SURVIVAL: Even the “best hikers” can need help and learn a lesson

Saturday, February 15, 2025

https://www.foxnews.com/us/hikers-tallest-mountain-northeast-rescued-from-whiteout-snowstorm-5000-feet

Hikers on tallest mountain in Northeast rescued from whiteout snowstorm at 5,000 feet

Mount Washington in New Hampshire known for extreme weather conditions

By Stephen Sorace Fox News

Published February 6, 2025 7:55am EST 

*** begin quote ***

Two experienced hikers were rescued from the tallest mountain in the Northeast after a whiteout snowstorm stranded them at about 5,000 feet on Sunday, authorities said.

Kathyrn McKee, 51, of Southborough, Massachusetts, and Beata LeLacheur, 54, of Westborough, Massachusetts, were trekking through a challenging Mount Washington trail in New Hampshire when the weather turned severe, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department (NHFG) said.

Temperatures dropped and winds kicked up, blowing snow so that the trail the friends were following was completely erased. The pair pushed through chest-deep snow, lost on the mountain.

*** and ***

Temperatures at the summit fell to -2 degrees and sustained winds blasted at 50-60 mph, often with gusts significantly higher, by the time the agency began a rescue operation at 8:30 p.m., Holmes said.

*** and ***

A half hour later, the rescuers found the two hikers alive and coherent, though both were suffering from cold weather injuries. The rescue crew set up emergency shelters and began to warm both hikers, who were able to move on their own after about an hour, officials said.

*** end quote ***

Experienced hikers with advanced training still got in trouble.  Imagine being in their situation.  

When I was in USAF survival school in “good weather” during October in (I think) Idaho, I was cold, wet, and befuddled.  And, we had “instructors” nearby to make sure we didn’t kill ourselves.  And, it sure seems in retrospect we were trying: “camping in a dry stream bed that became wet at night”, blundering around a night to find “firewood”, making a fire with wet tinder, etc. etc. … And they in the “after action session”, we found out that we weren’t “the worst”.  One group tried to make a tea out of hemlock and another tried to take down an adult female deer with a Swiss army knife.  The instructor kicked over the tea and the deer was last see scampering out into the night with a Swiss army knife in her butt about a quarter inch. 

Seriously, I think that the various parks should have rescue insurance so the taxpayer doesn’t have to bear the costs.

When I think how much calling an ambulance in the city costs, calling for rescue should be expensive enough to be “instructive” to avoid it in the future.

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INTERESTING: Which comes first — seeing or believing?

Friday, February 14, 2025

https://www.lewrockwell.com/2025/02/ira-katz/believing-is-seeing/

Believing Is Seeing – LewRockwell
By Ira Katz

<< EDITOR ADDED DATE 2025-02-06>>

*** begin quote ***

This short explanation cannot do justice to such a broad and important topic. But I hope you will see that while seeing is believing has a certain veracity, it is more important to understand that reality is conceived such that believing is seeing.

*** end quote ***

selective attention test

# – # – # – # – # 

I didn’t see it and now I understand the limitations of “perception”!

What to make of it?

Like the JoHari window, I realized then to always look for what I can’t “see”. 

Maybe if I had learned this much much younger, then my whole life could have been completely different!

“… checked the Eternal Possibilities Machine, which generates all the possibilities for use in creating the alternative worlds. In all those probability lines …” CHURCH 10●19●62 (Vol 1) 978-0-557-08387-9 page 45

Laugh!  I could really use that tool today.

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JOBSEARCH: Federal government employees are learning that “Nothing is 100% risk free” the hard way

Thursday, February 13, 2025

FROM 1440 https://join1440.com/

*** begin quote ***

Cruise to slash workforce by nearly 50%, or roughly 1,000 employees, after owner General Motors ended funding to robotaxi unit (More) | Estee Lauder to trim up to 7,000 jobs, or around 11% of workforce; shares drop 16% on the news (More) 

*** end quote ***

# – # – # – # – # 

Given the wholesale downsizing of Gooferment employees, every one of the “wage slaves” in the USA should reassessing their unemployment risk profile.

*** begin quote ***

JOBSEARCH: Your reputation as a master networker has qualified you

Get started. When the axe does fall, as it always does, you’ll have bought yourself time, help, goodwill, and possibly some wisdom. I’ll probably have landed in my final spot before I hear from you. But be advised, I’ll be rooting for you from upstairs or down, where ever I’m sent.

*** end quote ***

And …

*** begin quote ***

JOBSEARCH: The risk inherent in the status quo of employment

I counsel job seekers and potential job seekers that they must rigorously and honestly evaluate just how much is at risk in their current state. One tool is my “how much money do I need to have to get another job”. Age, level of education, hotness of field, hotness of your geography, level of position you’d accept, what’s your burn rate, how do you look, and unfortunately sex all combine in strange complex calculus to determine the risk of the status quo. In more than one instance, 

*** end quote ***

As you can see, once I woke up to the  “status quo is not risk free” after my first “promotion outside”, I preached to anyone who would listen that “wage slaves” were at great risk of “downsizing”, “rightsizing”, or just a plain old corporate bankruptcy,

I remember that Gooferment employees would tell me that they’re 100% secure in their Gooferment GS13 position.  Wonder how they would evaluate that now with DOGE chainsawing whole departments and agencies.  I used have heated discussions with those poor confused souls that “Nothing is 100% risk free”.  I pointed to my and my mother’s experiences at AT&T.  We both had “gold watch” syndrome (i.e., the good corporation would care for its valued people from cradle to grave).  I took the buyout and she didn’t.  And she never realized that the “rules” had changed.

