No, it is not to protest SOPA, though that piece of legislation should go the way of so many bad ideas. I have been sick for the last two days, and it doesn't appear to be going away soon. As a result, I just have not been able to get up the gumption to read and think. Posting takes a lot of the second item.
I will return to posting when I am feeling better. In the meantime, please enjoy the other blog sites provided here.
Showing posts with label Personal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Personal. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
I, the Journalist
The First Amendment to the Constitution states:
The freedom of the press spoken about above is the freedom to publish, be it "news," opinions, stories, advertisements, open letters to the editor, or anything else that someone else might wish to read. The content was prepared by authors, called variously reporters, correspondents, copy writers, or more generally journalists. A journal is any daily account of events, whether those accounts be financial, a record of what you did with your time, a record of your travels on a day by day basis, or just your opinions about how events affect you. In my career with the Navy, I used a product from Franklin Covey to record my daily plan, as well as how that plan turned out. I did not publish it however. But, an interesting time can be had by exploring The National Diary Archive. A diary is another name for a journal.
Now, "blog" is short for "web log." A log is yet another name for a journal. Sailors kept logs of their travels with positions, weather, cargo, personnel, and anything else that might interest the owner of the vessel at a later time. So, if a blog is a journal, and publishing on the web is a form of publishing, then I am a journalist. I have thought of myself as a journalist ever since I started writing this blog.
What got me thinking about it today was an article at The American Thinker entitled Who is the 'Free Press' in the First Amendment? by Dan Smyth. In the article, Smyth makes the point that it is not journalists, per se, but rather the technology of the printing press that is protected. Smith makes liberal use of an article published by Eugene Volokh (blog: The Volokh Conspiracy) to back up his claim. The "press" therefore was not intended to denote an industry, a class of mandarins with special esoteric knowledge, or the "Fourth Estate," but rather to give anyone who has the means of publishing his content the ability to do so without prior restraint.
All of this seems straight forward enough. But, you would be wrong. Apparently, in a case involving liable, one Judge Marco Hernandez has declared that since one Chrystal Cox, the blogger involved, did not attend Journalism school, and since she doesn't have a boss, in the form of an editor looking over her shoulders, nor is she an "authorized journalist" from an established media company, she is not a journalist. Never underestimate the ignorance that comes out of the mouth of highly educated Judges. Of course, if Judge Hernandez had pondered on the history of journalism just a little bit, he would have discovered that most of the great journalists learned their craft through something called "on the job training," not going to elite Journalism Schools. Our early journalists were often a hard bitten, sometimes hard drinking lot with up close and personal experience with the human condition. Couple that with a healthy sense of irony and a particularly interesting turn of phrase and you have your instant journalist. Indeed, having lived a life worth writing about used to be seen as a plus in a journalist's resume.
I can not speak to the issue in the Chrystal Cox case of whether she committed liable or not, nor can I speak to the Oregon Shield Law, but I can say that I, and others like me, are indeed journalists. I don't make a dime from doing this, and my circulation is relatively small, but I am a journalist none the less.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or of the right of the people to peacefully assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.The emphasis in the above is mine.
The freedom of the press spoken about above is the freedom to publish, be it "news," opinions, stories, advertisements, open letters to the editor, or anything else that someone else might wish to read. The content was prepared by authors, called variously reporters, correspondents, copy writers, or more generally journalists. A journal is any daily account of events, whether those accounts be financial, a record of what you did with your time, a record of your travels on a day by day basis, or just your opinions about how events affect you. In my career with the Navy, I used a product from Franklin Covey to record my daily plan, as well as how that plan turned out. I did not publish it however. But, an interesting time can be had by exploring The National Diary Archive. A diary is another name for a journal.
Now, "blog" is short for "web log." A log is yet another name for a journal. Sailors kept logs of their travels with positions, weather, cargo, personnel, and anything else that might interest the owner of the vessel at a later time. So, if a blog is a journal, and publishing on the web is a form of publishing, then I am a journalist. I have thought of myself as a journalist ever since I started writing this blog.
