#loc: blackstone

[prettyboiiblues]

Sundaze

[thefilthytruth1992]

Got my #septum & #second #nosepiercing!! #onewithmyself #locsqueen #locs #dreads #dreadhead #blackstoner #stoner #stonerforlife #queen #purple #bull #dakandyshop #rastaliving #marijuanalover #sliver #peaceNlove #peace #love #selfawareness #selfawakening (at Da new Kandy shop tattoo studios)

[stonergirlstyle-blog]

Much success, no stress, and lots of happiness.🌹#STONERGIRLSTYLE 🍃 via: @yng_kara ❤️ . . . #supportblackartists #womeninweed #destinyschild #locs #420life #blackstoners #rollingpapers #weedwednesday #locstyles https://www.instagram.com/p/BurN5VRH5bq/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=18p97i53l5tdg

[gravitascivics]

REVIVING MANUFACTURING, IS IT POSSIBLE?

There is an area of public concern that seems unable to ameliorate a hurtful condition; that is the lure of US jobs to nations with cheap labor.  This has caused a depletion of employment among those who formerly counted on factory and mill work first in what used to be the industrial belt – now known as the rust belt – and among southeastern states.

         Most of these workers were noted for their lack of education especially beyond high school.  This shift has been so extensive, the US economy is presently referred to as a post-industrial economy.  In the place of viable manufacturing towns, the nation has a swath of hollowed out communities with empty factories and mills.  In some areas, as this blog has reported, formerly vibrant communities have become centers of drug addiction, particularly of unemployed workers hooked on opioids.

         This is a two-edged problem.  There is the loss of jobs, as just described, but there is also in importation of cheap goods.  While significant numbers of workers lost their jobs, everyone has the advantage of being able to go to such retailers as Costco and Walmart and pick up products – clothing, furniture, house items, etc. – for a fraction of what they would sell for if produced in America.  

Overall, this dispersion of jobs and the utilization of its accompanying formula of specialization mean, globally, more efficiency – producing more goods and services at lower costs.  But should this segment of the American workforce pay such a price for the sake of that efficiency?  Is there a strategy that allows more Americans to enjoy the fruits of the global economy?

The CBS Sunday Morning Show[1] ran a story of an American entrepreneur who started a garment business in North Carolina and by so doing demonstrates that with a bit of creativity there might be a formula to meet this challenge.  The piece traced the production process this manufacturer uses:  from growing and harvesting the cotton used in his plant to the work done at his plant that uses teams of workers – as opposed to traditional assembly line approach – in producing his final products.[2]  

His process is significantly more expensive than those that depend on imports, and his final hoodie – the item illustrated in the story – sells for a whopping $105. Yet, that hoodie lives up to the company’s name – American Giant – as a high-quality product and has sold well in American stores.  Yes, it benefitted from unplanned media exposure, but success is success.

Here’s the synopsis the network provides for the CBS story:

In 1980 almost 80% of clothing bought in America was made in this country. Today, it’s around 3%.  But Bayard Winthrop, founder and CEO of the sportswear company American Giant, is trying to turn that around, helping to rebuild an infrastructure and workforce to manufacture clothing that proudly bears the “Made in U.S.A.”  He took correspondent John Blackstone on a tour of the production cycle, from cotton farm to finished hoodie.[3]

         It occurred to this writer, what if a manufacturer took on this same challenge, perhaps at a more modest level, – not producing the best hoodie on the market – call it America Not So Big, and be able to sell it for a cheaper price, would that be profitable?  Just wondering.  But what Mr. Winthrop has demonstrated – as part of his challenge – is that there is a way for American manufacturing to return, at least in the apparel business; and perhaps return in other industries as well.

         What remains, and what this blog in future postings will address, is:  what else can be done?  A writer who has looked at this concern – and has been cited before in this blog – is Edward Alden.[4]  He provides an analysis that covers the various aspects of this issue.  And that includes the role of government in not just refereeing the actions of the pertinent players, but in issuing policies that encouraged – in some cases mandated – the business activities that has resulted in the current state.

         There are two quotes in his account that set the stage for what Alden reports regarding government’s role.  The first is:

The federal government needs to go further, however, by negotiating with other countries to create better rules for international economic competition and enforcing those rules vigorously.  The trade and investment agreements of the past have made it easier for goods and capital to move around the world, which has brought gains in productivity and efficiency.[5]

Here, Alden identifies a key factor, US trade policy since World War II that this blog has previously reported.  In summary, that policy was meant to lay the foundation for a global economy that would give the nations of the world a vested interest in avoiding global wars as were experienced in World Wars I and II.  Those wars caused, beyond untold human misery, inestimable amounts of destruction to the world’s production capabilities.

         But that writer goes on:

Companies have enormous leverage to demand government subsidies, tax cuts, or a compliant, low-wage workforce as a condition for investment.  Even as it competes fiercely for investment, the United States must lead a new international effort to curb the destructive effects of unbridled competition.  New rules should be put in place to set higher standards for business around the world, to discourage corporations from racing to the lowest tax jurisdictions, and to create the conditions for fairer global economic competition.  And those rules must be enforced with vigor that has too often been lacking.[6]

         This blog has just issued a set of postings that looks at the responsibilities corporations have as virtual citizens of the American federation.[7]  With this issue, the loss of jobs due to seeking cheap labor or the utilization of automation,[8] a responsible corporate “citizen” should proactively seek out options that can meet the needs of fellow citizens.  In this case, that would be of displaced workers.

