The Man Behind the Brazilian Conservative Victory

Olavo was active long before Bolsonaro came to prominence.

He is what you might call a Practical Philosopher - he is less concerned about Ideas, than about Power (and, who holds it). The linked video is subtitled, and has some important points to make.

Another video you'll want to watch:

I was reading this article on American Thinker about George Soros, and how he is planning to get his foundation money into action in the next round of his fight against America and Freedom.

And, I suddenly had a thought:

Is there any reason that an IRS Tax-Exempt Foundation cannot be taxed by states/localities?

By that, I mean, any money coming to another organization operating in that area will have any income from that NGO taxed at a punishing rate? That would, of course, include any money coming from any organization whose funds can be traced back to that Soros Foundation.

Essentially, make any 'non-profit' PROVE that the origin of their money is not tainted by a political agenda. They can still operate, but it will cost them - severely. Perhaps in double or triple taxes on that part of their income.

Same with Act Blue and all those other political activist organizations masquerading as benevolent foundations.

You actually don't have to win the fight. Just tie them up in knots, forcing them to provide reams of information (that, of course, you use to ask even more pointed questions), draw out the process, and stall them as long as possible. Start this in states that have governors sympathetic to your politics.

Other tactics:

• Any organization/group that wants to influence local politics has to be a LOCAL group. If most of the money (or even above a certain percentage) comes from outside, they have to have a disclaimer on any advertising attesting that they are financed by outsiders (of specified size, words, and time spent on-screen).
• All organizations promoting a candidate/cause will have a QR code attached. Link will lead to a state-based organization that fact-checks, and provides details on the people/causes behind the support. Can link to Discover the Networks or other site.
• A lot of teachers assign students to donate time - for class credit - to political organizations. How about working to set up groups that distribute Fact Checks on candidate's known Leftist associates, previous work, shady sources of money, sweetheart deals, and such? They could work those, instead. Same with the various Leftist initiatives. Use the kids to investigate, explain it in simple terms, put it on social media, and get the word out.
• Most of the smaller cities haven't been infested by the Soros DAs. Use them to bring up opponents on charges. Use their arrest and mug shots in election ads. You won't have to invent this, the Left does MORE than enough to justify charges. If the candidate hasn't been caught at anything yet, arrest their close associates, and keep the pressure on. Return the same treatment that Trump's guys got.

It's Hard to Remain Optimistic These Days

I try. I regularly include some surfing of humor sites, always make the time to read and pass along the jokes from social media, and am generally the one to impute benevolent reasons for peoples' acting in terrible ways.

But, it's hard - and, getting harder.  This piece on The Great Liquidation is just one reason it's so difficult to remain optimistic. The rapid and determined destruction of America is taking place, and we are hard-put to stop the Destroyers. We may be wiped out, both monetarily and in resources, before the next election - and, by that, I'm referring to the November 2022 mid-terms.

Retirees will take it on the chin. Social Security will likely be gone for all but the lowest level recipients. Inflation, and the havoc it wreaks on fixed incomes, will take out those of us who denied themselves during their working years to save up some money for retirement. The combination of rising home prices, rising home borrowing costs, and fewer people who can afford to buy, means that, unless the retirees plan to live in their homes until they die, they are sitting on a pile of bricks that is an "asset" only in name.

Naturally, there will be 2-tiered medical care - good for the connected and government workers. Inaccessible and - if available - poor for the proles. Lots of good narcotics, of course. LAVISH suicide offerings for the ill. Actual treatment for most? Non-existent.

Seed-saving, and home gardens, are likely to be crimes, and punished severely. Frugal living, or sensible preparation for food or resource shortages, that is not government-approved, will be re-classified as a selfish act of hoarding.

Home-schooling, where not explicitly banned, will result in lowered food rations.

In other words, prepare to live in Commie Hell.

UPDATE: I saw a video about "tofu-dreg" - literally, the shoddily-built edifices/residences that use sub-standard materials, and appear not to be meant to be occupied, merely invested in, and sold to others for the same purpose of sheltering savings.

There appears not to be any way to move money out of China. From the comments in the topmost link:

The CCP seems intent on accelerating the crisis. When Chinese officials are busted for corruption, they show pictures of their apartments stacked with literally tons of currency and stacks of bullion. You have to wonder what they planned to do with it. They couldn’t flee the country without chartering an air freighter and it’s probably hard, even in China, to spend a pallet of cash without exciting comment. The economy doesn’t even work well enough to allow decent money laundering.

