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SharonAnn

SharonAnn's Journal
SharonAnn's Journal
September 23, 2019

Just finished "The Fifth Risk" by Michael Lewis. Great book. Well written and very, very interesting

Highly readable, as are all his books. Covers some of the “buried” functions that our government performs and how important they are. Based on real profiles of and interviews with people who work in these functions. I couldn’t put it down until I finished it.
It’s really, really interesting and I learned a lot. Didn’t want it to end.

“What would you name as the top 5 risks?
Lewis asks this question to former government employees from the departments of Energy, Agriculture, and Commerce about their agencies.
The former chief risk officer at Energy answers: 1) a broken arrow (a lost or damaged nuclear missile/bomb), 2 and 3) North Korea and Iranian nuclear aggression, 4) the vulnerability of the electrical grid.
It is the 5th risk that Lewis focuses on, and it where the book’s title comes from. That risk is bad project management.
Most of what the government does, as Lewis points out, only makes the news when things go very badly. The real work of government involves dealing with enormously complex challenges that can’t be managed by the market.”

September 22, 2019

I'm reading Andrew McCabe's book, "The Threat". It's excellent, informative, and very readable.

I highly recommend it. Much more readable than I expected and also much more informative.
I checked out the e-book from my local library.

August 12, 2019

Conservative Pundit S.E. Cupp Quits The NRA, Makes Powerful Plea For Gun Control

Conservative commentator S.E. Cupp, a longtime NRA advocate once featured as an “NRA Mom” in an ad campaign, said she has quit the organization in an emotional call for stronger gun control laws.
...
Cupp specifically called for universal background checks, gun violence restraining orders, raising the minimum age for gun purchases to 21, banning 100-round drums, fixing the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, and mental health programs in schools.

And she said some people, including domestic abusers and those who make violent threats, “should never have access to a gun of any kind, period.”
...

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/s-e-cupp-quits-nra-gun-control_n_5d50c0dae4b0fd2733f23c00?fbclid=IwAR3Hu8PIndqueeXEhjKA13wLy3OTvnZSZ-Tk2ieJR_s_w5KQDvMtwPhGOUI

August 12, 2019

New light on Koch brothers efforts to abolish the Energy Department

A scheme to abolish the Department of Energy (DOE) helped spur a failed 1980 Libertarian Party presidential bid — and in the process laid the groundwork for Charles and David Koch’s powerful network of influence — as documents from a newly published archive show.
...
That election also handed the Kochs their first political setback, driving them to rethink their approach to libertarian ideas,” The New York Times reported in 2014. “Instead of replacing the Republican Party, they have helped to profoundly reshape it.”
...
This is a battle that [Charles and David] fought and lost 40 years ago,” Graves added, “and yet it’s still a battle that is animating the Republican Party candidates that Koch has backed.
...

https://truthout.org/articles/documents-shine-new-light-on-koch-brothers-efforts-to-abolish-energy-department/

December 5, 2018

OK, just got home and getting ready to eat chocolate, drink wine and watch Rachel on DVR

I might even watch it again when it comes on at midnight!

October 25, 2018

"Marsha Blackburn is a Liar"! Tag Loudon ne of Bredesen's latest ad.

Here in TN, former much respected Dem Governor is running for Corker’s Senate seat against right-wing, batshit crazy Marsha Blackburn.

He called her out by having women who worked for him in business, when he was mayor of Nashville, and when he was Governor, speak emphatically about how he has always had zero tolerance for sexual harassment. They closed with “Marsha Blackburn is a liar! A liar. A liar. A liar.”

It did m heart good to hear her called what she is.

October 24, 2018

Too old to go to Women's March so we're sponsoring college students so that they can go.

At 70+ with some health issues, it's not wise for me to go to the Women's March in January though I'd love to. Long bus ride, sleeping on the bus, long distance walking, etc.

But, my friends and I have some $$ so I suggested that we sponsor young women to attend. They have the stamina but not the $$. We have some $$ but not the stamina. And, it would get some young people involved and committed to political activism at least for this. I can only imagine how inspiring it will be.

So, we contacted a College nearby, my friend had a contact there, and so far we have 25-30 young women who want to go. We can help them with more fund-raising, just to be sure they've got skin in the game, but we can help with a large part of the expenses.

Another friend is working with a college in the middle part of the state and thinks they have 10-20 who'll commit.

So even when we can't do something, we can help others do it. And, it has the benefit of getting young people more involved the political process. We're thinking it could be a win-win-win operation.

October 22, 2018

Kushner's new, deeper voice. What's up with that?

He no longer sounds like a girl.

Has he been working with a voice coach? Deeper, husky sound now.

Profile Information

Name: Sharon
Gender: Female
Hometown: Iowa
Home country: USA
Current location: East Tennessee
Member since: Tue Jul 8, 2003, 09:54 AM
Number of posts: 13,772
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