Is Your Bank Safe?

  By Timothy D. Naegele[1]

Having purchased seven failing financial institutions from the American government[2], I can say categorically that no one knows for certain whether they are safe or not until they either survive or collapse.  Perhaps the classic example has been Silicon Valley Bank, where reportedly there were few at the top who had any knowledge of banking.[3]

That is stunning, to say the least.  Presumably even the bank’s most sophisticated depositors and customers had no idea how inept its management was.  But the greatest example today may be Wells Fargo Bank, which was once one of America’s and the world’s true icons in banking.[4]

Richard Kovacevich took over, who had no experience in banking; and he created a monster.  Yet, he departed before everything “hit the fan,” and others “took the rap” for his misdeeds.  To escape scot-free is astonishing, which Bernie Madoff and other “Ponzi scheme” creators could not achieve.[5]

We are still in the early stages of this financial reckoning; and the precise depth of the problems will not be known for a long time ahead—perhaps decades.  One thing is certain: no one should take any chances with their monies.  And yes, after the devastating and still-lingering effects of China’s Covid pandemic, many Americans have been hurt already, with much more to come.  Those at the bottom of the economic totem pole have been hurt in ways that are unfathomable.[6]

American companies continue to close, or lay off workers.[7]  Where the economic “merry-go-round” stops is anyone’s guess.  Are we on the cusp of both the “Great Depression II” and World War III, with unimaginable chaos ahead?[8]  I am not a seer; and even the best political, economic and military minds globally can only guess.  But it is best not to gamble in uncertain times like these, when our skills and faith are truly tested.[9]

Lastly, who will pay for this debacle in the United States?  Its taxpayers, of course.  There is no “free ride,” and someone always pays for the misdeeds of others.  Whether it is war, economic chaos or other calamities, the “piper” must be paid; and what we are experiencing today is no exception.  Will Americans and others globally rise up, and say “enough is enough,” as they did in Berlin when freedom had one of its greatest moments in human history?[10]

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© 2023, Timothy D. Naegele

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[1]  Timothy D. Naegele was counsel to the United States Senate’s Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, and chief of staff to Presidential Medal of Freedom and Congressional Gold Medal recipient and former U.S. Senator Edward W. Brooke (R-Mass).  See, e.g., Timothy D. Naegele Resume-21-8-6  and https://naegeleknol.wordpress.com/accomplishments/   He has an undergraduate degree in economics from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), as well as two law degrees from the School of Law (Boalt Hall), University of California, Berkeley, and from Georgetown University.  He served as a Captain in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, assigned to the Defense Intelligence Agency at the Pentagon, where he received the Joint Service Commendation Medal (see, e.g., https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commendation_Medal#Joint_Service).  Mr. Naegele is an Independent politically; and he is listed in Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in American Law, and Who’s Who in Finance and Business. He has written extensively over the years (see, e.g., https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/articles/ and https://naegeleknol.wordpress.com/articles/), and studied photography with Ansel Adams.  He can be contacted directly at tdnaegele.associates@gmail.com

[2]  See, e.g., https://naegeleknol.wordpress.com/accomplishments/ (“(1) Southern California Savings by The Securities Groups (1982); (2) Fidelity Federal Savings and Loan of Baltimore (1984), (3) American Heritage of Illinois (1984), (4) Fidelity Savings & Loan of Martins Ferry, Ohio (1985), (5) Brighton Federal of Colorado (1985), and (6) Century Savings of Kansas (1985) by Household Bank, F.S.B.; and (7) United Bank of San Francisco by Hibernia Bancshares Corporation (1986)”)

[3]  See https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11859379/Only-ONE-member-failed-SVBs-board-experience-investment-banking.html (“Only ONE member of failed SVB’s board had a career in investment banking – and the rest were Obama, Clinton mega-donors who ‘grieved’ when Trump won including one who went to Shinto shrine ‘to pray'”); see also https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11863441/Silicon-Valley-Bank-donated-73-MILLION-Black-Lives-Matter.html (“Woke Silicon Valley Bank donated over $73 MILLION to Black Lives Matter-related social justice groups before it collapsed – while failed Signature Bank gave $850,000”) and https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11860445/Signature-Bank-boss-hosted-company-seminar-gender-neutral-pronouns-prior-bank-failure.html (“Signature Bank boss hosted a company seminar on gender-neutral pronouns ‘ze’ and ‘hir’ five months before becoming the third largest bank failure in US history”)

[4]  See https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2019/09/27/wells-fargo-an-american-banking-nightmare/ (“Wells Fargo: An American Banking Nightmare”)

[5]  See supra n.4.

[6]  See, e.g., https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2020/07/09/homelessness-in-america/ (“Homelessness In America”)

[7]  See https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/14/technology/meta-facebook-layoffs.html (“Meta to Lay Off Another 10,000 Workers”)

[8]  See, e.g., https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2023/03/10/is-the-united-states-on-the-cusp-of-the-great-depression-ii/ (“Is The United States On The Cusp Of The Great Depression II?”)

[9]  See https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/05/12/what-and-where-is-god/ (“What And Where Is God?”)

[10]  I was in Berlin when the Iron Curtain fell and the Soviet Union collapsed.  Soviet military personnel were selling their uniforms and plumbing fixtures from their barracks, and going back to “tent cities” in the USSR.  I will never forget the jubilation that day.