One piece of advice that often preached:

“Success for your generation is: (1) ruthless financial discipline — no bad debt; (2) a life long interest in learning — education — a degree — they can’t take it away from you; (3) a NON-OFFSHORABLE white collar job in order to save big bux; (4) a blue collar skill for hard times — never saw a poor plumber; (5) one or more internet based businesses — your store is always open; (6) a free time hobby that generates income; and (7) a large will-maintained network of people who can “help” you.

has held up very well over the decades.

Hope this helps and is not seen as “dancing on graves”.

As always, YMMV.

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APPLE: Forcing Apple to support EU Porn App is just wrong

Wednesday, February 12, 2025

https://www.macrumors.com/2025/02/03/apple-doesnt-approve-eu-porn-app/

Apple Says It Doesn’t Approve of EU Porn App

Monday February 3, 2025 1:15 pm PST by Juli Clover

*** begin quote ***

Apple does not approve of the “Hot Tub” pornography app that was released for the iPhone in the EU using alternative app distribution, Apple said in a statement to MacRumors. Further, Apple is concerned about the potential user safety risks with a pornography app, and says that it undermines consumer trust in the Apple ecosystem.

*** end quote ***

I agree with Apple.  Not that they are “saints”, but forcing them to support an app (Apple’s Notarization process only checks for malware, fraud, and other egregious issues) is a violation of their independence. 

I thought, that by “alternative App Store”, Apple would have no part in the process of putting an app on their hardware.  Guess I was wrong!

I see a whole slew of issues and “finger pointing” when some app bricks the hardware.  Apple’s response should be “Nie mój cyrk, nie moje małpy” . . . literally, “not my circus, not my monkey;” figuratively, “not my problem.”

I guess monkeys are “problems” in Poland, and circuses are where “problems” come from. If it’s not your monkey, and it’s not even from your circus, then it’s not your problem. 

And, the User should seek help from the EU technocrats.

Tough nuggies but that’s what the EU wanted.

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MONEY: ₿itcoin as opposed to 529?

Tuesday, February 11, 2025

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-02-01/bitcoin-btc-college-savings-plan-parents-ditch-529-funds-for-crypto?leadSource=uverify%20wall

Parents Ditch 529 Plans and Embrace Bitcoin for College Savings

  • Despite the risks and volatility, some families are investing in cryptocurrency to build wealth for their children. 

By Charlie Wells and Claire Ballentine
February 1, 2025 at 11:00 AM EST

*** begin quote ***

Most parents typically worry about funding 529 college savings plans, brokerage accounts or high-yield savings vehicles for their kids. Now, a subset are eschewing the old ways, pushing instead to pile up enough Bitcoin to help their children in the years ahead.

Some say it’s because stock gains aren’t good enough. Others view it as reasonable diversification. Plenty are true believers — convinced that, despite a more than 500% gain since the depths of the last “crypto winter,” Bitcoin’s climb has only just begun. The world’s biggest cryptocurrency surpassed the $100,000 mark for the first time in December, having changed hands for less than $16,000 in November 2022.

Still, these parents argue their children have long enough time horizons to stomach Bitcoin’s intense volatility.

*** end quote ***

Anytime I blog on financial topics, I always disclose faiwwypfi (Free Advice Is Worth What You Pay For It! ?zero?) and I have no hidden interests.  I am willing to buy and sell ₿, goldbacks, and bullion.

Before jumping into this topic, you must be absolutely sure that you won’t lose the keys to the kingdom.  Your wallet should be backed up and secure.  

And, remember you may not be around to extract the value.  Everyone dies  —  sooner or later.  Remember the guy in the UK who threw away his back up hard drive with his ₿itcoin keys on it.  Millions of dollars in a landfill.

It also should NOT be an exchange wallet since “not your keys; not your coins”.

So you are going to have to have a young person to understand and hold keys.

A hardware walled that multi signature is essential.

Remember the Ukrainian tech guy who escaped Ukraine with nothing but his clothes and his twelve word pass phrase?

YMMV

That being said: (1) ₿ is an inflation proof asset; (2) it avoids the Gooferment; and (3) might be a hidden “lottery ticket”.

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GUNS: Old man kills a young robber — so sad for all involved

Monday, February 10, 2025

https://nypost.com/2025/02/02/world-news/moment-78-year-old-fatally-shoots-teenager-trying-to-rob-him-in-argentina/

Shocking video shows 78-year-old fatally shoot teenager who tried to rob him in Argentina
By Ronny Reyes 
Published Feb. 2, 2025, 9:13 p.m. ET

*** begin quote ***

A 78-year-old retiree shot and killed a 15-year-old boy who tried to rob him outside his home in Buenos Aires, Argentina, shocking video shows.

*** and ***

The teenager, who was described by a friend online as a “great person,” was holding a fake gun meant to resemble a gray .22-caliber mini Bersa Thunder, Page 12 reported.

*** and ***

Local prosecutor Diego Rulli, who is in charge of the case, will not seek charges against the 78-year-old man, who he said acted in clear self-defense with a weapon that he is licensed to carry and use.

*** end quote ***

It seems like a gang related crime and a case of “kill or be killed”.

Fake gun or not, in the heat of the moment, the old man really had no choice.

I can’t imaging how he must feel especially after finding out it was a fake gun and a teenager.

FAFO is the common refrain we hear these days and this is an example of the “FO” part.

Can not fathom the depth of evil that this teenager go into.

Guess that this will put a damper on car jackings.

As I’ve blogged before:

“I particularly like unlimited concealed carry. If the criminal regards the general public as sheep to be shorn, then let’s sprinkle in a few “sheepdogs” with big teeth in the flock.

Guess which gay to bash? Buzz, wrong, you picked a Pink Pistol and you’re dead!

