Sunday, August 16, 2026
Did Elon Musk forget? The Barack Obama government loaned $465 million to Tesla to develop electric cars. – Metro World News
 |
| https://www.metroworldnews.com/en/2025/03/20/did-elon-musk-forget-the-barack-obama-administration-lent-465-million-to-tesla-to-develop-electric-cars/ |
The billionaire is currently lashing out against the Democrats, but one of them helped him in 2010.
Since publicly showing his closeness to Donald Trump, Elon Musk has not hidden his contempt for the Democrats, which raises questions about whether he has forgotten when one of the leaders of this party, Barack Obama, loaned him $465 million to develop his electric cars.
In 2010, the Obama administration in the United States, through its Secretary of Energy, Steven Chu, announced a federal loan of $465 million to Tesla Motors to build its electric sedan and the batteries necessary for its development, as reported by Wired.
Musk paid off the debt in 2013, nine years earlier than agreed. That same year, Obama not only loaned to Tesla, but also to Ford ($5.9 billion) and Nissan ($1.6 billion) as part of an Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing Program to help car manufacturers.
“We have a historic opportunity to help ensure that the next generation of fuel-efficient cars and trucks are manufactured in the United States.... These loans - and the additional support we will provide through the Section 136 programs - will create good jobs and help the automotive industry meet and even exceed the tough fuel economy standards we have set while helping to maintain our competitive edge in the global market,” said President Obama at the time through a statement.
Elon Musk expressed gratitude by saying: "We are honored to receive one of the first loan awards in this program... I am confident that we will put the money to very productive use. We hope to produce the Model S."
Since the 2024 presidential campaign, Elon Musk has completely changed, shifting from gratitude to attacking Democrats, showing strong support for Trump. In July of that year, he wrote on X: “They will soon take Biden fishing,” accompanied by a photo of a fisherman at sea, followed by a picture from ‘The Godfather’ movie with the phrase: “Do you know what’s the worst thing about betrayal?... It never comes from your enemy.”
Recently, the magnate blamed Democratic donors for the increasing protests and attacks against Tesla. “The big donors of the Democratic Party are funding these protests. It’s no coincidence that Tesla is the target right now,” he stated.
And it’s not just about the protests. According to Bloomberg, Elon Musk’s fortune has decreased by more than $120 billion in recent months, and it is believed that this is partly due to the loss of confidence from investors, coupled with market volatility.
In an article titled ‘How Elon Musk went from being a progressive and supporting Obama to being a fervent defender of Donald Trump’, La Tercera commented on his biography, stating that “it is clear that all his relationships are difficult and that no one escapes his dramas.” It highlights that he doesn’t mind offending or intimidating in order to achieve his goals.
Friday, August 14, 2026
Bernard Montgomery (1887-1976)
Bernard Law Montgomery (1st Viscount Montgomery of Alamein) was a prominent British military leader in World War II and its aftermath. He became famous for his successful campaigns against the Axis forces in Egypt, Libya, and Tunisia and was later deputy commander of NATO. He wrote several books, including his Memoirs (1958) and The Path to Leadership (1961).
In this chapter, the evidence that Field Marshal Montgomery had Asperger Syndrome or Asperger’s disorder (American Psychiatric Association, 1994) is examined.
Life History
Bernard Montgomery was born on November 17, 1887, the fourth child and third son in the family. His great-uncle, Samuel Montgomery (known as Uncle Montgomery), was obsessed with religion and frittered away the family legacy. He was eccentric, lived with his two unmarried sisters, and was ignorant of the ways of the world. Samuel had a diminutive carriage built so that he would not have to give a lift to the local poor. He suffered from depression and was shy.
Robert Montgomery (Bernard’s paternal grandfather), a brave soldier and a brother of Samuel Montgomery, never received due recognition for what he did, because he was not a man to push his own claims, according to Hamilton (1981). He disarmed the Sepoy Regiment when the Indian mutiny broke out and was clearly a brilliant decision maker under stress.
