Transition Stupidity

Hey trump:

You're being stupid in your transition.

Just too greedy and too obvious.

You're selling out the country.

You're gonna create a backlash that will tie you up in lawsuits and ruin your re-election chances.

Michael Moore already wants all the Democrat Congress men and women to filibuster you at every turn and to sue you and investigate you for any illegal conflicts of interest.

He will try to stop every action you and Congress take in your first ten days.

Here is a background article: https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/politics/2016/11/10/time-for-donald-trump-choose-president-businessman/RoIcF8sGNCWfpP3KdYy2EN/story.html

Wise up trump.

McKeever

Hey trump, Wanna Get Richer?

Hey trump:

I will write to you occasionally on this blog.

You will want to read it.

If you read it and pay attention you will get re-elected!

And, if you get re-elected you can get even richer!

Imagine that, you can continue profiting for 8 [eight] years instead of just 4 [four].

It is a bummer that you might be tossed aside after four years, just when you're learning how to use the office to make money.

Pay attention to me and I will help you.

Now that I have your attention, there is something I have to get out of the way, before I go on to the good stuff.

Here it is:

## I think you are a bad person.

## You place your fortune above any other interests.

## You treat women badly.

## You encourage violence by your fans toward protestors and minorities; that is un-American.

## You have complained about our right as Americans to criticize you. Americans have the right of free speech, especially the Press. It is our JOB to complain about the President.

## You have raped children violently. By the way, if you go to prison, you will be killed. Criminals hate men who rape children.

## You are a deadbeat who routinely skates on his bills.

## You are a con-man and a fraud who says whatever he needs to say to get the money and then disappears.

## You know nothing about economics and will blindly harm the country if you think you can make a profit.

## You have committed treason by taking money from Russians and other foreigners for your campaign.

## You do not deserve a capital letter for your name, trump. The only thing you will ever get from me is a capital letter and that will only happen when you demonstrate that you place the country above your fortune.

I can go on, but you have the idea.

Now, here's why I will help you get even richer.

There are some things that you can do that will help you get richer and ALSO help the country.

Imagine that! A win-win!

But, there are a number of things you will be tempted to do that will ensure that you do not get re-elected and will also harm the country

I will try to call you out on them, but there so many that I might miss a few. Check with Bernie and Pocahontas if you have any doubts.

Here is one thing you have to watch out for; it will come from the Republican Party:

Conservative economic theory DOES NOT WORK!

It makes middle class folks poorer and then they can't buy things from rich folks, like you.

It seems to be working in that there are a lot of rich people right now.

But, their fortunes depend on their selling real products like steaks and shirts.

When average people can't buy stuff, then rich folks will be in danger.

Paul Ryan's economic plan embodies all the wrong ideas. It would bankrupt the country and that would hurt you. Stay away from it.

There is an easy reading book I wrote which shows you how to fix many economic issues. You can buy it here for $0.99, but I will send you a free copy if you are too cheap to buy it: https://www.amazon.com/Occupy-Wall-Street-Plan-Governmental-ebook/dp/B00UK97C84/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

Here are the things you have said that will help you get re-elected, from Pocahontas:

You '...criticized Wall Street and big money’s dominance in Washington-straight up...' To follow up on that, you have to do some hard things. If you do them, you will make more money.

Here's one of them: You'...supported a new Glass-Steagall...' That is a good idea that banks hate. It would take away their right to buy and sell stocks and insurance, but it will get you re-elected and also help the country. When you do that, people will think you care about them and they will re-elect you.

Here's another: You '...spoke of the need to reform our trade deals so they aren’t raw deals for the American people...' When you do that, people will re-elect you. And, you can do it without upsetting our trade partners. After all, all you need is to stop our negative trade balance. That is hurting our economy. Most trade deals have a provision that a country in distress can protect itself.

Another: You '...said [you] will not cut Social Security benefits...' Make that deal and keep the program under government control and all the seniors will vote for you in 2020.

And, you '...spoke of the urgency of rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure and putting people back to work...' A win-win!

And, you'...talked about the need to address the rising cost of college...' When you fix that and ALSO fix the student debt issue, the country will do better and you will be re-elected.

Ditto for child care costs.

So trump, there is your road map to success and re-election riches.

I will be on you for any stupidities.

McKeever

America Shamed, trumped

America was founded on a shared set of values including compassion, dignity, respect for law and the Constitution, honor in negotiations and the peaceful resolution of disputes wherever possible.

Now we have a President who has rejected explicitly each of our core values.

His rejection will lead to severe consequences in the very near future.

Here's what we will see in 2017:

RECESSION: PROBABILITY 100%

Massive recession caused by bankers within 2 years will raise unemployment to 2008 levels of 8% - 10% or higher from its current level of less than 5%. Home foreclosures will also rise to 2008 levels. We are currently at or near the Holy Grail of economic policy - Full Employment equilibrium. The probability of this Recession is 100% due to Trump's actions of eliminating bank regulations and the fact that the same people who caused the 2008 Recession are still controlling our banking system.

A diversion will be that the interest rate we must pay on T-Bills will rise due to Trump's threat to renegotiate our national debt. The extra interest we must pay to borrow will further destabilize out Federal national budget and threaten both Social Security and Medicare.

WAR: PROBABILITY 100%

American troops will engage in at least one ground war and perhaps two within 2 years of his taking the Oath. The wars will be in the Middle East and Eastern Europe or the South China Sea. We will fight Russia in Syria and perhaps Europe if our NATO Allies are invaded by Putin. We are also likely to fight China over territorial claims in the South China Sea. Our enemies will take actions due to Trump's perceived naiveté and over reaction to provocations designed to test his character. Every new president faces these tests from foreign governments; Trump will overreact.

PRIVATIZE SOCIAL SECURITY: PROBABILITY 80%

Calls to privatize Social Security will lead to reconsideration of that question. Additional pressure will be provided by the interest rate increases we face due to Trump's threat as discussed above. The resulting impact on the Federal budget will lead to calls to eliminate Social Security from the Budget. Or, at the least, Social Security pensions will be reduced. If successful, this will result in massive poverty and misery among the elderly.

PRIVATIZE HEALTH CARE: PROBABILITY 80%

Initiatives to manage health care costs will be reversed leading to massive cost increases and private insurance companies reaping record profits at the expense of the ill among us.

PRIVATIZE EDUCATION: PROBABILITY 75%

Trump's administration will attempt to reduce federal funding to all levels of education and all student aid programs. If successful this program will cripple our national ability for economic growth by stifling new research and invention.

TAX REDUCTION ON WEALTHY: PROBABILITY 80%

Taxes will be reduced on the wealthy. The resulting budget deficit increase will result in calls for cutting for reducing payments through the Social Security system.

MASSIVE DOLLAR DEVALUATION: PROBABILITY 60%

Any such devaluation will make our economy even more precarious since the cost of our imports would skyrocket. Additionally, the real value of dollar denominated savings will plummet. There is already a massive overhang of dollars in world markets and any action to reduce the value of dollar denominated assets - like T-Bills - will increase pressure on the dollar. Additionally, the BRIC's are looking to form an alternative payment system for oil and any success in that effort will lead to further dollar pressure.

INQUISITION 15: Reset: 'Virtue is its own reward' UPDATED

The more complete quote is this: 'Virtue is its own reward, and brings with it the truest and highest pleasure; but if we cultivate it only for pleasure's sake, we are selfish, not religious, and will never gain the pleasure, because we can never have the virtue.'

John Henry Newman; Author. Profession: Clergyman; Nationality: British; Born: February 21, 1801; Died: August 11, 1890

[Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/j/johnhenryn159152.html]

I am of an age where I went to school in the 40's and 50's; I was exhorted to do well by doing good. That is, I should strive to succeed in all things as a matter of virtue.

