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Senator Catherine Cortez Masto is championing domestic production of rare earth magnets for green energy transition with the “Rare Earth Magnet Production Tax Credit Act.”

Rare earth magnets are composed of 17 chemical elements, and their unique properties make them vital for applications such as laptop hard drives, electric motors, wind turbines, and green technology. While these elements are not genuinely rare in the crust of Earth, their processing makes them “rare” due to low concentrations and complex extraction processes.

The proposed act aims to provide a $20 per kilogram production tax credit for rare earth magnets manufactured in the states. The incentive would encourage domestic mining and processing of rare earth elements, reducing dependence on foreign sources.

Simon Jowitt, an associate professor of economic geology at the University of Nevada, Reno, emphasizes the importance of domestically mining and processing rare earth elements, saying the U.S. must secure its supply of these critical elements and reduce reliance on China for components essential for defense systems and clean-energy technologies.

“The one advantage of mining these things in the U.S. is we have strict environmental regulations,” Jowitt said. “Mining companies are increasingly aware of the social impact they have and they think of how to bring benefits to local communities rather than leaving a problematic hole in the ground.”

China currently dominates global rare earth element production, accounting for 70 percent, while the U.S. produces only 14 percent.

The fallout from the election case in Georgia has spotlighted election systems nationwide, with recent revelations in Nevada sparking fresh concerns among voters.

A recent email sent by the Nevada Secretary of State to county officials raised concerns due to a significant omission in coverage by the Reno Gazette-Journal (RGJ.) The exclusion of “We realized that…” from the email, asserting that system vulnerabilities cannot occur in Nevada, has prompted questions about transparency and accountability in reporting.

Critics, including email author Secretary of State Francisco Aguilar, argue that superficial reassurances from state officials fail to address fundamental issues plaguing the state’s election systems. While statements emphasize the differences between Nevada’s voting infrastructure and those scrutinized in Georgia, they overlook critical concerns raised by experts.

One point of contention is the inability to inspect voting machines’ codes, ballots, or counting processes, violating transparency standards. Additionally, the connection of election management systems to the internet raises alarm bells, with experts warning of potential vulnerabilities.

Despite mounting evidence of risks associated with electronic voting systems, questions persist about the reluctance of state officials to adopt more secure alternatives. Advocates for hand-counted paper ballots argue that such methods offer unparalleled transparency and reliability at a fraction of the cost of electronic systems.

Critics accuse state officials, allegedly backed by Soros-funded entities, of downplaying legitimate concerns and resisting calls for reform. The refusal to acknowledge the superiority of hand-counted ballots, as advocated by both experts and political figures, raises questions about the motives behind their staunch defense of electronic systems.

The Nevada Commission on Ethics split a vote of 2-2, letting Reno Mayor Hillary Schieve off the hook after the third-term politician allegedly violated state ethics laws.

The vote came after an ethics complaint was filed against Schieve in April 2023, alleging she failed to disclose a professional relationship with McDonald Carano, a law firm representing her, and that was involved in a home development project before the city council. The case revolved around Schieve’s hiring the firm to sue a private investigator she accused of electronically stalking her.

The resulting tied vote came because of a vacant seat left by former Commissioner Barbara Gruenewald, creating an even number of voting members. According to Commission on Ethics Chair Kim Wallin, the Legislative Commission, responsible for filling the vacant seat, has yet to take action.

Executive Director Ross Armstrong clarified that a majority was needed to find a violation. The absence of a majority vote means the commissioners had to agree on a final opinion, which will be up for approval in March.

During the meeting, Ethics Commissioner Amanda Yen abstained due to her association with McDonald Carano, and three other commissioners could not vote as they were part of the panel that conducted a preliminary review in November.

City of Reno attorney Jonathan Shipman argued that requiring disclosure of law firm relationships could set a precedent for public officials having to disclose various services they employ. However, Commission on Ethics attorney Elizabeth Bassett countered that attorney-client relationships hold a unique place in public office matters.

With no violation found, Schieve is not obligated to attend ethics training or pay fines.

Washoe County residents report receiving unsolicited texts from State Voices, backed by major progressive funders, including George Soros’ Open Society Foundation, the Ford Foundation, and the Nathan Cummings Foundation.

State Voices operates by pooling funds and regranting 100 percent of donations to its “State Tables,” grassroots organizations that propagate their narrative. Utilizing federal grants, the group uses taxpayer dollars for redistricting and local initiatives.

The organization is linked with several entities, including The Yale Program on Climate Change, The Sentencing Project, Protect Democracy, The Brennan Center for Justice, and America Votes, promoting narratives ranging from climate change to criminal justice reform.

