--for the time being, I've had to drop out from attending OLLI classes. Too much going-on.
--Will be comparing/contrasting Christianity with other major religions.
--Have had some insights into the psychology of raising children that I intend to develop shortly, if I write about it at all!
--Relaxed living here in El Paso!
Tuesday, December 6, 2016
XXIII. Conceivable Elements in a Trump 'Deal'
I think that just from the proposed sketch of a Carrier Air Conditioning 'Deal,' we're provided with the basic features of what such a deal entails.
1. The company announcement that it is taking its operations to another country and abandoning its manufacturing operations in the US.
2. The Trump administration effort to initiate a deal to keep the particular company's manufacturing facility productive in the US.
3. The result: the company retains a significant number of jobs in the US, while moving other positions to a new country, viz., Mexico. Be it noted:
a. The state of Indiana will provide tax breaks to the company.
b. The Trump administration has gained an opportunity, not only by way of publicizing the deal, but by gaining entry to any other cooperate entity in the group to further enhance the ''deal.'
In this case, Trump himself contacted the parent company, United Technologies, which has military contracts and could have expanded the number and/or the value of any additional contracts for mutual financial benefit--the US government and the parent entity, United Technologies. Trump himself admitted he did not know the CEO of United Technologies until he called him regarding the Carrier Deal.
So, what we have here is a deal that could have lucrative offshoots for those parties involved.
1. The company announcement that it is taking its operations to another country and abandoning its manufacturing operations in the US.
2. The Trump administration effort to initiate a deal to keep the particular company's manufacturing facility productive in the US.
3. The result: the company retains a significant number of jobs in the US, while moving other positions to a new country, viz., Mexico. Be it noted:
a. The state of Indiana will provide tax breaks to the company.
b. The Trump administration has gained an opportunity, not only by way of publicizing the deal, but by gaining entry to any other cooperate entity in the group to further enhance the ''deal.'
In this case, Trump himself contacted the parent company, United Technologies, which has military contracts and could have expanded the number and/or the value of any additional contracts for mutual financial benefit--the US government and the parent entity, United Technologies. Trump himself admitted he did not know the CEO of United Technologies until he called him regarding the Carrier Deal.
So, what we have here is a deal that could have lucrative offshoots for those parties involved.
Operations Centers #3 and #4, learning from the First and Second!
It's been only half a year, really, and it's on to #s 3 and 4.
#3 deals with the need to make the GAO have some teeth to its administrative recommendations. There has to be bite to their pronouncements in order to render their dicta to take on the force of those issued by some regulative agency.
#4: My working with the Chinese these past years has netted much fruit, I believe. By establishing an Ops Center in Seattle, #4, China and other friendly area nations will enjoin a cooperative effort in maintaining commercial Asian water lanes. I anticipate changes similar, moreover, to the profound changes that have occurred in Central America, this past year.
Anyway, I asked for and received support for these still-in-the-planning stages, Ops #s 3 and 4.
#3 deals with the need to make the GAO have some teeth to its administrative recommendations. There has to be bite to their pronouncements in order to render their dicta to take on the force of those issued by some regulative agency.
#4: My working with the Chinese these past years has netted much fruit, I believe. By establishing an Ops Center in Seattle, #4, China and other friendly area nations will enjoin a cooperative effort in maintaining commercial Asian water lanes. I anticipate changes similar, moreover, to the profound changes that have occurred in Central America, this past year.
Anyway, I asked for and received support for these still-in-the-planning stages, Ops #s 3 and 4.
Tuesday, November 22, 2016
China will carry on with TPP Aims if US drops out
I think it's safe to say--since I think I know China--that China will be only too glad to have the States drop out from the TPP trading group, so as to enable it to dominate an Asian trading block. Indeed, I think it is looking for just such an opportunity. Be it known that trading blocks serve to maintain standards in trade and commerce across national boundaries.
On the other hand, the US will have much to lose, should it follow Trump's lead and not join TPP.
On the other hand, the US will have much to lose, should it follow Trump's lead and not join TPP.
Monday, September 19, 2016
Monday, September 19, 2016
--I've been living through a sequence of medical tests, since I've reached 79! They've been going the past 2 weeks but are winding down some. So far, I've survived.
--The Ops Central #2, based here in El Paso is now up and running great! It's jurisdiction is to Panama. Cooperation with the major parties involved--coordination swell!
--I'll be working on matters in the Palestine, particularly of interest to Hamas. Have research to do in the next coming days!
--No Olli classes right now; perhaps, before the Fall Semester ends.
--On to Ops Central #3. I no longer do the travelling involved in managing the Central Ops Project, but I'm still there; concerned. The project has taken off, so I'll need to delegate--when we get past Ops Central #3.
--The Ops Central #2, based here in El Paso is now up and running great! It's jurisdiction is to Panama. Cooperation with the major parties involved--coordination swell!
--I'll be working on matters in the Palestine, particularly of interest to Hamas. Have research to do in the next coming days!
--No Olli classes right now; perhaps, before the Fall Semester ends.
--On to Ops Central #3. I no longer do the travelling involved in managing the Central Ops Project, but I'm still there; concerned. The project has taken off, so I'll need to delegate--when we get past Ops Central #3.
Sunday, August 14, 2016
XXII. Why Working Wages in US are flat
Here's an "old" Whack-O Theory I've dug up. Still the case, a Whack-O Theory isn't true; pure fairy-land extravaganza! So, on with the story.