 In America, less of a problem (Although, the issue of not having ways for people to save/invest against inflation IS a problem. Most people are distrustful of the stock market - for good reason. Income housing USED to be a way to invest for the future. No longer - the "rent moratoriums" have KILLED that).

Buy a relatively small place with some land, pay it off, and hunker down might be the wave of the future.

As I've Said, the Federal Government Should Follow the Same Strategy...

...When they get back in power.

First.

Before all of the other things they've been salivating to do.

Relocate those offices of agencies/departments to inland places, and make relocation MANDATORY.

Give NO hint that this is punitive. Insist, both publicly and privately, that this is:

1. To reduce expenses administratively, thereby saving money in the agency's budget.
2. To reduce traffic congestion, thereby saving our environment.
3. To bring needed services to the hinterland, moving their administration closer to their clients.
4. To jump-start economies in depressed areas.

Now, to make sure that this all happens quickly, use RENTED/LEASED facilities in the new locations. This will give a BIG boost to the economy, and make the change happen quicker. Resist ALL efforts to slow down the process, answering "Don't you understand just how VITAL your agency is? Do you want to further ruin the environment? Do you not understand how important it is to be closer to the stakeholders?" to any objectors.

Point out the disparate impact on the average citizen, having to travel to distant places to talk to an administrator. Remind them that MANY private companies are re-locating to lower cost of living states.

Of course, PRIVATELY (don't even breathe a word to the spousal unit), you realize that many of the minions will not move to the new location, which will cut out the middle management faction that is so loyal to the Dems/Left. The lowest level of the staff may, in fact, move. Most of them are not truly on board with the Woke shit. Triage the staff:

• Should move - they have demonstrated an actual work ethic (not just B$ yearly evaluations, based on their alignment with Woke). Offer them some incentive to move, perhaps some assistance with finding jobs for the spouse (the cities/counties/states may come up with some extra money, for those who are identified as "essential").
• CAN move - you have not identified them as actively hostile to the new administration, and they seem to be doing an adequate job. If they're willing to handle the hassle, OK. Perhaps offer them a tax break - if they sell their house, they can avoid the tax penalty on any profits for not immediately replacing it with another. You don't want them to dig in roots in the new place; they should rent for a while, to see if they like it.
• Will not be offered the opportunity to move - their job will be eliminated through "administrative re-organization". Bribe them with some cash to accept without a fight.

Trump was truly the man needed for 2016. He shook things up, and returned a lot of the EOs to null and void.

In 2024, we need a PRACTICED administrator, who has a clear vision of just how to dismantle the government's apparatus, and the ability to identify those who will help him do that. 

Trump's weakest characteristic was his hiring. Now, he was handicapped by cautious people not eager to put themselves in the crosshairs of the Left, turning him down.

However, he was also hampered by deliberate sabotage from career "intelligence" moles who fed him misinformation, "vetted" disguised comrades, and made every attempt to hide their evil works.

Wartime Teen Recruits

This is an incredible story about the teens that were trained in firearms, underground work, spying, and wireless communications - radio operations.

That last part is quite interesting to me. People forget just how important radio communications is in an unstable country. It allows communication with the world outside, can be mobile, and can be operated by someone who is not suitable for regular combat duties.

I had a grandmother and aunt who regularly reported for monitoring activities by the shores of Lake Erie. No, the Nazis/Japanese couldn't directly attack in force at that point, but they COULD sent supplies to local spies, monitor movement of Merchant Marine traffic, and gather information about activities in armed forces stationed along the North Coast (both Coast Guard, near Cleveland, and Navy, at the Great Lakes training camp near Chicago).

I only found out when we were watching a movie about WWII Japanese planes, and someone referred to a plane as a 'Zero'. My grandmother glanced at the plane, and said, "No, that's not a Zero, that's a -" and identified the plane (I don't remember which type it was).

I asked how she knew, and she explained that she, and her daughter were trained as plane spotters, and had their assigned evenings to report to the roof of the Lakewood pool, right on the lake, with binoculars for a shift of observation and reporting. They kept a log of planes within their sight (those heading to local airports), and noted the type, time of first sight, and direction.

