Opus 2018-200: Today or Tomorrow

This week we visited the boyhood home of Ronald Reagan.  It was an interesting tour which included a short video.  One of the quotes from Reagan dealt with him being sent to the Principal’s office.  He remembered the principal saying to him, “I am not concerned about how you feel about me today.  I am concerned about how you feel about me in 15 years.”

This connected with me because one of the points I continually made with students was that I really did not care how they felt today.  They wanted to play football with failing grades.  I kept refusing to sign the paper and they would get frustrated with me.  I kept telling them that my concern was how they felt about life in twenty years.  This is important to remember in the area of discipline.  Our concern should not be the self esteem the student is feeling this minute but the life lessons learned that can give them a reason to have solid self esteem when they grow up.

Education has abandoned that principle.  Too many parents have abandoned that principle.

homo unius libri

Opus 2018-199: On the Street: People to the Left of me...

We are on the road.  I am enjoying the time we are spending with friends and family.  At the same time I am totally worn out.  I am an introvert.  People drain me.  Non-stop people just keeps sucking it out of me.  My wife is just the opposite.  She thrives on having people around.  She is driven to interact.  When we went to the doctors office I thought I was safe but as we waited for the receptionist to get to us she initiated a conversation with an unsuspecting man waiting for his wife.  When we flew recently she talked the entire flight with the woman next to her while the husband slept and I read a book.

We are all so different.  Life is complex.  Since we are on a road trip I have no place to escape.  If I start going crazy, let me know.

homo unius libri

Opus 2018-198: On the Street: Vocabulary Lessons

As I continue to learn from the antics of people around me I am realizing that there are a couple of words I need to remove from my vocabulary:  Always and never.  If I can’t remove them I need to be careful how I use them.

This insight was gained by a recent “discussion” in which I was accused of always doing one disgusting thing and never doing another.  It reminds me of one of my favorite bits of bathroom humor.  How many men does it take to put down a toilet seat?  We don’t know because it has never been done.  I think it is funny but I also know that it didn’t take two many experiences of sitting down on the cold reality of the toilet rim to get me into the proper habit.

I won’t bother sharing all of the things I “never” do or the many that I “always” complete.  I am sure that your list would overlap quite a bit with mine.

homo unius libri

Opus 2018-197: Social Security Is Watching You

I went in for my first annual physical since going on Social Security.  The first thing I learned was that it is no longer an annual physical.  It in now an annual “wellness check”.  My wife was informed that the doctor would not touch us.  After a life time of being poked and prodded it seems that we have reached the level where none of that is necessary any more.  I was also told that they did not do the blood test for prostrate cancer anymore.  I can only assume that they hope we will just keel over and die.

Although the doctor did not have the time to check for hernia or swollen liver or any of the other things he could have looked at in a couple of minutes he did have a long list of questions to ask.  He started of by explaining, “Don’t get mad.  I am required to ask these questions.”  At the first one I had to laugh, “Do you know what year this is?”  I laughed because when I had signed the form at the front desk I had written 2017 instead of 2018.  It is a good thing I caught it and changed it.  He then went on to wonder if I had felt depressed or had a lack of interest in things.  He wanted to know if I had throw rugs in my house.  The last question was about having smoke detectors in my house.

This is your government in action.  They want to trap you into seeming to be crazy.  I wonder what would have happened if I did not know the county I was in or the state I lived in.  Would I have gone on a list that the government keeps to try and restrict my other freedoms because I was not competent?  Perhaps this is the first level of the death panels that will later decide who gets treatment and who doesn’t.

I am more worried about a hernia.  I guess I will know when my intestines start to stick out past my belly button.

homo unius libri

Opus 2018-196: Just Call Me Paul

If you have not heard about Paul Manafort being declared guilty then you are lucky.  I was going to say you need to get out more but changed my mind.  It is all we will be hearing about for ages.  Most of us are missing the point.  The point is not was he guilty or not, the question is why was he indicted in the first place.  This is the kind of event that should send chills down the back of every law abiding America.

Someone made the point that no one can go through the day without doing something that could get them in trouble with the government.  Set aside breaking the law.  The number of laws are dwarfed by the number of regulations put out daily by unelected bureaucrats.  There are so many that no one can know all of them.  Have you ever seen the shelves of notebooks and references that your tax man has?  That is just from the IRS.  Add all the regulations from EPA, DWP, DMV, and every other agency that wants to regulate your life.  Have your tried to adopt a pet recently?  You need to sign away your life and in some cases have a social worker visit your home. 

