in multiple cities. Then began the irresponsible and excessive government spending which, as we know, was attributable to the runaway inflation we are and will be dealing with for some time to come. 

It was a global travesty. There have been colossal coverups and lies, and there will continue to be. Once history has been written, it cannot be unwritten. All who were complicit in this Cyclopean racket will do anything to ensure their name doesn't appear in the history books... But what is certain to be included in the annals of history is the baseless pardon handed out by Joe Biden to his chief medical adviser, Tony Fauci...

It's over , it's finally over

It's over, it's been nigh a year now that all the calamity has been going on. By calamity I mean the brouhaha of the election.  The campaign, the speeches, the mudslinging, the denigration and disparagement of each party toward the other. In November, it all came to a crescendo, then it ended. The American voters spoke loudly and clearly at the ballot box and the Democrats were shell-shocked (comatose even) at what they had to say. After all the ballots were counted and certified, the American political landscape went silent, like crickets on a midsummer night. There was disbelief, then denial. But there was no going back. It was done. 

What Trump had to endure and overcome to reach this triumphant victory is nothing short or remarkable. Four 'lawfare' suits staged by liberal, Soros funded DA's in an attempt to keep him from running for and winning the office of president. This doesn't include the state of Colorado excluding him from the ballot until ordered by the US Supreme Court to put it back on the ballot. Here's a summary of the lawfare cases:

• On March 30,2023, Trump was indicted by a Manhattan grand jury in NY City on 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree. On May 30 a Manhattan jury found Trump guilty on all 34 counts. In January 2025 he was sentenced to 'unconditional discharge'. Which is essentially no imprisonment, no fine and no probation. 
• On June 8, 2023, Trump and his aide Waltine Nauta were indicted as well as an additional defendant, Carlos deOliveira with 32 counts of willfully retaining national defense information, obstruction of justice, interfering with a federal investigation and making false statements. On July 15, 2024, Judge Aileen Cannon dismissed the indictment, ruling that Special Counsel Jack Smith, was improperly appointed and funded. 
• On August 1, 2023, Trump was indicted by a federal grand jury in Washington DC for corruptly obstructing an official proceeding, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, conspiracy to defraud the United States, and conspiracy against rights. The original trial date was vacated by Judge Chutkan, while the Supreme Court heard Trump's immunity claim. The Supreme Court sided with Trump. 
• On August 14, 2023 Trump, along with 18 co-defendants were indicted by a grand jury in Fulton County, Georgia on, 1 count of racketeering violating the Georgia RICO Act, 6 counts of solicitation of violation of oath by a public officer, and a very long list of other violations and grievances. The Fulton County DA and a special prosecutors appointed to assist, Nathan Wade were both removed from counsel due to an improper relationship. Evidently, when not in court they were unable to refrain from excessive fornication. 

In addition to the frivolous, baseless lawsuits instigated by political opponents designed to keep Trump from running for office, there were three attempts on his life. Obviously and fortunately, none of the assassination attempts were successful. Of the lawfare suits, other than a derisive verdict by a vapid, biased New York judge, nothing of consequence resulted. That is, nothing other than winning the presidency. All of these attempts to prevent Trump from running for  office by liberals, whether wielding a gun or a gavel failed. The idealism and agenda of the Democratic Party failed. The democrats are akin to the NFL team that finished the season in last place without winning a single game. What to do? Fire the coach, take a long vacation then reconvene and think about it. 

That brings us to January 20, 2025. A few hours (maybe less than that...) before the inauguration ceremony the incumbent president surreptitiously went berserk with his power of pardon. Only this time it wasn't convicted criminals (like his son), it was yet-to-be convicted criminals. Family members, all who conceivably profited from the influence peddling with the Chinese Communist Party members. Evidently corruption was a family affair. The estimated total swindled, coerced or begged from the communists, $27,000,000. I'm willing to bet the Chinese are really miffed, 'we paid all that for influence, now we have nothing to show for it?' That 'influence evaporated like water in Death Valley. 

The good news is, it's over. The lying, the deception, the cover-ups, the turnstiles at the border, the battery-operated car mandates, massive government spending, runaway inflation, it's over. Not expecting puppy dogs and rainbows but the rainstorms of stupidity are over. If Trump can deliver on nothing else but the promise of governance with common sense, then we're going to be better off...

