Sunday, May 25, 2014

5150

 By now plenty of people have heard about the mass killing in Santa Barbara. by a privileged, 22 year old kid who drove around in a BMW with loads of time on his hands, filming himself ranting about how he never gets laid. Could be because he was too damn narcissistic and just plain creepy that no girl wanted to get close to him?
His big problem was not massive student debt or his crappy minimum wage job. Money wasn't a problem for him, he could afford an arsenal of pistols so he could mow down whoever was in front of him on his "Day Of Retribution." Guns certainly are easy to get in the good old U.S. But Elliot Rodger real problem seemed to be that he should have had all the sex he wanted and women shouldn't have a choice in the matter.
Whats even more mind blowing is that the family reached out to authorities about their child's disturbing videos to no avail.
Elliot Rodger had Aspbergers, I have known many kids and some adults with the same problem, that were capable of flipping out, but never did. Not surprisingly, Rodgers had a few run-ins with the law, before he killed. It's also not surprising to me that he actually received psychiatric help that obviously was no help at all. The saddest thing is that people with these kind of mental problems are more plentiful than you think. They are all around us. We work with them, they are in our neighborhoods or on internet dating sites. As long as they can manage to give the appearance of sanity to authorities, they continue to wreak havoc in society.
What is really chilling is the sense of entitlement this kid had. It didn't seem to occur to him that women had the right not to spend time in his company. He brags about the BMW his father bought him and how he's "the ultimate gentleman." I can't imagine what would have happened to a woman if she got in that car with him. The most disturbing thing is that he looks so innocent, which probably kept him out of jail or a psych ward.
This is known as the "mask of sanity." We live in a  narcissistic society, the fact is that sociopaths and psychopaths are part of our everyday life. They aren't always mass murderers or serial killers. They are capable of causing chaos and they don't need a gun to do it.
Most narcissists, sociopaths and psychopaths usually are able to charm their way with the power of bullshit into women's lives. Psychopaths, narcissists and sociopaths usually can't be helped by psychiatry, they don't think anythings wrong with them, they can talk their way out of any situation and usually evade any real diagnosis. Most of the time when you read about sociopaths in our culture, it's a big success story about what great business leaders or CEO's they are. People never think it's the guy next door who abuses his family, then smiles and waves at you. You know somethings not right, but you just can't put your finger on it.
It is difficult to feel sorry for these individuals. It is harder still to acknowledge that there are people who just can't be helped. No amount of kinder, gentler, humane treatment could ever be a solution for people who are ruthless in their behavior and want retribution for real or imagined slights. There are an estimated 12 million sociopaths in this country, it's been suggested that sociopathic politicians and bankers brought this country to the sorry economic place it's in today. I expect this problem to get worse and incidents like these mass murders will continue. Yes, gun control is a problem, but Rodger also used a knife to kill. Mental help for this kid was ineffective. Calls to the authorities failed. These people are everywhere, rarely, do people acknowledge it and no one knows what to do about it.
An interesting take on this tragedy; What Elliot Rodger Said About Women Reveals Why We Need to Stamp Out Misogyny - PolicyMic
5150 (involuntary psychiatric hold) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia  

Sunday, May 18, 2014

"It's A Big Club"

