Can the unelected FBI investigate its boss whom we elected?

“One danger in the what the FBI apparently did is that it implies that the unelected domestic intelligence bureaucracy holds itself as the ultimate arbiter—over and above the elected president who is the constitutional face of U.S. intelligence and national security authority—about what actions do and don’t serve the national security interests of the United States. It further suggests that the FBI claims the authority to take this step on the basis of the president’s exercise of another clear presidential prerogative—the firing of the FBI director in connection with the Russia investigation, which the Times says was the final predicate for the FBI’s action. And it took this step did without any formal guidance on the books for applying counterintelligence rules to the president, akin to the special counsel regulations. Beyond the organizational and legal questions raised by these steps, if the FBI can open up a secret counterintelligence investigation of the president based on its belief that his actions threaten national security, it would chill controversial presidential foreign policy actions that the Constitution says are solely the president’s decisions to make, for better and worse.”

https://www.lawfareblog.com/what-grounds-can-fbi-investigate-president-counterintelligence-threat?

Letters to Governor Reagan, 1967

I’ve been reading through the letters that Californians wrote to their governor (Ronald Reagan) in 1967—52 years ago.  I remember that year well—it’s the year I met accidentally the personnel librarian from OSU on the fourth floor of the University of Illinois Library, in Urbana, Illinois, and he offered me a job in Columbus, Ohio.  But my husband would need a job, I responded, and he said there was a guy in his Sunday school class that needed a draftsman.  And the rest is history. Every time I drive by that church on Bethel Road I think of that, and say a little praise, because our lives changed completely that year.

https://reagan.blogs.archives.gov/2017/10/19/1960s-student-movement/

The blogger’s comments (seems to be an employee/intern of the Reagan library) are not helpful, but the letters and news clippings are fascinating.  A college was giving credit for attending a protest (against the Viet Nam war). The Bolsheviks at UC Irvine were sponsoring a dance.  A 21 year old wants Reagan to get with the times and be more progressive.

By putting these letters on the internet with names and addresses where they can be copied or used, I’m wondering if they violated copyright law.  In the U.S.  the physical piece belongs to the receiver (addressed person), but the information belongs to the writer.  Since the one writer gave his age, and company name, I was able to look him up.  Makes me wonder what has happened to the hundreds of letters to editors, writers, and politicians I have written over the last 60 years!!

Grandma told me to vote for the Democrats

A montage of black members of the Walkaway movement. It will take about 35 minutes.  I prefer the individual testimonies, but this was a lot of work!

Many point out the conservative values they were taught in church didn’t match up with what the Democrats were promoting.

https://youtu.be/NNvBpXzKG2E

 

 

Social Insurance and Retirement Payroll Taxes

From:  Overview of the Federal Tax System, 2018, p. 15 Congressional Research Service, March 29, 2018

“Payroll taxes are used to fund specific programs, largely Social Security and Medicare. Social Security and Medicare taxes are generally paid at a combined rate of 15.3% of wages, with 7.65% being paid by the employee and employer alike.

The Social Security part of the tax, or the old age, survivors, and disability insurance (OASDI) tax, is 6.2% for both employees and employers (12.4% in total). In 2018, the tax applies to the first $128,400 in wages. This wage base is adjusted annually for inflation.

The Medicare portion of the tax, or the Medicare hospital insurance (HI) tax, is 1.45% for both employees and employers (2.9% in total). There is no wage cap for the HI tax (the Medicare HI tax applies to all wage earnings). Certain higher-income taxpayers may be subject to an additional HI tax of 0.9%. For married taxpayers filing jointly, combined wages above $250,000 are subject to the additional 0.9% HI tax. The threshold for single and head of household filers is $200,000. These threshold amounts are not indexed for inflation.

Employers may also be subject to a federal unemployment insurance payroll tax. This tax is 0.6% on the first $7,000 of wages. Federal unemployment insurance payroll taxes are used to pay for the administrative costs of the unemployment insurance (UI) program. State UI taxes generally pay for UI benefits.

