Sunday, July 28, 2013
The Plain Truth: The Awful Truth About Television: Fake News and ot...
The Plain Truth: The Awful Truth About Television: Fake News and ot...: Think your TV news show is packed with informative, unbiased news? It may actually be contaminiated with propaganda produced by government ...
The Awful Truth About Television: Fake News and other reasons not to watch TV news!
Think your TV news show is packed with informative, unbiased news? It may actually be contaminiated with propaganda produced by government agencies, large corporations, and others and disguised as news. Unfortunately, that's not the only problem with TV news. Part 11 of "The Awful Truth About Television" series.
DO touch that dial to avoid fake news
Government agencies, corporations, industry groups, and other large organizations contaminate the airwaves with fake news. These organizations produce pre-packaged news segments called VNRs, or Video News Releases. These segments look like real news. In fact, VNRs are little more that propaganda pieces for their producers. Stations have routinely used these fake news segments since at least the 1980s, usually without disclosing their source.
There is nothing inherently wrong with the government and other social actors creating interesting audio or video pieces to communicate with the public. The problem is that these propaganda pieces do not properly identify the source. They are made to look and feel like independent news casts with government/corporate actors pretending to be reporters.
Government attempts to regulate fake news
There have been a few efforts to control this phenomenon. The Government Accountability Office ruled in February 2005 that government-sponsored TV "news" reports are covert propaganda, unless their source is apparent to viewers. The Senate introduced the Truth in Broadcasting Act (S. 967) in 2005 into committee. This act would require all pre-packaged, government-produced audio and video news releases to include a clear disclaimer that the government was the original source. This act would not apply to VNRs produced by corporations, industry groups, or charitable foundations. As of this writing, the full Senate has yet to vote on the bill and the no one has introduced a companion bill in the House of Representatives.
Media is controlled by only FIVE corporations
Looking at the amount of programming available, you might think that there is a wide variety of choice. There are literally hundreds of TV stations with options to choose from sports, news, cartoons, history, painting, and more. On the surface, the amount of options appears staggering. However, only five major corporations control the majority of the media. These five huge corporations—Disney, Time Warner, Bertelsmann of Germany, Murdoch's News Corporation, and Viacom (formerly CBS)—own not only most of the television stations, but now own most of the newspapers, magazines, books, and radio stations in the United States as well.
Television puts your logical brain to sleep
There is a reason people's eyes glaze over and they assume a zombie-like stare, when they are watching TV. Their brains are in a hynotic, alpha brainwave state.
In the Mulholland experiment, 10 children watched their favorite television program, while the researchers monitored their brainwave patterns. The researchers expected that the children would show a preponderance of beta waves. This would indicate that they were involved and responding to their favorite programs. Instead, they stayed in alpha. “They just sat back. They stayed almost the whole time in alpha. That meant that while they were watching they were not reacting, not orienting, not focusing, just spaced out,” said Dr. Eric Peper.
Similarly, in the early 1980’s, researchers in Australia found that the left-brain "sort of went to sleep" once TV was switched on, but the right brain was busy "storing information in its memory bank."
What these studies show is that the right side of the brain may be dutifully absorbing all the images from your television screen, but the left side is lulled into a stupor by the television’s flicker. This makes analysis of the images difficult. It also makes it difficult to remember exactly what you have been watching. Furthermore, the research suggests that the left side of the brain may remain in a stupor even after you turn the TV off.
What is a concerned citizen to do? How to dig for real news
1) The first step is to start reading, instead of watching, your news. Television generally takes a lot of time to get across a little bit of information. With reading you can absorb information much faster. A five minute story on the news can be read online or in the newspaper generally in less than a minute. The spare time can be used to analyze the story.
2) The next step in developing a good picture of the world is to get several good news sources. Begin with a mainstream newspaper or website to simply get an idea of the basic issues that are at stake.
Then, select a couple of alternative news sources outside the mainstream. I am not going to recommend a particular source, because I do not wish to become engaged in liberal/conservative partisan discussions. These distinctions start to fall away once you start to analyze the news for yourself anyway.
3) The next step is simply to start critically viewing the material that you read. Does it make logical sense? Are there inconsistencies? Does the story change from one day to the next? Are there any patterns to events? This step is essential. Put that left brain into hyper-drive. Question the news you read, whatever the source.
4) Finally, if there are inconsistencies or notable patterns, it is time to start researching. Whenever possible it is best to go to the source of an issue. For example, if the government passes a new law about security, don’t waste time watching or reading the petty analyses of pundits. Find a copy of the law! Do not rely on someone else to give an interpretation. The internet makes it much easier to find source documents.
In short, the good news is that you do not need TV news to become informed about the world.
About 'The Awful Truth About Television' Series:
What happens when the average American spends 4 hours 32 minutes every day watching television? Trash Your TV's 'The Awful Truth About Television' Series explores the multifaceted problems with TV in eleven hard-hitting articles. Read the full series and you will never look at your television set the same way again.
And That's The Plain Truth!
DO touch that dial to avoid fake news
Government agencies, corporations, industry groups, and other large organizations contaminate the airwaves with fake news. These organizations produce pre-packaged news segments called VNRs, or Video News Releases. These segments look like real news. In fact, VNRs are little more that propaganda pieces for their producers. Stations have routinely used these fake news segments since at least the 1980s, usually without disclosing their source.
There is nothing inherently wrong with the government and other social actors creating interesting audio or video pieces to communicate with the public. The problem is that these propaganda pieces do not properly identify the source. They are made to look and feel like independent news casts with government/corporate actors pretending to be reporters.
Government attempts to regulate fake news
There have been a few efforts to control this phenomenon. The Government Accountability Office ruled in February 2005 that government-sponsored TV "news" reports are covert propaganda, unless their source is apparent to viewers. The Senate introduced the Truth in Broadcasting Act (S. 967) in 2005 into committee. This act would require all pre-packaged, government-produced audio and video news releases to include a clear disclaimer that the government was the original source. This act would not apply to VNRs produced by corporations, industry groups, or charitable foundations. As of this writing, the full Senate has yet to vote on the bill and the no one has introduced a companion bill in the House of Representatives.
Media is controlled by only FIVE corporations
Looking at the amount of programming available, you might think that there is a wide variety of choice. There are literally hundreds of TV stations with options to choose from sports, news, cartoons, history, painting, and more. On the surface, the amount of options appears staggering. However, only five major corporations control the majority of the media. These five huge corporations—Disney, Time Warner, Bertelsmann of Germany, Murdoch's News Corporation, and Viacom (formerly CBS)—own not only most of the television stations, but now own most of the newspapers, magazines, books, and radio stations in the United States as well.
Television puts your logical brain to sleep
There is a reason people's eyes glaze over and they assume a zombie-like stare, when they are watching TV. Their brains are in a hynotic, alpha brainwave state.
In the Mulholland experiment, 10 children watched their favorite television program, while the researchers monitored their brainwave patterns. The researchers expected that the children would show a preponderance of beta waves. This would indicate that they were involved and responding to their favorite programs. Instead, they stayed in alpha. “They just sat back. They stayed almost the whole time in alpha. That meant that while they were watching they were not reacting, not orienting, not focusing, just spaced out,” said Dr. Eric Peper.
Similarly, in the early 1980’s, researchers in Australia found that the left-brain "sort of went to sleep" once TV was switched on, but the right brain was busy "storing information in its memory bank."
What these studies show is that the right side of the brain may be dutifully absorbing all the images from your television screen, but the left side is lulled into a stupor by the television’s flicker. This makes analysis of the images difficult. It also makes it difficult to remember exactly what you have been watching. Furthermore, the research suggests that the left side of the brain may remain in a stupor even after you turn the TV off.
What is a concerned citizen to do? How to dig for real news
1) The first step is to start reading, instead of watching, your news. Television generally takes a lot of time to get across a little bit of information. With reading you can absorb information much faster. A five minute story on the news can be read online or in the newspaper generally in less than a minute. The spare time can be used to analyze the story.
2) The next step in developing a good picture of the world is to get several good news sources. Begin with a mainstream newspaper or website to simply get an idea of the basic issues that are at stake.
Then, select a couple of alternative news sources outside the mainstream. I am not going to recommend a particular source, because I do not wish to become engaged in liberal/conservative partisan discussions. These distinctions start to fall away once you start to analyze the news for yourself anyway.
3) The next step is simply to start critically viewing the material that you read. Does it make logical sense? Are there inconsistencies? Does the story change from one day to the next? Are there any patterns to events? This step is essential. Put that left brain into hyper-drive. Question the news you read, whatever the source.
4) Finally, if there are inconsistencies or notable patterns, it is time to start researching. Whenever possible it is best to go to the source of an issue. For example, if the government passes a new law about security, don’t waste time watching or reading the petty analyses of pundits. Find a copy of the law! Do not rely on someone else to give an interpretation. The internet makes it much easier to find source documents.
In short, the good news is that you do not need TV news to become informed about the world.
About 'The Awful Truth About Television' Series:
What happens when the average American spends 4 hours 32 minutes every day watching television? Trash Your TV's 'The Awful Truth About Television' Series explores the multifaceted problems with TV in eleven hard-hitting articles. Read the full series and you will never look at your television set the same way again.
