SundayMorningCoffee

Sunday Morning Coffee 27 June 2021

Welcome back to Sunday Morning Coffee a thoughts and opinion piece I've written for years.  The stories you've seen or, perhaps, missed all laced with my commentary. It's what I get to do. 

Dominion Voting Machines

The circus continues as the "My Pillow Guy", Mike Lindell and conspiracy theory lawyer Sidney Powell had their day in court last week. It's part of the one-billion dollar defamation suit brought against them and former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani  by Dominion Voting Systems. The three are accused of spreading tales that the machines were a design created by former Venezuelan  dictator Hugo Chavez and flipped votes from "45" to President Biden. That is was all a huge conspiracy. Rudy didn't go (He, no doubt, was licking his wounds for having his New York attorney license revoked.) but Lindell and Powell argued that what they said is true and the case should be tossed out.  

In November we'll celebrate the one year anniversary of the election of Joe Biden and we're still talking about this silliness?  Weary. (Photo: Chicago Tribune)

Oh, but wait!  I hear the Dickenson County GOP has as their headliner for a fund-raiser the one and only Sidney Powell.  Isn't that special?

"We have a deal!"

President Biden exited the White House with lawmakers last week to announce a deal had been struck for the trillion dollar infrastructure bill to pass the U.S. Senate. What happened on Wall Street?  The markets celebrated. Wait! I thought the rich folks would balk at the deal because it means higher taxes? Oh but there is, tucked into the language of the deal, an opportunity for private businesses to get a piece of the action and not buy building roads and bridges but by owning a bit of the action.  Folks on the left are worried this will mean if you want to cross the river you'll have to pay a toll to some venture capitalist group and not the state.  Stay tuned.

Mafia in Ohio

The former president, who speaks more like a mob boss, was in Ohio last night repeating his lies and taking swipes at everybody under the sun...but praising himself. It was the same old crap we have heard so many times in the past. We even got to hear chants of "Lock her up!" referring to Hillary Clinton. Really, is that all you've got? It was quite a show as "45" was in town to back a GOP congressional candidate in a Republican primary. The sitting congressman voted to impeach "45" so the mob boss comes out swinging. What a total disgrace to the presidency.  But, the good news? He may be returning to the campaign. Wouldn't it be great to beat his ass again?

Remember When?

It wasn't that long ago that the governor of Iowa, Kim Reynolds (R-IA) said the kids at the U.S. Mexico border were not something she was interested in. "It's not our problem.", said the governor and tool of the former president. But all of that changed last week as she seeks to score political points with the base she shares with "45".  She, "...at the request of Texas and Arizona" has sent state troopers to the border to "help with the situation there". What a joke but, hey we've got all kinds of cash in the bank because we're not spending any on education, health care, child care....you know the story.  My gosh people...this woman has got to go. (Photo: The Nation) 

Iowa, The Red State

Ruby red to be exact...if we are to believe the Iowa Poll that has been dribbling out results all week. It seems the majority of you love Sen. Jodi Ernst (R-IA). Well, if you are a man or somebody that lives in a rural part of the state. Why?  Not sure but guessing you guys think she is cute and the rest of you don't understand a thing about policy...or lack of it. Same can be said for the current governor. She gets high marks for making Iowa more like Alabama every day.  Isn't that...special?

Critical Race Theory

Gotta love white people...or maybe not so much. So many are getting their panties in a knot because black folks, and their allies, want to talk about the truth behind the Original Sin of America. So, they are running for school boards and packing school board meetings and passing laws (thank you Iowa!) to "defund education" in case somebody spills the beans. No matter the fact that no public school teaches CRT.  Meanwhile I had to explain to my granddaughter why there is a whole month devoted to Black American education and experience. I think she is starting to catch on. (Photo: New York Times)

Lack of Empathy

Last week my brother wrote me about this issue and I thought it was so profound.  The issue came up when we were discussion the theory that once somebody "get theirs" they then fail to care about others. The "I've Got Mine Syndrome". Check this...

