New Coms in Lebanon
Looking at Race in America
(h/t JW) The Left continues to gaslight the unwary with the claim that systemic racism exists in the United States.
In reality, the United States is the least racist nation in all of human history and the only nation that ever sacrificed the sons of one race in war to free the sons of another race. (N.B.: The British actions against the Near East and Far East to extinguish the international slave trade were no less noble and brave but did not rise to the level of open war.)
Racism, properly so called, is the political philosophy holding one race innately and irredeemably inferior to another so that laws and customs promoting the humiliation, subjugation, slavery, or extermination of that race are permitted, perhaps obligatory.
Does racism still exist in America?
To answer, we need to observe three points.
(1) The supply is insufficient for the demand. There is not enough racism in America to support the Race-hustle Industry.
Because of the lack of authentic racism, innocent and ordinary activities, such as hiring men based on merit, which inevitably must lead to a numerical disparity in any field (except athletics), will be condemned as racist.
Because of the lack of real racism, it must be manufactured. Every race-hate crime reported in the national news in a decade has been a hoax. See, for example, Jussie Smollett, Covington Catholic, the Duke lacrosse team, plus a dozen or so “noose” hoaxes, starting with Bubba Wallace and, most famous, George Floyd’s overdose.
(2) If institutions, such as colleges, allow one race to have rooms, dormitories, associations, cafeterias, fraternities, graduation ceremonies, and so on, segregated to exclude another race, but this second race may not even ask for the same privilege, the race allowed to segregate the other is the privileged race.
(3) In a culture where one race is privileged over another, members of the underprivileged race will attempt to pass so that members of the privileged race can avail themselves of the privileges thereof.
One can determine which race is privileged by seeing who is attempting to pass for whom. See, for example, Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris, and Rachel Dolezal.
If a mulatto attempts to pass as White, it is because he perceives Whiteness to afford him some privilege or advantage. If he attempts to pass as Black, it is because he perceives privilege or advantage to rest with that race. See, for example, one Barry Soetoro, later Barack Hussein Obama and Kamala Harris.
Laws and customs meant to establish the inferiority of one race to another do exist, albeit at the moment only to the degree of humiliating that race and awarding special privileges to another in terms of academic admission, hiring quotas, and government contract preferences.
One race is allowed to express race pride, but another is not, nor can they form clubs, groups, or associations meant to promote and protect their race.
For example, no Nation Association for the Advancement of Uncolored People exists.
Whenever I see posts celebrating “Juneteenth,” supporting reparations to current Black citizens for slavery that occurred over 150 years ago. I reply by asking if they will support reparations also for the descendants of the dead 250K Union soldiers, the vast majority white, who died ending slavery, along with 2-3 times more maimed for life. To recompense the price paid by their grieving widows and orphan children when Johnny didn’t come marching home?
There was no safety net for them. No SSI, veteran’s hospital, or vet benefits that I am aware of were set up for them. Imagine a young widow with babes struggling to keep the farm going without a husband or caring for a maimed spouse who lost a leg or arm or was blinded. Some whites (And not a few blacks and Indians either) in America did in buying, selling, and keeping slaves. But it was the blood of 600K on both sides who atoned for that sin with their blood, suffering long-term pain and poverty that still reverberates throughout the South today from that terrible conflict.
Where is the gratitude for those who gave the last full measure of their devotion? Forgiveness to those who paid the price fully and completely during Sheman’s scorched-earth march through the south or the terrible siege of Vicksburg? How much more can racist grifters demand of the living today for the deeds of the dead long ago?
Imagine other US minorities and naturalized citizens wondering why they must pay for something they have no historical connection to. Will the state go to the trouble to search and tax only white citizens specifically to pay for civil war reparations? How white do you have to be to be selected to be forced to pay the tax? Will there be a miscegenation test?
