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Tuesday 30 May 2017
News and commentary round up"You don’t fight for your country, you fight for your government".
--The Golden Pinnacle, by Robert Gore
From News.au: US Navy orders third nuclear-powered aircraft carrier into North Korean waters
From NBC News: Sec. John Kelly: Intelligence Leaks Are ‘Darn Close To Treason’ [Ed: I've been hearing this sentiment more and more from top Trump people. I think prosecution of leakers and, perhaps, of media involved in leaks is imminent.] And a related item from The Intercept: Donald Trump’s War on Journalism Has Begun. But Journalists Are Not His Main Target. [Ed: a must read.]
From Zero Hedge: Euro Slides After Greece Hints At Default [Ed: that will boost the US dollar.]
From Bloomberg: Inside Obama’s Secret Outreach to Russia [Ed: not to mention his backdoor channel to Iran.]
From PBS: Do you live in a bubble? A quiz by libertarian Charles Murray [Ed: the higher your score, the thinner your bubble.]
From Ars Technica: Is “I forget” a valid defense when court orders demand a smartphone password? [Ed: people who have dodged a judge's decryption order have gone to jail in the past.]
From the Los Angeles Times: To keep crops from rotting in the field, farmers say they need Trump to let in more temporary workers [Ed: if he doesn't let in temporary workers, then expect the price of items like strawberries and leaf lettuce to soar.]
From the Mises Wire: We Don't Need to Create Jobs — We Need to Create Value [Ed: nice way to phrase it.]
From Leak of Nations: Why Does the Afghanistan Quagmire Never End? [Ed: a worthwhile read.]
From FEE: Charity for the Homeless Refuses Federal Aid, Gets Hundreds Back on Their Feet
From Watts Up With That?: This is the way the climate scare ends; not with a bang, but a whimper [Ed: long but excellent.]
From Computer World: Get ready for the coming business travel crisis [Ed: "Airport rules for laptops and smartphones will change fast, exposing company data. Denial is not a strategy."]
From Target Liberty: The One Thing the “Intelligence” Community Leak About Kushner Does Tell Us About Team Trump [Ed: the Kushner meeting with Russians for a backdoor channel is supposed to have taken place in early December. This indicates that there was no backdoor channel during the election campaign.]
From Breitbart: Pope Francis Shocks Workers With Pro-Capitalism Pitch [Ed: no, not from the Onion.]
From Salon: Wake up, liberals: There will be no 2018 “blue wave,” no Democratic majority and no impeachment [Ed: wake up and become a real opposition party rather than children throwing a collective temper tantrum.]
From Zero Hedge: Millions Of Americans Just Got An Artificial Boost To Their Credit Score [Ed: to boost the pool of eligible, credit-worthy mortgage and auto recipients.] And a related item from Economic Policy Journal: Credit Scores Hit Record High
--The Golden Pinnacle, by Robert Gore
From News.au: US Navy orders third nuclear-powered aircraft carrier into North Korean waters
From NBC News: Sec. John Kelly: Intelligence Leaks Are ‘Darn Close To Treason’ [Ed: I've been hearing this sentiment more and more from top Trump people. I think prosecution of leakers and, perhaps, of media involved in leaks is imminent.] And a related item from The Intercept: Donald Trump’s War on Journalism Has Begun. But Journalists Are Not His Main Target. [Ed: a must read.]
From Zero Hedge: Euro Slides After Greece Hints At Default [Ed: that will boost the US dollar.]
From Bloomberg: Inside Obama’s Secret Outreach to Russia [Ed: not to mention his backdoor channel to Iran.]
From PBS: Do you live in a bubble? A quiz by libertarian Charles Murray [Ed: the higher your score, the thinner your bubble.]
From Ars Technica: Is “I forget” a valid defense when court orders demand a smartphone password? [Ed: people who have dodged a judge's decryption order have gone to jail in the past.]
From the Los Angeles Times: To keep crops from rotting in the field, farmers say they need Trump to let in more temporary workers [Ed: if he doesn't let in temporary workers, then expect the price of items like strawberries and leaf lettuce to soar.]
From the Mises Wire: We Don't Need to Create Jobs — We Need to Create Value [Ed: nice way to phrase it.]
From Leak of Nations: Why Does the Afghanistan Quagmire Never End? [Ed: a worthwhile read.]
From FEE: Charity for the Homeless Refuses Federal Aid, Gets Hundreds Back on Their Feet
From Watts Up With That?: This is the way the climate scare ends; not with a bang, but a whimper [Ed: long but excellent.]
