We Can Fix It

23 Saturday Sep 2023

Posted by in Immigration

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Karma is when you do something and then endure the results whether good or bad.
Much of the immigration problem today is the result of what we have done over the past few decades.

Tens of thousands of Venezuelans are in or coming to the United States is the direct result of the conditions which we caused by trying to oust their political leaders. We almost overturned the government with sanctions and destroying their economy. Conditions have gotten so bad for the majority of the people they have no choice but to leave the country they love. Perhaps if we turned the policies around, the immigrants would return home. Those policies are the result of both the Republican and the Democrat Presidents and Congresses.

The immigrants from Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and El Salvador are coming to the country that has interfered in their country for over a century. The countries are overrun with gangs we exported from California and corrupted dictators we sponsored and were bad for their countries. Of course climate change has contributed to the anxiety of living in those countries. Together hundreds of thousands have come to live in a safer place.

Both American political parties are responsible for this mess but don’t expect either one to fix the roots causing the immigration flood. If both parties acted the flood of people would be flowing South towards home. The people you elected know how to solve the problem but they won’t because not enough of us will tell them to fix it.

Think and Rethink

13 Wednesday Sep 2023

Posted by in Thinking

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        A Lowes’ commercial reminded me of a dumb thing a friend did when we were juniors in high school. In the commercial a man jumps up to slap a Lowes banner above the double doors. Gary jumped up to give a double-sided metal pharmacy sign a karate chop. He broke a bone in his right hand and had it in a cast for six weeks. A couple of days after his cast was cut off we were walking down the same sidewalk. I asked him why he did something so dumb. He said he probably didn’t think about what could happen.

            How many times have people done things without thinking past the immediate action? An example is the CIA moved the Ayatollah Khomeini  to France to keep him safe from the Shah’s retribution. The CIA housed and supported him until the Shah was overthrown.

            The most obvious not thinking is all the owners and CEOs of Germany’s big businesses that helped Adolph Hitler to gain power. We supported the Soviet Union to defeat Hitler which might not ever have happened if Stalin had lost. Because of that support the Cold War, the Iron Curtain, and several close WW III incidents happened.

            Why rethink if the resulting problem will belong to the next mayor, governor, or president?

            Oh yes, you may have guessed it already! Right after Gary told me he hadn’t thought about why, we walked under the same sign – he jumped up and hit the other side. Yep! Six more weeks! Sometimes we keep hoping for a different result from doing stupid things.

More Than Warm Bodies Needed

13 Wednesday Sep 2023

Posted by in Unions

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            An Amazon Warehouse in New York has voted to be in a union. Why when they aren’t asking for more money or many benefits would they rock the boat? The prime reason seemed to be the desire to be treated as a human and not some disposable piece of meat. A lot of this disregard seems to have occurred about the same time as personnel departments became human resources. We all know how Americans treat resources. We use them up and throw them away.

            Warehouse jobs are changing because they need thousands of people to do all the merchandize handling. Robotics can do some of the work but not as fast as humans so people are much needed. In today’s world many humans are still needed so a smart company should start thinking of their employees as an asset to be cared for and respected.

Interesting Question

27 Sunday Aug 2023

Posted by in Justice, President Trump

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        A talking head on CNN made an interesting comment about justice. He said “Let’s face it; we aren’t going to put a former president in jail”. It presents an interesting question about security and pension.

            At what point do we stop treating a former president as some kind of untouchable King or Pope? Can they kill someone without consequences? Some misdemeanors carry a 20-year sentence. Former President Donald Trump is accused of committing a crime in Georgia. If he is found guilty what will the judge do? Does house arrest at one of his luxurious properties seem fair to the millions having served behind bars or white collar resort prisons? Would his secret service agents be involved? These questions need to be answered in the next few months. Who will make that decision?

            Another question is whether a former President who commits a crime should receive the $230,000 dollar pension, unlimited healthcare, round-the-clock security involving agents, buildings, hotels, travel, and other costs? Many Representatives and Senators have lost their pensions for some criminal activity.

            Congress should establish some limits on pensions, security, and justice. Would the criminal activity apply only to federal crimes and could state crimes like Georgia’s charges be included?

