Even if you think you know a lot, this is an amazing conversation.

FASCINATING 

Why isn't Tony Fauci in prison?
You'll wonder after you watch
"Thank You, Dr. Fauci," now out
on TCN. Jenner Furst made the
documentary. Even if you think
you know a lot, this is an
amazing conversation. 

Journalism at its best.  See video below. 

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We haven't thought this through.

 Updated (See 2nd video)

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The Health Insurance Paradox

The Opinion Pages

The Health Insurance Paradox: Navigating the Labyrinth of UnitedHealth Group’s Influence

By Ronald Beaty

In the intricate web of American healthcare, UnitedHealth Group (UHC) stands as both a titan of industry and a lightning rod for controversy. As the nation grapples with the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, the actions and policies of UHC reflect broader systemic challenges that demand our attention. This op-ed seeks to dissect the complexities surrounding UHC, offering a centrist perspective that neither absolves nor vilifies but rather calls for a nuanced understanding of the issues at hand.

First, let us unequivocally condemn the recent, tragic murder of UHC’s CEO, an act that underscores not only the personal loss to his family and colleagues but also the dangerous extremes to which frustration with the healthcare system can lead. However, this piece will focus beyond that single event to explore systemic issues.

UHC’s vast influence in the healthcare sector is undeniable. With a market share that touches nearly every aspect of healthcare from insurance to pharmacy services via its Optum division, UHC has the potential to drive significant positive changes. Yet, this power also comes with a litany of criticisms, from claim denial rates to ethical questions about the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare administration.

One of the most glaring criticisms is the high rate of claim denials. Statistics reveal that UHC often denies claims at a rate higher than the industry average, leaving patients in a Kafkaesque battle for their deserved healthcare benefits. While there’s an argument that such denials prompt a necessary review process to prevent fraud or unnecessary procedures, the human cost of these denials—delayed or denied care—cannot be understated. This practice raises ethical questions about whether the focus is on patient care or profit margins.

Moreover, the integration of AI into claims processing has been both a marvel and a minefield. On one hand, AI offers the promise of efficiency, reducing administrative costs and expediting claim reviews. On the other, it has sparked a debate on fairness and transparency. The opaque decision-making process of AI algorithms, often leading to erroneous denials, has not only cost UHC in terms of public trust but also in legal challenges, where the company has been accused of prioritizing financial outcomes over patient health.

The question then arises: how do we balance innovation with ethics? UHC’s role in this debate is pivotal. As one of the largest insurers, its practices could set precedents. Transparency in AI decision-making, perhaps through public audits or an oversight board, could ensure that technology serves the patient first, not just the company’s bottom line.

UHC’s business model also illustrates a broader tension within the American healthcare system: the profit-driven versus the care-driven approach. Critics argue that UHC’s forays into health service provision, like home health and pharmacy services, are strategic moves to control costs and increase profits, potentially at the expense of independent providers and patient choice. While competition can drive innovation and reduce costs, it must not do so by stifling smaller players or by compromising care quality.

From a centrist perspective, the solution isn’t to dismantle such conglomerates but to regulate them more effectively. Policy suggestions could include:

– Mandatory Transparency Reports: Requiring insurers to detail claim denial rates, reasons, and appeal outcomes to foster accountability.

– Ethical AI Standards: Establishing guidelines for AI use in healthcare to ensure decisions align with medical ethics, not just cost-saving algorithms.

– Antitrust Oversight: Enhancing scrutiny of vertical integration within healthcare to prevent monopolistic practices while recognizing the benefits of coordinated care.

To translate these policy suggestions into tangible reforms, several key steps can be taken. Firstly, the implementation of mandatory transparency reports could be facilitated through the establishment of a centralized database, where insurers are required to submit detailed breakdowns of claim denial rates and outcomes. This data can then be utilized to inform the development of industry-wide standards for claim review processes. Secondly, ethical AI standards can be codified through the creation of an independent oversight board, comprised of experts in healthcare, ethics, and AI development. This board can be tasked with reviewing AI-driven decision-making processes, identifying potential biases, and recommending corrective actions. Finally, antitrust oversight can be strengthened by granting regulatory bodies enhanced authority to scrutinize mergers and acquisitions, ensuring that such transactions do not compromise patient care or stifle innovation. By pursuing these concrete measures, we can create a more equitable, patient-centric healthcare system.

Another point of contention is UHC’s reliance on government programs for revenue. While this dependency ensures coverage for millions under Medicare and Medicaid, it also means that UHC is highly sensitive to political winds. Here, the balance lies in advocating for stable, well-funded public health programs that do not fluctuate wildly with political changes, ensuring that both the insurer and the insured have predictability in healthcare coverage.

