Marshall in the Middle to Remain Marshall in the Middle

By Chuck Marshall

     In a previous blog post I mentioned my quandary "do I change the  name of my blog?".  The reason being I feel my political persuasion has shifted to the right for various reasons.  As I considered this I remembered I named it  for the purpose of representing the "middle" of America politically,   but I also- and perhaps even more passionately- named it for the purpose of speaking for the "middle class" of America.  So, while my political persuasion is "right of center", my heart still lies with the struggling middle class and it probably will forever.  In addition, much of my political thought these days is an urgent feeling that we need compromise.  I don't agree with a lot of leftist ideas and solutions for solving our nations problems and challenges, but I do believe that an effective government needs to compromise with other ways of seeing things so that all citizens feel they have some say in the way the nation is run.  With compromise we all have "buy in" for the approaches to the challenges of society, policy and finding solutions to the problems of this Republic. So, I conclude, Marshall in the Middle will remain.   

Have a good day. 

  

Media in Withdrawal - 2017

 DT gives them the DT's 

By Chuck Marshall 

     This year, 2017 has been a shocker for all of us.   Donald Trump was sworn in as  president of the United States and although I voted for Gary Johnson, I must admit having a certain glee in watching the MSM (mainstream media) go into hyperventilation over the election of DT.  They simply CANNOT get over it. 

     I have a theory regarding all this.  I believe, think and feel that the MSM was so addicted to abusing Republican politicians, and Presidents in particular, that when DT became President they thought it would be bashing as usual.  After winning the coveted office,  they thought Trump would retreat into the White House and "become more presidential".  Their version of this for Republican Presidents is to  bend over and take it from the MSM and their superior way of looking at things.  When DT did not cooperate in this regard there was a significant amount of Delirium Tremons emanating from the gang at CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN, etc...  The consequence was a mass hysteria the likes of which I've never seen before in my entire 54 years.   Outrageous stories with gaping holes of logic.  Obvious opinions presented as facts.  A complete lack of consideration and even open disdain for any idea from the right.   A near total lack of logic and reason and a bankruptcy of ideals and morals.  The consequence is a disgraceful lack of journalistic values that should include searching for and revealing the truth.  Revealing the truth and following differing opinions is their purpose.  THEY are not the story, 'nor should they be.

         I do hope they get the help they need.  They should dry out, clear their heads, sharpen their pencils and consider the delights of looking for and writing about the truth of all matters,  regardless of their political slant.  A quote from Voltaire, the french philosopher that has always shined to me as crucial to democracy "I disapprove of what you say,  but I will defend to the death your right to say it".  The MSM is so attached to the left that they don't see issues with the clarity that is required.  Any opinions from  the right side of political thought in our country- most especially if the argument is a good one- are left out  completely.  This is a very serious problem right now.   To all the MSM I say;  Get off  your lazy asses and consider working for the American people in general, not the Democratic party in particular.  You'll feel much better for it.   For now, enjoy the holidays but beware that  I will be challenging your baloney stories in 2018 with great intensity. 

Chuck Marshall's Humble Opinion in Orlando Sentinel Again !

Dear loyal readers-  Once again the Orlando Sentinel flatters me by publishing my words of wisdom.  (At least I like to think!).   I've lost count, but since 2005 I think I'm close to 50 letters published.  I'm not bragging (well, I am sort of) but I just can't keep my mouth shut regarding my opinion.  I am considering returning to my original name for this blog from "Marshall in the Middle" to "Chuck Marshall's Humble Opinion".   What do you think ? 

Today,  I'm simply inserting an electronic clip to give it the "air  of authenticity", so I hope that works for all of you and your discriminating tastes.  It's easier on me right now, and I'm feeling sort of lazy.  Have a great Weekend !

Am I still in the Middle ?

By Chuck Marshall


Dear loyal readers of "Marshall in the Middle",

     I wanted to drop a few words and do some explaining for my absence.  I've been pondering a name change for my blog as my personal opinions have evolved over the last year and I cannot say, in all honesty, that I am a moderate.  After long thought and pondering for our country's future I don't think being moderate is the answer.   Perhaps in the future, it will be more compelling ?  I don't know.  The behavior of the media, the left (one in the same thing) has led me to consider the media (specifically the mainstream media- ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, MSNBC, WAPO, and NYTimes) as essentially an enemy to the people.  The biased media is leading the left and Democrats to no longer accepting a democratically elected president.  The people voted Donald Trump president, and to deny this or to refuse to accept it is alarming to me.  It isn't "left leaning",  it's refusing the people their choice.  With all acknowledgment of Trump's crass personality and his massive ego, he won.

     The irony is if they had just acted fairly I would not be anywhere near this decision.  But, you cannot continue to play games of politics when you know no matter what happens, one team will deny the success of the other and the refs (the media) are on the side of the Democrats.  The expectation now, is to watch the game on the field and see a winner, but have the loser refuse to accept the loss and consequently the referee agrees with the loser.  That opinion and attitude is the end of compromise.  I believe we are at an epic change in our society- a renaissance of democracy and our republic to returning the power to the people.  I will do all I can do endorse and encourage ideas of the political thought that are on the side of the individual.  Not the government, not a party, not the ruling class, not the corporations, not Hollywood, not the lobbyists.  The individual human is where my passion runs and I feel the only answer for me, you, us and all the world is to deliver liberty and justice back to the person.  I am now content to be a registered Republican (as I have no choice in Fla if I want to vote in primaries) but am closest to being a Libertarian if I have to choose.   I'm for the the little guy who struggles and works hard and just wants the game to be fair.  That's all.

