Fire Hydrant of Freedom

https://www.emerald.tv/p/why-are-christians-being-killed-in?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=263063&post_id=159130710&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=z2120&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email

https://redstate.com/nick-arama/2025/03/15/fetterman-responds-on-aoc-about-cr-n2186710

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/china-s-giant-drone-carrier-power-purpose-explained/vi-AA1zGzqU?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=b77553a1f43b4b2bb49f829bf38773f3&ei=142#details

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/warning-that-all-the-world-s-oceans-will-soon-be-under-control-of-new-10-000-ton-submarine-with-never-before-seen-technology/ar-AA1AWOVu?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=b77553a1f43b4b2bb49f829bf38773f3&ei=18

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/simply-not-conceivable-judge-says-trump-admin-lied-to-court-engaged-in-illegal-scheme-to-fire-broad-swaths-of-the-federal-workforce/ar-AA1AWRpm?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=b77553a1f43b4b2bb49f829bf38773f3&ei=23

Begins at minute 23:00

https://rumble.com/v6qooxk-episode-4341.html

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/why-china-s-man-made-military-islands-are-a-disaster/vi-AA1ARm8m?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=90cb1eb88b03420da20d1ed318f3cb58&ei=52

https://x.com/tecas2000/status/1896506323472445798

https://threadreaderapp.com/thread/1900635034073395665.html

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/under-no-circumstances-should-the-court-order-the-release-doj-tells-judge-aileen-cannon-she-should-cede-control-over-jack-smith-s-final-mar-a-lago-report-to-the-government/ar-AA1AZ4Fm?ocid=msedgntp&pc=HCTS&cvid=b7f9f4fb6d2e4890b7d14c5aaff36a24&ei=9

My Boomer Super Power is to foil technology!

Anyway, here is this:

https://decrypt-dispatch.beehiiv.com/p/competing-bitcoin-reserve-bills?last_resource_guid=Post%3Aff1112ca-0218-408a-b4cb-2d4cf5957889

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/4304157/posts

(3) TRUMP TO INVOKE ENEMY ALIENS ACT: A U.S. official said President Donald Trump is planning to invoke the 1798 Enemy Aliens Act as soon as today. The official said the Trump administration hopes invoking the act will unlock broad powers to arrest and deport illegal immigrants while bypassing immigration courts.

(4) FEMA PROBES AID ORGS FOR ILLEGAL ALIEN SMUGGLING: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said it is investigating organizations that received grants through FEMA’s Shelter and Services Program to provide temporary housing and aid to illegal immigrants. FEMA Acting Director Cameron Hamilton said the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is concerned the federal money was used for illegal activities, and the organizations may have violated federal laws against smuggling or transporting illegal immigrants.

Panama Decrees Open Door to "Immigrants"
Believe it or not...here is the Decree
Michael Yon
Mar 14

 

READ IN APP
 
Panama has officially opened the doors. To be replaced.

The following Decree is a red carpet to demographic replacement.

I include both the original and translated versions of the official Decree from 11 March 2025.

Please say if you see translation errors. I paid $160 yesterday for a human to translate not AI. But then the human may have used AI. I do not know:
———-
REPUBLIC OF PANAMA

MINISTRY OF PUBLIC SECURITY

EXECUTIVE DECREE NO. 6

OF 11 MARCH 2025

Which creates the Humanitarian Security Protection Permit

THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC

in the exercise of its constitutional and legal powers,

CONSIDERING:

Article 6(2) of Decree-Law 3 of February 22, 2008, establishes that it is the function of the National Migration Service to organize, direct, register, supervise, and provide immigration services to foreigners and to ensure the effective control of their stay in the country, within the limits indicated in that Decree-Law;

That with the creation of the Ministry of Public Security, through Law 15 of April 14, 2010, it was established that its mission is to determine the country's security policies, plan, coordinate, control, and support the efforts of the security and intelligence agencies that comprise it, with the National Migration Service being part of its operational level;

Article 9(3) of Decree-Law 3 of February 22, 2008, provides that the functions of the Ministry of the Interior and Justice, now the Ministry of Public Security, in matters of migration policy, are to recommend and develop the special measures to be taken by the Panamanian State to control, supervise, and prevent irregular migration;

