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Don’t hate on California: at least not for this reason

I’ve noted before that I find most cable news to be utter crap.

I try to avoid even referencing cable news articles, but today I just can’t help myself. I came across an article from Fox News USA` titled “California is No. 1 haven for hate groups, report says.”

They do rightly state that the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) Hate Map found the most hate groups in California.

This is what I call a “no shit Sherlock” statement. Being by far the most populous state in the country, it isn’t surprising that the most groups are in California as well.

If you look at the ratio of hate groups to the state’s population (2016 estimates, also including the District of Columbia), California ranks 35. That headline is much less interesting.

And take a look at the top 10:

 

  1. District of Columbia
  2. South Dakota
  3. Idaho
  4. Montana
  5. Mississippi
  6. Tennessee
  7. Alabama
  8. Arkansas
  9. Kentucky
  10. Virginia

  I doubt you’ll see the data reported that way…

 

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Some of America’s goodness comes though in a very un-American moment.

We should all be talking to each other about the murder of Srinivas Kuchibhotla.

His death highlights what can go wrong when we don’t know, understand or care about each other, and what good can come when we do.

 

Last week at Austins Bar and Grill in Olathe Kansas, Adam Purinton approached Srinivas Kuchibhotla and Alok Madasani and asked them what type of visa they had and if they were in the country illegally. (Both were educated in the US and here legally). He also hurled racial slurs towards the two immigrants from India. For a moment, things seemed to get better:

  • Patrons at the bar complained and Purinton was removed from the bar
  • Someone else picked up the tab for the two men

But then got much worse. Purington came back with a gun, and witnesses heard him yell “get out of my country!” He shot at Kuchibhotla and Madasani, killing Kuchibhotla.

  • Ian Grillot tried to intervene and was also shot

Purington ran off and later ended up in an Applebee’s, where he eventually told the bartender that he was in trouble as he had killed some Iranians.

  • She called the police and he was arrested without incident

People worldwide have come together to help the Kuchibhotla family.  Currently, there are close to 18,000 donations. Click here to donate.

Let’s start talking to each other and try to prevent this from happening to other families. Hatred and ignorance are not American values.

Sources

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A few good quotes for President’s Day

Today seems like a very good day to reflect upon the words and wisdom of honored Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.

George Washington

“The Constitution is the guide which I never will abandon.”

“Observe good faith and justice toward all nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all.”

“Guard against the impostures of pretended patriotism.”

“Labor to keep alive in your breast that little spark of celestial fire, called conscience.”

 

Abraham Lincoln

“No man has a good enough memory to be a successful liar.”

“I am not bound to win, but I am bound to be true. I am not bound to succeed, but I am bound to live by the light that I have. I must stand with anybody that stands right, and stand with him while he is right, and part with him when he goes wrong.”

“A house divided against itself cannot stand.”

“Don’t worry when you are not recognized, but strive to be worthy of recognition.”

 

 

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Useful term of the day – Narcissistic Personality Disorder

After this week, I think we all know what Narcissistic Personality Disorder looks and sounds like.

But just in case… here is an official definition:

According to the Mayo Clinic, “Narcissistic personality disorder is a mental disorder in which people have an inflated sense of their own importance, a deep need for admiration and a lack of empathy for others. But behind this mask of ultraconfidence lies a fragile self-esteem that’s vulnerable to the slightest criticism.”

Source

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/narcissistic-personality-disorder/basics/definition/CON-20025568

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Some things you should know about Stephen Bannon

Trump cried “No puppet. No puppet.” I agree.

A puppet has just one master. He’s more like a marionette, manipulated by more than one master.

We have every right to be concerned about Putin and Russia’s role in the election, but his day-to-day master Stephen Bannon is even more frightening.

While it is very apparent that Trump can be quite easily played by stroking his enormous ego, Bannon (Trump’s Chief strategist and somehow also a member of the National Security Council) does this masterfully.

