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~ USA Headed for a 5th Revolution! Why?

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Category Archives: Back Asswards Thinking

#525: SCOTUS Hocus-Pocus

14 Wednesday May 2025

Posted by Jordan Abel in Back Asswards Thinking, Causes of the Revolution, Societal Issues, Trump 47, Uncategorized

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Welcome to a discussion about the 5th Revolution in the US, which I’ve titled the “Revenge Revolution.” For more about the Revenge Revolution and the author, click “About the Author” tab.  Periodically I write a “sense check” about the status of the Revolution. The previous “sense check” was ENTRY #519. Yes, we are currently embroiled in the “Revenge Revolution.”

BEGIN ENTRY #525: Some decisions by SCOTUS make you wonder if a few justices need to visit a proctologist to have their head relocated to the correct part of their anatomy. Several examples of their legal trickery over the last decade or so.

  1. Citizens’ United (2010) ruled that restricting the amount of campaign donations by corporations and other organizations violated First Amendment rights. The result has been considerable amounts of “dark money” flowing into elections. The consequences of the decision were not hard to imagine, yet SCOTUS ruled so anyway.
  2. Dobbs decision, which essentially banned Federal law allowing abortions. Dobbs decision stated abortion laws should be enacted by individual states. What has emerged? An obvious byzantine set of state laws. As if the SCOTUS illogic were not enough, the case was taken by SCOTUS even though the plaintiffs had no standing. The justification for the suit was based on a hypothetical situation rather than actual events. More SCOTUS trickery.
  3. Trump vs United States (2024) where SCOTUS ruled presidents have absolute immunity from criminal prosecution for actions within their exclusive constitutional authority and presumptive immunity for all official acts. However, the ruling does not grant immunity for unofficial acts. Gee, justices, really hard to understand what the consequences of that decision might be.

The most recent SCOTUS hocus-pocus, or “where is your head?” decision, was a ruling made without any oral arguments, and no evidence presented by the Trump administration supporting their claims.

As the Trump administration is prone to do, they filed an emergency appeal to overturn a lower court’s ruling prohibiting implementation of the administration’s proposed actions.  How did SCOTUS respond? Ever mindful of how the Trump administration has strictly adhered to all laws, SCOTUS bowed to the self-proclaimed orange king and issued a ruling that effectively allows Trump, as commander-in-chief, to ban transgender people from military service.

The ruling deferred to Trump‘s authority as commander-in-chief to ban transgender personnel in the military, regardless of the person’s rank, years of service, and/or history of performance. Trump order stated all known transgender service personnel be dishonorably discharged, which, in turns, makes the person ineligible for any potential pension.

One person affected is a pilot with 19+ years of service and 50+ combat missions. The military has invested $20+ million in training the pilot. But in Trump world, expertise and experience do not matter. If the king, who never served one day in the military, doesn’t like you, then “you’re fired!” A dishonorable discharge and no pension despite your service record. So much for supporting duty, honor, country.

Aside from the lack of evidence by the Trump administration that transgender personnel have underperformed or transgender personnel negatively affect morale of the unit, out they go. Where this leads is again not hard to predict.  What’s equally disturbing, I have not heard the likely consequences discussed in the media. And, as usual, Republicans in the House and Senate remain silent, shaking in their booties.  

What’s the risk of the SCOTUS decision to allow the president to basically decide who can serve in the military?  Given Trump’s demonstrated proclivity for stretching every ruling to the limit, and then often ignoring the law, it is not hard to imagine Trump, or his Secretary of Defense lackey, will declare that those considered unfit for military service now include blacks, Hispanics, Jews, Asians, etc. Anyone who is not a religious fundamentalist with western European heritage is not fit to serve. 

The SCOTUS ruling does not prevent transgender personnel dishonorably discharged from suing to get their jobs back.  Duh, SCOTUS, did you think through this decision? How do those discharged get their jobs back and/or retain their pension rights?

While the courts are technically available to those personnel, what is the cost and what are the consequences of the time lag between filing a suit and the eventual outcome? Law firms which have not capitulated and decided to stand up to Trump are already overloaded with pro bono work trying to help many high profile, highly educated people arbitrarily discharged or dismissed by the DOGE boys.

The pilot is high profile and might be an exception and probably could get pro bono representation from a top-notch law firm. But what about the other personnel? What is the staff sergeant going to do? If the personnel are able to sue, the Federal government will appeal any unfavorable ruling all the way to SCOTUS. Even with a favorable SCOTUS decision, the time lag will be ~3 years. The plaintiff will have taken another job, and the former military unit moved on. Those discharged have few real options for restitution.   

What’s the solution to a SCOTUS that has repeatedly been unable to consider consequences of their decisions?  Some of the likely consequences are so basic you’d think that even Thomas and Alito would be concerned about the decision. But apparently not.

The solution is the same that’s required to stop Trump‘s effort to destroy democracy and form a dictatorship. The solution is a revolution, and one that more and more seems likely to become a shooting revolution with possible assassinations of Trump and key enablers. SCOTUS’ ineptness aside, the real cause is Trump.  

If you think such events are unlikely, consider all the highly trained military like personnel who have been terminated and are extremely upset. People with military combat training, and especially those having served in special forces, know how to circumvent many “protections” surrounding the president and key agency personnel. Another option is a squadron of drones that attack during one of the president’s frequent golf games.