Most taxpayers pay more in payroll taxes than income taxes. The JCT [Joint Committee on Taxes]  projects that in 2018, 67% of tax units will pay more in payroll taxes than income taxes. Most low- and middle-income taxpayers pay more in payroll taxes than in income taxes. [They pay zero income tax because of our progressive tax system.] Nearly all taxpayers with incomes of $30,000 or less pay more in payroll taxes than income taxes. Up through the $100,000 to $200,000 income category, the share of taxpayers paying more in payroll taxes than income taxes exceeds the share of taxpayers paying more in income taxes than payroll taxes.”

 

https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R45145

Tax system, 2018

 

https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/R/R45145

A busy Bible week

From January 6-13, I attended 4 Bible studies!  That must be a record. 

On January 6 our small group from church had an Epiphany lunch at our home after services on Sunday afternoon.  We’re studying Hebrews, and the leadership rotates with the host.

On  January 10 after doing the mail run for the church, I sat in on the Thursday morning class for (mostly) retirees at 10:30, studying Revelation led by pastor Jeff Morlock.  That was followed by a wonderful luncheon with guest speaker John Kohan of Delaware, Ohio, talking about his sacred art collection (some of which is on display at our Mill Run location, and will change during Lent).  http://sacredartpilgrim.com/  http://sacredartmeditations.com/news

Then on Saturday January 11 I returned to the Women of Word group I’d been a part of for many years, but had  stopped going about 4 years ago.  The leader Mary Jo is the same as are many in the class, and I was warmly welcomed “home.” They are participating in a video class Bible study of Genesis 1-11 led by Jen Wilkin, “God of Creation.” https://www.lifeway.com/en/product-family/god-of-creation  

On Sunday January 12 while Bob was busy with the quilt show at our other location, Mill Run, I rejoined the adult Sunday School class after the 9 .m. worship at Lytham Road.  We had attended for many years, but several years ago while they were struggling through Romans at the speed of a snail, we found other things to do.  Charlie, the leader is doing an excellent job of working through Acts with a good study book and handouts. He’s very good at reining in the diverse, and very well educated, members who love to expound on not much at all.  I even met a new member named Dotty who joined the church last fall. This is the only Sunday School class for adults and is open to all, although it definitely leans to the over 50 crowd. 

Post abortion recovery

On today’s prayer list (via e-mail) from PDHC, I noticed a request for the 8 women participating in the post abortion recovery program, Living in Color—to pray for restoration, healing, and growth in their faith . So I looked that up to see if it were local or national. Post abortion means 10-20-even 50 years later.  Did you know post abortion women are at risk for death—not from the procedure but from homicide, suicide and disease?  There’s something in nature that doesn’t support abortion.  There is a terrible sadness that boomerangs after the initial sense of release and resolving a difficult situation. 

Pregnancy Decision Health Centers, 665 E. Dublin-Granville Rd., Suite 120, Columbus, OH 43229  Call or Text: 614-444-4411

https://healthresearchfunding.org/19-shocking-post-abortion-depression-statistics/

http://www.afterabortion.org/pdf/DeathsAssocWithAbortionJCHLP.pdf

Living in Color (2nd Edition) is a post-abortion recovery and healing program designed for use by a small, facilitator-led support group. However, it is equally suitable for a person making her recovery journey alone, or in the company of a mentor, pastor or counselor. A Living in Color Facilitator's Guide is available for those leading support groups from www.pregcare.com. Dr Theresa Burke coined the phrase "forbidden grief" to describe the sadness and pain felt by many women following their abortion decision. This pain is seldom confined to the loss of a child: many also lose relationships, self-worth and hope for the future. These losses must be grieved and, as with all grieving journeys, this involves processing emotional responses such as relief, denial, guilt, shame, depression, anger and forgiveness. The post-abortive woman also needs to allow herself to "know" her child in order to say "goodbye for now." Having processed her grief, it is important to pay attention to what comes next. Many women discover that their healing journeys teach them many life lessons that contribute to increased strength of character, wisdom, vision and hope. The final chapter of the program celebrates the process of emerging from the "grey zone" of unresolved loss into a life of color, freedom, and joy.  https://www.amazon.com/Living-Color-goal-post-abortion-recovery/dp/1453656596

