The Creature from Jekyll Island

The Creature from Jekyll Island is a book that, for me, a wonderful gift from my brother Kye. Written by G. Edward Griffin, the book was published in 1994.

As said the book was a gift, a couple of years ago. At roughly 700 pages and being somewhat technical in nature, it took me a couple of months to read, amongst other books.

The author is not loved by academia or media types, but it does present a reasonable theory as the way banking works in the world.

Basically, the process is this banks love for governments, and not just the United States to spend more than they bring in. This motivates governments to generate revenue by increasing the money supply, aka inflating the currency. The revenue is supplied by, in the US, issuing notes to the Federal Reserve, who intern lend that money to commercial banks, who in turn can lend the money out to whomever why maintaining, theoretically 10% in reserve. The commercial banks can now leverage that remaining 90% into multiple or the original amount. Essentially creating money that is never printed. 

The book in depth discusses fiat money and how the true value of money should be tied to gold or similar. Anchored currencies are the safest, but the politicians hate being tied to a commodity and the bankers can't profit on reserves not in play. So, we are likely doomed to a future of more of the same.

I might add that most financial systems are subject to dynamic forces, no system is perfect, all have had booms and failures.

Loved the book, recommend it highly. Don't be too public with it, you might be judged a right wing not rather than a financial scholar.

Enjoy

The Last Lion

The Last Lion is a segment biography written by William Manchester. Published in 1988, the work covers nearly 700 pages, detailing events for Winston Churchill (WSC), beginning in 1932 and closing in 1940. 

During most of this period Churchill was alone in public opposition to Hitler and developments in Germany. Out of favor with the politicians that happened to be in power, WSC spent the eight years fostering sources of intelligence, writing essays and books for the public. Winston's connection to the general public was much greater that that he had with the ruling class. The English political regime, and the monarchy had strong historical ties to German royalty via marriage and a common hatred of Communists.  In that posture, they resisted recognition of German aggression in favor of a misguided hope that it would end at the doorstep of France. They were wrong, WSC was right and it took Hitler invading Poland and the lowlands of Belgium to declare war, war which they were unprepared for.

At the point war was inevitable, the PM and his cabinet were still clinging to control. The public and correspondingly the House of Commons wouldn't have it. Churchill then became the Prime Minister, which was basically the end of the book. 

The book affirms my belief that in times of peace, politicians waste military capital by allowing equipment to become obsolete and diverting money to social objectives. Their actions and inactions tend to make us weak, confirming my belief that politicians, by and large, suck.

I'm a fan of William Manchester's biographies, in part because for a time he lived in my hometown which was adjacent to the city where he was a professor.  This biography is no different, I'm pleased to have added it to my pile.

Hillary Clinton Never Fails

To reach new heights of audacity.

Hillary Clinton is the Last Person to Lecture Trump on Foreign Policy

Had an acquaintance that was an aide to a Georgia Senator. A democratic Senator. Said that he was in an elevator, and she was blessing someone a blue streak. This former aide, now a lobbyist, said she scared the shit out of him, suggested she was possessed. 

To me, Hillary Clinton acts like a scorned wife out to punish the world, never, ever considers herself even possibly culpable.

2nd Time Not The Charm

Thankfully, 45 was unscathed.

I cannot help but to recognize the parallels between the behavior of an abusive husband and cabal of ABC, NBC, CBS, MSNBC and CNN.

Like the abusive husband, the media blames the victim for inciting the attack.

Generally, with histrionics and exaggerations.

53 Million

Donations to the Trump campaign exceeded $53,000,000.00 in the 24 hours following the New York verdict. 

An average of $2.2m per hour. 

I had already donated twice before the verdict, now I am going to donate an amount double the sum already given.

Possibly because of my long-understood insecurity, I've not been one to proselytize, but now will make an effort to share my rejection of the bag of oatmeal and endorsement of the 45th President.

Doubt that anyone will listen, but here is the start.

Because He Supports Me

The Wall Street Journal posted an opinion written by James Taranto, discussing the statements of former Senator of Nebraska and current President of the University of Florida at Gainesville, Ben Sasse.  

Sasse and the Unwoke

When asked if cries for the genocide of Jews would violate UF's policies bullying and harassment policy?  Something that the leaders of M-eye-T, Hah-vud and Pen-E trouble with. Mr. Sasse was direct to the point.

“Yes”

The discussion drifted to the presidential race and President Trump.  Sasse, as Nebraska's Senator and avowed Libertarian, was often critical of the Republican President. He did on most instances vote with the president but as an ideological foe, was therefore a darling of mainstream media.

I heard this on the radio, so I will have to paraphrase, I did search the internet and had trouble finding the text to which I am referring.  

