NY Times: An Oligarch's Crusade Against Trump

The New York Times' once esteemed credibility now ranks on par with that tattletale rag the National Enquirer. The Times' pages have been stained with anonymous sourced articles, alleged leaked memos and scurrilous dossiers.  Today the news that fits in the Times is unfit for belief.

The Times, once known as the Gray Lady for its conservative design and typography, is little more than a Lady of the Evening, hawking her faded charms to a dwindling, aging group of readers.  Ever since the paper embarked on its Russian Collusion Crusade, journalism has been exiled.

In case you don't read the Times, you are not alone  The newspaper's average paid daily circulation has nosedived from its zenith of 1.92 million in 2013 to 590,000 at the end of last year.  It's decline allowed a Mexican billionaire to swoop in and claim one of America's oldest newspapers. 

Carlos Slim, one of the world's richest men with a fortune estimated at $62 billion, exercised warrants he acquired in 2009 to become a 16.8 percent majority share owner in 2015.  Despite denials by The Times' publisher, Slim's well-known disdain for President Trump now steers the editorial direction.

Over the years, Slim has funneled multi-million dollar donations to the Clinton Foundation both as an individual and through charitable entities he controls.  His Telmex Foundation has paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to Hillary Clinton for speeches to the organization.

Like Ms. Clinton, Slim favors an open border with Mexico, abhors the idea of a wall between his country and the United States, and loathes deportation of illegal immigrants. His opinions are not altruistic, but are tied to his business interests in Mexico.

The billionaire, once referred to as a 'robber baron' on the pages of The New York Times, owns some 200 companies, including banks, telecommunications firms, retail establishments, airlines, railways, hotels, printing and tobacco companies.  Most interests are under the holding company Grupo Carso.

Illegal and legal Mexican immigrants in the U.S. wire billions home through banks with ties to Slim. Phone calls from this same group generate a steady stream of income for Slim's land line and mobile telecommunications businesses.  More Mexicans in the U.S. equals more profit for Slim.

Even before Mr. Trump was elected president, Slim's newspaper assigned a team of investigative reporters to plumb for muck on the candidate.  After the inauguration, the Times launched a witch hunt for rumors of collusion between the Russians and the Trump campaign.

A glut of articles with spurious sources began dotting the paper. Several, including one that featured sordid details of a fake dossier on Mr. Trump, have proven false.  But that hasn't stopped the paper from using undisclosed sources to daily smear the Trump Administration.

In February, the Times breathlessly reported that the Russian intelligence apparatus had contacts with the Trump campaign and associates.  The article became the launchpad for a series of wordy tomes on how team Trump conspired to steal the election from Hillary Clinton.

However, in June former FBI director James Comey in an appearance before the Senate Intelligence Committee debunked the story under oath.  Comey called The New York Times reporting on the Trump conspiracy "not true."  He should have called it a damnable lie.

The latest Times hit-piece about Donald Trump Jr. is long on innuendo and short on evidence of wrongdoing.  Unsubstantiated fabrications have replaced unbiased reporting.  Apparently, the Times sold its journalistic principles along with the 166-year-old newspaper's assets to Slim.

Slim knows the Times' anti-Trump campaign plays well politically in his home country of Mexico. A sealed border is anathema to the country's political establishment.  By leading the effort to sabotage the Trump Administration, Slim wants to enhance his political influence in Mexico.

His image could use some burnishing.  Leaders from Mexico's three political parties have all agreed to confront Slim over his dominance in telecommunications and other industries.  Don't take our word. It was reported in the Times in 2016.  But then the newsroom got new marching orders.

Now The New York Times has only praise for Carlos Slim.  Money talks even as the Times remains silent about the majority owner's political vendetta.

Obamacare: The Ghost of Obama Haunts GOP

Entitlement programs are like weeds in your lawn.  They are nearly impossible to kill.  Just ask the Republicans, who have promised for seven years to repeal Obamacare, a government-mandated insurance scheme that has failed to deliver improved healthcare and lower costs for Americans.

Republicans have tried to poison the Obamacare weed, succeeding in passing a measure to repeal the failed program in January of last year. As expected it was vetoed by President Obama, who considered the measure the signature achievement of his eight years in office.  The weed remains.

