Wednesday, January 31, 2024

Billionaires and Traditional Media

Have a new post up on Substack about billionaires buying stakes in traditional media outlets.

Just because they're rich doesn't mean that their goal is to make money on their investment. Or that they care about the truth.

Milton Friedman

Just started Milton Friedman: The Last Conservative by Jennifer Burns and so far enjoying it very much. Some quotes from the first chapter (not in order but this way they make more sense to me):

The return of inflation in 2021 - increasingly understood as the result of a textbook Friedman-style "helicopter drop" of money - suggests the time is ripe for another rethinking of his legacy.

Friedman was fearless in his intellectual quest - never afraid to be wrong and, more important, never afraid to be unpopular.

As it did for many American Jews, the Holocaust loomed large in Friedman's imagination. Characteristically, Friedman took this awareness in an unusual direction seeing anti-Semitism as a ready lesson in the dangers of the state.

But why do I call Friedman the last conservative? I settled on the title with some trepidation, as I am well aware that Friedman himself rejected the label. He preferred to call himself a liberal - meaning the classical sort, a believer in limited, representative government, free trade, and individual rights.

Wednesday Flotsam and Jetsam

Have a new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post up on Substack.

As an aside the ratio of brown UPS trucks to blue Amazon Prime vans seems to be growing every day in Amazon's favor. It shouldn't be that surprising that UPS has to lay off so many of its union drivers but not a good sign nonetheless. Please Subscribe, hit the Like button, or share the Link. Thanks in advance!

Quotes for Today

Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.

Have a new Quotes for Today up on my Substack. As I've mentioned doing this as a way to thank those who have Subscribed. If you are a Subscriber - you would have received an email. Thanks!

Tuesday, January 30, 2024

Linky Links

Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.

- Tucker Carlson Episode 69 - War with Iran?

- Israel's PM urgent warning to Americans.

- Sports Illustrated announce layoffs days ago but is still around. Some are claiming this is a clear case of union busting. 

- VDH on Trump having reason to be enraged. Get even rather than mad.

Look Sharp by Joe Jackson


Released on this day in 1979. Remains one of my favorite albums. Still say that Joe Jackson is wildly underrated.

Tuesday Flotsam and Jetsam

Have a new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post up on Substack.

Somehow was able to hold off posting anything even close to being Super Bowl related until the very end. I tried. As always - please Subscribe, hit the Like button, or share the Link. Thanks!

Quotes for Today

Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.

Have a new Quotes for Today up on my Substack. As I've mentioned doing this as a way to thank those who have Subscribed. If you are a Subscriber - you would have received an email. Thanks!

Linky Links

Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.

- Ukrainian officials found guilty of embezzling $40 million. From the article, " Ukraine is the second most corrupt nation in Europe behind Russia."

- Paul Graham on the Acceleration of Addictiveness. From 2010 but new to me.

- The Republicans are quickly becoming the men's party. "The party of strong men and the women that love them."

- VDH on Nikki Haley's strategies.

Monday Flotsam and Jetsam

Have a new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post up on Substack.

Too bad that yesterday's games will be viewed by some as proof that Lamar Jackson can't win the big game while overlooking both the bonehead plays of Zay Flowers and the great defense played by the Chiefs. While others will focus on Dan Campbell not kicking a field goal. What they really should be focused on is the greatness of KC and of 49ers. One of these teams is going into the record books. As always - please Subscribe, hit the Like button, or share the Link. Thanks!

Quotes for Today

 Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.

Have a new Quotes for Today up on my Substack. As I've mentioned doing this as a way to thank those who have Subscribed. If you are a Subscriber - you would have received an email. Thanks!

Sunday, January 28, 2024

Sunday Flotsam and Jetsam

Have a new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post up on Substack.

Today is Championship Sunday with two of the final three games in the NFL. The season is almost over and it will be interesting if people jonesing for football will boost the ratings of spring college football or XFL games to fill their needs. Others are just fine with the flow of the calendar. Please Subscribe, hit the Like button, or share the Link. Thanks!

Linky Links

Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.

- The 15 best all-time selling cell phones ranked.

- Mainstream media bloodbath.

- Why there are so few blimps around. I always wanted to own a blimp.

