VOLCANIC ERUPTION IN ICELAND

VOLCANIC ERUPTION IN ICELAND

By: Derek Varsalona

The fourth eruption since December of a volcano in Iceland occurred over the weekend.  Hundreds of people were evacuated from the Blue Lagoon area as a result.  Icelandic people are now building barriers to stop the flow of lava into the nearby town.  This is a danger to people in the area.

Hundreds of people are evacuated from the area as a volcanic eruption poses a danger to people in the area.  I believe this is a result of climate change.  The earth is getting warmer.  As of right now, we are on the fourth eruption since December.  What a horrible way to spend Hanukah and Christmas with volcanos erupting. 

The Icelandic people are left virtually helpless.  They are building defense barriers.  But my concern is with the major lava flow the lava is going to burn down those defense barriers in a matter of minutes.

I hate to bring out the hoax people but I dare say the climate change has something to do with this.  As the earth is becoming warmer, I believe that has something to do with the massive eruption of the volcano.  Climate change is not a hoax and possibly caused this eruption in the first place.  As always comments accepted.

Volcanic Eruption in Iceland
Image: FoxWeather.com
March 17, 2024

Source: The Guardian. “ Iceland Volcanic Eruption: Barriers Reinforced as Lava Flows Toward Town.” : Sunday, March 17, 2024.  

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/mar/17/iceland-volcanic-eruption-barriers-reinforced-lava-grindavik

THE 32 HOUR WORK WEEK IS UNREALISTIC

THE 32 HOUR WORK WEEK MIGHT BE UNREALISTIC

By: Derek Varsalona

I applaud Senator Bernie Sanders for being concerned about people's health.  The 32-hour workweek seems like a noble goal although it might be unrealistic.  The 32-hour week does come with health benefits.  Less pollution, less time on the road and travel with congestion meaning it is better for the environment.  Less health risk of less pressure of heart attack or stroke with less commute time to and from work.  But I do think such a noble effort is unrealistic.  The employer should be the one that sets the time of productivity, not the government.

Senator Bernie Sanders is proposing that the companies cut the time it takes to get the work done but preserve the full-time pay.  No company in their right mind is going to pay the same for less amount of productivity and output in shorter hours on a given day.  Paying people the same amount for fewer hours is not sufficient.  It does not make any business sense.  The better approach is to make every company set the number of hours that they seem fit to get the work done.  A doctor's office, fortune 500 company, and law firm have more hours that need to be filled than the regular office.  Most CEOS and lawyers work longer than 40 hours a week.  The fact of the matter is that the business depends on the number of hours needed in a day to fulfill the work needed.  You can not go with a one-size-fits-all approach which is what Senator Sanders is doing.

Surprisingly, this 32-hour work week has weight in the Senate.  Does that mean we are going to have part-time politicians also?  So, I guess Sleepy Joe Biden is going to work less hours?  Does President Biden get paid for his nap time or is that off the clock?  

This motion is also getting praise from Labor Advocates.  If I was in the Senate I would vote against this bill.  The proposed rule does not look into the effect of the size and scope of a business.  A CEO is going to have to work harder and longer than a day laborer.  A CEO is a 24-hour-a-day job, they are always working even on the golf course, with their cell phone in hand to deal with business and emergencies.  At times they often cut deals on the golf course also.  If you tell a CEO to work fewer hours then they can’t do their job.  

With the rise of AI, there is more assistance in the workplace.  But that means less output from the common worker.  I spoke to a person who works in AI and asked them if AI was going to replace them.  The man responded, “ I honestly, don’t know.”  The 32-hour workweek is going to displace a lot of workers.  AI is possibly going to take over other jobs and reduce work time.

This does have health effects.  Yes, less time working is going to get people more freedom.  But it might not reduce heart attacks.  It might increase stress with people thinking they need to get just as much work done in a shorter amount of time.  That will lead to stress, stroke, and heart attacks but I am not a doctor.   Also, having more output in fewer hours is going to lead to the health effects of heat, which could be detrimental to the body.  The key here is to pace yourself and people are going to have to both physically and mentally adapt which might harm health.

This policy sounds great on paper.  I applaud Senator Bernie Sanders for his effort and concern for workers' health and well-being.  But in a Capitalist system, it is unrealistic, then again the man is a socialist. I would vote for Nay for this in the Senate or House.  As always comments accepted.

32 Hour Work Week is Unrealistic
Image: Senator Bernie Sanders
Twitter.com/BrooklynVegan 
Brooklyn: January 21, 2021

Source: Max Zahn. “ Will Bernie Sander Proposed 32 Hour Work Week Pass Congress.” ABCNews.com Washington, DC: Saturday, March 16, 2024. 

https://abcnews.go.com/Business/bernie-sanders-proposed-32-hour-workweek-pass-congress/story?id=108152411

PRESIDENT BIDEN TO BATTLE ISLAMOPHOBIA

BIDEN TO COMBAT ISLAMAPHOBIA

By: Derek Varsalona

I applaud President Biden for trying to combat Islamophobia.   But there really is nothing President Biden can do about this.  Islamophobia is a freedom of speech issue.  You have the right in America to have racist thoughts.  You have the freedom of speech to speak racist thoughts and print racist thoughts.  You do not have the right to act out on those racist thoughts or injure or kill someone for your prejudice. 

