Eighth Annual Noble Prize In Jurisprudence (October 23, 2023)

Posted in Noble Prize in Jurisprudence on October 23, 2023 by e-commentary.org

. . .

K          “A prize dedicated to acknowledging and celebrating the work of someone who or some organization that really knows something about jurisprudence and the impact of courts, judges, lawyers and police on the lives and livelihood of ordinary citizens.  Someone who lives the conviction that men and women should establish and respect some norms and standards that are promulgated clearly to all and enforced equally in favor of and against all.”

J          “Someone who advances the Rule of Law and stuff like that.”

K          “The recipient of the eighth annual Noble Prize In Jurisprudence . . . is Daniel Kovalik . . . who is and has been an American human rights and labor rights lawyer and peace activist throughout his life.  He has been deeply involved in the movement for peace and social justice in Colombia and Central America.  He works with the United Steelworkers Union and has served as an adjunct professor of International Human Rights.”

. . .

[See the e-commentary at Seventh Annual Noble Prize In Jurisprudence (October 17, 2022), Sixth Annual Noble Prize In Jurisprudence (October 18, 2021), Fifth Annual Noble Prize In Jurisprudence (October 19, 2020), Fourth Annual Noble Prize In Jurisprudence (October 21, 2019), Third Annual Noble Prize In Jurisprudence (October 15, 2018), Second Annual Noble Prize In Jurisprudence (October 16, 2017), First Annual Noble Prize In Jurisprudence (October 17, 2016) and Award Deadlines (Livelines?) (July 25, 2016).]

Bumper stickers of the week:

Give civil rights and civil liberties a chance

Rediscover the Constitution

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Eighth Annual Noble Prize In Eco-nomics (October 16, 2023)

Posted in Economics, Noble Prize in Eco-nomics on October 16, 2023 by e-commentary.org

. . .

K          “An award acknowledging and celebrating the work of someone on the planet who really knows something about eco-nomics.  Eco-nomics is about making and sharing; e-con-omics is about taking and stealing.”

J          “The Noble Prize in Eco-nomics is a delightful and playful replacement for the discredited and misnamed ‘Nobel’ Prize in Voodoo E-con-omics.  You get what you reward.  You need to reward what you want to get.  Who gets it this year?”

K          “The recipient of the eighth annual Noble Prize In Eco-nomics is . . . Herman Edward Daly.  He was an American ecological economist at the University of Maryland and the World Bank.  In 1996, he was awarded the Right Livelihood Award for ‘defining a path of ecological economics that integrates the key elements of ethics, quality of life, environment and community’ for his contributions.”

J          “I’ll take my hat off to someone who integrates the key elements of ethics, quality of life, environment and community any day.”

. . .

[See the e-commentary at Seventh Annual Noble Prize In Eco-nomics (October 10, 2022), Sixth Annual Noble Prize In Eco-nomics (October 11, 2021), Fifth Annual Noble Prize In Eco-nomics (October 12, 2020), Fourth Annual Noble Prize In Eco-nomics (October 14, 2019), Third Annual Noble Prize In Eco-nomics (October 8, 2018), Second Annual Noble Prize In Eco-nomics (October 9, 2017), First Annual Noble Prize In Eco-nomics (October 10, 2016), Announcing The First Annual Noble Prize In Eco-nomics (May 2, 2016), Award Deadlines (Livelines?) (July 25, 2016), From e-con-omics to eco-nomics? (August 1, 2011) and Skip the Nobel in Economics (October 6, 2009).]

Bumper stickers of the week:

ethics, quality of life, environment and community

Boycott banks; support credit unions

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10/7 (October 9, 2023)

Posted in Middle East, War on October 9, 2023 by e-commentary.org

. . .

K          “Something is not right.”

J          “Something is wrong.”

. . .

K          “Something is wrong.”

J          “Something is not right.”

. . .

J          “Stay tuned.”

K          “Stay attentive.”

. . .    

