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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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Sunday, March 2. 2025Remembering the Phoenician/Carthaginian EmpireI've been to Carthage. It feels strange to see the highway exit sign. What is there now is, mostly, the ruins of the Roman city. The old Carthage was destroyed completely. Yes, the Phoenicians invented our alphabet.
From today's Lectionary - Jesus is transfigured on the mountain 9:29 And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. 9:30 Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. 9:31 They appeared in glory and were speaking about his exodus, which he was about to fulfill in Jerusalem. 9:32 Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep, but as they awoke they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. 9:33 Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is good for us to be here; let us set up three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah," not realizing what he was saying. 9:34 While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. 9:35Then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!" 9:37 On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. 9:38 Just then a man from the crowd shouted, "Teacher, I beg you to look at my son; he is my only child. 9:39 Suddenly a spirit seizes him, and all at once he shrieks. It convulses him until he foams at the mouth; it mauls him and will scarcely leave him. 9:40 I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not." 9:41 Jesus answered, "You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you and put up with you? Bring your son here." 9:42 While he was being brought forward, the demon dashed him to the ground in convulsions. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. 9:43a And all were astounded at the greatness of God. Saturday, March 1. 2025Shellengerger on UkraineTaking a hiking trip in PakistanSaturday morning links Even a little exercise could significantly lower dementia risk Reverse science? Why some women develop romantic interests in fictional “bad boys” Saturday Miscellany Trump Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism Announces Visits to Columbia, Nine Other Schools. 'The Task Force’s mandate is to bring the full force of the federal government to bear in our effort to eradicate Anti-Semitism, particularly in schools,' says Leo Terrell, the task force's head In Oval Office Temper Tantrum, Zelensky Blows Up Peace Talks FAFO "Trump fully intended to sign the minerals deal today. Two official binders were prepared -- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and his Ukrainian counterpart and the two presidents were going to sit at a conference table in the East Room and then trumpet their success at podiums." Globalist European Leaders Appear United Behind Ukraine Tweet Out the EXACT SAME MESSAGE After White House Smackdown Lindsey Graham Says US "Can Never Do Business With Zelensky Again" 'Old Magoo': Elections Over, German Government Launches Nat'l Snitch Line Cuba – Where the Populace is Disarmed and the Revolución Still Lives On Friday, February 28. 2025insufferableEzra Klein is insufferable. I think he wants to be the William F. Buckley of the lefty/government party. This is an education about "the elite." No surprise to me, but the Democrat party is the party of government and control of us peasants. I guess I am a normie. Gurri is a normie too.
![]() Friday morning links The Process Of Rescinding The Endangerment Finding Has Begun Barnard’s spoiled protesters expose the spineless leadership of colleges and New York’s pols — again UPenn’s Case Against Amy Wax Is a Disgrace. It all began with an opinion essay. Maine Public Schools Are Collapsing As Children Of Illegal Migrants Pour Into The State Has History Ended? TGIF: Gold Bars, Gold Stars, Gold Cards - BP says drill, baby, drill; measles part II; kids are scared of God again; spy agencies are no longer a sex club; and reverse racism is here to stay. Trump Ending Benefits to Illegals Is a Game Changer FBI Launches Probe Into Comey’s Alleged Use Of Spies Against Trump Campaign New Yorker: Why Aren’t We in the Streets? On Trump the Almighty and his so-far quiescent capital. The Nation: Resistance Is Not Enough. The Left Must Address the Grievances of the Working Class. Scott Jennings Confuses Liberals By Explaining How the Executive Branch Works Behind Jeff Bezos’ Changes at Washington Post - Finding a new opinion editor may be only the beginning Trump closes the border and suddenly, Mexico's cartel problems are nowhere to be found, Tijuana resident says Stunning Poll Finds Most Democrats Believe Joe Biden Left the U.S. Southern Border Open by Accident Trump’s Move to Isolate Venezuela Is a Step in the Right Direction Thursday, February 27. 2025Thursday morning linksOn Scott Adams's Vax-Decision Analysis Religion Is Fundamental To The Climate Movement Or Something American Psychological Association Slammed for ‘Virulent’ Jew Hate Even SEIU Admits It: Minimum Wage Hikes Raised Prices, Cost Over 10K Fast-Food Jobs in California Red-District DOGE Protests, Cited As Proof of Broad Musk 'Backlash,' Were Organized By Left-Wing Groups What’s behind the vicious attacks on Elon Musk? He’s doing big things, but he’s also a way to attack a popular president The WaPo update After Joy Reid Firing, Rachel Maddow and Keith Olbermann Agree That MSNBC is a Hotbed of Racism Is This What America Voted For? Ruy Teixeira asks if Trump is going too far, too fast. Rupa Subramanya on Canada’s liberal surge. Plus, elite propaganda from Robert De Niro "What The Actual F**k": WaPo Reporters Melt Down, Editor Quits After Jeff Bezos Makes Hard Pivot Towards "Personal Liberties & Free Markets" On Joe Biden’s First Day in Office He Shutdown Keystone Pipeline and Trump Border Wall Construction, Eliminating 52,100 Jobs!… NOT ONE Liberal or Mainstream Media Hack Shed a Single Tear The Trump Cabinet meets; Elon Musk makes sense How TERF Island took on America’s woke empire - Even with USAID’s financial muscle, Stonewall’s trans activism was no match for the brave women of Blighty. Trump’s Art of the Deal turns around an unwinnable war against Ukraine. Ukraine peace plan improves American security and drives a wedge between Russia and China Romania's Georgescu Banned From Appearing In Media As State Accuses Him Of 'Fascism, Attempted Coup' The Life and Death of the Oldest Hostage in Gaza Zelenskyy Pushes For European Army As US Seeks Peace In Ukraine Wednesday, February 26. 2025Wednesday morning links They're Fired: 100 Intelligence Officials In Sick Chat Group 'Terminated And Their Security Clearances Revoked' Wednesday Potpourri US taxpayer dollars were going to be spent on the following items, all which have been cancelled This Washington Post Story on DOGE is Just Democratic Fear Mongering Reporter Nick Sortor Confronts Eric Swalwell on Sleeping with a Chinese Spy Fang Fang While Calling Elon Musk a ‘National Security Threat’ Texas rancher, 74, is killed by IED planted by the cartel along the border Trump Moves To Sell Pelosi Federal Building As Crime, Cost Concerns Grow Tuesday, February 25. 2025"Active recovery"Is it a useful thing? Maybe sorta kinda. I know that for me, after a weights day, it feels good just to walk for 15 minutes.
Tuesday morning links Only Doctors Can Prevent Global Warming? The CIA Issued This Response Regarding the Secret Sex Chat Fiasco Involving the Intel Community NYC Mayor Eric Adams Announces The Roosevelt Hotel’s “Asylum Arrival Center” is Closing Down The Trump funding cuts will backfire if they are not stopped Are We Winning? "Give Us Back Our F**king Money" - How Washington Stole Everything... Stonewall, UK's Largest Trans Rights Organization, Turned Out to Be a USAID Front How USAID squandered billions in Haiti and around the globe Trump’s Ukrainian Tightrope Who Lost Ukraine? "Center Right" Party in Germany Wins Elections, Vows to Not Close the Borders Germany's Brand New Chancellor Elect Pulled the Old Magoo Germany’s Merz vows ‘independence’ from Trump’s America, warning NATO may soon be dead By Defending Free Speech Worldwide, Team Trump Reclaims America’s Global Moral High Ground Monday, February 24. 2025Never an Eagles fan, but...The Name of the RoseThe books in the library murmur to each other. Umberto Eco's novel creates a medieval cosmos, but a cosmos is what great books do.
Monday morning links NPS Staffers Hang Upside-Down Flag in Yosemite to Protest Firings -- They Don't Get Reaction They Expect The Online Right Is Building a Monster. Their increasingly extreme rhetoric is eventually going to freak the hell out of ordinary people. Really? Well, I don't read X. Who has time? FBI Freak Out As Dan Bongino Named Deputy Director Kash Patel Is Already Making Huge Changes At The FBI MSNBC President Holds Rushed Meeting with Joy Reid’s Staff After Show’s Cancellation Leaks to Media “Journalist” Susan Glasser Tries to Play Race Card Against President Trump But Forgets One Key Fact Why all eyes are on Egypt during the Israel-Hamas cease-fire — and how its own ‘Gaza’ problem could soon emerge The neocons lost Ukraine and want to blame it on Trump Germans Say ‘No’ to Immigration. Plus... Sheinbaum Blocks US Intervention As Cartels Tighten Grip On Mexico Andrew Sullivan doesn't like Trump's approach to Ukraine and NATO. Sunday, February 23. 2025The Gravy TraditionFar too late today to begin making the Classic Italian-American Sunday dinner ("feast"). In the old days - like when my wife was a kid - all the sibs and aunts and uncles assembled at 2 pm after Mass for the feast. How the assigned Nonna had time to make all of this, and get to church, I dunno. Lots of families had one priest in the family, who of course would come. Or invite the parish priest. In those days, relatives lived nearby. It was a support system and a help. Not so much these days. I have no Italian heritage, and I did not really enjoy that food. Ziti with "gravy"? However, it was a getting-together tradition like a weekly Thanksgiving. Mrs. BD told me that, as a kid, her Nonna always made Lasagna as a first course at Thanksgiving. Tradition. It's a little silly to bring in falafel, but we were in NYC this morning for a family church event. (Ask me what Protestant churches have become these days - sheesh. Not mainline churches. Packed with all ages and races and loving Jesus. As one of my daughters said "Were kinda spiritual here") Across the street from our parking garage was Moshe's Falafel. Despite having neither Italian or Jewish heritage, I'm sure Moise's falafel was better than that in Egypt. As I always say, a NY falafel in a pita with a little lettuce and tomato with a drenching of tahini is darn good.
From today's Lectionary1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50 - The mystery of the resurrection 15:35 But someone will ask, "How are the dead raised? With what kind of body do they come?" 15:36 Fool! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. 15:37 And as for what you sow, you do not sow the body that is to be but a bare seed, perhaps of wheat or of some other grain. 15:38 But God gives it a body as he has chosen and to each kind of seed its own body. 15:42 So it is with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. 15:43 It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. 15:44 It is sown a physical body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a physical body, there is also a spiritual body. 15:45 Thus it is written, "The first man, Adam, became a living being"; the last Adam became a life-giving spirit. 15:46 But it is not the spiritual that is first but the physical and then the spiritual. 15:47 The first man was from the earth, made of dust; the second man is from heaven. 15:48 As was one of dust, so are those who are of the dust, and as is one of heaven, so are those who are of heaven. 15:49 Just as we have borne the image of the one of dust, we will also bear the image of the one of heaven 15:50 What I am saying, brothers and sisters, is this: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Saturday, February 22. 2025CaponataSaturday morning links The Week in Pictures Saturday Miscellany Citi Scraps Diversity Goals, ‘DEI’ Term Under Trump Pressure They are happy to be "pressured" Why they raged at JD Vance - His was a rare voice of dissent that couldn’t be silenced or dismissed. Apple Nukes End-to-End Encryption In UK After Refusing To Give Backdoor Access What's up with the UK? Kash Patel Gets Right to Business, Immediately Shakes Up FBI Washington Field Office You Knew CNN Was Going There With This Attack on Trump Why Trump is so threatening to the permanent bureaucracy By Byron York Duh. It's secure jobs. Democrats are about to go to court to force taxpayers to keep paying welfare to illegals. European Military Chiefs Proposed Dubious Plan To Send 30,000 Troops To Ukraine Rubio reveals why everyone in the administration is pissed at Zelensky. Here’s How The Media Are Lying Right Now: ‘Rewriting’ Ukraine War History Edition Alex Karp: We Need a New Manhattan Project. “J. ROBERT OPPENHEIMER REPORTEDLY WONDERED ALOUD IF A WEAPON THIS DESTRUCTIVE MIGHT SOMEHOW CONTRIBUTE TO AN ENDURING PEACE,” WRITES ALEXANDER C. KARP AND NICHOLAS W. ZAMISKA IN THEIR NEW BOOK. Our technology industry is capable of building a weapon that could ensure peace. But why court controversy when you can build another app? Victor Davis Hanson: Can Trump Troll His Way to a Peace Deal in Ukraine?
Friday, February 21. 2025Teaching
I queried Perplexity about barefoot gym shoesMy foot doc told me that barefoot shoes are terrible for everything. I asked Perplexity. Oh, you have to make your own query - they don't share.
Friday morning links JD Vance Keeps Groin-Kicking Dem Sacred Cows Miranda Devine: The self-described party of ‘democracy’ wants — yet again — to kill democracy to save it Time to Cut Defense Spending Kash Patel has a Herculean task ahead of him $2 Billion of Our Money to Stacey Abrams Group Trump is Trolling the AP. The once-great AP became journalism's word police, and humorously is now claiming to be a victim of censorship One month down in Trump's presidency, 47 to go. Democrats better buckle up Niall Ferguson: J.D. Vance’s Fighting Words—Against Me and Ukraine TGIF: War Games So, world, what do you think of your ‘resistance fighters’ now? The sick handover of a dead family in Gaza today should have caused global uproar Thursday, February 20. 2025A Democrat Who Is Thinking DifferentlyNot that I agree with him on lots of things, but this is what Dems (not Lefties) need
Trump's CounterrevolutionThursday morning links I remind you, yet again, that all models only say what they are told to say. After an unexpected and controversial federal ruling, the regulatory future of gene edited crops in the US is cloudy Maine Goes Boldly Forth Allowing Males to Compete As Women Bari Weiss: Against the Vandals - What happened on the left over the past decade is a cautionary tale for a right that wants to look away from the danger ahead. UVA professor compares Kamala Harris loss to ‘violence of chattel slavery’ Europe finally gets the US memo: Pony up and partner in your own defense
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