Get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and help redeem the soul of America. | |
― Rep. John R. Lewis | |
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On This Day In: | |
2022 | A Little More Each Day |
Zappa-ed!! | |
2021 | Every Time It Gets Better |
Distant! | |
2020 | I’m Persuaded |
2019 | Hungry For Trust |
2018 | Mutual Assistance |
2017 | The Toughest Job |
2016 | Congratulations!! |
Better Yet, Read! | |
2015 | Even If It Kills Us Slowly |
2014 | Fun To Play God |
Of Anything | |
2013 | Legal (Almost) |
2012 | Great Scots! |
2011 | The GI Bill – A Simple History Lesson |
Breaking Even | |
Archive for the ‘Politics’ Category
Into Redemption
Posted in Philosophy, Politics, Quotes, tagged Good Trouble, Philosophy, Politics, Quotes, Rep. John Robert Lewis on May 21, 2023| Leave a Comment »
Or Failure (See: #45, For Example)
Posted in Philosophy, Politics, Quotes, tagged #45 - The Loser, Confidence, Failure, Ignorance, Life, Mark Twain, Needs, Philosophy, Politics, Success on April 3, 2023| Leave a Comment »
All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence, and then success is sure. | |
— Mark Twain | |
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On This Day In: | |
2022 | Guitar Music |
Yesterday | |
2021 | Maybe Faith Is Based On Hope |
I Want To See You Smile | |
2020 | Thank You (To Those Who Serve) |
Hanging In There | |
2019 | Her Job, Too |
2018 | Just Another Song I Like |
Earlier Still | |
2017 | Ten To Go |
2016 | Unstable Emergence |
2015 | 88 |
2014 | Some One-Liners Are Too Easy |
2013 | Greatness |
2012 | Memories Of Arlington |
2011 | Wake Up |
Inviting Dispute
Posted in Philosophy, Politics, Quotes, tagged American Politics, Disputes, Dissatisfaction, Free Speech, Ideas, Philosophy, Preconceptions, Prejudices, Quotes, Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas, Terminiello v. Chicago 337 U.S. 1, Unrest on February 21, 2023| Leave a Comment »
A function of free speech under our system of government is to invite dispute. It may indeed best serve its high purpose when it invites a condition of unrest, creates dissatisfaction with conditions as they are, or even stirs people to anger. Speech is often provocative and challenging. It may strike at prejudices and preconceptions and have profound unsettling effects as it passes for acceptance of an idea. | |
— William O. Douglas | |
From: Terminiello v. Chicago, 337 U.S. 1 | |
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On This Day In: | |
2022 | Beautiful Curves |
2021 | Life Is… |
Thank You Guardians (OTG)* | |
2020 | Why #DonTheCon Hates, Belittles And Fires Honest Government Employees |
2019 | What Do You Want? |
2018 | Wakanda Forever |
I’d Be Happy With Another Score (Or So) | |
2017 | In Defense Of A Free Press |
2016 | Lost Opportunity |
2015 | Are You Listening Ladies? |
2014 | Practice, Practice, Practice |
2013 | A Fist Full Of Confusion |
2012 | Teaching Faith |
2011 | The Heart Of Terror |
The Proportion Of Gravity And Probability | |
I Try To Be Deserving
Posted in Philosophy, Politics, Quotes, tagged Democracy, Deserving, George Bernard Shaw, Philosophy, Politics, Quotes on February 15, 2023| 2 Comments »
Democracy is a device that ensures we shall be governed no better than we deserve. | |
— George Bernard Shaw | |
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On This Day In: | |
2022 | A Reminder Of Pride And Responsibility |
2021 | And Last Minute Blog Posts |
This Boy Just Ain’t Right | |
2020 | Pat, Pat, Pant, Pant |
2019 | You (Too) Are Related |
A Blind Squirrel Finds An Idiot | |
2018 | My Hope |
2017 | We All Lose |
2016 | Wants |
2015 | Let Us Join |
2014 | Feeling Kept? |
Chillin’ | |
2013 | The Lucky Few |
2012 | A Post-Valentine’s Day Message |
2011 | Risk, Lyrics, Starting Over, And My Trip To The ER |
Lucky Choice | |
Restructuring Persistent Futility
Posted in Philosophy, Politics, Quotes, tagged American Politics, Dissent, Futility, Philosophy, Protests, Quotes, Society, Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas, Violence on January 24, 2023| Leave a Comment »
The truth is that a vast restructuring of our society is needed if remedies are to become available to the average person. Without that restructuring the good will that holds society together will be slowly dissipated… It is that sense of futility which permeates the present series of protests and dissents. Where there is a persistent sense of futility, there is violence; and that is where we are today. | |
— William O. Douglas | |
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On This Day In: | |
2022 | By Any Other Name (Or Description) |
2021 | Democracy, Pandemic, Economy And Climate Change |
Heaven Is… | |
2020 | Hoping For #46 In January 2021 |
2019 | Interesting, But Not Fascinating |
But Try To Eat The Low-Hanging First | |
2018 | Me, Too |
2017 | Apt Enough? |
2016 | Now Or Ever |
21, Pause, Restart | |
2015 | I Am Shocked, Sir, Shocked… |
