Email Bill Meyer, Podcasts on BillMeyerShow.com
Bill’s Past Shows and commentary at BLOG ARCHIVES.
Bill Meyer’s Facebook page: www.Facebook.com/BillMeyerShow
MONDAY 12-20-21 PODCASTS 6AM – 7AM – 8AM
TUESDAY 12-21-21 PODCASTS 6AM – 7AM – 8AM
WEDNESDAY 12-22-21 PODCASTS 6AM – 7AM – 8AM
THURSDAY 12-23-21 PODCASTS 6AM – 7AM – 8AM
FRIDAY 12-17-21 PODCASTS 6AM – 7AM – 8AM
________________________________
Wednesday 12-22-21 Bill Meyer Show Guest Information
6:35 Wheels Up Wednesday” with Eric Peters, automotive journalist with www.EpAutos.com
LOTS of great articles Eric has on the site this week including:
The “Thing’s” New Rule – https://www.ericpetersautos.com/2021/12/21/the-things-new-rule/
The Question We Better Answer – https://www.ericpetersautos.com/2021/12/19/the-question-wed-better-answer/
Audi A6 Review – https://www.ericpetersautos.com/2021/12/22/2022-audi-a6/
7:10 Dr. James Thorp, MD has over 42 years’ experience in Obstetrics and is a Board Certified Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist. He joins me from Florida this morning.
Dr. Thorp understands that Doctors and Nurses are afraid to speak out for fear of being destroyed and losing their licenses. He is not! He is also very concerned about the COVID19 vaccination in pregnancy.
Even though every physician and nurse in the USA has officially been put on a “gag order” from our governing bodies, Dr. Thorp has taken a stand. The Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB.org), the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS.org), The American Association of Nursing Colleges (AANC.org) and the American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology (ABOG.org) have threatened to destroy the livelihoods and careers of all physicians & nurses who spread what they deem “misinformation” about COVID19. This action is illegal, ill-defined, illegitimate, unethical, immoral and unconstitutional.
8:10 Mark Bauerlein is a professor emeritus of English at Emory University and an editor at First Things, where he hosts a podcast twice a week. He is the author of five books, including The Dumbest Generation Grows Up: From Stupefied Youth to Dangerous Adults. The Dumbest Generation: How the Digital Age Stupefies Young Americans and Jeopardizes Our Future (Or, Don’t Trust Anyone under 30). His commentaries and reviews have appeared in publications including the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, and the New York Times.
Back in 2008, Mark Bauerlein was a voice crying in the wilderness. As experts greeted the new generation of “Digital Natives” with extravagant hopes for their high-tech future, he pegged them as the “Dumbest Generation.”
Today, their future doesn’t look so bright, and their present is pretty grim. The twenty-somethings who spent their childhoods staring into a screen are lonely and purposeless, unfulfilled at work and at home. Many of them are even suicidal. The Dumbest Generation Grows Up is an urgently needed update on the Millennials, explaining their not-so-quiet desperation and, more important, the threat that their ignorance poses to the rest of us. Lacking skills, knowledge, religion, and a cultural frame of reference, Millennials are anxiously looking for something to fill the void. Their mentors have failed them. Unfortunately, they have turned to politics to plug the hole in their souls.
Knowing nothing about history, they are convinced that it is merely a catalogue of oppression, inequality, and hatred. Why, they wonder, has the human race not ended all this injustice before now? And from the depths of their ignorance rises the answer: Because they are the first ones to care! All that is needed is to tear down our inherited civilization and replace it with their utopian aspirations. For a generation unacquainted with the constraints of human nature, anything seems possible.
Having diagnosed the malady before most people realized the patient was sick, Mark Bauerlein surveys the psychological and social wreckage and warns that we cannot afford to do this to another generation.
MORE ABOUT THE BOOK: The Dumbest Generation Grows Up: From Stupefied Youth to Dangerous Adults.
