Category Archives: Hispanola

Papers of the Caribbean and the broader Hispanola region of influence.

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Iranian Nuclear Ambitions (2003-2024)

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Under the JCPOA, Iran agreed to eliminate its stockpile of medium-enriched uranium, cut its stockpile of low-enriched uranium by 98%, and reduce by about two-thirds the number of its gas centrifuges for 13 years. For the next 15 years, Iran will only enrich uranium up to 3.67%. Iran also agreed not to build any new heavy-water facilities for the same period of time.[1] A nuclear weapon uses a fissile material to cause a nuclear chain reaction. The most commonly used materials have been uranium 235 (U-235) and plutonium 239 (Pu-239). Both uranium 233 (U-233) and reactor-grade plutonium have also been used.[2][3][4]

With Separative Work Units Estimated to begin production of fissile material at about 35 SWU, the estimated amount of fissile material needed to produce one bomb is estimated to be about 30 kilograms, with perfect centrifuge production of such fissile material accomplished after the use of about 50,000 unique centrifuges.[5][6] This is thought to precipitate from the production of crude IR-1 centrifuges which have a Uranium Produced to Centrifuge Use Ratio of 0.0867% (Uranium: Centrifuge Ratio).[7] This is a certain disadvantage for any country which hopes to produce an indigenous supply of fissile material, for any illicit nuclear program, and its activities. This means that an order to produce the previously estimated Separative Work Units needed to attain 30 Kilograms of Low Enriched Uranium (LEU), the program in question would have to expend an inordinate number of centrifuges of the IR-1 grade, which would add up to something of the order of magnitude of at least 122,268,924 Centrifuges, again of the IR-1 generation, which is the crudest workable generation of centrifuges available.

It’s estimated that the Islamic Republic of Iran has about 19,500 of these installed in a cascading assay at any one time.[8] Numbers like these continue for some time when talking about the Uranium to Centrifuge Ratio for less crude centrifuge devices, IR-2, .15937%, topping out at 33,270,455 IR-2 Centrifuges alone an order to produce enough Uranium for one bomb (30 Kgs). IR-3, a respectable centrifuge technology that requires 9,053,185 to produce the same amount of fissile material, giving it a Uranium to Centrifuge Cannibalization Ratio of 0.292843%.

Amongst these lesser centrifuge technologies, it is presumed from testimony from inspectors, and reports from the IAEA, as well as intelligence agencies, that the maximum number of Centrifuges which can be installed at any one time is north of 15,000 per assay, for these centrifuge technologies alone.

This would explain the IR-1 Assay which has over 15,000 centrifuges installed (19,500).[9] 

While IR-4 has a Uranium to Centrifuge Ratio of 0.538099% Cannibalized, meaning that the number of centrifuges needed to produce the requisite amount of LEU fissile material drops considerably to 2,463,451. However, it’s thought that the Iranians only have 5,000 of the more high-tech IR-4 in existence.

But this number is up for discussion and it here posited by me, that the number of centrifuges which are currently put into production by Iran, number at least 10,000 total, with IR-3 being the most plentiful of them all. This means that by most estimates 7,800 may be the maximum declared allotment by the Ayatollah and his regime, but the figure varies accordingly due to the size of the program, meaning suspected undeclared facilities, and the scope and nature of the program as well.[10] After all, it was Saddam Hussein’s Iraqi Fedayeen, who were suspected of concealing what was in fact a defunct Nuclear Weapons Program, on trailers which were supposedly on mobile platforms throughout the desert in 2003.[11]

The number of centrifuges thought to be acquired by Iran, and their efficiency, therefore, begin to deviate from each other dramatically, after this. With highly advanced IR-5, and IR-6 Centrifuges collapsing to no greater than 1,000 for the foreseeable future, after implementation of the JCPOA, and even yet still Cannibalized Yields accelerating to only 1.8% with Centrifuges, and Centrifuges used, numbering in the hundreds of thousands.

The production of these centrifuges, and their capabilities was summed up in Nuclear Crises with North Korea and Iran, a 2019 book by Robert S. Litwak, from the Woodrow Wilson Center at Princeton University which sums up the state of the program, and the issues succinctly:

“Centrifuges are essential equipment for uranium enrichment, the multistage industrial process in which natural uranium is converted into special material capable of sustaining a nuclear chain reaction. Natural uranium occurs in two forms—U-238, making up 99 percent of the element, and the lighter U-235, accounting for less than 1 percent. But the latter is a fissionable isotope that emits energy when split. Uranium ore is crushed into a powder, refined, and then reconstituted into a solid form, known as “yellowcake.” The yellowcake is then superheated and transformed into a Nuclear Crises with North Korea and Iran: gas, uranium hexafluoride (UF6). That gas is passed through a centrifuge and spun at high speed, with the U-238 drawn to the periphery and extracted, while the lighter U-235 clusters in the center and is collected. The collected U-235 material is passed through a series of centrifuges, known as a cascade, with each successive pass-through increasing the percentage of U-235. Uranium for a nuclear reactor should be enriched to contain approximately 3 percent uranium-235, whereas weapons-grade uranium should ideally contain at least 90 percent. Iran developed indigenous facilities to support each phase of the uranium enrichment process: two uranium ore mines, whose reserves could produce 250-300 nuclear weapons, according to U.S. intelligence; a yellowcake production facility; a facility for Iran’s uranium enrichment facility at Natanz (aerial view) From Transformational to Transactional Diplomacy converting yellowcake into uranium hexafluoride gas in Esfahan; and two enrichment sites, Natantz and Fordow, with 19,000 centrifuges, of which some 10,000 were operational. They were predominantly the first-generation IR-1 model, although Iran had begun installing the more sophisticated IR-2 model, which is more reliable and estimated to have six times the output of IR1s. The industrial-scale Natanz site, located 200 miles south of Tehran, could potentially house 50,000 centrifuges. The Fordow enrichment site near Qom is too small to be Economically rational as part of a civil nuclear program and is invulnerable to a military strike because it is deeply buried. Those attributes, as well as its location on a Revolutionary Guard base, aroused concern that its intended purpose was to receive low-enriched uranium produced at Natanz for further enrichment to weapons-grade material.”[12]

Figure 10 Fick’s Equation, Courtesy of National Research Nuclear University (Russia), Nuclear Reactor Physics Basics, Yury Volkov (Instructor), Coursera.org, Accessed On: 2/25/2024

This extant, which was provided by the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Public Policy, gives a clear and concise explanation of the basis for ongoing nuclear negotiations, which have currently reached an impasse, as of June 2021.

Add to that a resourceful, and diligent case study of the Ayatollah’s finances in Iran. And it’s estimated that he personally has accumulated over $US 350 Billion Dollars, in personal wealth, over the course of time since the signing of the JCPOA agreement, and the wars in both Syria, Yemen, as well as Gaza. This summation, the Woodrow Wilson Center’s Public Policy Extant, however, does not include the existence of undeclared sites, which may be yet smaller in scope, but could number in the tens or more. The exclusionary nature of the Iranian Nuclear Program, along with its undeclared assets, and facilities, is one of the historical hallmarks of covert nuclear programs around the world, and is what makes it so dangerous. It should be noted however that the main conduits of the Nuclear Program, the Uranium and Plutonium Milling Mines outside of the processing facilities, including Gchine, and Saghand, as per News reports, are no longer functioning, owing to the laborious processes the Iranians have gone through to produce Nuclear Fissile Materials, and the limited capabilities which they have been able to covertly develop, after its acquisition.[13] If true, this revelation should be of the utmost of issues which the Americans, and the other P5+1 interlocutors can use to leverage Iranian compliance with their nuclear program. As the lack of raw fissionable material, negates the programs efficacy for the purposes of exploiting current technologies for the development of Nuclear Fission Weapons. And the inclusion of sensitive monitoring equipment, such as cameras, and other positive scoring sensors, and devices, at these, and other mining, and milling technology sites, must be included in any further discussions of the renegotiation of the JCPOA, and its compliance regime.

