The Political Hopeful

US Reinforcing the Mexican Boarder.

2025-03-01T17:29:00.003-05:00

In the last day i am seeing some reports of 1 P-8 naval patrol planes relocating from Romania. They have been in use providing intelligence on Russian Naval Activity in the Black Sea.

https://bsky.app/profile/joshtpm.bsky.social/post/3ljd3uim7as2a

The US is also announced that they are relocation 3,000 Troops and Stryker Combat Vehicles to the Southern Boarder. The troops are from the 4th Infantry Division’s 2nd Stryker Brigade at Fort Carson, Colorado.

El Salvadors offers to imprison US citizens

2025-02-07T14:02:00.002-05:00

On February 5th the President of El Salvador Bukele has offered to house US Citizens within the prison system for a fee. The Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been noncommittal in going along with this scheme. Feigning checks about the legality of doing such a thing.

This would be a pretty cut and dry 8th Amendment violation against cruel and unusual punishment by the Trump administration. So yeah pretty fucking unconstitutional

Revocation of the 14th Amendment Via Executive Order 14156

2025-01-22T08:38:00.009-05:00

Only hours after failing to place his hand on the Bible for his swearing-in, Trump has pushed forward an attempt to rewrite the Constitution with his own interpretation. This is a direct attempt to change the 14th Amendment without congressional approval. The order attempts to reinterpret the language of the amendment, effectively altering its meaning without the formal process of amendment.

“All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.”

The phrase in question is “subject to the jurisdiction thereof.” Historically, this part of the amendment has been interpreted to exclude children of foreign diplomats born in the United States, as they are considered under the jurisdiction of their parents’ home country and thus have diplomatic immunity.

The Decision in, United States v. Wong Kim Ark (1898), further clarified the interpretation of the 14th Amendment. In this case, the Court ruled that a child born in the United States to non-citizen parents who were legally domiciled and not employed in any official diplomatic capacity was indeed a U.S. citizen under the 14th Amendment. This decision has been a cornerstone of birthright citizenship and firmly established the principle that nearly all individuals born on U.S. soil are granted citizenship, regardless of their parents’ immigration status.

Trump’s reinterpretation seeks to expand this exception, targeting children of undocumented immigrants. The goal appears to be to strip these children of their citizenship, which would then remove a key obstacle to deporting their families. By arguing that these children are not “subject to the jurisdiction” of the United States, this reinterpretation aims to deny them the constitutional rights granted by birthright citizenship.

This maneuver raises significant legal and procedural questions. The language of the 14th Amendment is explicit, and altering its meaning through executive order circumvents the constitutional amendment process, which requires congressional approval and ratification by the states. Such an act undermines the checks and balances integral to the U.S. democratic system.

The broader implications of this reinterpretation highlight ongoing tensions in U.S. immigration policy and constitutional interpretation. While there may be concerns about immigration enforcement, any attempt to modify constitutional rights should follow the proper legal channels to preserve the integrity of the democratic process.

A Wagner Mercenary Illegally Crossed the Boarder with $6.9K in cash and a Drone and 2 Passports.

2025-01-10T19:15:00.036-05:00

January 4th a Former Wagner Mercenary Group member illegally crossed the boarder in Roma, TX. Timur Praliev, 31, was detained by U.S. Border Patrol agents and claimed to be from Kazakhstan. They carried with them $4,000 USD and 60,000 Pesos along with 2 Passports Russian/Kazakhstan along with a drone in his backpack. They admitted to being a Former Member of the Wagner Group.

January 7th he was Sentenced to time served but Remanded to Federal Custody due to Concerns for the Safety of the community. Timur is Remain in US custody while the nature of his visit is determined.

This incident will likely be the justification for an Executive Order for initiating mass deportations once Trump has taken office. We should not let fear dictate removal of any citizens rights.

We are all Frogs

2025-01-07T21:52:00.009-05:00

The metaphor of how to boil a frog. Tossing a frog into a boil pot of water the Frog will immediately jump up due to the sudden change in temperature. Instead you place the frog in the pot then apply the heat. The frog will sit comfortable in the water as it cooks to death in its complacency.

image provided by Skeptical Science Graphics by Skeptical Science is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

The boiling frog metaphor finds its most potent application in the Overton Window—the range of ideas considered acceptable in public discourse. Just as the frog adapts to the water’s rising temperature, societies adapt to shifting norms. What begins as unthinkable gradually becomes palatable, then accepted, and finally championed.

Trump’s rhetoric on NATO, immigration, and election integrity shifted the Overton Window dramatically. Ideas once relegated to the political fringe were brought into mainstream discourse through repetition, framing, and incremental normalization. The annexation efforts follow a similar trajectory: by presenting them as solutions to economic and security challenges, opposition is softened, and the public acclimates to what would once have been inconceivable.

Trump has pushed narratives and policies that aim to extend U.S. territorial control in Greenland, Canada and Panama. These moves are an attempt to flood the zone with shit with its headline-grabbing takeovers which are disguising calculated efforts designed to acclimate the public and erode resistance incrementally. Ask for more then you want in hopes to make a deal for what you really want. What is Trump really after with these threats to allies?

A critical enabler of these shifts is the evolving role of social media. Platforms like Twitter and Facebook shape public opinion, often amplifying divisive narratives and silencing dissent. These platforms’ incremental changes in content moderation, algorithmic bias, and control over information flow mirror the boiling frog effect. By the time the implications are fully recognized, it may be too late to reverse their impact.

This interplay highlights the need for vigilance. Without recognizing these shifts, societies risk passively accepting policies that undermine sovereignty, democracy, and international norms. The boiling frog may not leap out, but the public must as the Free Press will not save us either.

Traditional media outlets match pace with social media in it attempts to boil the public. The Washington Post, owned by Jeff Bezos, has aligned with the next administration. While maintaining a façade of journalistic integrity, Subtle shifts in narrative framing to align with powerful interests reflect the same gradual normalization seen in other domains. WAPO has silence their own political cartoonist along with overriding their own editorial staff during this election.

History is replete with examples of authoritarian regimes incrementally eroding freedoms under the guise of national security or economic necessity. By the time the public recognizes the threat, resistance mechanisms have often been dismantled. Trump’s ability to shift the Overton Window demonstrates how this strategy can be employed to normalize radical changes, including territorial expansion.

The annexation of Canada, Greenland, and Panama is no longer a wild hypothetical but a real and unfolding strategy. The boiling frog metaphor underscores the importance of vigilance in recognizing and resisting incremental threats. It’s a warning against complacency in the face of gradual changes that threaten sovereignty and democracy.

In an era of rapid geopolitical shifts, social media monopolies, and traditional media alignments, the metaphor reminds us to stay alert to seemingly minor changes that can lead to irreversible consequences. The frog doesn’t have to boil—but it takes awareness and action to leap out in time.

image provided by Skeptical Science Graphics by Skeptical Science is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

4 Years Later

2025-01-06T11:51:00.004-05:00

Today is 4 Years since the Elected President sent his goons to try and get electors thrown out and fully subvert the will of the people. As we stand on the precipice of putting him back into the office and the chaos that his next administration is set to sow.

Hopefully someone is planning on Dusting off the 2nd Impeachment of Trump and allows the Senate to re-decide on the outcome of the Impeachment. The Senate artificially delayed the Impeachment decision to allow the Republicans to weasel out of convicting him as a technicality.

Mitch McConnell is a disgrace to this country for being spineless and failing to hold feet to fire when it truly matter.