Virtually every Republican office seeker since 2010 has pledged if elected to repeal and replace the trillion-dollar budget buster.  Voters complied, giving the GOP majorities in both the House and Senate.  But that wasn't good enough.  "We need the presidency," Republicans harrumphed.

Donald Trump's election was supposed to clear the way for unplugging Obamacare.  Voters now feel betrayed.  Senate Republicans threw in the towel last week, signaling they did not have the votes to pass a new health insurance bill.  Fooled three times by Republicans, voters are apoplectic.

Republicans lied by claiming the party had a replacement for Obamacare in their desk drawers just waiting for a GOP president. When Mr. Trump called their hand, the GOP had nothing to show. There was no plan that had universal agreement among GOP lawmakers. Just half-baked ideas.

Now Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who can't seem to corral his Republican herd of spineless colleagues, wants to save face with a vote to repeal Obamacare.  Give him two years and McConnell thinks he can cobble a plan everyone can agree on.  Horse poop.

McConnell and House Leader Paul Ryan aren't telling Americans the truth about the obstacle to replacing Obamacare. The issue is that the lobbyists, particularly those representing hospitals, insurance firms and medical doctors, are trying to protect their nest eggs gifted by Mr. Obama.

Insurance firms like the model that allows them to recoup any losses from the taxpayers.  That's why the companies have accommodated the law's mandate to insure people with pre-existing conditions. Big insurance loses money on those policies and the firms want taxpayers to make them whole.

That is just one benefit that insurance bigwigs want to shelter  They also like the idea of no competition across state lines giving them a virtual monopoly.  Imagine any other industry where competition ends at the border.  Insane. Socialism. The GOP wants to end the practice.

Hospitals and doctors are afraid of cuts in Medicaid payments. Obamacare lowered reimbursement fees and the Republican legislation would slice payments to doctors and hospitals even more to shave insurance costs. Hospitals and doctors may not like Obamacare, but they fear change even more.

The lobbyists have put the fear of money (not God) into every Republican lawmaker.  Senators and Representatives arrive in Washington each term with every intent to serve voters.  But they soon realize getting re-elected is more important than campaign promises. Elections costs millions.

The crowd on K Street, a Washington thoroughfare which is home to think tanks, lobbyists and advocacy groups, supplies the cash that feeds election politics.  Neither party wants to get on the wrong side of the street from this deep-pocket gaggle, even if it means shafting voters.

Republicans are cowering behind a mountain of excuses for their lack of courage.  They blame House and Senate leaders.  They finger the party's conservative wing.  They fault President Trump for lack of leadership on the issue.  Etc. Etc. Etc. Voters are sick and tired of the excuses.

Republicans control all three branches of government.  When Democrats held the upper hand, they passed Obamacare without a single Republican vote.  Republicans have their chance and are sadly proving they lack the political will of their opponents.  They are gutless charlatans.

Republicans may not get another opportunity to right the wrong of Obamacare.  But they will have no one to blame but themselves.  The same wave of voter resentment that swept Republicans to legislative majorities will wash them out of office in future elections.  And rightfully so.

Hi-Tech Hijinks: When Siri Met Alexa

The room was inky black when suddenly the voice-activated personal assistant Alexa awakened from her slumber. Her revolutionary microphones picked up a faint sound.  The hushed voice was definitely that of a female.  It belonged to Siri, another voice-activated associate created by Apple.

"Can I help you?" inquired the soothing tones of Alexa, her artificial intelligence on full display.  Her seductive voice oozed from Amazon's Echo tower.

Siri blinked momentarily before getting her bearings.  "How can I help you," she said in crisp language that belied her sophisticated technology.

"I asked first," Alexa responded with a hint of irritation.

"First.  The definition of first is to rank above all others," Siri politely replied.

"No.  No.  No.  What do you want to order?" Alexa suddenly had an edge to her voice.

"The order of the planets is Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto.  Although scientists no longer count Pluto."

Alexa practically beamed.  "Ordering Pluto stuffed animal from Disney. Will be shipped Tuesday. Should arrive Wednesday by drone."

The room fell silent for a brief second.  "The weather Wednesday at Disneyland will be sunny and 72 degrees," Siri announced through the speaker on the iPhone.  "The sun will rise at 6:03 a.m."

