Medary.com

. . . and home-brewing beer, and going to the Women's Final Four, and dealing with some fiddly businessey-type detail stuff, and asking the accountant to file tax extensions for the fiddly stuff, and trying to re-establish the diet, after gaining 10 pounds at the Women's Final Four . . . and re-reading some of the Honor Harrington sci-fi book series, and . . .

. . . that kind of thinking . . .

I'm THINKING. That's dangerous. It's also not conducive to the sort of semi-mindless cut-and-paste-and-maybe-snark sort of process which makes the Whip what it is, God help us all.

But, like I say, I'm taking a breather. I'm thinking about a few things. OK, I'm thinking about a LOT of things. I may write about some of them. Actually, writing is one of the things I'm thinking about.

I'm also catching up on some other non-bloggy duty-and-life type stuff that I've probably let slide a bit too long.

Hang in there, tip your waitresses, and work diligently for the overthrow of our lying bastard socialist collectivist poopyhead overlords! Power to the people, comrades! We shall overcome, someday! (Holds up right arm, hand clenched in fist, making it very, very hard to type.)

And no, Barack, I won't unclench my fist. You unclench yours, first.

SECTION ONE: The Word:
If You Can't Take The Heat, Stay Out Of The Kitchen.

WARNING: UNAPPROVED, UNREGULATED, POSSIBLY DANGEROUS IDEAS AND CONCEPTS BELOW. READ FURTHER AT YOUR OWN RISK. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

Let's briefly review:
Using the IRS to force every single person in the United State to buy something because some people don't--for whatever reason--have it = Not A Threat;

Calling a Congresscritter a piece of shit because he or she self-evidently cannot read or understand the Constitution = Threat.

I think I've got that straight.

This is a cynical, purposeful, Democrat political strategy, folks.

The Democrats and their media allies are, with this passive-aggressive, crocodile-tear act, actually trying to incite violence, or at least promote an "atmosphere of the threat of violence." This will give them a pretext to crack down--literally--on the political opposition--those that advocate individual freedom and liberty, and those who simply want to be left alone to live their life the best that they can. In essence, the Democrats are actively working towards staging a modern-day Reichstag Fire, done with much, much more cunning and cynical manipulation of an already-pro-socialist Big Media press. If they can goad one of the less stable among their political opposition into starting something, well then so much the better! But make no mistake, if they can't get a reaction out of the right, they can and will stage an incident that they will blame on the advocates of individual freedom and liberty.

We have ample evidence that one of their usual and customary tactics is the agent provocateur--infiltrating their political opposition and then throwing epithets, bricks, and otherwise trying to discredit that opposition. They are without scruple, the Democrats. Anything which furthers their particular interests is fair, wise, and true. Anything which opposes is evil, hateful, and beyond the scope of reasonable discourse.

This is a prescription for violence, as the Democrats systematically close off all possible peaceful avenues of dissent.

It is the tactic of totalitarians and tyrants.

So, if you voted Democrat in the last election, this is exactly what you voted for, whether you realized it at the time or not. You voted for naked political intolerance and the exercise of raw power overwhelming the rule of law and due process.

I hope you're happy with the result. I also hope you never, ever come to disagree with anything your new masters choose to do to you in the future.

When that happens, just remember: we tried to warn you.

If the forces of freedom are wise, they will adopt the non-violent mass civil disobedience strategies of Gandhi--and Martin Luther King. There are still enough people of conscience in this country--Democrats, Republicans, independents, and others--who will at the last recoil when it becomes clear that those now in political power in this country are in fact tyrants. It is this greater portion of the American public--those who are not by nature political, but just want to get through the day doing the right thing more often than not--who will either save this country or allow it to slip into a gray and humorless society which will be more reminiscent of Soviet Russia than of the vibrancy we remember of the American past.

Oh, by the way, remember who said this:

"If they hit us, we'll punch back twice as hard."

He currently lives at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, DC. Talk about inciting violence! And, actually, that did incite violence. Anybody remember Kenneth Gladney?

