Right As Usual

Gee, who ever thought those two might be associated? I was following a link, and found this, filled with information about Sterling's downfall. Might it have neatly be engineered by some mysterious person with some interest in getting the franchise? Nah, that's silly - people NEVER engineer conspiracies for money, do they? Check out the last 3-4 paragraphs. More from that site - VERY good, worth reading. Not a sports nut (I prefer participatory sports, not spectator sports), but - I'm going to bookmark the site. Share

...something twisted this way comes. (Macbeth, Shakespeare) FBI - what did they know, and when did they know it? Call in Director Wray for a Come-to-Jesus moment. It's time We, the People, reigned in the would-be overlords in the 'intelligence' sectors. The HOW of their control is laid out here. Why now? Because, for the first time in years, we have a President whose middle name could be I-Don't-Give-A-F*** - which puts him at a YUGE advantage with a cabal who modus operandi is: if you cross us, we will release every fact, dirty secret, smear, rumor, and out-right lie we have in our arsenal (the term arsenal is deliberate - they are an armed enemy of the rest of us). OFF-TOPIC: Read this link about the Magnitsky Act - it is NOT about orphans , it is more complicated than that (as are many stories about Russia - still one of the most tortuously complex and intertwined political/social/cultural/familial systems on the planet). NOTE: If you want to see topics tr...

Am I a Luddite? Am I suggesting a move to Amish country (which is beautiful, although unbelievably pungent with animal smells)? No. I'm suggesting that we detach from media amusements. Jettison the cable, detach from watching the news (try reading the print edition online - it's faster, and you can skip the boring parts). Although I do actually like Lebron James, I do not look to him to provide me with moral guidance. His comments about Trump are fair - both of them are entitled to their opinions, which are, for the most part, derived from their very different experiences and relationships. I just don't like injecting political stances into a game. So, I've made a decision not to watch - not that I did much. That Kneeling Thing - it started, I believe, because sitting was seen for what it was - blatant disrespect. The Kneeling Thing is an attempt to use the religious-associated stance to deflect criticism. For that reason, I reject it - it's a hijacking ...

It's about fanaticism. About not just disagreeing with someone, and talking to them, in an effort to understand their thinking, and - perhaps - change their mind on issues. It's about demonization. When your opponents are not merely wrong, but the Essence of Evil. The South had one thing right - there was nothing civil about The Civil War. It was a War Between the States. If this continues, it will become a War Between the Cities and Not-Cities (suburbs, rural areas, and small towns). The Declination has an old post addressing this , from January, 2016. Such a long time ago. How might we survive, both individually and as a nation? Hunker down, pay off debt, and detach yourself as much as you can from dependency. Failing that, try to diversify your income sources - yes, that means part-time work, freelance work, and under-the-table work/bartering. If the powerful can control whether or not you have access to money/income/daily needs, they own you. The peasant, who...

I'm fine with people who hold an opinion on principle. One example is those who believe that ALL businesses must serve the public, even those they disagree with. If held sincerely, they would serve, not only LGBT+, but also Christians, Muslims, Atheists, and those holding firm for Traditional Marriage. That doesn't often happen. What does happen is that these 'principled' people will fight for the rights of those they agree with, and conveniently ignore the rights of those whose opinions they oppose. One such person, whose rights are being trampled - with impunity - is Trey Trainor. His case is detailed here. IF you value 1st Amendment rights, you have to champion all who seek to use them - EVEN those with whom you disagree. Share

From the Inside. This may not be as easy as it might seem - Leftists really ARE different from us. So. What CAN we do? This - warning - NSFW. Play at your own risk. Share

Progressives/Leftists/Liberals have kept themselves from imploding by checking the polls and crying out: Look, Look - NOBODY likes Trump - both Obama and HRC are more popular than he is. Just keep screaming, and, when we click our heels together, we'll be back in power. Or, something like that. It's just about all that keeps them from OD'ing on Xanax and Chardonnay. Didja ever wonder how those stats came about? Why they are so at variance with your personal experience? Wonder no more. Share