So, when working out schedules for watch duties, don't neglect the use of the young, old, or physically handicapped. And, give them training on use of non-cell phone means of wireless communications - both amateur radio - UHF and VHF - and the GMRS systems.

Countdown to Davos 2022

With all the important items on my personal agenda, I've not been paying attention to the upcoming Davos Conference - January 17 - 21. Here's the link.

Take a look at the aims of the various facets of the Agenda. Basically, the Davos Agenda mindset is: Shut up peasants, and follow the "nice suggestions" of your betters. And, do it quickly. We really don't want to have to force you.

But, we will.

"The Great Reset" - What is it?

It's the title of a new book, and is getting quite a lot of discussion online. Glenn Beck wrote it, so you know the Really Important and Knowledgeable People will HATE it.

It's not cheap - $14.99 for the Kindle version. There are other books on the same subject - both pro-Reset, and not.

If you aren't interested in spending that much on a single book, you might want to delve into some online resources - search saved here. For such a controversial - and heavily polarized - topic, I think it's important to get your information from a VARIETY of sources. Start with the official website of the World Economic Forum, that sponsored the conference - nothing like going to the horse's mouth, is there?

From there, check out some sources that suggest that the rosy future of the Resetters MIGHT not be quite as argued. Then, hop around and look at other links.

In other words, rather than take ANYONE'S word for it, check it out yourself.

“Where Did You Read That?”

That’s something I’m always being asked. I used to think it was a way of arguing about my conclusions, without going to the trouble of actually listening and coming up with a response. 

After some time hearing that, again and again, I realized that many people have NO idea of where to find credible information that is not Leftist-approved.

So, in that spirit, here’s a short list:

According to Hoyt - an eclectic group of writers and bloggers, leaning Libertarian/All shades of Conservative, but generally hostile/suspicious to organized parties.

Ace of Spades - this has it all. A round-up of the latest news, a strong tech news section, art, pets, guns, and cooking.

Bookwormroom - Miscellaneous, mostly politics and culture. Posts memes periodically.

Cold Fury - the owner of this site has been sidelined by his medical issues. He will be heading to rehab to learn how to function after his operations. His co-bloggers have been keeping the lights on.

Front Page Magazine - no, I don't always agree with them, but they have a clear sense of who the players are behind Progressive politicians pulling the strong (check out their Discover the Networks section - you won't believe how often the same names keep popping up). Good pamphlets, too, many of them downloadable for free.

The Gateway Pundit - mostly covers the news no one else will. Does a lot of their own investigation on politics.

Maggie's Farm Blog - it's hard to describe. It's an eclectic mix of viewpoints on a variety of subjects. Some of the blogger specialize, other just post what interests them at the time.

Reason - a Libertarian blog. Generally reliable about taking the position "Just Leave Us the Hell Alone".

The New Neo - her recent post on Ray Epps was terrific.

Victory Girls Blog - the women's point of view on news, politics, and culture.

VoxDay - a contrarian, an individualist, a comic book publisher, runs Infogalactic (a competitor to WikiPedia), and Social Galactic, a not-free social media site. As VoxDay puts it, if you're not paying for the service, YOU are the product. I skim his site, as some of his rants are not that interesting. But, he does get stories that will later be on the news.

Wilder, Wealthy, Wise - the funny take on life today, along with some graphs, economics, analysis, and predictions.

1/13/2022 - Just read that Colin Flaherty, the writer whose specialty was finding stories of people who'd been target for assault or worse, because of their race. More on Colin here. Only 66 years old, not COVID, but cancer.

Patterns, Patterns Everywhere

One thought from this video jumped out at me:

We are modern people in a high tech world, but our brains function on software developed in the time of people who depended on hunting - and seeing patterns in our environment - to survive.

It's relatively short, but punchy. I suggest that you turn on Closed Captioning; the speaker's strong Scottish accent makes it a challenge to understand him otherwise.

Sometimes, in our eagerness to embrace change, we forget that the old hardware and software are the limiting factors. You want to take up a new sport, but your aging body does not make the adjustment to the muscular demands as well as it used to. That limitation is mostly hardware, but also reflects the difficulty of re-programming those practiced responses to the changes.

