Opus 2016-32: Discernment Watch: Another Pandemic Arises

I don’t know if you check out any of the prepper sites.  One of the most popular is called “Survival Blog”.  It had a recent link to an article about the newest pandemic to hit the headlines, the Zika virus.  I like the link because it goes along with my thinking:  The Zika virus is another scam to keep the population terrified and feeling a need for more government control. 

You can read the article at Personal Liberty.  It goes into the lack of evidence, the lack of scientific rigor in the investigation, the money trail and so forth.  As you read remember the swine flue, Ebola, and so many other potential health disasters that demanded more government action and big tax bucks to remedy.

Should we panic?  Is it true this time?  Will we all die?  No, I doubt it, yes.  Remember that in the world of the Boy Who Cried “Wolf” there were real wolves.

homo unius libri

Opus 2016-31: Immortal Quotes: The Phantom Einstein

Our weekly bulletin had a quote that was supposed to make our day.  It was to inspire us to raise our standards and motivate our students to new heights.  When I read it I did not know if I should fall down laughing or run down the hall screaming in frustration.  Here it is for your reading enjoyment:

“Everybody is a genius.  But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”  Albert Einstein

It included a picture of Einstein in his young days when he was working as a clerk.

The first problem is the foolishness of the quote.  I shared it with a class and one of my brighter students got a confused look on her face and said, “Then no one is a genius.”  As they say, “out of the mouth of babes.”  It always amazes me when my 13 year olds have more savvy and common sense than the adults who have authority over me.  You wonder why college students are enthused about Bernie Sanders?  Their heads have been filled with mush by educators who think that everything is free and there are no consequences for stupidity and sloth.

The second problem is the lack of logic.  It would not be the fish that felt it was stupid.  The fish might think the judge was stupid.  The judge might feel stupid.  But the fish knows that its forte is swimming, not climbing.  The fish would be laughing at the fool quote.  Also, as I was researching this quote I found someone who pointed out that there is a fish that can climb a tree.  Who feels stupid now?  Sorry, nothing I can do about that.

The third problem is the source.  My first reaction was that just because Einstein was a great mathematician does not make him an authority on education or the human condition.  Then I began to wonder if even Einstein could be such an idiot savant.  I did a little Google search and found that no one can find any evidence that Einstein ever said such a thing.  This from the Quote Investigator,

“There is no substantive evidence that Einstein made this statement. It does not appear in the comprehensive collection of quotations “The Ultimate Quotable Einstein” from Princeton University Press.”

Abraham Lincoln and Benjamin Franklin are often quoted as saying things they never said.  Often the quotes are solid truths even if they did not come from solid people.  In this case it is a bunch of foolish educators trying to find traction for being champions of mediocrity.  Part of the problem is that it is hard for mediocre people to recognize genius.  They define it as agreeing with the standard nonsense of education.

I guess that makes none of us geniuses.

homo unius libri

Opus 2016-30: Ode to Old: Special Moments

Senior moments are getting more frequent.  That is preferable to youthful moments.  I don’t run down the halls screaming at the top of my lungs and running into walls.  I run into my walls quietly, thank you.

Recently I leaned into the shower and pushed the button on the Scrubbing Bubbles sprayer.  A few minutes later I realized I had turned on the water instead.  Maybe that is why our water bill is so high.

At least I am still aware of these moments, I think.

homo unius libri

Opus 2016-29: The Nadir of the Year

April 15 is coming.  The date reminds me of why I am not a liberal.

April 15, in case you don’t file, is the yearly deadline for submitting your federal income taxes.  If you have any kind of job and have had taxes withheld, you will be getting all kinds of forms in the mail to be included with your report to the government.  This year there is a new one.  We got it from our health insurance people.  You now need to file proving that you have health insurance.  If you don’t there will be fines and penalties that are worse than last year.

We have a professional do our taxes.  It costs us several hundred dollars and every penny is worth it.  Just the revisions on the tax code each year could fill a shelf.  I am an honest person and would not try to cheat on my taxes.  The problem is that you don’t need to be guilty of anything to be dragged in and held up against a wall.  All you need is an IRS agent having a bad day.  What our tax man keeps telling us it to do nothing that would raise a red flag.

I am more afraid of greedy, big government than I am of greedy, big business.  I am even more afraid of fascism, which is sometimes called crony capitalism.  That is when the two get in bed with each other.  A good example of that is Donald Trump bragging about how he has given money to both sides.  He openly admits he is buying them to get what he wants.  If he becomes president of the United States he can begin selling instead of buying.

