Health care insurance companies

It is correct to have a great deal of respect for any healthcare professional regardless of where they fall into the treatment team.

No matter the person an American meets from the treatment team, they are sure to provide incite and education as well as fact gathering so an accurate diagnosis and treatment can be made.

Let's not forget Pharmacists (click here) are licensed healthcare professionals who dispense prescription medications, verify drug interactions, and advise patients on safe and effective medicine use. They are important to providing the last line of information and accurate order processing to improve the health of Americans.

The link provided above is to remind to Americans and their healthcare insurers that there are definitions of the CAPACITY of any healthcare professional and their licensure. The ultimate quality of care is provided by the orders of a Medical Physician or Surgeon. 

There is no other professional that has complete autonomy in the diagnosis and treatment of patients. All others still have to be sanctioned by the Medical Physician or Surgeon to deliver care.

I hope all Americans understand the hierarchy in the medical society of this country. One of the reasons there are people that appear to be the equivalent of a Doctor or Surgeon is because the country recognizes advanced education and experience. These professionals have capacity, but, ultimately do not provide the groundwork to the best patient outcomes. The best patient outcomes are provided by women and men who completed well in undergraduate work, medical school, internships, residencies, licensure, and specialized practice.

The advanced practice of others are supervised by doctors and surgeons. Surgeons are the only medical professional allowed to independently carry out surgery. The exception is probably the military, but, even there the practice of doctors and surgeons are necessary.

What I am about to state is a critique of the wrongful use of professionals by healthcare insurance companies. It is my contention the healthcare insurance companies are actively attempting to replace doctors with other professionals requiring less financial reimbursement.

All the companies are doing it at some level, but, they should not be. The ONLY people who should be discussing medications and diagnosis are doctors. 

Other professionals are able to carry out their practices, but, the way insurance carriers are using those professionals is marginally okay. It isn't exactly illegal for the professionals to be employed by the companies or subcontracted to them, but, it is weakening the safety net. It is also allowing for a redefinition of health care by companies rather than the professions.

By April 13, 2024 the USA lead the world in COVID-19 deaths with a total of 1,219,487.

(Click here)

NOTE: As of April 13, 2024, the Coronavirus Tracker is no longer being updated due to the unfeasibility of providing statistically valid global totals, as the majority of countries have now stopped reporting. However, historical data remain accessible. Worldometer delivered the most accurate and timely global statistics to users and institutions around the world at a time when this was extremely challenging. We thank everyone who participated in this extraordinary collaborative effort.

The chart to the left can be found at the website noted above. It is the daily average of the numbers of deaths worldwide. 

The world experienced the value and heroic measures carried out by healthcare professionals. The nurse became a symbol of hope and the icon of care during those years.

21 October 2021

...ICN President Annette Kennedy (click here) said: “For many months, ICN’s analysis of information from our National Nursing Association members on nurse infections and deaths was one of the only sources of data available. ICN has been pushing governments to collect this data and send it to WHO for more than a year, but many did not. Seeing the figures in print, confirmation that more than 115,000 healthcare workers have died, many of them nurses, is terrible, especially as we know that the final figure is likely to be higher still.”

Ms Kennedy added that COVID-19 is having a devastating effect on the nursing workforce and has brought the world to the brink of a global nursing crisis....

TITLE V (click here)

HEALTHCARE WORKFORCE 

Subtitle A - Purpose and Definition

health disparity, and rural populations by(1) gathering and assessing comprehensive data in order for the health care workforce to meet the health care needs of individuals, including research on the supply, demand, distribution, diversity, and skills needs of the health care workforce;

(2) increasing the supply of a qualified health care workforce to improve access to and the delivery of health care services for all individuals;

(3) enhancing health care workforce education and training to improve access to and the delivery of health care services for all individuals; and

(4) providing support to the existing health care workforce to improve access to and the delivery of health care services for all individuals.

SEC. 5002. DEFINITIONS.

(a) THIS T ITLE .—In this title:

(1) ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONAL .—The term ‘‘allied health professional’’ means an allied health professional as defined in section 799B(5) of the Public Heath Service Act (42 U.S.C. 295p(5)) who—12

(A) has graduated and received an allied health professions degree or certificate from an institution of higher education; and

(B) is employed with a Federal, State, local or tribal public health agency, or in a setting where patients might require health care services, including acute care facilities, ambulatory care facilities, personal residences, and other settings located in health professional shortage areas, medically underserved areas, or medically under served populations, as recognized by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

(2) HEALTH CARE CAREER PATHWAY .—The term ‘‘healthcare career pathway’’ means a rigorous, engaging, and high quality set of courses and services

The Affordable Care Act provided a clear understanding of the need for qualified healthcare professionals all along the continuum of care. Within that understanding is a hierarchy of responsibility for the quality of that care. Every health care worker is vital and important, but, the ultimate quality of care is set by medical doctors and surgeons. Other highly qualified people, such as Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, Certified Nurse Clinician and educators as well as Registered Nurses, Practical Nurses and Nursing Assistants are all part of that team. There is also the practice of Medical Assistant that is a relatively new field of practice when measuring it against the other professionals.

continued in next entry

What a day.

