Maggie's FarmWe are a commune of inquiring, skeptical, politically centrist, capitalist, anglophile, traditionalist New England Yankee humans, humanoids, and animals with many interests beyond and above politics. Each of us has had a high-school education (or GED), but all had ADD so didn't pay attention very well, especially the dogs. Each one of us does "try my best to be just like I am," and none of us enjoys working for others, including for Maggie, from whom we receive neither a nickel nor a dime. Freedom from nags, cranks, government, do-gooders, control-freaks and idiots is all that we ask for. |
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Monday, October 18. 2010Monday morning linksA good line: Fiorina Says Boxer 'Too Extreme' for California Too bad it isn't true. Why sex in space is a bad idea Why don't Asians count as racial or ethnic minorities? I always wonder whether people from Spain count as Hispanics. Also, do Moslems count as minorities? Also, as 1/16th American Indian, am I a minority? (If so, gimme the $ and the freebies.) The people are scared, explains Obama: Our psycho-babbler-in-chief The only thing we have to fear is loss of our job itself. And more Dem job-destroying and economy-stifling insanity. Top 400 Charities See Billions Less in Donations Debicella now a dead heat in CT-4. It's time for New England to elect at least one Repub congresscritter. Rasmussen: McMahon Closes Gap on Blumenthal Linda Chavez: Obama has no clue about entrepreneurship Well, he has done a heck of a job getting government to grow Surber: No, we are not afraid Screaming "Allah Akbar" before you open fire is the confusing part Washington Reb: Growing Up Conservative Leftoid violence does not exist. NRO: Some Context on the Wilders Case Related: Wilders Is Right: Europe Needs a First Amendment Perino asks Why is Maureen Dowd so angry? Everybody knows the real reason in her case. However, Leftoids to tend to be angry people in general. A Wellfleet beachThe bay entry to the Wellfleet Audubon's large salt marsh on an incoming tide, in September.
Sunday, October 17. 2010Most amusing Sean Bielat ad: "Kiss me once and kiss me twice..."Some rich guy's floorAs I live and learn, I no longer view Roman civilization as "ancient." Old, but not ancient. Those folks were a lot like us, and lived a lot like us. Roman floor mosaics and wall paintings were the usual fashionable decor of the time, and typical for the homes of the prosperous. Naturally, the floor mosaics are better preserved than wall mosaics or wall paintings. In 2009 we were fortunate to make our way to the Bardo Museum in Tunis to see the world's largest collection of Roman mosaics. They have so many, you even walk on them to get from one display room to another. This was decor, mind you - not fine art. The Lod mosaics are a recent find, very-well preserved. They are now displayed in NYC.
Here's the story of the Lod mosaics.
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Voters are hungry for change - againWe are a fickle nation, are we not? Buyer's remorse. We bought a pig in a poke, and now people are wising up. Well, every generation needs to get conned by a few pols before they understand the game. That's why nobody under 40 should be allowed to vote unless they are in the Armed Services. Poll: Many Obama 2008 supporters defecting to GOP Vodkaman: Handicapping the House — Weekend Brief "Disparate impact" and other educational nonsenseDestroying Schools to Achieve Racial Justice. Weissberg begins:
Winter in New England #4: Wood and Pellet StovesThis series is re-posted from last year - A friend did the research on this topic for me, because we were both looking for something good, and we have tons of wood and hate paying our heating bills (I have oil heat and propane stoves). My friend concluded that Harman makes the best products in that area: furnaces, fireplace inserts, free-standing, etc. I like the idea of something that works for wood, pellets, or coal. The "green" aspect has no importance to me, but I do like to have flames to look at to warm my spirit. To warm a house and for cooking, there's still nothing better that a wood-burning cook stove to turn a house into a home. Here's a modern version that the Amish make:
