Update no.1193

Update from the Sunland

No.1193

18.11.24 – 24.11.24

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

 

To all,

 

Happy Thanksgiving to all.

 

At 16:00 [S] CST {15:00 [T] MST; 17:00 [R] EST; (2200 GMT)}, Tuesday, 19.November.2024, as the 30-minute launch window opened, SpaceX executed its Integrated Flight Test number 6 (IFT-6). All 33 Raptor engines on the Super Heavy booster ignited successfully in order and lifted its Starship payload off the SpaceX launch complex at Boca Chica, Texas. The booster performed nominally all the way to the ‘hot staging’ separation of the Starship. All six engines on the Starship performed nominally.

Something was not precisely as they needed it to be (as yet unknown), and as a result, SpaceX opted for a water landing for the booster. They could not afford any problems with an attempt another re-catch of the booster, since they only have one fully functional launch complex. I regret that we did not get to witness another successful booster catch, but I laud the controllers for choosing safety over razzle-dazzle. Later, SpaceX announced they had aborted the catch attempt due to unspecified (as yet) “hardware issues.”

The re-entry of the starship was absolutely fascinating to watch. The vehicle survived and remained fully controlled all the way to a soft, vertical, touch down in the Indian Ocean. The only anomaly I noticed during the entire re-entry was a glowing, overheating of the forward root corner of a flap. No detectable damage was observed, and we watched the corner cool rapidly as the Starship continued its descent.

All in all, it was a magnificent flight test, well worth the time to watch the whole event. I eagerly await the 7^thflight test.

 

Just a wild guess on my part:

I suspect Matt Gaetz was given a heads-up that the House Ethics Committee report on his abuse of underage women and illegal use of controlled substances was in final preparation and was not good. The MAGAt leadership of the House advised him that his only hope was resignation, and the Speaker would strive to block the report. Then, and perhaps in concert with the House MAGAts, Little Fingers nominated Gaetz to be U.S. Attorney General. Now, to be fair, Gaetz does hold a law degree; however, he has not been a career professional attorney. Set aside the legal ramifications of the accusations against him (which he has denied), Gaetz has no experience in criminal prosecution

On Thursday, Gaetz withdrew his name from nomination. He announced the next day that he would not return to Congress. Wise move! You were doomed anyway, man.

The BIC quickly chose the former attorney general of Florida, Pamela Jo ‘Pam’ Bondi to replace Gaetz. She is a dedicated, staunch, election denier and MAGAt is good standing. Her evidence-less election denials is an automatic disqualification from my perspective. Unfortunately, integrity, morality, honor, and evidence-based facts do not matter a twit to the MAGAts, so on we go.

 

The International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague issued arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant, Minister of Defence of Israel during the warranted period, for crimes against humanity and war crimes committed from at least 8 October 2023 until at least 20 May 2024 (the day warrant applications were filed). The ICC also issued an arrest warrant for Mohammed Diab Ibrahim Al-Masri, commonly known as ‘Deif’, for alleged crimes against humanity and war crimes committed on the territory of the State of Israel and the State of Palestine from at least 7 October 2023. Other senior Hamas leaders were also cited for arrest warrants—Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar. However, following confirmation of their deaths, the ICC withdrew those applications.

I have mixed feelings about these ICC warrants. If Israel had taken a different approach to the Hamas in Gaza problem, this whole kerfuffle with the Israeli leaders could have been avoided. I have no complaint about the warrants against the three Hamas leaders for the choices they made. History cannot be undone. However, I must condemn the actions of the Netanyahu government for the brutality they imposed on Gaza Palestinians in dealing with Hamas. That said, Hamas sought that kind of tragedy by imbedding their infrastructure within the Gaza population; they sought world condemnation of Israel for every Palestinian casualty, and they were largely successful to that end. I will also add that Israel took extraordinary measures to warn Gaza Palestinians of impending offensive operations, but it still comes down to, where could they go. I fear that the only outcome of the Israeli methods is to create a new generation of terrorists. Yes, they sought to win the war, but they failed miserably to win the peace. There is an old saying, you break it, you fix it. The Netanyahu government had no problem breaking things, but it appears they had not planned to fix what they broke. As I have written in this forum, I have difficulty with calling the Israeli actions genocide, but I must say, Netanyahu has made that label far easier to apply.

