Watching the January 6th insurrection was like watching a train wreck. It was hard to look away, but in the end, all that I could see was the wreckage.

Why do we believe that the election was stolen and other conspiracy theories?

We have several inherent biases that make us susceptible.

One is our old friend and nemesis, confirmation bias, where we form an opinion and gather facts to prove it.  For example, when Donald Trump was elected in 2016, I was unable to reconcile how someone who lost the election by almost three million votes could win; so I became convinced Russians had successfully injected themselves into the elections in a few key districts. Why?  I had such a negative opinion of Donald Trump it was impossible for me to believe that people would vote for him.  Similarly, in the 2020 election, it was inconceivable to ardent Trump supporters that he would not be re-elected, so they became convinced that the only explanation was wide-scale voter fraud.

We share other biases as well.  Proportionality bias happens when an event is so significant that a simple explanation does not seem possible, such as, the death of Lady Diana.  It was too catastrophic to believe that her death was merely caused by an inebriated driver chased by relentless photographers.  We looked to coincidences and then made our next error. Confusing correlation with causation.  We looked for anomalies that were correlated with the event (for example, the unknown Fiat) and assumed that they were causal. But correlation is not causation.

The well-known conspiracy theory about Roswell centers on the belief that an alien spaceship crashed into the desert in 1947.  Seventy years later there is no physical data, but there are eyewitness accounts. The heavy-handed treatment and misinformation by the military added to fuel to the conspiracy theory.  In the 1990s, the Air Force researched the incident and concluded that a top-secret nuclear test surveillance balloon from Project Mogul containing test dummies crashed at the site. But Ufologists remain unconvinced.

For the Roswell incident to occur there must be confirmation bias (the belief that there are extraterrestrials) and another phenomenon, the inability to prove the null hypothesis.

Put simply, when conducting an experiment, there is a treatment group and a placebo group.  The null hypothesis states that there is no difference between the two groups. If there are statistically significant differences between the two groups, then we reject the null hypothesis, and conclude that the treatment had an impact.  But if there are no differences there could be other reasons unrelated to the treatment for no differences.

No one has discovered alien materials from the Roswell crash site. Yet, it is impossible to “prove” the null hypothesis (that there was no alien spaceship crash) because there are other explanations that those materials have not been found (e.g., the Government removed all the materials, they disintegrated over time). The null hypothesis that there was no alien crash can never be proven.

In the case of the 2020 Presidential election, it is impossible to prove that there was no fraud, because it is the null hypothesis.  However, there is data from over 50 rejected lawsuits and the inability of the mass effort to uncover substantial fraud  support the conclusion that this was a fair election.

Many conspiracies have at their heart a good vs. evil story (with the proponent’s side being “good”). Those who listen to QAnon fabrications believe that Democrats are child molesters or socialists (evil), while they are good Christians who want to take back the government.

Then there are the “Uncle Know-it-Alls.”  You know the guy, who speaks with absolute certainty and knows virtually nothing?  So, what do you do when “Uncle Know it All” tells you that JFK Jr. is alive and attends Trump’s rallies?

And finally, there is the “Need to be Right.”  People who suffer from this (and I am a recovering NTBR’r), just cannot accept that they could be wrong.

Sadly, the most important casualty of conspiracy theories are facts.  We no longer have the media filter that we had 40 years ago (local press, national news). Biased and inaccurate information is promoted without consequence…a lie repeated often enough becomes a “fact.”

Critical thinking is crucial to stopping the spread of conspiracy theories.  For example, why would Democrats decide to eschew basic human values and engage in child molestation?  How could Russia have invaded our decentralized voting system?  How could a 7 million vote differential be overcome?  Why has no valid evidence for wide scale voter fraud been uncovered, despite millions of dollars devoted to the cause?

We must find some way to ensure that the press does not stoke conspiracy theories.  For example, Fox News segments gave airtime to “Stop the Steal” demonstrations and baseless claims by politicians who frankly knew better.  Some anchors rebutted these speakers, but others allowed it unchecked.

“Those outlets that propagate lies to their audience have unleashed insidious and uncontrollable forces that will be with us for years,” said James Murdoch (who has broken with the family over Fox News content). “I hope that those people who didn’t think it was that dangerous now understand, and that they stop.”

Social media platforms have finally taken a stand against the spread of misinformation.  But is it too late?