Lucy & FSND-2 | |
2014 | Less Difficult |
2013 | The Spirit Of Liberty |
2012 | The Essential Freedom Of Aloneness |
2011 | A Problem Of Scale |
Fred Doesn’t Live Here Anymore | |
2010 | Another Book, Another Jog… |
The Dissent We Witness
Posted in History, Philosophy, Politics, Quotes, tagged Computers, History, Humanity, Mankind, Philosophy, Politics, Quotes, Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas, Wealth And Poverty on January 21, 2023| Leave a Comment »
Man is about to be an automaton; he is identifiable only in the computer. As a person of worth and creativity, as a being with an infinite potential, he retreats and battles the forces that make him inhuman. The dissent we witness is a reaffirmation of faith in man; it is protest against living under rules and prejudices and attitudes that produce the extremes of wealth and poverty and that make us dedicated to the destruction of people through arms, bombs, and gases, and that prepare us to think alike and be submissive objects for the regime of the computer. | |
— William O. Douglas | |
Associate Justice, U.S. Supreme Court | |
[Resistance / dissent is – probably – already futile… — kmab] | |
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On This Day In: | |
2022 | End The Filibuster |
2021 | Be Creative, Question Assumptions |
By No Means | |
2020 | I’ll Eat To That (Gemütlichkeit) |
To The Front | |
2019 | #ContinueToResist |
Except Willful Ignorance And Prideful Stupidity | |
2018 | More Executive Time For #DumbDonald |
2017 | Watched The Inauguration |
Two Geniuses | |
2016 | Come Dance And Laugh With Me |
2015 | Looks Good To Me |
2014 | Desire For The Sea |
2013 | The Fierce Urgency Of NOW |
Happy Inauguration Day! | |
2012 | One Path |
Sorrow And Joy | |
The Seven Year View | |
2011 | Emergent Practicality |
The Darkness Of 6 January 2021
Posted in Philosophy, Politics, Quotes, tagged 6 January 2021, Civilization, Former President Donald Trump, Nightfall, Oppression, Philosophy, Politics, Quotes, Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas, The Bill of Rights, The Constitution, The Jungle, Twilight on January 6, 2023| 1 Comment »
The Constitution and the Bill of Rights we designed to get the government off the backs of the people — all the people. Those great documents guarantee to us all the rights to personal and spiritual self-fulfillment. But that guarantee is not self-executing. As nightfall does not come all at once, neither does oppression. In both instances, there is a twilight when everything remains seemingly unchanged. And it is in such a twilight that we all must be most aware of the change in the air — however slight — lest we become unwitting victims of the darkness. | |
— William O. Douglas | |
[Thinking back to the riot at the Capitol Building and the attempted coup by disgraced / former President Trump and his followers, I am reminded that “civilization” (like our liberties) is in a constant struggle with the “jungle” and the jungle never gives up in its struggle to reclaim whatever has been lost. It is up to each American to support / promote our democracy and Constitutional Republic. Trump remains an announced candidate for 2024. The darkness remains at the edge of democracy. — kmab] | |
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On This Day In: | |
2022 | Defeated: So Far (Anyway) |
2021 | Elections Have Consequences |
It’s Cold Way Down There | |
2020 | Fearless Security |
2019 | I Prefer A Neat Single Malt |
2018 | Seeking Finer Fruits |
2017 | Something That Is Absolute |
2016 | Animate And Encourage |
Out Of Time | |
2015 | In Time |
2014 | Robust Interconnectivity |
2013 | What Have We Here? |
2012 | Tributaries And Eddies |
An Honest Politician | |
2011 | Penultimate |
No Implication Of Reasonableness
Posted in Philosophy, Politics, Quotes, Science and Learning, tagged American Politics, Carl Sagan, Human Nature, Philosophy, Pseudo-Science, Quotes, Science and Learning, Scientists on December 30, 2022| Leave a Comment »
Very few scientists actually plunge into the murky waters of testing or challenging borderline or pseudo-scientific beliefs. The chance of finding out something really interesting — except about human nature — seems small, and the amount of time required seems large. I believe that scientists should spend more time in discussing these issues, but the fact that a given contention lacks vigorous scientific opposition in no way implies that scientists think it is reasonable. | |
— Carl Sagan | |
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On This Day In: | |
2021 | Let Yourself Soar In 2022 |
Where You’re Concerned | |
2020 | The Most Dynamic Link |
Looking Forward To 2021 | |
2019 | A Proud Assertion |
2018 | Ask #45 About Anything |
2017 | Playing Makes Sense |
2016 | And Fathers, Sons |
2015 | My Suspect Confidence |
2014 | Disguised Blessings |
2013 | Be |
2012 | The Only Way to Win |
2011 | Honest Writing |
Says The Rich
