tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591018003444406729.comments2023-10-25T06:13:28.265-04:00The Conservative WahooThe Conservative Wahoohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17818674434286683162noreply@blogger.comBlogger16431125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591018003444406729.post-24765601123004001052020-11-07T17:22:03.538-05:002020-11-07T17:22:03.538-05:00
I hate to reference a South Park character becaus...<br />I hate to reference a South Park character because, as you go to great lengths to point out to your readers, you tend to favor PBS and European cinema. But there is an episode in which Mr Garrison, in order to hide the fact that he is gay, makes gratuitous references to how much he loves “poontang”. Your “deeply conservative, pro-business, pro-trade, pro-success, pro-growth, pro-American Exceptionalism” comment strikes me the same way. I’m sure you believe it though.<br /><br />So as to “where will you go”? Relax. You’re already there. You pointed out years ago that the wealthiest Americans are more likely to be Democrats because they don’t have to worry about how they vote actually affecting them in the wallet. Such is life at Ferry Bridge. Embrace your new party. Own it.<br /><br />AOC? Yours. <br />Open borders? Yours. <br />The Squad? Yours.<br />The Green New Deal? Yours.<br />“Some people did something”? Yours.<br />Defense cuts? Yours.<br />Tax hikes? Yours.<br />Antifa, BLM, riots? Yours.<br />Cancel culture? Yours.<br />Reparations? Yours.Tom McGrathnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591018003444406729.post-41286039726175871352020-10-09T10:00:59.208-04:002020-10-09T10:00:59.208-04:00I think if you'll take an objective look at th...I think if you'll take an objective look at the record you'll see DJT has governed extremely well under extraordinary conditions. He's had to fight his enemies (and ours) on all fronts, and held his own. So tell me, are not Kavanaugh, Gorsuch and now Barrett excellent choices for SCOTUS? Has not Trump rebuilt our military and VA system? Didn't the trade deals need renegotiating? And finally is he not bringing peace to the Middle-East... finally?<br />I feel your pain, and I was once where you are. I thought I couldn't possibly be wrong on the big issues. However GWB's war in Iraq brought me to my senses. One you begin to understand you just may be wrong, that's the day you begin to heal. <br />Remember Plato's Allegory of the Cave, the truth can be overwhelming.Hammerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00416082138509579703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591018003444406729.post-88046212322995805082020-10-08T20:13:48.473-04:002020-10-08T20:13:48.473-04:00You’ll feel a lot better when (and if) you come to...You’ll feel a lot better when (and if) you come to realize, you just might be wrong. "The Hammer"https://www.blogger.com/profile/16342812251947807673noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591018003444406729.post-65163514597936184682020-10-02T19:43:02.195-04:002020-10-02T19:43:02.195-04:00Anonymous because I'm not sure I want the whol...Anonymous because I'm not sure I want the whole internet to know me! You can post or not post this as you like. <br /><br />As a Christian who voted against Trump, I've been praying for Trump regularly, as my enemy, because no one else has ever made me so angry so frequently. (I pray for his recovery and for God not to let this illness impact the country any worse, because it's terrifying.) <br /><br />It is frustrating to see so many people I respect falling into Trump's line, including family. <br /><br />Making them atone isn't our job and I am thankful it won't ever be. <br /><br />Our job is forgiving them. Hard enough! But it doesn't mean excusing them, not any of them. <br /><br />To quote from C.S. Lewis's meditation "On Forgiveness:" <br /><br />"Real forgiveness means looking steadily at the sin, the sin that is left over without any excuse, after all allowances have been made, and seeing it in all its horror, dirt, meanness, and malice, and nevertheless being wholly reconciled to the man who has done it. That, and only that, is forgiveness, and that we can always have from God if we ask for it. <br /><br />"...forgiving does not mean excusing. Many people seem to think it does. They think that if you ask them to forgive someone who has cheated or bullied them you are trying to make out that there was really no cheating or bullying. But if that were so, there would be nothing to forgive. They keep on replying, 'But I tell you the man broke a most solemn promise.' Exactly: that is precisely what you have to forgive. (This doesn't mean you must necessarily believe his next promise. It does mean that you must make every effort to kill every taste of resentment in your own heart--every wish to humiliate or hurt him or to pay him out.)...<br /><br />"To excuse what can really produce good excuses is not Christian charity; it is only fairness. To be a Christian means forgiving the inexcusable, because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you. <br /><br />"This is hard. It is perhaps not so hard to forgive a single great injury...