ECONOMICS: Just End The Fed now for good

Monday, May 12, 2025

https://x.com/rickydoggin/status/1902482549609545959?s=51&t=fNifJ9M-EU2FgGneNcz51w

G. Edward Griffin, author of the legendary “The Creature From Jekyll Island,” outlines seven compelling reasons why the Federal Reserve should be abolished. 

1) It is incapable of accomplishing its stated objectives.

2) It is a cartel operating against the public interest.

3) It is the supreme instrument of usury.

4) It generates our most unfair tax.

5) It encourages war.

6) It destabilizes the economy.

7) It is an instrument of totalitarianism.

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As Ron Paul pointed out, the fiat money steal wealth from the poor, those on fixed income, and the young trying get ahead.

My particular gripe is with the “2% inflation target” that devalues our savings.  The Ponzi scheme of “Social Security Insurance” (what a joke)  — while transfer wealth from poor minority men to rich white women  —  take my dollars in “contributions” and returns inflation ravaged “dollars” decades later that are worth a few pennies in purchasing power.  Argh!

Wake up people!

When we were on a gold standard, prices deflated, savings were easy in gold coins, and life was predictable.  Now with fiat dollars (it’s a dollar because the Gooferment says it is), the Gooferment gets an endless spending spree, forever wars, and welfare to but votes.

Sigh!

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RANT: What happened to Intego Mac Podcast?

Sunday, May 11, 2025

One day they just signed off.  

Where will I get my Mac Security information?

Argh!

What happened?  Did @intego pull their funding?  Argh!

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SECURITY: SMS is not a good 2FA (Second Factor Authentication)

Saturday, May 10, 2025

https://www.makeuseof.com/security-apps-protect-your-data/?utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=MUO-202505090800&utm_source=MUO-NL&user=cmVpbmtlZmpAZ21haWwuY29t&lctg=7e6c3cd411d6a815afa18582d54bd455914c43c5f69df1448b8ec20ee4959f71

Install These 5 Security Apps Now to Protect Your Data
Jowi Morales

<< EDITOR ADDED DATE 2025-05-07>>

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Authenticator

Usernames and passwords are no longer as secure as you might think; that’s why you should switch to two-factor authentication (2FA)to help secure your online access. You can easily set this up on most accounts, including your accounts on Google, Meta, and more, ensuring that any potential hacker who has compromised your username and password combination still needs a one-time password to gain access.

However, we don’t recommend using SMS for your 2FA code because of its many disadvantages. For example, if you’ve been specifically targeted by personal identity thieves, they can trick your mobile provider into transferring your number to a SIM card that they have (called SIM swap), meaning they will receive your OTP codes on their device. Furthermore, SMS messages can be intercepted, meaning someone targeting you can easily steal your OTPs even if you did not lose access to your SIM card. And if you lose your phone signal (or your service provider runs into problems), you won’t get your codes and will be unable to access your accounts.

*** end quote ***

Personally, I use Google Authenticator. But I have AUTHY, LASTPASS, and BITWARDEN. Can’t say I prefer one over another, but given how stuff gets “deprecated” (i.e., abandoned), I’m ready to switch.

I have a running debate with my bank about their use of SMS.  So far, I’m losing but I’m still nagging.

Argh!

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ENCOURAGING: a team of ~50 make a “triple play”

Friday, May 9, 2025

https://nypost.com/2025/05/07/health/10-year-old-heart-transplant-patient-saves-lives-of-two-toddlers/

Hero 10-year-old heart transplant patient pays it forward — to save the lives of two toddlers
By Diana Bruk  — Published May 7, 2025, 6:00 a.m. ET

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Doctors at New York-Presbyterian Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital performed an extremely rare series of surgeries in July that changed the lives of three children forever. 

A heart from a deceased donor was transplanted into 10-year-old Hend Almesafri, who paid it forward by then providing her pulmonary valve to John Catoliato, 2, and her aortic valve to Teddy Carter, 3. 

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Again a team of ~50 make a “triple play” IMHO.  Three beautiful babies all getting a new lease on a real life without the future of more surgeries in the future.

Really amazing.

Just goes to show you what humans are capable of when someone really “makes it happen”.

I don’t care what it cost because it’s time, attention, and resources well spent.

Now let’s focus on the “lessons learned” and AAR (after action reports).  

How can we as a society of caring responsible adults make this the norm rather than the “news”?

I pray this inspires everyone to look around to make their own “miracles”.