Guess which woman to bash? Buzz, wrong, you picked a Paxton Quigly and you’re dead!

Guess which brown person to bash? Buzz, wrong, you picked a Massad Ayoob and you’re dead!”

https://reinkefaceslife.com/2006/11/02/guns-lets-sprinkle-in-a-few-sheepdogs-with-big-teeth-in-the-flock/
GUNS: Let’s sprinkle in a few “sheepdogs” with big teeth in the flock
Thursday, November 2nd, 2006 at 20:26

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ENCOURAGING: A foreign good soul puts in a lot of effort to help someone they don’t know

Sunday, February 9, 2025

FROM 1440 https://join1440.com/

<< EDITOR ADDED DATE 2025-02-08>>

*** begin quote ***

Today, we’re sharing a story from reader Richard B. in Springfield, New Jersey.

“My daughter left her handbag with her phone and passport in the back of a taxi in Paris on the eve of a Sunday. Flight with her family was scheduled for 1 pm the next day. At 2:30 am, our phone rings in New Jersey with a 510 area code. When it rings a second time, my wife answered. A voice says, ‘Please don’t hang up as I have been trying to call someone for the last 6 hours. I work for Boeing in Seattle and my sister lives on the outskirts of Paris and has Felice U.’s pocket book. She doesn’t speak English but would like to return it. Her husband found it in the back of his cab.’”

“Our daughter contacted her concierge and arrangements were made for the brother-in-law to come to the hotel. This was accomplished by 10 am and they made the plane home in time. We still are not sure how the man in Seattle was able to trace us to NJ but his detective work and persistence in attempting to find someone is amazing. Upon their return, my daughter and her family found multiple calls from him on the home phone and my son-in-law’s cell phone documenting his persistent efforts. There are, indeed, good people in this world.” 

*** end quote ***

I’d call what these folks did a “mitzvah”!

https://www.solonchabad.com/templates/articlecco_cdo/aid/294114/jewish/A-mitzvah-is-not-just-a-good-deed.htm

*** begin quote ***

… … a mitzvah, even one he didn’t understand, is a connection n a way to get closer to G‑d that transcends logic. We affix a mezuzah to our doorposts, not just because it makes sense to us, but because this is G‑d’s wish. When we fulfill the request of G‑d, we are strengthening our bond with Him. Next time a mitzvah comes your way, make the connection! 

*** end quote ***

More than just a “good deed”, these folks really made a “connection” with more people than they know or imagine.

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ECONOMICS: First time in decades that there is a glimmer of hope.

Sunday, February 9, 2025

FROM A EMAIL THREAD:

LUDDITE:

*** begin quote ***

Wow this is beyond mind blowing! The list of blatant wastes of billions of U.S. tax dollars is really hard to comprehend. It will probably reach trillions very soon, there are no words to describe what the scabs have been doing to us!

Department of Government Efficiency (@DOGE) / X

x.com

https://x.com › doge

Through 1/29/2025, 85 DEIA related contracts totaling ~$1B have been terminated within the Dept. of Ed, GSA, OPM, EPA, DoL, Treasury, DoD, USDA, Commerce,

*** end quote ***

REINKEFJ:

Very sad indeed. And, a lot of “little people” are going to be displaced. It’s not just the “leadership” that gets fired. Argh!

Last tin foil hat estimate I read was that 3T$ could be freed up if 12 Departments, about 15 “agencies”, and a bushel basket full of other types of activities were eliminated.

Sigh!

A YOUNGER RELATIVE:

I don’t think anyone disagrees with cutting poor employees. But, as the reaction to grant programs being cut showed, red states are disproportionately impacted by government program cuts and those senators and congressman got an earful hence that idea was quashed. Today offices across the Midwest and south got hammered by calls regarding the tariffs. Farmers want their government handouts to continue. Biggest welfare group in the country and they have some power in the republican caucus so it’ll be interesting to see. President Musk is certainly leaving his mark but you’d think his lackey will want to regain some control soon. 

REINKEFJ:

Well, it’s about time that EVERYONE got off the dole.  The fiscal ship is sinking and if we don’t want a complete financial meltdown, everyone has to take their cuts.

Farmers, especially the corporate farmers like ADM, have been “milking” the system.  Parity payments for sugar are a classic example.  Paying farmers not to grow crops is another.  America could feed the world if the Gooferment would just get out of the way and allow the really free market to explode our productivity.

Sorry but EVERYONE is not entitled to a handout. Ponzi scheme of Social Security needs to be unwound. 

The Federal Reserve is a huge stumbling block to a healthy economy.  But probably too big for DJT47 to tackle.  Although I did read that his advisors were floating a trial balloon of 50 year bonds pegged to the price of gold as a way to retire the national debt.  If so, then the FED would be unnecessary.  Shade of Andrew Jackson, imaging no Federal debt to service.

I have high hopes that the DJT47 team can turn the Titanic away from the icebergs.

First time in decades that there is a glimmer of hope.

# – # – # – # – # 

I think this dialogue is instructive in that everyone sees the problem but no one wants their “Sacred Cow” to get killed.

Hopefully, if everyone is upset, then the country is getting back on track.  

The good ideas seem to keep flowing in. From “Kill the Department of Education” to defund NPR, nothing is too big or too small to get the AXE.

One thing I learned and was astonished to find out was that “USAID” was not “USA foreign aid” but “USA International Development” and was a CIA front for “foreign adventures”.  Surely that should be axed.

Another surprising revelation, was that all the Ukrainian cash aid didn’t get to Ukraine.  

Finally, the NGO’s like Red Cross and Catholic Charities were getting gazillions for “illegals” “resettlement”.  

No wonder the USA is going broke, too many grifters robbing us blind.