Your responses to old ways of playing or working keep you from being as effective as younger, more plastic humans. Many female gymnasts weren't able to make the adjustment from the more more graceful, slower movements of the early days of the sport, to the more energetic, forceful movements common in modern gymnastics. It was partly their previous conditioning (software), but also their more elongated, slender body type (hardware). 

Expertise comprises a delicate balance between application of algorithms, routines, and other programmed responses, along with ability to see new patterns, and apply possible solutions in a rapid testing mode. 

It's a balance that is being studied as part of AI research, but that also has applications to human conditions, such as Alzheimer's.

Younger organisms are better at handling novel situations. Older organisms are superior at applying solutions that have been encountered before.

Plasticity vs. Stability. They are BOTH needed. But, in today's culture, it's a matter of "out with the old", in with whatever we TELL you is the 'right' way of thinking and acting.

The urge in younger people to destroy the culture and knowledge of more established societies is one that has been remarkably consistent since the 1960s. Such a mindset is one that would toss off any connection to the past.

Funny, but that desire to shrug off the past coexists with a fascination with old things - clothing, styles, handcrafted objects, and older, slower ways of creating. Whether or not they realize it, the past has much to teach those anxious to stomp it out.

What was that old song? Signs, signs, everywhere a sign.

People always leave clues along the way. Pay attention to the patterns, and learn the meaning. It's the secret of survival.

Myself, I have (reluctantly) learned to listen to my intuitions. I believe that such 'feelings' are really something else - and quite different from 'woo-woo' magical manifestations.

What your 'gut feeling' is:

You notice something. Often, it's beneath the level of conscious thought. But the older, more primitive part of the brain is sending you a signal.

Often, we ignore those signals. They can't be explained in a logical way, as the process involved did not involve the logical thinking part of the brain.

Nonetheless, I've learned - PAY ATTENTION!

One example that taught me that lesson was when my husband and I were leaving a dinner with a guy who was recruiting him to run a restaurant. The man had planned it with the idea of franchising the system.

As an engineer with a strong restaurant and food service background, my husband was both flattered and excited about the prospect of getting in on the ground floor.

Still, after we left, in the car driving home, I told him, "Don't take the job."

Naturally, he marshalled all the logical reasons for taking it, and asked me, "Why are you against this?"

I was initially stumped. I couldn't come up with an argument in favor of my position.

Finally, after a while reflecting on the evening, I answered, "Because his wife doesn't respect him." To me, that was a clue that beneath the dynamic facade, the entrepreneur might have some serious issues, that his family could see, while the outside world remained unaware of their existence.

Which, as it turned out, he did - he was a raging alcoholic, with complete inability to keep his hands off the day to day operations. He would contradict his staff, make decisions precipitously, and spend money freely. The restaurant failed within 6 months, and we had to pack up again and re-establish ourselves in a new city.

From that experience, I learned to trust those voices inside my head. I recently cashed out some investments, preferring to forego maximum profit for cash in the hand. No special reason, just a nagging feeling that sooner was better than later.

Trust the voices. Listen to the signals. Look for the patterns.

Day-Um! This is an Excellent Takedown of Shoddy, Poorly Reasoned Arguments

Here. Don't miss it, Peter Burns' Medium post is savage, thorough, and spot-on.

Now, I USED to enjoy Scientific American. It was a nice way to keep up on topics in a wide range of scientific disciplines.

That was then, before SA got Woke and Broke.

For starters, when arguing about Science,  it helps to reference actual science. Which starts with specifically quoting the disputed papers or statements of the person you are attempting to refute.

As opposed to making sweeping, fact-free absolutist statements, backed up with - nothing. Just your random, and unproven opinion. And, particularly, using terms widely regarded as slanderous or libelous, such a racist.

With no evidence, mind you.

Who the Hell is this broad?

Glad you asked. From her bio on the site:

Monica R. McLemore is an associate professor in the Family Health Care Nursing Department and a clinician-scientist at Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health at the University of California, San Francisco.

Oh, an ASSOCIATE Professor. And a CLINICIAN-scientist!

Not a RESEARCH scientist. And, she's in the Family Health Care Nursing Department, and Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health.

So, lemme guess. She's NOT the Pro-Life kid on the staff. And, she MIGHT be just a tad biased in favor of Seeing Sexism and Racism Under Every Pea Plant.