And That's The Plain Truth!
The Plain Truth: Americans Unite Return Government to the People!
The Plain Truth: Americans Unite Return Government to the People!: Tired of paying too much in taxes while your government continues to waste your hard-earned money and not listen to what you want? Do someth...
Americans Unite Return Government to the People!
Tired of paying too much in taxes while your government continues to waste your hard-earned money and not listen to what you want? Do something about it, says a provocative new website working to give the power back to the people. Voter powerusa.com says there are four simple things you can do to take back your government from corporate lobbyists, special interest groups and dishonest politicians.
1. Unite and vote. In a two- party system only one side can win, but no matter who wins, nothing changes. By voting together on major issues at voter powerusa.com, both parties can win no matter who's elected. You win by getting both candidates to commit to what you want.
There are many issues to vote on. An affordable national health care and prescription drug plan that cuts costs for all Americans, illegal immigration, government waste, unfair taxes, identity theft and many others.
2. Spread the word. Forward the website to everyone you know and tell them to do the same.
3. Support voterpowerusa.com with a donation to keep you informed on what experts say about the issues, and help produce a TV show based on helping you get what you need. You can also purchase Get Out The Vote apparel, CDs, books, souvenirs and many other items.
4. Vote out politicians who vote against what you want. This sends a clear message that you will hold them accountable for their actions. Don't you think it's time?
1. Unite and vote. In a two- party system only one side can win, but no matter who wins, nothing changes. By voting together on major issues at voter powerusa.com, both parties can win no matter who's elected. You win by getting both candidates to commit to what you want.
There are many issues to vote on. An affordable national health care and prescription drug plan that cuts costs for all Americans, illegal immigration, government waste, unfair taxes, identity theft and many others.
2. Spread the word. Forward the website to everyone you know and tell them to do the same.
3. Support voterpowerusa.com with a donation to keep you informed on what experts say about the issues, and help produce a TV show based on helping you get what you need. You can also purchase Get Out The Vote apparel, CDs, books, souvenirs and many other items.
4. Vote out politicians who vote against what you want. This sends a clear message that you will hold them accountable for their actions. Don't you think it's time?
Saturday, July 27, 2013
The Plain Truth: The Government Takes Advantage of Americans’ Ignor...
The Plain Truth: The Government Takes Advantage of Americans’ Ignor...: Whoever first said “ignorance is bliss” must not have imagined what 21 st century life in the United States would look like. Sure, being u...
The Government Takes Advantage of Americans’ Ignorance of Laws, All The Time!
Whoever first said “ignorance is bliss” must not have imagined what 21st
century life in the United States would look like. Sure, being unaware
of all the problems in American government, and having a sweeping
ignorance of laws can wave the veil of ease over the lives of those who
are blissfully ignorant to its reality, but as many Americans are
unaware of the state of American politics, both federal and state
governments are cashing in on their ignorance.
Take, for example, the Affordable Care Act. Just weeks ago the Kaiser Family Foundation released a report that stated that “four in ten Americans (42%) are unaware that the ACA is still the law of the land, including 12% who believe the law has been repealed by Congress, 7% who believe it has been overturned by the Supreme Court and 23% who say they don’t know enough to say what the status of the law is.” And the longer Americans remain out of the loop, the more time the government has to implement the mandate with little push back from many Americans.
Free Rides
And what about riders? You know, those little provisions added to unrelated bills in an effort to see them passed. Most Americans know little about them because the media and politicians focus on the main topic of the legislation, neglecting to discuss what would typically be the controversial matters. Last summer, an agriculture appropriations bill dealt with federal appropriations. But hidden deep within the legislation was the biotech rider. If passed, the rider would’ve allowed genetically modified crop varieties to be planted regardless of whether a federal judge thinks the USDA improperly approved the crop. Although the biotech rider wasn’t passed, it was resurrected in March 2013 when it showed up in the Senate’s Continuing Resolution, another piece of legislation that had nothing to do with agriculture biotech. And most riders are written in an effort to keep you ignorant while you’re distracted by the larger piece of legislation.
At some point (perhaps immediately), Americans have to ask: Are we allowing the government to take advantage of us by refusing to know the facts?
The answer is: You betcha. And shame on the government for banking on our ignorance! But also, shame on those who don’t even attempt to be informed.
William, the Conqueror… of Nothing, in Kansas
Let’s talk about William Marotta, a fine example of this issue in action. In 2009, he responded to an ad on Craigslist and donated sperm to a lesbian couple. But unaware of a Kansas state law that requires men to donate through a licensed physician, Marotta dealt directly with the couple, not a doctor. Long story short, the couple’s family plans did not go as planned between them, and now, Marotta is being sued by the Kansas Department of Children and Families for back child support. Marotta and the couple signed an agreement relinquishing him of any parental rights and responsibilities, but the state argues that the contract is worthless because they defied the state law. Sure, we could argue that the state is taking advantage of Marotta considering that the couple doesn’t want his money, but we have to ask: Did Marotta even research the laws surrounding sperm donation? Is he an innocent victim being played by the government, or is he facing reasonable consequences for his disregard for the law? Whether this disregard was due to his ignorance or for convenience, or something else is up for speculation, granted, but the story suggests he was grossly uninformed.
Certainly, the government has a reputation for cashing in on people’s ignorance. With all of the scandals this year, it’s undeniable that the government likes to keep American citizens in the dark in order to have their way with us. But at what point do we fight it by becoming informed. It’s not an easy task to wade through the deluge of skewed facts and twisted information, but isn’t it time to seek the truth instead of waiting for it to land on our doorstep?
Remember what Benjamin Franklin said: “It is in the region of ignorance that tyranny begins.” As Always The Plain Truth!
Take, for example, the Affordable Care Act. Just weeks ago the Kaiser Family Foundation released a report that stated that “four in ten Americans (42%) are unaware that the ACA is still the law of the land, including 12% who believe the law has been repealed by Congress, 7% who believe it has been overturned by the Supreme Court and 23% who say they don’t know enough to say what the status of the law is.” And the longer Americans remain out of the loop, the more time the government has to implement the mandate with little push back from many Americans.
Free Rides
And what about riders? You know, those little provisions added to unrelated bills in an effort to see them passed. Most Americans know little about them because the media and politicians focus on the main topic of the legislation, neglecting to discuss what would typically be the controversial matters. Last summer, an agriculture appropriations bill dealt with federal appropriations. But hidden deep within the legislation was the biotech rider. If passed, the rider would’ve allowed genetically modified crop varieties to be planted regardless of whether a federal judge thinks the USDA improperly approved the crop. Although the biotech rider wasn’t passed, it was resurrected in March 2013 when it showed up in the Senate’s Continuing Resolution, another piece of legislation that had nothing to do with agriculture biotech. And most riders are written in an effort to keep you ignorant while you’re distracted by the larger piece of legislation.
At some point (perhaps immediately), Americans have to ask: Are we allowing the government to take advantage of us by refusing to know the facts?
The answer is: You betcha. And shame on the government for banking on our ignorance! But also, shame on those who don’t even attempt to be informed.
William, the Conqueror… of Nothing, in Kansas
Let’s talk about William Marotta, a fine example of this issue in action. In 2009, he responded to an ad on Craigslist and donated sperm to a lesbian couple. But unaware of a Kansas state law that requires men to donate through a licensed physician, Marotta dealt directly with the couple, not a doctor. Long story short, the couple’s family plans did not go as planned between them, and now, Marotta is being sued by the Kansas Department of Children and Families for back child support. Marotta and the couple signed an agreement relinquishing him of any parental rights and responsibilities, but the state argues that the contract is worthless because they defied the state law. Sure, we could argue that the state is taking advantage of Marotta considering that the couple doesn’t want his money, but we have to ask: Did Marotta even research the laws surrounding sperm donation? Is he an innocent victim being played by the government, or is he facing reasonable consequences for his disregard for the law? Whether this disregard was due to his ignorance or for convenience, or something else is up for speculation, granted, but the story suggests he was grossly uninformed.
Certainly, the government has a reputation for cashing in on people’s ignorance. With all of the scandals this year, it’s undeniable that the government likes to keep American citizens in the dark in order to have their way with us. But at what point do we fight it by becoming informed. It’s not an easy task to wade through the deluge of skewed facts and twisted information, but isn’t it time to seek the truth instead of waiting for it to land on our doorstep?
Remember what Benjamin Franklin said: “It is in the region of ignorance that tyranny begins.” As Always The Plain Truth!
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
The Plain Truth: Countries Are Collapsing, Just Look Around the Wor...
The Plain Truth: Countries Are Collapsing, Just Look Around the Wor...: Let’s have a look at Egypt. It’s toast. Egypt is breaking down because Hosni Mubarak didn’t create a modern and free economy to propel the...
Countries Are Collapsing, Just Look Around the World or Just Watch the News on Tv!
Let’s have a look at Egypt. It’s toast. Egypt is breaking down
because Hosni Mubarak didn’t create a modern and free economy to propel
the 85 million Egyptian people out of abject poverty. And the Muslim
Brotherhood, who seized power, will likely do a worse job of stewarding
Egypt than Mubarak did.
