I appreciate a wry humor coming through this and other recent dispatches, and it does feel as Mills says that "dumbness" rules the day. As an observer by nature and someone whose hearing is actually like a superpower--I can overhear conversations from a fair distance without trying--I cannot help but chuckle when I keep hearing people talk about political goings-on as if thug-in-chief is finally getting our nation back together.... Rather than be surprised by much anymore these days I note a devotion toward mindlessness seems to have taken hold. I'm also picking up on a particular version of "out and out weirdness" that I've not yet been able to name as long as we're talking about the naming and/or renaming game afoot. "Back to back chicken shack. Son of a gun, better change your act. We're all confused, what's to lose? You can call this all the United States Blues" (G. Dead 1974).
I saw in the NYT today that the Associated Press was banned from a White House event because of using the original name of the Gulf of Mexico, and not "Gulf of America," as the orange man wants. Democracy does indeed die in dumbness.
In the past, Republicans have capitalized on ignorance and voter apathy to achieve their goals. Election denial, labeling Democrats as anti-Christ communists, and spreading lies and misinformation (or "alternative facts") are tactics used to divert attention from their true motives of consolidating unquestioned power and personal gain. Dragging out a sixty-year-old event fits the bill. Nobody will notice what is going down in the back room. So, why change the strategy that works?
Their latest scheme involves cryptocurrency. North Carolina's House Bill 92, also known as the "Digital Assets Investments Act," has been introduced. Sponsored by House Speaker Destin Hall and Representatives Mark Brody and Stephen Ross, this bill proposes allowing the state treasurer to invest in digital assets like Bitcoin. The bill sets strict criteria for these investments, requiring a minimum market capitalization of $750 billion over the previous 12 months, which currently only Bitcoin meets. Additionally, investments in digital assets would be capped at 10% of the total balance of the state's fund.
Bitcoin is considered a high-risk investment due to its extreme volatility and susceptibility to market manipulation. Unlike traditional investments, Bitcoin is not backed by any government or physical asset, and its value can fluctuate significantly over short periods.
Moreover, the Governor cannot veto the bill, as Republicans have effectively removed that power from him.
Had we hanged all those Confederate generals for treason as the law then prescribed (and still does) none of this would have been necessary. But since we DIDN’T do that, I would be perfectly fine with Fat Donny Two-Times spending all of his time and energy getting in pissing contests over what to name things. It would be an effort just like him — purely performative with no substance whatsoever. And the more time and effort he expends on stuff like this, the less time he has to do things that are actually destructive.
Unfortunately, he outsourced the truly destructive stuff to Elon Musk, who is every bit as larcenous, but with slightly more brain.
Almost correct. The congress has surrendered their power to Musk. Unbelievable Oval office press conference yesterday. Hope our democracy survives. Not feeling very confident today.
I appreciate a wry humor coming through this and other recent dispatches, and it does feel as Mills says that "dumbness" rules the day. As an observer by nature and someone whose hearing is actually like a superpower--I can overhear conversations from a fair distance without trying--I cannot help but chuckle when I keep hearing people talk about political goings-on as if thug-in-chief is finally getting our nation back together.... Rather than be surprised by much anymore these days I note a devotion toward mindlessness seems to have taken hold. I'm also picking up on a particular version of "out and out weirdness" that I've not yet been able to name as long as we're talking about the naming and/or renaming game afoot. "Back to back chicken shack. Son of a gun, better change your act. We're all confused, what's to lose? You can call this all the United States Blues" (G. Dead 1974).
I saw in the NYT today that the Associated Press was banned from a White House event because of using the original name of the Gulf of Mexico, and not "Gulf of America," as the orange man wants. Democracy does indeed die in dumbness.
We should stop naming things after people, period.
I wonder if our felon president has threatened the lives or families of the people you would think would oppose him based on their past positions.
In the past, Republicans have capitalized on ignorance and voter apathy to achieve their goals. Election denial, labeling Democrats as anti-Christ communists, and spreading lies and misinformation (or "alternative facts") are tactics used to divert attention from their true motives of consolidating unquestioned power and personal gain. Dragging out a sixty-year-old event fits the bill. Nobody will notice what is going down in the back room. So, why change the strategy that works?
Their latest scheme involves cryptocurrency. North Carolina's House Bill 92, also known as the "Digital Assets Investments Act," has been introduced. Sponsored by House Speaker Destin Hall and Representatives Mark Brody and Stephen Ross, this bill proposes allowing the state treasurer to invest in digital assets like Bitcoin. The bill sets strict criteria for these investments, requiring a minimum market capitalization of $750 billion over the previous 12 months, which currently only Bitcoin meets. Additionally, investments in digital assets would be capped at 10% of the total balance of the state's fund.
Bitcoin is considered a high-risk investment due to its extreme volatility and susceptibility to market manipulation. Unlike traditional investments, Bitcoin is not backed by any government or physical asset, and its value can fluctuate significantly over short periods.
Moreover, the Governor cannot veto the bill, as Republicans have effectively removed that power from him.
Had we hanged all those Confederate generals for treason as the law then prescribed (and still does) none of this would have been necessary. But since we DIDN’T do that, I would be perfectly fine with Fat Donny Two-Times spending all of his time and energy getting in pissing contests over what to name things. It would be an effort just like him — purely performative with no substance whatsoever. And the more time and effort he expends on stuff like this, the less time he has to do things that are actually destructive.
Unfortunately, he outsourced the truly destructive stuff to Elon Musk, who is every bit as larcenous, but with slightly more brain.
Almost correct. The congress has surrendered their power to Musk. Unbelievable Oval office press conference yesterday. Hope our democracy survives. Not feeling very confident today.