Open thread 3/28/22
A number of people on Saturday’s Fogelberg thread said they didn’t like his music because it was too “sweet.” I hereby offer you the following unsweet Fogelberg song – one of my favorites:
The New Neo
A blog about political change, among other things
NY Post once again giving The Bee a run for its money as the nation’s paper of record, in this editorial:
“Biden’s call for Putin’s ouster is the latest sign that none of his words mean a damn thing”—
https://nypost.com/2022/03/27/bidens-call-for-putins-removal-while-in-europe/
H/T Powerline blog.
Note: Rather unfortunately, the editorial assumes that Joe Biden is really in charge…and although it is observant enough to refer to the Man Who Would Be President as a “con man” it doesn’t take this assumption to its necessary conclusion….
Nonetheless, some Key grafs:
‘…While Biden’s age and general cluelessness are part of the problem here, the real issue is that nothing he says ever means much….
‘…Of course, the press is happy to play mop-up. Some were calling this Biden’s “tear down this wall” moment before the White House’s embarrassing walkback. The Washington Post writeup gently, and comically, referred to Biden’s “sometimes inarticulate rhetoric.” Sometimes??
‘Yet the problem here isn’t his confusion, but his fundamental insincerity….
‘…The president of the United States…is the most powerful guy on the planet; his words matter. The job’s a terrible fit for a career con man.’
Which conclusion may be said to be ENTIRELY WRONG: TThe job—more specifically, the way it was “earned”—is a PERFECT FIT for a career con man….
(Which is why the Post still has a ways to go before it can catch up to the nation’s paper of record…)
Alas, Victor D. Hanson also doesn’t get it…as he calls “Biden” “MAD” for embracing the religion of “green energy” and for enriching the country’s enemy (so-called), Putin, while hobbling the country’s allies (so-called), Greece, Israel and Cyprus:
“The Sheer Madness of Today’s Left”—
https://amgreatness.com/2022/03/27/the-sheer-madness-of-todays-left/
No: it is not madness that “Biden” has embraced but the policy of fundamental destruction; IOW, not madness but wanton ruination——the Eschatological fulfillment of Obama’s Dream….
The Democrats and their supporters are now on the far side of the looking glass and going hell bent and full bore to its only possible LOGICAL conclusion.
I didn’t join in the previous Fogelberg thread on Saturday, busy reffing youth soccer all day. I like much of his work, though I can see how some would criticize as being a bit over sentimental. My favorite, which I play (easy chords, D, A, G, with and E7 and Bm, but nice progression and strum pattern and a chance to push the Fender up a bit), is Part of the Plan, a bit more of a rocker song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWBDfgbQE5c
Barry,
The president along with veep throat are out of their respective depths.
But judging by what the president has said throughout his career in the senate when he was in complete control of himself he wouldn’t have bought into the wholesale destruction of our country. Which tells us that he really isn’t in charge.
So, who on his staff are actually making the decisions?
“The Democrats and their supporters are now on the far side of the looking glass and going hell bent and full bore to its only possible LOGICAL conclusion.”
I know I shouldn’t;t be amazed anymore, but it continues to astound me to read the comments on FB from the left seats. Anything that is said on their side is completely defended as logical and wonderful. The latest being KBJ’s definition of women and Biden’s numerous gaffes in Europe. And with even an NBC poll showing Biden’s decreasing support, I continue to marvel at these people who don’t seem to be connected with reality at all.
Looks like Justin Trudeau, the PM of Canada, got ripped a new one by several members of the EU Parliament.
They cited his handling of the truckers protest in Ottawa. He was present there at the EU Parliament when this occurred.
Yawrate, it’s been about a month or so now that I’ve been wondering whether the powers that be have Joe Biden in some kind of MKULTRA “situation” (or “bind”); IOW that “they”(!) are able to “manage” him by somehow feeding him suggestions using either drugs or some sort of hypnosis (or combination thereof).
The problem with this mode of thinking of course is that it not only makes me seem even more off-the-wall than usual…BUT ALSO…that at this point in the game I’m not even sure anyone HAS TO “feed” Joe Biden anything. IOW he’s “Naturally Demented” (sort of like kefir…well, sort of…). In any event, he sure doesn’t seem to possess any self-awareness, that is, he has the charm (and soul) of an automaton…
…Not to mention that MKULTRA didn’t, I believe, have a stellar reputation for actually working (except in films)—though if it DID work, would they actually tell us? OTOH the N. Koreans and/or Chicoms were reputed to have been able to do something successfully along similar lines, unless that’s an urban (or “collectivized”) legend.