Somehow, we must find a way to assign consequences to the spreading of misinformation.  It doesn’t mean that we won’t have different perspectives, but we will disagree using the same facts.

I wish I knew the answer, but we do know how dangerous it can be.  Historians have proven that misinformation is the first step to totalitarianism, and then, as we saw last week, insurrection.

Angela Rieck, a Caroline County native, received her PhD in Mathematical Psychology from the University of Maryland and worked as a scientist at Bell Labs, and other high-tech companies in New Jersey before retiring as a corporate executive. Angela and her dogs divide their time between St Michaels and Key West Florida. Her daughter lives and works in New York City.

I am still angry over the events of January 6th.  I am angry at the shameful behavior of Eastern Shore’s Delegate in Congress and others who aided, abetted, and fed this insurrection.

But my greatest outrage is reserved for those who failed to protect Congress and their own employees.

I am referring to the utter failure of the Capitol Police, Pentagon, Homeland Security, and other law enforcement agencies as well as those politicians and insiders who abetted this mob.

Watching security officers courageously trying to save our leaders from mob violence despite being understaffed, underprepared, and under-armed was heart wrenching.

Why did the Capitol police leadership refuse assistance prior to and during the incident?  How could they have ignored the warnings from agencies and watch groups about the impending violence?

Several Capitol police officers report that some insurgents flashed police badges and armed forces IDs to get into the building. There are videos of some security officers inexplicably letting the terrorists in the Capitol building, removing barriers, failing to check for weapons, and escorting rioters through the Capitol. A policeman took selfies.  Some terrorists commented that they knew which security officials would help them.

And who can forget watching the rioters jubilantly leaving the Capitol with one even being aided by police walking down the steps?  She clearly had no difficulty going up them. These lawbreakers reported that many police wished them well and “were on our side.” The insurgents “high fived” and celebrated their insurrection until two hours after curfew when the police finally required them to leave.

It reminded me of Billy Crystal’s character’s line in The Princess Bride. “Have fun storming the castle.”

Why were these insurgents not arrested as they exited the building?

As Americans, typically our next move is blame and punishment. Sadly, I am not immune.

The FBI and other law enforcement agencies are hunting down these thugs, which is much more expensive and difficult than had they already been in custody.

Over time any complicity or collusion will be exposed; and patience, not conspiracy theories, is needed.  But there is blood on the hands of all of those who failed to protect Congress and their own officers.

The images of the understaffed, vulnerable, undersupplied, courageous officers who risked their lives to protect our democracy are indelibly etched; as are images of those who stood guard over Congress with weapons drawn.  The FBI hinted that there will be more information about what these brave officers did during the insurrection.

These officers are the heroes.  They are the true patriots.

Angela Rieck, a Caroline County native, received her PhD in Mathematical Psychology from the University of Maryland and worked as a scientist at Bell Labs, and other high-tech companies in New Jersey before retiring as a corporate executive. Angela and her dogs divide their time between St Michaels and Key West Florida. Her daughter lives and works in New York City.

I got a call in Key West yesterday. It went something like this.

“Hurry down to Simonton Street, they are signing up senior citizens to get on a list for a vaccine appointment.”

“What? Where? Are you sure?”

“Yes, just heard about it from my husband on the golf course.  Call your friends.”

I called my friends, who called their friends.

Within hours, people were racing to the parking lot to give their name, phone number and birthdate.

And that is how we in Key West found out how to get on the list for an appointment for the COVID 19 vaccine.  No notifications, just good old telephone tag.

Up until yesterday, we had been searching fruitlessly for any information.  Our county did not participate in the online website (which crashed repeatedly), the health line number went to a voice mail that was not returned. Our doctors didn’t know. The local and chain pharmacies didn’t know. So we waited, and if not for that call, I would never have known.

Nationally, only 28% of the vaccines that have been distributed have been administered.

Surprised?

The experts aren’t.

The plan to leave it up to individual states, counties, towns, and townships was a system designed to fail.  Without a nationally coordinated effort, an untrained, understaffed, beleaguered, and besieged local officials could only do the best that they could.

Maryland is effectively keeping its residents informed, but other states, well…

So, the 20 million people who were supposed to be vaccinated by now is less than 5 million.  Some are panicking as the COVID crisis gets worse and conditions are becoming dire.

