Posted 4.4.21
Just
Outside WashingtonFRANK BERNHEISEL
TEXAS POWER FAILURE
The article is a good summary of what happened in the recent Texas power
failure and why. It contains links to additional sources.
Texas politicians, Greg Abbott, and many more, are operating on a set of
beliefs that are detached from reality. Abbott said in his campaign
literature: "As governor, Greg Abbott will fight for the free market
principles that have made Texas the national leader in job creation year
after year. ... It couldn't be more clear ... Texas' formula of low taxes
and limited government equals growth and opportunity for our families
and communities."
As the Brookings>/i> article clearly point out, these beliefs,
lubricated with a few million dollars of political gifts from the energy
industry, produced this massive power outage. Texas may have learned
(we can only hope), as Phillip Dick said: "Reality is that which when
you stop believing in it does not go away."
https://www.brookings.edu/blog/up-front/2021/03/08/why-texas-had-
catastrophic-blackouts/?utm_campaign=Brookings%20Brief&utm_medium=email&
utm_content=115034639&utm_source=hs_email
FRANK'S COMPLETE ARCHIVES
Click
Here
THINKING ABOUT PLASTICS,
TALKING ABOUT SPERM
It was about 1972, early in my career in
waste management and recycling, that I read an article in Science
Magazine, which is published by the AAAS. The article discussed the
relatively recent move to storing blood for transfusions in plastic
bags, specifically polyvinyl chloride (PVC) copolymer, plasticized with
di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP).
FRANK'S COMPLETE ARCHIVES
Click
Here
LCC WRITER: HI5! TO
COVID VAX TEAM IN VIRGINIA
Posted
2.18.21
FRANK BERNHEISEL
This morning Kathy and I received our second dose of
the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Hooray!
10
POST-PANDEMIC LESSONS
Posted 1.1.21
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
Zakaria celebrates America's resilience, which he says gains strength
through chaos and crises. He also downplays the idea that despots like
China's Xi Jinping do better than democratic leaders pointing out
covid-19's leap around the world was due to China's suppression of
lifesaving data. Also, that authoritarian regimes including Khamenei's
Iran, Erdogan's Turkey, and Bolsonaro's Brazil, ruled did badly.
WHY
ENVIRONMENTAL REGS ARE NEEDED
Posted 12.17.20
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
As many as 12,000 children were exposed to drinking water with high
levels of lead, which cause long-term health problems. The water supply
change also caused an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease that killed 12
people.
WHERE'S MY
MAGAZINE?
Posted 11.12.20
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
Then, I thought damn, I let my subscription lapse. When one
gets older, one does that sort of stuff. I called the Economist
subscription department and checked. Carol told me that my subscription
was good through February 2021; and, besides, I was on automatic
renewal.
LOOKING
SERIOUSLY AT AMERICAN HEALTHCARE
Posted 10.12.20
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
Over the next few days, as he fought to live, he found
reflected on the fragility of health, not recognized in America as a
human right but without which all rights and freedoms have no meaning.
THE ELECTORAL
COLLEGE: FIXING IS NEEDED BUT HOW TO DO IT?
Posted
10.08.20
FRANK BERNHEISEL
When we look back at the last five elections, we see
that three were won by a person who had fewer votes than the opponent.
That is because of the Electoral College, which many are discussing.
What is the Electoral College?
PLASTIC
Posted 9.22.20
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
Plastic, it's complicated.
RIGGED
Posted 9.13.20
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
It exposes decades of secret operations -- by the KGB, the CIA,
and Vladimir Putin's Russia -- to shape electoral outcomes.
Rigged melds deep historical research with groundbreaking
interviews with more than 130 key players, from leading officials in
both the Trump and Obama administrations, to CIA and NSA directors, to a
former KGB general.
TRUMP AND HIS
OLD GLORY
Posted 6.25.20
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
So, while it may not be illegal, using our flag for personal
gain and to denigrate others, is in really bad taste.
WHEN WE REACHED
RONDA
Posted 6.7.20
FRANK BERNHEISEL
Ronda was first settled by the
early Celts in the sixth century BCE. Followed by the usual parade of
invaders in Spain: Phoenician settlers, then the Romans in the Second
Punic War receiving the title of City at the time of Julius Caesar, the
fifth century CE, brought the Suebi (a Germanic peoples originally from
the Elbe river region in Germany), conquered a century later by the
Eastern Roman Empire, later Ronda was part of the Visigoth realm until
713, when it fell to the Berbers, who named it Hisn Ar-Rundah ('Castle
of Rundah'). The Islamic domination of Ronda ended in 1485, when it was
conquered by the Marquis of Cadiz after a brief siege during the
Reconquista.
UNIVERSAL BASIC INCOME:
TIME FOR A SERIOUS LOOK
Posted 5.30.20
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
Not only is UBI not a new idea, it has been successfully in
operation since 1976 in Alaska.
ON TYRANNY: I FEAR
FOR MY COUNTRY
Posted 5.13.20
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
In December 1776, Thomas Paine wrote: "THESE are the times
that try men's souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will,
in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that
stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.
Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered..."
ON THE
SEPARATION OF POWERS IN THE U.S. CONSTITUTION
Posted
4.90.20
FRANK BERNHEISEL
James Madison acknowledged that the topic of
separation of powers was one of the principal objections by the more
respectable adversaries to the Constitution and that no political
truth is certainly of greater intrinsic value. He pointed out that
The accumulation of all powers, legislative, executive, and
judiciary, in the same hands, whether of one, a few, or many, and
whether hereditary, self-appointed, or elective, may justly be
pronounced the very definition of tyranny.
AND ON TO GRANADA
(part 2)
Posted 4.1.20
FRANK BERNHEISEL
The design includes six
palaces, five of which were grouped in the northeast quadrant forming a
royal quarter, two circuit towers, and numerous bathhouses. The
decoration within the palaces comes from the last great period of
Andalusian art in Granada.
COVID-19
Posted 3.21.20
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
The MITRE medical team that projected the trajectory and
consequences of the Ebola outbreak, has published a white paper, which
analyses existing COVID-19 data. It also has a set of recommendations
for individuals and the country. Given all the noise in the newspapers,
on television and on social media, I found this summary very
helpful.
Lock Down
Message
Posted 3.19.20
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
We are in lock-down. Here in Fairfax County, Virginia, the
schools, libraries, day care centers, and parks are closed; and Virginia
banned all gatherings of 100 people or more. In some cities and states,
lock-down is more severe than here.
AND ON TO
GRANADA
Posted 3.17.20
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
We cruised all night, had breakfast at 6:30 AM, and by 8 AM the
Harmony V was tied up at the quay in Almeria harbor. We immediately
boarded our bus, which would take us to Granada for the day. We traveled
west along the southern coast of Spain to circumvent the Sierra Nevada
mountains, that rise to 11,000 feet above the sea.
The Biden
Team?
Posted 3.15.20
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
The last couple of weeks of the Democratic primaries has Joe
Biden well in the lead; it appears to be "Bye Bye Bernie," So
as an anti-Trump voter, I thought it would be a good idea to get beyond
the campaign rhetoric to see if I could find some substance in Joe
Biden's thinking.
SAILING TO
CARTEGENA
Posted 3.8.20
FRANK BERNHEISEL
The Harmony V cruised through
the night, entering this strategic defensive harbor on the southeast
corner of Spain, just after breakfast. In the outer harbor, we passed a
major petroleum port and storage area. As we entered the inner harbor,
its importance as a naval seaport became clear -- we could see the
Spanish Navy ships and the large naval shipyard. As far back as the 16th
century this was one of the most important naval ports in Spain because
of its strategic location.
Munich Security
Conference 2020
Posted 2.24.20
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
It is generally attended by about 350 senior figures from more
than 70 countries around the world to engage in discussion on current
and future security challenges. Mike Pompeo, Mark Esper, and Nancy
Pelosi attended and spoke.
Shaken, not
stirred
Posted 2.18.20
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
A recent Friday was martini night for Paul, John, and I, held
at JohnÕs house. Paul was the bartender and he used the olives cured in
vodka that I had brought. (Technical note: Martinis are made with gin,
shaken not stirred and served up.) Once settled with glass in
hand, we had a wide-ranging conversation on the topics of the
day.
On
Treason
Posted 2.6.20
FRANK BERNHEISEL
When you have an asset
someone wants and you demand an equivalent service because an equivalent
asset is not available, it is a bribe.
HOMAGE TO
CATALONIA: DAY FOUR
Posted 12.2.19
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
The Plaça shows the two things that are ubiquitous in
Barcelona: motor scooters and construction cranes.The Plaça is
Barcelona's most central area and a favorite meeting place for locals
and visitors and connects the Eixample and the old town. There are six
sculptural groups around the plaza: representing the four Catalan
capital cities, wisdom and labor. In the center of the picture is the
monument by Josep Maria Subirachs for Francesc MaciàÕ, president
of the Catalan Government during the Second Spanish Republic
(1932-1933).
On American Income
Inequality
Posted 11.27.19
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
Recently the Census Bureau reported that income inequality in
the U.S. is at its highest point since it started collecting data more
than 50 years ago, according to Census Bureau numbers. The census
reported income overall increased by 0.8 percent from 2017 to 2018 to a
median household income of almost $62,000. (Note: In 2018 the median
individual income was $39,048 or $19.14 per hour for a 40 hour week,
which indicates more than one individual working in each family.) Even
though the income increased, it was not distributed evenly.
Barr.
None.
Posted 11.21.19
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
Yesterday when I was driving around running errands, I listened
to CSPAN radio. They were broadcasting a talk that Attorney General
William Barr was giving to the Federalist Society. The same Federalist
Society that has been vetting judges for President Trump to make sure
that only conservatives get to be federal judges.
HOMAGE TO
CATALONIA: DAY THREE
Posted 11.22.19
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
Thursday was the last full day of our stay in Barcelona, and we
were on our own until dinner. Kathy, Mary and I decided to walk in a
different neighborhood and visit the Casa Batlló Gaudi. Dave had
a painful leg due to a banged shin and chose to give it a
rest.
HOMAGE TO
CATALONIA: DAY TWO
Posted 11.12.19
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
We walked back to the hotel to meet Mary and Dave and go to
dinner at a small tapas place they had picked out. We sat at a tall
table that made a triangle with the tables along the walls. In the
corner was a couple so enamored with each other that I thought they
might make love right there. The show was not enough to distract me
from the excellent tapas and wine.
HOMAGE TO
CATALONIA: DAY ONE
Posted 11.6.19
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
It was a Sunday afternoon here in Virginia when Bernie
picked us up and deposited us at Dulles Airport a good two hours before
our 5:40 p.m. flight to Barcelona, where we would meet brother Dave and
his wife Mary. We checked in, all was good, and people started to
board. Then, we heard the announcement of an engine problem; it would be
fixed in 45 minutes. At 10 p.m. we were back home -- the flight was
cancelled. Next day, we were placed on the 5:40 p.m. flight. And
so, finally, off to Catalonia...