... a Goodie. (Actually not that old - from 9/12/17, but - in Internet Dating, it's a lifetime). Also, something that has driven me nuts for years. Leftists saying/writing something outrageous, then pretending that they were just kidding when confronted with it. But, not being able to handle even slightly 'triggering' words. Also, a new way of looking at political divisions - not as simple as it seems.  Go there, the explanation is worth it. Just one more - some good pictures/memes. Share

I'm posting twice today - I thought about scheduling it, but decided to get this out there. Ace of Spades is a regular stop for me, each day. They epitomize the best of blogging. They've developed a hard-core group of commenters - some of them commenting just to be able to write FIRST. You could learn a lot from how they do it: Regular posting - in their case, every day. But, that's not absolutely necessary. Just start using a schedule.  If you run across an idea that can't wait, OK, ignore the schedule and post it right then. Then, the next post should be back on schedule. Use of guest bloggers. If someone is permitted to post on your blog, they will likely visit it, even when they don't have a post - it's human nature. Themes for the day/week. Pet thread - with pictures. Chess day. ONT - the Overnight Thread. Basically, Ace throws it open to all comers, and the commenters run it. Gardening. Painting. Food. Anniversaries - 9/11, but also ...

An essential part of getting rid of corruption, influence-peddling, and bureaucratic over-regulation lies in reducing the size of government. For some background information on HOW the federal government grabbed all of that power, see the link here. The real questions are: What should we do? and How should we do it The first question can be answered simply - 10% less. Cut department budgets by 10%. Challenge every Secretary to examine budgets for the last 5-10 years, and eliminate any program, grant, or increase since that time. Give incentives to people who identify places to cut in their departments - perhaps a substantial bonus, or paid vacation time, or a bump to their retirement savings? What? Employees don't have retirement savings? They depend completely on government pensions? Offer a match for any employee setting up an account - for every dollar you save, we'll add $1 the first year (or two). Get them to set up regular payments through payroll de...

The Right has a lot of people making cogent, thoughtful, well-researched analyses of the theory of political action. They do a piss-poor job of actual putting that theory into action.  You really need to read the article at the previous link - it will give you a lot to think about. One thing that will help is to read more on the Left's many political analysts' writings. One such is: How can you find out more about how the Left thinks without sending some money their way (by buying books)? Borrow from libraries Buy ONE copy (preferably at a discount), and share among members of your group Use Kindle Unlimited for these purchases Now, that doesn't completely eliminate the profit to the (spit!) Leftist, but it does reduce it - a lot. But, for serious thinkers, there is little substitute for getting into the actual writings of people, in order to learn from their tactics and strategies, and come up with effective ways to counter them. Knowledge is Power...

I've been reading Jacobite - an online magazine dedicated to:  philosophy, cultural analysis, exit, and post-politics.  It has interesting content, and is worth looking at. One article that caught my eye - it has to do with the idea that the Right can't merely be non-Left. They have to embody a way of living that is more than just an angry anti-whatever. Felix Miller, the author, also pushes against the idea of The Red Pill Moment - that conversion to Right Thinking comes as a bolt of enlightenment.  Instead, he argues, living the Right Life is a process, rooted in a way of living that cherishes, and takes delight in, the underlying cultural foundations. Another article explains a phenomenon I've long wondered about - why on Earth would someone engage in actions that have a low likelihood of success, and a high likelihood of jail time? Wonder no more.  And, there are some practical suggestions for activities for Would-Be Hardcore. Share

I have to admit, some of this piece hit a little too close to home. I recognized the extent to which I have become 'commoditized' - stripped from my roots, and willing/able to fit in anywhere, without regard to culture. And, yet, compared to my kids, and grandkids, I have connections to my older, cultural heritage. I actually remember those relatives that were born in the 19th century, listened to their stories, and picked up the flavor of their lives. And, yet, thanks to a father who left WV at a young age, and re-located in Cleveland, OH, I retain only a tenuous connection to that part of my family. My mother's parents moved to FL when I was about 10, for good, and only returned for occasional visits. My memories of them are still strong and vivid, unlike my younger brothers and sisters, who knew them primarily through photos. America has always had its share of people with wanderlust - the unrooted folks, who pushed across the country, restlessly moving into new ...

