My granddaughter had her first trip to the park with Grandpa. Her mother bundled her up and we headed out. She is at the “Look world, I’m walking” stage. Actually it is only that she thinks she is walking because it only lasts as long as someone has her hand. But it is progress.
She likes the swing but is not ready for the slide. She thinks she is ready for the Jungle Jim type constructs but until she becomes a believer in gravity she will not be turned loose on that. I tried her on the grass. She was not impressed with that but found a stick fascinating. I tried a pine cone but it was rejected. And of course one of the great attractions of the park is other children and the ultimate is babies. Somehow babies are fascinated with babies.
Since I believe in being courteous I did not point out to anyone how much cuter my baby was.
homo unius libri
Sunday, April 28, 2019
Opus 2019-075: Can You Dig It?
Maybe it is time to start building a 21st Century version of the fallout shelter.
I am not fixating on nuclear holocaust. I don’t expect Rocket Man to be able to reach Los Angeles with a nuke. Even if he does, I live in Texas now. I am worried about a social nuclear arms race that is taking place. It is expressing itself now in a growing hatred of Jews by the liberals in this country. The same hatred is simmering toward people whom are serious about their Christian faith. It is time to prepare for the hunts.
Historically we have a lot of precedent for building secret closets to hide people. Those of us who went to school before it was taken over by the socialists remember that many people in Europe walled off rooms and attics to hide Jews being hunted by the Nazis. “The Diary of a Young Girl” by Anne Frank is still being read but I don’t know what kind of editing has gone into it. Someone hid her. A generation ago we had the book/movie “The Hiding Place” about the ten Boom family that were arrested and killed for hiding Jews. It is what we can expect from the growing power of Antifa and the other goons on the left.
You may have found it romantic to consider the secret passages in castles and old homes. They were real and they had a purpose. Many in England were built during the Catholic/Protestant religious wars. Catholics would hide a traveling priest so that he could hold mass and then move on to another secret closet. If he was caught he would be killed so this was a serious thing.
Escape tunnels were sometimes dug out of cabins on the frontier in America. If the Indians trapped you and burned the house, you had a way to get out.
Or consider the stations on the Underground Railroad. People would dig out rooms off of their cellars or false walls in the house to hide slaves that were running for freedom.
It can happen here. I don’t know if it will start with Jews or Christians but the day will come when they come for people who live by a higher authority than the state.
Start digging.
homo unius libri
I am not fixating on nuclear holocaust. I don’t expect Rocket Man to be able to reach Los Angeles with a nuke. Even if he does, I live in Texas now. I am worried about a social nuclear arms race that is taking place. It is expressing itself now in a growing hatred of Jews by the liberals in this country. The same hatred is simmering toward people whom are serious about their Christian faith. It is time to prepare for the hunts.
Historically we have a lot of precedent for building secret closets to hide people. Those of us who went to school before it was taken over by the socialists remember that many people in Europe walled off rooms and attics to hide Jews being hunted by the Nazis. “The Diary of a Young Girl” by Anne Frank is still being read but I don’t know what kind of editing has gone into it. Someone hid her. A generation ago we had the book/movie “The Hiding Place” about the ten Boom family that were arrested and killed for hiding Jews. It is what we can expect from the growing power of Antifa and the other goons on the left.
You may have found it romantic to consider the secret passages in castles and old homes. They were real and they had a purpose. Many in England were built during the Catholic/Protestant religious wars. Catholics would hide a traveling priest so that he could hold mass and then move on to another secret closet. If he was caught he would be killed so this was a serious thing.
Escape tunnels were sometimes dug out of cabins on the frontier in America. If the Indians trapped you and burned the house, you had a way to get out.
Or consider the stations on the Underground Railroad. People would dig out rooms off of their cellars or false walls in the house to hide slaves that were running for freedom.
It can happen here. I don’t know if it will start with Jews or Christians but the day will come when they come for people who live by a higher authority than the state.
Start digging.
homo unius libri
Saturday, April 27, 2019
Opus 2019-074: Geek Exorcists
After being in Japan for a couple of days my blog site started labeling everything in Japanese. I tried everything I could think of. I tried guessing and I think I deleted two comments I wanted to publish and left two I wanted to delete. Because the Japanese read right to left and up to down things were rearranged. I checked in settings and it was still set to English. I cried in my soup. Finally this morning I called in Geek support. My son is traveling with me and he speaks computer.
After going through all the things I tried and he had be click a few things, he had no ideas. So he said, “Go to your blog site.” Okay, now we are getting somewhere. When I started it up a miracle was seen. It looked like it was supposed to look. Keep in mind that at this point he had not even touched the laptop or gotten within 10 feet. We came to the conclusion that the computer was afraid of him so it behaved.
You laugh? It has happened before. I have had times when I repeatedly went through the steps on a program and had nothing but adolescent rebellion. He sits down, and I watch what he is doing, he does exactly what I did and the machine behaves. It is one of the secrets of the Geek community. Computers are actually afraid of these guys and behave better when the threat is real.