But when I asked what I would get from that, teachers and parents responded with some version of the Newman quote above. “We could and should expect that we would help others by our success and that we would be content with that.” The unspoken corollary was that if I wanted some more direct reward, then I would be bright and industriousness enough to find it myself.

Then one day it happened that everything I was responsible for exploded at once. After some introspection, it dawned on me that all I did was to make sure everything and every person was OK. It was exhausting. And, it didn’t work. None of them were OK.

It was hard in later life for me to switch from a mindset of being helpful to others to a mindset of looking for personal rewards. Most of my friends had no such problems; their selfish mindset was a given: Some of them just did not get the whole 'help others first' thing.

But, like me, some of us did.

And, some of my friends and I who accepted the premise of helping others first have reached a point in mid or late life when the 'giving to others' mindset has reached its end. Sometimes it happens that I cannot give any more. Sometimes the recipients of my gifts either do not show any improvement in their personal happiness or they do not show any gratitude. .

Then, I imploded. The emotional tank I gave from was empty and I could not give any more.

As a solution to the impasse, I tried to find in every situation those things which would refill my giving tank; and, to find those replenishing things before giving any more.

It wasn’t easy to change the giving mindset toward a more selfish mindset. The first step was to figure out what I actually felt. That was hard. A life of helping and/or providing for others first took some time to overcome.

At the start, just knowing what emotions I had was a big step. But then, I could start giving again after my tank was filled.

I lost some friends who could not adjust to the new me, and the people who remained are much truer friends. I started to experience happiness and joy. Then, I could find happiness in everything life provides and consider each day and each event as a gift.

Hillary: Abstain from Debate

Hillary, My Liege:

It is time to stop debating Mr. Trump.

Here is a draft of a press release for you:

'My Fellow Americans:

It is with deep regret that I have decided to abstain from the last debate with Mr. Trump. I will not appear on the stage with him on October 19.

There are two reasons for this. First and foremost, Mr. Trump is ignorant of the Constitution and many basic American values. He routinely says things about our great country which are simply and demonstrably not true. In our previous debates he lectured the country repeatedly about falsehoods and confused many voters as a result. Since the purpose of the debate is to present our different views to the American voters so they can make an informed choice, if I were to appear on stage with him I would give his views a sense of legitimacy simply by my presence. Our situation is too critical for me to allow that.

Secondly, Mr. Trump is an abusive person. He abuses me and anyone else who does not agree with him. His repeated interruptions and threatening manner on stage together with his campaign speeches wherein he has called for my imprisonment and physical harm have degraded the office of President of the United States. He has taken similar actions toward me and other women and these actions and statements are not acceptable. I will not tolerate any further personal abuse or abuse of the Office of President.

Lastly, let me address some of Mr. Trump's supporters directly. I assure you that I will represent you all as President to the best of my ability as fellow Americans even though you did not vote for me or vote at all.

Sometimes in life we receive severe shocks and indignities from which we cannot recover. It is tempting to externalize that pain on to a public person like me so that daily life can be tolerable.

This is one reason why some of you repeat ad nauseam accusations about me which have been litigated extensively and proven false. I hope you all can find some peace in your life. As for me, I will continue to serve our country and all our citizens.

Regretfully, Hillary Rodham Clinton'

Our Future Under Trump

Hillary, My Liege:

In case you need some talking points to convince voters to vote for you: here are some events which will happen if Trump wins the election and lives to take the Oath.

RECESSION: PROBABILITY 100%

Massive recession caused by bankers within 2 years will raise unemployment to 2008 levels of 10% or higher from its current level of less than 5%. Home foreclosures will also rise to 2008 levels. We are currently at or near the Holy Grail of economic policy - Full Employment equilibrium. The probability of this Recession is 100% due to Trump's actions of eliminating bank regulations and the fact that the same people who caused the 2008 Recession are still controlling our banking system.

A diversion will be that the interest rate we must pay on T-Bills will rise due to Trump's threat to renegotiate our national debt. The extra interest we must pay to borrow will further destabilize out Federal national budget and threaten both Social Security and Medicare.

WAR: PROBABILITY 100%

American troops will engage in at least one ground war and perhaps two within 2 years of his taking the Oath. The wars will be in the Middle East and Eastern Europe or the South China Sea. We will fight Russia in Syria and perhaps Europe if our NATO Allies are invaded by Putin. We are also likely to fight China over territorial claims in the South China Sea. Our enemies will take actions due to Trump's perceived naiveté and over reaction to provocations designed to test his character. Every new president faces these tests from foreign governments; Trump will overreact.

PRIVATIZE SOCIAL SECURITY: PROBABILITY 80%

Calls to privatize Social Security will lead to reconsideration of that question. Additional pressure will be provided by the interest rate increases we face due to Trump's threat as discussed above. The resulting impact on the Federal budget will lead to calls to eliminate Social Security from the Budget. Or, at the least, Social Security pensions will be reduced. If successful, this will result in massive poverty and misery among the elderly.

PRIVATIZE HEALTH CARE: PROBABILITY 80%

Initiatives to manage health care costs will be reversed leading to massive cost increases and private insurance companies reaping record profits at the expense of the ill among us.

PRIVATIZE EDUCATION: PROBABILITY 75%

Trump's administration will attempt to reduce federal funding to all levels of education and all student aid programs. If successful this program will cripple our national ability for economic growth by stifling new research and invention.

TAX REDUCTION ON WEALTHY: PROBABILITY 80%

Taxes will be reduced on the wealthy. The resulting budget deficit increase will result in calls for cutting for reducing payments through the Social Security system.

MASSIVE DOLLAR DEVALUATION: PROBABILITY 60%

Any such devaluation will make our economy even more precarious since the cost of our imports would skyrocket. Additionally, the real value of dollar denominated savings will plummet. There is already a massive overhang of dollars in world markets and any action to reduce the value of dollar denominated assets - like T-Bills - will increase pressure on the dollar. Additionally, the BRIC's are looking to form an alternative payment system for oil and any success in that effort will lead to further dollar pressure.

Time to Go Positive

Hillary, My Liege -

It is time to go positive with your campaign.

Lots of money has been spent proving that Trump is a bad person.

That worked. Sadly, some voters PREFER bad people.

Oh, well.

Here's a new message for you. [The following is taken from your website and spun just a tad.]

"OK, We know that Trump is a disaster for the country.

Vote for Hillary, and you will get this stuff - These are my plans and I know how to do all this:

A democracy that works for everyone—not just the wealthy and well-connected.

Several sensible Supreme Court Justices

Comprehensive background checks on gun purchasers.

End Citizens United and curb the outsized influence of big money in politics.

Make the wealthiest pay their fair share in taxes.

Comprehensive immigration reform that includes a path to full and equal citizenship.

More than half a BILLION, NEW solar panels installed across the country by the end of her first term.

Enough renewable energy to power every home in America within 10 years of her taking office.

Continuing FULL EMPLOYMENT

Defend Planned Parenthood and women’s health care from Republican attacks and Doctor murders.

End to students being forced to borrow so Bankers can rip them off.

Guaranteed paid family leave.

“gay rights are human rights.”

Toughest plan available to keep Wall Street accountable.

Continuing expansion of healh care for all Americans.

Veterans access to timely and high quality health care."

Your faithful servant,

Sixth Mass Extinction Event

Humans are heading toward a mass extinction event like nothing ever seen on earth.

'The sixth mass extinction—the one that seven billion humans are doing their darnedest to trigger at this very moment—is shaping up to be like nothing our planet has ever seen.' Maddie Stone - Gizmodo

http://gizmodo.com/the-sixth-mass-extinction-will-be-like-nothing-in-earth-1786598392

This likely stream of events does not change the Doomsday Clock.

Failure of Monetary Policy

Hillary, My Liege:

Professor Janet Yellen is a competent and diligent Federal Reserve Board Chair; but, any monetary policy actions taken by the FED will fail because the policies are based on the outdated Keynes General Theory.

