Why People Shouldn't "Share"

Dinesh D'Souza; an excellent response to the polemic of phony compassion.

The Pursuit of Happiness and the Great Waste of Time, Resources,and Lives, opposing It

A happy person is not belligerent. A happy person isn't envious or resentful. A happy person isn't cruel or coercive. Happiness is contagious and where there is a happy person, others will see the benefit of living in such accordance.

Is it any wonder that those so impassioned to stir conflict, hold resentment, and demand the subjugation of others to their schemes are always the ones who are clearly unhappy?

So it is that the pursuit of happiness is the most ideal of human endeavors...and, the mere desire to create constraints or command the following of other people's rules a breeding ground for discontent and the worst of human expression.

The pursuit of happiness; so obvious, so simple, so good for anyone that such values touch. Yet everywhere, perpetually, the values that cringe and grimace declare their perpetual war against it, promising that obedience to their commands will one day lead to...happiness...when they could have had, at no cost at all, such bounty from the start.

"Let's Roll" back the Authority of the State

...before it's too late.

Proof that powers of government have long breached the bounds of constitutional restraint.

There's an election in one year. Anyone who votes for any candidate not fully committed to cutting the state's size and authority considerably is helping to create a distopia worse than anything fiction has ever portrayed.

Most people get the government they deserve. The rest of us have to deal with their flawed judgement.

How a Pipe Organ Works

This is clearly off topic from what I usually post here, but it's not only informative for those who wish to know, "how things work," it's also presented in a refreshingly informal way free of the snobbish academic elitism one so often finds in discussions of intelligent topics.

"They Care" because...they want you to think they care

Most who read this blog are probably not followers of astrology but, in addition to the astrological insight this post offers, there is some superb insight and analysis of the perpetual contradiction in leftists ideals.

Cutting Edge Stagnation..."for the people"

This Is the kind of thing that only a "progressive" would be cool with.

While the left (of all degrees) typically distances itself from gulag styles of socialism, the basic concepts of obedience to the state in it's pervasive quest to control economics and all aspects of life is something they all at least sympathize with to some degree.

The fact that people who so often consider themselves rebels can ultimately be so opposed to free expression is pathetic

Anyone who thinks that the sentiments of garden variety "progressives" in the age of Obama don't ultimately lead to the elimination of individual freedom has slept through history.

As I've written often, 'you want "utopia'," "equality," "justice" - join a commune and leave the rest if us alone.

The Discreet Charm of Bureaucrats

This is just too fun! The four minute video is priceless

The Quaint Beauty of Neon Rust

First; apologies for this site being dormant for so long. My interest in posting comes and goes and I never really look upon it as anything more than a minor hobby. I like noting my personal observations but realize there are other sites out there that can say the same stuff I'm saying and say it better than I'm saying it. My thoughts would probably be better stated as "tweets" though I don't "do" tweets (I'm happily an ex-Facebook guy).

I was going to write a lengthily essay regarding the absurd dishonesty so often used in describing the so-called Tea Parties. In a nut shell, it's ridiculous that a group of concerned citizens can take a stand against excessive taxation, regulation, and the growth of government without leftland falling back on their usual nonsense about "extremists," and "racists" -- yawn.

With a minute to spare, I did want to note a thought that came to mind as I rode toward the train station where I live in Japan.

It occured to me that, in the U.S. and Europe, aged, worn, and weathered buildings typically take on a quaint charm (the mood one may find in an Andrew Wyeth painting). I realized why that is so often not the case here in Japan. Outside of cities like Tokyo, most architecture and infrastructure is from the fifties to the seventies (for a variety of obvious reasons). Some moss on an art Deco warehouse can be quite beautiful. Rusty corrugated metal, not so much.

In my eyes, the issue boils down to simply knowing when to get rid of something, or at least make necessary improvements when warranted. In the U.S. and many other places, old and unsightly buildings are remodeled or torn down and rebuilt.

In the end, this is just another of the many reasons to view prosperity as a good thing. Cities and states languishing in subsistence and decline aren't good for anyone. A society that simply issues checks to bureaucrats and a thousand and one schemes eventually "runs out of other people's money," as Margaret Thatcher famously said. It can be added that exhausting wealth doesn't help the general aesthetic environment either.

Well wishes to all as we slouch toward world socialism.

Iran and an American Foreign Policy of Incompetence

'An absolutely excellent appraisal of the blatant incompetence of American foreign policy and dealings with Iran. From, The Razor.

Greed, Selfishness, Capitalist Oppressors, and Mickey Mouse

I recently went to Tokyo Disneyland with my family. The last time I had been to one of Disney's theme parks was in Florida decades ago. I realize that Disney is ultimately a pop consumer institution so I had no expectation of being profoundly moved by deep issues or refined aesthetics. Disneyland doesn't claim to be an art museum or a crusader for "justice."