Argh!

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ENCOURAGING: Kate Middleton looks like she’s enjoying just doing something normal

Saturday, February 8, 2025

https://nypost.com/2025/02/06/entertainment/royal-family-live-updates-news-photos-feb-6/

Royal family live updates: Kate Middleton pairs up with girl, 5, on field trip who has no idea she’s a princess
By Sarah Ng, Kaydi Pelletier and Nika Shakhnazarova 
Updated Feb. 7, 2025, 6:28 a.m. ET

# – # – # – # – # 

Maybe I’m a sucker for a photo op, but the lady looks like she was just having bit of fun doing something “normal”.  I’m sure that the security was really tight wvwn though it was “invisible”.  And the children had no idea something special was happening.  

And, Kate Middleton has a beautiful smile and an air of Noblesse oblige.

Again, she makes you forget just how evil and expensive “monarchy” is.

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ENCOURAGING: Baltimore Ravens fans make a positive gesture in a sport plagued by poor sportsmenship

Saturday, February 8, 2025

https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/classy-ravens-fans-return-the-favor-for-foes-after-bills-player-drops-ball-in-heartbreaking-playoff-loss/

Classy Ravens Fans Return the Favor for Foes–After Bills Player Drops Ball in Heartbreaking Playoff Loss

By Andy Corbley – Jan 29, 2025 

*** begin quote ***

The quality among Baltimore Ravens fans have donated to a GoFundMe to raise money for an autism charity supported by Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid, who just dropped a key pass that could have taken the franchise to the Super Bowl.

In a bizarre reversal of circumstances, the fundraiser mirrors what happened last week: when Bills fans set up a GoFundMe to raise money for a diabetes charity supported by Ravens tight end, Mark Andrews, who also dropped a key pass that may have taken his franchise to the Super Bowl.

*** end quote ***

This is a tremendous counterweight to all the bad stories we read about out-of-control fans and players.

I’m proud to put my money where my mouth is and donate to Dalton Kincaid’s gofundme.

https://gofund.me/84651e43

While good works should be done in secret, this needs to be encouraged.

(Ever heard that old Irish adage about “good works only count if done in secret”. Funny, I learned that from my maternal English Protestant grandmother who wanted to teach me about my maternal grandfather’s “heathen Irish culture that has a few good points”. ROFL!)

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POLICY: End the “(pseudo) War on (some) Drugs”

Friday, February 7, 2025

https://www.breitbart.com/health/2025/02/06/bill-proposed-in-illinois-could-allow-18-year-olds-to-drink-alcohol/

Bill Proposed in Illinois Could Allow 18-Year-Olds to Drink Alcohol

Amy Furr6 Feb 202577

*** begin quote ***

A bill up for consideration in the Illinois General Assembly would change the state’s legal drinking age.

*** end quote ***

Sorry but did we learn NOTHING from Prohibition?

Is it because DRUG PROHIBITION has worked so well?

Can’t we see what Portugal has done?

Argh!

No one can stop someone from putting in their body what they want.  It’s call free will.  Human beings are as resourceful as any rat or roach.

Argh!

Could we try abandoning an approach that is an OBVIOUS failure and try a true free market approach?

Imagine how many drug addicts would survive if they could walk in any pharmacy and buy their drug of choice in a sterile accurately measured does of a know potency?  Like going into a Marijuana Dispensary today.  I’m sure that if Walmart, Walgreens, or CVS was in charge, the whole process would be safe and that they would offer information about rehab with every “prescription”,  Maybe even require a buyer to acknowledge that they were given the information.  And, I bet prices would be cheaper than aspirin!  

Of course, we would have the problem of out-of-work drug gangs and what does a Drug Kingpin do when he has to compete with Walmart?

If short, I think we should admit defeat in the “(pseudo) War on (some) Drugs” and seek a different strategy.

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INSPIRATIONAL: “Archimedes” is a metaphor for the unsolvable problem of how to avoid an unavoidable war

Friday, February 7, 2025

https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B09742MWY9/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r

*** begin quote ***

The Great War of Archimedes

Pre-WWII, the Japanese Navy commissioned the creation of impressive “supership” Yamato, strongly opposed by a top official insisting on more strategic and battle-ready warships. After being ignored without cause, Admiral Yamamoto recruits a math genius to help uncover what he soon suspects is a massive 

*** and ***

Customer Review

    B.A. Bengard

    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Movie of the Philosophy of Japan & Humanity

    Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2024

    Verified Purchase

    Not usually a fan of historical fiction, but this Japanese made movie incorporates mixtures of reality, ideology and humanity. Knowing the history of the Pacific war, the culture mindset of imperial Japan and the more ancient ideas behind bushido and the engineering genius of the Yamato, is mixed with fictional characters who have a deeper realization of the effect of war of humanity, especially as it pertains to Japanese cultural mindset. It’s NOT a war movie, but “Archimedes” is a metaphor for the unsolvable problem of how to avoid an unavoidable war. 

*** end quote ***

It is really captivating in the story.  Not sure how real it is but Pearl Harbor was a fact.  And regardless of what the beliefs of the key players really were, they were powerless to stop it.

Kind of like the vets today with the USA involving us in all sorts of “foreign adventures”, when in every vet’s heart, mind, and soul, we know how wrong this is.

Dona Nobis Pacem

And aren’t today’s carriers like the WWII battleships, obsolete. Vulnerable to cheap drones and hypersonic missles Yet the USA keeps building them.

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QUOTE: Reach out in freindship to all

Thursday, February 6, 2025

“We must reach out our hand in friendship and dignity both to those who would befriend us and those who would be our enemy.” — Arthur Ashe

# – # – # – # – # 

Sounds like a foreign policy that the Dead Old White Guys would approve of!

