Sunday, April 30, 2017

The Trend to Avoid Treatment

Dalrymple has his say about the overuse of 'mental health professionals' in Britain.

The bigger problem is that those people DON'T treat mental illness. Instead:

  • They ignore the raving lunatics until their actions land them in jail. At that point, they medicate them into compliance.
  • They use the time freed up to work with people who are MENTALLY perfect normal. Their problems fall into 2 groups - those whose family are nuts, and those whose problems stem from spiritual emptiness, and the choices (mostly bad) that they have made.


Share

Saturday, April 29, 2017

Astroturf Explained

Astroturf, something that Democrats always accuse Republicans, Conservatives, and any non-Democrat of using, is the practice of organizing people for protest activity.

It CAN be paid-for protesters, but can also include those not given money or other incentives, but willing to show up, hold signs, and shout slogans on command.

Why is this a problem?

Because, normally, only those who feel quite strongly about an issue or candidate will put themselves in a public arena. Someone that committed at least deserves a hearing.

That supposition that the individuals involved have 'a dog in that hunt' is up-ended when the person is found to be apathetic, but appearing due to the efforts of a few 'community organizers'.

One of those community organizers is Robert Creamer, who was caught on tape bragging about his efforts - which included the payment of up to $1500 a day.

You can buy a LOT of protest, including a willingness to commit violence and other crimes for a lot less than that.

What was even worse was that the paid protesters put on Trump shirts before getting violent, so it looked as though the Trump supporters were the criminals. At that time, they laid the groundwork for their current claims that Trump supporters are Fascists.

The Obama administration also laid down the framework for trouble for the next administration. There are 250 offices of Organizing for Action around the country. Hard to imagine that they will all decide to peacefully build playgrounds and tutor elementary students.

Share

Resolving Budget Issues

In some ways, this process is not that different from that of a personal budget. If the income is not sufficient, you have to trim expenses.

At first, you cut the easy stuff - the frills, the expenses that are not core. There is ALWAYS give in Americans' budget - it's a result of a standard of living, even at the margins, that includes nonessentials.

Some different takes on the likely sticking points:

  • The Atlantic talks about a concept I'd not heard of before - the Skinny Budget. Nothing to do with cutting calories, or, for that matter, expenses.
  • The Washington Post provides a more conventional view of the upcoming battle.
  • USA Today focuses on the NEA battleground.
  • And, CBS tries to explain the Progressive side.


One change that was made a long time ago, in response to Government employees that gamed the system to collect MULTIPLE public pensions, as well as Social Security benefits, was WEP - the Windfall Elimination Profits provision. It was yet another WONDERFUL action by Jimmah Carter, designed to put the screws to people who DARED to find another job, outside of government, after being vested.

It primarily affects 2 groups: military, who often retire after 20 years, and teachers in those states whose paycheck does not take out Social Security (although, they DO pay Medicare taxes). If they then go to work at a job that DOES take out SS, they will be SEVERELY penalized by having their EARNED SS benefits cut by a complicated formula that takes into account their non-SS pension earnings.

There are 2 ways to avoid it - work a part-time job during your government years (who had the time - I was a Mom), or, work until you're 70-80 years old.

No, really. That last suggestion - was perkily suggested to me by a government loon, to whom my answer - do you really expect me to work until 80 years old? - was defensively countered with the admonition that I should not be hostile.

So, after retirement, I will be losing about 1/3 to 1/2 (they can't say just how much before I retire - which makes planning really hard!) of my SS check each month.

It's kind of OK - I will survive, thanks to judicious budget cutting many years ago, and saving in retirement accounts. We learned long ago not to spend up to the hilt, and have kept most of our expenses low. We will be using any windfall money over the next year (IRS refund, final paychecks, etc.) to pay down consumer debt that remains. And, having bucked the trend of divorce, I have a husband with pension, SS, and assets, also.

Lucky me.

My thought to reduce the government/business/lobbying industry, with the blatant profiteering by former functionaries:
  • Make 80% of any income over $100k earned by former government employees subject to 100% tax, & put that amount into debt reduction - buying back government bonds.
  • That confiscatory tax should apply to ALL sources of income - speeches, foundation work, board activity, writing books, appearing on any media, etc. No more milking that former Presidential status, or government connections, for CA$H.
  • Dis-allow shoveling that money into foundations, trusts, scholarships/jobs for their children, or other legal dodges for the money.
  • Non-monetary perks, such as travel, use of homes, etc., offered by 'friends' is assessed at market value, and is counted as part of that limit.
Ex-employees may NOT choose to forego the pension, and keep that money. It is a limitation that is permanent.

