Last one of these was back in February. Back then, I was making "best of" lists. I can include one of those with a short summary of what I wrote about this past week.
Seems like this week, the gravity of the situation facing us became more clear to me. It also became clear to me that people don't like bad news! Hey, at least nobody is shooting me yet for delivering the bad news. But give it time. This is what we call "progress" in this day and age.
Quick post before I go, 9/24/15 [comment: It was about computer security.]
Home again, 9.22.15 [ comment: The problem wasn't really resolved, but is being managed. How? Just keeping up with updates, mainly. Besides that, I figure the desktop got infected when I was powering it up. Now, the modem isn't powered up until the computer is up and running. Before making this change, the modem was ready before the machine was finished loading all security programs, I'm guessing. This was possibly the vulnerability that enabled a virus to get through.]
[comment: looks to be about when I noticed a security problem.]
Fusion ideas [ comment: An idea to use lasers to confine electrons in the Polywell device.]
Quick post, 7/23/15: Stop your bitching? [ comment: a rather short post, and a joke. ]
At the risk of seeming wishy washy... [ comment: About Trump and the Pope. Another way of looking at the situation.]
A little more on the launch failure [ comment: which reminds me: what happened? Need to find out.]
The future: an unknown road [ comment: I get approved to drive for Uber. ]
What was that again about 10 bucks v. a million [comment: The best government that money can buy.]
More on the original thought [ comment: Al Gore and Company would want to punish me for writing this.]
Your butt belongs to us [ comment: a turn of phrase--- "Land of the free ( lunch ), home of the brave ( new world.)"]
Rise and Shine, 4/18/15 [ comment: Daffy Duck, he the man. ]
That's it for now. This goes back to my trip out West. Since I've been back, that is.
Al Fin: "Cowboy Commentary", aka "Eat your veggies" The Flag banner is posted in order to defy those who would make patriotic symbols illegal or disreputable.
Saturday, October 24, 2015
Obligatory, 10.24.15; Just drifting along
An aimless sort of start to the the weekend here. Now that I've gathered myself up enough to do something with this day, I decided to come here and say nothing, like a Seinfeld post.
I was thinking about the interactions on this blog, which do not exist. There is the opportunity to comment here, but it is actually rare that someone does. The last commenter wanted to do it anonymously, but I won't permit that. Evidently, I could get a lot more comments if I did allow it, but the policy will remain the same.
So, why? If you want interaction, there's a way to get it. Why not allow it? The reason is that under a cover of some sort, people will say and do things that they ordinarily will not. That would be true for me as well, as I would probably write differently if I were writing under a pseudonym. Since I am writing with my real name, then I believe my commenters should be willing to do the same. Interesting that nobody seems to want to do that.
What are the alternatives, then? Email? That would be even worse. Presumably, I would be the only one to see the email, so it could really get nasty. Frankly, I'm not interested in any interpersonal wars with critics.
There is on small possibility and that is to publish pageviews each day. I've done variations on that during the history of this blog. I'm not doing it now, though. Perhaps I can bring that back. That may be interesting for readers to see what other readers like and don't like. I've done best of compilations, too. I could bring that back. These aren't much, but it is something. Something is better than nothing, I suppose.
Alright, to show you something about the readership of this blog, I'll take a screenshot of the full history, blogger supplied stats, month-by-month:
As you can see, there was a steady buildup until 2 years ago, then it's been downhill since. I don't get the change, because the blog hasn't fundamentally changed in any way. Perhaps there's something I didn't see?
The numbers are now pretty low. Frankly, the amount of energy I am wiling to supply to it is also low. It may be a subtle thing like that or something else.
Popularity for its own sake isn't sought here. Compromises won't be made just to get pageviews. It has always been about the truth, as much of it as I can see, and/or the way I see it to be. Perhaps that is what the problem is?
How do I feel about it? It may be nice to be popular, but I am pretty used to not being popular, so what have I lose?
I was thinking about the interactions on this blog, which do not exist. There is the opportunity to comment here, but it is actually rare that someone does. The last commenter wanted to do it anonymously, but I won't permit that. Evidently, I could get a lot more comments if I did allow it, but the policy will remain the same.
So, why? If you want interaction, there's a way to get it. Why not allow it? The reason is that under a cover of some sort, people will say and do things that they ordinarily will not. That would be true for me as well, as I would probably write differently if I were writing under a pseudonym. Since I am writing with my real name, then I believe my commenters should be willing to do the same. Interesting that nobody seems to want to do that.
What are the alternatives, then? Email? That would be even worse. Presumably, I would be the only one to see the email, so it could really get nasty. Frankly, I'm not interested in any interpersonal wars with critics.
There is on small possibility and that is to publish pageviews each day. I've done variations on that during the history of this blog. I'm not doing it now, though. Perhaps I can bring that back. That may be interesting for readers to see what other readers like and don't like. I've done best of compilations, too. I could bring that back. These aren't much, but it is something. Something is better than nothing, I suppose.