President Carter a Ray of Hope for Dems

By Chuck Marshall

     In case you missed it President Carter came out with some surprising comments.  I would say shocking but they didn't shock me because I've been saying the same thing for months now.  It's so refreshing to hear a leading Democrat speak without mendacity, I'd almost forgotten that it's even possible.  And all from a 93 year old former president whose life was just snatched from the jaws of death with a new cancer treatment that he volunteered to trial.

     I was never a big fan of President Carter, but Lordy, Lordy is he better than Hillary Clinton, Chuck Schumer or Nancy Pelosi.... the three stooges of the Democratic party.  His honesty was always there, and it's so nice to hear again after all these years, a throwback from before our insanely partisan times.

 A quick review of his comments;

“I think the media have been harder on Trump than any other president certainly that I’ve known about,” 

“I don’t think there’s any evidence that what the Russians did changed enough votes, or any votes.”

"Carter told Emory University students that the “pressures and the publicity that Trump has brought to the immigration issue” could even yield comprehensive immigration law changes that Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama could not muster."

He added that Trump’s critics, including himself, “have to give him credit when he does some things that are not as bad” as they are depicted.

One of my favorites referring to the Clinton Foundation in comparison to his charity organization;  “Rosie and I put money in the Carter Center. We never take any out” 


So there you have it.....and God bless his liberal heart !  ..... In My Humble Opinion.

Gun Control - Defending Gun Rights Advocates

By Chuck Marshall

     
     Now that we've had another mass murder in the USA (Las Vegas, NV- 58 dead, over 500 wounded) of course the debate about gun control is kicking up a notch again.  This is understandable !  We all watch in horror as massacre after massacre happens in our country and we all want it to stop.  It is a natural tendency to declare "we must have new laws" so that this sort of thing won't happen again.  The easiest target is the gun themselves.  "If it wasn't for the gun, this wouldn't have happened".   (Never mind that there are also these things called bombs).  "Something must be done" everyone tells each other, especially in Hollywood and the national media.   The late night TV hosts are even chiming in and they've all come out in favor of more gun laws and we're told the NRA (National Rifleman's Association- very powerful lobby in Washington, DC) "has blood on its hands".  None of this should be a surprise, especially from the national media since the bulk of them are merely the Democratic party in journalists clothing and the Democrats are all about gun control.  Nancy Pelosi, the House Minority Leader essentially came out in favor of restricting the 2nd Amendment all together.  Ironically, nearly all the mass murders in the USA this past 10-20 years have been by registered Democrats.  Go figure !   

     So after 58 people are butchered by a lunatic bastard, it's hard to argue against doing something to stop such weapons from getting into their hands, and I fully support background checks.  The fact of the matter is that there are ALREADY quite a few gun laws in the USA, including background requirements for most assault type rifles such as the one used in Las Vegas.  Chicago has the strictest gun laws in the land and they have the highest gun death rate in the land too.   We should look for ways to limit guns getting into the hands of felons and lunatics, but to restrict guns sold to law abiding citizens needs to be scrutinized.  Would stricter gun laws help?  It's not impossible, but my concern is that if you remove the guns then the only guns available would be owned by the criminals themselves.  Again, statistics show that ALL mass murders committed in the past 20 years could NOT have been prevented with any laws that are currently being proposed.  

     Should we have a national discussion regarding details for limiting gun violence and such mass murders ?  Of course, but both sides have got to be willing to listen to each other.  

     The right (Republicans) needs to be willing to yield a little regarding some restrictions, especially to plug a lot of the loopholes regarding gun shows where background checks can be avoided (is my understanding).  In addition they should be open to compromise with the Democrats.  There are some laws that would not infringe on anyone's right to bear arms and they just make sense.  The NRA needs to yield some of its demands with the understanding that their stubborn tactics are making things worse.  You can't get everything, but if you keep demanding it all you risk LOSING everything.  Be smart.  In addition,  I would point out to the left that the movies and television and games that are so abundantly violent certainly have had some influence in these massacres.  Are they willing to tone down the violence coming from their buddies in Hollywood ? 

      The left (Democrats) needs to understand where gun owners are coming from.  Just to clear up confusion- It's not only about hunting or self defense,  it's also about a tyrannical government.   The gun owners DO NOT trust the government.  The Second Amendment was constructed to guarantee that the government could never take away the  right of people to be able to protect themselves from a tyrannical government.    Adolf Hitler seized guns in the 1930's from German citizens and there would be over 50 MILLION dead by the time we dropped a bomb on his head.  Venezuelan dictator Chavez removed all guns and now the population is at the mercy of his socialist government and they starve.   I guarantee Chavez' reasoning was "to protect you".   Right.  This could never happen here ?   Never say never.   The fact of the matter is that there is probably no better protection against tyranny than that anyone who considers seizing control of a nation would be reluctant if he or she knew the nation had 100 million citizens that own guns.  How do you overcome such opposition among the people.  So if you wonder why gun owners and the right are so adamant,  that's why.   They don't trust what the government is capable of doing if it does seize guns.  And they're right. 

In My Humble Opinion.....

