Yes this issue came up in the news earlier and seems to be lost in the euphoria of the current Mueller Russian influence investigation, arrest warrants and all. The President of the United States has the power to pardon anyone. The Power to Pardon could be is very powerful tool to allay fears of potentially guilty people close to the President. Cover-ups of Russian financial dealings breaking American tax law can be pardoned and an assumption could be made that anything beyond treason could be pardoned and perhaps treason itself. Of course the 5th amendment can be applied to anything self-incriminating. And an argument was made early on about the possibility of the President pardoning himself. Remember, Richard Nixon was pardoned.
hey
Sunday, November 5, 2017
Tuesday, October 31, 2017
Why? The Age of Mimicry
Yes we live in the Age of Mimicry. The mimics are everywhere and they are us. Watching the Tonight Show and Trump being mimicked every night. The absurdity of Trump is certainly observable and laughable and dangerous. Lets jump to talking points, the Far Right has talking points led by Trump on fake news, Hillary, Russian influence, on and on. But, know the Far Left has talking points like Medicare for all, free education for all, more bureaucracy, more government. Understand that talking points are used to influence and reinforce a certain point of view.
The bias of the media has a mimic ingredient. Social media and Russian influence based on likes, hashtags and memes was-is really only using our mimicry to spread divisiveness and cause us destroy ourselves. Depending on the news source; Fox(left)MSNBC(right) mimics reign supreme.The truth is mimicked as is the false. So whom are we to trust? Joseph Goebbels said "If you repeat a lie often enough, people will believe it, and you will even come to believe it yourself". The answer to all of this is to expose the lies and expose the truth and that is the job of a FREE PRESS. Is is up to the news media to find the truth and mimic the truth over and over until it is the TRUTH and thus achieve justice for us all.
The bias of the media has a mimic ingredient. Social media and Russian influence based on likes, hashtags and memes was-is really only using our mimicry to spread divisiveness and cause us destroy ourselves. Depending on the news source; Fox(left)MSNBC(right) mimics reign supreme.The truth is mimicked as is the false. So whom are we to trust? Joseph Goebbels said "If you repeat a lie often enough, people will believe it, and you will even come to believe it yourself". The answer to all of this is to expose the lies and expose the truth and that is the job of a FREE PRESS. Is is up to the news media to find the truth and mimic the truth over and over until it is the TRUTH and thus achieve justice for us all.
Monday, October 16, 2017
Why? A Steve Mena Quote Says It All
"I've found that people who tend to understand our Constitution the least are the ones who claim to respect it the most.
When I say I stand for the rights of all people, as someone who honors and respects our Constitution, I stand for the rights of those with whom I disagree.
I might not like what someone says or does, but the fact that they have the right in this country to freely express themselves is what makes this country so incredibly amazing.
When I say I stand for the rights of all people, as someone who honors and respects our Constitution, I stand for the rights of those with whom I disagree.
I might not like what someone says or does, but the fact that they have the right in this country to freely express themselves is what makes this country so incredibly amazing.
You can't say you respect our Constitution, or our country, while
telling those with whom you might disagree that you don't feel they
should have the right to express themselves peacefully.
You don't have to agree with it -- and that's the point. If a "right" is only defined as something that's agreed upon by the majority, then that ceases to be true freedom.
When you say you respect the flag, then that means you also have to respect the rights of those who kneel during the National Anthem.
You don't have to agree with what they're doing, but you can't have it both ways. You can't say they should stand and respect a flag that represents freedom for all, while telling some that the right granted to them by our Constitution, in a country represented by that flag, is something you don't feel they should have."
Steve Mena, Pratt, Ks, former student
You don't have to agree with it -- and that's the point. If a "right" is only defined as something that's agreed upon by the majority, then that ceases to be true freedom.
When you say you respect the flag, then that means you also have to respect the rights of those who kneel during the National Anthem.
You don't have to agree with what they're doing, but you can't have it both ways. You can't say they should stand and respect a flag that represents freedom for all, while telling some that the right granted to them by our Constitution, in a country represented by that flag, is something you don't feel they should have."
Steve Mena, Pratt, Ks, former student
Friday, October 13, 2017
Why? The Great Man Theory is Alive and SICK
From Wikipedia "The great man theory is a 19th-century idea according to which history can be largely explained by the impact of great men, or heroes; highly influential individuals who, due to either their personal charisma, intelligence, wisdom, or political skill used their power in a way that had a decisive historical impact. The theory was popularized in the 1840s by Scottish writer Thomas Carlyle. But in 1860 Herbert Spencer formulated a counter-argument that has remained influential throughout the 20th century to the present: Spencer said that such great men are the products of their societies, and that their actions would be impossible without the social conditions built before their lifetimes"
It is evident that Donal Trump believes in and is operating under the Great Man Theory. He is like a king surrounding himself with worshipers and says(tweets) what ever he wants whenever he wants. In truth he totally lacks greatness and most often represents littleness.
