Thoughts on America After the Death of Charlie Kirk...

One big lesson from this past week is that there will be no civil war in America. It's not happening. It can't happen. Civil War 2.0 just got taken off the schedule.

The murders of Irnya Zarutska and Charlie Kirk revealed that America is a center-right nation of decent, normal…

— Jay Fivekiller (@JayFivekiller) September 14, 2025

Saw this tweet over on X and gave it some thought....for what its' worth, I agree with most of the tenets except for one part; quoting.... "The Democrats will suffer through several more disastrous electoral cycles before younger politicians finally emerge who will rebuild it into a more patriotic, immigration skeptical, pro-family, center-left party that can compete against the Republicans on economic and quality of life issues."

While the first part of that quote is correct in that Democrats, if they weren't already heading to at least one or two not-so-good election cycles, are probably headed to several in a row reminiscent of how Democrats in the 1920's suffered and subsequently Republicans in the 1930's likewise suffered electorally. Where I think Mr. Fivekiller is wrong though is in what that party will look like.

Historical examples are important here; in two of America's fellow Western countries, Canada and Australia, one half of the Left-Right spectrum is occupied by coalitions of parties. In Australia, that coalition is an official one, known as the Coalition and consisting of the Liberal & National Parties; in Canada, it is an unofficial coalition of the Liberal & New Democratic parties. In both cases, the parties have commonalities which allow them to work together (a unified Labor Party in Australia, a unified Conservative Party in Canada) yet both groups have quarreled with each other over the decades.

Going back to the Democratic Party, I think we might see something similar where the Democratic Party as it currently stands simply can't survive the continued pull-and-tug of its' disparate parts, especially as more and more of its' constituent parts begin fracturing and splintering. Which begs the question: where will it go?

That, dear readers, is the million dollar question which I'm not certain of figuring out offhand. Given the first-past-the-post plurality system used in the U.S., any official split would be fatal to the Democrats yet the party as it stands cannot survive; my guess would be something akin to Canada's left-wing "coalition" - two disparate parties with a common focus (opposing Republicans) yet sometimes at cross purposes to one another. (Think American-style Liberal & Progressive Parties).

Never Forget...

Every generation has its' moment that they'll forever remember - for my generation, it'll be September 11th, 2001. #NeverForget

Time for Massive Change in America...

Time for MASSIVE change in America
pic.twitter.com/IyUpNRHB2e

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 10, 2025

Two thoughts here as I'm still processing the assassination of conservative activist and commentator Charlie Kirk as I watch the above video by fellow conservative commentator Matt Walsh.... (1) he's still an asshole (out of respect for a trans friend I have from Arizona) and (2) he is dead-to-rights right on what he says above about America.

Charlie Kirk Shot - LIVE Breaking News Coverage

There are a lot of things to unpack with this news; reports are varied - the AP reports the conservative activist is in critical condition, the Deseret News has an unconfirmed news that he's died from his injuries, other reports are unclear about whether the shooter is in custody....what a nightmare.

I've never crossed with Charlie Kirk but as far as I remember, while he's always been a bit of a raconteur and political cage-rattler, he's always been so with a singular purpose - to turn the right of state that is America around from its' current progressive path of destruction.

Part of me is shocked at what happened here, part of me isn't surprised given the political violence we've seen over the past year or so and part of me....no, I'm not saying anything there because frankly the words I could say, ladies and gentlemen, would get me banned from Blogger.

UPDATE: Multiple sources are reporting that Charlie Kirk has indeed been assassinated.

Where are we headed as a society? Where are we headed?

Are the Feds Going to Look Into the CATS Light Rail Murder?

Couple of weeks ago a Ukrainian immigrant woman, Iryna Zarutska, was murdered on a CATS light rail train by an in-and-out-of-jail homeless vagrant (I refuse to speak of the murderer's name because (a) he doesn't deserve it and (b) this was such a random crime w/out any reason for it to happen other than spur of the moment.

That said, Donald Trump has voiced interest in having the Feds' investigate it....

🚨 BREAKING: President Trump is planning to look into the kiIIing of Iryna Zarutska on a train in Charlotte

"Horrible... I'll know all about it by tomorrow morning."

After the Charlotte Mayor refused to condemn the attacker, the city may need federal intervention. pic.twitter.com/3vefQcnpXK

— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) September 7, 2025

Now, everyone with two functioning brain cells knows damn well why the media in general aren't covering it (and that includes the local Charlotte-area media who should be covering this) is because you have a white victim and a black killer. 

If it was reversed? 24/7 coverage.

But when the killer is black and the victim white? Crickets.

At the very least the media will have to focus on this with Trump speaking about it but the reality is that if we had a functioning criminal justice & social services system, the killer in this case would've either been kept in jail/prison, gotten the mental health services he so obviously needs or both.

Of course, that would require the citizens of the People's Republic of Charlotte to actually give a damn about law and order but it is Charlotte. Let's just hope the spotlight gets shined on Vi Lyles, the Charlotte City Council and everyone else in power there good and hard.

Live Like a LAST DAY Elijah! | 3ABN Today Live

If there is one thing in life that keeps me grounded in my Christian faith, its' the times I commune with God and prayer and earnest conversation. Knowing that things do indeed work out, even if not on the time scale we would expect, helps makes things go a lot better than they used to in past years.

Happy Sabbath, 5-6 September 2025

May you and yours enjoy the blessings of God's holy Sabbath...

Bitcoin could reach $150,000 before facing a bear market: Canary Capital...

As someone who has invested in crypto (hey Coinbase!) I could definitely see Bitcoin hitting $150k before the next bear market though I think there's one factor that could also drive the price up - the increasing use of Ethereum as both a cryptocurrency and as a tech base for the crypto sphere in general.

Although Bitcoin will always have first position in crypto, Ether because of its' ubiquity and its' smart contract/blockchain usages could also drive Bitcoin up - competition breeds competition, as the saying goes.

This Winter Is Looking VERY Weird...

Bottom line here?

Besides the usual "Winter is coming" jokes, having a weather pattern analysis definitely helps; knowing what to expect this coming winter is key to being able to deal with the winter conditions, come what may.

Apologies...Again.

I will try to get back into a regular posting schedule; I've just been busy as hell the past few weeks and haven't been able to devote any time to blogging. I do sincerely apologize for that. 

Raja Jackson Nearly Kills Pro Wrestler - Dutch Mantell Reacts

Two thoughts here: (1) as long as I've followed pro wrestling I've never heard Dutch Mantell ever get upset over anything and he was on the verge of getting angry over Raja Jackson's actions over the weekend (and no, I won't show the video because having already seen it, its' just too graphic to show) and (2) if this had happened back in the 90's - never mind the 70's or 80's - Raja ain't walking out of this venue because the other wrestlers would've likely beaten the bloody fuck out of the boy (I refuse to call Raja Jackson a man because of what he did to Stuart Smith, a/k/a Skyo Stu because a man would've stopped after noticing the other guy was unconscious) and left him on the street corner in a pile somewhere, if that.

The worse part here? If this goes to a criminal court, the odds are there that, in this jaded and cynical society we live in, particularly with regards to pro wrestling, the jury might just decide it was a work and acquit Raja Jackson over it.

Caravan - Utopia

There's one message in this song and that is simply this: life is a mirage, make the most of every moment. Solomon in Ecclesiastes put it another way: the living know they will eventually die, the dead know nothing for they are already dead. (Ecc. 9:5)

The Rolling Stones had their own take and that was that "Time Waits for No One".

