Yes, the First Order = Nazis

By now, almost everyone has watched Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and if you haven't, I would advise you to stop reading this article right now.

This being the first Star Wars movie released in thirty-three years (the prequels don't count, because they were fucking shit), the story takes place roughly three decades from where we left off after the Rebel Alliance's victory over the Galactic Empire in Return of the Jedi, and it's a little confusing at first glance.

So, to briefly summarize, after the Empire was destroyed, the Rebels reformed as the New Republic, restored the Senate, and attempted to outlaw all military weaponry. Remnants of the Empire, agitated by reparations they were forced to pay and the way they were treated, formed the First Order to restore the Empire, which led to the Resistance regrouping with the New Republic's blessing, setting the stage for this movie to make sense, plot wise. 

Okay, so got it? 

Well, I'm sorry, but I have to further confuse you, because this movie's main factions are representative of twentieth century European politics, and who doesn't want to examine the similarities between the two? Oh, no one does... Well, fuck off. 

Anyway, the First Order is representative of German Nazism and Italian Fascism, while the Resistance is representative of European Democracy and Monarchy. Think about it - after the Empire (Germany) was defeated by the Rebels (Europe), the remnants were forced to pay reparations and lose their military might, which prompted the surviving elements to become bitter and embrace a radical ideology (Nazism) in order to regain their lost pride and position - sound oddly familiar, eh? 

Still not convinced? Watch this speech from First Order General Hux right before he orders the destruction of the New Republic's host planet and neighboring systems (with the exception of the Resistance's planet, for some reason...probably for the plot):

Hux is ginger space Hitler. 

I know this doesn't really enhance the movie, but the historical similarities are fascinating. Hell, you can even make the case that the First Order's quest to eliminate the Light Side of the Force, is kind of like the Nazi's anti-religious fanaticism. Wait, what the fuck am I talking about? It's exactly like that... They are trying to either eliminate or turn every Jedi (Jew) to their side, or just exterminate them... Holy fuck.

Fuck.

Well, now I really want to see those goosestepping motherfuckers die in the eighth episode. I sure do hope they don't try to redeem Han Solo's asshole son now, since he's the fucking Star Wars equivalent of Heinrich Himmler. 

ObamaTrade bill clears Senate hurdle, moves to House

A late Friday vote in the Senate gave President Obama a hard won victory in advancing “Fast Track” Trade Promotion Authority in his administrations efforts to secure the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the U.S.-EU Free Trade Agreement (TTIP). The bill will now face a very difficult battle in the House of Representatives, where opponents of the bill–including staunchly Conservative Republicans and most Democrats–will be fighting to scupper Fast Track as a first step in killing both trade pacts altogether.

“This is an important bill, likely the most important bill we will pass this year. It’s important to President Obama,” Sen. Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah), chairman of the Senate Finance Committee and primary author of the bill, said at the close of debate.

On the final roll call, five Republicans joined 32 Democrats in opposing TPA — an odd collection that ranged from Minority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.) and his top two lieutenants to staunch conservatives such as Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.). “Congress is forgetting its duty: to improve jobs and wages for Americans,” Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), one of the most conservative senators, said in a statement.

An interesting point to note: 55 members of the House of Representatives were in the House of Representatives in 1993 when NAFTA was debated. Yes, ~8% of the House have been in power for 22 years or longer.

In response to the passage of the Fast Track bill Senator Sessions released a lengthy statement via his website blasting the TPP:

I asked the President how his fast-tracked proposals would impact jobs, wages, and trade deficits. He would not answer. The bill’s promoters also refused to answer when asked whether their proposal would reduce net manufacturing jobs in the United States. That is because they know it will. Like the South Korean trade deal—which doubled our trade deficit after promises of a trade renaissance—this proposal will widen further our trade deficits and eliminate jobs.

The Trans-Pacific Partnership opens our markets to foreign imports, but allows foreign countries to continue closing their market to ours.

Our country has not been engaged in reciprocal free trade but, as the Chairman Emeritus of Nucor Steel explained, “the enablement of foreign mercantilism” and “unilateral trade disarmament.” We have allowed state-dominated and mercantilist trading partners to maintain their varied and elaborate non-tariff barriers, exporting their unemployment to our shores.