Sorry to hear about Senator Chris Murphy. I am relieved he is doing well. What a surprise when an unexpected medical emergency occurs, especially for his family. And of all places at his son's soccer game. I hope his son is okay and doesn't take his father's medical condition to heart to believe he was somehow responsible. The young man is not at all responsible. 

If anything is responsible it is the current job he holds and the bizarre administration in the White House. Before attending his son's soccer game Senator Murphy was talking about the fact that after the Midterms, Hegseth and Trump were planning an attack on Iran. That was weighing heavily on his mind as the mid-term elections conclude in just a couple of days. 

I wish Senator Murphy a good recovery and we look forward to him in the Senate soon. I wish his family solace in difficult medical emergency. 

The upside is that Trump cannot interrupt Alaskan elections. The idea he could is simply outside the realm of the Rule of Law. There are four different laws governing elections in this country and the USA Constitution is at the top of the list. 

Jeeze, give it a break Donald.

Capitalists and government programs

There is a distinction between Republican leadership and Democratic leadership and it begins and ends with the citizen.

When I look at this predicament those with rental subsidies have I reflect on the real quality of life issues. The elderly receive a cost of living raise annually. It is to help with far more than just housing and is supposed to allow for a quality of life, not just subsistence living. The elderly and handicapped with accept their circumstances and adjust to any adversity because they have no alternative.

Considering the draconian manner the rental increases are being doled out, one has to realize the cost of living raises are absolutely coveted by those in business. They will seek more money, not for the benefit of those assisted by the government, but, for the pure idea of greed, profit, and some kind of damn entitlement. 

So, please realize when I put these issues on this blog it is in concern for those that can't or won't speak up for themselves. 

What is occurring is not moral. The quality of life of these people are not being addressed by well meaning taxpayers. The only aspect of their lives we, as taxpayers, are protecting is the roof over their heads and not the joy of living. The joy of living is being robbed from them and that is not what was ever intended. 

i might point out when there are increases in Pell Grants, the profiteers are scoffing up those monies. Increases in Pell Grants are supposed to benefit the student and not the institutions they are attending. Tuition is what needs to be concentrated on and costs, especially fees, brought under control. Don't get me wrong, I love the higher education in this country, but, builds erected at the cost of higher tuition is feeding the construction industry for political favoritism.

When state and federal governments support citizens into better quality of lives, it has to be enforced both by any justice department that can end exploitation, but, also by legislators that limit the amount of draconian acts taking place by organizations, institutions, and business. At some point in the legislation, quality of life and disposable income has to be addressed to ensure the benefit intended is being received and felt by those intended for it's benefit. 

I will address the concern about health care this evening.

Let's get a little serious.

I hope everyone had a happy Halloween.

Today begins an official Mexican-American tradition called, "The Day of the Dead." There are many religions that celebrate the death of missing loved ones, this is just one.

The Day of the Dead (el Día de los Muertos) (click here), is a Mexican holiday where families welcome back the souls of their deceased relatives for a brief reunion that includes food, drink and celebration.

A blend of Mesoamerican ritual, European religion and Spanish culture, the holiday is celebrated each year from October 31-November 2. While October 31 is Halloween, November 1-2 is All Souls Day or the Day of the Dead. According to tradition, the gates of heaven are opened at midnight on October 31 and the spirits of children can rejoin their families for 24 hours. The spirits of adults can do the same on November 2....

I am going to talk about housing and health care. To begin, I find the description of the USA healthcare system as "sick care" offensive. It is not sick care. The USA healthcare system is not responsible for keeping people ill and it does not discriminate as to the habits of the patient. Every patient, even if they smoke and drink to excess regularly receives treatment.

But, first some bad housing news. This is not about real estate, it is about the most vulnerable in our country and society. They depend on fair and affordable housing. So, let me get a couple of pictures.

This housing unit has approximately 130 units dedicated to the handicapped and elderly. This building is at least 40 years old and built with monies to rural America by the USDA. It is a subsidized building. It is in disrepair in that it needs new siding. It had a new roof put on about five years or so ago. But, the siding is in a lot of disrepair including holes occupied by wildlife.

