Biden administration sends $6 billion

to California for high-speed rail projects

KCRA NEWS – DECEMBER 8 2023

More than $6 billion is going to high-speed electric rail projects in California President Joe Biden made the announcement today in Las Vegas.

The money is slated for two different projects, one connecting Las Vegas and Los Angeles and another linking Bakersfield with Merced.  Supporters hope the billions of dollars will get the high-speed rail system back on track.

“This massive federal investment takes us one step closer to high-speed rail as a reality,” said Rep. Nancy Pelosi, (D) San Francisco.  More than $3 billion is set to help build nearly 175 miles of track between Bakersfield and Merced.

In 2008, Californians gave the green light to the 500-mile project, which promised to carry passengers between San Francisco and Los Angeles in under three hours on a fully electric train traveling at speeds of up to 220 miles per hour.

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RIPE FRUIT FOR A CONSPIRACY THEORY

Given the fact that Washington D.C. and Sacramento are filled with fiscal financial morons, even they have to know that $6 Billion Dollars would not be enough funding to pay for a “Right of Way” access route for a high speed rail system between downtown Los Angeles and Las Vegas even with “Imminent Domain” theft of land.  California has already spent $9.8 Billion Dollars on a much reduced in size High Speed Rail System between Merced and Bakersfield  (Governor Jerry Brown’s original plan was for the High Speed Rail System to travel between San Francisco and Los Angeles).  Some 8 years  and 9.8 Billion Dollars later this Fiscal Black Hole has never carried a single passenger a single mile and almost assuredly never will.  These Big Budget “Pie In The Sky” projects are most often nothing more that a thinly veiled payoff to Political Supporters and Politically Loyal Labor Unions. 

For the conspiracy plan, maybe just maybe, this is Joe Biden’s way of throwing a $6 Billion dollar “bone” to his buddy and protege Gavin Newsom who is facing a 2023-2024 State Fiscal Budget Deficit of $68 Billion Dollars.  Once the state gets the $6 Billion who is to say they can’t just “delay” the rail project and use the $6 Billion Dollars to help finance a loan to balance the budget.  California already does this with gas tax dollars that are supposedly committed to roads.  That will be, of course, after some number of Millions of Dollars end up in selected pockets for “Feasibility and Engineering Studies” as well as “Executive Conferences” in specially selected “getaway retreats in private surroundings”.

Also it might help Governor Newsom in his “shadow” run for the Presidency just in case President Biden takes a further downturn and finds himself in a room with Winnie the Pooh wallpaper and a full time nurse helping him with his “jammies”, slippers, and warm cocoa “medicine”.  In such a situation  the Democratic Party would need a ready “stand-in” and Gavin is waiting in the wings.

As for High Speed Rail, California can continue with their current alternate system between Merced and Bakersfield.

Nine Billion Dollars Later

For my earlier writings on this subject you might want to visit:   

https://www.stoppullingthewagon.com/?s=high+speed+rail+2.0

Or, you can just type High Speed Rail 2.0 in the search box on this page.

I have found that sometimes it is better to laugh at the Clowns than get frustrated with their antics.

Bob Bandy – December 2023

University of Arizona Pro-Hamas Students Claim they were Too Unsafe to Protest

I have to admit that I am completely “Befuddled” by todays college students who pay thousands, sometimes tens of thousands of dollars a year to attend Universities to indoctrinate them with theories  and political ideologies which are in obvious and apparent opposition to everything we are told they believe.  Namely, the majority of College Students would appear to completely believe in a WOKE culture dedicated to the LGBTQ+ life along with Transgender and Multi-Gender at will “realities” along with Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.  Add to that the demand for Abortion on demand up through the ninth  month of pregnancy, and in a couple of states, the peri-natal period following live birth. 

I DON’T GET IT

These “Progressives” who believe you can be a “Guy” on Tuesday, a “Girl” on Wednesday and a non-Binary Leprechaun on Thursday and whose cultural values reject Christianity in large measure because they believe Christian teachings and moral code is too strict for their chosen lifestyle, seem to have chosen to set sail on the “Good Ship Hamas”.