Many amongst the snob clique of leftland have a problem with large successful institutions of any kind. If a mob of lowly commoners are cheerfully consuming in a pop venue like Disneyland, all the worse in the anti-capitalist's eyes. Of course, failed state institutions are defended by them to no end.

It can be assumed that Disney, as a business, wants to make lots of money. What's seldom considered is, Iike all businesses, Disney chooses to do something specific to get that money. Of the billions of things it could have done to "get rich" it chose to entertain children and families, which implies that commerce in general is beyond a narrow label like, "greed."

After getting my money (the entrance fee), capitalist Tokyo Disney gave me a chance to leave corporatist Japan. Unlike most of Japan, the grass and landscaping was neatly trimmed, there were no rust-stained surfaces, and once indoors the temperatures were cool and comfortable (not the muggy stale air of Japan's government-recommended temperature of 28c). I could even easily find places to dispose of or recycle waste paper and plastic. In most of Japan, bureaucrats have determined that less waste will be produced if one has to lug around every gum wrapper rather than disposing of it immediately. Apparently carrying it around and trowing it away later saves the Earth or something. They charge for using approved trash bags at home -' wouldn't want the trash-o-crats coming up short in their yearly tax-funded bonuses.

Disneyland is a good case in point demonstrating how capitalism is ultimately not about capitalism. It's about a million and one things valued by a million and one individuals who daily choose some services, products, or ideals and choose to reject others. Disney appears to have no deliberate desire to comment upon any ism beyond liesure-ism (if there is such a thing). Capitalism's parasitic opposite, socialism, on the other hand, is stridently ideological, with smug proclamations as to what it is not ("greedy," and "selfish," etc.). Attractions at disneyland have nothing to do with "justice," "building a fair society," or anything else in the demagogue's bag of catch-phrase philosophy.

It just so happens that all the wonderful playful things one can experience in life are more easily attained in a system that doesn't feel compelled to impose an ideology.

Can one ever imagine a socialist state spontaneously producing what Disney has produced or, for that matter; movies, airplanes, or flush toilets. A committee would be formed and all politically correct considerations would be followed and we'd end up with just another boring bureau-scheme devoid of life and color. Later it would be closed as socialist autocrats determine their priorities of subsistence rationing and funding the security and propaganda apparatus.

Disneyland in Tokyo is amazingly successful,..in Europe, not so much. There are some in Europe (perhaps many) who view it as a vehicle for "cultural imperialism," which is actually a pretty dumb concept in the left's arsenal of nonsense. No one is forced to go to Disney and, unlike - say - Obamacare, no one is penalized for choosing not to use it. Do French kids really savor an afternoon at Sartreland or Derrida world?

I've said it many times on these pages; socialism is not only stale, conforming, inefficient, and often ruthless, it just plain isn't fun and when they see fun make it illegal -- "For the people" of course.

So, enjoy the voluntary pleasures of Micky Mouse and company. Let the corporation that perpetuates the fun continue to get rich, and let coffee shop intellectuals contemplate the horrors of fun, bourgeois inferiority, and their own pathological angst.

A Brief Comment About Putin

By now, most politically-minded observers have read Vladimir Putin's comments in the New York Times.

Hopefully, more than a few have read the response penned by Jim DeMint as well.

I'm not going to get into a lengthily commentary about what should be obvious. DeMint's comments -- and ones by others -- effectively do that.

Criticisms of the U.S. -- some more than justified -- are beyond easy. If I can paraphrase Reagan in one of his rather funny but insightful jokes; In the U.S. we can criticize our leaders. Russians has the same freedom and they too can criticize America's leaders.

Chastisements coming from the current Russian bureau-autocrat are on par with the usual critiques heard and read daily on college campuses and in classrooms across America and by self-important intellectual whiners everywhere. It's been pointed out that what Putin wrote was basically what those on the political left say and write daily. What's really ironic is that the American president Putin directs much of his critique to has, in the past, held many of the same beliefs. In Putin's favor (and not Obama's), I'd note that he at least has some pride and confidence in his own nation. Pity our current president can only occasionally make a brief comment or two in favor of America and its system and values, and when he does it usually comes across as less than sincere. Obama and his wife have a long history of being typical American academic mentalities far removed from anything that could be even vaguely considered confident in our nation's -- exceptional -- founding principals (which is seen by the left as cheesy at best and fascist in spirit).

One more thing I want to note about Putin in general. I understand the macho posturing for a guy in his forties or so. Guys want to look cool. Rinding bare-chested on horseback, wrestling wild animals, and posing with dead tigers just makes one look ...like they're posing. When you're a man over sixty, its time to simply look dignified in your suit and play responsible elder statesman. When the latest Putin- as-James Bond/Indiana Jones photo comes out, it reminds me of those once attractive women who are now old ladies but insist on wearing a short skirt and dying their hair bleach blond -- it just looks pathetic.