The public perception of UHC, influenced by these issues, has led to significant criticism. Yet, it’s crucial to acknowledge that UHC also provides invaluable services. Their investment in technology has the potential to revolutionize patient care through telehealth, data analytics for personalized medicine, and preventive health initiatives. These innovations could be the beacon for a future where healthcare is not just about treatment but about holistic health management.

The path forward is one of balance. UHC must be held accountable for its practices that diminish patient care or ethical standards. Simultaneously, we must recognize its capacity to lead in healthcare innovation. The public, policymakers, and the industry itself must engage in a dialogue that transcends partisan lines, focusing on outcomes for patients rather than profits for corporations.

In conclusion, UHC’s story is emblematic of the broader challenges within American healthcare. It’s a narrative of potential versus pitfalls, where the direction we choose can redefine healthcare for millions. We need a system where insurers like UHC are not just profit centers but partners in health, where technology and policy work in concert for the good of all. This is not just about reforming one company but about envisioning a healthcare system that truly serves the public interest.

This vision requires all stakeholders—government, industry, and citizens—to come together, ensuring that healthcare in America moves towards a future where fairness, innovation, and care are not just ideals but realities.

Ronald Beaty is a graduate of Boston College, a former Barnstable County Commissioner, and a lifelong resident of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

NOTHING IS INEVITABLE UNTIL IT HAPPENS*

*This is the documentary that made you glad that FOX News fired Tucker Carlson.  How else would you know what is discussed herein?  

Answer: You wouldn't. 

 

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Side note: When the talk centers on the reference to the Doomsday Clock you may recall that I also was aware of it back in 2009 and 2014. But what do know 🤔? 

Why would anyone want to listen to this guy? I'd find something better to do on February 20th.

FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY®

FAU Events Calendar

Florida Atlantic University

Thursday, February 20, 2025

Joe Scarborough:

The Presidency After the Election - The Story So Far and What Comes Next

My rant for today. Art sculptures by a guy named Michael and a deadly virus.

There's an interesting character by the name of Michael Alfano who posts stories on a website by the same name.  The stories are short and revolve around the world of art and unique sculptures located at various locations; some of which I am very familiar for having lived there at or traveled through during my lifetime.  Some stories I find a bit odd because their controversial nature.  I say odd because who in their right mind would request an honoriam for a deadly virus that almost destroyed the entire country...or should I say, "world".  

"Michael was invited by the Boston Globe to submit a design proposal for a COVID memorial as part of the paper’s series of articles marking the pandemic as the US death toll reached one million."  My immediate response was, "How sick is that?"  But Boston has been on the decline for several years so the Globe has no immunity and the death toll is reflected in its obituaries.  The virus did not spare Boston so why honor it with a sunflower.  Would not the Corpse flower be more appropriate? -

Storm'n Norm'n

For more on Michael Alfano go here: https://www.michaelalfano.com/news/

And tell me Iran is just rubbing two sticks together to start a fire.

 

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EMP ATTACK has the count down begun?

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When the veil lifts, it will be the greatest revelation in history. (And other wishful thoughts.)

I'm not even sure the author of the following is attributed to its rightful owner, but I leave it the way I found it none the less.

Kash Patel is the Senior director of the Counterterrorism Directorate at the U.S. National Security Council and is Donald Trump's choice to be the next Director of the FBI.  But I want it understood that many of us did not have to have some fancy security title at the National Security Council to observe the obvious concerning Joe Biden: 

"The man you see isn’t real. A puppet, a stand-in, a literal actor wearing a mask, controlled by the elites. Biden’s inconsistencies, his strange behavior—it’s because the real one is long gone. What we are witnessing is an illusion, orchestrated by the deep state but controlled by white hats. Kamala Harris? Pelosi? Both compromised, both playing roles in the collapse of the shadow government."

I wish you well Mr. Patel, the cleaning of the swamp is going to be hell and I hope you're not afraid of the Obama connection, for he should not go unpunished for his role in the mess we're in. 

Also, I shouldn't have to remind you that there's nothing written in our Constitution that gives the Justice Department the authority not to arrest a sitting president.  No one one is above the law. Period.  That means your boss. Attorney General Merrick Garland should be looking for a new job; preferably making automobile license plates. - N.E.H.

The Ultimate Red Pill By Kash Patel

Trump Signals Green Light—His ‘Mistakes’ Are Secret Codes in a Covert Military Operation to Dismantle the Deep State!