Found on MOTUS:


Off-Topic:  If Trump or another non-Progressive had met with the judge beforehand, it would have been considered evidence of collusion. So, why is it OK that the judge who issued the ban on Trump's immigration orders had a meeting with the former President?

Also Off-Topic: I've long followed FoxNews, but I do think it's time to find other sources of information. The Sharp Turn Left is NOT improving its broadcasts.

I always love the arrogance of people who believe that, not only is their position the ONLY one, but that the Plebes better fall into line with it.

News Flash - Conservatives, and non-Progressives, made this network. They can walk away without a qualm. Then, you have to ask yourself, how will you fund the Progressive Agenda?

The current shaky status of cable, which is being put in even greater jeopardy by the unplugging of the TVs, may well find itself in the same situation as Current TV - broke, unwatched, and fast disappearing.

I'm one of many that stream from my Internet connection (I do it through Roku, but there are other ways).

Share

Wednesday, April 26, 2017

If Only...

[I inadvertently left off the links]

...I could believe he was wrong.

Folks, this is one of the most chilling posts i read yet - but, it is NOT inaccurate.

I've seen the widening divide. In my own friendships and family relationships. The hardening of positions is real.

Trump wasn't the cause - he merely revealed the size of the divide. The reaction was a CHOICE on the part of the opposition - Occupy Democrats and similar groups have made their choice to declare war, and have ratcheted up their tactics to full rebellion.

Don't kid yourself - the not-so Civil War has already begun, started by those that - once again - have interpreted an election as a declaration of war.

Not surprising that Democrats have let their splinter group act out, engage in openly rebellious and violent actions, and pretended that the Republicans have initiated this split. They did it with Lincoln's election, now they've chosen to use Trump's election as a pretext for fracturing the country.

We will have our Copperheads and other sympathizers, living as 'loyals', but secretly aiding the enemy. We will have our faint-hearted politicians, eager to 'avoid the split' - who will see only complete capitulation as the appropriate response.

We have many who are eager to avoid conflict, and will self-censor themselves in a vain attempt to reduce criticism.

We will see a media that colludes with the rebels, and uses their press to spread misinformation and distrust, standing on their interpretation of the 1st Amendment.

Watch out for the dates:

  • April 17 - VA
  • May 6 - AK
  • May 20 - NC, and, 
  • June 8th - that's the date that the final Confederate state seceded
Share

Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Yet Another Reason I Have No Respect for Biden

He lies - a LOT!

Share

Why is a Wall Important?

Because it's not just a symbolic gesture.

It's permanent.

Ergo, it cannot easily be reversed by a Democrat administration in the future, unlike all of the 'changes' that the Executive Branch periodically trots out, in response to pleas from those most affected (border states, crime victims, taxpayers, etc.).

THAT'S why the pro-illegal-immigrant crowd is furious. Because they would find it harder to overcome in their next takeover of the Federal government.

And, because it seems that they are unlikely to grab any of the state government controls in the future. If they can't control the spigot of illegal aliens, they cannot get the votes, or the bodies for their shock troops in the next demonstrations.

The Baby Boomers (BBs) are dying off. I'm not happy about it, as I am one of them. I have reached the point where to hear of the serious illness or impending death of a friend or family member is not a rare event.

I was never a Diehard Radical. I was a sometimes hanger-on, a signer of petitions, occasional marcher, verbal supporter of non-violence, and periodic letter-to-the-editor type.

My friends and family were generally less active than that. I was the 'edgy' one.

As if.

I married - to someone very like me. We meandered through jobs and other cities, dipping our toes into the waters of protest, but tepidly - not venturing beyond the shoreline.

Then, I got pregnant. And our lives changed. My husband took over most of the wage-earning. I cared for the baby, and the two that followed. Our time diminished, which meant that boozy evenings talking about politics were pretty much a dim memory.

We didn't go over to the Dark Side - we despised Carter, but voted for Anderson, giving the election to Reagan. We feared the outcome, and, in some ways, it was not great for us, personally.

But, we survived. And so did the Republic. Other elections followed, for me, always voting for the Democrat.

Until 9-11. For me, that was IT.

As I was, shortly after, unemployed, I started reading my news from the web. What I found was NOT what I expected.

