The (Daily) Vent 2

(The Frackas From Caracas !) Venezuela has just had its own elections. Incumbent Dictator Nicol ás Maduro, the socialist successor to Hugo Chavez, has been declared the winner. The problem is that most Venezuelan appear to have voted for Maduro's opposition, Edmundo Gonzales, who has doubled Maduro's polling. However, like most dictators, the current Venezuelan leader is loathe to surrender. Of course, the election of Hugo Chavez in 1999 began what had been a prosperous South American country to one where in only a few short years, toilet paper, among other things, went into short supply. The Venezuela petroleum industry was all but destroyed when Caracas nationalized the effort. When Chavez died in 2013, Maduro was his hand-picked successor. In the wake of the allegedly fraudulent outcome, the people are taking to the streets and toppling Chavez statues. The possible election of Kamala Harris will have the same effect as originally electing Hugo Chavez in 1999. Both are avowed

(Eyes Of The Beholder. . .) It didn't take long. Some weeks ago, after the assassination attempt and a successful GOP Convention, and popular opinion claimed it was Trump's race to lose. Then in a dramatic reversal of fortune, President Biden withdrew from the race and elevated Vice President Harris as the prospective Democrat Nominee, her running mate to be announced shorty. In the meantime, the Trump Campaign is encountering increased resistance, has lost support among women with Harris the Democrat choice and some in-artful comments from Republican Vice President Nominee, J.D. Vance. In fact, things are going so well that the historian that has accurately predicted every Presidential outcome since 1984 is saying that 2024 will be the year of Harris. What happened to all the groundswell support among Republicans ? Their Nominee took a bullet, but the media is pretending the event did not take place. The national press, in print and on air is successfully weaving the narrative

(Home Before The Leaves Fall ?) This is the end of July and the "Guns of August" are still a few days off. But what the end of July 1914, was the final stage of armies mobilizing all across the Continent. From the Triple Alliance (Germany, Austria-Hungary and, at the time, Italy) to the to the Ententé, (Britain, France, Russia). There was a great elan as the armies took position along the various frontiers. The common phrase among the troops was "home before the leaves fall," meaning the War was supposed to be over by that fall. What followed was the "Battle of the Frontiers." Then the German attack into France failed. The French attack into Germany failed. The Austrian into Russia failed and the Russian attack into Germany failed. Far from being home by fall, what was supposed to be a quick war was to last four the next four years with millions of casualties, the horrors of the Western Front and the utter defeat of Russia that sowed the seeds of Revolutio

(Job Interviews) Why would anyone want to be President of the United States ? If one asked Donald Trump, he would tell you that you could get shot. As for Kamala Harris, she has to replace President Biden at the head of the ticket. There seems to be more enthusiasm for the former President as evidenced by the thousands that attend his rallies. A return to Butler to "finish his speech" would bring a crowd beyond capacity. Vice President Harris, on the other hand, could perhaps organize an Avon or Tupperware party and perhaps a book club. However, whomever is elected this November, the approach to Israel will need "amendment" at the very least. While Hamas might be decimated in the south, also Iranian-backed Hezbollah launched a fresh rocket attack on a Druze community, There were twelve prompt fatalities, mostly children involved in recreational activity, like playing soccer. Israel has given a vigorous response, engaging Hezbollah in the south of Lebanon with air

(Means, Modes, & Standard Deviations. . .) For those who remember the nightmare of Statistics, he or she would be familiar with those terms. Statistics are used in politics all the time as well. One thing that gets in the news is the "Real Clear Politics" average of polls. In any campaign, the RCP is used to gauge the polling average between two candidates but there is an increasing margin of error as election day approaches. Take the average for the Trump Campaign when the former President first announced he was running again. The Real Clear Politics average showed Biden way ahead. However, as time went on, and Trump got on the trail, when he was not in court, and the consensus remained that Trump, while the probable GOP Nominee, could still not defeat Biden. Until, it emerged that he possibly could. The RCP so migrated from Plus Biden to Plus Trump. In the end, Trump's position became so un-assailable, especially in the so-called Swing States. As the writing on the

