Month: July 2022

Today’s Sunday “hero” is Carion Evans, a sixteen year old black high school student from Pascagoula, Mississippi.

On early Sunday, July 3, he jumped into a river in Mississippi and rescued three teenage girls as their car sank — and then came to the aid of a police officer who also jumped in to help but began to struggle.

From BlazeNews:

“Authorities said the three girls were in a car on the Interstate 10 boat launch that ended up in the Pascagoula River and began to sink, WLOX-TV reported.

‘They drove straight under the water,’ Evans told WLOX. ‘Like, only a little bit of the car was still above the water.’

With that, Evans told the station he tossed off his shoes, shirt, and phone — and jumped into the river.

‘I was just like, I can’t let none of these folks die. They need to get out the water. So, I just started getting them,’ the Pascagoula High student added to WLOX. ‘I wasn’t even thinking about nothing else.’

Evans added to the station that he was ‘behind them trying to keep them above water and swim with them at the same time.’

Evans — who’s been swimming since he was about three years old — not only helped bring the three girls to shore but also came to the aid of Moss Point Police Officer Gary Mercer who swam out to help, the station said.

‘I turned around. I see the police officer,’ Evans added to WLOX. ‘He’s drowning. He’s going underwater, drowning, saying, ‘Help!” So, I went over there. I went and I grabbed the police officer, and I’m like swimming him back until I feel myself I can walk.’

In the aftermath, he told the station the victims were ‘throwing up because a lot of water had got inside all of them. Twenty five yards [from shore], so it was a lot of swimming. My legs were so tired after. Anything could’ve been in that water, though. But I wasn’t thinking about it.’

Officer Mercer and the three girls were taken to a hospital and are recovering, WLOX said, adding that Mercer is expected to be back on duty later this week.”

Carion Evans is a true real life hero.

He did what needed to be done, basically ignoring personal peril.

He deserves the praise and recognition of all of us.

7/10/22

“Just Say No” was an advertising campaign prevalent during the 1980s and early 1990s as a part of the U.S. “War on Drugs”, aiming to discourage children from engaging in illegal recreational drug use by offering various ways of saying no.

Hypothetically, what if those in charge decided to “just say no?” What if governors, mayors, etc. in response to something that was against the law, decided to just say no … “I will not enforce that law.” Couldn’t happen, you say. What happened during the riots after George Floyd? Were the perpetrators of violence and mayhem brought to justice? … NO, they were not.

In the recent trial of Clinton cronies who clearly lied to the FBI, were those who were obviously guilty convicted? … NO, they were not, as the jury basically said that they did not like that law.

In Maryland there are laws that prohibit demonstrations outside the homes of Supreme Court Justices. Are these laws being enforced? … NO, they are not.

In New York New York Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul on Friday signed legislation into law to limit the use of concealed carry guns in “sensitive locations” such as schools and places of worship in response to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling. As I understand it after SCOTUS basically said that  concealed carry could not be limited. Governor Kathy Hochul basically said NO, and called special legislative session to impose more restrictions on concealed carry.

Actually this is no longer hypothetical as on 7/8 “our President” went on record defying the recent decision by SCOTUS.

President Joe Biden on Friday,7/8/22, announced that he would defy the Supreme Court and state lawmakers by signing an executive order to federally “protect” and “expand access to” abortion.

Biden publicly denounced the Supreme Court’s ruling in the case of Dobbs vs. Jackson on the day of its release, but he promises to go much further in his new executive order.

My question is where does this stop? 

If “our President” can just say ‘NO’ to the Supreme Court, and mandate whatever he wants in defiance to what the Supreme Court rules, then one must ask … “Do we really need a Supreme Court at all?”

Or perhaps a more pertinent question should be … How does one spell

I-m-p-e-a-c-h-a-b-l-e. o-f-f-e-n-s-e ?

7/9/22

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As radio talk show host, Mike Gallagher, said,  “How infuriating is that? How maddening is that? You almost can’t find the words to describe it.”

In my mind he could only be  referring to something that “our” President did. Of course, I was right … but which inane asinine thing was he referring to? It’s almost like going to a florist to buy flowers … what kind of flower should I buy? … there are so many! Actually Mike Gallagher was referring to the despicable thing that Reuters reported on.