Stubbornly, our political elites have treated trade as a matter of religion. To them, there is no such thing as a bad deal. They know American workers lose jobs when we allow trading partners to cheat. But they insist it is all for the greater good. This is why the American worker keeps ending up on the losing end.

In addition to Sessions, only four other Senate Republicans voted against the Fast Track Bill: Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), and Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL). It is worth noting that the textile and steel industries of the state of Alabama were some of the most savaged by NAFTA and the state economy only began to recover in recent years due to the influx of Automotive and Aerospace manufacturing.

Friday morning conservative commentator Michelle Malkin, when pressed as to which 2016 Presidential hopefuls she supported, declined to endorse any but said: “I wish that Sen. Jeff Sessions would run for president, because I would sign up in a heartbeat.”

Is it time to start a “Draft Sessions” and #RunSessionsRun campaign?

[Washington Post][sessions.senate.gov][Breitbart]

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Congress, Economy, Foreign Affairs, Harry Reid, Jeff Sessions, Mike Lee, Orrin Hatch, rand paul, Republican Senators, Richard Shelby, Susan Collins, Trans-Pacific Partnership, U.S.-EU Free Trade Agreement

Senators fight for Amtrak funding

On Thursday, senators from states along Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor urged the Senate Appropriations committee to approve the $2 billion funding to the rail service as part of the fiscal 2016 Transportation Spending Bill in order to increase safety regulations and equipment for the service. These pleas are partly in reaction to last week’s derailment of a Northeast Regional passenger train in Philadelphia that led to the deaths of eight people and injured 200, as stated in USA Today.

According to Robert Sumwalt, a member of the National Transportation Safety Board, the derailment could have been avoided entirely if accident-avoidance equipment called “positive train controls” (PTC) were in place on that section of the track. However, this type of safety equipment is expensive, and due to lack of funding it was not in place, leading the train to enter the curve at more than twice the 50 mph speed limit and derail. Senator Bob Casey (D-Pennsylvania) believes that not giving Amtrak the appropriate funding means forcing them to “choose between safety options such as PTC equipment and bridge repair.”

However, the odds aren’t looking in Amtrak’s favor. Last week, a vote in the Republican-controlled House Appropriations Committee approved a $251 million cut for Amtrak to $1.14 billion, which was heavily criticized by Democratic senators.

“I think what we have here is a Republican roadblock toward the greater economic future,” Senator Robert Menendez (D-New Jersey), said on Thursday. “We have a Republican roadblock towards greater safety in our transportation system and we have a Republican roadblock towards a better quality of life.”

After the incident, Congress set a deadline of December 31, 2015 for all railroads to install PTC technology, but most commuter and freight trains do not have the funding or resources to meet that deadline. In the meantime, congress will soon vote on a house-approved bill that would extend the Highway Trust Fund till the end of July without any new revenue. This trust fund contributes to funding commuter trains, however advocates of a more long term extension of the fund with new revenue argue that more funding is necessary to address crumbling bridges and roads, as well as rail improvements.

While the funding fight continues, Amtrak has already put into place an emergency order issued by the Federal Railroad Administration requiring Amtrak to use existing “automatic train controls” to restrict trains to 50 mph as they approach the curve where the derailment occurred last week.

[USA Today]

The post Senators fight for Amtrak funding appeared first on The Hill Talk.

Congress, US, Amtrak

Republicans Aim, Shoot Selves in '16 Foots

With each passing day more and more Republicans enter the 2016 presidential election with hopes of reaching the White House, but what they are really doing is hurting the GOP's chances of reclaiming the presidency by unnecessarily dividing the base and their resources. 

Although Conservatives have decried the "next in line" attitude that the Republican Party tends to follow in national elections, its common sense cannot be disputed from a financial or political standpoint. 

Sure, it doesn't allow for a substantial debate on the ideas and ideals of ideology in the primaries, but must we hash these thoughts out every four years? Will the grand old party slip perilously close to the abyss if we don't fight for the right to succeed Ronald Reagan's legacy? 

Newsflash: Reagan is dead. The eighties are gone. Republicans don't need twenty candidates. 

Not only is it not making the party stronger, because millions of voters are being fractured across too many factions to count, but it is setting a political nuclear race into effect, which once started, will end up depleting primary coffers in a useless display of self-destruction. 