That Articles 14 and 15 of Decree Law 3 of 2008 determine that the Executive Branch shall regulate the forms and conditions under which permits and visas shall be issued, in accordance with the principles of national security, health, public order, and protection of rights and freedoms; as well as the conditions and requirements that must be met to apply to each of the migratory categories and may create other migratory subcategories;

That the phenomenon of human mobility has posed significant challenges for countries of origin, transit, destination, and return, especially with regard to the protection and guarantee of the fundamental rights of children and adolescents, in strict compliance with national and international human rights standards;

That in recent years this situation has increased considerably and has been motivated by extreme poverty, lack of opportunities, economic inequalities, armed conflicts, political persecution and natural disasters, exposing foreign children and adolescents to multiple risks and threats that impact their well-being, growth and development;

That it is the responsibility of the Republic of Panama, through the National Migration Service, to maintain an orderly and transparent migration, with strict adherence to human rights and the migration law in force;

That it is the duty of the State to establish policies that respond to the needs of the country's economic development and that, in addition, it is its fundamental task to achieve economic rehabilitation and reduce the unemployment rate;

That through Executive Decree No. 393 of September 14, 2015, the State adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), whose objective No. 8 is Decent Work and Economic Growth, which establishes that in order to achieve sustainable economic development, it is necessary to increase labor productivity and reduce the unemployment rate;

That undocumented or irregular migrants have been identified as a group in a situation of vulnerability, since they are the most exposed to potential or actual violations of their rights and suffer a high level of lack of protection of their rights as a result of their situation;

That the Ministry of Labor and Labor Development needs to attend to nationals and migrants in vulnerable situations, especially irregular migrants who, by their nature, are not subject to insertion into the labor market, based on a regular migratory status;

That by virtue of the foregoing and after the corresponding evaluation, the Government of the Republic of Panama deems it necessary to establish more effective migration controls for irregular migrants who are in the national territory,

DECREES:

Article 1. The Humanitarian Security Protection Permit is hereby created, which may be applied for by any foreigner who, at the entry into force of this Executive Decree, is irregular within the national territory and has remained in the country for a period of not less than one year. In the event that the applicant has left the country during that year, he or she may not have stayed more than sixty consecutive days outside the national territory.

The Humanitarian Security Protection Permit will be a document that will include the Work Permit issued in favor of the foreigner who avails himself of this Executive Decree, so that he or she may obtain a work permit in the national territory together with his or her residence.

Article 2. Foreigners interested in opting for the Humanitarian Security Protection Permit must meet the following requirements:

1. Power of Attorney and Request through legal representative.

2. Two passport-size photos, white background or color.

3. Complete the Single Pre-Registration of Foreigners (RUEX) or update it, depending on each case.

4. Not have current immigration procedures before the National Migration Service.

5. Complete copy of duly notarized passport.

6. Applicant's proof of address:

a. Notarized lease agreement (Copy of the tenant's ID).

b. Utility bill.

7. Criminal record certificate from their home country duly authenticated or apostilled, as the case may be.

8. Personal background affidavit.

9. Health certificate issued by a qualified professional.

10. Copy of the migrant labor registry requested from the Ministry of Labor and Labor Development.

11. In the event that the applicant is a minor, the notarized power of attorney must be granted by both parents or legal guardian, accompanied by the document that proves the relationship and the letter of responsibility duly authenticated or apostilled, as the case may be.

12. Certified or Cashier's Check from the National Bank, in favor of the National Immigration Service for an amount of $800.00 for repatriation.

13. Certified or Cashier's Check from the National Bank, in favor of the National Immigration Service for an amount of two hundred and fifty dollars ($250.00) for immigration service.

14. Payment of one hundred dollars ($100.00) for the card and multiple visa for the permit requested.

15. Proof of payment issued by the Ministry of Labor and Labor Development in the amount of one hundred dollars ($100.00), for the Work Permit.

Article 3. The following table of costs is adopted for the processing of the application for the Humanitarian Security Protection Permit:

Transaction

Cost for immigration service

Card and Multiple Visa

Repatriation, non-refundable

National Treasure

TOTAL

Adult

$250.00

$100.00

$800.00

-

$1,150.00

Minor

-

$100.00

-

-

$100.00

Work permit

-

-

-

$100.00

$100.00

The breakdown referring to "cost for immigration service", includes the appointment request; the reception of the documentation submitted; the analysis of it; and, finally, the issuance of the resolution whether or not the Humanitarian Security Protection Permit is approved.

