Random Thoughts for Jan 24, 2016

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.

Well, folks, let’s hope this works, as I return to the lists with new software. Please let me know if the links do not work.

Once more, we delve into the news of the day with the commentary of the old news editor. I hope you find these selections entertaining, informative and thought provoking.

This article is an interesting defense of American "exceptionalism" , which seems under siege by liberals and progressives who would rather find fault in things "American" and point out how many different classes of victims of "America" need to be lifted up. Needless to say, I come down on the side of America being exceptional and that victimhood really is getting worn out as an excuse to get others to give you something you might not otherwise have. Envy is as bad a greed, and probably more so, because envy breeds jealousy, which breeds efforts to take things by force to end the perceived "inequality"

I doubt very much that Democrats, liberals and progressives see things this way, but I suspect that the description of the Koch brothers in this essay is far more accurate than the vitriol and criticism that is heaped on the pair from the left. They have their own wealthy "bad apples" they should tend to. Beginning with George Soros who makes most of his money gambling (for that is all a hedge fund manager does. There is no investment anything real) with other people's money on the markets around the world.

Thomas Sowell makes his case that supporting Donald Trump is a situation where emotion trumps facts. Now, that is probably true, but then emotion projection also explains those who are/were enamored with Barack Obama and Bernie Sanders.

Assuming the LA Times has it ducks in a row and this story is true, it would seem to me that a host of federal election and workplace laws are being broken here. Not that I expect any prosecutions because most of it is in support of Bernie Sanders, Hillary Clinton and the Democratic Party. It is, the last time I looked, illegal for foreign nationals to contribute or participate in American elections.. It also is illegal, I think, for people to employ immigrants (legal or illegal) without their having proper work permits. It just seems odd to me that this gets a pass ... not only from the big national media but also federal prosecutors ... oh, that is right, President Obama doesn't want illegals prosecuted for violating federal laws, rules and regulations.

Apparently, President Obama has reached the point that Congress has become superfluous to his rule ... now the question is whether the courts will back him ... or will Congress people finally realize the intrusions on their turf constitutionally and actually try to stand up and do something about it. I am somewhat hopeful about the former, but less sanquine about the latter ... I just don't see it happening.

Atlantic's defense of President Obama in light of his "losing" the war in Iraq, which is a current GOP meme. Well, they are both wrong. The people who lost Iraq are the Iraqi people themselves. It really didn't matter if the US left troops behind to help the Iraqi forces train or not. The Iraqi people didn't fight for their country, but rather let the government split it along sectarian lines and creating a whole new set of grievances and feelings of victimhood. ... Come to think of it, that sounds like today's Democratic party that seems bent on Balkanizing the US by race, religion, sexual orientation and economic status. Just thinking mind you.

Now if Hillary Clinton ever really becomes a "target" of a federal investigation, I will be surprised. If she gets indicted, I will be shocked. I mean the Clintons take being "Teflon" politicians to a new level (and in the 1980s, everybody that was somebody in the opinion making elite complained that Ronald Reagan was "Teflon-coated")

Interesting treatise on the fact that the old "consensus" that has governed American politics for several generations has, essentially, collapsed and is no more. We seem to be in a period of transition to a new paradigm. What that will be: Who knows? But is being wrought by the telecommunications revolution, with the internet and the advent of the social media. It is a Brave New World out there ... so get ready for a wild ride ... or as we used to say when I was growing up: an E-ticket ride. (if you don't get the reference, research the original Disneyland pricing structure)

Ok, folks, this is the wild card: Michael Bloomberg. Will he run as an independent, or will he try to horn in on Hillary Clinton, after Bernie Sanders proves she is vulnerable (ala Gene McCarty), and Robert Kennedy stepped in to co-opt McCarthy as more electable, in 1968. Of course, he doesn't have RFK's cachet as the carrier of JFK legacy torch. My operating theory is that we are seeing a replay of the 1968 Democratic battle for the nomination. Hillary is in the role of LBJ as the representive of the old guard of the Democratic Party, Bernie Sanders is in the role of Eugene "Keep Clean with Gene" McCarthy who had generated so much enthusiasm among the college set and younger voters, and Joe Biden is sitting there in the role of Hubert Humphrey (the party's fallback position in the Happy Warrior). Of course, Elizabeth Warren could try to step in, or Jerry "Gov. Moonbeam" Brown, to take the role of RFK when Hillary's campaign falls apart due to all her nefarious activities over the years. Not that I am holding out much hope that she will pull an LBJ and pull out of the race.

Of course, anyone with a lick of sense knew this was in jest, but still it has its point that support for candidates this go around in the 2016 presidential race is about emotional projections and not really about what the candidates do or say. Which is sad.

The National Review takes a shot at Donald Trump by comparing him to Muqtada al Sadr, the Iragi Shiite scion who was such a pain in the butt in the reconstruction of Iraq after 2003. I am not sure it fits, but it is an interesting take on the Donald.

Not because I am enamoured with The Donald, but this is a fricking hypocritcal hit piece. Sorry, even though the author disavows that Trump is responsible, or at least needs to explain away, the sins of his father ... I don't see any other candidate having to do this, not even our president when he was running.

I have a problem with this HuffPo piece ... heck, I understand the woman's position ... but it not just men who seem to be above the law ... like actors and athletes, but also our political class. So while she tells women not to get involved with the rich and famous (which is really good advice) because they will use you, abuse you and then throw you away when you are no longer useful, I disagree that they should just walk away. That only perpetuates the problem ... and yes, it is difficult, if not exceedingly hard, but standing up to those who break the law is preferable than quietly acquiesing to their transgressions.

Unfortunately, for this Brit, they never seem to understand the American process or its whys and wherefores. It has many flaws ... and purely democratic it ain't (but then it never was designed to be so as to be a buffer against the excesses of the mob). It is, however, compared to the inherent instability in a multicultural environment of the parliamentary system (see post war Italy) which can fall on a vote of no confidence at any turn, forcing yet another election, is a model of stability and reason. At least the American system provides a stability and regularity that comes around every two to four to six years (depending on the federal office). Now that it is a two to four year circus is because we have the telecommunications revolution with the 24 hour news cycle. We have all these pundits, talking heads, poll takers, political consultants, political reporters who would be sitting around twittling their thumbs for a number of years if they didn't start ginning up the horse race for the next election in two to four years the moment after the ballots are counted and before the newly elected are even sworn in. In some ways, I think an old Texas law would be most appropriate at the federal level. It said that you could not (if you held any other elective office on pain of forced resignation) declare yourself as a candidate for any other public office more than a year before that office's new term began. Only applied to state races, but you get the drift. I have felt for years that the US campaigns (Thanks to you Jimmy Carter) are way too long. I think that filing for federal office should probably open in June and end August 1, then the states could hold a primary in mid-September with the top two or three vote getters appearing on the general election ballot in November. Not going to happen, but that would be my solution.

