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, March 27. 2017Monday morning linksHow not to die from loneliness I Happen to Like New York - New York City Diarist I like it too - endlessly interesting and stimulating Unavoidable, random DNA replication errors are the most common cancer drivers People like to believe that they have control, but if cardiovascular disease doesn't get ya, cancer probably will. It's just a matter of time. Cosmo Worries That Men Are Deriving Too Much Pleasure from Giving an Orgasm to a Woman Sheesh Student Discovers Previously Unknown Form of Oppression Another college creates (and reports) their own fake racist propaganda Associated Press issues new guidance on sex, gender: ‘avoid’ referring to ‘both’ or ‘either’ sexes College requests 'grammatically incorrect' gender-neutral language Is insanity contagious? "Even gender-neutral pronouns don’t feel as if they fit me. I feel no identity or closeness with any pronouns I’ve come across. What describes me is my name." NC Group Forces Charlotte School System To Pull Crossdressing Book WGA “Broke Off Negotiations,” Producers Claim As Strike Vote Looms Hollywood exploits their employees Climate Change Caused Brexit Explains Al Gore… It explains everything - The Universal Explanation Poll: Majority Do Not Want To Live In A Sanctuary City CHARLES MURRAY EDITS THE SPLC The SPLC is a hate group "They're Like The Praetorian Guard" - Whistleblower Confirms NSA Targeted Congress, The Supreme Court, & Trump Because "terrorism"? This is evil. Liberal Media Narratives from JFK to Obama and Trump Constructing saints and devils THE FANTASY WORLDS OF POLITICS - On the false Utopias of leftists and libertarians Clinton collaborator John Harwood: Republicans “radically opposed to government itself” And Harwood is radically in favor of Big Statism in charge of everything Greenfield: THE CIVIL WAR IS HERE, The left doesn’t want to secede. It wants to rule. On Heath Care, Most Republicans Are Nowhere on the Ideological Spectrum GOP cave on Obamacare repeal is the biggest broken promise in political history Islamic immigration: Is it finally “fish or cut bait” time in the West? She's had enough This Past Week Islamic Terrorism Committed in France, Italy, UK and Belgium The fact is, the EU's falling apart.
Europe’s Soulless Liberalism - A dour, self-righteous and conformist version has come to define the liberal idea across much of the Continent. UK Challenges UN’s Anti-Israel Bias, Threatens to Vote Against all Motions Involving the Jewish State Jing-Jin-Ji: China Planning Megalopolis the Size of New England Sunday, March 26. 2017How Mobula Rays attract mates
These are a Mediterranean ray.
From today's Lectionary
Psalm 23 1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. Saturday, March 25. 2017A new Bob interviewBob Dylan Discusses Frank Sinatra, Elvis, Iggy Pop, Amy Winehouse & New 'Triplicate' Album In Rare Interview. A quote:
Saturday morning links
Participating In Your Office’s March Madness Pool Makes You A Criminal Scientists Warn That The Coming California Megaquake Could Plunge Large Portions Of The State Into The Ocean Sheesh. I blame climate change. We have good friends there but I guess they can all swim. Higher CO2 made agriculture possible Dalrymple: Worms have rights too:
Forget Immigrants. Technology is Killing Jobs Imagine it’s 2020 and Trump is spying on Democratic candidate Kamala Harris. Documentary on Yale Reveals How Scary U.S. Campuses Have Become Wellesley College Insulates Students From Ideologically Noncompliant Speakers Fragile girls? Charles Murray speaks at Columbia, with support of nearly 150 faculty members Chicago, Detroit, Baltimore Lead Nation in Population Loss; Maricopa County Has Biggest Gain Black Man Arrested In Charleston, SC For Writing Racist, Misogynistic And Anti-Gay Graffiti… "Israeli police on Thursday arrested a 19-year-old hacker who they said was the main suspect in a wave of bomb threats against Jewish community centers in the United States..." Ayaan Hirsi Ali to Liberals: Terrorists “don’t say thank you for being PC” She sees apologetic attitude about Western Civ Canada Passes 'Blasphemy' Bill To Silence Critics Of Islam To a man and woman, nearly every one of the 237 Republicans elected to the House last November made the same promise to voters: Give us control of Congress and the White House, and we will repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. Paul Ryan Is Solely To Blame For RyanCare's Demise Bad plan, bad bill. The Stupid Party. The Conservatives Made a Mistake New Analysis: Obamacare Regulations Drove Up Premium Costs by Up to 68% Texas signs first-ever trade agreement with Samaria region Friday, March 24. 