Did Paul Manafort break any laws?  Let’s assume he did whatever they are talking about.  The reason he was in solitary confinement is not that he broke the law.  It was because the Meuller witch hunt thought that they could coerce him into giving them dirt on Donald Trump.  The laws he broke had nothing to do with Donald Trump or his campaign.  They had nothing to do with Russia.  The offenses were from years ago.  If he had never met Donald Trump he would be a free man today.  This is a tactic that the left uses to intimidate their political enemies.  They have a number of tactics besides this.  Think of Robert Bork and the character assassination he went through.  Think of the attacks Clarence Thomas had to face.  Have you picked up how the media and their DNC clones have been going after the e-mails of Judge Kavanaugh’s wife?  These people have no shame and no moral fiber.  And of course there is the growing list of people who mysteriously die or commit suicide after they get on Hillary’s bad side.

We life in scary times.  The left is like a lawn mower trying to cut off any bloom that dares to rise above the grass.  Pray for the president and hope he can bring real change.

homo unius libri

Opus 2018-195: Just Call Me Alex

Why should we be concerned when someone like Alex Jones is banned by social media?  Think about it.  Although I have little experience with his broadcasts I know who he is.  He has quite a following.  I would assume in the millions.  Yet they blocked his access.  If they get away with it against someone as popular as he is it will be no big deal for them to come for you.  You have probably heard the quote about how “When they came for the gypsies I said nothing because I wasn’t a gypsy.”  And remember that it ends, “When they came for me....”  You can apply it to any area of liberty we have.  Take the issue of freedom of speech that is being attacked.  They say they are in favor of freedom of speech but only when it is fair and tolerant.  Of course the elites are the ones who decide what is fair and tolerant.  Or the Second Amendment.  They started with machine guns and have been after something called an “assault rifle” for years.  Of course in their definition a Ruger 10/22, possibly the most popular gun in America can be an assault rifle if you add certain cosmetic attachments.  The liberals in our society are the omnipresent camels nose that is under the tent.

Be concerned.

Why should we not be concerned?  Because social media is a business and in a free market economy they can only do what their customers will allow.  We do not need government regulation.  We don’t need any new laws passed.  What we need are people ending their participation.  Will it be inconvenient?  Not for me but it will for millions.  Is it worth it?  I think so but I am giving up nothing in this case.  If enough people cancel their accounts and stop clicking on the Icons their add revenue will nose dive and you will find out just how committed they are to their cause. 

To paraphrase someone else’s line, “You are Alex Jones”.

homo unius libri

Opus 2018-194: On the Street: Fake News Ratings

Based on my brief exposure to CNN I keep wondering how they get any numbers on the surveys.  I know they are low but not low enough.  Who would waste their time listening to the anti-Trump and anti-traditional values that flows out of the talking heads.  For a week I was forced to block out the CNN nonsense.  My mind was beginning to turn to jelly even though I was not listening. 

Then I realized that the only reason CNN has any ratings left is because they are on in every lobby and waiting room in the country.  I don’t know if you get out enough to notice but you tend to get CNN in every public space.  We try to change it to Fox.  Sometimes we are successful.  Sometimes we are not.  I think there must be some way in which the ratings people count all the victims walking through lobbies, trapped in waiting rooms, crowded into airports and too far away to find the controls.

It could also be that the ratings are as fake as the news.

homo unius libri

Opus 2018-193: Humor Me

I am enjoying all of the humor directed toward Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.  Most of it fits well into the world of political satire.  I have one problem with it though, how many of the retarded quotes are actually quotes?  She seems to be so out of the loop of evolution that they all sounds possible but which are real?

I would suggest that there be some kind of emblem or symbol that could be attached to the humor to show us that the quotes are real, as stupid as it makes her or any other liberal look.  Make it something not distracting like the little k in a circle that tells me food is kosher.  I will continue to enjoy both the real idiocy and the creative products of conservative humorists.  I just want to know what is true and what is fantasy.

