Shut up. When the Feds are involved. Because this is one way they trick you into becoming a felon, as Ken at Popehat knows. Incredible videos of bizarre natural phenomena. Freedom Feens Fun Forum. New kid on the block for freedomista discussion. From Michael W. Dean and Neema Vedadi. Dave Duffy blogged this first, but it’s encouraging enough to deserve repeating. “For your own good” is the same the world over. (Tip o’ hat to DA.) Standardized testing: it’s even worse than you might think. (Tip o’ hat to JS.) Bring health care back home. Tenting in the old backyard.…
Category: Health and Science
Doing some tab clearing here … Holder sez Fast & Furious was a bad idea That he, of course, opposed. Yeah. Okaaaaay. But why lacerate his spleen in the first place? Dunno how big a problem this is going to be for people outside of China. But it’s something for PM buyers to be aware of. One more reason to be glad you don’t live in Britain. Who knew that maple syrup played such an intriguing part in American history? Dr. Andrew Weil on dealing with depression. J.D. Tuccille on “Free-Range Publishing.” Some things in life really do get better.…
Here’s the latest from Jake MacGregor. Just one chapter again this week (the cold weather is rough on Jake’s health). But it’s one that ties some loose threads. Silver on “The Free Rider Fallacy.” (For the next time one of your dubious friends brings up one of those endless why-liberty-can’t-work hypotheticals.) Sweden. Hey, maybe you could send us some of your government. Well, on second thought … Of course you haven’t been following the long, drawn-out wedding and Insta-Divorce (TM) of whichever Kardashian that is … starts with a K, something like that. Me neither. Ahem. And I don’t read…
It’s amazing — and encouraging — how many commentators suddenly seem to be realizing that the problem isn’t “right” or “left” or even a matter of a system needing “reform.” The problem is oligarchy. Tuesday I linked to a very good article about The Bigs. Novelist Barry Eisler is among the first to come right out and use the proper term. (Tip o’ hat to J.) That noxious Louisiana law banning second-hand dealers from transacting any business in cash. You may have read about it. Ellendra in the comments points to an article that says it was passed in virtual…
Okay. I promised updates. I’m behind on some of them. So no revolutionizing today. No deep probes into the psyche. No snicker-snark over political follies. Just catching up. Yogurt update: Two weeks ago I posted about making the first batch of yogurt in my new Yolife Yogurt Maker. Well, I’ve made five batches since then and I’m tellin’ ya, this is something even I can do. (And when you’re talking things of the kitchen, that’s always a good a completely freaking amazing sign.) Not only is it easy. It’s so easy that I usually whip up a batch before I’ve…
Fascinating scientific detective work reconstructing the DNA of the black plague. Fascinating, too, how even something as horrible as plague can ultimately change the world for the better. See? We told you never to talk to cops. Oooh. This is gonna be good. “A tale of suspense, pyromania and sexual tension, coming to an Amazon near you!” J.D. Tuccille can write like nobody’s business. He’s even entertaining when he’s just blogging about being a dad. I’m gettin’ my hands on a review copy ASAP! Bill St. Clair on respecting intellectual property without government. Is it a good sign or a…
Two from The Onion (language in both NSFW): Steve Jobs obituary and “Nervous American Voters Worried About Botching Another Election.” One from Ragnar in a recent comment section. Sort of a redneck punk rap song, “My Country, My Ass.” (“Teacher used to say we had a Bill of Rights. I think they took our rights and sent us the bill.”) Regulators vs an enterprising ship salvager. What to do if you can’t afford a vet. DRM encourages piracy. No surprise, really. Neither is this. (Not that the fedgov should be subsidizing anything, of course.) Funniest pet Halloween costumes. Think it’s…
Been a bit busy since getting my yogurt maker last week. Today I’m finally attempting the first batch. I used Zoi unflavored Greek yogurt as the starter. Not sure of the exact amount (measuring is for wusses). From the 12:00 position, the variations are: Plain whole milk Whole milk with Karen’s fabulous apricot syrup stirred in Whole milk with extra milk solids Half-and-half with extra milk solids Half-and-half with Karen’s fabulous syrup on the bottom Plain half-and-half Not sure how much I added of either syrup or milk solids. I may have mentioned I think measuring is for wusses. 🙂…
Yesterday, I wrote about a foster dog who came to us with an extensive birth defect in his urogenital system. He was supposed to be neutered and partially repaired today, but when she realized how major the problem was, our wonderful vet started making calls. She’s looking either for advice or for a veterinary surgeon who might take the case pro-bono. The condition — perineal hypospadias — is unusual enough that even a vet from a clinic in the Big City (and in this case, I really mean The Big City, not just the place I laughingly call The Big…
Yes, I know there’s no reasonable connection between a yogurt maker and a defective dog. Except that I got them both today. Yogurt was never a big part of my diet — except in the “hold my nose and swallow the crap occasionally because it’s good for me” sense. The thin, sour or over-sweetened non-fat yogurt I knew from the grocery store didn’t impress me. But shortly after I went primal, young commentor Winston turned me on to Greek yogurt. Oh man. HUGE difference. Whole different world. Plain, whole-milk Greek yogurt with a spoonful of raw honey in it is…