Egypt has become a bottomless money pit. It has a chronic and unsolvable balance-of-payments problem created by the need to import 50% of its food. Socialist energy subsidies consume a quarter of the national budget. Egypt is a pre-modern Islamic society, with 50% illiteracy and a 90% rate of female genital mutilation.
Marriage between family members has been practiced in Egypt since the time of the Pharaohs, and at 35.3%, it’s still high – especially among first cousins, who make up 86% of the inbreeding couples. As a result, Egypt is flooded with genetic diseases.
Underemployment is another chronic problem. Over 40% of those that are even able to find work are underemployed. It would require at least $20 billion a year to keep this basket case afloat, and no one is going to provide it. According to the World Health Organization, malnutrition already afflicts 25% of Egyptians. The Muslim Brotherhood can pray all it wants for a bumper wheat crop, but even that won’t solve these problems. Egypt is collapsing.
And They’re Not Alone
Right behind Egypt is Syria. Syria is a complex ethnic and religious cauldron that’s mired in a violent civil war. Obama now plans to arm the Sunni jihadists, but this will only increase the bloodshed. It won’t change the situation. Better weapons only mean a more deadly conflict. Slowly, Syria is depopulating via death and out-migration. The Syrian suffering continues.
Of course, such circumstances beg the question… How does this happen?
In a matter of months, these countries spun out of control. The same happened in Russia after the fall of communism.
In 1988, Joseph Tainter wrote the groundbreaking book, “The Collapse of Complex Societies.” It was his attempt to explain how a complex and successful society could collapse in a short time. His book is an academic treatise. I don’t recommend it for light reading, but his conclusions are useful.
Tainter’s goal was to create a theory that explained the decline and fall of societies using a single model. His basic argument is that increasing complexity eventually renders falling marginal returns for the society. Think of it this way… The creative-destructive forces unleashed by capitalism will eventually lead to its demise as a system, as Joseph Schumpeter put it.
To exhibit his construct, Tainter considers three complex societies: The Western Roman Empire, the Maya of the southern lowlands, and the Chacoan Society (Pueblo Indian) of the American Southwest.
Tainter observes that they each suffered significant increased costs not long before collapsing and they inflicted those costs on a population already exhausted by burdens they couldn’t handle. According to Tainter, it wasn’t the challenges that caused the break down; it was a system of rules that became unproductively complex and made it impossible for governing bodies to react. These societies were unable to adapt to change. Think of them as earlier versions of our modern-day Congress in D.C.
Tainter says that the only solution for over complexity is simplification. But at the same time, he didn’t believe that complex societies are able to voluntarily simplify. Collapse, he believed, is nothing more than involuntary simplification. He explains that collapse is “not a fall to some primordial chaos, but a return to the normal human condition of lower complexity…an economizing process.”
Collapse is an Equal-Opportunity Destroyer
Regardless of Tainter’s theories, millions or even billions of people will be displaced or may even die when our current world order collapses. Our interdependence and ability to quickly migrate intensifies local problems across borders. Just ask the Turks. Syrians have been pouring into Turkey, and now their stressed society seems to be coming apart at the seams. Just over the horizon is Greece – another basket case. Across the water is a third stressed society, the island of Cyprus.
Today, political systems require more and more resources to sustain them, but they’re unable to react to challenges in a successful way.
It’s easy to say of collapse, “That could never happen here.” But such statements are arrogant. They ignore how Washington, D.C. has failed to meet the current challenges we face. We no longer enforce many laws. Obama and Congress pass laws and debate issues with no relevance to our lives. They ignore our bigger, more complex budgetary and economic problems.
It’s easy to say that collapse could never come to America, but the reality is that we’re more vulnerable than most of us realize. The Plain Truth Is!
Egypt has become a bottomless money pit. It has a chronic and unsolvable balance-of-payments problem created by the need to import 50% of its food. Socialist energy subsidies consume a quarter of the national budget. Egypt is a pre-modern Islamic society, with 50% illiteracy and a 90% rate of female genital mutilation.
Marriage between family members has been practiced in Egypt since the time of the Pharaohs, and at 35.3%, it’s still high – especially among first cousins, who make up 86% of the inbreeding couples. As a result, Egypt is flooded with genetic diseases.
Underemployment is another chronic problem. Over 40% of those that are even able to find work are underemployed. It would require at least $20 billion a year to keep this basket case afloat, and no one is going to provide it. According to the World Health Organization, malnutrition already afflicts 25% of Egyptians. The Muslim Brotherhood can pray all it wants for a bumper wheat crop, but even that won’t solve these problems. Egypt is collapsing.
And They’re Not Alone
Right behind Egypt is Syria. Syria is a complex ethnic and religious cauldron that’s mired in a violent civil war. Obama now plans to arm the Sunni jihadists, but this will only increase the bloodshed. It won’t change the situation. Better weapons only mean a more deadly conflict. Slowly, Syria is depopulating via death and out-migration. The Syrian suffering continues.
Of course, such circumstances beg the question… How does this happen?
In a matter of months, these countries spun out of control. The same happened in Russia after the fall of communism.
In 1988, Joseph Tainter wrote the groundbreaking book, “The Collapse of Complex Societies.” It was his attempt to explain how a complex and successful society could collapse in a short time. His book is an academic treatise. I don’t recommend it for light reading, but his conclusions are useful.
Tainter’s goal was to create a theory that explained the decline and fall of societies using a single model. His basic argument is that increasing complexity eventually renders falling marginal returns for the society. Think of it this way… The creative-destructive forces unleashed by capitalism will eventually lead to its demise as a system, as Joseph Schumpeter put it.
To exhibit his construct, Tainter considers three complex societies: The Western Roman Empire, the Maya of the southern lowlands, and the Chacoan Society (Pueblo Indian) of the American Southwest.
Tainter observes that they each suffered significant increased costs not long before collapsing and they inflicted those costs on a population already exhausted by burdens they couldn’t handle. According to Tainter, it wasn’t the challenges that caused the break down; it was a system of rules that became unproductively complex and made it impossible for governing bodies to react. These societies were unable to adapt to change. Think of them as earlier versions of our modern-day Congress in D.C.
Tainter says that the only solution for over complexity is simplification. But at the same time, he didn’t believe that complex societies are able to voluntarily simplify. Collapse, he believed, is nothing more than involuntary simplification. He explains that collapse is “not a fall to some primordial chaos, but a return to the normal human condition of lower complexity…an economizing process.”
Collapse is an Equal-Opportunity Destroyer
Regardless of Tainter’s theories, millions or even billions of people will be displaced or may even die when our current world order collapses. Our interdependence and ability to quickly migrate intensifies local problems across borders. Just ask the Turks. Syrians have been pouring into Turkey, and now their stressed society seems to be coming apart at the seams. Just over the horizon is Greece – another basket case. Across the water is a third stressed society, the island of Cyprus.
Today, political systems require more and more resources to sustain them, but they’re unable to react to challenges in a successful way.
It’s easy to say of collapse, “That could never happen here.” But such statements are arrogant. They ignore how Washington, D.C. has failed to meet the current challenges we face. We no longer enforce many laws. Obama and Congress pass laws and debate issues with no relevance to our lives. They ignore our bigger, more complex budgetary and economic problems.
It’s easy to say that collapse could never come to America, but the reality is that we’re more vulnerable than most of us realize. The Plain Truth Is!
Sunday, July 21, 2013
They’re Watching EveryBody! for Real!
Smile…
You’re on candid camera!
And if it weren’t for recent documents obtained by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), you wouldn’t even know it.
Through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), ACLU offices across the United States filed nearly 600 requests for documents pertaining to a new technology…
A technology that’s emerging as the standard in “crime fighting” solutions…
A technology that the ACLU discovered to be dangerously unregulated, with no future government conversation in the works, either…
And it’s picking up serious traction in small towns and major cities through law enforcement agencies all over the nation.
The problem at hand is an all-too-familiar reality…
These advancements in technology that increase nationwide protection come with an added cost: your privacy.
The government is abhorrently violating essential rights that are staples in America’s Constitution and criminalizing innocent American citizens in the process.
Your Own Reality Show
When out on the road, you and countless other law-abiding citizens are simply going about your daily lives – heading to work, school, church, the grocery store…wherever.
You’re mindful of the “speed cameras” that were installed in your local area a few years back. You assume that as long as you’re going the speed limit, you’re safe… you won’t get a ticket…
But there’s something you don’t know. In fact, something sinister is happening.
You see, these gadgets — mounted on local roads, major highways, and patrol cars — are documenting the license plates of each and every passing vehicle. Including yours…
They’re called “Automatic License Plate Readers,” and they’ve been implemented in tens of thousands of locations across the United States by private companies, state and local police departments, and the federal government.
These aren’t just radar detectors or hi-tech cameras with speed trigger mechanisms. They aren’t just issuing speeding tickets, either… They’re also cataloging your license plate number, date and time stamps and GPS coordinates to boot.
Police officers can check against these “hot lists” of accumulated license plate numbers and driver records housed in the system. If a car is stolen, license plate readers can help provide thousands of extra “eyes” on the road and alert officers when they read the specific plate.
