🔴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.

Is Seventh-Day Adventism Really Sola Scriptura | Part 1

If I remember, this is going to be a series which I'll post here on the blog so that you may make up your own mind and decide for yourself.

Happy Sabbath, 2 May 2025

From Western North Carolina, here's wishing you and yours a blessed Sabbath day of rest, introspection and good tidings towards all.

D is for Defund, Folks...

...as it, defund PBS and NPR and make it pay their own way in the media landscape...

🚨 BREAKING: @POTUS just signed an executive order ENDING the taxpayer subsidization of NPR and PBS — which receive millions from taxpayers to spread radical, woke propaganda disguised as “news.”

Here is the text of the order:

By the authority vested in me as President by the…

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) May 2, 2025

Per RedState... President Trump signed an executive order on Thursday, directing the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to end federal funding for Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and National Public Radio (NPR), accusing them of biased coverage and "left-wing propaganda." 

The order seeks to eliminate the roughly $535 million Congress allocated to public broadcasters in the current fiscal year and any funding appropriated through Sept. 30, 2027.

"Americans have the right to expect that if their tax dollars fund public broadcasting at all, they fund only fair, accurate, unbiased, and nonpartisan news coverage," the executive order reads. "No media outlet has a constitutional right to taxpayer subsidies, and the Government is entitled to determine which categories of activities to subsidize."

A fact sheet issued by the White House explains that NPR and PBS "have fueled partisanship and left-wing propaganda with taxpayer dollars, which is highly inappropriate and an improper use of taxpayers’ money."

With all due respect to the Left, there's two basic ways a media outlet survive an an entity: advertiser-support, listener-support and subscriptions. Since most public stations have underwriting (read: non-commercial "commercials") at least some of their support would stay. But if public broadcasting is as popular as its' supporters claim then they should no problem transitioning over to either full-on listener-supported funding streams or they can bite the bullet and go the subscription route a/la Substack, Medium or via media paywalls. I mean, come on folks, if media sites such as the Guardian can run w/out either taxpayer support or paywalls, NPR and PBS can as well.

Founders Quote, 28-29 April 2025

A pair of quotes on we, the People, by Alexander Hamilton...

(1) The fabric of American empire ought to rest on the solid basis of THE CONSENT OF THE PEOPLE. The streams of national power ought to flow from that pure, original fountain of all legitimate authority. - Federalist No. 22, 1787

(2) It is a just observation that the people commonly intend the Public Good. This often applies to their very errors. But their good sense would despise the adulator who should pretend they always reason right about the means of promoting it. - Federalist No. 71, 1788

On the first quote, I agree; all power in government (and the rights of the people) must arise from the consent of the governed. On the second, I also agree; Hamilton reminds us that even the worst ideas can come from good intentions.

Farewell, Brave Sir...

Just read in the Patriot Post's Wednesday Roundup that conservative scion and firebrand David Horowitz has died following a long bout with cancer.

Having been on both sides of the political spectrum myself - old-school conservative from August 1993 through May 2016, then reluctant Never-Trumper through 2024 and now somewhat-reluctant Trump supporter - I can see what David Horowitz went through in his life and if freedom truly prevails in this world, he's going to have a statue built in his honor.

Catching Up...

Yes, I am a couple days back on posts; that's what happens when you're busy living life - in my case, catching up after having a podiatry appointment yesterday and sleeping for a while 'cause of passing thunderstorms...yeah, mid-Spring in Western NC!

Canada Votes, 2025

Canadians across the frozen tundra of Canada voted today in elections polarized by the ongoing tariffs row between them and the United States. Links to election news below,

BBC News 

The Guardian

Over on my forum Conversations 2, I'm live-blogging results and news as they come in. Enjoy the evening and to my Canadian readers, if you haven't yet voted, go vote!

Remember That Sit-In at the Capital That Democrats Held?

