Not all heroes wear capes, or are even people.

The Onion takes over InfoWars and does what Jones refused to do.

No Kings

 This is a "presidential memorandum", not a law but rather a decree issued by someone who thinks he's a king. He is not. And we are not his subjects. A president follows the will of the people and the Constitution, not the other way around. No one with any respect for the law cannot follow the demands in this document. It would mean the end of free speech and other guaranteed rights. 

https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2025-09-30/pdf/2025-19141.pdf

Clive and the chicken

 Clive was truly annoyed at having lost the chicken.

 

One minute he's on the way to market, chicken safely tucked under one arm and whistling a random tune. The next moment Mr. Darby's brainless spaniel runs up behind him and spooks the chicken something fierce, causing the bird to react violently. Unfortunately the violence was directed toward Clive and not the dog. Thank goodness chickens don't have massive teeth. As it was Clive escaped the chicken's reaction to the sudden presence of the yapping mutt by clawing Clive randomly about the face and neck. Clive reacted to the attack by doing what most humans would do under similar circumstances. He released his grip on the bird and attempted to put a bit of distance between his face and its claws. The chicken, seeing an opportunity to escape the human, dog and his fate at market, took flight.

We need a better progressive party

I'm trying to imagine how we pivot from a system with two parties, neither of whom are doing a thing for the American people, to a system with proper representation. Currently voting independent is a wasted vote. No indie candidate is strong enough to get more votes than a party candidate.

And yet many of us see a need for a new and better progressive party. 

Do we remodel the Democratic Party into a proper representative and progressive party or do we try to start from scratch? Seems to me it's akin to trying to replace capitalism. 

We can't even get people to use the metric system.

Momento mori

 Never forget, from the moment of birth we start dying. Every moment we’re closer to death. 

Momento mori.

The life you enjoy every moment is supremely precious. It will end, and we can’t know when. Every second is irreplaceable. Once gone it’s gone.

Don’t put off enjoying life. 

Live now.

The Ununited States of Capitalism

We’re seeing capitalism displace democracy as the fundamental principle guiding the country. 

Everything must generate a profit for a few men at the top of the consolidated monopolies. 

The rest of us work for them. 

A decedent Christmas song

 “Sleigh bells ring, are you listening? In the lane, snow is glistening A beautiful sight, we're happy tonight Walking in a winter wonderland 

Gone away is the bluebird Here to stay is a new bird He sings a love song, as we go along Walking in a winter wonderland 

In the meadow we can build a snowman And pretend that he is Parson Brown He'll say, "Are you married?" we’ll say, "No, man," but you can do the job when you're in town 

Later on we'll conspire As we dream by the fire And stroll on our sleigh ride Through the day, walking in a winter wonderland 

When it snows, isn't it thrilling? Though your nose gets a chilling We'll frolic and play, the Eskimo way Walking in a winter wonderland 

We'll have lots of fun with mister snowman Until the other kids knock him down When it snows, isn't it thrilling? Though your nose gets a chilling We'll frolic and play, the Eskimo way Walking in a winter wonderland”

This song, Winter Wonderland, was written in 1932. It’s been played in malls and sung by grade school choirs for decades.

But examine the lyrics. A couple is walking through town after a snowstorm. They build a snowman who they pretend is a minister. They imagine the snowman asking if they’re married.

𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝘀𝗮𝘆 𝗻𝗼.

They say he can perform the wedding when he gets “back in town”.

They admit they aren’t married, yet later they’re sitting around the fire, at the home they share presumably, where they conspire, frolic, and play the “Eskimo way”. 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘺?

This song clearly celebrates an unmarried couple living together. A sin, according to the church. I suspect this Christmas thing is just a cover for spreading messages encouraging sinful behavior. 

#seasonalsatire

Dog piles

 My attempt at baking dog biscuits today went sideways. 

I didn't use my usual recipe and paid for that with gooey dough that could only be formed into these "mounds" that look like something that comes out of the backend of a dog rather than something that goes into the front end. 

But I've noticed the dogs don't give a shit about what they look like. 

Articles for seniors

 Over the years I've saved articles that were of interest to me as I grew older. Now that I'm 71 they're speaking to me louder than before. I'd like to share them with you in hopes they may enlighten of comfort you.

