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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Thursday, August 23. 2018Thursday morning linksWhy Prosperity Has Increased But Happiness Has Not Venice restaurant bill outrages Japanese tourists It's a tourist trap San Francisco "Poop Patrollers" Make $185,000 Passing the Torch - Why the eons-old truce between humans and fire has burst into an age of megafires, and what can be done about it Social Media Companies the Most Dangerous Monopolies Ever The Guardian: Men’s Fixation on Younger Women is Indicative of a Crisis in Masculinity Says Legal Insurrection, "Longest “crisis” in human history" If neo-Nazis didn’t exist, the left would have to invent them. And to some extent have. Texas School Removes 'Ladies' and 'Gentlemen' Quote After Single Twitter User Complains ‘Social Justice’ is Overrunning the University of Texas Kling: I think that the case for spending “public money” (i.e., money extracted from taxpayers) on schools is quite weak. Until I see a well-controlled experiment, I will be skeptical of the benefit of schools. College bans ‘racial’ and ‘offensive’ discussions on campus network for 11 years 52.1% of Kids Live in Households Getting Means-Tested Government Assistance THE SOUTHERN POVERTY LAW CENTER’S PERFECT STORM - And why religious freedom is at stake. What Socialists (and Most Other People) Don't Understand About The Oil Industry Anti-Trump Harvard Law prof ‘has lost his mind’ over Supreme Court nominee Steyn: The Priorities of US Justice Anatomy of a Sting: Robert Mueller Likely Used FBI and Foreign Intel to Set-Up George Papadopoulos in July 2017… Wednesday, August 22. 2018Help! I can't get up!It is floor to standing with a weight in your hand. Since I posted a photo of a Turkish Get Up yesterday, a bit more on this full-body calisthenic:
Wednesday morning linksWoodrow Wilson's biographer discusses the 28th president's racism and the disabling stroke he suffered in 1919 Don’t subsidize coal; just stop trying to kill it off Sea level rise has been average 7 inches per century for 7000 years Can Sexual Orientation Change? Cultural appropriation update New Jersey governor bans black bear hunting on state grounds, but not without backlash Asia Argento: I Deny Everything — And The Payoff To My Accuser Was Anthony Bourdain’s Idea Do People Really Think Earth Might Be Flat? A poll says lots of Millennials evidently do Not The Onion: PETA Frees Animal Crackers From Cages At UCLA, 20 paid diversity advocates isn’t enough Is Democracy Really Dying? Why so many commentators share an overly grim view of America’s fate When the Left admits they hate America and Americans Pulling Their Clearances Is Only The Start — It’s Time To Stamp Out Elite Privilege
Tuesday, August 21. 2018Do I ever "feel like" working out?
I hate to imagine what my life would be like if I only did what "I feel like doing." Worst case? Living in retirement or on welfare as a TV addict or internet or heroin addict - but then I would hate myself for laziness and passivity. I am already a book addict. It's sort of moot for me, because I have never known the meaning of "relax and take it easy." Probably never will. I was made for work. What does "motivation" mean? I don't know. I do know what desire means, and what fear means. Desire for results, and fear of decay, affect me but so does the simple physical need to be active. My genius trainer always says "The hardest exercise of all is dragging your lazy ass to the gym every morning." The answer to my title question is "No - never." That's because it is so hard and stressful compared with, say, yard and garden work, or going for a scenic hike. I just want to get it done with and then to begin my day in a good state of mind. Once I get in the gym, though, there is some perverse satisfaction in pushing myself and testing my will, and good satisfaction after completing a hard hour. Being driven by a slave-master helps a lot too. Endorphins are over-rated, but an atmosphere where everybody is busting their ass is inspirational. As all of our readers know well, discipline, determination, and delayed gratification are darn important in making a decent life. It does feel good to me to be in better shape than I was in 20 years ago, but it's taken 3 years to get here with much further to go. Trying to turn back that clock, baby - it's only semi-delusional. Photo: Those people are doing Turkish Get-ups. It's a tricky calisthenic. Tuesday morning links