Revisiting the Constitution: Sometimes there are those who forget that the entire document is a compromise ... and no one gets a whole loaf. Actually, I am of the opinion that the Madisonians did a good job of honoring the concerns of those who opposed it and had the integrity to follow through. That integrity, honor, duty and public service no longer are ideals that Americans find attractive is more at fault to our current problems than anything with the document drafted 229 summers ago.

This guy really has a point ... not that it is politically correct in today's charged atmosphere ... but I have contended for a very long time that the only minority that you could abuse without them having any recourse was the WASPCEMOPs, especially if they were veterans or those who chose to serve their country in the military reserves.  Oh, you want a translation of "WASPCEMOP" ... well, it has evolved over the years but basically it stands for "White Anglo-Saxon Protestant College Educated Male Older Professional" of any wage earning stripe. Sorry, but I have been there, done that and taken all sorts of slings and arrows because of it.

Hey, I know this fellow ... I am glad he thinks he is making a joke to make a point about the Second Amendment ... because if he was serious ... well, I will not say here what I think of him

Now, in my humble opinion, if you think any of these five options actually are good ... well ... I don't think there is much hope for you. If you think about each one, you are surrendering your freedom and liberty for a false sense of security or some benefit that will have to paid by someone else's indentured service.

While I agree, in a sense, with this article, it bothers me considerably that once again we are setting up a double standard ... with no intention of really punishing those who violate these protocols. That is my problem ... the other side doesn't obey the rules ... and as Pappy once told me: A gentleman never starts the fight, he merely finishes it as quickly as possible with any means at hand with no holds barred. Unfortunately, progressives don't see the logic behind that and are wrapped up in feeling good about their moral superiority as they go down in flames.

Ok, count me among the "climate deniers" - actually I am more of climate skeptic - but unfortunately, I fear the data is on the side of the people supporting this report.

This to me is the epitome of the epic progressive mountain out of a molehill. Sorry, but it not something that I can get all that worked up over as a major problem requiring massive federal government intervention.

Oh my goodness, where is our President on this horrible school shooting? Call out all the gun control advocates and lets have a panic drive for new controls ... oh ... OOPS, this happened in Canada and they already have very, very strict gun control measures in effect. Sorry, my bad ... everybody go back to sleeep now.

Taiwan: Is it worth American lives? Is the US willing to defend its agreement with the Taiwanese government in the face of a possible Chinese attack with the new independence-minded president? Elifino, but it is a question we ought to be considering in light of the changing dynamic in that area.

I love stories like this. China will not initiate military action in the South China Sea - Chinese expert says. Please note that this "expert" is a former Chinese government official with close ties to the current regime. Now, the Chinese would never think of using him to sow disinformation, would they? Remember, Hainan is a province (not some independent entity like Hong Kong used to be and Taiwan is) of China and has been since Mao took over in 1949 and its officialdom marches to Beijing's orders.

Random Thoughts for Jan 22, 2016

Well, folks, I seem to have fallen way behind on my job here ... again ... for which I apologize. The list has become overwhelming ... and without my offline blog writer working, it seems impossible for me to make any headway ... I still am looking for a solution to that problem and I hope someday soon I will have it resolved, or my health improves to the point that I will be able to spend the necessary time to properly annotate my reading lists.

Now, I have ... to a point, attempted to categorize the follow links in groups ... but even in that effort I find myself wanting.

So, please indulge me and read as many of these as you can, or at least moves you. Some are very very very good and very powerful ... and all provide some measure or modicum of fodder for the grey matter on issues far and wide.

One more, as I say, we venture forth into the breach:

Topics for January 2016


http://dailysignal.com/2016/01/19/world-watches-how-iran-now-free-of-nuclear-sanctions-will-act/

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2016/01/17/obama-iran-deal-makes-world-safer/78931152/

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/01/16/iaea-iran-has-completed-steps-in-nuclear-deal-can-now-recoup-100-billion-in-frozen-assets.html

http://news.yahoo.com/iran-still-intent-acquiring-nuclear-arms-despite-deal-223158423.html

http://news.yahoo.com/iranian-us-foreign-minister-focus-clinching-nuclear-deal-094627967.html

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-35335078

http://www.politico.com/blogs/under-the-radar/2016/01/iran-deal-obama-grants-clemency-to-seven-217879

http://en.farsnews.com/newstext.aspx?nn=13941030001016

http://libertyunyielding.com/2016/01/18/gulf-status-quo-collapsing-why-were-the-u-s-navy-boats-near-farsi-island/

http://www.realcleardefense.com/articles/2016/01/20/irans_treatment_of_us_sailors_and_contempt_for_international_agreements_108922.html


http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-35333647


http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/20/us/politics/hillary-clinton-email-said-to-include-material-exceeding-top-secret.html

https://pjmedia.com/victordavishanson/still-polarizing-after-all-these-years/?singlepage=true

http://townhall.com/columnists/thomassowell/2016/01/19/what-are-elections-for-n2106351/page/full

http://www.nationalreview.com/article/429810/whites-minorities-united-states-demographics

http://www.the-american-interest.com/2016/01/17/andrew-jackson-revenant/

http://www.nationalreview.com/article/429862/conservative-populists-american-decline-exaggerated

http://townhall.com/columnists/johncgoodman/2016/01/16/seven-bad-habits-of-highly-progressive-people-n2105185/page/full

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/17/opinion/sunday/some-inconvenient-gun-facts-for-liberals.html


http://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/tale-two-cities-charleston-backdrop-dem-debate-n497921

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fact-checker/wp/2016/01/17/fact-checking-the-fourth-democratic-debate/

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/01/18/ap-fact-check-democratic-debaters-and-facts.html?intcmp=hpbt1

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/chris-rock-oscars-tweet_569a5908e4b0ce496424a82d?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/9-performers-of-color-nominated-oscar_5697d75ee4b0b4eb759d7a1f?

