Building God

(***Sorry, kind of a long one 'cause CME will be dark for a few weeks.)

That's What Some Are Calling AI

The thought goes beyond cocktail parties in the Bay Area. Wildly grandiose, even blasphemous? Certainly seems so. Totally far fetched? In concept maybe not so much. While AI, wherever it ends up, will never be supernatural or divine, more and more onlookers think this new super power will eclipse all predecessors by a wide margin. Dwarfing the impact and influence of the internet and social media.

It is a fact these days that increasing numbers of earth's inhabitants seek meaning and purpose in their lives. The diminished presence of religion and God, resurgences aside, surely explains a large part of the vacuum, this hole many of us, especially the young, feel. How is it we are in the most connected age in history and so many claim to feel alone?

Will AI become the new "idol'? Will we increasingly turn to it to answer the age old questions...where did we come from, is there life after death, does how we live make a difference in the end?

Is AI likely to replace God anytime soon? Of course not. But, as it gains mindshare, will it shape our morality in addition to our intelligence? It's ironic - or maybe not - that AI's builders, for the most part, are neither religious nor strong believers in a supreme being. For the most part, those leading the creation of AI are materialistic whose morality is shaped by atoms and physical laws. That and a MEGA payday. Yet they are the architects of AI's reasoning and the controllers of its information.

Bear in mind...

In 2022, the frontier was a chatbot that could barely draft an email or fumble a word problem. Since then, these systems have passed the bar exam, taken gold at the International Mathematical Olympiad, and gone from useful for minutes of unsupervised work to useful for a day or more of it. This spring, one of them found vulnerabilities in every major browser and operating system—work that takes elite human teams months.

AI labs’ revenues have gone from a rounding error to tens of billions a year in roughly that same span, and the models now write a meaningful share of the code that builds their successors. One can see how that alone will cause things to speed up even further. How cataclysmic the coming change will likely be.

Heard one AI scientist postulate...AI is WAY MORE IMPORTANT than computers. Closer to electricity. But then we were all supposed to be screwed when Y-2K hit.

Just something to ponder.

Don't Know How Much It Matters and Sure Don't Understand

OpenAI recently cracked something called the "unit distance" geometric conjecture. The world's top mathematicians have been trying to solve this problem for 80 years. Without success. Well guess what? After eight decades of fruitless struggle by human mathematicians, this major geometry conjecture has - at last - been solved. How? Via a straightforward query to a chatbot.

A number of the heretofore befuddled experts declared the AI solution “clever” and “elegant.”

Maybe AI will cure cancer and Alzheimer's within five years. What else can - no, will - AI do?

Which Brings Us to China

Do we try to collaborate on AI standards, rules, even technology?

Or go it alone and try to stay ahead, which means the wild west.

As a confirmed skeptic that China will keep its word on anything, I say go it alone. Stay ahead - far ahead. Use our superiority as a deterrent. Peace through AI.

On a lighter note

Ever hear of the "Enhanced Games"? Me neither until now.

Think of it as...going for the gold on drugs. Performers are encouraged to shoot up with performance enhancing drugs - PEDS. Now normally, whatever that is these days, competitors are banned from using drugs and suspended if caught. That is unless you are a tranny boy competing against teenage girls.

This weekend in Las Vegas...

Over 40 world-class athletes competed in track, swimming, and weight lifting. Many are retired Olympians looking for another shot at glory, albeit with the help of drugs administered at a "training camp" in Abu Dhabi. Critics say the event is a gimmick designed to sell supplements. The games, which cost $31 million to put on, was a splashy event, complete with a closing ceremony headlined by The Killers. Say what?

And here I was looking for something to do on My Memorial Day weekend.

Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey on Minneapolis weren't bored.

They spent Memorial Day honoring fallen soldiers by dancing and partying around George Floyd Square. Yeah, that's right. He has his own square.

Update: Cuba

By all reports, the island 90 miles off Key West stands in deep do do.

Fidel Castro strode triumphantly into Havana in January 1959. That’s 67 years ago—two generations and change. The Cold War, in which Castro played such an outsize part, ended 35 years ago with the fall of his Soviet patrons. Enfeebled by age, the old totalitarian turned the regime over to his brother Raúl in 2008 and died in 2016. Raúl, the last link to the old generation, himself retired in 2021. He is now an unsteady 94. And just indicted.

The Cuban model, now a sort of theme park for long past Marxism-Leninism, appears to be coming to an end. When Delta Force snatched Venezuelan strongman Nicolás Maduro and brought him to a holding cell in New York City, Cuba’s last visible means of support vanished. Since the island must import almost all its food and energy but has nothing much of value to sell, its economy was heavily dependent on subsidized Venezuelan oil. Without it, Cuban society is circling the drain. The electric grid has crashed; blackouts last most of the day. The water supply is also faltering—even in Havana, toilets can go for days without flushing. Food is scarce and difficult to obtain for those without access to dollars. In the dark of night, protesters burn mounds of garbage that have accumulated on the streets and bang on pots to vent their anger.

