Midweek links

• The shutdown reminds us how redundant and pointless much of the fedgov is.
• You’ve probably already heard that Brazil’s new president Jair Bolsonaro plans to enable all non-criminal citizens to bear arms. Good. But how does that mesh with the newly elected governor of Rio’s plan to have cops shoot all non-cops seen carrying rifles? (H/T M)
• Eric Peters says “Happy De-Platforming!” and generally notes the weirdly Soviet state of social media today.
• If your New Year’s resolutions last through January 13, you’re probably ahead of the game.
• OTOH, Greg Elfritz says sometimes “good enough” is good enough when it comes to self-defense skills. (H/T Shel)
• The hubris of “Notorious RBG” (Ruth Bader Ginsberg) is troubling her worshippers and may be a gift to Trump.
• Didn’t it used to be cheating (remember those infamous East German Olympic competitors?) for a biologically female athlete to compete against other females while taking male hormones (H/T Shel)
• Sometimes developments could be humane and sensible if determined through private contract become idiotic, controlling, and cruel when done by the state. To wit: California’s new law on handling pets in divorce proceedings. (Tip o’ hat to DB)
• You can always count on Camille Paglia for insightful, plainspoken truth. (Via AG in comments)
• What church names say about us. (A pleasant bit of fluff with a fair bit of meaning.)
• Secrets to contentment. From old people.

Via Western Rifle Shooters: