Category: Opinion

David Shadrick “Joe Biden, The Chugger”

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David Shadrick “Joe Biden, The Chugger”

David Shadrick “Joe Biden, The Chugger”

David Shadrick is at it again. So sit back and give Dave five minutes of your time as he talks about President Joe Biden and his governing style. We are currently enjoying the calm of a president that knows what he wants and how to work the arms of government to get it done.  No one close to Calamity News and Politics is missing Donald Trump’s screaming and foot stomping silliness. A man who’s Twitter finger was a dangerous weapon. A man who can’t think past his next Diet Coke has been replaced by a man with conscience and decorum.  Thank Zeus. DSM.

 

Digital Revolution: Kinda Awesome

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Digital Revolution: Kinda Awesome     

Trevor K. McNeil

 

Going Digital

Everything is going online, the so-called “Digital Revolution” generally considered to be as significant as the Industrial Revolution. For good or ill, more things are moving online from correspondence to media. The terms “old media” and “new media” going from cultural terms to more significant distinctions.

On the Bright Side

One of the positive impacts of the shift to New Media, and the general reduction in production costs, is the opening up of popular media to traditionally marginalized groups. People are more able to make their own media, free of the censorship, stigma and traditionalist bullshit still rife in the studio system. The sort of attitudes that would have female nominees banned from the red carpet for not wearing high heels.

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David Shadrick “The End of the Trial”

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David Shadrick “The End of the Trial”

This week Dave Shadrick wants to remind folks not to tear your house down because you are mad about the verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial; no matter what that verdict is.  No matter what the verdict let’s not have any more deaths. Demonstrate if you must, but use courtesy and commonsense.

OPINION: Derek Chauvin A Victim?

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OPINION: Derek Chauvin A Victim?

The Derek Chauvin trial is looking at policing in general

OPINION: Derek Chauvin A Victim?

D. S. Mitchell

Another OMG Moment

It is interesting how many ways the phrase OMG can be used, such as in total awesome disbelief seeing a father lift a car off his trapped son, or how about when there is a worm on your lettuce leaf, that’s a whole different kind of OMG. Then we have the OMG escape our lips when we watch the image of a Minneapolis cop slowly, seemingly arrogantly, extinguish the life of another human being on national television. Now, for any living breathing person with a heart who watched that video who wasn’t totally gut wrenchingly  appalled needs to seek immediate therapy.

An Unpopular View

I don’t want to piss everybody off, but as I have watched the prosecution case build on itself I have been disturbed by the brutality and the arrogance of the entire event. Derek Chauvin, according to media reports served for nineteen years on the Minneapolis Police Department and accumulated seventeen complaints of  misconduct complaints during that time. In what probably is a backlash response, I look at Mr. Chauvin and see what is bad about American policing. Not only did Mr. Chauvin fail his department and his community, but his department failed him. His is not an unusual case, other than he was memorialized for 9 minutes and 29 seconds by a teenage girl who filmed Chauvin’s left knee pinned to the neck of a black man while the victim pleaded for relief.  Derek Chauvin is now on trial for Mr. Floyd’s death.

Swift Action

In Minneapolis, after 19 years authorities finally took ‘quick’ action against Mr. Chauvin, and three other officers who were on the scene when Mr. Floyd died. This does not mean all of them are gone for good. Public employees can appeal their dismissals and in many cases, police officers win their cases and  municipalities put them back on the job every day. Despite community outrage nationwide over the deaths of black men at the hands of police it is notoriously difficult to hold police officers accountable in the United States. Some of the problem is because of the political power police unions wield, the hesitancy of investigators, and the reluctance of prosecutors and juries to second guess a police officer’s split second decision and the wide latitude the law gives the police to use force.

Interracial Challenge

The events have played out against, and in some ways have reinforced the racial divisions in America, as largely white police forces are accused of bias and brutality in black, Latino and other minority communities. The Floyd death came within weeks of killings of Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery. These deaths have unleashed a wave of protests unlike anything since the 1960’s.

From Within

Police Departments around the country are often the core of resistance against change.  Departments have consistently resisted civilian review or balked when it comes to overhauling officer disciplinary practices. Police chiefs in cities which have been the sites of high profile deaths of black men by white officers, have failed to punish or remove bad actors. Where civilian review boards are operating most are notoriously weak. Often they do nothing more than collect information, but have no power to make recommendations or enforce recommendations.

Patchwork Confusion

Several sources including Minneapolis Police Department Internal Affairs have released information on Dereck Chauvin conduct during his service.  We do know that Mr. Chauvin has been involved in at least three shootings in his career. In addition he left a trail of misconduct complaints and a reputation for aggression.  Chauvin’s combative reputation extended to his second job as a security person for a nightclub in the area.  It has been demonstrated that Mr. Chauvin has operated in disregard for the particular circumstances of a given situation in determining appropriate reasonable force and simply fully restrains suspects with no regard for their well being.

