Sunday, January 19, 2025
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Sunday, January 12, 2025
Culture Shock
This is a thing.
Folks in shelters who have lost a lot may be experiencing Culture Shock.
Some advice I received years ago helped me.
It is: Create a morning routine you do before any interactions. Do that routine every day.
That gives a frame to your day and helps you gain some perspective.
Try it; it may help you in your recovery process.
Saturday, January 11, 2025
He is Wrong About Tariffs
New Book Announcement
Trump thinks he can cure some American economic issues by raising tariffs on things we import from China and elsewhere. But, pretty much all economists agree that just raising tariffs without a comprehensive policy framework will increase prices Americans must pay and thus increase inflation. A recession most likely will follow. California economists are more in agreement on that than the national averages suggest.
Tariffs can be a tool in our policy toolbox to make the United States better off; however, tariffs do not stand alone: they are a small part of a country's economic strategy.
Most countries understand that and create a country-wide set of policies to achieve sound economic growth. The United States has not had such a policy for many decades. It has been to our disadvantage that we did not.
The brand new book 'INDUSTRIAL POLICY FOR THE UNITED STATES, Winning the International Competition for Good Jobs and High-Value Industries', [authors Marc Fasteau and Ian Fletcher, 2024, Cambridge University Press, UK] suggests a well thought out strategy of raising some tariffs and ensuring a good economic future.
The book also addresses the underlying economic issues with trade as well as providing some examples of countries which have implemented a National Economic strategy and a coordinated trade policy.
Mike P. McKeever, Economics Professor, City College of San Francisco.
Email: mckeever.mp@gmail.com
Cell: 415-816-2982
URL: miepa.net; econoak.org
Wednesday, January 1, 2025
New Year Hope Is Here
We face a stark situation. 2025 will be a difficult year. My hope is that all Americans recognize the threat from the GOP and resist it every day.
We can delay and demoralize them, if we act together. If we do not, then our condition today will be eroded until we are all destitute.
Robert Reich presents the same message
My hope is that we unite in resisting 47 and the GOP in their plans and programs.
Americans come together historically to resist a common enemy to our country.
Today the GOP presents such a common enemy to our American Democracy.
Their goals include taking an extensive list of actions to weaken our National purpose and our institutions which support the Rule of Law.
Today's GOP is led by several native and foreign born billionaires who have no interest in serving or protecting Americans from harm. Their only goal appears to be removing any impediment to their taking even more of our treasure and blood for their personal gain. They seem to see the United States as a vast treasure house ripe for the taking.
But, if we all unite in resisting each and every action they propose, we have a chance to preserve our values and institutions for the future.
This resistance requires courage and risk. We will see theft, misery, violence, illness and wars. The Billionaires will take our houses, our wages, our votes and perhaps our lives and health away from us. Then, when we are living on the street without medical care or shelter, they will take away our small bag with our last precious memories and reminders of what we once had.
Monday, December 30, 2024
Saturday, December 28, 2024
No.
Here's a plan to resist 47.
MAGA is Criminal
The foundation behind the GOP today is criminality. They are thugs. They will steal what ever they can.
No Point in Debating Policy
They do not understand or have any interest in debates about policy. Discussing policy is a waste of time; you might as well be giving a lecture on Keynesian vs Chicago economics or the finer points of Japanese calligraphy of the 16th Century.
We should wait them out. While waiting we work very hard to win the 2026 elections at ALL levels including National and State elected and appointed officials, School Boards, water districts and on to every place and office MAGATS might be.
We Have the Duty to Disobey
The Uniform Code of Military Justice requires military officers to disobey any order they deem violates the Constitution. In order to prevent the harm trump will try to inflict on the United States from his war on the USA, civil service employees at all levels of government should adopt the 'duty to disobey' toward any order or action that violates the Constitution. Additionally, they should collect evidence of any criminal act and report that criminal act to the Dept of Justice for prosecution.
'So, can a person in the military simply refuse to follow an order if they don't like it? The answer is yes — if they consider the order itself to be illegal or unconstitutional. It's generally called a "duty to disobey," and is empowered by the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Nov 27, 2019' [https://www.findlaw.com/legalblogs/law-and-life/what-is-a-military-duty-to-disobey/] [From my post: Weaponize the Deep State in 2025, April 18, 2024]
Putin Model
As Putin style thugs, the GOP will appoint thieves to all the political appointments available to them. It's a version of the basic Putin model: establish criminals in positions of power and insist each share some of the booty with the Boss. Find any person who will not go along or who may not acquiesce in the future and eliminate each such person. Elimination can be done through snipers, poisoning, imprisonment in lethal conditions, dismissal from any position of authority and also et. cetra ad finitum.