When Noah came out of the ark, he opened his eyes and saw the whole world completely destroyed. Noah began crying for the world and said, “Master of the World! If you destroyed Your world because of human sins or human fools, then why did you create them? One or the other You should do: either do not create the human being, or do not destroy the world!…” 

The Blessed Holy One answered Noah, “Foolish shepherd! I lingered with you before the Flood and spoke to you at length so that you would ask mercy for the world! But as soon as you heard that you would be safe in the ark, the evil of the world did not touch your heart. You built the ark and saved yourself. Now that the world has been destroyed you open your mouth to utter questions and pleas.” Zohar (M’oray Ha’aish Parshat Noach)

 

Partly Personal

 

It was pretty amazing. I was last in front of my Mason City congregation in March of 2020. This past Sabbath I went back and it was rather emotional to be back in the synagogue. Services were special, new people came and our Midrash (Study Session) on Shabbat (Saturday) went much longer than usual. It was great to be back...

 

The that did take me out of circulation and I was not able to be home to great the newest member of the family..."Camper"!  Yes, a new puppy is here. She is a beauty and my Bride has plans to train her so she can take her...you guessed it...camping. Of course Yofi isn't too sure this is a good idea...but we think she will come around. We're becoming quite the multi-cultural family as this little Aussie will no doubt add to the experience.

 

Thanks for reading and have a great Sunday!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday Morning Coffee 20 June 2021

Welcome to Sunday Morning Coffee! Some politics with a bit of religion sprinkled in, just for fun. In addition today is Father's Day an event that pales when it comes to Mother's Day but...hey, we'll take what we can get.  Right?  Grab a cup and let's go!  And, thanks for reading...

Juneteenth

Well, that was fast! Yesterday was Juneteenth, which is now a federal holiday. They say the wheels of congress turn slowly but not in this case. Businesses and states didn't have much time to alter their schedules following the quick vote and signing. But, we'll take it. Now the work really begins. We must use this opportunity to teach about the racial history of our nation. Otherwise it's just another day to have a mattress sale.

Liberal Baptists?

Last week, in a closely watched election for president of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), two prominent far-right candidates lost to a more mainstream conservative named Ed Litton, blunting the momentum of a Tea Party-style group aiming to lurch the SBC in an even more right-wing direction.

For years the SBC has been a reliable lap dog for rightwing politicians while having to grapple with sexual abuse in some churches. But to think this election is a signal that Southern Baptists have had a change of heart and now will move in a more moderate direction is, in my view, a mistake. This group is firmly opposed to any progressive agenda be it racial, ethnic, workers rights, abortion...the list gets long...and they have been at it for a very long time.

You Can Vote...If You Are White

I'm not sure why the Republicans just don't come out and say it, "We'll allow you to vote if you are a white person." There...done. But they know that's just a bridge too far so they cling to the insane notion that voter suppression is really something called "voter integrity". In every Red State those two words are shouted as a mantra to make it harder to vote especially if you are a person of color. It's quite shameful because nobody is free until we are all free to vote. Politicians should make it easier, not harder but...when you have not a hint of policy agenda (other than obstruction) the worst thing is having people vote. 

Now What Joe?

Last week Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) laid out his objections to the voting rights bill passed by the House and offered some "amendments" that he said he could support. It didn't take a hour for Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) to step to the microphone and proclaim that GOP senators would not support the Manchin Proposal (or really any voting rights bill). The United States goes to war in other countries so that people there can vote (Remember Iraq and blue fingers?) but here elected officials are dead set against voting. The world is watching and figuring out that we are not the nation we say we are.  Meanwhile in West (By Gosh) Virginia well over 60% of the people there support voting rights.  Now what Joe? (Image: Denver Post) 

The U.S. Threat Is Not China...But Us.

There is a great article out today by former Secretary Robert Reich that speaks to the real threat we face...and that threat is complacency. He writes that post WWII the U.S. was lulled into a false sense of security and superiority. After all we won a world war. But then came the launch of Sputnik in 1957 and the United States, fearing that the Soviets would dominate, set off a host congressional funding bills dealing with money for infrastructure, education, scientific research and development. 

