OS faces a mountain of work at his desk, and musters little willingness to take it on. Vacation, modest and short though it was, has been delightful. A visit from one child at university far away, another visit to TheHighlySuccessfulChild in her new home on the East Coast, with a detour through central Virginia, off the beaten path. Places like Orange, Virginia go on the list of places to which one could happily relocate.
The 'burbs of Washington are not on that list. The bloating of the federal government for the past seventy years has turned a beautiful corner of the planet into one massive urban blight, surrounded by parking lots masquerading as interstate highways.
It is time to cut the gubbmint down to size, ya'll. One day spent attempting to drive around DC from one place to another tells the tale.
There has been time. To read. To write. To exercise, to play a bit of golf and make an acquaintance or two on the course. OS walked the back nine with a Japanese gent yesterday whose command of 'Engrish' was limited, but who played scratch golf walking, and never pulled out anything bigger than a rescue club from his bag. His reasoning was 'Driver not good, end up on beach!'.
There has been time to cook out a bit, or to stop by the local barbecue artist who smokes his ribs in a pull-behind cooker, and sells them from his trailer in the grocery store parking lot. OS wonders out loud, though: If we Southerners are such virulent racists, why is this black businessman selling out every time he shows up at the white-owned grocery store, serving up his wares to a steady stream of GoodOldBoys in their pickup trucks? Why is the local home-cooking restaurant run by the local black family crowded with white patrons and black patrons both, happily slurping down fried chicken and turnip greens?
There has been time to sleep, to pet the dogs, to spend time with the sainted Mrs. OS, to enjoy time with a student about to head to university, and to share the excitement of being the first in the family to reach that goal.
Of course, what makes that time possible is the time spent at work. And much work awaits. It's not even horrible, unpleasant work--no ditches to dig, bedpans to empty, store shelves to stock, unhappy customers to mollify. But, it is work, and it has been good to take a break.
So many voices have been berating Obama for taking a vacation this month. OS is definitely not his fan, but--everyone needs a vacation, even Himself. Leave him alone a few days, and take a few days off yourself.
Back to work...
Friday, August 12, 2011
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Celebrating Pip On Her Birthday
All is not chaos and despair, although it would seem that way if you read the papers.
And the vast majority of the kids in the UK are not dressed in hoodies and smashing store windows.
One in particular lives on a farm in Northern Ireland, where she wields her camera expertly, and documents the lives of the dogs and sheep as they grow up together.
Today, is Pip's first birthday, and if there is a prettier border collie anywhere on that side of Atlantic, OS would be surprised.
The intrepid blogger gives us a summary of her first year. Enjoy.
And the vast majority of the kids in the UK are not dressed in hoodies and smashing store windows.
One in particular lives on a farm in Northern Ireland, where she wields her camera expertly, and documents the lives of the dogs and sheep as they grow up together.
Today, is Pip's first birthday, and if there is a prettier border collie anywhere on that side of Atlantic, OS would be surprised.
The intrepid blogger gives us a summary of her first year. Enjoy.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Katherine Birbalsingh Weighs In On The London Rioters, And She Deserves To Be Heard!
Her essay is here.
For anyone of OS's readers who have not yet bought and read, and shared Miss Katherine's book, To Miss With Love, now, not tomorrow, is the day to purchase this book and read it cover to cover. It's not long, but you'll have to put it down from time to time to give yourself a moment to recover.
She describes, in detail, the rioters burning portions of London to the ground, and how they became who they are.
Her recent essay gives more insight:
Many of these mindless thugs involved in the riots don’t think more than 10 minutes into the future. They think that stealing trainers is ‘fun’, not even considering that it might be wrong. Many of them are, quite literally, unable to read and write: 17 percent of 15-year-olds are functionally illiterate. If you de-educate an entire generation, if you constantly make excuses for their behaviour, if you never teach them the difference between right and wrong, then chaos is what you reap. These young people are just implementing what they’ve learnt at school!
