Has San Francisco Been ‘Bud Lighted,’ Or Far Worse?

  By Timothy D. Naegele[1]

I fell in love with San Francisco too many years ago to count.  Perhaps it began with a rainy trip up the magnificent Big Sur Coast, to look at a college in the Bay Area with a high school classmate of mine.  Or maybe it was when I decided to attend law school at Berkeley, after having grown up in Los Angeles—a mile or so west of the UCLA campus in Westwood, from which I graduated.

Arriving at Berkeley, I lived in a one-room garret on Mosswood Road above Cal’s football stadium, with ivy growing through the walls.  My only means of transportation was a small but reliable Honda motorscooter, which took me everywhere—even across the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge to Fisherman’s Wharf.  There, I went over an old railroad track and was flung to the ground, thankfully not suffering any serious injuries except to my pride.

After graduating from Cal’s law school in the midst of the Vietnam War, I was honored to work briefly for a prestigious law firm in San Francisco, before spending two years as an Army officer assigned to the Defense Intelligence Agency’s headquarters in the Pentagon.  After that, I could have gone back to San Francisco, but instead decided to work in and with the U.S. Senate.

In the private practice of law, I acquired failing savings and loans from the federal government in both San Francisco and LA for my firm’s clients, and one of them was in San Francisco.  It was the largest minority bank in the country, and located at the edge of Chinatown; and it was a heady experience.  I spent lots of time in the city working on that; and often I stayed in Sausalito and took a ferry to and from the city.

Fast forward, and lovely Kate Steinle (see photo below) was killed at Fisherman’s Wharf by an illegal alien who had been arrested many times.  In an unrelated matter, I testified as an expert in San Francisco, and realized then how seedy and dangerous the city had become.  Walking to and from a BART subway station—in a business suit and carrying my laptop—I felt that I could be attacked at any moment, and the chances of someone helping me was slim.

I used to walk Golden Gate Park from its eastern end to the ocean, and then watch the sunset at the Golden Gate Bridge before having dinner in Chinatown.  But not anymore.  There are legitimate reasons why businesses have been closing in San Francisco.  Criminals have been emboldened; and law enforcement seems shackled or nonexistent.[2]

Yet, the uber-woke in the city are crusading for reparations, even though California was not a slave state.[3]  Put together, it is as if the inmates are truly running the asylum; and at least parts of San Francisco are dangerous to visit these days, which is so so sad.  Throw in the possibility that a major earthquake might hit the city, like the devastating Loma Prieta Quake, and it is not surprising that lots of Americans are avoiding it like the plague.

In no small sense, it is being “Bud Lighted,” just like the Anheuser-Busch brand has been boycotted after it advertised with the image of a “freak of nature” on its beer can.  Many years may pass before the once-great San Francisco recovers.  In the interim, lots of us have wonderful memories of how the city by the Bay once was.  Chicago and other seemingly-lawless American cities are being boycotted too.

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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://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12101001/Crime-ridden-San-Francisco-lost-HALF-downtown-stores-COVID-hit-95-shuttering.html (“Ghost town San Francisco: Crime-ridden city has lost HALF its downtown stores since COVID hit, with 95 shuttering, and just 12 new retailers opening in their places, as homeware store Williams-Sonoma announces it’s closing too”)

[3]  See, e.g., https://abcnews.go.com/US/californias-approval-recommendations-historic-reparations/story?id=99253083  (“What to know about California’s approval of recommendations for historic reparations”)

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?”)

California Is A Mess, And Its State Bar Remains The Most Odious Trade Association In America

  By Timothy D. Naegele[1]

Many Americans hate California with a passion, and would not be saddened if it broke off from the Union and drifted out to sea.[2]  There is a recall movement to get rid of its Governor Gavin Newsom, who is related to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.[3]  The state’s two principal cities, Los Angeles and San Francisco, are awash in crime.[4]  And who can forget the killing of Kate Steinle at San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf by an illegal alien, who had been released from incarceration multiple times.[5]

I grew up in the suburbs of LA, a mile or so west of the UCLA campus in Westwood; and I have fond memories of those days, and of the public schools that I attended.  Some of my classmates were scions of famous Hollywood and industrial families, or became famous on their own.[6]  Others came from humble beginnings.  Yet, we were all friends.  I was repulsed by the elitism of private schools and private clubs that discriminate.  Today, I have been told that the quality of public school education has deteriorated—even before the Coronavirus pandemic lockdowns[7]—which is sad.