From Computer World: Get ready for the coming business travel crisis [Ed: "Airport rules for laptops and smartphones will change fast, exposing company data. Denial is not a strategy."]
From Target Liberty: The One Thing the “Intelligence” Community Leak About Kushner Does Tell Us About Team Trump [Ed: the Kushner meeting with Russians for a backdoor channel is supposed to have taken place in early December. This indicates that there was no backdoor channel during the election campaign.]
From Breitbart: Pope Francis Shocks Workers With Pro-Capitalism Pitch [Ed: no, not from the Onion.]
From Salon: Wake up, liberals: There will be no 2018 “blue wave,” no Democratic majority and no impeachment [Ed: wake up and become a real opposition party rather than children throwing a collective temper tantrum.]
From Zero Hedge: Millions Of Americans Just Got An Artificial Boost To Their Credit Score [Ed: to boost the pool of eligible, credit-worthy mortgage and auto recipients.] And a related item from Economic Policy Journal: Credit Scores Hit Record High
Rebooted movie franchises? Discussion on forumAn interesting discussion on movie franchise reboots is going on at the forum attached to this blog. [Click here.]
I just browsed the thread in response to an email from a good friend and forum member, gdp. He wrote, Curious about whether or not you think the following is an accurate thesis: The emergence of media-empire "Franchises" has reduced "Franchise" screenwriting to the formula of "Deconstruction plus Reimagining." (Premise occurred to me this A.M. when I was thinking about the J.J. Abrams "reboots" of _Star Trek_ and _Star Wars_, and also Mark Hamill's reaction to the script for _The Last Jedi_, which was "I pretty much fundamentally disagree with every choice you’ve made for this character," suggesting that the screenwriter may have done done some serious "reimagining" of Luke Skywalker.
I haven't paid much attention to the reboots of Star Trek and Star Wars because their quality seemed 'off' to me. But gdp puts his finger on another reason I've ignored them. They deconstruct and reimage iconic figures from my past, figures I enjoy by rewatching the 'classics' or through memory. The reboots tamper with that enjoyment. Nice insight...although I don't presume everyone reacts in the same manner as I do.
I just browsed the thread in response to an email from a good friend and forum member, gdp. He wrote, Curious about whether or not you think the following is an accurate thesis: The emergence of media-empire "Franchises" has reduced "Franchise" screenwriting to the formula of "Deconstruction plus Reimagining." (Premise occurred to me this A.M. when I was thinking about the J.J. Abrams "reboots" of _Star Trek_ and _Star Wars_, and also Mark Hamill's reaction to the script for _The Last Jedi_, which was "I pretty much fundamentally disagree with every choice you’ve made for this character," suggesting that the screenwriter may have done done some serious "reimagining" of Luke Skywalker.
I haven't paid much attention to the reboots of Star Trek and Star Wars because their quality seemed 'off' to me. But gdp puts his finger on another reason I've ignored them. They deconstruct and reimage iconic figures from my past, figures I enjoy by rewatching the 'classics' or through memory. The reboots tamper with that enjoyment. Nice insight...although I don't presume everyone reacts in the same manner as I do.
Baltasar Gracian's Aphorism #235: Know how to ask.Baltasar Gracian's Aphorism #235: Know how to ask.
With some nothing is easier: with others nothing is so difficult. Some men do not know how to refuse: with them no skill in asking is required. But with others, their first word at all times is "No"; with them great art is required. And with all you should seek the propitious moment. Surprise them when in a pleasant mood, when a repast of body or soul has just left them refreshed, or when their attention does not anticipate the plan of the applicant. The days of joy are the days of favour, for joy overflows from the inner man into the outward creation. It is no use applying when another has been refused, since the patron will have lost all reluctance to say "No." Nor is it a time of sorrow a wise time to ask. To oblige a person beforehand through a conferred favor is a sure way, unless he is a mean person of little self.
My interpretation: the aphorism is straight forward. I am struck by how the sentiments expressed sound antiquated, however. For example, the suggestion to ask a favor from someone when his "attention does not anticipate the plan of the applicant" seems manipulative to modern ears. And, in some sense, it is. But what is wrong with timing requests in such a manner as to increase the likelihood of a "yes." It is akin to asking for a raise at work in the wake of completing a big project on time and on budget.
