Fire Hydrant of Freedom

GDP model really means little under the Covid mess.  Is an outdated model anyway.

Still have Trump at 316 Electoral Votes right now with 3-4 states that could flip to him from Biden, and another 2 that could flip from him to Biden. 

Still a solid lead.

Thanks!  As I get time, aka feel good and write, will be around.  (Doing good now, but the tiredness really gets to me each day.)

If they have 307 tons of fraudulent ballots, we have already lost. So I am moving to a free country. Maybe Liberia.

No, seriously, I think the issue is being overblown.  And even if Michigan and Penn can be won that way, there is still plenty of cushion of EV votes.

Of course, if Biden does win through outride fraud, CW 2 is on, just like if Trump wins no matter what.

Question:

Son is looking to upgrade the 9mm's that we have. Looking for a Beretta 9mm.  Online stores all are out of stock. Has tried calling sporting goods stores and are out of stock as well.

Anyone know of a place he can buy one and get shipped to CA licensed dealer?

Thanks.

Mentioning Health Care above, here is today's article.

THE COSTS OF MEDICAL CARE

As most of the regular readers here know, I have been battling “The Beast” (Prostate Cancer) for about four years now.  The treatments for the Beast are all medication based, which is hormonal therapy. The good news is that I have responded well to such treatments.

In America today, there is an ongoing controversy about Big Pharma, medicine costs and of course, Medicare Plan D or other insurance paying for the cost of medical treatments. I thought that it would be appropriate to at least bring to light the costs of what my own treatments are costing to illustrate just how bad a mess things are when treating chronic diseases.  (I am at the  phase now where my CA is considered “chronic.”)

I received a bill this week for Medical Claims processed between Feb 14 and Mar 29, 2020. The bill covers just a portion of what it is taking to keep me alive. Here is what has been paid.

Feb 14 –  Zometa Injection and other services       $ 1,113

Feb 28 – Xtandi                                                     $11,569

Feb 25 –  Heart Stress Test                                    $ 1,274

Mar 13 – Zometa and Lupron Injections                $ 7,105

Mar 28 – Xtandi                                                     $11,569

Apr 28 –  Xtandi                                                     $11,569

May  8 – Zometa Injection                                    $     615

May 28 – Xtandi                                                    $11,569

The total costs for the 4 month period is $56,373.

(Xtandi is a daily dose by pill, 4 per day, each pill costing $100. Lupron is a quarterly injection. Zometa was a monthly injection delivered by IV, but goes quarterly now.)

What is frightening about this number is that it does not include other 3rd party payments, or other procedures that might be incurred throughout the year, things necessary to evaluate progress and keep me healthy like CT scans, colonoscopy, x-rays and other procedures.

My medical costs per year will run between $175k and $200k.  If something special arises, then the cost goes up significantly, especially if it requires a hospital stay.

Utilizing a Cost/Benefit Analysis, the truth is that with what I contribute to society in my retirement years, I do not warrant the costs associated with keeping me alive.

This is truly scary stuff, looking at the numbers from a Cost/Benefit Analysis perspective. It is no wonder that ObamaCare envisioned Death Panels. I must be truly grateful that the Panels were not fully instituted.

The question arises as to what happens in the future? Will people in the same position as I am be left to die when financial strains get worse? Can medical costs be gotten under control so as to relieve financial pressures on the insurance system? The health care system?

I don’t know the answers. All I know is that I am relieved and grateful that I am still around to annoy Rubbish, Bruno and the other Moderators with my Cuckservative views.

Have a Great Day and give this some thought when you have time.  And remember…..

LIFE IS GOOD!!!  (As long as you wake up each morning and are able to get out of bed.)

Don't know what happened. So here is the article.

ANOTHER LOOK AT GEORGE FLOYD

After five days of endless tributes and funerals or memorials, George Floyd has finally been put into the ground. Now it is time to put to words some thoughts about Floyd.

America has been subjected to an “orgy” of George Floyd worship. One would believe that he was The Messiah cometh based upon everything reported. Here was a man who was more than a man, a single person who was “worthy” of total adulation and emulation. A loving father of a young child left behind.