Netanyahu is not likely to appear in dock before the ICC, but the arrest warrants will definitely complicate his life and decrease his effectivity as a prime minister.

 

Comments and contributions from Update no.1192:

Comment to the Blog:

“We shall see if Tiny’s appointees survive the ‘advise and consent’ process. Some Republicans still object to becoming rubber stamps.

“While I dramatically disagree with almost all of your other commentator's opinions, I share his distaste of the ‘alphabet’ (cable) news outlets. I haven’t watched any of them in many years, and from what I understand, their opinion shows fuel the less rational arguments. I’ll stipulate that I find more or less neutral outlets, which I doubt he does.”

My response to the Blog:

We shall see, indeed, the Senate’s constitutional ‘advise and consent’ process works in these conditions. If so, I shall be pleasantly surprised. My gut sensations have eroded much of my hope. Ihr Anführer wants ‘rubber stamps.’ He does not want dissent. I suspect he will pull out all the stops to deal with any dissenters that appear.

You are not alone, but I had to recognize his voice. 77M American citizens generally agree with the contributor’s opinions. I do not!

With respect, the problem is not the news sources; it is our evaluation and assessment of those sources. I do not and will not subscribe to the “Fake News’ mantra and ethos espoused by Little Fingers. Sources are sources; they do the best they can. The determination of accuracy, reliability, and relevance belongs entirely to We, the People.

 . . . Round two:

“The problem is partly the news sources. Cable TV brought with it a need for far more content than broadcast. One result of that is 24-hour news channels. Just reporting the news around the clock is depressing and scary, but then the wealthy owners of those channels realized they could compete for ratings and advertising by editorial choices and by presenting opinions, the more controversial the better. All of that has seriously aggravated the natural divisions of opinion that Tiny has exploited so well. I gave up on the cable channels long ago. Broadcast news and various trustworthy e-mailed ‘columns’ give me both information and opinions. I have partisan sources on social media, but I don’t treat them as news.”

 . . . my response to round two:

We live in a capitalist society. Surely, you are not proposing ‘state run’ Press where the profit motive can be eliminated. Every news outlet I am aware of is driven by profit. Even the broadcast news agencies are driven by the profit motive. There is a lot I do not like about the 24-hour news channels, but there is so much good. They cover stories in far greater depth than just about any other news source. As I said before, our task is to filter out the unnewsworthy stuff. I try to use a wide variety of sources of all political persuasions. I am not saying and never have said the assessment task is easy or effortless, but favoring one source, e.g., MSNBC or FoxNews, is simply wrong and myopic.

 . . . Round three:

“I have no idea how you got ‘state-run’ media from what I said. I never thought of that. I pointed out how the need for content has caused change in news media. There have been opinionated media back to Horace Greeley, but that had been moderated for a while by various factors. The increased demand led to all the major outlets benefitting from targeting specific audiences. What does that have to do with state-run media?”

 . . . my response to round three:

Easy! There is no profit motive with state-run media. They just give you the information they want us to have.

Broadcast and 24/7 news channels all have commercials. They have to make money to pay for the service. As a consequence, we get a fair amount of drivel mixed in with important news. We must filter out the drivel. I do not see how to get money out of news delivery except by state-run media. There are a lot of things that piss me off with 24/7 news, and even broadcast news, e.g., cute puppies found in a park, a new merry-go-round at the amusement park. We just have to filter out that kind of stuff.

 

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

Cheers,

Cap                  :-) 

Update no.1192

 Update from the Sunland

No.1192

11.11.24 – 17.11.24

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

 

To all,

 

If there was any doubt about how far out the president-elect [person who shall no longer be named] is going to go, we have only to look at his nomination to be U.S. Attorney General. He chose Representative Matt Gaetz of Florida to be the top law enforcement officer. When I first heard the news, I thought it was a joke, kind of like April Fools. But alas, it is November, not April, and the joke is on us. There must be no doubt whatsoever that [the person who shall no longer be named] is fully and absolutely intent upon placing staunch, consistent, sycophants in key cabinet positions. He has no intention of seeking wise counsel; all he wants is “Yes, sir, yes, sir, three bags full.” Newly appointed White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles publicly professed that she sought to keep the clown car away from the Oval Office. Well, the joke is on her. The cabinet is the clown car.