As such, an American civics class could legitimately investigate this issue by analyzing its related attributes and asking its relevant federalist questions. This blog will play its part and delve deeper into this issue at some future date.

[1] “Made in America,” CBS Sunday Morning Show, broadcast September 1, 2019, accessed September 2, 2019, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K05NEWHuHWg .

[2] In between there is the gin (where extraction of the cotton from the plant occurs) and the mill (where the cotton goes through the spinning looms and the other related processes to make the cloth occur).

[3] “Made in America,” CBS Sunday Morning Show.

[4] Edward Alden, Failure to Adjust:  How Americans Got Left Behind in the Global Economy (Lanham, MD: Rowman and Littlefield Publishers, 2016).

[5] Ibid., loc. 562 (Kindle edition).

[6] Ibid.

[7] The reader is invited to look at those postings starting with “Corporations As Good Citizens,” August 20, 2019, https://gravitascivics.blogspot.com/2019/08/corporations-as-good-citizens.html .

[8] As demonstrated in the CBS report in how the highlighted mill performs its role.

[rhianna]

What Blackstone is to the struggling lawyer, Hardee’s “Tactics” to the would-be officer, or Bismarck’s life and writings to the coming statesman, Robert-Houdin’s books were to me.

The Unmasking of Robert-Houdin by Harry Houdini

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/42723

AuthorHoudini, Harry, 1874-1926

TitleThe Unmasking of Robert-Houdin LanguageEnglish LoC ClassGV: Geography, Anthropology, Recreation: Recreation, Leisure SubjectMagic tricks -- History SubjectRobert-Houdin, Jean-Eugène, 1805-1871 SubjectMagicians -- France -- Biography

[mansamade-blog]

Black Jasper and Amethyst Loc Accessory BLACK JASPER Alternate Names or Spellings: Blackstone Black Jasper is a stone with a highly protective energy. It also has very healing energy. Black Jasper is said to bring good luck to the bearer in a fight, whether it be a mental, political, legal, or other type of fight. It is also used for protection against lightning. Black jasper is said to have energies of determining value; It was used as a touchstone for determining gold content in allows for thousands of years. In addition it has the other properties of jasper. Physically, black jasper is said to be helpful for relieving pain, stomach ailments, foot problems, and hip dysplagia. Note: Healing crystal meanings are spiritual supports to healing, not prescription or healthcare information. Black jasper is related to the root chakra. Also see Jasper for additional meanings common to all types of Jasper. Black Jasper is related to the root chakra

[prettyboiiblues]

Probably could blow you away

[prettyboiiblues]

Did you smoke yet today?

[prettyboiiblues]

Brazil, you are making it so easy to fall in love with you 🇧🇷

[prettyboiiblues]

Internationally Stoned

[prettyboiiblues]

I haven’t had to wear a hoodie in a while, enjoying Brazils winter

[thefilthytruth1992]

Me the other day! Headed to #work! #dreadlocs #blackstoner #locqueen #rasta #happyliving #dreads #locs #tradionallocs #1of1 #peaceful #nodrama #happy #grower #growth #headwrap #saturday #takingcareofbusiness #stonergirls #stoner #stoneratheart #blackstoner4life #blacknbeautiful #blackbeauty #farmlife #septum #septumpiercing #naturallyshesdope #naturalhair #natural

[thefilthytruth1992]

An #appleadaykeepsthedoctoraway #longhashtag #lol #dreadlocs #blackstoner #locqueen #rasta #happyliving #dreads #locs #tradionallocs #1of1 #peaceful #nodrama #happy #grower #growth #headwrap #takingcareofbusiness #stonergirls #stoner #stoneratheart #blackstoner4life #blacknbeautiful #blackbeauty #farmlife #septum #septumpiercing #naturallyshesdope #naturalhair #natural

[thefilthytruth1992]

It's been awhile since you seen this #face! #dreadlocs #blackstoner #locqueen #rasta #happyliving #dreads #locs #tradionallocs #1of1 #peaceful #nodrama #happy #grower #growth #headwrap #saturday #takingcareofbusiness #stonergirls #stoner #stoneratheart #blackstoner4life #blacknbeautiful #blackbeauty #farmlife

[thefilthytruth1992]

Started my #dreadlocs 11/08/16 3 month #difference in these #pictures! #blackstoner #locqueen #rasta #happyliving #sundayfunday #lenghtcheck #dreads #locs #tradionallocs #1of1 #peaceful #nodrama #happy #grower #growth #change

[thefilthytruth1992]

Better picture of my #piercings!! 👸🏾🦂🐮🐂 Got my #septum & #second #nosepiercing!! #onewithmyself #locsqueen #locs #dreads #dreadhead #blackstoner #stoner #stonerforlife #queen #purple #bull #dakandyshop #rastaliving #marijuanalover #sliver #peaceNlove #peace #love #selfawareness #selfawakening #snapchat #snapchataddme