Opus 2017-337: Watch Out for Falling Rock

I am assuming that this is a genuine report on Daily Time Waster.  One person was killed while rock climbing as a chunk of the mountain fell.  There are some really great pictures.  It is easy to overlook the loss of life.

My sympathy goes out to the families and injured.  Also of great concern is that I expect the caring people of the Nanny State to try to make rock climbing safe so that no one gets hurt.  Of course that will destroy the sport.  I have no interest in climbing rocks.  It isn’t just the danger.  I am too lazy.  But I think that part of the joy of life for some people is taking the challenge presented by risky endeavors.  Unlike drag racing on city streets, rock climbing does not generally threaten innocent bystanders. 

Let them take the risk.  They do not need your protection Sir Nanny.

homo unius libri

Opus 2017-336: New Terms: IFF

The dirty side of politics is when partisanship becomes IFF, Ideological Factional Fanaticism.  That is what we keep seeing in the House and Senate.  An article in the Washington Times tracks the changing tune of some Democrats on the issue of tax reform.  They are laying the groundwork of “voting for something before they vote against it.”  I think John Kerry came up with that bit of insight. 

When appearing before voters a number of Democrats have appeared to favor tax reform.  They have even championed some of the points in the new plan presented by the Republicans and backed by President Trump.  And therein lies the problem.  Trump Derangement Syndrom sets in.  This sums it up.

“Democratic lawmakers have privately indicated that their opposition is more about sabotaging Mr. Trump than the merits of the tax plan, said Rep. David Schweikert, Arizona Republican....

“‘They understand the desperate need for the economic growth,’ he said of his Democratic colleagues. ‘But they almost make it clear — they almost can’t say that in front of a microphone [that] what would be actually good for workers might also be good for this president. And anything that’s good for this president, if you’re Democrat you cannot embrace.’”

Factionalism puts the agenda of the party ahead of the good of the country.  When you are a Democrat your party agenda is to advance socialism and a limitation of the liberty of Americans.  It is done for your own good, of course.  Democrats feel that they are the elite that knows what is best for you.

There are plenty of RINOs on board.  Currently the Democrats are in the drivers seat but they could not control the bus without a lot of help from those who should be our friends. 

So be bi-partisan, vote all the suckers out.  Remember a swamp drains quicker is there are more places to remove the scum.

homo unius libri

Opus 2017-335: Hope or Headlines?

Instapundit linked to what appeared to be a potential cure for HIV.

I have mixed reactions.

First, I was encouraged.  HIV is a scourge that has the potential to match the destruction of the Black Death of medieval times.  Finding a way to stop it is a good thing.  It needs to be done before it mutates and starts to become airborne.

Second, I was skeptical.  Notice that it comes from the BBC.  In case you went to public school, the first “B” stands for “British”.  One of the things I have noticed when using Drudge as a source is that the vast majority of headlines that talk about miraculous progress in medicine come from British newspapers and are vastly overblown.  Usually when they claim a breakthrough it is simply because someone wanting more money says they have hopes of a breakthrough.  I am tired of reading about cures for diabetes, cancer and HIV that are nothing but dreams and drama.

Third, I have the same concern I have when I read about breakthroughs in weight control.  You know the dream of all us gluttons:  Eat all you want of whatever you want and still lose weight.  When I finally conceded that I was diabetic I had a choice.  I could either control my weight or start learning to use a needle.  In my case diabetes was a behavior issue.  I am a glutton.  I love food.  It is a character flaw.  The only way I could avoid serious health issues was to control my appetite.  HIV is in the same category.  It has deadly consequences.  It is also a behavior issue.  We could do away with HIV in a generation.  All it would take is abiding by Biblical standards of sexual behavior and the virus would not be passed on.  Yes, I know that you can get it from blood transfusions and such.  The statement is still true.

So don’t get too excited.  Cures are good.  Promises are elusive.

 homo unius libri

Opus 2017-334: Notable

I was going through my daily ritual of websites and perusing the one dealing with San Antonio.  Over on the right it has a feature called “Notable Deaths”.  That is the local term for “obituary”.  What struck me first was that I had never heard of anybody on the list.  When it listed what they had done to be notable I must confess that I did not even know that those things needed to be done.  Grab for whatever fame you can find.

The second thing that jumped out at me that three of the four who made the fold were younger than I am.  Maybe I should say, not as old. 

I have my problems.  We all do.  At the same time I am still cooking on most of my burners.  And as I tell people when they get squeamish about the topic of death, “I am ready to go.”

Being ready to go means everything from having clean underwear to having my sins forgiven by the grace of God.  There is a lot in between.  I am sure that I missed a few spots on the glasses.  Put it in my obituary. 

homo unius libri

Opus 2017-333: Locker Room Humor

You may have caught that one player on the Pittsburgh Steelers did not follow the coaches instructions.  Instead of cowering in the locker room and giving implicit support for the Anti-American antics of football snowflakes, Alejandro Villanueva came out and showed respect for the values of our country.  His parents taught him right.

At this point I am expecting him to be disciplined by the coach or the management.  Free speech is a one way street in the world of Progressive blizzards.  It only works when you are hating on America.  Perhaps one of his teammates will blind-side him in an attempt to teach him that hate will not be tolerated. 

I salute him.  I expect him to pay.

The frosting on the cake is that one account had the fans booing the team when it came out after being AWOL for the national anthem.  Kudos to Pittsburgh. 

In an interview after the game the coach was quoted at Powerline as saying,

“...he was looking for “100 percent participation” in whatever course of action the team took during the national anthem.”

It goes without saying that such a sentiment only applies when the action supports the left.

homo unius libri

Opus 2017-332: RSVP

I can understand why the sheep who follow the Progressive elites would not want to go to the White House to meet President Trump.  I would feel the same level of enthusiasm if I had been invited by Barak Obama.  I would not call him all the gutter names they come up with.  I would voice my opinion with grammar and vocabulary that showed I had graduated from 8th grade.  I would not hold a press conference and, of course, no one would care.

On the other hand I don’t think I ever referred to Obama as “not my president”.  He was president of the United States.  I am an American.  He won the election.  I am a patriot.  I did not like his policies.  His arrogance made Trump look humble.  His accomplishments made Trump look awesome.  I did not respect him but I did respect the office.

I often had this discussion with students.  It was hard for them to grasp.  They have been indoctrinated with the distortion that anyone who disagrees with them is a hater.  They have been groomed to live in the world of 1984 and they are well suited.

So stay away from the White House.  It is okay with me.  It will save us time because we won’t need to count the silverware after you leave.  It is called freedom and I want you to have it as much as I do.

homo unius libri

Opus 2017-331: Is the Pope a Catholic?

That used to be a trick question.  I am not sure if that is still true. 

Instapundant had a link to a Catholic site that was calling Pope Francis to account for some of his statements about marriage, sexuality and family.  They seem to feel like he is opening the doors to people who might pursue heretical positions. 

They tried to walk the line of loyal opposition.

“The signatories stress they are not accusing the Pope of formal heresy...”

At the same time it is clear they see the logical progression of some of the pope’s warm and fuzzy social agenda. 

The Biblical standards on marriage and the place of sexual activity in marriage are watershed.  If we continue to drift down this road the consequences will be culturally shattering.  I might be good if the pope would get on board with the Nashville Statement.  If you have never heard of the Nashville Statement you might be advised to take a look.  That is really important if you attend a church with the word “united” in your name.

homo unius libri