The Three Drug Dealers

Yesterday a major drug company was held responsible for the opioid epidemic in Oklahoma. The Prosecutors estimated that the pushing of these drugs by the company cost the state of Oklahoma billions of dollars in treatment, lost productivity and future health care costs. The White House last year estimated that the opioid crisis has cost the economy over half a TRILLION dollars.

The Oklahoma court ruled that Johnson and Johnson, the drug company, had to pay Oklahoma $572 million bucks. For a multi-billion dollar problem. J and J is appealing the judgment. No one went to jail.

The payment, of course, will come out of the investor’s profits. So, in effect, J and J made billions of dollars, paid a relatively small fine charged to their investors and walks away with no jail time. For a major drug dealer.

Today, in my local area there are other drug dealers being dealt with.

Warren Greenough, age 47,  was stopped for a traffic violation. They found drugs in his car. To be exact. 2.5 grams of crack cocaine….from the article…..

…”Greenough was charged with third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell, a Class B felony; fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance due to weight, a Class D felony; and third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

Greenough was later arraigned at Livingston County Centralized Arraignment Part at Livingston County Jail before Village of Dansville Justice Scott Kenney, who remanded Greenough to the custody of the Sheriff on $1,500 cash bail or $3,000 bond. The Livingston County District Attorney’s Office had requested $3,000 bail or $6,000 bond….”

Same day, another drug dealer…..

“The Ontario County Sheriff’s Office says 29-year-old James J. Murray of Clifton Springs was arrested for criminal possession of a controlled substance on Tuesday by the county’s Special Investigations Unit. The arrest came after a search was executed by investigators and the OCSO SWAT Team on Murray’s current residence in Manchester. 

During the search, officers found heroin, marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and an unloaded handgun.

Murray was arraigned at Ontario County CAP and bail was set at $2,500 cash or $5,000 bond. Additional charges are pending and will be presented to the grand jury….”

This guy had a full SWAT team!

I suspect that nether Greenough or Murray will be able to pass on the costs of their criminal activity on to their shareholders. But then again, they aren’t incorporated.

 

https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/the-latest-oklahoma-judge-finds-jandj-fueled-opioid-crisis/2019/08/26/dd65d970-c86e-11e9-9615-8f1a32962e04_story.html

https://thelcn.com/lcn01/dansville-man-facing-felony-drug-charges-20190827

https://www.whec.com/news/ontario-county-man-arrested-after-months-long-drug-investigation/5472166/

The Old American Century

The American Century is over.  As the 20th century turned into the 21st century there was an effort to turn the new century into one completely dominated by the United States corporations. This attempt was spearheaded by a right wing organization called The Project for the New American Century.

This “project” was started in the 1990s  by conservative “intellectual” William Kristol and other hardliners. Mostly “chickenhawks” who love the idea of using military force on other parts of the world while eschewing any participation in any wars themselves. Other key figures in the Project for a New American Century (PNAC) were the members of the Bush family, Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld and others.

When the Supreme Court ended the vote count in Florida in 2000 and gave GW Bush the presidency it allowed this group to come to power. Recall the when GW Bush was searching for a running mate in 2000 his family chose Dick Cheney to lead the search for the “best man” for the job. Cheney ended up choosing himself. Rumsfeld, another member of the PNAC then was appointed Secretary of Defense.

In this context the attack on 9/11 occurred. In power was a group of people who firmly believed that the US should lead the world , not by example or as a haven for democracy, but as a belligerent military force. So, although Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11, the PNAC goal was to capture the oil fields and control that major resource.

So, in direct violation of international law and the Security Council of the UN, the US invaded Iraq. The catastrophe that followed lead to the destabilization of the Middle East, emergence of ISIS and a continued crisis that we see even playing out today.

The “New American Century” had turned out to be short lived. And a bust.

The second half of the 20th century was certainly dominated by the US. Not just by US military power, but by the exporting of American values. Democracy replaced colonialism as an organizing force in much of the world. JFK’s Peace Corps was probably the most effective propaganda tool for democracy. Americans were seen as decent, good people. Rich, spoiled, but with a conscience and eager to help. Those days are gone.

Any moral or ethical superiority that may have existed  (even if only illusory) has long gone. We now live in a new world.

The USA has lost not only it’s moral ascendancy, but has become largely irrelevant to much of the world. We are no longer a place to look to for leadership. We are a place to sell stuff. And Americans, no matter how much they complain, are flush with wealth compared to most of the rest of the world.

Donald Trump did not cause this. But he has accelerated the trend. It is a good development, in my mind, the the US no longer dominates the world economy. But the desire to “go it alone” as Trump has done, has eliminated much of the influence for good the US has had in the past. Isolationism and excessive nationalism lead to WW1 . And WW2.

