tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993108951931633758.post3957946909562138462..comments2023-08-05T07:24:04.413-05:00Comments on Hope n' Change Cartoons: Social InsecurityUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993108951931633758.post-70756861789339907132012-11-23T23:23:01.722-06:002012-11-23T23:23:01.722-06:00"Atlas Shrugged" IS available on Kindle,..."Atlas Shrugged" IS available on Kindle, but is poorly formatted. For some reason, every word containing "ay" appears with the A capitalized. Thus: dAy, stAy, WAyne-Falkland Hotel, etc.Noelegynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993108951931633758.post-34739060077362272842012-11-13T13:49:45.413-06:002012-11-13T13:49:45.413-06:00I know I'm waaaaay late to this party, but if ...I know I'm waaaaay late to this party, but if anyone else comes by I'd like to mention 'Anthem' by Ayn Rand as a good and very short read. It doesn't get into the rest of her politics as much, but it does point out the problems with the sacrifice of self to the collective.<br /><br />It is also a must-read IMHO if you are much of a Rush fan, as it forms the basis for side 1 of the 2112 album. (Yes, I originally bought it brand-spanking new on one of those big plastic discs that you had to turn over halfway through...)txGregnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993108951931633758.post-62509639038461489122012-11-11T09:19:55.180-06:002012-11-11T09:19:55.180-06:00I thanked my former Marine (is there such a thing ...I thanked my former Marine (is there such a thing as former for a Marine) for his service to our country in Viet Nam. <br />@Earl - I was a lib in 1978 when I read Atlas Shrugged the 1st time.<br />@SeaDog52 - many things for the abridged version of Rules... I copied & pasted it - will forward to my email "Patriot" group. Many thanks.<br />@Colby re: Rush' comment that Obama could hire Romney for Sec. of Business - Really? Never happen - the country would turn around - that is not his real agenda!<br />@ Anonymous re: Ayn Rand's position re: religion - of course she was a devout athiest - that's why her book hasn't gained traction - but still there is John Galt.<br />@SusieBee - I agree re: Atlas Shrugged.<br />@ SJ - Thanks - for everything you do for all of us.Irene Pedutohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11133961730915924600noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993108951931633758.post-65008027418520849942012-11-11T06:44:03.779-06:002012-11-11T06:44:03.779-06:00The Doktor- Glad you liked the absurdist remark. I...The Doktor- Glad you liked the absurdist remark. It was making a point in a <i>meta</i> sort of way as the kids like to say.<br /><br />And while I'm not paranoid or self-important enough to think I'm being monitored in my own home, I know perfectly well that the technology exists these days to listen through computer microphones, cellphones (activated without ringing while <i>in your pocket</i>) and other mischief.<br /><br />But if they DO start listening, I'll try to give them a good show in the bathroom: "Duet for Angry Birds and Wind Instrument."Stilton Jarlsberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14503164551782304564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993108951931633758.post-82980496013124050882012-11-11T01:33:04.025-06:002012-11-11T01:33:04.025-06:00"... or my name isn't Stilton Jarlsberg.&...<i>"... or my name isn't Stilton Jarlsberg."</i><br /><br />That is why I like your stuff, Stilt. It's wrapped in subtle insanity!!<br />;-)<br /><br />Waxing eloquence by the Cultured Curd, as it were.<br /><br />You had better watch out for the mic in the toilet bowl, my friend. Many secrets leak twixt the roar of the flapping cheek.The Doktornoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993108951931633758.post-8076593994778280702012-11-10T21:24:15.604-06:002012-11-10T21:24:15.604-06:00@REM1875- I saluted the Marines' birthday over...@REM1875- I saluted the Marines' birthday over on Facebook today. I only wish we'd been able to gift them with a more deserving CinC for the occasion.<br /><br />@John the Econ- I've spent much of my life in the entertainment industry, and have seen for myself the damage that unlimited budgets can do. When there's no need to make choices, there's certainly no reason to think that your first (and only) choice is the <i>best</i> choice. And as you say, when it's OPM the whole equation is squared.<br /><br />I really like your question to the social work students - and I think it's easy to see the reality of the situation you describe every time we run into a petty bureaucratic dictator at the IRS, the DMV, or other governmental agencies. They treat us like crap, because they only took the job for the money and benefits.