See, e.g., https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2015/11/29/the-death-of-putin-and-russia-the-final-chapter-of-the-cold-war/ (“The Death Of Putin And Russia: The Final Chapter Of The Cold War”)

Is The United States On The Cusp Of The Great Depression II?

  By Timothy D. Naegele[1]

It may seem absurd to ask such a question, much less posit it as a fact to be reckoned with.  But few Americans realize how close we came to a major national catastrophe during the so-called “2007–2008 financial crisis”—or what has been named “The Great Recession.”[2]  I had left the U.S. Senate and was practicing law in Washington, D.C., and had the then-top lawyer for the FDIC over to my home in McLean, Virginia for dinner.  He had too much to drink, and shared how worried he was that one of America’s largest banks might fail, sending uncontrollable shockwaves through our financial system, and globally.

We weathered that economic storm; and few Americans realized how close we came to the edge of an economic abyss, of unfathomable depths.  It’s a fair question to ask: “Will the last economic “crash” be overshadowed by what is coming?”  The number of American billionaires seems overwhelming; and their lavish spending on homes, yachts and other luxuries seems to be “beyond the pale.”  Despite sanctions relating to the war in Ukraine, Russian oligarchs have lived like kings in London and elsewhere; and global wealth seems to be staggering.

But the latest headlines are:

“Turmoil at Silicon Valley Bank triggers market panic: Four biggest US banks lose staggering $52 BILLION in valuation and Dow drops 540 points”[3]

“Silicon Valley Bank is shut down by regulators in biggest bank failure since global financial crisis”[4]

“Silicon Valley Bank meltdown sparks contagion fears: ‘We found our Enron'”[5]

“Silicon Valley Bank’s Manhattan branch calls COPS on investors trying to pull their cash out as Boston tech CEO with $10M in bank describes ‘worst 18 hours of my life’: Lender is SEIZED by regulators in largest US bank failure since Great Recession”[6]

“What caused Silicon Valley Bank to collapse and will customers get their money back? Second largest bank failure in US history rattles markets and raises fears of wider risks” [7]

I testified as an expert witness for the FDIC in litigation stemming from the largest bank failure at the time, the United States National Bank in San Diego.

Today, American banks are holding bonds and other assets that have fallen in value, and lack liquidity.  If they were “marked-to-market,” the banks’ valuation might fall dramatically and precipitously, potentially causing panics and “runs” on such financial institutions.

Fewer and fewer Americans trust their government today; and many are holding their monies in accounts that are not insured by the federal government.  The “Great Depression II” did not come in 2007/2008.  Will it come soon . . . and be accompanied by World War III?

Tragically, the group that can least afford what may be coming are America’s homeless, who are barely surviving already.  And the United States has divisions that are tearing our great country apart, all the while that our enemies salivate over our seeming chaos, and calibrate their next moves against us.

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© 2023, Timothy D. Naegele

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[1]  Timothy D. Naegele was counsel to the United States Senate’s Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, and chief of staff to Presidential Medal of Freedom and Congressional Gold Medal recipient and former U.S. Senator Edward W. Brooke (R-Mass).  See, e.g., Timothy D. Naegele Resume-21-8-6  and https://naegeleknol.wordpress.com/accomplishments/   He has an undergraduate degree in economics from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), as well as two law degrees from the School of Law (Boalt Hall), University of California, Berkeley, and from Georgetown University.  He served as a Captain in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, assigned to the Defense Intelligence Agency at the Pentagon, where he received the Joint Service Commendation Medal (see, e.g., https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commendation_Medal#Joint_Service).  Mr. Naegele is an Independent politically; and he is listed in Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in American Law, and Who’s Who in Finance and Business. He has written extensively over the years (see, e.g., https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/articles/ and https://naegeleknol.wordpress.com/articles/), and studied photography with Ansel Adams.  He can be contacted directly at tdnaegele.associates@gmail.com

[2]  See, e.g., https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007%E2%80%932008_financial_crisis (“2007–2008 financial crisis”)

[3]  See https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11841715/Turmoil-Silicon-Valley-Bank-triggers-market-panic.html (“Turmoil at Silicon Valley Bank triggers market panic: Four biggest US banks lose staggering $52 BILLION in valuation and Dow drops 540 points”)

[4]  See https://www.cnbc.com/2023/03/10/silicon-valley-bank-is-shut-down-by-regulators-fdic-to-protect-insured-deposits.html (“Silicon Valley Bank is shut down by regulators in biggest bank failure since global financial crisis”)

[5]  See https://nypost.com/2023/03/10/silicon-valley-bank-meltdown-sparks-contagion-fears/ (“Silicon Valley Bank meltdown sparks contagion fears: ‘We found our Enron'”)

[6]  See https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11845495/Silicon-Valley-Bank-branch-calls-NYPD-tech-investors-tried-pull-cash.html (“Silicon Valley Bank’s Manhattan branch calls COPS on investors trying to pull their cash out as Boston tech CEO with $10M in bank describes ‘worst 18 hours of my life’: Lender is SEIZED by regulators in largest US bank failure since Great Recession”)

[7]  See https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11845603/What-caused-Silicon-Valley-Bank-collapse-customers-money-back.html (“What caused Silicon Valley Bank to collapse and will customers get their money back? Second largest bank failure in US history rattles markets and raises fears of wider risks”)

The Democrats Are So Out Of Touch That They Would Elect A Cadaver

  By Timothy D. Naegele[1]

Lots of us began as Democrats, but today many are ashamed to admit it.  At least two Democrat senators, Pennsylvania’s John Fetterman and California’s Dianne Feinstein, are unfit to serve.[2]  Joe Biden is barely able to utter two complete and coherent sentences, yet he is running for reelection—and is among the very worst occupiers of our White House in its history.

