The (Daily) Vent 2

(Pondering Of Ages.. . .) In the Fifth Century, BCE, there was an Athenian statesman named Pericles. He lived during Athens' Golden Age before going to war with Sparta in the Peloponnesian War, which the Greek "experiment" in Democracy ultimately lost. Pericles himself perished when a plague ravaged the city. His legacy is profound, however because he made a comment about the nature of Athens and her Democracy: " Future ages will ponder us as the present ponders us now ." He was right. Now, all these thousands of years later, ancient Greece and Pericles are still being disused. What is being pondered today in this country in the same manner by which Greece saw itself ? What is America seeing in the mirror these days ? Continued college unrest to the point where campus buildings are violated, student no longer feel safe all over the Isael- Hamas war whose actions are threatening to bring sanctions from the United States, the United Nations and even the Internati

(Funny Money ?) The White House Correspondents Dinner was held the other night. That is when the Washington Media establishment gather with the President and attempt to be funny. SNL Alum Colin Yost was the MC and of his "jokes" were supposed to have air, he would have four flat tires. Biden himself tried to be funny, taking the usual shots at his age and Trump troubles and failing most with Yost. That being said, the lack of humor at the WHCD belies a more serious problem, not just for Democrats but the wider country as well. The Israel- Hamas War has uncovered a virulent form of anti-Israel and anti-Semitism sentiments. As is being demonstrated on college campuses nationwide, calls for a cease fire, support for Hamas and the destruction of Israel. In this country where chants of even "Death to America" are being heard. In this country of all places ! What is perhaps more disturbing, however, is these displays have moved beyond public protest and into an insidious

(Executions At Dawn ?) There have been many rivalries throughout history. In the name of gaining power, an individual, or group. will challenge the other, In a rise to absolute power, however, any opposition such as it is, would necessarily need to be suppressed. Take the case of Josef Stalin. Lenin himself thought he was rude. The more intellectual members like Kamenev or Zinoviev or even Trotski to a point, saw Stalin as a brute. However, that "brute" was able to go on and destroy Lenin's Bolsheviks and later the Soviet Union itself. Stalin could broke no opposition and with an extensive use of the secret police, namely the NKVD, all levels of Soviet society, beginning with the collectivization of agriculture and then expanding to what is called the "Great Terror," that resulted in the deaths of millions of Poles, Russians and Ukrainians, even before the German invasion. At least, that is how they did things in the Old Country. In some questioning that was re

(The Better Look) All things being equal, it would appear that President Biden has the upper hand when dealing with former President Trump. Biden is able to campaign, Trump is stuck in court. Biden is out raising money whereas Trump remains at a deficit. Of course, when the Court session is over, Trump makes some comments when he emerges from the courthouse bemoaning the whole procedure, saying Biden is corrupt, that he is the worst President in history and so on. That being said, what has the President been able to accomplish with this "freedom of movement ? He us getting out among the public and still promoting Bidenomics and how proud he is in his green agenda. It was mentioned that Biden promised to debate Trump sometime in the future on the Howard Stern broadcast. That might or might not take place but what is the President doing in the meantime ? Is he really believing his uncle was eaten by cannibals ? He can talk about that or something that is a little closer to his reali

(That Sinking Feeling) On an interview with radio host Howard Stern, President Biden says he will commit to a debate with former President Trump. At this point, avoiding any confrontation because there is the fear that the President would not be able to handle a rigorous set of questions and repones without the benefit of cue cards or otherwise handler input. Biden will have to speak for himself, and, if he gets "dosed," as he might have been for the State of the Union, Biden might be able to go the distance with Trump. However, that is a Big If. So, imagine the two Presidential contenders on some stage, with or without a moderator. One of the things Trump could ask is why the economy grew at only 1.6% in the latest read of GDP when the estimate had been for 2.4% ? Why is the President keeping the border open ? What is the basis for the elimination of fossil fuels ? Then Trump could perhaps say this: Rampant crime is devastating communities all across the country. Would that

(Beyond ANZAC. . .) By January, 1915, the First World War had settled into its pattern. In the West, trenches were beginning to be conducted, forming of what would become the Western Front. For the next four years, armies of the Triple Powers, Germany, Austria-Hungary, and initially, Italy, faced off against the Triple Entent é, Britain, France, and Russia. In an event, with stalemate in the West and German dominance in the East, other theaters were sought where the strategic balance and advantage could be restored. Britain's First of the Admiralty, Sir Winstin Churchill, settled with a naval assault up the Dardanelles against a newly hostile Turkey and attempt to sail against Constantinople, coupled with a land expedition up the Gallipoli Peninsula. The naval component failed early but the land assault went ashore on April 25th, 1915. While there were some initial successes, vigorous Turkish counter attacks halted the Allied advance and the situation detiorated  to the same positi