2017NCAA and Components of Athleticism"Athleticism" is a measure of physical functionality or functionalities, but everybody's graph has a different shape. Genius Trainer and I were watching some NCAA reruns on TV while I was resting between deadlift sets, and we talked about the role of "quickness" in basketball. We separated the dancelike but predatory quicksilver moves in elite basketball players from speed, which is an entirely different quality, and proceeded to break down athleticism into components (some more valuable for some endeavors, some for others) during other between-set rests as we worked the weight up for 5 sets. We came up with quite a few: power (= strengthXspeed), pure strength, speed (running speed), agility (rapid precision of bodily position. balance, and posture), quickness (of instant movement, acceleration/deceleration and directional changes), explosiveness (power bursts), situational awareness (mental), overall physical endurance, stability, mobility, flexibility, and all kinds of eye-hand and other sorts of coordination talents which are difficult to put into words. I don't watch basketball but I used to enjoy playing it quite a bit in high school because it took a lot of movement and total concentration, despite basically sucking at it. Like everything in life, you can train all of these things but biology is foundational and you can't shine sh-t. Elite basketball players, it seems to me, have the largest collection of athletic components. Friday morning linksDavid Rockefeller was a serious bug collector WHY DRIVE-INS WERE MORE THAN MOVIE THEATERS Yes. they were for beer and sex too. Try the Wellfleet Drive-In - still going strong during the summer. CIVIL WAR ON THE LEFT, PART 38: THE BECLOWNING OF SCIENCE Defund the National Endowment for the Arts — for Art’s Sake Can President Trump rescue the Rust Belt? He would like to. It's probably more about getting government out of the way than anything else K-12: No Joy In Reading. That's the Plan. I was reading pretty well at 5 with phonics. Mom taught me to read. Expecting school to teach a kid to read is like expecting government to be your doctor. Even 'Healthy' Overweight Face Higher Heart Risk Why Charles Murray will speak at Notre Dame HIGHER EDUCATION: NO SAFE SPACES FOR CONSERVATIVES - Conservative students threatened with violence. Vanderbilt U. Students Demand School Cut Ties With Wendy’s Hotcoldwetdry Will Cause More Snake Bites Understanding the Climate Debate: The Lost Middle Ground Author: It’s Not College Kids Creating Chaos To Resist Trump, ‘They’re Professionals’ Nebraska Democrat Party Includes VOTER REGISTRATION FORMS in Refugee Welcome Baskets Potential 'smoking gun' showing Obama administration spied on Trump team, source says Bob Woodward: Obama officials possibly facing criminal charges for unmasking scheme Here’s Why Nunes’ Obama Spying Revelations Are Such A Big Deal
What does Congress' Black Caucus want? Canadian Parliament Passes “Anti Islamophobia” Measure, Which Could Make Criticism Of Islam Off-Limits… As long as people are still free to criticize Christianity, I'm cool. Christianity is used to it. Christian guy or gal might feel hurt or insulted, but all they will actually do is to throw in a prayer for your soul. They won't scare the crap out of you the way the Canadians are askeered of their Muslims. ‘No European…can walk safely on the streets,’ Turkey’s Islamist President Erdogan Warns Europe Does Europe suddenly treasure NATO? WHY OPEC IS FINISHED—AND RUSSIA TOO Rex Tillerson: North Korea Threat Is Imminent, Strategic Patience Is Over The Korean War never ended How Paris has become one of the most dangerous capitals in the world Arrest of JCC bomb hoaxer challenges the narrative on anti-Semitism How the media treated those Jewish community center bomb threats Thursday, March 23. 2017Living better with chemistry: Good tomatoesPlant geneticists are using GMO techniques to return the flavor to supermarket tomatoes As Insty would say, "Faster please." It's not just the flavor though - it's the texture. Supermarket tomatoes are tasteless and rubbery. Calisthenics: Kettlebell Fun
I only have two kettlebell exercises in my miscellaneous assortment of Calisthenic circuits: Swings and Farmer Walks. Sometimes I do walking swings and sometimes stationary. I keep the weight to a level when I can keep good swing technique with sets of 10-15. It is more demanding than it looks. As in any exercise, technique is key to avoid injury and for best gain. For Farmer Walks, I use the heaviest I can hang on to for a minute or two while maintaining strong posture. Some Kettlebell exercises Do y'all use them in your calisthenic routines?