Montgomery’s maternal grandfather, the clergyman and theological writer Frederic Farrar, was reserved and shy. He was ill at ease in company, could not make small talk, and appeared unapproachable. He tended to write for most of the day and also to spend much of the night writing or correcting proofs.
Bernard Montgomery’s mother had an indomitable will and a passion for order, method, and routine (Hamilton, 1981). Very critical of her son, she was basically affectionless toward Bernard. His father, Henry, was a bishop and was completely dominated by the mother. Montgomery tended to idealize his father.
Bernard Montgomery was a wayward and immature child. He was regarded as the black sheep of the family — a troublemaker and sometimes a renegade. He was also described as charmless, mischievous, and individualist (Moorehead, 1946). The rigidity of his personality was shown when he decided to join the army: He had a tremendous argument with his mother but achieved his aim.
In school he often dreamed his way through the day. He considered work a nuisance, and his conduct in class was abysmal or sometimes strange. He had no notion of style in writing essays and was regarded as backward in mathematics, while in Latin, French, science and art he was marked no higher than “fair.” He was regarded as being slow to grasp principles, self-sufficient, intolerant of authority, and steeled to take punishment, but industrious in things that interested him (Hamilton, 1981). Control was extraordinarily important to him, and on the playing fields in school he could plan his own battles. His behavior on the rugby pitch was downright violent.
In personality he was described as extremely egocentric and eccentric (Montgomery, 1987). He had an awkward, single-minded, and prickly character (Horne, 1994), and was described as a tragedy of personality and failed communications (Taylor, 1965). In the army, he was neither willing nor able to cooperate with his fellow chiefs of staff.
Social Behavior
As Horne (1994) pointed out, Montgomery always had problems in peer relations — in fact, he was unable to deal with his peers. He had a lifelong inability to open up to contemporaries and isolated himself from other senior officers. His lack of empathy was seen when he said that very few of his contemporaries at Staff College were any good. Horne pointed to his self-contained, solitary, awkward, unclubbable, and intractable disposition vis-a-vis his colleagues and his susceptibility to abrasive arrogance and intolerance. He was so isolated in his headquarters (he did not read papers sent to him) that he could not understand the criticism and jealousy that his behavior was causing among the British and U.S. Army chiefs. He described U.S. errors in the Ardennes battle with a ruthless clarity that was grossly insensitive and totally counterproductive. In addition, he was supercilious in his treatment of the U.S. military (Horne, 1994).
Generally, he was extremely poor at communicating with his superiors, such as General Eisenhower, whom he would lecture as if he were patronizing a student at Staff College (Horne, 1994). Indeed, he tended not to communicate with Eisenhower, and this caused major problems because the Americans could not understand why he was not advancing in the war more quickly, particularly at Caen — they could not understand because he did not explain it to them. He was regarded as scandalously peremptory and contemptuous and was christened Chief Big Wind by the U.S. military establishment in Europe; indeed, Field Marshal Brooke described his relations with U.S. soldiers as a disaster (Horne, 1994).
According to Winston Churchill, Montgomery made it a rule not to accept hospitality from any of his subordinate commanders. His essential lack of sensitivity was felt not only by men but also by women, and he was described as a misogynist. He claimed that one could not marry and be an efficient officer. Kay Summersby, Eisenhower's driver, described him as a supercilious, woman-hating little martinet (Horne, 1994).
Narrow Interests/Obsessiveness
Soldiering was Montgomery’s only interest. In comparison to another senior officer in the British Army, Alan Brooke, he was less practical and much narrower in his skills and interests (Brett-James, 1984).
He wanted to master his profession, and was full of energy. Accordin to Hamilton (1981), it was Montgomery’s keenness that stood out most. He had an enormous capacity for work and an imperturbable efficiency; he threw himself into his soldiering with a dedication that seemed to border on madness. Not surprisingly, he suggested a narrow strategy for ending World War II rather than a broad strategy (i.e., attacking over a broad front, which Eisenhower put forward and carried through successfully). Controversy remains as to how successful his narrow-front strategy would have been.
