Anslinger Being Tough?
Harry Anslinger was a United States government official who served as the first commissioner of the U.S. Treasury Department’s Federal Bureau of Narcotics. He was a supporter of prohibition and the criminalization of drugs, and played a pivotal role in cannabis prohibition. [1]
Excerpt from the book:
Many people assume what we call the War on Drugs began in 1971 during the Nixon Administration. Some believe “the War” began during Prohibition due to the relentless efforts of a racist and moralist federal agent named Harry Anslinger. [2]
Continuing later in the book:
Anslinger was a bureaucratic empire-builder and he saw marijuana as the leverage needed to expand the size and power of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics. He railed against the use of reefer, weed, or pot by blacks, particularly black entertainers. Anslinger hated jazz with its free-wheeling lack of rigid structure and he equated it with what he viewed as black depravity. Black bandleader Cab Calloway had a 1933 hit song called Reefer Man featured in the movie International House. Anslinger must have been furious. [2]
References:
- Wikipedia, Harry Jacob Anslinger
- Prisoner of War: The Story of White Boy Rick and The War on Drugs by Vince Wade – Page 20, 39
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- It’s Fun to Reach out to People Who You Haven’t Seen in a While
Most of us have people who pop into our minds on a regular basis that we haven’t seen in a while. When this happens, we may think things like, “I wonder what that person’s up to?” or “How are they’re doing?” When this happens, it’s a good idea to take the time to reconnect with them. It lets them know that you have been thinking about them and that you still care. Sometimes you’ll find that you have been thinking about you as well. A few years ago, I was thinking about one of my old army bunkmates. I was fortunate enough to find him on Facebook, so I sent him a message. He came back with, “I’ve always wondered what happened to you!” It turned out he lived in Philadelphia and that I would be working there in several weeks. So, we connected for lunch and he drove me to the airport. It was absolutely wonderful to catch up. So, the next time someone’s name pops into your head who you haven’t seen in a while, make it a point reach out to them. You’ll both be glad you did!
References:
- Prioritizing Relationships in the Classroom Produces Amazing Results – by Dr. Ross Reck
According to a recent article in Nice News, starting each class with a brief conversation has produced amazing results at Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School in Atlanta. The strategy is to build relationships with and among students before opening a textbook. “One of the first things we did was change our entire instructional framework,” Principal Kimberly Sewell told CBS News Atlanta. “Every class, every day, our teachers start with connection before content. For 30 seconds, we ask students something simple, like their favorite pizza topping or what makes them happy.” Since adopting the approach two years ago, discipline referrals have dropped by about 50%, attendance has increased, and more students are choosing to resolve conflicts through conversation instead of physical altercations.
References:
- Winning by Jack Welch
Winning
Available from Amazoncom Jack Welch knows how to win. During his forty-year career at General Electric, he led the company to year-after-year success around the globe, in multiple markets, against brutal competition. His honest, be-the-best style of management became the gold standard in business, with his relentless focus on people, teamwork, and profits.
Since Welch retired in 2001 as chairman and chief executive officer of GE, he has traveled the world, speaking to more than 250,000 people and answering their questions on dozens of wide-ranging topics.
Inspired by his audiences and their hunger for straightforward guidance, Welch has written both a philosophical and pragmatic book, which is destined to become the bible of business for generations to come. It clearly lays out the answers to the most difficult questions people face both on and off the job.
Welch’s objective is to speak to people at every level of an organization, in companies large and small. His audience is everyone from line workers to MBAs, from project managers to senior executives. His goal is to help everyone who has a passion for success.
Welch begins Winning with an introductory section called “Underneath It All,” which describes his business philosophy. He explores the importance of values, candor, differentiation, and voice and dignity for all.
The core of Winning is devoted to the real “stuff” of work. This main part of the book is split into three sections. The first looks inside the company, from leadership to picking winners to making change happen. The second section looks outside, at the competition, with chapters on strategy, mergers, and Six Sigma, to name just three. The next section of the book is about managing your career—from finding the right job to achieving work-life balance.
