There are opinion polls that rate the President' approval and Congress's approval. By those measures it is fair to say that the public can't stand Trump and hate Congress even more. Trump has an historically bad ranking. I frankly don't care much for those two polls for a few reasons, none of which has to do with Trump's low score. I simply don't think those polls matter much. Here is what does . . .
DIRECTION OF THE COUNTRY
"Public perception of the direction of the country has been strongly negative for years. In late summer of 2016, the feeling that we were moving in the wrong direction reached the high-60s, while less than 25% felt we were heading the right way. In the most recent polls, 31.1% feel that the country is moving in the "right direction." So the poll is moving in the right direction, even those nearly 70% of the country still does not believe the country is.
The following BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC data are MORE telling than the POLITICAL OPINION POLLS:
- Consumer Confidence
- Business (small, medium and large) Confidence
- Wages and Household Income
- GDP
- Corporate Earnings
- Labor Force Participation
All of these metrics are doing great since Trump has been elected. And so long as this data continue to improve I could give less than too hoots about the POLITICAL OPINION polls about Trump. The same same pollsters gave the election to Hillary in a landslide.
(If you think the recent November election outcomes in the VA and NJ suggest otherwise, I disagree. But my explanation would get me off into a different set of issues which I simply don't feel like going into here.)
Saturday, November 11, 2017
What the Hell Is Going On? You Can Figure It Out!
7 QUESTIONS THAT HELP YOU FIGURE OUT WHETHER IT IS TRUMP OR HILLARY THAT COULDN'T BE TRUSTED WHEN IT COMES TO RUSSIAN COLLUSION, THE LAST ELECTION AND IN GENERAL:
What is happening seems rather obvious to me. It is all coming together. Uranium One, Russian Facebook ads, mysterious Clinton deaths & disappearances, The Dossier, the Trump Jr meeting, Julian Assuage and Hillary/DNC server hacks, Flynn, Montefort, and certain others with certain Russian conflicts of interests. Do the math folks! It is not that hard to see. It is just hard to fathom!
It is NOT a Democrat or Republican "thing!" It comes down to fundamental espionage tactics which can be expressed through the following 7 questions:
1. Who can you buy? (Who is greedy and overly ambitious.)
2. Who can you blackmail? (Garbage collection and creation.)
3. Who can we use their sexual desires to compromise? (Whose horny.)
4. Who is too great a threat to your cover and has to be eliminated?
5. Who can be tricked or fooled?
6. What organizations can we infiltrate and operate from the inside to exploit or steal their assets? (E.G. media, parties, agencies, etc.)
7. What systems can we hack into in order to exploit or disrupt? (E.G. databases, private networks, etc.)
As always, with any good spy story, follow the money and the motive. But don't be fooled by your own bias when it comes to what trails to pursue or signs to read or conclusions to be reached!
What is happening seems rather obvious to me. It is all coming together. Uranium One, Russian Facebook ads, mysterious Clinton deaths & disappearances, The Dossier, the Trump Jr meeting, Julian Assuage and Hillary/DNC server hacks, Flynn, Montefort, and certain others with certain Russian conflicts of interests. Do the math folks! It is not that hard to see. It is just hard to fathom!
It is NOT a Democrat or Republican "thing!" It comes down to fundamental espionage tactics which can be expressed through the following 7 questions:
1. Who can you buy? (Who is greedy and overly ambitious.)
2. Who can you blackmail? (Garbage collection and creation.)
3. Who can we use their sexual desires to compromise? (Whose horny.)
4. Who is too great a threat to your cover and has to be eliminated?
5. Who can be tricked or fooled?
6. What organizations can we infiltrate and operate from the inside to exploit or steal their assets? (E.G. media, parties, agencies, etc.)
7. What systems can we hack into in order to exploit or disrupt? (E.G. databases, private networks, etc.)
As always, with any good spy story, follow the money and the motive. But don't be fooled by your own bias when it comes to what trails to pursue or signs to read or conclusions to be reached!
Friday, November 10, 2017
What Is In Store For Christmas?
It is nearly "that time of year," but first you need to know this . . .
