How To Views and Reviews

Category: Views on News

  • How to impress a nation with your speech

    On March 31, 2025, Cory Booker’s speech began. It would end up breaking the record for the longest speech on the Senate floor. If you have time, you can watch the speech here.

    Cory Booker’s speech was a breath of fresh air to many Americans.

    Finally, someone in congress has decided to use their power to voice the concerns of an injured nation.

    The Senator from New Jersey retained the floor for over 25 hours. He ended the speech with a call to action. Since congress refuses to act to secure the blessings of liberty for Americans, he encouraged the people to use their power.

    Power to the People! A reference to Cory Booker's speech

    As Booker said in his speech, these are not normal times, and they should not be treated as such. I agree. Between the massive layoffs of critical governmental agencies, the lawlessness of the executive branch, the lack of enforcement of judicial sentences, and the cloud of insecurity hanging over the middle class and poor of our nation, it is time for us to take a stand.

    Congress has been granted power to defend the country from a lawless Executive branch. This is stated in Article 1 of the Constitution. And yet, despite the lawlessness that is leading our country to attack its citizens – whether by deportation or by outing trans citizens or by denying privacy rights or any other means, the list goes on and on – congress is choosing to forfeit this power.

    To our members of congress: If you truly want to represent the people of your districts, listen to them. Hold town halls in person and attend them. Don’t run away. If the people are angry, consider that your choices may not represent the will of the people you represent, and you should learn from these mistakes.

    This Saturday, April 5, 2025 there will be protests across the nation. Whether this is initiated by 50501, Indivisible, Hands Off 2025, or the MoveOn is unclear. What *is* clear, however, is that the people are ready to show their power, and I, for one, can’t wait to see it.

    How would you address the nation? What would you do to show your power as a citizen of the USA? Please share below!

  • How to protect federal employees from a hostile takeover

    One of the first things Trump did when he took office this go-round was to create an Office of Government Efficiency.

    Trump mentioned casually during a press briefing that he will put Elon Musk in charge of the Office of Government Efficiency.

    In addition, Trump instituted a hiring freeze.

    Elon Musk

    Elon Musk has been given the keys to the Office of Personnel Management of the US. His aids have taken over the office, expelling the existing employees and locking them out of their data systems. This, despite the hiring freeze that Trump instituted.

    Of particular concern is that this office contains confidential information protected by the Federal Privacy Act. This Act prevents individuals from accessing confidential information without written consent from the individual.

    How to identify legality

    In the executive order Trump issued indication the creation of the Office, he indicated that all applicable laws will be followed. What law allows Musk’s aids to access this information?

    How to identify retaliation

    Trump has asked for the names of all FBI members who prosecuted the January 6 insurrectionists. Reuters reports,

    “What we are seeing is a raw, unfiltered exercise of presidential authority to purge the government of anyone who put the Constitution first, instead of adherence or loyalty to Donald Trump,” said Bradley Moss, an attorney who represents federal employees.

    Is this anything other than obvious retaliation for people doing their jobs to put criminals in jail?

    What will Musk do with this information? Is this a trend towards more retaliation, or selling information about prosecutors to criminals or state enemies?

    UPDATE February 4, 2025:

    There is ongoing legal action to protect the FBI employees. Let’s see if the courts will do the right thing and uphold the nation’s laws and privacy acts.

    Democracy Watchdog Group and Advocates Seek Emergency Order to Prevent Disclosure of the Names of Any Terminated FBI Employees

    If your goal was to bring criminals to justice and protect the innocent, what would you do in this situation?

  • How to be born alive

    On January 23, 2025, the president issued a statement in support of the “Born-alive abortion survivors protection act.” This statement, and the act itself, imply that current practice is for providers to withhold care from infants that are born alive despite an abortion attempt. I hope that people who read this decide to investigate the current system rather than believing this implication.

    What is the born-alive act?

