Maggie's FarmWe are a commune of inquiring, skeptical, politically centrist, capitalist, anglophile, traditionalist New England Yankee humans, humanoids, and animals with many interests beyond and above politics. Each of us has had a high-school education (or GED), but all had ADD so didn't pay attention very well, especially the dogs. Each one of us does "try my best to be just like I am," and none of us enjoys working for others, including for Maggie, from whom we receive neither a nickel nor a dime. Freedom from nags, cranks, government, do-gooders, control-freaks and idiots is all that we ask for. |
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Monday, October 12. 2009Monday morning linksAren't most folks working today? Scroll down and catch up with our posts from the weekend. Darn good point from Powerline: "Any government medicine system suffers from a fatal contradiction: health care is a "right," but a right that must be rationed." Former Dem Senator Bob Kerry (via Gateway's post on Sen. Feinstein):
Insty wonders
And as Mark Steyn puts it:
A brief history of the prevention of tyranny. Doug Ross. One quote:
Want more to read? Try Federalist #42
Posted by The News Junkie
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07:22
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Sunday, October 11. 2009Cleveland!Mrs. BD had to make a quick trip to Cleveland this weekend. She was amused by this tourism video:
Posted by Bird Dog
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13:38
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Walk The Talk: Your kids in the militaryI’d be more interested in what New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman tells his daughters about serving in the military than his telling President Obama to accept the Nobel Peace Prize “on behalf of the most important peacekeepers in the world for the last century — the men and women of the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps.” His young daughters, and President Obama’s, are about the same age as my older son. My son asks me if he should enlist. I answer that it will be his choice, there are important personal and citizenship benefits and prices, and the benefits may or may not work out for him and others. My son will make his own choice, and he will know from his father’s life that he can rely upon me to walk the talk, whether in a promise to him or by my example in how I live. He will decide if that is the suitable example for his way of living. It is relevant to our children whether they’ve seen us walk the talk in our lives and with them when by our words we properly honor those who serve and may encourage others to serve. That neither Thomas Friedman nor President Obama chose to serve in the military, or that I did, is the past. The now our children see is how our words to others match our words to them. Another top national columnist recently asked me, “if you'd ever had the thought that we are losing the best people our country has to offer” in our current wars. I replied:
The possible loss of one’s child is calamitous. So is the loss of others’. If Thomas Friedman or President Obama do not believe that how they counsel their own children is more telling than how they counsel others’ children, that tells me all I need to know about whether they walk their talk, really care about others’ children, or are worth taking seriously. If literally every effort is not made to support those who do serve to survive and accomplish the mission upon which sent, that is the most serious dereliction possible by a parent or columnist. Words may be enough for the Nobel Peace Prize, or a New York Times column, but not enough for any responsible parent. P.S.: Ed Morrissey relays who is saying what about what to do in Afghanistan.
Posted by Bruce Kesler
in Our Essays, The Culture, "Culture," Pop Culture and Recreation
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13:09
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Leon KrierI know that we have a few readers who are interested in urban design and architecture from the comments we have had about Jane Jacobs in the past. Even insofar as many of us are suburbanites or exurbanites, we are fans of the liveable, lively city. I was made aware of Leon Krier last night by a pal who has been reading his The Architecture of Community. Andres Duany says of this book:
Here's the Amazon list of Krier's books. Wiki notes: "...Krier sees the modern planner as a tyrannical figure."
Posted by Bird Dog
in Our Essays, The Culture, "Culture," Pop Culture and Recreation
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11:43
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Sunday linksWhat's the #1 reason women want sex? (Hint: Same thing guys would say) The last days of the polymath? The action of the journalists was to shut down the journalist and defend the politician What's the matter with you, Sen. Graham? It's a political hoax, you bozo. CBO: Malpractice reform would save 40 billion CBO: Finance Plan Would Save $81 Billion - by raising taxes like crazy on everything, by cutting Medicare - and by one other trick Related: Massachusetts Is like health-care hell for one universal health care advocate Related: The health care bill - which doesn't even exist yet - will go unread and unreadable Too old for medical care? Brit Docs leave old lady to starve Banning the bulb? Not too smart Related: Record cold kills playoff game. The Ice Age is coming. How often do we have to warn y'all? Ship of Fools: Obama's Intimates and Advisors Obama wins Miss World 2009 On Chavez' side? Why won't the O support Hondauran elections?
Posted by The News Junkie
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11:31
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Not from today's Lectionary: The race that is set before usHebrews 12: 1-3 1Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
Posted by Bird Dog
in Quotidian Quotable Quote (QQQ), Religion
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06:00
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Welcome home"People sleep peaceably in their bed at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.” - writer unknown, but often attributed to George Orwell Our friends' son and his Navy Seal team have returned home after their second six-month posting in Wherrizitstan. Their well-being has been in our prayers every day. My daily thoughts about these good, tough men is part of what finally motivated me to get my flag up. Seeing it hanging or flapping there each morning when I step out (yes, it is illuminated at night) is a good reminder to me of many important things. I recommend doing it for that reason. (Buddy comments that they returned minus one of their team. It's hard to know what to say.)
Posted by Bird Dog
in The Culture, "Culture," Pop Culture and Recreation
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05:59
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Saturday, October 10. 2009Blame it all on BismarckThe WSJ notes:
Read the whole thing about how it all went wrong. This site reminds us of Bismarck's role in the creation of the modern Fascist-Welfare state. Goldman Sachs
The bank everybody seems to love to hate - because they're so smart.