A new Presidential Cabinet? Yes, please, thank you.

If you have been watching the confirmation hearings of Trump's cabinet nominees, you have no doubt noticed the extreme partisan nature of the questioning. Conservative members of Congress seem to be able to see the value and qualifications in each nominee while the Democratic  senators do not. Let's not deliberate on that, let Congress carry out it's due diligence. However, let's do take a look at President Biden's cabinet members so we can maintain a clear perspective. 

Janet Yellen, the Secretary of the Treasury said "Inflation is only  transitory." Of course it is... Secretary off Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas famously stated "the border is secure." Of course it is... Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg blurted out, "what, me worry?" Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin went AWOL for 'medical reasons' and even his boss Pres. Biden wasn't aware of where he was or why. Warehouse forklift operators tend to be more responsible than this. Miguel Cardona has been called the worst secretary in the history of the department of education. Cardona once quoted Ronald Reagan's famous quip "I'm from the government and I'm here to help." Obviously Cardona was unaware that Reagan called these the nine most terrifying words in the English language. 

With a track record like the above, how could Biden top that. With Antony Blinken, that's how. Biden probably thought he was getting the next Henry Kissinger and what he actually got was another Groucho Marx (no offense, Groucho.) Blinken showed up at a bar in Ukraine last May and played Neil Young's "Rocking in the Free World". Unfortunately, no one in the bar or anywhere else in the world was impressed. New York Magazine said "Antony Blinken sucks at the guitar and should stop playing." Turns out, he was bad at diplomacy too. He won't be doing that anymore either...

Blinken has been in government since 1994 beginning in the Clinton administration. His brief period out of government was 2017 to 2019 when he was managing director of the Penn Biden Center, the site where classified documents were discovered in 2022. During the time when Blinken was in charge at the Biden Center, contributions from China tripled from $24 million to $77 million. Really, hmmm... Given the Biden's propensity for enriching themselves through the generosity of the Chinese Communist Party, it's fair to question if that's where some of Blinken's $10million net worth came from. In 2020, Blinken characterized Hunter Biden's laptop from hell as "Russian disinformation." He also helped Barry Obama devise and negotiate the ill-fated Iran nuclear deal. 

His relationship, at times has seemed a bit cozy with the ayatollahs and mullahs of Iran. Blinken actually made the claim when Trump killed Qasem Soleimani "it left us less safe." Blinken had the audacity to boast that, during his leadership of the State Department progress was made on the integration and normalization of the Middle East, including between Saudi Arabia and Israel. To even the most casual observer nothing of the sort ever happened. Not even close. Since 2021 Blinken and the State Department has been invested in creating a Palestinian State. In his last major speech as Secretary of State Blinken blamed Israel for having 'systematically undermined the capacity and legitimacy of the only viable alternative to Hamas: the Palestinian Authority. Unforgivable. 

See any comparatives to the Trump array of Cabinet nominees? I don't...

There's Artificial Intelligence, but that's not all there is to it...

 In a previous post I talked of Artificial Intelligence, or AI. A principle point I was attempting to make was that that at the root of AI was the same thing that is found at the root of all computer capability, code. Everything a computer does and is capable of doing is based on code. Code is simply written computer instructions. That may be a bit oversimplified but in essence it's true. For the technological level of computing available to most businesses and individuals today, that is the status quo. Every application, every program, every operating system, is based on and functions with computer code. It matters not if the chip is AMD, Nvidia, Intel, Qualcomm, Texas Instruments..., they are nothing more than silicon and plastic without the aid and support of computer code. 

However, things are changing. Though still in the incipient stages, there is a new age of computing technology in the lab as we speak. It's called quantum computing. Arguably, it's a 'quantum' leap ahead of present computing technology (pun intended). The amalgamation of quantum computing with artificial intelligence is akin to finding a new inhabitable planet in the universe. There are 'breakthroughs in technology' but those words don't even begin to describe this one. 

