There is still consternation over the Flint Water Crisis and any criminal charges filed to bring about justice.

The original investigation of Flint's poisoned water was based on a racketeering statute. Those indictments changed after the new Attorney General came into office. The article below goes on and on about it, which is why I decided to write about it here.

In those first investigaitons the findings ended with the emergency managers as the problem in the Flint Water Crisis. We know for a fact the former Governor Snyder was involved in all those decisions regarding many Michigan communities that fell under the Emergency Manager Law even after a referendum ended the law.

The picture below is of Mr. Earley at the US House hearings about the Flint Water Crisis. (click here)

17 January 2022

By Jordon Chariton and Charlie LeDuff

A team of prosecutors (click here) and investigators leading the investigation into the Flint water crisis from 2016 through 2018 were assembling a racketeering case against the architects of a bond deal that residents and experts say sparked the health disaster, sources familiar with the criminal investigation have told the Guardian.

The case – which would have come under the Rico (racketeer-influenced and corrupt organizations) laws often used to charge organized crime groups – was widespread and set to implicate additional state officials who played a role in the poisoning of Flint, according to these sources.

But when the team was suddenly broken up and the investigation restarted with a new set of investigators, the Rico case never materialized....

Many measures have been in place since the initial poisoning. Those measures included a settlement that is two-thirds of a billion US (click here). The settlement will assist many people who need the relief now and can't wait for other measures. At least that is what is expected to occur. 

There has been continuing examination of the water to Flint residents by the US EPA. I am sure the State of Michigan under Governor Whitmer tests it as well, but, this is the City of Flint's webpage regarding water quality (click here).

The change in direction of the Attorney General of Michigan is worrisome to people. It would be best if AG Nessel were more forthcoming about what exactly happened with the Flint prosecutions. It may be difficult given the trials are still continuing and some are hopeful they continue until there is still yet more elections, but, the issue is still fresh enough to address it.

This is the Earley indictment (click here). One might recognize the charges "Misconduct in Office" which are the same charges Snyder currently faces. In this indictment those charges can recieve upto 5 years and/or $10,000 fine for each charge. Snyder is now facing two.

Bringing those charges against the former governor is more than appropriate, especially considering, the law governing Emergency Managers was changed under Snyder. The law then, when defeated in a referendum by the people of Michigan was reinstated. Both the change in the statute and the reinstatment were signed by the Former Governor Snyder. His name is all over that law and it was that law under his watch that resulted in the poisoning of the people of Flint. 

I need to review the Congressional hearing and the focus of previous indictments, but, these questions are still out there and need to be addressed. It would be  better if they were addressed by the current AG, but, if that isn't possible for ethical reasons then perhaps the press and laymen interested in justice can conduct their own findings.

There is an element missing in these proceedings and that is the egregious condition of the Flint River water before it was diverted. That river was well known to environmentalists and conservationists. It was a filthy river.

The use of the Flint River was just wrong. There is no way anyone is going to say that river was fit for consumption and yet the river was divereted into the pipes of Flint homes. Considering Snyder was a resident of Michigan and went on to be Governor brings about the level of INTENT he carried out his demands for Emergency Managers to balance the books at any cost. Any Michigander would recoginize the name of the Flint River and be repulsed by  the idea of drinking the water. This is not a new condition and was decades old for that river and brings with it the idea that "What the heck is this?"

The last people guilty of any crime are those that worked at the Water Treatment Plant. They were told to conduct the switch and they did what was asked of them by their superiors. You can say what you want, but, facing losing one's job can be a terrifying experience if they are invested in that job. A worker at the plant committed suicide after his indictment. That was just wrong and the Snyder administration was focusing on removing any shadow of the deaths and maiming from responsibility by the Governor.

That suicide should be hung around Snyder's neck along with all the other wrong doing in this profound tragedy of Legionaire's Disease and lead contamination of children and expectant parents. 

The indictments in the Flint River tragedy as issued by Nessel's office seems so insufficent considering the POLITICAL PRIORITIES of the then GOP of Michigan. There is something very palpable about the Flint poisoning and yet there is so little palpable about the justice being sought. 

It is time for a review. People need justice and the proceedings going forward just doesn't feel right.

California is correct. The shots need to be mandated, including boosters.

January 29, 2022

State lawmakers have introduced two bills that would help do that: (click here)

SB 871would require treating COVID-19 vaccines like any other mandated inoculations for attending California’s K-12 schools. Medical exemptions, which are rare, would be allowed. And personal belief exemptions, which anti-vaxxers used as a giant loophole until they were outlawed in California, would also be barred for COVID vaccines.

SB 866 would allow children age 12 or older to get vaccinated without parental consent. California law already allows them on their own to get vaccinated against human papillomavirus (HPV) and hepatitis B and to access reproductive and mental health care services. Many students want to be vaccinated to protect themselves and those close to them from COVID. Sen. Scott Weiner’s legislation would expand youth access to all vaccines that have been fully approved by the federal government.