That is where we are today.

homo unius libri

Opus 2016-28: L.E. Modesitt Makes the Big Time

You may not know the name L.E. Modesitt if you do not read sci-fi or fantasy.  He is a prolific and successful author.  I have not read all of his work but enough to know that I usually enjoy his characters and story line.  I have been reading his latest, Solar Express, and feel like something must have happened in his career to make him feel like he can go public with his religion.

He seems to be a worshiper at the Church of Global Warming.  I have never noticed this in any of his other works but this story keeps being interrupted with nonsense about how Sacramento has been abandoned under fifteen feet of water and the entire country of Bangladesh is gone.  New York is repeatedly called the Venice of the West.  I am 80% through the book and the rising water has nothing to do with the story line.  It just keeps getting thrown in.  Because it has nothing to do with the story I have kept reading.  My fear is that he will tie it in at the end and I will feel really cheated.

Other authors have done this.  They build a successful career on good writing and then their dark secrets come out.  For example, Robert Heinlein wrote great stories but I quit reading him when he became an advocate of incest.  What really irritates me is when I am reading a series that I enjoy and about four or five volumes into the story the author introduces a strange preoccupation with homosexuality or temporary, contract marriages.

I wish Modesitt continued success.  I will continue to try to read his books but if this is going to become a pattern I will stop wasting my time.  I have the same reaction when I try to read some books written by Christian authors who are ham-handed about being evangelistic. 

I am an equal opportunity, non-reader.

homo unius libri

Opus 2016-27: Middle Class Morality: Children

Modern Americans are beginning to look at children as a burden.  They cost money.  They demand time.  They require energy.  In short they are inconvenient and keep us from the gym.  They are for when we can afford them, unlike that new phone that we can put on our credit card.

That is not a middle class value.

Middle class morality is based on the Biblical teaching that children are a blessing from God.  Try this on for size:

(Psalms 127:3-5 KJV)  Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.  As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.  Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

If you are worried about the world being overpopulated, get a grip and face reality.  It has been a few years since I did the math but you can do it yourself.  Get a World Almanac and find out the world’s population.  Find out the area of Texas.  Do the division.  I found that the population of the entire world could live in Texas.  It was based on a family size averaging 4.1 and a home on 1/6 of an acre.  If you want malls and streets, throw in Oklahoma.  Notice I said the population of the world, not just the United States.

Middle class morality also puts children in their proper place.  They are not a source of wisdom.  Wisdom, when it is present, is given with age.  Children may have some qualities like trust and innocence but they are not to be consulted when a major decision is necessary.  Keep in mind that “McDonald’s or Burger King?” does not qualify as a major decision.  Children are to be trained, guided and disciplined.  They are not to be consulted.

They are children.  They are a blessing when raised with middle class morality, not a burden.

Viva la middle class morality.

To be continued...

homo unius libri

Opus 2016-26: Ode to Old: Oldest Teacher

I had thought to be retiring at this point.  It ain’t gonna happen.  At the mention of the word “retirement” my wife gets a frantic look in her eye and starts mumbling to herself something about “home all day.”  She even got me a mug for Christmas that makes some disparaging comment about a retired husband being a full time job for the wife.

I don’t have any idea what she is talking about.  Maybe that is part of the problem.  I saw a headline about some woman who is still teaching at 102.  I shudder at the thought.  She gets that look in her eye.

homo unius libri

Opus 2016-25: Tax Dollars at Work: Pedal Politics

They are taking away your liberty, one lane at a time.

It is typical Progressive Creep.  First they post the signs and pick a few lanes to confiscate in areas where no one will notice.  Have you seen them yet?  There are places where you have a four lane road and the two outer lanes have signs posted saying that it is okay for bicycles to use those lanes.  That means that in rush hour half of the driving surface can be blocked by a few people in spandex and aerodynamic helmets.  It is here and coming to a street near you.

When the frogs don’t jump out of the warm water it is turned it up another notch and before you know it we are all on buses or riding bikes.  If the Progressives and environmentalists (redundant, I know) can make driving so difficult we take the bus they will have succeeded in taking away the freedom of choice that mobility gives us.  Then we can all shop at the government co-op.

homo unius libri

Opus 2016-24: Repeal the 26th

  think it is time to repeal the 26th Amendment.  In fact we need to amend it or rewrite it. 

In case you were not paying attention, the 26th Amendment sets the voting age at 18.  Okay, so I had to look it up myself.  It is becoming clear that 18 is far too young to entrust with the franchise.  Consider the recent polling data out of Iowa. 

