Friday, July 28, 2023

Staying “Woke”

Staying “Woke”

 We throw the word “woke” around with impunity to the point that we question its real meaning.  Here are some definitions and background on the word “woke”.

 Wikipedia

Woke is derived from African-American Vernacular English, originally meaning "alert to racial prejudice and discrimination".  Woke has also been used as shorthand for some ideas of the American Left involving identity politics and social justice, such as white privilege and slavery reparations for African Americans.   Over time, it became increasingly connected to left-wing matters beyond race such as gender and other marginalized identities.

By 2020, many on the political right and some in the center began using the term as a pejorative for various leftist and progressive movements and ideologies they perceived as overzealous, performative, or insincere.

 From Merriam-Webster

Woke is defined as “aware of and actively attentive to important facts and issues (especially issues of racial and social justice),” and identified as U.S. slang. It originated in African American English and gained more widespread use beginning in 2014 as part of the Black Lives Matter movement. By the end of that same decade it was also being applied by some as a general pejorative for anyone who is or appears to be politically left-leaning.

 From Vox

“Woke” has evolved into a single-word summation of leftist political ideology, centered on social justice politics and critical race theory. This framing of “woke” is bipartisan: It’s used as a shorthand for political progressiveness by the left, and as a denigration of leftist culture by the right.

 Ray Gruszecki
July 28, 2023

Tuesday, July 25, 2023

Comparison of how three AI’s respond to an essay question

 Comparison of how three AI’s respond to an essay question

 

OpenAI ChatGPT (3.5)

 User

Write an essay about the Russian invasion of Ukraine

 Title: The Russian Invasion of Ukraine: A Violent Affront to Sovereignty

 Introduction:

 The Russian invasion of Ukraine, which began in 2014, marked a significant escalation of geopolitical tensions in Eastern Europe. The invasion and subsequent annexation of Crimea, as well as the ongoing conflict in the Donbas region, have led to immense human suffering, territorial disputes, and strained international relations. This essay aims to delve into the causes, consequences, and international responses to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

 Causes of the Invasion:

 The roots of the conflict lie in Ukraine's complex historical ties with Russia. Ukraine was once a part of the Soviet Union and has long been viewed by Russia as a critical buffer state and an integral part of its sphere of influence. As Ukraine sought closer ties with the European Union, tensions with Russia escalated, culminating in the ousting of pro-Russian Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych in early 2014.

 In response to Yanukovych's removal, Russia moved swiftly to annex Crimea, a predominantly Russian-speaking region with historical ties to Russia. The annexation was met with international condemnation and prompted further escalation in the Donbas region, where pro-Russian separatists sought autonomy from Ukraine. Russia's backing of these separatists, including the provision of military support, has resulted in an ongoing and bloody conflict in the Donbas.

 Consequences of the Invasion:

 The Russian invasion of Ukraine has resulted in devastating consequences for both the Ukrainian people and the broader region. In Crimea, the annexation has led to the suppression of dissent, the persecution of minority groups, and an erosion of civil liberties. Many Crimean Tatars, who opposed the annexation, have faced discrimination and human rights abuses.

 The conflict in the Donbas region has been marked by widespread violence, loss of life, and the displacement of thousands of civilians. The fighting has not only caused immense human suffering but also has severely damaged critical infrastructure, hindering economic development and growth in the region.

 Moreover, the Russian invasion of Ukraine has significantly strained international relations. The annexation of Crimea was widely condemned by the international community, leading to a series of sanctions imposed on Russia by Western countries. The conflict in the Donbas has further complicated diplomatic efforts to find a resolution, with multiple rounds of negotiations yielding limited results.

 International Response:

 The Russian invasion of Ukraine elicited a robust international response. The United States, the European Union, and other Western nations swiftly imposed sanctions on Russia, targeting its financial, energy, and defense sectors. These measures aimed to pressure Russia to withdraw its forces from Ukraine and respect its territorial integrity.

 International organizations, including the United Nations, have also been involved in peace negotiations between Ukraine, Russia, and the separatist forces. However, the conflict has proven difficult to resolve due to the complexity of the issues involved and the competing interests of the parties.

 Despite international pressure, Russia has continued to assert its influence in Ukraine and support the separatists, leading to an ongoing stalemate in the conflict.

 Conclusion:

 The Russian invasion of Ukraine represents a violent affront to the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity. The annexation of Crimea and the ongoing conflict in the Donbas have caused immense suffering for the Ukrainian people and strained international relations. Despite international efforts to find a resolution, the conflict remains unresolved, leaving a lasting impact on Ukraine and the broader region. Diplomatic solutions and international support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity remain critical in achieving a lasting peace in the region.