I was in graduate school in New York City--with very little money. For "entertainment," I'd attend the United Nations' meeting on 42nd Street off the River. I'd watch the river traffic out the beautiful glass wall, when things got boring at the meetings.
Anyway, a theory floating the hallways of the UN building at the time--many decades ago--was the hostility building against the "have" nations among the "have-nots" members. The rumor being that if the "haves" did not make concessions to those backward nations making up the Third World, there'd be war waging soon. The "have-nots" were insisting on recognition and respect. But to recognize their potential, the "haves" were adamant that standards of business transactions be in place throughout the world, e.g., adherence to GAAP in accounting practice. This argument I believe was behind initiating trade agreements that has bloomed across the world in recent years. (Incidentally, C-SPAN is currently airing an excellent series on trade deals, including the illustrious and successful WTO.)
But, if trade agreements became the way in which countries were to principally engage in commerce and trade, where would the equalization or parity exist in wages, since the "have-not" countries were low-end on the totem-pole of the wage scale. When I went to Mexico, to examine how NAFTA would be implemented, I could only surmise an answer to that question--"Mexican labor unions would have to take up a fight to realize higher wages for their workers! Such has not happened to any notable degree.
What has happened is an obvious stagnation in wages of workers in the "have" nations, while workers of the "have-nots" hardly pull greater than poverty-level earnings. Who has benefited are companies that have moved their production facilities out of the US and installed abroad automated means of production and distribution. That is to say--to a greater degree than could have been imagined--with the advent and implementation of automated systems, what with their artificial intelligence utilization and systems integration, the worker has been marginalized, and his productivity-quotient radically gone spiraling. This same phenomenon is about to hit agriculture, too, making current farming techniques obsolete and out-of-date.
So, today, companies willing to keep technologically advanced and are in position to re-locate virtually anywhere in the world, can keep up-grading their operations even as they change addresses!
Workers of the world, recognize your plight! There's worldwide human competition for available jobs, and there's computer-driven machinery capable of doing what only humans were capable of performing till such machinery has become available at lower cost than a worker's wages.
I was in graduate school in New York City--with very little money. For "entertainment," I'd attend the United Nations' meeting on 42nd Street off the River. I'd watch the river traffic out the beautiful glass wall, when things got boring at the meetings.
Anyway, a theory floating the hallways of the UN building at the time--many decades ago--was the hostility building against the "have" nations among the "have-nots" members. The rumor being that if the "haves" did not make concessions to those backward nations making up the Third World, there'd be war waging soon. The "have-nots" were insisting on recognition and respect. But to recognize their potential, the "haves" were adamant that standards of business transactions be in place throughout the world, e.g., adherence to GAAP in accounting practice. This argument I believe was behind initiating trade agreements that has bloomed across the world in recent years. (Incidentally, C-SPAN is currently airing an excellent series on trade deals, including the illustrious and successful WTO.)
But, if trade agreements became the way in which countries were to principally engage in commerce and trade, where would the equalization or parity exist in wages, since the "have-not" countries were low-end on the totem-pole of the wage scale. When I went to Mexico, to examine how NAFTA would be implemented, I could only surmise an answer to that question--"Mexican labor unions would have to take up a fight to realize higher wages for their workers! Such has not happened to any notable degree.
What has happened is an obvious stagnation in wages of workers in the "have" nations, while workers of the "have-nots" hardly pull greater than poverty-level earnings. Who has benefited are companies that have moved their production facilities out of the US and installed abroad automated means of production and distribution. That is to say--to a greater degree than could have been imagined--with the advent and implementation of automated systems, what with their artificial intelligence utilization and systems integration, the worker has been marginalized, and his productivity-quotient radically gone spiraling. This same phenomenon is about to hit agriculture, too, making current farming techniques obsolete and out-of-date.
So, today, companies willing to keep technologically advanced and are in position to re-locate virtually anywhere in the world, can keep up-grading their operations even as they change addresses!
Workers of the world, recognize your plight! There's worldwide human competition for available jobs, and there's computer-driven machinery capable of doing what only humans were capable of performing till such machinery has become available at lower cost than a worker's wages.
Monday, August 8, 2016
XXI. Washington, DC--no longer the hub of the Federal Government
Please--this is Whack-O Theory land! Tongue-in-cheek: okay?
Many persons who have prominent and powerful positions in the federal government do not prefer to live in Washington--either they don't want the conspicuousness or they want to raise their kids in a more normal environment. Add to the reluctance of persons in power to move to Washington is the concern of government itself that no one place harbor the central core of governmental officialdom. These two factors led the government to parcel out its seeds of power throughout the country. And, its altered the contour of government such that the various think-tanks and lobby groups, using the old model of the power-brokers of government centralized in just one locality, viz., Washington, DC and vicinity, are virtually talking to themselves, rather than the federal power-brokers of the world!
Oh yes, there's the Secretaries of the various federal Departments that act as liaisons to the public and Congress, but the actual decision-making and policy-formation activities may be thousands of miles away; and Washington offices function simply as a front for their operations.
I say this, not to discourage various ngo organizations to continue meeting with the Washington offices of the federal agencies and departments located there--in Washington, DC--but merely to point out that their effect on developing federal policy and legislation through that office of communication will have minimal effect, in my opinion.
