Random Notes from a Crank

In not surprising news, a pro-Israel lobby has been schmoozing people in Congress on both sides of the aisle: "AIPAC Affiliate Has Funded Lavish Trips to Israel for Dozens of Congress Members." 

There are reasons why so many people in power don't criticize the treatment of Palestinians and the need for a Palestinian state. 

One of those reasons is that some think if they criticize Israel that they'll be labeled as anti-semitic.  

But, also, follow the money. 

So many corrupt officials. And so many more since President Adolf has been at the helm. 

At least some people in Congress and the courts upended the corrupt plan of the current administration to create a slush fund for idiots who claim the Biden administration targeted them, such as the traitors who stormed the Capitol building on January 6th. 

However, apparently the settlement will protect the Putin's Pet, President Adolf's family, and Sleepy Don's businesses from I.R.S. investigations, which is total nonsense. 

More goings on here in Dumbfuckistan. 

Lalo Alcaraz sums up our situation well. 

from GoComics 5-26-26

Random Notes from a Crank

The esteemed James Fallows has an interesting article in The Atlantic: "Reinventing America." It's a synopsis of he and his wife's journeys around the US to see what's really going on in lesser-known communities and how there are some real positive outcomes in these smaller and medium-sized communities. 

The article has me intrigued about he an his wife's book. 

If one ever wants to hire a good lawyer, I'd have to suggest Michael Avenatti. That dude is relentless. 

This guy in now following him on Twitter. 

I never thought I'd be praising the former head of Exxon, but in times like these, crap like this happens. Rex Tillerson gave the commencement speech at VMI, and while he didn't name Moscow Don directly, it's clear that Tillerson is troubled by the White House's lies and bullshit and corruption. Read "Rex Tillerson Says 'Alternative Realities' Are a Threat to Democracy." 

Here are a few statements that are noteworthy: 

• "If our leaders seek to conceal the truth or we as people become accepting of alternative realities that are no longer grounded in facts, then we as American citizens are on a pathway to relinquishing our freedom."
• "If we do not as Americans confront the crisis of ethics and integrity in our society and among our leaders in both public and private sector ~ and regrettably at times even the nonprofit sect ~ then American democracy as we know it is entering its twilight years." 
• "Without personal honor, there is no leadership."

Random Notes from a Crank

My paranoia about electronic voting machines appears to be well founded. As the article "Homeland Security Offical: Russian Government Actors Tried to Hack Election Systems in 21 States" relates, an FBI counterintelligence official said that "Russia’s goal was to 'sow discord' in the United States and to 'denigrate' Clinton and help Trump." 

As I've said before, I talk about the 45th president as "MoscowDon." So should many other people. 

I just worry about anyone, let alone Russian hackers, being able to screw around with electronic voting machines and alter election results. I want to go back to old fashioned ballots. 

Men's Health magazine provides advice in "11 Things Men Shouldn't Wear This Summer." I'm good with all of those recommendations except for one. I wear cargo shorts on a regular basis. 

The guy who founded Cook's Illustrated has left the magazine and started his own cooking mag. It's called Christopher Kimball's Milk Street magazine. I signed up for the charter issue. It's free.