Friday, November 29, 2019

Lessons Learned From Getting a D.U.I.


                                        Photo by Matthew T Rader on Unsplash


It has nearly been a decade since I was pulled over while driving under the influence of alcohol, but I can remember the incident like it happened yesterday. I was returning into town from driving down through California back home (North Valley Los Angeles) from a two-week work-related trip.
Throughout the drive, I stopped and refilled the twelve-pack of Keystone Light. The same twelve-pack from which I had been drinking along the way. I found myself having to stop to use the restroom where no restroom existed. Before exiting the car, I picked up a pipe filled with Marijuana and took a hit. In the rear-view mirror previously filled with darkness, two array of lights — blue and red — appeared. I was about to experience a change in my life for the better.

What is D.U.I?

At the fundamental level, being stopped by police and arrested was a wake-up call for me. I felt like society was trying to convey the following message: “Wait. Hold up. You need to stop and think about why you are being pulled over. Your behavior is concerning society.”
From a policing perspective, the person pulled over is committing a crime. Better yet, the person Driving Under the Influence (D.U.I) is breaking the law and putting herself/himself along with society at risk of injury or death. I am very fortunate that I did not hit or crash my car while driving under the influence. The added burden of harming or killing a person would have been unimaginable. No one should have to have this burden or debt to society. The best course of action would be to use rideshare — Uber or Lyft.

Legal Steps Of a D.U.I.

The legal process is very straight forward for people who choose to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs and get caught. After being administered a field sobriety test, I was taken to jail. At that point, the police have determined that I was unable to operate a vehicle. This is very important to realize. Why?
Before elaborating on each of the steps, the summary of events is as follows:
  1. Initial arrest (with a night in jail)
  2. Hearing with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
  3. Hearing with the local Court
  4. Attending Alcohol Classes
  5. Installing Ignition Interlock Device
  6. Completing all requirements to restore Driver’s License
The above steps are the minimal amount of requirements for a first time offender for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and getting arrested. I want to clarify/elaborate on each of these steps to drive home the lessons which I learned over two years completing the tasks listed above.

The Initial Arrest

Police have a difficult job to perform. There are dangerous criminals. Who engage in serious crimes such as robbery and murder. As it turns out, drinking and driving while intoxicating can result in the death of an innocent person (i.e., murder by the drunken driver). Driving a car while impaired is similar to carrying a dangerous weapon — the weapon is my car, coupled with my impaired state.
On any given night, the police would love not to have to pull over and process a drunk driver. Why? A single officer has to call for back up to administer the field sobriety test — to ensure all steps are legally justified. Otherwise, the stop might not be arguable in a court of law. Not to mention a large amount of paperwork that has to be completed. On top of all the above, the offender (me) goes to jail for the night. What a pain in the rear end?
I realized that I was a big problem for society. The officers treated me with the utmost respect. I was a piece of work due to the elevated amount of alcohol in my blood system. I am thankful to both officers for treating me with such respect. Both did a stellar job at work that night. I take my hat off to them — with a large amount of respect. I was in no shape to be driving.
The actual arrest is rather simple. After completing the field sobriety test, I wast taken to jail for the night. The amount of time an offender is detained is proportional to their blood alcohol level. Which is to say, the higher the BAC, the longer that I was held — to sober up. I was released late the next afternoon.

Let The Legal Process Begin

Upon being released from spending the night in jail, each recipient of a charge with Drinking while Under the Influence of Alcohol — has a whole host of consequences (court hearings, classes, and restitution) to accomplish to redeem themselves back to society. As I stated above, the process begins with losing the ability to drive (operate) a vehicle. The first item of business is a ‘hearing’ over the phone with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
If you have a lawyer (unlike myself), you may be able to make strides during this hearing. What would be the best outcome of this hearing? A person may not lose their Driver’s License and not be convicted. Note: there are two convictions from a D.U.I. charge; the first conviction comes from the DMV, while the second is from a Judge in a traditional court of law.
Most people do not realize that the first step exists. Regardless, the DMV is the ultimate ‘gatekeeper’ between a Driver’s License and yourself. If a person does not follow the given steps required by the DMV, there is no hope of ever getting a Driver’s License back. There is no way to shortcut the process of restitution with the DMV. The process can be smooth or rough, depending on the motivation of the offender (the person charged).
In my situation, my blood alcohol level was around 0.33 — yes, more than four times over the legal limit. Not good. I pleaded guilty during this hearing and moved on. Meaning, I turned down the DMV hearing — knowing that I was guilty and hardly had a chance to get past the charge. I decided to take responsibility for the crime that I committed.