Want more ammunition, as it were, about how alienated groups might take revenge? SCOTUS agreed to hear arguments this term about whether the 14th Amendment grants citizenship to anyone born in the US. Trump, the Constitutional scholar, says the 14th Amendment does not apply to non-citizen mothers. Mmm, does that mean a couple of Trump’s children are not US citizens since the mother was not a citizen when they were born?  Stay tuned. 

By the way, have a nice day, Mrs. Lincoln. Hope you enjoyed the play.   END #525

Other Topics. Interested in more info about climate change, what’s required to electrify a fleet of cars/trucks, and an array of other topics, visit another page of this website, https://usrevolution5.com/jrd-thought-comments/

524. Trump Administration Needs Intelligence, Even AI

27 Sunday Apr 2025

Posted by Jordan Abel in Back Asswards Thinking, Stupid Is as Stupid Does, Trump 47, Uncategorized

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Tags

donald-trump, economy, politics, trump

Welcome to a discussion about the 5th Revolution in the US, which I’ve titled the “Revenge Revolution.” For more about the Revenge Revolution and the author, click “About the Author” tab.  Periodically I write a “sense check” about the status of the Revolution. The previous “sense check” was ENTRY #519. Yes, we are currently embroiled in the “Revenge Revolution.”

BEGIN ENTRY #524: The last paragraph of Entry #523 stated, “…if the “organization in charge” – company, political party, group, etc. – views the world with a binary, zero-sum mentality, then all decisions are based on someone, or some group always having to win and someone having to lose.  Such an attitude inevitably leads to a revolution.”

With each passing week, the US public and people worldwide are realizing the Trump administration views all decisions through a zero-sum-game lens. Through this lens, there can be no shared wealth; no tide can lift all boats.  For each “winner,” there must be a “loser(s).”

What is also clear with the Trump administration is the lack of intelligence among cabinet members and deputies. The cabinet and staff are true representatives of the “gang that couldn’t shoot straight.“

From major blunders developing and implementing policy to typos in court filings (try using spellcheck) to terminating key people who transport nuclear weapons to deporting a two-year-old US citizen without any hearing.  Apparently, the Trump administration heard this 2-year-old was a real terror and thought that meant terrorist.

Maybe the easiest example for grasping the incompetence of the administration is how the tariffs were determined.  The tariff percentages for certain countries were grossly miscalculated. Tariffs were also levied on an island inhabited only by penguins. Those pesky penguins are really aggressive when it comes to trade.

Many of these “stupid-is-as-stupid-does“ mistakes could have been avoided simply by using such AI programs as ChatGPT or Copilot.

As a test of the value of AI, I asked Copilot the following question, “If you were thinking of implementing tariffs on goods imported from various countries around the world, what questions and analysis would you conduct, please?” The response took all of 3-4 seconds. The list of questions to consider and the suggested analytical steps are, based on my experience, an excellent start. (Link to response from Copilot.)

The AI response also asked if there were a particular industry or a particular country in mind for the tariffs. If so, responses to additional queries could be provided in more detail.

Apparently, Peter Navarro, Trump’s trade advisor, and convicted felon, never bothered to query AI for guidance and apparently did not complete much, if any, of the basic analysis suggested by AI before publishing the tariffs by country. When you think you’re so smart, what value is AI?

How has the American public been reacting to these seat-of-the-pants calculated tariffs? A range of opinion polls over the last few weeks indicates that the public is becoming more upset with the administration.  In every major poll asking about tariffs, the “unfavorable” rating exceeded the “favorable” rating, sometimes by more than 10 points.  Over time the gap between unfavorable and favorable re tariffs has continued to grow.  (The “unfavorable” gap on many other Trump administration actions is far greater than for tariffs.)

Since Trump, Musk and the DOGE dunces have terminated so many government employees with deep subject-matter knowledge – real analysis for many policy decisions is not intuitive – you’d think the Trump administration geniuses would be at least smart enough to start using AI for some basic guidance.

Well, no such luck. Apparently the Trump group is either too arrogant and/or too stupid to even consider using artificial intelligence for some guidance. More entries about AI coming. END ENTRY #524

Other Topics. Interested in more info about climate change, what’s required to electrify a fleet of cars/trucks, and an array of other topics, visit another page of this website, https://usrevolution5.com/jrd-thought-comments/

#522: Dumb and Dumber: Sledgehammer Efficiency and Tariffs

04 Friday Apr 2025

Posted by Jordan Abel in Back Asswards Thinking, Economics, Societal Issues, Stupid Is as Stupid Does, Trump 47, Uncategorized

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Tags

donald-trump, elon-musk, politics, trump

Welcome to a discussion about the 5th Revolution in the US, which I’ve titled the “Revenge Revolution.” For more about the Revenge Revolution and the author, click “About the Author” tab.  Periodically I write a “sense check” about the status of the Revolution. The previous “sense check” was ENTRY #519. Yes, we are currently embroiled in the “Revenge Revolution.”

BEGIN ENTRY #522: Scene: you’ve decided that parts of your house need updating. The HVAC system seems a bit inefficient and probably should be updated. The roof might need a few repairs to prevent future leaks.

You are not sure what else might need to be improved. So, to help you call in someone who claims to be an expert in revamping systems that are supposedly outdated or could use some preventive maintenance. You and the self-proclaimed expert agree on a start date, and the expert arrives at the scheduled time.

