Talking about corruption...and I understand the proposed Trump Tax Bill cuts Social Security. Excuse me?

September 28, 2017
By Brett Arends

Don’t call it “tax reform.” Just call it “Ivanka’s law.” (click here)

Donald Trump’s new tax plan would slash his family’s estate-tax bill by up to $2.8 billion — yes, billion — at a time when the federal budget is in deficit and Social Security and Medicare are hurtling toward financial crisis.

If that doesn’t tell you what’s really going on here, you’re not paying attention.

Trump’s proposed reforms would eliminate the 40% estate tax on those who inherit massive estates, along with the associated gift and generation-skipping taxes.

The president has claimed that his net worth — not counting the intangible “value” of his personal brand — is about $7 billion, meaning that under current law his five kids would have to share about $2.8 billion with the rest of the country upon his death assuming they are named the inheritors in his will.

Less heroic calculations by Forbes and Bloomberg put Trump’s net worth around $2.9 billion to $3.5 billion. But that still means his kids would have to hand over between $1.5 billion to $1.4 billion....

Hey, Ryan, you sure you don't work for the Russians?

...If his new tax plan goes through, they wouldn’t have to hand over a nickel. This doesn’t include any other tax savings they might get from the tax reforms, which include cuts to corporate and individual income taxes.

Trump said on Wednesday that he wouldn’t benefit personally from the reforms. It’s possible he was just being clever: It would be his kids, rather than him, who would save the estate taxes. There again, it’s possible he was just lying.

Right now the top rate of estate tax on very big estates is about the same as the 39.6% top rate on incomes. So someone who inherits $100 million gets taxed about the same as someone who earns $100 million through their own hard work and ingenuity.

But not under the new Republican tax plan. They want the schmucks who actually work for a living to pay much higher tax rates than people who inherit it. The proposals would cut the top rate of income tax from around 40% to 35%, but the top rate of inheritance tax from 40% to 0%....

The great honor for the average American is that we get to pay for the lifestyles of the rich and famous. Let me guess, this so called "Tax Reform" was engineered by the many Goldman Sachs brokers now working for Trump's White House.

Do tell. Who was the rich and famous that wrote this paycheck for the wealthy? 

September 26, 2017
By Katherine Gallagher Robbins, Rejane Frederick, Angela Hanks, Rachel West, and Michela Zonta 

Despite vowing to support America’s veterans, (click here) President Donald Trump and congressional Republican leaders have put forth budget proposals that are poised to do great damage to the economic security of veterans and their families—all to pay for tax cuts for millionaires and corporations. In fact, new analysis by the Center for American Progress reveals that the tax cuts Trump wants to give corporations and businesses, which will cost $4.3 trillion over 10 years, amount to 28 times as much as the deep cuts he is proposing to services and benefits for veterans.

And these cuts are just the tip of the iceberg....

The wealthy absolutely hate Americans. I know it now. We have FOX News and Talk Radio for the rhetoric of hate. The CEOs don't show up for interviews to participate in the paradigm of hate, but, they are revered as icons of immense power and the way to happiness as a capitalist.

...Additionally, CAP estimates that over the next decade, 400,000 veterans on average could lose access to critical nutrition assistance each year if the cut proposed in President Trump’s budget were applied directly to participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). If instead the cuts proposed in the House of Representatives Republican budget were applied, more than 554,000 veterans could lose SNAP each year between 2023 and 2027. Previous congressional Republican attempts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA) would have cost close to half a million veterans their Medicaid benefits by 2026. And the most recent repeal effort, which makes devastating changes to Medicaid, would be even worse, costing an estimated 579,000 veterans their Medicaid coverage within a decade....

Right now, the FBI is attempting to scour the NCAA of corruption and some of the worst issues a coach has to contend with is what brand sneaker the players are wearing this year. The lust of money is pervasive in the USA and this tax plan shows the worst side of this country.

The false sense of entitlement.

September 26, 2017
By Lauren Thomas

The FBI has arrested 10 people, (click here) including four NCAA basketball coaches and an Adidas manager, in a bribery investigation involving recruitment efforts.

The probe has revealed numerous instances of bribes paid to assistant and associate basketball coaches to exert influence over student athletes, according to documents filed Monday in U.S. District Court in Manhattan. The papers were unsealed on Tuesday.

Among those arrested were Lamont Evans, an associate coach of Oklahoma State University, Chuck Person, an associate coach of Auburn University, Emanuel "Book" Richardson, an assistant coach of the University of Arizona, and Tony Bland, an associate coach of the University of Southern California.

NCAA President Mark Emmert called the nature of the charges "deeply disturbing" in a statement released later Tuesday.

"We have no tolerance whatsoever for this alleged behavior," Emmert said. "Coaches hold a unique position of trust with student-athletes and their families and these bribery allegations, if true, suggest an extraordinary and despicable breach of that trust. We learned of these charges this morning and of course will support the ongoing criminal federal investigation."...