It isn’t always you. Sometimes it is the evil spirits in the chips. Sometimes you just need a Geek exorcist to deal with the problem. Feel no shame.
homo unius libri
After going through all the things I tried and he had be click a few things, he had no ideas. So he said, “Go to your blog site.” Okay, now we are getting somewhere. When I started it up a miracle was seen. It looked like it was supposed to look. Keep in mind that at this point he had not even touched the laptop or gotten within 10 feet. We came to the conclusion that the computer was afraid of him so it behaved.
You laugh? It has happened before. I have had times when I repeatedly went through the steps on a program and had nothing but adolescent rebellion. He sits down, and I watch what he is doing, he does exactly what I did and the machine behaves. It is one of the secrets of the Geek community. Computers are actually afraid of these guys and behave better when the threat is real.
It isn’t always you. Sometimes it is the evil spirits in the chips. Sometimes you just need a Geek exorcist to deal with the problem. Feel no shame.
homo unius libri
Thursday, April 25, 2019
Opus 2019-073: Firsts: Bidet
One of the experiences of Japan that seems so strange is using their toilets. Set aside what you have heard about squatting over a hole in the ground. I am sure they exist but in two trips I have yet to see that variation. What most of you would see is the opposite. Their toilets are high tech.
Take the standard issue in the airport. The first thing you notice is that there are a lot of controls for such a simple process. Fortunately there are instructions in four languages and as long as you don’t just start pushing buttons you will be fine. If you insist on going American then you do your business, find the button marked flush and you are good to go. Of course there is not way I know of to avoid the heated toilet seat but once you get over the surprise it is a great idea. If you want the full cultural experience, read the labels.
Every Japanese toilet I have seen comes with a bidet. If you don’t know what that is then you need to get out more. It is a spray that cleans your bottom for you. There is even a button for a different spray for women. You can control the pressure and stop it when you are ready. Don’t worry the water is warm. I finally worked up the courage to try it. For further descriptions you will need to try it yourself.
Life is full of so many things to experience. I have now added the bidet to my list.
homo unius libri
Take the standard issue in the airport. The first thing you notice is that there are a lot of controls for such a simple process. Fortunately there are instructions in four languages and as long as you don’t just start pushing buttons you will be fine. If you insist on going American then you do your business, find the button marked flush and you are good to go. Of course there is not way I know of to avoid the heated toilet seat but once you get over the surprise it is a great idea. If you want the full cultural experience, read the labels.
Every Japanese toilet I have seen comes with a bidet. If you don’t know what that is then you need to get out more. It is a spray that cleans your bottom for you. There is even a button for a different spray for women. You can control the pressure and stop it when you are ready. Don’t worry the water is warm. I finally worked up the courage to try it. For further descriptions you will need to try it yourself.
Life is full of so many things to experience. I have now added the bidet to my list.
homo unius libri
Wednesday, April 24, 2019
Opus 2019-072: On the Street: People Everywhere
I was commenting on how much diversity there was in the Japanese people we were seeing and my son gave me the classic line, “Hollywood lied to us.”
I have been experiencing rush hour on Japanese trains. You know the video you always see of people stationed on the platform to push people on because they were so crowded. We have not seen it that bad but I have gotten friendly with a lot of people I didn’t know. I have ridden subways in Boston at rush hour though and must say it isn’t much different in crowding, just cleanliness.
It gives you a lot of time to look at people. Being the only Anglo in sight gives you only Japanese to examine. The differences are total. Some have the look of Aztec princes. Some look like Mongol warriors or Olmec stone heads. Long noses sit next to squashed noses. Although they tend to be thinner than Americans there are still a fair number of chunky locals. Skin color has a lot of variation. About the only thing that is consistent is the black hair.
The stereotypes from Hollywood don’t much exist. School children are different from Anmerica because they wear uniforms and have a general courtesy we don’t see much but they still squirm, race, goof and contemplate like children anywhere.
Travel helps you understand the similarities of human cultures as well as experience the differences. People are people.
homo unius libri
I have been experiencing rush hour on Japanese trains. You know the video you always see of people stationed on the platform to push people on because they were so crowded. We have not seen it that bad but I have gotten friendly with a lot of people I didn’t know. I have ridden subways in Boston at rush hour though and must say it isn’t much different in crowding, just cleanliness.
It gives you a lot of time to look at people. Being the only Anglo in sight gives you only Japanese to examine. The differences are total. Some have the look of Aztec princes. Some look like Mongol warriors or Olmec stone heads. Long noses sit next to squashed noses. Although they tend to be thinner than Americans there are still a fair number of chunky locals. Skin color has a lot of variation. About the only thing that is consistent is the black hair.
The stereotypes from Hollywood don’t much exist. School children are different from Anmerica because they wear uniforms and have a general courtesy we don’t see much but they still squirm, race, goof and contemplate like children anywhere.
Travel helps you understand the similarities of human cultures as well as experience the differences. People are people.
homo unius libri
Tuesday, April 23, 2019
Opus 2019-071: Firsts: Traveling Light
For the first time in my memory I have been able to travel light. I am sure I have done it before but at my age it is farther back than I can recall. It is an easy way to travel.