It is evident that Donal Trump believes in and is operating under the Great Man Theory. He is like a king surrounding himself with worshipers and says(tweets) what ever he wants whenever he wants. In truth he totally lacks greatness and most often represents littleness.
Friday, July 21, 2017
Why? The Underlying Element of Fear
My small dogs bark at strange noises, movements and under it all and in us all is the element of FEAR. In most ways this element of fear is all about survival. You have fear today if you are a woman facing sexual harassment, black anywhere, choir boy(ok, maybe not a choirboy?), police man or woman, as an airplane passenger, or facing identity theft, flooding, wild fire, on and on. Partly terrorism, certainly racism, the sex drive, the rich, the poor. Wow you name it, fear is everywhere. That is why some pray, or arm themselves, or march, or take pain killers or think "will I lose my job?"
This line of thinking stems from an incident a few days ago when I went to the mall to do my daily walk. Of course early before the stores opened. I walked toward the mall door and a woman whom I have seen many times while walking said "the doors are locked" The mall opens two hours before stores open and has done so like clock work for years, but not that day.
We finally got in and in talking to a mall security guard found opening time staff confusion because of a hospital walking program that was timed to start one hour before stores opened.
But it was the woman's discussion of why she walked in the mall, of being fearful of walking outside and saying she had actually been accosted and harassed in the mall by men, that really got my attention. I had thought it strange that she always walked against the grain in the mall. I always walk with the flow of people on the right, counterclockwise. I suddenly realized she was fearful of being approached from behind. She had reported her incidents to mall authorities and the security guard said such people were banned from the mall. Sad to say, but the advice for women who want to walk for exercise is "do not walk alone, very your routes and if you walk alone in a "safe" mall, Walk Against The Grain.
This all leads to the fear of blacks being shot by police and the fear of police being shot by anyone. If police stop a suspect? and he or she says"I have a gun". What are the police to think? Is that a threatening statement or and an admission so conflict will not occur? Sorry to say, the answer may be determined by FEAR. Why must it remain so? Why?
This line of thinking stems from an incident a few days ago when I went to the mall to do my daily walk. Of course early before the stores opened. I walked toward the mall door and a woman whom I have seen many times while walking said "the doors are locked" The mall opens two hours before stores open and has done so like clock work for years, but not that day.
We finally got in and in talking to a mall security guard found opening time staff confusion because of a hospital walking program that was timed to start one hour before stores opened.
But it was the woman's discussion of why she walked in the mall, of being fearful of walking outside and saying she had actually been accosted and harassed in the mall by men, that really got my attention. I had thought it strange that she always walked against the grain in the mall. I always walk with the flow of people on the right, counterclockwise. I suddenly realized she was fearful of being approached from behind. She had reported her incidents to mall authorities and the security guard said such people were banned from the mall. Sad to say, but the advice for women who want to walk for exercise is "do not walk alone, very your routes and if you walk alone in a "safe" mall, Walk Against The Grain.
This all leads to the fear of blacks being shot by police and the fear of police being shot by anyone. If police stop a suspect? and he or she says"I have a gun". What are the police to think? Is that a threatening statement or and an admission so conflict will not occur? Sorry to say, the answer may be determined by FEAR. Why must it remain so? Why?
Sunday, May 14, 2017
Why? The Breath of a Small Dog
The breath of a small dog, it's the smallest thing. A bit larger thing is the sigh of a small dog. It is a bit larger than a normal breath and the exhale is larger and longer. It is a sign of being at peace, contented, and feeling safe. Well, the long and short of this is a Yorke dog named Willie. He sleeps with me and here is the thing. We go to bed and he lays beside me chewing on a small dog bone chew. There comes a point every single night when as I am reading, laying on top of the covers, he scratches at my leg. I open my legs a bit and he maneuvers inside my legs and curled up between my legs and WITH OUT FAIL, HE MAKES A SMALL SIGH. Now this is not a sound, but a feel. It makes me chuckle, gives me a feeling of peace, contentment and also feeling safe. Sigh
Tuesday, May 2, 2017
Why? the Right to Heath Care
Add this to the Right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. All people have the RIGHT to Health Care. Equally, Rich or Poor.
