Monthly Archives: November 2017

The Real 2016 Presidential Election Numbers……..by, Michael Hawke

29 Wednesday Nov 2017

Posted by in Election 2016, Political Science

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Election 2016 Real Numbers: Hillary Clinton still thinks she should have won the election even though as a seasoned politician, a lawyer, and former First Lady she clearly knows how the electoral college works. Every single Presidential Campaign since the 1900s has focused on getting the most electoral college votes in order to win. The system was set up by the founding fathers for good reasons. The truth is President Trump won because he had a better, smarter, and more flexible campaign team.

Moot Point: Hillary is still spouting and pouting on the interview shows about getting 2 million more popular votes than Donald Trump got. The President also continues to dispute this number claiming, that due to the illegal voter fraud, he likely beat her in the popular votes as well. Well, as they say in the legal profession Hillary….”it is a moot point”.

The Real Reason Hillary Lost: The real reason Hillary lost is that she was not popular. In fact her likability numbers were in the toilet, especially when you think about her potentially being the first Woman President. She wrongly assumed women would push her over the top just because she was a woman. Turns out women are people and voters first, and they just did not like or trust Hillary Clinton. Additionally, Hillary’s campaign staff were drinking “the Kool-Aid”, believing the liberal press accounts that kept declaring her a winner in a landslide months prior, and right up to, election night. She basically took what should have been an easy win and turned it into a loss.

The Real Numbers That Matter: There were over 231 million eligible voters on election night 2016. The actual number who voted was 138,884,643. That is about 58% of all eligible voters. So for Hillary to claim she was some how snookered is crying over the wrong spilt milk. It is evident that a whole lot of democrats stayed home that night. In fact 40% of all eligible voters bowed out. So to Hillary I simply say get over it. You lost on about four different levels and your measly 2 million popular vote lead, if in fact real, was so pathetically close you should be embarrassed to bring it up.

You had the game won…and you blew it.

 

 

The Marshawn Lynch Mexico Stadium Protest….by, Michael Hawke

21 Tuesday Nov 2017

Posted by in Character, Sports, Uncategorized

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Forbidden Pictures…in the NFL: North Korea censors pictures and stories of the terrible living conditions their people suffer under. This is just what we see in the pre-game NFL sports shows by the talking-heads. These guys are going out of their way to make sure images of positive support to the anthem, the military, and the flag are seen by viewers….but you will not see a picture of Marshawn Lynch sitting during the Anthem in the Mexico City game. The NFL does not want to discuss it, show it, and no longer defends it. They just won’t stop it.

Mexico: The temptation is to call this guy an uneducated idiot, but I will be more clear. Generalizations never help one understand problems. And this is a problem worth understanding…..and fixing. Marshawn Lynch, Oakland Raiders running back, sat down for the American National Anthem during the game against the Patriots in Azteca stadium (Estadio Azteca) and he stood up, giving full respect, during the Mexican National Anthem. If Marshawn was sitting to protest police abuse, racism, and overall injustice in America he sure should have stayed on his spoiled butt during the Mexican Anthem too. Justice is not to be found in Mexico for the poor, indigenous, and minorities. If he really believes things are bad in America….then he needs to factor 100 times worse in Mexico. Lets not even talk about their murder rate, kidnappings, and disappearances.

The Truth About Marshawn: His sitting for the American National Anthem and then standing for the Mexican Anthem outed him. He is not sitting for justice and fairness. He is sitting for himself. He seeks attention, pampering, and special privilege. If only there were just one NFL owner who had the kahoonas to say….enough. I frankly do not see the need for even average size kahoonas here.  If one owns the team it is easy, knowing the business reality that Marshawn Lynch is replaceable…. as is every other NFL player in the league. Simple deal Mr. NFL owner, make him stop it. You certainly know there are  hundreds who can run, pass, kick, block and tackle that would step in and do the job. The fans would be just as happy, and the team would have less “distraction”. Might be good for winning, eh?  Why suffer fools if it is an owners market.  Is it so hard to sit these guys down? Personally the words “you’re fired” would be what I would do. By the way….. it is really bad for your business.

