A mind made up is more of a wall than one of brick and stone.

(Index: Quotes)

If this is Why Ashli Babbitt was Killed, the Killing was Wrongful

    I find a strand of what is wrong with America reflecting in what North Dakota Sen. Kevin Cramer said the other day.

    Cramer was speaking of the riot at the Capitol, and of how one of the protesters, Ashli Babbitt, was killed. Information on who killed the officer is unnecessary, he said, because Babbitt was a "criminal" violating officers' orders.

   Run that by me again? We live in a nation where disobedience to authority brings the wrath of immediate termination of life? 

   Cramer is wrong in what he said. "The person that shot her is a police officer shooting a criminal not complying with the officer's telling her, 'Stop!' 'Don't come through that window. We have guns drawn. Don't do it!' " Cramer said. 

  If someone doesn't stop, they are worthy of death? Cramer and a million others might think so. I don't. Killing is a wrong. Life is too precious. Bibles sit aside beds throughout the world saying, "Don't do it!"

   The mentality that if you don't obey a police officer, you are worthy of death is a mentality that America has adopted. That is wrong. Bless us with a change of attitude. 

If you are going to face the future, do it now. The present is the moment in which the future is forged.

(Index: Quotes) 

Current Chess Happenings Intersecting with Important World Affairs

    Current chess happenings intersecting with important world affairs:

      1.) Cuban-born chess grandmaster Arian Gonzalez is believed to still be on a hunger strike following his imprisonment in Cuba for participating in the protests there earlier this month. Gonzalez had returned to Cuba to take care of his sick mother when the protests broke out. Long an outspoken opponent of the Castro regime, he was heard yelling, "Down with the dictatorship," Long live free Cuba," and, "We must support the brave people who are demonstrating today."

   Former world champion Garry Kasparov and the two strongest international players from Cuba, Lazaro Bruzon and Leinier Dominguez, have spoken out against his imprisonment. 

   2.) China's representation in the current Chess World Cup was limited due to the nation's Covid restrictions.

   3.) Iran phenom Amin Tabatabaei became one of the foremost Cinderella players, sailing deep into the tournament before finally being eliminated. Seeded only 86th, he knocked off the 43rd-, 22nd-, and 11th- seeded players before finally falling in the fifth round. Seeded only 86th, the 20-year-old Tabataei was easily the lowest seed left by that time. The next lowest seed surviving to the final eight was France's Etienne Bacrot at the 41st seed. Iran is in a dispute with the International Chess Federation, refusing to let its players play against those from Israel. That policy led to Iran's greatest phenom, 18-year-old Alizera Firouzja, competing under a neutral flag instead of that of Iran. Firouzja, the tournament's eighth seed, was upset by 15-year-old Uzbek chess prodigy Javokhir Sindarov, who as the 121st seed, knocked off another higher seed before being eliminated in the fourth round. 

 If you demand people salute your flag, you deny them the freedom that that flag stands for. 

The Infrastructure Deal Must have a Payment Plan

   The infrastructure bill, $550 billion in new spending, I am against it. New spending must come with new taxes. I am among the millions of Americans concerned about our national deficit.

   "One of the obstacles the senators faced was how to pay for the legislation," says the USA Today article I read. If they do not know definitively how it will be paid for, it is reasonable to oppose it. "The White House announcement was vague about how to pay for the measure, saying it would be financed 'through a combination of redirecting unspent emergency relief funds, targeting corporate user fees, strengthening tax enforcement when it comes to crypto currencies, and other bipartisan measures.' "

   That is not clear-cut enough for me. Nor do I like the part about using what appears to be unused Covid money. If that appropriation of money was not used, don't go looking for someplace else to spend it; Just return the money to the taxpayers. 

   Be transparent with us, the taxpayers. Tell us exactly how this bill will be paid for. Show us how the payment plan cannot fail. "Targeting corporate user fees" -- what does that mean? Tell us. Explain. We are the taxpayers. We have the right to have this explained to us. 

   Five-hundred fifty billion is a bunch. Our national deficit should not absorb such an exorbitant amount. I am aware we have definite infrastructure needs. But, the same, we must pay for something if we are going to buy it. 

Express Concern to Cuba for the Five Generals Who have Died

   U.S. leaders should be expressing concern to Cuba for the five high-ranking generals who have died in the last 10 days. Did they die from a coronavirus outbreak? Let President Biden and other U.S. leaders express condolences. 

   And, gently ask what the generals died of. If Cuba doesn't answer, ask again. Press for the answer. 

   Judge gun owners by their attitude. If they relish the day they might kill -- if they follow the mantra of "Make my day" -- trust them not with the gun. But, if they deeply lament that they should ever have to use their weapon -- if they mourn that they should ever have to bring death upon another person -- then that is the person who can be trusted with the gun. 

(Index: Quotes)

 Sanity's just a pleasure for those 

who don't realize life is a sham. 

(Just kidding. I mean this just in jest.)