What To Do
Recognize that any act which prevents or stalls a GOP command or policy is the definition of Patriotism. We may be able to save much of our country by resisting all MAGA commands or orders. We should be quiet until called upon to act by the 'Federales'; then we should insist that we will not do what they ask. Force them to fire you from your job. When they come to force you out, record the actions and post to social media and all the usual media as well.
Confronting MAGA in Friends and Family
Whenever you are confronted by a MAGA thug in your personal life, simply state that you think he/she is wrong. Then, ask them to provide real evidence supporting their belief.
It Is OK to Bail When You See Danger
When the MAGATS come for you and you do not wish to endanger your family, then it is OK to resign and/or say that you will do what they ask, soon. Then, you can disappear by moving or going off grid.
Friday, December 27, 2024
What's Going On?
This old song seems right today.
Click for link
Or copy and paste this:
https://www.facebook.com/Amantidelrock/videos/808119211388949
Tuesday, December 24, 2024
Let's Get Real: It is a Shitshow
Objectively and non-partisanly, it is a shitshow.
I hope our Body Politic will vomit out this infection before it kills us.
A human body's reaction to salmonella, e-coli, explosive diarrhoea and listeria, with which I have personal experience, describe normal reactions to the nascent Administration. These illnesses are not fatal in all cases but do provide a terribly unpleasant experience in every case.
I pray for a quick recovery.
“For purposes of National Security and Freedom throughout the World, the United States of America feels that the ownership and control of Greenland is an absolute necessity.” Dec 24
Wednesday, December 18, 2024
On Fear and trump
He says that his ability to create fear is his strongest weapon.
“Real power is – I don’t even want to use the word – fear.” - Presidential candidate Donald J. Trump in an interview with Bob Woodward and Robert Costa on March 31, 2016, at the Old Post Office Pavilion, Trump International Hotel, Washington, D.C.
That may happen because his targets intellectualize their own fears and do what he would want them to do in order to prevent him from doing so. He does not need to do anything if his targets do it to themselves first.
“A coward dies a thousand times before his death, but the valiant taste of death but once. It seems to me most strange that men should fear, seeing that death, a necessary end, will come when it will come.” ― William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar
Billionaires and corporate CEO's who anticipate how to appease him actively participate in harming their own interests.
He is a bully. He will use your fear against you. He will have you do things to destroy your interests and self-respect, just because you have already given him permission to do that.
"If you can't eat their food, drink their booze, screw their women and then vote against them, you have no business being up here."
That actually comes from Jesse M. Unruh, who was the Speaker of the California Assembly! Cannon, Lou (1987-08-06). "Jesse Unruh, a 'Big Daddy' who gave politics and power a bear hug". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2023-05-02.
Our national wealth and security is created by the effective rule of law. When a person or organization gives him permission to break the law, they harm their own property and interests as well as their own self respect.
If you harm your personal interests, then you harm the interests of all the people who depend on you. CEO's who appease him harm the interests of their shareholders and employees.
And that appeasement harms the National Security of the United States.
The better approach is to flatter his ego and defer taking any action that will harm yourself and your dependents.
He owns you when you voluntarily appease him. He will use that to reward you with a small reward and then humiliate you on the national stage. RFK, Jr., was forced to eat a McDonald’s meal at his table with a photographer recording the event. RFK may get a Secretary appointment, but he is there to be the fall guy when trump causes a pandemic.
On a personal note, I have engaged with a very small sample of trumpies. I find that when I ask for proof of their statement, they fade away like a wisp of fog. I encourage everyone to vocally disagree with any trumpie you encounter, and than ask for evidence supporting their assertion; this will include trump himself......
Monday, December 16, 2024
Countering Russia Cyber Attacks
From: [https://www.itpro.com/security/cyber-attacks/russia-is-targeting-unpatched-vulnerabilities-what-to-do]
Amid the war in Ukraine and escalating global geopolitical tensions, the threat from Russian cyber adversaries has never been greater. So much so that the UK’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has issued a warning to firms to buckle up for online attacks by Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR).
According to a joint advisory of US security agencies, the nation is targeting unpatched vulnerabilities to infiltrate organizations. More than 20 publicly disclosed vulnerabilities are at risk at being exploited by the hacking group APT29 – also known as Midnight Blizzard and Cozy Bear, the advisory said.