Happy Sabbath, 15 August 2025

 

May you and yours enjoy the blessings of the Sabbath that God gave us for our retirement and rest, so that we may get to know Him better.

Alex Zanardi's Heroic Tribute Laps (2003 CART Lausitz)

I remember seeing this on television back in 2003 and shedding a bunch of tears at the sight; never let it be said that there aren't heroes in the sport of motor racing....Alex Zanardi is definitely one of them.

The Barbaric Nature of the Early IRL Years (1996-01 IRL Crashes Due to M...

The first half of the CART-IRL Split was an interesting period for American Championship Car (a/k/a Indycar) racing in that, while the racing was at times very good - case in point: 1997, Charlotte; there was a 20-25 lap period of back-and-forth racing btwn. Tony Stewart and Buddy Lazier that is still considered one of the best duels in motor racing of the past 30 years or so.

On the other hand, it was also a sign of the ego's of both CART president Andrew Craig, who refused to listen to IMS owner Tony George in 1994-1995....and IMS boss Tony George, who refused to understand/accept that, for all the glitz and glitter that the Indianapolis 500 has, it is still but one race on the calendar. Because of their respective egos, the sport had to endure a divisive split that benefitted no one but NASCAR.

Black Like Sunday - King's X

If ever there was a band as well-appreciated yet criminally overlooked as King's X, damn if I find them.

The Worst TikTok Trends

Forget TikTok's links to Communist China, stuff like in the video above should be enough to shut it down here in the U,S,

HUGE - Fox Buys Stake in IndyCar and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway

To borrow Joe Biden's words, "this is a big fucking deal."

How? Say whatever you want about some of Fox Sports' shortcomings w/regards to graphics and all but they've been a solid hit for IndyCar this year, especially given Fox broadcasting all seventeen races on Fox Sports and not FS1 or FS2 the way ABC would foist events onto ESPN et.al. (or NBC Universal and its' networks later on). Granted it was at the expense of having the earliest finish to a schedule in modern series history but you take the good with the bad.

Happy Sabbath, 25 July 2025

Another week has come to pass; now let us enjoy the blessings of the Sabbath and rest.

The Death of Hulk Hogan at 71

There are tons of things one could say about the late Hulk Hogan and people will say everything; my own view is this: as a wrestler, Hulk Hogan was one of the greats of all-time, period and end of story. As a person, the late Terry Bollea was a Grade-A prima donna asshole.

That said, thoughs and condolences go out to the Hogan family on the loss of a wrestling legend. Rest in peace, Hollywood Hulk.

A Tribute to Ozzy Osbourne (1948-2025)

A great heartfelt tribute to Ozzy Osbourne by Sea of Tranquility's Pete Pardo; well worth watching. 

Osbourne (and Black Sabbath) were one of the great British metal bands of all-time (alongside Deep Purple & Iron Maiden) and Ozzy was one of the great frontmen of all-time, having a presence that just drew you in and made you want to listen. Not many can do; the closest still-living example that comes to mind is Purple's Ian Gillan, who even now in his mid-70's can still rock out and put shame to younger musicians (hell, that whole band can put shame to younger bands, but that's neither here nor there).

Now, I will say I was fortunate to see him perform during OzzFest 97' when they performed at the now-PNC Music Pavillion (then Blockbuster Pavillion) and while it wasn't their best performance by any stretch the man could still rock even years removed from his top-work back in the 70's.

Its' also a reminder of our individual mortalities; I just turned 50 a week ago and the number of musicians from rock's golden age is steadily declining. Not only does it remind you that time marches onward but it also reminds you that one day your number will come up and you'll be crossing the proverbial Rainbow Bridge.

Rest in peace, John Michael Osbourne.

Zak Brown Speaks on the State of IndyCar

Excellent interview by Indycar journalist David Land with Arrow/McLaren's Zak Brown on the state of IndyCar at present. Lot of good points all around, especially with regards to McLaren's intentions, not just in IndyCar but in other racing series.

ChampCar - Sebastien Bourdais vs Paul Tracy Rivalry Story

There simply was no better rivalry in the Indycar community than this one between Tracy & Bourdais; performance wise, Bourdais was simply better - 4 series titles for the Frenchman, 1 for the Canadian. In terms of wins Bourdais had 37 to Tracy's 31...

..that said, a major caveat has to be brought up and that is the fact that, due to the Split between CART/ChampCar and the Indy Racing League, they were literally the top drivers in what had become an increasingly thin CCWS field. By the 2003 season, the major players in CART - namely Penske, Ganassi and Andretti (Rahal would split time btwn the series in 2003-2004 before going full IRL in 2005) - had jumped ship so that they could compete in the Indy 500 and ChampCar's two remaining dominant teams - Newman-Haas and Forsythe - were essentially big fish in a small pond.

Timing is also important; had this begun back in the 90's it would've been epic as both Bourdais and Tracy drove for wht would have been at that time two of the sport's Big 5 and so one has to wonder what those totals above might look like in that case. There's also the fact that, if the Split doesn't occur, chances are one or both of them would have an Indy 500 win to their credit (which, given 2002, I'm betting still sticks' in Tracy's craw at times).

U.S. Posts First Budget Surplus In Decades....

BREAKING: US governments shocks with a budget surplus in June, 1st in 9+ years and defying deficit expectations

🟢June 2025: $26 billion surplus
🔴June 2024: $71.5 billion deficit
🔴June 2023: $227.7 billion deficit
🔴June 2022: $88.81 billion deficit
🔴June 2021: $174.16…

— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) July 11, 2025

Tariffs work folks (Per CNBC)... The U.S. government posted a surplus in June as tariffs gave an extra bump to a sharp increase in receipts, the Treasury Department said Friday.

With government red ink swelling throughout the year, last month saw a surplus of just over $27 billion, following a $316 billion deficit in May.

That brought the fiscal year-to-date deficit to $1.34 trillion, up 5% from a year ago. However, with calendar adjustment, the deficit actually edged lower by 1%. There are three months left in the current fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30.

A 13% increase in receipts from the same month a year ago helped bridge the gap, with outlays down 7%. For the year, receipts are up 7% while spending has risen 6%.

Now, to be clear, Trump during the first year of his first term, also posted a budget surplus; you have to go back to mid-2005 for the last sustained period of monthly budget surpluses.

Happy Sabbath, 11 July 2025

Even in the midst of the summertime's blahs and pop-up storms, let us never forget the blessings of His weekly Sabbath, which as Jesus reminds us in the Gospel of Mark, "was made for Man, not the other way around."

Summertime Blahs...

....its' been that time of year, the time where you really just don't want to post anything but you grind it out most days....until you just get to feeling as though you want to take a few days off, let your mind cool down and get refreshed.

That's me in a nutshell these past couple days; I simply haven't felt like posting anything because I haven't felt like it. I apologize for that but sometimes you have to take a few days' breaks - call it whatever you will, everyone has those periods in their life.

The trick is gritting through them and coming out better for it.

Wednesday wx vlog 7/9/2025: Stay weather aware for slow-moving storms wi...

We're in another period of wash, rinse and repeat summer weather - warm, muggy mornings with pop-up storms in the later afternoon and evenings....yeah, welcome to summer; I am so over summer.

Happy Sabbath, 4 July 2025

 

From Western North Carolina, may you and yours enjoy the blessings of the Sabbath.

