Life's Sweet Adventure
Why do we do it?
Why is it, that every year JAC and I dream up some challenge? Why did we have to ride 1000 miles in 24 hours? Why did we have to ride the Trans-Continental Trail?
Why do we have to...
No... not time to spill those beans yet. Just rest assured... the brothers C have something in the works. Something... big. But that's not for today... and them what knows better keep their little fingers tied up. I'll have no news broken on this.
This post is for why. Oscar Wilde once said..
"At best, we can in life have but one great experience. The secret to life is to reproduce that experience as often as possible."
We do these things because we have to. What's the point to living a life without challenge? What's the point to the 9-5 beer on friday, tv all weekend, back to 9-5 routine? Is it not a wasted life? It is to us. What have you done? You have a pretty piece of paper on a wall? Great. Bachelors degrees are handed out like candy to trick or treaters. Say the right thing and look pretty... pagan influences help.
And setting aside the debate of academic accomplishment... what have you done since?
Women and girls will look at this and shake their heads. Boys out to prove themselves they'll think. In truth women are not the romantics in the couple. Men are. Women are realists. They very rarely see the sheer glory of things. They simply see the things. Oh of course... like everything else... there are exceptions... thank God... but exceptions they are, and that's why we love them.
Look at the TransAm Trail. Women look at that and see misery. Cold... Wet... Dirty... and Dangerous. The glory escapes them. But not us. Its not just Mountains and streams, cold and snow, desert and sun... its the unkown.
Its the feeling you get when you wake up in the morning... at the start of a grand adventure... and it is an adventure... because the outcome is unkown.
That's the key right there. The not knowin'.
That's the thing about pirates... they need the hunt more than they need the gold.
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
Friday, October 27, 2006
The New Atheist
I strongly suggest you go read this article over at wired.com
Consider the open declaration... "Faith is evil." Consider the fact that respected academics are on the university circuit right now, asking if parents have the right to force their beilefs upon their children. Friends, they are openly suggesting that it should be illegal to teach your kids your religion.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not dumb enough to think this is new. What's new is the coverage of it. What's new is the acceptance of it. What's new, is the post modern mindset that lets the toe in the door.
Its a painfully long.. and painfully poorly written article. The writer clearly has a crush on several of the subjects. Still you need to be aware of it.
The biggest flaw of course in the whole thing was this precious gem:
"The problem with this, for defenders of faith, is that they've implicitly accepted science as the arbiter of what is real. This leaves the atheists with the upper hand."
Wrong. The traditional Christian belief is this:
We are unimpressed by the science of man. If it agrees with our teachings, so be it. If not, then it is meaningless. Science is the arbiter of nothing.
I strongly suggest you go read this article over at wired.com
Consider the open declaration... "Faith is evil." Consider the fact that respected academics are on the university circuit right now, asking if parents have the right to force their beilefs upon their children. Friends, they are openly suggesting that it should be illegal to teach your kids your religion.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not dumb enough to think this is new. What's new is the coverage of it. What's new is the acceptance of it. What's new, is the post modern mindset that lets the toe in the door.
Its a painfully long.. and painfully poorly written article. The writer clearly has a crush on several of the subjects. Still you need to be aware of it.
The biggest flaw of course in the whole thing was this precious gem:
"The problem with this, for defenders of faith, is that they've implicitly accepted science as the arbiter of what is real. This leaves the atheists with the upper hand."
Wrong. The traditional Christian belief is this:
We are unimpressed by the science of man. If it agrees with our teachings, so be it. If not, then it is meaningless. Science is the arbiter of nothing.
Contraversial Threeway
It's funny really. Sometimes it seems like JAC and I run the same blog. For the most part we see things eye-to-eye. We agree on the methodology... but the conclusions ultimately drawn are drastically different.
Take this Lizard Queen deal. JAC boasts:
But don't let me stop y'all from gettin' all a-titter and swooning with fear at the certainty of Queen Lizard the First, by all means carry on with your fun. Drama Queens.
His premise of course is that the Lizard Queen is un-electible. He figures for every moron who'll vote for her, 2 or 3 will vote against her.
If she'd run in '04 this would've been true. But it's '08. Hillary's win has nothing to do with her, and everything to do with who the Republicans send up the hill against her. If they send a real conservative, she'll go down in the worst beating since 1984. It would be really ugly.
