World War III - Is it Possible?

Like many I haven't posted for a while because I've been working 10-12 hours days for the last two weeks. It's been nuts and this latest market dump has exposed major weaknesses in the way I do business and communicate with my clients. Much of it due to government regulations and my company going above and beyond government guidelines which drives me nuts especially when those rules negatively impact the consumer, but that's not what I want or can talk about here.

World War III is something no one is talking about. I believe the "evil four" are up to something. Russia is talking to China. Iran is talking to China. China controls North Korea. Iran is talking with Russia and lastly China has at least 31 million more men than women. Doesn't anyone see a problem here?

The Wuhan Virus is bad but is it bad enough to justify locking down the western world? Can the American economy survive what some states and some local governments are doing? If it continues for months the answer is absolutely no!

Here is what few are talking about. Thousands are going to die as the result of the Wuhan Virus. We can save many if the infection curve is flatten to such an extent that the national health care system is not crushed, but at what cost? I argue the world economy is so interconnected that we are looking at a worldwide recession if not a depression in the coming weeks. In the past, it's the developing countries that suffer the most and millions will die directly and even more will suffer from a collapsed world economy.

Does it really make sense to save thousands at the cost of millions?

Furthermore, my specific warning is China, Russia, Iran and North Korea could easily use this crisis as a cover for advancing their objectives or even starting a war. I've been saying for years the United States Navy in the Pacific will loose as much as 50% of their forces in the first few days of a kinetic (shooting) war with China. I wouldn't put it past Putin to use this potential conflict to reposition Russia as a world leader and even Iran could use it to break the embargo that's crushing their economy and threating their leadership.

The world is not a safe place right now and the Wuhan Virus may represent the best chance in years for the evil four. China's economy was on a major downswing before the US trade sanctions and it's safe to say they were not looking forward to future negotiations with the Trump Administration. Russia's position in the world is nothing compared to what it was and with oil prices falling and the United States reclaiming energy dominance they are grabbing at straws. Furthermore, Putin is not getting any younger and my guess he is thinking legacy.

That leaves Iran and North Korea. Iran is on the verge of economic collapse and we haven't heard much of anything out of North Korea for quite a while. Both of these situations alarm me. Iran is the equivalent of a cornered animal and North Korea going dark is more than likely foreshadowing something bad. How a potential conflict will start I don't know, but it could quickly ramp up into something we don't want to think about. My guess... and it's a guess... is it will start with Iran and somehow that will involve China, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

If the media keeps pushing the administration to act and those actions result in the collapse of the US economy keep your eye on Iran, China, Russia and even North Korea. It's difficult to even mention this but the United States just might have to make decisions that cost lives now to save millions later. I hope our leaders are taking into consideration the big picture because I'm positive China and Russia have already war planned this senerario out in detail and will not pass up on a once in a lifetime chance to deal a blow to the United States.

PS  Russia has already sold it's US Treasuries. If China starts selling that will be a reg flag that they are positioning themselves for conflict if not a shooting war.

Impeachment - No Witnesses? No Documents?

The Democrats are asking how can the Senate have a trial without witnesses or documents? Didn't the House Democrats say repeatedly that this was a done deal? That the facts are not in doubt? However, I'm sitting here scratching my head feeling like I'm going nuts. Everyone on the news is saying it's looking like there will be NO witness or documents.

Here are the facts:

- The House questioned 18 witnesses in the "bunker" and released 17 transcripts.

- The House questioned 13 witnesses on national TV.

- 29,000 pages of documents have been delivered to the Senate.

During the impeachment inquiry the House Intelligence Committee did not offer the President due process or anything close to due process: He was NOT allowed representation. He was NOT allowed to call witnesses. He was NOT allowed to cross examine witness and he was NOT allowed to confront his accuser.

Serial killers are allowed due process but not the President? I acknowledge the President is not being charged with a crime and the worst thing that could happen is being removed from office but still a causal observer would think the President of the United States would be offered due process.

So what now? I think the Senate should vote to toss out the charges because the President's basic civil rights were violated.

That's not going to happen so I hope the Senate realizes it's not their job to make the House's case. If they want to hear from Lieutenant Colonel Vindman or Ambassadors Sondland go for it... I like seeing Senators sitting quietly for hours and hours.

Maybe they should follow past impeachments and have witnesses that already testified? I would like to hear from the 18th witness or at least redact and make public the missing transcript. Bottom line, the President is going to be acquitted by the State of the Union.

That said, who knows what dirty tricks the Dems, Deep State or Never Trumpers will hack up at the last minute.

Update: The vote against having MORE witnesses went down 51/49 with Susan Collins and Mitt Romney breaking ranks. Susan's vote I can understand as she is in a state that could go to the Dems later this year. Mitt Romney on the other hand won his seat with 62.6% of the vote and isn't up for election in over four years. My guess... Romey, like John McCain, just hates Trump.

Update: Monday there will be four hours of closing arguments and then two days of floor speeches followed with a vote on both articles of impeachment likely late Wednesday. The verdict is not in question and of course the Dems are saying it will be illegitimate because there were no witnesses or documents. A false narrative ignoring the 18 witnesses who testified in the "bunker" and the 29,000 pages of documents submitted to the Senate.

The bottom line... The President will be giving the State of the Union Address under the cloud of impeachment which may explain why Speaker Pelosi delayed delivering the articles of impeachment.

Last word... The vote is in. With the exception of Mitt Romney every republican and a few Democrats agree the impeachment of President Trump was a political exercise and not based upon facts. According to Nancy Pelosi the impeachment started years ago only recently taking final form in the bowels of the House's secure bunker that somehow leaked cherry picked tidbits that made the President look bad.

The phrase history will judge is contrite but in this case I believe it's appropriate. History will indeed look back at this impeachment, lacking any criminal offense, as exactly what our founders tried to prevent when they do carefully drafted Article 1, section 2 of our constitution.

Mark Gallid - It's Treason

MARK GALLID of "Christianity Today" wrote a scathing opinion piece declaring the phone call between President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelensky as the last straw and a threat to our Christianity based democracy.