President Biden used the wrong occasion to combat Islamophobia.  If he wanted to make an impact he should have brought up September 11, 2001.  That would resonate more than with the Al Noor Mosque and Linwood Islamic Center in New Zealand.  First, this was not even an American institution and he used a foreign land.  I think this shows that President Biden forgot about the importance of September 11, 2001, as an infamous day in America.  It shows disregard for the victims of September 11, 2001.  For an American President to not remember that event is atrocious.  

President Biden is right that Muslims face prosecution.  But he is wrong in why.  It is not because of their religion of Islam.  This is because many people of the Islamic Muslim faith are disproportionally involved in terrorism as Islamic fundamentalists.  Not all Muslims are fundamentalists.  But in recent years most of the crimes against Christians, Jews, and other religious sects come from Islamic fundamentalists.   It is wrong to hate anyone.  But I do believe that certain people if not all people use some sort of prejudice as a defense mechanism in society. It is part of human nature. 

President Bind is right to combat Islamophobia.  I applaud the efforts.  However, this should be used as a guide for the local governments rather than by the federal government. The federal government can set up the policy.  However, the local government should have the power to use the policy and enact it how they wish.  As always comments accepted.

President Biden to Battle Islamaphobia
Image: Techcrunch.com
Friday, March 15, 2024

Source: President Joseph R. Biden. “ Statement from President Joe Biden on the International Day to Combat Islamophobia.” The Whitehouse. Washington, DC: Friday, March 15, 2024. 

https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/03/15/statement-from-president-joe-biden-on-the-international-day-to-combat-islamophobia/

TIKED OFF ABOUT TIKTOK

TIKED OFF ABOUT TIKTOK

By: Derek Varsalona

Congress is trying to ban TikTok.  Americans, at least the younger generation are ticked off about the situation.  I could see that we could have a mental health crisis in the younger generation that is worse than the coronavirus isolation and pandemic.  Canceling TikTok goes against the First Amendment rights of billions of users.  It is the way that people express themselves in at time a non-civilized manner with some being more civil.

I am against the banning of Tiktok.  I use it for my political analysis on a daily basis.  This is a way that people express themselves on a variety of subject matter and showcase their talents.  

The reason why the government is banning TikTok is that the Chinese are spying on us.  But guess what the American government also spies on Americans through the legal channels of the Patriot Act or did so when it was around.  I highly doubt disbanding laws is going to stop the government from spying on people.  

TikTok helps me get my message of political views across.  It helps a lot of people showcase their hidden talents.  Banning TikTok violates the First Amendment right to freedom of speech. This is going to the Supreme Court and the Supreme Court will side with freedom of speech and let Tiktok stay. Shame on Congress for violating free speech.  As always comments are accepted.

Ticked off about Tiktok
Image: TechChrunch.com
March 15, 2024

Source: Ken Tran. “ Is Congress Banning Tiktok?” USAToday.com Washington, DC: Thursday, March 14, 2024. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2024/03/14/tiktok-congress-phone-call-campaign-backfire-ban/72963348007/

JOHN BARNETT OF BOEING DIDN'T KILL HIMSELF

BOEING WHISTLE-BLOWER JOHN BARNETT FOUND DEAD

By: Derek Varsalona

The conspiracy theorists are going to have a field day with this one.  This week, Boeing Whistle Blower John Barnett was found dead.  He was speaking out about the quality control issues with the Boeing company.   He found shavings of metal in the Boeing plane. The result is a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, so they say.  

I do not believe that John Barnett killed himself.  He found shaving of metal in the planes.  So it appears that someone wanted this person dead.  I would not be surprised if the federal government had something to do with the killing of John Barnett.  I would call this an assassination of a whistle-blower by the federal government.  Who in the federal government wanted this man dead I am not sure.  But I can assure you that this man did not kill himself.  

John Barnett was a whistle-blower who accused Boeing of putting shavings of metal in the plane.  I am not an aviation expert, but that would possibly cause the plane to catch fire.  Just how many shaves were found and just how many planes they were found in is in question.  I would not be surprised if many planes were found with shavings.  My concern is those planes could catch fire and crash with the metal shavings on board.  The man also raised issues on the quality control of Boeing.  I personally believe that someone in the federal government killed John Barnett. He did not kill himself of a gunshot wound to the head.  Someone on the inside killed him and I would not be surprised if someone high up close to Biden killed the man.  As always comments accepted.

