Update no.896

Update from the Sunland

No.896

4.3.19 – 10.3.19

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

            To all,

            The follow-up news items:

-- Former BIC campaign manager and convicted felon Paul Manafort [761, 766, 815] was sentenced to 47 months in federal prison against the federal sentencing guidelines of 20-27 years for his crimes.  To say that Manafort got off easy for his crimes is a grotesque understatement.  Why he got off so easy remains somewhat of a mystery, since the judge’s explanation is woefully lacking.  Manafort faces another sentencing for more crimes next week.

            Several Press sources reported a London man infected with HIV may be the second person to beat the virus.  The first known patient to be considered cured came 12 years ago.   HIV is the virus that causes AIDS, and the hunt for a cure has been going on in earnest for decades.  Both men were of Northern European descent and both were being primarily treated for forms of leukemia.  These reports, while encouraging, are a long way from an established curative treatment, but they are help scientists to understand the virus, and one day beat the virus to eradicate the scourge that took so many good lives.

            In an apparent rebuke of recent public statements by Representative Ilhan Abdullahi Omar of Minnesota, the House passed H.Res.183 - Condemning anti-Semitism as hateful expressions of intolerance that are contradictory to the values and aspirations that define the people of the United States and condemning anti-Muslim discrimination and bigotry against minorities as hateful expressions of intolerance that are contrary to the values and aspirations of the United States, by an overwhelming, bipartisan vote [House: 407-23-1-1(3)].  This is one of those happy-for-glad congressional actions to help representatives feel better about themselves.  I have read Omar’s words multiple times and see them in a far different light. Omar stated in part, “What I’m fearful of — because Rashida [] and I are Muslim — that a lot of our Jewish colleagues, a lot of our constituents, a lot of our allies, go to thinking that everything we say about Israel to be anti-Semitic because we are Muslim.” She continued, “To me, it’s something that becomes designed to end the debate because you get in this space of – yes, I know what intolerance looks like and I’m sensitive when someone says, ‘The words you used Ilhan, are resemblance of intolerance.’ And I am cautious of that and I feel pained by that.  But it’s almost as if, every single time we say something regardless of what it is we say…we get to be labeled something.  And that ends the discussion.  Because we end up defending that and nobody ever gets to have the broader debate of what is happening with Palestine.”  I did not read any words that I could say were anti-Semitic.  Her words were critical of Israeli government policy and the almost blind allegiance some in the United States have toward Israel.  While no one can argue that H.Res.183 is wrong, the brouhaha that generated the resolution and the criticism of Representative Omar is verging upon being anti-American.  This Grand Republic has stood for freedom of speech since its inception 230 years ago, and the Supremes have repeatedly affirmed that fundamental freedom, perhaps most notably in National Socialist Party v. Skokie [432 U.S. 43 (1977] [14.6.1977; 393].  Omar has every right to be critical of Israel and that criticism is not anti-Semitic.  Israel does not get a free pass and neither does the United States.  Israelis cannot hide behind their state-religion.  The criticism of Omar is NOT political correctness; it is a foolish attempt to thwart criticism of Israel and its policies.  We should be listening to Omar and thinking about her words, whether we agree with her words or not. Let us rise up to the full expectations of the Founders & Framers, rather than shrinking from that responsibility and obligation.

            The U.S. National Women’s Futbol (Soccer) Team in toto filed suit against the U.S. Soccer Federation in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, claiming gender discrimination.  The team members allege female players earn less than their U.S. Men’s National Team peers despite having the same job responsibilities and superior results.  Regardless of the merits of their argument, this is a dramatic step to take just three months prior to the opening of the Women’s World Cup in which the American squad is considered the favorite.  Nonetheless, I wish them luck in their quest, and I stand with the women.

            Oh dear! Sunday morning, a Boeing 737-MAX 8, operating as Ethiopian Airlines flight ET302, crashed shortly after takeoff from Addis Ababa en route to Nairobi in reportedly CAVU conditions (Ceiling And Visibility Unlimited)—149 passengers plus 8 crewmembers did not survive.  It is far too early to speculate about the cause, but the external flight data is strikingly similar to Lion Air Flight 610 (LN610) that also crashed shortly after takeoff {29.10.2018} [878, 889].  Both aircraft were new, low-time aircraft. Too many coincidences!  One was bad enough; two in near identical circumstances in less than a year . . . could be fatal.  I am inherently suspicious of coincidence, so it is here.  This is definitely not good for Boeing. I suspect some engineers are going to be working a lot more overtime.

            Comments and contributions from Update no.895:

Comment to the Blog:

“Michael Cohen provided evidence to support his statements about Chump, including a check Chump signed well after taking office.  Chump gave bluster.  I believe Cohen.

“The Senate may yet vote on Chump’s ‘emergency’ on the Mexican border.  If nothing else, this will buy some time.  Also, by the time he would veto that bill, Chump may have other things to deal with.  The various investigations proceed apace.

“I see no reason to believe either Chump’s or Kim Jong-Un’s statement about their talks.  Given that nothing changed, we proceed from the status quo ante.  Net result: another distraction.

“The discussion of abortion has found its way another step further beyond fact.  I see no point in addressing the ramblings of the insane, but I will note that bringing anyone’s belief about ‘God’ into the discussion of U.S.A. governance is un-American.  No such beliefs can be supported by fact and logic.

“I am, in the end, a progressive.  I have no real interest in what academic label applies to a given economy or policy.  I just want the greatest good for the greatest number.

“This bears on my search for a label for the difference in people’s basic approaches to issues.  My personal favorite is the Buddhist non-duality versus duality, non-duality being the virtuous one in Buddhism.  However, in a Brexit article I came across a different pairing that fits, libertarian versus authoritarian.  Those are appropriate sociology terms.  The problem with that pair is that the likes of Rand Paul extend the ‘libertarian’ approach to corporate ‘persons,’ while others, including me, do not see corporations as anything but accounting and marketing devices, with their organizational activities to be appropriately regulated for the public good.

“That discussion applies to both Senator Paul’s position opposing Chump’s ‘emergency’ and your other correspondent’s discussion of Brexit.  ‘Loyalty’ in particular is a concept used by dualistic/authoritarian thinkers.  (His ‘politicians’ question was rhetorical and meant to increase drama.)”

My response to the Blog:

            I’m with you; Cohen was far more believable, and as I noted, Cohen’s false statements were for the benefit of the BIC, not himself.  Cohen is guilty of misplaced loyalty; the BIC is guilty of election fraud among other criminality.

            The word this morning is the Senate will vote on the emergency declaration rejection resolution next week.  I doubt either the Senate or House can muster the votes to override the inevitable veto.

            Good point on the DPRK-USA Summit.

            In fact you are correct; however, I will note profound reflection of Judeo-Christian beliefs throughout our laws and especially our morality laws that deeply intrude upon our fundamental right to privacy.

            If I had to choose a political affiliation, which I must clearly state I am reticent to do, I am probably the closest to Libertarian, although I am truly an amalgamation of all including the Greens.

            I am absolutely with you on the current thinking induced by Citizens United.  Corporations are not citizens; they are constructs of convenience. Corporations should NOT have status as citizens, period, full stop!

            Good point on loyalty.  I will note in addition that loyalty is bidirectional and fragile, and definitely not the unilateral notion espoused by the BIC and other dictators.

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

Cheers,

Cap                        :-)