Ace of Spades HQ

October 19, 2013

"The Tea Party is the United States' Lifeline" [OregonMuse]
— Open Blogger

I pulled this from the AoSHQ yahoo group and thought this might be interesting to y'all on a slow Saturday. Lots of good stuff here. Thanks to Michael Shields for posting it to the group.

Remember the story about a Yale professor, embarrassed because Tea Partiers aren't as stupid as he thought? Read this comment on that Yale professor's blog, by a self-identified Brazilian named, Rodrigo Del Cistia Andrade:

Let me add an international twist:

I am a Brazilian self-taught Software Engineer. I also taught myself English, to the point where I managed to hold a Cambridge CPE, despite the fact that I've never stepped on anglophonic soil and zero formal training. So my analytic and reasoning faculties seem to be in working order.

Now, with that out of the way, here's why I strongly identify with the Tea Party: in my view, they are right, and they are the US's lifeline. They represent the virtues that led to American Exceptionalism (and YES, this does exist).

I find caricaturing Tea Partiers extremely ironic, and it would be hilarious, weren't it so revolting. In my experience, being a lefty liberal is EASY. It is the default stance of the intellectually lazy. All you have to do is feel (specially "good about myself" kind of feel), and never solve anything. Here's, in my view, why:

I live in the logical endpoint of Fabian socialism. Born to and raised in a culture where the concepts of "right" and "left" are non-existent (I take that back, actually "right" is a language stand-in for "evil"). We have over 30 political parties, and they are all some variant of the left. From Social Democrat parties to "Trotsky-ish" parties. Our *current* constitution, which dates back all the way to the Guns 'n' Roses era ( 1988 ), is pretty much a Soviet Constitution (1936) copy/paste job. Culturally, the population is in pretty much a state of "1984 meets Brave New World" in terms of ideology...

...Brazil is also a country where:

- the utter government control of the private sector trough bureaucracy managed to destroy entrepreneurship. To the point that it exists, it has to deal with the accepted fact of life that the bribes which feed the corrupt bureaucrats demand to allow business to exist have to be factored in business plans.

- a crushing tax burden that sustain a permanent dependent underclass of favelados in welfare ensures the populists remain eternally in power and that any semblance upward mobility is quickly "corrected". For an employer to put 10.000 in the pocket of an employee, with will costs him nearly 18.000, so jobs market are always tepid at best so informal work and tax dodging schemes are commonplace.

- The relentless attack on Catholicism (the historical prevalent brand of Christianity practiced here) over the past decades eroded any semblance of morality form a large chunk of the country, and that coupled with utter corruption and/or incompetence of law enforcement made way for drug cartels to take over. Violence and crime spiraled to such inhuman degrees that between the 50K murders in average a year, this year we saw a soccer referee stab a player to death and then be beheaded and quartered in the field by the spectators for his trouble. His head was placed in a spike in the middle of the field, as an added dramatic bonus.

This act barely caused a murmur.

I could go on for ages with more evidence of social rot, but you probably already got the gist of it.

Now, remember, being immersed in this cultural cesspool since birth I, like most Brazilians, never even *knew* that this wasn't actually just "the way things are". I mean, we get a gut feeling that something is off, but like Plato's cave dwellers, light is something really frightening and instinctively avoided. And the *obvious* solutions by all the *smart people* are always the same: more government "compassion". More "social programs". More "awareness". Less "greediness".

Imagine my shock when by a quirk of fate a Mark Levin book ended in my hands. That led me to Burke, Locke, Smith, Mises, Friedman, Hayek and many others. Conservative philosophy is what gave me a glimpse of the shinning city in the hill and a will to fight, along with a battle plan, to improve my lot in life, and of those I can reach.

So, Dan, I understand you are surprised that your results showed Tea Partiers not the raging buffoons the media portrays them as being. The most obvious things are often the easiest to miss. But never doubt that being conservative is quite the intellectual effort, if only to overcome the moroseness of the mind that liberalism creates imposes with all its group-think and easy answers.

Best wishes,

Rodrigo

Rodrigo does not paint a nice picture of Brazil.

Lefties: pay no attention to this Brazilian guy. Because, racism. Instead, take refuge in your mantra:

Tea Partiers are knuckle-dragging baboons.
Tea Partiers are knuckle-dragging baboons.
Tea Partiers are knuckle-dragging baboons.

Keep repeating this until you feel better.

Posted by: Open Blogger at 10:52 AM | Comments (181)
Post contains 859 words, total size 5 kb.

1 Can we make a trade for Rodrigo? We could use him here.

Posted by: Todd W at October 19, 2013 10:55 AM (lrkg9)

2 Note to self: avoid Brazil.

Posted by: HeatherRadish™, drinking heavily at October 19, 2013 10:56 AM (hO8IJ)

3 We could trade Detroit for Rodrigo.

Posted by: Big Fat Meanie at October 19, 2013 10:56 AM (hcHS/)

4 Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela

Coming Obamamerica attractions folks, get your sneak preview

What tech is developed won't save you but will be developed to enslave you

Posted by: kbdabear at October 19, 2013 10:57 AM (aTXUx)

5 Great article. I saw it at the Group and loved it.

Posted by: BCochran1981 - Credible Hulk at October 19, 2013 10:59 AM (GEICT)

6 Btw, anyone who is a member of the Group, I've been given permission and have now put up a post on He Who Shall Not Be Named.