The communist regime as it has existed since 1959 is almost certainly doomed. The transformations needed to raise 10 million Cubans out of suspended animation and back into history will necessarily be radical, traumatic, and maybe violent.

Will the reversal of Cuba's fortune be any less thorny than Iran's? Many say no. While much smaller and resource poor, Cuba has survived in its current dictatorial form for almost 70 years (Iran's for a mere 47). The Castro's are on last legs. The military was foreign dependent. But, here's a reality. Cubans have suffered so long they may be incapable of imagining an alternative and too weary to revolt.

While regime change seems logical and should be somewhat rudimentary, the ability of the Trump administration, even with Marco taking point, may have another hornet's nest here too. Not from zealotry but lassitude.

Are Harvard Profs Headed for ICE Treatment?

Harvard professors, I hope you’re ready to be sued.

Harvard’s faculty voted 458–201 to cap A grades. Only about 20 percent of students per course can be given an A, starting in fall 2027. The policy is designed to curb grade inflation and make A grades more meaningful, since 84% of grades given at Harvard in the 2024–25 academic year were an A or A−. Everyone gets an A unless they don’t show up to class and/or assault the professor, then it’s a B+. If they assault the professor and he’s Jewish, though, back to A+.

Shockingly, Harvard students are not thrilled by the idea that only 20 percent of the class will be considered exceptional. Almost 85 percent of students surveyed said they disapproved of the change. I just hope Harvard faculty are ready to be terrorized by these students who are suddenly deprived of their A’s—I’m talking emotional terrorism, calls from family members, lawsuits and, I bet, real, old-fashioned terrorism. Remember - most of these are kids who receive applause for getting out of bed.

With my kid (now 27), I make sure to constantly defeat him so he's reminded that this kind of culture doesn’t fly here. Yeah right. Can't beat him at hardly anything on my best day.

Update: Iran

Most Likely Outcome

What We Know...

Iran has been decimated militarily, economically, leadership-wise. There remains an intransigent leadership core that will likely never surrender nor commit to denuclearization. No matter how many times Trump declares we are "close to a deal", one must remember Iran's leaders don't care about the Iranian people - not a whit.

So, what is "most likely" to happen?

Well, three scenarios seem possible:

1. Bomb the bejesus out of them.

2. Agree to open the Straits and keep negotiating the rest, at least, long enough for the media and US voters to lose interest.

3. Make a bad deal.

Most likely at this point? Behind Door #2

The Strait gets reopened. The Iranian military and economy remain savaged and closely monitored. The Iranians will not agree to "nukes never" or relinquishing the "dust". Oil prices drop to below normal. The Left declares that the war was unsuccessful and Trump is failure. The midterms remain in question. Media ADHD sets in and we forget about Iran.

Half a loaf? No, more like 3/4, because Iran is devastated, unable to fund terrorists at least in the short term, and definitely in the cross hairs, not only of the US and Israel, but Arab neighbors who now see them for what they are.

Coming Home to Roost.

Who knows when and how the Iran conflict will end. Hopefully Trump doesn't lose his nerve and finishes the deal. But pressure from all directions is enormous.

One thing seems for sure. The conflict exposed the limitations of US military depth. While the defenestration of Iran's military has been impressive. World class say most. It is clear that years of military neglect are showing up.

Weapons stockpiles are low - drones, missiles, bunker buster bombs, even bullets. Our own golden dome is still on the drawing board. Space based deterrents and proactive weapons systems are far from ready to go. China has 10X the ships we do.

It's all fine and dandy for the Left and fake conservatives like Tucker and Candace to say we should stop engaging in foreign conflicts, wall ourselves off and spend our money at home. But that ain't an option.

The essential question might be...on how many fronts can we engage and still be prepared to take on China, which inevitably will come? With much of the American public against justified military intervention, let alone war and the entire left against funding the military as necessary, what can we afford?

Let's Face It. The Left Hates the Military.

The Military and those who serve in it refuse to defy the Constitution or condemn America.

The Military refuses to disrespect or dishonor the commander-in-chief, those to whom they report, the American flag and the country.

The Military refuses to condemn US foreign policy or decline service in the manner ordered.

No wonder the Left despises. To them, the Military is anathema.

Midterms May Not Be Lost Yet

The whackos the Dems plan to run give us a fighting chance.

