Two on the military: Almost certainly too good to be true. But wouldn’t it be wonderful? (Tip o’ hat to JS.) Definitely true and far less good, particularly in light of the onrushing National Defense Authorization Act ADDED: Speaking of the NDAA, why are they continuing to be so secretive about it even now that it’s gone into conference committee? (Another h/t JS.) And speaking of “too good to be true,” if you were encouraged by the Obama administration’s threat to veto the bill if it contained the military law-enforcement and limitless detention provisions, you can stop now. Our Glorious…
Category: Government
Government evils — but I repeat myself
(A rant.) Yesterday were were all supposed to pause and “remember” the bombing of Pearl Harbor, even though most of us weren’t alive then and therefore can’t actually remember it. Of course we should be aware of important historic events. But why is it always a matter of dates and photos and survivor accounts without context? And why must we genuflect only to certain dates? December 7, September 11, July 4? We perform our obeisances to the horrors and tragedies of December 7, 1941, then go about our business. How many of us ever even learned that the very next…
So my friend and I showed up at the courthouse yesterday, properly (or rather improperly) disarmed. She even left her nail file in the car, just in case, and I carried a purse (I never carry a purse) that was so light I felt naked. No flashlight, no pepper spray, no multi-tool, no spring-assisted pocket knife, no hardware whatsoever. The courthouse, in a bigger county than this one, was a “real” courthouse — swarming with lawyers and built to impress 19th century citizens. Domes and grand staircases and mosaic floors and all that. In the courtroom, the ceiling soared to…
I have to go to court today. No, nothing I did. Just giving support to a friend whose ne’er-do-well son is in trouble again. Going through my fanny pack to make sure I’m courthouse-ready. You know, it’s amazing the amount of stuff folks carry every day that some other folks might consider a weapon. I’ll probably just stash the fanny pack and put keys, cash, and ID in a pocket lest some letter opener or multitool freak out the paranoiati. —– I’ve got two multi-tabbed browsers full of links I’ve been saving for you. But between revelations of Fed shenanigans…
Former Seattle police chief knows from experience: cops are blowing it in their handling of OWS. (Tip o’ hat to C^2.) Family reluctantly surrenders its beloved island. I give you one guess as to why. I know you can tell me without even clicking on the link. My dogs could do this. I’m two weeks late learning this. So sad. Diaspora* is a great and hopeful creation. Now here’s a perfect example of how one man’s safe-haven is another person’s nightmare. Joel Skousen has named Tennessee as the best retreat location for people living east of the Mississippi. That’s this…
wrm, a reader from South Africa, mentioned in recent comments a draconian secrecy bill SA’s government is contemplating and a cartoonist called Zapiro who creates good, pointed cartoons. I thought these two ‘toons, which appeared on successive days, fit our situation as well as SA’s (especially in light of recent bill introductions blogged earlier today). Substitute the word “freedom” for Zapiro’s “democracy” and you’ve got it.
I usually try to ignore what Congress does or contemplates doing. Not because what they’re up to isn’t dangerous. Ha! Dangerous to liberty defines the very existence of those &^%$#@!s. But because we shouldn’t have to spend our lives in desperate, hysterical reaction to a bunch of scoundrels, criminals, and tyrants. It demeans us to “WRITE YOUR CONGRESSTHING NOW AND TELL IT TO V*TE AGAINST THE LATEST BILL OF RIGHTS DESTROYING MONSTROSITY BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE!!!!!” No, if they’re even thinking about voting against our inborn liberties, then our proper response is … well, never mind. Still, this week there…
This ad is in totally terrible bad taste. Which is what makes it so good. Seems this South African chicken restaurant has a history of similar terrible taste. And sometimes nicely pointed satire. A Rearden Steel case??? Please tell me you’re kidding. Kind of a shame that Stratfor feels the need to give such basic advice on situational awareness. And never mentions carrying something much better than a flashlight. (Tip o’ hat to A.) “Bailing out the Titanic with a Thimble.” And an interesting week ahead in Europe, heaven help us all.
I apologize. Between being busy and having computer troubles, I’ve been among the missing. Both the busy-ness and the estrangenesss are likely to continue for a week or so, but I’ll try to be better about the blogging. In the meantime … —– The thing I’m most busy with right now is an assignment from Backwoods Home. Not writing, but art. I’ve been doing small article illustrations for them for a few months. I knew that someday — probably a few years down the road — they’d ask me to try doing a cover, a much bigger deal. Don Childers,…
Okay, let’s start out with some nice stories. (The “nice” in this onecomes quite a ways below the headline.) A pair of Muslim cab drivers save a bagel shop. Anybody here use these emergency foods? “What do a bunch of old Jews know about living forever?” Looks like a useful book to keep on hand Sigh. “The more things change …” They were writing stories like this onejust before 9-11, too. And a coupla months later, the nation was full of robotic government worshippers. Truer words … “The science of lasting happiness.” I don’t usually have the patience to watch…