Are we all nuts?

Posted on 2018-03-16 by TPOL Nathan

By Nathan Barton

Recently, a popular conservative political website interpreted a recent article published by the American Psychiatric Association to say that one in four – 25% – of Americans are mentally ill.  Although not explicit, I can see why they would take the statement that a quarter of all primary care patients have mental illnesses (conditions) even though only a third of those are actually diagnosed.  Since (theoretically and officially) virtually all of us are “primary care patients” (we see a doctor, PA, or nurse about something now or then, even if just a check-up or a flu shot), the one-in-four number rings true.

And consider: unlike real medical doctors, psychiatrists and psychologists do not have the entire human race as their potential source of patients. (That is, people who they are paid to serve.) It is only people who have mental (including emotional) problems that are their natural prey (excuse me, natural supporting population).  And even then, they have to compete with religious guides: preachers and rabbis and imams and “pastors” and others.  Much more serious competition than chiropractors and herbalists and holistic practitioners. Continue reading →

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The power of words

Posted on 2018-03-15 by TPOL Nathan

By Nathan Barton

An acquaintance, “JA” responded recently to a commentary appearing at TheFreeThoughtProject posted by “Matt Agorist,” (clearly a nom de plume), headlined “State Congress Passes Bill to Confiscate Legal Guns from All 18-20-year olds.”

JA wrote:

Matt, while I agree with the content of your recent article on “TheFreeThoughtProject” regarding the Illinois legislature, you destroy about 95% of your credibility by using (or allowing to be used) the headline “State Congress Passes Bill…”

The Constitution of Illinois refers to the legislative branch of their government as “The Legislature” (Article 4) and specifically as the “General Assembly” referring to both their Senate and House of Representatives. To my knowledge, the Illinois General Assembly is NEVER referred to as a “Congress” in any legal document nor in general conversation or writing.

To do so, even just in a headline, makes you seem to be several things which you ARE NOT: you are not ignorant, you are not careless with words, and you are not careless about researching what you write about.

I cannot share your otherwise good commentary with anyone who is politically astute, as it would present you in a bad light and negate, even if subconsciously, your reporting and logic. Please change it. Continue reading →

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Redefining the media (Part 2)

Posted on 2018-03-14 by TPOL Nathan

By Nathan Barton

I have generally distinguished between media differently. (Part 1) First, there is the mainstream media (MSM), with such things as the WaPo, USA Today, New York Times and other major dailies, the “networks” of radio and TV (ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, and NPR/CPB), and the traditional magazines (Newsweek, US News, Time/Life, National Geographic, etc).  Then there is the alternative media: the blogs and webzines and news websites not associated with the MSM: the Breitbarts WND, and InfoWars and even TheBlaze and such.  Sometimes the lines are hard to draw: Beck, Limbaugh, Hannity and the rest are on MSM radio and sometimes even TV, and publish magazines.

But I’ve left out, due to personal distaste in part, such things as Facebook and Twitter and Instagram, and even Pinterest and Picasa and other visually-oriented sites.  Yet I am told that more and more of the people in this nation get their news through these sources. As well as the 60-second (if that) bursts of news and weather and sports from their local AM and FM music radio stations – pop, “country-western,” rock and even (for the right set) classical music stations (usually NPR/CPB affiliated). These are more and more prominent in people’s lives, and more influential. Continue reading →

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Redefining the media

Posted on 2018-03-13 by TPOL Nathan

By Nathan Barton

Whether we call it the “press” or the “media” or lump it together in the general category of “free speech,” most people (both in the Fifty States and much of the rest of the world) consider their freedom to be important.

Important, as far as being an essential part of human freedom.  “Although I disagree with what you are saying, I will defend your right to say it.” Free speech was both a recognized right (first of Englishmen and then of Americans) AND nearly the first freedom which dictators and tyrants attempt to snatch.

There has long been a odd set of relationships between government and, first newspapers, later radio and television.  Newspapers are, by their very nature, political.  Radio and television became even more political. Media, like any other invention of mankind, can be used for good or for bad; it can be used to promote liberty or to control others.