Our society values spontaneity over restraint, bluntness/rudeness over tact, indulgence over self-restraint, "going for it" over planning... Arguments can be made for either side but I think the classical virtues win hands-down when it comes to constructing a successful life. And, as with every construction, it is brick by brick, board by board. One piece is knowing how to refuse; another is knowing how to ask. If you construct your character in a conscious manner, then you lay a firm foundation for 'freer' responses, like spontaneity. The situation is akin to an artist learning the mechanisms of perspective before drawing freehand.
With some nothing is easier: with others nothing is so difficult. Some men do not know how to refuse: with them no skill in asking is required. But with others, their first word at all times is "No"; with them great art is required. And with all you should seek the propitious moment. Surprise them when in a pleasant mood, when a repast of body or soul has just left them refreshed, or when their attention does not anticipate the plan of the applicant. The days of joy are the days of favour, for joy overflows from the inner man into the outward creation. It is no use applying when another has been refused, since the patron will have lost all reluctance to say "No." Nor is it a time of sorrow a wise time to ask. To oblige a person beforehand through a conferred favor is a sure way, unless he is a mean person of little self.
My interpretation: the aphorism is straight forward. I am struck by how the sentiments expressed sound antiquated, however. For example, the suggestion to ask a favor from someone when his "attention does not anticipate the plan of the applicant" seems manipulative to modern ears. And, in some sense, it is. But what is wrong with timing requests in such a manner as to increase the likelihood of a "yes." It is akin to asking for a raise at work in the wake of completing a big project on time and on budget.
Our society values spontaneity over restraint, bluntness/rudeness over tact, indulgence over self-restraint, "going for it" over planning... Arguments can be made for either side but I think the classical virtues win hands-down when it comes to constructing a successful life. And, as with every construction, it is brick by brick, board by board. One piece is knowing how to refuse; another is knowing how to ask. If you construct your character in a conscious manner, then you lay a firm foundation for 'freer' responses, like spontaneity. The situation is akin to an artist learning the mechanisms of perspective before drawing freehand.
Monday 29 May 2017
News and commentary round upFrom Reason: Your Handy Guide to Camping in Forbidden Places [Ed: stealth camping. Very useful.]
From Alternet: The Manchester Bombing is Blowback from the West’s Disastrous Interventions and Covert Proxy Wars And a related item from Buzzfeed: Corbyn Says The “War On Terror” Has Made Manchester-Style Attacks More Likely
From Zero Hedge: Camille Paglia: Democrats Are Colluding With The Media To Create Chaos [Ed: Paglia is dead on.]
From Information Clearing House: Syria’s Assad Just Explained How The U.S. Really Works [Ed: and how Trump works as well. One of the best explanations I've seen.]
From Reason: The New York Times' Hostility to Industry Gets Worse [Ed: good to see John Stossel back.]
From Axios: Scoop: Trump tells confidants U.S. will quit Paris climate deal [Ed: good analysis...but who is leaking info told to confidants?] And a related item from Axios: Hardliners turn on Gary Cohn over coal [Ed: Cohn is the President's top economic advisor and he pretty much dumped on coal.] And from the Independent: Angela Merkel says Germany can no longer rely on Donald Trump's America
From the Guardian: Air rage: why does flying make us so angry? Science says it’s about class [Ed: very interesting.]
From SF Gate: Activists concerned by new laws protecting cops [Ed: They impose even tougher penalties, extend them to more offenses, including certain nonviolent ones such as trespassing in Missouri, and broaden the list of victims covered to include off-duty officers, police relatives and some civilians at law enforcement agencies.]
From TechDirt: DOJ Officials Express An Interest In Prosecuting Leakers And Whistleblowers [Ed: this was inevitable.]
From Zero Hedge: Kushner Role In White House Suddenly Unclear; May "Return To Private Life" [Ed: a must read.]
From Christian Science Monitor: North Carolina racial gerrymandering ruling may create strong precedents for similar cases. The ruling found that two re-drawn congressional districts in the state relied on race rather than political makeup. [Ed: Soros is giving mega-bucks to finance such challenges.]
From Harper's: Security Breach [Ed: highly recommended.]
From Defeat Climate Alarmism: Richard Lindzen on the Origin and Nature of the Alleged Scientific Consensus [Ed: interesting essay from 2016 on the claim that all scientists agree on climate change.]
From zdnet: UK authorities push for "direct access" to internet providers' systems. Wants to install black box-type devices on telecoms networks for unfettered access to UK metadata, which one rights group says will "become central to the new surveillance regime."