(Index: Quotes)

In a World Without Guns, there would Still be Molotov Cocktails

    In a world without guns, there would still be Molotov cocktails. 

   Take the argument that guns don't kill, people do. The argument is that if killers didn't have guns, they would simply find other weapons.

   So, then, if a nation took all the guns away from its people, would they simply find other weapons to use? In Cuba, would they shrug and simply turn to gasoline bombs to blow up the residence of President Miguel Diaz-Canel? Guns are rare in Cuba. Should we expect the people to use other weapons?

 

 Empty is the heart that is full of rage.

(Reprint; Index: Quotes)

Time to Protest the Wrongful Killing of Chad Breinholt

    Tomorrow (today, actually, as it is after midnight), I intend to begin protesting at the West Valley Police Station and/or next door at the city offices, protesting the city's support of an officer who shot and killed someone in handcuffs, in an interrogation room, being swarmed by officers. If our police departments support their officers who are guilty of such misconduct, what hope is there for removing them from the ranks? Our officers are generally honorable. But, we should not allow those who kill to taint the ranks of those who are upright. The good police are surely (hopefully) aghast at those who are not. If we justify and condone such killings in the name of supporting law enforcement, we only support crime and corruption within law enforcement.  

   From the Salt Lake Tribune, we read:

   "The West Valley City Police Department welcomed Gill’s decision.

  " 'While we recognize the gravity of this incident, we are pleased that, after nearly two years of scrutiny, the district attorney’s office has found our officer justified in his actions,' " the department said in a statement, KSL reported. 'This decision brings to a close a challenging chapter for all involved.' "

   No it doesn't. Let the protests just begin.

Call Them the 2021 Summer Olympics

    They should be called the 2021 Olympics. It is not big enough a deal to steam about. Still, they are being held in 2021, not 2020. In the history books, when they are referred to, calling them the 2020 Olympics will suggest they were held in 2020. That is inaccurate. It's misleading. If it were a matter that much of the merchandising was already printed with 2020 on them, fine. Don't discard them. Don't feel the need to reprint them unless you want.  

   But, officially, call them the 2021 Olympics. Because that's what they are. 

Perhaps the Content of Air in Our Bodies Decreases at Night

    Weighing myself night and morning, I conclude the body loses weight at night. You, then, must ask, How so? The answer: Perhaps it is our breathing.

   We know the purpose of breathing is to draw air into the body. Breathing heavy draws more air in than does breathing light.

   And, it is at night that we breathe light.

   I do not know how much air weighs. Can it be compacted? Is it compacted inside the body? I do not know. I only know I often am lighter in the morning than at night -- even if I have urinated no more than perhaps three ounces. So, where is the weight going? It is natural for me to wonder if I am just taking in less air. What other alternatives are there? 

   I also take check my pulse and heart rate morning and night. It tends to be higher when I go to bed. I am told that too much liquid affects my heart; Could the amount of air also affect the heart? Both, I would assume, are applying pressure on the heart. If the amount of water affects it, then perhaps the amount of air does, also.

   Consider also how we stretch and yawn. Is he yawn a way of quickly getting more air into the body, or letting more out? Perhaps stretching is caused by something else. But, perhaps it also is a way of getting air into the veins.  

  

If Biden is to be a World Leader, this is a Time for Him to Speak Out

   Thousands of minors believed to have been taken captive by the government, police opening fire on unarmed crowds, protesters becoming political prisoners  . . . these are not minor human-rights offenses. They are offenses that should have global leaders decrying in the most ardent ways against what is going on in Cuba. 

   One of the better international chess players, Arian Gonzales -- long a vocal opponent of the Castro regime -- found himself in Cuba at the time and participated in the protests, earning him a spot in prison where he has begun a hunger strike in protest of the government of his nation, Spain, not coming to his defense, not even so much as asking for his release.

   Journalists have been tossed in jail.

   Count Joe Biden among those who are being too silent in this matter. If America is to return to its spot as a world leader, this is a time President Biden should be leading out in speaking against the oppression of the Cuban government.

Breinholt Should not have been Killed by Police

    If he didn't, Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill should cite the law that allowed police to kill a handcuffed, and surrounded by police Chad Breinholt two years ago.

   "If you're asking me to take off my district attorney hat, I can take it off. And do I feel morally comfortable in the way this ended up here, that there were other ways this could have been averted? Yes," Gill said. "As a citizen, do I think his death could have been averted? Yes."

   "But," Gill said a little later, "The law is very clear." 

   If it is clear, cite it. Quote it. Tell us what the law says that makes it acceptable for police to kill a man at police headquarters in a holding cell, a man handcuffed and surrounded by police. They say Breinhold got his hand on an officer's gun. Now, there is a law that says that if you believe your life is being endangered, you can kill the other person. It doesn't say that your life has to actually be endangered; It says you only need to believe it endangered. Thus, to get off the hook, all you need to do is say you feared for your life. Nobody can question you. Nobody can second-guess what you say. It's your call. The law is clear that if you say you feared for your life, that's it: That's the end of it. 

