NYC Journal

[Calzone]

A one month reprieve on tariffs for Mexico… 10K Mexican National Guard will try to limit illegal border crossings.

Let’s see…

The markets recovered a lot, but are still in the red.

Word is that the emergency order requirement for the tariffs might get challenged in court. 45% chance was cited but this got “inflated” to almost 50%.

Then one news report stated that Canada supplies 70% of our lumber. Time to fact check… Was 25%, then in another report 30%, and now 70%. What happened to fact and truth?

Cal

 

[Calzone]

Wow, some cite that Canada supplies even 80% of our lumber.

What to believe? Pick a number…

Cal

 

[Calzone]

My custom guitar necks are going to be shipped.

Best if I moved forward in wiring up the electronics. A fun job that is not big.

A custom color Tele Thinline (sonic blue with a gold anodized pick guard), and a Candy Apple Red Strat.

Mucho cool. The last hurrah in spending. I’d be boycotting the economy.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

“Maggie” asked me what we should do to further protect ourselves. Pretty much I pointed out we have enough cash, and already we are hedged.

I brought up not spending and not consuming…

We are in a good space. A low mortgage rate well below 3%, and a student loan fixed at 2.125% that will be paid off in two more years.

The problem I see are other households and their debt loads. Too many people living on credit…

Cal

 

[ellisson]

2026 are the mid-term elections.

So here is a scenario, they said there is a 50% chance of a recession in 2024, and also a 50% chance of a recession in 2025.

If the economy does a dump and tanks there could likely be a political shift in the House and Senate.

So if you think our government is dysfunctional now, things could get worse.

Then there are threats to our Constitution. Will the Supreme Court uphold our Constitution? Rule of law already has been violated.

Anyways just saying things could unravel further. We are undergoing and witnessing a collapse of the American Empire. Pretty much what Ray Dalio outlined.

Cal

My hope is that if malfeasance in governing - mishandling of the economy and removal of essential services by the current administration, loss of classified information and data protection seized by Musk - if these things degrade quality of life for a large proportion of the voting population, the Democratic Party will regain control of the House and Senate in the 2026 elections. Leadership is a big question, though. Jeffries and Schumer are in place, but there is a void in the party leadership as a re-grouping/re-set occurs. I would never have seriously considered this in the past, but if the congress and the judiciary cannot or will not restrain Trump and the various paramilitary groups he has pardoned and enabled, then the U.S. military would be a last resort to prevent complete havoc and defeat of the U.S. as we've known it, flaws and all, along with the constitution.

 

[Retro-Grouch]

My hope is that if malfeasance in governing - mishandling of the economy and removal of essential services by the current administration, loss of classified information and data protection seized by Musk - if these things degrade quality of life for a large proportion of the voting population, the Democratic Party will regain control of the House and Senate in the 2026 elections. Leadership is a big question, though. Jeffries and Schumer are in place, but there is a void in the party leadership as a re-grouping/re-set occurs. I would never have seriously considered this in the past, but if the congress and the judiciary cannot or will not restrain Trump and the various paramilitary groups he has pardoned and enabled, then the U.S. military would be a last resort to prevent complete havoc and defeat of the U.S. as we've known it, flaws and all, along with the constitution.

I wish I could have that confidence in the military, but I see it as being riven with the same polarization and conflicts as the rest of American society. Officers take an oath to uphold the Constitution, which means, theoretically, they are obligated to refuse an unconstitutional order. But the troops on the ground take no such oath. If ordered to fire upon American citizens, some might do so gladly (if that meant taking out some "enemies of the state"). Others might do so, if reluctantly, under fear of court martial for treason for refusing an order from the Commander in Chief. The bravest few might refuse and take the consequences.
I was eighteen years old, facing the draft, and active in the anti-war movement when the Kent State murders occurred. I very clearly remember the immediate chilling effect that incident had on protest against the war. It could be much worse this time around, if it were to come down to that.

 

[Calzone]

Right now our constitution is in danger as well as the world economy.

I don’t know or trust what the military or justice system will do.