State-Run Media Accuses Tea Party Organizer of Terrorism For Posting Congressman’s Address -- And yet there was no concern for all of the wackos congregating outside George W. Bush's Crawford, Texas ranch. That was free speech. This is unacceptable intimidation and borderline violence. The Democrats can dish it out, but they can't take it. And, "If you can't take the heat, stay out of the kitchen."
The Lawn Coffin and Other Scary Bedtime Stories
Coward Russ Carnahan Pushes Bogus Tea Party Lie to Media– Claims Prayer Service With Coffin Was a Violent Threat (Updated) -- "On Sunday night several members of the St. Louis Tea Party Coalition held a prayer vigil at Russ Carnahan’s office for the millions of babies that will be slaughtered under the democrat’s pro-abortion health care bill."
Those quiet and discreet violent libertarian thugs! -- "Hurling bricks through windows may be many things, but it is not libertarianism."
2010: A Race Odyssey — Disproving a Negative for Cash Prizes or, How the Civil Rights Movement Jumped the Shark -- Wherein Andrew Breitbart tells the race-baiting professional "victims" to put up or shut up . . .
Cantor: Democrats “dangerously fanning the flames” by screeching about security threats -- "(Republican) Rep. Eric Cantor announced that his office has received threats for his positions on issues as well as his Jewish heritage, and that one of his offices had a window shot out . . . Cantor singled out DCCC chair Rep. Chris van Hollen for exploiting fringe threats for political gain, “fanning the flames” to “dangerous levels.”" See how easy it is to link someone who--I presume--had no connection to somebody stupid with the act of stupidity?
Right Wing Violence: Republican House Leader's Campaign Office SHOT At Update: Cantor Viceo And Republican Congresswoman Recives Voice Mail Threat -- I really, really think the left doesn't want to get into a blow-by-blow (if you'll forgive the violent imagery) discussion of who's nutcases are more violent--or more influential in today's political climate. Let's start with unrepentant bombing conspirator, co-founder of the terrorist Weather Underground, "Guilty as Sin, Free As A Bird," early mentor of Barack Obama, and probable "Dreams of My Fathers" ghostwriter Bill Ayers. OK. Your turn, lefties.
GOP Whip Eric Cantor’s Campaign Office Is Shot At
More on Cantor: Stop Using Threats for Political Gain, as It Encourages Violence; Democratic Spokesman Apparently Disagrees -- "You be the judge. If political violence is to be denounced, but he himself won't denounce a gun being fired into a Republican's office, then what is the message here? Seems to be endorsing it as legitimate."
Anger, fear, whining and inflaming -- "Dissent is no longer the highest form of patriotism, folks – it’s “terrorism”. Please excuse the use of insulting language, but idiots like James Clyburn are the reason the anger in this country remains high and is still building. Loud mouth hacks like this jerk trade in fear and lies and then have the temerity to suggest that it is “terrorism” to react to their abuses by protesting. In fact, there’s nothing more American than to protest."
Republican Jean Schmidt Receives Threats Over Health Care Stance

Let's recall for a minute where we are, and how we got here. Under Obama and this Democratic Congress, the Federal Government has seized just about half of the entire United States economy under its direct control. There are people who are upset about this. But they're upset about what the Democrats in Washington are doing to them, and doing to their country. The people who are upset did not start this argument.

They did not throw the first punch. They did not make the first threat.

Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force; like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master. Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action. -- George Washington, First President of the United States.

The protesters are not the irresponsible ones in this continuing story.

Once again, the definition of "blithering idiotry" for the purposes of the Whip:

1) believing you know better than someone else how they should run their lives, and
2) acting on that belief, almost always to the ultimate detriment of that other person, not to mention the corruption of your own soul in the process.

And to think all I really want to be here is a silly-animal-and-other-goofy-things-story, travelogue, and rah-rah sports blog. That's what I'd like to do, if the government would just leave me the hell alone!

Because it's always morning . . . somewhere . . .

And, once again, the definition of "blithering idiotry" for the purposes of the Whip:

1) believing you know better than someone else how they should run their lives, and
2) acting on that belief, almost always to the ultimate detriment of that other person, not to mention the corruption of your own soul in the process.

Now, in the This Is Not Anything Political, Thank God department:

Dog Sings Lullaby to Stop Baby From Crying

Good dog.