The full text of what Mike Gallagher said is as follows:

“According to Reuters, last month Biden, who’s in the midst of a what’s called an unprecedented release from the nation’s emergency petroleum reserves — more than 5 million barrels of oil were shipped overseas last month, despite the roaring inflation, the struggle that millions of Americans are facing.

They actually exported our reserves to Europe and Asia. Right now, we’re over $5 a gallon average for regular unleaded, $5.81 for diesel. A spokesman for the Department of Energy told Reuters in a statement, “The Strategic Petroleum Reserve remains a critical energy security tool to address global crude oil supply disruptions. The release helped stable the supply of oil with shipments to” — are you ready for this? — “The Netherlands, India and China.

“This country had was crippled by a virus that emanated from China and we’re supposed to do nothing about it. And in fact, reward China by exporting millions of barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

“How infuriating is that? How maddening is that? You almost can’t find the words to describe it.”

On that same morning I read about something else that “our” President did on 7/7, and my reaction was curiously similar.

Are you ready for this? 

From the Seattle Times:

“Megan Rapinoe received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Joe Biden on Thursday morning. Rapinoe traveled to the White House to receive the medal, which is considered the nations’ highest civilian honor.”

Despicable! Why?

As summed up by Katie Pavlich on Townhall:

“While there’s no doubt Rapinoe is one of the best female athletes in the world, she also hates the United States of America. She has repeatedly stood on foreign soil while refusing to participate in the National Anthem before games — all while representing Team USA.”

My reaction … “How infuriating is that? How maddening is that? You almost can’t find the words to describe it.”

In my local “newspaper” there was a picture of “our” President placing the Medal of Freedom around the neck of that despicable soccer player, but nowhere could I find any article or comment on what Reuters said about the despicable thing that J.B. did with the oil from our Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

Who is more despicable? … “our President or my local “newspaper?”

A Sophie’s choice because both are equally undesirable.

7/8/22

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Recognize that you probably have not read about this in the Main Stream Media in the U.S., as it goes against what the liberals are pushing worldwide.

From British Professor Adrian Hilton’s Twitter post:

“Honestly, this is the sort of thing of which revolutions are made.”

 Professor Hilton is not referring to America or even to some third world country. He is talking about what is going on in the Netherlands. He is referring to the latest nonsensical dictum from ultra-progressives in the European Union, and the reaction from the Dutch farmers.

From Radio Genova:

In the Netherlands  politicians’ decision to close dozens of farms and cattle ranches to reduce nitrogen to comply with absurd EU regulations on nitrogen pollution, the angry Dutch farmers have issued an ultimatum threatening to block the country’s airports, ports and distribution centers.

From the New Zealand Daily Telegraph, Australian Senator Malcolm Roberts says:

“This is the end path of climate change activism. Eventually everything has to be stopped, even our food supply. Dutch farmers are protesting new rules that will close farms and force them to kill off livestock to curb “emissions”. Godspeed to the farmers.”

From the Twitter account of Dutch politician, Eva Vlaardingerbroek:

“The Dutch farmers have blocked dozens of high roads & distribution centers. Lots of supermarkets are already out of milk/eggs. We’re the second largest agricultural exporter in the world, after America. Together we feed the world. Support our farmers.”

At the end of last month, the Dutch government unveiled a plan to slash 50% of pollutants such as nitrogen oxides and ammonia by 2030, according to a report from ABC News. As the government acknowledged in a statement, “The honest message… is that not all farmers can continue their business.”

Urine and dung produced by livestock are a source of ammonia and nitrous oxide emissions, according to a study published by the U.S. National Library of Medicine. NASA satellites have linked agricultural regions to higher atmospheric ammonia concentrations, which lead to “poor air and water quality.”

What are the Dutch authorities doing?

From the New Zealand Daily Telegraph:

DUTCH POLICE FIRE ‘TARGETED SHOTS’ AT PROTESTING FARMERS

“The run-in came during a wave of unrest among Dutch farmers, who have vocally opposed a government initiative to slash pollution emissions, including nitrogen oxide and ammonia, by 50% over the next eight years.

