NATO has long played a key role in Trump’s narrative that the U.S. foots the bill for the rest of the world at the expense of its own citizens. He once again lambasted NATO allies’ contributions during a speech on June 25 [2018] in South Carolina by falsely claiming that the U.S. was responsible for 90% of spending. In fact, the U.S. provides 22% of the NATO alliance’s common funding — which covers NATO’s running costs, the military budget and some capabilities like aerial surveillance. | |
… | |
European leaders are now punching back at the U.S. French President Emmanuel Macron said, “We don’t mind being G-6, if needs be,” while the E.U. retaliated on June 22 [2018] with its own tariffs on U.S. goods. “The initial idea of playing nice with Donald Trump has been demonstrably proven to yield no benefits,” says Anthony Gardner, who served as U.S. ambassador to the E.U. from 2014 to ’17. | |
— Charlotte McDonald-Gibson | |
From her editorial / opinion article: “Is NATO Trump’s next target?“ | |
Appearing in Time Magazine, dtd: 9 July 2018 | |
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On This Day In: | |
2019 | Paint-By-Numbers |
2018 | #45: Still Trying To |
Oh, Well… | |
2017 | Two Views Of The Starting Line |
2016 | Never Had It, Never Will (Donald Trump) |
2015 | 20/20 |
2014 | All Of My Best Ideas Come While Walking… |
2013 | Learn To Learn |
2012 | I Remind You |
2011 | Respect And Prestige |
2010 | Living Legends (Willie Nelson) and the Gettysburg Address |
Posts Tagged ‘Donald Trump’
Preference For Irrationality
Posted in Quotes, Science and Learning, tagged 404 Error - Page Not Found, Anna Wiener, Donald Trump, Page Not Found: A Brief History Of The 404 ERROR, Quotes, Robert Cailliau, Science, Wired Magazine on October 5, 2018| Leave a Comment »
When asked if he had any theories about why the error so enchanted people, Cailliau wrote “I don’t even have a hunch about the 404 fascination. And frankly I don’t give a damn. The sort of creativity that goes into 404 response pages is fairly useless. The mythology is probably due to the irrationality, denial of evidence, and preference for the fairy tale over reality that is quite common in the human species … These human traits were relatively innocent in the past, when individual influence was small and information spread slowly. Today, and in no small way due to the existence of the net, these traits have gained a power that is dangerous.” As examples, he cited the election of Donald Trump, the deterioration of the EU, meek political responses to gun violence, and the proliferation of euphemism (“climate change”). Or the fascination could just be a dash of humanity, an appreciation that the internet is made by humans, and humans — especially on the internet — are often bored. | |
— Robert Cailliau | |
Quoted by: Anna Wiener | |
In her article: “Page Not Found: A Brief History Of The 404 ERROR“ | |
Appearing in: Wired Magazine | |
Dated: December 2017 | |
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On This Day In: | |
2017 | All At Once |
2016 | One Of My Vices |
2015 | The War Lord |
2014 | Orange October (II) – Giants Win NLDS Game 2 In 18 Innings (2 to 1)!! |
Acknowledging Doubt | |
2013 | Fulfilled Acceptance |
2012 | Error Is Tolerated Here (So Far) |
2011 | In Defense Of Pain |
I Think They Are Starting To…
Posted in Politics, Quotes, tagged #DonTheCon, #StillLosingDonald, Donald Trump, Politics, Quotes, The Art Of The Deal on April 4, 2017| Leave a Comment »
You can’t con people, at least not for long. You can create excitement, you can do wonderful promotion and get all kinds of press, and you can throw in a little hyperbole. But if you don’t deliver the goods, people will eventually catch on … | |
— Donald Trump | |
From his book: “The Art Of The Deal“ | |
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On This Day In: | |
2016 | Living There |
2015 | Bookin’ West |
Beyond My Reach | |
You Never Call Anymore… | |
2014 | Winning? |
2013 | Still Inventing |
2012 | Motivated |
2011 | Waiting In Line At Starbuck’s |
He’s Making A List
Posted in My Journal, Politics, Quotes, tagged Decimus Junius Juvenalis, Donald Trump, Juvenal, My Journal, Politics, Quotes, Revenge on March 15, 2017| Leave a Comment »
Revenge is always the weak pleasure of a little and narrow mind. | |
— Decimus Junius Juvenalis (in English: Juneval) | |
When people wrong you, go after those people, because it is a good feeling and because other people will see you doing it. I always get even. | |
— Donald J. Trump | |
Revenge is sweet and not fattening. | |
— Donald J. Trump | |