Court of Law

The court holds an initial hearing in front of a Judge, and the offender enters a plea. Either ‘not guilty’ or ‘guilty.’ A third option exists ‘no contest.’ ‘No contest’ means that the person charged is effectively admitting guilt but asking for a large amount of forgiveness from the court. Or, as I understood the plea of ‘no contest’ — was that a person (like me) with no legal representation pleads ‘guilty’ in the easiest way possible.
Before I could enter a plea of ‘no contest,’ I had to sign a waiver after waiver to waive my right to legal counsel. I do not necessarily recommend not hiring a lawyer. Although, the D.U.I. Conviction process is very standardized for the first three offenses. A lawyer might not be able to help you in no small degree to reduce the charge. For me, a plea of ‘no contest’ — i.e., ‘guilty’ was the best route looking back on the offense in retrospect.
Once I entered a plea of ‘no contest,’ I was assigned a certain number (months) of alcohol classes, which I would have to attend. On top of paying a fine, I had to participate in 9 months of alcohol classes — since my blood alcohol level was so high. The fine was around $2,000, with all of the court-related fees attached.

Alcohol Classes

When I was in court, a man in front of me went before the Judge. His lawyer was representing him on a charge of D.U.I. After the Judge inspected his paperwork, he noticed that the defendant did not complete his alcohol classes. For him, this was a follow-up hearing. After completing all of the classes and paying the fines, each offender must return to court and follow up with the Judge.
In the case with the gentleman in front of me represented by a lawyer, the Judge asked, “Why has Mr. … not completed his alcohol classes over 13 months?”
The lawyer responded: “Your Honor, the manager of the alcohol classes chose to kick my client out of the class after attending nearly 13 months of courses.”
To which the Judge responded: “I have no control over the court-mandated alcohol class system. They are private contractors. Either your client completes the mandated classes or finished his sentence off in jail.”
The lawyer responded: “Then Your Honor, my client requests another 16 months to complete 13 months’ worth of classes.”
The dialogue above highlights an important reality about the criminal justice system. Throughout the justice system, there are private entities that are acting like ‘gatekeepers’ which prevent a person charged with a crime from returning to a life of normalcy. Let me explain using my situation.
Since my blood alcohol level was 0.33, I was considered an alcoholic. My age (40) was a factor too. I was sentenced to 9 months of alcohol classes. NOTE: These alcohol classes are not Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) classes. AA is an entirely different organization that is a nonprofit organization that is not court funded or mandated (not traditionally). Although, if a Judge feels compelled to sentence a person charged with a D.U.I. To attend AA meetings, then the person will have to attend to attain restitution with the court.
For me, nine months was tough to achieve. I was sober during the entire process, which helps since the instructor can administer a breathalyzer at any time during an alcohol class. If the student (attendee) fails, then he/she will be dismissed immediately. And attendance is critical when trying to complete the court-mandated courses.
Why?
The attendance requirements are strict for alcohol classes. The cost is around $150 a month. Each attendee is required to attend two classes per week. If you miss a class, you can potentially be kicked out of the program.
What?
Yes, which means that you have to start from day one again. Meaning, that if you cannot complete the court-mandated alcohol classes before your follow up hearing, then you will have to ask the Judge for more time. This loophole allows for offenders to get caught up in continuous court-mandated alcohol classes extended over the years.
One of my classmates was initially charged and sentenced to 6 months of alcohol classes. After trying to complete a single cycle, his sentence was extended to 18 months. He could not get his act together to complete the courses. As you can see, private contractors have your fate in their hands. And they are making money while holding your future in their hands.

Interlock Device

While a person is attending alcohol classes and working to pay off their restitution fines, the other lever at work is to install an interlock device. An interlock ignition device a device that controls your vehicle’s ignition. To operate a vehicle, a driver must blow into the interlock device to start the car. The cost is roughly $80 per month with a $200 installation fee.
What can go wrong?
Upon installation, the installer notifies you that a variety of other products can trip the device.
What?
Yes, for instance. If you are eating a chicken sandwich from Jack in the Box, the device will be triggered. The preservative in the chicken sandwich triggers the interlock device. This reality allows corruption to enter the justice system yet again. How? Because the installer can reset the interlock device and not have the trigger reported to the DMV.
I had the device in my car for six months. I did not have any issues or problems with the interlock device. A friend did have issues with his instrument. He was downtown in LA late at night. He was sober. Whatever product he uses in other areas of his life (bath products, hygiene, cologne, etc.), managed to set off the interlock device. He was stuck in his vehicle for nearly 3 hours. The device would not allow him to start his car. Fortunately, nothing serious happened to him.

