In The NEWS

Sports, Entertainment, & Culture
> The 2024 PGA Tour Championship begins today from East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta for the FedEx Cup title and $25M winner's bonus (More)

> Disney India and Mumbai-based conglomerate Reliance's $8.5B merger to go forward after India's antitrust commission approves deal (More)

> "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" kicks off the 81st Venice Film Festival; see full list of the competition's films (More) | Comedian Nikki Glaser tapped to host 2025 Golden Globe Awards (More)


Science & Technology
> Google to allow some users of its Gemini AI platform to resume generating images of people; move comes six months after the feature was pulled due to ahistorical and racially inaccurate depictions (More) | How generative AI works (More, w/video)

> Molecular mechanism behind multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases discovered; study identifies a specific protein that triggers regulatory T cells, which dampen the immune system (More)

> Male fruit flies become oblivious to threats during attempts to mate, new study suggests; research finds the chemical dopamine plays a key role in silencing risk-reward signals (More)


Business & Markets
> US stock markets close lower (S&P 500 -0.6%, Dow -0.4%, Nasdaq -1.1%) (More) | Nvidia beats Wall Street estimates, reports 122% year-over-year Q2 revenue growth (More) | OpenAI reportedly in talks to raise funding, potentially valuing it at over $100B (More)

> Telegram founder Pavel Durov charged with crimes in France over illegal activity on app (More) | Two Sigma cofounders to step down as co-CEOs from the $60B hedge fund in bid to resolve long-running feud (More) | Read about their feud (More)

> Super Micro Computer shares close down 19% after company delays annual report filing; comes a day after short-seller Hindenburg Research accuses Super Micro of accounting manipulation (More) | See accusations (More)


Politics & World Affairs
> FBI report finds shooter at Trump rally had researched campaign schedules of both former President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden, saw Pennsylvania rally as target of opportunity (More)

> Supreme Court maintains temporary injunction on President Biden's $400B student loan forgiveness plan; 8 million people currently enrolled in the plan, known as SAVE, announced last fall (More)

> Houthis agree to allow tugboats to reach Greek oil tanker carrying 1 million barrels of crude oil ablaze in the Red Sea; US Defense Department says the tanker—attacked by Houthi rebels over the weekend—is likely leaking oil (More)

SOURCE:  1440  NEWS

Looking BACK and Forwards

 

I have, for the most part enjoyed my 76 years of life.

Of course, I could not wait until I was out of high school and could finally be on my own and start making horrible decisions...  that I could only blame on myself...  but, looking back told myself that this was part of the learning process.

From dropping out of college, getting married, and enlisting in the military were some of my bad decisions, all made before I was 22 years old.

My work career was not much better and mainly I have again, only myself to blame.  I had the personality that worked against me in a couple of ways.  First, I would not kiss anyone's ass and Second, I, for the most part, had a better way of doing things than my supervisor...  who typically was someone's relative and did not know his ass from a hole in the ground.     

However, because of the military, the GI Bill paid for my BA and MBA degrees, so NO STUDENT DEBT.  And, because I listened to my parents about saving money, I was able to, over my 45-year working career, save enough money to supplement my social security income.

I never worked at one place long enough to create a pension program which is unfortunate and another bad decision.

In 2015, my wife and I retired, 67 and 62, and we have been living our lives retired, for the most part, just like we lived our lives while we were working.  We don't buy as many clothes as we used to buy but everything else is pretty much the same.

We are careful how we spend our money, and we are also diligent in doing our financial homework and are investing the money we saved which in essence replaces a pension program.  Last year, we downsized our house and yard, making sure that we now live only one level, so no steps to climb.

For the past 30 years that we have been together, my wife and I have exercised regularly, that is to say about 60-90 minutes 7 days week.  We have also eaten healthy, stopped smoking, and stopped drinking alcohol.  We very, very seldom eat any red meat other than a pizza four times a year and maybe a bar-b-que sandwich.

