National Vietnam War Veterans Day
More here: National Vietnam War Veterans Day | The American Legion
And an interesting piece of history: This Vietnam War Veterans Day, these two Navy veterans remember the real final battle, and rescue (dailyherald.com)
Just One Thing: Red Flag Laws
This comes up in the context of Tennessee not having a Red Flag law. And before I continue, I'll note that just as having cops in schools won't solve all problems, maybe not even most problems, neither will a Red Flag law. (The official name of a Red Flag law is usually something like "Extreme Risk Protection Order.") I mean, we have such a law here in Colorado and if there was ever a poster child for its use it was the guy who massacred people at Club Q in Colorado Springs. And yet there are just reasons/excuses for its not being used. So, again, it's not a panacea. That said, I'd also like to remind folks that around 2/3 of reported deaths by firearm are suicide, and saving someone from suicide is probably something that won't show up on the news or in any statistic. So just as with SROs, let's neither underestimate nor overestimate the value of a Red Flag law.
Some of my very pro-gun friends think that I’m not sufficiently pro-2nd Amendment even though I’m with them on 95% of gun-related policies and own quite a few firearms. We sometimes disagree, in particular, on Red Flag laws. I can conceive of a Red Flag law that I’d support. Colorado’s isn’t it. But to the argument that it’s a Constitutional right and it cannot be infringed without having been at least charged with a crime, I reply with Thomas Jefferson: "The laws of self-preservation are of higher obligation." And with Supreme Court Justice Robert Jackson who warned against a certain legal approach that could “convert the constitutional Bill of Rights into a suicide pact.” It’s not easy to write a Red Rlag law that sufficiently protects 2nd Amendment rights, and we didn’t do it here, but it can be done.
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Today's Microwave Update
Yesterday we talked a bit about how microwaves work. Following up on that, two things: First, the fascinating video below. And second, in response to a slightly disturbing listener question, this: What Would Really Happen If You Put A Human In A Microwave? (gizmodo.com)
Today's Guests
Dean Clancy is a senior policy advisor at Americans for Prosperity and at the Paragon Health Institute. Our topic today is how to modernize Medicare in a way that can preserve it without bankrupting the nation. It's a dry but critically important subject.that was covered fairly well in a brief way in this WSJ op-ed by Newt Gingrich and Bobby Jindal:
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Aaron Zitner is a reporter and editor in the Wall Street Journal’s Washington bureau. We're discussing his new reporting on a new WSJ/NORC poll that shows plummeting levels among Americans of patriotism, religiosity, and desire to have children. I do note that the starting point matters, a subject the third link below (from the Washington Post guy) touches upon, by which I mean that the drop in the last 25 years in patriotism looks enormous, but if you started the chart 25 years before THAT, you'd see a line that went up and then back down.
Americans Pull Back From Values That Once Defined U.S., WSJ-NORC Poll Finds - WSJ
Some incredible (and bad) stuff in here that goes way beyond the patriotism questions that are getting all the press: Actual poll questions and results
Some thoughts on the results by a Washington Post (liberal) reporter: That jarring new poll on ‘patriotism’ (msn.com)
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Other Stuff
Is AI really this big a threat?
Musk, other experts urge pause on AI development - TechCentral
https://news.yahoo.com/musk-experts-urge-pause-training-042927625.html
Here’s the letter:
Pause Giant AI Experiments: An Open Letter - Future of Life Institute
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I owe you these from yesterday:
Malthus was wrong. Ehrlich was wrong. At some point, people who predict doom and gloom, death and extinction, will be right. But their followers will live miserable erroneous lives until then. I maintain my view that I held before Elon Musk made news by saying the same thing that the major population problem humanity will face is underpopulation, not overpopulation. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/27/world-population-bomb-may-never-go-off-as-feared-finds-study
At least these guys are doing their part to incentivize a solution: This resort in Costa Rica will give you 50% off if you get pregnant (nypost.com)
And here's a fascinating local take on the topic of population creation: Colorado women are some of most likely to be married, least likely to have kids | FOX31 Denver (kdvr.com)
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"Dilbert" creator Scott Adams just got "canceled" for saying, albeit in a somewhat different tone, that white people should stay away from black people. Now this racist grifter says almost the same thing but she's a creature of the left, making money by criticizing white people daily, she gets away with it. (For the record, I think Scott Adams made a significant error in his wording and I didn't really buy his explanation. I still like the guy and I think the reaction to him was over the top but completely predictable.)
Robin DiAngelo Advises People of Color to ‘Get Away from White People’ (yahoo.com)
Audio:
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A tale of two states. It really is good vs evil. And even if you're a liberal, in your heart you know which is which if you just put aside personalities.
Florida Governor DeSantis Signs Universal School Choice Bill
Whitmer repeals Michigan's 'right-to-work' law, brings back prevailing wage
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This doesn't prove there's no "climate change" but I'm still slightly surprised to see it on the 9News website. Denver weather: Coldest start to year since 1979 | 9news.com
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I know, the stereotype jokes are just waiting to be written: It took me 960 tries to get my license — and cost me $4,200 (nypost.com)
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If you know a kid who goes to East High School in Denver and is into skateboarding or scootering, the Curbside Skate Park in Sheridan (near west side of Englewood) is letting you skate for free during Spring Break: Curbside skatepark offers free entry for East students on break | 9news.com
Curbside Skatepark – curbside-skatepark
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This is worth remembering: George Soros spent $40M getting lefty district attorneys, officials elected all over the country (nypost.com)
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Easier than winning at roulette: Woman accused of $500k casino heist in Black Hawk, Colorado | 9news.com
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As a guy who really likes nice watches (but isn't into it enough to call myself an expert even a little bit) I love this story: Paul Newman Rolex Daytonas, Found in a Desk, Could Sell for Millions
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Communist China's government is truly evil, and there's no tactic they won't use to go after critics: https://www.axios.com/2023/03/29/chinese-activists-false-bomb-threats
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What could go wrong with yet another giant government program? Colorado delays free preschool program matching date to April 26
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Today's Video: Don't try so hard to be smart; try hard not to be stupid
This is nearly 2 hours long, but it's remarkable. I recommend that you go to the YouTube settings (little gear icon) and change playback speed to 1.25x or 1.5x so you can listen in a somewhat shorter time.)
Yes, Kyle often asks fairly easy questions of people on the left but he got Tay Anderson to say what Denver voters need to hear