Take a Knee

By Chuck Marshall

         Since every aspect of our life is now related to politics., it was only a matter of time before it seeped  into football., so  I guess I've got to make a comment about all the hoopla regarding professional football players "not standing" for the national anthem.   I sincerely think the whole thing is ridiculous, but isn't that always true of politics in our time ?   I've listened to both sides and I'd like to say both of them have a point., but they don't.  There is no excuse for taking a protest in front of the entire country during a peaceful event meant for entertaining.  It's offensive, it's irritating, it's disgusting, it's treasonous and disrespects every single American who died or was injured in any of our armed conflicts.  It  dishonors the every day American who struggles every day to get to work, to pay the bills, to deal with outrageous health insurance premiums but wants to sit and relax on Sunday and enjoy a game.  I know Trump egged them on with his taunting comments, but this was an opportunity to really stand up for what you believe in and not let him get to you.  Instead, they jumped on the "anti Trump" bandwagon because that's what all the other spoiled brats in Hollywood, or New York or DC do.  They could have risen to the challenge to a higher ideal.  They did not.

      Also, If the NFL players are protesting race relations in the USA, how in the world is this helping?  I mean, seriously ?

          So, let us all turn off the vaunted TV on Sundays and-- call me crazy- go to church or temple or mosque and work towards a more  meaningful life giving honor to the act of giving and selflessness just like our founding fathers did.  Churches and places of worship need good people to step up and help.  There's a lot of hurt out there and this will be much more rewarding activity than watching grown millionaires play with a ball.  I say all Americans should turn off the TV, get out in the fresh air with their kids and or loved ones and  toss a football.   I say Americans get off the sofa and do something with your family that involves interacting with each other not interacting with the TV.   I say "take a knee" to the self centered nonsense we witnessed on Sunday.  I say take a knee to the movies of Hollywood and go to a local play.  I say take a knee to the mega corporations that lobby our leaders in DC  and buy locally grown food and locally made products.

Take a Knee America !

Convention of the States

The Fix for a Broken Government 

By Chuck Marshall 

  

     
     Happy Birthday to the US Constitution as of Sept. 17th 2017, it is 230 years old !    I am going to hold off  on elaborating on the positives and the genius of our forefathers in establishing this great document and the liberties it has served us to this very day for fear of boring the reader with my unusually strong enthusiasm for history.   I am however,  going to point out a very important part of the constitution that has grown fat and flabby for lack of use.  I am talking about Article 5 of the constitution that gives the states the right to call a convention (a Convention of the States) whereby the state leaders get together in DC and do some housekeeping.  

For reference, here is what Article 5 states;

 "The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate."


       What does it all mean ?  Since we know 2/3 of both houses aren't going to agree that up is up and down is down, then it is up to the states to call a convention proposing Amendments.  There are many proposals such as "Term Limits" amendment, "Balanced Budget" amendment,  and election reform ( in which case I would suggest removing $$ from our elections but that's another blog).    I believe the most important task would be to reign in a federal government that has gotten so large that it is in the habit of ignoring the will of the people.  They've spent us and  our children into $20 Trillion worth of debt with no end in sight.   In addition, whether it be corporate lobbyists or any special interest, there is no doubt it is too influenced by outsiders to fix itself.   We really have no choice !  It is an opportunity we should all relish to fix our broken government !   The constitution puts this power  in our hands.  In fact,  I've read several times that our founding fathers would probably be shocked that by 2017 we still had not acted on this power.  We all must encourage our state leaders to take action as afforded by Article 5.  As long as the two parties are running the federal government then we can all rest assured that nothing will get done.   There's a reason Congress has an approval rating of 10% or less.  They are stuck in the mud of a system that makes any improvement impossible, and a big part of that mud is the never ending battle between the R's and the D's.  

     This could be for both conservatives and liberals as it will allow for stronger rights at the local level such that the states would be able to operate according to their specific states' needs, demographics, and philosophies.   All this absurd talk of Texas (2008) and California (2016) seceding from the union !  Why ?  There is a way for us all to get what we want.  

Below is a link to the Convention of the States website.  Please check it out, donate and call your STATE congressmen !  This is a call to action from the founders of our country !   


https://www.conventionofstates.com/

Waiting for Hurricane Irma

By Chuck Marshall

 Dear loyal readers !

     Well, my fair state is under attack, as all of you are probably well aware.   It's hard for me to imagine what it's like to not be familiar with hurricanes since I've lived in Florida all my life, so as we wait on Irma to knock on our door (but hopefully not break it down!) I thought I'd share my thoughts. Hopefully I'll reveal some interesting tidbits to that tiny little sliver of America that actually reads my blog, but who also might not be familiar with the weirdness of hurricanes in states affected.

     Right now we still have power and there is no wind 'cause Irma just landed in the keys, quite a distance from my home in Clermont, Fla.   It's overcast and rainy, and eerily quiet as everybody is hunkered down and the birds have gone (they seem to sense what's coming--spooky !) Outside is dead quite.  Everyone is totally exhausted from the stress of watching the hysterical media.  I  respect the local news much more than the national reports as they are more professional and they don't act out and overly exaggerate.  They're trying to help us, not boost ratings.  The national media (not going to name names- you know who) just go bonkers over these things and say things that are so obviously  hopeful that the worst disaster possible occurs.  It's human tendency to look for the danger but a few encouraging words and a little consideration for those living through it would be nice.   I know they want their audience tuned in with popcorn to watch bending palm trees and the weather guy get blown around in a parking garage, but somewhere in there they seem to lose their humanity.  