At our age, 76 and 71 (almost 77 and 72) we are not without our ailments.  My wife and I have cancer, arthritis, lower back issues, hip and shoulder problems.  She has hip issues while I have shoulder issues.  Needless to say, it has limited our mobility but has not stopped us.

We are disappointed with politics in this country, and are concerned about foreign countries that want to destroy us, but we feel relatively safe in our area of East TN...  unlike some areas of the country that are loaded down with daily crime and violence issues.

However, politics does not influence our lifestyle nor our quality of life.  We basically do the same that we always have done except travel overseas...  we are fortunate to have gotten our European, Caribbean, Hawaiian, and Alaskan trips out of the way before COVID hit.  All total we took about 10-12 cruises on Royal Caribbean which we just loved.

No doubt, we will both live at least another decade maybe longer, so retirement will span two decades which we consider ourselves to be fortunate.

We will never buy a HYBRID vehicle nor will be buy an ELECTRIC vehicle no matter how much the government pushes us to do so.  Regardless of our desire to GO GREEN, gasoline will always be around since it is such an integral part of our economy.

I trust you will experience the same type of retirement life that we have experienced so far. 

Somewhat Political

 

Existence of New Bosons

Professors Andreas Crivellin of the University of Zurich and Bruce Mellado of the University of the Witwatersrand and iThemba LABS in South Africa have documented deviations in the way particles interact. These deviations are inconsistent in comparison to the way they are expected to break up, and point to the existence of new bosons.

Among these deviations are the multi-lepton anomalies.

"From the multi-lepton anomalies one can predict the existence of a new Higgs-like boson, somewhat heavier than the one discovered in 2012. This one would be produced because of the decay of an even heavier boson," says Mellado. Their observations were published in Nature Reviews Physics.

Researchers in the field of particle physics study the make-up of fundamental particles such as protons and neutrons and leptons, to establish what matter the universe is made of, and how forces work in nature.        READ MORE...

Three Dog Night "Never Been To Spain" on The David Frost Show

Is Communism BAD???

 

Well...  that all depends...

If one looks at Russia or Chinese communism, one might easily conclude that communism is bad.

However...

The USA has the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights that Russia and China do not have.

Plus...

The USA is firmly entrenched in Capitalism, and it is highly unlikely that the government will ever OWN all US Business and Corporations.

THEREFORE...

it is entirely possible that the USA could de-evolve into communism as long as Capitalism is willing to FINANCE the transition.

AND...

it does appear, based upon recent events that Capitalism is willing to fund a USA version of Communism.

SO...

what would a USA version of Communism look like?

Actually, that is a good question because since there has never been a USA version of Communism, no one really knows for sure.

It might look something like this...

• FREE Universal Government controlled: HEALTHCARE
• EDUCATION
• TECHNOLOGY
• JUDICIAL SYSTEM
• FINANCIAL
• LAW ENFORCEMENT
• SOCIAL SECURITY
• TRANSPORTATION
• COMMUNICATIONS
• ELECTIONS
• WAGE AND SALARIES
• PARKS AND RECREATION

Now, on the surface, this does not look like such a bad deal for Americans.

There is one big problem.

Our government is neither EFFECTIVE or EFFICIENT which mean there will be a lot of wasted time, money, and people.

PERSONALLY...

communism would really benefit my wife and I since we are retired from a financial point of view but from a medical or healthcare point of view, our medical conditions need to be addressed in a timely manner like they are now...  if and when the government steps in, it will probably take us 3-4 times longer to get the treatment we need NOW.  That delay could kill us prematurely.

Communism is not concerned about the deaths of one or two people as long as the WHOLE is being looked after.

The other big issue with communism is who is going to pay for it.

If capitalism pays, then we are home free. but if taxes have to pay for it, then the government will need to print money which will devalue the dollar.  Once the dollar is devalued, then Americans goods and services are worth less around the world.

Communism has unintended consequences that may not manifest themselves for several years. 

Opinion Change - End Results the Same

 

Due to recent events and personal reflections, I NO LONGER THINK DONALD TRUMP WOULD MAKE A GOOD PRESIDENT...

