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.
"... DHS is releasing thousands of illegals into the country every month, over a thousand a day which begs the question "why?!""
For at least two reasons: First, because, by default, Mexico and Guatemala are in charge of US immigration. The second is because the Dems want to import more voters, and more cheap lawn guys and hotel maids.
So tasty food "makes you eat it"? Really? Their example of "highly-processed food" is quesadillas. These nags want you to live on fruit, greens, nuts, and seeds.
Mrs. BD has been traveling around Normandy with her Dad for the past week. Yes, they did it the high-end way.
Wherever they went, people walked up saying things like "Thank you, Americans, for what you did for us." Europeans of all types from all counties (not Germans) showing gratitude to Americans.
Very moving, obviously. Story goes that the old guy was too young to join the army. He lied about his age, but the recruiters phoned his Mom to check. His two older brothers were in the war (one on Omaha Beach), and both survived and went on to great educations, great careers, with fine families.
Photo is Mrs. BD's Monkfish supper last night in a tiny seaside port in Normandy. She says they poached it right, tender, juicy, delicate, and not chewy as in the US. Those French know how to cook.
The Partner Chase - An elite law firm’s inability to promote enough minority partners exposes the unrealistic expectations of diversity mandates - Heather Mac Donald
Dystopian fiction is fun, but dystopias rarely come about. Even the Dark Ages weren't so 'dark'. Dystopias, when they occur, do tend to be regional in nature, and often (though not always) occur for short periods of time. The future is almost always brighter than the past, which may be why dystopian fiction is popular, particularly among sci-fi fanatics. The fear of a frightening future most likely prevents it, or should prevent it. Always expecting things to be good and wonderful can create a society of Pollyannas. Of course, it also creates Cassandras.
The one thing that worries me, more than anything else, is a decline in standards. I don't mean a decline in standards of general behaviors. There is politeness in good society and there is excessive or unnecessary politeness. Miss Manners was never my friend.
I'm referring to standards of right and wrong. Too often, we choose people as role models of what is good and just. I used to do that, but have not for many years now. I trust no politicians, even those I like or prefer. Athletes, celebrities, businesspeople, all exist in a pantheon of model humans. None for me. I will admire individual traits, and focus on those. No whole person is perfect, and we can't really expect them to be. That inability to have a perfect role model (for what it's worth, I'm not including Jesus here, though certainly He is a great starting point) creates misunderstandings about what is good and bad in humanity.
When right and wrong become fungible, as it seems they slowly are, we need to worry. When 60% of Millenials surveyed don't distinguish between right and wrong, it's time to start discussing what we're teaching our kids.
Feral Parrots 
What is 
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Mrs. BD has been traveling around Normandy with her Dad for the past week. Yes, they did it the high-end way.
Dystopian fiction is fun, but dystopias rarely come about. Even the Dark Ages 
Why Do We Forget What We’re Doing