The timing of his opinion  piece seems suspect and the TV interview of him from his cluttered kitchen speaks volumes.

Seriously? Clearly you think Trump is a total dick but it takes a phone call with the Ukrainian President asking him to work with our attorney general to find out what happened in 2016 as the straw that broke the camels back?

There is a pattern of action here... Trump gets dumped on and he lashes out. His honeymoon period lasted only hours before a corrupt media reported he removed the bust of MLK from the oval office? Crazy that over 60 elected officials refused to even attend the inauguration. Note, many on the left and the African American community still believe MLK's bust was removed.

Mark - This is what you're missing... Please read the IG nine page summary of how the FBI completely abused the FISA process and maybe you will start to understand, as I have, that forces within and outside our government have acted with treasonous intent. I'm not using treasonous to be flip. This is what happened and conspiracy to remove a duly elected President is treason.

Every rock should be turned over and those involved must be held accountable. Sir, there is no doubt this is a real threat to our democracy an I pray that God will help you see this truth sooner rather than later.

Tax Cuts Yield More Revenue?

It happens over and over. The CBO scored tbe Trump tax cut as costing something like $3.2 trillion dollars over the next ten years but the reality is revenue is up and growing.

FY 2019 - $3.44 trillion (projected)
FY 2018 - $3.33 trillion
FY 2017 - $3.32 trillion
FY 2016 - $3.27 trillion

Hey it would seem that the Dems and the CBO got the tax cut wrong... Revenue didn't decrease.

PS The CBO isn't biased but over and over they get it wrong and to me it seems their math always breaks one way. Lastly... What is up with our young people? Don't they know that communism and socialism kills millions and doesn't work?

FBI's Investigation Launched on Thinnest of Suspicions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, December 9, 2019

Statement by Attorney General William P. Barr on the Inspector General's Report of the Review of Four FISA Applications and Other Aspects of the FBI’s Crossfire Hurricane Investigation

Attorney General William P. Barr issued the following statement:

"Nothing is more important than the credibility and integrity of the FBI and the Department of Justice.  That is why we must hold our investigators and prosecutors to the highest ethical and professional standards.  The Inspector General’s investigation has provided critical transparency and accountability, and his work is a credit to the Department of Justice.  I would like to thank the Inspector General and his team.

The Inspector General’s report now makes clear that the FBI launched an intrusive investigation of a U.S. presidential campaign on the thinnest of suspicions that, in my view, were insufficient to justify the steps taken.  It is also clear that, from its inception, the evidence produced by the investigation was consistently exculpatory.  Nevertheless, the investigation and surveillance was pushed forward for the duration of the campaign and deep into President Trump’s administration.  In the rush to obtain and maintain FISA surveillance of Trump campaign associates, FBI officials misled the FISA court, omitted critical exculpatory facts from their filings, and suppressed or ignored information negating the reliability of their principal source.  The Inspector General found the explanations given for these actions unsatisfactory.  While most of the misconduct identified by the Inspector General was committed in 2016 and 2017 by a small group of now-former FBI officials, the malfeasance and misfeasance detailed in the Inspector General’s report reflects a clear abuse of the FISA process.

FISA is an essential tool for the protection of the safety of the American people.  The Department of Justice and the FBI are committed to taking whatever steps are necessary to rectify the abuses that occurred and to ensure the integrity of the FISA process going forward.

No one is more dismayed about the handling of these FISA applications than Director Wray.  I have full confidence in Director Wray and his team at the FBI, as well as the thousands of dedicated line agents who work tirelessly to protect our country.  I thank the Director for the comprehensive set of proposed reforms he is announcing today, and I look forward to working with him to implement these and any other appropriate measures.

With respect to DOJ personnel discussed in the report, the Department will follow all appropriate processes and procedures, including as to any potential disciplinary action."

Furthermore...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, December 9, 2019

Statement of U.S. Attorney John H. Durham

“I have the utmost respect for the mission of the Office of Inspector General and the comprehensive work that went into the report prepared by Mr. Horowitz and his staff.  However, our investigation is not limited to developing information from within component parts of the Justice Department.  Our investigation has included developing information from other persons and entities, both in the U.S. and outside of the U.S.  Based on the evidence collected to date, and while our investigation is ongoing, last month we advised the Inspector General that we do not agree with some of the report’s conclusions as to predication and how the FBI case was opened.”

It's Undeniable Trump was Under Surveillance

Step back and look at the BIG picture. Take it in... The FBI created a narrative that Carter Page, former Naval officer, Naval Academy graduate who proactively told the FBI he had contact with Russia in conjunction with the CIA was put under surveillance to gain access to Trump.

The underlying narrative... The Russians had compromised Trump. Our nation spent two years and $32 million dollars investigating this only to prove it was a false flag.

It's undeniable candidate, President-elect & President Trump was under surveillance and this surveillance was coordinated by the FBI.  This is no longer in question. That during this surveillance over and over exculpatory evidence was discovered that Carter Page and other Trump associates had nothing to do with Russia. During the 2016 presidential campaign, transition and early months of the Trump Administration FBI surveillance continued under all things FISA.

I wrote how Admiral Mike Rogers was nearly fired when he informed then President-elect Trump that Trump Tower was under surveillance. Note: Trump left Trump Tower the next day and did not return until August 2017.

What will be written about this period in our nation's history? I know one thing... President Trump isn't tearing up our Constitution. He's not the guy who says over and over he can't use his executive power to change immigration policy and then signs an executive order (DACA) doing just that. He is not ordering the FBI to wiretap multiple members of the press and their families.

Trump might accuse the media of pushing false stores but he's not spying on or putting "journalists" in jail like the Obama Administration.

Trump's the guy who moved our Embassy to the capital of Israel. Actually doing something Congress voted on which became law in 1995.

Trump's the guy who gave lethal aid to Ukraine. Which unlike general aid was never put on hold.

Trump's the guy who __________. The list goes on and on. It's almost like he's trying to live up to his campaign promises.