Mapping the Voyages of Christopher Columbus 1492 to 1504
Bullet Points:
** “Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, misdiagnosing it, and applying the wrong remedies.” – Groucho Marx
** Steady state fusion reactor – it’s not long before your Delorean will have a “Mr. Fusion” engine.
** The Greatest Moment in a woman’s life vs a man’s life. An opinion.
** So much for the Satan 2 – A Ukrainian kamikaze drone strike reportedly struck a Russian Satan-2 nuclear missile, prompting an apocalyptic explosion yesterday morning. A secret ammunition silo facility at Toropets in the Tver region was claimed yesterday. Maybe not quite the secret that Vladimir Vladimirovich hoped it was.
From the Mailbag:
A friend who is a bit of a military groupie asked me about headbands. I wear a rolled blue bandana when I work out, but that wasn’t good enough for him. In the past, I rolled a green triangular battle bandage around an ammo strap. Because I’m a civilian, the bandana works fine. I had a red and white striped headband (because I sweat), but it wore out, or I lost it. So, the bandana. I buy them by the dozen.- Running shoe preference. These days, I wear more of a mountain shoe for daily wear and exercise. Keep in mind that I’m older and won’t ever run a six-minute mile again. I wear Oboz or Merrills (waterproof in the winter). Some people like Solomans. They’re good, too, but I come back to Oboz. I don’t do tactical work. Anything I do of that nature is advisory, and I’m not out to impress anyone.
- Iron weights or resistance? When the weather is bad, I use an Octane Fitness elliptical trainer for cardio. Slipping and falling on ice or rocks defeats the purpose. I prefer iron weights for the upper body. Preference only. Focus on reps rather than simply heavy lifts. Music: Usually Metallica. It’s better to do two workouts a day if you have time and the inclination than one with a different focus. Keep a log book, and do what works for you. Balance your diet; you’ll need some carbs if you exercise strenuously. Limit caffeine and eliminate tobacco and alcohol. I have eliminated rice, bread, potatoes, pasta, and avoid refined sugar. Focus on water. If you’re over 55, your body won’t put on muscle without amino acid supplements. If you’re working out systematically (like the question to the mailbag) and are not stacking on muscle, that’s why. I recommend Nutricost L-Leucine 2,000mg (3 capsules daily – morning, noon, night) in addition to your other supplements. There are many different vendors for L-Leucine, but this one is reasonable and works. I am not a paid spokesperson. If you think I’m full of crap, maybe I am. This is just what I have found that works for me.
- Do I ride horses? I know how; I’ve owned several horses in my lifetime, but I have had SEVERAL friends, including LSP, who is lucky he can still walk, who’ve had severe injuries that resulted from a horse rolling onto them, falling onto them, throwing them, etc. So I’m out of the horse riding business in the same way I don’t SCUBA anymore. I free dive if I’m in the water, and I’m good at that. It’s enough. Again, a man must learn his limitations. I still ride my Ducati. I know people heavily into the “Western lifestyle” who ride and are older than me. That’s good for them, I guess. At 68, soon 69, I’m out.
Sci Fi Book Review
Exodus: The Archimedes Engine (Peter Hamilton)
Forty thousand years ago, humanity fled a dying Earth. These brave pioneers traveled in massive ark ships across the galaxy to find a new home. After traveling thousands of light-years, one fleet of ark ships arrived at Centauri, a dense cluster of stars with a vast array of potentially habitable planets. The survivors of Earth signaled to the remaining ark ships that humanity had finally found its new home among the stars.
Thousands of years later, the Centauri Cluster has flourished. The original settlers have evolved into advanced beings known as Celestials and divided themselves into powerful Dominions. One of the most influential is that of the Crown Celestials, an alliance of five great houses that control vast areas of Centauri. As ark ships continue to arrive, the remaining humans and their descendants must fight for survival against overwhelming odds or be forced into serving the Crown Dominion.
Among those yearning for a better life is Finn, for whom Earth is not a memory but merely a footnote from humanity’s ancient history. Born on one of the Crown Dominion worlds, Finn has known nothing but the repressive rule of the Celestials, though he dreams of the possibility of boundless space beyond his home.
When another ark ship from Earth, previously thought lost, unexpectedly arrives, Finn sees his chance to embrace a greater destiny and become a Traveler—one of a group of brave heroes dedicated to ensuring humanity’s future by journeying into the vast unknown of distant space.