   "You are about to die, my friend," one of the officers says just before the fatal shot is fired. If someone (Breinholt) has your gun and is set to pull the trigger on you, you don't have time to first announce, "You are about to die, my friend." You shoot at the very second you see the danger, having no time for announcements.

   The video cam shows officers treating Breinholt roughly before the shooting. If you are being treated in an ill fashion, it is natural to try to fight back, to defend yourself. If Breinholt did do anything to try to defend himself, that would be natural. Yes, something is wrong with a system that allows officers to mistreat prisoners, to drive them to a point that they feel they must try to defend themselves.

   And, then to shoot them dead if they try.

   West Valley City has applauded Gill's decision. We, as citizens of this community, should be outraged. We should demand that our leaders not condone such actions by their officers, but instead work to root out such conduct. If the city's leaders speak appreciative of the killing and treatment of Breinholt, that does not speak well of the chances for change.  

This Means National Antetokounmpo Day is Coming Up

 "We grew this one at home," Giannis Antetokounmpo (how do you pronounce that?) seems to be saying. Actually, those are not his words. His actual words were: “Obviously I wanted to get the job done. That’s my stubborn side. It’s easy to go somewhere and go win a championship with somebody else. It’s easy. I could go to a superteam, and just do my part to win a championship. But this is the hard way to do it, and we did it.”

Nor was Giannis a superstar when he came into the league. So Milwaukee didn't even build their team around a known star. He was the 15th pick in the 2013 draft -- and, a gamble, at that. Although the year before the draft he had participated in the Greek League All-Star game, that was as a favor. He hadn't made the all-star team. Coaches invited him to play anyway, as a treat to the fans. So, here you have a guy coming into the NBA who wasn't even an all-star in a foreign league.

Hey, Giannis didn't even start playing basketball until 2007. So, he was like 12 years old. In the next six years, he blossomed into an NBA draft pick. And, this was in Greece, where he didn't even have official papers. He was citizenship-less. He was a man without a state, without a nation. His parents had immigrated from Nigeria three years before he was born. Although born in Greece, he was not granted citizenship. That didn't come till he was 18 -- within a year's time of his being invited to come play in the NBA.

Much has been said of how hard it is to pronounce his last name. I haven't even used it other than on first reference. We all know him as either Giannis or "the Greek Freak." We better get used to pronouncing that last name, though. His 27th birthday is Dec. 6. That makes that National Antetokounmpo Day. Now, however are we to even celebrate the day if we don't even know how to pronounce it?

Do We Need Pharmacists?

    Should we even have pharmacies? You know, the place you go to pick up the prescription your doctor gives you. The pharmacist divides out the amount the doctor ordered, and gives it to you.

   Does this amount to no more than inserting a middle person in the the process? Would it be simpler and less expensive if the medicines were distributed right at the doctors' offices?

   One plus of having pharmacists is that it creates jobs and provides employment.

   Has any study, though, been done on how much the price of prescriptions is driven up by having pharmacists? It perhaps isn't much, but it would be good to find out.

Hospital Wants to take 2-Year Old Off Life Support

   Alta Fixler should be allowed to live. The 2-year-old Jewish girl has been on life support since birth. Now, hospital officials in Manchester, England, want the life support removed. Her parents are against that, arguing that their Jewish beliefs forbid actions that end life.

  A curious part of the story is that the hospital has declined to allow the child to be discharged.  

Let Us Consider Offering Haiti Statehood

    Haiti as a member state in the United States? Should we offer them statehood? One question to ask is whether it would help Haiti rise from being a third-world nation. Look at Hawaii, and consider how advanced its economy is. Would it still be a backward nation if the U.S. had not taken it in? Does the situation differ in Haiti? Or, could it also expect a rise from poverty?

   When the United States can share its benefits, perhaps it should. Haiti is a near-by nation. It's location makes it plausible that it could be a state. Caring for other people -- as we should be wont to do -- calls for us to consider offering Haiti statehood.  

Kaepernick Makes News on Three Fronts

    Snap, snap, snap: Not just one, but three breaking stories about Colin Kaepernick.

   1.) Ultimate Fighting Championship star Jorge Masvidal condemned Kaepernick for wearing a shirt featuring Fidel Castro back in 2016. "Know ur history and facts cowards like this fool should be sent to live in Cuba see what they say after a day there," Masvidal wrote on social media.

   At the time he wore the shirt, Kaepernick spoke to Sports Illustrated about why he did so. "I agree with the investment in education," he said. "I also agree with the investment in free universal health care as well as the involvement in helping end apartheid in South Africa. . . . I would hope that everybody agrees those things are good things. And trying to push the false narrative that I was a supporter of the oppressive things that he did is just not true."

   2.) As the NFL announced plans to play the Black National Anthem, some pointed to the hypocrisy of doing so while the league at the same time has not found room for Kaepernick on any of the rosters. "The NFL is, "completely ignoring that Colin Kaepernick, the reason for all of this, is still without an NFL home," wrote Stephen A. Crockett Jr. in The Root, an African-American online magazine.

