Linky Links

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

- VDH: Democrats No More. "So what happened to turn the party of Harry Truman, JFK, and even Bill Clinton into a woke neo-Marxist movement?" Good question.

- Matt Taibbi: The overlooked factors in police abuse cases. Article is as much a criticism of Malcom Gladwell as the police but good writing nonetheless. Liked this quip about Gladwell, "an intellectual drive-thru quality to his approach." 

- I support Eric Clapton's position. However, I feel that Dave Chappelle's is more practical. Chappelle has his audience tested (takes 15 minutes) prior to entrance into the arena with a negative test required for entry (he also takes away your cell phone but that's a separate topic).

- Matt Taibbi: The trillion-dollar lie. Two from Taibbi this morning but student loans is another area in desperate need of reform.

Flotsam and Jetsam

Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.

Recently heard Ernest Hemingway described as the most important American writer since Mark Twain. That of course made me wonder - who is the most important American writer since Hemingway? Technically John Steinbeck outlived Hemingway but I consider him a contemporary. Kurt Vonnegut? Please don't say Stephen King. Who? Seriously.. In 1978 China was far from an economic powerhouse but they allowed free trading zones imitating Hong Kong. That allowed the rise of their economy because of entrepreneurs like Jack Ma. Now both Hong Kong and Jack Ma are in shackles. Is it really reasonable for people to expect China's growth to continue unabated under those circumstances?... Perhaps my favorite tattoo story (and Sailor is Poker Hall of Famer Sailor Roberts)... So let me get this straight some people are for vaccine passports but these same people are against DNA samples from illegal immigrants with children crossing the border to see if they are actually the parents or the children are victims of human traffickers. The same people are able to hold both of these demands in their heads - simultaneously... Any truth to the rumor that Jell-O Pudding Pops have signed Deshaun Watson as their new celebrity spokesperson?...     

Freedom

 

"Here's a scene from Passport to Pimlico where people in a pub tear up their papers when confronted by an officious policeman. Sick of post-war rationing and controls, the mood for liberation then.

And now?" - Matt Ridley

Not to be outdone - Texas Governor Greg Abbott. Amen Governor - Amen!

Flotsam and Jetsam

Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.

If we get "vaccine passports'" - how long before dating website require "STD passports?" Seriously what's to stop them at that point?... Never been a fan of the phrase "Have your cake and eat it too." Isn't the whole point of cake to eat it?...  Worst acid trip ever!... I'm a glutton for punishment - I would love to watch a Jeopardy! showdown between CNN's Jim Acosta and Wolf Blitzer. I'd put the combined over/under for correct answers for the entire show at 5... The Hogwarts school motto is Draco dormiens nunquam titillandus - "Never tickle a sleeping dragon"... Brit Hume's full name is Alexander Britton Hume. How come he just doesn't go by Al Hume?... Disposable masks are trash and that trash is harming wildlife worldwide. I made the observation months ago that out on hikes on remote trails you see discarded masks that nobody is touching or picking up. It's a real problem...