Because fertilizers contain a large amount of nitrogen oxide, and livestock produce ammonia in their urine and feces, the reforms are likely to hit the agricultural industry, forcing farmers to reduce the number of livestock or cease operations altogether. Many fear the reforms will simply put them out of business, driving intense demonstrations in recent weeks, including farmer-led blockades at major transportation hubs.”

Back to Adrian Hilton:

“Dutch farmers are being treated appallingly by their political masters, being forced to kill their livestock and close their farms in order to ‘slash emissions’ (incl. ammonia in urine and faeces). Honestly, this is the sort of thing of which revolutions are made.”

State tuned!

7/7/22

californiacontrarian

In general the U.S. is becoming more secular and less religious. So what?

What’s the big deal? In the short term less time spent in church allows for more time spent doing other things. Over the long haul does it really make much difference? Let’s find out from an expert.

Rodney Stark is one of the world’s leading authorities on the sociology of religion. For many years this Pulitzer Prize nominee was a sociology professor at the University of Washington. He has authored more than 150 scholarly articles and 32 books, including several widely used sociology textbooks.

I think we can agree that Professor Stark is an expert in his field.

In his book “America’s Blessings: How Religion Benefits Everyone, Including Atheists,”  he aspired to measure the effects of religious belief on a society. Comparing less religious and irreligious people, Stark concluded that religious people:

• Are much less likely to commit crimes at all ages.
• Are far more likely to contribute even to secular charities, to volunteer their time to socially beneficial programs, and to be active in civic affairs.
• Enjoy superior mental health—they are happier, less neurotic, and far less likely to commit suicide.
• Enjoy superior physical health, having an average life expectancy more than seven years longer than that of the irreligious.
• Express a higher degree of satisfaction with their marriage and are substantially less likely to abuse their spouses and children.
• Perform better on standardised achievement tests and are far less likely to have dropped out of school, which is especially true for ethnic minorities.
• Are far less subject to being on unemployment or welfare.

After reading over this list multiple times, the percent of the population that is Christian does seem important whether you look at it either from the individual’s viewpoint or from the perspective of what’s best for our country. It’s hard to dispute that better mental health, superior physical health, and significantly longer life expectancy are all very good for the individual. Furthermore, less crime, more charitable giving, less spousal abuse and less child abuse, less people unemployed and on welfare can only be good things for our country.

So I guess …yes, it is a big deal and that appears to be the Stark reality.

7/6/22

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The next time you have a chance see if you can get a glimpse of Joe Biden from the side … for instance when he is walking off stage. Besides the fact that his head is in front of his feet when he walks, check out the length of his nose. Although I am suspicious that his head being ahead of his feet when he walks could be an indicator of early Parkinson’s Disease, I also am suspicious that his nose is getting longer. Now granted he is not Pinocchio-like at this point, but it is not for lack of trying! 

As most of you are aware, Pinocchio is an Italian fictional character and the protagonist of the children’s novel The Adventures of Pinocchio (1883) by Italian writer Carlo Collodi of Florence, Tuscany.He is known for his long nose, which (on only one occasion in the novel, but more frequently in most adaptations) grows when he lies. Certainly if Geppetto’s wooden puppet’s nose can grow when he lies, Joe Biden’s proboscis can do the same as the longer he is the President, the more he lies.

The following examples are from a piece by Marvin Covault in Rip’s newsletter:

“The border is not open.” [LIE] The truth: Every statistic associated with illegal immigration tells us just the opposite. 

Biden June 2022: “We have the fastest-growing economy in the world.” [LIE] The truth: More than 50 countries are growing faster. 

Biden: “People have record savings.”  [LIE] The truth: Wealth losses in the U.S. have exceeded $10 trillion so far in 2022, the most significant catastrophic vaporizations of wealth and savings in U.S. history. 

Biden’s spokesperson recently explained that “The economy is in a better place than it has been historically.” [LIE] The truth:  During the Trump presidency, before COVID-19, median household income rose by $6,446, the largest three-year gains in income for middle-class families in history. Under Biden, median income lost $5-6,000 in average wages and salaries when adjusted for inflation over the last year. 