The Meaning of the Fourth of July

From the bottom of my heart, it has been one of the better Independence Days' I've ever celebrated....not so more for the celebrating part, but for the fact that this time four years ago, I wasn't looking too good health-wise. Four years later, my health is doing a lot better and I feel better than I have in quite some time.

Yes, I know what the holiday is, but for me, given the past few years, I'll take the health anyday of the week.

'Big, Beautiful Bill': President Trump signs bill during White House 4th...

And he didn't have to use an autopen either!

What a novel concept.

Jimmy Swaggart: A Legacy That Lives On

Growing up, there were two televangelists who were on television more than any other Christian minister - North Carolina's own Billy Graham and a Louisiana native named Jimmy Swaggart. For all of his faults and scandals - and there were a few - the man from Ferriday, La. was a stalwart of the Christian faith whose influence will far outweigh the scandals. As RedState's Jennifer O'Connell writes... As Christians, we believe in a God who forgives and restores the most egregious sin. All we have to do is ask him for it. The fact that Swaggart was able to successfully rebuild his ministry, keep and restore his marriage, and leave this life with honors from a world that once considered him a byword is a reflection that Jimmy Lee Swaggart took hold and fully embraced the Jesus he so boldly proclaimed to others. 

They couldn't've said it better. Rest in Peace, Pastor Swaggart.

Founders' Quotes, 29-30 June 2025

As we wrap up the month of June, here are a couple of quotes from some of America's Founding Fathers on the Declaration of Independence and on Democracy itself...

(1) This was the object of the Declaration of Independence. Not to find out new principles, or new arguments, never before thought of, not merely to say things which had never been said before; but to place before mankind the common sense of the subject, in terms so plain and firm as to command their assent, and to justify ourselves in the independent stand we are compelled to take. Neither aiming at originality of principle or sentiment, nor yet copied from any particular and previous writing, it was intended to be an expression of the American mind, and to give to that expression the proper tone and spirit called for by the occasion. - Thomas Jefferson, letter to Henry Lee, 1825

(2) Democracy will soon degenerate into an anarchy, such an anarchy that every man will do what is right in his own eyes and no man's life or property or reputation or liberty will be secure, and every one of these will soon mould itself into a system of subordination of all the moral virtues and intellectual abilities, all the powers of wealth, beauty, wit and science, to the wanton pleasures, the capricious will, and the execrable cruelty of one or a very few. - John Adams, An Essay on Man's Lust for Power, 1763

Both make excellent points above. Jefferson reminds us that the Declaration of Independence didn't invent new rights for the people, it merely stated that all have an inherent right of freedom and equality that no government can take away without due cause. And John Adams, Jefferson's contemporary, reminds us of democracy's inherent flaw - the ability to, with a simple majority, to give and take at will.

DoJ: Harvard Violated Civil Rights Laws

The Feds aren't playing anymore with the Crimson... In a letter sent to Harvard President Alan Garber on Monday and viewed by The Wall Street Journal, attorneys for the administration said the investigation found that Harvard knew Jewish and Israeli students felt threatened on its campus and acted with deliberate indifference.  ~~~ ~~~ “Failure to institute adequate changes immediately will result in the loss of all federal financial resources and continue to affect Harvard’s relationship with the federal government,” the letter states. “Harvard may of course continue to operate free of federal privileges, and perhaps such an opportunity will spur a commitment to excellence that will help Harvard thrive once again.” (HotAir)

Now, as HotAir points out, Harvard has three options...

Option 1 is to go the Hillsdale College route and eschew any/all federal (and state) funding from now on. Option 2 is to fight the Feds' in federal court. Option 3 is to cave and accept whatever punishment the Feds. issue.

I'm betting its' Option 3; why? The reason Hillsdale is successful as a liberal arts college is their entire structure is built around not taking taxpayer funding of any sort; Harvard, by contrast, pretty much depends on federal funding for much of its' activities.

If they fight, that could have unintended consequences; why? Because this is a civil finding, the evidentiary standard is lower (51% or "preponderance of the evidence") and there was plenty of evidence showing Harvard was violating federal civil rights laws (the Fair Admissions case, anyone?) plus should they fight and lose, the punishments could be far worse than what could be expected otherwise.

Which leaves Option 3, to cave and accept whatever punishment the Feds' dole out to them. I suspect this is what will happen but who knows in this day and age...

Happy Sabbath, 27 June 2025

As we settle into the dog days of summer, let us give thanks for the blessings of the Sabbath everyone.

Apologies for Not Posting....

...most of this week; been dealing with allergies courtesy of the changeover from spring to summer and the weather changes. Between (a) dealing with the heatwave this week, (b) getting over these blasted allergies - its' the usual suspects: hay fever, pollen, dust/dander, etc. and (c) recovering from that by taking Benadryl and Claritin (albeit not together), I simply haven't been able to keep up.

To my readers, I sincerely apologize.

NASA's Future SLS Booster Just Failed Its First Test

Between this and Starship's ongoing issues, we're liable to a Red Chinese moon instead of one with all nations there....not a nice thought, you know?

2028 IndyCar Formula Announced - Road America IndyCar Day 2 Report

Meanwhile, back in North America, three bits of news at Road America during this weekend's IndyCar race at Road America: (1) RLL rookie drive Louis Foster will start tomorrow's race on pole, (2) IndyCar announced their next-generation engine/chassis formula starting in 2028 - a 2.4L turbo engine w/a Dallara chassis and (3) former Penske managing director Kyle Moyer has landed over at Arrow-McLaren to work w/Nolan Siegel for the remainder of the season.

U.S. Strikes Iranian Nuke Facilities

Quoting the BBC... Donald Trump says the US has completed strikes on three nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordo, Natanz and Esfahan. "We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan. All planes are now outside of Iran air space," he wrote on Truth Social.

Trump added that a "full payload of bombs" were dropped on Fordo and all planes were on their way back to the US.

This isn't a surprise; as strong as the Israeli Defense Forces are they simply didn't have the capacity to hit the big 3 nuclear weapons sites inside of Iran (especially the underground facility at Fordow, though Israel has struck areas near Natanz and Isfahan in recent days) and the only ones who could were the USAF's B-2 stealth bombers with their 15-ton bunker-busters.

Now the questions becomes several: (1) what follow-up strikes will the U.S. carry out? (2) related to 1, will it involve a second round of B-2 strikes or could we see the Air Force's fast strategic bombers, the sleek-as-hell B-1 Lancers, go in with their strike packages? (3) What will Iran's response be against us - will they move to close off the Strait of Hormuz, convince outside agitators to act agst. the West, etc.?

Right now it is anyone's guess.

🔴LIVE - TORNADO ON THE GROUND - With Storm Chasers - Live Weather Channe...

You know its' summer when a derecho strikes on the summer solstice...and what d'ya know; we have a derecho! ☔☇☇☇🌀

In all seriousness though, everyone stay safe in the Dakotas and Minnesota tonight and through the overnight into Saturday morning...🙏🙏

Happy Sabbath, 20 June 2025

As we begin another summer here in Western North Carolina, let us enjoy the blessings of the Sabbath that God provided to us.

Update on Ship 36's Static Test Stand Explosion

Late last night Ship 36, undergoing a final static-fire prior to launch of Flight 10 later this month, suffered a catastrophic failure resulting in destruction of the upper stage along with damage to Massey's Test Stand where the test was to be held.