Figure 11 CERN Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) Experiment at Light Hadron Collider #2, Cessy, France, Courtesy of the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN)

As for experimental centrifuges which Iran has under its command, the introduction of IR-6s, and IR-7’s was at first thought to completely transform the character and nature of the Iranian nuclear program, and the threat it poses. However, after initial analyses were conducted by western intelligence communities, using lasers pointed at the heat emanating from suspected nuclear sites, it was discovered that the Iranians are enriching at only a slightly more efficient level, and that the amount of these so-called experimental centrifuges must not number in less than 500 totals.

Nevertheless, when they are able to acquire these more advanced centrifuges, the Assay really only begin to decrease to so called super efficiencies at the IR-8 and above. That’s not to say that the amount of Enriched Uranium produced by these centrifuges is negligible, with Cannibalized Assays reported at 11.27%, and 20.71% Respectively, these technologies, should they ever fall into the Government of Iran’s Hands could precipitate another nuclear crisis.

And, while I suspect that the technology already exist. The added knowhow, such as Krytron Switching, and other light, and gas based, vaporous, diaphanous, vaporizing devices. Needed an order to perfect certain Nuclear Fission, and thus Weaponization technologies. I’ve concluded they may not have mastered the knowhow of.  

Figure 12 CERN Light Hadron Collider (b) (LHCb) ALICE Propulsion Experiments. (Image Courtesy of CERN)

Figure 13 CERN ALICE pPb Heavy Ion Collisions Experiments, Courtesy of the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN)

These numbers which are articulated in the above section on capabilities, do not negate the presence of current Iranian enrichment capabilities, indeed by the time the JCPOA negotiations began in 2015, it was already revealed by the Iranian side, that they possessed enough enriched Uranium to make at least five (5) nuclear weapons. The numbers on cannibalized arrays simply relate to the capabilities of their current centrifuge campaign for their Nuclear Weapons Program, and is indicative of the Iranian sides inability to progress past certain technological thresholds.       

[1] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joint_Comprehensive_Plan_of_Action

 

[2]  Holdren, John; Bunn, Matthew (1997). “Managing Military Uranium and Plutonium in the United States and the Former Soviet Union”. Annual Review of Energy and the Environment. 22: 403–496. doi: 10.1146/annurev.energy.22.1.403.

 

[3] Barnaby, Frank (5 March 2014). Barnaby; Holdstock, Douglas (eds.). Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Retrospect and Prospect. p. 25. ISBN 9781135209933

 

[4] Matthew; Holdren, John P. “Managing military uranium and plutonium in the United States and the Former Soviet Union” (PDF). pp. 403–409.

 

[5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Separative_work_units

 

[6] “Explainer: How close is Iran to producing a nuclear bomb?”, Francois Murphy, Reuters.com, Found At: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-nuclear-explainer/explainer-how-close-is-iran-to-producing-a-nuclear-bomb-idUSKBN2880NU

 

[7] This ratio is made by taking the amount of Uranium needed for feedstock and dividing it by the number of centrifuges used, an order to obtain 30 Kilograms of High Enriched Uranium. For actual numbers used see the Appendix.

 

[8] Explainer: How close is Iran to producing a nuclear bomb? François Murphy, Reuters.com, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-nuclear-explainer/explainer-how-close-is-iran-to-producing-a-nuclear-bomb-idUSKBN2880NU

[9] Ibid.

 

[10] The Logic of Restoring Compliance With the 2015 Iran Nuclear Deal, Arms Control Association, Vol. 14, Issue 2, February 16th, 2022; Found At: https://www.armscontrol.org/issue-briefs/2022-02/logic-restoring-compliance-2015-iran-nuclear-deal?emci=b29c911a-ad8e-ec11-a507-281878b83d8a&emdi=326f4403-378f-ec11-a507-281878b83d8a&ceid=15330559

 

[11] Comprehensive Report of the Special Advisor to the DCI on Iraq’s WMD, with Addendums (Duelfer Report), Iraq Survey Group (ISG), Central Intelligence Agency, April 25th, 2005, found at: https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GPO-DUELFERREPORT/, Accessed On: 02/16/2022

 

[12] Nuclear Crises with North Korea and Iran: From Transformational to Transactional Diplomacy, Pgs. 83-85, Robert S. Litwak, Princeton University Press, 2019

 

[13] Is Iran running out of yellowcake? By David Albright, Jacqueline Shire, and Paul Brannan, February 11, 2009, Institute for Science and International Security, Found At: https://isis-online.org/uploads/isis-reports/documents/Iran_Yellowcake_11Feb2009.pdf, Accessed: 06/06/2021

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Introduction: Beyond Globalization

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white smoke coming out from a building
Photo by Marcin Jozwiak on Pexels.com

Globalization, a relatively recent economic phenomena, and norm, at least in its most recent incarnation. Has brought wealth, prosperity, and diversity to billions of individuals worldwide. In the following pages, I try to clarify the effects of Globalization, and its normative successes, as well as failures. I will do this through the lens of a World which has been greatly affected by the COVID-19 crisis, and the resultant regime. And, I will attempt to perceive the future of Globalization. One in which the world is no longer ravaged by famine, plague, and Political disorder. And, one in which the United States, partners with its allies, to create better societies, throughout the World, while at the same time, taking account of the usury, and unobligated expenses, which the worlds remaining dictatorships have been party to.

This appraisal includes Russia, and its wars not only in Ukraine, but Syria as well. And, while the addition of credit extended, and credit used, has propelled dictatorial regimes, such as Iran, North Korea, and Russia, into higher, more prosperous, and more useful credit, and asset classes. Bringing into question the rules, and obligations of the established Global World Order, led by the United States. These credit bubbles, which have instead become a part of the international investment positions of these countries. Has led many millions of the former world’s poor, into levels of attainment, and wealth, never before seen by a great many of them.

And, while these credit snafus, have ultimately only legitimated, and benefitted the regimes in question. The adjoining information is useful, an order to better allow the perception of these misdeeds, as well as the sheer magnitude which they hold in their size, scope, and weight, as failed, or formerly failing nation states. And how that may apply to future conflicts, or even transboundary disputes, which may arise during any given circumstance. Particular attention is paid to the solvency of the European Union, and the United States, as well. 

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China and the World: Post COVID-19 and Beyond

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To conclude, the Chinese, mainland’s CCP Government, and its excellent use of the COVID-19 pandemic, an order to perpetuate its standing amongst the Chinese, people, while cherry-picking amongst the United States, and its allies, effectively picking winners, and losers, has become the lost story of our times.

The bellicosity which the Chinese socialist republic has demonstrated, both at home domestically, and economically, as well as in the foreign sphere, with countries such as Myanmar, and Taiwan, have only exacerbated the United States, nascent Great Game, Geo-Political Politics, which have begun to override, and overrule much of United States domestic political, and foreign policy priorities. Especially as relates to COVID-19.

The skillful use, of both legitimate international organizations, such as the World Health Organization, as well as the United Nations, an order to “Build a Vaccine Great Wall”, to both vaccinate, and terrify individual western countries, with the added threat of World Trade Organization tariffs, and fees, for goods, and services coming from China.

[1] While, simultaneously sidelining much of the dissent, and threat of dissent which emanated from within the country, while appeasing those whom were sidelined, yet were reluctant to voice an opinion of opposition to the mainland, and its common cause.

[2] While still being able to manipulate the United States, and its allies, with the concluding touches on the Nile River Dam project.

[3] The renegotiation of trade ties with the United States, and WTO contracts, and 21st century International Intellectual Property Law conferences, which were held almost exclusively in China, and on Chinese terms of endearment, without the explicit participation of any one major United States organ in attendance.

[4] The as yet unconfirmed secret deployment of the Chinese Strategic Defense Initiative, Missile Defense System, or Dragon Shield.

[5] The Chinese People’s Republic’s successful landings on the Moon of at least two orbiting Space Launch Vehicles (SLV’s).

[6] As well as, the secret, and newly verifiable expansion, of the Chinese Militaries secret expansion, of their Strategic Nuclear assets.