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INTERESTING: Thinking about my dreams — the sleeping ones that is

Thursday, February 6, 2025

https://www.popsci.com/science/why-dont-i-remember-my-dreams/?utm_placement=newsletter

Why don’t you remember all your dreams?

  • Whether you recall them or not, you likely dream nightly.

By Lauren Leffer
Posted 23 Hours Ago
<< EDITOR ADDED DATE 2025-01-28>>

*** begin quote ***

Some mornings, waking up might feel like interrupting a vivid alternate universe. You open your eyes to reality, but the dream you were having still lingers clearly in your memory, complete with characters and plot points. Other days, waking up may be more akin to emerging from a black void with nothing to report. 

*** and ***

Sleeping after a learning task, and dreaming about that task is linked to improvement in subsequent task performance and memory, according to a 2010 study led by Wamsley and a 2012 follow-up. Further, participants remembered negative images from an emotional picture task better after a night of sleep, if they reported recalling a dream, according to a 2024 study led by Zhang. The same study also found that emotional state correlated with dream content (positive dreams from the night before were linked with more positive mood the next day), and those that remembered their dreams became less emotionally responsive to neutral stimuli during follow-up tasks. 

*** and ***

Though don’t let that trick you into over-interpreting the dreams your mind metes out. The Freudian idea that dreams align by any common code, which can be used to analyze your subconscious is “bullshit,” says Wamsley. “There’s no evidence that dreams harbor a secret meaning below the surface level, especially not one that you need a professional to tell you about,” she adds. “The person who is having the dream is the person best-positioned to say what it means. There’s no hidden manual.” 

*** end quote ***

Wow, this gives me some insights. 

It’s no secret in my family that my Mother and Father had terrible dreams.  I think it was part of what drove them to drink and madness.  In my 30’s, I developed what I labeled “night terrors”.  Horrible dreams that would wake me up in a cold sweat, literally drenching the sheets and pillows to where I had to change them.  I remember my Grandmother complaining that my maternal Grandfather’s bet was always wet when he arose.  Possibly he was having those “bad dreams” too.  He never talked much, so I don’t know.  Anyway, I learned to deal with the night terrors by recording them and thinking about them.  Some were down right comical when you parsed them out.  Naked, lost in rooms, seeing long dead relatives, conversations with people I know never met IRL, mixing eras, … … all sorts of strange stuff.  Eventually, I settled on the concept that it was my brain “taking out the trash”.  And since I didn’t want dementia or to descend into madness, I got in the habit of just ignoring them and getting about my day.   Soon the “night terrors” evolved into “interesting adventures” that were no longer scary.  And since they had no real meaning, they went into the garbage bin of “forgotten stuff”.  Some of my novel and many “index card” short stories sprung from the debris of those dreams.

I found this pop sci summary of the research interesting since it confirms: learned behaviors, meaninglessness of dreams, and unscientifically objectively measurable.

Guess I’ll never really “understand” but I’m not crazy either.  Or at least, able to function with my craziness.

YMMV

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VETERANS: John Chapman Snubbed by National Medal of Honor Museum; why?

Wednesday, February 5, 2025

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2025/01/medal-honor-legend-john-chapman-snubbed-national-medal/

Medal of Honor Legend John Chapman Snubbed by National Medal of Honor Museum

by Margaret Flavin Jan. 27, 2025 11:00 am

*** begin quote ***

The National Medal of Honor Museum has refused a stand-alone exhibit of Medal of Honor legend John Chapman when it opens in March, and the decision is being criticized harshly.

The Museum will have 200 exhibits detailing the personal stories of MoH recipients, but Chapman will not be one of them. 

David Hookstead from Outkick reports that Chapman, an Air Force combat controller with the 24th STS, was killed in March 2002 during Operation Anaconda in the Battle of Takur Ghar.

He died alone on a mountain, fighting to protect his fellow warriors.

*** end quote ***

Why is the national medal of honor museum leaving John Chapman, an air force CCT, out of their exhibit? He was the only medal of honor recipient to ever have his battle filmed via ISR feed. 

Is there ANY logic to this?

Who are the honchos in this museum and who are its donors?

Argh!

—30—

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INTERESTING: An after action report about tjhe “Day the Music Died”

Tuesday, February 4, 2025

https://nypost.com/2024/02/03/news/experts-reveal-what-caused-buddy-hollys-plane-to-crash-65-years-ago-today/

Experts reveal what caused Buddy Holly’s plane to crash 65 years ago today
By Social Links for Hillary Andrews, FOX Weather
Published Feb. 3, 2024, 6:23 p.m. ET

*** begin quote ***

So many sing about “the day that music died” on Feb. 3, 1959, when Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson were killed in a plane crash.

Don McLean coined the term in his 1971 hit “American Pie.”

The song about the decline of the 60s starts with the death of the three young musicians, “the end of the happy 50s,” he told Forbes Magazine. 

Investigators point to quickly-changing wintry weather conditions that were not communicated to the inexperienced pilot as the cause of the crash that left such a tragic mark on music history.

*** end quote ***

Just a sad remembrance of the “happy 50’s”.

Requiescat In Pacem

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DISCOURAGING: The Kanye West and Bianca Censori publicity stunt sets a new low in taste and class

Monday, February 3, 2025

https://nypost.com/2025/02/03/entertainment/why-kanye-west-bianca-censori-decided-to-cause-a-stir-on-grammys-2025-red-carpet/?lctg=6080ba40747925275a09dcd3

Why Kanye West and Bianca Censori decided to cause an ‘outrageous’ stir on Grammys red carpet

By Nika Shakhnazarova 

Published Feb. 3, 2025, 8:07 a.m. ET

*** begin quote ***

And while the ordeal may have seemed like it was an impromptu decision made by the married couple, Hollywood PR expert Quincy Dash believes that the move was carefully thought out by the “Vultures” rapper ahead of time.