Polarity in US Politics

2011-03-15T06:34:00.000-04:00

"a “conservative” may have “liberal” feelings toward protecting the environment, but feels instinctively that such a view can only go hand-in-hand with abortion on demand, a confiscatory tax code, softness on crime, and pacifism. Similarly, a “liberal” may find himself with “conservative” sentiments about the unborn’s right to life, but feel somehow that to give play to that inclination must necessarily also include support for profligate military spending, cavalier exploitation of the environment, and execution of the mentally incompetent (when the natural outcome of reactionary, polarized political assessments is seen in stark relief, its sheer absurdity becomes apparent)." Source.

I was browsing around for some reading on Political Polarity and its effects on the political system in the US and i came across this, i can't put it in better words then his own. The current political environment is a festering bog of ideologies which the mass media is more then happy to jump on board one direction or another simply to create a sensational story or headline. Which further puts the parties and the people supporting the parties in juxtaposition and further feeding to the animosity.

I for one hold ideals from almost all areas of the political spectrum(Pro-Choice, less gun control, legalizing and taxing marijuana, removal of social welfare programs, smaller military, etc.) so when asked if I'm a republican or a democrat my reply is none. But i also think that more people fall into this similar mindset as my own, though not necessarily the same stances on each subject. But you will never see politicians openly admit to holding the same stance as someone from the "opposition". I would like to hear some of my readers thoughts on this current state of the political parties in the US and if their views are more of a amalgam of stances and not the juxtaposed views of Repub and Dem's.

Unions

2011-02-20T03:40:00.000-05:00

The recent developments in Wisconsin i think requires a bit of attention. Wisconsin is proposing a bill that will remove some of the collective bargaining ability of the Public Unions for the state. Along with a change to Pensions which many are funded solely by the state government and a reduction in Health Benefits. This is in response to closing a $167 million budget gap, and the estimate is quoted as being the equivalent to a 8% pay cut for government employees. This is the solution brought forth as opposed to laying off 8% of Public Sector Employees to reach the same target savings.

Prior to this i haven't considered my own opinion on unions so i decided to do a little reading and research here at work on my lunch break. I ended at the conclusion that unions had run their useful course in terms of winning the war of workers rights. With the passage of Federal and State minimum wage laws, child labor laws and workers safety regulations. But at this point the unions have become their own worse enemies with their stranglehold on many industries in the US. Unionized employees on average earn 28% more then their nonunion counterparts, which is great but it begs the question if this wage disparity is forcing the non unionized workers wages lower because of this.

From the business perspective on unions, they force the business into union contracts that limit the flexibility in response to market conditions. Along with the higher average wages paid out to the unions the bossiness is then forced to raise costs of goods or face closing down completely. It also leaves the Business in some instances to seek production facilities outside of the US Borders.

Knowing this i cant support Unions for their stranglehold on many business and state governments, but also on the hold it has on the employees that are forced into a union and to pay into the monthly union dues. Over the next few years i think we will see more instances of state governments putting more pressure on public sector employees and unions in order to cut costs on their yearly budgets.

Patriot Act Extended

2011-02-15T03:25:00.000-05:00

Recently the Patriot Act has been extended, and some even asking to make it permanent. As court cases have shown in the past that this act is entirely unconstitutional and pokes holes in 6 of the Bill of Rights. But one thing that i did notice over the last few weeks is the Government advising everyone through the media that the US Terror Threat Level is at the highest it has been since 9/11. Seems to me as this is some classic scare tactics to convince people that this extension of this unconstitutional act is for their own good.

I am sure later on it will be claimed that because it was extended it kept everyone safe, and i am not entirely sure that it has kept us safe for the almost past 10 years. Seems that the recent statement by the FBI conducted searches of 40 individuals in its investigation of Anonymous's Internet sit-ins of corporate websites. Many make the argument of "If you have nothing to hide then this doesn't hurt you". But to me this is basically Rights "creep", meaning the incremental removal of Citizens Rights of the course of time.

