Update no.800

Update from the Heartland

No.800

10.4.17 – 16.4.17

Blog version:  http://heartlandupdate.blogspot.com/

To all,

            If anyone needs a prime example of why history is such an important topic, especially for people in the public eye, you have to look no farther than the current White House Press Secretary this week.  Sean Spicer publicly stated that Syria’s Assad was worse than Hitler, since even Hitler did not resort to the use of chemical weapons.  What Sean failed to learn, realize or remember, Xyklon-B was the chemical nerve agent of choice used by Hitler’s SS to kill millions of innocent people at his extermination camps.  Spicer might have gotten away with his faux pas, if he had added the caveat of chemical weapon use on the battlefield, but he did not.  Then, he made matters worse by fumbling around trying to justify his remarks . . . before he eventually apologized for his mistake.  While I would not expect John Q. Citizen to know that history, or that detail of history, politicians, celebrities who choose to speak about such things, and government civil servants must know those details of history, or avoid any such references.  Hitler’s der Endlösung von die Judenfrage (the Final Solution of the Jewish Question) was orders of magnitude worse and beyond the totality of what Assad has done, so far.

            As many of your know from my history, I am no fan of United Airlines.  My negative opinion of that company goes back four decades and has not abated with time.  The recent viral video of a resistant and belligerent passenger being forcibly removed from a flight after he had properly boarded has caused quite a stir.  My opinion is markedly different from the majority of the Press and talking heads.  What we do not see is the flight crew doing their jobs properly.  When that passenger resisted following proper and legal instructions, they called law enforcement to deal with a non-compliant passenger.  The video showed law enforcement forcibly removing the belligerent passenger.  Frankly, that passenger deserves to be charged with a federal crime of obstructing a flight crew, disturbing the peace, resisting law enforcement and other crimes.  Could United have dealt with the situation better?  Perhaps, they could have dealt with the crew movement and over-booking situation in the boarding area, rather than on the aircraft.  However, at the bottom line, that passenger was dead wrong and should be properly charged, tried, convicted and punished for his conduct.  All this yammering about how mistreated he was will only encourage others to resist inappropriately.

            A related and relevant independent opinion:

“I Know You’re Mad at United but… (Thoughts from a Pilot Wife About Flight 3411)”

by Angelia J. Griffin

The Pilot Wife Blog

Published: APRIL 11, 2017

https://thepilotwifelife.wordpress.com/2017/04/11/i-know-youre-mad-at-united-but-thoughts-from-a-pilot-wife-about-flight-3411/

She stated, “If a federal law enforcement officer asks me to exit a plane, no matter how royally pissed off I am, I’m going to do it and then seek other means of legal reimbursement.”  That is the bottom line.  The public reaction to the video clips of that event will do nothing but encourage resistance to proper law enforcement action.  I am far more concerned about what this will do in other similar situations.  Ms. Griffin goes on to offer some germane and appropriate observations as a consequence of this incident.

            We bear witness as a new dictator is born.  President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey publicly declared victory in a controversial referendum that concentrates far more power in the person of the president – Erdogan.   The Sunday vote had a reported 85% eligible voter turnout with 51.41% voting yes and 48.59% voting no. Preliminary analysis indicates the vote was split largely on a rural versus city basis, or fundamental Islam versus secular division.  Erdogan has persistently sought greater power after surviving a coup d'état last year [761, 15.July.2016].  It never ceases to amaze me when people vote for a dictatorship.

            Comments and contributions from Update no.799:

Comment to the Blog:

“The sarin gas attack on the village of Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib Province, Syria, had yet to be investigated before U.S. missiles destroyed the evidence.  Hence, most of the details of that attack remain unknown.  Mainstream discussions are now dominated by conspiracy theories, so this ought to be interesting.

“Your and some other Congressional special elections may demonstrate the current political direction of this country. As I write this, Kansas awaits vote counting. People predicting anything further ignore the pace of events.

“Those who seek to kill large numbers of people, regardless of motivation, have found a new weapon that will not be banned. The entire world in this century depends on motor vehicles. Turning them against one’s perceived enemies or random targets makes a whole new danger for everyone. If such perpetrators die, any supporters or helpers may become impossible to track. Vehicle thefts make a blind alley for investigators. This also makes claims of responsibility dubious. Explosions continue to have the same trademarks and/or traceable residues as before.

“We may well mourn the end of bipartisanship in Washington, DC, but it comes as no surprise. The U.S. Federal government has been that way since the Reagan Administration.

“As far as Mr. Justice Gorsuch, we shall see. Jurists who refuse to state positions prior to being seated cannot be tied to them later.

“I believe the Donald has no clear clue that he annoys and/or amuses the rest of the planet. His self-involved and arguably insane viewpoint does not seek accurate outside information.”