     We've been watching Irma warily for 2 weeks now, everybody just wants it over with.  One of the most stressful aspects is not knowing where it's going.  Miami and most of South Florida evacuated due to the dire warnings and many millions throughout the state are under "mandatory" evacuation.    I'm sure you've all seen the traffic photos, but living through it is weird.  It's like an army is approaching.  My town has been spared  most of the traffic leaving South Fla. because that's happening over on the interstates and turnpike.  I'm actually very close to  the Fla Turnpike but I have avoided it like the plague for the last week.  All those people fled the Miami area, and now it's headed towards Tampa.  I feel so bad for the people in the Miami area that fled to Tampa !

     Anyway, you may be wondering;  Chuck, why are you still there ?  I live inland, about an hour either way to the ocean.  My area is considered "relatively" safe,  but they're still saying 80 to 90 mph  gusts and 70 mph sustained winds as it stands right now.  Irma's center (where the worst winds are) will be 60 miles to our west.  The catch is, if Irma decides she wants to go to Disney World (20 minutes from my house) then all bets are off and so what was going to be some trees down, could be losing my roof.   That's why the hurricane tracking report is so critical.  We all gather around the TV (at work, it was the internet) to see where they say Irma is heading.   All  normal life stops most of your thoughts are regarding your home;   Where is my house vulnerable ?  Am I prone to flooding ?  Should I leave ?  Should I insist my son come home from Gainesville ?  Will  the neighbors pool screen break loose and crash into my bedroom ?   Are my family and I and I prepared ?  Do we have enough perishable food if the stores are unapproachable for days ?  Enough batteries ? Is my insurance company going to cover what it should if that becomes necessary ?    In my case I have the added stress that most of my customers have greenhouses that could be destroyed in these winds.   How much will  my income drop for the next few months as my customers set back up ?

So, anyway... the whole thing sucks,  but the good news is we have the day off tomorrow. LOL.  Pray for Florida, my friends.

Advice to Thinking Democrats.....

Free of charge !!


    By Chuck Marshall


      I have been writing this blog for nearly 10 years.  In it I hope I have had some very small positive impact on how our country is governed.  I pride myself on working hard to write more moderate, centrist opinions but I know I don't always succeed at that.  The established parties are an enemy of the people and of liberty (at least right now)  and their political extremists are what truly enrage me.  That is why this blog is often vicious and venomous.   I frequently attack the parties for their inanity and corruption and blatant stupidity and part of me regrets how truly easy that is to do.   Currently I see the Democrats as being obstructionist beyond a reasonable level and their cozy relationship with the mainstream media (MSM) does far more damage to our country than any stupid meeting between Donald Trump's minions and the Russians- even if it DID happen.  So, my anger is more directed towards the left these days.  I know I sometimes come off as an "angry white guy" (there,a bone to chew on for liberal readers)  who is intolerant of  liberal ideas.  This is sincerely not true,  but in our times the predominant liberal thoughts have turned to labeling, categorizing, and above all else political correctness that separates us as a people.  They are unreasonable in their demands (remove statues of Columbus?  Ban "Gone with the Wind"? ) and behave like enraged children when they don't win an election.   They are self- righteous, patronizing, obsequious, condescending spoiled brats with no new ideas other than to support removing symbols of American history without public debate,  to preen their moral superiority (supposed) for us all to see,  and to present to the world their very, very low opinion of Donald Trump.

       It has been mentioned many, many times that the Democrats have never had such low representation at the national and the state levels.  Why are the Democrats in such trouble ?   Perhaps all those years of riding Obama's coat tails have made them soft and mushy.  All those press conferences where their friends in the MSM were nodding their heads in agreement with all that Obama  proclaimed have made them weak and incapable of challenging questions.  Their tactic today is to stomp their feet and hang on the fact that dimwitted Hollywood loves them and that the MSM still rallies to their every point of view,  no matter how ridiculous.  Their historically low fund raising is evidence of their declining influence.  A full 90% of the public does not trust the MSM, so the Dems would be wise to distance themselves from their pets at CNN, etc...and establish some "meat and potatoes" to serve the American people for the next round of elections.  The American people are fuming at the government and the establishment and seeing millionaire celebrities cuss and crucify any ideas contrary to the leftist thought could be the poison that ends the Democratic party.  The recent MTV American music awards featured a "Fu** Donald Trump" rap song.   Yes, if you weren't aware, it's that bad.  

     I leave all Democrats with this final sobering thought.  The shocking success of Donald Trump may not be over any time soon.  In fact, this could be just the beginning as he seems to be swinging many candidates for Congress to his "way of thinking".  It could get much worse for you.   Get your act together and start acting like adults with real ideas for real Americans.   America needs the two political parties to discuss differing ideas like adults.  We want wisdom, compromise, and levity.  We want the success of the everyday American middle class citizen to be at the forefront of your mind.  We need leadership  not a bunch of followers chasing after mobs with a vendetta against the nearest statue.  Like a very cheap wine, it might taste good and get you liquored up with your moral preening,  but in the morning you will suffer a hangover to last for the ages.  