Let's conjecture in Whack-O style. Omaha, Nebraska may have a very large military installation and might be construed as a nexus of military operations at the Joint Chief of Staffs level. The FBI LA Field office could even be considered no longer simply a field office but the centre of FBI world activities--along possibly with its Field Office in Las Vegas. The number of conjectures just where the various federal groups perform their operations is virtually endless, making it far more difficult for any outside group to penetrate or disrupt.
That Hilary Clinton had her own computer server simply serves as a foretelling of how the federal government is seeking to keep its lines of communication free and open from foreign intelligence.
So, really, there's no need for the prices of housing in Washington, DC to go through the roof any longer. There's some but little in Washington, DC to merit the increased numbers of organizations seeking to locate there.
Many persons who have prominent and powerful positions in the federal government do not prefer to live in Washington--either they don't want the conspicuousness or they want to raise their kids in a more normal environment. Add to the reluctance of persons in power to move to Washington is the concern of government itself that no one place harbor the central core of governmental officialdom. These two factors led the government to parcel out its seeds of power throughout the country. And, its altered the contour of government such that the various think-tanks and lobby groups, using the old model of the power-brokers of government centralized in just one locality, viz., Washington, DC and vicinity, are virtually talking to themselves, rather than the federal power-brokers of the world!
Oh yes, there's the Secretaries of the various federal Departments that act as liaisons to the public and Congress, but the actual decision-making and policy-formation activities may be thousands of miles away; and Washington offices function simply as a front for their operations.
I say this, not to discourage various ngo organizations to continue meeting with the Washington offices of the federal agencies and departments located there--in Washington, DC--but merely to point out that their effect on developing federal policy and legislation through that office of communication will have minimal effect, in my opinion.
Let's conjecture in Whack-O style. Omaha, Nebraska may have a very large military installation and might be construed as a nexus of military operations at the Joint Chief of Staffs level. The FBI LA Field office could even be considered no longer simply a field office but the centre of FBI world activities--along possibly with its Field Office in Las Vegas. The number of conjectures just where the various federal groups perform their operations is virtually endless, making it far more difficult for any outside group to penetrate or disrupt.
That Hilary Clinton had her own computer server simply serves as a foretelling of how the federal government is seeking to keep its lines of communication free and open from foreign intelligence.
So, really, there's no need for the prices of housing in Washington, DC to go through the roof any longer. There's some but little in Washington, DC to merit the increased numbers of organizations seeking to locate there.
Tuesday, August 8, 2016
--The Whack-O Theories, containing fairy-tales, have done so much better than I had expected that I'll be digging around to see if there's more I can find worthy of the title!
--Globalization, as a separate theme, continues to be talked about in today's politics so I've tended to put my own thoughts to one side. Might add an item or two in the near future.
(--Just a side comment: I've never seen the world progressing so fast as now. Obviously, there's a lot of people of good will achieving their goals for a better world.)
--I've recently completed some introductory remarks on the "Christian Theology of Peace and Well-Being." If there's particular interest in some aspect of the topic, I'll gladly follow up.
--Not much going on till the Fall, so I'll pick up then.
--Globalization, as a separate theme, continues to be talked about in today's politics so I've tended to put my own thoughts to one side. Might add an item or two in the near future.
(--Just a side comment: I've never seen the world progressing so fast as now. Obviously, there's a lot of people of good will achieving their goals for a better world.)
--I've recently completed some introductory remarks on the "Christian Theology of Peace and Well-Being." If there's particular interest in some aspect of the topic, I'll gladly follow up.
--Not much going on till the Fall, so I'll pick up then.
Tuesday, August 2, 2016
Organized labor in trade agreements
The current discussions by the two presidential hopefuls have netted so far a gaping hole in trade agreements regarding labor costs of goods produced in developing nations--which result in a glut of goods produced abroad that don't equitably adjust at real wage standards (either because the poorer countries are using child labor or the items produced are substantially below cost-of-living standards in these countries).
Clearly, organized labor should represent a just and living wage for labor costs in items produced wherever among nations in these trade agreements. And, any discrepancy should result in penalties against nations who are simply dumping items, cheaply produced through unfair competitive means. The penalties could go to subsidize education in these poor countries or in increased stipends to their workers
Clearly, organized labor should represent a just and living wage for labor costs in items produced wherever among nations in these trade agreements. And, any discrepancy should result in penalties against nations who are simply dumping items, cheaply produced through unfair competitive means. The penalties could go to subsidize education in these poor countries or in increased stipends to their workers
Sunday, July 31, 2016
XX. Putin and Trump apparent commonalities
On C-Span the other day, Washington Journal program, a political analyst, Mr. Eland, who has been associated with a conservative think-tank in the DC area, the CATO Institute, made the case that NATO may have outlived its usefulness. His reasoning seemed in line with Trump's position, viz., our involvement in NATO should be reviewed, particularly since some European countries have not lived up to their financial obligations to support it . Further, he contended that Russia has a legitimate interest in securing the Ukraine as part of its natural sphere of influence.
Now, I understand that a "sphere of interest" can be thought of as a region or geographical area in need of especial protection from harm or endangerment, such as a waterway that is in need of security from instability and closure by some country's hostile attempt to control it for its own purposes at the expense of trade and commerce among regional neighbors. But to treat an independent nation as being within another country's "sphere of influence," especially when that independent nation is legitimately pursuing its own affairs without affecting the rights of any other nation to act within its own boundaries seems "illegitimate."