Donald Trump isn’t just a political leader—he’s the spearhead of the most critical operation in human history. Everything you’ve been told by the media is a lie. Trump is part of a global military intelligence alliance with one mission: to dismantle the deep state—a shadow government controlling every major event in history.

You think Trump made “mistakes”? Think again. Every decision he made, every so-called fumble, was calculated. A strategic masterpiece that makes ordinary politics look like a sideshow. Trump’s appointments? Part of the plan. Fauci, Wray, Barr—they’re all pawns in a game bigger than anyone can imagine. Each one placed under the microscope to expose the deep state from the inside.

And Biden? The man you see isn’t real. A puppet, a stand-in, a literal actor wearing a mask, controlled by the elites. Biden’s inconsistencies, his strange behavior—it’s because the real one is long gone. What we are witnessing is an illusion, orchestrated by the deep state but controlled by white hats. Kamala Harris? Pelosi? Both compromised, both playing roles in the collapse of the shadow government.

The media? Every word is scripted, every story a fabrication to keep you in fear. Trump exposed them for what they are—a mouthpiece of the deep state. Now, the final act of this battle is upon us. Military intelligence isn’t just fighting on this plane. They have tech far beyond our comprehension—anti-gravity, cloaking devices, energy sources that break the rules of physics.

This is the moment of truth. When the veil lifts, it will be the greatest revelation in history. We are on the edge of victory, and the deep state is in its death throes. Stay awake, stay vigilant, and trust that the patriots behind Trump have already won the battle for humanity. 

CRIME IS UP DRAMATICALLY, CRIME REPORTING IS DOWN RATICALLY

The radical left (AKA Democrats) would have you believe your safer than previously thought. 

 

The Conservative Case for Women in Combat

 The following from: American Spectator

Another Perspective 

The Conservative Case for Women in Combat

Let’s ensure that our military remains the world’s finest by drawing on the full spectrum of talent America offers.

by Ronald Beaty - November 28, 2024

In an era where traditional norms are under scrutiny, and the landscape of American defense policy is evolving, the integration of women into combat roles within the U.S. military presents both an opportunity and a challenge. As conservatives, we advocate for a strong national defense, personal responsibility, and the principles of equality and merit. It’s within this framework that the question of women serving in combat should be addressed, not through the lens of progressive agendas but through the conservative values of duty, capability, and national strength.

Merit Over Gender

First and foremost, the military must be a meritocracy. If a woman can pass the same rigorous physical and psychological tests as her male counterparts, why should she not have the right to serve in any capacity, including combat? The conservative ethos champions individual achievement. We must extend this principle to all who wish to serve, focusing on capability, not chromosomes.

This isn’t about changing the military to fit a social agenda; it’s about ensuring we have the strongest, most capable defense force.

Historical Precedents and National Security

History is replete with examples of women stepping into combat roles when the need arose, from the Revolutionary War to WWII. These instances weren’t driven by social experiments but by necessity. Today, with warfare evolving — incorporating cyber warfare, drone operations, and asymmetric threats — the traditional need for brute strength is less paramount. Intellectual acumen, strategic thinking, and adaptability are increasingly vital. Women, no less than men, can offer these attributes, thereby enhancing our strategic depth.

Addressing Physical Demands

The physical demands of combat are undeniable. Here, the conversation must pivot to address not just the capability but the specific physical requirements. The military has begun to adapt its training and standards to ensure that all combat roles are filled by soldiers who can meet the physical demands, regardless of gender. This includes:

– Adjusted Training Regimens:

Recognizing different physical makeups, training can be tailored to increase the overall strength and endurance of all soldiers. This isn’t about lowering standards but making them universally achievable through targeted fitness programs that might emphasize different muscle groups or endurance capacities.

– Equipment Innovation:

Modern military technology can also play a role. Exoskeletons, designed to augment human strength, and lighter, more ergonomic gear can help level the playing field. Research into such technologies should be accelerated to ensure that physical disparities do not hinder operational effectiveness.

While some critics have raised concerns that integrating women into combat roles could compromise unit cohesion and performance, empirical evidence suggests otherwise. Studies conducted by the U.S. military have shown that units with women have performed just as well as units without women in combat roles. Moreover, the experience of countries like Canada, the UK, and Israel, which have successfully integrated women into combat roles, demonstrates that with proper training, leadership, and policies in place, gender integration can actually enhance unit cohesion and performance.

By fostering a culture of mutual respect, trust, and equality, military units can leverage the varied skills, perspectives, and experiences that women bring to the table, ultimately leading to more effective and cohesive teams. The military, like any institution, thrives when it can draw from the widest talent pool. If variety means having the best possible force, then conservatives should not shy away from this truth.

