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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Tuesday, November 15. 2011Not a Constitutional lawyer, nor do I play one on the blogMany attorneys and many law profs generally assume that the Commerce Clause is dead and, indeed, was laid to rest many years ago. Whenever I bring up my sentimental and quaint views of the Constitutional limits on federal power, colleagues often see me as a naive artifact from a former age. Which, perhaps, I am. Lawyers rarely deal with Constitutional issues, just with ordinary civil and criminal laws and rules and regulations (of which there exist more than anyone could possibly know or even be dimly aware of, thus providing people like me with tidy incomes). Fact is, the late, lamented death of the original meaning of the commerce clause (designed mainly, as I understand it, to eliminate then-existing obstacles to inter-state commerce) opened the door to the Feds regulating and controlling everything and anything they want to. One might wish that the FFs might have been a little more explicit in their definitions and intentions, but they could not have anticipated every single language loophole the feds might have decided to exploit in their reaches for more and more power, control, and money - even though that was their greatest fear and the reason they bothered to write the thing in the first place. King George lll would envy the power of our current federal government. Loopholes are always for the Common Good, naturally. Antique that I am, for me freedom is the ultimate Common Good. To me, the meaning of "Freedom" is freedom from the power of the state far more than it is freedom from external threats to security, or German threats to Europe, or Islamist insanity. WSJ: ObamaCare Goes to Court - A historic showdown on the constitutional limits of federal power. I predict that much or all of ObamaCare is upheld by the Supremes, in deference to Congress. I deeply hope that I am wrong because the feds have shown little ability to run much of anything effectively or flexibly except the armed forces, much less 17% of the American economy. We'll all end up with USPS medical care, and it will be frozen in law so it can no longer adapt or innovate, or even try to help me and you outside of government guidelines.
Posted by The Barrister
in Hot News & Misc. Short Subjects, Our Essays
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19:21
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No more dieting, no more exercise?Just kill off those nasty fat cells that you have been over-feeding: Obese Monkeys Lose Weight On Drug That Attacks Blood Supply of Fat Cells. Assuming this will be somewhat safer than bariatric surgery, we'll all be able to eat all we want and as inactive as we want, and we'll all be as skinny as models. Being in shape will lose all of its virtue because it will be effortless. Maybe being fat will then come into fashion.
Isolation and Death (fun topics)From Wemyss' A Severed Wasp: Orwell - Woolf - Kierkegaard, two quotes:
and
Posted by Bird Dog
in The Culture, "Culture," Pop Culture and Recreation
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16:38
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A few links about Euroland- The EU's architects never meant it to be a democracy - The rise of a "technocracy" was always part of the plan for Europe:
- Via Pasta la Vista, Baby:
- Paul Krugman is rewriting history now that the eurozone, beloved by US liberals, is going down in flames - Cameron Rebuffs Merkel’s Push for Closer Political Union Amid Debt Crisis Good for Cameron. He can see that Germany (and maybe France) want to use the crisis to consolidate and build power, a la Rahm Emanuel. Given the track record, one wonders why anyone would want to go along with that plan. I always thought the Common Market seemed reasonable, but it was just a first step towards some crazy utopian vision created by people with little experience in the real world but who think they know what's best for everybody else. By the way, what's the difference between a technocracy and a dictatorship? Election 2012: Spartanburg debate vids
I have four logical theories on what might have happened: 1. The dog ate the server's hard drive. 2. Bird Dog, ever mindful of the "politically centrist" in the site's banner and the possibility of class action law suits for false advertising, read how many harsh, critical things I'd written about the liberal scum-dog moderators and immediately deleted the post to save the site's reputation. Because, as everybody knows, if there's one thing a politically-centrist site would never, ever, do, it would be to disparage one side without fairly and centristically disparaging the other. 3. The webmaster, never dreaming in his wildest dreams that some demented blogger would actually be writing on a Saturday night when he's supposed to be out there having one of those "life" things I read about did some kind of maintenance routine, or maybe an upgrade didn't work and he hit 'Restore', and that was that. 4. God is a Democrat, and omnipotently seeing that my article was destined to be viewed as the "greatest piece of literature in the history of mankind" and would be read in every language on every continent on earth and play the decisive role in getting Sarah Palin and Chris Christie elected Empress and Vice-Emperor Of The World (Newt Gingrich as Secretary of Earth, Mark Steyn as Chief of Staff), decided He'd better nip it in the bud. "This Palin woman just doesn't know her place," He mumbled. "And what's with that accent!" There were, however, two telling moments during the debate, so I thought I'd grab the YouTube clips and snip out the scenes for your enjoyment. Since liberal moderators will be speaking and there might be children present, decorum dictates that we continue below the fold. Continue reading "Election 2012: Spartanburg debate vids" QQQs on economic mobility"From shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves in three generations." Lancashire version: “There’s nobbut three generations atween a clog and clog.” Scottish version: “The father buys, the son builds, the grandchild sells, and his son begs.”
