Good news for Kamala Harris and the Democratic Party.
President Joe Biden touted the better-than-expected jobs data in a post on X Friday morning.
“Great news for American workers and families: Today, we learned our economy gained over 250,000 new jobs in September and unemployment is back down at 4.1%. With today’s report, we’ve created 16 million jobs, unemployment remains low, and wages are growing faster than prices.”
Fed Chair Powell: “There’s really nothing that I can point to in the economy that suggests that a downturn is more likely than it is at any time.”
The September jobs report also showed an uptick in wage growth, with average hourly earnings growing by 0.4% for the month. That brings the annual rate up to 4% from 3.9% seen in August, according to Friday’s report.
The question is why are there so many Jews in Ukraine, today’s southern Russia, Poland, and Germany?
The Thirteenth Tribe is a 1976 book by Arthur Koestler[1] advocating the Khazar hypothesis of Ashkenazi ancestry, the thesis that Ashkenazi Jews are not descended from the historical Israelites of antiquity, but from Khazars, a Turkic people. Koestler hypothesized that the Khazars (who converted to Judaism in the 8th century) migrated westwards into Eastern Europe in the 12th and 13th centuries when the Khazar Empire was collapsing.
Popular reviews of the book were mixed, academic critiques of its research were generally negative, and Koestler biographers David Cesarani and Michael Scammell panned it. In 2018, the New York Times described the book as “widely discredited.”[2] Neither was it effective in disproving antisemitism, as antisemites merely adapted it — like prior work on the hypothesis — to argue the illegitimacy of present-day Jews.
The Khazar Khaganate was a powerful and influential Turkic state that existed between the 7th and 10th centuries. Located primarily in the northern Caucasus and western steppes of modern-day southern Russia, the Khazar Khaganate controlled vast territories, including parts of the Volga River, the Crimea, and the Caspian Sea region.
Key Points about the Khazar Khaganate: 1. Origins: The Khazars were a semi-nomadic Turkic people who emerged as a political force following the collapse of the Western Turkic Khaganate in the mid-600s. They eventually established their own state, with a ruling class known as the Khaganate. 2. Religion: One of the most unique aspects of the Khazar Khaganate was the ruling elite’s conversion to Judaism sometime in the 8th or 9th century. The exact reasons for this conversion remain debated, but it set the Khazars apart from their Christian and Muslim neighbors, such as the Byzantine Empire and the Caliphates. 3. Trade and Economy: The Khazars were known for their significant role in the Silk Road trade network, controlling key trade routes between Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia. Their capital, Atil, on the Volga River, was a major commercial hub. 4. Diplomatic Relations: The Khazar Khaganate maintained a strategic diplomatic balance between the Byzantine Empire and the Muslim Caliphates, often serving as a buffer state between the two. They also had interactions with the emerging Kievan Rus and other Slavic states. 5. Military Power: The Khazars had a strong military and often engaged in warfare with their neighbors. They were known for employing a mix of cavalry and mercenary forces, and their military might helped them maintain control over their vast territory. 6. Decline and Fall: The Khazar Khaganate began to weaken in the 10th century due to internal strife, economic pressure, and attacks from external forces. One key factor in their decline was the rise of the Kievan Rus, which defeated the Khazars in a series of campaigns, culminating in the destruction of Atil around 965 AD. By the early 11th century, the Khazar state had largely disintegrated. 7. Legacy: The Khazars are often remembered for their unique religious identity and their role in medieval trade and diplomacy. Their influence extended over a wide area, and they are considered a key player in the history of the Eurasian steppes. The Khazar Khaganate holds a special place in history for its blend of Turkic nomadic culture, religious diversity, and strategic political positioning.
I hate to write this but JD Vance won the debate. Scott Jenings confirms what we all knew as the debate proceeded.
By Scott JenningsOct. 1, 2024 8:57 PM PT
As the candidates for vice president took the stage in New York on Tuesday night, the state of North Carolina was under water, Israel was under siege, the American supply chain was under threat of disruption by an East Coast port strike and the American people were under the impression that there was a leadership void in the White House.
