I see where the latest gambit by House Republicans is to tie Ukraine aid to immigration “reform.” Setting aside the fact that aid to Ukraine is, like most foreign aid, a subsidy for US business, the linkage to immigration is a red herring. All the current approaches are failing, are doomed, and are a waste of taxpayer money, something the GOP pretends to care about.I’ve long held that the solution to most undocumented immigration is to reduce...
Read More »Caveat Emptor
Upon hearing the Latin term caveat emptor, we likely think of the Uniform Commercial Code – of legal matters regarding commerce. These days – it turns out – ‘let the buyer beware’ is also very applicable to politics and the media. Fox News isn’t only hiding behind the First Amendment; it is also saying that one should know better than to believe the lies it is peddling. Facebook sells its consumers little-fettered access to a hotline to spread...
Read More »SCOTUS declined to hear AG Paxton’s Texas v. Pennsylvania
The Supreme Court declined to hear the case, Texas v. Pennsylvania. December 20, 2020. Two days ago, during a press conference Rachel Scott drew the ire of Republicans as she asked a question of newly appointed House Speaker Mike Johnson. Representative Mike Johnson (R-LA) was instrumental in the effort to overturn the 2020 presidential election. ABC News congressional reporter Rachel Scott began to ask Johnson whether he stands by his role in...
Read More »Open Thread October 25 2023 Self-Checkout Lines
This story almost seems like it should be in one of lower grade newspapers or magazines. Is this true or not? At Frys grocery they now have automated gates to enter the store and not let you out. To go out, you must pass a checkout register or someone near the self-checkouts. If accused, you are always guilty till you prove otherwise and the economics favors business. Lawyer explains why you should avoid using self-checkouts in stores, msn.com,...
Read More »Gaza N
This is an inspiring article, but one sentence makes me sad “Israel’s massive democracy movement is ready for war” The general inspiring story is that the massive movement trying to protect the Israeli judiciary from Netanyahu has temporarily shifted to protecting Israel from Hamas and helping internally displaced Israelis. “ a logical evolution, said Bressler, who now visits victims around the country and finds herself “at too many...
Read More »Blame and Consequences
There are good reasons to want to know the cause of an accident, a fire, – or even a crime; finding out the cause of – the reason for – something undesirable happening could help prevent a recurrence.The media seem to think that we, the public, feel that assigning blame is at least as important as determining the cause. Or, perhaps, it is top-down; the media want us to think it is at least as important to find someone to blame as it is to find the...
Read More »Status Quo Bias all time winner: the rules of the senate
Currently US ally Israel is responding to a massive terrorist invasion. The US response is slightly hampered by the fact that the United States has “no confirmed ambassadors to Israel, Egypt, Oman, or Kuwait”, also “the counterterrorism envoy position and human rights envoy position as well as the top job at the U.S. Agency for International Development are unfilled. ” ” these nominations … have been held in limbo all these months thanks to...
Read More »Weapons Manufacturer Ditches Blue State, Moves South to Get Out of the Heat
Weapons Gun Manufacturer Ditches Blue State, Moves South, America Insider Carver Malone. NRA Executive Director of Advancement Tyler Schropp . . . “This move is a testament to their enduring legacy, their commitment to firearm excellence, and to the importance of preserving America’s gun industry and Second Amendment rights in a fair environment.” “Representing millions of NRA members and gun owners, the NRA was proud to be the tip of the...
Read More »Starting a War is Criminal
Around the world, up through the mid-20th century, it was pretty much dog-eat-dog. Until the 19th, according to legend, nations attacking one another gave the peasantry something worthwhile to do with their lives and provided entertainment for the Nobility. Until the 19th, legend was a bit weak on the details. Then, history and photography came along and screwed everything up. Turns out, far from being splendid, wars were too awful to even think...
Read More »Buprenorphine IV: What about Cocaine and Methamphetamine?
I have been thinking about buprenorphine, naltrexone and the stimulants cocaine and methamphetamine. An issue which came to my mind recently and which I think it worth discussing is that cocaine is often cut and replaced with fentanyl to hide the over-dilution. This is sometimes done sloppily leading to fentanyl overdoses of people who did not know they were consuming opiates. This is another reason to provide naltrexone to all who request...
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