Graham Platner in Maine. The guy with the Nazi tattoo, who called the American serviceman, a Purple Heart recipient because he died protecting his teammates, "a dumb m'fcker who deserved to die".

Maureen Galindo in Texas wants to put Zionists in holding facilities. A Zionist is someone (a Jew) that believes Jews have a right to their own state. Maureen says send 'em to the camps.

We've already covered James Talarico (God is non-binary, there are six sexes, Bible supports abortion.) and Jasmine Crocket in TX.

There's Abu El-Sayed in Michigan who calls himself a doctor and says he "heals the sick" but...err...has no medical license. Abu says violence against Jews can be excused and hosts Hasan Piker at his rallies.

State party officials just placed the Minneapolis Democratic Party on two years’ probation, citing a history of chaotic conventions that in recent years have ended in disputes and even violence, according to the New York Times.

A Reality TV Star is "schooling" Mayor Karen Bass and her democrat opponents in the LA mayoral race.

The Democratic party is a mess.   

Even their long-awaited "autopsy" of the 2024 election debacle is now called "The Alibi", because it conveniently ignored that...Biden was non compos mentis, Kamala was nincompoop and the country was fed up with open borders, boys kicking girls asses in volleyball, inflation because we depend on others for oil we have while spending billions on green energy boondoggles, and generally looking like feeble doddering idiots abroad. Just like the former Commander-in-Chief.

The autopsy missed those. Senator Chris Van Hollen, the clown from MD who went down to the Salvadorean prison to take pictures with the deported wife beater, wrote a column which the NYT actually printed saying the biggest problem the Dems had in 2024 was not going hard after Israel on behalf of Gaza. Can't make this stuff up.

Anti Weaponization Fund is Dumb.

Why is Trump hitching his wagon to things like this? Jan 6 protestors who stormed the Capitol on Jan 6 deserve a payday about as much as Blacks in California deserve slavery reparations.

Is National Debt Another Climate Change?

Peter crying wolf? For decades budget hawks have been using the term "unsustainable" when describing the every-increasing US debt. Yet the nation stands and we seem to out-prosperity everybody else.

Could this time be different? Well, some things are:

• Real interest rates are, for the first time, equal to growth rates.

• Annual interest costs (over $900 billion) on national debt exceed military spending.

• Our National Debt now exceeds GDP.

More alarm bells that entitlement spending needs a major overhaul. Cutting the fraud would certainly help.

Update: Fraud

As you know, Dr Mehmet Oz is Director of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and is partnering with VP Vance to lead the charge on Medicare fraud. The budget for CMS is almost $2 trillion (with a T). Oz estimates there is $100 billion in fraud in the programs, which the government (meaning we the taxpayers) pays for you to get "better health". To put that in perspective, if eliminated that would DOUBLE the life expectancy of the Medicare Trust Fund. You know - the anchor that is sinking the country debt-wise.

As documented, draconian examples are being uncovered daily. Durable medical equipment suppliers outnumbering McDonalds, 33% of ALL hospices agencies in the US being in LA alone, the fastest growing job in NY being "personal care service attendant" (somebody paid to carry groceries up the stairs and talk to you), autism agencies where offices are empty and phones don't get answered, and Lord knows what else. And it's not just blue states, it's everywhere.

Worse yet, many (most?) of these criminals are foreigners with ties to terrorist and anti-American regimes.

While the dollars come from the federal government, which means citizens in Alabama and Mississippi are paying for fat cats in LA and Minnesota, the states are responsible for administering, auditing and ensuring financial integrity. But, the federal government is responsible for overall surveillance of the state programs. Hard to do when Biden guts CMS. Supposedly, there were only six (6) people left in the Medicaid integrity program at CMS after Biden took over.

What's next? Why, of course, leftwing Judges will start throwing up roadblocks to any sort of serious reform or criminal prosecution.

The Age of Rage

Is Polarization the Gateway to Anarchy?

Throughout history we have seen extremists. Plenty have been dangerous, resorting to violent riots, lootings, mass shootings, even bombings. In the past, pretty much everyone, not already inside an nut house or an avowed terrorist, decried these acts. Openly condemning the perpetrators and everyone affiliated therewith.

Is such unanimity of sound-mindedness even possible any longer?

In the past, extremists tended to be fringe players. Organizations or individuals with such far out "manifestos" as to be thought absurd initially, then abhorrent.

Daily we hear bolder, more outlandish shouts of support for criminal acts and violent "solutions". One of our two national parties is throwing its support behind candidates suggesting we herd Jews into concentration camps, assassinate corporate leaders for social murders, kill the President and overthrow the entire government.

No longer do political candidates limit their platforms to criticism of opponents and the promise of a new, better path. They now talk openly of criminal acts and anarchy - then justify them as deserved and, thus, necessary.