"Under the 1995 Jerusalem Embassy Act, Congress explicitly named Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and demanded that the U.S. embassy be relocated there or risk losing State Department funding. But the law includes an important caveat — the president can waive the requirement for a six-month period in the name of national security interests. All administrations have opted to waive the requirement every six months, citing security concerns and advice from experts, as well as opposition to Congressional efforts to direct executive control over foreign policy."
As we know, Trump campaigned with a repeated promise to move the USA's embassy back to Jerusalem - in simple terms - to NOT sign the extension. It is a promise I believe he totally intends to keep. Frankly, I expected that he wasn't going to sign the last 6 month extension, which came up for the first time during his presidency back in June.
Trump's excuse for extending the move another 6 months as all Presidents have done for over two decades was "to give the peace process a chance" was reasonable. By the same token, it seems to me that there are more likely underlying reasons. (There always are.)
It is practically inevitable that a large portion of the middle east, and Muslims around the world are going to go apoplectic over the embassy move. As far as Israel is concerned, the most likely ways are outbreaks of violence and terror at "The Mount," from rockets fired out of Gaza and from Lebanon, and with attacks on civilians in the West Bank and Israeli cities.
We know that Israel will use crushing force in a "measured" response to such violence. We also know that no matter how measured Israel's handling is, UNESCO and even certain allies will condemn her. What I wonder most about is how Israel will address threats of and actual aggression coming from Hezbollah in Lebanon. Israel appears to be readying for a major thrust into Lebanon to deal a big blow to Iranian backed Hezbollah forces and bases.
I suspect that the last embassy move extension was less about "giving peace a chance" and more about giving war a better chance. The last extension provided Israel and the USA with important time to plan, arm and train. This was time needed to deploy the new F-35 strike fighter and other new modern systems. Simply put, knowing full well the peace process had virtually no chance, the last six month extension provided crucial time to prepare for war.
What is quite interesting to me is the possibility of a partial connection to what is happening in Saudi Arabia, as far back as the Arab Summit in Riyadh. Israel, the USA, and Saudi Arabia have a common enemy - Iran. I believe the USA and Israel have been working intensely to ensure that should there be an action by Israel in Lebanon, which may also include or draw in its ally Iran, that S.A. stands down, and may even covertly support Israel.
We can't forget about Syria, which is also an ally to both Lebanon and Iran. Without going into details, suffice to say that Syria has for all intents and purposes been neutered by their own internal matters coupled with Israeli strikes against Hezbollah's supply chain from Iran within Syria, and the USA's missile strike against a key Syrian airfield at the beginning of Trump's term.
When you boil this down, a trap is being set for Hamas in Israel, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and potentially for the ultimate target, Iran. We are closing in on the next deadline for it to be sprung - the need for Trump to sign the next extension in December.
Is Trump about to deliver a Christmas gift to both those who elected Trump and Israel, by reaffirming that Jerusalem is the eternal capital of Israel and moving our embassy back? Is this part of what Trump has in mind when he says we will be saying "Merry Christmas" this year. If so, and the gift is delivered by virtue of Trump rejecting to sign the extension, will Israel get what it wished for?
Is Trump about to deliver a Christmas gift to both those who elected Trump and Israel, by reaffirming that Jerusalem is the eternal capital of Israel and moving our embassy back? Is this part of what Trump has in mind when he says we will be saying "Merry Christmas" this year. If so, and the gift is delivered by virtue of Trump rejecting to sign the extension, will Israel get what it wished for?
What do you think?
Wednesday, October 4, 2017
The Price Of Freedom
Several years ago my wife, a dance teacher, purchased costume straight jackets from a Halloween store online to use in a dance recital. As result of that purchase, our home was searched without a warrant and an FBI agent and 2 police officers showed up at our place of business to question my wife in the evening. If that single innocent purchase could trigger such an investigation, how is it that the shooter was not personally investigated at his home?
The police or FBI had every right to probe the Vegas shooter and keep him on a highly suspicious watch. You will see ... there will be loads of red flags by the time this investigation is through. I am confident clues were overlooked and balls were dropped. Just as we found with the 9/11 perpetrators who came from Saudi Arabia who wanted to takeoff but not land, and many of the other mass murderers.