In other words, the conditions existed for Ohio Senator JD Vance to stick it to the incumbent party, represented by Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.
And Vance delivered in spades. From the opening bell, Walz was nervous, overmatched and out of his depth, especially when dealing with foreign policy matters such as the ongoing attacks on Israel.
Walz simply wandered into the wrong bar. And as the night wore on it became evident that Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, made a lousy choice. Somewhere, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro — perhaps the most talented young communicator in the Democratic Party and the running mate that Harris should have chosen — must’ve been laughing hysterically (or screaming into a pillow).
On issue after issue, Vance delivered smooth, well-constructed arguments while Walz often answered haltingly, like an online video struggling to buffer on a slow Wi-Fi connection. There hasn’t been a vice presidential candidate this out of his depth since Adm. James Stockdale delivered his famous “who am I and why am I here?” line in the 1992 campaign.
Vice presidential debates don’t often leave a lasting impression. The only thing anyone can remember from the 2020 version was that a fly landed on Trump running mate Mike Pence’s head. And 2016? I’ve yet to meet anyone in my travels this year who remembers that Tim Kaine was the Democratic nominee for vice president, let alone anything he said in a debate.
And before Tuesday night’s tilt, I wasn’t expecting the 2024 vice presidential debate to be much different. I know Vance is good on TV, and I know Walz has virtually no idea what he’s doing at this level of politics. But I was shocked — shocked — at just how ill-prepared Walz was for his one and only big ticket task in this campaign.
There isn’t much Vance or anyone else can do to change perceptions of Donald Trump at this point. He’s run for president three times, serving one term that’s now viewed as a success by most Americans, according to CNN’s latest polling. He’s been impeached twice. Shot in the ear once, and targeted by a second gunman. He’s been criminally indicted for numerous things and convicted in New York City, basically, for hooking up with a porn star 18 years ago.
And yet, Trump, by some measures, has never been more popular, mostly because Americans are remembering his term in office far more fondly than they are experiencing the Biden-Harris administration.
But Harris is a different story. She’s known, but people don’t know her as well as they know Trump. Opinions are still being formed about the vice president, and whether she’s earned a promotion to president. And one of the most consequential political decisions a presidential candidate makes is choosing a running mate.
The political media have run with the narrative, to date, that Trump made a terrible choice and Harris made an inspired pick. After this debate, there’s no way they can keep up this charade. Walz isn’t appealing to moderate Republicans. He’s not reassuring conservative white males that Harris isn’t a progressive in moderate’s clothing.
He was barely functional over the 90-minute show, having perfected a look of sheer terror and complete bafflement all at the same time.
Walz’s performance must have made everyone wonder how Harris came to choose him for the national ticket, and whether Harris herself possesses the executive decision-making capacity to serve as president. Walz’s meandering and mendacious answer to why he lied about the nature and timing of his trips to China would’ve gotten the former teacher kicked out of any high school debate club in Minnesota.
And for Vance, who has been pilloried for past comments made on old podcasts and before he became a believer in Trump’s leadership style, it was a night of redemption and validation. The 40-year-old Ohioan, a scant two years into his first term in the U.S. Senate, showed the Republican Party how to communicate calmly and with compassion. He admitted some shortcomings when he needed to and pressed attacks when it made sense.
Vance even won the exchange with Walz on abortion in a masterful pivot, admitting that his views have changed on the topic because of a referendum in his own home state. Walz, for his part, sidestepped questions about any restrictions that he and Harris would support.
After last night, it is hard to imagine Gov. Walz sitting in the Situation Room as some national or international emergency unfolds.
But Vance? He passed the test and proved that he belongs at this level of American politics.
Scott Jennings is a contributing writer to Opinion, a former special assistant to President George W. Bush and a senior CNN political commentator.