John Barnett was found dead
Image: The Indian Express
March 12, 2024

Source: Lori Aratani and Niha Masih. “ Boeing Whistle Blower John Barnett Found Dead.” forbes.com Washington, DC: March 12, 2024.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/transportation/2024/03/12/boeing-whistleblower-dead-john-barnett/

FDA TO CONSIDER RESCHEDULING LSD TO LEGAL

IS LEGALIZING ALL DRUGS RIGHT?

By: Derek Varsalona

I am not an avid drug user.  I am not even in the camp of legalizing all drugs right now but I seem to be coming around to that position.  Legalizing all drugs would bring people out of the shadows and get people the right treatment that they need in the long run.  We could finally solve the drug epidemic as a medical condition addiction and have people come out of the shadows.  The FDA is considering doing that at least with LSD.

On Monday, March 11, 2024, the FDA recognized the medical benefits of LSD.  They acknowledged the fact that LSD can reduce anxiety in patients.   They also claimed that the drug shows promise for a medical need in the long run.  The concern is that manufacturing is hard but do not tell that to a hard-core drug dealer, I am sure they know the trick.

The FDA, finally admitted that LSD shows some medical breakthroughs for relieving anxiety.  I support this concept.  I am not a user but I feel that legalizing this drug would help relieve anxiety.  If the drugs and all drugs are legal in America it would help people come out of the shadows and let people get the treatment if they choose to.  You could also be forced by court order to seek drug treatment.  With drug addiction, the better approach is to get the people treatment instead of locking them up in jail.

I am actually surprised that the FDA would legalize LSD or even consider it, before legalizing marijuana.  But this is a great first step in the fight to legalize all drugs.  Legalizing all drugs would get people the help they need if they choose to go to drug treatment without society's hostility.  I am proud that the FDA is considering legalizing LSD and if all drugs are legal people can finally come out of the shadows and obtain the help they need.  As always comments accepted.

LSD To be rescheduled
Image: CNN.Com
Katie Hunt 
February 27, 2024

Source:Sophia Saint Thomas. “ FDA Recognizes LSD Equivalent Drugs with “Breakthrough Therapy’ Label for Anxiety Relief.” HighTimes.com Washington, DC: Monday, March 11, 2024.

https://hightimes.com/psychedelics/fda-recognizes-lsd-equivalent-drug-with-breakthrough-therapy-label-for-anxiety-relief/

THE POLICE STATE OF NEW YORK

THE POLICE STATE OF NEW YORK CITY

By: Derek Varsalona

Be careful New Yorkers.  The police state in New York is already here and it is not leaving anytime soon.  Due to an increase in crime that has been going on for at least two years only now has Governor Hochul decided to bring in the National Guard.  Well, if the National Guard are going to be doing the job of the police department of New York City then maybe we should consider cutting the police budget?  Don’t get me wrong the police do a great job.  But they are not equipped to handle the mental health crisis in this country that was brought on by the pandemic.  We should not expect public health officials to be police officers.  Nor, should we expect a police officer to be a public health official.

The New York City commuters are now seeing the National Guard at their subway stop to handle the rises in crime on the New York City streets.  But the rise in crime is not so much an economic issue as it has to deal with a public health emergency and public health awareness.  The pandemic has put a lot of stress on people.  Lockdowns have killed my psyche on a personal level.  Having NYC commuters see the National Guard at their train stop or bus stop does not make matters any better.  It makes matters worse.  

The police state is due to the rise in violent crimes in New York City.  With each passing day of the police state that goes through I am worried more and more about losing our civil liberties.   What we need to do is address the root cause of all these crimes.  The root cause is that we have a problem with a mental health crisis not only in New York City but also in America at large.  The pandemic only increases the mental health crisis that was brought on by social distancing, lockdowns, and mask-wearing.  

The National Guard is about policing.  But it is more than that.  The fact of the matter is that there are many more people with mental challenges due to the pandemic.  Lockdowns, when they were in effect only increased this situation.  Instead of having the National Guard and the police state the NYC Streets and Subways should be patrolled by mental health counselors on a 24-hour basis just like the police and National Guard.  My hope is that mental health counselors will be able to give mentally challenged citizens a person to speak to 24 hours a day 7 days a week and not on the phone but live in person.  If these mental health counselors want to be armed for their own safety they should be allowed to keep their Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms. 

To stop crime you must first solve the mental health crisis in America.  Sure no small task.  The best way to do that is to have these people be funded by public charity and crowdsource funding and stop the cuts to mental health programs.  As always comments accepted.

The Police Stae of New York
Image: Adam Gray
City and State New York
Cityandstate.com
March 7, 2024

Source: CNN.com “ US National Guard Troops Patrol New York City Subways.” CNN.com New York City: Sunday, March 10, 2024. 

https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2024/03/10/exp-moss-nyc-subway-intv-fst-031003aseg01-cnni-world.cnn