An example, compare a rich person and a poor person in America. They both have the same cancer. The rich person gets the best treatment available and the poor person gets perhaps none. Now in America what do they have in common? Yes, the Declaration of Independence, yes the Constitution, yes the Right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. As some might say but for the Grace of God their positions in life might be reversed. The great idea of "Equal Right" applies to Health Care. You should have, we should have the Right of Equal Health Care.
Now the concept of Medicare is a concept of Equality. It is not free. My wife and I pay approximately $600 a month for Medicare and a MediGap Supplemental Policy. In 12 years we have never paid anything above our monthly cost. Now some people cannot afford $600 a month and they should have a subsidy. But in the end all Americans and actually in the whole world, all people should have the Right to Life, Liberty, the Pursuit of Happiness and Health Care.
An example, compare a rich person and a poor person in America. They both have the same cancer. The rich person gets the best treatment available and the poor person gets perhaps none. Now in America what do they have in common? Yes, the Declaration of Independence, yes the Constitution, yes the Right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness. As some might say but for the Grace of God their positions in life might be reversed. The great idea of "Equal Right" applies to Health Care. You should have, we should have the Right of Equal Health Care.
Now the concept of Medicare is a concept of Equality. It is not free. My wife and I pay approximately $600 a month for Medicare and a MediGap Supplemental Policy. In 12 years we have never paid anything above our monthly cost. Now some people cannot afford $600 a month and they should have a subsidy. But in the end all Americans and actually in the whole world, all people should have the Right to Life, Liberty, the Pursuit of Happiness and Health Care.
Wednesday, April 26, 2017
Why? such an early repeat? the tax cut is OUT!
Monday, November 21, 2016
Why? Tax Cuts and Democracy
Consider the population numbers in terms of the lower class, lower middle class, middle and upper middle class, lower upper class and upper, upper class. In a democracy who SHOULD win based on shear numbers. It will not be the upper classes. You must understand the Far Right fears democracy. They attempt to control it by use of wealth to control the minds of the people that heavily outnumber them.
The second goal of Brownback, was to cut taxes so much there would be revenue shortfalls. Why, well then the state would be forced to cut back on spending, for example on public schools. This is exactly what is happening in the State of Kansas.
AND NOW WE GET TO THE NEW PRESIDENT, DONALD TRUMP AND NATIONAL TAX CUTS FOR THE WEALTHY(PEOPLE AND CORPORATIONS).
The end result of massive tax cuts for the wealthy will be some job creation AND massive debt that will cause CUTS IN NEEDED GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS including medicare, social security, federal aid to states, etc. Of course the states will have to cut their budgets and the beneficiaries of these CUTS will be the wealthy and the rest of us victims.
NOTE THE FOLOWING
Friday, September 11, 2015
Why? The value of the Political Spectrum
Thursday, April 13, 2017
Why? Nuclear Proliferation vs Global Warming
"Nuclear proliferation is ABOUT the power to destroy the future , Global Warming is the power that WILL destroy the future" heaton
Tuesday, April 11, 2017
Why? the tolerance of intolerance and the rise of dogma
Intolerance is the "unwillingness to accept views, beliefs, or behavior that differ from one's own."
and thus tolerance is the "willingness to accept views, beliefs, or behavior that differ from one's own."
Dogma is "a principle or set of principles laid down by an authority as incontrovertibly true." It is supremely intolerant. I have just described the Far Right of all religions and know that all do not tolerate FREEDOM. America is based on FREEDOM and to allow a religious dogma to rule the land goes against its very principle. The idea Of SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE must be the rule, not dogma.
and thus tolerance is the "willingness to accept views, beliefs, or behavior that differ from one's own."
Dogma is "a principle or set of principles laid down by an authority as incontrovertibly true." It is supremely intolerant. I have just described the Far Right of all religions and know that all do not tolerate FREEDOM. America is based on FREEDOM and to allow a religious dogma to rule the land goes against its very principle. The idea Of SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE must be the rule, not dogma.
Why? How will the first strike be judged?
I occasionally have an ale for what ails me(apple ale). I think we are baiting North Korea into a first strike, war looms, grimness looms. As I ponder this, and certainly not to draw a Nazi comparison, but Hitler tried to make it look like Poland attacked(struck) first and forced him to invade. Why? Well, historically, he would not be blamed for the first strike. The judgment of history, the attitude of your nation of why you have gone to war were, are at stake in these confrontations.
A first strike may be preemptive, witness Japan and Pearl Harbor and if we strike North Korea first, history may be a harsh judge. But know that North Korea is developing a Hydrogen Bomb. According to experts Hydrogen Bombs are 1000 times more powerful than Atomic Bombs. If North Korea is allowed to progress, there may no one left to lay historical Judgment. And if the spheres of influence of China and Russia are drawn into play, the same concept applies.