Y'all gotta scroll down the Medium post - the part about White Empiricism will particularly befuddle you with its incoherence and anti-scientific approach to interpreting scientific studies.

Now, Smithsonian Magazine, on the other hand, has a decent review of E. O. Wilson's book, The Social Conquest of the Earth, , which discusses the social nature of the human race, and may indicate some reasons why the old American Melting Pot idea is a more valid and useful way for our country to fit the disparate cultures that compose it into the whole.

The Social Conquest of the Earth can be bought here. I may try to reserve the hard copy edition from my library (the e-book edition isn't available through library loan).

To Prep or Not to Prep?

For many, that is NOT a question.

However, consider these points:

• Are you living in a location where you have many neighbors? The more people, the more likely that an adequate amount of food and other supplies will be taken by those that failed to prepare.
• Are you able to defend your stores? It's not simply a matter of having guns, you will need to have the willingness to turn them on unarmed people who are trying to steal what is yours.
• Is your location one that is often affected by adverse weather/natural hazards - the kind that might send you and your family on long journeys to escape the destruction? If you try to take the stockpile of provisions, you may find you have to abandon it, should fuel become hard/impossible to get. If you leave it behind, will it be lost in a tornado, spoiled by flooding, or burnt up?
• Will your spouse/children also accept the need to keep your goods secret from family and friends - many of whom did not, WILL not, prepare? It only takes one loose-lipped person to ruin that plan.
• Do you have the fortitude and character to make a plan, and carry it out fully? Will you be persuaded "just this once" to forego the regular stocking up for some other, more frivolous use of the money? Will you regularly rotate the older food out by using it, and put news supplies into the mix?

Prep, however, doesn't just mean food. It also includes:

• Medicine, both OTC and prescription. Will you build a stockpile (3-6 months worth) of vital meds - those that, should a family member not have access to, will likely kill them?
• Cash money, both paper and coin. In a true emergency - a SHTF type of crisis - the ONLY way to get any supplies will be to use hard currency. Your EBT/debit cards/credit cards will likely be blocked, or severely limited. You need to have smaller bills, too, as you will likely not be able to get change for the larger ones.
• Communications equipment that EVERY member of the family over 6 is trained to use. That means radio. Your cells will be blocked. Internet will be blocked. Your various TV/cable/Dish will be blocked. Only the 2-way radios will work reliably. For a cheap and easy solution for the whole family, try getting some GMRS radios. You can buy them without a license, but - technically - it's illegal to use them without going through the FCC to acquire one (it's good for the whole household). That may not concern you when the SHTF. They are easier to use than amateur radio UHF/VHF handhelds, but have a similar range.
• If you don't want to commit to buying the long-distance radio equipment (and, I can't fault you for that, it can be expensive), at least hang around the local radio groups, if available. Or, get to know local hams. They can help you contact people outside of your local area, if needed. And, buy a 2-way handheld. It's legal to listen to them, and they can be a great source of local news.
• Get fit. Ideally, take care of any needed surgery before the Zombie Apocalypse. But, in any case, start - TODAY - that fitness plan designed to bring you to your best condition, given your age. For most of us, that includes dieting. Be able to walk for extended distances. Buy a bike, and use it. Use weights to increase strength (this is quite useful even for the senior members of your family, and will not only improve appearance and endurance, but also improve chronic conditions, and mental functioning, too).

1/5/2022 - 3:35 pm

So, what am I doing right now?

Watching Judge Dredd. I saw it a long time ago, on network TV (Hey, remember those days? When you had to pay attention to the 'schedule' and arrange your RL plans to fit it?)

So far, it holds up well. The chaos in the streets could have been taken from today's AntiFa/BLM 'peaceful protests'. Some parts are dated - the huge numbers in the big cities is laughably wrong, particularly in the aftermath of the "15 days to shut this virus down" movement to virtual work/meetings/school, and the increasingly frenzied rush away from those 'troubled' urban environments.

Other parts are still prescient - the push for "Recycled Food - GOOD for the environment, and OK for you".

The first 1/2 hour sets the stage - introduces the main characters - Stallone's Dredd, Diane Lane as Judge Hershey, the "kinder, more compassionate judge" who challenges Dredd's more inflexible morality, and the TV personality who exposes the flaws in the judge and criminal system.

