SHOW AUDIO:

Houston Mayor Annise Parker [L] with Mike (Dec. 14, 2015)

Welcome to Thinkwing Radio with Mike Honig (@ThinkwingRadio), a listener call-in show  airing live every Monday night from 9-10 PM (CT) on KPFT-FM 90.1 (Houston). My engineer and discussion partner is Egberto Willies (@EgbertoWillies).

Listen live on the radio or on the internet from anywhere in the world! When the show is live, we take calls at 713-526-5738. (Long distance charges may apply.)

For the purposes of this show, I operate on two mottoes:

• You’re entitled to your own opinion, but not your own facts;
• An educated electorate is a prerequisite for a democracy.

GUESTS (If any): Callers

TOPICS: When Black people ‘Open Carry’, they risk being murdered; Saudi Executions Prompt More Regional Turmoil and Choosing of Sides; Angry White People & Republicans; Is Russia Still A World Power?; more. 

• This person donated to @thinkwingradio. THANK YOU!!
  • Patrick Robson, returning member,via web on 12/21/15 at 9:50pm
• Texas’ new laws for 2016, Posted: 4:02 PM, December 30, 2015 (com) Updated: 4:04 PM, December 30, 2015

  • The dos and don’ts of open carry, By Robert Arnold – Investigative Reporter (click2houston.com) Posted: 9:37 AM, December 31, 2015 Updated: 10:04 AM, December 31, 2015

• Heavily Armed Conservative Militia Seizes Federal Building in Oregon, January 3, 2016, by Tim Peacock (peacock-panache.com)

  • White 2^nd Amendment Privilege
    • What if African-Americans with guns had done the same thing?
      • What would the reaction be from white conservatives?
    • Should any occupation involving guns be considered ‘peaceful’?
    • What should be the punishment for those involved aside from any breaking/entering, etc. Laws?
      • Lifetime suspension of gun rights?
      • Confiscation of any guns owned?
    • FBI takes lead on investigating armed takeover of federal building in Oregon; ranchers turn themselves in: Ranchers at center of Oregon protest to turn themselves in, By Carissa Wolf and Mark Berman (Washington Post) January 4 at 6:11 PM Comments 2203
      • “Federal authorities said they would not elaborate on how they plan to respond, while the occupiers said Monday they did not believe law enforcement would try to force them off of the refuge.”
    • Meet the veterans who have joined the Oregon militiamen, By Thomas Gibbons-Neff January 4 (Washington Post) at 5:37 PM
  • Poll: Whites and Republicans Rank as Angriest Americans, by Andrew Rafferty (Meet the Press) Jan 3 2016, 11:54 am ET
• Saudi Arabia executes prominent Shiite cleric and 46 others in 12 cities: Saudi Arabia says 47 executed, including prominent Shiite cleric, by By Liz Sly January 2 at 3:49 PM
  • Saudi breaks ties with Iran after embassies in Iran attacked.
  • Iran apologizes for Embassy attacks, but condemns executions which led to it.
  • Saudi lines up Sunni allies among Gulf States.
• Houston Toll Road Authority (HTRA) is slowly going all-electronic. What does this mean to you?
  • Rates – Sam Houston Tollway Counter-Clockwise
• Booming Britain to become world’s fourth largest economy as France and Italy face G8 exclusion: Europe’s largest economies will struggle to remain members of the world’s elite economic club as UK races ahead, finds new report, By Mehreen Khan (UK Telegraph) 11:30AM GMT 26 Dec 2015
  • As Brazil and India meet the political criteria for membership of the exclusive G8 club of developed democracies, their ascension could see France and Italy kicked out of the group, or the club expanded to a G10 as more economies join.
• E.U. extends sanctions against Russia amid a growing split over their future, By Michael Birnbaum December 21 at 8:41 AM (www.washingtonpost.com): The European Union on Monday extended sanctions against Russia for six months, achieving consensus among the bloc’s 28 member nations despite rising divisions over how long to press a major trading partner over its annexation of Crimea and its role in Ukraine’s separatist war.
• Is Russia still a key world power?, By James Nixey Russia and Eurasia Programme head, Chatham House (BBC) 21 December 2015
  • Is Oil America’s current weapon of choice?
  • The current low price of oil has the unique benefit of being bad for America’s enemies, adversaries and opponents, while being more-or-less beneficial for America’s friends and allies.
• Obama’s team says the GOP earned Donald Trump: Loyalists say that after two terms of obstruction, Republicans are getting the anger candidate their rhetoric created. By Edward-Isaac Dovere, 12/27/15 (com, 07:45 AM EST) Updated 12/27/16 11:17 AM EST
  • “’It’s not that the country has changed, it’s that a narrow band of mostly white, low- and middle-income Americans are supporting a candidate who is speaking to their anxiety about being left behind in this economy,’ said Bill Burton, a former deputy White House press secretary.”
  • “Blue collar anxiety” is a real thing with real causes. That’s why so-called “Post-industrial Economies” are a fraud perpetrated against semi-skilled workers, and why industry needs to be re-invigorated in this country. We NEED blue collar jobs. Not everyone is cut out for ‘service’ work.
• The Crude Oil Export Ban–What, Me Worry About Peak Oil?, by Art Berman, Contributor (FORBES.COM) Dec 27, 2015 @ 12:18 PM 10,512 views
  • Peak oil is not about running out of oil. It is about what happens when the supply of conventional oil begins to decline. Once this happens, higher-cost, lower-quality sources of oil become increasingly necessary to meet global demand.
  • Congress ended the U.S. crude oil export ban last week. There is apparently no longer a strategic reason to conserve oil because shale production has made American great again.
  • The 1975 Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) that banned crude oil export was the closest thing to an energy policy that the United States has ever had. The law was passed after the price of oil increased in one month (January 1974) from $21 to $51 per barrel (2015 dollars) because of the Arab Oil Embargo.
  • The 1975 export ban was enacted because of the disastrous economic consequences of becoming dependent on imports following the peaking of U.S. oil production in 1970. Now that oil production is again close to peak levels, we have apparently forgotten that imports were the problem then and that we import twice as much today as in 1975.
  • Production of crude oil is higher today by 7% but consumption has grown to more than 16 mmbpd, an increase of 32%. At the time of the Arab Oil Embaro, consumption was only 12 mmbpd.
  • So, consumption has increased by one-third and imports have doubled but we no longer need to think strategically about oil supply because production is a little higher?
  • The technology behind tight oil has also made it the world’s most expensive barrel.
• Houston Toll Road Authority (HTRA) is slowly going all-electronic. What does this mean to you?
  • Rates – Sam Houston Tollway Counter-Clockwise
• Booming Britain to become world’s fourth largest economy as France and Italy face G8 exclusion: Europe’s largest economies will struggle to remain members of the world’s elite economic club as UK races ahead, finds new report, By Mehreen Khan (UK Telegraph) 11:30AM GMT 26 Dec 2015
  • As Brazil and India meet the political criteria for membership of the exclusive G8 club of developed democracies, their ascension could see France and Italy kicked out of the group, or the club expanded to a G10 as more economies join.
• What are the movies, songs, and books that make you weep?, By Laura Clawson  Friday Dec 25, 2015 9:01 PM CST (REBLOGGED BY Daily Kos)

