Four Mass Shootings Over Weekend-Early Detection Necessary

Mass shootings are horrific and perplexes leaders on how to address such issues. There are likely many environmental and political factors that contribute in some way to such situations but they will be hard to nail down precisely what is causing what.  That doesn't mean we don't have some ideas on potential solutions but that we should continue to explore methods of resolving mental health service deficiencies and putting in place better strategies to allow for early detection and intervention.

A few of those considerations might be... 1.) We don't have a grasp of mental health help in this country, 2.) Research on deterring potentially violent individuals in the non-prison population is lacking, 3.) Finding a balance between gun rights and safety needs (..and yes I hunt sometimes.), 4.) how the online chatter is radicalizing some people (I actually saw someone radicalize their social group through social media to cleanse their community. It only takes one or two individuals to rally their base.) , and 5.) how economic shifts and concentration of wealth may influence people's perception of fairness. 

With 39 people injured and 6 dead we are being forced to address this issue. Understanding why and how it is becoming a problem is helpful. It takes researchers time, money, and resources to find solutions. They also need officers, investigators to provide accurate data. Much of that will depend on the skill of the forensic team, their ability to discover/understand wider factors, and in turn sharing information with researchers and policy makers to create better policies (We should have stronger connection between researchers and law makers who are striving to improve their evidence based management skills. I listened to a couple of overly boastful politicians and I'm not sure they know what evidence based management is. One could read  Evidence-Based Management 🤔🤷.)

I was sort of thinking of a way to help thwart extremism and violence before it gets out of hand. Early intervention is easier if people have access to trained mental health counselors that can provide an evaluation and alternative solutions . To me, one of the ways to deter such individuals is to help them early in the process and in turn give them better methods of dealing with problems (reducing their frustration)if they occur again (Side note: Constant negative political rhetoric and conflict can lead to devaluing people and inadvertently prompt others on how to think/act toward others they disagree with. I believe its important for politicians in Michigan to find a mutually agreed upon way of dealing with extremism, violence and hate. 

Certain aspects of our society glorify violence in a way that sometimes leads to related behaviors as a preferred solution over other conflict resolution strategies (i.e. perpetrators often use violence to control their environment in a negative way because its the easiest tool available.). My idea is about flagging/coding the early signs and precursors to such behaviors early may help us understand the situation better and in turn provide live testing of solutions. 

If we can help people find better methods of dealing with internal angst and in turn making positive life choices we may not have such a problem. It may be possible to deter "hot heads" from becoming violent and/or costing significant tax resources (i.e. unnecessary incarceration) when the problem could have been solved earlier in their derailment. Michigan Hate Crimes Coding and Solutions.

Biden Speech G7 Outcome: Democracies, Taxes, and Timing

President Biden discusses the commitments agreed upon between the U.S. and its partner nations. It appears from his discussion there is a need to create a more inclusive economy. The emerging digital economy platforms will allow countries to conduct and coordinate business internationally with much more ease. This could be an opportunity for the U.S. to realign countries and reorient supply chains back toward the U.S. (I guess that depends on how you do it? 🤷)

There was also some discussion on the international tax commitment. There have been companies moving overseas and leaving the U.S. and Europe while still benefiting from the lifestyle and introduction here. To stop firm rate jumping means providing value more than taxes alone. Countries are total packages that range from the skill of law enforcement/justice system all the way over how our education functions and moving into other sectors such as infrastructure/shipping/internet. 

Here is a calibrated tax plan I was starting to work on that included a "home" rate for companies that are located here and an "international" rate for those who are using the benefits of the nation (i.e. infrastructure, justice system, patent protections, infrastructure, labor skill, etc...). No idea if it would work but so far it looks promising. Perhaps its possible to encourage companies to bring their HQ and intellectual capital back to obtain the advantages of the lower rate and superior business environment. A few ideas I think are starting to connect together into a bigger innovation cluster research on returning manufacturing to the U.S. See G7 Tax, See Pure Michigan Tax Return, See Perpetual Sustainable Development, See Lower HQ Tax, See Attracting SME Delta County, See Attracting Start-Up Delta County, See Attracting MNC to US, 

You have to watch the video yourself....