Unless I see something actually impeachable I'm going to keep supporting President Trump's efforts.

Note: In 2017, Trump announced his intent to provide the Javelin missile to Ukraine. Congress approved the assistance package of 210 missiles and 37 launchers, together worth $47 million. During President Trump's call with the Ukrainian President it was clear Ukraine was almost ready for more Javelin missiles... Almost... I wonder how many tanks and armored vehicles had been destroyed thanks to President Trump? Nancy Pelosi is correct everything does lead back to Putin and in this case it's a missile blowing up a Russian tank!

Taxes are more than you think...

It just dawned on me that most people have no clue how much money the government collects in taxes. The following is an example of how much the government gets of the last $100 dollars I earn.

I make $100 and my taxes are:

$32.00 in federal income taxes.
$15.30 in self employment taxes.
$7.25 to the State of Maine.

With the $45.45 left over I purchase a 5 inch wedding cake from a great vegan baker to celebrate my third wedding anniversary.

I pay another $3.64 in Maine sales tax.

Now the baker has charged me $41.81 for her cake. Her costs which include everything from flour to oven gas adds up to $20.91 leaving her with a profit of $20.90 on which she pays:

$4.60 in federal income taxes.
$3.20 in self employment taxes.
$1.41 in state income taxes.

Total taxes on my $100 earned selling my services and buying a five inch wedding cake are $67.40 and I would argue the cost, pain and hassle required to figure this out and the angst not knowing if you figured it out correctly makes our whole system unbearable and yet we Americans, like the proverbial dog lying on a nail moaning, are doing nothing about it.

In the early 90's there was a organization that was hell bent on repealing the 16th Amendment. Although supported by John McCain, Fred Thompson, Mike Huckabee, Bill Archer, Tom Tancredo, Duncan Hunter, Mike Gravel, John Lindner, Saxby Chambliss, etc... the repeal movement only gained marginal traction. Looking back it's obvious that those in power DON'T want to see any change to the income tax system. The current system absolutely hides the real cost of government and allows those in power to pick winners and losers.

Major tax reform is rarely possible. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 did many things including limiting the state income tax deduction to $10,000. This resulted in high taxed (typically democrat controlled) states crying foul. They have done everything they can to have the tax cut changed while low taxed (typically republican controlled) states cheered.

I'm absolutely for the repeal of the 16th amendment and using a National Retail Sales Tax (NRST) to fund the Federal Government. Many believe this is too radical, but since 1776 we have had a "legal" income tax for only 106 years. I say it's time that we once again align our nation's revenue system to what our founding fathers argued was best.

Note - The taxes continue as the baker buys products and services and those people make profits, etc... Furthermore, this example doesn't include property and personal property taxes which for many add up to thousands of dollars. As with an iceberg much of the true cost of taxation is hidden:

"If True" Trump's Ukrainian Call

I'm so tired of hearing journalists using the phrase "if true" when breaking a news story. The President of the United States asked the President of Ukraine to investigate possible corruption between Ukraine and Joe Biden's son Hunter Biden and the major media (less Fox News) goes off the rails. Democrats declare the Rubicon has been crossed and Trump needs to be impeached... Before the release of the call transcript?

Now that the transcript of the call between President Trump and the President of Ukraine is public the spin is absolutely insane. I can't imagine how anyone can rationally concluded the President broke any law based on the transcript of the call. Prior to the transcripts release the Department of Justice made it clear they reviewed the matter and concluded no violation of campaign finance law occurred.

So again, how does "if true" become the story when the fact that Hunter Biden made at least $83,000 a month as a board member of Burisma is broomed? Burisma is the largest natural gas producer in Ukraine and it has been reported that Hunter Biden worked for Burisma Holdings from May 2014 to early 2019. Do the math... That's over $4.3 million dollars paid to a board member with I think it's safe to say zero experience in the oil & gas industry. I wonder what the other board members made and what political connections they boast?

PS I believe that Hunter Biden leverage his father's job into millions from Ukraine, China and maybe others. It seems convenient the whistle blower came forward the day after it was clear the Muller investigation had failed to result in impeachment over a phone call that even my liberal wife, who happens to have a PhD in linguistics from Boston University, said was "perfect".

Enough About Brett Kavanaugh!

CBS News... News? I'm just dumbfounded that any major news outlet is still publishing salacious stories of "what" happened 35+ years ago. Someone coming forward and  "remembering" that something happened just isn't enough to smear a supreme Court judge.

Justice Kavanaugh's memories of freshman year are vague at best. The editors at CBS think stories from the Judge's freshman year are fair game... this isn't journalism, It's blatant partisanship. CBS knows no one can refute something that happened 35+ years, especially when details like dates aren't remembered.

Let's say everything CBS is now reporting is true. What you have is a drunk college freshman pulling his dick out at a party. This alone disqualifies Judge Kavanaugh? Something 35 years ago out weighs a 30 year career of treating women with respect and dignity in the workplace?

Doesn't anyone besides me have a problem here?

Hasn't anyone noticed there are zero accusations from co-workers or subordinates?

There once was a time where tabloids would publish stories like this, stories legit media outlets wouldn't touch under any circumstances. Clearly those days are over and the role of the press in our Republic is being mismanaged at best and the country on whole is much worse off.

The coordinated smear is the true existential treat to our democracy.

Media Spins the North Carolina Special Elections

Last night two Republicans win special elections and the results don't favor a Democratic take over in 2020 but that's NOT the story. When stories written by democratic operatives end up as the headlines in major newspapers and media outlets the results are far from harmless. this is exactly how you end up with Robert Francis "Beto" O'Rourke running for president thinking that he almost won Texas.

Only the Democrats can turn a pretty convincing loss into a victory. Only the Democratic party with the help of the media can turn a governor's race in Georgia with all-time voter turnout and a 50,000 vote deficit into voter suppression.

One would think the dream ticket would be Beto O'Rourke and Stacey Abrams. I don't know what to think about North Carolina's special elections but I know spin when I see it and journalists are not supposed to spin! There is no doubt, absolutely no doubt, in my mind that fair journalism for the most part is dead in America.