Less than two years ago the residents were asked to endure a rental increase of $20.00 for the sole purpose of residing the building. The residing never happened. The people that live in the building do have pride in themselves and their building and it is a bit of a shameful experience for them to have this building in disrepair.

This appeared on the bulletin board after two other notices were unofficially delivered to every resident. The notice is about another rental increase and it is substantial to the people that live there. There is one other thing. The residents receive an energy allowance as part of their rents every month. This one blew me away.

First as to the notices. Every resident was presented with a notice in their monthly newsletter stating changes in the lease to take effect immediately regarding a new bedbug policy. There has never been problems with bedbugs in this building as far as most of the residents can remember and they can remember just fine. The bedbug policy assigns responsibility and financial burden to the residents. If I get a copy of the notice I will post it here. My understanding is most of the residents acknowledged the policy with the office through a signature.

The second notice came as a handbill if you will delivered unofficially delivered by hand to the bottom crack of the door to every resident. It assigned any damage in the apartment to the resident. That means if anyone moves out they will never receive their deposit back because if there are marks on the wall from wheelchairs, etc. the repair cost is that of the resident.

There was a third notice delivered as well earlier in the year listing costs of maintenance services for every need, including the cost of changing lightbulbs. Depending on the type of bulb the costs vary. Mind you these are people that cannot conduct repairs themselves, even changing a lightbulb could be an issue and many live alone is very small apartments.

If I receive copies of these policies I will post them here.

This one blew me away. I could not believe the energy allowance to these residents actually went down. It is not because the cost of energy decreased and the expense is less, it is simply another way of raising the rent.

In recent weeks a repairman with scaffolding showed up to fill in the holes in the siding. He first left the job because he did not realize the extent the damage existed and he had quoted a far different price to the administrator. There was no bidding that has been reported.

When this one man business returned to begin filling in the holes with far more cost he also brought boards to replace the hopeless areas. This lone repair man is the answer by the management to replacing the siding. There is no new siding, it is nothing more (I suppose gratefully so to the mostly devout in the building) than repair and replacement as the repairman sees fit.

Who knows who actually has the input to all this, but, the manager ir more than willing to be a part of it.

I will allow this to sink in for awhile and then present an issue regarding healthcare that every American should be concerned about.

Let's have a little fun.

This is a YouTube channel called "Homestead Horsemanship." They raise, train, and show Missouri Foxtroters and Clydesdale horses. JR is a very big personality and he is proud of his life, that of his family, family heritage, and his homestead. They live in the Ozark Mountains and I believe there are devout Christians.

In this video and if you understand the logistics and the honesty of the people there is some evidence of Bigfoot according to JR. There is something they don't discuss and it might be my imagination, but, i sincerely don't think so. 

The screen grab above is from the video. This is my personal observation and nothing I was asked to do. There is the fur in the upper right corner. There is something, perhaps a palm in the upper left corner. I believe JR with all my heart, but, I see something else, too.

In the center of the moving picture from the video I see a figure. It is at a distance and out of focus, but, it looks like the trail camera caught something other than what was up close. It walks upright and is fairly tall. There is nothing to say Bigfoot only travels alone. Now, this is deep in the Ozarks where JR's son hunts.

This second image is the area on the video I saw the upright figure.

I have one other observation to make and it does add a counter understanding to JR's Bigfoot.

The wildlife camera is said to have been found several times on the ground and intact. Then this video observed something furry touching the tree if not the camera. What if that furry image to the right is a foot and the animal/Bigfoot is climbing up a tree. Would the camera not be knocked to the ground? The upper left cold be the sole of the foot of the animal and I am thinking bear. I first thought it was as wolverine, but, I am uncertain about wolverines in the Ozarks.

But, there is more. The upright figure I am observing (if not my imagination) could be another hunter. I think I see camo that the upright figure is wearing. It could just be the sunlight showing through the trees, but, it appears to me the trail camera could have picked up another hunter that scared the animal up the tree. Now, the conclusive evidence to the climbing animal/Bigfoot is whether there is a nest or claw marks in the bark of the tree. I think JR looked for any nest and didn't find one.

That is my two cents to this observation of a Bigfoot. I wish JR and his family the best and...

...HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Since the DOJ has gone rouge, under what statute is an investigation provided?

The federal government has no right to interfere. Under what directive of the law is the DOJ pursuing an empty investigation?

The U.S. Department of Justice (click here) pushed Friday for a court order to isolate certain Alaska ballots to investigate potential voter confusion, while federal officials confirmed the existence of a criminal probe over a Senate candidate who shares a name with the Republican incumbent.