It’s time to stop endangering lives by perpetuating misinformation about vaccines that have proven to be safe and effective. The Legislature should pass both bills....

There is precedent to bring medical care to minors of all ages. Parents are not allowed to be a danger to their children no matter the cultural or religious issues at hand. 

California has also passed a gun control bill that will hold up to constitutional demands. The state is asking for money, as a tax, for those that purchase and keep guns. It is also mandatory. It is time to price guns out of the American budget. California has a method that other states should consider.

Levying taxes is very constitutional. The Democrats should be passing gun taxes as well.

Liability insurance for guns is now mandatory in California. Many gun owners already purchase liability insurance that is linked to a lawyer within the association so that when an owner finally uses the gun there is a lawyer there to defend them.

Other insurance companies should consider selling MANDATORY gun liability insurance that includes a lawyer network as part of their homeowners or renters policies.

I think the NRA has a policy for $19.00 PER MONTH. I know the USCCA asks nearly $30.00 PER MONTH. There are perks that come with that, including monthly magazines and instructional videos.

Owning a gun is a priviledge and not a right in the USA, regardless of Amendment 2 to the USA Constitution. Guns can be legislated in their use and the people permitted to purchase them. No legislator should be worried about good gun laws that protect the public.

A car can be a weapon and so can a gun. The number of privately owned guns in the USA is a tragedy that happens everyday. It is time to act to pass laws that provide for the well being of the public.

January 28, 2022

San Jose - A California city (click here) voted Tuesday night to require gun owners to carry liability insurance in what’s believed to be the first measure of its kind in the United States.

The San Jose City Council overwhelmingly approved the measure despite opposition from gun owners who said it would violate their Second Amendment rights and promised to sue....

This graph of Boston waste water measurements show an incredible spike in cases.

Boston Waste Water Measure (click here)

It is coined in the newspaper as good news that the spike is decreasing rapidly. Sure, that is good news. But, the spike is unbelieveable and due to irresponsible social behavior of a very capable virus.

This graph begins March of 2020. This is omicron. Be afraid, be very afraid.

Omicron is deadlier than Delta. The US Navy needs to be careful at ports of call.

The other states are reporting the same phenomena. Omicron is getting deadlier in a shorter period of time. There was a death reported a couple days ago of a health care worker that died the same day he was diagnosed.

January 28, 2022

Illinois health officials reported 123,812 new COVID-19 cases (click here) over the past week, along with 843 additional deaths and over 310,000 new vaccine doses administered, marking yet another drop in cases but a rise in deaths from the previous week.

Last week, the state reported 183,722 new cases and 746 deaths.

The drop in cases comes after state officials report the omicron peak has been reached, particularly surrounding hospitalizations.

In all, 2,897,174 cases of coronavirus have been reported in the state since the pandemic began, according to the latest data from the Illinois Department of Public Health. The additional deaths bring the state to 30,688 confirmed COVID fatalities....

This is the most recent reporting of cases and deaths (click here).

The top graph is the number of cases. Previous to omicron the graph grew steadily day after day. Omicron came along and the number of cases (yes, this is globally) began to increase significantly. The reason for the increase is omicron. It transmits past the body's defenses. 

The chart below is the number of deaths. It has been consistently increasing day after day at about the same rate as with delta. The percentages of cases to deaths is going to look different because the death rate will look watered down in relation to the cases, but, COVID-19 and it's variants are taking the lives of people regularly. The deaths have not abated and it proves this virus is not going away. It continually is exposed to human beings and it is still killing at the same rate day after day.

The variant omicron has a different strategy in that it can infect more people, but, it is just as deadly as delta. The reason there is a spike in the USA in deaths compared to delta is because the USA is heavily infested with the virus and now that omicron has arrived and the LOOSE MORALS surrounding this faster spreading virus continue and there is THE OLD WIVES TALE that this virus is a walk in the park, the deaths are escalating compared to delta. Delta was taken seriously, now that omicron spikes quickly and the return to work is half of delta there is looser and looser social behavior.

Not me. I am now doing Palates exercises at home rather than going to the gym. I wear an N-95 mask supplied to me by Mid-Michigan hospital. I wear it everytime I go anyway and that is kept to a minimum.

This ain't over and the increased death rate in the USA needs to be a wake up call to the ever present and deadly virus. 

We now have B2-A (I think that is the name) and Americans are not paying attention.

Ireland needs the Patriot Missile System. It will be good practice for them.

The fishermen are out there because NATO isn't. First BREXIT occurred and they were insured their fishing waters and now Russia is surrounding NATO with every boat they can muster and there needs to be a clear understanding what Russia will face at the very least in such plans Putin psychotically draws.