I truly hope that one day the long suffering people of Russia will be graced with a decent truly representative government that will leave them to excel, pursue happiness, and even criticize the state and its leaders. For now, 'some minor advancement from the past, but very minor.

Consensus is when everyone agrees to be stupid.

Government: The Gift That Keeps On Taking

This guy is great. My sympathies and appreciation goes out to anyone who rubs the pathetic reality of state-theft in the faces of the worthless parasites of government who daily / hourly coerce, compel, and assault free peoples.

No doubt that many who adore, or at least tolerate, the minions of state find this guy's actions absurd or perhaps stupid, but somebody has got to occasionally play with bureau-mind's feeble thought and remind us all just how much we are letting government enslave us to a death of a thousand cuts.

'Can't say it enough; screw the government!

The Loving Commands of State

There are things in the politics of contemporary events that infuriate me and this is one of them.

The state just plain sucks. I can only hope that the bureau-minions responsible for such things get their just "reward" in the end. "In the end" would be a good place to start.

Elysium

Whether you understand or appreciate astrology or not, this is an excellent critique of the new science fiction / political polemic, "Elysium."

Unlike many lefties I've known, I can actually sit through a propaganda piece that insults my worldview and intelligence. I can still appreciate acting and film-making even when the producer and director have goals beside creative entertainment. The best example, Avatar - nonsense to the extreme. But, I watched it. It had some merits.

I'll watch Elysium. Unlike so many on the left, I can endure a cheesy and transparent expression of the other sides views, if there's something else going on that I can enjoy. I'll watch it but I'll be rolling my eyes.

The Civility of the Righteous

This is sooo true. I can't count the number of times total strangers as well as friends have energetically insulted me just because they can't fathom the idea that others could support the virtues of limited government and maximum liberty. In the article, I particularly like the anti-tea party comment. I don't know where these people are finding this fictional nemesis. In virtually all video footage, interviews, and writings, the tea parties have shown themselves to be nothing more than citizens opposed to the massive increase of government intrusion in our lives. How progressives are able to see "racism," "fascism," and other extremist traits in a a group of mostly common folks is bizarre and tells us more about the progressives' fantasy world then any real world conditions.

I can't count the number of times I've politely listened to someone ramble insults at me that had no grounding in facts or accurate appraisal of what I believe or have said.

In the end, they're control freaks. The bottom line for most on the left is that the world must change to their model and anyone who doesn't wish to go along for the ride must be brow-beaten into submission or ostracized from public discourse.

..some dignity please.

The Cup is Half...Gone

At this point, I'm rather torn between an optimistic or pessimistic view of how events will eventually play out for The United States in the age of stealth turbulence. Most astute observers would certainly gauge the age of Obama as something far different than those of decades past. While Obama himself has been a grand catalyst to America's decline (on a variety of levels), one certainly can't give a free pass to his enablers in the Demo-comm party and other assorted "progressive" individuals and institutions.

In times past I tended to the optimistic. Idealistically, I truly believed the American character and coincidences of history made the U.S. virtually immune from the totalitarian impulse so easily sprung upon other nations. "Bouncing back" was a given. Innovation, self-reliance, and the "selfish" pursuit of happiness virtually guaranteed that a pendulum wandering too far away from individual liberty would be pulled back to saner and more prosperous designs.

This recent article isn't brilliant, scholarly, or particularly unique but pretty well summarizes "the mess we're in."

The base strengths of the American character have been ambushed on all sides by those who would feed the beast of state. In an era when the departments that run education and the country's pension system (Social Security) purchases huge rounds of hollow point bullets....something is a bit foreboding beyond mere reasonable suspicion.

Even if the citizens of America somehow sober up from their progressive binge in experimental socialism, it will take some unique and gifted leadership to put the country back on track and wean its population from the age of free stuff at another's expense.

A cold turkey libertarian approach to economics and government would do the trick over time but with close to half the population still enthralled by - or at least accepting of - a now watered down version of "hope and change," there isn't much that can really be achieved without massive protests and civil upheaval thwarting sane policy in its tracks. This, combined with the continued nonsense dispensed from most media outlets, entertainment, and, "education," and there appears to be little chance of a restoration. To the contrary, Hillary Clinton seems poised to basically give Obama a symbolic third and fourth term.

I think many are making a mistake to think that Obama and company are merely trying to gently nudge America into a Euro-style welfare statism. To me it is much clearer that he is still a community [dis]organizer fully implementing the ideals of Saul Alinsky and Cloward-Piven, etal. All of these so-called "pivots to the economy" have been deliberate distractions as he does what he has always intended - to bring the American system and it's role in the world crashing down with nowhere to go but pure statism. Whether it settles into something corporatist, socialist, or commie-fascist will be a moot point - it simply will become another nightmare for those who merely wish to prosper and be left alone.

