These days of course you couldn’t get me to v*te unless you stuck a gun in my ear. But that doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy the show. And I’ve always found it quite a show. Some of my fondest memories from childhood involve trying to keep my eyes open late-late at night as election returns trickled in. Sometimes when I couldn’t make it, Mom would wake me up around midnight to tell me who the new governor or president or senator would be. When the TV networks perfected the art of calling elections seconds after the polls closed, they ruined…
Month: January 2012
Freedom vs terrorism. Jim B. left this link in yesterday’s comments: There is a fund for the recently widowed teenage mother who shot that intruder last week. And for those who laughed at yesterday’s National Apricot Day, may you find your own food jones here. (Scroll down.) The anti-SOPA app: Oh, what a potential tool for boycotters of all kinds. Alas, I must admit that my own little community (which I’m dead-solid certain would never be in line to have a cannabis dispensary until the devil throws snowballs at Charles Schumer) is among the benighted many preemptively banning the heck…
Did you know that today is National Apricot Day? I didn’t either. But by all means, take the rest of the day off to celebrate. Only if you live in the U.S., though. All you Europeans and South Africans and whatnot — back to work! (Oh, wait, you’re already done working for the day. Darn.) Well, next year … everybody gets January 9th off! And hey, what might we celebrate tomorrow …?
Pretty good WSJ article on the Institute for Justice. And speaking of justice (or the lack thereof), how about facing 20 years in prison for feeding whales? A businessman’s top five lessons for hard times. Thomas Jefferson and his bible. A little citywide sanity in the war on drugs. But enough good news. Here are a few of the new ways your privacy can be invaded this year. Could be worse, though. You could live in the UK. Or New York. Or you could lead a dog’s life. (H/T PT) (Tip o’ hat to MJR who has become a link-locating…
Nothing heavy today. Just finished up a round of deadlines and am tired. But thought you’d enjoy some word from small-town nowhere. —– Took one of my dogs for a walk downtown this morning and stopped at a tourist kiosk that extolls the local history, hardihood, and industry. For the first time, I learned that a large part of the local economy is based on “fur” trees. I must say that came as a surprise. During all my walks in the woods I’ve never seen one. They must be rare but yield a very expensive product. Don’t anybody tell PETA…
“Six certainties about the coming years. “Hope in a cold season.” Although this gives waaaaaaaaaay too much benefit of the doubt to Obama, it’s a pretty good history of how indefinite military “detention” got legalized. When times get tough the tough get a backbone. There’s nothing more dangerous than a woman with a child. (ADDED: Although this has gotten coverage in every media outlet and blog this side of Alpha Centauri, I like Joel’s take on it the best.) Dontcha sometimes feel like this? Well, not about baths, specifically. But about what lies in our future:
… in an emergency? And how helpful are you? Yesterday’s emergency drill by Jake MacGregor got me pondering that old question. In an emergency, or just generally in hard times, who helps you out and how helpful are you in turn? If you’ve lived in the same neighborhood for a long time or if you have family in your vicinity, then you’ve probably got a pretty good start on answering this question. You know from long experience who’s reliable and who’s not, who’s trustworthy and who’s not. You know who’s got certain skills or tools. You know who can keep…
The tyrants now taking over the U.S. may have a hard time getting around all these lovely new guns. Yes, people often seem spineless and oblivious. Millions actually seem to welcome the police state (including, alas, millions who claim to be for limited government). But deep down, people know. People know. (Tip o’ hat to MTK for the link.)
(By Jake MacGregor with a few small edits/clarifications by me.) THIS IS A DRILL The following is ONLY a drill. THIS IS TO BE TREATED AS REAL BUT IS ONLY A DRILL. Situation: Last Night the European Union currency (Euro) collapsed. Overnight, markets crashed as uncertainty roiled the world. The President is set to make a closed-door address to a joint session of Congress at 11 AM Eastern. The Stock Market is closed until further notice. Banks have closed their doors with a taped-up sign reading, “Due to an Executive Order 19-173A all Banks, Credit Unions and Savings & Loans…