The dueling developments came days before Tuesday's ranked choice general election, in a race headlined by two-term Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan and Democratic former U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola. The race is among a handful nationwide expected to determine control of the Senate.

Alaska U.S. Attorney Michael Heyman told reporters in Anchorage that the investigation has been ongoing for several months, but recent revelations from The New York Times that Peltola's campaign appeared to be involved in recruiting retired teacher Dan J. Sullivan have resulted in a "significant surge of law enforcement assets to Alaska."...

Trump is the problem, not anyone else. It is all propaganda and noise making in order to derail a victory by a very deserving candidate. Trump won't admit there are many Republicans that simply aren't happy with the way the current majority in Congress and this president is taking the country. I am not surprised the other Candidate Sullivan is running as a Republican alternative.

THERE ARE NO CRIMES IN THE ALASKAN PRIMARY. The only problem is Trump's racketeering. If the State of Alaska wants to address Trump's scheme that has brevity to the Rule of Law. The Democrats should pursue justice to end Trump's harassment of the electorate. No advertising, no money flowing into the racketeering organization. Enough of this mess. 

The Republicans in Alaska have an alternative to the corrupt Republican party.

October 27, 2026

By Billy Witz

The State of Alaska (click here) has asked a federal court to dismiss a Trump administration lawsuit that seeks to block certification of its Senate race if the Republican incumbent loses by a narrow margin.

The motion Monday came in response to the Justice Department’s complaint last week arguing that confusion over a candidate on the ballot with a name similar to that of the incumbent Republican, Senator Dan S. Sullivan, could taint the election result.

In its filing, the state detailed its moves to ensure that voters know the difference between Senator Sullivan and Daniel J. Sullivan, a retired teacher and political novice who Republicans have argued was planted on the ballot by Democrats to siphon votes from the incumbent.

The second Mr. Sullivan has said that he is not trying to trick voters but is simply running as a Republican dissatisfied with the incumbent....

There is no such thing as criminal ballots.

The Alaska issue has already been to court. People vote as they want to vote. They are incapable of producing criminal ballots. Fraudulent ballots are those submitted as fictional citizens. 

When Lisa Murkowski won the U.S. Senate she wasn’t even on the ballot. Trump is whining because he is scared.

Peltola is an unusual name. If Trump could have found another Peltola to run for Senator he would be doing the exact same thing as the two candidates named Sullivan. 

Interesting this sounds like a Trump scheme to attempt to create a fantasy election.

This isn’t Russia. Citizens actually have power. And if one candidate has the same last name of another candidate they can still run.

Is this cool or what?

October 30, 2026

BySiladitya Ray

Pope Leo XIV (click here) has requested a mail-in ballot to vote in next week’s U.S. midterm elections, Illinois election officials confirmed Thursday, potentially setting the stage for a historic first vote by a sitting pope in a U.S. election....

October 29, 2026

By Tina 

Sfondeles

 

He may be (click here) the leader of the Catholic Church, but Chicago-born Pope Leo XIV is still a registered voter in Illinois and requested a mail ballot for the midterm elections.

That’s according to the Will County clerk’s office.

“Robert Francis Prevost is on the list of individuals who requested a vote by mail ballot for the upcoming election,” Kim Fladhammer, Will County clerk’s office chief of staff, told the Chicago Sun-Times. The pope, who is registered to a New Lenox address, made the request Oct. 3....

This is an attack. He believes he has control above the law.

There is no basis for his attack on this journalist. Trump thinks there is something wrong because there is something wrong with him.

It is an open threat against this journalist. He is targeting him for ridicule and danger. This is all part of racketeering.

THE THREAT. 

It is how gangland operates. They believe they have power and for the most part it is real if they are threatening someone's life as Trump is here. Speaker Pelosi and her spouse were victims of this racketeering. Trump directs his minions by expressions of disrespect, hate, and judgement. His minions, including the DOJ, then go to work to assert power they are not entitled to and are criminal.

The deaths and injuries of Democratic leaders are HATE CRIMES.

When it comes to the DOJ, what is interesting is that when it is found their complaints are unconstitutional the ideology of the Rule of Law Lawyering takes over and no further justice is sought afterward. The number of unconstitutional decisions leveled at this administration shows a clear pattern of corruption and testing the Supreme Court in any willingness to be corrupt to Trump's best end.

The Trump DOJ, regardless of who is Attorney General, is one of the most incompetent bunch of bozos ever to occupy that office. Now, either they are incompetent or they are crooks. My guess is the later. As a matter of fact, the wrong headed DOJ under "What's Her Name," should have been actively reviewed by now. Oh, yeah, Bondi. 

