Thing That Make You Go Hmmmmm

It’s truly mind-boggling just how INcurious most mainstream media persons are. Given an odd situation ,they can be counted on to dismiss, overlook, and ignore any hint that the story bears looking into.

Such as this one - that, alone, could have broken the logjam that kept the Stolen Election story from being understood as a legitimate point to investigate. Yet, it STILL is being ignored.

Better Than I Could Have Said

A Leftist complains about ‘book banning’, and is schooled. Read it all, but especially the comments. 

Are We There Yet?

Not yet. We seem to be getting into place, just waiting for the spark.

Keep in mind, this is not a one-way rachet. It may take some back-and-forth to push Americans to the wall. At that point, it's Fight or Die.

Few of us would initiate a fight. Most of us would work very hard to avoid a confrontation from which we cannot walk away.

But, the time may come. I'm planning as though it may come at any time - for that purpose, we store up food, water, and emergency supplies. Not necessarily guns and ammo - that's a personal decision.

Find or develop some skills that might make you useful, should there be a disruption of civil services:

• Food prep or food gardening
• Being able to rig/supply equipment for safe, clean water
• Communications - ham radio, both with the handhelds and with HF (long-distance) equipment would be good
• Use of drones - there are programs to train you to handle them correctly
• Neighborhood security - that may, in some cases, merely be knowing your neighbors and making sure they are safe and supplied. Might be experience with spotting IEDs or other issues - I have little doubt that the Left will use any means to achieve their goals - they have already demonstrated that they will use clubs and incendiary devices to wreck havoc, destroy property, nd assault anyone who stands in their destructive way.
• First aid/medic capability/training/EMT
• Use of defensive tools - preferably, knowing when NOT to use them
• Fitness to handle physical work
• Leadership experience

Note, I'm not suggesting a training camp to drill people on weapons and ways to kill. MOST of what will be needed will be support for people in the affected areas - IF it is needed (the current tyrants and their accompanying thugs may just run for the hills).

It's possible that the whole shebang may collapse with hardly a shot fired on either side.

Who knows? But, as a former Girl Scout, I know it's better to Be Prepared.

Not me, but that was the uniform I wore. The newer ones are tan.

I took my oath seriously. I threw myself into the experiences as best I could.

I would expect no less today, however much I've aged. And, my husband, a former Boy Scout (Order of the Arrow), who learned the camping skills over many years.

The Human Dream, Expressed in Media

I found this link on Substack. The creator is Ted Gioia, who writes on The Honest Broker.

Ted begins this essay with Don Quixote, and links the would-be knight to the Star Wars franchise. 

Now, Star Wars and other action heroes franchises are currently teetering on the verge of collapse. That’s not because the yearning for a hero is over.

Rather, that’s because the manufacturers of the movies have lost touch with the underlying motivation of the audiences to spend their time with the stories.

They want a hero. They enjoy the idea that ordinary men (and women) can rise to an occasion of need, and face overwhelming odds against them, and yet, not give up.

That’s the common theme of so many of the most successful movies:

• StarWars
• Spider-Man
• Superman
• Batman
• Die Hard
• The Hobbits and other characters in LOTR
• Walking Tall
• All the President’s Men
• Hacksaw Ridge
• Sargent York
• The Alamo
• Finding Private Ryan

It’s probably one of the most ancient desires of humankind. We will forgive a lot of flaws in those that are willing to defend their people till the end. That is why the campaign by the Leftists to disassociate reciprocal loyalty on the part of women was so devastating to families and the culture.

Why was Superman (the 1978 version) such a shock for Hollywood?

They MEANT the movie to be seen ironically. In subsequent movies, they incorporated increasing levels of “wink, wink, we’re playing this for laughs” scripting.

Didn’t matter. Christopher Reeves played Superman straight, and kept the story alive. Without him, the movies  would have flopped.

Biometrics Are in Your Future, Peasant!

I don't get it. The Overlords are fighting REAL ID with all the ammunition they have at their command (Federal DOJ, lawsuits, state-level roadblocks, OCR - Office of Civil Rights, etc.), and yet they are pushing this privacy-invading 'technology' with all their might.

Currently, the recognition technology for facial analysis and matching is in the 90/100 for accuracy. That's a lotta false positives, and more than a few false negatives.

Essentially, at this point, worthless. However, what the manufacturers are doing, by being installed at airports, is gaining access to a wide variety of faces at the intersection points. In essence, getting their technology testing done at OUR expense. And, in the process, building a Giga-Big database - which THEY will control. Note that the TSA is planning on a NO EXEMPTIONS policy. Wonder if that will extend to Muslims?

The other tech that TSA is planning to impose on you is here.

How soon before they bring in the retinal scans? Mandatory fingerprint checks - at least or those non-favored people. Wouldn't do to use it on Black people - you might catch them with open warrants or other reasons to detain them.

Local Push-Back on Leftism

Oklahoma is one of those leading the way!

The more I think about it, the more I am interested in city, county and state government as a way to push back against the Woke-and-Soon-to-be-Broke.

It doesn't take that many votes to prevail. At the state level, the legislators are elected from relatively small districts. Those districts often outnumber those of the big cities. So, non-urban concerns have a chance to be heard.

Catholic Church Under Siege

And, unfortunately, the Church leadership is NOT standing firm.

In NYC, a Church posts a pro-trans statement - next to the altar. 

A good project (I'm not volunteering, I have too much on my plate already) would be for people in a given diocese to contribute to a data set of Non-Canonical Abuses by Church Leaders. Name the people involved.