    Here is the text of the bill itself. It certainly makes it seem like doctors are murdering babies left and right. How can this be true? Do Americans really believe that babies are being legally murdered after birth? Do Americans really believe that their fellow Americans are desperate to murder their babies?

    What is wrong with the born-alive act?

    The ACLU has published this statement opposing the act. They state that the real goal of the act is not to protect infants, as that protection is already in place, but rather “to target abortion providers by applying harsh penalties and uncertain standards to cut off access to necessary care, and to distort public perception of compassionate abortion care by suggesting that doctors do not provide high quality care to their patients.”

    The ACOG has published this statement, also opposing the act. The President of ACOG states that this so-called born-alive act “is meant to incite emotions, rather than reflect the reality of evidence-based clinical care. This legislative interference will harm families and hinder the ability of physicians to practice such evidence-based medicine.”

    There is an ulterior motive behind the emotional wording of this unnecessary act. Representative Trahan sums this up nicely: “‘Born-Alive Abortion Survivor Protection Act,’ a bill that will give politicians here in Washington the power to monitor women’s pregnancies and criminalize doctors and nurses who provide lifesaving care to women in need.” It is about giving the government more control over our lives.

    It is clear that the current administration wants to remove our rights, step by step. We are losing our freedom to big government.

    We would love to hear your thoughts on this matter. Do you agree with giving the government more control over your life?

  • How to prevent school shootings

    Today, another school has suffered a mass shooting. This time the heartbreaking event took place at a school in Madison, Wisconsin. Our hearts go out to the families who sent their children and loved ones to school today for the last time.

    The state superintendent, Dr. Underly, mourns the loss of life in a statement released by the board of education: “Our schools are meant to be safe places.”

    This marks the 488th mass shooting of 2024 in the US, according to the Gun Violence Archive.

    I think this situation is unacceptable. Do you think the US is doomed to always have daily mass murders? If not, how can we prevent school shootings and other mass shootings? Please share your ideas so we can find a solution that the country as a whole will be satisfied with.

  • How to cause a ruckus from the sky

    Update December 17, 2024: The Department of Defense reiterated that they are taking drone sightings seriously. They have sent additional resources to the bases in New Jersey to assist in detecting, monitoring, and tracking drone activity, but they emphasize that these drones are nothing new.

    Update December 16, 2024: Homeland Security posted this on X, indicating that the drone sightings are not anomalous.

    Original editorial from December 14, 2024 follows.

    Airborne drone against overcast sky

    There have been recent drone sightings in New Jersey. Some people are concerned that there may be malicious intent behind the appearance of these drones.

    The military bases, Picatinny Arsenal and Naval Weapons Station Earle, in New Jersey, have had drones fly over them. The joint staff acknowledged today that the drones have flown over. However, the joint staff denies knowing where they are from or who is operating them. They do seem certain that they are not operated by an adversary nation. Also, the joint staff indicated that they have limited jurisdiction on US soil and rely on local police to manage such issues. They are cooperating with local police, as always.

    On December 12th, the DHS and FBI issued a joint statement about the drone concern. They state that many of the reported sightings have turned out to be “manned aircraft, operating lawfully”. They add that there have been no reports of drone sightings in restricted airspace.

    Despite this, the internet is in an uproar over who might be operating these drones and whether or not there is a threat.

    How would you explain this?

    What do you think of the drone sightings over New Jersey? Do you think the Department of Homeland Security or the FBI should be doing more to protect us from a potential threat? Do you think this is a resident of the US who is trying to garner attention…or something more sinister?

    With the recent updates (see above, Dec 16-17), it is clear the Department of Defense, the Department of Homeland Security, the FBI, and the FAA feel obliged to reassure the people of the US that there is no problem with the drones. So now I’m wondering: if the ruckus isn’t coming from the sky or from the drones, is it coming from the people reporting these drones? Is this a false flag event? If so, why, and by whom? Please share your thoughts.