In My Humble Opinion

Confederate Heroes Should Have Never Had Statues To Begin With

     I am a student of WWII, maybe a bit of a WWII nerd, and I know something of the Nazis. The Nazis affected my outlook on life so much that I doubted the existence of God for several years because their deeds in history were so barbaric. So I say, with hesitation but bolstered with an urgency to stand up for what's right. it is my understanding that most of the protesters in Charlottesville were protesting the removal of a confederate memorial.  This is not a Nazi monument and in most pictures  I see confederate flags not swastikas.  These people did have a permit to protest and although many of them no doubt have offensive and disturbing ideas about race,  they had a permit to protest as they did and even had the ACLU defending them in court to get the permit.  Can you get any more liberal than the ACLU?   The violence was started by counter protesters that DID NOT have a permit and they provoked the right wingers with violence.   Hopefully I don't have  to say this didn't justify running over those poor people and killing the one young lady.  The President is blaming BOTH sides for the unfortunate events of this past week. He's only stating a fact of the matter, and as blunt and bombastic as he is with the media, I think he's right.

     As for the monuments themselves ?  i have always been a little puzzled by Confederate statues.  Didn't they lose the war ?  Why did the US allow confederate statues after such a horribly bloody war ?  I think the north was anxious to get past the war and move on, so they decided not to step in to stop any aggrandizement of the Confederate  heroes  lest they provoke the south.  I can understand it, but in a way they dragged the whole thing out and it might have been wiser to not allow anything other than memorials to the war dead.  This would have allowed for a place of honor for all those families that surely were grieving.  I think looking back it would have been better to have never allowed them to be erected  at all under the auspice they were leaders of a traitorous rebellion against the country.  Of course the south would have gotten huffy over the restriction  but they would have gotten over it.  General Lee himself is known to have been opposed to any statue or tribute to him and expressed a preference that the nation move past the painful Civil War.  Today we have to deal with the issue and understand there are a lot of people who still feel strongly about their southern heritage and see the Confederacy as a stand against an oppressive federal government.  The process needs to be sensitive so that we can, in consensus, finally get the Civil War behind us and move forward together as a united country.    

Democracy Thrives in Brightness

         Global Hunger Down Substantially Since 2000 

    Am I the only person that reads the newspaper or watches the news and hears encouraging statistics only to have the reporter add a "but" at the end of the good news ?  Why can't they give us good news and then shut up ?    Since the MSM is so determined to direct our attention to "the Sky is Falling" mentality., the marketer in me has decided perhaps it would be worth it to start pointing out some of the good going on in the world and allowing the reader to enjoy the fact.  These little articles I  headline "Democracy Thrives in Brightness" as an homage to the Washington Post's fatalistic tag line "Democracy Dies in Darkness".  I realize their "sky is falling" mentality brings in ratings, but maybe there's a market for mare positive news that at least pauses to offer a taste of the good news being offered.    

     Did you know that the worlds' rate of hunger has dropped 27% since the year 2000 according to the Global Hunger Index (a statistical tool used to describe the state of countries’ hunger situation). The  world's population is getting larger and larger which is cause for concern, but the reality is there are well over a billion and a half more people added to the planet since 2000 and they are much less miserable than just 17 years ago !  The rate  of hunger has gone down by more than 50% in China, Brazil, Peru and Bolivia.  

     Why is the world hunger rate going down ?  There are multiple factors.  Better farming practises throughout the world.  More open and Democratic societies which encourage business and commerce.  A larger rate of capitalism throughout the world fosters entrepreneurship and a higher flow of cash in society that leads to more food produced.  .  

  

   This is good news,   Let's stop to celebrate and enjoy the comforting thought that far fewer of our fellow humans are going without food today.   

Global Hunger Index

Global Hunger Index The Index was adopted and further developed by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), and was...

Washington Post Reading the Minds of High Level Russians !

      
     I read the article from the Washington Post with this headline "Russian Contradicts Session's answers" wondering to myself why we the people should trust a leak from  "conversations intercepted by U.S. Spy Agencies that monitor communications between high level Russian officials".   If it was intercepted it's certainly possible that it was leaked on purpose and was one more example of the Russians meddling in our politics- the very source of all  the hysteria over Trump's supposed collusion.  How do you know the truth ?  They (the Russians) don't care if it's Democrats or Republicans they're hurting, they're just enjoying the show and I would imagine have no problem purposely leading our very "leaky" spy agencies and the Washington Post down a rabbit hole.  The most concerning part of this story is that it was published at all.    

In My Humble Opinion......

Health-Care Reform Failure - Again !

   

     Health care  reform fails again.  I've been writing this blog since 2008, and I tried to find an old blog I wrote regarding health care from way back when the Republicans were trying to hinder Obamacare.  Back then, when Obama was still in the middle of his presidency,  I tended to give him the benefit of the doubt., I felt he won and deserved a chance to show what he could do (IMAGINE THAT !)  Leaning right of center, I still always try to have a fair mind and under Obama I often found myself defending Obama because the R's were such obstructionists !  Sound familiar ?

     Anyway,  I found the blog !  Here it is in all it's glory.  Some things never change folks, and way back then I was wondering out loud what ideas the Republicans had.    It turns out my suspicions were correct, they had NONE !   So, this from  2013 and today  I  figured I'd share it as a relic of the past in honor of another failure of our government to work for the people.   They are of,  for and by the lobbyists and the partisan nonsense- from BOTH parties enrages me.   Don't forget our darling media cheerleaders stirring the pot from the sidelines !  

Can the Republicans Offer Solutions for Healthcare ?

July 29, 2013  

     Recently in the Orlando Sentinel there was an article on how Senator Marco Rubio has warned that our quality of health care is in serious danger if the “Affordable Health Care Act” moves forward.  I think he has a good point in that there are few federally controlled agencies that we can look at with admiration for their success.   I wonder though, what ideas might he and the Republicans have?   All I hear on so many major issues is what the Republicans don't want. But, what is it they DO want?   What ideas do they have to make health care affordable ?  Surely there are intelligent options that could come from the right other than what they don’t want.      