Rejection of international agreements and institutions did not begin with Trump. I recall Mr Reagan attacking the UN and suggesting it could sail away into the sunset across the Atlantic. Geography aside, that sentiment became the mantra of the GOP and the right wing in the 1980s. And continues even today. It is based on an ignorance of history and an arrogance of power.

But in the 21st century the ideas of the 20th no longer hold. At least not in the rest of the world. Russia has re-emerged as a czarist regime after a brief fling with democracy. China is aggressively spreading its influence into every continent. The sleeping giant Napoleon had warned us about has awoken. The European Union, abandoned by the US and attacked by Putin, is strengthening itself in response. India is on the move. Saudi Arabia and Israel are both arming at alarming rates,poised for the inevitable conflict.

The US is no longer the awesome force it once was. That was an inevitable process. But the US has become a side show. An observer of global problems, no longer a participant in solving them. The 21st century was never going to be an American Century. Trump had nothing to do with those global realities.

But, by removing the US from international agreements and international solutions, the Trump folks are contributing to the inevitable catastrophe of extreme nationalism. Any student of history knows where extreme nationalism leads. The US has become the world’s gun dealer. Leadership without a national conscience. Without a plan for a positive world.

Without US positive engagement in global organizations the 21st century could very well become the Century of Chaos and Totalitarianism. While the US may sit on the sidelines, it will not be able to avoid the effects. The tsunami will not be stopped by a wall.

https://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php/Project_for_the_New_American_Century

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Security_Council_Resolution_1441

 

I’ll Trade You Greenland

Recently Mr Donald Trump,( who some of you may know is the President of these United States), had an incredibly great idea. I mean a stupendous idea. One that no one before him ever thought of.

He wants to buy Greenland.

Now the casual observer might think that Greenland is green. Well, it isn’t . It is almost all ice and snow and cold stuff. So, why is is called “Greenland”?

Seems like there was this conman (not ANOTHER one!). Yep. This guy’s name was Eric the Red. (Not to be confused with Vlad the Red). Eric sailed from Norway and ran into this icy coastline. He wanted to start a colony, so he invited some of his more gullible associates. Even though the land was cold and icy he realized that “Iceland”had already been taken. So, what to call it?

Perhaps frozen land? Really cold place? Pile of snow where nothing grows? None of those sounded very inviting. So, Eric the Con chose the name “Greenland”. Who wouldn’t want to live in a place so lush and fruitful? So, it was settled.

Today Greenland belongs to Denmark. Now, why Denmark actually wants to keep Greenland is another story.  After all Greenland is melting. The icecaps are melting. The island is shrinking.

All this leads me to think that maybe it is not such a bad idea to get a hold of Greenland. If the price is right. Before it shrinks away into oblivion.

Why Donald Trump WANTS Greenland is another story. Perhaps because it is the BIGGEST island on Earth? Maybe with global warming it will soon be an ideal place for a golf course? Perhaps he learned that one of the main animals on the island are the “collared lemmings”. I mean, this guy knows how to collar lemmings. Or maybe, he saw a picture of it in a book. No one knows why he wants it, but he does.

Let’s kill two collared lemmings with one Danish muffin. I suggest a trade. We offer Texas and Florida to Denmark. They let us have Greenland. Donald Trump gets his big island  (the BIGGEST island on Earth, at least temporarily). And we get rid of the two most corrupt states in the union. All in one fell swoop.

Except I don’t think the Danes are that stupid. They want to keep Greenland.

So, my second suggestion. Denmark keeps Greenland and we give them Texas and Florida for free. But I doubt the Danes want that either. They aren’t gullible. Unlike collared lemmings.

Here on Pedophile Isle

The locals called it Pedophile Island. Yet for over 30 years no one associated with Epstein had any clue that he was engaged in pedophilia. All these highly successful, intelligent icons of law, politics and industry and they all were fooled !It was a BIG SURPRISE !!!

With apologies to the Skipper, Gilligan, the professor and Mary Ann….

 

This is a tale of pedophiles

On an island so remote

The locals called it Pedophile Isle

A kindergarten Love Boat.

 

Here’s the Skipper, call him Epstein

With Trump and Clinton on board

And  Dershowitz, of OJ fame

As part of the pedophile hoard.

 

They fly in  together now and then

On the sweet Lolita Express

Prince Andrew, too, but then who knew?

He was looking for a little princess.

 

Ahoy, but when the Skipper was caught

And Florida cops wanted to put him away

A few charges were dropped and Acosta was bought

So he managed to slither away.

 

Now all of a sudden all the guys he knew

Deny they ever saw his face

“Epstein? Who? Never heard of him?”

“Never heard of his Pedophile Place.”

 

So this is the tale of Pedophile Isle

And the well connected pervs

Who raped little girls and walked away

They will never get what they deserve.

 

There’s Clinton here…and Trump is too

Old Dershowitz had him some nook

Wexler  was part of the very fine crew

And who else is in Epstein’s black book?

Who else is in Epstein’s black book?