(A Shot In The Dark ?) Blake Edwards was a prolific Hollywood director. With films such as Operation Petticoat or SOB, Edwards was known in Tinseltown as a pre-eminent comedic genius, second only to perhaps Mel Brooks. However, it was the "Pink Panther" franchise with Edwards made his name. A flawed pink diamond from the country of Lugash (when the diamond his held to the light, a shape of a leaping pink panther can be seen. Hence the name) Some, like the original film with Peter Sellers, David Niven, Robert Wagner, and Claudia Cardinelle was funny. Some later Pink Panther movies, some good some mediocre, and, when Sellers passed, Edwards had footage shot and, in the can, so, he placed someone in bandages and revealed Roger Moore as the one with the plastic surgery and he had adopted Inspector Clouseau mannerisms. One of the more mediocre Pink Panther films was A Shot in the Dark . The second movie released in 1964. There was a nudist camp and four scheming people who commit

(Details Of Departure. . .) It is appropriate that Shark Week is back on the air on National Geographic and the Discovery Channels. The four-week affair endeavors to show everything "shark" from the big great white to the smaller hammerheads or tigers. And all the other species. "Sharks" have also been around that forced President Biden to withdraw from the race. It were "sharks" that protested Netanyahu's visit and flew the Hamas flag. Finally, as Biden was giving his farewell "address," Alaska Air Defense Command intercepted two Chinese and two Russian aerial assets. President Biden had been defiant right to the end when it had become clear that he could not defeat Donald Trump. Citing the excuse of health, and saying, for the benefit of the Party, and "in order to save democracy," the President announced his withdrawal from the Campaign so "Vice" President Harris, could pick up the mantle. However, have no illusions as

(Holes In The Net. . .) Obviously. the phrase refers to the lack of security at the Trump event in Butler where he was almost assassinated. There was a clear collapse in observation, allowing Crooks time on that roof to set up his shot. There is more to placing a round on a target than sighting through cross-hares on a rifle. Crooks would have had to gauge windage and elevation in order to be confidence he could put that round into Trump's head. That he only got the ear of the President can be seen as a matter of extreme luck. With this cascade of failures, Secret Service head, Kimberly Cheatle finally resigned after an un-tenable position became evident after a testifying at a contentious House Hearing. That Cheatle got the job in the first place probably owed more to Biden nepotism than any talent the now ex-Director might have to manage such an Agency. Holes in Trump's detail are only a part of the story. If one wants to talk about holes, the entire Biden Administration, and

(A Poor Account) Take any racehorse track and its betting pool. Then, once "they're off," one changes his or her bet when it seem that particular horse is losing. In essence, that Democrats have done, forcing Biden out before the wire. But, which horse is still running ? Vice President Harris ? She has achieved by default what she could achieve popularly. Harris was the worst performer in the Democrat Primary, dropping out before Iowa, not having secured s single delegate. So, why was she chosen to be Biden's Vice President ? It is being said that Harris is a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, a DEI hire so to speak. As a black female, Harris checked all boxes. President Biden had limited use for Harris but her selection was the will of the Party, The same will that thrust Biden aside and has elevated Harris. So, for all intents and purposes, Vice President Harris last week is now President Harris now. That means that she can make her own Executive Orders and considerin

(The Last 100 Days ?) The Glory that was Rome. Over the centuries that the Empire dominated the Ancient World, it was ruled by some of the most powerful men in History. Caesar, Augustus, the "Five Good Ones." Then came the Crisis of the Third Century and the deliberate decline of what was once the Greatest Empire the world had ever seen. And, when it came to an end, September 4th, A.D. 476, the last Emperor, Romulus Augustulus, was sent into retirement. Just like President Biden. Augustulus was the terminal ruler of a state that had been in decline for some years and with the various barbarian invasions, in addition to the numerous Roman civil wars, the accumulative pressure ultimately proved fatal to the Empire. And its last Emperor. Just like President Biden. But, unlike the last Emperor, Biden still thinks he has a job still. Biden has suspended his Campaign. However, he is technically still the President. There are just over 100 days till the next election and ostensibly