“They’re in a business called showbusiness,” Dash, founder of PR firm Quincy Dash Co., exclusively told The Post. “What Kanye understands better than any other celebrity or talent is the game of public relations. His strategy is that all press is good press, and there’s no such thing as bad publicity.”

“While we are thinking, ‘Oh wow, this is crazy. What is she doing?’ she is actually going to gain as much as he is, because prior to their relationship, no one knew who she was. Fast forward to today, everyone knows her. She’s getting fame, recognition, and soon she will transition to be able to do what she wants to do,” he said, adding, “It’s a crazy strategy, but it works.”

*** end quote ***

They both should be “cancelled”.  

Laugh!

It’s shameful behavior.

Hopefully it sends their “brands” into the trash bin of history.

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NEWJERSEY: Wind and solar are “dumb”; natural gas and nuclear are more costeffective and don’t require the weather to cooperate

Monday, February 3, 2025

https://www.cleveland.com/nation/2025/01/trump-to-new-jersey-you-have-finally-won-your-war-on-stupidity.html?outputType=amp

U.S. News
Trump to New Jersey: ‘You have finally won your war on stupidity’
Published: Jan. 24, 2025, 11:25 a.m.

  • Trump cheers ‘war on stupidity’ victory with wind project halt
  • President Donald Trump praised a New Jersey congressman for his helping in drawing up an executive order halting permitting for new wind farm projects. 

By Robert Higgs, cleveland.com

*** begin quote ***

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump took to Truth Social on Thursday to praise a New Jersey congressman for helping draft an executive order in the “war on stupidity.”

*** and ***

“These projects were terrible from the start, and this fight has been worth every effort—for America!” Van Drew said in a statement after Trump signed his executive order. “The executive order President Trump signed … to halt offshore wind projects includes much of the language we provided,” Van Drew said. “The president has always been a vocal critic of these disastrous scams, and we are grateful for his unwavering support.”

Trump’s order will require the interior secretary to review wind leasing and permitting practices for federal waters and lands, the order states. That assessment will consider the environmental impact of wind projects on wildlife, the economic costs associated with the intermittent generation of electricity and the effect of subsidies on the viability of the wind industry.

But the order reaches farther than what Van Drew proposed, including onshore wind projects, The Associated Press said. Trump has said wind turbines are horrible, only work with subsidies and are “many, many times” more expensive than natural gas.

Offshore wind is expensive, costing about $100 per megawatt hour for new projects connecting to the grid in 2028, the Energy Information Administration estimates. But onshore wind is one of the cheapest sources, at about $31 on average for new projects.

New natural gas plants are expected to produce electricity at nearly $43 per megawatt hour, the AP said, citing estimates. But natural gas power plants can be operated at any time throughout the day, unlike solar or wind.

*** end quote ***

The idiocy of wind and solar is that it’s weather dependent and requires a duplicating infrastructure.  For niche use cases, it MIGHT make sense.  But as a large scale strategy, with the current state of technology, it makes NO sense.  Plus it seems like hail can destroy solar panels.   Never mind that the rare earth mining is an environmental and human (child) slavery of devastating effects.

—30— 

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RANT: Still need to expose the facts around Fauci and the role of NIH in Wuhan

Sunday, February 2, 2025

Why Joe Biden Had To Pardon Anthony Fauci

Why Joe Biden Had To Pardon Anthony Fauci – LewRockwell
By Connor O’Keeffe Mises.org
January 25, 2025

*** begin quote ***

A federal investigation would have all but forced the media to revisit many of Fauci’s unseemly actions, failures, and possible crimes. That would have been uncomfortable for a political establishment that has embraced and celebrated Fauci for decades.

But the real danger of a high-profile Fauci investigation, from the political class’s perspective, would come if the public started to ask themselves why a bureaucrat with such a long track record of failure was embraced and celebrated by those in power. And why he enjoyed so much professional success before retiring with a net worth of more than $11 million.

Such questions could lead people to consider that maybe the decades of mistakes that transferred hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars to public health agencies, pharmaceutical companies, and the crony healthcare system as a whole were not mistakes after all. That, perhaps, the federal public health apparatus is nothing more than a racket and that officials are professionally rewarded, not for keeping us safe, but for protecting and expanding that racket.

*** end quote ***

I am for turning over all the “rocks” and see what scandals “crawl out into the sunshine”.  I’d start by getting low-level aides and secretaries in front of grad juries, immunize them, and just ask questions.  I don’t want “lawfare” on regular people who just were doing their jobs for bad people.  I want “the truth”!

“Son, we live in a world that has walls, and those walls have to be guarded by men with guns. Whose gonna do it? You? You, Lt. Weinburg? I have a greater responsibility than you could possibly fathom. You weep for Santiago, and you curse the Marines. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know. That Santiago’s death, while tragic, probably saved lives. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives. You don’t want the truth because deep down in places you don’t talk about at parties, you want me on that wall, you need me on that wall. We use words like honor, code, loyalty. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said thank you, and went on your way, Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a weapon, and stand a post. Either way, I don’t give a damn what you think you are entitled to.” Colonel Jessep in A Few Good Men played by Jack Nicholson

I really do.  

We need to understand what happened so as to prevent it from happening again.