After law school at Berkeley and before relocating to Washington, D.C.—to serve as an Army officer at the Pentagon, and work in the U.S. Senate[8]—I took and passed the arduous California Bar examination on the first try.  I was very proud of that fact.  Yet, for too long to remember, I have been ashamed to be a member of what is surely the most odious trade association of its kind in the United States.[9]  Like so much of California’s body politics, the State Bar of California has been infected from top to bottom, and must be eliminated completely.  It does not serve the best interests of Californians, much less the state’s minorities.[10]

Even more critically, some of its tactics and actions are heavy-handed, vicious, duplicitous and fascist; and the moral equivalents of authoritarian regimes—or Stasi “police state” in their nature, which destroyed countless lives and crushed the human spirit.  In his prescient “Animal Farm,” George Orwell wrote about how all of the animals were equal until the Pigs reigned supreme and subjugated the other animals.[11]

Having been effectively put out of business when Pete Wilson was California’s Governor, the State Bar has come roaring back with a vengeance.[12]  It is worse than ever, trying to suppress legitimate criticism, and free speech and expression.  Each of us must be true to ourselves; and if necessary, fight against such injustices, oppression, and ravenous and rabid abuse—and the “gotcha” or “cancel” culture that is vindictive and engages in “witch hunts” and harassment, to intimidate, silence and destroy Americans.[13]

 

 

© 2021, 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  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 studied photography with Ansel Adams; and he can be contacted directly at tdnaegele.associates@gmail.com

[2]  See, e.g., https://kmph.com/news/offbeat/california-is-3rd-most-hated-state-in-us-according-to-survey (“California is 3rd most hated state in U.S., according to survey”) and https://medium.californiasun.co/why-people-hate-california-79a52606d781 (“Why do so many people seem to hate California?”)

[3]  See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gavin_Newsom#2021_recall and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gavin_Newsom#Early_life

[4]  See, e.g., https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9812207/Moment-victim-shoots-attackers-legs-brazen-Los-Angeles-robbery.html (“Moment victim pulls a gun on his would-be attackers and shoots them in the legs during brazen Los Angeles robbery”) and https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9811753/Two-thieves-brazenly-rob-TJ-Maxx-rash-California-shoplifting-continues.html (“License to shoplift: Two thieves brazenly stroll out of TJ Maxx with armfuls of clothes and LAPD cop says ‘criminals are winning’ because new law classes theft under $950 as a misdemeanor”) and https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9760789/Horde-shoplifters-fled-San-Franciscos-Neiman-Marcus-undeterred-carrying-stolen-designer-goods.html (“‘Crime is basically legal in San Francisco’: Furious shopper posts video of horde of shoplifters fleeing Neiman Marcus – totally unchecked – with armfuls of designer bags”) and https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/22/us/california-water-thieves-drought/index.html (“Thieves in California are stealing scarce water amid extreme drought, ‘devastating’ some communities”); see also https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/the-california-dream-is-dying/ar-AAMoqBq (“The California Dream Is Dying”) 

Compare https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9849951/LA-Mayor-Eric-Garcetti-signs-order-criminalizing-homelessness-possible-fines-1-000.html (“Good luck getting your money! LA Mayor Eric Garcetti signs order criminalizing homelessness, with violators facing possible fines of up to $1,000”) with https://naegeleblog.files.wordpress.com/2020/07/timothy-d.-naegele.pdf (Timothy D. Naegele, “Homelessness In America”)

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

[6]  For example, the son of MGM studio chief Dore Schary; Jan Berry of the Jan and Dean singing group; Frank Sinatra’s daughter Nancy; Craig Bruderlin who became actor James Brolin, the father of actor Josh Brolin and husband of singer Barbra Streisand; the original “Gidget,” whose father wrote the book that spawned movies and TV shows; Robert Mitchum’s Jim; and the granddaughter of aircraft pioneer, Donald W. Douglas Sr.

Two high school friends of the author were killed during the Vietnam War.

[7]  See https://naegeleblog.files.wordpress.com/2020/05/timothy-d.-naegele.pdf (“The Coronavirus and Similar Global Issues: How to Address Them”); see also https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2021/06/23/if-coronavirus-mutations-come-roaring-back-will-americans-listen-much-less-survive/ (“If Coronavirus Mutations Come Roaring Back, Will Americans Listen—Much Less Survive?”) and https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/03/well/live/covid-delta-variant-vaccine-symptoms.html (“Covid Delta Variant Safety: Your Questions Answered”) and https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/moderna-says-its-covid-19-shot-remains-93-effective-4-6-months-after-second-dose-2021-08-05/ (“Moderna says its COVID-19 shot 93% effective six months after second dose”) and https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/fauci-says-fears-covid-variant-191712505.html (“Fauci fears a COVID variant worse than Delta could be coming”) and https://variety.com/2021/film/news/los-angeles-vaccine-mandate-city-council-1235039380/ (“Los Angeles Moves Ahead on Indoor Vaccine Mandate”)

[8]  See, e.g., Timothy D. Naegele Resume-21-8-6

[9]  See https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2014/09/08/the-state-bar-of-california-is-lawless-and-a-travesty-and-should-be-abolished/ (“The State Bar Of California Is Lawless And A Travesty, And Should Be Abolished”); see also https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2011/01/03/the-american-legal-system-is-broken-can-it-be-fixed/ (“The American Legal System Is Broken: Can It Be Fixed?”)