Maybe it is too much to ask, and it is unreasonable to expect authorities to foil every crazy evil person's murderous scheme. But for sure there will be lessons from Vegas that will lead to new training, new procedures and practises to help keep us safe.
Unfortunately we are paying a higher and higher price for the freedoms we enjoy! Evil is exacting a toll on society and our psyche. This includes the relentless verbal assaults on one another by one another via social media and the mainstream media. Even the exercise of free speech is brutalizing us, regardless of one's party affiliation. The other side is quick to dehumanize us with insults, accusations, and just plain contempt.
All of this wears us down. The price of our freedom is diminishing the things that bind our society. A high price indeed. And for some, the cost is too high. For those, the result is fear & anxiety, depression, emptiness, and loneliness. Sometimes, the consequence manifests as rage. When this happens, the response can be suicide, or worse - an act of violence - rage against the machine.
My wife has given me one answer -- turn it off. I expect that will be the next big trend. People need to escape. I know I do.
Monday, September 25, 2017
Fire the Sons of Bitches
O.K. JERKS who are kneeling ... we get it, there is still prejudice in America and there are some bad cops.
The answer to each of these questions is NO -- Of course not!!
Bottom Line - You are just a self-absorbed spoiled jerk looking for an easy way to call attention to yourself with the foolish notion that your protest does one bit of good. Rather than solving any problems in America, your are creating them. And, your protest is demonstrating your obvious disregard for everyone and everything you are hurting, including ALL those who provide you the incredible opportunity to play professional sports.
You Are Idiots - There are numerous other better ways to use your celebrity time and money to truly make a positive difference. But you chose the one way to damage your reputation, your livelihood, and everyone associated with you and your profession. And thus, your future ability to actually do something positive with your God given talents.
The NFL ALREADY has a rule that players stand for the National Anthem and put their hand over their heart. The NFL should pass a simple rule: Stand OR don't play and NO PAY. Employers have the right to do so. The NFL can fine players for dancing after a touchdown, and they certainly can fine them for disrespecting our country and the armed forces. It is perfectly normal for players to get fined for unsportsmanlike conduct. Standing for the National Athem is about as sportsmanlike as it gets. Heck, there is an entire ceremony with a singer, color gaurd and everyone in the stadium standing and taking off their hats.
Last but not least ...
THE COMMANDER AND CHIEF OF THE MILITARY, TOWARDS WHICH THESE JERKS ARE SHOWING DISRESPECT, HAS EVERY RIGHT TO CALL OUT THESE JERKS BEHAVIOR AND SAY WHAT MOST AMERICANS ARE THINKING!
And love him or hate him for it ... but Trump says it exactly the way we would say it. "Fire the sons of bitches" who disrespect our nation on public television.
Furthermore ....
Hard to imagine to a worse time for blacks in America than in the 1800's. And yet black soldiers fought and died valiantly to raise the flag!
No body, even the President, is denying anyone's RIGHT to protest. But there are consequences for bad judgment. For and against BOTH sides. The question is what do we learn?
When you boil it down, I find it hard to imagine that in the final conclusion we do not mostly agree that the National Anthem is one aspect of and moment in America that deserves us pausing to respect our Nation. And, that there are other better times and means of protest.
If one is unhappy with America it is time to HOLD THE FLAG EVEN HIGHER FOR WHAT AMERICA IS MEANT TO BE!
- Surely there are others on the team who are disturbed by prejudice and bad cops, so why are your concerns any more special?
- Does signaling that you are bothered resolve this issue?
- Is anything associated with your team, it's owners, fans, or even your industry, let alone the military and those who served, at fault and therefore deserving of your protest?
- Does hurting your industry's revenue and fan support, along with all those who depend on a living from it, fix the problem?
- Does embarrassing your employer, and annoying a huge percentage of your fans and even many of your fellow teammates and coaches accomplish any resolution to your grievances?
The answer to each of these questions is NO -- Of course not!!
Bottom Line - You are just a self-absorbed spoiled jerk looking for an easy way to call attention to yourself with the foolish notion that your protest does one bit of good. Rather than solving any problems in America, your are creating them. And, your protest is demonstrating your obvious disregard for everyone and everything you are hurting, including ALL those who provide you the incredible opportunity to play professional sports.