Alright, to show you something about the readership of this blog, I'll take a screenshot of the full history, blogger supplied stats, month-by-month:
As you can see, there was a steady buildup until 2 years ago, then it's been downhill since. I don't get the change, because the blog hasn't fundamentally changed in any way. Perhaps there's something I didn't see?
The numbers are now pretty low. Frankly, the amount of energy I am wiling to supply to it is also low. It may be a subtle thing like that or something else.
Popularity for its own sake isn't sought here. Compromises won't be made just to get pageviews. It has always been about the truth, as much of it as I can see, and/or the way I see it to be. Perhaps that is what the problem is?
How do I feel about it? It may be nice to be popular, but I am pretty used to not being popular, so what have I lose?
Friday, October 23, 2015
Matrix Reloaded
The thought amuses me. I can see Mr. Smith saying to Mr. Anderson: "Mr. Anderson! You disappoint me."
I've made the analogy before on this blog. Maybe we really are living in the Matrix. We are required to run on a treadmill in order to make money. The money is the "energy" that runs the Matrix machine. The Matrix machine generates for us a fantasy, a dream world, that is totally at odds with reality.
How do you unplug from the Matrix? It may be impossible. But there are those who have come pretty close. These people are called the Amish. Well, that's the impression I got from the movie Witness (1985).
What I'm getting at is that people would have to separate from the system somehow. In the movie, they gathered into a faith based community that gave up all of the modern day conveniences. There was a scene I remember where the community gathered together to build a barn in just one afternoon. What does this do? It is hard for me to see how the government can tax such an event. The Amish removed the need for money. Perhaps not the entire need, but much of it. An Amish person doesn't need to work at a job for money. They just run their farms and take care of each other.
That's what we lost when we "modernized". Instead of freedom, we got enslaved by the need to make money. The money is what runs the Matrix, and the Matrix controls us.
Mr. Anderson! You disappoint me! Indeed.
I've made the analogy before on this blog. Maybe we really are living in the Matrix. We are required to run on a treadmill in order to make money. The money is the "energy" that runs the Matrix machine. The Matrix machine generates for us a fantasy, a dream world, that is totally at odds with reality.
How do you unplug from the Matrix? It may be impossible. But there are those who have come pretty close. These people are called the Amish. Well, that's the impression I got from the movie Witness (1985).
What I'm getting at is that people would have to separate from the system somehow. In the movie, they gathered into a faith based community that gave up all of the modern day conveniences. There was a scene I remember where the community gathered together to build a barn in just one afternoon. What does this do? It is hard for me to see how the government can tax such an event. The Amish removed the need for money. Perhaps not the entire need, but much of it. An Amish person doesn't need to work at a job for money. They just run their farms and take care of each other.
That's what we lost when we "modernized". Instead of freedom, we got enslaved by the need to make money. The money is what runs the Matrix, and the Matrix controls us.
Mr. Anderson! You disappoint me! Indeed.
Obligatory, 10.23.15; Money runs the show
Reading between the lines and you will see that the donor class will get what they want, the voters are out of luck.
Paul Ryan says he doesn't want to be speaker, but then maybe he does. The donor class wants him, so the donor class will get him. That's how it works. They're just negotiating the terms of surrender.
Now, what about the presidency? Trump and Carson are ahead in most polls. Might it be possible that they have already been selected for us? There hasn't been any primaries or caucuses yet. But the nomination may already be a done deal. No matter who wins, it's the money.
How?
Trump gets a lot of free air time. What about Carson? Seems like somebody out there said that he's getting free time. I'm not sure of that, but what if he is? Big money runs the media too. What if big media decided that they wanted Trump and Carson? That's how this is getting decided for us. We aren't organized, they are. That's the bottom line. Money decides it all because organization costs money.
"Democracy" ain't.
Paul Ryan says he doesn't want to be speaker, but then maybe he does. The donor class wants him, so the donor class will get him. That's how it works. They're just negotiating the terms of surrender.
Now, what about the presidency? Trump and Carson are ahead in most polls. Might it be possible that they have already been selected for us? There hasn't been any primaries or caucuses yet. But the nomination may already be a done deal. No matter who wins, it's the money.
How?
Trump gets a lot of free air time. What about Carson? Seems like somebody out there said that he's getting free time. I'm not sure of that, but what if he is? Big money runs the media too. What if big media decided that they wanted Trump and Carson? That's how this is getting decided for us. We aren't organized, they are. That's the bottom line. Money decides it all because organization costs money.
"Democracy" ain't.
Thursday, October 22, 2015
Irwin Schiff, Patriot?
Not taking a stand on this one in either direction. Followed a link from Instapundit to this article, which tells something of his story. Picked up more from the Wikipedia.