It is sad, isn't it? To realize a man who was elected to the highest office of the land had an agenda outside that of the American people and only seeks power and not governance. That is a mental health issue. What is more astounding are the people that surround him seeking their own satiation of greed. That greed is funded by the American people. The power hungry haters that line this presidency is at the cost of the American people. Hegseth's bizarre exploitation of the USA military and the uncontrolled use of our military industrial complex, including stockpiles, is an abomination to civilization as well as a national security threat.

Anyone besides me notice how Musk handles his wives no differently than Putin handles his?

When Musk has control of intelligence satellites he can and will choose winners and losers. No different than NASA's loss of independence in serving the ISS. It should never be allowed. Musk is a direct threat to the national security interests of his country and every other country where he does business.

The IT industry and their leaders are in way over their heads.

October 30, 2026

Elon Musk and his business’s role (click here) in a recent dispute over Ukraine’s access to Starlink and its military network is putting a spotlight on the tech mogul’s outsized influence on the international stage.

Following about 10 days of confusion and finger-pointing over what caused the slowdown of Starlink and its military-grade version — Starshield — in Ukraine, Musk acknowledged his company, SpaceX, was behind the restrictions on Starlink’s commercial services....

It is my opinion the break-in at "Binance" was through a sovereign power.

25 October 2026

Greenberg alleges (click here) that money connected to the two UAE-linked transactions benefited President Donald Trump and his crypto business while diverting business from Circle. Circle’s USDC▲$0.9995 competes with World Liberty’s USD1, and the complaint says the alleged arrangement gave World Liberty an unfair advantage.

The first deal involved an investment vehicle backed by a member of the UAE ruling family agreeing to buy 49% of World Liberty for $500 million. The second involved Abu Dhabi-based MGX using USD1 to fund a $2 billion investment in Binance.

There are a lot of reasons, including international friends (our enemies) and his own family's wrong doing, for Trump to create a distraction on a minute by minute basis. Trump is a showman, not a president. Racketeering is his game. 

(Click here)

Netanyahu's agenda has been interrupted and he does not like it.

Genocide is frequently frowned upon. No one should be surprised if Israeli Arabs did better in the elections than they ever have before. This is the problem with zealots like Netanyahu and Trump; they believe they have control and can do everything they want without regard for the rest of civilization. Netanyahu should have seen this coming. How did he not?

October 29, 2026
By Maayan Lubell

Israeli ​Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu alleged (click here) on Thursday, without providing evidence, that Arab parties' record gains in an election this week were driven in part by voter fraud, a charge ‌rejected by Arab leaders who accused the premier of incitement.

The allegation represents an escalation of rhetoric against Arab parties by Netanyahu and his far-right partners after high Arab turnout in a national ballot on Tuesday effectively blocked a smooth path to power for either him or his main rivals.

Israeli officials said on Thursday that the authorities were probing fraud allegations, though the election's integrity was not systematically compromised.

Analysts and critics say that by stepping up attacks on Arab parties, Netanyahu may be ​trying to ensure his main rival, Gadi Eisenkot, feels unable to even consider forming a minority government with Arab help that could oust him from power.

Netanyahu's goal is "delegitimising any Arab-Jewish cooperation", ​said Eytan Gilboa, professor of politics at Reichman University.

Tuesday's tightly fought election has produced no clear winner and is likely to be followed by weeks of ⁠protracted negotiations over a new government.

Israeli Arabs are legal citizens of the country.

Who are the Arab citizens of Israel? (click here)

The overwhelming majority are the remnants and descendants of the Arabs who stayed within the borders Israel declared after the 1948 Arab-Israeli war. The state of Israel was created out of the British Mandate of Palestine, then home to about 1.2 million Arabs. After more than 700,000 of them were expelled or departed in what Arabs call the nakba, or catastrophe, about 150,000 remained [PDF] within the portion of mandatory Palestine that would become the state of Israel, and they automatically became citizens, forming about half of Israel’s population.* Unlike Jewish citizens, Arab citizens of Israel were subjected to military rule until 1966.

A year later, Israel annexed East Jerusalem and offered the hundreds of thousands of Arabs living there Israeli citizenship, but most of them declined. The United Nations considers [PDF] the land occupied Palestinian territory. Arabs who live there today are counted in both Israeli and Palestinian censuses, and few are Israeli citizens.