🚨Hakeem Jeffries, at a “sit in” on the steps of the Capitol with Cory Booker in another Resistance™️ stunt —

— says this moment in America reminds him of what US Grant said at start of the Civil War:

“There are but two parties in America right now, patriots and traitors." pic.twitter.com/xWGLDJFFTP

— Western Lensman (@WesternLensman) April 27, 2025

Yeah, me neither....

So, it looks like Jeffries thinks he can convince the nation that Democrats are the true patriots, or something.

Several other Democrats joined Booker and Jeffries throughout the day, including Sens. Chris Coons (D-DE), Angele Alsobrooks (D-MD), and Rep. Andre Carson (D-IN).

The two lawmakers appear to be setting the stage for what will be a loud resistance to Republicans in the upcoming session. But given that they have no real power in the legislature, this is all they have – political theater and loud rants. (Townhall)

Founders' Quotes, 26-27 April 2025

A pair of quotes on the necessary evil of taxation...

Hamilton: It is a singular advantage of taxes on articles of consumption that they contain in their own nature a security against excess. They prescribe their own limit, which cannot be exceeded without defeating the end purposed - that is, an extension of the revenue. - Federalist No. 21, 1787

Jefferson: 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 Lafayette, 1823

...as spoken above, taxation is a necessary, the price, as Oliver Wendall Holmes once said, we pay for a functioning society. The trick, as Arthur Laffer points out, isn't the taxation itself but at what point on the 0-100 scale you put it. At a certain point you get the maximum amount of taxes avaialbe.

Anything less and people will save. Another more and people will spend recklessly.

Founders' Quotes, 24-25 April 2025

A pair of quotes to consider concerning the infernal sin of chattel slavery....

-Ellsworth: All good men wish the entire abolition of slavery, as soon as it can take place with safety to the public, and for the lasting good of the present wretched race of slaves. The only possible step that could be taken towards it by the convention was to fix a period after which they should not be imported. - The Landholder, 1787

-Madison: It is due to justice; due to humanity; due to truth; to the sympathies of our nature; in fine, to our character as a people, both abroad and at home, that they should be considered, as much as possible, in the light of human beings, and not as mere property. As such, they are acted upon by our laws, and have an interest in our laws. - speech to the Virginia Ratifying Committee, 1829

To be fair, no history of America can be complete unless we discuss the horrid institution of slavery and in this respect, Nikole Hannah-Jones' 1617 works have to be included, for all its errors. But contrary to popular liberal convention/opinion, slavery was a dying institution across the Western world; but for Eli Whitney's invention of the cotton gin, slavery might've died out prior to the Civil War.

Contrary to popular opinion, slavery was already on ita' way in the Americas; Mexico abolished it around 1824, most of the former Spanish colonies in Latin & South America abolished it in the first decades of the 1800's as the various Wars of Independence raged on while Upper Canada (Ontario) abolished it in 1819. (Lower Canada, a/k/a Quebec, had never allowed it either before or after British capture of New France following the Seven Years' War).

Even slaveholding Founders' such as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson recognized that at some point the infernal institution would end; Jefferson led the fight to pass the Slave Trade Act, which codified into statutory law Article 5, Section 2 the prohibition on importation of slaves into the United States (which ironically was enforced mostly by, of all countries, the United Kingdom via' the Royal Navy's Africa Squadron. Even the provisions considered "pro-slavery" - in particular, the three-fifths clause - eventually became logic bombs in the South as more and more slaves arrived because it stilted population numbers in the South vs. their Northern counterparts.

Eventually, though, it took a Civil Wart to end it across the United States, a war fought by the Republican North against the Democratic South (remember, it was the Democrats' who defended slavery, Democrats who defended Jim Crow, Democrats who defended racial segregation following Reconstruction, etc.

Founders' Quotes, 22-23 April 2025

A pair of quotes on the question and issue of separation of powers from Thomas Jefferson and James Madison....