There is a theory as to why we have never been contacted by aliens. "All advanced intelligences self destruct". Not to panic, another theory is that "the distances are to great for contact". Now, I think might have another ale or two . Good luck to us all.
A first strike may be preemptive, witness Japan and Pearl Harbor and if we strike North Korea first, history may be a harsh judge. But know that North Korea is developing a Hydrogen Bomb. According to experts Hydrogen Bombs are 1000 times more powerful than Atomic Bombs. If North Korea is allowed to progress, there may no one left to lay historical Judgment. And if the spheres of influence of China and Russia are drawn into play, the same concept applies.
There is a theory as to why we have never been contacted by aliens. "All advanced intelligences self destruct". Not to panic, another theory is that "the distances are to great for contact". Now, I think might have another ale or two . Good luck to us all.
Monday, April 10, 2017
Why? Alpha Dogs and "Survival of the Fittest"
I guess, the first question is why do Alpha Dogs think they are Alpha. Alpha definition "being first at everything"(from The Nest). This means you are at the front of the line for everything because the rest of the pack respects you, actually fears you. In the end there are conflicts and competition for the alpha spot and in the wild, the "fittest" take the lead. That is the physically fittest.
But, the arrival modern times and homo saiens has brought a new force to the fray. That force is money. Mammon gives power. Currently there is a chorus of Alpha Dogs yapping and in control of the whites house. Almost all of these dogs have two things in common, being a billionaire and white.
Our founding fathers set up this great nation with a constitution that controls Alpha Dogs through "separation of powers". The problem is billionaires are the most powerful Alpha Dogs in history and are a major threat to the very fabric of this great nation. Incidentlly Kings of old and Dictators today have all been a force which goes against the ideals of this great nation. We are under a great threat. Our very survival is at issue. Democracy must make a stand.
But, the arrival modern times and homo saiens has brought a new force to the fray. That force is money. Mammon gives power. Currently there is a chorus of Alpha Dogs yapping and in control of the whites house. Almost all of these dogs have two things in common, being a billionaire and white.
Our founding fathers set up this great nation with a constitution that controls Alpha Dogs through "separation of powers". The problem is billionaires are the most powerful Alpha Dogs in history and are a major threat to the very fabric of this great nation. Incidentlly Kings of old and Dictators today have all been a force which goes against the ideals of this great nation. We are under a great threat. Our very survival is at issue. Democracy must make a stand.
Tuesday, January 24, 2017
Why? Living in the Age of Overchoice
In his book, Future Shock(1970), Alvin Toffler had a chapter about Overchoice And Overchoice arrived and has flourished for years. Oh!, the choices, in the isles of super stores, supermarkets, autos, entertainment, medicines, gifts, on and on. How, how, HOW TO DECIDE? Well, perhaps habit, custom, brand. Here is a bit of advice on how to deal with it.
Number one is Consumer Reports Magazine. Looking for a new whatever, look it up in Consumer Reports. Ratings, ratings from stoves, to televisions, to automobiles, especially autos, the annual April issue. Lets say, you want to buy an older car, a 2002 Honda Accord. Get a 2007 Consumer Reports April issue or annual issue. There a 6 year repair history of all makes sold in America. Very interesting and in the magazine, red is good, black is bad. Well that car has a lot of red in regards to for example electronics, engine, transmission etc. In addition in, it is the last car of the edition, a new model came out in 2003. the problem with a new model is that they have more problems. those problems are addressed in the following models until a new model comes out. Thus the final model is the best, fewer problems. Now some auto makes are a sea of reds and some a sea of blacks. Note the tendencies and increase your chances of buying a better car. And we are talking a major purchase, thousands of dollars, a big deal.
Another rating system, is the Amazon site. Products are rated by customers. But a big word of caution, look for and trust more, a HIGH number of ratings. A hand full of 5 star ratings means nothing, easily biased, or fudged, but hundreds or evens thousands of high ratings do mean something.
In this Age of Over Choice, a better, or best choice can be made. It just takes a little research. In the end that adds of $s well spent and $s saved.
Number one is Consumer Reports Magazine. Looking for a new whatever, look it up in Consumer Reports. Ratings, ratings from stoves, to televisions, to automobiles, especially autos, the annual April issue. Lets say, you want to buy an older car, a 2002 Honda Accord. Get a 2007 Consumer Reports April issue or annual issue. There a 6 year repair history of all makes sold in America. Very interesting and in the magazine, red is good, black is bad. Well that car has a lot of red in regards to for example electronics, engine, transmission etc. In addition in, it is the last car of the edition, a new model came out in 2003. the problem with a new model is that they have more problems. those problems are addressed in the following models until a new model comes out. Thus the final model is the best, fewer problems. Now some auto makes are a sea of reds and some a sea of blacks. Note the tendencies and increase your chances of buying a better car. And we are talking a major purchase, thousands of dollars, a big deal.
