The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1377505
D-8 Wednesday, May 26, 2021 The Press-Dispatch Egypt's $ 3,019, Syria's $2,037 (as of 2007) and Lebanon's $7,584. Per Statista, Israel has the highest per capita venture capital investment in the world. During its short history, from its found- ing in 1948 with a population of 806,000 to today, with a population of 9,291,000 — slightly more than the population of New York City — Israel has produced 12 No- bel Prize winners. All this while fighting three major wars and dealing with endless terrorism. According to Freedom House in Wash- ington, D.C., Israel is among the freest countries in the world by measurement of political and civil rights. Commentary from America's left and left-wing media says that Israelis oppress Palestinians under horrible conditions, and these Palestinians have no choice but to periodically explode with violence like we are now seeing, with missiles be- ing hurled from Gaza into Israel's civilian population centers. Palestinians in Gaza do live in horren- dous conditions, but not because Israelis force them to. They choose to. Israel unilaterally pulled out of Gaza in 2005 and left it under complete Palestin- ian sovereignty. The Palestinians could have started building, putting in place infrastructure for political and economic freedom that would allow them to produce the kind of miracle the Israelis have produced. But instead, they put Hamas terrorists in charge, who started shooting missiles into Israel. In a hard and imperfect world, it's so much easier to hate and blame than to take personal responsibility to create and build. We see the same in our own country. We have Black Lives Matter and a po- litical left embracing critical race theo- ry, which peddles the distortion and lie that American history is about a domi- nant, oppressive white class rather than an ongoing struggle for all to take person- al responsibility to prevail under freedom. Worse, those who choose to buy into the great lie that their lives are about what others do, rather than what they them- selves choose, get paid off politically or in lawsuits resulting from inevitable trag- edies that emerge from this culture of ir- responsibility. Similarly, Palestinian terrorists get paid off by sponsor-terrorist nations such as Iran, and through massive for- eign aid from confused, left-wing-domi- nated Western countries. Subsidizing blame and irresponsibili- ty produces squalor. A culture of hard work and personal re- sponsibility, despite a world that is often unclear and often seems unfair and un- just, produces miracles like the modern state of Israel. Star Parker is president of the Center for Urban Renewal and Education and host of the weekly television show "Cure America with Star Parker." Oregon, Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Michael Ben- net of Colorado have spon- sored a bill to make the lu- crative COVID-19 unemploy- ment benefits permanent and get benefits even if they quit their job "for a good reason." Would "I couldn't get up for work in the morning" be a "good reason"? The real victims of this madness are the workers who have been on the job for the past year and earn less than the couch-sitters col- lecting government checks and watching Netflix. Or consider the surge of inflation that was recorded by the government last week. It was the most significant in- crease in consumer prices in a decade at 0.8 percent, and if this pace were to continue on an annualized basis, we would have about 9 percent inflation. Biden and Demo- crats were shocked by these developments. That makes sense as Biden and Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell kept reassuring us of "no signs of inflation." Perhaps they don't buy gas at the pump or go to the gro- cery store or try to hire an electrician, because ordinary people outside the Washing- ton, D.C., bubble saw and felt inflation every day. Why are the Democrats so surprised that prices are ris- ing? We have a federal gov- ernment that has borrowed $5 trillion in two years. We have a Federal Reserve pur- chasing trillions of dollars of bonds and other assets with the money it prints. We have the Biden administration giving people "free money." Biden now wants to spend and borrow $4 trillion more. Corn prices have nearly dou- bled. At some point, people will have to fill wheelbar- rows with dollars when they head to the grocery store to pay the higher costs for rice, corn, chicken and ice cream. Yet the experts in Wash- ington told us not to wor- ry. These people joyously said that they have invented "modern monetary theory," which allows the government to spend and borrow forever with no cost to anyone, the ul- timate free lunch. Now they tell us the infla- tion they said wouldn't hap- pen is temporary. And we are supposed to trust them. Here is a simple, ironclad law of economics for the "sci- ence" mob on the left. If you tax something, you get less of it. If you subsidize some- thing, you get more of it. This may not be science, but it is street smarts, i.e., common sense. If Biden wants to be a successful president, he bet- ter get some of it, and soon — before his mysticism bank- rupts our country. Stephen Moore is a senior fellow at the Heritage Foun- dation and an economic con- sultant with FreedomWorks. He is the co-author of "Trum- ponomics: Inside the America First Plan to Revive the Amer- ican Economy." ISRAEL Continued from page 7 This ban is extremely problematic for American farmers because Mexico is the top export market for U.S. corn, over 90 percent of which is genetically engineered. The scope of this ban has been in ques- tion and remains so. Of particular con- cern is whether the ban covers corn used for animal feed; most U.S. corn exports to Mexico are used for this purpose. Recently, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack asserted that based on talks with Mexico, the ban would cover genetical- ly engineered corn for human food only, and not for animal feed. While this would certainly minimize the damage of such a ban, it remains to be seen if this is how the ban will play out in practice. There are Mexican concerns as well re- garding this ban. Mexican industry rep- resentatives are concerned about the im- pact on the country's food supply chain. In addition, Mexican farmers are wor- ried about lack of access to innovative crop varieties that can make food pro- duction more efficient. 2) Mexico would phase out the use of glyphosate, with a complete ban by 2024, citing the International Agency for Re- search on Cancer (IARC). Glyphosate is used to kill different types of weeds and grasses and is not on- ly used in agriculture but also in lawn and garden care. The herbicide is extremely popular and is particularly important for U.S. corn and soybean farmers. In 2015, IARC released a report that la- beled glyphosate as a "probable carcino- gen." This went against the assessments of not only the Environmental Protection Agency but also the European Food Safe- ty Authority, and the Joint Food and Ag- riculture Organization /World Health Organization Meeting on Pesticide Res- idues, among other international bodies. It should be noted that IARC has been consistently criticized for its unscientif- ic classification of carcinogens and the agency seems to create more confusion than information. In fact, the agency has even found "that drinking very hot bev- erages probably causes cancer." These very hot drinks were deemed to be "prob- ably carcinogenic," just like anabolic ste- roids, lead, eating red meat, and working night shifts. This glyphosate ban will likely cause harm to Mexican farmers. In 2020, 45 percent of Mexican farmers used the her- bicide. Mexican farmers will have to find an alternative approved herbicide to gly- phosate that their crops, including corn, will be able to tolerate. This will be a like- ly difficult and costly task. So, what should be done? The Biden administration should be proactive in addressing the bans. Be- fore the entry into force of the USMCA and the recent bans, former USTR Rob- ert Lighthizer wrote to Mexico's Secre- tary of Economy urging the resolution of biotech and glyphosate issues that had al- ready previously existed. The Biden administration should build upon these initial efforts, especially in light of Mexico's bans. Taking action would be an important defense of Amer- ican agriculture, and modern agricultur- al production overall. It would signal to other countries that the U.S. will lead on agricultural biotechnology and ensure sound science is applied so that sanitary and phytosanitary measures are not a pretext for protectionist schemes by oth- er countries. This is an important opportunity for the Biden administration to show leader- ship in trade policy. Let's hope they meet this challenge. BANS Continued from page 7 up a little later. These weekend stays of grandkids break the monot- ony of our retired lifestyles. But it also breaks our sleep and relax patterns. We don't mind. There is always the best part of the visit. That is, when their parents come to finally bring take them home. Hey, grandpas and grandmas, am I right? ••• This past Sunday was Pen- tecost