We're doing some cleanup around the house. NOthing major, just puttering around. I'm shredding old financial records in small batches - the shredder makes it dusty, and it bothers my breathing. So I'm doing it in short bursts.
My daughter might have gotten bumped to a smaller plane, with a travel voucher as a sweetner (not sure, her txt message was a little cryptic). The other daughter is in NY still - she'll be traveling back home tomorrow.
It's been nice break from intense political news. Yes, it's important, but I'm getting fatigued with the B$. I need this timeout to prepare myself for the run-up to Iowa.
Saturday, November 28, 2015
Thursday, November 26, 2015
Tense International Situation
Putin has apparently upped the ante, charging that the USA either leaked information about the downed Russian jet, or that their allies did, causing the plane to be targeted.
The leadership of the USA has been too eager, for years, to engage in treaties and mutual protection agreements with other countries. We're currently committed to send troops into too many international fights.
I'm not gonna go all Rand/Ron Paul on you, but it does seem prudent to re-examine the extent of our alliances, and let those other countries know that we expect them to limit their belligerence, territory acquisitions, and watch who they let into their borders - at least, if they want our help.
If they don't need us, hey, knock yourself out, do whatever you want.
Keep in mind that this could easily be disinformation, what we in the States would call blatant lying to achieve our aims. Russia is notorious for that practice, and Putin probably learned something from his years working for the KGB.
The leadership of the USA has been too eager, for years, to engage in treaties and mutual protection agreements with other countries. We're currently committed to send troops into too many international fights.
I'm not gonna go all Rand/Ron Paul on you, but it does seem prudent to re-examine the extent of our alliances, and let those other countries know that we expect them to limit their belligerence, territory acquisitions, and watch who they let into their borders - at least, if they want our help.
If they don't need us, hey, knock yourself out, do whatever you want.
Keep in mind that this could easily be disinformation, what we in the States would call blatant lying to achieve our aims. Russia is notorious for that practice, and Putin probably learned something from his years working for the KGB.
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
Something for Court Syncophants to Think About
Too many people have been tip-toeing around Obama for many years - for good reason. He protects his supporters (Eric Holder, Valerie Jarrett, Lois Lerner, et al) from prosecution. He also punishes his enemies, and is ruthless with those who dare to oppose him.
Henry V was like that, too. He was fickle in his alliances and friendships, casting aside those who had doggedly served him, and reducing them to penury and oblivion.
Here, from Henry V, is Wolsey's lament at the sudden end of his career:
Don't leave yourself naked to your enemies. Serve God first.
Henry V was like that, too. He was fickle in his alliances and friendships, casting aside those who had doggedly served him, and reducing them to penury and oblivion.
Here, from Henry V, is Wolsey's lament at the sudden end of his career:
here take an inventory of all I have,
To the last penny; ’tis the king’s: my robe,
And my integrity to heaven, is all
I dare now call mine own.
O Cromwell, Cromwell!
Had I but served my God with half the zealI served my king, he would not in mine age
Have left me naked to mine enemies.
Don't leave yourself naked to your enemies. Serve God first.
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
What is an American?
I've written on this before. It's a subject that fascinates me, as I grew up in a working class neighborhood that, during my childhood, was apparently the destination of choice for many immigrants.
Some of the nationalities I've known in my younger days:
That list is just off the top of my head, and would probably be 2-3 times longer if I took more time to think about it.
The thing is, I lived surrounded by people who originally were from someplace else, and I spent enough time with them to get a feel for how their home language sounded, what they ate, how they interacted with each other and with Americans, what their political and religious beliefs were - it was a good introduction to Assimilation 101 as you could get.
Sarah Hoyt writes here about her experiences in America after leaving Portugal.
As a result, I do understand that fitting in is tough, that feeling like an outsider is emotionally draining, and that even a country like America, which does accept outsiders into the family, also harbors preconceptions about their "foreignness".
I've even had experiences with being the New Kid, as a result of marrying a man who likes to pick up and move to new places. I initiated only one of those moves, to the South. Surprisingly, I was able to assimilate more easily than he was. Some of that was due to long practice with having to make new friends in a strange place. Some of that was my ease with taking on a new culture. Like some who find themselves in a new land, I am more than often charmed by the regional differences, and willing to adapt to them. After all, the locals stayed in their original location, and are presumably happy with their home.