The good news, the new President has already developed a desperately needed nationally coordinated plan.  There will be hiccups, of course, but for those of us who remain vigilant, help is on the way.

Angela Rieck, a Caroline County native, received her PhD in Mathematical Psychology from the University of Maryland and worked as a scientist at Bell Labs, and other high-tech companies in New Jersey before retiring as a corporate executive. Angela and her dogs divide their time between St Michaels and Key West Florida. Her daughter lives and works in New York City.

I am hiding from winter in Key West.  When I saw my Key West friends, it took approximately five minutes for all of us to catch up.  The conversation went something like this:

“What did you do this summer?”

“Nothing, just stayed home, how about you?”

“Nothing, just stayed home.”

Within five minutes all seven of us caught up on each other’s lives.

This has been quite a year.

Healthcare workers risk their lives daily. Those parents lucky enough to have jobs struggle to keep their children at their computers while working full-time from home.

Essential workers like teachers have stretched their creative limits to keep students invested in learning amidst so many distractions.

Many service workers are home, without jobs or income…anxious about when or if they will be able to return to work. Small businesses are failing.

Larger companies are finding that some employees work from home effectively while others fall prey to the distractions of home life.

Most of us have conquered online meetings.

Family get togethers, clubs, and meetings are face squares on the computer or phone.  Celebrations (such as my nephew’s wedding) are movies.

My nephew’s COVID 19 wedding with his charming fiancé (now wife) was a quiet, beautiful, and simple ceremony that was all about their love and their desire to build a life and family together.  There were no distractions from bands, bridesmaids, groomsmen, guests, just the two of them, their parents, and siblings, smiling and tearing while they shared their commitment.  It was a gentle, sweet ceremony where they were the sole writers, actors, and producers of their special moment.

It made me wonder what will happen after science saves us.  After the 1918 influenza people went about their lives as if nothing had happened.

Will we do the same?  We have the advantage of communications and the Internet that they did not.  Everything that we need is available by touching a few keys. We can get meals, chat with friends, and be up to date on the news with a few clicks.

So, will we respond like those who survived the devastating 1918 influenza? Or will we use these newfound skills and revelations to change our lives to a quieter, more intimate version?

During COVID 19, we discovered that we don’t need to give that annual party or socialize as much as we thought.  We looked inward to the familial for companionship and to the Internet for social connection. Will that be enough?

As a retired introvert with compromised health, I have been healthier.  The masks (formerly a social no-no) prevented me from getting my monthly colds, our family has gotten closer and I have been able to stay close to my friends through the Internet and social distancing.

But for the extroverted, the young, the unemployed, the devastated business community; it has been an unmitigated disaster.  Many are trying to stay afloat until the old world returns.

Will it?  Will we?

Angela Rieck, a Caroline County native, received her PhD in Mathematical Psychology from the University of Maryland and worked as a scientist at Bell Labs, and other high-tech companies in New Jersey before retiring as a corporate executive. Angela and her dogs divide their time between St Michaels and Key West Florida. Her daughter lives and works in New York City.

There is no doubt that 2020 will go down as one of the most traumatic years in recent history. We have lived through a pandemic; a deeply divided nation; an economic crisis; forced to simultaneously work and educate children; witnessed heroic health care workers who gave everything, even their lives, to fight a virus and in the US, there are 300,000 deaths and counting.

We have reason to celebrate.

This year could become the year when science saved the world by introducing a “sea change” technology.  Given the rapidity and remarkably high efficacy of this technology, scientists are researching how to expand it to other illnesses, such as cancer.

While I do not have scientific training that would qualify me to understand this new technology; I can still see the significance of this story.

Moderna and Pfizer took a gamble that mRNA technology would be the best mechanism for rapid vaccine development.  But even they were surprised by the 95% efficacy.  Oxford, by contrast, used a tweaked methodology of a killed virus and got a 70% efficacy, (typical for flu vaccines).

So, how is this technology so different?  mRNA stands for Messenger RNA, which you probably heard about in your old college science classes.  Messenger RNA is the mechanism that DNA uses to tell the cell which proteins to develop.