[See the e-commentary at Washington Wants War In The Worst Way:  Dust Off The IOSAT Or Return To The Status Quo Ante Bellum? (January 24, 2022), The Drums of War (February 20, 2012) and Guitar / Drum ; Dove / Hawk ; Pax / War. Oh, And Happy Memorial Day! (May 27, 2019).]

Bumper stickers of the week:

Is it time for clear and honest reflection and thinking?

He who has the drones makes the rules.

Cui bono?

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The Government Stumbles; The Judicial Legislature Rumbles (October 2, 2023)

Posted in First Monday In October, Supreme Court on October 2, 2023 by e-commentary.org

. . .

J          “Congress managed to stay open for business for a few more weeks.  The Supreme Court Legislature is open for business for a few more months.”

K          “Hold your hats.  Try to hold onto your civil liberties.”

. . .

J          “They legislated their views on abortion.  They legislated their views on affirmative action.  They legislated their views on political gerrymandering.  They are the most activist unelected legislature in the world.”

K          “In a facetious moment, you could say that they get things done.  They get done the things they want to get done.”

. . .

K          “I lament that America is a land of ‘consumers’ not ‘citizens’ and yet must support the continued existence of the Consumer Protection Financial Bureau.”

J          “What about the Citizen Protection Financial Bureau?”  

. . .

J          “I think I understand the role and even the necessity of ‘Chevron deference’ to agency action in our political system.  I suspect that the putatively judicial branch is going to change the rules so that the actions of an executive branch agency are subject the legislative review by the Supreme Court legislature.”

K          “I have seen so many agencies fail and then the court defer to the failed agencies and thus the system fails again.  Time and time and time and time again.”

. .  .

J          “There is a case to be heard next month that could preclude domestic abusers and violent felons from possessing a gun.  Seems profoundly sound to me.”

K          “Me too.”

. . .

K          “I have said it before.  The Supreme Court as currently constituted is an illegitimate institution.”

. . .

[See the e-commentary at the Category Supreme Court.]

Bumper sticker of the week:

There is no law.  There is only ideology.

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The Economic Equinox:  Half Light; Half Dark? (September 25, 2023)

Posted in Economy on September 25, 2023 by e-commentary.org

. . .

K          “From my vantage point out my Overton Window, matters still look far more dark and ominous than light and optimistic.  The economy is on final approach with flaps flapping and landing gear up on course for a very hard landing.”

J          “It is dark, it is very dark, but they manage to avoid crashing.”

. . .

K          “True inflation is much higher than acknowledged by those in power and is only going to go higher because of the lag effect of the rate hikes; even the coming recession will not drive down the cost of necessities for the over-extended consumer who may not be able to drive up the economy any longer.  Fuel prices are going to move up.  Multiple interrelated sovereign debt crises loom on the horizon.  The stock market is basically seven companies with anemic price/earnings ratios propping up dozens of indexes and funds; many other unprofitable companies are unable or soon will be unable even to finance and extend their maturing debts.  Commercial real estate is set to collapse in a pile of rubble and rebar.  The Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) may not to be undergirded with any collateral; they are Ephemeral Traded Funds.  And then the gazillion dollars of derivatives could unfurl and unfold in a cataclysmic and cosmic collapse.  And then there is the slow fuse burn of de-dollarization which ultimately will render the United States a second world country.”

J          “It is profoundly unhealthy for one to aggregate everything that is going on all at once.  No one understands.  No one cares.  Everyone is cranky.  Everyone is angry.  The population may pop.”

K          “There is that.”

. . .    

K          “The fissures have not fused.  The fractures have further fractured.  I just do not see how the economy sustains.”

J          “They will resiliently kick the can down the pot-holed highway.”

. . .

J          “Failure to pass some manner of continuing resolution could be a trigger.  They will do something at the last minute.”

K          “There will come a time when they do not do something critical in a timely manner or there is nothing that can be done.”

. . .

K         “Does it strike you as ironic to bandy around the words ‘sustainable’ and ‘resilient’ to describe an economy that is hollow and shallow?”

J          “One must maintain a wry sense of humor.”

. . .

J          “Rake the leaves.”

K          “One last mowing.”

. . .