Israel has them, now Ireland should have them. Where is the Prime Minister at another party? The live missile drills as they are called is a perfect opportunity to practice with the Patriots. Russia is an enemy of NATO and it is only prudent to move such defense in place. We already know the Russians are horrible soldiers and they just might demonstrate it, too.

January 26, 2022

The chief executive of the Irish South (click here) and West Fish Producers Organisation (IS&WFPO) has said the area is "very important" for members.

Patrick Murphy says they want to protect biodiversity and marine life.

But Russia's Ambassador to Ireland says controversy around the exercise is "hugely overblown".

On Monday, Yury Filatov held a press conference at the Russian Embassy in Dublin.

He said the planned exercises by Russian naval vessels was "not in any way a threat to Ireland or anybody else" and that no harm was intended by it.

Mr Filatov said three or four ships would be involved, but he did not know if missiles or submarines would be used.

He said: "There is nothing to be disturbed, concerned or anguished about and I have extensively explained that to our Irish colleagues."

Mr Filatov also said the exercise was a "non-story" which has become part of a "propaganda campaign" about an alleged Russian threat to Europe....

In his delirium about returning the Soviet Union to it's old luster, he is sending warships to surround NATO and this is practice? It is not practice when he is amassing troops at Ukraine's border. Putin is taunting NATO to act and if it doesn't he will go even further. This is an act of war and not practice.

It is impossible to make speeches about reconstituting the Soviet Union and believe this is practice. The denial of the facts disputes sanity in believing this is practice.

An enormous amount of carbon will also be released into the troposphere at a time when it is expanding and squeezing the stratosphere. This is insane from every aspect it can be looked at.

January 26, 2022

By Dzirhan Mahadzir

More than 140 warships (click here) and support vessels, along with 60 aircraft and a total of 10,000 personnel, will participate in the drills, according to the Russian MoD.

But the exercises have sparked alarm within Western nations in light of tensions over Ukraine. NATO countries have been surging out ships and aircraft and are accelerating planned deployments in response to Russia’s massing of troops on its border with Ukraine. Ireland protested over Russia’s plans to hold live fire exercises 240 kilometers off the Irish coast in February. Irish fisherman have pledged to disrupt the exercise, according to the BBC.

“We are letting them know that we will be fishing in our traditional fishing areas and if this has an impact on their exercise this would be considered a peaceful protest,” Patrick Murphy, chief executive of the Irish South and West Fish Producers Organization, said.
“We should be entitled to go fishing there, and if we’re fishing there then these boats, these warships, shouldn’t be having war games.”...

Putin is an absolute idiot. Worse then his soldiers, he actually believes the borders of the 1990s can be reconstituted. He makes no sense. Sentiment is not a valid reason for war. Dealing with him and his psychotic tendancies is a fool's errand.

Enemies don't play games!

The environmental and economic damage that comes with these idiotic games is intolerable and it should not be allowed. Place the sanctions and get it over with.

26 January 2022

By Lorna Siggins

Minister of State for Heritage Malcolm Noonan (click here) says he is “ deeply concerned” at the news that military exercises are to be conducted by Russia within Ireland’s Exclusive Economic Area due to the impact on marine mammals.

In a statement last night, Noonan said he had written to both Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Coveney and the Russian Ambassador to Ireland to express his concerns.

“While we do not know the nature of these exercises, we do know that underwater sounds such as active military sonar can have devastating consequences for cetaceans including some of our rarest marine mammal species, notably the deep-diving and rarely-seen Blue whale, Sperm whale and beaked whales,” Noonan said....

The continuing resolution that Congress is currently operating under is grossly insufficient in funding the US Navy (click here). McConnell is to blame. McConnell is effecting readiness.

January 28, 2022
By John Grady

Putting an American aircraft carrier strike group (click here) under alliance control should be a “clear message to Russia” that its 30 members are unwavering in their commitment to come to each other’s defense if attacked, NATO’s secretary general said Friday.

Jens Stoltenberg, secretary general since 2014, – when the Kremlin annexed Crimea and openly supported separatists in eastern Ukraine – said he expected the same hand-over of command from the United Kingdom and France as the countries move naval, air and ground forces into member nations on the Black Sea.

Stoltenberg “was reluctant now to go too far” in detailing NATO’s options if the Ukrainian crisis escalates to armed conflict.

On the alliance build-up on its borders, “they are there to defend NATO allies,” not attack Russia, he said.

He welcomed news of the United States putting 8,500 soldiers and airmen on alert for deployment to Europe. In “times of uncertainty,” it was important that “North America and Europe stand together.”...

There was an accident in the Pacific today regarding the landing of a jet on a carrier. There is too much tension among the US Navy. Someone needs to find out what is going on and back down the tension. Mistakes need to be taken seriously. We may need retired generals to speak to the sailors and soldiers about this. Many of some of our most valuable leaders left the military under piss-poor leadership in Washington, DC and the White House. That has to be reversed in consultation work and soon.

The lousy virus could be at play, too.