September 2024 Bourbon
Bourbon and Sense
...because with Bourbon comes good Sense
September 2024 Bourbon and this month's Talking Sense.
Aroma: Maker/'s Mark, despite its 90 proof, does not overwhelm one with alcohol but instead a faint sweetness
Taste: Like every other bourbon I have tried.
Appearance: bourbon yellow but in a distinctive bottle and wax cap.
Finish: Full mouth feel. Story of: distilled in Kentucky.
Story of: distilled in Kentucky
News
Post-Debate Thoughts
I thought Mr. Trump did better the early minutes of the debate but it went to Ms. Harris as the debate went on. I was disappointed that neither candidate seemed to directly answer a question but instead, attacked each other over the issues they were strongest even if the issue had nothing to do with the question. I expected that of the former President but not from the aspiring President. Overall, her demeanor was the most Presidential whereas his seemed puerile. The immigrants eating pets in Springfield Ohio, cited by Trump a couple of times was probably the worse example; then there was rally crowd size! I expect better of a President.
War News
Long Range Missiles
President Biden is supposed to loosen the rules around firing US missiles launched into Russia: the missile’s range will be extended to allow targeting of major cities like Moscow. Ukraine has already used a drone to target a civilian apartment in Moscow in an effort to take the war to the Russian people. The ability to launch long range weapons into Russia will heighten the anxiety and perhaps bring an end to the unjust war on Ukraine. But why stop there? Let’s mobilize NATO and declare an offensive all along the Ukraine border into Russia. Putin can end the war and all the troops can stand down – without a shot fired.
News
CNN Interview
I was disappointed with the interview that CNN held last week with Presidential candidate Kamala Harris and her running mate Tim Walz. It seemed choreographed without substance. The interviewer, Dana Bash, tried to ask the hard questions but after their non-answer response, let it stand without protest. Why did Ms. Harris change her mind about Fracking? Why did Mr. Walz blame poor grammar on his stand for guns? What is the potential administration stand on immigration and what do they intend to do about it? How are they going to raise the standard of living for all the classes when prices remain stubbornly high? The interview was unsatisfying and a non-event. I hope better answers, more meaty answers at the September 10th debate.
Usual News
Latest Shooting
I’m glad to see the latest shooter (Winder, Georgia) remain alive to face his punishment. Although only 14 years old, he is being tried as an adult along with his father who gave him the AK-15 rifle – after the visit in 2023 by the police questioning his online postings. Maybe the fact that his trial and sentencing will be broadcast will dissuade other young, white men from committing the same crime. Maybe the father thrown in jail will wake up parents to their responsibility to their child and to their community. Bits of his parental story are starting to come through the press and it doesn’t sound good. Not sure what can be done about rotten parents.
Ironic
Pre-debate Thoughts
I hope Kamala Harris does well in her debate with Donald Trump. It is set for next Tuesday. As a prosecutor attorney, one would expect her to be sharp on her feet and able to dominate the debate. Will insults by the former President throw her off her game? I heard a guest on this week’s Bill Maher show comment his surprise that Ms. Harris is being lauded by the media when she is a sudden candidate for the office, when as VP she was derided as being a poor vice president. There is truth to that in my own mind. Even Dick Cheney is willing to give her a chance at running the country.
Communication
Lessons Learned
The lesson from the Butler PA attempted assassination of Donald Trump was that poor communication among all the law enforcement entities allowed the shooter to slip through their security. The same lesson was learned from the Uvalde TX mass student shooting: poor communication left everyone feeling leaderless. The same lesson was learned from the 9-11 attack of the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center: many different law enforcement groups had pieces of intelligence that indicated an attack was being planned, no one put it all together to react before the attack. How many times will it take for us to learn that lesson: that these groups need to talk to each other, share their intel and suspicions, and plan to handle it.