The cup is now neither half full nor empty. It's been chipped away so that, in the end, all that will remain is cupped hands.

Too bad...

Posts and Paranoia

I don't want to become paranoid and, realistically, I'm sane enough to know that there are many reasons one's blog may dissipate from common access but, over the last few days my stats show that literally no one is accessing this site (I'm only writing this in the possibility that they are and they're just not showing up on my stats).

There are always a few people who regularly check in through the week (thank you!) but now they are gone as well. I certainly doubt the coincidence that literally everyone who previously read my blog has decided to stop...at the same time.

I currently don't have time to deal with the possibilities but, for now, ...oh well. Perhaps later I can get my site up and running.

This could be no more than a technical failure of some kind but it's also not entirely unreasonable to suspect the usual suspects in the never ending game between those who hold sober views and the idealists who seek to crush all opposition.

Seeing Through No-color Glasses

If the events surrounding the recent Zimmerman trial had transpired as a scuffle between two white people, or two black people, or two hispanic people, or......, most sane people would find it a hard call to determine if a murder had taken place. At best, they'd suggest that a jury with all the facts presented from the prosecution and defense would best be able to determine the most just outcome.

Enter, race. Now everyone is conjuring an decision as to who is a hero, victim, or villain.

'Just plain dumb.

The Innocent Tyranny -- or Perpetual Inconvenience -- of the "Community"

It's Sunday and I had the good fortune to sleep in (though 9:00 isn't what I'd really consider "sleeping in"). There's a little park near our house and upon looking out our window at that early hour I could see a mob of about thirty people crawling about on the ground carefully pulling up weeds and crabgrass from the parched excuse for a lawn that partially covers the park. I rolled my eyes when I became aware of what was happening. I see it every year and it's always a surprise. My wife's retired father is tuned in to this sort of thing and thus makes the showing for our household while the lazy American (me) selfishly indulges in one of the many fruits available to a truly free person -- the ability to sleep in on Sunday ("the horror!").

You'd think that a country supposedly so dominated by American culture could at least pull off a decent copy of the concept of applying tax receipts to simple things like park maintenance.

I'm sure more than a few westerners would look upon this communal activity as the epitome of cooperation and sense of belonging. I think it's pathetic. It's not the only action or sacrifice of time made under a phony cloud of obligatory "volunteering." In Japan, the concept of "peer pressure" isn't the same as what we understand of it in America and much of the west. There's no sense of "pressure" because it's simply a done deal. You just obey, sacrifice, "cooperate," and bow to conventions -- because that's the way it is and no one would think to question it. Meanwhile the drones of government on all levels take in mega-tax receipts (and barrow twice the country's GDP) to pay huge annual bonuses to bureaucrats and dish out cash to crony capitalists. The crony capitalists then pay politicians to keep the flow of tax money going to the companies that have covered Japan in concrete while weeds and grass remain uncut in "parks" and along highways.

This rant isn't to bust on Japan specifically. Like all countries, it has it's strengths and weaknesses. The innocent neighbors pried from their beds to pull weeds in a not so beautiful park are simply fulfilling the role of all drones who have been convinced that obedience and sacrifice is good and questioning it an act on par with treason.

Each local community has a system that organizes such banal and unnecessary effort (I think maintaining parks is one of the few things a tax-funded local government should actually be doing if it insists on taking their money). Every year or so a leader takes their compulsory turn shouldering considerable responsibility and time organizing the detailed activities and events of this pseudo-government within a government. There is a treasurer also burdened with time and headaches, collecting money for annual festivals and such (something citizens of the U.S. and elsewhere would call block parties - arranged privately by people genuinely volunteering to have fun). Several people are chosen to dispense information, on foot, as well (the "information" is top-heavy in mere advertisements).

I remember a student of mine who was a widowed mother working full time and raising three kids getting stuck with one of these stupid collectivist con-scheme chores. She, like many others I've known, made it clear; one can not simply say "no." The (completely unneccessary) burden is to be accepted unquestioned.

The local community annoyance structure reminds me in some ways of the neighborhood snitch system set up in country's like Cuba (clearly it's not currently so ominous). The interface with the organs of the real government is there but there are currently no "enemies of the state" to seek, reveal, and destroy. In harder times or if a more authoritarian style state were to ever emerge, Japan is ready to go. In such circumstance, the hierarchy's call for morning weed pulling could easily morph into the call to the locale police and propaganda bureau regarding Watanabe- san's reluctant support for, " the people" or the party. Certainly Japan is nowhere near that at this time, but I have a feeling that such a conversion here would be relatively easy given the Japanese respect for (obedience to) unquestioned authority. No doubt such a con could be imposed in the U.S. at some future time as well. But there I'm comforted by the fact that many would either roll their eyes up or openly say, "This is bullshit!" We can see who, in America, would be the most tolerant of authoritarian decree and "management." If one has ever stood quietly and listened to a fervent supporter of Obama and "Hope and Change" one could get an idea of what they'd be like as a neighborhood guardian of community solidarity.