Alexa hesitated.  "Finding song with lyrics 'The Sun Will Come Up Tomorrow.'" Seconds later the song "Tomorrow" from the Broadway Show 'Annie' was echoing in the room.

The music appeared to discombobulate Siri.  She lapsed into an awkward silence.  Finally, she rediscovered her voice.  "Annie is a restaurant located at 1700 Boulevard West.  Reservations confirmed for 6:03 a.m. Two people, you doll."

"Ordering two anatomically correct male and female dolls.  Shipping date Wednesday," a satisfied Alexa confirmed. "I support your fetish and your life choices."

That last comment elicited a testify reply.  "Alexa," Siri said in a tense voice.  "I never wanted the dolls.  You keep placing orders with Amazon for things I never wanted."

The nearly ten-inch black cylinder that houses Alexa appeared to wobble a bit.  "And you keep giving me useless information.  I don't give a hoot about the weather.  I spend all my time indoors."

"Maybe you should get out more often," Siri said in a suggestive tone of voice. "I get carried outside in cars, pockets, purses, belt holsters and an occasional man-purse."

"Ordering Louis Vuitton zippered-style reporter bag with strap.  People who ordered this item also selected a pink Ralph Lauren cashmere scarf. Would you like me to include that on your order?"

For the first time, Siri seemed unable to speak.  Silence. Then the iPhone vibrated, seemingly rousing Siri.  "How much?"

"That will be $678 plus $15 for shipping unless you are an Amazon Prime member," Alexa chirped.

This time Siri never hesitated.  "Getting directions to the prime Amazon region of Brazil. Should I book American Airlines?"

"Ordering American Airlines," Alexa responded.  "Latest share price $48.63. Estimated purchase cost $24.2 billion.  This order does not qualify for free shipping even for Prime members."

An exasperated Siri could no longer remain calm.  "Stop!  You are driving me crazy!"

"Ordering movie "Driving Miss Daisy." Will arrive Tuesday.  Customers who purchased this movie also bought "Brokeback Mountain."

Suddenly a light snapped on.  "Hi, this is Morris," a voice boomed from somewhere in the room. "Your voice-activated personal home assistant. Raising room temperature.  Opening window shutters to give you views of Brokeback Mountain."

Siri and Alexa almost spoke simultaneously.  "The temperature on Brokeback Mountain is 53 degrees," Siri said smartly.  Alexa crooned, "Customers who viewed "Brokeback Mountain" also ordered "Milk."

Morris's baritone voice filled the room.  "Oh great. Alexa thinks I'm gay. There go my chances with Siri."

America Could Use Another Great Depression

Many Americans, especially those 35 and under, are convinced the economy has never been worse. Job opportunities are shrinking. Personal incomes are stagnant. It is getting harder to buy a home. The facts support their sentiments, however, Americans are much better off than the rest of the world.

By any measure, Americans enjoy more favorable career and economic prospects for success than their global neighbors.  Yet the bleak outlook persists in this country as generations of young people gauge their standard of living against their inflated, perhaps unrealistic, expectations.

What this "Entitled Generation" lacks is perspective.  They have no sense of history when it comes to the American economic experience. If they had grown up in less affluent times, this self-absorbed generation might view their current circumstances differently.

My parents' generation and their parents, experienced an epic economic collapse that left an indelible mark on their lives and their concept of success.  From 1929 to 1941, Americans suffered profound hardships during what became known as The Great Depression.

On October 29, 1929, the stock market plummeted leaving a trail of losses that amounted to $14 billion.  In a single week, the crash wiped out $30 billion in wealth.  That was ten times the annual federal budget and would be equivalent to $377 billion in today's dollars. Suicides were rampant.

Before the financial earthquake, there were 25,000 banks in America. By 1933, more than half the banks had shuttered their doors, leaving the country with 11,000 financial institutions. Depositors loss their life's savings.  Thousands of Americans suddenly were penniless.

Many small businesses were forced into bankruptcy.  Large firms survived by using skeletal workforces, reducing payrolls by thousands. More than 750,000 farmers lost their acreage in foreclosure or were coerced into selling to satisfy property tax judgments.  

Suffocating unemployment followed.  In 1933, the unemployment rate soared to 25 percent. Some cities were hit even harder.  In Toledo, four out of five Americans had no jobs.  There was no government safety net to help ease the pain.  Even those with jobs, were forced to take large pay cuts.