Today, about 21 percent of Israel’s population is Arab, totaling some two million people. All are citizens of Israel except the few hundred thousand in East Jerusalem, who are permanent residents, a designation that affords them fewer rights. The majority of Arab citizens are Sunni Muslims, though there are many Christians and also Druze, who more often embrace Israeli identity. They share history, culture, and family ties with Palestinian Arabs living in the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem, as well as Palestinian diaspora populations in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and other countries.

There is something wrong with legal representation within veteran's organizations.

(Click here)

October 29, 2026
By Dan Diamond

The leader of the Vietnam Veterans of America (click here) says he was misled before the group endorsed President Donald Trump’s planned triumphal arch and criticized three Vietnam War veterans who have sued to stop it.

Tom Burke, the president of the veterans group, told members on Thursday that he was given “inaccurate information” and that a pro-arch legal brief filed by his and several other veterans groups “went further than I anticipated or intended,” according to an email shared with The Washington Post.

The brief told a federal judge that Trump’s project should be built and said that veterans who have sued to stop it did not speak for the larger community of veterans. The White House encouraged the group to sign the brief, which was joined by several other veterans groups, according to three people familiar with their plans, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss it publicly....

Trump cannot simply build an arch. It took 11 years to pass legislation and appropriate funding to build the WWII memorial. Trump is simply pouring money into the economy while making demands for unrealistic timelines.

It is an enormous monument. There is no way an arch should be rushed. We have already seen disastrous results from Trump's timelines with the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.  

In 1993, Congress passed legislation authorizing (click here) the construction of the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., or its immediate surroundings. President Clinton signed this legislation into law on May 25, 1993. The responsibility for designing and constructing the Memorial was entrusted to the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC), an independent federal agency established by law in 1923. Over the subsequent years, extensive planning and coordination took place to create a fitting tribute to the millions of Americans who served during World War II and to commemorate the nation's collective contribution to the war effort. Finally, on May 29, 2004, the Memorial was formally dedicated, serving as a poignant reminder of the bravery, sacrifice, and resilience of those who served in the American armed services during World War II and honoring the entire nation's commitment to the cause. The following chronology highlights key events in the history of the project....

VOTE. Vote early if possibe.

There were seven ballot measures. I could not believe how much it delayed some voters. There were plenty of booths to decide my vote today and I had no problem in filling out the ballot, but, the gentleman who was in front of me at a different booth was still there after I left.

I also turned off my phone before entering the polling place. We use paper ballots, but, I didn't want to have my phone on in case AI was listening to the people within the polling place.

The others placing their ballots deserved the respect of privacy. The booths are private, the ballots are handled by the person filling them out and placing them within the final ballot machine, so it was only right there was no listening device of any kind.

There is nothing to defend.

Defaming her is their only hope for this election. That is fairly sad. They are always after blood. That is not new. They aren't interested in winning elections honestly, just so they win the power. That is the absolute truth. Republicans have done everything in their power to eliminate as many as they can from casting their ballots. Every year it is a new measure to eliminate more and more if only they could.

Dirty politics is real and isn't just a shame Trump is experiencing it this year. No one should be surprised that an operative (questionably Democratic) was desperate to save this country from more problems. Trump is a problem. He is always a problem. If the investigation turns up a Republican operative will it then go forward or will the Republicans simply walk away again from attacks that should never have happened in the first place.

This case has already been litigated. There is nothing illegal here. There is no fraud, there is a man running as an alternative to the Trumpee candidate. I think that is admirable. Perhaps Mr. Sullivan thought he had a real shot at it if enough people would give him a chance. 

I think it is more important to examine the nonsense that is happening in the Department of Defense.

October 28, 2026

By Helen Huiskes

Republicans are out for blood (click here) following a report that former Rep. Mary Peltola’s (D-Alaska) campaign recruited “spoiler” candidates to run on the ballot and siphon votes away from incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska).

Democratic lawmakers, so far, have not come rushing to Peltola’s defense....

Stealing land from Washington, DC is more serious than the political havoc in Alaska.

 

It is not illegal. There are all sorts of ways to defend the USA Constitution and end illegal wars.

The courts have already ruled on the ballot. The Alaskan governor is reacting to king Trump by interfering with the election and attempting to throw it to the Republican. 

It would seem that the Democratic candidate, Mary Peltola had not known others were seeking other candidates for the ballot. No one can blame her for unethical anything.  

October 28, 2026
By Kellan Browning

In the summer of 2025 (click here), a staffer for Mary Peltola, the Alaska Democrat who was eyeing a run for Senate, received unusual instructions from top campaign aides: Find as many people named Dan Sullivan in Alaska as you can.

The staffer complied, combing through voter records to produce a list of Dan Sullivans from across the state.