Posted by: BCochran1981 - Credible Hulk at October 19, 2013 10:59 AM (GEICT)

7 Now THAT Is soccer hooliganism, not the puss English version.

Posted by: Sharkman at October 19, 2013 11:00 AM (opxWI)

8 One has to look at the modern planned new capital of Brazil - Brasilia, to realise the downward spiral Brazil set itself upon. And that brainstorm came in the 1960s.

Though the referee with his head on a spike does lend a certain immediacy to the degeneration.

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at October 19, 2013 11:01 AM (ntk8X)

9 Hope Hollowpoint reads this.

Posted by: blaster at October 19, 2013 11:02 AM (4+AaH)

10 I would amend the Constitution to make Rodrigo eligible for President.

Posted by: rickl at October 19, 2013 11:02 AM (sdi6R)

11 Cruz/Rodrigo 2016?

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at October 19, 2013 11:04 AM (ntk8X)

12 Coincidence! The sidebar I just put up (north and south america) ties into this very well.

Posted by: Comrade Arthur at October 19, 2013 11:04 AM (83xuc)

13 My takeaway on Brazil: Take happiness, America, it can actually get worse. (And probably will.)

Posted by: cormac_mcroadie at October 19, 2013 11:04 AM (2VhiX)

14 10 I would amend the Constitution to make Rodrigo eligible for President.

But I thought we were all racists? You trying to mess with Chrissy Mathewseses's head?

Posted by: Todd W at October 19, 2013 11:05 AM (lrkg9)

15 As an aside, one of the founders of the local Tea Party group in my area was a Brazilian immigrant, and I heard her give an impassioned speech talking about conditions in her home country back in 2009. She's smoking hot, too.

Posted by: rickl at October 19, 2013 11:06 AM (sdi6R)

16 Compare the level of writing in Rodrigo's article compared to the simple sentence structure and basic words that Matthews use. That is truly telling on who has learned their lessons well.

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at October 19, 2013 11:07 AM (ntk8X)

17 6 Off to gmail!

Posted by: Captain Whitebread at October 19, 2013 11:07 AM (5J54Q)

18 Nah, make this guy POTUS Chief of Staff. *That's* the guy that gets shite done.

Posted by: SFGoth at October 19, 2013 11:09 AM (vAomb)

19 11 Cruz/Rodrigo 2016?

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at October 19, 2013 03:04 PM (ntk8X)

Exactly.

Posted by: ChristyBlinky, Redneck Queen of Tea Party, Eleventy District at October 19, 2013 11:09 AM (baL2B)

20 Brazilia, a outpost of Peruvia, coming soon to an (mostly) English speaking country very near you!

Posted by: Hrothgar at October 19, 2013 11:10 AM (XdnQT)

21 Conservative philosophy is what gave me a glimpse of the shinning city in the hill and a will to fight, along with a battle plan, to improve my lot in life, and of those I can reach.

On the one hand, reading this brings a tear to my eye and restores my faith in humanity.

On the other hand, it makes me want to cut my wrists because I know that Rodrigo is now facing a lifetime of heartache, misery, depression and weariness, all stemming from the fact that he has a rare level of awareness and intelligence that enables him to see this shit society for the shit that it is.

So, you know, I'm hopeful but conflicted.

Posted by: Phinn at October 19, 2013 11:10 AM (oFH2D)

22 Of course the Leftists don't have a problem with the conditions that Rodrigo so ably describes. They all imagine themselves to be in the favored political class, and collecting all that sweet, sweet graft money, or in a worst case, all that sweet, sweet welfare.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at October 19, 2013 11:11 AM (8Fl6F)

23 Hiya, OregonMuse! Now to read...

Posted by: baldilocks at October 19, 2013 11:12 AM (Tnlh/)

24 Is the USA to become the Brazil of the north?

Posted by: Bertram Cabot Jr. at October 19, 2013 11:12 AM (WLywR)

25 So, you know, I'm hopeful but conflicted. Posted by: Phinn at October 19, 2013 03:10 PM (oFH2D) My wife and I have had that convo many times. Being intelligent brings certain hardships. It occasionally is tempting to wish to just be able to stupidly stumble through life. Blissfully unaware of all the shit going on, unconcerned about paying bills or racking up debt or any of that shit.

Posted by: BCochran1981 - Credible Hulk at October 19, 2013 11:13 AM (GEICT)

26 Yep, Chile is about the only Latin American country that isn't a pit of leftist decay and corruption. Which is why it's the most hated.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at October 19, 2013 11:13 AM (ZPrif)

27 Our destiny. There is still time, but not an infinite amount. These things do not happen by accident. While we may presume too much that it is the natural state of Man to be free, it is also not the natural state of Man to live in depravity that masquerades as society. Tyranny comes in many forms. People expect it to come in jackboots and snappy uniforms. In the future, in this country, it will come as a somewhat overweight man or woman dressed in a second rate suit, working for the EPA, Dept. of Labor, DOC, or some other government alpha-bet soup of an agency. And they will be bringing the LAW! And we will come to accept it, and call ourselves "free".

