Thursday Flotsam and Jetsam

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

Did not mention the passing of Stacy Wakefield in today's post but she's in my prayers. Both her, Tim, and their family. It's not the same Red Sox without them.

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 should have received an email. Thanks!

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Linky Links

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

- Jonathan Turley's article on the Adam Rubenstein piece on the NYT that ran in The Atlantic. Was going to post the original Rubenstein piece yesterday but that was behind a paywall.

- Time with a cover article on The New Anti-Semitism.

- Peter King throws Roger Goodell and the NFL under the bus for making up Deflategate against Tom Brady and the Patriots.

- Apple stops investing in an EV car. They should have invested in Tesla when they were first asked.

Wednesday Flotsam and Jetsam

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

Though I don't have an MVP vote - I did put money on Jason Tatum to win the award last season but did not make that same "mistake" this year even though he's having a better year. So it was a first hand observation. Please help support my bad picks by Subscribing, hitting the Like button, or sharing 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 should have received an email. Thanks!

Tuesday Flotsam and Jetsam

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

Kind of feel bad that historically Joe Biden's nickname choices come down to Crooked Joe or Sleepy Joe. Then again one's known for one's actions. 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 should have received an email. Thanks!

Monday, February 26, 2024

Linky Links

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

- NCAA loses ability to enforce NIL rules. The NCAA is dead.

- What white privilege?

- The two flags of Iwo Jima (thanks Mark)

- Fani Willis and Nathan Wade (illegal) Friends with Benefits. Wonder if anyone convicted using those cell records by her office now has immediate grounds for appeal.

Monday Flotsam and Jetsam

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

Strange that in 2024 the government says UFO's are real and nobody believes them because people no longer trust the government. For most of my life people didn't believe in UFO's because the government said they weren't real. Did the people change or the government? 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 should have received an email. Thanks!

Sunday, February 25, 2024

Something - The Beatles

 

Frank Sinatra once called this the perfect love song.

Sunday Flotsam and Jetsam

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

It should also be noted that Neuralink could be another billion dollar start-up but when Elon Musk is involved it's a throwaway thought. 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 should have received an email. Thanks!

Saturday, February 24, 2024

Linky Links

 Some stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I share.

- Law enforcement takes down major ramsomware site.

- Amateurs vs. Professionals. Amateurs set goals while professionals set systems.

- David Deutsch part III

- The Super Bowl Streaker

Saturday Flotsam and Jetsam

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

Today's post was longer than usual but what was I to do? Leave something out? Then again I really questioned the wisdom of including that one joke - you know the one I mean. 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 should have received an email. Thanks!

Friday, February 23, 2024

More Linky Links

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

- Sean McVay hasn't been to the NFL combine since 2020 and isn't going this year either. Can't argue he isn't wrong.

- VDH on Blue Laws for Red States. Growing up in Mass a "Blue Law" meant no selling alcohol on Sunday so we had to go over the border to NH. These Blue Laws are equally wrong!

- The Biden dogs accused of multiple attacks at White House. Certain folks shouldn't be allowed to own dogs - Joe Biden is one of them

- Is CCP money the root of disinformation from the corporate media? A good question would be to wonder if Chinese money was banned in the US how soon would we see massive layoffs at major newspapers?

Linky Links

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

- Tim Ferriss on You Don't Need More How-to Advice. Just do it!

- Bridget Phetasy on why the luxury life feels alien. Late to this by a week but worth a read.  

- Don't feel bad for Eric Adams if he doesn't get re-elected. He's bound to get a high paying job from one of his scam boondoggle partners.

- Javier Milei and the Spanish tradition of Liberty

Friday Flotsam and Jetsam

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

Some days I have so many miscellaneous thoughts and observations that I have to save some for the next day. Yesterday was such a day. And none of them in today's post are related to politics! Plus I streamlined my Substack buttons so you didn't have to be constantly reminded that my efforts on Substack are supported by the viewers. Hope you like the changes!

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 should have received an email. Thanks!

Thursday, February 22, 2024

Linky Links

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

- Four Nations Minus One. Agree I'll probably watch anyway but starting to dislike the idea of a hockey tourney that doesn't include the Russians or some of the games best players.

- VDH on 20 precedents the Left has created.