In late November, a UK minister warned that Russia is ready to carry out cyber-attacks on the West in a bid to weaken support for Ukraine, which he said could leave millions without power. And in December Britain’s new cyber security chief warned that Russia is among the hostile adversaries exploiting the UK’s dependence on technology to cause “maximum disruption and destruction”.
As the threat from Russia ramps up, what should businesses be doing to protect themselves?
Russia’s cyber activity
Experts concur that Russian cyber-activity is increasing, with the nation targeting critical national infrastructure (CNI) as it continues its war with Ukraine.
Over the last two years, Russia has been performing “relentless attacks” targeting CNI, as well as organizations linked to supporting Ukraine’s war effort, says Philip Ingram, MBE, a former colonel in British military intelligence.
Russian cyber forces focus on four primary activities, says Ian Thornton-Trump, CISO for Inversion6 UK. The first is to “disrupt and demoralize” Western nations through disinformation and misinformation. Secondly, it wants to “ruthlessly pursue internal dissension within Russia and its allies”, he says.
Russia generally sticks to a playbook. This has resulted in “limited cyber success against Western allies”, says Thornton-Trump. “Although clumsy and operational security mistakes have occurred, the Russians are persistent and continue to leverage their capability.”
Over the last few years, Russia’s methods became “much stealthier and more sophisticated”, says Sergey Shykevich, threat intelligence group manager at Check Point Software. The country is evolving towards “intense targeting of the supply chain”, especially focusing on technology vendors, he says.
Mitigating the Russia threat
To help prevent attacks, businesses should "threat model" appropriately against Russian groups, says Thornton-Trump. “Invest in proactive and detective cyber security controls that are effective against a highly skilled adversary who will unleash bespoke and targeted attacks. When facing Russia, robust defenses are required, but threat hunting and anomaly detection, as well as sophisticated honeypots, are essential to detect compromise before the damage is done.”
At the same time, Organizations must adopt a "not if, but when" mindset regarding cyber-attacks, says Dan Lattimer, AVP, EMEA West at Semperis. To mitigate the risks, businesses must implement comprehensive cybersecurity frameworks and invest in tools and processes to harden environments, he says.
Mitigation isn’t easy because of the volume of attacks, but it comes down to getting the basics right, says Ingram. Given that Russia is targeting unpatched software flaws, this includes patching and ensuring operating system updates are done on time.
Russian threats often strike at areas of cyber hygiene that can be defended using industry-standard best practices, says Ken Dunham, director of cyber threat at Qualys threat research unit. He emphasizes the importance of strong patch management, anti-phishing solutions, and identity access management. “By shoring up overall cyber hygiene in a framework-driven SecOps environment, businesses have a much better chance at mitigating the risk of a Russian attack.”
Notable Russian groups
There are multiple known adversarial groups linked with Russia, some of which are backed by the GRU – the “oldest and most powerful” of the nation’s intelligence agencies, says Ingram.
He says GRU-related cyber groups include Fancy Bear and Sandworm, as well as new groups designated with the names Cadet Blizzard and Ember Bear. The campaigns from the well-known government-backed group, Cozy Bear “align with the goals and tasks” expected from a Russian foreign intelligence agency, says Kennet Harpsøe, lead security researcher at Logpoint. This includes espionage against Russian opponents such as Ukraine, Europe, the US, and central Asia, he adds.
Many Russian attacks focus on the supply chain to gain backdoor access to the main targets. The SolarWinds attack is the primary example of this, Harpsøe says.
APT28, APT29, Turla, and APT44 (Sandworm) seem to be the most prominent Russian government-affiliated groups, says Harpsøe. APT28 and APT44 focus on “destructive cyber-attacks”, while APT29 and Turla lean towards “traditional espionage”, he says.
The Russian government-backed threat groups are regarded as some of the most capable of all the state-sponsored attackers, says Harpsøe. “They are well-funded, and work at the level of a specialist who does this as their salaried day job.”
He explains the defining characteristic of Russia-backed groups is patience. “They have the time to develop their own malware and maintain it. And they have the resources to set up clandestine infrastructure to increase their operational security, as well as the patience to be stealthy and run operations for a very long time.”
Saturday, December 14, 2024
47 Follows the KGB/FSB Playbook
"All models are wrong, but some are useful". George E. P. Box
The model below about 47 and the year 2025 will be useful.