            Interesting questions and the Constitution prevents any ex-post facto laws so Trump might not be included. Some rules or laws need to be decided upon and planned for the future. The sooner the better. We all agree with Trump saying, “No one is above the law.”

Chest Full of Medals

25 Friday Aug 2023

Posted by in Ronald D. DeSantis, Gov of Florida

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Ever notice how Ronald Dion DeSantis, Governor of Florida, carefully connects himself with the Navy Seals during the Iraq War? Being a Yale-educated lawyer, he knows all the words to make the listener thing he was a seal. During the debate he said he was attached to the Seal Team Six. In reality, he was one of the Commander’s legal advisors. He never got closer than a group picture to be used when he ran for some office later.

The photo of him in dress white Navy uniform shows a chest of eleven medals. One is the bronze medal which he got for prosecuting over twenty-four cases. I find that despicable because my brother got one in 1945 for an act under fire.

Some of the other awards are the Navy and Marine meritorious service medal, Iraq campaign medal, and the global war on terrorism medal. How did he earn those eleven medals? Ask the awards officer. Oh, DeSantis WAS the awards Officer.

Some of his other jobs in the Navy were just as dangerous as his time with the Seals. He was a Physical Fitness Coordinator, Recruiting Officer, and a courageous Assistant Urine Analysis Coordinator. He was a Scheduler and Administrator in Gitmo. It was a tough life on its tennis courts and golf courses. I wonder how often he had time for that hour flight back home each weekend.

Governor Ron is just another pampered, ambitious, glory seeker who has planned his political life since his days in Yale. Being a JAG Officer in the Navy reserves is a long way from Beau Biden and others who joined just to fight to defend America, earning their medals for courage under fire. Is he just another flim flam man?

Truth Loses/Lies Win

25 Friday Aug 2023

Posted by in Politics

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        As I sit here watching our GoldenDoodle puppy chasing her tail, it occurred to me the Republican Party is chasing its tail. The crop of wannabes are afraid of breaking with their hard core base but that base, if fed the same lies and bad information, cannot change. It is a circular train of thought which gets more embedded with each cycle. For the base to take another track would imply they are gullible and their leaders have been lying to them. Both of which are abhorrent to them, so it is easier to stay on that well-worn circular track.

            In spite of all the data by their own state officials saying the 2022 Presidential election wasn’t stolen; most Republicans can’t believe former President Donald Trump lost by over seven-million votes. Trump and his minions are being indicted for their efforts to overthrow the election in ways many of their bases don’t yet know.

            The base is being hurt by weather they may never have seen before, yet they are told it isn’t because of burning fossil fuels. Do they pay attention when they are told waters around Southern Florida have risen to over 100 degrees? What tunnel-vision is causing them to not connect rising seas, arctic forest fires, glacier melting, and record heat with climate change?

            The reason is obvious. The social media and Right Wing cable channels are streaming those stories saying the rest of the world is wrong and they are right is one cause. The other main reason is religious leaders are supporting liars and crooks so they can get one or two things enacted while overlooking the disasters to the country.

            Speaking the truth might not allow an intelligent presidential wannabe to get by the Primary in order to win the general election.

Can’t Support Him

15 Tuesday Aug 2023

Posted by in Uncategorized, Vice-President Mike Pence

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        Don’t get me wrong, I have never liked past Vice-President Mike Pence. If the polls were correct he would not have been re-elected as the Governor of Indiana. Many believe he messed up the state’s finances to prove he was fiscally conservative in order to run for President after his second term. He was chosen to be past President Donald Trump’s Vice-President for potential help with the religious voters.

            Pence is one of those who beats religion into others and believes that religion is his Christian belief and not any other sect or belief. Our country was founded on separation of church and state but Pence sees it as an impediment to his beliefs and ambitions.

            Another reason is his complete support of Trump up to January 6, 2020. Yes, it is the V.P.s job to support his boss but I have not heard of any other dissent and there were many instances where he could have advised against Trump’s activities.

            One last reason is Trump’s own reported words, “You are too honest”. How can the vast majority of Americans support someone who is “too honest”? Does that mean he is dishonest in some amount and honest on other accounts? How can those who wonder how people who supposedly live off their salary get so rich and have a very suspicious lifestyle?