- The Daily Coach on mastering the art of team engagement and retention.

- Tucker Carlson Episode 76 on Julian Assange. 

Thursday Flotsam and Jetsam

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

Something for you to enjoy over your morning coffee while you also ponder what a yellow light means. As always - if something made you laugh or smile 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 should have received an email. Thanks!

Wednesday, February 21, 2024

Linky Links

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

- Critical thinking: what does it really mean? (HT Steve Landry)

- Bill Belichick on Matthew Slater

- How Biden is continuing to cancel student debt despite Supreme Court ruling.

- Nate Silver's brutal assessment of the Biden campaign. Yet the words "corruption" or "Kamala Harris" don't even appear in the article. Another sign he may be replaced.

Wednesday Flotsam and Jetsam

Have a new miscellaneous thoughts and observations post upon Substack.

Post is mostly about politics today. Just happens organically that way some times. Yesterday was heavy about the Daytona 500 but today its politics. As always - please Subscribe, hit the Like button, or share the Link and before you go and donate to a campaign consider signing up for my Substack instead or in addition.

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 should have received an email. Thanks!

Tuesday, February 20, 2024

Linky Links

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

- What some bands cost in England in 1969.

- Pat Riley on the remarkable power of getting 1% better.

- Ichiro was my favorite non-Red Sox player

- Jonathan Turley on the Democrats weaponization of the justice system in NYC. One has to wonder if the ruling by Judge Engoron should now be an automatic appeal for any client he's ruled against in the past as proof of his bias.

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 should have received an email. Thanks!

Tuesday Flotsam and Jetsam

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

Heard someone compare a NASCAR race to an NBA game where you just need to watch the last two minutes to see what happened. That' true to some degree but if you missed most of an NBA game you don't risk missing a major crash. And they don't blare music or have cheerleaders on pitstops. As always please Subscribe, hit the Like button, or share the Link. Thanks!

Iwo Jima

Today is marked by many as the anniversary of the iconic photo by Joe Rosenthal of raising of the American flag on Mount Suribashi on Iwo Jima but the fighting on the island actually started four days earlier on February 19th. The story of this battle is something every high school student should have to learn before they are allowed to graduate.

Semper Fidelis.

Bon Scott

On this day back in 1980 Bon Scott died - some say he choked on his own vomit but his death certificate says "death by misadventure" (wouldn't that be a great name for a band?). Anyway - here are what I consider the top 5 AC/DC songs with Bon Scott as frontman.

1. It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll)
2. Whole Lotta Rosie
3. Highway to Hell
4. Jailbreak
5. (tie) TNT (tie) Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap

It's a Long Way to the Top (If You Wanna Rock 'n' Roll) may be the most perfect hard rock song ever recorded. There is no way to improve on that song. Not many people know this but Bon Scott wasn't even the original lead singer for AC/DC. It was a guy named Dave Evans who Scott replaced after about a year.

Monday Flotsam and Jetsam

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

Today may be a holiday (President's Day) but it still feels like a Monday. It's not even a holiday everyone has off so are those even real holidays now? 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 should have received an email. Thanks!

Naval Ravikant's Way to Get Lucky

Here are the four ways Naval lists a person can get lucky in the book The Almanack of Naval Ravikant:

  • Hope luck finds you.
  • Hustle until you stumble into it.
  • Prepare the mind and be sensitive to chance others might miss
  • Become the best at what you do. Refine what you do until this is true. Opportunity will seek you out. Luck becomes your destiny. 

Sunday Flotsam and Jetsam

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

Somebody is going to have to do a total cost analysis on NYC and NY state on how much this politically motivated decision against Donald Trump will cost NYC and the state in the end. You have the trucker's boycott, people and businesses moving or staying away, etc. Seems like a huge unforced error based on nothing but hubris. Please Subscribe, hit the Like button, or share the Link. Thanks! 

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 should have received an email. Thanks!

Saturday, February 17, 2024

Linky Links

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

- RFK Jr. wins big court win against the Biden Administration's use of social media censorship.

- House committee issues unprecedented subpoenas to Harvard in anti-Semitism investigation.

- The Waymo Jihad. As an aside Dune is one of my favorite books and it is in large part an allegory for Islam with the overland spice trade that historically went through Saudi Arabia.

