Update from the
Heartland
No.655
30.6.14 – 6.7.14
Blog version: http://heartlandupdate.blogspot.com/
To all,
For several
years, I have been unable to make a desired bike ride to Abilene Kansas, for
one reason or another, and several aborted attempts. Well, the trip finally happened on Wednesday. The root objective was a visit to the
Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum complex to satisfy my curiosity
and tap a comprehensive research source.
The weather was perfect – not too hot, not too cool, with clear skies
and light winds. I chose to take
back roads to get there – best to enjoy the ride and countryside. One of the many pleasures associated
with riding a motorcycle is feeling the air – smelling the earth, freshly mowed
grass, the occasional skunk, and less frequently, the distinctive aroma of
crude oil pumped from the ground.
Well maintained roads as straight as arrow through fields of harvested
wheat, corn growing tall, soybeans and milo reaching for the Sun, and of course
miles of prairie grassland with cattle in good health. Hawks soared above the field searching
for their next meal. The artifacts
of human presence beyond the roadway, plowed fields and fences, offered a wide
range from derelict barns to magnificent, multi-story works of practical art,
and from single-wide, pre-fabricated dwellings to beautiful homes verging on
mansions. Of contemporary note,
several towns boldly displayed markedly Christian affiliation in their welcome
signs and monuments. So, enough of the travelogue, the purpose of the ride was
the library. Unfortunately for my
purpose, the museum was closer to the parking lot. The facility contained a wealth of artifacts of the era as
well as facts that I spent too much time taking note of for my files. The National Archive manages the
presidential library, like the libraries of other presidents, with controlled
access. I applied for my research
credential and met with the chief archivist who was amply helpful, well beyond
my expectations for my first visit.
I will say mission accomplished . . . and I had fun doing it. I highly recommend the Abilene Eisenhower
complex for anyone who appreciates history and especially Ike’s contribution to
world history.
This is
also the time of year Americans celebrate their independence from Mother
England, 238 years ago. This year
was rather low key for us. All of
our children and their children were off celebrating elsewhere. So, it was just Jeanne and me, along
with our friend Cindy who joined us for the evening. As always, Jeanne made a simple but delicious meal. Then, we sat out by the lake’s edge to
enjoy the annual celebration of “the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in
air” – it is always a pretty good, individual, fireworks show, although not as
organized as commercial offerings.
We missed the family gathering, but enjoyed the day with what we were
given.
I must
say, this damnable World Cup thing has been putting a serious crimp in my
capacity for the last month, and it is not over, yet. The skill, excitement and drama does not disappoint – the
United States heartbreaking loss to Belgium, the terrible injury to Brazil’s
Neymar (that deserved a red card, in my humble opinion), and yesterday
evening’s extra time shoot-out to put Netherlands through to the
semi-finals. The three remaining
matches should be worthy of the beautiful game.
In
closing this topic, I must say the propensity of professional, male futballers
to take dives with all that drama, writhing on the ground in an attempt to draw
a penalty or card for the other team, is really getting to be quite irritating
and detracting from the game.
Players are supposed to be penalized for diving, but I have not seen or
heard of one such penalty in this year’s quadrennial futball competition. Personally, I think an immediate,
off-field, video review should be conducted, and players like the Netherlands
Forward Arjen Robben should be removed from the match. Playing one or two men down for the
remainder of the match should stop diving promptly.
Congratulations must go to Admiral
Michelle Janine Howard, USN [USNA 1982] for her promotion to 4-star rank and
assignment as Vice Chief of Naval Operations – the No.2 position in the U.S.
Navy. Howard is the first admiral
selected from the U.S. Naval Academy class and the first female graduate of the
Naval Academy selected for flag rank.
Well done, Admiral!
Godspeed and following winds, Admiral Howard. By the way, she is married to a former Marine.
In another flurry of Supreme Court
rulings at the end of their session, the Court further expanded the rights of
citizenship for corporations with their decision in the case of Burwell
v. Hobby Lobby Stores [573 U.S. ___ (2014); no. 13–356]. The Press reports are not particularly
comforting. Since I have not yet
read the various, associated opinions of the justices in the case, I shall
reserve my perspective and opinion until I can do so.
As
if to add a definitive punctuation mark on Hobby Lobby, the Court declined to
review the appeal in the case of Wheaton College v. Burwell [573 U.S.