The motto of The Christophers organization comes to mind now - "It is better to light a single candle than to curse the darkness".

Apparently, the Biden Tyranny doesn't agree. This time, they eventually backed down.

Faithful Catholics scare governments. The concept of putting spies in churches is one that ALL churches should resist, and make their displeasure known. Doubt they will, though. That really does tick me off - Catholics have been in the forefront of government resistance on behalf of other churches for many years. It would be nice to see some solidarity on the part of the Protestants, Jews, and other religious organizations.

BTW, for those who want a more traditional media for the same story as above, here is Newsweek.

Salon thinks that Catholics who involve themselves in government are scary.

And, finally, not directly related to the Catholic Church, but certainly in opposition to one of its core tenents:

Humans to be immunized against pregnancy by vaccine.

Because, of course, the record of medicine re: vaccines is so good.

/sarc

As someone who suffers from two different autoimmune diseases (Rheumatoid Arthritis and Asthma), I have some personal experience with the downside of over-activation of the standard bodily defense system. That effort can cause it to turn on the patient.

What, exactly, causes the immune system to go into hyperdrive is unknown at this time. But the prevailing hypothesis is that there is a trigger - a recent infection possibly - that starts the autoimmune avalanche.

COULD vaccines be a factor?

Possibly. And, for that reason, we need to be very cautious about adding more vaccines to the current mix.

Offbeat Reading for Me

I don't often delve into economics. I had an incredibly boring Econ 101 class my first semester in college, and it soured me on the field.

To this day, I have a hard time understanding how money - the exciting way we trade commodities - could possibly be made to be so sleep-inducing. I always said that if economists taught Sex Ed, the human race would die out.

But, I do try to shore up my deficient knowledge. I've read some of the seminal articles and essays of the Libertarian core library. That's been helped by the free and very full downloadables of FEE (The Foundation for Economic Education) - a great resource for teachers anxious to counter the Leftist propaganda in schools. Another resource is Mises Institute, which has an extensive collection of books, articles and courses.

I was following a link from another site, when I landed here. VDare is frankly a White Supremacist site. However, I could not access the original interview on Forbes. Amazingly, that magazine dedicated to commerce actually insists on being PAID for their work!

I urge you to read it. It explains a lot about why the Leftists currently in power have so much in common with the Chinese government. They both operate along the same lines of putting Elites in charge, and exacting their pound of flesh from the proles to do their jobs.

Who ARE You?

I’m asking seriously. Who, at your core ARE you?

What are your values?

What would you do to defend them?

Forget about taking up arms, when in extremis. It’s more important to define just how far you will go, BEFORE that point.

Would you dare to publicly oppose neighbors, family, and friends? Even if that opposition is simply as mild as “No, a genetic man can never ‘become’ a woman”. Or, it is simply not right or fair for men (or, as the Left would put it, TransWomen) to compete physically against an actual biological woman. That there is a reason that boys used to be told not to hit girls. It’s not a fair fight.

Would you take on local government? Put in a protest of policies that DISfavor certain ethnic groups? Protest at school board meetings about offensive or discriminatory materials used in classrooms or the school library? Sign a petition? Attend a meeting?

The above are all fairly low-level actions that are not going to put you in jeopardy of being arrested, not bankrupt you. But, by participating in them, you may give courage to others who are weary of the Left’s encroachment on every facet of modern life.

I cannot believe that people will rise up in armed revolution, if they won’t even risk their comfort on an issue important to them. If you won’t dare take a stand, nor sign your name to a petition, nor stop hiding behind anonymity on social media, I cannot believe your assertion of solidarity with forces opposing the Leftist Juggernaut.

If Not Now…

When?

I think this guy is right.

It will not get easier or less painful to dissent. It will become more difficult and more damaging in the future - IF you do not begin NOW.

I’m getting quite impatient with those who say, “But, I might lose my job.” Or that their family will suffer social ostracism.

Well, yeah, they might. And if you don’t think it will get worse, seeing as the Repressive Forces of the Left are not being resisted, you haven’t learned anything from history.

The sad truth is, when tyrants don’t encounter pushback they become emboldened to exact even more repressive and cruel rules, regulations, and laws. And, to seek out the dissidents for especially cruel torture. Those actions put the fearful in even greater fear. Soon, even the THOUGHT of resistance will cause them to self-censor errant and resistant thoughts. Such clamped down on thoughts will never surface as speech, let alone action.

They will fearfully and willingly build their own cage.

 

Woke vs. Powerful

The so-called "Woke" women are said to be frightening the Knuckledraggers of the USA (K.O.T.U.). In the non-Woke Super Mario Brothers movie, Princess Peach is said to be an example of Empowered Female Warrior in the Woke tradition.

Eh. 

Powerful female warriors have been around for a LONG time. In the original Conan the Barbarian, Sandahl Bergman (a 6 foot woman, who was a professional dancer and very fit) played the part of Valeria, a very capable fighter. In the film, she did her own stunts. Her most memorable line was a taunt to Conan when he hesitated to take on the villains:

Do you want to live forever?

She was one of the best parts of the film. And, as a non-anorexic, athletic woman, her fighting skills were more believable (unlike the MANY gurls in film who, at less than 120 pounds, successfully defeat 250 pound or more fit men.

I like a good fight scene, but that just is WRONG. That is simply NOT GONNA HAPPEN.

Because, Physics.

There MUST Be a Reason That This Solution Hasn't Been Tried

I mean, other than the OBVIOUS one - that the Federal Reserve system, like most of government, is hopelessly corrupt.