Teachers can only keep the peace in the classroom because they have established authority. Where there is order in classrooms, children show respect because they have been taught to respect teachers. ONE teacher can therefore command the respect of hundreds of children. It is the same with the police and order in society. The police cannot hope to outnumber the rioters. As a civilised society, we rely on a sense of morality in our people to keep the order. How did the Japanese survive their recent nuclear disaster? They queued quietly for food and help, and waited. They didn’t say ‘ME ME ME’! Do young people wear hoodies in Japan? Do Japanese children question their teacher’s authority? Do Japanese adults defend the appalling behaviour of their youth? NO.
We are an international disgrace. What would happen if the teacher left her classroom and said that she was ‘keeping a close eye on things from her holiday home’? Theresa May, Home Secretary, was the only one of our leaders, whether Conservative or Labour, who returned from holiday immediately when Tottenham exploded. Where were all of our leaders? If even our politicians refuse to take responsibility for their ‘classrooms’, then how can we expect the children to remain in their chairs?
Buy the book, ya'll. Read it. Buy some more copies, and give them to your kinfolks and friends. This lady has something hugely important to say to our time.
For anyone of OS's readers who have not yet bought and read, and shared Miss Katherine's book, To Miss With Love, now, not tomorrow, is the day to purchase this book and read it cover to cover. It's not long, but you'll have to put it down from time to time to give yourself a moment to recover.
She describes, in detail, the rioters burning portions of London to the ground, and how they became who they are.
Her recent essay gives more insight:
Many of these mindless thugs involved in the riots don’t think more than 10 minutes into the future. They think that stealing trainers is ‘fun’, not even considering that it might be wrong. Many of them are, quite literally, unable to read and write: 17 percent of 15-year-olds are functionally illiterate. If you de-educate an entire generation, if you constantly make excuses for their behaviour, if you never teach them the difference between right and wrong, then chaos is what you reap. These young people are just implementing what they’ve learnt at school!
Teachers can only keep the peace in the classroom because they have established authority. Where there is order in classrooms, children show respect because they have been taught to respect teachers. ONE teacher can therefore command the respect of hundreds of children. It is the same with the police and order in society. The police cannot hope to outnumber the rioters. As a civilised society, we rely on a sense of morality in our people to keep the order. How did the Japanese survive their recent nuclear disaster? They queued quietly for food and help, and waited. They didn’t say ‘ME ME ME’! Do young people wear hoodies in Japan? Do Japanese children question their teacher’s authority? Do Japanese adults defend the appalling behaviour of their youth? NO.
We are an international disgrace. What would happen if the teacher left her classroom and said that she was ‘keeping a close eye on things from her holiday home’? Theresa May, Home Secretary, was the only one of our leaders, whether Conservative or Labour, who returned from holiday immediately when Tottenham exploded. Where were all of our leaders? If even our politicians refuse to take responsibility for their ‘classrooms’, then how can we expect the children to remain in their chairs?
Buy the book, ya'll. Read it. Buy some more copies, and give them to your kinfolks and friends. This lady has something hugely important to say to our time.
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
A Brave Londoner Faces Down The Rabble In Hackney
Here's the London we know and love. Decency and fearlessness, at the top of her lungs.
God bless her, and preserve the good people of England.
God bless her, and preserve the good people of England.
Let Us Be Grateful For Small Blessings, Like The Fact That AlGore Never Became President
His recent rant at the Aspen Institute, as reported by HuffPo.
The mask of civility is slipping, the wheels are coming off. One feels for Tipper, to have endured this for so many years.
The mask of civility is slipping, the wheels are coming off. One feels for Tipper, to have endured this for so many years.
London Riots Overnight, Thoughts And Prayers To Our Friends
The BBC coverage is looping here, and it is shocking.
The police are putting everything they have into controlling as much of the situation as they can. OS is searching Google Maps to see where the chaos is in relation to where his friends in London live and work. Some of it is in perilous proximity.