We don't currently charge those in flood/hurricane-prone locations sufficiently. And, that makes the rest of the USA pay for cheaper housing in those areas.  The National Flood Program is in the hole, financially. This has to stop. A really bad season can wipe out disaster relief for years to come. Let's start phasing in the changes - at the end of the next 10 years, ALL locations in the USA must have their residents charged according to what their actual risks are. What will that likely mean? In some locations, housing will become absolutely unaffordable. Housing, for all but the very rich, will be higher than can be paid for. Some weather-disaster-prone locations will experience less growth, even shrinkage. Other areas will find that they are advantaged, as they seldom have catastrophic events happen. Individuals will try to go without insurance. Some will be wiped out. Bankers, on the hook for much of the money, will refuse loans for those not having high enough ...

Some ideas for managing the mess of recovery - I'm thinking Triage, which uses the following categories: First responders using START evaluate victims and assign them to one of the following four categories: Immediate (red) Delayed (yellow) Walking wounded/minor (green) Deceased/expectant (black) Immediate  This category is the one that gets immediate attention. In medical patients, it's the person who, without immediate assistance, would die. For disaster victims, this would be business/hospitals/gas stations/restaurants/insurance agencies, etc., that provide vital resources, and whose facilities can be cleared out relatively quickly. Get those businesses back on their feet, and, they will not only provide services, relieving the rescue groups, but also provide employment and cash flow. Local businesses should get the most help; the nationally-affiliated companies should get involved with their local businesses in need. Delayed Here I would group the bars/...

My university, Cleveland State, made a boneheaded, and over-reaching move this weekend. Tiffany Roberts, chapter president of CSU’s Turning Point USA club, told The College Fix that members of the chapter gathered around 6 p.m. Sunday evening to chalk a 9/11 tribute onto the sidewalks of the public university to honor those killed in the terrorist attacks. Roberts said that around 7:45 a.m. Monday morning, a university employee arrived at the memorial with a power washer and removed the memorial. Like many, Cleveland State University’s Turning Point USA chapter wanted to recognize the 16th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. So members of the pro-capitalist student group gathered Sunday evening to chalk a memorial onto the sidewalks of the public university’s campus, an exhibit that included an  American flag with the words “No day shall erase you from the memory of time” under it. However, the artistic memorial didn’t last long. Hours after it was created, the un...

It was the defining moment of my adult life. It was a sharp break between The Way I Thought It Was, and The Actual Reality. Up to that point, I'd always been a Liberal, Democrat-Voting, Accept that the Left is ON THE "RIGHT" SIDE OF HISTORY kind of girl. It really was a beautiful morning. I was quietly working in my classroom when my husband came in, tears in his eyes. Then, he told me what had happened. This blogger gets it - and expresses it so much better than I. Check out the difference between the Google.com page, and Bing.com - Google has NONE of the doodles it uses for less important days. Bing's page is low-key, and lovely. Share

I've made no secret about my general dislike of tats. They're expensive (which is a concern mostly because most of the people getting them are not over-flush with cash), potentially health-threatening, and, to many other than the possessor - ugly.   They may not be compatible with many jobs , even today, when so many people visibly have them. In a recent study in which participants were asked to rate the employment suitability of people with and without tattoos based on photographs, the findings revealed that there is “still bias toward tattoos in the workplace,” says Michael J. Tews, an associate professor in the School of Hospitality Management at Penn State University, who conducted the research. Tews also found a correlation between those with a higher number of tattoos and counterproductive behavior at work, such as tardiness, being argumentative and theft, so “there may be a grain of truth to the deviant stereotype,” says Tews. Imagine that! A stereotype mi...

Sex and marriage are - shall we say - intimately entwined. The share of Americans ages 25-34 who are married dropped 13 percentage points from 2000 to 2014. A new book by sociologist Mark Regnerus blames this declining rate on how easy it is for men to get off. Today's American norms show that very few people need to marry to achieve their goal of having as much sex as they want. Self-love for men and women is at an all-time high. A 1992 study found that 29 percent of men (and 9 percent of women) masturbated at least once a week. In 2014, 49 percent of men (and 32 percent of women) confessed to doing it at least once in the previous six days. Unsurprisingly, “as frequency of [watching] porn increased, so did masturbation.” That's sex. Not love. Love remains elusive for many, if not most, of the American population. Ironically, the things that drive men to marry aren't what you'd think - the Top 4, according to Match.com: Someone who treats them with res...

