russia

COVID-19: Finding Fault (Part 1)

(Editor’s Note:  This is closing on 3000 words and growing, and even the best rants start losing people around the 1500 mark, so I’m chopping it into its component parts.  Expect further installments.)

I have evidently been guilty of failing to express myself plainly.  To be clear, then:  When I say “This is all your fault”, I’m not implying that it might be someone else instead.  I blame you.

I’m saying that all this is your fault.  You personally.  Yes, you, the one reading this right now.  I know you don’t believe me, and if you’re starting to… no, it’s too farfetched, and you just think I’m nuts.  Too damn bad, because it’s all your fault.  You’re the one (more…)

So, Yes, It’s Russia Again — But.

First, the Post reveals that Russia is helping both Sanders and Trump this time around (conveniently just in time for the Nevada Caucuses).  Then CNN tells us the threat is greatly exaggerated.  Now we’re being told by Fox News that DoD says there’s actually no Russian activity at all, and it’s all a big hoax.

A reasonably intelligent person might well (more…)

Aside: On The Decoy Effect

People are deliberately inducing anxiety in you in order to manipulate your decisions.  You’re already aware of this, at least subconsciously; consider:
How many coffee sizes are there?

If you answered three — either small, medium, and large or tall, grande, and venti depending on where you get your caffeine — then (more…)

Why Won’t People Admit The Truth About Russia?

Frankly, it’s because the real truth is hard to admit:

Russia didn’t cost Clinton the election and give it to Trump.

It’s possible you did.

What did Russia do? They stole information — true information — and leaked it to the voters. They did so at the most effective moment and in the most damaging way. They did it less to sway voters than to create hatred and division between the parties. Looking out there today, you can see they were successful. (more…)

Why We Aren’t Panicking About Russian Election Tampering In 2020

There’s a couple of reasons here. I think the main one is, we’re pretty much emergencied out by now.

Think about it: Al Gore gave us a decade to fix the planet, and that was twenty years ago. We were running out of oil too; that hasn’t happened either. And… anyone else remember the Y2K scare? We were going to have riots, looting, and blood in the streets. Never happened; wasn’t (more…)

Is It Voter Fraud — Or Suppression?

There’s a curious debate going on in this country, and I’m here to settle it.

Republicans are worried about voter fraud.  Democrats are worried about voter suppression.  Both topics are all through the news right now, and they’ll continue to be trumpeted through the election.  If we asked them, most people would say that at least one of these subjects ought to be a matter of blazing headlines, followed by investigations, prosecutions, and convictions.

They say a lot of people in this country don’t vote.  I’d say that, for non-voters, we Americans take the subject pretty seriously.

(more…)

Treason?

Following the press conference between Trump and Putin, the internet was filled with cries of “Treason!”

Today, congressional Democrats have been shouting loudly for the president’s head; remarkably, so have congressional Republicans.  CNN and MSNBC talking heads have echoed this; even Fox News has criticized Trump’s statements.  Everyone seems to agree:  Heads should roll.

But whose? (more…)

Sam Clovis: The Next Name You’ll Hear

There are approximately one hundred and sixty Trump Administration appointments awaiting the pleasure of the United State Senate for hearings and confirmation.

Among these are names for a couple of dozen Federal judges, fifty or so assistant sub-undersecretaryships (not a real thing, but you get the idea), and ambassadors to such places as Haiti, the Bahamas, Croatia, Zambia, Lichtenstein, India, and Germany.  (I find it somewhat disturbing that we lack an ambassador to India, particularly given that they’re a nuclear power with a history of friction with their neighbors.  Quite unlike Germany, of course…)  Most of these will fly through with minimal debate, which is as it should be; many are relatively innocuous, while some can be objected to solely on ideological grounds.

But there are a few that should make us all sit up and take notice, and one in particular that will make a really big stink.  That last is Sam Clovis (more…)

Indictments (After Donne, Meditation XVII)

Indictments are being handed down tomorrow. By the time you read this, there’s a good chance they’ll be out, and someone will be facing charges.

They’ve been oddly public about this, leaving us to speculate over a whole weekend about who the unlucky sod is going to be that’s first into the inquisition. Will it be Manafort? Kushner? No doubt there are a few deluded Trump supporters that honestly think Hillary Clinton is about to get indicted. (more…)

Nothing To See Here; Move Along

(or, Why I Haven’t Written Much Lately)

Most of my posts here are about current events.  When an important new law gets signed, I’m all over it; when there’s a big mystery or scandal, I’m right here with my opinion.  Normally, when there’s a pause in the news for whatever reason, I’ll chime in with a suggestion on policy.

Trouble is, right now, nothing’s happening, and what is happening is just more of (more…)