Routines/Control
Montgomery exerted control over both himself and others. What people especially noticed about him was his self-will: His iron determination singled him out from seemingly more talented, more educated and more appropriate leaders, according to Horne (1994). He went to bed rigidly at 9:30 p.m. and was extremely routinebound. He was described as a man of completely regular habits and could be obstinate to the point of bigotry — he would never admit that he had altered a battle plan (Brett-James, 1984). As a result of his inflexible personality, he was not good at seizing opportunities (Horne, 1994).
Montgomery imposed tyrannical discipline on others. He was only interested in his soldiers as efficient fighting machines and looked after their health and morale for this reason only. He totally controlled the younger officers: They did not argue with him, and they were totally obedient, like all his staff had to be (Hamilton, 1981). Any sensitivity shown to junior officers was solely on the basis of his total control and their obedience (Horne, 1994).
Montgomery could be vindictive and cruel. As he grew up, he bullied other children and was beaten himself. Even during World War I, his mother appears to have regarded him as an all-too-bossy child. In midlife he had a brief marriage to a 17-year-old named Betty Anderson; once again, he controlled everything and took over her life (Horne, 1994).
Despite his egocentricity, soldiers liked to have somebody who knew what he was doing (i.e., to have a leader in full charge; Horne, 1994). Mostly, Montgomery was an obsessively cautious commander, but on rare occasions he was capable of extreme recklessness in actions and relationships (e.g., at Arnhem and in his relationship with Eisenhower).
Language/Humor
We have no information on speech and language problems.
Lack of Empathy
Throughout his life Montgomery showed a gross lack of a capacity to empathize or understand what others might be feeling. Indeed, on one occasion he was reduced in military rank because he set fire to another cadet in military college. He had no political sense, and could not see the implications of what he was doing and how others might view his actions.
Although essentially a shy man, Montgomery showed his lack of empathy through boastfulness, vanity, and cutting out his family. He lorded it over his friends and finally became a despot (Hamilton, 1981). It appears that de Guingand, his chief of staff, was essentially a loyal subordinate but had a much wider range of human qualities than Montgomery and much greater capacity for empathy, as well as an instinctive gift for friendship and good humor that Montgomery did not have.
Montgomery's lack of sensitivity and empathy was also seen in his treatment of his son David, whom he would not allow to visit his grandmother or any other members of the family during the war. Indeed, David saw very little of his father for a period of 10 years (Horne, 1994).
Naivety/Childishness
In frontline warfare, Montgomery could concentrate on immediate tasks without worrying over other things, and was able to see things with the simple clarity of a child. This was advantageous in the fog of war (Hamilton, 1994).
Nonverbal Communication
His brother Brian Montgomery (1987) stated that a girl who was dancing with him found him stiff and unamusing. Horne (1994) noted that the atmosphere around him was one of extraordinary quietness and calm.
He showed a lack of fear during battle that can only be described as abnormal, with no trace of apprehension for his future safety. He was decorated for bravery.
Motor Clumsiness
We have no information on motor clumsiness.
Conclusion
Montgomery demonstrates a qualitative impairment in social interaction and restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests and activities. He meets the criteria for Asperger’s disorder according to the DSM-IV (American Psychiatric Association, 1994) and meets the criteria for Asperger Syndrome (Gillberg, 1996) with the exception of motor clumsiness and speech and language problems.
The issue of high-functioning autism (or autistic disorder as classified in DSM-IV) also has to be considered. He meets the criteria for qualitative impairment in social interaction, as just noted. For the second criterion — qualitative impairments in communication — it is more difficult to draw a final conclusion. One can say that there is no evidence of a capacity for symbolic play in childhood, and, indeed, he was very poor at writing essays in school. He certainly had an impairment in the ability to sustain communication; as Horne (1994) pointed out, Montgomery was a lonely man. He did meet the third criterion of restricted, repetitive, and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests, and activities. Nevertheless, Asperger Syndrome is the most likely diagnosis.
