May 16, 2018

Rising sea levels will submerge historical sites in the US, scientists say.

Their conclusion says thousands of sites could be submerged within the century. These include the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse in North Carolina, and Jamestown, Virginia, the country's oldest permanent English settlement.

Charleston, South Carolina, and St. Augustine, Florida, two of the country's continuously occupied European settlements, were estimated to become high-risk areas as well.

What's startling is that even a measly sea level rise of around three to 10 feet would be enough to threaten the above-mentioned historical sites. It would be more catastrophic if the rise climbs higher, say, around 16.4 feet. In that scenario, 32,000 sites could be affected, many of which are included in the National Register of Historic Places.

. . . .

Sea levels rising hold far more pressing implications than merely damage to the areas. Not only will history and heritage be destroyed, residents of said places will inevitably be displaced in the process.

http://www.techtimes.com/articles/216470/20171202/rising-sea-levels-will-submerge-thousand-of-us-historical-sites.htm

May 11, 2018

California budget swells to almost $200B -- saving for the next economic downturn.

California budget swells to almost $200B
. . .

California Gov. Jerry Brown (D) on Friday unveiled a nearly $200 billion budget proposal aimed at stocking away billions for the next economic downturn.

The $199.2 billion proposal, the largest in California’s history, would add another $3.2 billion to the state’s reserve fund, money that could be used when the economy once again goes south. That would leave $13.8 billion in the rainy-day fund, first created by voters in a 2014 ballot measure.

“We’re nearing the longest economic recovery in modern history, and as Isaac Newton observed, what goes up must come down,” Brown said. “This is a time to save for our future, not to make pricey promises we can’t keep.”

The booming stock market and tax revenues coming in well above expectations mean California budget officials will see an $8.8 billion surplus, $3.8 billion more than Brown’s initial budget assumed in January.

http://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/387311-california-budget-swells-to-almost-200b

California's economy is the fifth largest in the world, yet the votes of Californians count for relatively little in presidential elections because of the electoral college. Our democracy is a travesty when it comes to electing our president.

Nevertheless, we in California are preparing for economic downturns.

Is your state?

May 5, 2018

Good news for California!

(CN) – California surpassed the United Kingdom to become the fifth largest economy in the world in 2017 with a gross domestic product of $2.7 trillion, according to new federal data released Friday.

California’s jump to fifth place in the world ranking represents an increase of more than $100 billion from 2016. The Golden State now ranks above the economies of United Kingdom, India, France, Brazil, Italy and Canada, according to the California Department of Finance.

Much of the credit goes to California’s robust environment, population diversity and range of climates that promote a strong agriculture industry according to Kadee Russ, associate professor of economics at the University of California, Davis.

“California has done a good job of growing its university system that promotes innovation, but also provides technology to other industries, for example the agriculture sector,” said Russ.

. . . .

https://www.courthousenews.com/california-passes-uk-to-become-worlds-5th-largest-economy/

May 3, 2018

Why did Giuliani make Trump responsible for paying for Stormy Daniels'

NDA? Here's a theory.

March 11, 2018

Hitler's Circle of Evil is a documentary on the Third Reich.

It's a history that tells a story that generally is not told, and it is a history that we who are liberal and who oppose Fascism in its new and old forms need to see.

It is long and detailed, but absolutely a must-see for Democrats.

March 10, 2018

Do you suppose the Trump/Russia/United Arab Emirates/Prince meeting in

the Seychelles may have concerned taking the natural resources out of Afghanistan?

What do you think?

Russia would be the transportation link, the way to get the materials out of Afghanistan. The United Emirates and may I also mention Saudi Arabia would be helpful as investors and as Muslim intermediaries with the Muslim majorities in Afghanistan.

Again, what do you think?

Erik Prince thinks he can turn around the war in Afghanistan, and he’s got a PowerPoint deck to explain the whole thing. The Blackwater founder brought it with him to the Corner Bakery on North Capitol Street in Washington last Thursday, printed out and placed in a presentation binder. He’s been shopping it around D.C. And on Friday, when President Trump huddles with his advisers at Camp David to plot a way forward, it will be in the mix.

The 16-year-old war in Afghanistan has become a central point of conflict in the White House as the administration passes the half-year mark without having settled on a new strategy. Trump has so far rejected the proposals brought to his desk. The troop increases favored by his generals, Defense Secretary James Mattis and National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster, are strongly opposed by his (now-former) chief strategist, Steve Bannon, and the president himself is skeptical of such approaches.