Jefferson: [T]o preserve the republican form and principles of our Constitution and cleave to the salutary distribution of powers which that [the Constitution] has established...are the two sheet anchors of our Union. If driven from either, we shall be in danger of foundering. - letter to Judge William Johnson, 1823

Madison: An ELECTIVE DESPOTISM was not the government we fought for; but one which should not only be founded on free principles, but in which the powers of government should be so divided and balanced among several bodies of magistracy, as that no one could transcend their legal limits, without being effectually checked and restrained by the others. - Federalist No. 48, 1788

One of the hallmarks of the Constitution is the separation of powers between the legislative, executive and judicial branches; each has specific powers, each cannot encroach upon the other branches and each in theory are supposed to be co-equal branches of government.

In reality, the theory went that Congress has the most power, then the Executive and finally the Judiciary...what ended up happening is that the Executive wields most of the power, then Congress and the Judiciary fight for whatever is left.

Not the system the Founders' and Framers' had in mind...

Happy Sabbath, 25 April 2025

Another week in the books; let us enjoy the rest God provides for us in His sabbath.

Founders Quote, 21 April 2025

The rich, the well-born, and the able, acquire and influence among the people that will soon be too much for simple honesty and plain sense, in a house of representatives. The most illustrious of them must, therefore, be separated from the mass, and placed by themselves in a senate; this is, to all honest and useful intents, an ostracism. - John Adams, A Defense of the Constitutions of Government of the United States of America, vol 1 — 1787

Reading the above quote, I'm honestly not sure if Adams meant the above as a backhanded compliment to the Upper Chamber or as an insult; God only knows what he'd say nowadays...

The Case Against Birthright Citizenship

There's a very thought-provoking feature over at the Claremont Institute on the issue of birthright citizenship and its' well worth perusing, irrespective of which side of the issue you fall on.

The Case Against Birthright Citizenship (Claremont Institute, 2018)

Founders' Quotes, 19-20 April 2025

A couple of quotes on rights from Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson....

Hamilton: The sacred rights of mankind are not to be rummaged for, among old parchments, or musty records. They are written, as with a sun beam, in the whole volume of human nature, by the hand of the divinity itself; and can never be erased or obscured by mortal power. (The Farmer Refuted, 1775)

Jefferson: The God who gave us life gave us liberty at the same time; the hand of force may destroy, but cannot disjoin them. (Rights of British America, 1774)

The beauty of rights, especially under the Constitution, is that while they can be restricted under certain circumstances, they cannot be taken away without due process (i.e. according to the 13th Amendment). These are known as negative rights, rights inborn to all individuals, and not positive rights, rights granted by government. (Rights that can be granted by government to its' people can also be taken away by government - remember the Covid lockdowns, folks?)

Its' Storm Season....

....which explains the lack of posts yesterday. It happens; we get our worst storms here in Western North Carolina in the spring (with a secondary season in the early/mid fall) and unlike the pop-up varieties that come through in the summer, these are generally front-driven, as in usually there's a cold front somewhere pushing the storms forward.

Just one of the "perils" of living in what is one of the most beautiful areas in the world to live in.

Fmr. NY Governor Referred to DoJ Over False Statements

At this rate, New York's going to have as many corrupt and criminally-looked at politicians as Illinois does...

🚨 JUST IN.... ANDREW CUOMO REFERRED FOR CRIMINAL PROSECUTION TO AG PAM BONDI...

The referral comes from Oversight Chairman James Comer.

“Andrew Cuomo is a man with a history of corruption and deceit, now caught red-handed lying to Congress during the Select Subcommittee’s… pic.twitter.com/PEdoMc3Gdj

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) April 21, 2025

For reference, per HotAir... JUST IN.... ANDREW CUOMO REFERRED FOR CRIMINAL PROSECUTION TO AG PAM BONDI...

The referral comes from Oversight Chairman James Comer. “Andrew Cuomo is a man with a history of corruption and deceit, now caught red-handed lying to Congress during the Select Subcommittee’s investigation into the COVID-19 nursing home tragedy in New York."