            Where will a “too honest” person go for a job after their political career is over as Pence’s is. He will probably go to some right wing Religious University or think tank sponsored by the Far Right. Don’t worry, all his pensions will keep him in caviar.

Don’t Throw Stones

15 Tuesday Aug 2023

Posted by in Politics

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        The Republicans in the House of Representatives should know better than to throw stones at President Joe Biden for his son’s business. Apparently they are trying to connect him to his son’s business meetings during which he called his Dad. Granted he never discussed anything more than family and weather, but some of the Republicans want to equate those calls with former President Donald Trump’s legal problems. The other change has to do with his right to own a gun putting the NRA in a quandary as to support him or not!

            Throwing stones at Biden should encourage Republicans to look into their own financial dealings. It is a public record on how several of them have made stock purchases before and after committee meetings and closed door meetings with company executives. How about all those campaign contributions from people and companies they did favors. A few years ago my Republican Congressman announced he was retiring and the contributions flooded into a campaign chest he wasn’t going to need. Since he couldn’t get the money directly, he donated it to his wife’s non-profit which she shortly closed out before they both moved out of the country. Of course we can’t forget a speaker who must have made millions from a retired high school coach’s pension.

            The list of past and current Representatives who have made fortunes by directly dealing with individuals who told them where to buy land, or stocks, and gave their businesses lucrative contracts is most likely long. Are they forgetting all the jobs their spouses and children are being paid more than their co-workers while not coming to work?

            No, perhaps this is the time for the remaining good journalists to expose the corruption in both parties.

I Am Confused Too

05 Saturday Aug 2023

Posted by in President Trump, Presidential Power

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        A great saying that is applicable to many situations is “If you aren’t confused then you aren’t paying attention.” I have been paying attention and I am greatly confused.

            Former President Donald Trump has stated many times that “Nobody is above the law” so why does he keep saying he shouldn’t be on trial because he is campaigning?  Six or seven years ago he said “I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody and wouldn’t lose any voters.” After both of those statements why does he not want trials to free himself?

            Twice he has said he wants a quick trial so he can campaign. Of course, the longer he is indicted or in a trial, the more money the duped supporters will send him. Another charge which those donations will create is using that campaign money to pay his attorneys. Those attorneys are doing everything they can to delay all the legal proceedings into next year or later.

            His attorneys say he is in trouble because his previous attorneys told him he had won and needed to do everything he could to prove it. He believed them which got him into doing wrong. Trump’s history with lawyers goes back to around forty years. Delay, delay, delay was his first direction and taking their advice was seldom, if ever, taken. Maybe that’s why they have trouble getting paid for their time. His current ones are getting paid up front! He says one thing and tells his attorneys to do differently while conning millions of his followers to give him money!

            I am really confused because I pay attention to what Trump and his lawyers say. When the evidence is overwhelming, the defense is always to delay as long as possible.

I Don’t Care

02 Wednesday Aug 2023

Posted by in Crimes Against the U.S., Politics

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        Poor Carlos De Oliveira is now in Federal trouble for telling an employee to erase all the video records of the moving of the top secret folders at Mar-a-Lago. He is the Resort Manager who was ordered by Former President Trump, who is his boss, to wipe off any records of deceptions to hide evidence. That evidence was requested by Federal Subpoenas. What was recovered is condemning and the testimony of employees say Trump ordered it. This evidence may have come from De Oliveira who may still be holding back more knowledge to keep his job but keeping him out of a plea bargain.

            The number of charges is stacking up with a couple of major felonies involving trying to overthrow election results in at least two states with personal phone calls and directions to some of his attorneys and others. All of these charges and others should have come to trial in 2023 and not 2024. Trump’s lawyers will do all they can to postpone any trial until after the 2024 general election when he can say a President can’t be tried!

            Remember his 2015 statement about getting away with killing someone on Times Square? He has always been able to obfuscate, lie, delay, and bribe his way out of past legal problems. The money he based his business on came from the millions given to him by his father. He used it to build his first his first hotel. To get that deal he lied to the property owner, the banks, and the city officials who required the support and agreement to all things. Those lies were actual his first known felony.

            How can people be so deluded as to support a crook and liar?