Tom Cruise Movie Coming True?

https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/white-house-considers-controversial-plan-on-mental-illness-and-mass-shooting/2019/09/09/eb58b6f6-ce72-11e9-87fa-8501a456c003_story.html

This WAPO article was in the print edition of the Pilot this morning, but could not find it in the online version, thus the WAPO link.

The movie is MINORITY REPORT. Spielberg directed this action-thriller based on a Philip K. Dick short story. The basic premise is stopping murderers before they commit their crimes based on evidence from 3 “mediums” (for lack of a better description). The movies is set in 2054. 2024 ain’t that far off.

Because members of the military have to give up some of their rights as part of their service, the DARPA plan is relatively easy to implement. The idea appears to have some bipartisan support. However, I see a lot of potential 4th Amendment challenges to this. On the other hand, would this clear the CDC to investigate the epidemic of violence involving guns in this country as a health hazard? And I am curious as to where the NRA stands.

This line from the piece grabbed my attention: But studies of mass shooters have found that only a quarter or less have diagnosed mental illness. Researchers have noted a host of other factors that are more significant commonalities in mass shooters: a strong sense of grievance, desire for infamy, copycat study of other shooters, past domestic violence, narcissism and access to firearms. Experts note that those with severe mental illnesses are much more likely to be victims of violence than perpetrators.” Kind of removes the mental health aspect from the equation, to a point.

An old “friend’s” take on impeachment

https://www.pilotonline.com/opinion/letters/vp-ed-letd-20190905-iofaa6p3crbe7hmpalwpfxfqqm-story.html

I think Mr. Frost has the right idea here. However, I also believe there are too many unanswered questions wrt to this presidency and the campaign that put him there. Let the investigations continue. But it is incumbent on the American voting public to fulfill their civic duty and get out and vote. Regardless of pro- or anti-Trump sentiment.

LTE addresses school safety concerns, not directly related to guns.

https://www.pilotonline.com/opinion/letters/vp-ed-letb-20190905-iogv5ai3wzexdbonnb22mfodym-story.html

I find it interesting that the name of the school is not included. Did the author leave it out? Did the Pilot edit it out? Things that make you go “hmmmm”.

I believe it would have more impact if the school had been identified. And if the Pilot edited it out, they did a disservice to parents whose children attend the elementary school in question. – IMHO

Pilot Letters: Anti-Semitic rehash Ignorance on display

https://www.pilotonline.com/opinion/letters/vp-ed-letc-0829-20190829-ahpvdnpogze6jdnj2eb7fbc3pe https://www.pilotonline.com/opinion/letters/vp-ed-letb-0829-20190829-jlnt7rabdfb4ta46xwujkklmna-story.html

Two letters today claiming Mon and Tues editorial cartoons were anti-semitic

I looked at both of these closely and this is the take of a Jewish guy.

The one of Bernie coming out of the cornfield does not fall under the category indicated by the letter writer. It is a shot at Bernie, who even some Jews consider to be a “schmo”. Also, seems like the writer never saw Field of Dreams. It is a criticism of Bernie Sanders and his policies. If he didn’t identify as Jewish, the letter never would have been written

The caged representatives is a shot at Trump and Bibi. And while the representatives in question are anti-Israeli government, I do not believe they are anti-semitic. I have said repeatedly that anti-Israeli government does NOT equate to anti-semitism. Many American Jews do not approve of the Netanyahu government and the hard right turn it has taken. Trump’s covert shots about Jews is more damning than what they have said.

All of course, is only MHO.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/jim-mattis-duty-democracy-and-the-threat-of-tribalism-11566984601?mod=hp_lead_pos10

Book excerpt from Gen. Mattis, USMC (RET) from WSJ. Interesting excerpt, but this stood out to me.

“A wise leader must deal with reality and state what he intends, and what level of commitment he is willing to invest in achieving that end. He then has to trust that his subordinates know how to carry that out. Wise leadership requires collaboration; otherwise, it will lead to failure.”

This is NOT apparent in our current Commander-in-Chief. – IMHO

https://www.pilotonline.com/opinion/vp-ed-column-solomon-20190828-vzdu47gk5bhhraa35jfwvwtlcq-story.html

Another Digby Solomon flail-ex. This time on the economy.

First, he makes it seem as if it is the EU’s fault that a Brexit deal can’t be negotiated. Reports seem to indicate it is Britain that can’t get its act together.

Then he claims Dems are “tepid” on free trade. Interesting that it was a DEMOCRATIC POTUS that negotiated the original NAFTA.

At least he finally lays some blame at Trump’s feet wrt current issues on trade policy and the negative effect is is having on our economy