In any case, the apparent fact that someone of Trump's advisers was close to a former Ukrainian President got me to wondering: what if there were really some fundamental political stances of President Putin that are shared with Presidential candidate Donald Trump?
For instance, we know that the Russian Revolution got rid of the aristocratic government in Russia. That Revolution championed the cause of the Russian Proletariat--the Russian working class. And that class took over the central government. Maybe, Trump's stance on behalf of the workers in the US could be compared to it. Trump admits he knows the tricks and nefarious dealings of the present-day ruling elite in the US; and thus is in position to right the wrongs on behalf of the working class. He further contends that he alone is in position to make use of such knowledge.
Also, while Putin's support is primarily from the white Russian population, both in Russia proper and its present satellites, casting aspersions on those in that region not of Russian descent, Trump relies upon his candidacy from primarily the whites in America, delimiting it further to white men..
Now, if indeed the Russian government is aiding the hackers to leak DNC info that could prove an obstacle for Hilary in her race to the Presidency, one might be presented with a possible motive for Trump's avowed neutralism in his characterization of Russia's politics toward the US, despite the current Administration's adversarial position. And, what Putin might be desirous should Trump win in the US are a sure-footing against NATO and the independence of nations formerly under Russia's "sphere of influence," especially the Ukraine.
Well, this is just a series of conjectures that make up a Whack-O Theory! Nothing but conjecture.
But this Theory would explain a further adamant contention by Trump, namely, get rid of international trade deals in existence now so as to reconfigure them to better promote American worker interests. Now, we know that Trump has yet to make clear that he understands, automation is the major factor in worker displacement around the world. He might be wanting us to believe that these international trade deals are simply swamping the US workers off the map. Be it known, however, that most of these trade deals come with a juridical court system to handle international disputes in trade and commerce, e.g., the WTO. So, there's methods to cope with disputes over trade deals that can be taken up when appealed to by a member nation or its internal corporation.
Now, I understand that a "sphere of interest" can be thought of as a region or geographical area in need of especial protection from harm or endangerment, such as a waterway that is in need of security from instability and closure by some country's hostile attempt to control it for its own purposes at the expense of trade and commerce among regional neighbors. But to treat an independent nation as being within another country's "sphere of influence," especially when that independent nation is legitimately pursuing its own affairs without affecting the rights of any other nation to act within its own boundaries seems "illegitimate."
In any case, the apparent fact that someone of Trump's advisers was close to a former Ukrainian President got me to wondering: what if there were really some fundamental political stances of President Putin that are shared with Presidential candidate Donald Trump?
For instance, we know that the Russian Revolution got rid of the aristocratic government in Russia. That Revolution championed the cause of the Russian Proletariat--the Russian working class. And that class took over the central government. Maybe, Trump's stance on behalf of the workers in the US could be compared to it. Trump admits he knows the tricks and nefarious dealings of the present-day ruling elite in the US; and thus is in position to right the wrongs on behalf of the working class. He further contends that he alone is in position to make use of such knowledge.
Also, while Putin's support is primarily from the white Russian population, both in Russia proper and its present satellites, casting aspersions on those in that region not of Russian descent, Trump relies upon his candidacy from primarily the whites in America, delimiting it further to white men..
Now, if indeed the Russian government is aiding the hackers to leak DNC info that could prove an obstacle for Hilary in her race to the Presidency, one might be presented with a possible motive for Trump's avowed neutralism in his characterization of Russia's politics toward the US, despite the current Administration's adversarial position. And, what Putin might be desirous should Trump win in the US are a sure-footing against NATO and the independence of nations formerly under Russia's "sphere of influence," especially the Ukraine.
Well, this is just a series of conjectures that make up a Whack-O Theory! Nothing but conjecture.
But this Theory would explain a further adamant contention by Trump, namely, get rid of international trade deals in existence now so as to reconfigure them to better promote American worker interests. Now, we know that Trump has yet to make clear that he understands, automation is the major factor in worker displacement around the world. He might be wanting us to believe that these international trade deals are simply swamping the US workers off the map. Be it known, however, that most of these trade deals come with a juridical court system to handle international disputes in trade and commerce, e.g., the WTO. So, there's methods to cope with disputes over trade deals that can be taken up when appealed to by a member nation or its internal corporation.
Tuesday, July 19, 2016
El Paso, the city to live in, if you're old!
My friends that live in LA still, whom I've known for some time, urged me some 18 years ago to think about getting out of LA for purposes of living well in old age. They insisted on my going to El Paso, and I'm now living here on a permanent basis--no gaps to live in some other city for a time.
When I first came to El Paso, I would rent a room at the Gardner Hotel for 3 or more consecutive months, then board the bus and live in some other city in the country, say hypothetically, Seatlle, for 3 or 4 months; and then return to El Paso. I used El Paso as my base of operations, as it were.
That continued for at least 15 years, living in El Paso for a certain number of months, then going someplace else in the States for a time.
FUN!
But now, I'm sort of settled into El Paso. It remains what will happen should I need medical care, especially for a long term basis. I wouldn't like to return to Sacramento, where last year I spent some 8 months, recovering from an A-Fib procedure on my heart that necessitated better care than I was receiving in El Paso, where the procedure was done. Too expensive a city for me, who must live only on my social security allotment. Oh well, time will tell!
I still remain in contact with the federal agency in LA where these friends were working. Nice people, there.