My solution is simple - if a bank gets bailed out from its own stupidity in making loans that cannot be repaid, the Fed should:

• Allow limits on the amount that larger holdings by DEPOSITERS will be 'insured' - after the statutory limit is hit, the next $ 200,000 is reimbursed at 75%, the next at 50%, and down to $0 reimbursement. That will encourage the growth of banks beyond the 'Bigs'.
• Stockholders will have to take their lumps, and get their money - if any - from what remains.
• Any bank that failed, but is still viable, will need to be broken up into smaller banks, which will have to be audited (and, presumably, put their more feckless employees on the chopping block). 

The bank's boards will be responsible for repaying some of the loss, should their tenure have coincided with reckless operation. Those on corporate boards are, in fact, legally liable for not exercising due diligence and permitting fiscally irresponsible acts.

No AM in Cars? A VERY Bad Idea

There are many reasons for not eliminating AM in Electric cars - not having local access to emergency information is just one of them.

So why do it?

The manufacturers could be forced to shield the radio transmissions from interference by the electrical system. It might not be cheap, but it could be done.

But the federal government is not doing it.

Now, I think it's clear that protecting the American consumer is not the reason. The Feds don't care a whit for any of us.

The REAL reason is that AM radio - even after Rush Limbaugh's death - is a powerful counter to the Media Monopoly. It is a market that is still open for innovative broadcasters, political commentators, and challenges to Leftist Groupthink.

I still listen to AM occasionally. It does make the time pass on long trips. And, I appreciate the alternative nature of the medium.

That's the real danger, from the perspective of Leftists. It's a challenge to the Mainstream Media. God forbid that we manage to get Unapproved News from the Non-Left. It a particular concern as Trump's trial in NY, and the upcoming 2024 elections, will likely be a major topic of such Dissident Media.

It's just one more step in the drive to clamp down on Unofficial Information.

Be warned. And, get a radio/radio license. It could be the one thing - other than a gun - that will save your family from catastrophe.

Find a local club of radio amateurs here - ARRL. Connect with them, spend some time learning about equipment (many hams have MORE than enough radios, and will often sell you a gently used one at a very fair price). Learn how to use that radio.

The REAL Men vs Women Venn Diagram

There is a popular Venn Diagram that purports to be 'More Inclusive' of What is being called Non-Traditional Women (i.e., those who are NOT women).

Shown below.

A more accurate Venn Diagram showing the actual reality.

That's IT.

It doesn't matter how many X chromosomes you have. The absence of a Y chromosome is what differentiates Men from Women.

A Roundup of Items that I Thought Worth Looking At

Yes, I DID end that with a preposition - it's a Cleveland Thing, you wouldn't understand.

First up is a link to Glenn Reynolds' new Substack - this is a thoughtful piece about Religion and Other Cohesive Forces, and how they work in societies. Some sort of Religion or Religion-Like structure may be necessary for societies to function.

A look at COVID, and an admission that he may have been wrong about how to handle the virus. Full Disclosure: I am solidly on the side of using your immune system to handle these things, in general. OBVIOUSLY, if there is a threatened outbreak of Ebola or some other MAJOR pathogen with high percentages of deaths associated with it, you use various quarantine procedures.

However, the Federal governments, and those of the states, did NOT use those means. People entered this country, both legally and illegally, without little attempt to limit their movement around the country. Oh, sure, there was some attempt to hold them in isolation for a time - but that was limited, not enforced by the government (it was largely voluntary), and quickly broke down under the pressure of the travel industry.

Instead of the time-tested procedures of quarantine, masking was used. And, to be honest, it was generally aggressively enforced against White people. I know that MANY People of Color - Hispanic and Black - regularly used their masks laxly, often not covering the nose, or taking them on and off seemingly randomly.

My doctor is STILL enforcing the masking in his office - it's one of the things that is keeping me from more regular medical care. I just cannot understand health professionals with the masks on.

There are downsides to ramping up your immune system - the most obvious is that you may fall victim to an autoimmune disease later in life. I have allergies, asthma, and Rheumatoid Arthritis, all of which have their roots in an overactive immune system.

However, compared to dying at a young age, it's not that important.

I DO support some immunizations - DPT for infants, polio (if there are many foreign travelers around, or anti-vaxxers), possibly smallpox (it's one of those likely to be weaponized). Most of the childhood diseases are not that serious for a healthy child. If your child is less healthy, they may be necessary. Parental decision in each case.

For the elderly, pneumonia/shingles/flu/COVID - at the PATIENT'S discretion. NOT mandated by any health plan.

In place of often ineffective shots, the health plans should focus on home nursing of those lightly infected, and how to recognize when more aggressive treatment is warranted.

One serious problem in many cities is the overuse of ER facilities. There should be a standard charge - yes, even for the extremely poor or illegal aliens - that will be waived if the illness is severe enough to justify the visit. For use of ER facilities for not-urgent illness or injuries, such as normal colds, the parents or family members should be forced to attend classes in care of family with mild diseases - use of thermometers, O2 sensors, OTC meds, and how to recognize when a call for an ambulance is needed, and when it is not. Hand out temp sensors and O2 sensors, and perhaps some OTC cold/flu meds after class ends. That could also include care of asthma, diabetes, and other common conditions that are not emergency level needs.

No charge for using Urgent Care centers.

Set up pods for the not-that-sick to use while waiting their turn outside of the hospital. Let those having their own cars stay in them while waiting their turn. Don't include access to TV or internet, or food or drink other than water. Have limited 2-way communication with the nursing staff in those pods.