Heigh-ho, heigh-ho,
it's off to work we go...
Posted 9.26.19
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
Since 2008 the U.S. coal production has generally moved down as
can be seen in the Energy Information Agency (EIA) chart below. The
reason for both the increase in production and the decrease in
employment has been increasing productivity due to technology in the
industry.
Is the American Dream
Dying?
Posted 8.29.19
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
To begin, I live the American Dream. However, after 85 years, I
am concerned that the American Dream is dying.
CHICKEN KILLING AND
SUCH
Posted 8.12.19
FRANK BERNHEISEL
President Trump recently
ordered ICE to raid seven Mississippi plants owned by four companies --
Peco Foods, Koch Foods, PH Food and Pearl River Foods. The ICE raids
arrested 680 gainfully employed workers who were undocumented migrants
to this country.
ON U.S. FEDERAL LAND
MANAGEMENT REORGANIZATION
Posted 7.19.19
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
I have read several articles about the Administration proposing
to reorganize the Interior Department, including the one in yesterday's
Washington Post, on moving the management of the Bureau of Land
Management (BLM) out of Washington to western states. As a dedicated
user of our public lands, National Parks, Wildlife Refuges, National
Monuments and including undesignated lands under BLM for hiking,
camping, education, and just enjoyment, I object. I object for several
reasons, including:
On China
Trade
Posted 6.14.19
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
Ms. Barshefsky discusses China's entry into the World Trade
Organization (WTO) and how the U.S. failed to utilize the WTO to its
benefit, trying instead to work with China on a bilateral basis. She
also discusses the impacts of the U.S. mismanagement of the Great
Recession of 2008 on the relations with China and their attitude toward
the U.S.
On
Citizenship
Posted 6.5.19
FRANK BERNHEISEL
During his campaign in 2016,
Donald Trump promised to make a huge, HUGE investment in
infrastructure and that the private sector would invest through
public-private partnerships. Well nothing has been done in the last two
years on infrastructure.
On
Citizenship
Posted 4.26.19
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
Most Americans were born in the United States, and are citizens
automatically, as is specified in the 14th Amendment to the
Constitution, which states: All persons born or naturalized in the
United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of
the United States and of the State wherein they reside. Others, who
were born elsewhere, can become citizens through naturalization. Being
born here is easier.
We need to
vote
Posted 4.11.19
FRANK BERNHEISEL
We the People have elections
coming up in 2020 and some states, like Virginia have elections this
year, so let's get active. Let's support organizations that are working
for election changes, which accomplish the above changes; let's support
candidates that articulate the equal vote goals; let's talk to friends
and neighbors; and let's VOTE.
On
Immigration
Posted 3.27.19
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
We hear a lot of political talk about illegal immigration and
there is a lot of misinformation on the subject, everywhere. So first I
would like to summarize the Immigration Reform and Control Act, enacted
November 6, 1986, and signed into law by Ronald Reagan on November 6,
1986, which reformed U.S. immigration law.
Guaranteed
Annual Income
Posted 3.19.19
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
When looking to our Founding Fathers for guidance today, we
should include Thomas Paine. Paine was American political activist,
philosopher, political theorist, and revolutionary. His ideas reflected
Enlightenment ideals of transnational human rights, particularly those
of John Locke.
US Social
Security Reform
Posted 2.18.19
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
I worked for a salary for the 55 years of my career. Every
month my employer deducted payroll taxes from my paycheck. (The current
numbers are: 6.2 percent for Social Security and 1.45 percent for
Medicare.) My employers paid taxes equal to the amounts withheld from my
earnings. If I made more than the maximum taxable ($127,200 currently),
there was no Social Security tax on the extra income. However, there is
no maximum to the Medicare tax.
ABOUT THOSE
MIGRANTS
Posted 1.5.19
FRANK BERNHEISEL
Illegal immigration into the
United States ha,s been steadily declining since 2007 as shown in the
chart from the Pew Research Center. In 2015 there were about 43.3
million foreign-born people living in the U.S. of whom about half are
naturalized U.S. citizens. Only about one quarter of the foreign-born,
11.1 million are unauthorized migrants according to Pew Research Center,
and 75 percent are here legally.
FRANCE ~
PARIS: DAY FIVE
Posted 11.25.18
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
We woke up in our nice bed and breakfast in Concale to a
pleasant, sunny day; and we were in Brittany -- Bretagne to the French
and Breizh to the Bretons. Brittany is the western most region of France
with a population of over 3 million. It forms a triangle poking out into
the Atlantic; referred to as Finisterre or End of the Earth.
What about
Autumn?
Posted 11.21.18
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
Autumn 2018 is/was the time for the U.S. elections and the
airwaves and print were filled with propaganda, lies, and some
information. If you got caught up in this Party-generated game, you
could have believed that this game defined Autumn. But, you did not have
to get caught up in the game: handicapping winners and losers,
collecting stats, predicting outcomes based on polls, etc., and buying
into a party line.
FRANCE ~
PARIS: DAY FOUR
Posted 11.11.18
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
The TGV was smooth and comfortable and at times reached 200
MPH; there was a speed display at the front of the car. The full trip of
about 220 miles took us an hour and a half. Things were going great
until the train station in Rennes, which was under serious
reconstruction. This caused difficulty finding the Hertz office and
subsequently finding the car. This took at least 45 minutes, and then we
were off.
Does One Vote
Matter?
Posted 11.7.18
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
On January 4, 2018, the race was decided by a coin toss
and...
FRANCE ~
PARIS: DAY THREE
Posted 10.31.18
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
As I get older, I find that it is harder to remember things --
names are the worst. In doing my trip write-ups, I rely on photographs
to remind me of where and when. On Day 2, I took the photo below at
Notre-Dame; but it was on Jon's camera, so I lost the memory until a
couple of days ago.
FRANCE ~
PARIS: DAY TWO
Posted 10.21.18
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
We started the day with a nice breakfast buffet at Hotel du
Parc. Then we set off on a beautiful sunny day to find the Metro station
on Boulevard Raspail, and then to figure how use the Metro to get around
in Paris. It was easy; the fare card machines were simple, and the maps
and signs were clear.
Free Press
Threatened
Posted 10.14.18
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
The current news is full of stories about the possible murder
of Jamal Khashoggi, a prominent journalist who was seen entering -- but
not exiting -- the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul last week. But
Khashoggi is not alone.
FRANCE ~ PARIS:
DAY ONE
Posted 10.11.18
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
It was early Sunday morning when Julie, Jonathan, Kathy and I
disembarked at Aéroport de Paris-Charles-de-Gaulle and made our
way to find a taxi. The airport seems to be continually under
construction, based on our recent trips. As we neared the exit,
wondering what to do, we spotted a Viking Tours booth. Given that we
were going to take a Viking cruise later in this trip, I figured that
they could help us. They did; the lead staff walked us to the taxi area
and found a taxi large enough for the four of us plus four large
suitcases. We loaded and were off to Paris.
How did this
happen
Posted 9.24.18
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
As I've previously mentioned, I went to high school in
Wiesbaden, Germany, arriving there in June 1948. The devastation was
horrendous; piles of rubble where large apartments had been, smelled of
the dead in the summer heat, and there were millions of Displaced
Persons (DPs) in camps. This experience generated the question that I
have studied all my life: How did these really smart, cultured and
accomplished people go off the deep end and create this mess?
Need to Prevent
Kavanaugh potential law damage
Posted 8.24.18
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
I am of the opinion the Bret Kavanaugh will be even less
constrained by 'settled law' than Justice Scalia. My opinion was
reinforced by the piece by Arthur Alschuler in this morning's Washington
Post, about one ruling that Bret Kavanaugh made as a justice on the US
Court of Appeals, which over turned 'settled law'.
Opposing
Kavanaugh's appointment
Posted 8.15.18
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
Packing the courts with people with known and narrow political
biases is not in the interest of the United States, a country with a
diverse population. The nomination of Judge Kavanaugh is an example of
this packing and his vetting by the Federalist Society is an example of
how the packing process works.
Political
Drumbeats
Posted 7.25.18
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
The July 18 Gallop poll, indicates that 22 percent of Americans
say immigration is the country's most important problem. Immigration
replaced "Government", which had been the top problem in polls
since January 2017.
O Canada, O
Deficit
Posted 6.15.18
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
Saturday, June 9 President Trump declared: "If they
retaliate, they're making a mistake."
Books, in a selfie
way
Posted 5.4.18
FRANK BERNHEISEL
Our reading group has a couple
of classics on our upcoming list to read: Utopia by Thomas More
and Demosthenes, which is one of Plutarch's biographical
sketches. Neither of these is in our library.
Make
American Schools Great Again
Posted 4.28.18
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
My take on the learning of primary and secondary students is
that we have been shorting the public school budgets for years.
Thoughts on
Enlightenment
Posted 4.20.18
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
Many of the ideas and accomplishments attributed to the
Enlightenment were developed prior to the period we call the
Enlightenment. Contributions were made during the Renaissance and within
organizations throughout Europe, including the church. Human beings have
worked on governance throughout history, and what we have is a
continuum. As far as we know, because we rely on the written word, it
started with the Greeks: Pythagoras, Plato, etc.
VISITING WHAT
WAS ONCE YUGOSLAVIA:
PART 15 ~ VISITING SLANO AND
MOSTAR
Posted 4.12.18
FRANK BERNHEISEL & KATHY
CAVANAUGH
La Perla's course from Korcula took her southeast along the
Peljesac peninsula. The peninsula is over 40 miles long and the isthmus
that joins it to the mainland is five miles wide. It is part of
Dubrovnik-Neretva County, the southernmost part of Croatia. The county
is broken in two by a 12-mile stretch of Bosnia-Herzegovina, which
provides their only access to the sea.
The U.S. 2020
Census ~ Action is Needed
Posted 4.7.18
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
The 2020 Census is fast approaching and is currently being
given a test run in Rhode Island. At this late date, the Trump
Administration and Congress have decided to play games with the
decennial count of people in the U.S. required by the
Constitution.
VISITING
WHAT WAS ONCE YUGOSLAVIA:
PART 14 ~ A DAY IN TINY
KORCULA
Posted 3.26.18
FRANK BERNHEISEL & KATHY
CAVANAUGH
The Bura wind was still blowing when La Perla got under way at
about 6 AM. The Bura makes for sunny, cool days on the Adriatic Sea. Our
destination was the town of Korcula, which shares its name with the
island. We arrive in the port of Korcula about 10 AM to find one of the
smallest villages we had visited. We had an our tour of the town, which
only took maybe 15 minutes to walk around. However, the pace in Korcula
was slower than any other towns we visited, so maybe 25 minutes.