What got me thinking about it today was an article at The American Thinker entitled Who is the 'Free Press' in the First Amendment? by Dan Smyth. In the article, Smyth makes the point that it is not journalists, per se, but rather the technology of the printing press that is protected. Smith makes liberal use of an article published by Eugene Volokh (blog: The Volokh Conspiracy) to back up his claim. The "press" therefore was not intended to denote an industry, a class of mandarins with special esoteric knowledge, or the "Fourth Estate," but rather to give anyone who has the means of publishing his content the ability to do so without prior restraint.
All of this seems straight forward enough. But, you would be wrong. Apparently, in a case involving liable, one Judge Marco Hernandez has declared that since one Chrystal Cox, the blogger involved, did not attend Journalism school, and since she doesn't have a boss, in the form of an editor looking over her shoulders, nor is she an "authorized journalist" from an established media company, she is not a journalist. Never underestimate the ignorance that comes out of the mouth of highly educated Judges. Of course, if Judge Hernandez had pondered on the history of journalism just a little bit, he would have discovered that most of the great journalists learned their craft through something called "on the job training," not going to elite Journalism Schools. Our early journalists were often a hard bitten, sometimes hard drinking lot with up close and personal experience with the human condition. Couple that with a healthy sense of irony and a particularly interesting turn of phrase and you have your instant journalist. Indeed, having lived a life worth writing about used to be seen as a plus in a journalist's resume.
I can not speak to the issue in the Chrystal Cox case of whether she committed liable or not, nor can I speak to the Oregon Shield Law, but I can say that I, and others like me, are indeed journalists. I don't make a dime from doing this, and my circulation is relatively small, but I am a journalist none the less.
Saturday, August 27, 2011
This and That
I am still here, despite Hurricane Irene. As it turned out, the Category 4 storm that blew out of the Bahamas hit the coast of North Carolina at 7:30 am today as a Category 1. We here in Raleigh have had rain and wind most of the day, but it is less than I have often experienced from mere thunderstorms. Mrs. PolyKahr and I took the grandkids to a birthday party today, tempting fate it would seem. But they had a wonderful time, and we met a few new people that we liked. So, all worked out well.
The grandmother of the little girl having the party is from Brazil. We talked for a while, and she mentioned that a lot of Brazilians who came for the economic opportunity are going back because there are jobs to be had in Brazil. I am of two minds on this: First, if the only reason they came is for a job, and the incomparable worth of American Citizenship (Brazilians come here legally by and large) is so worthless, then it is just as well they go. Secondly, I am literally embarrased that Brazil would be seen as a better place to be than the United States. The United States is the only land that could have produced the countless Thomas Edisons and Henry Fords who did not start off rich, but grew rich because they produced a product that others wanted to buy. How sad. Instead of celebrating these people, and holding them out as great examples, our current crop of politicians makes veritable criminals of those who produce, while writing the rules to favor Wall Street banksters and hedge fund managers.
Changing topics, I noticed in my blog stats, that I had a number of readers from Isreal. Welcome. I normally have readers from all over the United States, brought here by the Liberty Sphere and Eternity Road. To both Anthony Martin and Francis Porretto, thankyou. Both blogs are great reads. As for those Isreal readers, I would hope you would comment from time to time to let me know what you find of interest. I stand with Isreal in this very dangerous time we all face together.
Changing again, the Goofball Wormening hoax continues to go off the rails, with CERN announcing that cosmic rays are at least responsible for half of the warming experieced during the twentieth century. You can read about it at the American Thinker here. I have always thought that there was something wrong with the theory, even before I knew much about it. If CO2 is the cause of Goofball Wormening, then how to explain the huge variation seen in the earths climate over geological time? For most of that time, man wasn't even around, let alone driving around in SUVs. How can that be explained? Of course, the warmistas never even tried. Perhaps it is a moronic question, but it still deserves to be answered. But to answer it would lead the "scientists" necessarily to posit that goofball wormening might, just might, be caused by something else. That something else turns out to be solar activity.