Here is how it works (in very simplistic, layman’s terms). Scientists manipulated mRNA to instruct normal cells to develop the COVID 19 spike proteins (called “S” proteins). Then they injected patients with this modified mRNA.  The mRNA caused normal cells to develop COVID 19 spike proteins and the recipient’s immune system developed antibodies to attack cells with these “foreign” proteins.  By the time vaccinated individuals were exposed to the COVID 19 virus with its characteristic spike proteins, their immune systems had already developed the antibodies to attack it. (Viruses must invade our cells in order to replicate.)

To summarize, vaccine recipients developed antibodies to a virus to which they had never been exposed.

Scientists have had this technology for at least 20 years, but there have been substantial problems with implementing it.  The best and worst aspect about mRNAs is that they die quickly, too quickly.  Until 2007, when researchers at the University of Pennsylvania developed a technology to prevent mRNA from dying too quickly, mRNA could not have had any impact.  But with this methodology, an injection of mRNA could stay viable long enough to trick some normal cells into developing the spike protein. When the immune system encountered cells with these spike proteins, it created antibodies to kill those “foreign” cells.

This vaccine was developed in less than a year; it took over 20 years to develop the polio vaccine.

Since this is a relatively new technology, we need to be cautious.  We don’t know about reactions to the vaccine and if those who have reactions get the same benefit.  We don’t know how long this vaccine will be effective. We don’t know if there are long term consequences.

But for now, more than one newscaster has called it a miracle.

But scientists know better, it is simply science.

Angela Rieck, a Caroline County native, received her PhD in Mathematical Psychology from the University of Maryland and worked as a scientist at Bell Labs, and other high-tech companies in New Jersey before retiring as a corporate executive. Angela and her dogs divide their time between St Michaels and Key West Florida. Her daughter lives and works in New York City.

Watching the President and other high-risk patients recover quickly from COVID-19 made me fear the virus less, until a friend of mine contracted COVID 19.

She was probably exposed when she volunteered to be a poll worker for the election.  Proof of the adage: “No good deed goes unpunished.”

She became infected despite wearing a mask and washing her hands frequently. After testing positive, she was contacted by Florida contact tracing, and then…nothing.  She began to experience worsening symptoms; but there were no treatments available to prevent her from declining.

The President and other VIPs were given treatments that are not available to us because of the limited supply of these medications i.

As her condition deteriorated, she continued to search for treatment; but the only guidelines were to self-quarantine and contact her doctor.  Like most of us, she did not have access to a doctor who specialized in COVID 19 treatment.

She had fallen into the COVID 19 “donut hole.”  Experiencing worsening symptoms but not sick enough to be hospitalized.  A terrifying place to be.

COVID 19 research has focused on developing vaccines, treatments for the critically ill, and prevention, but there is less research on stopping the virus at the early stages to prevent those infected from becoming gravely ill.

There are some experimental treatments for these early stages.  Early studies demonstrated that monoclonal antibody treatment (that President Trump received) can be effective when symptoms first appear.  Unlike vaccines, which enable us to develop our own immunity by exposing us to the virus, monoclonal antibodies are laboratory made proteins that target COVID 19. The FDA approved Regeneron’s monoclonal antibody drug, but only 80,000 doses will be available by end of November with a maximum of 200,000 by the first week of January.  Currently 165,000 people are infected with COVID 19 per day.

Other studies are assessing the effectiveness of anti-virals (such as Remdesivir) and convalescent plasma (which is receiving plasma from COVID 19 survivors) on early stages of the disease. Both can be expensive (Remdesivir is over $3K). Other experimental treatments for early stages are off-label uses of Ivermectin (an anti-parasite drug used for river blindness and to prevent heartworm in dogs) and fluvoxamine (an anti-depressant); both with anti-viral properties.  But there is limited research, so these treatments have not been approved by the FDA. In fact, the FDA strongly discourages users from being treated with Ivermectin because studies have only been done in a test tube.

Doctors risk malpractice lawsuits prescribing them.

My friend in the COVID-19 “Donut Hole” was getting sicker.  As her condition worsened, she desperately sought help. Was there a treatment to stop the virus now to avoid hospitalization?  All she could do was hope that her oxygen levels would stop dropping.

Utilizing every connection she could find, she eventually discovered a doctor who was willing to prescribe experimental drugs.

Ivermectin proved to be a miracle drug for her, within 24 hours her symptoms dramatically improved. But she wondered, why was it so hard to get? Why was it so difficult to get treatment until a patient became critically ill?