[10]  See supra n.9

[11]  See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_Farm (“Animal Farm”)

[12]  See supra n.9

[13]  The author is very proud of his distinguished career, and his impressive and tangible accomplishments.  For example, he has helped millions of Americans (see, e.g., Timothy D. Naegele Resume-21-8-6).  This may have fueled jealousies at the State Bar.  None of its employees have accomplished anything of significance.  They are a group of pygmies (or Pigs), or insufferable wastrels, all of whom should be fired summarily.  See supra notes 9 & 11.

The fact that these governmental losers and failed civil servants would waste their time contacting the author, when the Coronavirus’ “Delta variant” mutation is surging and attacking Los Angeles in particular (see, e.g., supra n.7), speaks volumes about them and the need to justify their existences (and salaries) as State Bar employees in the midst of the pandemic.  How brazen and cowardly, at the very least—pathetic but predictable; heavy-handed thugs who are the moral equivalents of Jimmy Hoffa’s Teamsters, trying to deprive people of their liberties, and carrying out a vendetta against the author for having the gall or chutzpah to ever challenge them.

Contrariwise, the author has never been accused of malpractice; and he has always done his very best.  In retrospect, he might not have represented and tried to help Californians in an Internet fraud lawsuit against Guthy-Renker.  Even though he proved fraud, a now-retired and incompetent U.S. District Judge (who is attempting to find work as an arbitrator) decided against his clients in 2002, almost 20 years ago; and they came after him.

First, they did so criminally by persuading the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. to bring an 11-count federal indictment against him.  Because he had done nothing wrong, he was vindicated completely in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.  See Case 1:05-cr-00151-PLF; PACER Docket Sheet entry 301 (“It is hereby ORDERED that the defendant, Timothy D. Naegele, is acquitted, discharged, and any bond exonerated”); see also https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2012/03/21/the-united-states-department-of-injustice/ (“The United States Department of Injustice”)

Not satisfied, his former clients sought recourse civilly in California.  Indeed, California arbitrators and its courts were only too happy to oblige, inter alia, ignoring binding law nationally in the process.  Next, the former clients sought his disbarment in California, essentially for having lost their civil lawsuit against Guthy-Renker.  This sends a chilling message loud and clear to every California lawyer or would-be lawyer that the loss of one lawsuit can destroy or tarnish an otherwise-successful legal career.

Given the arduous path that must be taken to become a lawyer, clearly the profession is not worth the risks for a myriad of reasons, at least in California.  Many of these issues are discussed in greater depth and detail in the author’s previous article about the State Bar, which has been read by more than 10,000.  See supra n.9; see also https://news.bloomberglaw.com/business-and-practice/devastating-anxiety-as-remote-bar-exam-tech-crashes-again (“‘Devastating’ Anxiety as Remote Bar Exam Tech Crashes Again”) and https://www.wsj.com/articles/law-school-student-debt-low-salaries-university-miami-11627991855 (“Law School Loses Luster as Debts Mount and Salaries Stagnate”) and https://www.abajournal.com/web/article/technical-problems-again-plague-remote-bar-examinees-who-blame-software-provider (“Technical problems again plague remote bar examinees, who blame software provider”) 

Since being admitted to the State Bar in 1966, the author handled very few matters in California, and less than a handful for individual clients.  He is not practicing law in California, nor holding himself out as doing so, but he is attacked and threatened anyway.

Lastly, it appears that the State Bar contacted the author on behalf of:

(1) a disgraced lawyer who had been disbarred by the State Bar because, inter alia, “the State Bar Court noted that she was charged with ’26 counts of professional misconduct for her involvement in a scheme to defraud distressed homeowners, including at least 13 of her clients’—and with ‘pocketing about $177,000 between August 2009 and November 2010 without having to provide any legal services'”; 

(2) her California lawyer who suborned perjury with respect to testimony before the State Bar, and his troubled history with the State Bar began before his admission to the Bar (see supra n.9 [note 4 therein & https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-07-25-vw-1012-story.html]), but he has never been disbarred or prosecuted, or held accountable for his abuses;

or (3) their surrogate(s) or agent(s). 

Despite repeated requests, the State Bar has refused to disclose and/or confirm such information to the author.  At the very least, this underscores the lawlessness of its employees, who are tantamount to jackals in pursuit of their prey to stay alive . . . and stay employed, while operating from remote locations  (“telecommuting”), “[d]ue to the Covid-19 pandemic.”  They want the author to deny his accomplishments.  It will not happen.

Brain Dead Joe Biden Has Picked Willie Brown’s Ho As Our Next President

  By Timothy D. Naegele[1]

WOW!  

“Wow” is all anyone can say or feel. It is tantamount to one of Jeffrey Epstein’s “women” being chosen as our next President . . . because the consensus is that “Brain Dead” Joe Biden would not finish one term in office, much less two, if he was elected.  He would likely die in office, or be even more incapacitated than he is now.[2]

For Biden to have picked former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown’s ho, Kamala Harris, as his running mate and potentially the next President of the United States is mind-numbing and speaks volumes about where the Democratic Party is today.  And yes, lots of us began as Democrats, but will never vote for one again.