VISITING WHAT
WAS ONCE YUGOSLAVIA:
PART 13 ~ A DAY AROUND
HVAR
Posted 3.11.18
FRANK BERNHEISEL & KATHY
CAVANAUGH
This morning we sailed from Split to the island of Hvar and the
town of the same name -- a journey of about 40 miles. It is a very small
town with about 3,500 inhabitants -- the island has about 4,700. The
town of Hvar has a lovely, sheltered harbor, which was welcome because
part of the "ride" over was pretty rough. A couple people
complained of being seasick. Not surprising since the Bura wind was
pretty strong until we got on the lee side of the island.
Withdraw sponsorship
of pro-bank coddling bill
Posted 03.7.18
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
It is clear that the practices of banks and financial
institutions were responsible for causing the Great Recession and
despite the obvious malfeasance of the bankers in this, no one went to
jail. Now, Senator Kaine, you propose to take away bank oversight. You
claim that the small banks in Virginia need help but that does not
appear to be true.
VISITING WHAT
WAS ONCE YUGOSLAVIA:
PART 12 ~ ON TO SPLIT
Posted
2.27.18
FRANK BERNHEISEL & KATHY CAVANAUGH
The Greeks established Solona,
about two miles from Split, as a colony in the 2nd Century BCE. Salona
became the capital of the Roman province of Dalmatia because it sided
with Julius Caesar in the civil war against Pompius and Crassus in 54
BCE. Salona was largely destroyed in the invasions of the Slavs in the
seventh century CE, and the refugees from Salona settled inside
Diocletian's Palace in what is now Split.
VISITING WHAT
WAS ONCE YUGOSLAVIA:
PART 11 ~ LEAVING
OPATIJA
Posted 2.17.18
FRANK BERNHEISEL & KATHY
CAVANAUGH
On part of the journey over the mountains, we passed near the
birthplace of Nikola Tesla. His name had come up several times already
during the trip because Croatia claims him. It took a look at Wikipedia
to understand the claims about Tesla's nationality. It turns out he had
Serbian parents. His father and both of his grandfathers were Serbian
priests.
VISITING
WHAT WAS ONCE YUGOSLAVIA:
PART 10 ~ DOING THE ISTRIAN
PENINSULA
Posted 2.8.18
FRANK BERNHEISEL & KATHY
CAVANAUGH
Another lovely autumn day with sun and cool temperatures. We
were picked up by the coach for a tour of the Istrain Peninsula, which
is the largest peninsula in the Adriadic, and is triangular. The towns
at the angles are: Savudrija, Opatija and Medulan, which is just south
of Pula. This area is heavily influence by Italy, of which it was a part
between the two World Wars. The highway signs have the town/city names
in Croatian and Italian.
VISITING WHAT
WAS ONCE YUGOSLAVIA:
PART 9 ~ IN OPATIJA
Posted
1.31.18
FRANK BERNHEISEL & KATHY CAVANAUGH
Opatija, a small city of
12,000, is surrounded by beautiful woods of bay laurel. The city is
located on a rocky and picturesque sea-coast and home to many resorts.
In Roman times, the area was home to several patrician villas connected
to the nearby town of Castrum Laureana, the modern Lovran.
VISITING WHAT
WAS ONCE YUGOSLAVIA:
PART 8 ~ FROM ZAGREB TO
OPATIJA
Posted 1.27.18
FRANK BERNHEISEL & KATHY
CAVANAUGH
The rain had stopped and we had a sunny, cool, and very windy
day. The last stop before leaving Zagreb was Mirogoj, Zagreb's central
cemetery. It is known as one of the most beautiful cemeteries in Europe
and was built by the famous linguist and leading person of the Croatian
national reformation, or the Illyrian Movement, Ljudevit Gaj.
Secretary Zinke's
first year in office
Posted
1.25.18
FRANK BERNHEISEL
After improperly billing the government for personal
travel expenses, Zinke received a Fitness Report in 1999 that blocked
him from being promoted to a commanding officer position, or to the rank
of captain.
VISITING WHAT
WAS ONCE YUGOSLAVIA:
PART 7 ~ OUTSKIRTS OF
ZAGREB
Posted 1.22.18
FRANK BERNHEISEL & KATHY
CAVANAUGH
I learned I didn't even know Marshall Tito's full name - -
Josip Broz Tito. Today, he is loved by many, ignored by many, and
unknown, apparently, to some of the younger people. The village of
Kumrovec is now a museum - - the whole small village - - and it is being
restored as it was in 1892 at Tito's birth.
Just do your
job
Posted 1.21.18
FRANK BERNHEISEL
In the past, Speaker Ryan, you
have said: "We will not duck the tough issues, we will lead ... we
will not spend four years blaming others, we will take
responsibility."
VISITING WHAT
WAS ONCE YUGOSLAVIA:
PART 6 ~ AND IN DOWNTOWN
ZAGREB
Posted 1.16.18
FRANK BERNHEISEL & KATHY
CAVANAUGH
We woke up to grey skies, cool temperatures, and wind in
Zagreb. Zagreb is the capital and the largest city of Croatia, with
800,000 people. It has a history dating back Roman times; the Roman town
of Andautonia was just southeast of Zagreb on the Sava River. We toured
Zagreb by bus for about 20 minutes and then met our local tour
guide.
VISITING WHAT
WAS ONCE YUGOSLAVIA:
PART 5 ~ ON TO ZAGREB
Posted
1.14.18
FRANK BERNHEISEL & KATHY CAVANAUGH
With five rivers in the town,
there are lots of bridges.ŹOne bridge we did cross was the Zmajski Most
or 'dragon' bridge, which has two dragons at each end of the bridge. The
Ljubljana Dragon is symbol of the city and is depicted on the city coat
of arms as well as the Dragon Bridge.
VISITING WHAT
WAS ONCE YUGOSLAVIA:
PART 4 ~ ON TO ZAGREB
Posted
1.10.18
FRANK BERNHEISEL & KATHY CAVANAUGH
Our first stop, on our tour of
the city, was Republic Square, which is the largest square in Ljubljana
and where on 26 June 1991, the independence of Slovenia was declared.Ź
It is the location of the Academia Philharmonicorum from whose open
windows we could hear the students practicing their scales.
VISITING WHAT
WAS ONCE YUGOSLAVIA:
PART 3 ~ VISIT TO LARGEST NORDIC SKI
CENTRE
Posted 1.3.18
FRANK BERNHEISEL & KATHY
CAVANAUGH
We visited the Planica Nordic Center, a very interesting place.
It has one ski-flying hill, seven ski-jumping hills, and indoor
cross-country skiing track in Planica, Slovenia. It is the largest
Nordic Centre in the world.
VISITING WHAT
WAS ONCE YUGOSLAVIA:
PART 2 ~ DAY AROUND BLED
Posted
12.28.17
FRANK BERNHEISEL & KATHY CAVANAUGH
The next morning, we met Sasha
and the others at 9 a.m. to go on a tour. Our first stop -- Bled Castle,
which was first mentioned in writing in the year 1011.
VISITING WHAT
WAS ONCE YUGOSLAVIA
Posted
12.18.17
FRANK BERNHEISEL & KATHY CAVANAUGH
In 2017, from October 19
through November 7, Kathy and I traveled in what used to be Yugoslavia.
We traveled with my brother and sister-in-law (Dave and Mary) on a
Vantage tour, which included a small boat cruise down the Dalmatian
Coast. Yugoslavia, which was a federation of eight provinces, was formed
as a kingdom after WWI with the breakup of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
After WWII it became the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia under
Marshal Tito.
That so-called
tax reform stadium scam
Posted
12.12.17
FRANK BERNHEISEL
What is in the American tax bill, that is the
question. Some good news -- in the House bill there is a provision that
ends the federal tax subsidy for private sports stadiums. Who would have
guessed it!.
Fixing the
American booze tax mess
Posted
12.7.17
FRANK BERNHEISEL
The U.S. tax reform bill introduced in Mitch
McConnell's Senate in November includes deep cuts to federal excise
taxes on alcohol producers. Does this have anything to do with Kentucky
being a major producer of bourbon whisky?
Posted 11.25.17
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
I woke up about 4 AM, thinking about Thanksgiving. The American
myth that I learned in grade school came to mind.
Back to
Wiesbaden
Posted 11.18.17
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
On Sunday, November 5 we (Kathy, brother Dave, his wife, Mary,
and I) had to change planes in Frankfurt, Germany on our way home from
Croatia. We decided to stay a couple of days and visit Wiesbaden to see
what had changed since my brother and I had lived there (1948 - 1951).
Kathy and I had visited Wiesbaden briefly 15 years ago, but it had been
40 years for Dave.
Déjà vu all over
again
Posted 10.16.17
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
Last Friday -- that was Friday the 13th by the way -- President
Trump announced he would not certify Iran's compliance with the 2015
nuclear agreement, which imposes restrictions on Iran's nuclear program
in exchange for economic sanctions relief. The President said:
"We will see what happens with Iran. We're very unhappy with
Iran. They have not treated us with the kind of respect that they should
be treating."
Raindrops keep
falling on my head
Posted
10.2.17
FRANK BERNHEISEL
The U.S. was just hit by two HUGE hurricanes.
Minimizing the damage done by these storms depends on knowing where and
when they are going to hit; that is weather forecasting. The
Washington Post reported that the Gulfstream jet that collects
high altitude data by flying through hurricanes aborted its flight
through Maria.
CARBON TAX:
STILL A GOOD IDEA
Posted
09.1.17
FRANK BERNHEISEL
A carbon tax is a fee imposed on carbon-based fuels
(coal, oil, gas, etc.). The purpose of a carbon tax is to reduce damage
to the environment and eventually eliminate the use of fossil
fuels.
Phoenix police
oppression
Posted 08.26.17
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
The cops stood on the their side of the street in full riot
gear and gas masks with two barricades and a street between us, before
they descended on the crowd. We were pushed, bullied, and assaulted
without provocation or warning.
Great Republican Con
Job
Posted 08.12.17
FRANK BERNHEISEL
Wake up America! You are being
conned! President Trump, with the help of Congress and the media, is
pulling the oldest trick in the book -- distract everyone with the
threat of war with some other country. In this case, North
Korea.
WHAT IS WRONG WITH
THIS US "RECOVERY"?
Posted 08.8.17
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
The employment figures for July have arrived and the numbers
exceeded expectations. Some 209,000 new jobs were created and the
unemployment rate fell to 4.3 percent. That brings the total to more
than 1 million new jobs since President Trump took office, who proudly
tweeted: Excellent Jobs Numbers just released -- and I have only just
begun.
Let the US
Congress get to work on real tax reform
Posted 07.29.17
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
The next high priority item in the Republican governing agenda
is Tax Reform. Given the RepublicanÕs track record on health care, I
thought they could use some help on Tax Reform. First I thought, WE (As
in "We the People" acting as stated in Article I, through the
Congress) need some goals for Tax Reform: (1) raise revenue (2) simplify
tax filings, (3) eliminate favorable treatments that some receive, (4)
lower tax rates, and (5) make taxation more fair.