"You're going to die; How to deal with it."

http://lifehacker.com/youre-going-to-die-heres-how-to-deal-with-it-1791498957

"Between Solitude and Loneliness"

http://www.newyorker.com/culture/culture-desk/double-solitude?utm_content=bufferb67c5&utm_medium=social&utm_source=plus.google.com&utm_campaign=buffer

"Why does time seem to move faster as we grow older"

http://bigthink.com/philip-perry/why-does-time-seem-to-move-faster-as-we-grow-older?utm_campaign=Echobox&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook#link_time=1497641523

"How to die"

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2017/10/how-to-die/537906/

"‘Letter Project’ Makes End-of-Life Wishes Clear"

http://www.nextavenue.org/letter-project-end-of-life-wishes/?utm_content=buffer44531&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

"Depression Linked To Accelerated Cognitive Aging"

https://sciencebeta.com/depression-cognitive-aging/

"Memory issues for older people could be the result of 'clutter'"

https://www.nbcnews.com/science/science-news/memory-issues-older-people-result-clutter-rcna15133?cid=sm_npd_nn_tw_ma

If you have suggestions for more, please leave them in the comments.

Idiocracy was never meant to be an inspiration

Last night a majority of Americans told the men and women in Arlington and cemetaries across the country that they died in vain. That their sacrifice wasn't necessary, that their lives don't matter. 

I've never been more ashamed of this country than I am now.

ChatGPT and an alternative DJT

 “Ladies and gentlemen, the greatest people in the world—I’m here to talk about something nobody’s ever thought of before, something so incredible, so amazing, only a true patriot could make it happen. I’m talking about something that will change the course of history, something that will make America prouder, stronger, and—dare I say—fluffier than ever before!

Now, listen up. I love dogs. Everybody loves dogs! They’re loyal, they’re brave, they’re always there for us, and, folks, let’s be real—they’re probably better judges of character than some people out there, if you know what I mean. The loyalty of a dog, folks, unmatched. And believe me, a lot of people have told me, ‘Sir, dogs are just fantastic Americans.’ And I said, ‘Well, why aren’t we treating them like it?’

So here’s what I’m pledging today: When I am re-elected, every dog in this great nation—yes, every good boy and girl—will become a full citizen of the United States of America! That’s right, they’re gonna have rights! They’re gonna have privileges! And get ready for this, folks, because you’ve never heard this before—they are going to have the right to vote!

I know, I know—some people will say it’s wild, that it’s crazy, that it’s too ambitious. But who would’ve thought a guy like me could become president in the first place? If we can make America great again, we can certainly give our canine friends a say in the future of our great country.

Think of the possibilities: dogs voting on laws that matter to them—on better parks, on more treats, on protection of their freedoms. It’s time we take care of the dogs that have taken care of us. And you can trust they’ll be voting for the right side of history. They won’t be swayed by fake news, folks. They see right through it! The dogs are sharp—they know who’s got their best interests at heart.

So let’s make this happen. Let’s make every dog an American, let’s get them to the polls, and let’s show the world that in America, loyalty is rewarded, citizenship is honored, and everyone—even our four-legged friends—has a voice! Thank you, God bless you, and God bless our American dogs!”

It's my body

Having recently listened to a video non-debate between Matt Dillahunty and Destiny, I've revised my opinion on abortions. 

I no longer think abortions should be the all-in-all argument.

It's bodily autonomy. 

No one can do anything to another person that deprives that person of their bodily autonomy. Your body is your own. You decide what you do with it. 

There are arguments to be made for exceptions to bodily autonomy. To defend that position does cause one to hold some very radical views. 

Even so, I think the position is worth defending. We do need to cooperate with others in order to preserve a society. But that can be done while respecting our bodily autonomy.