Posted by: Severe Conservative Riding Orca at October 19, 2013 11:14 AM (v6hyJ)

28 Rodrigo's comment reminded me of a Brazilian i knew who had been in whatever the Brazilian equivalent of an MFA program would be called. His thesis was on Hieronymus Bosch, and he was denied a degree by his program because he'd gotten "too Christian" in dealing with his subject. A Marxist faculty (his description) objected that he brought up Christianity at all in an examination of Bosch's art. How the @#^#$ are you supposed to understand a guy like Bosch without reference to Christianity? Only tangentially related to the post, i suppose, but that sort of religiously anti-religious mindset one finds among some on the Left just mystifies me...

Posted by: Occam's Safety Razor at October 19, 2013 11:14 AM (lpR33)

29 I just want to say I'm proud of you for avoiding the "all boxed in" on this that usually happens. Also, this guys comment is why you kinda have to keep fighting and trust in God. There are still people out there who get it and if are meant to be, they will step up when needed.

Posted by: RoyalOil at October 19, 2013 11:15 AM (VjL9S)

30 Unfortunately, too many Republicans keep chanting that same mantra about the Tea Partiers.

Posted by: Lucky Pierre at October 19, 2013 11:15 AM (5fSr7)

31 I've always said that liberalism will not lead us to be like Sweden, which always seem to be their model of perfection and might now be so bad if it were possible. It will turn us into Brazil. Which is just as the writer describes if you have never been there. Might be a fun place for a vacation if you are young and single but is not anyplace to raise a family or run a business. Unless we turn around things soon in 20 years we will be Brazil with nukes.

Posted by: George Orwell at October 19, 2013 11:15 AM (Vv4Go)

32 30 Unfortunately, too many Republicans keep chanting that same mantra about the Tea Partiers. Posted by: Lucky Pierre at October 19, 2013 03:15 PM (5fSr7) yep.....

Posted by: phoenixgirl @phxazgrl at October 19, 2013 11:16 AM (8JJ6O)

33 Well we've already got their biker culture http://tinyurl.com/nfjlyba

Posted by: Iblis at October 19, 2013 11:16 AM (jljrr)

34 Violence and crime spiraled to such inhuman degrees that between the 50K murders in average a year, this year we saw a soccer referee stab a player to death and then be beheaded and quartered in the field by the spectators for his trouble. His head was placed in a spike in the middle of the field, as an added dramatic bonus. According to the Bible, that's a punishment which those who refuse to bow down to the Antichrist will suffer. This makes a good case that the Antichrist will be/is a Muslim.

Posted by: baldilocks at October 19, 2013 11:17 AM (Tnlh/)

35 In high school (this was the early 80s), we had an exchange student from Venezuela. This was way before Chavez, but she was constantly amazed at how different things were between her home country and the US. She went home after graduation and I never heard from her again...but one of the last things she said before she left was "I'm coming back. I want to be American." I wonder if she ever did make it...and if so, if she regrets it...

Posted by: Captain Whitebread at October 19, 2013 11:17 AM (5J54Q)

36 Can I be a knuckle-dragging sloth instead? They are so much cuter.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at October 19, 2013 11:20 AM (DmNpO)

37 Which is why it's the most hated. Posted by: Flatbush Joe They (Chile) had a counter -revolution against Allende, and the Left will NEVER forgive or forget it, because the armies of socialism never march backwards. As "terrible" as Pinochet allegedly was, the time came when he stepped down and Chile got a democracy back.

Posted by: Severe Conservative Riding Orca at October 19, 2013 11:20 AM (v6hyJ)

Could we offer an all expenses paid vacation to a Brazilian Soccer Coach Fantasy Camp?

I'd like to nominate John McCain and Mitch McConnell as our first lucky winners!

Runners up? Damn near every member of the MSM.

Jim

Sunk New Dawn

Galveston, TX

Posted by: Jim at October 19, 2013 11:21 AM (vvk2F)

39 Jim Sunk New Dawn Galveston, TX Posted by: Jim at October 19, 2013 03:21 PM (vvk2F) {{{Jim}}}

Posted by: baldilocks at October 19, 2013 11:23 AM (Tnlh/)

{{{ Baldi Sis! }}}

Shoot me an e mail, and let's catch up on olde times?

Jim

Sunk New Dawn

Galveston, TX

Posted by: Jim at October 19, 2013 11:24 AM (vvk2F)

41 37 They (Chile) had a counter -revolution against Allende, and the Left will NEVER forgive or forget it, because the armies of socialism never march backwards. As "terrible" as Pinochet allegedly was, the time came when he stepped down and Chile got a democracy back. Posted by: Severe Conservative Riding Orca at October 19, 2013 03:20 PM (v6hyJ) I've said many times that we need our own Pinochet right here, right now. He crushed the Left in Chile. Yes, he "disappeared" some revolutionaries and academics, but it was absolutely necessary. It's necessary here, too, knowing what they will do to us when they have the power.

Posted by: rickl at October 19, 2013 11:24 AM (sdi6R)

42 I'm glad this struck a chord. It did in me too

Posted by: M_Shields at October 19, 2013 11:25 AM (u0IQ5)

43 That poor referee got a Cromwell. And basically for the same reasons, being a murdering dick.

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at October 19, 2013 11:25 AM (ntk8X)

44 It's necessary here, too, knowing what they will do to us when they have the power.

Posted by: rickl at October 19, 2013 03:24 PM (sdi6R)

You ain't seen disappearing until you've seen leftist disappearing! They are masters of the art (see Stalin, Mao, Pol Pot, etc.)

