INSPIRATIONAL: Let’s see if there is a real problem or if it’s just “optics”

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

2017-Sep-27

FROM BEHIND THE WSJ PAYWALL

https://www.wsj.com/articles/i-used-to-sit-for-the-national-anthem-too-1506464031?mod=djemMER

I Used to Sit for the National Anthem Too
But here’s the question: Is the ‘police brutality’ that NFL players are protesting based in reality?
By Jason L. RileySept. 26, 2017 6:13 p.m. ET

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An increase in press coverage of police shootings isn’t the same thing as an increase in police shootings.

*** end quote ***

As a vet and a little L libertarian, I am conflicted. 

I respect that the Dead Old White Guys and lot of good young women and men have sacrificed lives, blood, tears, and sweat for the ideal the Flag and Anthem represent.

I also know that the ideal is long gone and that freedom and liberty are barely holding on.

So what should one do.

Boycott the NFL?

Seems a silly response. Respect the views being expressed — whatever they are — damned if I know.

OR —  “Move along, people. Nothing to see here. Go home, you looky-loos.” Officer Barbrady’s Catch Phrase South Park

I think the reasonable approach is to: demilitarize the police, require a uniform police reporting system for officer involved shootings, and transparency.

For example, why aren’t police body cams and car cams ever off? 

(Sidenote: I think that politicians and bureaucrats should have to wear them 24/7 also. Remember ABSCAM?)

For example, a felon recently used a gun and it was reported that he was released after 4 years of a 5 year “felon in possession” offense. Sorry DJT45 should pass the word — on “felon in possession”, no plea deals, vigorous prosecution, opposition to any early release, and federal time for such. That should  “disarm” the bad guys.

For example, let’s have a DOJ review of any officer involved shooting, which if warranted should be prosecuted by the DOJ in a federal court.

For example, let’s put pressure on the various State and City Gooferments to protect their citizens. The murder rate in Chicago specifically is unacceptable.

With those reforms, let’s see if there is a real problem or if it’s just “optics”.

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INSPIRATIONAL: “Worrying takes up cognitive resources”

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/expressing-ourselves-through-writing-helps-us-handle-stress.html

Expressing Ourselves Through Writing Helps Us Handle Stress
By: Katie Medlock September 23, 2017

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“Worrying takes up cognitive resources; it’s kind of like people who struggle with worry are constantly multitasking—they are doing one task and trying to monitor and suppress their worries at the same time,” lead author Hans Schroder, an MSU doctoral student in psychology and a clinical intern at Harvard Medical School’s McLean Hospital, told Science Daily. “Our findings show that if you get these worries out of your head through expressive writing, those cognitive resources are freed up to work toward the task you’re completing and you become more efficient.”

*** end quote ***

Interesting. I should try this since lately I’ve been worrying a lot. That in and of itself IS very unusual for me since I think I am a “take it as it comes and roll with the seas” kinda of fellow. As a fat old white guy retired injineer who’s a poor old senior citizen on a fixed income, I tend to plan a lot. 

“In preparing for battle I have always found that plans are useless, but planning is indispensable.” — Dwight D. Eisenhower

Always have a Plan B, Plan C, and as many others as is unreasonable. (Once I had alternatives up to the letter M and never needed any of them.)

I wonder if it is the physical act of writing or will an online journal do?

Hmmmmmmm?

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RANT: Thoughts on NFL players protesting during the national anthem

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

*** begin quote ***

What are your thoughts on NFL players protesting during the national anthem? Send your comments, which we may edit before publication, to 10point@wsj.com

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Quite frankly, it appears childish showboating.

These are MP4B = “Millionaires Playing For Billionaires”. And, they have no connection to the people they are supposedly protesting for.

What have they done to fix the problem. They are just not that important.

The head of the Salvation Army does more every day than these prima donnas do in a lifetime fmpov. And, it’s divisive and counterproductive. For example, it distracts from the serious problems of the day  — Puerto Rico and its finances; flood relief and the long term solutions; and our economic timebombs.

BTW this criticism goes to DJT45; he should be focused on, as Ronald Reagan said, the two or three things a President can get done.

Argh! A plague on all their houses.

I feel for the Gold Star Moms, the widows and orphans, and the boys and girls in harm’s way.

Let’s bring all the girls, boys, women, and men home now! We have so many politicians and bureaucrats to send in their place if it’s really needed! 

f. j. reinke

— 
“God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” —Reinhold Niebuhr

—-Ferdinand John Reinke…

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POLITICAL: Ron Paul’s simple solution to Korea

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

https://www.lewrockwell.com/2017/09/ron-paul/how-to-end-the-korea-crisis/

How To End the Korea Crisis

By Ron Paul

Ron Paul Institute

September 26, 2017

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Here’s how to solve the seven-decade old crisis: pull all US troops out of North Korea; end all military exercises on the North Korean border; encourage direct talks between the North and South and offer to host or observe them with an international delegation including the Russians and Chinese, which are after all Korea’s neighbors.

*** end quote ***

Seems that a most simple strategy?