There is wide spread concern about how this is going to effect the organization and financial liability for existing contracts. There will be economic impacts to these issues. The law is the law and it needs to be respected. Money does not talk as loud in the USA today. That is important. If only our elections and politics were able to be cleansed of corruption and money.

September 27, 2017
By Mark Cooper

At the end of the day Wednesday, (click here) Lamont Evans’ status at Oklahoma State remained the same as it did Tuesday afternoon.

Suspended, with pay.

Evans’ salary for the upcoming season is $600,000. He signed a three-year, $1.875-million deal that includes a $25,000 raise after each season.

But if Oklahoma State does terminate Evans -- for what would be just cause -- it may not matter whether it occurred immediately or later this week.

According to Evans’ contract, which the Tulsa World received through an open records request, the university’s obligations for payment cease at the end of the month in which he is terminated for just cause. The last day of September is Saturday....

There is a bigger picture to this as well. Young people take example from sports figures. What kind of example is it to have bribery be a part of the REALITY of the NCAA? What does it say about the sport and it's place in the ambitions of young people?

September 28, 2017
By Jap Bilas

...Right now, (click here) as the sky seems to be falling in college basketball, some are suggesting that things will really change going forward. Grassroots basketball is dead. Agents will no longer be able to get their hooks into players. Coaches will not be able to pay players. Now, thanks to federal law enforcement officials, college sports will be clean and moral.

While this is horribly unpleasant and far from over, I don't see meaningful change coming to college sports. The reason? Money.

The same things were said about Wall Street after the 2008 financial crisis. Things were going to change, and no longer would the big banks be allowed to do whatever they wanted and put the world economy at risk with collateralized debt obligations and credit default swaps. Yet, years later, it is back to business as usual on Wall Street.

While this ugly scandal seems to be the NCAA's worst ever, it is not. We have seen big scandals before, and as long as we maintain the current corrupt system and rules, we will be here again. We have implemented rules after each scandal to make ourselves feel better, but they don't do any good. They can't do any good. The reason? Money....

Corruption. When will it ever stop in all aspects of American life? The real question is why does it exist?

Leave "Facebook" alone, you lousy bully!

Whoever expected Russia to be investing in "Trump for President." Then to realize Facebook did what it could to alert officials in the FBI is enough to realize it had no policy to follow and whoever thought it would need one.

The FBI was completely flat-footed to this reality and the final outcome to the elections of 2016 proves it. Not only was the FBI flat-footed in it's response to issues of foreign government interference in US elections, it was openly hostile to woman candidate in the race for the White House.

September 27, 2017
By Mike Isaac and Melissa Eddy

San Francisco — President Trump (click here) took aim at Facebook on Wednesday, calling the social network “anti-Trump.” But the social network insists it is pro-democracy and pro-truth — and the German election shows it.

The president’s post on Twitter added to the pressure that Facebook has been under, facing accusations of partisanship from both sides of the political aisle. The social network has been accused of spreading fake news that influenced the outcome of the presidential election last year, and more recently, it acknowledged that Russians used fake accounts and Facebook ads to push divisive issues during the campaign....

What is even more alarming is that if it weren't for Special Council Mueller, the issue with Facebook would be swept under the carpet. Where would we be even in awareness to these events if Robert Mueller hadn't come forward to investigate this mess. It is outrageous in every sense of the word.

The information is not enough. There needs to be policy by Congress and the investigative agencies to handle these realities. I believe it was then National Security Director Hayden that did in fact alert the public to tampering, but, the message was drowned out.

WHY?

Maybe the USA intelligence services should have a Facebook account of it's own if that is what it takes to counter such a Russian invasion. One that is legitimate and alerts the public to specific entries that are invasive and illegitimate in American elections. The USA intelligence agencies need to realize the depth commercial and social media has become in American elections and have an equal response to such measures.

Oddly, though, Mr. Comey's message about former Secretary Clinton had plenty of media penetration. I think there needs to be a strong contrast and compare to realize the ability of the FBI to deliver an important message to the country.

Russia, on the other hand, is very adept at manipulating information and opinion. There should be no mistake this attack on the elections of 2016 is an issue of the relationship the USA has with Russia now and in the future.

September 20, 2017
By Levi Maxey

...But, (click here) much like the Panama Papers leaks in the spring of 2016 – which revealed the shadowy financial dealings of Putin’s inner circle – the Russian state-owned media was able to spin it to minimize their impact. “The security organs of an autocratic society can clearly identify when non-traditional information starts to exist in their society,” says Wise. “This is a lot easier for them than democracies because they already tightly control their information.”

What’s more, retaliation in kind – propagating false or one-sided narratives through digital media – could fall for the bait set by autocratic regimes, causing freedom of speech and democracy to be lost in the process.