Thats all for now.
The grandmother of the little girl having the party is from Brazil. We talked for a while, and she mentioned that a lot of Brazilians who came for the economic opportunity are going back because there are jobs to be had in Brazil. I am of two minds on this: First, if the only reason they came is for a job, and the incomparable worth of American Citizenship (Brazilians come here legally by and large) is so worthless, then it is just as well they go. Secondly, I am literally embarrased that Brazil would be seen as a better place to be than the United States. The United States is the only land that could have produced the countless Thomas Edisons and Henry Fords who did not start off rich, but grew rich because they produced a product that others wanted to buy. How sad. Instead of celebrating these people, and holding them out as great examples, our current crop of politicians makes veritable criminals of those who produce, while writing the rules to favor Wall Street banksters and hedge fund managers.
Changing topics, I noticed in my blog stats, that I had a number of readers from Isreal. Welcome. I normally have readers from all over the United States, brought here by the Liberty Sphere and Eternity Road. To both Anthony Martin and Francis Porretto, thankyou. Both blogs are great reads. As for those Isreal readers, I would hope you would comment from time to time to let me know what you find of interest. I stand with Isreal in this very dangerous time we all face together.
Changing again, the Goofball Wormening hoax continues to go off the rails, with CERN announcing that cosmic rays are at least responsible for half of the warming experieced during the twentieth century. You can read about it at the American Thinker here. I have always thought that there was something wrong with the theory, even before I knew much about it. If CO2 is the cause of Goofball Wormening, then how to explain the huge variation seen in the earths climate over geological time? For most of that time, man wasn't even around, let alone driving around in SUVs. How can that be explained? Of course, the warmistas never even tried. Perhaps it is a moronic question, but it still deserves to be answered. But to answer it would lead the "scientists" necessarily to posit that goofball wormening might, just might, be caused by something else. That something else turns out to be solar activity.
Thats all for now.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Taking a Break
You may have been wondering where I have been.
I have decided to take a break. While there are always events I can comment on, the fact is that I have said everything I felt compelled to say. At the same time, I realize I have been preaching to the already converted. I have not changed any one's mind, or to my knowledge gotten anyone to even rethink their positions. Of course, you only see the final product, and not the inner workings, so you could be forgiven for thinking that I am the same. But I assure you, I have over the years pondered both sides of the argument, and have changed my mind based on better evidence many times. And while the pundits are paid for this, and do a better job than I can do, I need to see to my family.
I also must confess to a certain melancholy, born of a loss of faith that there is anything that we can do to stop what is going to happen. The Lord has judged our generation, and found it unworthy, I fear. It probably isn't fair, but the Republicans have only two years to start fixing things. So far, they have claimed to have a plan, but they have done precious little to show us what it is. Everyday they waste is more political capital lost. Everyday the Democrats can keep socialism alive is that much less ground they need to pick up before they go on another tear against our liberties. People will not long remember how bad Pelosi was, and soon enough she will be back setting the agenda, and passing legislation with no regard for the Constitution.
The Constitution. When a Republican (in name only) like Lindsay Graham can say with no apparent irony that "Free speech is a nice idea, but we are at war!" I wonder if it is well and truly a dead letter.
In any case, I need to step back, refresh, and get my bearings. Oh, and smoke a pipe or two while that remains legal.
I have decided to take a break. While there are always events I can comment on, the fact is that I have said everything I felt compelled to say. At the same time, I realize I have been preaching to the already converted. I have not changed any one's mind, or to my knowledge gotten anyone to even rethink their positions. Of course, you only see the final product, and not the inner workings, so you could be forgiven for thinking that I am the same. But I assure you, I have over the years pondered both sides of the argument, and have changed my mind based on better evidence many times. And while the pundits are paid for this, and do a better job than I can do, I need to see to my family.