   3.) Plans were announced for a children's book to be published about Kaepernick's growing up. or relating to his growing up. The book, "I Color Myself Different," draws its name from a childhood experience in which Kaepernick was given an assignment in Kindergarten to draw a picture of his family. Kaepernick used a yellow crayon to draw the rest of his family but colored himself brown. (Kaepernick was an adopted child.)

   The book is to be published by Scholastic in April. It is part of a multi-book deal Kap has with the Scholastic. 

The Pledge of Allegiance as it is Practiced

  The Pledge of Allegiance as it is practiced:

  I pledge allegiance to the flag of the Divided States of America, two nations under God (Republican and Democrat) -- so obviously divisible -- with liberty and justice for all (except when political realities make that impractical). 

  Ask yourself: Would you put your hand over your heart and pledge allegiance to the administration of Joe Biden if you are a Republican? Or, would you have placed your hand over your heart and sworn allegiance to the administration of Donald Trump if you are a Democrat?

The Abu Ghosh Council and Chess 4 All and Peace in the Middle East

    At a time Iran is coming under fire for not letting its players play those from Israel comes word of a virtual chess event this month (July,2021) in which 435 quality players from around the world participated in an event tying Israel players to those from around the world, including from countries Israel has no diplomatic ties with.

   Such as Iran.

   Peace in the Middle East -- peace between Israel and the Palestinians -- being important, one can only wonder how this event fits in. The July event was part of the Chess 4 Solidarity Initiative. A story in The Jerusalem Post gives limited information -- not even saying if the July event was  a tournament or who won it if it was.

   The 435 players included "players from countries with which Israel has no diplomatic relations, including Iraq, Libya, Indonesia, Bangladesh and Iran," says the Post article. Iran, then -- the same country that is banning its chess players from playing against Israeli players.

   The Abu Ghosh Council supported the events. Abu Ghosh is a city in Israel. The council said he did so with the intent of promoting coexistence and tolerance. All of which leads one to consider whether Iran is hostile toward the Chess 4 Solidarity Initiative and its events. 

   But, a call for peace from one side seems to be a good offering. It would seem the Abu Ghosh people are seeking but peace with the countries of the world.

   No word on whether any participants are from the Palestinian West Bank or Gaza Strip, but it seems doubtful.  

Wave of Protests Should be Held as Anniversary of Killing Approaches

    Among the protests against police violence that there should be is that for Chad Breinholt, killed almost two years ago. Handcuffed and in a holding room used for questioning at the West Valley Police Station in Utah, Breinholt was killed by Sgt. Tyler Longman.

   "You're about to die," one of the officers surrounding Breinholt yelled a moment before the trigger was pulled by Sgt. Longman.

   Aug. 23, 2019. And, the district attorney still has not ruled on whether the shooting was justified. Leading up to the second anniversary, or on it, there should be a wave of protests. 

The Legacy of Iranian Chess and Its Revolt from the Government

    One of history's greatest chess stars, Garry Kasparov, is in the news for speaking out against Iran's human rights violations against everyday citizens in Iran, but he could have spoken of the violations against the acclaimed chess players from that country.

   A country that continues to surge on the international chess scene. 

   "For all the foreign interference, terror, and war caused by the illegitimate Iranian regime, it is vital to remember that no one suffers more than the citizens of that regime," Kasparov said.

   Since retiring from chess, Kasparov has devoted his life to campaigning against international human rights violations. He is chairman of the New York-based Human Rights Foundation.

   The chess federation in Iran is currently broiled in the midst of a confrontation with the International Chess Federation (FIDE) as Iran refuses to let its players compete against Israeli players and FIDE demands that they be allowed to play the Israelis.

   Tehran-born Grandmaster Elshan Moradiabadi is among those leading the charge in a chess player revolt against the Iranian government. "Chess without politics," he demands. In November, Moradiabadi called on Iranian chess players to quit playing under the Iranian flag, and instead compete under a neutral flag being offered by FIDE. FIDE suggests that if Iran does not drop its stance against playing the Israelis, more players might bolt.

   In a nation that short decades ago could boast not a single grandmaster born in that country, Moradiabadi is now one of many. The now 36-year-old Moradiabadi earned his distinction of grandmaster in 2005. It was that same year that Moradiabi, fearing retribution from his country, refused to play an Israeli player. Eventually, though (years later), he left Iran. He began representing the U.S. in 2017, five years after moving to the U.S. He is now a FIDE instructor, teacher and blogger living in Durham, North Carolina. His list of achievements includes participating in the 2011 Chess World Cup.

  Though a star, Moradiabadi is not the greatest chess player from Iran. That distinction belongs to Alireza Firouzja, who has risen to become the 13th-highest rated player in the world. Firouzja, only 18 years old, had his rating rise to 2806 as of June. He became the second youngest player in history to reach a rating of 2700. He became a grandmaster in 2018 at the age of 14. In December 2019, he finished second to the world's greatest player, Magnus Carlsen, in the the World Rapid Chess Championship. That same month, Firouzja announced he would no longer play for Iran when Iran withdrew its players from a competition against Israeli players.

