Category: Update

Sgt. Ron Helus Dies In Mass Shooting

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Sgt. Ron Helus Confronted Mass Shooter In Thousand Oaks and Died Saving Multiple Lives

Sgt Ron Helus Saved Lives When He Engaged Mass Shooter At Thousand Oak’s Bar

No place is safe. Thousand Oaks, California is one of the safest cities in America. Yet even here mass shootings have become the feared and the expected. There were hundreds of people crowded in to the Borderline Bar for a ‘college night’ party when a gunman burst in tossing smoke grenades and firing dozens of rounds.

First on the scene. Sgt. Helus was one of the first police officers on the scene and without back up or hesitation he charged the front door. Many survivors believe it was Helus’ quick action to engage the shooter that saved lives.

Duty before safety. Sgt Ron Helus was a 29 year veteran of the Ventura County (California) Sheriff’s office. Ron is survived by a wife and son. Sgt Helus had planned on retiring next year, but instead will be buried this week. Mass shootings have occurred 307 times in the last 311 days. It is time to bring sanity to gun control in America.

Rest in peace Sgt. Ron Helus. You are much loved.

ON-LINE BULLYING, TRUMP STYLE

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On-Line Bullying, Trump Style

By Megan Wallin

Melania Reflects On Her “Be Best” Campaign

Tom Llamas’ recent interview with Melania Trump  revealed several important facts:  (1) On-line bullying is a serious and growing problem  (2) She believes herself to be “one of” the most bullied people in the world (3) She is willing to speak on camera about controversial topics, with no questions off-limits.

A Classic On-Line Bully

Melania seems to understand that her husband is a classic example of an on-line bully, but she claims that her stance on bullying is neither ironic, nor clandestine. She did not describe Donald as supportive of her “Be Best” campaign, but she claimed that, “He didn’t say not to do it”.

Buffering her earlier statement she explained “He understands that he is very tough on Twitter,” but likewise “he also understands that I want to help the next generation.”

She reiterated, multiple times, that she wants to do “the right thing” regardless of public perception.

Is She A Resource?

In the ABC interview FLOTUS claimed that she was influential in Donald’s reversal of his zero tolerance immigration policy. This cruel administration policy separated children from their parents at the Mexican border. If she actually effected the reversal of such cruel policy then surely we should start tapping into this neglected resource!

Redirect

On-line bullying, when confined to the comment section of YouTube, although inappropriate, does little damage. On the other hand when President of the United States attacks it can be cruel and damaging. Nearly all his tweets are attacks against political opponents, foreign leaders, and women. If the First Lady could influence her husband, perhaps she could start by directing her “Be Best” campaign at him.

The Worst Offense Is A Bad Defense

Donald Trump uses name-calling to shift the focus away from his responsibility, and place that responsibility squarely on someone else. When Trump isn’t bragging about his accomplishments to laughing UN leaders, he’s vigorously defending any perceived lack of competence by throwing insults and jabs at his detractors via Twitter. What’s strange is that it seems to work for him. His incessant mocking, degrading and name-calling does not offend his supporters.

Put Downs and Insults Ignite Supporters

If the media gives him a negative report, he cries “Fake News” or “enemy of the people.” There is no limit to his crass put-downs of his political rivals, or his demeaning nicknames. His endless repetition of phrases like “very sad” and “total loser” to describe those with whom he disagrees has no ill effect on his base support.  The New York Times has a website devoted to documenting all of Trump’s Twitter insults. The Washington Post has a running total of Trump lies and misrepresentations, since taking office. The lie counter has surpassed 5,000 events. These main stream media sources are apparently not where the Trump boosters receive their information, otherwise the daily fact checking by credible news sources should have negatively affected his popularity long ago.

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Prepared For Disaster

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Disasters are a frequent thing. Over the last twelve  months the need to be ready for a disaster has become ever more obvious, as headlines of school shootings, fires, category 5 hurricanes and earthquakes send terrified, often unprepared citizens, running for their lives. No one is immune to disaster, but being prepared can be the difference between death and survival. Do you have a disaster preparedness plan?

