Above is the title of a column in the New York Times (really) by Jesse Singal, who has been labeled a “woke-skeptical progressive” by the editor of The American Conservative who published another of Mr. Singal’s articles, DEI Training: Harmful, Phony and Expensive.

In the two articles (sorry I cannot provide a link to the NYT article at this time), the author points out that there are no studies that show such “training” (otherwise known as propaganda) is of any value.  In effect, businesses are spending billions on useless classes while hoping to starve off lawsuits from activist and wishing that such dollars might buy them some good will.  Such classes have spawned lawsuits against the companies by some of the forced participants.

The problem with DEI is that it comes decades too late and is hardly equitable.  Firstly, by the time any rational human being enters the workspace, his/her family, educational, and social experiences have set them up with a certain mind set.  They may think of themselves as fair individuals or as victims, as openminded or as having a firm set of opinions on any given topic. Individuals may or may not change as they progress in life, as they interact with individuals with different backgrounds, religions, political views, etc. but few respond well to forced self-examination. It use to be called “brain-washing”.

Secondly, such courses do not foster equity for they are one sided.  They act as a gun aimed at one group of participants and any attempt by one of those participants to object or offer a counter opinion only leads for further accusations. In effect that individual is singled out as an example of someone who does not even realize how incorrect is their outlook on life. No one wants to be a poster boy for the negative whether deserved or not.

In effect, one group of people who have their lives guided by such ideals or rules like importance of being on time, or good spelling, believing one plus one always equals two, etc., are seen as the worse kind of individuals.  By respecting the yes, “rules” of a successful society, they are labeled as the worse type of person. Is there any wonder that they sit there, put in their required time, and then walk away perhaps being harder in their attitude than before?

Please right click on the block below and click on “open link in new window” for access to the article in The American Conservative. Here is a rational voice in the wilderness but let us hope they are only the first in what shall be a growing tide. 

It seems that we live in a world of panic; the oceans are rising, the fascists are about to take over our nation, the Russians are manipulating our elections, all Whites are racist, in fact, the entire society is racist, etc.  The list goes on and on.  It is almost as if there is a crisis de jour that can only be handled by an investigation, more funding for programs, a new set of rules and guidelines, etc. It goes on and on, week in and week out.

Much of this panic peddling comes from our politicians who we expect to be full of hot air.  They need to keep coming up with problems and causes to keep our eyes and minds off the terrible job they are doing with the economy.  After all, if you tried any of their budget tricks, you would end up in jail. But the pols are not alone for we have our friends in the press.  Hey, each problem sells papers so why should they act any more responsibly?  I bet the questions they ask the pols are not the ones you would ask as you probably have more common sense.  Can you believe the silly questions they ask?

Why is it that when an election goes smoothly, the cries of “democracy is in danger” are heard no more?  Why is it that when a climate report comes out stating that the “existential threat” to our future is not real, it is never splashed across the headlines or discussed by the “expert” talking heads?

We cannot, however, place all the blame on the pols and the special interest groups who need to keep the fires of silliness going to justify the money they want and receive.  No, we also need to look at ourselves. All of humanity seems to thrive on the crisis de jour and we don’t hold those who peddle and report on each crisis accountable for their theatrics and false concern. 

The attached article will, I hope, make you take a couple of extra breathes the next time a new “crisis” is proclaimed.  Maybe, just perhaps, you might also laugh and be a bit more disconcerting about what to believe and who to believe.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-year-in-exaggeration-media-bias-hysteria-election-voters-railroads-2022-fbi-investigation-democracy-11672783427?mod=opinion_featst_pos3

There seems to be some sort of rule that any government program, no matter how well intentioned or structured, ends up in creating more problems.  They seem to create winners and losers and if you are the latter and cannot take a joke then it is just your hard luck to get the short end of the stick.  Perhaps this happens because in an unaccountable bureaucratic state (or swamp if you prefer), there is a natural tendency to “make things better”, or “correct an historical wrong”.  After all, it is hard to image that any bureaucrat would ever say, “The program was a success, and we can all go home now”.  Instead, there is a constant need to show that the government can do more to make someone’s life better while at the same time, keeping oneself employed.

While the original intent of Title IX was fine, it immediately created losers; males who participated in certain sports which were deemed unnecessary or perhaps, did not create enough mass interest or even, hard to believe, generate enough income to the schools were cast aside in favor of female athletics.  Scholarships were lost by some to be shifted to those who were more deserving.  As time went on however, even simple sports programs became “politicized” as “Dear Colleague” letters were introduced during the Obama Administration.  Ah, a bureaucrat’s work is never done. The result of a “Dear Colleague” letter led to a cancellation of basic rights found within our Constitution.  Under Title IX and other Titles, the right to face an accuser, examine evidence, etc. were eliminated.  The result was numerous lawsuits and victories for those denied their rights although such victories came years after the ruination of one’s reputation, loss of scholarships, etc.

The problems continue to morph as now Title IX is used against those who were originally marked as the winners (biological women) in favor of males who for whatever reason, now decide they have found themselves to be non-biological women.  The result is that biological women are losing the very scholarships that were awarded to them thanks to Title IX. 

The link to the article below provides an overview and discussion of one possible answer: the repeal of Title IX.  I would enjoy seeing a rebuttal to the article.

https://www.firstthings.com/article/2023/01/repeal-title-ix

New York city has decided to go green with its buses; they will be purchasing 500 electric buses for a cost of $1.1 billion.  This is the first of a total of 5,800 electric buses (total cost of nearly $12 billion?).  The only problem is that the current 15 (fifteen) electric busses cost two to three times as much to operate as the diesel or natural gas buses in service.  In order to complete the deal, the NY MTA (Metropolitan Transportation Authority) is asking for a discount on its electrical cost.  Naturally, the energy department is balking at the request.

There are solutions such as put forth by California where commercial EV chargers were given a 100% discount on demand chargers for five years.  Presto!  EV are a cost savings to the public as it costs less to run them. (NY Post 12/26/2022, pp 2)

Another trick and this is was started during the Obama era; the bus drivers who drove diesel or natural gas buses and who were switched to EVs were consider “new green jobs”.  Same person, different vehicle, new title.  Government speak at its finest.

It is unfortunate that over the past several years we have seen a politicization of the Department of Justice.  Going back to the Obama administration and the notorious Lois Lerner episode, through the falsification of documents by the FBI in presentations to the FISA courts regarding the Steele documents, the manipulations of James Comey, into our current day with the raids on Project Veritas, the mobilization against parents who speak out at school board meetings, and more, the integrity of the DOJ is seriously in question.

These actions call into question the security of our foundations of freedom.  As pointed out in the article linked below, Thomas Jefferson wrote, “the most sacred of the duties of a government (is) to do equal and impartial justice to all its citizens”.  We can be thankful that the head of the DOJ, Merrick Garland did not achieve a seat on the Supreme Court for his actions in his current position have shown him to be willing to bend to political winds.  Let us hope that future damage can be avoided and that a future administration will work to bring back integrity to the department.

https://imprimis.hillsdale.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Imprimis_Aug_9-22_8pgweb.pdf

“Russia is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma”

― Winston S. Churchill, The Gathering Storm

If Churchill could say that about Russia, what would he say about China today? The link to the article below takes us on a journey into totalitarianism in its most perfected form. Using the tried-and-true methods of population control (secret police, informers, intimidation, etc.) and the worse applications of modern-day technology (millions of cameras, tracking of mandatory cell phones, etc.), China has become a state ruled by the whim and power of one man.

The article provides a glimpse into the tensions of being a subject of the Chinese Communist Party; it rules without a popular mandate and has imposed a regime of spying and intimidation on Chinese citizens around the world. How long can such a regime maintain its power? Who is there to stand up to the power of such a State? Finally, we must remember that the man at the very top of the totalitarian regime, China’s Xi has learned from the failures of the old Soviet Union and the Soviet bloc in terms of survival. Xi sees himself as a modern-day Mao, a man who instituted policies which lead to the deaths of millions of his own subjects. He realizes that there is no retreat from his pinnacle of power and if challenged there is little doubt that he would take actions which would make the ten-thousand dead of Tiananmen Square pale in comparison.