Television and other media sources across the country took every effort to show America and the world his funeral.  Here was the loss of a man at the hands of corrupt police and he should be honored as only a very special person deserves.

The truth though is far different.

George Floyd left behind not one, but five children. Yes, five children. Bet ya never heard about that. or about how they are living out their lives, though it would be easy to guess.

George Floyd was also nothing more than a common criminal, and a tool to be used by the Left in their ever increasing goal of eventually taking over America.

Floyd was born Oct 14, 1973. He graduated from high school in 1993 and from there attended minor colleges until dropping out somewhere around 1996-1997.  At various times, he was a “rapper” in Houston and was known as Big Floyd.  He was 6’4” and weighed 223 pounds and family referred to him as a “Gentle Giant.”  (Michael Brown who was shot to death in Ferguson Missouri was also referred to as a “Gentle Giant.”  See a pattern developing?)

Floyd’s first brush with the law occurred Aug 3, 1997 in what appears to be possession of less than one gram of cocaine. (Needless to say, he probably had abused cocaine and had larger amounts on him prior to his first arrest.) This began a documented pattern of brushes with the law for the next ten years, at least.

Additional charges and arrests included”

Theft (twice)
Drugs (several times)
Trespassing
Aggravated Robbery with a deadly weapon

It is the Aggravated Robbery with a deadly weapon which led to 5 years of imprisonment.  The details of this crime are frightening.

In 2007, Floyd broke into a woman’s home with the intent to rob her. He wore a “blue uniform” to appear to be a government employee to gain the woman’s trust to let him into her home. The woman quickly realized that Floyd was not who he said he was and tried to close the door, but he used “brute force” to break into the home from there by holding a handgun to her stomach.

Upon entering, Floyd was quickly joined by five friends inside the house. He began to search the home while another of the intruders held the woman at gunpoint.  During this time, the woman was pistol whipped in the head and arms while trying to scream for help.

Not finding any cash, Floyd and the others took jewelry and her cell phone and fled in the truck that they had arrived in. A neighbor saw the action and immediately reported it to police. The vehicle was quickly located and pulled over with Floyd behind the wheel driving it.  All were arrested.

Floyd was convicted of the crime in 2009 and served 5 years in prison until 2014, when he was released. (It was not the first time that Floyd had committed a crime using a firearm. In 1998 he committed robbery with a firearm and served 10 months in the Harris County Jail.  George was accused of a firearm robbery in August 1998 for which he served 10 months at Harris County Jail.

Additional time spent in jail occurred for

In April 2002, Floyd was condemned to 30 days of prison for trespassing private property.
October 2002, eight months in prison for cocaine.
Oct 2004, ten months in prison for cocaine.
Dec 2005, ten months in prison for cocaine.
After Prison

Upon his release from prison in 2014, the narrative is that Floyd wanted to change his life around. To do so, he became involved in a Christian program in Texas with a history of taking men from there and moving them to Minnesota, providing them with drug rehab and job placement services.

In Minnesota, Floyd worked in various jobs and eventually the nightclub where he worked until his death.  His pattern of unlawful behavior did not appear to cease, instead he just did not get caught. At least not until Memorial Day 2020 when he passed a counterfeit bill in a grocery store. The police were called and he was arrested.

 

Death of Floyd

We all know the story of Floyd’s death by now. He died at the hands of Derek Chauvin, a white police officer, who pressed his knee to Floyd’s neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds during the arrest. But there is more to the story than being reported.

Floyd appeared to be uncooperative and resisting getting into the patrol car. It was such that the cops had to cease putting him into the vehicle and instead laid him out on the ground and then Chauvin placed his knee on the side/back of his neck to further restrain him.  (We will not know how much of a fight Floyd put up until the body cams are released.)

Floyd was handcuffed face down in the street, while two other officers further restrained Floyd and a fourth prevented onlookers from intervening.

In the final moments of George Floyd’s life, as he lay face down and Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck, another officer asked Chauvin if they should roll Floyd onto his side. “I am worried about excited delirium or whatever,” the officer told Chauvin, according to authorities. Chauvin refused to turn over Floyd, who was pronounced dead shortly after.

