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Blue Wave, Blue Tsunami or The Blues?   #410

By Hank Silverberg 


Commentary

We are only a few weeks away from the crucial mid-term elections in Congress. Many states have already begun early voting. 

The polls vary a bit, but right now it appears the Democrats have a good chance of picking up seats in the House and Senate and possibly gaining a majority in both chambers. But many who support that effort are concerned what direction it will take if it happens. One of the key mistakes the GOP has made, mainly because of the President's obsessions and ego, is to be vindictive, and to go after opponents with trumped-up criminal charges or false narratives. It has soured many Republicans to their own party and stalled any effort of the compromises that usually produce good government.   

Democrats should not make the same mistake if they gain control of Congress. Yes, they can use the new majority to stop Trump's agenda for the next two years, and possibly reverse some of the crazy things he has done or planned, like that ridiculous arch near Arlington National Cemetery. But opening endless investigations, impeachment proceedings or criminal probes, just for the sake of doing so, would not change the basic problems we have right now that include a useless, expensive war with Iran, inflation and a reduction in status among the world leadership (Trump has been a disaster there). 

It makes sense to vote blue if you want a reversal of the nonsense Trump has been hawking, like the con man he is. But once the Democrats get power back, let's hope they spend their time promoting solid legislation that will improve our lives and promote the general welfare of our population, and not exacerbate the current divisiveness. 


News You May Have Missed!

El Nino 

If you live on the west coast or plan to travel there soon, beware. El Nino is back and this year's version could be worse than usual. USA Today is reporting the weather system is stronger than usual, and Atmospheric River storms it helps produce may be stronger as well.  

Atmospheric Rivers are made visible by clouds. They consist of water vapor that extends thousands of miles from the tropics to the western U.S., and could be 250 to 375 miles wide. These "rivers" provide fuel for massive rain and snowstorms that can cause flooding on the west coast.  A 2017 study said the rivers in the sky are responsible for 65% of all the USA's extreme rain and snow events, and about 50% of the annual rainfall on the west coast from just a few events.  They often cause deadly mudslides and property damage.  

El Nino is  a periodic warming of water in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean near the equator that typically happens every three to four years. It can affect global weather patterns for months, from temperatures to precipitation to the hurricane season. 

https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/extreme-weather-events/a-dramatic-el-ni%C3%B1o-effect-is-headed-for-the-west-coast/ar-AA2etFhb?ocid=BingNewsBrowse


AI And The Grocery Store!

I have written before about the dangers and troubles AI is causing in politics and the classroom. But it's much more than that. Major restaurant chains and retailers are using AI to set prices and producing terms like "dynamic pricing" and "surveillance pricing" where different people are paying different pricing for the same product. 

It's being done with algorithms and AI similar to the way you book flights, hotel rooms or rides where your personal data matters. Digital price tags are replacing paper ones and can be changed quickly.

This could be used to change prices fast based on weather, time of day, or even an individual shopper. 

Companies are not very open about how they collect customer data, and that has made consumers suspicious of price changes based on individual shoppers.  Dynamic pricing can change prices very fast based on supply and demand.  And digital pricing labels make that easier to do.

Lawmakers in at least 30 states are considering bills addressing this issue, and it is even being used as a campaign issue in Virginia's Senate Race.   

   

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/other/consumer-apprehension-grows-as-us-retailers-adopt-ai-assisted-pricing-tools/ar-AA2esNCH?ocid=BingNewsBrowse


Dumbest Quote Of The Week!

This week's dumb quote comes from Vice President JD Vance. While talking about the upcoming election during an interview on the All-In PodCast,  he said:   

"Give us another chance or give us another couple of years to continue to work on the amazing things that we've been doing for the past two years."

 

That was like saying they hadn't done much and need more time to get things done. But what the GOP has done has been a disaster for many Americans. So stay tuned. 


(Your comments and suggestions are welcome)


My recent book "The Campaign" can be purchased at the links below. Or you can buy a copy by emailing me at:  HankSilverberg@gmail.com for instructions on how to get a copy at a reduced price and with my signature)                       



https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-campaign-hank-silverberg/1126429796


My NEWEST book is now available. It is designed for use in Public Speaking and entry level communications classes. 


                                               

                   You will find the book here:                                                                      https://a.co/d/09fiY9sq

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