Maggie's Farm

We 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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Wednesday, August 24. 2016

Wednesday morning links

Millennials aren’t buying homes. Good for them.


Twitter Is in Yahoo-Level Trouble


With Crocodiles in Custody, Police in Humpty Doo, Australia, Seek Human Accomplices


Quake in Norcia.


We love Norcia. Norcia is for foodies. Also, home of St. Benedict.


The Surprising Reason Why More Americans Aren’t Going To Church


Robbing the New (Uber) to Subsidize the Old (Taxis)


Accused of being Eurocentric, Roger Williams U. hires social justice expert to help lead campus


Two Hypotheses On Why Basket Case Cities Are Failing


World poll: Plurality think there are 'too many immigrants' in their country


Leveraging Up The World in Good Times -- The Madness of Modern Central Banking


"Readers of this blog take steps to make sure their
employers are unaware that they read sites like this one, for fear the
morality police will come calling."


Virginia governor restoring felons' voting rights one by one after court rejects order


I tend to agree with that. Everybody is a felon.


Soros update


What a creep


Our World: Soros’s campaign of global chaos


Carville: Attack the Clinton Foundation and you’re risking your very soul, or something


Trump is a vanity project run amok


Thoughts on Trump – When Life Gives You Lemons…


VDH:  Whatever his faults, a Trump victory is preferable for the Republic.


No other couple in American politics can offer what the Clintons have to sell.


Caroline Glick on Hillary Clinton


Not impressed


Annals of Clinton corruption


Hamas, Palestinian Authority Target Journalists Ahead of Election


Who should rule Syria? Nobody

Posted by Bird Dog in Hot News & Misc. Short Subjects at 06:28 | Comments (37) | Trackbacks (0)

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QUOTE:
Soros update: That’s right—money that George Soros funnels into politics is designed to beat down the public consciousness to the point where they accept that being invaded and replaced and raped and decapitated is the “new normal.”

Satire, right? Right? Must be.
#1 Zachriel on 2016-08-24 08:07 (Reply)
Cute... How about this quote:

WRT the end goal of his efforts to "shape migration policymaking"
QUOTE:
Accepting the current crisis as the new normal and moving beyond the need to react.


Why does he feel the need to meddle (subvert) politics in countries that he doesn't live in?
#1.1 mudbug on 2016-08-24 10:03 (Reply)
That is the question I have to all the rich, ruling class, elites: Why can't you just leave me the hell alone? Why do you have to push me into a corner, where I have to come out swinging?

I'm glad a small light is finally being shone on the evil that is George Soros. Not surprised that the Zach Borg would rise to his defense.
#1.1.1 B Hammer on 2016-08-24 10:29 (Reply)
mudbug: Why does he feel the need to meddle (subvert) politics in countries that he doesn't live in?

The same reason Open Society worked in Soviet East Europe; the same reason Open Society invested in education in apartheid South Africa; to establish civil institutions, to help form more open societies, and to advance government accountability and transparency.

But, in the right-wing echochamber, it is taken for granted that Soros is a Nazi, or something. So, there's that.
#1.1.2 Zachriel on 2016-08-24 10:36 (Reply)
It's not taken for granted. I remember when there was grudging respect for Soros for precisely those Open Society reasons.

The data changed, and the opinions on the right changed. Yours didn't.
#1.1.2.1 Assistant Village Idiot (Link) on 2016-08-24 15:19 (Reply)
Assistant Village Idiot: The data changed, and the opinions on the right changed.

What data is that?
#1.1.2.1.1 Zachriel on 2016-08-25 09:25 (Reply)
Do you believe South Africa is a success story??? Probably the least safe country on earth. It was eminently more safe under the old regime. Not good just less murder, rape and crime.

Interesting parallel though. If you didn't know the history you might conclude that all those poor mistreated native Africans were South Africans. They were not, they were (for the most part) illegal immigrants who flooded into the country, overwhelmed the social system and eventually broke it.

The story of South Africa is not over yet. It will end in open warfare where the black majority will destroy the white minority through genocide. It won't be on the evening news and you won't hear anyone apologize for enabling the genocide going on now and becoming worse daily. None of that fits the meme.
#1.1.2.2 IdahoBob on 2016-08-24 17:42 (Reply)
IdahoBob: Do you believe South Africa is a success story???

It's a working, multi-racial democracy, and an engine of economic growth in southern Africa. The crime rate is lower than at the end of apartheid. The country has a lot of challenges, though.

Seriously, you're arguing that apartheid was better? For whom?
#1.1.2.2.1 Zachriel on 2016-08-24 18:30 (Reply)
Was apartheid better? Better than genocide which is what black South Africa is practicing today. Do colleges have African American and Hispanic lounges/spaces? Is that apartheid/segregation?