Peter Hamilton is one of my preferred Science Fiction authors. The book starts a little slow as Hamilton sets a stage that might be more complicated than it needs to be–but the plot will draw you in as you read.
The one thing Finbar Charles Louis Griffin Jalgori-Tobu (Finn to his friends) promised himself was that under no circumstances would he ever scream. He wasn’t going to give his captors the satisfaction. So he remained silent as their sharp knife sliced through his soiled one-piece thermal regulator undersuit, gritting his teeth every time the blade nicked his skin. Nor did he flinch as his now naked body was shoved to the ground, and his wrists and ankles were bound. He refused to grunt in pain as they dragged him up to the rooftop landing pad, deliberately knocking his shins on the metal stairs as they went. His jaw remained resolutely shut as they dumped him on the utilitarian floor of the sleek squad-deployment plane waiting on the pad.
Finn didn’t know if it was the fury he felt at his betrayal or the stubbornness his family always scolded him for. Still, he managed to keep his mouth closed throughout the flight as he endured the humiliation of being used as a footstool for their boots—a footstool they had fun kicking.
A couple of hours after takeoff, when they were in Anoosha’s southern hemisphere and cruising eight kilometers above the Camurdy Mountains, the plane’s rear ramp hinged down, letting in a blast of freezing wind. His captors pulled on their oxygen masks and laughed as he sucked down the perilously thin air. He even managed not to scream as they hauled him onto the ramp. One last kick sent him tumbling off the end into the clear night sky.
He saw the plane’s delta shape silhouetted against the vibrant clouds of the Poseidon Nebula, which filled the skies above Anoosha. A bright orange strobe flared underneath the fuselage as it dwindled. Then he hurtled down at terminal velocity toward the jagged snow-capped mountains below.
Finn started screaming.
******
Identify the Aircraft
1
2
Identify the Vehicle
3
4
Identify the tank that is squeezed inside a British Hamilcar glider
Identify the TV Series/Film
A
B
C
Parting Shot
The Science of Archeology
End
4 is M22 Locust
Yes, it is!
Ah the Star Trek hippie episode. “way to Eden” or something. Spock with a guitar was interesting. Always make your followers taste test your food. Just a suggestion.
I’m sure that Pres. Trump has food tasters. I’d employ democrats – more expendible.
A-Star Trek, the space hippy episode
B-First Men On the Moon, not sure
C-The Delorean strongly suggests one of the Back To the Future films. I don’t recall seeing the capital in any of the three that I saw.
Finding shoes that fit are a problem for me since I have a very wide foot(9EEEE). New Balance is the one company that I feel comfortable ordering from online. Any others I need to try on in person.
Keens in wide with their semi-funky wide toe-box are another option.
You might give Jim Green a call, or email, they offer a Jim Green Last that is 3E width that has a big toe box.
Thanks to you both for the suggestions. I do prefer to try them on before buying. There are several locations that carry Keens in the KC metro, but I saw no place that carries Jim Green. I may have to scope out the Keens.
Identify the Aircraft:
1. Aichi H9A
2. MH-60. M model perhaps.
Identify the Vehicle:
3. 105 mm Gun Motor Carriage T87
4. M22 Locust
Identify the TV Series/Film:
A. Star Trek, ‘The Way to Eden’ episode
B. First Men in the Moon
C. Back to the Future
IDA:
1. Aichi H9A
2. MH-60. M model perhaps.
Identify the Vehicle:
3. 105 mm Gun Motor Carriage T87
4. M22 Locust
IDTV Series/Film:
A. Star Trek, ‘The Way to Eden’ episode
B. First Men in the Moon
C. Back to the Future
Boots…a big deal for me as it seems most of them have a tight toe box or more narrow fit (been a ‘D’ width most of my life).
