Another Debt Crisis Averted - for Now.

Cash Tree in the Garden at the White House

The game continues. Just like the World Series, Superbowl, or Word Cup, the American government's big game has just been played. In this case instead of a winner or loser until the next season, the game ended in a draw - until the next crisis 45 days from now!

We witness this spectacle annually in the USA and most democracies across the globe. We don't know about dictatorships because we are not allowed to see inside them. Keep this in mind if you intend to vote for Donald Trump again.

If you or I go to a bank for a loan we have to prove: the reason for the loan is sound; we have the ability to make payments - the longer the better for the lender; and we have a good track record for doing so, among many factors. If we fail there are plenty of secondary lenders who are happy to charge an arm and a leg for another loan. There are also sharks who will indeed take that arm or leg if you renege on your payments to them. 

Then there are credit card companies who are more than happy to give you more credit even if you have to declare personal bankruptcy. Again lots of debt resolution firms will bail you out for huge fees over a very long time and a vastly reduced lifestyle.

Now let's turn to democratic governments. The choices are similar but the solutions are more severe. They have 4 main choices: printing more money which is always bad; borrowing more money which is easy but also bad; reducing expenses - painful for all of us; or increasing taxes which they often have to do. Too bad the last option always targets the middle class and the poor avoiding the super rich to keep their own government incomes.

This spectacle pulls me in two directions. I am a Conservative at heart and believe in balanced budgets. Governments can only live on endless credit until the next war. So far this has not happened to America. Most of the USA's is with China. Go figure. So when the GOP says it wants to move to more responsible spending and reduction of the debt, they have been just as guilty as their counterparts on kicking the problem down the road when they were in power.

By the same token as a senior retiree I do have a need for government assistance on things like Medicare and pensions, which I paid for during my employment years. If push came to shove I am willing to work for anything extra, especially if funded by the government.

The common factor for both the private sector and governments is that there is no money tree in the back yard. Both have to stop pretending that it exists and that it bears fruit whenever they need it.

Such fruit will turn rotten very quickly. In the USA the fruit is already falling to the ground and they are running out of trees!

#thebrewsterblock

UFOs or if you prefer UAPs

Anomalous phenomena indeed!

Apparently UFOs are no more. Don't think for an instant that they don't exist - it's just that some bureaucrat decided to change their name - twice! They went from Unidentified Aerial Phenomena to Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena. Too bad. UFO had a nice ring to it. I reserve the right to continue to think of the new term "UAP" as "UFO": Unbelievably F--king Objectionable! Regardless I still believe they exist whatever you call them.

My reasoning is simple. With a number of heavenly bodies so large we can't even absorb its immensity, there has to be a planet with a type of life which has itself evolved to the point of entering space for greater distances than we have. It's in the numbers. I might be an alien, or you, or powerful religious leaders. We all know politicians come from a different place but that's another story.

There is some rationale to the new name. Alien phenomena might not necessarily be something that flies. They could be a form of energy. "Beam me up Scottie" might be a reality. Perhaps something has come up from the ocean depths or the centre of Mother Earth.

If these flashes or spots of light reported by military fighters are from afar, it represents a problem - an anomaly in fact. We have a big challenge in our own space program breaking free from Earth's gravitational field. To do so requires huge rockets with enormous amounts of fuel. How can these tiny objects travel similar or greater distances with tiny forms of life inside? A totally different form of energy and possibly dematerializing "life" or the craft themselves and then rematerializing them have to be considered.

The fact that many of these things are supposed to be so small and intent on racing away from our jet craft lends more credence to them being created right here on Earth. Perhaps they are from an enemy or even our own test objects which once again our governments and military have decided to suppress.

Another issue is why or whether a "Roswell" extraterrestrial creature really exists. If so why would our leaders keep it from us? It would be a propaganda bonanza. They could argue that these visitors chose America over other places or that only America had the capability to track and capture them. That would be typical American thinking. I think it is just as likely that they have indeed visited other nations but those nations managed to keep a lid on it. They might even have benefitted more than America from the relationship.

