While publishing the homeschooling series (starting here), some other things have come up.
Most notably, the rapid collapse of Colorado. As I write this, Interstate Highway 70 has been closed through Glenwood Canyon for THIRTEEN days (29 July through 10 August).
Continue readingA Baker’s Dozen ™ Things we learned (or should have) during the First 18 months of the Pandemic (and how we can see if we are stupid or not stupid).
I’ve learned a lot from the Coronavirus epidemic: I think all our readers have, as well. We are definitely and at least slightly more informed about viruses and immunology than in January of 2020. But we have ALL learned a whole lot about the politicians and medical professionals whom we support – and whom we put in office or chose to “run our lives.”
Here are a few high points – feel free to contribute your own to the list (in the comments). Let us concentrate on election of politicians to office. We have learned (or should have learned) that we put the wrong politicians into office …
They have demonstrated their stupidity… or have they demonstrated OUR stupidity?
Continue readingIn the last two commentaries (here and here), we’ve discussed the amazing resiliency of the Fifty States’ society, economy, culture, and even political system. And I have warned that it may not last: the stresses are great and may overwhelm our already weakened systems. I think there is very good reason to be cautious.
BUT…
The American nations do NOT have to fall. Yes, the Pax Americana (however poorly named and maintained) probably will. And the Imperium Americana – the American Empire – almost certainly will (and should) collapse. But those are NOT the American nations. The Fifty States themselves do have a good chance of surviving.
Continue readingYesterday (3 AUG 2021) I looked at the perhaps unexpected robustness of the Fifty States. Our society, economy, and political system have survived the last year and a half. Read that here.
BUT….
“The bad dream is over.” That is what we were told, wasn’t it? Back in January? All the rhetoric of Inauguration Day about how (to paraphrase) our national nightmare was. over. Despite the “flight” of The Donald into exile in Florida. Despite the massive witch hunt since then, of the “insurrectionists.” Despite the relative lack of mass violence in the Fifty States’ capitals and in DC. (Except for Seattle and Portland (which are NOT State capitals). Despite the apparent fact that AntiFa does NOT want Uncle Joe to be massa. (Who’d have thought it?) Despite the vomiting forth of imperial decrees. Not just from Uncle Joe, but from many of the tyrannical State rulers: Empresses and kings and more. Despite the failure of our economy and society to collapse.
But the nightmare is NOT over. Indeed, it is only just begun. However resilient our societies, our economy, even our “governmental” system seems to have been until now. There is MORE to come.
NONE of the factors that have stressed our nations have gone away: political and social and economic and medical and monetary problems are GROWING. Not shrinking, not bein solved. At best, they are being kicked down the street.
It is just going to get worse and worse, unless we stop it. And we can.
Yes, the Deep State is definitely in power – if they ever really were OUT of power. The thickness and strength of its tentacles are growing as we watch.
Continue readingDon’t get too excited about our society’s (or societies’) ability to survive all that much longer – at least as measured by history. Yes, it is amazing that we have gone this far, but it probably won’t last. Let’s see what we’ve survived so far, and then why we COULD go downhill quickly.
Continue readingA question recently asked on a forum went something like this:
“Is destroying/destabilizing the central government the American way of freeing citizens from their authoritarian regime?”
The questioner was a bit sarcastic: “After all, having no central government and being ruled by terrorists and warlords is better than having a bad government, right?”
No, I do not think it is “the American Way” as in “Truth, justice, and the American way.” But it IS the “federal government” way – the FedGov way, or the DC or White House and Congress way of doing things. It is incredibly stupid. It kills millions, and makes life miserable for millions more.
Continue readingEditor’s Note: Dealing with various issues kept us from updating for several days, but we hope to resume a more regular schedule!
The news is coming fast and furious right now. Publicizing and abetting the fearmongering of government. New mandates of masking, vaccination, and even lockdowns are appearing daily. Our freedom? Poof!
Thursday seemed to be a particularly busy day:
Continue readingMunicipal and county officials are often incredibly arrogant. For every customer service representative or equipment operator or even police officer who is friendly, helpful, courteous and encouraging? There seem to be two or three who are arrogant, condescending, sniffing out any sign of disobedience, independence, lack of total submission, “bad attitude” or hesitation. And most of these seem to be senior appointees, civil servants, or even elected officials. Often with a string of initials after their names, often starting with “C” for “Certified” this or that. Certified planners, certified building officials, certified municipal clerk, certified financial officer, and more. How they preen over their qualifications, their appointments, and their power!
Dare suggest that there may have been a mistake, may have been a confusing communication, or may have been a new (and always more harsh) interpretation of some code provision, city ordinance, county policy letter or poster? Oh dear, you are indeed something that you can tell they found on the bottom of their boot that they need to scrap off. And punish for not dodging out of the way of their tread.
But as over the top municipal officials may be, from lowly dog-catcher or sewer inspector to the City Administrator or Manager (who really rules the place, not the mayor and elected council)?
Judges are worse.
Continue readingThe app “NextDoor” is growing in popularity as a way of encouraging contact and making good neighbors. But sometimes what is reported and discussed takes my breath away.
A very recent example took place in and around Rapid City, South Dakota. Someone on the west side of the City heard gunfire. (Rapid, with about 80,000 people, is about half IN the foothills of the Black Hills and half OUTside the Black Hills on the edge of the “sea of grass” that is the Great Plains. The shots came from the mountain’s side of town.)
Of course, people panicked on social media. And no doubt, many called the cops or the Sheriff or the Forest Service (USFS)
There seem to be numerous misunderstandings. Let us look at a few.
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The Price of Liberty 
The coming golden age of homeschooling?
As we enter the beginning of a new school year by tradition, I believe we are seeing more evidence that the future of homeschooling in these Fifty States is one of massive expansion. An expansion which began in 2020 and continues ever more strongly today.
It is no surprise to those who are familiar with the concept and may nave even done homeschooling. And for those parents who have seen the complete mess the government-run, tax-funded school “education” system has become, it is a hope for a better tomorrow.
Why? It is, I believe, a combination of factors:
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