According to reports out of Texas, the explosion looks to be the result of a failure in the Starship COPV (Composite Overwrapped Pressure Vessel) near the methane header tanks, resulting in a leak of superchilled methane that later ignited and caused the explosion. Thankfully, there were no casualties but Massey's Test Stand will have to be rebuilt extensively.

Now the question becomes "when will SpaceX launch Flight 10? At the time of this post, no one knows.

BREAKING: Iran Missile STRIKES Israeli Hospital; IDF Hits Iran Nuclear, ...

We're now one week into the conflict between Israel and Iran and Israel pretty much has what in the West is known as "Air Dominance" meaning the IDF Air Force can operate at-will anywhere over western and central Iran (I didn't include Eastern Iran principally because Iran has enough problems already btwn. them and Pakistan concerning Balochistan terrorists Pakistan has long-accused Iran of supporting).

Meanwhile all eyes continue to watch Whiteman AFB in western Missouri for flights of B-2 Spirit stealth bombers; these are the only ones with the ordnance capable of striking Iran's Fordow underground nuclear facility, weapons the Israelis do not have at present. Reports are the bombers are on what back in the Cold War would've been akin to a cocked pistol situation, needing only a Go order from Washington to be on their way. It is a 30-hour round trip to and from Fordow from Whiteman and would require multiple refuelings' - hence last week's deployment of refueling aircraft to Europe and the Mediterranean. 

SHIP 36 EXPLOSION! Something Weird Happened to S36 Static Fire Test! Mas...

Within the spaceflight community, "Go Fever" is regarded as a nasty bitch (apologies for the language there) and late Wednesday night it struck SpaceX hard with the explosion of Ship 36 during a static fire test, with subsequent destruction of the Massey's Test Site at Starbase.

First reports are a burst rupture in the methane tank of Ship 36 but again, that is a first report; nonetheless, it is almost certain Starship's next flight (currently Flight 10) won't be for some time to come, if at all this year.

Israel Attacks Iran - Missiles Hit Israel - LIVE Breaking News Coverage

We're now one week into the direct conflict between Iran and Israel and today's major events include (a) continued Israeli strikes on Iranian defense and weapons infrastructure and (b) an apparent Iranian ballistic missile strike in Beersheba which struck a hospital. 

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump is still considering whether to use bunker-buster ordnance against Iran's Fordow underground nuclear complex. Reports are unconfirmed but the consensus is that he has tentatively approved such a strike; the question will be whether there will be direct Iranian retaliation agst. American forces in the Middle East.

SCOTUS Affirms Ban on "Gender Affirming Care" for Trans Youth

You know, if someone comes out as transgender and wants to live as such, I have no problem with it (including everything that goes with it, including "gender-affirming care') so long as they're over the age of 18 - you know, an adult?

But under 18? That's a hard pass and thankfully SCOTUS agreed.... The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued a ruling upholding Tennessee’s ban on “gender-affirming care” for minors suffering from gender dysphoria. The ruling solidifies laws that shield children from being subjected to questionable medical treatments such as puberty blockers, hormone treatments, and surgery.

It was, as expected, a 6-3 decision with Chief Justice Roberts authoring the decision, affirming the state of Tennessee's (and by extension, about 20 other states') ban on "gender-affirming care" for trans youth, ruling the ban didn't violate the 14th Amendment's Equal Protection Clause and that it was enforced based on age and medical purpose, not gender or sex.

This is a good decision; now, I put the words "gender-affirming care" in quotation marks because, as country after country in Europe is now confirming, there is nothing affirming about what is essentially gender mutilation. 

Plus, how can a child consent to anything? I mean, an adult can consent to it as a medical necessity but unless the child has asked for their independence from their parents isn't it the parents responsibility to consent in their stead?

🔴BREAKING: U.S. Deploys Stealth Bombers; Iran Top General ELIMINATED; Te...

Things continue to intensify in the Middle East; at this point, the question's becoming not whether Iran can block Israel's continued attacks but now (a) will the U.S. step in and assist and (b) whether the mullahs in Tehran will continue to rule afterward...

Apologies...

...for not having any posts the past few days; given all the inclement weather we've had I decided to take both a mental health self-care weekend and a social media detox. I'm feeling much better at the moment and should be back up to my usual self this week.

Happy Sabbath, 13-14 June 2025

Even with all the severe weather we've been getting the past few days, it is always good to take a moment and reflect on the blessings of the Sabbath...

Damn Inclement Weather...

...now i know how people in Florida feel whenever they get wave after wave of weather come through their communities as we have here in Western NC the past few days....

Israel Strikes Multiple Targets Inside Iran...

And if reports are to be believed it was a combination strike agst. Iran's nuclear weapons facilities and targeted assassinations of several Iranian leaders...

Israel wasn't playing when they said over and over they would strike and by appearances they have; the question now (well, two of them) is (1) what Iran's response will be and (2) will anyone else get dragged into it?

LA Protests Continue For a Sixth Straight Night...

As you can tell by the Google News aggregator link, the big story across the country are the continuing protests against ICE (and agst. immigration enforcement) happening in Los Angeles for a sixth straight night...who would've thought in 2025 that enforcing immigration law written in the 1952 Immigration & Nationality Act would become a revolutionary act?

Founders Quote, 7 June 2025

With hearts fortified with these animating reflections, we most solemnly, before God and the world, declare, that, exerting the utmost energy of those powers, which our beneficent Creator hath graciously bestowed upon us, the arms we have compelled by our enemies to assume, we will, in defiance of every hazard, with unabating firmness and perseverance employ for the preservation of our liberties; being with one mind resolved to die freemen rather than to live as slaves. - John Dickinson & Thomas Jefferson, Declaration of the Cause and Necessity of Taking up Arms — 1775

There's a pair of individuals on opposing sides of the American Revolution, figuratively speaking - Thomas Jefferson was one of the individuals most closely involved in the writing of the Declaration of Independence while John Dickinson worked until the very last to try and bring peace between the colonists and the British Crown before joining Jefferson and the others.

Putting Space Things In A CAT Scanner

Simply amazing, you know....seeing how x-ray and CT scanners have evolved over the past few decades; puts the work performed on older scanners (looking at you, Terminal Man!) to shame. That said, math skills and scientific work still matter; there's an anecdote from the early 90's about a join US-Russian team that was working on electromagnetic simulations.

The U.S. team brought in their equipment (which was top of the line for its' time) while the Russians used their own equipment (which wasn't)...however the Russians were able to match the Americans on their results; how? By simplifying the underlying math via. writing their own code for their equipment; the technical stuff would go over my head in an instant but the Russians' got to within 5-19% of the Americans' results.

Democratic "Integrity"

(The Patriot Post, 9 June 2025)

I'm honestly of the opinion now, in case I hadn't mentioned it before here, that Democrats are un-American, nay, anti-American scum. Republican might not be much of anything but they love America and what she stands for; can you same the same for the Democrat Party Demokkkrat Party?

Founders Quotes, 5-6 June 2025

A pair of Constitutional quotes from two of America's earliest presidents...

(1) It is too probable that no plan we propose will be adopted. Perhaps another dreadful conflict is to be sustained. If, to please the people, we offer what we ourselves disprove, how can we afterwards defend our work? Let us raise a standard to which the wise and the honest can repair. The event is in the hand of God. = George Washington, as quoted by Gouverneur Morris in Farrand's Records of the Federal Convention of 1787 — 1787

(2) The Constitution on which our Union rests, shall be administered by me [as President] according to the safe and honest meaning contemplated by the plain understanding of the people of the United States at the time of its adoption - a meaning to be found in the explanations of those who advocated, not those who opposed it, and who opposed it merely lest the construction should be applied which they denounced as possible. - Thomas Jefferson, letter to Mesrs. Eddy, Russel, Thurber, Wheaton and Smith — 1801

One of the hallmarks of the Constitution is the stability of the government it provides for, a stability not many countries can boast.

