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Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Our Misconceptions About The World

Most of us have misconceptions about the world. We base much of what we intuitively believe on either outdated information or mistaken notions handed down to us. Indeed, when a multiple choice test about the world was given to various groups of people and to a group of chimpanzees, the chimps scored higher than the humans. Why? Because the random selection of answers beats personal bias.

YouTube 19 minute video:
"How not to be ignorant about the world"
https://youtu.be/Sm5xF-UYgdg
Script:
https://www.ted.com/talks/hans_and_ola_rosling_how_not_to_be_ignorant_about_the_world/transcript?language=en

Monday, November 28, 2016

Is Jill Stein An Idiot?!

In today's Politifact news, Stein is shown to have been making patently false statements about future predictions of rates of sea level rise for the future. This really pisses me off, because the last thing we need is to give 'global warming deniers' another excuse to willfully ignore the truth about data showing our changing global climate.

Politifact:
http://www.politifact.com/texas/statements/2016/nov/23/jill-stein/jill-stein-overstates-forecast-about-seas-rising-3/




Saturday, November 26, 2016

The Voting Rights Act of 1965

Though the Electoral College took an unpredictable bounce in Trump's favor, it was Gerrymandering by Republican dominated state legislatures that legally "tipped the scales".  In addition, hundreds of poll closures in minority dense areas in southern red states with past experience in voter disenfranchisement really "did the trick". It was the 2013 modification of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 by the conservative Supreme Court that both allowed and encouraged it.

"There Are 868 Fewer Places to Vote in 2016 Because the Supreme Court Gutted the Voting Rights Act":
https://www.thenation.com/article/there-are-868-fewer-places-to-vote-in-2016-because-the-supreme-court-gutted-the-voting-rights-act/

"This was the first election without the full Voting Rights Act — and it's already a disaster"
http://theweek.com/articles/659599/first-election-without-full-voting-rights-act--already-disaster

This day in history voting rights act:
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/johnson-signs-voting-rights-act

Voting Rights Act of 1965
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voting_Rights_Act_of_1965

Shelby County vs Holder:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shelby_County_v._Holder

Friday, November 25, 2016

Privatizing Medicare: What're Trump and the Republicans Up To ???

One of Paul Ryan's longstanding goals has been to transform federal entitlement programs in a way that reduces the generosity of their benefits, including by transforming Medicare so that it would (ironically) look a lot more like the Affordable Care Act, with seniors receiving a fixed subsidy toward the purchase of a private insurance plan.


Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Global Warming: A Misnomer

When we realized that global temperatures had already risen 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit, the term "global warming" seemed appropriate. Living the the moment and being dull witted, we all failed to fully comprehend that the warming trend's rate of increase would continue. Short sightedly, we failed to fully appreciate that in places that were already hot, they would get even hotter. For those living in places that were frigid, they saw advantage in becoming more temperate. And, indeed, if we suddenly stopped ever more 'enhancing the greenhouse effect ' that might have been the case. But tropical is a more apt term.

Unfortunately, however, our species as a group doesn't much brighter than a chimpanzee / and radical long term temperature increases that could have been avoided are no longer avoidable. Perhaps the term "global heating" would be more descriptive of our simian future?

http://home.assets.gocomics.com/freshlysqueezed/2015/02/09

Video- TEDTalk on World View-
"In what ways things are getting better"
YouTube: 19 minutes
https://youtu.be/Sm5xF-UYgdg

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Bipartisanship: Finding Common Ground

If I had to remove all of my postings for the last ten years that I've been blogging relating to politics in my blog except one, this would be the one I'd keep because it contains a YouTube link to a twenty minute TED talk that speaks to how American politics can become more bipartisan. It speaks to the core of our becoming more practical and humane as part of the human endeavor. 

"Three years ago, Jonathan Haidt, a psychologist, gave a short TED talk about how American politics can become less polarized and more bipartisan. How? Mainly by realizing where there are common threats to "all" Americans that we all recognize. He also brings to bear the needed moral focus that would allow liberals and conservatives to work together where they share common ground."