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Conclusions of Six-Week Reporter Embed With Marines in AfghanistanSan Diego Union-Tribune reporter Gretel Kovach has been reporting for the past six-weeks on her embed with the US Marines in Afghanistan. Today, she writes her summary of what she has observed and learned, 'Time. It will take some time'. It is straight-forward reporting, and as good a comprehensive insight as you'll find in major media. Very well-worth reading. Hoyt AxtonAny Hoyt Axton fans at Maggie's? (He died in 1999.) He wrote Joy to the World, Greenback Dollar, etc. His Mom wrote Heartbreak Hotel. Bio here. Sunday morning linksMerkel says German multicultural society has failed Desmond Tutu: Obama’s Other Anti-Semitic Guru Murdoch: The goal is to make Israel a pariah David Warren: End our 'multiuniversities' Gelinas wonders whether TARP was good or bad, effective or ineffective Tides Foundation CEO To Fox News Advertisers: Drop Glenn Beck Or Have Blood On Your Hands A great example of an elitist viewpoint, with takedown by Dino Betsy: Teachers putting themselves ahead of their students Ahmadinejad’s Deadly Triumph in Lebanon Driscoll: All the Way with LBJ! Union Bosses Are Funneling Millions to Democrats to Keep Money Flowing To Them
From today's Lectionary2 Timothy 3:14-4:5
Saturday, October 16. 2010Bird of the Week: White Throated SparrowMaybe our most common winter sparrow in the NE, the White Throated spends most of his time on the ground and in low shrubs looking for berries, seeds and hibernating bugs. Likes bird-feeders. He'll be coming down from the breeding grounds in Canada around now, and will give us a chance to hear his familiar pleasant songs (the link has songs). Winter in New England, #3: Jump StartersPart 1 was Lamp and Lantern Season Winter in central New England entails jump-starters, oil lamps and lanterns, snow-blowers, snow plows, flashlights, snow shovels, plenty of firewood, hats and long-johns, and good gloves and boots of all sorts. Global cooling will be here soon. Oh, and 4WD for the sissies and the city-folk for whom a little snow and ice are daunting - and for your plow truck. Gas generators? We country folk don't go in for those. I keep one of these charged up in the garage, and it came in handy when one of the tractors, rarely used this summer, had both a dead battery and squishy front tires Saturday. I had been using the Ford all summer, and figured I ought to get the Farmall moving a little to prevent Tractor Arthritis. What was my chore? Heading up into the woods with the wagon to clear our cross-country ski trails of fallen trees, and to accumulate some more firewood in the process. This cool thing solved both problems easily:
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The Kyoto FraudMead explains that all it does is to export pollution and jobs to places like China. From his essay:
Some Saturday morning linksBarone: The Democratic 'D' Now Stands for Demagoguery If we tried to start The Home Depot today, it's a stone cold certainty that it would never have gotten off the ground. Peter Wehner on the discontent in the White House The Texas Model: Texas created half the news jobs in the US last year. How? Government Regulation of the Economy Is the ‘Silent Killer’ Neither of these seems too swift to me, but Reid lost the debate to Angle Private Health Insurance Will Be Dead in 3 Years People aren't spending money Roger Simon: Is California Insane? A quote:
It's difficult for anybody to keep up with the most current correct views on homosexuality The French really do not like to work. It's much more fun to protest, meet chicks, drink wine, etc. Nanny Bloomberg and the truth about second-hand smoke. (It is harmless.) Mankiw: Barney Frank, Then and Now Iowahawk: Beltway Adventure. Wonderful.
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The Grand Inquisitor (instead of a Saturday verse, today)From The Brothers Karamazov (1879). The chapter is one of the most famous passages in literature, and it's time we re-linked it. Here's the Wiki summary. Here's the whole brief, but jam-packed, chapter. Here's one quote of the Inquisitor's monologue to the returned and imprisoned Jesus Christ:
Photo is Dostoevsky in 1879.
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Got wood?Our wonderful, invigorating cold weather is finally upon us, despite the warming alarums. I got my wood. It's a start, at least. That's about two cords, and I'll need another two to get to Spring. I am not good for much, but I can split wood pretty good.
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Friday, October 15. 2010AmazingFrom Dick Morris:
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The food stamp cultureAt American Thinker, America's Food Stamp Culture. One quote:
and
True. Furthermore, poverty is by no means the worst thing in life - especially when it is by choice. For one example, the hippie goat farmer down my road. For another, the fourth-generation dairy farmer down our road who still puts his cattle out on grass. Trust me - these skinny folks do not take food stamps even though they could qualify.