(Permission To Speak ?) In any command arrangement, where a subordinate seeks to address a superior but is unable to do so under demands of standard protocol, the remark can be prefaced with "permission to speak ?"That gives allowance to proceed with the remark without violating the chain of command. Except for Donald Trump. The former President as a part of his legal proceedings has been ordered by the Judge to not comment on the trial. Prosecutor witness Michael Cohen can gab all he wants but Trump is singularly unable to respond. Trump cannot speak in his own defense because he might say something in hid defense. As he puts it, the order is so unfair and un-Constitutional. He might be right but that is also irrelevant. Trump is always complaining that this should not happen in this country. The fact that it is, has already been explained. There are also other things that should not be happening. There seems to be some confusion over basic right and wrong. A lack of any mor

(Birds Of A Feather) One look at any calendar and one could see it is Earth Day. A closer examination would also reveal that that, come sundown on the Jewish holiday of Passover begins. In celebration of the Hebrews' deliverance from bondage in Egypt, where "God" passed over Hebrew residences in Egypt, which were marked with sheep's blood so the "plague" that night of the killing of every first born son. This was the plot of The Ten Commandments , starring Charlton Heston. Unfortunately, Israel is commemorating this Passover with IDF troops in the field against Hamas . The campaign to seize Rafah is apparently underway but with a tragic accident that resulted in the deaths of some children. Today is also Earth Day. It is the day when one is to be a better steward to the environment. To promote the ideas that clean air and clean water are good things. There are those in the so-called environmental movement that have moved beyond mere advocacy and into an ideo

(Unclear On The Concept) There used to be a cartoonist named Joe Martin who had a strip he called Mr. Boffo. A recuring theme in the comic was people "unclear of the concept."  This was the idea that people can be so ignorant of some things but can be clear to everyone else. One can determine any instance where this might apply, but of there is any question as who might be unclear on the concept would be those that might still be thinking that the Trump trial is a legitimate exercise of American jurisprudence. One realizes that this has been the topic here and elsewhere for the past few days. As has been reported, opening arguments are set to commence tomorrow. There will be witnesses and cross examinations, worthy of any episode of Law & Order . However, the result will be the same. Does anyone truly believe that any one of those jurors will be the one to not vote guilty ? The affair is also having the effect of forcing the Trump campaign to expend resources, $4 million

(In Pursuit Of Mediocrity) People only need to look around and see that everyone is a (expletive delegated) up. Be it anti-Semitic protests at Columbia and elsewhere, be it President Biden further anti-gas-powered vehicle or be House Republicans about to lose another speaker, no one seems to be getting anything right. One can start at the so-called Ivy League institution of Columbia University where people are spending tens of thousands so students can go protest events in the Israel- Hamas conflict. The ignorance of these people can be astounding. There is no appreciation of history or geography but because they might some flash-mob alert on their phones, they know to congregate at some location and chant the appropriate rant. And, as always, were one to explain details, like might one support the execution of Christians and other such atrocities, support suddenly becomes "moderated." In any event, such displays become tiresome. Something that is also becoming tiresome is B

(Twelve Angry Men) Over the last 36 hours, the expected Israeli retaliatory strike was launched against Iran. Its nuclear facilities, however, were not hit. Nor were any drone or missile launch sites. The IDF placed ordinance somewhere within the confines of the Islamic Republic but did virtually no damage. The message from Jerusalem is that they can really (expletive deleted) things up for Iran continues to show aggression. either directly or by proxy. As for the Donald Trump hush money trial, the jury has finally been seated. As has been repeated time and again, this is un-precedented legal territory, but the verdict has all but been rendered. One can recall the Stanley Kramer classic, Judgment at Nuremburg . At the core of the film was "Feldenstein Case," which was the trial of a Jewish owner of an apartment building that was accused of having "relations" with a young tenant, illegal under the Nuremburg Laws. However, what was subsequently revealed was the procee

(Nuts & Bolts) On April 18th, 1942, the Doolittle Raid took place. Under the command of Lieutenant Colonel, took 16 B-25 Michell medium bombers, had them loaded aboard the aircraft carrier, USS Hornet , which cruised to within striking distance of Tokyo. This was a desperate mission, launched mere months after Pearl Harbor. But President Roosevelt wanted a strike against the Japanese Empire is soon as one could be assembled. Doolittle had been an Aviaton pioneer of sorts, holding several speed records. He took his crews to what is today, Eglin Air Force base and gave training on short take-offs. Deck space on the Hornet would necessarily be limited. All sixteen planes were able to lift off the Hornet and bombed Tokyo successfully, though actual damage to the Japanese Capitol was limited. Most of Doolittle's bombers had to cash land but many of the crews themselves survived and, with Chinese help, were able to return to friendly territory. In order for those B-25's (a prod