HOWEVER...  and there is always a caveat...

Donald Trump is the ONLY CANDIDATE running that has what it takes to stand up to our ENEMIES.

Kamala Harris is an EXTREME LIBERAL and maybe that is exactly what our country needs right now, if it were not for our enemies.

We are a country of immigrants and whether more immigrants would make us stronger or weaker is not the point, the point is that immigration is who were are and have always been.

To say that illegals have broken the law to get into this country is no different that realizing that MOST AMERICANS break our laws on a daily basis.

We are a country of law breakers and LIARS.

• Politicians lie to us
• Parents lie to us
• Companys lies to us
• Military lies to us
• Siblings lie to us
• Neighbors lies to us
• Spouses lie to us
• Children lie to us
• law enforcement lies to us
• married couples keep secrets

Law Breakers

• Few people follow the traffic laws
• Few people tell the truth on their income taxes
• Most people steal from work
• Most people don't work as hard as they could

Consequently, illegal immigrants fit in perfectly with the rest of us AMERICANS.

The problem is not illegals, it is our ENEMIES.

Many middle eastern countries CHANT:

DEATH TO AMERICA

China wants to rule over us ECONOMICALLY and MILITARILY...  and they are moving into the future with that goal in mind.

We, as Americans, do not take that threat seriously.  We, as Americans, are more concerned with RUSSIA.

That's a JOKE...

Russia cannot defeat Ukraine.

Why are we worried about them?

Instead, we should be worried about:

• China
• Iran
• North Korea

IN MY HUMBLE OPINION, I CANNOT IMAGINE KAMALA HARRIS IS UP TO THE TASK OF BACKING DOWN CHINA...

WE NEED A STRONGER PERSON IN COMMAND...

DONALD TRUMP IS STRONGER.

French Artist

JR is a French street artist and photographer, who is best known for his large black and white photographs flyposted in public places. His art comes from activism. While in his works he focuses on local and concrete issues, he always has a wider universal picture in mind, a strong (and idealistic) belief in the good of humanity. Among JR’s most important projects we find: Face 2 Face, in which he pasted on the West Bank barrier portraits of Palestine people next to Isreali people to fight against prejudices; Inside Out Project, which inspired people all around the world to use photographic portraits to narrate untold stories of their communities; and Women are Heroes, in which he highlighted the strength and resilience of women in the places with the highest rates of social distress.

JR, Inside Out NYC, May 2013

 

PROJECT 2025: Who Do You Believe?

Project 2025 is a historic movement, brought together by over 100 respected organizations from across the conservative movement, to take down the Deep State and return the government to the people. Its Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise, published in April 2023, is a product of more than 400 scholars and policy experts from around the country. The book offers a menu of policy suggestions to meet our country’s deepest challenges and put America back on track, including:

1. Secure the border, finish building the wall, and deport illegal aliens
2. De-weaponize the Federal Government by increasing accountability and oversight of the FBI and DOJ
3. Unleash American energy production to reduce energy prices
4. Cut the growth of government spending to reduce inflation
5. Make federal bureaucrats more accountable to the democratically elected President and Congress
6. Improve education by moving control and funding of education from DC bureaucrats directly to parents and state and local governments
7. Ban biological males from competing in women's sports

My neighbor told me to look this up because he had been told that it was an Evangelica group that wanted to force a literal interpretation of the BIBLE into the government and that this same group wanted to eliminate Veterans Benefits and Social Security among several other things.

I don't know where he got his information unless it was from the DEMOCRATS trying to push disinformation or misinformation about the group.

Project 2025 is supported in part by THE HERITAGE FOUNDATION who has made contributions to some of these radical religious groups but just because they did that, does not mean that they are trying to push what the DEMOCRACTS are trying to claim that they are pushing.

GET YOUR FACTS RIGHT PEOPLE...

First of all, the CONGRESS WOULD NOT let any political group REMOVE social security or VA benefits.

And it is absolutely childish, immature, and stupid to think otherwise.

