Meme Scholar with Madness (PhD)

[EndtheMadnessNow]

Nixon 1948 / 1949 Three Stooges. The Watermelon Papers...


For context see Dunked In The Deep:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsvTReJ7M1s


May 5, 1955: Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) became a truly sovereign state when the General Treaty signed by USA, UK, and France became effective, ending their military occupation, which began in 1945. With this action, West Germany was given the right to become a full-fledged member of NATO. On same day a shock & awe demonstration of Atomic power was given. "Gee, what a beautiful thing!" 'Yes, even typical housewives can survive an Atomic Blast with just a helmet and goggles! -The Atomic 50s.


The Soviet Union back in the 50s asked if they could be a member of NATO. The answer of course was No! Putin asked Bill Clinton in 2000 if Russia could join NATO. The answer was No! Zelensky asked US diplomats if Ukraine could join NATO. The reply was, If you beat Russia then you can join.


May 5, 1961: Alan Shepard became the first American in space, piloting the Freedom 7 Mercury Capsule in a 15-minute flight.




Soviet style Realism painting on canvas. Nixon Annoints Hungarian Child, Places Curse of War and Economic Decline Upon Soviet Union. Nixon at the Hungarian border, symbol of freedom (1970 painting at House of Austrian History, Vienna)





https://x.com/Acyn/status/1919201658384626053


Nixon’s China move opened global markets, not a trapdoor. We weren’t ripped off...we were auctioned off by big American corporate interest groups & Int'l banking cartel. Granted China did some sneaky backroom deals. America is the big consumer while China became the big producer which our parasite politicians allowed it to happen. After pres Bill Clinton allowed China into the World Trade Organization (WTO) it was all downhill from there. Why do they (US gov't involved in trade relations with China) allow cheap Chinese junk to be imported by the mega container loads, which killed the American small business owners? The only people that benefited are those like the Walmart family and of course kickbacks for the politicians. Now, 25 years later the balance is so far off I think the good ole days are long gone. I think I understand Trump's vision for America, but it's too late, about 20 years too late. The $8 trillion 20-year war in Afghanistan didn't help, but it sure did help China. Look at the dominant empires of the past 600 years and what happened to each one? Why you think Trump is so headstrong on AI and Crypto? Any gold in the Fort Knox octagon? Where ya think we are headed now?

On the brighter side, Temu (Chinese e-commerce company) has announced it will no longer ship products directly from China to U.S. customers. This change is a direct result of the U.S. government ending the de minimis exemption, which previously allowed low-value packages (under $800) to enter the U.S. duty-free. Instead, Temu will now fulfill orders from U.S.-based warehouses...while figuring out how to recalibrate their business model without de minimis loopholes. TEMU is well-known of cheap junk.

De minimis changes have NOT BEEN ROLLED BACK. There is a new process in place specific to formerly de minimis qualified shipments from China and Hong Kong.

There's a lot of confusion around the changes to de minimis entries and my understanding is broken down like so:

De minimis rules had(!) two defining characteristics:

1. No formal entry if declared commercial value is under $2500

2. No duties, tariffs, or other fees paid when clearing customs if value is under $800 - THIS is the key attribute of a de minimis qualified shipment.

Regarding formal entry - there have been no changes to this, because it's a separate policy altogether. HOWEVER, even an informal entry requires a declared commercial value and a completed CBP Form 3461. "Informal entry" just means the importer has to provide less information and any fees owed are collected directly by the carrier at time of shipment release to the importer (instead of by CBP and Treasury). The rules governing this process are codified in Title 19 CFR § 143.24.

The major change is to the second part - shipments under $800. All shipments imported to the US, regardless of value, are now subject to duties and fees.

Here's how this breaks down, per CBP's Federal Register Notice (2025-07325, 90 FR 17608):

1. Shipments carried by express/courier/freight forwarders (the vast majority of this category) are now subject to a 120% ad valorem duty assessed based on the declared value.

2. Shipments carried as postal items will receive a specific duty regardless of value of $100 until June 1, which then increases to $200.

3. The carriers must calculate, collect, and remit to CBP/Treasury all duties and fees owed.

4. This is a specific new rule applying just to shipments from China and Hong Kong. Previous de minimis rules still apply to other countries of origin.

IEEPA (International Emergency Economic Powers Act) and Section 301 are national security sanctions, not so much about trade. China will need to capitulate on a range of larger issues such as spying, stealing tech, farmland grabs, fentanyl ingredients, South China Sea, before any tariff step downs will occur. That's not going to happen soon or fast.



May 5, 1973: American super horse Secretariat known as Big Red won the Kentucky Derby in a record time of 1:59.4, that has never been surpassed. Secretariat went on to win the coveted Triple Crown of the Kentucky Derby, the Belmont Stakes and the Preakness Stakes.

In the fall of 1989, Secretariat became afflicted with laminitis—a painful and debilitating hoof condition. When his condition failed to improve after a month of treatment, he was euthanized on October 4 at the age of 19. Secretariat was buried at Claiborne Farm, near his sire, Bold Ruler, in a small graveyard behind the office at the farm. He was given the rare honor of being buried whole (traditionally only the head, heart, and hooves of a winning race horse are buried). His best offspring, Risen Star, won the Preakness and Belmont Stakes in 1988.


Pure Heart

Research indicates that the female X chromosome is responsible for the large hearts found in outstanding racehorses

Every horse that raced in the 2025 Kentucky Derby is a descendant of Secretariat. So far nobody has been able to produce anything close to the performance of super-stud Big Red. I guess God has so ordered, there can only be ONE.


On the sixth day (May 5, 1980), God sent the British Special Air Service (SAS) on "Operation Nimrod" to rescue the remaining hostages, rappelling from the roof and forcing entry through the windows. During the 17-minute raid they rescued all but one of the remaining hostages and killed five of the six hostage-takers. An inquest cleared the SAS of any wrongdoing. The sole remaining gunman served 27 years in prison in Britain. In the public eye, the SAS became legends, however, they were already legends from WWII (super bad asses) but that had been forgotten till this day in 1980 and afterword portrayed in novels to Hollywood films and Tom Clancy to video games to Paddy Mayne in SAS Rogue Heroes (2022-25 series).




May 5, 1987: Congress began its official televised hearings in the investigation of the Iran Contra affair, which involved sales of military weapons to Iran, in violation of an arms embargo to fund anti-government rebels or "contras" in Nicaragua. Tucker Carlson was in Nicaragua during the Iran-Contra Affair.
CSPAN clips (Clip 5 is Lt Colonel Oliver North)




The cenotaph draped in a large union flag.


This is the first time the war memorial has been draped since its unveiling in 1920 by King George V. It will remain dressed for the duration of the 4 day commemorations as a mark of respect to the fallen.


May 5th - On National Astronaut Day, after being ignored by NASA, conspiracy theorist K.C. Houseman told former astronaut Brian Harper he believed the moon was off course and heading for earth in MoonFall.




Well, we knew this was coming...


Israel plans to seize Gaza under a new plan, officials say

The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) is a unit in the Israeli Ministry of Defense tasked with overseeing civilian policy in the West Bank, as well as facilitating logistical coordination between Israel and the Gaza Strip. Major General Ghassan Alian, an Israeli-Druze officer in the IDF and the current head of COGAT.