Update on Hate (03/27/2024) Why Its Important to Challenge Hate Groups and Their Supporters? Failing to Manage

Let us continue on with our hate group example to fully understand more of the dynamics involved in growing partisan and extremist networks. When I discuss hate groups I do so in the spirit of strengthening a nation of minorities.  Meaning that any race or religion can be part of the problem or part of the solution, but if our nation is to survive we must all be focused on the same goals. Its not a particular political side nor is it advocating for any particular kind of person. White, Black, Arab, Jewish, etc. or any religion Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, etc. 

The first observation about hate groups is that they work in large groups to intimidate people they view as "outsiders". Even if you are an "insider" they will hate you for any difference whatsoever and they will hate you more for disagreeing with their bad behaviors. Such groups often utilize corruption and corrupted networks in official positions to protect against accountability. Therein is a huge reason why we need to reform and universalize some of our institutions (In this example locally). 

Read an older U.S. Department of Justice article on Hate Groups

Let me give you a hypothetical example for illustrative and learning purposes only. A person wanted something and used their connection with some corrupted and extremist leaning officials to launch hate narrative against a family (Pick a religion or race, anyone you want. In this example I used a Catholic Muslim Jew who is open to multiple religions and that didn't sit well with some people who committed crimes on religious holidays to send that person a message of what religions are acceptable in "their domain". Not to mention that one of their leaders came and told the person they were being targeting for their religion and used racial terms to belittle their lives to this network.). Local judiciary systems protected this hate and failed to hold perpetrators to account because of identity and social Good Old Boy networks. Over time numerous other people came forward and challenged the hate and corruption they experienced and they were quickly retaliated against and sidelined. The hate network continued to grow using partisanship to support their hate cause. 

If you are a victim of such hate and corruption, remember that you have a greater responsibility to society than they do to engage in such criminal and immoral acts. You are a free person even if they don't believe that to be true (Slavery is gone but segregation lives on!) Likewise, you also have greater responsibilities to stand firm no matter how corrupted and dishonest the situation gets. They will throw everything they can at you to dehumanize you and dismiss your equality. They will utilize politics to protect and support such behaviors (Which political party does not matter in this example). Expect everything from hate narratives, to violence, to rumors, to gamesmanship, misuse of authority/power, rejection from jobs, ostracization, to wholesale in your face corruption. Do not expect justice!

Let us say that 100+ people grew to 1,000+ and some tainted officials who likewise felt much of society shouldn't have rights. They are higher and everyone else is lower. Don't be intimidated. Accept the end game because you are doing your duty to society. Smile, refuse to be intimidated, stand tall despite the rumors, and most of all continue to support your oaths of "liberty and justice for all" because the situation will change no matter how many dark souls they attract and can muster (There is no promise you will make it but it is better to support something you believe in that is helpful for the next generation, our society, and liberty. You have a responsibility to protect our future and the young.). 

Be involved in your community, don't let them push you out of you work, your activities, don't let them block you from public service, and stand for your God given rights. While they may talk about God generally as an observation they know little about the history of God nor the many different ways of seeing him/her/it/being/power. I believe good people will win in the end no matter how large the network...because there are others who still believe in that freedom and have not sold out their values. When faithful Americans stand for their oaths against all odds, you know they actually believe in it. Those on the sidelines will stand for what is right or there will be sweeping generational change. 

Remember they failed to manage the problems they created and they failed to stand for what we believe in as a nation. They are sell outs to the greater cause of a universal nation with universal freedoms that our forefathers created (You have to read the whole history, the personalities involved, the gifted people who came up with our social contracts that lasted 250 years and will continue to do so, and their ability to think beyond the past kings to create the greatest experiment on earth.) Their oaths and the Constitution mean little to those who dip into hate. Yet they will continue to mean much to those who served, those who care, and those who have hope in the future. Hate Crimes Explained 

What about that large network that support hate and continues to create chaos? They are on the wrong side of history even if they have a green light to engage in these behaviors. Remember, they made a choice and you choose to be better than them through quality of character (You might be better than them in many ways but quality of character is a universal one that counts.). 💁

What we learn:

1.) Hate networks use intimidation and numbers.

2.) It exists where there are other markers of corruption. 