Donald Trump can’t help himself. He calls Kamala Harris names. Obviously he believes that name calling is the path to winning in November. It’s more fun than talking about the economy, immigration and other issues.
By COLLEEN LONG Updated 9:33 AM PDT, September 29, 2024Share
WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans on Sunday sought to distance themselves from Donald Trump’s latest insults of Democratic nominee Kamala Harris during a rambling weekend rally in Wisconsin in which he called her “mentally disabled.”
Trump escalated his personal attacks on the vice president during what was billed as a speech on immigration following Harris’ trip to the U.S.-Mexico border.
“Joe Biden became mentally impaired,” Trump said. “Kamala was born that way. She was born that way. And if you think about it, only a mentally disabled person could have allowed this to happen to our country. Anybody would know this.”
Trump has already falsely claimed Harris “turned Black” and regularly insults her as “stupid,” “weak,” “dumb as a rock” and “lazy.” With just over a month left before the presidential election, his allies pushed him publicly and privately to talk instead about the economy, immigration and other issues.
Former President Donald Trump cast himself as a “protector” of women at a Pennsylvania rally Monday evening and claimed that American women won’t be “thinking about abortion” if he’s elected.
The former president claimed women are “less safe,” “much poorer” and are “less healthy” now compared to when he was president and vowed to end what he described as their “national nightmare.”
“Because I am your protector. I want to be your protector. As president, I have to be your protector. I hope you don’t make too much of it. I hope the fake news doesn’t go, ‘Oh he wants to be their protector.’ Well, I am. As president, I have to be your protector,” Trump said.
While I am sad to read of the landslides in Palos Verdes apparently the people living there want the government to fight mother nature. The On January 10, 2005, a landslide struck the community of La Conchita in Ventura County, California, destroying or seriously damaging 36 houses and killing 10 people. This was not the first destructive landslide to damage this community, nor is it likely to be the last reported the U.S. Geological Survey. From a landslide in Sonoma County to intense floods in San Diego the cliffs and hills near the beach communities are common. Amtrak announced the tracks are unexpectedly closed due to debris on the rails in the San Clemente area. A landslide caused by recent weather events was identified as the culprit, as reported by the L.A. Times. Anger will not solve this problem. If there was a solution to the landslides in Palos Verdes the government would have already taken that action.
I noticed that one news outlet called Palos Verdes the richest area in the country so money to fight the landslides is not an issue.
If you are in your 60s with too little retirement savings, you aren’t alone. The median balance in defined contribution plans of those ages 55 to 67 is just $87,571, according to the Vanguard How America Saves Report.
Financial concerns are a fact of life for America’s retirees. In fact, an AARP survey found that 20% of adults ages 50+ have no retirement savings, and more than half (61%) are worried they will not have enough money to support them in retirement.
It’s not a comfortable financial position, as a $50,000 nest egg only allows you to withdraw around $2,000 in annual income, assuming you follow the 4% rule to set a safe withdrawal rate. With Social Security only replacing around 40% of pre-retirement income, $2,000 to spend each year from savings simply won’t cut it. You must find ways to boost your savings.
Be wary of quick money making schemes. Bernie Madoff’s Ponzi scheme, which ran for decades, defrauded thousands of investors out of tens of billions of dollars. Investors put their trust in Madoff because he created a front of respectability, his returns were high but not outlandish, and he claimed to use a legitimate strategy. In 2009 Madoff was sentenced to 150 years in prison.
My solution to this dilemma was a Reverse Mortgage on my house. It is an expensive choice but I can continue living in my house for the remainder of my life and Social Security pays my other bills.
Forget Multi-Level Marketing Businesses as a source of income. They are mostly Pyramid schemes. They can look remarkably like legitimate MLM business opportunities and often sell actual products, maybe even ones you’ve heard of. But if you become a distributor for a pyramid scheme, it can cost you and your recruits — often your family and friends — a lot of time and money that you won’t get back.
Coast Contact 