The Democrats' Vision for America

Let this image sear into your soul.

This IS the Democrat vision for America, anarchy in the streets, foreign flags waving, and our values crushed under the weight of chaos.

Lawlessness isn’t the exception, it’s the plan.

Welcome to the Left’s Summer of Love: Part II. pic.twitter.com/59Tl3Krblo

— Wesley Hunt (@WesleyHuntTX) June 8, 2025

Enough said. 

Los Angeles Protests - National Guard in LA - LIVE Breaking News Coverage

This is but another reason to hate - yes, I said it, hate - the Democratic Party and the Left in general. Ever since their beginnings, they've been a part of bigotry, discrimination, lawlessness, appeasement and treachery and how anyone with a sane mind could pull the lever for the Democrat Party Demonrats will forever be a mystery to me.

LA anti-ICE protests reaches Day 2

At this point, I honestly don't care what Trump does w/regard to these "protesters" so long as its' within the bounds of the law.

Founders Quotes, 3-4 June 2025

Congress and the Constitution may seem at odds with one another but really shouldn't be...

(1) If the present Congress errs in too much talking, how can it be otherwise in a body to which the people send 150 lawyers, whose trade it is to question everything, yield nothing, & talk by the hour? That 150 lawyers should do business together ought not to be expected. - Thomas Jefferson, Autobiography, 1821

(2) I never expect to see a perfect work from imperfect man. - Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 85, 1788

There's truths to both of their quotes - Jefferson's in that whenever a bunch of lawyers get together nothing much good ever comes out of it and Hamilton's in that so long as we depend on human works to achieves peace and stability, we will never have it often or well enough to please everyone.

Happy Sabbath, 6 June 2025

Even when there are storms in one's life (weather-related or otherwise) we can always count on the seventh-day sabbath as a period of calm respite.

DoJ Sues Texas Over In-State Tuition for Illegal Aliens....

...and wins. Per Patriot Post, On Wednesday, Attorney General Pam Bondi’s Justice Department finally did what every prior administration (including Trump 1.0) for the past three decades refused to do — enforced the federal immigration law that bans states from providing in-state tuition to illegal aliens unless they provide the same benefit to citizen-students from any state. 

That same day, Texas cried uncle, agreed with the government, settled the case, and entered into a consent decree.

TL/DR: In 1996, Congress passed the Illegal Alien Reform & Immigrant Responsibility Act which prohibited states like Texas from giving in-state tuition benefits to those here in the country illegally. Until this week, seventeen states and D.C. had laws (in DC's case, a DC City Counsel ordinance that was later approved by Congress) allowing this. This not allows gave an unlawful benefit to illegals already here, it encouraged more illegal immigration and whenever parents of citizen/legal resident alien students tried to sue, the courts rebuffed them stating there was no private right of action in the statute (thus putting it on DoJ's shoulders to you know, actually enforce the law as written).

In the consent decree, Texas acknowledged that the law-in-question violated the Federal Supremacy Clause and were unconstitutional.....now, let us hope that either (a) DoJ goes after the other states and D.C. on this and.or (b) Congress gets off their schnides' and passes an amendments law putting this prohibition into statutory law.

On This Day in 1944...

....Allied forces landed on the beaches of Normandy eighty-one years ago, marking the beginning of the end in Western Europe. It was a defense of freedom and liberty vs. the forces of evil and freedom/liberty won the day. (Makes you wonder if today's generation could do likewise.)

Anyway, here's a bit of music, per Patriot Post, to honor the day...

Founders Quote, 2 June 2025

Okay, I gotta catch on these....

Commerce: The prosperity of commerce is now perceived and acknowledged by all enlightened statesmen to be the most useful as well as the most productive source of national wealth, and has accordingly become a primary object of its political cares. - Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 12, 1787

Hamilton's right there; the best way for a country to prosper is to unleash the economic commerce engine to full blast and then, after making sure there's a fair system of laws/regulations, getting well the hell outta' the way.

JD Vance Bitcoin 2025 Keynote Speech

Cryptocurrencies really stepped out into the spotlight in 2024 and if they didn't become as established part of the financial sphere beforehand, they sure did after. And VP Vance is right in one regard - America should definitely become a center for cryptocurrency; we have a strong, stable regulatory structure, the laws are relatively straightforward and so long as you do your due diligence and research before dipping your finger into the crypto sphere, it's akin to the stock market.

RIC FLAIR is an A**HOLE - Jim Ross & "Consent" Tweets

Two things you can say about wrestling legend Ric Flair that are equally true - (1) that he is one of the most legendary wrestlers in the world and (2) that h'es the kind of asshole attention whore who makes regular-grade attention whores look like upstanding people.

He's also one of the reasons the National Wrestling Alliance lost a lot of its' authority back in the 1980's as the old territory era of pro wrestling waned and disappeared; quoting TV Tropes..."The treatment of the NWA World Heavyweight title, particularly in the late 80s throughout Ric Flair's various reigns. The NWA presidency was becoming declawed while various member promotions were stretching just how much they could get away with. Specifically, NWA bookers wanted their own top stars to go over the champion. In the past, the champ was the champ, and while the champion's job was to make local stars look good, he would still almost always come out on top. But more and more, regional members wanted special exemptions made: Dusty Rhodes did not want to lose in Florida, the von Erichs did not want to lose in Texas, and so on. More and more, the front office gave in, leading to more and more time limit draws meant to keep their members happy. The overall perception, then, to the casual wrestling fan, was that perennial WWF champion Hulk Hogan was an unstoppable juggernaut who had a solid hold on his belt, while Ric Flair was more lucky than good by taking a beating in every match from almost everyone and just barely escaping. A lack of solid high-profile victories over anyone of status by the NWA champion eventually began to erode the importance of the NWA title."

In other words, while Vince McMcMahon, for all of his numerous faults, kept his top dog Hulk Hogan as an unstoppable force w/in the then-WWF while the 80's NWA, in an effort to appease their declining territorial power, played wag-the-director w/local promoters, thus making Flair look like he LCS'ed (LIed-Cheated-Stole) his way through championship title matches, thus weakening the overall brand.

USDoT to Offer $5.4bn in Transportation Contracts, Strikes Diversity Provisions in Contract Language

Sooner they can end diversity provisions in federal contracts, the better....

The U.S. government will make available $5.4 billion in grant funding for building, replacing or repairing bridges across the country under a 2021 infrastructure law, but is striking diversity requirements, the U.S. Department of Transportation said on Monday.

USDOT said it was removing climate change, environmental justice and diversity, equity and inclusion from grant application requirements for bridges from the funding approved in 2021 under a $1-trillion infrastructure law signed by former President Joe Biden.

Last week, USDOT said separately it would end consideration of race or gender when awarding billions of dollars in federal highway and transit project funding set aside for disadvantaged small businesses. (Salem News Channel)

The problem with diversity provisions aren't that not everyone will benefit but that, to borrow John Roberts' famous dictum, the way to prevent discrimination on the basis of race (or ethnicity or gender, etc.) is very simple: stop discriminating by those bases. Pick the best offer that is cost-effective and let the chips fall where they will.