YouTube: 20 minutes
https://youtu.be/v3o-F94S4FI

There are major issues where common ground exists between the political left and the right (need for criminal justice reform, rising illegitimate birth rates, rising economic inequality, the national debt, etcetera) that both political parties agree need to be dealt with. Because, if we don't, then we all will suffer even more from their increasing impact. 

Note that other subjects such as climate change and the untenability of the social democratic welfare state are not as amenable to bipartisanship. We, therefore, should agree to disagree and move on to those areas where we do agree. When strong negative effects of such untended partisan issues impact us later on, then bipartisanship shall prevail. Meanwhile, to remain locked over partisanship all across the board is simply not in our anyone's best interests.

Monday, November 21, 2016

Global Warming Inaction: Unawareness and Fear

Only someone who is completely unaware of overall global climatic conditions can believe that ‘climate change’ is not real, and thinking that the ‘rate of change’ in the global conditions is natural indicates a lack of knowledge that is unfortunate. For some, this is a simple lack of knowledge, while for others, it’s an act of willful ignorance engendered by fear. Now that’s something I can understand, for global warming IS frightening! 



https://samslair.blogspot.com/search?q=Climate+change&max-results=20&by-date=false&m=1

Meanwhile, the antithesis of fear is hope and compassion. If we succumb to despair, then darkness prevails. It is well within us to develop the ways and means to replace fossil fuels with renewable and sustainable resources, as well as implement carbon re-sequestration (e.g., biochar on a commercial scale) and to, also, improve agricultural practices. Simultaneously, we can advance the technology associated with non-petroleum based products and minimize all forms of current pollution at all levels. The way to move is forward, and with post haste. We’ve been sitting on our thumbs far too long. 
For the naysayers, I say:
If you’re not going to help, then simply step aside and let the rest of us proceed with the work that desperately needs to be done. Even if all carbon emissions totally stopped tomorrow, the oceans would continue to rise and methane released from melting permafrost. At this point in time, changes to the planet will continue no matter what we say or do; however, to continue to delay will put future generations in even greater danger. 
https://samslair.blogspot.com/search?q=Global+warming+and+the+wall&max-results=20&by-date=true&m=1

"There is Justice in the Universe"

Sunday, November 20, 2016

Original Biblical Scriptures: Men Not Over Women

Men of the Abrahamic faiths believe that woman came from man. Not true. The latter day bible has two creation stories in Genesis, neither which is precisely correct. If you go back to the original Aramaic scriptures, one sees that God created Adam and Eve "at the same time". Additionally, modern translation of 'aeon' as 'day' had further diluted the full wonder of the creation story as it was first scribed (after centuries of being carried forward thru the oral tradition).

Adam and Eve story from Genesis 1 & 2 
from ancient Aramaic scriptures:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8iQj1sycuw&sns=em
If you're pressed for time, the seven minute part, is the place to start.

For more Aramaic Bible channel videos, simply click on the words "aramaicbible" in the YouTube selection.

Saturday, November 19, 2016

Global Warming: When Ocean Currents Change

It's been said that "when ocean currents  change, then the higher latitudes and altitudes will become much more tropical".

If you appreciate this, then you can prepare yourself. 

Free will reigns Supreme.

"There is Justice in the Universe"

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Election Result: Moving to Canada?

After the election, I started catching news snippets of people saying that they want to move to Canada now. At first, I simply chuckled at what I considered to be overly dramatic emotional statements. I remember others saying the same thing when we elected our first black President. Then, I read a headline that has been repeating itself annually:
"This Year Is Hottest On Record".

Suddenly, I realized the possibility that moving to Canada could be a good idea for many / since I see little actually being accomplished in the battle to reverse our globe's 'enhanced greenhouse effect'.

Will I move the to Canada? Probably not. I have no grandkids. I'm retired. I've insulated and weatherproofed my house to the max. My native trees are all getting huge. I've had to switch to Bermuda grass. I'm within easy walking distance of a shopping center and bus stop. Etcetera. I've been planning for this since 1978, at the time my distant relatives in Alaska started seeing grave markers that had been secured in permafrost tipping over and peoples' favorite berry bushes started dying out and migrating northward. Me? Why I can just turn the A/C up a bit more and more to compensate until I myself finally "gone".

