Something for Everyone Today
Taylor Swift Rigs The Super Bowl!
By now, you have surely heard about the Right Wing conspiracy theories that Taylor Swift has somehow conspired to right the Super Bowl for her boyfriend’s team to win and, according to one version, she will then appear at half-time to endorse Biden.
How nuts can these people get?! It really is amazing how this mindset has established itself among a lot of people. If something happens or is pending that I don’t like, there MUST be a conspiracy to blame, no matter how outlandish it seems. I feel sorry for kids that grow up in a household like that. Heck, I feel sorry for neighbors that live on the same street with such pathetic folk.
Part of being an adult is recognizing that sometimes you lose, period. Finding a devil lurking behind every tree is not a healthy mindset. Grow up, people.
Unless I have teams confused, I don’t think Kansas City needs much outside help. Seems they have done this whole thing pretty well in recent years. I am a fan of San Francisco from old days, but on this one, just hoping for a close game, great commercials, and an obscene amount of party food.
The Oklahoma Senator Who Speaks The Truth
A few days ago, Senator James Lankford, R-OK, spoke out against members of his own party to cried out all the time over the border issues, then followed Trump’s orders to let the problem stew so he could have a campaign issue. Lankford called it out truthfully.
From the Washington Post:
Lankford called out his colleagues for bowing to political pressure, noting that four months ago Republicans refused to grant funding for Ukraine, Israel and the southern border until there were policy changes.
“So, we actually locked arms together and said we’re not going to give you money for this. We want a change in law,” Lankford said. “When we’re finally going to the end, they’re like, ‘Oh, just kidding. I actually don’t want a change in law because it’s a presidential election year.’ We all have an oath to the Constitution, and we have a commitment to say we’re going to do whatever we can to be able to secure the border.”
The reaction? His state GOP censored him for daring to cooperate on a bipartisan bill. Me, I’m ready to thank this guy and buy him a beer. A little more courage and practicality like this would do us a world of good.
Speaking of the border…
Republicans and the US Southern Border
What passes for the Republican party in the House of Representatives has set yet another new low standard for performance, judgement, and priorities. The new Senate bipartisan bill is far from perfect, but I have seen worse. The House Republicans call it dead on arrival, before even reading the bill.
This is a four way strike against America’s Interests, as failure to pass such legislation does damage on our border and to people (those who are migrating and those who live on the border), stalls once again aid to Ukraine, Taiwan, and Israel. Inexcusable, and further damage to America’s -global leadership.
While all this is going on Texas is playing with fire on the border mess, and for all the wrong reasons. Hope the feds clamp down hard. How about arresting the Texas governor for a good start, and nationalizing the Texas National Guard? Texas has invited all kinds of extreme and armed people to come to the border. Don’t be shocked if violence and deaths occur.
The Remarkable Power of Drones-For Saving Lives and For Taking Them
I continue to be impressed with the awesome power and growing capabilities of drones – in war and in lifesaving. In warfare, there are critical historical points wherein a new technology/innovation took hold and changed everything. Think of the Roman phalanx, , armor, helicopters, and machine guns. Add drones to that honor roll. What the Ukrainians are doing against Russia is breathtaking.
The technology gets ever better, cheaper, and more accessible. The downside of that is that the risk of something like an offshore attack on the US by a non-state actor is going up immeasurably. Something coming in low and fast from just offshore to Washington DC by non-state actors would be a challenge to foresee or to block. The risk grows.
On the other hand, drones are proving themselves invaluable in assessing major disasters and in getting critical supplies to isolated populations. Global aid agencies swear by them for a host of functions.
I have zero good reasons, but I think I need one of these things.
The Biden Counterstrike For The Attack In Jordan
Just a quick assessment that the Biden administration got this about as right as could be done. Quick reaction, massive hits, precise targeting. Keep it up, folks.
Those arm-chair warriors who call for strikes in Iran – mostly folks who never served themselves – don’t seem to think calculating how many more casualties a direct conflict would cause. Not to mention a badly widening war. Hold the course, Joe – you have it right.
Nature Connects It All: Ants to Elephants
Something different to end with today. I am always interested in how interconnected everything is. Economics proves that every day in human affairs, but nature sets the standard.
Here is a short recap of a Washington Post article, detailing how one breed of invasive ants took out native ants in an area, which led to all sorts of consequences for elephants, big cats, and others. We are all connected folks, like it or not.
| In Kenya, the king of the jungle faces a new challenge — antsResearchers said big-headed ants started an “ecological chain reaction” in a Kenya conservancy, impacting lions and other animals |
- How? Big-headed ants, probably brought to Kenya in the early 2000s by global shipping and tourism, kill the native ants that protect trees from elephants and other herbivores.
- One impact: Elephants can eat more trees, giving lions less cover for hunting their main prey, zebras. Lions have killed fewer zebras since the ants’ arrival, a new study found.
If you would like to read the full story, here is the link. Never can tell if they are paywalled or not:
See you next week.
Bill Clontz
(Note the joyful expression on Meg’s face as I take us on yet another adventure – off the coast of Bermuda)
If you find this blog worthy of your time and curiosity, I invite you to do three things:
(1) Join the conversation. Your voice counts here. If you wish to share COMMENTS anonymously, make the last word in your comment “PRIVATE.” I will assure your privacy via anonymity.
(2) Share the word about this post with friends and colleagues. Share a link in your emails and social media posts (https://agentsofreason.com).
(3) You are welcome to share this post with anyone. It is easy to pass on via email, of course, but also on Facebook, LinkedIn, Reddit, or others.
Let’s grow our circle.