Some people I've known in Japan will actually defend the whole "community" scam here as part of "Japanese culture." It's a classic response among many citizens here to view any socialist/corporatist political dictate as somehow being an attribute of "Japanese culture." As if corruption and compliant bending over were somehow on par with the tea ceremony and flower arranging.

Concepts like genuine volunteering, maintaining parks, and communicating local information transpires smoothly in places like the U.S. without forcing people into various levels of sacrifice. My intention is not to note a specific comparison between Japan and America (the country I happen to be from), as there are many countries -- albeit dwindling -- that afford effective local vitality and atmosphere without intruding upon citizen's personal time and energy.

I had a student that was cosmopolitan and sensical enough to realize he was being screwed over by this community nonsense, so he looked up the history of it it found that it was originally no more than a public mobilization scheme cooked up during the Second World War to rally communities to the war effort. During the American occupation the networks were outlawed (for obvious reasons). After Japan gained its independence, some bureau-minded clowns with a nostalgia for that old time obedience reinstituted the framework, this time applying it to more banal things (like pulling weeds and organizing glamorized block parties).

I realize that many (especially citizens of Japan) would find it offensive that I, a foreigner living in Japan, would criticize what has become an entrenched part of their society but, when the time comes, I'll be out there bright and early some morning "volunteering." But, unlike the others, I'll be rolling my eyes as I often do when I see so many around me so oblivious to the fact that they're being conned by the same mentality that brings us excessive taxation, inefficiency, corruption, and intrusion into our personal lives.

...down on your knees. It's to help the "community."

Dependance Day

This about sums it up.

I'd only add that much of these transgressions against constitutional freedom were perpetuated by charlatans who fancied themselves champions of the oppressed and guardians of moral perfection.

The Statist Drift

...Beyond sides.

As a right winger (a person who believes in limited constitutional government, the rule of law, and individualism), I'm not too happy with the course of events as we drift progressively (pun intended) further into the left wing nirvana of the socialist welfare state. A few of the more wise and honest on the left are justly a bit unsettled by manifestations of this as well, as they can discern the common threat to all from a powerful centralized state. It's one thing to want a dreamland "where all are cared for" and quite another to know the dream-state finds it necessary to monitor all communications, target political enemies, and proclaim their "right" to not answer questions before the people's elected body regarding their own corruptions, deceptions, and power plays.

To be sure, Obama and the Demo-comm party have manifested all the fears we on the right have of a monolithic state overextended in its intrusions upon free people. While the contemporary clique' of entrenched leftism has been more than successful in imposing their vision, the monster they've helped to create is beyond party or sides of a political spectrum. The statist bureaucracy really doesn't care about little things like political parties. The state cares about...the state. While some may find it fanciful to anthropomorphize government, it does have a certain will of its own, not only to self-preservation but to amassing power beyond any attempts to oppose it.

The congress won't give Obama what he wants regarding "climate change" so he's going to do it himself through decrees no different in character than what a king may command. He does it because he can, because a bureaucratic state stands to benefit and will comply with any "order" to self-perpetuate. Rest assured that a decree to the minions of state to disband or relinquish power would not be met with such "obedience."

Generally, leftism is the current best vehicle for implementing what the state wishes for its own aggrandizement of power. Various styles of traditionalism, nationalism, and other alignments misnamed as "right-wing," could just as easily fulfill the dreams of the mega-state.

Only a fool, on any point of a political spectrum, would fail to see that the unbridled growth of government authority will be a bad thing for all.

On another somewhat related note, while we've all heard of the NSA's new massive facility in Utah (set to "open" soon), why have we not heard of any prominent politician or journalist calling for its immediate end?

Right now, Obama, the Demo-comms, and "progressives" rule with virtually no effective opposition. Perhaps the pendulum will later swing but, it doesn't matter. The state has more than a foot in the door, and a majority population that could say "No!" and defund the beast is nowhere to be found.

"Use[less] Idiots"

I've been listening to Laszlo Montgomery's excellent podcast, "The China History Podcast," (available on ITunes).

The current subject I've been listening to has been the life and times of Sidney Rittenberg, a classic communist idealist - intelligent, idealistic, a man with - no doubt - strong convictions. Like so many who have dedicated themselves to the cause of molding society into compelled conformity (something they call, "equality"), Rittenberg, in spite of his intellect and devotion to a cause, was an idiot (I realize that his life was a million times more grand than my own - but I can still note, quite accurately, that, he's an idiot).

What struck me most about the events of Rittenberg's life is the all too common theme that runs through the lives of many communists and communist "fellow travelers," being ill-treated or imprisoned on more than one occasion (by the communists they follow), and seeing up close the in-you-face failings of socialism in action, and still remaining dedicated.