The “America First” ethos on which Trump campaigned is bumping up against the approach of his military brass. But an answer may finally be at hand. Trump and top administration officials will gather at Camp David on Friday to discuss South Asia strategy. Vice President Pence is even cutting his Latin America trip short to join the talks.
Related Story
A U.S. Marine shakes hand with Afghan National Army soldiers.

America Needs to Stay in Afghanistan

But this is not just an argument between warring elements within the administration. Plans to privatize the war proposed by two businessmen with ties to the White House have become a linchpin of the debate. Prince is proposing to send private contractors to Afghanistan instead of U.S. troops, and have the entire operation overseen by a “viceroy.” The billionaire investor Stephen Feinberg has also submitted a proposal using contractors. Both have met with top administration officials on the matter. Their involvement was first reported by The New York Times last month. In recent weeks, their lobbying effort has ramped up, as Trump signals he is nearing a decision. And Trump is said to favor using at least some of Prince and Feinberg’s proposals.

https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/08/afghanistan-camp-david/537324/

Remember. Russia went into Afghanistan before the US did.

March 8, 2018

Why are you a Democrat

and not a Republican or Independent?

How would you explain this to your family, your friends, strangers?

March 1, 2018

Two Lessons (by no means all) learned from the Trump White House

1) What it is like when our government is run like an American business

chaotic, mean, grabbing, greedy, dirty, nasty, backbiting, dishonest, incompetent, needing regulation --- you supply your own adjectives

2) Why American businesses are not competing successfully in the big, wide world -- all of the above plus another day another firing.

No attempt to apply non-violent techniques to solve problems -- just more psychological and maybe even in some cases physical bludgeoning.

The Trump administration is a perfect example of the relationship between all too many (although not all) employers in the US and their employees.

Turnover under Trump's mismanagement is so rapid you can't keep track of the names of those coming and going on the White House staff. It's not possible to accomplish good things in that kind of atmosphere.

So many people are leaving the White House and so many of his top aides don't qualify for security clearances.

In addition to the fact that Trump has hired Republican fools to support his administration in the White House, there is what is becoming increasingly clear is his and his supervisors' contempt for their employees.

No one would put future employees in the position that Trump's staff has been put in with constant staff changes and constant suspicion of participation in the Russia conspiracy. Trump needs to come completely clean about the theft of Hillary's e-mails, when he knew and how, his past business dealings and financial relationships, etc. The first step is to show the American people his tax forms and come clean about his debt and that of members of his team in the White House including his family members. What do they owe, and to whom do they owe it?

Transparency. That's what we need. Right now, the American government, thanks to Trump's mismanagement, is in a tailspin.

When does it ever end? The scandals, the turnover, the confusion.

Sorry! This is not Making America Great Again. It's making us fail, and it won't be easy to pick up the pieces after this one.

George W. Bush led us into a serious recession in which many people lost their homes. Obama, ever steady, ever intelligent, and a good person carefully walked us out of that disaster. Trump is doing even worse than GWB. Another disaster that a Democrat will have to walk our country out of.

This is "business (Trump) managing government," and it is awful.

What a mess.

February 25, 2018

Aren't ignorance and repression delightful?

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=10289989

Look at that thread.

And then think that most who disapprove of having two candidates in our Democratic primary for the Senate are probably not from California or don't vote here.

DeLeon is from Southern California. He is not an extreme left candidate. He was/is the president of the California Senate and a great candidate.

But look at all those who with no information about the contest or the candidates comment as if they were God's judgment on the issue.

We need to change this. We need to ask DUers to inform themselves before rushing to judgment and responding based on ignorance of the facts.

DeLeon's challenge to Feinstein will give Feinstein a chance to either show that she is up to another 6 years in the Senate or allow a younger candidate from Southern California to take her place.

The contest will be fair.

No. It won't destroy the chances of the ultimate winner of this race. Whoever wins will go on to the Senate because Republicans are a minority in California. The Republican governors nearly bankrupted our state and are way, way out of favor.

But this is a lesson about why Democrats lost the 2016 election.

Too rigid. Too opinionated about things they know nothing about.

Let's lighten up a bit. There are arguments for Feinstein. There are arguments for DeLeon. Either of them would do an acceptable job.

But if you aren't in California and don't know our system, please don't comment on our primaries.

February 25, 2018

Survivor's Guide to Prison - Don't miss it!

The harsh reality of conviction and prison.
Pulls no punches.
Not for children.
But a must see for political activists.

http://variety.com/2018/film/reviews/survivors-guide-to-prison-review-1202708684/

It will be available through Amazon and YouTube, maybe elsewhere in time.

Seriously. Don't miss it.