* Mobile users click on reports below:

Open Letter to my Daughter

Here Are 12 Facts We Know About Gun Violence
According to Science

By Morgan McFall-Johnsen & Aylin Woodward
Business Insider, August 13, 2019

Most of this article… Well it’s pretty easy to pick apart. For starters when the phrase "According to Science" is used you pretty much know something isn't right. It's kinda like invoking God. So the one thing I agree with is gun violence should be rigorously studied and when something can be done that doesn't unduly infringe on the 2nd Amendment and the rights of law abiding citizens, changes should be made.

That said, suggesting that the President is the voice of reason or fact when it comes to guns is a stretch at best. For example, his comments suggesting a link between video games and gun violence has been studied to death with very little correlation and some of the correlation that does exist even suggesting a decrease in gun violence is actually more likely than an increase.

I will address a few items I thought interesting:

“When people convicted of domestic abuse were barred from buying guns, gun deaths decreased.” So let’s discuss how the Earth is flat. Duh, clearly this isn’t a reason to ban or restrict gun ownership to law abiding, none abusive spouses. It’s a false argument against guns and a good argument for nationwide “red flag” laws. I do have concerns who determines the red flag and what a red flag is but you had me at “convicted” and I’m all in for something along this line.

“By contrast, Switzerland, which has high gun ownership but hasn't seen a mass shooting in 18 years, has strict gun policies including rigorous licensing procedures (including training) and restrictions on who can buy guns.” Again this argument seems out of place. Clearly this is making the case, at least in Switzerland, that gun ownership isn't the problem, people are the problem. It’s the people who don’t go through a rigorous background check, training, etc… that cause problem. It’s pretty much the same in the United States which is why I’m 100% for rigorous background checks to include fingerprints, class room training and live fire before someone can own a handgun.

Why handguns and not long guns? Because I choose to go after what’s responsible for 90% of all gun deaths. Furthermore, don’t forget that 2/3 of all gun deaths in the US are suicides. It’s possible, but not many people kill themselves with an AR-15 or shotgun.

“There's also a clear link between assault weapons and gun-massacre deaths. After Congress let a 1994 ban on assault weapons expire in 2004, gun massacres increased by 183 percent, and associated deaths went up 239 percent.” Really? Clear link? Yep, I’ve seen this before and I’ve seen just the opposite, had the statistics shown that the “Assault Weapons Ban” was effective the law would have been renewed.

Google how many people are killed in the United States with assault weapons in mass shootings?

Google the number of people hit by lighting in the United States every year.

Google the number of bank robberies that typically happen in Los Angeles per year.

Funny, those numbers are all about the same which shouldn’t shock you if you have studied the issue.

Now Google how many suicides, shootings, deaths and murders are by handguns versus long guns. I would suggest you use the FBI database for your best numbers. Pretty shocking and now you, like me, know when a politician goes on and on about banning assault weapons either they haven’t looked at the numbers or they just don’t give a rip and are doing what they can to get reelected.

“Researchers and policy experts think a new ban on assault weapons could reduce mass-shooting deaths.” Okay that’s a pretty safe assessment but if saving lives is the driving force wouldn’t it make more sense to make our roads safer (40,000 deaths last year) or focus on drug overdoses (60,000+ deaths last year) than assault weapons?

Also, what is the cost of banning assault weapons?

The 2nd Amendment has NOTHING to do with hunting. The 2nd Amendment is second because it’s protecting the 1st which is actually the five things a free society can’t do without. Freedom of: Religion, Speech, Press, Assemble and to Petition our Government for Redress of Grievances.

You once said it was silly to think an armed American population would stand a chance against a modern army. Well, it would seem a few thousand goat herders armed with not much more have kept the world’s two greatest militaries from victory in Afghanistan. Furthermore, it’s not too hard to imaging small arms and semiautomatic rifles being used to storm an armory to obtain more lethal weapons.

“A lack of background checks is also associated with higher rates of gun violence.” No doubt, which is why the background system needs to be overhauled and implemented as Congress intended. Unlike previous Presidents, Trump has actually passed legislation to do just that. I’m all for this and would like to add that if someone prohibited from buying a gun, knowingly attempts to buy a gun they absolutely should be prosecuted and spend a year in jail.

Furthermore, any crime that is committed with a gun should automatically have five years tacked onto their sentence. Use a gun in a crime and you get five years. Not five years plea bargained away but five years minimum added to your sentence.

“Finally, concealed-carry policies are also associated with increased firearm homicide rates.” I happen to agree that universal concealed-carry is not a good idea. I would also like to point out that many cities with horrific gun violence inevitably have the most restrictive gun laws. The argument that our cities have gun issues because neighboring states have slack gun laws doesn’t logically apply to conceal carry. Although stop and frisk sure seems unconstitutional it worked wonders in New York City because bad guys don't care about the law!

Before anyone goes off and suggests new gun laws it’s really important to study areas of the country that have strict very gun laws and high crime. Also, there are a few cases where gun laws were overturned and stats changed for the better suggesting that some laws with good intentions end up making matters worse.

For example in DC, gun ownership was effectively outlawed which resulted in an increase in violent crime and home invasions. When the Supreme Court overturned these gun laws (DC v. Heller) the number of home invasions decreased. If one were to believe the NRA, then guns or the presence of a gun helps prevent over 2,000,000 crimes per year.

I don’t believe this and I don’t believe most of what this article is trying to convey. I’ve researched this issue at nausea. I’ve blogged about it a dozen times with exhaustive research and facts documented with government provided numbers or well researched, peer reviewed studies and I've determined most members of the media and politicians are clueless when it comes to guns.

Considering the number of guns in the United States and the arguments the left makes regarding gun control I’m shocked we don’t have 100 times the number of mass shooting. Clearly, guns themselves aren’t bad, but guns in the hands of people who aren’t trained, have a criminal background, have a desire to randomly kill people, are clinically depressed, are terrorists, are children, etc… can and do have devastating impact albeit nothing compared to the carnage on our roads and drug overdoses.