Look at the discovery of dinosaurs or ancient man. Did we have a panic attack over that? Perhaps there is or could be a Jurassic Park somewhere. Are you worried?

All of this sure beats watching foolish stuff on social media , "reality" shows, spending your time idolizing the Kardashians or Taylor Swift! Strange things happen when something travels at the speed of light or (greater).

Perhaps we are starting to experience them in small doses. It is beyond me. It is beyond all of us! One of these days before my current life is over I intend to write about my own Close Encounter and joy ride with aliens. I lived to tell about it but I still can't get rid of my red fingertip!

#thebrewsterblock

U.S. Election 2024

Shake Hands, go to your corners, and come out fighting!

It looks like this is what we will witness in the next American election, 2024. Shaking hands is very hard to imagine. Staring each other down perhaps - Trump is already practicing the stare. There won't be a bell but if there were it should be from the Gong Show, not a boxing ring. U.S. politics and this election is about to out-do anything even Saturday Night Live could conceive. What a shame.

The contrast is sad. Biden is well liked around the world and has decades of experience. Unfortunately that also means he is old by any standard. This cuts both ways. Age brings wisdom and experience but experience also brings age! He would normally be a trusted leader and ally but because of Trump's inexperience, neither Biden nor America can really be trusted anymore.

Trump is a neophyte to politics and leading a country. It showed. It still does. He too is well known around the world but has done more harm to America's reputation than any POTUS in recent history. As a result, Biden is saddled with the fact that Trump has already backed out of agreements. The division between the parties also means that any new GOP President is likely to reverse anything Biden accomplishes more for political reasons than anything else. World leaders can no longer rely on America and they have been observed literally laughing about Trump.

Today at the G20 in India I saw Biden at the right hand end of the row for pictures. He was diplomatic enough to accept this. In the past we have seen Trump literally pushing other leaders out of the way so he could be central in the photo op, narcissist that he is.

In a democracy based on the rule of law, the next POTUS could possibly be a man with outstanding criminal charges who could do time behind bars. Even Nixon was smart enough to resign when he realized the case against him was strong and that his actions had already done much harm to the country.

Biden might not be squeaky clean although no charges have yet been laid against him but his image and reputation are entirely above board. Trump on the other
hand has more lawsuits against him or his companies than anyone I know. He is reputed to be one of the biggest liars on the planet.

Biden cares deeply about people and America and it shows. Trump cares about one person only - Trump, He only considers the country if he can lead it and rule it forever with his rich friends while continuing to rape the country for both.

Here is the rub: those rich friends know he is lying but they also just want to preserve their wealthy lifestyle at any cost. The Trump "base" - those actually vote for the man and do his dirty work - have been totally bamboozled and really do believe him. Just listen to some of them. Hello - the earth is round, not flat, or have you noticed?

Thomas Gray (don't know him either!) once said "Ignorance is bliss". It certainly is in most elections. We can only hope Trump devotees don't manage to make him "great" again. It would be as far from bliss as you could imagine.

#thebrewsterblock

Draining the Swamp

Beware of Gators and Snakes

If you are ever going to drain the swamps - especially in the southern USA like Florida - a host of monsters await you. Most notable are the gators and snakes. Then there is also the chance of getting totally lost.

So many people find it very ironic - those with some semblance of honesty and integrity - when they know that the guy who promised to drain it turned out to be the biggest gator of them all. Perhaps biggest snake is more appropriate. His party is also totally lost.

As all of the charges unfold against a former American President, we will find out with proof, who really tried to weaponize the White House and all of its resources. It was not Biden or anyone else since Nixon. It was Trump - hands down. He is still trying to do it.

