INSPIRATIONAL: Rurbanite?

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/how-to-make-your-own-seed-bombs.html

How to Make Your Own Seed Bombs
Gardenista
August 10, 2013
10:00 am

*** begin quote ***

Guerrilla gardening may use the language of civilian warfare, but floral beauty is the uniting cause. Gardening without permission is another way of describing these activities: not strictly legal but filed away by the authorities under the category of “What’s not to like?” Alex Mitchell in her book The Rurbanite shows the editors of Gardenista how to make seed bombs, using guerrilla tactics to spread cheer.

*** end quote ***

For some reason this appeals to the rebel in my soul.

Even if you never see the flowers, someone else will.

This is almost karmic. Or aka something I could see “Dharma” doing. (Obsure reference to Janna Elfman from “Dharma and Greg”! http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0118303/ @jennaelfman)

Maybe I’ll do this when I go to Alaska?

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INTERESTING: Fifty Questions

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Because sometimes asking the right questions is the answer.

  1. How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?

    I feel 40. What difference do the numbers mean?

  2. Which is worse, failing or never trying?

    Failure is is always worth.

  3. If life is so short, why do we do so many things we don’t like and like so many things we don’t do?

    We “have” to. Either to satisfy an external figure or an inner delusion.

  4. When it’s all said and done, will you have said more than you’ve done?

    Absolutely more said. Often doing is some much easier than selling or claiming.

  5. What is the one thing you’d most like to change about the world?

    The hypocrisy of politicians and their corruption.

  6. If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich?

    Working as a health care advocate for sick folks.

  7. Are you doing what you believe in, or are you settling for what you are doing?

    Always what I believe in; otherwise who cares.

  8. If the average human life span was 40 years, how would you live your life differently?

    Skip chasing the dollar and take sabbaticals.

  9. To what degree have you actually controlled the course your life has taken?

    Not at all. I made “choices” but who knows if they controlled anything.

  10. Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things?

    Doing the right things. Often just doing them is “good enough”.

  11. You’re having lunch with three people you respect and admire.  They all start criticizing a close friend of yours, not knowing she is your friend.  The criticism is distasteful and unjustified.  What do you do?

    Even if the criticism is justified, I must defend my friend. If they talk about my friend behind their back, then they will do the same for me. Beware!

  12. If you could offer a newborn child only one piece of advice, what would it be?

    Keep a diary of your entire life. You’ll forget the details. And, you won’t learn the lessons of your personal history.

  13. Would you break the law to save a loved one?

    Absolutely!

  14. Have you ever seen insanity where you later saw creativity?

    No.

  15. What’s something you know you do differently than most people?

    Don’t keep track of details.

  16. How come the things that make you happy don’t make everyone happy?

    I’m weird!

  17. What one thing have you not done that you really want to do?  What’s holding you back?

    Go to Alaska. Conflicts with an opportunity that is currently more important that Alaska which isn’t going anywhere.

  18. Are you holding onto something you need to let go of?

    My past.

  19. If you had to move to a state or country besides the one you currently live in, where would you move and why?

    New Hampshire because all the crazy lIbertarians are there.

  20. Do you push the elevator button more than once?  Do you really believe it makes the elevator faster?

    No.

  21. Would you rather be a worried genius or a joyful simpleton?

    How would I know the difference?

  22. Why are you, you?

    More worried genius than joyful simpleton, but that may be debated.

  23. Have you been the kind of friend you want as a friend?

    I hope so.

  24. Which is worse, when a good friend moves away, or losing touch with a good friend who lives right near you?

    I’ve had friends move away; never lost touch with one close by. So the move is away.

  25. What are you most grateful for?

    Finding my sulmate.

  26. Would you rather lose all of your old memories, or never be able to make new ones?

    Never make new ones. The best years of my life are behind me.

  27. Is is possible to know the truth without challenging it first?

    Yes. A priori knowledge comes from the Creator.

  28. Has your greatest fear ever come true?

    Yes, my spouse passed. Knew it was coming for 35 years. It did.

  29. Do you remember that time 5 years ago when you were extremely upset?  Does it really matter now?

    Yes. Yes. I think the medical profession screwed up. I believe it made a long term difference.

