Living In The Big Lie With A Loser

The house of delusions is cheap to build, but draughty to live in.
––     A. E. Housman
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On This Day In:
2021	An Obligation To Condemn Is Not An Obligation To Ban
	Caught In The Rain
2020	Me Too
2019	#45: Whitewalkers Tremble, Treason Is Forever
2018	Light Or Darkness
2017	Doubtful Education
2016	Absolute
2015	Still The Best Teacher
2014	Inside The Soul
2013	A Toe In The River
2012	Believe It Or Not
2011	The Road To Recovery (And More Myths)

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Republican Ambling

Science is … a way of skeptically interrogating the universe with a fine understanding of human fallibility.  If we are not able to ask skeptical questions, to interrogate those who tell us that something is true, to be skeptical of those in authority, then we’re up for grabs for the next charlatan, political or religious, who comes ambling along.
—    Carl Sagan
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On This Day In:
2021	I’d Argue Wealth, Then Income
	Knock Him Off His Feet
2020	Steppin’…
2019	Every Vote Counts
2018	Or A President
2017	Pleasures
2016	Why Not?
2015	Je Suis Charlie
2014	To The Nines
2013	Higher And Truer
2012	Life’s Last Question
2011	A Single Heartbeat
	A Little Male Humor – WHY MEN SHOULDN’T RETIRE

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Our Common Humanity

Black people, like all racial groups, are knowledgeable and ignorant, law-abiding and lawbreaking, secure and insecure, hardworking and lazy.  The racial groups are equals, and what makes the racial groups equals is our common humanity;  and our common humanity is imperfect and complex.
…
Mobs have amassed in front of our Capitol and told us we are stealing their country, and told us to go back to our “sh-thole” countries, which caused us to lean in and create more unapologetically.  When the violence and intimidation did not work, the discrediting began, saying we hated white people since we didn’t worship white people;  saying we hated America because we didn’t worship America as exceptional.  Because in racist minds Black people either worship white people or hate white people.  In racist minds, white people can’t just be people like we are.  Black people can’t just be ourselves, like they are.
—    Ibram X.  Kendi
From the essay / article:  “The Renaissance Is Black“
Appearing in:  Time Magazine;  dtd:  15 / 22 Feb. 2021
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On This Day In:
2020	At The Very Least Smile More
	Your Touch
2019	Still Working On Both
2018	Two Jordans To Heaven
	Speaking Of #45
2017	All Greek To Me
2016	Judgment
2015	I Love Bacon, Too
2014	The Wee Bit
2013	Reading Rules
2012	Cadet Prayer
2011	Easy To Tell
2010	A NEW Lion In The Senate (Channeling Mr. Smith)
	Inception Redux
	A Quick Hit Of Stats

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Too Bad Politics And Greed Get In The Way

There is no other species on the Earth that does science.  It is, so far, entirely a human invention, evolved by natural selection in the cerebral cortex for one simple reason:  it works.  It is not perfect.  It can be misused.  It is only a tool.  But it is by far the best tool we have, self-correcting, ongoing, applicable to everything.  It has two rules.  First:  there are no sacred truths;  all assumptions must be critically examined;  arguments from authority are worthless.  Second:  whatever is inconsistent with the facts must be discarded or revised.  We must understand the Cosmos as it is and not confuse how it is with how we wish it to be.
—    Carl Sagan
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On This Day In:
2020	Precarious Fools
	A Shining City Upon A Hill
2019	How #45’s Father Raised Him For Incompetence
2018	Describing #45 – “The Loser” – As A Successful Businessman
	Raking – #PresidentIdiot Proposes Full Employment For California
2017	Federal Deficit, National Debt And Tax Cuts For The 1%
2016	Picky, Picky, Picky
2015	Another Limitation On Religion
2014	Enduring
2013	Tell Me More…
2012	Passing…
2011	Fake It ‘Til You Make It

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Are We Talking About Health Insurance / Oil Companies, Facebook Or Faux News?