[See the e-commentary at What Is With Our Friend Sweden And Our Friends The Swedes?  The Swedish Central Bankers Reward One Of Their Criminal Home Boys:  Bernanke.  The “Real” Nobel For Peace (War?) Rewards Hypocrisy And Dishonesty.  The Nord Stream Pipeline Terrorism Investigation Is Dodgy. (October 24, 2022) and Spoiler Alert:  Yup, Uncle Sam Did It . . . Or At Least Approved It (March 6, 2023).]

Bumper stickers of the week:

Boogie ‘til ya puke

September 26 – anniversary of the unprovoked USA-approved international terrorist attack on the Nord Stream pipelines

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United States of America V. Thomas Jefferson: The Transcript (September 18, 2023)

Posted in First Amendment, Free Speech, Revolution on September 18, 2023 by e-commentary.org

. . .

G         “Mr. Jefferson, would you look at Exhibit 1?  Would you identify that document?”

J          “Yes.  Exhibit 1 is a true and correct copy of the Declaration of Independence.”

G         “Did you write the document?”

J          “Yes.  Most of it.”

G         “Does it reflect your thoughts?”

J          “Yes.  The provisions I wrote reflect my thoughts and beliefs and convictions.”

G         “You realize in this proceeding that you may be convicted for your convictions?”

J          “Yes.”

G         “Would you look at the section highlighted in the middle of the page and read it?”

J          “Yes.  ‘But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.’  That sentence?” 

G         “Did you write that statement?”

J          “Yes.  I did.  My friends John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, Robert Livingston and I discussed some of the phrases and the cadence and the placement of provisions in the document.”

G         “Your Co-Defendants?”

J          “I would say co-authors.  They deserve credit.  They have not gotten enough credit for their suggestions and editing.”

G         “Did you say:  ‘it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government’?” 

J          “Yes.  I did.  Under those stated circumstances, it is the right and the duty of the citizen to take that action.  A right is something that usually protects against an action of or statement by a person.  A duty is something that a citizen must do.  Under those stated circumstances, the citizen has both a right to act and a duty to act.”

G         “‘to throw off such Government’ is how you say it?”

J          “Yes.  That is how I say it.  ‘After a long train of abuses and usurpations.’  Yes.  Absolutely.  Those sentiments are part of the core assumptions and foundation of the United States of America.  Someone in the future will discover something likely to be described as ‘DNA’; these sentiments are part of our ‘DNA’.”

. . .

[See the e-commentary at On Revolution (March 15, 2010).]

Bumper stickers of the week:

“The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.”  Thomas Jefferson

“Every generation needs a new revolution.”  Thomas Jefferson ???

“I hold it that a little rebellion, now and then, is a good thing.”  Thomas Jefferson

“But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.”  Thomas Jefferson

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9/11 Revisited And Revised.  Oh, And Happy Patriot Day! (September 11, 2023)

Posted in Courage, Niner Eleven, Truth on September 11, 2023 by e-commentary.org

. . .

K          “Can’t accept the Official Narrative.”

J          “Can accept most of it.”

. . .

[See the article and broadcast at “UAF Researcher Looks At Causes Of The 9/11 World Trade Center Attack,” by Dan Bross, KUAC, June 27, 2016 and reflect on  “A Structural Reevaluation of the Collapse of World Trade Center 7” overseen by lead researcher Professor J. Leroy Hulsey at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.]

[See the e-commentary at World Trade Center Building 7 And The AIA (May 18, 2015) and realize that not just lawyers and politicians are dishonest and callow.]

Bumper stickers of the week:

Try Truth

Try Courage

1 + 1 /=/ 3

Never Forget Buildings 1 and 2; Forget Building 7?

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Workers And Builders Day.  Oh, And Happy Labor Day! (September 4, 2023)

Posted in Middle Class, Work on September 4, 2023 by e-commentary.org

. . .

K          “Workers Day.”

J          “Builders Day.”

. . .

K          “Workers must unite.”

J          “And then bargain zealously or strike with zeal.”

. . .

[See the e-commentary at Labor Day.  Oh, And Happy Labor Day! (September 3, 2018).]