  30. What is your happiest childhood memory?  What makes it so special?

    Read to the old nuns in First Grade instead of being stuck in Yack In The Box class. I was helping them and enjoying what I did. They felt that they were helping me.

  31. At what time in your recent past have you felt most passionate and alive?

    When the Critical Care doc took my charts and said to the other docs that “The husband has the answer here in these charts if we just look at them.” Made me feel vindicated in my anal record keeping.

  32. If not now, then when?

    Had my moment in the sun. Don’t know if it did any good. The final outcome was pre-destined.

  33. If you haven’t achieved it yet, what do you have to lose?

    Done.

  34. Have you ever been with someone, said nothing, and walked away feeling like you just had the best conversation ever?

    When my wife’s near last words were: “Thank you for all youv’e done for me. I love you.” I was too choked to say anything.

  35. Why do religions that support love cause so many wars?

    Everyone has the “truth” and they ignore the Dali Lama’s “We are all fingers on the same hand.”

  36. Is it possible to know, without a doubt, what is good and what is evil?

    Yes, certain principles are universal.

  37. If you just won a million dollars, would you quit your job?

    No.

  38. Would you rather have less work to do, or more work you actually enjoy doing?

    More.

  39. Do you feel like you’ve lived this day a hundred times before?
    No.

  40. When was the last time you marched into the dark with only the soft glow of an idea you strongly believed in?

    Never.

  41. If you knew that everyone you know was going to die tomorrow, who would you visit today?

    No one. They know how I feel and I can’t help them.

  42. Would you be willing to reduce your life expectancy by 10 years to become extremely attractive or famous?

    Yeah, sure. Like that could happen.

  43. What is the difference between being alive and truly living?

    The passion and joy that you feel.

  44. When is it time to stop calculating risk and rewards, and just go ahead and do what you know is right?

    Always.

  45. If we learn from our mistakes, why are we always so afraid to make a mistake?

    Because there are two types of mistakes, above and below the waterline. People don’t understand and hence all mistakes are treated as bad.

  46. What would you do differently if you knew nobody would judge you?

    Nothing.

  47. When was the last time you noticed the sound of your own breathing?

    Every day when I meditate.

  48. What do you love?  Have any of your recent actions openly expressed this love?

    I believe so.

  49. In 5 years from now, will you remember what you did yesterday?  What about the day before that?  Or the day before that?

    No. No. And, no. Nothing is memorable.

  50. Decisions are being made right now.  The question is:  Are you making them for yourself, or are you letting others make them for you?

    Making them for myself. Flipping a coin if needed.

    –30–


ECONOMICS: @tswif13 is cheaper in Chicago than NYC?

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-08-08/entertainment/ct-ott-0809-taylor-swift-doit-20130808_1_taylor-swift-song-swift-red

Home>Featured Articles>John Mayer
Are we seeing Taylor Swift’s ‘Red’ again?
August 08, 2013

*** begin quote ***

You are probably thinking, wait, pop star Taylor Swift is coming to town again? Nope, she hasn’t been here with “The Red” tour. You’ve just heard so much about it already, and there haven’t been too many music award shows recently that haven’t had a Swift performance or sighting that makes it feel like we’ve seen her already. But, really can you ever have enough of the fresh-faced, spry Swift? Sure, her pop music niche is not for everyone, but neither is Lady Gaga’s.

*** and ***

Details: 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Soldier Field, 1410 S. Museum Campus Drive; $59.50-$99.50; 800-745-3000, ticketmaster.com

*** end quote ***

Now there is no doubt that Ms. Swift (@tswift13 or Tay to us “swifties”) is an economic engine. A phenom! I’m curious to see if she can transition over time. (All the great women performers do — Dolly Parton, Reba, Madona!)

What I found interesting in this story is that the price range of Chigao tix was dramatically different that the NYC prices of 80 to 2500. (No scalpers!)

Either the Chicago story is wrong or there is a premium to going to New York.

Considering that the show is essentially the same — except for the special guest and the banter about the location — one wonders if it might not be a better experience to travel to the show in a cheaper region.

For example, I’d travel to Chicago to get on the floor or in the pit. But I wouldn’t pay 2500$; but I would pay $100.

Laff, yes old swifties are a sad lot trying to recapture our lost youth.