The instructions for the new watch

Our $10 toaster came with instructions in 3 languages, my husband’s new watch had none.  I had to ask.  But here they are:

“Sorry for the inconvenience! I will forward this matter to our development team. You can also copy the instructions below and print it instead.

-best worn every day to keep accurate time

-best to fully wind the before every wear.

-best to keep in watch winder when not wearing.

-avoid magnets. shocks, and water exposure. in the event that water penetrates the case, repair immediately.

-avoid setting the date between 9:00 PM - 1:00 AM.

-best to avoid extreme temperatures. accuracy is compromised below -10°C and above 60°C

-best to service approximately every 3 years to ensure long term quality performance.

-in the event of the time -delay or other unusual occurrences, service immediately.

Do Americans trust the media? The polls?

It’s not hard to see why distrust in the legacy media is ever-rising.

“Americans blame shutdown on Trump over Democrats by wide margin, poll finds” blares USA Today. Wide margin? The poll actually shows that:

When asked, “Who do you think is mainly responsible for this situation?” 53 percent of Americans told pollsters they blamed Trump and congressional Republicans.

Three points is a “wide” margin? Moreover, the story’s kicker admits that “The poll of 788 Americans was conducted Jan. 8-11 with a margin of error of plus or minus 4.5 percent.” When the spread is less than the margin of error, that’s usually called a “split” or “close” race.

What more, this important fact isn’t revealed until the third paragraph. Given the fact that as many as 25 percent of American adults get their news from Facebook, and given that too many people never read past the headline, this is especially egregious. “Fake news”? No, but “Wrong” news? Absolutely.

PJMedia, January 13, 2019

Day One with the new Congress

(No source: gathered in e-mail, but I’ve seen all of these incidents in the news.  A lot of attention hounds in this group—especially the women.)

Wednesday was a big day in Washington.  As newly-elected members of  Congress were sworn in, control of the House of Representatives flipped from Republican to Democrat.

While this is usually a run-of-the-mill process, a lot of things happened Wednesday that should concern anyone who cherishes American values  and who was hoping for compromise from the new Congress.

Senator Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ) refused to take her oath of office on the Bible. Instead she used a law book.  I don't know which law book, but I do know this:  Long after the senator and whatever book she took her oath on are gone, the word of God will endure.

Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) took her oath on what she called  Jefferson's Koran."  She said, "Some of our Founding  Fathers knew more about Islam than some members of Congress now."  Obviously she doesn't know very much.  Jefferson got a translation of the Koran so he could understand the Islamic Barbary Pirates against whom he would later, as president, wage war.  Thus the phrase, "To the shores of Tripoli" in the Marines' Hymn.  But she is probably right -- the Founders understood what many elites today do not:  Radical Islam is a deadly threat to freedom.

Unfortunately, Tlaib wasn't done.  She later went to a reception sponsored by the radical group MoveOn.org.  Referring to a conversation she had with her young son about her election, Rep. Tlaib declared, "We're gonna go in there and impeach the motherf---er.'" 

And there's more.  The world map on the wall in Rep. Tlaib's office had a Post-It note on it labeled "Palestine" over the state of Israel. 

Rep. Tlaib is not the only newly elected member of Congress who is hostile to Israel.

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) lied to her constituents about her support for efforts to boycott and sanction Israel.

The election of these two Muslim women, along with socialist Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez(D-NY), has been hailed by cultural and media elites as "the wave of the future."