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/district-leaders-furious-walmart-wont-build-stores-in-poor-neighborhoods/2016/01/15/3425f5fa-bbb3-11e5-99f3-184bc379b12d_story.html

http://townhall.com/columnists/douggiles/2016/01/17/angry-conservatives-should-listen-to-nikki-sixx-instead-of-nikki-haley-n2105787/page/full

http://libertyunyielding.com/2016/01/18/video-prager-u-asks-whether-america-racist/

http://newbostonpost.com/2016/01/15/do-we-still-dream-the-dream/

http://www.economist.com/blogs/erasmus/2016/01/religious-freedom-and-america

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/hamilton-hollywood-diversity_us_56a0f1bfe4b076aadcc55c0a?

https://www.yahoo.com/politics/bernie-sanders-radical-past-how-the-vermont-230255076.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/marco-rubio-guns-isis_569bc817e4b0778f46f9a3bc

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/01/18/exclusive-pentagon-may-demote-david-petraeus.html


http://guardianlv.com/2013/12/icelanders-overthrow-government-and-rewrite-constitution-after-banking-fraud-no-word-from-us-media/

http://fightback.org.nz/2013/03/05/icelands-peaceful-revolution-myth-and-reality/


http://www.reuters.com/article/us-burkina-attacks-idUSKCN0UT2HC

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-35334902


http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-35321716

http://nationalinterest.org/feature/the-chinese-plans-nuke-america-14952

http://dailysignal.com/2016/01/15/why-the-freedom-caucus-wants-to-declare-war-on-isis/

http://www.express.co.uk/finance/city/634666/China-spark-global-financial-ICE-AGE-depression-sending-markets-crashing-by-75

http://foxtrotalpha.jalopnik.com/desert-storms-opening-shots-came-from-this-daring-helic-1753466057

http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/isis-terror/kurdish-forces-are-waging-revenge-campaign-iraq-amnesty-international-n500106

http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/20/opinions/ta-nehisi-coates-attack-on-bernie-sanders-mcwhorter/index.html

http://taskandpurpose.com/as-a-former-embassy-guard-heres-what-i-know-13-hours-got-wrong/

http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2016/01/21/rep-jolly-change-rules-and-stop-members-congress-from-asking-for-money.html

http://www.caintv.com/flint-water-gop-governor-getti

http://townhall.com/columnists/walterewilliams/2016/01/20/blacks-and-the-confederacy-n2106254/page/full

http://www.nationalreview.com/article/430051/obama-dapa-supreme-court

http://townhall.com/columnists/brentbozell/2016/01/20/the-medias-cockeyed-political-spectrum-n2106937/page/full

http://townhall.com/columnists/johnstossel/2016/01/20/economic-myths-n2106816/page/full

http://fee.org/anythingpeaceful/are-immigrants-still-assimilating-in-america/

http://www.realcleardefense.com/articles/2016/01/19/when_appeasement_is_in_season_108916.html

http://sofrep.com/45767/a-navy-seal-on-why-america-is-still-the-greatest-country/

https://pjmedia.com/homeland-security/2016/01/19/weve-got-it-wrong-isis-is-not-the-main-problem-in-the-middle-east/?singlepage=true

http://www.armymagazine.org/2016/01/12/winning-the-war-weve-got-not-the-one-we-want/

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-35388594

http://news.yahoo.com/teen-protesting-her-schools-dress-174100808.html?nhp=1

http://www.nationalreview.com/node/430052/print

http://fee.org/anythingpeaceful/the-rest-of-the-world-doesnt-use-single-payer/

http://www.hoover.org/research/new-sagebrush-rebels

http://warontherocks.com/2016/01/from-the-first-gulf-war-to-islamic-state-how-america-was-seduced-by-the-easy-war/

Random Thoughts for Jan 16, 2016 - unannotated

Once again, I owe my followers and readers an apology ... the old Walrus is under the weather and not to doing a decent job of annotating this list.  However, I feel it necessary to get these discussion pieces out there. I offer essays from all sides of the spectrum, some I agree with, many I do not. You know my bent, if you follow me, so I hope you can infer my commentary after reading these articles. I hope soon to lick what ever it is that has set up shop and besieged my body and brain of late. Please, do accept my limitations for now.

For readers' reference
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/13/us/politics/obama-2016-sotu-transcript.html?_r=0


Now, on to the list ... I hope you find them enlightening.

http://www.factcheck.org/2016/01/factchecking-the-state-of-the-union/

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2016/01/13/fact-check-obama-state-of-the-union/78713514/

http://townhall.com/tipsheet/christinerousselle/2016/01/13/photo-comparison-shows-how-the-presidency-has-aged-obama-n2103933

http://townhall.com/tipsheet/townhallcomstaff/2016/01/12/tea-party-response-to-the-state-of-union-address-n2103688

http://www.worldpolicy.org/blog/2016/01/12/obamas-success-foreign-policy

http://townhall.com/columnists/johnstossel/2016/01/13/optimism-and-obama-n2103470/page/full

http://foreignpolicy.com/2016/01/12/obamas-failed-command-military-state-of-the-union/

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/01/12/team-obama-brags-we-ended-two-wars-just-don-t-count-the-dead-troops.html

http://www.nationalreview.com/article/429676/obama-race-relations-lousy

http://thehill.com/policy/defense/265518-chuck-hagel-to-the-next-president-listen

http://www.military.com/daily-news/2016/01/13/10-sailors-detained-in-iran-returned-to-us-navy.html?ESRC=eb.nl

http://libertyunyielding.com/2016/01/12/initial-apwhite-house-story-about-u-s-navy-sailors-detained-by-iran-makes-no-sense/

http://www.allenbwest.com/2016/01/folks-heres-what-i-find-very-odd-about-what-happened-with-iran-and-our-navy-yesterday/

https://www.commentarymagazine.com/foreign-policy/middle-east/iran/how-to-retaliate-against-iran/

http://www.disgruntledlifestyle.com/#!So-Iran-Happened/p2k1h/56982d390cf210383192fa68