Biden: “America is in a position to tackle a worldwide problem (inflation) that’s worse everywhere but here.” [LIE] The truth: U.S. inflation is higher than in Japan, France, Germany, Britain, Italy, and Canada.

Biden’s litany of lies does not include “the blame game,” where he blames everything that is going wrong on somebody or something other than himself. His blaming charade is a whole other category of lies!

Perhaps, from now on we should just refer to J.B. as President P. ? 

7/5/22

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I just read an interesting article in the Epoch Times by an Australian professor, Augusto Zimmermann. He is professor and head of law at Sheridan Institute of Higher Education in Perth, Australia.

While I do not like to be preachy in my blog pieces, keep in mind that the following comments are made by an Australian professor about Australia. 

Any similarity to what is occurring in the United States is purely coincidental.

The title of his op-ed is:

“Abandoning God May Have Disastrous Consequences” 

Most of the following is taken directly from Professor Zimmerman’s piece:

“While the Australian legal tradition cannot lay claim to the historical depth it has in the United States; it was nevertheless built on solid religious foundations.

“While the role of Christianity in Australia’s history is irrefutable, it is often critiqued and brushed aside with contempt. After all, the religious makeup of Australia has changed remarkably over the last 50 years, and the recent 2021 census shows Australians are less religious than ever.

“For the first time, fewer than half of Australians identify as Christian. In fact, only less than 44 percent of the population now profess to be Christian, down from 52 percent five years earlier and 61 percent in 2011. When the first census was conducted in 1911, 96 percent of Australians self-identified as Christian.

“In the census of 1961, only 0.7 percent of Australians identified as having no religion. But now, almost 40 percent of Australians say they have no religious beliefs.

“It is now an appropriate time for an accounting of the tangible human and social benefits of religion and the recognition of the potential disadvantages to Australia becoming a less religious society, given the growing number of Australians saying they have no religious belief.

“When a significant majority of Australians embraced the Christian religion, there was a general agreement on fundamental moral questions. Our law reflected the moral principles of Christianity, which required equality before the law and the protection of inalienable rights to life, liberty, and property. The task of political leaders was basically to uphold these objective principles that used to underpin our legal system and protect us from arbitrary government.

“But Australia has now witnessed an increasing antagonism to anything that can be remotely associated with the Christian religion. 

“This perhaps explains the appallingly submissive attitude of most Australians during the pandemic. This issue may be explained by the spectacular decline of belief in God and the practice of religion.

“Arguably, the decline of Christianity resulted in the establishment of a secular state that involves a more faithful acceptance of government as an all-powerful protector of the community. As such, all explanations given by government chief medical officers, whose advice politicians then impose on a submissive population with a great level of zealotry, are entirely accepted with no further questioning.

“As can be seen, there is an inevitable consequence in embracing an irreligious view of human nature and turning away from religion. When religion is more comprehensively eradicated from Australia’s culture and society, it will be quite difficult to ignore that without a belief in God, there is also no final human accountability.

Or, as the Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoyevsky stated in ‘The Brothers Karamazov’ ‘If God does not exist, everything is permitted.’

This can lead to disastrous consequences, and I sincerely fear for the future of Australia.”

Perhaps as you were reading this your mind wandered as did mine … “this is America; this is where the U.S. is headed.” 

As of 12/2021, self-identified Christians make up 63% of U.S. population in 2021, down from 75% a decade ago.

I sincerely fear for the future of the U.S.

7/4/22

Californiacontrarian 

Maggie DeJong had been a student at Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville (SIU,E). She has since graduated, but while she was there SIU,E slapped DeJong with a “no contact order,” the college’s equivalent of a restraining order, usually reserved for those threatening violence.

What did Maggie DeJong do to warrant such a harsh restriction … did she violently attack someone, or perhaps threaten to do physical harm to someone?

Not exactly … err, not even close. 

Most of what follows is from The Epoch Times:

DeJong engaged in discussions in classroom settings, which was expected of her, in ways that were topically appropriate, discussions about “race relations,” “religion,” and “the postmodern theoretical framework,” she said. Until a student who didn’t like what she was saying made a formal complaint.

