Reflections on America

@john2001plus

0 seconds ago
There are many restaurants in America, mostly chains, where one can enjoy a nice meal for $20 to $40. This is how most Americans dine out when not opting for fast food.

Cornbread is not cake; it is a dense bread. While I'm not particularly fond of the taste, it pairs well with BBQ, chili, or beans.

Many large cities in the United States have become dysfunctional, or they contain areas you'd want to avoid. Smaller cities tend to be the best places to live.

What Caused Today's Culture War?

This is an interesting discussion about how our brains work.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLr6keWhpac

Trump's Tariff Motives

I expressed the opinion that Trump is motivated by a desire to win over voters, particularly among working-class people who traditionally vote Democrat. Although he is not running for re-election, his party still needs to win elections.

However, I had another thought. Trump also wants to push his vision of how he believes the world should work. This seems likely.

In some cases, such as cutting waste, fraud, and abuse, his vision for the country is beneficial. However, his stance on tariffs is not. Implementing such a massive change using powers the President should not have is authoritarian. While his intentions may be good, restricting free trade ultimately harms our freedoms.

The free market has already determined the most efficient way to manufacture and distribute goods. When governments interfere with incentives and regulations, they disrupt an already efficient system.

Trump claims that trade deficits mean we are financing other countries, effectively giving them a free ride. In reality, the opposite is true. Some countries send us more goods than we send them, and they use their excess dollars to finance our national debt.

Trump's tariffs amount to a $600 billion tax on the American people, yet he insists they will make us richer. In truth, the tariffs will disproportionately affect low-income individuals.   Reportedly, every job saved through protectionism can cost consumers hundreds of thousands of dollars up to a million dollars.  

Yesterday, I heard that Congress is considering reasserting control over tariffs to counter Trump's policies.

The ideal outcome would be for all countries to eliminate tariffs, allowing for truly free trade. However, I make an exception for nations that pose a potential threat or engage in human rights abuses. In such cases, tariffs can serve as a strategic bargaining tool.

Historical US Unemployment

https://www.economicshelp.org/blog/166664/economics/historical-us-unemployment/

According to Google, the current unemployment rate is 4.1%.

https://www.google.com/search?q=unemployment+rate+in+the+united+states&rlz=1C1ONGR_enUS1066US1066&oq=unemployment+rate+in+the+United+State&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqBwgAEAAYgAQyBwgAEAAYgAQyBggBEEUYOTIHCAIQABiABDIICAMQABgWGB4yCAgEEAAYFhgeMggIBRAAGBYYHjIICAYQABgWGB4yCAgHEAAYFhgeMggICBAAGBYYHjIICAkQABgWGB7SAQkxMDE5OWowajSoAgCwAgE&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

I remember unemployment being a big issue in the 1970s.  The trend since then seems to be slowly downward.  However, this says nothing about the quality of jobs.

The bottom line is that I don't see a strong reason for protectionism.

Reportedly, every job saved through protectionism can cost consumers hundreds of thousands of dollars up to a million dollars.  

I remember one economist, I'm not sure who, talking about the fallacy of wanting full employment.  He said that for the government to guarantee people jobs is more costly than just supporting them through welfare programs.  I don't know if this is true, and it might be better to have people working.

What The Hell Happened on LIBERATION DAY?!

I'm sorry, but Trump's tariffs are insane, and it is based on multiple illogical premises.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XU6WqiYNOK0

When governments interfere with the free market, creating perverse incentives, which governments everywhere routinely do, it makes the market less efficient.

"The Amish Couldn't Believe It" - Jordan Peterson

https://youtu.be/scrtSExvu3g?si=SDsSjOgtJH8HgDD7


A Google search seems to verify this.

Who Shot JFK?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNjIcTEQKac&t=1940s

John Boyega says Star Wars has the vibe of being "in the most whitest, elite space"

John Boyega was a fantastic actor in the movie "Attack The Block".  His role in Star Wars was part serious but also part comic relief.   He has been vocal multiple times about how his character was portrayed, but he agreed to play this character.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdGGX1HmUbQ

Trump's Tariffs are potentially very bad

Trump's Tariffs are potentially very bad.

Bad things are happening in South Africa

Le Pen BANNED?!?

John Lasseter: A Predator in Disguise

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lF25ZldvdL0

There is no doubt that John Lasseter was instrumental in Pixar's early success. Without his work on Toy Story, there wouldn't be a Pixar. He is prominently featured in the Disney+ documentary The Pixar Story.  

Some of the accusations in the video are speculative, but there was sufficient evidence for John Lasseter to be fired from Disney and Pixar.  

I was saddened to see this happen.  

5 Misunderstood Foods

https://www.consumerreports.org/health/nutrition-healthy-eating/are-these-misunderstood-foods-good-for-you-a6406894357/

Hillary Clinton warns Trump ‘stupidity’ will leave US ‘feeble and friendless’

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/28/hillary-clinton-trump-stupidity

People don't fully understand Trump. His modus operandi is to take bold actions and adjust course as needed.

Trump is also a troll. Reportedly, his book The Art of the Deal advocates making outrageous statements as a negotiation tactic.  He may be a bully, but at this moment, he is the right person for the job.

What to Know about Proving Your Identity | SSA

Does everyone need to prove their identity with Social Security?

No. There is no need to contact Social Security to prove identity if not applying for cash benefits and if not changing direct deposit information. People will continue to receive their benefits and on schedule to the bank account information in Social Security's records without needing to prove identity.

A secure – and most convenient – way to prove identity is with Social Security's online services using a personal my Social Security account.

Individuals will need to provide in-person identification for certain internet, phone, and paper claims, including claims filed by third parties.

https://www.ssa.gov/news/identity-proofing.html?tl=1%2C2

Social Security requirements changing April 1

Starting April 1, all new Social Security applicants, as well as current beneficiaries wanting to make changes to their accounts, will be required to verify their identity either online with the "my Social Security" service or visit an office in person. In the past, changes could be handled over the telephone.

https://www.al.com/news/2025/03/social-security-requirements-changing-april-1.html

Finally! Watch the US Navy's Laser Weapon in Action

Attacks on Tesla

How I Think About Climate Change

@john2001plus
0 seconds ago
Neil,

It is possible that climate alarmists are correct and that human CO₂ emissions will lead to disastrous climate change unless we take drastic action. However, I have about a hundred reasons to believe they are not. We will find out in time because we are currently running the experiment. While some changes are occurring, they do not seem significant enough to warrant panic. I believe we have far more time to address this issue than alarmists suggest, as these changes are happening very slowly.

Looking at temperature data, it took approximately 140 years for the average atmospheric temperature to rise by just 1°C—starting from 1880, which was an exceptionally cold decade.

One major reason for resistance to drastic climate policies is that human civilization depends on cheap, reliable energy to thrive. The proposed solutions are often expensive, unreliable, and require draconian government controls. I do not want the government to control the entire energy sector unless there is an overwhelmingly strong existential reason to do so.

I have followed this issue for 37 years and have seen many dire predictions fail to materialize. Around 35 years ago, some claimed that we would face catastrophe within 25 years. Yet, our supposed doom always seems to be 25 years away—much like nuclear fusion. 🙂

As I mentioned earlier, the rate of change is slow, but another key factor is climate sensitivity to CO₂ doubling. Just 15 years ago, some climate scientists estimated climate sensitivity to be between 6 and 12°C. However, these predictions have gradually been revised downward. Around 2010, experts warned that we were on track for a 3°C increase by 2100 and that this would be dangerous, though a 2°C rise would be manageable. Less than a decade later, I saw similar claims, but the numbers had shifted: now a 2°C increase was the catastrophe, and 1.5°C was the new "manageable" threshold. The goalposts keep moving.

We have nearly doubled atmospheric CO₂ since pre-industrial levels—though not quite yet. However, we have not observed a 6–12°C increase. After analyzing temperature and CO₂ data from 1880, I did some calculations and estimated a climate sensitivity of around 2°C.

A 2015 graph comparing climate model predictions with actual temperature changes showed that nearly all models ran too hot. Only the Russian model was close to reality.

We now live in a political climate where truth is often defined by narrative rather than data. It is a post-truth society. There have been numerous reports of scientists struggling to secure funding or publication unless they align with the official narrative.

The IPCC is not an unbiased organization. They have refused to hire anyone who does not already subscribe to the belief in catastrophic man-made warming. This is not how science should be conducted—starting with a conclusion and working backward. Given that the IPCC is funded by governments, it should remain neutral and let data guide its conclusions. Instead, it behaves more like a political entity. The IPCC has also attempted to prevent skeptical papers from being published and has hired individuals affiliated with environmental lobbying groups—an obvious conflict of interest.

Some scientists have resigned from the IPCC, citing excessive bias. One former member stated that the real goal of the organization was to dismantle free-market capitalism.