Above: Perry's Venn Diagram related to MacDonald's Gender is a construct - except when it's not Tyler Cowen is visiting Baku Most wildfires are started by humans, we can do a lot to prevent them too Ethanol Is Terrible for Health and the Environment, but Government Keeps Backing It. The US federal government still strongly pushes corn- and soy-based ethanol despite the EPA's new study showing its harmful effects. US military having trouble finding good recruits California Dems Pass Bill Banning Sale Of Soda And Juice To Kids… Public Housing’s Most Notorious Failure - Revisionist history notwithstanding, Cabrini-Green more than deserved its reputation for crime and squalor. Dalrymple on bureacratese The Pernicious Impact of Government Intervention in Healthcare, Captured in a Chart. This “third-party payer” system basically means market forces are absent. Weinstein accuser Asia Argento made deal to pay her own sexual assault accuser, bombshell report says Asia Argento Paid Off Sexual Assault Accuser (Report) ANDREW CUOMO: TRUMP’S AMERICA CONSISTS OF ‘SEXISM, RACISM, BIGOTRY, AND INTOLERANCE’ "...conservatives also cave in large numbers even when their most sacred cows are in danger." Chelsea Clinton Now Calls Running for Office a ‘Definite Maybe’ David Horowitz: Trump’s Character and Trump’s Presidency This is why all Americans should support President Trump on immigration Trump is gaining black support because his policies are improving the lives of all Americans
Why the New Winnie the Pooh Movie Is Banned in China South Africa farm seizures BEGIN: Chaos as first expropriation of white-owned farms starts Sweden riots: Why is Sweden rioting? Is it to do with the Sweden election? i Sultan: Why should Kofi Annan’s death cause us to forget how bad at his job he was? Failure falls upwards.
Monday, August 20. 2018Lost years"At 37, I’m stronger than I’ve been since I was 27, probably the same as when I was 17. I should rejoice, I know, but..."
At dawn, I will win! I will win! I will win!Monday morning linksWhat Are Red Tides and Why Are They Getting Worse? When algae get a surplus of nutrients, they grow at ridiculous rates. Roundup and junk science The internet has transformed the search for love and partnership First They Came for Alex Jones In Stunning Admission, Jack Dorsey Acknowledges Twitter's "Left-Leaning" Bias SO, YOU WANT TO BE A POLICE OFFICER? Editorial Collusion By Dozens Of Newspapers Proves Trump's Point: The Media Are Biased Poll: Government Back On Top As Nation’s Leading Problem Elizabeth Warren’s Batty Plan to Nationalize . . . Everything ICE BUSTS ILLEGAL ALIEN WANTED FOR MURDER IN MEXICO, MEDIA OUTRAGED ANOTHER TRUMP MIRACLE: President Brings Hope and Investment Back to Gary, Indiana – A Democrat Dead Zone Black Business Ownership Under Trump Jumps 400% in ONE YEAR WHAT TO MAKE OF THE WHITE HOUSE COUNSEL’S COOPERATION WITH MUELLER Progressive Cities Go To Work On The Problem of "Homelessness" RAHM EMANUEL ACCUSED OF RACISM FOR SUGGESTING SHOOTINGS COULD BE FIXED WITH FAMILY VALUES - "Our kids need that moral structure in their lives. And we cannot be scared to have this conversation.” One of the most touching of the #Walkaway stories EITHER OHR Will South Africa Follow the Path of Zimbabwe? VIETNAM’S CATHOLICS: CROSS WITH CHINA, AND ALL COMMUNISTS Peru And Ecuador Demand Passports From Venezuelans Migrants Sunday, August 19. 2018Sunday BobA practice version of Idiot Wind from 1974. Final lyrics of this tough, pained song still evolving in this tape. He was not happy when Sarah dumped him and his kids to run off with some con-man. Doubt he ever really got over that. "Idiot wind, blowing every time you move your teeth..."