Keynes' thesis was that lowering interest rates would encourage businesses to invest because their new projects would be profitable. And, the new investment would stimulate Aggregate Demand resulting in the 'virtuous cycle' of increased investment and increased consumer spending from more wages.

However, in today's world businesses do not invest regardless of low interest rates - nor do they refrain from investing due to higher interest rates - because they rightly forecast that expansions will not be profitable.

Expansions will not be profitable until and unless middle class incomes rise to the point where an income or two can support family necessities and an occasional luxury.

If consumers cannot buy luxuries, then the expansions that may have been encouraged in different times by lower interest rates will not materialize because businesses do not forecast adequate demand.

With regret, My Liege,

Your faithful servant,

UPDATED August 18, 2016: Inquisition 14: Ireland

I have written an attempt to understand Ireland from an outsider's perspective. Here is a link to a revision which includes a haplogroup map and more quotes; you are welcome to read it, although it is highly personal and intended for my immediate family. I will happily correct any egregious errors you may find and take full responsibility for all errors of fact, attribution and/or opinion.

www.mkeever.com/ireland.doc

Mike P. McKeever

UP DATE 8.20 16 - NASA Study Predicts Collapse of Civilization Unless We Equalize Incomes

Hillary, My Liege:

It is not news that income disparities are large and growing larger, especially in California.

The news is that incomes of the poorest people are getting smaller.

UPDATE 8.20 16

Civilization will collapse unless income equality is introduced, now: NASA study here - http://collectivelyconscious.net/articles/nasa-study-concludes-when-civilization-will-end-and-its-not-looking-good-for-us/


Meanwhile, in California: A recent look at California incomes documents that some of the working poor are making less today than they were a few years ago.

From the study:

'Those at the bottom 10 percent of incomes in the Inland Empire [the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario metropolitan area] , for example, saw their income drop by 35 percent since 2007. That’s mostly why the region, which includes Riverside and San Bernardino counties, suffered a 40 percent widening of the gap between rich and poor. In contrast, equivalent low-income residents of the Bay Area saw incomes fall just 9 percent.

California regions with the biggest chasm between rich and poor typically have some of the poorest populations in the state. In the Central Valley for example, households in the bottom 10 percent of income levels made less than $10,000 per year, adjusted for a family of four. Their equivalents in the Bay Area made more than double that.'

Source: http://www.sfchronicle.com/news/article/Income-gap-growing-in-California-s-poorest-9142062.php

My Liege, it is bad enough that, nationally, incomes gain are 'trickling up' to the wealthy, but now even the poor are losing what little income they have.

This is not who we think we are, My Liege.

Your faithful servant,

Wage Theft is Class Warfare

Some employers routinely pay employees less that they are legally obligated to.

Details here: http://theweek.com/articles/642568/biggest-crime-waves-america-isnt-what-think

Rabid Dog Trump

Mr. Trump:

Your campaign for President of the United States has convinced our owners - the people who control our money and our lives - that you are unfit to hold the Office of President.

In the unlikely event that you win the election, you will not serve as President because you will be killed.

The United States government has thousands of highly trained and effective assassins at its disposal. Some of these operatives are at the disposal of our owners. They will be used if needed.

To drive the point further, in a civilized country, rabid dogs are hunted down and shot to death in order to protect the larger society.

Here is a link to a graphic video showing the shooting to death of a rabid dog: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yf9rjoPvx5I

I am making this presentation because I agree with our owners on this point, even though this posting may cost me some of my personal freedom. It is likely that I will be added to the 'no-fly' list and thus be unable to visit my grandchildren.

Let me assure you Mr. Trump that I would be honored to kill you myself if the occasion arose, even though I am sure it will not.

Additionally, several prominent United States politicians have died in mysterious plane crashes in our recent history.

Since 1970, over a dozen national US political figures, governors, members of congress, and cabinet secretaries, have been killed in plane crashes. Most of these crashes were on private or military aircraft. The following list includes actively serving elected or appointed officials, as well as former politicians who had a relatively high public profile.

9 August 2010; de Havilland DHC-3T Otter; near Dillingham, AK: Former Alaska Senator Ted Stevens was one of five people killed when an turbine engine, float equipped Otter crashed into steep terrain during a flight from nearby Lake Nerka to a fishing lodge in the Dillingham, Alaska area. The pilot and four passengers, including Stevens, were killed, and four other passengers were injured. One of the survivors was former NASA administrator Sean O'Keefe.

This was not the first fatal plane crash in Alaska involving Senator Stevens. In December 1978, the Senator was one of two survivors of a fatal crash of a Learjet in Anchorage, Alaska. Both pilots and three other passengers, including the Senator's first wife, were killed in the crash.

The last time that a former US Senator was killed in a plane crash was in April 1991 when former Texas Senator John Tower was one of the 23 passengers and crew members killed in the crash of an Atlantic Southeast Airlines Embraer Brasilia near Brunswick, Georgia. Also killed in that crash was NASA astronaut Sonny Carter.

26 October 2002; Aviation Charter Inc.; Beech King Air A100; near Eveleth, MN: Minnesota Senator Paul Wellstone, along with five other passengers and two crew members, was killed when the Beech A100 (N41BE) he was in crashed just outside the Eveleth-Virginia Municipal Airport, about 175 miles north of Minneapolis. At the time of the crash, light snow and freezing rain was reported in the area. Both the NTSB and the FBI investigated the event, and the NTSB determined that the probable cause of this accident was the flight crew's failure to maintain adequate airspeed, which led to an aerodynamic stall from which the crew did not recover.

16 October 2000; Cessna 335; N8354N; near St. Louis, Missouri: The governor of Missouri, Mel Carnahan, along with two others were killed in the crash of a twin-engined private plane about 25 miles (40 km) south of St. Louis. The aircraft had departed from the St. Louis area about 7 p.m. local time and was transporting the governor to a campaign stop in New Madrid, Missouri. The accident occurred at about 7:30 p.m., shortly after the pilot, who was also the governor's son, had reported a problem with one of the aircraft's instruments. The accident occurred at night and there was rain and fog in the area.

2 April 1996; U.S. Air Force 737-T43; near Dubrovnik, Croatia: The aircraft struck mountainous terrain while attempting to land at the airport under conditions of reduced visibility. The flight crew was using an unapproved approach. All six crew members and 29 passengers were killed. Among the passengers were a number of U.S. corporate executives and the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Ron Brown. The aircraft is a military version of the 737 that was used to transport military and civilian VIPs.

19 April 1993; Mitsubishi MU-2B; near Dubuque, IA: South Dakota Governor George Mickelson and seven other occupants were en route from Cincinnati, OH to Sioux Falls, SD, when the propeller on one of the engines had a major failure. The crew was attempting to land the aircraft at the Dubuque, IA airport, but the aircraft crashed several miles short of the aiport, killing all on board.

5 April 1991; Atlantic Southeast Airlines; Embraer Brasila; flight 2311; near Brunswick, GA: Former Senator John Tower, of Texas, was killed along with his daughter, 18 other passengers, and three crew members. Also killed in the crash was NASA astronaut Sonny Carter.

4 April 1991; Piper Aerostar; near Lower Merion Township, PA: Senator John Heinz, of Pennsylvania, was killed when his plane collided with a helicopter over Merion, PA. The two crew members in his aircraft and the two crew members on the helicopter were also killed. Wreckage from the collision rained down on an elementary school, killing two children who were on the playground during noon recess.

13 August 1989, Cessna 177RG; near Janice, MS: Representative Larkin Smith of Mississippi and his pilot were killed when their aircraft crashed in the DeSoto National Forest in Mississippi while on a flight from Hattiesburg to Gulfport.

7 August 1989; de Havilland Canada DHC-6 Twin Otter; near Gambella, Ethiopia: Representative Mickey Leland of Texas was killed when his aircraft struck a mountain during a nonscheduled domestic flight from Addis Ababa, Eithiopia to a refugee camp. Leland, the 12 other passengers, and all three crew members were all killed.

