Right As Usual

At The Caller, this guy says it MUCH better than I have. Analysis:  Leftism is a status machine. A very, very successful status machine. Conservatives have lost status battle after status battle, often  because  they fought it as a policy battle. It rarely is. More at the link - read it, Share it, spread it around. [NOTE] I've added to this since I posted it - I keep finding other relevant link. Such as this one, explaining how Social Points work. I'll keep adding to this over time. I've been hammering on this blog about the need to focus on the Culture, not the Politics, for some time: Pushing Back Against the Culture The Ikea Humans It's still the Culture And, yet, more - 8:35 am - Kurt Schlichter on Town Hall. And, someone from the Indian sub-continent - with their own experiences with stratified cultures - analyzes the American Upper-Middle-Class. 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 ...

I started thinking about that misunderstanding while reading this post. Now, if you only watch ONE online video, make it THIS ONE. I promise, you won't be disappointed. The David Brooks article about the cultural divide between working class and upper class people really struck a chord with many, particularly those that, like I did, shifted between classes during my life. Read Rod Dreher's take on the controversy, and take the time to read the comments. Share

This one is just for fun - for the LoTR Fans. I have to agree with most of this.  Folks, you really have to read - or, re-read - 1984. The consequences of putting up with blatant falsehoods is spiritual death. We must re-take our American Right to speak the truth, and to hell with the consequences. Victor Davis Hanson hits it out of the park again.  I don't always agree with him - or, anyone, for that matter - but this piece, about pontificating out of you knowledge zone, is priceless. I'm distinctly NOT a person of philosophical inclinations. In college, my constant refrain was, "Yeah, but how does that work in the real world?" I have always preferred the practical to the theoretical. However, with the extra time afforded me by my recent retirement, I've started to learn more about philosophy, particularly that of economists. Go here for a cogent explanation of the early Marxist years, and how they have affected today's world. This situation , with ...

I was reading something about the change in journalism (the writer called it a crisis), and I remembered an incident from my youth. What the writer said: DETROIT  — If you are a person of a certain age it's odd to drive down a major artery in a large metropolitan American city and strain to find a newspaper box at any of the crossroads. That's especially true in a city such as Detroit, with a storied history of competitive journalism that dug deep into holding power in check, whether it was city hall, the unions or large corporations. It's not that those papers are gone. The lack of boxes is in part because of contractual delivery systems and partly because of vandalism. But the disappearing boxes are mostly because we consume our news differently. What I remembered: I was in my late teens or early twenties, and working in downtown Cleveland. Then, like so many working class girls, I was doing clerical work in some office. Not well paid, but steady work, with ...

I've been thinking about social/cultural/political changes for the last 1/2 century, why they occurred, and what changes will develop in the future. Fred On Everything has some good ideas on that. First, let's start with the idea of Make America Great Again. What does that mean? For many Liberals/Leftists/Progressives, that means that anyone yearning for it MUST want: Racism Hostility to 'furiners', particularly if they have a different language or culture than the speaker Hostility to gays - coupled with the desire to 'fix' them Reflexive rejection of non-WASP culture/music/thought/politics/whatever Willingness to use force to implement their agenda For those who support America, and do want to see it supported by others, it means: That their traditional culture be given at least the same respect that non-Western cultures are given That they will retain their right to worship as they please, and that efforts to evangelize or bring their reli...

This drives me nuts. The REAL reason the elites put up with vulgarity, poor language and reading skills, poor math skills, and other things - like slovenliness, early unwed childbirthing, and consumption of undocumented chemicals, is because they think "those people" - the lesser classes - are incapable of change. In other words, they think the lower classes are just stupid. I just can't understand why the average American doesn't call the Elite out on that. They put up no fuss when the academic requirements for occupations can't be met without post-high school education, which is both expensive, and, increasingly, not worth it. Share

And, to use the modern phrase, it sucks. Too many kids are exposed to cultural influences that are far too adult and emotionally upsetting for their age. children whose lives resemble the characters in a current young-adult novel probably need professional intervention more than they need a good book. Read more here. I was reading Bastion of Liberty today, and his post caused me to think further about this. Here is a Radical Idea: I keep returning to the idea of Culture - not Fine Arts, but the overall Culture of the Average American - to be the next Big Push by those of us who plan to MAGA. How about a push for the free networks - and the equivalent in the cable world - to return to the idea of Family-Friendly Only during the times when kids might reasonably be around - say, up until 9pm? The paid cable stations can have whatever gross/salacious/vulgar/disturbing things they want to promote, as long as its access is limited to those patrons that PAY for it. Same with ...