Welch’s optimistic, no excuses, get-it-done mind-set is riveting. Packed with personal anecdotes and written in Jack’s distinctive no b.s. voice, Winning offers deep insights, original thinking, and solutions to nuts-and-bolts problems that will change the way people think about work.
References:
- RossReck.com
- Amazon.com
- Wikipedia – Jack Welch
- An Enthusiastic Greeting on Our Part Can Help Other People Have a Better Day – by Dr. Ross Reck
As my wife Marcia and I were walking back to our car after shopping at Sprout’s Farmer’s Market, we were greeted by a woman with a very enthusiastic, “Good morning! How are you folks doing?” I responded in kind with: “Wonderful! And how are you doing?” She came back with, “Fantastic! I hope the two of you have an absolutely terrific rest of your day!” I then said, “You have a terrific day as well!” After I got into the car, Marcia said to me, “Tell me, how are you feeling right now?” I said, “Pretty upbeat, actually.” “She then said, “You owe some of that good feeling to that person who just greeted us.” I thought for a moment and said, “You’re right. I’m having a better day because someone greeted me with a little enthusiasm.” The lesson here is that we can all help other people have a better day. All we have to do is add a little enthusiasm to the way we greet them. The bonus for doing this is that it will help us have a better day as well.
References:
- Earth is Being Sucked Away from Its Current Location
What astronomers call the Great Attractor, our solar system is being pulled to a location hidden by our Milky Way.
The Great Attractor is a massive gravitational anomaly located about 150 to 250 million light-years away from Earth that pulls the Milky Way and thousands of other galaxies toward it at roughly 1.3 million miles per hour.
We are still moving toward that patch of sky right now, at roughly 600 kilometers a second, a little over a million miles an hour, carried along with every other galaxy near us. Nobody on Earth will live long enough to notice the trip. [Space Daily, Ainura Kalau, September 2, 2026 – Every galaxy in our neighborhood, including our own, is being pulled toward a single point in space hidden directly behind the crowded disk of the Milky Way, and when astronomers finally looked through the dust, they found a large, previously hidden cluster of thousands of galaxies sitting almost exactly where the pull was coming from – Astronomers spent decades chasing an invisible force pulling our galaxy through space, only to discover it was hidden in plain sight behind cosmic dust.]
References:
- Where’s My Toilet Paper?
President Trump is Making You Pay Tariffs on Toilet Paper
toiletpaper Canada is the United States’ largest supplier of toilet paper imports, which are now subject to a 50% tariff thanks to Trump. (Facial tissues, paper towels and napkins are tariffed, too.)
Where Does Most Toilet Paper Come From?
Check the statistics from the World Bank WITS (World Integrated Trade Solutions) website.
United States Toilet paper imports by country in 2024
Even The Guardian is writing about the possible shortage of toilet paper thanks to Trump’s stupid tariffs.
References:
- The Guardian, August, 2026 – Wiped out: US faces surging toilet paper prices amid trade war with Canada – Paper products among hardest-hit sectors after trade negotiations broke down, with 25-50% tariffs estimated
- MS.Now, Anne Kim, August 30, 2026 – For the second time in Trump’s two terms, Americans are fretting about toilet paper. That’s not good. – The Trump administration makes a mistake if it underestimates Americans’ worries over this lowly consumer staple.
- You Get the Most Out of Life When You Blaze Your Own Trail – by Dr. Ross Reck
Many people choose to follow the crowd by taking the well-worn path through life. They find this choice appealing because it seems relatively risk-free and it keeps them well inside their comfort zone. In reality, there are huge risks associated with following the crowd. First, you give up a great deal of your uniqueness and independence. This means you may never become the person you’re capable of becoming. Second, when you follow the crowd, you don’t have to think creatively which severely limits your personal growth. Third, you miss out on all the fun and excitement that’s nowhere to be found when you follow the crowd. You get the most out of life when you blaze your own trail. Doing so is actually far less risky than following the crowd and the rewards are so much greater.
References:
- Trump – Remember Canada Holds All the “Cards” with the Welland Canal
And Canada Owns the Canal!
Is this going to be another of Trump’s Strait of Hormuz?