Dorothy
leaves Kansas for Oz
Posted 06.11.17
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
Sam Brownback has been a star of the Tea Party, both in
Congress and since he was elected Governor of Kansas. In May 2012, he
instituted a package of drastic tax cuts to produce what he predicted
would be "a shot of adrenaline into the heart of the Kansas
economy."
Terminate this
charade
Posted 05.20.17
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
President Trump has ordered a review of all National Monuments
established since 1996, and you are responsible for this review. This
review effort is a diversion of the Department's efforts and a waste of
resources. The restricted budget of the Department of the Interior is
insufficient to meet the maintenance needs of the parks and monuments.
The deferred maintenance in 2015 was estimated to be $12 billion by GAO.
A glaring example of the deferred maintenance is the Memorial Bridge,
which alone needs $250 million in repairs.
The President's
Tax Plan
Posted 05.14.17
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
President Trump has proposed a plan to overhaul the tax code. I
think that this effort is timely. Overall, he proposes to reduce taxes.
His plan for individuals proposes to eliminate targeted tax breaks that
mainly benefit the wealthiest taxpayers and to repeal the Alternative
Minimum Tax are good ideas, but insufficient.
Resist.
Now.
Posted 03.20.17
FRANK BERNHEISEL
As some of you know, I went to
high school in Germany as US military dependant, arriving there in June
of 1948. The damage from WWII was starkly evident -- think of the
pictures of Syria you see, on steroids. I once visited a residential
section of Hamburg that had been firebombed; nothing burnable was left
and the bricks from the houses had exploded from the heat, resulting in
a brick-red sea as far as one could see.
Coal
Regulation Scuttled
Posted 03.06.17
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
President Trump has overturned the regulation that would
prevent dumping of coal mining debris into nearby streams. He called it
a "job-killing rule" before he signed the order to overturn
it. Members of Congress from coal-mining states, including Senate
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-KY, Sen. Rand Paul, R-KY, Sen. Joe
Manchin, D-WV and Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-WV stood around
grinning.
Carbon Tax
Redux
Posted 02.12.17
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
James A. Baker III, Secretary of State and White House Chief of
Staff under President George H. W. Bush, has advocated a good idea: a
Carbon Tax (See Link). He is supported by Hank Paulson, Treasury
Secretary for former President George W. Bush; Greg Mankiw, who chaired
Bush's Council of Economic Advisers; and Marty Feldstein, Chairman of
President Ronald Reagan's Council of Economic Advisors. Also in support
are former Walmart chairman, Rob Walton; Thomas Stephenson, a partner at
the venture capital firm Sequoia Capital; and Ted Halstead, founder of
New America and the Climate Leadership Council.
Slime
Politics
Posted 02.8.17
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
Last year the Senate, under the leadership of Republican
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, failed to do their job by denying
President Obama's Supreme Court nominee, Merrick Garland, a hearing and
a vote. One could even make the case that members of the majority party
at that time violated their oath of office.
Travel
Ban
Posted 02.3.17
FRANK BERNHEISEL
The travel ban sprung by the
Trump Administration initially looked to me like the typical blunder of
a bunch of newbies that are out of their depth. Of course, President
Trump is playing to his base and throwing these kind of bones will allow
him to avoid his real promises of saving coal miners and other middle
Americans from destitution.
What Do We Do,
Now?
Posted 01.23.17
FRANK BERNHEISEL
We, in the United States, have
a government "of the People, by the People and for the
People," which is aimed at helping the peoples of the nation and
the world. We the People have just completed a very long process of
choosing new leadership in both the Executive Branch and the Legislative
Branch of that government. This past weekend, we installed that
leadership in its offices. Come Monday morning and we discover --
similar to the discovery we make after a long weekend drunk -- we have
made a horrendous mistake.
Winding
down
Posted 01.06.17
FRANK BERNHEISEL
The Viking Akun had cruised
through the night on the Volga as it wandered through the Russian Plain,
which is characterized by low hills and woods. We arrived in Yaroslavl
just after breakfast about 8 a.m. . This city of about 600,000 was
founded about 1000 CE on the banks of the Volga River on the site of a
Viking village. The Volga turns south at this point. The Vikings used
the river as their route to the Caspian Sea.
Thinking Huuugely in
America
Posted 01.03.17
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
Our President Elect, Donald Trump, has said that he is going to
bring American manufacturing jobs back from overseas. I have argued
that, while some jobs have gone overseas, the real problem is that jobs
have disappeared due to new technology. The chart below, needless to
say, supports my position.
Going
North
Posted 12.23.16
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
The Viking Akun cruised north on the Moscow Canal through the
newer parts of Moscow heading for the Volga River. All along this part
of the route were new apartment buildings, cranes where apartments would
be soon, green park areas and many recreational facilities, including
amusement parks. What I read in the newspapers and magazines indicates
that the Russian economy is in bad shape. However, that was not what I
observed.
'Mad as
Hell'
Posted 11.11.16
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
All of the talking heads in Washington and elsewhere are trying
to explain why there is so much anger in the U.S. voting public. I think
that Bill Clinton got it right in his 1992 campaign when he said:
"it's the economy stupid."
The
Kremlin
Posted 10.22.16
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
On our visits to Moscow city center we had been all around the
Kremlin's red brick wall with its towers, and viewed it from all angles.
As mentioned earlier, kremlin means fortress in Russian and many cities
have kremlins. The area enclosed within the Kremlin wall in Moscow is
over 68 acres and is almost in the form of a triangle. It includes five
palaces, four cathedrals, and a number of office buildings.
Whither
Democracy?
Posted 10.11.16
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
We Americans pride ourselves on being exceptional and being the
world's oldest democracy. In the last few years, we have not been
setting an example for the rest of the world. Whatever happened to the
shining city on the hill? In our domestic policies, we are
disenfranchising voters, buying elections, and abandoning civility.
These actions plus the dysfunction of our government causes the U.S. to
lose its standing as a world leader. We see European countries like
Poland and Hungary following the lead of Putin's Russia moving toward
oligarchy.
A Day in
Moscow
Posted 09.20.16
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
We disembarked at the Moscow airport and walked to get our
luggage, and meet our transportation. The airport could have been
anywhere, except for the signs in Cyrillic. Fortunately, most signs had
English subtitles.
The Trump -
Putin Bromance
Posted 09.11.16
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
It appears as if we are getting used to Donald Trump's
off-the-cuff statements describing Putin as a "strong leader"
and saying that the United States gets "no respect" from
Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Never underestimate
the power of a bad idea
Posted 08.21.16
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
In our current American political campaign there has been a
drumbeat about manufacturing and manufacturing jobs being shipped
overseas; both Hillary and Donald have had much to say in their
speeches. The implication is that nothing is manufactured in the U.S. of
A. today. The result, so goes the political story, is that shipping of
manufacturing jobs overseas has resulted in HUGE layoffs and
unemployment.
American
Democracy Betrayed
Posted 08.15.16
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
The American philosophy and system of government was thus
designed by the Founders, equally to prevent, the 'snob-rule' of a
governing Elite and the 'mob-rule' of The Majority. This design was to
preclude the existence in America of any governmental power capable of
being misused so as to violate the individual's rights.
CANAL BOAT JOURNEY:
TOURNON TO AVIGNON
Posted 08.08.15
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
Tournon dates from Celtic times and is built on a narrow level
area along the river right up against granite hills. In the 11th century
a wealthy family of nobles, the Counts of Tournon, built a fort/castle
on the granite rock overlooking the Rhone Valley. The castle is above
the fortification in the picture and contains a museum, open to the
public.
CANAL BOAT JOURNEY:
IN ANCIENT VIENNE
Posted 07.22.15
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
Vienne is a really old Roman town that predates Caesar's
conquest of Gaul by 60 years and the Roman town sprawled onto both sides
of the river. On our walking tour after the cathedral, we visited the
Temple of Augustus and Livia, which was built during the reign of
Emperor Augustus.
CANAL BOAT JOURNEY:
IN BEAUTIFUL LYON
Posted 07.14.15
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
The region around Lyon is predominantly agricultural with
tourism working up to second place. Cows are much in evidence and are
used both for meat and milk, which is made into a number of well-known
cheeses: Bleu d'Auvergne, Cantal, Fourme d'Ambert and Saint-Nectaire.
Cheese and wine are all that is needed to make Lyon's reputation as a
culinary capital.
More
National Parks funding needed
Posted 07.13.16
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
The inefficiency involved in having one federal agency apply to
another for partial funding for a project that both the executive and
legislative branches have long recognized as necessary, is appalling.
Further, the grant will not complete this necessary job; estimated to
cost $250 million. This situation will lead to further inefficiencies
because of the effort required by the project team in the National Park
Service to piece together the rest of the required funding.
CANAL BOAT JOURNEY:
LYON DAYS
Posted 06.21.15
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
After breakfast we went by coach north to the Beaujolais
region, which produces one of France's most famous wines. The vineyards
stretch for ten miles along the Saône River and up the rolling
hills. Wine was first produced here by the Romans; and then through the
Middle Ages, winemaking was done by the Benedictine monks. Our goal was
the Chateau Ravatys (see below) for a tour of the vineyard and the
cellar followed by a wine tasting.
CANAL BOAT JOURNEY:
PARIS DAYS
Posted 06.06.15
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
Wine in hand, we all chose typical fare for petite
déjeuner -- Croque Monsieur, soupe à l'oignon, and Quiche
Lorraine -- while seated in the enclosed sidewalk café enjoying
the passing scene. The bright yellow Lamborghini playing Grand Prix on
the Avenue de Suffren was a hit.
Being part of
The Process
Posted 04.26.16
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
After a search on the Senate website, I found no phone number
for the Majority Leader of the Senate. So, I tried to call Senator Mitch
McConnell at his office in the Russell Senate Office Building; his
number is 202-224-2541. I got a robo-answer saying that his office was
experiencing a large number of calls and please send an
e-mail.
Who really gets punished
in the IRS game?
Posted 04.12.16
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
Fortunately, I did not have a question for the IRS because last
year only 37 percent of those that called the IRS got through. If I had
called and gotten through, my wait would have averaged 23 minutes. Snail
mail is worse; the IRS backlog for letters waiting to be answered is
currently over 900,000.
How many U.S.
Supremes should America have?
Posted 03.13.16
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
Additionally, Judge Posner points out, -- contrary to what
Justice Roberts said -- that the justices bring their attitudes and
suppositions, which they have derived from their upbringing, training,
personal and career experience, religion and national origin.
In
Washington, a debate of sorts
Posted 03.05.16
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
Recently, I went to Capitol Hill to watch a debate entitled
The Executive Branch VS. Congressional Prerogatives in National
Security Decisions. This was sponsored by the American Foreign
Policy Council (AFPC). I had been invited by my friend Liz who is
affiliated with AFPC.
Safe drinking
water, toxic lead levels, and slashing safety
spending
Posted 02.13.16
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
The anti-regulation industry and the "government is the
problem" folks have been attacking EPA for years. Adjusted for
inflation, the $100 million annual budget of the EPA's drinking water
office has fallen 15 percent since 2006, resulting in a more than 10
percent reduction of its staff.