Call to Women and All Willing Americans

The addition of women in combat roles isn’t a concession or a compromise; it’s a strategic evolution that aligns with conservative values of individual responsibility, merit-based advancement, and a strong defense posture. By embracing this change, we’re not just modernizing our military; we’re affirming that the duty to defend our nation is not gender-specific. It’s a call to all capable and willing Americans.

Let’s ensure that our military remains the world’s finest, not by clinging to the past, but by drawing on the full spectrum of talent America offers. This isn’t about changing the military to fit a social agenda; it’s about ensuring we have the strongest, most capable defense force, which in turn strengthens America’s position in the world.

In this, we find not just a policy adjustment but a reaffirmation of our core conservative values: strength, readiness, equality of opportunity, and the honor of serving our country.

Here's a toast to our warriors in uniform.

The Biden/Harris Administration (Democrats) will spend million$ on these illegal immigrants by providing them with food, shelter (first class hotels), pre-paid cell phones, and /a monthly stipend while the soldiers at Fort Carson dine on a piece of.toast and lima beans. 

Soldiers were recently served toast and
lima beans for dinner at Fort Carson 

FOR SOLDIERS AT FORT CARSON FOOD IS SCARCE 

Military.com

 | By Steve Beynon

Published November 26, 2024 at 4:46pm ET

As Americans gather for Thanksgiving feasts, soldiers at Fort Carson, Colorado, are contending with a far less festive reality -- months of insufficient meals, confusing schedules, and limited food options at the base's dining facilities that have ignited widespread frustration among the rank and file.

Dining facilities -- critical for sustaining the health and readiness of troops -- are reportedly offering fewer options, with some meals falling short of basic nutritional standards. Earlier this month, the issue was exemplified by a meal in which soldiers were served a single piece of toast and a handful of lima beans for dinner, according to one soldier stationed there who shared imagery of the meal. Even getting access to those limited rations can be hard, given confusing dining hall schedules and seemingly random closures that make it difficult for many to access hot meals.

Military.com's interviews with eight soldiers and review of photos from Fort Carson facilities found recurring problems. Food runs out quickly, and portions often fall short of the macronutrient requirements needed to sustain soldiers' demanding physical regimens, likely running afoul of service regulations on feeding requirements for troops. Some soldiers reported and shared photos of food that was undercooked or stored at dangerous temperatures.

"This has been a division-wide issue with the [dining facilities] on workdays and kiosks on the weekend," said one soldier stationed at the base, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the press. "The people who deal with it the worst are the soldiers who live in the barracks and don't have a car."

The issue is twofold. Troops reported being served food that was either improperly prepared or unavailable by the time they reached the end of the line. Kiosks, intended to replace dining facilities in some circumstances with grab-and-go options, are frequently empty, particularly during peak times when soldiers finish their shifts.

When kiosk shelves are stocked, they're often filled with chips, sugary snacks and other items that soldiers say fall short of the nutritional standards required to maintain physical fitness as demanded by their jobs. Frustration over food issues has prompted some unit leaders to instruct troops to document the issue, capturing photos of the low-quality food or barren shelves to escalate concerns to higher-level leadership, though it's unclear what official complaints have been filed.

"We recognize that we've had some challenges with consistency in the quality of our soldiers' dining experiences at our warrior restaurants and kiosks," Lt. Col. Joseph Payton, a base spokesperson, said in a statement to Military.com. "We're committed to ensuring our soldiers receive quality and healthy meals and can take full advantage of their meal benefit they are entitled to receive."

Payton added that the issue has been brought to brigade-level leadership, which is investigating methods to boost the quality of food options for soldiers.

Fort Carson has 4,600 meal card holders, mostly junior enlisted soldiers who would normally rely on the dining facilities for meals. In most cases, barracks do not have cooking appliances, and soldiers are generally forbidden to have kitchen tools such as hot plates. Other food options, which soldiers would have to pay for, are mostly less healthy fast food restaurants such as Pizza Hut, Dunkin' Donuts and Arby's.

In 2024, the base served food to 591 soldiers on average each day, according to data provided by the service. That number also includes meals purchased and consumed by non-meal card holding troops -- meaning the raw percentage of junior soldiers living on base who use the dining facilities may be in the single digits some days.

Compounding the frustration is the financial strain hunting for alternative food options can cause for troops. Soldiers contribute an average of $460 per month from their Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS), a mandatory deduction that collectively totals approximately $22 million annually at Fort Carson. However, the base's food budget this year was just $5 million. How the remaining funds are allocated remains unclear. A 2022 report from the Government Accountability Office found that the Army does not adequately track how often its food services are used by service members.