I would prefer a society where everyone gets along and does not commit acts of violence. But what do you do when a specific segment of the population insists on committing violence and rapes? Don't you owe at least an attempt to maintain a safe country and a just legal system to the victims of those crimes?
#1.1.2.2.1.1 IdahoBob on 2016-08-24 20:40 (Reply)
IdahoBob: Better than genocide which is what black South Africa is practicing today.

The murder rate in South Africa is about 32 per 100,000 per year, worrisome, but still considerably lower than during apartheid. The level of violence is worrisome, but hardly genocide.
#1.1.2.2.1.1.1 Zachriel on 2016-08-25 09:18 (Reply)
They aren't done yet. Before this is over they will rape and murder every white person in South Africa. Keep watching...

during apartheid almost all the murders were black on black. A communist insurgency in a neighboring country pushed different tribes into South Africa and they were at war with each other. Almost all the violence we saw during apartheid was committed by the very same people who are now the government of South Africa. As for your stats, they are false, intentionally dumbed down for public consumption.

http://www.salon.com/2000/03/28/south_africa_2/
#1.1.2.2.1.1.1.1 IdahoBob on 2016-08-25 10:58 (Reply)
IdahoBob: They aren't done yet.

You claimed genocide was ongoing. It's been more than 20 years since the end of apartheid, and the murder rate is lower now than it was then. It's still very high by international standards. South Africa went through political upheaval, so it often takes a generation or so to stabilize.
#1.1.2.2.1.1.1.1.1 Zachriel on 2016-08-25 11:07 (Reply)
Your crime stats are bogus. South Africa does what they can to keep the wool over the eyes of willing useful idiots.
#1.1.2.2.1.1.1.1.1.1 IdahoBob on 2016-08-25 17:11 (Reply)
Not a Nazi; a hard-core Socialist.
#1.1.2.3 Sam L. on 2016-08-24 18:54 (Reply)
Sam L: Not a Nazi; a hard-core Socialist.

Soros advocates reforming global capitalism. Many people are also concerned about the current form of globalization without being "hard-core socialist".
#1.1.2.3.1 Zachriel on 2016-08-25 09:23 (Reply)
This is a good example of how the present economic and other problems are not natural, they have been intentionally created by those in power to keep the people poor and dependent on them. Here it is especially scary because we know Soros has close ties with both Obama and the Clintons. And we see what has been going on in the past 8 years, starting with the intentional collapse of the economy once the Democrats took control of Congress and shut down the Bush administration.
#1.1.3 Jim on 2016-08-24 14:25 (Reply)
Why must it be?

Provide some support for your snarky assertion.
#1.2 DrTorch on 2016-08-24 10:27 (Reply)
Perhaps it's a case of Poe's Law.

QUOTE:
It’s a little known fact that he was spawned as a result of a one-night stand between Lucifer and the flying Japanese monster-movie pterosaur Rodan.

Actually, Soros is of Jewish ancestry.

QUOTE:
Openly hostile toward all things European, Soros is widely regarded as the most evil man alive.

Actually, Soros worked hard to advance democracy in Soviet East Europe.

QUOTE:
It urges cooperation between Soros-funded groups and “leaders in the field” to “shape migration policymaking” and combat “growing intolerance toward migrants.”

Advocating tolerance. How awful.

QUOTE:
Accepting the current crisis as the new normal and moving beyond the need to react.

Soros was a migrant from an era when tens-of-millions of people were displaced. Globalization (along with climate change) will result in continued movement of peoples. It is the "new normal".
#1.2.1 Zachriel on 2016-08-24 10:45 (Reply)
So you can't provide any.

Didn't think so, but I figured I'd give you a chance.

Still, another fail for you. Typical.
#1.2.1.1 DrTorch on 2016-08-24 13:40 (Reply)
DrTorch: So you can't provide any.

Well, DrTorch, the writer says the Jewish George Soros is the spawn of Lucifer, and you wonder why there is a question about the author's intention.

Notably, you ignored the points raised.
#1.2.1.1.1 Zachriel on 2016-08-24 14:12 (Reply)
Z: Notably, you ignored the points raised.

HA! You've NEVER done that! But maybe that was another of you...
#1.2.1.1.1.1 mudbug on 2016-08-24 15:12 (Reply)
No, I ignored the straw men you set up. You were the one who avoided the real substance of the article.

I don't chase down rabbit trails. That's why my posts to you are so short. You post nothing of real substance: straw men, semantics, outright fabrications. You're a reliable source of logical fallacy.
#1.2.1.1.1.2 DrTorch on 2016-08-24 15:40 (Reply)
DrTorch: You were the one who avoided the real substance of the article.

We pointed out that it's hard to know if it is satire or not. You asked us to justify that assertion. We did.

We also addressed the substance of the article. The author claims Soros is hostile to Europe, when his foundation worked hard to bring Eastern Europe closer to the values of the West. We also responded to the author's decrying of Soro's efforts to combat intolerance. We then responded to the comment about immigration being the "new normal".