Restoring Faith in the DMV

Restoring faith in the DMV to trust you to operate a vehicle is a complicated task to accomplish. I found the process most straightforward to navigate by being sober. I could only imagine how complicated the process would have been if I had continued to use drugs/alcohol.
The reality is that if the DMV employee feels like you have not made a ‘best faith’ effort to complete the process of restitution, you will not drive again. At least for quite a while. I lost my license for two years. I paid around $6K in fines and classes. I could not go on vacation for two years.
What is life like now?
I have been sober ever since my D.U.I. The charge of a D.U.I. was the best obstacle in my life for the past several years. I have had sobriety in my corner ever since.
Do I wish that I could drink?
No.
For me, drinking was an extra job. As a functional alcoholic, drugs, and alcohol were an additional job. I had too many balls to juggle in the air.
Life is simple now. I can walk down the street and know that I will not be a hassle to law enforcement. I can feel good knowing that I am not a burden on the court system. I can feel good about not having to feel added amounts of anxiety as a result of drug/alcohol use.
The above is my journey.
You may have experienced a much different journey.
I hope that yours’ ended well too.
If you have a friend in need of recovery, be patient with them. Don’t be afraid to educate yourself with Alcoholics Anonymous. Who knows, they may learn something?
Happy Thanksgiving! Have a safe holiday!

Wednesday, November 27, 2019

Mike Thinks New Writing Schedule....Starting Friday, November 29th

Hello Everyone,


   This is Mike; I write for the blog post that you are visiting -- "Mike Thinks."  First, thank you for visiting and reading my blog posts on this site.  I hope that you are enjoying my vision which is to demystify the life of a scientist.  Specifically, what I read and think about that is portrayed/presented in the popular media.


   Today, the day before Thanksgiving, I would like to take the opportunity to share with you my new writing schedule.  A schedule for the next few months to years.


    I have decided that the schedule which works for me best is to publish a blog post on this site every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday of each week.  That would be ambitious enough for me at this time.  My wife and I are pregnant.  As a result, I have had to readjust my writing schedule of every other day.


   In light of these changes, I would also like to invite you to ask any questions in the comment section below.  I will try to write an answer in the form of a blog post. With this in mind, I will write the next post on Friday, November 29th.


  Have a great Thanksgiving holiday!



Sincerely,

Mike



Monday, November 25, 2019

Farmers are headed toward the 1980s' Farming Crisis





One big statement that has played out during the current administration has been: "President Trump is trying to rewind time and take the nation back to pre 1970."  Which is counterproductive in today's global economy.  Farmer's without a doubt have endured the most significant hardship during the Trade War with China.  With no end in sight, farmer's are headed for terrible times.  Yes, terrible.



According to Politico Agriculture, the present state of affairs for farmers heading into the holidays appears to be dangerous territory:



FARM CREDIT CHIEF SEES SHADOW OF EIGHTIES' AG CRISIS: Farm Credit Administration Chairman Glen Smith told the House Agriculture Committee on Tuesday that the farm lending system is currently "safe and sound" — but officials are "very concerned and closely monitoring some weakening in credit quality." At a subcommittee hearing, Smith also drew parallels between the current downturn and the run-up to the 1980s farm crisis.
"I think we're at a level that's comparable to the early '80s," he said, citing economic trends like falling farm income, rising debt-to-asset ratios and concerns about the value of farmland. "At that time in the Midwest, we'd lost 15-20 percent of our land values. Guess what? Today we've lost 15-20 percent of our land values in the Midwest."
Farmland values remain largely stable across the country. But that could change, Smith warned in his written remarks to the committee, if larger amounts of farmland go up for sale — like if farm bankruptcy rates continue ticking upward.
"With declining land prices, farm balance sheets could deteriorate more quickly, and a farm borrower's ability to restructure debt or obtain additional financing could weaken," Smith said. He also said the FCA is monitoring an increase in producers turning to non-traditional lenders for financing, which often carry higher interest rates and can prove treacherous for farmers that fall behind.
Another similarity to the Eighties? "The late '70s and early '80s were typified by trade wars," Smith added, referring to the U.S. grain embargo against the Soviet Union.