  • How to marry your partner

    Today is the 2-year anniversary of the passing of the Respect for Marriage Act (House bill 8404).

    Senator Gillibrand (D-NY) explains why she supports the repeal of DOMA. In a statement, she wrote, "In March of 2011, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand stood with Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and 17 of her Senate colleagues to introduce the Respect for Marriage Act. This legislation would end the current discrimination under federal law by repealing the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). The Respect for Marriage Act would provide all loving committed couples in America the same federal benefits and protections of marriage as straight couples."
    Senator Gillibrand (D-NY) explains why she supports the repeal of DOMA. In a statement, she wrote, “In March of 2011, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand stood with Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and 17 of her Senate colleagues to introduce the Respect for Marriage Act. This legislation would end the current discrimination under federal law by repealing the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). The Respect for Marriage Act would provide all loving committed couples in America the same federal benefits and protections of marriage as straight couples.”

    President Biden celebrates the anniversary on Instagram:

    Vice President Harris also celebrated the anniversary.

    This legislation provides protection for married couples no matter their “race, sex, ethnicity, or national origin”.

    For two years now, two people who love each other can get married and be protected under federal law. Biden says in his post that there are “few things as clear and right as marriage equality”.

    Marriage equality doesn’t just give everyone the right to marriage. It also means that couples can get health insurance. Similarly, it means that a couple can be responsible for next-of-kin decision-making. Formerly, a loving domestic partner could be denied the choice of making emergency decisions for their loved one.

    What do you think about the Respect for Marriage Act? Do you agree that any two people who love each other should be able to get married, regardless of race, sex, ethnicity? How would you have voted on this act? How has your live changed since the law was passed?

  • How to reconsider your decisions

    Christopher Wray was the Eighth Director of the FBI. He recently announced his intent to resign in January, 2025: “I’ve decided the right thing for the Bureau is for me to serve until the end of the current Administration in January and then step down.”

    Picture of FBI Director Christopher Wray at November 2024 US General Election National Election Command Post NC3.
    FBI Director Christopher Wray at the 2024 election command post in the Bureau’s Strategic Information Operations Center (SIOC) at FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C., on November 5, 2024. See https://www.fbi.gov/news/national-election-command-post for more details.

    Trump celebrates

    President-elect Trump criticized FBI director Christopher Wray and celebrated his resignation.

    Trump seems to blame Wray for raiding his home, impeaching him, and indicting him, among other things. It is interesting that Wray would do such things when Trump was the one who appointed him in the first place. Wray became FBI Director on August 7, 2017, during Trump’s first presidency.

    Kash Patel

    Trump claims that Kash Patel will make a better director. Kash has an interesting background in National Security. He has also written a book that indulges many of the deep state conspiracy theories I’ve heard about from Trump fanatics. His book is called “Government Gangsters”…and yet he was heavily enmeshed in the government. Was he one of the gangsters?

    I think most Americans agree that we need a strong National Security team, and a fair Justice department. I’m not sure that we are on the path towards justice.

    Why did Trump really backtrack on his support for Christopher Wray as Director of the FBI? Who is Kash Patel, and will he make a good Director of the FBI if he is confirmed? Will Trump backtrack on his support for Patel like he did with Wray? Who will benefit from this and who will suffer? What will become of Wray once he resigns? What would you do if you were Trump? Have you ever had to reconsider your decisions?

  • How to eliminate hatred

    Today, President Biden’s administration announced a strategy for eliminating hatred against Muslim Americans. They called it “U.S. National Strategy to Counter Islamophobia and Anti-Arab Hate”. This was a “whole-of-government” effort, working in conjunction with civil society partners.

    Handshake (image generated by Google Gemini)

    It seems like this may be a pre-emptive move against the upcoming Muslim Ban fallout that President-Elect Trump has insinuated. As reported by Time magazine, Trump says “I will ban refugee resettlement from terror infested areas like the Gaza Strip, and we will seal our border and bring back the travel ban.”