Indeed, Brown wrote the following article in the San Francisco Chronicle:

If Joe Biden offers the vice presidential slot to Sen. Kamala Harris, my advice to her would be to politely decline.

Harris is a tested and proven campaigner who will work her backside off to get Biden elected. That said, the vice presidency is not the job she should go for — asking to be considered as attorney general in a Biden administration would be more like it.

Being picked for the vice presidency is obviously a huge honor, and if Biden wins, Harris would make history by being the first woman to hold the job.

But the glory would be short-lived, and historically, the vice presidency has often ended up being a dead end. For every George H.W. Bush, who ascended from the job to the presidency, there’s an Al Gore, who never got there.

True, the vice president does have an advantage the next time the party needs a new nominee, which in Biden’s case could be four years from now. But in the meantime, the vice president has no real power and little chance to accomplish anything independent of the president.

Basically, no one takes the vice president seriously after election day. Just ask Mike Pence.

Plus, if Biden wins, the Democrats will be moving into the White House in the middle of a pandemic and economic recession. The next few years promise to be a very bumpy ride. Barack Obama and the Democrats saved the nation from economic collapse when he took office, and their reward was a blowout loss in the 2010 midterm elections.

On the other hand, the attorney general has legitimate power. From atop the Justice Department, the boss can make a real mark on everything from police reform to racial justice to prosecuting corporate misdeeds.

And the attorney general gets to name every U.S. attorney in the country. That’s power.

Plus, given the department’s current disarray under William Barr, just showing up and being halfway sane will make the new AG a hero.

Best of all, being attorney general would give Harris enough distance from the White House to still be a viable candidate for the top slot in 2024 or 2028, no matter what the state of the nation.

Wits’ end: President Donald Trump — or “DT,” as I now call him — is scared out of his wits that he’s on his way to losing the election.

The pandemic has people frightened not just for their finances but for their very health. That’s a fear that reaches down to the core — it’s not something Trump can dispel with wild warnings about antifa mobs in the streets and firm stands for keeping treasonous Confederate generals’ names on military bases.

Trump, after all, was the one in the White House when it all went down. As a famous man once said, it is what it is.

No wonder he’s mused about delaying the election and is already raising questions about its validity.

His immediate target is mail voting. Somehow he thinks that having the U.S. Postal Service take the place of your polling place will lead to voter fraud. It seems the post office can be trusted to deliver your tax returns and refund checks, but not your ballot.

Voting by mail promises to boost turnout to record numbers. And that is what scares Trump the most.

On the outs: This is not a good year to be an incumbent, in either party. Voters are mad, and they’re looking for someone to blame.

At least half a dozen Republican senators could lose their jobs in November. And for the Democrats, the latest casualty is Missouri Rep. William Lacy Clay Jr., a 20-year House veteran who just lost a primary to progressive activist and Bernie Sanders supporter Cori Bush.

Clay’s father, Bill Clay Sr., held the same seat for 32 years.

So ends a 52-year dynasty, with more sure to follow. . . .[3]

Leaving aside Brown’s fanciful views about Barack Obama[4] and predictable partisan attacks, there is little doubt that Harris “work[ed] her backside off” trying to satisfy Brown.  What he did not say—but what was implicit in his article—is that Harris learned everything she knows about politics from him, while she was on her back.  Indeed, Brown probably knows more about Harris’ innermost thoughts and feelings than any human being on earth; even more than she knows herself.

These are crazy times in which we live, with China having launched the deadly Coronavirus on the world—and seeking global dominance—thereby creating so much suffering, with no end in sight.[5]  Hence, it seems that Biden’s pick of Harris is consistent with the craziness, or perhaps an outgrowth of it.[6]

One thing is certain: Biden/Harris is every devout Trumpster’s “dream ticket.”

 

 

© 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, e.g., https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2020/08/08/biden-is-brain-dead/ (“Biden Is Brain Dead”) and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2020/03/05/the-millennials-may-never-forgive-biden-and-the-democrats/#comment-23417 (“Biden Is In A Steep Mental Decline”)

[3]  See https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/williesworld/article/Willie-Brown-Kamala-Harris-should-say-no-to-vice-15468145.php  and https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/willie-brown-kamala-harris-should-say-no-to-vice-presidency/ar-BB17J8hG (“Willie Brown: Kamala Harris should say no to vice presidency”)

[4]  See, e.g., https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2009/12/05/is-barack-obama-a-racist/ (“Is Barack Obama A Racist?”) (see also the comments beneath the article) and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2019/11/15/when-will-barack-obamas-trial-for-sedition-begin/ (“When Will Barack Obama’s Trial For Sedition Begin?”) and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2019/07/29/barack-obama-is-responsible-for-americas-tragic-racial-divide/ (“Barack Obama Is Responsible For America’s Tragic Racial Divide”) and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2018/05/24/should-barack-obama-be-executed-for-treason/ (“Should Barack Obama Be Executed For Treason?”)