Enough pie in the sky, let's start at the beginning and break this down. What exactly is quantum computing? According to IBM, quantum computing is "an emergent field of cutting-edge computer science harnessing the unique qualities of quantum mechanics to solve problems beyond the ability of even the most powerful classical computers." The field of quantum computing contains a range of disciplines, including quantum hardware and quantum algorithms. Still very much in the development phase, quantum technology will soon be able to solve complex problems that the supercomputers of today can't solve, or can't solve fast enough. By taking advantage of quantum physics, fully realized quantum computers will be able to process immensely complicated problems orders of magnitude faster than modern machines of today. To add some perspective, quantum computers may be able to solve challenges in a matter of minutes what might take a classical computer thousands of years to complete. 

All fine and good, but continuing on, what is quantum mechanics? In a single, simple sentence, it is the study of subatomic particles. This is about to get a little technical, apologies, but when talking about quantum mechanics it's hard to avoid getting a bit technical. In understanding quantum computing it's necessary to understand four key principles of quantum mechanics. 

• Superposition - the state in which a quantum particle or system can represent not just one possibility but a combination of multiple possibilities. At the same time.
• Entanglement - the process in which multiple quantum particles become correlated more strongly than regular probability allows.
• Decoherence - the process in which quantum particles and systems can decay, collapse or change converting into single states measurable by classical physics. 
• Interference - the phenomenon in which entangled quantum states can interact and produce more and less likely probabilities. 

I know, it's getting knee-deep, but stay with me. Classical computers, that's what you're using to read this now, rely on binary bits (zeros and ones) to store and process data. Quantum computers, on the other hand, can encode even more data at once using quantum bits or qubits, in superposition. A qubit can behave like a bit and be either a zero or a one, but it can also be a combination of a zero and a one at the same time. When combined, qubits in superposition can scale exponentially. Two qubits can compute with four pieces of information, three can compute with eight, and four can compute with sixteen, and so on. However, each qubit can only output a single bit of information at the end of the computation. Quantum algorithms work by storing and manipulating information in a way inaccessible to classical computers. In simpler terms, they have a hard time communicating with each other.

Silicon chip development has come a long way in a short time, but it's possible that we might soon reach a limit on the computing power of classical computers. Quantum computing appears to be the likely path forward. It is definitely a field we need to familiarize ourselves with. 

As with most contemporary topics, they're complicated. In the field of technology, they're especially complicated. We can only imagine the training and capability required to work in this field of the future.

Artificial Intelligence will bring into the realm of computing machines that can see, hear, smell and touch, and interpret and react. Humanlike, so to speak. Combined with computing power beyond anything we have today, there's so much more to the story than we can imagine...

The Pete Hegseth Confirmation Hearings...

 As I watched portions of the Pete Hegseth confirmation hearings today, felt some very strong feelings about what I was seeing and hearing. Hegseth himself is a decorated combat veteran who achieved the rank of Major. He is President Trumps' nominee for Secretary of Defense. Several of the senators who questioned him are veterans themselves. I hold the utmost and supreme respect and admiration for veterans. All veterans, and especially those who were combat veterans as well as those who are deceased. They gave us their best and we owe them our best. The questioning senators who are veterans represented both sides of the aisle. It is with disdain and lament that I even mention "both sides of the aisle" but after listening to the confirmation hearings today I feel it necessary and appropriate.  

When I first began to take notice of an incipient partisan divide in the country and politics in particular was during the Obama administration. If you recall the incident early in Obama's presidency when a white police officer arrested a black Harvard professor attempting to gain entry into a Washington residence, his own, by the way. This caused a tremendous uproar at the time, no doubt in large part owing to the fact that a white policeman arrested a black man. That, and many of the events that followed only served to deepen the racial divide in the country. One of those 'events' came directly from the constrained intellect of Obama himself. When the president was asked his opinion on the matter in a press conference a few days later, he remarked that he thought the Cambridge Mass. police had acted "stupidly". Obviously, a US president does not need to involve himself in local police matters, nor does he have any business doing so. The pivotal point in the entire incident and the only 'stupid act' was Obama's birdbrained public statement that 'the police acted stupidly. For a US president and leader of the free world to make such a statement without thinking what the impact of such might be on black youth, white youth, impressionable minds who might harbor contempt for the police, was immoral, unethical, unconscionable, and yes, damn stupid. The racial divide just got deeper. 

