Day: June 29, 2023

Coming To A State Near You

Just yesterday our governor here in Mississippi, Tater Twat Reeves, made the announcement that he was bringing broadband to the state…..actually that is BS he did nothing…the whole country will be getting money to expand across the nation.

They are the outliers in a modern age, and not by choice: More than 8 million homes and businesses in the US do not have broadband service that meets bare-minimum standards, reports Engadget. But a major push to remedy that was unveiled at the White House on Monday—a $42 billion initiative to bring high-speed internet to pretty much anyone who wants it, even if they live in far-flung rural locales deemed unprofitable by major providers. Some highlights:

  • Money: Every state will get at least $107 million, and 18 will get more than $1 billion, including Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, and Virginia. Those getting the most are Texas ($3.3 billion) and California ($1.8 billion). CNN has the complete list. Territories also get money, starting with the Virgin Islands at $27 million.
  • Examples: The Washington Post has a graphic listing the number of people “unserved” by the internet in various states, starting with Texas at 779,000. Other examples include North Carolina (376,000), Michigan (368,000), Virginia (364,000), Missouri (337,000), and California (306,000).
  • Now what? States will start submitting their plans to deliver internet later this year and unlock 20% of their allotment, per Reuters. The full amount likely won’t be released until plans are finalized in 2025. The White House goal is to have everyone in the US connected by 2030 under what’s known as the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program.
  • The pitch: “It’s the biggest investment in high-speed internet ever,” said President Biden on Monday. “Because for today’s economy to work for everyone, internet access is just as important as electricity, or water, or other basic services.” The money is part of the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law.

Personally I like the idea….this world today one needs access to be successful in whatever they attempt….plus it would be good for education as long as the idiots keep their hands out of the pie.

Will this make a difference?

Do you have an opinion?

I Read, I Write, You Know

“lego ergo scribo”

“Prevent Conflict And Promote Stability”

For as long as I can remember the US State Department has had the same, almost comical, slogan …..their goal is to “prevent conflict and promote stability’.

Recently the Biden White House has added to this delusion.

Every country, including our own, experiences risks and challenges related to stability and conflict. The international community grapples with issues that cut across borders, societies, ways of life, and economies. As the world has witnessed too often, the effects of conflict and instability are not constrained by borders or technologies. Cooperation and long-term investments in conflict prevention and stabilization are needed now more than ever to build peace across divided communities and boundaries. We must collectively bolster societal resilience to prevent and reduce the heavy human and financial costs of conflicts that undermine global peace, security and sustainable development.

On April 1, 2022, the Biden-Harris Administration launched the implementation of the U.S. Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability with partner countries across the globe.  The Strategy outlines a ten-year, evidence-based, whole-of-government effort to foster peace and long-term stability through integrated U.S. diplomacy, development, and security-sector engagement with dual goals of strengthening national and regional peace, resilience and stability and enhancing the way our government operates in a variety of contexts.

(whitehouse.gov)

And how has that worked out for the US since 1990?

In Kosovo….and Somalia….Libya….Iraq….Afghanistan….and now Ukraine…..how is all this helping promote stability?

This is my favorite paragraph of the strategy from Biden…..

This Strategy lays out a whole-of-government approach to advancing America’s national interests on the world stage. This means tapping into the expansive expertise and resources that reside across our Government, sharpening and updating those tools where needed, humbly applying the costly and painful lessons from the past, and transforming the way we work with each other. Our diplomats, officers, and experts in the State Department, the United States Agency for International Development, the Department of Defense, the Department of the Treasury, and others across Government, as well as members of the Foreign Service and Armed Forces, will work in close cooperation with multilateral organizations and a wide variety of local partners in each nation where these efforts will be pursued — including civil society organizations, community leaders, businesses, and government officials. Those who are closest and most  vulnerable to these challenges know best where the opportunities for peace and stability lie — they represent the strongest source of promise and immunity from destabilizing forces, and we must support their strength and resilience. From strengthening social institutions and state-society relations, to mitigating the spread of extremist ideologies, to confronting the corrosive impact of gender inequality, to cultivating greater trust between security forces and citizens, to guarding against the destabilizing threat of climate change — we will help foster locally led, locally owned solutions grounded in mutual trust and long-term accountability.

All this should be the opening act down at the ‘Chuckle Shack’

All this humor is wonderful rhetoric and great slogans but the actions show a different side to this comedy.

SecState has made my case for me….

The US will focus its efforts on arming Ukraine and not attempting to bring the war to a negotiated settlement, America’s top diplomat said. Secretary of State Antony Blinken laid out a plan to massively expand Kiev’s military before talks begin.

In a speech delivered in Finland on Friday, Blinken stated, “The United States – together with our allies and partners – is firmly committed to supporting Ukraine’s defense today, tomorrow, for as long as it takes.” He continued, “We believe the prerequisite for meaningful diplomacy and real peace is a stronger Ukraine, capable of deterring and defending against any future aggression.”

Blinken dismissed the idea of even a temporary pause in the fighting. “Some countries will call for a ceasefire. And on the surface, that sounds sensible – attractive, even. After all, who doesn’t want warring parties to lay down their arms? Who doesn’t want the killing to stop?” He said. “But a ceasefire that simply freezes current lines in place and enables Putin to consolidate control over the territory he’s seized…It would legitimize Russia’s land grab. It would reward the aggressor and punish the victim.”

Blinken Dismisses Calls for a Ceasefire, Says US Must Build Up Ukraine’s Military

None of his words will ‘prevent conflict and promote stability’

And yet the American believe the BS…..so damn typical.

I Read, I Write, You Know

“lego ergo scribo”