I also must confess to a certain melancholy, born of a loss of faith that there is anything that we can do to stop what is going to happen. The Lord has judged our generation, and found it unworthy, I fear. It probably isn't fair, but the Republicans have only two years to start fixing things. So far, they have claimed to have a plan, but they have done precious little to show us what it is. Everyday they waste is more political capital lost. Everyday the Democrats can keep socialism alive is that much less ground they need to pick up before they go on another tear against our liberties. People will not long remember how bad Pelosi was, and soon enough she will be back setting the agenda, and passing legislation with no regard for the Constitution.
The Constitution. When a Republican (in name only) like Lindsay Graham can say with no apparent irony that "Free speech is a nice idea, but we are at war!" I wonder if it is well and truly a dead letter.
In any case, I need to step back, refresh, and get my bearings. Oh, and smoke a pipe or two while that remains legal.
Monday, January 31, 2011
A few changes
You will note that I have removed What Bubba Knows from the read file, as I can no longer access the blog. If someone knows what is going on with Bubba, please let me know.
Meanwhile, I have added GunRights4Us. Hope you enjoy.
Meanwhile, I have added GunRights4Us. Hope you enjoy.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Something Different
How about something different? Something totally out of the character of this blog?
Today and tomorrow I will be making bread. And not just any bread, but sourdough bread. Bread is a staple, but home made bread is also a comfort food for both Mrs. PolyKahr and myself. She loves it hot out of the oven, as do I. Of course, I can't indulge my fondness of bread too often or I'll get fatter than I already am. But my grand daughter likes it, and likes helping me make it, so I do so maybe once a month. I like baking bread, I like kneading the dough, the miracle of it rising, getting a real oven lift, and watching as people enjoy it.
I got the sourdough starter here (note to Internet spies, I have not benefited in any way from King Arthur Flour. The only relationship we have ever had was as a customer and vendor.) It is advertised to have been descended from a starter at least 200 years old. In any case, it works very well in my kitchen. If you have ever made beer, you know how clean and sanitized everything needs to be, and if you have made enough, you know that even that doesn't always keep your product from becoming infected. Sourdough, on the other hand, is fairly bulletproof. Sourdough consists of a culture of wild yeasts and lactobacillus that in tandem pretty much excludes anything else getting into it. I have kept mine, which I call Fred, going for two years now.
This time of year, when it is really hot outside, sourdough bread tends to rise quickly. I have air conditioning, but naturally we keep it on the warm side to save money. Even so, what takes several hours at 65 degrees in the winter can take as little as 45 minutes in the summer at 80 degrees. Indeed, since the flavor of the bread is affected by how much time it spends in the various risings, it becomes a challenge to slow it down, or speed it up according to the temperature and humidity on any given day. The net result is that no two sourdough breads are the same, even if made in the same kitchen, by the same person using the same starter. It's like wine that way.
I have been working on my classic sourdough bread for two years now, and I am getting pretty good at making a reliable loaf. My first loaves were misshapen, and cutting the slit down the top was a hit or miss thing. Getting the crust to have that nice brown look also took some figuring out. But, I have mastered these skills, to an extent. My next challenge is to make ciabatta. In order to make it, I want to acquire a sturdy stand mixer with a bread hook attachment, like this from Kitchenaid (note: I haven't had any relationship with Kitchenaid whatsoever.) Ciabatta dough is a sticky dough, to which one's first instinct is to add too much flour. The mixer with the bread hook on it allows kneading without adding additional flour, this making a nice, soft, slack dough. One feature of ciabatta is that it has really large holes in the crumb. Too much flour inhibits the making of those holes.
