High Truths and Low Lies

Aid to Ethiopia stops amid theft

Ethiopia has 126,000,000 people, and a GDP of $446 billon. The per capita income is $960 making Ethiopia one of the poorest countries in the world.

Sadly, the US. government announced aid to Ethiopia has stopped. An investigation has revealed that food aid and other assistance is being stolen and resold to other countries. The national government of Ethiopia is corrupt. They have been selling food on the open market to other countries via a criminal network. Part of the $$$$’s went to support the Ethiopian military. For years, the food aid did not get to the people of Ethiopia.

The corrupt practice was discovered via leaked documents to the Washington Post. Why didn’t the Biden Administration know about this scam?

Lastly, this year the Ethiopian government has asked for $2 billion in loans from the IMF. The country needs strong oversight from the IMF, the World Health Organization, and the US. Dept. of State before any further loans should be granted.

Minneapolis Police Department

June 23, 2023

George Floyd was killed by police on May 25, 2020, in Minneapolis. Dangerous and very destructive riots immediately began in many US cities seeking justice for the Floyd family. The white police officer was found guilty and sentenced to 22 years in prison.

The tragic death of George Floyd triggered an investigation of the Minneapolis police dept. by the US. Dept. of Justice. Results of that 2+ year investigation were made public this week.

Here are the key findings:

Police use excessive and deadly force when not necessary.
Investigators have “reasonable cause” to conclude Minneapolis police used racially bias conduct against Black and Native Americans citizens, especially during traffic stops. After the Floyd death, police stopped reporting the race of people they stopped. Hmmm? Reporting the race is required.
When racial bias was reported the department did little to address, and to hold officers accountable. Below is a picture Maderia Arradondo, Minneapolis Chief of Police from 2017 to 2022. He was responsible for the police actions. Chief Arradondo retired in 2022. Arradondo was the first Black Chief of Police in Minneapolis.

The DOJ investigation also revealed poor accountability and oversight. The police force accountability process was “fundamentally flawed” and unwilling to police its own!
Interestingly, the prior Police Chief, Janee Harteau, pictured below, served as Chief from 2012 -2017. She was the city’s first female chief and openly gay. She resigned after the tragic death of Justine Damond. She was shot by police. The city was sued for wrongful death and Damond won a $20 million judgement.

Abortion Pills

June 22, 2023

July 25, 2023, Update

A 44-year-old woman in the UK has been arrested and imprisoned for taking abortion pills in her 30th week of pregnancy. The legal limit for abortions is 24 weeks. The pills were for home use only before the 10th week.

This advertisement was on the front page of our local paper, the Charlotte “Fishwrap.” Is this newsworthy? Is this a good idea? Are abortions made possible by mail deliveries?

Here a just some of my thoughts:

I am pro-choice, but do not agree with late term abortions. Exceptions of course.
Abortions are serious matters and should involve medical professionals. Medical facilities should be available.
I understand “Plan B,” pills taken after unprotected sex, or violence, or a drunken night. I hope “pills by mail” doesn’t encourage bad/reckless behavior. The above ad suggests carrying these pills “before you need them.” Seems to me that might “facilitate” behavior that could be dangerous.
Abortions can have medical complications, some serious. Where is young woman going to go at 3am?
And finally, I hope there is not a “black market” for these pills, sold on the street perhaps laced with other drugs? Eventually, that is exactly what will happen!

Behavior in school directly related to Achievement!

June 19, 2023

I believe all students (K-12) deserve a good education. All should have an opportunity to learn in safe schools, with great teachers and classrooms free of distractions. However, currently in the US this is not always the case, especially in our large cities. Many large cities have schools with zero % student achievement levels.

I have researched this topic, read published essays, books, newspaper articles, statistical studies and great commentaries from Nobel winning educators and economists. Sadly, I have also read opinions from political activists. The views cited by activists differ from reality, common-sense and logic.