Talking Dirty: U.S.
Water And The EPA
Posted 01.31.16
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
So why didn't EPA solve this problem before so many people in
Flint, Michigan, were exposed?
Tolerance
resolution needed
Posted 01.02.16
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
The New Year's resolution is a tradition in our democracy.
Given some of the events and words spoken in 2015, I think a resolution
for 2016, based on Tolerance, might be appropriate.
AMERICAN DESERT
DAYS PART 3
Posted 12.30.15
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
We were headed to the Pipe Spring National Monument almost two
hours away in Arizona. This small facility, 40 acres, is administered by
the Park Service and has a long history, which includes the Paiutes
Indians, Spanish explorers, and Mormon pioneers.
How do you rate
America?
Posted 12.20.15
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
We Americans claim that we have the greatest democracy that the
world has ever seen. We refer to the high principles enunciated in the
Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. And we suggest that
the rest of the world follow our lead.
AMERICAN DESERT
DAYS PART 2
Posted 11.29.15
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
Our itinerary said that this was "a dramatic flightseeing
excursion" and it was. We flew over the Canyonlands National Park
where the Colorado River doubles back on itself several times, as shown
in the "Badlands." In a moment of geologic time the river will
break through the low spot in the picture center and change course once
more. We dodged the peaks of the Escalante and Henry Mountains, and had
a great view of the Waterpocket Fold and other sandstone formations.
Without oxygen our planes had a height limit of 10,000 feet and the
mountains were over 11,000. The terrain was varied to say the least;
changing every minute.
Refugee report
from one German city
Posted 11.21.15
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
Freiburg has taken in 5000 refugees in the last year, which
amounts to 2 percent of our local population. This even though Freiburg
has a housing shortage that is the worst in Germany, based on percent of
income devoted to housing costs. We are getting an additional 150
refugees per week. But it is working out.
A country of
migrants
Posted 11.19.15
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
We are a country of migrants; everyone or their family came
from somewhere else. Even the American Indians migrated, just earlier
than the rest of us.
AMERICAN DESERT
DAYS
Posted 11.09.15
FRANK BERNHEISEL
The train from Chicago, the
California Zephyr, was a half hour late arriving in Grand
Junction, CO. We missed the sunset, but the sky was clear with plenty of
daylight. We located Rob and his black Suburban in front of the train
station; and he took us to the Red Cliffs Lodge in Moab, Utah.
Night train to
Hog Butcher
Posted 10.30.15
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
Bernie, our faithful limo man, let us out right in front of
Union Station to catch the 4:05 p.m. Capital Limited to Chicago. Cars
and seats were assigned based on destination; this all took ten minutes,
max. No TSA agents, no scanners, and no pat downs were endured
US Congressmen should
live in Washington
Posted 10.28.15
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
It appears as if Paul Ryan is going to be Speaker of the House
of Representatives. In his pronouncements about the speakership, I think
that he exemplifies one of the things wrong with the Congress.
Raise the US gas
tax
Posted 10.22.15
FRANK BERNHEISEL
The cost to improve our
America's highways by making all investments with a positive
benefit-cost ratio would have been $161.7 billion in FY 2014. This cost
will grow to $184.2 billion in five (5) years. So far, Congress has done
nothing.
Take Back America: Can
you Trump this?
Posted 09.7.15
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
In the U.S. we have many people enthusiastically supporting
Donald Trump for president. The Donald claims that he will make America
great again.
Illegals? Refugees?
What's in a name?
Posted 09.1.15
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
In the United States we do not seem to have any
"refugees" or "migrants". We have "illegal
immigrants" or "illegals", and too many of them,
according to The Donald and other presidential candidates.
Bomb
Iran?
Posted 08.15.15
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
According to the Washington Institute, Iran's current lead time
to develop a nuclear bomb, Breakout Time, is three months (1). And it
could be less. Also, Iran has developed the Shahab-3 medium-range
ballistic missile, which has a range of 1,200 miles, which is the
distance from Tehran to Tel Aviv.
CANAL BOAT JOURNEY:
THE FINAL DAY
Posted 07.22.15
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
The Viking Pride got underway as we were eating breakfast on
Day 6 of our trip. For a change of pace, I had my first Eggs Benedict of
the trip; they were delicious.
CANAL BOAT JOURNEY:
AND ON TO NORMANDY
Posted 07.13.15
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
Day five of our trip was the highlight for many of our fellow
passengers; it was a full day excursion to the D-Day beaches of
Normandy.When many Americans think of Normandy, D-Day is what comes to
mind.
Inequality
Posted 06.17.15
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
The federal government of the United States is projected to be
a $3.9 trillion operation in fiscal year 2016. This makes the Executive
Branch of federal government the largest organization in the world with
almost three million civilian employees; uniformed military are not
included. Not counted as employees are the 10.5 million contractor
employees that, according to Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-MA.), work for the
federal government.
CANAL BOAT JOURNEY:
AND ON TO ROUEN
Posted 06.04.15
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
One of the first treats was passing through the locks at Notre
Dame de la Garenne. These river boats are designed to just fit into the
locks; there was about a foot clearance on each side. The dam linked to
the locks had seven weirs to control river flow; these are gates between
the towers in the photo. One fed a hydro generation station but there
were no above-ground high tension lines visible.
CANAL BOAT JOURNEY: A
RENDEZVOUS WTH MONET
Posted 05.27.15
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
The Monet paintings in the house were copies; the originals are
in museums to keep them from being damaged. Monet's amazing collection
of Japanese woodblock prints was still in the house and many had faded.
We were told by our Paris guide, Thierry, to make sure we visited the
kitchen of Monet's house; it was great.
From Paris in style
and comfort, on a canal boat
Posted 05.22.15
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
On the internet it seems like everyone wants to sell Paris. We
looked at hotels, tours, and packages. Then I received a special
eight-day river cruse from Viking for a river cruise starting in Paris,
right near the Tour d'Eiffel. Kathy and I signed up and left for Paris
on May 2.
Working on the
railroad
Posted 05.16.15
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
Kathy and I were scheduled to go to New York from Washington
for my granddaughter's, graduation. We had tickets on Amtrak Northeast
Regional run at 8:10 on Saturday morning. Tuesday evening the Northeast
Regional went off the rails and crashed. Eight people were killed. The
railroad is closed and we've made other arrangements.
Musings on the
Middle East
Posted 04.22.15
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
The United States has been involved in the Middle East and
North Africa for its entire history. Cast your mind back to high school
history and you will remember the Barbary Pirates and the Barbary Coast
Wars; one in 1801 and the other in 1815. These activities essentially
led to the development of the U.S. Navy. (The Barbary Coast includes
Algiers, Tripoli, and Tunisia.)
Equal Justice Under
American Law?
Posted 03.14.15
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
US General Petraeus is a smart and capable guy. But General
Petraeus screwed up. And it looks like he will receive a slap on the
wrist.
Alan Turing,
and early computing
Posted 02.28.15
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
In 1960 I graduated from George Washington University with a
degree in Mathematical Statistics and went to work for the UNIVAC
Division of Sperry Rand. I was immediately sent to classes to learn to
program the company's scientific computers, Univac 1103 and Univac 1105.
We learned binary machine language and assembly language to program
these machines. We also learned the history of the programmable digital
computers.
A US
Government service, well run
Posted 02.03.15
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
Living here in Washington DC we hear from Congress and others
that the federal government is staffed with quot;bureaucratsquot; who
are perpetrators of quot;waste, fraud and abuse.quot;. We hear that we
should be quot;Running government like a businessquot; from such leaders
as John Kasich, Rick Scott, and Nikki Haley.
An Obama war on
coal?
Posted 01.13.15
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
The coal-mining industry seems to be a tight little club where
mines and staff are rotated around to confuse the opposition. Also,
while mines get citations and fined, they just keep on operating. Recent
data from MSHA indicates that the nine most delinquent mines owe fines
of more than $1 million each and mines that don't pay their penalties
have injury rates 50 percent higher than those that do.
What to do about
[dirty] coal
Posted 12.24.14
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
"There's a War on Coal " was a rallying cry from
Mich McConnell in his bid for re-election. However, there should be a
war on coal because coal is dirty. Unfortunately, people in the industry
will be out of a job if the coal mines and fired power plants are shut
down.
U.S. Priority Number
One: Pass A Budget
Posted 12.09.14
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
In 1974 Congress passed The Congressional Budget and
Impoundment Control Act, which established the federal government's
fiscal year as the 12-month period beginning on October 1 and ending on
30 September of the next year. We are now over two months into fiscal
year 2015 and there is no Budget. Congress has not passed the Budget
before October first since before 2000.
Picking losers, and
winners
Posted 11.28.14
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
In 2011 Solyndra, the solar panel manufacturer, went bankrupt.
Normally this would not be big news, however Solyndra had received a
loan guarantee from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for a $535
million loan and DOE would lose money. Needless to say, the
anti-government types went ape.
ON TO
DRESDEN
Posted 11.11.14
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
The Journey Continues: The Fontane had docked at night. In the
morning we could see that we were right on the edge of the old city of
Dresden, within easy walking distance to many attractions. After
breakfast we did a coach and walking tour of the city with a local
guide. Almost all the damage to the central city from the WWII bombing
by the British and Americans had been rebuilt
FROM MAGDEBURG TO
DRESDEN
Posted 10.28.14
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
The Journey Continues: On Sunday morning, the full touring
group of 112 travelers set out in three coaches; we were informed that
coaches are different from buses because they have a bathroom. The group
came from America, Australia, England, and Scotland. We left the Hilton
Berlin headed for the Viking ship, Fontane, in Magdeburg, which
is almost 100 miles from Berlin.On the way to Magdeburg we stopped in
Potsdam and toured the Schloss Sanssouci -- our first of many palaces --
which was built by Frederick the Great in about 1750.
Back to Berlin, and
beyond
Posted 10.10.14
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
I was last in Berlin in December 1950 as an American military
dependent high school senior from Wiesbaden to play football. It was one
of those grey north German days with snow showers and a little over a
year after the end of the Berlin Airlift. This past September I came as
a tourist on a glorious fall day with blue sky and bright
sunshine.
Frank Bernheisel's column archives: Click Here
Where does the money
go?
Posted 09.15.14
FRANK BERNHEISEL
According to the U.S. Census,
the median family income in 2012 was $51,371.
Frank Bernheisel's column
archives: Click Here
Dear President
Obama
Posted 09.02.14
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
My, how things have changed since 2009. You came to the
presidency with broad support as a president of peace, determined to get
our military out of Iraq, to finish the war in Afghanistan, and resolve
the country's domestic problems (there were several). Fast forward --
many on the home front are unhappy with you, or worse. Abroad, the
situation is dire, which is why I write.