If anyone knows what congress has done since March, please enlighten me. According to what I've read this was the last piece of legislation; "National Integrated Drought Information System Reauthorization Act of 2014" To reauthorize the National Integrated Drought Information System."
I know, it's boring. What they did was amend a law already in place from 2006. Other than fighting to shut down the government. WTF have they done? Oh right Benghazi....
I also was reading about Bernie Sanders maybe, sort of, running for president in 2016, and Hillary Clinton maybe, sort of, running for President in 2016.
This led me to look back to the 2012 National Platform.
"Rebuilding the middle class" and "putting America back to work" seemed like the priority. Fair enough, 
Here's what's happening in reality, buried in this NYT article after all the happy 6.3%  BS unemployment rate, comes this kernel of truth;
"Thomas E. Perez, the labor secretary, suggested the big drop in the number of workers in the household survey was caused by fewer new entrants coming into the job market, rather than a sudden exodus out of it."
Ok, So if there are "fewer entrants" and no "sudden exodus" and there's a "big drop in the number of workers" wouldn't supply and demand in this free market economy suggest that workers are scarce and there are jobs that aren't being filled? According to this article there's "a new sense of optimism" which reminds me of the whole "it's coming back" trope people tell me. I want to know, who's optimistic?
Maybe it's just me, but I think the NSA is the big employer, this is the reason we don't have an unemployment problem. Because "putting America back to work" was part of the 2012 National Platform. So I'm curious about any legislation introduced about employment. List of bills in the 113th United States Congress - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Does anyone remember "The Middle Class Bargain"? That was on the platform too.  
 Also "access to higher education" College Costs Surge 500% in U.S. Since 1985: Chart of the Day - Bloomberg
You can have access as long as you can pay or be willing to be a debt slave, IF you can find a job that pays enough to get out of your parents house. 
The biggest victory for the Democrats had been the Affordable Care Act, that is, if you can afford it. "Standing Up For Workers" was also on the platform. I'm not sure who stood up for these workers. The White House Say's it wants a $10.10 minimum wage, but nothing has been done by anyone. Nope.
 My favorite thing on the platform is this;
21st Century Government: Transparent and Accountable
Yeah, ask Edward Snowden about it. 
 Maybe we should be grateful for the do nothing government we have. I guess they have the potential to screw things up even more. Most people think this is about political gridlock or party politics, but that's all entertainment. What this is really about is the status quo, corporate profits, and keeping things the same by doing nothing. This is purposeful. Very few want to believe it. That's why people keep voting. It doesn't matter what party you like. They are all in it together, and they don't give a damn.
                                        11 Things That Suck About America - PolicyMic
 


Thursday, May 15, 2014

Boehner's At The Bottom Of The Benghazi Barrel

So, Benghazi, right? Are they going to investigate that as many times as they tried to repeal Obamacare? Elizabeth Warren sent out an email saying this next investigation is a big waste of time. Now she's going to be burned at the stake by Fox News who says she's fundraising on Benghazi's back. Which is interesting since this is an election year and don't vote for Democrats because, BENGHAZI!  Wasting more time on Benghazi and churning up more scandal makes people rush to the polls to cast their vote. I know all my friends have been talking about nothing but Benghazi. 
Weirdly enough, I seem to remember a president who ignored a security brief and thousands of people died.  True story.
I watched the stock market go down again on the heels of bad news for poor Walmart! Profits are down!
Maybe if they paid their employees more, sales would be more profitable? Fast food workers in 100 cities went on strike today.  I wonder if anyone sees this connection? People don't have money. A stressed population earning depressed wages while gas and food prices keep going up. This isn't a recipe for stability, financial or otherwise. I hope these workers gain some momentum and keep at it, if they don't get some traction then all we have is Benghazi.
Thank God, Condoleezza Rice thinks we should have another Benghazi investigation. I don't know for sure, but I think shes got some free time on her hands after she had to withdraw from speaking at the Rutgers University commencement because of protests. Sitting in front of Fox News, watching all the latest about Benghazi is probably her cup of tea. Maybe The Benghazi Committee will throw in a couple of WMD's in her honor.
Now that Speaker Boehner has made the big announcement of another Benghazi investigation, then they all were off for a week (how much vacation time do these people have? They only work 113 days this year.)
Just about every working American works more than they do.
 I'm relieved we'll finally get to the bottom of Benghazi. But they don't have much time left if they only work for 113 days.

Sunday, May 11, 2014

#BringBackOurGirls

Sentimentality? Military intervention in Nigeria? There's a lot of speculation about what is going on in Nigeria and how hundreds of school girls are still missing, sold into slavery, raped, murdered, who knows?
As many of you might know, I am not the Obama's biggest fan. However, if you listen to Michelle Obama's words, I hope you heard this;
 Grown men, took sleeping children out of their beds.
Most important are the families who are worried sick about their daughters. I can't imagine what they are going through. More to the point, the Nigerian government KNEW about the plot to kidnap these children four hours before it happened and they failed to act. Nigerian President Goodluck Johnson, "believes the girls are still in Nigeria" WTF? I used to believe in the tooth fairy. Whatever.
 There's a whole lot of nonsense about whether or not Michelle Obama should have spoken out about this horrible act. Instead of outrage, people are wondering about Nigeria's resources and whether this incident is a false flag for starting a war.
Our President is responsible for 168 to 200 children's deaths as a result of his drone attacks. So yeah, I get the hypocrisy element.
That doesn't change the fact that there are children missing, sold into slavery or forced into marriage.
 The fact is that violence against women goes on everyday. EVERYWHERE.
                                                           