To the Point
I've recently learned from the locals that El Paso is one of the 2 driest cities in the US. This fact may account for the phenomenon of old people living here to very old ages. into their nineties and even longer than that, remarkably.
When I first came to El Paso, I would rent a room at the Gardner Hotel for 3 or more consecutive months, then board the bus and live in some other city in the country, say hypothetically, Seatlle, for 3 or 4 months; and then return to El Paso. I used El Paso as my base of operations, as it were.
That continued for at least 15 years, living in El Paso for a certain number of months, then going someplace else in the States for a time.
FUN!
But now, I'm sort of settled into El Paso. It remains what will happen should I need medical care, especially for a long term basis. I wouldn't like to return to Sacramento, where last year I spent some 8 months, recovering from an A-Fib procedure on my heart that necessitated better care than I was receiving in El Paso, where the procedure was done. Too expensive a city for me, who must live only on my social security allotment. Oh well, time will tell!
I still remain in contact with the federal agency in LA where these friends were working. Nice people, there.
To the Point
I've recently learned from the locals that El Paso is one of the 2 driest cities in the US. This fact may account for the phenomenon of old people living here to very old ages. into their nineties and even longer than that, remarkably.
The simple heating pad use
My folks introduced me to the heating pad and how to use it some 70+ years ago!
I've been using it on and off ever since. I think it has great value; and now that I'm old, suffering with arthritis--like most my age, I'm more convinced than ever of its need in my life.
Don't be lost without it!: my motto.
I've been using it on and off ever since. I think it has great value; and now that I'm old, suffering with arthritis--like most my age, I'm more convinced than ever of its need in my life.
Don't be lost without it!: my motto.
Sunday, July 10, 2016
Sunday, July 10, 2016
--I have re-instituted corralling items on the topic "Olli Reports" in the Ruminations blog.
I'm now enrolled in the China course, taught by Mr. Paul Huchton. This course is offered in the Olli program (i.e., Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) at the University of Texas-El Paso) summer session as a continuation of the China Course in the Spring Semester. I'm also taking a course this summer in Italian Art Appreciation taught by Kathleen Key. Things I find interesting in either course will become the current items on this topic.
--Because I attend St. Clement's Church in El Paso and continue an interest in religious didactics, I am prompted to make points in religious belief and doctrine that I want to capture in the blog format. So, I'm opening up a topic "Religious Didactics" in the Didactics blog.
I'm now enrolled in the China course, taught by Mr. Paul Huchton. This course is offered in the Olli program (i.e., Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) at the University of Texas-El Paso) summer session as a continuation of the China Course in the Spring Semester. I'm also taking a course this summer in Italian Art Appreciation taught by Kathleen Key. Things I find interesting in either course will become the current items on this topic.
--Because I attend St. Clement's Church in El Paso and continue an interest in religious didactics, I am prompted to make points in religious belief and doctrine that I want to capture in the blog format. So, I'm opening up a topic "Religious Didactics" in the Didactics blog.
Thursday, July 7, 2016
July 7, 2016: Ops Central #2--Completed?
I'm of the opinion that Ops. Central #2 is functioning well, thanks to some needed help in getting it going!
The next Ops.. Central--#3--should be Washington, DC. Isn't that where Trump is holding off the inaugural of his new hotel extravaganza? There's need for an Ops Central to handle some of the glaring inefficiencies and failures of the federal government--Trump has rightly alluded to these. He has the nation's indebtedness for his outrageous stance.
Ops. Central #3 will be solely dealing with the federal departments and agencies; and I have intended it will have the clout that the GAO is lacking.
If its establishment is as egregious and distinguished in performance as the Ops Central #s 1 and #2 are displaying, the USA will be even greater to be praised and emulated world-wide, I am sure.
So now, the preparations for Ops Central #3 are in sequential order. The Joint Chief of Staffs office is especially worthy of laudatory praise for whatever contributions it is making to this new methodology in federal control.
The next Ops.. Central--#3--should be Washington, DC. Isn't that where Trump is holding off the inaugural of his new hotel extravaganza? There's need for an Ops Central to handle some of the glaring inefficiencies and failures of the federal government--Trump has rightly alluded to these. He has the nation's indebtedness for his outrageous stance.
Ops. Central #3 will be solely dealing with the federal departments and agencies; and I have intended it will have the clout that the GAO is lacking.
If its establishment is as egregious and distinguished in performance as the Ops Central #s 1 and #2 are displaying, the USA will be even greater to be praised and emulated world-wide, I am sure.
So now, the preparations for Ops Central #3 are in sequential order. The Joint Chief of Staffs office is especially worthy of laudatory praise for whatever contributions it is making to this new methodology in federal control.
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
Great Britain to vote out of EU; next,Scotland to vote out of Great Britain?
Great Britain, once the Ruler of the Seas, has a sense of its worth to preserve! It cannot, or simply won't submit to a European Union. No, it would rather go it alone, even if its business climate would markedly suffer. Oh well, I'm sure an independent Scotland would be well-received into the body of EU states.
Georgia being prepared to join NATO
In that some slices of Georgia have come under Russian control, I was somewhat surprised that still, it is slated for NATO membership. HOORAY!
IXX. Kiev reports: Ukrainian infiltration into Russia
Please--A WHACK-O Theory has not a grain of truth to it! Well, maybe some grains of truth, but only just some!