The expert is accompanied by a team of people you have never met. Most are young and don’t look to have the credentials of someone in the skilled trades needed for the proposed scope of work.  You watch inquisitively as the work team unloads from the truck a set of tools of destruction – sledgehammers, chainsaw-like devices, crowbars, etc. – but no tools that you expected to be used for repairing and preventive maintenance. 

The expert tells the team to “Have at it,“ and you watch in horror as the team immediately begins destroying structural components of your house. As the expert gets ready to leave, you ask, “What’s going on here?“

Expert replies, “We’re going to make your house better.“ You reply, “But where are the plans? How do I know what you’re going to do? It looks as if you’re trying to tear the house down, not make improvements.“

“Don’t be concerned,” the alleged expert says, “we’ll rebuild everything later. But first we must tear up and tear out everything we don’t like. Step aside while the team makes your house more efficient with our sledgehammers and chainsaws.”

And so goes the approach Trump and the Muskovites are taking to “increase the efficiency” of your Federal government. The mantra of the Trump/Muskovites group has been, “Don’t plan, just break, then blame someone else and walk away.”

For those unfamiliar with Trump’s career, he has taken this same approach to virtually every major real estate project. The Trump Tower on 5th Avenue, for example, replaced one of the most beautiful buildings in midtown Manhattan. Do you think he tried to save any of the building and incorporate into Trump Tower? Of course not. Trump’s approach — demolish the building and then send the beautiful stonework to the dump. Fortunately, some of the stonework was saved thanks to a scrap dealer, but with no support from Trump.

As far as efficiency, virtually everyone agrees that most organizations, public and private, have some areas where efficiency could be improved. However, anyone with an ounce of brains knows that breaking or destroying something is relatively easy — give me a sledgehammer and chainsaw.  What takes longer and some serious thought is how to make an organization more efficient while maintaining its integrity, and keeping it running relatively smoothy during the transition. 

What Trump and Musk are doing to the Federal government might seem exciting to some MAGAts. But their approach to increasing efficiency is back asswards. Breaking something takes no brains. Further, breaking often has serious consequences that are hard to reverse. When a Federal agency is eviscerated, the result can increase the risk to national security.

“Oops, you mean, we just fired all the key people who guard the US’ nuclear weapons? And oops, you mean, we also deleted all their contact information? And, oops, since they all had top-secret clearances, the contact information isn’t in other databases?” (Yes, it is true.) How did Trump and Musk respond to such an egregious and inexcusable error? Ho hum. “DOD and the public, you need to get over it.  Everyone makes a minor mistake now and then.”

Whether or not you’re a Trump supporter, Trump and Musk have demonstrated they are incapable of managing the most basic tasks in government. Yes, managing an operation in the Federal government is far more complicated than operating a small family-owned real estate business or being a TV personality.

Managing an operation in the Federal in government is not like being some tech guru who thinks software solves all problems. 

If you still are happy with what Trump and Musk are doing, wait until your life is seriously disrupted by a non-functioning Federal agency that was effectively destroyed by the Trump regime. In the meantime, you’ll soon be reminded each day of the consequences of another “dumb-and-dumber” strategy – stiff virtually across-the-board tariffs for our best trading partners. Other than a select few examples, tariffs do not work, generate inflation and can lead to a severe recession and even Depression.

More on tariffs soon. In the meantime, take a look at the consequences of the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930. END ENTRY #522

Other Topics. Interested in more info about climate change, what’s required to electrify a fleet of cars/trucks, and an array of other topics, visit another page of this website, https://usrevolution5.com/jrd-thought-comments/

493. Time to Play Grown-Up

25 Wednesday Oct 2023

Posted by Jordan Abel in Back Asswards Thinking, Causes of the Revolution, Post Trump Presidency, Societal Issues, Uncategorized

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Welcome to a discussion about the upcoming 5th Revolution in the US, which I’ve titled the “Revenge Revolution.” For more about the Revenge Revolution and the author, Entry #1.  Periodically I write a “sense check” to assess whether a revolution in the US is possible or whether the entire exercise is based on a statistical aberration — i.e., a roughly 50-year cycle between major upheavals in the US Entry #476 was the most recent “sense check.”

BEGIN ENTRY #493: After being put in a leadership position, whether through appointment, an election or by default, one needs to put on their big-boy pants and behave like an adult.

The most glaring “negative” example of such behavior is Trump and the Republican party. Even after being elected president and serving four years, Trump acts like a petulant fourth grader, who must have all the attention.

Hard to believe anyone in an important elected position could exhibit more irresponsible BEHAVIOR than Trump, but most members of the House of Representatives act as if Trump is some kind of all–knowing guru, who’s every command must be obeyed.

Actions by Republicans in the House could well be a skit for the Marx Brothers or part of a Monty Python movie.  At the beginning of 10/25/23 House Republicans began the fourth week of cannibalism.  Over the 3+ weeks House Republicans have roasted, chewed and then spit out one member after another, as possible Speaker of the House.  One lasted a mere four hours after being nominated before withdrawing.

“Oh children, time to quit fighting, clean up your room, and then start your chores. And no dinner and dessert until you elect a Speaker, pass a budget that can be approved by the Senate and signed by the president.  Children, do you understand?”