From the Moon of Alabama: The Real Foreign Policy Scandal Is Its Sabotage By Trump Enemies [Ed: nope. The real scandal is not sabotaging a politician. It is that this is personal vendetta by people whose foreign policies are no better than Trump's]
From the Web Comic Factory: War: a Love Story [Ed: an anti-war short comic book]
From Zero Hedge: Millennials Choose To Spend Money On Travel, Dining, And Fitness Than Save For Retirement: Survey [Ed: fascinating analysis.]
From Common Dreams: Democrats – Lemmings in Search of a Cliff: Why You Shouldn’t Bet the Ranch on 2018
From Alternet: The Manchester Bombing is Blowback from the West’s Disastrous Interventions and Covert Proxy Wars And a related item from Buzzfeed: Corbyn Says The “War On Terror” Has Made Manchester-Style Attacks More Likely
From Zero Hedge: Camille Paglia: Democrats Are Colluding With The Media To Create Chaos [Ed: Paglia is dead on.]
From Information Clearing House: Syria’s Assad Just Explained How The U.S. Really Works [Ed: and how Trump works as well. One of the best explanations I've seen.]
From Reason: The New York Times' Hostility to Industry Gets Worse [Ed: good to see John Stossel back.]
From Axios: Scoop: Trump tells confidants U.S. will quit Paris climate deal [Ed: good analysis...but who is leaking info told to confidants?] And a related item from Axios: Hardliners turn on Gary Cohn over coal [Ed: Cohn is the President's top economic advisor and he pretty much dumped on coal.] And from the Independent: Angela Merkel says Germany can no longer rely on Donald Trump's America
From the Guardian: Air rage: why does flying make us so angry? Science says it’s about class [Ed: very interesting.]
From SF Gate: Activists concerned by new laws protecting cops [Ed: They impose even tougher penalties, extend them to more offenses, including certain nonviolent ones such as trespassing in Missouri, and broaden the list of victims covered to include off-duty officers, police relatives and some civilians at law enforcement agencies.]
From TechDirt: DOJ Officials Express An Interest In Prosecuting Leakers And Whistleblowers [Ed: this was inevitable.]
From Zero Hedge: Kushner Role In White House Suddenly Unclear; May "Return To Private Life" [Ed: a must read.]
From Christian Science Monitor: North Carolina racial gerrymandering ruling may create strong precedents for similar cases. The ruling found that two re-drawn congressional districts in the state relied on race rather than political makeup. [Ed: Soros is giving mega-bucks to finance such challenges.]
From Harper's: Security Breach [Ed: highly recommended.]
From Defeat Climate Alarmism: Richard Lindzen on the Origin and Nature of the Alleged Scientific Consensus [Ed: interesting essay from 2016 on the claim that all scientists agree on climate change.]
From zdnet: UK authorities push for "direct access" to internet providers' systems. Wants to install black box-type devices on telecoms networks for unfettered access to UK metadata, which one rights group says will "become central to the new surveillance regime."
From the Moon of Alabama: The Real Foreign Policy Scandal Is Its Sabotage By Trump Enemies [Ed: nope. The real scandal is not sabotaging a politician. It is that this is personal vendetta by people whose foreign policies are no better than Trump's]
From the Web Comic Factory: War: a Love Story [Ed: an anti-war short comic book]
From Zero Hedge: Millennials Choose To Spend Money On Travel, Dining, And Fitness Than Save For Retirement: Survey [Ed: fascinating analysis.]
From Common Dreams: Democrats – Lemmings in Search of a Cliff: Why You Shouldn’t Bet the Ranch on 2018
Hide in plain sight
I cannot tell you how often I step on our dog Ringo. He is a black dog in a black hallway when I stumble to the bathroom in the middle of the night with my eyes half-open. He never ceases to howl in protest. But that doesn't keep him from sleeping in the doorway to the bedroom.
Sunday 28 May 2017
News and commentary round upFrom Bored Panda: Tired Of Being Asked To Work For Free, This Artist Started Drawing These Client Requests [Ed: the one that says "you should do it for the love it, not for money" resonates most with me. I've heard it often enough.]
From Bad Cop, No Donut via YouTube: Don't Talk to Cops, Part 1 - (Part 2 in Comments) [Ed: important information.]
