Update from the Heartland
No.628
23.12.13 – 29.12.13
Blog version: http://heartlandupdate.blogspot.com/
To all,
Happy
New Year! May the next and
subsequent years be substantially better for all of us.
Textron Chairman and CEO Scott C. Donnelly publicly
announced the acquisition of Beechcraft Corporation – the whole company
including the composite manufacturing plant and all type certificates – for
US$1.4B. The acquisition may take
several months to complete, as federal approval is required. Donnelly’s public statement indicated
they had identified at least US$65M of overlaps between Cessna and Beech during
their due diligence process. It is
not clear whether or perhaps how the two historic rivals and general aviation competitors
might be integrated. For Beech,
this should be a positive change; since 2007, Beech has had investment bankers
as owners, who only sought quick profit.
Textron is an experienced company with substantial aviation background
and interest.
I just love
circular arguments. Here is
another one:
“Legalizing prostitution doesn’t make it safer”
by Charles Lane
Washington Post
Published: December 23 (2013)
Apparently, the recent unanimous ruling by the Supreme Court
of Canada in the case of Canada v. Bedford [2013 SCC 72 case
no. 34788] {on my reading list but not yet reviewed} inspired Lane’s opinion
piece. There is no question and no
debate that the revealed religions disapprove of prostitution, and after
centuries of suppression, that the vast majority of people are offended by the
immorality of prostitution. As
such, common law has evolved since at least the early Renaissance as much as a
crude attempt to slow the spread of venereal disease rather than a moral
statement. There have been
statutory attempts at tolerance, legalization, to prohibition as a capital
crime (in some Islamic cultures).
Prostitution was recognized in the first written laws – Code of
Hammurabi (1795 BC); the profession has been with us for millennia. If we truly wish to eliminate human
trafficking for prostitution and all the other aspects of the criminal
sub-culture associated with prostitution, then state regulation is the only
way. Prohibition has not and will
never work in a free society.
Further, simple legalization or tolerance will not stop the criminal
sub-culture that has evolved to support prostitution. In my humble opinion, we must swallow our moral pride and
acknowledge that we cannot impose our morality on every citizen, especially
with an activity that is predominately private. The best we can do is regulate the profession of
prostitution as we do other professions – medicine, legal, aviation, food
preparation & processing, accountants, et al – heck, even building
contractors are regulated. If we
genuinely seek public safety, lower crime, less disease, ad infinitum, we should
abandon the laws of prohibition and embrace regulation. We want to help women and children, let
us recognize prostitution as a noble profession and bring the profession into
the light of day. Citizens can
make their choices safely.
I refuse to
acknowledge the Snowden fantasy. I
will continue to condemn Snowden’s narcissistic betrayal of this Grand Republic
and our Allies for what it is – treason. ‘Nuf said!
Others
are welcome to believe his drivel and delusions of grandeur as they wish. We live in a free society.
Well, whatcha know! I have not yet completed my review of
the Klayman
v. Obama [USDC DC civil action nos. 13-0851, 13-0881 (RJL)] ruling [627], and we have conflicted federal
court decisions regarding the National Security Agency (NSA) warrantless,
electronic, surveillance program(s).
The latest judicial pronouncement comes from Judge William H. Pauley,
III, of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York,
in the case of ACLU v. Clapper [USDC NY SD 13 Civ. 3994 (WHP) (2013)]. The Press reports Judge Pauley reached a finding directly
opposite from Judge Leon in Klayman. Since they are literally days apart, the foundational law is
the same, which in turn means their respective interpretations of the law
should prove insightful, illuminating and perhaps even entertaining. If we add in the final report of the presidential
Review Group on Intelligence and Communications Technologies [627], this whole moment in history
could become downright enthralling.
More to follow.
Comments from
Update no.627:
“Money sure seems the corrupting influence though I also
offer that deviation from core principles and values is also a contributor to
political devolution.”
My reply:
What
are the “core principles and values” you are referring to in your response?
Comment to the Blog:
“The NSA event continues. I will bring up again a deeper
question. Beyond morality and law lurks the question of whether secrecy is
still possible. If Edward Snowden had not done what he did, would someone else
not do it?