A Cape Cod state of mind: Why we love Wellfleet, MA
Foggy drizzly Atlantic morning beach hike, Newcomb Hollow to Cahoon's Hollow, and back. Big shorebird migration last week. Hundreds of Least Sandpipers and Bonaparte's Gulls. Lots of Grey Seals people-watching. Great Whites seal-watching, I guess, too. Besides multi-generational family tradition and the regular presence of my very high-energy sibs and their interesting kids (I went for an early morning jog - 5:30 or so, and ran past the town tennis courts. "Hey, Bird Dog - I have a spare racquet in my car". My brother and sis were playing tennis already, so we did Canadian doubles for an hour), I'll offer some reasons we love it there, and a few pictures, below the fold: Continue reading "A Cape Cod state of mind: Why we love Wellfleet, MA" From today's LectionaryProverbs 9:1-6 9:1 Wisdom has built her house, she has hewn her seven pillars. Modern ArtI call it "Azec Leaning against Dumpster." This artwork can be yours for $450,000 not including tax and shipping.
Saturday, August 18. 2018Saturday morning linksPhoto is a big slice in Yonkers Yum Your Carbon Pollution Infused Beer Is Killing Off Bloody Mary’s Which Help With Your Beer Hangovers How US Sugar Subsidies Bring A 'Red Tide' Of Algae To Florida's Shores Sugar and corn subsidies are abominations Women At War Related, Why statistical discrimination is higher than is either socially optimal or Bayesian rational How does diversity strengthen us? When digital platforms censor GAY ANTI-TRUMP LEFTY UNDER FIRE FOR SAYING NOT ALL REPUBLICANS ARE RACIST John Brennan’s Trumpian Turn "Deeply Troubling" - Wall Street Journal Implores "What Was Bruce Ohr Doing?" Bruce Ohr Docs Show Christopher Steele “Very Concerned” About Comey’s Firing – “Afraid They Will be Exposed” NY Times Columnist: Trump ‘Would Certainly Like to’ Murder People Without Due Process Iranian-Backed ‘Sleeper Cell’ Militants Hibernating in U.S., Positioned for Attack Google employees demand more oversight of China search engine plan Friday, August 17. 2018Blind and deeply autistic with a stunning talentStay until he does Chopsticks at the end
Friday morning linksThe feathered revolution: How dinosaurs became birds Vanderleun: Back to School The Tragic Decline of Music Literacy (and Quality) Well, that's pop and folk music. Art music seems relatively recent in history The shattering honesty of V.S. Naipaul - Teller of truths and tales Sacrificing a Child's Education on the Altar of Diversity Why I favor vouchers White male professors to be given female minority scholar mentors in anti-bias effort Bleeding-Heart Liberals Bike Through Tajikistan to Prove “Evil Is a Make-Believe Concept” — Are Stabbed Dead By ISIS If you ever doubt the existence of evil or of Satan, look into your own heart. You can find it right there. Klavan: The Enemy Is In The Church DOJ: Iraqi man who fought, killed for ISIS entered US as refugee under Obama Sarah Jeong is the Alt-Left Piers Morgan Says Omarosa Manigault Offered Him Sex to Win ‘Celebrity Apprentice’ He declined so she concluded he was gay New Poll Reveals Shocking Results On What Black Voters Think Of Trump MSNBC Swoons as Boston Globe Coordinates Anti-Trump Editorial Effort Newspapers Don’t Help Themselves By Coordinating Against Trump As Insty says, Just consider them Democrat activists with bylines and you'll understand Trump Rages "Honesty Wins" As Nationwide Anti-Trump Editorial Blitz Strikes The hate, you can feel it Former CBS News Reporter Delivers Kill Shot to Liberal Media Narrative That Trump Is Silencing John Brennan How Bruce Ohr Could Implicate High-Ranking Obama Officials In Spygate New Info Indicates Clinton-Funded Oppo Research Launched FBI’s Trump Investigation Former Obama aide Ben Rhodes is now a person of interest in the unmasking investigation Graham calls for special counsel to investigate FBI's handling of Clinton emails, FISA warrant Thursday, August 16. 2018Aretha gave the world a heck of a lotWe were fortunate to hear a live concert a couple of years ago. Here's one:
Calisthenics DayA birthday this week, and I am one year stronger, one year more agile, one year more energetic, one year looking fitter. Calis are for your athleticism. The below may not sound grueling, but it is more exhausting than weight-training days if you minimize rest time. I do two hours of calis weekly, 1 calis class and 1 on my own. This was the mix I've been doing on my own recently: Elliptical warm-up, 3 mins Each circuit below 2-3 times, overall takes me about 1 hr with 1-min breaks between rounds - Circuit 1: Dead ball floor slams Circuit 2: Kettlebell swings Circuit 3: Kettle bell lunges Circuit 4: Farmer's Walk - heavy kettles And finish up with a round of heavy ball wall slams Thursday morning linksShark attack victim suffers puncture wounds to torso, legs Just down the beach from where we were last week A Weird-But-True Story Takes Flight In 'The Feather Thief' NYC's Gowanus Canal cleanup has unearthed historic treasures — covered in toxic goo Prof Claims 'Responsible Fatherhood' Reinforces 'Patriarchy' COLORADO IS GOING AFTER JACK PHILLIPS OF MASTERPIECE CAKESHOP AGAIN K-12: Creating the 'Ideal' School Obama Foundation’s monumental rip-off We are not Rome. I detest these self-aggrandizing presidential monuments Democrats are out to sabotage the middle class on health care Dems against choice, just one-size-fits-all government medical care Not a joke: The New York Times has an advice column about how to 'cure' white skin privilege Trump Slams NY Gov Cuomo's "Total Meltdown" After "America Was Never That Great" Comment "The narratives that painted Black Lives Matter activists as 'violent' have turned into legislation that targets black people, leftists, and other marginalized groups." Washington Post: Trump’s Guilty Till He Proves Himself Innocent Michael Barone: Either Trump is delivering on his economic promises, or he's very lucky Mainstream media ignores Trump’s success on world stage A Journalist Reflects On His Profession’s Anti-Trump Collusion Laws of Armed Conflict in Gaza Wednesday, August 15. 2018V.S. Naipaul, 1932–2018
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Wednesday morning linksThe Nastiest Feud in Science - A Princeton geologist has endured decades of ridicule for arguing that the fifth extinction was caused not by an asteroid but by a series of colossal volcanic eruptions. But she’s reopened that debate. Good News: Climatruther Computer Model Predicts End Of Civilization By 2040 Al Gore says Trump undoing environmental regs has done less ´damage´ than he once feared Pennsylvania priests 'abused thousands of children' How To Identify Racist And Sexist Remarks And Slurs NY Times Advice Column Tackles White Guilt Antifa, Democratic Socialists, & New World Order All Want Same Thing: "No Borders, No Wall, No USA At All" Forbes Slammed for Wilbur Ross 'Grifting' Report Feinstein, Strzok, and the Sinister Russia Probe Prof: Free speech could normalize Trump Re Kavanaugh: DEM DESPERATION DIALED TO 11 Boycotting Sam Adams Beer Over Trump Support? Stung by President Trump’s repeated charges of “fake news,” last week The Boston Globe announced an alliance of more than 70 newspapers planning to run editorials protesting a ‘‘dirty war against the free press.” America’s Newspapers Just Played Right Into Trump’s Hands THE COORDINATED 'WAR OF WORDS' AGAINST TRUMP - The latest surge of fake news from the establishment media axis. Kurt Schlichter: NeverTrumpers Don't Hate Trump. Primarily They Hate You. The Media Are Hiding Their Knowledge and Duplicity – Buzzfeed, WaPo and New York Times Had Unredacted FISA Application For Over A Year Brennan, the Spooks, and Russian