Fake News? What About Fake Everything?

Well, we've been hearing a lot lately about "fake news", haven't we? I mean, Facebook™ and other big-influence entities have sworn to fight fake news, to the point they are (seemingly) willing to work at banning it altogether, thereby also giving up any ad-revenues those things might draw in.

I am certainly in favor of getting rid of what I perceive as "fake news"; those sidebar ads that have those "shocking" headlines designed to draw in "clickers", which, of course, pays ad-revenue. 

Somehow, it seems a lot like "sucker-bait"; ok, I guess I must be a 'sucker', right? Me, and a whole lot of other folks.

But, there's much more to this whole idea of "fakeness", in my (humble) opinion. I think we're living in a time (and culture/society) in which we've become so wrapped up in "fakeness" in so many venues and on so many levels...that we're spinning out of control, y'know?

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I Must Admit I Was Wrong About Donald Trump!

Yes, it's true. I was wrong about Donald Trump. If you've been following some of my posts, you'll know that I have said that I did not really believe The Donald actually, really and truly wanted to be our 45th President; but I thought he was mostly just trying to "stir up the pot" re: 'politics-as-usual'...which, of course, he did manage to do, and quite well, too, I think.

So, here we are, Donald has won the election (I think he was even surprised at that) through the Electoral system, even though Hillary Clinton (allegedly) won the popular vote...and, we know it is even now being challenged, and a recount(?)...dunno if such a thing is even possible these days.

So, how did I get it wrong?

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Donald Trump: Why Not Smile More?

After watching (videos of) numerous events of Donald Trump, including the first two Presidential debates, I've noticed his facial "pouting" might be a pretty big downer with regard to his overall public persona.

I know he's probably especially tense and anxious during the debates, as he listens to Hillary Clinton answer questions. It's pretty clear he's biding his time...working hard not to interrupt (which is good)...and his facial expression (that pout) doesn't make him look very friendly, in my (humble) opinion.

So...Why not smile more, Mr. Trump?

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Wells Fargo: ARE WE ALMOST THERE YET?

Hoo-boy! 

It's utterly unbelievable, in my (humble) opinion, what kind of things had been going on within Wells Fargo. 

Reading some of the news bits and hearing or watching about it on news broadcasts (radio, TV, Internet) is like reading or hearing or watching the script for a 'made-for-entertainment-drama'; 

Rating: X-FACTO (for "eXtremely outrageous FACTual cOntent"). 

Hold on a minute...this is not fiction, so it must be taken seriously, right? 

Are we almost there yet?

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Just What IS "Morality", Really?

I recently read an article about a teenage female (18, I believe) high-school student who was (allegedly) told by school authorities that she needed to put on a bra (or otherwise cover up?), as she (allegedly) had decided not to wear one on a particular day at school.

According to the article, a male teacher had reportedly complained that the student's attire (i.e., 'lack of' bra?) made him "uncomfortable". 

The student stood her ground, saying she had not violated any dress codes, and the school authorities held their position as well. 

But it seems to be blossoming into something I think we all are going to have to deal with regarding "morality", and how issues such as this one have a 'ripple-effect' on society at large. 

One-way-or-another...sooner-or-later...like-it-or-not...we are going to have to look at our collective selves in our mirrors and ask:

Just what IS "morality" really?

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Hillary, Dillary, They're Building The Stocks And Pillory!

Well, we've heard the news. FBI decides not to charge or prosecute Hillary Clinton. I actually watched a good piece of a video of the FBI Director (Comey) giving his best shot at defending the agency's work and ultimate conclusion/decision, even though he was somewhat 'badgered' by a few (GOP) who clearly disagree with the outcome.

Director Comey, in my (humble) opinion, held his own quite well, and exhibited an assurance and confidence that his agency (et al.) did the right thing.

Yet...there is still 'more to follow'...more questions, perhaps more committees to delve deeper into some of the 'nitty-gritty'; with focus, of course, on seeking "Justice" and demonstrating (as best possible) that our Justice System is impartial, equitable, fair, and all the other 'balances' which are imperative in True Justice.