  

GPT-4, Edge, Bing

 Surprises and mistakes are possible. Make sure to check the facts, and share feedback so we can learn and improve!

 Choose a conversation style

 More Precise

 Write an essay  about Russia's invasion of Ukraine

 Searching for: Russia's invasion of Ukraine

 Searching for: Ukraine's response to Russia's invasion

 Searching for: International response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine

 Searching for: Impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine

 

Searching for: History of Russia-Ukraine relations

 Generating answers for you…

 Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began on February 24, 2022, in an escalation of the Russo-Ukrainian War which began in 20141. The invasion has killed tens of thousands on both sides and Russian forces are responsible for mass civilian casualties and for torturing captured Ukrainian soldiers1. By June 2022, about 8 million Ukrainians had been internally displaced and more than 8.2 million had fled the country by May 2023, Europe’s largest refugee crisis since World War II1.

 Prior to the invasion, Russian troops concentrated near Ukraine’s borders, as Russian officials denied plans to attack. Vladimir Putin announced a “special military operation” to support the breakaway republics of Donetsk and Luhansk, whose military forces were fighting Ukraine in the Donbas conflict, claiming the goal was to “demilitarize” and “denazify” Ukraine1. Putin espoused irredentist views, challenged Ukraine’s right to exist, and falsely claimed that Ukraine was governed by neo-Nazis persecuting the ethnic Russian minority1.

 The invasion was met with international condemnation. The United Nations General Assembly passed Resolution ES-11/1 condemning the invasion and demanding a full Russian withdrawal2. The EU has adopted a number of sanctions in response to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and the illegal annexation of Ukraine’s Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions3. The US, UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Spain have also imposed sanctions on Russia2.

 The economic impact of the invasion has been significant. The subsequent economic sanctions have targeted large parts of the Russian economy, Russian oligarchs, and members of the Russian government4. The situation has evolved into a humanitarian crisis, has turned food and energy security volatile and raises questions about the architecture of global security5.

 In conclusion, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has had far-reaching consequences in a variety of areas. It has caused a humanitarian disaster by killing thousands, displacing millions, wrecking cities, and bringing war to Europe. It has also unleashed many unexpected demons6. The international community has responded with condemnation and sanctions against Russia. The situation remains volatile and its long-term impact is yet to be fully understood.

  

Google Bard

 Write an essay on Russia's invasion of Ukraine

 Russia's Invasion of Ukraine

 On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The invasion has caused a humanitarian crisis, with millions of Ukrainians displaced from their homes. The war has also had a significant impact on the global economy, causing energy prices to rise and disrupting supply chains.

 There are a number of reasons why Russia invaded Ukraine. One reason is that Russia has long been concerned about NATO expansion. NATO is a military alliance of 30 countries, and Ukraine has expressed a desire to join the alliance. Russia sees NATO expansion as a threat to its security, and it has warned Ukraine against joining the alliance.

 Another reason for the invasion is that Russia is concerned about Ukraine's potential to become a Western-aligned democracy. Russia wants to maintain its sphere of influence in Eastern Europe, and it sees Ukraine as a key part of that sphere. If Ukraine were to join NATO or become a Western-aligned democracy, it would be a major blow to Russian interests.

 The invasion of Ukraine has been met with widespread international condemnation. The United States, the European Union, and other countries have imposed sanctions on Russia in response to the invasion. The sanctions have had a significant impact on the Russian economy, and they are likely to continue to do so in the coming months and years.

 The war in Ukraine is still ongoing, and it is unclear when it will end. However, the invasion has already had a profound impact on the region and the world. It has raised tensions between Russia and the West, and it has led to a humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. The war is also likely to have a significant impact on the global economy, and it could have a lasting impact on the security of Europe.

 Reactions in Russia to the Invasion of Ukraine

 The invasion of Ukraine has been met with mixed reactions in Russia. Some Russians support the invasion, believing that it is necessary to protect Russia's security. Others oppose the invasion, believing that it is a violation of international law and that it will lead to a humanitarian crisis.

 A poll conducted in April 2022 by the Levada Center found that 74% of Russians support Russia's invasion of Ukraine. However, the poll also found that support for the invasion is declining, and that a growing number of Russians are opposed to the war.

 The invasion of Ukraine has also had a significant impact on the Russian economy. The sanctions imposed by the United States and the European Union have caused the value of the ruble to plummet, and they have led to shortages of goods and services. The war is also likely to have a negative impact on Russia's long-term economic growth.

 The invasion of Ukraine is a major turning point in Russian history. It has led to a new Cold War between Russia and the West, and it has raised questions about Russia's future role in the world. The war is also likely to have a profound impact on the lives of millions of Russians and Ukrainians.