“We are moving into an area where we would allow all types of content to be considered potential weapons, and therefore there can actually effectively be no free speech,” says Alexander Klimburg, the Director of the Cyber Policy and Resilience Program at The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies. “We cannot conserve information warfare as the new normal by engaging in it or sanctioning this type of approach. If we go down that road, we have no room for democracy anymore.”

Alternatively, General Michael Hayden, the former director of the NSA and CIA, said at the same Senate Armed Services Committee hearing that given that Russia attacked American foundations of democracy – its elections – the U.S. could respond by using “tools to attack their foundations of autocracy.” This could involve, according to Hayden, introducing anonymizing technology and encryption that make it more difficult for the Russian government to track their own citizens and allow the public to speak freely and anonymously without fear of government reprisal.

Unfortunately, more and more former government officials are leaving because of the lack of respect, by Trump, to law. Ah, sweet loyalty. But, the facts are obvious, the USA is highly vulnerable to attack by such entities as Russia and now with personnel leaving may very well remain so. 

Assisting the populations of autocratic regimes in determining their own truth perhaps is the appropriate response to disinformation campaigns seeking to obscure truth in democracies. Engaging in a full-on propaganda war over the internet, however, could bring the end of collective truth as we know it.

I strongly suggest it is time for Speaker Paul Ryan to act on impeachment given all the problems, both ethical and legal, of the Trump White House before it is too late! Unless, of course, Ryan is in Russia's pocket, too.

Coward!

Maria and Lee are still a team.

September 28, 2017
1230.18z
UNISYS Water Vapor GOES East Satellite (click here for 12 hour loop - thank you)

Maria beat up the Outer Banks of North Carolina with a house or two being lost to the ocean.

Maria has been oscillating between a Cat. 1 and Tropical Storm. On the other hand Hurricane Lee has sustained as a Cat. 2 in the open ocean.

Maria

34.90 -72.90 09/27/00Z 60 975 TROPICAL STORM
35.10 -72.90 09/27/06Z 60 976 TROPICAL STORM
35.60 -72.60 09/27/12Z 65 978 HURRICANE-1
36.20 -72.10 09/27/18Z 65 979 HURRICANE-1
36.80 -71.50 09/28/00Z 65 979 HURRICANE-1
36.80 -71.00 09/28/06Z 60 982 TROPICAL STORM

Lee

30.00 -55.50 09/27/00Z 95 971 HURRICANE-2
30.20 -56.30 09/27/06Z 95 971 HURRICANE-2
30.60 -56.80 09/27/12Z 100 963 HURRICANE-3
31.20 -57.10 09/27/18Z 100 962 HURRICANE-3
31.70 -57.30 09/28/00Z 95 966 HURRICANE-2
32.50 -57.20 09/28/06Z 95 966 HURRICANE-2

The Virgin Islands have been devastated this year. After Irma destroyed infrastructure, along came Maria and completely flooded the islands. The human tragedy of Americans is unmatched to any other year. Between the Gulf storms and those from the Atlantic there are significant numbers of Americans left homeless and many believing life right now is hopeless.

September 27, 2017
By Jeremy W. Peters

The Caneel Bay resort on St. John was heavily damaged.

Cruz Bay, V.I. — Even before two Category 5 hurricanes (click here) struck the United States Virgin Islands with punishing fury this month, the notion of paradise here was already about as brittle as a sand dollar.

The local treasury had barely enough cash to keep the government funded for three days. Its debt had grown so large that Wall Street stopped lending it money. The unemployment rate was more than twice the national average.

The one-two punch of Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria 14 days later was especially cruel. In many places across the three major islands of this American territory, the second storm drowned what the first couldn’t destroy, ravaging what was once one of the Caribbean’s most idyllic landscapes....

The American mainland has vastly neglected it's territories and it shows. The commercial investment was the primary income for the territories and it simply is not enough. The people don't have sustainable incomes, thus the governments do not have sustainable taxes or treasuries.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the U.S. Territories (click here)

There has been no recuperation since 2008 across the spectrum of USA Territories. That is true for Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, Guam and American Samoa. There is no way the USA Congress or any other entity can hold these islands responsible for debt. It is not possible. The USA has to study and work the problem faced by these Americans.

Washington, D.C. (May 5, 2010) -- The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) (click here) released its first set of estimates of gross domestic product (GDP) for American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI).1

Objectively gauging changes in economic activity is difficult in the absence of comprehensive economic metrics, such as GDP. Until now, a framework did not exist to estimate the GDP of these four U.S. territories. The Statistical Improvement Program, funded by the Office of Insular Affairs (OIA) of the U.S. Department of the Interior, has made it possible for BEA to develop formal methodologies for measuring the GDP of the territories.