But they won't. The lesson will not be learned this November.
We're going to have a Republican Primary of Guiliani, Pataki, and Bloomberg. We may get another dose of McCain. If Tancredo makes much more noise they're gonna throw him jail.
Ultimately JAC still believes that the people have the final say. He believes in local elections Hillary will lose... and all elections are local. This is what happens when you've never lived in a state like Georgia, or California, where a small but hugely populated urban area controls the whole state. California elections aren't local. Well... they are... but only if you live in San Fransisco or LA.
I advise you to think of it in terms of states... because that's how its decided. What state will Hilary win that Kerry didn't?
Ohio. New Mexico.
What state that Kerry won, will Hillary lose?
None.
Do the math.
It's funny really. Sometimes it seems like JAC and I run the same blog. For the most part we see things eye-to-eye. We agree on the methodology... but the conclusions ultimately drawn are drastically different.
Take this Lizard Queen deal. JAC boasts:
But don't let me stop y'all from gettin' all a-titter and swooning with fear at the certainty of Queen Lizard the First, by all means carry on with your fun. Drama Queens.
His premise of course is that the Lizard Queen is un-electible. He figures for every moron who'll vote for her, 2 or 3 will vote against her.
If she'd run in '04 this would've been true. But it's '08. Hillary's win has nothing to do with her, and everything to do with who the Republicans send up the hill against her. If they send a real conservative, she'll go down in the worst beating since 1984. It would be really ugly.
But they won't. The lesson will not be learned this November.
We're going to have a Republican Primary of Guiliani, Pataki, and Bloomberg. We may get another dose of McCain. If Tancredo makes much more noise they're gonna throw him jail.
Ultimately JAC still believes that the people have the final say. He believes in local elections Hillary will lose... and all elections are local. This is what happens when you've never lived in a state like Georgia, or California, where a small but hugely populated urban area controls the whole state. California elections aren't local. Well... they are... but only if you live in San Fransisco or LA.
I advise you to think of it in terms of states... because that's how its decided. What state will Hilary win that Kerry didn't?
Ohio. New Mexico.
What state that Kerry won, will Hillary lose?
None.
Do the math.
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Timely...
What is the ballot? It is neither more nor less than a paper representative of the bayonet, the billy, and the bullet. It is a labor-saving device for ascertaining on which side force lies and bowing to the inevitable. The voice of the majority saves bloodshed, but it is no less the arbitrament of force than is the decree of the most absolute of despots backed by the most powerful of armies. - Benjamin R. Tucker
Voting is democracys suggestion box for slaves - Benjamin R. Tucker
Me and this Ben cat would get along pretty well I reckon.
What is the ballot? It is neither more nor less than a paper representative of the bayonet, the billy, and the bullet. It is a labor-saving device for ascertaining on which side force lies and bowing to the inevitable. The voice of the majority saves bloodshed, but it is no less the arbitrament of force than is the decree of the most absolute of despots backed by the most powerful of armies. - Benjamin R. Tucker
Voting is democracys suggestion box for slaves - Benjamin R. Tucker
Me and this Ben cat would get along pretty well I reckon.
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Open Letter to David Limbaugh
Dear Sir,
In your recent column you ask a few important, if poorly worded, questions. As a disgruntled conservative who, in your terms, will be colluding with democrats in November, allow me to answer them.
You ask: what would democrats do differently?
I answer: Nothing. They would spend spend spend. Just as these insane so-called conservatives have. They would propose and pass historically unprecedented spending bills of obscene scale. They'd urinate on the Constitution. Under them Uncle Sam would become Aunt Samantha, and she would work 24-hours a day to protect us from ourselves. In short... They would do the exact same things that the Republicans I once supported have done.
You ask: But the war! What about the War! Victory is all important!
