HEALTH: The Gooferment should get out the “heath” business completely

Saturday, February 28, 2015

http://www.newser.com/story/177742/big-problem-with-last-weeks-big-cholesterol-news.html

Big Problem With Last Week’s Big Cholesterol News
THE ONLINE RISK CALCULATOR MAY SIGNIFICANTLY INFLATE RISK
By Kate Seamons, Newser Staff
Posted Nov 18, 2013 7:27 AM CST

*** begin quote ***

The changes to the way doctors prescribe cholesterol-lowering statins were described last week as “tectonic” and “profound”; today, the New York Times uses the phrase “major embarrassment.” The issue: the online risk calculator introduced by the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology to flag candidates for statins may overestimate risk—hugely. The issue was apparently identified a year ago by two Harvard Medical School professors who had reviewed a draft version; their input never made it to those developing the calculator, and the professors noticed the same errors in the final calculator when it was revealed publicly on Tuesday.

*** end quote ***

And, there was the announcement by the Gooferment that dietary cholesterol doesn’t impact blood cholesterol numbers.

Disputing decades of “settled science”.

Then, into my email box drops this gem.

http://nutritionfacts.org/video/optimal-cholesterol-level/

Transcript: Optimal Cholesterol Level

*** begin quote ***

The optimal cholesterol level, the optimal “bad cholesterol” LDL level, Is 50 to 70. Accumulating data from multiple lines of evidence consistently demonstrate that that’s where a physiologically normal LDL level would be. That appears to be the threshold above which atherosclerosis and heart attacks develop.

That’s what we start out at birth with, that’s what fellow primates have, that’s the level seen in populations free of the heart disease epidemic, but we can also look at all the big randomized controlled cholesterol lowering trials. This is graphing the progression of atherosclerosis versus LDL cholesterol. More cholesterol, more atherosclerosis, but if you draw a line down through the points, you can estimate that the LDL level at which there is zero progression is down around 70. 

*** and ***

Atherosclerosis is endemic in our population in part because the average person’s LDL level is up around 130, approximately twice the normal physiologic level. The reason the federal government doesn’t recommend everyone doesn’t shoot for even just under 100, is that despite the lower risk accompanying more optimal cholesterol levels, the intensity of clinical intervention required to achieve such levels for everyone in the population would financially overload the health care system. Drug usage would rise enormously. But they’re just assuming drugs are the only way to get our LDL that low, but those eating really plant based diets may hit the optimal cholesterol target without even trying. Just naturally nailing under 70.

*** end quote ***

As regular readers know, I’m changing my diet from mostly meat based to mostly plant based.

In part, because of these “scary videos”.

It’s amazing that “We, The Sheeple” have never heard this simple way of avoiding some really nasty health consequences.

I’m sure my maternal Grandmother would have never fed her family “things that would kill them”.

She died of Colon Cancer. If she’d known, maybe she’d have lived to a ripe old age.

So once again, we have the Gooferment mis-informing us either due to stupidity or laziness, or is there a bunch of Crony Capitalists in the woodpile somewhere.

Drugs are expensive and profitable. A vegan diet not so much so. 

I remember one nutritionist on the boob tube pleading that “if your food comes in a box, then you would be better off eating the box!”. 

I laughed at the time, but many a true word is carried in a joke!

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INSPIRATIONAL: “Dif-tor heh smusma”

Friday, February 27, 2015

2015-Feb-27

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/27/arts/television/leonard-nimoy-spock-of-star-trek-dies-at-83.html?_r=1

“Live long and prosper” (from the Vulcan “Dif-tor heh smusma”).

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He inspired my generation.

LLAP, Mister Spock.

Requiescat In Pacem

:-(

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RANT: You can’t clean a Keurig

Friday, February 27, 2015

http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/great-k-cup-backlash-every-tech-company-learn/

Keurig: Hero to Zero

*** begin quote ***

Keurig had the misfortune of being in the news over the past few months for their attempt to add a form of DRM to their coffee makers. In previous versions of the Keurig machine, you put in a small plastic cup that contains coffee grounds, called a K-cup, into the machine. You press a button, wait a moment, and then you have a cup of coffee. It doesn’t get easier (especially for caffeine addicts like me, who don’t generally go for really high-quality coffee).