The estimates released today for the four territories cover the period 2002 to 2007. The estimates show that real GDP -- GDP adjusted to remove price changes -- grew over this period in each of the territories except the CNMI. From 2002 to 2007, American Samoa’s GDP grew at an average annual rate of 0.4 percent, Guam’s GDP grew at an average annual rate of 1.8 percent, and the USVI’s GDP grew at an average annual rate of 2.9 percent; in contrast, the CNMI’s GDP decreased at an average annual rate of 4.2 percent. (For comparison, the average annual growth rate for the United States (excluding the territories) was 2.8 percent over this period.) More detailed information for each territory is presented on the following pages.

In constructing the estimates for the territories, BEA used methodologies consistent with the methods used to estimate U.S. GDP. Information from the Economic Census of Island Areas was used to establish levels of GDP for each territory for the years 2002 and 2007. Annual series were then developed and used to estimate GDP for the intervening years. Because the territories are not included in most of the major surveys used by BEA to estimate U.S. GDP, the support of government leaders in the territories and the assistance provided by the territorial statistical offices were critical to the successful production of these estimates.

Until President Obama came into office there was complete negligence of the economic VIABILITY or economic STABILITY of these territories. How can Congress ever hold the territories responsible for any type of GDP if they never held an interest in the quality of life of these people at all.

Now, with the climate crisis causing complete devastation of infrastructure of the Caribbean territories there needs to be a task force implemented to decide the viability at all of living on these islands. The Pacific territories could be as open to the same devastation as those in the Caribbean.

September 27, 2017
By Ed O'Keefe

The Trump administration (click here) is restricting lawmakers in both parties from visiting storm-ravaged Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands aboard military aircraft this weekend in order to keep focused on recovery missions there, according to multiple congressional aides.

The decision comes as the Pentagon is intensifying its relief efforts on the islands as the U.S. government struggles to respond to devastation caused last week by Hurricane Maria and earlier by Hurricane Irma.

Multiple attempts have been underway in recent days for members of both parties to travel to Puerto Rico aboard military aircraft. Once there, they would have met with officials with the military and Federal Emergency Management Agency responsible for ongoing missions on the ground....

The Congress members need to assess the damage and return with real plans for the future of the islands hit by two major hurricanes within two weeks. The plans have to include ways to return viability to these Americans and a timeline to have it happen. 

I don't see tax cuts for anyone for some time actually. I see increases in taxes to Americans in the upper 10 percent of income earners in the country. I think Congress has a great deal of work ahead with these territories. The territories should be the focus of this Congress and the political agenda of rhetoric needs to be abandoned. There is real work to be done here.

Pedophilia's cultural language became exposed in Australia as a television personality was revealed.

27 September 2017

B-LOVERS and "P"s who want kids to GNOC. (click here) This is just some of the secret codes used in the world of online predators - by today's self-titled "boy-lovers" and paedophiles engaging in disgusting abuse of children on social media and gaming sites where they can fly under the radar.

And GNOC? It means Get Naked On Cam, and shows why parents should Google any unfamiliar slang or acronyms their kids are using online, according to Cyber safety expert Susan McLean.

This brand of disturbing language came under the spotlight yesterday when vile messages exchanged by former Channel 9 star Ben McCormack and another man were exposed at Downing Centre Local Court in Sydney....

Russia has practicing cannibals.

September 27, 2017
By Cleve R. Woolson, Jr.

Warning: Disturbing content: (click here)

Investigators believe a Russian couple knocked their victims out with sedatives, then skinned them alive. Afterward, police say, they ate parts of their victims, froze the remains or packed them in jars filled with saline solution.

At times, the couple tried to turn soldiers at the military academy where they worked into unwitting cannibals, slipping "canned human meat" into their food.

And the people in the city of Krasnodar may never have known about any of that if not for a broken cellphone lying on a city street, authorities say....

They have no value for the lives of others. They only see people as a potential meal. This is about the most bizarre event. These folks not only killed people for meat, they served it to others.

What the heck? People were disappearing and no one paid attention? I want to hear the Russians explain this one.

Why do right wing extremists receive the left's vote? Because they tract to the left when they need to.

I don't want the rhetoric. I don't want a position statement to a particular bill. I want to know what Roy Moore's plans are for health care and where is the bill he is going to propose.

If there is no bill proposal, I am not interested. I want to read something that will answer problems and not simply treat me like a mindless voter willing to play populous directed. 

There were left wing voters for Trump because he carried a leftist message, such as, anti-NAFTA and anti-TPP. Once in office Trump did not turn his back on those voters and did as he promised. He took the position of THE PEOPLE and not THE ESTABLISHMENT. TPP and NAFTA were on the Republican agenda. Clinton signed NAFTA, but, it was passed by a Republican Congress. Because Clinton signed it the Establishment Left believes they have to own it. That is not the case. Everyone who agreed with Trump's position should embrace the fact he agrees with a Democratic agenda. 