                                                               Happy Mothers Day.
 Stop Violence Against Women | CARE
#BringBackOurGirls - Action for Accountability  



Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Good Luck, Nigeria

I am no authority on foreign relations. I don't know much about Africa, unless you count my Middle Eastern studies from college which mainly concentrated on the colonialization of the Middle East which can be extrapolated to Africa and the hegemony of  the British Empire and American geopolitics. So, it was with both relief and a certain amount of trepidation when I read, U.S. to aid Nigeria in effort to rescue kidnapped schoolgirls - Los Angeles Times
 First of all, I can't believe for a minute that we don't have a CIA presence there. Second, with the NSA listening to everyone everywhere, I guess the BOKO HARAM aren't terrorists. They are merely slave traders.
When a sea of outrage happens over a  video of  "The Innocence Of Muslims" and certain political cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed,
WHERE IS THE OUTRAGE OVER THESE KIDNAPPED CHILDREN?
Now there are reports that 8 more children have been kidnapped. BBC News - Eight more Nigeria girls abducted
  There's a lot of speculation that Mr. Goodluck Jonathan, President of Nigeria, is beholden to corruption and bribes. Perhaps there's a sort of Boko Haram lobby? If politicians can be bought and sold, why not children, right?
Someone, tell me why, it took so long to get some help for the helpless?
 Maybe because we are all guilty of looking the other way?  Of not paying attention, because it could never happen here? Instead I guess it's ok if our children are slaughtered by guns, in the good old USA.

Sandy Hook: A chart of all 137 fatal school shootings since 1980.
What is it about this? Shoot 'em, kidnap them?
What really kills me? Is the NRA's strangle hold with guns in this country. Where children die everyday.  But honestly, who is worse?
What does it say about the human race that in 2014 this is reality?

 

Sunday, May 4, 2014

"Before The Crash"

Has anyone heard this phrase?
"Before the crash"
As in "Oh, you got hired before the crash" Yep, someone said that to me this week at work.

 I was at a friends home yesterday, we were talking about our townships home reassessments. Our homes were assessed "before the crash" so real estate taxes here in New Jersey are based on pre-2006 prices. Prices no one can get for their homes anymore. So from what I've heard, the "rates" will go up but our home values will go down.
Then there's this, Citing $807 Million Budget Gap, Fitch Downgrades NJ Bond Rating - NJ Spotlight
Basically, this state is  broke, but politicians and government officials, are living the same way they used to "before the crash" Because, "it's coming back." I suggested to one of my optimistic "it's coming back" friends that this state is as broke as Detroit.
 One of the biggest problems in my state? Moving vans taking people out of state in droves, survey finds | NJ.com People are leaving, they can't afford to stay.
Basically I feel like I live in a different country. This is one of the reasons why,
 "With a labor growth rate in the private sector of 3.8 percent from February 2010 to March 2014, the Garden State is tied with Mississippi for 48th in the nation, the review found."
I am completely confused by articles like this, Unemployment rate falls, but for wrong reasons - May. 2, 2014 because where I work, we have only hired part time employees.
" the unemployment rate told a more discouraging story. That number, which comes from a survey of households, shows fewer Americans are joining the labor force and fewer people report they're employed."
So when I read this; Jobs Report: U.S. Economy Added 288K Jobs In April, Unemployment Down To 6.3%
It's like this country runs on bullshit and lies, because where I am, the employment rate is this;
All you Republicans out there, who just love Chris Christie, take a good look at Jersey, cause this is what you're in for. But it's not like there's any difference between him and Barack Obama except for Christie's weight problem. When one of the best economists in this country spells out the big problem we have, Why Economics Failed - NYTimes.com
he said that John Boehner and President Obama decided to handle our economy the same way. Now somebody tell me that these people aren't carrying water for rich people and corporations. So things are never going to change "or come back."
 What is the use of voting for people who say they are democrats and then act like republicans? The real dirty secret is that the rich no longer need a middle class, since billionaires don't make anything here anymore. They make money in financial markets and derivatives. They make money despite how poorly everyone else is doing. Any manufacturing that is going on happens in other countries.  Forget "it's coming back" It's gone. Like Christie's inflated expectations of "it's coming back" with an $800 million gap, things are much worse than what we are being told.
It's so strange that real people in everyday life call anything pre-2008 "before the crash" however, you will never hear a government official say that.
For the wealthy and politicians, "before the crash" is where they still live. While the rest if us can just dream about "it's coming back."