(Extinction-Level Event. . .) In a sharp contrast to the State of the Presidental Race a year or so ago, where the former President was in court most of the time. And why ? One of the major charges was that the Trump tried to overturn Joe Biden's Election. The mortal sin of the time. Now, what the Hell are the Democrats trying to do ? They are trying to reverse the Election of Joe Biden, only this time it is friendly fire. Between the former President, the former Speaker of the House, the current Democrat leader in then House, and some thirty different Democrat House and Senate Members who are all suggesting Biden find a graceful exit. However, the attempts to force Biden's departure to date has been anything but graceful. So, in an ironic twist for the ages, Joe Biden is being forced out by the same charges with which they were after Donald Trump. ***BREAKING NOW*** President Biden has announced he is withdrawing from his Campaign and has endorsed Vice President Harris to succ

(Long Distance Fights) Today is July 20th, 1969 which is the 55th anniversary of the Apollo XI Moon landing (speaking of long flights).   People have been flying all over the world, if not quite to the Moon. But for those on earth, who find themselves airborne from JFK-EWR (Kennedy or Newark), Singapore Airlines is offering non-stop A350 service to SIN/Chengi. The flight takes almost nineteen hours and any passengers that can sit for that long on an aircraft that is not an A380, which would have more room. The '350 has range but not necessarily comfort. What would be required is some stiff bourbon and a good movie. Several, in fact. However, what might be playing at the Democrat Party is less a movie and more a horror show. Whereas the Republicans were able to leave Milwaukee as a united front, there is still the open question as to the fate of President Biden. Like that song from The Clash , "should he stay or should he go ?" For the Party, neither option would seem adva

(The Honor, Of A Triumph. . .) In the closing scenes from the war epic, Patton , George C. Scott, with his white dog "Willie," he delivers a soliloquy, how for over a thousand years, Roman conquerors returning from wars were given "the honor of a triumph, a tumultuous parade." The procession contained strange animals, captured armaments and "dazed prisoners walking in chains" The conqueror himself "rode in a triumphal chariot," sometimes his children would be with him, either in the cab or "on one of the trace horses." A slave would stand behind the conqueror, holding a golden crown, and whispering into his ear "that all glory, is fleeting." The last four days of the Republican Convention in Milwaukee was the equivalent of a Roman Triumph for Donald Trump. There were strange animals. There were captured armaments. There were even dazed prisoners. And, of course, the conqueror's children rode in the chariot, and some were o

(Feelin' Tha Luv ?) There was a time shortly after Trump left the White House in 2021, in something of a tantrum. He missed the Inauguration of President Biden and broke with his Vice President, Mike Pense who certified the 2020 Election for Joe Biden. In the succeeding months, and after Trump re-declared his candidacy, again, almost immediately the "Lawfare" campaign, including charges and indictments and the former President was even found guilty in New York. No one had any expectation that Trump would have no success. He was trailing President Biden in the polls and the conventional wisdom held that Trump would have votes to become the GOP Nominee again but would probably lose to President Biden. Too many voters had abandoned him in 2020 and any recovery for the former President was thought to be problematic to say the least. For a time, Trump insisted that 2020 was stolen and he was then charged with trying to overturn the 2020 result. The result that delivered Presid

(Machine Language) As artificial intelligence is increasingly progressing, concepts such as "machine language," how the computer in question reads the "ones and zeros" in any AI infrastructure. The idea is advanced and only experts in air-conditioned data centers, some that could be even nuclear powered, the future, assuming AI does not run amuck, like The Matrix et al, the future could be bright. But, what of the Democrati's Machine ? As has been mentioned, the GOP Convention has been a brilliant affair with a near martyr status for the Nominee. The Nominee for Vice President, Senator J.D. Vance (R-OH) will accept his Nomination this evening. Democrat disarray, on the other hand, has also been noted. There has been rush to place the President in Nomination next week, before the Convention in Chicago. That being said, what the Democrat Party is very good at is matching voters to ballot boxes. There is a readymade supply that combines early voting, mail in ballo