The Democrats should be a friend to THE PEOPLE and point to the fact while the TPP was defeated, the current density of Goldman Sachs employees in the federal government only opens up those voters to risk of losing their demand anyway. 

September 21, 2017
By Juliegrace Brufke

Senate candidate Judge Roy Moore of Alabama (click here) wouldn’t vote for the Graham-Cassidy Obamacare repeal bill, his campaign announced Thursday, signaling trouble for Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s agenda if Moore wins.
Moore — who is currently leading over Sen. Luther Strange, the leadership-backed candidate in the Senate runoff polls — is looking for a more conservative option to repeal and replace Obamacare.
“If Graham-Cassidy is anything less than a full repeal, Judge Moore will not vote for it,” a Moore spokesman told MSNBC.
Senate GOP leadership is currently attempting to gain the support needed to pass the bill, which aims to replace Medicaid expansion and insurance subsidies with block grants provided to the states....

Saving the lives of Puerto Ricans is the direct responsiblity of the Executive Branch of the USA. GET OUT OF YOUR OWN WAY!

Why isn't the Dominican Republic involved with Puerto Rico?

Haiti can't do much. Guantanamo is right there. If there were no detainees there, the military could fill Gitmo with people in need of help.

Why hasn't anyone asked Cuba to help if it can? This is life and death. Four days is a very long time to wait for a hospital ship.

Get people to Jamaica. Supply MONEY to the islands that are still functional and can actually provide a vital life line to Puerto Rico.

Florida has it's own problems.

Guyana is newly selling rice to Cuba. As Cuba to allow those sales to come to Puerto Rico. Where is Nikki Haley in all this? She can't work with countries near the USA border to move help to Puerto Rico? Money moves far faster than ships.

The United States and Suriname enjoy a constructive partnership. The two countries work together to enhance the security and prosperity of the region through the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI), prevent communicable diseases, promote healthy lifestyles through the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), strengthen military-to-military cooperation, and promote a more environmentally sustainable Suriname through cultural and educational programs and exchanges.

Ambassador Haley needs to get moving on this. She needs to knock down barriers to allow help to arrive in Puerto Rico.

Everyone of these countries understand the region. They are not interested in an assault or war. They have to be trusted to provide help to Puerto Rico. It is absolutely necessary to save lives.

The Puerto Rican debt just was forgiven and has become a problem to the USA Congress. This is a human rights violation and people should be held responsible for the dire circumstances in Puerto Rico. This is an outrage!!!!!!!!

The Army Corp MUST provide a jet runway, NOW! They will have to be sure there is a functioning port!

I think Americans have been heard.

September 26, 2017
By Thomas Kaplan

Washington - Sen. Mitch McConnell (click here) on Tuesday officially pulled the plug on the latest plan to repeal the health care law, telling senators they will not vote on the measure and effectively admitting defeat in the last-gasp drive to fulfill a core promise of President Donald Trump and Republican lawmakers.

McConnell’s announcement came less than 24 hours after a pivotal Republican senator, Susan Collins of Maine, declared firm opposition to the repeal proposal, all but ensuring that Republican leaders would be short of the votes they needed.
Senate Republicans already tried once this year to approve repeal legislation, an exercise that ended in defeat when Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., gave a thumbs-down in July to kill that repeal proposal.
This time, McConnell, R-Ky., the majority leader, and his fellow Republicans were trying to make one more attempt at passing a bill, and a deadline was fast approaching: They have only until the end of this week to pass a repeal bill using special budget rules that shield it from a Democratic filibuster.... September 26, 2017By Jeff Eisenband Even as a broadcaster (click here)whose career has included some of the greatest games and the most powerful moments, Bob Costas says the protesting of NFL players and personnel this past Sunday was unique."A handful of people became hundreds of people," Costas says. "What centered around one issue, a valid issue -- calling attention to inequities in the justice system or law enforcement -- became about something bigger. It became about the whole tone and the culture wars in this country and the political divisiveness in this country, and I hope it's not confined to just one day and not confined to gestures, but leads to productive conversations."
Costas, who was born in 1952, can draw some similarities between the activists of his youth and the current voices of progress, but he notes that today's athletes are taking that to a new level....
..."When I was growing up, a lot of athletes -- Curt Flood, Arthur Ashe, Billie Jean King -- a very long list of athletes were outspoken and we may be entering an era, sparked by a confluence of events in which athletes find that voice again. People like LeBron James are finding increasingly sophisticated voices. It's one thing to be concerned about an issue. It's another thing to grasp that issue in a nuanced way and be able to carry it forward beyond gestures. I think we're seeing a number of people that are willing and able to do that."...

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/article175466446.html#storylink=cpy

Senator John McCain's duty continues.

