Year: 2021

Military not defending the Constitution

Jacob Hornberger urges members of the military to not obey the President when his orders do not have Constitutional authority.

An Old Soldier’s Denial on Afghanistan

Excerpts

While U.S. soldiers technically take an oath to support and defend the Constitution, as a practical matter their oath is to serve the president and unconditionally obey his orders. Since the president is democratically elected, in their minds they are supporting and defending the Constitution when they dutifully and loyally obey the commands of their commander in chief.

It is undisputed that there was never a congressional declaration of war against North Vietnam or Afghanistan. Given such, no president had the legal authority to order U.S. troops to invade and occupy either country.

Nonetheless, such orders were issued. At that point, U.S. soldiers had a choice: either support and defend the Constitution by disobeying those illegal orders to invade and occupy or faithfully and loyally obey the president and, in the process, violate the Constitution.

U.S. soldiers chose to obey the president. They always do. They just rationalize their decision by convincing themselves that by obeying the president, they are supporting and defending the Constitution.

The Real Trickle-Down

Mises Institute published “The Real Trickle-Down Effect: Making “Luxuries” Affordable to Regular People” by Matthew Lipton on 6/24/2021

Full article – https://mises.org/wire/real-trickle-down-effect-making-luxuries-affordable-regular-people

Excerpts:
“In general, capitalism reveals a trickle-down effect by making luxury goods affordable to the masses. Through intense competition, capitalism drives down costs, thereby allowing ordinary people to access luxuries. For instance, in 2011, 35 percent of Americans owned a smartphone, and today the figure is 85 percent.”

“… capitalists lower costs by innovating, and innovations unleash a ripple effect throughout the economy. A case in point is the creation of the steam engine. Not only did the steam engine make it possible for people to travel within countries, but decreasing transportation costs resulted in the advent of international tourism. According to Marian Tupy: “Early steamships cut the sailing time from London to New York from about six weeks to 15 days…. But today an aeroplane can fly between the two cities in 8 hours.”

Yet it should be noted that capitalism also fuels entrepreneurship by ensuring the widespread availability of luxury goods. For example, many use their phones to launch businesses with an international scope. Moreover, the cellphone has promoted financial inclusion by increasing the involvement of poor people in the financial sector.”

Shutterfly Collections

Anina received the following links from Shutterfly

https://link.shutterfly.com/8THohR5rohb

https://link.shutterfly.com/TAuIOIjrohb

https://link.shutterfly.com/cR8fDfasohb

https://link.shutterfly.com/oSeCexlrohb

8 yrs ago
https://link.shutterfly.com/SdVwmbVrohb
https://link.shutterfly.com/hWfSEx0rohb

7yrs ago
https://link.shutterfly.com/oSeCexlrohb

5 yrs ago
https://link.shutterfly.com/pTIsO1yrohb

2 yrs ago
https://link.shutterfly.com/2QqyKqJroh
https://link.shutterfly.com/wYt3SfNrohb

selections from Barbara’s Photo Book
https://link.shutterfly.com/cR8fDfasohb

Never Explain Music

I am cynical about people who try to explain art. My mother said that one of the few things she learned in art school was how to throw the bull.

Here is a lovely example of someone perhaps over analyzing music passages.

More Crony Capitalism

First they break your legs, and then they get taxpayers to pay for your crutches.
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-06-14/california-struggling-marijuana-industry-cash-grants-budget

Except:

JUNE 14, 2021

The California Legislature on Monday approved a $100-million plan to bolster California’s legal marijuana industry, which continues to struggle to compete with the large illicit pot market nearly five years after voters approved sales for recreational use.

Los Angeles will be the biggest beneficiary of the money, which was proposed by Gov. Gavin Newsom to be provided as grants to cities and counties to help cannabis businesses transition from provisional to regular licenses.

“California voters approved Proposition 64 five years ago and entrusted the Legislature with creating a legal, well-regulated cannabis market,” said Assemblyman Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), the chairman of the Assembly Budget Committee. “We have yet to reach that goal.”