- The media is covering up key facts about the Lakewood Church shooting.

Saturday Flotsam and Jetsam

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

John Wayne once said that every man needs to let the badger loose once in a while.  Last night I let the badger loose. My throat is burning from all the alcohol this morning. Please Subscribe, hit the Like button, or share the Link (but not so loudly). 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 should have received an email. Thanks!

The Habit Line

"Repeating a habit leads to clear physical changes in the brain." - James Clear Atomic Habits

Friday, February 16, 2024

Rape

Some say a handsome man can feel entitled to have his way with any girl he wants and finds himself alone with. This isn't right.

Some say a pretty woman wearing the wrong clothes or makeup may be "asking for it." This isn't right

Some say being an elderly seemingly well-meaning, politically connect man makes it alright. This isn't right either. 

Linky Links

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

- Was not aware of her before.

- 80% of Americans test positive for chemicals found in Cheerios, Quaker Oats, and other products that may cause infertility and other problems. Good rule is to avoid any processed foods whenever possible. You don't know what's in them.

- Morgan Housel on a Few Laws of Getting Rich. He wrote this about six months ago and I think I posted it at the time, But since he felt compelled to send it out again - I read it again (and posted it here).

- Silicon Valley has a Harvard problem.

Friday Flotsam and Jetsam

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

Falling into a bit of a routine of getting up early in the morning to first publish my quotes for today and then edit and publish my collected  miscellaneous thoughts and observations. Have about a month's worth of quotes already collected but wouldn't be surprised if I sleep in some days. Also consider myself lucky that always seem to have 10 or more things written down but know some day I'll fall short of that number which is OK and to be expected. As always please Subscribe, hit the Like button, or share the Link. Appreciated!

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 should have received an email. Thanks!

Thursday, February 15, 2024

Milton Friedman and Taxes

Currently reading Milton Friedman: The Last Conservative by Jennifer Burns and it got me thinking of taxes in general.

These thoughts include that if I were in charge I would make a list shows what taxes are paid by the average employee and the average employer and which of these were actually authorized by a vote of Congress and why? Were some of these like the tax that was instituted because of the Spanish-American War that was never rescinded until decades later. Also what taxes were authorized by the White House and why? Which of these could be rescinded so both the employee and employer get a win and the White House could claim a PR victory. 

If any of the taxes weren't authorized by anyone but the Treasury or IRS then just get rid of them. Nobody elected these people.

Also if I were in charge I'd get a commission to speak with Argentina President Javier Milei to find out what changes in government and taxes he made that worked for him that might work in the US. Also what has worked in Argentina that would probably fail in the US so we'd know what to avoid.

Enjoying the book so far but pretty dense on economics and economics history.

Brace Yourself for What's Coming in 2024

 

Worth 10 minutes of your time. (Via)

Thursday Flotsam and Jetsam

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

Though I'm painfully aware of the shooting in KC - I did not mention it in my post. I believe in the Bill James approach to these situations of acknowledging something terrible has happened and praying the for the victims but waiting for the full details to come out to try and understand what happened without first leaping to conclusions. 

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 should have received an email. Thanks!

Wednesday Flotsam and Jetsam

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

Some are saying that Patrick Mahomes will never break Tom Brady's records because his style of play tends to eventually get QB's hurt. While I don't disagree with that I also lived through all those "Brady will fall of a cliff this year" predictions. 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 should have received an email. Thanks!

Chuck Yeager

Today would have been General Chuck Yeager's 101st birthday. A true American original and we may never see his like again.

Tuesday, February 13, 2024

Top 5 List - What I'm Really Good At

 "I try to read 1-2 hours a day, and that puts me in the top .00001%." - Naval Ravikant

That quote got me to thinking, "What am I in the top 1% of the US population in?" Or as Scott Adams would say - what's my skill stack? Here's what I came up with:

1. Reading. I have a goal of reading at least an hour a day and usually end up with more. This is books only and doesn't include articles or it would be much higher.

2. Pool - I've been asked a number of times to be on different pool teams and usually play a few times a week. My girlfriend is just as good as she has her own stick too.

