https://overcast.fm/+Hjbr8LISM

https://www.libertarianinstitute.org/scotthortonshow/12-6-17-mark-perry-moving-u-s-embassy-jerusalem-mistake/

December 9, 2017

*** begin quote ***

Mark Perry returns to the show to discuss his latest article for the American Conservative, “Tillerson, Mattis Warned Trump Against Embassy Move.” Perry doubts that Trump understands the true effect of his decision and explains why Jerusalem is integral to the Arab world and to Palestine in particular. Scott asks if, now that the two-state solution is clearly over, peace can be found in a single state—assuming apartheid conditions are lifted. Perry believes that the silver lining is that the Jerusalem decision creates division in what has become an ever-cozier relationship between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Scott then turns to Perry’s new book, “The Pentagon’s Wars: The Military’s Undeclared Wars Against America’s Presidents.” Mark Perry is the author of Talking to Terrorists: Why America Must Engage with its Enemies and The Most Dangerous Man in America: The Making of Douglas MacArthur. His most recent book, The Pentagon’s Wars was released in October. 

*** end quote ***

(1) It may have been or not. We’ll probably never know. Did Trump see the Israel and Saudi Arabia “alignment” as a threat to the American dominated world?

(2) The best point of the show imho is the recognition that the warfare state is killing our military with constant deployments. At some point, the troops are going to say “no”. We’ll have to watch reenlistment rate to see it. Remember the fall of Rome after the Legions were no longer composed of Roman citizens. 

(3) Interesting that the guest and host seem to feel that the foreign policy of the USA is controlled by zionists. And the influence of their lobbyists and donors is waning because of an awakening by voters, politicians, and bureaucrats that this is not in the USA’s best interest.

I personally think there will be no peace in the Middle East until Israel’s right to exist is accepted. Until them it’s just a ongoing war. Considering that Israel has / will defend itself and done it very well everytime tested, I don’t this is going to be settled at a conference table. 

Dona Nobis Pacem

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FROM BEHIND THE WSJ PAYWALL

https://www.wsj.com/articles/obamacares-death-payments-1511465449?mod=djemMER&mg=prod/accounts-wsj

OPINION  REVIEW & OUTLOOK
ObamaCare’s Death Payments
A program to reduce hospital admissions may have led to more deaths.

By The Editorial Board
Nov. 23, 2017 2:30 p.m. ET

*** begin quote ***

ObamaCare has caused hard-to-quantify economic damage, but some of the law’s regulations may be lethal—literally. Consider a Medicare hospital payment initiative, which a new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association Cardiology suggests may have contributed to an increase in deaths.

Readers are likely familiar with ObamaCare’s mandate and subsidies to impel individuals to obtain health insurance. But the law also included monetary incentives and penalties aimed at inducing changes in health-care delivery and spending reductions. The government rolled out these payment models nationally without careful study, and they are having unintended side effects.

A case in point is the Hospital Readmissions Reduction Program, which penalizes hospitals with above-average readmissions for Medicare patients. Readmissions are expensive, and the goal of the penalties is to encourage providers to take measures that reduce repeat hospitalizations—for instance, providing patients with clearer discharge instructions and coordinating with primary-care physicians.

*** and ***

Hospitals with above-average readmissions are also more likely to care for low-income patients and deal with complicated medical cases. They are usually financially strapped due to low Medicaid reimbursements, and the ObamaCare penalties may make it even harder to deliver quality care.

ObamaCare effectively enrolled Medicare patients and hospitals without their consent in a mandatory policy experiment—you’ll be better off, trust us—but then neglected to evaluate the adverse effects. A drug trial with the same results would have been shut down long ago.

*** end quote ***

Why do we let politicians and bureaucrats dabble in “health”, “health care”, “health care insurance”, or something else?

It’s all about control of people and resources.

Let’s go back to a free market.

Surely the public and the poor will be better served.

Greed is good; except when the consumer is not in control.

Argh!

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https://www.lewrockwell.com/2017/11/bionic-mosquito/the-clintons-day-of-reckoning/

The Clintons’ Day of Reckoning By Bionic Mosquito November 18, 2017

*** begin quote ***

When the Harvey Weinstein story broke about a month ago, I offered that the reason for such a story to break now – after decades of such behavior – might have something to do with the democrats getting tired of telling Hillary to go away.

Well, the train is leaving the station:

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand on Thursday went to a place that few Democrats have dared or cared to go when it comes to allegations of sexual assault: Calling out Bill Clinton.

*** end quote ***

Is this the first brick to fall in the Clinton “firewall”?

Seems like all the current sexual predators with the label “D” are all connected to Bill Clinton.

Perhaps one way the D’s rid themselves of the perpetual HRC candidacy is to condemn WJC?

When HRC is no longer the icon of the D’s, then does the USA get a deep dive into all the HRC accusations?

One can only hope.

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http://www.economicpolicyjournal.com/2017/11/this-is-how-socialism-and.html

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2017
This is How Socialism and Hyperinflation is Destroying Incomes in Venezuela

*** begin quote ***

Maduro confirmed last week that the government would debut a new 100,000 Bolivar bill, making it the highest denomination note released in modern Venezuelan history. The move comes less than a year after he released 500, 1000, 2000, 10,000, and 20,000 bolivar notes, although all of these notes now all have a value of well under half a dollar.

*** end quote ***

I hope all the Bernie Sanders supporters are watching carefully at that misery there.

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http://www.jeffjacoby.com/20409/if-you-can-pay-for-aspirin-you-can-pay-for-birth

If you can pay for aspirin, you can pay for birth control
by Jeff Jacoby
The Boston Globe
October 11, 2017

*** begin quote ***

News flash to Warren, et al.: There is no attack on health care, and no in America is being deprived of birth control. You are losing nothing but the power to force nuns to pay for your oral contraceptives. As a matter of common decency, you should be ashamed of demanding something so outrageous.

*** end quote ***

Why do the Taxpayers have to pay for this?

Why do the Taxpayers have to pay for “(pseudo) War on (some) Drugs”?

Why do the Taxpayers have to pay for anything and everything that the politicians and bureaucrats can dream up?

Argh!

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FROM BEHIND THE WSJ PAYWALL

https://www.wsj.com/articles/anti-growth-song-remains-the-same-1506722770?mod=djemBestOfTheWeb

OPINION  BEST OF THE WEB
Anti-Growth Song Remains the SameCriticism of the new Trump tax plan is oddly familiar.
By James Freeman — Sept. 29, 2017 6:06 p.m.

*** begin quote ***

This week the President and congressional Republicans rolled out their plan to boost economic growth by giving people and businesses greater incentives to work and invest in the United States. Specifically the plan is to lighten and simplify the tax burden on individuals and cut the federal corporate income tax rate, which when combined with state taxes now adds up to roughly twice the average rate found in Europe and Asia.

It seems straightforward that moving the U.S. rate down close to parity with the rest of the world would make the U.S. more competitive and encourage more companies to locate here. And even critics of the plan are evidently uncomfortable trying to argue that people do not respond to incentives.

*** end quote ***

Sorry, but as a little L libertarian who has as an article of faith that “taxes are theft”, I fail to understand how anyone can argue that “higher taxes are good” or that “higher taxes do not suppress economic activity”.

Joe and Jane Six Pack NEED a booming economy where employment is easy to find and well compensated. “Human Resources” should be in high demand — more than at Starbucks, McDonalds, and drivers for the local pizzeria.

Should anyone care that the folks, who pay the taxes, are “rich”? What are they going to do with their wealth? Put it in a vault like scrooge md duck and swim in it. No, they will buy luxuries and invest it. Either way, Joe and Jane Six Pack are going to benefit from it.

Remember when Massachusetts pass a “yacht tax” or Congress passed a “boat tax”, an a lot of boat builders went on unemployment?

It’s just stupid to give money to politicians and bureaucrats, who will waste it on “programs”, when we could give it to “rich people” who will generate jobs.

So what if they live like “kings”, remember that today’s “poor” have “wealth” that the rich in the 1950’s could only dream about.

That’s the secret of capitalism — no matter how much you try, you only get rich by serving the needs of your fellow human being. 

Call it “certificates of appreciation” instead of money! You give me a hot dog from your cart , and I give you a “certificates of appreciation” in the form of money. 

Argh!

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http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/sep/27/electoral-college-change-from-winner-take-all-syst/

Lawsuits aim to change winner-take-all Electoral College system by 2020 presidential race

*** begin quote ***

The votes have been counted and President Trump has moved into the White House, but the campaign to upend the Electoral College is far from over.

Lawsuits aimed at striking down the winner-take-all system and giving electors more freedom to change their votes have been in the works since Mr. Trump won the Electoral College vote but not the popular vote on Nov. 8.

The idea is not to eliminate the Electoral College, which would require a constitutional amendment, but to require states to implement a system in which electors cast ballots based on the percentage of the popular vote.“It’s crazy that our nation’s least-democratic election is the one for president,” said Lawrence Lessig, Harvard Law School professor and founder of Equal Citizens.

The group kicked off a project Sept. 14 aimed at filing lawsuits on behalf of a Republican voter in a blue state and a Democratic voter in a red state, with the goal of overturning the winner-take-all system in time for the 2020 presidential race.

*** end quote ***

Hasn’t ANYONE realized that ANYTIME we muck with Dead Old White Guys’ Constitution we SCREW it up?

Argh!

Pick the Constitutional Amendment — other than the 21st which repealed the 18th — and study the unintended consequences.

Here’s a few to stimulate your thinking:

• 17th — Allows the people to elect United States Senators by voting — result unfunded Federal mandates on the States.
   
• 18th — Made it illegal to make or sell alcohol in the United States — created “organized crime”.
   
• 19th — Gives women the right to vote — created the Progressive movement that socialized everything.
• 22nd — Limits the number of times that a person can be elected president — created “lame duck president” that ensure an impotent executive in the last two years of the Presidency.
   
• 26th — Lowers the legal voting age to 18, allowing 18- to 20-year-old United States citizens to vote — extends voting to the “dumbest” least-experience part of the population.

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The votes have been count

2017-Oct-06

FROM THE WALL STREET JOURNAL “The 10-Point”

*** begin quote ***

Responding to yesterday’s question on the GOP tax proposals, Bob Jones of New Jersey said: “Let’s stop using the tax code to encourage certain behaviors. Get rid of all tax deductions and preferences. That means the same rate for corporate income, personal income and capital gains, and no deductions for anything, including charitable contributions, mortgage interest or solar panels. Then set the rate to balance the budget, and they’re done. Simple.” Jim Miner of Michigan commented: “Unemployment is low, inflation is low and growth is now steady and sustainable instead of the boom-and-bust cycles of the past. Exactly what problem is this tax cut supposed to fix?” And Mark Pankin of Virginia asked: “The logic behind doing away with the deduction for state and local taxes is that taxpayers in low-tax states should not subsidize those in high-tax states. Shouldn’t the same logic apply to the mortgage interest deduction? Why should taxpayers without mortgages subsidize those who have them?”

*** end quote ***

As a little L libertarian, I believe that “taxes are theft”. Pure and simple.

In order to get to a truly free market economy I liked Bob Jones of New Jersey idea. Same rate and just balance the budget. 

Then we can move the fight to reducing the size and scope of Gooferment.

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https://www.lewrockwell.com/2017/09/ron-paul/how-to-end-the-korea-crisis/

How To End the Korea Crisis

By Ron Paul

Ron Paul Institute

September 26, 2017

*** begin quote ***

Here’s how to solve the seven-decade old crisis: pull all US troops out of North Korea; end all military exercises on the North Korean border; encourage direct talks between the North and South and offer to host or observe them with an international delegation including the Russians and Chinese, which are after all Korea’s neighbors.

*** end quote ***

Seems that a most simple strategy?

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POLITICAL:

https://www.lewrockwell.com/2017/08/eric-margolis/trump-emulate-gorbachev/

US Generals Want to Extend Our Longest War
By Eric Margolis
August 5, 2017

*** begin quote ***

Trump had better come up with a better idea.  My solution to the 17-year war:  emulate the example of the courageous Soviet leader, Mikhail Gorbachev.  He pronounced his Afghan War unwinnable, told his angry generals to shut up, and ordered the Red Army out of the war in Afghanistan.

*** end quote ***

I voted for DJT45 with zero expectations. He was “the prettiest horse in the glue factory coral”. I’d hoped that he would make peace with the Russians, revoke all the various regulations that have the American economy tied up in knots, and prevent the Congress from doing anything more stupid than they usually do.

So far, the stalemate suits me just fine. 

I would like peace and prosperity.

Ending Afghanistan would be an EXCELLENT foreign policy.

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https://jasonstapleton.com/625-trump-in-trouble-a-smoking-gun-has-appeared/

625: Trump in Trouble. A smoking gun has appeared.

*** begin quote ***

Naturally, he’s going to come out clean. That’s what presidents do. But it proves the claims that some Trump campaign officials DID seek to sway the election with the help of the Russians.

*** end quote ***

More interestingly, Jason asks the question, that no one in the media is answering, “Was this illegal?”. If so, what law was broken?

Just as you don’t want to see sausage being made, “politics” is a dirty business. If the media was doing its “job” (i.e., muckraking), then the American People would be a lot better informed.

Argh!

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2017-Jun-21 2026

https://outreach.senate.gov/iqextranet/view_newsletter.aspx?id=204269&c=quorum_menendez-iq

*** begin quote ***

As I send this note to you, 13 Republican men are meeting behind closed doors, secretly writing a healthcare bill – a bill that will impact every American and one-sixth of our nation’s economy.   I haven’t seen their plan and I know you haven’t either.  Because there hasn’t been a single public meeting or hearing to discuss it.   

*** end quote ***

And, Senator Menendez, how is this different than Obamacare? 

“Have to pass it to see what’s in it?”

Also, how are your legal troubles going? No updates on that from you!

Argh!

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http://granitegrok.com/blog/2017/06/humiliating-truth-nh-house-handmaids

The humiliating truth about the NH House ‘Handmaids’
by KIMBERLY MORIN

*** begin quote ***

On Thursday, the New Hampshire House of Representatives voted on a fetal homicide bill, Senate Bill 66 (SB 66), that seeks justice for unborn babies who are killed in a violent act. The unborn baby would apply to those who are viable, after 5 months of pregnancy, and the bill specifically states that pregnant mothers, abortion doctors or anything that results as an intentional termination of the pregnancy due to medical causes, are not part of this legislation.

In other words, if an unborn baby of a mother, who plans on birthing her child, is murdered or killed whether intentionally or unintentionally by another human being, the mother can seek justice for the death of her unborn child. Currently, if an unborn baby is murdered in the mother’s womb, there is no justice.

*** and ***

Aside from the complete ignorance of the legislation by these women, who clearly prefer women abort their children rather than give birth, they obviously haven’t actually read The Handmaid’s Tale. It is a fiction book written by Margaret Atwood in 1985.

Atwood describes a society in which religious extremists take over the country (at one point even mentioning Islamic terrorism) and deeming women as second-class citizens unable to work, have their own money or have any rights (men also lose rights as well, it’s based on class, in an Authoritarian, Communist sort of irony). The true hypocrisy of these embarrassing New Hampshire House Democrats is the book perfectly describes Islamic regimes all over the world. The same regimes that were supported and propped up by their beloved Obama Administration as well as Hillary Clinton while Secretary of State.

*** end quote ***

You just have to shake your head at the ignorance of some “protesters”.

Not only didn’t they get their protest correct (i.e., it wasn’t about restricting abortion), but they diverted attention from Islamic regimes all over the world and how they treat women.

Sigh! And there was a man dressed up like a woman? Did they run out of women or perhaps, most women understand that violence against the unborn is immoral?

No solutions here. Just some very confused people.

If they were any more stupid, they’d have to be watered twice a week.

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https://aeon.co/ideas/voluntary-taxation-a-lesson-from-the-ancient-greeks

Voluntary taxation: a lesson from the Ancient Greeks
Dominic Frisbyis a financial writer from London. His books are Bitcoin: The Future of Money? (2014) and Life After the State (2013). He co-wrote the documentary Four Horsemen (2012) and hosts the Virgin Podcast.
Edited by Nigel Warburton

*** begin quote ***

The word liturgy – from the ancient Greek leitourgia – means ‘public service’ or ‘work of the people’. The idea of benefaction was embedded in the ancient Greek psyche, and had roots in mythology. 

*** and ***

The beauty of the liturgy system was that public works tended to be funded and managed by people with relevant expertise, rather than by some less accountable state official. The benefit was that both personal wealth and personal expertise were shared through the community, without bureaucratic or government involvement. The job tended to be done well because the liturgist’s reputation was on the line.

In this age of the super-rich, perhaps it’s time to revive liturgy. It worked for the ancient Athenians, and perhaps it could work for us.

*** end quote ***

What a fantastic idea?

Everyone always says that “taxation is the price of civilization”. Obviously, that’s wrong.

Us little L libertarians always say “taxation is theft”. Obviously, that’s correct.

Here’s the ancient Greeks teaching us how it CAN be done.

Can you imagine a US grazillionaire building a bridge with his reputation on it?

Similarly, the progeny in a rich family would be expected to do something other than post on Facebook their  bragging.

Imagine!

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http://lavallette-seaside.shorebeat.com/2017/05/toms-river-airbnb-ordinance-revised-for-barrier-island-neighborhoods/

Toms River ‘Airbnb’ Ordinance Revised for Barrier Island Neighborhoods
By Daniel Nee –  May 11, 2017 

*** begin quote ***

An ordinance aimed at preventing short-term home rentals such as those booked on the website ‘Airbnb’ was tweaked this week to exclude barrier island neighborhoods from the regulations, which essentially ban short-term rentals. But one mainland resident said that it is not fair to those who live on lagoons on the west side of the bay, which also could be attractive for vacationers.

*** end quote ***

Why isn’t this a “taking” under the Fifth Amendment?

Whose property is it?

And unless you live there full-time, you don’t get to vote for these tyrants. “No taxation without representation” is another joke!

Argh!

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FROM THE WSJ

This daily briefing is named “The 10-Point” after the nickname conferred by the editors of The Wall Street Journal on the lead column of the legendary “What’s News” digest of top stories.

Richard Hobson of New Jersey wrote: “The only standard by which our distinguished congressmen and congresswomen should be judged on this issue is simply this: Will you personally forsake your current taxpayer-provided congressional health-care plan for the new one you have just passed?”

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That’s the acid test of all this bluff and bluster from the “District of Corruption”!

Just do a clean repeal, put down the pens, and step away from the “legislating”.

All they do is make things worse and worse.

Leave people alone to make their own decisions.

End Congress’ special benefits for itself.

Argh!

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https://www.lewrockwell.com/2017/04/no_author/greatest-us-blunder/

A Fine Book Untangling Complexities Of World War I,
And The Related And Colossal American Mistakes
By Daryl Plunk April 22, 2017

*** begin quote ***

In 1916, Wilson loudly was proclaiming that the “Great War” between the “Allies” (led by London and Paris) and Germany did not threaten American interests and hence did not require US involvement. Through 1917, Wilson finessed an 180-degree pirouette and turned the nation toward war against Germany.

*** and ***

The Versailles Treaty imposed on Germany a humiliating unconditional surrender, and onerous political and economic burdens, that today widely are considered unfair and vengeful. Yet, Wilson allowed the US largely to be left out of the treaty negotiations, since the British and French snobbishly felt the US had not sacrificed enough blood and treasure to earn equal participant status in the peace talks. Wilson accepted this indignity, largely in return for Allied backing of his “League of Nations” concept and creation.

*** end quote ***

So here we have an avowed racist from Princeton, who truly lied the country into war (i.e., ran as a peace candidate and took us to war), that should be reviled, not revered, as an American President.

Then, he allowed an unfair peace to be imposed on Germany that sowed the seed for WW2.

Argh!

And, the “League of Nations” was so lame that it eventually gave us the “United Nations”. Another disastrous contribution. 

And, folks wonder why he’s NUMBER TWO on my worst list?

https://reinkefaceslife.com/my-worst-presidents/

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FROM WSJ

*** begin quote ***

A Mascot Mess 

When it comes to rebellious and cantankerous behavior, Vermonters go back a ways. They didn’t join the original 13 colonies in the Union until 1791, four years after the Constitution was signed. So in 1961, when education leaders in South Burlington decided that a newly built high school should be nicknamed the Rebels, nobody batted an eyelash. However, when the Board of School Directors decided the Rebels moniker had offensive connotations and needed to go, those Vermonters who didn’t agree reacted like, well, Vermonters. To protest the decision, opponents have twice helped vote down the nearly $50 million school district budget. The controversy heated up in 2015 when the Burlington Free Press newspaper dug up photos of cheerleaders and sports teams posing alongside Confederate flags. The school board has convened a new 40-member “South Burlington School District Mascot Selection Oversight Committee” to study the matter.

*** end quote ***

Hey, I don’t particularly care WHY they voted down the Gooferment Skrules budget. I think that’s it is ALWAYS GOOD when we starve the Gooferment Eddykation Complex.

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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4285968/Epic-battle-British-soldiers-African-tribe.html

What happened AFTER Rorke’s Drift: Remarkable untold story of an epic battle between British soldiers and an African tribe which brought a definitive end to the Zulu War is revealed 140 years after the conflict 

• Little know (sic) battle between British and Bapedi tribe at Fighting Kopke was a definitive moment in the Zulu War
• Despite being outnumbered more than three to one and having far less weapons, tribe fought to the very end 
• Bapedi were finally defeated by Brits and their Swazi allies under the command of Sir Garnet Wolseley in 1879

By Keiligh Baker for MailOnline
PUBLISHED: 07:30 EST, 6 March 2017 | UPDATED: 09:43 EST, 6 March 2017 

*** begin quote ***

The remarkable story of an epic battle between British soldiers and a vastly outnumbered African tribe which brought a definitive end to the Zulu War has been revealed in a new book.

The little known Battle at Fighting Kopke was overshadowed by the story of the British defence of Rorke’s Drift which took place 11 months earlier and was later immortalised in the film Zulu.

Following the British annexation of land north of the Vaal River in South Africa in 1877, the native Bapedi tribe had been at loggerheads for two years with the British.

The conflict came to a head in a fierce four day battle at Fighting Kopke where the Bapedi were finally defeated by British troops and their Swazi allies under the command of Sir Garnet Wolseley in November 1879.

*** end quote ***

Tremendous casualties and everyone “loses”.

Hard to feel sympathy for the British and their Empire. Built over the bodies of their fellow human beings.

For some reason, I empathize with the underdog.

I wonder if someday, Americans will be fighting in their own homeland. Hopelessly against insurmountable odds?

It reminds me of: “And how we burned in the camps later, thinking: What would things have been like if every Security operative, when he went out at night to make an arrest, had been uncertain whether he would return alive and had to say good-bye to his family? Or if, during periods of mass arrests, as for example in Leningrad, when they arrested a quarter of the entire city, people had not simply sat there in their lairs, paling with terror at every bang of the downstairs door and at every step on the staircase, but had understood they had nothing left to lose and had boldly set up in the downstairs hall an ambush of half a dozen people with axes, hammers, pokers, or whatever else was at hand? . . .” — Alexander Solzhenitsyn

Hope I’m wrong, but it might be against our “own” Gooferment someday!

Can’t happen here!

Remember the Japanese internment, Waco, and Ruby Ridge?

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