What happened?
Even the BBC is asking "What happened to global warming?"
The Wrecking CrewRelated to the post below, the Obama administration's agenda, at Powerline. I have never doubted that this was the essence of hopey-changey, which is why I did not vote for him. These people do not like their country. I do.
Posted by Bird Dog
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08:32
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National decline is a choiceSaturday Verse: A free ad for Bob DylanEvery Grain of Sand (1981) In the time of my confession, in the hour of my deepest need Here's Emmylou Harris singing it:
Posted by Bird Dog
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07:05
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Friday, October 9. 2009The Dark Side: Taliban Peace Prize For ObamaOne of my dearest, longest and most respected friends has stared more deeply and widely into the dark side of reality than anyone. We just discussed my “Davy Crockett attitude” toward President Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize. My way of being is to find reasons to smile in the face of challenges. I, also, believe this travesty further removes him from the ability of serious-minded people to support him. My friend is qualified to be less sanguine: he served as a combat advisor in Here’s what my friend has to say about what he titles “Taliban Peace Prize For Obama.” (My friend chooses to withhold his name from this post, so as not to intrude politics into his classroom or ministry.)
Posted by Bruce Kesler
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15:17
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Nice Tuscan VillaA nice 17th C. villa for rent near Lucca: Villa al Boschiglia. It comes with chef, etc. Might be a pleasant get-away for a few weeks for the Maggie's crew. Need to invite Marianne Matthews and hubbie too: I can see her relaxing in the pool while hubbie has a wine or two in his straw hat, half-dozing with a book under that Italian sunshine with the scents of a risotto al funghi from the kitchen and the Rosemary hedge thick in the air. My half-Italian wife always asks me "What is it about you Brits and Italy?" She will never get it.
Ten Reasons Why I’m In Favor Of President Obama Receiving The Nobel Peace Prize1. Everyone should start their day with a good laugh, it scientifically proven to lead to better attitudes toward whatever we do, which is scientifically proven to lead to better results; 2. Because I can’t find any other commenter who believes he deserved it, it’s heartening that we can unite around common-sense; 3. Since none can justify it, commenters on other candidates for the 2010 congressional and 2012 presidential election may be more honest about those who run on empty records and words; 4. President Obama’s preparation for and delivery of an acceptance speech may distract him from doing more to weaken the 5. President Obama no longer actually has to do anything to receive a Nobel Peace Prize, which may reduce he further worsening the outcomes of the measures already taken, thus furthering peace; 6. All those living in countries wracked by conflict and those in countries where they are oppressed can relax instead of fighting or standing up, knowing that hope is enough to be rewarded for accomplishing nothing, thus furthering peace; 7. The Nobel Prize will fit in nicely to the new White House décor alongside the Obama chosen faux painting; 8. Displaying encouraging honesty, President Obama says “ ‘I do not feel I deserve to be in the company’ of previous winners, ‘transformative figures who've been honored by this prize, men and women who've inspired me and inspired the entire world through their courageous pursuit of peace.’ ” 9. I can look forward to President Obama’s picture officially being hung alongside Yasser Arafat and Le Duc Tho’s. 10. The 50-year old childhood book I have of Nobel Peace Prize speeches that inspire by the winners’ track-records will rise in value. Perhaps, President Obama will use the prize money to buy it from me. For those interested, here’s the Nobel Peace Prize announcement. Here’s some of those considered less deserving by the Nobel committee. The faux painting honored by being chosen to grace the White House. President Obama’s acceptance comments, including no comment about what he plans to do with the $1.4-million prize money – my hope should be adequate, right? The New York Times, of course, struggles to find foreigners who are diplomatically complimentary, but finds few. Nonetheless, the New York Times coverage is predictably laudatory of "Imagine". Struggling to draft my Happy Face list, I finally found someone on the Left able to find a reason to favor of the Prize choice as a repudiation of President Bush. Since this diverges from other leading Left commenters, who find it absurd and undeserved, we can look forward to they ignoring their prior words as they once again shamelessly find excuses to extol the sagacity hidden to everyone else. To prolong your Happy Face, don't click on Memeorandum for the outpouring of incredulity.
Posted by Bruce Kesler
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13:38
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Congrats to the pupCongrats to the BD pup, who found out that he passed the bar today and who is having some good fun writing some real new case law for the judge for whom he is clerking. With your wedding to a true sweetie in August, a new place to live, and a cool job - you have been blessed this year. May God bless and keep you always, Why Afghanistan is hard
Amazing slide show.
An email:
The nominations closed on Feb 1, believe it or not. There were a number of worthy alternatives who have done real things.
Your morning vitamin: HorowitzFriday morning linksAdvice about marriage. Villainous A Conservative Bible? Include me out. Is anti-trust used for consumer protection anymore? Charlie Rangel: Poster Boy The O: Taliban should be part of Afghan govt. How reform is destroying medical care in Massachusetts The Quinnipiac health care poll. Related: Docs turn to GOP Stanford U doesn't want you to see this video. It's yet another Prof who swtiched from being an Ice Age alarmist to a warming alarmist. The plummeting US tax recepts. Related: The example of Vermont:
Insty:
Posted by The News Junkie
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06:11
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Cafes in Capri, AugustThursday, October 8. 2009The Goddess NemesisVDH begins his piece on Obama's career thus far:
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