#tswift #tswift13

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INTERESTING: TheHappy Meal’s Eternal Life

Monday, August 12, 2013

http://youtu.be/FoFpsUvaJlE

This Is Why You Shouldn’t Eat Happy Meals — Six Months of a Happy Meal’s Eternal Life

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In a one minute time-lapse video, it convinces me to stay away from fast food. 

Even though, it tastes good. It can’ the good for you?

Seems like it can’t even grow mold?

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GUNS: Sprinkling “sheepdogs” into the flock of “sheep”

Sunday, August 11, 2013

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2013/08/09/gun-toting-teachers-names-must-remain-private/?intcmp=HPBucket

Gun toting teachers’ names must remain private
By John Lott
Published August 09, 2013
FoxNews.com

*** begin quote ***

By revealing the names of permit holders, the newspaper effectively told criminals what homes had no armed defense. Indeed, when editors of the paper were asked by documentary filmaker and activist James O’Keefe if they would put signs in front of their homes saying that they were “gun free,” they understood it would make them targets of criminals.

*** end quote ***

The purpose of sprinkling “sheepdogs” into the flock of “sheep” is to surprise the “wolves”.

This misguided fellow wants to paint a bullseye on those “sheepdogs”.

Like a “dog in the manger”, he can’t win the argument on merits so he’s going to make it not work!

Argh!

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CLOUD: A feature I didn’t know about

Saturday, August 10, 2013

http://googlesystem.blogspot.com/2013/08/google-timer.html

August 5, 2013
Google Timer

The desktop Google Search has a cool feature: search for [set timer for 5 minutes] and you’ll see this interactive timer box. You can stop the timer, reset it and Google even has a notification sound you can disable.

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WRITING: dreams and asleep

Friday, August 9, 2013

“If you love me only in my dreams, let me be asleep forever.” – Unknown

Sorry, but all I have is dreams.

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INTERESTING: Let kids loose

Friday, August 9, 2013

http://www.today.com/moms/kids-jeopardy-controversy-offers-lesson-losing-6C10851874

“Don’t let children win.”

Here is ONE big difference between Frau Reinke and I. (Which we discussed, until I was dismissed with: “Having none, you’re an expert”!)

I would NEVER ever let any child win. When they won, they knew they had beat me fair and square.

Sorry, but I never ought into self-esteem .

Laff, I’d give anything to have that debate again.

I’ll leave it to the children to comment about it.

–30–


OBSERVATION: Maybe all dolphins ain’t Flipper?

Thursday, August 8, 2013

http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Clare-dolphin-attacks-again-swimmers-warned-to-stay-clear-218212762.html

Clare dolphin attacks again, swimmers warned to stay clear
Don’t enter the water with a dolphin the public is told
By IrishCentral Staff Writers,
Published Saturday, August 3, 2013, 8:27 AMUpdated Saturday, August 3, 2013, 8:27 AM

*** begin quote ***

The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) has issued a stark warning to the public after a swimmer suffered a compressed vertebrae, broken rib and damage to her lungs when a dolphin rammed into her in Doolin, County Clare.

According to RTE the incident, which happened as the woman was trying to climb out of the water, was one of several to involve the dolphin, called Dusty, in recent weeks.

In a statement on its website, the IWDG said: ‘Clearly this level of injury is very serious and a fatal attack could easily happen.’

*** end quote ***

I always had the illusion that dolphins are a water version of a dog or a cat.

Guess that gets a revision.

It’s a dangerous world out there.

Time to update our collective thinking.

Hmmm, wonder if dolphin tastes like tuna?

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INTERESTING: A more universal power that animates everything

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/radio-preacher.html

The Moral Code We All Forget to Follow
Dr. Steven Farmer
August 3, 2013
3:50 pm

*** begin quote ***

I tuned into a radio station where a very enthusiastic preacher was giving his sermon. As I noted in my book Sacred Ceremony, I’d learned to appreciate all the different ways we humans try to reach God, no matter the face and clothing of any particular religion or spiritual practice. It all comes down to different ways we try to get or remain in touch with Great Spirit, Source, Creator, All-That-Is, or whatever term you want to apply here. It’s still God. Maybe not in the sense of a really big guy with a long white beard watching for you to make the wrong moves, but a more universal power that animates everything in the heavens and on Earth.