I don’t mean travel by myself. I have done that a bit. My wife does let me out of the house once in awhile, without supervision even. I mean travel without anyone sending massive amounts of objects with me. No one made me their personal Fed-Ex driver on this trip. For instance, on my return trip I have been informed that my daughter will be packing a few large suitcases for me to bring, since I am traveling light. Get the idea?
I could have been one of those people who brings on a small soft-sided bag and their regular carry-on. You know the ones, they either take up all the overhead space when they get on early or try to move your stuff around so they can cram what should have been checked in the overhead compartments. I decided to check my larger one for convenience. I didn’t want to have to lug it around in the stop-over airport. That left me with the rolling bag and a small carry-on. Both fit easily in the overhead. Both are easy to pull.
When I travel with my wife she somehow manages to make sure that four large suitcases are crammed full and often pays the charge for overweight. In addition to that she talks her way on board with one more carry-on that is allowed. Guess who is expected to move all this stuff?
So it has been a breeze so far. I don’t have to worry until I start back with the extra bags. I am getting too old for this.
homo unius libri
I don’t mean travel by myself. I have done that a bit. My wife does let me out of the house once in awhile, without supervision even. I mean travel without anyone sending massive amounts of objects with me. No one made me their personal Fed-Ex driver on this trip. For instance, on my return trip I have been informed that my daughter will be packing a few large suitcases for me to bring, since I am traveling light. Get the idea?
I could have been one of those people who brings on a small soft-sided bag and their regular carry-on. You know the ones, they either take up all the overhead space when they get on early or try to move your stuff around so they can cram what should have been checked in the overhead compartments. I decided to check my larger one for convenience. I didn’t want to have to lug it around in the stop-over airport. That left me with the rolling bag and a small carry-on. Both fit easily in the overhead. Both are easy to pull.
When I travel with my wife she somehow manages to make sure that four large suitcases are crammed full and often pays the charge for overweight. In addition to that she talks her way on board with one more carry-on that is allowed. Guess who is expected to move all this stuff?
So it has been a breeze so far. I don’t have to worry until I start back with the extra bags. I am getting too old for this.
homo unius libri
Sunday, April 21, 2019
Opus 2019-070: Not Bunny Hop but Lamb Hope
He is Risen!
Those simple words make a difference in how I live my day and how I look at my tomorrows. For those who don’t know, the resurrection of Jesus is the central belief of Christianity. Christians believe that Jesus died on a cross and in so doing paid the price for our sins. Then He rose from the grave three days later demonstrating for us that we have a hope beyond the grave.
There are many things that divide different denominations. Do you baptize by sprinkling a few drops or by submersion? Do you baptize babies? Do you use wine or grape juice at communion? Do you call it communion, the mass, the Eucharist or some other term? Do you have the pulpit in the middle or the side? Do you have more than one pulpit? I could go on but my fingers will get tired.
You know the saying about death and taxes. Christians can remove death from the list. Sure, the bodies will wear out. Our remains will be buried or cremated. We will be missed. Death happens. But we believe that is not the end. It is a new beginning. So when you get old like I am you begin to wonder what could be better than living on a hill in Texas watching the sun rise and the roadrunners run. You begin to wonder what it is like to get your memory back. You wonder if you will recognize that baby you lost to a miscarriage. It makes a difference in your day.
Now all we need to worry about is taxes.
Oh, and did I tell you, He is risen!
homo unius libri
Those simple words make a difference in how I live my day and how I look at my tomorrows. For those who don’t know, the resurrection of Jesus is the central belief of Christianity. Christians believe that Jesus died on a cross and in so doing paid the price for our sins. Then He rose from the grave three days later demonstrating for us that we have a hope beyond the grave.
There are many things that divide different denominations. Do you baptize by sprinkling a few drops or by submersion? Do you baptize babies? Do you use wine or grape juice at communion? Do you call it communion, the mass, the Eucharist or some other term? Do you have the pulpit in the middle or the side? Do you have more than one pulpit? I could go on but my fingers will get tired.
You know the saying about death and taxes. Christians can remove death from the list. Sure, the bodies will wear out. Our remains will be buried or cremated. We will be missed. Death happens. But we believe that is not the end. It is a new beginning. So when you get old like I am you begin to wonder what could be better than living on a hill in Texas watching the sun rise and the roadrunners run. You begin to wonder what it is like to get your memory back. You wonder if you will recognize that baby you lost to a miscarriage. It makes a difference in your day.
Now all we need to worry about is taxes.
Oh, and did I tell you, He is risen!
homo unius libri
Opus 2019-069: On the Street: Signs of the Time
On the way to the airport early this morning I noticed a sign of Easter. The message board above the lanes was talking about hopping and bunnies. I guess I should not be surprised. We do live in a pagan culture and there are many people trying to drive the last vestiges of Christianity out of sight. I really don’t expect the interstate sign to announce “He is risen!” I just think bunny hops are worse.
It is early. Maybe I am just grouchy.
But,
He IS risen!
homo unius libri
It is early. Maybe I am just grouchy.