17 August 1988; Pakistan Air Force Lockheed C130; near Bahawalpur: US ambassador to Pakistan Arnold Raphel was killed when the his aircraft crashed shortly after takeoff. Also on board were the president of Pakistan, General Zia-ul-Haq, 15 other passengers, and 13 crew members.

1 September 1983; Korean Air Lines 747-200; HL7442; flight 007; near Sakhalin Island, Soviet Union: Representative Larry McDonald of Georgia was killed along with the 29 crew members and the other 239 passengers. The aircraft was shot down by at least one Soviet air to air missile after the 747 had strayed into Soviet airspace.

3 August 1976; Beech 58, near Chillicothe, MO: Representative Jerry Litton of Missouri was killed along with his wife and two children when his plane crashed shortly after takeoff following a power loss on one engine. Litton had just won a primary election for a Senate seat from Missouri, and was on his way to a victory celebration in Kansas City, MO. The pilot and one other passenger was also killed in the crash.

14 February 1975: Representative Jerry Pettis of California was killed when his single-engine plane crashed into a mountain near Beaumont, CA.

8 December 1972; United Airlines 737-200; N9031U; flight 553;Midway Airport, Chicago: Representative George W. Collins of Illinois, three of the six crew members, and 39 of the 54 other passengers were killed when the aircraft crashed during approach.

16 October 1972; Cessna 310; en route Anchorage to Juneau, AK:Representative Hale Boggs of Louisiana, who was the House Majority Leader, and Representative Nick Begich of Alaska were lost over Alaska. The two congressmen, the pilot, and the aircraft were never found, and they are presumed to be dead.

http://www.airsafe.com/events/celebs/politics.htm

In addition, several government officials have been killed by lone persons; these are probably amateur events.

Recently Assassinated US Politicians, Partial alphabetical list

Derwin Brown, D, 2000, Sheriff Elect of DeKalb County, GA

Vickie Bunnell, 1997, Colebrook NH District Judge

Tommie Burks, D, 1998, Tennessee State Senator

Richard J. Daronco, 1988, Judge, US District Court, Southern District of New York

James E. Davis, D, 2003, New York City Councilman

Bill Gwatney, D, 2008, Chairman of Arkansas democratic Party

Mark Hasse, R, 2013, Assistant District Attorney for Kaufman County TX

Leon Jordan, D, 1970, Missouri State Representative

John F. Kennedy, D, 1963, President of the United States

Robert F. Kennedy, D, 1968, United States Senator from New York and Candidate for Democratic Presidential Nomination

Ed King, 1986, Mayor of Mount Pleasant IA

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_assassinated_American_politicians]

COMMENT 8.20.16: Whistling phones from the boys and girls in West Oak Land. Really?

Rep. Kurt Schrader (D) Commits Class Warfare

Rep. Kurt Schrader, (D), Oregon, has proposed a bill which would roll back the Department of Labor’s new rule that expands the overtime rights of salaried employees who earn less than $47,476 a year ($913 per week).

The explanation is here: http://www.epi.org/publication/schrader-bill-would-gut-the-department-of-labors-new-overtime-rule/

Why is this important?

It is important because of the irrefutable fact that when workers make less money they will buy fewer products from businesses and THE BUSINESSES WILL GO BANKRUPT.

It's simply depressing to see how the Class Warriors fail to connect the effects of their selfishness on their own prosperity. Such stupidity is incomprehensible.

Class Warfare Against the United States Middle Class Threatens Violent Reaction

Hillary, My Liege:

Bernie Sanders Presidential campaign highlighted an increase in Americans' disquiet.

You were correct to pay attention to and applaud the inclusion of some of the concerns in the Democrat Party Platform.

But, My Liege, it is unlikely that the electorate will be satisfied with platform promises only with no real results.

Our frustrations support a move toward a more revolutionary outcome.

As voters, we will elect you and a majority in Congress in the hopes that you provide a REAL revolutionary outcome.

If you fail to deliver on that hope, we can continue to simmer until our discontent takes a violent form or we can vote you out as we look for real change.

If we vote Democrats out of power and accept a Republican control in the immediate future, rest assured that it was from the same disquiet which brings you into power today.

If that happens and we continue to suffer under a severely unfair system, that disquiet will grow. The longer we go with no real relief, the more violent will be our explosion when it erupts.

So, My Liege, your charge is clear:

You must deliver on real reform to prevent a violent explosion.

We pray you are successful, My Liege.

Your faithful servant,

Black Lives Matter [BLM] Kills Black People

Sometimes it happens that an emotional movement embroils people in an orgy of feeling good about their cause without thinking through the effects of their passions and actions.

So it is with BLM.

Let us grant, albeit charitably by leaving aside personal aggrandizement and/or anarchic aspirations contained in their activists, that the BLM folks really want to reduce the number of black deaths.

Their passions focus anger on Police killings of black people. One can gain the impression that all, or most, killing of black people are caused by racist Police officers with the collusion of a racist government.

But, this narrative ignores completely the astounding fact that most black people are killed by other non-police black people.

Police kill more white people and Hispanic people than they kill black people.

If the BLM were truly interested in reducing violent black deaths, it would focus attention on the black-on-black killings which occur routinely.

Perhaps the BLM could reduce the number of black people killed by other black people by encouraging the witnesses to the killings to tell Police who did the killing. Usually there are no secrets about who are the killers. But, the people who know the guilty parties routinely do not identify them to the Police. Thus the killers are free to kill again.

There may be two reasons that witnesses do not tell Police.

First, witnesses may be frightened of retaliation from the killers if they 'rat' out the killers. This is wrong since most Police have confidential tip lines where even the police do not know the identity of the person leaving the tip. In the event the killers face a trial, the witnesses may be afraid of being identified in open court. This is a real risk for which some government programs offer protections.

Second, there is a culture in some quarters which says that it is a sin to 'rat' on killers. Apparently, these folks would rather live under the rule of gangsters than in an orderly and safe society - for that is the effect of refusing to identify criminals. I have lived in East Oakland and seen in my neighborhood the effects of a society where gangsters run rampant. I have also complained to Police frequently and loudly and have discovered that the gangsters are cowards who will not respond if the Police are involved.

The other major reason that BLM kills black people is that it fosters the impression that Police are random killers without rules; then, if that is true, anything which happens to a person in a Police interaction is the fault of the Police and not the responsibility of the person harmed.

This is so false that it boggles the mind of a rational person; nevertheless, it does provide an explanation for some of the really stupid actions we see on video and read in the newspapers.

Police operate with strict Rules of Force guidelines. If they violate those guidelines they can be sued personally or disciplined otherwise. That exists already without the input of BLM.

We ask Police to protect us from violent persons. That is their job and we do not want to change it.

Perhaps a better way to protect black people from harm by Police in violent situations is to teach black children what are the rules of force used by Police.

The predictable reaction from BLM is that the Police routinely violate those rules and that the rules do not protect black people.

Both are nonsense. Any Police who violates the rules will be disciplined as is proper. The rules are there to protect everybody. If the rules were unfair to black people, then black people would be killed more frequently than white or Hispanic people, but they are not.

Japan: Bankruptcy Coming?

Japan's economy is in trouble. Most of the trouble arises from Japanese consumers spending too little.

Some economists are recommending that the country abandon a Keynesian policy of stimulus and low interest rates that has failed to remedy the situation and, instead, contract the economy with higher interest rates thereby precipitating a recession and, perhaps, a resulting worker productivity increase. See Martin Hutchinson copyrighted article linked below.

This is wrong.

Although the economy historically has shown low levels of income inequality, Japan's current Gini Coeffcient is close to the USA. This level of Gini is a sign of consumer weakness with associated lack of Aggregate Demand.

A better solution for Japan is to increase incomes for middle class families. Only then are they likely to spend more.

