Dan Lipka Web Log

Sometimes I'm glad nobody reads this blog. There are a lot of ideas out there, that are profitable, that are just terrible for the world. Some will probably never happen, but others are inevitable.  Here is one that I just realized. Drones are getting more sophisticated and easier to control from hundreds of miles away. When is somebody going to have the idea to use drones to rob houses.  It wouldn't be that hard for a drone to break a window, than fly around the house (via camera enabled remote control) and look for small items to steal, like jewelry. Than fly back without a trace.  Of course, drones could also be used commit much more violent crimes (this is horrifying,  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNPJMk2fgJU ).  The future is filled will be filled with both the most helpful and the most destructive technology known to man.  Wish us luck.

Top Stories Washington Post (top story) - The U.S. deficit hit $984 billion in 2019, soaring during Trump era. NYTimes (2nd Story) - Federal Budget Deficit Swelled to Nearly $1 Trillion in 2019. Wall Street Journey (18th story) - U.S. Budget Gap Increases 26% in Fiscal 2019. Fox News - Nothing at all. Breitbart (9th Story) - Budget Deficit: Just Under $1 Trillion for 2019. AP News (4th story) -US budget deficit hits $984 billion, highest in 7 years. Trump Twitter - Nothing. ABC News (2nd Story) - US budget deficit hits $984 billion. USA Today - Nothing. This is a critical story for economic philosophy.  Did lowering the taxes on corporations lead to greater overall revenue.  Even during a strong economy, the answer is no. This combined with excessive spending, leads to a huge deficit. 

As the industrial age ends, there is new revolutionary technology that will radically change the world. It's onset is similar to the birth of the internet, in that it happened quick enough to change everything, but slow enough that it wasn't shocking to experience. This new technology is gene editing. The ability to modify the building blocks of all life. We are in the infancy of a technological transformation that started with the creation of CrisprCas9, but is rapidly moving beyond that. This has only one outcome, which is the establishment of eugenics (either controlled or uncontrolled).  As easy as it is to make genetically modified corn, we can make genetically modified anything. Of course, it will start with correcting "broken" genes that cause disease, but it will quickly move to optional changes. What if a country wants to modify the genes that controls metabolism so their people are less likely to starve to death, is that immoral? What about improving eyesigh

Is it possible that a lot of people voted for Trump because they thought he would lose. By doing so, they are able to complain for the next four years, "I voted for Trump and if he was President than everything would be better".  Instead of being able to say that, Trump voters now have to be accountable for everything he does and they are often on the defensive (especially in purple states). Perhaps in the next election they will vote against him (or not vote), just to avoid this.  It is more fun to hate the Patriots than love the Jets. 

There is just so much to write. At best (for the Democrats), Trump is impeached and it goes to the Senate, which will never, ever get the votes (66 votes) needed to actually impeach him (although it might embarrass Republicans). Once that is over, Trump is officially above the law and above oversight.  For this reason, the House will probably drag this out as long as possible.  Because afterwards, the House would never try to impeach him twice (or would they), especially if he is re-elected. Knowing that impeachment isn't a threat. Trump could do whatever he wants and with another four years, he would continue to stack the courts with those loyal to him. There goes the separation of powers, that quickly.  Luckily the limits of two terms for the President is a constitutional amendment and not just a law. Here is another fun thought, what is Trump wins re-election, evidence of a crime surfaces, and Nancy Pelosi impeaches again (of course, Pelosi should retire if Trump wins again)

Amazingly, there isn't a Republican candidate for President that proclaims to be Trump, without all the baggage.  Somebody whose policies are the exact same as Trump, who speeches are the same at Trump, and is also a megalomaniac.  However, it would be somebody who is not from New York, wasn't born into riches, hasn't been divorced, wasn't a Democrat, isn't a criminal, and generally doesn't act like an immature nutcase all the time.  Trump has proved that the President can dictate the policies of the entire country, has an almost unlimited amount of power, and can win national elections without the support of moderates.  This is the perfect time for somebody to say "Enough is enough, we thought Trump would be great, but he is really too weak. Let's impeach him collectively for violating the law and now I can be President".  Not one conservative is even trying, seems like a missed opportunity (or they really do love (or fear) Trump enough to support