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SURVIVAL: Always prep for Snowmageddon; or ANY “geddon”

Saturday, February 1, 2025

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14320197/georgia-drivers-sleep-cars-traffic-jam-snow-storm.html

Trapped drivers are forced to sleep in cars as ‘Snowmageddon’ causes 15-hour traffic jam and brings cities to standstill

By JAMES CIRRONE and ISHITA SRIVASTAVA FOR DAILYMAIL.COM

Published: 00:12 EST, 24 January 2025 | Updated: 10:03 EST, 24 January 2025

*** begin quote ***

Thousands of drivers on a Georgia highway found themselves in a 15-hour traffic jam caused by the rare snowstorm that hit the southern US a day before.

Many were forced to sleep in their own vehicles until shortly before noon on January 22 as temperatures fell from 29F to 14F.  

The stand still happened in Monroe County, approximately 60 miles southwest of Atlanta, and ended when the Georgia State Patrol cleared the clogged northbound side of Interstate-75. 

According to Fox5, Forsyth in metro Atlanta received 2.2 inches snow – highest in the Atlanta area while the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport set a record after receiving 1.1 inches. 

Icy pavement and several accidents north of Forsyth caused the backup, according to Anna Watkins, a spokeswoman for the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. 

*** end quote ***

Seems obvious and it’s not like the cold and snow weren’t predicted.  How much effort is it to prep for a “night out”.  Water, food, blankets, candles, lighter, and full tank of gas should be in you “every day carry bag”.   I wouldn’t forget a roll or two of toilet paper and paper towels. 

YouTube has videos about how a can of tun can become a heater and light. 

Little sympathy for those so stuck when caught unprepared.  Embarrassing for “rednecks” to be so unprepared.

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QUOTE: Life is not a spectator sport – Jackie Robinson

Friday, January 31, 2025

“Life is not a spectator sport. If you’re going to spend your whole life in the grandstand just watching what goes on … you’re wasting your life.”  — Jackie Robinson

# – # – # – # – # 

For some reason, this struck me this morning.  And, I wonder what could have been?

“… checked the Eternal Possibilities Machine, which generates all the possibilities for use in creating the alternative worlds. In all those probability lines …” CHURCH 10●19●62 (Vol 1) 978-0-557-08387-9 page 45

Still wish I have one of these.  How would my life have been different?  How would human history evolved?  Could we have avoided the disastrous 16th, 17th, and 18th amendments?

Probably not, but it’s nice to imagine as we advocate for #endthefed and repealing those stupid ill-considered and disastrous amendments.

—30—

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POLITICAL: Every state should have a BND clone

Friday, January 31, 2025

https://www.lewrockwell.com/2025/01/no_author/beating-wall-street-at-its-own-game-the-bank-of-north-dakota-model/

Beating Wall Street at Its Own Game — The Bank of North Dakota Model – 

McMaken, Ryan

*** begin quote ***

So how is it that the state boasts the only state-owned bank in the nation? Has it secretly gone socialist?

No. The Bank of North Dakota (BND) operates on the same principles as any capitalist bank, except that its profits and benefits serve the North Dakota public rather than private investors and executives. The BND provides a unique, innovative model, in which public ownership is leveraged to enhance the workings of the private sector. It invests in and supports private enterprise — local businesses, agriculture, and economic development – the core activities of a capitalist system where private property and enterprise are central. Across the country, small businesses are now failing at increasingly high rates, but that’s not true in North Dakota, which was rated by Forbes Magazine the best state in which to start a business in 2024.

The BND was founded in 1919, when North Dakota farmers rose up against the powerful out-of-state banking-railroad-granary cartel that was unfairly foreclosing on their farms. They formed the Non-Partisan League, won an election, and founded the state’s own bank and granary, both of which are still active today.

*** and ***

The BND, on the other hand, is mandated to use its revenues for the benefit of the North Dakota public. Other states would do well to follow North Dakota’s lead.

*** end quote ***

I have blogged before about this “national treasure”.  It’s a working example of how to do State Banking for the benefit of the people.  No politics involved.  No big financial institutions lobbying local politicians.  AND, that is the EXACT reason why it’s near impossible to replicate.

As a little L libertarian, I’d like the smaller Gooferment possible and here is a way to get there.  

Maybe one of the candidates for Governor of the Pepuls Republik of Nu Jerzee will pick this up.

—30—

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.VOCABULARY: As new euphamism ‘Promoted outwards’

Thursday, January 30, 2025

https://nypost.com/2025/01/29/business/lvmh-ceo-bernard-arnault-coins-new-phrase-for-being-fired-promoted-outwards/

 World’s 5th richest man Bernard Arnault coins new phrase for being fired: ‘Promoted outwards’

By Shane Galvin 

Published Jan. 29, 2025, 11:55 p.m. ET

*** begin quote ***

Arnault came up with the eye-roll-worthy corporate jargon Tuesday during an investor call for LVMH, the parent company of Louis Vuitton, Sephora, Dior, Fendi, Tiffany & Co, and several other luxury brands.

The French billionaire made the “promoted outwards” comment while discussing social media company META’s decision to lay off low-performing employees, according to Fortune.

Arnault, 75, claimed that those who lost their jobs are actually being “promoted” to better jobs at different companies.

*** end quote ***

I agree with him.  I’ve been ‘promoted outwards’ five times and, in four of those five, I got a better job rather quickly.  In the fifth one, I decided that I’d had enough of “employment” and retired.  My fiancé and friends gave me a nice surprise party to celebrate.  While I regret “retiring”, (Retirement is boring), I didn’t work myself to the grave for the benefit of a sow soulless enterprise that lost its way.  (That is you AT&T!). 

Sigh!  Unfortunately I was born after the gold watch era was ending and before “your own business” became the way to FU money.  But, all in all, I survived it all even if “I didn’t do it MY WAY”.

Each era has its own challenges.