In Nevada, State Voices operates through its offshoot, Silver State Voices, comprised of Let Nevadans Vote, ACLU of Nevada, and Battleborn Progress. Their shared motto is “We Fight the Right in Nevada.”

Recent controversies involve their opposition to paper ballots and hand-counting, labeling such practices as dangerous. The group also rallied for increased funding for Nevada schools in 2021 under “Red for Revenue,” supported by the Nevada State Education Association, while advocating for LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC rights, supporting illegal aliens, and attributing societal problems to white supremacy.

In March 2022, Let Nevadans Vote opposed Washoe County’s resolutions on voter fraud, branding them as “voter suppression.” Washoe County DA Christopher Hicks reportedly supported their narrative on a technicality.

The group’s activities extend beyond Washoe County.

In July 2022, they influenced Elko County to continue using voting machines, praising the decision as “safe and secure.” In August 2022, they lobbied Nye County to safeguard against “bad actors” following a clerk’s resignation.

Their Facebook page in 2023 revealed support for a bill allowing those in jail to register and vote. Questions arise about potential lobbying for Democrat votes in exchange for prisoner releases.

Critics argue that Soros-affiliated organizations, including those in Nevada, wield disproportionate influence. Concerns about taxpayer funding supporting these groups persist, with allegations of their involvement in various layers of Nevada’s electoral processes.

The foundational principle of “one person, one vote” has been a steadfast pillar of the U.S. electoral system since the nation’s inception.

However, a potential paradigm shift looms ahead for Nevadans as the 2024 ballot will include a decision on ranked-choice voting (RCV). The proposed change seeks to change the voting process for various state and federal offices, from the state legislature and governor to the U.S. Senate and House.

Ranked-choice voting allows up to five candidates to contend for each open position. Voters would then rank candidates in order of preference, from first to last.

The tabulation process unfolds in rounds until a candidate secures a majority. If there is no majority in the first round, the candidate with the fewest votes gets eliminated, and their supporters’ votes transfer to their second-ranked choice. This iterative process continues until a candidate emerges with a majority.

Critics argue the system introduces a potential disparity, allowing some individuals to cast multiple votes. Consider the scenario in the governor’s race: a Nevada voter ranks five candidates, and if their top choice finishes last, their vote seamlessly shifts to their second choice. Should no majority be reached, the process repeats, allowing a single voter’s influence to be counted four times in the same race.

The complexity of ranked-choice voting also raises concerns about disenfranchisement. Some voters may unintentionally fail to rank all five candidates, leading to what is known as an “exhausted ballot.”

It can occur due to a lack of understanding of the process, aversion to candidates, or to vote for their preferred candidate repeatedly. In the event of an exhausted ballot, a voter’s input might get discarded, rendering them voiceless in determining the eventual winner.

Alaska’s 2022 congressional special election provides a cautionary tale. In that election, which utilized RCV, nearly 15,000 ballots were exhausted, essentially silencing those voters, while the difference between the winner and the runner-up was 5,240 votes.

My Cousin Elmo says, “Mayorkas wants to know how he can be impeached when he’s never done anything.”

As the U.S. Navy destroyer glided through the waters off the Kuril Islands in October 1964, Captain Reynolds maintained a steady gaze on the horizon. The cruise took a turn when Anderson, the sonar operator, detected a distinct clang of metal against metal.

A general alarm sounded through the ship, and men scrambled to their posts, expecting the worst, an attack from Russia or China, allies of the North Vietnamese Communists. It was all they had heard about from the Armed Forces Radio Network in the last week, putting them on edge.

Notified of the ping, Reynolds moved to the sonar room. Joining him were Chief Boatswain’s Mate Miller, who was feeling unwell, and the ship’s doctor, Dr. Lawson.

With the Passage circling, Anderson listened intently for the sound to grow stronger, “It sounds like metal on metal, Captain. Kind of like a ships hull being struck with a hammer.”

Lieutenant Bradley quickly inquired about the possibility of a missing submarine in the area, “Negative Captain, Command says all are accounted for, with none on patrol in this sector.”

“Maybe it’s a haunted sub,” Seaman Jackson joked. No one laughed.

Miller suddenly descended into a frenzy of unnerving behavior, including an unexplained fainting spell, and taken to sick bay. Lawson followed close behind.

Determined to uncover the reason behind the continued clanging, Reynolds ordered the ship’s diver, Petty Officer Turner, into the water, about 30 fathoms or 180 feet in depth.

“Report directly to me and no one else,” Reynolds ordered Turner. “No sense in causing anymore scuttlebutt than what we already have.”