So we are in a perfect Catch-22.  There is no approved treatment until you are gravely ill.  There are some treatments that MIGHT prevent this severe manifestation of the virus, but because there is inadequate research to prove their effectiveness, it is hard to find a prescriber.

She now knows that she will recover, but she can’t shake the uncertainty, fear,  and anger.

She learned how desperately we need to explore medicines to stop the virus in the early stages. Preventing patients from becoming critically ill would benefit patients and health care workers, alike.  But for now, luck and prayer are all that we have.

Science is coming to our rescue with vaccines, we are in the home stretch, and we can only be grateful for these brilliant minds who have worked tirelessly to save us as well as the health care workers who have risked their lives to treat us.

But we have months to go until we all can be vaccinated.  Until then, a deadly virus lurks in the microscopic shadows.

For those interested:  There is a site where you can participate in research studies of early treatments. (Qualification: You must be at high risk and have tested positive within 6 days.) But remember, you may end up being in the placebo group.  The link is here.

Angela Rieck, a Caroline County native, received her PhD in Mathematical Psychology from the University of Maryland and worked as a scientist at Bell Labs, and other high-tech companies in New Jersey before retiring as a corporate executive. Angela and her dogs divide their time between St Michaels and Key West Florida. Her daughter lives and works in New York City.

 

I am researching another piece on COVID 19, but looking at my publication date, I realized that a timelier piece would be about this holiday.

My spiritual practice (which is a fancy way of saying prayer), is to light a candle before sunrise and reflect on what I am grateful for.  It is a great way for me to focus on the positives in my life. (Although I will admit in my more grumpy or anxious mornings, it is a short recitation.)  I have also found that I have to discipline myself not to suggest an improvement (for example, “I am grateful for the sunshine of this morning, but it would be EVEN BETTER if it were warmer.”)  As we used to say in business, everything before the “but” is bull*&%!.

This practice makes it easy to write a column about gratitude on Thanksgiving.

Here is a partial list:

• I am grateful for the warm and loving embrace of my family. I walk taller, I smile more, knowing that anytime things get rough, I can find peace and joy in the warm cocoon of their unconditional love.
• I am grateful for my daughter, who has blossomed into a beautiful spirit, incorporating all her father’s best traits. Her father would be proud.
• I am grateful for past loves, past joys, memories, past mistakes, and past mentors who have guided me.
• I am grateful to have known and loved those people and animals that I have lost.
• I am grateful for my friends, new and longtime, all of whom I can depend upon at anytime and who allow me to give the same support in return.
• I am grateful for this election, which will bring stability to the White House. I am especially grateful to those who voted for the country over their personal agenda; and others who refuse to be sucked into baseless conspiracy theories about the electoral system when their candidate didn’t win.
• I am grateful for my furry COVID companions, who seem to be unphased by the pandemic.
• I am grateful for health care workers, transportation personnel, teachers, and all those who put themselves at risk to save others and keep the country going.
• I am grateful for science and the scientists who have been working tirelessly to save us.
• I am grateful for technology that allows us to remain close even when we cannot be.
• I am grateful for citizens who do their part to curtail the spread of the disease.
• But most of all, I am grateful for people with open hearts, who think of what to give before they consider what to receive. Every one of you is a blessing and may your hearts be overflowing with gifts of love.

It is not a bad list for such a terrible year.

Angela Rieck, a Caroline County native, received her PhD in Mathematical Psychology from the University of Maryland and worked as a scientist at Bell Labs, and other high-tech companies in New Jersey before retiring as a corporate executive. Angela and her dogs divide their time between St Michaels and Key West Florida. Her daughter lives and works in New York City.

Last week I saw an elderly gentleman with a No Socialism bumper sticker.  I had to smile, knowing that he is one of the primary recipients of socialism through Social Security and Medicare.  The average citizen contributes a maximum of $125K in social security taxes over 40 years.  This investment is increased by employer contribution and inflation…but even when making favorable calculations, after 13 years of retirement (and for most it is less), we are relying on Government Socialism.  The average Medicare benefit we receive is 2 ½ times our contribution.

The point of this is NOT to advocate eliminating or reducing Social Security benefits, but it is to acknowledge them; and be open to extending this largess to others.

Helping others is a core agenda of the Democratic Party. And since the Democratic Party has won the popular vote in 7 of the last 8 presidential elections, it is clear that the country agrees.