Being addressed as "Mr." by the judge sent a very important message. I was overjoyed to hear that Donald was upset. He has thumbed his nose at any form of rules or laws for most of his life and loves disrespecting others with childish (and not very clever) nicknames. He really did and still does think he is above all of this - too smart. NOT! Although there are many to choose from, his big mouth is the dumbest body part he owns.

There is only one thing that would be as satisfying as Trump being found guilty on any or all of these charges and even wearing prison gear (which is unlikely although it shouldn't be.) That would be to see a majority of Republican Congress members in both houses, summon up the guts to admit that the charges are true and that Biden won and Trump lost - twice.

The attempt to steal the last election was perpetrated entirely by Trump people and the GOP - not Biden and the Dems. Trump followers DID try to kill the VP and the Speaker. Others DID lose their lives. Anyone who even tries to claim that January 6th was just another day of free speech and protest in Washington should not be in office. That includes DJT.

If Trump is the GOP nominee you can bet your last dollar the 2024 will indeed be rigged - again - by the Trump team and their chicken hearted followers in the GOP. These people have no interest in making America great again. Like Trump, they only want to make their own bank accounts and lifestyles great again, or keep the ones they have.

Oh yes - if Trump wins, America will be toast - a sad chapter in the history books.

I would love to see Trump serve time but regardless he should never ever hold the office of President of the United States again. Electing him just because you don't like Biden is like amputating your foot because you have a sore toe. Americans - in particular Republican Americans - have a choice to make. There are several candidates who could make America great again if you don't think Biden has. Pick one of them. Some would pardon The Donald but at least there would be another four years without him. 

By 2028 who knows where he will be? One thing is for sure: Wherever that is he will still be spreading lies about losing in 2020. If most of his neighbours are wearing orange suits like his, they won't care and they hate cry babies.

Even I will concede that it would make America at least a little greater again.

#thebrewsterblock

Bird Brains Could Teach Us A Lot

The Ultimate Empty Nester

While sitting on my back deck enjoying a morning coffee and writing this, I was watching a pair of robins who have nested under our gazebo. My wife and I follow this performance every year. This time after building the nest, the female seemed to disappear which is common after laying eggs. To confirm, I used one of those small mirrors on an extension handle to view the inside of the nest. I saw three beautiful blue eggs. Then I was promptly buzzed by the male who is always close - standing guard. So far, so good.

There followed however a period of hot temperatures and lots of rain so my observations were less frequent. After a couple of days I heard a real confrontation in the next yard involving what was clearly a robin's distressed tweeting. For a week or more, I didn't see the female, assuming she was injured or fell prey to a cat.

The male continued to stand guard, dive bombing me if I got too close. He often perched on the side of the nest and peered inside seeming to be in great distress. After a few days I once again viewed the nest via the mirror - it appeared to be totally empty. For many days she has remained missing. I am never sure because we have a large yard with many trees and there are several pairs of nesting and competing robins close by.

This made me realize just how miraculous Mother Nature is. We humans could learn a lot from the animal kingdom in general. How many times have you known of a case in which a female becomes pregnant - not even a birth yet - and the male disappears, never to be heard from again? If there IS a birth and subsequently a divorce or split, the mother is still left to fight in court for any kind of support whatsoever! The female robin is even smart enough to cast out any defective eggs or chicks who don't make it. In some places this is not permitted with female humans.

We really started to feel sorry for the poor guy thinking perhaps that he was young and inexperienced. The last two days we have both seen him bringing worms to the nest. I have read that even if he tries to look after hatchlings he can't do it alone. As humans this is not true although many males claim that it is. There are many successful single male parents.

So much for the sad news. Today as I enjoy my coffee, I have seen both of them bringing worms to the nest! He is not a mentally challenged male after all! She even sat on the nest for a short period. I believe that recent very hot weather meant that keeping eggs warm was not a priority and the nest is totally out of direct sunlight. So we will be able to see little mouths reaching up to be fed in a few more days, assuming that other birds or racoons don't get them first. OMG! I see two now! Will be interesting to see if there are three.

