Owns America

 

I am Not a Football Fan

 When I was growing up in Alexandria, VA, my father, who played football in college, was a HUGE football fan...  and whenever he was home and there a football game on, we would have the game on the television.  The whole family would watch, none of us ever thinking whether or not we wanted to or not, we just watched.

As I got older, I signed up for football and was put in the position of a defensive linebacker.  My dad's position was fullback.  I cannot remember if I tried to be a fullback or not, but really enjoyed playing a defensive linebacker because we could use our hands.

I did not play football in college and gradually over the years lost interest in watching football.  However, during my first marriage whenever with visited my ex-wife's parents or my parents over the holidays, we would watch football.  Whenever they came over to our house, we would watch football.

After 23 years, I divorced my first wife and it was then (more or less) that I stopped watching football.  My second wife like watching football but only wanted to watch the championship games for some reason.  I would watch with her out of politeness.

I am not sure why I don't like football especially since I played football...  but, it is what it is.

There are lots of people (obviously) who like watching football and I am fine with that as long as you do not expect me to watch with you.

Goodbye Jimmy Buffett

James William Buffett (December 25, 1946 – September 1, 2023) was an American singer-songwriter,[10] musician, author, and businessman. He was best known for his music, which often portrays an "island escapism" lifestyle. Together with his Coral Reefer Band, Buffett recorded hit songs including "Margaritaville" (ranked 234th on the Recording Industry Association of America's list of "Songs of the Century") and "Come Monday". He has a devoted base of fans known as "Parrotheads".

Aside from his career in music, Buffett was also a bestselling author and was involved in two restaurant chains named after two of his best-known songs; he owned the Margaritaville Cafe restaurant chain and co-developed the now defunct Cheeseburger in Paradise restaurant chain. Buffett was one of the world's richest musicians, with a net worth of $1 billion as of 2023.

Piper and I

I live in an apartment in Florence, Kentucky circa 2011/2012 where I worked for a proprietary college just across the river from Cincinatti, Ohio.

My apartment was more like a condo with two bedrooms, two baths, a foyer, a living room, dining room, kitchen, office, and balcony.  There was an HOA but the fees were not all that much as a recall.

I came home on the weekends (about a 4 hour drive) and we planned to rent out the condo or sell it if the job did not work out.  The job did not work out and I left after a year.  We rented the condo for about 3 years before selling it at a profit.

With I was there, we decided to get a pet for me and since a dog was too much maintenance, we decided on a cat.  We found a Siamese cat for sale for $100 that was pure-bred but it cost $500 to get those papers, which we declined.

I named the cat Piper but the cat had not been socialized, so for several weeks, the cat would hide from me.  I had a food bowl and water bowl, and a liter box.  He ate the food and drank the water and used the box but would not show himself.  At night I would feel him walking on my back.

He eventually came out and we became the best of friends.  He did not like me being away during the day but when I returned, he sat with me on couch for the rest of the night and then slept with me in the bed.

When I moved back down to our home in East TN, he easily became friends with the other cats since the other two had visited me every other weekend.  He never got close to my wife even though, she gave all three cats treats twice a day.  Piper would lay in her lap until I appeared then he wanted to just be with me.

A couple of years ago, a mast cell cancer was removed from his tail but the surgeon said that she did not get it all and it could come back.  So far it has not returned to his tail, although he could have metastasized to other parts of his body.  All three of our cats are over 10 years old and cats don't usually live longer than 15 years or so...  there are always exceptions.

A pure Siamese has totally black paws on the bottom with not splotches which Piper has.  The Vet spotted this right away.  Siamese cats are very vocal and this one is no exception.  Piper hurt his eye outside a while back and lost it but that does not slow him down any.

Right now, Piper is laying against my leg as I sit on the couch.  Tippy a yellow cat is on the top of the seat of that same couch and Chazy another yellow cat is sleeping at the same location on another couch.  My wife is outside in the sunroom but these cats prefer inside with the AC like me.

Piper is the second animal that has ever gotten close to me.  The first was a dachshund when I was a child.  One might say, animals are my weakness.

 

It's Just a Matter of Time

Most of the time and when we think about it which is not too often, we notice that time has moved through our lives quicker than we had anticipated. Although, few of us, if any, actually thinks about or anticipates how quickly or slowly time will move by...  until we get old and see that there is not much time left in our lives.

More than likely this will never happen to anyway unless one of two things happen.  First, we have a near death experience.  Second, we decide to retire.  The near-death experience can be a diagnosis of a life-threatening disease, like cancer or a heart attack.