It appears they (whoever "they" are) are getting ready to build the "stocks and pillory", dear Hillary...

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Donald Trump: My Open Letter To The Soul Inside The Man

Dear Donald Trump...

I write this "open letter" to you, in hopes of it reaching your consciousness through whatever forces and powers are at work in our Universe that manage such things.

I am both excited and disappointed with the current "Trump platform", mainly because I do believe you speak many Truths (with capital "T") regarding such things as our broken system(s): i.e., 'politics-as-usual', current political cronyisms, deceptions, 'riggings', corruption, and the like.

And, I do believe you genuinely want to help "fix" America, as you've alluded to in some of your interviews, etc. And, I also believe you have many qualifications which likely give you capabilities that could help make some of the things plaguing America far better than they are today.

But...(there's always a 'but', right?)...

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Lady Justice Weeps

Sometimes we have to stop and take stock of where we are with regard to our overall sense of fairness, equity, impartiality, and other components we collectively associate with the concept of Justice. 

I use a capital "J" because I believe the term represents one of those things which deserves as much respect as I can give it, since I generally hold to the principle that True Justice (with capital "T" and capital "J") is something that comes from the same 'forces' responsible for all of existence; whether we call that God (through various names), or Nature, or something else. 

In my (humble) opinion, True Justice is really only possible in a society or culture that collectively agrees on its underlying fundamental principles, origins, and other bases.

Such a society/culture must also be capable of carrying out fair, equitable, impartial implementation of that collective agreement, for purposes of maintaining a manageable measure of 'peaceful-coexistence' among members of social and cultural groups. 

These days, I perceive that Lady Justice might be weeping, because of some of the things she is aware of that do not represent what she has, for so very long, represented...and I think she is very sad, indeed. 

Why should Lady Justice weep? 

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Senator Elizabeth Warren - Kudos On "Rigged Justice 2016"

Senator Elizabeth Warren, an outspoken Massachusetts Democrat, released "Rigged Justice 2016" in January, a report which describes 20 scenarios where 'True Justice' has been ill-represented through high powered, questionable, and blatantly manipulated methods.

Because of this, the shady and devious practices that were rampant leading up to the 2008 (etc.) economic debacle by banks and others 'riding the wave' of a bursting economic 'bubble' have not resulted in anyone being held accountable.

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Panama Papers Promise Powerful Possibilities?

The "Panama Papers" news reports are beginning to shake some things I believe might well become larger, and rather 'enlightening' to an otherwise unsuspecting (or ignorant?) world at large.

In my (humble) opinion, we will likely learn of some things from future reports that will astound us, and will ultimately lead to some potentially ugly circumstances and 'finger-pointing', and more. 

Already, we're seeing some of the reactions of some citizens of countries where impact has already struck.

How will we deal with it?

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#riggedjustice #panamapapers #greatunraveling

How To Speak 'Cachilote' Language

Huh? What's that? 

"Cachilote"? 

What is that?

I'm sure most people have never heard of the Cachilote Language; Google doesn't even seem to know about it! 

When I was quite young, my older sister and her boyfriend (later husband) used to carry on conversations that nobody could understand. Truly!

Especially us younger siblings, of course...which was the whole purpose of it anyway, as we could have guessed.




The mysterious Cachilote Language!

I'm not 100% certain of the spelling of the word, since I can't find anything that even resembles it, at least as being associated with any language. 

After trying a few spelling variants, I found some references to somebody's sailing boat in the Galapagos Islands, and some information about a sperm whale, and something about a bird from Argentina; but nothing makes any reference to any languages. 

The word is pronounced "catch-i-lo-tee", and it apparently means nothing at all, at least as it might relate to language. 

Could it be that my sister and her boyfriend concocted the whole thing just to keep us snotty little kids at bay? 