I answer: Hogwash. There is no victory in an undeclared war on no one in particular. Who are we at war with? Terrorists? One may as well declare war against the boogeyman. Let me be clear. I fear my own government a great deal more than I fear any suitcase nuke. That's why I'm a Conservative. I have no desire to live under the protective skirt of a Nanny Government. My security is my problem. The Democrats will not prosecute this so-called war any differently than the Republicans have, at least they won't screw it up any worse. Occupation was the pinnacle of stupidity in the first place. It was never going to work. We would never use the British or Roman method of occupation, and they are the only two methods to ever show any success. The Republicans have already run this war the way idiot liberals would run it. Why should I be scared to hand it over to liberals now? How much worse will they screw it up? I've always believed we should've gone to Iraq. We should've hit and run. Militaries are for killing people and breaking things. That job was done when we captured Saddam. We should've come home and left the locals to fight over the power vacuum. It would've taken decades for someone to consolidate the power there, and when they did, we could always come back and wipe them out again. We'd be trading 10 years of peace for 6 weeks of war. Who wouldn't take that deal?
Sir, I am a registered Republican in the state of Tennessee. I would sooner gauge out my own eyes than vote for a slime ball like Corker. You say Ford is worse? I say so what? I don't vote for slime balls. If the only choice is two slime balls, then I'm not making a choice at all. I know, I know... if I don't vote the wrong slime ball might win. I don't care. I will not participate in my own rape.
This would be a very good message for you and other Republican leaders to heed. The "Most Important Election of All Time" line has lost its effect. After the third "Most Important Election of All Time" call I'm starting to think of the boy who called wolf.
Dubya and the weak kneed conservatives in power right now have done massive damage to America. I find myself more and more considering leaving America all together. Why shouldn't I? I don't need a nanny... and I'm not scared of the boogieman.
No sir. I will not vote. I likely will never vote for any federal position again. My brother says its my duty to vote. In my view, I would never defile the concept of duty with something as humiliating as voting.
Best of Luck
Dear Sir,
In your recent column you ask a few important, if poorly worded, questions. As a disgruntled conservative who, in your terms, will be colluding with democrats in November, allow me to answer them.
You ask: what would democrats do differently?
I answer: Nothing. They would spend spend spend. Just as these insane so-called conservatives have. They would propose and pass historically unprecedented spending bills of obscene scale. They'd urinate on the Constitution. Under them Uncle Sam would become Aunt Samantha, and she would work 24-hours a day to protect us from ourselves. In short... They would do the exact same things that the Republicans I once supported have done.
You ask: But the war! What about the War! Victory is all important!
I answer: Hogwash. There is no victory in an undeclared war on no one in particular. Who are we at war with? Terrorists? One may as well declare war against the boogeyman. Let me be clear. I fear my own government a great deal more than I fear any suitcase nuke. That's why I'm a Conservative. I have no desire to live under the protective skirt of a Nanny Government. My security is my problem. The Democrats will not prosecute this so-called war any differently than the Republicans have, at least they won't screw it up any worse. Occupation was the pinnacle of stupidity in the first place. It was never going to work. We would never use the British or Roman method of occupation, and they are the only two methods to ever show any success. The Republicans have already run this war the way idiot liberals would run it. Why should I be scared to hand it over to liberals now? How much worse will they screw it up? I've always believed we should've gone to Iraq. We should've hit and run. Militaries are for killing people and breaking things. That job was done when we captured Saddam. We should've come home and left the locals to fight over the power vacuum. It would've taken decades for someone to consolidate the power there, and when they did, we could always come back and wipe them out again. We'd be trading 10 years of peace for 6 weeks of war. Who wouldn't take that deal?
Sir, I am a registered Republican in the state of Tennessee. I would sooner gauge out my own eyes than vote for a slime ball like Corker. You say Ford is worse? I say so what? I don't vote for slime balls. If the only choice is two slime balls, then I'm not making a choice at all. I know, I know... if I don't vote the wrong slime ball might win. I don't care. I will not participate in my own rape.
This would be a very good message for you and other Republican leaders to heed. The "Most Important Election of All Time" line has lost its effect. After the third "Most Important Election of All Time" call I'm starting to think of the boy who called wolf.
Dubya and the weak kneed conservatives in power right now have done massive damage to America. I find myself more and more considering leaving America all together. Why shouldn't I? I don't need a nanny... and I'm not scared of the boogieman.
No sir. I will not vote. I likely will never vote for any federal position again. My brother says its my duty to vote. In my view, I would never defile the concept of duty with something as humiliating as voting.
Best of Luck
Brazilian Pecans
Raise your hand if you think Pecans are native to Brazil.