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On This Day In: | |
2016 | Mere Specks |
2015 | Day To Day Success |
2014 | We Have Ignition! |
2013 | The Dreamer |
2012 | I Err Gladly |
2011 | Ill Executed |
And You? | |
Not Now, Not Ever
Posted in Other Blogs, Politics, Quotes, tagged Bigotry, Donald Trump, http://friendnature.wordpress.com/, Other Blogs, Politics, Quotes, Senator Elizabeth Warren on February 11, 2017| 4 Comments »
And that marks Democrats’ first job in this new era: We will stand up to bigotry. There is no compromise here. In all its forms, we will fight back against attacks on Latinos, African Americans, women, Muslims, immigrants, disabled Americans — on anyone. Whether Donald Trump sits in a glass tower or sits in the White House, we will not give an inch on this, not now, not ever. | |
— Senator Elizabeth Warren | |
[Found at one of the blogs I’ve stumbled on: http://friendnature.wordpress.com/ | |
The original post is at: http://friendnature.wordpress.com/2016/11/11/join-senator-elizabeth-warren-standing-up-to-bigotry/ — KMAB] | |
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On This Day In: | |
2016 | Why Do You Write/Blog? |
2015 | Can Your Repeat The Question, Please? |
2014 | On Faith |
2013 | My Name Is Charles Stein |
2012 | Faiths And Sorcery |
Made And Kept Free | |
2011 | Multi-Source Learning |
Are You Looking Forward To A Trump Presidency?
Posted in Politics, Quotes, Science and Learning, tagged Donald Trump, Experience, George Bernard Shaw, Never Learning, Politics, Quotes on January 4, 2017| 3 Comments »
We learn from experience that men never learn anything from experience. | |
― George Bernard Shaw | |
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On This Day In: | |
2016 | Three Errors From Eureka |
2015 | Limiting Choices |
2014 | Praise The Lord And Pass The Hypocrisy |
That Sound | |
2013 | Still Waiting For Answers |
2012 | Informal Leadership |
2011 | A Little More Progress |
2010 | Bec’s Gone Again… |
Four Documentaries
Posted in Economics, History, Movie Review, Movies, Politics, tagged A Drummer’s Dream -- movie review, Dennis Chambers, Documentary, Donald Trump, Economics, Fumio Demura, Giovanni Hidalgo, Highly Recommended Movie, History, Horacio "El-Negro" Hernadez, Karate, Kenwood Dennard, Martial Arts, Mike Mangini, MIT, Movies, Mr. Miyagi, Nasyr Abdul Al-Khabyyr, Netflix, Noam Chomsky, Pat Morita, Politics, Raul Rekow, Requiem for the American Dream -- movie review, Sneakerheadz -- movie review, Sneakers, The Karate Kid, The Real Miyagi -- movie review on November 21, 2016| Leave a Comment »
The following are my brief reviews of four documentaries I watched on Netflix… | |
Requiem for the American Dream (2016) — movie / documentary review | |
This documentary is (more or less) a seminar about the consolidation of wealth in the hands of the few (1%) and the subsequent use of wealth to control the government and thereby use the government to increase their wealth. The documentary presents the views of Noam Chomsky, an MIT emeritus professor who made his fame in the study of linguistics and philosophy. Chomsky is a long-time “leftist”, but not in the traditional sense of Communist or Socialist, and more in terms of being pro-democracy, that is supporting the rule of the governed as opposed to the rule of the elite. More specifically, the people should control the governmental (government and regulations) business environment, not the business’s (or the mega-wealthy). I didn’t find much which was really new in this documentary, but then I have considered Chomsky’s positions previously and have long agreed with him. If I have any problems with this film it’s that it is presented in a “relatively” dry (“academic”) format. So, while I agree with Chomsky, the American public doesn’t seem to mind government of the elite, by the elite and for the elite – hence, the election of Donald Trump. Final recommendation: highly recommended, particularly if you are angry about the state of the country and / or worried about your job / career and place in our economic class system. | |
Sneakerheadz (2015) — movie / documentary review | |