“I was unable to reach the article ‘UK losing ‘courageous
instinct’ without signing up for something. As far as I know, the UK lost
leadership in world affairs sometime between 1900 and 1945. Certainly Tony
Blair demonstrated all the courage of a typical lap dog. Was that not obvious?
“Same-sex marriage continues to gain ground. I look forward
to decisions and appeals in Utah.
“The law prohibiting undetectable firearms fails in its
concept. How do we enforce laws around things we cannot detect?
“The only real answer to the partisan polarization in
Washington is to change the election financing process. These pawns will fight
for the people who pay the bills. If that boils down to We the People, they
will fight for us. If it continues to be corporate interests, the current
situation will continue.
“Measures of US national wealth continue to improve. Unemployment
and under-employment, not so much.
“I see JPMorgan Chase has agreed to another fine. Were you
or I to accumulate as many fines for our driving as Chase has for its banking,
we would no longer be allowed to drive.
“Your parallel of a gun shop owner who sells a weapon used
for murder as similar to US support of the Taliban, the Shah of Iran, and
others does not hold up. The gun shop owner sells his wares equally to all
customers. He does not choose sides and he does not make a gift of his weapons
to one side of a neighborhood dispute. It would be truly rare for the gun shop
customers to come back to the shop trying to kill the owner. We have seen the
Taliban and others turn on U.S. Finally, gun shops are regulated. It has become
apparent that the U.S. government, and especially the spy community, is without
restraint.
“To respond to your other commenter, yes, I am interested in
the world outside the USA. However, on this blog I respond rather than
initiate. I would choose Nelson Mandela as, at the very least, one of the
greatest national leaders of all time. I believe that leading in a truly
peaceful and loving way involves more difficulty and personal risk than any war
ever fought, and Mandela achieved that.”
My response to the
Blog:
Perhaps
absolute secrecy is not possible with the proliferation of smart phones, flash
drives, pervasive social media applications, and a paucity of societal cohesion
regarding the War on Islamic Fascism.
Regardless of whether secrecy is possible, punishment for betrayal of
the trust associated with the expectation of secrecy must be severe. Just a few decades ago, such betrayal
would have resulted in a death sentence, e.g., the Rosenbergs (1953). Even the suggestion of a pardon or
immunity for Snowden is a grievous affront to all those who have sacrificed their
last full measure in defense of the freedoms we enjoy.
I
do NOT share your view of the British place on the world stage. I will insert the Press article about
Sir Nicholas’ remarks below.
We
are in agreement on marriage freedom and civil rights.
Re:
undetectable firearms. We cannot
prohibit or eliminate the tools used to produce such devices; they are too
important, utilitarian and broadly used in manufacturing prototyping. The point of the law is to make the
process from production to possession or use a federal crime. They may not be detectable by conventional
security devices, but they are certainly detectable by other means.
I
certainly agree with the deleterious effect of money, especially invisible
money, on the election process.
Yet, the corrupting influence of money on the legislative (less so the
executive and minimally the judicial) process goes far beyond the election
system. Somehow we must return corporations
to their proper place in our society – legal constructs for commerce.
Indeed,
the U.S. economic recovery from the Great Recession appears to be picking up
pace and deepening – a good thing for all of us.
Re:
banks. Spot on! Not only has the Supreme Court granted
corporations (banks) the rights of citizenship, they have elevated them to an
elite – our form of royalty. The
failure of the USG to punish the citizens who made those decisions compounded
the travesty. The bank
(corporation) did not do those bad things; the citizens managing that bank made
those decisions, and they should be prosecuted, convicted and punished for the
destruction of the Great Recession and all of their other criminal
conduct. Corporations are NOT
citizens, and bank executives are NOT immune.
Re:
Taliban v. gun shop owner. It is
all a matter of perspective. I
will not argue the point further.
FYI:
you are welcome to initiate as you wish.
All openers welcome.
Re:
Mandela. As previously noted, I
truly admire Mandela for a variety of reasons. While I agree with your observation in general, I do not
agree with your assessment of Mandela.
I shall respectfully disagree.
My very best wishes to all. Take care of yourselves and each other.
Cheers,
Cap :-)
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