The kicker is, to be sure, that it doesn’t really matter whether Joe Biden is being “managed” or not, since he’s doing exactly what he’s supposed to be doing and will likely continue to be doing so for a while.
(OTOH, maybe MKULTRA is the reason why Kamala’s so giggly? That is, she’s been “programmed” to giggle whenever she hits a sandbar, IOW almost all the time…kind of like a “default” setting…Alas, poor Kamala…)
It is far past time to think of Democrats as our “opponents.” They are not. They are “Enemy.”
Torture of Russian POWs surfacing.
https://theconservativetreehouse.com/blog/2022/03/27/zelenskyy-worried-about-western-financial-support-after-video-surfaces-showing-ukraine-military-torturing-russian-pows/
JimNorCal:
Information warfare 101:
You aren’t seeing the whole story from either side. Ukraine has a vested interest in not abusing prisoners, as does Russia.
https://redstate.com/streiff/2022/03/27/questionable-videos-of-abuse-of-russian-prisoners-of-war-surface-but-ukraine-has-an-obligation-to-investigate-n541763
I posted a link to a youtube video from “the chieftan” a few days ago about wartime propaganda; consider the classic disinformation peddled by the Palestinians against Israel.
Caveat emptor.
Another observation by Alex Kaschuta:
Permanent revolution means stepping on 1000 rakes until you come up with something like this: Radical Monogamy
“Some people really do want monogamy,” Vincent says. “I think that’s a healthy desire and I hope that for those who want it, radical monogamy will offer a totally new portal to a joyful, healthy, magical kind of love.” https://www.vice.com/en/article/m7vxxy/what-is-radical-monogamy
om: Zelenskyy fan boi?
(neo, I’m not trying to abuse the civility of the blog: this is my estimation of how om would respond if positions were reversed. As such, please read it in a sardonic voice)
Gerard vdL, if they can utterly collapse the economy and perhaps even disrupt food they will have a crisis large enough to allow them to take over everything… just for 2 weeks, you know, to flatten the curve
Dick Illyes,
I tried to get through that Vice article. I really did. Made it about 1/3 of the way and threw in the towel.
It’s difficult for me to believe people can be that self-centered. To use your analogy; 150,000 years of evolution tells them stepping on rakes is painful and counterproductive, their grandparents tell them stepping on rakes is painful and counterproductive, their parents tell them, hundreds of years of literature and art tells them… But no, they are uniquely enlightened. So they step on a rake, and another, and another… Until they finally develop a new term for exactly what all adults have been telling them forever.
Hopefully our culture fosters some good, but there is no argument it is amazingly great at creating narcissists.
Dick Illyes,
I also love how they assume they completely understand other peoples’ reasons for acting and behaving a certain way, while also believing no one can ever possibly understand the intricacies and advanced intelligence of how they think.
I have been monogamous since taking a vow to marry my wife. None of my reasons are the reasons the people in that article attribute to my decision.
When I was young I thought most religious people were religious because they were afraid of death and the more they aged the more likely they would be a devout follower of a faith, as being closer to death makes one more afraid and apt to grab any solace one might find, no matter how ludicrous. As I grew in faith my personal journey had nothing to do with death, nor a fear of death. There was so much more to learn than I ever imagined.
Now I look back on my old self and wonder how I reasoned that great theologians and philosophers who were wise and courageous in so many ways would all believe in a religion out of a fear of death.
physicsguy,
I too stayed out of that thread. The guy is not my cup of tea.
However, I agree with you on “Part of the Plan.” That is a very good song. If that’s all he ever wrote I’d say he was a very talented songwriter based just on that one song. It’s still not in my wheelhouse of preferred musical styles, but I always thought it was well done and the lyrics are inspirational, uplifting and encouraging. I didn’t even know the title, until you posted it, because I intentionally have not paid much attention to him. However I find myself humming that song and singing some of the lyrics from time to time because it’s so inspirational.
JimNorCal:
I’m not a Zelensky fan boy, nor a Xi fluffer, or a Vlad apologist. Nor someone tying Vlad’s invasion to the WEF / Dravos / and the Great Reset. The WarOnTheRocks.com podcast from yesterday might give you some useful information.
Both sides are using information warfare and propaganda. Is that a foreign concept to you?
It is not a disputable fact that Vlad and Roosia invaded Ukraine, again. But, but, but the little people! Yeah, Vlad and his forces are killing a lot of little people, and F*ing up the Breadbasket of the World, regardless of sanctions. That may cause a lot of little people to starve.
That isn’t something the Ukrainians did, except by not surrendering immediately to Vlad. Or is that contested Jim?
“Radical Monogamy”
Really, now, is there any other kind? Well, except, I guess, for non-practicing monogamy….
(And then there’s radical celibacy…but that’s probably even more self-centered…)
I stopped reading the Vice piece at “As I grew and healed, I reached a place where it became clear to me that there is agency and power in questioning these cultural norms.”
There’s agency and power in doing all kinds of dumbass things. And boy am I sick of that “we are blank slates written upon by (oppressive) cultural norms” junk. Been hearing it since the ’60s and it’s been sounding dumber to me every year since about ’72.
This is a really interesting Beato video: https://youtu.be/JHlxTiR1zsk
Really funny he just recently recorded it and somehow youtube recommended it to me. Thinking of Fogelberg and his story, and the comments on Merle Haggard caused me to think of all the really talented songwriters who wrote great songs we will never hear.
And a day later the internet shows me a video by Beato on the subject.
I agree with Beato, the song the riff he came up with was really, really good and the female singers are phenomenal. The lyrics aren’t bad either. Could easily be a huge hit if it were promoted.
I should add, on that Beato video link there are some really fascinating comments from other singer/songwriters. Years and years of work and no public recognition.
Talent is rare, but supply still way outpaces demand.
More on the Beato youtube video:
In the comments someone named, Jarrett McGregor suggests Beato release an album, “Digital Dust” based on the video.
That’s a great idea and I think it would do well.
Also, for those of you who appreciate Beato’s talent, knowledge and practicality, in the video he discusses the hundreds of songs he wrote and years he toured with bands whose material is now “digital dust.” Even someone like Beato can’t make hits happen. Even just succeeding at the level of a working musician, able to live a middle class life and pay for rent, food and utilities is difficult for people with true talent.
Mac @ 2:59pm,
Very well stated!
Other words the blank slates use that frighten me are, “lens,” and “my truth.” And all three together in one sentence are very scary.
Rufus T. Fiefly:
They could also put out many many albums of forgotten or unreleased or unpromoted Bee Gees songs that are wonderful.
I hear that Biden is proposing to confestcate 20% of the unrealized capital gains of individuals and families with more than 100 million in assets.
Rufus,
I agree that song is really good.
Here is a video of them performing it.
Muddy Magnolias ‘Down By The Riverside’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6sPDqRnA-8
Nonapod,
I hope that not even John Roberts could sign off on something that unconstitutional at the federal level. Now the state level is a different beast. However, I would think that it is too easy to move from state to state, for any state to be dumb enough to implement an unrealized cap. gains tax.
But I’m sure Slow Joe’s voter base is very energized by the proposal, which I suppose is the objective. I saw a couple in their 60’s out walking their dog this morning. The man was wearing a Biden Harris sweatshirt with huge lettering. Seriously? Still? No embarrassment?
Tangential to Nanopod’s comment about a 20% wealth tax…
Does anyone think Congress (or a President through Executive order) will do anything about student loan forgiveness? It is discussed often. Candidates campaign on it. But it seems like a Lucy/Football issue. It keeps popping up with sincere promises, but, somehow, never quite happens no matter who has what majority. The same with confiscating more from the wealthy through major wealth taxes. The both seem like perennial issues used to get out the vote that will never be implemented so they continue to use them to get out the vote.
However, the Congressional discourse about student loan debt does seem more sincere lately. Maybe there will be some level of forgiveness?
Cancelling student loan debt would be the greatest giveaway to the rich ever. Let a bunch of lawyers, doctors, gender studies majors out of thousands upon thousands of dollars of debt while the non college educated watch on.
Oh, and all the while continue shoveling out more loans to the queer studies majors.
I saw a bumper sticker recently that said, “Does your Biden-Harris vote make you feel stupid yet?”
“Cancelling student loan debt would be the greatest giveaway to the rich ever”
Personally, I’m 100% in favor of cancelling student debt.