From all of this i can draw a couple of conclusions - both of them involving Mother Nature:

1. He was not at all inexperienced but a real STUD. Maybe he found a new mate. If there were no hatchlings the first time the nest would be clean enough use again. Or perhaps I could conclude that she was always on the scene, is super fertile, and laid a new clutch of eggs. It is good news either way.

2. I am definitely seeing two very hungry young robins poking their heads up looking for food! That again is M.N. at work because now I am hungry! However I have to get off my butt to go and prepare some food! At least I will have a choice.

3. Yours truly is so far gone I can no longer even operate a mirror!

Have a great day!

#thebrewsterblock

Biden and Trump - Both TOAST?

Let the School Yard Scrapping Begin!

BIDEN

There once was a POTUS named Biden,

Whose age they couldn't keep hide'n,

When he went for a dance without any pants

The pole numbers kept right on slidin'!

"Just WATCH me!" was his reply,

He needs help from The Man in the sky.

He's still very clever, so never say "never,"

But is this his final Good Bye?

TRUMP

Donald was soundly defeated,

Despite all the lies that he Tweeted,

Not even a "Maybe" - he's such a cry baby,

Since he was born he has cheated.

The world is tired of his gripes.

He's worse than the bloody bagpipes!

West, north, east, south puts his foot on his mouth,

Can't wait to see him in stripes!

BOTH 

Too bad this once model nation,

That created a world wide sensation,

Will implode from within, sheer greed as it's sin,

I pity the next generation.

Imagine a person who leads

By addressing their own nation's needs.

No promises met by increasing the debt,

A legacy known for good deeds.

OTHERS

If the world can't get it together,

To stop this pollution and weather,

Our common abode will soon self-implode,

The question is when and not whether.

So Xi Jinping, Putin, and Biden,

Stop pointing fingers and chidin'.

Get together and try before we all die,

Doomsday is near and you're hidin'

thebrewsterblock

Nicknames for Donald J. Trump

Sticks and Stones... You Know

Well it won't be long now before the debates for the nomination of who will represent Republicans in the 2024 U.S. Presidential election. That means it won't be long now before the world sees the likely nominee - DJT - calling people names like a kid in a schoolyard - a primary school yard. Unfortunately it lowered the dignity of what used to be the most highly regarded political position on the planet - no more. Thanks DJ.

We saw and heard it last time in 2016 but this time he is even more desperate and he will lower the station to total depravity - a shame really. But what else do you expect? The man knows not the meaning of true class. I doubt he has the IQ to devise most of the childish handles but he seems to have enough scriptwriters to compensate.

Maybe it is time that he tastes a little of what he doles out, Already some of the charges against him give us some optimism. I suggested done this before but perhaps the responses will increase this time.

Please comment with a few suggestions of names that other candidates could label The Donald. Who knows? Maybe some will make it to the debate podium. Please use the comment section below.

Here are a few to get you going:

1. Pinocchio. This is a natural. He has the lying thing down - enough for an army of Pinocchio's. His personality and I.Q. are that of a wooden puppet The only thing missing is the nose - make that knows - it is more appropriate since he knows very little for a world leader.
2. Donald Duck. These first two would violate some kind of intellectual property rights but don't worry - he wouldn't. He also sounds a lot like the Disney duck especially when on a rant. He is a natural cartoon character. Disney could have had a blast with him.
3. Goofy. Funny - another cartoon character! Is any further explanation needed?
4. Don the Con. This has double meaning - he has been conning people his entire life but soon he might be wearing a real con striped suit of a different design. Will they let him wear his trademark red tie? No. Somebody might strangle him.
5. Forrest Gump Trump. "Gump" can be a compliment but what do you think? Will that be the first thing that comes to most minds?
6. Welcher Donald. A history of examples.
7. Humpty Dumpty. He also fell from his lofty perch. But at least Humpty HAD a wall to sit on! We are still waiting for DJ's and for the first peso to pay for it. All the King's horses and all the King's men are still laughing.
8. Titanic Donald. It was supposed to be unsinkable as well.
9. Don the Wiz! Just like the Wizard of Oz, once you pull back the curtain and expose all the trickery, there's really nothing there. The real Wiz was a dream. This one is a nightmare.
10. Joker Don. The Joker is also one of a kind and a real card. He can be anything you want him to be. The appearance is usually that of a clown or jester. Typically, it was supposed to be have introduced by Americans who wanted to change the rules. Trump is also a card term but in that case it usually helps you win.