Talking Points Memo has a long, but very comprehensive post about the dangers of monopolies like Google. Other Things of Interest: Hamilton was NOT a fan of unrestricted immigration. Oh, NO! Will the musical be boycotted, due to unacceptable veneration of a HATER? Hamilton - The Musical. ALL attempts at biography get some things wrong. In part, this can be influenced by biases of the writer. However, a more dominant impact is wielded by the fashionable cultural/social/political trends at the time. Biographies during the 50s tended to view subjects through an American lens - hence, Winston Churchill was analyzed via his connections to America - FDR, Jennie Churchill (his mother, an American), and other people in his life that might have influenced his life. In the 60s, opposition to 'the Establishment' was the theme of several biographies, which played up those aspects of Jefferson's term that opposed a prior president's actions - The Alien Act, The Se...

This is the proper response to people parading around with Nazi symbols. Not screaming. Not violence. Laughter. (It's VERY hard to find a clip of the part where the silly Hitler is shown. Springtime for Hitler, easy. The clip where the audience finds the Hitler character funny - not). The over-the-top, hysterical response to a handful of pseudo-Nazis (in the link, they are referred to - I think fairly - as Nazi LARPers - Live Action Role Players) is ridiculous. Yes, I said Ridiculous. The Nazi Party, and their leader, have been so demonized that they cannot, will not, gain a foothold in our lifetime. Just about every civilized person in the Western World recoils in disgust at the thought of encountering one (well, except for most of the Middle East - the Arab World - who both supported Hitler and also sell the most copies of Mein Kamp every day). So, to sob hysterically at the THOUGHT of them is - Ridiculous. Worthy of Ridicule. Share

This is wrong, in so many ways, that I can only BEGIN to list them (Boldface are direct quotes from the article): He’ll be able to play the political outsider card harder and heavier than Trump. Are you Freaking Kidding Me? A political outsider, by definition, is one whose only connection with politicians is to lobby to make his job easier. Or, vote. Zuckerberg is a HEAVY contributor PACs affiliated with Democrats. He is pretty even-handed in contributing to politicians, but he has vocally endorsed mostly Democrats. His main business, Facebook, has been manipulated by Leftists to skew the socialization to the Left. Zuckerberg doesn’t need a dime of anyone else’s money. According to the author, he can ignore the donor class. From what I've seen of rich guys running for President, they NEVER use their own money when other people can be tapped for cash. Whether or not he hustles the big-money donors doesn't matter - his interests are identical to theirs. Zuckerbe...

I'm working to make Sundays the day I DON'T comment on politics, but rather use as an opportunity to reflect on the place of my faith in my life. To that end, I'm starting with A Reflection on Mercy From Official Teaching of the Catholic Church 2447. "The works of mercy  are charitable actions by which we come to the aid of our neighbor in his spiritual and bodily necessities. Instructing, advising, consoling, comforting are spiritual works of mercy, as are forgiving and bearing wrongs patiently. The corporal works of mercy consist especially in feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and burying the dead. Among all these, giving alms to the poor is one of the chief witnesses to fraternal charity: it is also a work of justice pleasing to God. 2448. "In its various forms—material deprivation, unjust oppression, physical and psychological illness and death— human misery  is the obvious sign of the ...

I've been trying to hold to a schedule with this blog - every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, there would be a new post. If a topic is especially timely, I might add to that schedule, but, even so, I've been working for almost 3 months to keep on track. Last Wednesday, I blew it. I have been organizing and cleaning my house, and just plain forgot. Rather than try to write a make-up post, I'm just going to get back to the schedule with this Friday post. I've been looking for some blogs that are fresher - a lot of the bloggers I follow are being harassed, threatened, overwhelmed with life/family/work issues, and - just plain tired. So, below are some new blogs that I've been looking at: Another blogger gets dumped by her hosting service - for no reason that she can determine, but the ever-popular excuse TOS - violation of the Terms of Service. She managed, with the help of friends, to get the site back up at another host, but, she makes a good case for using an ...