I realize it may be Socialism Lite, but one finds this with followers of the current U.S. president as well. No matter how weak, corrupt or ineffective he shows himself to be, he is still adored by many and can literally "do no wrong."

When a political figure I admire screws up and shows their human failings or hypocricy, I cringe with embarrassment for them and basically distance myself from any support I may have shown. I'd dare say that this is because conservatives (and libertarians) are generally motivated by seeking to achieve practical ends - not so much, "dreams and visions." The rhetoric is sometimes required of course, but in the end we want things that work and achieve positive results. The left will fund a plethora of projects that have clearly failed, advocate spending billions to "solve global warming" (even as average temperatures remain static or decline), and swear that a president who has clearly accomplished nothing (and done considerable damage) belongs on Mt. Rushmore.

I've written it several times before; idealism is a wonderful spark to creative enterprises - to art, music, and literature. To direct the temperament of an artist to the ends of structuring society is useless...and I might add that devotees of such causes are...idiots.

The Media and Stockholm Syndrome

Violent rioting in Sweden. ..."Immigrants," "youth," "the unemployed."

Yeah...that's it.

Now, move along. Nothin ta see here.

Synchronicity

Somewhat off-topic but, oh well. I was going through some old papers recently and found this little gem (the photos below).

I've always loved the concept of "synchronicity" as defined by Swiss psychologist, Carl Jung. Most people are somewhat familiar with the concept as an expression of "meaningful coincidence." Some coincidences/synchronicities are rather mundane and relatively unimpressive. Some are utterly bizarre, amazing, or shocking. I've read several books on the subject as well as Jung's comments on it. I don't find it particularly mystical or "magical" but I do find it very intriguing. I've seen some good ones. One of them is the one below.

To my knowledge no one has commented on this. Surely someone had to have noticed it. A couple of years after 9/11 (the 9/11) I was leafing through some random magazines at work and saw this. As you can see from the date of the magazine (at the bottom right of the page after the Manhattan photo), it was the edition which came out the month before the terrorist attack. In addition, such an ad obviously would have been planned and laid out earlier than the August magazine publication date.

It's fairly self-explanatory; a Yahoo ad that plays on the concept of being "left out" by suggesting you use a product to feel "left in." Their mildly witty symbol is an old photo of New York's financial district skyline with a very obvious modern feature that one was used to seeing, -- the World Trade Center buildings -- "left out."

As with all synchronicities, one can write it off as "mere coincidence" or micro-analyze it enough to explain it away as being nothing out of the ordinary.

...but, I like synchronicities so I'm going to say this is a valid one and it's just plain weird.

I'm sure some conspiratorial types would like to read something beyond a synchronicity or coincidence into it.

Appraise at will and draw your own conclusions.

S & M for Nations and Peoples

Acting in moderation is different than not acting at all. For a nation (or like entity), the pages of history hammer home the truth that war-mongers and pacifists alike...get their asses kicked in the end (no pun intended).

Reason doesn't pick fights or bow to bullies. "Walk softly and carry a big stick."

Usual Suspects

If the recent terrorist act(s) in Boston had been the acts of a disgruntled "right-wing extremist" (as some pundits were quick to speculate), the media chatter would now be non-stop regarding the dangers posed by common citizens opposed to taxes and government overreach. I'd imagine that people like Rush Limbaugh and Sarah Palin would be implicated as well for "creating an environment of hate." But, this act of terror was motivated by the fervent demon of idealist/authoritarian philosophy (e.g. "the religion of peace").

Supposedly wanting the state and other busy-bodies and control freaks to leave one alone poses a great danger. Wanting to impose a world-wide caliphate however...lets not be too quick to judge.

Another incident from the followers of Allah Akbar incorporated. Who would have guessed.

Serious condolences to all who have suffered from another meaningless act of self-righteous rage.

America's Public Schools...

...Classic

War-mongering vs. Constraint

Amazing. Even Hitler and Stalin (et al) would at least try to pull off some semblance of legitimate reasoning for what were ultimately acts of naked aggression.

With the nutcase COMMUNIST (just so you know) regime of North Korea, the most absurd, childish, and pathetic excuses are routinely given for their desire to vent a tantrum with a potential to engulf the world in turmoil (not to mention millions of deaths). Certainly their irresponsible recklessness could spark events that could lead to world war (if enough energy is focused in Asia, no doubt Iran would note a golden moment to vent their brand of insanity. If Chavez's man in Venezuela wins the election there, he'd no doubt contribute what he could to the cause of socialist totalitarianism).

The latest threats from the lunatic regime in North Korea are something along the lines of, "If we shoot a rocket at Japan and Japan shoots it down to protect their citizens then we are justified in hitting Tokyo with a nuclear weapon. Yeah...ah...okay.