(If Trinity Had Bombed) On July 16th, 1945, the Trinity Test was conducted in the New Mexico desert, outside Alamogordo. The device, known as the "Gadget," had been set upon a steel tower and at 0529, the explosion was triggered, the first in history. The resulting yield was 21 kilotons. Now, anyone who sat through movie Oppenheimer , all three hours of it and emerged with a numb ass and stiff joints, and the depiction of Trinity itself underwhelming, discussing technical details becomes important. The Gadget contained two hemispheres of Plutonium, set one on top of the other. To set of the Big Bang, explosive lenses would go off and compress, implode in other words, the two halves of fissile material to a point of "supercriticality." A chain reaction is started, sustained and Trinity goes off as the world's biggest firecracker. However, what if some of the explosive's mis-fire ? The implosion is not symmetrical and no explosion takes place ? In one half

(1,000 Word Pictures) There have been iconic photographs throughout history. One would be the Joe Rosenthal picture of the Marines raising Old Glory over Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jima. Another would perhaps be the first responders raising another American Flag over World Traded Center rubble after the collapse of the Twin Towers. Joining that pantheon could be a new entry of former President Trump, after he was shot, as he was bleeding from his ear, with another Flag flying behind him, giving the crowd a raised fist and telling the gathered throng to continue to fight. Trump has led a charmed life. It goes without saying that the attempted assassination is the most significant but a bonus, the classified documents case out of Florida has been dismissed. The Judge in the case, Aileen Cannon has stated that Special Counsel Jack Smith was pigeon-holed into the investigation by Attorney General Merrit Garland. It is Cannon's assertion that Smith was not appointed consistent with the Appo

(Millimeters. . .) These Pages have been in publication for over fourteen years and today, there is a marked lack of words. Someone tried to assassinate Donald Trump for Christ sakes and if the round had migrated mere millimeters, today might have been Trump's obituary rather than still looking forward to the Republican Convention, convening in Milwaukee. So, who was the unlucky shot ? His name is reported to be Thomas Mathew Crooks and his intent was apparently more involved than shooting at Trump. Explosives were found in his car. If that connected, however, Crooks would have achieved the same infamy as John Wilkes Booth, Lee Harvey Oswald, or John Hinkley Jr, Instead, he will be remembered as the one who missed the former President. That Crooks was in the area at all, that he had drawn a bead on Trump from only a couple hundred yards represents the other headline from the story. Crook's perch was across the street on the AGR Building. One cannot imagine sniper training, and

(Killing People. . .) Murder, is the most exciting way to die. Of course it would be uncomfortable for the victim and unfortunate for the perpetrator if he or she is caught and successfully prosecuted. But there are many ways for killing people. Killing with kindness. Killing with detail. Or, one can just as easily say, "the suspense is killing me." So, who is Donald Trump going to choose as his VEEP choice ? The suspense is killing people ! This will be the most important audition in history, second only to perhaps Bogart's screen test for Casablanca . And, for the former President, this be will the first act to his "new" Administration so the stakes will be high. There will be a run to a climax with people's weighted breath. The decision has to be delivered in the next day or so but once it has been announced, it will be like General Eisenhower giving the order to begin the Normandy Invasion that once given the whole affair would be out of his hands. For D

(Power Behind The Throne) President Biden gives a new meaning to the expression "bunker mentality." One can recall, that in the days before Adolf Hitler's suicide, he had lost all touch with reality. He was still ordering phantom formations to maneuver against the in-exorable advance of the Red Army. He had no real friends save the small group of fanatics like Josef Goebbels and his family and of course, new bride Eva Braun. Hitler was at the end and he could tell as much. On April 30th, 1945, der Fürher placed a pistol against his temple, and squeezed the trigger. Like Hitler, President Biden is discovering he is similarly isolated. Unlike the Nazi leader, however, it has in recent days been revealed that the President has been getting help. It has been said that the Joe Biden Administration can be seen as a third term for Barack Obama. The situation here perhaps is unique because Barack Obama is acting like he still is in the White House. Admittedly, many of his people