I was reading about events I knew something about, and finding that the media distorted their reports. I saw protests of the War, and something turned in me. I saw the Left's disdain for the Common Man, the military, and their political opposition. I saw protests that ignored the widespread support for the Bush administration's actions. I saw professional activists profiled by media, in glowing terms.

I saw the lies. I saw the same people who couldn't be bothered to protest Clinton's actions in Bosnia, undertaken without approval of Congress, slam Bush's actions in Iraq and Afghanistan, which were OK'd by Congressional resolution.

I saw hypocrisy in action. By my peeps, the Baby Boomers. And, I started to think for myself.

So, what is the future of the Anti Movement? Well, one part of it will occur naturally - the BBs are dying off. As they die, they reduce the numbers of lifelong anti-everything fanatics, who have seeded the young with the infection of their pathological hatred of their opposition. Already, the numbers of diehard followers has been reduced by fewer going to college. As Trump chips away at the bloated state of entitlements, he will also reduce the number of opponents WHO ARE BEING PAID BY GOVERNMENT TO  ACT AGAINST IT.

Similarly, reduction of the illegal aliens will reduce the numbers who can be persuaded to march for the 'cause'. Those that remain will be employed, for the most part, not lounging around on public benefits.

Share

Monday, April 24, 2017

Systems Theory as Applied to Government Operations

I've not seen this before. I did have some education in Management Theory in college, as I started as a Business Major.

However, I've worked primarily in non-profits (allegedly) since then.

None of what I'd learned about efficiencies and strategic planning seemed to match what I was seeing, so I decided that the theory must not work.

I was wrong. The disconnects I saw were because the money flowing in was from government, not some place where they expected your budget to make sense.

If you want to know WHY Washington, D.C., became such a 'swamp', read more.

Share

Saturday, April 22, 2017

The Alternative to Civil War

My ancestors fought in the last one. I'm not eager to join that club.

Some say we are already there. I'm more hopeful; I think, with some rational thinking, and some willingness to back away from the precipice, we can avoid it.

What has caused this level of separation?

  • Too many have absorbed the idea that there are two ways of looking at situations - MY way, and the Wrong way. For that matter, it's not just the Wrong Way, it's considered the EVIL, H8FUL, and needs to be completely eliminated way.
  • Some people are incapable of communicating without SHOUTING, or the digital equivalent of ALL CAPS!!!!!!!! and LOTS of !!!!!!!!!!!
  • FEELINGS trump (sorry, Progressives) logic. If I have a logical argument supporting my point, the very least I expect is that any disagreement will be met with a counter-argument. Not tears, flailing of arms, shouting, and chanting slogans. The winner should be one that can demonstrate through logic that their viewpoint is correct, not the one that holds their breath until they turn blue.
  • Your ethnic history, color, religion (or lack of it), language, etc., are not props to your argument. Nor, a closing point. They are just moderately interesting things about you. Now, if your PERSONAL history contains a PERSONAL experience that adds to (not replaces) your argument, well, feel free to include it. But, don't substitute any of the preceding for logic.
  • You are free to think of 'your tribe' as a particular ethnic/color/religious group. However, in THIS country, the common tribe is American. It's a different kind of tribe - anyone can join, provided they agree to abide by the principles of the Constitution.
  • Some accept the results of elections (although they might grumble about obvious and blatant voter fraud). However, they do accept the outcome, as well as the office-holders. Others violently resist any suggestion that the current president was elected legitimately, scurry around to try to institute impeachment (even before the new guy takes office), and declares a Fort Sumpter moment. Both secession and refusal to recognize Federal authority were a prime feature of the 1st Civil War, and seem to be at issue here.
  • The two major sides seem to have irreconcilable differences. The positions are solidifying, and neither seems to see an advantage to compromise. So, while I would prefer to avoid open warfare, to judge by the Antifa forces' actions in the recent riots, that may not be possible. The recent 'pushback' by people tired of taking abuse, both verbal and physical, is more likely to happen again.

Share

Friday, April 21, 2017

How I USED to Be

I started reading this, because Francis Porretto of Bastion of Liberty told me to (and, I have a long acquaintance with him - he has earned my trust).