Farmers have had a terrible last couple of years for business.  Exports overseas have been adversely impacted due to the Trade War with China.  President Trump is making little to no progress with a trade agreement between the two powerful nations.  In the meantime, Congress has passed a bill called the FARMERS FIRST bill, which would provide mental health funding for farmers who have been negatively impacted by the Trade Wars.



Despite all of the negative impacts which farmers are feeling during these times, they remain hopeful and call for 'Trade Not Aid.'  Stay tuned!



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Friday, November 22, 2019

Ralph Nader: The Most Impeachable President vs. The Most Hesitant Congress


Source: Deadline



Opinions are swirling/circulating around social crowds regarding the impeachment hearings being conducted in the U.S. House of Representatives.  The possible result would be drafting articles of impeachment for President Trump.  Each of us has our own opinion on the matter.  I was interested to hear that of activist Ralph Nader.  Ralph Nader chimes in below with a short analysis of the impeachment hearings along with the bipartisan behavior. Additionally, he cites an opportunity for the people of America (us) to stand up and take action.



Ralph Nader writes about the state of affairs in the impeachment of President Trump:



The Most Impeachable President vs. The Most Hesitant Congress. What Are The Democrats Waiting For?
Amid the worst Republican President and Republican Party in modern times, the Democrats are playing the politics of low expectations. This is not the time for Democrats to be in disarray. On Capitol Hill, the prevailing view of most Democrats is that they will cling to their House majority and they shouldn’t expect to regain the Senate in the 2020 elections. The Democrats should be using massive rebuttal evidence, relayed with invincible vibrant rhetoric, toward a “wave election win” as occurred in 1936, when President Roosevelt won 61 percent of the popular vote and the Democrats won large majorities in both the House and Senate.

Tyrant Trump is the most impeachable president in the country’s history – hands down. Before he resigned, Richard Nixon was sure to be impeached and convicted in 1974 due to his obstructions of the Watergate scandal investigation. Selected president Donald Trump has committed many more serious offenses than Nixon. Trump’s abuses amount to repealing the gains of the American Revolution against monarchical rule, and they eviscerate the U.S. Constitution’s “separation of powers” system of presidential accountability. Moreover, major protections for the American people against big corporate crime, power and greed are all on Trump’s unlawful chopping block.  His offenses and violations are more than enough to require his removal from office!

The Democrat’s narrow impeachment move on Trump focuses on his attempted extortion of Ukraine for personal political gain. The current House inquiry does not yet include the far more serious systematic “high crimes and misdemeanors” he is brazenly committing. These affect the daily livelihoods, freedoms and just treatment of all the people where they live, work and raise their children.

A president who lies and fabricates by the hour is destructive to life-preserving science, reason, truth, and public trust. Trump separates those who believe his delusionary tweets and rantings from the realities they need to confront. No family, neighborhood, community, or workplace can operate under such thunderous falsifications. Trump even lies about his promises when challenged – such as his claim that Mexico will pay to build the wall.

Alexander Hamilton described “high crimes and misdemeanors” as “violations of the public trust.” Trump is the poster boy for this yardstick. He tells Americans they have cleaner air, water, food, forthcoming wonderful health insurance, tons more manufacturing jobs and “clean, beautiful coal.” He continues to maintain these fictions when just the opposite is occurring due to his deliberate destruction of existing health, safety and economic protections. He is subordinating people to increased corporate control. Trump caves to corporate demands for more tax escapes, taxpayer subsidies, stalled or frozen minimum wages and other mechanisms to stop the people from getting what they have earned.

Trump’s income taxes on corporations and his own businesses are the lowest in modern U.S. history. Some companies – like the big banks and General Electric are nearing tax-exemption, so little do they pay into the U.S. Treasury. And Trump’s use of the presidency to enrich himself and his businesses is shameless.

Remember all the factories that he said were coming back to America and the trade deficit he was going to diminish and the federal deficit he was going to reduce? Well, his actions have made a mess of all these matters. Manufacturing output and manufacturing jobs are down, the trade and federal deficits are up. Irregular Gig economy jobs with low pay and no-benefits are replacing good jobs. Consumer debts, including student debt, are at an all-time high.

Overall, average inflation is low, but this is not helping low-income people paying higher rent, rising uncovered health care bills and public transit hikes. Home ownership is sliding, especially for African-Americans. Average life expectancy in America is declining for the first time.