Sunday. I once heard a very memo- rable homily during a church service. It seems appropriate to share the message of cour- age and faith about this well- known event in the Chris- tian world. The story goes like this: There once was a man who advertised he would cross the Niagara Falls using a very long steel cable and walk across with a balance pole. So, thousands of specta- tors showed up on both sides of the falls during the day he said he would do it. The big day came and the guy started his walk careful- ly and slowly. There was com- plete silence by the crowd ex- cept for the roaring sound of the falls. When he successfully finished his feat, the crowd erupted with a big applause. He got hugs and pats on his back. He was asked how he could do such a terrifying challenge. He then said the secret is faith that he would be able to do it and not falter. Then he said he would turn around and walk back, blind- folded, but he asked if there was anyone in the crowd who would volunteer to be carried to the other side of the falls. No one in the crowd raised his or her hand. Moral of the story: When Jesus tells us that he will safely carry us to the other side of the River of Life, we should have great faith in Him, for we will absolutely do just that. Would you raise your hand if asked? Have a great week! Court Report FELONY Pike County Circuit Court Jon A. Robling charged with count I un- lawful possession of a firearm by a seri- ous violent felon, a level 4 felony, count II possession of methamphetamine, a level 6 felony, count III unlawful possession of a syringe, a level 6 felony, count IV main- taining a common nuisance, a level 6 fel- ony, and count V possession of metham- phetamine, a level 5 felony. Tonya M. Snipes charged with count I possession of methamphetamine, a level 6 felony, and count II operating a vehicle while intoxicated. Katherine A. Blanchard charged with count I neglect of a dependent, a level 6 felony, count II maintaining a common nuisance, a level 6 felony, and count III possession of marijuana. Craig Buckman charged with count I strangulation, a level 6 felony, and count II domestic battery, a level 6 felony. TRAFFIC AND MISDEMEANORS Pike County Circuit Court Larry Smith charged with count I pos- session of marijuana and count II visiting a common nuisance. Ashley Veenstra charged with count I possession of marijuana and count II vis- iting a common nuisance. Joshua V. Hopf charged with theft. Michelle A. Peters charged with oper- ating a vehicle while intoxicated. Aaron D. Sheets charged with count I operating a vehicle while intoxicated and count II possession of marijuana. Ronald D. Blackford III charged with count I possession of marijuana and count II possession of paraphernalia. Nehemias Misael Morales Garcia charged with knowingly or intentional- ly operating a motor vehicle without ev- er receiving a license. Audrey R. Graves charged with pos- session of marijuana. Justin P. Derr charged with count I pos- session of marijuana and count II posses- sion of paraphernalia. Katherine Delph charged with operat- ing a vehicle with a schedule I or II con- trolled substance or its metabolite in per- son's body. Raechal E. Bland charged with driving while suspended, prior. Tanner J. Hamlett charged with oper- ating a vehicle while intoxicated. CIVIL Pike County Circuit Court Discover Bank sues Marianne McDan- iel on complaint. Portfolio Recovery Associates, LLC sues Melissa Beadles on complaint. World Finance Company of Indiana, LLC sues Schuyler Hume on complaint. Medical and Professional Collection Services, Inc. sues Patrick Marsee on complaint. Prestige Financial Services sues Tina Booker and Donald Booker on complaint. Diamond Valley Federal Credit Union sues Jeffrey Spaulding on complaint. Christina L. Hadley sues Stephen Had- ley for dissolution of marriage. INFRACTIONS Pike County Circuit Court Marlin Jay Knepp charged with seat- belt violation. Kathy A. Greene charged with speed- ing, exceeding 30 mph. Lauren Joy Jorgensen charged with speeding, exceeding 70 mph. Zachery L. Pearson charged with no valid driver's license. Jonathan M. Wamser charged with count I dealer plate violations and count II speeding. Erin L. Landis charged with speeding, exceeding 70 mph. Sandra L. Sherwood charged with speeding, exceeding 55 mph. Douglas L. Barry charged with seat- belt violation. Nardo Barrios Quino charged with passing in a no passing zone. Lamon T. Phillips, Jr. charged with speeding, exceeding 70 mph. Griffin C. Boyd charged with seatbelt violation. Jonathan A. Foust charged with speed- ing, exceeding 70 mph. Nathan