Just to be clear, they are celebrating the victory of anti-Semites. Some future.

Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-VA) posted the transgender flag outside of her office.  (Yes, they have a flag.)

Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN) introduced a constitutional amendment to abolish the Electoral College.

Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA) introduced articles of  impeachment against President Trump.

Not to be out done, Nancy Pelosi made history herself by becoming the first woman to become Speaker of the House twice.  And the first bill she pushed through the House late last night was an appropriation bill that gave an additional $12 billion in foreign aid to multiple countries and provided more money to promote abortions overseas, but did not provide one dime for better border security to protect American citizens. 

 And that, my friends, was just Day One of the new Democrat House!

Trudeau trashes pro-life supporters at town hall

“Justin Trudeau, Canada’s radically pro-abortion prime minister, blasted pro-life advocates Wednesday amid a nation-wide outrage about barring pro-life groups from a federal grant program.”

https://www.lifenews.com/2018/01/12/canadian-prime-minister-justin-trudeau-trashes-pro-life-people-youre-not-in-line-with-society/

Canadian taxpayers pay about $200 million a year to support the youth-based program, which provides funding for businesses and non-profits to offer temporary summer jobs to youth ages 15 to 30. It is a way the government encourages young people to get hands-on training before entering the workforce full-time.

The new 2018 grant application requires groups to say that they respect “reproductive rights,” including abortion on demand, as one of their core values. Groups cannot submit the online application unless they do, according to the Post.

Canada has some of the most pro-abortion laws in the world, allowing abortions for any reason up to birth and forcing taxpayers to pay for them in many cases. Common sense regulations such as parental consent for minors, waiting periods, informed consent and other basic measures are non-existent. Many of its provinces now force taxpayers to pay the full cost of abortion drugs for women.

The Affordable Turkey Act

This past Sunday (Epiphany) we had our couples group from church here for Bible Study and brunch, and I used up several pounds of frozen, left over turkey from Thanksgiving in a fabulous turkey tetrazzini. Used the white wine, etc.  If you need a recipe, I’ve got a good one. I sent some home with our guests and we still have a small casserole in the freezer.  Today I came across a blog I’d posted in 2013 about mandatory turkey for Thanksgiving.  It was funny then, and still is, but painfully true.

From my November 25, 2013 blog entry.

The U.S. government has just passed a new law called: "The Affordable Turkey Act..." declaring that every citizen MUST purchase a Turkey this Thanksgiving, no later than Thanksgiving itself, Thursday, November 28th, 2013. These "affordable" turkeys will cost an average of $430 -$545 each. This does not include stuffing, cooking pots, meat thermometers, hunting fees, feather plucking fees, a stove or other device used to cook it in, meat cutters, “removal of innards” fees, labor costs resulting from losses caused by passing out after eating yourself sick of turkey [i.e. 1lb dark meat = appx. 2 lbs white meat in estimated labor losses felt by your employer].

This law has been passed, because until now, typically only wealthy and financially responsible people have been able to purchase turkeys during Thanksgiving. This new law ensures that every American can now have an "affordable" turkey of his or her own, because everyone is "entitled" to a turkey during Thanksgiving. If you purchase your turkey before Thanksgiving, you will receive 4 "free" pilgrim vests; not including frequent dry-cleaning fees.

In order to make sure everyone purchases an affordable turkey, the costs of buying a Thanksgiving turkey will increase on average of 250-400% per year. This way, wealthy people will pay more for something that other people don't want, still can’t afford, or haven’t enough space in their stomachs or people in their home to eat it all. But to be fair, people who can't afford to buy a turkey for Thanksgiving will be regularly fined and children (under the age of 26) can just eat their parent’s turkey until they turn 27; then they must purchase their own turkey for Thanksgiving. If you already have a turkey, you can keep yours (just kidding; no you can't). If you don't want or don't need turkey this Thanksgiving, you are required to buy one anyhow. If you refuse to buy one or can't afford one, you will be regularly fined $800 until you purchase one, or face imprisonment. Failure to eat the turkey this Thanksgiving will also result in fines. People living on the beachfronts; ghettos; inner cities or areas with no access to grocery stores or hunting grounds are not exempt. Meat allergies, veganism/vegetarianism, PETA advocates, lack of knowledge nor desire to cook your turkey are unacceptable excuses for not eating your turkey this Thanksgiving.