However, if I had grandkids, I'd encourage them to migrate to a latitude and elevation more in line with climate change forecasts (even if I had to move with them in order to get them to go). I would, also, want them to make sure that in their new location they'd be assured of a good fresh water supply. 
With this in mind, I just now went on line and found a likely spot to begin a search in the region around Lyle, Washington in which to begin a search (it is located along the shoreline  margin of a former continental shelf). 
The water table might possibly guarantee good wells, as it is next to the Columbia River. The 145 foot elevation would keep you high and dry for much much more than a hundred years (though the Columbia might in later centuries become somewhat brackish). The Pacific Ocean Current should also remain strong and steady to assure enough seasonal precipitation to survive (even if not thrive).

I would, also, consider Canadian and Alaskan locations. If the worst climate change predictions manifest, these are zones that will eventually become much more habitable. But, since I'm not an expert in climatology and won't be one of the ones going, I leave it to those who will be. And I wish them well! They're the future hope of mankind. Their surviving descendants will become the forerunners of a newly evolving branch of the human species. 
http://elevationmap.net/#

http://media.treehugger.com/assets/images/2014/06/xkcd-4-5-degrees.jpg.662x0_q70_crop-scale.jpg

P.S.- Do not procrastinate. Do not resist change. Take your time, but don't waste any. The first effects of climate change are only just beginning to be felt! We need to remember that global warming cannot be reversed. The increasing rate of advancement could be slowed down with extreme measures involving renewables and technological advances; but, that's very unlikely to happen. The only thing that will galvanize international cooperation is scary climate events. By then, we will have already gone "around  the river's bend" and sucked into the rapids. 

The earliest ones to move and begin establishing themselves in more desirable locations with the future in mind will have an advantage over those who try to do so later. If do you decide on Canada, go before an increased number of climate refugees force them to change their current attitude towards immigrants.

Google:
best places to survive climate change

http://0.tqn.com/d/politicalhumor/1/S/5/6/3/What-If-Its-A-Hoax.jpg

http://www.prosebeforehos.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/climate-science-deniers.jpg

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Looney Tunes in the White House and the Value of US Dollar

Looking at the list of characters being tapped for prominent positions in the Trump administration, I'd say that it may soon time to turn off CNN and go to the cartoon channels. Oft times, cartoon characters display better judgement than what we may be witnessing from the newest Trump reality show. I won't wish ill of them; but, I do fear for the economy as the value of the American dollar is potentially threatened long-term by lack of international confidence in America. 

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/52/f1/ae/52f1aeac57a582f1f525c990597ff22d.jpg

Of course, only time and what Trump's team actually does will be the final judgement. In the worst case scenario, at least we will have someone experienced in bankruptcy at the helm. And he won't be able to objectively blame the Democrats since he has the majority in Congress. And he will be appointing a conservative Justice to the Supreme Court.

50 Factors that Affect the Value of the US Dollar:
http://www.currencytrading.net/features/50-factors-that-affect-the-value-of-the-us-dollar/

Pew Research:  Confidence in Trump
(note that there are 14 pages at bottom of chart about related topics)-
http://www.pewglobal.org/2016/06/29/2-obamas-international-image-remains-strong-in-europe-and-asia/ga_2016-06-29_balanceofpower-1-09/

Monday, November 14, 2016

"The Mystery Of America's Missing Male Workers"


"More than 7 million men between the ages of 25 and 54 — prime working age — have dropped out of the labor force. That means they're not only unemployed but have also given up looking for a job. Shortly after World War II, virtually every man of prime working age was either working or looking for work. But the labor force participation rate for men has been declining steadily since the mid-1960s, from almost 97 percent to about 88 percent today. There is a smaller percentage of men working now than in 1940, near the end of the Great Depression....
This can be called a "quiet catastrophe" ... as men have been dropping out of the workforce at roughly the same rate for the past half century, through boom times and recessions alike.... Only one in seven men outside the workforce says a lack of available jobs is the reason he's not working."