Hand it to Donald Trump. Sometimes he really means what he says.  His cruel attacks on immigrants who take tough jobs, such as being home health care aides that nobody else wants, and his brutish treatment of women and minorities matches his rhetoric. He really has illusions of megalomania. “I am the chosen one,” he said recently.

Trump trumpeted dictatorially: “Under Article 2, I can do whatever I want as President.” Which is what he is doing in violation of many sections of our Constitution, starting with sweeping contempt of exclusive Congressional authorities under our Constitution. These violations involve the appropriations, war and confirmation powers. He has violated surveillance rules, campaign finance laws and encouraged voter suppression of citizens likely to vote against Republicans. He is engaged in an attempted coup, not the Democrats.

No other president has regularly violated more provisions of our Constitution, some of which also involve statutory crimes. No other president has engaged in more personal violence against women, openly incited violence against critics and reporters at his mass rallies. No other president has been more ineffective regarding fulfilling his boastful promises to his betrayed supporters.

There is never a “last straw” fulmination by Donald Trump. The winner thus far is his latest incitement that “If the Democrats are successful in removing the President from office (which they will never be), it will cause a Civil War like fracture in this Nation from which our Country will never heal,'” Trump quoted from a Baptist pastor’s statement. Such a crazy, dangerous incitation would have been decisively actionable to our founding fathers, not to mention Mr. Republican himself – Abraham Lincoln, whose presidency was engulfed by Civil War.

What are the Democrats waiting for? Present to the American people the many demonstrable impeachable offenses, which entail very harmful “kitchen table” impacts. A comprehensive impeachment inquiry will engage more of the public and will produce the critical broader public support for impeachment.

Send ‘Trump and company’ back to Mar-a-Lago so they can contemplate the rising sea levels which he calls a “Chinese Hoax.” Set the stage for the crucial election of 2020 to end the supremacy of grasping corporations placing their “Tories” in what Thomas Jefferson called “the People’s House.”

Ralph Nader & Mark Green are the authors of Fake President: Decoding Trump’s Gaslighting, Corruption, and General Bullsh*t, Skyhorse Publishing, December 3, 2019.



Well stated, Ralph Nader.





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Wednesday, November 20, 2019

How will Presidential Candidate Vice President Biden Invest in the Middle Class and Address Climate Too?


Photo: Politico



Climate change solutions are challenging to sell.  At least, that has been the implications over the last couple of decades.  Since our current President loves to use words and phrases like 'competitiveness' and 'make America great again,' this leaves new campaigners no options but to merge the two thoughts together.  2020 Presidential candidate Vice President Joe Biden has done precisely that.  His campaign has managed to combine competitiveness with climate change and try to sell the two as one great large package. 



Will Americans take the bait? 


That remains to be seen. In the meant time, we can view the package and see what the fine details are.  I received an email with a brief summary/highlight from Politico Energy the other day.  Below is a summary by Politico Energy -- of the 12-page plan released by Vice President Biden's campaign:



BIDEN INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN HAS CLIMATE TILT: Former Vice President Joe Biden said he would spend $1.3 trillion over 10 years on infrastructure as president, according to a 12-page plan he released Thursday that aims to reduce carbon emissions, replace aging pipes and create jobs — a plan that POLITICO's Tanya Snyder writes is "reminiscent of the Obama years."
"Every federal dollar spent on rebuilding our infrastructure during the Biden administration will be used to prevent, reduce, and withstand the impacts of this climate crisis," the plan states. That includes investing in expanded public transit system and providing more efficient means of travel.
Biden calls for the widespread adoption of electric cars. As president, Biden would invest in the construction of a national electric-vehicle charging network, restore a full electric-vehicle tax credit and call on the Energy Department to invest $5 billion over five years in battery and energy storage technology.
The former VP would also "push to build a national high-speed rail network; to accelerate the development of low-carbon aviation and shipping technology; and to fortify our infrastructure to withstand the effects of climate change."



To read the entire report, click here.  The above projects are super projects which would have to be implemented across the whole United States.  Which would create a massive amount of jobs for the American people over the long term -- many years.  Similar to the oil and gas industry today.



Today, the oil and gas industry moves into a town with the prospect of developing natural shale sites and literally takes over a town or city's economy.  By injecting a large number of jobs and money to the local economy.  Why would the average American not think that overhauling/installing an electric charging network do the same?  Across the entire United States over many years to develop. 