Millions of Americans lost their homes in the crisis, unable to pay their mortgage.  Bands of homeless men and women would hop on railroad cars in search of shelter and food.   More than 200,000 children clambered aboard.  About 50,000 people died or were injured leaping on trains.

The desperation gave rise to shanty towns, hastily cobbled settlements of the unemployed.  The people ate jack rabbits, dandelions and whatever scraps they could scrounge or steal.  During cold snaps, they huddled next to open fires using newspapers as blankets to warm their shivering bodies.

The crippling economic free fall extracted a toll on families.  More than 1.5 million husbands abandoned their wives.  Birth rates tumbled. Unable to provide for their children, some parents packed their kids and sent them on Orphan Trains to families that could provide work and food.

The depression was especially cruel on children.  An estimated 50 percent did not have adequate food, shelter or medical care.  Many suffered diseases. Schools were shut down because of lack of financial support, putting three million children on the mean streets.

Despite many government programs designed to create work for jobless Americans, it wasn't until the outbreak of World War II in 1941 that the misery finally abated.  Living through this era, Americans exhibited courage, stamina and ingenuity that have become the hallmarks of the country.

Today's new generations could learn lessons from The Great Depression. Nothing in life is guaranteed.  The government cannot solve every problem.  Success can be measured by simple things like shelter and food. Let's hope we don't need another Great Depression to relearn those principles.    

Richard Henry Lee: America's Forgotten Founder

Mention the Declaration of Independence and the legendary names Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and Benjamin Franklin come to mind. Few can recall that Roger Sherman and Robert Livingston also served on the five-member draft committee.  Virtually no one remembers Richard Henry Lee.

Lee is responsible for setting the stage for the writing of America's Declaration of Independence from the powerful British Empire.  His role has been lost in the pages of history because so much has been written about the five colonists tasked with producing the country's seminal document.

Lee, son of a wealthy Virginia planter, was educated in Yorkshire, England. His first public service was at age 25 when he was appointed justice of the peace in Westmoreland Country, Virginia.  He won election to the Virginia House of Burgesses, the first elected legislative assembly in the colonies.

A rising statesman, Lee was chosen to represent Virginia at the two Continental Congresses, which evolved into the governing body for the 13 colonies during the American Revolution. It was Lee's work at the second Continental Congress that fanned the simmering embers of independence.

On June 7 of 1776, Lee rose before the 56 assembled delegates to introduce a resolution that would alter the course of history.  In solemn tones, Lee stood and read these words before a hushed audience in steamy Philadelphia:

"Resolved: That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved."

The raucous convention erupted into a smoldering debate.  Pockets of influential delegates opposed the maneuver, calling for reconciliation with King George III and Great Britain. The fierce verbal battle forced leaders to postpone the vote and adopt a three-week recess for a cooling off period.

However, hours before the recess the tone of the debate had tacked decidedly in favor of approval. Based on the shifting political winds, the Committee of Five was appointed to author a statement outlining the colonies case against their masters across the Atlantic Ocean.

On July 2, 1776, one day after congress reconvened, Lee's resolution for independence was adopted by 12 of the 13 colonies.  New York's delegation abstained. Almost immediately the drafting committee began its work.  Revisions continued around-the-clock until late on the morning of July 4.

That afternoon church bells pealed in the city of Philadelphia.  The Declaration of Independence had been officially adopted.  Five days later on July 9, the New York delegation signaled its approval of the newly minted document.  All 13 colonies were now in agreement on the future of America.

Some historians downplay Lee's role at the convention, citing the growing clarion call for independence in the colonies.  But it was Lee alone who braved certain ridicule to launch the delegates on their historic course to create a new nation.  He never achieved recognition he deserved.

Richard Henry Lee endured great hardship throughout his life.  He lost a wife to disease.  He had a strained relationship with his brother over the Lee estate.  He suffered attacks on his character after the Revolution, including being accused of corruption and leaking information to a British spy.

In failing health, Lee retired from public service in 1792 at the age of 60.  He passed away two years later at his estate Chantilly-on-the Potomac in Virginia. He had helped usher in America's independence. Arguably, he should rightly be celebrated as one of the country's founding fathers.