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POLITICAL:

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RANT: Gooferment “welfare” trains people to “starve”

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

From personal experience of four people I know, I have concluded that Gooferment “welfare” is the most destructive and personality eroding program that I have ever seen. It literally gives people enough to make them “lazy” and dependent while not giving them enough to not “starve”. Here in the Pepuls Republik of Nu Jerzee, the “standard amount” seems to be about 12k$ per year — give or take. Apartment rentals are easily that; so they are force into Section 8 or “low income” units. Quality varies all over the spectrum. Since folks are starving, they are “forced” on to “food stamps” and “food banks”.

So what if there was no Gooferment welfare, in both cases I know, the first individual’s family could take care of their relative pretty easily. In the second and third case, they could get jobs. And, in the fourth case, employment would be a challenge.

Would they all be better off? Undoubtedly, imho.

Instead, two “sponge”, the third seeks “off the books” income from the underground economy and small lottery wins, and the fourth is just a lost soul. The fourth is overwhelmed by “poverty thinking”.

It’s so sad. 

Extend that experience to the vast numbers on the public dole, and it is a “human disaster” of epic proportions.

As I have said before, “there are too many in the wagon and to few pulling the wagon”.

Sooner or later, the “makers” will convert to “takers” out of frustration with the “system”. But the “system” is great for creating voters for politicians and bureaucrats who promise and give “free” stuff.

Argh!

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WSJ: How SHOULD it be construed?

Monday, September 25, 2017

2017-Sep-25

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“The absence of our team for the national anthem shouldn’t be misconstrued as unpatriotic.”

A statement from the Tennessee Titans on the team’s not taking the field at all for the national anthem. Players around the NFL demonstrated before games Sunday as part of an escalating feud between President Trump and the professional sports world.

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I’m sorry how SHOULD it be construed?

I thought this was a violation of the NFL rules and contractual arrangements?

Argh!

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SERVICE: Mercedes supports What3Words

Monday, September 25, 2017

Dear Ferdinand,

It has been another epic month at what3words, and I’m delighted to announce that Mercedes-Benz will be the first car manufacturer to support 3 word addresses in their vehicles.

what3words will be built into their next generation infotainment system, launching early next year.

Drivers will be able to get into a new Mercedes-Benz, say a 3 word address, such as “alive caveman bends” and it will navigate them to that precise 3 metre square on the Trollstigen in Norway.

“This Could Be Mercedes’ Next Step Toward a Self-Driving Benz” – Fortune

“Best new in-car tech: 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show” – AutoTrader

“Stunning New System Used By Mercedes” – Forbes

Click here to read more and watch the film.

In other news this month, we received further recognition of our work at Fast Company’s Innovation by Design Awards and spoke at Helsinki Design Week alongside world-renowned architect and designer David Adjaye.

We discussed the difficulties of the UK postcode system with BBC News, and how what3words is now being used by some of London’s emergency services. And 3 word addresses are helping to coordinate rescue teams following the earthquakes in Mexico City.

You can read all about these and more on our site.

********

A great idea that would make life easier globally.

**********

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INTERESTING: In a very sad sort of way

Monday, September 25, 2017

http://collectivelyconscious.net/articles/20-words-that-describes-emotions-we-can-feel-but-just-cant-explain/

*** begin quote *** 

14. Ellipsism:

(n) A sadness that you’ll never be able to know how history will turn out.

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I recently had this feeling — which I never had; not maybe never recognized — when helping to care for a newborn. When he’s 20, I’ll be 90. When he’s 40, I’d be 120. Unless there is a “miracle of modern medicine”, I won’t be around to see how he makes out. Will he thrice or even survive?

It’s like reading a mystery novel and losing it before you find out who done it.

I think there were a MASH and a HIMYM episode, each like this.

Argh!

Frustrating, but nothing that can be done about it.

Maybe “we” should invent a “reverse time capsule”?

Double Argh!

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MONEY: “Public” pensions should be under scrutiny by both taxpayers and potential recipients

Sunday, September 24, 2017

http://www.jasonstapleton.com/651-this-time-its-different-really/

*** begin quote ***

Great article out of Zero Hedge today covering the current pension crisis in America. If you’ve listened to this show for any length of time, you know the public pension system is wrecked. But this article really went into detail about how it all might shape out in the end. Let’s just say it’s not a rosy picture. Like Mauldin says, “There are no good choices anymore.”

*** end quote ***

An excellent point that BOTH taxpayers and those future “public” pension recipients should be very skeptical and demanding that the politicians and bureaucrats be accountable.

Political promises are worth the paper that they are printed on. (Hint: It’s all oral.)

Forewarned is fore armed.

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WSJ: Gooferment “retirement” promises should be suspect

Thursday, September 21, 2017

FROM WSJ

*** begin quote ***

NUMBER OF THE DAY

$645 billion

The amount U.S. states as a group will need to pay the retiree health benefits they have promised. Under accounting guidelines that apply to most governments, states and cities around the country will book the losses on their balance sheets starting in fiscal 2018—a shift that could potentially lead to cuts in retiree heath benefits.

*** end quote ***

I know some Gooferment employees who assume that their “pensions” are rock solid guaranteed. I try to caution them to be skeptical, but like the “Delphic Oracle” I can sway them.

So sad.

But one very ugly chicken is coming home to roost.

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NUMBER OF THE DAY
$645 billion
The amount U.S. states as a group will need to pay the retiree health benefits they have promised. Under accounting guidelines that apply to most governments, states and cities around the country will book the losses on their balance sheets starting in fiscal 2018—a shift that could potentially lead to cuts in retiree heath benefits.

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