• U.S. extends sanctions against Russia amid a growing split over their future, By Michael Birnbaum December 21 at 8:41 AM (www.washingtonpost.com): The European Union on Monday extended sanctions against Russia for six months, achieving consensus among the bloc’s 28 member nations despite rising divisions over how long to press a major trading partner over its annexation of Crimea and its role in Ukraine’s separatist war.
  • Is Russia still a key world power?, By James Nixey Russia and Eurasia Programme head, Chatham House (BBC) 21 December 2015
  • Is Oil America’s current weapon of choice?
  • The current low price of oil has the unique benefit of being bad for America’s enemies, adversaries and opponents, while being more-or-less beneficial for America’s friends and allies.

Study: Presidents die younger than unelected candidates, By Julia Belluz 1 day ago (com)

• Martin Shkreli Arrested: Martin Shkreli didn’t ‘deserve’ fraud probe fueled by Daraprim stunt, says ‘Pharma bro’ after days of hiding in Midtown apartment. Martin Shkreli, former CEO of Turing Pharmaceuticals, contends investigators were out to get him because he raised the price of his drug Daraprim and took on an online troll persona on social media; BY Nicole Hensley (NEW YORK DAILY NEWS) Monday, December 21, 2015, 4:26 AM
• Narco submarine carrying 3 tons of cocaine captured off Galapagos Islands , 2015 DW.COM, Deutsche Welle (2015-12-20) 1 day ago com: The semi-submersible drug boat was captured and three crew members arrested after the vessel encountered mechanical problems 200 miles (320 kilometers) from the Galapagos Islands.
• 40 Percent Of Ford Models To Be Electrified By 2020, by Sarah Shelton December 21, 2015 (http://www.hybridcars.com): By 2020, Ford wants 40 percent of its global lineup to be offered as a plug-in or hybrid variant.
  • To reach this goal, Ford will be investing $4.5 billion and adding 13 electrified models to its lineup, calling [this] the “largest-ever electrified vehicle investment in a five-year period” for the company.
• Stupid Quote: “This wasn’t an act of terrorism. We’re treating this as an intentional act.” -Dep Pol Chief Zimmerman http://it/1m2WLYe
• Study: Presidents die younger than unelected candidates, By Julia Belluz 1 day ago (com)
• Hillary Clinton targets corporate inversion with new ‘exit tax’ plan: Tax is part of Democratic presidential frontrunner’s strategy to ‘rein in Wall Street’ on the heels of Pfizer’s plan to merge with Allergan and move to Ireland. The proposals are part of Clinton’s larger economic agenda, which includes boosting infrastructure spending by $275bn. Photograph: Jose Luis Magana/AP
• Donald Trump:
  • The best example of why highly successful business people should absolutely NOT be president?
    • Authoritarian?
    • Unable to tolerate – or even comprehend – limits on their power?

 SOURCES WHICH MAY BE RELEVANT TO OTHER DISCUSSION:

=======================================================

• U.S. extends sanctions against Russia amid a growing split over their future, By Michael Birnbaum December 21 at 8:41 AM (www.washingtonpost.com): The European Union on Monday extended sanctions against Russia for six months, achieving consensus among the bloc’s 28 member nations despite rising divisions over how long to press a major trading partner over its annexation of Crimea and its role in Ukraine’s separatist war.
• Is Russia still a key world power?, By James Nixey Russia and Eurasia Programme head, Chatham House (BBC) 21 December 2015
• Is Oil America’s current weapon of choice?
• The current low price of oil has the unique benefit of being bad for America’s enemies, adversaries and opponents, while being more-or-less beneficial for America’s friends and allies.Walmart removes “Made in USA” logos from website after government inquiry, by Phil Wahba (@philwahba), October 20, 2015, 5:30 PM ESTMargaret Sanger: When researching controversial figures, always consider the source. – Mike
• Obama’s team says the GOP earned Donald Trump: Loyalists say that after two terms of obstruction, Republicans are getting the anger candidate their rhetoric created. By Edward-Isaac Dovere, 12/27/15 (com, 07:45 AM EST) Updated 12/27/16 11:17 AM EST
  • “’It’s not that the country has changed, it’s that a narrow band of mostly white, low- and middle-income Americans are supporting a candidate who is speaking to their anxiety about being left behind in this economy,’ said Bill Burton, a former deputy White House press secretary.”
  • “Blue collar anxiety” is a real thing with real causes. That’s why so-called “Post-industrial Economies” are a fraud perpetrated against semi-skilled workers, and why industry needs to be re-invigorated in this country. We NEED blue collar jobs. Not everyone is cut out for ‘service’ work.
• The Crude Oil Export Ban–What, Me Worry About Peak Oil?, by Art Berman, Contributor (FORBES.COM) Dec 27, 2015 @ 12:18 PM 10,512 views
  • Peak oil is not about running out of oil. It is about what happens when the supply of conventional oil begins to decline. Once this happens, higher-cost, lower-quality sources of oil become increasingly necessary to meet global demand.
  • Congress ended the U.S. crude oil export ban last week. There is apparently no longer a strategic reason to conserve oil because shale production has made American great again.
  • The 1975 Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) that banned crude oil export was the closest thing to an energy policy that the United States has ever had. The law was passed after the price of oil increased in one month (January 1974) from $21 to $51 per barrel (2015 dollars) because of the Arab Oil Embargo.
  • The 1975 export ban was enacted because of the disastrous economic consequences of becoming dependent on imports following the peaking of U.S. oil production in 1970. Now that oil production is again close to peak levels, we have apparently forgotten that imports were the problem then and that we import twice as much today as in 1975.
  • Production of crude oil is higher today by 7% but consumption has grown to more than 16 mmbpd, an increase of 32%. At the time of the Arab Oil Embaro, consumption was only 12 mmbpd.
  • So, consumption has increased by one-third and imports have doubled but we no longer need to think strategically about oil supply because production is a little higher?
  • The technology behind tight oil has also made it the world’s most expensive barrel.
• Houston Toll Road Authority (HTRA) is slowly going all-electronic. What does this mean to you?
  • Rates – Sam Houston Tollway Counter-Clockwise
• Booming Britain to become world’s fourth largest economy as France and Italy face G8 exclusion: Europe’s largest economies will struggle to remain members of the world’s elite economic club as UK races ahead, finds new report, By Mehreen Khan (UK Telegraph) 11:30AM GMT 26 Dec 2015
  • As Brazil and India meet the political criteria for membership of the exclusive G8 club of developed democracies, their ascension could see France and Italy kicked out of the group, or the club expanded to a G10 as more economies join.
• What are the movies, songs, and books that make you weep?, By Laura Clawson  Friday Dec 25, 2015 9:01 PM CST (REBLOGGED BY Daily Kos)Study: Presidents die younger than unelected candidates, By Julia Belluz 1 day ago (com)