But,
He IS risen!
homo unius libri
Saturday, April 20, 2019
Opus 2019-068: On the Road Again
I am going to be traveling for the next few weeks. I don’t know if that will mean I post even less than I have been doing or if I will be able to concentrate better. To my knowledge I have not died nor been locked up anywhere. Give it a few weeks to be sure.
homo unius libri
homo unius libri
Opus 2019-067: Did Hitler Project?
One of the progressive left’s greatest projections is that of Hitler. In case you were not paying attention in your high school or college psychology class, here is a definition from Wikipedia:
They claim to be for the people when they are only for people who will fall into lock step and do what they are told. They call us intolerant when it is the left that is attacking anyone they can’t get to agree with them. There is no lie they won’t tell nor any distortion they will not use to try to dominate the process.
We need to learn to stop the knee jerk reactions. The “have you stopped beating your wife” questions need to be called out. We need to understand that they don’t won’t to work with us they want to destroy us.
Hitler and his cronies would be proud of them.
homo unius libri
“Psychological projection is a defence (sic) mechanism in which the human ego defends itself against unconscious impulses or qualities (both positive and negative) by denying their existence in themselves while attributing them to others.”One example is Hillary and her “vast right wing conspiracy”. Another example is the left accusing conservative talk radio of inciting violence. They do the same with Hitler and the Nazis. They take the attitudes of liberals, which are very close to those of the National Socialists, and they try to lay them on Donald Trump and his conservative supporters.
They claim to be for the people when they are only for people who will fall into lock step and do what they are told. They call us intolerant when it is the left that is attacking anyone they can’t get to agree with them. There is no lie they won’t tell nor any distortion they will not use to try to dominate the process.
We need to learn to stop the knee jerk reactions. The “have you stopped beating your wife” questions need to be called out. We need to understand that they don’t won’t to work with us they want to destroy us.
Hitler and his cronies would be proud of them.
homo unius libri
Monday, April 15, 2019
Opus 2019-066: Baby Talk: Millennial Minefield
We had the pleasure of a month long visit by my daughter and granddaughter. Since they left we get on Skype and Facetime and watch as the child continues to develop. Babies take time and effort if you want them to turn out as they should.
This experience has made it clear why millennials are avoiding having children. Although there are many exceptions, most millennials tend to be obsessed with the world serving them. They want the good life and they want it now. Where previous generations drove old cars and bought small fixer-upers for their first home, these young people want sporty wheels and luxury homes with amenities that used to be only in exclusive spas. If they can’t have that then it is Uber and security apartments, or living at home with mommy.
You can’t do that and do a good job raising children. This is not just the current crop in their productive years. It is not a millennial problem but a problem of human nature. There is a reason historically why the birth rate drops as people become more wealthy. It is part of the cycle that causes cultures to become lazy and decadent. Then the barbarians come in and take it all away from them.
The thoughts that babies generate wander all over the place.
homo unius libri
This experience has made it clear why millennials are avoiding having children. Although there are many exceptions, most millennials tend to be obsessed with the world serving them. They want the good life and they want it now. Where previous generations drove old cars and bought small fixer-upers for their first home, these young people want sporty wheels and luxury homes with amenities that used to be only in exclusive spas. If they can’t have that then it is Uber and security apartments, or living at home with mommy.
You can’t do that and do a good job raising children. This is not just the current crop in their productive years. It is not a millennial problem but a problem of human nature. There is a reason historically why the birth rate drops as people become more wealthy. It is part of the cycle that causes cultures to become lazy and decadent. Then the barbarians come in and take it all away from them.
The thoughts that babies generate wander all over the place.
homo unius libri
Sunday, April 14, 2019
Opus 2019-065: Why Are People Smiling?
It is Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week. Have you ever asked yourself, “Why do we have spring break in schools?” It isn’t because the kids need a break. It was because they needed to be involved in the events leading up to Easter.
For the general pagan population Easter is about bunny rabbits, chicks and all things chocolate. It is about new clothes and Easter egg hunts. It is about being out of school. For the general population that considers themselves Christian is means all of that but also one of the two Sundays of the year that everyone goes to church. The other is Christmas Sunday. It might also mean you are familiar with the term “Good Friday”.
Historically Holy Week actually starts on Wednesday with something called Tenebrae. This isn’t celebrated much any more. Maundy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper. Good Friday remembers the day Jesus was crucified and of course Easter Sunday celebrates the resurrection. This is from the Western Church’s perspective.
Although Christmas has caught the imagination of the world, Easter is at the heart of Christianity. Some don’t like the term “Easter”. They claim is has pagan roots. Okay. Call it Resurrection Sunday. It is the most important belief that Christians have. As the Bible summaries,
homo unius libri
For the general pagan population Easter is about bunny rabbits, chicks and all things chocolate. It is about new clothes and Easter egg hunts. It is about being out of school. For the general population that considers themselves Christian is means all of that but also one of the two Sundays of the year that everyone goes to church. The other is Christmas Sunday. It might also mean you are familiar with the term “Good Friday”.
Historically Holy Week actually starts on Wednesday with something called Tenebrae. This isn’t celebrated much any more. Maundy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper. Good Friday remembers the day Jesus was crucified and of course Easter Sunday celebrates the resurrection. This is from the Western Church’s perspective.
