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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Wednesday, July 14. 2021Parking a boat is not easyWednesday morning linksSpace travel: This battle of the billionaires has attracted a lot of attention and seems to have especially irritated people on the far left. Cornel West says in resignation letter over tenure dispute that Harvard is in ‘decline and decay’ Kerry Takes Long Fossil Fueled Flight To Yammer With Russia On Climate Crisis California school district will spend $40M making 'ethnic studies' mandatory for for high school students sparking a woke gold rush for consultants who will charge $1,500 an HOUR to train teachers in CRT California backtracks on woke math curriculum overhaul after stern opposition As Timothy Snyder rises from academic hotshot to intellectual celebrity, the quality of his work declines. New York Times Calls ‘Freedom’ An ‘Anti-Government Slogan’ Amid Cuban Protests… They're right, for once Why Islamism became woke "Anarchy On The Ground" - South Africa Deploys Military Amid Widespread Social Unrest France Moves to Totalitarian State – End of Tourism Tuesday, July 13. 2021Who did all of these chalk graffiti?From sail to power: A very cool lifeThe First NovelIt seems an odd thing to think about, but I'd recently heard a comment about the world's first novel. If you'd asked me prior to hearing this comment, I'd have replied it was Beowulf or Canterbury Tales, mainly because these were items of Western Literature and it's what we read about in school. So you tend to think about what is familiar. I suppose you could also point to The Odyssey or The Iliad, though these are technically 'histories' of a sort, and are also classified (like Beowulf) as epic poems. Given this, the comment struck me as intriguing. Because not only was the first novel not from Western culture, but it also started an entire genre unto itself - the Romance Novel. The Tale of Genji was written sometime in the 1000's, and was written by a woman, Murasaki Shikibu. This may not be her real name, as daughters' names were rarely recorded, and as a noblewoman, her name was more a title and descriptor of status. Shikibu means "Bureau of Ceremonial" - a post held by her father, and Murasaki is the name of the heroine in the novel. While reading and writing, for a woman of status, was not rare in Japanese culture, what Shibiku accomplished elevated the form, and introduced new aspects to writing as an art. She was creative, unique, and thoughtful. As such, she has been held in high esteem within Japanese culture.
Continue reading "The First Novel" Tuesday morning links
Plate tectonic evolution from 1 Billion years ago to the present Just 25 'mega-cities' produce 52 per cent of the world's urban greenhouse gas emissions—and 23 of them are in China NIH report: "Parents should lose veto power" over trans children decisions An Anti-Solomonic Decision in the UK Shows the Cruelty of Socialized Medicine It Cannot Be That Liberals Are Wrong About Everything “This is true and every honest person knows it.” — Tucker Carlson
Considering how we are told that America is a racist dystopia that oppresses people of color, it is amazing what the rest of the world will go through to become Americans. The Woke Defense Contractor - Raytheon adopts critical race theory and tells employees to acknowledge their “privilege.” Capitol Police Will Use Military Surveillance Equipment on Citizens to “Identify Emerging Threats” As a Gay Child in a Christian Cult, I Was Taught to Hate Myself. Then I Joined the Church of Social Justice—and Nothing Changed Most Voters Want Schools To Teach Traditional Values California Governor realizes the state needs more electricity As millions march against communism across Cuba, Biden administration makes an outrageous response Why Is Kamala The Last Democrat Still Arguing Against Voter I.D.? Remembering What Was Done to the Trump Administration. Almost Four Decades After Its Birth, The Diversity Industry Thrives on Its Own Failures Monday, July 12. 2021Dashew Week #1: Big water boating and design
Posted by The News Junkie
in The Culture, "Culture," Pop Culture and Recreation
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Welcome back to Cape Cod, you Great WhitesThey are a bummer for surfers and we body-surfer fanatics, but I guess it is a conservation success. Historically, they were abundant up there until the fishermen shot all of the seals. The restaurant is now open, but sharks can't tell a seal from a person. Why would they care anyway? Sharks are not humanitarians. Great White Sharks Have Returned to Cape Cod in Droves
Monday morning linksThe baby bust: How a declining birth rate will reshape the world Bezos, Branson, and the Big Business of Space Bug experts get rid of the name 'gypsy moth' because some Roma people consider it to be an ethnic slur Ontario: Math Is “Subjective” And “Used to Normalize Racism and Marginalization of Non-Eurocentric Mathematical Knowledges”. Ontario Grade 9 curriculum: “a decolonial, anti-racist approach to mathematics education makes visible its historical roots and social constructions.” Kamala Harris Says It’s ‘Almost Impossible’ For Rural Americans To Photocopy Their ID Thousands of Teachers Vow To Defy State Bans on Critical Race Theory Biden Administration Working To Undermine America Although surely by accident, the NYT is right. "Freedom" is an anti-government term. The Enablers - Defending phantom freedoms, certain intellectuals usher in the concrete tyrannies of critical race theory. You are Now in the Totalitarian Zone Landlord faces abuse from tenants who owe her $23,000 in back rent The Taliban is assassinating Afghan pilots Globalist Leaders at G20 Endorse Global Tax Plan, Set For Vote in US Congress; “New Rules,” “No Turning Back” Sunday, July 11. 2021A great book
Posted by The Barrister
in The Culture, "Culture," Pop Culture and Recreation
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15:27
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Stair DanceExcerpts from Eliot Feld's A Stair Dance, danced by Kids Dance (students of Ballet Tech, the NYC Public School for Dance).