The racial divide isn't the only breakdown in civility we are suffering. There are others, there are many. As a civilized society we seem to be regressing in our ability to solve our differences. We are too quick to choose sides and do battle. Probably the most prolific and notable of these are those associated with ideological political issues. The country is more politically divided now than at any point in the last twenty years. Democrats and Republicans, conservatives and liberals are less inclined to collaborate and reach mutual understanding on issues. But the underpinning root of the dilemma is this; the perception and view that each party has of the other continues to grow more extremely negative. And the lengths that some are prepared to go to to undermine the other are becoming seriously depraved. Just a couple of examples if I may. The recent episodes of lawfare. Not just one but three of them. The Bible verse 'The truth shall set you free' doesn't always apply in a court of law. The FBI lying on a FISA application, Hillary Clinton's campaign paying a rogue British agent to fabricate a false dossier on Trump, suggesting Russian election interference. Democratic operatives knowingly and intentionally concealing Joe Biden's failing capacities (and abilities to carry out his duties...). The truth never saw the light of day in any of these cases.

Was the reason and motivation for these acts to affect the outcome of an election? (And to win?) If it were, such can never be proven. But to even the most casual observer the motivation is as clear as a Montana sky. We simply accept it and move on. After watching the Hegseth confirmation hearings today, it's apparent some Democratic Senators are having problems with accepting and moving on. Their petulant, partisan behavior indicates that their motivation to undermine 'the other side' is still firmly in place. Even if Joe Biden isn't... 

Enough is enough.

 As one of the twentieth century's most revered and admired writers once said, "In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act." George Orwell had a gift of prescience that few human beings have ever had or ever will possess. Eric Arthur Blair, who wrote under the pen name George Orwell was a classic idealist who wrote in support of democratic socialism. He was an articulate critic of totalitarianism and a staunch supporter of democratic socialism. If he were alive today, would he be able to see through the deception of those who claim to advocate for the latter while leaning toward the former? 

I believe Orwell was a pragmatist. Much the same as the founding fathers of America. In the core of their soul, all of their senses; emotion, intelligence, patriotism, loyalty guided them to construct the constitution of the United States. A framework of law and order that has endured almost two and a half centuries and remains the most viable model of democracy in the history of the world. Their guiding light in the dark storm of anarchy was the desire to develop a system of governance that would be of the people, by the people and for the people. Through two hundred and forty-nine years since not all of our leaders have been so focused and altruistic. Had it not been for the forefathers' brilliance in putting together such a masterpiece we might be in serious trouble today. Orwell, I believe shared their idealism. He was vigorously opposed to all forms of totalitarianism. His 'ideal' society was one where everyone had an equal voice and shared equally in the collective efforts. Not exactly aligned with the doctrines of laissez-faire, but noble and well-meaning nonetheless. 

Back to Orwell's quote, "In a time of deceit..." Are we currently in a time of deceit? Yes, it's not something that only came about in the 21st century, but yes, we are. Veracity has always been a problem with the human race. With some more than others. Politics is a very complex province. Having a tenuous relationship with the truth is not uncommon with a lot of politicians. In fact, lying is so prevalent that it is difficult for the constituents at times to know when they're not being lied to. Many of them simply don't understand that lying by omission is still lying. But through the blur, the obfuscation, the pandering, the bald-faced lying, the truth is there. Often hard to find, difficult to decipher, it's always there. We must also bear in mind that simply putting the truth forward and presenting it isn't always enough. It has to be accepted. If the party-to-be-convinced doesn't accept the truth and choose to remain ignorant, well, not much that can be done about that. In any given group there will always be those who choose to 'believe what they want to believe', the truth be damned. So be it. But the majority of any group will listen to reason. The truth can be very convincing. Especially when it's in one's favor and to one's benefit. And it often is.

Relating this to American politics, it can be argued that the outcome of the recent elections in the US prove the above axiom, that the truth can be very convincing. One side kept insisting that the economy was strong, inflation was in check, immigration was no longer a problem, America was strong and respected by its' adversaries. The other side was telling us "They're not being truthful with you." The response from the American voter was profound and hermetic. Side 'B" we don't believe you, Side 'A' we're going to give you a chance to fix the mess Side 'B' made. It would behoove you to deliver. We're tired of the lying, enough is enough...

Our legal system isn't always about right and wrong...