47 appears to follow the Soviet/Russian playbook on insurrection as outlined by a former KGB agent Yuri Bezmenov in 1984; see the interview here: 'FULL INTERVIEW with Yuri Bezmenov: The Four Stages of Ideological Subversion (1984)' [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yErKTVdETpw]
Its goal states simply that Democratic forms of government with effective elections should be overthrown by any means necessary and a tyranny installed to thwart the will of the people.
Stage 1 in this model is to alter the intellectual construct of the society under attack so that intellectual activity is shaped over an entire generation to an intellectual construct favoring the attacker. That may have begun as early as the 1970's with an adaptation of the Boomer ethos: the 'man' cannot be trusted and we have to rebel wherever we can. That trend has been reinforced by the social media silo-ing of intellectual discussion and thought into two radically opposed camps with no ability to discuss or agree on what the best actions may be.
Part of that plan is to sow distrust in the media and the facts about our world. That has been successful. See Hannah Arendt below on lying:
"This constant lying is not aimed at making the people believe a lie, but at ensuring that no one believes anything anymore.
A people that can no longer distinguish between truth and lies cannot distinguish between right and wrong.
And such a people, deprived of the power to think and judge, is, without knowing and willing it, completely subjected to the rule of lies.
With such a people, you can do whatever you want."
Hannah Arendt - (14 October 1906 – 4 December 1975) German historian and philosopher
Stage 2 in this model is to create one or more drastic crises which convulse society and cost many lives. The Covid pandemic of 2020 is an example of such a crisis. 47's Cabinet choices pave the way for more crises on several fronts. It takes only one severe crisis but we now have the possibility of several in different directions. This stage may take only a few months to achieve as opposed to the generational shift described earlier.
Perhaps under 47 we might see another pandemic with zero vaccines available or underway due to 47's mistrust of vaccines. In a world with no trustworthy information we can se the possibility of mass panic.
Or, we probably will see another assault on the Houses of Congress to capture the government in a coup. 47's goons will be released from jail and probably willing to try again.
Or, we will lack the ability to counter Russian actions effectively because the DNI is a Russian agent who will help disable our defenses.
Or, our Secretary of Defense will read some situations incorrectly and exacerbate a volatile situation that a seasoned person could have avoided. Ukraine and the EU vs. Russia ? Iran vs Israel ? Hezbollah vs Israel ?
The possibilities are endless.
Stage 3 is the direct coup with force directed against our critical democratic institutions so that they will fall to 47 and his goons. They will suspend the Constitution and declare Martial Law.
If the 47 mob organizes and attacks with force they may succeed in capturing the basic institutions of the USA. 47 here may be relying on the idea that he can gather enough force to overwhelm existing defenders of the Police and National Guard to capture the institutions.
This stage can take mere days. If the world is in convulsion with one or more crises and angry mobs venting everywhere, an organized and disciplined force can capture existing institutions with almost no one noticing.
Saturday, December 7, 2024
Street Demonstrations That Bring Down Governments
Leipzig Lesson for Demonstrating - Bring Candles, Not Stones
The 1989 political demonstrations in Leipzig Germany helped bring down the Berlin Wall and ultimately broke apart the Soviet Union.
They Key take away is this: Bring candles, not stones. They can't shoot you if you are carrying a candle but they can if you throw a stone.
Friday, December 6, 2024
trump Reality
Tulsi Gabbard handing intel to the Russians.
Kash Patel going after journalists (unless they work for Fox).
RFK Jr. foaming at the mouth about fluoride and vaccines and… heroin?
Pete Hegseth ordering a missile strike after having one too many brewskis.
No, it’s not a bad reality TV show, it’s Donald Trump’s reality. We told you he was going for a cabinet of chaos, and now he’s on track to get that done. Should these nominations be shot down at confirmation? Absolutely. But will they be shot down at confirmation? Not if we let them go without a fight.
You have to remember who we’re dealing with here. The Republican lawmakers who will make or break these wack-job nominations are spineless. They’re weak. They have no original thoughts. They have made it abundantly clear that they will do whatever their orange messiah wants them to do. Their constituents, the democracy they swore to protect, the next generation… that’s all out the window. They only care about one thing: the convicted felon who will be sleeping at his desk for the next four years.
Instead of pleading with these clowns to do the right thing and not let drunks, security threats, and former heroin addicts take over our government, we’re just looking ahead. These appointments will backfire. That’s a fact. And when they do, we’ll be here. Ready to hold Republicans accountable.