Mental preparation. Reality check time. It is important to acknowledge that disasters happen and that you and everyone you love is also at potential risk. Once that knowledge is accepted, making preparations becomes the only reasonable action. Find out what happens in your community. Know where the emergency shelters are. If there are obvious hazards about your home remove them or make needed repairs. Check your smoke detectors and be sure to change batteries at least once a year.

Be ready for an emergency.  You never know when such events will occur. The recent hurricane evacuations highlight our need to be ready for such events, day or night. Over the last year we have seen the devastation and chaos caused by Michael, Florence, Irma and Maria.  It can happen anytime, anywhere.  In my little corner of the world, the North Oregon coast, we are often subject to evacuation orders because of tsunamis, earthquakes, fires, floods and even a rare tornado.

Prepare emergency supplies. No matter where you live there is always the possibility that you will be forced to move quickly out of harm’s way. Not all incidents of danger are natural in cause, often these tragedies are man-made disasters, such as terrorist attacks and toxic spills. At such time, power, water, phone and transportation services will most likely be out of service. If you own a car keep the tank at least half full.

Keep phone numbers. You will need to have numbers of friends and family close by and far away. You will need emergency phone numbers. Did you know that text messaging may be more reliable than telephone voice service.

Others may need help. Is there an elderly neighbor or an infirm family member that might need extra assistance? Be sure that you also have a local map. Planning for such an event is the first step to survival.

Rehearse your escape. Be aware of your buildings exits, as well as the emergency plan of your children’s school. Set up family meeting places-the school or the library-one inside your neighborhood and one outside your neighborhood. Walk the distance making sure that each family member is physically capable of making the trek.

Don’t Delay.In many cases when confronted with an emergency people don’t panic, in fact they will often be in denial and will intentionally delay evacuation. If authorities order evacuation, do not dally, leave immediately. Let friends know where you are, you don’t want anyone risking their life trying to find you.

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10 Steps To Protect A Surviving Spouse

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Death Comes Calling

On a Sunday morning bike ride my friend dropped dead on the roadside from a heart attack. “John” was a 73-year-old retired CPA. “John’s” mom had lived to be 96. “John” was trim and he took no medication and was in what seemed remarkably good health. I had heard him voice his expectation to “make it to a 100,” with true conviction.

Financial Chaos

Despite being a retired CPA, “John” had not taken the time to prepare a trust, or even a will. He thought he had lots of time. His sudden death threw his family into chaos. With “Johns”  recent death fresh in my mind, I took particular note of an October 2018 AARP Bulletin article entitled, “Left Alone-And At A Loss” by Leslie Milk. Leslie’s article detailed how as a widow, the loss of her husband was magnified by tough financial questions that they had failed to discuss and prepare for.

A Similar Experience

Leslie’s experience I venture is not that much different from the experience “John’s” widow is now going through. When a spouse or loved one dies we are often in a daze for months; or potentially longer while there will be a variety of items that require near immediate attention.The depression and anxiety following a loved one’s passing may make it hard to find the energy to hunt for bank and investment records, deeds, insurance policies, credit card statements, much less passwords and secret questions to access accounts.

You may have been married to your spouse for decades, but people don’t share everything. If a big purchase is considered I imagine discussion, but for many little things about finances there may be no discussion. Confronting the paperwork and the administrative bureaucracy precipitated by the death of a spouse is often an overwhelming and exhausting process, fraught with unexpected complications.

Password unknown

For instance, did you know if you are just a “user” on your spouse’s credit card account it will be closed upon his or her death? Also be ready for a spike in your insurance rates, as a “single” person you are considered a greater risk. Valuable collections, such as art, coins and guns may be difficult to sell, or have diminished market value because adequate documentation supporting ownership is not available. Email and other online accounts may be inaccessible to you if you do not know the usernames, secret passwords, or the secret questions.

To help reduce both the emotional and financial stress surrounding the death of a spouse AARP recommends we each take the following easy steps.