Article 4. The National Migration Service will check the authenticity of each document provided with the application. The mere presentation of the documents does not imply their validity, so if inconsistencies are found, it will generate criminal and administrative responsibilities for the applicant or whoever has participated in the event.

Article 5. In addition to the requirements set forth in this Executive Decree, the foreigner who opts for the Humanitarian Security Protection Permit may be subjected to an interview or evaluation by the National Migration Service and the Ministry of Labor and Labor Development, as appropriate, to determine whether or not the granting of the permit is appropriate, the cancellation or denial of the respective permit.

Article 6. The Human Security Protection Permit will be granted individually by each applicant and will contemplate the authorization by the Ministry of Labor and Labor Development for the foreigner, whose residence is approved, to immediately obtain a work permit.

Both permits will be valid for a period of two years, so that the beneficiaries over 18 years of age can reside and work in the territory of the Republic of Panama during that period, complying with the tax, labor, social security, health and legal obligations corresponding to their activity.

Article 7. Any foreigner who has obtained a Humanitarian Security Protection Permit, after the two years, may opt for a six-year extension and, once the extension period has elapsed, may opt for permanent residence, complying with the criteria established by this Executive Decree.

Article 8. Foreigners who were not admitted as refugees before the National Office for the Attention of Refugees (ONPAR), meeting the requirements to apply for the first time, in accordance with Article 2 of this Executive Decree, may opt for this permit.

Likewise, any foreigner who applied for Executive Decree No. 112 of July 13, 2023, may request the extension contemplated in this Executive Decree, complying with the requirements established in Article 9, with the exception of numeral 8, for which they must present the criminal record of their country of origin.

Article 9. Any foreigner who opts for the six-year extension must meet the following requirements:

1. Power of Attorney and Request through Legal Representative.

2. Two passport-size photos, white background or color.

3. Complete copy of duly notarized passport.

4. Applicant's proof of address:

a. Notarized lease agreement (Copy of the tenant's ID).

b. Utility bill.

5. Updated copy of the migrant labor registry requested from the Ministry of Labor and Labor Development.

6. Personal History Statement.

7. Health Certificate issued by a qualified professional.

8. Criminal and police record history, issued by the Directorate of Judicial Investigation, of the National Police of Panama, as long as you have not left the country for more than thirty days.

9. Social security form that proves that the person is contributing to the Social Security Fund or Income Tax Return with its respective proof of payment to the General Directorate of Revenue.

10. In the event that the applicant is a minor, the notarized power of attorney must be granted by both parents or legal guardian, accompanied by the document that proves the relationship and the letter of responsibility duly authenticated or apostilled, as the case may be.

11. Certified or Cashier's Check from the National Bank, in favor of the National Immigration Service for an amount of two hundred and fifty dollars ($250.00) for immigration service.

12. Payment of one hundred dollars ($100.00) for the card and multiple visa for the permit requested.

13. Proof of payment issued by the Ministry of Labor and Labor Development in the amount of one hundred dollars ($100.00), for the Work Permit.

Transaction

Cost for immigration service

Card and Multiple Visa

National Treasure

TOTAL

Adult

$250.00

$100.00

-

$350.00

Minor

-

$100.00

-

$100.00

Work permit

-

-

$100.00

$100.00

Article 10. In the event that the foreigner does not have a collated copy of the passport, according to the terms of Article 28 of Decree Law 3 of 2008, or has a damaged or pending passport, he or she must present a certification from the corresponding Consulate that certifies his or her passports and certifies that he or she does not have the passport or that it is in process, duly authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In case the passport has been lost, a report must be filed, for theft or robbery with the Directorate of Judicial Investigation, or with the Complaint Reception Center of the Public Prosecutor's Office, together with the certification of the Consulate mentioned above.