For the last three of those minutes Floyd was motionless and had no pulse, but officers made no attempt to revive him. Chauvin kept his knee on Floyd’s neck as arriving emergency medical technicians attempted to treat him.

 

Excited Delirium

The charging documents for Officer Chauvin mentions the term “Excited Delirium” and indicates that the officers were worried about this condition presenting itself. That alone is alarming and in fact, challenges the consensus view of what happened.

Excited delirium is a relatively uncommon health condition characterized by severe agitation, aggression, distress, and is often fatal.  In many cases of excited delirium, individuals will have displayed noticeable increases in body temperature (fever), utilized drugs that altered dopaminergic functioning, and exhibit overtly bizarre behavior.  Although the condition is rare, those with excited delirium are often misdiagnosed, and end up dying before they receive proper medical treatment. Often death is the result of a heart attack.

 

Stages of Excited Delirium

Those that experience excited delirium typically go through various stages including: severe agitation, potential violence, police restraint, struggle, respiratory failure, and usually death.  While death does not always occur, most cases of excited delirium are associated with mortality.

Stage #1: Delirium & Psychomotor Agitation

The first stage of excited delirium is that of a person appearing to be delirious, disoriented, yet hyperactive.  They may be pacing back and forth, yelling, or engaging in violent and combative behavior

Stage #2: Disturbing the Peace

The second stage of excited delirium may exist simultaneously with stage one.  The individual may shout obscenities, display bizarre behavior, and may appear violent.  Though often the police will not be involved until the person is already in this stage, the sight of police could invoke this behavior especially if police are attempting to take the person into custody.

Stage #3: Restraint & Struggle

At this stage, police will usually attempt to restrain the person with excited delirium. Cooperation may be non-existent with the person appearing to be resistant to pain and with high levels of endurance and strength. Eventually the police will restrain the individual, but hopefully not as to constrict the diaphragm as this can lead to death.

Stage #4: Diagnosis & Treatment

After restraint, the police must properly diagnose the individual with and contact medical responders.  With proper diagnosis, a police should attempt to help the patient stay calm, relax, and should use the minimal amount of restraint.

When medical responders arrive, they will need to have a correct diagnosis as well so that proper treatment can be administered.

Stage #5: Recovery vs. Death

In most cases of excited delirium, the patient ends up dying.  This is due to difficulty of diagnosis as well as the fact that death may be inevitable for some individuals with preexisting medical conditions or drug-induced physiological changes.  With proper treatment by both police and medical responders, there is a chance the individual may experience a full recovery.

On the other hand, respiratory failure and cardiac arrest are also common outcomes.  Nearly 2/3 individuals with excited delirium end up dying in police custody or while being transported by paramedics to the hospital.

Causes of Excited Delirium

Causes of excited delirium will differ for each individual. However, there are commonalities in most cases involving the ingestion of a stimulatory drug.

Autopsy analyses among those who died from excited delirium reveal the drug most associated with this condition is cocaine, but methamphetamine is another common culprit.

A cocktail of drugs may also lead to excited delirium.

Autopsy

The Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled Floyd’s death a homicide caused by “cardiopulmonary arrest complicating law enforcement subdual, restraint, and neck compression.” Also cited were coronary artery disease and hypertension.

Floyd had fentanyl in his system and had recently used meth. Traces of cannabinoids and morphine were present. He also tested positive for the coronavirus in early April, and again after his death, but appeared asymptomatic.

Michael Baden, a hired gun independent examiner concluded Floyd died when his breathing was obstructed by the pressure officers put on his neck and back.

What the Hennepin Examiner did say is that Floyd was NOT asphyxiated.

Thoughts and Observations

As one would expect, PU has some observations and thoughts about this case. So here’s at it.

First, George Floyd had done a lousy job of reforming himself. Not only did he have illegal drugs in his system, he also tried to pass an obviously counterfeit $20 bill. This is not the behavior of a reformed criminal.

Second, being arrested for trying to pass a counterfeit bill while on illegal drugs would have surely resulted in Floyd being sentenced back to prison. Recognition of this could have resulted in excited delirium occurring, if not just attempting to resist arrest.

Third, if the body cameras show that Floyd was agitated or resisting arrest, this is further evidence of a potential problem and would give cause for the arresting cops to restrain him on the ground.