FIND HIS WEBSITE HERE:
FIND HIM ON FACEBOOK HERE:
________________________________
Tuesday 12-21-21 Bill Meyer Show Guest Information
6:35 Parents Defending Education President and Founder, Nicole Neily
Parents Defending Education filed two OCR complaints against schools in Colorado and Illinois for racial discrimination including blatant racial segregation. One of the complaints exposed that Centennial Elementary School in Denver, Colorado, organized a monthly Families of Color Playground night.
The findings from the second school, Downers Grove South High School in Downers Grove, Illinois advertised a field trip exclusively for students of color.
Parents Defending Education President and Founder, Nicole Neily responded to these findings and the shocking examples of blatant racial segregation.
“The Centennial Elementary School is the latest in a string of schools across the country treating and separating students on the basis of race. This practice is both immoral and unconstitutional. Although the “families of color playground night” gained attention this week, we discovered that this program – which is run by the school’s “dean of culture” – has been going on since October. PDE filed a public records request with the district yesterday to learn more about how and why this program was approved. Asserting that the groups are “voluntary” doesn’t make the problem go away; prior to the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, a number of businesses in the south made this claim, which was rightly rejected by the courts. In addition, it’s worth noting that only 31% of Centennial’s students score at or above proficiency in math and reading.
7:35 Josephine County Commissioner Herman Baertschiger, also State Republican Party Vice Chair and we talk about the recall, the work being done by the charter commission, marijuana grow funding and other issues.
8:10 Eric Fruits PhD is Vice President of Research at Cascade Policy Institute, Oregon’s free market public policy research organization, which recently published “Homelessness in Portland: Some Straightforward Solutions to a Complex Problem.”
Homelessness: Outdated Theories Lead to Doomed Policies
|
||
|
||
|
What if everything we thought we knew about homelessness was wrong? If that’s the case, many of the policies we’re pursuing are making things worse instead of better. It’s becoming clearer that much of the accepted wisdom regarding homelessness may be nothing more than convenient myths—myths that lead to doomed policies.
The Oregon Office of Economic Analysis claims “we know homelessness is primarily about the inability to afford housing, largely the result of not building enough housing in recent decades.” Multnomah County also blames the “affordability crisis” but credits racism as a “structural” cause of homelessness.
Under this theory, the homeless on the streets are locals who couldn’t afford their rents or were unable to find housing because of systemic racism and racist property owners. It’s asserted that homelessness leads to substance abuse, rather than the other way around. If this is true, the solution is straightforward. Build more taxpayer-funded affordable housing, give priority to BIPOC applicants, and root out racist landlords. Give people housing and opportunities for treatment, and the substance abuse will go away.
But what if the theory is wrong?
Portland’s unsheltered homeless population is overwhelmingly white (68%), male (69%), and working age (73%), according to the latest survey—which was conducted nearly three years ago. That was pre-COVID, when the economy was booming and working-age unemployment was at a 20-year low of about 3%. If a white, working age man wanted a job to pay the rent, he could have found a job to pay the rent. Something is wrong with this picture.
What’s wrong is what’s missing. The last survey reports nearly half of the unsheltered homeless suffer from substance abuse. That share is likely higher today. According to the Oregon Health Authority, overdose deaths in Multnomah County from fentanyl and methamphetamine began to skyrocket around 2017. From 2016 to 2019, deaths from meth increased 86% and fentanyl deaths tripled. Last year, 126 people with “domicile unknown” died in Multnomah County. Substance use was involved in nearly two-thirds of those deaths.
Instead of a homelessness crisis that’s leading to substance abuse, we have a substance abuse crisis that’s driving homelessness.
In “The Least of Us,” Sam Quinones recounts the story of Eric, a social worker in Los Angeles. Of all the people he’d met in L.A.’s homeless camps, Eric could not remember a single one who lost their housing because of high rents. Instead, they told him meth was the main reason they were homeless. Even so, according to Quinones, “[p]olicymakers and advocates instead preferred to focus on L.A.’s cost of housing, which was very high, but hardly relevant to people rendered schizophrenic and unhousable by methamphetamine.”
