Thoughts for the Day, March 19, 2025: See my Video of the Day. Why they call it March Madness.
The Power of the Federal Courts
It was nice to see so many of the professional writers this morning reiterate the point I made in yesterday’s blog about the lack of power of the federal courts to hold the Musk/Trump presidency accountable to follow a federal judge’s rulings.
I especially liked what Jamele Bouie had to say in his opinion article today. It is a reminder that it is up to us whether we accept Musk/Trump’s complete disregard of the Constitution. Here are the closing paragraphs of Bouie’s article.
When the president claims sovereign power to ignore Congress or deport foreign nationals without due process — when he treats the law as a suggestion, rejects any limits on his authority and makes the government his personal fief — he is both degrading the constitutional order and abdicating his responsibility to future generations of Americans. He is rejecting the obligation we have, as citizens, to carry on the effort to “form a more perfect union” and ensure that “government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” He is selling our birthright so that he might enjoy a bit more power for the time he has left in office, indifferent to what it might mean for Americans yet to be born.
Thankfully, Trump’s anti-constitutionalism is not the last word. How can it be otherwise? “It is the people who make constitutions work,” Henry Steele Commager wrote. “Where people are ignorant or apathetic, where they distrust democracy and are frightened by liberty, constitutionalism will fail and tyranny will take its place.” But, he said, “Where people are enlightened and alert, where they are inspired by faith in themselves and in democracy, where the spirit of liberty flourishes, constitutionalism will succeed.” Where all this goes is still up to us.
Please call your members of Congress today. The U.S. Capitol switchboard is 202-224-3121. Tell the operator where you’re from and the operator will connect you to your representatives and senators. I tested this out today. It is very simple. They will ask for the congress member you want to contact. They will then switch you to that office
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I hope he can keep his promise to end the wars sooner rather than later.
In the last 24 hours, Netanyahu and Putin have escalated their attacks on Gaza and Ukraine, while cease fire talks are going on for both wars. The cost of human lives in the two wars is unimaginable and it needs to stop.
President Trump said during his campaign he would stop the wars. I hope he can make it happen with agreements that are acceptable to the waring countries. I hope he can do it sooner rather than later.
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A small but important step
Alabama’s governor signed into law on Wednesday a ban on the conversion of pistols into fully automatic weapons, a move that follows a year of widespread gun violence in the state.
The devices, some of which are known as Glock switches, are already banned under federal law. But local law enforcement officials have said that not having a state law made it hard to charge and prosecute people who used them, fueling an epidemic of shootings in cities like Birmingham.
Gov. Kay Ivey, a Republican, who had previously pushed for the bipartisan bill, said in a statement that “while there is a federal ban on these gun conversion devices, we needed a way to empower our own law enforcement here in Alabama to get these illegal and extremely dangerous Glock switches off our streets.”
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Lack of understanding leads to poor decisions
The primary customers of Social Security are people over 66 years old, and those eligible for disability.
The people with the least amount of computer savvy are people over 66 years old. The people who are least likely to have access to computers are the elderly and the poor. The people who have the most difficulty with transportation are the disabled, the elderly, and the poor who rely on public transportation.
Yet, the SSA is making changes that will require an increase in in-person visits to SSA offices, while reducing the number of offices and reducing the availability of appointments.
Here are the proposed changes as reported by Kipplinger.
The Social Security Administration (SSA) is changing how you apply for new benefits and update your direct deposit information. The changes are being made to implement stronger identity verification procedures to increase protections against fraudulent activity. Social Security beneficiaries will be able to use their online my Social Security accounts to make these changes as online identity proofing procedures.
People who cannot use a My Social Security account will need to visit a local Social Security office to prove their identity in person. If you go this route, be sure to confirm your local Social Security field office is still open before traveling to your local office; the SSA recently suspended in-person appointments at seven field offices.
On March 31, after the two-week transition period, the SSA will begin enforcing its new online digital identity proofing and in-person identity proofing for new benefit applications and requests to update direct deposit information.
Social Security beneficiaries that don't have or want a My Social Security account must visit a local office to change their direct deposit information and can call 1-800-772-1213 to schedule an in-person appointment.
The SSA will continue to permit people who cannot or do not use an online my Social Security account to start their claim for benefits on the telephone. However, the claim must be completed in person in order to verify the person's identity. In its press release, the SSA recommended calling to request an in-person appointment to begin and complete the claim in one interaction. Whether you walk-in or have an appointment, you will need to prove your identity before starting or completing your transaction.
I get it. I love being able to update and access my social security online. It is great. Unfortunately, not all 73-year-olds are like me. Reducing the availability of appointments and making it more difficult for those who are in greatest need to access in-person appointments makes no sense to me.
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March Madness
I have set up an ESPN Tournament Challenge group for readers of Thoughts for the Day. The winner will get an Orchid of the Day and a $100 donation to the non-profit charity of their choice. The last place finisher will get an Onion of the Day. There is a limit of one entry per email.
The name of the group is Thoughts for the Day. The password is: thoughts. Updates are available on the ESPN Tournament Challenge following each game. I will provide updates on Mondays. All rules are consistent with the ESPN Tournament Challenge. The entry deadline is noon on Thursday March 20.
Here is the link to sign up for the challenge.
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Quote of the Day: “For more than two centuries, it has been established that impeachment is not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision. The normal appellate review process exists for that purpose,” Chief Justice John Roberts.
Orchid of the Day: Alabama Governor Kay Ivey. See above
Onion of the Day: Putin. So much for a possible cease fire.
Lyrics of the Day: Wrong, do it again! Wrong, do it again!
If you don't eat your meat, you can't have any pudding! Wrong, do it again. How can you have any pudding if you don't eat your meat?
Wrong, do it again!
If you think you know the answer, send me your answer in the comments section of the blog.
Answer to Lyrics of the Day for March 18, 2025: Whipping Post, The Allman Brothers
Question of the Day: Why do people make business decisions without thinking about the customers?
Video of the Day: Why they call it March Madness
INSANE ENDING 😱 Saint Francis vs Alabama State | March 18, 2025 NCAA March Madness 🔥
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Tom, I can only speculate, but these SSA changes are now another level of security to reduce fraud and scamming we see in society today. As a 64 year old, I fully embrace these changes, my generation grew up with the PC, so the interface is straight forward and the information I can access online is plentiful. I would avoid an office visit at all costs! Not so much for my 89 year old mother, but my siblings and I can manage her affairs on her behalf, again online. All the best and Go Sparty!!!
Throughout the years I have often wondered why people make business decisions that impact the customer without considering the consequences to that customer. It’s puzzling to me.