[7][8] The adjoining of the Chinese People’s 14th National Congress, with the North Korean 75th anniversary of the People’s Congress.

[9][10] As well as the North Korean’s mysterious lack of any overt signs of the COVID-19 pandemics effects on its economy.

[11] The deployment of a Chinese spying outpost in Cuba, which is less than 90 miles from Florida, and the United States Mainland.

[12] Along with the launching of over 100 missiles to date, total, in the year 2022-2023.

[13] Plus, the mysterious death rumors of the younger grandson of General Mao Tse-tung, in North Korea, towards the beginning of the convening 13th People’s Congress, and the communist cult of mythology undertones, which intermingled with the two events.

[14] And it becomes clear that China has indeed been very productive, and very busy, since the onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

This startling turn of events, the maturation, and muscularization of the Chinese People’s Economic, and Military prowess, has only now begun to fully form itself out, taking shape, just as the economic, and material political woes, of Europe, begin to have seemingly take hold.

[15] Emmanuel Macron’s April 2023, trip to China, which has sought to assuage much of Europe’s fears, of a multi-polar dominated world.

[16] And the end of American Hegemony. Has on par met the tenacity of the ascendant Chinese, for now. However, if the wars in Ukraine, and in the Middle East, along with the nascent saber rattling by China, against its erstwhile rebellious neighbors, in Taiwan, continue.

[17] The United States, and Europe, may have to confront not only the declining, yet still animated Russian Republic. But, also, an as yet uncontested, and newly militarily dominant Chinese People’s Republic. Add to that the newly nascent domestic political woes of the United States, and its lack of resolve militarily, in dealing with an as yet uncontested Taliban takeover of Afghanistan.

[18] And the bombing of Israel by Lebanese Hizballah, militias, and ISIS, and the Assad regime, reenergized from their time on the battlefield.

[19] And it becomes clear that the United States, as well as its partners and allies, will have more than their hands full, over the coming decades, with the Chinese People’s Republic taking center stage.         

[1] https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/wjdt_665385/zyjh_665391/202108/t20210806_9170557.html, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, of the Chinese People’s Republic of China, Accessed On: 4/6/2023

[2] https://www.cfr.org/in-brief/peng-shuai-china-disappeared-how-beijing-silences-critics, Cohen, Jerome, Council of Foreign Relations, November 23, 2021

[3] https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2022/03/china-expands-its-influence-horn-africa-overlooks-dispute-over-nile-dam, Saied, Mohamed, Al-Monitor, March 29, 2022

[4] https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trade-china-laws-explainer/explainer-china-changes-laws-in-trade-war-with-u-s-enforcement-a-concern-idUSKCN1SD18G, Reuters Staff, Explainer: China Changes Trade Laws with U.S., Enforcement a Concern, May 7th, 2019

[5] https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/19/china/china-anti-ballistic-missile-test-intl-hnk/index.html, Jessie, Yeung, China Claims Successful Anti-Ballistic Missile Interceptor Test, June 19th, 2022

[6] https://www.cbsnews.com/news/chang-e-5-china-spacecraft-lands-moon/, Harwood, William, China Says Spacecraft Successfully Lands on Moon for Historic Sample Collection, December 1st, 2020,

[7] https://www.armscontrol.org/act/2021-12/news/pentagon-sees-faster-chinese-nuclear-expansion, Pentagon Sees Faster Chinese Nuclear Expansion, Shannon, Bugos, Arms Control Association Magazine, December 2021

[8] https://carnegieendowment.org/2022/07/18/striking-asymmetries-nuclear-transitions-in-southern-asia-pub-87394, Striking Asymmetries: Nuclear Transitions in Southeast Asia, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, July 18th, 2022

[9] https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/zxxx_662805/202210/t20221018_10785042.html, 20th National Congress of Communist Party of China opens in Beijing, Xi Jinping delivers report to Congress on behalf of 19th CPC Central Committee, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, October, 16th, 2022

[10] https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20221207000164, North Korea to Hold Parliamentary Meeting on Jan. 17: KCNA, Korea Herald, December 7th, 2022

[11] https://time.com/6178501/covid-north-korea-kim-jong-un/, Two Million Cases, COVID-19 may finally force North Korea to Open Up, Guzman, Chad, Time Magazine, May 19th, 2022

[12] https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/10/us/politics/china-spy-base-cuba.html, China Has Had a Spy Base in Cuba for Years, U.S. Official Says, NYTIMES.com, Karoun Demirjian, Edward Wong, June 10, 2023

[13] https://www.nytimes.com/article/north-korea-missile-launches.html, North Korea Conducts 7th Missile Test in Less than a Month, Choe-Sang Hun, New York Times, March 26th, 2023

[14] https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/mao-zedongs-grandson-rumoured-to-be-dead-in-north-korea-accident-makes-public, Mao’s Grandson Rumored to be Killed in North Korean Accident Makes Public Appearance, The Straits Times, May 17th, 2018

[15] https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/european-central-bank-says-a-recession-has-become-more-likely, European Central Bank says A Recession “Has Become More Likely”, David McHugh, PBS News Hour, November 16th, 2022 

[16] https://www.reuters.com/world/high-hopes-china-eu-leaders-prepare-xi-talks-2023-04-06/, Macron Seeks China’s Help on Ukraine, Xi “Willing” to call Zelenskiy, Reuters.com, Michel, Rose, Laurie, Chen, April 6, 2023

[17] https://www.theweek.co.uk/news/world-news/asia-pacific/954343/what-would-happen-china-attempt-invade-taiwan, Is China About to Invade Taiwan, The Week, April 3rd, 2023

[18] https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2022/12/20/1144502320/the-taliban-took-our-last-hope-college-education-is-banned-for-women-in-afghanis, The Taliban Took Our Last Hope: College Education is Banned for Women in Afghanistan, Diaa, Hadid, National Public Radio, December 22nd, 2022

[19] https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog-april-6-2023/, IDF Says Hamas Behind Rocket Barrage from Lebanon Israel Expected to Retaliate, Fabian, Emanual, Times of Israel, April 6, 2023

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Copy of Letter Sent to The Honorable United States Representative Brad Schneider Dated January 25th, 2024

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To The Honorable Representative of the United States House of Representative, Representative Brad Schneider,

