Monday, January 23. 2017
"President Trump" does not seem real to me, but "President Obama" never did either. From Sen. Judd Gregg, Five easy pieces
I am happy to see him go because he was foolish, naive, and deluded about so many things. I will give him credit for being an effective campaigner, though. "Articulate," as Biden said. An engaging talker (who could do either black-talk or white-talk), if entirely self-centered which I suppose can happen if both your mother and father abandon you in childhood.
Via an Insty link, Obama talking brilliantly and content-free in South Carolina:
 Z-man: Essential knowledge includes knowledge about the history of Christianity
Impossible to understand Western civilization without that
Pilot Salaries in 2017: Which Airline Will Have the Highest Pay?
Why We Don’t Call It Rape When a Woman is the Perpetrator
California Unveils Sweeping Plan To Combat Global Warming…
So wonderful
A Skeptic's View on Climate Models
Donald Trump talks to a Jersey guy about a long-overdue debate on climate change
Obama administration spent billions to fix failing schools, and it didn’t work
$ has little to do with it
Sultan: " The retirement of Fake News will be a mostly painless process because the media got what it wanted. Social media sites have put the media in charge of censoring its users."
The Imponderable Ashley Judd
Why do we care what celebs think?
In Hollywood, being open-minded about Trump is worse than rape
The Pointless Paranoia of the Women's Marches
There is no point - it is indeed just a hootenanny
Althouse on the Pussy Marches:
It's demanding that the government get very involved in women's bodies:
We do not accept any federal, state or local rollbacks, cuts or restrictions on our ability to access quality reproductive healthcare services, birth control, HIV/AIDS care and prevention, or medically accurate sexuality education. This means open access to safe, legal, affordable abortion and birth control for all people, regardless of income, location or education.
It's more of a "hi" than a "bye" — more of a hi, get in here and never go away. If that's your message, that Fallopian tube ought to be waving furiously.
Elizabeth Warren’s school-voucher hypocrisy
Williamson: Our Unimaginative Politicians, and the Need to Stop Rewarding Them
The post-war era was an unusual time for the United States that was never destined to last indefinitely, with the rebuilt and modernized economies of Western Europe and East Asia cutting into the commanding industrial position we enjoyed in the 1950s; Indians and Chinese turn out to be pretty good at making things and providing services, and the reforms in their political systems and economies, halting and partial though they may be, revolutionized the world economy; the end of the Cold War cleared the way for an expanded global trade regime, which developed more quickly than many had expected as the Internet and other technological progress turbocharged globalization. There’s much more, of course, but the short answer to the implicit question behind so much of today’s economic-policy debate — “Why can’t we have the growth, mobility, and broad consensus of the Eisenhower years?” — is: This isn’t 1958.
Obamacare Replacement Plan to be Unveiled
8 ways President Trump can rebuild America — at half the cost
Kimball on inauguration: A tale of two speeches
Turkey’s currency begins to contract as tyranny takes hold
Ataturk is weeping
Bonus data below the fold: Clinton Foundation tax data from 2014 -
Continue reading "Monday morning links"
Sunday, January 22. 2017
 Was environment one of the myriad causes at the women's march? Apparently not.
Trump's foreign policy views are radical, coherent, and logical. I mostly agree with the article. Much of US foreign policy is 50 years old or more, obsolete.
 A quote:
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP: We will seek friendship and goodwill with the nations of the world, but we do so with the understanding that it is the right of all nations to put their own interests first. We do not seek to impose our way of life on anyone, but rather to let it shine as an example, we will shine for everyone to follow. We will reinforce old alliances and form new ones, and you night the civilized world against radical islamic terrorism, which we will eradicate completely from the face of the Earth. At the bedrock of our politics will be a total allegiance to the United States of America, and through our loyalty to our country, we will rediscover our loyalty to each other. When you open your heart to patriotism, there is no room for prejudice.
I think The Donald views himself as having been hired as CEO to run a company called USA. Perhaps, for now, with a TRUMP logo on it. He told the Board of Directors (citizens) what his plans were, and they voted to hire him, along with a Repub Congress and Senate. If he doesn't put "America First," he should be fired. I guess that is "nationalism."
From Noonan: President Trump Declares Independence. His message to America: Remember those things I said in the campaign? I meant them. I meant it all.