From today's LectionaryMark 6:14-29 6:14 King Herod heard of it, for Jesus' name had become known. Some were saying, "John the baptizer has been raised from the dead; and for this reason these powers are at work in him." 6:15 But others said, "It is Elijah." And others said, "It is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old." 6:16 But when Herod heard of it, he said, "John, whom I beheaded, has been raised." 6:17 For Herod himself had sent men who arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, because Herod had married her. 6:18 For John had been telling Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife." 6:19 And Herodias had a grudge against him, and wanted to kill him. But she could not, 6:20 for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he protected him. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed; and yet he liked to listen to him. 6:21 But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his courtiers and officers and for the leaders of Galilee. 6:22 When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests; and the king said to the girl, "Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it." 6:23 And he solemnly swore to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, even half of my kingdom." 6:24 She went out and said to her mother, "What should I ask for?" She replied, "The head of John the baptizer." 6:25 Immediately she rushed back to the king and requested, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter." 6:26 The king was deeply grieved; yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he did not want to refuse her. 6:27 Immediately the king sent a soldier of the guard with orders to bring John's head. He went and beheaded him in the prison, 6:28 brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl. Then the girl gave it to her mother. 6:29 When his disciples heard about it, they came and took his body, and laid it in a tomb. Saturday, July 10. 2021People ask Andrew Sullivan "What happened to you?"Sullivan's essay reminds me of what Reagan said of the Democrats: "I didn't leave them; they left me." What Happened To You? The radicalization of the American elite against liberalism: He sees the nation's power institutions going crazy. He know these middle-class white lefties will be the first cohort to be hung from the lamppoles.
Meals, hunger, false hunger, and satiety, Part 1 (re-posted)Where did the cultural habit of three square meals per day come from? It's quite recent, actually, and really a European cultural concept. More specifically, a British aristocratic concept because even today an Italian breakfast (except for the tourists) is an espresso or latte and a biscotti, and a typical French breakfast is a cafe au lait and a croissant. Typical Italian supper? Soup and bread, or cheese and leftovers. "Eating between meals"? I suspect people might feel better with 5 mini-meals - balanced snacks, really, because stuffed and lazy after supper is not an effective life plan. Stuffed and lazy after any meal is not a good plan except on Thanksgiving. Serious exercisers and athletes tend to discipline themselves to a 5 meal program to keep the nutrients flowing. They have to eat when they aren't hungry to maintain their level of fitness and power, and to keep their weight up. A mini-meal for many can be something like a couple of slices of chicken and a handful of olives, or an apple and some cheese slices, maybe a slice of pizza or a cup of yoghurt or oatmeal with berries. Volume and details depending, of course, on total muscle mass, body frame, daily physical demands, physical goals, etc. Body-builders need 4-5 full meals daily to put on muscle mass, while the old-fashioned three squares/day will make most adults flabby if not obese. To understand what your body needs, look at it nude in the mirror. One look will tell you what it needs in fitness and nutrition in terms of muscular development, leanness or fatness, posture, etc. When it comes to food, we can't listen to our body too much. It's a liar because it was programmed for scarcity a long time ago, before agriculture. Humans seem to have the instinctive inclinations (eat, nap, fight, play, sex, and repeat until dark when the predators come out) of monkeys, chimps, and gorillas but we have some added higher capacities, or so the scientists claim. A brief history of the origin of three meals/day. Part 2 tomorrow will deal with hunger, appetite, and satiety.
Posted by Dr. Joy Bliss
in Medical, Psychology, and Dr. Bliss
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Saturday morning linksHigh Cost But Useless Master's Degrees And Who's Offering Them Barry Diller says streaming services killed the movie business as he knew it Churches Across Canada Being Torched By Antifa-Style Terrorists, Left Wing Government Cheers Them On… When Stores Close Due To Rising Crime, Urban Blight Is Back — And It Will Get Worse CDC: Schools should reopen fully this fall -- even if they can't follow all safety precautions California Capitol reinstates mask mandate... again A NEW LOW IN LEFTIST FANATICISM. Politico reports a stunner today: the climatistas are begging President Biden not to be too tough on China for human rights violations, or anything else, because . . . it might be bad for the climate! Critical race theory not very popular in new educator survey American Federation of Teachers Goes All In On Critical Race Theory The latest example of ‘white privilege’: Eating French food ‘Responsible pet ownership’ regulations are racist, some scholars argue A Landmark Civil Rights Lawsuit. Private litigation against critical race theory in Evanston public schools is necessary because the Biden administration won't enforce federal law as written. Bookworm Beat 07/07/21 — the Orwellian America illustrated edition Dems are losing the multiracial working class on basic lifestyle issues Saturday verse: Alexander PopeAmerican Digest reminded of this opus by Pope(1688-1744) An Essay on Man (entire thing here) KNOW then thyself, presume not God to scan; My Brown Turkey FigIt has grown from the ground this year to 6' now, and is covered with hundreds of growing fruit. Try it. Even in the Northeast US the roots will survive winter. Most years, anyway. The only annoying thing about growing figs is that ants discover them when they ripen.