House Republicans apparently understood the need for a Speaker and elected Mike Johnson of Louisiana.  Why Mr. Johnson, a member of the hard-right and a low-profile architect of the voter fraud scheme.  If Mr. Johnson lasts long enough to get dessert, I’d be surprised. 

What’s even more baffling about the vote for Mike Johnson, which was unanimous among House Republicans, is how House Republicans seem oblivious to events in the Fulton County, GA RICO case.  In the last week three, yes, three of Trump’s former lawyers have flipped, pleading guilty and agreeing to testify – Sydney Powell, Kenneth Chesebro, Jenna, Ellis. Somewhat earlier, a Georgia bail bondsman flipped.

In response to the flipping by the lawyers, Trump’s counsel did what one would expect from someone representing Trump.  He claimed since none of the lawyers who flipped pleaded guilty to the RICO charges, the RICO case by Fulton County DA Fani Willis must be weak and should therefore be dismissed. Of course, anyone who knows anything about the judicial system, or has ever watched some sort of detective show on TV knows an incentive for someone indicted to cooperate is a reduced charge.

Where does all this lead? The lack of concern by Republicans for fulfilling legislative responsibilities in the House is another sign the US has become so polarized the only possible solution seems to be a catastrophic event that will cause enough Republicans to put on their big-boy pants and act like adults. That event, unfortunately, is likely to be an intensified Civil War.

The fifth US revolution started in earnest with the Trump election and escalated considerably with the insurrection and attempted coup January 6.  While there are some hopeful signs that a more intense war can be averted, people have a very hard time changing behavior until faced with consequences. Just ask the three Trump lawyers who flipped in Fulton County how being faced with catastrophic consequences can affect behavior. END ENTRY #493

Other Topics. Interested in more info about climate change, what’s required to electrify a fleet of cars/trucks, what it was like to work day-to-day with Lee Iacocca and an array of other topics? Visit another page of this website, https://usrevolution5.com/jrd-thought-comments/

#491. When Will Republicans Wake Up and Smell Donnie’s Doodoo?

03 Tuesday Oct 2023

Posted by Jordan Abel in Back Asswards Thinking, Causes of the Revolution, Societal Issues, Stupid Is as Stupid Does, Uncategorized

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Welcome to a discussion about the upcoming 5th Revolution in the US, which I’ve titled the “Revenge Revolution.” For more about the Revenge Revolution and the author, Entry #1.  Periodically I write a “sense check” to assess whether a revolution in the US is possible or whether the entire exercise is based on a statistical aberration — i.e., a roughly 50-year cycle between major upheavals in the US Entry #476 was the most recent “sense check.”

BEGIN ENTRY #491: This entry might seem like a repeat or even a “three-peat.” But I’m stumped as to why anyone would continue to support Trump. Even if you dislike Democrats’ policies and/or dislike Biden, why support someone with a long history of fraud and deceit?

No, Trump’s fraud and deceit are not the garden variety type. We are talking about hundreds of millions of dollars over many decades and, most importantly, a serious attempt to overthrow the US government.

How much evidence do you need to realize Trump is a chump?  How can you think that all the Republicans who testified against Trump have somehow been corrupted by Democrats or an alien from outer space?

The list of Republicans starts at the top with a former Republican nominee for president and runs all the way to White House staffers.  The most recent source of information about Trump‘s bizarre and delusional behavior came from Cassidy Hutchinson, and aide to Mark Meadows, Trump‘s chief of staff. If you think Hutchinson was a nobody spouting off hearsay and lies because she couldn’t possibly know what was going on, well, think again.

Hutchinson held the same job – yes, the same job as Alexander Butterfield. Remember Butterfield? If you’re a Republican, you should. He was the person who answered “yes” to a question in a Senate hearing about Watergate. 

The question? “Mr. Butterfield, are you aware of a recording device installed in the Oval Office?”  His straightforward reply of “yes” put the final nail in Nixon’s coffin.

Ms. Hutchison public testimony before the January 6 committee was enough to make anyone’s hair curl. Now more revelations are in a book about her time in the White House.

Lies you say. All made up!  Well, go search the public records for her testimony to the January 6 committee. She’s also testified before the Department of Justice and at least one grand jury.  Lying in any of the venues could result in a charge of perjury.

Further, match her track record for truthfulness against Trump’s. The match is not even close. She crosses the finish line before the Donald even starts the race.

Trump lied so much about his business in New York, and filed so many fraudulent documents that in a lawsuit brought by the NY AG, the presiding judge ordered a summary judgment against Trump and his organization, thereby eliminating the need for a jury trial to determine if he was guilty.  The ruling was sweeping and most likely will put Trump out of business in New York.  During the proceedings to determine damages, in which Trump waived his right to a jury trial, Trump made such threatening remarks about the judge’s staff that the judge issued a gag order. 

Much more evidence about Trump‘s lying, cheating, stealing, and personal behavior is publicly available. If you need another credible evidence of this, look at remarks from General Mark Millie, former head of the joint chief of staff.  Also. General John Kelly, Trump’s former chief of staff. 

So , ask yourself – is this the guy I want to be leading the country? The guy who has vowed to abandon the US Constitution and make himself dictator?

Also ask yourself, what if a Democrat exhibited the same behavior? Before you claim Clinton, and Obama were worse, go find some facts to prove your case.  You won’t find any.