Her views were collected from social media for over a year. Classmates took screenshots from her Instagram as “evidence.”

She defended Kyle Rittenhouse and denounced critical race theory on social media, drawing the ire of fellow students.

“I was participating in these discussions, but they found views offensive that were from my Instagram that regarded pro-life discussions,” DeJong said, adding that those views were “conservative views that millions of Americans hold that are being discussed right now.”

Because of her viewpoints on contentious issues facing America today, ones impacting the lives, livelihoods, rights, and security of countless individuals—such as abortion, defunding the police, and Black Lives Matter—the school took administrative steps to bring her bright mind to heel.

Adding insult to injury, DeJong’s teacher followed up by sending an email to some 30 of her classmates, informing them she was being investigated. This pressure successfully chilled her speaking, effectively silencing her from further discussion, even in the classroom.

“I was living in fear with my speech and so I was very scared to even defend myself, and so I remained very quiet,” she said, adding that she felt “sadness for what was going on.”

“I went in with the mindset that it’s a university, so diversity of thought should be welcomed,” DeJong added. “It should be a marketplace of ideas where you can engage in dialogue … where you’re truly picking things apart and learning, and learning from other people.

“Freedom of speech, the First Amendment, needs to be upheld within university systems so that students can fully engage in the marketplace of ideas.”

So let’s be clear here. Ms. DeJong was castigated and punished by SIU,E because she held conservative views, and was not adverse to voicing these views during classroom discussions. Because some woke Karen was offended by what Maggie DeJong said, Maggie DeJong was convicted and punished … all without a chance to defend herself.

 The university’s punitive approach to learning, reinforced victimhood behavior rather than encouraging civil discourse.

DeJong, along with the Alliance Defending Freedom, is now suing the school for violating her First Amendment rights to free speech and religious belief. Her Christian beliefs are part of what shape her worldview. DeJong is seeking a change in the school’s policy, vindication from the no contact order, and remediation for damages.

I hope that Ms. DeJong and her lawyers take SIU,E to the woodshed. Only if that school is forced to pay a large amount of do-re-mi for what they did, will this sort of autocratic behavior stop.

Go, Maggie, go!

7/3/22

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Right from the beginning I want to be clear that I have never heard of Ken Olin, even though he is an actor, producer, and director. I do not euphemistically walk on his side of the street, as according to Blaze media, he is an outspoken leftist who has described President Joe Biden as “a giant.” 

Olin is outspoken about his political views — he has praised President Joe Biden and denounced former President Donald Trump.

“Yes, @POTUS is an elderly man,” Olin tweeted about Biden. “But he’s an elderly man who knows what it takes to be a great President. And he still has the faculties to do the job with decency, ethics, empathy, conviction, honor, and character. Don’t mistake humility for weakness. Biden is a giant.”

That inane and insane statement should make it clear that it would be unlikely that he and I would ever agree on anything. However, today I read something the Mr. Olin just said that I actually agree with.

On June 26, he tweeted:

“In States where abortion is illegal the father should be financially on the hook at the moment of conception.”

Many responded by tweeting that they completely agree with the policy position that Olin mentioned. I also agree, but only sort of. I am very skeptical because Olin’s idea does not go far enough. The practical problem with his idea is that one cannot get blood from a turnip … meaning that it’s impossible to produce a desired item or outcome from an object or situation that could not, in any case, provide it. In other words I postulate that although having the “biological fathers” provide for their offspring is wonderful in theory, it ain’t gonna happen. Why? … because practically speaking, there is no way that many of these “biological fathers” can provide for their children. The government can certainly try, but you can’t get blood out of a turnip, a cantelope, or a watermelon.

Furthermore, what’s to stop these “biological fathers” from fathering again … and again … and again? … and not being able to support their offspring … again, and again, and again. To me there is only one way that I can think of, and it’s called a vasectomy. In other words in addition to supporting their new offspring, we need to make sure that it can no longer be a recurrent problem in the future. Someone is certain to ask if I am proposing forced vasectomies … yes, absolutely yes!