(Only Cheating (if one gets caught) Al Bundy of Married , With Children , once made the comment, "It is wrong to be French." As certain elections had been held across Europe, the initial outcomes had been "right of center" victories. It turns out there are two exceptions in Britain and France that have adopted Labor and Socialist governments respectively. In France, the Socialists wasted no time in imposing a 90% tax on "wealthy" individuals. Class warfare run-amuck. However, how secure was that election ? Were there cases of voter fraud ? People probably knew exactly what re-insurgent Leftists would have in mind and they will pay the consequences, literally. What the French did, apparently, is require some form of identification. Those who cast ballots had a driver's license, library or credit card so people knew who was who. Not in this country. In this country, voter identification requirements are discouraged, mostly by Democrats, because it is th

(Destroyer Of Worlds. . .) For anyone who saw the 3-hour movie Oppenheimer , with the numb ass and stiff joints, and the Trinity  (the anniversary only a few days away) detonation looking a lot smaller than 21 kilotons, when the Los Alamos director saw the explosion, he muttered a phase from the Hindu epic Bargava ' d Gita , "I now am become Death. Destroyer of Worlds." Today is July10th. This is the anniversary of the Allied invasion of Sicily. Before that could happen, however. a massive strategic deception was mounted, Operation MINCEMEAT . This was the story of Major William Martin, the "Man who Never was." In essence, a body was placed ashore in Spain with fake documents that indicated Allied intentions in the Mediterranean other than Sicily, the real target. The Germans retrieved the materials, apparently believed them, and re-deployed accordingly. When the landings transpired (Operation HUSKY ), expected losses were not as severe as they might have been.

(Views From Over There. . .) If one has learned nothing over these days, it would be that President Biden should limit his time in public. That would be especially true in any interaction with other world leaders, like the Members of the North Atlantic Alliance. Biden was there, telling George Stephanopoulos in his interview that "he fixed NATO."  Whatever that means. As one knows, any Administration has two main objectives, domestic and foreign policy. The past NATO Summit would qualify as a public engagement. So, what happened ? Some 31 Alliance countries were represented. For his part, Biden wished to demonstrate he could maintain some coherence while promoting the Ukraine War. Whatever interactions Biden had did not produce any comment but the President's condition could not help but cast a pall over the proceedings. The Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg made no comment on President Biden and only added that he appreciates the Biden commitment to NATO and the Ukraini

(Cat's Outta Tha Bag. . .) Some months ago, Special Counsel, Robert Hur who had been investigating the President's own handling of classified documents but because of Biden's frailty, that he was a kindly old man with a poor memory and it was Hur's contention that he would be unable to get a conviction because Biden is such a sympathetic figure. Counsel testimony obvious came with a transcript but there is also an audio component. This is being sought by Republican investigators in Congress but to date, such requests have not been engaged by Attorney General Garland. For his refusal to cooperate, Garland is being held in contempt. He will be fined and other levels of sanction until he leans more on Robert Hur to release the audio. What could Biden have said in the recording that was not already made plain at the debate ? The very person that Hur was describing as the kindly old man who couldn't be charged was on full display that Thursday night. The question then be

(Primary Challengers) Reports have been that President Biden's interview with ABC's George Stephanopoulos was not the knock-out audience that Biden required. He apparently has not seen the debate. He downplayed any need for a cognitive test. When posed if Trump were to win after all, Biden replied "he did the goodest job anyone could do." But Biden also said he was the one that saved NATO. The one who shut Putin down. And, that he can beat Trump in 2020. If any of that were remotely true ? At this stage, is probably not if the President is replaced, but by whom. There is a line forming that starts with the Vice President and moves on to such personalities as Californias Gavin Newsome, Michigan's Gretchin Whitmer, or Illinois'  J.D. Pritzker and so on. The usual suspects so to speak. But what happens if the President refuses to leave ? It has been argued that at some point, he will not have a choice but if Biden but until that point is reached, the President wi