For some time I had wanted to post a request of Senator McCain and the USA military.

I am quite confident there are records of the torture Senator McCain sustained while a prisoner of war in North Vietnam. He needs to bring to life in a video his experience in defending his country, his capture and imprisonment in North Vietnam.

While that information is most likely not classified so many years later, such a video should be a requirement to all soldiers and officers in the USA military. Senator McCain should provide a current statement before the viewing of such a video.

I believe American soldiers need to understand what they face when in battle. Senator McCain's service extends into a prisoner of war camp whereby he sustained torture and a sense of responsibility for other American soldiers imprisoned with him. His particular insight when realizing he has served his country all his life and into a seat of power in the legislature is unique.

American soldiers should know the enemy and that enemy's capacity to reach into the minds of captured soldiers to extract information. Senator John McCain never violated the trust the American people placed in him in his service to the country. He never gave in to the demands for more and damaging information regarding the US military while fighting a war in South Vietnam.

Senator McCain not only had loyalty to other captured soldiers, he provided an uncommon reality to his captors. Senator McCain protected the USA military still at war and he protected the country he believed vulnerable to the enemy. His service defended the country while a prisoner of war.

The USA military is no place for people unwilling or unable to face the reality of being a prisoner of war. I think Senator McCain, an American hero, should address the military today and in the future. The extent the USA has tried to resolve all those missing in action from Vietnam proves the dedication of the country to it's soldiers as well.

It does not matter how a person may view the Vietnam War, his reality is a fact. The military should not forget.

Kim Jong Un has nothing to lose by setting off an atmospheric nuclear test the size of the last hydrogen bomb test.

The area of the Pacific that could accommodate such activity has shipping lanes throughout it. That was not the case 38 years ago. China has the greatest exposure to such an extreme show of power.

Considering the heat release into the troposphere of such an explosion the global community should consider such an act, one of war with the rest of the world.

Maybe that is what Un wants. Maybe he wants to make a huge expression of aggression against the world so there will be no doubt about the plans of his regime.

I would take the threat seriously, measure the outcomes and act on that.

Where does it stop?? Oops, Un wasn't aiming for Japan? Or China? Or Russia? Or South Korea? Or the very people of North Korea?

His scientists don't have the capacity to control such an outcome, the idea the global community would tolerate such an act of hate and confrontation is hideously permissive of a regime.

With all the activity in the Pacific Ocean these days, there is no way of protecting everyone. And when will it be safe again? It is a ridiculous idea. We already know these weapons are a hideous reality of where men have gone for control of fear.

The nuclear issue is not about what we know, but, when would they ever be appropriate to use? Non-proliferation is the only method forward. To think a nuclear release to protect life is appropriate is absolute insanity. The brinkmanship is laughable. There are nearly 8 billion people on Earth. Earth's fisheries are under assault by heat and overfishing.

The fisheries will be damaged and where will the food come from? This is unthinkable. I think the United Nations needs to realize if they are going to set North Korea on a suicide path with sanctions it may have an outcome no one expects.

To the left is the storm record for 2017 thus far in the West Pacific (click here). What is going to happen with such a release into the troposphere? It will never be contained. Are the leaders of Russia and China and The West willing to gamble with the lives of millions that there will be no adverse effect? Don't lie to yourselves. 

It is time to assign a special commissioner to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

Former Governor Mitt Romney seems to have the interest Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands need. This is not an easy assignment. But, a former governor might be exactly what is needed.

President Trump should put this assignment on the front of the help to our most troubled Americans.

I am not surprised Former Secretary of State Clinton has become involved in trying to spur help to the islands, including Puerto Rico. I remember as I am confident she does, Haiti and the earthquake that took place very early in the Obama administration. I thank her and former Governor Romney for taking interest in a place where all previous support is falling apart.

September 25, 2017

By Nik DeCosta-Klipa

President Donald Trump (click here) has yet to use his social media platform to raise awareness for hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico. Meanwhile, Mitt Romney is among a number of high-profile political figures stepping in to fill the void.

In a tweet Monday afternoon, the former Massachusetts governor called on political leaders in Washington, D.C., to set aside political difference to “rescue” Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The two U.S. territories — home to a combined 3.5 million American citizens — have been devastated this month by Hurricanes Maria and Irma.

Romney said he had spoken with former Puerto Rican Gov. Luis Fortuño, who said the island is on the “brink of humanitarian disaster.”...                    

Thank you, US Senator Collins for voting no for the latest version of a health care bill. I thought your involvement seemed a bit out of character. I am sure being a Senator with constituents this upset kept you very busy up to now. Thank you, again.

As long as the bill is still moving forward I will continue to read it.

Health care and government monies as an investment. I think I agree. The idea is to have a healthy work force.