So there you go. Let's hear from you. Many of the other candidates are too dignified to call him names but we can! Give him a name and preferably why it applies.

If any of them stick it will drive him crazy! OK crazier!

#thebrewsterblock

The Donkey and the Tiger

We all know some of these people

Do yourselves a favour and Google "The Donkey and the Tiger" - it's a very short read. Apparently the author is unknown. Skip to the end because that is our subject today: "When ignorance screams, intelligence shuts up. Your peace and tranquility are worth more."

As you will have seen if you researched this there are very appropriate interpretations for you to consider. The objective here is to inspire you to create your own. Think of all the people you know. Everybody has met and has to tolerate someone like this.

Are you one? I suspect to some degree that I am - especially after reading and pondering this little gem. These people really annoy me and probably you too. Now have a close look in the mirror. Is Mr. / Mrs. / Ms. Righty staring back?

The most notorious person I can think of that fits this characterization is of course Donald J. Trump. The most notorious group would be his MAGA followers. But let's drop down a level to our own social spheres.

I can think of 2-3 right now. They must always have the last word and won't stop even when you try to be diplomatic. Some are used to getting their own way by virtue of being high up in a structured organization. Others like teachers, cops, and military people are used to subordinates having to listen and obey. I remember teachers who were like that but my favorites were the opposite. They had the knack of making you feel just a little more relevant. If you were totally wrong they had a tactful way of letting you know but welcomed the engagement. Some parents lack the skill - the poorer ones.

On the other hand can you remember your school experiences - primary, secondary, college in which you were socializing face to face? Who were the natural "leaders" you wanted to hang with? I remember some who just stood out and NONE of them had to be right all the time. When a group of you walked down the street, these were almost always in the centre with wannabes on either side. The girls or guys were attracted to members of the opposite sex with this charisma like a magnet. This was before other gender groups were even recognized.

These people took an interest in you and others around them. They listened when you spoke and commented on your contributions to the conversation. They laughed at your jokes even if they really were not funny. Today they might even manage to tolerate the subjects of this blog.

In terms of celebrities a few that come to mind are: Johnny Carson; Jay Leno; Dolly Parton; Diane Sawyer; and maybe Joe Biden. With celebs you never know what they are like off camera but I suspect these would still be very likeable people. My current fav above all is CNN's #Alisyn Camerota. Her personality just grows on you.

So back to the beginning. Don't waste time on these people. They will never change. They probably lack confidence and have nothing else with which to impress you. Don't sweat the small stuff - and these are the small stuff. Be the intelligent one - just let them have their petty victory.

One thing to give you solace - there isn't one person like this who isn't already held in disregard by others. There is no need to point it out.

So one more time: "When ignorance screams, intelligence shuts up. Your peace and tranquility are worth more." I'm going to try to be more "intelligent" from now on. I have learned in many ways that I am indeed often critical of what others say and do.

Maybe it's not too late.

#thebrewsterblock

 

Titanic Unites the World Again

Second Titanic Disaster Looming

It is hard to believe but in the next 24 hours the world will learn whether a second Titanic disaster will occur off the coast of Newfoundland. Ironically the vessel involved - the Titan - from OceanGate Expeditions was in the process of descending to view the original Titanic.