Fourth, the neck restraint hold placed upon Floyd was an allowable procedure under the training guidelines for Minneapolis that Chauvin experienced. So there was nothing illegal to using this method of restraint if done in moderation.

Fifth, the officers were aware of the possibility of excited delirium. Though Chauvin did not put Floyd on his side to lessen the potential for harm, there might have been little that could lessen the potential for death.

Sixth, Floyd had many co-morbidities that could be triggered by the existence of excited delirium.  In fact, his death was attributed to one of those co-morbidities that could be triggered by excited delirium.

Seventh, the arresting officers had no idea of these co-morbidities that plagued Floyd.

Eighth, somehow George had forgotten to give notice to police that he was now a “Gentle Giant” and not someone prove to agitation and violence. If he had given them notice, maybe they would not have restrained him.  (Yes, this is sarcasm.)

Ninth, if Floyd was experiencing excited delirium, then not applying the neck restraint would likely have not have resulted in a different outcome for Floyd. In fact, an argument can be made that pre-existing health conditions aggravated by excited delirium may have been the cause of death.

Tenth, it was not coincidence that Floyd was in this neighborhood, ranging far from home. As Bruno can attest to, the neighborhood where Floyd died was not a typical upright neighborhood. Instead, the neighborhood and street corners were well known for their drug dealing. For a person like Floyd who did not live in the area to go there, only one reason would normally exist, to score some drugs.

The Left and the Media has used the death of George to advance their own agenda and nothing more. They do not care about the search for truth and what really happened that fateful Memorial Day.

At some point, there will be further details to come out about the death of George Floyd. Some of these details will be what video cams recorded and about the relationship between George Floyd and Officer Derek Chauvin. If the details revealed support the concept that it was excited delirium or some other factors that contributed to the death of Floyd, or made death likely under any circumstances, then the Left and the Media is responsible for all that has happened since.

Unfortunately, the damage has been done. Any innocent verdict will only result in more riots and protests, much wider and more violent in scale. We are left in dangerous times now.

(Note: I am not arguing that the officers were innocent or guilty of anything, least of all murder. I don’t know the answer. I only present other parts of the story not getting any air time. We will have to wait for the rest of the story to come out before we can come to any conclusions.)

As always, I thank Mark for allowing me to post my thoughts. I hope all who read this find my thoughts valuable. Most important to remember…..

LIFE IS GOOD!!!   (No matter the challenges it brings)

Sparta Report has Day 1 of the 12 Days of News Media Clowns up.  John Harwood is Day 1.

https://www.spartareport.com/2019/11/pu-presents-the-12-days-of-news-media-clowns-day-1/

https://www.spartareport.com/2019/10/pu-presents-the-12-days-of-corrupt-democrat-politicians-the-1st-day/

https://www.spartareport.com/2019/10/the-12-days-of-corrupt-democrat-politicians-day-2/

https://www.spartareport.com/2019/10/the-12-days-of-corrupt-democratic-politicians-day-3/

https://www.spartareport.com/2019/10/the-12-days-of-corrupt-democratic-politicians-day-4/

https://www.spartareport.com/2019/10/the-12-days-of-corrupt-democratic-politicians-day-5/

https://www.spartareport.com/2019/10/the-12-days-of-corrupt-democratic-politicians-day-6/

https://www.spartareport.com/2019/10/the-12-days-of-corrupt-democratic-politicians-day-7/

https://www.spartareport.com/2019/10/pu-presents-the-12-days-of-corrupt-democratic-politicians/     (day

https://www.spartareport.com/2019/10/the-12-days-of-corrupt-democratic-politicians-day-9/

https://www.spartareport.com/2019/10/pu-presents-his-12-days-of-corrupt-democratic-politicians-day-10/

https://www.spartareport.com/2019/10/193310/  (Joe Biden Day 11)

https://www.spartareport.com/2019/10/pus-the-12-days-of-corrupt-democratic-politicians-day-12/

And what I wrote for the 12th Day of Corrupt Democratic Politicians and Hillary.

https://www.spartareport.com/2019/10/pus-the-12-days-of-corrupt-democratic-politicians-day-12/

Hey all!