There are, in my opinion, three types of “media” or “press” or even “free speech.” Continue reading →

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I think we’ve been warned already, but…

Posted on 2018-03-12 by TPOL Nathan

By Nathan Barton

In this case, Mark Zuckerberg and his minions at Facebook – apparently even if you don’t HAVE an account on Facebook!

According to the Daily Mail, not only is Big Bro Facebook watching you, they are maintaining a data file on you.

In addition, and bizarrely (“creepy” is what the Mail calls it), if you DO have a Facebook account, you can see what they have recorded about you.  If you dare. Continue reading →

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The Cowboy Bar Robber

Posted on 2018-03-09 by MamaLiberty

By MamaLiberty

OK, folks… enough of the serious stuff for a while. Today I want to share a joke with you. Heard it from a cowboy I know here, and heck… it might even have some truth in it.

So, this man walks into a NE Wyoming bar one evening, noting the four grizzled cowboys sitting at the tables. After ordering a drink, the stranger pulls a pistol and tells the barkeep to hand over the cash. The barkeeper just smiles and points to the room behind the guy, but the robber is only puzzled and repeats his demand.

The barkeep continues to smile, making no move to empty the till, and the would be robber starts to get nervous. He wonders what is going on behind him.

Then he remembers to look in the mirror over the bar. He sees all four cowboys covering him with pistols of their own. Looking back at the bartender, he now sees the business end of a double barreled shotgun pointed at his chest.

Leaving the gun and the drink on the bar, he climbs down slowly and heads for the door.  Just then, the sheriff comes in and asks what is going on.

The would be robber sobs and begs the sheriff to save him.

The barkeep laughs and says, “Aw Jake… we didn’t hurt him none.”

And that’s pretty much why there are no bar robberies in NE Wyoming. Or any other kind.

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Fake “rights” and Phony “equality”

Posted on 2018-03-08 by MamaLiberty

By MamaLiberty

Just this morning I discovered that the feminazis have co-opted the “Time’s Up” theme from the Gadsden flag.  I put the flag up as the header here just a few days ago to emphasize the article I wrote, “Is It Just Me?” I had no idea it was even remotely connected to the false harridans screaming endlessly for more and more control over everyone and their property… either male or female. This sex thing is so ridiculous, and I didn’t want anyone to even begin to think that I supported any of it.

So, let’s look at the reality:

  1. Every human being on the planet has the exact same “rights” as every other human. The natural right to life and self defense. The right to be left alone to live their lives as they wish, as long as they don’t threaten or harm others. They must decide whether to negotiate with others, or defend themselves – and they must be prepared to live with the consequences of their decisions.
  2. Respect is EARNED, not a given. It can’t be legislated. The result of an attempt to force someone to respect you is hate, resentment and even violence.
  3. There are exactly TWO biological sexes. Male and female. Occasionally a few humans are born with confused sex linked DNA, but that is an aberration just as it would be if they were born with three arms or an extra liver. Now, anyone can claim otherwise to their heart’s content, but they can’t rationally or legitimately force anyone to accept their choice or change their own life or beliefs to accommodate it. And, by the same token, what anyone chooses to identify as is nobody else’s business. Everyone simply has to be willing to live and let live, if they wish to live in peace themselves.
  4. Every single human being is the owner of his/her life and body. They are the only ones responsible for that life and their safety. The smart ones join in voluntary association with others to pursue mutually beneficial actions that promote their well being and assure mutual defense. None of that in any way requires the forced participation or agreement of anyone else.
  5. All people are “equal” in basic natural rights, but that’s where it ends. Nobody in the world can guarantee anyone’s rights or equality. Those are qualities each person must define and ensure for themselves, in voluntary cooperation with others. Pursuit of a solid education, hard work, functional family and non-aggressive relationships with others are the key factors. There is no such thing as a free lunch…
  6. The world (or any part of it) does not owe you a living, respect or rights. It’s up to you to claim them, live them by your own choices and actions.