Democrats owe their success to a coalition of youth, African American, Latina women, and college educated white voters. This coalition believes that the United States needs to take a larger view of America’s needs.

Today, the younger generations are shouldering a greater burden than we carried. College tuition is so expensive that many students graduate with significant debt. Affordable childcare and health care are hard to find.  The Affordable Care Act eliminates pre-existing condition restrictions but remains expensive.  The environment is under siege and this generation will pay the price for our refusal to act.

Due to discrimination, the African American population desperately needs changes in the criminal injustice system, social services support, and well-paying jobs in their neighborhoods.

The immigrant population requires compassion and legislation to get us out of this mess.

Good paying manufacturing and service industry jobs are not available to many, since most have moved offshore to take advantage of tax laws passed by Congress.

And everyone needs relief from COVID 19 fall out.

Sounds scary. Conservatives are justifiably concerned about Federal Budget deficits.

But it depends on how we ask the question. Rather than ask “Can we afford these benefits?” why not change the question to “What can we do to fund these benefits?”  And equally important, “How can we prevent them from becoming entitlements.”

Using this perspective, it is easy to find opportunities within the Federal Budget. Elizabeth Warren proposed a tax plan that would impact only those with over $10M net worth.

Congress needs to pass legislation that incents companies to retain and return jobs in America; and legislation that rewards employers who improve the environment.

We can also get cost savings and revenues from thinking differently. Here are two: reform the criminal injustice system and decriminalize and tax marijuana.

The United States has the highest incarceration rate in the world, at 655 per 100,000 people (20% for nonviolent drug possession); while our Canadian neighbor incarcerates 114 per 100,000.  Due to a racial caste system, this disproportionately impacts the African American population. Reducing the prison population could save as much as $60 B annually.

Here is another: legalize marijuana (now legal in 16 states) and collect $10B in Federal excise taxes on it.

See how easy this can be when we use a problem-solving mode rather than a “socialism for me but not you, perspective?”

But before I close, I would like to give a “shout out” to Republicans who recognized that the country was more important than their agenda and voted to bring back sanity to the Presidency.  The nation is also indebted to Trump supporters who accepted the election results and refused to demean our electoral process.  I want to sincerely thank you all for putting America first.

And Democrats need the conservative voice that recognizes the value of American business, fiscal responsibility, entrepreneurship, and the importance of financial markets.

I know that this is naïve.  Both parties have legislative leaders who are more concerned about their party and their personal power than the country. Lobbyists are firmly entrenched.

But Democrats have promises to keep…and rather than make this a burden or an obstructionist Congress, wouldn’t it be great if we saw this as an opportunity.  Democrats and Republicans, let’s roll up our sleeves.

We have work to do.

Angela Rieck, a Caroline County native, received her PhD in Mathematical Psychology from the University of Maryland and worked as a scientist at Bell Labs, and other high-tech companies in New Jersey before retiring as a corporate executive. Angela and her dogs divide their time between St Michaels and Key West Florida. Her daughter lives and works in New York City.

My broker called me November 4th, to tell me that “the street” (meaning Wall Street) believed that Biden would ultimately win the Presidency and that markets would respond very, very favorably over the week.

“Really?” I remarked.  “But the Stock Market hates Democrats.”

My broker, who has Republican blood running through his veins, sighed, “Wall Street is excited that there will now be an adult in the Oval Office.”

Wall Street was not alone. The international community also rejoiced.  The church bells rang in Paris. Congratulations poured in from all but totalitarian regimes such as Russia.

America is too important a country to be run by someone who is unskilled in diplomacy.  In the past, we have set the standard for decency and humanity, it is time to take back our place in the world.  The PT Barnum Presidency is fading like a scary Twilight Zone episode.

The Corona virus is arguably the most pressing issue, some experts fear that as many as 400,000 people could die by the end of the year. Witness the difference between Biden’s Coronavirus task force, filled with scientists, and the Trump Coronavirus task force, composed primarily of bureaucrats holding infrequent meetings.

On Saturday, celebrations erupted in most major cities.  But few were celebrating more than New Yorkers, where Biden won almost 85% of the vote in Manhattan (Trump’s home turf).