I have not always supported the President, but he has always supported me.

Not my words but captures my feelings very well.  I voted for other candidates in the last two of state primaries, but did vote for Trump in both national elections.   In the first national, he got my vote with a held nose, in the second with eagerness  In the third he will get my vote in both the primary and the national. 

This article seems to include the original phrasing.

“I’m gonna flip it on you and say he supported my policies.” 

Now the paraphrase and the actual quotation are not exactly the same, but close enough. Close enough to explain why it was so difficult to locate with common search engines.

A Twist

From olden days, I remember a pejorative term for homosexuals to be the word "twist".  In this story the word has dual applications.

1. Aidan Maese-Czeropski and his partner were recorded having homosexual relations in the Capital building. In this case the twists are the gay guys.
2.  The linked article "Fired for his act of love in the senate" says enough in the title, twisting the issue into an attack on the LGBQT right of love.  To that, I call bullshit, anybody of any sexual orientation should be fired if they are a documented as having sex on Federal grounds, especially if they are on the clock being paid. ANYBODY.  Even Bill Clinton deserved the inquiry an impeachment he received for the escapade with Monica Lewinski. He was acquitted by the Senate, but the matter was adjudicated.

Here is the article copied and pasted, comments added in blue italic.

Fired for his act of love in the senate

Aidan Maese-Czeropski's act was symbolic and brave, because in a world full of hate, displays of love are rebellious. We shouldn't bend over (poor choice of words, possibly intentional) to a party that hates; we must do the opposite.  

BY AFRU STAFF

So, it’s official. Senator Ben Cardin’s office has told Politico that “Aidan Maese-Czeropski is no longer employed by the US Senate.” Goaded by demagogic republicans (Cardin is a Democrat, if as suggested he must be weak minded to be so easily influenced. Nope it is far more likely that a man elected to the Senate has strength to make his own decisions. Stop trying to blame this on Republicans), the Capitol police has now also opened an investigation.  

As republicans pounce (term used by many in the media these days, it generally means that conservative has identified an obvious and embarrassing characteristic) on an opportunity to destroy young activist Aidan Maese-Czeropski, the discourse around the senate hearing room love display raises serious questions about the ongoing challenges faced by the LGBTQ community.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve already seen the viral video (nope, have no need, thank you) making the rounds on every social media feed there is. Republicans just can’t stop watching the 8 second clip featuring two men embracing each other in love while you can briefly see an empty room in the background.

It turns out one of the lovemaking men was Aidan Maese-Czeropski, and the room was recognized by some as the senate (lewd behavior in a Federal building) hearing room. 

We get it. It’s the most important room in America. It was in this very room that Sonia Sotomayor herself had her confirmation hearing, and won despite an entire oligarchy reorienting itself to wipe her out (is that unlike some of the unethical crap that Senators Leahy and Biden pulled during their tenures on the Judiciary panel?). This is also where James Comey exposed the Russian interference in the 2016 elections (proven to be a big fat lie, constructed by Hillary's apparatchiks), to the chagrin of the treason party.

But in a world built on hate, displays of love are inherently rebellious (unlikely that it was a rebellion, more likely that it was two uncontrolled adults breaking the law). Every second that Aidan and his partner made love in the halls of power was pregnant with poignant meaning (sex in Federal building is nowhere in the vicinity of poignant).

And in a time when the LGBTQ community is under existential threat by white fragility feeling threatened (I am neither fragile nor threatened, only irritated by this insipid article), open displays of LGBTQ culture are necessarily brave (and often unnecessarily obscene). In some ways, Aidan’s act mirrored that of Anne Frank, (Anne Frank, hid from the Nazis who sought to kill all like her they could find, so not anything like Anne Frank, at all) who dared to express her honest thoughts and feelings (her writing was not published until after the Nazis killed her) even as she hid from rabid insurrectionist-style (so protestors are the same as Nazi murder squads, I don't think so) death squads.

The dismissal has sparked a familiar conversation about the boundaries of personal expression and the repercussions faced by those who challenge the status quo. But because Aidan is from the LGBTQ community, he could stand to lose so much more than money, reputation, or career.

Let’s recognize the fallout from the incident for what it is: a stochastic far right attack on gay rights activists. As republicans fire up their hate machine in preparation for the 2024 elections, Aidan’s very life is now on the line. Let’s not fool ourselves. Right-wing attacks will scream with ever increasing pitch from darkweb radio stations and social media channels until some insurrectionist nutjob picks up a gun and the intended consequences have become fait accompli.  I am sensing a fair bit of irrational hate on the author's part for people of the right.

Now more than ever, we need to circle the wagons around (opportunity for a humorous pejorative) Aidan Maese-Czeropski, and say with a unison voice:

Aidan’s termination by Senator Ben Cardin (Democrat Maryland), is an affront to individual freedoms, as it sends a chilling message about the consequences of expressing love in a public, political space.

Aidan’s prosecution by the Capitol police is blatant political corruption and weaponization of justice against a marginalized person.  This author might very well believe that following the law, and social norms is a vehicle for corruption, but I am not sure by what measure.

Aidan’s persecution by right-wing nutbars writ large is a threat to his life and the life of every LGBTQ individual in this country. Perhaps next time, he'll wait till he gets home from work, and consider that a lesson well learned.

This cannot stand. The fight has just begun.  You might suggest that something like this could be reversed, but rest assured it will not. No politician I can think of, except may AOC, has the courage to take such a self-destructive position.

 

Health Care Dot Gov

 A television commercial just aired, reminding me of how tax dollars are spent.

The ACA commercial briefly shows the success story of two participants, or should I say recipients, because we are all participants, as taxpayers.  Each describes, proudly, how they found a plan that fits their budget.  One found a plan for $9.00 per month and another for $0.00 per month.  Interesting is the portrayal as this being that they were shopping for a product and found bargains. 

The reality is that weren't making an informed decision as much as they were figuring out how to minimize their reportable cash flow so they could get the benefit for as close to free as possible.  

Classic government program, a problem fomented by government intrusion, a program created on a pack of lies, the government acting like it is their own generosity, and the needy being portrayed as righteous consumers.

I believe in being charitable, but not by way of the government.

 

Firebombing Attorney Gets a Light Sentence

Guess who asked the US District Court to go easy, the US Department of Justice.

NYC: Leftist Muslim lawyer who firebombed police car gets light sentence after Biden regime intervenes on her behalf

And little surprise, the DOJ refuses to comment. 

If the same person, had firebombed a police car at the Capitol on January 6, 2020, that person would be locked away in a dungeon of Guantánamo, without benefit of consul. 

Have said before, I am so pleased the Garland was blocked from the Supreme Court.

The inequity of the manner which Democrats are protected, compared to the persecution of conservatives is alarming.

Maybe there is not justice to be had.

Big Red Bus

I first saw Herschel in 1980, having nearly front row seat, as he scored right in front of me.

Now Herschel is a candidate for governor of Georgia.

I just might vote for him, it’ll surely be a fun primary to watch.

Hope his son Christian campaigns, he’s an interesting, and entertaining young man.

After all that, To Hell with Georgia.

Supreme Limitations

Love the new  Alan M. Dershowitz column:

Can the President Constitutionally Restrict His Nomination to a Black Woman?: 

Supporters of President Biden's announcement will argue that there is a big difference between prohibiting a person from serving based on religion, race or gender, and affirmatively giving preference based on these criteria. That is sophistry. 

Over the last two centuries Presidents have selected Supreme Court members for many personal and selfish reasons. Earl Warren was seated on the court to handcuff political ambitions that rivaled the nominator in chief. President Biden can lawfully select a black woman for the Supreme Court if he wishes. 

The illogic with preordaining any parameter for selection of a justice is that it limits narrows the candidate pool. Top people should be selected because that is what the people deserve.

My only complaint is that Stacy Abrams sister is being considered. This the same judge that was involved in backdoor evisceration of Georgia election laws, leading to the state of Georgia illegitimately being awarded candidate Biden. She's racist and she cheats.  

Beyond that, have it knucklehead, you can fuck up just like so many other Presidents.

Republicans Betray Again

Republicans in Congress are not conservative.

Republicans betray their voters, again, this time in the Senate

RNC, do not call me, do not ask for money, you aren't getting any.

When I donate money, it is direct to chosen candidates.

And never to people that call me on the phone.

Supply Chain and Trucker Terrorists

The inadequacies of government are most apparent when agencies fail to communicate in a useful manner.

Of course MSNBC sees it differently, to them the supply changes issues are the fault of middle aged white men that voted for Trump.

The Supply Chain and Border Security

All governments are inadequate. This citizen believes that the government that is most responsive is that that is closest the the people. Local governments have their weaknesses, but are answerable to their constituents.

Two federal agencies failing to protect citizens not sharing information (silos), is easy to imagine and should be easy to fix. 

Easy, if the agency isn't led by a gender confused fool like Buttigieg.

Bereavement Leave

 Newsworthy from Portland, Oregon.

The city council of Portland voted to allow bereavement leave for employees who have had an abortion.

The President of the National Institute for Reproductive Health happily announced :

"It's important to recognize that employees need time to address their reproductive health needs, and they may need time to process what they're experiencing."