     On a monthly basis the average premiums for a family of four are approximately $1000 per month.   If you’re fortunate, you work for a company that pays for half of that. In comparison, when I first graduated from college in 1987 I paid around $30 per month to cover the full premium for myself.  Consider that this money put back in people’s pockets could go towards improvements to homes, vacations, entertainment and education.  Positive economic catalysts.   The high cost of health insurance as a percentage of income has become a drain on the economy.  It needs to be fixed.  

     Our leaders don’t understand our struggles.  I’ve always liked the idea of having our Senators and congressman pay the same health care premiums most Americans pay so they can relate to what we’re going through.  I wonder what Senator Rubio pays?  I'm very sure it's not 10% of his net income as it is for most middle class Americans.  

     The pharmaceutical and medical professions have spent over three billion dollars on lobbying in Washington DC since 1990.  That's a lot of convincing.   What exactly did they convince our government to do for all these years ?   Could it be this lobbying has created a warped medical economy where normal laws of supply and demand no longer apply?  Can that be fixed?   Also, could there be limits on litigation so that the mistakes of Doctors don’t automatically make someone and their lawyer a millionaire while simultaneously causing everyone's premiums to surge as a consequence ? 

     As a voice from the middle, I would like to hear some good ideas from the right that could improve our health care system as it stands today.  The Republicans are against Obamacare. That is obvious,  But if their mindset is that the status quo is fine,  then they have already failed the American people.  

In My Humble Opinion. 

Some things never change.

Trump Junior Guilty..... of Being Naive

By Chuck Marshall


     So, Donald Trump Jr. met with a Russian lawyer who had promised damning information on Hillary Clinton.  He met with the lady and allegedly abandoned the meeting because he came to  realize the lady had nothing to say or offer.   In the emails which he released to the press it is obvious he looked forward to the meeting and hoped to gain the upper edge for his "then candidate" father, Donald J. Trump.  I'm not going to bore the reader with the dreary details of a completely insubstantial  meeting.  I do, however,  want to try to extract good information and perhaps some logic out of the latest hysterical media rampage.

1)  Trump Jr. met with a Russian but the Trump campaign had previously denied any sort of clandestine meetings with any Russians.  He lied.

2)   It is not a crime to meet with Russians.

3)  It is not a crime to listen to gossip from a foreign government about your political enemy.

4)  If there was "collusion" then let the investigation committee find it and I'll be all ears.  So far, I still  smell "nothing burger".

5)  I'm more interested in what the DNC was doing in Kiev, Ukraine with foreign operatives in a distinct effort to undermine a political opponent of theirs;  Donald J. Trump.   I believe that IS illegal.  I'm  also curious about some of the mysterious deaths associated with the Clintons that I used to brush off as partisan bunk., but there's certainly enough there to be intrigued.  The MSM is curiously uninterested.  Why?    Now that, would be an interesting story.

6)  The Republican party is a bunch of insider DC weenies who watch with barely a whimper as Trump is accused over and over of things that we all know Obama, Clinton and the DNC did.  They are a very flaccid group and only the Democratic party sports a more shrunken organ.

7)  I'm not real crazy about Donald Trump but I absolutely loathe hypocrisy much more.  I'm willing to give the old bastard a chance to achieve my fantasy- drain the swap of greed and avarice that is Washington, DC.  I've  never seen a person truly capable of doing it until now.  The obnoxious., belligerent,  politically incorrect, plain talking, straight shooting, clever, scheming, tweeting and conniving Donald J. Trump.  Sick 'em Don !

8)  Donald Trump won and the left would be wise if they let this whole thing blow over and just try to work with the man.  I don't think it will end well for them if they keep this up.

In My Humble Opinion......

Happy Independence Day !

     

     Happy Independence Day,  Everybody ! I always like to consider the fact that every man in this picture was committing treason against the Crown and risked hanging for signing that document. It was not a casual, "glad to be here" thing--- We owe it to our children to teach them well the sacrifice and courage as well as a thorough understanding of what was done. They risked it all to pull power from the King and deliver it to the people.  We owe it to these men that we speak up and fight when we feel what's going on in the public domain is wrong.  We owe it to them that we protect basic freedom and liberty from the "flavor of the day" as is common in our world.  We owe it to them that we're proud of our country-- not for its wealth or its military might but for this great precedence that our founders established for us;   Power to the people and our posterity that no person shall infringe on another person's right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness whatever that might entail.  We must be vigilant, passionate, and  compassionate in our endeavor to protect what these brave men gifted to us  241 years ago today.  In My Humble Opinion.

Oh, and... enjoy the fireworks, your hot dogs and beer !   

The Sedition of Malevolent Partners

 

                                                                  The Middle Path

 Dear loyal readers,

     I regret the time since I wrote here, it has been an extremely busy spring, friends !  As I've mentioned before I am in the plant business so all my baby plants cannot hold on for me to pop off on the news of the day.  In addition, my Arborist Certification is up at the end of June and I have to catch up on my CEU's.  Finally, my oldest, my son, graduated from high school and that has taken much attention and work !  He graduated Summa cum laude,  by the skin of his teeth.  (He's a procrastinator like his father).  It has been a lot of work and a lot of emotion as we prepare to see him off to the world, or least the "bubble world" that is Gainesville, Fl.