Camping in Munising

Munising Michigan is one of those places that is on the north side of the U.P.. The town is small, perhaps a couple of thousand, located on Lake Superior. Its becoming known as an outdoor destination. They also have ice climbing which is still part of my possible Everest long term plan (I'm a conservative but very much believe in universal justice and the equality of man/woman). 

 A couple of us went up last evening to camp and then dive. Its a group of divers that like plunge freezing cold water to dive for ships and other structures. Today will be shallow diving for me. I forgot my regulator in CA on didn't realize it until now. 

We camped in an RV park because some of the divers have RV and all the gear. We were tenting it but I found out my sleeping bag works really well in cold weather. I know some people camp a lot but for my city friends, they probably don't camp enough. I plan on doing some more.

There are probably worse ways to spend time. 

Three Generations of Canadian Muslim Family Murdered by Truck Driver-Its Important to Have Better Legislation

There is no words that can take back the lives of three people mowed down by an angry truck driver. While they were Muslim it could have easily been because they were Jewish, Black, White, Hispanic, Indian, or anything else that disturbed this driver. Unchecked hate is dangerous and in Michigan we have an opportunity to stand on the right side of history. We have an opportunity to make America stronger by pulling people to a central identity of what it means to be an American without any differentiation to the flavors of human life. 

We just need to convince our law makers that tagging and finding solutions for extremism is important on a local and a national level.

Opportunities for Hate Crime Reform in Michigan

Austin Shooting-The Motives Matter

Life is precious. There are people in our world that don't feel that way and they just pick up a gun or resort to violence when frustrated. We have a way to go to understand violence and how to deal with people who are bent on causing chaos and mayhem. While, based on the limited information available, it is hard to determine the cause (mental health, gang, etc...)  As single shooter often indicates mental health or personal grievance issues. Once a suspect is in custody it is important to ask the right questions so we can improve upon the laws to better protect the public. It looks like the officers responded quickly and did a solid job saving lives. This is one of the essential purposes of having highly trained officers responding to live events. 

Lap Swimming at Sunset Delta County Michigan

We choose what we want in this life. If we want money we will grind the "rat race". If we want love we chase it until we find our "turtle dove". If we want fame we put on a poodle skirt and dance around on our hind legs for everyone to clap. Life is what you want to make out of it! 

To me, sometimes life is the little things like lap swimming a lake at sunset (disclaimer: swim at your own risk.), engaging in a meaningful activity, or trying to leave a better place behind. You can find many of life's simple joys in Delta County where fishing, hiking, biking and bon fires are the normal course of a day.

The rest is up to you......

U.S. Innovation and Competition Act-Is the U.S. Trying to Launch Past Its Competition?

The Senate passes the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act (US Senate S.1260) in an effort to create stronger technology and research driven competitive advantages on a national level. For some time the US been getting bested by our rivals because we were not seeing the patterns and adjusting accordingly to capitalize on our innovative strengths. While we are still the primary market leader, large countries like China have developed technologies that rival our own and are pushing their intellectual capacity to challenge our scientists, professors, and entrepreneurs. 

Its kindof our own fault! We took our technology to the low cost provider and in turn allowed them to grow at our own expense.  Bad policy mixed with too much focus on profits caught us by surprise. Doing new things in new ways means we should consider looking not only today but also 5, 10, 20, and if possible 30 years into the future to put such decisions in appropriate context. You may not be interested in reading the whole Bill (Its going to take me a minute) so you may want to browse United States Innovation and Competition Act (USICA): A Primer by Tom Lee and Juan Londono.