<br /><br />By the way, this could all lead into an interesting discussion of Festinger's theory of Cognitive Dissonance and how the amount people are paid for a job affects how they see its worth (oddly, the low paid people tend to suggest that there are <i>other</i> intangible benefits, rather than admit they're just in a crap job).Stilton Jarlsberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14503164551782304564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993108951931633758.post-4943725487511089142012-11-10T16:13:25.187-06:002012-11-10T16:13:25.187-06:00@Stilton, that is a brilliant observation. I neve...@Stilton, that is a brilliant observation. I never considered it in relation to movies, but you are quite right.<br /><br />Highly limited resources forces people to develop creative and ingenious solutions to problems, whereas managers with unlimited resources only feel as though they have to throw money at any problem, and their only job is to decide who to throw the money at. It's even more egregious when it's OPM. (Other people's money) Congress is a perfect example. <br /><br />I've always observed that the most efficient government agencies were the ones who thought they were the least well funded.<br /><br />I recall a discussion I had with some students in "social work" I had when I was in school. Of course, they argued that those in their chosen career were vastly underpaid. (Duh, outside of Hollywood, who doesn't think that???) I asked why they chose that profession, and, of course, it was because they cared about society and "wanted to do good". Fine and well. I then quizzed them as to what their profession might be like if all social workers were paid like NBA stars. How many people would then be in the profession just "to do good"? Would these be the people you'd want meddling in other people's lives?<br /><br />You could hear the crickets chirping in a place that didn't have any.John the Econnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993108951931633758.post-28618795054193362972012-11-10T09:11:55.229-06:002012-11-10T09:11:55.229-06:00HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARINES
SEMPER FI HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARINES<br />SEMPER FI REM1875https://www.blogger.com/profile/04847984055699795355noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993108951931633758.post-49605946286162522692012-11-10T08:12:09.976-06:002012-11-10T08:12:09.976-06:00@Earl- Your youthful politics sound like my own: b...@Earl- Your youthful politics sound like my own: based on stereotypes, naivete, and a certain smug confidence that previous generations just didn't see the obvious answers to the world's problems (hugs and flowers!). In other words, I was a complete idiot.<br /><br />Atlas Shrugged seems to do a good job of making the point that <i>nobody is owed anything</i>, and if the government doesn't let the productive class do their thing (accumulating wealth as a byproduct) that the whole house of cards will fall down. <br /><br />And maybe it <i>needs</i> to. We might have better luck rebuilding this nation after a collapse.<br /><br />@Pete D- I guaran-darn-tee you that the gummint has indexed <i>every</i> photo on Facebook, and probably run them through their facial recognition software so they can start making connections between people in group shots. And I'm not kidding in the least.<br /><br />@SeaDog52- I've got to admit that Alinsky's Rules seem pretty powerful - and it's time for us to embrace them. (By the way, I just printed out your summary for future use...)<br /><br />@Christopher Ross- The DOJ has nothing to do with actual justice anymore. It's simply an army of lawyers who use (or distort) laws as weapons.<br /><br />@JustaJeepGuy- I've nearly gone Galt already, but as the government starves they <i>will</i> go where the money is: individual retirement accounts. Long before the first moocher goes hungry, I expect retirement accounts to be seized and nationalized. Maybe it's time to get some brochures from those Cayman Island banks we've heard so much about...<br /><br />@JustaJeepGuy- Maybe the book's length kept people from reading it. It's hard to imagine most people reading (or understanding) anything longer than a tweet these days.<br /><br />@Anonymous- On the campaign trail, various reporters tried to nail Paul Ryan on the subject of Atlas Shrugged and Ayn Rand. Ryan was quick to point out that he supported many of the ideas in her books, but disagreed entirely with her personal philosophies regarding religion and our obligations to others. <br /><br />@John the Econ- There <i>was</i> no mandate, but the Will of the Obama voters was certainly clear: <i>give us free stuff, no matter who you have to steal it from.</i><br /><br />@JustaJeepGuy- "If everyone would just mind their own business" will, sadly, never happen.<br /><br />@abbeyroadwalker- San Francisco is a <i>funny</i> sort of place, isn't it?