(as) to forgive the incessant provocations of daily life." <br /><br /><br /><br />So, how do we stand up to hatred like Trump's without letting hate in to ruin our own hearts? How can we offer love across political divides without letting those we are trying to reach out for step on all our ideals? <br /><br />Keep trying and keep praying, I can only say. <br /><br />I'm not writing because I think I have all the answers, but as someone struggling with the same questions. <br /><br /><br />God bless you and your family!<br />DawnAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591018003444406729.post-67383163509263304002020-10-02T19:13:54.716-04:002020-10-02T19:13:54.716-04:00I appreciate your thoughts, as mine have been in m...I appreciate your thoughts, as mine have been in much the same place -- though this Catholic comes from a more center-left view of the world. <br /><br />The sense of morality we carry comes from someplace. Perhaps many centuries ago human beings began to sense an order to the world they inhabited and that sense influenced them to esteem values and beliefs that seemed consistent with it. We've developed a vocabulary to describe concepts such as justice. It's almost like a tuning fork, this sensitivity to what's fair and right.<br /><br />I agree with you: we are invited to forgive and there is liberation in bestowing forgiveness, even when it's not requested. But our sense of justice carries with it belief that seeking forgiveness is not sufficient, that there must be more: at least a sincere effort to put things right. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01668821894109410050noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591018003444406729.post-79877325909566069262020-10-02T18:37:36.603-04:002020-10-02T18:37:36.603-04:00Great essay. I think you're conflating two id...Great essay. I think you're conflating two ideas: letting go of anger and forgiveness.<br /><br />I agree 100% with the wisdom you quote. Whatever hurt happened to you did happen and nothing can ever change that. Letting the anger eat at you only hurts you. Accept that the past is over and try to let go of the anger. Easier said than done.<br /><br />Forgivness is yours to freely give. If you think forgiveness is appropriate, forgive away! But in my mind, without remorse (or even better atonement) forgiveness is hollow. I think genuine remorse is a requirement for forgiveness.Emperor Lewnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591018003444406729.post-52503165767438054482020-10-02T17:42:37.608-04:002020-10-02T17:42:37.608-04:00The ancient spiritual teachings are correct.
My an...The ancient spiritual teachings are correct.<br />My anger is my burden.<br />To my credit, I do not nurture it. <br />It is yet refreshed daily.<br />It does not vex my enemy, he warms himself at my anger, today.<br />I will get there, I will do the work I need to do, I will put this corrosive burden I carry down.<br />But today I am feeling very Old Testament righteous anger.<br />And I will smite my enemy and strike at them in their legions in one month.<br />And then no matter the effect of my blow, I will ask god to begin turning my heart.<br />For many things belong to a higher power that are beyond me.<br />But now is not the time.<br />For my sisters and brothers I am angry.<br />For those seeking succor, I am angry.<br />For those abused at the hands of the powerful, I am angry.<br />For my nation, I am angry.<br />For every friend and relative we didn’t need to bury, I am angry.<br />And today, I will stay that way.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12570576415919270701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591018003444406729.post-67645528221162084832020-10-02T14:55:09.882-04:002020-10-02T14:55:09.882-04:00Nice. But don't let those Buddhists fool you, ...Nice. But don't let those Buddhists fool you, they get pissed off too. I think your point about forgiveness being a two way street is important, and analogous to a tree falling in the woods (if someone doesn't ask for forgiveness, are you really forgiving them?). Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591018003444406729.post-36907926917578673282020-10-02T14:39:16.198-04:002020-10-02T14:39:16.198-04:00Brian:
I admire you for your dedication to the Na...Brian:<br /><br />I admire you for your dedication to the Navy and the Nation. Thank you for being brave enough to go public and unmask a little. A Christian journey known as Alpha may be worth your investment. You can discover it by the Bible App Plan "Read the Bible in a Year" led by Nicky Gumbel, the Vicar of Holy Trinity Brompton in the Diocese of London, Church of England. Look at 1 Corinthians 5:21. Learn who we are in Christ!<br /><br />Jesus is the atonement....... and everything else.