Dear Representative Brad Schneider,

Hello, my name is Kevin Michael Miller, and I’m currently a PhD. MOOC student in neuroscience, as well as Financial Engineering, Economics, and International Politics on the Massively Open Online Course websites, of Edx.org, and Coursera.org. I’m writing an order to convey my appreciation for your recent tele townhall, and its focus on delivering healthcare, and other vital healthcare related needs to the 10th district, and its cohorts. I’m writing this most recent letter, as an addendum to the previous letter which I wrote, concerning the need for proper appropriation, concerning the passage of the 2009 Affordable Care Act, and its provision of constituent services, in the United States Congress. My concerns I felt, were serious enough to warrant a letter to both your office, as well as the Late Senator Dianne Feinstein’s office. And, while I hoped that she would read the contents of my letters, as she’s done so many other times in the past, including during my earliest collegiate years, when I lived in southern California, and successfully campaigned for, and helped win, a successful recall of California Governor Gray Davis, and the election of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, against him. My concerns have been wide ranging since then. And since moving to the 10th Congressional District, here in Illinois. I’m proud to have helped first elect both Mark Kirk, to the United States House of Representatives, as well as to have voted for then State Senator Barack Obama, to the United States Senate. As I’ve said my concerns have been far ranging, and far reaching since then. Including the passage of Opioid and Fentanyl Legislation, so here entitled Matt’s Law (After a High School Classmate of Mine Whom Overdosed on Opioids in an Alleyway in Chicago in 2006). With the help of both the George W. Bush Administration, as well as the administration of then President Barack H. Obama. My most cherished memories of being part of the Republican party, are when I’m able to see legislation such as Opioid Legislation, as well as legislation pertaining to wounded veterans, and soldiers, as well as the other many legislations which I’ve advocated for, and sought to have passed along the way, particularly as concerns Xstat Syringe Wound Treatment systems, for our combat soldiers in Iraq, and Afghanistan, as well as other important legislative accomplishments which I’ve sought, and advocated for, in my twenty-two year long voting record, as well as my twenty-two year incumbency as a member of the Republican Party. I encourage you to find out more about my social, and political activism, particularly as relates to crises which have erupted on the world stage, concerning Ukraine, as well as the Middle East, and Israel. Which can be found at www.kevinspolitics.com. My most singular, and resolute contributions to the state, and its welfare, are found on this website. And it brings me great comfort to know that it will continue in its existence, which has existed in its most current form, since at least February of 2013. I encourage you, and your office to look at this website, for any ideas, or wisdom which you may derive from its political analysis, and content. Just as I encourage then Congressman Dold’s office to do the same, some years prior. My Letter at this juncture, is simply to encourage you to decrease taxes for your constituents, and to reject any legislation which may interfere in the ability for insurance providers to provide safe, and cost effective medications, and other health care needs. This includes legislation which may accelerate the dramatic increases in Government provided Health Insurance which has only continued, even with legislation which I have observed to be illegal, pertaining to the commerce clauses of the constitution. Including one piece of legislation which allows for the sale of unregulated Canadian, and Irish Pharmaceuticals, as replacements for readily produced, safe, and effective medications produced here in the United States. As well as another piece of legislation, which would merge two of the biggest insurance providers in the country Cigna, as well as Humana. Both legislative ideas, which I feel violate at least two significant clauses in the Commerce Act of 1886, as well as the commerce clauses in the United States Constitution. These concerns are only a brief of what I intended to write to you about, and I hope that by sharing my story in a published memoir, upon my graduation from Harvard University. hopefully this spring. That I’m able to further the conversation surrounding politics, diplomacy, but also real life, and what that means for young teens, and adolescents in the 21st century. I plan on supplying a number of copies to your office, upon successful publishing. And I look forward to having greater friendship, and comity with you, as we continue to spark conversations surrounding the everyday needs of the American People, as the Representative of the 10th district, here in Illinois, Dr. Schneider. I wanted to speak about the recent hearing on AI, as well as other just as pertinent world issues, affecting our country, and both parties. But I leave you now, as I hope that your days are merry, for you and your office. And I look forward to hearing more about these topics, from you, and your office. Thank You, and God Bless. – Kevin Michael Miller       

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Critique of Hola! Documentary “Kate, la joya de la corona británica”

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My opinion of the future monarch, styled her royal highness Princess Kate, or Katherine Middleton, of the United Kingdom. Is that she has almost single handedly revived the Monarchy, and the idea of the Monarchy in Great Britain.

​I disagree that the British Monarchy is some sort of imitation of the Spanish, and their Monarchy. ​If anything, they are almost completely original, in their own certitude, and devolutions, including, and especially the British. ​Princess Kate is perhaps one of the most charismatic, and important figures of the 21st century.

And for his part, William, has been someone who has been steady, and constant in his presence on the World Stage. Which for my generation, here in America, has been important for those of us whom, ​perhaps seek to do, and be the same.

Had William, and his Brother, not been as confident, and sure footed, as they have been, in the comportment, and conduct, of their domestic, private, and public life, I fear that we would’ve been left ​lacking, almost as assuredly as we were found not having done so.

​I feel like for William, someone whom has stated publicly on perhaps, too many of an occasion to sort of emulate, and discern for his own life, a sort of fairytale existence, which is usually only found in English literature. Much like Ivanhoe, and other important British Works. Even his substitution for Geography while in College, instead of Art History, at the discretion of his future Wife. So as to be better prepared for the Monarchy, has perhaps, been one of the most enduring acts for love, which I’ve ever witnessed in our modern times.

Had he, William, and his Brother, Harry, been sorely of another sort. I fear his, and our futures, would’ve been short, and very much so fairytales, indeed.

The recent Spanish Language Documentary “Kate, la joya de la corona británica”, from Hola! Which’s release, was recently broadcast on their YouTube channel, takes, I feel, far too critical an eye, on far too important a subject.

Much like the remainder of Spanish Critiques, of the British Monarchy, in Spanish Popular Media, coming out of Spain. The view of their take on British Aristocracy, and the British Monarchy, is inordinately scandalized. And Far too contextualized for a Spanish audience, due to their fairly recent history with their own monarchial scandals, and their fixation on the affairs of their heads of state.

Their self-aggrandizing, which their media, the Spanish, routinely attempts to encapsulate, is the product of the Spanish social, and societal revolutions. Whose reverberations are still felt in all facets of society to this day. Unflattering, and thoroughly objective, scurrilous in both their opinion making. As well as their portrayals.

And for these reasons, I cannot recommend the documentary, as an accurate portrayal of The Crown Princess, or her station, as a future Monarch of the United Kingdom.

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Notes On Spanish Crown Princess Leonor of Asturias, and her future within the Spanish Royal Family

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The Beautiful Comeuppance of the Spanish Crown Princess Leonor, should come as no surprise. Her Grandmother Was Beautiful, Queen Sofia. And, as an American, we are only too aware of the Spanish Monarchy, and their ties to our Latin American neighbors in the South. I was a Juan Carlos Fan, and I appreciate the Reign of his Son Felipe as well. To have a Spanish Reigning Queen on the Throne, is something that my times has only ever really heard of. Isabella I of Castile, an ancient ancestor of hers, is the most famous name we as American’s Know. Her Splendid Reign, and Her attentiveness to the Spanish People, and State, along with Christopher Columbus’ discovery of America, are some of the closest parallels to Princess Leonor that we have.

Her polling of public opinion, is only paralleled by previous Spanish Monarchs. Which is a good thing, considering Spain’s History with The Savoy Crown, and the so called antipopes which arose from earlier disputes. Nevertheless, as an American, I’ve thought that Juan Carlos, and his son Felipe, were both excellent Kings for the Spanish People, and Crown. ​Which is why I’m not necessarily of the suasion (persuasion), that Leonor should immediately take the throne. ​Much like Prince William, and King Charles III of England. Charles is personally one of my favorite Royal Personalities, ​and I look forward to his many continued successes. ​Just as Well Princess Catherine, and Prince William, are yet still too. Though I’m eager to get behind the headlines, and find out what could be troubling his brother, Prince Harry, and his Wife, the Beautiful Meghan Markle, and Duke, and Duchess of Sussex. ​

Yet still, the beauty of Princess Leonor, and Princess Sophie especially, is quite breathtaking, the two of them. ​They certainly make for some of the most charismatic individuals whom I’ve ever seen in their positions, as women. ​Though it’s no surprise, considering their pedigree. ​This is quite a time, to be a royal, with things being so much on the upswing these days. The beautiful Dutch Royal Family, as well as the Swedish Crown, are all seeing a resurgence of popularity. ​It is no mistake that they would be as beautiful then, as they are. As well as intelligent. This should come as no surprise. ​So then too, the Spanish Royal Family, and its successes, are cataloged, and properly placed, in the imagination of the peoples. ​This too should come as no surprise.

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Treaty of the European Union and Basel III Reforms

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Abstract: First I give a brief overview of Article 107 of the Treaty of the EU(TEU). Next, I give a summation of the issues which have come up for the EU in the last decade which have affected state aid, and the guarantees inherent in the Treaty of the EU. These include the Greek Debt Crisis, as well as extraterritorial measures which have been taken an order to further enhance the quality, and characteristics of the EU Charter. Special consideration is given to Basel III reforms, as well as interterritorial EU regulations enacted since.

In the Treaty of the European Union (TEU) there falls Common Article 107. In this article of the European Union Treaty there is the express exclusion of any outside aid to states which may distort, or manipulate, the common cultural, and trade union established within the main text of the European Union Treaty. The text in Article 107 then goes on to explain the types of aid which shall be available to the E.U. Common Market. Thus included: aid having a social character for individual consumers, aid excepted due to natural disasters, and aid granted to the Federal Republic of Germany, or any of its cohorts. It then details a listing of the types of aid which may be seen as compatible with the common market. These are to include: aid which promotes economic development, or an increase in the standard of living, in countries and regions deemed as being underdeveloped, or in need of structural, economic, or social development. Aid to promote the common interest of Europe or to remedy a social disturbance, Aid to promote cultural heritage or conservation. Aid for the facilitating of economic activities or economic areas. As well as any other type of aid which may be forthcoming as specified by a decision of the E.U. Council, or the E.U. Commission.