It has been rumored that Russia is anticipating a more friendly Ukrainian government in Kiev to be established soon. I don't think so!
What I take to have recently occurred in the Ukraine is that Eastern Ukraine, under control of Moscow, has been sufficiently lax in securing its border with Ukraine proper, enabling some bold Ukrainian-Russians and other types of Ukrainians to travel East into the heart of Russia to the city of Moscow and the very steps of the Kremlin. Indeed, I have reason to believe there's now a worn path from Kiev through East Ukraine and Russia, permitting Ukrainian dissidents access to express their dissatisfaction with Putin's totalitarian Presidency to fellow dissidents in the heart of Russia itself. The intended result is obvious: toppling Putin from his second reign of terror.
If Russia hadn't insisted on supporting an Eastern Ukraine, which apparently it is not able to dominate, the nexus highway could not have been erected. But now it is too late. NATO and the EU will benefit from what it is learning from these Russian and Ukrainian-sympathizer incursions. Incidentally, I understand this super highway does not end at Kiev but extends to London!
Putin will not only lose the support of Russia's ruling class, I predict, but its investors abroad will come to know the true worth of industries and business enterprises in Russia and will act accordingly. Still, he may continue to garner the support of its citizenry until the country's ruble becomes worthless and the country itself is bankrupt. I know that China's patience has grown thin at Putin's incompetence; and at sometime Russia will lose its monetary support.
It has been rumored that Russia is anticipating a more friendly Ukrainian government in Kiev to be established soon. I don't think so!
What I take to have recently occurred in the Ukraine is that Eastern Ukraine, under control of Moscow, has been sufficiently lax in securing its border with Ukraine proper, enabling some bold Ukrainian-Russians and other types of Ukrainians to travel East into the heart of Russia to the city of Moscow and the very steps of the Kremlin. Indeed, I have reason to believe there's now a worn path from Kiev through East Ukraine and Russia, permitting Ukrainian dissidents access to express their dissatisfaction with Putin's totalitarian Presidency to fellow dissidents in the heart of Russia itself. The intended result is obvious: toppling Putin from his second reign of terror.
If Russia hadn't insisted on supporting an Eastern Ukraine, which apparently it is not able to dominate, the nexus highway could not have been erected. But now it is too late. NATO and the EU will benefit from what it is learning from these Russian and Ukrainian-sympathizer incursions. Incidentally, I understand this super highway does not end at Kiev but extends to London!
Putin will not only lose the support of Russia's ruling class, I predict, but its investors abroad will come to know the true worth of industries and business enterprises in Russia and will act accordingly. Still, he may continue to garner the support of its citizenry until the country's ruble becomes worthless and the country itself is bankrupt. I know that China's patience has grown thin at Putin's incompetence; and at sometime Russia will lose its monetary support.
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
--I'm instituting a new topic into the "John's What's UP?" series: Goings-On. This will enable a comment or two on some recent developments in an area I'm been tracking.
--I'll get to the new items on the topic of "Peace and etc." soon! Busy right now on items-of-the-day.
--Weather's turned hot, hot!
--I'll get to the new items on the topic of "Peace and etc." soon! Busy right now on items-of-the-day.
--Weather's turned hot, hot!
Tuesday, May 24, 2016
Tuesday, May 24, 2016
--In addition to keeping up to continual changes in the world scene, I've got a few forward-looking and (what may turn out to be) long-lasting topics I'm working on. One that will be occupying a few items in the Globalization series deals with a new philosophy that I'm trying to put together, "Philosophy of Peace and Well-Being." This philosophy stems from the works of A.N. Whitehead (American philosopher) and the great German philosopher Hegel.
--Aside from that, I'm enjoyng El Paso immensely. I understand they'll be building a 22-story apartment-hotel complex on North Mesa Street soon. Just goes to indicate, the boom in building happening here.
--Aside from that, I'm enjoyng El Paso immensely. I understand they'll be building a 22-story apartment-hotel complex on North Mesa Street soon. Just goes to indicate, the boom in building happening here.
Some Hezbollah groups supportive of the West
I don't have time to follow up on what I've heard, but I understand that there's at least a Persian wing of the Hezbollah that's helping the West destroy the radical Islam movement. Hoorah. I've tried to maintain the position that there's a lot of good to the Hezbollah--they just need the right leadership and they won't be supporting Assad.
I believe the Hamas are basically ok, once they give up on the PLO leadership of the Palestinians and disarm their military arm.
I believe the Hamas are basically ok, once they give up on the PLO leadership of the Palestinians and disarm their military arm.
Tuesday, May 10, 2016
XVIII. US Military Intelligence likely superior to Congressional
Please remember this is a Whack-O Theory--not a grain of truth to it!
I can't conceive that the US military divulges its state-of-the-art methodologies in warfare--even to Congress! And I imagine that since the rules of engagement have changed--placing emphasis on Naval weaponry and technology to awe any enemy with ranges of thousands of miles.. Importantly, this new era of military intelligence relies on cyber advances that deploy drones and long-range honing in on enemy targets. According to my way of thinking, it is appropriate to devalue the use of tanks and field artillery and de-emphasize planing for foot-soldier and field fighting encounters.. Specifically an army of 450,000 is just about right! To my way of thinking, the day of man-to-man fighting on some battlefield is a thing of the past!
