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Civic Duty Time Again

June 29, 2023 / / 0 Comments

My jury summons has showed up for early next month. While I don’t have a problem with going for the jury pool, I also realize that I’m not really the ideal candidate for any attorney. Which is probably why I’ve never been selected to serve on the few times I’ve had to go previously. However, this is my first time in my new county. I don’t know if the dynamics are any different.

My other issue with having to go to do jury duty is the same as when I go to the airport. Too much of my normal EDC has to be left at home. Which means going through my bag and other things to remove prohibited items and switch out for things that aren’t as objectionable.

Monday Links

June 26, 2023 / / 0 Comments

Surprisingly, this week only has one Reason link.

An article on how insurance – both government and private sector – are driving up the cost of healthcare. This is my surprised face.

And now for some random tab clearing.

From Active Response Training, Greg presents the “bag trick.”

From Bearing Arms, an article about an Indy defense attorney blaming gun owners for criminals not getting charged. Cam is skeptical, and so am I.

Heard about this on the “Word and Numbers” podcast. Pew has a calculator to see where you stand in global income rankings.

I was concerned what would happen to the 1632 universe with the death of Eric Flint. Apparently, there’s a new online magazine to continue the franchise.

The Brother sent this my way. An article on how maps shape how we see the world. It’s always surprising just how big Africa is.

Anime I’m Watching

June 21, 2023 / / 0 Comments

Just a few of the series I’m currently watching

This one definitely has the Quintessential Quintuplets feel to it.


This one did not go how I expected when I started, but I’m enjoying it.
I wasn’t sure if I was going to like the protagonist at first, but he kind of grew on me within my usual three-episode limit.

Monday Links

June 19, 2023 / / 0 Comments

Y’know, there are weeks I think I should just rename this feature the Monday Reason Links and Other Stuff. Yeah, it’s going to be that kind of week. As long as you count the Volkh Conspiracy (since they’re publishing under the Reason banner).

First, California is killing fast food jobs. This is my surprised face.

Second, on the Free Range Kids front, an article about a mom confused how her kid made friends with another kid she didn’t know. Or, as us Gen X folks used to call it – summer vacation day.

While the Florida legislature was busy playing right-wing social justice this past session, they also decided to play the crony capitalism game with their dealership friends.

I first heard this story over at Borepatch’s place, but now it seems the esteemed Eugene Volkh is asking Amazon some pointed questions about booting a guy off his account and making him unable to use all of his Echoes. This is of some concern due to the fact that Ward Manor’s smart home environment is Echo-based. However, I also have a backup – read “manual” – system if Amazon decides to play silly buggers.

Last Reason article explains that over half of Protestant churches have at least some reliance on armed citizens for their security. While I am not a church-going person, I do want parishioners to be safe in their chosen house of worship. I will always recommend churches, synagogues, mosques, little storefront pagan meeting spaces to discuss and have a security plan. It needs to be more than “call 911 and wait for police.”

Semi-switching gears as we leave Reason territory:

Massad Ayoob has some thoughts on Daniel Perry’s indictment in New York.

Also, Rand has a meta-analysis on studies regarding effectiveness of firearms safety training requirements. TLDR; not enough rigorous studies to make a determination.

And for our light item this week? A new Babylon 5 animated movie is coming out. I should really introduce The Wife to B5.

That Was A Lot of Charcoal

June 15, 2023 / / 0 Comments

When I started smoking meat, I had a big tub full of charcoal. I left that with my old grill back in Tampa when I moved down to Parrish. When we moved into Ward Manor, I bought a new tub and proceeded to fill it up. Part of it was the belief that if I had a full “coal bunker” I could always have fire to cook and/or heat the house if we had a significant disruption.

I think the damage started with Ian. Sometime over the past few months, the tub warped, and the coal was soaked. As in crumbling from water impregnation. I thought it was just the top layer. Nope. The Wife, MIL, and I methodically parceled out the ruined charcoal into reasonable weight trash bags. Garbage day is going to be oh-so-fun.

Anyways, we bought a couple of new deck boxes for outside. I’m not going to go as hog wild with the charcoal. Probably try to keep it to a couple of bags.

Why I’m Bearish On DeSantis

June 14, 2023 / / 0 Comments

First, some throat clearing. I’m not a registered Republican. I’m not going to be voting in the primary. Unless the Libertarians have one in some weird alternate dimension stuff. However, I know some readers will be voting. And, after all, it’s my blog.

With that out of the way…

I was originally pleased to see DeSantis leading the pack of contenders that weren’t named Trump. DeSantis had done well in Florida during the pandemic. He kept us open. Now we have stuff like this. From the Tampa Bay Times:

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, vowed to restore the former name of the base that until last week was called Fort Bragg in honor of a Confederate general, if voters elect him president.

“It’s an iconic name and iconic base, and we’re not gonna let political correctness run amok in North Carolina,” DeSantis said at the convention in Greensboro hours after Biden’s speech and signing ceremony at Fort Liberty.

Here’s why I’m bearish on DeSantis. After winning the pandemic, he pivoted to be a social justice warrior. Just, a right-wing social justice warrior. If he’d just been pontificating, that would be one thing. But he started bringing the online fight into the halls of Tallahassee. Some of it, I might have supported. Then he went after Disney. I can disagree with Disney’s views. I can decide not to support them by giving them my money. What I cannot do is ask my elected officials to punish Disney, which was what DeSantis did.

Then the State College of Florida issue. He could have worked with the legislature to reform the State Board of Governance to stop the use of political litmus tests – such as DEI statements. Instead, he singled out one school and installed his cronies to the cheers of the online mob. The cronies who immediately set about giving one of their friends the job as president – and a raise. In the midst of declining enrollment.

Instead of helping with real issues in Florida – such as the housing crunch, rising insurance, and strained infrastructure from a slew of new residents (welcome!), DeSantis decided to play Tribune of the Plebes to the online mob.

I didn’t like it when I saw it happening on the left. I’m damn sure I don’t like it on the right.