___ (2014); no. 13A1284], essentially affirming the decision of the Appeals
Court for the District of Columbia and including religious-based colleges in
the rights and privileges definition.
Two
derivative opinions may be useful for this debate.
“The common thread of Supreme Court decisions: You’re on
your own”
by Paul Waldman
Washington Post
Published: June 30 [2014]
and
“In Hobby Lobby ruling, the Supreme Court uses a ‘fiction’”
by Dana Milbank
Washington Post
Published: June 30 [2014] at 9:27 PM
On our own, indeed!
Several readers of this humble forum sent
along various Press clippings of the recent rejection by the National
Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) of a petition to reopen the investigation
into the TWA Flight 800 incident [17.July.1996]. The first article was:
“NTSB declines to reopen review of TWA Flight 800 crash”
by Glenn O'Neal
USA TODAY
Published: 7:19 p.m. EDT; July 2, 2014
. . . to which,
I responded to the first submittal:
I would not be so hard on the NTSB. They were most likely given explicit
instructions to assess the public information and forget about any classified
data. There was enough evidence
tampering to suggest key pieces of evidence were mislabeled or went missing
altogether. I'm convinced the NTSB
did the best they could with the information they were allowed to use. I'm afraid we will have to wait for the
USG classified data to be declassified, which may well be 50 years hence, i.e.,
2046.
"That's just my opinion, but I could be wrong."
Postscript: The TWA Project 800 Group petition presents a
comprehensive, cogent argument with new analyses and assessments, but they were
apparently not sufficient to stimulate the NTSB. The USG has no interest in reopening this particular
investigation. Until we can all
see ALL of the data associated with this incident, we will not know the truth.
FYI: The hypothesis presented in our book – TWA
800 – Accident or Incident? – remains valid, relevant and the best
hypothesis based on the evidence publicly available. The petition complements the EPIX Channel on TWA Flight 800
program [601] broadcast last year. I remain convinced we will eventually
know the truth. I hope we were
wrong in our assessment, because if we were even close to the truth, the USG
did NOT handle the investigation well and the U.S. (world) airline industry and
ultimately the flying public will pay an enormous price for the incomplete NTSB
analysis.
News from the economic front:
-- The European Central Bank (ECB) governing council decided
to leave its main refinancing rate at 0.15% and to continue charging a 0.1% fee
on banks’ deposits above a certain threshold, despite inflation remaining
extremely low across the eurozone.
-- The Labor Department reported the U.S. economy added
288,000 jobs in June, while May’s jobs gain was revised up to 224,000 from
217,000, and April’s employment gain was increased to 304,000 from 282,000. The
nation's unemployment rate dropped to 6.1%.
So
many persisted in condemning President Obama for “causing” and “prolonging” the
Great Recession, and not doing enough to end the recession. Will those who condemned President Obama during the dark days
of Great Recession, now praise him?
I think it only appropriate we give the President at least some modicum
of credit for improving employment and the economy of this Grand Republic.
Comments
and contributions from Update no.654:
Comment to the Blog:
“The short answer on ‘duality’ versus ‘non-duality.’ The
important part is that duality demands an ‘other,’ an opponent of some kind.
What we seek is what we find.”
My response to the
Blog:
Re:
duality. Ahso! “The Other” has been used for millennia
to consolidate support . . . the revealed religions perhaps the most
accomplished historically with the technique. Adolf Hitler, with the assistance of his propagandist Paul
Joseph Goebbels, was perhaps the most accomplished politician with the
technique.
Re:
“What we seek is what we find.” It
is a common failing of the intelligence process or investigatory procedure.
. . . follow-up comment:
“The use of duality is by no means limited to the revealed
religions, although they probably drive it as a feature of societies. That was
my original point about the U.S. spy community, as well as all other spy and
military communities. If there were no enemy, there would be no point in their
existence as such. Thus, my comment about your article regarding Putin's
intentions. Its author and his kind need an enemy, and they have found a new
one. I am by no means stating that nothing threatens the U.S. or any given
nation, but we ought not to accept too quickly the conflicts raised by those in
the business of conflict.”
. . . my follow-up comment:
Re:
duality. With respect, I believe
you misunderstand both the intelligence and military communities . . . at least
in the United States and European Union.