If you still want Trump , then be prepared for an intense Civil War in the US. And, be prepared for what happened to the rebels in the south during the 1860’s. You’ll come out a loser. END ENTRY #491

Other Topics. Interested in more info about climate change, what’s required to electrify a fleet of cars/trucks, what it was like to work day-to-day with Lee Iacocca and an array of other topics? Visit another page of this website, https://usrevolution5.com/jrd-thought-comments/

#490 Republicans Redefined Definition of Conservative

16 Saturday Sep 2023

Posted by Jordan Abel in Back Asswards Thinking, Causes of the Revolution, Post Trump Presidency, Societal Issues, Stupid Is as Stupid Does, Uncategorized

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Welcome to a discussion about the upcoming 5th Revolution in the US, which I’ve titled the “Revenge Revolution.” For more about the Revenge Revolution and the author, Entry #1.  Periodically I write a “sense check” to assess whether a revolution in the US is possible or whether the entire exercise is based on a statistical aberration — i.e., a roughly 50-year cycle between major upheavals in the US Entry #476 was the most recent “sense check.”

BEGIN ENTRY #490: While both US political parties do some thigs well and other times make bone-headed decisions, the “new” Republican Party led by Trump seems to continue taking bone-headed actions to a new level. What’s ironic is Party members claim they are “true conservatives.”

Has anyone inside the Republican Party, and especially the hard-right caucus, taken time to look up the definition of conservative? Likely not. Here’s a couple of short definitions, “tending to conserve or preserve,” “tending to preserve existing views, conditions, or institutions.” I guess the Jan 6 insurrectionists who stormed the Capitol thought being conservative meant being a rebel/traitor, as evidenced by their display of the Confederate battle flag.

Given the apparent commitment by Trump Republicans in the US House of Representative to refuse to make any effort at governing, I thought it was appropriate to offer a definition of ‘conservatives” that is more consistent with their behavior and Trump’s behavior.

C = Conceited, claiming only they, i.e., Trump Republicans, have the right answer
O = Obstinate, not willing to negotiate or even listen to anyone else’s ideas
N = Negligent, disregarding critical needs of the country and citizens – Sen Tuberville an example
S = Selfish, not willing to share anything other than with high-end donors
E = Egotistical, thinking their you-know-what doesn’t stink
R = Reactionary, claiming they are always the victim and never the cause of a problem
V = Vicious, attacking those trying to do their job for democracy
A = Arrogant, assuming only fellow Republicans of their ilk have the correct answer
T = Temperamental, acting like 2-year-olds when things don’t go their way. Orange Man throwing his lunch on the wall in the Oval Office is one of many examples.
I = Idiotic, as demonstrated by a wide range of crazy ideas, including trickle-down economics
V = Violent, claiming the Jan 6 insurrectionists were patriots and normal tourists
E = Evasive, refusing to answer basic questions about say sources of income – e.g., Clarence Thomas
S =Stupid, as demonstrated by continuing to deny global warming, buying into an array of laughable conspiracy theories and continuing to support Trump as a candidate, even though his criminal record has been well document for decades.

At one time, being a “conservative” Republican actually stood for certain policies and supported the Constitution. No longer. A conservative Republican now stands for nothing rationale and actively tries to disband the Constitution.

To be a viable democracy, the US needs two credible political parties. Two credible parties provide some guardrails to help rein in the occasional, but inevitable bone-headed proposals by one of the parties. The Republicans have abdicated their policies to the whims of an idiot.

The country has been making some progress toward reducing the severity of US Revolution V by using the legal system as it was designed – investigating, indicting where appropriate and then prosecuting criminals. If Republicans claim to be patriots, then “old guard” Republicans need to unzip their lips and start explaining to the voter base what needs to happen to rebuild the Republican Party and help avoid more bloodshed as the Revenge Revolution intensifies. END ENTRY #490

Other Topics. Interested in more info about climate change, what’s required to electrify a fleet of cars/trucks, what it was like to work day-to-day with Lee Iacocca and an array of other topics? Visit another page of this website, https://usrevolution5.com/jrd-thought-comments/

#468. Backassward Logic. Columbus Wasn’t the Bad Guy.

15 Thursday Dec 2022

Posted by Jordan Abel in Back Asswards Thinking, Uncategorized

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Welcome to a discussion about the upcoming 5th Revolution in the US, which I’ve titled the “Revenge Revolution.” For more about the Revenge Revolution and the author, Entry #1.  Periodically I write a “sense check” to assess whether a revolution in the US is possible or whether the entire exercise is based on a statistical aberration — i.e., a roughly 50-year cycle between major upheavals in the US. Entry #430 was the most recent “sense check.”

BEGIN ENTRY #468: Recently, there was an article about a court in Philadelphia that ordered removal of a plywood box covering a 10 foot statue of Christopher Columbus. The statue was a gift to the city of Philadelphia in 1876.

The statue was covered with plywood following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. Protesters in Philadelphia demanded the statue be taken down, or at least covered, because somehow Christopher Columbus was linked to the forced removal of the indigenous people from their native areas, and was somehow further linked to suppression of blacks, which led to the death of George Floyd by a rogue cop. Whew!

How do people end up making these links? Start with Christopher Columbus. He was sponsored by Queen Isabella of Spain in a quest to find a western passage to India and, in the process “discovered” America. (If you ever wondered why Native Americans are called Indians now you know.)

