Blog: If I understand this

The Trump family business is all on the up-and-up, right?

This: Emissaries connected to a royal in Abu Dhabi discreetly signed a deal to buy a 49% stake in a Trump family cryptocurrency company for $500 million four days before Trump’s 2025 inauguration, The Wall Street Journal reported Sunday.  And: $500 million investment for 49% of World Liberty came months before U.A.E. won access to tightly guarded American AI chips. – From Huffpost – “Won?”  What did Trump do, have an auction?

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As you organize your taxes for last year, think about that leak that showed:  The leaked tax documents revealed that Trump paid only $750 in federal income taxes in 2016, the year he first won the presidency, and paid no taxes at all in 10 of the previous 15 years.

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I sometimes think:  The U.S. is the only country where people dream of becoming doctors in order to get rich.

“Medical”issues also might be: The only time we routinely agree to services without knowing how much it will cost us.  Is the fear of a medical bill a “thing?”  Hint:  Not in all countries.

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If I Understand This: If the groundhog sees its shadow, there are six more weeks of winter?

So, if it is sunny and bright, that is bad news, whereas if it is cloudy or stormy, i.e., no shadow, that is a good sign?

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When you think about the fall election and the makeup of the House, remember this:  In the House, a tie vote is a failed vote. There is no one to cast a tie-breaker, like the VP does in the Senate.

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Now Trump says that a White House ballroom, gilded in gold, is necessary for “security.”  Really.   He said that.

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The economist Robert Reich’s view on crypto: 

“If you believe crypto is good for America and the world, I’ve got some crypto I’d like to sell you. Actually, I don’t own any crypto. Crypto has no redeeming social or economic value. Its best-known uses are money laundering by global criminals and financial speculation. It’s an elaborate Ponzi scheme that destabilizes the economy.”

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In the “I need some good News” dept.:  Washington — The Supreme Court on Wednesday declined to block California’s new congressional map that could net Democrats five seats in the upcoming midterm elections.

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Last week, Judge Patrick J. Schiltz — a Reagan appointee and top federal judge in Minnesota — accused ICE of violating nearly a hundred court orders in the month of January alone. –Reich

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So, why is it that the lowest, newest ranking cop is called an “officer?”  It took me four years to become an officer in the Navy!  Police have no enlisted people?  All officers?

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I like history and am reading a new book about a certain period of our history.  I won’t mention the title until I am done, if I think it is worth a recommendation.  I seldom buy hardback books these days, because, as this one is, the print is generally small.  I can read it, thanks to my eye surgeries, but don’t like the persistent policy of saving money by using small fonts.  I now have an app on my iPad and order books through it, as I can adjust the font, line spacing, etc.  Also, the author, like many historians, tries to cram as many facts as possible into every page.  It is difficult to follow all the names and places.  The dates aren’t bad, as I generally know a bit about this period.  But the information is good, and is about a time I think more of us should know more about.  My goal, since it’s detail obsession, is ten pages or more a day.  So, if I continue and don’t give up, I’ll give you a quick review in a couple of months.

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Of course, the singular/plural thing still goes on: “Scoop, a Canine Companions service dog in training, joined CBS News Thursday to make their pick for Super Bowl winner between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots.”

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Well, Bezos has destroyed The Washington Post, a once fine newspaper.  RIP.

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Trump posted a “picture” of the Obamas as monkeys, and left it online for 12 hours.  His staff tried to excuse it.  The president . . . doing “photos” like this . . . again!  Remember the one with Schumer as a Mexican mariachi?  Or Trump in a jet plane dropping poop on protestors?  How presidential! Not to mention his nicknames for women reporters, like “piggy” “stupid,” etc.  and how black women Congressmen or Vice presidents are “low IQ.”

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You Know You’re Old When:

You have grown grandchildren . . . who have never used a pay phone.

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I can see hummingbirds in a tree right outside my window in “my room/office.”  They have gotten used to us; we can sit outside within a few feet of them. They often “check us out” by flying close to us.  They just love us!  The hummer feeders in the tree that Kathleen keeps full have nothing to do with it.

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Trump is again withholding funds that congress has authorized, this time for a much-needed tunnel under the Hudson, for trains.  How does he get away with it?  He always acts like the money is his to do with as he pleases . . . I suppose Congress could do something, but then again, it is controlled by Republicans.

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Is this the biggest potential scam in our history?:
When Trump sued the IRS and the Treasury Department last week for $10 billion — accusing the agency of failing to prevent a contractor from leaking his tax returns to the press during his first administration — the president was effectively asking Bessent, his direct subordinate, to give him billions of dollars.  And yes, it would be taxpayer dollars out of the general fund.  Your money.  My money.

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Had to read this twice to begin to believe it:  The average American worker has less than $1,000 saved for retirement, underscoring the financial strain millions could face in old age, according to a new report from the National Institute on Retirement Security.

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Well, the game will be on soon.  Gotta get my walk in, have some lunch, and prep the grill for after-the-game burgers. 

All take care,

Kevin