The polls indicated that the under 40 crowd is 2-1 in favor of Sanders over Clinton.  That means that the illiterate generation is twice as much as positive about an avowed socialist than for a closet socialist.  They seem to have not heard of the great socialists of history, Hitler, Stalin, Mao and Pol Pot to name a few.  Wherever socialists get control death and poverty follow.

But in all fairness it is probable that their history teachers were all socialists too.

Perhaps it is time to raise the voting age to 40.  While we are at it we might want to take the franchise away from teachers and college professors.  I would be willing to give up my right to vote for losing candidates in the People’s Republik of Kalifornia in order to remove educational minions from the voter gene pool.

As George Putnam used to say at the end of each newscast, “Here’s to a greater, stronger America.”

homo unius libri

Opus 2016-23: Green Piece: Analog Rocks

Digital is destroying the earth.

This is one of the random thoughts I had as I was weighing myself.  I needed something to distract me from the weight I had gained over the holidays.  I was thinking about the difference between my old spring driven scale and the shiny new digital model in the doctor’s office.  I  asked myself, “Why don’t I use a digital scale?”  Since my clinging to habit and unwillingness to spend the money didn’t sound too noble, I searched for a more politically correct answer.

Digital is part of the dumbing down process.  I have kids who cannot read an analog clock.  If you want them to know the time you need to put it digitally.  This is part of the process of dulling the thinking process that leads to excellence.  It perpetuates mediocrity because it allows people to be mentally lazy.

Digital requires electricity, usually batteries.  Modern batteries contain all kinds of metals like mercury and lithium.  They get discarded and most are not recycled.  This generates polution.  Electricity from the power grid is usually generated by coal or diesel fuel.  If you are an environmentalist you consider that dirty.  Mechanical analog is clean.

Remember when you could tune up your car by yourself.  You bought a set of points and some plugs and you were good to go.  It cost a few dollars.  Now you need to replace the entire computer module that does the job.  More waste.  More dependence on experts.  Less independence and challenge to do-it-yourself.

Do I like my computer?  Yes.  I hope I never need to go back to a typewriter or mechanical calculator again.  Does my car get better milage?  They tell me it does and the money I save on gas I put into expensive repairs.  Some trade offs are worth it, some aren’t. 

I rejoice in the freedom to make the choices and decide which are best for me.  The government regulators want to make that decision for me.

That I hate.

homo unius libri

Opus 2016-22: A Transparty Moment of Unity

The Democrats are having a Republican moment.  I imagine many of them are not happy with either of their choices.

As a registered Republican I have been unhappy with the final choices forced on me almost every election cycle.  I have watched the candidates I liked falling away, one by one, and the final choice is an unelectable moderate.  Even the “successful” elections have not been my first, second or third choice. 

I am tired of voting for the lesser of two evils. 

If there are any America loving, mentally capable Democrats left in the country, they are feeling my pain.  Even the rest of them are feeling the pain.  Which candidate can cause the most damage to the country?  It is a tossup. 

I feel their pain.  I hope the country does not need to feel it.

homo unius libri

Opus 2016-21: Media Red Herrings

Yesterday morning on a talk show I heard that there is some kind of noise over Trump saying “One Corinthians” rather than “First Corinthians”.  I was guessing it was something from the debate.  I got the impression that the media types were making a big deal about it.  On the way home I heard it on another program and found out it was from an appearance at Liberty University.

It is just more smoke and mirrors.

The reason I didn’t get the whole context in the morning is because I was listening to a sermon by Alistair Begg on my I-pod and tend to go back and forth to the radio.  The reason I say “smoke and mirrors” is because Begg, one of the more popular preachers on the radio, always says “One Corinthians”.  Since he is from Scotland I assume it is part of his British heritage or it might even be exclusive to Scotland itself. 

I am not a Trump fan.  He certainly doesn’t need me to defend him but this kind of nonsense just gives the talking heads something to distract us with instead of substance and issues.  Instead of focusing on vocal mannerisms I wish they would lay out all of the different positions Trump has taken over the years.

But then that might get people thinking and the MSM certainly doesn’t want that.

homo unius libri

Opus 2016-20: Election 2016: Winning Planks, Define Citizenship

I have been stirring this soup for awhile but current events bring it to the front burner.  Not because of all the noise about Ted Cruz but because of all the damage being done by anchor babies and court decisions giving even illegal immigrants the benefit of all Constitutional rights.  It is a discussion that the Republicans need to be having because the Democrats are out to destroy the country by winning elections based on importing voters.