<br /><br />David K Brown, former Sailor on CVN's and CGNs and a GS at NWDC who maintains the "Universal Naval Task List." And teaches a SUnday School class of folks older than I.Dave Brownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17970019308040516557noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591018003444406729.post-89872764145954945612020-09-05T17:40:52.646-04:002020-09-05T17:40:52.646-04:00It was reported in 2011 that Trump sent a team of ...It was reported in 2011 that Trump sent a team of investigators to Hawaii and while he didn't say what they found out he did say they found out a lot, and that it would come out at the appropriate time. Based upon who he attacked and with what vitriol I suspected that he had. Throughout my life I've paid close attention to the machine headed by the late Senator Dan Inouye however in 2008, I started paying even closer attention. That's when I found out how blatantly corrupt the machine was. If you go to www (dot) conartistskauai (dot) info it will show you the Hawaii political machine along with the gang of fourteen both headed by Inouye and their influence in the Clinton White House. This was around the time the law changes allegedly responsible for the accounting scandal were coming about. As well as the law changes and repeals that would eventually bring about the banking collapse. What happened was so blatant and blue collar my book that I started in 2004, would become a satire. Originally my book was about Kauai's economic collapse following Hurricane Iniki that struck the island on 9/11/1992. With time it would evolve into how the same people who successfully subverted Kauai's economy would attempt to do the same thing to the national economy, when in the middle of it all, planes flew into buildings. Eric Toulonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05141482960321469032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591018003444406729.post-4845459789292384512020-07-25T14:04:00.557-04:002020-07-25T14:04:00.557-04:00•Should Schools Open in the Fall?
If one 'foll...•Should Schools Open in the Fall?<br />If one 'follows the science' then yes. With very few exceptions children are NOT at risk and do not spread the infection. Of course it's not just the kids we have to worry about, older teachers or those in poor health should take whatever precautions they and the school district deem necessary. <br />It's a no-brainer, open the schools. <br />•The Deployment of Federal Law Enforcement to Protect Federal Property?<br />Yes of course. If local authorities refuse to protect the property and rights of its citizens then the responsibility falls to the federal govt. Was not this issue decided during the civil rights struggles of the sixties? Where would we be now if Eisenhower had not sent troops to Little Rock, or Kennedy to Tuscaloosa? <br />•Climate Change?<br />Is climate change real? Maybe, but what is certainly real are the lies promoting the issue and the ridiculous policy agendas designed to hamstring the developed countries in favor of the less developed. Although I fail to see how China is less developed than Europe or America. <br />Furthermore if the environmentalists really cared about climate change they'd be screaming bloody murder about the destruction being done now and for the past thirty years by the BRIC countries! But they don't scream and they don't care, therefore I must conclude their goal is political and economic rather than environmental. <br />BTW weren't we supposed to be underwater by now? Hammerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00416082138509579703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591018003444406729.post-8405142161410105882020-07-24T23:39:08.640-04:002020-07-24T23:39:08.640-04:00Bush 1 pardoned the following:
Elliott Abrams
Duan...Bush 1 pardoned the following:<br />Elliott Abrams<br />Duane Clarridge<br />Clair George<br />Alan Fiers<br />Robert McFarlane <br />Caspar Weinberger<br /><br />Bush 2 pardoned<br />Scooter Libby<br /><br />DiscussAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591018003444406729.post-41061845703634040192020-07-24T09:02:24.729-04:002020-07-24T09:02:24.729-04:00Captain, re: Federal "protection," whate...Captain, re: Federal "protection," whatever the answer is it seems the current tactics are counter-productive (and, oh by the way, anti-constitutional): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAn4QyhFek8<br /><br />Re: climate change, it seems your reluctance is mostly with the adherents rather than the "religion". I sympathize and somewhat agree. 😄Pat Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11234135028104461176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591018003444406729.post-65409329408558161252020-07-23T20:56:06.899-04:002020-07-23T20:56:06.899-04:00"Climate Change"
