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TV Wrestling …

May 2, 2017 by sergneri Leave a Comment

In the Washington Post today, Tom Toles has, per usual, a razor sharp commentary on Mr. Trump’s administration. To quote: “So the press would be well advised to cover Our National Nightmare’s proposals straight and report on the content and consequences of his legislative agenda, and not report it as TV wrestling.” Read the rest … [Read more…]

Posted in: Politics, Thinking about, This Day in History, Trump

The state of the Federal Budget

April 25, 2017 by sergneri Leave a Comment

The state of the Federal Budget – FY 2018 The Trump administration has sent a budget to Congress for fiscal year 2018. In broad brushstrokes, this is an anti-science, anti-poor, and pro-defense budget. It is also considered almost DOA in Congress and the resulting figures are open for speculation at this time. However, this should … [Read more…]

Posted in: Politics, Trump Tagged: Education, Federal Budget, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, labor, Transportation, Trump

National DNA DAY

April 24, 2017 by sergneri Leave a Comment

Tomorrow (04/25/2017) is Celebrate National DNA Day per the NIH. As my wife said at dinner, “Celebrate by sharing!” – love that woman. Sad truth is, the Trump administration wants to cut NIH funding by 18% in their proposed FY 2018 budget. As is noted in Science News ” Supporters of biomedical research call the … [Read more…]

Posted in: Faits Divers, Politics, Thinking about, Trump Tagged: 2018 Federal Budget, Funding cuts, NATIONAL DNA DAY, National Institues of Health, Science News, sciencenews.org, Trump

Early Automation Costs Jobs

April 13, 2017 by sergneri Leave a Comment

The following want-ad from the Sacramento Daily Union, 2 November 1857 is an early example of jobs being displaced by machines. TO MINERS.— A PORTABLE LOCO- MOTIVE ENGINE AND BOILER FOR SALE.— This machine was constructed for working shafts, is mounted on wagon wheels, and has a hoisting arrange- ment for dirt and water; can … [Read more…]

Posted in: California History, California Newspaper Archive, Faits Divers, Politics, Thinking about Tagged: Automation, labor, Mining

Our economy is a hellscape for consumers.

April 12, 2017 by sergneri Leave a Comment

An insightful op-ed piece in the Washington Post today, by Jacob Silverman. He says: Our economy is a hellscape for consumers. The United flier is the latest victim. Supposedly we live in a service-focused paradise where you can get anything you want. It’s a lie. The video in which police and airport security maul a … [Read more…]

Posted in: Politics, Racism, Thinking about Tagged: Air Travel, Airlines, Consumer, corporate power, dioramas of market dysfunction, marketization, power relationships, Privacy, skyboxification, Tomorrowland, Tracking

Ambassadors appointed by Trump

March 31, 2017 by sergneri Leave a Comment

Today is 70 days into Trump’s term in office, March 31, 2017. As of the 27th, his administration has appointed 6 of the 187 open ambassadorships. Don’t take my word for it, have a look at the American Foreign Service Association’s list and see for yourself. While in most cases there are veteran diplomats at … [Read more…]

Posted in: Politics, Trump Tagged: Department of State, Rex Tillerson, Trump, US Ambassadors

Buyer Beware: President Trump’s policies support both coal and natural gas, coal’s economic nemesis

March 30, 2017 by sergneri Leave a Comment

At a time when web based articles which tell the truth disappear, I’m copying this commentary here for “safe keeping”. This article can be found here: IEEE Spectrum – Trump and the EPA visit and you can support IEEE by reading it on their site, if it is available. Commentary: Photo Ops with Coal Miners … [Read more…]

Posted in: Politics, Thinking about, Trump Tagged: anthropogenic climate change, cement production, Clean Power Plan, climate change, combustion, deforestation, electric power, EPA, fossil fuel, IEEE Spectrum, President Trump, Rex Tillerson, Scott Pruitt

A few notes for Mr. Trump

March 28, 2017 by sergneri Leave a Comment

Here are copies of the letters I’ve sent to Mr. Trump. You can also send your message at The White House web site. 03/24/2017 Mr. Trump, We would remind you that since your inauguration only 65 days have passed. The silliness of your claims to have improved the job market, for example, are telling and … [Read more…]

Posted in: Faits Divers, Politics, Thinking about, Trump Tagged: Afghanistan, Ajit Pai, Argentina, Attorney General, coastal waters, Consumer Financial Protection Administration, Dodd-Frank, Donald Trump, EPA, Institute of Museum and Library Services, Jared Kushner, Jeff Sessions, Lies, Mick Mulvaney, mining cartels, NOAA, petroleum cartels, Robert Mercer, Sebastian Gorka, Steven Bannon, US Ambassadors

Too many “Goldman guys?”

March 16, 2017 by sergneri Leave a Comment

At the Intercept this thought provoking article about the Whitehouse’s abandonment of its populist rhetoric concerning Wall Street: That populist smokescreen is long gone now. Mnuchin and Donovan are just two of five Goldman expats in high-level positions on Trump’s team. Steve Bannon spent a limited time at Goldman Sachs, but White House assistant Dina … [Read more…]

Posted in: Politics, This Day in History, Trump Tagged: Dina Powell, Donald Trump, Gary Cohn, Goldman Sachs, Jay Clayton, Jim Donovan, Lloyd Blankfein, Reince Priebus, Steve Bannon, White House

Lest We Forget George

March 13, 2017 by sergneri Leave a Comment

Another insightful view of the damage done by George W Bush’s administration was published in the INTERCEPT, comparing Bush’s use of the press during the run up to the Iraq war against Trump’s incompetent battle with the press, 14 years after the Iraq invasion. Below, is a copy of some reminiscences of a series of … [Read more…]

Posted in: Politics, Thinking about Tagged: Carl Rove, evil doers, George W Bush, Harry S Truman, Iraq, Katrina, messianic zeal, Prescott Bush, torture, William McKinley
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