The Biden administration is targeting your window AC. Now, that's not generally such a big deal here in OH, but in SC, it can be life and death. The most affected are the elderly and Black people, who constitute 80% of those dying due to the heat.

Can't wait to hear how the government manages to blame Trump for those deaths.

This identity designation will distort the White Man Kills stats. I initially thought that the so-called man would turn out to be a M-to-F trans person. I'm not that flabbergasted that the person is F-to-M; in either case, the shooter would have been someone whose endocrine system had been flooded with mood-distorting chemicals, likely leading to some emotional instability (some would say that the instability preceded the chemical infusion).

This is Legislation that I Approve of

Short, and targeted at a particular need - a very important need.

If we can't reduce the size of government just yet, perhaps we can whittle away at it by reducing the powers of the more or less permanent staff. AND, make them time-limited employees, who have to be appointed by the President and confirmed by Congress.

Baby steps.

WHY Did the Congress Have to Declare an Emergency?

 You need to read this. It lays out the case for the “Insurrection” having been a manufactured event, in order to stop the certification objections from having a way to reach the Supreme Court. 

Why Waste Time with the "News"?

It's getting to be pretty predictable.

Step 1:

Outrage about the horrors of the "Fascists" and "Something-Phobes"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

24/7 coverage of this "News". Nonstop and repetitive spewing of identical talking points.

Step 2:

Some non-conformist uncovers facts not supporting the Accepted Truth. Immediate, vicious pushback against this Heresy!

Deplatforming, Demonetizing, and Loss of Job/Privacy/Ability to appear in public/Complete ban from appearances to discuss the newly-uncovered facts.

Step 3:

LONG after the truth is unearthed, there is a TINY admission that the facts were, in fact, factual (usually admitted grudgingly, and with an absolute minimum of explanation). Insistence that the pseudo-facts of the Left were essentially correct, until MANY, MANY months later.

Step 4:

When the slandered and abused truth-teller attempts to resurrect his/her career, the Left still resists, saying that the full story is not known (and implying that they would be vindicated if it were), it's all "Old News", and that the story is simply a trope that the Fascist Haters use to avoid admitting their deep-seated hostility to the Side of Goodness and Light. And Blacks and LBGT&&&&&& (whether the whole issue even centered on them).

That Formerly Depersoned Non-Leftist will NEVER regain their position, their reputation, nor their ability to function in society. They are history.

But, now on to the Latest News:

McConnell has fallen! Doesn't that sound like the title of an action flick?

Well, that's to be expected - that a 80+ politician/public figure falls is actually NOT news. It's a common event. And, when the old geezer/geezette does so, their body usually takes a big hit - sprains, broken bones, concussions, bruises. Hospitalization is often necessary, in order to be able to rule out underlying causes for the fall.

In some cases, serious health issues are found. In others, it's just one more fall in a lifetime of clumsy movement (I've tripped since childhood, causing multiple sprains and bruising. As an old person, those falls caused ligament damage, broken bones, and need for a cane/brace to fully recover).

This is the norm for a society content to elect geriatric leaders. I'm with the folks who want EVERY over 75 candidate to take a mental functioning test. It should be the standard test that looks for evidence of strokes, mental slowing, and dementia, not one that considers non-adoption of Leftist ideals to be evidence of mental incompetence. Those results should be released, should the politician decide to continue his/her campaign.

That won't stop folks like Fetterman from being elected, but it will do a lot to clear out the deadwood.

Part of a Solution for Violent People with Mental Illnesses

I'm not generally a proponent of forcing people to take drugs. However, in the case of people who act violently (or, SERIOUSLY antisocially - throwing feces, screaming at strangers, exposing themselves or defecating in public, for example), I'm willing to compromise.

This suggestion is worthy of further exploration. Treat mental illness medications like you do drug tests - mandatory compliance if that person wants to be released from confinement and remain out of there.

Astroturf in Action

Namely, the DeSantis campaign to win the GOP nomination.

90% of the "News" and "Grassroots Excitement" is Astroturfed. Actual crowds that are motivated by organic excitement are rare - a substantial part of the Trump appeal is that voters believe the crowds are authentic. Whether all of them are (or are not, I have no evidence either way), they certainly seem to be honest supporters.

DeSantis is a PR person's Wet Dream. He is young, with a presentable wife and family, projects an earnest and honest persona, and has not had any of his failings hit the news. Do I think there is likely scandal in his past?

Of course! No human is perfect, and I suspect that he has committed the average number of either dumba$$ actions or shady sins. It's to be expected - as is the response by the news media to any suggestion of a problem, which is to sweep it under the rug.

For now. That's what October is for, silly! To bring out all of the dirt/rumor/outright lies/bought-and-paid-for media whores, and dump it all on the 6 pm News, complete with the talking heads spewing the planned and focus-group tested talking points.

For me, my plan is to vote Trump. He may be a scoundrel personally, but his ACTIONS when in office were solidly on the side of anti-Leftism. That's it, for me.

Is It Time to Use the Tools We Have Been Handed?

Like Congressional subpoena of Presidential tax records? The admission of Hunter Biden that the laptop was, indeed, his, gives us a reason. And the case against President Trump, that resulted in turning over tax records, is what lawyers call precedent.

Trust the Science! Or, maybe ask a few inconvenient questions about that "Science".

This should concern all of us who write, whether or not we are being paid for our work, or not. This blatant at TECHNICALLY Non-Censorship, as it is being undertaken by politically-linked groups, using the power of government to "nudge" non-governmental actors to deplatform, blacklist, and defund those opposing them (and, COMPLETELY COINCIDENTALLY, the party in power).