What do I mean by self-destruction? Let us be serious for a moment - Jeb Bush, Marco Rubio, and Scott Walker are the only three candidates with a shot of securing the nomination. The rest are simply sucking the money and oxygen away from those with an actual chance. 

If that's not self-inflicted harm against one's own party, I don't know what is. 

Even worse are the lines that candidates are drawing: Cruz is the "true conservative," Paul is the "true defender of liberty," Fiorina is the "true outsider," Bush is the "nominee inherent," Huckabee is the true "social conservative," and so on and so forth. 

By drawing these lines they are creating a situation where their bases think only their candidate is the one that can lead or save the Republican Party, and that anyone else is simply inferior and, dangerous to the party's overall odds, "unsupportable" in the general election. 

All of this combined is why the GOP stands a decent chance of throwing the 2016 presidential election away, unless they eliminate the fringe candidates and hold a substantive debate between the three strongest candidates, which would allow them to only grow stronger.

Alas, this is the Republican Party we speak of, however, and they are not known for their intelligence. 

We're Moving...Mostly

The Jumping in Pools you know and love will be kind of moving, sort of, a little bit... okay maybe a lot.  While the humor and occasional satire will stay right here, we're taking our political writings and opinion and starting fresh over at a new website. Please check us out there. Remember to follow and subscribe over there!

Oh, and Kirsten Gillibrand may have said she got the most votes, but I call it fraud.  There is no way in bloody hell that she defeated my strategy.  I spoke at Mills twice!  Someone even offered to buy me a loaf of bread, you know, before I punched them in the face.  So, for all extents and purposes, I'm still running for Senate.  Joe will not be defeated!

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Disability Cases in Los Angeles

Workplace safety is of the utmost importance. There are many case of workers having unsafe conditions at their place of work and they do not even know about it. Just because a situation does not immediately seem unsafe does not mean that the roads of the city are always clear or safe. Being able to discern situations that could cause issues or injuries is important, especially in situations that could be the most unsafe for the people working within.

Los Angeles, being the second largest city of the country, has much opportunity for workers. However, the industry, ports, and other fields of commerce are often times haven for workplace safety issues. There are injuries that do not go reported and safety violations that are not known by the appropriate authorities. There are car accidents that cause serious issues. For the people of the greater LA area, there are situations that workers can get into without even knowing it. By then it could be too late. If you or someone you know needs a Los Angeles personal injury disability attorney then you should know your options. There is no excuse for not being informed. You could be taken advantage of or not be able to get over the issues stemming from serious injury. Make sure you know your rights!

The Aftermath of a Car Accident

Vehicles are Americans' way to explore the world, get to work, and enjoy many different facets of life. There are many issues that revolve around your vehicle, and in many ways it is the way that you make sure that you can interact with the rest of society. You treat your car or truck like a member of the family-- keeping it running well, maintaining it, and keeping it secure in your garage or driveway. But what happens if there is ever an incident that requires your attention or leaves you injured?

If this is the case, you need to make sure that you have exactly what you need to get back to where you need to be. You will need someone that can fight for you and know where you are coming from. It is imperative, especially in such an early stage of trouble that you have someone on your side. There are many moving parts and answers may not seem immediately clear if there is need for a car accident attorney. Having someone that will make sure that you are taken care of and that you can return to normal life is of utmost importance. You have to have a discerning eye to see what attorneys will make sure that you get what you deserve.

Coping with a Wrongful Death

Life is a precious thing. There are so many facets of life and its enjoyment that it is almost inconceivable that one day you may have to deal with the sudden death of a family member or loved one. When you are confronted with such a difficult situation, you should be prepared for whatever may come next. There are many different moving parts that are left to be prepared and to settle. Do not be left without the help that you need in a most difficult time.

You need someone on your side in a situation like this. Your family and friends will be there to help you, but what if there needs to be a court case revolving around a wrongful death and the issues revolving around it. When this is the case, someone experienced and qualified to deal with such a scenario will be of the utmost importance to you. Determine what you need and who you need to help you get there. An attorney specialized in wrongful death cases can be the best option for you and those that you care about. Make sure that you have the right person to assist you in such a case and be taken care of in such a difficult time.

Fort Hood Shooting Information 4/2/2014

Some bad news coming out of Fort Hood-- the site of a mass shooting five years ago.