*** end quote ***

As a fat old white guy injineer, I was always moved but the “watchmaker” argument about the existence of God. Then, I played roulette for a while and thought about random number. When my head hurt, I filed the whole topic under: “Stuff I don’t understand”.

I read something that said human beings are unique in that they can understand “death” and yet go on their daily business ignoring it. As well as, whole parts of their conflicted understanding. Sort of like modern day crazy people. 

I have trouble when “life” smacks you in the face and you can’t ignore the loss of a loved one. Or just go on pretending.

Haven’t figured that out either.

That “Stuff I don’t understand” folder is getting bigger every day!

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INSPIRATIONAL: Don’t get old.

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/10-steps-to-a-happier-life.html

10 Steps to a Happier Life
Jordyn Cormier
August 3, 2013

*** begin quote ***

Don’t get old. Getting old means abandoning your creative instincts. It means stressing more. It means being serious all the time. But, there are many ninety-year-olds with who certainly don’t act “old.” Being young and creative is a state of mind, regardless of age. And creativity is the fuel of happiness. So, go lie in the grass and pick out shapes in the clouds. Roll around if you want to. It is perfectly alright, regardless of what society has lead you to believe.

*** end quote ***

We’re it just that easy. 

Sorry, but when you become “tired” of the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, what is left?

I’ve often thought that since you can’t go back, you must go forward. But then I think of the guy lost in the forest wandering in circles, defeating the best efforts of the rescue party by not letting himself be found.

Strange world we live in. 

But I did like the author’s advice about “Have a beer”.

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RANT: AROD’s “death sentence”

Monday, August 5, 2013

Sorry, but I think AROD is getting the short end of the stick.

Where has MLB been for the last eon?

It’s not like this is something new. So why NOW?

It’s always about money. So I guess that there is a financial incentive to screw him.

If the Yankees were in first place, I doubt we’d hear a chrip.

And, from his age pov, he’ll be over 40 when he can play again.

It’s rumored to be 100M$ at risk! FOr that amount, it’s easy to see how this becomes a MLB priority.

Sorry, while i can’t stand a cheat, drug diktats make no sense to me. If he wants to trade health for dollars, why should we care.

Millionaires playing for billionaires.

–30–


RANT: 7.4 percent because of “leavers”

Monday, August 5, 2013

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2013/08/02/obama-must-accept-responsibility-for-sluggish-jobs-picture/?intcmp=HPBucket

*** begin quote ***

The Labor Department reported Friday that the economy added 162,000 jobs in July, after adding 188,000 in June. Unemployment fell to 7.4 percent, largely because 240,000 adults left the labor force.

*** end quote *** 

This is how the current Administration claim such a low unemployment rate — folks leaving the workforce. How can that be good news?

I wonder what we have lost in terms of productive lives.

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POLITICAL: Obama supporters posting on Facebook

Sunday, August 4, 2013

http://www.wnd.com/2013/08/did-obama-break-law-to-win-re-election-2/

WND EXCLUSIVE
DID OBAMA BREAK LAW TO WIN RE-ELECTION?
Former Homeland Security attorney exposes shrewd maneuver

*** begin quote ***

The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, enacted by Congress in 1986, is a broadly written law that in practice regulates virtually all computers and cellphones, largely because communications over the Internet tends to have implications for interstate commerce.

Baker argued that the Obama presidential campaign in 2012 possibly violated the act by an arrangement with Obama supporters posting on Facebook. It allowed the Obama campaign to search the person’s Facebook network for likely voters the campaign could identify as unmotivated or unregistered.

The likely voters would then get tailored messages from their Facebook friends urging them to register and turn out.

*** end quote ***

Might makes right.

BHO44 “won” the election. 

(A disputable claim given the fraudulent voting.)

So “his” DOJ isn’t going to investigate squat.

(After all, look at the “birth certificate” and how that was swept under the rug.)

Any claim that the USA is a land of “laws” is a joke.

And the politicians and bureaucrats have no shame at all. It’s now openly blatant that “lie, cheat, and steal” is acceptable to the Mundanes, Clovers, and Sheeple.

Wonder how Hitler, Mao, or any other the other fascists came to power? You’re watching it here.