Anyone?
But you know how they got there right?
After the War for Southron Independence many southrons migrated to Brazil. They took advantage of an agricultural government program designed by the Brazilians to improve their local situation. They saw an opertunity and siezed it.
Its unknown exactly how many confederate families went to Brazil... estimates range from a few hundred to many thousand. Wikipedia says 9,000... I reckon that's in the ballpark.
I've been questioned time and again about my assertions that the South was less racist than the Union... about my assertion that the Confederate Army was intigrated. Well consider this little piece of related evidence.
When the confederate exiles got to Brazil they built public schools and universities... where blacks and whites both were taught. Of the thousands of southron farmers who came to Brazil, only 4 families owned a total of 66 slaves.
That was in the 1870s.
Raise your hand if you think Pecans are native to Brazil.
Anyone?
But you know how they got there right?
After the War for Southron Independence many southrons migrated to Brazil. They took advantage of an agricultural government program designed by the Brazilians to improve their local situation. They saw an opertunity and siezed it.
Its unknown exactly how many confederate families went to Brazil... estimates range from a few hundred to many thousand. Wikipedia says 9,000... I reckon that's in the ballpark.
I've been questioned time and again about my assertions that the South was less racist than the Union... about my assertion that the Confederate Army was intigrated. Well consider this little piece of related evidence.
When the confederate exiles got to Brazil they built public schools and universities... where blacks and whites both were taught. Of the thousands of southron farmers who came to Brazil, only 4 families owned a total of 66 slaves.
That was in the 1870s.
Monday, October 23, 2006
Was the Dodo That Bad?
There are literally thousands of species of mammals that we've extinct. Don't even mention the birds we've eaten or the billions of varying bacteria we've boiled out of existence. Some had it coming...
My question is...
What did the Dodo ever do that was so bad that it should be extinct...
Yet this thing thrives. The Pole Cat remains... in all its revolting splendor. Its everyting that's horrible and evil about a cat... armed with the most noxtious weapon to ever be loosed upon the earth.
Seriously... was the Black Rhino that bad?
Do you ever drive for ten minutes... suffering... because a Black Rhino decided to get territorial on some unsuspecting dog, a mile from the interstate?
Sadistic joy at my brother's suffering aside... I have had it with these damned things.
Extinct the Pole Cat says I. All of them. Every species. Every classification. Every damned one of them.
Its our planet dammit. God said so. Its time we cleaned it up. I can't think of a better place to start. It should be a government program. 20 bucks per skin. 300 bucks for the scalp of any scumbag trying to breed, save, or otherwise aid the wretched things.
Oh sure.. we'll kill of a Sea Cow.. but the skunk is just fine. Bloody typical.
There are literally thousands of species of mammals that we've extinct. Don't even mention the birds we've eaten or the billions of varying bacteria we've boiled out of existence. Some had it coming...
My question is...
What did the Dodo ever do that was so bad that it should be extinct...
Yet this thing thrives. The Pole Cat remains... in all its revolting splendor. Its everyting that's horrible and evil about a cat... armed with the most noxtious weapon to ever be loosed upon the earth.
Seriously... was the Black Rhino that bad?
Do you ever drive for ten minutes... suffering... because a Black Rhino decided to get territorial on some unsuspecting dog, a mile from the interstate?
Sadistic joy at my brother's suffering aside... I have had it with these damned things.
Extinct the Pole Cat says I. All of them. Every species. Every classification. Every damned one of them.
Its our planet dammit. God said so. Its time we cleaned it up. I can't think of a better place to start. It should be a government program. 20 bucks per skin. 300 bucks for the scalp of any scumbag trying to breed, save, or otherwise aid the wretched things.
Oh sure.. we'll kill of a Sea Cow.. but the skunk is just fine. Bloody typical.
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Parking Lot Speed Limit: 100mph
So we spent Saturday at an AMA Supermoto race in Nashville. I tell ya... 45 bucks goes a long way. For that ticket price we got choice parking, choice seating, free 20oz cokes and chips on the party deck, pit passes, and vouchers for hambergers, hotdogs, or drinks at the concessions. If there's a better bargain out there I don't know about it.