A short (just over an hour long documentary) summary / description of people who obsessively purchase sports shoes. I agree with one of the commentators – a young lady – who says (in effect): “If you grow up poor and wanting things, like name-brand shoes and clothes, when you grow up and have enough money to buy them, you do. To excess…“) As I watched, I recognized myself and realize that except constrained by money, I could / would otherwise fall into this “addition”. Beyond the simple ego-boost of being able to get something you previously could not afford, there is an underlying message of people seeking a place in society by creating an image of themselves which they can project out to others. Interestingly, it seems this message is learned at an early age and then becomes the goal of their (the Sneakerheadz) life. There is also a strong message about societal values and the ability of marketing to influence those values. Not an original idea, but I still found it interesting to hear it stated so openly in documentary about shoe collectors. Final recommendation: highly recommended. | |
A Drummer’s Dream (2010) — movie / documentary review | |
What happens when you take some of the greatest drummers in the world, put them in an isolated Canadian farmland with a bunch of kids and all the drum kits and money the drummers can bring together? It seems you get smiles, effervescent passion and irresistible personality. Starring drummers: Nasyr Abdul Al-Khabyyr, Dennis Chambers, Kenwood Dennard, Horacio “El-Negro” Hernadez, Giovanni Hidalgo, Mike Mangini and Raul Rekow, the documentary captures you with Rock, jazz, Latin fusion, and soul, but mostly it is about the drummers and their joy in playing… And, did I mention smiles! These musicians are driven by the beats of their hearts – full of love and joy of life. Final recommendation: Highly recommended! I found myself tapping my hands and feet for days after watching this. Fortunately, my attention deficit disorder prevents me from becoming obsessive (in this way) or I’d still be drumming and trying to find / share their joy. Come for the percussion, stay for the smiles…! | |
The Real Miyagi (2015) — movie / documentary review | |
Back in the 1960’s, a young Japanese man came to America with little but an expertise in Martial Arts. He subsequently went on to become an internationally recognized Martial Arts instructor and stunt back-up actor. That man is Fumio Demura. If you have seen any of the first four “Karate Kid” movies, you’ve seen sensei Demura in action (probably without realizing it). Pat Morita’s iconic sensei (Mr. Miyagi) in ‘The Karate Kid’ was based on sensei Fumio Demura and Demura was Morita’s stunt double in the action sequences. I don’t mean based on Demura’s actual life, as Mr. Miyagi was a fictional Japanese-American character who fought in World War II. Rather, Mr. Miyagi is based on the idea of a man perfecting (improving) himself using art – in Miyagi’s case it is Karate and Bonsai trees. The documentary traces sensei Demura’s life and offers multiple tributes from his students which offer insight into the man behind the title “sensei”. Final recommendation: strong if you have only a casual interest in Martial Arts, highly if you have a personal interest in Martial Arts or in historic Martial Artists. | |
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On This Day In: | |
2015 | Just Like All The Others |
2014 | In My Own Vanity |
2013 | Filled With Words |
2012 | Lectio Auget Existentiae Meae |
2011 | Lied Lately? |
2010 | Born To Work At Faux News |
Lost Again (Uh, Make That Still) | |
Qui Genus Humanum Ingenio Superavit | |
They’re Back… (Part 1) | |
My Prediction For #AmnestyDon
Posted in Politics, Quotes, tagged #AmnestyDon, Amnesty and Citizenship, Donald Trump, Hillary 2016, Isaac Asimov, Politics, Quotes, The Donald on September 7, 2016| Leave a Comment »
There are limits beyond which your folly will not carry you. I am glad of that. In fact, I am relieved. | |
— Isaac Asimov | |
[Shout and talk tough to make myself feel good… Don’t deliver a single promise, then blame it on Congress, Washington politicians and special interests… (‘Cause failure is never my fault.) Do everything the same as “W” and President Obama – and – what Hilary proposes to continue… Then in “an appropriate” amount of time, give all the “illegal” aliens amnesty and citizenship, exactly like Reagan did… | |
…My prediction in the disastrous event “The Donald” should win the Presidency. — KMAB] | |
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On This Day In: | |
2015 | Worth A Try |
2014 | I’m Feeling It |
2013 | May I Have A Little More, Please? |
2012 | Increasing Doubt |
2011 | You Can’t Touch This |
Never Had It, Never Will (Donald Trump)
Posted in Leadership, My Journal, Politics, Quotes, tagged Ann Landers, Donald Trump, My Journal, On Class, Political Leadership, Politics, Quotes on July 26, 2016| Leave a Comment »
Class |
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Class never runs scared. | |
It is sure-footed and confident. | |