The task for the IC is to watch everyone, to avoid surprises and
especially 12/7’s or 9/11’s.
I’m
not sure how you think the IC or DoD “create” enemies to justify their
existence?
To
use intelligence material properly, one must understand the process from
collection to analysis. I also
might add, there are great lessons in our failures. There are also significant lessons in history like the
genesis of the OSS and CIA.
Continuation on the 2nd
Amendment discussion:
Round four:
“First, ‘some zealous bureaucrat, politician, or prosecutor’
exists in relation to any given law or regulation. We seem to be living through
it. I concern myself more with the corrupt than the zealous, but we have survived
them too for over 200 years.
“The simplest way to choose regulations would be to copy
successful nations in the beginning, then modify to suit the conditions here.
Canada might be the best example for us. They have a notably high rate of
firearms ownership but much less death and injury from those weapons. Others
can be found. Switzerland has compulsory military service somewhat resembling
the Founders' intent and a peaceful culture. Israel has high weapons ownership,
but their situation and culture probably make them a lesser role model for us.”
My response to round
four:
Corruption
is a universal and perpetual concern with government officials at all levels,
in all branches, and in all countries.
Over-zealous-ness
seems to be a feature associated with emotional laws, of which firearms
regulation is one.
You
may recall the central issue in District of Columbia v. Heller [554
U.S. 570 (2008); no. 07-290; 26.6.2008] [342]
was the unconstitutional prohibition of private, in-home, firearm
ownership. Two years later, the
Court decided McDonald v. Chicago [561 U.S. 742 (2010); no. 08-1521;
28.6.2010] [448] that the 2nd Amendment
applied to states and cities. The
central issue in McDonald was the denial of an application of a citizen for a
license to buy a pistol for private, in-home protection. These are precisely the worries of
those of us who distrust the ability of any bureaucrat to faithfully apply the
law – give him an inch he will take 50 miles. Then, an innocent, law-abiding, peaceful citizen will have
to spend years and large amounts of money to reign in that overzealous
bureaucrat.
I
am only peripherally familiar with the firearms laws of Canada, Switzerland and
Israel. My limited understanding
of their laws is certainly like what it should be here. Again, to my understanding, all three
nations are markedly more socialist than the United States, which may well make
that a bridge too far in this Grand Republic. If you know any details about their laws, I would like to
hear your perspective.
Round five:
“Let us remember that I am an amateur historian, not a
professional attorney. I do not have the time, ability, or interest to research
case law in depth and find countervailing precedents. Also, recent case law
does not serve the cause of originality very well unless one believes that the
Supreme Court making these decisions was faithful to the original intent of the
Framers. I have no such belief. I cannot read the Second Amendment in such a way as
to guarantee firearms for personal use without restraint.
“I have not yet done any serious research into other
nations' firearms laws. All I really know is that firearms do much less damage
in Canada, Switzerland, most of Europe and Japan. A passing item I saw
somewhere cast doubt on Israel's success at internal peace.
“Using the term ‘socialist’ in that pejorative sense does
not interest me. In no place does the Constitution state that the United States
is established primarily to support the interests of capitalists. The U.S. is
presently deficient in volume as well as quality of governance these days, and
I am not a Libertarian. I suspect that a majority of Americans are pretty much
over that one regardless of the spewings of Fox News and worse.”
My response to round
five:
Re:
2nd Amendment. The interpretation of the law remains
the domain of the Judiciary; yet, understanding the law is essential to good
citizenship, in my humble opinion.
I make NO claim to being even a novice or apprentice judge, but I do
have an enthusiastic curiosity about the law, especially those laws that are
closest to affecting our lives.
The 2nd
Amendment jurisprudence is one of those areas. I acknowledge there are some who
espouse no restraints of firearm possession or brandishment. I am not one of that minority. The Supremes have a long history of
recognizing that constitutional rights are not boundless or without limitation;
every right has some form of restraint.
The issue has always been where do we draw the line on appropriate and
proper restraint on the 2nd Amendment.
Re:
other nations’ firearms laws.
Perhaps, they deal with mental illness far better than we do.