First, we need an open discussion of who is a citizen.  Right now if you are the child of border jumpers and your mother jumped the border to make sure you were born here, you are a citizen.  That was not the original intent.  The idea was that people who came here to be productive, permanent citizens would have children who would be citizens.  It was to avoid a bunch of paperwork to establish what should be obvious.  Having an anchor baby so you won’t be deported is an idea who’s time should have come and gone.

There should be some reasonable solution that can be worked out, such as bestowing retroactive citizenship on children when their parents become citizens.

Then we have the problem of citizens having no more rights than anyone else.  If someone who just beat the Federales across the border has the same constitutional rights that I enjoy having lived here all my life, what is the point of being a citizen.  Certain rights should be for citizens, not the world.  If you are here illegally the only due process you should get is to make sure you are illegal and then send you back where you came from.  If you return again, then start some labor gangs to build the wall.  Make it clear and follow through.

And how about all the welfare and health care benefits people get who are breaking the law just by being here.  Maybe we could bill the country of origin for the cost of maintaining their people.  We would not need to deport anyone who is illegal if we would simply take away all the freebies that are handed out from cell phones to surgery. 

This might require a Constitutional amendment followed by immediate impeachment of any judge who goes against it.

Tough talk?  Unfortunately it is only talk at this point.

homo unius libri

Opus 2016-19: Election 2016: A Winning Strategy

Perhaps a winning strategy for the Progressives would be to let the Republicans win.  The result of Republican majorities seems to always produce the budgets that the socialists want so why do they bother so much with contesting elections?

When a Republican controlled house and Senate pass a budget that has Obama, Reid and Pelosi smiling and high fiving we have a major loss of credibility.  We have seen the same thing over and over again in the last seven years.

So my advice for the Democrats is let the Republicans win.  That way you can have your cake and eat it too.

homo unius libri

Opus 2016-18: Surprise! Hypocrisy on the Left

This link only lasted one day on Drudge.  I don’t know if it was judged lacking in interest or just too embarrassing to the race baiters of the left.  The headline from the Hollywood Reporter had to do with the next Nancy Drew not being white.  That in itself is not surprising and not worth comment.  We are used to this kind of nonsense. 

The problem is in the hypocritical racism of the elitist media moguls.  The article has this quote,

“CBS Entertainment president Glenn Geller revealed Tuesday that the network's reimagining of the iconic character will be diverse.

"’[She will] not [be] Caucasian,’ he stressed. ‘I'd be open to any ethnicity.’”

Evidently not.  If he could state ahead of time that she would not be white then it would seem obvious that he was not open to any ethnicity.  Racism under any mantle is still racism.   

I don’t have problems with a non-white Nancy Drew.  When I see artwork from Africa that has a black Jesus, no problem.  When I see Asian pictures of Jesus from the East, again no problem.  When I see Jesus portrayed as a white northern European I am also aware of the fantasy.  I can roll with it.  What I bristle at is the so called non-racists using racist logic and acting like they are open minded, tolerant and intelligent. 

But nothing new here.

homo unius libri

Opus 2016-17: I Am Safer Today

We recently had some repair work done on our house.  It was big enough that it would require an inspection by the city in order to be legal.  As the contractor was almost finished he pointed out that when the inspectors came to check what he was doing they would also be checking for some other things that had nothing to do with his work.  He said they would not sign off on what he had done until we added smoke alarms to every bedroom and a carbon monoxide detector in the hall. 

Welcome to the nanny state.  We knew that the city required this in rental units.  I can see that to a point because often renters need someone to keep an eye on cheap landlords.  We are now talking about my private home.  What business is it of theirs to come into my home and tell me what I need?  Are the government nannies going to start telling me the colors I need on my walls so that I will be happier?  Are they going to put timers on my refrigerator door to keep me from eating too much?  If I do not comply will the government condemn the house and put me on the street?

Actually the answer is, “Yes, they will”.  Keep in mind that the nanny state has many ways of forcing us to compliance.  They can seize your bank accounts.  They can condemn your house and send the marshals to move you out.  They can take your children and put them in foster homes.  They can put you on a “no fly” list for any reason at all.  If you are paying attention you have seen it already.  If you are making noise you might have experienced it.

Vote while you still have a chance.  Do some research and apply what you learn.

homo unius libri

Opus 2016-16: Ode to Old: My Adapt Has Gone Flat

Old people have been good at adapting to new technology.  We have been willing to change and move forward for decades.  What technologies have I adapted to?  My mind started down memory lane.