Most of the time, this reflection usually comes when we retire or are about to retire.  For some of us, it is difficult to stop working as that is all we have known.  Or, it is difficult because we have no idea what we are going to do when we retire.

For my wife and I, when we retired, we traveled as if we were going to die tomorrow, going somewhere every other month.  COVID slowed us down dramatically but after five years, we were burned out anyway.  COVID became a good excuse for us.

When life is not as good as expected or it could be, we tell ourselves that it's just a matter of time before everything changes again.  And, that certainty helps us keep a positive attitude.

The one certainty in life is the consistency of life changing.  It is not routine in the way it changes but it always changes.  Sometimes the change is for the good and sometimes bad.  However, whatever happens, it will happen again and go off in a different direction.

And, it is just a matter of time, before today's youth come to realize what I am talking about.  It is never too late to have that realization and having that realization will happen.

Somewhat Political

 

Opposing Viewpoints

When I was in college from 1966 through 1974, I was an all out card carrying LIBERAL...  I was a hippie with long hair and bell bottom jeans and I was ignored and alienated because I did not look like the other college students at that North Carolina College. 

HOWEVER, I wanted and demanded to hear opposite points of view about what I believed it.  It was important for me to hear both sides of an argument so that I could make up my mind.

Both my parents were Democrats and raised me as a Democrat although neither of them were as liberal as I was, so we conflicted with our points of view even on many, if not all, liberal issues.

Today, my liberal views would probably fall into the category of a Progressive Democrat although at the time there were no such concept as Progressive Democrats.

My parents were more than willing to pay higher taxes so that the government could give more social programs to those not as well off financially as we were...  however, we were not that financially well off as there were many who lived better than we did and more money than we did...  so, I never understood why my parents felt that way.

Once I left college, I found that those who managed businesses DID NOT WANT TO LISTEN TO OPPOSING POINTS OF VIEW...  it was quite a shock to my mental faculties to be confronted with such nonsense and illogical thinking.  I found myself in hot water all the time because I was fond of expressing my points of view.

When I went to graduate school to earn an MBA, my political thinking changed from that of a liberal to that of a conservative...  although I still held onto some of my liberal views...  I was against the second amendment (and war for that matter) and I felt that our Federal Government had no right telling us what we could or could not do with or to our bodies.

Being a liberal conservative was not healthy either in the business world as they were mostly straight conservatives...  AND, I still found my opposing opinions to be unwelcomed by management.

It was odd for me when I became management and had to listen to opposing views, especially since I was on top of everything and thought my opinion should rule.  I did not like being management because I was always defending, explaining, and pushing for my points of view to be accepted.

Management is nothing but a bunch of EGOS fighting each other for power and control.  There were some friendships and alliances but mainly enemies who wanted to take control away from me.

Once I got control of my ego, I left being management and vowed never to return.  It was not worth the emotional expense of remaining in charge.  Let the fools have their ship, I said to myself.

Since then, I have come to realize that the business world is all about power and control.  But, if you have wealth, then no one can take the power and control away from you unless they are wealthier.

Artist at Work

 

Robots Doing House Chores

Imagine the biggest market for a physical product you can. Are you thinking of mobile phones? Cars? Property?


They are all chunky markets but in the coming decades a new product will be rolled out that will dwarf those giants, says Geordie Rose, the chief executive of Sanctuary AI.


The Vancouver-based firm is developing a humanoid robot called Phoenix which, when complete, will understand what we want, understand the way the world works and have the skills to carry out our commands.


"The long term total addressable market is the biggest one that's ever existed in the history of business and technology - which is the labour market. It's all of the things we want done," he says.

Before we get too ahead of ourselves, he qualifies that statement: "There is a long way to go from where we are today."


Mr Rose is unwilling to put a time frame on when a robot might be in your house, doing your laundry or cleaning the bathroom. But others I have spoken to in the sector say it could be within ten years.


Dozens of other firms around the world are working on the technology.


In the UK, Dyson is investing in AI and robotics aimed at household chores.   READ MORE...

Inspiration

 

Term Limits and Age

One of the biggest problems that I have with elected officials, especially in Congress as well as in the Supreme Court is that there is no limitation of terms.

Officials in Congress can spend 40 years or more in Congress and when that happens, they tend to be more concerned with RE-ELECTIONS than with doing anything that is right for Americans...

I can say this with confidence because the same problems we had in the 1960s we will have today in 2023...  nothing has really changed...  WHY?

TERM LIMITS is what we need in Congress.