See my book on economic policies for the United States for an explanation at this link:

https://www.amazon.com/Occupy-Wall-Street-Plan-Governmental-ebook/dp/B00UK97C84?ie=UTF8&ref_=asap_bc#navbar


Here is the link to Mr. Hutchinson's article:

Martin Hutchinson, World Banking Analyst at GEOMACRO 'Japan Is a Bankruptcy Waiting to Happen'

http://www.wallstreetdaily.com/2016/07/18/japan-economy-bankruptcy/

July 18, 2016

Police Reality - New comment: BGF calls for more assaults on Police

An armed public increasing police trauma, shootings

By Gabrielle Grossman

San Francisco Chronicle, July 12, 2016

Imagine yourself as a police officer and the fear you might experience as you patrol the streets day after day, getting calls to deal with violent persons, many armed with guns. You are also aware of the many police officers who have been shot. Police work is tough enough without officers having to face an increasingly armed public.

I had several clients and their spouses in this circumstance. Usually the police officer’s wife had the first appointment, asking for help coping with the officer’s behavior — in one case, keeping loaded guns near the front door, jumping at noises outside, experiencing night fears and frequent emotional outbursts. He refused to go to social events outside their home, for fear of being seen.

Typically, the wife was asked to bring her husband for the second session. Usually, the husband would announce that he would come in only that one time, just to help his wife with “her” therapy; the reason was he believed it would jeopardize his job if it became known that he was undergoing psychotherapy.

When they were willing to answer questions, I saw symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder exhibited by the officers. Some admitted to barricading doors and windows, and sleeping with their weapon, the reason being that thugs who that officer had arrested or interacted with might come to know his address and would come to harm him and/or his family. He usually wanted his wife to understand his need for continuous vigilance, as well as his need to keep away from social activities.

Many of these officers, although suffering from frequent flashbacks to past traumas and the fear this brings, were not willing to become psychiatric patients as this identity could bring other consequences. Some used alcohol or drugs to self-medicate and calm themselves, in order to face another day in a trauma-filled work setting.

Mental health workers who treat people with post traumatic stress disorder expect to treat the symptoms well after the trauma has occurred, i.e, after the veteran is home and safely away from life-threatening combat. Police officers face potential traumas every day, which re-traumatize the officer, making his or her symptoms worse.

The diagnosis of “acute stress disorder” does not apply to police officers; it applies to the days and weeks right after the trauma has occurred. In fact, the diagnostic manual does not contain a diagnosis for ongoing traumatic stress, as that experienced in a police officer’s life.

The Minnesota police officer who shot a black motorist said he reacted to the man’s gun, not his race. My guess is that the sight of a gun was a “trigger” for the symptoms of traumatic stress to emerge, symptoms which often render an officer unable to act rationally. The officer’s lawyer said the officer was “overcome with sadness” over the shooting.

The increase of guns in the population has increased the traumatic experiences endured by police. Today, with more than 300 million guns in the population and people buying more of them, the amount of threat to police is very high, as is the threat to the public. Shootings by police, who are often experiencing a traumatic stress disorder, are commensurately more frequent.

Gabrielle Grossman is a retired psychologist.

Hit the Ground Running

Hillary, My Liege

It seems likely that you and the Democrats will win the Presidential election and a majority in both Houses of Congress in the coming elections.

But, My Liege, do not take this as a personal compliment if it actually occurs.

As confirmed by the British vote supporting Brexit, there is a profound malaise among the world's population and American voters as well.

The malaise reflects the growing realization that Governments and other systems are rigged in favor of the accumulation of money and power by a few among us. And, our further realization is that the few who benefit from the system have no intention of ameliorating its pernicious effects on the rest of us despite clear and incontrovertible evidence that the few would gain even more if the rest of us could gain the smallest relief.

In practical terms, it will mean you will have two years to accomplish your agenda since it is likely that voters will tire of your failure to correct quickly the many problems facing average people. Thus, the Democratic majority in either or both Houses will be overturned in two years.

Hillary, My Liege, I am sure you recognize the limitations of a President's powers to change daily reality for the population as well as anyone. The foregoing implies that you will have a two year window to set your programs in motion since you will lose your Congressional advantages at that time.

So, My Liege, be well prepared and resolute in your first two years; set in motion all your ambitions during that time.

We wish you well, My Liege.

Your faithful servant

Canary (Mouse) in the Coal Mine (Atoll)

Scientists record first mammalian extinction due to global warming.

A species of mouse on the Great Barrier Reef has gone extinct due to rising sea levels.

Read it here: http://www.gizmag.com/climate-change-mammal-species-extinct/43877/

Hillary, My Liege

Hillary, My Liege:

I am addressing you with the Medieval, honorific title My Liege to suggest that you will be our next President. As such, you will have the power of life and death over Americans as well as citizens of other countries.

It is an awesome power and responsibility, My Liege. I pray you are up to the task of balancing humility and moral rectitude with your new power.

During your formative years as First Lady, Senator and Secretary of State, you have taken some positions that have supported Corporations and other narrow interests in their accumulation of riches at our expense.

Now it comes that you must represent and take responsibility for the well-being of all the people instead of choosing to represent one or another interest.

There are some issues on which your past positions have not measured up to that awesome responsibility and those are the issues which led some to question your fitness for the office.

While some of those positions may be explained by the limits of your more narrow, prior offices, be assured that you will be measured by a different standard in the future.

Occasionally, Corporate and other moneyed parties have interests which do not harm the average person, but in today's world those occasions are infrequent. Many such claims are simply spin designed to obfuscate the real intentions.

Here are some, but not all, of the issues where Corporate interests can argue in favor of policies that will harm directly millions of people:

Fracking;

Keystone XL;

Trans Pacific Partnership, and trade deals in general;

Glass-Steagall separation of fiduciary and profit motives for banks;

Criminal punishment of Wall Street criminals;

Wall Street influence on the US Treasury;

Extraction of US wealth from public assets and working families by corporations and financial institutions;

Effective Bank regulation;

Corporate and bank lobbyist influence on Congress;

Privatization of schools;

Healthcare Insurance profiteering; and,

Climate devastation.

Any first year economics student can make an argument in favor of the policies which enrich the corporate interests at our expense, but your charter is to see the self interest contained in those arguments and balance that narrow interest with the interests of those who do not have access.

Again, we pray you are strong enough for the task, for, if you are not, then the American experiment will be finished.

Your faithful servant, since 2008.

Donald Trump, R. A. T. [Real American Terrorist]

Donald Trump has tapped into the emotional reactions of a minority of the American population who are frustrated with events.

Unfortunately, Mr. Trump has created or encouraged actions which can damage the country severely, if he is elected. His rhetoric ignores core American values and traditions - whether through ignorance of our values or contempt for them is irrelevant. We see anger, violence and intolerance on a large scale in our Presidential election. He also displays a startling level of ignorance about the real world.

The results of his exhortations may create a toxic political atmosphere which will work to the advantage of foreign terrorists.

Hillary Clinton has described his speeches and rhetoric clearly in this speech on national security which is available at this link: https://youtu.be/y04TVy0FxHg

Spring 2016 Country Studies

The Mike P. McKeever Institute of Economic Policy Analysis (MIEPA) is pleased to announce the publication of its Spring 2016 country studies.

Three countries have been analyzed by four Specialists: China, Thailand and the United States of America.

China is analyzed by Specialist Qiu Du; the analysis can be read at http://www.mkeever.com/china.html

Thailand is analyzed by Specialist Duangjai Atipornpanich; the analysis can be read at http://www.mkeever.com/thailand.html

The United States of America is analyzed by Specialists Suraya David-Sadira and Danny L.; the analyses can be read at http://www.mkeever.com/usa.html

MIEPA can be accessed at www.mkeever.com

US Congress Weakens Unions, Supports Destruction of Middle Class

Over the last forty years we have been observing a stagnation in rise of real wages and benefits in the United States. Since 1970 the median rise has been only 10.7 percent. The most part of the wage rise happened in 1990s and since then we have been experiencing a stagnation in average hourly compensation. This worrisome trend is related with a declining power of unions.