This was no random request. Dan S. Sullivan is the name of the state’s Republican senator. And if the Peltola campaign or its allies could track down and persuade another Dan Sullivan to run for Senate, the confusion could cost the senator crucial votes on the state’s unusual, four-person ballot.

The plan worked. This spring, a retired teacher from a tiny fishing village along the Alaska Panhandle, reachable only by air and sea, announced his candidacy for Senate. His name was Dan J. Sullivan....

This is Trump's problem and he never addresses it. He pardons criminals, plans a blanket pardon for his entire staff within a mile radius of the White House.

Trump defaces the public property of the American people in the country's capital. He spends American tax dollars as if it were water. He carries out bombings of sovereign countries, killing their holy men and children otherwise known as assassination. He kills people on speed boats. He destroys American war planes while killing crews of people. He sends ships in the Caribbean aground while attempting ordered maneuvers.

Trump actively seeks to weaken the strongest and greatest alliance of all time, namely NATO. He openly verbally assaulted Norway in an attempt of intimidation regarding the Nobel Peace Prize. He is actively assaulting the International Criminal Court with sanctions with the intention to destroy it and the authorities within it.

How does he get away with all this an more? 

Oh. I know. Musk and his massive corruption funds for Republicans so that he can continue to dodge the authority and weight of the federal government under leadership that is not under his thumb.

If 100 Dan Sullivans wanted to run against Petola and the other Sullivan it would be really interesting. All Petola is guilty of is wanting to win. I take it both Sullivans are citizens and registered as a candidate legally. Then there is no issue. The voters will decide who they want as a Senator. The voters know the truth and that is a good thing. It is their choice.

Trump also gets away with all this immoral, illegal, and unethical activity because incumbent Republican Senators look the other way while taking Musk's money as if they are entitled to it.

Just as a side note, Mary Peltola is a great candidate (click here). She has served in the federal government before. She knows what she is doing.

October 28, 2026
By Karoun Demirjian

This summer, Attorney General Todd Blanche (click here) boasted about the drop in federal crime while stumping for the Republican candidate for New York governor at a rally headlined by President Trump.

In Michigan, Sean Duffy, the transportation secretary, personally endorsed Mike Rogers, the Republican Senate candidate, arguing that Mr. Rogers would help advance his department’s work.

And in Alaska this month, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick stood with the president at a rally in which he noted the role of Senator Dan Sullivan, a Republican, in securing a natural gas pipeline.

Such appearances have become commonplace as nearly all of Mr. Trump’s top deputies fanned out to promote Republican candidates facing difficult election odds. But they have alarmed government ethics experts who say administration officials are running afoul of the Hatch Act, an 87-year-old law that limits how executive branch employees can participate in political activity....

Achieving peace means practicing peace.

9 October 2026

The Nobel Peace Prize for 2026 (click here) goes to a person who with exceptional courage and integrity has led the way towards a more comprehensive global legal order. This year’s laureate has been instrumental in ensuring that war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide are prosecuted.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the Nobel Peace Prize for 2026 to Navanethem “Navi” Pillay for her efforts to promote peace and international law.

Navi Pillay’s commitment to universal legal principles and her firm moral compass are constants in a long career. Born into a family of Indian Tamil origin under apartheid in Durban, South Africa, Pillay became a lawyer and legal pioneer, confronting deep structural discrimination, segregation and exclusion. A common thread runs from her early work defending Nelson Mandela and others who stood up against apartheid to her service as a judge in some of the key international court cases of our time.

This year’s laureate has significantly enlarged the scope and impact of international law. She has served as a judge on the High Court in South Africa, the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda and the International Criminal Court. She was the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and, until recently, she chaired the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory. Today Navi Pillay is a judge on the International Court of Justice in the case where Myanmar stands accused of genocide....

It is safe to say the world appreciates justice over war. Interestingly, the International Criminal Court also uses the symbol of scales to illustrate it's mission.

The Sakharov Prize - what it is about (click here)

October 22, 2026

By Lorne Cook and Mike Corder

BRUSSELS (AP) — The International Criminal Court (click here) and its embattled staff have won the European Union’s top human rights honor, the Sakharov Prize, an official said Thursday.

The award came just days after the Trump administration announced sweeping new sanctions on the court, which is based in The Hague, Netherlands, as part of its campaign to dismantle the tribunal over investigations into the United States and its allies, including Israel.

Military escort

Trump is an idiot to his own ambitions. Russian oil tankers are approaching the USA coast. What if they explode in the ports? 

The tankers should not be approaching the coast. If the executive branch insists on threatening USA national security then the tankers need to be off loaded far offshore.

