Author: Derek
It Can’t Be Five Years
Over the weekend, The Wife and I celebrated our fifth wedding anniversary. We continued our tradition of going up to St. Augustine. There’s a bed and breakfast about a block off the historic district. The nice thing about going up there so often is that we don’t feel the need to hit every spot. There’s a few places we always make sure to visit.
It’s been an amazing five years. We went through a plague, shifting to full-time telework, job loss, multiple job changes, building a house, moving, moving in her mother with us.
Not quite a rollercoaster, but there are days when I’m happy to be boring. At least we’ve done these five years together – as partners.
Contradictory Thoughts on Current Wars
This is going to be a bit ranty as I’m trying to work out conflicting thoughts in my head as to how to approach the wars currently between Russia and Ukraine as well as Israel and Hamas. My initial instinct is to support the aggrieved party. Who suffered the injury that instigated the war? Yet, as with anything involving humans, it’s never that simple.
Russia/Ukraine: The genesis of this post was a comment made by Andrew Heaton on the most recent “We’re Not Wrong” podcast. I think he was referring to someone else’s comment, but it was essentially do we view this war as a version of WWI or WWII? Is this a horrific border dispute between two nations or is it a defense against a rapacious nation that will not stop? My normal senses tend me to believe the latter. What bothers me is some of the arguments of some who support continued aid to Ukraine. Particular when they tell me this is a cheap way to degrade Russia. Bitch, you’re talking about using Ukranian lives as fucking pawns in some global triangulation against Russia? That is some ruthless realpolitik bullshit there. It’s easy to see why the populists are decrying those arguments.
Israel/Hamas: Hamas’s attack was a terror attack It was not aimed at military or government targets. They went after civilians. Of course I would expect Israel to respond. I’m appalled at how quickly so many people went to supporting Hamas. I could understand sympathizing with Gazan civilians who are now in a warzone, but Hamas? Seriously? Yet, here’s what bothers me about the Israel supporters. They keep repeating this line – “The greatest slaughter of Jews since the Holocaust.” Is it true? Probably, but there’s something insincere about conflating 6 million deaths with less than 2,000. After years of dealing with politicos, activists, and zealots who lie and twist the truth, I’m bothered when people I want to support do the same. It makes me wonder why they need to do so.
Monday Links
Reason links first:
Reason’s coverage of the Supreme Court dismissing Colorado removing Trump from the Republican Primary. It would have helped the case if Colorado had something like a conviction or an impeachment to hang their hat on. It would also help if we hadn’t enshrined private corporation – which is what the Republican and Democrat parties are – elections as part of our political process.
Argentina’s radical president has shuttered the state media outlet for being a propaganda outlet.
New York is sending in the National Guard to patrol NYC subways. I have a real problem with bringing in soldiers to perform a police function outside of martial law or a natural disaster.
Alabama passes legislation to protect IVF after their Supreme Court ruling. You know, if Congress would follow this example, we would have a better functioning federal system. But, why would Congress do their job when they can foist their responsibilities on the executive and judicial branches and prance around like peacocks.
The Securities and Exchange Commission is now requiring climate disclosures. This is an agency that needs to be reigned in. I think a lot of the SEC’s bullshit has been flying under the radar due to the FTC’s louder bullshit.
Georgia gave luxury car maker Rivian a bunch of incentives to build a factory – which the company now has put pause on. Cue shocked Pikachu face.
Now for some Ground News aggregations:
Heather Guitirrez Reed, the armorer on the movie “Rust”, guilty of involuntary manslaughter.
Administration is going after credit card late fees. Funny. When Biden was the senator from Deleware, he wasn’t this vociferous about “junk fees”. Again, if this is important, why is it coming from the executive instead of Congress? Lastly, cue unexpected consequences in three, two, one…
The national debt is rising at an increasing rate. Rising interest rates aren’t helping, but again, a dysfunctional Congress is not helping.
Washington State Court dismisses challenge to state law allowing suits against gun makers. Lawfare and PLCAA invocation incoming.
Now on to other news stories:
Heroes who tackled gunman at Chiefs Superbowl rally are honored. Gentlemen, you have my utmost respect for your courage.
Five SAS troops are under arrest for murder in the shooting of suspected suicide bomber. On the face, this sounds very bullshit. The prosecutor better have some strong facts on their side.
New Jersey AG is invoking the state’s microstamping law after saying the tech was viable. Sure, let’s do something completely worthless to make gun owners’ lives more difficult. Must be a day ending in “Y”.
S&W released the newest version of their budget AR. Why am I putting this in? Because when I bought my first AR, it was the S&W M&P-15 Sport budget rifle. It was a great starter rifle, and I don’t expect this new one to be any less of a good deal. Plus, I love how the arms industry has advanced that a budget AR is now what an intermediate one was when I bought mine.
In sad news, Warner Brothers is shuttering Rooster Teeth. Hell, quotes from “Red vs Blue” still crop up in my everyday banter. And I’ve restarted watching “RWBY” when The Wife and I go to the gym. I really hope someone picks up the IP and continues the good work.
Walking Away Is Always an Option
This is an old story that recently came across my transom. I’m not big into horror movies, so I was unaware of the movie “Smile” or its guerilla marketing campaign.
In preparation of Smile’s release, Paramount hired “smilers” to show up at random public places, like the Today Show and a Yankees v. Red Sox game, and deliver their most haunting smirk.
The creepy marketing stint quickly reached virality on the internet as clueless onlookers captured and posted the startling promo happening before their eyes.
I thought this was an interesting situation because if I came across one of these situations, I would just see someone acting creepy for no good reason. As a person who routinely carries a gun, it behooves me to accurately assess a “creepy” situation.
If someone is acting creepy, it’s probably better to leave if possible. If the creepy continues to engage? Well, then, it’s best to have a variety of physical and mental tools at hand.
But walking away is always a good option.