Posted by: Hrothgar at October 19, 2013 11:26 AM (XdnQT)

45 According to the Bible, that's a punishment which those who refuse to bow down to the Antichrist will suffer. This makes a good case that the Antichrist will be/is a Muslim. Posted by: baldilocks There are undoubtedly very good people who are practicing Muslims, just as there are really rotten people who claim to be Christian, but Jesus Christ Himself said there would be no other prophets after Him. It calls into question just who Mohammed was and who he was serving. The age old strife continues.

Posted by: Severe Conservative Riding Orca at October 19, 2013 11:26 AM (v6hyJ)

46 s/knuckle-dragging baboons/whacko birds/

Posted by: John McCain (R) at October 19, 2013 11:27 AM (bnJYz)

47 I just want to say I'm proud of you for avoiding the "all boxed in" on this that usually happens. Thank you. I'm such an html n00b, you wouldn't believe all the testing and re-testing I had to do to make sure I didn't poo all over the blog.

Posted by: OregonMuse at October 19, 2013 11:27 AM (fd0Pp)

48 Anyone know where the prof's blog is?

Posted by: erp at October 19, 2013 11:28 AM (2tuMu)

49 And a magnitude 6.5 quake struck in the Gulf of California.

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at October 19, 2013 11:28 AM (ntk8X)

50 Hi baldilocks! God bless you and your family!

Posted by: OregonMuse at October 19, 2013 11:28 AM (fd0Pp)

51 Thank you. I'm such an html n00b, you wouldn't believe all the testing and re-testing I had to do to make sure I didn't poo all over the blog. Posted by: OregonMuse at October 19, 2013 03:27 PM (fd0Pp) Pffft. The owner of the site does it fairly regularly I wouldn't be worried. But thanks for pulling this from the Group. Do you post over there?

Posted by: BCochran1981 - Credible Hulk at October 19, 2013 11:28 AM (GEICT)

52 Well we've already got their biker culture
http://tinyurl.com/nfjlyba

Posted by: Iblis at October 19, 2013 03:16 PM (jljrr)

The perp survived, apparently. Pity, that.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at October 19, 2013 11:29 AM (8Fl6F)

53 That letter is so beautiful that it makes me want to cry. Now I will tell you why the Rodrigos (and Margaritas) of the world will stay here in the US even if they see that this country going down the terrible road to statism and corruption. It is because we know that, no matter what happens, will have more and better company in the camps. There is nowhere on earth with such a large and passionate cohort devoted to rule-by-law and liberty. It may be a minority, but it's a sizable one and will not go down quietly.

Posted by: Margarita DeVille at October 19, 2013 11:29 AM (dfYL9)

54 They (Chile) had a counter -revolution against Allende, and the Left will NEVER forgive or forget it, because the armies of socialism never march backwards. That's also a big reason for the left's hating on Israel. They left socialism behind, and that's the one unpardonable sin. It is interesting how the scandi-socialist utopias are falling apart thank to the mass influx of those who don't share their cultural values. Its also interesting on the Catholic bashing in Brazil, as we're seeing it more and more from this administration, the latest being the closing of churches and threats of imprisonment for Catholic Chaplains on military bases if they held services. Leftism cannot tolerate any competition in any aspect of life. The state must be the end-all-be-all and every decision in life is a political statement.

Posted by: Iblis at October 19, 2013 11:31 AM (jljrr)

55 The persistence of the left is truly astounding, especially among those it loves to slaughter. There are probably too many reasons for that to even go into. On a lazy weekend, though, it's just sad. When the topic comes up I sometimes think of all the people whose choices have been brutally taken away from them, and there seems to be nothing to do about it that isn't just as destructive. I got lucky being born where I was, if perhaps not when. We are living in remarkable times to learn from, personally, it's just that those lessons don't seem to translate well societally, if the past is an example. Or, in other words, oy vey.

Posted by: Merovign, Dark Lord of the Sith's Other Mobile[/i][/b][/s][/u] at October 19, 2013 11:31 AM (qyfb5)

56 Take out the beheaded soccer ref and you have California.

Posted by: Chandler's Ghost at October 19, 2013 11:31 AM (9JS/n)

57 Backatcha, OM! Jim, Is the email on your site still good?

Posted by: baldilocks at October 19, 2013 11:32 AM (Tnlh/)

58 It's necessary here, too, knowing what they will do to us when they have the power. Posted by: rickl I hope not. Don't take too much counsel from your fears. The United States is much, much larger than Chile, and something like that happening here would be too awful to comprehend. It would be a terrible bloodbath. The middle class, for the most part, supported Pinochet and his junta. They always expected him to step down eventually, and he did. Here, the temptation to that much power, once in your hands, would be too great and seductive. We need an intellectual renaissance to get even the people who see no bad consequences from our present course to wake up and understand. Too many people have been seduced into misunderstanding their own long-range self interest for a brief short term benefit.

Posted by: Severe Conservative Riding Orca at October 19, 2013 11:32 AM (v6hyJ)

59 That professor's blog: http://tinyurl.com/koh396l

Posted by: M_Shields at October 19, 2013 11:33 AM (u0IQ5)

60 Wow! Smarter than an Ivy League professor. I'd hire him over most of the current crop coming from the American university system.