I got about 1/2 way down the post, and felt like I was reading my story.
I’m going to be very real with you for a moment, and take off my hat has a blogger, an author, and whatever else I may be, and just speak to you as a man.
This could have been me.
Does that surprise you? There was a time I skirted so close to falling under this spell, it would shock you. I felt the guilt, the social pressure, the desire for conformity. Despite the terrible weight such ideology carries on the mind, it is absurdly easy to fall into it. Every day we are assaulted by the agitprop. It is so easy to just say “yes, it’s all my fault, I will submit and obey.”
It will bring momentary relief, because you will no longer have to fight a narrative that is bombarded upon you 24 hours a day. That mental effort is, itself, rather exhausting on the mind. But if you accept the chains, that is a far greater weight, one that will destroy you. The chains are seductive. They call, because of the enormous weight of social power behind them.
I'm not writing what I do, and posting the links because I am a hateful, bitter old woman, eager to start a fight.

I've deleted a LOT of replies when I realized that, even though I was responding to something I actually knew something about - and, the person who had posted that misinformation/propaganda was factually wrong - if I did hit Reply, it might damage that relationship beyond repair.

Folks, it's easy to go along with the crowd. The Progressive crowd is the one that has all the media on its side. The "cool kids" are all Progressives. Heck, most of my family is Progressive - there were only a few of us that resisted the pressure to vote for Hill.

Why did we do it?

  • Were we driven by hate, fear, and a deep-seated desire to impose the theocracy on all others? No, can't say that.
  • Had we been brain-washed by listening to Rush? No, I only caught about 2 minutes of his show, once, before DH turned it off. Hadn't realized what it was at the time, was just looking for something to keep me alert on a drive.
  • Are we just not understanding the issues? I like to think that I have decent analytic skills, and have gotten my information from a variety of sources - from Leftist and all the way to the Right.
  • Do we just not understand the Constitution? I had Constitutional Law in college, and am quite familiar with it's words.
  • Do we just not CARE about the SUFFERING of others? Well, they may have me there - I do care about serious suffering - death, famine, and the like. I just don't think that failing to use the preferred pronouns, or refusing to coddle a grown person by giving them MY money rises to the level of 'cruel and unusual punishment'.
Depressing? Eh, just roll with it. Or not - is it worth breaking up a friendship?

Here's some random links I found that you'll like:



Share

Thursday, April 20, 2017

I'm Confused

I do understand that, sometimes, people become incensed about something they consider an injustice. At times, they may take that into the streets as a protest.

What I'm having trouble with is shown below:

So,
Actual violence is just free speech. However, speech that you find offensive is NOT protected by the Constitution, because it's REALLY a form of violence.
Unlike ACTUAL violence, which is protected.
You can see why my head is spinning. Ironically, their violence is to protest another person's Freedom of Speech, presumably protected by the 1st Amendment.

Using masks while committing violence may be prohibited by laws that originally targeted the KKK.

Can't wait to see if these laws will be enforced against the SJWs.

Share

Monday, April 17, 2017

They Do NOT Get Irony


Fearless Girl is not a bad statue, but it IS pointless.

It shows a small child 'bravely' facing down the bull, which represents a stock market that is rising.

So - are girls against money?

Share

Funny How that "Cultural Appropriation" Thing Only Goes One Way

I gotta state this right up front:

I don't have a dog in this hunt.

In other words, no longer being a kid, or even a pre-teen, I don't dress up for Halloween. Or concerts. Or Burning Man (I've never attended).

I dress like a grown-up. Clothes that cover my private parts, clean and without holes (at least, intentional ones).

If I'm dressed down, I'm doing physical labor.

If I'm dressed up, it's because the occasion demands it, or because I'm on a date with my man, who just about ALWAYS looks good.

My hair is styled to keep it the heck out of my way, and not require on-the-go primping. It seldom takes more than 1/2 hour to 45 minutes to get my hair clean, dry, and complete.

My make-up is mascara, eyebrow pencil, and lipstick - occasionally more, but more often not. No Bindis, which is that dot worn by Indian women (NOT Native Americans, unless, like Nikki Haley, they are).

I don't generally do hats or head-coverings (they smoosh my hair down), so, no, I don't wear Indian headdresses - that's feather, not dot, Indians.

Don't give me crap about my use of the term Indian. I figure, as a direct descendant of one who was taken by force from his family by Indians, who also killed his mother and infant sister, as well as his brother's fiancee, and sold his sisters to others, to use them as they might - I'm entitled to refer to them any damn way I want.

Cultural Appropriation is a Bull$hit term.

If we carefully didn't style ourselves in those ways, they would say that we were hostile - else why would we NOT use those other ways to show beauty.