3. Fiber - in the FTTH industry for over a decade. Most people don't understand where their broadband comes from - I do.

4. Swimming - doing laps at the gym is a regular thing in my routine. Many people don't even know how to swim.

5. Hiking - another thing part of my regular routine which I want to get better at. Doing a through-hike of the Appalachian Trail has long been on my bucket list.

This is what I came up with and may be missing one. Used to have basketball on the list but tore a hammy long time ago and playing is a distant memory. Want to add golf to the list this year. What's your list? 

Tuesday Flotsam and Jetsam

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

Am I the only one who chuckles every time thinking Jamaal Bowman missed a great opportunity to blame that fire alarm he pulled on Israel? It's Israel's fault for everything else. 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 should have received an email. Thanks!

Monday, February 12, 2024

Linky Links

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

- Barstool signs "monster" deal with Draftkings after the Super Bowl.

- Who could have guessed? Flat-Earthers found to have low scientific knowledge.

- Jonathan Turley on John Depodesta and John Kerry. Reminder I'm in favor of firing all "Czars" and their staffs and putting the money saved to help pay down the national debt.

- Turley why the 25th Amendment may not fit.

A Modest Proposal


 The FDA was once 100% taxpayer funded but now is mostly funded via "user fees" from the very companies they're supposed to be regulating.

Also Pfizer is the 6th most owned stock by Congress. Reminds me of the quote by the late PJ O'Rourke, "When buying and selling are controlled by legislation, the first things to be bought and sold are legislators."

Also "In 2020, it [Pharma] spent $309 million on lobbying while the insurance industry spent $154 million, and oil and gas spent $112 million." The real Plague of the Poor.

My modest proposal is simply - if we have money to send to Ukraine we have money to fund the FDA instead of the people they are supposed to regulate.

Monday Flotsam and Jetsam

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

Let me also say that Rob Gronkowski is the GOAT as far as TE's are concerned. I'd take him over Travis Kelce every day of the week. 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 should have received an email. Thanks!

Sunday, February 11, 2024

Super Bowl Sunday

Enjoy the Super Bowl tonight. I know I will.

Super Bowl Sunday Flotsam and Jetsam

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

Good luck with you favored team, your bets, and your square numbers coming in tonight! Maybe improve your karma by Subscribing, hitting the Like button, or sharing the Link. What do you have to lose? 

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 should have received an email. Thanks!

Saturday, February 10, 2024

Find Something Beautiful Today

The Royal Portuguese Reading Room in Rio de Janeiro. Headline stolen borrowed from Execupundit and photo via,

Clint Eastwood

Today is Clint's birthday (he turns 93 today - can you believe that?). Here are what I consider his Top 5 movies.

1. Outlaw Josey Wales 
2. The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly 
3. Dirty Harry 
4. Fistful of Dollars 
5. (tie) Kelly's Heroes (tie) Where Eagles Dare

Really liked Grand Torino but the ones I picked were classics. Also liked The Eiger Sanction but the book was better. The Dirty Harry films didn't make the list because that character became cartoonish as it went along

Saturday Flotsam and Jetsam

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

Not sure if I've found a rhythm in posting and how I do it or if I've become lazy. Trying to figure that out. As a reminder - 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 should have received an email. Thanks!

Joe Biden

"Hell is truth seen too late." - Thomas Hobbes

"Evil destroys even itself." - Aristotle

Linky Links

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

- Jim Rome moves his show to X. Keep saying that we are moving from an old media to a new format.

- Article on 9-year old's suit against Deadspin. Rooting for the boy in this one.

- Reportly Football HoF set to name 3 shortly.

- VDH on Joe Biden's dementia.

Friday Flotsam and Jetsam

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

Should be clear why Joe Biden won't do a live press conference or debate by now. He's not competent. Can Hunter or Dr. Jill now be charged with elder abuse too? As always - please Subscribe, hit the Like button, or share the Link. Thanks!

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 should have received an email. Thanks!

Thursday, February 08, 2024

Thursday Flotsam and Jetsam

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

Having trouble keeping things straight this morning. Going to blame it on lack of coffee this morning and too much beer last night. Please Subscribe, hit the Like button, or share the Link, Maybe that would help. 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 should have received an email. Thanks!

The Kranz Dictum

Words to live by. (Via)

Blazing Saddles

Opened in 1974 but they only want to cancel it now. Funny if you think on it. (Via)