 

Here is an observation for public debate:

All MAGAts are not white supremacists, but all white supremacists are MAGAts.

What does that tell you?

 

Comments and contributions from Update no.1191:

Comment to the Blog:

“I am sad indeed that the Black Dog caught you. I’ve tasted that this week, but my ongoing healing process brought me through it. In the past month, I heard something relevant in a meeting (on Zoom, probably from Mountain Time) recently. “Having feelings is like driving with kids. You can’t put ‘em in the trunk, but don’t let them drive either. Sometimes you have to stop and take care of them.” I’m glad you know to stop and take care of that one.

“Robert Reich wrote a piece based on his long experience of U.S. politics about what happened to the election. There’s no use blaming voters or non-voters; they respond to their lives as best they can. Reich saw in person very much what I experienced from here: the Democrats lost touch with the less-well-off long ago and still haven’t realized it happened.
https://robertreich.substack.com/p/the-root-of-trumpism?publication_id=365422&post_id=151431733&triggerShare=true&isFreemail=true&r=a27i&triedRedirect=true
Reich makes a comparison as I do between Tiny and Bernie Sanders. Reich assumes there will be more elections that they could use to change that. I’m less optimistic about the fate of the Democrats, but given the enormous number of opinion outlets now I think the Greens and maybe others might find a way if the villains can’t ruin elections.

“Incidentally, I kept seeing recommendations to check whether my vote was counted. I did; it was.”

My response to the Blog:

The Black Dog visits from time to time, more frequently in my old age than my younger years. He is just a fact of life. As I wrote, Ludwig van Beethoven lifted me out of the Black Dog’s bite. Sometimes you have to stop and take care of them, indeed! Life goes on.

I am not blaming voters. There are reasons so many voters chose not to vote. It is those reasons I seek. I wish the Greens good luck.

Regardless, at the bottom line, we elected a man who has repeatedly and consistently demonstrated that he has no positive, contributory character; he is immoral and devoid of constructive values. As I wrote in Update no.1189, to me, character is a mandatory prerequisite—Do Not Pass Go. That man fails the character test in virtually every manner. We shall witness many more examples of his immorality before this episode is over.

Unfortunately, Arizona does not have that check feature like Ohio has. I am glad your vote was counted. I assume my vote was counted as well.

 . . . Round two:

“The importance of dealing with that Black Dog is the original motivation for my 36+ years in recovery, which is easily the best thing I’ve ever done for myself.

“I see character as one of those factors that matter mostly “at the extremes,” like money or looks. I agree with your assessment of Tiny; he’s at the negative extreme. Nevertheless, as far as we know, a majority of Americans who voted made their decision based on their perception of their own well-being.

“I wish everyone could check whether their vote counted. Given that Republicans have been loud about election tampering, it would be wise to find out if they have been doing that themselves. There’s also word that Starlink (Musk) was used for some tabulation function, at least in Pennsylvania. I haven’t confirmed that yet.”

 . . . my response to round two:

Likewise, my friend. I have learned to deal with the Black Dog swiftly and aggressively before he gets too carried away. So far, my approach has been successful.

Perhaps so. Character like morality is what a person does when no one is watching, which is why character is so bloody important in judging any person’s worthiness for a position of authority.

That is my view as well. 75M citizens placed the cost of eggs, bread, or gasoline over the health of the republic. That observation seems extraordinarily selfish. The cost of bread has been an historic stimulant for centuries. If both candidates had passed the character threshold, it would be appropriate to debate the cost of bread. Unfortunately, one man failed the pass the character threshold, which made the selection problematic. But this is all hindsight conjecture; the deed is done.

It would be nice to have that instant check capacity for mail-in votes. Arizona only acknowledges receipt, not whether the vote was counted. I am afraid election tampering is going to be a perennial problem for Americans as Jim Crow v 2.0 expands and spreads.

 

Another contribution:

“A quickly thought reply to your recent weekly Update (which is included below after my rant).

“In general, I will say it seems to me that everything you suggest what is wrong with the right, the prevailing voters, the MAGA patriots, is exactly what we see is wrong with the left, the progressives, the social justice warriors, the cultural Marxists, the communists, in some cases.