Tuesday morning linksFinally, police remove encampment from Zuccotti Park Occupy Portland Cleared Out: Onlooker Taunts The Whole World is Laughing A new blog: Bad Rachel About That 'Christmas Tree Tax' - The real story is a case of business and government collusion. Obama not the man America voted for - Historian says the 2008 Barack Obama went on to squander voters' goodwill It has come to this – China mocks West’s political system and economics Profile: She’s giving folks who are sick of Debbie Wasserman-Schultz reasons to cheer CNN Poll: Support rises for health insurance mandate California's government apparently believes that the best way to create jobs is to impose even more potential liabilities on employers. California’s high-speed rail system is going nowhere fast California — toxic for business The US has enough smallpox vaccine to inoculate the entire population for three bucks a pop. But that’s not good enough Who Wants to Subsidize a Millionaire? Italy-Pregnant BlackRock Sees Write-Downs Of 75-80% For Greece, Portugal And Ireland European Debt Crisis: You Haven't Seen Anything Yet Cities Hit as Funds From Bonds Pay Other Bills Harper Tells Obama Canada Will Sell Oil to Asia Since His Administration Delayed Pipeline (Obama Loses Another 1 Million US Jobs) Brutal: Cain blanks on Libya, supports collective bargaining for public employee unions Only a totalitarian New World Order can save us now says Naomi Klein Obama turns his back on Catholics Catholic bishops say religious freedom waning The Court’s agenda on health care Kagan to Tribe on Day Obamacare Passed: ‘I Hear They Have the Votes, Larry!! Simply Amazing.’ 60 Minutes Cherry Picks Book To Make Congressional Insider Trading Mostly a GOP Scandal What's At Stake In the Net-Neutrality Fight The EPA's Reliability Cover-Up - Why did the agency erase its own doubts about the U.S. electrical grid? Insider trading is illegal — except for members of Congress. The High LineMrs. BD's pic on the High Line Sunday evening. It's pleasant for a stroll, but surprising to me how much of an attraction it has become. No public funds.
Posted by Bird Dog
in The Culture, "Culture," Pop Culture and Recreation
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04:42
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Monday, November 14. 2011Mead goes medieval on us BoomersListen Up, Boomers: The Backlash Has Begun. One quote:
But gee, Prof Mead, those stuffy old moralities and values like honor, integrity, self-restraint, self-reliance, duty, sacrifice, loyalty, etc. are so...inauthentic, hypocritical, uptight, old-fashioned - and no darn fun.
Posted by The Barrister
in The Culture, "Culture," Pop Culture and Recreation
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18:13
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R-E-S-P-E-C-TWhen I was able to get on a military transport home to the East Coast from the West just before going on to Vietnam, it was all officers on board except me (then a Lance Corporal). Regardless of rank, I was fully treated as an equal. When we arrived at New Jersey's Maguire AFB, anti-Vietnam protesters surrounded the gates, blocking buses in to NYC. Several high-ranking officers invited me to share their cab, at no cost (knowing I cleared about $100 a month). When I returned from Vietnam and was mustered out, all my college friends -- most opposed to the US in Vietnam -- threw me a welcome home party. It was totally sincere and non-political. Many told me I had experienced something they couldn't imagine and wouldn't risk, and wondered what that would add to my life or diminish in theirs. -- However, my first date after that was with a girl who asked if I'd killed any babies in Vietnam. I didn't date for many months after. My point is that almost any who have an inkling, a modicum of sense, have respect for our service. As decades have gone by, most Americans have realized that respect is due. All this is by way of introducing you to read all of Justin Timberlake's awakening to respect. Then, for rueful chuckles at a complete fool in a dangerous position of academic authority, I invite you to read this post, and wonder "why can't this jerk be more like Justin Timberlake?"
Posted by Bruce Kesler
in Hot News & Misc. Short Subjects, Our Essays
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15:11
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About All Those STEM Dropouts...From Vedder at Minding the Campus. Math and science are difficult, and they aren't all about "what I think" and "what I feel." Failure is a good thing in a meritocratic field because it separates those with potential from those without. Whether it's banks or students, America needs more room for healthy failure. Failure is more important than success, because more can be learned from it. In the end, success in achieving goals is better, though. Much more enjoyable. CNN Reporter Asks Obama: Are GOP Candidates "Uninformed, Out Of Touch, Or Irresponsible?"