     I am feeling that compulsion, the itch, to write again since I have time to breathe.  As you all know, Donald Trump is in the news for 90% of all stories, 90% of all time, and it's 90% unfavorable.  I've written mostly negative blogs on Trump since he has been in the limelight, but after being elected I backed off and decided to see what he could do.  To me it's important to give a person a chance.  The media had other ideas and so does the Democratic party.  True to their nature, the parties are generally more concerned with themselves than the good of the country and the Democrats are revealing that their partisan nature can be as severe as the Republicans, if not worse !  The difference is the Democrats have nearly all the media on their side since the media tends to lean left as we all know.  (If you disagree with me then you need to turn up the volume on your televisions.)

     Who's a threat to our Democracy ?  Donald Trump?  The man can't sneeze right, and with hardly 40% approval rating he's not exactly in the position to ram through any sort of legislation much less seize control of the government overall.   No, the threat to our Democracy is not in the White House it's in newsrooms of New York,  Washington, DC and Atlanta where the big media lurks around, apparently very alarmed that its power has limits.  They are so frustrated their candidate (Hillary Clinton) did not win that they've sold their soul to the Devil and are openly jockeying to remove a freely elected President from power  They've removed their mask, and they are  as partisan as the Democratic party itself.  They "don't like" the President.  These facts, in their  mind, enable them to throw out journalism and announce everything in relation to, and through the prism of,   how bad Donald Trump is.  Prez Obama was allowed much more leeway, in fact, I think it wold be fair to say the media gave Obama "carte blanche" to do as he pleased.  (no pun intended).  Essentially, since he is black they left him alone.  That kind of patronizing behavior is a form of racism, isn't it.

     So, now I don't watch the news because it gives me a stomach ache.  I don't read the paper because I go through the rest of the day angry.  I get my news from the radio and I watch Fox News for the lead stories because they still seem to understand journalism unlike their peers to the left.  Watching the MSM requires so much work to wade through the mud of partisan bunk to get to what's really going on.  I'm tired of it all.  On social media, the right is quiet (because they won) and the left is hysterical.  I promised in a previous blog, that I would not comment on Trump's performance for 100 days.  Well, it's been around 150 days, and all I have to say to those in the social media and the talking heads is this :  Leave the President Alone.  Let the investigation continue and if he colluded with the Russians, then let him be impeached,  but if there is no there- there (as is probably the case)  then all of you must truly contend with your hysterics of the last few months.  With no disrespect to little girls, you'll need to look in the mirror and understand what you see in your vision is a hysterical, whiny, wimpy, catty little weak girl that has no talent for anything other than pitching a fit and spreading gossip.  That is what the Democratic party AND most of the MSM has become;    A group of simpering, weak, malevolent little brats in need of a severe whipping.

In My Humble Opinion

Real Fake News

By Chuck Marshall

I Call them JINA !

I've always loved the screaming headlines you see in the tabloids and since most  media outlets are now not any different from the tabloids (I call them  JINA-Journalists in Name Only) then I think they need help from Chuck Marshall, also not a real journalist !  We are brothers and sisters in our amateurism !   Since these so called journalists are for entertainment  I thought I'd  draw up some screaming headlines !  A  gesture of good will  from Marshall in the Middle to "save them the trouble" so to speak !  Notice I'm using exclamation points in many of my sentences !  That's the most important part !  It's always the end of the world !

As I suggest headlines, often there are many alternatives for the "subheading" I think they call it... the short sentence after the headline explaining a little more to get the reader's interest.  Since there are many ideas, I have several choices.  To make it fun, you can make comments on this blog as to your favorite !  Then I'll know there are real people actually reading this blog !

Regarding the latest theory that Putin and Trump are still colluding and have gone so far as to set up the chemical attack on children in Syria;

"Putin Moves Into White House, Living in Basement!"

1)  Master puppeteer orders immediate missile attack through  Donald Trump- On Russia !
2)  Out-negotiating Trump, he buys back  Alaska for same price paid in 1890 !
3)  Seen eating with Hillary in Georgetown restaurant !

"Trump Colludes with Putin to Wipe Out Baby Seal Population!"

1)  Nothing is more important right now, leaders agree in clandestine conversation !
2)  "Their cuteness irritates me" Putin insists while Trump goes along since they're "besties" !
3)   Putin hopes to feed them to his pet tigers !


So today we have headline A and B.  Choose the headline and the sub-heading in the comments section, ie;  A1 would be you like the headline "Putin Moves Into White House, Living in Basement!" the most and you prefer the subheading "Master puppeteer orders immediate missile attack through Donald Trump- On Russia!".

In fact, feel  free to suggest other headlines and maybe I'll include them in my next blog !   In fact I thought of another for Putin in the basement "Is mastermind behind Trump Tweets!"

Your journalist in earnest, Chuck Marshall

Letter to the Orlando Sentinel - Susan Rice

Dear loyal readers,  I apologize for no posts for a couple of weeks.   Busy spring, and my day job is in the horticulture industry.  Gotta pay the bills !    Anyway,  I had to jot out this letter to the Orlando Sentinel when they actually grew a conscience and published an editorial commenting on the entire Susan Rice issue.  Hope you enjoy, and yes I know I'm leaning to the right these days- but I'm still an adamant independent.   More on that later.