Check out other articles from The Federalist. They have some very well-written, and well-reasoned, commentary on our cultural and political life.

And, when the newly-Not-Leftist Congress does their investigative work, they need to make a point of releasing it to Non-Leftist sites, and reminding Americans just where they can find that Not-Leftist-Biased site.

The War Against the Left is NOT over; it's barely begun the fight. It will take YEARS to dislodge the Left from their tentacled government/NGO/Institutional nests.

But, short-term, one of the best ways to get them on the road is to cut off funding:

• Reduction of Government. Eliminate at least 10% of every agency, bureaucracy, and department. Start with Staff Functions (Line Functions are those that bring in money or are directly related to the mission of the organization's core function, Staff Functions are Operating Expenses, and COST the organization money, without bringing any in). Yes, this WILL hit women's jobs more severely - there are more women than men in staff jobs, more men than women in line jobs.
• IRS Over-reach.
• Have the head of the agency (once you've replaced the current holder of the job with someone Not-Left) put an immediate halt to Leftist NGOs claiming tax-exempt status. Take it back for as many years as they can, and put immediate tax liens on their bank accounts, material holdings, such as real estate, and all sources of income.
• Send out a directive that all NGOs doing "pass-along" with money - in essence, using tax-exempt cash to fund projects/organizations that don't qualify for tax-exempt status - will be audited. Subpoena their communications - mail, phone records, and texts. BEFORE doing so, archive their social history, and use it as additional evidence that they were colluding to evade taxes/help other organizations do so.
• Restraint of Trade - the case is pretty clear for some groups. Fine to have business competitors, okay to try to take their business from them, NOT acceptable to collude with others to drive them out of business. The abuses by NGOs should have the IRS re-examining whether they fit into the Tax-Exempt classification, and - for some - removing their status for good.

Society from the POV of Biologists

Surprisingly, Glenn Reynolds, a lawyer, had this essay - one that I strongly suggest you read.

The upper levels of American society used to get regular infusions of diversity, simply from the marriages of their offspring. The smart-but-poor young man who catches the attention of the owner of a business, due to his excellent work at the plant. The recent immigrants. Children of tradesmen who were sent to college.

The healthy and good-looking young girl, whose virtuous refusals of less-decent suggestions leads to a proposal. The woman who cares for the family members of the man - his parents, minor children, or disabled relatives - her tender attention to her patients/charges catches his attention, and leads to marriage.

This lead to increased fitness among offspring - what is called hybrid vigor. It widened the gene pool, and kept the culture of the leading classes from stultifying.

This seldom happens today. The upper classes generally mingle only with others at their SES level. Newer Americans (Mideast, Asian, Indian) mostly marry within their ancestral heritage groups (family pressure to do so is huge). After a while, the disconnect from average Americans becomes a chasm.

I'm the product of one of these cultural mixes. Mother was Irish/English Catholic, daughter of a man in the skilled trades, and homeowners in a stable neighborhood. Father was younger son from a widowed Appalachian family of strong Evangelical convictions, who quit school by 14 and ran with bootleggers until impending arrests led him to beat feet for Cleveland and stay with his older married sister. After meeting and marrying my mother, her family helped him attend college, eventually get training in technology, and retire as a junior engineer.

All of us attended college (I'm the only one with a 4 year degree - the 2 surviving sibs have Associate's level degrees), and worked for a living. It had been a point of pride for my father NOT to accept government charity, even if entitled. He had seen some of his relatives had sunk into that dependency position, which is difficult to escape. It's easier to Fall Down, than to Stay Upright.

Today's upper classes would often rather stay single than to marry someone of a lower class. With so many women being graduates of 4-year schools (or beyond) compared to men, the educational attainment imbalance makes spinsterhood the likely scenario for many. They may have children, but will not marry.

Raising children by yourself is a difficult job in ANY time. Prior generations had missing parents due to divorce (not that common at that time), death, and desertion - you might call them the 3 D's. Step-parenting isn't easy, either - particularly when one or more of the children is a teen/tween. At that age, they often drive their OWN parents nuts. Most people don't want to hear the phrase "You're not my Dad/Mom!" - even if true - whenever some disciplinary brakes on behavior are applied.

We aren't the only species that finds single parenthood hard. In many species, death or other loss of a pair-partner puts survival of the offspring in serious jeopardy. The prolonged dependency period of humans makes a two-parent household a virtual necessity.

Bi-Partisanship I Can Get Behind

THIS example of working together to get some answers from EPA.

Hope they do the same for some grilling of Buttigieg about the piss-poor response from DOT.

The Ephemeral Nature of Wealth

Much of modern wealth is heavily leveraged:

• People seldom own their homes outright - they are PERMITTED to live there, providing they pay a set amount monthly. They can deduct some small part of that (the interest) off their owed taxes. But, make no mistake about it - you, generally, do NOT own your residence. And, should you be the rare person who actually is able to pay off the loan in full, the government will force you to pay money every year - it's called real estate taxes - for that 'privilege'.
• Governments LOVE real estate appreciation - that is a mechanism that allows them to raise the taxes owed, without having to go back to the voters for permission to do so. Eventually, many 'homeowners' are forced to sell, due to the inability to continuing paying inflated taxes on fixed incomes. All the better! That way, the scoundrels in government can tell their lies without any citizen having the memory of previous statements to challenge those 'not-truths'.
• Modern schools are expensive - often poorly designed and built (necessitating expensive repairs in the future), with lengthy time periods to pay off the bonds used to finance them, and sitting essentially empty for 2-3 months of the year. I know few districts that have fully-paid-for schools; most taxpayers will be paying through their taxes forever - or, at least, until they move to another district/state.
• Investments - seldom do people just put their money into a business or land. Instead, they are encouraged to 'invest' in bonds (Essentially, a loan to a business, which USED to be a safe investment. In the last couple of decades, courts have sided with the businesses). Those that invest in stocks have NO claim on their money. Much of US retirement investments are heavily leveraged. Most pensioners would be entitled to little if the investments on which their income depends go sour.
• Same with bank investments. Thanks to the "Miracle of the Federal Reserve", money that is put into an account with a bank is multiplied, really, quite like the Loaves and Fishes. It's worth something, because the Federal Reserve SAYS it is worth something.
• Wealth in the form of possessions:
• Furniture, electronics, clothing - Markup is heavy, and depreciation is almost immediate. Unlike the UBF (Ugly Brown Furniture), modern furniture is NOT built to last - something that can be said for most other consumer items. The loan (should those items be bought on credit) will last longer than the things purchased.
• Vacation homes - waste of money, unless fully paid for (and, not in the middle of a swamp). If you want to buy a home in the hills/backwoods, with access to fresh water, fuel, and food, and are willing to set up power production for all else, OK. That would be a decent investment. But, it better be far from level land, which might otherwise - due to the value it has for developers -  be bought and make that home unlivable, at least as a bare-bones homestead. While you're at it, buy a BIG piece of land around your cabin.
• Cars - Please! Very few people actually BUY a car today. Most lease one. And, new or used is a trade-off. If you're handy, a used car is a good investment. If you're not, a new car makes some sense, as long as you keep it for 8-10 years, at least - and, while you're at it, make friends with some good mechanics.

The so-called Rich are as likely as most (some are MORE likely) to be very highly leveraged. That accounts for all the guys that are completely broke only a few years after hitting it big.

And, even Joe Biden may be cash-poor.

What helps you keep what you make/have?

Live simply. You don't have to live at the level of the Amish, just plan to leave yourself a comfortable cushion between what you make and what you spend. When considering purchasing something, first check to see if you might find it at a resale shop. For those on Facebook, the Marketplace is a great source for inexpensive household items, often with little wear.

Talk to your kids about careers - they may make out better going to trade school than to college. And, for many careers, consider a step down - nurse or other health professional, rather than doctor; paraprofessional rather than lawyer. In terms of actual take-home pay, they may end up with more money, and less stress.

In business, it's better to gain some experience before spending all the money for college and an MBA. If you think you might want to own your own business, try commission sales - ALL businesses start with sales. And, operating off a commission income will tell you whether a variable income works for you. 

Marry smart. Find someone who shares your values, and give them attention. Women (And, men, too) who are neglected or lonely are prey to infidelity. It's not generally the sex, it's the attention.

Budget. You don't have to be obsessive about it, just have a good handle on the money going in and out, and take your time thinking about it before you sign any contracts to pay on credit. Periodically, go over your expenditures, looking for those "sneaky" expenses - money going out for something you no longer need, money accumulating in a poor investment, indulgences you no longer even notice - I re-captured HUNDREDS of dollars in the first year after I retired by checking the automatic/regular purchases.

Put on Your Big Girl/Guy Panties and DEAL!

I understand people hate to leave their jobs by firing/layoffs. I understand that it leaves a big lump in their throat, wondering how they will pay their bills, if they will ever have another job paying as well, and feeling like a failure.

Get Over It.

And, learn what a REAL job is.

People Are Acting As Though It Was a Choice

Being White, that is.

Powerline (link above) is asking the question "Who Wants to be White?"

I didn't think it was a choice. You are, I always assumed, what you are.

Ancestry has me at around 98.X % White - not just White, but specifically NW European, mostly from the British Isles, but also from the Netherlands, the Western part of Germany, and Norway.

It did initially surprise me that 23 & Me sorted that into less Lily White, adding in Iberian Peninsula and Italian (Neither of which turn up in recent history - recent referring to the last 400 years or so). I suspect 23 & Me just wants all their customers to have that mixed heritage that the Left so prizes these days.

Why do I suspect it's wrong? Because it turned out that my father's family is particularly well researched. I'm descended from some well known Virginians, and nothing in our heritage stories contradicts the genetics that Ancestry stands by. We have a long history of blue-eyed blondes, some lasting through adulthood. Tintypes of my ancestors show that the strong physical resemblance to modern day descendants.

So would there be a problem with having non-White ancestors?

Nope. I really don't care what my ancestors did or didn't do. I value myself on MY contributions to the world, not what my dead ancestors did.

Their stories are interesting, but they don't define me. I don't need to claim relationship to Kings and Queens to shore up my dignity. Actually, I think more of those who manage to struggle their way out of a horrible heritage, and make something of themself, than all the Entitled Twits with Inherited Money (Yes, I'm talking to you, Harry/Formerly Known as Prince).

I'm sorry to say that I anticipate some major changes, ones that will sharply reduce the number of people alive in this world. Sadly, some of those that die out will not be the Stupid and Lazy, but people who have gotten caught up in situations unwittingly. Some that survive will the the Crude and Thuggish; others the Crafty and Unscrupulous. We are likely to enter the years that will become known as The Warlord Years.

In such a world, Clan ties (that's Clan with a C) will become the single most important trait of people. Those with mixed heritage (whether racial or just illegitimate) will find their loyalty suspect. That shouldn't surprise anyone - did they not watch any of the toadying 'histories' of the British royalty?