You Are Idiots - There are numerous other better ways to use your celebrity time and money to truly make a positive difference. But you chose the one way to damage your reputation, your livelihood, and everyone associated with you and your profession. And thus, your future ability to actually do something positive with your God given talents.
The NFL ALREADY has a rule that players stand for the National Anthem and put their hand over their heart. The NFL should pass a simple rule: Stand OR don't play and NO PAY. Employers have the right to do so. The NFL can fine players for dancing after a touchdown, and they certainly can fine them for disrespecting our country and the armed forces. It is perfectly normal for players to get fined for unsportsmanlike conduct. Standing for the National Athem is about as sportsmanlike as it gets. Heck, there is an entire ceremony with a singer, color gaurd and everyone in the stadium standing and taking off their hats.
Last but not least ...
THE COMMANDER AND CHIEF OF THE MILITARY, TOWARDS WHICH THESE JERKS ARE SHOWING DISRESPECT, HAS EVERY RIGHT TO CALL OUT THESE JERKS BEHAVIOR AND SAY WHAT MOST AMERICANS ARE THINKING!
And love him or hate him for it ... but Trump says it exactly the way we would say it. "Fire the sons of bitches" who disrespect our nation on public television.
Furthermore ....
Hard to imagine to a worse time for blacks in America than in the 1800's. And yet black soldiers fought and died valiantly to raise the flag!
No body, even the President, is denying anyone's RIGHT to protest. But there are consequences for bad judgment. For and against BOTH sides. The question is what do we learn?
When you boil it down, I find it hard to imagine that in the final conclusion we do not mostly agree that the National Anthem is one aspect of and moment in America that deserves us pausing to respect our Nation. And, that there are other better times and means of protest.
If one is unhappy with America it is time to HOLD THE FLAG EVEN HIGHER FOR WHAT AMERICA IS MEANT TO BE!
Saturday, September 23, 2017
Trump Signaled To The World
For all those who thought President Trump's speech last Tuesday before the United Nations General Assembly was a disgrace, I've got news for you. It earned much praise from former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton and others, who unlike the media and critics, actually understand foreign policy.
Bolton was especially impressed by the much-needed paradigm shift in foreign policy proposed by the president. Referring to Trump’s fierce criticism of Venezuela, North Korea and Iran, Bolton stated, “I think it’s safe to say in the entire history of the United Nations, there has never been a more straightforward criticism of the behavior, the unacceptable behavior, of member states."
He also said, “I think these are about as clear an indication as a president can make that he’s not going to live with the kinds of half measures and compromises that frankly for 25 years have marked American policy and led us to the present desperate situation."
Trump's speech signaled that the days of appeasing our enemies and letting them walk all over us are over. Unlike past White House Administration, Trump's is not going to cater to terrible regimes such as Iran, North Korea, and Venezuela like a despondent child who only needs some kind words and a treat to be set straight.
This applies to failed ideologies like socialism as well. Trump delivered the cold and direct truth about the devastation of Venezuela’s once-wealthy nation by the implementation of socialism. Trump nailed it with this line to be remembered, “The problem in Venezuela is not that socialism has been poorly implemented but that socialism has been faithfully implemented."
Bolton loved that statement: “I tell you, there are a lot of people in the U.N. who have never heard anything like that from an American president." Russian diplomats seized on Trump's speech as possible turning point for relations.
Said one conservative Journalist writing about this historic watershed moment at the United Nations, "Trump set a new tone — one of strength in the face of both evil men and evil ideologies."
Again, Trump has changed the equation. Leaders in nations around the world have a new calculus to have to figure out. Gone are the days of failed predictability and elitist rhetoric. Progressive Democrats and the media elite who can only find trivial points to express their pathetic contempt and criticism, have missed the big picture and the potential for big results which are already evident from Trumps major shift in foreign policy. But I assure you that world leaders recognized Trump's signal that the USA is back to leading boldly from the front. And as much as Trump's critics hate to admit it, our allies are loving it. Because the world is a safer place when we do. Especially on the terms that Trump clearly laid out.