Article 11. When the applicant is a person under eighteen years of age, in order to process the Humanitarian Security Protection Permit, he or she must have the notarized authorization of both parents or the parent who has custody, proving the relationship of kinship. Upon reaching the age of majority, the applicant may opt for a work permit which must be processed before the Ministry of Labor and Labor Development, meeting the following requirements:

1. Power of Attorney and Request by Legal Representative.

2. Registration of affiliation of migrant labor.

3. Certification of Immigration Status stating that the applicant has a Humanitarian Security Protection Permit.

4. Copy of general passport and RUEX stamp.

5. Notarized copy of the residence card of the Humanitarian Security protection permit.

Article 12. The foreigner, at the time of applying for permanent residence, must provide the following requirements:

1. Power of Attorney and Request by Legal Representative.

2. Two (2) passport-size photos, white or color background.

3. Complete copy of duly notarized passport.

4. Applicant's proof of address:

a. Notarized lease agreement (Copy of the tenant's ID).

b. Utility bill.

5. Updated copy of the migrant labor registry requested from the Ministry of Labor and Labor Development.

6. Personal background affidavit.

7. Health certificate issued by a qualified professional.

8. Criminal and police record history, issued by the Directorate of Judicial Investigation, of the National Police of Panama, as long as you have not left the country for more than 30 days.

9. Social security form that proves that the person is contributing to the Social Security Fund or Income Tax Return with its respective proof of payment to the General Directorate of Revenue.

10. In the event that the applicant is a minor, the notarized power of attorney must be granted by both parents or legal guardian, the letter of responsibility, and the certification of an educational center that accredits their status as a student.

11. Certified or Cashier's Check from the National Bank, in favor of the National Immigration Service for an amount of $250.00 for immigration service.

12. Payment in the amount of $100.00 for the card and multiple visa for the permit requested.

13. Proof of payment issued by the Ministry of Labor and Labor Development in the amount of one hundred dollars ($100.00), for the Work Permit.

In addition, the applicant must provide documentation that demonstrates the condition under which they will obtain their permanent residence, which may be as follows:

1. For reasons of roots. They must meet the requirements established in Title IV Permanent Resident Category; Chapter III For demographic reasons Family reunification, Section 1. Married to Panamanian and Section 2. Dependents of Permanent Residents, of Executive Decree No. 320 of February 3, 2008 or Executive Decree No. 582 of August 9, 2012. In the case of foreigners who opt for permanent residence for reasons of roots, under the condition of married to a Panamanian, they will be exempt from the payment of the repatriation deposit.

2. For work reasons. At the time of applying for permanent residence, the foreigner must have a social security card that proves that he or she contributes to the Social Security Fund or Income Tax Return with its respective proof of payment to the General Directorate of Revenue.

3. For tax reasons. The foreign person who is registered with the General Directorate of Revenue as a tax taxpayer must provide the following:

a. Notice of operation, when applicable.

b. The last two income tax returns, duly filed.

c. Good standing with the Revenue taxes.

Transaction

Cost for immigration service

Card and Multiple Visa

National Treasure

TOTAL

Adult

$250.00

$100.00

-

$350.00

Minor

-

$100.00

-

$100.00

Work Permit

-

-

$250.00

$250.00

Article 13. The person who misplaces, loses or deteriorates the card issued in accordance with this Executive Decree, must provide the following documents to request the corresponding duplicate:

1. Original or copy authenticated by the National Migration Service of the resolution granting the provisional or definitive permit with its respective notification stamp.

2. Passport with its registration stamp or filiation. If they have lost the original passport, they must present a provisional passport.

3. Copy of the complaint filed with the complaint reception center for the loss of the document.

4. Contribution for the damaged document if applicable.

The costs for the duplicate will be as follows:

First time

Second time

Third time

$100.00

$200.00

$300.00

Article 14. The amounts collected for immigration services will be used for social assistance and security. Ninety percent (90%) will be assigned to the Ministry of the Presidency and the remaining ten percent (10%) will be allocated to the Special Fund for the Development of Human Resources of the National Migration Service. The amounts collected as a contribution to the Repatriation Deposit referred to in this Executive Decree shall be allocated to the Trust Fund of the National Migration Service.

As for the income from the Work Permit that corresponds to the Ministry of Labor and Labor Development, seventy percent (70%) will be assigned to the Ministry of the Presidency and thirty percent (30%) of the money collected from this process will be allocated to the Special Operational Fund of the Ministry of Labor and Labor Development.

Article 15. The application for the Humanitarian Security Protection Permit will be valid for one year from its promulgation in the official gazette.

Article 16. This Executive Decree shall enter into force upon its promulgation.

LEGAL BASIS: Decree-Law 3 of February 22, 2008; Executive Decree No. 320 of August 8, 2008 and its amendments.

COMMUNICATE AND COMPLY.

Given in Panama City on the eleventh (11th) day of March, two thousand and twenty-five (2025).

JOSÉ RAÚL MULINO QUINTERO

President of the Republic

FRANK ALEXIS ABREGO

Minister of Public Security

1. Human Compatible by Stuart Russell.
Human Compatible explains why the creation of artificial intelligence could be humanity’s final act, a topic that Musk has been very vocal about.
2. Zero to One by Peter Thiel with Blake Masters.
Zero to One explores how companies can better predict the future and take action to ensure that their startup is a success.
3. Merchants of Doubt by Naomi Oreskes & Erik M. Conway.
This book examines some of the world’s foremost scientific debates on the environment, smoking, and nuclear weapons
4. Life 3.0 by Max Tegmark
In this work, MIT professor Max Tegmark writes about keeping artificial intelligence beneficial for human life and ensuring technological progress remains aligned with humanity’s goals for the future
5. The Big Picture by Sean M. Carroll
The Big Picture is an ambitious look at the world as we know it and how we can use scientific thinking to make sense of most of it.
6. Lying by Sam Harris
Lying explains why the act of telling lies is so dangerous. And that means all lies, from the tiny lies that people tell on a daily basis to the massive lies sometimes told on the world stage.
7. Superintelligence by Nick Bostrom
The book in Elon Musk’s reading list makes a daring inquiry into what would happen if computational intelligence surpassed human intelligence
8. The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith
profoundly influential work in the realm of economics. It is a profoundly influential work in the study of economics and examines precisely how nations become wealthy.
9. Radical Candour by Kim Scott
He is a fan of the feedback loop, stating in an interview that, “it’s very important to have a feedback loop, where you’re constantly thinking about what you’ve done and how you could be doing it better.”
Radical Candour by Kim Scott serves as a valuable roadmap for leaders seeking to build strong relationships with their employees.

second

 

https://www.oann.com/newsroom/trump-signals-potential-military-action-to-reclaim-panama-canal-requests-coordinated-plan/

Trump Signals Potential Military Action To Reclaim Panama Canal, Requests Coordinated Plan

(L) U.S. President Donald Trump appears during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. (Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images) / (R) View of the Port of Balboa, managed by CK Hutchison Holdings, located at the entrance to the Panama Canal in Panama City, on March 12, 2025. (Photo by MARTIN BERNETTI/AFP via Getty Images)
OAN Staff Brooke Mallory
11:55 PM – Friday, March 14, 2025

According to reports, President Donald Trump has instructed the U.S. military to devise a range of strategies for retaking the Panama Canal, in an effort to dissuade communist China from continuing conducting operations in the region.

Advertisement
The United States Southern Command is in the works of leading the future endeavor, according to NBC News, reportedly involving the U.S. military retaking the Panama Canal, if need be, — though preferably collaborating with Panamanian security forces.

According to officials, the efforts of the U.S. military is contingent on Panama’s compliance with American requests. The U.S. military will reportedly not become involved if Panamanian officials comply.

Commander of United States Southern Command, Admiral Alvin Holsey “presented draft strategies to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth this week,” the report stated.

According to officials, the United States regaining control is not impossible, but it would most likely only occur if Trump’s objective of regaining the canal, which the U.S. has funded and constructed, was met by an increased American military presence.

Ultimately, the Trump administration is looking to strengthen American military forces in Panama in order to reduce the ongoing Chinese influence in the region. He has often stated that it is not right for China to be taking advantage of the canal, being American made, as China is the United States’ greatest economic threat.

However, Panama and China deny that there is any foreign meddling in regard to the 50-mile canal, whose neutrality is “established” in Panama’s Constitution. Meanwhile, the U.S. has also been accused by Chinese authorities of employing “coercion” to compel Panamanian officials to obstruct Chinese initiatives.

“It was given away by the Carter administration for $1, but that agreement has been violated very severely,” Trump explained, during his address to Congress last week. “We didn’t give it to China. We gave it to Panama, and we’re taking it back.”

