LIBERTY: CAL-EXIT is fine as long as we can have NH-exit; plus all the other exits people want

Thursday, February 2, 2017

http://nhindependence.org/historical-precedents-peaceful-independence/

Historically, independence has led to peace
January 28, 2017 

*** begin quote ***

What do these new nations have in common? The majority of the people in these regions felt that their larger parent state did not represent the values of their region. They stood up against it and took things into their own hands. Washington D.C. doesn’t represent us. The motto that New Hampshire holds dear, “Live free or die”, is deep rooted in the veins of the people that live and grew up here. It seems each and every day our values are being taken away. Let’s make a stand.

*** end quote ***

I think it is most interesting that the Liberal Left in California is asserting their State’s “rights”. They want to stop funding the Federal Gooferment and leave.

Of course, I wish they could “go in peace”. But we have that pesky “War of Northern Aggression” precedent to deal with.

And, of course, California is underwater with its finances, pension plans, and who knows what else.

In factual terms, all that has to happen is for folks — there, here, or anywhere — just refuse to cooperate.

And of course, someone has to go first.

When I was a kid and being bullied, I just made sure that I took out whomever was first. A heavy book bag right up the legs to the “eggs” ensure that no one after that wanted to be first. Sure, I would up in the principal’s office — to spell it right remember that the principal is your friend — but those bullies never bothered me after the first one or two times. Unfortunately, I changes school three times, so the lessons had to be repeated. 

Remember the Zen maxim: “Lessons will be repeated until the student learns”.

So why cant we all go our own way?

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ECONOMICS: Janet Yellen and the “FED” should go to the trash pile of history

Wednesday, February 1, 2017

https://dailyreckoning.com/91851-2/

POSTED JANUARY 25, 2017
Trump Missed His Biggest Chance to Drain the Swamp
BY DAVID STOCKMAN 

*** begin quote ***

Janet Yellen insists that she would serve out her full term (until January 2018) and has rather cheekily lectured Congress about the dangers of political interference with the central bank.

Oh, my.

Before December — after the election — the Fed spent the past year sitting hard on interest rates for no plausible reason whatsoever. The main reason was to perpetuate the stock market bubble and thereby ensure the election of Hillary Clinton and a perpetuation of the current Wall Street/Washington regime.
To his credit, Donald Trump called her out on this blatant political meddling during the campaign, calling it “shameful” and designed to keep the stock averages levitated through November 8th.

He was exactly right. Yet notwithstanding his shocking victory, Yellen has the temerity of a pot calling the kettle black. Her Keynesian-statist party has been rebuked by the American public, but the terminally grating school marm who occupies the big chair in the Eccles Building petulantly insists that her right to rule has not been diminished by an iota.

*** end quote ***

The Federal Reserve Bank is a misnomer. IT ain’t “federal”. It reserves nothing. And, it ain’t a “bank”. It is a private cartel of the elite banks run for their benefit and that of the entrenched politicians.

It’s designed to corrupt Americans and the world into accepting a unbacked fiat currency.

The benefit of a real gold standard is to restrict what the Gooferment can spend. Imagine if it couldn’t borrow and spend beyond what it could steal from the taxpayers. A lot less war and welfare spending, for sure.

Argh!

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GUNS: “… fired two rounds at the fleeing suspects …”

Tuesday, January 31, 2017

NRA-ILA DAILY ALERT FOR Monday, January 23, 2017

*** begin quote ***

SC | WCSC

Concerned citizen holds Lowcountry burglary suspect at gunpoint external site

A Lowcounty burglary suspect was nabbed after authorities say a concerned citizen spotted him in a field and held him at gunpoint. The Orangeburg County Sheriff’s Office arrested 20-year-old Raekwon Maple of Cordova and charged him with second-degree burglary and possession of stolen goods. Deputies also charged 20-year-old Antonio Summers of Orangeburg who faces the same charges. Sheriff Leroy Ravenell said it all started around 1 p.m. when a concerned citizen reported two male subjects had fled from a Slaughter Drive residence after having watch them break in. “The caller said he had initially noticed the males after following a suspicious vehicle driving through the Creekmore subdivision off Columbia Road,” OCSO officials said.”The motorist called law enforcement after observing the males go into the residence.” According to authorities, while OCSO deputies were on their way, the burglars were seen fleeing the home when the home alarm system went off. K-9 units then tracked Summers who was then taken into custody. As he was being secured, another concerned citizen called authorities saying he had Maple held at gunpoint after spotting him hiding in a field. The sheriff’s office says one of the suspects had a high dollar watch reported stolen in another burglary that happened earlier this week. In that case, a Forest Drive home owner called her boyfriend after returning home and discovering a door had been broken. “As her boyfriend arrived home, the couple heard a noise inside the residence before a suspect fled out of the front door,” OCSO officials said. “The boyfriend, who has a concealed weapons permit, told law enforcement he fired two rounds at the fleeing suspects before they made good their escape,” authorities said.”That couple reported watches, jewelry, cash, and a substantial amount of change stolen.” Maple was out on bond for multiple charges prior to Friday’s break in, according to the sheriff’s office. The two men could be facing more charges as the ongoing investigation continues, Ravenell said. “This was perfect cooperation between law enforcement and the concerned community,” he said. “When the entire community is against you, you don’t stand a chance at criminal activity.”

*** end quote ***

I’m not a lawyer; nor do I play one on TV. (And, I can go on and on about what I am not!) So please don’t take me or my ramblings as the authoritative source of legal advice.

Can you fire on retreating criminals?

Maybe in South Carolina!

I wouldn’t, just because I wouldn’t want the hassle.

Argh!

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INTERESTING: Were those Samsung smartphone batteries UL certified?

Monday, January 30, 2017

from the Wall Street Journal

*** begin quote ***

A Sorry Mess 
Samsung is on an apology tour for the blunder that led to the costly and embarrassing recall of 2.5 million smartphones. After four months of testing more than 200,000 phones, Samsung concluded that its flagship Galaxy Note 7 caught fire because of bad batteries—two separate sets of bad batteries made by two different companies, in fact, a conclusion also reached by independent certification firm UL. Our technology columnists, Geoffrey A. Fowler and Joanna Stern, compare it to “a meteor striking your house—twice.” Samsung said it would implement new safety measures, including an eight-step battery-safety check, for future devices. Fowler and Stern give Samsung’s response thus far a C grade, stating that it is still unclear whether the new tests raise the bar on safety or merely match what other premium smartphone makers are doing.

*** end quote ***

Were those batteries UL certified?

That’s my only question since UL certification is the “gold standard” of safety.

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RANT: About DUI laws

Sunday, January 29, 2017

“DUI” should only be when there is a real injury. Then, throw the proverbial “book” at them.

For example, why should a free man have to worry about prosecution for “possessing”anything? In what way does the mere fact of “possession” entail a harm caused to some other person?

How is it that a free man can be told – at gunpoint – what he may not put into his body?

I refer, of course, to the lunacy that is the “war” on some (arbitrarily decided upon) “drugs.”

Of all the many things wrong with America, this is perhaps the most obvious – and yet, the one most people seem to have trouble appreciating. A cop who drinks alcohol – who possesses and consumes this drug – is legally empowered to throw people in a cage for possessing or consuming that drug.

Or even if not.

And don’t get me started on the whole aspect of the rationale for these drug arrests — “civil forfeiture”. See it’s all about stealing money to feed the Gooferment’s endless desire to spend more.

Argh!

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POLITICAL: Distrust all politicians; not just the ones you like

Saturday, January 28, 2017

https://www.washingtonpost.com/posteverything/wp/2016/11/11/glenn-greenwald-trump-will-have-vast-powers-he-can-thank-democrats-for-them/?utm_term=.fa8fd38315ad#comments

Glenn Greenwald: Trump will have vast powers. He can thank Democrats for them.
Liberals liked executive authority as long as Obama wielded it. Now they’ve set a precedent.
By Glenn Greenwald November 11, 2016 Glenn Greenwald, co-founder of the Intercept, led the NSA reporting that won the 2014 Pulitzer Prize for the Guardian.

*** begin quote ***

The problem such advocates encountered was the same one they’d faced during the Bush presidency when trying (and failing) to persuade putatively small-government conservatives to oppose these expansions of presidential power: namely, many people are perfectly content to have such authority vested in leaders they trust, and fear them only when a politician from the opposing party wields them.

*** end quote ***

What goes around comes around.

Argh!

You’d think the R’s would have learned when they term-limited the Presidency to prevent FDR from getting a FIFTH term. And the first one so limited was the R Ike. Laugh!

So too, those that gave GWB43 a free hand, hated it when BHO44 had that “hand”.

Now the D’s, who gave BHO44 a more freer hand, now hate it when DJT45 get to wield it.

The Dead Old White Guys hated a powerful executive as much as they did the King and / or “democracy”.

“We, The Sheeple” should learn that lesson. All powerful executives is DISASTROUS to freedom and liberty.

Hopefully, everyone opposed to such — liberal, conservative, and libertarians — can reign in “the King”!

Argh!

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GOVERNACIDE: When the chicken hawks send girls and boys to fight, just say “no”

Friday, January 27, 2017

http://www.military.com/NewContent/0,13190,Galloway_062304,00.html

Joe Galloway: What It’s Really Like Over There  

*** begin quote ***

About the Author

Joseph L. Galloway is the senior military correspondent for Knight Ridder Newspapers and a nationally syndicated columnist. One of America’s preeminent war correspondents, with more than four decades as a reporter and writer, he recently concluded an assignment as a special consultant to Gen. Colin Powell at the State Department.

Galloway, a native of Refugio, Texas, spent 22 years as a foreign and war correspondent and bureau chief for United Press International, and nearly 20 years as a senior editor and senior writer for U.S. News & World Report magazine. 

[JR: He was THE writer in Mel Gibson’s “We Were Soldiers”]

*** and ***

June 23, 2004

WASHINGTON – The Internet, which fills our inboxes with spam and scams every day and keeps our delete keys shiny, occasionally delivers a real keeper, such as the words below, which were written by a graduate of West Point, Class of 2003, who’s now at war in Iraq. 

We tracked down the author, who gave us permission to quote from his letter so long as we didn’t reveal his name. 

Old soldiers in the Civil War coined a phrase for green troops who survived their first taste of battle: “He has seen the elephant.” This Army lieutenant sums up the combat experience better than many a grizzled veteran: 

“Well, I’m here in Iraq, and I’ve seen it, and done it. I’ve seen everything you’ve ever seen in a war movie. I’ve seen cowardice; I’ve seen heroism; I’ve seen fear; and I’ve seen relief. I’ve seen blood and brains all over the back of a vehicle, and I’ve seen men bleed to death surrounded by their comrades. I’ve seen people throw up when it’s all over, and I’ve seen the same shell-shocked look in 35-year-old experienced sergeants as in 19-year-old privates. … … … …

*** end quote ***

Let’s bring all the girls, boys, women, and men home now! We have so many politicians and bureaucrats to send in their place if it’s really needed!

I’ve been lucky in not having to “see the elephant” first hand.

But, I have seen enough of the results to know that this is the LAST resort.

https://acaptainslog.blogspot.com/2008/07/fallen-soldier_04.html

I continue to insist that the “representatives” meet the returning H.R. and truly understand what their vote costs in terms of blood. The senator, congressman, other elected politicians, and appointed bureaucrats should meet “My soldier is on his way back to … …”!

Dona Nobis Pacem 

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GOVEROTRAGEOUS: Depreciation is a real expense; the Gooferment is clueless

Thursday, January 26, 2017

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_NEW_YORK_GOVERNOR_AGING_PIPES?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2017-01-22-11-31-40

Jan 22, 11:31 AM EST
NY GOVERNOR SEEKS $2B TO FIX SOME OF NATION’S OLDEST PIPES
BY DAVID KLEPPER ASSOCIATED PRESS

*** begin quote ***

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has a plan to spend $2 billion to address water contamination and the state’s aging, leaky pipes.

While that sounds like a lot of money, it’s only a fraction of the $80 billion the state’s own experts say will be needed in coming years.

The state has some of the oldest drinking water and sewer systems in the nation, and contaminants from decades of industrial activity pose another problem.

*** end quote ***

Sorry, but imagine a world where a private corporation was supplying water?

Don’t you think that they would have amortized the cost of replacements into a sinking fund. So that when it came time to replace old pipes, it would be “No Big Deal”. Depreciation is a real expense and only the Gooferment, its politicians and bureaucrats, and the general public seems to be ignorant of it.

Argh!

Privatize, privatize, and more privatization is needed.

Sigh!

Will “We, The Sheeple” ever learn?

Argh!

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INTERESTING: Am I being to “Law & Order” paranoid?

Wednesday, January 25, 2017

An interesting thing happened to me the other day when I was driving up to The Free State of New Hampshire https://freestateproject.org/ from the Pepuls Republik of Nu Jerzee!

I stopped for dinner at a local diner along the way. After parking, this driver starts choking the horn at me. WTH. So I walk over, and this old biddie is yelling “Directions. I need directions.” and starts to ask me local geography questions — what road is this, where is deerfield, is this route something or other. I thought I was on Jeopardy finally but she was no Alex Trebeck.

So, I said “OK. First calm down. Close your door. Lock it. And roll down the window.”

It took her at least two minutes to do that. I said: “OK, I’ll help you but never open your door around strangers. What is the problem?”  

She was still agitated. But I got the story she was lost, she got off at the wrong exit, and didn’t know how to get home. 

Wow, that’s easy. 

I told her to wait in her car while I got my phone. Which I did. I had the WAZE app up like I always do for traffic and police alerts. 

So, I asked her address. She gave it to me and it was about two miles away.

I showed her the map, and then I went over the turn by turn. She was still confused. 

I could see that this was not going to end well if I just sent her off into the night. So I said, “OK, just follow me. I’ll lead you home.”

Got in my car, turned around, and led her home.

10 minutes away. (She obviously turned the wrong way off I91 and got confused.)

Led her to her house. Without getting out of my car — window to window — confirmed she knew where she lived. Waited while she pulled in and went into the house.

Went back to the diner and had some very dry “bad” meatloaf. And thought about the incident.

LESSONS LEARNED (Maybe I watch to much Law & Order)

  • She trusted fate. I could have been a “bad guy”.
  • I trusted fate. She could have been a “bad guy”. (Pretty random chance.)
  • There could have been Unintended Consequences of my good deed.

NEXT TIME

  • Alert one of my “shadows” that I am deviating from plan.
  • Photo and share her plate number.
  • Notify the police about what’s happening. Have them schedule a “welfare check”. I probably need to give them my plate number if I knew it.
  • Confirm with my “shadows” that I am back on plan. 

Does that sound reasonable or am I being to “Law & Order” paranoid?

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ECONOMICS: The “invisible hand of the free market” makes life better for everyone

Tuesday, January 24, 2017

On Thursday, January 19, 2017 8:50 PM, I wrote:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/columnist/hobica/2017/01/18/jet-lag-altitude-sickness-dehydration/96677564/

*** begin quote ***

In a study entitled “Effect of Aircraft-Cabin Altitude on Passenger Discomfort” in the New England Journal of Medicine, the authors write that people who “travel to terrestrial altitudes above 6,500 feet experience acute mountain sickness, a syndrome characterized by symptoms of headache, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, lassitude, and sleep disturbance.” The researchers call this “Acute Mountain Syndrome.” The ill effects are even more pronounced the older you are.

*** end quote ***

Laugh!

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Sharing with my Luddite friend this great and interesting news.

“Jet lag” is merely misdiagnosed “Acute Mountain Syndrome”!

Wow, what a finding.

The article says planes are being reengineered to eliminate this.

Great!

To which, he responds:

*** begin quote ***

Yeah, they will end jet lag because nobody will be able to afford to fly!

*** end quote ***

No, it’s the “invisible hand of the free market”. Improve or die. Serve your fellow man or starve. 
Look at commodes. At one time only the ULTRA ULTRA rich kings could have indoor plumbing. Now virtually everyone has it.

Same with cars. Clean water. Computers.

Only in Gooferment projects does the costs escalate and the results plummet.

When entrepreneurs risk their own money, progress happens. Because no one watches the store like the owner.

Economics 201.

Laugh!

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Seems so OBVIOUS to me, Sigh!

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