TV, yes I am that old
Microwave
Automatic coffee maker
French press coffee maker
Dishwashers
Garbage disposals
Air Conditioning
Computers, from C/PM to Linux
Flash drives (after disks and Zip)
Internet (Dial up and all of the upgrades)
Rotary dial to push button phones
Cell Phones of every variation
I-Pod
Bluetooth
DVD/CD format
Cassette tapes
Ear phones
Calculators
Bells and whistles on my cars:  Electric doors and windows, remote locks, solid state ignition

New items are occurring to me all the time but why bother going on. 

One reason that we don’t seem ready to try something new is that we have enough experience and wisdom to realize the “new” is either just resurrected “old” or else it isn’t worth the bother.  The problem may also be that we only have so many adaptations built into us and there comes a time when we are adapted out.

Either way, I am not interested in Facebook.  It is already on the way out from what I hear at school.

I will spend my time trying to figure out Medicare.

homo unius libri

Opus 2016-15: New Terms: Political Science

Yes, I know that political science has been around a long time but we need to revisit the term.  No longer does it mean the study of politics from the position of historic trends.  That is now called media bias or brainwashing.  Now it means the study of science for political reasons.

Picture something that should be as clear as the reason Donald Trump is bringing up where Ted Cruz was born.  Picture global warming.  It doesn’t take much research to realize that there is no credible evidence for man-caused global warming.  Even a study of history will show you that there have been much warmer periods before the advent of industrialization.  Yet it keeps being pushed by “reputable scientists”.  No.  It is pushed by researchers who want to get big bucks from a progressive government that wants to take away our liberty by oppressive regulation.  It has nothing to do with science and everything to do with politics.

Follow the money.

homo unius libri

Opus 2016-14: Ode to Old: Sunday Morning

When I was young with small children and very involved in the church, Sunday morning was a rat race.  It seemed like a major challenge to get where we needed to be, ready to do what we needed to do, when it needed to be done.

Now I am old, have no children at home and am not able to be involved in any kind of leadership.  Sunday morning has become a time of leisure.  I can see why people who only came on Sunday morning for the 11:00 service and warmed a pew thought everything was great. 

It helps that I don’t stay up until 1:00 A.M. and can’t sleep late. 

I guess there are some benefits to getting old.

homo unius libri

Opus 2016-13: Discernment Watch: Charity Cripples

I recently read an article in the magazine Costco sends out monthly about people involved in charity work.  At first and second glance it was heartwarming.  These are people trying to reach out and help those in need.  Who could have a problem with that?

Pumice.

In almost every case I could say they are preventing people from standing on their own two feet.  The problem with charity work is that it tends to interrupt the normal flow of economics and responsibility.  It gets people making choices based on false realities.

Let me give you an example that I am stealing from someone from long ago.  There was a basketball coach who had a cause.  He was concerned for people without shoes in third world countries.  He put a program in place that gathered thousands of pairs of shoes and took them overseas to distribute among those in need.  Who could have a problem with that?

Whomever I am stealing this from.

What are the results of this?  In the country that got the free shoes, the people who made shoes were put out of work.  The people that sold shoes made no money.  Entrepreneurs who might have stepped forward left the country or went to work for a Chinese multinational.  Short term they got shoes.  Long term they lost a future.  Think about that next time you want to subsidize someone’s health care or income.  It used to be if you wanted a better life you would get training, work longer hours, take a chance on a new idea or marry well.  In the Progressive era you just look like a victim and hold out your hand.

Charity should be either “emergency only” or genuine preparation for the future. 

homo unius libri

Opus 2016-12: Healthy Insights: Silver Linings

Over Christmas three of the people at our house came down with something.  Two weeks and a load of antibiotics later my wife is still coughing from deep in her chest.  At this point I am still clear and I am wondering why. 

It occurred to me that one of the perks of working with public school inmates is that I am constantly exposed to snotty noses and unwashed hands.  That doesn’t sound like a perk.  Consider.  It is possible that the perpetual attacks on my immune system have built up a stronger resistance to everyday germs.

Who knows?  I could get hit tomorrow.  We are surrounded by bacteria and viruses.  Microscopic life teems with reproductive power on every surface.  At the same time, God designed our bodies with multi-layered, natural defenses to deal with the situation.

I will keep washing my hands and eating my fruit.  The rest is up to Him. 

homo unius libri

Opus 2016-11: Election 2016: An Update on Health Care

I would hope that most people who bother with what I write also check out the cartoons at Hope and Change.  If you are like I used to be you just enjoy the cartoons and ignore the writing underneath.  For once I would like you to read the comments.  You will need to scroll down a little for the second entry which deals with Obamacare.

