The United States in Decline?

At Least We Got Some Pandas...

Last week, President Trump and President Xi, of China, met at the White House for some diplomacy between the two largest economies in the world. Please consider all the video and audio clips Trump claimed over the last few years: China is ripping us off, they're stealing our technology, they're supplying Iran with weapons, etc. It's funny, Trump was cordial and didn't appear to bring up those topics in his meetings with Xi. Did he engage in TACO? Did he confront Xi on any pressing issues facing the United States? I'm not aware of any. However, I did read that we're receiving several pandas from China so we got something as a result of the diplomacy. If you're desperate, that's a least a little encouraging, especially coming from someone who claims to be such a good deal maker.

Missing his Son's Wedding

Have you heard any news about the war, especially in late September? Just a few months ago, Trump was unable to attend Don junior's wedding because he was too busy dealing with the Iran war. Perhaps because it was Don's second wedding, he took it less seriously? Not sure. He and the tyrant Hegseth claim they've won the war, and if so, why are gas and diesel prices still so high? Why is the Strait of Hormuz sometimes allowing cargo ships to pass and sometimes not? Why else would he attend a college football game in Tennessee against the Longhorns, and then the following day, consume golf all afternoon? Perhaps he's convinced himself or is trying to convince himself that the war is over and the good guys won. However, has he told the Iranians?

I Have AI Safely Under Control

The stable genius says AI is no threat, that he has it handled; so what should our response be? Does homeland security play a role? Is Trump concerned about all the data center backlash that's occurring? A cynic may say Trump is cheering on AI for 3 reasons: the rising stock market for half of Americans; and because he's invested a lot in Nvidia chips and data centers; and in a roundabout way, manufacturing may come back to the US. Certainly not a result of his willy-nilly policies and inability to focus on the task at hand. Trump wouldn't betray Americans by focusing on a financial windfall, or would he? I'm very worried and concerned that he's overly confident things will work out, even though he doesn't use email. What are we to make of this dichotomy?

Why Engage in a Fight With Canada?

Why does Trump claim that Canada is one of the worst countries in the world? Is it because the prime minister has a favorable rating among his electorate in a functioning democracy? Does it appear he's angry and aggressive towards many of our allies and at the same time, cozying up to our adversaries. What should one make of that? Trump claims that fentanyl is being smuggled from the border up north. That needs context, very little of this deadly substance comes from up north, most from south of our border. Perhaps Trump has some valuable intel that average Americans are unaware of? Otherwise, why so much animus towards our friendly neighbors from the north? A logical and thinking man struggles with Trump's foreign policy, especially to our neighbors up north.

Felony Hall, Anyone?

If Trump likes naming things (which keeps him busy even with the war in Iran and low approval rating), like Lake America or Gulf of America, why not name the ballroom he's building felony hall. If the shoe fits...

Hypocrisy?

Some business people in the cattle industry, particularly from Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas, say Trump's immigration enforcement is hurting operations. Do many of these individuals in this industry want their cake and eat it too? The Chamber of Commerce and the GOP is strongly in favor of deporting illegals and not taking into consideration whether they've committed a crime or have lived in the US for many years. Maybe some of those in the cattle industry want strict enforcement of illegal immigration but only if it doesn't impact their business.

Is Self-regulation the Best Regulation for AI?

Some free market capitalists or libertarians may think that the best regulation of AI is self-regulation. But what about a more recent example, where the Boeing's 737 Max where self-regulation ended up being a colossal failure. The government may not have the expertise to regulate AI effectively. Just look at those octogenarians (or older) in Congress, are they skilled and have the expertise to police the technology industry? For example, in last week's Senate Judiciary Committee meeting, Grandpa Grassley read from a script when questioning Mr. Smith during the hearing. No clue, just one question after another without following up as if he were reading these questions for the first time. A puppet in Congress, and has been a Senator since 1981. The AI industry has a financial interest in limited regulation, so now what? Maybe it will take a catastrophic event, like dropping atomic bombs during WWII before all stakeholders are sober to regulate this advanced technology effectively.

Do No Evil

Google's motto used to be "do no evil," but one situation should make people think about this company out of Silicon Valley. To please the mob boss, Google updated their online maps to include both the Gulf of America and Lake America. Is Trump being petty? Getting back to Google, is this not quid pro quo? They seem to want to cozy up to Trump so that, moving forward, they'll benefit directly or indirectly—so much for them being ethical and principled. Maybe it's all about the shareholders. 

Doesn't he Sometimes Act Like a Mob Boss?

If a Republican running for reelection this fall contradicts Trump, or questions one of his policies, Trump jumps into action. Trump may berate them in the media, or he might threaten to withdraw his support. According to the SCOTUS, the President of the United States has essentially absolute immunity which essentially protects him from lawsuits and criminal prosecution, provided they are within his official duties. Indeed, I'm assuming acting like a mob boss, threatening and insulting others is within the confines of absolute immunity.

The United States in Decline?