   Moradiabadi and Firouzja are both in the FIDE World Cup now going on in Sochi, Russia. Only the greatest players in the world earn the right to play in that tournament. Firouzja, the 8th seed in the 206-person tournament, is currently finishing play in the second round. Moradiabadi, the 122nd seed, lost in the second round to one of the tournaments highest seeds, the 7th-seeded Maxine Vachier-Lagrave of France. 

   Other great Iranian-born players include Shojaat Ghane, 48, who has been a grandmaster since 2008, and Pouria Darini, 30, a grandmaster since 2013 and a participant in the 2013 Chess World Cup.

   Atousa Pourkashiyan is also among the most-famous Iranian chess players. Pourkashiyan, now 33, won the World Youth Chess Championship in 2000 in the category for girls age 12 and under. She is a Woman Grandmaster (WGM), a title awarded to the world's best women chess players. Shadi Paridar, 35, is also a WGM. 

   Pouya Idani, 25, has been a grandmaster since 2014. He won the Under 18 World Chess Championship in 2013, and played in the World Chess Cup in 2015, being defeated in the first round by Azerbaijani's Shakhriyar Mamedyarov. Yes, that same Shakhriyar Mamedyarov who this past week humbled Kasparov in a mere seven moves as Kasparov made a return to chess play in the Croatia Rapid & Blitz. 

   Idani is in the top half of those in the 2021 World Cup, seeded at 85th out of 206. Of the Iranians, at this time he has advanced the furthest, having progressed to the third round while other Iranians are still in the second. To get there, he had to defeat the 172nd and 44th seeds. He now faces the 21st seed.

   Parham Maghsoodloo, Amin Tabatabaei and Ehsan Ghaem Maghami are also among the contingent of Iranian players competing in the 2021 World Cup in Sochi, Russia. Maghsoodloo is a replacement in the tournament, taking the place of Lu Shanglei of China at the 28th seed due to China's Covid travel restrictions. Maghsoodloo received a first-round bye and is still finishing play in the second round. Tabatabaei, the 86th seed just behind Idani at 85, is also finishing play in the second round. Ghaem Maghami, the 130th seed, lost in the first round.

   Maghsoodloo and Tabatabaei are among Iran's rising stars. Maghsoodloo, 21, the  World Junior Chess Champion in 2018, achieving grandmaster status in 2016, and Tabatabaei, 20, having earned the grandmaster title just in 2018. Tabatabaei also participated in the last Cup, the 2019 World Cup (it is held every two years). As the 95th seed, he took out the 34th seed in the first round before falling in the second round to the 31st seed. 

   Of the three just mentioned, Ghaem Maghami, now 38 and a grandmaster since 2000, is one of the greatest players in Iranian history. He has won 45 international tournaments and in 2009 defeated Russian great and one-time world champion Anatoly Karpov in a 20-game match. 

   Iranian Morteza Mahjoub, 41, has been a grandmaster since 2007. He once held the world record for the number of simultaneous games, playing 397 opponents at once in 2009, play lasting 18 hours before it was complete. That record was broken the next year by an Israeli, no less, when Alik Gershon played 454 opponents at once. Iran's Ghaem Maghami came along the next year, 2011, and reclaimed for Iran the world record for simultaneous games, playing 604 opponents at once. 

   Amir Bagheri, 42, was one of the first Iranians to achieve the title of grandmaster, earning it in 2000. He qualified for the FIDE World Chess Championship but was knocked out in the first round in 2000.

  Pouria Darini, 30, has been a grandmaster since 2013. He played in the 2013 World Cup.

  Borna Derakhshani is among those embroiled in the dispute with the Iranian chess federation for playing Israeli players. Derakhshani, 19, winner of several international youth tournaments, was banned from Iranian youth team in 2017 for playing an Iranian grandmaster. After being banned, Derakhshani switched allegiance to the United Kingdom and won the British Youth Championship for those under 16. 

   Iran's rift with its chess players is not alone for playing Israelis. Shohreh Bayat made international news in 2020 when a picture of her showed her hijab being worn her neck, enraging Iranian officials who demanded she have a new picture taken with the head-covering being worn right. Bayat refused, and fled Iran, finding asylum in England, where she now is involved in chess under the English flag. Bayat, 34, is a chess referee, and was arbiter of the Women's World Chess Championship of 2020, which is where she was pictured wearing the hijab around her neck. For her courage in standing up to the Iranian government, and being a champion of women's rights, Bayat won the International Women of Courage Award this year. 

   Houshang Mashian, 82, once set the world record for playing in the world's longest-lasting decisive chess game, losing to Yedael Stepak in 1980 after a marathon 193 moves 24 hours and 30 minutes, making it also the longest in length of time. And where was Stepak from? Israel, of course. 