I ran across this when clearing out some old draft posts on this site - it's still worth reading, no matter what your political/cultural leanings. Nock on the Remnant

Actually, it started a long time ago, with the fringe monthlies that didn't kowtow to the Established Thinking.  There have always been those, largely mimeographed sheets of paper staples together, circulated by the convicted. Don't know what a mimeograph is?  Ask your granny - maybe your great-grandpappy. Or, just Google it. The Samizdats did it, even earlier, with their revolutionary documents re-typed, from one to another.  Think of the work it would take to reproduce a book by re-typing it, or copying the book into longhand. I teach American kids for whom cut-and-paste is too much work. The trend accelerated with the introduction of fax machines.  What, they're lame technology?  Tell that to the Chinese youth that spearheaded the Tiananmen Square revolution.  They did that armed largely with fax machines to spread the word. Oh, sorry, you probably CAN'T tell them - they are dead, in prison, or cowed into submission.  A few are still under house arrest or living abro...

I was reading Fred on Everything (he is interesting - an ex-cop with a jaundiced view of some of them, an expatriate living in Mexico, who contradicts many of the stereotypes about Mexicans, etc.), and he posted on a hot topic - police presence in Black neighborhoods.  His take is - refreshing. Another column of his that is worth reading is his analysis of how America is already in the dumps - BEFORE Trump.  We've already been taken over by special interests, and no longer live in a democracy (or republic). If, like me, you want to return to a time of more freedom, pre-Federal-government-runs-everything, we might want to start planning how to take the Feds down - NOT with warfare, but with resistance, tactical refusal to give them our money, and state-by-state resistance.  I'm NOT talking revolution - that's a dead idea.  Instead, let's work incrementally, to chip away at Leftist strongholds. Some starting points: Stop sending them money.  Find work that can be done...

Isn't it funny that such a statement makes me stand out?  I'll make it more pointed: I am devoutly, unashamedly in favor of teaching ALL students who are on track to be high school graduates, the Foundations of Civilization, from the perspective of Western History. This DOESN'T mean that students shouldn't learn about other cultures, just that we shouldn't glamorize them at the expense of their own culture: Learn about Japan, including its history of rule by military, its current political and economic structure, and, by the way, Japan's complete exclusion of other races/ethnic groups from full participation in that culture.  They are quite racist, as well. China - its colonization of other countries, including the country of Tibet.  Its shaky economic structure, its refusal to allow Free Speech, Freedom of Religion, and its use of political prisoners as slave labor. France - its interlocking elitist governance, its abandonment of elderly people to die, it...

I'm a teacher. The "Progressive/Social Justice" model was just beginning when I was certified.  I gotta be honest, at that time, I was all in on that approach. Fast Forward 30 years: Now, the SJW (Social Justice Warrior) model is the ONLY one. Those not toeing the line have been tossed out/retired/hounded by the RE-gressive Mob. As a result, the ONLY teaching model the younger teachers have been exposed to is SJW. What has happened to education? It's NOT a pretty sight.

I'm always puzzled by the extended outpouring of "grief" that emits from fans when their  Idol has succumbed to death, untimely or not. I mean, I want to give them a shake, loudly imploring, "Get a LIFE!".  I don't, instead ensuring my continued friendly relations by saying, "Oh, I'm so sorry to hear that", with that upturned eyebrows feign of sorrow and concern. The celebrities that have generated the most waterworks: Michael Jackson - 50 year old - even I had to experience a momentary pause, thinking it was a shame that he died so young.  Then, I thought about his victims over the years, and that feeling passed. Judy Garland - 47 - addictions. Kurt Cobain - 27 - I was too old to even know his music.  He seemed to celebrate suicide and chemical addiction. Jimi Hendrix - 27 - again, an addict, fairly predictable that he would die young. Janis Joplin - 27 - see above. Marilyn Monroe - 36 - again, the addiction problems seem to be a ...