The reaction of the law-abiding citizens is one of of shock. There is a long tradition of civility in that society, and they seem at a loss to comprehend what has happened before their eyes. And, let's be clear--it's mainly black youths on the streets, taking advantage of the chaos to vent their spleen, and steal whatever isn't nailed down. This is not about politics or poverty--it is about depravity, pure and simple.
It can happen anywhere, and it can happen to us here. However, OS opines that, in many US cities and towns, looters breaking into stores encounter shop owners greeting them with shotguns as they enter. The bandits know it, and that knowledge serves to discourage rioters. It is one reason there was no looting in Nashville following last year's floods. The New Orleans police, by contrast, did all they could to disarm the law-abiding post-Katrina, and then were shocked to find looters at large.
Citizens in the UK are not allowed this means of defense of life and property. They are obliged to flee and wait for the police and fire department to arrive.
It is something to consider again in the UK, and to preserve in the US.
Thoughts and prayers to all ya'll, from your US cousins.
The police are putting everything they have into controlling as much of the situation as they can. OS is searching Google Maps to see where the chaos is in relation to where his friends in London live and work. Some of it is in perilous proximity.
The reaction of the law-abiding citizens is one of of shock. There is a long tradition of civility in that society, and they seem at a loss to comprehend what has happened before their eyes. And, let's be clear--it's mainly black youths on the streets, taking advantage of the chaos to vent their spleen, and steal whatever isn't nailed down. This is not about politics or poverty--it is about depravity, pure and simple.
It can happen anywhere, and it can happen to us here. However, OS opines that, in many US cities and towns, looters breaking into stores encounter shop owners greeting them with shotguns as they enter. The bandits know it, and that knowledge serves to discourage rioters. It is one reason there was no looting in Nashville following last year's floods. The New Orleans police, by contrast, did all they could to disarm the law-abiding post-Katrina, and then were shocked to find looters at large.
Citizens in the UK are not allowed this means of defense of life and property. They are obliged to flee and wait for the police and fire department to arrive.
It is something to consider again in the UK, and to preserve in the US.
Thoughts and prayers to all ya'll, from your US cousins.
Monday, August 8, 2011
That Worked Out Well, Did It Not?: The Obama Effect
Back in 2008, every time Henry Paulson appeared on TV to 'calm the markets', the markets would begin to tank ever more precipitously. OS privately called it 'The Paulson Effect', and was too naive to short the market. (Now no longer...)
Obama has assumed Paulson's mantle. As soon as he read his teleprompter remarks, and stalked out like the petulant child he is, the selling began in earnest.
OS went back to his work, and listened to Bach. He checked in again shortly after the markets closed, and spontaneously exclaimed an expletive he will refrain from repeating in print.
Just for the record, the Dow closed down 634.76 points, the S&P down 79.92, gold broke an all-time high, and silver is retracing to its earlier highs.
OS's liberal friends want to blame it all on the Tea Party, and ignore that the Dems were routed last November.
He gently reminds them that any country with over 50 trillion of unfunded obligations, and borrows .40 over every dollar it currently spends, is on the path to tragedy.
Not even the Fed can stop this sell-off. We've all learned too much, and are less susceptible to being stampeded, since 2008. The markets, both in equities and bonds, have a long way to go to align themselves with reality. OS thinks reality is Dow 7500 and S&P 600.
Disclosures: Short the S&P, long gold, long silver. Paying debts off as quickly as his little fingers can write checks, and has been for quite a while now. Looking to plant gardens and install livestock on his acreage for next spring. Renewing his hunting license.
Obama has assumed Paulson's mantle. As soon as he read his teleprompter remarks, and stalked out like the petulant child he is, the selling began in earnest.
OS went back to his work, and listened to Bach. He checked in again shortly after the markets closed, and spontaneously exclaimed an expletive he will refrain from repeating in print.
Just for the record, the Dow closed down 634.76 points, the S&P down 79.92, gold broke an all-time high, and silver is retracing to its earlier highs.