A government review board (that doesn't know the difference between the turkey, duck, and bacon in a turducken will decide everything, including; when, where, how often and for what purposes you can eat your turkey, to include how many people you can share your Thanksgiving turkey with and determine if one is too old or healthy enough to be able to eat turkey. They will also decide if your turkey is acceptable to FDA or USDA standards or if you must purchase specific seasonings, condiments, recipes or other additions, (like a government issue can of cranberry sauce estimated at $25.00) or a newer and more fresh turkey. Those who can afford turduckens will be required to do so...it's only fair.

The government will also change the name of the “wishbone” to the “hopebone” as they will be determining the full extent of your fortune in the event that you snap off the larger half of said bone. Failure to comply with these rules – such as continuing to call it a “wishbone” – will also result in fines and possible imprisonment.

Government officials are exempt from this new law. If they want a Thanksgiving turkey, they and their families can obtain turkeys for free, at the expense of taxpayers. Unions, bankers and mega companies with large political affiliations ($$$) are also exempt. If the government can force you to buy health insurance, they can force you to buy a Thanksgiving turkey....or ANYTHING else.. It really is that simple.

By: Constitutional Watchmen

STORY OF HOPE AND HEALING, UNBRIDLED OPENS IN SELECT CITIES JANUARY 18

UNBRIDLED will open on January 18, 2019. UNBRIDLED tells the powerful story of an abused girl who teams up with an abused horse on a journey of healing. A full list of January 18 opening cities is below; learn more at unbridledtickets.com. ABOUT THE FILM Sarah (Tea McKay) is a 16-year-old girl who is abused, emotionally abandoned and written off as just another hopeless causality of this world. Karen (Dey Young), her single mother struggling with alcoholism, looks the other way when her abusive boyfriend Roger (Eric Roberts) secretly involves Sarah in an illicit sex traffic ring. Meanwhile, Roger toys with Mitchell (TC Stallings), the detective assigned to his case, who is himself desperate to find the missing daughter he believes may be involved in the same abusive circumstances. Convinced she is beyond redemption and unworthy of love, Sarah is sent away from the house that defined her horrors when Roger is finally arrested. At Unbridled, an equine therapy academy where young women like her find hope and healing, Sarah meets Dreamer, a horse who has also suffered abuse and lost all trust in humans. Together, Sarah and Dreamer walk the difficult road to healing as Sarah gets her life back on track. But when Roger is released, he tracks her down at the academy and threatens to derail it all. In the face of every hardship and terrifying obstacle, Sarah finds redemption through the family she rebuilds around her, ultimately learning that love is the most powerful force on earth. Drama / 115 minutes / PG-13 / www.unbridledtickets.com         Cast: Eric Roberts, T.C. Stallings, Dey Young, Tea McKay, Director: John David Ware [member of our church] Screenplay by: Bonné Bartron Story by: Christy McGlothlin, Bonné Bartron Produced by: Christy McGlothlin Executive Producers: Gerald McGlothlin, Troy Buder OPENING THEATERS | January 18 Tucson, AZ — Galaxy Tucson | 100 S. Houghton Rd, Tucson Los Angeles — Galaxy Mission Grove | 121 E. Alessandro Rd, Riverside San Luis Obispo, CA — Galaxy Colony Square Atascadero | 6517 El Camino Real, Atascadero Colorado Springs, CO — ICON Colorado Springs | 1818 Spring Water Pl. Chicago — Emagine Frankfort 10 | 19965 La Grange Rd., Frankfort Detroit, MI — Emagine Royal Oak | 200 N. Main St, Royal Oak;      Emagine Hartland | 10495 Hartland Sq., Hartland St. Paul, MN — Emagine White Bear | 1180 County Rd. EE, White Bear Township Minneapolis — Emagine Lakeville 21 | 20653 Keokuk Ave., Lakeville;      Emagine Rogers | 13692 Rogers Dr., Rogers; Reno — Galaxy Victorian | 1250 Victorian Ave., Sparks Las Vegas — Galaxy Cannery | 2121 E. Craig Rd., North Las Vegas Austin — Galaxy Highland | 6700 Middle Fiskville Rd. San Angelo, TX — ICON San Angelo | 2020 N. Bryant Bl. Filmmaker John David Ware, producer Christy McGlothlin and select cast members are available for interviews; a screening link as well as press kit, images and poster, are available upon request. Contact Lisa Trifone (lisa@11thstreetlot.com or 317.362.5378) for materials, interview availability and screener access.  ABOUT CINESPOTS Founded in 2005, Cinespots is a Silicon Valley-based film-distributor that delivers content that allows exhibitors to serve their local communities. ABOUT MOVING VISIONS ENTERTAINMENT Founded by UNBRIDLED producer Christy McGlothlin & Gerald McGlothlin, Moving Visions Entertainment is committed to creating and distributing visually appealing, emotionally captivating and utterly unforgettable feature films with wholesome, uplifting messages. ###

