Kyle Rittenhouse and his attorney Corey Chirafisi

Prosecutors in the Kyle Rittenhouse case were not able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Rittenhouse wasn’t acting in self defense.  The kid walks.

If I were on the jury I would have gone the same way, given what I understand about the evidence.

The problem is that our criminal statutes make no mention of what actually happened, i.e., a minor took a loaded weapon of war into a protest of angry people and provoked them to the point that they attacked him.

Perhaps state lawmakers can pass legislation, before sociopathic acts like this become daily occurrences.

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Last year, a school board in the Midwest banned “To Kill a Mocking Bird” on the basis that “it could make people uncomfortable.”

This is both sad and ironic, insofar as that’s the point of the book.

The author of the meme here correctly points out the irony of what just happened in Kansas.

In what universe is banning the best books ever written a good way to improve our educational system?

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Modern education, at least as it exists in the United States, seems to have very few fans.

The major line of criticism is that our schools force kids into ways of thinking that conform with what we want of them as adults.

If I were making these extremely high-level decisions about the basic nature of education, I’m not sure I would send us in a totally different direction.  That’s because I don’t believe that anyone should go through school and come out a functional illiterate in any of the major subject areas we have today.

Obviously, we need well-paid, highly compassionate teachers, and large numbers of them, thus small class sizes.
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Every one of us should be thankful not to be in the position of most Congressional Republicans, whose lives are one continuous lie.

Why not tell the truth?  What’s the worst that can happen?  Even if you’re in Mississippi or Oklahoma or Wyoming, or some other state that still loves Trump, hold a press conference and deliver some version of the following: (more…)

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The 31-29 vote by the state party central committee was the group’s second official rebuke of Cheney over her criticism of former President Donald Trump.

It’s easy to understand how those in foreign lands are scratching their heads over what’s happening here.  Liz Cheney, a deeply conservative lawmaker, is not accepting the Big Lie, i.e., the rigged election, and lots of Republicans are taking exception.

This is why the GOP is being labelled a cult.  If a member doesn’t think the leader is above reproach, they’re expelled.

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When President Biden took office, he developed a sustainability-driven policy aimed at minimizing ecological harm. The Build Back Better plan highlights a national carbon-neutrality goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Support for the project involves developing a clean electric grid.

Creating the grid requires solar power storage advancements, and some people are now questioning whether they should invest in battery technology. Before exploring the limitations of solar system storage devices, we must assess the enhanced demand for the advancements.

The Increased Demand for Battery Storage Solar Systems

Solar energy effectively reduces atmospheric degradation. Nearly 80% of the U.S. power supply comes from fossil fuels. During combustion, the energy sources release greenhouse gases, polluting the environment. As emissions invade the atmosphere, they change its composition, minimizing its ability to produce life-sufficient surface temperatures.

Naturally, Earth absorbs solar radiation and produces heat, warming the environment. It then collects extra energy and sends it to space, preventing overheating. Greenhouse gases raise the atmosphere’s light-to-heat exchange rate, producing excessive quantities of heat.

They also trap energy in the environment, refiltering it through the warming process. Over time, emissions increase the global temperature. Renewable electricity produces zero combustion-related emissions and minimizes the enhanced greenhouse effect.

One limitation of solar power reducing its compatibility with global energy demands is its low storage abilities. Panels alone can’t contain excess electricity and are unable to meet needs during low light hours. Environmental engineers and scientists responded to the challenges by creating effective storage technology. This tech converts our energy reliance away from fossil fuels toward clean sources. 

Some may question why we have yet to make the transition. There are some limitations with current battery storage, keeping professionals from enhancing independent solar systems.

The Battery Storage Market Is Young

When energy professionals designed battery storage technology for solar power, they utilized hydrogen fuel cells. The system connects solar panels to a large hydrogen storage system residing in metal units. After panels produce electricity, they charge a conventional battery, producing electricity.

Then, the storage device divides the energy into hydrogen and water, removing the water for reuse. Next, the system collects and contains hydrogen and stores it as a solid. When the local electricity demand increases, the technology filters the elements through a hybrid inverter, producing a direct current of emission-less power.

Though the technology effectively stores solar power, it is only suitable with large spaces. Engineers have yet to create a residential option to meet lower energy demands. The lack of compatible devices minimizes battery storage accessibility for independent owners.

Grid-Tied Solar Is More Cost-Effective

Many individuals considering whether to install residential solar systems are concerned about installation and maintenance costs. Some believe panels can damage their rooftops, causing high repair fees. However, they can protect roofs from damaging weather and provide a cooling effect.

The real financial challenges come from battery storage additions. Though panel costs are dropping, providing the most affordable electricity option on the market, battery prices remain high. Individuals can minimize their financial demands by connecting their panels to a grid-tied system.

The grid technology connects regional clean power supplies, using one battery system to store all excess electricity. Using the grid-tied alternative, residents may shrink their initial purchase costs by opting out of a solar-plus-storage system.

Investing in Battery-Ready Inverters

Individuals can still access the benefits of renewable energy by installing panels today and storage systems in the future. Battery-ready inverters help people shrink their carbon footprints and wait for efficient storage system advancements. Researchers predict engineers will produce compatible technology soon, decreasing the reliance on energy grids.

Homeowners can not install panels with an inverter, connecting their electricity to a communal storage system. The inverters also increase a solar system’s cost-effectiveness and reduce reliance on expensive and inefficient devices.

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Reader Douglas Smith writes: Not long enough!

As far as I’m concerned, a) these people are a combination of extremely low IQ and mental illness, and b) they were ordered to do what they did by their perceived savior. I favor leniency.

The cult leader should do life, but the minions?

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Here’s a reminder of the determination our country was able to muster going into World War II.  Striking, isn’t it?  Yet the differences between then and now are many.

• This is not a war against an aggressive set of people, which, if left unchecked, will take over the world, completely transforming our lives for the worse.

• Most of the consequences of losing the war will not be experienced for a number of years/decades.

• The consequences of losing the war affect mostly the poor. (more…)

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Kyle Rittenhouse admitted to a misdemeanor weapons possession and the judge dropped the charge.

When my mom asked me if I thought that was incorrect, I made two points:

a) Wisconsin state law 948.60(2)(a) states: “Any person under 18 years of age who possesses or goes armed with a dangerous weapon is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.”  The kid’s under 18, and he’s photographed in the streets of Wisconsin in possession of a dangerous weapon (not to mention that he’s killing people with it).  It doesn’t get any more cut and dried than that.  Given all of our society’s consternation about white privilege, this was a horrendous thing to do.

b) The avuncular relationship that the judge has with the defendant is beyond disgusting.

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The folks in Florida are getting what they’re asking for, but these are some strange requests indeed.

Most people don’t want high COVID case rates and environmental ruin.

Floridians don’t seem to care, as long as their governor and representatives in Washington are owning the liberals.

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