Frank Bernheisel's column
archives: Click Here
Watching China
Watch
Posted 08.29.14
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
Today's China Watch above-the-fold front-page story is about
the 'Comfort Women' that were captured and forced to provide sex to the
Japanese army during World War II. Estimates of the number of Comfort
Women ranges between 100,000 and 400,000 and included women from Korea,
China, the Philippines, the Dutch East Indies, and
elsewhere.
Frank Bernheisel's column archives: Click Here
Reform taxes
now
Posted 08.01.14
FRANK BERNHEISEL
Until 2007, the US economy
grew pretty well each year with growth staying above four percent per
year or so. The chart below shows clearly the impact of the Great
Recession. As we have heard from our leaders and our wonderful media the
growth since coming out of the Great Recession has not been that great
-- the preliminary data for 2014 shows zero (0) growth. The House of
Representatives needs pass a bill to change the tax system to stimulate
growth.
Frank Bernheisel's column archives: Click Here
That religion
test
Posted 07.18.14
FRANK BERNHEISEL
Recently, five justices of the
Supreme Court held that for-profit corporations have a right to
religious freedom that trumps individual religious freedom. Further, the
Court held that the Greece, NY Town Council can begin its governmental
sessions with sectarian Christian prayers overriding the religious
freedom of the assembled citizens.
Frank Bernheisel's column
archives: Click Here
Conscience, Choices, and the US
Constitution
Posted 07.05.14
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
The Supreme Court in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. threw
out a lot of smoke. It elaborated on its opinion that corporations are
persons so that now corporations have religious beliefs. Worse than
that, corporations have religious rights. Also, that the religious
beliefs and rights of corporations take precedence over the rights of
employees.
Frank Bernheisel's column archives: Click Here
Carbon taxes,
and why
Posted 06.11.14
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
This [carbon] pollution is a negative externality -- that is,
it is a cost imposed on the whole of society and not just the individual
who consumes a certain product. For example, if you drive a car, the
pollution generated in building and driving the car affects everyone,
drivers and non-drivers alike.
Frank Bernheisel's column
archives: Click Here
A brief note on
Memorial Day
Posted 05.27.14
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
Memorial Day in the US was created to honor the Civil War
dead.
Frank Bernheisel's column archives: Click Here
See anyone you
know?
Posted 05.05.14
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
The U.S. Department of Education has released a list of
fifty-five colleges and universities that are under Title IX
investigation. The fifty-five higher education institutions are
currently under review by the department's Office for Civil Rights for
allegedly mishandling sexual assault and harassment on campus in
violation of the gender equity law Title IX.
Frank Bernheisel's column
archives: Click Here
Guaranteed
annual income and universal draft, for all
Posted
04.10.14
FRANK BERNHEISEL
In Switzerland, a group called Generation Basic
Income has gathered more than the 100,000 signatures necessary to put a
ballot initiative before the country's voters. If passed, the initiative
would amend Switzerland's constitution to guarantee every citizen a
yearly unconditional income.
Frank Bernheisel's column
archives: Click Here
Remember the
old coat hanger days
Posted 04.01.14
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
According to the Supreme Court, abortions are legal in the
United States and they should be available, safe, and infrequent. Both
Justice Kennedy and I are old enough to remember when the only option
was a coat hanger.
Frank Bernheisel's column archives: Click Here
A small price to
pay for fairness
Posted 03.23.14
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
I just bought a new Dodge Caravan to replace the 1997 Caravan
with 160,000 miles. The new one cost $22,000 including taxes, etc. The
new Caravan was assembled in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. I purchased the
Caravan though a dealer and talk about a big waste of time -- but I
digress.
Frank Bernheisel's column archives: Click Here
Bad Drugs Equals
Health Problems
Posted 02.24.14
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
Recently, I was reading the labels on the containers of the
pills and other medicines that I take and have taken. Most of the
vitamins, medicines (those with 'real' labels and not just the pharmacy
label) say "distributed by" but not where they are made. The
aspirin says "Made in Canada," and some of the supplements are
labeled "Made in USA." None of the pharmaceuticals have origin
labels. Is this a problem?
Frank Bernheisel's column
archives: Click Here
Flooding oceans
deep and stormy. And expensive.
Posted 02.07.14
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
The waters are definitely rising -- in the 20th century the sea
level rose about 20 centimeters or eight inches. Scientists say that
this rise is a major factor in the damage done by storms like Katrina,
Irene, Isaac, and Sandy.
Frank Bernheisel's column archives: Click Here
End NFL tax-exempt
status
Posted 01.27.14
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
Tax earmarks are essentially tax increases for everyone who
doesn't receive the benefitÉin this case, working Americans are paying
artificially high rates in order to subsidize special breaks for sports
leagues. This is hardly fair.
Frank Bernheisel's column
archives: Click Here
Don't support Iran
Sanctions
Posted 01.27.14
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
If Iran develops nuclear weapons, its neighbors will feel that
they need them also. These would include Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and
Egypt. This proliferation would increase the likelihood of nuclear
material and eventually weapons falling into the hands of terrorists.
The negotiated resolution has the potential for a solution and deserves
support.
Frank Bernheisel's column archives: Click Here
The Social
Security Entitlements
Posted 12.08.13
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
Social Security is an entitlement. There is a contract between
us and the federal government that as soon as we start to work (for most
jobs) our employer will take part of our wages and put it in a federal
trust for us. This is combined with the health care insurance premium
into the Federal Insurance Contribution Act (FICA) tax.
Frank
Bernheisel's column archives: Click
Here
US Tax
give-aways
Posted 11.23.13
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
In 2011, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, families in the
upper 10 percent were making more than $140,000 per year. That includes
all the members of both the Senate and the House of
Representatives.
Frank Bernheisel's column archives: Click Here
That Twitter
bump
Posted 11.12.13
FRANK BERNHEISEL
Twitter recenty had its
initial public offering (IPO) of stock yesterday. It's stock was offered
at $26 per share and jumped to $44.90 per share in what is called the
bump. The folks on Wall Street cheered -- a huge
success.
Frank Bernheisel's column archives: Click Here
Letter to my
two US senators from Virginia
Posted 11.05.13
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
These states made these choices for their own economic and
political reasons. This underscores the fact that shutdowns of the
federal government are both costly and damage the social fabric.
Frank Bernheisel's column archives: Click Here
Obamacare
website
Posted 10.28.13
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
The Republicans want an investigation into why Obamacare cannot
be rolled out on time and they want to find out who is responsible. Are
they proposing to give those they identify a House of Representatives
medal?
Frank Bernheisel's column archives: Click Here
Sen. Mike Lee on
Obamacare
Posted 10.11.13
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
He [Sen. Mike Lee} neglected to point out that THE PEOPLE
reelected President Obama by a five million vote margin over Mitt Romney
when the issue was the Affordable Care Act.
Frank Bernheisel's column
archives: Click Here
Dear Speaker
Boehner
Posted 09.21.13
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
As the Speaker of the House, you may be wondering why I have
taken the time to spell out what should be self-evident. The reason is
-- the House of Representatives is not performing its functions. Some
specifics:
Frank Bernheisel's column archives: Click Here
I may have seen
Russia from afar
Posted 09.08.13
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
It was Saturday morning and we were riding in a very nice dome
car with a bar on the Alaskan Railroad going from Anchorage to Denali. I
was enjoying the scenery along the Cook Inlet through the lens of an
early morning Bloody Mary, when the train screeched to an unexpected
stop in Wasilla.
Frank Bernheisel's column archives: Click Here
Right to privacy? I
don't think so.
Posted 08.05.13
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
The U.S. Supreme Court based its [Roe vs. Wade] decision, on a
right to privacy in turn based on the 14th Amendment to the
Constitution. However, a whole bunch of folks on the right side of the
political spectrum do not agree with this decision and are working hard
to overturn it. Also, a whole bunch of folks in the South (there is some
overlap here) do not agree with the 14th Amendment.
Frank
Bernheisel's column archives: Click
Here
This is Koched
up
Posted 07.24.13
FRANK BERNHEISEL
The Great Recession has caused
some to lose their jobs and others to lose their homes. Not so the
billionaire Koch brothers who constantly complain about the government's
unfair burdens on the wealthy.
Frank Bernheisel's column
archives: Click Here
Edward
Snowden: Patriot or Traitor
Posted 06.24.13
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
At age 29, I worked for Booz Allen as a computer expert on
classified projects and had a top secret and a Q clearance. We, at Booz,
were smart and arrogant; we could solve any problem. I see a different
arrogance in Snowden -- a moral arrogance. His judgment overrides all
others, and he will do what he wants no matter what the consequences. In
fact, he said that he was willing to face the consequences of his
actions. It appears to me that he planned something like this for a
while and maneuvered his way in the system to accomplish
it.
Frank Bernheisel's column archives: Click Here
Gun control --
let's see some action
Posted 06.19.13
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
This week, seven killed and 26 wounded in Chicago. Recently,
four killed in St. Louis, five in Santa Monica. And on and on...If
Congress wonÕt do anything, we should give up, right?
Frank
Bernheisel's column archives: Click
Here
Your trash: What
happens to it?
Posted 06.09.13
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
Today, most cities and counties in the US and Canada have
recycling programs. In 2010, Americans generated about 250 M tons of
trash of which 29 M tons were burned for energy. About 65 M tons were
recycled and used to manufacturer new products. Of the remainder, about
20 M tons, mostly yard waste, was composted and the remaining 55 percent
disposed in landfills.
Frank Bernheisel's column archives: Click Here
Tax-free in
America
Posted 05.30.13
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
We are going to hear a lot about the big scandal at the
American IRS -- who knew what and when and yada, yada, yada. The
Congress of the United States seems to think it is more fun to hold
circus hearings that doing their jobs.
Frank Bernheisel's column
archives: Click Here
Oh, those Oklahoma
senators
Posted 05.23.13
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
The people of Oklahoma are known for being very conservative
and adverse to big government and government spending. Nonetheless, in
2010 the federal government spent $38.5 billion in Oklahoma or $10,256
for each resident in the state (U.S. Census Bureau).
Frank
Bernheisel's column archives: Click
Here
Garbage Use: A
No-brainer
Posted 05.13.13
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
The U.S. generates 250 million tons of municipal solid waste
(MSW) per year (EPA, 2010). This trash from residential and commercial
waste generator and includes 35 million tons of yard waste and 34
million tons of food waste. It does not include industrial waste or
construction and demolition waste.
Frank Bernheisel's column
archives: Click Here
US gun control, or lack
of, and the ATF Bureau
Posted 04.26.13
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) is part of
the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the federal law enforcement
organization responsible for the investigation and prevention of federal
offenses involving the use, manufacture, and possession of firearms and
explosives. They also are responsible for illegal trafficking of alcohol
and tobacco products. The ATF also regulates via licensing the sale,
possession, and transportation of firearms, ammunition, and explosives
in interstate commerce.
Frank Bernheisel's column archives: Click Here
Big Pharma, Big
Profits
Posted 04.22.13
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
I was taking Lipitor and my doctor thought the change in the
cholesterol numbers was good. This is the new medicine -- we do a test
and look at the numbers, prescribe a pill and retest. Eureka, the
numbers change.