3.) Many others come forward with similar complaints. 

4.) Much of society doesn't believe in hate and does believe in our universal values. 

5.) Freedom requires we stand for that freedom in the face of all odds. You can do so positively, peacefully, and politely...but let your voice be heard. 

6.) In history there has always been movement toward a more just world and a stronger society because it biologically and psychologically woven into our species. 

7.) You are judged in the next life by quality of character and not the hate networks that do not understand our nation, its history, any one else religion/race, or even their own religion/race. Truly ignorant in the full sense of the word.  Be polite and take pity on them.

*This is a hypothetical example for learning purposes only. Take with a grain of salt.

Update on Hate (04/26/24): The Greater and Lesser Responsibility to Society (The issue of unsubstantiate hate based rumors)

We have greater and lesser responsibilities to society. Those who engage in hate and corruption (and protection thereof) have used their positions to further the lesser in society at the expense of the greater. Because power is a sacred oath and should be used for the purpose of good we must ensure there is more integrity where protections and support for behaviors that are antithetical to ethical, moral, constitutional, and human rights. It is a duty and oath for people to always push society to grow and develop to its highest state and removing and correcting poor behaviors is important. 

The Greater and Lesser Responsibilities:

Failure to correct is a sign that a system has become weaker and has become increasingly compromised in terms of its values and orientation (That is any system on the planet) When there are aspects that function for personal, religious, social, and political gain while neglecting the greater good of society it creates a net negative and steals from our shared futures. Tackling extremist leaning corruption and violations of civil/human rights is central to our national identity and long-term growth. 

Those that cause these issues appear to have less commitment to the rest of the nation (can augment with the term society) because they have allowed ulterior factors into their decision making (Trace back the logic of why they would free pass criminal behaviors if they are against certain type of people based on superficial reasons no matter the race or religion we are all free and I stand by that.). Worse, if they are in positions where these distortions can continue to infect the rest of society we have risks that will continue into the future. The wake of prior victims and their complaints seem to fall on deaf ears. 

(What I find interesting is that hate has few bounds. The people have such little experience in life seem to know all the answers and know things of which they have no experience. Its an observation on the deep distorted identities of those who create these stories, those who join the hate group and those who protect such behaviors. The more different a person the more they can justify their hate with likeminded homogeneous followers. While the report discusses one common type it really can be any race or religion. Understanding the Psychology of Hate)

This study is sort of interesting because you can see the self interest in corruption and you can see how poor values and beliefs are often precursors to bigger issues (Failure to uphold our most cherished laws and values comes from many compromises along the way.). If people become corrupted, power oriented, arrogant, etc. it creates a profile of those more susceptible to these dark arts. Notice also they seem more prevalent within organizations that lack accountability. You can trace back poor values and behaviors when you have enough information and fully grasp the depth of such partisan corruption. The cognitive psychology of corruption Micro-level explanations for unethical behaviour

The Example:

In this hypothetical example for learning purposes only I have been using, someone wanted something and spread hate rumors among their large homogeneous friend network and corrupted officials to put pressure to cleanse the person and their family out of "their community". Threats of violence, attempts at violence, enrichment of perpetrators, damaging kids, defamation, putting people in dangerous situations, elder abuse, and lots of other behaviors were the result highlighting some important divisions in values (Dark triad behaviors impact any arenas of life such people touch.). Even though they are now seeing these divisions grow broadly they lack the insight and wisdom to sew it back together. Solutions don't come from self interest or political gaslighting. 

Some people including those we see as authorities rolled their eyes....but why?

Potential violations could include using position to silence political expression (freedom of speech), direct retaliation against legitimate community concerns, corruption, targeting based on race (civil rights), targeting based on religion (freedom of religion), involving minors, threats of violence implied and direct, misuse of official equipment/position, and more. Justice became a dirty word. It comes from seeing others has half citizens and dehumanizing them in word and action. As a people the vast majority are against these things but the few seem to create most of the problems and do most of the damage to society.

To further this silly over the top extreme insane example....

Other victims of corruption came forward and were quickly retaliated against. The community began to rally but had to press against corrupted officials. In this example, the victims still deal with hate networks and the perpetrators were given a wink and nod free pass. Documented complaints were quickly rejected to protect the clan network and perhaps some of the crimes they committed. Meaning, some officials were aware during and after and refused to hold the perpetrators to account indicating that their duties to society/community/nation were not their primary concern (In theory).

