While we're at it... Part 9

 I'm a big fan of Jeff Childers' sometimes hilarious Substack feed, Coffee & Covid (C&C). Well, during a couple of posts last week, he decided to dip his toes into the turbulent waters of the Epstein files. He proposed 4 possible explanations about what had happened and gave a read in terms of the plausibility of each one. 

1. No list was ever created. This had the lowest score, and as attorney Alan  Dershowitz has already stated, he has seen the list, but is under a confidentiality agreement not to divulge what he has seen. More on that later. 

2. The deep state has such a grip on power over our federal institutions that none dare oppose or expose them, and that doing so risks life, limb, property, and livelihood. This too had a somewhat low score, so I'm inclined to think that this would be an outlier as well. 

3. The president is sitting on this list because he has a grander vision as to how these folks can be used in his chess game to make America great again. More on this as well. 

4. A lot of what we currently  know is based on speculation and conjecture, so it's best to just sit back and wait to see what happens next.  This dovetails in nicely with item 3.

The mere fact that Mr. Dershowitz has publicly stated that there is a list and he has laid eyes on it, is something that needs to be explored. The Congress, in fulfilling its Article 1 oversight duties under the Constitution, does have the authority to call Mr. Dershowitz before the relevant committees and interview him about the list's contents. Now of course, there will be those who claim that since he is under a confidentiality agreement,  he cannot do so, but the courts have upheld that congressional authority supersedes any agreement. Dr. Kevin O'Connor, the Biden MD,  is in a somewhat similar predicament. Even though he exercised his 5th Amendment right against self-incrimination, there are workarounds, such as DOJ granting "king for a day" immunity, if he's done anything illegal. I would suspect that the House Judiciary Committee, under Chairman Jordan, may well be interested in deposing Mr. Dershowitz in a closed door setting to avoid any sort of public spectacle. 

TAW. That stands for Trump always wins. It's become routine to see that tagline in C&C posts. Item 3 suggested that the president may be sitting on things.  Not for his own selfish purposes,  but as part of a grander strategy to return this country to greatness using the very individuals and organizations that either caused and/or contributed to her decline. This would be a series of events that has the potential to shift tectonic plates, not just in DC, but along both coasts, as well. If Mr. Dershowitz can name names, and the potential downfall of those involved is capable of causing tsunamis in the world of politics, business, media, and entertainment, it would stand to reason that those who risk potential exposure would be more than amenable to cooperation, or at the very least, stepping out of Trump’s way as he accomplishes his objectives. Welcome students, to arm twisting 101. Professor Trump will be starting class shortly. 

If, as item number 4 clearly states, that we have no clue as to what's really going on, then I, your humble scribe, will go out on a limb and propose another scenario. We heard a lot of talk during the Israel-Iran conflict about our potential involvement in possibly destroying the three nuclear weapons development sites (Fordow, Isfahan, and Natanz). Not a lot was happening, except for more speculation, rumors, and conjecture. It wasn't until we started watching support aircraft being flown into the European theater and B-2 bombers being forward positioned in the Western Pacific that folks started to think the military may be readying assets for some potential operation. President Trump even stated that he would give things a couple of weeks to see what shook out between Israel and Iran.  Then, in the blink of an eye, we were informed that we had attacked the three facilities and all assets involved were on their way home or to back their staging areas. We had just witnessed one of the greatest sleights of hand since illusionists took up residency on the Vegas strip. It's worth considering that Trump does like distracting the opposition from what he really has going on. They get to focus on the shiny object while he works his magic in plain sight. It's not that anything is being hidden, it's just that no one is paying close attention. I wouldn't be surprised if something similar was going on with the Epstein situation. 

Regardless of what the real answers turn out to be, it's time to make sure that our restraints are secure and that we keep our hands inside the ride at all times, because it's pretty doggone obvious we ain't seen nuthin' yet!

While we're at it... Part 8

 If old Joe wasn't really in charge of things, then who was minding the store while America's favorite septuagenarian was catching up on his naps in between helpings of strained peas and the obligatory ice cream cone? Well, the usual suspects come to mind in terms of operating things behind the scenes, namely Camp Obama and Camp Clinton.

This shouldn't surprise anyone, unless, of course, you've been living under the rock in that Geico commercial. The list of senior staffers, cabinet, and agency heads reads like an invite to old home week at the White House. There's Ron Klain, Tony Blinken, Gina McCarthy, John Kerry, John Podesta, Jake Sullivan, Susan Rice, and Dennis McDonough, for starters. If we fold in a few friends of Congress, we get Cedric Richmond and Javier Becerra, courtesy of San Fran Nan. So, why would we need a commander in chief to be in charge of the affairs of state when there are so many folks (including a Democrat sympathetic deep state) running the goings on in our federal government as it is?  So, just sit back, relax, and put things on cruise control. The adults are in charge.

Don't worry about how we're going to extricate ourselves from that brouhaha in Afghanistan. The peeps at State have it covered. That ugly mess brewing in Eastern Europe where the Russians are threatening to invade? Not to worry, it's just sabre rattling. Even if they do, a minor incursion isn’t that big of a deal. That balloon with a reconnaissance payload the size of an electric school bus traversing the country and hoovering up as much Intel as it can possibly handle? No problem. We can always shoot it down once it heads for the open waters of the Atlantic. All that stuff going on with Israel and the Middle East? That's why there needs to be a two state solution. Those Palestinian fellas just want some elbow room and the ability to run the show on their own.