The latest: kcentv.com - KCEN HD - Waco, Temple, and Killeen

Did the Groundhog See His Shadow? 2014

It's a cherished tradition on February 2nd in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. A groundhog named Phil pops his furry little head out of the ground and tells us whether or not we'll have six more weeks of winter or if spring will come early.

Well, that's come to an end this year. Punxsutawney Phil did appear out of his little hole this morning, only to keel over dead, grasping his little rodent chest.

"I don't know what happened." said Hannah Jerome, 11, "We were here with the entire elementary school when the funny-looking cat shrieked and fell into the dirt. When our teacher went to go look, she started to cry and shouted that it was 'one of the signs.'"

While Biblical scholars may be divided about a lot of things, one of the clear signals of the Apocalypse, as written by St. John of Lemnos was that a small groundhog would die, portending the rise of Satan.

"I done know who done did this!" shouted local preacher Kenneth Lambeau, "It was that Obama! I done told you that he's them anti-Christ!"

The death of Punxsutawney Phil was a tragedy for the small Pennsylvania town, otherwise known for an offensive sulfur smell. Phil was a mainstay of the community. When asked if the town could get a new groundhog, spokeswoman Kay Rainwater said, "Punxsutawney Phil was born of magic and happiness and has been alive for thousands of years. We can't just replace him."

The death of the groundhog appears to be one of the many appearing signs of the End Times. Among these include the removal of the Baconator from Wendy's menu, the rise of reality television, and the appearance of Jack Black.

"We need to take the biggest shovel we done got and build us a whole fifty cubits deep!" shouted Lambeau, "Repent, the end is at hand!"

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Wonderful Products from WestcomUSA

The other day I received a package that I have been eagerly anticipating through UPS. On my door step were twelve solar lights coming from the site YesComUSA.

In short, I love them! They are an excellent addition to my household and are so good that I even gave some to my father to put around his house. These sturdy lights are a great way to make sure that you can keep the ambiance around your house and to keep things lighted without having to worry about wiring them or on electricity costs.

These solar lights are a wonderful addition to my house. I would recommend them to anyone that wants an inexpensive, great way to keep some light around your house and keep it looking good.

London Beheading Photo 5/23/2013

Of the killer. Disturbing.

London Beheading Attack 5/23/2013

Some disturbing news coming out of Great Britain. A British soldier was beheaded by two crazed men wielding a machete. They were reportedly shouting "Allahu akbar."

Eyewitnesses said the victim, who a local MP said was believed to be a soldier, was hacked to death, with some suggesting his attackers tried to behead him. Unconfirmed reports said they also filmed the attack. UK Home Secretary Theresa May said: "I have been briefed by the Metropolitan Police Commissioner and the Director General of the Security Service. "It has been confirmed to me that a man has been brutally murdered this afternoon in South East London. Two other men were shot by armed police and they are currently receiving treatment for their injuries.

Live coverage from the BBC here.

Ibragim Todashev Information 5/23/2013

Ibragim Todashev, who was being questioned by the FBI in connection to the Boston Marathon bombing, was shot dead. Here's what we know:

Info from Michelle Malkin:

Taramov says Todashev met with FBI agents last night and it was supposed to be their last meeting because he was planning to fly back to Chechnya last night. He says the plane ticket was purchased before the Boston bombings but federal agents strongly advised him not to go home.
“He cancelled the tickets because, the FBI had been like, I don’t know, they’ve been pushing him, you know what I’m saying. They’ve been pushing him they say don’t leave; don’t leave so he decided to stay. But we had a feeling, worst case scenario something like that was going to happen. You know what I mean,” said Taramov.

From Yahoo:

The shooting occurred just after midnight at an apartment complex in Orlando. The agent, along with two Massachusetts State Police troopers, were interviewing Todashev "in connection with the Boston Marathon bombing investigation when a violent confrontation was initiated by the individual," Couvertier said. "An FBI post-shooting incident review team has been dispatched from Washington, D.C., and expected to arrive in Orlando within 24 hours."
The agent, Couvertier added, "sustained non-life threatening injuries."

Plaza Towers and Briarwood Elementary Schools Devastated By Tornado; 24 Children Confirmed Dead

A horrible, horrible day.  From ABC:

The latest – at a glance:
Oklahoma Chief Medical Examiner’s Office tells ABC News at least 10 dead.