Institutional trust declined and continues to decline.  The solutions are still being formalized for such behaviors and dereliction of duty.

The problems were there in the past, it caused problems in the present and it will continue to damage the community in the future unless there is reform and change. That will require commitment to a higher moral order. One must question the commitment to our oaths and values when there are intentionally two different rules and systems for different people. It becomes clearer that some get free passes and some have their rights quickly violated thus making sharp divisions in society.

Listening to Hate Rumors:

One should wonder what created all these flying monkeys and hate based corruption. It appears based in their social networks mixed with ethno-centric misperceptions of how low others are. When challenged they turn to bullying and threats of violence and that behavior is supported and protected by some officials. Maybe even alot with no accountability whatsoever. The brazen un Americaness of the behaviors opened a can of worms. Its hard to put the genie back in the bottle when people are so reckless and sure of there self-confirming superiority. In this example it was a lie upon a lie to circumvent what is a moral duty. 

Let us pretend they had a history of treating others differently and hate supporters were allowed to behave anyway they wanted with complete immunity in the past. A type of lawlessness. Let us say that they had little oversight and did these things to others at different times and places. Hate violence would become a useful temporary tool that was wielded against fearful victims to silence them. The facts, evidence, witnesses, and laws make no difference. The rumor mill runs all things! 

Those tools are weak and can be easily broken. They are short term solutions can highlight, not mask, the issues at hand. It likely had a counter effect in this hypothetical example. 

Those that listen to these rumors and act on them risk breaking the law and becoming wrapped into a hate network that could have legal consequences (As soon as we get everyone from every party and background to stand for our shared oaths and universal free democratic society). If we consider that poor behaviors occur in a social context and in turn that social context furthers a hate agenda then it is natural to seek to resolve and hold to account those who further their distorted social perceptions on conjecture (Rise of Hate Crimes Remember that we should make no distinction on race and religion.).

Do people who willingly listen to hate narratives/rumors and then act on them in a way that damages institutions change? What are the long term costs? This study seems to highlight the issues we face when we are not able to correct or find a course in which to navigate the bigger ship.  The Polarizing Impact of Political Disinformation and Hate Speech: A Cross-country Configural Narrative

"I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." If there are places where that is not true, we must correct. It is of greater importance than the lesser personal, religious, political, social or racial considerations. Not all people believe that or stand by it. We need to encourage and bring forward leaders who do. 

*This article is a thought experiment on freedom of religion, freedom of speech and the commitment to democracy. It is meant for illustrative learning purposes only and one should take it with a grain of salt. By exploring these hypothetical situations we begin to see possible solutions to bridge the gaps in divergent perspectives.

Advanced Estimate Shows US Real GDP Slowing to 1.6% in Q1 2024: Immigrants, Productivity, Human Capital, and Innovation

 Like many others I like to watch the big metrics and what they can potentially mean (Its a little like an economic puzzle with lots of moving pieces.). An advanced estimate of real GDP slowing to 1.6% raises some eyebrows. There has been some slowdown in the U.S. economy but for the most part it was expected there would be some slowdown by most economic forecasters. If we add on top of that geopolitical issues, inflation, partisanship & decision making (entertainment and critical thinking are different), and slowing worldwide economy one could envision that the U.S. would be impacted in some way. We don't live in a vacuum. 

Now, that doesn't mean it has to be this case or we are going to for sure mirror the rest of the world. We do have opportunities to think about how to maximize productivity by maximizing immigrants onto the tax rolls and productive work (This is going to be a big political discussion and we kind of all know how that goes.), improve productivity through technology, maximize human capital through learning, and improving innovation in many industries to improve the market value of American products (I have been working on a rapid innovation theory for a while that I recently decided not to work with my 300+ pages of resources developed during theory construction and more or less just write under 100 pages of easy to understand connected concepts. I think I'm going to start this weekend. I'm not near a beach so I won't get distracted by my other great calling in life and that is beach bumming. Alas, I'm stuck with theoretical dribble that is just as likely to be untrue as true.🤷)

The question then becomes what would happen if recent immigrants were put into tax paying positions, we improved productivity through new technology, advanced human capital, and improve innovation in a synergistic way beyond recent infrastructure development? Not sure.....something to think about. 🤔 It could be like typing Google into Google or it could be a beneficial activity with helpful outcomes (Its not the end result but setting on the path that makes the difference in our national goals.)