Maybe we could require the Fake News people to use the same symbol.  No.  It would never work.  They are so far gone that they believe their own lies.

homo unius libri

Opus 2018-192: Freedom Illusions

Recently I have seen a poster in several forms that lists all of the things we could do 125 years ago without government permission.  It is a wake up call.  We think we are free but in reality we are tightly bound by the constraints of our society.  Some are probably necessary.  It might be necessary to require driving on a certain side of the road.  Common threads of screws and a uniform standard of measurement are some of the basics in the Constitution.  On the other hand, do I really need my barber to have a license issued by the state? 

What limits your freedom?  Think of a horse.

Fence freedom:  We have all seen movies where herds of horses are thundering across the screen.  They look as free as the wind.  They are, for a couple of hundred yards.  Then they run into a fence or some other barrier that says, “You can’t go here.”  It is the illusion of freedom.  You have 100 acres of unfettered roaming.  As long as you leave your glasses off and don’t look too close you can feel free.  There is still a fence and we know where the grass is greener.  This is where most of us are.  Unless we get really carried away or find a broken gate, we are golden.

Bridle and saddle:  You can run fast and there are no fences to stop you but you don’t make any of the choices.  Someone is in control of your actions.  As long as you are going where they like, you are golden.  Sometimes this is necessary such as in military operations but too many in other positions are told what to believe and when to believe it.

Hobbles freedom:  If my reading gives me the right understanding hobbles are short ropes used to tie the front legs of a horse together.  Moving is possible but difficult.  It keeps them from wondering when you are not looking.  Government restrictions like this let you go where you want but you can’t get far. 

Lead freedom:  This is a rope around your neck that gives you one option.  There are no fences and no rider but there is also no freedom.  A pack horse can get so used to this that they will follow along willingly.  People who are products or our modern educational system often are brainwashed into this.

And keep in mind the destiny of a horse that breaks a leg.

Can a horse be truly free?  It used to be possible but there were some definite dangers.  Wild horses had real dangers from disease and parasites.  They tended to get sick and die a lot.  Over the years as horse hunters would capture the strongest and break them the herds became weaker and more sickly.  Then you had the danger of predators.  In the wild, horses are just part of the food chain.  Notice that there eyes are on the side so they are the hunted, not the hunters.

Do you really want to be free?  Liberty sounds nice but it has a down side.  Our growing government is holding out the offer of security to replace liberty.  Keep in mind that every new law that makes you safer comes in the form of a fence, bridle, hobble or lead.  I guess some people are natural born pack horses.

November is coming.  Vote for the people that are most willing to let you make your own choices.

homo unius libri

Opus 2018-191: On the Street: Brainwashing Is Spelled CNN

I am on the road again and staying in a hotel that is a true believer in CNN.  The first three times I was in the lobby long enough to pay attention all I heard were repeated litanies about racism and white privilege.  It was non-stop propaganda.  After that it was one anti-Trump screed after another.  It is no wonder that so many people are ignorant and never-Trump.  It is the intellectual equivalent of living on Twinkies. 

When my wife asked why the TV was on CNN she was told that it was the decision of the general manager.  I wonder if he is a Democrat? 

It gives me a good reason to read a book.

homo unius libri

Opus 2018-190: Forgiveness

Trigger Warning:  Theology ahead.

Is it necessary to ask for forgiveness?  Is it necessary to change our behavior?  Most pagans and new age church attenders would answer “no” to both questions.  Jesus gives one example where the answers are “No” and “Yes”.

For reference look at John 8:1-11.  I will tag it on the end for those who don’t have a Bible handy and are not familiar with the passage.  It is referred to as the “Woman Caught in Adultery” episode.  A woman was brought to Jesus accused of adultery by a group of Pharisees.  They were obviously trying to force Jesus into some kind of public display.  They wanted Jesus to endorse stoning the woman to death as the law allow for.  Jesus called their bluff and then spoke to the woman.

I don’t think there was any doubt the woman was guilty of adultery.  It is also clear that Jesus was not condoning the behavior.  He said two things and they must be taken together.  First He said He did not condemn her and then Jesus said, “Go and sin no more.”

In regard to my opening question, notice that there is no record of the woman offering a defense or asking for forgiveness.  It is possible that it was left out but clear it is not mentioned.  Yet in spite of that Jesus offered her forgiveness.  Interesting.  I would submit that God is not into ritual flow charts, check boxes or games.  I would suggest that He can read our hearts and even if we don’t say the approved phrases He responds as if we had.  So, no, we don’t need to recite a set piece.  It is probably better if we do because it helps to clarify our minds, but God is flexible in ways we don’t understand.