http://www.unprecedentedmediocrity.com/here-is-what-you-really-saw-while-watching-the-iranian-capture-of-10-navy-sailors/


http://www.realcleardefense.com/articles/2016/01/13/blame_china__and_the_white_house__for_north_koreas_nukes_108893.html

http://townhall.com/columnists/austinbay/2016/01/13/the-global-state-of-war-n2103672/page/full

https://www.thecipherbrief.com/article/future-cross-strait-relations

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/01/13/world/asia/philippines-us-military.html?_r=1

http://www.realcleardefense.com/articles/2016/01/12/four_questions_for_the_marine_corps_108891.html

http://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-skeptics/the-truth-about-women-ground-combat-roles-14904


http://www.israelvideonetwork.com/the-awesome-video-that-will-make-muslim-apologists-head-explode/


https://www.warhistoryonline.com/featured/us-general-mark-w-clark.html


http://www.chicksontheright.com/ok-all-the-body-positivity-photos-of-women-in-their-skivvies-can-we-stop-now/

http://www.thefederalistpapers.org/us/meme-exposes-hard-truth-about-giving-democrats-power

http://www.addictinginfo.org/2016/01/14/ted-duck-hunter-cruz-goes-full-camo-in-bizarre-new-ad-pandering-to-idiot-america-video/

http://www.wsj.com/articles/the-democratic-crack-up-1452815892

http://www.hoover.org/research/college-students-flunk-economics

http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/14/world/episcopal-church-suspended/index.html

http://thinkprogress.org/education/2015/04/02/3642085/stanford-free-tuition/

http://www.occupydemocrats.com/170-top-economists-pen-letter-backing-bernie-sanders-plan-to-break-up-the-biggest-banks/

http://townhall.com/columnists/armstrongwilliams/2016/01/13/responsible-gun-ownership-is-not-only-a-right-but-a-duty-of-citizenship-n2092208/page/full

http://www.dineshdsouza.com/news/american-thinker-stealing-america-review/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/flint-lead-water-epa_569522a8e4b086bc1cd5373c?

Readings and thoughts through Jan 12, 2016

Note: Many of these blocks of text actually are the link to a story or a web page that I am commenting on. Click on that text and it will take you to the page being referred to.


Once again, the old editorialist sallies forth into the breach ... I hope you find this collection of essays and random commentaries/thoughts interesting ... or at least thought provoking.

I begin tonight by stating: No, I did not watch President Obama's  State of the Union Address this evening. Being a news junky, I normally endeavor to do so, just to see what he has to say. Unfortunately, at this point in his career, the cognitive dissonance and absolute conflict with reality he presents when he talks has reached the point that I no longer can stomach watching him spout rhetoric that basically contradicts with what he says before it even leaves his lips. His dissemination and disingenuous has reached the point with me that he has no, absolutely none, credibility with me. This is a totally political divergence and any effort to impugn any other motive on my part ... well, I will treat it with the disdain it deserves.

Having said my opening statement, let us embark on our journey through my Random Thoughts.

For those who try to divorce science from religion, I offer this counter-argument ... for it coincides closely with my own views.

This story explains who the true winner of the Power Ball drawing will be ... of course, at the same time, I have to admit I bought my one ticket - you can't win if you don't play - because if I do win, even one of the minor prizes, much less the jackpot, then it will pay off. As for the rest, this article is spot on. It is why lotteries, at least in the US, really are not a great idea, but one can always dream and what price can you put on the few moments of fantasy when you dream "What if"

I guess the kid running North Korea was feeling a bit neglected ... still H-bomb or not, the day will come when the threat - if it is not already - will be quite real and I, for one, have no clue how far the little smuck will go to get attention.

Now, this was - or should have been expected - but what good did it really do ... I don't know. The question is is the US "speaking loudly while carrying a little stick (will to act)" or is this speaking "softly while carrying a big stick"?

An interesting take on the standoff in Northeast Asia ... who or what will move first

This article struck me as an absolutely useless discussion ... it doesn't seem to recognize that not everyone thinks like we do, and therefore the inducements that might be attractive to us, hold no attraction to the the DPRK.

Victor David Hanson once again writes a rant that I totally agree with. I guess that makes me a privileged white man oppressor of all around me.

If you don't have a major problem with this liberal talking point ... well, I fear there is little hope for you, us or the republic. Sorry, but when 77 percent of the people say the president should do something that legally and constitutionally he is prohibited from doing (like making the law, rather than enforcing the law), then that is where you and I part company. If you accept this then there is nothing that stands between the president making any executive order that strips the constitutional rights away from any citizen that happens to hold a view that is unpopular. That, folks, is the principle that needs to stand inviolate..

I hope this essay in the Atlantic is wrong in its conclusions as it is wrong in its conclusions about the history of the 19th and 20th Centuries

Of course, then there is this article that offers a totally different conclusion ... the question is which one is correct? I don't know ... you are welcome to your own opinion

Victor David Hanson, again, with a worthy essay - in my opinion - on immigration and assimilation. 

An interesting article on the politics of gun control ... or gun ownership restrictions ... it seems we have a big debate on that these days ... I just keep referring back to Constitution and the 1794 Militia Act as my baseline

Words from an immigrant on why her right to keep and bear arms is important to her ... given her background ... probably worth considering

Back to the Oregon standoff - I just hope nobody starts anything foolish

Oregon Standoff: Even the NYTimes recognizes that the issues really are larger than the Bundys ... or the Hammonds ... and is a long running cancer out west where so much land is under federal control

An interesting article offering the differing perspectives capitalism - not the crony type encouraged by progressives - and central planning ... of course, if the grid goes down, how are all those progressive urban dwellers going to be fed?

The charts in this say it all ... but it raises the question why are we all upset about the 1 percent. It really is silly and non-productive from my point of view (and mind you, I definitely am not part of the 1 percent ... or even in the top 50th percentile)

I read this article and all I could think of was "woulda, shoulda, coulda" ... well it didn't happen that way ... and even if the "realists" had prevailed, there is no guarantee that things would have gone the way they think. Sorry, but the world isn't that tidy and neat ... it is one big mess in a constant state of churn and chaos ... get used to it.

I suspect I will start following this columnist ... he makes a host of salient points about the current government in Washington (ringing in all parties)

This is the fear I have ... effectiveness to fall victim to some false, ephemeral goal of diversity. Is it really what we want?