How many times in your life has the entire population of the globe united as one to hope and pray for a miraculous outcome? I recall many. There have been pets and babies who have fallen into narrow wells; many mining accidents; Apollo 13; the kids trapped in a cave flooded by the tides; the "Sully" Sullenberger piloted Airbus that had to put down in the Hudson river; and other aircraft that ran out of fuel but managed to glide to a safe landing. These all turned out well.

In the year 2000, the Russian submarine Kursk sank to the bottom of the ocean and all were lost. This was indeed a disaster. So were countless train and plane crashes. But in all of these and more, countries from around the world who are often traditional enemies sometimes offer help and expertise to save the lives of the unfortunate.

This is what is happening as I write. The chances of success are slim. Oxygen will run out in about 10-12 hours and the craft with 5 people on board has not even been located.

As the world waits, hopes, and prays for the victims, several things come to mind:

1. To those praying we all thank you. But if the outcome is indeed miraculous, after you rejoice and claim your prayers were heard, don't forget to ask the same God why the event occurred in the first place.
2. Why is it that nations who might be conducting a war killing millions of people with seldom a thought will offer to help in situations like this?
3. The fare for this is some 250 million dollars. At least one passenger is a billionaire who also paid for a ride into space. Why do people who worked so hard to accumulate their wealth risk it all on a thrill? They could do so much more with their wealth while still alive.
4. Do these high end thrill seekers ever think about all the expensive resource and skill that might have to be employed if things go wrong? Not only are other valuable people risking their lives and our tax dollars, others who were not seeking a thrill might die because their would be rescuers are busy attending to the thrill seeker. It is like people who go ice fishing on thin ice after being told not to.

 If an exceptional person dies having a thrill, the world will probably not be what it could be if they lived. What about their family? Perhaps they have indeed made great contributions to society but they could make a few more.

Some say that people become great BECAUSE they take risks - probably true. However that usually refers to money or thrills that might result in injury but a continued life. How can you enjoy life to the fullest when you are dead? Stay off the mountains. Stop swimming with the sharks.

The entire world is overdue for a miracle and I certainly HOPE this event becomes one. Time is running out.

So are miracles.

#thebrewsterblock

2023 Cuban Missile Crisis

1962 Kennedy / Khruchchev rematch

How many were alive in 1962 to see and hear the standoff between John Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev which came close to nuclear war? It was a defining moment for both. The good news is that both men backed away while still saving some face. America blocked Russian ships bound for Cuba in exchange for removal of certain missiles from Europe.

This has been burning away inside people like Putin ever since. Are we at that point again? Cuba is weak and needs help. Russia wants to provide it but at a severe cost. Sergey Lavrov is already hinting at missiles in Cuba again.

Some big differences exist. Kennedy was a young and very smart President. Biden is smart but old. Premier Khrushchev was old and full of bluster. Putin is young and means business. In 1962 both leaders remembered the recent effects of atomic bombs dropped on Japan. Neither wanted a repeat. Both have proven nuclear weaponry today. Castro is gone. Russia has nuclear subs that can strike America and transport missiles to Cuba. Trump is still a reckless and untrustworthy possible future President. If Putin is overthrown, any number of ambitious extreme military men might replace him. The nuclear option would be very real. Several other powerful countries also have them and would take sides.

The biggest contrast is that NATO has done exactly what Kennedy feared but in reverse. Now it is Russia that fears missiles on their borders in NATO countries. It would be difficult for America to take the same stance as Kennedy if Putin tried again to set up bases and missiles in Cuba as Khrushchev attempted to do. It would be hypocrisy at its worst. Putin would feel entirely justified. We hope that Cuba still wants its independence enough to draw a line at that, especially seeing what is happening in Ukraine. Who would help Cuba?

I don't look forward to the largest fireworks display the world would ever see. It would be the last.

Final point I have raised before. Would female world leaders have brought us to this point? I suspect not.

#thebrewsterblock