“I called the election (email: "V" is for Victory) at 7:59PM last Tuesday, 5-November, election night. Your Update almost seems like you are still awaiting the results. Many of us did not need mainstream media to announce the results on Wednesday morning of last week. In fact, I am hoping for an implosion of MSNBC (since their rating are rock bottom right now), and the other alphabet news agencies who failed us in 2015, 2020, leading to 2024 in politics, and COVID, and demonizing law enforcement, and creating victims out of criminal gangland immigrants flooding into our country.

“Maybe a congratulations to D.J.T. and his team, and We the People is in good order by the LEFT, that has been demonizing Trump and his supporters since 2015 (prior to Trump winning 45-POTUS).

“As to the conviction of felonies you highlight, of Trump, I don't trust our weaponized justice system when I witness what they've been doing since 2015+++. Did you read General Flynn's letter of yesterday, that I sent to this group? I will assume you believe Gen. Flynn has no credibility either.

“Every swing state was for Trump and his message. Every swing state is red, as was the primary vote. That many millions of Americans cannot all be wrong, in their capacity to judge who is the best candidate to lead us for the next 4 years, and well beyond (we can only hope and pray for).

“I noticed many of the upset DEMS blamed Kamala and Biden pulling out too late, for Trump's win. They just don't get it! Why don't they congratulate Trump and his vast team of trusted advisors (this time around, hopefully he won't make the same mistakes he did in the 1^st term of picking NeoCon Swamp elitists)? Instead, they use this fuzzy logic that it was only the weakness of Kamala (Comma-LA) and her strange running mate Walz, that gave a big win to Trump/Vance. Kamala raised an enormity of more funds for election than Trump, yet her loss was monumental to the DEMS, and now many of her celebrity friends are crying and threating to leave USA. She did good losing lots of money, just like she would have done as POTUS. And her campaign is $20M in debt, which is sort of cool. Maybe she can call her friend the funny Ukraine leader who wears fatigues to suit and tie meetings and ask for a loan.

“No DEMS, Trump/Vance & Team won the election because they resonated to, We the People who are tired of being insulted, marginalized and laughed at. Who's laughing now?

“Hopefully the Republicans can control the House, and now with both Congress/Senate of government in some control, maybe things can get passed and done to reverse the course we've been on with the liberals who appear as total socialists.

“Mitch McConnell, needs to get the boot! And all pretender Republicans should too be shown the exits.

“The teachers pontificating transgenderism to our children need to be placed on airplanes with the Hollywood elite, given one-way tickets to Tehran.

“If Team Trump must cause disorder to get the Swamp drained as he vowed in his 1^st term, sobeit. Trump has already said he wants to end the two wars of notice, and he likely will. At least he has spoken to Putin, unlike Biden who refused to. Trump has put Ukraine on notice that the open-ended checks won't keep being written to them.”

My reply:

The beauty and magnificence of democracy is our freedom of choice. As a citizen, you are entitled to your opinion about the president-elect or any other topic. I respect your right to voice your opinion.

Please allow me to be so presumptive. I do believe you missed my opinion in Update no.1189. In summary and at the bottom line, character is a mandatory prerequisite for any position of authority including president of the United States of America. With respect, that man has failed virtually every test of character and thus attained a “Do Not Pass Go” status. Full stop, shut the front door!

Also, with respect, that man IS the swamp. His paucity of morality is going to make the swamp deeper, broader, and more menacing. He will drain nothing.

I am not going to argue your opinion points. They are your opinions. Let it suffice to say, I emphatically do not agree. That man is not the savior/messiah you make him out to be. He is a con-man who has executed a profound con-job on the American people. He was duly elected by a majority of those who chose to vote, and we have what we have for the next four years. I am terribly sorry you are among those who have been bilked by his con. Such is life. This too shall pass.

 

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

Cheers,

Cap                  :-)

Update no.1191

 Update from the Sunland

No.1191

4.11.24 – 10.11.24

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

 

To all,

 

Tuesday, 5.November.2024 – Election Day has arrived. The candidates are done. The silly season is over. The outcome is now solely in the hands of the American citizens who have yet to vote. The results will soon be what they will be, and we shall press on regardless of the outcome. We will get initial results tonight. It will likely take days before we receive projections based on the count difference versus the votes yet to be counted.