Although Christmas has caught the imagination of the world, Easter is at the heart of Christianity. Some don’t like the term “Easter”. They claim is has pagan roots. Okay. Call it Resurrection Sunday. It is the most important belief that Christians have. As the Bible summaries,
(1Co 15:14 KJV) And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.So if you are a believer, Happy Holy week. Rejoice. If you are not a believer then you know why I am smiling.
homo unius libri
Opus 2019-064: Big Words
When I visit a church I look at a number of things to get a feel for who they are. One item I check out is the translation of the pew Bibles and the translation the pastor uses. If they use one of the admitted paraphrases such as the New Living Translation or one that pretends to not be a paraphrase when it is, like the New International Version, I know that there is a serious problem with serious thought.
The same problem shows up in education and in what parents expect from their children. If you are in a home and find “edited” versions of classics like Treasure Island, or even worse, “graphic novels”, you know you have a problem. If they watch the cartoon version of the book you know it is all over. That is the direction that schools have gone.
People justify new translations of the Bible and dumbed down text books by claiming some of the words are just too hard to understand. This is a bogus smoke screen. I don’t know if you have ever tried to listen to the jargon that is used by these same children. You might wonder what language they are speaking. The kids make up words and misuse words. It works for them because they want to be cool and fit in. They make the effort to learn. If people would spend as much time trying to understand the big words in the Bible as they do figuring out the latest slang on their current You Tube videos they would have no trouble.
This is new age philosophy at work. It actually has a title, “Deconstruction”. It has been around longer than I have and I am getting old. It has a lot of fancy explanations but for the average person it means that there is no meaning. Words don’t mean what they are defined to mean. They don’t mean what everyone accepts them to mean. They mean what the speaker wants them to mean. Thus there is no objective truth. It is no coincidence that our schools are turning out snowflakes that are triggered by every challenge.
There is right and wrong. There is good and evil. There are acceptable standards. For instance the issue of fidelity in marriage. Every culture has a concept of being faithful in marriage. It may vary in how it is applied. Some cultures have multiple spouses. Some cultures have a place for concubines. They all have a line you are not allowed to cross.
Stand up for objective truth and reject any pastor, politician, teacher or leader that believes that truth is relative.
homo unius libri
The same problem shows up in education and in what parents expect from their children. If you are in a home and find “edited” versions of classics like Treasure Island, or even worse, “graphic novels”, you know you have a problem. If they watch the cartoon version of the book you know it is all over. That is the direction that schools have gone.
People justify new translations of the Bible and dumbed down text books by claiming some of the words are just too hard to understand. This is a bogus smoke screen. I don’t know if you have ever tried to listen to the jargon that is used by these same children. You might wonder what language they are speaking. The kids make up words and misuse words. It works for them because they want to be cool and fit in. They make the effort to learn. If people would spend as much time trying to understand the big words in the Bible as they do figuring out the latest slang on their current You Tube videos they would have no trouble.
This is new age philosophy at work. It actually has a title, “Deconstruction”. It has been around longer than I have and I am getting old. It has a lot of fancy explanations but for the average person it means that there is no meaning. Words don’t mean what they are defined to mean. They don’t mean what everyone accepts them to mean. They mean what the speaker wants them to mean. Thus there is no objective truth. It is no coincidence that our schools are turning out snowflakes that are triggered by every challenge.
There is right and wrong. There is good and evil. There are acceptable standards. For instance the issue of fidelity in marriage. Every culture has a concept of being faithful in marriage. It may vary in how it is applied. Some cultures have multiple spouses. Some cultures have a place for concubines. They all have a line you are not allowed to cross.
Stand up for objective truth and reject any pastor, politician, teacher or leader that believes that truth is relative.
homo unius libri
Saturday, April 13, 2019
Opus 2019-063: Wildflower Watch: Indian Blankets Spread
Yesterday as I was walking I saw the beginning of Indian blanket season.
The blue bonnets are transforming into something that looks like green bean plants. In my yard there are a few left but most have gone to seed pods.
The Indian paintbrush are fading. They are still there but the colors are muted.
And of course the gazilion types of yellows are everywhere. I need to spend some time trying to find out the differences. I have picked up no new names this year and I should do that before the season is over.
Morning walks at this time of year are a real joy and reminder of God’s creativity.
homo unius libri
The blue bonnets are transforming into something that looks like green bean plants. In my yard there are a few left but most have gone to seed pods.
The Indian paintbrush are fading. They are still there but the colors are muted.
And of course the gazilion types of yellows are everywhere. I need to spend some time trying to find out the differences. I have picked up no new names this year and I should do that before the season is over.
Morning walks at this time of year are a real joy and reminder of God’s creativity.
homo unius libri
Friday, April 12, 2019
Opus 2019-062: New Terms: Ad Hominem
Actually it is not a new term but it seems to be one that conservatives have forgotten about. We see the left using it all the time against us. What is funny is that they are quite willing to turn it on their own also. A good current example is the attempt to knock Joe Biden out of the race for president in 2020. Instead of talking about his stands on the issues they are trying to destroy him by bringing accusations out of the woodwork about his behavior around women and little girls. It is nothing new. It has been obvious for years. Now suddenly he has a problem.