When Climate Change killed hundreds of thousands—the 17th century

The Global Crisis: war, climate, and catastrophe in the 17th-century, by Geoffrey Parker, Distinguished University Professor and Andreas Dorpalen Professor of European History at Ohio State University “concerns the climatically-induced crisis that created acute political, economic, intellectual and social upheaval all round the globe, causing the premature death of around one-third of the human population.  Although not the first such worldwide crisis, it is both the most recent and the only one for which plentiful records survive.“ https://history.osu.edu/people/parker.277

 https://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/23/opinion/sunday/lessons-from-the-little-ice-age.html?

Earth scientists have discerned three factors at work globally during the 17th century: increased volcanic eruptions, twice as many El Niño episodes (unusually warm ocean conditions along the tropical west coast of South America), and the virtual disappearance of sunspots, reducing solar output to warm the Earth.

The 17th century saw a proliferation of wars, civil wars and rebellions and more cases of state breakdown around the globe than any previous or subsequent age. Just in the year 1648, rebellions paralyzed both Russia (the largest state in the world) and France (the most populous state in Europe); civil wars broke out in Ukraine, England and Scotland; and irate subjects in Istanbul (Europe’s largest city) strangled Sultan Ibrahim.  . . “

“Few areas of the world survived the 17th century unscathed by extreme weather. In China, a combination of droughts and disastrous harvests, coupled with rising tax demands and cutbacks in government programs, unleashed a wave of banditry and chaos; starving Manchu clansmen from the north undertook a brutal conquest that lasted a generation. North America and West Africa both experienced famines and savage wars. In India, drought followed by floods killed over a million people in Gujarat between 1627 and 1630. In Japan, a mass rebellion broke out on the island of Kyushu following several poor harvests. Five years later, famine, followed by an unusually severe winter, killed perhaps 500,000 Japanese.”

Fact checking the criminality of the illegal aliens

In President Trump’s speech Tuesday, January 8 from the Oval Office:

“In the last two years, ICE officers made 266,000 arrests of aliens with criminal records, including those charged or convicted of 100,000 assaults, 30,000 sex crimes, and 4,000 violent killings.”

Trump’s arrest numbers are correct, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement numbers compiled in 2017 and 2018.

The number of illegal immigrants arrested by ICE is the highest since 2014, according to a December report by the agency.