Now, we’re told this documentation is only used for specifically tracking stolen vehicles or finding criminals before they flee town. But the cameras are stockpiling a mass collection of “plate reads” and uploading the records to databases scattered across the country:
In Grapevine, Texas: 2 million warehoused plate reads – stored forever
In Milpitas, California: 4.7 million warehoused plate reads – stored forever
In Jersey City, New Jersey: 10 million warehoused plate reads – deleted after 5 years
The issue is that they’re capturing and storing footage on everyone in the process… even if you’re a law-abiding citizen.
In fact, the ACLU discovered that only a tiny fraction of “plate reads” turn into “hot list hits” and an even smaller number of actual arrests.
Look at it this way…
In the state of Maryland, for every 1 million plate reads, 2,000 hot list hits are provided to police officers… 47 of which are serious criminals.
Ultimately, the technology is simply amassing a collection of personal and private information – despite proof that nearly no protection or oversight is provided.
Now, let me make sure I’m absolutely clear here…
There are no rules and no regulations in place to prevent the state and federal government from tracking everyone’s movements at all times. None.
That’s why the ACLU intervened. It simply wanted to find out how the technology works and what, if any, safeguards are in place to prevent a serious breech on personal liberty and privacy.
Location Profiling
Location data is highly sensitive information that’s extremely revealing…
It tells an observer who you are and what you do.
Are you an avid gym goer? Heavy drinker? Daily churchgoer? Medical patient? Political activist? All of the above?
In an unregulated world, this type of information can lead to targeting, the likes of which makes the IRS scandal look like a game of “tag.”
For instance, if you’re a volunteer or employee on the Rand Paul for President campaign in 2016, you and everyone else parking in the lot by the office could have your license plates read and stored by undercover cops carrying readers.
They can then start a profile on you – and you might be labeled “Tea Party Activist.”
The potential for abuse of power is overwhelming…
Anyone with access, even hackers who break into the system, can manually track specific plates. Pings on the plate from various license plate readers around the neighborhood will instantly alert the pursuer. Let’s say someone has a grudge against you… They’d have a pretty huge upper hand if they wanted to settle the score.
In fact, it’s growing increasingly possible for there to be video documentation of every place you’ve ever traveled. And this makes your future moves infinitely easier to predict.
That’s why this license plate data is not only dangerous in the wrong hands…it’s also extremely profitable. With zero regulations, your personal travel record will be sold. You can count on it.
But more importantly, as technology becomes increasingly less expensive and more powerful, the government will continue to quietly monitor the public and store your every move.
If ever the time arises that they need it, they have full access to the records… always. That's the Plain Truth!
Thursday, July 18, 2013
The Plain Truth: Yet Another Federal Scandal! What Next?
The Plain Truth: Yet Another Federal Scandal! What Next?: “Not guilty.” The two most debated words of the week. For the past year, the George Zimmerman trial has sparked a nationwide debate over r...
Yet Another Federal Scandal! What Next?
“Not guilty.”
The two most debated words of the week.
For the past year, the George Zimmerman trial has sparked a nationwide debate over racial profiling versus self-defense… and more specifically, Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” self-defense law.
Over the weekend, a Florida jury comprised of six women found George Zimmerman not guilty of second-degree murder. Because he was viewed as a community watchman just doing his job – protecting himself and his neighbors – they deemed his actions justifiable.
But amidst the highlypublicized trial, something else was taking place below the radar. You see, recently published documents reveal that there is a guilty party here. But it’s not George Zimmerman, and it’s not Trayvon Martin…
It’s a key member of the Obama administration. And it looks like he’s caught up in yet another scandal.
The Usual Suspect
Well, well, well… Who could’ve ever seen this coming?
Obama’s main henchman, Eric Holder, has been caught red-handed again!
And following the slew of recent scandals, the majority of American citizens called for Holder’s resignation – including Democrats.
But Holder is far too pompous and much too arrogant to ever consider leaving office… even if just about the entire nation demands it.
He’s the poster boy for just how out of control big government can become.
And let me tell you something. If you aren’t concerned about how sweeping Obama’s government has become, you should be…
Fueling the Fire
There’s an arm of the U.S. Justice Department called the Community Relations Service (CRS) – a division created by the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
The CRS is meant to act as the community “peacemaker” in times of racial tension and conflict.
It’s the only Federal agency dedicated to preventing racial tension by restoring community stability and harmony. And it turns out that Holder has his own definition of what CRS should be used for.
You see, I got my hands on official CRS document… And what I found is utterly deplorable.
The document implies that the DOJ spent U.S. taxpayer dollars on the organization and implementation of anti-George Zimmerman rallies.
According to the documents, the DOJ’s CRS unit was first deployed to Sanford, Florida from March 25-27,2012 to work protests, marches, demonstrations and anti-Zimmerman rallies.
These were the protests that occurred directly after the shooting death of Trayvon Martin…
The protests that were openly hostile towards George Zimmerman…
The protests that ignited racial tension by pinning a Latino man against an entire African American community while comparing the murder to several acts of white-on-black violence…
The protests that rallied leading figures like Reverend Al Sharpton and Black Panther groups to help further the racial hostility… all on taxpayer dime.
Salaries not included, the DOJ spent close to $10,000 for the rallies. A drop in the bucket in the grand scheme of things, but the issue is far from how much money was spent.
The issue is about the brazen assumption by federal officials that taxpayers would want their money spent towards fueling race riots.
It’s about the audacious politicizing of a man on trial as a means to skew public opinion.
This is a clear violation of the entire concept of due process – an essential right.
And it’s about the scary reality that We the People are so easily manipulated by widespread government reach.
Keep in mind that this was never a race-related issue. The media and the DOJ awakened that conversation. This was always an issue over self-defense and whether George Zimmerman’s actions truly reflected protection or unnecessary murder.
It’s yet another example of the administration’s desire to control public opinion and further its own agenda. The government now literally pays to rally up passionate acts of protest against the concept of self-defense.
From day one, Obama and his crew have aggressively fought against gun ownership… against your right to protect yourself. Now the message out of Washington seems to be the desire to disarm citizens.
Why else would a division of government meant for “preventing racial tension and restoring ethnic harmony,” pour a bucket of gasoline on a small fire?
Why else would Eric Holder still be employed?
Sunday, July 14, 2013
You Aren’t Going to Believe These Payouts,In Todays Economy!
The sickest part is, this money is not a snapshot of taxpayer-backed congressional salaries. That money comes in through a separate check.
Let’s call these “annual bonuses” instead.
Our elected officials have graciously deemed themselves worthy of such bonuses. In fact, most of our leaders wrote the bylaws that primed their paths to riches.
And put bluntly, they’re robbing the American system blind…
Dear American Tax Payer
Remember the old public service announcements that asked, “It’s eleven o’clock… do you know where your children are?”
Well, I’d like to issue a public service announcement of my own… One that’s revamped and more fitting for current times. It goes a little something like this…
“It’s 2013, do you know where your hard-earned tax dollars are?”
It’s a rhetorical question, really.
Obviously, a good portion of those dollars are set up for direct deposit into our lawmakers’ accounts. That isn’t all too upsetting. Our congressmen need to get paid.
But there’s more. You see, our federal tax dollars are far from the only dollars politicians are receiving on a monthly basis…
In fact, one out of five congressmen and women pull from a state or local pension plan while simultaneously working for the federal government.
Now before the wheels in your brain start turning, I’m going to be the bearer of bad news… The chances of you doing the same are highly unlikely.
You see, many states and municipalities forbid the practice of retiring then taking on a full-time job within the same governmental system.
Yet elected officials who’ve worked on a state level don’t have to play by those same rules…
Rules that they wrote before graduating to federal employment…
Major Party Foul
The technique congressmen and women are using is referred to as “double dipping.” Long gone are the days when that was simply a concern at dinner parties…
Truth is, while it’s a highly denounced scheme, it’s also an entirely legal way for U.S. lawmakers to rake in cash.
Congress alone has just over one hundred members who’ve collected government pension alongside their $174,000 taxpayer-financed salaries. That’s about one in five members of the House. And last year alone, they closed out with $3.6 million between them.
The spectrum ranges from tea partiers who protest against government waste to the uber-liberals who cry out for equality and wealth sharing.
Take Joyce Beatty for example…
In 2012, she took in $253,323 from her government pension alone!
Add that to her congressional salary, and she walked away with about a cool half mil – more than Obama’s documented income for the same year.
Even senators are getting in on it.
After retiring from her previous government job, Senator Diane Feinstein has received $850,000 from her pension since joining the Senate in 1992. Keep in mind that this woman is worth $70 million, yet she still finds the need to pull from pension payouts.
So, while she and the rest of her gluttonous clan stand on their pedestals and preach fiscal responsibility, just know that they have no intention of leading by example.
They’re standing at the front of the line waiting to feed from their bloated, publically-funded retirement troughs while simultaneously collecting publically-funded salaries.
And this activity has gained the attention of government watchdog groups along with conservative organizations who deem this feeding frenzy unacceptable. Reason being, on top of an already healthy salary, the average Congressional pensioner will walk away from office with an extra $1 – 2 million lining their pockets.