This Russian operation with Trump’s insistence is an enormous breach of national security, besides being highly illegal in the face of detailed legislative sanctions.

It is best for sovereign countries to align for their region rather than be used as a proxy war.

28 October 2026

Egypt (click here)

Egypt’s parliament (click here) has authorised President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to provide military support to Saudi Arabia as attacks by Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis intensify.

The House of Representatives, chaired by Speaker Hisham Badawi, approved the mandate in a vote on Monday.

A parliamentary statement shared with the Reuters news agency said el-Sisi had been authorised to “undertake necessary” measures to support Saudi Arabia in defending itself, should Riyadh request assistance.

The move raises the possibility of Egypt becoming more directly involved in a conflict which has consumed the Gulf and the Red Sea in recent weeks. It follows Houthi attacks on Riyadh’s international airport and facilities belonging to Saudi Arabia’s state oil company, Aramco, disrupting flights and oil exports.

The Houthi armed group that controls Yemen’s capital Sanaa is fighting the Saudi-led coalition, which backs the internationally recognised government.

Fighting has intensified in recent weeks, deepening the humanitarian crisis that has already devastated Yemen....

The military strategy of burying the truth is better than living with it.

 October 13, 2026

As of September 24, 2026, (click here) CPJ’s preliminary investigations show that at least 247 journalists and media workers are among the more than tens of thousands killed across Gaza, Yemen, Lebanon, Israel and Iran since the Israel-Gaza war began on October 7, 2023, and the Iran war began on February 28, 2026. Israel has now killed more journalists and media workers than any other government since CPJ began collecting data in 1992. More press members have died in the combined Israel-Gaza and related regional conflicts than in any other war that CPJ has documented....

25 August 2026

Mariam Abu Dagga, (click here) a mother and journalist, was killed in a 2025 Israeli double-tap attack on the last functioning hospital in South Gaza - she had a way out of Gaza but stayed to cover the slaughter. Chief international correspondent Bel Trew reports

Reaching into the body bag, and gently cradling her face, a family member places a mobile phone next to Mariam Abu Dagga's ear.

It is a devastating moment. Mariam, a journalist for Independent Arabia, has just been killed in an Israeli double-tap strike on the last functioning hospital in southern Gaza. She is surrounded by mourners in a tableau of grief.

On the phone is her only child, 14-year-old Ghaith. And he is saying goodbye.

He is more than 1,000 miles away, after his mother fought hard for him to be evacuated to safety in the UAE a year earlier.

And so - amid Israel's unprecedented siege and bombardment of Gaza - this is the only way for the distraught young boy to say goodbye....

The deadliest strike on Nassar Hospital consisted of bombs and not tanks, is believed to be due to it's Wifi Network and no other reason. Israel would believe such sophisticated communication capacity of a hospital with diminished numbers of therapeutic supplies a threat. The communication tower was about ambulances, not Hamas. There was not a health worker in Nassar Hospital that would harbor killers. The IDF could have taken any Hamas members that were seeking treatment in that facility. The brutality of the war in Gaza was never necessary.

25 August 2026

Mariam Abu Dagga, (click here) a reporter with Independent Arabia was killed on the Israeli 25 August 2025 in a double-tap tank strike on Nasser Hospital, one of the last functioning medical centres in south Gaza. She was among at least 22 people, including five journalists, killed that day.

Based on dozens of testimonies from witnesses and whistleblowers, as well as analysis of images and videos, a joint investigation by the Independent and Independent Arabia, has put together the most comprehensive reconstruction of the attack revealing evidence of possible war crimes.

The findings also refute the Israeli military’s claim that the target was a camera “that was positioned by Hamas.”

The Israeli military declined to specifically comment on our findings but said “the review is still ongoing under the General Staff Fact-Finding and Assessment Mechanism.”

October 28, 2026

An Egyptian court ordered the closure (click here) of one of Egypt’s last independent news outlets Tuesday after convicting its editor-in-chief of operating a website without a license, a major blow to the country’s shrinking press freedom.

The publication, Mada Masr, said its editor-in-chief and founder, Lina Attalah, was released after paying a fine equivalent to about $53,400. She had been detained for seven hours after the verdict, with her whereabouts unknown during that time, according to the outlet.

Mada Masr is one of the few remaining news outlets in Egypt known for investigating corruption, the expanding role of the country’s powerful military, and human rights violations in a country where newspapers and television stations are closely controlled by authorities. Ahead of Tuesday’s hearing, Human Rights Watch called the prosecution of Attalah an escalation of an “outrageous attack on independent media.”

Attalah’s lead lawyer, Hassan el-Azhary, said Mada Masr planned to appeal the closure order....