Re:
socialism. Indeed! Agreed. However, the Constitution and U.S. common law clearly
support free and open commerce. I
offered the observation not as commentary on worthiness, only a representation
of U.S. political leanings. The
calcification of Congress has irritated quite a few citizens; yet, only the
vote matters; and, I will prognosticate that a substantial majority of
incumbent federal representatives and senators will be re-elected, rather than
shown the door. Bottom line . . .
I guess the majority of citizens are not irritated enough . . . hell, barely
half of citizens actually vote.
‘Nuf said.
Round six:
“Obviously, we need to study how safer nations conduct their
societies in some depth, not limiting ourselves to one aspect, such as
firearms. Prior to that study, I suspect we will find that successful countries
address both mental health and firearms more constructively. The balance of
those together with other aspects should be instructive.
“The important statement in your response concerns voting
apathy. However, it is wise to note that voters have roused themselves at key
points in the past, and the ensuing changes always came as surprises to those
entrenched in power. Perhaps the voters are growing ‘irritated enough’ as
middle class people fall into poverty and discover how abominably the poor are
treated in real life as opposed to what pundits have told them.”
My response to round
six:
Re:
societal study. Indeed and
agreed! We can learn from others’
success.
Re:
voter apathy. Perhaps. We can only hope the citizenry is
encouraged to action . . . to end this damnable intransigence and calcification
in government at all levels, and especially the federal government.
My very best wishes to all. Take care of yourselves and each other.
Cheers,
Cap :-)
2 comments:
I am glad you were able to reach the Eisenhower Library and do your research. Your learning will surely improve this blog and your other writings. Going there by motorcycle surely increased the rewards of that. I have been riding my bicycle for recreation as well as for transportation recently. The rewards of our off-road trail system here in Ohio parallel those of your road ride to a large degree.
I have not yet acquired the patience to learn soccer, but I remain aware that it is the dominant sport in the balance of the world. I was actually taught that fact as part of my college course work.
I agree with your linked articles on the Hobby Lobby decision. The Supreme Court has turned its basic Constitutional responsibility upside down. Rather than protect the weak from predation by the strong, they are “protecting” those who need no protection from those who already have little or no power. Justice Alito's notion that corporate personhood somehow protects the rights of the natural people running the corporations does not hold up in law or in morality. Justice Ginsburg effectively demolished that in her dissenting opinion. Probably our best hope for returning to the rule of law is that the more partisan Justices will retire or, in the case of Justice Thomas, be driven from office through scandal. They could then be replaced by more law-abiding Justices if Obama were to act as a Democrat.
The Hobby Lobby decision by its existence also highlights how sad and silly is the US way of paying for health care. Here in the United States we pay more for health care than any other nation but we come in thirty-ninth in health results. The nation as a whole is not acting in a capitalist mode, or we would get much more for our money.
How Obama could have caused the collapse of the economy is beyond my understanding. That began before he took office. He may well have prolonged it, though. From my progressive viewpoint, he has continued Bush 43's policy of supporting the criminals who caused the crash and doing little or nothing for those who have lost houses, jobs, and money to the criminals. Those who have money they could use to build the economy will not invest in providing services or goods if the general public has no money to buy their output. We need to resuscitate the middle class and Obama has made no progress with that. Of course, he does not bear the full blame. Congress holds more power to do such things as re-regulate Wall Street or reinstate long-term unemployment benefits, and they do nothing useful.
Calvin,
Re: Abilene trip. Thank you. Glad y’all have good bike trails. Enjoy.
Re: futball. They call it the beautiful game.
Re: Hobby Lobby decision. I need to read the associated opinions to properly form an opinion. What I see in the Press does not look good to me.
Re: Supreme Court justices. Given the volatility of recent Court decisions and only a couple of years remaining of Obama final term, I doubt he would be able to push through any nomination without a 60-vote majority in the Senate, even the House could make things more difficult.
Re: PPACA. The Hobby Lobby and Wheaton College decisions do add confusion to an already confused situation. It is going to take several years to let the dust settle down from all this.
Re: Obama & economy. The setup for the Great Recession of 2008 began in 1999. The collapse certainly began before Obama was elected. He inherited a mess; yet, some folks still blamed him. I simply said, if we blame him, then let us give him some credit for the improving economy as well. Yes, Congress set it up. We, the People, ultimately pay the price.
“That’s just my opinion, but I could be wrong.”
Cheers,
Cap
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