2020 US Presidential Election

[all to gain]

Ignore in the sense that there's no use engaging, not that their voting behavior doesn't impact us. I'm ready to split the country up into ideological zones at this point. Irreconcilable differences.

The thing to do would be to mount a fresh impeachment campaign as there are plenty of additional impeachable offenses to deal with.

I mean, Nixon started the EPA and started the thawing process with China with his visit but also resigned in disgrace. A president doesn't have to be all bad to be an existential threat to the country.

I mentioned splitting the country a few pages back because, really, what's the point in keeping together if you hate each other so much? It's not going to happen though.

I agree about the not being all bad comment.

 

[all to gain]

If Biden loses it will be for 2 reasons:

1) Voter suppression worked.
2) The DNC ran the most centrist candidate possible and it's hard to gather enthusiasm around him (except to vote against Trump).

Sadly I don't think the DNC will learn from #2 at all.

Can you define what you mean by "get behind him" if he wins?

Yep, they haven't learned, and, really, would only have themselves to blame.

Honestly, though, I would love for Biden to prove people wrong and to be a standout president.

If Trump wins, he is your president whether you like it or not (which obviously you don't). At the moment, the country is being ripped to shreds. This is partly down to Trump's personality, partly because the virus hit now (which isn't Trump's fault) and partly because of the already discord in US society. So, knowing that he would only be in for another four years, maybe it would be better to try to work with him on some things rather than being 100% against him. I realise that would mean biting the bullet, but it's better than all out war, surely? In the meantime, the Dems could try to find a good candidate that woud get in in the next election. In other words, never, never land It ain't going to happen.

 

[Christiaan]

My answer wasn't in specific regard to Woodward, but in regard to your assertion that, "It's the job of a journalist to blow the whistle when lives are at stake."

I am still questioning that assertion.

Oh, alright. Sorry for the misinterpretation.

Yes, it's just my opinion that journalism should serve the common good, and not personal or corporate interest. They are the gate keepers of society and ought to inform us as objectively as possible and protect us against any form of abuse of power & misinformation.

Anyway, the code of ethics of journalism of certain institutions in the US or here in Europe does not state it explicitly about directly reporting or withholding news when something crucial is at stake, but it touches the ethical question of independence. From what I've learned during a course in journalism, it's one of the most important pillars of objective journalism : do not allow personal interest to undermine your accuracy, fairness or independence in reporting news to the public. In this case, Woodward did not timely inform the public about Trump's lies concerning Covid, because he was more concerned with selling his book (personal interest) than actually reporting the story directly (he had the opportunity to do just that as associate editor at The Washington Post).

Link https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Journalism_ethics_and_standards (look at
header ''Independence'')

 

[Christiaan]

Seriously, you have the nerve to ask that after Trump says he may not accept the results?

EDIT: Actually, Trump is already making excuses (blaming mail-in voting getting in the way of voter suppression).

Trump has indeed problems with mail-in-voting, except when it looks like a propaganda flyer with his face on it. It's real, people in certain states have received this absentee ballot paper. What stage of dystopia is this? You could only see this kind of tactics in a banana republic

Link: https://edition.cnn.com/2020/08/16/...-absentee-ballot-request-mail-usps/index.html

 

[FGG]

I mentioned splitting the country a few pages back because, really, what's the point in keeping together if you hate each other so much? It's not going to happen though.

I agree about the not being all bad comment.

The country wasn't this divided before Trumpism. He is literally telling people Biden is going to take God away from them. He has people so worked up they can't even think straight.

This is why so many Republicans leaders, strategist and ex Trump administration officials are now telling people to vote Biden. Trump is literally tearing the country apart.

 

[Daniel Lion]

If Trump wins, will those who voted Democrat get behind their president for the good of the country? Even if in only a few small ways, ie there must be some things that he has done that aren't all that bad, even if you dislike the man?

Also, if he does win, what excuses will the Democrats and their voters come out with?

Hi all to gain,

We do this every election. The push pull of "free market," our corporate socialism vs. expanding public socialism we already have e.g. social security, public schools, subsidized housing, food banks, etc. In the past our elections have primarily always been about the economy and taxes, when times were good. Now that the environment is changing fast (fires around the world/flooding/ etc.) and COVID-19 has reared its head as well as cultural unrest (BLM) there appears to be more on the public's plate now. And the rise of others countries' influence and power in the world.