Antonio Guterres, the socialist from Portugal who has led the UN since 2017, routinely makes exaggerated claims about climate change—such as his statement that oceans are "starting to boil."

Unfortunately, I do not trust the political system or academia to provide an honest assessment. I wish I could, but too many individuals and institutions appear to be pushing their agendas.

Best wishes,

John Coffey

Who Is Mark Carney

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6K6tpX1HZw4

We Don't Want to Give Creativity to Robots

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKO-LShEgcs&t=486s

he didn't expect us to FIND HIM out

It is harder to get away with crimes because there are cameras everywhere.

The Case For Derek Chauvin | Episode 2: The Incident

I am not 100% sure that Derek Chauvin is innocent, but the case against him seems very weak.  It seems like he was railroaded.

Scientists Misreport Climate Cause of LA Wildfires

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZv5zBNIhvE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDsjeKo3u3o

High school runner hit in head with baton during race

This story has gone viral.  There is debate about whether it was intentional or not.  It doesn't affect my life, but it might be a reflection of society.

Michael Mann Lawsuit Against Mark Steyn

Michael Mann is a climate scientist and a prominent figure in climate activism. He created the controversial "Hockey Stick" graph, which has been widely criticized for its methodology and accuracy.

Journalist and public speaker Mark Steyn referred to Mann as "a fraud."  Mann, who has a history of suing critics, filed a lawsuit against Steyn.  After a decade of litigation, Mann won a million-dollar judgment.  However, an appeals court has largely overturned the ruling for misrepresentation by Mann and his lawyer.

https://www.youtube.com/live/2UcBaVeSMz8?t=986s

The next part of the video discusses the alleged fraud in government funding of climate activism.

https://www.youtube.com/live/2UcBaVeSMz8?t=1673s

How Political Movements Can Destabilize Social Order

Russians Woman speaks out against the war

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6tXKKE3DQww&t=1023s

Ben Shapiro Runs MASSIVE SCAM! This Is An All Time Low For Daily Wire & Team!

@john2001plus
6:06 This claim misrepresents what Ben Shapiro said. He stated that Trump could not pardon Derek Chauvin on state charges and that Chauvin would not be freed, but a pardon on federal charges might reduce his total time served. More importantly, as Shapiro pointed out, advocating for a pardon would be the right thing to do if Chauvin was wrongly convicted and unjustly imprisoned. 

I can't say with absolute certainty that Chauvin is innocent, but the case against him is highly questionable. I believe he was railroaded, and it's difficult to find a conservative who doesn't share that view. 

"It is better that ten guilty persons escape than that one innocent suffer." — William Blackstone 

It seems trivial to worry about being on a mailing list. I'm on plenty of them, and I can opt out at any time.

Disease Preparedness, and Supply Chains

Disease Preparedness, and Supply Chains:

This is an interesting discussion from five years ago just as COVID-19 was taking off in the United States.

The Stupidity Epidemic: Why Critical Thinking is Dying

This is well-stated and completely on point.

It appeals to my biases. 🙂

Stock Market PLUNGES…So What’s Next?!

This echoes my previous post.

Anti Trump Memes from Facebook

The anti-Trump memes are strong on Facebook.  It would be easy to dismiss this as deluded people but…

There is a real movement here.  Donald Trump has a slim majority that could be chipped away by people screaming loud enough. 

He has to deliver results. If the country goes into a recession, it could tip to the left, repudiating Libertarian ideas. They would claim that it obviously failed. 

Why Airports Hate this $12 Watch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_y90Gkyz4k&t=120s

Congresswoman REVEALS Why Democrats Are ANGRY At Elon Musk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wch8FVLxgHU

Democrats Play the Race Card

This is a critical moment. By singing "We Shall Overcome" in the House of Representatives, the Democrats are attempting to frame Republicans as racists.  They have already claimed that telling Al Green to stop yelling during the State of the Union Address was an act of racism, equating it to telling Black Americans to sit at the back of the bus in Montgomery, Alabama, during the 1960s.  Now, they argue that the censure of Al Green is a form of racial oppression.

This was their plan all along.

Not only is this insulting to Republicans and their supporters, but it also does nothing to foster intelligent discourse.

I don't expect the Democrats to stop. This is their only strategy. They have no hope of winning unless they regain the minority vote. For the next four years, they will continue labeling Republicans as racists until they achieve victory.

