⛅ Good morning everyone! ⛅
“JPCE Watchdog News with Ricky: Nostalgia, Ukraine’s Power & Economy, War Insights, and the Rise of UFOs and Drones”
Ricky Thomas Cain
Halo, Power, and Nostalgic Commercials—TIME 0:00 (Guest Dimitry, a friend of Ricky's, joined us today.
Ricky and Jared reminisced about their shared experiences with the Halo video game series, released 20 years ago. They also discussed the power situation in Ricky's area, which had been experiencing blackouts for a few days but seemed to return to normal. The conversation then shifted to nostalgic commercials, with Ricky introducing Jared to the "Clap On, Clap Off" commercial. They also discussed the Grand Theft Auto (GTA) game series, with Ricky explaining the concept of the Crips and Bloods to his friend Dimitry.
Ukraine's Economic Reality and Perception - TIME 5:48
Ricky and Jared discussed the ongoing situation in Ukraine, with Ricky expressing his belief that the reality in Ukraine is not accurately represented in American news. He shared his personal experience of the country's economic situation, noting that the value of the Ukrainian currency has significantly decreased since he arrived in 2014. Ricky also mentioned a friend who believes Ukraine might disappear due to the withdrawal of foreign funding. Jared agreed with Ricky's assessment, noting that they often receive filtered information about Ukraine. They also discussed their ongoing communication, which has been going on for almost two years.
Accents and Language Laws Discussed - TIME 12:26
Ricky and Jared discussed their accents and the differences in pronunciation between them. Ricky explained that he has a Southern accent due to his grandmother's influence, while Jared has a Texas accent. They also discussed the prevalence of English and Spanish in the US and the language laws in Ukraine, where Ukrainian is the primary language used in official documents. Ricky shared an example of an 800 number call where the instructions were first given in English, followed by Spanish.
Ukraine War and Military Experiences - TIME 21:06
Ricky and Jared discussed the ongoing war in Ukraine and shared his insights. Ricky mentioned that his friend Sergey, injured in the Kursk area, was reassigned to Odesa after his injury, where he translated English documents into Ukrainian. Jared noted that the average age of those fighting in the Ukraine war is in their forties, which Ricky confirmed. They also discussed the US urging Ukraine to lower its conscription age to 18, which Ricky found to be a "stupid" idea. Jared shared his military experiences, including his time in Iraq and subsequent decision to join the Texas National Guard. The conversation ended with Ricky expressing his wish for Sergey to share his opinions on camera, despite some Ukrainians' reluctance.
High Medical Costs in the US - TIME 32:55
Ricky discussed the high cost of medical procedures in the US, particularly for senior citizens and pensioners. He explained that Medicare covers 80-90% of the cost, but the remaining 10% can still be significant for retirees. Ricky used the example of an ambulance costing $3,000 to $5,000 and a cataract surgery costing between $3,000 to $5,000. He also mentioned that some surgeries can cost upwards of $50,000, with the patient having to pay off a portion over several years. Ricky suggested that the high costs are due to the hospitals knowing they will receive significant money from the government. Jared agreed with Ricky's points, noting that the cost of an ambulance in Ukraine is significantly lower.
US Cost of Living and Housing - TIME 41:26
Ricky and Jared discussed the high cost of living in the US, particularly in Oregon. Ricky shared his experience helping a girl from Ivano Franca get an apartment, highlighting the high deposit amount. Jared compared this to his experience in Texas, where his highest rent was $1,000 monthly. They also discussed buying a house in the US, where a significant portion of the cost is borrowed from the bank and paid back over 30 years with interest. Jared mentioned his mortgage rate of 2.25%. They also touched on the benefits of being in the military, such as discounts and free services at various establishments.
Iraq War and Ukraine Conflict - TIME 50:42
Jared and Ricky discussed their experiences and thoughts about the Iraq war and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Jared shared an encounter with a woman who blamed the US for the deaths of children in Iraq, which he found surprising as she did not serve in the military. Ricky agreed with Jared's assessment and mentioned the Madeleine Albright quote about half a million children dying due to sanctions in the 1990s. They also discussed the Russian invasion of Ukraine, with Ricky stating that most Ukrainians did not expect it to happen. He shared his perspective on the situation, emphasizing the importance of being prepared for unexpected events.
Ukraine Conflict and Mysterious Lights - TIME 55:49
Ricky and Jared discussed the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the mysterious lights seen over New York and New Jersey. Ricky shared that Ukraine was spared from the worst conflict while others were severely affected. They also discussed the US government's uncertainty about the origin of the mysterious lights, which was causing frustration among Americans. Ricky shared a recording of a US spokesperson, John Kirby, expressing uncertainty about the lights, further fueling the discussion.
UFOs, Drones, and Public Safety - TIME 1:00:47
Ricky and Jared discussed the unidentified flying objects (UFOs) or drones spotted in New Jersey. They acknowledged that they don't have all the answers and are working hard to investigate the sightings. Jared emphasized the importance of not speculating or making assumptions about the origin of these objects and the need to prioritize public safety. They also discussed the challenges of dealing with natural disasters and the government's response. The conversation ended with a reference to the Obama administration's press speakers and the importance of clear communication.
Hands-Free Phone Attachment and Personal Interests - TIME 1:14:56
Ricky and Jared discussed a humorous video from the nineties about a hands-free phone attachment. They also touched on their interests, with Jared mentioning his religious studies and Ricky expressing his interest in theology. Jared had to leave the conversation early to attend to some Christmas shopping. Ricky mentioned he would try to contact Yuri, who had been slow to reply lately. The conversation ended with Ricky showing off his hard drive docking light.
In Christ, love ❤️ Jared W Campbell
Comments