We can't escape the dialectic and push pull of the Marxist class struggle paradigm (clearly by this thread where Marxism and communism is mentioned constantly and people are debating the distribution of wealth/a Marxist historical analysis is that history can be seen as conflicts over wealth and resources).

We have Bezos who's just cleared 200 billion and millions of Americans have no health insurance and scrape by. It's complex, on top of our annual socialist anti-socialist squabbling we have social media that not only indoctrinates ISIS soldiers but also Americans. Remember we have a flat earth movement here, a history of alien abductions, and "fake news". Our president, like him or not, watches up to 8 hours of TV a day, according to him in quotes. This is not Angela Merkel with a doctorate in quantum chemistry. I digress, apologies.

America may split between rural and urban areas and militias will likely keep growing. Farm land and water will be more valuable as the environmental crisis gets worse. The rich, if they were smart, would start to build private armies etc, if they haven't done already, or the US government, like any organism that wants to survive, will stomp out all opposition or problems that threaten its existence and it will become more like China in that respect. Who knows.

"As an outsider, you're all up shit creek without a paddle"

Yes and no. If like @PeteJ said, the economic bubble bursts, and it should and people's money is worth nothing then most definitely yes. If there's not a full on depression we will continue on making great music, cinema, fighting amongst ourselves (maybe other countries too), having barbecues and remaining oblivious to problems unless they are in our face, as humans do.

Perhaps countries that have an autocratic rule like China will continue to flourish and survive and democracies won't.

Looks like the planet is up shit creek to me, not just the US, it is what it is.

 

[Daniel Lion]

Afterthoughts,

As tinnitus sufferers we should succeed and form our own state. We could have genetically engineered crickets everywhere and fabricate elaborate naturalistic waterfalls, streams, and brooks for masking. City noise and assaulting noise from automobiles and industrial tools would be managed and strictly controlled and prohibited from deemed areas. The best otolaryngologists and ENT's and molecular biochemists would have great perks, farms and amenities to keep them working within our society and be contented.

Markku and Hazel could lead us if they wished.

Meditation clinics, fitness clubs and swimming, and CBT to one's heart's content would be free or affordable.

Benzos, weed, booze and any drug under the sun can be accessed with ease and affordability if the citizen desired.

TRT practitioners, sadly for some, may have to be banished entirely or afforded adequate land for self sustainability and people can go there if they desired.

Lastly, Pegasus like walk-in clinics will be easy to access and earns for ashes are on the house.

Any takers?

 

[all to gain]

Oh, alright. Sorry for the misinterpretation.

Yes, it's just my opinion that journalism should serve the common good, and not personal or corporate interest. They are the gate keepers of society and ought to inform us as objectively as possible and protect us against any form of abuse of power & misinformation.

Anyway, the code of ethics of journalism of certain institutions in the US or here in Europe does not state it explicitly about directly reporting or withholding news when something crucial is at stake, but it touches the ethical question of independence. From what I've learned during a course in journalism, it's one of the most important pillars of objective journalism : do not allow personal interest to undermine your accuracy, fairness or independence in reporting news to the public. In this case, Woodward did not timely inform the public about Trump's lies concerning Covid, because he was more concerned with selling his book (personal interest) than actually reporting the story directly (he had the opportunity to do just that as associate editor at The Washington Post).

Link https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Journalism_ethics_and_standards (look at
header ''Independence'')

I would then argue that when reading "do not allow personal interest to undermine your accuracy, fairness or independence in reporting news to the public." that journalism is a purely subjective affair.

 

[all to gain]

Hi all to gain,

We do this every election. The push pull of "free market," our corporate socialism vs. expanding public socialism we already have e.g. social security, public schools, subsidized housing, food banks, etc. In the past our elections have primarily always been about the economy and taxes, when times were good. Now that the environment is changing fast (fires around the world/flooding/ etc.) and COVID-19 has reared its head as well as cultural unrest (BLM) there appears to be more on the public's plate now. And the rise of others countries' influence and power in the world.

We can't escape the dialectic and push pull of the Marxist class struggle paradigm (clearly by this thread where Marxism and communism is mentioned constantly and people are debating the distribution of wealth/a Marxist historical analysis is that history can be seen as conflicts over wealth and resources).

We have Bezos who's just cleared 200 billion and millions of Americans have no health insurance and scrape by. It's complex, on top of our annual socialist anti-socialist squabbling we have social media that not only indoctrinates ISIS soldiers but also Americans. Remember we have a flat earth movement here, a history of alien abductions, and "fake news". Our president, like him or not, watches up to 8 hours of TV a day, according to him in quotes. This is not Angela Merkel with a doctorate in quantum chemistry. I digress, apologies.

America may split between rural and urban areas and militias will likely keep growing. Farm land and water will be more valuable as the environmental crisis gets worse. The rich, if they were smart, would start to build private armies etc, if they haven't done already, or the US government, like any organism that wants to survive, will stomp out all opposition or problems that threaten its existence and it will become more like China in that respect. Who knows.


Yes and no. If like @PeteJ said, the economic bubble bursts, and it should and people's money is worth nothing then most definitely yes. If there's not a full on depression we will continue on making great music, cinema, fighting amongst ourselves (maybe other countries too), having barbecues and remaining oblivious to problems unless they are in our face, as humans do.

Perhaps countries that have an autocratic rule like China will continue to flourish and survive and democracies won't.

Looks like the planet is up shit creek to me, not just the US, it is what it is.

A proper full answer rather than the whataboutisms that are usually thrown back by both the Dems and Reps and everyone else.

Like I said earlier in the thread, "We're doomed", so we agree on everywhere being up the shit creek.

Interestingly I was going into my building the other day and a young lady couldn't get in. I said I'll let her in, to which she said "thank you and do you want a flyer (political)". I said no, "I'm a foreigner and can't vote". The conversation led to the inevitable "Where are you from?" etc. When I told her she then followed me up to the top floor. She told me, "I want to move to the US" to which I replied "Why?" She said she wants a good pension. I told her that I want to leave back to the UK. I then said, "And, of course, I don't want my kids growing up under Putin". She tried to high-five me, but I said let's high elbows instead due to the virus. She said, "Democracy! The US has democracy". I answered, "Haven't you been watching the TV and seeing what's going in the US?", to which she answered "I don't watch TV". I answered, "Well, real democracy does not exist anywhere". Try to fathom what I'm saying here

We are seeing the fall of the Western world, and we are to blame for it. Somewhere earlier someone said something along the lines of "this is what you get when you have too much freedom". And I agree, for our societies to work properly we now have too much freedom (and believe me, I love freedom. Oh boy, do I love it). Everything is becoming a free for all, and the likes of China (and to a lesser degree Russia) will continue to rise (unless a virus hits or a world war starts and wipes out the populations). Anarchy, which is quickly becoming the norm, will destroy us. Fuck, and I love a bit of "Anarchy in the UK" There is livable freedom and a free for all, and I know which I would prefer.

For your country to survive structurally as it is, it needs Trump out, as he is too divisive, which is making civil war more and more likely, but then you are left with a man that may well fall asleep or die on the job. As i said before, splitting maybe the ultimate solution, which Trump could bring about, but then the US loses its place in the World. You are in a no win situation. China and Russia, although concerned, are lapping it all up.

 

[Juan]

What do you think he meant by "Tough Cookie"? In your opinion, was this a compliment, just stating a fact, an insult, or just a term that makes Trump look like the bad guy, here?

For me it is just a silly remark, that shows Trump behaving like a kid, as usual, arguing with another kid at a schoolyard...

 

[Luman]

For me it is just a silly remark, that shows Trump behaving like a kid, as usual, arguing with another kid at a schoolyard...

OK. I found nothing wrong with his remark. Use the term myself. It is an American expression, and generally not insulting. It's simply a description of somebody's resilience. For instance, a friend has to undergo surgery, so you would say, "She's a tough cookie, and will do fine." In the North Korea leader's case, Trump likely meant that he is strongly opinionated, and not easily persuaded. I think that it's safe to say, that the vast majority of people in the world, would agree with this assessment. Trump would not be insulted, to be called the same. Bernie is a tough cookie, as well. Biden is a crumbling cookie, lol.

Trump is American, and speaks to our nation in American English. It's not his responsibility to leave out expressions that might be misunderstood by people in other countries.

 

[GlennS]

Isn't that a whataboutism like GlennS keeps talking about that the Republicans use as an argument, i.e. not answering the question and saying that the others do it too?
So, actually, supporters of others do it too...

Not exactly. There have been legitimate questions about vote tampering since the LAST election. There are now fresh reports of foreign interference, not to mention Trump's own sabotage via his attacks on mail-in voting.

It's a double-edged sword but given Trump's polling numbers he must feel that sowing doubt about the election (ANY doubt) is more likely to benefit him (in the case of a loss). That's because if the election is deemed FUBAR he feels entitled to just stay in the white-house the same way declaring a mistrial buys you more time if you're standing accused of a serious crime.

