April, 2024 archive
Candy Crushed 0
I think I have expressed before in these electrons my skepticism as to the benefits of legalized on-line gambling.
Barnum was wrong.
There’s more than one born every minute.
“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” 0
Yet another oxymoronic “responsible gun owner” practices a random act of politeness.
Guns and stupid, guns and stupid.
They go together like love and Cupid.
Let me tell you brother,
You can’t have one without the other.
The Fifth Columnists 0
At the Roanoke Times, Dan Casey tries to figure out why three western Virginia Congresscritters seem unwilling to aid Ukraine in its struggle against Russia’s invasion.
Tales of the Trumpling* 0
The Arizona Republic’s Laurie Roberts writes of a thoroughly Trumpled political party.
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*And I had so hoped I’d never see cause to use this title again . . . .
QOTD 0
George Washington Carver:
Afterthought:
. . . but it shall wreak much destruction along the way.
It’s All about the Algorithm 0
Shorter Cameron Smith: Paul Simon was prescient.
Republican Family Values 0
(Warning: Short promo for David’s recent book at the end.)
Republicans’ actions betray the hollowness and hypocrisy of their claim to have “family values.”
Aside:
Many years ago, when I was in college, I knew someone who feared she might be pregnant (and, no, I was not the potential father).
As it turned out, she wasn’t. But, as I watched the agony she went through for those few weeks, I realized that not I nor anyone else had the right to dictate to her.
Extra-Special Bonus QOTD 0
Kerry Greenwood:
“Eugenics,” said Jane. “It’s interesting. Restricting the breeding of the unfit. There’s a basic flaw in their argument, I believe.” She forked in some potato salad.
“Which is?” asked Phyrne.
“Who decides who is unfit?” asked Jane.
“There you have put your finger on the nub,” Phryne informed her. “Keep reading, and I think you will find that the unfit will cover any group which the writer does not like–Catholics, Chinese, Jews, Aborigines–and any group he is afraid of–the poor, for instance, who seem set to outbreed him. The only group that will be allowed to breed freely will be–”
“Him,” said Ruth . . . .
Greenwood, Kerry, Unnatural Habits (Scottsdale: Poisoned Pen Press, 2013) p. 58.
Aside:
Kerry Greenwood’s Phryne Fisher novels are set in and around Melbourne, Australia, in the late 1920s. They are wonderfully written, well-structured, and carefully researched. They are indeed the only mystery stories I’ve come across that have bibliographies.
I recommend them highly.
Kerry Greenwood makes words dance.
The Australian television series based on them is also a great watch, if you can find it streaming somewhere.
“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” 0
Once again, politeness becomes child’s play.
Performance Art 0
Via Job’s Anger.
Aside:
As far as I can tell, the only argument against TikTok is that it is owned by a company based in China and that China may somehow be benefiting therefrom. There seems to be no evidence beyond that suspicion that it is any more–or less–vile than any other internet corporate surveillance “social” media outfit.
I wonder what America’s reaction would be if China were to move to ban Facebook and Twitte–er–X and other platforms because they are based in the U. S.?
The No-Shows 0
Farron muses about why Donald Trump’s trial isn’t drawing the crowds of Trumpette protestors that Donald Trump expects and wants. (Warning: Short commercial at the end.)