Michael Shellenberger’s “San Fransicko: Why Progressives Ruin Cities” concludes progressive policymakers and advocates have adopted an ideology that sees lawbreakers as victims. Under this way of thinking, any attempts to rein in lawbreaking will further victimize the lawbreakers. The result is paralysis and an urge to spend money to give the impression of solving a problem without doing anything to actually solve the problem.
On homelessness, San Francisco’s leaders have decided that expensive publicly funded permanent supportive housing—rather than emergency shelter—is the best way to address the problem. This is the same thinking that dominates Metro, Multnomah County, and the City of Portland’s policies. Under what is known as a “housing first” approach, residents are under no obligation to seek treatment for substance abuse or mental illness. The hope is after they are housed, someday eventually they’ll come around to getting help, but only when they’re ready.
It’s a policy that’s doomed to fail. It’s well known in the recovery field that the people who are most in need of treatment are also those who are most resistant to treatment. Handing addicts the keys to an apartment that cost more than $300,000 to build and saying, “Let us know when you’re ready for rehab,” is a recipe for failure. Most of them will never be ready.
Shellenberger and Quinones write that the meth on the streets today is different from just a few years ago. This new formulation creates psychosis and schizophrenia and causes users to commit crimes and violence. Shellenberger argues that drug users arrested for committing crimes should be given a choice of rehab or jail. It’s a form of tough love that may save their lives while protecting the community.
It’s been 16 years since Portland and Multnomah County adopted a 10-year plan to end homelessness, and we’re now in our seventh year of a city-wide housing emergency. Even so, the problem is worse today than it was then. Something isn’t working. It’s time to bust the myth that most of the region’s homeless are victims of rising housing prices. It’s time to address the real problem—a substance abuse crisis that’s driving people into homelessness and turning residents and businesses into victims of crime and violence.
________________________________
Monday 12-20-21 Bill Meyer Show Guest Information
7:10 Outdoor report with Greg Roberts
7:20 Rob Schlapfer – Coordinator, FAIR Oregon, www.FairOregon.us
The Foundation Against Intolerance & Racism (FAIR)
Rob and I discuss a recent action made by the Jackson County Library Services Board. The new policy mandates a “land acknowledgement” statement be read at public gatherings.
“The result of forced relocation and *genocide* is that Jackson County is no longer a population center for these specific tribal groups.”
Yep, that’s what they’re reading.
More from Rob: Meanwhile FAIR is encouraging you to take part in the JCLS community survey. (deadline 12/31) FAIR is launching a “viewpoint diversity” campaign aimed at the library in February. We have talented legal teams in NYC and LA ready to back direct action. Also, we are launching a campaign in Grants Pass to push back on the Gender Ideology plaguing that school system. {The two educators who were fired this summer are FAIR members working with our team.
7:35 Oregon 2nd U.S. District Congressman Cliff Bentz. We talk about the apparent death or delay of “Build Back Better”, how his first year went. Republican hopes for 2022 actions. Also, Congressman Bentz is asking for 2nd District citizen input of hearings and issues you’d like the judiciary committee to investigate. Let him know your concerns by emailing him through his website www.Bentz.House.Gov
8:10 Dr. Dennis Powers, retired professor of Business Law at SOU. Author of many books – www.DennisPowersBooks.com and here’s today’s “Where Past Meets Present”
Christmas Eve and Day–2021
By Dennis Powers
Christmas Eve and Day in pioneer days were simpler, important–but difficult. Winters in cold cabins were tough, as sleet and snow weren’t that merry. Nor driving in a “one-horse-open sleigh.” Remote families decorated their small cabin with freshly-cut boughs. If a small tree fit inside, then strung popcorn, small wax candles (a bucket of water kept handy), and red Madrone berries; the families sang Christmas carols and read from the Bible.
Days ahead, women cooked the special Christmas Day meal. With preserved fruits and vegetables, cooked fresh meat (ham, beef, or venison), and even with a plum pudding to age, gifts were homemade (carved wooden toys, sachets, footstools, and corn-husk dolls). If a good year, children might find that Santa had left candies, nuts, or cookies in their stockings.