We can limit the terms to two terms or we can say that these elected officials can serve no more than 20 years.  This includes Congress as well as the Supreme Court Justices.

There is something to be said for TENURE and I agree but TENURE is less important than nothing changing...

• We still have racial issues
• We still have drug problems
• We still have wage issues
• We still have rising healthcare costs
• We still have declining education
• We still have rising crime
• We still have military issues

How can a 75 or 80 year old elected official, including the President or a Supreme Court Justice, know what is right or proper for someone in their 30s or 40s.  Life change.  Societies change.  People change.  Education changes.

While I am all for a Democracy, I am 75 years old and if a majority of the people, who are younger, want a different form of government, then they have the right to GO THERE...  even if and when us older folks think it is wrong.

When these older elected officials were young and enter Congress their age caused them to make mistakes but they learned.  Now it is time for the younger generation to make mistakes and learn.  We must learn to trust the learning process and accept what our leaders think is best for the country.

It will not be too much longer before it is theirs anyway.

TERM LIMITS AND AGE LIMITATIONS for members of Congress, the Supreme Court Justices, and the President.

THEORETICAL PHYSICS

Theoretical physicists invent and study theories. These theories are written in a mathematical language and use mathematical tools. 

For instance...

A theory to explain gravity is created.

Once that theory is created, they use math to explain why that happens.

So, when a apple falls from the apple tree, it hits the ground instead of floating around.

Why does it hit the ground?

There is some unseen force that pulls it down.

How is this unseen force created?

What created this unseen force?

Is this unseen force responsible for human being walking on the ground instead of floating around?

What mathematical models or formulae can I develop to help prove what I have theorized?

Einstein's theory of gravity was explained by using a blanket.  Four people are standing at each corner of the blanket pulling it as tight as possible but the strength they exert at each corner is equal.  When a ball is placed anywhere on the blanket, it does not move.

However, if the blanket is loosened at each corner equally, and a ball is placed anywhere on the blanket, it will roll to the center of the blanket every time.

This is an example of gravity and happens because the fabric of space (the blanket) is curved.

This curved fabric of space is responsible for the apple falling the ground when it drops from the tree.

Personally, I can understand the logic of the blanket but have no idea of the math needed to prove or explain the theory.

For Einstein, creative thinking and logic came first before the math.  And, while the math is important, the thinking and logic is critical.  If you know the math but do not have creative thinking or logical thinking, then your math from a theoretical standpoint is meaningless.

From my standpoint, the key here is the thinking...  not many people know how to creatively think even those who are mathematicians.  It is relatively easy to find a mathematicians, but not so for a THINKER.

I am Voting Conservative in 2024

For the first time in my voting life, I am voting conservative regardless of who is on the ticket...

It could be Trump or it could be DeSantis and it could be Haley...  Just like SHINGLES, I don't care...

WHY?...

Because:

1. I want to be energy independent again
2. I want to have a growing economy
3. I am not interested in going green
4. I want lower taxes
5. I want a small government
6. I want a strong global military presence
7. I want to close our southern borders and stop ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION
8. I want to stop the flow of drugs from China and Mexico in the US
9. I don't want to buy an EV or a Hybrid
10. I am not interested in BLM, CRT, or becoming WOKE
11. I am not interested in SOCIALISM
12. I am not interested in Government Handouts
13. I am not interested in SOCIALIZED MEDICINE
14. A divided America is a WEAK AMERICA

Ever since the Biden administration took office and because too much money was put into the economy, we have had INFLATION...  and while prices have come down a little, they are still higher than before.

Throughout the TRUMP administration, the Democrats, Liberals, Progressives, and the mainstream media have been trying to IMPEACH or put this man in JAIL.

This has been going on now for SIX YEARS...  and, I am sick and tired of it...  just like many other Americans.

The Biden administration has WEAPONIZED the DOJ and the FBI which, in my opinion, is not just unethical but not constitutional...  yet, NO ONE does anything about it.

A Republican President WILL DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

Finally, the House of Representatives have PROOF that Joe Biden has been peddling influence through his son Hunter, ever since he was VICE PRESIDENT...  To me, that is TREASON...  yet, nothing is being done about that and the mainstream media seems to have overlooked it...

THAT IS PLAIN WRONG...

If you think I am wrong, then vote the Democratic Ticket and re-elect Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, BUT DON'T BITCH if Biden leaves office for medical reasons and Kamala Harris becomes President.  Just being a VP does not make her qualified...