The ICE report says 158,581 illegal immigrants were arrested in fiscal year 2018, and 138,117 of those had a criminal history. This is an 11 percent increase over 2017, when 143,470 illegal immigrants were arrested, 127,992 of them with a criminal record.

“The number of people with pending charges arrested by ICE was 48 percent higher in 2018 than in 2017, while arrests of those with criminal convictions dropped slightly,” Reuters reported.

According to The Washington Post, the report “shows that 145,262 of those deported were convicted criminals and that 22,796 had criminal charges pending against them.”

https://www.dailysignal.com/2019/01/09/fact-checking-5-of-trumps-claims-in-border-speech/?

So why are Democrats against a wall?  They were for it before Trump became president.

Turmeric Elixir

Recipe by: Jennafer Ashley

Apple vinegar in raw form contains strains of “The Mother”. This strand-like substance contains acetic acid, terrific for fighting “bad” bacteria while adding in “good” bacteria. Turmeric is one of the richest herbs when it comes to fighting inflammation in the body or environmental stressors. Turmeric is commonly used to treat IBS and when combined with cayenne pepper, creates a powerful team of antiseptic and anti-inflammatory benefits to treat gut issues. Raw honey sweetens this shot, and adds minerals and enzymes to calm the digestive system.

Begin by heating filtered water in a saucepan until just steaming. Stir in the raw honey to dissolve and add turmeric, cayenne pepper and apple cider vinegar. Pour the mixture into a pitcher and chill. Drink first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. Use the batch within 5 days to reap the benefits

Antioxidant-rich turmeric combines with the probiotic benefits of raw apple cider vinegar for a quick shot that washes away parasites and fights digestive ailments.

Ingredients

• 4 cups filtered water
• 1/4 cup raw apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup raw honey
• 1 t ground turmeric
• 1/8 t cayenne pepper

Instructions

• Heat the water in a saucepan, over medium heat, until just steaming. Remove from heat and stir in the honey until dissolved.
• Stir in the apple cider vinegar, turmeric and cayenne pepper. Pour into a pitcher and refrigerate for 2 hours to chill. Pour 2 ounces into a glass and drink

Is General Motors expanding to China?

Remember when we bailed out GM during the Obama years?

https://www.youtube.com/embed/Lvl5Gan69Wo

Since the bailout, 70% have been built outside the U.S.  11 joint ventures in China.

FactCheck.org denies this, yet when you read through it, it confirms it! https://www.factcheck.org/2012/06/is-gm-becoming-china-motors/  Apparently, the fact that the headquarters are in Michigan is enough for them.

GM is still a U.S.-based multinational auto company, incorporated in Delaware and headquartered in Detroit. In fact, according to the Congressional Budget Office, about 33 percent of the stock in GM is still owned by the U.S. Treasury as a result of a taxpayer-assisted bankruptcy and downsizing in 2009.

But the company sells cars in more than 120 countries and accounted for nearly 12 percent of all car and truck sales worldwide last year (11.9 percent, according to GM’s annual report). It’s also true that China is now the largest market for car sales on earth. Total car sales in China surpassed those in the U.S. in 2009. China retained the lead in 2011, and that lead is expected to grow in the future. (FactCheck)

"Today's announcement by General Motors that they are importing the Envision from China is a slap in the face to U.S. Taxpayers and the men and women who worked so hard to save GM during its darkest time," she said. "General Motors continues to use the slogan, 'Build it where you sell it.' The Company should adhere to their own words and should reconsider this decision and place this product into one of their facilities in the United States." (UAW)

Todd Bol and Little Free Library movement

Todd Bol died recently at 62.  He was the founder of the Little Free Library. They grew out of his pain and grief over the loss of his mother.  There’s not a lot in life that’s free, but at the Free Library, you could get a book for nothing.