"This wasn’t a slip-up—it was a calculated cover-up by a man seeking to shield himself from responsibility for the devastating loss of life in New York’s nursing homes. Let’s be clear: lying to Congress is a federal crime. Mr. Cuomo must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The House Oversight Committee is prepared to fully cooperate with the Justice Department’s investigation into Andrew Cuomo’s actions and ensure he’s held to account."

The schadenfreude writes itself...that said, I hope this is the first step towards accountability over the missteps, mistakes and outright crimes committed by elected officials during the Covid pandemic.

Happy Easter, 2025

Regardless of your denomination, one thing that unites Christians is our love and appreciation for the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross, sacrificing His life so that all of us may live. Through Him we also have life and that is the most precious gift any of us can have.

From Western North Carolina, may you and yours have a joyous, wonderful Easter holiday as we remember His sacrifice at Calvary 2,000 years ago.

Spiritual Journey Testimony

All I'm gonna say here - beside relief at knowing he's still amongst the living - are two things: (1) that we all go through our own crises of faith as Adventists so Ryan Day, formerly with 3ABN, isn't the only one. We've all had those periods and as humans we always will. How we deal with them is up to us as individuals.

(2) Having watched this video and others along the topic in question, I have a ton of questions that I'd like to ask but for now, I simply hope Ryan finds his way back to the Adventist faith, no matter the route taken

"The Shot Heard Around the World..."

250 years ago today, on the commons in Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts, militia of the Massachusetts Colony engaged with British Redcoats sent from Boston to seize the guns and ammunition in the local storehouses. Their actions began the American Revolution, turning it from a rhetorical and diplomatic problem into a shooting war....

While its' causes were many, ultimately what the colonists wanted was freedom and representation in the halls of Westminster, believing that if the Crown was to rule over them, they should have the right of representation in Parliament; otherwise, why remain a part of the British Empire?

Now, their struggle was perilous; had the rebels lost, odds are most of them would've either executed for treason there in the Colonies or dragged back to England and tried for treason there. No wonder John Hancock, Speaker of the Continental Congress, signed his name as he did...after all, he wanted King George III to see his signature (along w/those of the other Signers of the Declaration of Independence).

Samuel Adams asks a valid question: why would Americans risk their lives for freedom and liberty? Should we be free men or slaves?

It is a question every American generation asks; Ronald Reagan once said (paraphrasing) "Freedom is but one generation away from  extinction." It isn't something passed down from generation to generation like a bloodline, it is something to be cherished, claimed and fought for, at the ballot box, on the soap box and in the jury box. And every generation, we as Americans must ask the same question each and every generation.

It is but the least we can do as Americans.

Founders' Quote, 18 April 2025

Although a republican government is slow to move, yet when once in motion, its momentum becomes irresistible. - Thomas Jefferson, letter to Francis C. Gray, 1815

Republican (little-r) government is a hallmark of America, the idea that the people reign supreme through their elected leaders. A rare thing at the time of the Revolution, democratic (little-d) governance is as common around the world as the sands of the shore.

It is a testament to those who brought freedom to these shores 250 years ago....

Happy Sabbath, 18 April 2025

If there is one constant in my life these past three and a half years it is the weekly arrival of God's day of rest, the Holy Sabbath. It is a time of solace, of rest, of drawing closer to God...its' really the best day of the week!

Founders' Quotes, 16-17 April 2025

Two quotes on one of the bedrocks of American society, religious liberty...

(1) I have often expressed my sentiments, that every man, conducting himself as a good citizen, and being accountable to God alone for his religious opinions, ought to be protected in worshipping the Deity according to the dictates of his own conscience. - George Washington, letter to the General Committee of the United Baptist Churches in Virginia — 1789

(2) That diabolical Hell conceived principle of persecution rages amoung some and to their eternal Infamy the Clergy can furnish their Quota of Imps for such business, - James Madison, letter to William Bradford, 1774

In these two quotes above we're reminded of how religious liberty serves as a bedrock in society, for without it we are liable to go back to our fallen natures. Not a good place to be most days...