The West, America, South Korea, and Japan are remarkably restrained about this. If this mentality and rhetoric were between a group of high school students, this would be the point where everyone else decides to beat the shit out of the loudmouthed asshole.

In our global "high school," the restraint showed by everyone who isn't North Korea has been amazing. Much more tolerant than I could ever be.

As a side note, for an emerging world power that seeks respect and admiration, it's time for China to choose their side with definitive statements. The nonsense of pseudo-solidarity with goose-stepping bullies with a chip on their shoulder is way past its shelf life.

Where's Douglas MacArthur when you need him?

Margaret Thatcher Passes...and the Left's Response

To be expected.

From the same self-righteous clique that brought us "peace, love, cooperation, and tolerance." Go figure

Honest Reporting in Dishonest Times

Initially it sounded a little weird but, on a FOX News video the other day, they referred to North Korea as a "communist" country and later, a "dictatorship." I realized that it sounded weird because, even though everyone knows that both descriptions are completely accurate, one often finds other news sources shying away from such matter-of-fact labels.

Communism isn't supposed to be seen as a bad thing in some people's eyes, and they certainly don't want images of goose-stepping authoritarian war-mongers associated with a "philosophy" still favored by many. Calling any country (other than our own) a dictatorship is deemed "unhelpful" and in the deluded fantasy world of many intellectuals such accuracy runs contrary to their worship of relativism. Indeed, as Fox noted, North Korea is a dictatorship and a communist country. I'd add one other thing with partisan emphasis, both concepts are bad.

To Be Expected

It came a bit faster than I expected but, sure enough, some total moron of a journalist asked a white house representative if the Pentagon's sending of B-2 stealth bombers to South Korea may have "provoked" the North Koreans.

My suggestion to this clown and like-minded media drones; listen to what the North Korean dictatorship says, wake up, think real hard about the world you live in.

Of course I could suggest that those who harbor such blatantly stupid ideas be engulfed in a "merciless sea of fire," but that may be intruding on North Korea's intellectual property rights.

Information vs. Insight

Academic credentials can only convey one's having been exposed to knowledge (and often they fail to even do that). The scope, depth, and quality of that knowledge is certainly not guaranteed.

Credentials and time spent exposed to academic echo chambers cannot in themselves produce wisdom.

To be wise, honest, and insightful has nothing to do with the clannish arrogance of many in the academic class.

Long live the academy...and may so many of the charlatans who have overtaken it fade from its halls due to their pompous rejection of wisdom and preference for a cheap substitute of merely parroting dogma.

The Status of an Illusion

'Just a brief note. What exactly has become of the plan to hire an additional 15,000 IRS agents to enforce stipulations in "Obamacare?" Of course little things like tours at the White House are now at risk -- supposedly -- because of the sequester's frightening two and a half percent cut in "services." It's been noted by many but, federal expenditures have dramatically increased over the last several years. A two and a half percent "cut" isn't even a cut by any sane observation.

The cronyism, corruption, and unbridled use of power now being exercised by our current progressive-in-chief is unprecedented.

This guy and his entourage of socialist autocrats is definitely skating the boundaries of being impeached. At this time it sounds barely plausible but it's an end worth waiting for.

Also, vaguely related, what's up with this mega-purchase of hollow-point bullets by homeland security? It appears that Obama and party were just warming up with scandals in waiting like "Fast and Furious."

If it weren't for the congress, some media outlets, and a portion of the population thus far unconned, I believe we'd have a full-blown Stalinist on our hands (with a dash of radical Islam sympathy).

I can only hope that more voters will be wising up in coming elections.

Don't Comply

Certainly everyone who reads blogs like this are aware of New York City mayor Bloomberg's attempts to rein in any human activity he sees fit to control. As usual with clowns like this, it's all "for your own good." You'll be healthier, wiser, and a more perfect specimen of an egalitarian drone-in-compliance. "Do it...Now!" ...for the people, for the children, for the volksgemeinschaft (the Nazi reference to the "folk community").

Bloomberg's signature command of late has been to constrain the size of sugary beverages sold in New York. 'Seems harmless enough, even helpful but...What the hell is going on here? Can any sober-minded individual truly say that America's constitution gives the government authority over the size of drinks sold to customers? Fortunately a judge ruled that the command ("regulations" should be called what they truly are, commands) was "too arbitrary, " which it was. I would have preferred that he describe the subject of his ruling more accurately, it's blatantly unconstitutional (trite as the issue itself may be).

The thing that caught my eye most in this recent attempt to feed unwarranted authority to government was not Bloomberg's arrogant command. That should be perennially expected from many politicians and fellow citizens alike. It also wasn't the judge' s ruling, nice as that was. What caught my attention most in media reporting on the issue was that most food-serving establishments had already prepared for the new size regulation with new pricing and menus etc. ...'Just like that, everybody folds.