I just feel that the debts should be made good from college endowment funds, not taxpayer money. Is that such a difficult concept for legislators to comprehend?
JimNorCal,
Or change the system and make colleges responsible for the loans and the inevitable defaults. Make them live with the consequences of giving out their BS degrees.
I did not apply for loans as an Undergrad, but am I wrong in remembering they were a much more serious deal prior to the ’90s?
I remember friends discussing applying for loans and it seemed like what one was majoring in was a consideration from the lenders. In other words, Engineers were more likely to get student loans than Dance majors (an actual example I think I recall).
Rufus,
I never had any loans for college either but was always under the same impression as you but I believe the entire system was warped when the federal government came on board.
Shocking I know.
Griffin,
One great thing about my era (and, I assume, prior), an Undergrad could fund tuition and room and board working 20 hours a week at minimum wage and 30 – 40 hours a week during summer at minimum wage*. It wasn’t easy. It wasn’t fun. But it was possible. Except for a few states (Texas? Florida?) I don’t think that is possible, even at state schools.
*The challenge for me during the recession of the early ’80s was finding full time, summer work. Like a lot of teens I had to string together multiple part time jobs.
Man…I’d forgotten just how drawn-out and dreary Fogelberg’s songwriting feels after all these years and I say that as someone who used to bang away at his stuff at parties to ensure the young co-eds achieved that doe-eyed dew-eyed serenity to make drinks later more fun. The days of misspent yutes!
If the institutions want to “forgive” the loans…. let them. I am unsure if the congress could make them do that, however.
At or near the bottom line is this: Maybe the decision to spend huge amounts to get a degree in a useless (in the market place of employment) and borrowing that amount when the degree hold no actual potential to fund repayment is folly. And those who choose to do that should feel the bite. “…Get it good and hard…” so to speak.
I have zero sympathy for them. They are billed as the best-and-brightest but tend to display the intelligence of a sack of hammers. The smart ones learn a trade so they can make a good living and contribute actual value to society. [Channeling my inner Mike Rowe.]
…to get a degree in a useless (in the market place of employment) and borrowing that amount when the degree hold no actual potential to fund repayment …
I believe there is a word for a pastime enjoyed by the participant without expectation of remuneration.
The word is ‘hobby’.
Perhaps we shouldn’t fund hobbies. I’d be happy with student loans being evaluated in the same manner as used car loans.
Student loan forgiveness is fraught with peril. What about all the parents – myself, for example – who paid out of pocket for their children’s tuition? Voters, every one of us.
I was thinking about this just this morning, wondering if there was a way to address the problem. One idea that occurred to me would be to give tuition payers a tax credit in the amount of tuition paid.
Let’s see, two kids through private west coast ivy (with a little help from scholarships and the grandparents, ok, a lot of help from the grandparents), hmmm, I realized my husband and I would probably never pay taxes again.
Let’s do it!
See what I mean?
A story from America’s earlier days.
https://eccentricculinary.substack.com/p/the-abernathy-boys-go-for-a-ride
The Abernathy Boys Go for a Ride
Free-Range Children in Early 20th Century America
If you want a single dramatic example of how much America has changed in the last century or so, stop talking about trips to the moon and super computers and start talking about this: in 1910, two brothers, Temple and Louis Abernathy, saddled up a pair of ponies and rode alone from their home in Frederick, Oklahoma, to New York City, almost 2000 miles away, to see Teddy Roosevelt give a speech. At the time, Louis, called “Bud”, was 10 years old, Temp was 6.
Lots more.
JimNorCal,
The piece on the Abernathy boys was entertaining.
@ Rufus > “The same with confiscating more from the wealthy through major wealth taxes. The both seem like perennial issues used to get out the vote that will never be implemented so they continue to use them to get out the vote.”
I assume that’s the vote of the Tax The Rich for Everything idiocracy.
Filed under Be Careful What You Ask For.
https://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2022/03/bidens-dumbest-idea-yet.php
As noted, this is not the first time this rodeo has been around the block.
I’m picking on David Foster’s comment because he always gives value added.
https://www.thenewneo.com/2021/10/25/the-democrats-want-to-tax-unrealized-capital-gains/#comment-2585193
Pull quote:
And since Barry brought up the Paper of Record ….
https://babylonbee.com/news/man-excited-for-giant-refund-after-claiming-1-million-of-unrealized-charitable-donations