America is a unique and we are very much still an experiment waiting for a result. Many who live in cites don’t see a reason for anyone to have a gun while those who live deep in the interior of Alaska or Montana can’t imagine a walk in the woods without one.

I didn’t own a handgun for the first forty-three years of my life and I rarely questioned my safety. Then I started to hear politicians seriously talking about banning guns and I thought to myself that maybe one day I might actually need a weapon and not be able to buy one. Not to hunt or defend against the zombie apocalypse mind you but to ban together with fellow Americans in order to protect the Constitution of the United States, specifically the five freedoms of the 1st Amendment.

Yes innocent people die in shootings and that makes me sad but there is no doubt, given enough time, history will repeat and the cost of not being ready could once again cost millions, if not tens of millions of lives. In the twentieth century over 130,000,000 people died at the hands of governments. Scholars says this will not happen again but maybe the fusion of communism and capitalism is more efficient and leads to a new world order. What them? One common factor over the centuries is freedom is something that has proven costly.

“… The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions, that I wish it to be always kept alive. It will often be exercised when wrong, but better so than not to be exercised at all. I like a little rebellion now and then. It is like a storm in the atmosphere.”  Thomas Jefferson on Liberty

N105GS Van's RV-9A Testing

If you google Van's Experimental RV-9A N105GS nothing comes up and that needs to change.

N105GS - Van's RV-9A

Last fall I completed phase one testing of N105GS built by Gary Brealey of Belfast, Maine. During construction he developed some medical issues that prevented him from flying. I heard about this from a fellow EAA member and offered to help. I had the 500+ hours but needed 10 in this specific plane in order test... Become a test pilot.

Two EAA members helped me get those hours and the RV-9A testing began shortly after.

Initially I thought I was committing to a 25 hour test schedule. Matter of fact, my wife is positive that 25 hours was the number being discussed at our meeting with Gary but upon completing the initial 25 hours it became 40 hours. Although a normal RV-9A with a Lycoming engine and a Sensenich propeller only needs 25 hours of testing unbeknownst to me the engine was rebuilt by "bubba" in a garage which necessitated a full 40 hour testing period of which much was spent high and within gliding distance of a runway. In one nearly three hour flight I managed to land at five different airports.

Testing N105GS to 14,000 feet

N105GS isn't a perfect plane and there are things that need to be addressed with the autopilot, radios, etc... But for the most part it flies absolutely great and Gary did a super job building his dream.

Gary really enjoying a ride in the plane he built. Note the RV Grin!

Visiting my nephew Gavin 300 miles away.

There is no doubt that a person with solid engineering skills or just able to follow instructions, who has the time and patience can build their own plane. Besides the cost savings of being able to create a high performance aircraft for about $100,000 you will be doing something that few people would ever even consider doing. I don't know about you but the idea of doing this is pretty crazy and yet there are over 10,000 Van's aircraft kits now flying.

Testing done and plane delivered. Reward? Can of tomatoes...

It's not done till the paperwork is done...

Nation Terrorized with Back-To-Back Shootings

On August 4th & 5th, 2019, eighty people were shot resulting in thirty deaths. I want to say how sorry I am for the victims, survivors, their families and those impacted by the recent shootings in El Paso and Dayton. Most Americans understand shootings are extremely rare and "active" shooters are even more rare even though they are talked about non-stop by the cable news media for days, if not weeks leaving the impression that it's unsafe to go the mall, attend a place of worship, go to school or walk on our cities sidewalks.

Furthermore, I understand it's completely politically incorrect to point out basic facts. In a country with 330,000,000 people, mass shootings (four or more people shot) and expecially active shooters are extremely, actually, unbelievably rare. The FBI documented 27 total active shooting incidents in the United State in 2018.

This seems like a ton of cases but when you look at it as a nation it's not but the upward trend since 2000 is worthy of concern. This isn't an Obama or Trump thing. Something is changing with our young people and in many cases it's young, withdrawn, socially outcast, sexual inactive males.

Politicians and the media say mass shootings are on the rise and have become an "existential" threat to our country. However, politicians and the media continue to fail to acknowledge the numbers of gun shootings and deaths that occur daily in our large urban centers.

To put shootings in perspective 40,000 people die in car accidents and 60,000 due to drug overdose annually. Why, as a society, do we go on and on about mass shootings that killed 387 in 2018 but not the 100,000 that died on our roads and from drugs?

Maybe it's because shootings are random and that alone is terrifying?

Every year about 270 people are struck by lighting in the United States but rational people are NOT terrorized by seemingly random lighting strikes?

If the loss of life is the most important metric, wouldn't 100,000 people overdosing and dying in car accidents be the real story and "existential" threat to our nation?

By far the number one thing we as a nation could do to curb gun violence would be to change our Constitution. With the repeal of the 2nd Amendment we could ban guns and it's clear that a total ban on all guns would have a significant impact on gun violence. Would I feel safer giving up my shotgun and handgun? Honestly, I don't know... I've only had a handgun for twelve years and I didn't feel unsafe before I owned one.

Do I think the 2nd Amendment should be changed to prevent 387 annual deaths from mass shootings per year? Absolutely not, but to be intellectually honest all options must be considered.

I'm in favor of a nationwide licensing process for handguns. This would include a gun safety course, training that includes firing a handgun, fingerprints and a background check in order to own a handgun. Seems extreme but think of what you have to do to drive a car and cars kill 40,000 people a year... I'm okay with this change.

I'm also very much in favor of limiting magazine capacity to gun design. This would effectively make illegal huge clips, 100 round drums, etc... However, I think limiting my Glock 22 to 10 rounds from 15 is nonsense and puts me at a disadvantage when confronting a prepared shooter.

I'm in favor or banning bump stocks... DONE - The ban went into effect on March 26, 2019, by which owners of bump stocks were required to destroy them or surrender them to ATF, punishable by 10 years imprisonment and $250,000 fine.