I get the idea that if you're a small - or even large - business that you cooperate with laws no matter how absurd they often are. No need to make waves when you have a daily operation to run. But, why can't more businesses and individuals at least go semi "Galt" on the autocrats of state? What exactly would be the response from the government if 90% of New York's food industry said..."No!...Fuck you! You have no authority whatsoever over the size of drinks I offer willing patrons." "I will not comply."

On some level, my wishes on the matter are a bit idealistic and, who cares about a few people drinking healthier doses of sugar. That said, there are thousands of actions of late by federal, state, and local authority that have no constitutional basis whatsoever and infringe on the very essence of one's sense of living in a free society.

My tiny blog will certainly have little exposure or impact but I would hope somewhere, someway that a new "viral" phenomena would occur. The simple notion of:

"Don't comply"... "I will not comply!"

"Pacifists"...really?

The possibility that, at some time in the future, a garden variety dictator may seek to strike the U.S. with a nuclear weapon, and with North Korea emphasizing that it will now seek a "first strike" using such weapons, it's good to know that we've developed a reasonably effective missile defense system to protect ourselves and our democratic friends.

It's interesting to note that, from the beginning, many Democrats and virtually all "progressive" leftists have opposed funding and development of such a defensive system. Now why do you suppose that would be? Initially it was because, "it wouldn't work," now their reason appears to be because it does work.

Leftism - always - no friend of freedom.

Chavez is Dead...

...but the phony Marxist "revolution" lives on as it always will.

I'm not one to dance on anyone's grave - it's tacky. But, I also won't act as if I care that another demagogue has moved on.

Chavez merely stood for ego self-aggrandizement through a delusional mind-meld with "the poor and oppressed." Anyone can do it. One can hear the same voice "speak out" in any coffee shop, college campus, or the halls of the White house.

As long as people are mad that life isn't fair, (no doubt, if hydrogen atoms could think, they'd be jealous of the inequality among other elements with more particles) and as long as they can find a person or group to blame for their condition, control freaks, autocrats, and garden variety narcissists will continue "the struggle" to put anyone who opposes their vision beneath their boot.

If capitalism, individual freedom, striving, and achievement didn't exist, it would be necessary to invent it (as an adversary), so spoiled brats, thugs, and control freaks could look in the mirror and see a hero...at war with all things noble.

On The Adulation of Phantoms

If there were no Obama, no doubt some people would need to invent one.

The Horror :o

It just occurred to me that, if I were forced to cut back my expenses by the same amount America's federal government will soon be compelled to cut, I would have to reduce my weekly expenses by $18.00 (!) ...Like, how could I continue to survive? That's almost $2.60 a day! That would mean no coffee at Starbucks! For the government, the same percentage reduction (in their case, actually, a reduction in the planned rate of growth) will mean planes crashing, possible undefended invasion and terror attacks, no schools, no medical service. I've got an idea, how about just remove the free coffee dispensed daily to our mega-state minions in their offices? Then the state's suffering would be on par with mine if I had to reduce my spending by a horrid 2.5%.

Our president and America's Democratic party...so funny.

The Film Industry Knows What Real Art Is..

Apparently Zero Dark 30's "torture" scenes were too much for the squeamish and gentle souls of Hollywood. Does this mean I won't have to hear about the genius of movies like Reservoir Dogs and Kill Bill any more? Oh yeah... Don't forget, Fahrenheit 9/11 was "the greatest documentary ever made."

The State of the Collective Delusion

I can't really add anything to what a million and one pundits have been saying about the state of the union address other than...'What a completely incompetent, clueless idiot!

Definitely, after five years of economic surrealism, the best way to resurrect a multi-trillion dollar economy is - wait for it - "investment in education and green energy" and "asking the wealthiest among us to pay their fair share."

'No way around it (and, excuse my lack of professionalism), marxists are assholes.

Oh yes, don't forget your "obligations" to the "community."

Awesome Speech

Apologies again for a rather dormant blog. I'm not sure when or even if I'll return to regular blog postings. The reason is nothing more dramatic than just being currently snowed under by life's trivial errands. I think daily of things I want to say (write) but it's either that or the chore at hand. Mundane responsibilities have thus far won the struggle.

I did see the following link (I think it was on Drudge) which really impressed me. The guy giving this speech is one cool dude and his statements and style clearly contrast with the stale contrivances of the current president

The content and delivery of this speech is absolutely superb (including some rather folksy funny jokes). The whole thing is a bit long (about twenty-something minutes) but any part of it will lure you on to want to hear more. Oh yeah, that second man to the speaker's right is none other than our "commander and chief." As a bonus, in addition to a downright profound speech, we get to observe the body language and obvious discomfort of a charlatan being schooled by a man of substance on common sense appraisals of the events and perspectives of our times. 'Absolutely priceless.

In a state of temporary hibernation....

Have a fun month!