Vladimir Putin’s brutal war in Ukraine continues, with no end in sight.  China is moving deliberately in the Pacific and elsewhere, after having given Covid to the world, yet not one penny in reparations has been paid.  To say that World War III may be upon us is not inconsistent with the facts, albeit we seem woefully in denial and unprepared.[3]

Inflation is omnipresent; and homelessness is everywhere.  The floodgates are open wide for illegal aliens, who often fare far better than America’s needy.  Crime is raging, as our police are targeted and criminals are rewarded with ever-increasing loot as they rob and rob again.

Clearly, it’s a world turned upside down, as the Pigs in George Orwell’s “Animal Farm” reign supreme.[4]  Wokeism is madness, unfiltered by any rationality.  Europe has gone berserk by adopting the myth of man-made “global warming,” and electrifying everything.  We have vast reserves of energy resources, which are being ignored.

Clearly, at the moment, the lunatics have taken over the asylum.  For example, in California—which did not have slavery—a reparations panel wants to give 1.8 million blacks from $220,000 to $360,000 each in a $650 billion give away.  And the rationale is that such payments are “only way to stop our children busting into liquor and grocery stores.”[5]

Will the Democrats be ousted next year?  Time will tell.  They are like vermin, which are everywhere.

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© 2023, Timothy D. Naegele

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[1]  Timothy D. Naegele was counsel to the United States Senate’s Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, and chief of staff to Presidential Medal of Freedom and Congressional Gold Medal recipient and former U.S. Senator Edward W. Brooke (R-Mass).  See, e.g., Timothy D. Naegele Resume-21-8-6  and https://naegeleknol.wordpress.com/accomplishments/   He has an undergraduate degree in economics from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), as well as two law degrees from the School of Law (Boalt Hall), University of California, Berkeley, and from Georgetown University.  He served as a Captain in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, assigned to the Defense Intelligence Agency at the Pentagon, where he received the Joint Service Commendation Medal (see, e.g., https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commendation_Medal#Joint_Service).  Mr. Naegele is an Independent politically; and he is listed in Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in American Law, and Who’s Who in Finance and Business. He has written extensively over the years (see, e.g., https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/articles/ and https://naegeleknol.wordpress.com/articles/), and studied photography with Ansel Adams.  He can be contacted directly at tdnaegele.associates@gmail.com

[2]  See, e.g., https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Fetterman (“John Fetterman”) and https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dianne_Feinstein (“Dianne Feinstein”)

[3]  See https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2022/06/12/world-war-iii/ (“World War III”)

[4]  See, e.g., https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_Farm (“Animal Farm”)

[5]  See, e.g., https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11818693/California-moves-closer-paying-reparations-black-people-task-force-decides-to.html (“Now California reparations panel RAISES amount it wants to give 1.8m black people from $220,000 to $360,000 each in $650 BILLION give away – as hearing is told payments are ‘only way to stop our children busting into liquor and grocery stores'”) 

America Is Lawless

  By Timothy D. Naegele[1]

In the latest example, a twenty-six-year-old man slashed a teenager at a subway station; choked a woman in a hotel; and attacked a volunteer in a church bathroom during his fourteen-day crime spree.  He had been arrested and released five times in New York City before finally being detained on rape charges in Baltimore, Maryland.[2]

This lawlessness didn’t happen overnight.  It has been building, in our large cities and all across our great nation.  In San Francisco—which so many of us have loved, and where some of us have worked—perhaps the senseless killing of Kate Steinle at Pier 14 on the city’s waterfront drove it home for us.  Her killer was an illegal alien who had been deported five times from the sanctuary city.[3]

I testified as an expert witness in that city, and walked another lawyer from our hotel to the BART subway station so he could catch a train to the airport for his flight back to Los Angeles. Both of us were wearing business suits and ties; and I was carrying my laptop. I don’t recall being apprehensive like I was that day, as I walked back to the hotel through or near drug-infested homeless encampments, realizing that I was easy prey; and that it was unlikely anyone would help me if I needed it.

Stores are robbed in San Francisco and other American cities in broad daylight, and no one stops it.  Indeed, it is accepted as the “cost of doing business”—or the stores close down, having been hurt already by the Coronavirus pandemic lockdowns.  And who can forget what the thugs, slugs, hoods and mongrels of “Black Lives Matter,” Antifa and other far-Left groups have done, without suffering any serious consequences.