I realize some of ya may not know what Supermoto is. Its basicly racing dirt bikes with street tires. The track is 80% pavement and 20% dirt. There is a good mix of highbanked nascar turns, as well as driveway tight 180's. 20 guys racing into a turn that's not wide enough for your SUV make. Seriously... in my Titan I would've had to do at least a 3-point turn.
I've not had this much fun in a long long time... The racing was hardcore. Ward's bike died in the last turn before the finish... dude wanted the podium so bad he actually pushed his bike across the finish line, because he "didn't want to waste time trying to start it."
No wonder he's leading in the points. Still... the Yamaha factory boys owned him Saturday night. There's no nice way to say it.
Man that was fun. If you ever get a chance to go see a supermoto race... even if you have no interest in motorcycles... I promise you'll get a kick out of it. You've never seen anything like this. Just look at the picture.
So we spent Saturday at an AMA Supermoto race in Nashville. I tell ya... 45 bucks goes a long way. For that ticket price we got choice parking, choice seating, free 20oz cokes and chips on the party deck, pit passes, and vouchers for hambergers, hotdogs, or drinks at the concessions. If there's a better bargain out there I don't know about it.
I realize some of ya may not know what Supermoto is. Its basicly racing dirt bikes with street tires. The track is 80% pavement and 20% dirt. There is a good mix of highbanked nascar turns, as well as driveway tight 180's. 20 guys racing into a turn that's not wide enough for your SUV make. Seriously... in my Titan I would've had to do at least a 3-point turn.
I've not had this much fun in a long long time... The racing was hardcore. Ward's bike died in the last turn before the finish... dude wanted the podium so bad he actually pushed his bike across the finish line, because he "didn't want to waste time trying to start it."
No wonder he's leading in the points. Still... the Yamaha factory boys owned him Saturday night. There's no nice way to say it.
Man that was fun. If you ever get a chance to go see a supermoto race... even if you have no interest in motorcycles... I promise you'll get a kick out of it. You've never seen anything like this. Just look at the picture.
Friday, October 13, 2006
Criminal DNA vs The Veil of Civilization
In the pop psych world DNA is blamed for just about everything. The Environment vs Heredity debate is all but dead. DNA explains behavior as well as it explains skin color, eye color, or sex.
A few years back this was a provocative point of view, but in that small world, its now old hat. Its as accepted as basic addition.
Allow me to take exception.
Human behavior isn't really all that difficult to predict or explain. You examine an individuals options, figure out what would be the best thing for him to choose and rule it out. Then figure the remaining path of least resistance.
This is where the Veil comes in. While DNA may very well create biological factors that influence decision making, its the Veil that increases the options available.
Those in the immediate family of a suicide are many times more likely to commit suicide themselves. Why? Because suicide is now an option. They've seen through to Veil of Civilized behavior and realize that there are other choices.
The same applies to the son of a bank robber or rapist. If he needs money bad enough... he's bound to consider his father's solution.
We walk around in a cloud... a fog that eliminates behaviors. They aren't even visible to us. They've been civilized out of us. Once the Veil is gone though... it's gone... there's no going back. This is one aspect of rehabilitation that will always be hopeless.
In the pop psych world DNA is blamed for just about everything. The Environment vs Heredity debate is all but dead. DNA explains behavior as well as it explains skin color, eye color, or sex.
A few years back this was a provocative point of view, but in that small world, its now old hat. Its as accepted as basic addition.
Allow me to take exception.
Human behavior isn't really all that difficult to predict or explain. You examine an individuals options, figure out what would be the best thing for him to choose and rule it out. Then figure the remaining path of least resistance.
This is where the Veil comes in. While DNA may very well create biological factors that influence decision making, its the Veil that increases the options available.
Those in the immediate family of a suicide are many times more likely to commit suicide themselves. Why? Because suicide is now an option. They've seen through to Veil of Civilized behavior and realize that there are other choices.
The same applies to the son of a bank robber or rapist. If he needs money bad enough... he's bound to consider his father's solution.
We walk around in a cloud... a fog that eliminates behaviors. They aren't even visible to us. They've been civilized out of us. Once the Veil is gone though... it's gone... there's no going back. This is one aspect of rehabilitation that will always be hopeless.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Who said it?
So I commended pleasure, for there is nothing good for man under the sun except to eat, drink and be merry, and this will stand by him in his toils throughout the days of his life which God has given him under the sun.