Democrats Will Always Side Against Normal People

Townhall's Kurt Schlichter is right about Democrats here; when have they ever defended normal everyday Americans and not whackjobs?

Take you times folks, we can wait...

Founders' Quotes, 14-15 April 2025

Two quotes concerning religion & morality to contemplate and think about....

(1) Religion and good morals are the only solid foundation of public liberty and happiness. - Samuel Adams, letter to John Trumbull, 1778

(2) Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, Religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of Patriotism who should labor to subvert these great Pillars of human happiness. - George Washington, Farewell Address, 1796

'Religion & morality are bedrocks of any civil society for without them, we're headed pretty much back to the world of John Hobbes' Leviathan, a short brutish and nasty life without anything redeeming inside it whatsoever.

Democrats line up to visit El Salvador -- seeking to bring back a foreign gangbanger

Democrats line up to visit El Salvador -- seeking to bring back a foreign gangbanger: Democrats have finally found a cause they can rally around, and they are falling over themselves to make themselves part of it: According to Axios: Two members of House Democratic leadership are trying to send an official congressional delega...

Where's their humanity for Rachel Morin, Laken Riley and all the other Americans who've been killed at the hands of illegal aliens, huh? Bet you that if these illegals were coming to vote & support Republicans they'd build that southern wall faster than anything. Hypocrites.

Mother Jones: "We Should Ban Dogs For Environmental Reasons"

Dogs have “extensive and multifarious” environmental impacts, disturbing wildlife, polluting waterways and contributing to carbon emissions, new research has found. https://t.co/J2JXsybuSN

— Mother Jones (@MotherJones) April 15, 2025

I kid you not... -- Mother Jones is always wrong and this time is no exception. This time, they are ready to ban dogs. (Twitchy)

Now, I know they're continuing their Quixotic quest to rule over the rest of us - You will own nothing and like it!" - but given humanity's relationship with canines (Muslims & their religious views on dogs notwithstanding) that's not happening anytime soon.

To quote ESPN's Stephen A. Smith, "I'm here to tell you right now, we don't care."

It Could Save Your Life...

(Patriot Post, 14 April 2025)

These two things are true: (1) I have friends who are transgender and (2) women & girls' sports should be protected from trans athletes invading their spaces. 

This isn't "bigotry" but simple biological science; you can take all the cross-sex hormones available, puberty blockers available, feminizing drugs available....yet because a trans woman was born with XY chromosomes, their body will still have elements of male physiology inside of them - larger bone structure, larger and more powerful muscles, larger and more plentiful lungs....you get the idea. Those are hardwired into our bodies, those of us with XY chromosomes and to have someone who is trans compete against cis-gender women/girls is simply not fair.

Yes, this will likely upset a lot of people (including a few friends of mine) but I will not get along to go along. People who know me know that I treat everyone - everyone! - with the respect and dignity they are due as human beings because we are all created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26-27)

That part is inviolable - we can argue about it, disagree over this and that, but I will always treat others with respect and dignity as they are due. It does not mean I have to go along with something that twists basic biological science. With very rare exception (intersex conditions and so forth) we humans are born either XY (male) or XX (female) with all the advantages, disadvantages, problems and benefits to go with each. 

We should strive to treat others with respect and dignity, yet we should also be affable enough to know when it simply time to "agree to disagree".

Founders' Quote, 13 April 2025

I should consider the speeches of Livy, Sallust, and Tacitus, as preeminent specimens of logic, taste and that sententious brevity which, using not a word to spare, leaves not a moment for inattention to the hearer. Amplification is the vice of modern oratory. - Thomas Jefferson, a letter to David Harding, 1824

Public speaking is an important part of a civic society yet many of us fail to appreciate how words can have an effect on us a society. Just think about some of the great speeches and how they influenced society, politics, diplomacy...and try to strive for emulating the best parts every chance you get.