Being a subject of the CCP means always being vigilant.

https://quillette.com/2022/11/27/the-loneliness-of-the-bridge-man-generation/

America, unlike so much of Europe, does not have a long history of notable and/or noble families who have served the State for so many generations.  We do not have a history of producing and respecting great philosophers, such as Hagel, Kant, Nietzsche, Voltaire, Hume, etc. In fact, the closest thing to a group of philosophers that we have ever produced was our Founding Fathers who are held up to ridicule by so many of our self-appointed elites today.  There are those in the Ivory Towers of universities, those in many of the newsrooms and even political leaders who look down on the great mass of American citizens and think of them as rubes and deplorables who do not understand that only these same elites know what is best for the nation.  And yet, it is the great gray mass of our citizens that have and continue to create the jobs and means for the next generation to go further and create an even better life for themselves. It is that very gray mass that creates the wealth that is such a magnet for millions around the world.  Why is that?  It is because the mass of Americans are mediocre; they simply do not realize and do not believe that they are gifted or chosen. They succeed because they do not know what obstacles are before them and do not believe they will fail.  American is great and was built on a system of mediocracy, a place where the mass of citizens simply tries; tries to survive, tries to create a business, ties to be the best they can be. If you tried and failed, then you were encouraged to try again, and again until you succeed or quit. For much of our history, government pretty well stayed out of the way of those who tried although we see more rules, and more regulations as an ever expanding government at all levels attempts to justify their very existence.  

This is not true in Europe. Europe developed a bureaucratic and elitist mindset that was shunned by our Founding Fathers; America has traditionally encouraged entrepreneurs, Europe does not.  It takes a brave European to attempt to become an entrepreneur.  The laws for incorporation are more difficult than in America and, if you should fail with your dream in Europe, getting a second chance is much more difficult and possible only after a number of years. 

The linked article discusses this concept of American mediocracy.  It has resulted in more freedom, an easier life, and more choices for all.  Let us hope that “those who know better”, stay in their Ivory Towers and newsrooms. While they are untouchable and will continue to tell us how we should live, but at least we can try to defend ourselves against the professional politicians who write laws and regulations to guide those whose lives they little understand.  If we are successful, we will help to create a better union, a better land for all.

https://www.firstthings.com/article/2022/11/a-more-perfect-mediocracy

Several years ago, while on a visit to the U.K., I stopped at a small village north of the Cotswolds for some fish and chips.  While I was happily munching on the excellent treat, I struck up a conversation with a local and the one thing led to another, and we began to discuss the NIH.  I mentioned that I did not see any signs for a doctor’s office in the village.  He replied that of course there were no signs or advertisements as the village had no doctor and that the nearest GP was some fifty miles away.  I stated my amazement, and he went on to tell me that everyone in the village was excited as the traveling government dentist was coming to town for two days. 

Never having heard of a traveling dentist, I asked for clarification.  It seems that once a year, the dentist visits the village and sets up shop.  There are no appointments, everything is on a first come, first served basis which of course, leads to quite long lines. You wait your turn; a procedure is done and out you go.  I mentioned that the service must be quite perfunctory, and he agreed.  What I asked if you need to come back for a follow up procedure.  “Simple: come back the next day and get in line, no preference given.  When it is quitting time, he packs up and leaves.”  It was an amazing conversation and like the rich American, I sat there wondering how such a system could be endured.  But as my new friend said, the service is free! 

Decades ago, science fiction writers described a future filled with totalitarian states, where the rights of individuals were sacrificed to the needs of the State. Novels such as Brave New World, Fahrenheit 451, 1984, An Excess Male, and others, paint a bleak picture of surveillance, dogma, indoctrination, and soulless everyday living.