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GOLDBUG: 92.5% loss of value

Saturday, August 3, 2013

http://www.forbes.com/sites/ralphbenko/2013/07/29/gold-defined-money-and-monetary-history-at-the-cato-institute-a-velvet-underground-event/

OP/ED | 7/29/2013 @ 8:00AM |1,698 views
Gold Defined Money And Monetary History At The Cato Institute: A Velvet Underground Event?
Ralph Benko, Contributor

*** begin quote ***

“Since the end of convertibility in 1971, average real wages per hour of work in the United States have been stagnant. Average annual American economic growth since 2000 has been about half the average annual real growth of the previous two American centuries. The real purchasing power of a 1971 dollar saved in the bank, adjusted by the CPI, has declined to a value of about 15 cents. That is to say, the price level has risen from 1971 to 2013 by about six-fold, a rise unparalleled in the history of the American Republic. In a word the American middle class, relatively speaking, has been gradually dispossessed.

“The consequences of the collapse of real money worldwide are still unfolding. But let it be said that only one century of post-World War I financial disorder has been written.

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One can quibble about exactly how much a dollar has shrunk!

Personally, I’d suggest 30¢ for a gallon of gas in 1964 versus $4 on 2013 equals 92.5% loss of value!

Put it another way, a 13 fold increase in the price level.

No wonder an 8$ minimum wage doesn’t look good!

Retirees, the poor, the wage slaves, and anyone with savings is getting royally <synonym for the past tense of the procreation act> !

Convert currency and dollar denominated assets into things the Gooferment can’t print!

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RANT: ObamaCare “death panels”

Friday, August 2, 2013

http://www.breitbart.com/Breitbart-TV/2013/07/31/Howard-Dean-Admits-Palin-Was-Right-About-Death-Panels

HANNITY: HOWARD DEAN ADMITTED PALIN WAS RIGHT ABOUT DEATH PANELS

*** begin quote ***

FOX NEWS INSIDER – There is more proof that the ObamaCare “death panels” are alive and well. The former head of the Democratic Party, who also happens to be a medical doctor, is sounding the alarm. In a Wall Street Journal opinion piece, Howard Dean calls out a “major problem” with the health care law, known as the Independent Payment Advisory Board. Sarah Palin, who warned against death panels in 2010, reacted on Tuesday night’s Hannity.

Sean Hannity broke down why this is important. First, a high-profile Democrat and one-time medical doctor is admitting that this board is a “health care rationing body.” Second, he pointed out that Dean is acknowledging that IPAB has the authority to “stop certain treatments.”

Finally, Hannity said it serves as another frightening reminder that the American people were misled by the president and other Democrats, including Dean, about ObamaCare. President Obama stated in 2009, “Every credible person who has looked into it has said there are no so-called death panels – an offensive notion to me and to the American people. These are phony claims meant to divide us.”

*** end quote ***

Of course, when “rationing”, there’s a financial incentive to “thin the heard”. Stop paying Medicare, Social Security, and collect the various “death taxes”.

Wake up, Sheeple!

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RANT: Stupidity should cost

Thursday, August 1, 2013

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2380620/Raging-flood-flips-tour-bus-Arizona-sweeping-300-yards-downstream-stupid-driver-tries-cross-submerged-roadway.html

Seems an appropriate diktat. Don’t ask us to pay for your stupidity. Out there EVERYONE knows about flash floods.

Now about these mountain and water rescues?

Same rules should apply. The Gooferment is there to fix your mistakes.

Personal Responsibility!

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FUN: Kemosabe in his Tree Fort

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMeuwYvlBI0

Published on Jul 23, 2013
Kemosabe in his Tree Fort at Animal Wonders
Facts about Kemo start at about 2:12

A prehensile porcupine aka coendou is from South America found in the rainforests of Brazil. They use their prehensile tail to help climb and maneuver in the trees where they spend most of their lives. They are rodents and are closely related to rats and mice. They have 2 large incisors on the top and bottom which are ever-growing and need to be chiseled against each other in order to keep them the right size. Kemosabe only has 1 top incisor so he needs help from a veterinarian to file his teeth so they don’t overgrow and prevent him from being able to eat.

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The kids might find the fun; I did. But then I’m a simple soul. Like Sheldon.