Actually, it's a LOT like they choose their bands, shoes, cars, and spouses. Emotion. In all of the above, they like how their choice makes them FEEL. I was having a discussion with a friend who is passionate about rock bands.  I said, "My husband likes his 1950's singers for the same reason you like your bands." He started to argue with me, pointing out all of the reasons why HIS bands ruled - the lyrics, the instrumental virtuosity, the unforgettable music. Nope, I said.  You chose them for the same reason. They make you FEEL like you were young again.  They remind you of how it was to be young, at the peak of your physical powers, and attractive to potential partners. You love the FEELING, not the music. Many people pick their shoes the same.  I've long been puzzled by the many celebrity women, who, judging from the deformations of their feet, will wear tremendously uncomfortable shoes, that cause their foot and toe structure to undergo permanent damage. When y...

The gowns are lovely (although that dress that Shasha is wearing is a LITTLE too mature for a 14-year old). But - almost $20,000 for a dress for a TEEN?  When the economy is tanking fast? NOT good political thinking. Unless you're Marie Antoinette.

Bookworm's Link - you need to read it. In some respects, our current situation with the nomination is our own fault - for too long, Conservatives have been narrowly focused on POLITICAL solutions: Passing legislation to stop Obamacare, keep the status quo regarding man-woman marriage, stop abortion clinics from exploiting women, etc. Suing in courts to enforce Constitutionally-guaranteed rights Electing reliably Conservative politicians After all that effort, we find ourselves watching a NON-Conservative wanna-be candidate taking over "our" party, and being unable to stop that juggernaut, despite the Republican party having a RICH trove of potential candidates standing by.  One by one, they have been savaged in the media, until, we are down to 2 top choices - either Trump, or a man that - although I support him - is not exactly Mr. Charismatic. Folks, we need to focus more of our attention on the CULTURAL hegemony. What is "hegemony"? Progressive/Liberals/...

I'm pretty well worn out today, by a combination of things: House(s) issues - they seem to drag on forever, and, just when you think it's over, another problem pops up. Money issues - my husband and I disagree on spending.  He has declared, for the last 5 years, that THIS SUMMER, we will take a cruise.  Each time I hear that, I say, "as long as we don't put it on a credit card", which is the match lighting for a good fight.  I think we have WAY too much stuff; he thinks of shopping as a recreational activity. I've been trying to work out on a regular basis - life keeps handing me a curve ball.  Sometimes, I have gotten injured; other times, I'm so overloaded with meetings and grading, I just don't have the energy.  I'm still stuck at the same weight I have been for 3 years. Politics - I never thought I'd say this, but I'm sick of it - BOTH Democratic and Republican.  Trump is on a roll, in great part to the ego problems of people wh...

One major aspect that is wrong with American Life is that minority viewpoints use our basic desire to compromise as a way of "pushing the camel's nose into the tent".  What is that?   Here is one example of the story: One day an Arab and his camel were crossing the desert. Night came and the temperature became colder. The Arab put up his tent and tied the camel to it. The Arab went to sleep. The temperature became slightly colder and the camel asked the Arab if he (camel) could just put his nose in the tent to warm up. The Arab agreed that the camel could just put his nose in, because the tent was small and there was no room for 2. So the camel's nose became warm and after a while the temperature went down even more. The camel asked the Arab again, if he (camel) could just put his fore legs in because they were very cold. The Arab reluctantly agreed that the camel could only put his fore legs in and no more. So the camel moved in his fore legs and they became warm. Af...

She has the neatest blog - politics, culture, and, of course, fantasy and sci-fy (she is an author, having been published both IRL by Baen and in digital form). One of the best things is the way she analyzes America from the standpoint of an outsider, which she was, initially.  Sarah was born and raised in Portugal, and retains the ability to see us at a distance. "The Long March" is 2 days old, but worth the time reading it. Probably  the most crucial part? There is strife.  Strife means the old blood and the new don’t agree.  Another way to look at it is renewal. Problem is advocates of liberty are about as good at coordinated action as a bunch of cats It's true, the Left outflanks us at unified action.  Gone are the days when Democrats proudly proclaimed, "I'm not a member of a political organization - we're not organized at all". Mao and his ilk would be bursting his jacket-buttons at the way modern American Leftists have managed to corral ordinary A...