Posted by: Bob Melendez at October 19, 2013 11:33 AM (Kkt/i)

61 The guy's blog is here http://tinyurl.com/mpt87lk Rodrigo is on page 4 I think

Posted by: Iblis at October 19, 2013 11:34 AM (jljrr)

62 Do you post over there? I've been a subscriber to the yahoo group for a long time, I receive the once-a-day digest, but have never posted there.

Posted by: OregonMuse at October 19, 2013 11:35 AM (fd0Pp)

63 Say, can we sponsor people for citizenship anymore, or is it all through the lottery system now? Maybe our Tea Party Congress could make Rodrigo a citizen through an act of Congress.

Posted by: Iblis at October 19, 2013 11:37 AM (jljrr)

64 I've said many times that we need our own Pinochet right here, right now.

He crushed the Left in Chile. Yes, he "disappeared" some revolutionaries and academics, but it was absolutely necessary.

Polls that were done years later after the coup showed that a clear majority supported Pinochet and his desperate and sever measures. You will never read this int he MSM media, only their constant harping about the cruelty. and how the military overthrew a democratically elected president. Never a word about the country was descending into chaos, plus Allende never won a majority, or even close. The left coalition beat out the right by a few points and got the Christian Democrats/center to support them and form a govt. With this "mandate"they started turning the country upside down and reducing it to a wreck. The socialist/communist activists that were shot or thrown from a helicopter into the ocean deserved what they got as they were turning country into Cuba. I would support the same revenge against the looters here once they really get started here with nationalization and seizing of assets.

Posted by: George Orwell at October 19, 2013 11:37 AM (Vv4Go)

65 I've been a subscriber to the yahoo group for a long time, I receive the once-a-day digest, but have never posted there. Posted by: OregonMuse at October 19, 2013 03:35 PM (fd0Pp) Heh, there have to be days where that's a monster. I've been really happy with all the activity at the Group the last couple months.

Posted by: BCochran1981 - Credible Hulk at October 19, 2013 11:38 AM (GEICT)

66 Doesn't count, because Rodrigo probably white hispanic.

Posted by: Mike Hammer at October 19, 2013 11:40 AM (aDwsi)

67 The socialist/communist activists that were shot or thrown from a helicopter into the ocean deserved what they got as they were turning country into Cuba. And their fellow travellers used international lawfare to hound Pinochet all over the world until the day he died. This is what happens when you piss off the left.

Posted by: OregonMuse at October 19, 2013 11:41 AM (fd0Pp)

68 I got lucky being born where I was, if perhaps not when. Posted by: Merovign, Dark Lord of the Sith's Other Mobile at October 19, 2013 03:31 PM (qyfb5) As did I, especially since I have one parent who isn't American. One of the many reasons that I struggle with hatred for BHO is that his claim of Kenyan ancestry has tarnished Kenyans and the few *real* Americans, like me, of Kenyan heritage. Kenyans who have immigrated to the USA are, mostly, Christians and, mostly, productive citizens. But, because he is what he is and human nature being what it is, the stigma exists, where it did not before.

Posted by: baldilocks at October 19, 2013 11:42 AM (Tnlh/)

69 When we write these bills (i.e. Obamacare), why can't we put into the language "if premiums on average do not fall by $2,500 a year (or whatever Obama said) after 5 years, then we will revert to the backup system of cash based healthcare (or whatever an alternative model would be)? We knew Obamacare was going to be a disaster, so why couldn't we say "if your bill doesn't do the things you claim will happen, we will try something else written into the bill as a backup".

Posted by: BacktoGA at October 19, 2013 11:47 AM (4DSQv)

@ Baldilocks, post #57,

If you'll send it to < j_seigler > with the same @_____.com as the blog addy, it'll get to me directly.

Looking forward to the conversation!

Jim

Sunk New Dawn

Galveston, TX

Posted by: Jim at October 19, 2013 11:48 AM (vvk2F)

71 ... that this wasn't actually just "the way things are"...

It is a rare gift for a fish to imagine itself outside the fishbowl and look back in and see the water.

Posted by: Burnt Toast at October 19, 2013 11:48 AM (80R0X)

72 But, because he is what he is and human nature being what it is, the stigma exists, where it did not before. Posted by: baldilocks at October 19, 2013 03:42 PM (Tnlh/) Yes, the pathological version of pattern recognition does seem more prevalent than the "normal" one. It is also funny how the perspective of people with experiences (originating) in other parts of the world often differ from people who *think of themselves* as being aware of what's going on in other parts of the world. The Eastern Europeans following American news must be *so* puzzled right now. Maybe unless they follow Britain, too.