[5]  See Timothy D. Naegele, The Coronavirus and Similar Global Issues: How to Address Them, 137 BANKING L. J. 285 (June 2020) (Naegele June 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/2020/08/04/chinas-goal-is-global-domination-and-it-must-suffer-the-soviet-unions-fate/ (“China’s Goal Is Global Domination, And It Must Suffer The Soviet Union’s Fate”)

[6]  See, e.g, https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2018/07/29/it-is-time-for-trump-supporters-to-fight-back/#comment-21650 (“Down And Out: Willie Brown’s Ho Is Gone”) and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2018/07/29/it-is-time-for-trump-supporters-to-fight-back/#comment-23415 (“Willie Brown’s Ho Is A Total Hypocrite) 

 

Islamophobia Is Un-American

 By Timothy D. Naegele[1]

Christianity has 2.2 billion followers. Islam has 1.8 billion followers. At most, Judaism has 14 million followers.  There are radical members of each religious group; and Americans cannot allow fear to generate unbridled hatred and anger.[2]  The United States and the American people are not at war with Islam or its followers. Anyone who suggests otherwise is Islamophobic.

Islamophobia does not have any place in the U.S.  Yet, this is exactly what many are preaching today, which is wrong.  Islamophobia is un-American, and inconsistent with Jesus’ teachings as set forth in the New Testament—just as racism, anti-Semitism and other forms of discrimination are evil.  Fear spawns hatred, anger and retribution. Too much of it is present in America and other countries.

According to the rhetoric espoused by some people, one might think that they want to kill all followers of Islam, or attack or discriminate against them, which is absurd and evil unto itself.  A large number of Americans are afraid. But their fear is nothing when compared with the fears that were present in the U.S. after 9/11.

We live in difficult and challenging times.[3]  But the terrorist acts of a few cannot be allowed to permeate and change our great nation or the American people.  This is a lesson we learned from World War II.  An estimated 110,000 Japanese-Americans were “interned” at Manzanar in California and at other camps, because of similar fears.[4]

Terrorist attacks have occurred in the U.S. and abroad.  Tragically,  it seems that “terrorism”—in its many forms—will be present for a long time to come.  Kate Steinle was killed brutally in the “sanctuary city” of San Francisco by a known criminal and illegal immigrant.[5]  Oklahoma City was bombed by Timothy McVeigh[6].  More than 900 perished in the religious cult of Jim Jones.[7]  Mass killings occurred recently in Paris[8] and San Bernardino, California[9].  And the list goes on and on.

Large numbers of Americans tune out Barack Obama because of their frustrations, anger and disgust.  Indeed, there is enormous venom with respect to the followers of Islam and him—as well as outright racism—which appears on Web sites in the U.S. and abroad.  Often, violent statements and actions are directed at both.[10]

This is not the American way.

© 2015, Timothy D. Naegele

_______________________________________________

[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 http://www.naegele.com/documents/TimothyD.NaegeleResume.pdf). He has an undergraduate degree in economics from 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. 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; see also Google search: Timothy D. Naegele

[2]  It has been said: “Muslims are like guns and gun owners. There is only trouble with a small percentage.”

See also https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2012/12/20/abortions-and-autos-kill-more-in-america-than-guns/ (“Abortions And Autos Kill More In America Than Guns”)

[3]  See https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2015/07/01/global-chaos-and-helter-skelter/ (“Global Chaos And Helter Skelter”); see also 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”)

[4]  A Japanese submarine attacked the oil fields at Ellwood, north of Santa Barbara, California:

Though damage was minimal, the event was key in triggering the West Coast invasion scare and influenced the decision to intern Japanese-Americans.

See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombardment_of_Ellwood (“Bombardment of Ellwood”); see also https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manzanar (“Manzanar”)

[5]  See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shooting_of_Kathryn_Steinle (“Shooting of Kathryn Steinle”)

[6]  See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timothy_McVeigh (“Timothy McVeigh”)

[7]  See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Jones (“Jim Jones”)

[8]  See https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2015/11/20/we-are-all-parisians/ (“We Are All Parisians”)

[9]  See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Bernardino,_California#21st_century

[10]  The President’s religious “origins” in Islam contribute to this.  See, e.g., https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2009/12/05/is-barack-obama-a-racist/ (“Is Barack Obama A Racist?”)

Earthquakes: The Big One Is Coming To At Least Los Angeles

By Timothy D. Naegele[1]

While the damage from the recent Christchurch earthquake in New Zealand has been enormous, and the costs of rebuilding will be staggering, and the emotional trauma is unfathomable, Kiwis have much to be thankful for after the quake.

Having grown up in Los Angeles, I know that earthquakes are scary, because I lived through probably more than a hundred of them when I was a kid.  They would happen so often that I got used to them and even began to enjoy them.  As long as one has reason to believe in his or her own survival, one can find them interesting.   Our family home was near the UCLA campus in the Westwood suburb of the city; and it was constructed out of wood, so no serious damage ever occurred.