I do know that rule of law is being violated, and rule of the jungle means the meek will get bullied and crushed into submission.

I looked at a map where the tariffs will do the most harm. Texas and California will suffer the most. In a place like Montana about 90% of everything will have price increases.

Cal

 

[ellisson]

If paramilitary groups are permitted to operate unrestrained and threaten various ethnic or religious groups under approval of a head of state, history has shown what this can lead to. I would hope the military would in fact intervene if such were to occur.

 

[Calzone]

I read “Peekskill USA, Inside the infamous 1949 Riots.”

In this report New York State Police, Local Police, and Government condone some pretty horrible violence.

I personally in 1975 found myself one Fourth of July caught in a full blown riot. Nassau County cops in full riot gear clubbed innocent people with night sticks.

There is no defense against such violence. It is a frenzy where many innocent people where hurt. I’m talking serious brain injury for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

I saw the picket of cops walking towards me. A young teenage couple walked towards me as well, arm in arm emittimg a state of bliss and deep love. A cop clubbed the guy from behind, and as he fell to the ground the girl knelt over him, the she too was clubbed from behind.

I stood a step and a half away. The cop and I looked at each other. He pointed his night stick at me and commanded me to walk.

I told him my friends and the car are behind him, and again he motioned an said, “Walk.” I kinda knew when I turned my back to him that I would be vulnerable to getting clubbed. I saw what he did, and I think because I had an interaction with him somehow I was looked upon as being human.

I ended up hitch hiking home, and I got picked up by a guy who’s voice I recognized: Larry Klineman, a DJ from WLIR.

The Riot Cops were called in because by the amphitheater where the bathrooms were, a drunk threw a beer bottle and it reverberated. I walked into the bathroom to pee, but upon my exiting there were a dozen drunks rounding up garbage bags of bottles, and smashing them into the amphitheater.

It was around dinner time, and crowds of young people picnicked and threw frisbees all day waiting for the fireworks display at the Nassau Colleseum.

A beautiful cloudless mild day that was ruined by dozen drunks and the cops in full riot gear.

So pretty much this type of violence is the world we live in. I would not count on police, military, or the government to defend you or even protect you.

Like I said, It is the law of the jungle. Kill or be killed.

There is no rule of law.

With “Maggie” she did not understand the level of violence I experienced growing up. Me killing someone, even in self defense she could not fathom. I know I have enough rage in me still to go to far and take a life. I grew up with this fear.

I had to confront her because I said, “You can never know the hatred and racism I experienced.” “You never had to fight for your life the way I did.” “Would you rather visit my grave, or visit me in jail.”

I know rule of the jungle…

Understand that there were many thousands of kids. Perhaps there were 150-200 cops that formed that line. If the cops lost control they pretty much were very outnumbered. Their job was to exert authority, and establish control. I’m not saying they were justified, but this is totally “Rule of the jungle.”

So in a gang attack or a hate crime would it be wrong to use lethal force and take a life???

Cal

 

[ellisson]

Right now our constitution is in danger as well as the world economy.

I don’t know or trust what the military or justice system will do.

I do know that rule of law is being violated, and rule of the jungle means the meek will get bullied and crushed into submission.

I looked at a map where the tariffs will do the most harm. Texas and California will suffer the most. In a place like Montana about 90% of everything will have price increases.

Cal

When rule of law breaks down, it can get ugly quickly. With a few exceptions, supreme court justices are academics with no real world criminal law trial background or interactions with law enforcement. They move slowly and are easily spooked under the influence of their benefactor. Musk was provided access to the treasury payment system that issues checks to contractors he may compete with and the social security, Medicare and Medicaid checks to the US population. If he gains control of the payment process (illegal to even have the system information as a non member of the government), we’re all screwed. If the Supreme Court does not intervene, if congress does not intervene, then who will intervene and stop this?