Dionysus?
No sir... The Preacher.
Ecclesiastes 8:15
Eat, drink, and be merry. One of my favorite Biblical teachings.
So I commended pleasure, for there is nothing good for man under the sun except to eat, drink and be merry, and this will stand by him in his toils throughout the days of his life which God has given him under the sun.
Dionysus?
No sir... The Preacher.
Ecclesiastes 8:15
Eat, drink, and be merry. One of my favorite Biblical teachings.
Of Security and Independence
There can be no Independece without Security. That should well be the Republican creed. As regular as metamusal any time a Cowardly Elephant is confronted with the loss of freedoms in the name of Holy Security the retort comes.
The false dichotomy sickens. You can just see the pasty little twerps spouting the well rehearsed line. They deliver... then cross their spindly arms and give that don't-I-sound-clever smirk. The same one used by Michelle Malkin, and everyone else who says something they read but never actually thought about.
How about we examine it?
When Franklin spoke about those who would trade one for the other, he was talking about those unwilling to provide for themselves.
Anywhere something exists, there is a provider. Security is no different. It can be provided by a third party, a family, or the state. It can come in many forms from many institutions. It can also be provided by the individual himself.
Whoever provides the security is the master. Who ever is protected, is the slave. In feudal times Lords provided protection for their serfs. We are no different today.
The only one who is free is the one who provides security for himself. Those who seek security from the government are shackling themselves, and for them I have nothing but contempt.
Whenver you sede power to an authority, you depend on that authority to protect you. You therefore become a slave. The Bible calls the debtor a slave to the lender. This is similar, but much more drastic.
I don't want state sponsored security. I just want to be left alone. I can protect myself. I do protect myself. I am less conserned about some mad muslim dynobomber than I am of the boogie man... so before you knock on my door and tell me how scary the terrorists are... bend over and grab your ankles... I want to make sure my boot's got a clear shot.
You support the Partiot Act? Then you're a loathsome little coward, unfit for responsible free society. Move to France.
Oh... and yeah... it's good to be back.
There can be no Independece without Security. That should well be the Republican creed. As regular as metamusal any time a Cowardly Elephant is confronted with the loss of freedoms in the name of Holy Security the retort comes.
The false dichotomy sickens. You can just see the pasty little twerps spouting the well rehearsed line. They deliver... then cross their spindly arms and give that don't-I-sound-clever smirk. The same one used by Michelle Malkin, and everyone else who says something they read but never actually thought about.
How about we examine it?
When Franklin spoke about those who would trade one for the other, he was talking about those unwilling to provide for themselves.
Anywhere something exists, there is a provider. Security is no different. It can be provided by a third party, a family, or the state. It can come in many forms from many institutions. It can also be provided by the individual himself.
Whoever provides the security is the master. Who ever is protected, is the slave. In feudal times Lords provided protection for their serfs. We are no different today.
The only one who is free is the one who provides security for himself. Those who seek security from the government are shackling themselves, and for them I have nothing but contempt.
Whenver you sede power to an authority, you depend on that authority to protect you. You therefore become a slave. The Bible calls the debtor a slave to the lender. This is similar, but much more drastic.
I don't want state sponsored security. I just want to be left alone. I can protect myself. I do protect myself. I am less conserned about some mad muslim dynobomber than I am of the boogie man... so before you knock on my door and tell me how scary the terrorists are... bend over and grab your ankles... I want to make sure my boot's got a clear shot.
You support the Partiot Act? Then you're a loathsome little coward, unfit for responsible free society. Move to France.
Oh... and yeah... it's good to be back.
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
The Unspoken Message
Ford has a new commercial out for thier Mustang... this metrosexual american is standing on an obviously german dock signing papers to accept delivery of his car. He had it shipped to Germany.
The dock worker says, "You could not find car you liked in Germany?"
"No. I couldn't find a speed limit I liked in America."
That stung a little.
Ford has a new commercial out for thier Mustang... this metrosexual american is standing on an obviously german dock signing papers to accept delivery of his car. He had it shipped to Germany.
The dock worker says, "You could not find car you liked in Germany?"
"No. I couldn't find a speed limit I liked in America."
That stung a little.
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