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My go-to for a decade and a half have been Keen Tarhee or Voyageur boots (low and mid), then their quality started going downhill, but they fixed that after people complained, now on Amazon they are $110 so a decent value if only lasting a year. My BEST Winter boots are Keen Revel 4’s…just fit and work perfectly without being too clunky. Tried to find boot substitutes with mixed results…Lowa Renegades (a size bigger is still tight in the toe box and about ready to give them away but paid $220 ). Like LL, my Oboz Bridger’s work in a size bigger, really well built but still a bit pricey at $190. Then found these Nortiv 8 boots in both fabric and leather…the leather is a solid boot for $35-$55 (as compared to the others, but only expect them to last a year at that price. Merrill Moab’s also work for me, still have 2 pairs. Saw a guy wearing Crispi boots…but at $300-$400 I’ll take a pass….status isn’t necessary considering I’m not doing a ton of backcountry travel.
***
I haven’t ridden (horseback) this year, too much going on….but have a sweet mare who is an easy ride. The Mrs is an expert rider in multiple disciplines but has given it up (for other reasons, but that’s another story). So mostly “the kids” are pasture ornaments…but that’s okay, I like seeing them out there in pasture “just being horses” and they’re easy keepers while allowing me some contemplation while cleaning stalls and the pen (which often includes a little tractor therapy).
>been a ‘D’ width most of my life
I feel ya. But I think my feet are getting narrower with age. Is that A Thing? It’s making buying shoes easier. FWIW.
Wore Keen Targhee’s (wimmen’s) for years. Not for the frisson of cross-dressing, but because: 1) the women’s version has a narrower heel cup, which suits me; 2) they were more often on deep discount than the men’s; 3) all Keens (back in the day at least) are goofy looking shoes with absurdly large rubber toe caps that look suited to persons with congenital birth defects, so the “women’s” are not at all feminine, much less effeminate. Merrill used to be the default go-to, but the quality fell into the Marianas (trench) a few years ago. :-(
Tried Oboz, but the arch is just a bit too high for me. Lowa seems to work. I bought a low-cut pair while idly wandering around the aisles of the local Sierra Trading Post [1] and they’ve turned out to be great. Haven’t tried proper boots from Lowa, but I have more pairs of Raichles (and a few La Sportivas) than any human being can justify when it comes to proper boots. (Not proud, but there it is.) Fryes seem tuned to making a “good noise” when you walk. Got a few pair of those, but not suited for much walking, TBH.
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[1] STP used to be an actual closeout discount retailer that was 95%+ by mail but had one physical store in Reno. The then-owners were also devout Christians. Now it’s owned by the group that controls Marshalls, Home Goods, and the others of that conglomerate. And it’s a strip mall store now. It’s not a real outdoor store any more, but more like TJ Maxx with a faintly outdoorsy bent. BUT! There are retail stores near Boston. Damn it.
I’ve had left side dropfoot from a ruptured L4-L5 disc operation where the nerve failed to heal 14 years ago. I’ve worn an expensive Swedish brace made from carbon fiber inside Columbia shoes that allowed me to walk a fairly normal gait. The brace causes a severe callous on my left foot and my leg aches at the end of the day. In January I bought a pair of Hoka Speedgoats and have been able to walk all year without using the brace. I do have to use a cane but that’s a preferable alternative to wearing the brace.
Lebanon – have heard, but can’t verify, that the women have been warned not to use their vibrators for a while???
The bigger tragedy would be some sort of goat virus that extinguished the number of portals available for the male population.
Horses
Grew up on horses and was riding on my own before I was four years old. I could sit any horse but with the grace of a sack of potatoes tied to the saddle horn. Last ride was some twenty years ago. Two employees were stove up from a truck wreck. They had a hobby ranch and their cows were out when I took their paychecks to them. After saddling one of their horses, got the cows back in and fixed the fence. Later, they made snide remarks about my riding. That ended when I asked, “Are your ******* cows in?”
Given a choice, I preferred mules to horses. We had both.
monday morning homilette
Over the past 80+ years I’ve had one black friend, several black acquaintances, and a couple of black referrers ranging from the working impoverished to the Rolls-Royce comfortable.
{[ I’m not including the Caribbean and African blacks I’ve known over the years because, if for no other reason, they are unable to see themselves as black. ])
( Nor do I include the black NCOs in the Air Force that I got to know during the mid- to late-’60s; they’re a special breed of men )
As well as I’ve thought I got to know any of them, I’ve never been that confident/(had the chutzpah) that I could see/view this country through their eyes
The media, as well as the other social-inculcating institutions (primarily schools) are trying desparately/desperately to induce/display a mixed-race America; I’m not seeing it happening (in real life).