Trump is a “blunt instrument for us,” Bannon told me. “I don’t know whether he really gets it or not.” Ken Stern, Vanity Fair
Read the full Vanity Fair article here: Exclusive: Stephen Bannon, Trump’s New C.E.O., Hints at His Master Plan

Unlike Trump, Bannon is intelligent and is consistent in his views and focus.


The Washington Post has had a series of great articles on Bannon and a key theme is immigrants are not welcome in this country.

  • In November 2015, On Bannon’s radio show  and spoke with  Congressman Ryan Zinke about President Barack Obama’s plan regarding Syrian refugees coming to the U.S.

“We need to put a stop on refugees until we can vet,” Zinke said.

“Why even let ’em in?” Bannon asks. 

  • “On a March 2016 episode of his show, Bannon attacks H-1B visa workers and immigrants in general:

“Engineering schools are all full of people from South Asia, and East Asia. . . . They’ve come in here to take these jobs.”

“Twenty percent of this country is immigrants. Is that not the beating heart of this problem?”

Read the full WP article here: ‘Why let ’em in?’ Understanding Bannon’s worldview and the policies that follow.

FYI: The 20% number is wrong.
Read the full WP article here: Steve Bannon also has complained that 20 percent of the country is made up of immigrants.

In November of 2015,  Donald Trump presented a more reasonable view on H1-B workers and looked to Bannon for approval.  He didn’t get it.
Read it at WP: How Bannon flattered and coaxed Trump on policies key to the alt-right

So while Trump put signature on it, we all know who was behind it.  We should be very concerned about that master will do next.

If you don’t want to sleep well tonight, check out:

Read it at ABC: Why Trump’s Appointment of Steve Bannon Has Raised So Many Alarms

Read it at Bloomberg: This Man Is the Most Dangerous Political Operative in America

 

 

 

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Trump and the press, what a mess

Have we entered the Twilight Zone?

I woke up and found myself in the Twilight Zone episode It’s a Good Life.  You know, the one in which a horrid little boy banishes to the “cornfield” anyone who doesn’t show him respect, exude platitudes or repeat what is currently called “alternative facts.” (Back then, they were called lies.)

So, when I heard that PT was considering removing the White House Press Corp from the White House, my initial reaction was quite skeptical. And after this weekend, I am more sure than ever that any changes would be disastrous for everyone but the current administration.

To better understand the situation, I’ve:

  • Listened to On the Media’s very informative discussion on the history and role of the press corps. Listen to On the Media – Future Tense (if you are short on time, just check out segment 4, How Trump Might Save the Media He So Despises).
  • Read what Ari Fleischer, former White House Press Secretary for President G. W. Bush (2001 – 2003) had to say. Ari Fleischer on Sean Spicer

Going forward:

It does sound like that the current process is not ideal. But we need to wait until we have a White House that is guided by intelligence and not malevolence.

P.S. If you have never seen The Twilight Zone’s It’s a Good Life, add it to your list.  It’s a classic and oh so timely.  Season 3, Episode 8. Link to Amazon – Go to episode 8

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2017 Media Diet

More Substance, Less Junk

Each day we set ourselves in front of a massive all-you-can-eat media buffet. We’re conditioned to take more than we need, quickly gulp down what is tantalizing and easy to digest and toss out the rest.

Now more than ever I feel the need to be better nourished. As part of my 2017 wellness plan, I am going on a media diet. This doesn’t mean that I am going off news completely, but going forward I’ll be saying goodbye to misleading headlines, crap journalism, fake news and 24-hour drama-driven reporting.

It’s time to reclaim my brain by focusing on news and information that matters. This includes:

  • Setting aside quality time to digest the news (for me that includes not reading the news first thing in the morning. I can’t start my day off that way)
  • Supporting real new sources (ones that have true journalists, a code of ethics and use fact checkers)
  • Focusing on the topics I am most passionate about, as I can’t absorb everything
  • Snacking less frequently on information-poor sources

If you want to join in my media diet, please bookmark this site.  I’ll be posting information I find helpful in this endeavor.