They were clever enough, so they could have come up with such a scenario.

So what is it? And, how is it used?

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Why Not Smile More As We Grow Older?

What is it about growing older that seems to unite those of us in the middle-age group? 

I think it's that "sense" we all seem to get somewhere near the age of 40-50; some get it earlier, some later; largely dependent on prior habits, choices and lifestyles, of course! 

Funny, too, how that "middle-age group" definition changes its range as we get older. When I was in my 20s and 30s, I was sure middle-age didn't begin until at least the middle 50s. 





Now, at mid 60s, I think I'm still in 'middle-age', since I've stretched the range out to about 75-80...or so. 

So, what's all this have to do with smiling more?

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Is The Flint Michigan Water Crisis Another Sign Of Capitalist Greed Gone Wrong?

According to news reports, the folks in charge of providing water to the Flint, MI area decided it was necessary to get potable water from a less costly source than what was being used previously.

In and of itself, that is not entirely a bad thing, and it behooves any municipality to constantly seek and implement cost saving measures for the products and services they provide.

However, with a commodity as important as household water, it is certainly the kind of decision which needs to be made with transparency, and, more importantly, with unbiased testing; in order to ensure the safety and health of those using it.  

So, as the story goes, the decision to "cut costs" ultimately ruled the day...seemingly, without much regard to some of the dialogue or discussion or meetings that might have been part of it, and regardless how many people might have had questions or doubts about the decision.



Is this kind of thing another sign of Capitalist greed gone awry?

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~W1z111 at Zazzle~

~W1z11 at Google Play~

So, What's Up With All The "Shocking News" Headline Hype, Anyway?

I spend a fair amount of time online, as I surf about in search of new information and knowledge, current news, trending topics, technological advances, and numerous other things which I find interesting, exciting, educational, and otherwise good for filling my seemingly insatiable 'sponge-like' penchant for information, entertainment, and just plain "BRAIN FODDER".

OK, that said, it's clear that I see many and varied websites with many and varied strategies and approaches at work, which, I assume, are designed to get visitors to "stick around and click around", so the site will benefit from whatever is behind those clicks (i.e., ad revenue, etc.?).

What's UP with all the "shocking news" hype being used in some article headlines/titles? Is it solely to lure visitors?

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~W1z111 at Zazzle~

~W1z11 at Google Play~

Will President Obama's Gun Control Plan Help?

After watching President Obama's announcement of his "Executive Order" plans, I have to admit I, for one, agree that some 'tightening' of the rules about guns is needed, and what he described sounds necessary, 'fair', and not too heavy-handed (IMhO).

The President's plan for several measures to be implemented is, of course, going 'around Congress', because Congress allegedly has not and will not do enough about what the President deems is an 'urgency' to fix at least some of the glaring flaws in current rules about procuring, owning, and using guns.

I won't go into the details, but President Obama essentially outlined the plan as no threat that the government was out to strip everyone of their guns. He also gave his assurance that he respects and defends the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

As the President spoke of some of the tragic mass shootings America has experienced over the past (recent) years, he shed tears. As he wiped them away, he alluded that he became mad every time he thinks of all the lives taken so senselessly, and knows he must do something to help reduce, or end, if at all possible, such things; however he can, within his authority to do so.

Will his plan help?

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~W1z111 at Zazzle~

~W1z11 at Google Play~

Is "Hate Speech" Out Of Control?

Sometimes, when I visit various websites for news stories and other articles relating to some of the 'current events' going on around us all, I am really "taken aback" by some of the blatantly 'hateful-sounding' comments that are posted at many of them.

It seems there are some who feel a need to promote hatred of certain kinds of individuals, or groups of individuals, or certain kinds of behaviors, practices, or beliefs.

Recently, Twitter™ and other popular social media (etc.) sites have committed to doing something more to curb and ultimately end 'hate-speech' in their online venues. 

Is that even possible?

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~W1z111 at Zazzle~

~W1z11 at Google Play~