We can imagine a modern-day Virgil leading us through the various circles of corporate misconduct.  Perhaps the first circle is for greed and populated by overpaid executives, the second circle contains the polluters, the next for lobbyists for special tax breaks and another for those involved in regulatory demolition.
At the ninth circle, we find the most egregious forms of corporate misconduct — companies who provide misleading or fraudulent information about their own products.  Such behavior is a risk to the public that the company is uniquely positioned to understand.  It is worse than simple thievery because those who are most knowledgeable use their knowledge to mislead their customers.
When Dante wrote Inferno, he described the ninth circle of hell as the deepest one, where treachery resides and where hosts betray their guests:
By effect of his malicious thoughts,
Trusting in him I was made prisoner,
And after put to death.
(Inferno, Canto XXXIII)
So it is with companies in the ninth circle.  We are indeed prisoners when we unwittingly trust malicious companies who invite us as guests into their showrooms.  These firms know about their dangerous products, withhold that knowledge, subvert science to advance their narrow commercial interests and put their guests to death.
—     William Nordhaus
From his article: “The Ninth Circle Of Corporate Irresponsibility“
Sub-titled: “Reassessing The Impact Businesses Have On The Planet“
Appearing in:  Time Magazine;  Dtd:  26 April 2021
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On This Day In:
2020	Resting
	A New Day Just Means We Continue The Struggle (With A Smile)
2019	One For Two
	Why Trump Insults Pelosi and Schiff
2018	The Worst
2017	#DonTheCon In The Oval Office
2016	Are You Like #AmnestyDon And Sarah Palin?
2015	Begin Today
2014	Look Again (At Life’s Illusions)
2013	None Knows
2012	Yet
2011	No End In Sight
2010	Back At It…

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The Only Winning Move

President Biden is still being criticized for completing the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan.  Here are some quotes and then some of my own passing thoughts about the last twenty years of neo-conservative hawkish foreign “action”…    —    KMAB
You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of discussion.
—     Plato
What is absurd and monstrous about war is that men who have no personal quarrel should be trained to murder one another in cold blood.
—     Aldous Huxley
One is left with the horrible feeling now that war settles nothing;  that to win a war is as disastrous as to lose one.
—     Agatha Christie
Joshua / WOPR:  Greetings, Professor Falken.
Stephen Falken:  Hello, Joshua.
Joshua / WOPR:  A strange game.  The only winning move is not to play.  How about a nice game of chess?
—    A conversation between (Joshua) an A.I. system “programmed” to fight a thermonuclear war and its inventor (Falken).  The lines are from the movie:  “War Games“.
Invading Afghanistan was NOT a mistake.  The correct action should have concluded shortly after capturing / killing Bin Laden at Tora Bora, or not.  Either way, we should have withdrawn from Afghanistan within ninety days and told the the Taliban: “We don’t want to occupy or change your country, but you can be darn sure if you harbor terrorist again, we’ll be back.”  Iraq was a war of choice by the Bush / Cheney Administration.  They took advantage of the fear generated by “9/11” and manufactured reasons to invade there (Iraq).  I’m NOT saying either Saddam or the Taliban were “good” for their respective countries.  I am saying we had no business invading one and and trying to “nation build” in the other.  Both countries have a right to self-rule, no matter how poor we may view their choices.  The correct “moves” were “not to play” (in Iraq) and not to stay (in Afghanistan).  Nothing was settled in either country and it was (not) done at a tremendous cost to our military and their families.    —    KMAB
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On This Day In:
2020	I’m Guessing It’s Real
	For One More Day
2019	Like Smartphones And FOMO?
	Getting Ready For Halloween
2018	Nothing To Build On
2017	This One Is…
2016	Happy Is…
2015	Dare Yourself To
2014	Damned If You Do…
2013	On A Rainy Sunday
2012	Not Sure Anymore
2011	But What Does It Cost?
2009	Another Day, Another Diet…

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Better To Lie, Get Rich And Destroy Your Country

The truer something is, the more penalized you are for articulating it.
—     Tucker Carlson
Quoted by:  Charlotte Alter
In her article:  “The Most Powerful Conservative In America“
Appearing in:  Time Magazine;  dtd:  2-9 August 2021
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On This Day In:
2020	You Remind Me Of Someone
	When I Grow Up I Want To…
2019	Running History, But I Don’t Expect Many To Match It…
	It’s Probably Easier When You Live Alone
2018	25 Days Until The November Election
	Old And Young
2017	Universal Soul Sounds
2016	Not Rivals
2015	Dead Sure
2014	Are You Educated?
2013	For Myself
2012	And When I’m Gone…
2011	Complete Conviction

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The Real World Effect Of Fox News’ Lies