In these tough economic times, Congress’s abysmal, 12% public approval rating is sure to sink even lower — especially since the average American employee will be lucky to receive any pension at all.
Unfortunately, this is yet another example of the tired, old Washington mantra, “Do as I say, not as I do.”
And it’s a sure-fire way to further the careers of “lifer” politicians who seek office for profit rather than to serve the people of our once-great nation.As Allways The Plain Truth!
We The People Are Losing Our Constitutional Rights Little by Little!!
In the United States, it’s becoming more and more customary to have
our constitutional rights violated or threatened. As our nation becomes
more progressive, the first liberties to be trampled have been those
guaranteed by the First Amendment: For the most part, the freedom of
speech exists only so long as you are politically correct; The freedom
of religion is only for those who embrace tolerance over their religious
beliefs; And who can rely on the freedom of the press with the
Department of Justice spying on reporters and seizing their phone
records? Not to mention the threats to the Second Amendment by gun
control advocates or to the Fourth Amendment with the NSA eagerly
looking over the shoulder of every citizen. We may well be aware of the
abuse to these rights, but what about all of others? Are they, too in
danger of being destroyed – or is it even too late?
Rights That May Fly Under Our Radar
Take, for example, the Third Amendment. You know, the one that says, “No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.” Not worried about these rights being violated? Maybe you should be…
The Mitchell Family, in the Las Vegas suburb of Henderson, Nevada, learned just how important the Third Amendment is when they were forced from their homes so that law enforcement could occupy their homes “in order to gain a ‘tactical advantage’” during a police standoff (that had nothing to do with the family) that lasted for hours. But it didn’t end there. Once police officers forced their way into the homes and “rummaged” through the family’s belongings without permission or a warrant, the father and son were both arrested for “obstructing an officer” and spent nearly 10 hours in jail. So, how important is the Third Amendment to you? Is it worth protecting?
What about your Fourteenth Amendment rights? Remember, this amendment, like the Fifth Amendment, guarantees due process. But the Fourteenth Amendment also guarantees that citizens’ constitutional rights, their legal rights, are respected by the State. It also says that the State can’t “deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws,” guaranteeing citizens have access to both the law and courts. So when the Mitchells refused to let police use their homes but law enforcement forced their way in without a warrant, was that due process? Or was it a disregard for both due process and for the Mitchells’ legal rights?
The Conspicuous Loss of Rights
Don’t think for a second that the Mitchell’s problem isn’t your own as well, because we share both those rights, and the threats to them. James Madison once said, “I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations.” And that’s the reality that America is facing. We’re not facing some violent and sudden dismissal of citizens’ rights. Instead, we’re slowing losing a grip on them, and many Americans don’t even realize how far the government has encroached on our liberties.
It’s bad enough when the government, on any level, blatantly disregards our freedoms, our rights. And the severity of this issue must not be taken lightly, as the government gradually becomes a threat to nearly all of them. And the unfortunate truth here is that we’re losing our rights; their presence, their existence is entirely meaningless if we’re subjected to force that prevents us from exercising them.
In pursuit of the truth,The Plain Truth!
Rights That May Fly Under Our Radar
Take, for example, the Third Amendment. You know, the one that says, “No soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.” Not worried about these rights being violated? Maybe you should be…
The Mitchell Family, in the Las Vegas suburb of Henderson, Nevada, learned just how important the Third Amendment is when they were forced from their homes so that law enforcement could occupy their homes “in order to gain a ‘tactical advantage’” during a police standoff (that had nothing to do with the family) that lasted for hours. But it didn’t end there. Once police officers forced their way into the homes and “rummaged” through the family’s belongings without permission or a warrant, the father and son were both arrested for “obstructing an officer” and spent nearly 10 hours in jail. So, how important is the Third Amendment to you? Is it worth protecting?
What about your Fourteenth Amendment rights? Remember, this amendment, like the Fifth Amendment, guarantees due process. But the Fourteenth Amendment also guarantees that citizens’ constitutional rights, their legal rights, are respected by the State. It also says that the State can’t “deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws,” guaranteeing citizens have access to both the law and courts. So when the Mitchells refused to let police use their homes but law enforcement forced their way in without a warrant, was that due process? Or was it a disregard for both due process and for the Mitchells’ legal rights?
The Conspicuous Loss of Rights
Don’t think for a second that the Mitchell’s problem isn’t your own as well, because we share both those rights, and the threats to them. James Madison once said, “I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations.” And that’s the reality that America is facing. We’re not facing some violent and sudden dismissal of citizens’ rights. Instead, we’re slowing losing a grip on them, and many Americans don’t even realize how far the government has encroached on our liberties.
It’s bad enough when the government, on any level, blatantly disregards our freedoms, our rights. And the severity of this issue must not be taken lightly, as the government gradually becomes a threat to nearly all of them. And the unfortunate truth here is that we’re losing our rights; their presence, their existence is entirely meaningless if we’re subjected to force that prevents us from exercising them.
In pursuit of the truth,The Plain Truth!
Tuesday, July 9, 2013
The Dangers of the so called SAFE Act!
It’s been almost six months since the New York Secure Ammunitions and
Firearms (SAFE) Act was passed, but it’s still receiving its fair share
of criticism. The SAFE Act is one of the toughest gun control
legislations ever passed in the United States, yet ironically the
secrecy surrounding its passage has left many, especially gun owners,
feeling rather unsafe.
You see, in January, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo issued a waiver – called a message of necessity – to circumvent the three-day window that gives lawmakers and constituents the opportunity to review bills before they’re voted on. So the SAFE Act was introduced on a Monday evening, approved by the Senate in the middle of the night, passed by the Assembly on Tuesday morning and signed into law by Cuomo later that afternoon.
Aaron Weiss, a veteran and law enforcement officer, addressed the Duchess County Legislature in March. At a previous meeting, Weiss overheard many of the lawmakers congratulating each other for passing the law, claiming that it took “courage.” The statement struck a chord with Weiss: “Apparently, my definition of courage differs from yours. You see, if it was really so courageous a bill, and it took so much courage to pass it, then why was it done in the middle of the night when no one could see it or read it? That’s not courage. That’s a mafia style sit-down to divvy up what’s good for the bosses.”
SAFE From Ourselves
The SAFE Act included 13 provisions ranging from safe storage requirements to a ban on internet sales of assault weapons. The law also reduced the legal size of magazines from 10 bullets to seven and redefined an assault rifle as a semiautomatic rifle with removable magazines and at least one military-style feature such as a bayonet mount, pistol grip, or flash suppressor. Finally, owners of guns that are now deemed illegal must register the weapon(s) with the state police within a year.
And yet, that’s not even close to the full extent of the law’s effects.
In fact, many Americans are as alarmed by SAFE’s mental health decrees as its firearm directives. In particular, mental health professionals are concerned that patients will discontinue treatment due to fear of the law, which requires health professionals to report anyone who’s likely to harm themselves or others.
While Senator Patrick Gallivan claims that “individual rights will still be protected under the HIPAA Laws and the various laws that prohibit disclosure of people’s medical issues,” others aren’t so confident. Ken Houseknecht, President of Erie County Mental Health Association, argues that “[Mental health professionals] ought to be devoting their research to intervention, prevention-based programs, community-based programs.”
And some, including Dr. James Knoll, Director of Forensic Psychiatry at Upstate Medical University, took it even one step further. “We’re being transformed into agents of the state and agents of government control,” said Knoll.
In fact, Dr. Knoll might not be far from the truth. You see, SAFE’s provisions are extremely manipulative. They’re literally creating an arena where people are unable to exercise their rights. And when approximately 26% of American adults – or about 60 million people – have a diagnosable mental disorder, the power to turn people over to authorities becomes very great.
Government control is growing increasingly more manipulative and terrifying. Our best antidote is remaining informed and alert.
In pursuit of the truth,The Plain Truth!
You see, in January, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo issued a waiver – called a message of necessity – to circumvent the three-day window that gives lawmakers and constituents the opportunity to review bills before they’re voted on. So the SAFE Act was introduced on a Monday evening, approved by the Senate in the middle of the night, passed by the Assembly on Tuesday morning and signed into law by Cuomo later that afternoon.
Aaron Weiss, a veteran and law enforcement officer, addressed the Duchess County Legislature in March. At a previous meeting, Weiss overheard many of the lawmakers congratulating each other for passing the law, claiming that it took “courage.” The statement struck a chord with Weiss: “Apparently, my definition of courage differs from yours. You see, if it was really so courageous a bill, and it took so much courage to pass it, then why was it done in the middle of the night when no one could see it or read it? That’s not courage. That’s a mafia style sit-down to divvy up what’s good for the bosses.”
SAFE From Ourselves
The SAFE Act included 13 provisions ranging from safe storage requirements to a ban on internet sales of assault weapons. The law also reduced the legal size of magazines from 10 bullets to seven and redefined an assault rifle as a semiautomatic rifle with removable magazines and at least one military-style feature such as a bayonet mount, pistol grip, or flash suppressor. Finally, owners of guns that are now deemed illegal must register the weapon(s) with the state police within a year.