Some Army officials have pointed to soldiers using dining facilities less and less in recent years as driving decisions to cut spending. It has produced something of a self-fulfilling prophecy, with less investment in quality food and infrastructure pushing even fewer soldiers to see those food options as viable -- despite automatically paying for that food out of their paychecks.

Soldiers have reported waiting in line for up to 30 minutes at Fort Carson dining facilities, only to be served small portions that fall far short of a full meal. In one instance, a soldier recounted being handed just a small bowl of soup and an apple.

On Hots & Cots, a Yelp-style platform where soldiers review barracks and dining options, complaints about food quality and availability at Fort Carson are significantly higher than at other installations, according to the app's internal data.

However, the issue is not isolated to Fort Carson. Last year, Military.com reported on similar struggles at Fort Cavazos, Texas -- in which junior enlisted soldiers had few options for food as the garrison struggled to juggle a severe shortage of food service workers. Soldiers also frequently report issues with undercooked food or inconsistent dining facility schedules on Reddit and other social media.

Senior officials have often pointed to difficult logistics in mapping out how much food to supply soldiers and getting them quality nutrition. However, it's unclear why those challenges have persisted in the force for years.

"Are we gonna fumble? Yes, but we're learning," Renee Mosher, deputy chief of staff, G4 HQ Army Materiel Command, which oversees logistics for the force, said when asked about food issues at Fort Carson in October at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) conference in Washington, D.C.

Related: Army Pumping Millions into Food Kiosks, But They May Soon Be Obsolete

WHY TRUMP WON (Because the 'has been' lost.)

Back in 2012 at the Democrat National Convention, the Party literally voted God off the Democrat National Platform.  God went without being mentioned in the years that followed.  I don't recall hearing them speak about God anytime since.  Deep down I felt that was a losing strategy regardless what promises of a future utopia they had planned for us.  And along came 2024 and my strategic forethought became a reality.  The Democrats lost not only the electoral college vote, but the popular vote as well.

Donald Trump, on the other hand, spoke of religion and Christianity as the biggest things missing from America today.  Surely the sound of God. - N.E.H.

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I don't think it's necessary to mention the loser's name for she herself often said, "What can be, unburdened by what has been."  So we shouldn't be burdened by a 'has been'.  Everything about this Democrat Party’s run up to any preconceived victory was purely delusional. 

How is it that hateful people are happy being hateful?

 

Do you pray?

There's a sense that we have that's unexplainable to others until one day someone comes along and tells us what it is.

"...those of us who know in our bones that there’s something deadening about the way we live but not how to set about fixing it." - Mary Wakefield 

Count me in as a member of 'Those of us who know in our bones club" - N.E.H.

Mary Wakefield

WE MUST LEARN TO PRAY AGAIN

God is real, Rod Dreher insists, and we’re born to be in communion with him. But the focus and mental commitment that prayer requires are impossible if we’re forever doom-scrolling.

Saturday, November 23, 2024

In The Spectator’s basement kitchen a few weeks ago, I cornered a young colleague, Angus Colwell, and asked him what he made of Rod Dreher’s new book Living in Wonder. The thrust of it is that we are not in an age of enlightenment so much as “endarkenment” (Dreher’s term) and that, having turned our backs on God, we have become easy pickings for demonic forces.

“Oh Lord,” said Angus, turning wearily away, “I’m so sick of demons.”

This delighted me then and still delights me, both because it’s so surreal and also because it rings so true. If you’d told me ten years ago that young political types in 2024 would be talking knowingly about the ancient devil-gods of the Mesopotamian region — Moloch, Ishtar and Baal — I’d have said your vape was spiked. But sure as Donald Trump is back in the White House, serious talk of angels and demons is now almost normal in conservative circles.

Tucker Carlson, the former talk show host and a friend of Trump announced recently in an interview with Dreher that he had actually been “mauled by a demon” when lying in bed one night. The attack left him bleeding, he says, and with scars from the demon’s claw marks. And almost the strangest thing about this story was how very little attention it received. The new vice president, J.D. Vance, is a friend of Dreher’s too, and did a fascinating interview with him for the Lamp magazine in which he explained that he’d converted to Catholicism in response to the “civilizational crisis.

