Blog: If I understand this

Today’s Dad Joke:

Why do bakers work so hard?

Because they knead the dough.

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From The New Yorker:  Back in January, during his Inaugural Address, Donald Trump declared that “after years and years of illegal and unconstitutional federal efforts to restrict free expression,” he would issue an executive order “to immediately stop all government censorship and bring back free speech to America.” There was, as always, reason to be skeptical. (In fact, his very next line was “Never again will the immense power of the state be weaponized to persecute political opponents,” which, based on last night’s indictment of James Comey, is especially striking.)  Bring it back?  Where did it go?

And:  Trump says ‘there will be others’ prosecuted after Comey

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The Supreme Court will let the Trump administration withhold $4.9 billion in congressionally approved foreign aid. – To me, this eliminates the Constitutional provision that only Congress controls the money . . . but it falls in line with the increasing pace at which the Executive is taking power away from the Legislative, and the conservative-controlled Supreme Court is letting it.  It is a massive loss for the separation of powers, as well as a serious weakening of the power of the Legislature.   Maybe Trump needs another airplane to release the funds?

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Useless fact:  It is impossible to sneeze with your eyes open. Provided by FactRetriever.com

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I have postulated this before, albeit long ago, so I feel like repeating it:

I have long thought about what might be a simple way to judge whatever our government is doing is good or bad, and I have boiled it down to this, as a test:

1. How does this affect poor children in America?
2. How does this affect poor children in the rest of the world?

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Is there any doubt the presidency is for sale?  (Not to mention golden sneakers, Bibles, cologne, etc.):

WASHINGTON – Just months after soliciting and receiving a $400 million luxury airliner for himself from Qatar, President Donald Trump has now quietly granted the oil-rich autocracy a NATO-like defense guarantee, promising a U.S. response if it is attacked.  I thought Congress had to approve of treaties?

And isn’t it only Congress that can declare war?  In re: Trump administration tells Congress the US is in ‘armed conflict’ with drug cartels.

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So, the concert we went to in Palm Springs – Paul McCartney.  I didn’t like that the tickets were all digital and not released until the day of . . . but I am guessing that is to discourage scalpers.  Also, the arena was fine, and we had great seats on the side . . . we chose that show partly because the arena sat 10,000, as opposed to a football stadium at 60,000 . . . but little to no traffic control.  We used Uber.  Took us an hour to get a ride after the show.  Some black SUVs (not Uber) would park in the Rideshare zone and stay there, offering short rides for $250 and up.  I will remark to the Arena as they sent me a survey.  Anyway, his performance was terrific.  He is 83 and rocked it for 2.5 hours, no intermission.  He only sat down to play the piano a couple of times.  Clearly a gifted musician who “still has it,” and he made a few remarks about the other Beatles that were interesting.  He gave some background on some of the songs, such as “Let It Be,” which was written about his mother, Mary.

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Also:  What compels some 25-year-olds to stand up most of the concert and dance in front of the people behind them?  We were ok but some others could not see well.  I felt like telling them, “We paid to see McCartney perform, not you, so sit the hell down!”  But I didn’t.

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Another first on the trip is we had Chateaubriand for dinner at our hotel.  $145.  For two.  But here’s the thing.  There was enough to take home and have again, so that’s 4 dinners for that price, or $36.25 per meal — one way to justify that!

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In the I Can’t Picture This Dept.:  A relatively new planet does this:  The planet is adding material about eight times faster than a few months earlier and gobbling up gas and dust at a record rate of 6.6 billion tons (6 billion metric tons) per second.

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When we drove to Palm Springs, we went through a very large field of large windmills.  Towers on both sides of the road, hundreds or maybe thousands of them.  So, do me a favor – if you have contact with Donald Trump, tell him that we did not get cancer.  And while you are at it, could you remind him of this:  Federal workers are prohibited by law from taking part in politics.  Put that in all caps if you think it necessary.  Thanks.

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Baseball trivia:  Professional baseball, particularly as a structured league sport in North America, is over 150 years old. The Cincinnati Red Stockings, considered the first professional baseball team, played in 1869.

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One, perhaps the main way that Trump ignores Congress is this:  Since returning to the White House in January, he’s declared no fewer than ten emergencies.  Many laws provide an exception to the power of the president in case of emergency.  Meant to protect us, say, if someone attacked us while Congress is not in session.  He is, of course, abusing the privilege.

From The New Yorker:  There’s a theme here to his entire second term:

The Constitution—What’s That?

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The Treasury wants to mint a coin with Trumpy’s picture?  Of course, there is a law that says we can’t mint a coin with a pic of any living person . . . but what the hell is a law?  It’s like a rule, right?  Meant to be broken!

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Maybe we need dogs like this one.

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Useless, though interesting, fact:  Despite being thinner than human hair and lighter than cotton, spider silk is stronger than steel — and it isn’t even close. According to Science magazine, the insect-trapping, egg-protecting material is a full five times stronger than steel of the same diameter. It’s also highly elastic and can hold its strength at extreme temperatures, making it one of the most versatile substances in the world.

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Hint from my dental hygienist:  Use toothpaste and mouthwash with Fluoride.  Right before bed, rub the toothpaste on your teeth, along the gum line, inside and out – spit but don’t rinse.  Has worked for me.  And no, it isn’t only kids with candy who get cavities.

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That’s enough for now, and remember kids:  If you think you’re being followed, don’t go home!

All take care,

Kevin