Ballot Question I Have Been Considering

2011-02-14T21:43:00.001-05:00

"under democratic systems of checks and balances, no one should be left to judge him- or herself. The wide-ranging powers and discretion of law enforcement officers and their vital position as gatekeepers of the criminal justice system make it imperative that members of the public have a means of redress if officers abuse their powers and seek protection from scrutiny behind the so-called blue wall of silence. As such, bringing an external, community-based perspective to the problem of law enforcement review will promote positive behavior, ensure greater accountability, and deter malpractice." Source

This is one of the main ideas I have had for a little over a year now and have considered creating a petition and getting signatures to have it placed onto one of the Massachusetts ballot questions. The idea is to create a oversight committee for each County that deals with reviewing complaints of police officers and misconduct, similar to internal review. The problem with IR is similar to that of the Catholic Church, it gets hidden and the offender gets moved to somewhere else. Now with this proposal it will hold police to a tougher standard then a normal citizen. I am unsure as of yet as to how to choose the Committee members, either make it a new elected position or make it a assignable position, and have the members be chosen from various areas within the Counties. Feedback or suggestions for more ideas would be greatly appreciated.

The Best Breakdown of What Happened to HBGary

2011-02-13T23:48:00.000-05:00

http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/news/2011/02/how-one-security-firm-tracked-anonymousand-paid-a-heavy-price.ars

Many of the documents linked or screen captured in this article i have read prior to seeing them in this so i can vouch for the authenticity of them. Also note that HBGary and Bank of America have tried to claim that some of the documents are faked you should take into account that the other two Firms have made official apologises. Which guarantees that the data is not faked in a bit and it is just HBGary and Bank of America going into damage control, makes you wonder what are in those Wikileaks files that has Bank of America scared so shit less.

Anonymous uncovers more back door dealings within the Government

2011-02-13T21:45:00.000-05:00

"According to e-mails obtained by ThinkProgress, the Chamber hired the lobbying firm Hunton and Williams to spearhead this effort. Hunton And Williams' attorney Richard Wyatt, who once represented Food Lion in its infamous lawsuit against ABC News, was hired by the Chamber in October of last year. To assist the Chamber, Wyatt and his associates, John Woods and Bob Quackenboss, hired a set of private security firms -- HB Gary Federal, Palantir, and Berico Technologies (collectively called Team Themis) -- to develop tactics for damaging progressive groups and labor unions, in particular ThinkProgress,"
Source

More information has been discovered within the corporate emails copied from the HBGary Federal email servers. On top of the Bank of America hiring the three firms involved in attempting to shut down or discredit Wikileaks, the same three security firms have now been linked to the US Chamber of Commerce through the same law firm. The tactics seem to be similar gathering intel on the targets and in the The Chamber of Commerce's instance personal info including info on Union Leaders families and children. But also i would like to point out how the mass media is ignoring this along with the data about Bank of America, maybe they are also in the back pocket of the same groups.

The hypocracy of US Government

2011-02-12T10:53:00.000-05:00

The US government holds the ideal of nurturing democracy where ever it is wanted, but with the recent uprising and other throwing of the Autocratic regime in Egypt the US stance on it has been cautious for terrible and selfish reasons. They wished to play it from both sides with passively supporting the protesters while also supporting Hosni. This is solely do to the fear of losing a ally in the region and for the security of the US's access to oil supplies through the Suez Canal and from Egypt directly. I am sure if this same event happened in Iran the US would put political pressure on Iran and on the rest of the UN to topple the Theocracy in Iran.

Gun Laws

2008-10-30T16:08:00.002-04:00

Recently there has been a tragedy involving the death of a 8 year old boy and a accident with a Uzi sub machine gun. The even occurred earlier in the week at a gun show in Connecticut when a young child was given a Uzi for practice. The father and the professional gun instructor where both present at them time and in the area watching the boy. What occurred was as the kid fired it the recoil from the weapon caused the gun to accidentally get fired into the boys head killing him.