10 Steps To Protect Your Spouse

1. Gather Financial Papers: Gather items such as deeds, passports, insurance policies, estate documents and recent statements from financial accounts and store them in a fireproof box at home, where beneficiaries can easily find them.

2. Make a “must call” list: Compile contact information for your accountant, lawyer and other financial professionals who need to be contacted when a spouse dies. Also make a list of friends, maybe from childhood years that you want notified of your passing.

3. Share passwords: Keep an updated master list of all usernames and passwords so your spouse can still have account access after your death. Make it a habit to keep a record of any changes you make to passwords or usernames. I use “Keepass”.

4. Update beneficiaries: Make sure beneficiary designations for your pension, 401(k), IRA, brokerage accounts and life insurance proceeds reflect your current wishes.

5. Check credit cards: Make sure your spouse’s name is on the credit card account. In most states when your spouse dies, you won’t be responsible for any debt on a card that’s not in your name. However, you also won’t be able to use the card and will have to reapply for credit in your own name.

6. Set up Advance Medical Directives: Both partners need powers of attorney for health care to designate the person you want to make medical decisions on your behalf if you are incapacitated. You will also need a living will that spells out what measures you want the doctor to take to prolong your life.

7. Designate a money person: Each of you will need a financial power of attorney so you can name a trusted person to make money decisions for you if you are unable to do so.

8. Review wills and trusts: Do this every few years or when there’s a significant change in your life, such as a sizable increase or decrease in your finances. If you don’t have a will, get one. Better yet, spend the extra $1,000 and have a trust drawn up. It will save thousands in probate costs.

9. Discuss funeral plans: This can save thousands of dollars by letting the surviving spouse-who may now have money challenges-know that it is okay to not spend lavishly on the funeral.

10. Know how the bills are paid: Keep a list of accounts with notes about how each is paid so the survivor doesn’t miss a payment or overdraw an account.

I though the AARP suggestions were simple and easy to manage. As I saw with “John’s” sudden death, we do not live forever. Make it easy on a surviving spouse or other family members and prepare for your death. You don’t need to add extra burdens on your surviving family members, so get organized and protect their interests.

“Democracy Is Unquestionably The Worst Form Of Government”

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Winston Churchill Questions The Value Of Democracy

More Than T-Shirt Philosophy

“Democracy is, unquestionably, the worst form of government” (ever conceived in the mind of man), “except for every other kind that has ever been tried,” Unknown (re-quoted by Churchill in House of Commons, 1947).)

Absolute Power 

Critics of democracy and its often accompanying capitalism, have a sad tendency to overlook what has happened historically when other forms replace it. Fascist Italy and Spain are but two glaring examples. Both of which reverted back to flawed but greatly preferable democratic systems at the first opportunity. While single party, and even single ruler, states might have some attraction, particularly in terms of efficiency; for any form of governance to work, given human nature if nothing else, there needs to be enforceable controls on power. “Absolute power corrupts absolutely” is far more than a catchy tee-shirt slogan.

Democracy Needs A Population Of The Faithful

Democracy is an ideal. Liberty of thought and action, one person, one vote. We have representative democracy in the United States. The “ideal” is always a goal. As always, real democracy is obstructed by the partisan and the powerful, but even they give the ideal endless lip service. Democracy is more about faith. Faith, and attitude of mind that personal liberty is sacrosanct and that although the majority rules, there is a respect for the minority and their rights established by law.

Political Parties In A Democracy

One of the great advantages to democracy is the, at least ostensible, ability to limit the power of leaders particularly in terms of civil crackdowns and war, as well as the ability to get rid of leaders that prove too dangerous or criminally corrupt to keep in office. At every stage of an American presidential election from the primaries to inauguration, there are particular safeguards, mostly left to the political party brass, to keep the unfit and potentially dangerous from even seeking election.

Nixon Is The Only U.S. President To Ever Resign From Office

Is Impeachment A Possibility?

When a lunatic or warmonger does happen to slip through (*cough* Nixon *cough*), there is always the possibility of impeachment. Except, really there isn’t. I do not want to  rain on anybody’s protest movement but the chance of Trump being removed from office by impeachment is inthe negative numbers.