Article 107 of the European Union Treaty is at the heart, as well as the periphery of several well defined attitudinal Fiscal, as well as Monetary measures which the European Union has pursued in recent years. Following the 2008 Financial Crisis and Worldwide recession, the contours, shape, and character of the European Union’s existence began to be questioned. This was after all one of the largest common markets ever to be created, after NAFTA. The main disagreements about the future of the European Union rested upon what have become issues of great importance. One, was the misbalancing of aide which was available to member states immediately after the crisis, and the perceived monopoly on talent, as well as physical resources and infrastructure which Western European countries were alleged to have “cornered” in the single currency market. As well as the debate over the Greek financial crisis, and the subsequent bailout for Greece, so that it could remain a part of the E.U. These perceived structural flaws, and also the domination of France, Germany, and the U.K. in any bailout negotiations, caused much consternation, and friction amongst fellow E.U. member states, as well as Eurozone, and potential E.U. member states. Then there was the perceived mismanagement of the accession to the E.U. of several Eastern European states, and the rolling out of the Euro to those states which began to rankle some feathers. These problems were only exacerbated by the financial crisis, as well as upheavals in Brussels, the base of operations of the E.U., which was perceived as being too detached from the everyday lives of the E.U. citizens which it was allegedly beholden too. Throughout all of this, the Greek Debt Crisis, the Financial Crisis, accession talks, as well as the perceived structural flaws, was the fact that these institutions which the foundations of Europe rested upon; The Lisbon Treaty, Schengen, the Treaty of the European Union, the Common Currency, and single market; was the fact that these agreements had only been codified into law and implemented in the last decade or so. There was talk of the invoking of Common Article 7 of the E.U. Treaty (TEU), which would have suspended membership rights of certain member states, thus dealing a blow to the E.U. overall.

These were for all intents and purposes, some of the most trying times Europe had ever seen since the Post-War, Post-Cold War era, and yet there was more. The United States was currently engaged in conflicts around the world in GWOT, or the Global War on Terror. These wars, which were in large part a by-product of the attacks on September 11th, were beginning to become financially all consuming, for not only for the United States, but also, in the case of Iraq, Afghanistan, as well as the ISAF, or International Security Assistance Force, for European governments as well. These fissures in international treaties amongst stakeholders, were present not only in the period immediately during, and following the 2008 Financial Crisis, but also in the years leading up to it. These were heady times for Europe indeed.

However, what was not missing were the Western Institutions which made up these treaty obligations in the first place, namely; Rule of Law, Safe Access to the Seas, Liberal Humanistic Traditions, Liberal Economics, Liberal International Traditions, as well as Europe itself. Some of these laws, institutions, and ideas which had been around since before the Romans, may have been shaken, but they were built on sturdy foundations, and though the Common Articles of the Adopted Treaty of Europe were foundational, they were merely a touchstone when viewed through the long lens of European history. And so, though these were difficult times for Europe, this was not a situation altogether foreign to them, and they had been through far worse, with far less, in other words, the E.U. would survive.

This was the case with the further ratification by the E.U. and its member states of the Toledo Protocols. These protocols which are referred to now as the Basel III reforms, were in part spearheaded by the European Union, which were authorized under Common Article 107, as well as the Establishment, and Standard Procedure Clauses of the Charter of the European Union Treaty. These reforms, which were immediately put into practice at Banks, and Financial Institutions around the World, provided for a common language which the Banks, and Governments could have an order to assess risk, as well as the expansion of ratio reserve requirements. There were treaty obligations standardizing an approach to rating credit risk of individuals, and Institutions. There were new Internal Ratings Benchmarks (IRB’s) which were set. New Valuation Risk Frameworks, Operational, as well as Leverage Ratios which were now implemented. As well as output floors and ceilings, along with transitional arrangements meant to smooth the implementation of new rules. These reforms, which The European Union was able to negotiate and ratify for all treaty bound E.U. states, fall under the Standard Procedure Clauses, of the European Union, Which Common Article 107 falls under, and were immediately adopted by the E.U., as well as the Eurozone making them amongst some of the earliest adopters of this international treaty, and providing durable, and stable foundations for the European Union, in the immediate wake, and aftermath of the 2008 Global Recession. All of this was going on in addition to a number of reforms in the Tax Code of the European Ruling, including reforms to the Parent-Subsidiary Rules. These reforms which elaborated upon General Anti-Abuse Measures, Minimum Holding Requirements, as well as a rearrangement of Hybrid Loan Schemes, have become part of the bedrock of the European Union Treaty Laws governing State Aid, and Taxation.   This comeuppance was much needed by the Bureaucrats back in Brussels and other European Capitals and would serve as a guidepost, and imprimatur for not only what the European Union is capable of, but also, so much more which it is capable of transcending to.

Article 107 which enumerates the specificity of aid for E.U. countries is an integral part of the TEU. It’s whole is part of the broader so-called Standard Procedure Clauses which make up the bulk of the E.U.’s governing powers and authorities. This clause is integral to any decision making in the European Union, as elaborated upon earlier in my essay. The European Union is a major decision maker not only with regards to the continent of Europe, but also as concerns the global reach, and global regard which Europe, and the E.U. see within themselves. While the most troubling crisis of the E.U. experiment have receded, there is still yet more to be done. And while there remains E.U.-United States friction over the overall direction of the E.U. this much is true, that the E.U. is a force for change, and good in the World, and the stated goals and objectives of this nascent organization represent some of the most noble, and highest attainments of mankind, and humanity that we have ever witnessed.

          

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A Letter to the Honorable Governor Gavin Newsom for consideration for appointment to the Senate of the United States of America for the Great State of California

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To The Honorable Governor Gavin Newsom,

Dear Governor Newsom,

Hello, my name is Kevin Michael Miller, and I’m currently a resident of Illinois, residing in the Gurnee-Waukegan area. I’m writing because I would like to be considered for appointment to the United States Senate, representing the great state of California, my former state of residency.

After moving to California in the Summer of 2003, and pursuing a career in film and television, I was able to successfully have an award winning manuscript which I wrote in my teacher, Michael Mann relative, Johnathon Mann’s class, for what would become known as, the Stanley Kubrick directed film, “Eyes Wide Shut”.

After having this initial success, however, I decided, after continuing my studies in Political, and Social Philosophy, to pursue a career in Politics, foregoing any further encumbrances, to what could have been, and could still become, a flourishing acting, television, and film career.

My movie star good looks, are belied by my keen intellect, intelligible, though southern (I originally hail from Tampa, Florida) vernacular, and the character which has carried me through some of the nations most pressing, and arduous times. Particularly for my generation. As Someone who was born in 1984, I’ve witnessed the great recession, the great pandemic, the great climate change, and everything great in between.

I won’t tarry long with my request. I’m requesting that I be appointed to the seat which is currently vacated by Senator Dianne Feinstein, the longest serving senator from the San Francisco Bay Area. Though a Republican, I think my appointment would serve several fold for you, and your erstwhile agenda, in Californian, as well as Floridian, and the Nations Politics.

By appointing a well-regarded, and former well known Mouseketeer to the United States Senate. You, and I together would bring many constituencies together, an order to bring about the greatest good for all of Californians, and indeed the fifth largest economy in the World. I feel that by highlighting my exemplary conduct, which can be found on my blog at: kevinspolitics.com, as well as my Instagram feed, which has over 100k thousand, followers.

I think that we, me, and you, can work together before the American people, an order to make California, truly one of the most beautiful, safest, and most prosperous states in the Union. I recently posted on my blog a copy of a letter which I sent to Dianne Feinstein, and I urge you to look up the contents on it, on my website kevinspolitics.com, for any additional information about my history, and potential which you may need.