The plan could play a massive role in developing our national electric grid network for future generations.  Plans have already been developed and proposed to overhaul the nation's electrical grid.  Why not install a charging grid at the same time?  Sounds great, right?  What is lacking, then?



The only obstacle is political will.  Funding might pose a different obstacle across each state.  Although, if there if federal momentum, then countries should be willing to follow without opposition.  Who would be against creating an actual amount of jobs while taking the United States into 21st-century technology?  The future is exciting!



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Monday, November 18, 2019

Ralph Nader: America’s Streets and Squares Are Waiting: Massive Rallies Work!


Photo: Vlad Tchompalov 



One of the hallmarks of a Democracy is the protest.  Thousands of gatherer's line the streets of America to protest a given injustice.  Think about the picture below:






The picture above is of a rally called the Solidarity March in the '80s in Washington D.C. over a decision to fire 12,000 air traffic controllers.  Imagine how unsafe our skies would have been if that decision had proceeded further?  Actually, President Reagan did fire the 12,000 air traffic controllers on August 5, 1981.  After, the replacement of air traffic controllers was accomplished with non-union workers.


Although, safety was compromised in the air with airplanes being directed with an emergency crew operating the skies of the United States of America.  Nearly 450 near misses (near collisions) with passing aircraft occurred in the first year of the strike.  The statistic dropped considerably after routine management came up to speed to accomplish a seemingly complex task.



How did the protests across America affect these decisions in the White House?



Protests have a specific function in society.  A visual litmus test occurs when politicians can view hundreds of thousands of protesters marching against a given decision.  Get ready for the next ballot test.  Given the size of the crowd, the result might not be favorable.  Therefore, it is the right of each American in the United States to protest peacefully against or for a given decision at the federal, state, and local levels.  And I use the word peacefully actively in the sense of the need to peacefully protest.



Where are the protests now?



One of the most iconic protesters of the twentieth century was Ralph Nader.  People have seen him across the United States protesting or advancing.  Ralph Nader has stated the obvious that the streets of America are waiting to be filled with protestors alike:



America’s Streets and Squares Are Waiting: Massive Rallies Work!
Around the world people are marching, rallying, and demonstrating in huge numbers. Some of these countries are ruled by dictators or plutocratic regimes, others are considered democracies. Despite the peril of protest, people are seeking justice, freedom, and decent livelihoods.
Many boast about the United States being the oldest democracy in the world. While there are some street protests in the US, they are sadly too few and far between. Rallies calling attention to climate disruption have received less public support and media attention than they deserve. Likewise, the Parkland rally in Washington, D.C. against gun violence could have received more follow up publicity. And we all remember the massive women’s march the day after Trump was inaugurated in Washington, D.C. The subsequent women’s marches have attracted smaller crowds and therefore less media coverage.
It is not as if our country doesn’t have a historic tradition of sustained demonstrations. Mass protests have carried the labor movement, the farmer movement, the civil rights movement, and the anti-war movement to breakthroughs. These mass protests alone were not the sole drivers of political action – books, articles, editorials, pamphlets, posters, and litigation were essential. But visible displays of aggregated people power had a profound effect on those politicians’ actions. When politicians put their fingers to the wind, the repeated rumble from the masses is what fills the sails of change.
It is not as if mass injustices are absent in the “land of the free, home of the brave.” Sadly, the informed populace is just not showing up in an organized, big crowd fashion – the way they did to challenge the nuclear arms race and nuclear power in the nineteen seventies and eighties. In the era of the iPhone and Internet, activists have greater access to organizing tools than ever – no postage stamps or costly long-distance telephone calls are needed.
Consider these candidates for mass demonstrations proximate to where the decision makers are located. Millions of young people are being gouged by student loan creditors and for-profit colleges. Whether it is the U.S. Department of Education’s high interest rates or the exploitation by for-profit universities, the abuses are outrageous, cruel, and in the latter case, often criminal.
Total outstanding student loans amount to over $1.5 trillion. These burdened young Americans know how to contact each other for free; they also can raise money instantly using new crowdfunding technology. They know how to use the visual arts and the verbal arts. Congress can reverse the predatory practices in higher education. Where is the advocacy from millions of student loan debtors? They could have a huge impact if they surrounded the Capitol or held smaller rallies around Congressional offices back home, especially in the coming election year.
Millions of workers are making, inflation adjusted, less than workers made in 1968. The federal minimum wage, frozen at $7.25, is the culprit. The House of Representatives finally bestirred itself to pass a $15 minimum wage stretched over a number of years. But when the Walmart-indentured members of the Senate look out their windows, it would be nice to see masses of workers surrounding their Senate offices, prior to some insistent personal lobbying?
There are no labor mass rallies in front of Trump’s anti-labor White House either, even though, the headquarters of the AFL-CIO are just yards away on 16th Street NW. The face-off of AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka v. Donald Trump is overdue.
Millions of minorities are suffering voter suppression. Civil rights leaders are angry. They anticipate Republicans at the state and federal level to again erect all kinds of insidious roadblocks that disproportionately affect people of color the most. Abuses in the Florida and Georgia races were rampant in 2018. Presidential races in swing states are also plagued by voter suppression tactics. All signs point to a more intrusive stripping of eligible voters in the 2020 election.
Where are the marches before the offices of the state secretary of state and culpable legislators and Governors headquarters?
A quarter of our country’s families are poor. A Poor People’s Campaign, led by the Reverend William Barber and local pastors, has been protesting in the streets in North Carolina and other states. Their protests deserve far greater attendance. The media has given them too little coverage. But if there were massive demonstrations in major cities and before state legislatures and the Congress, with coordinated demands and large photographs of key politicians fronting for the rich and powerful, will get mass media coverage.
Tens of millions of Americans have no health insurance or are severely underinsured. Thousands of lives are lost annually as a result. This is a problem in America but not other developed nations that have systems in place that prioritize their citizens’ health. Getting sick or injured without medical care is far too frequent in the U.S. Those who suffer from this deprivation can be motivated to take to the streets. The health care industry’s soaring profits and their mega-rich bosses should move additional Americans to rally for Medicare-for-All!
These rallies can be led by physicians and nurses, tired of the paperwork, the bureaucracy, and the health insurance companies denying access to health care for their patients and arbitrarily rejecting doctor-recommended treatments.
In the nineteen forties, President Harry Truman proposed to Congress universal health insurance. Americans still do not have Medicare-for-All and are paying the highest prices, premiums, and out of pocket bills in the world – not to mention the human suffering caused by an inadequate healthcare system.
What a great street story for television, radio, and print newspapers! Think of the tragic human interest stories, straight from the heart by mothers and fathers with children having limited or no access to health care.
Other marches can come from the homeless and the desperate tenants spending over half their income on rent in the many communities where there is a shortage of affordable housing.
All these mass turnouts can pass contribution buckets or tout websites and raise money from the crowds for the next round of even larger protests. At each event, a list of demands can be presented to decision-makers. At each event, protestors can go to the offices where the decision-makers are or insist that these lawmakers speak to the assembled protestors.
There are many innovations to make these action rallies more impactful, more motivating, and more mass-media-centric. There also have to be some enlightened billionaires, worried about their country and their descendants, who want to provide the modest amount of money necessary for event organizers and focused political action. Show up America!


The time is expiring for protests.  Meaning that we should be out in the streets protesting the injustices occurring across the country over the past few years.  Take part in the political process.  Show up in the streets to stand against injustices.  Let the rest of the American public see that there are people who feel the current policies and procedures are ridiculous and illegal.



How will you be remembered during this time of change?



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Thursday, November 14, 2019

We Defend The Constitution Against All Enemies Foreign and Domestic..





The current impeachment hearings being conducted in the House of Representatives are a real test for our nation.  We are living in unprecedented times.  Make no mistake, the unfolding of the impeachment proceedings are uncovering misconduct from the highest office of the United States of America.  Further, the result of which defines a part of the oath of office which every military soldier takes to defend against the United States of America.



What happens when the domestic enemy resides in the highest office of the land?



When I served in the U.S. Military, I would think deeply while deployed overseas about the part of our sworn oath to defend the constitution from enemies foreign and domestic.  Specifically, I was interested in understanding who would qualify as a 'domestic enemy' of the United States.  That was back in the time spanning from 1996-2000.



This morning I was watching the news conference being broadcasted by the Washington Post on YouTube hosting House Majority Speaker Nancy Pelosi.  She was identifying President Trump as acting like a domestic enemy through withholding military aid to Ukraine for an investigation (or statement about, etc.) to provide an advantage to himself as a candidate in the upcoming election (in 2020).  Wow!



That is certainly an answer that I did not consider during my time in the U.S. Military either overseas or at home -- while serving.  Furthermore, now that I have served overseas, the realization that bribery for political endorsement is outrageous. Notably, while Ukraine soldiers die on a day to day basis in their conflict with Russia.