Success for your generation is: (1) ruthless financial discipline — no bad debt; (2) a life long interest in learning — education — a degree — they can’t take it away from you; (3) a NON-OFFSHORABLE white collar job in order to save big bux; (4) a blue collar skill for hard times — never saw a poor plumber; (5) one or more internet based businesses — your store is always open; (6) a free time hobby that generates income; and (7) a large will-maintained network of people who can “help” you.

I’ve blogged it before many many times and I think it’s still true.

—30—

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GOVEROTRAGEOUS: The California Wildfires need some new incentives BEFORE rebuilding

Thursday, January 30, 2025

https://www.nbcnews.com/weather/wildfires/california-fires-houses-are-fuel-why-firefighters-couldnt-control-rcna187977?ICID=ref_fark

California Wildfires

The homes are the fire’s fuel

  • Why firefighting was no match for a California disaster decades in the making.

Jan. 19, 2025, 7:00 AM EST

By Evan Bush and Lewis Kamb

*** begin quote ***

There’s a hard math behind the Los Angeles-area firestorm: When a two-story house is on fire under normal circumstances, three engines and a minimum of 16 crew members are generally dispatched.

*** and ***

He compared the situation to a firestorm that barreled through the Oakland hills in Northern California in 1991. In that case, an extinguished grass fire reignited in “Diablo” wind gusts — seasonal winds similar to the Santa Anas in L.A. — and the more than 1,500 firefighters who responded struggled with hydrants that went dry and navigation on steep, narrow roads.

The blaze killed 25 people, injured 150 and destroyed more than 3,300 structures.

Miller toured the area in 2014, after it was rebuilt.

“They have bigger houses on the same lot, with the same trees, with the same brush in the same location, with cars that are bigger,” Miller said. “No fire truck could come up if a big Suburban was coming down. … We’ve built bigger, but we didn’t build better.”

The firefighters he drove around the hills with, Miller said, offered a final assessment: “It’s going to go again.”

*** end quote ***

“Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” — attributed to Einstein, Ben Franklin, and Rita Mae Brown

The Pepuls Republik of Kaliforkneeah repeatedly demonstrates its insanity.

2014, houses burn down.  Build back bigger and better, 2025 houses burn down.

Now any rational human being would look at the incentives in 2014 and figure out what disincentives should be in place to prevent a 2036 disaster.

I can think of a few right off the top of my head:

  • Insurance companies don’t have to write policies for these houses.  No penalty for them when they don’t.  They can make any policies they want for these rebuilding projects.
  • Create special fire districts with the power to tax and to prep for the extreme fire occurences.  Roads may have to be extra wide and water retention facilities as needed.
  • Forest management zones may tax and burn as needed to prevent wildfires.
  • Arsonists get longer sentences with mandatory fire fight duties.
  • Wood frame houses are not permitted in the fire zones.  Concrete doesn’t burn.  May not look like an antebellum Southern plantation home, but it won’t burn like one either.
  • Shared risk pools for all houses built in the same fire zone.  (Seems obvious)

Let’s run contests with prizes for the various engineering schools to come up with more ideas.  Kind of like the concrete boats, paper airplanes, and other assorted challenges.

—30—

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GUNS: If conceled carry is not reciprocated, then why should drivers’ licenses be?

Wednesday, January 29, 2025

https://bearingarms.com/camedwards/2025/01/19/what-comes-next-after-constitutional-carry-n1227407

For Red States, What Comes Next After Constitutional Carry?

By Cam Edwards | 12:30 PM | January 19, 2025

*** begin quote ***

The bigger question is what pro-2A bills will garner enough support for passage. Campus carry, for instance, has been introduced for the past several years, but so far opposition from higher education and some business leaders has stymied its passage. Hopefully this will be the year it can finally become law, but it will take some effort from gun owners and Second Amendment advocates to get it across the finish line. 

*** end quote ***

If a “gun control” State doesn’t recognize the reciprocity of other States “Constitutional Carry”, then maybe drivers’ licenses should have reciprocity either.

Maybe a New Jersey driver’s license should be allowed in Texas without a “road test”?  I’ve seen Jersey drivers and I’d understand Texas’ concerns.  Maybe you have to pass a written test (i.e., identify a stop sign), an eye exam, and short road test?  At every “border crossing”!

Laugh!

Only partially humorous.

Maybe it could only apply to New Jersey politicians and bureaucrats when they visit a “Constitutional Carry” State.  The eye test could be reading a series of RKBA memes!

Maybe this will inspire some action.

—30—

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DISCOURAGING: It took 65 years to identify this poor child

Tuesday, January 28, 2025

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14268021/inside-life-chester-breiney-murderers-revealed.html

Chester Breiney, 7, died without ever having his photo taken… the monsters who killed him are finally unmasked
By SOPHIE GABLE FOR DAILYMAIL.COM
Published: 18:52 EST, 19 January 2025 | Updated: 18:52 EST, 19 January 2025

*** begin quote ***

More than 65 years ago, two Wisconsin parents dumped the dead body of their adopted son Chester Breiney on the side of the road and fled the state out of fear of punishment. 

They evaded prosecution over a technicality – despite a confession, a judge claimed prosecutors lacked evidence – but years after their death, DNA testing finally proved the sinister crime they committed in 1959. 

In 2023, professors at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh studied the skeletal remains believed to have belong to Breiney using advanced genealogy. 

*** end quote ***

While I’m glad that he was put to rest with dignity and identity, it’s a shame that it took so long.

It brings to mind rhetorical oft repeated claim that several hundred thousand children have been trafficked in the recent US border chaos.  What about all those children?

I wonder if DJT47 can sort this mess out.

Very sadly, probably not.

Dona Nobis Pacem

—30—

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