How is Obamacare working for average people?  Here is someone who wanted nothing to do with it but was forced onto the plan.  Read about the total incompetence of the system and how it is designed to do little but mess with us and force us onto socialized medicine.

The frightening thing about this is the way in which faceless voices on the phone or impossible to navigate voice-mail can make us totally helpless.  I would like to think these are just blips but I keep hearing them and I know how government agencies can work.

We have an election coming up.  This is one of the issues that require you to look beyond the candidate for president and consider that every member of the House of Representatives and one third of the Senate are up for expulsion.  It is up to us.

Elections matter.

homo unius libri

Opus 2016-10: CCC: A New Opiate

Education is in trouble.  Notice I did not say “public education”.  Private schools keep following in line behind the public schools.  Even they have lost their edge.

The problem is not Common Core Curriculum (CCC).  That is just a symptom.  It is just another one of the many smokescreens that the elites of education keep throwing out as a “new” idea.  The basic principle that the public is fed claims that we need to have agreement across the country on what is taught.  Why?  And who said we had not come to that point without the coercive dollars of the federal government trying to buy us into submission?

The problem is the culture of education.  The revolutionary aspect of CCC is not the content.  The revolution is in the method.  It puts a stress on group work that encourages sloth and discourages individual initiative.  It rewards mediocrity and punishes excellence.  It is part of the plan of the elites to dumb down the population so that they will not notice their loss of liberty.  Group work can be effective when you have motivated people who know their stuff.  It is nothing but pooling ignorance or parasitism with the majority. 

Recently I read about how the failure rate in law schools was rising dramatically.  At the other end of the testing spectrum, last year I remember an article talking about how a large percentage, my memory says 25%, of potential recruits for the army can’t pass their basic testing. 

I would say that the elites are being successful in their quest for a compliant population.  If you have children or grandchildren in school you need to demand common sense not Common Core as the basis for how the schools run.

And remember, even when it comes to school boards, vote the suckers out.

homo unius libri

Opus 2016-9: Middle Class Morality: Objective Truth

Post modern and New Age philosophies are antithetical to Christianity and thus to middle class morality.  They are based on the rejection of absolute truth or absolutes of any kind, except of course the absolute power such people seek.  This is demonstrated by a principle of the New Age called “deconstruction”.  It seems to have started as an academic way of interpreting fiction.  You remember all the literature classes you took where they put all kinds of hidden meanings on the author’s words?  That is the academic spirit we are talking about.  It is relatively harmless when limited to a few English classes.  The problem is that the thinking spread like a virus through the roots of the other disciplines.

Check out this quote from a site linked to Stanford Presidential Lecutures.

“Deconstruction: A school of philosophy that originated in France in the late 1960s, has had an enormous impact on Anglo-American criticism. Largely the creation of its chief proponent Jacques Derrida, deconstruction upends the Western metaphysical tradition.”

The key concept here is the goal of upending Western tradition.  It teaches that everything is relative.  That includes the words you use.  Do you wonder how the Supreme Court comes up with decisions that defy logic and common sense?  It is because they embrace this idea that the Constitution means what they want it to mean, not what it says.

Middle class morality does not accept this.  To the middle class, Objective Truth exists.  Morality is defined by those objective truths and they are found in the Bible.  Look at the Ten Commandments.  They are not suggestions or guidelines.  Middle class morality understands that there are many areas of grey and some areas are confusing but the basics provide a solid foundation for interpreting the rest.

Viva la middle class morality.

To be continued...

homo unius libri

Opus 2016-8: Ebullient Epiphany

The freeway was strangely empty this morning.  I began to wonder why. 

Are the welfare checks in so the masses of California were out shopping?  No.  They would not be normally driving to work.

Did the rapture take place and I have been left behind?  No.  I might be left behind but there would not be enough people taken to effect traffic.

After the president’s speech on his coming gun grab, were people lined up at gun stores while they still could?  I like that idea.

Then it occurred to me.  It is Epiphany.  It is the day that the Western Christian church remembers the coming of the Wise Men and the Eastern Church celebrates the birth of Jesus.  Keeping in mind how many Christians have been fleeing the Middle East to escape the murderous pogroms perpetuated by Islam it stands to reason that much of Southern California might be staying home to celebrate what many of us think of as Christmas. 

That must be it.

So celebrate with our Eastern Church brothers and sisters even if it is only by enjoying the light traffic.