From Target Liberty: Through the Looking Glass:Jared Kushner, the Russians and the Leaks [Ed: recommended.] And a related item from Zero Hedge: Believing The Russian "Hacking" Claim [Ed: a voice of reason on this story.]
From Zero Hedge: Visualizing The Expanding Universe Of Cryptocurrencies [Ed: recommended.]
From Washington Free Beacon: New $80M anti-Trump network spearheaded by Soros-funded group. Ex-ACORN employees to push back against voter laws leading up to 2018, 2020 elections
From Business Insider: In Britain, Police Arrest Twitter And Facebook Users If They Make Anti-Muslim Statements
From the Economist: The “I’ve paid in all my life” fallacy. Social benefits are often sold as insurance-based schemes. But they don’t work that way
From Spiked: After Manchester: it’s time for anger [Ed: hat tip to Brad who comments, Wow, Brendan O'Neill is pissed]
From Watts Up With That?: Trump White House Chief Economic Advisor Declares War on Coal [Ed: for Brad with whom I discussed this yesterday over morning coffee.]
From ABC News: US Doesn't Back Paris Climate Agreement at G7 Summit. Trump tweets that he'll make a decision next week. [Ed: I suspect he will either stick by his campaign promise or offer a very watered down version of what Obama tried to institute.]
From Fandom: Metaphors of Life. The Hidden Lessons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. [Ed: hat tip to gdp who comments, Hi, Wendy --- Thought you might enjoy this article:]
From UPI: Chipotle Customers: Examine Your Credit Card Statements. Chain says hackers breached system in March and April
From Refugee Resettlement Watch: Trump State Department opens the flood gates, refugee admissions will explode in coming weeks [Ed: I am not sure this is a reversal. He never spoke against legal immigration, as I remember.]
From Reason: Long Strange Trip: The Grateful Dead’s Radical Anti-Authoritarian Streak. Director Amir Bar-Lev discusses his new 4-hour documentary on Jerry Garcia, the band, and their relationship with fans.
From the Federalist: 13 More Major Fake News Stories In Just Five Months Of Trump’s Presidency
From Bad Cop, No Donut via YouTube: Don't Talk to Cops, Part 1 - (Part 2 in Comments) [Ed: important information.]
From Target Liberty: Through the Looking Glass:Jared Kushner, the Russians and the Leaks [Ed: recommended.] And a related item from Zero Hedge: Believing The Russian "Hacking" Claim [Ed: a voice of reason on this story.]
From Zero Hedge: Visualizing The Expanding Universe Of Cryptocurrencies [Ed: recommended.]
From Washington Free Beacon: New $80M anti-Trump network spearheaded by Soros-funded group. Ex-ACORN employees to push back against voter laws leading up to 2018, 2020 elections
From Business Insider: In Britain, Police Arrest Twitter And Facebook Users If They Make Anti-Muslim Statements
From the Economist: The “I’ve paid in all my life” fallacy. Social benefits are often sold as insurance-based schemes. But they don’t work that way
From Spiked: After Manchester: it’s time for anger [Ed: hat tip to Brad who comments, Wow, Brendan O'Neill is pissed]
From Watts Up With That?: Trump White House Chief Economic Advisor Declares War on Coal [Ed: for Brad with whom I discussed this yesterday over morning coffee.]
From ABC News: US Doesn't Back Paris Climate Agreement at G7 Summit. Trump tweets that he'll make a decision next week. [Ed: I suspect he will either stick by his campaign promise or offer a very watered down version of what Obama tried to institute.]
From Fandom: Metaphors of Life. The Hidden Lessons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. [Ed: hat tip to gdp who comments, Hi, Wendy --- Thought you might enjoy this article:]
From UPI: Chipotle Customers: Examine Your Credit Card Statements. Chain says hackers breached system in March and April
From Refugee Resettlement Watch: Trump State Department opens the flood gates, refugee admissions will explode in coming weeks [Ed: I am not sure this is a reversal. He never spoke against legal immigration, as I remember.]
From Reason: Long Strange Trip: The Grateful Dead’s Radical Anti-Authoritarian Streak. Director Amir Bar-Lev discusses his new 4-hour documentary on Jerry Garcia, the band, and their relationship with fans.
From the Federalist: 13 More Major Fake News Stories In Just Five Months Of Trump’s Presidency
Saturday 27 May 2017
What is happiness?Originally posted to Facebook:
I have not discussed what I call "my journey" on FB altho I have mentioned it on my blog and it motivates my analysis of Gracian's aphorisms. I intend the second 1/2 of my life to be substantially different from the first. Or as different as it can be without changing the fundamentals: my husband, my farm, and writing. Most everything else is under scrutiny.