With the advance of technology, we are speeding toward those dark visions and in no country is it truer than in Communist China. What started to provide services in a timely manner has morphed into a means of intense control of the individual via mandatory apps which track every individual’s movement, purchases, and contacts. Such monitoring is supported by a series of rewards and punishments from which the individual cannot escape. Hitler, Stalin, Mao, and others of their ilk could only dream of such power and control.

The link below will take you to a recent editorial on how China is now using that type of power on the international level by controlling foreign diplomats accredited to work in China. It is a tale of how weak willed our State Department and political leadership is in their desire to maintain open links to a nation which has openly stated that they wish to supplant the United States as the premier power in the world and is willing to use any tactic or weapon to achieve that end.

History is again ignored by those who should be the best versed in its lessons, especially lesson number one, that weakness in the face to aggression only leads to more aggression. China is willing to violate international laws and norms which go back centuries and has found that the dictum that “might makes right” has truth. Let us hope that our leaders will demand that China obey the simplest international conventions and that ignoring such rules will only serve to isolate them.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-china-abuses-u-s-diplomats-beijing-covid-cables-emails-congress-whistleblower-11666729612

Canada, the land of happiness, a land where its citizens are loved worldwide (for not being American) and a land where the government on the side of every citizen. Except if you are an investor.

In this book the Rosen’s (the father, Al, is a forensic accountant) point out how Canadas lax laws and weak enforcement of basic accounting principles have left the average Canadian exposed to the ravages of swindlers both inside and outside of corporations. How is this possible?

• Firstly, Canada does not have the equivalent of the SEC; there are provincial securities regulators, but they try to balance the needs of the investors with those of the corporations who bring business to the provinces
• Secondly, the accountants and auditors in Canada regulate themselves; in fact, “Canada is the only major country in the world that allows the same people who audit public companies to financially control the process that sets the auditing rules.”
• Thirdly, according to the Canadian Supreme Court ruled that audited reports are prepared for the guidance of current shareholders and that those reports and the auditors who prepare them have no responsibility to perspective shareholders nor creditors
• Fourthly, Canada has moved to the Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) which standard throughout most of the world, as opposed to the GATT standard used in the U.S. In the opinion of the authors, the IFRS standard “…perpetuates toothless financial reporting and costly, but valueless, auditing in Canada.” where investors will have to do their own investigations to determine the value of the numbers.

All of this may sound a bit boring and mechanical, but Canada suffers from repeated financial disaster which have cost retirement funds and individual Canadians hundreds of billions of dollars of losses. Under the Canadian system, liabilities can be kept off the books to inflate the value of stocks which allows corporate executives to claim large bonuses, artificially drive up the price of stocks and provide insiders with major windfalls on stock options. In fact, under the Canadian system, the auditors can knowingly misstate the numbers and they have no financial liability. When corporations are caught, their punishments usually consist of a slap on the hand for the top securities regulator says that Canada believes in rehabilitation as opposed to punishment.

An example of outcome of Canadian practices is the closing of Nortel, Canada’s largest corporation. While Enron was a $50 billion-dollar disaster, the cost of Nortel was seven times larger (over $350,000,000,000). Given the difference in size of the U.S. and Canada, it would be as if Enron crashed and destroyed $5 Trillion of shareholders money.

This book has become more timely given the accounting practices that are being uncovered regarding companies out of China and the failure of regulators in Germany regarding the scandal with Wire card. Investing outside of the U.S. requires the average person to be much more circumspect and knowledgeable about the laws and accounting practices of any individual country. The difference in laws, procedures, enforcement and yes, accounting practices can expose the unwary to huge risks. There is a long record of disasters due to practices which would not be allowed in the U.S.; the crash of the Mexican Peso, the banking crisis of Japan, corruption in Brazil and most certainly the whims of the Party in China should make any investor concerned about any opportunity. When financial times get tough, no one stashes their money in China, Japan, Russia, France or, yes, Canada, and there are good reasons.

Although it deals with a topic that should be dry to the average reader, the authors writing will make the reader put the book down and laugh that such lax regulation and disregard for citizens can permitted in Canada.