My response to the Blog:

            Re: “destroyed the evidence.”  The evidence was not collectible at either end per se.  This is where we must trust the Intelligence Community and the President.  It is quite plausible and well within the capabilities of the allied powers to have seen the Syrian attack mission unfold from takeoff to consequence.  On this one, I must give the President the benefit of the doubt.  Despite the naysayers, I think he took the correct action in this instance.

            Re: Kansas 4^th District special election.  The results have been counted and reported.  The Republican candidate, who stooped to rather vile, personal, advertisement attacks, was elected.

            Re: terrorist weapons of choice.  The bad guys will use anything they believe undermines the resolve of freedom-loving people and raises doubt in our governments.

            Re: “end of bipartisanship.”  Quite so.  I will disagree only in the genesis.  I will argue the source was prior to the Reagan administration and most likely originated in the Johnson administration and the broad distrust of government, in general, born in the societal consequences of the Vietnam War, and specifically how it was conducted by the Johnson administration.  Nixon’s paranoia did not help and most likely amplified that blossoming distrust of government.

            Re: “Gorsuch.”  Indeed, we shall see.  Just a tangential comment, the only proper “stated position” for a judge should be, must be, the law.  Personal opinions have no place in judicial pronouncements.

            Re: “the Donald.”  I think you have seriously understated the negative consequences of his pervasive, personality flaws . . . but that is not news.

 . . . follow-up comment:

“You seldom say anything as implausible as, ‘This is where we must trust the Intelligence Community and the President.’  That's silly.  I did not understate the results of Trump's flaws.  I said he has no clear clue about their effects.  That cluelessness makes the whole thing worse, not better.”

 . . . my follow-up response:

            Re: “That's silly.”  LOL  So you say!  However, what is the alternative?

            Re: “That cluelessness makes the whole thing worse.”  Spot on . . . without question.  An ancillary comment: I’m not sure if it is cluelessness or the ambivalence of his narcissism.

 . . . the contributor’s closing comment:

“There was a day when the function of the press was investigating claims and events.  That alternative has largely collapsed, led down the toilet by Rupert Murdoch with plenty of help.  I suppose there's no way to know the truth until historians move in later, but hope springs eternal.”

Another contribution:

“Yes, Devin Nunes overstepped his boundaries and norms, and got him self in a bunch of trouble.

“My reservations on your views/opinion on the Syrian chemical attack, is whether this was state sponsored, done by ISIS/AQ, or any other rogue agents.  When Trump launched the Tomahawk attack on an airbase that really had no real effect on the Assad regime, it was done before an investigation by the proper entities, I suspect U.N., could be done.  My guess on it was Trump needed to look like he was in-charge and posture for Russia, posture for North Korea.  Maybe I am wrong.

“I've heard much about the TV program ‘Homeland’ but not seen it, I might need to try a view it.

“I am disgusted about this point with Trump.  I don't tell too many people about it, am not sure if someone will try and shoot me or punch me.  But I think Trump is a disgrace because he most misrepresented what he truly was about, more than any presidential candidate I can recall.  He has no moral, ethical nor psychologically sound bar or standard.  This makes Donald Trump very dangerous.  I see him as a narcissist like we do not know, and time will tell, but Nixon may look very saintly.

“The St. Petersburg bombing, very interesting given the unusual geopolitical events and tension these days.

“On 'extreme vetting', once more Trump and ADMIN is showing me we are entering a dark state (not Deep State), that is not good for U.S.A. nor anyone else.  It sort of portends the times I think we may be entering.  Maybe they clued Trump & Gang in on what was about to come, for him to take these extreme positions.”

My reply:

            Re: Nunes.  Quite so.  It will be difficult for Nunes to shed the image of him as Trump’s lackey; he compromised himself.

            Re: Syria chemical attack.  As I have written previously, this is where we must trust the Intelligence Community and the President.  The capability to ‘observe’ the chemical attack from takeoff to result is well within the capacity of the allied powers.  The Assad regime has certainly used chemical weapons before, so this instance is quite plausible.  Frankly, I support the President’s action in this case.  In fact, I think we should have imposed a “no fly” zone at least over rebel territory, if not the whole of Syria, when this fracas began.  We certainly have the capability to enforce that action.  Once Russia entered the fray, the situation became substantially more complicated and dangerous.  I would not say you are wrong; I just offer an alternative perspective.

            Re: “Homeland.”  I have thought that program was well done from the get-go.  Season 6 is the most relevant to contemporary events, but the whole program is worth your time.

            Re: “Trump.”  I share your perspective, although I think the situation is far worse than you state.

            Re: St. Petersburg bombing.  Quite so.  Personally, I think the Russian and American people have far more in common than there are differences; it is the Putin regime that is the problem.

            Re: “dark state.”  Oh my, yes.  The signs are not good.  They tried to float a lead balloon.  I suspect this is only the bitter foretaste of what is to come.  Semper viglians.

            My very best wishes to all.  Take care of yourselves and each other.

Cheers,

Cap                        :-)