Years later, after working full time in Washington, D.C. for 21 years, I moved back to Southern California and experienced them again.  The first one hit when I was living in a house on the beach at Malibu, which had been built on wood pilings above the sand.  The rocking sensation was accentuated because of the pilings, and it scared me for the very first time.  Later, other quakes have unsettled me—as well as their aftershocks—perhaps because I had lost my fearlessness as a child.

California has experienced major earthquakes all of my life, including the 1989 Loma Prieta quake in the San Francisco Bay Area, which collapsed major roadways and buildings alike.[2] Earlier this year, the devastating earthquake in Haiti killed an estimated 230,000 people.[3] Also, I will never forget the “Spitak Earthquake” that was a tremor with a magnitude of 6.9—less than that of the 7.1 Christchurch quake—which took place on December 7, 1988, in the Spitak region of Armenia, then part of the former Soviet Union.  The earthquake killed at least 25,000 people.[4]

Geologists and earthquake engineering experts laid the blame on poorly-built apartments and other buildings.  However, most of all I remember the quote: “Earthquakes don’t kill people.  Buildings do.”[5] Viewing photos of the damage in and around the Christchurch area on the south island of New Zealand, it seems that so many of the buildings were made out of bricks and other building materials, which could easily fall on people and injure or kill them.[6] Indeed, it is a blessing that there were so few injuries.[7] Buildings can be rebuilt, and roads and other infrastructure elements can be repaired or replaced—which will produce much-needed jobs for Kiwis—but lives cannot be replaced as the Armenians and Haitians learned so tragically.

Another lesson from the quakes is the need for stronger building codes.  Los Angeles has adopted them; however, the steel joints in many high-rise office buildings were apparently weakened by the 1994 Northridge earthquake[8], and nothing has been done to repair them.  To remove tenants from the buildings, while the potentially-critical work is underway, was deemed to be politically and economically unpalatable.  Thus, the problems were swept under the rug and never addressed by building owners and the city’s politicians.  Los Angeles may rue the day that this happened.

Residents of Southern California are waiting for the “Big One” to occur sometime in the future, which geologists have been saying is long overdue.  Predictions are that it will measure more than 8.0 on the Richter Scale, and that approximately 2 million people in Southern California might lose their lives.[9] Thus, Kiwis must be thankful that the Christchurch quake relieved the pressures on the fault; and that while the damage is being measured in the billions of U.S. dollars, so few injuries occurred.

This is truly a blessing, unlike what happened in Armenia and Haiti, or what is being predicted for Southern California and along America’s New Madrid Fault Line—which could result in “the highest economic losses due to a natural disaster in the United States”[10]—and in Pakistan where lives hang in the balance as these words are written, because of massive flooding in that country.[11]

© 2010, 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 practices law in Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles with his firm, Timothy D. Naegele & Associates, which specializes in Banking and Financial Institutions Law, Internet Law, Litigation and other matters (see www.naegele.com and http://www.naegele.com/naegele_resume.html).  He has an undergraduate degree in economics from UCLA, as well as two law degrees from the School of Law (Boalt Hall), University of California, Berkeley, and from Georgetown University.  He is a member of the District of Columbia and California bars.  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.  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., http://www.naegele.com/whats_new.html#articles), and can be contacted directly at tdnaegele.associates@gmail.com

[2] See, e.g., http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1989_Loma_Prieta_earthquake

[3] See, e.g., http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_Haiti_earthquake

[4] See, e.g., http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1988_Spitak_earthquake

[5] Similarly, on the last two boats that I owned, I had a plaque placed next to the wheel by which the boats were steered that read: “The sea is not inherently dangerous but it is mercilously unforgiving of human carelessness.”  No accidents occurred, thank God.

[6] See, e.g., http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/image.cfm?c_id=1&gal_cid=1&gallery_id=113693#7075994

[7] See, e.g., http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10671356

[8] See, e.g., http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1994_Northridge_earthquake

[9] See, e.g., http://www.naegele.com/documents/LAEarthquake-80nRichter.pdf and http://www.naegele.com/documents/Sciencemagazinearticle.pdf

[10] See, e.g., http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Madrid_Seismic_Zone

[11] See, e.g., http://www.upi.com/Top_News/Analysis/2010/09/03/Commentary-Cry-for-me-Pakistan/UPI-97951283512773/ (“Pakistan is reeling under the most devastating national catastrophe since independence 63 years ago”)

America: A Rich Tapestry Of Life

By Timothy D. Naegele[1]

What makes a country special and, yes, great?  Its land, its people, its history, its culture, its belief systems or its soul?  All of these, and so much more—including intangibles that most of us never think about.  The United States is that country, unlike any other on the Earth.  There is no need for Americans to flaunt it or be arrogant or condescending or aloof.  Those are not the American way.  Deep beneath the surface, there is love for people everywhere, and an appreciation of each person’s God-given gifts and uniqueness.  In a recent interview, I said:

I believe in this country, and I believe in Americans of all colors, faiths and backgrounds.  The United States is the only true melting pot in the world, with its populace representing a United Nations of the world’s peoples.  Yes, we fight and we even discriminate, but when times are tough—like after 9/11—we come together as one nation, which makes this country so great and special.  Also, all of us or our ancestors came here from somewhere else.  Even the American Indians are descended from those who crossed the Bering Strait—or the “Bering land bridge”—according to anthropologists.[2]

Most of us spend a lifetime dealing with issues and challenges that we believe, rightly or wrongly, are not of our own making; and we react accordingly. Some are big, but most are small and petty, albeit each seems so important at the time. For example, last night I bought a new Apple iPod on which I loaded music and other data from my laptop, but I could not find the icon on my desktop this morning. I called Apple’s technical support line, and was routed to a fellow in India. He was very nice and courteous, but I told him that I wanted to speak with someone in the United States. When he said that he would let me talk with his supervisor, I thanked him but said no, and hung up and called Apple again. The same thing happened, so I tried a third time and a very nice woman came on the line named “Abby.” I detected a slight accent and asked where she was located, and she said the Philippines. I thought about hanging up a third time, but decided against it.

Abby was delightful, and really tried to help.  Having been an Apple customer for about 20 years, I know how diligently she tried.  Finally, she routed me to “Amy,” who turned out to be located in Boise, Idaho.  Amy was delightful too; and we tried everything, but nothing worked because the “Made in China” iPod is apparently defective and needs to be replaced.  In the course of our discussions, I learned that Amy hailed from California, where I was born and raised.  Having had bad experiences with HP recently—where Amy’s husband has worked—in terms of its nonexistent customer support, I was pleased to tell Amy how I had gone through Apple’s ups and downs, but have been generally quite pleased with its telephone support.  It has kept me in the fold and a loyal Apple customer through thick and thin.  Something struck me in the gut though, about companies like Apple farming out calls to India, the Philippines and other countries.  It just seemed very un-patriotic.  It meant the loss of jobs that might have gone to Americans; and it was the first time that I found Apple doing it.

If I had purchased Apple stock at about $12 per share many years ago, I would have made out like a bandit.  If I had bought stock in Ford when it reached a low of $1.01 in November of 2008, which was not too long ago, I would done very well.  Ford has announced plans to hire more American workers; its new cars are great looking; and their quality is apparently superb.[3] Despite the fact that the U.S. may be in the “doldrums” for the rest of this decade, I have been pleased to tell friends and acquaintances that Ford is back, or so it seems, just like Apple came roaring back.  My first four cars were Fords, before I switched to foreign brands—with two Chevrolets thrown in—and it is nice to think about Ford once again and to have an American automaker to be proud of.  Lots of people are avoiding cars from Barack Obama’s “Government Motors” and Chrysler, and I share their views.

Whether it is a computer-related product or a car or almost anything else in life, there is a newfound pride in buying American that is surfacing in this country.  Will it result in harmful protectionism that sent the global economies into a tailspin during the 1930s?  I do not believe so because at the very least, complicated products like cars and computers often have parts that are made abroad.  However, as times get tougher, Americans and others may buy their own country’s products before turning abroad.  This is human nature; or their decisions may be dictated solely by price not sentiment.  Apple’s iPod and its computers are made in China, but even that might change—although it seems unlikely anytime soon.

In April of 2009, I wrote: “America and other nations are in uncharted waters [economically, politically, and in other ways]; and their politicians may face backlashes from disillusioned and angry constituents that are unprecedented in modern times.”[4] Even harder days are ahead, and politicians may experience electoral “bloodbaths.”  These will be years of taking stock, and of being thankful for the little things—for families and helping others.  The limits of hedonism, godless secularism, and paying homage to the false gods of materialism will become self-evident.  We may opt for simpler lives because we have to, and because we come to like and prefer a return to the basics.

When I decided that I wanted to work on Capitol Hill after spending two years in the Army, rather than rejoin a prestigious San Francisco law firm where I could make more money, I tried to get a job with then-U.S. Senator Alan Cranston from my home State of California.  To my surprise and disappointment, his staff was headed by a fellow from New York who apparently wanted to propel Cranston into the foreign policy arena, and was less interested in hiring Californians like me.  Hence, I pounded the Senate corridors and learned that then-U.S. Senator Edward W. Brooke—the first black senator since Reconstruction after the U.S. Civil War, with Barack Obama being the third—was hiring an attorney for the Senate Banking Committee.

I was hired by his chief of staff, Dr. Alton Frye, without ever having met the senator.  I was honored that a white man from California was working for a black man from Massachusetts, but that is how America works.  I went on to write the “Brooke Amendment” relating to public housing; and the national “Housing Allowance” that morphed into the Section 8 housing program, which has helped millions of Americans.  The nicest thing that some people might say about me is that I am “outspoken.”  Ed Brooke put it another way one day, when he said that I lacked “tact.”  Perhaps this is the beauty of being an American.  Each of us can speak our mind on any and every issue, without qualms about doing so.