Ad hominem attacks mean that you attack the person instead of the position he takes. Such an approach to debate makes it impossible for communication to happen. It is like parlor magic, based on distraction and slight of hand. It is impossible to defend against. If someone calls you a liar then nothing you say matters. If people start laughing at you they will not listen to what you say. It works well for the rank and file Democrat voter because they don’t care about facts anyway.
The right uses it too. Adam Schiff is attacked as “pencil neck” and there is constant emphasis on his drug stupor stare. We see constant reference to AOC being stupid. If it were not so common it could be overlooked but we need to take a higher road, or at least both roads at once.
It takes time and demands patience. Remember what it was like potty training your children. You must find the key that gets their attention. I remember when Obama was running for president. The common statement of students was I would not vote for him because he was black. I would laugh at them and then start down the list of issues he was wrong on: Abortion, Second Amendment, homosexual marriage, immigration and anything else I could think of. The strange thing is that the kids would often agree with me on the issues but still act like brainwashed robots. That is probably because they were brainwashed robots.
I hope that conservatives can get beyond the insults and on to the issues.
homo unius libri
Ad hominem attacks mean that you attack the person instead of the position he takes. Such an approach to debate makes it impossible for communication to happen. It is like parlor magic, based on distraction and slight of hand. It is impossible to defend against. If someone calls you a liar then nothing you say matters. If people start laughing at you they will not listen to what you say. It works well for the rank and file Democrat voter because they don’t care about facts anyway.
The right uses it too. Adam Schiff is attacked as “pencil neck” and there is constant emphasis on his drug stupor stare. We see constant reference to AOC being stupid. If it were not so common it could be overlooked but we need to take a higher road, or at least both roads at once.
It takes time and demands patience. Remember what it was like potty training your children. You must find the key that gets their attention. I remember when Obama was running for president. The common statement of students was I would not vote for him because he was black. I would laugh at them and then start down the list of issues he was wrong on: Abortion, Second Amendment, homosexual marriage, immigration and anything else I could think of. The strange thing is that the kids would often agree with me on the issues but still act like brainwashed robots. That is probably because they were brainwashed robots.
I hope that conservatives can get beyond the insults and on to the issues.
homo unius libri
Thursday, April 11, 2019
Opus 2019-061: Democracy ≠ Liberty
I keep coming across a statement that goes something like, “Democracy dies in darkness”. It seems to be the new slogan of the Washington Post. When you consider how much the Post does to hide the truth you realize it is another case of Newspeak which is famous for its triplet of “War is peace, Freedom is slavery, Ignorance is strength”.
That much is obvious to anyone who is awake enough to change the channel. What is getting irritating is when I see people who identify as conservative parroting the phrase. I have two issues with this.
First off it is liberty that dies, not democracy. Democracy does quite well in totalitarian states. They have elections. Everyone is encouraged to vote. In some places you are punished if you don’t vote. The problem is that you only have one choice. Our American press core is a great example of that kind of “democracy”. It is kind of like the old line about the Model A, “You can have any color you want as long as it is black”. Liberty usually involves a system of open and fair elections but it can also exist in anarchy. Liberty means I am protected from the whims of a majority that hates me. Keep in mind that Patrick Henry didn’t say, “Give me democracy, or give me death”.
Second, we are a republic, not a democracy. We need to keep repeating that until the unwashed masses understand the difference.
I recommend changing it to liberty.
homo unius libri
That much is obvious to anyone who is awake enough to change the channel. What is getting irritating is when I see people who identify as conservative parroting the phrase. I have two issues with this.
First off it is liberty that dies, not democracy. Democracy does quite well in totalitarian states. They have elections. Everyone is encouraged to vote. In some places you are punished if you don’t vote. The problem is that you only have one choice. Our American press core is a great example of that kind of “democracy”. It is kind of like the old line about the Model A, “You can have any color you want as long as it is black”. Liberty usually involves a system of open and fair elections but it can also exist in anarchy. Liberty means I am protected from the whims of a majority that hates me. Keep in mind that Patrick Henry didn’t say, “Give me democracy, or give me death”.
Second, we are a republic, not a democracy. We need to keep repeating that until the unwashed masses understand the difference.
I recommend changing it to liberty.
homo unius libri
Sunday, April 7, 2019
Opus 2019-060: Even A Broken Romney Is Right Twice a Day
Remember Romney’s 47% and how the press lampooned him for it? I keep seeing that statistic in the news. To refresh your memory Mitt Romney said,
The number lives on. When I look at polls about President Trump it seems that the disapproval ratings are often right around 47% if not on target. The truth is that there is a lump of people who are dependent on the handouts of the progressives and will not do anything to endanger that freebie.
Are they totally loss to responsible adulthood? No. People can change. People can be educated. The problem is that the progressives control education, the media and are over represented in government workers. They pastor most of the churches.
So where do we start? Run for school board and don’t sell out if you are elected. Stop doing anything that puts money into the liberals who control the mass media. Hold your pastor’s feet to the fire. Educate your children. Speak up with the knowledge that for the first hundred times you will be accused of being _____aphobic. Make sure you speak for the 101th time.