 

Early Wednesday morning, the news outlets began to project that [the person who shall no longer be named] crossed to 270 Electoral College threshold and thus became the president-elect. He is technically not the president-elect until 6.January.2025, when a joint session of Congress confirms the Electoral College votes. He will return to the White House Oval Office on 20.January.2025, and we will gain the task of surviving what it likely to be a very chaotic, isolationist administration.

 

So close yet so far! I awoke Wednesday morning {04:05 [T] MST} to the news from nearly a dozen news outlets (so far) that [the person who shall no longer be named] was projected to win a second non-consecutive term as president of the United States of America. The vote counting is not over and will not be officially certified by state governors until 11.December.2024, thus it is not over until it is over. The projections added dramatic complications to life in the United States and to our allies in the world. The dictators throughout the world are rejoicing.

There are undoubtedly myriad reasons for the outcome. Neither candidate was inspiring. We hardly knew Harris. I hate Democrats. The MAGAt Party had a better ground came. There are many more. From my perspective, there is one parameter alone that punctuates this election.

Total popular vote 2024 v 2020

2020                                                    2024 (* still counting)

Biden/Harris   81,283,501                  Harris/Walz    69,043,761

Trump/Pence  74,223,975                  Trump/Vance  73,361,410

At the bottom line, the MAGAts voted; enough others did not vote for whatever reason. This is exactly what I feared for all those months—the MAGAts would vote, the other guys did not. The question we may debate for weeks, months, or years is why. We could conclude that the Democratic candidate simply did not inspire her supporters sufficiently to convince them to take the time to vote by any means—mail, early, or election day. In addition to the states she won, if Harris had won Wisconsin, Michigan, and North Carolina, she would have won the electoral vote. Alas, she did not, and history is history. To me, the obvious reality of this election is reflected in that one highlighted number noted above. At the end of the day, the MAGAts voted; enough other citizens apparently did not vote. 

Regardless of the reason(s) for the inadequate turnout, I am profoundly concerned about the blatant voter suppression effort by the MAGAt legislatures. They have NOT made it easier, safer, or fairer to vote. They have, in fact, made it more difficult to vote, which inherently and fundamentally makes it far more difficult for citizens without wealth to vote. That is WRONG! It is un-American. But, it does serve the MAGA agenda to dictate and dominate the instruments of state and impose their will on all citizens. The MAGAts see the United States of America as a conservative, Christian country rather than a free, democratic nation. They are perfectly comfortable projecting their morality on all citizens; that is NOT freedom.

Perhaps worse, it appears the MAGAt Party has also won a majority in both chambers of Congress, which does not bode well for those of us who remain concerned about the protection of individual rights. There will be even fewer checks on presidential power during the next administration.

Clearly, character does NOT matter a twit to a majority of Americans who voted in this election. They elected a convicted (but not sentenced) felon, a sexual predator, misogynist abuser to be president, again. To me, that is the saddest and most depressing statement of all from the election results. The only thing that apparently matters is that the voting majority gets what they want no matter what and regardless of who is their agent. To me, that is a very sad historical statement on the evolution (or rather devolution) of this once grand republic.

To 73 million American voters, five cents off a gallon of gasoline (petrol) was far more important than the character of the candidate. What a terribly sad statement that is.

As a footnote to all this, [the person who shall no longer be named], as enabled by the MAGAts and others, has accomplished what he set out to do—gain cover for his liabilities (civil and criminal). He will wrap himself in the immunity validated for him by the Supremes. He will attempt to dismiss the federal cases against him and dismiss Special Counsel Jack Smith. He will use his federal immunity to suppress or eliminate any state judicial liability he may face. In essence, the MAGAts have given him a license to steal and do any other felonious things he wishes [he will have built in protection of a MAGAt dominated Congress (both chambers no less).] To that point, I must confess and proclaim that [the person who shall no longer be named] was spot on correct on Saturday, 23.January.2016, when he publicly stated, “I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody, and I wouldn't lose any voters, OK? It's, like, incredible.” [1112] The statement speaks volumes about the kind of person he is, always has been, and always will be, but far worse, it is a tragic and disgusting declaration about what has become of this once grand republic. His catch phrase, Make America Great Again, has absolutely nothing to do with returning the United States to the greatness it once enjoyed. What it actually means is that he will drag the nation into the dark abyss of the greatest, most profound, con-job ever inflicted upon a massive body of people, many of whom were willing collaborators, enablers, and supporters.