So Let’s Stop Here

I believe that Derek Chauvin is also a victim.  We hear TV commentators laud other cops who are testifying against him, like police chief  Medaria Arradondo for  “breaking the blue wall of silence.” As if  these ‘good cops’ are coming out to punish a ‘bad cop.’ Well, I think that is  a pile of horse puckie.  All these good cops had nineteen years to stop the bad activities of  Derek Chauvin and thousands more like him. He is now on trial because no one was interested in stopping him before his actions were so repulsive and appalling that millions hit the streets to demand better.  But, until then, shove it under the rug, ignore it, hide it.

Now What

So, here I am today, Sunday 4/18/2021 saying Derek Chauvin is now, just as he always was, just one of the guys. Derek Chauvin was allowed to manifest into a killer within the Minneapolis Police Department.  In a warm protective environment. I doubt Derek Chauvin would have ever killed anyone if he had not been wearing a badge. America’s policing is on trial. It is time that police departments sell off their tanks and invest in psychiatric interns, and marriage counselors to accomplish community ‘needs-based’ services.

911 Services 

Calling the cops is not the right answer for every stressful situation. But, the way our 911 system functions, cops are often the first dispatched personnel. Frequently such calls spiral out of control because the appropriately trained individuals have not been dispatched for the call. And often these mishandled calls end up in death. Personally I don’t think the needed changes  will happen from the inside.  I think we as a nation need to protect the Floyd George’s who are victims of police racism and brutality.

 

“I’m Really Angry About The Violence”

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David Shadrick “I’m Really Angry About The Violence”

David Shadrick “I’m Really Angry About The Violence”

Dave and Calamity are both pretty upset about what they are seeing on their TV screens and hearing on  social media.

 

The Old Testament Is Not A Christian Book

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The Old Testament Is Not Christian Book

We must be careful when accepting the dogma of a group that seems to have a confused understanding of the message of Jesus.

OPINION:

The Old Testament Is Not A Christian Book

By I.B. Freely

God Hates You

There seems to be a particular reputation which Christians have gotten over the last few decades. One that has lead several disaffected youth to “go atheist.” Nothing wrong with being atheist if that is what you want, but going against “The Rules” because they are there is just another kind of conformity. Particularly considering that anyone who would claim to be Christian and then judge, let alone hate, anyone for “religious reasons” are doing it wrong.

Thou Shalt Not

Christian Conservatives can quote the Old Testament chapter and verse all they like, a bit ironic considering their general attitude to our Jewish friends, but it won’t make a lot of difference. Not least because, stay with me here, THE OLD TESTAMENT IS NOT A CHRISTIAN BOOK! Forgive me the shouting but few things bend my wand like so-called “Christians” who don’t seem to realize that the Old Testament (otherwise known as the Torah), was mostly the Bible as background for Jesus. It is part of the Christian story but not the main plot. Including that bit in Exodus, 22:18 to be exact, about not suffering a witch to live.

Cool Guy Christ

Jesus was nothing but clear on his opinion when it came to accepting others. Unafraid to sit with outsiders he made friends and disciples of the dregs of society at the time. Lepers, both social and literal, accepted by him. Jesus making friends and even disciples  of prostitutes and tax collectors. He is mostly known for driving money changers from the temple but that was a special case.

Choice Quotes

Some of J-man’s most famous and memorable quotes are on this theme.  “Judge not lest ye be judged” could not be any clearer.  The “treat thy neighbor as they self” also seems pretty cut and dry.  Apparently the judgmental and pious among us are just as open to the same sort of treatment. Otherwise they would be massive hypocrites.  The clearest indication of what Jesus really meant, particularly for those who take the bit about being made in God’s image to mean they are literally God, is the bit about stones.

Sticks & Stones

The clearest indication that the rules had changed between Testaments is “let he who is without sin cast the first stone.”  Stoning was a popular mode of punishment before the arrival of Christ, used for “infractions against the lord” from adultery to working on the Sabbath and mixing fabrics.  What Jesus was helpfully pointing out is none of us are perfect.  So if you are going to punish someone for their sins, you’d better make darn sure you don’t have any yourself. The general idea being that judgement properly lies with God.  As does vengeance as it turns out.  The full quote on which the phrase vengeance is based is “vengeance is mine, saith the Lord.”  Judgement, punishment and vengeance are not for humans to take.  At least for those who call themselves Christians.