Above all, if you are a person of faith, pray. I qualify that because the Bible is clear that God isn’t listening to those living in rebellion. God listened to Abraham when he pleaded for Sodom. He listened to Moses defending the children of Israel. John Wesley’s followers kept England from going the way of the French Revolution. The American Great Awakenings transformed our country.
And of course, buckle up, hang on, scream if you must but enjoy the ride.
homo unius libri
“There are 47 percent of the people who will vote for the president no matter what. All right, there are 47 percent who are with him, who are dependent upon government, who believe that they are victims, who believe the government has a responsibility to care for them, who believe that they are entitled to health care, to food, to housing, to you-name-it. That that’s an entitlement. And the government should give it to them. And they will vote for this president no matter what…These are people who pay no income tax.”He was speaking of those who would vote for Barak Obama no matter what. It was a private meeting and one reason that Romney was probably not a good choice for president was that he thought it was really a private meeting. The problem was not in the accuracy of his number. The 47% is real. As a general rule they vote Democrat. The problem was that all the people in the 53% who live by their feelings felt like he was being unsensitive.
The number lives on. When I look at polls about President Trump it seems that the disapproval ratings are often right around 47% if not on target. The truth is that there is a lump of people who are dependent on the handouts of the progressives and will not do anything to endanger that freebie.
Are they totally loss to responsible adulthood? No. People can change. People can be educated. The problem is that the progressives control education, the media and are over represented in government workers. They pastor most of the churches.
So where do we start? Run for school board and don’t sell out if you are elected. Stop doing anything that puts money into the liberals who control the mass media. Hold your pastor’s feet to the fire. Educate your children. Speak up with the knowledge that for the first hundred times you will be accused of being _____aphobic. Make sure you speak for the 101th time.
Above all, if you are a person of faith, pray. I qualify that because the Bible is clear that God isn’t listening to those living in rebellion. God listened to Abraham when he pleaded for Sodom. He listened to Moses defending the children of Israel. John Wesley’s followers kept England from going the way of the French Revolution. The American Great Awakenings transformed our country.
And of course, buckle up, hang on, scream if you must but enjoy the ride.
homo unius libri
Friday, April 5, 2019
Opus 2019-059: Nothing?
It has been pointed out but bears repeating. Not only could the Mueller team find nothing on Trump, they could find nothing on any of his family. The team and the media tried to drag down his daughter, son and son in law. What did they get? Nothing.
What does that say about the kind of example this man set for his children? When you have all of the resources of the United States government and all of the hatred of the media, when you have an unlimited budget and control the propaganda organs, when you are filled with righteous indignation that this man had the gall to win an election and you still can’t find anything, what does that say about the man and how he raised his children?
Call him crude. Call him uncouth. Call him what you want. I will call him, Mr. President.
homo unius libri
What does that say about the kind of example this man set for his children? When you have all of the resources of the United States government and all of the hatred of the media, when you have an unlimited budget and control the propaganda organs, when you are filled with righteous indignation that this man had the gall to win an election and you still can’t find anything, what does that say about the man and how he raised his children?
Call him crude. Call him uncouth. Call him what you want. I will call him, Mr. President.
homo unius libri
Thursday, April 4, 2019
Opus 2019-058: Headlines: Time for Swords not Cheeks
The report is out and the conclusion is that there was no collusion. The meme we keep hearing is a big nothingburger. The strange thing to me is that even if there was “collusion”, I read that there is no such crime.
The big point of the two year investigation is not so much that President Trump was colluding but that the MSM, DOJ, FBI and CIA were working with the Democratic party in trying to negate a lawful electing and remove the president. They were trying for a coup and fell on their face. The big question is where do we go from here.
The criminals and their allies are calling for us to move on and forget it, after all it was yesterday’s news. That would go along with the Christian concept of turning the other cheek. After all. if we just focus on the negative how can we move forward? It is also misguided. It is time for Donald Trump to move from turning the other cheek to bearing the government sword against evil. I don’t think he needs to go on the attack for personal revenge but because he is responsible to the Constitution and the citizens of the United States. He needs to protect us from the coercion of leftist tyranny.
The Biblical basis is found in Romans 13. Thus we have,
It is a clear evil that Flynn and Manafort are sitting in custody while Hillary and Comey are living the high life. If we are going to see good prevail we must charge the government with rooting out the evil.
Let the trials begin.
homo unius libri
The big point of the two year investigation is not so much that President Trump was colluding but that the MSM, DOJ, FBI and CIA were working with the Democratic party in trying to negate a lawful electing and remove the president. They were trying for a coup and fell on their face. The big question is where do we go from here.
The criminals and their allies are calling for us to move on and forget it, after all it was yesterday’s news. That would go along with the Christian concept of turning the other cheek. After all. if we just focus on the negative how can we move forward? It is also misguided. It is time for Donald Trump to move from turning the other cheek to bearing the government sword against evil. I don’t think he needs to go on the attack for personal revenge but because he is responsible to the Constitution and the citizens of the United States. He needs to protect us from the coercion of leftist tyranny.