Laws Are Fallible 

You are probably thinking, something like, “but that is what impeachments are for!”  You are correct; that is what the impeachment process was created to do. Unfortunately, rules and processes only work when applied correctly and as written. Sadly, rules are as fallible as the  mortals who create and enforce them. As such, no sitting American president has ever been successfully removed from office as the direct result of impeachment.

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His Walls Don’t Go All The Way To The Top

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Contractors Build Wall “Samples” For Trump To View

“Build The Wall!”

“Build the Wall!” became a poplar chant of the 2016 campaign, along with, ‘Lock Her Up’. While both have all the real world meaning of ‘Gabba Gabba Hey!’, only the former has actually been carried over as presidential policy, having some very interesting effects on cross-border relations both to the south and the north. Even so, the rhetoric about a border wall has a special form of crazy and stupid related to it, greater than nearly anything else Trump has ever said, except perhaps describing “Falling in love” with North Korean dictator, Kim Jung Un.

Berliners Celebrate the End To The Berlin Wall

Very much aside from the assertion that the Mexican government is going to be footing the bill for a wall meant to keep its citizens from cross-border travel, the other challenges are cost and topography, while daunting, are far from insurmountable. Trump’s wall if it extended the entire southern border would crawl across the deserts of California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas for a total of 1,957 miles. To put that in perspective, the Berlin Wall is 87 miles long, 11 feet high and three feet thick.

Berlin Wall

Building a similar wall between the U.S. and Mexico, while extremely expensive, and needing to be built up mountains and over rivers, is technically possible. Homeland Security estimates the cost at $17 million dollars per mile. Gulp. Do we really have the national will or financial wear-with-all to build such an absurdity, when we are facing a pending infrastructure collapse, a faltering health care system where care is denied to millions of citizens, as well as a staggering and ballooning foreign debt? Just doing a reality check, folks.

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Sex, Lies and Science

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Sex, Lies And Science

By T.K. McNeil

Well, Brett Kavanaugh has made it to the Supreme Court, in what might prove to be the most controversial appointment since President Hindenburg was pressured into naming a new Chancellor in January of 1933 (hint, the appointee’s surname rhymes with Shmitler). Old ghosts of partisan divisions arose again, each holding to the Party Line. Daily Wire mastermind Ben Shapiro, in characteristic too-much-coffee hyper-speed banter, spent over an hour arguing that the whole thing was a set-up. Sure Ben, and the moon landing was an elaborate hoax (sarcasm detected).

The Left, honestly, was not much better. While saner voices tried to be heard, others were yelling about how appointing Kavanaugh was, essentially, the same as legalizing rape (which no one has or would) and the more extreme end literally calling for riots if Kavanaugh was appointed (the images of burning limousines after Trump’s inauguration still sharp in my mind). Meanwhile officials seemed be flip-flopping like decked salmon and Trump was carrying on his tradition of self-contradictory statements, seeming to forget what he had said merely days before. Let’s all just take a breath for a minute. Deep breath in. Good. And now out. Continue reading

The Kavanaugh Hearings Divide A Nation

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Kavanaugh Hearings Divide A Nation

By Megan Wallin

A Country Divided

More than anything, the hours we spent focusing on Judge Kavanaugh and Dr. Blasey Ford were a testament to how divided we are as a nation. It isn’t a matter of party lines; it’s a matter of narrative. The narratives are destructively short-sighted and cutthroat.

Democrats think you must believe every person who comes forth with a horrendous account of rape or assault, because possible disbelief of an honest person is too high of a risk to take. The Republican side thinks political motives are the only incentive behind an otherwise credible story due to the timing of the accusations and the accused’s position of power.

A Matter Of Inconvenience

It was inconvenient for Republicans to address the credibility of Blasey Ford’s testimony, and it was inconvenient for Democrats to concede that the timing did seem all but miraculously in tune with the changing of the tides. With #MeToo changing social dynamics, our job is to find the threads of reason within both perspectives and grasp that thread, using it to pull us closer to the truth and to each other.