Wood that grows warped can never be straightened.
—    Greek Proverb
[I predict when the history of this period is better understood, the poisoning of American conservatism will be laid at the hands of Faux News (specifically:  Rupert Murdoch and Roger Ailes) and (former Speaker of the House) Newt Gingrich.  The years of constant lies (Gingrich) and the promotion of these lies (Murdoch and Ailes) are what have led this country to our current state of affairs where a majority of “red” states believe they should secede from the Union and a majority of “blue” states seem willing to let them.    —    KMAB]
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On This Day In:
2020	#45: White House Turnover
	R.I.P.: Eddie Van Halen
	Gee Whiz
2019	Two Peace
2018	The Sensation Of Human Intimacy
2017	One Night In A Thousand Years
2016	A Considerable Amount Of Work
2015	Panzer Soldier
2014	Babies (I)
2013	Patriotic == Tell The Truth
2012	30 Days To Go
2011	Altering The Course

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Climate Change Deniers

Every spirit makes its house, and we can give a shrewd guess from the house to the inhabitant.
—    Ralph Waldo Emerson
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On This Day In:
2020	Nothing New Here
	Talk To Me
	Register And Vote
2019	Love And Leave
2018	Smiling If Not Laughing
2017	Chilled And Smooth
2016	But Sometimes You Have To Stand In Front
2015	The Key Shift
2014	Remember ISIS / ISIL?
2013	What Have You Done Lately?
2012	B8
2011	I’m Definitely Not In Control

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An Impossible Situation

If you just lose your income that is one thing, because you can adapt.  You find another job or another field.  But once you lose everything — your home, your school, your clinic, your road, your church — then it’s an impossible situation.  You become an environmental migrant because you have to find those facilities in some other place.
—     Elizabeth Meyerhoff
Up until now, the focus has been on stopping people from migrating in the first place.  Now the focus needs to be on how to make them an asset rather than a burden for the places they are going.
—     Alex Randall
Of the U.K.-based Climate and Migration Coalition
Both quotes are from:  Aryn Baker and Kampi Ya Samaki
In their article:  “Deep Waters“
Sub-titled:  “Flooding in Kenya is turning thousands of residents into climate migrants. Can cities cope with the influx?“
Appearing in:  Time Magazine; Dtd:  26 April 2021
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On This Day In:
2020	#45 Never Shuts Up
	Walkin’ In The Rain With The One I Love
2019	Silly Pooh Bear
	Dominoes Or Jenga?
2018	Very Few
2017	Or The Candidate Who…
2016	The Happiest People
2015	Jumping Into The Dark
2014	I Would Be Sillier
2013	It Keeps Happening Anyway
2012	Take Time
2011	A Mother’s Lesson
2010	3rd Pair – Shoe Review (DOA and Final)

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Dedicated To: Messrs. Rubio And Pompeo

Waist Deep In The Big Muddy
Favorite Line(s):
Well, I’m not going to point any moral
I’ll leave that for yourself
Maybe you’re still walking, you’re still talking
You’d like to keep your health
But every time I read the papers
Them old feeling come on
We’re waist deep in the Big Muddy
The big fool says to push on
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On This Day In:
2020	What It Takes
	Every Sign Was A Northern Star
2019	Stuff Happens
	Whistleblower Complaint Regarding President Trump And Ukraine
2018	Looking Into Golf
	Goin’ Yard
2017	Improvise
2016	Got Leisure?
2015	It’s Been Hurtin’ For Quite A While Now
2014	Curious Talent
2013	Eureka
2012	Slow Me
2011	He Said What?!?
2010	Gritty
	3 and 3
	Just A Hunch
	Wall Street – Movie Review
	2nd Pair – Shoe Review (Aborted and Final)