Was it expected that the woman would change her behavior?  I would say it was not only expected but required.  Jesus did not say, “Don’t worry.  I’ve got your back.”  He clearly told her to stop sinning.  Would Jesus demand something that was impossible?  That was a rhetorical question.  I suggest that it is also vital to our salvation that we “go and sin no more”. 

Here is the relevant passage from the Bible.

(John 8:1-11 KJV)  Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.  And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them.  And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act.  Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou?  This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not.  So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.  And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground.  And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.  When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee?   She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

homo unius libri

Opus 2018-189: Our Public Secret Weapon, Part 2 of 2

Why do people continue practices that lead to the destruction of what they say is important?  We are in a cultural war but the only ones fighting are on the side trying to destroy America.  It is time we put our pocketbooks to work.

Have you ever been around someone who says they can’t make it to church because they work on Sunday?  Have you ever wished that people didn’t need to work on Sunday?  Does the fact that God instituted the Sabbath mean anything to you?  I have a suggestion to make.  I have made it to people around me and almost been thrown out of the family.  What would happen if the people who claim to be Christian would stop going out to eat and shopping on Sunday?  My guess is that a lot of businesses that focus on that day would give their people the day off.  It would not be from threats or noisy demonstrations.  It would because they could no longer make money by being open.  If they closed on Sunday their people could spend the day at worship and family activities and the company would still make money.

Now let me meddle a little more.  What would happen if everyone who considers themself a patriotic American would stop using the businesses we grip about so much?  Would Facebook, Twitter, CNN, The New York Times and others keep up the arrogance?  I doubt it.  They are businesses after all.  They need to make a profit.  They make their money by ad revenues and the ability to sell your information.  Why do you think so many blogs have ads for products through Amazon?  They get a percentage.  It comes out of our casual attitude.  We need to let the power of the free market do its work.

I must confess that I do not use the things I am urging you to give up.  I admit that the people in my life will not allow me to give up Sunday brunches.  But get started.  Don’t click on links that take you to fake news sites.  Don’t buy insurance from companies that donate large amounts to liberal causes.  Don’t hit the sales at stores that take away your Constitutional rights.  Every time you redirect a penny it is a penny less in their balance sheet and a penny more in the pocket of someone who deserves it.

What would happen if there was a war and only the liberals showed up?  Oh.  That is happening.  Do you like what you are seeing?

homo unius libri

Opus 2018-188: Our Public Secret Weapon, Part 1 of 2

I am relatively sure I have addressed this before but it is time to get involved in the cultural war for America.  We must strive to avoid violence, not because violence is always wrong, but because history shows that violent response ends up playing into the hands of tyrants and demagogs more than it restores liberty.  The American Revolution is the exception to the rule.  The French Revolution is an example of the rule.

So how do we put the stop to the nonsense?  We do it like the free-market capitalists that we are supposed to be.  It will not be violent but it will be painful.  It will require giving up learned preferences and going without our fixes.  It will require thought and focus, which is enough to make me doubt it will happen.  We need to hit them in the pocketbooks.

I can think of several “boycotts” that had dramatic, long term results but you could not prove effective at the time.  I remember when K-Mart was an economic force to be reckoned with.  There were two or three items that I always bought at K-Mart.  When I went to buy those things I would look around and maybe drop a few more bucks.  Then they decided to start dipping into soft pornography.  An organization called the American Family Association called for a boycott of K-Mart.  I stopped shopping there.  I had to break a habit and look other places.  It was inconvenient, but I joined in.  After a short time they backed off on the porn but my habits had already been changed.  In the years to follow they started closing stores and declining in their part of the pie.  I am sure that they, and you, would deny that the boycott had that effect but I participated and saw it happen.

I could list the other products and stores I have avoided over the years.  It was not automatic.  It was not easy.  It was also not fanatical.  If K-Mart was the only store in town, I would go to K-Mart.  On the other hand I had to change my snacking habits, I quit going to my favorite fast foot chain, I don’t buy certain brands of clothes and I don’t give money to some non-profits that I used to approve.

It can be done.