Once again America led the world in those areas and then came Japan innovation in technology and vehicles. Many in the U.S. saw this as a threat to our national security as Japan rolled out electronics and cars Americans wanted and bought. Japan...a nation that was in ruins just 30 years earlier made the decision to plow government money into...you guessed it...education, infrastructure, research and development. 

Today we are there once again. As politicians rail against China folks on Wall Street line their pockets funding investment in China while decrying investments in the United States as government overreach and more importantly having to actually pay taxes to fund infrastructure, education, research and development. And, once again...we are faced with a major threat but it comes from...us.

Want to read the article in The Guardian?  Here you go.

We Love You Joni!

The Iowa Poll was released this morning and Iowans are in love with Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA). Never mind that none of them can come up with any policy she has endorsed that would make their lives better.  The Iowa Poll says that "men and rural Iowan's" have boosted her standing since the last poll in March of this year. Isn't that nice?  Aw, shucks, us guys think you're cute and the rest of us..." This is what you get when you defund education me thinks.

Bye Chuck!

The same Iowa Poll tells us that only a third of Iowa voters would like to retain Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA) the 87 year old senior senator from the Hawkeye State. Back in the day Chuck was sort of the GOP answer to President Harry Truman. A rural, no-nonsense politician that fought against waste and corruption while playing off his "Aw, shucks" persona. In recent years Senator Grassley has become a hanger-on when it comes to anything the former president says or does. But my guess isn't politics that is taking down the Grassley Appeal but more to do with ageism.  Just my guess.

Ras Smith

Last week Rep. Ras Smith (D-Waterloo) announced his candidacy for governor. The young representative has an uphill battle but he has struck an inclusive cord in his message by saying that he doesn't care what party you belong to but, "you deserve better" and that he will fight for everybody. But one thing is certain, Jeff Kaufmann is a jerk. Just hours after Smith announced the head of the Iowa GOP came out with a scathing condemnation about everything associated with Rep. Smith. You've got to hand it to them. Republicans are masters at saying tough, and false, things about their opponents while the Democrats always want to play nice.  We have a problem. (Image - KWWL)

Partly Personal

Last week I ventured out of my office and spoke at EntreFEST in Cedar Rapids. It was the first public outing since March of last year. As I got into the elevator to head to my room a woman entered...also without a mask. I said, "How are you doing?" She looked at me, smiled and said, "Isn't science wonderful?". I was with a friendly.  It was a good time and if you've never been and you are at all interested in the entrepreneur and startup community and economy make plans to go in 2022. There were, I am told, about 80 speakers at the event and several hundred attendees on-site and others online. I spoke about "Podcasting for Business" and had a great time.  Would do it again.

Ah, the rain! It's still raining here in Des Moines and we've needed this break. Right now I was to have been at a softball field watching our granddaughter in a 12-U championship game as well as "calling" the game on an app called Game Changer. We're not sure if the event will take place today or not but...the delay gave me the opportunity to write Sunday Morning Coffee so...all is good.  Just got word...tournament has been cancelled. Not the way we wanted to end the season. 

Thanks for reading...and Happy Father's Day!  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday Morning Coffee 13 June 2021

If it's Sunday you've got to have your SMC! Welcome back to the weekly blog about politics with a dash of religion and a dose of my commentary. Coming to you each Sunday Morning for over 15 years. What else do I have to do this early?  Let's go:

G-7

Normal is good, or so it would seem. President Biden is with world leaders at the G7 Conference in the UK and, from all reports, things are going well. Nobody is having to put up with the tantrums and childish mistakes of the former president as the nations sit down to discuss some thorny issues from COVID-19 to China and Russia. The message our president is sending is that truly America is back and the world can trust the leadership and the direction. Meanwhile the leaders at the conference vow to cut forced labor practices out of global supply chains in a shot at China, as well as efforts to stop ransomware attacks and root out corruption. Normal is good.

Meanwhile China has pushed back with a statement saying, “The days when global decisions were dictated by a small group of countries are long gone." 