But with the introduction of the Keurig 2.0, a new step was added: before the machine brews your coffee, it scans the K-cup to make sure that a special code has been printed on it—if it doesn’t see the code, it won’t brew. And who’s the only company who can put that code on the cup? Keurig.

*** end quote ***

And, the article doesn’t mention “biofilms”. You can’t clean a Keurig. Disgusting. 

Mine sits on my kitchen floor, along side my coffee maker — also an uncleanable reservoir — as a I try to figure out what to do with them.

Argh!

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EVLYNN: Yet another bad day

Thursday, February 26, 2015

“Don’t be ashamed to weep; ’tis right to grieve. Tears are only water, and flowers, trees, and fruit cannot grow without water. But there must be sunlight also. A wounded heart will heal in time, and when it does, the memory and love of our lost ones is sealed inside to comfort us.”
― Brian Jacques, Taggerung

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Herding Cats: Texas Independence Faces Challenges From Within

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

In an interesting post, Longcore points out that we need to focus all our attention — laser like — on liberty and property rights. I’d have said “life, liberty, and property” cribbing from the Founding Fathers. But , if you just have to focus on one, to me it’s “liberty”. Hope others among “We, The Sheeple” listen. Especially when the Oligarchy reprised it’s favorite mantra “We have pass these internet regulations for net neutrality, so you mundanes can see what’s in them” yesterday. Argh!

dumpdc's avatarDumpDC

by Russell D. Longcore

Herding Cats Herding Cats

Have you ever thought about herding cats?

Cats are known for their aloof independence. Sure, your cat will curl up in your lap and purr while you pet him, but how often do you see cats sit…or speak…or fetch on demand? Nobody trains guard CATS. There are no Feline Units in your local police department. So the visual image above of cowboys herding cats is meant to be absurd, showing that corralling a bunch of snooty independent cats is a tough job.

“Herding Cats” also accurately describes efforts to get independence-minded patriots to work together. Let me tell you a story that illustrates this phrase well.

Back in the decade of the 2000s, I shifted from being an activist, conservative, Marine Corps-loving, pro-war, pro-gun, rock-ribbed Republican to being a Libertarian. I had read book after book about liberty, and it became quite clear in…

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MONEY: Uncontrolled government debt and unfunded liabilities!

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

http://www.lewrockwell.com/2015/02/no_author/are-you-ready-for-total-war/

Are You Ready For Total Currency War?
By Ron Holland
The Daily Bell
February 19, 2015

*** begin quote ***

“Are you ready for total war?” “Sind Sie bereit für totalen Krieg?” – Joseph Goebbels

On February 18, 1943, German Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels delivered a rousing speech at the Berlin Sportpalast, asking the German people, “Sind Sie bereit für totalen Krieg?” or “Are you ready for total War?” Germany had planned for Blitzkrieg and a short war and was unprepared for a world war as the combined military forces of the United States, England and the Soviet Union crushed the Reich relentlessly and systematically. Although the people and economy rallied in defense of Germany, total war only prolonged the horrors of war and delayed their inevitable defeat.

*** and ***

Personally I don’t plan on defending American politicians in Washington from foreign or domestic assault or the central banking cartel and Wall Street investment bankers who ultimately will destroy the world in a sea of debt. But emergency presidential executive orders guarantee we will not be able to protect our retirement funds, savings and investment portfolios from confiscation when the chickens come home to roost on the Washington Empire.

If we have some wealth or property left when the dollar fails, we cannot stop the future “means testing” of our Social Security and Medicare benefits. Much of our domestic real estate holdings may well be stolen by favored groups and individuals when we can’t pay the exorbitant annual property taxes just like much property in the defeated South was taken by northeastern “carpet baggers” after the War Between the States – or lost during the Great Depression, which is a more likely scenario for comparison of what all productive Americans will face in the future.

*** and ***

Americans should take advantage of recent dollar strength to diversify into gold, investments, real estate and safe haven locations outside the US dollar and the United States. Better to be early than too late because eventually the consequences of aggressive military actions, central banking manipulation and uncontrolled government debt and unfunded liabilities will come home to the American people.

*** end quote ***

While I’m a tin foil hat, I do think that this nails two concerns of Joe / Jane Sixpack, every retiree or soon to be retiree, and anyone on a fixed income, poor, or with a family.

DEBT

18T$ that can never be repaid. Unless some Star Trek / Star Wars / Deus Ex Machina arrives to save us.

What’s worse, that level of debt can not be serviced at any historical rate of interest. If we assume 5%, then the debt service is 900M$ a year. Assuming you can keep rolling it over. (It’s called counterparty risk. Who will want the other side of that stinky IOU and at what price?)

LIABILITIES

Gooferment pensions, social security, unsecured bonds are wildly underfunded.

There’s a reason that corporations are dumping defined benefit pension plans and moving to defined contribution plans. No one wants to be on the hook for that “benefit” with the risk of going broke or to jail if it’s not met.

The politicians and bureaucrats that underfunded these liabilities will be long gone when these very ugly big chickens come home to roost.

ACTION

  • Better save more and differently
  • Get “prepared” like the Amish — for hard times. Think the Great Depression on steroids
  • Demand political accountability for spending, deficits, debts, and “entitlements” aka welfare 
  • Diversify and keep a lot in reserve

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POLITICAL: Keystone XL Pipeline Bill

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Obama Vetoes Keystone XL Pipeline Bill

President Barack Obama Tuesday vetoed legislation that would have approved the Keystone XL pipeline, a project that is a top priority for congressional Republicans and a touchstone issue for environmentalists and the nation’s booming energy industry.

The bill would have authorized Canadian company TransCanada Corp. to construct the 1,179-mile pipeline, which has been under review by the Obama administration for more than six years. The bill, which declared the pipeline to have satisfied environmental laws, passed the GOP-controlled Congress earlier this year.

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Not unexpected.

Too bad since not only is it jobs and energy. It’s a safer way to transport the stuff.

Dumb!

Now the battle lines are drawn.

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INSPIRATIONAL: The Art of Intelligent Waiting

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/patience-the-art-of-intelligent-waiting.html

Patience, The Art of Intelligent Waiting
Sara, from Institute of HeartMath
February 15, 2015

*** begin quote ***

Impatience, it is clear, is not an emotion that befalls only an unfortunate few. It may be true that there is a lot of impatience in some people, but there is a little impatience in all people.

Institute of HeartMath Founder Doc Childre characterizes patience as “the art of intelligent waiting” – waiting with purpose, positive intention and a sincere belief that waiting is an important element in the unfolding of all things.

“Patience is the practice of maintaining a state of inner ease and resilience when you are tempted to be impatient,” Doc says, “especially when the mind wants to force results, rather than remain in flow.

“Impatience is an invitation to frustration, shallow discernment, and faulty choices. With a little heart-focused intention and practice, we can effect a makeover by replacing impatience with patience – the secret sauce in the recipe for flow. When our hearts truly commit to becoming patient, then our minds will cooperate, surrender their resistance and take purposeful steps to manifest it.”

*** end quote ***

What an excellent inspirational meme.

I’ve been told that I am a good “wait-er”.

Probably my Mom’s training — “we” go “shopping” it seemed like all the time — I used to call it “inventorying” cause she rarely bought anything — and I always had a sci fi pocket book to pass the time. Maybe she was just making sure I read a lot? What do nerds do otherwise?

In any event, that was not what this describes.

I have to think about this more since it seems I’m waiting a lot more.

Argh!

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RANT: ‘BIRDMAN’ over ‘SNIPER’

Monday, February 23, 2015

‘Birdman’ Wins Best Picture at Academy Awards

“Birdman” won best picture and best original screenplay at the 87th annual Academy Awards. The movie’s director, Alejandro G. Inarritu, won best director. Julianne Moore and Eddie Redmayne took top acting honors, and J.K. Simmons and Patricia Arquette won the Oscars for best supporting roles.

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You have to be kidding. I saw both in the movies. BIRDMAN was a giant non-sequitur of non-sense.

Guess fat old white guy injineers don’t understand “art”, the problems of an aging actor, or the angst of the creative process.

Waste of money imho.

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POLITICAL: Scrap the tax code

Monday, February 23, 2015

http://thehill.com/policy/finance/232688-rand-paul-scrap-the-tax-code

Rand Paul: Scrap the tax code
By Kevin Cirilli – 02/12/15 04:52 PM EST

*** begin quote ***

“The IRS is too big, too powerful, and we absolutely should scrap the code,” Paul, a prospective 2016 presidential candidate, answered. “Look for my tax plan later this spring.”

Paul was touting his “Audit the Fed” proposal, which has 30 co-sponsors and would allow the comptroller general to audit the Federal Reserve. Fed officials oppose the policy, saying that it’d politicize monetary policy.

*** end quote ***

First thing is to change the incentives from “taxing work” to “taxing consumption”. On the way to not taxing at all.

All Gooferment “services” should be on a take it / pay for it or leave it / don’t pay for it basis.

Education is a classic example of a corrupt boondoggle.

Teachers are represented by “unions” who “bargain” with politicians and bureaucrats. The “unions” contribute money and labor to the politicians. And, everyone, except the taxpayer, gets rich.

First step to disassembling this is to END Gooferment defined benefit plans. Can’t find one in industry any more. Why are they in the “public sector”?

Argh!

We need a “Hercules” to clean the Aegean Stable!

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INTERESTING: Alecia Faith Pennington “identification abuse”

Sunday, February 22, 2015

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2015/0212/Alecia-Pennington-can-t-prove-she-s-an-American-or-even-exists.-What-would-you-do

USA SOCIETY
Alecia Pennington can’t prove she’s an American – or even exists. What would you do?
To the government, Alecia Pennington doesn’t exist. She has been unable to get a driver’s license, get a job, go to college, get on a plane, get a bank account, or vote. What can she do?
By Samantha Laine FEBRUARY 12, 2015

*** begin quote ***

On Sep. 24, 2014, 18-year-old Alecia Faith Pennington left her family and childhood home with the help of her grandparents. Having been raised in a staunchly Christian, homeschooled family in Texas, she was ready to set off and pursue a new life.

But she quickly realized that would not be possible. While she claims that she was born on Nov. 26, 1995, there is no actual proof of her age or identity, when it comes to the United States government.

Ms. Pennington, who says she’s now 19, has launched a campaign via YouTube and Facebook called “Help Me Prove It.” In the video, she explains her strange circumstance: she was born at home, after which her parents neglected to file for a birth certificate or a social security number; she was homeschooled and therefore has no school records; she has never been to a hospital and is without medical records. Furthermore, she says that her parents have been refusing to help her.

She appears caught in a Kafkaesque bureaucratic web – one that’s been dubbed “identification abuse,” which a small percentage of homeschooled children and adults sometimes experience, often due to the unconventional views held by their parents.

*** end quote ***

It seems that any court of competent jurisdiction could solve this quickly.

*** begin quote ***

For Alecia, Stollar suggests that her best option is to find a lawyer who will be willing to represent her pro bono. Her campaign has at least shed light on a situation that a small but sometimes desperate group of homeschooled children face. And the easiest solution, he notes, would be for Alecia’s parents to cooperate.

*** end quote ***

Shame on the Texas Bar association for not stepping up to the plate?

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probono@texasbar.com

TO: Legal Access Division Pro Bono Department

I’d hope that this prompts your organization to step up to the bar for her.

fjohn

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FUN: George Carlin “Safe at home”

Saturday, February 21, 2015

http://youtu.be/qmXacL0Uny0

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RIP George. 

You always made me laugh!

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GUNS: Loaded weapons BEHIND people on the firing line?

Friday, February 20, 2015

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/02/12/american-sniper-chris-kyle-never-had-chance-to-draw-gun-texas-ranger-says/?intcmp=latestnews

REGIONS
‘American Sniper’ Chris Kyle never had chance to draw gun, Texas Ranger says
Published February 12, 2015
FoxNews.com

*** begin quote ***

The body of Chris Kyle, the former sniper killed at a rural Texas gun range in 2013, was located by rangers wearing a loaded 1911-style semiautomatic pistol that was still holstered and with its safety on, a Texas Ranger testified on Thursday.

*** and ***

Tim Moore, an attorney for Routh, said Kyle and Littlefield’s text exchange shows how Routh was spiraling out of control. He told jurors that Routh was suffering from severe mental strain that day and thought he needed to kill the two or they would turn on him.

*** end quote ***

In another earlier report, it was asserted that both men were shot from behind.

I don’t know how the range worked there, but I know how some ranges in NJ and VA operate.

There is a range safety officer, who’s watching what happens. And loaded weapons are NOT allowed BEHIND people on the firing line.

There’s no doubt that is NOT a perfect solution.

But a loaded weapon BEHIND two experienced shooters would have not gone unnoticed.

Just an observation.

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RANT: I’ll have a farmed fish with a hook in it?

Thursday, February 19, 2015

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/woman-bit-fish-hook-suit-article-1.2111121

Woman bit down on fish and discovered hook was still inside at swanky Central Park South restaurant: suit
Aliona Russo said in Manhattan Supreme Court papers that she ‘felt something unusual’ after taking a bite of the seafood at Villagio’s on Central Park South last August. But a co-owner of the restaurant said she’s lying and trying to extort money from the business. The restaurant plans to file a countersuit.
BY BARBARA ROSS , CORKY SIEMASZKO NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Published: Wednesday, February 11, 2015, 1:21 PM Updated: Wednesday, February 11, 2015, 10:57 PM

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Interesting.

Could a farmed fish have hook in it?

And a 3 inch hook is pretty big not to notice.

Should be a fun jury to be on!

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JOBSEARCH: The illusion of employment

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

http://www.lewrockwell.com/2015/02/burton-s-blumert/burt-blumerts-life/ 

My Life
By Burton S. Blumert
February 12, 2015

*** begin quote ***

After years of working for Reed’s in the South, there was an opening in the company’s California territory. Moving to a suburb south of San Francisco in 1958 was irresistible. My base was in San Mateo County’s new regional shopping center and nearby was a Coin Shop geared toward collectors. I soon befriended the owner. Within three months I evolved from a coin-collecting customer to becoming his partner. For a while I split my time between both businesses, but I knew I would have to decide upon one or the other. It wasn’t easy deciding between the security of the old-line retail firm or the risk of going on my own. I chose to go out on my own. I never had time to suffer any remorse. Incidentally, the security of Reed’s was an illusion. Two years after I sold my first gold coin, they were out of business.

*** and ***

Burt Blumert (1929-2009) was owner of Camino Coins, president of the Center for Libertarian Studies, chairman of the Mises Institute, publisher of LewRockwell.com, and the author of Bagels, Barry Bonds, & Rotten Politicians.

*** end quote ***

Note the illusion of security by being an “employee” as opposed to “being in your own business”.

It’s a akin to saving your money in bank CD as opposed to investing it in the market (in, of course, a well diversified set of asset classes).

I’ve often pontificated that having 10 ½ day “part time jobs” is much more secure than on better paying full time job. 

And, I’ve warned to income families, where both spouse work for the same firm or are even in the same line of work, about the risk they are taking.

So forewarned is forearmed, and start finding those “part time jobs”.

You never know how things will change.

Especially when your “secure job” goes “bye bye”.

Argh!

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INTERESTING: MMR Vaccine — Risks and Benefits

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

http://www.lewrockwell.com/2015/02/donald-w-miller-jr-md/more-dangerous-than-measles/

Measles vs. MMR Vaccine: Risks and Benefits
By Donald W. Miller, Jr., MD
February 12, 2015

*** begin quote ***

Short-lived vaccine immunity renders people under age 55-60 vulnerable to contracting measles at a bad age, with infants less than 1 year old and adults over 20 years old at greatest risk. The day may once again come when parents, while avoiding the vaccine, hold measles parties for their children in the age window of 5 to 9 years (like some families now do in Germany) so they can have measles at the safest time in their lives, thereby achieving the benefits of a strengthened immune system and lifelong natural immunity from this disease.

*** end quote ***

This, to me at least, was a very interesting well-reasoned piece about the tradeoffs we’re making.

Could it be that profits bought politicians and bureaucrats? And, now we are stuck with it.

And, of course, it’s unlikely that there will be any reasoned discourse on it.

I’m not a doctor, scientist, or parent, so I’m relegated to the role of “bystander” watching this particular “traffic accident”.

I’ve gone around on the more times than a revolving door. Now I’ve arrived at the position that “parents know best”. And, perhaps, “measles parties” are the best strategy. Certainly the cheapest. And, possibly, the one with the least side effects.

Hmmm, I wonder if there are other “choices” that are foisted on us by others “who know what’s good for us”?

As a little L libertarian who is pro-choice pro-life and anti-war, I’s suggest that everyone should make their own choices in life. Just don’t make me pay for them. 

Argh!

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INTERESTING: Part numbers for suits?

Monday, February 16, 2015

Why don’t suits have part numbers like every other gadget? And their color and pattern?

As a fat old white guy injineer, I’m partial to dark blue or black suits.

(Supposedly it makes one look thinner?)

My problem is after a while they all look a like.

It would seem obviously easy for manufacturers to help us poor old guys out.

Put the suit part number in the jacket and the pants. Then when the cleaner splits them up, I can get them back together without a bright light, magnifying glass, and some guessing!

Argh!

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POLITICAL: The definition of a farce

Sunday, February 15, 2015

http://www.judicialwatch.org/press-room/weekly-updates/irs-obstructs-justice/

Obama IRS Obstructs Justice?

*** begin quote ***

Well this one doesn’t come as a surprise, but it does demonstrate that justice delayed can be justice denied. We have just obtained new internal documents from the Department of Justice (DOJ) that show how the IRS Office of the Chief Counsel worked to delay a meeting between an IRS employee and DOJ and FBI investigators about the Obama IRS abuse and harassment of Tea Party and conservative groups and individuals who were in the way of Barack Obama’s reelection effort.

*** and ***

We don’t know why the emails needed to be filtered. And we don’t know what the witnesses shared with investigators. We do know this “investigation” is an ugly mess and it is no surprise that, after nearly two years, the criminal investigation of the Obama IRS by its co-conspirators at the Obama Justice Department is a farce.

*** end quote ***

But isn’t any Gooferment investigation of Gooferment wrong doing by definition a farce?

Why would “We, The Sheeple” care?

First they came for the Tea Party … …

“First they came …” is a famous statement and provocative poem attributed to pastor Martin Niemöller (1892–1984) about the cowardice of German intellectuals following the Nazis’ rise to power and the subsequent purging of their chosen targets, group after group. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_they_came_…

Where does it end?

I can only see three results — totalitarian dictatorship guised as what we have today, violent revolution, or peaceful secession.

Two out of three won’t end well for the average joe or jane sixpack.

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RANT: “False Flag”, Iraq, and 9/11?

Saturday, February 14, 2015

http://www.thedailysheeple.com/42-admitted-false-flag-attacks_022015

42 ADMITTED False Flag Attacks
Washington’s Blog
February 9th, 2015

*** begin quote ***

(31) Similarly, the U.S. falsely blamed Iraq for playing a role in the 9/11 attacks – as shown by a memo from the defense secretary – as one of the main justifications for launching the Iraq war. Even after the 9/11 Commission admitted that there was no connection, Dick Cheney said that the evidence is “overwhelming” that al Qaeda had a relationship with Saddam Hussein’s regime, that Cheney “probably” had information unavailable to the Commission, and that the media was not ‘doing their homework’ in reporting such ties. Top U.S. government officials now admit that the Iraq war was really launched for oil … not 9/11 or weapons of mass destruction (despite previous “lone wolf” claims, many U.S. government officials now say that 9/11 was state-sponsored terror; but Iraq was not the state which backed the hijackers).

*** and ***

False flag operations are covert operations conducted by governments, corporations, or other organizations, which are designed to appear as if they are being carried out by other entities. The name is derived from the military concept of flying false colors; that is, flying the flag of a country other than one’s own.

*** end quote ***

How does one ever get to the truth?

And, why would one ever believe ANY politician and bureaucrat?

Also, once inoculated with such cynicism, how does one more forward in life?

Argh!

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INTERESTING: Sox with serial numbers

Friday, February 13, 2015

Why don’t sox have serial numbers like appliances?

It’s not like it would add a lot of costs.

Gold Toe could use #1001 for one type of black. #1002 for another type.

Then when I have to match them, problems solved!

Otherwise, I have “orphans” and mismatches.

Argh!

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NEWJERSEY: NJ parents abdicate to the police

Thursday, February 12, 2015

http://bearingarms.com/fearful-nj-parents-freak-trigger-lockdown-school-play-prop/

Fearful NJ Parents Freak Out, Trigger Lockdown Over School Play Prop
Posted by Bob Owens on February 12, 2015 at 2:11 pm

*** begin quote ***

A prop gun sparked a brief lockdown at Northern Valley Regional High School in Demarest, New Jersey, police say.

A student came to school on Knickerbocker Road this morning carrying a prop rifle for the school’s production of Hello Dolly, police said.

Some parents saw her and thought the gun was real, and they alerted authorities.

Police identified the girl within 10 minutes of responding to the scene.

*** end quote ***

It took ten minutes to id her?

Seriously!

In any event, how many would have been dead in those minutes (i.e., time to respond and time to find).

<<Remember the bumpersticker: “When seconds count, the police are minutes away.>>

And, where were the brainiac parents? 

After calling the police, if my child was in that school, then I’d have been over there to “speak” with “gun toter”.

Assuming it was pointed at anyone, it would have been a short conversation.

Assuming it was, I have done my best imitation of Richard Marvin Butkus. (Arguably the meanest middle linebacker to play “American” football.)

Instead, the parents were content to go on their way and leave it to the police to clean up the mess?

Pepuls Republik of Nu Jerzee is sadly going in the wrong direction.

3 Comments | NEW JERSEY | Tagged: , , | Permalink
Posted by reinkefj

RANT: Data systematically “adjusted” — I’d say fudged!

Thursday, February 12, 2015

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/earth/environment/globalwarming/11395516/The-fiddling-with-temperature-data-is-the-biggest-science-scandal-ever.html

By Christopher Booker
10:15PM GMT 07 Feb 2015

*** begin quote ***

When future generations look back on the global-warming scare of the past 30 years, nothing will shock them more than the extent to which the official temperature records – on which the entire panic ultimately rested – were systematically “adjusted” to show the Earth as having warmed much more than the actual data justified.Two weeks ago, under the headline “How we are being tricked by flawed data on global warming”, I wrote about Paul Homewood, who, on his Notalotofpeopleknowthat blog, had checked the published temperature graphs for three weather stations in Paraguay against the temperatures that had originally been recorded. In each instance, the actual trend of 60 years of data had been dramatically reversed, so that a cooling trend was changed to one that showed a marked warming.

*** end quote ***

SO when do we hear the litany of apologies?

Argh!

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JOBSEARCH: The Labor stats are as cooked as Enron’s books

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/us-job-market-february-2015-jeff-altman?trk=hb_ntf_MEGAPHONE_ARTICLE_POST

Jeff Altman
Recruiter.
The US Job Market: February 2015

*** begin quote ***

Jim Clifton, the Chairman of the Gllup Organization, broke down the data.

“Say you’re an out-of-work engineer or healthcare worker or construction worker or retail manager: If you perform a minimum of one hour of work in a week and are paid at least $20 — maybe someone pays you to mow their lawn — you’re not officially counted as unemployed in the much-reported 5.6%.”

“The official unemployment rate, which cruelly overlooks the suffering of the long-term and often permanently unemployed as well as the depressingly underemployed, amounts to a Big Lie.

And it’s a lie that has consequences, because the great American dream is to have a good job, and in recent years, America has failed to deliver that dream more than it has at any time in recent memory. A good job is an individual’s primary identity, their very self-worth, their dignity — it establishes the relationship they have with their friends, community and country. When we fail to deliver a good job that fits a citizen’s talents, training and experience, we are failing the great American dream.

Gallup defines a good job as 30+ hours per week for an organization that provides a regular paycheck.

Right now, the U.S. is delivering at a staggeringly low rate of 44%, which is the number of full-time jobs as a percent of the adult population, 18 years and older. We need that to be 50% and a bare minimum of 10 million new, good jobs to replenish America’s middle class.”

So there you have it.

*** end quote ***

Interesting that those who know are calling a foul.

When will “We, The Sheeple” wake up, pick up their pitchfork and torches, and storm “the castle” in the “District of Corruption”?

It’s a shame for those who are “out”.

Argh!

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MONEY: 401(k) Programs — Methadone for the Middle Class?

Tuesday, February 10, 2015

http://www.garynorth.com/public/13421.cfm

401(k) Programs: Methadone for the Middle Class
Gary North – February 06, 2015

*** begin quote ***

Methadone is a legal drug that is taken by former heroin addicts. It eliminates the “rush” that heroin offers, but it also eliminates withdrawal symptoms. It lets heroin addicts escape the need to buy the expensive illegal drug.

Methadone is for heroin addicts who just cannot bring themselves to go cold turkey from an addictive drug that distorts their perception.

That is what a 401(k) retirement plan is for middle-class workers.

*** end quote ***

Even a gold bug, such myself, understands the concern that the 401k may not be enough.

And, the younger the person, the more they are at risk.

Clearly SocSec isn’t enough retirement savings, especially when the Gooferment cheats on inflation, COLA, Medicare rates, and — of course — the ULTIMATE cheat making SocSec ½ taxable income!!!

A similar concern exists with 401ks and IRAs. The “rules” can be changed. And, when you think of the 18T$ “debt” and 17T$ in tax deferred savings accounts under the control of about 2100 “custodians”, it’s not hard to imagine the political mischief that could emerge. There was a “trial balloon” about “saving” “We, The Sheeple” from “market risk” by swapping the 401k/IRA money for an “enhanced social security benefit”. It died a quiet death, but bad ideas are like Dracula rising from the grave.

So while I think folks “must” participate in the 401k / IRA system, they must also realize that there is a “counter party risk” and you better have other assets.

For once I’m glad I’m old.

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GOLD: Russia or China could put a stake in the heart of the USA easily

Monday, February 9, 2015

http://www.lewrockwell.com/2015/02/marcia-christoff-kurapovna/is-russia-planning-a-gold-based-currencye280a8/

Is Russia Planning a Gold-Based Currency?
By Marcia Christoff-Kurapovna
Mises.org
February 7, 2015

*** begin quote ***

Nor is that prospect too far-fetched. As Dutch author Willem Middelkoop has written in his 2014 book The Big Reset: War on Gold and the Financial Endgame,

A system reset is imminent. Even before 2020 the world’s financial system will need to find a different anchor. … In a desperate attempt to maintain this dollar system, the United States waged a secret war on gold since the 1960s. China and Russia have pierced through the American smokescreen around gold and the dollar and are no longer willing to continue lending to the United States. Both countries have been accumulating enormous amounts of gold, positioning themselves for the next phase of the global financial system.

*** end quote ***

One has to be very circumspect about gold and the manipulation there of.

The central banks, most notably the FED, have an incentive to keep the paper merry go round moving.

That being said, for the little people, they have to defend their own wealth.

Folks long the Swiss Franc were rewarded when that peg was removed.

Folks long the US Dollar have a long way to fall if the Russians and Chinese move to a gold standard.

While one can’t tell when the “music for the chairs” stops, it’s going to be rough in the US for the poor and middle class. Inflation will roar back and make the Carter 21% look like child’s play.

The only saving grace is that China is our “partner” in this bubble.

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Posted by reinkefj

INTERESTING: The Seahawks’ Play Calling

Sunday, February 8, 2015

https://freedom-to-tinker.com/blog/felten/in-partial-defense-of-the-seahawks-play-calling/

In Partial Defense of the Seahawks’ Play Calling
FEBRUARY 2, 2015 BY ED FELTEN

*** begin quote ***

The conclusion that run-pass-run is the best sequence is fairly robust against changes in the probability assumptions. If it’s wrong, it’s probably because of the assumption that run-run-run isn’t an option.The Seahawks’ decision to pass on second down wasn’t crazy, but a better choice would have been to pass on third down. Announcers who said “just run twice” were giving bad advice. The Seahawks didn’t make a terrible play call; they made a reasonable choice but were defeated by a great defensive play.

*** end quote ***

I think this analysis over looks that the NE Pats had timeouts.

I doubt Bill B would not try to save some time for a “Hail Mary” by Brady.

Hence a stuffed run, might get a “free” time out from NE.

Interesting discussion.

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