If we do show our appreciation of non-Caucasian beauty trends, we are belittled, even threatened for that.

As the British say, Bollocks to that.

Share

Monday, April 10, 2017

Shades of Watergate! The Hits Keep Coming!

What I find so bizarre about the Obama Spying on Trump story is that each time the Media and the Progressives (but, I repeat myself) manage to twist the truth to convince their people that the story is OVER, another facet of it pops up.

And, then, The Donald tweets about it.

Leading to another frenzied rush to pretend that this is just business as usual, nothing to see.

For those not satiated with the news coverage, here is a link to a roundup of posts/articles about it.

...and coming, and coming, and...

...and coming - in case you've forgotten some of the abusive actions, here they are.

But, but, but...

Obama had a Scandal-Free Administration!

No, he did not. He had a Journalist-Ignoring-Scandals Administration.

Just like the Old Watergate Days, when Entitled Elites (trademark pending) were appalled - not at the abuses of power, but that non-elites would Question their decisions - Who Did Those Peasants Think They WERE!

Share

Friday, April 07, 2017

Abuse of Power

The Spying on US Citizens is looking more and more like Business as Usual, and less like a one-time thing for Obama's administration.

There are many ways to deal with this besides prosecuting it as a crime. There is administrative - investigate, and if there is a finding that Rice abused her powers, yank her pension, right to use her former position as a reference, and allow those persons injured to sue and collect damages from her.

Put her under subpoena, and order her to testify - under oath - who knew about this abuse, besides her.

How can we determine whether this was an abuse?
...how do we know whether unmasking is a massive abuse of power or a perfectly appropriate exercise of discretion? We apply common sense.
Was the questionable unmasking a single, isolated instance, or was it part of a pattern?
Obama's time in office was FULL of patterns of behavior, almost all unacceptable in a republic of citizens.

There is much evidence of a pattern:


And, yes, I do believe that it's time for use to start asking:
What did he know, and when did he know it?
On a POSITIVE note, Dr. Ben Carson's appointment to Head of HUD seems to have been a GOOD thing - at least for the taxpayers. $500 BILLION in errors - some of them unauditable (That's accountant-speak for - the people spending the money, or committing us to spending the money - have little to no paper trail. That means that they spent money that wasn't theirs without receipts/contracts/proof that the recipient did what they said they would do for the money)

Share

Tuesday, April 04, 2017

If you haven't contacted your Senator,...

...do so, today, and urge them to support the change in rules (the nuclear option) that would shut off a filibuster with less than 2/3 votes. I just sent such a note to Sen. Graham, and hope he is paying attention.
Even if your Senator is not one of the 'on the fence' Senators, making your voice known will allow them to apply pressure on the squishy ones that don't want to have conflict with the other Senators.

The site to go to is here. Enter your state or Senator's name in the Search Box, and make your feelings known.

Share

A sad Way to Live a Life

Reading this, I was struck by something he said - all that energy and time expended on 'the cause' - and nothing to show for it.

On another note, Trump is facing a strong resistance - and, according to some observers, he is not acting effectively to combat it.

I'm on the fence. He seems not to care that his opponents are being funded by the very same people that want them OUT. An immediate downsizing of the bureaucracy (say, by about 1/5) would do a lot to starve the resistance.

However, I have to allow that he is experienced in working around government to achieve his ends. So, there may be an end game here, that isn't immediately obvious.

What I do know is:

For most of those who elected him, it's a HELP that he is rolling back the regulations, but it isn't a CURE.

They need a CURE - to wipe out the cancer of too much government interfering in the concerns of sovreign citizens.

In a short reference to ANOTHER ill in the world, I give you a lucid explanation of why pacifism only works in the civilized world.

We don't live in that kind of world, and I'll be damned if I will lose my life - or my civilization - trying to pretend that we do.

Share

Police Shootings

There is a directed effort to effectively disarm police. The means used to to aggressively fight EVERY police shooting, claiming that the ONLY reason the cop used his/her gun is because that cop is a racist. The media are actively assisting this effort with their unwillingness to ask reasonable questions of the spokespersons and activists.

Here is a link to Bookwormroom, who addresses this issue, asking questions the media should have, and including a very interesting interactive video.

Share

Lies of the Left

This COULD be a lengthy post. But, I'll try to winnow it down to a reasonable length. The CA Parent Bribery 'Scandal' - the 1...