Consider what happened in 2000 with the hanging chads. I think the system favors the incumbent, and certainly so given the current makeup of the legislature and the stacked court-system.

The GOP some time ago decided to game the system in a brazen way that founding fathers never anticipated. This is the result of a party that is all too aware that demographic trends don't bode well and so rather than try to evolve their platform to widen their tent they have to reach for these tricks. Take that too far (as we tend to see in banana republics) and this is how revolutions start.

 

[GlennS]

More evidence to show that the GOP is the one gnawing at the pillars of our institutions.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news...ump-bring-in-martial-law-if-you-lose-election

 

[Christiaan]

More evidence to show that the GOP is the one gnawing at the pillars of our institutions.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news...ump-bring-in-martial-law-if-you-lose-election

The GOP made an art of bending democratic institutions to its own will, and not only because of Trump. Most people in Western Europe are very of much ware of their tricks in recent history, like Gerrymandering, obstruction of the Florida recount during 2000 presidential elections, voters suppression in coloured communities (like in Georgia quite recently). A lot of people here openly despise them for being cheats. The Democratic Party has a far better image around here because they seem to give the impression that they know what they are doing in terms of formulating and implementing more well balanced policy. Basically, the GOP is seen as a party that knows how to fight elections and the Dems is considered as a party that knows how to govern

 

[FGG]

A proper full answer rather than the whataboutisms that are usually thrown back by both the Dems and Reps and everyone else.

Like I said earlier in the thread, "We're doomed", so we agree on everywhere being up the shit creek.

Interestingly I was going into my building the other day and a young lady couldn't get in. I said I'll let her in, to which she said "thank you and do you want a flyer (political)". I said no, "I'm a foreigner and can't vote". The conversation led to the inevitable "Where are you from?" etc. When I told her she then followed me up to the top floor. She told me, "I want to move to the US" to which I replied "Why?" She said she wants a good pension. I told her that I want to leave back to the UK. I then said, "And, of course, I don't want my kids growing up under Putin". She tried to high-five me, but I said let's high elbows instead due to the virus. She said, "Democracy! The US has democracy". I answered, "Haven't you been watching the TV and seeing what's going in the US?", to which she answered "I don't watch TV". I answered, "Well, real democracy does not exist anywhere". Try to fathom what I'm saying here

We are seeing the fall of the Western world, and we are to blame for it. Somewhere earlier someone said something along the lines of "this is what you get when you have too much freedom". And I agree, for our societies to work properly we now have too much freedom (and believe me, I love freedom. Oh boy, do I love it). Everything is becoming a free for all, and the likes of China (and to a lesser degree Russia) will continue to rise (unless a virus hits or a world war starts and wipes out the populations). Anarchy, which is quickly becoming the norm, will destroy us. Fuck, and I love a bit of "Anarchy in the UK" There is livable freedom and a free for all, and I know which I would prefer.

For your country to survive structurally as it is, it needs Trump out, as he is too divisive, which is making civil war more and more likely, but then you are left with a man that may well fall asleep or die on the job. As i said before, splitting maybe the ultimate solution, which Trump could bring about, but then the US loses its place in the World. You are in a no win situation. China and Russia, although concerned, are lapping it all up.

This economist agrees with you that we are doomed either way. He says the pandemic is speeding up what has been the economic and political decline in the US for the last 30 years.



Warning to some, he has a bit of a "Marxist" perspective but I think he makes some good points overall (but I don't agree with everything he says) including that people run to the far left and far right when things get bad and they inevitably do. He just thinks hard left is preferable to hard right.

 

[GlennS]

Well, I wouldn't use anything coming out of Russia Today to formulate an image of where we stand. RT is the Pravda of the 21st century.

I've been following this channel for a while and although it meanders in a college lecture sort of way, I think it does a better job of explaining things from more of a neutral, academic perspective rather than taking sides.



There are genuine issues with the left in general. It's just that the left tend to nominate more centrist candidates and the GOP does not. That's why Trump's attempt to paint Biden as a radical doesn't stick. There is definitely a radical wing of the left and the whole woke / cancel culture thing drives me insane but it is a less immediate threat than Trump and not something Biden in particular is likely to fuel as president.

 

[Greg Sacramento]

Trump is certainly a mess, but rich democrats in control also don't care about the middle class. Big money makes money from both sides. The democrats have also placed strain on the middle working class by corporations that support them.