Infrastructure 

Make no mistake about it, the Republican opposition to the $1.7 trillion infrastructure plan is all about preserving wealth. Full stop. They care not about jobs or roads or bridges or lead in pipes or rural broadband this is all about making sure the wealthy don't have to pay more in taxes.

They do not care about American families who are struggling and they, frankly care little for the economy. They believe that as long as the top "one-percent" are fat and full everything is just fine. Think about that for a moment.  Also, we've seen this playbook before and the writer then is the same as today. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) was brazen enough to say in 2008 that he would stand against any progressive legislation offered up by President Obama and he did.  Same story kids and unless the Democrats win a wider majority in the Senate look for this to become a lousy history for our nation. 

The Manchin Effect

How many millions of dollars do you have in the stock market?  Go ahead and ponder that for a bit. My guess is that your tiny nest-egg doesn't come anywhere close to, say, Warren Buffett or Carl Ichan or Michael Bloomberg. Those are the folks who make billions while paying a lower percentage on their earnings than you.  Meanwhile Wall Street is moving right along and some are calling it The Manchin Effect. Why? As hope of an infrastructure deal starts to melt away the rich and powerful are loving it because that means no higher taxes and because Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) is leading that charge the rise in the market gets his name associated.  Isn't it nice?

Speaking of Taxes

The ProPublica report last week naming who, among the oligarchs of America, paid little or no federal income taxes is getting the full wrath of the Justice Department and the Internal Revenue Service. Both agencies have begun investigations into who leaked the information tied to the tax returns of the most wealthy. See how swift justice is when money is involved?

Meanwhile many who were names in the report are pushing back. Warren Buffett (who has called for higher taxes for the wealthy) said in a statement that the reason he doesn't pay much in taxes is because there are "no dividends" and he is "someday going to give all his money to charity".  Michael Bloomberg, who paid $71 million on $1.9 billion of income and who called for higher taxes for the rich when he was running for president in 2019, said he saved taxes because of 75% of his income "goes to charity". But the best excuse for paying little to nothing in taxes has to go to billionaire Carl Ichan who said because he, "...invests in business that activity should be protected".

So there you have it. Next time you are asked to fill out a 1040 just write on it that you are investing in the economy and you don't owe a dime.  That's how the 1% lives kids.

Lazy Americans

I was at a conference this past week...my first outing since March of 2020 and it was very cool to be among people...and when I was checking out of my hotel I asked the guy working the front desk about occupancy. He told me the hotel was running 100% on the weekends and during the week sixty to seventy percent full. My new friend runs the front office so he should know.  I then asked him about staffing and he said, "It's awful. We can't get people to work but thanks to Governor Reynolds cutting the enhanced unemployment benefits we'll be back to full staff within a month."

The message is clear. You lazy, shiftless workers have been sitting on your butt for months lapping up government handouts and now we'll force you to seek low paying jobs without benefits so the wheels of the economy will once again roll.  Except that isn't the case.

The pandemic has exposed the reality about "essential workers" and "essential pay". One is real the other is a lie. We  pay "essential workers" squat and they are expected to love it.  Studies, one that we aired just last week, point to what is really going on and why workers are not returning to the hospitality field and its not because they are collecting government checks.  Here is what is really happening:

• During the pandemic employers failed to check in with their staff;
• Workers are seeking higher wages in jobs outside of hospitality;
• Workers are seeking better health benefits;
• It's cheaper to stay home with the kids than pay child care;
• Many still fear COVID-19 and want to protect their health;
• They are seeking out jobs where they too can work from home;
• Applications are archaic and difficult to navigate.

My new friend behind the hotel desk doesn't know any of that but he believes his staffing troubles will be over in thirty days.  Don't worry. I have his name and phone number and I'll be checking back in a month. 

Congresswoman Cindy Anxe

Last week I had the opportunity to have a sit down interview with Congresswoman Cindy Axne (D-IA). She is the lone Democrat in the U.S. Congress and represents the sixteen counties in Iowa's Third Congressional District.  We talked about a host of business issues from child care to transportation to taxes to farming to drug prices to cyber-security and more. It was a wide ranging conversation and if you are at all interested in her take on those issues click through and listen to that interview.