Thought I would pop in and relay what is happening with Trump with us "simple" people.

The support for Trump is solid. And frankly, we not only don't care about the comments he makes, we actually love it that he is fighting and is crass as time. He speaks as we speak, and understands us.

There are some hard right that claim they will not vote for him because he has not built the wall yet, or else not stopped illegal immigration, but those are a small minority, and most will vote for him in the end.

There is growing support for Trump among blacks and hispanics, those who are not dependent upon government handouts. Just that alone would be enough to put him over the top.

As to Biden, I would direct you to an article I wrote last week. It was a series, The 12 Days of Corrupt Democratic Politicians. 

This was Day 11, Joe Biden day. https://www.spartareport.com/2019/10/193310/

What I got out of doing the series was a true understanding of just how corrupt all politicians are. And why all are fighting Trump and the Ukraine.  The corruption is just unbelievable.

Hey Everyone.

I am back! 

Just wondering anyone's thoughts on all the REPOs and the current liquidity crunch going on.

Pat

   I TOLD YOU SO!!!   

www.hotgas.net   We are not "the other site that will not be named".

No, I do not work for the Trump campaign or anyone else. 

GM,

When I said evil incarnate, I was referring to articles posted by the media that have called Trump everything in the books. So I apologize if I did  not make that clear.

I invite you to put together an article on your concerns about Trump and what you think he should do and how you think he can be influenced to make those changes. Inf fact, I invite everyone here to write something and I will get it posted.

We also welcome Reader Submissions on other topics. A recent one that generated much interest was on the coming financial crisis, and how to prepare for a general societal collapse.

At HG, we are people like all others. We have our fears and our concerns, but we just want to get the US back on the right track.

I haven't been commenting on posts because I am tired of going over the same old crap each time. But both of you have taken the Trump comments out of context so I must intervene. Here is what he was pointing out.

1. The Courts have never ruled on the question of what constitutes a natural born citizen and the Constitution is vague about it. In fact, courts have been loath to address this subject.

2. Grayson, the Florida Rep, has already indicated that

Speaking on Alan Colmes’ radio show last week, Democratic Rep. Alan Grayson let us in on his nefarious plan:

I’m waiting for the moment that he gets the nomination, and then I will file that beautiful lawsuit saying that he’s unqualified for the job because he’s …Call me crazy but I think the President of America should be an American,” he added.

3. There are already at least two lawsuits regarding this in the State Courts right now, Florida and either Vermont or New Hampshire. The allegation is that Cruz and Rubio are not natural born, so they cannot be on the state ballots.

4. If you read comments on the different websites, there are huge numbers of people who state that they will not vote for either because they are not eligible to run for president.

Each of you argue that the Dems will use anything possible to attack Trump if he is the nominee. Why do you not think that the Dems would use eligibility to attack either Rubio or Cruz?  Of course they will..........as Grayson proves.  (Who cares if he is a nutter? Who needs the distraction?)

It is better to get this out in the open and resolved now, instead of waiting for the General Election for it to come up. 

BTW, from my own reading, I believe that they are eligible. But I also understand how it could be used against them if not countered now. Look at what was done with Obama.

Also, since I am at it, each of you have also stated that the polls are showing that Rubio can beat Hillary but not Trump. Yet you also challenge those same polls by saying when it comes to Trump beating the other GOP candidates, they mean nothing until the primaries have run their course.

You can't have it both ways!  Provide reasons for believing that they are correct in one case, but not the other, especially when Trump is showing such a huge lead in the different states and in the national polls.  (At least I do try and postulate why Rubio might be matching up better against Hillary than Trump.)

nuff said...

CD

Ignoring my sarcasm?   

The GOPe told us that Romney and McCain were both electable. Look what is got us. Now they are saying that Rubio is electable. Why should this time be any different?

"Rubio is electable."

Where have I  heard that before?  Presidents McCain and Romney come to mind.

DMG,

What the hell did Gowdy accomplish?  Not a damned thing. He let the Wicked One off. It was a typical DC display of nothing.

Since you caught it, what do you think about the premise?

Come on...........the mud raking has been going on long before Trump. And he is saying only what needs to be said to destroy the pc culture.