They burned our cities; killed or hurt innocent Americans including our police; and destroyed black and other businesses.  Thugs like George Floyd have been lionized.  No wonder police and other members of law enforcement have resigned, or taken early retirements.  Why place their lives at risk, while being hated by those whom they are sworn to protect?[4]  Perhaps the latest example involves an illegal alien who shot at police in a 100-mile-per-hour chase, and who has been deported seven times.[5]

The solutions seem obvious.  Empower law enforcement to do their jobs, and give them adequate funding.  Dispense with woke notions of helping the criminal, instead of protecting America against criminals.  Get rid of woke judges and politicians who do nothing to protect us.  And do what the Mayor of New York City, Rudy Giuliani, did in turning around that cesspool.  Clearly, a major economic downturn and increased homelessness, and global strategic challenges will only exacerbate these issues.[6]

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© 2022, Timothy D. Naegele

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[1]  Timothy D. Naegele was counsel to the United States Senate’s Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, and chief of staff to Presidential Medal of Freedom and Congressional Gold Medal recipient and former U.S. Senator Edward W. Brooke (R-Mass).  See, e.g., Timothy D. Naegele Resume-21-8-6  and https://naegeleknol.wordpress.com/accomplishments/   He has an undergraduate degree in economics from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), as well as two law degrees from the School of Law (Boalt Hall), University of California, Berkeley, and from Georgetown University.  He served as a Captain in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, assigned to the Defense Intelligence Agency at the Pentagon, where he received the Joint Service Commendation Medal (see, e.g., https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commendation_Medal#Joint_Service).  Mr. Naegele is an Independent politically; and he is listed in Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in American Law, and Who’s Who in Finance and Business. He has written extensively over the years (see, e.g., https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/articles/ and https://naegeleknol.wordpress.com/articles/), and studied photography with Ansel Adams.  He can be contacted directly at tdnaegele.associates@gmail.com

[2]  See https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10929937/Queens-man-26-held-without-bail-rape-charges-MD-going-crime-spree-NYC.html (“Man, 26, who ‘slashed teen at subway station, choked woman in hotel and attacked volunteer in church bathroom during 14-day crime spree’ was arrested and released FIVE TIMES in NYC before finally being detained on rape charge in Baltimore”)

[3]  See https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shooting_of_Kate_Steinle (“Shooting of Kate Steinle”)

[4]  See, e.g., https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2022/05/27/the-slaughter-at-uvalde-texas/ (“The Slaughter At Uvalde, Texas”)

[5]  See https://justthenews.com/nation/crime/man-who-shot-police-during-100mph-chase-reportedly-illegal-immigrant-has-been-deported (“Man who shot at police in 100-mph chase reportedly illegal immigrant, has been deported 7 times”)

[6]  See, e.g., https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2022/06/16/are-we-heading-toward-the-great-depression-ii-and-world-war-iii/ (“Are We Heading Toward The Great Depression II And World War III?”)

Are We Heading Toward The Great Depression II And World War III?

  By Timothy D. Naegele[1]

Is a maelstrom headed our way, the likes of which most Americans have never experienced in their lifetimes—or even close to it—unless they are or have been homeless?[2]  Are the United States and other countries heading toward far worse than the “Great Recession” of 2007-2009[3], and something approaching the Great Depression of the 1930s, coupled with World War III?[4]

Are these the “gifts” that Joe Biden, Russia’s Vladimir Putin and China’s Xi Jinping are bequeathing to the world?  Like Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin and Mao Tse-tung, will this be their legacy[5], especially after China launched the deadly Coronavirus pandemic that has hurt so many, physically, economically and psychologically, and weakened the West?  Again, Americans may not have any earthly idea what is heading their way, much less how to cope with it.

The Middle East, much of Africa and other parts of the world have lived with wars, abject poverty and hopelessness far more than most Americans have, even recent immigrants to our great nation.  But nothing can prepare anyone for a convergence of the Great Depression II and World War III.  It is unfathomable, as it should be.  Where is God in the midst of so much suffering and chaos, which is a fair and reasonable question to ask?[6]

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© 2022, Timothy D. Naegele

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[1]  Timothy D. Naegele was counsel to the United States Senate’s Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, and chief of staff to Presidential Medal of Freedom and Congressional Gold Medal recipient and former U.S. Senator Edward W. Brooke (R-Mass).  See, e.g., Timothy D. Naegele Resume-21-8-6  and https://naegeleknol.wordpress.com/accomplishments/   He has an undergraduate degree in economics from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), as well as two law degrees from the School of Law (Boalt Hall), University of California, Berkeley, and from Georgetown University.  He served as a Captain in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, assigned to the Defense Intelligence Agency at the Pentagon, where he received the Joint Service Commendation Medal (see, e.g., https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commendation_Medal#Joint_Service).  Mr. Naegele is an Independent politically; and he is listed in Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in American Law, and Who’s Who in Finance and Business. He has written extensively over the years (see, e.g., https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/articles/ and https://naegeleknol.wordpress.com/articles/), and studied photography with Ansel Adams.  He can be contacted directly at tdnaegele.associates@gmail.com

[2]  See https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2020/07/09/homelessness-in-america/ (“Homelessness In America”)

[3]  See https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Recession (“Great Recession”)

[4]  See https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2022/06/12/world-war-iii/ (“World War III”)

[5]  See, e.g., https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/06/the-silent-voices-of-stalin%e2%80%99s-soviet-holocaust-and-mao%e2%80%99s-chinese-holocaust/ (“The Silent Voices Of Stalin’s Soviet Holocaust And Mao’s Chinese Holocaust”)

[6]  See https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/05/12/what-and-where-is-god/ (“What And Where Is God?”)