The American demonstrators regarding the Cassidy bill are absolutely correct. People will die from the loss of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

I wish Lindsey Graham and others would stop talking about Medicaid as if it were Social Security or Medicare. Medicaid is not funded from a trust fund.

Medicaid is a 'paid for' insurance coverage, no different than regular health care insurance, except, the provider is the USA Government.

So, up to now, the people that disdain Medicaid have lied to the public about it's cost and who pays for it.

The Medicaid program (click here) is jointly funded by the federal government and states. The federal government pays states for a specified percentage of program expenditures, called the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP).

FMAP varies by state based on criteria such as per capita income. The regular average state FMAP is 57%, but ranges from 50% in wealthier states up to 75% in states with lower per capita incomes (the maximum regular FMAP is 82 %). 

FMAPs are adjusted for each state on a three-year cycle to account for fluctuations in the economy. The FMAP is published annually in the Federal Register....

This is the bill the US House passed, now before the US Senate in committee where Americans are pleading for their own lives.

In reflection about Graham's statements, I suppose Senator Graham simply might not know the difference between Medicaid and Medicare.

Shown Here:

Passed House amended (05/04/2017) (click here)

American Health Care Act of 2017

TITLE I--ENERGY AND COMMERCE

Subtitle A--Patient Access to Public Health Programs

(Sec. 101) This bill amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) to eliminate funding after FY2018 for the Prevention and Public Health Fund,

Shown Here:

Passed House amended (05/04/2017) (click here)

American Health Care Act of 2017

TITLE I--ENERGY AND COMMERCE

Subtitle A--Patient Access to Public Health Program

(Sec. 101) This bill amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) to eliminate funding after FY2018 for the Prevention and Public Health Fund,

It is a little late for the defunding, isn't it?

FY 2018 is from October 1, 2017, through September 30, 2018. (click here)

Ya get the feeling this Congress doesn't know what it is doing? I hear their answer to a poorly comprised health care bill is to pay off a couple of female Senators in order to pass it. Really?

which provides for investment 

I have never once thought about health care as an investment. I think of investments as options for placing money believing it will have a return of some percentage of the original money paid. But, if health care has to be an investment then it is an investment by the government for a healthy workforce, especially when it comes to Medicaid. See, without Medicaid the poor, working poor and lower middle class have a difficult reach to become healthy and a good employee. We all know poverty breeds poor health if not death.

We all do know that, don't we? We know the poor die prematurely. Right? We also know allowing that FACT to exist without recognition is immoral, right? We do know it is immoral, right? I don't care if the wealthy hate paying taxes because they believe they should not have to pay for others health or food or otherwise, like housing. I DO NOT CARE if the wealthy, boo-hoos over their tax dollars. DO NOT CARE! Why, because, the people that belly ache over their taxes don't care about this country or it's future!

I am sure the wealthy have hankies to dry their tears when they pay their taxes.

in prevention and public health programs to improve health and restrain the rate of growth in health care costs. Funds that are unobligated at the end of FY2018 are rescinded.

Rescinded?? I am confused. Block grant funding has no ability to be rescinded. Medicaid monies unspent in a fiscal year can be rescinded. So, if the Republican law wants to rescind funding unspent by the states that creates an entirely different bureaucracy. We want another bureaucracy? We are going to be auditing the states? OMG.

State and federal budget pressures, (click here) rising health care costs, and new waiver initiatives have prompted debate over restructuring Medicaid at the state and federal levels. There are many aspects to this debate -- Medicaid provides coverage and long term care services to more than 50 million people; it affects virtually every aspect of the nation’s health care system; and it is an economic engine in communities throughout the country. The consequences of a major overhaul of Medicaid are far-reaching and substantial....

...In its Fiscal Year 2004 budget, the Administration proposed replacing that system with capped allotments under what is sometimes described as a “block grant.” The proposal provoked a debate over the future of Medicaid and the differences between a block grant program in which federal funding is capped and an “entitlement” program in which federal funding is provided on an as-needed basis. Since labels can inform or obscure the discussion, it is important to be clear about the key aspects...
 
Has anything changed with the GOP since 2004? No? That might explain a few things. This is ideology. Ideology rarely does well in reality.

(Sec. 102) The bill amends the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 to increase funding for community health centers.

When Cassidy spoke about the "Jimmy Fallon Test" the day after this bill was introduced he stated CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program) (click here) was still in force to take care of children. In this Section 102 of this bill it discusses increasing the funding for CHIP for COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS. That completely changes CHIP as it stands today. So, Cassidy lied. Again. It places children's health in question.

(Sec. 103) For one year, certain federal funds may not be made available to states for payments to certain family planning providers (e.g., Planned Parenthood Federation of America).

I have visited this before. The funding to family planning providers save womens' lives. It is just that simple. The idea of removing that funding equates into deaths. That is a fact and the digital age has not changed that fact.