The uncertainty and circus of the world seems to be prompting many others to soul search as well. A friend just sent me an email that opened, "You wrote something at one point about fighting for freedom not being much good if one was not enjoying one's life. I often think of how accurate you are about this. However I am clueless as to how to implement it for myself. I have not found much enjoyment in life for about 30 years." Part of my answer may be useful to others.
My friend is referring to an essay on Henry David Thoreau in which I dwelt upon his commitment to "the business of living," as he phrased it. I thought then and think now that I have allowed politics (or the state) to define too much of who I am when I should look to 'the business of living" instead. By always reacting to the state, I take it inside of me when I should be trying to cast it off...or at least minimize it in my life. If I were the sort of person who enjoys anger, who finds pleasure in the adrenaline flow of rage, then my analysis might be different. But I'm not that person. And I am not blind to contradiction of "hating the state" (As Murray Rothbard would say) while maximizing its presence in my life through constantly writing about it, thinking about it. There is one book I must write or I will be disappointed in myself. Otherwise, I think I will focus my writing more on "the business of living" as fully as I know how with the ultimate goal being "happiness." In grassroots terminology, I want to implement freedom and help others to do so.
I've thought a great deal about the question "What is happiness?" and I know there is not a definitive answer -- only subjective ones. To me, happiness is composed of four elements: an interest in and engagement with life, decent health for me and for those I love, enough money to live modestly, and satisfying work. (Arguably, this last item is a subcategory of the first.) I don't care if I have to handle problems or work hard or even if I have setbacks because those are part of being human.
People often make themselves miserable by defining happiness unrealistically. For example, they crave grand results such as making a huge fortune or they locate happiness in being admired by other people, which is out of their control. As much as possible, I want to control my own peace of mind and, fortunately, I have achievable goals...tho a clean house doesn't seem to be among them.
And, now, I am off to ask my friend for his definition of happiness.
I have not discussed what I call "my journey" on FB altho I have mentioned it on my blog and it motivates my analysis of Gracian's aphorisms. I intend the second 1/2 of my life to be substantially different from the first. Or as different as it can be without changing the fundamentals: my husband, my farm, and writing. Most everything else is under scrutiny.
The uncertainty and circus of the world seems to be prompting many others to soul search as well. A friend just sent me an email that opened, "You wrote something at one point about fighting for freedom not being much good if one was not enjoying one's life. I often think of how accurate you are about this. However I am clueless as to how to implement it for myself. I have not found much enjoyment in life for about 30 years." Part of my answer may be useful to others.
My friend is referring to an essay on Henry David Thoreau in which I dwelt upon his commitment to "the business of living," as he phrased it. I thought then and think now that I have allowed politics (or the state) to define too much of who I am when I should look to 'the business of living" instead. By always reacting to the state, I take it inside of me when I should be trying to cast it off...or at least minimize it in my life. If I were the sort of person who enjoys anger, who finds pleasure in the adrenaline flow of rage, then my analysis might be different. But I'm not that person. And I am not blind to contradiction of "hating the state" (As Murray Rothbard would say) while maximizing its presence in my life through constantly writing about it, thinking about it. There is one book I must write or I will be disappointed in myself. Otherwise, I think I will focus my writing more on "the business of living" as fully as I know how with the ultimate goal being "happiness." In grassroots terminology, I want to implement freedom and help others to do so.
I've thought a great deal about the question "What is happiness?" and I know there is not a definitive answer -- only subjective ones. To me, happiness is composed of four elements: an interest in and engagement with life, decent health for me and for those I love, enough money to live modestly, and satisfying work. (Arguably, this last item is a subcategory of the first.) I don't care if I have to handle problems or work hard or even if I have setbacks because those are part of being human.
People often make themselves miserable by defining happiness unrealistically. For example, they crave grand results such as making a huge fortune or they locate happiness in being admired by other people, which is out of their control. As much as possible, I want to control my own peace of mind and, fortunately, I have achievable goals...tho a clean house doesn't seem to be among them.
And, now, I am off to ask my friend for his definition of happiness.