Re:  John Kass column from the Chicago Tribune

      The published column of John Kass of the Chicago Tribune regarding Susan Rice and her skills at "unmasking" members of Trump's transition team was a welcome ray of sunshine from your newspaper, which I noticed ignored the story on Tuesday when it broke.  The absence of any attention to the suspicious details coming out of the Obama administration's opportunistic "observations" of the Trump campaign should be alarming to all Americans.  At the end of the day the Russians are suspected of influencing our election by revealing embarrassing information about Hillary Clinton.  There could not have possibly been any certainty of their tactic because American citizens do have a mind of their own, and that any American businessman would put all his eggs into a PR stunt with the Russians is far-fetched.   What I witnessed this past fall was Donald Trump outworking Hillary Clinton.  Ironically,  we do know the Democrats colluded with the American media to embarrass Donald Trump's campaign- that was what the Russians revealed !  We also know the details of the early days of the Trump administration were leaked to the media because they were headlines in the New York Times !   Susan Rice admittedly "unmasked" some of Donald Trump's team and their conversations "in the name of  national security".   How many times ?  What were they concerned about ?  If that's true, then certainly they heard him conspiring with his Russian friends ?  There are way too many unanswered questions here, but the stench of conspiracy and perhaps felonies seems to be wafting over from those orbiting the previous administration not the existing one.  

In My Humble Opinion......

P.S.  I'll probably edit out some of this, including pointing out they ignored the story-  they tend not to print my letters when I directly criticize their editorial board.   The odds are kind of against me, as they also are less likely to print my letters that lean to the right- I wonder why ?

Who's doing the Tapping ?

     Okay, I think I've finally gotten my anger at the media out of my system.  I threw it up all over this blog for three weeks.  Sorry about that !  But, I DO feel better.  I'm a proud and fiercely "independent" American,  I tend to get "unglued" over partisan media.   They stop focusing on the story and focus on the bias,  so I learn almost nothing and become agitated and frustrated.   I am always thinking of a question that they should ask, but they're too busy trying to make the "other" side look bad to ask pertinent questions.  The progressive media is especially irritating since they are the losers this year and they just cannot let it go.   Give me information not rumors ! It's very hard to find good journalism and it's something we really need in our country.  One big exception, off the top of my head, is Chris  Wallace of Fox News.   He is one of the few "real" journalists on cable news and I have enormous respect for him.

     Anyway, the topic this week has been wire-tapping.  I'm very confused.  The New York Times and CNN reported of wire tapping during the election at Trump Tower and between Flynn and the Russian ambassador and there have been gobs of leaks coming out of the White House from SOMEONE who is apparently listening in on conversations and then feeding that information to the media.   So, now Prez Trump says "I believe that Obama tapped my phone during the election" and everybody and their little brother is acrimonious !?   Isn't it true that President Obama would have at least known about Trump's candidacy being monitored electronically ?   Is all this "hoopla" because he came out and "said it" ?   Trump often "says the un-sayable" so  I think we all need to get use to that.  It's so weird, like an elephant in the room that only certain people are allowed to point out.  To quote the Prez "Very Strange !".  There is wire tapping going on all over DC and it sounds rampant.  I'd like it stopped, so Mr. & Mrs. Journalist do your job and figure out what's happening.  To narrow down to one sentence;  "Who is doing the wiretapping in our government and are laws being broken when it happens?".  That's what most reasonable,  Chuck Marshall type of people are wanting to know.  THANK YOU.

**Regarding my previous few blogs, I feel the need to clarify one more thing, because I'm not sure I was very clear.  I'm not saying all media is treasonous 'nor am I suggesting they should be restricted in any way.   I'm just saying that taking information from a leaked source and anonymous sources seems treasonous to me.  They're working to bring down a duly elected President and no matter how obnoxious he is, he still won and he has not broken any law as far as I can tell.  Ergo,  please don't  go getting all" Democrat" on me over this with your fake shock at criticism of the media.  As if they're such little helpless sheep ?   Meryl Streep professed a few months ago that "we need to protect our journalists".  Who's going to protect us from them ?

Comfort the Afflicted & Afflict the Comfortable

By Chuck Marshall

 

                    CNN Executive Ted Turner's Island Estate - He Understands Your Struggles 

     I recently heard a recording on a radio station (yes, a conservative  radio station and yes, I know they are often "unglued") but I like their spunk and I especially like their disdain for the "politically correct" talking heads of our nation who say all the right things but lack sincerity in their coverage.  They're more "real".   Anyway, they played a recording of a  CNN Executive speaking to a group of journalists;   He asks "what is your job?".  They all answer to "tell a story", and he answered  "yes, yes to tell a story" but also "to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable".   First of all, I thought the  job of journalists was to seek the truth, but if "telling a story" is what they teach at the Universities then who am I to argue ?  Second,  I cannot conceive of a more "comfortable"  group of people in need of "afflicting" than the mass media talking heads and their executive masters.  They (CNN, MSNBC, and all the major networks) along with the career politicians, and lobbyists of DC and all the pretty people out in Hollywood, CA cooped up in their mansions (cue the garish Academy Awards from Sunday night, I could gag from their pretentious political correctness- they are the definition of hypocrisy).  ALL of these groups with a total lack of awareness towards how real people live.  These "talking heads" and "stars" and "bureaucrats" would be advised to take out a mirror or go to the nearest restroom to take a good long look.   YOU are the privileged ones   YOU are the comfortable ones needing affliction.  Which brings to mind the old saying;  "You can't see the Forest for the Trees".   Could it be that Donald Trump is the "affliction" THEY all need ?   Could he be the one to "show them to the forest" so to speak ?  We will see.