Thursday morning linksBehold The Big Bend - the incredible U-shaped New York skyscraper dubbed the 'longest building in the world' is unveiled (h/t Althouse) Yoga pants: Accusations of research fraud roil a tight-knit community of ecologists A President’s Credibility - Trump’s falsehoods are eroding public trust, at home and abroad. DNC Mega Donors Meet At Mandarin Oriental Hotel To Plot "The Resistance" A Dem Resistance led by the mega-rich and big corporations Gorsuch’s Collision Course With the Administrative State Trump’s Budget Is An Attack On The Bureaucratic State TOM COTTON NAILS IT ON THE AHCA McArdle: Better Health Care for Less Money? It's Not Easy:
Black Oberlin students demand fried chicken on menu
Good quote via SDA:
Europe has woman trouble View from the left at The Week: Netanyahu: Israel ‘Perfect Partner’ for China Wednesday, March 22. 2017Best piece on Chuck Berry, after reading all the others"To Europe, America has always been a bad man." That is insightful. They like to condescend to us God-and gun-loving barbarians and only love us when they need some rough guys. Otherwise, they only want American dollars and banks. The world loved this rough AMERICAN creature: Chuck Berry Has No Particular Place To Go.
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Jordan Peterson: You need a routineAnd a few other things...to make a life. Stuart might like this one.
Wednesday morning linksHemingway in Cuba Why 19th-Century Design Makes People Happy Transgender Wins International Women’s Weightlifting Title Yoga Pants, ‘Active Wear’ Are Destroying the Oceans College makes it easier to graduate by requiring students to learn less How we got to $1 trillion in debt: An illustrated history of student loans in America Connecticut Company Offers ‘Snowflake’ Test to Vet Potential Employees Lots of good stuff at Woodpile Chelsea Clinton Gets Lifetime Achievement Award for Doing Nothing Repealing The ObamaCare Train Wreck Has Become A Train Wreck FRENCH COPS LOOKING FOR MOTIVE OF "I'M HERE TO DIE IN THE NAME OF ALLAH" TERRORIST ARE THE SAUDIS ABOUT TO LOSE CONTROL OF AMERICA? EU OFFICIAL: WE CAN MAKE MEMBERS ACCEPT REFUGEES Last week, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan declared Baby War on Europe MERKEL'S SECRET MIGRANT DEAL WITH TURKEY Tuesday, March 21. 2017QQQThere is no doubt about precisely when folks began racing each other in automobiles. It was the day they built the second automobile. Richard Petty (h/t Ace) Tuesday morning linksPARENTS’ MANHATTAN KINDERGARTEN APPLICATION ESSAY (h/t, Am Digest) A Look at David Rockefeller’s Real Estate Gifts - The philanthropist died on Monday at 101 A Pope's chef wrote the first cookbook Historic restoration of Jesus’s burial shrine in Jerusalem completed The Backlash Against Starbucks Is Real, And It Isn't Going Away FULL METAL RACKET, UNDRESSING THE MARINE CORPS NUDE FACEBOOK SCANDAL Best part about owning solar panels is the satisfaction of knowing those who could never afford them are helping to subsidize yours. Monty Python’s Eric Idle Says Global Warming Skeptics Should Be Executed “Gently” For “Crimes Against Humanity” Humorless. Eric, we want it warmer Don't treat the presidential family as royals Man, do I agree with that but there is something in human nature or in tabloid journalism that wants or needs royals Sesame Street Says Trump Has Laid Elmo Off – Except Sesame Street Is On HBO Now, Not PBS… Stossel: Our ignorant media NY Times: There Needs To Be A Crackdown On Illegal Alien Employers Malibu wants to keep their illegals for their landscaping HILLARY AND HUMA STILL JOINED AT THE HIP All important people need a body boy or girl Alan Dershowitz Exposes the Liberal Bias That Helped Block Trump Travel Ban Commentary: Be skeptical about coverage numbers in health-care debate Trump committed Dresden "Shut up and bake me a cake"? I like that. Pocahontas: Neil Gorsuch does not belong on the Supreme Court Climate Scientist: Having a Baby is an “ethical entanglement” The suicide of expertise: Glenn Reynolds Hinderaker: MY CONSERVATIVE VISION FOR ALL AMERICANS Twitter turns Trump into his own worst enemy It’s hard for a new administration to avoid controversy, but must Trump create it out of thin air? Salon: Now it's a Russia scandal The narrative marches on Chuck Schumer calls for chaos Monday, March 20. 2017The Education of an American SageThe ten dumbest fitness motivational sayingsA desert in bloom for SpringtimeThanks to California rains, the Anza-Borrego Desert Park is experiencing one of its rare wildflower superblooms. There is plenty of usually-hidden life in deserts. Maggie's Farmer Bruce Kesler sent me some of his pics - More below the fold -
Continue reading "A desert in bloom for Springtime" Monday morning linksWest Virginia Rescinds Ban On Classroom Cupcakes Sanity returns. Very few things are as happy and sane as a cupcake. Irish-Americans Still Do Irish-American Jobs A Degree From This South Dakota Technical College All But Guarantees You A Job… Lake Tahoe expected to fill up with largest physical rise in recorded history Death of the Shoe Salesman 'We Dine Together' Wants to Make Sure No High Schooler Ever Has to Eat Lunch Alone Good. In my high school, we had randomly-assigned tables rotating every 6 weeks, with a teacher at each table. That was good, civilized, and over time everybody met a lot of people that they might have never spoken with. Freedom Is Eating Steak Well Done with Ketchup CRIME BUT NO PUNISHMENT AT MIDDLEBURY? American Spring Breakers Chant “Build That Wall” In Cancun – Mexican Locals Freak! Sheesh, those crazy college kids California’s Bullet Train may have received final, fatal fiscal hit Media hysteria over supposed Meals On Wheels cuts debunked from Left and Right I always thought Meals on Wheels was a local volunteer deal Five Ninth Circuit Judges Issue Rare Dissent Rebuking The Panel In Immigration Ruling Trump's Immigration Proposals Aren't Mean — They're Reasonable, Legal And Entirely Doable The president’s budget is very much alive on arrival. Donald Trump's sharp budget ax: Now the swamp fights back Turkey's Made-to-Order Migrant Plan to Retake Europe UK: Take off for police drones air force: Remote-controlled 'flying squad' to chase criminals and hunt for missing people They read 1984 Is Denmark On The Brink? Yes, Indeed, Israel IS an Apartheid State 30 Countries Are Refusing To Take Back Illegal Immigrants Convicted Of Serious Crimes WITH MERKEL’S VISIT, TRUMP WINS AGAIN Sunday, March 19. 2017What's the story on our new tough-guy psychologist hero, Dr. Peterson?Peterson should be an Honorary Prince of Self-Recommendation. Fair enough, but he's done many more things than I have and at least he lacks false humility. Seems to live with a sort of reckless abandon, or maybe that is his persona. He did teach at Harvard for many years, and is apparently now his university's most popular prof because he brings life to his topics. I like him even though he seems like a prickly SOB. I don't mind prickly SOBs as long as they seem to like me. Here's Peterson's Self-Authoring Suite . Yeah, it is a self-help thing but it seems intelligent. Lots of people are stuck in their lives. Even if you do not enjoy balletPAUL TAYLOR DANCE COMPANY AT LINCOLN CENTER MARCH 8-26, 2017 The bonus is a performance of Merce Cunningham's masterpiece Summerspace and Martha Graham's Diversion of Angels. Cunningham has always been my favorite Modern Dance choreographer because the movements are so oddball and unpredictable. And I can try to put John Cage's "music" out of mind. More about JobA reader recommended this good piece: A Job Study Guide. The author's point, in short, is that the good man Job needed to repent to connect with God. Not to repent for any things in particular, but just to fully humble himself before God.
From today's LectionaryRomans 5:1-11 5:1 Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 5:2 through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. 5:3 And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 5:4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5:5 and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. 5:6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 5:7 Indeed, rarely will anyone die for a righteous person--though perhaps for a good person someone might actually dare to die. 5:8 But God proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us. 5:9 Much more surely then, now that we have been justified by his blood, will we be saved through him from the wrath of God. 5:10 For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more surely, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life. 5:11 But more than that, we even boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Big flower showMrs. BD thought you might like to see some of her snaps from the annual Philadelphia Flower Show (since 1836) this week. This is a show put on by professionals, not amateurs. An annual treat for Mrs. BD and her pals. More pics below the fold - Continue reading "Big flower show" Chuck Berry, RIPChuck Berry, a Founding Father of Rock 'n' Roll, Dies at 90 Here, Jon Pareles, music critic for The New York Times, reflects on the pioneering music and attitude of the rock legend Chuck Berry. (video)
Here ya go -
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