(Equilibrium. . .) By the Spring of 1943, the Ostheer (German Eastern Army) was in the third year in its invasion of the Soviet Union. The disasters of Stalingrad were passed but the campaign had devolved into a pattern. The Germans possessed sufficient strength to parry any Soviet offensive once the Soviet supply lines had been over-extended, the Germans counter-attacked, stabilizing the situation. In 1943, that any German offensive was contemplated at all is remarkable. However, Adolf Hitler and OKW (High Command of the German Armed Forces), far from having the sense to move to a status of strategic defense, to pause active measures, rebuild the panzer (armored)) forces, determined on an operation called CITADEL , that was designed to using the newly re-constituted mobile forces to attack and attempt to pinch off a large bulge, salient, that had developed in the line centered on the town of Kursk. The idea of this new offense was bad enough. What was worse was that CITADEL was del

(Spirits of '76) A 1990 film, The Spirit of '76, that stared David Cassidy, Olivia D'Abro, Carl Reiner, Rob Reiner and a few others, set the term in America in the year 2176 where the National Anthem  was the old Civil Defense tone. Naturally, there was a need to go back in time to 1776 to learn from the Founders themselves. Unfortunately, the tine travelers came in short, to 1976, the Days of Disco and the scene looked the part. Say, however, that Cassidy and Company made it to 1776, where they were able to meet the likes of Washington, Adams. Jefferson and all the other Founding Fathers. The impression of those who were there, the ones that composed the Declaration of Independence, down to John Hancock's oversized signature. To be sure, names on a piece of paper declaring independence did not make it a fact. The War for the American Revolution remained to be waged and it too was a close-run affair on many occasions but it was through the leadership of General Washing

(For How Long ?) President Joe Biden will have been in Office for almost four years and this could also be he point when he will be compelled to leave Office. The Biden Presidency has been fraught with controversy with odd policy choices, that are too numerous to be re-listed here. But as the President's true cognitive state was made on full display a week ago Thursday, one has to wonder how long Biden has had this affliction and if it had influenced decisions like Afghanistan or the border. If Bidenomics was similarly derived ? Biden energy policy, the Green New Deal, the Inflation Reduction Act, the American Rescue Plan and so on. Of course, the media are also complicit in this grand deception. They have been running interference for Biden virtually from Day One. making excuses for the man they got into Office and needed to keep him there. In time, however, the evidence of Biden's decline was becoming more obvious, and admittedly more painful. So, Joe Biden has run his race a

(As Advertised. . .) One should take time and read through the Constitution. In recent days, Constitutional principles are being applied be they the "official" immunity granted to former President Trump by the Supreme Court or the possible application of the 25th Amendment in the removal of President Biden. The Supreme Court as well as an "independent" judiciary were enumerated in Article III of the Constitution. There have been any number of Justices, liberal and conservative, over the years and in varying numbers, determining a Court's ideological composition. While he was President, Donald Trump has the opportunity to place three Justices on the Court and that had an impact on granting his immunity.  The Ruling would have its detractors naturally. President Biden saying that the Decision is dangerous and un-precented and Squad Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez has even threatened to impeach the offending Associates. For their part, the three Justices that composed

(Getting Away With It) This has been an active Supreme Court Term that just concluded its session this morning with its Ruling that President Trump is immune from prosecution while engaged in his Official position as President. The Judgement makes sense because any Chief Executive would re quire immunity as any subsequent Administration could second guess any policy decision. For example, FDR could be charged with Japanese interment. For Trump's case, the actions stem from events from January 6th. The Special Counsel for this "Election Interference" case Jack Smith had been prosecuting for these past months. With the Decision today, Smith's efforts to put Trump in front of another Jury before Election Day is now all but impossible. What SCORUS also said, however, is that while a President is immune while in Office and officially in Office, ex-Presidents have no such protection, So, if upon leaving the White House and Donald Trump holds up a liquor store, he would not