OS's liberal friends want to blame it all on the Tea Party, and ignore that the Dems were routed last November.
He gently reminds them that any country with over 50 trillion of unfunded obligations, and borrows .40 over every dollar it currently spends, is on the path to tragedy.
Not even the Fed can stop this sell-off. We've all learned too much, and are less susceptible to being stampeded, since 2008. The markets, both in equities and bonds, have a long way to go to align themselves with reality. OS thinks reality is Dow 7500 and S&P 600.
Disclosures: Short the S&P, long gold, long silver. Paying debts off as quickly as his little fingers can write checks, and has been for quite a while now. Looking to plant gardens and install livestock on his acreage for next spring. Renewing his hunting license.
Previewing The President's Remarks, 8 August 2011
Himself will be mounting the podium soon, but the teleprompters must be prepared first.
Dustin Hoffman has been brought back to coach TheOne, so here's the last minute preps:
OK, Barry, whatever the Flip you do, Stay With The Teleprompter!
Do not, under any circumstance, go off script.
Look at me Barry! Try to concentrate! Geeeez!!!! Not the time for a cigarette, Barry! No, Barry, you can't go play golf today! No, Barry, you can't play basketball, either. You have a speech to make! (Ohmygod...)
Remember, it Bush's fault. It's Boehner's fault. It's the Tea Party's fault. It's God's fault for timing the earthquake in Japan like He did. NoNoNoNo, scratch that one, we don't believe in God except when we need His endorsement.
It's the fault of S&P--they're all racists, and have been secretly taken over by Tea Party zombies! That's a good one!
It's all the fault of that Zionist Cantor!
They can't do math, and we're in the process of correcting them. Gino and Vito are on the way now to 'splain things to them.
Fannie and Freddie don't matter, so don't even begin to talk about Fannie and Freddie.
Intone jobzjobzjobzjobz....growthgrowthrowthgrowth....
It's because we can't raise taxes! That's a good one, and blame it on the Tea Party!
Remember, whatever you say, It's Not Your Fault! None of it! Only YOU know what's best for the country. Only YOU know the WillOfTheAmericanPeople!
(Geeeeeez, who decided to put this guy in office? What were they thinking?)
OK, here we go!
Dustin Hoffman has been brought back to coach TheOne, so here's the last minute preps:
OK, Barry, whatever the Flip you do, Stay With The Teleprompter!
Do not, under any circumstance, go off script.
Look at me Barry! Try to concentrate! Geeeez!!!! Not the time for a cigarette, Barry! No, Barry, you can't go play golf today! No, Barry, you can't play basketball, either. You have a speech to make! (Ohmygod...)
Remember, it Bush's fault. It's Boehner's fault. It's the Tea Party's fault. It's God's fault for timing the earthquake in Japan like He did. NoNoNoNo, scratch that one, we don't believe in God except when we need His endorsement.
It's the fault of S&P--they're all racists, and have been secretly taken over by Tea Party zombies! That's a good one!
It's all the fault of that Zionist Cantor!
They can't do math, and we're in the process of correcting them. Gino and Vito are on the way now to 'splain things to them.
Fannie and Freddie don't matter, so don't even begin to talk about Fannie and Freddie.
Intone jobzjobzjobzjobz....growthgrowthrowthgrowth....
It's because we can't raise taxes! That's a good one, and blame it on the Tea Party!
Remember, whatever you say, It's Not Your Fault! None of it! Only YOU know what's best for the country. Only YOU know the WillOfTheAmericanPeople!
(Geeeeeez, who decided to put this guy in office? What were they thinking?)
OK, here we go!
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Jesse's Café Américain: It's the Unfunded Wars and the Financial Fraud, and the Unwillingness to Reform
Jesse's Café Américain: It's the Unfunded Wars and the Financial Fraud, and the unwillingness to reform.
As so often is the case, Jesse hits the nail on the head.
As so often is the case, Jesse hits the nail on the head.
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