A Few Productivity and Inflation Articles:

-Productivity does improve capacity and reduce inflationary pressure. Productivity 101

-Innovation and technology seem to reduce inflation. Technology and Inflation

-Adding productive workers (i.e. immigrants on payroll) may help reduce inflation. Expand Labor and Inflation.

-Human capital can have an impact on economic growth but not seeing a 1 to 1 on inflation but it is related to productivity and . Resources, Human Capital, Economic Growth

"Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased at an annual rate of 1.6 percent in the first quarter of 2024, according to the “advance” estimate. In the fourth quarter of 2023, real GDP increased 3.4 percent. The increase in the first quarter primarily reflected increases in consumer spending and housing investment that were partly offset by a decrease in inventory investment. Imports, which are a subtraction in the calculation of GDP, increased  (BEA GDP, April 25, 2024, Para 1)."

A Few Key Points:

-Food up, energy up, electricity up, shelter up and transportation services up, and all items less food and energy down. 

-Fuel oil down and piped gas down.

Interesting News Articles:

MarketWatch says Supercore Inflation Rose and Productivity Down .4% ( BTW MarketWatch has a lot of interesting information for investors.)  Notice how productivity and growth are related.

You can see the BLS CPI April 2024 Release

Yahoo Finance-GDP: US economy grows at 1.6% annual pace in first quarter, falling short of estimates while inflation increases. Core personal consumption expectations rose 3.7% 

GDP growth slowed to a 1.6% rate in the first quarter, well below expectations

Key Fed Inflation Rate Averts Worst Fears; S&P 500 Rises

Delta County MI Candidate Debates: (04/23/2024) League of Women Voters Improves Collective Candidate Knowledge

Delta County MI League of Women Voters put on a great debate! I wish we had a few more of these in the area because you learn a lot about the candidates. Debates help create informed citizens who know what their candidates believe and their values (party neutral statement). Each new question helps us gain insight and that can support democracy through encouraging informed citizens that are based in their personal perspective (Not everyone agrees but I think its important.)  You can learn more about the League of Women Voters HERE and HERE.

Escanaba Marina

Remember we are doing this in the spirit of learning so everything in this post is party neutral because it is a discussion on voting and democracy in general. This report helps us think how viewers make inferences and the more we know about candidate positions the less other social factors take precedence.

Do citizens make inferences from political candidate characteristics when aiming for substantive representation?

We may watch debates on social media but we might forget that the answers were seeded a long time ago in our home and hearth. Each answer is within a wider context of the environment and one's place within that environment. The more aware a person is of their environment the better they can craft an answer that resonates with them and others.

The study doesn't really discuss this but these debates start with different ways of viewing the world and on an intimate level candidates share how things could, should, and out to be in their perspective. Much of agreement and disagreement is on these shared or divergent world views. We are like fish in a fish bowl who struggle to see past own perception (That is almost every person on the planet). We might be able to recognize other fish in another fish bowl but we swim in our own schools. 

 Americans misperceive the frequency and format of political debate

A few key points came out of the meeting:

-Attract Small Business and Large Business (Good idea. Might require a coordinated marketing effort to maximize industrial interest as well as downtown entrepreneurship. Delta County has both an industrial park and affordable downtown properties.).

-Make the county a destination-tourism. (Good idea. Will need the downtown to get a paint job and a few new businesses. That could be encourage through grants, marketing, low interest loans, etc.)

-Year round industries. (Good idea. Its called hedging in cluster development. Seasonal tourism, mixed with retail, mixed with industries that run throughout the year create more stable income bases with multiple avenues for growth. Likewise, when one can get two factors to work together like tourism, store fronts, retail, events, outdoor adventure, entrepreneurs they are creating net positives that strengthen and enhance each other.)

-Discussion on Pay (One would need to raise the tax revenue to make this easier and that doesn't always come from raising taxes alone. Think of net positive to attract new industry, use grants to improve the infrastructure and appeal, and then build a brand for the area. If you can attract business and more revenue then you have done so in a fiscally sustainable way.)