A segment of the report reads: “Privately, Trump has told his advisers that he sees a U.S. military presence in Panama and on the canal itself as critical to that effort, the U.S. officials said. Trump has also made it clear that he wants U.S. service members to be visible in the canal zone as a show of force.

Trump administration officials have also argued that China has too large of a presence near the canal. In the event of a conflict, Beijing could shut down the canal to American shipping — including military ships.

China is “playing the long game” with its economic development projects around the world, which it exploits to further its goals, according to a statement made last year before the House Armed Services Committee by Gen. Laura Richardson, who was the head of the United States Southern Command at the time.

“The PRC [People’s Republic of China] messages its investments as peaceful, but in fact, many serve as points of future multi-domain access for the PLA [People’s Liberation Army] and strategic naval chokepoints,” she said. “In Panama, PRC-controlled State-Owned Enterprises, SOEs, continue to bid on projects related to the Panama Canal — a global strategic chokepoint.”

https://sandhillssentinel.com/shots-fired-into-aberdeen-home/

EDUCATION

State AGs sue over plans to gut the Education Department

By Valerie Richardson THE WASHINGTON TIMES

A coalition of 21 Democratic attorneys general sued Thursday to block the Trump administration from gutting the Department of Education, arguing that Congress created the Cabinet-level agency and only Congress may abolish it.

The lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts came two days after Education Secretary Linda McMahon announced that the department’s staff would be cut by about 2,183 employees for a 50% reduction in force.

New York Attorney General Letitia James called the staffing cuts “reckless and illegal.”

“Today I am taking action to stop the madness and protect our schools and the students who depend on them,” she said in a Thursday press release.

President Trump campaigned on a promise to eliminate the department, calling it “a big con job.” The attorneys general accused him of exceeding his authority.

“The Department is an executive agency authorized by Congress, with numerous different laws creating its various programs and funding streams,” said the release. “The coalition’s lawsuit asserts that the executive branch does not have the legal authority to unilaterally incapacitate or dismantle it without an act of Congress.”

The department began operations in 1980 after President Carter signed into law the Department of Education Organization Act. Critics blasted the moveas a sop by the president to the National Education Association in exchange for its campaign endorsement.

Republicans have sought to eliminate the department since President Reagan took office in 1981, but Mr. Trump’s 50% reduction in force represents the most dramatic step in that direction.

Republicans argue that the $268 billion department is inefficient, bloated and unnecessary, given that states and local governments are in charge of building and funding schools. Democrats counter that the department provides critical resources.

“This administration may claim to be stopping waste and fraud, but it is clear that their only mission is to take away the necessary services, resources, and funding that students and their families need,” Ms. James said in a Thursday statement. “Firing half of the Department of Education’s workforce will hurt students throughout New York and the nation, especially lowincome students and those with disabilities who rely on federal funding.”

Programs run by the department serve “nearly 18,200 school districts and over 50 million K-12 students attending roughly 98,000 public schools and 32,000 private schools,” said the Democrats in a statement.

School districts in New York received $6.17 billion, or $2,438 per student, from the department in Fiscal Year 2024. Republicans argue that the funding comes with strings, such as requiring schools to adopt diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

The department said Tuesday that it will continue to fulfill its statutory obligations despite the staffing cuts, including student loans, Pell Grants, funding for special-needs students, grantmaking and formula funding, but the Democrats were leery.

“The administration’s layoff is so massive that ED will be incapacitated and unable to perform essential functions,” said the Democratic attorneys general in a press release.

The Democratic attorneys general joining Ms. James represent the states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia

Michael Brewer on FB:

Ok, folks - let's talk about it.  Social Security and why imminent change is needed.  I had a discussion with ChatGPT, and I bounced that off of Grok today.  What follows is a version of those two conversations which combines the outputs to describe the main points.  I encourage you to take these prompts and run a similar exercise.  It helps take the politics out of the issue and get to the real meat of the problem.  As you read this exchange, I'd like to ask you a favor.  Consider which of the courses of action advisable here are currently being undertaken, and who is resisting them.  It's telling.

Me:
I'd like to talk to you about Social Security and its pending insolvency.  By all expert accounts, Social Security in its present form is unsustainable.  Changes to the program and to the laws that govern it have, in past decades, allowed Congress to borrow from Social Security, meaning it now functions in part as an unfunded liability.  Is this correct?