• Martin Shkreli Arrested: Martin Shkreli didn’t ‘deserve’ fraud probe fueled by Daraprim stunt, says ‘Pharma bro’ after days of hiding in Midtown apartment. Martin Shkreli, former CEO of Turing Pharmaceuticals, contends investigators were out to get him because he raised the price of his drug Daraprim and took on an online troll persona on social media; BY Nicole Hensley (NEW YORK DAILY NEWS) Monday, December 21, 2015, 4:26 AM
• Narco submarine carrying 3 tons of cocaine captured off Galapagos Islands , 2015 DW.COM, Deutsche Welle (2015-12-20) 1 day ago com: The semi-submersible drug boat was captured and three crew members arrested after the vessel encountered mechanical problems 200 miles (320 kilometers) from the Galapagos Islands.
• 40 Percent Of Ford Models To Be Electrified By 2020, by Sarah Shelton December 21, 2015 (http://www.hybridcars.com): By 2020, Ford wants 40 percent of its global lineup to be offered as a plug-in or hybrid variant.
  • To reach this goal, Ford will be investing $4.5 billion and adding 13 electrified models to its lineup, calling [this] the “largest-ever electrified vehicle investment in a five-year period” for the company.
  • Stupid Quote: “This wasn’t an act of terrorism. We’re treating this as an intentional act.” -Dep Pol Chief Zimmerman http://it/1m2WLYe
• Study: Presidents die younger than unelected candidates, By Julia Belluz 1 day ago (com)
• Hillary Clinton targets corporate inversion with new ‘exit tax’ plan: Tax is part of Democratic presidential frontrunner’s strategy to ‘rein in Wall Street’ on the heels of Pfizer’s plan to merge with Allergan and move to Ireland. The proposals are part of Clinton’s larger economic agenda, which includes boosting infrastructure spending by $275bn. Photograph: Jose Luis Magana/AP
• Donald Trump:
  • The best example of why highly successful business people should absolutely NOT be president?
    • Authoritarian?
    • Unable to tolerate – or even comprehend – limits on their power?
• The Mike Wallace Interview: Margaret Sanger (9/21/57): Margaret Sanger, the leader of the birth control movement in America, talks to Wallace about why she became an advocate for birth control, over-population, the Catholic Church, and morality. (From the Harry Ransom Center/UT-Austin)
  • Margaret Sanger,From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: Margaret Higgins Sanger,/H1> (born Margaret Louise Higgins, September 14, 1879 – September 6, 1966, also known as Margaret Sanger Slee) was an American birth control activist, sex educator, writer, and nurse. Sanger popularized the term “birth control”, opened the first birth control clinic in the United States, and established organizations that evolved into the Planned Parenthood Federation of America
• The best example of why highly successful business people should absolutely NOT be president?
  • Authoritarian?
  • Unable to tolerate – or even comprehend – limits on their power?
• Donald Trump Says He Supports Those Who ‘Roughed Up’ Protester at His Event By Nick Corasaniti (NY Times) : Trump described his supporters’ response as preferable to that of Senator Bernie Sanders, who yielded his microphone to Black Lives Matter protesters earlier this year.
  • “Trump: ‘I Don’t Make Anything’ of Black Lives Matter Movement’”, by Derek Wallbank BLOOMBERG, Powered by Bloomberg First Word).
    • Asked by GQ what he makes of Black Lives Matter movement, Donald Trump responds: “I don’t make anything of it.”
    • He further says, “I saw them steal the microphone from Bernie Sanders and he just yielded, which surprised me”; ‘‘You know, when you say it’s a big movement, I don’t think it’s a big movement. You think it’s a big movement?”
    • Trump: “To me, all lives matter. All lives matter”
  • Is Donald Trump Serious About Registering Muslims?, by David A. Graham (Nov 20, 2015): Asked how ideas he has endorsed would be different from Nazi enrollment of Jews, the Republican frontrunner simply said, “You tell me.”Donald Trump:
• World leaders have taken to calling ISIS “Daesh,” a word the Islamic State hates, By Laura Reston (New Republic), 10 hours ago
• Rejecting Syrian Refugees: Republican governors are turning away those fleeing the civil war, while Jeb Bush suggests only welcoming Christians.
• The Empathy Gap Between Paris and Beirut: Why have attacks in France gotten so much more attention than bombings in Lebanon?, By David A. Graham, (Nov 2015, 1:58 PM ET) The Atlantic

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