Posted by: Merovign, Dark Lord of the Sith's Other Mobile[/i][/b][/s][/u] at October 19, 2013 11:49 AM (qyfb5)

73 True sign of the degeneracy of the left? They actually care about soccer.

Posted by: Harry Throckmorton (Muldoon) at October 19, 2013 11:51 AM (N/Sup)

74 Also, this guys comment is why you kinda have to keep fighting and trust in God. Amen, that.

Posted by: 98ZJUSMC Waiting for the Sun at October 19, 2013 11:51 AM (rvRN7)

75 The socialist/communist activists that were shot or thrown from a helicopter into the ocean deserved what they got as they were turning country into Cuba. --------------------------------------- Heh. The word 'Communist' triggers the now semi-monthly excerpt from Mickey Spillane's novel, 'One Lonely Night': "I killed more people tonight than I have fingers on my hand. I shot them in cold blood and enjoyed every minute of it. I pumped slugs in the nastiest bunch of bastards you ever saw and here I am calmer than IÂ’ve ever been, and happy too. They were Communists, Lee. They were red sons-of-bitches who should have died long agoÂ…"

Posted by: Mike Hammer at October 19, 2013 11:52 AM (aDwsi)

76 Amen, that. Posted by: 98ZJUSMC --------------- Praise the Lord, and pass the ammunition.

Posted by: Mike Hammer at October 19, 2013 11:53 AM (aDwsi)

77 We knew Obamacare was going to be a disaster, so why couldn't we say "if your bill doesn't do the things you claim will happen, we will try something else written into the bill as a backup". Posted by: BacktoGA at October 19, 2013 03:47 PM (4DSQv) Because whether your version of "the thinking" behind it is the Cloward & Piven break-the-system version or the more conventional This Time It Will Work version, there is no way they would have given up that kind of power - either plan depends on Control. I believe there were some amendment attempts shot down early on. Frankly, the only way out of this is probably *massive* civil disobedience. Basically if half the population ignores them the only thing they can do is have a tantrum. Ultimately a *lot* of the horror of history could have been avoided by mass disobedience - but if you don't have the *mass* part, the price is too high - so fear keeps people in line. Hopefully there are enough Americans cognizant of what "fear keeps people in line" really means.

Posted by: Merovign, Dark Lord of the Sith's Other Mobile[/i][/b][/s][/u] at October 19, 2013 11:53 AM (qyfb5)

78 When we write these bills (i.e. Obamacare), why can't we put into the language "if premiums on average do not fall by $2,500 a year (or whatever Obama said) after 5 years, then we will revert to the backup system of cash based First why give them so much time? One year is enough. Second, you know they'll fudge the numbers or selectively enforce the law if it means O-Care gets repealed. But I like the idea of inserting an automatic repeal of O-Care in the budget/debt ceiling debates to come.

Posted by: Iblis at October 19, 2013 11:53 AM (jljrr)

79 Brazilian melons are awesome! Just saying.

Posted by: EC at October 19, 2013 11:55 AM (doBIb)

80 He crushed the Left in Chile. Yes, he "disappeared" some revolutionaries and academics, but it was absolutely necessary. I have no problem with that.

Posted by: 98ZJUSMC Waiting for the Sun at October 19, 2013 11:55 AM (rvRN7)

81 79 Brazilian melons are awesome! Just saying. Posted by: EC at October 19, 2013 03:55 PM (doBIb) You know the rule!

Posted by: BCochran1981 - Credible Hulk at October 19, 2013 11:56 AM (GEICT)

82 64 --- Most significantly, the Social Democrats enthusiastically supported Pinochet's coup. That is why, as long as people who lived through it still exist and as long as the actual history can be told, the leftish Chileans cannot get too carried away with the anti-Pinochet narrative. They do have shrines to Allende and the desaparecidos, which mostly cater to the tourist trade. But mostly they don't really want to talk about it.

Posted by: Margarita DeVille at October 19, 2013 11:57 AM (dfYL9)

83 81 79 Brazilian melons are awesome! Just saying. Posted by: EC at October 19, 2013 03:55 PM (doBIb) You know the rule! Oh man, you know I want to! If they ever invent that mind projection technology, I'd be charging fees to the memories I have.

Posted by: EC at October 19, 2013 11:58 AM (doBIb)

84 Praise the Lord, and pass the ammunition. Posted by: Mike Hammer at October 19, 2013 03:53 PM (aDwsi) *nods*

Posted by: 98ZJUSMC Waiting for the Sun at October 19, 2013 11:58 AM (rvRN7)

85 Muse, is there a hard link to this story?

Posted by: EC at October 19, 2013 11:59 AM (doBIb)

86 When I think of America's future, I think of Brazil, the movie.

Posted by: EROWMER at October 19, 2013 12:01 PM (OONaw)

87 OT- BC, my BIL works on the state bridge crew (electrician) in J-ville and was telling me some stuff about that bridge collision. Pretty interesting.

Posted by: Harry Throckmorton (Muldoon) at October 19, 2013 12:03 PM (N/Sup)

88 I think we will find very few Pinochets in history --- men strong and ruthless enough to destroy a domestic enemy yet noble enough to step down voluntarily. Most men in his position would take the opportunity to set up a permanent dictatorship for himself. They would focus primarily on their own power, rather than cleaning out the stables and rebuilding the wreckage.

Posted by: Margarita DeVille at October 19, 2013 12:04 PM (dfYL9)

89 BF Barry digs my bone.

Posted by: Reggie Love at October 19, 2013 12:06 PM (/1ATA)

90 Wow, Rodrigo Del Cistia Andrade. Bravissimo!

Posted by: panzernashorn at October 19, 2013 12:10 PM (MhA4j)

91 88 I think we will find very few Pinochets in history --- men strong and ruthless enough to destroy a domestic enemy yet noble enough to step down voluntarily. Most men in his position would take the opportunity to set up a permanent dictatorship for himself. They would focus primarily on their own power, rather than cleaning out the stables and rebuilding the wreckage. Posted by: Margarita DeVille at October 19, 2013 04:04 PM (dfYL9) That is very true, which is why I consider Pinochet a hero. Washington could have made himself a dictator as well, or at least President-For-Life. But he voluntarily stepped down after two terms, thereby establishing an informal tradition that lasted until FDR. Only after FDR was the Constitution amended to formally limit the President to two terms.