Here we have the Iranians pushing the envelope ... the question is: What is the proper response? I guess that depends on what your objectives are.

And last, but not least, on the day of the President's big speech ... the Iranians go and do this? Granted, we don't know the whole story, but it is not good.

Suggested reading links through Jan. 9, 2016

With apologizes aforehand, as I have a bit under the weather of late, so here is a list of Random Thoughts for you to poke through and read that I have found interesting and worthy of at least considering the views or the news contained therein in the raw and without annotation or commentary. I just want to keep my topic slate board as short as possible, and not really being up to providing the commentary or annotation ... I choose just to pose the links. If this is inadequate I apologize but please bear with me. The old walrus who once was a newspaper editor and news editor sometimes has to just do what he can.

http://www.nationalreview.com/node/429215/print

http://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-0103-williams-black-victim-self-definition-20160103-story.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-kuttner/thinking-harder-about-pol_b_8908436.html

http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/04/opinions/levin-oregon-takeover/index.html

http://warontherocks.com/2016/01/fixing-how-we-fight-the-islamic-states-narrative/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YRamCRtPII

http://nypost.com/2016/01/02/myth-of-the-cop-killing-epidemic/

http://smallwarsjournal.com/jrnl/art/deterring-chinese-aggression

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/biomedical-science-studies-are-shockingly-hard-reproduce-180957708/

http://www.libertylawsite.org/liberty-forum/freedom-of-association-and-antidiscrimination-law-an-imperfect-reconciliation/

http://fee.org/freeman/safe-spaces-can-t-be-diverse/

http://www.nationalreview.com/article/429135/american-politics-government-reviled

http://www.nationalreview.com/article/429191/america-needs-strong-community

http://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2016/01/04/liberals-take-low-road-oregon-stand-off/eIPwBIpBMejp0k7HmR6NoJ/story.html?s_campaign=email_BG_TodaysHeadline&s_campaign=

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2016/01/04/rancher-family-reports-to-prison-does-not-endorse-oregon-siege.html

http://fee.org/anythingpeaceful/no-heroes-in-the-west-fire-feds-and-freeloaders/

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2016/01/the_oregon_standoff_with_ammon_bundy_isn_t_evidence_of_a_racial_double_standard.html

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/2nd-amendment-protects-knives-long-theyre-not-made-cooking-180957718/

http://townhall.com/tipsheet/christinerousselle/2016/01/06/nra-president-wayne-lapierre-delivers-the-truth-about-background-checks-n2100581?utm_source=thdailypm&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=nl_pm&newsletterad=

https://www.commentarymagazine.com/foreign-policy/asia/looming-threat-north-korea/

http://undertheradar.military.com/2016/01/the-13-funniest-military-memes-of-the-week-1616/

http://warontherocks.com/2016/01/living-with-fog-and-friction-the-fallacy-of-information-superiority/

http://townhall.com/columnists/victordavishanson/2016/01/07/rendezvous-with-reality-in-2016-n2100533/page/full

http://fee.org/freeman/3-kinds-of-economic-ignorance/

http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2016/01/07/who-should-control-the-west/federal-land-management-has-been-disastrous

http://www.hoover.org/research/end-modernity?utm_source=hdr&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2016-01-08

http://dailysignal.com/2016/01/07/10-myths-about-guns/

http://www.nationalreview.com/article/429423/left-betrayal-america

http://www.factcheck.org/2016/01/sanders-wealth-inequality-stat/

http://fee.org/anythingpeaceful/the-barbarianism-of-paternalism/

http://warontherocks.com/2016/01/we-are-terrorized-why-u-s-counterterrorism-policy-is-failing-and-why-it-cant-be-easily-fixed/

A Random Essay on the economics of Bernie Sanders

   To paraphrase part of a lament from Bernie Sanders: The Middle Class is in crisis.

   However, the solution, I fear lies not in jealousy, popular anger and resentment, or in confiscating the wealth of others, and, yet, when you examine Sanders campaign rhetoric and promises, this about all his attraction is.

   Only, it is not the middle class that is in crisis; it is the American nation that is in crisis. In 21^st Century America, it seems that understanding history is no longer a thing that we value. As a result, we are seeing yet another assault on the absolute rock bottom individual rights that provide the foundation for the nation : The right to life, liberty, property and the freedom to enjoy those as we pursue our individual choices as to what makes up happy … the pursuit of happiness. You know those things mentioned in the basic statement of principle about what it means to be an American: the Declaration of Independence.

   In Sanders’ view of America, the rights of the individual are secondary to the benefits that can be bequeathed and doled out by the government. So, we see his call for federal Medicare benefits for everyone in the nation, when medical care providers are opting out of the Medicare/Medicaid system because they deny the medical care providers the right to the ownership of their own labor.

   If someone has more wealth or income than you, then this disparity is to be reconciled by the federal government through providing social programs that will bring up those who are on the lower end of the economic scale.  How the government is to pay for this is that it must take the resources from those who have and redistribute it to those who have not.

   According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the per capita income (the amount each person – all 321 million of us – would get if all the income made in a year was distributed equally to all) in the country was $28,555. That means that any individual that makes more than that would have to give the excess to the government to bring up the income for those (including children) who do not make that much.

   However the median household income is $53,482 with the household size being 2.63. That means that, gasp, somebody is making more money than they should be. 

   Of course, under Sanders view of the economy, I guess we could basic place all property and means of production in the hands of the government with each of us employees of the government and then each household would be granted $28,000 per person living there to live on. I mean, what could be fairer?

   And of course, everyone would be guaranteed all the education they wanted and their health care would be paid for by the government as the single payer. Now, you do understand, however, that teachers, professors, doctors, lawyers, entrepreneurs all would be limited to the same income of $28,000 per person, as well as the janitors, porters, technicians, assistants, clerks, ditch diggers, plumbers, mechanics, shop workers and machinists.

   Now, individuals would be allowed approximately 600 square feet of living space in their homes … just to be equal. Of course, if you were that average family that would work out to about 1800 square feet per household, which is what the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development says is the median size for the roughly 134 million housing units in the U.S. So, if you live in something larger, or have fewer people than 2.63, then you need to downsize right now to reduce the inequality. And if you have more than the 2.63, the government needs to provide larger quarters for you.