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VETERANS: from $80 per night to $150 with no change in the physical plant

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Wainwright Hall at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall Privatized – source various

Wainwright Hall recently became the latest Army lodging to  be privatized and restored. The Hall is a two-story, 108-yearold brick structure that was opened in the early 20th Century, renovated through a Lend Lease (US) Public Partnerships with the developer, and InterContinental Hotels Group, the lodging operator. It cost about $4 million to bring Wainwright Hall up to modern-day standards (energy-saving heating, ventilation, air conditioning and lighting systems and controls).

The facility provides temporary lodging for soldiers and their families when they change duty stations while waiting for their new housing to become available; is used by soldiers on TDY for short-term training so they don’t need to find a place off-post, and can also be used by authorized installation visitors. Officials say the process is more effective and efficient.

“Catch 22” – room rates have jumped from $80 per night to $150 with no change in the physical plant.

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Way to screw sick vets!

# – # – # – # – #  2013-Jul-27 @ 11:02  


VETERANS: Leave no man behind; a political joke

Monday, July 29, 2013

http://freebeacon.com/forgotten-war-forgotten-soldiers/

Forgotten War, Forgotten Soldiers
Book: American POWs left behind from Korean War

American Trophies

BY: Bill Gertz
July 26, 2013 4:08 pm

*** begin quote ***

U.S. prisoners of war were left behind in North Korea, China, and Russia after the Korean War and the Pentagon failed to win their release or a full accounting of their fate, according to research contained in a new book that is highly critical of U.S. POW recovery efforts.

“The Obama White House and Pentagon show not a trace of urgency in recovering our Korean War POW/MIAs, perished or alive,” said Mark Sauter, the book’s co-author who has spent more than two decades investigating missing soldiers.

“Time is running out for many of their family members, not to mention American POWs reported in North Korea long after the war, if any still survive,” he told the Washington Free Beacon. “Contrast this with South Korea, which has recovered dozens of its POWs alive in recent years. Some family members believe the U.S. government is simply waiting for the problem to go away.”

The book, American Trophies: How American POWs Were Surrendered to North Korea, China, and Russia by Washington’s ‘Cynical Attitude,’ includes numerous cases of missing Americans from the Korean War, along with several from the Cold War and Vietnam War. It is based on years of research, interviews, and documents by the authors, Sauter and John Zimmerlee.

*** end quote ***

Every American Legion post I have ever been in has a POW / MIA table.

How can we not hold politicians and bureaucrats to account?

How can we let them keep sending girls and boys overseas in our name?

Why do we vote for folks who have NOT served?

Argh!

I first learned about the issue when I discussed “Men aren’t potatoes” from Robert Heinlein’s Starship Troopers with my Uncle who served in WW2. He borrowed my copy and read it.

Laff, he agreed with the line that “serving doesn’t make saints but it’s a good filter for cowards”.

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LIBERTARIANISM: MYOB!

Sunday, July 28, 2013

http://www.libertarianism.org/publications/essays/value-sociological-principle-rule-mind-ones-own-business

On the Value, as a Sociological Principle, of the Rule to Mind One’s Own Business
In this essay, collected in What Social Classes Owe to Each Other (1911), Sumner denounces busybody social reformers who want to run other people’s lives.

WILLIAM GRAHAM SUMNER
1911

*** begin quote ***

The danger of minding other people’s business is twofold. First, there is the danger that a man may leave his own business unattended to; and, second, there is the danger of an impertinent interference with another’s affairs. The “friends of humanity” almost always run into both dangers. I am one of humanity, and I do not want any volunteer friends. I regard friendship as mutual, and I want to have my say about it. I suppose that other components of humanity feel in the same way about it. If so, they must regard any one who assumes the rôle of a friend of humanity as impertinent. The reference of the friend of humanity back to his own business is obviously the next step.

*** end quote ***

Seems as true now as it was then.

Think about if we had avoided WW1, 2, Korea, Viet Nam?

The USA should emulate the Swiss.

Imagine the vigor if we focused on our own problems. And, not our neighbors.

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INSPIRATIONAL: Shower Hooks?

Saturday, July 27, 2013

I take my inspiration from funny places.

This morning when I took my daily shower, I noticed that the the shower curtain was fraying at the bottom. 

Badly. 

Too badly to ignore.