Although the "Gun Show Loophole" like the "Assault Weapon Ban" is mostly bullshit, I think it makes sense to fill in a few gaps in the law. Right now if you sell one gun as a business you're require to have a Federal Firearms License (FFL). There are no exceptions to this law but amateur gunsmiths and now modern technology with 3D printing have muddled the waters. These loopholes need to be closed.

The lethality of the 5.56 NATO round needs to be addressed. The velocity of the 5.56 NATO round should be reviewed. Maybe a background check should be needed to purchase this type of ammo?

The FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) needs to be fully Internet based with all 50 states, DC and US Territories participating. Too many FFL's call into the system and read the ATF E-Form 4473 data. Potential gun buyers should be able to pre-fill their 4473 data and sign form 4473 in the presence of the FFL. If someone is not instantaneously approved there should be a way to find out why so they can address the problem. Furthermore, known felons, non-citizens, etc... who illegally attempt to buy firearms MUST be prosecuted.

Red flag laws need to be considered and implemented carefully so citizens constitutionally protected rights are not infringed.

Consider raising the age of gun ownership.

Consider requiring a licence to buy a gun. A license that requires a safety course, training, fingerprints and a background check would Gina long way to reducing gun violence. Again, if you need a license to drive a car is it unreasonable to require a license to buy a gun?

This list is NOT exhaustive. It's meant to provide food for thought from a gun owner. It's from a guy who has never been a member of the NRA and doesn't want law abiding citizens loosing the ability to protect them selves from enemies both foreign and domestic.

PS  The Democratic candidates and the media have come out bashing President Trump for his hateful rhetoric that although didn't directly cause the shooting was a contributing factor. One candidate actually called the President a White Nationalist. Turns out that Connor Betts, the suspect in the Dayton mass shooting has on social media described himself as a leftist, expressed “pro-Satan” views, and has stated support for Elizabeth Warren. Hummm I bet Mrs. Warren didn't see that one coming.

Connor Betts - Shooter

Only Old White Men Voted for Alabama Abortion Law - Wrong!

For starters the narrative that men, let alone old white men aren't qualified to vote on abortion legislation is fundamentally flawed.

First of all race doesn't matter and saying it does is racist.

Secondly, since when does being old mean unwise?

Thirdly, if men shouldn't vote on abortion then what about Roe v. Wade's 7-2 decision by an all male Supreme Court?

The Governor who signed Alabama's bill is a woman.  In November of 2018 Alabama voters approved "Amendment 2" which states an un-borne child has rights under Alabama law. This approval would  indicate that millions of Alabama women favored more restrictions on abortion. Furthermore, the Representative who sponsored the bill and brought it to the house floor is a woman. The Chairman of the Alabama Republican Party, who rallied for the vote, is a woman and finally nine of the eighteen women in the Alabama House of Representatives voted for the Bill.

The narrative that a bunch of old white men are trying to control women is a "prochoice" talking point that was repeated by a complicit media.

Women not men are behind this latest "Heart Beat" law that doesn't exempt rape or incest. There is little doubt it will be struck down by a Federal Court and it's unlikely the Supreme Court will chose to hear the case.

The narrative that these 25 men (Alabama State Senators) want to control women's reproductive "rights" in Alabama is misleading. Woman, not men are behind this law and saying it's just a bunch of old white men degrades the thoughts of millions of women!

Like Bill Clinton, I believe abortion should be safe, legal and rare. Unfortunately, abortion is NOT rare in the United States. Today roughly one out of every five pregnancies ends with an abortion. If you add up all the abortions in the United States since 1973 they would equal the entire population of Canada and Australia combined. No matter your religious beliefs, political leanings or other views it's hard to argue abortion is rare in the United States.

Note: Roughly 12,000 "pregnancies" past 20 weeks were aborted last year in the United States. Since 1973 there have been over 650,000 "late term" abortions and regardless of your politics there is absolutely no doubt that these were lives.

Note: To put things into perspective the number dead is the equivalent to dropping the largest bomb the US has (B83 with a thermonuclear yield of 1.2 Mt) on the city of Boston.

Identity Politics has to Stop

I've complained over the last few years about colleges having separate graduation ceremonies for blacks. I recently learned that some colleges are reverting back to segregated dormitories. The Supreme Court specifically ruled that separate but equal was not going to be the law of the land which is why "safe spaces" on college campuses where a person who lacks color is not welcome must be stopped immediately. The worst example has to be political events were white members of the press are not welcome.

Out of all the stupid things the "Left" has come up with in the last decade very few are more dangerous than identity politics. Basically, the Democratic party is now all in saying there is no difference between the sexes but the color of your skin is all important.

The Reverend Doctor King had it correct when he said his dream was for his children to be judged not by the color of the skin but the content of their character. Saying the sexes are equal is as stupid as thinking a man with slightly dark skin is any different than someone born with the white privilege of Appalachia.

I was just reading Thomas Sowell's book on basic economics where he explains how ignorant the French government was when declaring car insurance premiums must be the same for men and women when it's absolutely undeniable that young women are safer drivers than young men.

When we as a people ignore common sense and statistically backed evidence over what feels right it's time for things to change. The Left seems to think the future of our nation is a given or they will be just fine riding the decline of America. Maybe they are right but I'm not going to bet on their feelings.

Student Loan Program Federalized in 2010

In our busy lives we miss the signs that our democracy is slowly slipping away. Like a shrinking beach the changes are normally incremental and subtle with the occasional winter storm or hurricane causing massive erosion.

The 2010 complete federalization of the student loan program was a winter storm to the beach of our democracy. President Obama signed the Student Aid and Financial Responsibility Act which for all practical purposes eliminated private lending from the student loan marketplace and went largely unnoticed.

Even the chairwoman of the House Financial Services Committee didn't notice this significant change. How do you miss something that directly impacts 44 million students who collectively owe over 1.5 trillion to the government?

As of 2010 the guaranteed lending program was eliminated. Private banks nolonger participated in student loans a fact that clearly went unnoticed by chairwoman Maxine Waters as she grilled the heads of major banks on April 10th 2019.