There was plenty of criticism of Trump's speech as well. The most fierce coming from Iran, North Korea, CNN, MSNBC, the New York Times, and late night TV comedians. They deserve each other!
Bolton was especially impressed by the much-needed paradigm shift in foreign policy proposed by the president. Referring to Trump’s fierce criticism of Venezuela, North Korea and Iran, Bolton stated, “I think it’s safe to say in the entire history of the United Nations, there has never been a more straightforward criticism of the behavior, the unacceptable behavior, of member states."
He also said, “I think these are about as clear an indication as a president can make that he’s not going to live with the kinds of half measures and compromises that frankly for 25 years have marked American policy and led us to the present desperate situation."
Trump's speech signaled that the days of appeasing our enemies and letting them walk all over us are over. Unlike past White House Administration, Trump's is not going to cater to terrible regimes such as Iran, North Korea, and Venezuela like a despondent child who only needs some kind words and a treat to be set straight.
This applies to failed ideologies like socialism as well. Trump delivered the cold and direct truth about the devastation of Venezuela’s once-wealthy nation by the implementation of socialism. Trump nailed it with this line to be remembered, “The problem in Venezuela is not that socialism has been poorly implemented but that socialism has been faithfully implemented."
Bolton loved that statement: “I tell you, there are a lot of people in the U.N. who have never heard anything like that from an American president." Russian diplomats seized on Trump's speech as possible turning point for relations.
Said one conservative Journalist writing about this historic watershed moment at the United Nations, "Trump set a new tone — one of strength in the face of both evil men and evil ideologies."
Again, Trump has changed the equation. Leaders in nations around the world have a new calculus to have to figure out. Gone are the days of failed predictability and elitist rhetoric. Progressive Democrats and the media elite who can only find trivial points to express their pathetic contempt and criticism, have missed the big picture and the potential for big results which are already evident from Trumps major shift in foreign policy. But I assure you that world leaders recognized Trump's signal that the USA is back to leading boldly from the front. And as much as Trump's critics hate to admit it, our allies are loving it. Because the world is a safer place when we do. Especially on the terms that Trump clearly laid out.
There was plenty of criticism of Trump's speech as well. The most fierce coming from Iran, North Korea, CNN, MSNBC, the New York Times, and late night TV comedians. They deserve each other!
Friday, September 22, 2017
My Trip To Touro Synagogue
This Rosh Hashanah my wife and I planned a trip to Touro Synagogue in Newport Rhode Island. Touro is the oldest synagogue building in North America and the only one dating back to the colonial era.
Jews started settling in Newport in the late 1600's. Issac Touro arrived later, and the Newport building was dedidcated during Chanukah in 1763. In August of 1790, George Washington visited Newport for a public appearance to rally support for the new Bill of Rights. As part of the welcoming ceremonies for the president, the Newport temple's President Moses Mendes Seixas, was one of the community leaders honored to address George Washington. Washington's subsequent response letter to Moses Seixas and the Temple, quoting his thoughts on religious liberties and the seperation of church and state, is a remarkable example of both our first President's and our new government's support of First Amendment Rights. Each year Touro Synagogue holds a public reading of Washington's letter as a celebration and pronouncement of religious freedom.
This bit of history provides the context for my trip to Touro Synagogue, but not the reason I chose to do my Rosh Hashanah prayers there. I went to Touro with a particular goal and a personal question. With all the partison political strife in America today, I wanted to be in this setting for the traditional prayer that is given for the United States, and the Armed Forces of the USA and Israel.
There were other special moments. I was touched by Rabbi Mandel's thoughts about Sarah and Issac as they relate to the meaning of a name, and how to view laughter. I was honored to be invited to the Rabbi's home for Rosh Hashanah dinner. During Taschlich by the ocean I was delighted to meet and speak with a special individual, named Simcha, who dreams of being a rabbi. Last but not least, hearing the Shofar sounded on Rosh Hashanah at Touro Synagogue is a quintessential Jewish American experience.
Touro Synagogue is a blessing. Our journey to and prayers at Touro was a wonderful way to start 5778. I hope this story inspires readers to make the trip to Newport and take in Shabbat at Touro Synagogue. Shana Tova u’metuka!
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