"About 57% of men who are outside of the workforce received some form of disability benefits in 2013. Overall, the number of Americans receiving disability has doubled to 8.8 million people since 1996, costing the federal government $260 billion per year. The U.S. now spends more on disability insurance than on food stamps and welfare combined. For others, especially younger men, it's often relatives who pick up the slack. Some 70% of lower-skilled men in their 20s who didn't have a job lived with a parent or close relative in 2014."

How are these men doing?
"Not well. It isn't clear whether pain and sickness keep people out of the workforce, or if being out of work makes people sick, but nearly half of them report taking a painkiller every day. About two-thirds of the men taking pain medication were using prescription drugs — contributing to the nationwide opioid addiction epidemic...."

"If current trends hold, a quarter of prime-age men will be out of the workforce by 2050, making the economy less productive. It will also mean generations of men will be sicker and poorer than their peers in the workforce."

America's Missing Male Workers
http://theweek.com/articles/659245/mystery-americas-missing-male-workers

My Comment: Most of the "jobs that these men are unwilling to do" are being done by immigrants. And because the increasing numbers of newcomers keep wages depressed, this problem will indeed progress unless our new populist president actually seals "all" of the borders. Will this occur? Not likely. Why? Because the current Establishment is currently making too much money off of maintaining the status quo. The new President will focus on targeting those things that will make his crony Establishment players richer. That is why he will weaken the EPA. [And who suffers when that happens? Why, you do.]
Trump, like other crooks before him wanted merely to "kick those bums out"- and put this bum in. It's like having Pancho Villa become president. A wolf in sheep's clothing.
http://www.history.com/topics/pancho-villa

Sunday, November 13, 2016

2016: Why Trump Won

One thing that most people have not done is to sit down and write out declarations of the wherefores and whys of how they stand on issues. People like me who blog tend to do so in a semipublic manner. In doing so, if you are honest and sincere, you find yourself gradually changing your mind over time on issues as truths become clearer. Indeed, you usually find that your earlier opinions were somewhat more naive and off base than you'd like to later admit.

For example, when the trade towers were destroyed by Sunni terrorists, I didn't really know what Wahhabism was. I saw that we primarily only cared about the oil in the Middle East and wished to assuage our Christian guilt feelings about the Holocaust by sponsoring Jewish Israel. Now I realize how ignorant most of us were and still are (and this includes many of the politicians who led us into the mess we're in). But should we blame them? Or should we realize that they are the reflection of us all.

Another example is that 20 years ago I decided that even though I was in favor of letting gays marry, I did not favor allowing spousal government benefits to be paid. To me, spousal benefits are for heterosexual couples. This is based on the norm that child birth and rearing is the usual result of marriage. There are other legal aspects involved, but biblical preachiness is not part of the equation for me. I'm a Christ•ian. And I'm still struggling with the practical matters of  this issue.

As far as abortion goes, I think we were approaching about the right balance overall up until lately. Nobody likes abortion. The proper way to handle it is through prevention of unwanted pregnancies. If abstinence becomes iffy, then you'd better have had your back up plan already in place; because, cultural wars or not, teenagers' raging hormones and need for love and affection often decide the issue without waiting for permission. Parental support and guidance is best. But if that is not there, then Planned Parenthood had better be (with contraceptive counseling and services). And if that fails, then early term abortion in the first 90 days is an option (before the fetus loses its tail). This doesn't require surgery and is the alarm screaming that there's something amiss with this individual's choices. Further continued counseling is desirable. [Another choice is adoption or having the new grandparents take on a lot of life long responsibilities helping. The best choice originally would have been prevention, not arbitration.]

There are many other issues that I could address; but, in short, I tend to be a centrist and I've withdrawn my support from groups that are too partisan. For example, I used to belong to the Sierra Club when they were an environmental protection group (before they shifted too far to the left and overtly became illegal immigrant friendly). Then I joined NumbersUSA because they targeted a wide range of environmental issues relating to population growth (until they shifted too far to the right).