 

[ellisson]

I wish I could have that confidence in the military, but I see it as being riven with the same polarization and conflicts as the rest of American society. Officers take an oath to uphold the Constitution, which means, theoretically, they are obligated to refuse an unconstitutional order. But the troops on the ground take no such oath. If ordered to fire upon American citizens, some might do so gladly (if that meant taking out some "enemies of the state"). Others might do so, if reluctantly, under fear of court martial for treason for refusing an order from the Commander in Chief. The bravest few might refuse and take the consequences.
I was eighteen years old, facing the draft, and active in the anti-war movement when the Kent State murders occurred. I very clearly remember the immediate chilling effect that incident had on protest against the war. It could be much worse this time around, if it were to come down to that.

The Kent State murders were criminally tragic. The holocaust was criminally tragic. The beginning of Hitler’s systematic murder frenzy began in similar fashion to Trump’s signals and actions before and during his second term as president. I would not dismiss this similarity. I’ve notified my elected representatives to step up any and all actions to block Musk and Trump illegal activities

 

[Calzone]

So now Canada gets tariffs rescinded.

I hate bully’s. In school I learned how to fight, by third grade I was good at it.

I remember this kid Raymond in my third grade class picking on some second or third grader in the playground.

I went over to Raymond, grabbed him by the shoulders, and kneed him in the balls. I told him to leave that kid alone, and before he recovered from the first knee in the balls, I kneed him in the balls a second time.

Know that Raymond had twin older brothers in 5th grade. He never told them I guess because they never bothered me.

Did you know that about half the fights in schools are between girls? I got a call at work at Grumman to pick up my step-daughter because she had been in a fight. When I got there she had a black eye, and the girl that hit her was at one time one of her friends.

So pretty much Daniella is/was a meek girl and the fight happened outside, and she kept stepping backwards, but eventually got hit with a roundhouse.

I could not get the details of the why this happened, but I think part of it was we lived in an apartment, her mother was a Spanish speaking immigrant, and pretty much we had a low income. To add an exclamation point her step-father was of Chinese descent (me).

This was in a white Long Island suburban community with good schools.

Not too hard to figure out. So pretty much I teach Daniella how to jab, throw combinations, and most of all how to step into a punch. I taught her to throw quick straight punches, how to target striking with knuckles and the most important lesson of all never back up because you loose all your power and force.

So I kinda knew the bullying would continue, so the very next day I get called at work. There was another fight. In a shared class Daniella’s ex-friend said something and then asked her if she wanted another black eye, then Daniella threw one punch and her ex-friend required 7 stitches around her eye.

So pretty much in the car I told Daniella she did the right thing, but next time use more restraint.

I never got sued, and nothing came of it.

I hate bullies…

Cal

 

[Bolo Kukus]

Most of the world now sees you as no longer a democracy, but a dictatorship.

America seems to be controlled by a handful of people.

Australians have a popular saying - "you get what you voted for". Unfortunately, many who may be damaged or harmed by the coming consequences, are those who did not vote for what you now have.

We fear it may all end badly.

 

[ellisson]

Most of the world now sees you as no longer a democracy, but a dictatorship.

America seems to be controlled by a handful of people.

Australians have a popular saying - "you get what you voted for". Unfortunately, many who may be damaged or harmed by the coming consequences, are those who did not vote for what you now have.

We fear it may all end badly.

The damage will be difficult to repair, even if the Republicans lose the house and senate in the 2026 elections. Just winning will not be enough; A two thirds majority in the senate and in our house of representatives would be needed to enact legislation (overriding Trump vetos) needed to prohibit criminals from holding public office, to prevent non-elected persons à la Musk from gaining access to confidential government information, to enforce conflict of interest laws so hugely violated by Trump, and to require a much stronger vetting process for political candidates; to re-instate or at least provide a means of enforcing the law against insurrection, and to make it a non-pardonable offense upon conviction. That law has been broken so obviously and shamefully. But two thirds majorities in both houses of congress?...that's a dream. And only 7% of 1,484 legislative vetos in our history have been overcome by congress (Source: US National Archives). It will take a Dem controlled house, senate and presidency to fix the damage here, but abroad....our standing in the world will be another challenge. It's amazing to me how about half our U.S. citizens elected this sociopathic evil as president and equally amazing how a majority of republican members of congress made a deal with this devil, violating their oaths to protect the constitution and rule of law. Protecting him, instead.