More Scrutiny Is Needed

There is nothing wrong with questioning a person’s claim, especially when the alleged act is so heinous as sexual assault. In fact, the higher the gravity of the accusation, the more scrutiny is required. It’s not a sign that we don’t believe someone, but a sign that belief is not to be taken for granted simply due to our emotional response to the despicable behavior described. But here was where we failed. After the circus of testimonies and the drilling of both Blasey Ford and Kavanaugh, Republicans allowed almost no time for this information to be thoroughly investigated.

Lindsey Graham behaves Like An Emotional Buffoon

If both sides cared so much about the truth, then this would have played out differently. We would not have watched as the person simply coming forth with a story of sexual assault was questioned about why she remembered the incident itself but not the logistics of how she arrived or departed from said event. We would not seek to tear down her credentials, as many tried, claiming that she lied about her job title. We would not take her less seriously than Lindsey Graham, who behaved like an emotional buffoon. If both sides cared about the truth, then we would not watch as a judge dodged questions left and right rather than answer candidly.

Life Time Appointees Need To Be Above Reproach

If both sides cared about the truth, no one would be wondering why an accusation with the power to delay such an important political appointment resulted in such a brief investigation. There was no further questioning of the two key people involved. Furthermore, multiple people claimed the FBI refused to take statements from them. A thorough and complete investigation would be welcome. If a man is innocent, let his name be cleared. If he is not innocent, he should not be considered for a lifetime position in the United States government.

Trump Forever Partisan

Shortly following Blasey Ford’s testimony, our openly partisan president stated that he found her credible. That of course begs the question, “What are the defining traits of credibility?” And it is no easy task to decide what makes someone believable when the circumstances of the crime scene are no longer available for investigation. Of course, within a day Trump went from finding her credible to mocking Blasey Ford at his rallies. Continue reading

Rough Trade

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Dark Jester

T. K. McNeil

The Trump trunk of disgusting pronouncements is so full that it is damn near impossible to pull out any  one thing President Trump has said in the first 630 plus days of his term that could lead to his undoing. There is just so much to choose from! Although politics is famously unpredictable, his chestnut about how “trade wars are good and easy to win” just might be the spark that incinerates his presidency. Trade wars and tariffs have brought down other administrations.

Puffing And Blustering To Make MAGA

In addition to being laughably incorrect by any logical standard-countries who hate each other (France and Germany for instance) regularly enter into flawed but necessary trade agreements, precisely because trade wars are universally recognized as the greater of the two evils.  On the face of it Trump’s election campaign was about the re-invigoration of the American economy, but truly it was a campaign to convince US voters the world image of the United States was in tatters.  MAGA is all about the Trump voter self-image.The MAGA hat was like Popeye’s can of spinach, it puffed up the wearer’s ego just like spinach puffed up Popeye’s muscles.

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Witch Hunt

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Witch Hunt

D. S. Mitchell

Donald Trump The Victim

Historically, “witch hunt” referred to the persecution of the weak and powerless by the powerful.  Usually, when the term witch hunt is used, it is meant metaphorically, referring to a period in the past. Today the term has been turned on its head. Under Trumpism a belief has developed, a dark corrupt suggestion, of a ‘deep state’ persecution of him.

Narcissists thrive on enemies, and Trump is no exception. In fact Trump brings a new finesse to the      age-old blame game. All those pre-election assertions of a ‘deep state’ have hardened since he became president. He believes, and vigorously promotes the idea that he is under siege from all quarters; the Mexicans, the Muslims, the immigrants, the Democrats.  Trump merely points and everyone looks toward the new enemy. Then his red capped crowd of pitchfork carriers goes after his newly declared target. Believe me, there is no end to his enemies list, in fact, it is a growing thing.

Today, instead of calling out Trump and his extremist “witch hunters” for crimes against immigrants, Muslims, POC, women, and the press; the greatest perpetrator has become the greatest complainer.  In this newly created world, Trump is the martyr. A contortionists’ twist on reality, but a “truth” that Trump hammers out daily on Twitter.

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