Unions play a significant role in the US economy representing interest of their members by pushing businesses and the government to increase wages and provide other compensations as health insurance or pension for their members. However, since 1970 the percentage of unionized workers has been gradually decreasing. According to studies from 1973 to 2011, the share of the workforce represented by unions declined from 26.7 percent to 13.1 percent. Collected data presents a strong proof of a significant role of unions on the rises of wage. On average, workers covered by a collective bargaining contract earn 13.6 percent more than ones not associated with unions. Also, unionized workers are much more likely to be provided with health insurance (28.2%) and employer-provided pension (53.9%).

The diminishing power of unions has strongly affected middle- and low-wage workers. Deunionization is one of the most important factors explaining the growth of wage inequality between workers at the top and those in the middle of wage spectrum as well as a divergence between productivity and wages for an average worker. A report by Lawrence Mishel for Economic Policy Institute provides the research proving a correlation in the decline in wages due to erosion of unions based on occupation and education level. The union representation among blue-collar and high school graduates decreased significantly since 1970s. That led to increasing the wage gap by 21.2%. Due to the reduced number of unionized workers the ability of unions to set labor standards has also declined.

There are a few major factor causing a decline in unionization. The erosion has been partially caused by harsh economic context for unions including shift to services, technological advance and trade pressures. However, another reason of progressing deunionization is due to unfavorable change in the application and administration of labor law at the national level and an hostile attitude of employers towards unions. Therefore, changes in law have caused weakening of unions and their ability to raise wages.

It is important to remember that the positive role unions is not limited to benefits only for unionized workers. Probably even more important is union’s impact on non-union employees.

Its impact goes far behind only premium wages: “in industries, occupations, and regions in which a strong core of workplaces are unionized, non union employers will frequently meet union standards or at least improve their compensation and labor practices beyond what they would have provided in the absence of a union pres­ence.” The general mechanism describing union's impact on nonunionized workers is that practises and norms established by unions became widespread throughout the economy. Nonunion employers were forced to conform to rules set by unions in order to remain competitive. In fact, until 1980s numerous sectors of economy followed the union’s policy and set in collective bargain agreements. Therefore, the erosion of unionization have strongly affected rising wage inequalities between nonunionized workers similar to those who were members of unions. According to studies “the direct impact of declining unionization accounted for 20.2 percent of the growth of overall male wage inequality”.

Considering all information there is clear how significant role unions play in raising real wage of workers situated in the middle of a wage distribution. It seems obvious that one the most efficient way of reducing inequalities in wealth distribution is by ensuring the strong position of unions by enforcing regulations in favor of unions.

Contributed by Anna Sparazynska, May 10, 2016

INQUISITION 12: Women, Islam and Shame

In a world where women are murdered by immediate family members such as fathers or uncles for behaving counter to their wishes, and that such despicable murders are considered falsely as an 'honorable' act, there is only shame and dishonor for the murderers and for the 'religion' and beliefs that condone such acts.

"An honor killing or shame killing is the homicide of a member of a family by other members, due to the perpetrators' belief that the victim has brought shame or dishonor upon the family, or has violated the principles of a community or a religion, usually for reasons such as refusing to enter an arranged marriage, being in a relationship that is disapproved by their family, having sex outside marriage, becoming the victim of rape, dressing in ways which are deemed inappropriate, engaging in non-heterosexual relations or renouncing a faith." [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honor_killing]

Islam supports such acts by explicitly describing women as unclean and worth less than one half of a man.

'Quran (5:6) - "And if ye are unclean, purify yourselves. And if ye are sick or on a journey, or one of you cometh from the closet, or ye have had contact with women, and ye find not water, then go to clean, high ground and rub your faces and your hands with some of it" Men are to rub dirt on their hands, if there is no water to purify them, following casual contact with a woman (such as shaking hands).

Quran (4:11) - (Inheritance) "The male shall have the equal of the portion of two females" (see also verse 4:176). In Islam, sexism is mathematically established.'

Islam supports female slavery. 'Quran (4:24) and Quran (33:50) - A man is permitted to take women as sex slaves outside of marriage. Note that the verse distinguishes wives from captives (those whom thy right hand possesses).'

[https://www.thereligionofpeace.com/pages/quran/women-worth-less.aspx]

These beliefs and acts are fundamental to Islam and bring shame on Islam and on the perpetrators.

'Honor", Shame, killings continue in Pakistan: http://www.sfgate.com/news/world/article/Pakistan-Honor-killings-grow-more-brutal-draw-8339748.php

Carbon Release Accelerates

A new study shows that we are releasing more tons of CO2 into the atmosphere now than occurred in the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) of 66 million years ago.

Here is a quote from the study: 'A few species went extinct, and some had to migrate in order to stay in environments conducive to their lives.'

Carbon is being released into the atmosphere today ten times faster than it was during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM), a period that has been considered the closest recent analogue to today's human-caused global warming, according to new research.

Here is a link to a discussion of the report: http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2016/0321/Humanity-s-CO2-emissions-blow-past-last-high-56-million-years-ago

Police Use of Force Guidelines

While every use of force instance by Police has unique characteristics, the guidelines Police use to engage with force are generally clear.

Society tasks Police with controlling violent individuals and groups to protect public safety. Society does not ask police to determine motivations or conditions of a violent person before ensuring control of such persons' actions.

Some of the complaints about Police violence or targeting of specific groups appear to be based on the misconception that Police can or should diagnose a person before seeking to control his or her behavior. That idea is wrong.

A better way to reduce Police violence while preserving order in society is to encourage folks to study and understand the Use of Force rules of engagement Police use every day. With a more widespread understanding of when force is likely to be used, there may be less provocative behavior by some folks with a resulting lessening of violent confrontations.

Below is a generalized discussion of Use of Force rules as spelled out in wikipedia [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Use_of_force_continuum]

First, here is a categorization of the types of behavior Police may encounter:

In all use of force continuum models, the actions of the subject is classified in order for the officer to quickly determine what level of force is authorized and may be necessary to apprehend or compel compliance from the individual. Listed below are examples of how subjects are classified.

Passive compliant --- a person who recognizes the authority of the officers presence and follows the verbal commands of the officer.

Passive resistor --- a person who refuses to follow the verbal commands of the officer but does not resist attempts by officers to take positive physical control over them.

Active resistor --- a person who does not follow verbal commands, resist attempts by the officer to take positive physical control over them, and does not try to inflict harm on the officer.

Active aggressor --- a person who does not follow verbal commands, resists attempts by the officer to take positive physical control over them and attempts to cause harm to the officer or others.

Generally, the passive subjects and active resistors fall under levels 1-3 of the use of force continuum, while active aggressors fall under levels 4-6. The officers are trained to apply the proper measure of force within the continuum based on the actions and classification of the subject.

Then, Police choose which level of control to use when confronted with a situation.

While the specific progression of force varies considerably (especially the wide gap between empty hand control and deadly force) among different agencies and jurisdictions, one example of a general use of force continuum model cited in a U.S. government publications on use of force is shown below.

Officer presence --- the professionalism, uniform, and utility belt of the law enforcement officer and the marked vessel or vehicle the officer arrives in. The visual presence of authority is normally enough for a subject to comply with an officers lawful demands. Depending on the totality of the circumstances, a call/situation may require additional officers or on scene officers may request assistance in order to gain better control of the situation and ensure a more safe environment for all involved. It also will depend on the circumstances of the situation. For example, depending on how many people are at the scene with the officer, a larger presence may be required. However, if 10 officers arrive at a scene with only a single suspect, the public may perceive the situation as an excessive use of officer presence within the use of force continuum. In many models, the officer’s personal defense weapon or firearm unholstered and pointed at a subject falls under officer presence.