It all begins with big business that also controls the media. This goes way beyond a big democrat online retailer CEO who does not pay employees well. They do make tons of money and have a large stock market share price.

A large cell phone company where most all are democrats does not pay much taxes. Their manufacturing is done overseas, but their product costs are still very high. They have hundreds of billions in the bank.

Another - a large retailer, a democrat corporation does not pay their employees well and many are just given part time employment because the company does not want to pay for health insurance. Employees need to have food stamps which is increasing taxes for the middle class.

Those that own nursing homes, either rich individuals or health care corporations are mostly democratic. Nursing homes are very expensive for the middle class and those on public assistance will be placed in an unskilled nursing home.

Actually an increase on taxes for those making more than 400,000 a year and especially for those making millions or have millions will backfire. The rich always had all sorts of ways to avoid paying taxes, even when the democrats had public servant control. I gave a link on this thread how the rich will still avoid paying taxes.

Too much to discuss with it comes to power and money, but both sides of the room take advantage of ordinary citizens.

 

[FGG]

Trump is certainly a mess, but rich democrats in control also don't care about the middle class. Big money makes money from both sides. The democrats have also placed strain on the middle working class by corporations that support them.

It all begins with big business that also controls the media. This goes way beyond a big democrat online retailer CEO who does not pay employees well. They do make tons of money and have a large stock market share price.

A large cell phone company where most all are democrats does not pay much taxes. Their manufacturing is done overseas, but their product costs are still very high. They have hundreds of billions in the bank.

Another - a large retailer, a democrat corporation does not pay their employees well and many are just given part time employment because the company does not want to pay for health insurance. Employees need to have food stamps which is increasing taxes for the middle class.

Those that own nursing homes, either rich individuals or health care corporations are mostly democratic. Nursing homes are very expensive for the middle class and those on public assistance will be placed in an unskilled nursing home.

Actually an increase on taxes for those making more than 400,000 a year and especially for those making millions or have millions will backfire. The rich always had all sorts of ways to avoid paying taxes, even when the democrats had public servant control. I gave a link on this thread how the rich will still avoid paying taxes.

Too much to discuss with it comes to power and money, but both sides of the room take advantage of ordinary citizens.

Bernie was the only one talking about this. There is no party for the common people.

After the Great Depression, the Works Project helped economic recovery (which was government funded). Biden needs to not back away from the Green New Deal because that will help American recovery despite the corporate interest and that is the only hope for the middle class at this point.

Trump supporters use the stock market to say the economy is good but the stock market is propped up by government funds and it is a bubble waiting to pop since it is divorced from the actual economy at this point.

 

[Luman]

I mentioned splitting the country a few pages back because, really, what's the point in keeping together if you hate each other so much? It's not going to happen though.

I agree about the not being all bad comment.

The South tried to secede, but Lincoln wouldn't let them. We've been paying the price for that disastrous decision, ever since.

 

[Greg Sacramento]

Bernie was the only one talking about this. There is no party for the common people.

After the Great Depression, the Works Project helped economic recovery (which was government funded). Biden needs to not back away from the Green New Deal because that will help American recovery despite the corporate interest and that is the only hope for the middle class at this point.

Trump supporters use the stock market to say the economy is good but the stock market is propped up by government funds and it is a bubble waiting to pop since it is divorced from the actual economy at this point.

I agree with your thoughts.

New Green Deal is needed and I would have voted for democratic Ed Markey a week ago if I was still in Massachusetts over a new generation Kennedy. I knew Ed Markey before he ran for public office years ago. I helped him build a baseball card collection.

I also liked Carter and McGovern of days gone pasted.

 

[FGG]

I knew Ed Markey before he ran for public office years ago. I helped him build a baseball card collection.

You have hung around in some interesting circles.

 

[Christiaan]

Bernie was the only one talking about this. There is no party for the common people.

After the Great Depression, the Works Project helped economic recovery (which was government funded). Biden needs to not back away from the Green New Deal because that will help American recovery despite the corporate interest and that is the only hope for the middle class at this point.

Trump supporters use the stock market to say the economy is good but the stock market is propped up by government funds and it is a bubble waiting to pop since it is divorced from the actual economy at this point.

Aside from the GOP/Trump sucks big time discussion, do you think that, as a progressive, it's better to stay within the 'system' by supporting progressives in the democratic party or do you think the Dems are so beyond repair tha a progressive party (People's Party) is the only way to challenge the system? A lot of left wing minded Americans are really struggling about what strategy to adopt to further their goals.