Posted in Economics, Philosophy, Politics, Quotes, tagged Economics, Philosophy, Politics, Quotes, Republicans, Swimming, Taxation, Tides, Warren Buffett on December 19, 2022| Leave a Comment »
Only when the tide goes out do you discover who’s been swimming naked. | |
— Warren Buffett | |
[For most of the last 60 years, all we’ve heard from the Republicans is: “Lower taxes on the rich and require everyone to work for their social safety net “benefits” and America will be a “better” place.” How’s that worked out for the middle and working class American? — kmab] | |
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On This Day In: | |
2021 | Most Likely Beast |
Memories To Last A Lifetime | |
2020 | Meet Unexpected Success |
Sweet Love | |
2019 | Curing With Salt |
2018 | A Politician With Skills |
And / Or A Genuine Smile | |
2017 | A Lone, Brave Voice… |
2016 | Job Security |
2015 | For I Have Always Lived Violently |
2014 | We Stand !! (I Stand With George) |
Additional Requirements | |
2013 | In The Present Day |
2012 | Feeling It |
2011 | Stretching Science |
Honesty In Business
Posted in Philosophy, Politics, Quotes, tagged Business, Frank Zappa, Honesty, Philosophy, Politics, Quotes, The Big Lie, The Real Frank Zappa Book, Unions on November 23, 2022| Leave a Comment »
I realize that a lot of people feel that speaking out against unions is almost: ‘Un-American.’ I remind them: not all of America is unionized — in fact, the vast majority of Americans are not — and glad about it. | |
Some people fear that if the unions were to vanish, the labor situation would return to the way it was in the beginning, with child labor and sweatshops. I agree with them. Large employers do tend toward unscrupulous behavior when nobody is looking over their shoulder. | |
So, what the bottom line here? I would like to see more honesty in business — at both ends of the table. Honesty in U.S. business appears to be at its lowest ebb in history. | |
There are a number of reasons for that. When political leaders do not demonstrate honesty, when people lie constantly in the media — everybody gets used to “The Big Lie” as a way of life. At that point, honesty becomes a quaintly outmoded concept — nobody wants to be honest anymore, because if they are, they might finish last. | |
I would say that today, dishonesty is the rule, and honesty the exception. It could be, statistically, that more people are honest than dishonest, but the few that really control things are not honest, and that tips the balance. | |
— Frank Zappa | |
From his book: “The Real Frank Zappa Book“ | |
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On This Day In: | |
2021 | Momentary Offering |
Happy Noise | |
2020 | No Crumbs |
Too Many Detectives On This Case | |
A New Day Is Coming | |
2019 | Or In This Case – What’s Wrong |
2018 | Just Passing Through |
2017 | True Torture |
Happy Thanksgiving – 2017 !! | |
2016 | Overtaken |
2015 | Alone Praying |
2014 | A Full Man |
2013 | Off Defending The Universe |
Taking Precautions | |
2012 | Never, Never, Never |
2011 | Testing 1, 2, 3 |
MAGA’s And The Big Lie About The 2020 Election
Posted in Philosophy, Politics, Quotes, tagged 2020 Presidential Election, Beliefs, Francis Bacon, MAGAs, Philosophy, Politics, Quotes, The Big Lie, Truth on November 15, 2022| Leave a Comment »
For what a man would like to be true, that he more readily believes. | |
— Francis Bacon | |
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On This Day In: | |
2021 | These Days Rather Loosely Held |
Harvest Time | |
2020 | Why I’m Happy |
The Wind In My Face | |
2019 | I Think Impeachment Is Another Test #45 Has Already Failed |
2018 | Second Chances – Rice, Now Trees |
And Then You Have To Start Training Again | |
2017 | Small Hands, Small Grasp |
2016 | Two Murrow’s |
Election + 1 Week | |
2015 | Not Mine, Anyway |
2015 | South By South East |
2013 | Don’tcha |
2012 | I Hear A Distant Thunder |
2011 | A Poison Tree |
Voting / Election Day, America!
Posted in Philosophy, Politics, Quotes, tagged 2022 Mid-Term Elections, Arthur Wellesley Wellington, Election 2022, Philosophy, Politics, Quotes, Today's Business, Voting on November 8, 2022| 2 Comments »
My rule is always to do the business of the day in the day. | |
— Arthur Wellesley Wellington | |
[If you haven’t already voted early, please vote today. The Democracy you save, may be ours! — kmab] | |
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On This Day In: | |
2021 | Closer To Understanding |
On My Knees | |
2020 | Profit From Ongoing Disintegration |
I’m A Dreamer | |
2019 | Even When We Have A Criminal / Dangerous / Incompetent President |
2018 | But It Keeps Trying |
Blue Wave, But Not Blue Tsunami | |
2017 | The Promise At Risk |
2016 | Or As Will Come In Time |
2015 | It Is Another Beautiful Day At The Red Pony Bar And Continual Soiree… |
2014 | Days And Years |
2013 | Currency And Transport |
2012 | Something Which Did Not Exist Before |
2011 | True Magic |