Feed me, SeymourA gallery of carnivorous plants. h/t, NRO - of all places. Northeast Grouse huntingHere is a re-posted sample of a few decent places to stay for your New England grouse hunting, ranging from the simple to the quite comfortable (some have fishing too): and in the Adirondacks, The Hungry Trout These are just some of the places we've been to or heard about first-hand. Here's a good source for Maine outfitters. Photo: A cabin at Bosebuck, where the only heat is your wood stove and your dog, the bunks are lumpy, the Canada Jays steal the dog kibbles of a slow eater, and where the locals cruise the dirt roads and shoot the partidges along the road from their pick-ups, while the sports in their expensive attire bust the brush with their dogs. Grouse huntin' ain't shopping. It's a rare occasion when I've limited out at 4 birds in an 8-hour, leg-testing day in the woods and marsh edges (think 8 hours of singles tennis in mud, bogs, raspberry brambles and cage-like alder thickets). It's a work-out. At some point, you start wondering how long it is to cocktail hour. The Woodcock keep it interesting and varied. It's a 20 ga. sport, or even 28 ga. Hunting grouse is wonderfully difficult, challenging, and frustrating - but you get to spend time in the wild woods with dogs and pals and guns, smoking at will and accumulating precious memories to re-live in your old age. I bought my house for $24,000From Sipp, or Greg Sullivan, or whatever his current alias is. A quote:
Read the whole thing. It's America today. Also, if you happen to be a Down-easter, read the Meteor. It's your only reliable source of info...assuming you can get contact with the intertubes up there.
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Some Good News From IsraelLast night, Professor Barry Rubin, Director of the Global Research in International Affairs (GLORIA) Center in Israel, and editor of the Middle East Review of International Affairs (MERIA) Journal, author of over 50 books, was the guest of the San Diego Israel Coalition (SDIC). The SDIC, with about 600 Jewish and Christian members, near packed the large auditorium in La Jolla, and heard good news from Israel. This may have come as a surprise to many, accustomed to the gloomier commentary in the US from supporters and adversaries of Israel. According to Barry Rubin’s view from Israel, Israel is in the strongest situation in decades. It is the West and Arab states that are in the weakest. Continue reading "Some Good News From Israel" Two points of view
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Friday morning linksHow worrisome is habitat loss? I find it highly worrisome. There are many ways for free-market Conservatives to be Conservationists. I am just one example. There are tons of us tree-hugger and turtle-lover Cons out there. Boot: Shift in momentum in Afghanistan Tea Partiers love killing miners? The guy has fallen off the reality cliff. News flash: First Lady eats burger and fries Krauthammer on "appearances":
Weight of Taxation Is Heavier Than Most KnowKKK Kleagle and a Man Who Allowed Woman to Die are Icons, Witchcraft BadJonah: Obama's Arrogance Starting to Get Noticed Feed the Indians, get votes.
I have a father. Do not need another one. But, Prof B, watch your "it's"es. Scott Brown endorses in MA Barone: They ignored us Am Thinker: Three Things Government Cannot Do:
Thursday, October 14. 2010An art, not a scienceFrom Ars Psychiatrica on Psychiatric practice:
I agree with everything in his post, and my colleagues agree that the DSM is pseudo-scientific and pseudo-medical, designed for insurance forms and research purposes.
Fact and Fiction at Brooklyn CollegeBrooklyn College English professor Moustafa Bayoumi’s books continue to be at the center of whether fact or fiction will prevail at Brooklyn College. This might even be viewed as indicative of the wider struggle within US academia over the influence of the Left and many of its adherents’ support of Islamist views. Last month, as an alumnus, I posted my disinheriting the college in protest against one of Prof. Bayoumi’s books being the required sole Common Reading for incoming students. Unexpectedly, this touched a wider nerve which led to all three major NYC newspapers and many prominent blogs (here and here are follow-ups) reporting on the issue and one of the major newspapers blasting the college’s selection in an editorial. The two books are Prof. Bayoumi’s required reading for entering students, the sole one, that Arab-Americans are excessively the brunt of discrimination, and his current book attacking the Israeli actions regarding the Mavi Marmara blockade-running attempt to deliver supplies to Gaza. We have one of the college’s most Distinguished professors, Broeklundian Professor Robert Cherry of the Economics department, self-professed man of the Left, expert in discrimination against minorities in labor markets, revealing the false statistics at the core of Prof. Bayoumi’s continual arguments that Arab-Americans are disproportionately discriminated against. We have the administration of the college continuing to act without transparency as to how Prof. Bayoumi’s book came to be selected for all incoming students to read, in the absence of other books or views, and failing to publicly address how that process may be improved in the future. Perhaps, Prof. Cherry’s talk next Tuesday at the college’s Hillel, of which I have the draft text (below the fold), will spur more procedural openness and caution against ideological recklessness. Meanwhile, we have the Managing Editor of the campus newspaper, who in 2005 blessed (“Amen”) 9/11 Trutherism, writing a paean to Prof. Bayoumi’s collection of essays criticizing what the book titles the Israel “attack on the Gaza Freedom Flotilla” ship Mavi Marmara. Perhaps, students or faculty at the college may be spurred to pay attention to the news coverage, including from sources usually critical of Israel, to the contrary. Both perhaps are to be hoped for, but not to be counted upon unless there is more pressure from within the campus and its alumni. Continue reading "Fact and Fiction at Brooklyn College" The lyricsA few people asked me for the lyrics of "The Little Bell" which we posted a few days ago. I wanted them too. I know no Russian, but the song hardly needed English lyrics to be understood. Here's a Red Army Chorus rendition of this heart-wrenching tune, with English subtitles. This is Russian soul music, and Russians have soul if nothing else. The miracle of human voluntary cooperationh/t to SDA for reminding me of this old Milton Friedman talk Lesson of the Pencil. Basic economics. "Nobody knows how to make a pencil."