Late Night With Seth Meyers

First of all I like Seth Meyers. The guy is funny, good hearted and really seems to enjoy what he does. He was brilliant on Saturday Night Live as a Weekend Update anchor. This morning I watched two episodes of Late Night (April 1st and 2nd) and was saddened.

Why two episodes? I just wanted to make sure the content that was so blatant in the 1st wasn't an aberration. Arggggggg, why does late night TV have to be so political? It was worse than watching MSNBC that jumped the shark the night Trump was elected.

Barack Obama's former Secretary of Homeland security recently said that anything more than 1,000 apprehensions a day is unmanageable and he doesn't know how DHS is processing 4,000. He called the current situation at our Southern boarder a crisis... Yet everything Trump is trying to do is a joke.

Making fun of the President is funny... The guy cheats at golf, says his dad was born in Germany and tweets out crazy shit at all hours of the night. It's funny, but the constant drum beat that he needs to be removed from office is just wrong. Continuing to insist the Russian's worked with his campaign to defraud Hillary Clinton in 2016 is seriously undercutting the administration and regardless of what you think not good for the country.

Maybe I'm delusional? Maybe I look at the administration in too positive of a light? I look at numbers for a living and the Trump administration has done things allowing businesses to grow at a level I didn't think was possible just two years ago. Matter of fact there were only a handful of economic experts who thought we would ever see 3% GDP growth again. Reducing corporate taxes, cutting out multiple layers of bureaucracy, encouraging overseas capital to repatriate, reducing small business and self-employed taxes by 20% was bold.

Everyone on the left and the mainstream media said the taxcut would bankrupt the country. That hasn't been the case.

US Treasury monthly revenues October 1980 to February 2019.

Good economic news, NATO paying more for its own defense, North Korea stopping its nuclear bomb and missile tests, two extremely qualified Supreme Court nominees, full employment in general and historical low unemployment for women and minorities is just part of a narrative you will not hear on Late Night.

The deep state or what I call the bureaucratic state has fought Trump at every turn and yet he keeps advancing his agenda. It's impossible to argue that the country is worse off now than it was just two years ago but yet the mainstream media and Seth Meyers believe that bashing in the President's head at every single opportunity is actually good for the country.

I wish the media, including late night hosts would read "Basic Economics" by Thomas Sowell. If more politicians and media pundits understood basic economic principles and how capitalism actually works the benefit would far outweigh the onslaught of visceral hatred of Donald Trump that spews forth on a daily basis.

Tax Remittances to Fund Border Security

Let me be absolutely clear, legal immigration is one of the greatest strengths of the United States. Immigrants who risk everything and desire to become Americans help drive our economy in so many immeasurable ways.

That said, in 2016 $116 billon dollars left the United States via money transfers. The bulk of these funds do great good for our neighbors to the South and shouldn't be restricted. However, I wonder how much of this money was taxed? How much is from criminal activity? How much is actually originates from government support payments?

If the funds collected by taxing remittances were used to offset boarder enforcement costs and improve the quality of our treatment of those who end up in custody at the boarder I'm all for it.

Oklahoma currently charges 1% for remittances and I suggest the federal government consider doing something similar. Charging 1-5% would have little impact on the good these funds do down south and would allow those living in the shadows in our country to pay their share.

PS Our asylum laws must be updated to reflect modern reality. Families traveling 2,000 thousand miles through Mexico to claim asylum in the United States is fraudulent at best. Furthermore, birthright citizenship should be re-evaluated as many countries in the world already have.

Venezuela Blockade and No-Fly Zone

America is the last remaining superpower but rarely do we act as such. It could be argued we are timid when it comes to flexing our economic and military might even though we typically flex it for the benefit of others.

Today things are a bit different. This week Russia landed approximately 100 troops in Venezuela and is clearly testing American influence in the region. The Monroe Doctrine, penned in 1823, is as valid today as ever and if South America is to remain peaceful, Russians (as well as Cubans) need to pack up and leave.

Since 1959 the United States, along with our South American friends, has conducted a maritime exercise called UNITAS for these situations. The United States should mobilize South America's Maritime defense in accordance with UNITAS training and blockade Venezuela. This blockade should extend to the air space above Venezuela. Venezuela should essentially become a no-fly zone.

At the same time the US, in coordination with the United Nations, should establish refugee camps along the boarders of Columbia, Brazil and Guyana.

The Venezuelan Constitution is very clear and the national Assembly has voted to declare the office of the President vacant. With the declaration of vacancy the leader of the national Assembly becomes interim president and this has been recognized by virtually every country in free world.

There are times it becomes important to go into harms way for the benefit of others and the stability of an entire region. This is one of those times. There are significant risks associated with action but the long term impact of no action must be weighed and Russia needs to understand Venezuela will not become another Crimea.

Many Airports Don't Use TSA

On November 19th, 2001 the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) became a government agency and it's time that we rethink its existence. Did you know many Airports with commercial flights do not use the TSA for security? Predictably their results are also consistently better than TSA. Some of the airports are: Rochester, Jackson Hole, Kansas City, Key West, Orlando, San Francisco, Sarasota, Sioux Falls and Seattle.

If the results of private airport security are consistently as good if not better than TSA why in the world do have a bloated government agency who's funding is at the whim of Congress or the pen of the President? It's likely the same reason we still have: The Rural Electrification Administration, The U.S. Geological Survey, The Economic Development Administration (EDA) which I just learned duplicates the activities of at least 62 other community development programs. The list goes on and the shear number of government agencies that Americans don't know exist and wouldn't miss is mind boggling.

Government isn't the solution... In my experience it's typically the problem and should get out of the way. George W. Bush was WRONG to establish the Department of Homeland Security and the TSA is just one of the reasons. It's time to rethink the existence of the TSA.