Used to be the way we prevented such irrationality was the ballot box. Now I'm not so sure. Election rigging aside, the profound polarization of the parties and the electorate may well preclude rationality. TDS and a widespread malaise about all things American seem to repudiate common sense and justify evil over good. Machiavelli would approve.

A Paper Tiger.

Can We Really Count on NATO anymore?

It's not only a matter of budget. Western European allies are changing. The flood of immigrants, legal but mostly not, has changed the character of the UK, Germany, in fact most of the other EU countries. Just look at whom they are electing and the riots that occur regularly.

Forget (don't really) about whether they fund the weapons and training needed to be a military factor. Do they even have the young people willing to step up and fight? Or is that the reason they hide behind WOKE to refuse our support?

Meanwhile we have our own demographic shift to ponder. Non-whites will become a majority by 2050. Whites held a 90% majority through the mid 1900s. Better make sure we assimilate, educate and, yes, convert to the American way.

The Stock Market Ain't the Economy

To most Americans under 50, it's gas, groceries and healthcare. To 35 and under, it's housing.

I'm becoming convinced the housing problem is genuine. Years of Democratic policies have short-circuited the building of new homes. Supply shortages have driven up prices and real estate has done well so investors are buying second homes and turning primary ones into rentals.

Funny how all the problems the Democrats create eventually get referred to the Republicans for fixing.

Nonetheless, Trump could win points by doing something to help with down payments and mortgages for the 35U crowd. Might cause more to get married and have families. And pull the right lever in November.

Stick It to Da Man

Sure hope all these incumbents Trump is looking to oust don't do him dirty. Ones like Massie and Cornyn hold their seat until next January.

Sleeping Beauty Awakes.

More like Methuselah. Joe Biden was just spotted filing a lawsuit against the Justice Department on Tuesday in an effort to block the release of audio recordings and transcripts of his interview obtained by special counsel Robert Hur during his classified documents investigation.

At the same time, wifey Jill, admitted she thought Joe was having a stroke in Trump debate. Looked that way to me too. And about two dozen times before. Secretly, Dr. Jill knew he wasn't "sharp as a tack."

Great Saying...

When someone asks you, "Don't you trust me" and you'd rather not say try...

"I trust you to be you."

Great Opportunity

More and more we read of technology access being a detriment to student learning. Wouldn't it be cool if someone invented an app or whatever that would allow teachers and superintendents to block anything that was deemed inappropriate or counterproductive with a few clicks. As soon as student gets within 100 feet of the school...bingo. Dark. Probably exists or soon will.

Correlation doesn't necessarily mean causation...unless it's massive. The correlation between student screen time and declining scores in math, reading etc. looks massive. YouTube can't replace well-meaning competent teachers.

Funny thing. Cali has Beau Coup Oil.

Yup. 3rd behind TX and ND. Yet gas is twice the national average...and was way before the Iranian conflict. Of course you know why. Regulation, regulation, regulation combined with...taxes, taxes, taxes. That's why most all the refiners turned tail long ago.

How these people keep putting the Gavin Newsom's, Nancy Pelosi's, Karen Bass', Kamala Harris', Eric Swalwell's, Adam Schiff's in charge beats the heck out of me. Never mind - I know. All the Republicans and residents with common sense are U-hauling out of the Wildfire State.

It's Rent Control & Regulations, Dummy

...not skinflint landlords. Comrade Mamdani announced a plan to expropriate buildings which he deems are not maintained to "standards". Yup. Just take over and put some non profit in charge. Refuses to acknowledge buildings that are "rent-controlled" do not generate enough funds to maintain properly and no one can afford to build new housing because of regulations and interference from Unions and city government. Once again this "communist" idiot ignores the root causes. And, thereby - common sense.

Shows It Can Be Done

We reported a while back about precipitous drops in murder rates and violent crimes across the country since Trump took office. This can be attributed to ICE removing violent criminals, use of the National Guard and the move from Woke prosecutors and courts to tough on crime ones. All prompted by citizens fed up to the gills.

Baltimore leads the pack in these reforms. Since 2000, young black men in Baltimore (Remember The Wire) have been 3X more likely to die by murder than the national average. In the city as a whole, murders were 8X the national average.

Well, all that has changed. Murders are down over 60%. How? An irrepressible focus on repeat offenders, which are proven to perpetrate a large majority of violent crimes. And the tough on crime prosecutor who replaced a Woke, scandal ridden predecessor.

Cities like Seattle, Oakland, CA and Chicago need to read the memo.

See y'all middle of next month.

Headed back to Africa. Fourth time. Flying through Qatar so I'll be keeping my head down.