   Of course, if you live in a house worth more than the median $175k, well … obviously we would need to do something about that. Oh, that is correct: the government provides our housing so our home value to us is zero.

   And you won’t need to worry about a mortgage, so that is $1500 a month that you won’t be paying. And since you don’t own a mortgage, then the $457 you would pay goes to zip because you don’t own anything. And those people who rent? Well, the $920 they pay goes to zip too. I guess the same would be for cell phones, internet service, wi-fi coverage, bicycles, cars, boats, planes, trains, etc.

   Oh, and of course, back to education, all schools, colleges and universities would become public institutions (owned by the government) and so all their endowments and trusts would be spread among all the other schools on a per capita basis so every school got the exact same amount of money to pay teachers, et al.

   Now, I know you probably are saying at this point that maybe it wouldn’t be that bad. You think so? Well, if you truly want equality and no inequalities, then yes, it would have to be that bad. Please, pretty please, study the history of the 20^th Century and the first part of this century, where it has been tried so many times in so many different ways … and all of them have failed spectacularly as they fell in to tyranny.

   So, you say, how about just a little inequality (you know, since I am smarter or better than the average bear I get a little more than the averages)? Well, how much inequality are you willing to allow? And who gets to do the deciding what levels which person gets what?

   Now, don’t take this as a defense of Wall Street or the current perverted version of capitalism that is being managed out of Washington, D.C. Personally, I don’t think it is the federal government’s business to bail out any business, regardless of how big it is and how much an impact it might have. Failure is a great corrective for aberrant behaviors.

   And the tax code is what 80,000 pages and umpteen millions of words to do what? It is not raising money for the government, but for giving competitive advantages to the special interest du jour of the month. There should be no credits, deductions, rebates, paybacks and other favors. None, Zip, Zero, Nada. Not that that is going to happen in my lifetime.

   However, what Bernie Sanders – and Hillary Clinton, as well as most of the Republican candidates – is saying is seductive … alluring … enticing … and wrong.

   I don’t expect to see it happen, but society owes us nothing (unless you have a written contract otherwise), government owes us nothing (unless you have a written contract otherwise), but equality before the law.  We as individuals are entitled to nothing but life, liberty (to make our own choices and mistakes and endure the consequences), the right to own property (especially our labor, which we are free to sell at whatever price we can get for it) and to pursue our own dreams of happiness.

   If you don’t believe that … then you really have no clue what really has made the U.S. the magnet to immigrants from all over the world.

   Of course, you can disagree with me … and that is your right and privilege, but I have history and human nature on my side.

Readings for Jan. 3, 2016

Note: Many of these blocks of text actually are the link to a story or a web page that I am commenting on. Click on that text and it will take you to the page being referred to.

 Well, the new year is here ... and the world goes on. A few of the stories that have caught my attention over the weekend that I thought I would share with my usual commentary. I hope you find them interesting, evocative, informative and thought provoking. Of course, dear reader, you are welcome to disagree, vehemently if you are so inclined, and add your rebuttal to my commentary ...

 Top of the news: The Saudis break diplomatic ties with the Iranians. My gut level reaction here is that this a red-on-red action (blue on blue being between friendlies and blue on green between friendlies and allies) and the best thing for the US to do is keep its head down. I say that is my gut reaction, but it probably would not be the best reaction. There really is too much at stake here for the US to forsake its world leadership role and let them go at it. The result, unfortunately, would be severe damage to our economic interests and that is what the Saudis are counting on. What interests you say? We don't need their oil. True enough, but we depend on trade in goods and services with countries that do depend on that oil. The economic shock of a out-and-out war across the Persian/Arabian Gulf probably would mean disaster to those economies and that would draw in all sorts of different players ... not that there are not enough stirring the pot now. Still I think "this is going to get out of hand"

And a step toward our adventures in outer space has come and gone ... and is ready to go again ... only it isn't apparently ... it is going to a museum. I hope the next one off the production line is ready soon, so it can repeat the feat ... and then repeat it again ... and again.

This is an essay on the significance and importance of the SpaceX feat

Interesting warning from the head of the Swiss defense forces ... are we that close in Europe? It sometimes seems that we are not that far away here, as well.

In keeping with the debate on arms in civilian hands, this is a rather cogent explanation of what was meant by the Second Amendment and its intent to be the protector of the Constitution and all the other rights. You may not agree, and I welcome your counter argument.

Interesting story about a man who quietly goes about protecting our Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms ... safely

I find this article interesting, not so much for what it says, but what it apparently assumes: That everything in the world is in RESPONSE to what the West has said and done. I believe that is a false assumption. People in other parts of the world act not because of some perceived slight or old injustice committed by the West's elites. To say that, to me, reaches a level arrogance that is difficult to comprehend. It is a very narrow visioned way to look at the world and relieves 5/6ths of the world's population and their elites of any free will, freedom of choice, and responsibilities for things they do. I am sorry, but I am calling out that mythology. It is great for those who want to wallow in liberal guilt traps, but it really is a large pile of fecal material.

In a sense, I agree with the author of this essay. We seem to lack patience these days to fight the long battles over culture and the economy. We surrender far too quickly and leave field to those who are willing to advance incrementally. Turning back the tide of liberal policies that extend back 50, 70, 100 years (depending on which progressive mantra you want), can not be accomplished in a day. And history tells us that bureaucracies will fight tooth and nail to resist change and a reduction in their powers and authorities. In fact, in most cases in history, bureaucracies usually win and the people lose, with the power ending in the hands of elites and despots.

I rarely link to video, but this is a good one ... we seem to forget that there really is a difference between natural law and the laws of men. It is an ignorance we are paying the price for in this day and age. Unfortunately, words and their definitions rule the world, whether you want to accept that or not. In this, the former judge is spot on.

Facts, I know, are uncomfortable things. These don't fit the narrative of progressives and those folks who call themselves Black Lives Matter ... but why should they get in the way of a good cause, right? Unless, maybe the solutions really don't solve anything, then you are just left with a bigger mess than you started with.

