I ignored American politics until 2004 when — inexplicably — George W. Bush was elected for a second term after being unbelievably bad in his first term.
What the Hell was going on?
Jim VandeHei explains why the USA has such extreme politics in 2017: Newt Gingrich, Fox News (1996), MSNBC, CNN, Facebook and later Twitter, Sarah Palin and finally Trump.
Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert documented the idiocy.
I’m in Bermuda right now … hiding my vast wealth. 😀
According to the latest available figures, 63 percent of all the profits made outside of the United States by American multinationals are now reported in six low- or zero-tax countries: the Netherlands, Bermuda, Luxembourg, Ireland, Singapore and Switzerland. …
The NY Times has a comparatively simple article with graphics explaining how the stupidly rich hide their money … legally.
Last week’s hearings demonstrated that these companies may not be up to the challenge that they’ve created for themselves. In some instances, it seems that they’ve failed to take commonsense precautions to prevent the spread of propaganda, misinformation, and hate speech. …
… we can’t trust the companies to get it right …
… as has become alarmingly clear in recent months, these companies have unprecedented power to guide Americans’ access to information and potentially shape the future of journalism. It should go without saying that such power comes with great responsibility. …
ProPublica recently revealed that up until two months ago, Facebook allowed advertisers using the company’s self-service ad-buying platform to target more than 2,000 people who expressed interest in the topic of quote “Jew hater” and other antisemitic themes. …
As it stands now, Google and Facebook control 75% of all internet news traffic referrals …
Currently, Amazon controls over 83% of e-book sales, nearly 90% of online print sales, and almost 99% of digital audio sales.
Amazon has since used its unprecedented monopsony power to force publishers to agree to contract terms and conditions that the publishers say have stalled price competition …
… how do we ensure transparency and accountability from them going forward?
… specific guarantees of personal freedoms and rights, clear limitations on the government’s power in judicial and other proceedings, and explicit declarations that all powers not specifically delegated to Congress by the Constitution are reserved for the states or the people. …
The young, white slaveholders and others who put the American documents together did a surprisingly good job.
On the other hand the Constitution needs additional amendments. In very few ways does the USA lead the world when it comes to human rights.
The Memorial Wall is made up of two 246-foot-9-inch (75.21 m) long gabbro walls, etched with the names of the servicemen being honoured …
As many do, I found is stark, simple and evocative. All the names a sharp rebuke to those in politics and the military who stupidly decided to have the USA fight in Vietnam. Sadly Trump and his military henchmen are not likely to have learned the lessons of Vietnam nor Iraq.
Within the walled triangle are 19 stainless steel statues …each larger than life-size, between 7 feet 3 inches (2.21 m) and 7 feet 6 inches (2.29 m) tall; each weighs nearly 1,000 pounds (500 kg). …
Dead — United States: 54,246,[9] United Nations: 628,833[10]
Wounded — United States: 103,284, United Nations: 1,064,453.
Captured — United States: 7,140, United Nations: 92,970.
Missing — United States: 8,177,[11][12] United Nations: 470,267.
Despite the huge casualty list you don’t hear much about the Korean War any longer.
Adjacent to the National Mall in Washington, D.C., the USHMM provides for the documentation, study, and interpretation of Holocaust history. It is dedicated to helping leaders and citizens of the world confront hatred, prevent genocide, promote human dignity, and strengthen democracy. …
Since its dedication on April 22, 1993, the Museum has had nearly 40 million visitors, including more than 10 million school children, 99 heads of state, and more than 3,500 foreign officials from over 211 countries. …
On entry you are given a booklet ID card of a Jew killed in the holocaust.
I got Thomas Elek executed by Nazi firing squad on Feb 21, 1944 at the age of 20.
It’s a sobering experience to focus on just one individual of the millions murdered.
My visited reminded me of a prominent, intelligent, influential, articulate Jewish American who’s stridently right wing. Strongly anti-Muslim. Against immigration.
When I pointed out that his statements were exactly what many have said about the Jews over the past few hundred years … he told me his Islamophobia was completely different.
No President, not even Washington, inspires Americans more than honest Abe.
There are well over 15,000 books written about him.
Ford Theater bookstore
I visited the Lincoln Memorial twice. It’s very popular at dusk.
His statue could not be more impressive.
Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention were hosting an Out of the Darkness Walk here when I visited.
In 1963 Martin Luther King, Jr., delivered his “I have a dream…” speech here.
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal’.
Lincoln’s work is far from finished. He needs inspire many more for many generations to come.
Rick McCharles 