Also, Bill Kristol: ‘It’s profoundly depressing and vulgar to hear an American president proclaim America first’
Unrelated but of note: Billionaire George Soros has ties to more than 50 ‘partners’ of the Women’s March on Washington - What is the link between one of Hillary Clinton’s largest donors and the Women’s March? Turns out, it’s quite significant
I know quite a few women who marched, this being the NYC area. Some are good friends whose opinions I respect and value. I know many more who didn't march, whether they sympathized or not. I was ambivalent. Marching isn't something I do, I've never been much of a joiner, even for causes I care about. I don't think marching does anything of value but make the marchers feel better. If that's what they needed, that's fine (the main response I've seen about the march is "I have more faith in humanity now"). I have always found other ways to feel better when issues of the day drag me down.
It is rather interesting to think about some comments I've seen regarding the march. One, in particular, I've seen many times. "You just don't get it, and since you don't, my explaining it won't help you understand, and so you'll never understand." This was said several times to a friend of mine, and despite his request to be enlightened, nobody was willing to do it. I filled him in on the nature of why the women were marching (although I find it a confused message). However, the reaction to him was an indicator of why the Hillary forces lost the election to begin with. In a nutshell, we're all stupid and they don't want to take the time to explain anything - we just have to trust their superior instincts. It's also clear by now the only reason to vote for Hillary was 'she's a woman'. Which wasn't enough of a reason for me, any more than voting for Obama 'because he'll transform race relations' was a reason (given the state of race relations after his transformative role, one can only imagine how awful gender relations may have been after Hillary!).
I had another person say to me, "Your privilege is showing." Privilege is a word which drives me insane. We all have crosses to bear, burdens in life which must be dealt with, and biases to fight. I've seen, and supported the cases of plaintiffs suing for, sexual discrimination. I've also experienced age discrimination. I'm aware of the discrimination which used to take place against my Irish ancestors. Suggesting I have privilege implies I am enjoying the benefits of something I didn't earn. I earn it every day I go to work and deal with the nonsensical idiocy of liberal Progressives who have lost their bearings over this election. Remaining quiet during their diatribes is difficult, but could cost me my job. There's no privilege in political discrimination, and that takes place every day. Still, I'm not marching for laws, or attention, or anything else to protect myself or my rights to believe what I want. My 'privilege' regarding gender ends the minute women start having their conversations which exclude men (see the paragraph above).
Continue reading "A Few Thoughts on Yesterday"
Saturday, January 21. 2017
Frankendeer
They are overfed to grow like that
A Consuming Fear of Small Government
The Greatest Scientific Fraud Of All Time -- Part XII
Reporters flocked to a campus controversy but missed its surprising conclusion
Public School Is Often The Most Destructive Institution In American Life, Yet Democrats demand the status quo.
Obama dismissed those who disagree with him like a professor forced to deal with simple-minded, wayward students
Zero Hedge: It’s Finally Morning Again In America, And A New Day For Our Country Starts Now
Trump overpromising
A Plain and Powerful Inaugural Address - Trump’s vision is constitutional, not Wilsonian.
Media very interested today in pointing out that Obama’s inauguration crowds were bigger
David Brooks is unhappy with Trump
Secretary of the Army: A telling tale for these transformative times
Friday, January 20. 2017
I think people are expecting too much from a new administration, too much good and/or too much bad. My hope is for a return to simple common sense. I am all nuanced-out.
 Pic via a piece on Gil Elvgren
Also, The REAL women behind saucy 1950s 'cheesecake' paintings
MLB Playback - The Most Interesting Plays In History
In DC, Our Favorite Spot in Washington
Swarthmore College Course Asks: Is God a White Supremacist?
Yes, a very old rural white dude and a Trump voter for sure. That's in the Bible.
Female Voice Assistants Is Digital Sexism Or Something
Washington State U. students plead with peers not to freak out over Milo visit
Student jailed for passing out Constitutions because it might threaten ‘rural farm’ students
It is a dangerous document
New Hampshire: Right to Work Spreads to New England
A revolutionary school ‘turns back the clock’ in Brooklyn
Washington Post Disgraces Itself over David Gelernter
Man Who Uses Lots Of Fossil Fuels Asks Why The Climate Is Changing
Sanders: We Are Not A Compassionate Society, Worse Than Any Country On Earth…
Democrats in the Wilderness - Inside a decimated party’s not-so-certain revival strategy.