- These are kind of cool.

Quotes for Today

Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.

Have a new Quotes for Today up on my Substack. As I've mentioned doing this as a way to thank those who have Subscribed. If you are a Subscriber - you would have received an email. Thanks!

Saturday, January 27, 2024

Grant

"The South understood the portentous meaning of Grant's promotion to lieutenant general: the North would have a fearless, aggressive commander who would ferociously exploit the North's full resources in manpower and material...

Still his failure to pursue [Robert E.] Lee after Gettysburg revealed that [George] Meade was not a bold, enterprising leader in the mold of either Grant or Lee." - Grant by Ron Chernow

Ulysses S. Grant was the first person to hold that rank since George Washington. It wasn't lightly given.

Saturday Flotsam and Jetsam

Have a new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post up on Substack.

The fact that Bill Belichick did not find something that matched what he was looking for in a job opportunity should not be viewed as negative or a bad thing but as an example of the idea not to compromise. He knows what he's looking for and has more than earned the right to be selective about what job to take next. As always - please Subscribe, hit the Like button, or share the Link. Thanks!

Quotes for Today

Some quotes I hope may resonate wit you.

Have a new Quotes for Today up on my Substack. As I've mentioned doing this as a way to thank those who have Subscribed. If you are a Subscriber - you would have received an email. Thanks!

Friday, January 26, 2024

Linky Links

Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.

- Why do dogs seem to sometimes bark at nothing?

- PA Republican legislators sue President Biden over what they call unconstitutional election interference. Will be interesting if other states join in,

- Douglas Murray on Biden's border dereliction.

- The Great Westerns. I've seen 21 of the 38 movies ranked (most multiple times). Have to think if there are any I would add to the list.

Phil Collins - No Jacket Required

Released on this day in 1985. I didn't appreciate it enough when it was released but it's a great album. I have two ears and a heart don't I? Can't think of any place today that even requires a gentleman to wear a jacket anymore.

Friday's Flotsam and Jetsam

Have a new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post up on Substack.

It's been pointed out that all the Governors that are standing with Texas Governor Greg Abbott are Republicans and not a single Democratic Governor has broken ranks to join with him. If you wanted proof that politics remains more important to some than people's rights or safety - here it is. Gift wrapped by the Biden Administration. Please Subscribe, hit the Like button, or share the Link. Thanks!

Quotes for Today

Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.

Have a new Quotes for Today up on my Substack. As I've mentioned doing this as a way to thank those who have Subscribed. If you are a Subscriber - you would have received an email. Thanks!

Thursday, January 25, 2024

Thursday Flotsam and Jetsam

Have a new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post up on Substack.

Tell me Clarise, do the snozberries smell like snozberries? As always - please Subscribe, hit the Like button, or share the Link (it's the main way to get new people to see my efforts). Thanks in advance!

Quotes for Today

Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.

Have a new Quotes for Today up on my Substack. As I've mentioned doing this as a way to thank those who have Subscribed. If you are a Subscriber - you would have received an email. Thanks!

Wednesday, January 24, 2024

Wednesday Flotsam and Jetsam

Have a new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post up on Substack.

They say that South Carolina, where she was once the governor, may be Nikki Haley's last, best chance to win a Republican primary over Donald Trump. Keep in mind that it's not unusual for a politician to actually lose votes from their home state as they widen their wings to more national posts or aspirations. Do you think Pete Buttigieg could win a state-wide election in Indiana there days? Please Subscribe, hit the Like button, or share the Link. Thank!

Quotes for Today

Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.

Have a new Quotes for Today up on my Substack. As I've mentioned doing this as a way to thank those who have Subscribed. If you are a Subscriber - you would have received an email. Thanks!

Tuesday, January 23, 2024

Linky Links

Stuff I found interesting or amusing and wanted to share.

- Niall Ferguson and the Adam Smith House speech.

- CMD Salamander on where is Taiwan's Cherbourg? Admit to being largely ignorant of this bit of D-Day history.

- Cool - a free collection of digital classical and modern art.

- I want one

Tuesday Flotsam and Jetsam

Have a new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post up on Substack.