Dona Nobis Pacem

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HEALTHCARE: Time to repeal ’86 SHIELD ACT

Thursday, May 8, 2025

https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2025/05/04/whats-the-real-story-behind-vaccines.aspx

What’s the Real Story Behind Vaccines?
Analysis by Dr. Joseph Mercola  —  May 04, 2025

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The 1986 Act shields vaccine manufacturers from lawsuits, which may reduce their incentive to conduct thorough safety testing. This could influence your health decisions, encouraging you to research vaccine safety independently to protect your well-being.

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“MAY”?

Are you kidding me?

It’s apparent that “ACT” alone is responsible for BIG PHARMA’s failure to do ANY safety testing.

And the number of childhood vaccinations “required” has exploded from a few to almost 100.

Sorry, but RFK jr, for all his wild ideas, is NOT automatically wrong to point out that AUTISM rates are skyrocketing and COVID vaxes are killing us.

Time to repeal ’86 SHIELD ACT.

Let the vaccine injured have their day in court.  Where’s an “Erin Brockovitch” bitching about the fate of all those harmed?

Argh!

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MEME: When “We, The Sheeple” wake up?

Wednesday, May 7, 2025

molṑn labé”

An armed society is a polite society. Manners are good when one may have to back up his acts with his life.” — Robert A. Heinlein

UntitledImage

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ENCOURAGING: Bicycle Refurbishers Pedal Good to the World for 26 years

Tuesday, May 6, 2025

https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/chicago-bicycle-refurbishers-pedal-good-to-the-world-for-26-years-with-150000-bikes-saved-from-landfills/?utm_campaign=newsletters&utm_medium=weekly_mailout&utm_source=29-04-2025

Chicago Bicycle Refurbishers Pedal Good to the World for 26 Years With 150,000 Bikes Saved from Landfills
By Andy Corbley – Apr 24, 2025 

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Working Bikes, located at 2434 S. Western Ave in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood, has seen an awful lot of bikes pass through its doors; pulling them from landfills, picking them up off the curbside, or accepting them from community members. Over 150,000 have been repaired since the registered 501(c)3 got its wheels turning in 1999.

12% of all the bikes they restored are sold in the Working Bikes storefront. 15% meanwhile are donated right back to the people of Chicago through local program partners that will ensure they arrive in the hands of people in need of transportation.

The whole operation is volunteer-supported: anyone can come in and fix a bike or learn how. A few dedicated employees ensure that salable models are in excellent condition, or boast unique designs and features.

*** end quote ***

I love the international economic chain that they have created.  Micro-loans to buyers and training local talent  — here and overseas  — in repair and maintenance.

That’s America in action!

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GOVEROTRAGEOUS: Once wildlife center should always be a wildlife center

Monday, May 5, 2025

https://nypost.com/2025/05/02/business/six-flags-america-shutting-down-maryland-amusement-park-in-portfolio-revamp/

Six Flags America shutting down Maryland park — home of one of the oldest roller coasters in US — in ‘portfolio’ revamp: ‘Deeply disappointing’
By Nicholas McEntyre
Published May 2, 2025, 4:26 a.m. ET

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The land was originally used as a wildlife center created by former presidential candidate Ross Perot in 1974.

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Why did the wildlife center get replaced?  And, why not put it back?

Not everything is about “development” and “tax revenue”!

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HEROIC: Child Born with Heart Outside Chest … …

Sunday, May 4, 2025

https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/child-born-with-heart-outside-chest-becomes-solitary-survivor-thanks-to-surgical-procedure-invented-for-her/?utm_campaign=newsletters&utm_medium=weekly_mailout&utm_source=01-05-2025

Child Born with Heart Outside Chest Becomes Solitary Survivor Thanks to Surgical Procedure Invented for Her
By Andy Corbley – Apr 28, 2025

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Their patient was Vanellope Wilkins, the solitary survivor known to British medicine of ectopia cordis, a condition where a fetus develops with its heart outside its body.

Over a period of 9 hours, the team which included visiting surgeons from London would form a protective cage around Vanellope’s heart by reforming her ribs, and though her team included some of the best pediatric surgeons in the country, the procedure had never been done before, and was invented specifically for Vanellope’s case.

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Team of 50 are all heroes in my book.  Saving a life, creating a unique approach, and following thru for 7 years is heroic in my book.

Compared to all the abortions performed for “convenience” makes this effort a statement about the value of human life.

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RECOMMENDED: MOSUL on NETFLIX

Saturday, May 3, 2025

https://www.netflix.com/search?q=mosul&jbv=81041495

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“War movie” with violence, language, and heave forbid smoking!

Gives one a feel for the trauma of all these wars.  If you weren’t just a plain old hippie anti-war type after this, then you have no empathy for those poor unfortunates in the middle. 

Note the scene of the child just sitting along side the alley.  Or the final conclusion!

Dona Nobis Pacem

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