The RED WAVE is NOT Guaranteed

  By Timothy D. Naegele[1]

This is a warning issued by Mike Huckabee, former Governor of Arkansas and candidate for the Republican Party presidential nomination in both 2008 and 2016[2], which states:

While I was in Israel recently, I was asked by Israeli friends how the elections would turn out in America this fall. My response was that Republicans will win in a blowout unless they fail to come up a cohesive message other than, “Hey we aren’t THOSE guys who doubled your gas prices, jacked up groceries by 20%, and who opened the borders to illegals but busted the supply of baby formula.” The policies of the leftist Democrats have finally become untenable for common-sense loving Americans who unlike Joe Biden’s recent nominee to the Supreme Court DO know what a woman is. The Democrats have gone into a wild irrational rage about abortion, calling it “health care for women,” even though at least one person dies every time there is an abortion. They claim that 4 and 5 year old children ought to be taught about gender fluidity before they learn their numbers, colors, and letters of the alphabet. Most Americans know that’s not just bad policy, it’s insanity. And working-class Americans have grown tired of the elitists from Hollywood and Washington lecturing about climate change and carbon footprints when the same hypocritical snobs fly around the globe in fuel-sucking, carbon emitting private jets and upon landing, ride in long black limousines while owning 4 or 5 homes.

The demands to tax more don’t go over well with anyone who owns a business or is trying to get kids to school each day and feed them each evening, but Republicans need to focus on what they will stand FOR if given the majorities in the House and Senate. Keep in mind, that even if the GOP takes both houses, they won’t be able to pass legislation because Joe Biden isn’t likely to sign anything that makes energy cheaper, houses more affordable, or our borders more secure. Biden’s party still wants to pursue truly crazy policies like Critical Race Theory that indoctrinates schoolchildren to believe that all white children are evil oppressors and that our nation is systemically racist and bad, despite it being the ONE place on earth where people of every color risk their very lives to get to because they believe America is still a great country where freedom and opportunity awaits.

Republicans should tell America that if elected, they will pursue the following things and force Joe Biden to either sign the legislation or explain to struggling American why not:

1. We will finish the border wall, enforce immigration laws, and stop the flow of deadly drugs and human trafficking of small children to become sex slaves for the drug cartels.

2. We will support our military by giving them leaders who believe that a military being deadly is more important than being diverse. That means people are promoted because they are the best, not because they are the right color, gender, or sexual identity.

3. We will value all life from conception because we don’t think any human life is disposable or expendable.

4. We will work toward a completely different tax system like the Fair Tax in which we pay taxes on what we consume and not what we produce. We would get rid of the death tax and capital gains taxes because we shouldn’t punish productivity.

5. We will follow the Constitution and allow the states to govern themselves without the federal government mandating the minutia.

6. We will not tolerate violent crime and letting killers and thugs back on the streets to repeat their attacks on the law-abiding public. We all should have an expectation to walk in our neighborhood, ride a subway or bus, or get from their car to the front door of a grocery store without being assaulted.

7. We will renew energy independence by re-starting the Keystone XL pipeline, drilling on federal lands, and extracting the oil and natural gas under our own feet and re-starting a long-term nuclear energy capacity.

The country is in a mess and while Biden and the Democrats blame Putin, Trump, or anyone but themselves, we all know they OWN the results of their policies.

But we the people own the elections with our votes. And the country doesn’t belong to the politicians but the people. Always has; always will![3]

Governor Huckabee’s words need to be heeded, not ignored.  Lots of us began as Democrats, but left the party years ago when it veered so far to the left that it was unrecognizable.  We became Independents, and proudly so, or Republicans.

We are the inheritors of a great nation, consisting of Americans of different colors, religions and ethnicities.  However, with few exceptions, we want America to survive and prosper for the rest of our lives and that of our loved ones.[4]

And yes, Vladimir Putin’s war is raging in Ukraine, and courageous Ukrainians have shown the world that freedom is precious and worth fighting for; and they are an inspiration.[5]  China threatens Taiwan, while North Korea is engaged in sable-rattling.  The Coronavirus pandemic continues to raise its ugly head, while many Americans wish it was long gone, and act accordingly.

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© 2022, Timothy D. Naegele

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[1]  Timothy D. Naegele was counsel to the United States Senate’s Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, and chief of staff to Presidential Medal of Freedom and Congressional Gold Medal recipient and former U.S. Senator Edward W. Brooke (R-Mass).  See, e.g., Timothy D. Naegele Resume-21-8-6  and https://naegeleknol.wordpress.com/accomplishments/   He has an undergraduate degree in economics from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), as well as two law degrees from the School of Law (Boalt Hall), University of California, Berkeley, and from Georgetown University.  He served as a Captain in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, assigned to the Defense Intelligence Agency at the Pentagon, where he received the Joint Service Commendation Medal (see, e.g., https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commendation_Medal#Joint_Service).  Mr. Naegele is an Independent politically; and he is listed in Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in American Law, and Who’s Who in Finance and Business. He has written extensively over the years (see, e.g., https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/articles/ and https://naegeleknol.wordpress.com/articles/), and studied photography with Ansel Adams.  He can be contacted directly at tdnaegele.associates@gmail.com

[2]  See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Huckabee (“Mike Huckabee”)

[3]  See https://www.mikehuckabee.com/latest-news?id=13D707E3-0425-48C3-87BF-30AA660E4D98

[4]  See https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/26/america-a-rich-tapestry-of-life/ (“America: A Rich Tapestry Of Life”)

[5]  There are traitors in our midst such as former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, who believed that the United States was in decline, and that his job was to ease that decline and fall from grace.  Needless to say, Ronald Reagan came along and won the Cold War, and the former Soviet Union was no more.  For Kissinger to be counseling Ukraine to give in to Russia’s vicious killer Putin is absurd.  Kissinger is a foreign-born pathetic relic of a bygone era, if that much.