   Kamran Shirazi also ranks as one of Israel's greatest and most famous players -- and one of the first to bolt the country, moving to the United States in the late '70s, where he quickly became one of the most active players in the country, as well as earning a high rating. He tied for first in 1983 in the World Open, and tied for first in the 1985 National Open. Shirazi was known for his penchant of playing odd openings. In 1984, that got him in trouble, as he tried an unknown line in the Sicilian Defense and lost the shortest decisive game in U.S. history to John Peters in five moves. Shirazi has since moved from the U.S. to France. Shirazi's fame includes appearing in the 1993 movie, "Searching for Bobby Fischer."

(Note: Story updated July 16 to reflect how the Iranians are doing in the current FIDE World Cup.)

Congress Bears Responsibility to Remove Words from National Anthem

    If "The Star-Spangled Banner" was adopted by Congress as the national anthem of the United States, shouldn't Congress be weighed with the responsibility of making changes now that verse three has come under attack as being racist? 

   "No refuge could save the hireling and slave from the terror of flight, or gloom of the grave." So it says in that third verse.

    Do we take that verse out? Remove just those lines? Replace them? If we judge the words to be racist, we bear the responsibility of changing them. Congress approved "The Star-Spangled Banner" as the national anthem 90 years ago, with President Herbert Hoover signing the bill March 4, 1931.

   Whether Congress takes official action to change the National Anthem might seem a small matter to many. One wonders if the thought is even crossing many minds, as it is not as if we are seeing the suggestion even being raised. 

   It should be. If that is a racist comment in the National Anthem, it should be removed. 

If Diaz-Canel Suggests the Money Should go to the Poor . . .

    They marched, they protested, in Cuba, of all places. "We want freedom," they chanted. "We are no longer afraid."

   Was the protesting incited by right-wingers from the U.S.? Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel said it was legitimate to have some dissatisfactions, but that they should also recognize when they are being manipulated. The strong right-wing groups in the U.S. clearly would like Cuba's government to fall, and, no, it shouldn't surprise us if their efforts contributed to inciting the protesting in Cuba Sunday.

   Diaz-Canel is correct about one thing: U.S. sanctions against Cuba are contributing to the economic failure in Cuba. 

    President Biden has been dodging the need to set a course of action in Cuba. He has not had a defined policy. Sunday's protests push him towards having to come up with a policy. Now, he must decide what the U.S. will do in Cuba and what our relations will be.

   Let it be suggested that our top concern should be the people and their well-being. Whether Cuba drops socialism for capitalism is not as important as whether the people prosper under whatever system is in place. But, we should not let go of the question of where the money is going. If it is being taken by the ruling class, and not making it into the pockets of the poor, that should be a concern. 

   "They want to change a system -- or a regime, they call it -- to impose what type of government and what type of regime in Cuba?" Diaz-Canel asks. "The privatization of public services. The kind that give more possibility to the rich minority and not the majority."

   Then, Mr. Diaz-Canel, if that is a concern -- and, yes, it should be -- then can we determine where the money is going now? How much of the money is funneled to government officials, or to others? If you set up a system that is suppose to benefit the poor, don't do it in hypocrisy. Make sure the money does indeed go to the poor. 

   Let the U.S., though, be more concerned about the people than about politics. The welfare of the people should drive the emergence of U.S. policy in the aftermath of the protests. If tourism was a large part of their economy, but has declined, perhaps we should help restore it. Cuba is home to great historical cultural sites, to lush landscape in such places as Parque Nacional Vinales. It boasts Peninsula de Zapata, where we have one of the largest wetlands in the Caribbean. You have Criadero de Cocodrilos, which is a crocodile farm of distinction. Castillo del Morro is one of the best-preserved Spanish fortresses of the 17th Century and known for its beauty. You also have the flower gardens at Parque Josone. Help steer visitors to such places that offer the history of Earnest Hemingway.

   Oh, the beaches will continue to be a major attraction. But, if we could somehow direct traffic more to these other sites, that would be good.

   And, when the tourist goes, how does the money reach the average Cuban? Can we ensure that hotel cooks and laundry workers is at the maximum? The ticket-takers at the crocodile farm should be getting the money, as opposed to it being funneled off somewhere else. That is what socialism is all about, isn't it, Mr. Diaz-Canel? Where is the money going now? We must wonder if it ends up lining pockets of those who are rich in Cuba. Talk is one thing, but if Diaz-Canel insists he wants the money to go to the poor, we should insist it goes to the poor.

Enhance the Punishment if Flag is Used in Commission of a Crime

  Let the protester continue to bring the American flag to his or her protest or debate. Though they often use it as a prop, as if to say. Hey, I'm right on this issue. My waving the flag shows I am on the virtuous side. I hold these views because I am clearly an American patriot.

  But, if they are arrested for a crime during the act of flaunting the flag, then judge the use of that flag wrong. Either rebuke them for using the flag as a crutch during the commission of the crime, or charge them with an additional crime for doing so. It would be much like our hate-crime laws. If your crime is motivated by bigotry or hatred, the penalty is enhanced. Even so, if you flaunted the flag in the commission of a crime, the penalty would be enhanced.  