And yet, that’s not even close to the full extent of the law’s effects.
In fact, many Americans are as alarmed by SAFE’s mental health decrees as its firearm directives. In particular, mental health professionals are concerned that patients will discontinue treatment due to fear of the law, which requires health professionals to report anyone who’s likely to harm themselves or others.
While Senator Patrick Gallivan claims that “individual rights will still be protected under the HIPAA Laws and the various laws that prohibit disclosure of people’s medical issues,” others aren’t so confident. Ken Houseknecht, President of Erie County Mental Health Association, argues that “[Mental health professionals] ought to be devoting their research to intervention, prevention-based programs, community-based programs.”
And some, including Dr. James Knoll, Director of Forensic Psychiatry at Upstate Medical University, took it even one step further. “We’re being transformed into agents of the state and agents of government control,” said Knoll.
In fact, Dr. Knoll might not be far from the truth. You see, SAFE’s provisions are extremely manipulative. They’re literally creating an arena where people are unable to exercise their rights. And when approximately 26% of American adults – or about 60 million people – have a diagnosable mental disorder, the power to turn people over to authorities becomes very great.
Government control is growing increasingly more manipulative and terrifying. Our best antidote is remaining informed and alert.
In pursuit of the truth,The Plain Truth!
Sunday, July 7, 2013
Freedom and Our Constitution Forgotten ways!!
I watched the ceremonial folding of the American flag as a lone
bugler played “Taps” in the distance. A member of the honor guard took a
knee in front of my 90-year-old mother-in-law and softly said to her:
“On behalf of the United States Army, and a grateful nation, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one’s honorable and faithful service to our country.”
And in spite of how cynical I can be at times, the service brought me to tears.
Now, as I write this, I’m sitting in a room looking out from the 25th Floor of the Madison Hotel in Seattle, Washington. The view from here is peaceful. The busy roads and bustling people seem surreal; the city below is full of movement without noise. As often happens after a funeral, my mind is focused on the bigger issues of life.
My father-in-law was part of the “greatest generation,” born in the early 1920s. His teenage and young adult years were spent during the Great Depression and World War II. In the War, he served under General MacArthur during the occupation of Japan. Along with his wife, he raised his four daughters. In the 1980s, he retired after working for 30 years as a corporate man.
My father-in-law’s generation, which included so many memorable leaders, left a legacy of wealth, stability, a strong currency and unchallenged American dominance in the world. They defeated Hitler then turned around and fought a 50-year cold war with the Soviets. In the end, they gave us a huge peace dividend. It wasn’t without problems, but our country was sound.
Now, as I watch the ribbon of cars on the road below my window, I struggle to understand the changes we’ve seen since this generation left America’s leadership. Since the 1980s – under Democrats and Republicans alike – we’ve seen a great unraveling.
What Would Our Founders Think?
When my father-in-law went off to World War II, he was sworn in with a simple oath. This oath was approved by an Act of Congress on September 29, 1789 and applied to all commissioned officers, noncommissioned officers and privates in the service of the United States. It read, in part: “I, (name), do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States.”
My father-in-law is one of millions who have fought for the U.S. Constitution. But in spite of their sacrifices, that all-important document is now under assault from a corrupt and selfish political establishment. They see the Constitution as a roadblock on their quest for absolute, dictatorial powers.
This Fourth of July, as we celebrate the Declaration of Independence and our break from Britain in 1776, we should recognize that our current government has more power than King George III could’ve possibly imagined.
This government routinely searches your bags when you travel. They access your financial records, credit card history and bank statements. They can track your movements via your car’s GPS system or your mobile phone’s signal. They routinely break-down doors and search homes without knocking or asking for permission. Soon, they‘ll have total access to your medical records. And if you’re over 65, they have the right to deny you medical care.
I respect and admire the America of the Founders and my forebears. But on this Fourth of July, I’m bewildered by my fellow Americans who allow their government to fleece them, abuse them, track them and catalogue them. A sinister change has come to our great nation, but it’s barely even noticed.
I hope I am wrong, but it seems that freedom is just a forgotten way of life…
“On behalf of the United States Army, and a grateful nation, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one’s honorable and faithful service to our country.”
And in spite of how cynical I can be at times, the service brought me to tears.
Now, as I write this, I’m sitting in a room looking out from the 25th Floor of the Madison Hotel in Seattle, Washington. The view from here is peaceful. The busy roads and bustling people seem surreal; the city below is full of movement without noise. As often happens after a funeral, my mind is focused on the bigger issues of life.
My father-in-law was part of the “greatest generation,” born in the early 1920s. His teenage and young adult years were spent during the Great Depression and World War II. In the War, he served under General MacArthur during the occupation of Japan. Along with his wife, he raised his four daughters. In the 1980s, he retired after working for 30 years as a corporate man.
My father-in-law’s generation, which included so many memorable leaders, left a legacy of wealth, stability, a strong currency and unchallenged American dominance in the world. They defeated Hitler then turned around and fought a 50-year cold war with the Soviets. In the end, they gave us a huge peace dividend. It wasn’t without problems, but our country was sound.
Now, as I watch the ribbon of cars on the road below my window, I struggle to understand the changes we’ve seen since this generation left America’s leadership. Since the 1980s – under Democrats and Republicans alike – we’ve seen a great unraveling.
What Would Our Founders Think?
When my father-in-law went off to World War II, he was sworn in with a simple oath. This oath was approved by an Act of Congress on September 29, 1789 and applied to all commissioned officers, noncommissioned officers and privates in the service of the United States. It read, in part: “I, (name), do solemnly swear that I will support the Constitution of the United States.”
My father-in-law is one of millions who have fought for the U.S. Constitution. But in spite of their sacrifices, that all-important document is now under assault from a corrupt and selfish political establishment. They see the Constitution as a roadblock on their quest for absolute, dictatorial powers.
This Fourth of July, as we celebrate the Declaration of Independence and our break from Britain in 1776, we should recognize that our current government has more power than King George III could’ve possibly imagined.
This government routinely searches your bags when you travel. They access your financial records, credit card history and bank statements. They can track your movements via your car’s GPS system or your mobile phone’s signal. They routinely break-down doors and search homes without knocking or asking for permission. Soon, they‘ll have total access to your medical records. And if you’re over 65, they have the right to deny you medical care.
I respect and admire the America of the Founders and my forebears. But on this Fourth of July, I’m bewildered by my fellow Americans who allow their government to fleece them, abuse them, track them and catalogue them. A sinister change has come to our great nation, but it’s barely even noticed.
I hope I am wrong, but it seems that freedom is just a forgotten way of life…
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
The Battle’s Been Won, But the War is Far From Over! Stay Alert!!!
Many gun rights advocates breathed a sigh of relief as background
checks were derailed in the Senate. But that’s likely a premature
response.
The failure of the legislation constructed by Senators Pat Toomey and Joe Manchin is not the end of the debate. The agenda of gun control lobbyists hasn’t changed, and it won’t. Those in favor of gun control will not stop until they get what they want.
Just look at Majority Leader Harry Reid, who voted in opposition to the legislation. It’s an interesting move because Reid has been outspoken in favor of strict gun control from the start.
His decision to vote the bill down was a strategic and calculated move that allowed for the bill to be reintroduced at a later time:
“I’ve spoken with the President. He and I agree that the best way to keep working towards passing a background check bill is to hit a pause and freeze the background check bill where it is,” Reid said.
So while the bill’s failure makes gun control seem like a dead issue, it’s very much alive. And you can bet your bottom dollar that the left is already planning their next move. The left has a plan, and it’s all-but-guaranteed to be an assault on the Second Amendment.
The Right Needs to Be Prepared
Simply responding to the next liberal attack won’t be enough. Republicans need to develop a clear and purposeful plan for defending the Second Amendment. They need to become unified around the common goal of preserving the rights clearly given in the Constitution.
And relying on the NRA isn’t enough.
Yes, I know. The Nra is big and powerful and politicians are scared of the organization’s influence. But the NRA has done its job – it stood its ground and defended law-abiding gun owners.
Meanwhile, conservatives tucked their tails between their legs and ran away. Republicans should be fighting on the front lines!
It’s time for Republicans to move away from reactionary tactics and come up with a plan. Most importantly, it’s time to find a way to protect American citizens from violent criminals without punishing or demonizing law-abiding citizens.
In Pursuit of the Truth, The Plain Truth
The failure of the legislation constructed by Senators Pat Toomey and Joe Manchin is not the end of the debate. The agenda of gun control lobbyists hasn’t changed, and it won’t. Those in favor of gun control will not stop until they get what they want.
Just look at Majority Leader Harry Reid, who voted in opposition to the legislation. It’s an interesting move because Reid has been outspoken in favor of strict gun control from the start.
His decision to vote the bill down was a strategic and calculated move that allowed for the bill to be reintroduced at a later time:
“I’ve spoken with the President. He and I agree that the best way to keep working towards passing a background check bill is to hit a pause and freeze the background check bill where it is,” Reid said.
So while the bill’s failure makes gun control seem like a dead issue, it’s very much alive. And you can bet your bottom dollar that the left is already planning their next move. The left has a plan, and it’s all-but-guaranteed to be an assault on the Second Amendment.