I am truly, genuinely, and deeply disappointed in those American citizens who chose not to vote in this year's election. The nation will pay a terrible price for that ambivalence. There will undoubtedly be collateral damage.

In the vein of trying to find a ray of sunshine on a very dark day, at least we do not have to listen to all the ‘election was stolen,’ ‘stop the steal’ nonsense for the next three months. Another dim break in the dark clouds, this will be the last four years we must endure his chaos. What comes next is anyone’s guess, but I suspect irreparable damage may well be done in the next four years (that alone is a very dark thought). Allies will abandon us (and rightly so). Dictators and adversaries will take advantage of our mounting isolationism to gain what they seek. At the bottom line, the American People will pay for the nightmare that man induces.

Our middle son sent this link:

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/SHf4cHDjXFZmuaSm/

Rory Nicholas expressed his opinion. My comment: Oh my, Lord, spot on, indeed! You will read my similar reaction in this week’s Update. I felt it. That faction has de facto anointed a king imbued with the divine right of kings. Rory was precisely correct. Now, your generation will have to teach your children this was a mistake. His conduct, his behavior, is not acceptable; it is not OK. Nicholas’s opinion is a perfect exclamation point on this year’s election.

 

Wednesday, as I began to absorb what had happened, I felt the Black Dog moving closer and his heavy weight sitting on my chest. I had to turn off all news sources including my WiFi connection. After my late morning naptime, I closed the doors to my study and turned on Beethoven as loud as I could without bothering Jeanne. That glorious music from 200 years ago did the trick. The inspiration I feel with every note never ceases to amaze me. Words began to flow on the first draft of my next manuscript. By quittin’ time, the Black Dog had been ushered out of the room. Beethoven still offers miracles after two centuries.

 

Vice President Harris gave us an elegant, graceful, dignified, and respectful concession speech. It was an inspiring but sad speech that demonstrated how the U.S. Constitution is respected with the outcome of an election. May God bless her for her integrity and honor. President Biden added his personal call of congratulations to [the person who shall no longer be named] along with the commitment of his administration to carry a peaceful transfer of power to the new administration. Both Harris and Biden demonstrated how election outcomes should be handled in monumental contrast to what happened in 2020/21 at the behest of [the person who shall no longer be named].

 

Comments and contributions from Update no.1190:

Comment to the Blog:

“Little Fingers’ statement about protecting women even if they don’t want him to is worse than one more numb nuts claim. It’s exactly what an abuser tells their target to isolate them.

“Merriam-Webster sent me an article this morning about the differences between fascism and socialism. This is an excellent, objective discussion and it’s important to know. https://www.merriam-webster.com/grammar/difference-between-fascism-and-socialism

“I also voted early by mail and got confirmation.

“I’ve seen warnings of Little Fingers claiming victory because of rural precincts (likely to vote for him) reporting sooner, followed by a claim the election was “taken away” from him. In the meantime, he is awaiting sentencing.”

My response to the Blog:

Spot on! That is exactly my point. He has been, is, and always will be a serial abuser. And yet, some women are attracted to the bad boy character he is and always has been. That is their choice, but that reality does not ameliorate the sadness I feel with that reality.

I can agree with those definitions. However, in human societies, there are variations not explained by the strict definitions. The Webster definitions are a very good starting point.

We do not get receipt confirmation for mail in ballots in Arizona. I wish we did. I can only say, I have no reason to doubt the election system administered in Arizona. The silly season is over. Now, we wait.

I have seen the same or similar warnings about Little Fingers. Regardless, while one phase ends today, we enter another phase I’ll call the 2020 phase where we will bear witness every type of shenanigan perpetrated by Tiny and his minions as they seek to alter the election results in their favor. The Judiciary held the line four years ago; I have no doubt they will hold the line in this year’s rendition. Whether this year’s version will reach the violence perpetrated by Tiny four years ago is yet to be seen. Semper Vigilantis.