Those Who Stand Against the Nation are in Need of Freedom the Most

    "Whoever knowingly mutilates, defaces, physically defiles, burns, maintains on the floor or ground, or tramples upon any flag of the United States shall be fined under this title or imprisoned for not more than one year, or both." Thus sayeth the law.

   If someone does protest against the U.S. by burning our flag or trampling on it in a knowing act of disrespect, are we right in tossing them in jail? This is their way of expressing their hatred against our country. Do we then say, Off to prison with you? 

   Such a person is called a dissident. Do we imprison our dissidents? 

   Yes, there are countries and kingships and dictators who have sent dissidents to the gallows for disrespecting them. Should America follow suit? 

   Our flag is not cut out of such cloth.

   A free nation does not force its freedom. It does not force loyalty. It demands no subservience. When freedom enters the room, you are not require you to bow. Freedom and liberty are not there to protect those who are loyal to government, for they need no protection. It is the person who stands against that country and government who is in need of freedom the most. 

When Freedom Enters the Room, You are not Required to Bow

    Political dissidents in many countries are punished for their beliefs. Is it so different in the U.S.? Yes, hammer thrower Gwen Berry will be allowed to represent the U.S. at the Olympics, despite turning her back on the flag after medaling in the Olympic Trials. The U.S. did stand behind her right to not participate in the flag ceremony.

   But, the number of calls for her to be kicked off the team leaves one to wonder. Now, Berry is not saying she doesn't like the U.S. "I never said I hated the country," she said. But, what if she were a socialist or communist? Should such political beliefs warrant someone being kicked off the team?

   Freedom of belief and expression is one thing, but you must be loyal to the country you represent, right?

   A free nation does not force its freedom. It does not force loyalty. It does not demand subservience. When freedom enters the room, you are not required to bow.

   Would there were no calls for Berry to be dismissed from the team. And, I hope, in America, such calls for anyone to be banned never reach the point that we heed them. 

   

Lex Scott Makes Her Point

   Black Lives Matter-Utah President Lex Scott is drawing an onslaught of national rebuke for saying the American flag is a "symbol of hatred" and anyone who flies it is "a racist."

   Though we stand behind the American flag, and continue to wave it -- maybe even waving it the more -- we should limit our rebuke of Scott. While she is wrong to lump us altogether, there certainly are a lot of flag-wavers who are racist. 

"I want you to step outside of yourself for a minute. I want you to walk in my shoes for a second. I want you to picture this," Scott says.

"You show up for a protest and hundreds of armed white men show up. They have guns, they yell racial slurs at you, they are carrying and wearing American Flags.

"I run over 50 Facebook groups. We receive hate messages daily. When you click on the profiles of the people sending these messages their profiles are filled with American flags.

"When the Klan holds a rally, they carry American Flags.

"The white supremacist group Patriot Front also carried American Flags in their protest last week when they descended upon Philly.

"The Proud boys are always wearing and holding American flags when they protest us.

"The failed insurrectionists climbed the capitol and beat a police officer with that flag.

"If you see that every person that hates you is carrying an American flag how would you feel about that flag? If every message of hate that you receive comes from a person flying that flag, how would you feel when you see that flag."

Of Course Children Should be Allowed to Join Their Parents

   "The Biden administration on Tuesday made tens of thousands of Central American immigrants in the U.S. eligible to petition for their children to come to the country legally as part of an effort to discourage youths from journeying to the southern border." So reads a CBS story.

   Bless President Biden, but it is a little disturbing that such a policy was not already in place. We believe in families, and in keeping families together. If someone is legally in the U.S., why would we have a policy against their children joining them? Perhaps we should have some shame that we were not already doing this.  

    

Peace Should be Part of What We are Willing to Celebrate

 Is peace a part of freedom? Is it a patriotic thing? Can a song calling for peace be considered a Fourth of July song? I posted such a song, "Simple Song of Freedom" by Bobby Darin, seven times as my Facebook status. Nary a like or comment did any of them receive until just now as I am setting to post it this eighth and final time. Patriotic? Some would say such songs are almost communistic. Anti-war Songs? Not patriotic at all, but very unpatriotic, they would say. And, thus: no likes, no comments. Nothing but silence each time I posted. (Thanks to a wonderful sister, however, who was kind enough to respond to them at literally the very last moment.)

Well, peace is patriotism, to me. America is here to fight when wars need to be fought. When our cause is just and others we can free, I am not opposed to our fighting. Freeing others is worthy. But, the aspiration of a free person should be peace. The desire of Americans should be peace. To weave the call for peace into the Fourth of July is not wrong. A flag cut from the cloth of peace waves more gently in the breeze. And, the winds of change will never come unless we make them part of our being, part of our being Americans, and part of what we are willing to celebrate.

