Sunday, November 18, 2018

Do they still believe him, when Trump clearly lies?

Beyond the point that the President lies is the disturbing fact the many of his supporters still support a President who lies.


I have quickly developed a list of possible reasons.

1) - They don't perceive the lies. They evaluate the candidates on simplistic basis

2) - They are avoiding the truth by  The Dunning-Kruger effect, because they lack the training of self reflection and evaluation. 

3) - They like the lies better than the truth and wish to return to the child's belief in Santa Clause.

4) - Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me. He was given a temporary pass on the lies, but he need to produce on his plan.

After a little review I find 1) and 3) dismiss the intelligence of the Trump supporter, I want to believe those who fall in those cases are in a small minority. In case 2) I hope those supporters will learn and grow. In case 4) I believe evidence will quickly turn them around, this is likely why the 2018 election was a big deal for Democrats and a large loss for the Republicans.

So to answer my own question is the 2018 election, they don't believe him.

Monday, November 12, 2018

Florida and Recounts

Florida!! Grumble Grumble

Elections are decided under the law while, election night is a media show. Election night is largely a media event created by radio, promoted by television, largely for ratings purposes. The long story boring legal story is largely covered by newspapers reporters in their quest for deforestation.

It is unavoidable that some election somewhere is going to be so close, that every vote must be counted. This is the cost of elections. All fifty states have a legal method for doing the counting, and unless  there are (or because of) court challenges those methods will be enforced.

This does not stop individuals from making political hay during the uncertain periods, this is their right as  Americans. But in the United States we respect the Rule of Law over the Rule of Men, the government must act under the laws of our nation.

Florida has been historically very close in statewide elections every vote counts, there will be grumblings from both sides, there may be court challenges, it will all end because we will follow the rule of law.

Enjoy the media fireworks as the boring counts and recounts proceeds, there is no quick answers to electoral counts in a large nation.

Goodbye title: The Myth of Fingerprints

Another few years another title...


I am changing the title of this blog to "Outside the Box" because it is another way of characterizing how I think.

Why? The Myth of Fingerprints is a reference to a Paul Simon song from the Graceland album. I used the concept to illustrate the conspiracy based chatter of the Internet, which is unfactual and ultimately, a waste of all our time. I wish to offer my opinion on topics to step back and view topics from a different point of view and perhaps help a few resolve their thinking.