 . . . Round two:

“I’m sad that you want to nitpick with Merriam-Webster. The definitions given are definitions, not attempts to list every instance of the term. Sometimes political terms are misused, as in ‘National Socialist’ for the Nazi Party. Variations will occur if one defines ‘automobile,’ ‘cookie,’ or ‘political party.’ They will also occur in definitions of ‘fascism’ or ‘socialism.’ Nevertheless, we can still use the definition to determine what we are looking at. An ‘automobile’ isn’t the same as a ‘train.’

“Plenty of election systems have been tinkered with, or attempts made at that, in this cycle.

“I still wish I’d heard much more about Tiny’s 34 felony convictions in the promotion against him.”

 . . . my response to round two:

My apologies for the delay. I had to take a break as explained in this week’s Update.

I am sorry you felt I was nitpicking. I was only adding my comment. Human organizations and actions often show variation from definitions. I agree with your opinion. My only point was, the definition tends to over-state the manifestation of socialism in western countries. The term socialism has been saddled with a rather derogatory connotation in the United States. Socialism and Communism (for that matter) are not bad; they are admirable ideals in human thought. The problem is invariably the implementation of such ideals by deeply flawed human beings that leads to corrosive and destructive applications, e.g., Soviet Russia, Communist China, North Korea, et al. Those real-world applications are infinitely separated from the ideals they are based on.

From my perspective, the tinkering was in the form of Jim Crow v.2.0 imposed by the MAGAt Party where they had the power to do so.

Well, too late now. Jim Smith is already in talks with the Justice Department to close the federal investigations and prosecutions of Little Fingers for his crimes. His sentencing later this month for his felonious convictions will undoubtedly now be a minor hand slap (if that). It is also doubtful the Supremes will allow state prosecution of a sitting president. To me, he has gotten away with ‘murder’ just as he publicly proclaimed in 2016. That reality is a truly disgusting, revolting, and disparaging exclamation on the history of this once grand republic.

“That’s just my opinion, but I could be wrong.”

 . . . Round three:

“My point about the definitions is that we can study a given example to understand whether it matches the definition/denotation. Dictatorships often use the term ‘socialist’ in their national name; they’re not socialist. Connotations are the reason they do that. The spin on that term in the United States was my main reason for posting the definition. It’s worth studying the ‘democratic socialist’ part of the ‘socialist’ definition in particular because it discusses governments that are serving their people better than ours is.

“Election tinkering needs more attention.

“Little Fingers probably won’t be sentenced for his convictions, and avoiding prison was probably his central motivation for the campaign. The cost to our nation didn’t bother him.”

 . . . my response to round three:

I cannot disagree with any of your observations. I will only note that a large portion of our population has swallowed whole the “Ayn Rand” version of capitalism, and the concomitant vilification of Communism and Socialism as the archenemy of capitalism. In that ethos, capitalism is driven by profits, and as a consequence, labor is seen as a consumable like any other raw material. I have rejected the sterility of “Ayn Rand” capitalism since I was old enough to read “Atlas Shrugged.”

Oh my, yes, election tinkering needs far more attention. I write more about that reality in this week’s Update.

Quite so, it appears today that Little Fingers will walk away “scot-free” for his myriad criminal and civil liable conduct. The majority of American voters have de facto placed him above the law; he is, in essence, an anointed king with divine rights to do as he pleases. We shall bear witness to the consequences of that action.

 

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

Cheers,

Cap                  :-)

Update no.1190

 Update from the Sunland

No.1190

28.10.24 – 3.11.24

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

 

To all,

 

[The person who shall no longer be named] publicly declared that he was going to protect women regardless of whether the women like it or not. That pejorative, paternalistic statement alone is revolting. But . . . 

Hey, numb-nuts, if women need protection, it is from predatory misogynist men like you. Women do not need protection. They deserve respect . . . an attribute that conmen like you are apparently incapable of offering to anyone, set aside women. Everyone is just a mark for you.

 

This year’s quadrennial silly season is nearly over. The election is the day after tomorrow, Tuesday, 5.November.2024. 

We cast our votes by mail two weeks ago, well ahead of the deadline. For us, the deed is done. We shall accept and deal with whatever the outcome may be. Roughly a third of the expected electorate nationwide has taken advantage of early voting in one form or another. The initial results should be made public circa 19:00 [U] PST, Tuesday evening.