There are several Little Free Library boxes in Lakeside, Ohio, where we spend our summer, and I’ve counted at least 3 on my morning walks. They are great for picking up an old novel or even a text book about a  topic you know nothing about. And they are just as good for finding a good home for your summer reading.  But I haven’t seen any around Upper Arlington where we live.  Maybe because we’re so close to public library branches, church libraries, The Ohio State Libraries, Chemical Abstracts library, and Battelle Library.

They’ve only been in existence for a decade, and now there are 75,000 of them around the globe—all 50 states and 88 countries.  You could order one, or the blueprints for one, or build your own.  Some are quite fanciful. It must have been an idea whose time had come.

https://www.philanthropydaily.com/the-legacy-of-todd-bol-and-his-little-free-libraries/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/todd-bol-whose-little-free-library-brought-books-to-the-street-corner-dies-at-62/2018/10/21/7ae2cf64-d53b-11e8-aeb7-ddcad4a0a54e_story.html?utm_term=.a4199a528913

“In recent years, some social entrepreneurs have taken the Little Free Library idea and extended it to other things. In Fayetteville, Arkansas, Jessica McClard in 2016 started the first Little Free Pantry outside the Good Shepard Lutheran Church. She told ABC News that she makes sure to check the pantry every day because “it turns over in about 30 minutes” after the day’s supply of canned food is placed in the pantry.

In Lansing, Michigan, Adriana Flores, who recently got a master’s degree from the Michigan State University School of Social Work, created the E² Box to supply toiletries and feminine hygiene products (tampons, sanitary pads) not covered by government assistance. Why “E Squared?” Because, Flores says, that stands for “empathy and equity.” Right now there is only one E Squared Box, but Flores hopes to create more.”

Home grown dezinformatsiya/дезинформация

“Russian internet trolls worked overtime in 2016 to inject disinformation into American elections. A year later, as news reports now reveal, Democratic operatives, some funded by LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman, tried out these same tactics to boost Senator Doug Jones in Alabama. Russia’s online dezinformatsiya has gone native, and it will get worse.”  Wall Street Journal, Jan. 12, 2019

Disinformation, fake news, false narratives, conspiracy theories,  obfuscation, propaganda, yellow journalism, and flat out lies have always been a part of the American political process.  Disinformation is more a government embedded plan, but how are we to know our own government doesn’t do the same.  It was the Clinton campaign in 2008 which launched the “Obama birth certificate” story, which then made numerous evolutions through the right wing.  Her campaign also funded the fake dossier about Trump in Russia. None was done without the help of the deep state.

Not sure why WSJ is giving all the credit for our own home grown mischief and tactics to the Russians or even social media and the internet.  After all, we’ve got George Soros and all his many sticky fingers into U.S. non-profits and churches.

 

“The Kremlin’s “dezinformatsiya” campaign—whether carried out against Ukraine, Estonia, Germany or the U.S.—involves “a bewildering array of narratives designed to distort truth and confuse its enemies,” Mr. Patrikarakos writes. And of course it isn’t just the Kremlin that operates in such a way. “Obfuscation has found its perfect platforms” in the realm of social media, he notes, reaching “audiences to a degree unprecedented in modern history.” The conditions are ripe: “In the postmodern Western world, where academics decry the notion of an ‘objective truth,’ where the lack of trust in institutions is lower than at any other time in living memory, this type of information finds a receptive audience.”” (War in 140 Characters)

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/11/26/before-fake-news-there-was-soviet-disinformation/?

 

(WND books, 2013)

Go to the Amazon site and “look inside” for an overview of this book.

Coach Tyler’s exercises for thighs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Jqu8ZsyWbA&feature=youtu.be

What a terrible thing to get in my e-mail first thing in the day!

Our legs have more estrogen receptors, he says. This stops fat from burning. Supposedly, after menopause, that decreases—didn’t happen for me!

What I like about his videos is he always explains what NOT to do with toes or back to prevent injury, very important at my age.  This one is only about 8 minutes.

I know YOU don’t need this, but if I don’t put it in my blog, I’ll never find it!