What is needed for the kind of military era I believe is rapidly developing is a sophisticated computer technology to give the US military the leadership role for centuries to come. Look at how North Korea and Russia display for their public sleek new models in conventional warfare--what I regard as obsolete tactics suggesting effete methods of aggression. As if the Muslim extremists don't exist; and the rules of engagement are still the same as in centuries of yore. Look for missiles coming down from outer space!
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I can't conceive that the US military divulges its state-of-the-art methodologies in warfare--even to Congress! And I imagine that since the rules of engagement have changed--placing emphasis on Naval weaponry and technology to awe any enemy with ranges of thousands of miles.. Importantly, this new era of military intelligence relies on cyber advances that deploy drones and long-range honing in on enemy targets. According to my way of thinking, it is appropriate to devalue the use of tanks and field artillery and de-emphasize planing for foot-soldier and field fighting encounters.. Specifically an army of 450,000 is just about right! To my way of thinking, the day of man-to-man fighting on some battlefield is a thing of the past!
What is needed for the kind of military era I believe is rapidly developing is a sophisticated computer technology to give the US military the leadership role for centuries to come. Look at how North Korea and Russia display for their public sleek new models in conventional warfare--what I regard as obsolete tactics suggesting effete methods of aggression. As if the Muslim extremists don't exist; and the rules of engagement are still the same as in centuries of yore. Look for missiles coming down from outer space!
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Monday, April 11, 2016
All's well that ends well: Apr 11 '16
I've just returned from a trip to the East Coast from March 24 (I think) to April 7th. Thrilling and very fast! Went to DC, Richmond, Indianapolis, and New York City.
El Paso is just fine for me, especially since I hear they're going to upgrade Med Center on Alameda. At least, I hope so!
But my living conditions couldn't be better. I'm not certain about my communications with the federal agency that's been so kind to me over the years. Maybe, they've had it with me!
At least I'm not needing nursing home care; and have use of my body without need of any disabling improvement devices and really not in need of medical pills.
Will be taking the next few days off to get prepared to be in the swing of things. I had to reopen my box because I thought I was to do something other and closed it!
Nice to be back home! Though it might have been nicer had I worked something out to stay in DC! Oh, well!
Wednesday, March 2, 2016
Wednesday, March 2, 2016--Ops Central #2
--Things going well. I would like someone from the Vegas Federal Agency to get us started, because we're meeting up with China in Panama. Jauarez is functioning already! Thanks.
Tuesday, February 16, 2016
Tuesday, February 16, 2016
--I understand the psychoanalysis project has been moved up in importance. That being the case, and the fact that I'm attending Osher Lifelong Learning classes at the University of Texas, El Paso, I went over to the Philosophy Department on campus to see if I could find one on their teaching staff interested in the Philosophy of Psychology area.
If so, I could go over the key concepts in psychoanalysis germane to mental therapy with that philosopher, so that I could write intelligently on the topic! Else, I'll just have to go it alone on my own. The benefit to that professor who would be willing to engage in dialogue with me on the key concepts in psychoanalysis is that he could learn possibly along the way from what I know.
I envision a weekly meeting lasting possibly a half an hour in which I present from my readings a digest from selected writings of Freud on some particular concept. These sessions would probably spread over the entire Spring semester.
If so, I could go over the key concepts in psychoanalysis germane to mental therapy with that philosopher, so that I could write intelligently on the topic! Else, I'll just have to go it alone on my own. The benefit to that professor who would be willing to engage in dialogue with me on the key concepts in psychoanalysis is that he could learn possibly along the way from what I know.
I envision a weekly meeting lasting possibly a half an hour in which I present from my readings a digest from selected writings of Freud on some particular concept. These sessions would probably spread over the entire Spring semester.
Friday, February 12, 2016
Forming Operations Center #2
I've been given the green light for Operations Center #2 here in El Paso with a satellite in Juarez, MX, #2A. Operations Center #1 has been so successful, I would hope the Pope could give a wave to this current endeavor!
In Juarez, the office has already been chosen and things are underway. I know the El Paso Center will be just as successful, though the challenges reach far into Central America--specifically to Panama! God bless!
In Juarez, the office has already been chosen and things are underway. I know the El Paso Center will be just as successful, though the challenges reach far into Central America--specifically to Panama! God bless!
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
Wednesday, February 10, 2016
--I'm instituting once again OLLI REPORTS in the Ruminations Blog. I'm registered for classes in UTEP's OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) this Spring Semester. Any comments I want to make concerning topics taken up in the classes I'm in will be recorded under this heading.
--I'm busy studying Freud's Psychoanalysis as well.
--I'm busy studying Freud's Psychoanalysis as well.
Saturday, February 6, 2016
Sen. Bernie Sanders in need of sage advice!
I watched Senator Sanders' campaign speech last night, really closely; and I discerned he's in need of sound advice! He's made plenty of mistakes, but he's got a lot of good points he's making against the political system; and that's good and very needed. Let me point out his egregious mistakes I noted from listening to his speech.
Mistake #1: Socialism isn't the answer!
By advocating socialism, Senator Sanders would be granting to the very wealthy and the middle class, etc. governmental benefits for which they already have the financial ability to pay. I think the LA County Hospitals have it right: if a patient has the ability to meet the financial obligations to pay for his care, then he should be charged; but the very poor are not charged. (At least, that was what I experienced when living in LA some years ago.) Currently, Sweden can't afford its socialized medicine program, nor can Denmark; but really all of Europe suffers from paying for medical costs incurred by those who can afford to pay their own medical bills or for insurance to cover. Government can merely provide a safety net for the poverty-stricken and those who would otherwise become poverty-stricken. The right for which Sanders argues is that of receiving medical care as needed, not for covering all the medical costs for the care received.