Unfortunately, I suspect [the person who shall no longer be named] will declare himself the winner Tuesday evening, regardless of the evolving results. Unless the counted vastly overwhelming, which existing local and nationwide polling suggests it will not be, we will not likely be known the actual results for several days or even weeks. The states do not have to officially certify their respective results until early December. The Electoral College official results will not be counted until the 6^th of January.

I also suspect we will be treated to several dozen judicial challenges by [the person who shall no longer be named] and his minions during the month of November, just as we were four years ago. As with the previous occasion, I expect none of his lawsuits to make it past the preliminary hearing stage despite their concerted efforts to establish standing in the eyes of the law.

Alea iacta est!

 

Even as late as this Sunday, 3.November.2024, the felon-in-chief, AKA [the person who shall no longer be named], publicly stated that the only way he could lose the election is due to massive fraud and cheating. He also claimed he should have never left the Oval Office four years ago, as if we need more evidence of his criminal and unconstitutional conduct. The felon-in-chief is trying desperately to set the stage for the inevitable judicial challenges to the election results and stimulating his believers into a repeat of 6.January.2021. We shall soon see the evolving results, and we will have to deal with the antics of the MAGAts. These are the time in which we live, thanks in full measure to [the person who shall no longer be named] and his MAGAt believers. This too shall pass!

 

Comments and contributions from Update no.1189:

“I’m on my library’s hold list for a book I can’t afford to buy yet called Hope for Cynics, by Jamil Zaki, so I’ll use the term cynics for this ancient phenomenon. The MAGAts, in my view, are cynics, people who are convinced the entire world is dangerous, mean, or misguided—predators or prey. One solution for that (my view; I don’t know Zaki’s) is to find one shining person, organization, or Godhead that can lead them through this to paradise. Following that leader will, of course, involve unflinching loyalty and blind belief. That also means limiting the sources of information. Confirmation bias reigns supreme with them. The leaders, of course, are probably much more aware of outside reality, but the label ‘cynic’ still fits.

“Per the Amazon description of the book and other promotional media, Zaki’s remedy for this is ‘hopeful skepticism.’ That reads like my approach to life today.”

My response:

Well said. Winston Churchill was a deeply flawed man, but he had the ability to inspire his people (and the free world) with his words alone (and little else) to defy hegemonic fascism of his day. Despite his flaws, I still hold considerable admiration for the man and what he accomplished. Unfortunately, a leader of his stature has not arisen just yet, but there is always hope.

‘Hopeful skepticism’ is an interesting term and concept. As I understand the term, I would subscribe to the approach as well. I question everything—good, bad, or ugly. I look for corroboration or other support. I also critically examine the source(s).

The world continues to turn.

 

Another contribution:

“‘morning young man from us on the east side. Just read your update-very good too.

Politicians-baa, there is a trend that I don’t care for. Verbal dominance, even if it is rude and insulting.

“I trust your voting will go the way we wish. Without verbal offensive and aggressive supremacy.”

My reply:

I had hoped for a bigger split in the polls at this stage, but alas, it is what it is. We should know the projected results (advantage exceeds votes to be counted) within days of the election. I doubt we will know election night. We should know by early December, at the latest, when states must certify their vote counts prior to convening the Electoral College in mid-December.

Like you, I hope this election settles things once and for all . . . in support of the U.S. Constitution, the defense of democracy, and the triumph of good over evil. My position is well established.

 . . . follow-up comment:

“Yes there’s still a lot of finger crossing to do. When Trump loses this, the chances of him leading a revolt against the legality of your election will, as before, cause a disgraceful corruption of your democratic nation. If so please do lock him up for a long time and throw the keys away.”

 . . . my follow-up reply:

Yes, indeed! Quite a bit of finger-crossing to do.

Correct. He may try it again, but his position is different. He holds no immunity (zero) as a common citizen. I would be surprised if he does not attempt to saturate the Judiciary with lawsuits claiming fraud. If so, I expect the exact same results as 2020. There was no evidence of fraud of sufficient magnitude to affect the outcome. What that man has done across the board to this once grand republic is a disgraceful stain on our history.

I have long claimed that he has zero interest in being president. His sole purpose for running is to reduce his criminal liability exposure. I suspect he will find he will not be as protected as he imagines.

We still have rocky and rough months ahead until we are done with him. Even if he loses, I suspect he will attempt to maintain control of the once noble Republican Party.

 

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

Cheers,

Cap                  :-)