Home About Archives Subscribe

More Information - Three Scammer Alerts

Wednesday, December 04, 2024

Scam Alert GraphicThe Internet has good and evil.

Three warnings to review on the evil side:

Posted at 09:18 PM in Current Affairs, Cybersecurity, Personal, Security, Technology, Tip | | Comments (0)

Some Facts & Opinion About Ukraine & Current Foreign Policy Moves

Friday, March 07, 2025
Since many seem to be fast and loose about facts concerning Ukraine & American Foreign Policy, here are a few facts from the podcast "The Bulletin - Gimme Some Truth" & "The Bulletin - Acts Of Man" from Christianity Today:
  • Russia started the war by invading Ukraine.
  • The Russian leadership has personal internationally recognized sanctions leveled against them for their actions in this war.
  • Russians have kidnapped Ukrainian children from their homes & families and are de-programing them during their imprisonment in Russia.
  • Russians have committed war crimes against both soldiers and civilians during their invasion of Ukraine.
  • Putin has ordered attacks against civilians, churches, hospitals, and civilian infrastructure (power, water, gas, transportation, etc.).
  • America has not spent $350 billion on Ukraine.
  • America has spent $183 billion in defense of Ukraine.  Europe (as a whole) has spent $202 billion:
    • 70% of the money has gone to American weapons manufacturers and the U.S. military (buying back stocks of armaments sent to Ukraine).
    • This means the U.S. Military is getting "new" armaments with a longer shelf-life.  If we hadn't sent the "old" armaments to Ukraine, we would have also had to pay to have them disposed of or sold to our other Allies (not guaranteed).
    • American weapons manufacturers have been increasing employment and infrastructure improvements in response to increased demands.
    • Keeping Ukraine in this fight causes Russia to continue to use up its resources (making it weaker).
  • The Russian leadership has convinced the current North Korean dictatorship to send soldiers to fight and die in Ukraine.
  • REMEMBER: The Russians were paying $200,000 for each dead American/Allied soldier during the Afghan War.  They paid out over $30 million during the war.
Here are my personal opinions:
  • Putin and "Putinism" are a clear and present danger to the world order and peace. America should not create a "business deal" with this tyrant.
  • Recent voting in the UN to not hold Putin accountable is morally outrageous.
  • It is also ethically disgraceful and shameful to withdraw support to Ukraine and Ukrainian Refugees (legally protected) in America.
    • Deporting Ukrainians at this time is against Christian-values of hospitably and support of refugees.
      • If this annoys Putin, then so be it.
    • Freedom is not free.
  • President Reagan was right with his "Peace through Strength" strategy.
    • Isolationism will not work.
    • The Cold War is still on.
    • We must check the Kremlin's objectives.
  • America must support NATO and keep our agreements, commitments, & promises to Ukraine and our Allies.
  • President Obama "kicked the can down the road" in 2014 when Russia illegally occupied Crimea.
    • Continuing this conflict is just an extension of that Putin land grab (which, if Ukraine falls, will include the Baltic States and, more than likely, Poland).
  • The Russian propaganda machine is conducting "information warfare" against American citizens and leadership (deception, influence operations, false flags, cyber, etc.) to change, discredit, contradict, confuse, etc. facts and truths to match their false narratives.
  • Canada, Mexico, Panama, Greenland, etc., are sovereign countries.
    • America should treat others as we would want to be treated. 
  • President Zelenskyy is the war-time President of Ukraine.
    • He governs honorably within the laws of Ukraine and is not a coward.
    • He is a hero, a patriot, courageous, and a principled leader.
  • Appeasement never works with a bully, blackmailer, or authoritarian leader. Did it work in 1938? No.
  • China is watching our actions with Ukraine/Russia to determine what they are going to do with Taiwan. They are signaling they are willing to conduct both economic and kinetic warfare against America and the rest of the Free World to achieve their future goals.
  • "You cannot reason with a tiger when your head is in his mouth." - Winston Churchill
  • Learn + Study + Practice + Act = Resist

Posted at 09:55 PM in Current Affairs, Personal, Politics | | Comments (0)

How To See The Humanity In Anyone

Sunday, February 16, 2025

I got forwarded this link, "How to see the humanity in anyone" (Practicing a form of ‘deep curiosity’ can help you connect with yourself and others, even if they’re on the ‘other side’) by Scott Shigeoka.

Here are the key points from the end of the thoughtful article:

  • Practicing deep curiosity can help you connect with yourself and others. It’s not just intellectual; it’s about searching for understanding in a way that can stir your heart and spirit.
  • Let go of your assumptions, biases and certainty. Deep curiosity is a muscle you can strengthen, beginning with detaching yourself from the mental shortcuts that you usually rely on.
  • Prepare your mindset and setting. Planning ahead for how you will act and speak in social situations can help you practise deep curiosity with greater intention.
  • See the dignity of every person, including yourself. One way to do this is to ‘turn toward’ people – notice their bids for your attention and invite them to tell you more.
  • Welcome the hard times in your life. It’s easy to fight or withdraw when you’re feeling overwhelmed. By learning to slow down and embrace your negative emotions, you’ll be better placed to recognise your own needs, find meaning in your experiences and connect with others.

More info at Greater Good and TED.

Posted at 01:38 PM in Collaboration, Current Affairs, Ideas, Personal, Personal Development, Tip | | Comments (0)

More Balloons To Burst - Podcast Recommendations

Friday, January 31, 2025

Right after the election, I posted links to podcasts that were helping me better see what might be happening in the United States post-election.  It was called "Bursting My Balloon - Reflecting On Today's Realities".

Here are some more recommendations to listen to if you are open to learning more about different perspectives and how to better engage with others:

Posted at 07:57 PM in Current Affairs, Faith, History, Ideas, Information, Podcast, Religion | | Comments (0)

Next