The science for human ..."Climate Change"<br /><br />The science for human driven climate change is settled. The question is what do we do about it, if anything?<br /><br />Again, I'd approach this with an eye towards risk management. Clearly we don't want the Earth to end up like Venus. Short of that, what are the risks of warming scenarios to our country and the world? What are reasonable short and long term costs to address these risks?<br /><br />We are willing to take out flood insurance or life insurance to mitigate the risk of floods or death, even if the chance of either is relatively low. We are willing to accept the cost of fire codes and other safety codes in our houses, and the things we buy, to mitigate the risk of property damage and injury. We accept seatbelts mandates in cars. <br /><br />All are risk mitigation actions.<br /><br />We can approach climate change the same way, but it requires us to think on longer timescales. Like buying life insurance for your grandchildren and their grandchildren. A few dollars now goes much further in the future. <br /><br />B.Smittyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12650152449414871058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591018003444406729.post-78874465985851587732020-07-23T20:36:02.953-04:002020-07-23T20:36:02.953-04:00"The Deployment of Federal Law Enforcement to..."The Deployment of Federal Law Enforcement to Protect Federal Property"<br /><br />If they were solely deployed to protect Federal property, then I wouldn't have a problem. Unfortunately Trump just used this pretense to deploy federal troops to put down protests, or gin up a narrative that he was being "tough on lawlessness", outside of that mandate.<br /><br />Trump's actions appear to be political theater, aimed at his right wing media audience. Fox and OAN can edit out the Wall of Moms and other scenes that don't fit his narrative.B.Smittyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12650152449414871058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591018003444406729.post-46308577236125843382020-07-23T20:23:30.463-04:002020-07-23T20:23:30.463-04:00On your topics,
"Should Schools Open in the ...On your topics,<br /><br />"Should Schools Open in the Fall?"<br /><br />I think in localities where covid is under control, and they have a robust plan to deal with spikes, perhaps. But most of the country isn't there.<br /><br />It comes down to risk management. Is a teacher's or child's life worth the risk of reopening? Is the delayed development of a community of children worth the risk of the spread of a virus with serious, community health outcomes? The long term impacts of reduced distance learning vs possibility of significant death and disablement in the short term is a hard calculus to rationalize. <br /><br />I guess I come down on the side of caution. Anything that risks driving up R0 during an outbreak is bad. <br /><br />If we were Europe, and we'd driven R0 down in the past few months rather than ignoring it, then yes,open up schools. But we spent that time screwing the pooch. B.Smittyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12650152449414871058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591018003444406729.post-78383786636843629822020-07-23T20:06:09.504-04:002020-07-23T20:06:09.504-04:00Do we really need a Marine Corps? Not so much &qu...Do we really need a Marine Corps? Not so much "do we want one". Would we be better off as a nation if they were folded into the Army?<br /><br />Are nuclear powered carriers "perfection at the expense of 'good enough'"? A Forestall sized conventional carrier would cost a lot less and still provide most of what a CVN offers.<br /><br />Should healthcare (insurance) be tied to employment or should it be a right, guaranteed by the state?<br /><br /><br />Is religion and spirituality a trap, used to control and shape humanity, by humanity, or is it an aspirational expression or our best selves?<br /><br /><br />B.Smittyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12650152449414871058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591018003444406729.post-40825047266232611802020-07-21T13:42:10.953-04:002020-07-21T13:42:10.953-04:00Sage advice all the way around, especially the qua...Sage advice all the way around, especially the quality scale and tracking app. Accountability is the supreme motivator for me. I would also suggest adding some appropriate vitamin supplements to fill in any gaps not being sufficiently supplied by the diet itself. After learning that obesity was a significant co-morbidity for COVID, and having survived a horrendous "unknown virus" in January that mimicked the respiratory distress of COVID but was "confirmed" through testing at a much later date not to be COVID, I decided to lose some weight during the pandemic. I have always found the low-carb route to align with my eating style: 1) I can eat food I like, repeatedly, without a need for wide variety and fortunately, I like meat, cheese, and eggs, 2) I can eat quality and quantity in frequency, meaning my meals satisfy, rather than deprive. Salad? Sure, please add egg, bacon bits, and shredded parmesan with the creamy dressing for 2 grams of carbs, 3) As ketosis evolves, my appetite decreases and portion size naturally decrease, which contributes to more progressive ketosis, a wonderful cycle, 4) I can see results with or without exercise, however, exercise is a clear catalyst to weight loss. I currently walk 5.5 miles a day with a pace anywhere from 15 min/mile to 13.5 mins/mile over a total elevation change of about 1,000 ft., 5) I have become a bit of a low-carb culinary aficionado - I have learned to create amazingly tasty fat bombs, breads, chaffles, and entrees, that are really very satisfying. And staying satisfied while losing weight makes losing the weight seem more effortless. I am down only 24 pounds with another 26 to go, but the inches have fallen away quicker as I suspect the exercise is creating a little muscle. I am already no longer considered "obese". Whoever said "Nothing tastes as good as weight loss feels," may have been on to something. Wishing you continued success on your weightjourney, Bryan.Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17511598732933077642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591018003444406729.post-56324081139083867632020-07-17T22:13:36.449-04:002020-07-17T22:13:36.449-04:00As I've said since the winter of 2017, "W...As I've said since the winter of 2017, "We have to save the Country first. Then, and only then, can Liberals and Conservatives go back to fighting over taxes and other things that make no difference if our Constitution no longer exists." <br /><br />The current occupant of the Oval Office is not a Republican, he is not a Conservative, he is not a Democrat, nor is he a Liberal. He is a wannabe authoritarian dictator.<br /><br />Both Democrats and Conservatives (the wholesale trumpification of the Republican Party renders me unable to call Conservatives Republicans at this point) have one overreaching goal: to see the United States better achieve its founding principles. Yes, we have different ideas of how to get there, but we are united in purpose.<br /><br />A second term for Trump means only one thing: the wholesale destruction of small "d" democratic norms, our Constitution, and our great Democratic Republic. Jonathan Marcantelhttp://www.twitter.com/jonmarcantelnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591018003444406729.post-86806050207702267792020-07-16T23:28:12.138-04:002020-07-16T23:28:12.138-04:00This Liberal Hokie is a fan. Keep calling it as y...This Liberal Hokie is a fan. Keep calling it as you see it. B.Smittyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12650152449414871058noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591018003444406729.post-89582903110361917432020-07-14T06:25:58.057-04:002020-07-14T06:25:58.057-04:00thanks a lot dear Spirit Airline Baggagethanks a lot dear <a href="https://airlinetraveladvisor.com/" rel="nofollow">Spirit Airline Baggage</a>Spirit Airlines Baggagehttps://airlinetraveladvisor.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591018003444406729.post-48475906507126627442020-07-11T11:37:53.533-04:002020-07-11T11:37:53.533-04:00Good to hear from you, Admiral.
I hope you are we...Good to hear from you, Admiral.<br /><br />I hope you are well.Conservative Wahoohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16943261914224469332noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591018003444406729.post-56747190400441227132020-07-11T11:37:07.770-04:002020-07-11T11:37:07.770-04:00Ah, Hammer.
Thank you for piping up and reinforc...Ah, Hammer. <br /><br />Thank you for piping up and reinforcing the wisdom of my decisions. Conservative Wahoohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16943261914224469332noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591018003444406729.post-32029590878553995332020-07-11T10:48:42.929-04:002020-07-11T10:48:42.929-04:00Oh Lord I just saw this! So glad you're back, ...Oh Lord I just saw this! So glad you're back, well back blogging I mean. You're not 'back' as your high-minded, self-serving, arrogant diatribe makes clear. <br />Speaking of clear I very much regret your clarity of thought has not returned to you as yet, which is the absolute definition of 'sad'. Anyone who will not listen, not necessarily agree with but WILL NOT LISTEN and consider other points of view is sad individual indeed. We all suffer from tunnel vision from time to time but yours is the size of a pinhole. Perhaps a few years of leftist rule with more and more marginalized Americans with no jobs, no power of self determination and no freedom will do the trick. Or maybe you just like to complain.<br />Regardless it's good to have you back and I'll be reading your stuff, hoping against hope the old CW returns. We need guys like you (once were). <br />BTW here's a good rebuttal to your post. <br />https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/roger-stone-trump-gregg-jarrettHammerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00416082138509579703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8591018003444406729.post-84466887775616848782020-06-29T07:48:05.830-04:002020-06-29T07:48:05.830-04:00Thanks for this post Bryan - I share your long-ter...Thanks for this post Bryan - I share your long-term optimism for the possibilities the Founders gave us in a nation conceived in liberty and based upon a bed-rock belief in human dignity. Many twists and turns in our nation's journey since 1776 and no shortage of times we drove the car right into the ditch while arguing about whose hands should be on the steering wheel, but there's something in our DNA, all of our DNA, that gives us the ability to get ourselves back on the road again. Thanks, John Harvey (aka Incurable Optimist) ADM J. C. Harvey, Jr USNhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02311523641339900613noreply@blogger.com