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Buying Time In A Fixed Game

Many who oppose climate policy would undoubtedly take issue with the notion that climate should be addressed in all elements of our economy and society.  For years, that rejection was rooted in a denial of climate science.  But in recent years, as public understanding of climate change has grown, that position has become increasingly untenable, and opponents of climate action have offered their own vision of climatization.  In a 2019 op-ed, Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, for example, acknowledged that flooding would increase in the state and cited predictions that the “30-year mortgage will die out” in some parts of Florida because of climate risks.  He proposed adapting, to “buy time.”  That same year, then U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo celebrated new trade routes that would open in the normally frozen sea as a result of climate change.  “This is America’s moment to stand up as an Arctic nation,” he said, describing the region as “an arena of global power and competition.”  In these visions, climate change is taken for granted — and we are all left to play a game of survival of the fittest.
—    Justin Worland
From his article:  “Force Of Nature“
Sub-titled:  “The Pandemic Remade Every Corner of Society.  Now It’s the Climate’s Turn“
Appearing in: Time Magazine;  Dtd:  15 April 2021
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On This Day In:
2020	What It Takes
	Every Sign Was A Northern Star
2019	Stuff Happens
	Whistleblower Complaint Regarding President Trump And Ukraine
2018	Looking Into Golf
	Goin’ Yard
2017	Improvise
2016	Got Leisure?
2015	It’s Been Hurtin’ For Quite A While Now
2014	Curious Talent
2013	Eureka
2012	Slow Me
2011	He Said What?!?
2010	Gritty
	3 and 3
	Just A Hunch
	Wall Street – Movie Review
	2nd Pair – Shoe Review (Aborted and Final)

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MAGA Choice: Reality Or Lies

Like the choice between competing political institutions, that between competing paradigms proves to be a choice between incompatible modes of community life.  Because it has that character, the choice is not and cannot be determined merely by the evaluative procedures characteristic of normal science, for these depend in part upon a particular paradigm, and the paradigm is at issue.  When paradigms enter, as they must, into a debate about paradigm choice, their role is necessarily circular.  Each group uses its own paradigm to argue in that paradigm’s defense.
—     Thomas S. Kuhn
From his book:   “The Structure of Scientific Revolutions“
[Unfortunately for Democracy, Trumpers STILL choose lies…    —    KMAB]
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On This Day In:
2020	A Good Reason To Blog
	Finally Enjoying The View
2019	Living Free
2018	Relative Imagination
2017	Thank You, Senator McCain (So Far Anyway)
2016	What About Friends?
2015	It Tastes Good To Me
2014	Others’ Footsteps
	The Not-So-Modern Samurai
2013	Doin’
2012	A Lover
2011	What Have We Found Here
	Words

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Vote NO In The California Recall

You see, sleep or no sleep, hunger or no hunger, tired or not tired, you can always do a thing when you know it must be done.
—     George Bernard Shaw
[If you are of voting age, live in California, and have not already voted by mail, get to your local polling location and vote NO on the California Recall.    —    KMAB]
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On This Day In:
2020	The Importance You Can Have
	Slow Dancin’
	Trump Reaffirms His Administration Is The Cause Of West Coast Wildfires
2019	A Lifestyle
	Day 16: Cheat Day
2018	The Children Are Our Future
2017	And Three
2016	Nine Parts Mystery
2015	Little Or No Common Ground
2014	Just Between Me
2013	Beyond The Strings
2012	Saving The Union
2011	Still And Too Often

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No Recall

Above is the image of my proof of vote for our upcoming election (on 14 September 2021), in the attempt to recall the Democratic Governor of California (Gavin Newsom).  My mail-in ballot has been received and counted.  I voted NO.
History has shown us a few rich Republicans can subvert the will of the Democratic majority in California by spending a few million dollars to fund a recall signature petition.  Republicans know they can’t win a statewide election during normal voting cycles because Democrats can gear up to inform the populace and then get out the vote.  To get around this, Republicans fund recalls during off-cycle years knowing far fewer voters participate in these “spot” elections.  And traditionally, the Democrats fail to vote in much larger numbers than Republicans.  So, their minority becomes a majority based on poor turnout.
The unfortunate thing is that should the Republicans succeed, they will have a good chance to also flip the U.S. Senate if an “elderly” Dianne Feinstein is unable to complete her term.  So, a two-fer for a little pocket change (to them)…
Stop this blatant attempt to “buy” the governorship of California.  Vote NO on the recall!!
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On This Day In:
2020	Give Me A Minute To Think About That…
	November 3rd Is Coming!
	An Eye For An Eye
2019	Is #45 Warning Alabama Again?
	Day 11: 49ers Win
2018	Worry (x2)
2017	Still Working
	Gold In The Morning Sun
2016	Power Inside
2015	Sometimes I Feel Small
2014	It Slipped Away
2013	Corollary
2012	Working Retired
2011	The Web Is Not Authoritative! (Really?)

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