Anyway, as partisan political warfare escalates, I would hope that We The People grow beyond Twitter feeds, pundit ideology and propaganda. We need to read and listen to responsible journalism from Left, Right and Center. A Democracy is no stronger than the integrity of its People.

Meanwhile, we have elected a new president. The people have spoken. And this what is it that they said:

Google: "2016 Election Exit Poll Breakdowns"
The easiest to read and understand:

Note: Though Michael Moore is an extremely self-aggrandizing and distasteful person, here's a write up by him that explains in clearer terms overall than any other source, Left or Right, that I've read about Trump's victory. Again, I apologize for the source.

Saturday, November 12, 2016

How To Deal With Conspiracy Theorists?

My personal approach is to give them as much time and space as possible as I cautiously back away from them. They are not generally interested in genuine conversation. So,  unless they are infringing upon my personal space, I'll allow them to enjoy themselves as they take pleasure in entertaining themselves.

It, however, becomes problematic when they claim to be pro-Trump when what they really are is anti-Clinton (or vice versa). Especially, when the things they know are exaggerations of partial truths and care not a whit about the ramifications of policy issues. Indeed, they tend not to want to discuss real world issues unless they can interject their emotions via conspiracy theories into it. 

A very small example of a lie perpetuated as a truth by someone who claims to be a truth seeker showed up in today's newspaper as the "sort of Twitter post for which a charged post-election moment, full of conspiracy theories and anxieties, was perfectly primed."
"Eric Tucker, a founder of a technology company with an Austin office called PocketMath, claimed that protesters who had gathered Wednesday night in Austin to voice their anger about the presidential election outcome were “not as organic as they seem.”
Attaching photos of white Charter USA buses parked in East Austin near downtown, he wrote:
“Here are the busses (sic) they came in.”

"The post was seized as evidence that protests happening around the country were somehow concocted by the Hillary Clinton campaign, the media, liberal financier George Soros or some other boogeyman.
By Friday morning, Tucker’s tweet had been retweeted more than 15,000 times, picked up by conservative talk-show host Rush Limbaugh and the Austin-based national alt-right personality Alex Jones. A Fox News story headlined, “Trump protests intensify, as doubts swirl about spontaneity,” said in the second graph, “observers online are claiming that, in some cases, protesters were bused to the scenes — a telltale sign of coordination,” citing Tucker’s tweet.
The problem: It wasn’t true."

http://www.mystatesman.com/news/news/state-regional-govt-politics/how-an-austin-tweet-about-trump-protests-became-a-/ns66K/

His rationalizations that followed after his malfeasance was uncovered were both embarrassing and mundane. He exemplified the typical lack of integrity that conspiracy theorists (of both the Left and right) display by substituting egoic self righteousness for thoughtful and honest appraisal.

Politics is indeed war in slow motion. Thus, the need for diplomacy, which becomes more and more difficult when emotions overrule the thought process.

My Letter Of Concession To Supporters of Trump

On Nov. 9th, the following is what I emailed to friends and family who supported Donald Trump:

"Congratulations are in order for those who supported Trump with their votes.

For myself however, at this moment, my only consolation is that for the next four years and after, when things do go well, I can be pleasantly surprised.

A word of caution though: 
To the degree our enemies are happy with our choices, to that degree we need to be very cautious and wise.

The generations that fought the two world wars and lived through the Great Depression are now gone. Gone are those who remember most of the genocides.  
Gone, too, are many of the lessons that they learned / and remain only in the minds of us who remain that can remember what they told us as we sat at their feet as children and grandchildren. Some of the rest is in the history books.

We do indeed live in interesting times."

Note: Previous to this posting, I've posted twice since the election using Trump's name, and each  time my blog was instantly assailed by hundreds of bot hits from Russia.

Trump's Future As An Antidisestablishmentarianismist?

Those of us who remember the protests surrounding the Vietnam War will remember the humorous term "antidisestablishmentarianism" when referring to those in favor of the industrial-military corporate-political complex that was being protested against.