See https://finance.yahoo.com/news/henry-kissinger-warns-against-defeat-174812366.html (“Henry Kissinger: Ukraine must give Russia territory”)

The Abortion Farce

  By Timothy D. Naegele[1]

From the moment of conception, any abortion—wherever in this world it is done—constitutes Infanticide.  There is no other moment along the birth spectrum during which one can say: “After this point in time, there’s a human being; whereas before it, there’s not.”

As I wrote more than eight years ago:

When a woman gets pregnant, she relinquishes her rights over the fetus. It has a life and rights of its own from the moment of conception.

Any woman who has an abortion is a killer, period. The argument that she has a right to do with her body as she sees fit is true, but it does not apply to the fetus.

An abortion is a criminal act: infanticide. Each of the mothers and the doctors and others who have participated—or participate in the future—in the taking of human lives should be arrested, tried, convicted and . . .

Abortion is the taking of a life!

. . .

IF any exceptions are to be made, they should only occur in the case of rape, incest or where the life of the mother is at risk.[2]

The Coronavirus pandemic brought about a spike in the number of medically-induced abortions by taking pills, which essentially produce miscarriages.[3]  But make no mistake about it: they too constitute Infanticide.  Anyone who engages in such acts, or aids and abets them, has committed Infanticide: the killing of another human being.

America’s Left or far-Left, or Democrats or so-called “Progressives,” are rioting because a draft decision by the U.S. Supreme Court addressing Roe v. Wade was leaked to the media, which would refer these issues back to the States.  But it would not ban abortions.  The so-called “Justices” of the Court are too cowardly to do that.[4]

Rioters are camping outside of individual Justice’s homes; and these total wackos are even attacking church services.[5]

It must never be forgotten that the thugs, slugs, hoods and mongrels of “Black Lives Matter,” Antifa and other far-Left groups have burned our cities; killed or hurt innocent Americans including our police; and destroyed black and other businesses.  They and their anti-abortion “soul mates” must be put down like rabid animals.

Lastly, many wonderful women struggle to give birth to their babies, and keep them alive.  Others hope for adoptions, which can be a nightmare unto itself.  Still others are homeless, or live in war-torn areas of the world like Ukraine, where each day is struggle to stay alive.  These and women who simply love and nourish their kids every day are the true heroes, and they must be saluted—as if each day was Mother’s Day.[6]

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© 2022, Timothy D. Naegele

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[1]  Timothy D. Naegele was counsel to the United States Senate’s Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, and chief of staff to Presidential Medal of Freedom and Congressional Gold Medal recipient and former U.S. Senator Edward W. Brooke (R-Mass).  See, e.g., Timothy D. Naegele Resume-21-8-6  and https://naegeleknol.wordpress.com/accomplishments/   He has an undergraduate degree in economics from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), as well as two law degrees from the School of Law (Boalt Hall), University of California, Berkeley, and from Georgetown University.  He served as a Captain in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, assigned to the Defense Intelligence Agency at the Pentagon, where he received the Joint Service Commendation Medal (see, e.g., https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commendation_Medal#Joint_Service).  Mr. Naegele is an Independent politically; and he is listed in Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in American Law, and Who’s Who in Finance and Business. He has written extensively over the years (see, e.g., https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/articles/ and https://naegeleknol.wordpress.com/articles/), and studied photography with Ansel Adams.  He can be contacted directly at tdnaegele.associates@gmail.com

[2]  See https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2012/12/20/abortions-and-autos-kill-more-in-america-than-guns/#comment-3298

[3]  See, e.g., https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2022/05/07/abortion-pill-roe-wade-mifepristone-misoprostol/9652928002/ (“Abortion by pill figures to rise if Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade”)

[4]  See https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2021/12/01/imagine-being-the-greatest-killers-in-history (“Imagine Being The Greatest Killers In History”)

[5]  See, e.g., https://nypost.com/2022/05/06/abortion-activists-call-on-americans-to-protest-at-churches/ (“Pro-choice abortion activists call for Mother’s Day protests at churches”)

[6]  See, e.g., https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/04/15/problems-with-foreign-adoptions/ (“Problems With Foreign Adoptions”) and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2018/04/29/adoption-a-scar-that-never-heals/ (“Adoption: A Scar That Never Heals?”) and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2020/07/09/homelessness-in-america/ (“Homelessness In America”)

On a personal note, I was blessed with a courageous mother, and father, who only gave me unconditional love.  I miss both of them every day.

Homelessness In America

  By Timothy D. Naegele[1]

This is the title of my newest law review article that discusses the tragedy facing the homeless in the United States, the richest nation on Earth.[2] 

Homelessness in America and globally transcends age, race, gender, ethnicity, religious affiliations, nationalities and political beliefs—and it is our problem, as human beings.

The homeless today exist largely in the shadows, trying to survive amidst depravation, humiliation and often staggeringly-difficult weather conditions with little or no money, food or shelter.

They are the elderly—with America’s Social Security retirement benefits being inadequate to cover the cost of housing—and families with young children; and they provide a broad spectrum and set of excruciating challenges.

Yet so much wealth may be nearby, in cities like Los Angeles, whose residents often avert their eyes from such sights like Americans did years ago when my mother was in a wheelchair, and people looked away from her.

