From Pine View Farm

2021 archive

QOTD 0

H. L. Mencken:

The worst government is often the most moral. One composed of cynics is often very tolerant and humane. But when fanatics are on top there is no limit to oppression.

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A Tune for Times 0

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Blissful Students, Ignorance Is Bliss Dept. 0

The Houston Chronicle lists the five books in Texas public school systems most often challenged by parents and politicians who want Texas students to remain blissfully ignorant.

Some of them will surprise you.

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If One Standard Is Good, Two Must Be Better 0

Title:  Advice Conservatives Never Give Themselves.  Frame One:  Man facing group holding signs reading

Click for the original image.

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“An armed Society Is a Polite Society” 0

Celebrate Christmas with politeness.

And we are again reminded that “responsible gun owner” is an oxymoron.

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It’s All about the Benjamins 0

Bob Molinaro, sportswriter extraordinaire:

A 17-game NFL regular season is too much. With increased player attrition through injury and now COVID, many depleted teams are staggering to the finish line.

Who asked for 17, anyway? Not the fans. They were content with 16, but for owners and TV, increased revenue comes before the interests of players and fans. Soon, there will be an 18-game schedule, because why not if it means more money?

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Vaccine Nation, Dis Coarse Discourse Dept. 0

The AP’s John Rady takes an in-depth look at the pandemic and vaccine hesitancy in one West Virginia community. He reports that medical staff are frazzled by long hours, overloaded wards, and efforts to combat the flood of traffic on the disinformation superhighway. Here’s a bit:

The hospital’s marketing campaign on the importance of COVID-19 shots includes daily messages on social media, radio advertising and physician testimonials. But hospital CEO Doug Bentz said he’s not sure how those messages are interpreted.

“In fact, I think sometimes the media hurts things because people are so dug in politically,” Bentz said in his office recently. “Instead of making a rational decision, they feel like they’ve got to stand on some principle. There’s a lot of misinformation out there. And unfortunately I think there’s just not the trust that we have in our government, in the media, for people to believe it.”

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The Do-Nothing 0

Caption:  Old and in the way.  Image:  Fat old guy dressed in tattered Southern planter style clothes labeled

Via Job’s Anger.

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QOTD 0

Herodotus:

Men trust their ears less than their eyes.

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Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas 0

If you have not done so, I highly recommend that you read Lena Horne’s autobiography.

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Excess 0

Give me a break.

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Oops 0

Grimmy points to two feet sticking out from under a falling bookcase and says to Mother Goose,

See the original image from December 20, 2020.

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Decor 0

My local rag tells the story of how the German tradition of the lighted Christmas tree came to Virginia.

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Joy 0

Our next number is dedicated to all the boys and girls who think that “happy holidays” is blasphemy.

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Joy 0

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Cheer 0

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Joy 0

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QOTD 0

E. B. White:

To perceive Christmas through its wrappings becomes more difficult with every year.

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Geeking Out, Christmas Dept. 0

Ubuntu MATE with the Fluxbox window manager and Xsnow. The wallpaper is from muy Christmas collection.

Screenshot

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And Now for a Musical Interlude 0

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