I think I've expressed my view. Here it is again: The government is necessary, but that doesn't mean that it is good. Indeed, governments are evil, because men are evil. Men are ruled by vice; for if it were the way around, by virtue, then angels would be governing us. But such is obviously not the case, as these politicians are definitely not angels. I think our government, as it was set up originally under the Constitution, was the wisest government that humans could produce. Yet, it is failing. It began failing almost as soon as it was ratified. The natural thing for politicians to do is to increase their power, and that is what is happening, and continues to happen.
In order to save this government, you have to bring the people back to where they were before. This may prove to be impossible. It would take an act of God to bring this country back to where it once was.
Tax protests aren't going to work because they don't get at the source of the trouble. The trouble is what is in people's spirit. It's not a good thing. People keep looking to government and the politicians. That's looking in the wrong direction. You can't clean up the people's thoughts with a tax protest.
I think I've expressed my view. Here it is again: The government is necessary, but that doesn't mean that it is good. Indeed, governments are evil, because men are evil. Men are ruled by vice; for if it were the way around, by virtue, then angels would be governing us. But such is obviously not the case, as these politicians are definitely not angels. I think our government, as it was set up originally under the Constitution, was the wisest government that humans could produce. Yet, it is failing. It began failing almost as soon as it was ratified. The natural thing for politicians to do is to increase their power, and that is what is happening, and continues to happen.
In order to save this government, you have to bring the people back to where they were before. This may prove to be impossible. It would take an act of God to bring this country back to where it once was.
Tax protests aren't going to work because they don't get at the source of the trouble. The trouble is what is in people's spirit. It's not a good thing. People keep looking to government and the politicians. That's looking in the wrong direction. You can't clean up the people's thoughts with a tax protest.
Obligatory, 10.22.15; Ryan looks like the next speaker
It looks as if Paul Ryan will be the next Speaker of the House. However, it looks as though the reviews are negative.
One has to wonder what it was that they accomplished in throwing Boner out. It is beginning to look as if things are even worse than before. Ryan may have negotiated a way to stay in no matter what he does.
One Freeper commented that there are only a few true conservatives in the GOP. The rest are fake. It doesn't surprise me. I suspected that conservatism may be dying or dead anyway. It is beginning to look quite grim.
One has to wonder what it was that they accomplished in throwing Boner out. It is beginning to look as if things are even worse than before. Ryan may have negotiated a way to stay in no matter what he does.
One Freeper commented that there are only a few true conservatives in the GOP. The rest are fake. It doesn't surprise me. I suspected that conservatism may be dying or dead anyway. It is beginning to look quite grim.
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
Home again, 10.21.15; My connection to the world
For a moment there, I had this feeling come over me that I wanted to quit the blog. There's no reward to it, I thought. Only frustration.
Not only that, sometimes I write something that I cannot truly believe to be true. I hate that when I do it. It happens sometimes. Not that I lie. It isn't exaggeration either. It's a lack of sincerity that I sometimes suspect myself of.
Nobody is that committed to freedom that they will risk everything for it. That kind of person doesn't exist anymore. For whatever reason, it has disappeared. Would I risk everything for freedom? I'd like to think I would, but the answer is probably no. Like so many of people in this society, I am just not that committed to anything. It may be the thing that is killing our culture.
Once before, not that long ago, I had the same feeling of giving up. What snapped me out of it was to realize that the blog is my connection to the world. Even if the world doesn't care and isn't interested, as long as there's a blog, I'm connected. Once I quit the blog, the connection is gone. It would be like dying.
Would I miss it? I dunno. The blog may not need me, and maybe I need the blog. But why? There's nothing in it for me but pain. It is not as if I like pain. I avoid pain. It hurts me. ( stealing Daffy Duck's line )
Yeah, sure. Joke about it. But it isn't really funny. If I won't commit to anything, perhaps I can commit to this blog. Hell or high water, it goes on. ( If I am able.)
Not only that, sometimes I write something that I cannot truly believe to be true. I hate that when I do it. It happens sometimes. Not that I lie. It isn't exaggeration either. It's a lack of sincerity that I sometimes suspect myself of.
Nobody is that committed to freedom that they will risk everything for it. That kind of person doesn't exist anymore. For whatever reason, it has disappeared. Would I risk everything for freedom? I'd like to think I would, but the answer is probably no. Like so many of people in this society, I am just not that committed to anything. It may be the thing that is killing our culture.
Once before, not that long ago, I had the same feeling of giving up. What snapped me out of it was to realize that the blog is my connection to the world. Even if the world doesn't care and isn't interested, as long as there's a blog, I'm connected. Once I quit the blog, the connection is gone. It would be like dying.
Would I miss it? I dunno. The blog may not need me, and maybe I need the blog. But why? There's nothing in it for me but pain. It is not as if I like pain. I avoid pain. It hurts me. ( stealing Daffy Duck's line )
Yeah, sure. Joke about it. But it isn't really funny. If I won't commit to anything, perhaps I can commit to this blog. Hell or high water, it goes on. ( If I am able.)
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