If living in a small town as Gold Hill, people joined together. Children helped decorate the town Christmas tree at their church or gathering place. They cut out cardboard stars, wrapped them in silver tinfoil, and hung them to join the strung popcorn, wax candles, and small gifts on the tree. Larger gifts were placed underneath.
On Christmas, the families attended church, returned home for their traditional meal, and spent the day visiting with friends. A larger “city” like Medford could have a “Grand Christmas Ball.” One newspaper ad read: “A Grand Ball will be in Byers’ Hall, Medford. On Christmas Night–December 25, 1885. A fine Supper and the best of Music will be provided. The services of a first-class caller have been engaged… A good time is anticipated. Come one! Come all! Tickets, $2.50.”
When we fast forward to today, the holidays have become more commercial. Although many families enjoy the festive and religious times, the stress of jobs, family responsibilities, and how much to spend cut away at this over time. Add in the COVID-19 pandemic with loss of income, isolation, job reductions and/or elimination, disruptions in the inner cities, and an antagonistic administration, times are different. Church services are cut back, Zoom replace normal interactions, and tight family finances have taken their toll.
Luxury retailer Neiman Marcus, however, continued its tradition of expensive fantasy gifts. First published in 1926 as a 16-page Christmas catalog for its best customers, this year’s 95th edition continues the tradition. (It donates a small portion of the proceeds from most fantasy gifts to nonprofits.)
That’s the good news. The other news is that owing to high debts, Neiman Marcus (also owns Nordstrom) filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in May. The company exited the proceedings in September after it had lined up $750 million in debtor-in-possession financing and reached a restructuring agreement with a majority of its lenders. Once owned by the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and LA–based Ares Management, the new owners provided the financing: Davidson Kempner Capital Management, Sixth Street Partners, and PIMCO.
For 2021, Neiman did scale-down its pricing from prior years; however, take a peek at these:
. The one exception: A 30.86-carat, heart-shaped diamond (the “Mughal Heart”), plus the buyer gets to name the stone with the Gemological Institute ($6.1 million);
. At fashion-handbag reseller Fashionphile, you’ll have a $100,000 shopping spree (Neiman store closes just for you), 5 vintage handbags with two nights to decide ($345,000).
. The world’s first fully electric Hummer “super truck” with leather seats, white interior, and hits 60 MPH in 3 seconds ($285,000). Last year: a Bowlus-designed luxury travel trailer with an interior “array of yacht-grade finishes” ($255,000);
. Host a Roaring-Twenties themed private party on Harlem’s Apollo Theater stage for 20 of your friends ($395,000), and this includes your name in lights on the marquee;
. A 3-day luxury ski trip to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, hosted by Olympian Lindsey Vonn ($235,000).
. Or a 6-day trip to Portugal, including designing your own bespoke porcelain place setting with prestigious Portuguese brand, Vista Alegre ($80,000).
Overall, 2021 was in step with the lower 2020: A 5-night trip to pilot Don Sheldon’s Alaskan chalet with a private chef, glacier exploration, and more ($345,000); or a 5- night wine-country escape to Jesse Katz’s Montage Healdsburg resort with wine for a year ($215,000). All were down from 2019 with its Aston Martin (007) DBS Superleggera for $700,007 and $630,000 for 30 days to India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Maldives. In 2018, we had the largest solar-powered, three-level 74-foot yacht in the world as your gift for a cool $7.1 million.
For the rest of us, we are simply recovering from another tough year with optimism to the next Christmas and New Years that is not by Skype or Zoom.
Sources: See “Legends of America–A Pioneer Christmas” at A Pioneer Christmas; Wikipedia: “Neiman Marcus” at History; Neiman Marcus Fantasy Gifts at 2021 Neiman Marcus Fantasy Gifts.
8:35 Open For Business with Cheriesse from No Wires Now www.NoWiresNow.com call or text message Cheriesse to save money on your TV, internet, security, phone and so much more – 1-541-680-5875