Might not mean you get the absolute best company/individual (although that should be an ideal) but anything would be better than what currently exists nowadays.

Founders Quotes, 31 May-1 June 2025

A pair of quotes from America's first president, George Washington, on the topics of character and citizenship...

Character: Your love of liberty - your respect for the laws - your habits of industry - and your practice of the moral and religious obligations, are the strongest claims to national and individual happiness. - letter to the residents of Boston, Mass., 1789

Citizenship: The citizens of the United States of America have the right to applaud themselves for having given to mankind examples of an enlarged and liberal policy worthy of imitation. All possess alike liberty of conscience and immunities of citizenship. It is now no more that toleration is spoken of as if it were by the indulgence of one class of citizens that another enjoyed the exercise of their inherent natural rights, for happily the Government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction, to persecution no assistance, requires only that they who live under its protection should demean themselves as good citizens in giving it on all occasions their effectual support. - letter to the Hebrew Congregation of Newport, Rhode Island — 1790

Two of the hallmarks of America are the ideas of character and citizenship - the American character (love of liberty/freedom, respect for the law, a strong work ethic) and citizenship (just as Romans took pride in being citizens of Rome, "Civis Romanus sum", Americans still take pride in being a citizen of the United States - "Civis Americanus sum."

Top 10 Paul Tracy Angry Moments

Say whatever you want about "the Thrill from West Hill" but there was never a dull moment whenever Paul Tracy was racing in the IndyCar Series (well, at that time CART/ChampCar)....

Jesus, Jerusalem and the Final Signs | Mark Finley

Thought-provoking video and a reminder of the role Jerusalem - a holy city for Christians, Jews and Muslims - will play in the end times. What those are no one knows but we do know those times will, assuming Christ doesn't delay his coming, eventually arrive.

Founders Quotes, 29-30 May 2025

Quotes on the budget and on that eternal bane of elected officials, bureaucracy, both courtesy of Thomas Jefferson....

Budget: A rigid economy of the public contributions and absolute interdiction of all useless expenses will go far towards keeping the government honest and unoppressive. - letter to the Marquis de Lafayette, 1823

Bureaucracy: I think we have more machinery of government than is necessary, too many parasites living on the labor of the industrious. - letter to William Ludlow, 1824

Both quotes are very prescient for today's times, given how hard Elon Musk and DOGE have worked to work just the $150bn or so thus far from the federal budget...and bureaucracies are, next to death and taxes, the absolute bane of humanity.

Happy Sabbath, 30 May 2025

May you and yours enjoy the blessings of the Sabbath day!

Did Trump Turn on the Federalist Society?

Most times I don't give the windbags over at Digby's Hullabaloo the time of the day but like broken clocks once in a while they come up with some gems....case in point, Trump putting the judiciary on blast because they won't do his bidding (and in the process putting Leonard Leo and the Federalist Society on blast as well).

Seriously, go read it.

Now, to be fair, the judiciary isn't "beholden" to one side or the other; Chief Justice Roberts got it right in his "there are no Trump judges or Obama judges" quote. However, the way a judge rules on cases (and by extension, issues) is - SCOTUS notwithstanding - generally dependent on who appointed them....so to hear Trump put his fellow conservatives on blast was a surprise.

Founders' Quotes, 27-28 May 2025

A pair of quotes from Thomas Jefferson on the subject of arms...

(1) One loves to possess arms, though they hope never to have occasion for them. - letter to George Washington, 1796

(2) No freeman shall be debarred the use of arms [within his own lands]. - Draft Constitution for the State of Virginia — 1776

One of the things that makes America such a unique place is the freedom of individual to possess firearms (within certain historical limits) without the government's meddling or forbiddance. Heck, the first shots of the American Revolution were precisely because the British government wanted to seize the weapons and ammunition of the colonists in Lexington and Concord.

Charlton Heston had it right after all...."I'll give you my gun when you pry (or take) it from my cold, dead hands."

What Exactly Happened On SpaceX's NINTH Starship Test Flight!

Tuesday's Starship flight test (Integrated Flight Test 9) was a mix of successes and failures. On the one hand, they (a) proved directional kickback of the Super Heavy booster was possible, (b) achieved trans-atmospheric insertion of Starship, the first since Flight 6...and that was pretty much it.

On the other hand, (a) the Super Heavy demised at the point of the splashdown burn, (b) Starship failed to deploy the Starlink mass-simulator payload from the Ship's Pez dispenser payload bay and (c) suffered a propellant leak which ultimately doomed Starship.

Not the best of circumstances but there's a point here: this was, after all, a test flight and no test flight is ever 100%. Given Elon Musk's words last night, expect the next couple Starship Flight Tests' to be along similar lines as Flight 9 - he has already has at least three Starship Block 2's at Starbase in different stages of rollout and he has several Super Heavys' also ready to go including at least two from previous flights (most likely the boosters from Flights 5 and 8).

This is going to be an interesting summer for SpaceX and the American spaceflight community...

We Owe Them All...

(Patriot Post, 26 May 2025)

No truer words need be said.

Founders Quote, 26 May 2025

Is it not the glory of the people of America, that whilst they have paid a decent regard to the opinions of former times and other nations, they have not suffered a blind veneration for antiquity, for custom, or for names, to overrule the suggestions of their own good sense, the knowledge of their own situation, and the lessons of their own experience? To this manly spirit, posterity will be indebted for the possession, and the world for the example of the numerous innovations displayed on the American theatre, in favor of private rights and public happiness. - James Madison, Federalist No. 14, 1787

America is many many wonderful things but it is also an idea, an idea that says in essence that you can live your life as you see fit (w/in the bounds of the law, of course) without government or private busybodies meddling in your affairs. It is the spirit of the pioneer going forth to reach new worlds, new boundaries, of piercing the unknown. It is the soldier defending their country from threats near and far, of the farmer tending to the land, of the homesteader caring for and managing their lands, etc.

Most of all, America is an idea - that when you are born, your whole life is free to do with as you wish, without concern of class or gender or race. In most countries, when you are born, your life, depending on the country, is all-but-laid out for you; here? The only limits are the limits of one's imagination.

No Greater Sacrifice

Enough said.

Founder's Quote, 25 May 2025

It will not be doubted, that with reference either to individual, or National Welfare, Agriculture is of primary importance. In proportion as Nations advance in population, and other circumstances of maturity, this truth becomes more apparent; and renders the cultivation of the Soil more and more, an object of public patronage. - George Washington, Eighth Annual Message to Congress — 1796

Agriculture has long been a staple of America; from the farms of the Midwest to the vineyards of California and the yeoman farmers of Appalachia, farming and the products yielded from them not only feed America but the world.

AOL: More than 1,500 Emigrate to U.K. In Period Since Trump's Return to White House

More than 1,900 Americans applied for UK citizenship as Trump began second term
byu/CourtofTalons inConservative

 

They won't be missed; if you'd prefer the security of technocratic government than the uncertainty of freedom, then leave. As Samuel Adams once put it oh-so-delicately in a speech in Philadelphia in 1776, "If ye love wealth better than liberty, the tranquility of servitude than the animated contest of freedom — go home from us in peace. We ask not your counsels or arms. Crouch down and lick the hands which feed you. May your chains sit lightly upon you, and may posterity forget that you were our countrymen!"