To be continued...

homo unius libri

Opus 2018-187: Headlines: Democrats Claim Victory Because They Lost Small

The double standard in reporting continues.  I am looking at the race in Ohio.  At the moment it looks like the Republican will squeak by and win.  Somehow this is being portrayed as a victory for the Democrats.  The talking point is that Trump won the district by a large margin, the seat has been Republican for years and therefore coming close shows how big the Blue Wave it.

Very interesting but you lost.  Factor in all the cheating, fraud non-citizen votes and you lost significantly.  Of course, that is my spin.  But you still lost.  The Blue Wave was a ripple and could not make it over the dike.  This is not New Orleans where the levies gave way.  It seems to be Ohio where the Republicans got more than the Democrats.

After refusing to accept that Trump won in 2016 the Progressives (Democrats, liberals, socialists, Communists, RINOs) will continue to interpret every result as a mandate for their side.  It is just another reason to not pay any attention to the pundits and propagandists.  It is the same nonsense we get from the fascist thugs of Antifa when they claim they are against fascism.

homo unius libri

Opus 2018-186: On the Street: Adversity Training

I don’t often catch Rush Limbaugh but when my wife is in the car I hear him a bit.  The other day he was talking and said something that was interesting.  He said he has been fired seven times.  Picture that.  Possibly the most successful radio personality in our history, who started the wave of conservative talk radio, was kicked out seven times for who knows what reasons.  I am sure he has grown and developed a lot but how would you like to be one of those executives who gave him the boot?

Too often people give up when they should work harder.  To often we give up on others who simply need a little time to season.  Of course firing them might be an important part of their wake up call.  Since I am retired I can tell you that.

homo unius libri

Opus 2018-185: The Chinese Are Coming

My wife is spending a lot of time following all the latest conspiracy theories.  She has me sit down to watch some special segments.  As I was sitting watching something about 45,000 indictments being pursued by pro-Trump people, the guru on the screen went on to another subject.  Evidently the Chinese are going to send troops to Syria to fight against the Americans.

I am afraid that one got me scratching my head.

I wonder if this is another case of geographic ignorance.  Syria is nowhere near China, except being on the same continent.  A Chinese military force would need to cross a boatload of countries if it came by land or air.  I am not sure that India would sit and act like it was an everyday event.  I don’t think Russia would buy it.  If it came by sea it would need to either go through the Suez Canal or all the way around Africa.  While the South China Sea might be sfe grounds for in invasion force I have a hard time believing it could make it all the way with no “accidents”.  These factors do not bode well for a Chinese invasion force.

I could be totally wrong but it is things like this that make me wonder about all these people with geopolitical genius.  It also didn’t help that he didn’t know how to pronounce coup d‛etat.

I am expecting enough trouble in the future without getting excited about this kind of stuff.

homo unius libri

Opus 2018-184: Headlines: Warning Flag

Is anyone having trouble with this but me?

When I saw clips of the ceremony involved in returning the remains of the American servicemen who were MIA’s from the Korean War I noticed that they were draped in blue and white United Nations flags, not the Stars and Stripes.  I asked myself, “What gives here?”  I realize that the Korean War was fought under the cover of the UN but these casualties were Americans who thought they were fighting in the name of America. 

I did not see anything about the arrival in the United States but my hope is that the disgraceful rag of the UN would be removed and replaced by Old Glory before they actually made it home.

homo unius libri

Opus 2018-183: Why, God?

God does not do things that are arbitrary.  It may look that way to us, in fact it probably will.  We may not understand or be capable of understanding.  We may not agree, but God has a reason. 

Consider what is called “the Law”.  It has different scope in different contexts.  It starts with the Ten Commandments and extends to what fibers you can use in cloth.  It can be divided into Moral Law, Dietary Law, Ritual Law and so forth.  Each jot and tittle of the Law has a purpose in creation. 

Take for instance the requirement that Jewish males be circumcised.  It is an act of covenant but it also has a real effect on life.  Modern science has discovered health benefits to circumcision.  Jewish women have lower rates of cervical cancer.  Men who have not been circumcised are eight times more likely to contact AIDS.  That is just one example.  It took millennia to learn this but it applied all that time.  The commands of God are full of this type of results.

Creation is an intricate machine and God has written a manual for us to keep in step with how it works.  Obviously I am referring to the Bible.  Read it and don’t weep.

homo unius libri