(Insidious. . .) Articles of Impeachment for Homeland "Security" Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas have been voted out of the House and were duly "walked" over to the Senate for Trial. Right now, these have been several "procedural" votes along Party lines, some Articles declared un-Constitutional, a resistance on the Part of Democrats to move to a "closed door" session. And, in the end, in all likelihood, Mayorkas will be keeping his job. He broke the law. He, along with the President, have advocated for an open border and all the human and drug trafficking that came with it. By design. People are always screaming about so-called MAGA Republicans, a movement so dangerous that the champion has to be kept in a courtroom instead of his son's graduation. Trump should go regardless but what of the other side of the ledger ? Extremism is just as insidious on the left as everyone thinks it is on the right Who is seeing fit to smash and grab items in a s

(Sublime To The Absurd ?) There is the common phrase of taking things to a "logical" conclusion. Oftentimes, however, a "logical conclusion" is not logical at all. There can be a tendency to over play an instance to when a reaction gets so encompassing that over-reaction is common. New York District Armoney, Alvin Bragg is one who is having this reaction. After Day Two of Trump's Hush Money trial, where some 50 prospective jurors stated they would be unable to reach an un-biased conclusion in ruling on the former President, Trump came out and addressed reporters, Bragg is now charging that Trump could have violated his Gag Rule and the D.A. could charge Trump with contempt and even move to incarcerate the Defendant. That being said, Trump should go on and attend son Barron's Gradation. Trump has been ordered to stay within the New York jurisdiction but of he is to be charged with contempt, Trump has nothing to lose by departing to see what an important date

(Peer Pressure. . .) A wild time to be alive ! Today is tax day when millions of Americans have to donate the yearly pound of flesh to Uncle Sam. The War in the Near East still rages and Donald Trump is again in a New York courtroom where jury selection in the former President's so-called "hush money" trial. The whole case stems from an attempt by Trump to "buy" the silence of adult film star, Story Daniels by Trump's "fixer" Michael Cohen, who paid the actress $130,000T. Such payments are not necessarily unique but New York District Attorney, Alvin Bragg, decided that the Trump action was illegal and assigned a 32-count indictment. Like any other American, Trump is allowed the Constitutional protection of a speedy trial with a jury of his peers. However, this is New York. Trump has no peers. That is why this venue was chosen so that result could be all but pre-determined. It is going without saying that this is the first time that one Party is usi

(As Real As It Gets. . .) Can the situation get any more confused ? As all but expected, Iran launched a barrage of some three hundred projectiles of all types, 99% of which intercepted beyond visual range by a combination of Israeli, U.S., British, French, and even Jordanian assets. The Israeli response itself has yet to materialize and yet Iran is offering a diplomatic alternative to further escalation. That would be an easy call to make because if the missile strike failed as it had, seeing an end to hostilities now could be advantageous, to Iran. The time for diplomacy has passed and Israel needs to offer a vigorous response. It has been suggested that the actions was merely for domestic consumption, both Israeli and Iranian, And, for President Biden who would be willing to grab any cessation of hostilities. The reality is that this is not something that can be switched off and the same scenario will be repeated going forward. Will the President be able to handle each conflagration

(A Triple Dog Dare) President Bidne has an opportunity. Such a chance is what would be considered common sense but in the entirety of his Administration, such a concept never interfered with policy. As tensions between Israel and Iran escalate, effects of any action will invariably have repercussions in this country, name on how the price of oil, and by extension gasoline, will be effected, If Biden wanted to ameliorate that effect, he could in short order announce that his war on fossil fuels is at an end and give the green light to increase domestic production and allow for permitting in federal lands. This would have the double benefit of reducing oil and gas prices, curbing inflation, and place Tehran in a compromised position. That being said, that idea makes too much sense to be actively considered by the President. Anyhow, assume that Biden will not change course and any new Israeli-Iranian war or some action in the Near East and markets here respond accordingly, the President w