 Conclusion

 The Russian invasion of Ukraine is a complex and multifaceted event. There are a number of reasons why Russia invaded, and there are a variety of reactions to the invasion within Russia and around the world. The war is still ongoing, and it is unclear when it will end. However, the invasion has already had a profound impact on the region and the world. It is a major turning point in Russian history, and it is likely to have a lasting impact on the security of Europe and the global economy.

 Ray Gruszecki
July 25, 2023

Monday, July 24, 2023

Are we coming out of it?

 Are we coming out of it?

 Much of what we have been exposed to in recent years bears epithets like “being “woke””, “social justice”, “political correctness”, “equity”, “cancel culture”, “reparations”, “critical race theory”, “the 1619 project”, and on and on and on.  Unfortunately, all of these are aimed at denigrating or destroying the values, principles and heritage that most Americans outside of the Acela, the West Coast and democrat-run cities, hold dear.

 Just because our democrat politicians, biased media and high tech influencers have gone “off the behavioral deep end”, doesn’t mean that the whole country has followed these irrational and destructive trends.

 There has been a groundswell recently toward a return to normalcy, and an angry outcry against some of these aberrant leftist trends.  Normal, rational America is fed up!  We’ve had enough of the b.s.!

 I’ll just cite two recent examples of how normal, anchored, “real America thinks, as opposed to how the left-wing and the so-called influencers (and Biden), cast it.

 The first has to do with the movie about child trafficking, “The Sound of Freedom”, which was released to massive popular accolades, in spite of it being held back for five years by major film studios, and in spite of left-wing detractions trying to associate the film and its principles with QAnon and other right-wing conspiracy groups. 

 The second relates to Jason Aldean’s song “Try That in a Small Town”, which elicited the same sort of negative responses from the media influencers and powers that be, as it rocketed to the number one song on ITunes and YouTube.  The mis-guided left even tried to associate the song to a lynching 100 years ago at the famous Columbia, TN courthouse, which had appeared in several other films and documentaries.

 For years now, and particularly exacerbated by this far left Biden administration, has been the deterioration of our American values, morals and heritage, obfuscated by what the extreme left calls “political correctness”, “equity” (not equality), and “social justice”.  They have tried to feed us Marxist based CRT and the false historical 1619 project.

 What started as a movement for recognition and acceptance of minorities and marginal social groups has evolved into a violent, activist upheaval of the very foundations of our society.

 Many mores and behavior that were once considered aberrant or taboo or beyond the pale, are now not only accepted in our society, but are elevated to prominence and placed before more mundane, normal beliefs and activities, like Christianity, law and order, marriage between a man and a woman, and two sexes, for example. 

 Erudite observers of our social mores posit that this divisive trend in our society was started by Barrack Obama, just prior to his second election campaign.  Obama’s original message in 2008 was unity, and the country responded to this young, charismatic president with enthusiasm.

 This lost traction by 2012, so Obama brought back and stressed that racism and homophobia were the most divisive features of American society.  He won a second term, and, unfortunately, we have anti-American racism and homophobia for the foreseeable future.

 Whereas Barrack Obama institutionalized racial/sexual divides for political reasons, Joe Biden and his handlers, in a little over two years, put hateful divisions between people on steroids.  Leftist prejudice, censorship, imposition of strange genders, “woke” cancel culture, are all manifestations of this divisive, hateful dystopia.

 Oppression and Persecution of minorities and persons of variant sexuality were always wrong, and reflected an inherent bigotry in some parts of our society.  The original beneficent civil rights and equal rights movements of the twentieth century were long ago co-opted and hijacked for political ends by the democrats, even though democrats were the country’s original racists.  After Obama and Biden, racism and homophobia continue to be key features and foundations of the aberrant new politics of the left.

 But, as outlined above, more and more of the general public are fed up with Biden’s societal, economic and political abuses.  Whether the school-based indoctrination of our younger citizens into academic socialism/communism will be overcome sufficiently to vote the Biden cabal out, remains to be seen.  One can only hope that our younger voters can also see what’s happening in the country, have not been completely brain-washed, and feel the debilitating economic impact of Biden’s government on their pocketbooks.   That is if these young voters are not bribed by the left’s continuing lies about abortion and college debt.

 Ray Gruszecki
July 22, 2023

Thursday, July 20, 2023

House Committee Hearings

 House Committee Hearings

 I’ve been watching pieces of the House Committee hearings from IRS whistleblowers yesterday, July 19, on the “Teflon Bidens” getting away with all manner of graft, tax evasion and other crimes; and today on government censorship starring Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and others.