It will likely be the Clan's women that make the decision whether to accept them - or toss them out to face a cruel world. A lot of that decision will be made on racial/ethnic/familial heritage grounds. So, to boost chances of being accepted, the challenge will be to ingratiate themselves with the Alpha Woman and her allies.

Now, someone COULD try using alliances with an Alpha Male, and thereby gaining a temporary advantage. Not smart. Better to act as a handmaiden to the women with power, and downplay any personal attractiveness.

Or, to suck up to a male with value, but a little further down the line of influence - the Betas, as you might call them. And, stay the hell out of the way of the Alpha Males - as Bathsheba could tell you, that's a recipe for trouble.

Most importantly, for both male and female non-Alphas, cultivate skills that will be handy in a less technological world - household, skilled trade, farming, husbandry - and, for men - being part of a defense force. Leave the palace intrigue to those that want to risk an early death/banishment.

Changes That May be Permanent

I was reading this story about the de-peopling of large cities, and it occurred to me that this may be our "New Normal".

For those activists that have been complaining about the White people invading the more affordable parts of the cities, it will be a real trial to keep city amenities going, when the people who paid for them have gone.

CA has decided to try to claw back money from those leaving - even years after they have gone.

Lotsa luck with that, Sunshine!

The thing is, too many people have lived the life of middle to upper-middle class residents, without paying for it. That includes:

• Students, many of whom have done it through the assistance of their student loans (Which they cannot begin to pay back, and are demanding taxpayers take responsibility for paying. Good luck with that demand!).
• Retirees, some of whom have used their senior status to grab all of the price reductions and freebies available, lived in rent-controlled apartments, spent every dime that came their way. Now, when the nearly free is almost over, and inflation is hitting them heavy, they are pleading poverty. Now, SOME of the elderly are, in fact, broke through no fault of their own. I still think a sensible person would look around for a cheaper place to spend their golden years, and live within their income. They could get together with friends, and make a game of looking around for cheap living in smaller towns. They could organize a mass exodus, and keep a good portion of their support system intact, while escaping the worst of city living. Hell, I think that would be a GREAT business idea - find the locations, work out the logistics, and deliver them to the new place, with amenities ready to go. I'd bet landlords would contribute a chunk to such an idea, just to free up an apartment currently under rent control.
• The 47%, who take more than they give. Look, I'll admit it's easy to continue living in a place where just about every living need is met (although at a bargain basement level). Starting over again in a new place is scary. Again, a business plan could be made for greasing the way out of NYC and other metropolises, and making the process easier. It won't be for everyone - there are those who have no connections out of the area. But, what I do know is this: however much damage the 2005 hurricane season caused the residents of New Orleans, in some ways, it was the best thing that ever happened to many of them. They were able to get out of decaying neighborhoods. Some were able to establish themselves in new cities and even states, often with better job prospects and safer neighborhoods.

And, this indicates that more LOCALIZED control of resources might be the salvation of our economy. 

Now, it’s likely that Dewine’s efforts will be crushed by the federal government. But, kudos to alike for putting this into motion. 

Imagine My Surprise!

Antifa is composed of children of Elites, you say?

This is my shocked face - well, not MINE. I have my bad-face days, but I HOPE not THAT bad.

I try to be unshockable, but the current culture and political nonsense makes that VERY hard.

On the positive side, dictatorships and otherwise oppressive government, like mismanaged businesses, make for very good comedy. And, memes. It's getting so I LIVE for memes.

Yep.

Some say that the smart thing to do is leave - find a remote part of the world, establish a self-sufficient enclave, and hunker down and ride out the Fall of Civilization.

I can’t agree. Many of us have reasons why the change is not feasible:

• Family commitments
• Financial obligations - yes, better money management would have kept this from being a problem. Still, Intelligent Enlightenment can hit us at any point. Some are just now realizing the extent of the problem - the more Determinedly Ignorant still have their heads in the sand. It takes time, kids.
• Work obligations - hard to ask people to give up a so-near-that-they-can-taste-it pension, risking penury in their old age and dependence upon the kindliness of the population. Others are in Truly Vital occupations, and their leaving would risk the health and even the lives of the public.
• Physical inability to leave - whether lack of money or transportation, disability that chains them to a specific location, or reluctance to risk losing a roof over their head for an unknown future. Moving a person in the early stages of senility or who is physically unable to assist with the move is a daunting task. Easy to say “triage” if it’s not YOUR mother.

I’m currently in a “Safe Enough for Now” location. Should everything completely collapse, I would need to move further out. Fortunately, my extended family has ties to more remote locations, from which we could re-group and work together for Clan survival. Note, that Clan with a “C”, not a “K”. The term - which I believe comes from Gaelic, simply refers to the extended family, and the familial obligations that endure. There’s always a Fred’s or two in the bunch; that just means you have someone more responsible ride herd on them, and don’t put them in critical positions. 

For now:

• Cut the personal overhead to the minimum.
• Get a secondary income going, and start detaching from dependence on corporate America.
• Set up your escape hatch.
• Whenever possible, use alternate communication methods.
• Practice essential skills. Make sure that all family members do, too.
• Keep aware of what is happening around you, and generally in your region.
• Pray.

This Seems to be a Good Case for Changed Terms of Contract

By requiring military to take an untested, experimental drug or be fired, the US government may be in breach of contract. Yes, on one hand, if you're in the military, your body belongs to them.

But, this is a major change in the contract the soldier signs. If dosing soldiers with LSD is a violation, then, certainly, forcing the Clot Shot is one, as well.