Up early this morning. Can't explain it. Fell asleep in the second half of the Celtics-Dallas game after watching the Bruins beat Winnipeg. Should be still asleep in bed but instead providing you with some miscellaneous thoughts and observations for your morning coffee. Enjoy! And as always - please Subscribe, hit the Like button, or share the Link

Quotes for Today

Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.

Have a new Quotes for Today up on my Substack. As I've mentioned doing this as a way to thank those who have Subscribed. If you are a Subscriber - you would have received an email. Thanks!

Monday, January 22, 2024

Monday Flotsam and Jetsam

Have a new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post up on Substack.

The Detroit Lions beat Tampa Bay 31-23 yesterday but for a hot second some bettors who took the Bucs were very interested in the final score. Tampa Bay scored to make it 31-23 and went for the 2-point conversion which would have cut the lead to 31-25. Bettors who took the Buccaneers were getting either 6 or 6.5 points and would have been very happy. I didn't take either side on that one but was interested nonetheless. Please Subscribe, hit the Like button, or share the Link. Thanks!

Quotes for Today

Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.

Have a new Quotes for Today up on my Substack. As I've mentioned doing this as a way to thank those who have Subscribed. If you are a Subscriber - you would have received an email. Thanks!

Sunday, January 21, 2024

Linky Links

Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.

- It was always a hoax.

- Whiskey on the American frontier. (From the archives.)

- VDH: What are "they" afraid Donald Trump might do?

- When a captive shark vomited up a human arm and sparked a murder investigation. (Article couple years old but new to me.)

Sunday Flotsam and Jetsam

 Have  new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post up on Substack.

Have to admit that I'm feeling a little under the weather today. Maybe overdosing on pro football? If you Subscribe, hit the Like button, or share the Link I'm sure that would help me feel better. Thanks!

Quotes for Today

Some quotes I hope may resonate with you. 

Have a new Quotes for Today up on my Substack. As I've mentioned doing this as a way to thank those who have Subscribed. If you are a Subscriber - you would have received an email. Thanks!

Michael Crichton

 

...The greatest challenge facing mankind is the challenge of distinguishing reality from fantasy, truth from propaganda. Perceiving the truth has always been a challenge to mankind, but in the information age (or as I think of it, the disinformation age) it takes on a special urgency and importance. We must daily decide whether the threats we face are real, whether the solutions we are offered will do any good, whether the problems we're told exist are in fact real problems, or non-problems.... Michael Crichton (from a 2003 speech)

Saturday, January 20, 2024

Saturday Flotsam and Jetsam

Have a new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post up on Substack.

Billy O'Brien moving to Ohio State without winning a championship for either the Patriots or Alabama reminds me that as great as Randy Moss was - he never won a championship either. As always - please Subscribe, hit the Like button, or share the Link. Thanks in advance!

Quotes for Today

Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.

Have a new Quotes for Today up on my Substack. As I've mentioned doing this as a way to thank those who have Subscribed. If you are a Subscriber - you would have received an email. Thanks!

Friday, January 19, 2024

Linky Links

Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.

- Iceland taps into volcano for power. Is it bad that my first though was unlimited power could make Iceland a Bitcoin haven?

- Hard to believe Harvard was once a leader in biology.

- Morgan Housel on Information That Would Get Your Attention

- The Truth About Banned Books

Friday Flotsam and Jetsam

Have a new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post up on Substack.

Have no trouble raising the idea of offering the Province of Alberta, Canada the chance to be the US's 51st state. They have an estimated population of about 3.7 million people which would place it somewhere between Kentucky and Oregon as far as people go. Why not? Could be a wake-up call for Ottawa and the rest of Canada. As always - please Subscribe, hit the Like button, or share the Link. Thanks!

Quotes for Today

Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.

Have a new Quotes for Today up on my Substack. As I've mentioned doing this as a way to thank those who have Subscribed. If you are a Subscriber - you would have received an email. Thanks!

Thursday, January 18, 2024

More Linky Links

More stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.

- Jordan Peterson: Bureaucrats will rue the day they tried to shut me up. I'm on Team Peterson on this matter.

- The Tablet: America works. DEI doesn't. Amen!

- Why American cities are squalid. But what's the solution?