 Speaking of things that go unnoticed and uncommented on, but it seems that Africa remains the "Dark Continent". Not in the sense that a lot of the people who live there have dark complexions, for that truly should be irrelevant. What is interesting is that death and mayhem go on a much larger scale than that we decry when it happens elsewhere. Where is that vaunted responsibility to protect these people? I am not calling for a US led invasion, but how about those who criticize the US when it does intervene ... how about you sending your young men and women ... particularly those from liberal, progressive Western countries which take such delight in celebrating their role as UN Peacekeepers.

 This article's prejudice is so blatant, I find it almost funny. Please, count the number of pejorative words used to describe Ted Cruz. It puts me in the mind of one of the complaints feminists used to have about how men described women on the rise in the corporate world. It really struck me as funny ... until I stopped and asked myself about how many people would accept these descriptions as gospel because it came from Yahoo and the AP. It is something to think about when you read - or listen - to the news, whether it is a talking head or a news reporter or anchor.

This comic book cartoonist makes an excellent case and defense for his First Amendment right - and everyone's Natural Right - to draw depictions of Mohammad the Prophet, as well as Allah, or God, or any other religious figure.

A view of God/god ... I sometimes think God has many faces ... and to assume that we understand all of them ... well, I am not that smart.

Ok ... on a lighter topic: I want one ... I know I can't afford it but looks awesome

And on closing note for this evening ... modern tips for how to be a "man" in the 21st Century ... and having shared that I would also urge you to look up and read Rudyard Kipling's poem "IF" ... it may be more than a century old, but its advice is as true now as it was then ... and probably more appropriate than the modern list.

Armed group takes over Oregon wildlife refuge building - CNN.com

Armed group takes over Oregon wildlife refuge building - CNN.com



Please note the difference in the use of the language as opposed to say the language used to describe the Occupy protesters in Berkeley, California. Note also the way the language is used to describe the group ... not in its terms, but by unnamed people  ... Is this good journalism or is it an effort to paint the situation in a certain way to fit a predetermined narrative?



Personally, I think the protesters have made their point and should go home ... I am not sure now is the time to man the barricades ... although, I understand their frustration with the system.

Militia members occupy US building in Oregon after protest

Militia members occupy US building in Oregon after protest


I am struck by an interesting parallel: Is this really any different
than the "Occupy" movement? Oh, the objectives are not the same, but are
not the tactics exactly the same? In will be interesting to watch the
language used to describe these different protests ... which will reveal
the bias of the reporters, the pundits and the media outlets.


Upon reflection, I think both "protests" are a statement on the lawlessness of our elites, who make up the laws as they go along when the process doesn't satisfy them. It is sad to see our president assuming legislative functions because Congress will not conform to his desires. It is sad to watch Congress fail to exercise its prerogatives because people don't understand what they are and the role Congress is supposed to play in policy formation. It is unfortunate that we see the justice system being challenged and mob rule offered in its place. I find it regrettable that "political correctness" has gained so much sway that we feel threatened just for our thoughts.


Some things for you all to think about ... as Americans, is this really the country we want? Really? 

Random thoughts and readings for the end of 2015

Note: Many of these blocks of text actually are the link to a story or a web page that I am commenting on. Click on that text and it will take you to the page being referred to.

 Once more into the breach, as I say, and this to wrap up 2015 ... it is going to be a long one  ... well because there is a long list of links on my topics notebook page that either need to go in the bit bucket or beg to be commented on. So, having said that, lets us begin.

First, we will start with the Far East and the challenges it faces, especially to the US military:

Could or would China attack the US? This interesting article looks at the parallels between China now and Imperial Japan of the early 20th Century. It offers a warning, and something that should be at least considered.

If a war with China did start, how might it? A look at a number of concepts that could alter the current balance and lead to a conflict that leads to shooting war. Things to think about when reviewing who you want to sit in the Oval Office in 2017.

This mid-December incident illustrates some of the conditions that leave one wondering about the Western Pacific.

Yet another view of the same incident. At what point does a "provocation" lead to an incident?

This article looks how "war" in the 21st Century is morphing away from the centuries-old European Westphalian concept of state on state conflict. Whether it is in the South China sea, the Middle East, Africa, or Ukraine ... the definition of what is "war" and how you fight one is becoming murky. The question is how do we (as a nation) clarify that grayness and how far are we willing to go in response to it?

The US military, long a leader in "cyber warfare" looks to build a more "offensive" cyber capability after a period of focusing on defense because of infiltrations that demonstrate our own weaknesses. Is this the way we should go? Is the old axiom that the best defense remains a good offense? Or does that offend your sensibilities?

This essay presents a case for prudence and caution in the use of American military power, much as the author says President Obama has done. It is something to think about as we look to this year's election: What role do you see as the proper one in global affairs for the US, its military, its power in its various forms?

 This article sums up the challenge facing the US in a nutshell ... answers anyone?

This essay poses an interesting dilemma ... and I am not sure but if the officers so involved are that political, it would not be a bad thing for them to leave the service. At the same time, as I read the article, I was struck that is sounded suspiciously like cafeteria talk ... and we all know where that goes.

Another article identifying some of the issues ... but in a sense short on solutions ... yet, it is correct in that what is happening is more toward the beginning of the play rather than near the final acts.

As we go through 2016, here are some suggestions of stories to watch as the conflicts in the Middle East run their courses

In this essay, Victor David Hanson illustrates the role human nature and history play in the fight against ISIS and how the Obama Administration seems to be so clueless about both.

Is this the beginning of the infamous "mission creep", or just the next step. Yes, Virginia, American soldiers are fighting ISIS in close combat ... aka Boots on the Ground

And for you airpower solves everything, there always is this reminder of its limitations. And yes, people do die from "friendly fire" because no fire is friendly. No weapon system is perfect and sometimes, especially when working with "allies" target identification is a bitch.

When it comes to integrating women in combat units ... well, at least the Special Operators are not afraid to let their views known ... however politically incorrect ... and useless ... it may be ... get ready guys, the steamroller is a coming and the train has left that station.

There is some validity to this view - in my own humble view and personal experience - but the real test is if the DOD starts making women register for the draft.