We need fewer jobsJerry Brown claims we need fewer jobs and more welfare. If jobs are bad, why is he trying to get a job as governor? Often, these days, reading the news threatens my sense of reality. Consensual reality just is not what it used to be.
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Pasta with Butternut Squash and SageBake a split Butternut Squash until cooked but with the meat firm - not mushy. Sautee some chopped onions with garlic, butter, and olive oil. Then toss in 1-2" cubes of the peeled squash, with salt and pepper, a teaspoon or two of sugar, and chopped sage, and sautee it all together for a little while, but don't let the squash cubes disintegrate. Add more butter and oil, and a little water, if it gets too dry. Some people like to add hunks of turkey sausage, and some like to add a splash of brandy. I think this sauce works best with a chunky pasta like Farfalle. As I remind people, always stir pasta with the sauce in the sautee pan before serving. That's why they make big sautee pans - to mix the sauce with the pasta. Sauce plopped on top is not the right way to do it. Top with a sprinkling of parmesan and some pignolis. Thurs. morning linksThe Englishman tries PB&J. Next time, he needs to try Skippy's with Welch's Grape Jelly on Wonder Bread. College for the Intellectually Disabled A book I just heard about: Going Broke by Degree: Why College Costs Too Much Estimated CO2 Warming Cut By 65%What a moderate looks like to the NYT Mankiw calls out Barney Frank Pajamas: Why Liu Xiaobo’s Nobel Peace Prize Matters GM still all messed up A suggestion that the NYT fire its Asian employees Pajamas again: The (Last) Running of the (Old) Bulls? Obama admits stimulus didn't work More on the Dem plan to take your retirement plans Driscoll: ‘Who are the real Islamophobes?’
"Everything You Know About the Last 100 Years is Wrong"October at the FarmWednesday, October 13. 2010Detroit, RIPVia Reason, this remarkable portrait of a dead American city. It's not easy to kill a city without bombs, but unions, numbskull business managements, and corrupt pols did it there. Their "light rail" will be the tombstone before the whole city is plowed over to grow wheat or corn or trees or something. Government did not build NYC's subways and trains. Businesses built those things to meet a profitable demand. Someday though, this absurdity in Detroit might be a tourist attraction - to ride a trolley through the vacant lots, wreckage, and abandoned buildings filled with feral dogs and cats.