Hamas, who on their best days are the illegitimate sons of the Islamic Republic of Iran and its absolute ruler, the Ayatollah Khomeini, a man who rules with the dictates of Islam as pronounced in the 7th Century.  That is a world in which women have no rights other than to be the “Chattel” property of men.  A system where women by custom can be “circumcised” to be sure they never take pleasure in their relationship with the men in their lives.  Daughters can be executed without penalty by their fathers if the father feels they have dishonored the family.  It is a “Man’s World” in an absolute way.  

In Iran, and some/most other Islamic based communities, the LGBTQ+ lifestyle is forbidden by law.  It was once joked that the life expectancy of an openly gay male in Iran was about 38 minutes.  

Hamas males consider women little more than breeders for the next generation of Terrorists.  They also look on women and children as handy shields in a firefight and consider them little more than propaganda “cannon fodder” in their war against Israel.

So why do America’s “Progressive” Students want to hitch a ride on the Ship of Hamas?  Because they have been fed a load of crap by their overpaid far left political professors who have told them the lie that the Palestinians are the victim of Israeli Colonialism.  Palestine was first given the name by the Romans when they conquered territory which was occupied at that time by the Jewish people and Hebrew claim on the land goes back to Father Abraham.

Israel is, and has been willing to live in peace with their Palestinian neighbor in a “Two State” solution in peace and prosperity for both sides.  Hamas totally rejects this and demands the total destruction of the State of Israel.   This is a fact, not propaganda.

So why the outcry from our mis-educated and over-indebted College Youth and other “Hate America Activists”?  Follow the money.  People like George Soros who will pay any price to destroy an America he hates and funds these activists while they are being fed lies.

If protestors really want to Free Palestine, they should be be asking that it be freed from the Barbaric Rule of Hamas.  Both the Palestinians and Israel are victims of the Terrorism of Hamas who treats the citizens of Gaza as serfs or slaves.

Like I said, I don’t get it.  How can an “educated” population group who say they are socially so “Progressive” align themselves, and partner with, a people who are historically and socially so “Regressive” and opposed to the values the so-called “Progressives” say they champion and espouse.  In my mind it makes them either hypocrites or just plain dumb.

Bob Bandy – November 2023

Behind a $500 Million Donation to

‘Finish the Job on Coal’

Kevin Stocklin – Epoch Times – November 5, 2023

The following are excerpts from the above article which I am reprinting with only a few comments following the excerpts as the above writer pretty much “says it all” regarding the consequences of following the direction of the “Manmade Global Warming Junkies” (my phrase).

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Billionaire philanthropist and former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg pledged $500 million in September toward shifting electricity production in the United States to wind and solar energy and shutting down its coal- and gas-fired plants.

However, some experts say that Bloomberg’s millions, together with the billions being spent by the Biden administration, are paving a road to ruin.

“With 372 of 530 coal plants announced to retire or closed to date—more than 70 percent of the country’s coal fleet—this next phase will shut down every last U.S. coal plant,” Bloomberg Philanthropies stated.

The effort also aims to “slash gas plant capacity in half, and block all new gas plants.”Many of those who study America’s electric infrastructure say this is taking us down a dangerous path.

German energy economist Lars Schernikau has assessed the results of his country’s “Energiewende” (energy transition) and warns Americans to not follow Germany’s example.

“Wind and solar do not seem to work; otherwise, after 20 years of ‘Energiewende,’ power prices would be lower and Germany would not be in trouble,” he told The Epoch Times.

Germany spent hundreds of billions of euros to build wind and solar facilities since 2002, doubling its power generation capacity and boosting the share of renewables to 60 percent from about 10 percent. However, its electricity production has been flat, while the cost of electricity skyrocketed.

Wind and solar don’t increase output proportionately because of their significantly lower “capacity factor,” or the percentage that’s actually generated versus capacity built.

For all the billions spent, Germany’s “Energiewende” has delivered an increasingly unreliable electric system at a cost to consumers that’s higher than virtually every other developed country. The process of shuttering coal and nuclear plants has left the country at the whim of the weather and unfriendly neighbors, such as Russia, and also dangerously short of dependable power that can be adjusted to meet fluctuations in demand.

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The entire article is available on Epoch Times at the date shown above.  My only closing comment is that our own governments drive to pursue solar and wind power for all of our nations energy needs is in the opinion of many knowledgeable and thoughtful experts a “fools errand” that will lead us down a path of ever more expensive and unreliable energy for our day to day needs under all weather conditions.  To quote another excerpt from the article:

“We’re following people here that are pied pipers,” physicist and energy analyst John Droz told The Epoch Times, referring to the literary character who led children to their doom through delusive enticement.”  “This whole business of promoting renewables as a solution is completely unproven, scientifically.”