Refugees from the war-torn Middle East, most notably Syria, have fled to the safety that they perceived in Europe.  Many of them have died along the route, as a result of what in Mexico are referred to as “coyotes,” or those who take money from and exploit refugees on a global basis.  Perhaps two young boys, Aylan and Galip Kurdi—who died in the waters near the Turkish resort of Bodrum, trying to escape—symbolize millions who have given their lives in the quest for freedom, safety and a better life.[3]

The global effects of the Coronavirus on the lives of the homeless may be catastrophic.  Many will not survive.  For those Americans who have never been homeless (except perhaps in their college years), and never thought they would be, the virus has changed lives dramatically, from an economic standpoint alone.  Vast numbers are out of work, and may never find jobs again.

 

 

© 2020, Timothy D. Naegele

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[1]  Timothy D. Naegele was counsel to the United States Senate’s Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, and chief of staff to Presidential Medal of Freedom and Congressional Gold Medal recipient and former U.S. Senator Edward W. Brooke (R-Mass). He and his firm, Timothy D. Naegele & Associates, specialize in Banking and Financial Institutions Law, Internet Law, Litigation and other matters (see www.naegele.com and Timothy D. Naegele Resume-20-6-30). He has an undergraduate degree in economics from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), as well as two law degrees from the School of Law (Boalt Hall), University of California, Berkeley, and from Georgetown University. He served as a Captain in the U.S. Army, assigned to the Defense Intelligence Agency at the Pentagon, where he received the Joint Service Commendation Medal (see, e.g., https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commendation_Medal#Joint_Service). Mr. Naegele is an Independent politically; and he is listed in Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in American Law, and Who’s Who in Finance and Business. He has written extensively over the years (see, e.g., www.naegele.com/whats_new.html#articles and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/articles/), and can be contacted directly at tdnaegele.associates@gmail.com

[2]  See Timothy D. Naegele, Homelessness In America, 137 BANKING L. J. 378 (July-August 2020) (Naegele July-August 2020) (Timothy D. Naegele) [NOTE: To download The Banking Law Journal article, please click on the link to the left of this note]; see also https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2020/05/30/the-coronavirus-and-similar-global-issues-how-to-address-them/ (“The Coronavirus And Similar Global Issues: How To Address Them”) and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2018/10/25/remembering-the-comfort-women-victims-of-human-trafficking-and-slavery/ (“Remembering The Comfort Women, Victims Of Human Trafficking And Slavery”) and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2012/02/07/poverty-in-america/ (“Poverty In America”) and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2009/12/28/human-trafficking/ (“Human Trafficking”)

[3]  See, e.g., http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3219553/Terrible-fate-tiny-boy-symbolises-desperation-thousands-Body-drowned-Syrian-refugee-washed-Turkish-beach-family-tried-reach-Europe.html and http://www.wsj.com/articles/image-of-syrian-boy-washed-up-on-beach-hits-hard-1441282847 (“Image of Drowned Syrian Boy Echoes Around World”) and http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/picturegalleries/worldnews/11843440/The-power-of-photography-How-images-have-changed-world-opinions.html (“The power of photography: Images that changed world opinions”) and http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/turkey/11847321/Police-officer-who-found-Syrian-toddler-I-prayed-he-was-still-alive.html (“Police officer who found Syrian toddler: ‘I prayed he was still alive’”)

The Brooke Amendment And Section 8 Housing: Revisited

 By Timothy D. Naegele[1]

This is the title of my newest law review article[2] that discusses the landmark laws enacted by Congress: the “Brooke Amendment” with respect to public housing, and the “Section 8” housing program that was intended to extend the benefits of the Brooke Amendment to housing wherever it is located. Put succinctly, the Brooke Amendment capped the payment of rent at twenty-five percent of a person’s income, with the federal government paying the difference; and it provided funds to improve public housing, and to assure the safety of its residents.

Section 8 was envisioned as giving “vouchers” to those who qualified for public housing, and permitting them to find housing anywhere, with the federal government subsidizing their rents when the twenty-five-percent-of-income threshold was passed. Taken together, the Brooke Amendment and Section 8 were America’s answer to the needs of decent housing for its poor. Today, there are two million voucher families.[3]

The United States has an unenviable record of providing affordable housing for its poor, much less for the poorest of the poor—America’s homeless. They have lived on the streets and wherever they could find shelter; and they have been shunned as “lepers” and cast aside to fend for themselves. Many have been and are in desperate need of mental health care and treatment; and they are not far removed from the poor of Calcutta, who have been chronicled down through the decades.

This is particularly true of the elderly, disabled and families with young children, who have slipped through the “cracks” and the societal “safety nets,” to the extent that such protections still exist. However, the elderly of the Boston area were singled out for humane, dignified and uplifting treatment and protection in the late 1960s and early 1970s, when work began by Senator Edward W. Brooke and me in the U.S. Congress—through its two banking committees—to address their plight.

Since then, billions of dollars have been expended, and millions of poor Americans have been helped, which tragically has only scratched the surface—as the numbers of chronically poor and those who are unable to afford private rents continue to rise in the United States. The ever-accelerating cost of housing, and the short supply of existing affordable housing units, have priced many Americans with even good jobs out of decent housing across America, in such areas as “Silicon Valley” (or the San Francisco Bay Area).

They have lived in campers, recreational vehicles (“RVs”) or wherever they could find to sleep. The effects on the poorest of the poor—those farther down the economic totem pole—have been catastrophic, especially in those areas of the United States where inclement weather is a major factor. Many have died, or been victimized, as homeless shelters have been inadequate or closed entirely for various reasons (e.g., funding and/or staffing shortages) in areas where they are needed the most.