 

[Calzone]

Have you noticed the censorship? I go back to articles I read and they disappear within minutes. I use a history function to retrieve them.

Pretty much the news is being Fox-A-FIED. Anything that states facts, truth or a criticism gets bumped quickly off my browser.

Freedom of the press is gone. I wonder if we are in danger here for expressing ourselves…

Cal

 

[Phil_F_NM]

Cal, that isn't censorship, it's most likely a setting optimized to give you new content. Basically, a means of marketing, even if there is nothing being sold. It's the AI in your browsers that sees what you have already read and is trying to make you consume something new.
As far as danger, no one in power cares about this little alveolus of the Internet, yet. Regardless, don't allow them to scare you into silence. Don't allow paranoia to govern your voice, because it's just paranoia.
Phil

 

[Calzone]

Phil,

Thanks for the response and the clarity.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

It is not even 3 weeks post surgery and pretty much I regained my bladder contol. I think the bout of granddaughter disease, a stomach virus toughened me up, as well as the constipation that followed.

Eating right, and also perhaps hydrating to the max to do real life exercise working my bladder sped things up. I wonder how much of this is related to being not so unfit, and my diet.

They say it takes 3-6 months after a radical prostatectomy to regain bladder control, and so far I’ve done it in less than three weeks. Perhaps doing strength training after my one month of recovery there might be some accidents or leakages. I guess I’ll see.

Anyways I’m very pleased being high and dry. I feel like myself. I still get up frequently in the night because I have a small bladder, but Oh-well. During the day I drink frequently to do real exercise and retraining of my bladder. Still drink 2 mugs of coffee that does create urgency, but that is part of the training.

I guess this is part of my Alpha-male profile. I also think my surgeon minimized a lot of trauma. My thought and ambition was to regain control by 3-months, but 3-weeks? How did this happen?

Happy-happy, and I’m impressed. They say I can’t do any biking till 6 weeks after surgery. I wonder do bikers have inherently strong pelvic floor?

Anyways I’m not your typical 67 year old man…

Just wanted to share the great news.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

Friday I get two custom neck deliveries. I’ll be able to build out the custom color Tele Thinline. The Candy Apple Red Strat still awaits the custom ordered set of Sperzel tuners to be able to build out that guitar.

This is the last hurrah for me.

It takes a great amount of discipline, time and practice to really internalize the music theory. It is good work that will pay dividends.

So pretty much there is a “No-Buy” movement going on. For most it is an austerity to pay down debt. In my case it is a boycott against the Orange House and their policies.

In my case I suffer if anything an abundance, no austerity for me, and pretty much no sacrifice or suffering. I’m basically going to limit my consumption and spending as much as possible, and in the meantime eat well, relax, and move forward.

A simple and humble life where guitar, learning Jazz, and getting fit are my only personal goals. Things around the house will get done like the new roof on the garage I will do myself, the carriage doors to replace the ones that are trashed, insulate the roof of the house, and get rid of a cheesy drop ceiling in the front porch.

No stress…

The heavy lifting thankfully has been done, and now the sweat equity is on me.

Pretty much the cost of materials, supplies, and labor are more inflated than the 2-3 years ago when the kitchen, and two bathrooms were remodeled. The dining room was also gutted, sweat equity, and then I had the contractor insulate and put up sheetrock.

Cal

 

[Calzone]

I am kinda spoiled by sewers, city water, and having city services. Pretty much spoiled by convenience.

As they say the three reasons to buy a house is location, location, and location.

Being on the fringe of the city means we enjoy a sense of privacy, even though we live in a city.

The bad is the air quality could be better, and we get highway noise from Route 9. Oh-well.

So moving further north or going more rural has its trade-offs. I’m glad that “Maggie” is settling down.

A benefit of the Orange House policies is a strong dollar that might persist over the next 6-9 months. Not a bad time to travel when the dollar has a great exchange rate. Hmmm…

Cal