The desire/lust to control the lives and property of other people is the ROOT of all evil. It is the evil of all non-voluntary government and all politics. It is the root of all oppression, busy-body do-gooders, war, nationalism and all crime of every kind.

I keep saying that… So far I’ve gotten very little feedback on it. Do you believe that there is any legitimate reason or justification to control the lives and choices of others? I’d love to hear what you think.

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Is it just me? …

Posted on 2018-03-02 by MamaLiberty

By MamaLiberty

Is it just me, or do you feel a deep disturbance of the cosmos too? We even had a tiny earthquake here in rural Wyoming this morning. It’s the first I’ve noticed in the nearly 12 years since I moved here. I came from the California desert where earthquakes are common, and I know what I experienced. Really strange.

Insanity seems to be the order of the day. I’m not at all surprised by the nutty antics from Trump the last few days, since I have zero trust in any politician or bureaucrat, but he seems to be seriously over the top with the insane tariff and idiotic “gun control” ideas. Talk about cutting off your nose to spite your face.

The idea of Feinstein and Pelosi being kicked to the curb by the Democrats is pretty strange too. The Republicans being more and more exposed for the liars and cheats they’ve always been – they’ve almost stopped trying to hide it. Welcome, of course, but amazing all the same. Which crazies the Dems and Repubs will run for office now is a mystery, but the political circus is bound to be as nutty as ever. Nutty, and potentially very dangerous, of course.

Just remember that the desire/lust to control the lives and property of others is the root of all evil. It is the root of all non-voluntary government. It is the total goal of every politician, bureaucrat and far, far too many others.

So, as you read the “news” and consider the near future and coming “elections,” measure what is going on against the desire they all have to control YOU, your family, your business and your children. Don’t let the rhetoric of their false  “intentions” blindside you.

I suspect that the disturbance in the cosmos is the coming collision between the controllers and all those who have decided no longer to be controlled. Between those who are content to be slaves, and those who have decided that they own their lives and are personally responsible for that life and their safety.

Have you decided yet? Are you ready?

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It gets so old

Posted on 2018-03-02 by TPOL Nathan

By Nathan Barton

Although I am a lover of liberty and very much (and more and more) an anarchist (self-governor), I tend to sympathize and empathize with conservatives – even conservative statists – more than with their enemies on the other corner (base?) of the political diamond.  I have to constantly remind myself that while I may be more comfortable with these people, they are still the enemies of liberty, and as dangerous as the Tranzis (liberals or progressives or leftists).

At the same time, the stupidity (of which I have written recently at length) and ignorance of history which is so common today among the Tranzis and their stooges constantly crops up on the right.  Not just the neo-conservatives, but the paleo-conservatives as well.  And the ignorance and stupidity increases constantly.

Or maybe I should say that the common knowledge which any human in the Fifty States should have is declining.  Anyone should know some basic history and government, just as we expect them to know how to add and subtract (and even multiply and divide!).  This is NOT about making them a “good citizen” but about having some rudimentary knowledge to use to defend themselves against the governors-of-others.  And having enough knowledge to accept responsibility for their actions.

Some examples. Continue reading →

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Fear, loathing, and fragmentation of society

Posted on 2018-03-01 by TPOL Nathan

By Nathan Barton

In the last two weeks, we have seen a new tone set in the usual post-murder political screaming in the Fifty States.

Of particular interest is the “sudden” conversion of so many major companies, now supposedly bowing to public pressure. They are ending relationships with the NRA, enacting their own versions of gun control (raising ages for purchasing weapons, refusing to sell “assault rifles,” etc.), and coughing up “donations” to help this rapidly-forming coalition of teenage hoplophobes-turned-hoploclasts (gun-fearers becoming gun-loathing anti-gun activists). And the media screams and waves the bloody red rag as do “converted” politicians and others. The ramping up of ever more vicious attacks on liberty and gun-owners, their organizations, political actions, and more seems to be spinning out of control.

Now, honestly, this all seems just a bit too coincidental, to me.  Rather, it seems to be the result of collusion, the carrying out of a planned series of actions. Continue reading →

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