<br /><br />@John the Econ- Your statement resonates with a theory I've held about movies for a long time: many big budget films suck eggs, and a significant number of low budget films are quite good. The reason? The producers with very low budgets needed to use creativity to tell their stories, and find affordable ways to get around unaffordable problems. On the big budget productions, everything is affordable - so nothing is really scrutinized to see if there's a better, more creative way of making the same story point. And the same thing is true of Big Government: when you can afford <i>everything</i>, then why judge <i>anything</i>?<br /><br />@SusieBee- Well put!Stilton Jarlsberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14503164551782304564noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993108951931633758.post-79691441116036294122012-11-10T06:30:36.233-06:002012-11-10T06:30:36.233-06:00@Anonymous - It is important to understand that Ay...@Anonymous - It is important to understand that Ayn Rand was atheist, but you do not have to espouse atheism to appreciate the message of Atlas Shrugged. Coming from communist Russia, she saw seeds of socialism being sown that Americans, still enveloped in post - WW II prosperity, failed to appreciate. At the time it was published, few could see its relevancy. Now it is frighteningly prophetic. As a Christian, I don't accept everything she wrote as gospel, but can appreciate what she was trying to warn us about.SusieBeenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993108951931633758.post-91449414707813542962012-11-09T20:10:35.391-06:002012-11-09T20:10:35.391-06:00@abbeyroadwalker, when people have easy access to ...@abbeyroadwalker, when people have easy access to other people's money, all manners of silliness become possible.John the Econnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993108951931633758.post-59829577128214921932012-11-09T19:30:46.522-06:002012-11-09T19:30:46.522-06:00No, you're not nuts. San Fransiscans however.....No, you're not nuts. San Fransiscans however... <br /><br />http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/11/09/gender-bender-spenders-san-francisco-to-foot-bill-for-sex-changes/abbeyroadwalkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993108951931633758.post-65962242263905851012012-11-09T19:29:45.870-06:002012-11-09T19:29:45.870-06:00@Anonymous, it's true that Ayn Rand was an ath...@Anonymous, it's true that Ayn Rand was an atheist and nobody will detect any "Christian compassion" in her writing. However, she would also never have countenanced the rise of any of the Christian tyrants (Torquemada, anyone?). If everyone would just mind his own business, there would be no tyrants Christian , Muslim, Barack Hussein, or otherwise.JustaJeepGuynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993108951931633758.post-26607787007434802282012-11-09T16:28:09.746-06:002012-11-09T16:28:09.746-06:00Did you catch the President today? Less than 50% ...Did you catch the President today? Less than 50% of the country votes for him and he considers it a mandate to tax rich people?<br /><br />This is democracy folks; The 47%-ers voting to tax 2%.<br /><br />15, no, 10 years ago if I had suggests a President would say such a thing, people would have considered me nuts.John the Econnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993108951931633758.post-15409640762289783462012-11-09T13:21:24.998-06:002012-11-09T13:21:24.998-06:00P.S....Rosenberg's books, on the other hand do...P.S....Rosenberg's books, on the other hand do,as you say, afford a look into the future according to Biblical prophesy regarding Israel.Things are falling into place, and Obama has only a bit part in the drama. We havent seen anything yet.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993108951931633758.post-30985609636705009022012-11-09T13:17:02.882-06:002012-11-09T13:17:02.882-06:00SeaDog, You are so right about Joel Rosenberg'...SeaDog, You are so right about Joel Rosenberg's novels, including 'The Ezekiel Option', which I have read and most of his other books. Rosenberg was a high-level advisor and a knowlegable, committed Christian speaker on the subject mainly of Israel and its part in God's dealings with us here above ground. In it, you notice, is an abundance of biblical scripture, because he really is a missionary with literature and one can learn a great deal about the Creator of the universe by reading his stuff.<br /><br />Since Ayn Rand's 'Atlas Shrugged' seems to be somewhat of a topic today...I have never commented on it, but have read it, and as I did so, even though the story was full of individual freedom thought, limited government, etc, I dug into her background, would like to share it with anyone interested...as put forth by Grace University(a christian college), a short excerpt of their perspective on Ayn Rand...<br /><br />Rand was demonstrably anti-Christian. As an atheist, she wanted to be known as “the greatest enemy of religion.” The idea of God was “degrading to man,” she maintained. And because there is no God, humans have absolutely no ethical obligation to other human beings. She once said that the world was “perishing from an orgy of self-sacrifice.” For her the trinity was “I me mine.” She exalted the idolatry of “self and selfishness,” an abhorrent proposition that is in fact the very “antithesis of biblical Christianity.”