The problem with most people is that they think the terms battleship and warship are interchangeable ... but in Navy parlance, they aren't. A warship merely is a ship designed to go war and fight various missions. A battleship designates a specific class of warship that is designed to take heavy punishment while dealing out even heavier punishment. The US, nor has any other navy in the world, has not build a true battleship since World War II. We have opted to sacrifice armor and survivability for speed and firepower from missiles. None of today's warships are built to take heavy punishment from any other ship or even shore and air based threats. The object is to duck and weave, bob and jab, and basically make the other guy think you are somewhere you ain't. Such is the case with the Zumwalt destroyers, of which (maybe) only three will be built.
 I sometimes wonder how far up their derrieres some of the Regular Army brass have their heads ... but this truly is a bad idea. Speaking as someone who spent many years in the National Guard, this is a job killer. But then, I remember Persian Gulf War, and how unprepared (really) RA units were and how they were blessed with having months to hone up their skills in the desert.

 This is not necessarily a bad concept ... as it could help keep the lineage going on many a proud and fine unit. It also might teach some in the RA that maybe those weekend soldiers are not quite bad as they thought.
 
 This just illustrates how silly some people can be. OK, Americans flunk geography. I wonder how many people around the world think there really is a Gotham City?

There is a lesson here, with plenty of references for additional reading, that those who aspire to leadership should learn ... history always is a good place to start from when trying to analyze and form a strategy ... it helps form the basis for the questions you should ask and what tools you should ask for.

The take-away I have from this column is that we all should understand and realize that the choice of words used to describe an issue color the discussion and expose biases that otherwise would seem to be hidden. In those biases are the seeds that either help or destroy the writer's credibility. The absolute classic example is the debate over abortions. Pro-life, pro-choice, anti-abortion, murderers and killers of human life ... human, fetus, collection of cells ... the words that are used define which side a person is on.

 A very interesting discussion about personhood ... such as when is a person to be counted for political reasons, like apportionment of legislative bodies or for voting in an election. Are elections to be among those persons who are citizens of the political division - nation, state, county, city, township, village, district, etc. - or merely a resident, with a resident not necessarily meeting the standards of citizenship or who may be barred from voting by law and a judgment of a court. Where do you stand? This is important because we will have to decide where millions of illegal immigrants fit into this equation as well as legal immigrants who are not citizens. 

This is an interesting argument against the progressive view that the state should replace the individual when it comes to making choices ... and make no doubt, it is the progressive view that experts and the state can better make choices than you can, even though we each are quite flawed and in many cases quite ignorant.

Professor Hanson offers a interesting question ... what if the next president - say Donald Trump - acts like our current one? Will the mass media give him a pass or will they savage him at every turn?

A warning to the Republicans, people on the "right" and conservatives and libertarians: Be wary of candidates touting solutions that exceed their constitutional authority. We already have had seven years (going on eight) of that ... do we really want any more?

I think the point here is that everybody really just wants a benevolent despot to run the country - any country. One that doesn't really mess with the individual and lets the individual live their lives, as he or she wants, in reasonable peace and civility among neighbors. Unfortunately, it is not a good or realistic option and reflects that for the most part, people don't care who the tax collector is, just as long as he doesn't mess with his rice bowl.

a thoughtful take on "secular creationists" ... and where the concept goes astray and becomes a costly failure

And then there are those who think the world's problems are all the fault of Caucasian Northern Europeans ... sometimes I wonder what rock these people live under that they are so blind to history around the world, on every continent and with every culture, race or linguistic group.

And then there is this rebuttal ... which I think is fairly appropriate

I found this an pretty good essay and explanation of what the US Constitution really says about race ... granted, it isn't what you probably expected.

Just so you know ... I think this guy is spot on ... but then the soothsayers, crystal ball gazers, market analysts, pundits, pollsters and all the others don't have a real clue ... and we will just have to live through tomorrow, and the next day and the next, etc., etc., to really find out.

In a sense, this essay points out that for American Muslims there is a generational clash evolving, as it has with every immigrant group over the last two centuries. The question is whether the cultural assimilation will have any impact or will be still be faced with the cultural conflict.

 Another essay by Victor Hanson. This one on the president's view of bitter clingers ... or is the president one of those himself, bitterly clinging to his sense of victimhood that never really existed to the extent he claims.

This is a cautionary tale on how 3D printing is going to change the world ... economically, socially, politically. It is going to happen folks, so brace yourself for it.

Apparently this hack was done by a "good guy" who was probing defenses and found a major hole in the US cyber security effort ... it just shows how much information lies in collected databases on servers around the nation, if not the world. All of it, ultimately, is hackable because it is humans who program the machines to provide the defenses.

I know the dangers of "free speech" but I find this discussion absolutely terrifying ... I am an absolutist when it comes to the First Amendment and am leery of any government or political leader trying to tamper or temper those dangers

I have a major problem with this alternative to the current Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act - Obamacare as we come to know and love it. It assumes certain things about the role of the FEDERAL government that I find extremely wrong, philosophically, politically and pragmatically.

This is a very interesting discussion on the role Christian faith and beliefs should play in foreign policy for the US. Very thought provoking and worth reading.

I would respectfully disagree with this author in that snowflakes, and individuals in social contexts, in their uniqueness provide a demonstration of a creator ... the force behind the natural world.

I found this piece entertaining ... because it is correct in so many ways ... particularly the part of politics sucking and politicians standing in muck and mud

Yet another article by Professor Hanson, discussing how our president seems to have a fundamental lack of understanding of human nature and the role credible deterrence plays in the home and on the world stage.

Liberty? What does it mean? A short essay for you to think about it and what it means.

Another article on the power of words ... and how they control the discussion on things like strategy

A rather incomplete article, but it serves a very good purpose of pointing out that ISIS has many dimensions and facets, which make it a challenge for those of us looking at it through our Western Occidental prisms have difficulty understanding.

And then there is the Saudi grand mufti who says this ... no wonder the Middle East is such a mess.

Leave it to John Stossel to give the end of a the year review an optimistic and uplifting view ... and all in all, you know, he pretty much is correct.

AND next to last, there is this anonymous rant: OH YEAH! Sorry, but I agree with it.

And finally, as you sit there nursing your latest hangover ... consider this woman's problem. I have heard about this condition before and it involved a Chinaman and candy bars ... but that was long ago and far away when I was but a young and innocent naif living in Southern California.

And if you actually have read all the way down to here, I congratulate you on your perseverance and willingness to put up with my ramblings. But I have cleared the decks and now it is time to go share a drink of sparkling wine with my beautiful and wonderful wife as we ring in the New Year. I hope you have a prosperous and satisfying one.