 

 

Thoughts and Prayers Template

OK. So, in El Paso, Texas a white supremacist used a military style weapon to kill 20 people and send more to the hospital. In Dayton, Ohio only 9 were killed by a gunman. So, what day is? Another day in America.

At this point we don’t know much about the Dayton shooter. But odds are that the El Paso guy drove for about 8 hours for the express purpose of protecting the fatherland from the Hispanic invasion. Have no clue as to where he got the idea that there was some invasion. Who could have inspired such blind hatred? Where did he get this from?

And, as usual, members of the Democratic (aka Socialist) Party called for stricter controls on guns. In fact, they passed a background check bill in the House which now sits on Moscow Mitch’s In box…also called the “waste basket”. The Dems have this odd idea that if nutcases could not get their hands on weapons of mass destruction there would be fewer mass shootings. Fewer children murdered in cold blood. What kind of logic is that?

And, as usual the members of Trump’s GOP have offered their thoughts and prayers to the families of the victims. Ted Cruz. Moscow Mitch. Donald himself. The entire crew is really broken up over this one. They are very sad. Sad. Very sad.

But the GOP has a problem. Over 100 mass killings already this year. How do you keep your sadness fresh? How do you keep track of the devastation of human life while maintaining your support for domestic terrorists? How do you maintain the facade of concern? Not an easy task.

Which is why I am here. To help. Like usual.

I am offering the GOP members of Congress a simple template for grief. Even they should be able to  fill in the blanks. Or have a staff member do it. Just fill in the blanks, print and you are ready for the camera. Roll em.

” My fellow Americans. I recoil in horror at the senseless murders of (fill in a number) our fellow Americans. The sacred place (fill in name of school church, synagogue, mosque or mall) has been forever blackened by this evil deed. My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Texas (fill in a different state if appropriate, although you can figure it is probably Texas). My wife (add name of wife, not girlfriend, be careful here)and I both kneel and pray to God for the victims and first responders. Today (fill in date) will forever be a black day in US history. We must combat this evil by prosecuting the offender to full extent of the law. That will make the families of the dead (fill in men, women and or children) feel much better about their loss. Let us hope we never have to go through such a traumatic event again. May God bless you and God bless the NRA.”

Fill in the blanks. Read. Repeat next week.

Then There Were Four

I didn’t watch all of the Democratic candidate debates. But I saw enough. It’s time to thin the herd. Be merciful. Cut out the slackers.

There are only 4 people who have a chance at the Democratic nomination.

Warren. Harris. Biden. Buttigieg.

The rest are toast. Window dressing.

Warren because of her command of the specifics. Her ability to take complex issues and explain complex solutions in a way most folks can understand. She created the Consumer Protection Agency and was prevented from leading it by Moscow Mitch and his gang of pirates. So. She simply ran for the Senate and now leads the charge for progressive policies. Sweet  revenge. Moscow Mitch can’t get rid of her.

Harris. Smart. Able. Organized. She can articulate why Trump has devastated the nation and how she will fix it. A former prosecutor , she understands the legal and judicial systems. Not afraid of a fight. Willing to do whatever it takes.

Biden. The last gasp of the old guard. He has plenty of favors to call in. He still wears the mantle of his vice presidency under Obama. And Obama is still the most popular president alive. A long time liberal who is willing to negotiate. Thinks he can bring folks together after the travesty of the Trump years.

Buttigieg. Young. Gifted. Articulate. Brilliant. If he represents the new wave of Democratic politicians we are indeed in good hands. He will bring in voters of his generation and younger. He looks to the future and grasps the mistakes of the past. Time to move on.

Only a fool makes predictions about politics, especially over a year ahead of time. So, here are mine.

A Harris-Buttigieg ticket. The best of both worlds. Progressive but also practical. Ethnic woman from California; young military veteran from a farm state. Being gay won’t even enter into the conversation on the Dem side.

A perfect foil to the Trump-Pence fiasco. Two old, fading authoritarians versus forward thinking, intelligent democrats. What could be better?

And you can be sure that Harris-Buttigieg will not make the same mistakes that Clinton’s handlers did. They understand that the US election is not a popular vote, but a state by state contest. They will not ignore Michigan or Wisconsin or Pennsylvania.

Why not Biden? He looks like he’s done. His time has passed. He does not project the energy needed to defeat Trump, Putin and the American oligarchs.

Why not Sanders? Warren has the same basic policies but articulates them better and in more detail. Bernie is long on gesture but short on substance. That will be exposed in smaller debates, as it was in 2016.

Why not Warren? She is almost too aggressive. People, especially suburban women, do not like that in a woman. Nor do many men.  I would not count her out if given the chance to defeat Trump, but I don’t think the primary voters will give her that chance.

The rest of the pack? They should go home right now and run for the Senate of House or Governorship in their own states, They had their time in the limelight. It was nice, but now it’s over. Don’t waste our time or money.