<br />Those in the Republican Party especially that exalt the ideas of Ayn Rand should be ashamed of themselves. Those in the Tea Party movement who hold up signs, “Who is John Galt?,” are promoting a worldview that is actually farther from biblical Christianity than Karl Marx’s utopian vision. The name of Ayn Rand and Jesus Christ should never be used in the same sentence together. Ayn Rand does not offer a vision of what America could become. She offers a recipe for the collapse of our way of life and our values. Conservative Christians should stay as far away from Ayn Rand as possible. She and her worldview have nothing to offer.<br /><br />I hope christians who come here are aware now that although her writings hold for freedom lovers a hope for the future, it probably is a false one. Just a good story.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993108951931633758.post-4230949202638742482012-11-09T13:03:11.561-06:002012-11-09T13:03:11.561-06:00Oh, and to @Irene Peduto, Ayn Rand saw 2012 coming...Oh, and to @Irene Peduto, Ayn Rand saw 2012 coming SIXTY years ago! Why did so few others see it? <br /><br />I also skipped most of Galt's speech. When he said all the same things the second time, I just jumped ahead. That left about 60 pages unread. In a paperback. I have to say, though, that I was hooked by the book from the first line: "Who is John Galt?"JustaJeepGuynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993108951931633758.post-1912388223987375272012-11-09T12:56:17.753-06:002012-11-09T12:56:17.753-06:00Secretary of State.... Colin (I've decided lov...Secretary of State.... Colin (I've decided loving my country is overrated) Powell.<br /><br />Everybody should read "Atlas" but Ayn Rand blathers worse than any author I have ever read. this book could have been 2/3 as long and still gotten the point across. I was forwarned about the John Galt speech toward the end of the book, and pretty much skipped all 87 pages of it! And SeaDog is right about the paperback. I had never seen a size .0005 font before.<br /><br />Rush was speculating about the new Secretary of Business. He was suggesting that BO would be offering that to Romney. Huh?Colbynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993108951931633758.post-66412010103612150432012-11-09T12:53:44.982-06:002012-11-09T12:53:44.982-06:00@Earl,
The thing to do is just "go Galt&quo...@Earl, <br /><br />The thing to do is just "go Galt". The Demo_Rat establishment can't do anything if they don't have your tax dollars to give to the moochers. What are they going to do-"require" you to keep working? They don't "require" the moochers to work, so how can they "require" anyone else to work? And it's perfectly legal. Just tough to do...but a resourceful person can do it. The more makers quit working and feeding the moochers, the quicker the system collapses and the quicker we'll be free of the moochers. JustaJeepGuynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993108951931633758.post-24323971337739665142012-11-09T12:16:20.675-06:002012-11-09T12:16:20.675-06:00The other Napolitano (Andrew) would have been a MU...The other Napolitano (Andrew) would have been a MUCH better choice, but in this administration would have no chance in hell of getting the job. He still believes in things like an individual's rights and freedoms.Christopher Rossnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993108951931633758.post-9007624333206353242012-11-09T11:48:03.731-06:002012-11-09T11:48:03.731-06:00For those who are curious, Alinsky's Rules For...For those who are curious, Alinsky's Rules For Radicals (Short Version):<br />RULE 1: “Power is not only what you have, but what the enemy thinks you have.” Power is derived from 2 main sources – money and people. “Have-Nots” must build power from flesh and blood.<br />RULE 2: “Never go outside the expertise of your people.” It results in confusion, fear and retreat. Feeling secure adds to the backbone of anyone.<br />RULE 3: “Whenever possible, go outside the expertise of the enemy.” Look for ways to increase insecurity, anxiety and uncertainty.<br />RULE 4: “Make the enemy live up to its own book of rules.” If the rule is that every letter gets a reply, send 30,000 letters. You can kill them with this because no one can possibly obey all of their own rules.<br />RULE 5: “Ridicule is man’s most potent weapon.” There is no defense. It’s irrational. It’s infuriating. It also works as a key pressure point to force the enemy into concessions.<br />RULE 6: “A good tactic is one your people enjoy.” They’ll keep doing it without urging and come back to do more. They’re doing their thing, and will even suggest better ones.<br />RULE 7: “A tactic that drags on too long becomes a drag.” Don’t become old news.