Collusion No time limits, no 'public circus': Bruce Ohr to testify behind closed doors, Trey Gowdy says How Were Bruce and Nellie Ohr, Christopher Steele, and Fusion GPS Plotting? Jews: The Middle East’s Other Refugees THE CONFERENCE THAT PAVED THE WAY TO THE MURDER OF MILLIONS - In one fateful day, 200,000 Austrian Jews were caught in the jaws of the power-hungry, Jew-hating monsters to whom nothing was sweeter than Jewish blood. "Furious" Swedish PM Rages At Violent Gang Rampage: "What The Hell Are You Doing?" London Declares TERROR ATTACK After Man Mows Down Bicyclists In SUV British Prime Minister's Comment On Terror Attack Makes CNN Look Stupid Tuesday, August 14. 2018New England Real Estate: Wellfleet, MA
While meandering around the alleys near downtown Wellfleet last week, we stumbled on this white elephant. Naturally, I was mainly attracted to its barn. The place is for sale. A 10-minute walk to the village. It's safe to say the place could probably use some work. Roof looks great but I wonder about the age of the wiring, but from the photos it looks pretty up to date inside. 12 bedrooms, said to have been built in 1800 but I doubt that. The cool thing is that it was the home of Wellfleet's most famous son, Captain Lorenzo Dow Baker. Sea captain and entrepreneur, he's the guy who introduced the banana to the US and Europe and founded the company which became the United Fruit Company, now Chiquita Brands. Cool guy, cool life.
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Red-Tailed Hawk vs. BatsFilmed in Texas. Remarkable film.
Tuesday morning links
Paris baulks at 'horrible' eco-friendly public urinals Residents of the small French town of Le Chambon-sur-Lignon saved thousands of Jews during World War II Demonizing Ride Hailing The pros and cons of NYC's ban on new Uber and Lyft cars Professors allow students to pick their own grade Without Free Speech, Everything You Say Is Meaningless Most of us are familiar with the Stepford Wives, but how many of us realize that the men involved in the so-called Deep State have wives that are anything but Stepford-type women? Alex Jones doesn’t represent anything new in this country. We’ve always had our share of paranoid crackpots Democratic Socialism: Who Knew That 'Free' Could Cost So Much? Howie Carr: If I ever get jammed up, I ask for no special treatment — just treat me like an illegal immigrant. The Trump economy is destroying the Obama coalition. An 11-Year-Old Changed The Results Of Florida's Presidential Vote At A Hacker Convention. SARA CARTER: House Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlatte Preparing to Depose Bruce Ohr, Nellie Ohr and Glenn Simpson That Time Omarosa Was Fired from the Clinton White House A democratic revolution has just begun in Vietnam. Massive but orderly protests across the country hint at the beginning of the end of Communist Party rule China's state firms cementing lucrative role in South China Sea, new research shows Monday, August 13. 2018QQQ
Mrs. Bird Dog No links this morning
Mrs. BD was always a water rat - lifeguard, swimmer, Sunfish sailer, very cool water skiier - but I think teaching her to body surf in the icy Wellfleet ocean is what sealed the marital deal. OK, now she likes to use a half- wetsuit which I disdain, but whatever. Thrills and chills. Body surfing is for low tide when the big rollers come. This pic is some of my family at high tide, basking. We all go out there in August. It's a family thing. Physical recreation dawn to dusk: run,kayak, body surf, races in the ponds, maybe go fishing or clamming. Some relatives like to read on the beach but I have no patience for that. Midday, I don't mind a half hour in the art galleries and then a couple of beers at The Lighthouse with the lobstermen and the ageing prepsters.
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