 The best line that I’ve heard all day is Jason Chaffetz’ comment:           “I never thought that I would see the democrats attack a Kennedy”.  I’m not a democrat, nor have I ever been a big Kennedy fan, and although I disagree with his politics, I cannot help liking RFK Jr.  He is difficult to understand with his rare voice disorder, spasmodic dysphonia, but he seems genuine, and he is not a pre-packaged “woke” hack.  He may have some weird ideas, but he defends them with enthusiasm and intelligence, at least when he is allowed by the dems on this committee to put two words in edgewise.

.

 In addition to the Kennedy-Jordan-Plaskett show, while it is somewhat entertaining to see our left-wing politicians lie and squirm and try to cover up past graft, election interference and other blatant crimes and misdemeanors in front of Jordan, Comer, et al, one has to wonder what good will all of this spectacle and acrimony accomplish?

 Color me cynical, but many times, although the republicans uncover all sorts of democrat-media-high tech abuses and make a lot of noise, nothing ever seems to come of it.  None of the Bidens are brought to task, and they just get away with it.

 Even if Joe Biden is impeached, the leftist senate will never convict him.  Unfortunately, this corrupt government will continue destroying our country, our values and our heritage until we elect a real president.

 Ray Gruszecki
Jul 20, 2023

Monday, July 17, 2023

Bribes to Young Voters

 Bribes to Young Voters

 Like it or not, what amounts to democrat bribes to young voters are having their toll.  That’s why we have a marginally democrat senate and only a marginally republican house after the 2022 mid-terms, in spite of the fact that Joe Biden has less than a 40% overall approval rating, and that over 60% of voters oppose the democrats’ America-killing “woke” policies.

 Hammering away at the young folks that the nasty MAGA SCOTUS took away abortion as an “inalienable right”, rather than a past constitutional aberration, and also ruled that they actually had to pay for their college education, convinced these young minds to vote for their socialist democrat “benefactors”.  So, we have a democrat senate, and a marginally republican house.

 We also still have Biden tied or slightly ahead of Trump or DeSantis in predictive overall 2024 presidential polls.  And, we can bet, with the success of their bribes in 2022, the dems will continue to court the gullible millennials and gen-zers in the 2024 presidential election.

 What other dirty tricks, like dead people voting, hiding controversial news, etc. will the democrats and their biased media friends conceive in 2024?

 https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/latest_polls/2024/

 https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2023/04/07/assessments-of-biden-and-his-administration/

 Ray Gruszecki
July 17, 2023

Saturday, July 15, 2023

Cocaine at the White House

 Cocaine at the White House

 Lies, lies, lies and more lies!  Whose cocaine is it?  Don’t tell us that they don’t know!

 The Biden administration fairy tale is that the full strength and capability of federal government law enforcement in DC cannot determine to whom the bag of cocaine belongs.  Yet, The Suffolk County Crime Laboratory can identify a cold case serial killer in New York from DNA on a discarded pizza box and tie it in to one hair from suspect Rex Heuermann.

 Can we not hold our government responsible and accountable?  Apparently, the answer is that we cannot when it comes to democrats.  Only republicans’ houses can be raided at dawn, their property seized and frivolous charges brought against them.  They can even be impeached (twice!).

 It doesn’t happen to democrats, particularly not to the Bidens.  They can get away with all manner of abuses, while the biased justice system and the biased media looks the other way, or lightly slaps their wrist.

 After months of the circus and frivolity known as the January 6th hearings, the (barely) republican house now blathers and bloviates at Merrick Garland, Chris Wray and others, but they don’t do anything.  All they do is talk.

 While Hunter, an acknowledged criminal and drug addict, attends state dinners, has full access to the white house, and reportedly lives there.  Whose cocaine is it, again?  Ask Occam.

 Ray Gruszecki
July 15, 2023

Baltic States

 Baltic States

 I visited the three Baltic states, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia in 2017 before bussing to St Petersburg, Russia from Tallinn, Estonia.

 A subject of considerable concern in these three small Baltic countries bordering Russia, was that, whether or not they were in NATO, Putin would find some way to re-absorb them into Russia.  This became exacerbated when Russia attacked Ukraine in 2022 and tried to make that country part of Russia once again.

 Now that their two big brothers in the North, Finland and Sweden, both substantial military powers, have joined NATO, Baltic leaders in Vilnius, Riga and Tallinn are breathing a little easier.

 The recent meeting of NATO in Vilnius, attended by 31 counties, and also by Zelenskyy of Ukraine, sent an unmistakable message to Putin about these Baltic states and about any further attempts at Western expansion by Russia.

 Ray Gruszecki
July 15, 2023