I look forward to hearing back from you, and I look forward to working with you, an order to make with the Senate, and Congress; The United States, and especially California, truly the most prosperous land that has ever existed.

Thank You, and I look forward to hearing from you about this exciting opportunity.

Sincerely,

Kevin Michael Miller

www.kevinspolitics.com 

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Considering the beginning of a US-Russian-Sino period of contestation for Hegemony, and Dominance

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military parade in city
Photo by Дмитрий Трепольский on Pexels.com

For its part America must wade into these difficult times with caution and a combination of carrots and sticks for all parties involved. This has already been shown with the heavy handedness that the administration has rebuked countries such as Russia, and North Korea with sanctions targeting their elite.

Beijing’s increasing power and influence in Asia, and the arguably growing danger of a serious crisis emerging in the near to medium-term over volatile issues such as Taiwan, North Korea, and several territorial disputes along China’s borders.[1]  

America must stand strong against possible aggression from all parties named, response to crises on periphery more important than at first observed, response to events crucial, must regain global respect for America, leaving the big wars for the rest while we prepare for the inevitable big test for our country, prepare for counterpoised organizations to the United States’ New World Order, do not let others dictate American narrative, be prepared for parts of the world to be hostile to the U.S. for the long term, prepare for war but don’t initiate it.

So long as U.S. maintains moral high ground domino effect is obsolete much as we saw in the 1980’s with Russia in Afghanistan.

We should, however, prepare for large parts of Asia, and Africa to be in world conflict which will be Sino-Soviet in nature and will have absolutely nothing to do with the United States.

China views itself as an aspiring yet nonaggressive great power, increasingly confident yet also acutely sensitive to domestic and external challenges to its stability and status. China’s leaders, and many ordinary Chinese citizens, possess a strong memory of the nation’s supposed historical victimization and manipulation at the hands of stronger powers. Thus, they are prepared to go to significant lengths to avoid the appearance of being weak and “giving-in” to great power pressures, or of engaging in predatory or manipulative behavior themselves. Chinese leaders also evince a very strong commitment to specific basic principles and core interests, especially those principles and interests associated with the defense of China’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, both of which are related closely to national dignity. This viewpoint is apparently also shared by many ordinary Chinese citizens.[2]

North Korea is a victim of their own system; toxic alliances such as Syria, and possibly China will be a negative mitigating effect on North Korea as a whole. If there is no rapprochement with South Korea there could be much suffering in North Korea and eventual undoing from Sino-Soviet war as they are forced to choose sides through coercion from both the Chinese and Russians. Expect for trend of celebrities engaging in politics to continue (think North Korea); expect mostly celebrities from Hollywood, and the American and European Political intelligentsia, to be disgruntled by new administration in U.S., will take to spying and openly soliciting foreign governments (besides North Korea) with so-called expertise a la Edward Snowden, should not be a problem so long as U.S. has positive narrative.

            In the end it will ultimately be up to America to chart its own destiny. We can be confrontational and get caught up in the Sino-Soviet sphere of conflict. Or we can take the high road and refuse to give into Russian, and Sino intransigence while simultaneously solving some of the world’s most dangerous issues such as the North Korean Question, Pakistani-Indian relations, and the Middle East.

By not Kowtowing to pressures from either the Russian’s and their neo-imperial ambitions, or the ascendancy of a less than peaceful China, America can act as a beacon of light and a counter weight to these two very real, and significant second tier powers whose Hegemonic designs will eventually lead them to confrontation.

I would like to end with a quote from a paper Robert Jervis wrote for World Politics in 1978:

“The security dilemma is at its most vicious when commitments, strategy, or technology dictate that the only route to security lies through expansion. Status-quo powers must then act like aggressors; the fact that they would gladly agree to forego the opportunity for expansion in return for guarantees for their security has no implications for their behavior. Even if expansion is not sought as a goal in itself, there will be quick and drastic changes in the distribution of territory and influence.”[3]

In the Director of National Intelligence’s Global Trends 2030 Report the idea of relative U.S. decline is noted. Indeed it states “The replacement of the United States by another global power and erection of a new international order seems the least likely outcome…” And goes on to say: “The emerging powers are eager to take their place at the top table of key multilateral institutions such as UN, IMF, and World Bank, but they do not espouse any competing vision. Although ambivalent and even resentful of the US-led international order, they have benefited from it and are more interested in continuing their economic development and political consolidation than contesting US leadership. In addition, the emerging powers are not a bloc; thus they do not have any unitary alternative vision. Their perspectives—even China’s—are more keyed to shaping regional structures.”[4]

This likelihood is the precedent that I cite for my reasoning as to why I foresee a U.S. that is still relatively much more powerful than either China, or Russia, but is unable to control their actions any longer due to the rise in technological prowess, as well as military advancements.

When the time comes where Russia, and China begin to build multilateral institutions for their exclusive benefit (as is already the case), and they feel that they are no longer subject to the global political and economic institutions of the status quo Global Order.

This is when we can begin to see the unraveling of regions in which you see the aforementioned states’ dominance is most felt.

This unraveling could entail anything from a virtual wall of fact distortion placed by the dominating state over itself and any cooperative satellites; to a physical travel restriction by these states against U.S. allied countries, similar to the iron curtain during the cold war; to the onset of war, as we’ve seen in Ukraine, between Russia, it’s satellites, and China, and its satellites.

With the United States playing the role of mediator between the two, while unable to travel to those countries in the world due to the enactment of trade, cultural, and travel barriers between the warring factions, and the United States and its allies.    

In a September 17th, 2015 Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, Admiral Harry Harris was asked  by Senator Thom Tillis, (R – NC), about the time at which the United States’ qualitative advantage, in a “unfair fight” would be matched or exceeded, by the Peoples Republic of China’s quantitative advantage. In the hearing Admiral Harris said that they would have capability, assuming that the United States continued on its current trajectory, sometime in “The mid-twenty-twenties.”[5]

This assertion plays into the ideas that Robert Jervis has previously postulated and that I bring up here in relation to China, and Russia, when I say that once they no longer have anything to fear, there is the possibility of real trouble in whatever parts of the world that China and Russia consider to be in their de facto sphere of influence.

This is something that will surely become a test to the American Administration at the time as China would use its economic influence to foment revolt, while Russia can jump into the fray and militarize further conflicts which may have seemed at first to require only a deft hand at crisis management.

In fact we are able to see this panoply of more options available to Russia and China as we have seen China Militarize the South China Sea, and Russia use its military advancements to invade Ukraine, and to support the Assad regime in Syria by providing military material, knowhow, and placing boots on the ground. These extra judicial steps have been taken; China by claiming territorial rights over international waters; and Russia, inviting itself to Syria under the guise of the war on terrorism.

This is only the beginning of something that has the potential to become much more serious, namely, a global confrontation between the east and the west. All hope is not lost though for the United States, we were able to successfully find hunt and kill Osama Bin Laden, we have limited our role in Iraq, and we were able to withdraw from Afghanistan by the end of 2021.

So then what role can the United States play in this increasingly more dangerous security paradigm: Cautious and Prudent.

We as a nation cannot allow ourselves to be caught in the trap of mission creep and further conflict management issues, namely war.

We must buttress our moral consistency for this long hard slog that we could potentially see ourselves going through.

We must be vigilant and be able to project strength. This means that we cannot be tied down in a recurring litany of what some might call small wars.

But we also can’t get lost in the abyss of a large conflagration.

We must on the one hand protect our allies, and project strength.

While on the other hand we cannot and will not allow ourselves to be manipulated by Chinese, and Russian Hawks, and Generals.

This will not be easy and will take an American Administration that has the intellectual knowhow and political savvy requisite to deal with these emerging threats.

Who or what this Administration will look like, this author will leave up to the American public to decide. 