Bumper stickers of the week:

Workers of the world unionize

“Rich Men North of Richmond.”  Oliver Anthony

We The People      Are Really Pissed

I work, therefore je suis

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Another BRICS In The Wall? (August 28, 2023)

Posted in BRICS, Great Transition, World's Reserve Currency on August 28, 2023 by e-commentary.org

. . .

K          “A few more BRICS in the Wall?  Much if not most of the world is trying to erect a firewall to protect against US-led aggression and domination.”

J          “But no one really knows.  No one really cares.  It is not a topic at the water cooler or around the bar-b-que.  If I said BRICS, someone would think I was building a walkway.  A few stragglers may have some idea.”

. . .

K          “From the reports, Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa appear to be admitting the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Argentina and Ethiopia to the Club.  Look at the resources and population and land mass and other metrics.  Collectively, the Club will wield a much bigger club.”

. . .

K          “Seems to me that the most effective way to unite a group of folks with disparate goals and interests is to identify and demonize a common enemy especially one that is a true demon.”

J          “Seems to be a truism not just of politics but of human nature.  Overlooking internal divisions is easier with an outside divider threatening everyone.  That is at play and at work.”

. . .

K          “The United States does not have the individual talent or the talented institutions to recognize and adjust to changing realities.  The United States does not have the human capital in positions of power.  We are hosed.”

J          “Bummer.”

. . .

J          “The mess we are bequeathing to the kids is a real and an unreal and a surreal mess.  No one really knows, yet there are a few stragglers who do care and are concerned but cannot figure out how to manifest their care and concern.”

K          “Folks are restless and restive and not resting well.  Things are festering faster and percolating precipitously.”

. . .

[For an exuberant but perhaps exaggerated perspective on the Great Transition, see “‘Welcome to the BRICS 11’” by Pepe Escobar, the recipient of the Sixth Annual Pushitzer Prize In Commentary For 2021 (June 7, 2021), dated August 25, 2023 in “thecradle.co”]     

[See the e-commentary at Portentous Developments In 2022? (January 23, 2023),  The China-Russia Affair: Advancing The Petro-Yuan; Dictating The Future (March 26, 2018), World’s Reserve Currency War I = Cold War 2.0 = WW III (?) (September 8, 2014), AIIB: China: 1; U.S.A. 0? (April 6, 2015), The Mandibles, FRNs, SDRs, IMF, G20, WTD! (September 5, 2016), USA + FRN/PD — > IMF + SDR — > NDB + UMU? The “Universal Monetary Unit” . . . Coming To a Planet Near You (January 2, 2017) and One World Currency? (January 8, 2018).]

Bumper stickers of the week:

There is a disturbance in the force

There is a disturbance in the farce

Multipolarity – Coming to a planet near you

Dragon < Eagle > Bruin; Dragon + Bruin > Eagle; Eagle + Bruin > Dragon

Bummer

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Back To School.  “Credentialists” Versus “Human Capitalists”: STEM Classes – Arts & Crafts Classes – Education Classes (August 21, 2023)

Posted in Education, Propoganda, Schooling, Schooling Industrial Complex on August 21, 2023 by e-commentary.org

. . .

K         “Most of the Arts & Crafts programs d/b/a Arts & Sciences at the most profitable universities are simply certifying that its graduates are obedient to and compliant with the Dominant Narrative.”

J          “That is what the System wants and that is what the System produces and that is what the System gets.  Yet some elements of the Dominant Narrative are dominant for a sound reason.”

. . .   

K          “Most STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) programs do create some human capital.  Arts & Crafts Schools provide a mix of some useful skills along with the certificate of conforming behavior.  The Arts & Sciences Schools certify that the individual is properly potty trained.”

. . .

J          “Most education degrees could be distilled into four fundamental classes rather than slow rolled over four years.  Education Schools leave their graduates with more student debt in a world that underpays teachers.  How about a three year program and thirty percent increase in pay?”

.  .  .

Bumper sticker of the week:

Education breeds confidence.  Confidence breeds hope.  Hope breeds peace.  Confucius

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