In this application, Trump is very much a champion of the same group of people (who do not necessarily believe in the separation of the church and the state), a group that wants to reassert their beliefs in a world changing both globally and at home. Most of their beliefs are valid. Others, maybe not so much. For example, just as we no longer sacrifice burnt animal offerings as in biblical times because Jesus Christ freed us from that custom, modern hygiene and science has allowed us to ensure the propagation of our populations without perpetual unprotected sex. Lowered infant mortality rates and increased life spans have made contraception [I did not say abortion] a desirable practice to prevent the world overpopulation that is causing environmental degradation, famines, mass migrations and other havoc that will only worsen as the fossil fuels these people burn (especially us) will lead to detrimental climate change. 

By the time Trump believers realize that global warming is real, it'll be far too late. Even if we stopped burning fossil fuels today, the ice caps would continue to melt and oceans continue to rise at a faster and faster rate because the rate of CO2 absorption by the ocean is dramatically slowing down and saturation limits achieved (ocean acidification). Weather patterns will change much more dramatically. Crop failures will become a problem in a world steadily losing its topsoil where agribusiness (e.g., Monsanto) dominates. Etcetera. Believe it; don't believe it. But, what if I'm not wrong?

Trump believers are now becoming the ones in charge. They are the new order aka The Establishment now. So, back to my original question:
How long before Trump is seen as the proverbial Establishment and becomes a target of the somewhat 'anarchistic' Wikileaks? Even if Wikileaks does not target Trump, it's inevitable that some spillage will occur during future data dumps that will embarrass Trump and his cronies. Will it then be my turn to be a fan of Wikileaks? Or will the new 
"antidisestablishmentarianismist" shut them down? [Remember Nixon -- Trump will make Nixon look like a 'wuss'.]


P.S.- The second part of a Chinese curse trilogy may soon become applicable in our "brave new world":

Thursday, November 10, 2016

Trump Is No Moses

Trump Is No Moses

"Both through enlightened leadership and rise of a responsible citizenry devoted to the cause of universal harmony and freedom, the crying needs of this blessed planet Earth for divine Unity and Direction must be met. Men of virtue and determination must stand forth who will sacrifice, when necessary, personal advancements and acclaim for the common good, and who will press onward as did Moses to lead the children of Israel in the face of every human rebellion to the Promised Land."

My Comment: To self-described evangelicals who are not regular church goers, Trump might seem like a modern day Moses leading his people from a place of despair. Indeed, the 'religious right' movement had set the stage for such a figure to appear. The problem is that they have also placed so much emotion into portraying Obama as an anti-Christ figure that they attracted a real one in the form of a lewd and narcissistic billionaire who was born with a silver spoon in his mouth who is the antithesis of Jesus.

Perhaps, instead of politicizing everything, we should get down on our knees and pray The Lord's Prayer over and over and over again. And go to a church that emphasizes the New Testament.

http://www.lords-prayer-words.com/meaning_commentary_matthew_henry_1.html
https://www.lds.org/bible-videos/videos/sermon-on-the-mount-the-lords-prayer?lang=eng

And then read and re-read The Sermon on the Mount
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.biblegateway.com/passage/%3Fsearch%3DMatthew%2B5-7%26version%3DNIV%26interface%3Damp

Tuesday, November 8, 2016

A Poem for Election Day 2016: Abou Ben Adhem

"Abou Ben Adhem may his tribe increase!
Awoke one night from a deep dream of peace, 
And saw, within the moonlight in his room, 
Making it rich, and like a lily in bloom, 
An angel writing in a book of gold:— 
Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold, 
And to the presence in the room he said, 
"What writest thou?"—The vision raised its head,
And with a look made of all sweet accord, 
Answered, "The names of those who love the Lord." 
"And is mine one?" said Abou. "Nay, not so," 
Replied the angel. Abou spoke more low, 
But cheerly still; and said, "I pray thee, then, 
Write me as one that loves his fellow men." 

The angel wrote, and vanished. The next night 
It came again with a great wakening light, 
And showed the names whom love of God had blest, 
And lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest."