Frank Bernheisel's column archives: Click Here
How about those
so-called Obama phones?
Posted 04.12.13
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
I know that those who believe Fox News and some of the polemics
zipping around the Internet will be in disbelief. After all, the source
is that liberal rag, The Washington Post A couple of key
points, which may whet your appetite...
Frank Bernheisel's column
archives: Click Here
Gay Marriage:
The game is on
Posted 03.26.13
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
We never got separation of church and state, right. The First
Amendment says: "Congress shall make no law respecting an
establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise
thereof." That was not clear to some and so Jefferson clarified it,
when he described the First Amendment as erecting a "wall of
separation between church and state." But we did not follow through
and some of us have insisted in dragging religion into public
institutions ever since.
The US
Deficit
Posted 03.18.13
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
Notice the Deficit has declined from the peak in 2009 and is
projected to decline in the future. Could this be because of the
Stimulus and the Tax Increase for the wealthy?
About
those US Lawmakers' Workloads
Posted 02.22.13
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
The salary of a Member of the US House of Representatives
starts at $174,000 and goes up based upon seniority and assignments. Oh,
and it is adjusted for cost of living annually. This works out to
$$14,500 per month.
License all
guns, and tax ammo, too
Posted 01.18.13
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
In my opinion, there is no justification for normal citizens
owning military type weapons, specifically assault rifles like the AR 15
with removable and large capacity magazines -- particularly when fully
automatic conversion kits are available for sale from magazines or the
Internet.
Tax guns, tax
ammo
Posted 12.22.12
FRANK BERNHEISEL
I propose one addition to
LaPierre's proposal. Guns and ammunition should be taxed at the federal
level to pay for these armed police and their support.
GOP Platform
No. 2
Posted 12.18.12
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
The record on immigration law is not pretty. The Chinese
Exclusion Act was passed in 1882, and with revisions allowed the U.S. to
suspend Chinese immigration, a ban that was intended to last 10 years.
It was repealed in 1943. So much for honoring the contribution of those
that built the railroads. The point is that enforcing bad laws is bad
policy; and 'illegal' can just be a contrivance to play to someone's
biases.
GOP Platform
No. 1
Posted 11.24.12
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
The pundits, even those on Fox News, are saying the Republicans
must recognize reality and change. Maybe. The pundits say the Rs need to
do better with women. Romney received only 44 percent of the women's
vote and there are more women voters than men. The reason may have
something to do with the Rs policies about women.
ITALY: The Grand
Tour Part Three
Posted 11.14.12
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
The Adventure Concludes | Our second night in the Lake area was
dark and stormy night, and it rained the next morning for the boat ride
to the ) palace on Isola Bella Charles III of Spain built in the 17th
century. The palace was amazing and proves the nothing exceeds like
excess.
Italy: The Grand
Tour Part Two
Posted 11.10.12
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
The Adventure Continues | Again, up early and bussed down the
hill to the dock at St. Agnello to catch the ferry to Capri. The bus was
left behind so we toured Isola de Capri by small boat and walked around
the town of Capri. The town is up on the big rock reached by the
funicular -- a balanced two-car cable system; as one goes up, the other
goes down.
Italy: The Grand
Tour No. One
Posted 11.09.12
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
The Adventure Begins | We flew from Washington to Rome, with a
brief stopover at London/Heathrow to change airplanes. Our Grand Tour
was executed by Trafalgar and offered fourteen optional excursions -- at
extra cost, of course. We opted for all.
John Sununu disses
Colin Powell
Posted 10.29.12
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
GOPer John Sununu, well known for talking when he should be
listening, has said that Colin Powell expressed his support for
President Obama because he is black. We should not be surprised.
Tax cuts and
class warfare
Posted 07.14.12
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
The Republicans, both in public office and wannabes, are
calling for the tax cuts from the Bush administration to be made
permanent. (They are due to expire on December 31, 2012.) President
Obama has proposed that the tax cuts be renewed for incomes of $250,000
or less, which the Republicans are calling class warfare.
US student
loan rates
Posted 06.27.12
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
On July 1, the US student loan program interest rates are
scheduled to double from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent. Why?
Masters of the
Universe
Posted 06.09.12
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
Recently on the financial news -- and also for at least the
last year -- I heard that the Masters of the Universe have been sitting
on two trillion dollars, $2,000,000,000,000, because of
uncertainty.
Hi ho, hi ho, it's
off to work we go
Posted 04.30.12
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
This could be applied to the men and women in the U.S. House of
Representatives. How else to explain Congress' decision to give itself a
seven-day recess in honor of Presidents Day. Or a two-week break for
Easter and Passover, which was followed two weeks later by a second
two-week break.
ALEC: The corporate
go-to "guy"
Posted 03.28.12
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
One of the contributing factor to the death of Trayvon Martin
was the Florida "Stand Your Ground" law. One might think that
the law was just the brainchild on a rightwing nut case legislator. One
would be wrong; the law is the product of the American Legislative
Exchange Council (ALEC).
Santorum? Bring him
on!
Posted 03.22.12
FRANK BERNHEISEL
I for one am really happy the
Rick Santorum is in the Republican primary races and collecting enough
wins to stay in longer. In fact, I would like to see him win the
Republican nomination.
Current US
transportation bill a waste
Posted 03.14.12
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
I think that funding the US transportation bill for only two
years is a gigantic waste of time, effort, and money. Also, the amount
of money being discussed in inadequate.
Virginia Attorney
General abuses his power
Posted 03.05.12
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
I view your demand of the University of Virginia as an abuse of
the power of the office of the Attorney General. This was done not in
any pursuit of the public interest but because you personally believe
that the conclusions of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
report are, to quote you, "unreliable, unverifiable and
doctored."
Churches
should comply or lose tax exemptions
Posted 02.06.12
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
b>In the US there are approximately 5000 hospitals of which 629
or 13 percent are Catholic. When the metric is beds or admissions, the
percentages are over 15 percent. These institutions employ over 640,000
people.
Free tax ride
for charitable institutions?
Posted 01.31.12
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
I was listening to C-SPAN radio while shaving the other morning
and the discussion was about Mitt Romney's tax return, the President's
speech, and the deficit. A man named Charles called in and pointed out
that Mitt had deducted $7 million for charitable contributions for 2010
and 2011. Of this, $3.1 million went to the Mormon Church. Charles made
the statement that allowing this tax deduction for Romney made him
(Charles) pay more taxes and effectively forced him to support the
Mormon Church.
Build the
pipeline, but...
Posted 01.21.12
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
Now Exxon Mobil, which owns the pipeline, says that they are
going to bury the pipeline deeper where it crosses the river so it won't
rupture again. So why wasn't it buried deeply in the first
place?
Economic
Growth?
Posted 01.11.12
FRANK BERNHEISEL
Could this be the light at the
end of the tunnel?
Tipped
Off
Posted 01.01.12
FRANK BERNHEISEL
On December 20, the Wall
Street Journal ran the following article, "Inside Capitol,
Investor Access Yields Rich Tips". From my point of view, the
following paragraphs from the article are indicative of how corrupt the
links between members of Congress and the financial community
are.
Your lobbyists at
work
Posted 12.16.11
FRANK BERNHEISEL
This year, 12,792
professionals lobbied for influence in the American capital, according
to First Street Research Group in an analysis that tracks lobbyists.
There are, by law, 435 voting members of the House of Representatives
and 100 Senators. That computes to 24 lobbyists for every elected
representative of the people.
For two cents
each, that's why
Posted 11.22.11
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
This ship is the Emma Maersk, built in Denmark in 2006.
She and her seven sister ships are the longest container ships
constructed and the longest ships in service. She is 1,302 feet long and
has one of the largest internal combustion engines built. developing
109,000 HP.
About the fetus/person
issue
Posted 11.12.11
FRANK BERNHEISEL
The people of Mississippi --
those who voted -- rejected the ballot measure that would define a legal
person as existing from the moment of conception.
Two cheers
for bipartisanship
Posted 10.23.11
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
So the Obama Administration is blameless, right? No! The Obama
Administration failed to do the due diligence that any venture
capitalist needs to do before investing in a project.
US War on Drugs a
failure
Posted 09.26.11
FRANK BERNHEISEL
Let's be clear, the 'War on
DrugsÕ -- started in 1971 by President Nixon -- has failed. ItÕs time
for a new approach.
Is General Electric a US
corporation?
Posted 08.02.11
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
Is GE an American company? Does it benefit from being
incorporated in Schenectady, New York, and having its headquarters in
Fairfield, Connecticut?
MEET US REP.
ERIC CANTOR OR, THE BEST GOVERNMENT MONEY CAN
BUY
Posted 07.22.11
FRANK BERNHEISEL
Cantor owns up to $15,000 in
the fund, which is called the ProShares Trust Ultrashort 20 Plus Year
Treasury ETF. Cantor, who leads the House GOP's debt ceiling
negotiations, would see his ETF rise dramatically in value if
Republicans allow the country to default on its debt. And as Salon
notes, Cantor recently broke off negotiations over raising the debt
ceiling.
Who do US
Congressmen serve?
Posted 07.14.11
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
As the old saying goes: a man cannot serve two
masters.
On killing
Medicare in the US
Posted 07.03.11
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
Dominating the US air waves, we have Paul Ryan who says that
the way to save money and eliminate the federal government debt is to
kill Medicare and turn us work over to private insurance companies. ItÕs
a joke, right?
Farm
Subsidies
Posted 06.24.11
FRANK BERNHEISEL
Recently, the US House of
Representatives passed the agriculture appropriations bill. This bill
includes a bunch of subsidies for farmers and agribusiness. These
subsidies, partially listed below (thanks to the Cato Institute for
those) add up to between $14 and $23 billion every year. These are in
addition to the $6 billion a year ethanol subsidy, which has pushed the
price of corn to over $7 per bushel, increasing the cost of
food.
Moodys:
Conflict of Interest
Posted 06.09.11
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
Moody's and the other rating "agencies" get paid by
the people, like Goldman Sachs, who issued the bonds. Could there be a
conflict here?
American
Farce
Posted 06.02.11
FRANK BERNHEISEL
What is wrong with a little
farce? Everyone gets to laugh, right? Wrong!
Arab
Democracy
Posted 05.19.11
FRANK BERNHEISEL
There are no Arab democracies.
Every Arab state is run by a monarch or a dictator and dissent is
forcefully suppressed. Lebanon is no exception.
Fort
Sumter Re-fired
Posted 04.18.11
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
The plan is bold! It is serious! It took courage! It re-frames
the debate! The ball is in Obama's court! Very wonky! It is a
game-changer! Did I mention it is serious? The math demands it! We need
to have shared sacrifice! This puts us on the right course! It's serious
and bold!