War on Betsy DeVos shows the left hates giving educational hope to poor kids
GovExec Poll: 28 Percent Of Fed Workers Say They Might Quit Or Retire Because Of Trump
Let's call that A Good Start
Obama Was Not the Left’s Reagan
What Trump Is Up Against
He's up against what American citizens are up against (See My Day at the DMV):
Libertarianism works fine as long as your society is composed of high IQ sociopaths, who can manage on their own. Once you have people like those working for the state, and getting services from the state, libertarianism collapses. The people in the waiting area not only need rules, they need help following the rules. That’s not going to happen through voluntary association. Unless you have genocide in your heart, libertarianism cannot survive outside the lab.
Trump enters the swamp
The bien-pensant class thought Trump could never win, because they had no grasp of how many people were suffering in severe, personal ways due to political correctness.
Donald Trump the Revolutionary - Donald Trump is coming to change many things in the lives of Americans
I doubt it
Abbas Poses With Photo of Palestinian Terrorist Who Massacred 38 Israelis, Including 13 Kids
Thursday, January 19. 2017
 I'm not sure when the most dangerous time to live might be, or may have been. Apparently, some think it is now. My personal opinion is all eras are dangerous. Some may have, or had, increased risks. I can't think of any period of my life where I felt life was on a precipice. A few days or weeks with elevated fears and tensions? Sure, I can think of a few. April and May of 1972, 1979 at the peak of the Iran crisis, 1987 after the market crash, 1991 as Iraq was pushed out of Kuwait, September 2001. I was too young during the Cuban Missile Crisis, but I'm told that was a very shaky time. There may be one or two other moments I've forgotten, but 'dangerous time', to me, is almost every day. Which is to say, so common it's not really all that dangerous.
I focus on the fact, in general, our lives are improving. Today, most of us hold more computing, audio and video power in our pocket, at a reasonable cost, and this device can help us control our houses, cars, and money with a few swipes. We text or call someone and are sure they got a message. Our diets are vastly improved, our choice of diets extensive, and we have more options regarding the quality and types of foods. When I was in my teens, few people had flown in a plane. Today, most have. I was the first of my friends to visit Europe in 1976. Today, most of them have kids who have vacationed or studied abroad.
Continue reading "The Most Dangerous Time to Live"
Dream weddings and the Christian vision
Brandeis Hires Anti-Semitic Islamist With Al-Qaeda Links
Insty likes Tom Price
The NYT on Tom Price
Trump talks stupid on trade
Trump is talking politics, not economics, Don
Hottest year on record
War on Betsy DeVos shows the left hates giving educational hope to poor kids
Martin Armstrong Rages: Ken Rogoff Is "An Elitist Who Has No Respect For The People"
Lagarde Urges Wealth Redistribution To Fight Populism
Genius. Pay off the hoi-polloi
Davos Elites Call For a Ban on Physical Cash... in the US.
The Elites are insane, drunk with arrogance and power. No wonder people rebel.
Oxfam's upside down inequality study
The Once and Future Obamacare Death Spiral
On the 20th of January, the dustbin of history will slam shut on the Utopian American Progressive Left.
Trump Faces Time Bomb in College Loan Program
Z-man on medical bills:
After a quarter century of chanting about health care, most everyone seems to buy into the belief that it is a fountain high up on Magic Mountain. It is guarded by the twin dragons of Big Pharma and Big Insurance. The keepers of the faith sent their paladin, Barak Obama, to slay the dragons so that the people could dip their cup into the fountain of health care, getting all they need. His failure to accomplish this is proof that the dragons are mighty and therefore the most extreme weapons must be deployed.
It’s all ridiculous nonsense, of course, but that’s where we are with the topic.
Pentagon readies aggressive ISIS proposals for Trump
The overweight American infantryman
How does China's first aircraft carrier stack up?
Why doesn´t Europe protect itself?
Wednesday, January 18. 2017
Complexity Theory fascinates me. I have always enjoyed math and physics as an avocation. Physics was, originally, my college major, but I soured on it in my second year. Classes were very cut-throat, and I didn't have that mentality. Today it's a fun hobby. Years ago, I attended a conference sponsored by the Santa Fe Institute, which sought to apply the principles of Complexity to a variety of industries. I managed to convince my firm to send me, and it was one of the more interesting conferences I'd ever attended.
I've wanted to apply several ideas I picked up there to business. Unfortunately, I've never had the opportunity. I'd be interested to see what this recent discovery on the math of innovation can yield.