It’s easy to sneer, but, as Dreher points out, the humanist worldview that honors liberty and natural rights all emerged from Christianity and the haunted world of faith, prayer and demons. And it’s far from a given that our ethics, our “kindness,” will survive Christianity’s decline. “Put simply,” Dreher writes, “we really are living in a crucible, as the fourth century was for the pagans of Rome. Either we will recover enchanted Christianity or we will succumb to chaos and cruelty.”

Dreher himself is a convert to orthodox Christianity, by way of Catholicism, and Living in Wonder is a sort of sequel to his best known book to date, The Benedict Option. In that, he urged fellow Christians to follow the example set by Benedict of Nursia and form self-sufficient communities — little pockets of resistance to the prevailing culture. This latest book addresses a wider audience: those of us who know in our bones that there’s something deadening about the way we live but not how to set about fixing it; those of us who’ve quite forgotten how to pray.

To describe the state we find ourselves in now, Dreher borrows a term from a Harvard anthropologist, Joe Hendrick, who has labeled us WEIRD: Western Educated Industrialized Rich and Democratic. We WEIRDos have until recently imagined ourselves to be at the very cutting edge of human existence: advancing, inventing, and banishing suffering. But the optimism of the 1980s has now given way to despair. Liberalism has collapsed into nut-job narcissism and the po-faced mania for choosing your own “identity.” The young are anxious and the old are lonely and it’s hard to argue with that.

The consensus solution emerging among the middle classes is that the West can recover if it only learns to live without smartphones again. We must limit their use for children, ban porn and “let kids grow” — meaning, let them briefly out of our sight.

For Dreher, this is a pitifully inadequate response. Living in Wonder is a great blast of a book, an exhortation with the urgency of biblical prophecy. God is real, insists Dreher, and we’re born to be in communion with Him. We’ve become like fish flopping and gasping in the open air, living in the wrong medium. We need to flop back into the water. In other words, we need to learn to pray again properly and meet our maker in prayer.

Smartphones do actually come in for a kicking in the book but in a slightly unusual way. Prayer requires focus and mental commitment, says Dreher. But because God is a being, not just a fix, his presence cannot be commanded. “The best we can do is to keep ourselves in a state of watchful waiting.” But how can you wait watchfully, or even pray, when you’re doomscrolling and your brain is trained to require constant stimulation? You can’t. I’m a smartphone addict and this much I really do know.
So if Dreher’s right, and the devil is abroad, then he’s played a blinder. In hooking us on smartphone-scrolling, he’s well on his way to destroying our ability to pray. Like a psycho in an old-fashioned thriller, he’s severed the landline before he enters the house. This thought has chilled me almost more than all the exorcisms and demonic clawing.

This article was originally published in The Spectator’s UK magazine.

When composing an editorial which deals with Our Founding Fathers it is sometimes difficult to focus on an individual when so many others are deserving of that capitalized title.  Mr. Ronald Beaty's editorial manages to portray a trio whose names should be familiar to all Americans, Washington, Jefferson, and Franklin, all fitting of the title, Triad of Liberty.

I would be hard pressed to confine myself to the trio by adding some names of the deep state of colonial times to the roster of men who may have met at the Green Dragon Tavern, planning the soon to be revolution.  I would at least like to add a fourth name that doesn't resonate with the sound of liberty but what James Otis has to say does; and does so profoundly.  “Taxation without representation is tyranny.”  Most any history buff certainly recognizes those words, “Taxation without representation...”  but now you know its author.   Otis was also instrumental in bringing Natural Law into the discourse without which, would not be incorporated into the Declaration of Independence.

“When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.”

Jefferson's pen scratched out those words but not without consulting with James Otis.

~ Norm Hooben ~

November 21, 2024

The triad of liberty

By Ronald Beaty

In these times of political polarization, where ideological rifts threaten to cleave the very fabric of our society, we often search for historical precedents to guide our path forward. The founding fathers, especially the triumvirate of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin, offer not only inspiration but critical lessons for today’s conservatives and indeed, for all Americans.

The American Revolution, a crucible that forged a nation, was steered by these men, whose personal and political relationships illuminate a path through our current discord.

George Washington, revered as a unifying figure, demonstrated a leadership style steeped in stoicism, duty, and the concept of a united front against external threats. His refusal to become America’s king, choosing instead to retire after two terms, established a cornerstone of American democracy: the peaceful transfer of power. In our era, where political offices are treated as personal fiefdoms, Washington’s model of leadership serves as a stark reminder of what true statesmanship entails. Conservatives today should champion this model, emphasizing duty to country over personal ambition, promoting leaders who seek to unify rather than divide, even amidst fierce political competition.