The Mueller report has shown that ties between Russia and President Trump do exist.   Whether Russia's assistance in interfering in the 2016 Presidential election was brought to the level of criminal obstruction is beside the point.  Now, the United States citizen can clearly see that there are clear benefits from interfering in the 2016 Presidential elections and favoring a candidate (now President Trump) who supports Russia.



A domestic enemy who is withholding military aid to Ukraine to fight Russia -- who has interfered in the 2016 Presidential election.  Wow!   I am without words.  We are truly living in unprecedented times.  Hopefully, the Republicans will find the courage to speak up and carry out impeachment hearings in the Senate following the House investigation.



These proceedings are not where the American people would like to be at the present time.  Although, the oath of office requires the officers (senators and congressional leaders) to carry out their constitutional duty and prosecute any wrongdoings of which they are made aware of.  If the current proceedings lead to the removal of the President from office, then that is what the constitution requires.  The laws which all of the residents of the United States of America swear to defend and support.






Tuesday, November 12, 2019

U.S. Does Not Spend Nearly Enough On Nutrition Research





The United States of America has been reactive over the past few decades in the fight against preventable diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and others.  Why?  Good question.  Below, two charts will show the research funding for the last few decades on nutrition research.  Research which might have prevented many onsets of life-threatening diseases such as diabetes which leads to cardiovascular diseases -- heart disease.



The research alluded to above is funded primarily through the National Institutes of Health (NIH).  The NIH is supported by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).  How much does the HHS give to the NIH?  Roughly $33 billion in 2019. 



What is the budget of the HHS?



Roughly, $158 billion in 2019.  Here is the excerpt from the HHS FY 2019 Budget Page:



The President’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 Budget makes thoughtful and strategic investments to protect the health and well-being of the American people, while addressing the opioid crisis, promoting patient-centered healthcare, strengthening services for American Indians and Alaska Natives, encouraging innovation in America’s healthcare future, addressing high drug prices, reforming the Department’s regulations, and generally focusing resources toward proven and effective initiatives.



That budget includes funding Medicare and Medical along with all other health care costs.  Which is an enormous amount of expenditure?  What amazes me is that the total amount spent on nutrition research is just a mere $1.2 billion in total.   Why so little?  Especially since the repercussions of bad nutrition evolving into a diseased state -- which costs the healthcare system more money down the road?



Research Spending



The graph below illustrates the trend in research spending funding for the NIH over the last few decades.






A constant amount is shown over the last few decades which is astounding given the increasing costs of not dealing with malnutrition on the part of the healthcare system.







We are living in a world where our priorities are misaligned with the needs of the American people.  Hopefully, in the future, the ship (funding) can be steered toward a viable solution.  A solution that matches the needs of the American people while reducing healthcare costs before they happen.























Sunday, November 10, 2019

Senator Kamala Harris Will Be Present At A Impeachment Inquiry In The Senate If Necessary Given The Unprecedented Times


Photo: Time




The other day, I was watching 'Morning Joe' on MSNBC and noticed a short interview with Senator Kamala Harris.  Senator Kamala Harris is a Presidential candidate for the upcoming 202 Presidential elections -- which will be held next year. She also serves in the United States Senate currently held by a Republican majority.   Senator Harris is in the minority in the Senate.  Her level of frustration regarding the unprecedented (and disappointing) behavior of her fellow Republicans is beyond belief.



She is in a state of disbelief over her fellow Republican's behavior in denying the level of corruption of which President Trump has engaged in over the last two years.  For those unfamiliar with the current mayhem, President Trump (illegally) has asked for help in gathering 'dirt' on his Democratic opponent (Vice President Joe Biden) in return for military aid to Ukraine:







Military assistance to a foreign country is not (and never should be) contingent on gathering up 'dirt' to influence a Presidential election in the United States.  That is unheard of and highly illegal.


Meanwhile, the Republican party has been unanimous in their effort to undermine the impeachment inquiries currently being conducted by a House led majority of Democratic leaders.   They have chosen not to participate but to obstruct the process at various time points.  Their conduct is unheard of and will be documented in history as supporting possibly the MOST CORRUPT President in history -- President Donald J. Trump.



As much as I would like to be nonpartisan, the behavior of President Trump has landed the United States of America in quite an unexpected place over the last two and a half years.  Hopefully, justice is done, and America can return to being the beautiful nation that once was.