Reminder: Most of the comments below are links to stories being commented upon. I urge you to read the links for background to my commentary.
So far so good, said the man who jumped off the Observation Deck of the Empire State Building as he passed each floor. Once more, here are some random thoughts on the news of the day and other events.
Random Thought #1: If Donald Trump doesn’t participate in the Fox News Republican Presidential Primary Candidate Debate Thursday night, my personal opinion of him will ratchet down several notches. Why? Because a president has to be willing to go up against hostile reporters and audiences – if not leaders of other countries – and hold his own against their biases and prejudices. A leader who is not willing to do that demeans himself and not those who he seeks to minimize. Political leaders are going to face hostility from a host of fronts, and be asked unfair and biased questions at every turn. It is how they face those challenges are the mark of how they will lead. Nuff said on that topic.
This is an interesting take - which I find considerable to agree with - on the angst between the political "establishment" and the populist revolt that seems to be shaking the political process on both sides of the political aisle. It is quite thought provoking in my humble opinion and I sincerely encourage you to read this article.
Victor Hanson strikes again. I really like his perspective on most issues and so I commend one of his latest efforts on US policies. TR was right.
There is a certain amount of truth to this analysis of recent polling data. And the sad thing is that most Americans are feeling a disconnect between them and their elected representatives. I don't know if that is a product of the 24-hour news cycle, or the social media or politicians putting careers ahead of the integrity of doing public service. But the option is scary, as more people see turning to active militant resistance - whether it racial or political or economic – as the solution and that is getting worrisome.
On another front, just because it seems at the moment to be not likely, or even improbable, not prepareing for this contingency really is malfeasance on the part of American citizens ... not just the government, not just the military, but the rest of us smucks who should realize that it can happen and to be prepared will be cheaper than not being prepared.
A very valid point here about the reasons why we fight ... unfortunately, I don't see it going away anytime soon. Something about humans being humans in my book.
Another story with a very valid point of view ... but it also points out that unless human nature changes (which it won't, in my humble opinion) this what we are left with. If you disagree with me, then you are an evil vile person.
Another essay by Victor Hanson ... this one on the new segregation that seems to be in vogue right now ... we are deliberating separating ourselves in to racial enclaves in order to make some people feel safe or to meet some arbitrary standard of how people should be distributed in the society's scheme of things. I agree that if we keep going this way instead of assimilating and amalgamating into one group - humans or Americans, take your pick - then the end result is going to be catastrophic.
Thomas Sowell on how we seem fixated on finding villians for all that beset us so that we can be victims with grievances that can demand that we are entitled to reparations of some sort in compensation for whatever it was the villians did to us ... or we perceive they did to us ... it doesn't matter whether anybody really did, just that it is perceived that way.
A slight digression here on why barns used to almost always be red. It explains why the red paint used to paint barns was so cheap ... called the law of supply and demand ... which is why barns were painted red ... get it: Red paint was the cheapest paint farmers could find.
This author is correct ... and it is sad ... but the reason for the populist "revolt" that seems to be prevelant this election cycle is that people really are getting tired of being looked down on and treated with condescenion by our various elites, whether it political, social, economic, media, academic ... or whatever. Sooner or later, the "underclass" will get pissed off ... have we reached that point yet?
This seems to be the next medical catastrophe that we have to run in circles, scream and shout in panic (to use the phrase Pappy taught me). Yes, it seems that this disease is coming to America (and at least one report says it already is here) but I don't think panic in is the orders for the day.
Interesting backgrounder on the term Nazi, and about labels in general. Thought provoking.
This is a type of story that I find quite distasteful. If someone is your political opponent then let's rain on their parade by pointing out that their father or grandfather or some ancester did something that you find objectionable today. All the more to discredit them because you don't like their political views. In short, this is crap, but I see the progressives keep trotting this bovine scatalogy out ... forgetting that some of their heroes' parents are guilty of the same sins.
This scathing commentary by a Canadian across the border from Detroit/Flint makes a very valid point that we often don't want to face: Our governments suck at doing their basic jobs.
This is really going to stir the pot, but hopefully the Oregon standoff will end peacefully, without any more bloodshed. We don't know what went down out there, so speculation is fruitless.
With the arrest of the leadership of the Oregon occupiers, the leadership shifts. Maybe they will withdraw peacefully ... I hope that local, state and federal authorities let them, without retribution, because that will only fan the flame of dissent.
A view from the BBC reporters of the Oregon occupation and arrests.
A YouTube video worth watching from one of the people with those arrested by state and federal authorities. I hope people heed his pleas.
A somewhat less balanced report, but still ... its does let alternative reports have some airing.
A very good dissertation on how free markets work and how government price and wage controls serve to distort the market and create problems. Worth considering.
This writer makes the case why Bernie Sanders would make a very bad president ... I won't argue with him ... unfortunately, he apparently thinks Hillary Clinton would be a better option ... and he loses me there.
An analysis of the Trump candidacy and what it supposedly means. It is worth reading.
Another story about Trump and his supporters, which harks back to an article above that talks about framing those who disagree with you as evil and vile people ... which isn't really true, but it is the way it is being put out there.
The indictment of the undercover journalists who filmed Planned Parenthood executives discussing providing fetal body parts from abortions on what really are technical charges should, and probably will, send a chill of self-censorship through the entire journalistic community that occasionally uses undercover methods to get their story. While the grand jury refused to indict the PPH leaders, I am not sure that absolves them from the moral issue, which as I see it is needed to resolve the legal issue and that is answering exactly when do we recognize the start of a human life and when does that lifeform merit the full protection of the law.
While supporters of PPH trumpet that this absolves the organization, I am reminded of the reaction to the no-bill given to Darryl Wilson in Ferguson, Mo. I guess it all matters on how you want to view the situation.
The New York Times editorially sees the decision to indict the filmmakers as a vindication of PPH ... I think that is a bit of a stretch, both legally and morally.
The filmmaker offers this defense of his actions ... and points out the legal case if far from over, nor is the political case, which is separate from the legal case, regardless of how various opinion makers and leaders want to couch the situation.
Another counterpoint to the articles celebrating the absolution or vindication of PPH by pointing out the legal case is far from over.
And lastly for tonight, an article pointing out the economic realities of rising wages ... you make not like this explanation, but it really is the cold hard truth ... and that is how it should be, in my humble opinion.
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