Here are some examples:

There is an achievement gap between Black and white students. Black student test scores are significantly lower than whites. Activists blame “systemic racism.” Yet in many large cities the mayors, school boards, school supt., principals, teachers, guidance counselors, and police resources are often Black.
High schools with large % of Black students do not score as high as white high schools. Activists claim this is due to segregation. Clustering the schools with mostly Black student causes the scores to be low. Why is that? White high schools perform much better. Whites “segregated” into a school seems to work well. Same with Asian students.
Economists and research professors believe that Black children do not have a homelife conducive to learning and excelling in school. Black children are raised by single parents, often low income, and sadly do not have meaningful conversations at home. Young white children hear 150-250 words spoken to them each day using proper grammar and supportive language, often quite encouraging. Black children might hear 15-20 words each day from an adult and often the words are demeaning, critical and negative. Often, excelling in school is viewed negatively in Black neighborhoods.
Activists claim Black students are disciplined in school at a higher rate than whites. The data supports this. Activists cite racism as the cause of this disparity. A heavy burden is placed on the teachers to correct student behavior in the classroom. In Charlotte, NC it is ok for a student to lightly shove a teacher! Can you imagine?
Students must be taught how to behave by their parents. Teachers of Black children are more likely to be lenient of bad behavior for fear of being called a racist. Bad behavior in school can lead to suspensions and expulsions. Activists call this “exclusionary.” Getting expelled from HS is often desirable for Black students. However, the data shows these students don’t graduate, and frequently enter into the criminal justice system.
One activist claimed that metal detectors for school entrance was just a way of “policing Black kids.” I believe metal detectors save lives.
Parenting skills, homelife, family structure and bad behavior are the reasons Black children under perform.
Our local, state and Federal government must make education a very high priority. It is unacceptable to have race disparities in educational achievement. Under performing schools cannot be tolerated. And Black families must support these schools.
Footnote #1-References provided by Dr. James Heckman and Dr. Thomas Sowell
Footnote #2-There are millions of high achieving Black children.

State Farm will no longer insure homes in California!

June 12, 2023

California has 40 million people, the most populous state in the US. State Farm is the largest insurance provider in the US. The insurance giant announced last week that it will no longer write homeowner insurance for new homes. This is a huge business decision for State Farm.

State Farm was founded in 1922 by a retired farmer. The company is headquartered in Bloomington IL. and employs 57,000 people, including 19,000 agents. The company has been very successful over the last 101 years. State Farm is ranked 42nd on the Fortune 500 list.

Barry Manilow wrote the popular State Farm jingle “like a good neighbor” in 1971.

State Farm announced the company can no longer assume risk for new homes in CA. The reasons, according to the company, are high new home/replacement construction costs and catastrophic losses due to wildfires. 25,000 homes have been destroyed in CA. in the last 5 years due to wildfires, and thousands more damaged. Thousands of businesses have also been lost. Replacement costs have skyrocketed.

California is not properly managing its forests. The number of massive wildfires can be reduced. Fuel load (dead/dying trees, grass, invasive species, fire breaks, controlled burns, and brush have to be managed. And think about the water being used to fight these fires.

California is not business friendly! Taxes are high, regulations are overwhelming, crime rates have soared, and huge companies are leaving the state. California has the highest gas prices in the US. at $4.90/gal. including a $.66/gal state tax.

Not being able to obtain insurance on homes will have a dramatic impact on lending, and thus, a cascading effect on the financial system.

California is in trouble.

Canadian forest fires

How to prevent!

June 10, 2023

Smoke from massive forest fires in Canada has drifted into northeastern US. Air quality alerts are in effect in 12-15 states. People have been advised to stay indoors. Our northern neighbor is responsible. No apology from Trudeau.

The idiots in Washington are using this serious event to “fan the flames” about climate change. Our leaders are either stupid or blatantly pushing a false narrative. Experts in the field of forest management all agree that management practices of public forests are the major cause of this event.

Here are the facts:

Almost all major forest fires occur on public land. Privately owned land is managed to prevent major fires. Private land is an asset to owners. The land is protected.
Forest fires are most often started by lightning strikes, arsonists, and people in the woods not obeying regulations/laws or ignoring safe practices. Fires occur every year.
Fuel load within the forest is the major cause of large fires. Dead or dying trees are not removed, grasses are not removed, fire breaks are not built, invasive species are not eradicated, controlled burns are not performed, lower-level brush is not cleared.
Fire fighters are used to put out fires. They are heroes and perform dangerous work. Most are part-time workers, called upon as fires develop. That service must continue, but we also need full-time forest management personnel to perform the services mentioned above.
Regrettably, forest management practices are criticized by environmental activists. These activists influence our ignorant and cowardly politicians. So, nothing gets done. Just look at California. Every year that state has wildfires. Fools!
And two very important thoughts-just think about all the water being used to fight these fires. Water is a scarce resource. And lastly, a single tree can remove about 48lbs of carbon dioxide from the air each year. Think about the millions of trees destroyed by these fires. And the smoke!!