Today and tomorrow I will be making bread. And not just any bread, but sourdough bread. Bread is a staple, but home made bread is also a comfort food for both Mrs. PolyKahr and myself. She loves it hot out of the oven, as do I. Of course, I can't indulge my fondness of bread too often or I'll get fatter than I already am. But my grand daughter likes it, and likes helping me make it, so I do so maybe once a month. I like baking bread, I like kneading the dough, the miracle of it rising, getting a real oven lift, and watching as people enjoy it.
I got the sourdough starter here (note to Internet spies, I have not benefited in any way from King Arthur Flour. The only relationship we have ever had was as a customer and vendor.) It is advertised to have been descended from a starter at least 200 years old. In any case, it works very well in my kitchen. If you have ever made beer, you know how clean and sanitized everything needs to be, and if you have made enough, you know that even that doesn't always keep your product from becoming infected. Sourdough, on the other hand, is fairly bulletproof. Sourdough consists of a culture of wild yeasts and lactobacillus that in tandem pretty much excludes anything else getting into it. I have kept mine, which I call Fred, going for two years now.
This time of year, when it is really hot outside, sourdough bread tends to rise quickly. I have air conditioning, but naturally we keep it on the warm side to save money. Even so, what takes several hours at 65 degrees in the winter can take as little as 45 minutes in the summer at 80 degrees. Indeed, since the flavor of the bread is affected by how much time it spends in the various risings, it becomes a challenge to slow it down, or speed it up according to the temperature and humidity on any given day. The net result is that no two sourdough breads are the same, even if made in the same kitchen, by the same person using the same starter. It's like wine that way.
I have been working on my classic sourdough bread for two years now, and I am getting pretty good at making a reliable loaf. My first loaves were misshapen, and cutting the slit down the top was a hit or miss thing. Getting the crust to have that nice brown look also took some figuring out. But, I have mastered these skills, to an extent. My next challenge is to make ciabatta. In order to make it, I want to acquire a sturdy stand mixer with a bread hook attachment, like this from Kitchenaid (note: I haven't had any relationship with Kitchenaid whatsoever.) Ciabatta dough is a sticky dough, to which one's first instinct is to add too much flour. The mixer with the bread hook on it allows kneading without adding additional flour, this making a nice, soft, slack dough. One feature of ciabatta is that it has really large holes in the crumb. Too much flour inhibits the making of those holes.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
An Explanation
For those of you who continued to check into my blog over the last month, a bit of explanation is in order.
On May 17th, I received a panicked call from my brother to the effect that my father was in the hospital, with something that had not yet been identified, and that my help was needed. Needless to say, I went immediately, and ended up staying for a month to help out. My mother also has health issues which needed to be addressed, as well as getting Dad out of the hospital and back on his feet.
Having returned, I am still catching up, but I hope to be blogging again soon. Fortunately, Mrs. PolyKahr had a friend who came over and assisted her here, for whom I am very grateful.
On May 17th, I received a panicked call from my brother to the effect that my father was in the hospital, with something that had not yet been identified, and that my help was needed. Needless to say, I went immediately, and ended up staying for a month to help out. My mother also has health issues which needed to be addressed, as well as getting Dad out of the hospital and back on his feet.
Having returned, I am still catching up, but I hope to be blogging again soon. Fortunately, Mrs. PolyKahr had a friend who came over and assisted her here, for whom I am very grateful.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Light Blogging Ahead
I have taken a temporary position which pays pretty well. Unfortunately, it doesn't leave a lot of time for blogging, or anything else. Therefore, blogging will be light, and on a catch as catch can basis.
Meanwhile, I encourage you to continue to visit the Blogroll pages. There is a lot of good information there, and most of these bloggers do it for love, not money. So, support them, please?
Meanwhile, I encourage you to continue to visit the Blogroll pages. There is a lot of good information there, and most of these bloggers do it for love, not money. So, support them, please?