- The Milei speech to the WEF in English. Worth a listen.

Lost Horizon

Currently re-reading Lost Horizon by James Hilton and this paragraph stood out for me:

The whole game was doubtless going to pieces, but fortunately the players were not as a rule put on trial for the pieces they failed to save. In that respect financiers were unlucky.

The more things change the more they stay the same.

Linky Links

Stuff I found interesting or amusing and wanted to share.

- Uber incenting drivers to switch to Teslas.  Curious how drivers would make out on a per mile basis. Know independent cab drivers make more per mile driving an EV.

- How AI could save (not destroy) education. (Ted video)

- 10 movie actors who served in combat. I agree - Jimmy Stewart should have been on the list.

- Amazon takes minority stake in Bally sports - will stream many games on Amazon Prime.

Thursday Flotsam and Jetsam

Have a new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post up on Substack.

Before anyone goes there - I know the people who both chose the voting machines or "count" the votes are either elected or "volunteers" and their jobs depend on the outcome and are not to be trusted. But would it be too much to ask for a simple receipt to be spit out after you vote to make sure who and what you voted for was properly recorded? Like how you get a Keno ticket showing the numbers you picked. Please Subscribe, hit the Like button, or share the Link. Thanks!

Quotes for Today

Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.

Have a new Quotes for Today up on my Substack. As I've mentioned doing this as a way to thank those who have Subscribed. If you are a Subscriber - you would have received an email. Thanks!

Wednesday, January 17, 2024

Clear Thinking

"Good judgement is, above all else, about being effective at achieving what matters - not what matters at the moment. In the moment, but what matters in life." - Shane Parrish

"[Steve] Jobs had a daily ritual. Every morning he would look in the mirror and ask himself, 'If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?' Whenever the answer was no too many days days in a row, he said, he knew needed to change something. At one point in my own life, I began performing the same ritual. It was part of the reason I eventually decided to leave the intelligence agency."

The book Clear Thinking by Shane Parrish is a good read.

Wednesday Flotsam and Jetsam

Have a new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post up on Substack.

Just a little something to read and think about while you wait for the football coaching carousel to stop and as a break from the never-ending political ads. If anything made you think or smile please Subscribe, hit the Like button or share the Link. Thanks in advance!

Quotes for Today

Some quotes I hope resonate with you.

Have a new Quotes for Today up on my Substack. As I've mentioned doing this as a way to thank those who have Subscribed. If you are a Subscriber - you would have received an email. Thanks!

Linky Links

 Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.

- Mike Lombardi on what Bill Belichick and Nick Saban share in common.

- The state of the British Royal Navy.

- VDH on Lawfare against Trump is running out of gas. He's right - this has been the most transparent and inept political hitjob I can remember. And the timing was the most inept thing about it!

- Interesting: Here's how much 20 common appliances add to your electric bill each month.

Tuesday Flotsam and Jetsam

Have a new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post up on Substack.

The Iowa primary is mercifully done. Just 49 more to go then we get hit with all the rest of the election campaign ads. Can't wait. Please Subscribe, hit the Like button, or share the Link to help me deal with it. Thanks! 

Quotes for Today

Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.

Have a new Quotes for Today up on my Substack. As I've mentioned doing this as a way to thank those who have Subscribed. If you are a Subscriber - you would have received an email. Thanks!

Monday Flotsam and Jetsam

Have a new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post up on Substack.

Still left scratching my head on how DEI supporters celebrate MLK Day without being hypocrites.  That whole "Content of their character not the color of their skin" idea and all. Please Subscribe, hit the Like button, or share the Link. Thanks and remember the purpose of the day.

Quotes for Today

Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.

Have a new Quotes for Today up on my Substack. As I've mentioned doing this as a way to thank those who have Subscribed. If you are a Subscriber - you would have received an email. Thanks!

Sunday, January 14, 2024

Tt's a Shame About Ray - The Lemonheads

 

Little known fact but the song is about former Boston mayor Ray Flynn. At this point almost as little known as the song itself.

Clear Thinking

 "All good decisions are effective, but not all effective decisions are good. Making the best judgements comes down to making decisions that get you what you really want - beyond just what you think you want at the moment.