Abou Ben Adhem  poem / YouTube 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hf-zccHnRCA&sns=em

What does it mean?:
https://www.reference.com/world-view/poem-abou-ben-adhem-mean-a0d2cfd726ba748c

Who was Abou Ben Adhem!:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ibrahim_ibn_Adham

My Comment: There are different levels or stages of spiritual development. The higher levels exhibit greater gradients of Universal Love. 
Search "stages levels spiritual development".
Example: http://www.whale.to/b/peck1.html

Sunday, November 6, 2016

USA 2016 Election: Why I Voted The Way I Did

Even if the Republican presidential nominee were a sane, rational and sensible person, I still would have not voted for him. Why? Because he does not recognize the hazards of continued heavy dependence on fossil fuels. Not only is global warming induced climate change a factor, but environmental pollution and a multitude of other considerations are in play.

However, at the Congressional level, I voted against the Democrats because I'm also against further immigration. We need to secure our borders now, because as the planet gets hotter our southern neighbors are going to be forced our way more and more. 


At the state level, I went ahead and voted for the Democratic candidates because the Republican candidates aren't really against illegal immigration. Their Texan Chamber of Commerce mentality of grow, grow, grow at any cost makes any efforts to thwart illegal immigration an insincere effort and a mere dalliance. Behind closed doors, the businessmen share ways to beat ICE.

Friday, November 4, 2016

Europeans Find onaldDay Unstable



"The Russian government started heavily interfering in the U.S. election not so much to help D----- T---- but to hurt Hillary Clinton .... P---- is reportedly pleased — and European governments perplexed and terrified — that T---- continues to disregard the information he gets from U.S. intelligence on Moscow's hacking operation and defends P----...."

"By October, "buyer's remorse" had set in at the Kremlin, according to a report obtained by Western counterintelligence. Russia came to see T---- as too unpredictable and feared that, should he win, the they would not be able to rely on him or even anticipate his actions....."

"T----'s repeated glowing statements about P---- throughout the campaign—and his shocking comment that the Russians were not in Crimea—have perplexed some foreign officials, who fear that under a T---- presidency, the United States would no longer stand with Western Europe in regard to Moscow.

http://theweek.com/speedreads/659584/moscow-reportedly-buyers-remorse-over-aiding-donald-trump

My Comment: All should remember the troubled relationship between authoritarians Hitler and Stalin. Each thought they were smarter than the other. Turned out that they were both wrong.

Thursday, November 3, 2016

America's Hacking Epidemic

"In the U.S. alone, government and private targets are pummeled by hundreds of thousands of hacking attempts every hour. Cyberattackers have breached the Pentagon, State Department, and White House; stolen the personal data of an estimated one half of Americans in attacks on banks and tech companies like Yahoo; and provided WikiLeaks with the personal emails of Democratic Party officials, as well as generals and former secretaries of state....."


".....most hacks are directed or sponsored by nation states; the two worst culprits are China and Russia. China's mysterious Unit 61398, part of the People's Liberation Army, has reportedly been responsible for at least 141 successful cyberintrusions on 20 major U.S. industrial sectors, including oil and gas pipelines. In Russia, hacking groups called Cozy Bear and Guccifer 2.0 have targeted foreign critics of President Vladimir Putin, and in December shut down part of the electric grid in Ukraine."

"About 91 percent begin with a simple phishing attack, in which an email masquerading as a legitimate communication from a well-known company invites the recipient to click on a link or open an attachment. That attachment or link is actually loaded with malware. If just one of the hundreds of people in a company or government agency targeted by this attack falls for the trick, his or her computer downloads that malware — giving the hacker a back door into the organization's entire network...."

What would cyberwar look like?
It would be silent but enormously destructive. The two sides could block access to the Global Positioning System, disrupt air traffic control and electric grids, and block access to the internet or fill popular websites with propaganda — causing widespread chaos and fear. Cyberwar is the only field of warfare in which the U.S. doesn't have a clear advantage over its foes, warned then–Joint Chiefs Chairman Martin Dempsey before he retired last year. "It's a level playing field," said Dempsey, "and that makes this chairman very uncomfortable."

The Hacking Epidemic: