RANT: Who’s a druid?

Tuesday, December 19, 2017

https://lifehacker.com/why-real-christmas-trees-are-better-than-fake-ones-1821354742

Why Real Christmas Trees Are Better Than Fake Ones
Jaime Green Today 3:00pm

*** begin quote ***

Choosing between real and artificial Christmas trees largely comes down to personal preference: do you want that cozy pine smell and hellacious clean-up, or built-in lights with no personal touch but nary a needle on the floor? Personal preference aside, though, there’s someone else who probably cares: Mother Earth.

*** end quote ***

More than anything, why don’t all us “modern Druids” forget about the whole concept of trees.

Didn’t the early Christians steal the concept of a Christmas from the pagans to get them in their movement?

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FUN: Little kids think birthday parties actually make you get older

Monday, December 18, 2017

I agree!!!

 

Science Adorable munchkins fundamentally misunderstand how times passes. Children as old as four and five think that the actual purpose of a birthday party is to increase your age . It’s not a celebration—it’s a ritual.

Source: Little kids think birthday parties actually make you get older


TINFOILHAT: 9/11 — No Longer A “Conspiracy Theory”

Monday, December 18, 2017

https://www.lewrockwell.com/2017/12/no_author/16-facts-16-years-later-about-9-11-that-are-no-longer-a-conspiracy-theory/

16 Facts, 16 Years Later About 9/11 That Are No Longer A “Conspiracy Theory”
By Arjun Walia Collective Evolution
December 16, 2017

*** begin quote ***

Did you know that BBC correspondent Jane Standley reported the collapse of WTC 7 (Soloman Brothers building) 20 minutes before it happened? You can watch that broadcast here.

*** end quote ***

https://youtu.be/ltP2t9nq9fI

*** begin quote ***

Published on Feb 26, 2007

An astounding video uncovered from the archives today shows the BBC reporting on the collapse of WTC Building 7 over twenty minutes before it fell at 5:20pm on the afternoon of more 9/11. The incredible footage shows BBC reporter Jane Standley talking about the collapse of the Salomon Brothers Building while it remains standing in the live shot behind her head. How did the BBC know that it was going to collapse? And why did they report the collapse when it is clearly standing in the background?

*** end quote ***

Is there ANY explanation for this?

And if there is NOT, doesn’t that throw the whole “official story” out on the proverbial rubbish pile?

Argh!

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INTERESTING: The Deadliest Natural Disaster In U.S. History Was A … … …?

Sunday, December 17, 2017

https://www.howtogeek.com/trivia/the-deadliest-natural-disaster-in-us-history-was-a/

Forest Fire, Earthquake, Hurricane, Volcanic Explosion?

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But whatever it was it was caused by “global warming”. Right, California Governor Jerry Brown?

Argh!

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GOVEROTRAGEOUS: Marginal Rates Could Top 100% for Some?

Saturday, December 16, 2017

FROM BEHIND THE WSJ PAYWALL

https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-taxman-cometh-senate-bills-marginal-rates-could-top-100-for-some-1512942118

POLITICS
The Taxman Cometh: Senate Bill’s Marginal Rates Could Top 100% for Some
Certain high-income business owners would face backwards incentives; lawmakers work to bridge gap
By Richard RubinUpdated Dec. 10, 2017 6:46 p.m. ET

*** begin quote ***

WASHINGTON—Some high-income business owners could face marginal tax rates exceeding 100% under the Senate’s tax bill, far beyond the listed rates in the Republican plan.

That means a business owner’s next $100 in earnings, under certain circumstances, would require paying more than $100 in additional federal and state taxes.

As lawmakers rush to write the final tax bill over the next week, they already are looking at changes to prevent this from happening. Broadly, House and Senate Republicans are trying to reconcile their bills, looking for ways to pay for eliminating the most contentious proposals. The formal House-Senate conference committee will meet on Wednesday, and GOP lawmakers may unveil an agreement by week’s end.

*** end quote ***

Would anyone like them to be required to READ what they are voting on?

DNF Democrat Nancy Pelosi’s “Have to pass the bill so you can see what’s in it”?

Argh!

https://downsizedc.org/rtba/

*** begin quote ***

If ignorance of the law is no excuse for me, neither can it be permitted to you.

Congress keeps voting on healthcare bills that no member has even seen, let alone read. This must end. But I can’t expect Congressional leaders to end the practice because they benefit from it. That means I have to rely on YOU, my supposed representative.

I can see no good reason why you would NOT introduce RTBA. I want you to immediately contact Downsize DC and work with them to introduce this bill.

*** end quote ***

Seems simple enough!

Argh!

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POLITICAL: Charles Barkley doesn’t understand the impact of Gooferment “help”

Friday, December 15, 2017

http://www.breitbart.com/sports/2017/12/13/charles-barkley-says-doug-jones-win-proves-democrats-get-off-asses-help-black-people/

Charles Barkley Says Doug Jones Win Proves Democrats to ‘Get Off Their Asses and Help Black People
by WARNER TODD HUSTON13 Dec 201771

*** begin quote ***

NBA Hall of Famer and TNT analyst Charles Barkley, says that Tuesday’s Democrat victory in Alabama proves that if Democrats started doing more for Black Americans, they could win more elections.After Democrat Doug Jones won a shocking victory in deep red Alabama, Barkley, an Alabama native, said how thrilled he was with the victory.

“I’m so proud of my state. I love my state. We got some amazing people here. Yeah, we got a bunch of rednecks and a bunch of ignorant people, but we got some amazing people here and they rose up today,” Barkley said on CNN according to The Hill.

*** end quote ***

Make no mistake I like Charles Barkley even though I never met him. 


On TV over the years, he always came across as an honest fellow.


Unfortunately, here I think he’s made a bad mistake. The D’s, like the R’s, are only interested in —  remember the three “laws” of political motivation —  (1) rewarding your friends; (2) punishing your enemies; and (3) feathering your own nest. 


Ever election cycle, the D’s count on the “black vote” (their terminology; not mine). Just as the R’s count on their “base” to show up. Sprinkle in a few Greens and Libertarians to subtract from the appropriate totals and that the “election calculus”.


I’d prefer that Charles talk to Thomas Sowell and Walter Williams. who attribute most, if not all of, the problems that “blacks” have to Gooferment “help”.


Best thing that could happen is if the Gooferment left us all alone. Second best, if the Gooferment can’t stop meddling, would be repeal the minimum wage laws. They hurt everyone!


Argh!

 

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POLITICAL: Thinking about the Moore election

Thursday, December 14, 2017

2017-Dec-14

FROM A PRIVATE MESSAGE EXCHANGE

FJohn: Doug Jones Defeats Roy Moore in U.S. Senate Race according to the AP

XXXXXXXXXXX: Yaaasss

Reinke FJohn: Be careful what you wish for. I think that he was “smeared”. And, it shifts the balance in the 2018 back to the R’s as it puts the “sexual harassment” issue back on the D’s. (Note I think both parties suck. Just that the D’s are slightly worse fiscally.)

XXXXXXXXXXX: Can’t argue. Just thought he was a “dolt”. 

Reinke FJohn:Not sure of that after all he was an Alabama State Supreme Court Chief Judge and at least one of the accuser admitted forged “evidence”. So, I just don’t know. He may be or not.

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FROM A FACEBOOK FRIEND

God is watching over us 

ABOUT

Once a Long Shot, Democrat Doug Jones Wins Alabama Senate RaceDoug Jones, a former prosecutor, defeated scandal-scarred Roy S. Moore for the Senate seat once held by Attorney General Jeff Sessions.NYTIMES.COM

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MY REPLY:

I’d say the media, politicians, and bureaucrats manipulated “We, The Sheeple” with fake news. Where were all the accusers before the final weeks of the election? And DNF gloria alderedge and the altered yearbook. You know I don’t like EITHER “Party” but this all sounds just too convenient to me. If he was innocent, then he has been irreparably slandered. Who knows what the truth is?

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The D’s, and their lapdog media, made “predator” Moore an issue. Of course, they threw some of their own under the bus to highlight the issue. Unfortunately, they are clearly transparent since they never criticize Bill Clinton. 

Argh!

“We, The Sheeple” are so easily manipulated.

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VETERANS: I wonder how much “Agent Orange” damaged vets

Wednesday, December 13, 2017

SERVICE REFLECTIONSOF AN AIR FORCE VETERAN DEC 2017 TSgt Samuel McGowan, Jr.

*** begin quote ***

What profession did you follow after your military service and what are you doing now? 
 
After obtaining my private pilot’s license, I enrolled in Advanced Flying Training using my GI bill benefits. By the time I up for my third reenlistment, I had my commercial pilot’s licenses with instrument and multi-engine ratings and my flight instructor certificate. I was unhappy with the way the military was changing after we withdrew from Vietnam so I decided not to reenlist even though I had 12 years in service.

I went into aviation, first as a flight instructor and charter pilot then was hired as a corporate pilot by a major corporation (Ashland Oil.) I flew corporate from 1984 to 2000 then flew as contract pilot until 2010 when I was placed on medication for nerve pain caused by Type II diabetes that the FAA does not approve.

Since I quit flying, I have spent my time writing. I’ve authored several books, some of which are Air Force related. They can be seen at http://www.sammcgowan.com/books.html. I had intended to finish out my 20 years in the Reserves or guard but when I went for my physical, I learned I was just over the enlistment weight. I never joined either the Reserves or Guard.

I am currently rated 60% disabled due to Type II diabetes and complications caused by exposure to Agent Orange.

*** end quote ***

Special place in hell for the person who decided to use that “weapon”.

As well as for all the politicians and bureaucrats that sent us to an unwinable war.

Dona Nobis Pacem

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POLITICAL: Did Trump blunder on the Jerusalem decision?

Tuesday, December 12, 2017

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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INNOVATION: Evaluating generals! How about CEOs?

Monday, December 11, 2017

https://towardsdatascience.com/napoleon-was-the-best-general-ever-and-the-math-proves-it-86efed303eeb

Ethan Arsht @ethanarsht. ethanarsht [at] gmail.com.
Dec 4

Napoleon was the Best General Ever, and the Math Proves it.

*** begin quote ***

Inspired by baseball sabermetrics, I opted to use a system of Wins Above Replacement (WAR). WAR is often used as an estimate of a baseball player’s contributions to his team. It calculates the total wins added (or subtracted) by the player compared to a replacement-level player. For example, a baseball player with 5 WAR contributed 5 additional wins to his team, compared to the average contributions of a high-level minor league player. WAR is far from perfect, but provides a way to compare players based on one statistic.

*** end quote ***

Wonder if you could use this in CEOs, Managers, or even Individual Contributors in an enterprise?

Might make the process fairer and better.

Closest I’ve ever seen and been part of was “ratings and rankings” tried at AT&T and CSFB.

That broke down when you as a supervisor had a really good team. You’d be forced to pick winners and losers. Argh!

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LIBERTARIAN: Decentralization and secession as a perfectly little L libertarian strategy

Sunday, December 10, 2017

https://www.lewrockwell.com/2017/11/bionic-mosquito/decentralization-an-essentially-libertarian-vision/

Decentralization: An Essentially Libertarian VisionBy Bionic MosquitoNovember 30, 2017

*** begin quote ***

I almost skipped this edition when I saw the title, “Mailer for Mayor.”  I am not terribly interested in reading about a failed mayoral candidacy from almost 50 years ago.  I changed my mind within the first three lines (I should have known better than to shortchange Rothbard).

The candidate is Norman Mailer, announcing his candidacy in the Democratic primary.  Rothbard described this as “the most refreshing libertarian political campaign in decades.”  What about Mailer’s campaign brought on this glowing comment from Rothbard?

The Mailer platform stems from one brilliantly penetrating overriding plank: the absolute decentralization of the swollen New York City bureaucracy into dozens of constituent neighborhood villages.

Rothbard is not waiting for the big bang – seven billion people simultaneously seeing the light:
Each neighborhood will then be running its own affairs, on all matters, taxation, education, police, welfare, etc.

As opposed to the idea that there is something un-libertarian about people living next to each other and sharing some desires in common for the neighborhood.  In any case, the smaller and more local the political unit, the more control each constituent has and the more that those in government will be known individually – in person, face-to-face.

*** end quote ***

I too almost breezed over this summary. It has the essence of a great strategy. Should have expected this gem from Rothfarb.

If us little L libertarians can just agitate for smaller and smaller political units (i.e., break up big Gooferment into lots of little ones), then maybe we can eliminate the politicians and bureaucrats from our daily lives.

Now it may cost a little more in efficiency (i.e., more bureaucrats initially), but it’ll be more than made up in effectiveness (i.e., fewer politicians and bureaucrats deciding stuff they shouldn’t be involved in) in the long run.

We should keep Gooferment small, barefoot, and penniless.

IMHO

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POLITICAL: Nullification is Constitutional and effective; as is Secession if we’re will to fight

Saturday, December 9, 2017

http://tenthamendmentcenter.com/2017/12/03/surprise-the-mainstream-media-is-wrong-again-yes-nullification-does-work/

Surprise, the Mainstream Media is Wrong Again: Yes, Nullification Does Work

*** begin quote ***

You don’t have to dig into a history book to prove nullification works. I can prove it does with one word.

Weed.

In 1996, California voters approved Proposition 215, the Compassionate Use Act, authorizing the possession, cultivation, and use of cannabis (marijuana) for limited medical use.

The federal government claims the power to strictly enforce a total prohibition of marijuana. It makes no exception for medical purposes. Despite federal law, states have advanced the issue each year. This has happened in spite of a 2005 Supreme Court opinion supporting federal prohibition, and a relentless year-to-year increase in spending and enforcement efforts by the federal government.

Today, despite ongoing attempts to enforce federal prohibition, 21 states and Washington D.C. have legalized marijuana for medical use, and 14 states and D.C. have decriminalized marijuana possession. Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon and Washington State have all legalized marijuana for recreational use. Each year, new state laws and regulations help expand the market, and each expansion further nullifies the unconstitutional federal ban in effect.

No matter what the mainstream tells you, nullification works. History proves this. The present proves this. And we will continue to prove it in the future.

*** end quote ***

Marijuana was outlawed to protect Hearst’s paper factories from competition. Fueled by that racist and untrue “Reeffer Madness”, “We, The Sheeple” were stampeded into another attempt at “Prohibition”.

Any prohibition doesn’t work. It merely raises the cost to the consumer and allows politicians and bureaucrats to exert more un-Constitutional control over “We, The Sheeple”.

Argh!

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[Disclosure: I am a financial supporter of the Tenth Amendment Center. https://shop.tenthamendmentcenter.com/product/donate/]

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POLITICAL: Let’s meaningfully measure progress towards political goals

Friday, December 8, 2017

Here’s a great TED talk. I think he gets what Jason is always harping on “messaging”. And, he has a good grasp of how to solve Gooferment!

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“When you can measure what you are speaking about, and express it in numbers, you know something about it, when you cannot express it in numbers, your knowledge is of a meager and unsatisfactory kind; it may be the beginning of knowledge, but you have scarely, in your thoughts advanced to the stage of science.”

― William Thomson, 1st Baron Kelvin

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MONEY: Bitcoin “Not Backed”; so what “backs” FRNs?

Thursday, December 7, 2017

https://fee.org/articles/fed-official-decries-bitcoin-as-not-backed/

Friday, December 01, 2017

Fed Official Decries Bitcoin as “Not Backed”
Bitcoin is backed by the use value of the distributed ledger in the underlying technology of the Blockchain.
by  Jeffrey A. Tucker

*** begin quote ***

Randal K. Quarles, a Trump administration appointee to the Federal Reserve Board of Governors and Vice Chair for bank supervision, has given a lengthy speech (“Thoughts on Prudent Innovation in the Payment System”) that directly targets Bitcoin as a danger to the monetary and financial system.

To reiterate, an official speaking for the nation’s central bank that manages the global reserve currency – the institution that has long bragged about its power to bail out the entire world with the magic powers of the alchemist – has put down Bitcoin for being untrustworthy, unbacked, and unsound.

*** end quote ***

Will someone please tell me what is backing up the current Federal Reserve Notes that pass for “money” today?

I can’t believe the hubris of some people.

The Federal Reserve Note, since 1970, has lost 99.99% of its value. There maybe even some 9’s at the end of that percentage.

I’m just shaking me head at this “attack” on bitcoin.

I’m speechless.

You should be too.

Save your nickels! It’s only thing worth anything — it still has some silver content. For now!

Argh!

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RANT: Perhaps “football” is game who’s time has passed

Wednesday, December 6, 2017

https://sports.yahoo.com/jon-gruden-leads-wave-criticism-violence-steelers-bengals-mnf-game-060535067.html

Jon Gruden leads wave of criticism over violence in Steelers-Bengals ‘MNF’ game
Jason Owens Shutdown Corner Dec 5, 2017, 1:05 AM

*** begin quote ***

The Pittsburgh Steelers’ 23-20 win over the Cincinnati Bengals on “Monday Night Football” was a particularly brutal and violent game between heated division rivals, leading to multiple injuries and scary moments on the field.

The most critical injury involved Steelers linebacker Ryan Shazier, who couldn’t move his legs and reportedly suffered a spinal contusion after a frightening hit early in the game. He left the stadium in an ambulance and is in a local hospital.

*** end quote ***

I tweeted my concern for him after that injury which looked very dangerous. 

I thought it was clean hard hitting football with a serious outcome.

Then, as the game went on, there were “cheap shots” and “dangerous plays” galore.

It was more like a MMA cage fight.

This is unacceptable. No wonder Moms, and non-macho Fathers, will not let the children play football. It’s still, like boxing, the lottery ticket way out of poverty.

Have we become the modern day Athenians looking down on the physical Spartans?

Surely, there can be “competition” without “brutality” and with “sportsmanship”!

“on the playing fields of Eaton” comes to mind.

Seems like some NFL players, have roid rage, with the discipline we’d expect out of a teenage boy feeling his oats.

It has to be steamrollered out by the NFL immediately if they want to have an “entertainment product”.

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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5147821/Pittsburgh-Steelers-linebacker-Ryan-Shazier-improving.html

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Injured player “improving”.

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GOVEROTRAGEOUS: Harvard students don’t know how many Communism killed?

Tuesday, December 5, 2017

FROM TOM WOODS’ (DAILY) EMAIL

*** begin quote ***

The Crimson, the student newspaper at Harvard, just ran an article by Laura Nicolae, a sophomore, on how sympathy for communism has become chic there.

She writes, “my classmates will graduate with the impression that communism represents a light-hearted critique of the status quo, rather than an empirically violent philosophy that destroyed millions of lives.”

She noted further that among students across the country, one third believe that George W. Bush — of whom I am no fan, as you well know — was responsible for more deaths than Joseph Stalin.

Millennials know next to nothing about the history of communism.

Laura sure does, though. Her own father fled the horrors of communist Romania.

I’ll be having her on my show sometime soon.

*** end quote ***

Since Harvard is a Gooferment Skrule by virtue of all the Gooferment money it gets, you’d think it might teach some history there. You thought wrong!

How about the perspective that “mass murderers” can’t really murder masses without having control of a Gooferment?

Serial killers and church shooters are pikers when you compare them to a “good socialist dictator”.

Argh!

So let’s ask the “democratic socialists” — like Comrade Bernie — who and how many they plan to kill when they get into power?

Argh!

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TINFOILHAT: Amelia Earhart coverup by US military?

Monday, December 4, 2017

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5117527/America-hid-Amelia-Earharts-execution-Japanese.html

Amelia Earhart ‘was executed by the Japanese’: New ‘witness’ account claims aviation pioneer was held in Saipan before being killed – and the US military collected her body and covered it up

  • Bill Sablan of Guam said his uncle Tun worked at a Japanese prison in late ’30s
  • Tun said 2 American pilots – 1 female – were interned there after being rescued
  • That fits a theory that Earhart and her navigator were kept on Saipan island 
  • Tun said the Japanese, fearing an international incident, had the pair executed
  • And the US military retrieved the remains after World War II, but kept quiet
  • Others who were on Saipan at the time have related the arrival of the pilot 

By James Wilkinson and Emily Crane For Dailymail.com and Richard Shears for MailOnline

PUBLISHED: 17:06 EST, 25 November 2017 | UPDATED: 01:27 EST, 26 November 2017

*** begin quote ***

Aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart and her navigator were executed by the Japanese government to avoid an international incident, and the US played along, a shocking theory claims.

*** and ***

‘So apparently I think they were both killed in Saipan and buried there, and I found out later on as I made my inquiries that… after the war was over, their bodies were exhumed by an American military branch and shipped back to the United States.

‘Now where those bodies are now is somebody’s own question to answer.’

The Daily News suggested that they may have kept quiet in order to avoid an incident of their own. 

That contradicts the most popular theory, which is that she crashed and died in the sea on July 2, 1937, after noting poor visibility and her declining gas levels in a series of transmissions earlier that morning.

But it fits a theory proposed on the History Channel special Amelia Earhart: The Lost Evidence in July that Earthart died at the hands of the Japanese, and that her murder was covered up by the US government.

*** end quote ***

But why?

It’s not like we were friends with the Japanese. We had just nuked them?

Why cover up?

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TINFOILHAT: 


POLITICAL: Why isn’t Bernie Sanders challenged about “democratic socialism” in Venezuela?

Sunday, December 3, 2017

https://survivalblog.com/survivalists-odds-n-sods-103/ 

The Survivalist’s Odds ‘n Sods:  By Hugh James Latimer | November 25, 2017 |

*** begin quote ***

Venezuela

The inflation rate in Venezuela has soared to over 4000% as the economy continues it’s death spiral. As the their money is virtually worthless, the government continues their failed economic policies and a huge humanitarian crises is emerging. Food and medicine are in short supply and investors are threatening to seize Venezuela’s only remaining valuable asset – oil. Both the government and the state-run oil company have defaulted on some of their debts and it would appear they are poised to default on more. Currently, Venezuela owes over $141 billion to bondholders, Russia, China, contractors and oil service providers. Thanks to H.L. for the link.

*** end quote ***

Why aren’t Bernie Sanders and the other left liberal “Democratic Socialists” being challenged daily to explain why their ideas are different?

Argh!

http://tomwoods.com/d/bernie.pdf

The left controlled media is giving these fools a free pass.

Argh!

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GOVEROTRAGEOUS: The Georgia “sheeple” take a billion dollar haircut

Saturday, December 2, 2017

https://www.garynorth.com/public/17403.cfm

The Best-Laid Plans…
Gary North – November 22, 2017

*** begin quote ***

After 25 years, it was time to say goodbye to the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

It cost Georgia taxpayers $214 million to build, 1989-1992. In today’s dollars, that is $385 million.
The new Mercedes-Benz Stadium is going to replace it, right next door. Total public funding: $600 million.

Here today. Gone tomorrow.

*** end quote ***

Well, I guess the “suckers in Georgia” aka the Taxpayers are happy being sheered like the “We, The Sheeple” they are.

Argh!

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RANT: On politicians and bureaucrats … …

Friday, December 1, 2017

I was thinking … … and awoke with a realization.

“Priests, politicians and bureaucrats are the parasites of human society. Celebrities and professional “athletes” are the equivalent of court jesters. “Taking heads” on TV are marionettes. “Academics” are not smarter than the average person; perhaps except in their specific discipline. At least, used car salesmen serve a useful purpose in society.”

I am going to keep this in mind from now on. Hope you the reader will to.

Argh!

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INOVATION: what3words saves lives and resources

Thursday, November 30, 2017

https://youtu.be/sPpF2BEgDPU

Published on Nov 22, 2017

Stanplus is an ambulance service in Hyderabad that has integrated what3words into its system. People calling them for emergency and medical transportation support can now use a 3 word address to refer to their exact location and get help faster.

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It would seem that even in the USA, emergency services could use this.

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INSPIRATIONAL: Gooferment Skrules need to be replaced

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

http://tomwoods.com/ep-1043-spontaneous-order-or-lord-of-the-flies-an-inside-look-at-a-school-that-puts-students-in-charge/

Ep. 1043 Spontaneous Order or Lord of the Flies?
An Inside Look at a School That Puts Students in Charge
21st November 2017 Tom Woods

A promotional video about this school sparked a heated debate among listeners in my private Facebook group. The video describes the school as having no classrooms, tests, or homework, in which the students direct and evaluate themselves, etc. Is this a natural model for libertarians, or is it just plain silly? I talk to a staff member and a student at the school in today’s episode.

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I bet I would have done well in a school like this. 

“Institutional prisons” replaced by a different meme!

Remember that the “Prussian model” for education was to create cannon fodder for the Army, willing morons for the factories, and useful idiots to vote for and be led by the elite. Remember that the “elite” cite NEVER sent their children to the “public school”.

Argh!

Great idea.

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POLITICAL: Obama-care aka SCOTUS-care aka Politicized Health Care KILLS!!!

Tuesday, November 28, 2017

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

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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.

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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.

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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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RANT: DVR’s TV guide doesn’t adjust for NFL over runs timewise

Monday, November 27, 2017

2017-Nov-27

Sorry FIOS but you need to up your game. 

More than once this “season”, an NFL game over ran it’s TV Guide time slot. 

Now I don’t care about 60 MINUTES which has long ago jumped the shark, but I do care about WISDOM OF CROWDS endings being lost.

Argh!

As a fat old white guy retired injineer who’s a poor old senior citizen on a fixed income, this seems like an easy fix. 

Hire me and I’ll fix it for you.

Argh!

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INTERESTING: “Everyone Turned A Blind Eye”

Monday, November 27, 2017

https://www.boredpanda.com/domestic-violence-gun-safety-story-katherine-fugate/

Woman Reveals How Everyone Turned A Blind Eye To What Her Stepfather Was Doing
6 hours ago by James Gould-Bourn 

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In the wake of the horrific mass shooting that left 26 people dead in Sutherland Springs, Texas recently, writer Katherine Fugate decided to share her own story.“It starts somewhere. It starts in the home. I know what a mass shooter can look like.

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A stunning indictment of deliberate ignorance.

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RANT: Slaughterbots

Sunday, November 26, 2017

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HipTO_7mUOw

Slaughterbots
Future of Life Institute
Published on Nov 13, 2017

If this isn’t what you want, please take action at: http://autonomousweapons.org

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Pretty scary stuff. On the horizon.

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