It can handle anything that comes along. | |
Class has a sense of humor. | |
It knows a good laugh is the best lubricant for oiling the machinery of human relations. | |
Class never makes excuses. | |
It takes its lumps and learns from past mistakes. | |
Class knows that good manners are nothing more than a series of small, inconsequential sacrifices. | |
Class bespeaks an aristocracy that has nothing to do with ancestors or money. | |
Some wealthy “blue bloods” have no class, while individuals who are struggling to make ends meet are loaded with it. | |
Class is real. | |
It can’t be faked. | |
Class never tried to build itself by tearing others down. | |
Class is already up and need not strive to look better by making others look worse. | |
Class can “walk with kings and keep it’s virtue and talk with crowds and keep the common touch.” | |
Everyone is comfortable with the person who has class because that person is comfortable with himself. | |
If you have class, you’ve got it made. | |
If you don’t have class, no matter what else you have, it doesn’t make any difference. | |
— Ann Landers | |
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On This Day In: | |
2015 | 20/20 |
2014 | All Of My Best Ideas Come While Walking… |
2013 | Learn To Learn |
2012 | I Remind You |
2011 | Respect And Prestige |
2010 | Living Legends (Willie Nelson) and the Gettysburg Address |
Timely Opinions On “The Donald”
Posted in Leadership, Politics, Quotes, tagged Donald "The Chicken-Hawk" Trump, Donald Trump, Donald Trump's Tax Returns, Hillary Clinton, Joe McCarthy, Leadership, Mark Cuban, Opinions Of Donald Trump, Patriotism And Taxes, Politics, Quotes, Sen. Lindsey Graham, The New York Times on June 8, 2016| Leave a Comment »
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., calling Trump’s judicial attacks “the most un-American thing from a politician since Joe McCarthy,” told The New York Times: “If anybody was looking for an off-ramp, this is probably it … There’ll come a time when the love of country will trump hatred of Hillary.” | |
Speaking of Donald Trump… | |
“He and I have both been incredibly blessed to have our opportunities in this country, and if you ask me, after military service, the most patriotic thing you can do is pay your taxes,” Cuban said. “I have gotten a lot from this country and feel like I owe back something. That’s not his feeling, and that’s his choice.” | |
— Mark Cuban | |
[As an admitted life-long Democrat (social liberal / fiscal conservative), I’d have to ask Senator Graham: “What time does your conscience say it is, now?” | |
I’d like to ask Mr. Cuban: “What is your opinion of any ‘America loving’, self-anointed patriot who is actually a chicken-hawk (a person who speaks out in support of war, yet has avoided active military service) and who also doesn’t want to pay his taxes in peace time or in war time?” | |
And I’d like to ask Mr. Trump: “We know you dodged the draft (four student deferments and one medical deferment) when it was your opportunity to serve, so where are the tax returns?” — KMAB] | |
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On This Day In: | |
2015 | First Things First |
2014 | Without The Other |
2013 | Earn This |
Seeking A View | |
2012 | Stumblin’ Along My Way |
We’re Proud Of You, Jr! | |
Union Card | |
Two Philosophies | |
2011 | Simply Unpredictable |
Poetry Isn’t Going To Work
Posted in Politics, Quotes, tagged Donald Trump, Dr. Majmudar, Hillary Clinton, Joe Klein, Politics, Quotes, Time Magazine on May 17, 2016| Leave a Comment »
In the end, I’m not at all certain that Clinton can beat Trump. He is free-form and anarchic and silly and devastating. She is rote. The answer to Dr. Majmudar’s question may involve a simplicity that eludes her. To Beat Trump, she is going to have to be patient, dignified, self-deprecating, utterly factual and brutally honest (about herself). Poetry isn’t going to work this year. | |
— Joe Klein | |
From his opinion piece: “To take out Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton must first stop acting like a politician“ | |
Appearing in: Time Magazine; dtd: March 28, 2016 | |
[Dr. Majmudar’s question was: “Leaving aside the negative rhetoric and attack ads, none of which have worked so far, can you share with us three specific points of your anti-Trump game plan?” Just in case you were wondering… — KMAB] | |
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On This Day In: | |
2015 | MA Fix |
Getting Better | |
2014 | Actually |
2013 | Unfortunate Evolutionary Accidents |
2012 | Tense (Past, Present And Future) |
2011 | What Is Your Preference? |