The Message to Kids: The young people today are growing up in a world where there is great confusion. They do not know the rules anymore about anything. Sports has always been a place where there are rules, predictability, and structure. The kids are equal and can be sure hard work, dedication, and skill will get one ahead. Today we now are witnessing kids in high school kneeling during the National Anthem, modeling their heroes, knuckle-heads like Marshawn Lynch. I think it would be nice if the NFL owners would begin to act like the adults in the room and give young kids the security of knowing that there are rules in football, just as in life, and if you break them you sit….. consequences…. you know?  No need to fire these prima donnas. Sit them down, make them warm the bench….and next year do not bring them back.

Freedom to Protest: Marshawn Lynch can protest injustices, racism, police abuses, or anything he chooses all day long in America. He has the right to do this and he does have the platform. It is perfectly clear he can hold a weekly press conference and discuss his concerns and the media would be present in droves. So why sit during the National Anthem? Is it to send a message to fans, young and old, how unjust our country is? Is it to show how much courage you have by standing up to the NFL, the owners,….why even to the President of the United States? Is it because the third stanza of the song, which is not part of present Anthem today, somehow promotes racism?

I Quit the NFL: I used to be a fan of yours Marshawn, and of the NFL. Now I am neither; players like you taking knees, sitting, and linking arms in disrespect did it for me. I watch college ball on Saturdays and my Sundays are free. I kind of have always loved my football as an form of “entertainment”. If I want politics I watch CNN, FOX, or the networks. Thanks for the memories.

 

Leadership And The Sex Scandals……by, Michael Hawke

17 Friday Nov 2017

Posted by in Character

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Promotion to General: A colleague of mine told of his first day after being promoted to Brigadier General (1 star). All of the new General Officers were gathered for their orientation into the elite club called General Officers. The Chief of Staff of the Army entered the room and after the customary respect of coming to attention and then being seated was completed he spoke to them.

You are Replaceable: The Chief of Staff asked them to look around the room at all of their fellow Generals. He then told them; Generals, if a bomb landed on this room and we were all killed instantly the Army would not even miss a beat. He told them they were chosen among many others who were equally qualified and ready to assume the rank of General Officer. In the Army culture everyone is replaceable. Could the Army work any other way? They all knew and understood they were appointed to serve and to lead, and to do so selflessly. Should they be unable to do this they would be expected to resign and if they did not resign they would be replaced. Simple concept…”be good and do good”.

Election to Congress: Like you I have a mix of feelings as I watch the news reports on the growing number of sexual abuses being levied toward some of our political leaders. I realize to make comparisons between military and political cultures is, by the it’s very nature, contradictory. There is, however, some common ground on the fundamental basics of leadership.  After all, our Congresspersons and Senators are elected to be leaders, first and foremost.

You are Replaceable: I refuse to join sides in the battle over who has the most abusers, the Republicans or the Democrats. The numbers could grow to an absurd level….. should the flood gates open. The Press misses the point, as usual, and are asking the wrong questions because they have their own political agendas. The message to all of our political leaders should be the same one the Chief of Staff of the Army gives to the new class of General Officers. “You are replaceable”. If you cannot lead get out of the way or we will take you out of the way….there are so many equally ready and qualified who can step up and get the job done. You are elected to lead, to do the peoples business, to legislate, and help our country to grow and prosper, to represent those who trusted you with their vote to send you to Washington as their representatives. Such a great honor, such a great responsibility!

There is No Shortage:  To all our political leaders I would simply ask that if your whole time is spent, or if elected, will be spent, defending accusations due to questionable or even clear cut egregious sexual behaviors you should drop from the race, and or resign your seat. You are replaceable, you are not the only citizen who can do the important work of legislating. There are many equally qualified and ready. Republican or Democrat it is the same thing, get out of the way. To do anything else is to put yourself first, and that is the very opposite of selfless leadership. Simple concept….“be good and do good”.

The Daily Mix………..by, Michael Hawke

14 Tuesday Nov 2017

Posted by in Political Science, Travel

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Who is Michael Hawke: He has been called ” the most interesting writer in America”….also, ” the most objective writer in America…always seeking truth where mostly confusion and lies grow like weeds in the political soil of America”. 

Russian Interventions:  The cry “the Russians are coming, the Russians are coming” is no longer ignored. In fact it is pretty much agreed they came…. and they are here to stay. The Russians did attempt to intervene in the Presidential election between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. The problem is, they had no favorites. The were like and investor playing the wins and the losses….they were going to come out ahead either way.