Dredd's character, and his nemesis's, are the most extreme. The other characters are relatively true to life - and, in fact, could be seen in modern life with little change.

The case against Dredd (he has been accused of murder) includes video evidence of a very low quality (Shades of the Rittenhouse trial!). It was ruled inadmissible.

Technical DNA evidence is used against him to yield a conviction. The idea that the evidence may have been tampered with, or the records falsified, never seems to occur to any of them.

The Chief Justice is, Fargo, is counseled to retire, and, as is customary, to allow him to be granted a final request. He requests that Dredd (his protege) have a life sentence, instead of the mandatory death sentence.

Fargo is last seen exiting the city for a wilderness.

The new Chief Justice is confronted by the arch-enemy, Rico, who knows about Janus (still secret from us so far). Rico is directed to cause chaos.

The Rob Schneider character, a petty criminal who had been arrested and tried by Dredd, is in the ship carrying Dredd to prison. The ship is intercepted by criminals outside of the city (appearing to be a parody of hillbilly rednecks).

One plot anomaly that is obvious is that Dredd, a person of high moral standards, has no compunction about killing other judges/officers who are shooting at him. Those people who are attacking him are, after all, acting on behalf of the lawful authority. And, yet, he has no hesitation about his return fire. That seems illogical, unless you consider that he still considers all of his actions to be under the authority of his formerly judge status.

I won't go further, as I wouldn't want to spoil the story, if you've not seen it. Suffice to say that the storyline has relevance to today's issues.

News in Amateur Radio - January 1 2021

Interference with radio signals is an on-going problem. The increased use of the radio/microwave part of the spectrum has been contributing to more government efforts to police emissions. 

The agency given authority to make rule changes, police use by both commercial interests and amateurs, and assess fines, is the FCC. If drones are involved, the FAA also gets involved.

That's in the USA. Other countries have their own agencies managing operations within their countries.

However, internationally - and many contacts are international - use of the air for radio communication is governed by the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU). It's a voluntary organization, as are the national organizations that contribute to its governance, and approximately 160 nations comprise its membership.

Lately, there has been an increase in radio signals that interfere with many parts of the radio spectrum. Many of the reports lead to suspicion of government activity, particularly in Russia, China, and India. That activity is often related to ongoing tensions in regions. The report is available at the link.

One major field for investigators is the realm of amateur satellites. Most use radio signals in the UHF frequencies. One such satellite from Japan will put the smallest radio transmitter on the moon.

Russia has flexed its muscles in space, testing an anti-satellite weapon in space on one of its own satellites. The problem is that their use of the weapon loaded the LEO (Low Earth Orbit) field with space debris that poses a hazard to other satellites, as well as to the ISS. The international community has put in a formal protest (not that it will likely make a dent in Putin's plans).

Russia, and Ukraine, are continuing their 'radio war', which has led to interference on certain bands. The IARU and other voluntary associations are powerless to affect the problem. The national associations and agencies that might normally step in are not acting.

Related concerns involve the possibility of an EMP (ElectroMagnetic Pulse) - an attack that uses nuclear weapons, not to destroy cities, but to destroy fragile, unshielded electronic parts, and cripple a modern economy. One of Trump's most important directives was to order agencies to 'harden' the USA's electric grids against such an assault. The military has already taken steps to achieve the same goal for their systems (although, when Chinese and other foreign nationals permeate "secure" positions, this may be futile).

Biden, by permitting China's products to be used in that infrastructure (and reversing the Trump order forbidding it), has invited a stealth attack upon us.

Lastly, do you know anyone under 18 who might enjoy a radio license? The ARRL has established a program to subsidize the initial fee of $35 for the license. It's a really good deal, and will put kids in the position of Family Communications Coordinator.

I'm generally in favor of getting the license. Yes, that puts you on a "government list". But the advantages to be gained by having that license:

• On-going communications practice with other hams
• Training opportunities, not just for you, but also the rest of the family
• Advice from more experienced operators - called "Elmers"
• Disaster communications prep and training through ARES, a volunteer organization that coordinates with local government and volunteer organizations in disasters, weather emergencies, and civil disturbance occurrences.
• Links to other hams, many of whom are, if not preppers, prep-aware and generally favorable or at least neutral to those who prep. You also have the opportunity to build friendships with guys with useful skills. Never hurts to expand your network.