AND SECONDLY, the US Constitution strictly PROHIBITS the marriage of Church and State because of how the church influenced UK's King.

Third...  and perhaps the most important aspect of this whole LIE is the fact that RELIGIOUS BELIEFS are DYING in the USA, not getting stronger.  This is especially true with the government admitting the existence of UFOs and the possibilities of EXTRATERRESTRIALS.

Have All Americans, except for Democrats, suddenly become STUPID or what?

Bud LIGHT

 

Policies

 

Real

 

Chevy

 

In The NEWS

Sports, Entertainment, & Culture
> Travis and Jason Kelce sign three-year deal with Amazon's Wondery worth a reported $100M for exclusive distribution rights to their "New Heights" podcast (More)

> Leonard Riggio, who was chairman of Barnes & Noble bookstore for nearly 50 years, dies at age 83 of Alzheimer's disease (More) | Alzheimer's explained (More, watch)

> NASCAR to host Cup Series race in Mexico City in 2025, its first-ever points-paying event outside the US (More) | What is a points-paying race? (More) | NFL owners approve plan to allow up to 10% private equity ownership per franchise (More)


Science & Technology
> Security researchers say Chinese government-backed hackers targeted US internet service providers in recent months; analysts say goal was to use hack as an entry point to access corporate networks (More)

> New AI-powered model predicts whether a person's brain is aging at a faster rate than their chronological age; platform analyzes how well different brain regions communicate with each other (More)

> Event Horizon Telescope makes highest-ever resolution detection of black hole details made from Earth; advance offers a 50% increase in detail of the objects and their surrounding region (More) | Black holes explained (More, watch)


Business & Markets
> US stock markets close higher (S&P 500 +0.2%, Dow +0.0%, Nasdaq +0.2%) (More) | Nvidia earnings report today expected to show triple-digit revenue growth for fourth straight quarter amid AI boom (More)

> Home prices reach record high in June, up 5.4% year-over-year per S&P Case-Shiller Index; New York, San Diego, and Las Vegas see highest jumps (More)

> Lyft tests rider verification program in nine US cities after announcing pet-friendly rides earlier in the week, following similar Uber initiatives (More)


Politics & World Affairs
> Special counsel Jack Smith files revised indictment accusing former President Donald Trump of 2020 election subversion; indictment includes same four counts but limits scope of evidence per last month's Supreme Court decision (More) | See previous write-up (More) | Trump adds ex-Democrats Tulsi Gabbard and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to transition team (More)

> Israel rescues 52-year-old hostage from Gaza's underground tunnel, the eighth hostage to be rescued in a military operation since the 11-month war began; Israel says 108 hostages remain in Gaza, with 40 dead (More) | See war updates (More)

> Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg writes in letter to House Judiciary Committee the Biden administration pressured Meta to remove content related to COVID-19 in 2021; also said the company temporarily demoted content related to Hunter Biden's laptop in 2020 while fact-checkers investigated the story (More)

SOURCE:  1440 NEWS

Legacies

 

What is a legacy?

It is something that we leave behind to our spouse and children when we die.

The typical legacy is a life insurance policy, a house, and some personal property.

Those who are wealthy want to leave behind much more.  They want a building, or a town named after them.  Some will settle for a bridge or a river.

Oddly enough, two generations after someone's death, the legacy they left behind is all but forgotten, which leaves me wondering why they wanted to leave that kind of legacy in the first place.

US Presidents like to leave behind ACCOMPLISHMENTS.

What will Biden be remembered for?

Illegal Immigration and Inflation

What will Trump be remembered for?

Impeachment & an outstanding economy

What will Obama be remembered for?

First black president...  (maybe)

What will Clinton be remembered for?

Oral sex in the oval office

What will Bush be remembered for?

The 9/11 attack

What will be your legacy?

As our economy worsens, it is doubtful that the common individual or couple will be able to leave behind too much of anything.

I know from reading history books, that our ancestors expected their children to be better off financially than they were.  That worked for several generations and then children found themselves in positions where they were living no better than their parents and some were worse off.

Not much of a legacy there...