Furthermore, it is not only with the fathers of these non-aborted babies that we need to act. To prevent future non wanted babies, remember that it takes two to tango. If a woman were to accidentally have one non-aborted baby, it’s a mistake. However one mistake in this regard is all that should be allowed. A repeat offender should have to have her tubes tied … as what’s good for the goose, etc!

In a matter-of-fact world there may be many abortion doctors looking for work. These now unemployed abortionists could easily be retrained to do vasectomies and tubal ligations, and I would guess that these new skills would keep food on their tables ad infinitum! 

7/2/22

Californiacontrarian

At some point will acquiescing to the “Karens” and to the “Kens” stop? I do apologize to those whose real name happens to be either Karen or Ken, but so be it.

If we haven’t reached the absolute depth of stupidity concerning the folding to a complaining Karen/Ken, the following story has to indicate that we are close to the well known bottom of the barrel.

From BlazeMedia:

Cornell biology professor Randy Wayne noted that several weeks ago he stopped by Kroch Library — which contains Cornell’s rare and manuscript collections — and noticed a bust and a plaque were gone. This was not just any bust or any plaque, but a bust of Abraham Lincoln and a plaque of the Gettysburg Address.

The bust and plaque have “been there since I can remember,” Wayne noted to the outlet.

According to a Facebook photo, the bust and plaque have been on display in the library since at least 2013, according to the College Fix 

(The College Fix is an American conservative news website focused on higher education. It was created in 2011 by journalist John J. Miller and is published by the non-profit Student Free Press Association.)

Wayne added to the College Fix that he asked librarians about the disappearance, and all they could say was that the bust and plaque were removed after a stink was raised about them.

“Someone complained, and [they were] gone,” he told the outlet.

Wayne added to the College Fix that the objects were replaced with “well, nothing,” leaving a bare white wall.

“The Gettysburg Address is an incredible speech,” Wayne told the outlet. “We have a handwritten copy in Lincoln’s hand. It is known as the Bancroft Copy. It comes with an envelope signed by Lincoln (using his franking privilege), and a letter to [historian George] Bancroft, thanking him for requesting a copy of the address to put in a book to be sold for charity.”

Wayne added, “I show these documents to my class, as well as the heavy iron manacles worn by slaves. Yes, we have a Lincoln legacy that has been inspirational to me and my students. To take his words [and bust] out of the hallway says something about our love of liberty,” the College Fix said.

Wayne added to the College Fix that he asked librarians about the disappearance, and all they could say was that the bust and plaque were removed after a stink was raised about them.

“Someone complained, and [they were] gone,” he told the outlet.

Wayne emailed Cornell University President Martha Pollack and asked about the missing objects, the outlet said. Wayne told the College Fix that Pollack had not responded to his inquiry.

The outlet said the president’s office and Cornell media affairs haven’t responded to its email over the last week, nor to a phone call asking about what happened to the Gettysburg Address plaque and Lincoln bust and why they were removed.

Without knowing Martha Pollack, either she is a total woke wimp, or some woke wimp below her in Cornell’s pecking order took it upon him/herself to remove these pieces of history from Cornell’s library. Either way, this is nuts, and an example of “wokeness gone wild!”

Compare this situation at Cornell with that at GW Law School. Reportedly ~7000 GW students signed an online petition demanding that Justice Clarence Thomas no longer teach a class at the law school.

From Epoch News:

Thomas has lectured at GW since 2011. According to the university, he is set to teach this fall a constitutional law seminar aimed at helping students get “a more complete story” of famous Supreme Court cases by exploring “additional facts” that are lesser known about the social and political context surrounding the court’s decisions. The class is co-taught with Greg Maggs, a professor who clerked for Thomas and retired Justice Anthony Kennedy.

In a statement released on Tuesday, university leaders said that Thomas is going to teach his class this fall as scheduled, even though his views “do not represent the views of either the George Washington University or its law school.”

GW Provost Christopher Bracey and Law School Dean Dayna Matthew said. “Because we steadfastly support the robust exchange of ideas and deliberation, and because debate is an essential part of our university’s academic and educational mission to train future leaders who are prepared to address the world’s most urgent problems, the university will neither terminate Justice Thomas’ employment nor cancel his class in response to his legal opinions.

Finally, someone had the chutzpah to stand up to woke students!

7/1/22

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