AOC tries to go on the big stage. It did not go well

Our take: AOC rose to prominence by unseating a long-standing, powerful congressman and winning his seat. It was a truly brilliant political achievement. Unfortunately for her, at some point things stop being about words and feelings and start becoming real. She found that out the hard way at the Munich Security Conference.

She was asked if the US would mobilize the military if China fought Taiwan. She stuttered and stammered before not answering the question. She tried to take a shot at President Trump for capturing ousted Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro, stating you can’t just kidnap a world leader because their country is “south of the equator.” Venezuela is entirely in the Northern Hemisphere.

We bring this up not because we like or dislike AOC. We bring this up because people that want to run for president should have a basic understanding of the world. The location of Venezuela and the fact that China has been hostile towards Taiwan since the Chinese civil war in 1949. I sell groceries, and I know these things.

It’s cool that AOC is smart, quick with a comeback, and good with social media management. That doesn’t make her qualified to be a Congresswoman, let alone President, as some suggest she plans to run for in 2028.

A man goes on trial for providing his teenage son access to a rifle before the son shoots up a school

Our take: A man who gave his 14-year-old son a rifle despite the son having obvious mental health struggles is facing second-degree murder and manslaughter charges for his actions. The son wound up killing 4 and injuring numerous others. The son had troublesome internet searches about murder, as well as telling his father, “When something happens, the blood will be on your hands.”

I am a staunch advocate for the rights enumerated to all Americans under the Second Amendment. That said, those rights carry responsibilities with them. People love to demand their rights, but many want to abdicate their responsibilities. The rights only work if we also uphold our responsibilities. 

I hope this guy gets a fair trial, but I also hope he is held accountable for his terrible decisions if it is found he knew or should have known his son was struggling with mental health and gave him access to firearms anyway. 

California high-speed rail project boss arrested on domestic violence charges

Our take: Ian Choudri is the leader of the California high-speed rail project. The project is a testament to government incompetence and lack of accountability. He apparently doesn’t take any crap from his wife either.

Mr. Choudri was arrested earlier this month on suspicion of domestic battery against his spouse. The Sacramento District Attorney’s Office never filed charges in the case, and Mr. Choudri’s lawyer stated,d “no further action will be taken.” Seems legit. 

Two things here. First, hopefully, family and friends are helping keep Mrs. Choudri safe. Physically assaulting someone weaker than you is the height of cowardice. Sure, these are allegations and no charges were filed, but we find it difficult to believe that the same approach would have been taken if Mr. Choudri did not hold a high-ranking government position. Second, we would like to see Mr. Choudri apply some of that fire and intensity to the rail project to see if they could actually get something done instead of spending money on studies, consultants, and bureaucracy.

Tip of the day – How to think critically  

Get in touch with your emotions

Whenever you feel some negative emotion, systematically ask yourself: What, exactly, is the thinking leading to this emotion? For example, if you are angry, ask yourself, what is the thinking that is making me angry? What other ways could I think about this situation? For example, can you think about the situation so as to see the humor in it and what is pitiable in it? If you can, concentrate on that thinking, and your emotions will (eventually) shift to match it.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“You will never become who you want to be if you keep blaming everyone else for who you are now.” – John Spence

AOC tries to go on the big stage. It did not go well https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/ocasio-cortez-s-munich-appearance-draws-mixed-response-from-democrats/ar-AA1WtHun?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=6994d115f0d0449fbe3b76f4570b3b10&ei=52

A man goes on trial for providing his teenage son access to a rifle before the son shoots up a school https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/georgia-father-on-trial-accused-of-giving-son-rifle-before-school-shooting/ar-AA1Ww7lu?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=6994d115f0d0449fbe3b76f4570b3b10&ei=93

California high-speed rail project boss arrested on domestic violence charges https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/head-of-multibillion-dollar-california-high-speed-rail-fiasco-arrested-on-domestic-violence-charges/ar-AA1WwR6l?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=25d1f95027714d1ce13bc1f9e456bc40&ei=54