Happy Sabbath, 23 May 2025

As we approach Memorial Day 2025, let us never forget the Sabbath day, a remembrance and memorial set apart by God for our benefit. A time of rest and solace in an ever-changing world; let us never forget that.

Penske Fires Cindric

Kudos for David Land for covering this; its' no understatement to say this is a bombshell decision by Roger Penske to fire arguably one of the biggest players in motorsports in Tim Cindric (along w/two additional members from Team Penske) over the attenuator scandal roiling this year's Indy 500.

(TL/DR on that: Prior to Sunday's Fast 12 qualifying session, Tech inspectors - at the behest of rival Chip Ganassi and others, spotted an illegal modification to the attenuators' on both the #12 of Will Power and the #2 of Josef Newgarden. Both cars were pulled from the qualifying line and will start on Row 11 this Sunday. The attenuator, located at the back of the cars, is a safety device intended to reduce the shock/g-forces from a rearward-facing crash and is thus considered a non-modifiable part of the car.)

Bold move by IndyCar and one that will have reverberations throughout not just the IndyCar Series but likely through part of NASCAR as well (because Tim's son, Austin Cindric, drives for Penske in the NASCAR Cup Series). Definitely something worth following as time moves on.

How to Defeat Disease | Dr Chidi Ngwaba

Defeating defeat isn't just a physical fight but a spiritual and mental one and if all three can be harnessed for the betterment of one's overall health, the better off our chances at living a successful, healthy life.

Dave Meltzer's Wrestling Observer Awards are a JOKE (HERE'S WHY)

James Romero's not wrong here; while Dave Meltzer and his Wrestling Observer Newsletter was relevant back in the 80's and 90's, he's long become a sad joke (and with all due respect for Frank Deford, what standard for journalistic excellence are you using?). Worse, his current "journalistic stylings" are akin to copious amounts of tongue-watching pretty much everything AEW and its crackhead booking style owner, Tony Khan either says or does.

And Lord, don't get me started on the joke that is Meltzer's ratings system....

Penske Caught + Rookie on Pole - Indy 500 Qualifying Day 2 Report

It was a busy day at the Brickyard for Pole Day & Last Row Shootout action at IMS; assuming nothing else bad happens this week, I should be able to do a live-blog of the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500.

Happy Sabbath, 16 May 2025

To all reading, may you and yours enjoy a wonderful Sabbath!

Apologies...

...for not having posted in the past few days; Monday was a cluster---- of a day that gave me a panic attack due to PTSD flashbacks from Hurricane Helene (it rained all days; sometimes heavy, sometimes light...but it was an all-day rainfest).

I pretty much turtled up that day and spent Tuesday recovering from it; finally got back on my feet Wednesday and will be back to posting starting on Thursday.

The WORST Boxers Of ALL-TIME | Part 1

...and yes, here's Part 1 of the worst boxers compilation and it was just as funny as the second part... 😂😂😂😂😂😂

The WORST Boxers Of ALL-TIME | Part 2

There's good boxing...and then there's the above.

Trust me, you'll laugh, cry and yell "WTF?" at the shenanigans....😂😂😂😂😂

12 Laps Around the Indy 500 Using Decades Worth of Onboard Footage

The best two weeks of the motor racing calendar are once more upon us as IndyCar's greats - well, Alex Palou and everyone else - head to the 2.5 miles of central Indiana blacktop for another running of the Greatest Spectacle in Racing, the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500.

Pakistan Attacks India - LIVE Breaking News Coverage

Well, we've had retaliation; now the question that has to be going through the minds of the rest of humanity is "will it remain conventional or will it go nuclear?"

Fair Admissions II: UCLA Medical School Sued Over Discrimination in Admissions

NEW: UCLA medical school was sued today for discriminating against whites and Asians in admissions.

The lawsuit is based on my reporting from last year. It was filed by Students for Fair Admissions—the same group that got affirmative action outlawed nationwide.🧵 https://t.co/9mm1B6ErsN

— Aaron Sibarium (@aaronsibarium) May 8, 2025

Per Twitchy via the Free Beacon... UCLA medical school was sued for race discrimination on Thursday after whistleblowers alleged that the school holds black and Latino applicants to a lower standard than their white and Asian counterparts, the latest challenge for a beleaguered university already in the crosshairs of the Trump administration.

The complaint is based on multiple Washington Free Beacon reports about the extent of racial preferences at the medical school. It was filed by Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA), the group whose lawsuit against Harvard University resulted in the Supreme Court decision, in 2023, that outlawed affirmative action in higher education.

In a statement to the Free Beacon, SFFA president Edward Blum framed the lawsuit as a sequel to the Harvard case. 'This lawsuit sends an important message to every institution of higher education: Any school and administrator that uses race and racial proxies in admissions in defiance of the Supreme Court's ruling in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard will be sued,' Blum said. 'University administrators in their official and personal capacities will face vigorous legal challenges if they use race and racial proxies in the admissions process.'

I could see this going pear-shaped for UCLA at least three different ways: (1) if this case makes it to SCOTUS, expect them to use the 2023 Fair Admissions case as the cudgel (and if Roberts is smart, he'll let Thomas write the opinion), (2) Title VI investigations from the Dept. of Justice (UCLA, like most universities, receives federal funding/grants and (3) both Proposition 209 and the Unruh Civil Rights Act since UCLA is part of the University of California System.

Bottom line here is that the courts are going to have to, legally speaking, beat the Fair Admissions case law into the heads of university presidents, provosts and admissions officials until John Roberts' quote is firmly entrenched into federal law to the point where no one dares touch it...

"The way to stop discrimination on the basis of race is to stop discriminating on the basis of race."

Period, end of story.

Founders' Quotes, 7-8 May 2025

A pair of quotes about the American Revolution (a/k/a the "War for Independence") from John Adams and George Washington....

Adams, John: Objects of the most stupendous magnitude, and measure in which the lives and liberties of millions yet unborn are intimately interested, are now before us. We are in the very midst of a revolution the most complete, unexpected and remarkable of any in the history of nations. - letter to William Cushing, 1776

Washington: - Having now finished the work assigned me, I retire from the great theatre of Action; and bidding an Affectionate farewell to this August body under whose orders I have so long acted, I here offer my commission, and take my leave of all the employments of public life. - Address to Congress on Resigning his Commission — 1783

In both quotes we see the beginning and end of the Revolution; in Adams' quote, we see one of the ringleaders of the Revolution reminding his fellow revolutionary of the period they were living in, a period that would ultimately result in America gaining her independence from Great Britain. Washington, meanwhile, puts an ending to the Revolution by resigning his commission as Commanding General of the Continental Army, the same spirit of self-sacrifice he would later show by retiring from the Presidency after two terms in office.

Happy Sabbath, 9 May 2025

After a pretty eventful week weather-wise, may you and yours enjoy a blessed weekend!

Founders Quotes, 5-6 May 2025

Two quotes on virtue from Benjamin Franklin and George Washington....

Franklin: Be in general virtuous, and you will be happy. - letter to John Alleyne — 1768

Washington: There exists in the economy and course of nature, an indissoluble union between virtue and happiness; between duty and advantage; between the genuine maxims of an honest and magnanimous policy, and the solid rewards of public prosperity and felicity; since we ought to be no less persuaded that the propitious smiles of Heaven can never be expected on a nation that disregards the eternal rules of order and right, which Heaven itself has ordained. - First Inaugural Address, 1789

Virtue is a dying art in modern society; too many of us seek out the vices but not the virtues...and you wonder why things are so rotten at times? That's one reason of many.