New Yorkers have known about Trump for some time. Trump has had over 3500 lawsuits, some for nonpayment, others for racial discrimination in housing and evictions (and this is not typical for a Real Estate developer).  Trump had a reputation in NYC for not paying small contractors who didn’t have the legal resources to fight back.  After his father died and he was no longer able to fund Trump’s failures, Trump used bankruptcy (5 times), as his strategy for nonpayment.  New Yorkers understand that his wealth is façade, his business skills a mirage.  NY banks ended their association with Trump, which required him to develop a dangerous dependency on Russian and other foreign banks.  The Trumps have used Federal funds to build their wealth and repaid our government’s largess with miniscule taxes.

As his 71M voters watch his refusal to concede; his requirement that vote counting cease where he was losing and continue where he was gaining; and his demeaning of the US electoral system; I hope that many will see the Donald Trump that New Yorkers knew. His pouting, his tantrums, his grifting, his churlish behavior, and his profound disrespect are in full view now, as he seeks to find someone to blame for his loss.

New Yorkers had to learn the hard way that this emperor has no clothes.

Hopefully, the crazy conspiracy theories will subside (no, JFK Jr. is not alive; yes, we landed on the moon), and we can get back to real issues.  Running a country as great as ours requires self-control, political savvy, and a desire to put our country first.

As Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo tweeted, “Welcome back, America.”

Angela Rieck, a Caroline County native, received her PhD in Mathematical Psychology from the University of Maryland and worked as a scientist at Bell Labs, and other high-tech companies in New Jersey before retiring as a corporate executive. Angela and her dogs divide their time between St Michaels and Key West Florida. Her daughter lives and works in New York City.

Over a year ago, I presented a case for eliminating the electoral college.  This election is another example of its inherent weakness.  But for a couple hundred thousand votes, President-Elect Biden could have lost despite gathering almost 5M more votes.  The percentage differential is greater than either of George Bush’s election wins.  Yet, the outcome was in doubt until November 7th.

Unfortunately, our system over represents the isolated, less educated, rural parts of America, both in the electoral college and the Senate.  Why is this problematic?

I believe that all of us live in our bubbles.  We are kind and generous to those within our bubble.  Our bubbles can be expanded by experience with different kinds of people, education, and travel.  Those who live in rural communities do not have as much opportunity to expand their bubble.  Why is that important?

It is difficult to empathize with a group of people that we don’t know.  As our bubbles expand, we meet more people who are not like us, learn about their needs, and understand that they are just like us just in a different color, religion, or belief.  Empathy comes from “walking a mile in their moccasins.”

The other differential between the urban and rural communities are the news channels that they watch.  To better understand the conservative perspective, I watched Fox News coverage this week and discovered, while that their “slant” is definitely Republican/Conservative and they often report Trump’s message without fact checking; most of the news was accurate.  When we got to the evening commentators, however, all accuracy, decency, and humanity went out the window; and I had to stop watching.

On the other hand, the channels that I prefer are more accurate but demonize President Trump.

The conservative news channel focused on the economy (as it relates to Wall Street) and maintaining conservative Christian values.  The moderate and liberal news channels focused on the dispossessed, COVID 19, and injustice.

The news that informs us within our bubbles divides us.

So how to we bring the better angels of our nature to help us work together?

I have a solution.

I propose that we require all news programs to hire independently certified fact checkers who will “beep” into a commentator when there is misinformation and provide an accuracy score at the end of the program. That way, all of us can learn if/when there is disinformation. Commentators (on both sides) who report inaccurate information will find their programs frequently interrupted and disrupted which might bring down their viewership and lessen their credibility.  (And impose similar requirements on social media channels.)

Many of us are single or small issue voters. (I personally vote for choice, education, healthcare, and racial justice.) Some Trump voters that I knew had been convinced by their media that Democrats would take their guns away (physically impossible). Other Trump voters from the broader bubbles voted on the economy, and fear of tax increases.

We see things differently, but if we can minimize the misinformation, we will find more agreement than disagreement.

President-elect Biden also believes this.  He believes that we are a kind and generous nation.  Now it is time for us to focus on what we agree upon (health, infrastructure, economy) with empathy for all sides; and move forward.

Angela Rieck, a Caroline County native, received her PhD in Mathematical Psychology from the University of Maryland and worked as a scientist at Bell Labs, and other high-tech companies in New Jersey before retiring as a corporate executive. Angela and her dogs divide their time between St Michaels and Key West Florida. Her daughter lives and works in New York City.