Verbal commands/cooperative controls --- clear and understandable verbal direction by an officer aimed at the subject. In some cases, it is necessary for the officer to include a consequence to the verbal direction so that the subject understands what will happen if the subject refuses to comply with the officer’s direction. The verbal command and the consequence must be legal and not considered excessive according to the continuum. For example, an officer could not order a disabled person in a wheel chair to stand up or be sprayed by Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) Pepper Spray.

Empty- hand submission techniques, PPCT - Pressure Point Control Tactics, Control Tactics, techniques --- a level of force that has a low probability of causing soft connective tissue damage or bone fractures. This would include joint manipulation techniques, applying pressure to pressure points and normal application of hand-cuffs.

Hard control Techniques/Aggressive response techniques --- the amount of force that has a probability of causing soft connective tissue damage or bone fractures or irritation of the skin, eyes, and mucus membranes. This would include kicks, punches, stuns and use of aerosol sprays such as oleoresin capsicum (OC) pepper spray. Some models split these techniques between empty hand, soft control and intermediate weapon techniques but only include 5 levels of the continuum.

Intermediate weapons --- an amount of force that would have a high probability of causing soft connective tissue damage or bone fractures. (e.g. expandable baton, baton, pepper spray, Taser, beanbag rounds, rubber fin stabilized ammunition, Mace (spray), police dogs, etc.) Intermediate weapon techniques are designed to impact muscles, arms and legs, and intentionally using an intermediate weapon on the head, neck, groin, knee caps, or spine would be classified as deadly or lethal force.

Lethal force/Deadly force --- a force with a high probability of causing death or serious bodily injury. Serious bodily injury includes unconsciousness, protracted or obvious physical disfigurement, or protracted loss of or impairment to the function of a bodily member, organ, or the mental faculty. A firearm is the most widely recognized lethal or deadly force weapon, however, an automobile or weapon of opportunity could also be defined as a deadly force utility.

UPDATE April, 2016 - Send NATO to Libya

An interesting analysis by Shadi Hamid in VOX supports the earlier intervention in Libya by NATO and the US while comparing the situation now to what would have happened if we had NOT intervened.

It is available at this URL: http://www.vox.com/2016/4/5/11363288/libya-intervention-success

The analysis appears to support further NATO action in 2016 -

The time is here to take further action in Libya.

Daesh is poised to take over the oil fields and the country has no central government; several militias run amok and are paid by the Central Bank, which is forced at gunpoint to pay them.

Only an outside, multinational armed force has an ability to establish and maintain order and prevent further atrocities.

Failure to secure Libya is an imminent National Security threat to Europe.

NATO should invade Libya with sufficient armed forces to control the country, after securing an invitation from Tobruk or Tripoli or both.

Step 1: Secure oil fields from Daesh. Turn revenues over to Nationalized Libyan oil company.

Step 2: Impose a military dictatorship under NATO command.

Step 3: Destroy Daesh in country.

Step 4: Support a SECULAR, non-denominational government administration and restore basic services. Invite competent Libyans from either Sunni or Shia factions to take civil service exams and join the government.

Step 5: Create a SECULAR Libyan military composed of both Sunni and Shia and train them to NATO standards.

Step 6: After the national military is functioning to NATO standards, the NATO officers and troops will depart; this process may take 20 years.

Step 7: After the SECULAR administration functions well, call for elections and end the military dictatorship.

Going forward, it will be critical to reduce corruption by insisting on a public competitive bidding process for all public contracts and installing a robust civil service with competitive exams for all open positions.

New: Author Page Mike P. McKeever

The author is pleased to announce that an Amazon Author page has been established which lists his published books.

The page is available here: http://www.amazon.com/Mike-P.-McKeever/e/B001JS4TMW?ref_=pe_1724030_132998060

Note: The link is not a hyperlink and must be copied and pasted into a browser.

Fall 2015 Country Studies

The Mike P. McKeever Institute of Economic Policy Analysis (MIEPA) is pleased to announce the publication of its Fall 2015 country studies.

Two countries have been analyzed by two Specialists: Uzbekistan and the United States of America.

Uzbekistan is analyzed by Specialist Makhmud Islamov; the analysis can be read at http://www.mkeever.com/uzbekistan.html

The United States of America is analyzed by Specialist Jihao Chen; the analysis can be read at http://www.mkeever.com/usa.html

Additionally, the recent currency control program imposed in Argentina is discussed together with some limited speculation as to causes and possible outcomes; it can be read here http://www.mkeever.com/argentina.html

MIEPA can be accessed at www.mkeever.com

UPDATE National Security Threat from CRISPR/Cas9 Gene Splicing Tool

In a recent article, James Clapper identified the potential threat to the United States from the CRISPR/Cas9 gene splicing tool [http://thebulletin.org/how-genetic-editing-became-national-security-threat9362]

This space discussed this concept earlier, as below:

New technology will make gene splicing quick, easy and highly successful.

It is called CRISPR/Cas9 (an acronym for “clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats”).

Using this new technology, scientists can 'End the scourge of insect-borne diseases? Check. Inoculate endangered amphibians against killer fungi? Yes. Pluck invasive species from environments where they don’t belong? As you wish.' [Per article here https://www.sciencenews.org/article/gene-drives-spread-their-wings]

The mere existence of this technology raises serious questions about the future of humanity.

On the one hand, it can be used to do many good things as mentioned above.

Used properly this technology could reduce significantly human deaths from many communicable diseases.

For example, a new study suggests that this technology can be used to modify plankton to increase the production of oxygen and thus reduce the effects of temperature increase in the oceans; the study is reviewed here http://nextbigfuture.com/2015/12/gene-drive-one-of-many-ways-to-prevent.html

However, since the cost of this project would be significant, it is unlikely to attract funding.

On the other hand, that prospect raises at least two questions.

First, this technology WILL be acquired by terrorists and used to create death on a mass scale. The question is this: How can we limit those actions?

The second question is this: After many serious diseases have been eradicated, how will nature respond? It is likely that new diseases will evolve to infect a population with little or no disease resistance.

On balance then, this new tool poses an existential threat to humanity if it is allowed to be used by whomever and wherever chooses to do so.

The rational response to this threat is to limit its dispersal immediately and drastically by placing all of its uses under the strict control of the National Institute of Health and the World Health Organization.

Both these organizations should be tasked with the twin objectives of securing control of all this technology which exists currently and also creating a protocol and standards for who can apply to use this technology in the future.

Any other action or non-action is inconceivable.



COMMENT FROM BEV BARNES

Bev Barnes Don't believe that the WHO is our best friend. Seems like they get swayed by big industry and really will stop studies and research or go with poor research on items that unsavory corporations want approved. Could be just a rubber stamp for industry.

All Salt Water Fish Will Die By 2048

According to a new study by Boris Worm, PhD, of Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, -- with colleagues in the U.K., U.S., Sweden, and Panama -- all salt water fish will be extinct by 2048.

The result will be catastrophic for human beings who live close to the sea or who eat fish. 'Already, 29% of edible fish and seafood species have declined by 90% -- a drop that means the collapse of these fisheries,' according to CBS news. [Here is the link to the news story: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/salt-water-fish-extinction-seen-by-2048/]

The report suggests that sea life extinction can be mitigated, but also casts doubt that the world's governments have the political will to make the necessary changes.

This new study does not change the Humanity Doomsday Clock from its forecast of Human Species extinction by 2137.

Repeat - Islamist Oath of Non Violence

In the light of the Paris massacre, this space is reposting the oath of non-violence for Muslims.

The Quran has many passages which explicitly call for violence against non-Muslims.

It is logical to suspect any Muslim of harboring violent tendencies unless and until he or she renounces explicitly the Quran passages which call for violence.

In today's world, we are concerned justifiably that some Muslim extremists will visit violence on our citizens in the name of religion. While the vast majority of the Muslim population does not support these actions, it is our right and duty to protect ourselves against those extremists who want to harm us.