Ebullient Epiphany.

homo unius libri

Opus 2016-7: Middle Class Morality: Real Tolerance

Americans are an incredibly tolerant people.  I refer to the real meaning of tolerance.  Tolerance is the willingness to put up with people you do not like or agree with.  It is extending them the courtesy that is due because they are also human beings.  It does not mean approving or supporting in any way.  It does not mean condoning criminal behavior because it is politically correct.  Well mannered endurance is a better way of describing it.

This is a Christian value that actually comes from the Old Testament law of the Jews.

(Leviticus 19:18 KJV)  Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.

It is the bedrock of how a Christian relates to people of different beliefs,

(1 Peter 3:15 NAS77)  but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;

This is why the original thirteen colonies were able to unite into a single republic.  Each one thought of themselves as an independent, sovereign nation and yet they were able to give that up and work together in spite of their differences.  Tolerance is the heart of the federal system which is being suborned by the elitists of today.

We are a tolerant people because we are founded on the teachings of the Bible.  Tolerance became a middle class value because of that.  It still remains dominant but the attempt to remove the Christian influence is slowly eroding it.

If we reject this middle class morality we will soon be like Iraq, Syria, Spain, Rwanda and any other of the countries split by tribal hatred and racially centric thinking. 

Viva la middle class morality.

To be continued...

homo unius libri

Opus 2016-6: Middle Class Morality

We live in a culture that is taking perfectly good words and perverting them into some twisted parody of their true meaning.  Being called a prude is an insult when it should be the highest praise.  Gay no longer means happy, carefree and lighthearted.  Love has become lust.  Respect has become courtesy and tolerance is anything but.  One of the pejorative terms of our day is calling something “middle class”. 

Middle class was originally a term for people who have worked their way out of poverty and illiteracy and made something of themselves.  It was a dream, a goal.  It spoke of achievement, stability and responsibility.  Of course, those are also character traits that are mocked today.  It seems to be a package deal.

We would all agree that life is not about a house in the suburbs, 2.1 children, two cars and a family orthodontist.  Life is not about material possessions.  What has happened is that materialism, which is part of the human condition, has been labeled as a middle class value.  It isn’t.  Materialism is a rejection of trust in God and putting your trust in things found on earth.  It is the default setting of the rich and poor as well as the middle class.

Much of middle class America is to be found based on Biblical principles.  I want to look at some of those values and principles.

Viva la middle class morality.

To be continued...

homo unius libri

Opus 2016-5: Election 2016: Third Party Fantasies

As I walked through the room the TV was on.  The topic under discussion seemed to be third party elections.  It is a recurring theme in the day of Trump.  I have even heard Democrats talking about a third party run.  Wouldn’t it be fun if we had a third party from the right and one from the left in the same election.  That could produce some interesting results in the Electoral College.

The talking heads need to get a grip.  So do those of the masses who think a third party is the magic bullet of politics.  Historically third parties are usually just spoilers by spoiled politicians who want their way.  There have been a few exceptions but they follow a different pattern than we are seeing today.

How does a viable third party emerge? 

First of all, start small.  A successful third party needs to start on the local level and build to the presidency.  Everything else is a spoiler.  If you cannot elect a city council member, mayor or member of the state assembly, how do you think you will ever elect a president?  If by some miracle you did win an election, how would he be able to work with congress?  By the time the wet-behind-the-ears Republicans ran a presidential candidate they already had a few governors and other elected officials.  Obviously they eventually replaced the fading Whigs.  It could be done again

Second, be patient.  It takes time, commitment and effort.  People who might join you need to see that you are in for the long haul.

Third, be for something.  The emerging Republicans had three themes:  Free men, free silver, free land.  There are lots of important issues that need to be addressed today. 

Fourth, be satisfied if all you do is reform the party you want to replace.  Many of the standard expectations of today came from third parties.  Free public education and 40 hours weeks would be good examples.  They were considered wild and crazy in their day, now they are sacred.  If the Republican party would begin to demonstrate that it believed in the standards of the party platform, I would be able to lift my head and be proud again.  When they give the socialist in charge everything he wants I wonder why I have not re-registered as an independent.

The time comes for change.  The Federalists and Whigs found that out the hard way.  I hope the same happens for the Republicans.

homo unius libri

Opus 2016-4: In Which I Scare Off Three Ninjas

I was sound asleep.  It was my last morning before I returning to work.  All was well with the world until once again I was rousted out of bed because my wife heard a noise.

This has happened hundreds of times over the last 40 years.  In that time there has been a genuine source of the “noise” once.  It turned out to be an animal in the trash can who could not get out.  Okay, I will give her that one.  The rest of the time, who knows?