Wise Words

Someone who laid things out in a cogent, and funny, way was Frank Zappa. In reaction to the attempts by the Christian Republicans at the Parent’s Music Resource Center to label records they didn’t like, Zappa opted to apply his own warning sticker to his 1985 album Frank Zappa Meets the Mother of Prevention:

“WARNING GUARANTEE: This album contains material which a truly free society would neither fear nor suppress. In some socially retarded areas, religious fanatics and ultra-conservative political organizations violate your First Amendment Rights by attempting to censor rock & roll albums. We feel that this is Un-Constitutional and Un-American. As an alternative to these government-supported programs (designed to keep you docile and ignorant). Barking Pumpkin is pleased to provide stimulating digital audio entertainment for those of you who have outgrown the ordinary.

The language and concepts contained herein are GUARANTEED NOT TO CAUSE ETERNAL TORMENT IN THE PLACE WHERE THE GUY WITH THE HORNS AND POINTED STIK CONDUCTS HIS BUSINESS.

This guarantee is as real as the threat of the video fundamentalists who use attacks on rock music in their attempt to transform America into a nation of check-mailing nincompoops (in the name of Jesus Christ). If there is a hell, its fires wait for them, not us.”

The Loudest Voices

That’s it. Don’t let religious fundamentalists take away the right of free speech (guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution) in the name of Jesus, when those folks keep proving they are taking their message from the wrong book.

https://www.calamitypolitics.com/category/more-topics/brexit/

 

U.S. Presidents and Cultural Amnesia

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OPINION: U. S. Presidents and Cultural Amnesia

Not every president of the United States is remembered well.

OPINION: U.S. Presidents and Cultural Amnesia

By Trevor K. McNeil

Uncertain Legacy

We are all judged  by our actions, intention meaning little in terms of social discourse. Rightly or wrongly, the measure of a life tends to be in what is done and not what it means. Presidents are no different. Where then, will Trump end up on the scale of U.S. political importance? Currently, the pathetic and deposed Caesar, is hiding out in one of his private properties.  It is reasonable to believe that things are very much over for Trump, in terms of ever holding political office again, though not in terms of  his political legacy.

A Year Is A Long-TIme

With all the time and concern dedicated to politics, it can be easy to forget how fleeting it all is. The cardinal issues of today, tomorrow’s old news, particularly with a two term limit. The old administration forgotten almost as soon as the new one is sworn in. Much as how things go from wartime to post-war before the ink is dry on the peace treaty. This can make the facts, at least the facts of the time, difficult to come by, except possibly for those who remember it. Though even that can be hit and miss, since all memories are formed by our own biases.

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OPINION: America, Time To Wake UP

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OPINION: America, Time To Wake Up

The U.S. claims it is more entitled to greatness than other nations.

OPINION: America, Time To Wake Up

By I.B. Freely and D. S. Mitchell

Myths

A recent crock of bullshit that has been pedaled is that the U.S. joined the Allies in WWII because of the holocaust. America entering WWII had nothing to do with the holocaust. Almost no one knew what was going on at the time, including several levels of the German government itself.  The only reason America joined, two years after the war started, I might add, was because of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

The American Imagination

The vast majority of fighting by American personnel was in the South Pacific in its war against Japan.  Of the 16 million men and women who served in the U. S. military during WWII, only 2 million went to Europe. For some peculiar reason the war against the Nazis in their snazzy uniforms has taken on a supersized place in the American self-image. I will remind folks it would have been hard to kill Hitler from Guam. Not that it matters much.

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OPINION: Homelessness, Thinking Small

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OPINION: Homelessness, Thinking Small

Homelessness in the United States is caused by misdirected priorities

OPINION:

Homelessness, Thinking Small

By Trevor K. McNeil

 

T’was Ever Thus

Homelessness as a social issue is far from new. A problem that has existed for millennia, whether it as acknowledge or not, came to wide, social attention during the late 19th through the pioneering of the likes of Charles Dickens and the Pre-Raphaelite painter William Holman Hunt. Now, as then, one of the biggest issues perpetuating homelessness is lack of public and political will. Are logistics an issue, yes, though really nothing that can’t be addressed with some strategic planning. Cuba certainly has its downsides but at least everyone has somewhere to live.

Sharp Clarity

The decadence of the 1980s, cleaved to so strongly in the 1990s came into sharp focus in the early 2000s, particularly in the sub-prime mortgage crisis. A case of designed obsolescence for short-term gain, as opposed to an unforeseen tragedy. The 2008 recession was the net result of the fraudulent  tactics used by the financial sector for decades, finally reaching the heights where they collapsed. Society finally realizing that the system, as it was, was no longer tenable. Even if the perpetrators of the crises were largely “punished” with early retirement including lucrative pension schemes.

Dollars and Sense

Even with the echoes of the 2008 recession still echoing in the ears of many, the issue of homelessness goes far beyond resources. It would be insane to argue that housing prices haven’t gone up. They have but a fact that very few, especially those who make fortunes from it, want to admit is that it largely imaginary. The ‘housing market’ is based mostly on the ‘interest rate.’ A largely arbitrary and most imaginary measure of future values, most ‘futures traders’ having no more real insight than psychics.