I was the traveler, who moved here. I should adapt. And, mostly, I have.
That's what I expect from immigrants - that they recognize that THEY were the ones who left home, and that THEY should make some personal changes to fit in. Not give up everything, like the Fresh Off the Boat show, but make an effort to learn the language - enough to communicate with Americans. We're not that fussy; we'll learn to handle your unique accent, your occasional mangled syntax. Well, we might tease you a little, but we do that to many people (for example, Yankees and Southerners). Our teasing implies that we consider you one of us, and it doesn't mean we don't like you. Quite the opposite - we only tease family.
That's the important thing - America is one of the few places on Earth that will not only let you in, but, eventually, let you into the family. You become an American.
Americans not liking immigrants? Ridiculous! I don't know anyone who doesn't tear up at the sight of each new batch of Americans reciting the oath that makes them Americans - it's like America's way of adopting new family members.
We do not, however, warm to lawless groups of border-jumpers. Most of us are in favor of rounding them up and returning them to the country they came from. And, as for those who do it more than once - I'd have no problem sending them to prison for 10 or more years, followed by deportation. In fact, I'd like to explore a prison set up off-shore (there are a lot of islands in the Pacific who would love to have the money coming into their communities) specifically for 2nd-time offenders of immigration law.
What about their families in America, particularly those who have American-born children?
They can select from:
That's it. I'm not willing to bend the rules just because they managed to evade the law long enough to create an American child.
Some of the nationalities I've known in my younger days:
- English - my best pal's father was a retired military man from England
- Irish - both Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
- Yugoslavian
- Greek (one of my dad's best buddies was a Greek who became an American by volunteering for the Army)
- Egyptian - my daughter's friend in high school was Coptic
- Arabic - both Christians and Muslims - many friends of both groups
- German
- Brazilian
- Romanian
- Hungarian
- Polish - my aunt married a Pole who was a Byzantine Catholic
- Swedish
- Estonian
- Russian
- Japanese
That list is just off the top of my head, and would probably be 2-3 times longer if I took more time to think about it.
The thing is, I lived surrounded by people who originally were from someplace else, and I spent enough time with them to get a feel for how their home language sounded, what they ate, how they interacted with each other and with Americans, what their political and religious beliefs were - it was a good introduction to Assimilation 101 as you could get.
Sarah Hoyt writes here about her experiences in America after leaving Portugal.
As a result, I do understand that fitting in is tough, that feeling like an outsider is emotionally draining, and that even a country like America, which does accept outsiders into the family, also harbors preconceptions about their "foreignness".
I've even had experiences with being the New Kid, as a result of marrying a man who likes to pick up and move to new places. I initiated only one of those moves, to the South. Surprisingly, I was able to assimilate more easily than he was. Some of that was due to long practice with having to make new friends in a strange place. Some of that was my ease with taking on a new culture. Like some who find themselves in a new land, I am more than often charmed by the regional differences, and willing to adapt to them. After all, the locals stayed in their original location, and are presumably happy with their home.
I was the traveler, who moved here. I should adapt. And, mostly, I have.
That's what I expect from immigrants - that they recognize that THEY were the ones who left home, and that THEY should make some personal changes to fit in. Not give up everything, like the Fresh Off the Boat show, but make an effort to learn the language - enough to communicate with Americans. We're not that fussy; we'll learn to handle your unique accent, your occasional mangled syntax. Well, we might tease you a little, but we do that to many people (for example, Yankees and Southerners). Our teasing implies that we consider you one of us, and it doesn't mean we don't like you. Quite the opposite - we only tease family.
That's the important thing - America is one of the few places on Earth that will not only let you in, but, eventually, let you into the family. You become an American.
Americans not liking immigrants? Ridiculous! I don't know anyone who doesn't tear up at the sight of each new batch of Americans reciting the oath that makes them Americans - it's like America's way of adopting new family members.