Their strategy was never to pick the winner, but rather create chaos. Their long term goal is to destroy our open and free political system from within. I do say…. their disinformation campaign was a rolling success as evidenced by our politicians being unable to realize what really happened here. The Democrats and Republicans are unable to agree on any important legislation. They have convinced themselves their main purpose is to find out who tried to cheat whom, and was there a crime involved in the process. They seem most satisfied holding hearing after hearing after hearing….. investigating the Russian connection. Meanwhile, no one is running the country.

Louis L’Amour: “The Education of a Wandering Man”  is part memoir, part reflection, which is his legacy on a life lived to the fullest through his never ending quest for knowledge. When I look at autobiographies too often they are simply written not to tell the whole story of the man or woman, but rather to tell a story that puts them in the best light possible, often at the expense of facts and truth.  I could name some titles you would immediately recognize and say ….oh yeah, so true.  I hold my pen.

This book is way different, it is an adventure of the life of one of the most prolific writers of all time and also one of the world’s all-time best selling authors. There are more than 200 million copies in print of his eighty-six novels, sixteen short story collections, and three works of nonfiction. The book is a must read if you consider yourself to be in the company of the well read man or woman.

Speaking of Books: ….Did you book….your holiday flights yet? The time is now. I, myself, am as negligent as the worst of you. As I finish this “Daily Mix” I will be clicking my mouse right over to the airlines page….hoping for a deal. My favorite airline? The ones with the most leg room in coach. Last time I flew, a few months back, I was in pain the whole flight. They no longer can call what you sit on a seat…it is a bench.

I had far more comfortable flying trips on the C-17s the C-130s and, dare I say it…yes the truth be told…. even the military helicopters, which are horribly uncomfortable, bested the current state of comfort of todays airline flying.

 

 

 

 

The Daily Mix……..by, Michael Hawke

10 Friday Nov 2017

Posted by in News

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Health Care and Car Dealerships: Scripps Hospitals announced a mega billion dollar construction program here in San Diego. Just like car dealerships who tear down their buildings and put new ones up every five years things are tough. Ever have a car salesman say “we are not making any money on this deal…you are getting it at cost” ? Seems like hospitals, drug companies, HMOs and everyone connected to Obama Care, except the patients….are doing great. Go figure…..

Trumps Favorability Numbers Are Just Fine: When you really look at the massive amount of daily negative stories written, spoken, and repeated in almost every media source it is a wonder his numbers are as high as they are. I guarantee you if anyone wrote this kind of negative, disparaging lies about the average person they would lose their job, family, and friends.

No, this attack is more than “fake news” against President Trump…it is propaganda that is slowly manipulating the American population. This attack is much bigger than an attempt to hurt the President….it is about moving the masses ever closer to cliff of total socialism…. which will be the end of our freedom, prosperity, and nation.

NFL Owners and Commissioner in Denial: Big time denial in the offices of the NFL as well as the locker rooms. The sport is soon to be on life support. Million dollar players who think fans come to games to see them protest are soon to find their salaries shrink right along with the fan base. Good going…you knee takers are idiots….but not as dumb as the owners.  I guess you never know what you have until you lose it. Go figure……

San Diego VA Hospital Tows Veteran’s Cars: Hard to believe the VA could do anything more to lower their public image but they apparently found a way in San Diego. They are building a parking garage and in the mean time the place is the parking lot from hell. Frustrated by patients parking in reserved spaces in order to make appointments the VA cops decided to “double down” on these law breakers.

One veteran said he waited 7 weeks for an appointment and when he arrived at the hospital 45 minutes early he could not find parking. He had a broken leg and was on crutches so parked in a reserve space, one of nine open spaces. He was shocked to come out and learn his car was being towed. Three days before Veterans Day! ” Thanks for your service….now pay up.  The VA has great doctors and medical teams but their administrators are idiots. Go figure….

Marine Corps Times Cover Story:  This paper’s cover story reads, “What the Troops Think of Trump”. That is a fine headline for a civilian paper but for a paper that is primarily distributed to, and read by, the troops, I find it pretty telling.

President Trump is the “Commander in Chief” of our military. He should always be referred to a “President Trump” not “Trump”.  The degrading of military culture and customs is a dangerous thing and should not be accepted. Go figure…..