IOB 9 June 2021 Cindy Axne

I think you'll find it important and on point.

Grimes, Iowa

Yesterday there was a parade in Grimes, a small but growing community near Des Moines. Democrats lost two important statehouse races there in 2020 by just a few votes. Determined to fix that the Polk County Democrats reached out to some activists and within a month there was a new neighborhood group the Grimes Area Democrats. Yesterday we walked in the Governor's Day Parade and outnumbered the Polk County GOP by two to one. Our group was so large that my friend and the President/CEO of the Grimes Chamber and Economic Development group Brian Buethe remarked to me, "Wow you've got a whole bunch of people here!"  We did and coming along for the walk was Iowa State Auditor, Rob Sand, State Party Chair Rep. Ross Wilburn (D-Ames), Polk County Auditor Jamie Fitzgerald, Dr. Glen Hurst the Third District Chair coming all the way from Council Bluffs and a number of Democrats running for office in Polk and Dallas County.  It was a mighty force...and people noticed. (The photo was long before a bunch more joined the crowd.)

Partly Personal

I've got more but need to get going. Many of you know that I've spent years in broadcasting. Still doing it. But in all of those 40+ years I have never, not once, called a sporting event. It just wasn't my jam.  That changed yesterday during our granddaughters softball game. Our daughter, Hunter, thought it might be kind of cool to have me announce the game over something called Game Changer. It's an app where folks can stream the ballgame. Trouble is that while the stream is clear you really can't see much beyond the infield and folks watching may not know the players and other details of the game.  So, yesterday I sat down and with some stat help from Hunter called the five innings of the game. It was a blast and yes, headed back today for more. BTW the Valley Tigers 12-U won that game over the Muscatine Monsters by a score of 3 - 2. The winning run was made by our granddaughter who beat the tag at home catch the video here. Catch you on the stream.

Finally, it would have been the 101 birthday of my Mom last week. Think of her daily.

Thanks for reading and have a great Sunday! 

 

 

 

Sunday Morning Coffee 6 June 2021

And, Good Morning! Grab a cup of Sunday Morning Coffee some of the political and social news you might have seen, or missed, all laced with my, usual, acerbic commentary. It's what I get to do once a week.  Let's go:

No Apology

It was a stunning piece of news. Between 1890 and 1969 some 150,000 indigenous children of Canada were forced to attend state-funded Christian schools, the majority of them run by Catholic missionaries. The idea was to subject these kids to indoctrination so they could be assimilated into Canadian society.

Recently ground penetrating radar was used to confirm the remains of 215 children at the Kamloops Residential School in British Columbia...operated by the Catholic church. For its part the Canadian government has admitted that physical and sexual abuse was rampant in the schools with children beaten for speaking their native languages and has made apologies.

Meanwhile Pope Frances, today, said it was "a sad affair" and "This sad discovery increases the awareness of the sorrows and sufferings of the past."  But, no apology for the actions of the church. 

So, the U.S. isn't the only nation guilty of such things...  Remember though "Manifest Destany"...so it must be OK.

15%

It's a big deal. Last week the G-7 met and agreed to a minimum of a 15% tax on sales and profits by corporations that are selling or located in what has been called "low tax sanctuaries". Those would include many nations in the Caribbean. In Europe the corporate tax rate is all over the board from Hungary at 9% to France at 31%. The goal here is to tax companies such as Facebook and other internet corporations who have managed to set up shop in one location or another to avoid paying up. The proposal now goes to roughly 21 other nations for approval.  The Biden Administration has wanted a higher tax rate but asked that 15% be the minimum.  

Back On Stage

Well that went...well. Former President 45 was back on stage yesterday kicking off a national tour to promote lies. (It's what he does best.) Of course, he continued to spread the "Big Lie" and give himself credit for a whole bunch of stuff that either never happened or was a major failure. Think COVID-19 reaction and "Infrastructure Week".