AI said:
Yes, that's correct. Social Security’s financial issues stem from several factors, including demographic shifts, changes in workforce participation, and legislative decisions that allowed the federal government to use surplus Social Security funds for general government expenses.

Key Issues with Social Security’s Sustainability:

Demographics & Funding Mechanism – Social Security operates as a pay-as-you-go system, meaning current workers’ payroll taxes fund retirees' benefits. The worker-to-beneficiary ratio has declined dramatically over the decades due to lower birth rates and longer life expectancy. In 1960, there were roughly 5 workers per retiree, but today that number is closer to 2.8 workers per retiree and is projected to drop further.

Borrowing from the Trust Fund – The Social Security Trust Fund (composed of the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Disability Insurance Trust Fund) had accumulated surpluses for years. However, due to laws passed in previous decades—particularly the 1983 Social Security Amendments—the government began investing these surpluses in special-issue Treasury bonds. While these bonds are backed by the U.S. government, they represent IOUs rather than cash reserves, meaning that to pay out benefits, the government must redeem these bonds by either raising taxes, borrowing more, or cutting spending elsewhere.

Becoming an Unfunded Liability – Because of these IOUs, Social Security obligations increasingly resemble an unfunded liability—meaning future payouts exceed expected revenues. According to the Social Security Trustees Report, the program will deplete its trust fund reserves by 2034, at which point benefits would have to be reduced by about 20-25% unless Congress enacts changes.

Me:
Under these projections, that means changes to the program are imminently necessary, not just "nice to have," is that correct?

AI said:
Yes, that is absolutely correct. Changes to Social Security are not just a "nice to have" but a necessity if the program is to continue functioning at its current benefit levels.

Why Action Is Urgent
Trust Fund Depletion by 2034 – According to the Social Security Trustees Report, the program’s combined trust funds (Old-Age and Survivors Insurance + Disability Insurance) will be exhausted by 2034. At that point, the system would only be able to pay out what it collects in real time from payroll taxes—about 77-80% of scheduled benefits. That means an automatic 20-25% benefit cut unless changes are made.

Delaying Action Increases the Pain – The longer Congress waits to act, the more drastic the required measures will become. For example:

A gradual increase in the payroll tax today could close the funding gap more painlessly than a sudden, much larger tax hike later.

A modest increase in the retirement age now would be less disruptive than a sudden, steep increase later.

Minor benefit adjustments today would be preferable to deep, across-the-board cuts in the future.
Interest Payments & Federal Debt Implications – Because the trust fund holds Treasury bonds, redeeming them will require the federal government to either:

Raise taxes
Cut spending elsewhere

Borrow more money (increasing the national debt) This makes Social Security’s insolvency a broader fiscal issue, not just a retiree issue.

Me:
Assuming that funding Social Security is a priority for America and that allowing the program to become insolvent is unacceptable, is it advisable then, to take an approach that includes:

1. Drastic cuts to federal spending, including workforce reductions, elimination of waste, fraud, abuse, redundancy, and inefficiencies, and streamlining and modernizing the Federal Government with an eye toward efficiency

2. Government-managed investment funds or semi-privatization of investments to move closer to market-rate returns rather than the historic 1% - 2% returns of the Social Security program based on bonds

3. Increased transparency and market discipline within the government-managed funds overall, and

4. Ending the policy of being able to borrow from Social Security to pay other obligations?

AI said:
Yes, that approach would likely be the most fiscally responsible and politically viable way to stabilize Social Security while minimizing economic disruption. Let’s break down each component and its advisability, feasibility, and potential impact.

1. Drastic Cuts to Federal Spending & Efficiency Improvements
✅ Advisable: Yes, reducing unnecessary government expenditures would help free up resources to cover Social Security's obligations without increasing taxes or borrowing.

📌 Key Areas to Cut or Reform:
Workforce Reductions & Streamlining – The federal workforce is massive, and some departments have redundancies that could be consolidated without harming essential services.

Eliminating Waste, Fraud, & Abuse – Studies have shown billions in improper payments across Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security disability. Better oversight could recover substantial funds.
Reducing Redundancies in Federal Programs – There are multiple overlapping programs in areas such as education, welfare, and defense contracting. Merging or streamlining them could generate savings.
Federal Agency Modernization – Upgrading IT infrastructure and eliminating bureaucratic inefficiencies could save money long-term.