Forcing military to pay back enlistment bonuses is punitive, and far exceeds the norms. This is a good place to draw the line in regulations - Congress should use their power to forbid the government to:

• Force an untested, genetically modified shot on troops, or compel discharge
• Deny benefits to those seeking a religious exemption
• Force soldiers to pay back enlistment bonuses, should the government substantially change the circumstances of the military contract

The US Government has used, and is continuing to use, regulations that far exceed their Constitutional authority, for the purposes of imposing their Leftist administrative agenda. The administrative and bureaucratic portions of government need to be cut - severely - but, until then, Congress needs to hem in their ability to screw with the American citizenry.

End of January Roundup

I've been busy - mostly getting things done, but - to be honest - sometimes avoiding work. Right now, I'm in SC, clearing out clutter, and getting ready for packing up what remains. Barring unforeseen delays, we should be selling before spring.

The idea that families need sone assistance with raising their children is not a new one; those that headed west, without extended family, and settled in isolated places, often found themselves in situations that led to depression, emotional instability, and - worst case - madness. There are some horrifying stories about life on the prairies, that serve as a corrective to the Little House stories (and, to be fair, the Ingalls family did work to grow and maintain ties with other community members).

I spent a lot of time by myself, when our children were young. My husband worked long hours, often at quite a distance from home. Sometimes, I would go weeks without seeing other people, other than brief attendance at mass.

Some things helped:

• Books - at that time, physical books were the only ones available. The first thing I did every time we moved, was to locate the local library. That often became a lifeline for me. The hardest time period was the two winters we lived in Bradford, PA. The weather was so cold - sometimes hitting 50 below 0 wind chill - that I wasn't able to take my daughter outside. I depended on family to help out so I had opportunities to get away from the house. My husband was in his last year at college, and, between his studies and work, truly had little time for us. With no car, no local bus service, and LOTS of snow, I was truly stuck. And the house was on a hill - there was a steep wooden walkway to navigate before being able to be at street level.
• Journaling - I filled multiple books with entries about my life. It kept me going to get it all off my chest. Later, I began writing stories - first, for children, then for myself. In multiple moves, I lost most of that work.
• Learning to make friends with nearby residents. That served me well after retiring; unlike my husband, I wasn't limited to work friends. Some of those friends endured. I will be grateful to all of them forever.
• Projects - mostly crafts. I sewed, knitted, and crocheted. Seeing the completion of those activities gave me a real boost. I learned to bake bread, which was a lifesaver when home-bound due to weather. I even learned to make mayonnaise, which saved the day when I had run out, with a cupboard filled with tuna.

However, turning your kids over to a totalitarian society to indoctrinate with Leftist propaganda was never a thought. This story about a woman who did so is incomprehensible to me.

This story reminds me of a time, in the 70s, when, anytime something odd or strange happened, my husband or I would nod significantly, say "CIA", and go about our busineThis ss.

The very trademark of the Modern State - overspending the people's money - may yet be our salvation. Without all that loot, y'all can't pay the Minions. And, if you can't do that, then the Deep State implodes.

Time to return government to to most local level, where the average citizen has more control over the process.

This review of M3gan makes me want to see it. You decide for yourself.

This type of systemic abuse makes me think that revision of the concept of Sovereign Immunity needs to be high on the list for the new House. When a person, or groups of people, employed by a government entity, act in ways that specifically are NOT in the best interests of the public, and appear to be discriminatory, as well, it constitutes an argument for making restitution of their abuses a PERSONAL responsibility.

In other words, the perps need to make a payout from their OWN personal savings, including their Public Employee Retirement. Otherwise, they profit from their own crimes/abuses, offloading the cost onto the taxpaying public.

A refreshing amount of candor from a Democrat.

A Leftist is feeling - well, WAY above his actual ability to take on the Rural People. He seems to think they are Easy Pickins'.

Oh, Honey, Honey, Honey!

Lemme tell 'ya. I'm related to a lot of WV rural/urban folks. Some of whom have been North for generations, yet retain that innate Shit-Kicker Attitude. There are some Cliches about Hill Folk that have an actual basis in fact:

• They are uneducated. Well, that's one of those often misunderstood "factoids". Politifact ranks this as "False". Of course, we know what Politifact's ranking are worth.
• If you look at English Literacy and Numeracy, the state is in the lowest 25%. A significant part of that is because, once educated, the tendency of residents is to move to other states - whether for job or military service. That brings the overall average down.
• The state falls right in the middle of per-pupil spending. Considering that it falls low on the income level, that's commitment to education.
• However, Politifact does something I've seen other sites do before. They manage to bundle data in such a way as to produce a number/percent that allows them to make their point - however they had to twist the data. Politifact combines local, state, and Federal spending on education, so as to drive the numbers down for WV.
• The statement by the GOP was about WV spending, not city (mostly poor) or national (not generally in their control).
• They are pugnacious. Well, kinda not true. If you mind your own da** business, y'uns shouldn't oughta have a problem.
• They are stubborn. 100% True. We have a saying in my house, there's Stubborn, and then there is WV Stubborn. We are NOT easy to budge from our opinions or course of action.

A high percentage of WV residents do have experience with guns, whether military or personal training. Many live in isolated parts of the state, and even those who are more urban often experience challenges with police response time - often due to the extreme terrain of the Appalachian Mountains. I've driven them in ice, rain, fog, and snow - it is NOT a walk in the park. As a result, many citizens are prepared to take their personal defense into their own hands.

In short, PLEASE put any such attack on Streaming - I'd gladly PAY to see that!