Fort Sumter
Re-fired
Posted 04.13.11
FRANK BERNHEISEL
On April 12, 1861, 150 years
ago, the men of honor standing on their principles, fired the shots and
started the bloodiest war in American history. These were the gentlemen
of South Carolina who seemed to have a penchant for secession. They had
gone in that direction in 1832 during the nullification crisis but were
out maneuvered by Andrew Jackson.
All the nutcases
come out to run for President
Posted 03.30.11
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
The US is a free country and as we come up to the presidential
election -- it is only 19 months away -- we are proving it, every day.
We do this by encouraging every nutcase in America to run for
president.
Fill 'er
up!
Posted 03.04.11
FRANK BERNHEISEL
Earlier this week I filled up
my car with gas: fourteen gallons at $3.359 for a total of $47.03. The
price of oil in New York on March 2 was $101 per barrel. In 2008, which
was a recession year, Exxon Mobile and Shell made profits of $45 billion
and $26 billion respectively. And, as far as I can tell, Exxon paid no
federal tax in 2009.
Geothermal
Energy Usage Report
Posted 01.15.11
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
We have had a geothermal heating and cooling system working in
our home here in northern Virgina since August, 2009 and we saw a drop
in total annual energy use of thirty-one percent in 2010 over 2009.
Let Bush's tax cuts
lapse
Posted 11.10.10
FRANK BERNHEISEL
The tax cuts apply only to
those people with income and, for the most part, income well above the
national average. Extending the tax cuts will do nothing for the
millions of Americans who are trying to find employment or are faced
with imminent unemployment.
On
Medicare Spending
Posted 010.25.10
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
The huge budget deficits that the [US] faces in coming decades
are, above all, because of Medicare. The program will have to cover
growing numbers of baby boomers while health costs are likely to keep
going up.
Yes, the rich
are getting richer
Posted 09.10.10
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
"...Income inequality is actually declining in Latin
America even as it continues to increase in the United States.
Economically speaking, the richest nation on earth is starting to
resemble a banana republic."
Remembering what
we Americans just celebrated ~ July 4, 1776
Posted
07.06.10
FRANK BERNHEISEL
The introduction above is followed by a list of 18
grievances against George III. One of which was that George III would
not allow immigration reform. The more things change...
Pass a
carbon tax
Posted 06.24.10
FRANK BERNHEISEL
The carbon tax should take
effect immediately and initially produce a 50 cent per gallon increase
in the price of gasoline and diesel fuel. Then the carbon tax should
ramp up over ten years to result in $7 a gallon gasoline in today's
dollars.
Judging the
judges
Posted 06.07.10
FRANK BERNHEISEL
There are 33 states in the
U.S. that elect state judges. Youse got a problem wit dat? Yes, a few.
For one thing, the opportunity for corruption is high.
FUN STUFF IN
WASHINGTON
Posted 05.31.10
FRANK BERNHEISEL
Of course the big news is in
the Gulf of Mexico and Afghanistan but we should not let the fun little
stories pass us by.
Bad Viginia
Litigation
Posted 03.30.10
FRANK BERNHEISEL
I would like to register my
outrage at the law suit that the Commonwealth of Virginia has
initiated...
Health care
e-mails to my senators
Posted 03.11.10
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
It has been sixty years since Harry Truman tried to get
universal health care passed in the United States. That is long enough
and the issues are clear; letÕs get a significant improvement in health
care done, now.
The
Republican health care bill
Posted 02.10.10
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
As I mope around the house nursing my cold (eye, nose, and
throat infections -- hooray for modern antibiotics and walk-in clinics,
even though you pay out of pocket and out of program) I am musing on
health care. Yes, America has really good and maybe the best health
care, if you can afford it.
Americans,
don't be distracted
Posted 01.25.10
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
The people of Massachusetts elected Scott Brown to fill the
vacant seat in the U.S. Senate and you would think that there had been a
cataclysm and that everything that had been done in the last full year
-- where health care was debated, discussed and dissected -- was negated
and the President Obama was dead meat.
Frank Bernheisel writes from
the Washington DC region.
Pass the US
health care reform bill
Posted 12.20.09
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
Why is the US health care bill 2000 pages long? Because that is
the way we do legislation in the U. S. of A. Specifically, Congress does
not choose to enact legislation that lays down principles, guidelines,
and criteria. They try to spell things out in detail to make sure that
those faceless bureaucrats in Washington to not run amuck and do
something rational.
Frank Bernheisel writes from the Washington DC
region.
US health care
already rationed
Posted 08.26.09
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
In the U.S. of A., we have a long history of rationing health
care. The reason triage came into the English language in 1918 is
because the casualties of WWI were so high they swamped the medical
facilities. It is the same in every war and disaster. It also occurs
in local emergency rooms, especially on Friday and Saturday
nights.
Frank Bernheisel writes from the Washington DC
region.
Health care? Do
something!
Posted 07.24.09
FRANK BERNHEISEL
Coming to work, GOP Rep. Eric
Cantor of Virginia was on CSPAN radio talking about health care and how
President Obama did not say much yesterday in his press conference on
health care. He went on about how Americans will not give up their
sacred right to choose their own doctor, etc.
Frank Bernheisel writes
from the Washington DC region.
Our home
geothermal heating-cooling project
Posted 07.12.09
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
Kathy and I are having our house converted to geothermal
heating and cooling. The way this works is that a heat transfer fluid,
similar to the antifreeze/water fluid in a car, is pumped down the wells
and either picks up heat or deposits heat -- depending on whether it is
heating or cooling.
Frank Bernheisel writes from the Washington DC
region.
The vision not
yet fulfilled
Posted 07.12.09
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
Despite the fact that this is a terrific country to live in and
the land of opportunity, it is not yet the land of
equalopportunity.ŹA child born to family in Mississippi has twice
the chance of dying before reaching one year, as one born in Minnesota.
If life is one of those unalienable Rights, for which our government was
instituted to secure, why the gap between our statement of our vision
and our performance?
Frank Bernheisel writes from the Washington DC
region.
Mister President,
bring on the Carbon Tax
Posted 07.12.09
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
We need to have a new energy policy in the United States. The
cap and trade approach plus subsidies for industry of the Waxman-Markey
bill is not the solution. W-M is too complicated, too expensive, and
hobbled by picking favorites. Also, it includes a big give-away to
coal.
Frank Bernheisel writes from the Washington DC
region.
Mister President,
bring on the Carbon Tax
Posted 07.12.09
FRANK
BERNHEISEL
We need to have a new energy policy in the United States. The
cap and trade approach plus subsidies for industry of the Waxman-Markey
bill is not the solution. W-M is too complicated, too expensive, and
hobbled by picking favorites. Also, it includes a big give-away to
coal.
Frank Bernheisel writes from the Washington DC
region.
Did Pelosi
know?
Posted 07.12.09
FRANK BERNHEISELEverybody knew and stayed
silent. Nobody did anything because nobody cared. The American people
did not care; they were busy watching Jack Bauer on "24" save
the US by torturing bad guys. It was OK, it was right there on
TV.
Frank Bernheisel writes from the Washington DC region.
Junk the
Junkers
Posted 07.12.09
FRANK BERNHEISELI think that the United States
needs some new thinking about the auto industry and the economy. Despite
all the talk, I hear no new ideas.Germany for example, has a program to
take older cars, junkers, off the road.
Frank Bernheisel
writes from the Washington DC region.
There ought to be a
(new) law
Posted 07.12.09
FRANK BERNHEISELI suggest that we pass a law
that says that no executive of any publicly traded company can earn more
than three times the salary of the President of the United States. Can
anyone make the case that their job is harder?
Frank Bernheisel
writes from the Washington DC region.
Picking It
Up
Posted 07.12.09
FRANK BERNHEISELMartin Luther King day, a national
holiday celebrated in all fifty states is becoming recognized as a day
for community service. In that spirit, Kathy and I started on our
morning walk with two plastic grocery bags each, in which to store
litter picked up along the bike path.
Frank Bernheisel writes from
the Washington DC region.
What's the
logic here?
Posted 07.12.09
FRANK BERNHEISELLet me see if I have this
right -- The Senate Republicans want guys on the assembly line making
less than $60,000 per year to agree to wage cuts before the government
will loan the companies they work for some $14 billion.
Frank
Bernheisel writes from the Washington DC region.
Whither
Detroit: To bail or not to bail, that is the
question
Posted 07.12.09
FRANK BERNHEISELEveryone seems to be down on
the American car industry. The industry is to blame for making cars that
no one wants to buy, etc. etc. Until last spring, everyone seemed to
want large pickups and SUVs (categorized as Light Trucks). Yes, I know
about the Prius, which sold about 45,000 units in the first quarter of
2008. However, light trucks sold 7.8 million units during that time. The
first quarter also saw sales of five million domestic and 2.4 million
imported automobiles.
Frank Bernheisel writes from the Washington DC
region.
Election
2008
Posted 07.12.09
FRANK BERNHEISELKathy and I arrived at our polling
place. There were already about 30 people in line ahead of us. As we
waited for the polls to open at 6 a.m., about 100 more people arrived.
The crowd was very unusual at our polling place -- usually we arrive
about 6 and there are maybe five people waiting.
Frank Bernheisel
writes from the Washington DC region.
So, how do we
save on energy costs?
Posted 07.12.09
FRANK
BERNHEISELHere is the problem: George Bush and Company took Iraq's oil
off the world market just at the time that demand was rising. (Law: when
demand rises and supply does not, prices do.) To make matters worse,
they introduced a lot of uncertainty into the market. (Law: uncertainty
in market equals risk and risk equals rising prices.) So, what is the
solution for the US of A?
Frank Bernheisel writes from the
Washington DC region.
Follow the
(lobbying) money
Posted 07.12.09
FRANK BERNHEISELIt's probably just a
coincidence that since George Bush became President, lobbying
expenditures have almost doubled from $1.5 billion to $2.8 billion last
year.
Frank Bernheisel writes from the Washington DC
region.
Energy use Š the
moral equivalent of war?
Posted 07.12.09
FRANK
BERNHEISELPer
person in the US of A, we each use the equivalent of 64 barrels of oil
each year or 114,000 kilowatt hours (KWHr) of electricity. Swedes and
Germans use a lot less energy per person -- 44 and 32 barrels,
respectively.
Frank Bernheisel writes from the Washington DC
region.
You gotta love
it
Posted 07.12.09
FRANK BERNHEISELWell, we have the politicians and the
Federal Reserve worrying about a recession and lots of people are
defaulting on their loans, and Bear Stearns and Bank of America are
going to the Arab states for money to prop up their finances and some of
the loan companies are going bankrupt.
Frank Bernheisel writes from
the Washington DC region.
About this
warPosted 07.12.09
FRANK BERNHEISELWe have at least twelve candidates
trying to be the next President and not one, except Ron Paul, is saying
anything definite about the war. It must be the good news. However, the
situation reminds me of Nixon campaigning to be president in 1968; he
had a plan to end the war in Vietnam. The Vietnam war ran on until 1975.
Frank Bernheisel writes from the Washington DC region.
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