The Second Deadlist Virus

Gene Hackman died of heart disease, about one week after wife died of hantavirus: investigators

https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/gene-hackman-betsy-arakawa-deaths-investigators-provide-update

BREAKING: Supreme Court rules Trump must resume foreign aid

Sign My Petition To Pardon Derek Chauvin

The death of George Floyd had many contributing factors, including a possibly fatal level of drugs in his system, a COVID-19 infection, heart disease, and poor health from a life of drug abuse.

A conviction of unintentional manslaughter might make sense. The murder conviction is most definitely unjust.

The trial turned into a media circus along with mass protests threatening and committing violence.

Some would argue that the police should have cared for Goerge Floyd, but they called for an ambulance, which took too long to arrive.

There is no evidence that Derek Chauvin intended to hurt George Floyd. He was just trying to do his job. It is possible that he did his job badly and contributed to the death of George Floyd, but even that is not clear.

Barron "Octavian" Trump

https://www.youtube.com/live/AB7w7IBIXz8?t=12165s

Elon Musk is now EXPOSING George Soros

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ya5rsDK_r-A&t=105s

Should We Defund Academia?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htb_n7ok9AU

We need to talk about the GERMAN ELECTION!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLtdQbkxvks&t=836s

@john2001plus
12 minutes ago (edited)
13:57 This is factually incorrect. Hitler supported the German Revolution of 1918–1919. Later, when he attended a meeting of the German Workers' Party for the first time, the official topic was why free-market capitalism should be abandoned. Hitler was so impressed with the group that he left the army and eventually became its leader. The party was later renamed the National Socialist German Workers' Party. 

This group saw itself as a nationalist socialist alternative to international socialism, which had gained a foothold in Germany. Hitler was not opposed to socialism, but he was a nationalist who opposed foreign political influence. 

In the United States, the political left initially supported fascism and Mussolini until America entered the war. After World War II, they created the narrative that fascism was far-right and have promoted this lie ever since. However, the right generally opposes government control and authoritarianism. The motto of the Italian Fascists was, "Everything for the state, nothing outside the state." The Nazis held a similar stance, asserting that private companies must serve the goals of the state or be taken over by it.

The NSA’s Secret S** CHATS?!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8M9mBO3d0eo

Germany’s Election Results Explained

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PrMHoku-G0&t=428s

The conservative Christian party came in first, while the socialist party took second place, alongside several other left-wing parties. The video predicts that the two leading parties will form a coalition government with only a slim majority.

The right-wing, anti-immigration party Alternative for Germany (AfD) doubled its results, but the video suggests that no other party wants to form a coalition with them, as they are considered too extreme.

This seems to reflect the global shift toward the right in politics. Given how traditionally left-wing Germany has been, this development is particularly interesting.

Trump found the Stacey Abrams SLUSH FUND!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bV4XTZUr32k&t=83s

China & India Drop BAD NEWS on Russia over Ukraine War

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7CSmt-mdkY

Re: CO2 removal and farming

If I had a choice to spend money and resources to take CO2 out of the air, or not, I would prefer to leave the CO2 in the air.  It is a valuable resource.  It is plant food.  It is part of the food chain.  Nature has ways of taking CO2 out of the atmosphere.   

The CO2 level has been declining for a hundred million years, reaching dangerously low levels before we got involved.

There is a much bigger problem to worry about. We have been in the Pleistocene ice age for the last 2.6 million years. We should be in the cool-down portion of the Malankovich Cycles, which will lead to the next period of mass glaciation. It is thousands of years away, but it is a bigger issue than short-term warming that will last just a century or so.

I like a joke I heard:  How far are we from Nuclear Fusion?  About 93 million miles.  Maybe we are looking for it in the wrong place, and just need better ways to collect solar energy.

On Sun, Feb 23, 2025 at 1:05 PM Larry wrote:

This whole article was an Interesting read....

https://gizmodo.com/new-technique-turns-ordinary-rocks-into-carbon-capturing-machines-2000566723

I couldn't believe it when I saw this on the road!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iu_gWqbeEm8

@TheologyUnleashed

21 hours ago
The truck in the image is transporting a massive wind turbine nacelle. The nacelle is the housing that contains essential components of a wind turbine, such as the generator, gearbox, and control systems. These nacelles are incredibly large and heavy, requiring specialized trucks for transport. The size of the nacelle in the image suggests it is part of a modern, large-scale wind turbine used in wind farms. The transport is likely part of the logistics involved in moving components to a wind farm installation site.

Wow: Sow the Wind, Reap the Whirlwind

The Greenhouse effect is bigger than you think - so don't worry about it too much