 

[FGG]

Aside from the GOP/Trump sucks big time discussion, do you think that, as a progressive, it's better to stay within the 'system' by supporting progressives in the democratic party or do you think the Dems are so beyond repair tha a progressive party (People's Party) is the only way to challenge the system? A lot of left wing minded Americans are really struggling about what strategy to adopt to further their goals.

I honestly don't know what I will do politically beyond this election.

 

[Born To Slay]

Aside from the GOP/Trump sucks big time discussion, do you think that, as a progressive, it's better to stay within the 'system' by supporting progressives in the democratic party or do you think the Dems are so beyond repair tha a progressive party (People's Party) is the only way to challenge the system? A lot of left wing minded Americans are really struggling about what strategy to adopt to further their goals.

Personally, I think we should support progressives from both within and outside of the Democratic Party. I don't think we have to pick. Some progressives will run from within and some won't. As long as there's one progressive in the ballot, we can just vote for them.

 

[Greg Sacramento]

@FGG and others. Don't want to give impression that I was close friends with Ed Markey. Many years ago in Massachusetts, I had a weekend sports card display at a convention center on Route 128 outside of Boston where Ed Markey came to my display and we talked for about 30 minutes. We exchanged mailing addresses and telephone numbers because he wanted to buy some cards. We talked by phone a few times for sales of baseball cards to him. I saw him one more time outside of a law office building where he bought a card set that was previously agreed upon by telephone.

 

[all to gain]

This economist agrees with you that we are doomed either way. He says the pandemic is speeding up what has been the economic and political decline in the US for the last 30 years.

Warning to some, he has a bit of a "Marxist" perspective but I think he makes some good points overall (but I don't agree with everything he says) including that people run to the far left and far right when things get bad and they inevitably do. He just thinks hard left is preferable to hard right.

I can't bring myself to watch the video. The second I saw RT that was enough to put me off. It is a channel based on a whole different level of propaganda to that of say CNN, Fox, or the BBC.

Funny though that you say the video kind of agrees with me and I am based in Russia.

 

[FGG]

I can't bring myself to watch the video. The second I saw RT that was enough to put me off. It is a channel based on a whole different level of propaganda to that of say CNN, Fox, or the BBC.

Funny though that you say the video kind of agrees with me and I am based in Russia.

I'm not familiar with RT at all. The video was sent to me when I was discussing the stock market bubble and the consequences of how we base our economy and I totally agree with what is said there as well as the "band aid" that both parties are attempting that isn't based at all on what the average person needs or will help them.

 

[Daniel Lion]

@FGG and others. Don't want to give impression that I was close friends with Ed Markey. Many years ago in Massachusetts, I had a weekend sports card display at a convention center on Route 128 outside of Boston where Ed Markey came to my display and we talked for about 30 minutes. We exchanged mailing addresses and telephone numbers because he wanted to buy some cards. We talked by phone a few times for sales of baseball cards to him. I saw him one more time outside of a law office building where he bought a card set that was previously agreed upon by telephone.

Route 128... oh lord does that bring back memories.

What's you fire status? You ok?

 

[Greg Sacramento]

I collected sport and non sport cards cards since 1959. When I got a little older, I bought Topps cards 1952 -1955 thru ads in the newspaper for less than a dollar each. I started to sell some beginning in the 70's including Mantles, Mays and Aarons. I sold many Mantle 1952 rookies for a couple hundred each. Now they would be worth about 200,000 each.

I should had taken an easy, enjoyable and unstressed path thru life by becoming a sport card dealer and forgot above college and working long hours for others. If I did, I be worth millions and if I then invested that money I be so super rich. Although any riches would mean nothing to me with my state of health and not being able to leave my house.

When about 12-16, I dug in woods where the first American settlers outside of Boston lived, mostly near my house. No homes were still standing, just stones and square nails. I found a lot of valuable stuff and coins where I have since given most away. I use go to the historical society and look at maps to see where the first settlers lived. My biggest find was in a meadow in the woods just a couple hundred feet from my house. The first settler and his family in my area lived there. It was such a beautiful small meadow surrounded by woods. Now there's hundreds of homes and no more meadow or virgin woods.

 

[Greg Sacramento]

What's you fire status? You ok?

Thanks - I'm safe from the fires other than lots of smoke.