Turner disappeared beneath the waves and eventually came to stand on the ocean floor. Following Anderson’s instructions, he slowly moved toward where the sonar operator said the sound was coming.

From the murky waters rose the silhouette of an American submarine, the number 44, barely readable from the conning tower’s battered side. When Turner banged on the submarine hull, an unsettling response echoed in return, sending shivers down his spine.

Fighting off panic, Turner radioed for a return lift to the surface.

Miller, now sleeping in a bed in sickbay, plagued by apparitions of dead sailors, spiraled further into madness. Lawson, attempting to reason with a near-psychotic man, attributed the visions to combat fatigue from wartime experiences, dismissing them as mere nightmares.

Turner, having returned to the ship, reported to Reynolds as instructed. Reynolds directed Bradley, “Get on the horn with Command and find out anything you can about the SS-44.”

“Aye-aye, Skipper,” the Lieutenant responded as he disappeared towards the radio room.

Contemplating the unthinkable, Reynolds sought an emergency rescue operation, “Gather your team, Turner. I need you aboard that boat, pronto.”

Descending again into the depths in rescue bell, this time with two other divers, Turner forced open the crusted-over hatch only to make a discovery — a dog tag with the name Miller. Gathering it up, he slipped into the darkness of the interior, still filled with seawater, and turned on his underwater torch.

Finally awake and now confronted with his past, Miller confessed to Lawson his role in the submarine’s demise during the war.

“That was our fifth time at sea,” he said. “We thought we were getting ready to deep-six a fishing boat, turned out we found a Jap escort.”

Lawson waited for Miller to gather himself.

“We tried surrendering, even ran a white pillow case up the mast,” He continued. “They just kept shelling us, and then ordered to abandon ship. I figured the Skipper scuttled her and went down witht ship because I never saw him again.”

“Is that how you became a P.O.W.?” Lawson asked.

“Japs picked me and Jones up,” Miller answered, adding, “They beat the hell out of us, starved us nearly to death, and then sent us to the Ashio copper mines.”

Looking better and acting like himself again, Lawson released Miller to his berth and returned to Reynolds to report what he had learned. By the time Lawson made it topside, Bradley was briefing the Captain on the history of the submarine.

The overhead speaker blared, just then, “Diver’s aboard, diver’s aboard.”

Ten minutes later, Turner reported to Reynolds. “Several sets of remains are still aboard the vessel. And I found this.”

Turner handed the dog tag to Reynolds, who looked it over. He gave Lawson the tag.

Overwhelmed by survivor guilt and convinced his deceased comrades beckoned him, Miller donned his dress uniform and quietly walked out onto the Poop Deck.

When questioned by a Marine guard about what he was doing there, he smiled and casually answered, “They’re calling muster on me!” before tumbling backward into the water.

Helpless to stop him, the young Marine radioed, “Man overboard!” setting the ship into futile action. Chief Boatswain’s Mate Miller, like his shipmates 20 years before him, would be listed as lost at sea by the Navy.

Turner, after leading the unsuccessful rescue mission to find Miller, never spoke about the desolate submarine, the remains of the sailors still aboard, or the one clutching a ball pein hammer.

My Cousin Elmo says, “Jeffery Epstein asked Hillary Clinton to be his Valentine, but she left him hanging.”

My Cousin Elmo says, “I don’t watch football, but I keep hearing about Taylor Swift. Sounds quick.”

One of my early lessons in common sense happened as a nine-year-old sitting at the kitchen table with Grandma Lola and Grandpa Bill, looking at some old black-and-white photographs.

Everything was bare, and the people in ragged yet clean clothes, many barefoot, looked half-starved. They explained that it was the early days of the Great Depression.

Concerned, I asked, “So, what did you eat?”<

“Many times I had lard sandwiches,” Grandpa said.

“So did I,” Grandma added. “We had a warm house, a cow in the barn, chickens in the hen house.”

“So why didn’t you eat the cow or the chickens?”

“Eat the cow or the chickens?!” Grandpa nearly shouted.

Then Grandma explained, “The cow was for milk, which we drank some of, and the rest we sold, the chickens laid eggs that we used for food and sold too.”

I had to think about that for a minute.

“So besides lard sandwiches, what else did you eat?” I asked.

“We ate vegetables we grew ourselves or traded for,” Grandma said.

“No meat?” Grandpa said as he got up and took me by the hand.

We walked out back of the house to the small barn he was using as a workshop and pointed at the row of boxes on either side of the building.

“What are those for?” I asked.

“Pigeons,” he answered. “They were always on the menu.”

The idea of eating a pigeon made me shudder.

“You’d be surprised what you can get used to eating when your real hungry,” he said, seeing my physical reaction.