News and commentary round upFrom the Washington Post: Russian ambassador told Moscow that Kushner wanted secret communications channel with Kremlin [Ed: wake me up when they name sources.] And a related story from Zero Hedge: WaPo Reports Kushner Sought "Secret" Back-Channel With Moscow, Admits It's Normal Practice And from Target Liberty: Dershowitz Slams Kushner Probe [Ed: I became disillusioned with Dershowitz when he defended torture but he is back on track as a civil libertarian.]
From Activist Post: Airline Begins Testing Augmented Reality Smart Glasses To Read Travelers’ Emotions [Ed: do not fly except as necessary.]
From Watts Up With That?: Crazy litigious climate : “citizens have a constitutional right to a stable climate system”
From the Free Thought Project: Cops Now ‘Protecting’ You by Hiding in Buses and Robbing You for Not Wearing a Seat Belt
From Zero Hedge: On Gold, Dollars, & Bitcoin
From the Daily Caller: Hillary Clinton Incorrectly Says Nixon Was Impeached [VIDEO and text] [Ed: Nixon wasn't impeached but her husband, Bill, was.]
From Claremont: The Cold Civil War [Ed: unfortunately pro-Lincoln but very interesting.]
From Politico: May rebukes Trump over intelligence leaks [Ed: this may be the beginning of prosecutions for leaks. BTW, the leak was of intelligence on the Manchester bombing that the UK shared with the US] And a related story from Bloomberg: The U.S. Intelligence Ship Is Too Leaky To Sail. The U.S. services have lost credibility by becoming the leakiest in the world.
From the BBC: Ancestry.com denies exploiting users' DNA. Agreement grants company 'perpetual' license to use customers genetic info. [Ed: rumors have circulated for a long time about the sale of genetic material by such companies, including to govs.]
From Zero Hedge: OANN Releases Report On Seth Rich Murder, Raises Questions About Chinese Corruption [Ed: wish I knew what to think about the Seth Rich 'conspiracy'.]
From Counterpunch: US-Led Air Strikes Killed Record Number of Civilians in Syria [Ed: the media needs to do its job and stop talking obsessively about Trump minutia and quirks. Civilians are being slaughtered.]
From City Watch: CalPERS: Is It Melting Down? [Ed: the article is unfortunately sympathetic to CalPERS but contains interesting info.]
From Target Activist: Infowars Claim: News Bigger Than Watergate Coming Tuesday [Ed: take this with a lump of salt...but it does indicate that libertarian groups were spied upon by the NSA. Worth checking out on Tuesday but I'm not optimistic.]
From Bloomberg: Toronto Homeowners Are Suddenly in a Rush to Sell [Ed: we are seeing the ripple out effects where we live. The amazing thing is how quickly the market chilled.]
From Activist Post: Airline Begins Testing Augmented Reality Smart Glasses To Read Travelers’ Emotions [Ed: do not fly except as necessary.]
From Watts Up With That?: Crazy litigious climate : “citizens have a constitutional right to a stable climate system”
From the Free Thought Project: Cops Now ‘Protecting’ You by Hiding in Buses and Robbing You for Not Wearing a Seat Belt
From Zero Hedge: On Gold, Dollars, & Bitcoin
From the Daily Caller: Hillary Clinton Incorrectly Says Nixon Was Impeached [VIDEO and text] [Ed: Nixon wasn't impeached but her husband, Bill, was.]
From Claremont: The Cold Civil War [Ed: unfortunately pro-Lincoln but very interesting.]
From Politico: May rebukes Trump over intelligence leaks [Ed: this may be the beginning of prosecutions for leaks. BTW, the leak was of intelligence on the Manchester bombing that the UK shared with the US] And a related story from Bloomberg: The U.S. Intelligence Ship Is Too Leaky To Sail. The U.S. services have lost credibility by becoming the leakiest in the world.
From the BBC: Ancestry.com denies exploiting users' DNA. Agreement grants company 'perpetual' license to use customers genetic info. [Ed: rumors have circulated for a long time about the sale of genetic material by such companies, including to govs.]
From Zero Hedge: OANN Releases Report On Seth Rich Murder, Raises Questions About Chinese Corruption [Ed: wish I knew what to think about the Seth Rich 'conspiracy'.]
From Counterpunch: US-Led Air Strikes Killed Record Number of Civilians in Syria [Ed: the media needs to do its job and stop talking obsessively about Trump minutia and quirks. Civilians are being slaughtered.]
From City Watch: CalPERS: Is It Melting Down? [Ed: the article is unfortunately sympathetic to CalPERS but contains interesting info.]