The Supreme Court in a 5-4 decision allowed the sentencing of Donald Trump to proceed in the New York State Court case against him. Today, Judge Juan Merchan sentenced Trump to, nothing essentially. No fine, no jail time, nothing. That is basically an admission that they accomplished what they set out to do, which was to label you, Trump as a convicted felon.  After the sentencing today, Trump is officially a convicted felon. Once the appeal is completed he will no longer be. However, what Bragg and Merchan failed to do, which was without doubt their primary objective, was to inflict sufficient damage to Trump to cause him to lose the presidential election. I suppose the rationalization they appear to be OK with accepting at this point is 'we'll take what we can get'. Doesn't matter to them that on appeal, their case will crumble like a California mudslide. I find it a bit offensive that Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Amy Conen Barrett decided to allow the sentencing to proceed. In essence, the two justices were giving a tacit approval to the despicable and partisan New York courts. 

I have long been a follower, admirer and advocate of the U.S. Supreme Court. The highest court in the country, the final say, a supreme, non-partisan judicial power. But unfortunately, not always so. Justices are conservative and liberal, and they invariably tend to vote that way. Not always, but usually. Presidents, when they are faced with appointing a replacement justice, are none too happy to add a vote that typically pleases the party. But it doesn't always happen that way. We have to assume that the justices vote the way that their seasoned, legal minds tell them to vote. But do they? If they dont vote along party lines, what is guiding them? Our next logic tree assumption is they are voting according to the law. These sage elders are the ultimate counselors of the constitution. The problem is, they're humans and like the rest of us, they have flaws. In addition to their extensive legal training and experience, they have the influence of life experience. And life experience often induces bias. They should be much better than the rest of us at keeping bias at abeyance, but they're still human. Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Barrett, voted with the liberal justices, to allow the sentencing to continue. Are they ok, with what has taken place in Judge Merchan's court? Do they agree with the legality and decorum of the proceedings? We don't know, all we know is what they decided. 

Let's go back to the original premise, what's right and what's wrong. Is it wrong for the Supreme Court to allow this travesty of justice to continue? Most of us are not lawyers and we don't need to be to understand what should and should not have happened throughout this circus act. It doesn't matter if you are a liberal or a conservative or a Supreme Court judge. A sense of decency and respect for the rule of law is all that is needed. And some common sense. With profound dismay, I believe neither if those virtues seemed to be present at all in the proceedings from the bringing of the charges to the verdict to the sentencing to the Supreme Court decision. History will remember this as a blatant abuse of the law. We can only hope that it will never happen again. Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Barrett, granted the appeals process will no doubt correct this legal aberration. But you had the authority to stop it and send a clear message, this should not have happened. But you didn't. While you didn't violate the law, you clearly violated what is right and what is wrong. We expect much better from the 'final say'. Your job includes a little more than interpreting the constitution. It includes interpreting right and wrong. And you failed us...

The world is changing, and so is our vocabulary...

 You have undoubtedly noticed over the past several years that there has been an infusion of 'new' and probably somewhat odd words into our lexicon. Actually, this has been going on for a very long time. Each time you have seen or heard one you have probably, as I have, thought, "what?", where did that come from and what exactly does it mean?... And they keep coming. These are called neoterisms. The invention of a new word. Sometimes they're words that have been around for a long time, but have taken a new meaning. I suppose that lexicographers figure that at some point, once they fall into mainstream usage, they then qualify to become an official new entry into the language. And there are quite a number of them. Neologisms, as they are also called, usually result if the public takes a liking to a word and uses it a lot. Let's take a look.

Merriam Webster added 200 new words to the dictionary in 2024. Other lexicographers have added as many or more. Some of the more common ones that have perhaps been heard more often include such terms as 'woke'. In the mid twentieth century, woke had come to mean well informed or aware, especially in a political or cultural sense. Now, generally woke is an umbrella term for subscribing to progressive values. The term was originally coined by progressive Black Americans and used in racial justice movements in the early to mid 1900's. Young people and segmented cultures tend to come up with new words more often, and for whatever reason some of them tend to 'stick'. Perhaps one of the most famous of the day is  'MAGA', Make America Great Again. It was certainly no one from Gen Z who thought of this one. But it is undoubtedly a word which will live in the history books. And how about 'bussin', meaning great, wonderful or amazing. This word originates in African American culture and is likely based on the term 'bust', meaning to explode, to do well, or to enjoy. Another word that has been around for some time (acronym, actually) is FOMO/JOMO. Stands for 'Fear of missing out/Joy of missing out. These are actual (perceived) conditions. I suppose...  How about Troll. We have all heard this one. A troll is one who makes entries or statements online to incite controversy. Not to stimulate conversation but simply to stir up trouble. Biohacking. Making incremental changes to your body and your lifestyle to improve overall health. That's a new one to me. Unplug. It's no longer to pull the electrical cord of an appliance from the wall. It's to disconnect from the stressors of life. Thankfully, it still includes pulling electrical cords from the wall. 'Mansplain' is another. It combines the word 'man' and 'explain'. No further explanation is needed...