Reminiscing

In my 70 years I have:

• lived as a blond-haired, blue-eyed, left-handed bisexual
• been a competitive roller skater in junior high
• published a radical left "underground" newsletter in high school
• sat in a dark office with a gun aimed at a door for 12 hours overnight in my first security job. 
• pulled an elderly couple out of their burning apartment on that same job
• met numerous celebrities as a security guard at Sheraton Island Hotel
• met even more celebrities working at Sam Goody
• 
  
  
  
• ridden shotgun in a police car at 134mph on the Coronado Strand 
• ridden from San Diego to Los Angeles in an armored car with $4 million in bearer bonds
• experienced both sides of handcuffs
• worked only the graveyard shift on a freight crew in Idaho for 13 years
• driven from Idaho to Texas twice, Idaho to San Diego once, and across the country once
• have fostered a female gray wolf for Idaho F&G
• raised a number of non-venomous snakes
• been rear-ended by a construction F-250 resulting in a broken neck
• banked $86,000 in a settlement with their insurance company
• worked on help desks for Gateway computers and D-Link
• been blogging since 2003
• outlived my best friend, my best dog, and at least one former girlfriend
• spent the last 48 years as a celibate, no regrets
• wondered how much longer this journey will last

NIMBY

We have a problem in this country that keeps us from enacting reforms that would make us safer and the planet more healthy. 

NIMBY 

No one is concerned about regulations on industries unless they're in those industries, then all of a sudden the government becomes Big Brother and the Deep State is after our freedoms. A minority of Americans don't care about the First Amendment but refuse to allow modifications to the Second. Self-interest combined with greed. 

Reforms require sacrifice. 

Confession

 I have had many regrets in my life. 

If there was a road that had two paths, I'd take the one leading toward disaster. When it came to bad decisions I was a pro. 

Times I don't regret were times that other people kept me on the right track. Left to my own devices I could be counted on to fuck up, sometimes in very exciting ways. And yet, despite all that, or possibly due to that, I made it to my 70th birthday this year, and might even squeeze out a few more.

I always knew the person inside me wasn't much like the person outside. I grew up in the 50s, when the role of a man was well defined. I took on all the clićhe trappings of a "real man". I smoked, I drank, I didn't cry and never backed down from a fight. Got my ass well kicked a few times but never backed down. Only my sense of humor kept me sane at times.

The person inside was an animal lover, a romantic, someone who, as a Catholic, aspired to be like Saint Francis. Inside I was soft, inside I wanted cooperation instead of confrontation. But because of that early indoctrination, I could never let that person out.

Now I'm at an age where I don't give a damn what people think about me. I'm a bisexual atheist who avoids conflict and chaos.

I was afraid to expose my fear. I've always been, or tried to be, an intellectual. I've been blessed with a critical approach to everything. And I've always loved a particular style of humor one that's hard to explain. I once wrote stories and screenplays that were fun, crazy, and madcap. 

And the greatest regret of my life is that I didn't let the inner me out ages ago. It could have saved me so much grief. 

Now it's too late to enjoy the life I could have lead. It's too late to find a loving partner, an outlet for my writing, any expectation except knowing that I'm going to die in the near future. I don't know what will kill me, but it has to be something. And I hope it's something weird. My best friend died a few years ago riding his bike in Provincetown, struck by a car. 

I'm only writing this (not very humorous) confession is in hope that someone who reads it might need to know they aren't alone, that to live their authentic life is the greatest joy they'll ever know. I don't have kids, so I'm giving my fatherly advice to anyone who needs to hear it.

Laugh often, love every day, keep your child-like sense of wonder. Don't let the outside world cause you to hide the real you. And I hope you all reach my age or beyond with no regrets at all.

Jack

May I?

 It's pretty common for people to ignore those Terms of Service that run on and on. It's easier to just click "Agree" and get on with your life. 

But when you get an app from the app store you may look and how much it costs or if there are in app purchases. Do you ever pay attention to the permissions the app requires? Most of us don't. 

But when you download TikTok, you may want to. 

What happened?

 How is it that so many folks of my generation are unfamiliar with computers? 

Our generation invented the home computer, the Internet, the Web, graphical interfaces, laptops, cell phones... I think you had to be willfully ignorant to not see what was going on all around you. 

We were also the generation of the 60s. We wanted a revolution, we wanted a fair and just society. The Internet promised that, but too many sat back and let the capitalists and scammers gain control. It's a shame.

The way I hoped life would turn out

It didn’t .

Saying the quiet part out loud

 We knew this is their plan. Project 2025 makes that clear. But if you harbor any doubt, here it is from the horse’s ass own mouth. 

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-tells-christians-they-wont-have-vote-after-this-election-2024-07-27/

Jefferson knew what we need to do

 That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness… it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.

Thomas Jefferson