Posted by The News Junkie
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14:13
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How New Deal Mortgage Policy Undermined Our CitiesLong-term mortgages may or may not be a good idea, but they do have willing sellers and buyers. In most of the world, mortgages are either rare or very short-term, ie 5 years, and are not tax-advantaged. From Forbes:
and
The FHA and the mortgage interest tax deduction introduced giant distortions into housing markets. Just add "free" government highways to the mix, and you get what you have. In my view, the FHA and the mortgage deduction are simply subsidies to construction industries and unions, and the freeways simply indirect subsidies to the auto and trucking industries and suburban construction industries. Photo is a new home in Levittown, Long Island, NY
Posted by Bird Dog
in History, Our Essays, Politics, The Culture, "Culture," Pop Culture and Recreation
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13:47
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U2 flight with your favorite Top Gear friendsMonday morning linksNudemen Clock. Clever Fran Lebowitz: on learning about ballet and choreography from Jerome Robbins Mead: The Education Change is Coming Faster Than You Think:
The Old Urbanist visits Zuccotti Park Congressional Inside Traders Are Above the Law Disgraced ex-lobbyist Jack Abramoff "confirms" Congressional insider trading Just Like the Tea Party… 3 #Occupy Portland Protesters Arrested With Homemade Grenades Want a glimpse of America’s future? Then cast your eyes on . . . Italy. Regime Change in Europe: Do Greece and Italy Amount to a Bankers' Coup? The EU: They never meant it to be a democracy Is "Totalitarian Leftist" Redundant? Obama campaign adviser wanted Steven Chu out Media Promote Myth of Clinton Golden Years, Hype His New Economic Book Canadian PM eyes China after US pipeline delay Defense Spending Debate Misses The Point Brave New Transnational Progressive World:
Sunday, November 13. 2011The full versionPeter Schiff down at Zuccotti Park. He's a wonderful fellow: (Sorry - seems as if this was shut down - if anyone can find the correct link to the uncut version, please let us know. It worked yesterday)
Leftover Mashed PotatoesWe usually just pop leftovers in the microwave, but a better thing to do with them is to make fritters out of them. These aren't true Potato Pancakes, but they're tasty. I call them Mashed Potato Fritters. A Murmuration of StarlingsIntroduced to NYC's Central Park from the UK over 100 years ago, Starlings have made America their home. This dramatic murmuration was filmed in Ireland.
Murmuration from Sophie Windsor Clive on Vimeo.
Posted by Gwynnie
in Natural History and Conservation, Our Essays
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12:08
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Via No Pasaran: Sunday morning linksThat $35K for an advanced degree in puppetry Taking Laps In The College Athletics Cesspool A guy who was impressed by Zuccotti Park:
Another view: Occupy Is A Pack Of Thieves, Louts, and Rapists Occupy Portland Protester Discusses Charles Blow: Repubs want the poor to starve Obama making the world safe for political Islam Mexico Under Siege A look back at the Russian war in Afghanistan Elusive Justice: The Search for Nazi War Criminals Athens, Rome, Washington ... The shortest route from imperial capital to tourist destination is precisely this death spiral of debt. Bill Clinton Declares That the Era of Big Government Is Only Just Beginning Fired MF Global Employee on Corzine: “I Would Punch Him in the Face” Star Parker: Which path will you choose, America? Obama Supporter’s Company Wins $433 Million No-Bid Contract for Experimental Smallpox Drug From today's Lectionary: "Teach us..."Psalm 90:1-8, (9-11), 12 90:1 Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. New England architecture: Another typical modest dwellingA proto-bungalow, really. A happy family could have a fine life based in such a dwelling. That's all I need, but I'm not sure that Mrs. BD would agree. A little bit finer if they took the trouble to jack up that porch. This one is in Woodstock, VT (a village I am fond of, and not only for the skiing, and not to be confused with Woodstock, CT or the famous Woodstock, NY. The permanent population has not changed since 1859. Vermont is not about growth). (Re cars in VT, Maine, and NH: Ever notice how the locals almost never have 4 WD in snow and mud country, but the summer folk and ski folk always do? You'd think that driving to the country is like Lewis and Clark.)
Posted by Bird Dog
in The Culture, "Culture," Pop Culture and Recreation
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04:20
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Saturday, November 12. 2011Even the New York TimesEven the NYT can see the Green Energy Scam now. It's a scandal, if not criminal. Freebies to the 1%, and feel-good nonsense for the benighted greenies. I had a good morning of bird-hunting today. How about you? New England ArchitectureJust found this little stash of poor cell phone pics which one of the pupettes took around town a few years ago, for a school archecture project about roof styles. It's a random selection of where the !% seem to live. More below the fold - Continue reading "New England Architecture"
Posted by Bird Dog
in The Culture, "Culture," Pop Culture and Recreation
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13:21
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When motion pictures were entertaining: Molly and MeActress needs work, takes job as housekeeper. Before my time, of course. Gracie Fields was the best. Including "The artfulness, the sinfulness, the wickedness of men." I love it. Enjoy:
Posted by Bird Dog
in Our Essays, The Culture, "Culture," Pop Culture and Recreation
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12:06
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