Here's an interesting thing to consider. With new words and phrases being invented constantly, there are and were actually words and phrases that appeared but once in the recorded history of a language, the works of an author or in a context. They are known as 'hapax legomenon'. Some examples include the word 'apoculamus' meaning 'we rush off', found in section 62 of the Satyricon. Hapax legomenons are actually quite common, I suppose, something like neoterisms. So coming up with new words isn't something unique to recent times. The specific cultural and social circumstances that might facilitate a new word coming into mainstream use aren't known. Probably because they are constantly changing, just like our vocabulary. It's quite likely that a good many of these incipient words and phrases are born on social media sites. 

Let's explore some more. IYKYK; if you know, you know. Stan; a combination of the words stalker and fan. GOAT; greatest of all time.  Clap back, aka comeback or verbal retaliation. Flex; showing off one's accomplishments. Originated in Black culture in the 90's, often used in rap songs. Cheugy; a Gen Z term that gained popularity on TikTok, describes anything that is considered uncool, untrendy, or people who stick to older trends. Ghosted; emerged from the online dating landscape and describes a romantic partner who withdraws suddenly, into anonymity. Rejection without any explanation. Sus; when something or someone doesn't seem right. A shortened version of 'suspicious'. 'Tea' is all about exchanging juicy gossip. Derived from the 80's and 90's ball culture which is where LGBTQ people performed in drag competitions to celebrate their queerness. Rizz; romantic appeal or charm. Situationship; is a casual, undefined, commitment-free relationship. Touch grass; to participate in normal activities in the real world especially as opposed to online experiences and interactions. Deepfake; images, videos, or audio which are edited or generated using artificial intelligence tools. They may depict real or non-existent people. And let's not leave out bandwidth. Originally, a tech word referring to the signal strength or capacity of a communication medium. Now bandwidth is used more to describe a person's work capacity or ability. 

With the constant stream of new words and expressions coming our way, we need a lot of bandwidth to keep up with them all...

2024 is behind us, let's have a look...

 It's been a long year, and a tough one at that. We probably say that at the end of almost every year, but maybe, this time we really mean it and have a right to think it. It's been along one, any period of time that involves some historically significant events that will affect future generations can rightfully be considered long. And my, oh my, did this year include some historically significant events. Depending on your perspective, some of the events could be considered disastrous while others may be thought wondrous. As usual, I am mostly referring to the realm of American politics but there were others. I'll come back to those later...

It was an election year, and the results of this one will undoubtedly be felt for years. In some ways that we don't even know about yet. In the not so distant future Canada and Greenland may become ratified as U.S. states. Maybe even Panama. With Trump retaking the Whitehouse the future looks anything but bright for Hamas, Hezbollah, Taliban et al. The same can be said for Alvin Bragg, Fani Willis, Letitia James, Jack Smith or any other purveyor of lawfare. I'm not suggesting that Trump is a superhero that has come to the rescue of all that ails the world. But let me tell you what he is not. He's not a truth-averse idiot with a progressive agenda and who understands that excessive government spending is not a sustainable course. And that such has consequences, we're actually living them, right now. 

With all the vacuous blabber from liberals threatening to leave the country in the event Trump were to win, or to be immured to a concentration camp, well, the odds of concentration camps are probably zero to none.  If you were planning to flee the country in order to avoid the deplorable conditions of conservatism, and the end of lawfare, don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out. I hear the weather is splendid year round in Palestine and the Hezbollah would love to have you. 