Too close I can only say this whole “Climate Change” madness is largely based on junk science which I have written about in the past.  Go to:

https://www.stoppullingthewagon.com/?s=junk+science+ala+carte

Bob Bandy – November 2023

Mark Fisher, co-founder of Black Lives Matter Rhode Island. (Courtesy of Mark Fisher)

Black Lives Matter Leader Stands Behind J6 Prisoners, Endorses Trump

Epoch Times – October 20, 2023 by Matt McGregor

Like many others I was disappointed, frustrated and yes, angry with the Black Lives Matter organization and what it became.  While everybody I know truly believes that Black Lives do indeed matter the organization itself deteriorated into a mostly fund raising group that too often used intimidation, violence and political rhetoric to raise vast amounts if money.  Most of us waited to see the “good” being done with this money within the “Black” community only to find little or no life enriching programs or even charitable work demonstrated in any meaningful way.  Instead we found the leaders of the organizations moving into mansions and “hiring” friends and family members into grossly overpaid positions while most of the millions (billions?) of dollars raised seem to just vanish.

This article by/about Mark Fisher by Matt McGregor in Epoch times I find thoughtful and a new path being laid out by Mark Fisher that I can endorse and support.  While I may not agree with him 100% in all that he says, I find his desire and goals a potential “new beginning” for an organization I believe most any of us could support. The entire article is lengthy and you can find it on the Epoch Times but I am sharing below some excerpts which I feel show his “heart” and his vision for a “New Path” for a reformed Black Lives Matter organization worthy of widespread support.  You may agree or not agree but will find what he has to say thoughtful and worthy of sincere consideration.  The excerpts follow:

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Black Lives Matter Leader Stands Behind J6 Prisoners, Endorses Trump

The founder of a Black Lives Matter (BLM) organization is voicing his support of Jan. 6 prisoners and not shying away from endorsing former President Donald Trump as “the best candidate we have.”

Mark Fisher—who stepped down from his leadership position at BLM Rhode Island, which he co-founded, and is now founder and executive director of the Maryland-based BLM Incorporated—has stood in solidarity with leaders of the Proud Boys and led vigils of prayer for the people he believes to be political prisoners.

“They’re lambs led to slaughter to be sacrificed as an example for all who might want to dissent in the future,” Mr. Fisher told The Epoch Times. “This is what the government does to those who express independent thought and want to stand up for what they believe.”

What he sees in the vindictive treatment of the J6 prisoners are similarities to how black people have been treated, he said, and his aspiration in establishing that connection is to find common ground.

GRIFTERS – THE CLINTON CRIME FAMILY

On a recent telecast Jesse Watters made an announcement (also noted in other mainstream media) that Bill and Hillary Clinton had announced they were going to put the Clinton Global Initiative to work for the restoration of the parts of the Ukraine destroyed by the Russian Army.  During his broadcast Jesse correctly labeled the Clinton’s as Grifters.   

One can only hope that the Clinton’s do not accomplish in the Ukraine what they did for Haiti.  Port-Au-Prince in Haiti was devastated by a massive 7.0 Earthquake in 1993.  At that time over 13 Billion Dollars was pledged to help rebuild the City and surrounding area.  Several Billion of these dollars were “funneled” (more accurately – Flushed) through the Clinton Foundation to rebuild housing and infrastructure in Port-Au-Prince.  Very little housing was rebuilt and the infrastructure remains a shambles to this day but the money disappeared – “Poof”.

I wrote about this back in February of 2018 with the above title “GRIFTERS – THE CLINTON CRIME FAMILY”.  The complete context of that article follows.

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Bob Bandy – October 2023

photo – Los Angeles Times

FOR POLITICALLY “CONNECTED” CONTRACTORS – CALIFORNIA’S HOMELESS CRISIS IS A WINDFALL BONANAZA

Messenger News – 9-15-23

Los Angeles officials prioritized speed over cost while building a new city-sanction tent village for homeless people in East Hollywood, reportedly shelling out $44,000 for each individual tent — about the price of a new Tesla Model Y.