Columbus, an Italian explorer, reported back to the Queen about discovering this new land.  As a result of his efforts, Columbus got funded for a total of four (4) trips to North America.

What did Columbus do on those trips?  Did Columbus lead any invasion? No. Did Columbus directly cause any significant harm to Native Americans? No. Was Columbus involved in the slave trade? No.

Columbus was an explorer sponsored by the queen of Spain. Upon returning to Spain in 1493, Columbus was a “messenger” informing the queen there was a new land west of Europe.

What did Columbus do that was so bad a statue needed to be covered in plywood? Maybe the ire and frustration of the people who demanded the statue of Columbus be removed (the court order was to cover in plywood) should direct their ire at the true culprits – the Spanish, who invaded much of North America; the English, who established the colonies; and the Dutch (among others), who transported blacks from Africa. And while we’re pointing fingers, let’s not forget the chiefs of various African tribes, who sold members of other tribes to the Dutch.

Where were Columbus and the Italians during this activity? Columbus died about 1506, more than 100 years before the Mayflower.  And other Italians?  They remained in the Mediterranean.

Please tell me again, then, why Columbus should be linked to the death of George Floyd?  Applying the “Columbus-logic” to other situations can lead to some bizarre conclusions.

For example, using the “Columbus-is-the-cause” logic would justify prohibiting blacks from driving a German car – Mercedes, BMW or VW. Why? Because early on in the civil rights movement in the US, Jews were the first white group to support more freedom for blacks, often marching with blacks in protest and often suffering the same mistreatment from police in southern cities. During the period Jews also provided logistics and financial support to the effort.

During the 1930s and 1940s, Jews were persecuted and killed en masse by the Germans. The auto companies making Mercedes, BMW and VW were all part of the German war machine in WWII.

Therefore, by driving a Mercedes, BMW, or VW, blacks are demonstrating support for the actions of the Third Reich and the extermination of 6 million Jews. Now, you see what I mean by convoluted logic?

Folks, time to step back and view issues from a rational, less ideological perspective.  Columbus was an explorer who was looking for a different passage to India. Along the way he “discovered” North America.  He returned three more times.  In any of those trips did Columbus make an effort to invade America?  No. 

This entry is not intended to diminish the plight of Native Americans or blacks.  But, if you feel compelled to blame someone for the plight of blacks or Native Americans, blame one or more of the groups responsible.  Just don’t blame Columbus.  He wasn’t even looking for America.  He was looking for another way to India. END ENTRY #468

Other Topics. Interested in more info about climate change, what’s required to electrify a fleet of cars/trucks, what it was like to work day-to-day with Lee Iacocca and an array of other topics? Visit another page of this website, https://usrevolution5.com/jrd-thought-comments/

#465. I’m Now Officially a Political Curmudgeon

29 Saturday Oct 2022

Posted by Jordan Abel in Back Asswards Thinking, Causes of the Revolution, Post Trump Presidency, Societal Issues, Stupid Is as Stupid Does, Uncategorized

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Welcome to a discussion about the upcoming 5th Revolution in the US, which I’ve titled the “Revenge Revolution.” For more about the Revenge Revolution and the author, Entry #1.  Periodically I write a “sense check” to assess whether a revolution in the US is possible or whether the entire exercise is based on a statistical aberration — i.e., a roughly 50-year cycle between major upheavals in the US. Entry #430 was the most recent “sense check.”

BEGIN ENTRY #465: Now I qualify as a curmudgeon with respect to politics. Without any hesitation, I think at least 50% of the US population is too stupid to understand the magnitude of the threat to democracy we currently face.

OK, if you are a right-wing Republican, and believe an autocrat should lead the country and believe that anyone but a fundamentalist, white Christian should be removed from power or even eliminated, then you’re happy.  However, just remember right-wingers that autocrats are loyal only to themselves.

To the autocrat, your support means nothing and your support does not guarantee your safety or well-being. If you think Trump considers you anything but fodder, then go find a pile of rocks and look at the pile. The pile of rocks is smarter than you are.

For other Republicans who support Trump, which means virtually  every Republican, you – yes,YOU – are leading the US to a revolution. No, the Democrats are not the enemy. You can disagree with Democrats about policy, but Democrats are not promoting banning voting, taking away other individual rights, or trying to concentrate wealth in the hands of a few.

YOU as a Trump-supporting Republican are complicit in the planned overthrow of the US government. YOU will wake up one day, finding most of your rights taken away, and then ask, “why didn’t anyone warn me about this?“

I realize this is a rhetorical question, but “what do Trump and Republican leaders need to do, or maybe not do, in order for you to wake up?“ Look, I understand, no one likes to be insulted. But you are being stupid, f*^”ing stupid.  In fact, you may be dumber than the right-wing wackos. At least they stand for something, even if it’s all the wrong things.

YOU, my fellow citizens, stand for nothing. Republicans complain, complain, complain, but have no plan to fix whatever they complain about. Other than possibly cutting taxes for the wealthy.

In addition, the Republican leadership has no ethics, or should I say no balls. Calling Kevin McCarthy, Mitch McConnell, and Lindsey Graham milquetoast is a step up the courage ladder.

Liz Cheney and I disagree on most policy issues. But I say, “Hail Liz!” for having the guts to stand up and do what’s right.