If you are a progressive and you're worried about spending the next four years in a concentration camp, you might have more important issues you need to be tending to. If you are a student pro-Hamas protester at an Ivy League college, you might want to consider another pastime. If you are a liberal, Soros-backed DA in a blue city, you might want to start your job search now. If you are Nancy Pelosi, Chuckie Schumer, Adam Schitt or Alexandria Occasion-Cortez, you might want to go... (sorry, I have a policy of no swearing in my posts, I'll stick with it.) But most of all, I'll say this about Trump, he has a set of balls. Cojones, twins, clackers, Stephen colberts, chutzpah. He's got guts. He doesn't suffer or back down from idiots or bullies. Maybe he doesn't have enough sense to be afraid, but hey, whatever works. He understands balance sheets. What happens when you spend more than you make. He understands fair trials and due process, and how it feels to be denied such. He understands that it's stupid to be importing oil when we possess some of the world's largest  reserves and the advanced technology to deal with it economically. He understands that American Veterans deserve to be treated with respect. He understands that open borders are creating insurmountable problems, economic and social, that they must be closed. He understands that in spite of what Joe Biden has told us, that we have not had a prosperous economy for the past four years. In spite of his faults, he does have something valuable to bring to the table. His mental acuities appear to be sound and his son isn't a drug-addled criminal. So far, so good...

I said I would mention some significant events outside of politics. The CEO of a major health care insurer was assassinated in cold blood on the streets of New York City. The Chicago White Sox lost 121 games. Not quite the record, but damn close. Drag queens entertained us (well, some of us...) at the Olympic opening ceremonies. The Notre Dame cathedral re-opened. Mexico elected its first female president. The Dow Jones surpassed 40,000 for the first time ever. Nvidia surpassed Microsoft as the most valuable publicly traded company as its market cap surpasses $3.34 trillion (didn't see that one coming...). The LA Dodgers defeated the NY Yankees in the World Series. More men than ever are changing their self-identification to participate in women's sports, as the popularity of women's sports soars. Artificial Intelligence has proved invaluable to healthcare. 

There's some of the events that took place on the 'big stage', now let's look at some that took place in the lives of everyday people. Daniel Penny was acquitted for the strangulation death of Jordan Neely in Manhattan after being charged with murder by the infamous (and despicable) Alvin Bragg. Neely threatened to kill innocent subway passengers and was restrained by Penny. Mason Branstrator was paralyzed in a skiing accident at 17. At 20, he competed in a wheelchair marathon in Duluth Minnesota. The Prospector Theater in Ridgfield, Connecticut hires people with disabilities for a variety of roles from serving popcorn to ushering to taking tickets. They search for individual talents that they can showcase to shine. This includes painting movie posters to a pre-movie rap performance for theatergoers. Lyn Story, a 64 year-old retiree in Fort Worth Texas, uses her free time to help those in need. Story met April Goodwin, a 46 year old who had been diagnosed with uterine cancer, on the Nextdoor app. Goodwin needed help getting to her treatments and Story volunteered to help. She not only helped drive Goodwin to her appointments, but gave rides to others in need including a local resident who is blind. Her story was shared last April and a Philadelphia car dealer who wanted to honor her selfless kindness surprised her with a new car. In 1961, Ed Dwight was selected by John F. Kennedy to enter an Air Force training program known as the path to NASA's Astronaut Corps. After completing the program in 1963, the Air Force recommended he join the corps, but he wasn't selected and entered private life in 1966. He was denied the chance to become the first African American astronaut, but more than 60 years later, at 90 years old, his dream of going to space was fulfilled when he landed a seat on a Blue Origin flight. Jeff Bezos, who founded Blue Origin, has invited many history-makers onto his rockets, which fly into the lower atmosphere of Earth - including Wally Funk and William Shatner. 

 California has a lot of drive-thru windows but one in particular is especially long. But this one has no window, no fast food or cashiers. Each car is met with a troop of volunteers placing bundles of fresh produce and two weeks worth of groceries in the trunk. For free. The Seva Collective food pantry in Santa Ana California is an area known as a food desert. Residents have limited access to nutritious food, so Seva's organizers hand out food and toys purchased by the organizers themselves as a way to help the community. Maureen Stanko always had confidence that her son Nick would be a productive member of the community. Nick is 20 and is on the autism spectrum. She worried about how he would function as an independent adult. So, she opened a restaurant in Skippack Pennsylvania and named it the So Much To Give Cafe. Her goal was to employ others with disabilities like her son, who have so much to give. CBS News visited the cafe where 63 people, 80% with a disability, work as greeters, food runners, sous chefs, dishwashers and servers. Judge Frank Caprio has become a recognized figure around the world. The 88 year-old judge presides over traffic cases and misdemeanors and carries out his job with compassion. The Rhode Island judge had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and was going through treatment. Thousands of people returned the kindness and compassion that Caprio shows in the courtroom by sending him letters and gifts. Earlier this year, the judge had even more positivity than usual to share. He got to ring the bell at Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute, celebrating his recovery from cancer.