Mistake #2: Senator Sanders is in with the crowd of politicians he wants to reform; and is part of the system he wants to radically correct. He is appealing to these by mistake.
Of course, he's right to present his case to the American people. But his appeal is in the field of 'meta-politics.' There are institutes all around Washington, DC involved in meta-politics. For one, I've always admired the Cato Institute. It oversees and monitors those politicians in the Conservative Movement and champions its cause by keeping politicians of that persuasion focused on conservative principles whenever it detects deviance on the part of some political members.
The point is, Senator Sanders needs some advocacy group on his side, some universities and philanthropic organizations to back his organization. It is not just that he is running for President, but that the views he espouses must become part and parcel of the fabric of the country through Congressional legislation and constant oversight of the political system. His "revolution" goes far beyond the 2016 election cycle.
Mistake #3: Senator Sanders may be deluded into thinking the US political system is taking his candidacy for President seriously. It's not just his age; it's his ideas. To try reform from within, may be mistake #3.
Anyway, don't shut up, Senator Sanders and don't yield! Hooray for you!
Mistake #1: Socialism isn't the answer!
By advocating socialism, Senator Sanders would be granting to the very wealthy and the middle class, etc. governmental benefits for which they already have the financial ability to pay. I think the LA County Hospitals have it right: if a patient has the ability to meet the financial obligations to pay for his care, then he should be charged; but the very poor are not charged. (At least, that was what I experienced when living in LA some years ago.) Currently, Sweden can't afford its socialized medicine program, nor can Denmark; but really all of Europe suffers from paying for medical costs incurred by those who can afford to pay their own medical bills or for insurance to cover. Government can merely provide a safety net for the poverty-stricken and those who would otherwise become poverty-stricken. The right for which Sanders argues is that of receiving medical care as needed, not for covering all the medical costs for the care received.
Mistake #2: Senator Sanders is in with the crowd of politicians he wants to reform; and is part of the system he wants to radically correct. He is appealing to these by mistake.
Of course, he's right to present his case to the American people. But his appeal is in the field of 'meta-politics.' There are institutes all around Washington, DC involved in meta-politics. For one, I've always admired the Cato Institute. It oversees and monitors those politicians in the Conservative Movement and champions its cause by keeping politicians of that persuasion focused on conservative principles whenever it detects deviance on the part of some political members.
The point is, Senator Sanders needs some advocacy group on his side, some universities and philanthropic organizations to back his organization. It is not just that he is running for President, but that the views he espouses must become part and parcel of the fabric of the country through Congressional legislation and constant oversight of the political system. His "revolution" goes far beyond the 2016 election cycle.
Mistake #3: Senator Sanders may be deluded into thinking the US political system is taking his candidacy for President seriously. It's not just his age; it's his ideas. To try reform from within, may be mistake #3.
Anyway, don't shut up, Senator Sanders and don't yield! Hooray for you!
Monday, January 25, 2016
Monday, January 25, 2016
I'm settled back in El Paso and have begun to produce!
Major current project is related to psychoanalysis. It will obviously take awhile. I do appreciate the encouragement and backing. Thank you!
Major current project is related to psychoanalysis. It will obviously take awhile. I do appreciate the encouragement and backing. Thank you!
Friday, January 22, 2016
US Big Banks a necessity
China is building infrastructure for African countries at a frenzy rate! It can do so because its national bank supplies the capital. You need big banks for big money, cash on hand; and the community banks in the US simply can't do the trick. So, contrary to what Sanders is arguing, big banks in the US are here to stay! And, they do a very needed job for US big business and the federal government.
UK geographical challenges in great need
Although PM Cameron wants to give the impression that he's in control, I think there's more going on than he is taking so lightly!
For one thing, he says he can handle the water influx of the North Sea due to the melting of the northern ice cap. I think it's much more serious, especially for the islands off the north coast. I am hoping that the British military is in touch with the US Army Corps of Engineers to grapple with the severity of the water flooding of lands that is bound to occur soon, if not already.
For another, the UK has an enormous opportunity to take advantage of wind power. It needs a lot more windmills all over the country, but especially in the north as soon as they can add to what is there already. Forget costs and borrow like mad, because the UK can recoup in the savings in electric bills. Also, the UK, I have the impression, is still trying to save its coal industry. This is a terrible mistake, if true. The winds carry the carbons right over the Continent. Have mercy for your fellow Europeans!
For one thing, he says he can handle the water influx of the North Sea due to the melting of the northern ice cap. I think it's much more serious, especially for the islands off the north coast. I am hoping that the British military is in touch with the US Army Corps of Engineers to grapple with the severity of the water flooding of lands that is bound to occur soon, if not already.
For another, the UK has an enormous opportunity to take advantage of wind power. It needs a lot more windmills all over the country, but especially in the north as soon as they can add to what is there already. Forget costs and borrow like mad, because the UK can recoup in the savings in electric bills. Also, the UK, I have the impression, is still trying to save its coal industry. This is a terrible mistake, if true. The winds carry the carbons right over the Continent. Have mercy for your fellow Europeans!
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