Although he had serious impairment in the capacity for empathy, it is also possible that he had problems with central coherence (Frith, 1989); that is, he was always good at taking into account his immediate battlefield in both wars, but was poor at understanding the bigger picture. The serious mistakes that he made as a result prolonged World War II (e.g., not capturing the port of Antwerp and not pursuing Rommel after the battle of Alamein). His inability to communicate with his superiors, and with Eisenhower, in particular, made him extremely unpopular in the United States and almost led to him being fired from his job.
It is difficult to know whether there was a family history of Asperger Syndrome, but there was evidence of relevant traits on both the maternal and the paternal side.
- Michael Fitzgerald, Former Professor of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Sunday, August 9, 2026
Alpha Lipoic Acid Main Uses and Side Effects
 |
| https://www.verywellhealth.com/alpha-lipoic-acid-88727 |
Alpha-lipoic acid is an antioxidant known for its potential to support weight loss and lower blood sugar levels, particularly in people with diabetes. Research is ongoing, and the benefits and side effects are important to understand.
Health Conditions
Many integrative medicine providers believe ALA may help prevent or manage health conditions like high blood pressure. Research primarily focuses on its role in managing diabetes and aiding weight loss.
However, alpha-lipoic acid has been studied for benefits with health conditions such as:
- Liver disease
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)/polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) and infertility problems
- Cancers, including breast and colon cancers
- Brain injury due to stroke
- Neurodegenerative diseases, like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease
- Chronic kidney disease
- Infections, including yeast infections, COVID-19, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever
- Anti-aging and inflammation effects
- Rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and other autoimmune diseases
- Erectile dysfunction
- Nerve function
To date, there is little evidence to support any of these claims for ALA use. Keep in mind that no supplement is intended to treat, cure, or prevent disease.
May Help With Weight Loss
Research on ALA for weight loss is still preliminary and lacks firm conclusions. Studies have shown:
- A 2017 review of studies found that ALA supplements, ranging in doses from 300 milligrams to 1,800 milligrams daily, helped prompt an average weight loss of 2.8 pounds compared to a placebo.
- A 2018 review similarly found that ALA resulted in more weight loss compared to placebo. However, the average weight loss was only 1.5 pounds.
- In 2020, a meta-analysis found that treatment with ALA significantly reduced body mass index (BMI) and reduced weight by about 5 pounds as compared to a placebo. BMI is an estimate of body fat based on height and weight.
While these three systematic reviews offer some promising evidence, the study methods varied greatly among the individual studies, and the amount of weight loss was small. As a result, it's difficult to draw firm conclusions from them.
May Help Control Blood Sugar
ALA might help control glucose by enhancing blood sugar metabolism, potentially aiding diabetes management. The research results, however, are mixed and include:
- A 2018 review of 20 randomized controlled trials looked at ALA use in people with metabolic disorders, including type 2 diabetes. Results showed ALA supplements lowered fasting blood glucose, insulin concentration, insulin resistance, and hemoglobin A1C levels. Your hemoglobin A1C level shows your average blood sugar over the past three months.
- A 2019 review suggested that ALA reduced fasting blood glucose and A1C levels.
- A 2021 review found that ALA supplementation reduced insulin and insulin resistance but did not reduce A1C levels.
If you have diabetes and are considering ALA supplementation, ask a healthcare provider if it would be appropriate for your needs.
May Help With Neuropathy
ALA is an antioxidant that acts to limit cell damage from harmful compounds called free radicals. The antioxidant properties may help with neuropathy, which causes symptoms like nerve pain, numbness, and tingling.
An analysis of five studies found ALA helped improve function and reduce pain after surgery for people with carpal tunnel syndrome—a condition in which compression of a nerve in the wrist produces tingling, numbness, weakness, and pain in the hand and fingers.
Neuropathic pain is the medical term used to describe the pain, numbness, and abnormal sensations caused by nerve damage. The damage is often caused by oxidative stress placed on the nerves by a chronic disease, such as:
- Diabetes (diabetic neuropathy is a common complication)
- HIV
- Kidney failure
- Lyme disease
- Shingles
- Thyroid disease
A 2021 study found that people with pain from unknown causes reported less severe pain scores when they took between 400 milligrams and 800 milligrams of an oral ALA supplement compared to those who took a placebo.