We’re not gonna let voters forget who stood by Pete Hegseth. We’re not gonna let voters forget who appointed somebody on an FBI watchlist to head up our nation’s intelligence. We’re not gonna let voters forget which Senators stood by and let this happen. Help us hold the guilty party accountable >>
Israel Commits Genocide in Gaza
Amnesty International:
'Israel/Occupied Palestinian Territory: ‘You Feel Like You Are Subhuman’: Israel’s Genocide Against Palestinians in Gaza'
Sunday, December 1, 2024
Winning 2028
Here are two ideas about helping Democrats do better in the upcoming elections of 2026 and 2028.
INTRODUCTION
First, I'll try my best to consider the abomination that is trump, without venting. It's a big ask.
His decisions seem to come from a robot and/or an algorithm:
Step 1: Immediate profits for me, yes or no?
Step 2: Help Putin, yes or no?
Step 3: Help my family, yes or no?
That's it - there are no further steps.
Everything else can be manipulated to serve those ends, whether or not that includes people's lives, morality, others' emotions, laws, obligations, etc. ad infinitum
SUGGESTED MESSAGE STRATEGY
Some past actions suggest that Democrats assume decent policies are enough to win an election. Biden had great policies. But, policies alone are not sufficient to win elections because we live in a media saturated environment. Any idea without constant repetition does not exist.
Further, the medium is the message. Voters assume that any idea coming from a traditional source is simply a part of the established system that has not made many lives better.
Many voters cannot connect an economic policy to their problems with high prices, health coverage or poor incomes.
Democrats must explain in simple direct language how each specific or proposed future policy and/or action will be felt at the kitchen table. It will be repetitive and perhaps even boring, but it will be oxygen to voters.
Then we have to explain how Billionaires will act to prevent or reverse any Democrat act or policy. Then, we discuss what the Billionaires actually did to block our goals and how their action hurt voters at the kitchen table.
We should do this for every law we propose and for every regulation we want.
SUGGESTED MESSENGER STRATEGY
We want to create a voice similar to the various conservative social media personalities. The voice should be outside the mainstream media and engage with the same people he appeals to. The actual voice might be a James Carville style populist.
He will talk about Democrat policies and their effects on kitchen table issues for at least half a day, seven days a week. The consistency will build voter understanding of the issues we address with both proposed and actual policies. And, it will also build understanding of the people who prevent those policies from succeeding.
Tuesday, November 26, 2024
When You Stand Up for Your Rights, You Protect My Rights
As per Dylan Thomas:
'Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.'
'When President Donald Trump wanted to fire Christopher Wray, the FBI Director, Wray did not take any direct legal or public action in response to those threats. However, there were a few key developments around the tension between Trump and Wray:
Trump’s Criticism of Wray: Throughout Trump’s presidency, he frequently criticized Wray, particularly over his handling of sensitive investigations like the Russia probe and the investigation into Hillary Clinton's emails. Trump reportedly grew frustrated with Wray, especially after Wray did not publicly support Trump’s claims about election fraud in 2020.
Threats to Fire Wray: In 2020, there were reports that Trump had considered firing Wray due to his dissatisfaction with how the FBI was handling investigations, particularly those related to the FBI's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election. Trump was said to be angry that Wray did not publicly endorse his views on various issues and perceived Wray as not being sufficiently loyal.
Wray's Stance: Despite these threats, Wray did not publicly address or engage in any major actions to resist the possibility of being fired. According to reports, he maintained his focus on doing his job as FBI Director and did not bow to political pressure from the White House. Wray was also aware of his position’s potential vulnerability, but he continued to serve under Trump, despite the tense relationship.
Trump’s Public Remarks: At times, Trump expressed dissatisfaction with Wray's performance but did not take the final step of firing him. It’s worth noting that, unlike FBI Director James Comey (whom Trump did fire in 2017), Wray had a more secure position, as the FBI Director serves a ten-year term and is somewhat insulated from direct presidential control.
Wray’s Response: While Wray did not publicly confront Trump about the firing threats, he did privately assert his independence. For instance, in his Senate testimony and public remarks, Wray consistently defended the FBI’s actions as nonpartisan and professionally conducted, emphasizing the FBI’s commitment to the rule of law. He also denied being pressured by Trump to take any politically motivated actions.
In short, Christopher Wray did not take legal action or make any public moves when Trump threatened to fire him. Instead, he maintained his position as FBI Director, continuing to carry out his duties despite the tensions with the President.'
ChatGPT said the above in response to this question: 'What did Christopher Wray do when trump wanted to fire him.'
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