 Life goes on. 2024 will be a memorable year, like all the rest were. Good things happened, bad things happened. Perhaps a valuable takeaway from the past year is this: we will have good leaders, we will have bad ones. The world will always have bad actors. As evidenced in the stories above, there will always be caring, compassionate, selfless people who take the initiative and the lead to give back to their communities and their country. We can't always depend on our leaders, but we should all feel better knowing that we can depend on each other. 

More on Artificial Intelligence......

 Let's dig a little deeper into AI. This is going to be an interesting topic going into the future, and there's little doubt it's going to have an increasingly profound impact on our lives. The more we know about it, the better. 

Let's start with asking the question, what exactly is AI? Artificial Intelligence is technology that enable computers and machines to simulate human learning, comprehension, problem solving, decision making, creativity and autonomy. Notice that the word 'simulate' is in bold letters. I will come back to the significance of that later. Applications and devices that are equipped with AI can see and identify objects. They can understand and respond to human language. They can learn from new information and experience. They can make detailed recommendations to users and experts. They can act independently, replacing the need for human intelligence or intervention. A good example of this is self-driving cars... 

In 2024 most AI research focused on breakthroughs in generative AI. This is a technology that can create original text, images, video and other content. To fully grasp how generative AI works it's necessary to first understand the technologies on which generative AI tools are built: machine learning and deep learning. The first 'layer', if you will, under AI is machine learning, which involves creating models by training an algorithm to make predictions or decisions based on data. It involves a broad range of techniques that enable computers to learn from and make inferences based on data without being explicitly programmed for specific tasks. There are many types of machine learning techniques or algorithms including: linear regression, logistic regression, random forest, support vector machines (SVM's), k-nearest neighbor (KNN), clustering, and more. Each of these approaches is suited to different kinds of problems and data. 

One of the most popular types of machine learning algorithms is called a neural network, or I should say, an artificial neural network. Neural networks are modeled after the human brain's structure and function. A neural network consists of interconnected layers of nodes (analogous to neurons) that work together to process and analyze complex data. Neural networks are well suited to tasks that involve identifying complex patterns and relationships in large amounts of data. 

The simplest form of machine learning is called supervised learning, which involves the use of labeled data sets to 'train' algorithms to classify data or predict outcomes accurately. In supervised learning, humans pair each training example with an output label. The goal is for the model learn the mapping between inputs and outputs in the training data, so it can predict the tables of new, unseen data. 

Now for a look at Deep Learning. Deep learning is a subset of machine learning that uses multilayered neural networks, called deep neural networks that more closely simulate the complex decision-making power of the human brain. Deep neural networks include an input layer, at least three, but usually hundreds of hidden layers and an output layer. This is unlike neural networks used in classic machine learning models, which usually have only one or two hidden layers. Deep learning doesn't require human intervention. It enables machine learning at a tremendous scale. It is well suited to natural language processing, computer vision and other tasks that involve the fast and accurate identification of complex patterns and relationships in large amounts of data. 

Before we go any further, let's stop and ask a few questions. Earlier, I mentioned that AI will enable computers to simulate human learning, comprehension, etc.. Everything, meaning any capability that a machine or application may have will be based on computer code. Algorithms will be the result of computer code. At this point in time only humans can generate computer code. Will it be possible for computers to generate code in the future? Your guess is as good as mine, but let me say this. If such does become reality (and it probably will...) it can only be because humans made it possible. It's really no different than guns, computers, nuclear weapons, automobiles, and so on. All wonderful products of human curiosity and innovation. But in the hands of those with less than good intentions, all can be evil, powerful and destructive. As we continue to invent implementations for the betterment of the human condition, there continues to be those who'll hijack great inventions to inflict pain and suffering. Such has been the history of mankind...