We do not, however, warm to lawless groups of border-jumpers. Most of us are in favor of rounding them up and returning them to the country they came from. And, as for those who do it more than once - I'd have no problem sending them to prison for 10 or more years, followed by deportation. In fact, I'd like to explore a prison set up off-shore (there are a lot of islands in the Pacific who would love to have the money coming into their communities) specifically for 2nd-time offenders of immigration law.
What about their families in America, particularly those who have American-born children?
They can select from:
- Voluntarily returning, taking their American children with them - suspended fines, to be imposed if they come back. The child may return after achieving their majority.
- Leaving their American children with an American family of their choice, to be raised by them in America.
- Giving up custody of their American children, to be adopted by Americans.
That's it. I'm not willing to bend the rules just because they managed to evade the law long enough to create an American child.
Monday, November 23, 2015
What is Driving the SJWs to Action in the Universities?
Hint: It's NOT about Social Justice, Bringing in a New Era of Racial Equality, or Protecting Poor, Fragile, Little Snowflakes (who are, unlike real life, not exclusively White).
It's about a Naked Power Grab.
The Old Guard (1960s Leftists) have hung onto their power too long. The SJW leadership is tired of waiting for them to retire/die/fade away.
They have manufactured this take-over in the footsteps of Obama, who wrested power from the Old Guard Democrat Clintons, and are putting the Alinsky Handbook into practice in that effort.
They will likely be successful. Don't cheer their success, even though they finally rid us of the Clinton Dynasty.
Like the Bolsheviks, succeeding the Mensheviks, they will be worse - more ruthless, less bumbling, and more determined to eliminate ALL who oppose them.
BTW, for anyone who hopes that their particular cause will, at least, benefit from the change-over, lotsa luck. YOUR interests aren't even on the radar. This is about power, NOT fundamentally transforming America. Any transformation is simply a means to an end.
It's about a Naked Power Grab.
The Old Guard (1960s Leftists) have hung onto their power too long. The SJW leadership is tired of waiting for them to retire/die/fade away.
They have manufactured this take-over in the footsteps of Obama, who wrested power from the Old Guard Democrat Clintons, and are putting the Alinsky Handbook into practice in that effort.
They will likely be successful. Don't cheer their success, even though they finally rid us of the Clinton Dynasty.
Like the Bolsheviks, succeeding the Mensheviks, they will be worse - more ruthless, less bumbling, and more determined to eliminate ALL who oppose them.
BTW, for anyone who hopes that their particular cause will, at least, benefit from the change-over, lotsa luck. YOUR interests aren't even on the radar. This is about power, NOT fundamentally transforming America. Any transformation is simply a means to an end.
Monday, November 16, 2015
Ending the Subsidization of Our Own Downfall
The next President must dedicate at least a little energy to halting the free reign of 501(c)4 organizations.
They are organizations that are not supposed to be overtly partisan or political. However, in practice, they usually are. One such organization is Organizing for America (really, it's Organizing for America's Downfall!).
Here are the rules for 501(c)4's.
On a related note, universities seem to be particularly exempt from rules of basic decency. They scream about "equal pay for equal work", yet ignore on of the most egregious examples of its lack on campus.
They are organizations that are not supposed to be overtly partisan or political. However, in practice, they usually are. One such organization is Organizing for America (really, it's Organizing for America's Downfall!).
Here are the rules for 501(c)4's.
On a related note, universities seem to be particularly exempt from rules of basic decency. They scream about "equal pay for equal work", yet ignore on of the most egregious examples of its lack on campus.
Equal pay for equal work may be a national rallying cry. Yet for some reason, academia expects that it can pay a graduate-student teaching assistant or a PhD-holding part-time instructor a fraction of what it would pay a tenured full professor for teaching the identical class. The gulf between a full professor and a part-timer — in terms of money, power, and status — far exceeds that between the WalMart manager and his greeter at the door. And at least the latter pair have far different tasks. Is such disparity liberal?
Read more at: National Review
Saturday, November 14, 2015
Maybe We Are on a Road to the Future
I've been reading Sarah Hoyt lately - she has an interesting slant on the Human Condition.
I need something to inspire me today.
I need something to inspire me today.
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