Now it has gotten international attention law makers are trying create a law that will make it illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to fire a automatic weapon. I dont think this ia valid solution for this and to prevent it from occuring again. This is just a tragic accident which could have easily been avoided and a law does not need to be created for this.

With this people are trying to figure out who the blame for this belongs to. I do not know all the details from it and more likly then not neither do they. Some are saying the father needs to be charged in some form or another for this but i disagree on that. The blame should fall on to the gun instructure for not following proper safty procedures. He should have had his hands on the gun while the kid was fireing to stabilze the gun and prevent this and for his negligence the child died from it.

Market Meltdown

2008-10-09T23:35:00.006-04:00

Your Personalized Rate of Return reflecting account balance plus deposits, withdrawals and earnings from 02/09/2008 to 10/09/2008 is -42.856800%.

This is a copy and paste from my 401K statement after the days trading on Thursday with another large slide. Now personally this isn't so bad as i receive a 100% employer match for what i put into it so I'm still up about 7%. As well as that fact that i hadn't had the account for more then a month or two so the balance wasn't a significant amount. I stoped contributing to it about 4 weeks ago in anticipation of something fairly bad happening in the market. I never expected it to be as bad as it currently is and i don't think it will stop dropping soon either.

This will hit the soon to retire within the next 2-3 years as if its sooner then that its a good idea to switch from a high volatility area such as stocks. And move them to a more secure though less likely to make any real gains area. Forcing some of these people to postpone retirement coupled with unemployment rates going over the half million market this quarter. These two will compond the situation with less jobs and more workers driving wages down. These are tough times ahead even for those not feeling it now that are renting but are thinking of owning a home. For once they finally try to they will be forced into coming up with and inexorably high down payment on the home and higher interest rates.

The Failout Plan

2008-10-07T03:36:00.003-04:00

Now I'm sure everyone by now has heard of the 700 Billion in US taxpayer money that will be used to bailout the large private banks in the US. But i was surprised when i talked to a few of my personal Friends that they had no idea what i was talking about when i made mention of it. Which is rather appalling and sad but ill go into that with some other post.

It seems the media is hailing this government decision as a god send and the economy is saved. But i think the solution is far to late in coming as I'm predicting the world wide economy will go into a depression. Lenders and Banks will be cautious about who they give loans to as well as the proposed government regulations that will be coming with this plan. So the golden age of the real estate market is over as there will be less potential buyers out there.

Now I'm not sure if the plan itself is bad to be perfectly honest. But the timing of it being so late it is basically a useless idea investor confidence has been utterly obliterated in the past few weeks as the markets have shown. But with the poor timing of the plan it is almost a certainty that the investment and the idea that the government will make the money back plus a little bit extra is flawed. The government is purchasing homes and investments at there inflated price that they were bought at, so once the market finally recovers the likely hood of there value being what it once was is also zero. This plan is just a waste of tax payer money at this point. I might be off on my estimate of how many taxpayers there are in the US but i used 100million as my estimate which with that it will cost each one a little over $7000 and that's no chump change right there. It almost appears that a better solution is a trickle up plan and if the government gave that 7000 to each taxpayer. It allows the people with the bad debts to pay off some of them and would possibly save the economy were the current one will not.

In the Begining

2008-10-06T00:32:00.001-04:00

he main premise behind this blog is to allow myself to express my view's and thoughts on political issues. My view's wont be limited to just local politics but also National and Global. Recently this year with the presidential debate i actually took notice and got involved in understanding politics. This is partly to do with the economy and a MMO that i play which is the first to have a democratically elected Representatives to the developers.

With this i got drawn in and did some researching on my local politics and learned that i could have already ran for a State senate for my district. Which surprised me to say the least with the minimum age only being 18 to run.

I'm hoping that if i end up going far enough into a political career this blog with stand testament to my view points and act as a way to interact with the public. Politicians seem to be far removed from the everyday man and out of touch with them.