Lancaster Eagle-Gazette
What is your red line?
Does anyone's "Red Line" for acceptable character or common decency include making levity out of a soldier's military service? What about mocking the captivity of an American hero and a Republican presidential candidate because he was captured and spent years as a crippled POW in Vietnam?What about publicly chastising and admonishing Gold Star parents?
How about mimicking a handicapped reporter who was attempting to educate the public on significant information even though his physical movements made verbal communication a challenge, even embarrassing?
Do these examples of questionable character call for reason to pause for people without a red line?Example, does personal decency still matter to the voters of this nation? In this day of social media and communication technology (and lack of as in open mics) it has become more and more difficult to secret facts (even alternative facts).
Enough said? No? Do some serious homework on the shameful January 6, 2021, Capitol Insurrection. You have nearly a hundred current legal Indictments to peruse. Some possibilities for "Red Lines" if you are without.
Jim N. ReedLancaster
How smart is AI?
Descriptions in the news suggest AI (artificial intelligence) could be either a blessing or a curse. If access to all the world's knowledge is instantly available to accurately answer any question, there could be untold benefits in a number of fields like medicine and technology, or even political science.
How smart is ChatGPT? Here’s a sample:
“There are several reasons why a US citizen might believe Republican myths and fallacies. These beliefs are often reinforced by a combination of factors, including socialization, media consumption, and political identity.If a person grows up in a conservative household or community, they are more likely to adopt Republican views and beliefs, even if those beliefs are not rooted in reality. This socialization process can make it challenging for individuals to question or challenge their political beliefs, even when presented with evidence that contradicts their views.
Conservative media outlets, such as Fox News and Breitbart, have been known to spread misinformation and conspiracy theories that cater to their conservative audience. These outlets often frame their coverage to appeal to the emotions of their viewers, rather than presenting a factual analysis of events. This can lead to a skewed perception of reality, making it challenging for individuals to distinguish between facts and fiction.
For many people, any challenge to their beliefs can be perceived as an attack on their self-identity. This can create a cognitive dissonance when presented with evidence that contradicts their beliefs, making it difficult for individuals to change their minds. As a result, individuals may cling to their beliefs, even if they are not based on facts or evidence.
Some people may believe Republican myths and fallacies because it aligns with their self-interest. Wealthy individuals may support Republican policies that favor tax cuts and deregulation, even if those policies harm the broader population. Individuals who hold conservative views on social issues, such as abortion or LGBTQ+ rights, may support the Republican Party even if it contradicts their economic interests.
Overcoming these factors and challenging false beliefs can be challenging, but it is essential to promoting a more informed and constructive political discourse.”
Allen BrandBremen
Jurors; Our “ONLY,” last chance to hold our Democracy together
Michael Sparks, 46, of Kentucky, was convicted by a federal jury of six charges, including two felonies, for his part in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the Capitol Building.
According to evidence presented during the trial, Sparks was the very first rioter to enter the U.S. Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021. Video surveillance from inside the U.S. Capitol building on Jan. 6 showed Sparks entering through the window and jumping down to the floor at about 2:13 p.m., according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Once inside the Capitol, Sparks followed a group of men who chased a U.S. Capitol Police officer up a flight of stairs. Sparks and the others pursued the officer up the stairs while the mob shouted at the officer. Upstairs, the officer found backup, and several police officers attempted to stop the group of rioters. Officers ordered the group to leave, but Sparks did not retreat, the release states.
U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Kelly is expected to sentence Sparks on July 9.
Fast forward:
New York CNN — 12 common Americans/New York jurors, on Thursday, May 30, 2024, decided to convict former President Donald Trump.
The calls for retribution began immediately after the verdict was announced:
“Hope these jurors face some street justice,” one anonymous user on a pro-Trump forum wrote. Another suggestively asked, “Wouldn’t [it] be interesting if just one person from Trump’s legal team anonymously leaked the names of the jurors?”
The judge in the Trump New York trial issued an order in March agreeing with prosecutors that most information about the jurors would be sealed. Trump’s lawyers did not disagree, according to the order.
Overnight, however, anonymous internet users on sites that are known havens of hate and harassment began sharing names, home addresses and other personal information belonging to people they say might have been members of the jury, a practice known as doxxing.
These American Patriots both in both Judge Sparks and Judge Merchan courts, defied threats and found justice for the United States of America.
God bless them all.
Bob Muckensturm
Lancaster