D. Hubbard charged with speeding, exceeding 70 mph. Jessica B. Kimball charged with speed- ing, exceeding 70 mph. Jimmy L. Dillon charged with speed- ing, exceeding 70 mph. Darrius A. Wright charged with speed- ing, exceeding 70 mph. Rodger A. Miller charged with speed- ing, exceeding 55 mph. Darius Lee Johnson charged with speeding, exceeding 70 mph. Harmonie C. White charged with seat- belt violation. Dawn Marie Martinez charged with speeding, exceeding 70 mph. Lauren M. Greubel charged with speeding, exceeding 70 mph. Anthony M. Eastwood charged with count I speeding, exceeding 70 mph and count II operating with expired plates. Dominick Joseph Brandenstein charged with speeding. Jeffrey Logan Baldwin charged with speeding. Kaitlin Michael Stofleth charged with speeding, exceeding 70 mph. Zachary T. Clifton charged with seat- belt violation. Heather Rae Fenton charged with speeding, exceeding 70 mph. Leah Danielle Rogers charged with speeding, exceeding 70 mph. Johnathan Figueroa charged with speeding, exceeding 55 mph. Teegan L. Breeding charged with speeding. Tanner R. Culbertson charged with driving while suspended. James Christopher Hughes charged with driving while suspended. Mustafa Y Hanif charged with speed- ing, exceeding 70 mph. SITTING Continued from page 7 'SCIENCE' Continued from page 7 federal employees who are not in the Department of De- fense. It is, at least in part, a militarization of the feder- al workforce. Having estab- lished executive suprema- cy, the Administrative State is now arming to defend its gains. The Internal Revenue Ser- vice had 1,200 fewer Special Agents than in 1995, but the agency purchased 4,500 fire- arms and stockpiled 5 million rounds of ammunition for its remaining 2,159 agents. But the Internal Revenue staffing is the exception, rath- er than the rule: the nonprof- it American Transparency estimates that there are now more federal civilian employ- ees with firearms authority than there are U.S. Marines. Some of the expenditures were surely justified. Various federal law enforcement agen- cies were included. But some appeared absurd. The Veter- ans Administration had no po- lice department when I first started going to its doctors. But they staffed up quickly about 15 years ago and, by 2008, they had 3,957 police officers. They purchased 11 million rounds of ammuni- tion, about 2,800 rounds per officer. It's not clear how much ammunition is purchased by state and local law enforce- ment agencies, but the federal government has certainly en- sured that they'll have some- thing to shoot it with. The Department of Defense has transferred 5.56mm and 7.62mm rifles, .38 cal., .40 cal. and .45 cal. pistols, 12-gauge shotguns and grenade launch- ers as well as sniper scopes and stun devices to state and local law enforcement. Also helicopters, airplanes and un- derwater vehicles. The top state recipient of this federal firepower is Cal- ifornia. Of the current inventory of state and local law enforce- ment agencies, about $1.8 bil- lion is military gear contrib- uted by the Defense Depart- ment. As woke urban Demo- crats defund civilian police departments, state and local police dependency on Penta- gon generosity will only in- crease. This will provide Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin with greater leverage against state and local agencies that might otherwise resist lawless im- migration policies or attempts to disarm the American peo- ple. Austin has already demonstrated his willingness to put leftist ideological puri- ty before mission accomplish- ment in his own organization; we should expect no different in his dealings with state and local civilian agencies. All of this points toward a chronic, ongoing, perhaps permanent ammunition fam- ine in America. Without am- munition, firearms cannot de- ter tyranny or violent crime, or restrain mobs. The Sec- ond Amendment is impotent without ammunition. And so it's urgent that we restore ro- bust manufacture and distri- bution of it. Kudos to Sen. Josh Hawley for calling Republicans to the ramparts against monopolis- tic social media censors. May his tribe increase. But I hope the anti-monopolists will also call public hearings and con- duct investigations of the am- munition monopoly and its an- ti-competitive practices. Who is writing checks to these idle monopolists to suf- focate manufacture and dis- tribution of ammunition? Is it the same people who tried and failed to win legislative action against lawful gun owners? The mainstream me- dia have no inclination to find out, but we deserve to know. AMMUNITION Continued from page 7