[1] CHINESE NATIONAL SECURITY DECISIONMAKING UNDER STRESS, Edited by Andrew Scobell Larry M. Wortzel, CHINESE CRISIS MANAGEMENT: FRAMEWORK FOR ANALYSIS, TENTATIVE OBSERVATIONS, AND QUESTIONS FOR THE FUTURE, Michael D. Swaine, p.5, September 2005

[2] CHINESE NATIONAL SECURITY DECISIONMAKING UNDER STRESS, Edited by Andrew Scobell Larry M. Wortzel, CHINESE CRISIS MANAGEMENT: FRAMEWORK FOR ANALYSIS, TENTATIVE OBSERVATIONS, AND QUESTIONS FOR THE FUTURE, Michael D. Swaine, p.16, September 2005

[3] Cooperation Under the Security Dilemma, Robert Jervis, Pg. 187, http://www.jstor.org/stable/2009958?origin=JSTOR-pdf, 1978 Princeton University Press

[4] DNI.Gov, Office of The Director of National Intelligence, “Global Trends: 2030: Alternative Worlds”,   http://www.dni.gov/index.php/about/organization/global-trends-2030, Accessed September 15th, 2015  

[5] C-SPAN.org, Admiral Harry Harris, “Hearing on Maritime Security Strategy in the Asia-Pacific”, http://www.c-span.org/video/?328185-1/hearing-us-maritime-security-strategy-asiapacific, Accessed September 17th, 2015

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A Copy of An Open Letter which was sent to the Office of Senator Dianne Feinstein, Requesting that I be Considered to Replace Her in the United States Senate, as the Junior Senator From the Great State of California

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Hello,

I’m expecting to graduate, and would like to solicit you, Senator Dianne Feinstein, with this story about my existence. And the call to service, which I feel I’m feeling, concerning the Senior Senators Seat In the United States Congress.

And as someone whom has written to your office before, sometimes frustratingly. But now finds the wherewithal, and strength, to carry on some of the most important task, and responsibilities which the Senior Senator has accomplished while at her time there in the Chamber.

And also, as someone who can be trusted to do what’s right by Californian’s, and right by the legacy of the senior Senator, knowing that the amount of work which we’ve both accomplished to get things done for the Country, as well as California, including the election of Jerry Brown, and Arnold Schwarzenegger, be something which unites us, and could even ennoble me. As the legitimate heir to the Senior Senator from California’s record of accomplishments, and successes for the American, as well as the people of California.

I look forward to hearing from the Senior Senator, and I know that though we may not be bound by party, or deep philosophical underpinnings, I know that the Senior Senator wants nothing more than to perpetuate the good state which California now finds itself in.

And I know that with these kinds words, and words of careful caution, and counsel, which I’ve sent her office as early as 2004, that we can bring the Senior Senators agenda to the forefront, of my promulgated first term as the junior Senator for California, Dr. Kevin Michael Miller, of Florida, originally, now residing in Illinois, a Neurosurgeon, Paleontologist, Chemical Engineer, Economist, International Relations Theorist, and Rocket Scientist. At 39.

I look forward to hearing from the Senior Senator, and I look forward to visiting her office. And I want to thank the Senior Senator for her time spent in the service of our dear, great, and mighty nation, and I look forward to learning more about her plans, should she indeed resign from her office, as possibly seeking an endorsement from her, and the Governor of California Gavin Newsom, should her seat in the United States Senate be unoccupied, and a replacement must be found to carry the fight against the excesses of government, and the clean water, and restoration of our public, and private lands.

I look forward to hearing about this, and potentially visiting with the Senator, and I thank you for taking the time to read an excerpt from my forthcoming book “Time of My Life” a Political memoir, that details my own life, and growing up, and eventual bildungsroman, which has placed me, I believe, in the perfect position to lobby the Senior Senator for a seat in the United States Senate.      

Thank You,    

and God Bless,    

Kevin Michael Miller PhD. (Forthcoming)    

Earlier, shortly before the Class of 2002’s, Twenty Year Reunion, could be announced, I happened upon the death of our High School Baseball Catcher, Joseph Ryback, or Joe, on his brother, and sister’s Facebook pages. It was a recent Facebook post about the death of their brother, who was an award winning coach, and State Champion, at a school not far from Palatine. I explained to Andrew Ryback, Joe’s brother, in my experiences with loss, it’s never been a good thing to beat yourself up, and come up with “what if”, scenarios in your head, as that only feeds into an insecurity loop during what can be a very trying and difficult period. I also explained, that it’s also not good to feed into stereotypes, of male machismo and tell you, or anyone else to “suck it up”, because often times that just makes things worse.  

In a time of grief and loss, it’s always a good idea to lean on the ones you love for comfort and compassion. And, don’t be afraid to cry. I explained that I lost my mother in 2002, and I still get choked up about her death and the circumstances surrounding it. What it did to me, what it did to my family, the things I never said, the people she’ll never meet. These are all healthy emotions to have, I explained, and not a day goes by that you shouldn’t think about him. And, his positive contributions to society.

I also was able to mention the sources of my meritorious conduct. And, how my Mother’s caring for those whom were most sick, and even bed-ridden, unable to talk, or hardly communicate. Had ingrained within me, a rugged individualism, and kind-heartedness. That I’d become known for at least by the fourth grade, when I was profiled by a local newspaper, in my native Florida, that mentioned it, along with my Singing, and Baseball practices. 

I explained that in times like these, it can be comforting, also, to accept help from sources, that you wouldn’t necessarily expect it from. When my mother died, while I was in high school, Joe Ryback reached out to me personally, and let it be known that he wanted to be around me, even in my darkest times. This is the same baseball catcher that used to frustrate me at the plate, as a batter. But to him, it didn’t matter it was all about school spirit, and doing the right thing. I explained that I told Joe what he did for me, but I don’t think he realized what it was that he had done.   Simply Put: He Cheered Me Up.   And as is often the case with seemingly larger than life figures, the enormity of the things which they accomplish in life, seem to fall on everybody else’s ears but their own.

I explained that I know that the sort of family you (Andrew Ryback) and Casey Ryback come from, and with the support system that they no doubt have throughout the city of Wauconda, and the Palatine, and St. Viator High School communities, they will be able to make it through this tough and no doubt arduous period in their lives.  

I thanked them for their time, and signed the letter with my name. If it was something that brought them comfort, I was happy to do so, and if this is the legacy he can leave behind, then I’m happy to acknowledge his role, and place within it. I can remember as kids that Joe wasn’t the most well-mannered individual I’d ever come across. One of the types of people whom I would presume to be off limits to me by my parents. However, this ending gesture towards the end of his High School, and to be honest academic career, was a touching tribute to his character, and I was more than happy to share the story of his successes while in High School.

I hope that this letter, I added, brings to an end the suffering that Joe’s Widow, and his young children had from their Father, and Husband’s demise. And I hope that these words bring peace, and stillness, to their sad hearts. Joe you’ll be missed, not for the catches that you made, but for the ones that you didn’t.    

Rest In Peace Joseph Ryback.       

Earlier, while still grieving the death of my Mother, and the nervous expectations of life, and the new role in life I would play as an adolescent, and adult, I was invited by Joe, to his High School Graduation Party. This party, which was held the day of, still resonates within me, and I think about that day often, even as I contemplate the ramifications of a life well lived.

To begin talking about that day, and what it meant to be invited to Joe’s House Party, it’s difficult to understate the enormity of the feelings on that day. It was, as it says on my diploma June 7, 2002. I was caught up in the feeling of the day. And, after watching the class Memorial Speaker say a few lines, that I hand crafted for him before his, almost canceled graduation speech that day, and receive my Diploma from Dr. Nancy N. Robb, our Principal, I was more than happy to see its conclusion.

How my nights and weekends usually worked, is that since I was usually sober, and so didn’t have any worries over driving under the influence of alcohol, I usually left the party planning, and the details of my social calendar, to at least two individuals who were far more liberal in their habits. Brandon, and Ryan.  

Later, after graduating from High School, I would find, that if I planned on going to the theater on Friday’s, then I would be contacted by at least a few people that I never really hung out with in High School, but since they had progressed into adulthood, and their parent’s prohibition on dating had ended, they were eager to get to know me, and even date throughout the summer after High School.