Living Without Regrets | Pastor Randy Skeete

A very well-thought sermon by Pr. Skeete; if there is one goal we should always have in this world, it is to live life to the fullest and without regrets. (I forgot to post a Happy Sabbath the night before, so this will suffice for this week; my apologies)

Founders Quotes, 10-12 April 2025

Good tidings on this evening for you, my dear readers, get a trio of quotes from some of America's founding fathers on the topics of power, property and public service..,.yay.

Power: Responsibility, in order to be reasonable, must be limited to objects within the power of the responsible party, and in order to be effectual, must relate to operations of that power, of which a ready and proper judgment can be formed by the constituents. - Alexander Hamilton & James Madison, Federalist #63, 1788

Property: The moment the idea is admitted into society that property is not as sacred as the laws of God, and that there is not a force of law and public justice to protect it, anarchy and tyranny commence. If `Thou shalt not covet' and `Thou shalt not steal' were not commandments of Heaven, they must be made inviolable precepts in every society before it can be civilized or made free. - John Adams, A Defense of the Constitution, 1788

Public Service: I was summoned by my country, whose voice I can never hear but with veneration and love. - George Washington, First Inaugural Address, 1789

All three quotes are vital in understanding America; in regards to power, both Hamilton and Madison point out that with power comes responsibility, for the two are not separate or exclusive. In terms of property, the right of private property and what goes with it is as vital a right protected by the Constitution as any other and must be protected within the bounds of the Constitution.

Finally, public service should be an honor, not a stepping stone to greater things for as Washington points out, there is no greater service than working on behalf and in the stead of his/her fellow Americans.

The AEW World Title Situation Just Got WORSE

If it wasn't apparent to anyone who isn't an AEW sicko, Tony Khan can't book worth a damn. Hell, Vince fucking Russo can book better than Khan...and I say this as a Jim Cornette fan. (Apologies for the f-bomb there, folks. ;) )

"When Death is Entreated, the Battle is Decided..."

While I've never played any of the Metal Gear games, this is one quote I absolutely love.

Why? Because it encapsulates, in a small memorable set of words, exactly how one should fight. If you're not willing to stand for what you believe in, even up to and including your life, you have zero business talking about anything in this world. Yes, we should be humble and friendly towards us but that doesn't mean we should ever let others walk all over us.

China's Sweating...

....one way we know this: they went after Hollywood!

China announced it would curb imports of Hollywood films, opening a new front in its trade war with the US hours after President Donald Trump’s record tariffs took effect.

Authorities vowed on Thursday to “moderately reduce” the number of US movies allowed into the world’s second-largest economy — a step floated earlier this week as a possible retaliation measure by two influential Chinese bloggers. 

“The wrong action of the US government to abuse tariffs on China will inevitably further reduce the domestic audience’s favorability toward American films,” the China Film Administration said in a statement announcing the move. (HotAir via. Bloomberg News)

I'm sure Trump is shaking in his boots...from laughter, most likely.

If China thinks this is leverage over Trump they're even more deluded than once thought. Most of Hollywood hates Donald Trump and he's not losing sleep if they suffer over this as it would mean fewer resources to use against him down the road.

Its' also self-defeating on Beijing's part as Hollywood has long kissed their ass - I can think of four examples where Chinese authorities actively interfered in movie-making (the 2012 remake of Red Dawn, Top Gun: Maverick, The Departed, and 2012) because either the films made Beijing the villain and/or didn't show China in a positive light. (The Departed gets included here because Chinese customs don't allow for villainous characters to get away with crimes; in the movie its' based off, Infernal Affairs, the villain eventually gets arrested and in the original version, Matt Damon's character got away with everything. In the theatrical release, he got a bullet to the noggin from Mark Wahlberg's characters at the end of the film).