(Our Girl loved the shower curtain. And, was looking for the identical replacement. Don’t know what it was but I hated to change it.)

So a while ago I bought a frivolous one to replace it, when I bought one for the new condo. For some reason, I only bought one set of hooks.

Later my excuse for not replacing “her” curtain was didn’t have hooks.

So then today, I said “hey, time to replace before you trip on it.” (TBBT: The lack of adhesive ducks with umbrellas!) 

So I counted the hooks on the old one and the holes on the new one.

Equal.

Who decided how many hooks go on a shower curtain?

So no excuse, I replaced it.

Yeah for me.

Small steps slowly taken?

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RANT: Bloggers are “journalists” in terms of the First Amendement

Saturday, July 27, 2013

SurvivalBlog.com by Jim Rawles 
Odds ‘n Sods:

*** begin quote ***

Congress and the Justice Dept’s Dangerous Attempts to Define “Journalist” Threaten to Exclude Bloggers. JWR’s Comment: Considering that many blogs have readerships of 100,000 or more, while many magazines and newspapers only have 50,000 subscribers, it is ludicrous to deem the former “legitimate”, whilst excluding the latter. In a free and modern society, the very concept of “press credentials” is anachronistic and smacks of elitism, favoritism, and cronyism. For our public servants to only grant a few the “privilege” to access to attend public meetings, to observe public court trials, and to sit in the gallery of legislative chambers is haughty and supercilious. And we’ve already seen the peril of declaring it a privilege to take photos on public streets. To allow some to do so, but not others implies that the public at large is somehow de classe and that we are mere contemptuous rabble. (OBTW, as I’ve mentioned before, the level of contempt by police officers has risen to the point that there have been some cases when credentials don’t help, even if you are from a television news station.)

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Just look at what the Free Staters in New Hampshire put up with.

Or read “photography is not a crime”.

Any interaction with “the authorities” by a Mundane has the potential to go very wrong.

CZ was indicted based on his statement to the police.

Argh!

Fight back now.

“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

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FUN: Taylor Swift left a $500 tip and hit the Children’s Hospital

Friday, July 26, 2013

Re: Oh No They Didn’t! – Taylor Swift left a $500 tip at a restaurant in Philly

http://ohnotheydidnt.livejournal.com/79910232.html

That’s “my” gal!

laff!

@tswift13 #tswift #tswift13

And, did you catch her quiet visit to Philly’s Children’s Hospital?

Nicely done. No mention of it until one of her fellow Country Music stars tweeted it.

She’s got class.

Nobilese Oblige

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POLITICAL: Weiner in another sexting scandal

Thursday, July 25, 2013

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/07/23/19640828-anthony-weiner-admits-sexting-continued-after-2011-resignation-from-congress?lite

Anthony Weiner admits sexting continued after 2011 resignation from Congress

By Tracy Connor, Staff Writer, NBC News

*** begin quote ***

New York City mayoral candidate Anthony Weiner, who resigned from Congress in 2011 after a sexting scandal, admitted Tuesday that his Internet shenanigans didn’t stop when he stepped down in disgrace.
Hours after a gossip website published raunchy texts and explicit photos it said were from 2012, Weiner held an extraordinary press conference — accompanied by his wife Huma Abedin, an aide to Hillary Clinton — to apologize and ask voters for a second chance.

*** and ***

On Monday, the Dirty claimed that Weiner — who allegedly used the alias Carlos Danger — met the unnamed 22-year-old woman on the social-networking site Formspring in July 2012, sent her lewd photos and had phone sex with her before the relationship “fizzled.”

He promised her a job and a condo, said the site, which posted pictures of body parts and graphic messages about sex acts.

“Even post scandal, I thought he was misunderstood. Until I got to know him,” the woman was quoted as saying. “I thought I loved him. Pretty pathetic.”

*** end quote ***

Isn’t that offer criminal?

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RANT: No victim; no crime

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Police say 4 upstate NY bikers clocked going 138 mph on interstate, issued speeding tickets | Fox News 

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2013/07/22/police-say-4-upstate-ny-bikers-clocked-going-138-mph-on-interstate-issued/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+foxnews%2Fnational+%28Internal+-+US+Latest+-+Text%29

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So what? Why ticket them? What victim was there?

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