In life, we experience regret over both things we've done and things we failed to do. The worst regret is when we fail to live a life true to ourselves, when we fail to play by our own scoreboard." - Shane Parrish

Sunday Flotsam and Jetsam

Have a new miscellaneous thoughts and observation post up on Substack.

Went out to a bar that had the Chiefs-Dolphins game playing on three large TV's last night. One of the TV's just quit working while the other two kept freezing up. Did others have a similar experience with Peacock? As always - please Subscribe, hit the Like button, or share the Link. Thanks!

Quotes for Today

Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.

Have a new Quotes for Today up on my Substack. As I've mentioned doing this as a way to thank those who have Subscribed. If you are a Subscriber - you would have received an email. Thanks!

Saturday, January 13, 2024

Saturday Flotsam and Jetsam

Have a new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post up on Substack.

Enjoy your Saturday! I'm going to spend mine reading about the new Patriots coach Jerod Mayo. Maybe watch the NFL playoffs later. One thing I will not be doing is spending any money on Peacock. As always - please Subscribe, hit the Like button, or share the Link. Thanks!

Quotes for Today

Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.

Have a new Quotes for Today up on my Substack. As I've mentioned doing this as a way to thank those who have Subscribed. If you are a Subscriber - you would have received an email. Thanks!

Friday, January 12, 2024

Linky Links

Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.

- What's the problem with Gen Z?

- Fauci admits that "6-foot" rule was completely made up. Follow the science my ass!

- Don't sleep on the German farmers protest. And don't sleep on the corporate media's refusal to cover the story.

- Mozilla: cars are the worst new products you can but when it comes to privacy and security.

Linky Links

Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.

- Plucking the Peacock. Excellent background and history to NBC's money grab to try and force people to sign up to Peacock this weekend too watch the Miami-Kansas City game. Really hope they lose money!

- SpaceX and T-Mobile send their first text messages via satellite.

- Tucker Carlson Episode 63 - when do the architects of COVID go on trial?

- Press release from the New England Patriots agreeing to mutually part ways with Bill Belichick.

Friday Flotsam and Jetsam

Have a new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post up on Substack.

This was supposed to be the quiet part of the news cycle but it's crazy. One can only wonder - what possibly could be next? As always - please Subscribe, hit the Like button, or share the Link (it helps new people to find my offerings). Thanks! 

Quotes for Today

Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.

Have a new Quotes for Today up on my Substack. As I've mentioned doing this as a way to thank those who have Subscribed. If you are a Subscriber - you would have received an email. Thanks!

Thursday, January 11, 2024

Linky Links

Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.

- Jonathan Turley on why Democratic politicians need to re-think supporting Hunter Biden. They are handing Republicans a devastating ad that a vote for a D is a vote for Biden. To paraphrase - it's the corruption stupid!

- Dan Wetzel on this weekend's Rams vs Lions game. Easily the Stafford vs Goff storyline is the most compelling in the NFL playoffs at the moment. Hard to mention one without mentioning the other at this point.

- You want proof of Hunter Biden's corruption? Hunter's art dealer contradicts White House claims over art sales.

- Dan Wetzel with an appreciation of Bill Belichick.

A Turley/Wetzel double-header today. Just the way it worked out.

Bill Belichick

Multiple sources are saying Robert Kraft and Bill Belichick have mutually agreed to part ways which will be announced at a press conference at noon. Did not want to believe this was true but I guess Tom Curran was right all along.

Nothing can take away from Belichick's success in New England or the 9 Super Bowl appearances or 6 victories the Patriots had with him as head coach. God speed!

Thursday Flotsam and Jetsam

Have a new Miscellaneous thoughts and observations post up on Substack.

Still surprised that Nick Saban decided to step down from Alabama. Also surprised Pete Carroll is out as coach of the Seahawks. Retirement was one person's idea but not the other. Please Subscribe (I'd like to retire too), hit the Like button, or share the Link. Thanks!

Quotes for Today

Some quotes I hope may resonate with you.

Have a new Quotes for Today up on my Substack. As I've mentioned doing this as a way to thank those who have Subscribed. If you are a Subscriber - you would have received an email. Thanks!