From Target Activist: Infowars Claim: News Bigger Than Watergate Coming Tuesday [Ed: take this with a lump of salt...but it does indicate that libertarian groups were spied upon by the NSA. Worth checking out on Tuesday but I'm not optimistic.]
From Bloomberg: Toronto Homeowners Are Suddenly in a Rush to Sell [Ed: we are seeing the ripple out effects where we live. The amazing thing is how quickly the market chilled.]
Friday 26 May 2017
News and commentary round upFrom Fabius Maximus: Terrorism fears, terrorism hysteria, terrorism facts. [Ed: A must read}
From Liberty Blitzkreig: America Has Become a Total Joke [Ed: "a reckless Banana Republic has been a long time coming."]
From McClatchy: Trump has done what Obama didn’t: Scare NATO into closer tracking of defense spending
From Leak of Nations: A New Financial System Is Being Born [Ed: cryptocurrencies have done more for freedom that any amount of politics.]
From Ars Technica: Feds probing psychiatric hospitals for locking in patients to boost profits
From Reason: California’s Single-Payer Health Care Plan Would Cost More Than the State’s Whole Budget
From ABC News: New TSA procedures target electronics, food [Ed: "new screening procedures that require travelers to remove electronics bigger than cellphones and some food items from their bags and place them in bins to be screened separately."]
From Target Liberty: Philosophy Professor Arrested as Berkeley Antifa Bike Lock Attacker [Ed: three victims were struck in the head or neck with a bike lock]
From Zero Hedge: FBI Refuses To Hand Over “Comey Memos” To Congress
From the Economic Policy Journal: A Response to an Intellectually Abused College Student [Ed: I disagree with most of this advice but Walter Block is entertaining.]
From the Libertarian Institute: The Real Danger from Trump Is Ignored [Ed: his meddling in the Middle East]
From Reddit bitcoin: How OpenTimestamps ‘Carbon Dated’ (almost) The Entire Internet With One Bitcoin Transaction
From Rutherford Institute: The Republic Has Fallen: The Deep State’s Plot to Take Over America Has Succeeded [Ed: the republic has gone but I am not sure the deep state has won.]
From the Activist Post: List Of Seven Troubles Assailing The US Economy As We Head Into Summer [Ed: a must read.]
From Zero Hedge: Twitter Suspends WND For Seth Rich Story [Ed: I don't know what to make of the Seth King controversy. Some of circumstances surrounding his death are strange.]
From the Mises Wire: Another Member of Mises Cuba is Now Missing [Ed: suspected kidnapping by state security.]
From Liberty Blitzkreig: America Has Become a Total Joke [Ed: "a reckless Banana Republic has been a long time coming."]
From McClatchy: Trump has done what Obama didn’t: Scare NATO into closer tracking of defense spending
From Leak of Nations: A New Financial System Is Being Born [Ed: cryptocurrencies have done more for freedom that any amount of politics.]
From Ars Technica: Feds probing psychiatric hospitals for locking in patients to boost profits
From Reason: California’s Single-Payer Health Care Plan Would Cost More Than the State’s Whole Budget
From ABC News: New TSA procedures target electronics, food [Ed: "new screening procedures that require travelers to remove electronics bigger than cellphones and some food items from their bags and place them in bins to be screened separately."]
From Target Liberty: Philosophy Professor Arrested as Berkeley Antifa Bike Lock Attacker [Ed: three victims were struck in the head or neck with a bike lock]
From Zero Hedge: FBI Refuses To Hand Over “Comey Memos” To Congress
From the Economic Policy Journal: A Response to an Intellectually Abused College Student [Ed: I disagree with most of this advice but Walter Block is entertaining.]
From the Libertarian Institute: The Real Danger from Trump Is Ignored [Ed: his meddling in the Middle East]
From Reddit bitcoin: How OpenTimestamps ‘Carbon Dated’ (almost) The Entire Internet With One Bitcoin Transaction
From Rutherford Institute: The Republic Has Fallen: The Deep State’s Plot to Take Over America Has Succeeded [Ed: the republic has gone but I am not sure the deep state has won.]
From the Activist Post: List Of Seven Troubles Assailing The US Economy As We Head Into Summer [Ed: a must read.]
From Zero Hedge: Twitter Suspends WND For Seth Rich Story [Ed: I don't know what to make of the Seth King controversy. Some of circumstances surrounding his death are strange.]
From the Mises Wire: Another Member of Mises Cuba is Now Missing [Ed: suspected kidnapping by state security.]
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