Look at the impact domestically then look at the impact internationally...  Do you think Kamala can stand up to Russia, China, North Korea, Iran, OPEC, BRICS, and Saudi Arabia???  ALL OF WHOM HATE AMERICANS WORSE THAN BLACKS HATE WHITE SUPREMACY...

Sick Cockatoo

 

Extending Human Longevity VIA the Longevity Gene

Researchers successfully transferred a longevity gene from naked mole rats to mice, leading to enhanced health and increased lifespan. Naked mole rats, noted for their resistance to age-related diseases, have a gene that produces high molecular weight hyaluronic acid (HMW-HA), which when introduced to mice, demonstrated potential anti-aging benefits.






The successful transfer of a gene that produces HMW-HA paves the way for improving the health and lifespan of humans, too.

In a groundbreaking endeavor, scientists at the University of Rochester have successfully transferred a longevity gene from naked mole rats to mice, leading to enhanced health and a longer lifespan for the mice.

Naked mole rats, known for their long lifespans and exceptional resistance to age-related diseases, have long captured the attention of the scientific community. By introducing a specific gene responsible for enhanced cellular repair and protection into mice, the Rochester researchers have opened exciting possibilities for unlocking the secrets of aging and extending human lifespan.

“Our study provides a proof of principle that unique longevity mechanisms that evolved in long-lived mammalian species can be exported to improve the lifespans of other mammals,” says Vera Gorbunova, the Doris Johns Cherry Professor of biology and medicine at Rochester.

Gorbunova, along with Andrei Seluanov, a professor of biology, and their colleagues, report in a study published in Nature that they successfully transferred a gene responsible for making high molecular weight hyaluronic acid (HMW-HA) from a naked mole rat to mice. This led to improved health and an approximate 4.4 percent increase in the median lifespan for the mice.

A unique mechanism for cancer resistance
Naked mole rats are mouse-sized rodents that have exceptional longevity for rodents of their size; they can live up to 41 years, nearly ten times as long as similar-sized rodents. Unlike many other species, naked mole rats do not often contract diseases—including neurodegeneration, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, and cancer—as they age. Gorbunova and Seluanov have devoted decades of research to understanding the unique mechanisms that naked mole rats use to protect themselves against aging and diseases.     READ MORE...

Dog in Mirror

 

Non Tenured College Teaching

For the last three years of my career, I taught business classes at a small university in East TN.  I only had a master's degree so I could not teach graduate classes, and my 42 years of experience in management did not make any difference to accrediting agencies.

I got paid full time and my 9 month contract was spread out over 12 months.  I got paid extra for teaching in summer school.  I was hired on a non-tenure basis which means I had no employment protection, nor did I have to spend time trying to get articles published.

The requirement at this university was to have 12 hours in the classroom each week and 6 hours in the office and be on at least one committee that took less than two hours of your time each week.  These committees met once a month.  

SO...  I worked only 20 hours each week and got paid for 40 hours...  but this was only because I was not on a tenure track.  That extra time would have been used to do research for publishing.

The university was less than 2 miles from where my wife and I were living at the time.  So, I could go home for lunch if I wanted to.

When I was doing my office hours very few students came to see me so I spent that time working on my lesson plans for the next class or grading papers.

At this particular school and in this particular business department, everyone put in their hours Monday through Thursday and Friday morning.  At 1pm, all faculty except for the Dean and secretary would leave for the weekend unless they had a committee meeting.

We had three weeks off for Christmas but had to put in our 20 hours during both the fall and spring breaks where students had no classes.  That was a small price to pay.

The stress level for a job like this was next to nothing...  and, during those three years, I was wishing I had made this transition earlier in my career, but it was an excellent way to END IT.

Chaplin

 

Brain Reading Devices Using Thoughts

A brain-computer interface translates the study participant’s brain signals into the speech and facial movements of an animated avatar. Credit: Noah Berger




Brain-reading implants enhanced using artificial intelligence (AI) have enabled two people with paralysis to communicate with unprecedented accuracy and speed.


In separate studies, both published on 23 August in Nature, two teams of researchers describe brain–computer interfaces (BCIs) that translate neural signals into text or words spoken by a synthetic voice. The BCIs can decode speech at 62 words per minute and 78 words per minute, respectively. 

Natural conversation happens at around 160 words per minute, but the new technologies are both faster than any previous attempts.

“It is now possible to imagine a future where we can restore fluid conversation to someone with paralysis, enabling them to freely say whatever they want to say with an accuracy high enough to be understood reliably,” said Francis Willett, a neuroscientist at Stanford University in California who co-authored one of the papers, in a press conference on 22 August.  READ MORE...

Cucumber