Why I vote for the party, not the person, in national electionsMost of the time, anyway. I did vote for Lieberman running as an Independent, rightly or wrongly, because the Repub did not have a chance and I did not care for the Dem. For national elections, I vote Party most all the time. Why? Because when they get to Washington they cease to be individuals, and become captive of their party caucuses. That's the way it works. Whether smart or dumb, free-thinking or robots, they have to play the game if they want to get anywhere. The leaders call the plays. Thus, in the end, you are voting for a vote in Congress, not for a person. In primaries, I vote for the better candidate, but in national elections I vote Repub only because their caucus is more Conservative than any alternatives. Voting for "who you like better" is childishly naive and foolish in the extreme. Ed: Here's one example of why, today. I would further add that, while it may be narcissistically gratifying to be an Independent (it seems to sound good), the result is that, in most places, you cannot participate in selecting candidates to run. What's the point of giving up that power to others? They want your retirement accountIt's not paranoid on my part. The Dems really do. (h/t, Western Rifle Shooters) If they own your medical care and own your savings, they own you entirely. But what's in it for them? Apple Pie?I post enough recipes that I like, and that I like to make. It's your turn for the most American of foods. What are your favorite Apple Pie recipes? Got any tips? (I actually like Tarte Tatin better, but have trouble caramelizing the bottom - which becomes the top.) Our Maggie's Farm chef, in photo, will test each one of them. VDH on the world over the next 20 yearsI cannot recommend this video interview more highly. It's a real treat and worth your time, via Powerline. If I were Prez, I'd ask him to be my historical advisor. (Why don't presidents have Historical Advisors?) Money quote: "Decline is a choice." Weds. morning linksMcArdle: Americans like to be lied to. City Journal on two books about Tea Parties: Two new books show how alienated Americans have become from Washington. The CBC: Sorry, that's classified information Bielat responds to Barney Frank's query. h/t, Neoneo Morris: REPUBLICAN TREND GROWS The Dem search for bogeymen. The problem is, as Rush says, that their bogeymen are at least half of the population. Removing turtles from the environment - for the environment. People are insane. Furthermore, I know a bit about tortoises, and they do not transplant well. They just try to get back home, and die on the way. What Dems must do to avert disaster. Sounds like the answer is to become Repubs One more example of why the French are not respected. Barney Frank wants another chance to destroy the housing market More on Prof. Hal Lewis' resignation letter, at Watts. Barnes: Four Causes that Will Lead to a Democratic Election Nightmare Clinton Heckled in Blue New York, Says Half of Republicans Need Psychiatric Help. Stay dignified, Pres. Clinton David Horowitz is one of those rare people who change lives. I know, because he changed mine. Sarah is not the only Palinesque pol in the US 4 of 10 Former Supporters Have Bailed on Obama
Tuesday, October 12. 2010Night sweats of a small businessman
At Reb. That's America in 2010.
A Russian folk song"The Little Bell." Stunningly lovely. h/t, BL. Will you still need me?Ten Secrets to a healthy marriage. Good, basic advice, but with nothing about the importance of daily sexual bonding, regardless of age. Photo is Helen Mirren at 64. I fully intend to look at least that good for my own self-respect and out of love for my loving hubby. Dan and SeanAmong other national races I am keeping track of in my blue area of the country, I have been particularly interested in those of Dan Debicella in Fairfield Co., CT and Sean Bielat's vs. Barney Frank. Dan: Wharton, Harvard, McKinsey, entrepreneur, State Senate leader. Sean: Georgetown, Harvard, Wharton, Maj. USMC, McKinsey, entrepreneur. We are fortunate that such talented and experienced people are willing to serve us. What moves them, when politics is so often a harbor for losers? I found it interesting how their resumes overlapped. McKinsey is like a finishing school for the shiny resume, the energetic and the bright, isn't it? These guys grew up in the "working class" with no "privileges," and applied their talents to the fullest. Good for them. An unlikely demon"If the law is against you, bang on the facts. If the facts are against you, bang on the law. If both are against you, bang on the table." The Chamber of Commerce does seem to be an unlikely demon. Schieffer asks "Is this the best you can do?"
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Leave us alonePeggy Noonan gets it right this time: Revolt of the accountants (behind $ wall). A quote:
Much of her essay is at Never Yet Melted, who comments:
Villainous also has some good commentary in A Nation of Insurors, including this:
From Roff at US News, The Tea Party Movement Is a Middle Class Revolt:
The arrogance and condescension of the "smart set" particularly irks me. The "Babbitts" are the people who create the jobs, pay the taxes, raise the families at great sacrifice, build America - and contain in them a picture of what America is about. The smart set consistently underestimates - excuse me - misunderestimates - the common sense, decency, and patriotism of Americans who exist outside the Beltway. "Babbitts" want to be left alone by the government as much as possible, and to be powerful only within their own lives. That's freedom. Every time government imposes one more law, one more demand, one more impossible-to-meet-or-to-understand regulation, people feel their autonomy slipping away. See this: Americans' Image of "Federal Government" Mostly Negative Early morning, Wellfleet, MAThat was September.
Monday, October 11. 2010A few politics-free linksA big deal: Solomon Burke What ethnic group or nation has the best brains? (h/t, Larwyn's Links) They are in government. Prince Charles: West Should Emulate Indian Slums You first. Dalrymple discusses his dog, and painter Metsu
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Boveda for your cigarsA pal who read my piece about humidors in winter was thoughtful enough to deliver me an Opus X along with two 72% Boveda gel-packs. Those packs are news to me. He promised that putting two Boveda packs in there will get your humidor through three months in the winter up here, where our humidity can be quite low in winter. The packs don't activate until opened. Thank you, friend.
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