The whole Transgender surgery thing with the kids? It's kinda like that Lola song from the Kinks we liked to sing along to back in the day. L-O-L-A Lola, just like Pepsi Cola. And not letting trans girls play in girls sports? If they say they're girls, then that's good enough. So, what's the problem here? Haters gonna hate!

All those folks flooding across our borders from around the world? C'mon man! They're here for the opportunity, and you want to ask about their papers? Are you some kind of Fascist or Nazi? All that Fentanyl and other drugs coming across our southern border? Hey, this is the Capitalist model at work here! The supply needs to meet demand and keep all those customers happy. Besides that Mayorkas fella and the Border Czar said that they've got a handle on things. So, why so glum chum?

And what's all this about lawfare against Big Orange and the rest of his MAGA ilk? This isn't lawfare, this is warfare. This is about the battle for the soul of the nation! They tried to overthrow the government with that insurrection of theirs. These people are dangerous!  They're even scarier than Dark Brandon, and that's one scary dude! That's why they can't ever run things again. Besides, all the other world leaders didn't like him and complained that he was waaay too pushy, especially our NATO friends.

Wait, what’s that? Oh Hell! You people went and voted for him again, didn't you? Well then, whatever happens from here on out is on your heads. See ya, wouldn't wanna be ya! 

While we're at it... Part 7

 

Good day. This piece has been collecting dust since it was first written approximately six years ago as part of a FB discussion. Given the current state of the world (and the various controversies that dovetail nicely with the screed below), I felt that the time was finally right to dust it off, make a few edits, and post it. Enjoy.

 

There are certain truths which, when taken at face value, seem like contradictory statements, but are in fact part of the same broad tapestry. Specifically, the idea that there is a God, evolution and intelligent design are at odds with each other, and that there is intelligent life on other worlds.

I do believe that there is a supreme being who created the universe. That same being in its infinite wisdom strove to create a universe that would be self-regulating (barring divine intervention, miracles, etc), ergo the laws of physics, chemistry, mathematics, and so on. That same being also chose to create life amongst the various worlds throughout the universe that had the capability of supporting it.

If the universe is between 12 to 14 billion years old and the Earth is about 4 and one half billion years old, it would only stand to reason that life originated on other worlds thousands, millions, possibly even billions of years before it ever showed up on ours. That fact, in and of itself, would give rise to civilizations whose technology would be as far beyond ours as ours would be compared to a bunch of cavemen. In their quest to learn more about their surroundings and a desire to explore what’s out there, they would no doubt have developed spaceflight capability and set out to discover the great unknown (much like we’re doing now).

As to how life came into being, the only one who really knows all of the intricacies involved in the process would be our creator. What doesn’t seem like such a mystery though is how we could be what we are and not some creature swinging from a vine. Let’s go back to that mechanism regulating the workings of the universe. That same mechanism would also have the ability to identify those life forms that had the potential to be more than they were and work on ways to exploit that potential over the course of eons. It would be able to weed out unsuccessful approaches from the more successful ones and push the most viable ones forward. It would basically be a combination of intelligent design and evolution.

Both folks on the left and right believe, in one fashion or another, that we are all there is in the universe, as if a god who believed in life in all of its glory would have only created one sentient species to inhabit the limitless cosmos. As for evolution, it could also be considered arrogance to believe that we are at the pinnacle of creation. If the mechanism that has been working to bring about humanity as a species is still doing its thing, then it stands to reason that we are not a finished product (if the Lord made us in his spiritual image, then we have an awfully long way to go).

 If we as a people (I’m talking about humanity here, folks), can come to grips with this, then we would be more willing to accept our differences, not just as relatively minor, but as infinitesimally insignificant and inconsequential in the grand scheme of things. The key to our survival hinges on our ability to look beyond the trivial and focus on what really matters. If we can do this, then our ability as a species to not only survive, but thrive, will be assured.

 Lastly, anyone who somehow thinks that these views are incompatible with each other may be lacking in vision as well as wisdom in my humble opinion. It would be the height of sheer arrogance, on second hand, make that hubris, to think that we know everything that there is to know and that we are all there is. Remember: pride goeth before the fall.

25 Old 46

 

Satire makes the world go ‘round. Or at the very least makes things more bearable. This little ditty is sung to the tune of Chicago’s timeless hit 25 or 6 to 4. Attached is a link to an instrumental version for your singing pleasure. Time for a little karaoke, folks!

Shuffling slowly 'cross the stage.

Old man flies into a rage.

His people say he's on his game.

He can't tell you his own name.

 

The Democrats are in a fix.

25 old 46

 

Shaking hands when no one's there.

There's that creepy vacant stare.

Talks with folks who've long been gone.

The list of gaffes goes on and on (ooh no!).

 

The Democrats are in a fix.

25 old 46

 

The press told us that he was fine.

Debate blew up that tired line.

Dr. Jill says Joe should run.

Methinks she's having too much fun, ooh.

 

25 old 46

25 old 46 ('bout time)