Like so many Americans, and others around the globe, September 11th will for the rest of my life be the day the world changed. Each year now we have our memorials and tributes and remembrances.  We grab our flags and shed our tears for the fallen; we honor and praise our men and women of the armed forces, fighting and dying to keep us safe; we reflect on that horrible day in solemn contemplation of the world, our roles in it, and what we can do to make it better. All of this is honorable and good. Regrettably, much about 9-11, and much about our country eight ... [More]

A rather intense ‘debate’ on health care has erupted on a friend’s facebook page in which I am one of the participants.  For the following reasons, I’ve chosen to move it here (note:  'Racer X' has respectfully requested I not use his real name, as the original conversation is friends-only.  I have respected that request by deeming him 'Racer X' for the purpose of this post): I don’t like sparking or participating in flamewars on other people’s facebook pages.  It’s like someine inviting you to their house an... [More]

Let’s have a reality check on this health care thing.  The Obama proposals: Do NOT eliminate private insurance. Do NOT contain any mechanism requiring seniors to volunteer for euthanasia Do NOT contain any mechanism to force any given decision regarding end-of-life issues (they DO require that insurance companies PAY for consulting with your doctor about YOUR end of life decisions…coverage that is rare under the current model) Do NOT require or enable the federal government to make care decisions Do NOT require you to drop your current insurance Do NOT create longer or ... [More]

A few words regarding what happens when a significant percentage of the population loses the ability to discern fact from fiction. [More]

Just got word from Amber:  My first grandchild will be female! The high probability that I won't be present at the birth is one of the very, very few major regrets I have about moving to CA.  (The other is leaving my dad by himself to deal with my mom.)  On the one hand, I sure feel old, being a grampa and all.  On the other hand...screw it.  I'm so proud of my daughter, and looking forward to seeing my evil empire extended by one more generation! In other news:  I've started recording and publishing my rants on YouTube.  Hopefully I&#... [More]

I'm noticing some disturbing trends in the rhetoric of left-wing blogs and commentators. Now, I don't mean to suggest that this is the first time in my life such a thing has happened.  I depart radically from the 'typical liberal' point of view on a few issues, notably things like gun control, the death penalty, and political correctness. What I'm noticing lately though, is more disturbing and insidious than just a minor disagreement over the details of political alignment. Take, for example, this Huffington Post blog entry by Sam Stein about the nomin... [More]