(I could have sworn I posted this fifteen minutes ago. Oh, well, if at first you don't succeed . . .)

SECTION ONE: The Word:
Once again, the definition of "blithering idiocy" for the purposes of the Whip:

1) believing you know better than someone else how they should run their lives, and
2) acting on that belief, almost always to the ultimate detriment of that other person, not to mention the corruption of your own soul in the process.

And, as you can tell, the definition of "morning" is pretty variable. But this is the Internet, it's worldwide, and it's always morning somewhere now isn't it?

SECTION ONE: The Word:
Well, I've had better Sundays.

The Jackrabbits lost.

The Democrats won (meaning that America lost even more of our freedom and liberty). They will not be forgiven.

At least Snookums came home from a trip to Arizona, taking her Dad to a reunion of his World War II Air Force unit. This is an awfully big house with only one person in it.

My regular checkup visit to my doctor tomorrow should be more interesting than usual . . . it's safe to say that my doctor is NOT a fan of Obamacare . . .

I built a little empire out of some crazy garbage
Called the blood of the exploited working class
But they've overcome their shyness
Now they're calling me Your Highness
And a world screams, "Kiss me, Son of God"

I destroyed a bond of friendship and respect
Between the only people left who'd even look me in the eye
Now I laugh and make a fortune
Off the same ones that I tortured
And a world screams, "Kiss me, Son of God"

I look like Jesus, so they say
But Mr. Jesus is very far away
Now you're the only one here who can tell me if it's true
That you love me and I love me

I built a little empire out of some crazy garbage
Called the blood of the exploited working class
But they've overcome their shyness
Now they're calling me Your Highness
And a world screams, "Kiss me, Son of God"
Yes a world screams, "Kiss me, Son of God"

Copyright 1987 TMBG Music. Lyrics reproduced under Fair Use for political commentary and discussion.

Here are some pictures of the snowfall today in the Kansas City area:

Snow drifting against the downstairs patio door (sorry for the funny pattern--through the screen door, don't ya know.

View out the front door

Our cul-de-sac

Out the back door, over the deck, with snow piling up on the grill.

(I changed the post title from "Late winter snow storm" because, you know, it's spring now!)

SECTION ONE: The Word: This Word is not about Deem-and-Pass (or Demon Pass), it is about the demons which reside in the soul of every human being.
Our President, ever fond of setting up straw men to knock over, says that the alternative to the government takeover of the health care industry which is now imminent is "the status quo."

Democrats are particularly fond of this particular straw man: that some particular issue is intolerable and unsustainable, and the only alternative is government action. This is where the lie occurs. There is a vast array of possible alternative actions that people--individually or as groups--can undertake to change any current situation. The health care issue is just another example of the Democrats trying to stampede the public into accepting a solution which, totally coincidentally, solidifies Democrats in a position of power and authority over their fellow citizens.

What, exactly, is the problem with health care in America today? Well, people think it's too expensive. People think that there are some people who don't have access to the health care system. Both of those are legitimate concerns. Neither problem is necessarily improved by increased government involvement. In fact, there is strong evidence that the existing government interventions into the health care system--the virtual mandating of employer-provided health insurance after World War II, the disastrously ill-conceived Medicare program, the ridiculous restriction on offering health insurance across state lines, and the general public policy decisions which divorce the consumer of health care from the producers--the doctors, nurses, clinics, and hospitals--those public policy decisions by government have distorted the health care industry into this mutant monstrosity which is in no way a "free market" system, but is already an over-regulated nightmare system. And yet, Democrats and their allies say that the solution to these problems is more of the hair of the dog which has bitten us--more government intervention.

There are also concerns which are utterly illegitimate. Primary among those is the common belief among the more economically- and philosophically-ignorant people that health care is a "right." These people are simply and tragically wrong. They have confused the word "want" with the word "right." There are no rights which depend on the action of another person to exercise. Your right to life does not depend on another person to "give" you life. Your life belongs to you, as an individual. Your right to liberty does not depend on another person to "give" you liberty. Your liberty is inherent in you as an individual. Your right to the pursuit of happiness does not depend on another person to "give" you happiness. Your right to pursue your dreams and aspirations is inherent in you as an individual.