That we did all this, and you furiously waved your hands.
#1.2.1.1.1.2.1 Zachriel on 2016-08-24 18:36 (Reply)
Isn't Central Banking all about privatizing the gain and socializing the pain. If that works for you, vote the status quo.

Off Topic, but in defiance of the Globalists and Financialists, I support the reindustrialization of America, and plan to vote accordingly. Don't bother correcting me, I already know the difficulties and limitations, nor do I expect it to be a panacea.
#2 FedUp on 2016-08-24 08:59 (Reply)
Virginia governor restoring felons' voting rights one by one after court rejects order

I tend to agree with that. Everybody is a felon.

Right on. In fact, felons should get two or three votes, a ride to the polls, a little walkin' aroun' money and lunch, same as the rest of the 47% get in blue precincts.
#3 BillH on 2016-08-24 09:32 (Reply)
Why do basket cites fall apart? We have an excellent example of the problem and the solution. In the early 90's NY City saw crime and murders increasing under Mayor Dinkins. Following the election of Rudy Giuliani murders and crime were driven down to an all time low. What was the difference? Dinkins was uninterested in fighting crime, unsupportive of the police and tolerated greater and greater levels of criminal activity in the name of political correctness. Rudy applied the law across the board and supported the police. Simple as that.
#4 GoneWithTheWind on 2016-08-24 10:09 (Reply)
They finally run out of other peoples' money.
#4.1 ahem on 2016-08-24 13:24 (Reply)
the link re: annals of clinton etc.
gave me a convulsive shudder just seeing that!
#5 mark on 2016-08-24 10:56 (Reply)
re Annals of Clinton corruption

One wonders if we have even scratched the surface of the Clintons' 'business affairs"?
#5.1 feeblemind on 2016-08-24 12:38 (Reply)
Trump is a 'vanity project'? I beg to differ. Clinton is a 'vanity project' of the highest order. She used her husband's name to get herself a senate seat, she leveraged a loss in the 2008 primaries into a Sec'y of State role for which she was woefully ill-prepared and unqualified, and now she has pushed ahead - scandals trailing behind her - determined to be the 'first woman president.'

That is all she cares about. HERSELF.

Trump is no vanity project. He could've stayed in his Trump Tower palace with his beautiful wife and his lovely children, living the good life. Instead, he was willing to sacrifice his life's work (his business) to run for office. He endured more than a year of negative press, people digging into his background, people calling him a bigot, a racist and worse....all because he wants to save the country from corruption and globalism. That is not vanity, that is patriotism.
#6 MissT on 2016-08-24 11:36 (Reply)
Having driven a cab in the past myself, I see one issue with Uber vs. Cabs: the State. Specifically, the State took money from the Cab companies to permit them to run a cab. These are known as medallions, and it has cost some cab companies $100,000 to buy and maintain them. Now Uber comes along. I'm all for competition and for getting rid of State monopolies, but who's going to make the cab companies - some of which are huge and some of which are very small independents - whole?
#7 RonF on 2016-08-24 11:48 (Reply)
>Thoughts on Trump – When Life Gives You Lemons…

What do you do when life gives you horseshit?
#8 David Zincavage (Link) on 2016-08-24 12:40 (Reply)
grow sweet corn
#8.1 fjord on 2016-08-24 13:48 (Reply)
Well, apparently you throw the horseshit at everyone who disagrees with you.
#8.2 SweetPea on 2016-08-24 17:46 (Reply)
Of course Donald Trump is running for president out of vanity---everybody knows that the wealthy are incapable of having feelings of patriotism, responsibility, compassion, duty and love for fellow man.

But, especially, they are incapable of self-sacrifice, suffering, courage, and honor.

Everybody knows that.
#9 ahem on 2016-08-24 13:34 (Reply)
re: Americans not going to church

Going to church is a habit as much as it's anything. When you're in the habit of going, it's easy to keep going. When you're out of the habit, it's very easy to not go.

I think it's one of the great tools of the Catholic church that you must go to mass every Sunday. When you don't it's a mortal sin. And it becomes a habit. Sometimes you go to mass because you have to, the other times you go because it never fails to bring tears to your eyes.
#10 Jack Walter on 2016-08-24 14:26 (Reply)
Who should rule Syria? The answer to that is painfully obvious. We should. It is the only and best guarantee to stop most MusTerror from Syria, and is the best solution for the refugee crisis that is impacting the US and Europe.

Moral qualms? Would you have had these moral questions 100 years ago, and what has changed really since then? Oh, that's right. We are more powerful and capable of doing this.

Go ahead and argue this with me. You can't show that it is not the best guarantee of a solution. All other solutions to ISIS are queer and impotent (but I repeat myself).
#11 Casey Klahn on 2016-08-25 10:40 (Reply)

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