Another rating system, is the Amazon site. Products are rated by customers. But a big word of caution, look for and trust more, a HIGH number of ratings. A hand full of 5 star ratings means nothing, easily biased, or fudged, but hundreds or evens thousands of high ratings do mean something.
In this Age of Over Choice, a better, or best choice can be made. It just takes a little research. In the end that adds of $s well spent and $s saved.
Monday, January 2, 2017
Why? Trepidation
Trepidation definition: a nervous or fearful feeling of uncertain agitation : apprehension
Ah, the new year has dawned and feelings of trepidation rooted in 2016 are on the minds of a majority of those who voted in the last general election. Now these figures are not figured by an accountant but are reasonably true. Something like 57% of the eligible voters actually voted in that election. Donald Trump received about 26% and Hillary Clinton 27% of the possible 100% of eligible voters. Of course Trump won the Electoral Vote, but the point is a minority of this country's voters controlled the election. Why trepidation? Well, that minority is controlled by the Republican Far Right.
From a previous post " Enter the Republican Far right( the Tea Party). They have been conducting a political(but really religious) Inquisition and a purge of liberal and moderates. This new power relies on rule by minority and seeks to control the political process by preying on the masses who are not informed but merely trying to survive in a fearful economic environment and looking for scapegoats. The rich are getting richer and the poor poorer at an alarmingly increasing rate. The result of this divide of people was best described by Abraham Lincoln. 'A house divided cannot stand'". In truth this Tea movement is rooted in the religious dogma of the Far Right and in truth these views are locked values that need to be either unlocked or removed from the political arena. Unlocking is unlikely and thus the Republican Party may be doomed. As a nearly extinct liberal Republican, I know or feel the Republican course of survival and actual impact in our nation's future is to return to the concept of Separation of Church and State. If Church and State become one, the result in the extreme could be a Taliban type state. The combining of Church and State restricts freedom. The Separation of Church and State allows freedom. And freedom is the absolute core value of the United States of America."
At this moment the Doomed have been saved by the Rise of Donald Trump. There is trepidation now for health care, social security, medicare, medicaid, public schools, gays, trans genders, nuclear weapons, allies, religious freedom, Choice and on and on. Of course if the Far Left were totally in charge there would also be trepidation.
So now comes the reality and what is feared may not happen, may only partially happen or in the end, result in some or even total loss of freedom
Ah, the new year has dawned and feelings of trepidation rooted in 2016 are on the minds of a majority of those who voted in the last general election. Now these figures are not figured by an accountant but are reasonably true. Something like 57% of the eligible voters actually voted in that election. Donald Trump received about 26% and Hillary Clinton 27% of the possible 100% of eligible voters. Of course Trump won the Electoral Vote, but the point is a minority of this country's voters controlled the election. Why trepidation? Well, that minority is controlled by the Republican Far Right.
From a previous post " Enter the Republican Far right( the Tea Party). They have been conducting a political(but really religious) Inquisition and a purge of liberal and moderates. This new power relies on rule by minority and seeks to control the political process by preying on the masses who are not informed but merely trying to survive in a fearful economic environment and looking for scapegoats. The rich are getting richer and the poor poorer at an alarmingly increasing rate. The result of this divide of people was best described by Abraham Lincoln. 'A house divided cannot stand'". In truth this Tea movement is rooted in the religious dogma of the Far Right and in truth these views are locked values that need to be either unlocked or removed from the political arena. Unlocking is unlikely and thus the Republican Party may be doomed. As a nearly extinct liberal Republican, I know or feel the Republican course of survival and actual impact in our nation's future is to return to the concept of Separation of Church and State. If Church and State become one, the result in the extreme could be a Taliban type state. The combining of Church and State restricts freedom. The Separation of Church and State allows freedom. And freedom is the absolute core value of the United States of America."
At this moment the Doomed have been saved by the Rise of Donald Trump. There is trepidation now for health care, social security, medicare, medicaid, public schools, gays, trans genders, nuclear weapons, allies, religious freedom, Choice and on and on. Of course if the Far Left were totally in charge there would also be trepidation.
So now comes the reality and what is feared may not happen, may only partially happen or in the end, result in some or even total loss of freedom
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