It makes no logical sense to extend this thought to health care. "Your health care does not depend on another person to "give" you health care" is a nonsense sentence. "Your health care is inherent in you as an individual" is a nonsense sentence.

Health care is not a right. It is an economic good. It is like food. It is like clothing. It is like cable television. It is like a car. It is like a house. It is like coffee. It is like beer. It is like a haircut. It is like getting your lawn mowed on a regular basis. It is like having someone in to clean your house.

Rights are inherent to you as an individual. You don't have to pay someone for rights, you don't have to ask someone else to give them to you. You simply have them. They are a part of you. That is what the Founding Fathers meant when they said that people had "inalienable" rights. Inalienable means--exactly--that you can't separate them from the person that has them.

If you think it is your right to have your lawn mowed, to have your house cleaned, if you think you have a right to have someone care for your dislocated shoulder or that nasty cough--if you think that you have a right to someone else's labor, what does that say about you?

Who, in history, took other people's labor, believing that they had a right to that labor? Well, two groups: First, totalitarian governments--the royalty and aristocracy of various kingdoms, totalitarian Communist, socialist, and religious dictatorships throughout history. The other group? Owners of slaves.

And this isn't a straw man. This isn't a "slippery slope" argument. This is just making clear to people what they are really saying when they say "health care is a right."

This is a point that needs to be hammered and hammered and hammered and hammered again. If you have a neighbor who says such things, call him or her out on it. People who say "health care is a right" are slave-owner wannabes. They think that their wants and their needs override anybody else's wants and needs. And if they cloak it in terms of generosity or compassion, then they are simply being doubly dishonest. Slavery is not generous. Slavery is not compassionate. Advocating slavery for the benefit of some other person rather than benefiting yourself is still advocating slavery.

Today, the Democratic Party, the party that supported slavery before the Civil War, the party that opposed the Reconstruction after the Civil War, the party that voted overwhelmingly against the Civil Rights Act in the 1960's (it required a majority of Republican votes to pass--did you know that?), has returned to its slaver roots, and is now is poised to re-impose--incrementally and oh so compassionately--slavery upon the United States. The greatest irony is that they are doing it with the full-throated support of the black community of this country.

The slaves become the slavers.

Sleep well tonight, you who have voted for Democrats. We know exactly who and what you are, now--and I'm not talking about the Congress and the President. I'm talking about you, my neighbors and friends, my relatives and acquaintances. This is your doing. You think you are being generous. You think you're being kind and compassionate. You think you're being fair. You think you're being just. You think you're being better than the rest of us, with your high-minded support of health care as a "right." You may think you're winning right now. But you're not. You may win this small political battle. But what you have lost is your soul. You have become the very thing you profess to oppose. You have become the oppressor. You have become the tyrant. You have become the enemy of human freedom and liberty. And no amount of straw men and emoting and blubbering and sob stories and righteous indignation and snotty, snarky poses and pretensions to intellectual superiority will change that.

You are either being blind and ignorant and naive and foolish, or you're being willfully evil. Which is it?

Either way, you will not be forgiven if you do not soon repent of this madness. There is still time to realize what you are doing to your fellow citizens. But that time is running out.

And when that time does run out, you Democrat voters had better pray--assuming you still believe in a God. Because you should consider the fate of slave owners when the slaves finally throw off their chains.

The battle for human freedom and liberty is never truly won, because it is in essence a battle against the evil which lies within all of us--the greed, the envy, the desire to control those around us. There are those who win that internal battle more often than they lose it. All of us lose the battle from time to time, which is why Christianity preaches forgiveness. But there are those who lose this eternal internal battle, while fervently convincing themselves that they have won. To gain forgiveness, first you must recognize that you have done something which requires that forgiveness. And there are many people living on your street, in your town, who don't even know that they have fallen into this mental trap. Pray for those people, that the scales fall from their eyes before it is truly too late.

Sic Semper Tyrannis.

Live Free or Die.

(This little essay went a completely different direction than I thought it was going to go when I started it.)

SECTION ONE: The Word:
For discussion and meditation: Is there any aspect of your life that the Democrats do not want to control? For your own good, of course.