Inclement Weather

We had our first sustained bout of severe thunderstorms this season; there's still areas south of the homestead getting battered but things are finally beginning to calm down...nothing like some good old hail-dropping, windy storms to remind you that, in the end, Mother Nature is still in charge.

Founders' Quote, 4 May 2025

If the federal government should overpass the just bounds of its authority and make a tyrannical use of its powers, the people, whose creature it is, must appeal to the standard they have formed, and take such measures to redress the injury done to the Constitution as the exigency may suggest and prudence justify. - Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 33, 1788

Federalist #33 is one of the more interesting Federalist Papers in that it discusses and balances out the concerns of the people in giving government the power of taxation ("no taxation without representation") with the government's powers in collecting taxes (and the passing of laws in order to do so). Hamilton posits that if Congress is given the power of taxation, it must also be allowed to craft laws in order for the Executive Branch to carry out the powers given to it.

Hamilton's response to the people's concerns is that while the branches of government have a responsibility in checking & balancing each other, it is ultimately the American people who exercise the final checks & balances on the government.

India Attacks Pakistan - LIVE Breaking News Coverage

Its' never a good day when these two countries square off against one another; hopefully, nothing worse happens.

Is Seventh-day Adventism Sola Scriptura? | Part 2

note: Part 1 can be found here.

Being relatively new to the Seventh-Day Adventist church (going on three and a half years since I first started attending the local SDA church here in Morganton, NC) one of the things I've spent time learning about are the denomination's core tenets, two of which (Belief #1 and Belief #18) deal with the issue of the Bible's inerrant, infallibility and the role of the Spirit of Prophecy as testified to by Ellen G. White.

Now, as I commented on below the video over on Youtube, if you were to ask me, my question would be that officially the SDA church is sola scriptura, based on everything I have read. Unofficially, however, I would say we were very much prima scriptura.

What is the difference? Sola scriptura (by Scripture alone) is a core tenet of Protestant Christianity, a natural outflow of the protests against the Roman Catholic Church from Martin Luther onward. Prima scriptura (Scripture as the primary guide) basically means that the Bible is first, but not the only standard used by Christians. (This is something we see in both Catholicism and in the LDS Church w/its' Standard Works).

So why say the SDA church is primarily prima scriptura? For this simple reason: if we as Adventists are truly sola scriptura, why then do we read/listen/follow the writings of Ellen G. White? You see often in Adventist churches - "Sister White says," "the Spirit of Prophecy says..." and so forth, yet we then turn around and say "go to the Bible and the Bible alone."

Well, which is it? That's the eternal question and one definitely of conversation down the road.

Change is needed... does IndyCar have the solution?

Short answer: no, not in the least.

Long answer: What do you do that either hasn't been done or is too expensive to do? (I'll get back to this in a moment.)

On a side note: why is there all this apparent hate towards Ganassi Racing's Alex Palou? The man is showing a master-class on how to dominate a racing series as his teammate Scott Dixon, probably the GOAT of his generation of IndyCar racers, once did in years past. Three wins in four races is a thumping and yet people want to blame the driver for, as David Land above points out, doing his job out on track?

As to the long answer, it boils down to one thing, cost. It costs a lot more money nowadays to run an IndyCar team than it has in past years and a lot of that goes back to the bazillions of dollars sponsors/suppliers pumped into the sport in the late 1990's/early 2000's....that money is gone and ain't returning; the sponsors ain't returning either. Nowadays its' a sponsor-a-rama which isn't not so bad (Heck, NASCAR, which once prided itself on single-sponsor entries, now does the sponsor-a-rama regularly as well and no one seems to complain about it.)

The other problem is on the supplier side; yes, we have a semi-spec series (semi-spec as in all Dallara chassis' and either a Honda or Chevrolet twin-turbo hybrid engine) but its' not the fault of the suppliers. That fault lies squarely under Roger Penske and Penske Entertainment for not providing a justification for other suppliers to want to enter the IndyCar Series.

On the chassis side, Dallara is akin to Boeing & Airbus in the airplane industry - they are the 1,000 lb. elephant and no one, not Swift or Taatus or Lola, is going to knock them off that perch. On that, I've got no problem. On the engine side, though, its' another story. I can think of several different potential IndyCar engine suppliers offhand - Ford Racing, Toyota, Cosworth, Lotus, AER, Mercedes - and other than Toyota, none of them are likely headed to 16th and Georgetown anytime soon. That needs to change and quickly.

So what needs to be done? I would say "take a page from the former Grand-Am Series." 

How? Instead of building a chassis and dictating an engine formula, put out RFPs (Requests for Proposals) stating what formula you're looking for in terms of the engine and in terms of the chassis and then see who bites. Grand-Am did that and throughout all three iterations of the Daytona Prototype class, they had a minimum of 4-5 different engine and chassis suppliers and these were well-known: Doran, Fabcar, Multimatic, Coyote, Crawford, Dallara and Riley for the chassis;, two different BMW, Ford and Porsche engine builds each, along with Nissan (via Infiniti), Toyota (via. Lexus) and Honda....and guess what? The racing was damn good during the 12-13 years of the Daytona Prototype era.

IndyCar could take a page out of it....otherwise? I'm afraid to ask.

Founders' Quotes, 2-3 May 2025

A pair of quotes on two very mutually exclusive things: the Press and Truth.

-the Press: No government ought to be without censors & where the press is free, no one ever will. - Thomas Jefferson, letter to George Washington, 1792

-Truth: In disquisitions of every kind there are certain primary truths, or first principles, upon which all subsequent reasoning must depend. - Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 31, 1788

Why would the Press and truth be mutually exclusive? Has anyone been watching the Mainstream Lying Snake Media these past recent years?

Interpreting This Past Week's Jobs Report

Three things are apparent: (1) that the April 2025 jobs report was better than economists expected, (2) the unemployment rate remained steady and (3) that any effects from the recent tariffs announced have yet to manifest themselves. There's also the question of job reductions from the federal government via. both  DOGE and the Executive Branch's deferred resignations program; those shouldn't fully manifest either until later this year.

Founders Quotes, 30 April-1 May 2025

A pair of quotes on the Presidency as noted by America's first president and by one of America's foremost legal scholars (a/k/a George Washington & Joseph Story)....

Washington: In our progress toward political happiness my station is new; and if I may use the expression, I walk on untrodden ground. There is scarcely any part of my conduct wch. may not hereafter be drawn into precedent. - letter to Catherine MacAulay — 1790

Story: On the other hand, the duty imposed upon him to take care, that the laws be faithfully executed, follows out the strong injunctions of his oath of office, that he will "preserve, protect, and defend the constitution." The great object of the executive department is to accomplish this purpose; and without it, be the form of government whatever it may, it will be utterly worthless for offence, or defence; for the redress of grievances, or the protection of rights; for the happiness, or good order, or safety of the people. - Commentaries on the Constitution, 1833

Washington makes a good point above; as America's first president, everything he did, from delivering addresses to Congress to leaving office after two terms (thus setting what is now codified into the Constitution as the 22nd Amendment) was untrodden ground, for having led America to its' independence from Great Britain, he now had to prove that Americans had made the right decision.

Story makes a good broad point above in that, as Chief Executive, the President is tasked with enforcing the laws on the books, that he carry out the duties of the office and that he represent America to the world as both head of state and as head of government, a marked contrast to most countries which separate the two divisions of power in separate offices.