The Right Needs to Be Prepared
Simply responding to the next liberal attack won’t be enough. Republicans need to develop a clear and purposeful plan for defending the Second Amendment. They need to become unified around the common goal of preserving the rights clearly given in the Constitution.
And relying on the NRA isn’t enough.
Yes, I know. The Nra is big and powerful and politicians are scared of the organization’s influence. But the NRA has done its job – it stood its ground and defended law-abiding gun owners.
Meanwhile, conservatives tucked their tails between their legs and ran away. Republicans should be fighting on the front lines!
It’s time for Republicans to move away from reactionary tactics and come up with a plan. Most importantly, it’s time to find a way to protect American citizens from violent criminals without punishing or demonizing law-abiding citizens.
In Pursuit of the Truth, The Plain Truth
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
This Week’s Supreme Court Ruling You Didn’t Hear About - But Need To Know About!
Two brothers were shot and killed in Houston, Texas… There were no witnesses. There was no direct evidence.
All the police had to go on were a few shotgun casings found at the crime scene.
The two victims threw a party the night before their murders. A party that Genovevo Salinas attended…
A few days later, police officers invited Salinas down to the station for questioning. Officers didn’t charge Salinas with a crime, and they didn’t read him his Miranda rights. They simply wanted to chat.
The conversation between the police and Salinas lasted for hours. In it, Salinas agreed to hand over his shotgun for testing. The police then asked him, “Will your shells match the ones we found at the scene of the murders?”
What Salinas did next redefined one of your essential freedoms…
Silence is Not Golden
After openly talking with officers for hours, Salinas clammed up when he heard that question.
He chose to use his right to remain silent, except for one major problem – he didn’t openly declare “I plead the fifth.” He simply didn’t speak.
In trial, the officers and prosecutors both used that silence against Salinas.
They described a change in his demeanor… that he became noticeably uncomfortable… that he stopped talking, bit his lip, shuffled his feet and tensed up.
They were using Salinas’ right to not incriminate himself without a lawyer present against him.
Obviously, Salinas charged that this was a clear violation of his Fifth Amendment right.
But the Supreme Court disagreed.
Your Rights Redefined
To say it’s been a big week for the Supreme Court would be an understatement. The Defense of Marriage Act was ruled unconstitutional, while Affirmative Action remains on shaky ground.
But the Salinas ruling on Monday is an important clarification to one of our vital Amendment rights. And somehow it’s received virtually zero coverage. So please take note…
The Supreme Court’s ruling set a precedent for what it means to “plead the fifth.”
The Fifth Amendment to the Constitution gives you the right to remain silent and to not give up evidence that could potentially implicate you in a crime by the force of police or any other government official.
In the infamous case of Miranda v. Arizona in 1966, the Supreme Court ruled that if you’re being held by police and can’t leave the station you have to be made aware of your right to remain silent.
But Salinas wasn’t being held against his will. He went to the station voluntarily when police officers asked to chat.
In that situation, officers didn’t need to read him his Miranda rights.
The Court’s official ruling was that Salina’s silence could be used against him because of one key factor: When police ask potentially damaging questions, merely keeping your mouth shut is not the same as invoking your right to remain silent.
In order for Salinas to use his Fifth Amendment right to not say anything that might be damaging, he had to explicitly say something that showed his silence was a declaration of that right.
Since he didn’t, the Amendment couldn’t be used to protect him. And therefore, in all cases going forward, it can’t protect any of us.
If police invite you downtown for questioning without reading you your Miranda rights – even if you’re just having a casual and voluntarily conversation with an officer – you have to literally plead out loud your Fifth Amendment right to silence, or you lose it the second any other words come out.
And don’t think ignorance to the law will change anything…
Justice Alito made it perfectly clear that unawareness of this law will not change the outcome of any ruling. The Plain Truth!
All the police had to go on were a few shotgun casings found at the crime scene.
The two victims threw a party the night before their murders. A party that Genovevo Salinas attended…
A few days later, police officers invited Salinas down to the station for questioning. Officers didn’t charge Salinas with a crime, and they didn’t read him his Miranda rights. They simply wanted to chat.
The conversation between the police and Salinas lasted for hours. In it, Salinas agreed to hand over his shotgun for testing. The police then asked him, “Will your shells match the ones we found at the scene of the murders?”
What Salinas did next redefined one of your essential freedoms…
Silence is Not Golden
After openly talking with officers for hours, Salinas clammed up when he heard that question.
He chose to use his right to remain silent, except for one major problem – he didn’t openly declare “I plead the fifth.” He simply didn’t speak.
In trial, the officers and prosecutors both used that silence against Salinas.
They described a change in his demeanor… that he became noticeably uncomfortable… that he stopped talking, bit his lip, shuffled his feet and tensed up.
They were using Salinas’ right to not incriminate himself without a lawyer present against him.
Obviously, Salinas charged that this was a clear violation of his Fifth Amendment right.
But the Supreme Court disagreed.
Your Rights Redefined
To say it’s been a big week for the Supreme Court would be an understatement. The Defense of Marriage Act was ruled unconstitutional, while Affirmative Action remains on shaky ground.
But the Salinas ruling on Monday is an important clarification to one of our vital Amendment rights. And somehow it’s received virtually zero coverage. So please take note…
The Supreme Court’s ruling set a precedent for what it means to “plead the fifth.”
The Fifth Amendment to the Constitution gives you the right to remain silent and to not give up evidence that could potentially implicate you in a crime by the force of police or any other government official.
In the infamous case of Miranda v. Arizona in 1966, the Supreme Court ruled that if you’re being held by police and can’t leave the station you have to be made aware of your right to remain silent.
But Salinas wasn’t being held against his will. He went to the station voluntarily when police officers asked to chat.
In that situation, officers didn’t need to read him his Miranda rights.
The Court’s official ruling was that Salina’s silence could be used against him because of one key factor: When police ask potentially damaging questions, merely keeping your mouth shut is not the same as invoking your right to remain silent.
In order for Salinas to use his Fifth Amendment right to not say anything that might be damaging, he had to explicitly say something that showed his silence was a declaration of that right.
Since he didn’t, the Amendment couldn’t be used to protect him. And therefore, in all cases going forward, it can’t protect any of us.
If police invite you downtown for questioning without reading you your Miranda rights – even if you’re just having a casual and voluntarily conversation with an officer – you have to literally plead out loud your Fifth Amendment right to silence, or you lose it the second any other words come out.
And don’t think ignorance to the law will change anything…
Justice Alito made it perfectly clear that unawareness of this law will not change the outcome of any ruling. The Plain Truth!
Monday, July 1, 2013
America, a World Leader? Not in Education! Why Not?
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, an
organization of 34 of the most developed countries in the world,
released its annual survey on education last week. And it should come as
no surprise that the United States out-spends other nations on
education each year even though our students continually fall behind
other countries academically.
The United States spent more than $11,000 on each elementary student and more than $12,000 on each high school student in 2010, the most recent year studied by OECD. But factor in additional educational costs such as college or vocational training and the price totals more than $15,000 per student, taking the U.S. to the top of the list. But how does that compare to other OECD countries?
The OECD nations averaged $9,313 per individual student. But some nations fell far behind the U.S. in educational spending. Mexico, for example, averaged just below $3,000 for every student. Other countries were neck-and-neck with us. Take Switzerland, which spent $14,922 on each of its students.
The average OECD nation spent 6.3% of their gross domestic product on education, but the we topped this by spending over 7% of GDP on education. But federal funding only accounts for 70% of the total amount spent on education in the United States. Parents pay another 25%, with private sources covering the remaining 5%.
Money Does Not Equal Success
Those numbers don’t tell the whole story. Although we’re one of the top spenders in education, other OECD nations continually outperform American students on international assessments. According to the Trends in Mathematics and Science Study, our fourth graders ranked 11th in the world in math, while our eighth graders fared only slightly better, ranking 9th in the world.
But it doesn’t stop there. The Program for International Student Assessment ranked the United States 31st in math literacy – well below the international average. And we ranked 23rd in science among the same students.
Teacher Unions Put in Their “Two Cents”
Now that the report has been published, the unions are ready to fight. Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, commented that, “When people talk about other countries out-educating the United States, it needs to be remembered that those other nations are out-investing us in education as well.” In other words, she’s saying that our students fall behind because the United States doesn’t pay our teachers enough.
The OECD report agrees that teacher pay is an important element in education: “Teachers’ salaries represent the largest single cost in formal education and have a direct impact on the attractiveness of the teaching profession,” the report states. ”Since compensation and working conditions are important for attracting, developing and retaining skilled and high-quality teachers, policy makers should carefully consider teachers’ salaries as they try to ensure both quality teaching and sustainable education budgets.” So, how do we rank among other OECD nations in teacher pay?
The first-year high school teacher salary in the U.S. averages $38,000 – That’s $7,000 more than the average $31,000 among OECD nations. Luxemburg, however, starts its high school teachers at nearly double the U.S. with a first-year salary of a whopping $72,000. But the figures are scattered and fall all across the spectrum. Slovakia pays its first-year high school teachers only $10,000. The average high school teacher in America makes $53,000 annually, well above the OECD average of $45,500. But when you look at the numbers closely, it’s easy to see that United States teacher salaries are competitive.