A review of studies concluded that the antioxidant properties of alpha lipoic acid could help manage neuropathic pain, though it also noted that clinical studies have been inconsistent with dosing and treatment protocols. And because ALA is often combined with other compounds, it's not yet known how much benefit is due to ALA.
May Reduce Heart Disease Risk Factors
A 2018 study suggested ALA may improve lipids, including "bad" low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and triglycerides, but found no improvement in "good" high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol.
However, results are mixed, with a 2019 study showing no improvements in blood lipid levels with ALA.
There is some evidence that ALA can reduce markers of inflammation, such as:
- C-reactive protein
- Interleukin-6
- Tumor necrosis factor-alpha, which promotes insulin resistance and is associated with type 2 diabetes
High levels of C-reactive protein are considered a risk factor for heart disease.
A 2019 review found a significant reduction in all three markers with supplementation of ALA.
Another study published in 2020 found that 600 milligrams of ALA given orally for four months significantly reduced these same inflammatory markers.
May Support Skin Health
ALA is an ingredient in many skin care products. In several small studies, ALA has been shown to reduce water loss from the skin and improve skin hydration, skin scaling, and roughness.
As an antioxidant, ALA may help protect against skin damage by protecting against the sun’s harmful UV radiation and reducing fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots.
However, some of these studies are older, and larger studies are needed to confirm whether ALA has these skin benefits.
Primary Mitochondrial Disorders
ALA supplementation has been recommended in people with primary mitochondrial disorders, or PMDs. PMDs are rare genetic disorders that occur due to errors in the function of the mitochondria, limiting the body's ability to make energy within cells and leading to seizures and other symptoms.
Most of the evidence for ALA use is based on case reports, though, simply because the disorders are so rare. Research data are lacking, and people with PMDs should be monitored by a team of specialists who focus on these complex metabolic disorders.
Are There Side Effects Associated With ALA?
ALA is generally considered safe when taken as an oral supplement or used as a topical (cream) ointment. It also can be used intravenously. There do not appear to be significant adverse effects with ALA.
However, some people may experience side effects that include:
- Low blood sugar
- Nausea
- Rash (when using an ALA cream or ointment)
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Heartburn
Since ALA is an acid, it may contribute to reflux. Eating a small snack (like graham or saltine crackers) when taking a supplement can help ease heartburn or reflux.
Precautions
ALA is possibly safe in children aged 10-17 years when taken by mouth in doses up to 600 mg daily for 3 months. However, when taken in larger amounts, seizures, vomiting, and unconsciousness have been reported.
Like many other supplements, ALA is not recommended for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Not enough research has been done to understand ALA's effects in these groups, although some studies suggest there may be benefits for people with complicated pregnancies.
Drug Interactions
ALA supplements may interact with:
- Thyroid medication
- Statin cholesterol drugs
- Chemotherapy treatment
- Diabetes medication
- Blood thinners
Sources and Dosage
The food you eat will always be your best source of nutrients. If you eat plenty of leafy green vegetables, seeds, and nuts, you may be able to get plenty of ALA from your diet. ALA can be found in:
- Kale, spinach, and other leafy greens
- Nuts and seeds (such as flaxseed, chia seeds, and walnuts)
- Plant oils (such as flaxseed oil, soybean oil, and canola oil)
- Oil-based salad dressings
ALA deficiency is extremely rare. Generally, healthy people can produce all the ALA the body needs. The recommended amount of ALA daily is 1.6 grams for men and 1.1 grams for women. There is also no set upper intake limit.
If you take too much ALA, you may experience side effects that typically resolve when the supplement is stopped. There are cases of severe symptoms from taking large amounts of ALA, including seizures and organ failure.
In one case, a 22-year-old woman experienced tachycardia (rapid heartbeat), altered mental state, and metabolic acidosis.
Always speak with a healthcare provider before taking a supplement to ensure that the supplement and dosage are appropriate for your individual needs.
Like most nutritional supplements, ALA should be stored in a cool, dry place.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)