But, like I said, before this was commonplace, most “bookings”, or “plans”, for the weekend, were filtered through either Brandon Bretl, or Ryan Voigt, two people who were the sum of my relationships, as best friends, while in Palatine.

In the intervening time, between going out to eat with my friend Ryan Voigt’s family, and the beginning of the weekend. There had arisen at least five or more invitations to parties which could last the entire weekend. As someone who had, by the end of High School, become a sort of status symbol on my High Schools, and surrounding High School’s social radars, it became obvious to me later on, that the bulk of my High School Parties, and flirtations, were made up of this same status, which I had compiled slowly at first, and then by the beginning of Senior Year of High School, very quickly. And, am still known for to this day.

The addition of “Real(ity) TV”, “Internet Fame”, and “Abercrombie”, good looks, which still penetrate to this day. Along with the potential, to date some of the most coveted personalities of my generation, were pieces of the puzzle which I never thought would come together so quickly. I would eventually attend all of them, successfully concluding my High School Social Calendar, and Career at Palatine.

Nevertheless, by the beginning of the night, my escort for the weekend, Brandon, had already introduced me to several new individuals, and by the end of the night, I would resolve at least two conflicts, from my now formative, High School years.  

The first party of the weekend, which was ironically moved, began at my friend Ryan Voigt’s house. It was, from all intents and purposes, a “mixer”, in his front driveway, with everyone that we usually hang out with. While everyone was sitting around enjoying the sun, in its golden hour, the early evening, a report came in, that the head of the Hockey Team was arrested for Marijuana Possession. This report, which was of someone that I knew, and was so close as to witness it’s undertaking, was a stiff blow to his future in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. As he had obtained a scholarship to play Hockey at a north of Wisconsin College.

Later, I would write a letter to the Judge presiding over his trial, as a character witness for the defense. Add to that his collegiate aspirations, and it’s my understanding that the letter which was read to the Judge, helped to properly appropriate his sentencing, for the crime which was committed. At the time, I saw it as a symptom of only a small problem with Palatine’s Class of 2002.

Later, I, however, after learning more of the details surrounding our now defrocked Prom Queen, and the impending indictments from a Federal Grand Jury, saw these symptoms, as more acute, and more malignant than at first perceived. This report, which disturbed us already, to begin the night, only added to the sense of relief, that I felt to finally be going away from Palatine for my University Studies.                  

Palatine, a place that had won my heart by the end of my time there, had always been a community that was difficult, and sophisticated enough, to warrant my evolution while in it. What were years as a teenager, spent deliberatively molding, and shaping my personality, and physique. Had by the time I graduated, seen me blossom, and bloom, into a beautiful, smart, articulate, “one-off”. That was one of the nation’s top young intellectuals. And, the envy of my High School class.

This parthenogenesis by me, something which at the beginning of my High School days, was someone seen as awkward. But, by the time I matriculated at Harvard, had become someone who was as well regarded, and looked upon as some of the foremost thinkers of my generation, was almost classically, something which I sought to project in my early teenage years. Yet, at the same time, I understood this new bout of both fame, and fortune, to be something, which would separate me from my remaining family. And, at the same time, would help to ennoble me, even painstakingly. 

This reality, which still exist, is something which I’ve been fortunate enough to cultivate, and mature, even while still an adult. And, after the teenager years which could sometimes be filled with groups of young girls, and women, whom craved to be near me, or even just to take a picture of me, or steal an article of my clothing, as a memento. Such was the case, the week of my Graduation. Which would be filled with scenes much like this, and included that week at least one underage streaker, at a Pizza Shop that I’m known to frequent.

My studious behavior, which included tempering my singing, and acting, had, by the time I moved away from home, become a full time pursuit. Add to that, my years spent modeling, and playing sports. As well as my national recognition, as one of the most promising, up and coming intellectuals. And I was well on my way to the sort of success, which I’ve only recently begun to enjoy being recognized for, now in my thirties.  

I always called them “The Reich”, but by the end of High School, I looked upon them as a crowd with just as mature appurtenances, as I. Their cavalier, and nonchalant attitudes, toward life. Were, by the end of graduation, taken for what they were perceived to be, legitimate successes, and aspirations.

All my life, I’d never known a more callous, and cruel, yet curiously intellectual group of people before. Their High School years filled with the type of exploits which I thought I could only dream of. Had, by the time we reached adulthood, become simply a prosaic attempt to become successful in their adult years.

To say that their downfall was precipitated earlier on, would be correct. However, to say that you didn’t anticipate what their future plans were, and what they would do, once they graduated from both High School, and College, would be an understatement.

And, you always wondered, after the news hit, of their impending flops, and embarrassing arrest. During more sophisticated Collegiate years: “Would they ever recover?”

The answer of course is decidedly “No”.

And, of course, they could never amount to what they built themselves up to be, in everybody else’s head, including my own.  But to fail, and not succeed, so mightily. That, by all respects, is the most provocative aspect, of their swift, and proud reckoning.

Often, when in a similar social situation, you mirror, or transpose the thoughts, and feelings, you have. On the individuals in that same social setting.

Had I known, at that time, that their seemingly picturesque, High School Academic Achievements, School Pride, and overtly aggressive behavior. Would, in fact, become a far too contrived American version, of what was at the time, an overabundance, of English Football League, “Hooliganism”. I certainly would have thought twice about, my, even chance serial, and social encounters, with this group of once promising class of 2002 graduates. I’ve said it so many times before, that I cannot elaborate to the reader, how abundant, and stark, their failings are, in comparison to their own clout filled presumptions, compared to my own more legitimate successes in life.  

Upon reflecting on Joe’s unfortunate demise. As well as, after reflecting on my family’s history within it. Has given me my sense of encouragement, to be more engaged in the political process, in the country. And, in the Republican Party.

And, to better yet still, mature through it, is perhaps some of the best decision making, that I’ve ever done. My commitment to this country, and its security, has only regarded me as one of the most well regarded intellectuals of my generation.

And, to be someone who lived through the attacks of 9/11. And, the intervening, internecine bureaucratic, and fraught with peril War on Terror. As a belligerent. Is something which I’ve taken with me, as a badge of honor.

From my time on the Sandlots of Florida, to answering the call to service to my nation as a teenager in Palatine, to my academic, and intellectual achievements in the name of my country. I think that these situations, and important, and trying times in my life, have only better prepared me for a leading role in our Nation’s Politics.

And I ask the American people to take my words seriously, and to regard my actions for what they are. A sincere, and prominent role, in the shaping of the Politics, and Geo-Politics of our nation’s future.

And I ask, legitimately, that the American people consider these roles seriously, no matter how high an office I may seek. Even, if that very office, which I’ve been so far encouraged to seek, may turn out to be, as high as the highest office in the land.

Never before, has there been a period in the nation’s history, where so much has mattered to so many. I’ve fought for this country, on every battlefield imaginable.

I ask that the stakes which were necessitated to be culpable for my own actions, be known, and be known loudly.

The threat of terrorism emanates from the Middle East, and Disparate corners of the African, and Asiatic continent. Real Politik, between Cold War Nemeses, and the influence of Chinese Imperialism, Economically, and in both its near abroad, and Africa, the so called nine-dash line, have made the threat of multiple near-peer adversaries, a constant reality.

The time for a new generation of leadership is now. My education, and lack of misunderstanding, of the enormous task ahead of us, should come as no surprise to the American people.

After studying these same issues, for my entire Adult life, I’m only too cognizant of the ways of the World, and the task laid before us. One thing I know for certain.

The gap between what I’ve been taught, and grown up to become, and the leadership that we now have in office, cannot stand. And, I ask, that as I consider all my options, each, and every day of my life.

That the realities of the four corners of the globe, and the crises which may emanate from them, including the proliferation of space-based, and nuclear capabilities, and the coming contest between near-peer adversaries.

As well as my intense, and private study of the matters, be something which is on American’s minds, as I contemplate my formal entry into American Politics.            

Thank You,  

God Bless,  

and God Bless,  

The United States of America.                       

Dr. Kevin Michael Miller