    The travel ban, of course, is a reference to the ban Trump installed in 2017. There were several executive orders that accomplished his bidding. This one, “Protecting the Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry Into the United States“, lists explicitly the seven countries from which certain people are banned from entry to the US:

    • Iran
    • Iraq
    • Libya
    • Somalia
    • Sudan
    • Syria
    • Yemen

    President Biden overturned these bans.

    Do you think Biden’s strategy was created because of Trump’s upcoming presidency and in anticipation of a renewed ban? In addition, do you think Trump’s bans improved US national security? Do you think Biden’s strategy to reduce hate will work? How would you handle these tasks?

  • How to beg your pardon

    President Biden has issued pardons to 1500 people. This is the most ever issued in a single day, according to the White House fact sheet (link below). Biden released a statement on X:

    The full statement is available on the White House website.

    What do you think about the president pardoning so many criminals? Tell us how you would take on this task if you were in his shoes.

  • How to modify your trust

    Rupert Murdoch has been denied the choice to modify his family trust as he sees fit. The commissioner has decided that he must leave his irrevocable trust as is, which apparently leaves his company to his four children as equal owners.

    We recently set up a trust for our family. I can only guess that ours has fewer and less valuable assets than Murdoch’s. But like Murdoch, we set it up with our children as equal recipients of the assets. I can’t imagine a situation in which we would ever want to change that. My children all have an equal part of my heart. If I owned a huge corporation, perhaps I’d have a different outlook.

    Books (image generated by Google Gemini)

    Do you have an irrevocable trust? How would you manage a situation like this? Is it possible for adult children to carry out their father’s wishes despite their own opinions of how a company should be led?

    Let us know what you think!

  • How to leave a legacy

    Yesterday, Bashar Assad, the leader of Syria, was forced to leave his country as the people let him know he was no longer welcome. President Joe Biden announced the outcome, hopeful for the historically war-torn country:

    More information can be found in the White House website press call transcript. Biden’s administration draws connections indicating that the fall of Assad is, in large part, a result of US actions in Ukraine and Israel.

    Syrians have suffered greatly over the years, with many lives lost and millions of people displaced.

    What do you think will happen next? Will the people of Syria finally find peace? Will external countries take advantage of the current state? How will Assad be remembered as he takes shelter in Moscow? Was overthrowing Assad the right thing to do?

  • How to manage extreme feelings

    Emoji of an angry face, generated by Google Gemini, similar to the anger felt by Luigi Mangione
    Angry emoji (image generated by Google Gemini)

    Today, according to news outlets, a man named Luigi Mangione was arrested. He was previously a person of interest connected with the murder of Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. We should all have the right to go about our daily lives without fear of being murdered.

    Luigi Mangione’s travels seem to have taken him from Hawaii to Georgia, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. While he was able to travel quite a ways after the incident, his downfall was the requisite trip to McDonald’s. Perhaps this is just one more reason fast food is unhealthy.

    Health Care Issues

    We have all had our share of difficulties interacting with our health insurance providers, or at least, most of us know someone who has. Whether we have had an issue with eligibility, high premiums, unexpected bills, expensive lifesaving procedures, or just trying to talk to someone instead of navigating a phone menu system, we have all been there. In any case, most of us can find a way to manage these problems without resorting to crime.

    Of course, at this time we can only only speculate about this arrest and the motive behind the shooting. Was he having an issue with health insurance? Was the shooter someone who was targeting people in a particular location? Or was there a personal problem? From the start, it seemed the only thing the police knew for certain was that this did not appear to be a random act.

    The United States is no stranger to gun violence. This type of targeted attack is just as devastating to us as a random attack. In any case, this is a situation that needs solutions. America deserves better. We deserve better.

    What do you think of this situation? How can we prevent this sort of attack from happening again? How have you (legally) handled a case where your insurance denies lifesaving or palliative treatment? We would love to hear your thoughts on this and any solutions you could offer. Please comment below.