We’re certainly among the nations spending the most on education, but our students still fall behind other countries around the world. And it isn’t easy to determine why.
It’s likely that numerous culprits are responsible. For one, we’re continuing to perpetuate the problematic nature of the system we have in place. We’re shooting ourselves in the foot when We allow politics to muddy and degrade our education system, which ultimately prevents actually improving the education of America’s students… And thus, the dominoes continue to cascade.
In pursuit of the truth,The Plain Truth!
The United States spent more than $11,000 on each elementary student and more than $12,000 on each high school student in 2010, the most recent year studied by OECD. But factor in additional educational costs such as college or vocational training and the price totals more than $15,000 per student, taking the U.S. to the top of the list. But how does that compare to other OECD countries?
The OECD nations averaged $9,313 per individual student. But some nations fell far behind the U.S. in educational spending. Mexico, for example, averaged just below $3,000 for every student. Other countries were neck-and-neck with us. Take Switzerland, which spent $14,922 on each of its students.
The average OECD nation spent 6.3% of their gross domestic product on education, but the we topped this by spending over 7% of GDP on education. But federal funding only accounts for 70% of the total amount spent on education in the United States. Parents pay another 25%, with private sources covering the remaining 5%.
Money Does Not Equal Success
Those numbers don’t tell the whole story. Although we’re one of the top spenders in education, other OECD nations continually outperform American students on international assessments. According to the Trends in Mathematics and Science Study, our fourth graders ranked 11th in the world in math, while our eighth graders fared only slightly better, ranking 9th in the world.
But it doesn’t stop there. The Program for International Student Assessment ranked the United States 31st in math literacy – well below the international average. And we ranked 23rd in science among the same students.
Teacher Unions Put in Their “Two Cents”
Now that the report has been published, the unions are ready to fight. Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, commented that, “When people talk about other countries out-educating the United States, it needs to be remembered that those other nations are out-investing us in education as well.” In other words, she’s saying that our students fall behind because the United States doesn’t pay our teachers enough.
The OECD report agrees that teacher pay is an important element in education: “Teachers’ salaries represent the largest single cost in formal education and have a direct impact on the attractiveness of the teaching profession,” the report states. ”Since compensation and working conditions are important for attracting, developing and retaining skilled and high-quality teachers, policy makers should carefully consider teachers’ salaries as they try to ensure both quality teaching and sustainable education budgets.” So, how do we rank among other OECD nations in teacher pay?
The first-year high school teacher salary in the U.S. averages $38,000 – That’s $7,000 more than the average $31,000 among OECD nations. Luxemburg, however, starts its high school teachers at nearly double the U.S. with a first-year salary of a whopping $72,000. But the figures are scattered and fall all across the spectrum. Slovakia pays its first-year high school teachers only $10,000. The average high school teacher in America makes $53,000 annually, well above the OECD average of $45,500. But when you look at the numbers closely, it’s easy to see that United States teacher salaries are competitive.
We’re certainly among the nations spending the most on education, but our students still fall behind other countries around the world. And it isn’t easy to determine why.
It’s likely that numerous culprits are responsible. For one, we’re continuing to perpetuate the problematic nature of the system we have in place. We’re shooting ourselves in the foot when We allow politics to muddy and degrade our education system, which ultimately prevents actually improving the education of America’s students… And thus, the dominoes continue to cascade.
In pursuit of the truth,The Plain Truth!
The American Dropout: The Real Impact in America Sad But True!
High school graduation rates are the highest they’ve been in forty
years. But let’s face it – not everyone will graduate. And few high
school dropouts will turn out like celebrity chef, Bobby Flay, who quit
school when he was 17.
The recent Diplomas Count report determined that the high school graduation rate is nearly 75%, the highest rate America has seen since 1973. Don’t get me wrong – that’s great news! But that still means 25% of students won’t graduate. That’s roughly one million students a year. Almost 5,500 high school students drop out on any given school day. And just last year, the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development ranked the U.S. as No. 21 in high school completion, meaning we graduate a smaller percentage of students than Israel, Iceland, Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, and the Slovak Republic, among others. And all of these numbers are a tell-tale sign of the state of education in America.
It’s estimated that there are 20 million kids between the ages of 16 and 21 who are enrolled in some form of school. Sadly, 1.8 million kids in the same age bracket failed to earn a high school diploma and 66% of those dropouts are unemployed. That’s 1.2 million young adults without jobs. And high school graduates earn almost $10,000 more per year than those who don’t finish school. The loss of income and lack of education is certain to impact these individuals, but what are the impacts on society? You might want to brace yourself for the answer…
Dropouts Aren’t Only Costing Themselves
It’s estimated that taxpayers will cover between $320 and $350 billion a year for expenses such as lost wages, health care, welfare, taxable income and incarceration costs. High school dropouts make up close to half of the heads of households on welfare. And nearly half of the mothers participating in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) are high school dropouts, while 27% of single mothers without diplomas receive benefits from TANF. One study estimates that if all of the high school dropouts receiving welfare benefits were instead high school graduates, the cost of welfare in America would fall by almost $2 billion. Another study found that people without diplomas “constitute 62 percent of white inmates, 69 percent of black inmates, and 78 percent of Hispanic inmates” in our prison systems. Yet another study reported that a 1% increase in high school graduation rates would save around $1.4 billion in incarceration costs. This lack of education is disturbing enough considering the skills needed to establish careers and to be successful, or even self-proficient. But the burden taxpayers bear on behalf of those without diplomas? It’s alarming, to say the least, and likely even preventable.
Education Success Equals a Nation’s Success
In 2010, President Obama promised to fix the rate of dropouts in America saying, “We know that the success of every American will be tied more closely than ever before to the level of education that they achieve. The jobs will go to the people with the knowledge and the skills to do them. It’s that simple.” He went on to say, “In this kind of knowledge economy, giving up on your education and dropping out of school means not only giving up on your future, but it’s also giving up on your family’s future and giving up on your country’s future.” The stats are out: the future of our country is influenced by dropouts, so what’s the president and his administration prepared to do in order to take the burden off of taxpayers while securing the future of our nation?
We have the power to alleviate these issues for our country. We need to literally nip them in the bud – let’s prevent the problems before we ever have to fix them: improve our education system, improve our country. Cut and dry.
In pursuit of the truth,The Plain Truth
The recent Diplomas Count report determined that the high school graduation rate is nearly 75%, the highest rate America has seen since 1973. Don’t get me wrong – that’s great news! But that still means 25% of students won’t graduate. That’s roughly one million students a year. Almost 5,500 high school students drop out on any given school day. And just last year, the Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development ranked the U.S. as No. 21 in high school completion, meaning we graduate a smaller percentage of students than Israel, Iceland, Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, and the Slovak Republic, among others. And all of these numbers are a tell-tale sign of the state of education in America.
It’s estimated that there are 20 million kids between the ages of 16 and 21 who are enrolled in some form of school. Sadly, 1.8 million kids in the same age bracket failed to earn a high school diploma and 66% of those dropouts are unemployed. That’s 1.2 million young adults without jobs. And high school graduates earn almost $10,000 more per year than those who don’t finish school. The loss of income and lack of education is certain to impact these individuals, but what are the impacts on society? You might want to brace yourself for the answer…
Dropouts Aren’t Only Costing Themselves
It’s estimated that taxpayers will cover between $320 and $350 billion a year for expenses such as lost wages, health care, welfare, taxable income and incarceration costs. High school dropouts make up close to half of the heads of households on welfare. And nearly half of the mothers participating in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) are high school dropouts, while 27% of single mothers without diplomas receive benefits from TANF. One study estimates that if all of the high school dropouts receiving welfare benefits were instead high school graduates, the cost of welfare in America would fall by almost $2 billion. Another study found that people without diplomas “constitute 62 percent of white inmates, 69 percent of black inmates, and 78 percent of Hispanic inmates” in our prison systems. Yet another study reported that a 1% increase in high school graduation rates would save around $1.4 billion in incarceration costs. This lack of education is disturbing enough considering the skills needed to establish careers and to be successful, or even self-proficient. But the burden taxpayers bear on behalf of those without diplomas? It’s alarming, to say the least, and likely even preventable.
Education Success Equals a Nation’s Success
In 2010, President Obama promised to fix the rate of dropouts in America saying, “We know that the success of every American will be tied more closely than ever before to the level of education that they achieve. The jobs will go to the people with the knowledge and the skills to do them. It’s that simple.” He went on to say, “In this kind of knowledge economy, giving up on your education and dropping out of school means not only giving up on your future, but it’s also giving up on your family’s future and giving up on your country’s future.” The stats are out: the future of our country is influenced by dropouts, so what’s the president and his administration prepared to do in order to take the burden off of taxpayers while securing the future of our nation?
We have the power to alleviate these issues for our country. We need to literally nip them in the bud – let’s prevent the problems before we ever have to fix them: improve our education system, improve our country. Cut and dry.
In pursuit of the truth,The Plain Truth
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