TSA Free Airports:

Atlantic City International Airport
Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport
Charles M. Schulz–Sonoma County Airport
Dawson Community Airport
Glacier Park International Airport
Greater Rochester International Airport
Havre City-County Airport
Jackson Hole Airport
Kansas City International Airport
Key West International Airport
L. M. Clayton Airport
Orlando Sanford International Airport
Portsmouth International Airport
Punta Gorda Airport
Roswell International Air Center     
San Francisco International Airport
Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport
Sidney-Richland Municipal Airport
Sioux Falls Regional Airport
Tupelo Regional Airport
Wokal Field/Glasgow International

The Deep State

I don't believe the "Deep State" is some official organization or even a group of leaders that get together and discuss how they want to run the country. It's the natural result of decades of government growth of an ever increasing bureaucracy. Once a department, agency, commission, board, etc... is created they are every increasingly impossible to eliminate.

Take for example the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) that was set up to regulate the railroads because fixed tracks didn't promote competition. This agency was "captured" by the industry to such an extent when the trucking industry was able to compete with trains they were regulated in such a way as to protect trains from competition. This lasted until 1980 when Congress eventually stepped in allowing trucks to compete. The result? Freight charges declined substantially with an increase in quality of service. Trucks became more dependable allowing those using their services to maintain smaller inventories which when applied to the entire country saved tens of billions of dollars.

Government Agencies

Government Departments

Official Executive Branch Websites  "This page contains Executive Branch sites only. With the time we have available, it is not possible to list every department agency..." Library of Congress

Every government agency, department, commission, board, etc... Should be required to have a website that concisely shows their legal mandate, mission, number of employees and annual budget each year. Furthermore, the public should be able to leave comments on these websites. Finally, significant rewards should be given to leaders, managers and workers who find a way to eliminate their jobs.

Hillary Never had a Government email Address?

HRC never used or even had a State Department email account?

Yep, I too am blown away that Hillary didn't have a State Department email address. Let me spell this out... she didn't have the ability to send emails from a goverment email server unless she went to the State Department's SCIF pronounced "skiff", which she loathed to do because it was a hassle.

Hillary repeatedly saying she did not send classified emails from her private server is akin to her statements about dodging sniper fire. Totally false, easy to verify and it's crystal clear she's not being truthful but yet repeatedly said over and over to the point I think it's fair to say she believes she is being truthful.

Why did the press give her a pass? Why did the lead FBI investigator (Peter Strzok) broom the investigation. Virtually anyone else doing this would spend time in jail... Seriously jail. Saying that it would be hard to prove she intended to break the law doesn't pass the smell test?

Only after her emails, server, devices, etc... Were subpoenaed by Congress did she take efforts delete 30,000 none work related emails, bleachbit the server and use hammers on her blackberries.

"There is evidence that they were extremely careless in their handling of very sensitive, highly classified information," Comey said of Clinton and her team.

Why did the FBI Director hold a press conference to make it clear the FBI was declining to prosecute Hillary Rodham Clinton? Seriously, that has to be one of the biggest overt broom jobs in the history of our Nation.

The truth will one day get out as it always does and I believe that when it does fair minded Americans will be shocked to the core while many will not even register the slightest out rage... As the mainstream media moves on to something more interesting than the overthrowing of our Democratic process.

What Exactly did Michael Cohen Plead Guilty To?

How many charges did Cohen actually plead guilty to? Nine charges? Eight Charges?

Lying to Congress about the Moscow real estate project was one and that was a bomb shell even though it's not really and Cohen never went to Moscow. Concealing more than $4 million of income from the IRS is pretty darn big. Lying to bankers about assets in order to obtain loans for which he otherwise wouldn't have qualified is a felony.

It seems the press is only interested in campaign finance violations because there salacious and implicate Trump. I was the treasurer of a congressional campaign and I had to learn the FEC rules and submit filings. The FEC campaign finance rules aren't that tough to understand if you remember their purpose is to provide transparency and hopefully prevent undue influence in our elections. The charges Michael Cohen pleaded guilty to were many but I'm pretty sure he didn't violate campaign finance law.

Can you follow the bias?

Michael Cohen sentenced to three years in prison for crimes committed while working for Trump - Washington Post

Michael Cohen, former Trump attorney, gets 3 years in prison for tax fraud, campaign finance violations, lying - Fox News

Michael Cohen Sentenced to 3 Years After Implicating Trump in Hush-Money Scandal - NYT

Michael Cohen sentenced to three years in prison after admitting he covered up Trump's 'dirty deeds' - CNN

Former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen sentenced to three years prison - Reuters

Cohen sentenced to three years in prison - The Hill

‘Dirty deeds’: Ex-Trump lawyer Cohen gets 3 years in prison - AP

Michael Cohen Sentenced To 3 Years In Prison Following Plea That Implicated Trump - NPR

Michael Cohen slams Trump as he’s sentenced to 3 years in prison - New York Post

Cohen gets 3 years in prison, blames Trump for his 'path of darkness' - ABC

Former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen sentenced to 3 years in prison - CBS

Michael Cohen sentenced to three years in federal prison - NBC

Michael Cohen gets 3 years in prison for tax fraud, campaign finance violations, lying to Congress, etc... - Dave Beemer

South Africa and Zimbabwe

In 2002 Zimbabwe confiscated white farmers land by gunpoint which resulted in a humanitarian catastrophe. By the end of March 2019, South Africa intends to repeat this while the West is silent.

Property rights are fundamental to democracy and I fear the world, specifically the West,  doesn't understand how significant this chain of events is going to be as the impact ripples through the world economy and psyche.

As always, I hope that there will come a day that skin color will matter as much as shoe size.

Trump is Anti Illegal Immigration?

I watch a lot of news and over and over I hear the same phrase... "Trump is anti immigration." Yep he hates immigration... Can't stand it and thinks it's destroying our country.

Wrong! Words matter and there is a big difference between illegal and legal immigration. His mom was born in Scotland and two of his three wives are foreign-born. It could safely be said that Donald Trump loves immigrants.

Why the disconnect?

The media HATES President Trump. They cried when he was elected and collectively they long since hung up their journalistic ethics. The mainstream media are to a person biased political hacks which seems like a crazy statement but for one fact... It's true.

STOP USING "IMMIGRATION" WHEN TALKING ABOUT "ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION." They are two completely different things.