Posted by: rickl at October 19, 2013 12:11 PM (sdi6R)

92 As an aside, one of the founders of the local Tea Party group in my area was a Brazilian immigrant, and I heard her give an impassioned speech talking about conditions in her home country back in 2009.

She's smoking hot, too.

Posted by: rickl at October 19, 2013 03:06 PM (sdi6R)

my dentist is Brazilian and she is smoking hot too. sad that I look forward to my dentist appointments.

Posted by: rich@gmu at October 19, 2013 12:12 PM (3yFC4)

93 Posted by: Jim at October 19, 2013 03:48 PM (vvk2F) Sent!

Posted by: baldilocks at October 19, 2013 12:12 PM (Tnlh/)

94 " She went home after graduation and I never heard from her again...but one of the last things she said before she left was "I'm coming back. I want to be American." I wonder if she ever did make it..."

In a perfect world, you and she suddenly find out that you both are Morons.
The Good kind..
You know, from here.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at October 19, 2013 12:12 PM (kA9q2)

95 I've been saying the future of America is Brazil with Nukes for years. Sign of the that: booming sales in armored cars.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at October 19, 2013 12:13 PM (ZPrif)

96 I recall Tom Paxton's weepy song 'The White Bones of Allende'

Posted by: Mike Hammer at October 19, 2013 12:13 PM (aDwsi)

97 Washington could have made himself a dictator as well, or at least President-For-Life. But he voluntarily stepped down after two terms,... ---------------- Rather different then, say, Castro, Chavez, Stalin, etc. etc.

Posted by: Mike Hammer at October 19, 2013 12:15 PM (aDwsi)

98 OT- BC, my BIL works on the state bridge crew (electrician) in J-ville and was telling me some stuff about that bridge collision. Pretty interesting. Posted by: Harry Throckmorton (Muldoon) at October 19, 2013 04:03 PM (N/Sup) Really? Can you email me? bcochran1981 at gmail dot com

Posted by: BCochran1981 - Credible Hulk at October 19, 2013 12:15 PM (GEICT)

99 Rodrigo! Marry me!

Posted by: Dancing Queen at October 19, 2013 12:17 PM (drXjQ)

100 Washington could have made himself a dictator as well, or at least President-For-Life. But he voluntarily stepped down after two terms,...

And did that after surrendering his commission as Comander-in-Chief of the army, a not insignificant exercise in humility.

Posted by: Retread at October 19, 2013 12:19 PM (IiAs3)

101 Yes, the pathological version of pattern recognition does seem more prevalent than the "normal" one. Posted by: Merovign, Dark Lord of the Sith's Other Mobile at October 19, 2013 03:49 PM (qyfb5) Someone in an earlier thread mentioned Lewis' The Screwtape Letters. Prophecy. The Enemy influences the worst impulses of those who don't have their Guard up. The worst impulses almost always stem from pride. (BTW, my pastor mentioned that the key to determining whether one is an actual prophet--besides factual accuracy--is this: real prophets always tell you something you don't want to hear and tell you to do things you don't want to do.)

Posted by: baldilocks at October 19, 2013 12:19 PM (Tnlh/)

102 97 Rather different then, say, Castro, Chavez, Stalin, etc. etc. Posted by: Mike Hammer at October 19, 2013 04:15 PM (aDwsi) And FDR.

Posted by: rickl at October 19, 2013 12:20 PM (sdi6R)

103 From the sidebar, I'd definitly recommend Daniel Hannan's writing and speeches. It's good stuff. Two of his must watch speeches: On the Civic Basis of the Anglosphere: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sF5bGlbvmt8 The Secular Miracle of the English-speaking Peoples http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhVnHQVbtB8

Posted by: The Political Hat at October 19, 2013 12:21 PM (Vk2pI)

104 well this is funny:

http://front.moveon.org/ republicans-think-youre-stupid-prove-them-wrong/ #.UmLpQVNFuLk

[take out spaces after slashes]

Posted by: mallfly at October 19, 2013 12:21 PM (bJm7W)

105 94. That would be something, wouldn't it? BTW...she was smoking hot, too, back then.

Posted by: Captain Whitebread at October 19, 2013 12:21 PM (5J54Q)

106

I submit that it is time for a long-term view and strategy. It took about 50 years to get into the current position. I can't say how long it might take to undo the damage. The demographic problem will be solved by 2025, which will help.

I can't get a handle on the political problem, it seems much worse as socialists are entrenched in our educational and entertainment/news industries (I conflate entertainment and news on purpose here).

I am convinced that electing more Republicans (at least the current species) will not make any difference. I am talking about the GOPe wing of the Democrat party here, not conservatives. There aren't enough conservatives in the country to make much difference these days without violence.

So, what is the strategy to restore America?

I'm damned if I know. I'm playing defense. I moved out of a metro area, retired early and lowered my income by 75%. My next retreat is acreage in Texas, miles from even a small town. After that, I have relatives in the Bahamas that know the ropes of living there. But I am part of a tiny fraction of people in America when it comes to financial independence. Not to say I'm a 1%'er, but I'm in great shape if....I can keep my wealth from being confiscated as we head on down this road to hell.

