Update no.1195

 Update from the Sunland

No.1195

2.12.24 – 8.12.24

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

 

To all,

 

7.December.1941

“[A] date which will live in infamy . . .”

 

I have recently received criticism that my consistent use of the phrase [the person who shall no longer be named] in the Update is tiresome and irritating in my refusal to use that man’s name ever again. He long ago forfeited any recognition or acknowledgment as a human being since he has no conscience, no integrity, no humility, no morality, no compassion, no honor, and no sense of propriety.

The suggestion was offered to use a contraction of the phrase. Thus, henceforth, I shall use [no name] as an off-handed, indirect reference to the man who no longer deserves to be recognized.

 

President Biden’s full and unconditional pardon of his son, Hunter, has induced quite the kerfuffle. Citizens of all political persuasions have been asking, why did President Biden change his mind on issuing a pardon to his son? I think the answer is simple, the election of [no name] to be president . . . again. I highly doubt the president would have taken such a controversial action if Vice President Harris had been elected. The president’s action speaks volumes regarding the public statements of revenge and retribution by [no name] against those who he perceives have interfered in his life and ambitions.

 

From a separate exchange thread, I weighed in with my opinion regarding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. In the extended and expanded exchange, a number (more than a few) painted the United States as the aggressor, the root cause of Russia’s action in Ukraine (and Georgia for that matter). I do not share that perspective, thus my response below.

I understand and appreciate Russian paranoia about invasion. They have been caught in the middle between East and West for centuries. However, I will note here that the United States has never invaded or tried to occupy any part of Russia. Some European nations have done so; some repeatedly, e.g., Germany, France, Poland, and Sweden.

I would think a far more intelligent position would be for the Russians to embrace the United States through NATO as a bulwark against another European invasion, i.e., restraint of any European hegemonic ambitions. 

I will note here the profound irony in the current situation. After all, no one is even remotely suggesting an invasion of Russia or compromising their sovereignty in any manner. On the contrary, it is Russia’s ultra-right wing in the persona of Vladimir Putin that have refused to recognize Ukraine’s sovereignty, and have violently invaded and brutalized a peaceful neighboring nation, actually two such countries—Georgia (2008) and Ukraine (2014). Putin has tried to do in reverse what Hitler came very close to accomplishing.

Unfortunately, the Russians are not far-sighted. The ultra-right-wing paranoia of a century ago is no longer valid or germane.

If Ukraine and Georgia joined the EU and especially NATO, they would feel the same restraint. Russia would be better off and more prosperous with Ukraine and Georgia in the EU and in NATO. But hey, that’s just me.

By the way, the opinions of some Americans citizens (including you know who) are eerily similar to those used by Putin to justify his peculiar ambitions . . . go figure!

 

The Hegseth nomination for secretary of Defense in the new administration has opened quite a number of hot topics, among which is the roll of women in the military and specifically the combat arms—infantry, artillery, armor, and aviation. I confess that I shared Hegseth’s opinion 25 years ago. I wrote on opinion essay on the topic that I posted on my website, dated: 25.August.1998; URL = http://www.parlier.com/essay-1.html#gender. Please note the last sentence of the added postscript—At the end of the day, service must be about performance, not genitalia. I changed my opinion as I learned. In Hegseth’s case, I have seen no indications that he is reevaluating his position regarding the service of women in the combat arms. Hegseth has positives, but he has far more negatives than positives, one of which is his archaic opinion regarding the service of women in the combat arms. I can change my mind, so can Hegseth. I am still waiting for him to do so. Regardless of Hegseth’s opinion about the service of women, the negatives exceed the positives, and I do not support Hegseth’s nomination for secretary of Defense (or any other governmental position at any level).

 

On Wednesday, 4.December.2024, UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was assassinated outside an entrance to the New York Hilton Midtown in Manhattan, New York City. The attack appears to be a purposeful hit by a skilled person with light skin pigmentation. The attack was well thought out, which suggests the perpetrator surveilled Thompson for more than a few days and carefully organized his egress plan. He also used a pistol with a silencer attached to minimize the muzzle report and his chances of discovery. Without the actual weapon and based on the assault video, initial analysis suggests the weapon used in the attack was likely a Brügger & Thomet VP9 (9mm ‘Veterinary Pistol’), which is a manually repeating, magazine-fed, integrally suppressed pistol. Two ejected cartridges from the 9mm pistol at the scene were marked with the words ‘delay’ and ‘depose’ that appears to be reflection of the unofficial mantra of the insurance industry—Delay, Deny, Defend. The potential exists that some or many of the clues may be intentionally planted to mislead law enforcement investigators, but prime facie, the motivation for the attack may have been dissatisfaction with medical insurance coverage in some form. At the bottom line, the Thompson assassination was not an act of emotion or spontaneity; it was cold, calculated, and precisely executed.