-Discussion on DEI and Diversity (This is a growing political discussion nationally.)

If your interested in knowing more about Delta County MI click HERE. TV6 Coverage of debate HERE. As background the area received a $1billion or more investment in the paper industry and in a town of 10K residents it will have a big impact. 

America's Financial Well Being: Education and Age Factors in Having Extra Money

It appears from this chart provided by Visual Capitalist that age and education are big determinants of who has money left over and by extension possible wealth (Visual Capitalist has some good graphics). Thus, I encourage people to obtain an education and/or trade certificate. I have two kids of which one is college bound and one is not. I say you can do either but you don't want to be in general labor constantly competing against new technologies. The pay and opportunities will typically stay low unless you do something remarkable.

The question we still have to work on as a nation is how do we raise income for the middle class? That comes from raising our nation to the center of the global supply chain so that companies and workers can both earn. Part of that solution is encouraging small business and side/moonlighting mico businesses to keep innovation and wealth flowing. Remember we have a rich getting richer and the average person getting poorer problem. 

That also means we need to make decisions that encourage broad based capitalism so new leaders often bring with them new ideas and that gets the juices flowing with leaders and lawmakers. There is a natural cycle in societal development. New business, focus on national development, circulation of wealth, and a young generation bringing forward new ideas can help improving general wealth accumulation.

My advice...stay in college, use you skills to advance yourself and society, be innovative, engage in entrepreneurial activities, and build a better world with your ideas.

Source: Visual Capitalist 

Escanaba City Council Meeting (04/18/2024) City Budgets, Classic Cars, and Motor Speedway

Few can say we don't like cars in this area! A couple of great events to consider and of course there is the process of setting up city budgets. Not sure its the most exciting job but it is necessary. Anyway, I'm just keeping up with the local news so I can understand how well the city is doing in terms of growth. Things have really looked up for the area in the past few years. New investment and great activities. 

Classic Cars of Escanaba in 
The Wooded Pathway Gallery

City Budget Four Keys to Successful Municipal Budgets

Kruisin Klassic Car Club May 31st, 2024 Ludington Park and Street

Escanaba Motor Speedway Races

Music a Bigger Part of Escanaba This Year (Marquette Mining Journal is a great news outlet for locals. That and the Daily Press would be good ones to put advertisements in.)

Most of the information is in the Agenda 04/18/2024

Update on Hate: (04/22/2024) Corruption and Manipulation Further Defined

There are times when behaviors and rewards for such behaviors prick the moral conscious and you become aware of how destructive, dishonest and dysfunctional some beliefs have become and whether or not there are solutions. I'm a believer that there are always answers and solutions if we take the time to reflect on our inner values and live them; or at least try. We must first understand the situation and environment to find solutions.

Let us first discuss a hypothetical example for illustrative purposes only. Its just for learning so take with a grain of salt. Someone wants something and spreads hate filled rumors throughout a network of blind followers and a few corrupted officials to target a minority family. The laws became subjective and acts of intimidation potential violence surfaced. 

Others in this example came forward with similar complaints of corruption and misuse of power and were quickly retaliated against. The wrongs of the past started bubbling upward and those supporting such Good Old Boy networks continued forward with caddy, rude, and dismissive behaviors that on the surface seem to support and be comingled with hate (Behavior is often patterned so we should have expected others to come forward). Makes you wonder.... Alternative Milligrams Study Perspective

Why would seemingly good people and members of organizations engaged in relatively un-American and somewhat despicable behaviors more akin to third world clans than civilized people? I came across this study that might help shed some light on the issue. Not sure I fully grasp the concepts but I have a limited perspective on the depths of depravity that can corrupt the soul and what it touches. A Paradox of Ethics: Why People in Good Organizations do Bad Things.

The world is not always an ethical place and yet we should strive to be the most ethical we can for the benefit of all of society-a universal society. Loyalty to ones oaths includes being loyal to one's own values. When they are variants in healthy values and homogeneous cultural constraints these situations rise from time to time. If it happens more than once to form a pattern we might need to reform a few things. Maybe not?  🤷

*This is for learning purposes only.