What happens to Cheney, one of the few Republicans with any character? The milquetoast marauders led by McCarthy kick Cheney out of a leadership position in the House, and then actively promote her defeat in the Wyoming primary.  Excuse me Republicans, she’s a profile in courage and should be praised, not punished.

While there are many more examples, I’ll wrap up with the crocodile tears shed by the Republicans for the Pelosi family. Trump, of course, sent condolences to the family of Jerry Lee Lewis upon his death, but nothing to the Pelosi family.  Like the reaction to massacres of students or concert goers, Republicans deflect the real cause of the problem by claiming now is the time for praying and grieving; now is not the time to tackle the problem.

What’s going to happen when a Republican in Congress, or an avowed conservative member of the Supreme Court is assassinated?  Even if all the evidence points to the assassin being a Russian plot designed to rile up the Republican base it will not affect Republican claims. Like all comments from Republicans, evidence doesn’t matter.

Republican leadership will blame Democrats for the assassination(s).  For Republicans it is more important to figure out how to encourage the far right to take action than to be truthful.  When the far-right responds to comments from Trump and Republican leadership, then Katie bar the door for the US population.  The number of assassinations will increase.

Thanks, Republicans, for your lack of courage that will help lead the US to its next revolution. And now you know why I qualify as a political curmudgeon. END ENTRY #465

Other Topics. Interested in more info about climate change, what’s required to electrify a fleet of cars/trucks, what it was like to work day-to-day with Lee Iacocca and an array of other topics? Visit another page of this website, https://usrevolution5.com/jrd-thought-comments/

#463. What Do Republicans Stand for?

01 Saturday Oct 2022

Posted by Jordan Abel in Back Asswards Thinking, Common Sense Policies, Uncategorized

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Welcome to a discussion about the upcoming 5th Revolution in the US, which I’ve titled the “Revenge Revolution.” For more about the Revenge Revolution and the author, Entry #1.  Periodically I write a “sense check” to assess whether a revolution in the US is possible or whether the entire exercise is based on a statistical aberration — i.e., a roughly 50-year cycle between major upheavals in the US. Entry #430 was the most recent “sense check.”

BEGIN ENTRY #463: Over many years, only once do I remember voting a straight ticket – the 2020 presidential election – although I might have voted a straight Republican ticket when I first started.  Just don’t remember. 

With the 2022 midterms rapidly approaching, I’ve been reviewing candidates for whom I can vote as well as selected other influential candidates. Whereas political candidates always are prone to some bluster, one should be able to get a sense whether the candidate understands key issues facing the country, and whether the candidate has feasible solutions to address issues.

 Here’s my simple question – could someone please tell me what Republican candidates stand for? From all indications, Republicans are opposed to virtually any idea, even those previously promoted by Republicans. As obvious is their opposition, it is not obvious how Republican candidates intend to address the country’s problems, or the problems worldwide that affect us.

I get regular updates from the House rep, and the one senator, who is not retiring.  Both reps are Republicans. The updates to constituents are similar – opposed to this idea; opposed to that idea; this other idea won’t work; this idea is a burden on society, etc.  Communiques from neither offer credible references supporting claims or offer links to find out more information.  I guess I’m just supposed to trust them.

Equally frustrating has been an effort to discuss with staffs of the two members of Congress possible practical solutions to climate change.  The solutions have been developed by an apolitical group of MIT alumni of which I am a member. Virtually every proposed solution from the group creates jobs.

To members of Congress, is the welfare of constituents important?  Apparently not because neither MOC or staffs will take time to discuss proposed solutions because …well, I guess if you or a staff member discusses practical solutions to climate change, you can’t claim climate change is a hoax.

So, back to my question.  Could someone please let me know what Republican candidates stand for, other than more tax cuts for the wealthy? Thanks. END ENTRY #463

Other Topics. Interested in more info about climate change, what’s required to electrify a fleet of cars/trucks, what it was like to work day-to-day with Lee Iacocca and an array of other topics? Visit another page of this website, https://usrevolution5.com/jrd-thought-comments/

#462. “Conspiracies Are Us” — Driving a Stake in the Heart of Democracy

22 Thursday Sep 2022

Posted by Jordan Abel in Back Asswards Thinking, Causes of the Revolution, Uncategorized

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Welcome to a discussion about the upcoming 5th Revolution in the US, which I’ve titled the “Revenge Revolution.” For more about the Revenge Revolution and the author, Entry #1.  Periodically I write a “sense check” to assess whether a revolution in the US is possible or whether the entire exercise is based on a statistical aberration — i.e., a roughly 50-year cycle between major upheavals in the US. Entry #430 was the most recent “sense check.”

BEGIN ENTRY #462. I continue to be gob smacked by the number of supposed conspiracies promoted by seemingly educated people. It seems the more outlandish the scope of the conspiracy, the more credible some people consider the conspiracy.

Conspiracies have been around for years in the US and other countries.  One major difference now is the use of social media, which: (I) allows the conspiracy to be shared quickly among many people; (ii) has few checks re control of content and/or credibility of the claim.  Social media seems to have encouraged more conspiracies and even more outlandish claims.

Another factor is the dramatic decline in readership of credible, print media.  The decline has taken away the “sanity-check” guardrails for many former readers.  I shake my head at how many people I know who no longer get any news from print media, instead relying on cable or the internet.  These same people express concern about such issues as the dangers of using public Wi-Fi but seem to have few reservations about gathering “news” from questionable sources.