If your a nerd and you like technology this is going to be hay day (or hey day) for you. Law makers are pushing advanced technologies to a level we haven't seen before. There will be an attempt to surpass our rivals. That means no longer sidelining STEM and other programs to the "maybe if we have some resources available" status to "lets put programs like this first in line". We are reorienting ourselves to new challenges.

According to Senate majority Leader Chuck Schumer, “Around the globe, authoritarian governments believe that squabbling democracies like ours can’t unite around national priorities.....Well, let me tell you something: I believe that they are wrong. I believe that this legislation will enable the United States to out-innovate, out-produce, and out-compete the world in the industries of the future.”(Franck, 2021, para 13-14.)

Bill Overview:

In the bill, "To establish a new Directorate for Technology and Innovation in the National Science Foundation, to establish a regional technology hub program, to require a strategy and report on economic security, science, research, innovation, manufacturing, and job creation, to establish a critical supply chain resiliency program, and for other purposes." (S.1260, para1).

Key Factors of Focus:

(A) Artificial intelligence, machine learning, autonomy, and related advances.

(B) High performance computing, semiconductors, and advanced computer hardware and software.

(C) Quantum information science and technology.

(D) Robotics, automation, and advanced manufacturing.

(E) Natural and anthropogenic disaster prevention or mitigation.

(F) Advanced communications technology and immersive technology.

(G) Biotechnology, medical technology, genomics, and synthetic biology.

(H) Data storage, data management, distributed ledger technologies, and cybersecurity, including biometrics.

(I) Advanced energy, batteries, and industrial efficiency, including advanced nuclear technologies for the purposes of electric generation (consistent with section 15 of the National Science Foundation Act of 1950 (42 U.S.C. 1874).

(J) Advanced materials science, including composites and 2D materials.


A Few Thoughts:

Thoughts become reality when they have practical utility and the resources needed to create execution. Research and development resources have a habit of gravitating toward elite educated scientists. While such individuals are important and often successful idea generators they are at times limited by the same elite social and academic circles that give them those opportunities. "Out of the Box" thinking often requires creativity in thought that is stifled when there are too many distracting expectations.

We will need to change our scientific mix to open up the lines of development to a upcoming scientific class that is much more diverse in background. New technology does rely on a small group of individuals on the top but on a balance between new ideas (less indoctrination) mixed with scientific thinking (education in science). Some of this money should go to people we are not "well connected" in order to ensure that it has the maximum opportunities for developmental leaps. 

That inclusiveness might be hard for government officials/administrators to complete because they have become accustomed to using those same social networks to be elected and maintain their positions. The challenges we face require us to do a better job of seeking out individuals in a more active capacity that have potential to build aspects of systems others can't. Simply hiring the same people through convenience will mean results will be limited to the developmental lines of the past and less opportunity for "ground breaking" discoveries in the future. 

I would do a 60% -70% funding with individuals/organizations that have a track record of producing results and I would consider 30% to 40% to people who may do things differently so they can fill gaps in information in new ways (I'm really not trying to be too specific but just highlight the point that new technologies and innovation often comes from sources that are outside typical personal and financial connections within government. Sometimes its about novelty.)

The program is a launch to something bigger that will likely develop unknown technologies in the future. Our administrators may find that if they expand government money through tax deductible R&D expenditures and pooled industry research (to support multi-industry cluster development and in turn economic synergy) we may find net positives throughout our nation and manufacturing capacities that reduce costs and improve financial budgets. Why have the government pay for it all when we might be able to triple or quadruple the resources in investment by encouraging companies to do the same?

I have been working a theory that raises the possibility of advanced technology development in key locations (Delta County is an Example but there are other locations with unique mix of potential that can advanced other industries.) to develop proto-type products for immediate space, military, outdoor, entrepreneurial and advanced manufacturing might lead to butterfly mass production throughout the country. Its not finished but you can read Theory of Transactional Clusters (Its an unfinished idea!).