Thomas Jefferson, the architect of liberty, penned words that continue to echo through time. Yet, his life presents a paradox: a champion of freedom who did not extend these rights universally in his practice. This contradiction teaches us a valuable lesson about the ongoing nature of the American experiment. Jefferson’s vision was not static but evolving. Conservatives, while often accused of clinging to the past, must remember that the principles Jefferson espoused require continual re-examination to ensure they serve all citizens, not just a select few. This isn’t about rewriting history but rectifying its course, acknowledging past errors while pushing forward with the core values of liberty and equality.

Benjamin Franklin, the quintessential American, was a master of compromise, diplomacy, and innovation. His ability to navigate European courts for American aid showcases the importance of strategic patience and adaptability in politics. In today’s hyper-partisan environment, Franklin’s pragmatism is a beacon. Conservatives, often criticized for inflexibility, could learn from Franklin’s willingness to engage in dialogue, to find common ground where none seems to exist. It’s not about diluting one's principles but finding ways to implement them effectively through cooperation and understanding.

From a conservative perspective, these leaders embody the virtues of self-reliance, limited government, and individual liberty. However, their lives also offer a critique of conservatism’s potential pitfalls.

Balancing tradition with progress. While conservatives cherish tradition, the lives of Washington, Jefferson, and Franklin illustrate that tradition must evolve. They didn’t cling to British rule; they sought to improve upon it. Today’s conservatism must similarly evolve, adapting to new challenges while preserving core values.

The role of statesmanship. Washington’s leadership style suggests that true statesmanship is about rising above partisan bickering for the common good. This is a call for conservative leaders to prioritize national welfare over party lines, fostering a climate where debate is healthy, not hostile.

The value of intellectual engagement. Jefferson and Franklin were intellectuals whose contributions went beyond politics. Conservatives should not shy away from intellectual engagement but should lead in areas like education, science, and diplomacy, areas where these founders excelled.

The relationships among these men were complex, often fraught with personal and political tension, yet they managed to work towards a common goal. This synthesis of their personal virtues and political ideals could be a blueprint for today.

Unity Over Division. Emphasizing what unites us as Americans, focusing on shared values rather than divisive issues.

Intellectual Leadership. Encouraging a renaissance in conservative thought, where ideas are not just defended but developed, in line with Jefferson’s and Franklin’s lifelong learning.

Pragmatic Leadership. Adopting Franklin’s approach to find practical solutions to contemporary problems, advocating for policies that can garner bipartisan support.

Moral Consistency. Confronting contradictions within our history and current policies, striving for a consistency with our founding principles, much like Jefferson’s later reflections on slavery.

In conclusion, the legacies of Washington, Jefferson, and Franklin are not relics to be revered from a distance but living lessons. For a conservative movement that often looks to the past for guidance, these founders offer a nuanced approach: to honor tradition not by preserving it unchanged but by using it as a foundation for innovation and moral progress. As we navigate the choppy waters of contemporary politics, let us draw from their wisdom, striving for a conservatism that is both rooted and forward-looking, embodying the spirit of those who first envisioned this great nation. This isn’t just about conserving; it’s about advancing with purpose, guided by the stars of liberty, unity, and intellectual vigor set by the founding triad.

Trump... Who the hell is advising you?

 

Our Lady's warnings for the Church.

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Ignoring Our Lady: a risk the Church can't afford

In his talk at LifeSite's Rome Life Forum in Kansas City, Xavier Reyes-Ayral reflects on various Marian apparitions and Our Lady's warnings for the Church. Discussing the significance of the Third Secret of Fatima, Reyes-Ayral sounds the alarm on the influence of Satan among the highest levels of Church leadership and the widening divisions between bishops and cardinals. Reyes-Ayral explains that faithful Catholics cannot afford to ignore Our Lady's prophetic messages, which urge us to repent and turn to Our Lord for deliverance from the coming chastisement.

STOP

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MORE INSANITY 

Trump’s first week in office.

 

TEN POINTS WORTH CONSIDERING by Andrew Wallace

 

It is Impossible for Trump to Drain the Swamp Unless He Obeys the Constitution!

By Andrew Wallace|November 19th, 2024

By Andrew Wallace

November 20, 2024

To save the economy from hyperinflation, a worthless currency, and a great depression, the federal budget must be reduced by about two trillion dollars, requiring also a return to Constitutional Law!

I support President Trump because his promises will stop the destruction of the Republic, TEMPORARILY. But near-term survival requires reducing the budget by at least two trillion dollars a year, which can be easily accomplished by following the mandates of the Constitution. Now, a majority of the federal government is unconstitutional and is a functioning criminal enterprise. We all should agree.