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Women Are the Chief Civilizing Influence in Society
Sometimes conservatives can sound hard and uncaring or unforgiving with some of the things they say. It is a danger always when one becomes excited, and too focused on the argument du jour. Such is the case when Rush Limbaugh refers to feminists as "feminazis." When Mike Adams rails against "womyn" at his college, he is not disparaging women in general, but a particular ideology that would pit men and women as enemies, when in fact we were literally made for each other. What Jonah Goldberg reminds us of in an article today at Townhall.com entitled Where Feminists Got It Right is that women have been the chief civilizing influence over society since the first cave man looked at the first cave woman, and the flinty glint in his eye softened just a tad. A quote from Goldberg:
The Taliban in Afghanistan is the most extreme example of the trend. Its members claim they want to keep the "chasteness and dignity" of women "sacrosanct," but it seems like what they really want is to protect themselves from the apparently hard work of not being a savage. So under the Taliban, women couldn't ride bicycles. They couldn't wear high heels because the sound of women's footsteps might excite men. Forget appearing on radio, TV or at public gatherings. Women couldn't step out onto their balconies.And...
Forgetting the question of decency and morality for a moment, there's the matter of national interests. Female equality seems to be a pretty reliable treatment for many of the world's worst pathologies. Population growth in the Third World tends to go down as female literacy goes up. Indeed, female empowerment might be the single best weapon in the "root causes" arsenal in the war on terror.I have said before that the gun is a major civilizing influence, and it is. Guns allow the weak and infirm to be able to stand up to the young and strong. But the gun is a fall back position. Things have turned savage at that point, and there is no other options. Before we get there, our sons should be well trained in the art of being civilized, and treating all human life a precious, especially our daughters.
The reason strikes me as fairly simple. Women civilize men. As a general rule, men will only be as civilized as female expectations and demands will allow. "Liberate" men from those expectations, and "Lord of the Flies" logic kicks in. Liberate women from this barbarism, and male decency will soon follow.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Day of Infamy
Today is the anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Like 9/11, today is a day we should never forget.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Light Blogging Ahead
I apologize for the light blogging in advance. The Holiday season is rapidly upon us. We will be having family in this week. My daughter is expecting her second child this week, and there will be many other demands on my time during the next 4-6 weeks or so. I will try to keep in touch in any case, but if I don't, you'll understand.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
First Frost
For those of you keeping track of the weather, today was the first hard frost in our neighborhood. The sun came up to white stuff on the ground.
I had just mowed the yard yesterday.
I had just mowed the yard yesterday.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Anniversary Blog Post
One year ago today I started writing this blog, in the vain belief that I might thereby let a few know what they were about to unleash on this country. One year later, how's that hope and change workin' out for you?
Monday, October 12, 2009
Housekeeping
I have just added a link to Day by Day, but Chris Muir over on the left. Check out the Sunday edition. It looks like discussions around my house, heh heh.
Western Rifle Shooters Association thinks we all should check in daily, and I agree. Don't know what took me so long.
Western Rifle Shooters Association thinks we all should check in daily, and I agree. Don't know what took me so long.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Dropping the Mask
Finally, there is Mask? Who Needs a Mask? from Kevin Baker over at the Smallest Minority. I am also an engineer, a Civil Engineer. I am accustomed to dealing with facts. There are actual, verifiable facts in this world. Facts should not be ignored just because you don't like them. Of course, they do not tell they whole story, so that logic also has to be used. Emotion can not trump logic and facts, but it can be used to inform how we go about something. Go read the whole thing.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Three Years Old
Finally, for today, my Grand Daughter was officially 3 years old yesterday. We are having a party for her on Saturday, but spent a little time last night with her and her parents. Children are a great blessing, and I learn something from her each time I am with her. Hopefully, she learns some (good) things from me as well.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Educating Anti Gunners, One Person at a Time
Joe Huffman is educating an anti-gunner over at the ""View from North Central Idaho". Go have a read. I left a comment at Mr. Weinstein's site as well. To me, his list of "reasonable" restrictions, or whatever they are calling it today, looks like the Brady Campaign's list, right down to the wording. Everything is now couched in the bland sounding "reasonable" and " common sense." There is nothing that is either reasonable or common sense about these proposals. And the magical thinking involved is, of course, on full display. "If we can just pass these few extra burdens on all of us, these "reasonable and common sense" restrictions, why crime would decrease remarkably. " Here's a question, if these laws do it, finally, then we can repeal the other 20,000 gun laws that had no effect, right? No? Then I have to ask what Joe asked, namely what is the real agenda behind these new restrictions, because it sure ain't crime prevention.