Homes For the Homeless

In terms of cost, both in materials and labor, housing is among the most over-valued commodities, mostly because if it’s relative scarcity. Diamonds and gold have no inherent monetary value, their value stemming from their beauty and the fact they are hard to find. If tin were similarly scarce one would be paying a lot more for a cooking pot. It might seem bizarre but, at an outside, a two-bedroom house can be build in 24 hours for $4,000 with a 3-D printer. Using Habitat For Humanity have been knocking together full, family-sized homes in record time for years.

Do It Yourself

If you are willing to go a bit smaller and use a generator or solar, there are cottages in a box, which are literally small houses that come in an IKEA-style flat-pack, being sold on eBay for $10,000 for those who have their own land which, depending on where you live, is getting cheaper all the time.

Thinking Small

Another option for those who own land is to join the tiny house movement. While it has gotten some pretty weird press over the years, this doesn’t always mean living in a converted school bus. It is more than possible to build a smaller, simpler house for not much money. Most jurisdictions have minimums on how big a house needs to be but they usually top out at 500 square feet. And that only applies to what is called the ‘foot-print’ of the structure. Therefore, it would be perfectly within the rules to build a 300 square foot tiny house with a 200 square foot deck.

Going Mico

Live in a city with limited space? There’s a solution for you too! Micro-apartments are the newest trend in the notoriously expensive city of Vancouver, B.C. which has been struggling with it’s own housing crisis for years. Pretty much what they sound like, micro-apartments are very small housing suites, some as small as 500 square feet, in buildings built in the gaps between existing buildings.

THE VETERAN AND PTSD

 

 

OPINION: Expatriation Fits The Crime

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The riots at the capitol have a lot of us thinking about what should happen to the people who participated in the riot

OPINION:

Expatriation Fits The Crime

By I.B. Freely

Clowns to the Left of Me, Jokers To the Right

Partisan politics can get confusing. Not least in terms of the descriptors used in particular contexts. A case in point is the January 6th Capitol Hill incident. I am reticent to use either ‘riots’ or ‘insurrection’ to describe the events of that day, because of the party implications of each term. Those on the left preferring ‘insurrection’ and those on the right going more for ‘riot.’ Neither of which are high praise, yet there is only one that qualifies as treason which still carries the death penalty. By calling what happened an insurrection commentators are tacitly calling for the state execution of the participants, which seems like a bit of an overreaction.   

 Fits The Crime

I’m old-fashioned and still believe that the punishment should fit the crime. According to most legal experts, a group not known for their creativity, the worst punishment, short of death, would be for the participants to go to prison. While it seems odd, there are actually other alternatives that are both better and worse than either the prison cell or the electric-chair.

Back Where They Came From

With a group the size of the one at the Capitol, it is a statistical likelihood that at least some of them are naturalized citizens. In other words, those born in another country that have taken American citizenship, patriotism particularly strong among those who were born elsewhere. Much like how new converts to a religion tend to be even more devout. There are some that would say that naturalized citizens cannot lose their citizenship once they have it. While this is true in most cases there are particular exceptions. Treason is the most obvious, but so is joining what are called subversive groups which is considered a ‘violation of allegiance.’ Examples of subversive groups include Al-Queda, ISIS and both the German and American Nazi Party.

A Bit Sticky

Therefore, any naturalized US citizens who join such a group can be considered traitors to the state and are candidates for ‘denaturalization.’ The same goes for those who join armies that are actively fighting against the United States. It is a bit sticky that the argument could be made that the group that attacked the Capitol, some with clear murderous intent, could be considered subversive groups, including and particularly the Boogaloo Boys who have clearly stated their intent to overthrow the Government of the United States by armed insurrection. Any attempt at such an action by a naturalized citizen could well lead to their denaturalization.

 Born In the USA

It might seem crazy but there are circumstances in which those who were born in the United States can lose their citizenship. The most obvious is the process of renunciation in which someone actively says they don’t want to be an American Citizen anymore. This is what happens in most cases, though there are extreme cases in which a naturally born US citizen can lose their citizenship by law. Specifically by committing an act of treason or a set of other crimes against the state that can lead to what is called ‘expatriation.’ A fancy term for exile, which would require one to find another country to live in, as Edward Snowden did, moving to Russia after being expatriated following his exposure of the US spy network which the sensitive darlings at the NSA took personally.

I Dreamed A Dream

It is unlikely to happen, the majority of administrators being gutless self-servers who won’t sneeze without checking with their base, but the idea of the Capitol Hill participants having to make a new life in Putin’s Russia, particularly with the anti-Left sentiment so many have shown, never fails to make me smile.

https://www.calamitypolitics.com/2021/01/11/editorial-surprisingly-unsurprised/