In the wake of the killing of George Floyd and the protests that event unleashed, the rest of America is becoming painfully aware of the reality that violence visited upon Black Americans by the police has been going on for too long. But just how long? Probably a lot longer than you think.

This podcast explores the origins of policing and its emphasis on protecting the property of whites, while exerting control over communities of color and the poor. Hosts Rund Abdelfatah and Ramtin Arablouei cover the subject thoroughly, and as a result, the episode clocks in at just over an hour. Given the heavy content, multiple listening sessions may be in order.

Spies. Secrets. Soviets. And tight leather pants. Oh my!

What if the power ballad by The Scorpions, a German metal band, was actually written by the CIA? When I first heard about this, I wrote off the premise as urban legend or conspiracy theory. Journalist Patrick Radden Keefe, on the other hand, is someone who sees a loose thread and can't resist pulling at it until the whole thing unravels.

All eight episodes are available for free on Spotify.

I'm sure some will find a story about a group of people overcoming generations of mutual hostility and a potentially fatal disease while recognizing each others humanity mawkish, naive and unrealistic; but this story truly touched me. As this pandemic continues, more stories about its unexpected positive consequences will surely surface, but this one will be hard to beat.

The problem was a little different than most. For reasons I don't need to get into here, I was using it as a wireless bridge. When I explained the issue, the tech proposed that we try configuring it as a regular router or as a wired bridge. I explained that neither of those would work for me and that I was hoping she could help me with the problem I was having using it in wireless bridge mode. She said that my description of the issue indicated that there was nothing she could do, and that since it was out of warranty her only other recommendation was to buy a new router.

Although it was jarring and a little irritating how quickly she moved from support to sales mode, I was empathetic. Diagnosing and resolving problems with complex machines is difficult enough in the best circumstances, let alone trying to do it remotely; and through the eyes of someone who, in most cases, has little or no technical aptitude. And to make matters worse, some of these organizations use business practices that limit the amount of time a support rep can spend on each call. I don't believe this promotes positive results, but what's a manufacturer that's barely squeaking by on 5% margins to do?

I don't expect these devices to last forever, but I also don't understand how something with no moving parts could just stop working after less than four years. The tech didn't ask me any questions about the environment: upstream router, types of devices on the network, firmware version, etc. This leads me to believe that their strategy is to move out-of-warranty customers to newer devices when they encounter problems and not bother trying to fix the old stuff.

Of course, this isn't just an issue with the company that made my router. In a world where the miniature computers upon which so many of us depend for our jobs, education and daily routines have a lifetime that's limited by the batteries that power them, I guess this shouldn't be that surprising.

Image credit: "Unfinished" bridge in b&w by Cretense

But this is pretty damning stuff. Of course, I thought the same thing about Don Jr.'s email to Russian oligarchs and their lawyer ahead of the infamous June 9, 2016 meeting. And, well… here we are 3 1/2 years later.

I'm at the point where I don't believe it's possible to move the needle regarding the enabler/syncophant crowd, but I would love to be proven wrong.

Bolton Reveals Trump Confirmed Quid Pro Quo

Note: The title of this post is a quote attributed to Nuno Roque

I decided to switch to Credo Mobile mainly because of their commitment to progressive causes. The fact that I could get over twice as much data as I was getting from Sprint – for less money – was a bonus. I had been a customer when they were known as Working Assets back when long distance was a thing, so I was already familiar with the company.

The signup process included an eligibility check for their BYOD program – which allows you to continue to use your current device(s) with Credo's service*. The compatibility check required four pieces of information:

• Current carrier
• IMEI or MEID from your device
• ZIP code
• Email address

After the compatibility check, I had to request that our phones be unlocked from my current carrier. I was dreading this step because it required a phone call and could not be completed without human interaction.

But even this was unexpectedly easy. The customer service rep handled my request quickly and without any pressure tactics; although she did recommend a couple of options for changing our plan and upgrading devices. The carriers are obviously aware of the implications of someone unlocking their phone, and we also have regulatory efforts to thank for making this process almost frictionless.

I received the new SIM cards three days after placing my order. Activation required replacing the SIM cards, heading over to Credo's activation portal, and entering a few more details; including the account number and PIN from my old carrier. After completing this step for each phone, it took 20-30 minutes before I received a notification that activation was complete.

Except for issues with the web site (needs work) and voicemail (resolved), I have no complaints. If you're considering moving to a new carrier, go for it.

*Credo uses Verizon's network

Tonight's bill of fare:

• Scallops Bonne Femme and Spinach
• Crispy Prosciutto
• Toasted Baguette with Herb Butter

I see you, Chef.

Congratulations to the 2019 AFC champions: the Kansas City Chiefs!

This is not journalism. Still waiting for an apology from CNN.

Frum calls 45 a "sham president," and it's hard to disagree with this assessment from the man who gave us the phrase "axis of evil". But his conclusion that a majority of Americans do not think much of Trump as a person is not earth-shattering.

He cites a poll conducted by AP-NORC in October 2019* that emphasizes dissatisfaction with the president by a majority of Americans; but also highlights the stark differences between Democrats and Republicans in their assessment of him. The main conclusions are enumerated in his article, and the poll questions focus on Trump's performance as president.

While it's difficult to compare results, this NBC poll from August 2016 provides a way to contrast opinions of Trump’s honesty before and after his election. One question, "Which statement(s) describes Trump?" is followed by a series of characteristics that includes "Honest & trustworthy." The October 2019 poll has a similarly constructed question with "Honest" listed as a choice.

Since the results from the two polls indicate that fewer Americans felt Trump was honest before the election, one could argue this aspect of his character, and the other negatives attributed to him by a majority of Americans as reflected in the polls, did not prevent his election. In fact, polls leading up to the 2016 election all but guaranteed a Clinton victory, and the Republicans were girding their loins for a humiliating defeat. But it turns out that a a lot of voters just didn't care, and the outcome was ultimately determined by a relatively small group of voters from three midwestern states (paywall).

Unfortunately, there are also other factors at work that may make his reelection possible:

1. voter suppression is rampant and seems to be considered legitimate by our legal system
2. our method of choosing the president is demonstrably undemocratic
3. over 40% of eligible voters don't bother (I realize this is directly impacted by 1 and 2)

In spite of all of this, I tend to agree with the premise of the article. I have to believe voters (especially those in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin) are growing more fatigued by this shitshow/clusterfuck/goat-rope** every day and are sufficiently motivated to continue the work that began in 2018.

The conclusion that "Americans Aren't Rallying to Trump" is not particularly revelatory now, and it wasn't back in the fall of 2016. I think it would be more helpful if never-Trumpers like Frum would spend more time calling out the enablers and sycophants in his party rather than telling us things we already know.

*Assessing Trump's Performance
**WTF is a goat-rope?

Shake Shack has taken Kansas City by storm; opening its second location in Leawood less than a year after the first store on the Country Club Plaza. To be honest, I don't go to a burger joint for the shakes, but for a restaurant with the word "shake" in its name, I would have thought they would produce better shakes than a place with "burger" in its name. However, in my opinion, the shakes at Smashburger are hands-down, no doubt, superior to those of its competitor.

I'm sure Vincent Vega would approve, especially since the shakes at both places are cheaper than the Martin & Lewis that Buddy Holly served Mia at Jack Rabbit Slim's.