As to Cruz and Rubio, look at their voting patterns versus what they say. Rubio is especially establishment and Cruz is only marginally better.

You don't believe that the entrenched interests influence everything that occurs? I guess that I just belong to the vast group of conspiracy minded folks who still believe that the moon landings never occurred.

Yeah, Rubio just needs the votes.    If he can't beat either Trump or Cruz, where are they going to come from for him to win the nomination?  Of course!!! The GOPe changing the convention rules so that they can put in Rubio. And if they do, goodbye GOP. And that will be well deserved.

Yes, Donald has contributed to all of those Democrats, but at the same time he was also contributing to Republican candidates. That is what business people do, especially those living in the large urban areas.

If you want a purity candidate that has never done the same, fine. But that will eliminate large numbers of very competent people who could run the country quite well. What we are seeing with Donald is exactly the reasons why good competent people do not get into politics. Why put up with the crap and having reputations dragged across the mud? Why waste the time when they could be doing good elsewhere by making money and creating wealth and jobs?

If you want a professional class of politicians who are incompetent and care only about themselves, their party and getting elected, then let's just continue on the same course. Let's elect those who are "party approved" and "party tested" and then have them screw the people on a daily basis by passing legislation that is designed to assist their masters.

The US as it stands now only has a handful of years to change course. Will that happen under Rubio? Hell no. Under Cruz? Hell no. Both are nothing more than pawns in a huge game designed to benefit party interests and to make money.

Will it change under Trump? Probably not. But he has a better chance that the others because he can rally the masses better than most. Unfortunately, this will not be enough either because the entrenched interests that influence current politicians will not let hi prevail.

I am just going to sit back and watch Rubio be given the nomination. Then I will watch his failures and his sell outs and at the end, say I told you so. Hopefully then, I will be in a financial position where I can avoid the worst of the coming collapse.

Knew people would not like that statement and all the other I wrote.   

DDF

The war on women attitude is exactly what Trump is prepared to attack Hillary on. He is setting her up for the kill. Any other Rep nominee would be too afraid to go there.

I cannot wait for her and Trump to debate. He will get her off the "canned sound bites" and she will totally lose it. That will be the point that Trump wins the election.  (This should have happened with O'Bummer in 2012, but Romney or the others were not the "men" to do it.)

I am really beginning to love this!!!! Here is why:

The arguments against Trump.

1. He is not going to run. He is just seeking publicity. Oops, he announced.

2. He is not going to file the preliminary paperwork. This is all a game. Oops, he did.

3. He is not going to file his financials. He is running a bluff.  Oops, he did.

4. He is not a serious candidate.

5. He is only at 7%. No one supports him. He will not go any higher.

6. Trump is now at 15%. That is his ceiling. He can't go higher.

7. Trump's disapproval ratings are about 70%. He only gets about a 30% approval. With his negatives, he can't go any higher.

8. The Fox debate and his performance was pitiful. He will lose support.

9. Trump is at 20+%. He has hit the ceiling and he cannot go any higher.

10. Trumps approval ratings are up to 40%. Negatives are 60%. He can't go any higher.

11.Head to Head Trump against Hillary and Hillary wins by 20%. Trump can't win the election.

12. Trump's Kelly comments.........he is finished.

13. Trump only appeals to lo-fo voters. He cannot go higher with them.

14. Trump at 30%. He is at his ceiling. These are online polls. They are not accurate.

15. Trump at 38%. Let's quote Q showing him at 28% and running behind Hillary. No one will know.

16. We can't let Trump win. Run a 3rd Party or else support Hillary.

17. The schlong statement is not Presidential. Trump is finished.

18. The bookies are betting against Trump. Bookies are winners so they know what is going on.

19. Trump supporters will not go out and vote.

I wonder what the next round of excuses and rationalizations will be.

Rebuttal,

So let's see..........

At some point, the new President will be having to engage in negotiations with Putin.  So will Putin be willing to negotiate with someone who has called him a killer? And will this cause him to take a more hardline approach with that person?

Or will Putin respond better to someone who shows a bit of discretion? 

I, for one, would want to negotiate with someone who showed the discretion...................