US. Trade Deficits

June 5 2023

Note the Trump years versus the Biden disaster.

This chart shows the net amount (imports to exports) of US goods and services from other countries. We are supporting the China economy, Mexico, Vietnam and many other countries in Southeast Asia and Europe. NAFTA and the Trans Pacific Partnership (signed by Obama) resulted in this huge trade imbalance. US manufacturing jobs left the US. led by Walmart and Amazon. More recently, Biden is buying oil and gas from outside the US. Many European countries have import tariffs on US goods.

Wind turbines, batteries, solar panels, semiconductor chips, and pharmaceuticals have grown this imbalance. Ironically, the IRS outsourced the processing of US. tax returns to India!

Many countries tried to levy import tariffs on US. goods and services. Trump successfully fought this practice and won. Fair trade policies should be on the Biden agenda.

Products and services vital to US security and healthcare must be sourced from within the US.

Cracker Jill

A new snack treat for Women!

June 2, 2023

The original “Cracker Jack” was invented in 1893 by a German immigrant. The Borden Company bought the product name in 1964 and in 1997 the brand was sold to Frito Lay. Over the life span of Cracker Jacks the product generated billions in sales.

The term “Craker Jack” is even used to denote a person of high ability and ingenuity.

Frito Lay changed the brand name, See above! The product is now “Cracker Jill” After 130 years, the product has a new name. This is a cheap and frivolous marketing ploy. Did the Bud Light Marketing Director land a new job with Frito Lay???

BLM is an Extortion Racket!

June 1, 2023

BLM used threats of boycotts, organized and violent riots to force companies to donate $90 million in 2 years! Where did the money go?

BLM used the death of George Floyd to collect money from large companies and private citizens. There was no accounting oversight, tax filings, auditing of expenses or systematic process for helping Black American’s. Some of the money was donated to local BLM chapters, and hopefully, the money was put to good use.

The two Black women that founded BLM were paid exorbitant salaries and expenses. $12 million went to purchase mansions in LA and Toronto. Family members were paid “consulting” fees. See chart above. This is disgraceful!

The leaders of BLM should be charged with fraud, racketeering, and tax violations. The IRS and the Dept. of Justice need to conduct a very thorough investigation.

My Memorial Day Story!

May 26, 2023

The Death of my best friend!

Seargent Bill Hawkins died 53 years ago!

Sgt. William E. (Bill) Hawkins died 53 years ago. Bill died in the Thua Thien area of South Vietnam while serving as an Army medic aboard a Huey Medical evacuation helicopter. His Huey was struck by ground fire. All personnel aboard the Huey were killed. The date was May 26, 1970. Bill was 21 years old.

Bill was my best friend in high school. We both graduated from Waynesboro High School, Class of 1967. I remember our high school days. Bill was a skinny kid, about 5′ 9″, weighing 140 lbs. He had red hair and always had a smile on his face. Bill was raised by his grandmother in a very poor area of the town. Both Bill’s parents were killed in a car accident while Bill was very young. Bill always wore short-sleeved plaid shirts in high school rotating them using some sort of method. Bill was a good student, much better than me and finished WHS with a “B” average.

During our junior and senior years Bill ran track and earned varsity letters both years. His grandmother bought Bill a white cardigan sweater to display his letters. Bill wore the sweater year-round. Bill was a very pleasant young man and a good friend.

The summer of 1967 Bill vacationed with my family the Claytor Lake State Park. My Dad rented a cabin on the lake. My four younger siblings loved Bill. One evening while trying to make the kids laugh, Bill attempted a handstand on a bar stool and fell on his head, causing a large cut above his right eye. It took 12 stitches to close the wound. Bill thought the wound made him look dangerous!

That fall, we both went away to college. Bill entered VPI (Va. Tech) and I went to East Tenn. State. Bill used scholarships, grants, and loans to pay his expenses. We were both in Army ROTC. Since WHS was such a good high school, our freshmen grades were excellent. Bill and I visited each other 2-3 times that school year. While in college, we were exempt from the selective service draft.

Regrettably, Bill and I agreed to pledge social fraternities our sophomore years. We had great fun, but our grades declined, and Bill lost his draft deferment. Bill enlisted in the Army, serving in the 326 Medical Battalion of the 101st Airborne. Bill’s training was at Ft. Campbell and in Frankfort, Germany. Bill was trained as a Medic and nicknamed “Doc.”