The Canadian government retains ownership of the Welland Canal and the other Canadian Seaway assets. St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC) essentially operates the system on Canada’s behalf. Its responsibilities include operating the locks and maintaining, repairing and replacing the federally owned infrastructure.
Is the Canadian government going to charge higher tolls/fees on United States ships?
The 2024 agreement between Canada and the SLSMC continued this arrangement and specifically provides resources for upgrading and maintaining Canadian federally owned locks, wharves, roads and bridges.
SLSMC is a not-for-profit corporation and is specifically authorized to use tolls and other revenue to finance its activities. If those revenues aren’t sufficient, the federal government provides additional funds to eliminate the deficit.
References:
- Progressive News Media
MS.NOW – (formerly known as MSNBC) is an American cable news and political commentary television network. It is widely recognized for having a center-left or liberal editorial stance. The rebrand follows the channel’s separation from NBCUniversal and NBC News under a spun-off media company named Versant. Despite the corporate restructuring, the channel’s format, staff, and political viewpoint remain the same. The letters MS originally referred to Microsoft (the network’s co-founder in 1996), but now stand for My Source for News, Opinion, and the World.
The New Republic – As Trump attacks the press and fires watchdogs to dodge accountability—we’re exposing every move.
The Damage Report – This is your daily breakdown of the true threats and challenges facing our country and our world. An unflinching, no holds barred accounting of the damage done by the Trump administration, and the day by day battle to hold the Biden administration accountable. SUBSCRIBE for more videos throughout the week!
BJC Online – They are attorneys, Capitol Hill insiders, ministers and scholars who work in the courts, with Congress and in the community to defend the First Amendment’s guarantee of religious freedom for every person, including those who don’t claim a faith tradition.
The David Pakman Show – The David Pakman Show (TDPS) started as a radio show called Midweek Politics in the basement of community radio station WXOJ’s studio in Northampton, Massachusetts. Today, it is one of the most watched independent progressive podcasts and online shows. The program’s first iteration launched in August 2005. TDPS is one of the most viewed progressive political channels on YouTube, and is hosted by David Pakman. David, originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina, holds an MBA from Bentley University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and Communication from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.
- Leaving Military Service?
Consider Talking to the GI Rights Hotline Before Leaving the Service
The GI Rights Hotline is a free, confidential, nonprofit service that helps U.S. military personnel, veterans, people considering enlistment, and their families understand their rights and options under military regulations. It is not a government agency.
GI Rights Hotline: 1-877-447-4487
The Hotline says it generally will not disclose that you contacted them or discuss your situation with anyone outside the organization without your permission. There are standard exceptions involving things such as a court subpoena or an imminent danger situation. You can also choose to remain anonymous.
The hotline specializes particularly in military personnel problems such as:
- Military discharges and separation issues
- Medical or disability discharges
- Hardship or dependency discharges
- Entry-level separation
- AWOL/UA situations
- Conscientious objection
- Reservist mobilization and participation issues
- Harassment or discrimination
- Military grievances and complaints, including Article 138 complaints
- Discharge upgrades
- Questions about military rights before joining the military
Under Trump, Conscientious Objectors Flee the Military
Another resource that military folks should consider.
The Center on Conscience & War (CCW) is a U.S. nonprofit organization that has advocated for conscientious objectors to war since 1940. Its work is particularly focused on people whose moral, ethical, or religious beliefs prevent them from participating in war or military service.
Official website: Center on Conscience & War
Normally, the organization has about 50 objectors in a year, said Mike Prysner, who runs a hotline at the CCW, but since February, Prysner said the organization has assisted about 140 applicants. “The Iran war was really the breaking point for them when they realized that they had to take action to make sure that they did not participate in something that they were going to regret for the rest of their lives,” Prysner said. [The New Republic, Hafiz Rashid, August 26, 2026 – U.S. troops are reaching their breaking point as they say recent orders challenge their moral beliefs.]
References:
- MS Now, Lt. Col. Rachel E. VanLandingham, August 28, 2026 – Trump’s wars are leaving invisible scars on our military – U.S. service personnel are suffering moral injury in large part because the White House is ignoring international law and basic military ethics.
- VA.gov, Know Before You Go – VA Benefits and Services
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