Some of Greatest Songs Ever Were Protest Songs

Some of the greatest songs ever were protest / anti-war songs: Gordon Lightfoot’s “Summer Side Of Life," Creedence Clearwater Revival's “Fortunate Son,” Barry McGuire's “Eve Of Destruction,” Peter, Paul and Mary's “Blowin’ In The Wind," "Where Have All the Flowers Gone," and "If I had a Hammer," Buffalo Springfield's ” For What It’s Worth," John Lennon's Imagine,” Plastic Ono Band's "Give Peace a Chance," Tommy James's “Crystal Blue Persuasion," and "Sweet Cherry Wine," the Original Caste's "One Tin Soldier," Buffy Sainte-Marie's "Universal Soldier, the Byrds' Turn, Turn, Turn," U2's "Sunday, Bloody Sunday," the Beatles "Revolution," Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On," Bruce Hornsby's "The Way It Is," Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the USA," Pete Seeger's "We Shall Overcome," Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young's "Ohio," the Bells' "Fly Little White Dove" . . .

If We Would be Peacemakers, Let Them Sing Their Song

    Vanessa Williams singing "the Black National Anthem" on a PBS Fourth of July special sparked a controversy. Many felt one national anthem is enough, and we don't need one just for the Black people. Can't we all be one? Why does one race think they need their own "national anthem"? This will only divide America.

   But, Williams fit it in, anyway, towards the end of the program, which was filled with all kinds of patriotic music. 

   I wonder if resistance to their singing a Black National Anthem is not what is devisive. Williams hosted the show. She showed no disfavor with the National Anthem, itself. It was not as if the Black National Anthem were there to replace it. No one was saying, Throw away the National Anthem. We don't like it. This should replace it.

   It was simply, Hey, we came up with a Black National Anthem. Is that okay? Can we sing it? And, we answered, No, it is not alright. You can't have your own anthem. And, if you are going to sing it even against our wishes, then we do not want you to call it "the Black National Anthem." Do you understand us?

   To which they might reply, It's our song. We came up with it. Can't we call it what we want?

   Making a big deal of it, and refusing to let them sing it, or refusing to let them call it "the Black National Anthem" is divisive. If you just let them sing it, and let them call it what they want, it becomes no big deal. They love America. They aren't saying they don't. Why not let them have a song they want to sing? To oppose them is to create a division between them and you. Anytime you tell somebody they can't do something, it creates a division between you and them.

  Simply say, Sure. You're welcome. Maybe even say, Hey, I like it. Sing it again. 

  Blessed are the peacemakers. We could be peacemakers, if we wanted to. We don't need to choose to make them our enemies when we can choose to make them our friends.  

Investigate Both the Capitol Riot and the Riots of 2020

   Instead of questioning why there should be an investigation of the Capitol Riot, since there was also violence all across the land in protests in 2020, investigate both. Don't justify what happened on Jan. 6 with what happened in 2020. Has anyone suggested an investigation of all the protests and rioting in 2020? Have the Republicans in Congress demanded such an investigation. Maybe so, but if so, it hasn't reached my ear.

    

Creating the Utah Department of Clinical Studies

    It would be helpful if states established their own clinical study agencies.

   Repeatedly as you study nutrition, you find reference to not enough studies yet being done to determine if something is bad for you. Other times, you read one thing in one place, only to find it contradicted in another. Red meat is bad for you, says one source. No, it is not, says another.

   Let the federal Food and Drug Administration work it out? Obviously, they are falling short. Whether there is just an overwhelming amount of studies that need done, or whether they leave that to the drug companies, it just isn't getting done. 

   The Constitution says all powers not reserved to the federal government belong to the states. "The Congress shall have power . . . To promote the Progress of Science . . . by securing for limited Times to . . . inventors the exclusive Right to their . . . Discoveries."

   That gives the federal government power to grant patents, but it does not empower it to conduct studies on health and nutrition. 

   True, universities and others often embark on such studies, but often they are conducted with federal grant money. One must wonder if that is Constitutional. If the federal government is paying the bill, that is not much different than the federal government doing it itself.

   So, let the states do it. I am proposing that Utah open such an agency. The Utah Department of Clinical Studies, or whatever you wish to name it. Now, you might suggest that the efficient way of doing this is at the federal level, for if all the states have their own agencies, it will lead to duplication, waste and repetition. They will be stepping on each other. But, consider that there are so many studies needing to be done, that perhaps one agency is not enough. Consider that no one has ever suggested that all the universities in the nation should combine under one, so they don't duplicate each other's work. 

   No, Utah having its own Department of Clinical Studies is a good idea. All states do not need to have such agencies, but if they do, that, too, is fine.  

We Will no Longer be Protected from Sun's Deadly Ultraviolet Rays

    The layer in the atmosphere that protects us from the sun's deadly ultraviolet rays is shrinking, says a news report today.

   Add that to the list of dangers we are navigating (or failing to navigate) in relation to climate change. 

   I think of the warnings before the Miami condo collapsed. Should we not do something when we hear such warnings? This is a warning with consequence being a million times worse. 

(Index -- Climate change info)