COMPUTATION ERROR
by a one-time math whiz
First of all, on a completely different subject, I want to go on record as promising not to vote for a 4th term for that well-spoken and clean Kenyan, Barack Obama. Secondly, I am considering not voting for Trump because there are two things he didn’t do that piss me off.
(1) He had the opportunity to pardon Julian Assange, the bravest and best journalist in the world. Most of us remember Daniel Ellsberg and the “Pentagon Papers”. Ellsberg got one minor reward (and lots of money) for his efforts. Julian Assange, on the other hand, received several awards for his critical journalism and commitment to exposing the abuse of power and war crimes. Notably, PEN Norway awarded him the Ossietzky Prize in 20231. His work has also been recognized by the Walkley Award for Most Outstanding Contribution to Journalism, the Martha Gellhorn Prize for Journalism, the Index on Censorship prize, the Economist’s New Media Award, and the Amnesty International New Media Award.
Julian Assange was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for his courageous battle to promote human rights, democracy, and press freedom. Additionally, he received nominations from several individuals, including members of parliament and former peace prize winners. These nominations were in response to calls for his release from Belmarsh Prison in the UK, where he faces extradition charges to the USA. His work in exposing Western war crimes has been recognized globally, despite the ongoing legal battles surrounding his case.
(By the way, the preceding two paragraphs come courtesy of Microsoft’s AI)
The second thing I cannot forgive President Trump for is his inability to apologize for trusting Fauci, for his Operation Warp Speed, and for exposing us all to the mRNA shots. While we expect politicians to lie, Trump was not a politician and his vanity and pride keep him from admitting any mistakes. I don’t care much for that trait.
Well, finally, here’s the meat. About nine months ago I consulted the I CHING regarding the alleged president Brandon. I posted the results on Substack.
The hexagon that resulted told me that, according to Revelations 13:5, the Big Guy will be in office 42 months. So, I foolishly posted that he’d be gone from the White House by the beginning of July. I forgot that the old stick was actually inaugurated on January 20. In other words, he has plenty of time to pardon Hunter and to order an attack on Moscow.
In my defense, while I built an analog computer when I was in eighth grade and was in Advanced Math until I hit the wall with Calculus, most of my gray matter seems to be operating at a low level these days.
You are SUCH a conundrum! In one way, the quantum way, that is what I subscribed to you for! I am WAY into quantum theory/entanglement, consciousness/reality, and non-duality (you seem to be a strong Christian? And yet you mentioned the I Ching—so do you count yourself as a Taoist too—which would be another reason that resonates). I’m a recovering Catholic and alter boy (almost a Seminarian in my past!) so am well-versed in Christ’s teachings. One of my issues with MAGA adherents is the fact they can proclaim to know and follow scripture, but they don’t practice it. Maybe this is a generalization but there exists a lot of real evidence! I don’t “hate” the concept of Make America Great Again. Those are words you put in my mouth (or in my typing fingers). I strongly oppose how a certain faction of our imperfect and broken political system (actually, only one narcissistic man who’s encouraged and nurtured a narcissistic cult following) co-opted a phrase that should never have been made “a thing.” All Americans should devote time and effort into improving the lot of our country and ALL its citizens (not just the ones who look and believe like comrade MAGA).
BTW: there IS a question regarding Biden making “the world a much worse place.” That’s not accurate but rather falls squarely in line with the MAGA cult playbook Charles. I cannot believe you follow that playbook! This is what confuses me about you—you seem to have a science-minded approach to life yet you turn quickly to sloganistic and lazy, irrational thinking. You have NO proof that Biden’s done things that make “the world a much worse place.” Is he a perfect leader? Hell no. He’s human, but in my view, better than his predecessor. That’s a HUGE absolutest generalization of yours. There IS plenty of evidence to show how he’s improved the lot of real Americans (but you have to be a fan of lower drug prescription costs, greater health-care access and affordability (with the exception of the Trump-driven Dobbs decision), record-breaking economic growth, increasing minimum wages and strengthening union membership, reducing unemployment, college debt forgiveness, the CHIPS act, the bipartisan infrastructure legislation, the work currently in progress to address corporate greed and monopolization, and the most recent effort to resolve our southern border challenges). Am I to assume you are against all those?
Our economy is not in a shambles—where the heck to you get your news? And “the dictator in Ukraine?” Okay, we really are done with each other if you harbor any sympathy to Putin. Please do me the honor and tell me right now your feelings about Putin, especially regarding his views about America, his influence on some members of the Republicans in congress, and his invasion of Ukraine. Are you really a lover of fascist dictators? Your words regarding Putin, Saddam, and Gaddafi point directly to that which saddens me greatly. Would you support Trump becoming a dictator for life as the next leader for America? If so, my GOD what am I doing having exchanges with you?
I so want you to be a person of reason—if not compassion. But we have to agree to certain facts, not “alternative facts.” Otherwise, I think we might both be wasting our time even though I’d be loath to end this civil conversation if you at least remained open to considering and truly pondering opposing viewpoints from yours (your understanding and acknowledgment of climate disruption proves the capacity to do this, another piece of the Charles puzzle for me). As it is, I’ll still have July 20, 2024 to wish you well as I say goodbye to you when you leave Substack.
I’ll look into “Snowpiercer” but to warn you, if it commingles religion as a viable partner to science and rational thinking in the effort to curb climate disruptive human activity, then I’ll shut that crap down immediately.
I wish you peace as well my friend. And we’re not arguing—just trying to have deep conversation (it would be nicer to sit with a beer (or sparkling water for me—sorry, I don’t imbibe) or a coffee). And btw: “whatever will be, will be” in one respect is truth—reality will be what it is. But that doesn’t mean we cannot influence certain things (familiar with Schrödinger’s Cat?) for the greater good (we just have to agree with what that greater good is!).
Me too. As long as we keep these convos this civil, I’ll call you friend as well. (Assuming that WAS your own tone). You’ll have to buy the first beer though.
My peace offering as we await July 20: https://youtu.be/i-orjHsgxDQ?si=au1Q1HkHJnkDQ8VT