📉 Impact: Cutting federal spending could slow the growth of the national debt while freeing up funds for Social Security. However, deep cuts alone wouldn’t fully close the Social Security gap and could face political resistance.

2. Government-Managed Investment Funds or Semi-Privatization for Higher Returns
✅ Advisable: Yes, if implemented responsibly. Current Social Security investments in low-yield Treasury bonds limit the program's financial sustainability. Diversifying investments into equities and other assets could significantly boost returns.

📌 Options for Market-Based Investments:
Allowing a portion of Social Security contributions to be privately invested (like a 401(k), with government oversight).

A government-managed investment fund (like many state pension funds) that places a percentage of the trust fund in higher-yield assets while maintaining safety measures.

📈 Impact: If Social Security investments had historically tracked market rates, the trust fund would be significantly larger today. Even a modest shift toward higher-return investments could help extend solvency.

3. Increased Transparency & Market Discipline in Government Funds
✅ Advisable: Yes. Transparency ensures public trust, prevents mismanagement, and creates accountability for political leaders overseeing these investments.

📌 Ways to Achieve This:
Independent Oversight Board – A non-partisan entity could oversee Social Security investments to ensure sound financial decisions.

Public Disclosure Requirements – Just as private funds must disclose investment performance, the government should provide real-time transparency on fund management.

Strict Fiduciary Rules – Fund managers should be legally required to act in the best financial interest of beneficiaries, reducing opportunities for political interference.

📉 Impact: Greater transparency would prevent Social Security funds from being used as a slush fund for non-retirement spending and boost public confidence in reforms.

4. Ending the Practice of Borrowing from Social Security
✅ Advisable: Absolutely. One of the biggest factors in Social Security’s current insolvency crisis is that past surpluses were not saved or invested but spent elsewhere.

📌 Key Fix:
A "Lockbox" Approach – A legally enforceable mechanism ensuring that payroll tax revenues only fund Social Security benefits (or permissible investments).

Balanced Budget Requirements – Congress could be forced to fund other programs separately, preventing future borrowing from Social Security.

📉 Impact: If this policy had been in place decades ago, Social Security wouldn’t be facing a funding crisis today. Moving forward, it would ensure the program operates sustainably without needing emergency taxpayer bailouts.

(7) ANARCHIST BLOG SHARES ARSON TIPS FOR TESLAS: A revolutionary anarchist blog posted a call to action and shared tips on how to conduct arson attacks against Tesla vehicles.

The post covered basic security tips like masking one’s identity for the vehicle’s security cameras and ensuring fingerprints and DNA aren’t left at the scene of the crime.

Why It Matters: Arson has become a routine tactic for the revolutionary left due to the ease of action and relatively low risk. Placing an incendiary device on a tire and lighting it gives time for the arsonist to make distance before the lit fire spreads to the tire, which virtually ensures the fire will engulf the vehicle. Absent fingerprints or DNA, the arsonist is unlikely to be identified and arrested. These are the kinds of “confidence building” attacks that historically lead to larger forms of direct action. Many urban and suburban areas are target-rich environments, and the attacks are recognizably linked to the Trump Resistance and anti-Musk movement. Expect sporadic arsons to continue. - M.S.

(2) JUDGE BLOCKS TRUMP ORDER ON LAW FIRMS: A Seattle, WA federal judge blocked the Trump administration from enforcing an executive order blocking law firm Perkins Coie from interacting with federal agencies or entering federal buildings. Perkins Coie said the executive order will put the law firm out of business.

second

https://redstate.com/bonchie/2025/03/13/new-trump-just-dropped-the-hammer-on-russia-as-negotiations-loom-n2186614

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14459979/listen-audio-DEI-sharing-answers-air-traffic-control-entry-exam.html

Nice datum.

I noticed it seems to be moving above 34.

Decrypto is reporting that BTC is still reporting outflow of funds and ETH is doing even worse.  Is there a point at which this becomes a self sustaining panic that wipes out all our gains?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=52&v=0Yk16-hCv4M&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paragonpride.com%2F&source_ve_path=Mjg2NjY