The amazing thing is that people still fawn over him. Look, this is not only scary but dangerous for our nation. We have seen this playbook before in 1930's Germany where the people who felt they had been given a raw deal fawned over a hateful man with crazy ideas. I suspect the former president has Mein Kampf bookmarked. No, wait...that would assume the man can read. (Image: BBC)

Those Crazy Democrats

Meanwhile it's pretty nutty in the U.S. Senate as today CBS Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) was asked about his stand on bipartisanship. Here is what he said, "I think Senate Republicans want bipartisanship." Host John Dickerson: "Well, they haven’t shown that yet, McConnell says he’s 100% focused on blocking Biden agenda & the GOP restructuring of voting laws state-by-state is..."  Manchin: "Yeah, but I think deep-down they want it."

Denial is a river in Egypt. 

Making the Rounds...

The first announced Democrat to run against Sen. Charles Grassley (R-IA), Dave Muhlbauer is making the rounds of Polk County Neighborhood Groups. Muhlbauer, a farmer from Southwest Iowa announced his candidacy last week knows he's got to be out there early and often. An interesting side-note. Grassley who is 87 has served in the U.S. Senate since 1981 which is longer than Dave Muhlbauer has been alive.

So, there is that.

Thank You Todd Pritchard

Last week Iowa House Minority Leader Rep. Todd Pritchard (D-Charles City) announced that he was leaving that leadership position following three sessions in the minority. It was rough duty having to go up against the anti-democratic group in the majority. Imagine every day having to face people who are simply not lined up with reality. From health care to taxes to guns to education the Republicans continue to tear down this once great state.  Democrats will choose a new leader on June 14 and I have a suspicion of who that might be but keeping my thoughts quiet until she lets me know she is in the running.  Hint, hint...nudge...nudge. 

Just Being There...Works

Last week I had the opportunity to hang out with the Clive Democrats and the amazing Lila Starr who chairs that group. She and Hope Johnson, who is running for the Clive City Council, were working the booth during Food Truck Friday sponsored by the Clive Chamber of Commerce. 

This is just one of dozens of registration events going on in Polk County each week.  Are we signing folks up?  Sure. But, what is so powerful about this is simply being seen.  Letting folks know in places that had been "ruby red" for a very long time that Democrats are alive and active and working on the issues the vast majority of Iowans believe it and desire.  Change can happen we've just got to stay at it.

Partly Personal

My Bride left me on Thursday. Well, it's not really that dramatic. She and some other "ladies" went to Arkansas to go...camping. Arkansas! Camping! I have no idea where she went but it took her nearly 10 hours to get there. Due home sometime later today.  Safe travels.  BTW...for their last day of "camping" one of her new friends had a contact so they spent the final day and night at a resort...with a hot tub and all the finer things of life. No...charge.  Pretty sweet. THAT'S the kind of "camping" I could go for.

While the cat is away the (very cool) Cats will play. My brother, Yoni, came over last evening and cooked supper. I didn't have to do anything but mix the drinks. He is a wonder in the kitchen. The meal was amazing: Roasted and stuffed Portobello mushrooms, seasoned baked potatoes, stuffed and roasted onions and flank steak that had been pounded very thin, rubbed and marinated for 24 hours.

I gotta tell you...it was delightful.

We then watched a couple of episodes of The Kominsky Method featuring Alan Arkin and Michael Douglas. If you get a chance...watch. It is part comedy and part drama but it is all good. I was turned onto the series by a member of my congregation in Mason City who raved about it and said, "Oy, it is such a reminder of so many of my friends. You have got to see it!" Thanks Peter. One thing to know. If you have some reference to older Jewish men and can appreciate the humor...it is  priceless. 

Finally our son, Aaron, was over on Friday afternoon when it was 90 degrees to install a "motion detection security light" on the side of the house. Georgie wanted one and on Monday she and I attempted to put it up but...fail.  I asked Aaron to do it (he is way more handy than I and 30 years younger) and BAM!  Took him about 20 minutes. But, yes, it was hot and yes...it does work.  Thank you! 

Thanks for reading and have a great Sunday!