The topic of conspiracies has personal interest to me.  In the early 2000’s, there was a movie made, excuse me, an alleged documentary, titled “Who Killed the Electric Car?” During research for the movie, I was contacted by the producer. In addition to offering insight about the efforts of GM and other companies to develop and introduced a modern-generation electric car, I offered names and contact information of others in the industry who might be considered for interviews.

When I was filmed – in LA on the top floor of a building at intersection of Sunset Blvd and the 405 – it seemed apparent the producer had decided on a conspiracy theme and structured questions accordingly.  Apparently, my answers didn’t fit the conspiracy theory, because only a couple of short clips of my interview made the final edit. 

When I am asked if there was a conspiracy to kill the electric car, or when someone claims there was a conspiracy, my usual response is a bit of laughter and then an explanation. I like to remind people claiming a conspiracy is that those of us involved with the EV programs from different companies were either not smart enough or too naïve to have a conspiracy.   All the people from GM, Ford, Honda, Toyota and some electric utilities were trying to develop and introduced one thing – a competitive electric car to meet the California zero emission vehicle mandate. 

To conspiracy theorists such facts don’t matter. There had to be a conspiracy.  Tell me, just “Who Killed the Electric Car?”  (Interested in learning the real reason GM killed the EV1?)

Conspiracy theorists seem to forget that for a conspiracy to work only a few people can be involved.  And one thing we all know is people love to tell “secrets” to friends.  If more than a handful of people are involved, then the conspiracy soon becomes public information and infinitely more difficult to execute. 

Aside from the electric car, some conspiracies friends/colleagues have been touting of late include:

(I) 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center (always popular in early September) involved far more people than the public has been led to believe.  Depending on who’s promoting the conspiracy, the group involved was  broad-based, including key members from several countries.  In addition, the plan to destroy the Trade Center towers was in the works for at least a decade prior to the attack.  

According to some, the Towers were not only struck by planes but damaged by a nuclear blast underneath the towers and a nearby building. 

As proof the conspiracy theorists show pictures of the Trade Towers with commercial aircraft in the sky behind the towers.  Guys, stop and think just for a second.  One of the major flight paths to/from LaGuardia is not far from the Trade Towers.  Besides, adding planes to the background makes a picture of buildings more interesting.

More “proof” of the long-planned conspiracy is a picture from the late 1990’s of a high-profile individual whose watch has the hour hand at nine (9) and the minute-hand at 11.  Now, how could you not be convinced?  Hard to imagine but just suppose someone doctored the picture using Photoshop.  More proof is a poster for a ferry-ride around Manhattan.  Cost is “$9” and to the right of the $9 is a rendering of the skyline with the Trade Towers.  Now, how can you not believe?

More proof – the floors of the towers could not collapse in pancake fashion.  Because the pancake pattern is not possible, there had to be another “something,” usually not identified. The “proof” disappears after one talks to an architect about how the individual floors in the towers were attached to the exterior walls rather than to central posts.  When the joints holding the upper floors were weakened by the plane crashing and then the fire, the floors could collapse.  The weight of a single floor falling on another would exceed the strength of the joints on the lower floor and the floors would then collapse in pancake fashion.  Never mind logic, I know there was a broad-based conspiracy.    

(2) Covid and other vaccines are being promoted by the pharmaceutical industry, Bill Gates, Dr. Anthony Fauci, and who knows who else as a way to control the populace. You might not know this but there are RFID chips in the vaccines.  (Liquid chips, I guess.)  At some point the liquid RFID chip would be activated and signals sent that would turn those vaccinated into killers of other people, thereby reducing the number of people on earth.  Why take such action I don’t know.  Gates is 66 and Fauci past 80, so how will they benefit?  Conspiracy theorists often fail to cite a logical benefit.  

(3) The number of deaths from Covid was greatly exaggerated because doctors and hospitals made more money from Covid-caused deaths than other deaths.  At least this conspiracy provided some logic.  However, when I state that putting the cause aside, significantly more people died during 2020 and 2021 than would be expected (~3 standard deviations greater than the norm), I have yet to get a response.  Guess a lot of extra people just wanted to die early.

(4) Global warming is a hoax being promoted by governments as part of the broader plan to control the population.  The hoax is really impressive.  For example, those icebergs are melting not from the earth’s warming but because (my sarcastic logig follows) the socialist Democrats have placed blow torches under icebergs and glaciers to make them melt.  Why? The socialists Democrats are just jealous of all the Republicans who own seashore property.  The deniers of global warming have myriad reasons why it’s a hoax but never provide any scientific data.

(5) Evidence at Mar-a-Lago that inventoried Trump’s illegal retention of secret documents, and other classified material was planted by the FBI…and the list goes on and on.

The acceptance of the conspiracy theories and the refusal to accept the results of Biden’s election by a wide swath of Republicans does not bode well for the democracy and reinforces the likelihood of a 5th US revolution.  What can be done to mitigate the negative effects of these conspiracy theories?  Stay tuned for ideas.  END ENTRY #462

Other Topics. Interested in more info about climate change, what’s required to electrify a fleet of cars/trucks, what it was like to work day-to-day with Lee Iacocca and an array of other topics? Visit another page of this website, https://usrevolution5.com/jrd-thought-comments/

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