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.
Yikes, is it really the second of February already even? I feel like Bill Murray, only I am trapped in 1968. Oh, well, the Race for the White House has officially begun and I warn you believe half of what you see, a quarter of what you hear and a slice of what you read … and the picture still probably will be inaccurate. There will be accusations and charges (and just about anything else you can think of) over the next nine months, but just remember most of it is merely political theater. Everything will be spun, parsed and couched in terms that are designed to elicit specific visceral emotional reactions. So be prepared.
Having said that, I shall once again venture forth into my own commentary on various articles I have found recently … I hope you find my commentary – and the articles referenced – either enlightening, informative, entertaining or thought provoking, for that is my intent.
This is an interesting article trying to explain the differences between Republicans and Democrats. You can take it or leave it as is your wont.
From the same author comes a view of what it means to be a progressive.
It seems that Gen. David Petraeus will keep his fourth star ... after the Obama Administration's floating a trial ballon about taking it away from him for his breach of security and subsequent conviction and fining by a federal court got blown out of the sky by intense flak. It all smacked of a political move to me to discredit Petraeus and an ex-post-facto punishment for a crime that he already had paid his debt for.
It seems the Chinese were not too happy about this patrol. In my humble opinion, it probably should become a routine part of a regular (like every two weeks or so) patrol through the area to ensure freedom of navigation.
Interesting parsing by Snopes, the fact check people. It smacks of listening to Bill Clinton say it depends on what you say "is" means.
If this surprises anybody ... then they need to wake up and realize this is the way it is. I actually had a visit last week from one of these paid canvassers. We had a very interesting discussion of the fallacy of raising the minimum wage and how it really hurts a lot of people. Oh, and he admittted he was being paid for his efforts, which I told him was right and proper for him to be paid for his services.
This story illustrates what is meant by American exceptionalism ... We are not talking government largess here ... or even that of just wealthy philanthropists ... but ordinary everyday Americans ... it is an attitude that I find refreshing my belief in my fellow Americans.
Another article illustrating that the "science" surrounding anthropogenic climate change definitely is not "settled"
Go! Go! Go! Elon Musk and SpaceX look forward to Mars in the next decade ... go, go, go.
Interesting article on what-if. Unfortunately, I would challenge its assumptions because neither housing nor food can be produced without cost … somebody somewhere along the food chain has to pay for it ... and that is why communism/socialism always flounder on its own contradictions.
Interesting concept on recycling old conex shipping containers. Of course, it depends on a reliable of supply of both energy and water.
The burden of proof is, to say the least, on those who claim that climate change is primarily the result of anthropogenic influences ... and as this thought-provoking piece points out: That proof just isn't there.
This to me is a typical progressive response to the arguments put forth by the Republican Party. To me, it seems, more of a case of looking for ways to help individual trees rather than the forest at large.
A thought-provoking piece looking into the problems that resulted from bad analysis and planning when invading Iraq in 2003.
Interesting discussion on your options when government proves to be too restrictive or "gets in the way". You basically have four options: Which would you choose?
For those who believe in the liberty and freedom for the individual, it seems we always must be wary of our own internal wishes to rule in an authoritarian model. But then I have contended for a long time that most people would be really satisfied with being ruled by a benevolent despot.
Drawing a parallel between the "views" of progressives and Muslims ... ouch.
Victor Hanson on how the last few decades have split California and sent portions back to the Dark Ages
It seems that much of Europe is waking up to the cultural nightmare that has descended on them with the migration from the Middle East and North Africa in waves that can't or won't be assimilated.
While memorials to wars long forgotten seem passe these days, this is one that is long overdue
Is the United States going to be governed by the rule of law or the rule of power, where those with power are immune and above the law? Damn good question. And one we hope will be answered this year.
I found this site to be interesting and thought-provoking. Not necessarily convincing, nor am I sure I accept a lot of its basic premises and assumptions but they are at least worth reading.
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