I am finished for today. I'll take this up tomorrow. Probably tomorrow evening. This is the worst piece of legislation regarding the health of Americans ever written. BUT, if Republican Senators aren't really interested in American health care this is going to be the result.

Later.

Oh, yeah, whatever happened to "Trump Bad Lip Reading?" Is it proving impossible?

He really is a lousy president. Who ever picks on the NFL?

September 24, 2017
By Manuela Tobias

A vehicle plows (click here) into a group of counter-protesters marching in Charlottesville.

President Donald Trump (click here) blamed low National Football League ratings and attendance on unpatriotic players.

"NFL attendance and ratings are WAY DOWN. Boring games yes, but many stay away because they love our country. League should back U.S.," Trump tweeted on Sept. 24, 2017. 

This is the year 2017, nearly 2018 and there are still White Supremacist demonstrating, killing people and of all places, holding office in Congress. I think the NFL has it's head screwed on straight. Trump has a long way to come to get his screwed on straight.

FOX News wants the NFL to lead a constructive conversation about race. Really? Why not start with Heather Heyer's mother and the people assaulted in Charlottsville, Virginia.

There is actually something to dialogue about? I don't think so.

This is the way I see the current Senate legislation to substitute with the great Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act with a substandard option.

I think reading HR 1628 is a complete waste of time. The bill takes a long way around to end Medicaid. The entire bill reaffirms the fact the states, healthcare insurances and the insured do not have to offer or enroll in health care.

The funding of the bill HR 1628 will run out in 2025 as the states can receive advances in monies against the following years. The advances are to be taken from the 2025 funding. What happens if a state has a negative balance as of 2025?

The bill is sloppy. It does not follow standard form because it was never written to be law so much as to eliminate law and health care for the Poor, lower Middle Class and the Working Poor. 

But, since states such as California, New York, Michigan, Ohio, New Jersey and others (click here) have a conscience I will read HR 1628, the current legislation before the USA Senate for health care policy.

Until tomorrow.

I will begin reading the bill tomorrow.

United States Senate - Active Legislation (click here)

115th Congress (2017-2018)
September 20, 2017

Bills are arranged alphabetically by popular title or subject so they're easy to find. Bill numbers are provided to facilitate research in Congress.gov.

H - Active Legislation

Health Care Repeal and Replace ACA - HR 1628

HR 1628 (click here)

North Korea's nuclear weapon program is not ready for testing. The scientists don't have control.

I thank the "South China Morning Post" for this article. I think it is well done. I also believe Russia and China have to provide incentives to contain the North Korean nuclear program. It is far too dangerous for the region.

September 15, 2017

The underground explosion at the Punggye-ri test site in the far northeast of the hermit kingdom caused earth tremors that could be felt across the border in China and as far away as Russia’s eastern sea port of Vladivosto.

...The resolution on Monday (click here) was the ninth since North Korea’s first nuclear test in 2006. Kim has thumbed his nose at each of the last few rounds of sanctions, responding to each with either another nuclear blast or by launching a missile. Room remains to further tighten the fuel or economic screws, but there are limits to how far China and Russia, the North’s closest allies, are willing to go. Far better, as they stated after the latest measures, for the US and South Korea to stop provocations through staging joint military drills, scrap a controversial missile shield system and talk with Pyongyang.

But stability also requires Kim to reach out. He complains that his nation is threatened by the presence of the US military in the region. Yet each new explosion or missile launch drives American allies South Korea and Japan to seek better weapons protection. There is now a danger of further nuclear proliferation through both working for atomic weapons....

...talks between Pyongyang and Washington that lead to a peace treaty to finally end the Korean war are the only viable way to ensure peace and stability. Sanctions and provocations will not deter Kim; war, at times threatened by the US, can never be an option given the massive loss of life that would result on the Korean peninsula. China can help facilitate negotiations, but there has to first be a willingness for dialogue from Kim and US President Donald Trump.

There are many reasons countries across the globe are more interested in their sovereignty and quality of life of their people. The Olympics is one of those reasons. If North Korea continues to destroy humanity and civilization much will be lost.

September 22, 2017
By Karolos Grohmann

France’s Olympic Committee (click here) on Friday played down security concerns over next year’s winter Games in South Korea, as organizers said athletes’ wellbeing was their priority and expressed confidence the event would go ahead.

With tensions on the Korean peninsula threatening to bubble over, the government in Paris on Thursday became the first to publicly raise the possibility of skipping the Feb. 9-25 Pyeongchang Olympics on safety grounds.

North Korea, which conducted a sixth nuclear test on Sept. 3 to global condemnation, said on Friday it might test a hydrogen bomb over the Pacific Ocean after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to destroy the reclusive country.

“We are monitoring the situation on the Korean peninsula and the region very closely.” an International Olympic Committee spokesman said....