The only thing that would make this threat better - for the U.S. - is if Trump's DoJ opened investigations into whether Hollywood film studios colluded with China over access to the Chinese markets.

Founders Quote, 9 April 2025

This gave me occasion to observe, that when Men are employ'd they are best contented. For on the Days they work'd they were good-natur'd and chearful; and with the consciousness of having done a good Days work they spent the Evenings jollily; but on the idle Days they were mutinous and quarrelsome, finding fault with their Pork, the Bread, and in continual ill-humour. - Benjamin Franklin, 1771 Autobiography

If there was one truism about work it is that the best welfare program in the world is a job. Nothing else beats it and nothing less should suffice for the average person.

Taking Back What Belongs to the Taxpayer

(The Patriot Post, 10 April 2025)

If there's one lasting legacy of the second Trump administration, hopefully it will be the reeling-in of so-called "independent agencies" (an oxymoron since they're still a part of the Executive Branch) back into the arms of the Executive.

Founders' Quotes, 7-8 April 2025

A pair of quotes concerning politics, political leaders and political parties...

(1) It behooves you, therefore, to think and act for yourself and your people. The great principles of right and wrong are legible to every reader; to pursue them requires not the aid of many counselors. The whole art of government consists in the art of being honest. Only aim to do your duty, and mankind will give you credit where you fail. - Thomas Jefferson, A Summary View of the Rights of British America — 1775

(2) Let me now take a more comprehensive view, and warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the Spirit of Party generally. . . . A fire not to be quenched, it demands a uniform vigilance to prevent its bursting into a flame, lest, instead of warming, it should consume. - George Washington, Farewell Address, 1796

Politics isn't bean bag as Tip O'Neill once said; it is an endeavour that belongs to the body politic of society and requires our steadfast attention. So too is keeping our political leaders, whatever persuasion they are, on the straight and narrow. That also requires a civic society that is educated in civics and thought, things sorely lacking in today's "I want it now, damn the costs!" society.

Trump & the "Organized Chaos" of the Recent Tariffs Row

This past week has been an ulcer-creating week for poli-sci junkies like myself.... For weeks, Trump stood firm on his tariffs and levies, which he characterizes as “a beautiful thing to behold.” He declared: “We have massive Financial Deficits with China, the European Union, and many others. The only way this problem can be cured is with TARIFFS, which are now bringing Tens of Billions of Dollars into the U.S.A. They are already in effect, and a beautiful thing to behold. The Surplus with these Countries has grown during the ‘Presidency’ of Sleepy Joe Biden. We are going to reverse it, and reverse it QUICKLY. Some day people will realize that Tariffs, for the United States of America, are a very beautiful thing!”

Trump’s biggest tariff target is, of course, Red China, our largest trading partner after Mexico and Canada. China’s communist leaders, who promised to “fight to the end” against the tariffs, slapped an additional 34% tax on all U.S. imports last Friday. In turn, Trump implemented 100%-plus tariffs on China, and the ChiComs then matched that tariff increase. Don’t underestimate China’s reckless economic resolve – remember that five years ago, China dropped the most devastating economic bomb ever detonated on the planet — the ChiCom Virus pandemic.

The China tit for tat notwithstanding, the National Economic Council director and Treasury secretary both report in the last 48 hours, that more than 50 nations have reached out to the White House to negotiate — and I suspect the number is substantially higher.

In other words, Trump’s tariffs are having the desired effect, except with China, though I think the administration has fully anticipated the ChiCom response. (Patriot Post, 9 April 2025)

I'm of two minds here....on the one hand, the "organized chaos" of the past week or so proved necessary; given America's position as the world's largest economy/consumer base, no country can long stand against us economically. (This was proven by the over-50 countries that've come crawling back to the U.S. for tariffs' relief.)

On the other hand, anyone who owned either stocks, bonds and/or crypto I guarantee either exacerbated or go an ulcer from this week's "organized chaos"...