She heard a noise.  Okay.  Where did she hear it?  First location was in the back yard.  We have spot lights and windows so I do an internal check of the house.  All windows and doors are secure.  I peer out the windows and see nothing.  I turn on the lights and see nothing.  Then when I was returning from my adventure I am informed that it sounded like someone breaking into the garage.  Understand something for clarity.  The garage is in the opposite direction from the back yard.  Then I was told that she and the cat heard it coming from above the TV, which was turned on at the time.  At this point I am doubting the sanity of one person in the room and the cat doesn’t qualify.  How can a sound of breaking into the garage in the front of the house, made by someone in the back yard come from the attic over the TV?  Maybe it was a ninja.  If so, we are already dead and don’t know it.  Maybe it was three ninjas.  If so we are dead three times and don’t know it.

By now it is 6:00 A.M. and I might as well make a pot of coffee.

The difficult point is that even a broken clock is right twice a day.  The next time she hears a sound it might be something to get concerned about, so I can’t afford to get complacent.  I would rather be up and alert for no reason than sleeping when tragedy gets past the locks.  When you listen to people who deal in personal security the number one lesson has to do with situational awareness.  You can’t be aware if you are asleep.

homo unius libri

Opus 2016-3: Why Your Wife Doesn't Understand You

Male humor gets you in trouble in a female world.

Face it.  Most women have no sense of humor, at least the women in my life.

I am not talking about locker room humor that focuses on sex.  I am talking about the kind of thing that Don Rickles was famous for and the comments the you would hear on “Celebrity Roast”.  Men who are friends can throw out all kinds of insulting remarks and understand that it is among friends.  It is often funny.

The label has morphed over the years.  We have knocked, chopped, ragged, pounded, and of course roasted.  The current term that is being used is “bagging”. 

The kids I work with don’t understand when I make disparaging remarks about myself.  They get this strange look on their face and say in wonder, “You’re bagging on yourself!”  Yes, I am.  Funny is funny and is often based on the unexpected or divergent viewpoint.  Often what I say about myself isn’t that funny.  It is a simple statement of the obvious, but it catches them off guard because I am saying it about myself.

Women will never understand.  Neither will the modern feminized version of men. 

So how many old, bald, male bloggers does it take to put down a toilet seat?  We don’t know because it has never been done.  The ladies may understand the point but might not think it is funny.

homo unius libri

Opus 2016-2: Peace, Brother

There is only one religion of peace in the world.  It is not Christianity.  It is not Judaism. 

Christianity is defined by agape or love.

Judaism is limited by torah or the Law.

Only Islam is called a religion of peace.

The problem, as usual, is in our definitions.

What would a real religion of peace teach?  Christianity has nothing in the New Testament that gives Christians authorization to kill people who disagree with them.  Islam does.

In the Old Testament there are some specific, one time commands to destroy a city or people.  True, but keep in mind that they were limited not open ended.  They were one time events.  The Old Testament has a bigger principle of compassion and care.  Let me give you a few examples.

(Leviticus 19:18 KJV)  Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.

(Proverbs 25:21 KJV)  If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:

You thought that was only in the New Testament, right?

When Islam speaks of peace it is the peace of a happy slave.  It is joyful submission.  If you refuse to submit, it is the peace of the grave.

You have heard the expression, “Pick your poison.”  In this case it is a matter of picking your peace.

homo unius libri

Opus 2016-1: Bah, Auld Lang Syne

I am not going to celebrate New Years Day any more.  It is just another pagan holiday full of superstitious nonsense and ritual.  Think of the ancient cultures that used to sacrifice virgins in order to convince the sun that it should not go away, to invite it to stay another year.  Think of the gluttonous feasts and licentious escapades that were common.  January 1 was chosen by Julius Caesar in 45 BC.  The name comes from Janus a god with two faces looking forward and backward.  I cannot be a part of that heritage.

Also, it is totally arbitrary.  Down through history it has been different for different cultures.  In the 12th century England celebrated the beginning of the new year on March 12.  Cultures that use a lunar calendar are constantly in flux.  Since we don’t know the actual date that Bible declares as the beginning of the year we had best avoid it.

And think of the commercialization of the day.  Greedy businessmen are manipulating us just to make money.  Labor unions are looking for another day off.  What do babies in diapers and old men with scythes have to do with anything?

We can’t even call it “Creation Day” like some call Christmas “Incarnation Day”.  That would open the door to pagans who celebrate the earth being renewed every year. 

So, Bah Humbug on Auld Lang Syne.  Go to bed on time and go to work as usual.

homo unius libri