I criticize President Obama regularly, often in scathing terms, but I almost voted for him.  Even though I disagree with almost everything he does, because I am much more conservative than he will ever be, I would prefer him any day of the week to a leader like Russia’s murderous dictator-for-life Putin.[5] Perhaps I will never forget the way Obama wrote lovingly about his mother and his maternal grandparents, “Toot” and “Gramps,” in his book “Dreams from My Father.”[6] Yet, after working in Washington, D.C. for 21 years nonstop, the one lesson I learned is that government does not work; and the Obama presidency is a shining example of that.  Only the Pentagon—where I spent two years as an Army Officer—and our military are remotely efficient and effective.  The rest of government is a vast “wasteland,”  even though there are good people working at all levels of government.

America is magnificent geographically, whether one thinks about the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Yosemite and other breathtaking parks, or its deserts, mountains, lakes, inland waterways and coastlines.  Its metropolitan areas are unparalleled, be it New York City or San Francisco, or thousands of cities and towns in between.  Its people are like a rainbow, with diversity undergirding all.  Its culture is rich because of the many cultures that have been blended into the American experience, which is unique in all the world.  Its belief systems are as varied as there are colors in the rainbow.  And its soul . . . ah yes, its soul . . . embraces the souls of more than 300 million people, woven together into a rich tapestry of life.

When we have decisions to make or feel that we are being called in a particular direction, our strength comes in putting our faith in God within and trusting the guidance we receive through prayer, intuition or love.  As individuals and as a country, we walk by faith not by sight.  Yes, America is great . . . from sea to shining sea—and deep in the Pacific where volcanic peaks of the Hawaiian Islands loom, and in the majestic northernmost reaches of Alaska’s tundra, and in the azure Caribbean too.  God blessed us beyond belief, although we take it for granted much of the time.  Everyone does.  This is human nature.  After all, we are not perfect.  Neither is America.  Only God is.[7]

© 2010, Timothy D. Naegele

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[1] Timothy D. Naegele was counsel to the U.S. Senate Banking Committee, and chief of staff to Presidential Medal of Freedom and Congressional Gold Medal recipient and former U.S. Senator Edward W. Brooke (R-Mass), the first black senator since Reconstruction after the U.S. Civil War.  He practices law in Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles with his firm, Timothy D. Naegele & Associates (www.naegele.com).  He has an undergraduate degree in economics from UCLA, as well as two law degrees from the School of Law (Boalt Hall), University of California, Berkeley, and from Georgetown University.  He is a member of the District of Columbia and California bars.  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.  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

[2] See http://www.philstockworld.com/2009/10/11/greenspan’s-legacy-more-suffering-to-come/ and http://seekingalpha.com/instablog/2951-ilene/31177-interview-with-timothy-d-naegele

[3] See, e.g., http://finance.yahoo.com/q/hp?s=F&a=00&b=3&c=2008&d=01&e=2&f=2010&g=m; see also http://www.ford.com/about-ford/news-announcements/press-releases/press-releases-detail/pr-ford-kicks-off-2010-with-24-31945 and http://online.wsj.com/mdc/public/page/2_3022-autosales.html#autosalesE

[4] See http://www.realclearpolitics.com/news/tms/politics/2009/Apr/08/euphoria_or_the_obama_depression_.html; see also http://www.americanbanker.com/issues/173_212/-365185-1.html

[5] Compare https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/01/20/the-end-of-barack-obama/ and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/01/19/emp-attack-only-30-million-americans-survive/ and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/01/01/barack-obama-america’s-second-emperor/ and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2009/12/26/obama-in-afghanistan-doomed-from-the-start/ and https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2009/12/05/is-barack-obama-a-racist/ with https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2010/02/09/russias-putin-is-a-killer/

[6] See Obama, “Dreams from My Father” (paperback “Revised Edition,” published by Three Rivers Press, 2004), pp. xii (“[S]he was the kindest, most generous spirit I have ever known, and . . . what is best in me I owe to her”), 89 (“[Toot and Gramps] had sacrificed again and again for me.  They had poured all their lingering hopes into my success.  Never had they given me reason to doubt their love; I doubted if they ever would”), 343 (“I looked out the window, thinking about my mother, Toot, and Gramps, and how grateful I was to them—for who they were. . . .”); see also https://naegeleblog.wordpress.com/2009/12/05/is-barack-obama-a-racist/

[7] Some years ago, I had a law student from UCLA who worked for me as a law clerk doing research and legal writing.  He made a small mistake in a brief, but one that I considered important.  I jumped all over him.  He had worked in Saudi Arabia as an engineer before coming to law school; and he stopped me, and asked if I knew how the Saudis made Oriental rugs.

Some were made by hand and others by machines, he said, but in every case there was an intentional mistake inserted somewhere in each rug.  He asked if I knew why, and I said no.  He said the Saudis believed that only Allah—or God—is perfect; and of course I believed that too.  Since then, when I have jumped all over myself for making mistakes, or thought about criticizing others, I have recalled his story.  None of us are perfect.  Only God is.