The Biblical basis is found in Romans 13. Thus we have,
(Romans 13:1-4 KJV) Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.As an individual Trump should forgive. As President he needs to pick up the sword and “execute wrath upon him that doeth evil”.
It is a clear evil that Flynn and Manafort are sitting in custody while Hillary and Comey are living the high life. If we are going to see good prevail we must charge the government with rooting out the evil.
Let the trials begin.
homo unius libri
Opus 2019-057: Ode to Old: Scarlet Pimpernel
As I was enjoying the wild flowers this week I was trying to name the colors. There was one that I was trying to put a name on and the term Scarlet Pimpernel came to mind? Scarlet Pimpernel? Where did that come from? As I thought about it I could remember that several times in my life I could have expounded on the term. I would then forget it and next time I needed it, look it up again. Where did the memory go?
I find there is a growing list of terms and body of knowledge that I don’t seem to think is worth remembering. What are the words to “I’m a little teapot”? Since I have a granddaughter it might be something I put back in my memory box. I still know my social security number but there are very few telephone numbers I bother retaining. Certain streets in cities I lived in never made it into my daily recall.
“Thanks for the Memories” should become the theme song for all us elderly. So far I am good with it. The difficult time will be when I can’t remember that I ever knew it. Of course if I don’t remember that I forgot then I won’t know the difference.
I hope I haven’t said all this before.
homo unius libri
I find there is a growing list of terms and body of knowledge that I don’t seem to think is worth remembering. What are the words to “I’m a little teapot”? Since I have a granddaughter it might be something I put back in my memory box. I still know my social security number but there are very few telephone numbers I bother retaining. Certain streets in cities I lived in never made it into my daily recall.
“Thanks for the Memories” should become the theme song for all us elderly. So far I am good with it. The difficult time will be when I can’t remember that I ever knew it. Of course if I don’t remember that I forgot then I won’t know the difference.
I hope I haven’t said all this before.
homo unius libri
Wednesday, April 3, 2019
Opus 2019-056: Wildflower Watch: Peak Season
The bluebonnets are still going strong. They appeared almost overnight a few weeks ago and are still poking up their blooms in unexpected places.
Yellow stuff is everywhere. Last year I tried to identify them but they all look like some kind of daisy and I can’t figure out if the differences are significant or not. They tend to be the first up and the last to go away.
Indian paint brush has taken a leap. They were clustered in front of one house but yesterday I noticed that a couple had come up around the corner.
There are some whites, pinks and purples mixed in.
It is a beautiful time to take a walk in Texas even if you don’t know all the names.
homo unius libri
Yellow stuff is everywhere. Last year I tried to identify them but they all look like some kind of daisy and I can’t figure out if the differences are significant or not. They tend to be the first up and the last to go away.
Indian paint brush has taken a leap. They were clustered in front of one house but yesterday I noticed that a couple had come up around the corner.
There are some whites, pinks and purples mixed in.
It is a beautiful time to take a walk in Texas even if you don’t know all the names.
homo unius libri
Monday, April 1, 2019
Opus 2019-055: New Terms: April Fools’ Year
I think there is value in April Fools’ Day. It serves as a wake up call.
It reminds us that we need to take most of what we hear with a grain of salt. I don’t know if salt is currently on the bad list or the good list but it is necessary when it comes to reading the news from any source. Perhaps we should raise Mary Poppins ante of a spoonful of sugar and go with salt. I can remember years when I was not paying attention on April first and would get sucked in by certain people. A bit of harmless embarrassment is good for us because it wakes us up to the woke.
It also reminds us that we need to develop a sense of humor. It amazes me how many people have a very narrow definition of humor. I have learned that I should not joke around most women. They say things like “Sarcasm is the lowest form of humor”. Imagine that. If I had only known. I will admit that “pull my finger” is not high brow but in the right context and with the right timing it rolls the donuts off the plate. It always amazed me when kids at school would look shocked when they realized I was making fun of myself.
I think we need to change things a little bit. We need to make it April Fools’ Year because the left wing media is showing no sign of slowing down in their advocacy for the destruction of our Republic.
Hang in there, the best is yet to come. And it doesn’t matter how you define “best”.
homo unius libri
It reminds us that we need to take most of what we hear with a grain of salt. I don’t know if salt is currently on the bad list or the good list but it is necessary when it comes to reading the news from any source. Perhaps we should raise Mary Poppins ante of a spoonful of sugar and go with salt. I can remember years when I was not paying attention on April first and would get sucked in by certain people. A bit of harmless embarrassment is good for us because it wakes us up to the woke.
It also reminds us that we need to develop a sense of humor. It amazes me how many people have a very narrow definition of humor. I have learned that I should not joke around most women. They say things like “Sarcasm is the lowest form of humor”. Imagine that. If I had only known. I will admit that “pull my finger” is not high brow but in the right context and with the right timing it rolls the donuts off the plate. It always amazed me when kids at school would look shocked when they realized I was making fun of myself.
I think we need to change things a little bit. We need to make it April Fools’ Year because the left wing media is showing no sign of slowing down in their advocacy for the destruction of our Republic.
Hang in there, the best is yet to come. And it doesn’t matter how you define “best”.
homo unius libri
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