 

The Assad regime in Syria collapsed on Sunday. Bashar al-Assad reportedly fled the country, presumably to the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) or to Moscow. Rebel forces have entered Damascus and begun assert control of the city and the nation. Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, Leader of Syrian HTS, seems to be the apparent leader for the new Syria. I watched and listened to one interview with al-Jolani after the fall of Damascus. He was calm, collected, and measured in his responses to the journalist’s questions. That said, he has had an affiliation with ISIL in the past, which may have been a relationship of convenience, i.e., against the al-Assad regime. He claims to have broken and abandoned that connection today. Al-Jolani said all the right things, e.g., re-establishing governmental services, returning peace to a nation that has been embroiled in civil war for more than a decade, and avoiding retribution or revenge. I imagine elements of the United States Government know a lot more about al-Jolani than is apparent in the Press. We can only hope this change will return Syria to a peaceful contributor among nations and especially distancing itself from the destructive influence of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRI). Time shall tell the tale.

 

Comments and contributions from Update no.1194:

“Cap good day to you from a wet, very wet U/K

“Thanks for the update-my word, I felt that it was one of the strongest updates from you. As a Brit I always feel out on a limb answering your words. Today I have read them with solitary agreement. I know your views on your ‘leaders’ and relish your words. Keep going Cap! Sorry that we cannot join you for a coffee or even something a little stronger!”

“Ps. Still reading your work.”

My reply:

I can only assure you that you are not out on a limb. Your opinions on issues, even uniquely American problems, are just as valid as the rest of us. I encourage everyone to engage and share their opinions. That encouragement applies to you as well, my friend.

I share your desire. Unfortunately, I am afraid my travel days may be approaching their conclusion. Tomorrow is always another day, but today is today.

I intend to keep writing as long as I am able. I still enjoy the process.

I hope you are enjoying my work. I certainly enjoyed penning the words.

 . . . follow-up comment:

“I did feel that your last update was a powerful piece of your views and I enjoyed their power. The best you’ve written for some time.

“We’re suffering a pretty violent winter and it’s only just commenced! Rain rain and more rain. Global warming? Who knows.

“Yes I always feel somewhat uncomfortable commenting on subjects that are nil or should be of nil concern of non-USA people.

“But you always welcome them especially when they mention someone whose ID I dare not mention! I must confess however I am most definitely not a fan.”

 . . . my follow-up reply:

And winter is just beginning. On the plus side, the rain keeps your great country green. I hope and trust you are able to keep dry what is intended to be dry.

I am sorry you feel uncomfortable, but I do understand. Sometimes uncomfortable is a good thing; it makes us think. Please rest assured that you are most welcome to be a free as the urge strikes in your comments to the Update forum. I seek open, candid, intellectual exchange.

I would prefer to never mention [the person who shall no longer be named] ever again, but alas a majority of We, the People, voted him back into office despite all his crimes, offenses, and transgressions. Such is life. I am afraid we have another four years of his nonsense and drivel to endure. We are getting a good preview with his nomination choices. It is a gross understatement to say that I am not a fan either. I never was . . . even long before he announced his candidacy in 2015. I have clearly seen his uncorrectable personal defects for a very long time. He has been a con-man since before he became an adult, and he is well into old-age now. As always, we will roll with the punches and strive to clean up the mess when he is done.

I will keep writing as long as I am able.

 

Comment to the Blog:

“I agree that Chump’s tariffs are misguided, especially starting with Canada and Mexico. For further history, see the Smoot-Hawley Act https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smoot%E2%80%93Hawley_Tariff_Act, which aggravated the Great Depression that started under another Republican, Herbert Hoover.

“I’ve heard the English version of Deus Vult (God wills it) within the past few weeks used to justify the Gaza genocide. It doesn’t and won’t justify any homicidal or other evil behavior to me. Medieval attitudes linger on; I don’t support them. I’ll note that Israel has begun demolition in Gaza. The decision-makers seek to empty that territory of anything not of themselves.