Gee… Helical Fusion says their steady state fusion reactor will be running in 10 years?
Hate to be “that guy” but I remember over 50 years ago when they said self-sustaining fusion reactors would be running in 20 years. I suppose there’s some sort of improvement there in saying that 10 years away is closer than saying 20, but I don’t see a way to calculate when it’ll really be working.
To me, horse are like pit bulls. All have a button that can be pushed, and when it’s pushed, humans have a tendency to be injured. I have a sister-in-law with a plate in her head thanks to a young horse. One I owned would have bitten off half my ex-wife’s face, if I hadn’t jerked it’s head back. It didn’t want to load into a trailer, and would have killed to prevent it from happening.
“…Uncolored People…”. Well, I guess that counts me out. Last I heard, white is a color.
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Like WSF, I grew up with horses. By the time I was old enough to go do rodeo stuff, the idea had long since lost any appeal. One of my horses was foaled on our ranch. A little mutt we named “Lucky”, weighed maybe 500lbs soaking wet. Sweet disposition and as willing as you could ask for. Around age 11, I was riding him bare back at the gallop when he tripped over a squirrel mound and down we went. Knocked me out cold and broke my left arm. I still remember the flash of consciousness and pain as my mother set my arm. I claim no lasting ill effects, some in my family may beg to differ. Lucky was fine BTW.
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Headbands. I have a motley collection of store bought. After I taught our soon-to-turn-four grandson how to shoot them like rubber bands, I had to get a few more. The first time he and I had a headband war, I said “boing” as I shot one at him. It stuck. They are no longer headbands, they are “boings”.
I was a bit surprised to see the Locust tied down with coil springs, but it makes sense. It would keep the tank from moving too much while lessening the peak load on the glider’s structure. Chains or steel cable might have snapped the glider’s structure with a sudden maneuver, or on landing.
I would not like to pilot a glider with a massive hunk of steel sitting behind me, relying on the straps to keep it from moving forward even as the aircraft and I stopped.
That’s the reason 747’s had the cockpit above the fuselage.
x10!
“the repressive rule of the Celestials”
Really? The Celestials?!!! That’s an anti-Sinotic dog whistle right there, bucko!
Do the villains have slanty eyes (all three eyes) and eat cats?
Huh?
Finn should be grateful that his captors didn’t rupture his colon with a broomstick while congratulating themselves for being “the most moral” military force in history.
Racism has been shoved down our throats to the point that ‘everything’ is now racist, which means nothing is… Sigh… Horses are just another way to kill yourself as you get older, cause we ‘ain’t’ flexible enough to fall off and not get hurt! Hell, I hurt myself enough trying to get out of bed in the morning!
How did Columbus miss North America so many times?
prevailing winds?
God was saving it for Protestants? :)
Ah, the old Race Hoax gambit. Nice, concise analysis. Of course they have to keep manufacturing race identipol to keep their Frankfort model flowing. But wow, it’s getting might7y old and stupid.
Now that we can be any race we want and can change both gender and race twice daily, you’d think the BS would have ended. But no
I neglected to comment on how much I liked that commentary.
You should post it at League.
Whites are the only “colored” people. We turn red and blue and yellow and green at various times. Plus some colors I don’t have names for.
Horses…..Haven’t been on one since I was 12 or 13 and spent the Summer at a cousin’s Appaloosa ranch. Quite an experience for a youngster of my background to get dumped into a working horse ranch! Had a blast, though, and went hunting/fishing/camping on horseback every weekend.
Boots…..I favor the Columbia brand, as I have wide feet, too. I get their mid-height boots, in wide, one-half or one size larger, and my feet thank me for it. I forget what kind of Winter boots I have, but they cost about $250 at JAX, the local outdoors store. They fit very well, and best of all, they keep my feet warm!
“Miscegenation” sounds like a beauty contestant title won by a Lena Horne lookalike.