Somewhat Political

 

Plasma Instabilities Observed

Whether between galaxies or within doughnut-shaped fusion devices known as tokamaks, the electrically charged fourth state of matter known as plasma regularly encounters powerful magnetic fields, changing shape and sloshing in space. 

Now, a new measurement technique using protons, subatomic particles that form the nuclei of atoms, has captured details of this sloshing for the first time, potentially providing insight into the formation of enormous plasma jets that stretch between the stars.

Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) created detailed pictures of a magnetic field bending outward because of the pressure created by expanding plasma. 

As the plasma pushed on the magnetic field, bubbling and frothing known as magneto-Rayleigh Taylor instabilities arose at the boundaries, creating structures resembling columns and mushrooms.          READ MORE...

Joe Walsh - Life's Been Good (Live Spoken Word Version)

Once Upon a Time

 This photo was taken in the summer of 1972 when I was twenty-five years of age.  I had just gotten an honorable discharge from the US Navy.  I was stationed at the Naval Base in Norfolk, VA and Admiral Zumwalt was CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS (CNO).

I owned a 1967 Plymouth Barracuda convertible, living in the Piedmont of North Carolina, was married and had a 6-month-old daughter.  I was working full time and was getting ready to return to college in the fall, where I attended as a full-time student while continuing to work full-time.  

Being full-time in both these areas was difficult but I managed.  My family and I pretty much lived paycheck to paycheck, did not feel disadvantaged even though we did not generate much revenue with both of us working.

I went to classes in the mornings, worked 8 hours as soon as I arrived at work, and then went home and studied or did homework for several hours.  I went to three classes on M-W-F and two classes on T-TH and got to work by noon.  Home by 8:30 pm and studied until midnight.  I always worked a half day on Saturdays.

Life was simple but good and oftentimes rewarding especially because I was in a position to watch my daughter grow rather than always be on a business trip like my father was when I was growing up.  In the summertime, we always had a vegetable garden of corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, zucchini, carrots, potatoes, bell peppers, lettuce, cabbage, and melons.

We were no different than our neighbors...  it was just what everyone did back then.

There were no racial tensions back then, at least where I lived, no worries about drunk drivers, crime and violence, and no problems with migrants who worked in the fields around us.  

• Gas was cheap.
• Food was cheap.
• Clothes were cheap.
• Car maintenance was reasonable.
• Medical issues were non-existent.
• Neighbors helped each other.

WHY DID LIFE HAVE TO CHANGE???

Neighbors

 

Last year, my wife and I downsized our house and yard...  we are now living on one level...

We moved around the corner from where we were living...  so, we are in the same community.

Our neighbors on either side of us and across the street are all retired and while we are not all the same age, we are in our late 60s to mid 70s.  All of us are veterans but not all of us have college degrees and yet, we all pretty much have the same amount of retirement income based upon the way we are living, even though none of our finances have been shared with each other.

We all have medical conditions, some worse than others, but those conditions seem to be the topic of discussion, every time we find ourselves outside at the same time and join together in discussion.

While we talk a little politics, we realize that there is not a damn thing that we can do about what concerns us and we all know that regardless of what happens in Washington DC, our quality of life WILL NOT CHANGE even though we may have to pay a little more for that quality.

We look back on our lives and only seems to talk about the good times, never the bad times, unless they are CURRENT.  The past is always positive.

What have we really learned from our relatively long life so far?

Well, I suppose not much but on the other side of the coin, I suppose a great deal.

First - we are all still alive

Second - we are all retired (with stories)

Third - we all have children and grandchildren

Fourth - we all own our homes and have no debt

Fifth - we all have gratitude for what we have

Sixth - we all have learned patience and tolerance

Seventh - we all have friends

Eighth - we all have pets

Ninth - we all hope for the best but expect the worst

Tenth - we all have contingency plans

Eleventh - we all don't take ourselves too seriously

Twelfth - we all go out for lunch or dinner often

Thirtieth - we all go on multiple vacations

Fourteenth - we all keep ourselves busy