(Diplomacy Can Never. . .) One can say a word about the death of O.J. Simpson. The pro-football player turned actor turned murder suspect in the deaths of ex-wife Nicole and her friend Ron Goldman. People will recall that Simpson stood trial for months but in the end, the Jury found him "not guilty." The events in that courtroom were compelling for all those that were watching CNN or of the other entertainment outlets. For anybody else, however, what was learned of the trial was by "inevitable exposure. In any event, this verdict had less to do with the law and more of what the jury saw as "compensation" of what the LAPD had done to Rodney King and the white officers involved were similarly granted reprieve. Now, Donald Trump will soon be getting a jury of his own and the question is the same. Will the former President be judged based on the or what the political expedient might be at the time. The Chief of Staff to General Eisenhower was General Walter Bedell

(Recruiting Agent) Every day, there always seems to be something regarding President Biden and not necessarily in a good way. He continues to receive criticism over his budget, his war on fossil fuels, the failures at the border and the economy. In the recent summit with the Japanese Prime Minister to strengthen relations as a counter-balance to China, Biden had to use cue cards and limit the exchange to what his handlers thought he could handle. These are problems for the President. A main one for his competitor, Donald Trump, is announcing the formation of his Cabinet, which would include his choice for Vice President. That list is such that Vegas odds are placing bets as to whom Trump might choose. If one were to guess as who might run the inside track.  A few names do come to mind. One would be Senator Tim Scott from South Carolina, or Governors Sarah Sanders of Arkansas or Kristy Noem of South Dakota. As one African American and two women, Trump could be seen as "checking his

(A REAL Threat To Democracy !) It has been a matter of Fath among Republicans that Ronald Reagan "won" the Cold War, without firing a shot. The truth is more prosaic. The fortieth President was determined in the ideological struggle between Communism and Capitalism and believed his Defense build-up could be a contributing in any demise of the Soviet Union. When the U.S.S.R. did collapse, it was more a consequence of what was happening in Moscow than any input that might have come from Washington. A brief history lesson. The so-called Bolshevik movement that emerged in 1918 was already filled with so many contradictions that Lenin himself was prepared to move to what he was calling the New Economic Policy. In essence, it was a repudiation of certain Communist Party principles. Upon Lenin's death in 1922, however, there was a power struggle within the Party in which Joe Stalin emerged as General Secretary. What followed was the Great Terror in which millions of Russians per

(Over Someone's Dead Body) In ignoring the Biden Administration, Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu has said that the final assault on Hamas stronghold in Rafah has been scheduled. The White House has said that such an action will have consequences. What form such measures might take remains to be seen but it could include a cessation of American martial support. That could mean no more "Iron Dome" munitions as well as other means. These actions are seen as a shoring up what are seen as political vulnerabilities among Muslim enclaves in Michigan and Minnesota. However, how many Jewish voters will be abandoning President Biden because of his apparent abandonment of Israel ? The Jewish Vote has been critical to the Democrat Party for decades. The late Senator Joe Liberman, the 2000 running mate to then Nominee Al Gore, the highest posting for any Jewish politician. Over time, as Democrat policies grew more extreme, Liberman left the Party and declared himself an Indepen

(CORONA Is Not Just A Beer) Most people can tell you that Dominic Toretto all but mainlines Corona. That being said, as the Eclipse progresses today, a stretch of the country, provided the weather cooperates, could see the moon completely obscure the Sun, its Halo, or what is referred as the Corona, will be quite visible as the Sun's glare is reduced. Next to Taylor Swift, the Sun is the most studied star and the corona is the most interesting part. The actual surface of the Sun is only some 10,000° F, temperatures in the corona can reach over one million. That dis-parity remains a mystery but with the potential with today's occlusion, and all the glasses and other instruments, the data retrieved should be a benefit and a blast to see. In times past, eclipses were seen as harbingers, How many Emperors and Kings and their various sooth sayers, who as resident "experts" were supposed to advise the monarch on what course of action he or she should take, That could prove

(Hawking Radiation) There have been many famous physicists over the years. A few stand out over others. Most can identify Issiac Newton as the originator of a Theory of Gravity, Albert Einstein to show how it really worked. More recently, there was Professor Stephen Hawking, the Lucanian Chair at Cambridge, who was able to write a best seller "A Brief History of Time." Hawking won his own Nobel Prize in Physics because he said that the Big Bang "erupted from a "singularity." the same theoretical center of a black hole. Hawking also developed what has been called "Hawking radiation" which black holes, "evaporate" over time. That poses a problem because, over time as material falls beyond the event horizon and into the structure itself. The question arose that what happens to the "information" about a black hole after it's gone ? If it is a standing theory that no information can be destroyed, what about Hawking's theory ? Th