<br />RULE 8: “Keep the pressure on. Never let up.” Keep trying new things to keep the opposition off balance. As the opposition masters one approach, hit them from the flank with something new.<br />RULE 9: “The threat is usually more terrifying than the thing itself.” Imagination and ego can dream up many more consequences than any activist.<br />RULE 10: “If you push a negative hard enough, it will push through and become a positive.” Violence from the other side can win the public to your side because the public sympathizes with the underdog.<br />RULE 11: “The price of a successful attack is a constructive alternative.” Never let the enemy score points because you’re caught without a solution to the problem.<br />RULE 12: “Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it.” Cut off the support network and isolate the target from sympathy. Go after people and not institutions; people hurt faster than institutions.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11922968943374559199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993108951931633758.post-63884966222583710592012-11-09T11:30:23.483-06:002012-11-09T11:30:23.483-06:00@Stilton, et.al.: Atlas Shrugged, great book, but...@Stilton, et.al.: Atlas Shrugged, great book, but do not attempt to read the paperback version, you will go blind. Haven't looked yet as to whether it is on Nook/Kindle where you can control the font. Yes it is long, and it takes a little to 'get' her writing style, but still worth it.<br /><br />Another series which is very good is Joel Rosenburg's <i>The Ezekiel Option</i>. Based on the prophecies of Ezekiel, it is frighteningly getting very, very close to the real events of the world. Series starts with <i>The Ezekiel Option</i> and continues to the current <i>The Tehran Initiative </i>.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11922968943374559199noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993108951931633758.post-42883022455309431152012-11-09T10:09:05.925-06:002012-11-09T10:09:05.925-06:00Stilt, that's part of the reason my FBook no l...Stilt, that's part of the reason my FBook no longer has the pic of me and the Niece... Pete Dnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993108951931633758.post-31384126030200207692012-11-09T09:37:40.551-06:002012-11-09T09:37:40.551-06:00I read Atlas Shrugged when I was in my early twent...I read Atlas Shrugged when I was in my early twenties. I was a typical liberal who thought the following: 1) in two generations enough blacks and whites would have married each other and racism would be over. 2) Federal funding for Head Start and Sesame Street would ensure that within five years all children would arrive at kindergarten knowing their ABC's, able to count to a hundred, and probably reading. 3) War would be a thing of the past because all we needed to do was love each other. I remember starting the book angry at capitalists and people who were so unfeeling. I finished the book a changed person. Not completely. I spent the next decades watching government "do gooding" completely ruin the black family and with time grew to understand the importance of trying to figure out the "unintended consequences" of government policy. Now I'm going to reread Atlas Shrugged (forty years later) and figure out how to, in the words of this truely evil president, get some "revenge." I will stay within the law, but I'm ready to fight to save this once great country.Earlnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8993108951931633758.post-67198928539868965562012-11-09T09:33:58.349-06:002012-11-09T09:33:58.349-06:00@Pete D- I'm sure that Big Sis has all of your...@Pete D- I'm sure that Big Sis has <i>all</i> of your aliases on record (wry grin).<br /><br />@Jim Hlavac- Very clever; make them <i>think</i> your name is Jim Hlavac when it's really Horatio Applebaum.<br /><br />And you're right that a lot of the people leaving the administration are now going to be going where the money is (because they sent it there along with a note saying "keep this warm for me").<br /><br />@abbeyroadwalker- Try as I might, I couldn't find anything to disagree with about your vision of America's future. It's not so much the Democrats that brought this nation down (although they were instrumental) as the Demographics. <br /><br />@Anonymous- Yes, criticism of Barack Hussein Obama is unacceptable racism by definition, because all black people are perfect unless they're conservative - in which case they're "house niggers" in the odious words of The Left. And anyone who doesn't think Janet Napolitano couldn't sink her teeth into prosecuting "thought crimes against the state" (like criticizing Barry) hasn't been paying close attention. If you thought kiddy-diddling in airports was bad, wait until you see it at police checkpoints on our city streets.Stilton Jarlsberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14503164551782304564noreply@blogger.com