Sixty patients admitted to area hospitals – 10 in a critical condition at Ingris Health Southwest.

Two schools badly hit – Briarwood Elementary School and Plaza Towers Elementary School.

Preliminary assessment by National Weather Service puts tornado at EF-4 with winds of up to 200 mph.

Emergency Management Office says tornado cut a 12 mile swath through an area from Newcastle to Moore, Okla.

Oklahoma Tornado Pictures, May 20, 2013

Terrible destruction:

From Reddit

An elementary school

Choosing the Best Grow Lights

If you're in necessity of some good hydroponics supplies, you've arrived at the right place. Do you know what you need to achieve to get started? Grow lights are very important in relation to hydroponics. The best grow lights for your hydroponics set up probably will be led grow light you can find from inline exhaust fans. Hydroponics is actually growing plants without soil, but still using water and nutrients or whatever eventually ends up being chosen. You will find lots of helpful nutrients that you could add to your plants that will be able to help you grow more effectively and safely. A few of the nutrients that exist include tons of different hybrid mixes and whatnot which were formulated to assist with the growth and health of one's plants. Some mixes are just a dollar each, this means it’s very easy a plants growing and happy! Some would recommend the “Organic Feeder” which will mix nicely generally plants, no matter what you are growing. LA shop Hydroponics has been BBB accredited since 2011 and it is thrilled to maintain serving its thriving customer base.

Specializing in garden and plants, LA shop Hydroponics will truly help you produce a garden that is easy to maintain and serves you well. A lot of indoor gardening supplies can be obtained as well as quality grow tents and lights that will assist any aspiring indoor gardener to begin. From organic to aeroponic and lots of other types of indoor gardening, you can be positive to find everything required from LA shop. Hydroponics isn’t hard in any way and anybody that is curious should read more on it and find out just how easy it can be! After you have all of the supplies setup, it’s really only a matter of maintaining. There is a lot to learn about hydroponics, but keep in mind that following the initial about a week, it is smooths sailing after that.

Finding a Cerebral Palsy Lawyer

That painful diagnosis may still be replaying in your head. There are so many talks with the doctors ahead and so many nights staying up thinking about what to do next. You need someone on your side that can help you and your family through this trying time. You need an expert that is willing and able to fight on your behalf and make sure that both you and your family is taken care of.

Of course, there is a lot of research still ahead of you. There are so many questions ahead of you and you may be afraid of the answers. You want to make sure that you have all of your options ahead of you and that you are prepared for whatever is going to come next. When you have a partner that is able to do so much on your behalf, your life will be so much easier. If you need a cerebral palsy lawyer make sure that you have a partner you can trust. It can help you with the peace of mind you will need to get through this.

'cerebral palsy lawyer' http://losangeles.ehlinelaw.com/about-accident-lawyer-ehline/

What to Do after a Motorcycle Accident

Those critical first hours after a motorcycle accident can be the most difficult. With the collision still fresh in your mind and all of the problems surrounding it, you want to make sure that you are covered no matter what happens next. Of course, part of the problem is that you don't know what the next step will be. Due to so much uncertainty and as you look for guidance on where to turn next, you want to make sure that you are covered no matter what happens.

Make sure that you are prepared for that next step. Do your research and find an attorney that is knowledgeable and ready to fight your case for you. You want someone with the experience to make sure that you are taken care of through the entire case. Since this is so important to you and as part of your life, you want to make sure that you have a good Chicago motorcycle accident attorney on your side. You would be surprised how helpful they can be for you in this trying time.

Bicycle Accidents and the Law

What do you do in the aftermath of a bad bicycle accident? What if you are afraid of the next step or you don't even know what the next step even is? You need to make sure that you have someone on your side that can get you the answers that you need and that you deserve. The right attorney can do wonders for you, especially in such a difficult time in your life. Do your research and find someone that can take care of you.

When you are dealing with a bike accident like this there are so many things to think about. Of course, the first is your immediate physical safety but it goes so far beyond that. What about your mental health or anyone else that may have been hurt in the collision? What about your bike itself? You need a good Chicago bike accident attorney to help you sort everything out with. This could make such a large difference over the long run and is such an important start of the healing process.