“I have more serious issues with Chump’s nominees than their symbology. Sexual assault and personal corruption give this group a stench unmatched since the Third Reich. Like attracts like.

“The right’s obsession with others’ genitals disturbs me more than anyone’s genitals.

“Plenty of early colonists fled Europe to practice their own beliefs, not for general freedom of religion. The colonial history of Maryland, Delaware, and Pennsylvania makes a good study of that, because the Quakers (Pennsylvania) supported general freedom of religion, whereas Maryland was a Catholic colony.

“Merriam-Webster gives us antonyms of ‘woke’: lulled, hypnotized, mesmerized.

“Biden justified his pardon of Hunter far better than Chump excused his pardon of Charles Kushner’s more serious offenses.”

My response to the Blog:

The Tariff Act of 1930 (AKA Smoot–Hawley Tariff Act) [PL 71-361; 46 Stat. 590] is illuminated quite appropriately. Yes, indeed, the Smoot-Hawley Act seriously aggravated the economic burdens on We, the People, during the early days of the Great Depression. We are not in a depression today, or even a recession, but Little Fingers proposed tariffs might well suppress the economy and induce a new recession or even depression. Little Fingers tariff brain-fart is a very bad idea.

As perhaps an interesting sidenote to the Smoot-Hawley Act is Title III, § 305 - Immoral Articles, which prohibited the importation of “obscene materials.” The Republicans of the day were just as much “moral projectionists” as the MAGAt Party today. It seems we never learn.

I agree completely. I noted the applicable symbology as an indicator rather than an issue. He can ink his body as he wishes. It is the combination of those symbols with the public statements on a variety of topics that become warning signs and problematic, thus my reference to the duck metaphor. I also agree with your sensing of the associated stench, but this is what we elected; it surely cannot be a surprise.

There is a very real, bona fide reason that genitalia are often referred to as “privates,” because they are—private. They have no place in public intercourse.

Again, you are quite right. For many early American colonists, freedom was for them, not for others. They were staunchly and often violently parochial, persecuting others not like them. We have striven since those pre-republic days to eradicate or banish such parochialism; we have a very long way to go in achieving the ideal.

“Woke” is a very bad term, but it is common usage today, especially among the MAGAts and right-wing social conservatives. I emphatically want to awaken American citizens to our history—good, bad, or ugly. We must learn from our mistakes.

As with other opinions above, I agree with your assessment of Chump’s pardons. But still, I think President Biden was wrong as an individual action. Taken in the greater context, I see the action in a far different light. The next administration is definitely shaping up to be a gaggle of criminals, and this is what We, the People, elected last month.

 . . . follow-up comment:

“The connotation of ‘woke’ depends on the hearer. It carries a connotation of caring for one's fellow man to me. My interest has always been in what the opponents of ‘woke’ think of themselves. Hence, the antonyms are ‘lulled,’ ‘hypnotized,’ and ‘mesmerized.’ Those fit the anti-woke people I've listened to.

“I see Biden as finally getting a backbone to take action against the MAGAs. Given the facts of the case, DOJ was pushed into serious overreach in Hunter's case. I hope he takes other constructive actions that use his ‘lame duck’ status and maybe Presidential immunity.”

 . . . my follow-up comment:

Quite so . . . especially for me. I know what I think it is, but I doubt my thoughts are all encompassing. I agree with you in “caring for one’s fellow man.” To me, it is also understanding and appreciating history—good, bad, or ugly. There are truly ugly spots in American history. Our citizens must know that history to lessen the potential of repeating those sordid episodes. I am not so sure that the antonyms describe the anti-woke crowd. The MAGAts and far right are quite vociferous in their opposition to “woke.” They do not want their children being taught about slavery, the abuse of Native Americans, the abandonment of the U.S. Constitution to forcefully confine American citizens without due process of law, et cetera ad infinitum ad nauseum. The MAGAts are quite active and aggressive in their opposition to what they describe as ‘woke’; they are hardly ‘lulled.’

As I described in the Update, the pivotal event in the whole pardon Hunter kerfuffle was the election of Little Fingers. I firmly believe that he would not have issued the pardon if Vice President Harris had been elected. I do agree that Hunter was prosecuted by overzealous attorneys who were under intense pressure from the MAGAts. Now, the MAGAts are in charge (or soon will be), and President Biden sought to terminate the MAGAt folly—enough is enough. But still . . .

 

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

Cheers,

Cap                  :-)