All told, it cost about $4 million to put up fencing, bathrooms, and staffing facilities for the village. Catering services and 24-7 staffing cost an additional $3 million per year, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Despite the high costs, the site is only temporary. It’s located on a parking lot that will eventually be turned into public housing. But because it will take years for construction to commence on that project, the city decided to fill the space with tents in the meantime.

Urban Alchemy, a San Francisco-based nonprofit, maintains the camp village, but not without controversy.

When the nonprofit launched with a small grant in 2018, it mostly hired former prisoners because they had the “ability to read people in unpredictable situations.” Lawsuits have since accused some of these employees of abusive behavior.

The nonprofit brought in $51 million in 2021 after expanding into Austin and Portland

Urban Alchemy says it’s offering a practical solution to build quick and affordable housing for California’s 172,000 homeless people, while also offering more intangible perks, like safety and autonomy.

The tents in the East Hollywood location are of higher quality than anything someone could buy from a typical camping store. They have raised wooden platforms, full beds, and storage lockers. The site has reportedly been close to capacity since opening in February 2022.

The nonprofit Coalition for Responsible Community Development, meanwhile, set up an office across the street to attract people who might be interested in reentering the workforce.

The nonprofit already oversees several camp villages across the state with varying styles. The residences at a tent city in Culver City are made from sturdy white canvas, while those in South Los Angeles are more humble, resembling store-bought camping gear.

Only about 2% of the guests have since moved on to permanent housing, a statistic Urban Alchemy blames on a lack of affordable housing in the city, according to the Times.

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It is hard for me to add to the above.  These multi-million dollar homeless “solutions” are really only an endless “Cash Cow” for our politicians and their “well connected” supporters.

Do you want to speculate what these pristine white tents will look like after a couple of months of occupancy by drug and alcohol addicted vagrants? It has been my experience in life that, not in every case, but in general, people show the same care and discipline in caring for the place where the lay their heads at night as they do in managing their own day to day lives.  What do the areas these homeless vagrants have occupied so far look like?

Reminds me of the spoof I wrote some months back about Mayor Conrad Blowhard which follows:

A SPIN CITY NARRATIVE

Conrad Blowhard is the Mayor of Spin City, California.  His city has become infested with homeless encampments and vagrants numbering in the thousands.  To some this would seem a problem but Mayor Blowhard sees an opportunity.  

He will convince his City Council that in an effort to help the homeless and decrease their numbers on the cities streets and alleys he would like them to pass a funding bill in the amount of 80 Million Dollars with the proceeds dedicated to renovating a dilapidated, nearly abandoned hotel down on “Skid Row” and convert it’s 80 rooms into housing for the homeless.  The City Council passes the funding request and pats themselves on the back for “caring” about the homeless.

Closed bidding contracts are let out to major contractors who are supporters and donors to the Mayor for the work to be done.  A ceremonial event is held at the Foggy Bottom Hotel with the Mayor swinging a sledge hammer through a faded door of a shoddy 200 square foot room in front of live television cameras.  Everybody applauds.

Work begins.  Some effort is made to rid the building of most of the rats, termites and other vermin which infest it.  The leaking roof is patched.  Contractors workers “freshen up” the rooms with new paint, carpet, updated (cheap) fixtures from China and new window coverings.  Cost per room renovated is $400,000.  In addition, the hotel gets a new name:  “NEW BEGINNING’S” and a single fresh coat of exterior paint. 

Grand Opening Day arrives.  Brass Bands and Ribbon Cutting.  Mayor Blowhard and City Council members make grandiose speeches about how they have solved the cities Homeless Crisis.  A few ragged homeless people are seen entering the building to take occupancy of their renovated 200 square foot “apartments”.

The Mayor’s handpicked contractors, sub-contractors and suppliers go out and spend their profits on new boats, sports cars and luxury vacations but not forgetting to “tithe” back some of those profits to the Majors campaign re-election coffers.

The 80 “new” tenants of the once dilapidated hotel settle in and begin the task of de-renovation on the hotel to turn it back into a Skid Row Manor.  

The whole process is “spun” as a huge success and praise and credit is layered on all who participated in the project.  What could possibly go wrong.  Housing was provided, at least temporarily, for 80 homeless people for only 80 Million Dollars.  “WINK – WINK”.

P.S. I would like to give inspirational credit to Michael J. Fox and his long ago television series “Spin City”.

Bob Bandy – September 2023