It is appropriate to ask each person suspected of harboring such violent wishes to swear an oath renouncing the use of violence. If the person refuses to take such an oath, then we are justified in deporting that person or otherwise expelling him or her from our country.

Some people will willingly and falsely sign such an oath while retaining their beliefs in violence. But, most potentially violent extremists will object to signing a document which asks them to renounce the Quran verses which support violence.

By deporting all who refuse to sign such an oath, we will reduce the incidence of violence in our country.

Such an action will create controversy and accusations of discrimination. However, our rights and duties to protect our citizens from violence support such an action regardless of any outcry.

The Quran contains several specific verses which call for violence from believers. We must require that any person suspected of violent tendencies swear an oath renouncing those passages in the Quran which call for violence.

This space has created such an oath which can be used and adapted by any interested party.

The Islamist Oath of Non-Violence is available here : www.mkeever.com/islamistoath.doc

This oath is designed to force a suspected terrorist to make his or her views known to the police; if the person renounces each and every one of the approximately 100 explicit calls for violence contained in the oath, then the person can be deemed low-risk. On the other hand, if the suspected terrorist refuses to sign each of the renunciations, then that person should be expelled from the country.

Here is the first part of the oath:


'I desire and hereby make a formal renunciation of certain selected verses of the Holy Quran. This oath of renunciation does not change my belief in Allah as the true God and Muhammad as His servant and messenger and of the Last Day. I make this renunciation intentionally, voluntarily and of my own free will, free of any duress or undue influence. Each of the verses is listed below together with my specific renunciation of each. The English text of the verses is taken from the Noble Quran and can be read here : http://www.noblequran.com/translation/surah2.html

Quran (2:191-193) - "And kill them wherever you find them, and turn them out from where they have turned you out. And Al-Fitnah [disbelief or unrest] is worse than killing...but if they desist, then lo! Allah is forgiving and merciful. And fight them until there is no more Fitnah [disbelief and worshipping of others along with Allah] and worship is for Allah alone. But if they cease, let there be no transgression except against Az-Zalimun (the polytheists, and wrong-doers, etc.)"

I, __________________________________________________________[Initial here] reject and renounce the Quran verse immediately above.'

Your faithful servant,

UPDATE, JANUARY 2016 - INSTRUCTOR MIKE P. McKEEVER'S SHOOTER NEUTRALIZATION PLAN

UPDATE JANUARY 19, 2016

HUZZAH!!!

DOOR LOCKS INSTALLED!

CCSF CLASSROOM DOORS CAN NOW BE LOCKED AGAINST SHOOTERS!


Although the discussion below is now outdated for CCSF, perhaps there are schoolrooms elsewhere which cannot be locked. I encourage teachers in those schools to lobby for door locks to protect their students.

If you require details on the locks chosen by CCSF, please respond directly to me and I will forward your request to the maintenance department.

*************************

Since I am a College classroom teacher, I now must deal with the possibility of a moron with a gun on my campus. This is what my students and I will do:

INSTRUCTOR MIKE P. McKEEVER'S SHOOTER NEUTRALIZATION PLAN

My name is placed on this idea so no one else gets blamed for it. You are welcome to suggest changes to this plan. I have already asked the maintenance staff to install deadbolts on my class doors; if they do, then this discussion will become moot.

Neither my students nor I deserve to sit and wait to die when a moron with a gun starts killing CCSF students, staff and faculty.

We will act.

First, I will ask for volunteers who will be willing to act in the event of a shooter with the express understanding that they may be shot and/or killed.

Then, here's what I'll do in my classes.

1. Ask for all students to listen to outside noises and raise their hands in the air and make a pistol trigger pull motion whenever there might be one. Then the class will be silent to listen for confirmation.

If there is a repeat, the person hearing it will make the trigger pull sign with a raised hand.

ONE DOOR CLASSROOMS

2. If it is a classroom with one door that opens outward, as are most doors, then on confirmation, I as point person, or a volunteer student athlete, will grab the door handle and hold it closed since we cannot lock it.

[See below for two door classrooms.]

If someone tries to open it, the point person will hold it closed as if our life depends on it because it does.

At that time five volunteer students will gather at the door while all other students retreat to a wall out of sight and barricade themselves with desks.

3. If the point person cannot hold it closed, he/she will say 'GO'

With that, the point person will open the door forcefully and tackle the person outside at his knees.

Simultaneously, two volunteer students will rush the person and secure his hands, one student for each hand. If any weapon is found, the volunteer will throw it far away down the hall.

Also, two additional student volunteers will beat the person on his head with chairs until the person is still while the person's hands and feet are secure.

When movement stops, the fifth student volunteer will search the person's body for weapons and move any found away from the group.

If the person remains still, then we will look for belts or rope and tie the hands behind the back and the feet together.

If the person is not still, the beating will continue.

The event will be over when the person is secure with belts and is still.

TWO DOOR CLASSROOMS

Step one is the same, the point person holds the door closed and is joined by five other students.

But, the goal is to allow enough time for the other students to escape safely out the second door.

If all the other students have escaped safely, the last will yell 'CLEAR'.

Then, if the door is holding, the remaining team will exit the other door.

If the door is not holding, then the team will proceed as above.

With sadness,

mike p. mckeever

UPDATE May 2016: Oceans May Lose All Oxygen by 2030

Scientists discussing global warming are considering whether it will happen much faster than we thought.

A recent study suggests that all oceans may run out of oxygen by 2030 as a result of global warming [http://www.i4u.com/2016/05/109639/oceans-are-running-out-oxygen].

Additionally, James Hansen is the former NASA scientist who called attention to global warming in 1988. His new paper suggests our models may underestimate the speed of the change. Here is the link to the paper: http://www.atmos-chem-phys-discuss.net/15/20059/2015/acpd-15-20059-2015.html

For a detailed and non-technical presentation which includes other scientists' views, read Chris Mooney in the Washington Post here ; http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/energy-environment/wp/2015/07/20/the-worlds-most-famous-climate-scientist-just-outlined-an-alarming-scenario-for-our-planets-future/

Additional projections of sea warming effects on the marine food chain are available here : http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2015-10/uoa-gma100915.php

The possibility that warming and glacial melting may happen very quickly moves the Doomsday Clock forward.

Half of Sea Life Lost Since 1970

Since many people depend on fishing for food, the loss of half of all sea life since 1970 moves the Doomsday Clock forward to 2138.

Details are here - http://perfscience.com/content/2142543-wwf-warns-marine-population-has-fallen-almost-50-1970

Productivity and Wage Gap in the United States

Barry, My Liege:

Just in case you were wondering why so many Americans are really P. O'd, see this graph

Your faithful servant,

Refugees Heading to Europe

UPDATED LINK TO VIDEO: Black Mother Peggy Hubbard Tells the Truth

Barry, My Liege:

Racial relations in the United States of America appear to be deteriorating.

It is difficult to address the issue without fear of being labeled a racist.

But, black Mother Peggy Hubbard in St. Louis can tell the truth.

Boy, can she.

Watch it here if you dare:

UPDATED LINK TO VIDEO

http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2015/08/peggy-hubbards-attack-on-black-lives-matter/402128/

[Sadly, the Atlantic bleeped out most of the profanity, but the situation IS profane and profane language is the only way to express that.]

Your servant,

Dems : Don't Be Evil, Pass Iran Treaty

Barry, My Liege :

This is to the Dems we need to uphold your veto of the Republican's cancellation of the Iran Treaty.

Hey Dems - messing with this deal is the same as telling the heart surgeon who is saving your wife's life that he is doing it wrong and that you have a better idea.

Just shut the hell up and let him work.

Here's a link to what Eric Swawell (D) California and a member of the Intelligence Committee says :

https://swalwell.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/eric-swalwell-why-i-will-vote-iran-nuclear-agreement

The Reublicans idiots and the Israeli's are beyond the pale, just ignore them.

Your servant,