(Where Fault Lies) As one might recall, there was a Magnitude 4.8 earthquake that struck the New York and New Jersey regions the other morning. Several aftershocks of various strengths were also recorded. Now, while such New York quakes are rare, there is still a fault system that can trigger a ground movement. Julius Caesar once said that " the fault is not in our stars but in ourselves ." Where then is the "fault" in ourselves ? Is it the crass fundraising from both President contenders and the unique segments of celebrity. For President Biden, it had been former Presidents Clinton and Obama at Radio City that cleared some $25 million. And for his part, Donald Trump is having his own Palm Beach fundraising and he thinks he can raise over $40 million with his own billionaire donors. American politics is being reduced to who can get the biggest bank roll. And as it happens, those financiers can be the most ideologically extreme. For example. New Egland is closing it

(Intended Consequences) For those Readers who live in the Tri-State area, who had the earthquake this morning, just be still.  There is a postulate called the Law of Un-Intended Consequences. Basically, it says that even with the best intentions, negative results sometimes happen. However, there are also instances when a negative result is precisely the desired outcome. Like with the Israel- Hamas war where the Biden Administration continues to press for an all but unilateral ceasefire on the part of Israel. In California, the new $20/HR minimum wage is wreaking havoc on the fast food industry. And finally, after depleting the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, oil has now become too expensive. How many times must the Biden Administration think it can influence Israeli affairs ? How many times must Israel ignore it. Threats from the President have become redundant at this point but is Biden really prepared to cut Israel loose ? In the middle of the greatest crisis Israel is facing since the

(BLAST OFF !) Back in the early days of the Space Race, there was a comedian on TV, who called himself an "astronaut." He said he his suit and everything. Then he talked about the blast off. He said "he always takes a blast before he takes off. Otherwise, he would never go near that thing !" On April 4th, 1968, NASA launched Apollo 6, an unmanned test of the Saturn V rocket. Unlike the previous Apollo 4, which had launched the previous November, which was an all but flawless test, on the ascent of the follow-on mission, set to test the viability of the Third Stage's capacity to achieve an orbit that would have allowed for Trans-Lunar trajectory, vibrations became so severe that several pipes in the stage were wrenched loose. For a time, there was even a thought of aborting the mission altogether. However, second stage engines re-gimbled themselves and burned for the time to get the vehicle in a stable orbit. While the flight profile did not conform to designe

(Aspect Ratios) There was an old song "Fifty Seven Channels (and nothing's on) ?" That was a song by Bruce Springsteen from 1992. At the time, everybody had cable and a typical account was about sixty channels. Now, of course, there hundreds of choices over several networks with streaming sources. TV's have also evolved. But, if one were to "surf" the channel line-up, certain channels might need to be re-adjusted so the image fits into the screen. That process is called adjusting the "aspect ratio." Among the two Presidential contenders, which would need a change to their aspect ratio ? Which, Biden or Trump would better fill the screen ? For his part, former President Trump is leading President Biden in six of seven states and is tied in Wisconsin. His and Republican fundraising has been vigorous. In a move that has Democrats apoplectic, Republicans want to re-name Washington Dulles Airport for Donald Trump. Like Reagan National or FDR referring t

(The Way Of Things. . .) In 1981, the Israeli Air Force stuck an Iraqi nuclear reactor complex at Osirak. If the facility were completed, Iraq, and its strongman Saddam Hussein, would have the ability to produce nuclear weapons for ready use against both Israel and even Iran. That explains Israel's pre-emptive action. However, Tel Aviv (at the time) did not inform Washington and the Reagan Administration was embarrassed. Then U.N. Ambassador, Jeanne Kirkpatrick even went as far as to condemn Isael's action. These "public" statements, however, belie the reality that a nuclear Iraq was not desirable. In a recent Israel strike in Syria, the Iranian Embassy in Damascus as it was, the Israeli Air Force apparently killed a senior Iranian military commander. The Iranian military, namely its Quds force, has had a continuing presence in Syria to aid proxy forces in Hezbollah . The Iranian that was killed was named Mohammad Reza Zahedi and he was perhaps the highest ranking Ir

(Margin Call) Happy April Fools' Day ! Those familiar with the investing world would tell you that when a broker sells some equity, stock, bond, or whatever, to an investor, that investor dispenses with capital, buys it in margin in other words, to complete the transaction. That is a complicated explanation that an investor pays money to buy an equity. If the transaction is on-going, if the time frame is extended, then the same situation applies. However, if a point is reached where the investor can no longer afford the same disbursement, then the broker might initiate "margin call," in order to retrieve his or her own assets. Donald Trump's Truth Social went public the other day and is trading at about $70 per share. At some point, however, as is common with all investments of this type, there is an initial spike in value as there is a euphoria. People bought this NASDQ traded stock because of its association with Donald Trump. But euphoria can rapidly fade and when