Following are only some of the changes that must be made to return to Constitutional government and economic survival:

1. Terminate unconstitutional departments such as Education, Agriculture, Labor, Transportation, Energy, Health and Human Services, and Housing and Urban Development. The Constitution limits these functions to the states, and definitely NOT to the federal government. It should be required that some income taxes collected by the federal government in a state be returned back to that state. Federal government can make up the difference with tariffs and by elimination of unconstitutional departments and functions, as the creators intended.

2. Terminate the private, unconstitutional Federal Reserve Bank and return to gold and silver currency as required by the Constitution. We have fiat money because swamp can’t print gold to finance wars for profit or boondoggles, and to enable them to rob the people with inflation. The Great Depression was caused by the Federal Reserve Bank inflating and deflating fiat currency, allowing the wealthy to buy property for pennies on the dollar. The Federal government was financed 100% by tariffs and excise taxes until 1913, when unconstitutional fiat money and the income tax replaced tariffs. Remember, you can’t print gold or control its quantity to finance wars, etc.

3. The Federal Government should return to funding its functions by tariffs and excise taxes (as it was until 1913). Tariffs protect industry, jobs and wages. Tariffs are not a sales tax on the people, as proclaimed by the Communists. Tariffs should be more than adequate if Trump obeys the Constitution. This also assumes that the unconstitutional Federal Reserve Bank is abolished and we have returned to Constitutionally-mandated gold and silver money. This will stop wars for profit, Inflation, and support economic stability (the return to this country of many factories). Most negative factors in our country were caused by the Deep State for their benefit alone.

4. The Constitution specifies that the Federal Government can’t spend money on the states or for foreign aid. Social Security and Medicare are legal insurance programs without any reserves; Congress spent the money elsewhere.

5. Climate change is a fact, but we can’t control it. Government efforts to tax people to control climate is a scam. We all know this.

6. Democrat voters are supporting Communists and don’t know it. Most Democrats support the family, free enterprise, the Constitution, and religion, but Communists who control the Democrat party do not!

7. Only Congress can pass laws. Therefore, Presidential Executive Orders and orders from bureaucrats in the administrative state have no power over the general population.

The federal government has no power unless Constitution gives it to them. See Article 1, Section 8: (https://www.usconstitution.net/xconst_a1sec8-html/) That is why there can be no federal law on abortion or why the government can’t order production of electric vehicles or anything else except in wartime. But our government is mostly unconstitutional and operated as a criminal enterprise doing what they please.

8. Terminate unconstitutional FEMA and return its functions to the states, as is Constitutional. The legitimate power of the federal government is limited by what the states gave to it in the Constitution. To the extent that the federal government operates without Constitutional authority, Congress, the president and participating outsiders are functioning as a criminal enterprise. It is accepted fact that all important federal officials are being bribed by a specific economic group to act in their private interest rather than that of the People, in violation of their Constitutional Oath of Office.

9. Financial aid to Israel and Ukraine or to any other country Is unconstitutional! Many people believe that the support for Israel aid for genocide is a result of an outside political power that controls our government (through bribery/blackmail). I refuse to name this purported political power because I don’t want to be vilified, slandered, indicted, attacked or murdered as is their wont. But you can surely guess!

10…Remember that any support given by government or anyone to invaders is Constitutional treason.

In Conclusion, let me say again, it would have been impossible for President Trump to win the election without the financial support of the Israeli Lobby.

Let me also state that it will be impossible for Trump to drain the swamp or avoid devaluation and a great depression unless he follows the Constitution in all respects. I will support President Trump as long as he takes this unique and rare opportunity (first time in history) to return to a Constitutional government and economic stability. Trump, like all men is less than perfect but he is the only man with the courage, following, and opportunity to return a prosperous Republic to the People by following the Constitution, as his Oath requires. But he has not indicated that he will do this. If he violates his qualifying Oath, he vacates his office.

But remember no governor, congressman or administrative state bureaucrat obeys the Constitution, they obey the deep state (money).

© 2024 Andrew Wallace – All Rights Reserved

E-Mail Andrew Wallace: natlmktg@gte.net

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Andrew C. Wallace is a former Kentucky State Trooper, Kentucky Native, Korean War Veteran, Commercial Pilot in Alaska, University of Kentucky Undergraduate in Business, Four years of Graduate School in Economics and Marketing at University of Kentucky and University of Iowa., Assistant Professor, Thirty years as Director of Marketing Firm developing and implementing national Marketing programs for manufacturers and now retired doing research and writing. E-Mail: natlmktg@gte.net