I'm sure there are some great applications of this concept. I haven't thought much about it, having just read the article. I can, however, see some bad applications. If innovation can be quantified mathematically some people may be lead to believe you can arbitrarily 'create' innovation. It's pretty clear the math doesn't work that way, since innovation seems (even in the equation) to spring more or less organically and its benefits are related more to acceptance rather than application.
Disappearing Puffins Bring an Icelandic Hunting Tradition Under Scrutiny
Pale penis people damage brown academic achievement
The Necessity of Self-Help Lit
Advice is always welcome
The Doomsayer is back: Paul Ehrlich Addressing Vatican Conference on Biodiversity: New at Reason
One Cosmos:
What I want to say is that Jesus (by which I mean the whole tradition that flows from him) saved my mind. From what? Well, for starters, from mountains of bullshit.
The Coming Crackdown On Free Speech: Facebook Takes Its ‘Fake News’ Fight To Germany
New Poll: Most Americans Back Parental Choice in Education
JEW-HATRED DRESSED UP AS 'JUSTICE' - A look at the hate group Students for Justice in Palestine.
New ABC / WaPo Poll Shows Drop In Trump Favorability Courtesy Of Aggressive "Oversamples"
Are terrorists crossing the US-Mexico border?
Woodward Says US Intel Should Apologize Over Trump Dossier
CNN's Resident Racist Called Steve Harvey and MLK III 'Mediocre Negroes'
There ain’t a word, thought, deed, symbol, piece of legislation, or news item that cannot be imbued with a racial angle when there’s a determined race hustler around
" I must myself be a very attractive person for, after all, I am very rightwing."
Obama legacy a big lie, let me count the ways
Trump time starts now
Blind Opera Singer Andrea Bocelli Backs Out of Inauguration After Receiving Death Threats
Jennifer Holliday Says She Received Death Threats for Agreeing to Perform for Trump
"Hillary is going to be very busy as President the next 4-8 years. Donald Trump is going to be very bitter. And the Republicans are just going to be gone. Good riddence."
Trump Considering Cutting Government Budget by 10%, Federal Workforce by 20%
Easily done - executive orders like Obama
WaPo: Trump presidency is doomed
The Republican Health-Care Debate: A guide for the perplexed
Why Obamacare’s ‘20 Million’ Number Is Fake
Trump met with Judge William Pryor on Saturday
How Rex Tillerson Got Even With Venezuela’s Socialists
Iran deal: A shameful day
Why the United States Is Losing Its Technological Edge
Israeli Technology Helps Giants Like Monsanto Feed the World
Last year was a gruesome one for Turkey, and this year is getting off to the worst possible start.
The Islamization of France in 2016
Tuesday, January 17. 2017
Is Trump Derangement Syndrome really any different from Bush Derangement Syndrome, or Reagan Derangement Syndrome, or even Nixon Derangement Syndrome?
I doubt it. It's an R-Phobia. Sensitivity training might help.
Monday, January 16. 2017
 Ringling Bros. circus to close after 146 years
Three-ring circus - Greatest Show on Earth - Saw it twice I think. Yuge!
A job: Topless trampoline health officer
Physician: American Children ‘Immersed in a Culture of Disrespect’
Americans have tried the kinder, gentler, let-me-be-your-friend approach to parenting for the last several decades. If the behavior problems in schools and the heightened level of sensitivity on college campuses are any indication, this parenting approach hasn’t produced the positive outcomes we were hoping for. Is it time for today’s parents to reverse course and begin teaching their children to respect others first instead of their own little selves?
Single Mom Builds An Entire House For Her Family Using YouTube Tutorials
California's bullet train is hurtling toward a multibillion-dollar overrun
Clinton Foundation Laying Off Workers – Shutting Down Global Initiative Amid Ongoing Investigations
" The Associated Press cites a study based on Federal Reserve data showing that "millennials earn 20 percent less than boomers did at the same stage of life, despite being better educated". They are on track to be poorer than their parents despite all that progress."
German Green Party Offers Publicly Funded Prostitution
Everything free in the brave new world
Toronto Sun Accuses Trudeau of Gross Green Hypocrisy
Whoever Puzder is, they’re against him
FAKE NEWS: WaPo Did Not Tell Whole Story on DC National Guard Chief’s Resignation
Obama and His Movement Prepare to Challenge President Trump
Donald Trump Invites Critics to Pray at Inauguration
How most doctors, patients will benefit from ObamaCare reform:
...private insurance was also responding to ObamaCare’s impact by squeezing physician payments, as well as by reducing the number of doctors and hospitals covered through their networks. Some insurers were dropping many of the best — and therefore most costly — doctors and hospitals altogether. With consumers having more choices and more control over their health care spending under Republican proposals, they may well demand more provider options as well.
Still, one shouldn’t get too excited. US health-care spending, the world’s highest, is not sustainable over the long run. Medicare is roughly $58 trillion in the red going forward. Changes, probably including reimbursement cuts, are inevitable. And if consumers are spending more of their own money for health care, they are likely to demand lower costs (and higher quality) the way they do for other goods and services. Not every physician will appreciate a more involved — and questioning — customer.
Klavan: My Strange Trumpian Glee
Kimball: A Modest Disposal
Does David Remnick, editor of The New Yorker, really believe (as he wrote in the immediate aftermath of Trump’s victory) that “the election of Donald Trump to the Presidency is nothing less than a tragedy for the American republic, a tragedy for the Constitution, and a triumph for the forces, at home and abroad, of nativism, authoritarianism, misogyny, and racism”?
Sunday, January 15. 2017
Like Bird Dog, I was raised with one shoe in city life and one boot in manure and mud. I believe that Bird Dog grew up similarly, not the "mink and manure" set but the "LL Bean and manure set." Comfortable at the Metropolitan Opera and happy with country folk, horses, and farm animals, and in the wild woods with a 20 ga. shotgun and a dog.
I think VDH has a foot in both worlds. He discusses: Trump and the American Divide - How a lifelong New Yorker became tribune of the rustics and deplorables
I did vote from Donald Trump, not because I approve of him as a person but as an imperfect messenger. Messengers are always imperfect.
Saturday, January 14. 2017
 Why People Are Boycotting LL Bean Over Donald Trump
Linda Bean is quite the entrepreneur.
LL Bean is a wonderful store with excellent footwear and outerwear, fine hunting and fishing gear, etc. Not high end, and eminently practical stuff. Excellent return and repair policies. They will stand by their outerwear and footwear, even after ten years.
Their winter sale is on now.
Pic is their Maine Hunting Shoe. I have two pairs, one larger to fit heavy socks. They have already re-soled one, for free. I use them like Wellies.
Friday, January 13. 2017
 For the first time in decades, American voters explicitly rejected the Blue Church...
The country elected a bull for the effete china shop of the greedy federal government and all of its sinecures and parasites. At least, thought they did. Entertaining, too. Big cojones, a Honey Badger, a tough crude person for our times. A common-sense liberal, I believe, to restore some balance of sanity. Good circus for all news junkies and big $ for the networks. Reality TV.
Half the country, it seems, is glad to finally find somebody to really hate. I guess their lives lack a little something and I don't mean money. Many people need something to hate. Sad for them, but life is too short for that.
Going skiing. Nothing to hate at all. Another happy American tax-paying citizen having fun in the global cooling. Cold beer, pretty athletic girls, good pals from church. Good life. The whiners need to get with the program and make the most of it. Soon enough, they will be old.
Thursday, January 12. 2017
I am not delving into the psychology of empathy. I'm not trained in it, and I don't know enough to make a statement from that position. I can, however, write about its effect on my own experiences, from my own therapy, and from a recent event which sparked a challenging debate.
That event was Meryl Streep's Golden Globes acceptance speech. I watched about 5 minutes of it, then left. Because I can, and I chose to. While I agreed with a bit, there was far more there than I was interested in hearing. To begin with, I don't watch award shows, I happened to switch it on at just that moment and thought I'd like to see her receive her award. If I am going to watch an awards show, I want to be entertained, not lectured. I turned it off. I did read the text the next day when the brouhaha around it began. Mainly because New York, the center of 'if you disagreed with her, you're insane and wrong and must have something wrong with you' began to show its ugliness. In other words, "Hillary lost and WE STILL HAVE NO CLUE HOW AND WHY IT HAPPENED SO WE MUST LASH OUT!" Meryl was offered a moment to lash out, and she did. Following some kind of empathic tribal code, her supporters rushed to demonize anyone who didn't 'feel' the same way Meryl did.
Continue reading "Has Lack of Empathy Been Pathologized?"
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Outside Truckee, big rig driver 
Academia