 The deliberately deceptive moniker is silly enough, an unofficial self-titled "Institute" that is focused on protecting women's Supreme Court adjudicated right to kill unborn fetuses, has no interest in reproductive health.  

I understand that a woman, or couple, that aborts a pregnancy, is bound to have remorse, if they have any conscience at all.  But is that not a recognition that the life has been ended.

The policy adopted by the city Portland inadvertently affirms the pro-life concept. Does anyone think that this was the intent?  

The Democrats' Self-inflicted Wound

He is returned.

I had been wondering if Alan Dershowitz had been well, given that none of my usual sources of his output had shared his work since April. 

The Democrats' Self-inflicted Wound: The recent Republican victories were not so much a vindication of Republican policies as a rejection of the extremism of Democratic leaders and their tolerance for radical hard-left policies. 

To quote:

The recent election demonstrates that voters see through the duplicity of the current failed leadership of the Democratic Party and will make their party pay in next year's midterm elections unless there is reform at the top.

There is more, including suggestions to the right that the moderates should rebuke those on the extreme right. 

There have always been extreme opinions on both sides of the political game. I would argue that the center of the Democrat part has moved significantly to the left since November 2016. There is research that shows that the Republican party has not moved positionally in the last decade, but Democrats have moved in the opposite directions. I am not looking to argue about it  

Should Have

 President Trump should have fired Anthony Fauci when he had the prerogative.

News has come out in the last week confirming what most conservatives suspected, that the government was up to its neck in gain of function research, subcontracting work to Chinese laboratories.

That governments do such things isn't that surprising. Doctors, generally, are invested in the welfare of people. Gain of function research is a tool for creation of vaccines that have abroad scope of effectivity. Naturally occurring viruses constantly mutate, potentially negating a vaccine's usefulness.

Like so many of President Trump's battles, this was a conflict between the common (sic) man and politician, compounded with egomania. President Trump expressed frustration with the inconsistency of Dr. Anthony Fauci. I retrospect Fauci, is more of a politician than the businessman ever was. As a politician, he has, even in combating AIDS been squirrely, a man not to be trusted.

This past week a newly retired NIH Director made public, documents that prove Fauci was involved in sponsoring gain of function research at EcoHealth.

Doctor Fauci has testified before Congress, claiming that he was unaware of any such sponsorship. He should be subject to penalties for perjury, whatever they might be. He won't, because he is a darling of the political class, the man who absorned the  brunt of complaint, deflecting complicity by our government and allowing the "reset" to proceed.

The funny thing is, if he hadn't lied, the people would have understood, at least I would.

Reich Then and Reich Now

In 2018, the Republicans controlled all three branches of government. 

In 2021, the Democrats control all three branches of government. 

Tweets authored three years apart with entirely different conclusions

Robert Reich is a political operative posing as an expert on the economy, and, by the way, a lying jack-ass.

The Biden Administration Is Still Banning White Farmers From Federal Aid

President Biden’s farm loan forgiveness program is unconstitutional, discriminating against white farmers. 

The Biden Administration Is Still Banning White Farmers From Federal Aid: 

Undeterred, the Department of Agriculture is putting their finger on the scale of equality.

More and more it evident that the aim of this government to discriminate as long as they can get away with it. 

Is It Puppeteers or Puppets in Control in Washington?

Is it intentional? My impression is that the government is not being lead, but managed by a group of handlers. Handlers who are coping with the difficult reality of a president who does not possess consistent reasoning process.

Is It Puppeteers or Puppets in Control in Washington?:

Like the last two Democrat Presidents, this executive's team concentrates too much on the visual, counting far too much on the belief the American public has a short memory. There is no substance in their position and it often, appearance-wise, seems to be predicated upon doing the opposite of what the last administration represented. 

Because the focus is on being the alter-Trump, there is little consideration for what is logical. The failure to observe the rule "first due no harm" is not in the realm of practice. As a result, a management team that focuses mainly on public perception, is as shallow as the public's memory. Lack of vision, focus on who they aren't, places the administration in a weak position, easily led by shifting sands.

 

Australian Rules

 Is an Australian description for American football.

Good players have come from down under, some of whom have made it to the NFL.

 Let us hope that that our federal government shows more restraint than they have in Australia. 

A few years ago the Australian government took away the general right to bear arms. Gun crime has not changed, but the right is gone nevertheless. With the COVID pandemic, more Australian rights have evaporated, notably assembly and free speech. Australian Senator Malcolm Roberts describes fiscal a connection between AstraZeneca and Google, a potential conflict of interest. Google hosting an application which 230 protects legally as an open forum, abuses is protection and restricts free speech.