Friday, July 9. 2021Mid-Atlantic Mayday due to busted rudderSad story from a "higher ed" writing ProfStory at Quillette: How All My Politically Correct Bones Were Broken:
Friday morning linksTextbooks say most birds can't smell. Scientists are proving them wrong Opulent 2,000-year-old ‘city hall’ unearthed near Western Wall in Jerusalem Children face just a one in 500,000 risk of dying from Covid, studies show amid growing row over whether youngsters should be given vaccines It’s Critical Race Theory That Is Un-American, Not Laws Banning It The CRT backlash and progressives' big lie about the culture war Teachers’ Unions Deceive on Critical Race Theory Washington Post: Calling food 'exotic' is racist I Could Lose Everything After ‘Devastating’ End to 8-Year Court Battle Over Same-Sex Wedding, Florist Says Squad Member Rep. Cori Bush: “American freedom … is for white people … Black people still aren’t free” Minneapolis: ANOTHER PEACEFUL NIGHT AT THE PEACE GARDEN "We think, condom on a banana, and that’s enough, and then we’re confused as to why there’s a consent problem. We’re still teaching the golden rule and we should be teaching the platinum rule: to treat others the way they want to be treated." What? CRISIS BY DESIGN: When Stores Close Due To Rising Crime, Urban Blight Is Back — And It Will Get Worse. Tucker Carlson Responds To Unmasking In Blistering Monologue, Discusses With Glenn Greenwald Now they call being a Republican treason Hunter Biden's artwork sales grift falls under ethics scrutiny Ami Horowitz Video: Inside Black Lives Matter - A BLM Expose Democrats plan to zero out wall funding and reduce Border Patrol money amid historic surge Tensions Run High on Border as Crisis Worsens Biden Admin Deletes References to Palestinian Terror Incitement From Congressional Report Thursday, July 8. 20212021 Urban HikeWe typically do the hike in the Spring, but with Covid we've missed 2 events which involve traipsing amidst the urban confines of New York City. This year, it appears we are going to be able to have an Autumnal Perambulation. While we've done parts of Greenwich Village, the conversation right now is that it's hard to really "do" the Village completely. So why not give it a shot? I've already lined up about 20 stops which include a few interesting historical sites, architectural sites, restaurants, bars, and museums. We've enlisted our good friend, the Manhattan Contrarian, to assist us in finding the best stops. Some we've seen already (that's OK, I always enjoy visiting interesting places more than once, and I'm sure we'll be accompanied by new people who haven't seen these locations), and others will be newly 'discovered' by myself, BD, and MC. We just need to pin down a date, but I'm guessing late September or early October will work best. Not too hot, not too cold. As usual, rain or shine (I still think the best hike was the last one, which was done in the rain and was very enjoyable, nonetheless). Hopefully we can choose the date and start making solid plans early this year - hope we get to see all our regular attendees, and I'm hoping more will join us! Pretty boatA Sicilian Classic: Spaghetti alla Norma, reposted for Eggplant seasonReaders know that we love Italy and Italian cuisine but we do not much care for pasta dishes as Primi - with a handful of exceptions. For one thing, I find tomato sauce to be close to disgusting which might make me a food snob and, for another, I find pasta to be a generally unpleasant experience except in very small amounts. I deserve some credibility because we have eaten our way through Italy from the Alps to the southern coast of Sicily. Truth is, the cuisine of the Mezzogiorno is not exactly wonderful. Sicily, unlike southern Italy, is not big on pasta (more couscous and rice), but they make a few pasta Primis that are not bad: alla Norma, con le Sarde, and con Vongole (in order, with eggplant, with fresh Sardines, and with Little clams or cockles. (The northern Italian pasta Primis I have liked have been Pappardelle con Funghi (only Porcinis) and alla Bolognese. Given a choice, I'd often prefer a gorgonzola risotto sprinkled with a red wine reduction instead. Or a small bowl of steamed mussels with wine and herbs.) Reminder: In Italian cooking, Pasta and tons of other things serve as Primi, meant to be small amounts of tasty first courses before the meat or fish Secondi. When I think of Sicilian food I think first of eggplants, lemons, grilled pork and seafood, and couscous. Sicily grows lots of eggplant and it is used in lots of their poverty cooking. Many people think alla Norma is wonderful but I think it is just OK, in small amounts. Here's a recipe. Try it for yourself. In favor of intersectionalityMost people are discriminated against in some ways. Scott Adams suggests adding intersection categories (such as too short, too fat, too white, too bald, etc), at the 23:40 point, at his podcast.
Posted by The News Junkie
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13:49
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Basic seamanship: Driving in rough seasThese are not rough seas, but good for basic instruction by the delightful Gale twins. I avoid bad seas and foul weather.
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