I always liked Joe's formulation of "Just One Question" to shut up gun grabbers. It goes like this: Can you demonstrate one time or place, throughout all history, where the average person was made safer by restricting access to handheld weapons? To my knowledge, no one has ever answered his question.
Switching topics, there will be light blogging from now through the first of the new year. Last minute shopping a baking, then going to Virginia to visit with a sick friend will take up quite a bit of time.
A reminder, I will be at the gun show tomorrow, at the GRNC table. Stop by if you are in the area.
Have a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy and Prosperous New Year.
Update: Welcome to Mike Vanderboeg with the addition of the Sipsey Street Irregulars to the blogroll. I have found Mike's writings over the years to be powerful, and knowledgable. Mike doesn't pull any punches. I think his is just the voice we need right now.
I always liked Joe's formulation of "Just One Question" to shut up gun grabbers. It goes like this: Can you demonstrate one time or place, throughout all history, where the average person was made safer by restricting access to handheld weapons? To my knowledge, no one has ever answered his question.
Switching topics, there will be light blogging from now through the first of the new year. Last minute shopping a baking, then going to Virginia to visit with a sick friend will take up quite a bit of time.
A reminder, I will be at the gun show tomorrow, at the GRNC table. Stop by if you are in the area.
Have a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy and Prosperous New Year.
Update: Welcome to Mike Vanderboeg with the addition of the Sipsey Street Irregulars to the blogroll. I have found Mike's writings over the years to be powerful, and knowledgable. Mike doesn't pull any punches. I think his is just the voice we need right now.
Friday, November 14, 2008
On Reasons for Light Blogging
I have been visiting with my parents over the last week in Northern Ohio. My Dad was born on Veterans' Day, November 11, only it was called Armistice Day then. In the 11th month, on the 11th day, at the 11th hour, the guns of the Great War fell silent. The countries of Europe returned to politics through diplomacy, and nothing was really settled. Since Germany and her allies were not decisively defeated, twenty years later we had to go through the whole thing again in World War II, but at least the Axis powers were defeated, at great cost in lives and treasure. Unfortunately, the Communist question was left open. Rather than argue the merits of miliarily defeating the Soviet Union, let me just say that instead, we fought a cold war, until the Soviet Union fell. But that wasn't a real defeat, and so here we have Communism on the rise again in Russia and China, joined by fascism in the Islamic countries. Everyone can see it coming, but no one wants to say it out loud. Everyone seems to feel that these people can be appeased. But they can't. In essence, they seem to be angry because they "don't get no respect" and they want to pick a fight on their terms to show us that we aren't so tough. We'll see.
Meanwhile, why the Bush administration seems to be playing footsie with the Saudis is beyond me. I would rather walk everywhere if necessary, than to do business with these slimy bastards. To put it in perspective, Osama and the Al Quaida bunch are the radicals who just can't wait, while the Saudis are engaged in the art of infiltration, with the goal of toppling us without firing a shot. It looks like they are succeeding.
Meanwhile, why the Bush administration seems to be playing footsie with the Saudis is beyond me. I would rather walk everywhere if necessary, than to do business with these slimy bastards. To put it in perspective, Osama and the Al Quaida bunch are the radicals who just can't wait, while the Saudis are engaged in the art of infiltration, with the goal of toppling us without firing a shot. It looks like they are succeeding.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)