Yesterday’s problems are compounded by staggering mental health issues relating to America’s poor and homeless; violent gang activities such as MS-13; dilapidated public housing projects, which may not be helped by the infusion of more federal funds; Social Security retirement benefits that have not kept pace with the costs of food, housing and the medical needs of America’s elderly poor; the influx of illegal immigrants from other countries, who have few discernible skills and nowhere to live; the shortage of qualified professional staff members who can deal effectively with such problems and challenges, and truly make a positive difference; and the increasing demand by most Americans for affordable housing, which has outstripped the available supply.

One size does not fit all. What works in one community may not work in another. And simply throwing money at the staggering problems might not be any solution at all. U.S. taxpayers may say “enough is enough,” and they might be right—at least with respect to their own self-interests. Money cannot be wasted if federal housing programs are to enjoy broad support from the American people. The tasks today are daunting, but the United States and Americans have risen to the challenges of the past, and may be expected to do so in the future.

 

[Senator Edward W. Brooke (1919-2015)]

 

© 2019, Timothy D. Naegele

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[1]  Timothy D. Naegele was counsel to the United States Senate’s Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, and chief of staff to Presidential Medal of Freedom and Congressional Gold Medal recipient and former U.S. Senator Edward W. Brooke (R-Mass). He and his firm, Timothy D. Naegele & Associates, specialize in Banking and Financial Institutions Law, Internet Law, Litigation and other matters (see www.naegele.com and Timothy D. Naegele Resume-19-4-29). He has an undergraduate degree in economics from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), as well as two law degrees from the School of Law (Boalt Hall), University of California, Berkeley, and from Georgetown University. He served as a Captain in the U.S. Army, assigned to the Defense Intelligence Agency at the Pentagon, where he received the Joint Service Commendation Medal (see, e.g., https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commendation_Medal#Joint_Service). Mr. Naegele is an Independent politically; and he is listed in Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who in American Law, and Who’s Who in Finance and Business. He has written extensively over the years (see, e.g., www.naegele.com/whats_new.html#articles), and can be contacted directly at tdnaegele.associates@gmail.com

[2]  See Timothy D. Naegele [NOTE: To download The Banking Law Journal article, “The Brooke Amendment And Section 8 Housing: Revisited,” please click on the link to the left of this note]; see also https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2015/01/03/edward-w-brooke-is-dead/ (“Edward W. Brooke Is Dead”) and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Brooke (“Edward Brooke”)

[3]  But see https://crosscut.com/2019/04/despite-new-law-landlords-continue-turn-away-applicants-section-8-vouchers (“Despite new law, landlords continue to turn away applicants with Section 8 vouchers”) and https://laist.com/2019/04/10/la_wants_to_stop_landlords_from_rejecting_low-income_housing_vouchers.php (“LA Wants To Stop Landlords From Rejecting Section 8 Vouchers”) and https://www.scpr.org/news/2019/04/12/89035/la-considers-prohibiting-landlords-from-rejecting/https://www.scpr.org/news/2019/04/12/89035/la-considers-prohibiting-landlords-from-rejecting/ (“LA considers prohibiting landlords from rejecting housing assistance vouchers”—”Nearly half of the people getting a Section 8 voucher in L.A. will end up losing it because they can’t find any landlords who will rent to them”) and https://www.latimes.com/opinion/editorials/la-ed-section-8-discrimination-law-homeless-20190419-story.html (“End Section 8 housing discrimination”—”[A]t a time when cities and counties are increasingly relying on vouchers to help reduce homelessness, many landlords won’t even consider leasing to tenants whose rent would be paid, in whole or in part, by the government. The problem is particularly acute in cities with high rents and low vacancies. In Los Angeles, nearly half the people trying to use a Section 8 voucher had it expire in 2017 before they could find a place to live, up from 18% in 2011. Several cities, including San Diego, San Jose and San Francisco, have already banned discrimination against tenants with Section 8 and other housing vouchers.  . . . But California can’t end housing discrimination on a city-by-city basis. State lawmakers need to go further and pass Senate Bill 329, which would enact the ban statewide.  . . . Landlords argue that high denial rates aren’t driven by discrimination but by the paperwork, inspections and restrictions that come with rental subsidy programs. For example, it’s hard to raise the rent, even modestly, on voucher tenants. Plus, they note, the supposed “market rent” the federal government is willing to cover is often too low in California’s overheated markets, where the bigger problem is a lack of affordable housing units”) and https://www.bostonherald.com/2019/04/25/boston-receives-1000-housing-vouchers-for-homeless/ (“Boston receives 1,000 housing vouchers for homeless”) and https://wpdh.com/ny-landlords-cant-discriminate-against-section-8-anymore/ (“NY Landlords Can’t Discriminate Against Section 8 Anymore”) and https://www.wbez.org/shows/wbez-news/more-section-8-vouchers-in-chicagos-black-neighborhoods-than-a-decade-ago/e461cdf4-22d1-45bd-9522-e0983c2d1c08 (“Chicago’s Section 8 Vouchers Increasing In Black Communities, Declining In White Neighborhoods”) and https://dc.curbed.com/2019/5/9/18538152/dc-nonprofit-fair-housing-law-online-course (“D.C. nonprofit offers online fair housing course designed to prevent discrimination by landlords”)