Posted by: Meremortal at October 19, 2013 12:21 PM (1Y+hH)

107 The prof's blog is full of comments like Rodrigo's. Dan the prof is coming off looking like a total idiot.

Posted by: EC at October 19, 2013 12:24 PM (doBIb)

108 104 well this is funny: http://front.moveon.org/ republicans-think-youre-stupid-prove-them-wrong/ #.UmLpQVNFuLk [take out spaces after slashes] Posted by: mallfly at October 19, 2013 04:21 PM (bJm7W) It's especially funny if you note that the date of the article is Sept. 30, before the Obamacare ~~rollout~~ faceplant.

Posted by: rickl at October 19, 2013 12:31 PM (sdi6R)

109 After 9/11/01, ace featured the photo shop poster a Brazilian advertising company put out on the internet of so many airliners at once zeroing in on NYC skyline, the Twin Towers. We'd heard about the massive population in Brazil literally locked out of town, locked in to their slums by law enforcement or whomever else maintains socio-economic segregation. So much for egalitarianism in socialist regimes. There's ALWAYS a ruling class that are the only special people; all others must serve or at least stay out of the way to suffer and die out of sight. Not surprisingly, the international press did not carry the bloody Brazilian soccer story mainstream or elsewhere. Stabbing. Decapitation. Head on a Pike. Another day at the games. No more Copacabana holiday destination Rio de Janeiro. http://tinyurl.com/k3ucl4a

Posted by: panzernashorn at October 19, 2013 12:32 PM (MhA4j)

110 Naturally, the only socialist country libs are interested in is Norway or whatever. Countries like Brazil and Venezuela get completely overlooked.

Posted by: Ben(the original) at October 19, 2013 12:34 PM (5E4Dt)

111 106. The demographic problem will be solved by 2025, what?

Posted by: panzernashorn at October 19, 2013 12:34 PM (MhA4j)

112 baldilocks - It is notable, that for the most part, none of the prophets wanted to work God's Will. They were all reluctant to undertake the task at hand. Jonah, in particular, balked and complained constantly. Abraham didn't like the idea of trying to find 50 righteous men in Sodom, and bargained it down to 10. Didn't work, of course Moses, famously, threw down the tablets. The list is long, it is generally true of them all. Following God's Will is tough path.

Posted by: Mike Hammer at October 19, 2013 12:34 PM (aDwsi)

113 Rather different then, say, Castro, Chavez, Stalin, etc. etc. And FDR. --------------------------- And different from Simon Bolivar too. My father worshiped George Washington for that reason. Cincinnatus! The statesman who quietly and humbly goes back to his farm after serving his country. What an exceptionally great man he was!

Posted by: Margarita DeVille at October 19, 2013 12:34 PM (dfYL9)

114 Bump

Posted by: toby928© Alabama Alumnus and Native Texan, now with twice the insufferability at October 19, 2013 12:37 PM (QupBk)

115 Now we are boxed in?

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at October 19, 2013 12:38 PM (ntk8X)

116 help, I'm stuck in a grey text box

Posted by: Lady Billingsgate (of the North) at October 19, 2013 12:38 PM (4Bb92)

117 wow, good timing

Posted by: Lady Billingsgate (of the North) at October 19, 2013 12:39 PM (4Bb92)

118 I just fixed the odd formatting

Posted by: Purp[/i][/b][/u][/s] at October 19, 2013 12:39 PM (l5zzX)

119 'Anglosphere' in the sidebar is a powerful essay and an excellent companion to this piece.

Posted by: t-bird at October 19, 2013 12:39 PM (FcR7P)

120 the prof is coming off looking like a total idiot. Posted by: EC --------------- The guy's photo..., it defines deer-in-the-headlights http://tinyurl.com/ou7dwbf

Posted by: Mike Hammer at October 19, 2013 12:39 PM (aDwsi)

121 Who are you calling 'Odd'?

Posted by: The Formatting at October 19, 2013 12:40 PM (aDwsi)

122 http://www.law.yale.edu/faculty/DKahan.htm

Posted by: Purp[/i][/b][/u][/s] at October 19, 2013 12:41 PM (l5zzX)

123 The guy's photo..., it defines deer-in-the-headlights Beuller?

Posted by: EC at October 19, 2013 12:41 PM (doBIb)

124 I'm in great shape if....I cankeep my wealth from being confiscated as we head on down thisroad to hell. wealth, IP address: noted.

Posted by: The NSA at October 19, 2013 12:42 PM (FcR7P)

125 Thanks for posting this!

Posted by: Jocon307 at October 19, 2013 12:45 PM (7+F2i)

126 "It is notable, that for the most part, none of the prophets wanted to work God's Will." Jonah stands alone as a prophet who literally tried to run away from God. Also, as a prophet with a hard heart, who wanted to see the destruction and was really angry when people repented according to his message. For every prophet who balked, there were those like Samuel who answered, "Here I am." Not saying that being a prophet was ever a happy occupation, though. But the Old Testament God had in mind for the children of Abraham, of Israel, to be ruled by His Law and rituals to be performed by the Priests (Levites) whom He chose to perpetuate worship and observance of the Law and their Covenant with their God. Even John the Baptist was born the son of a Temple Priest.

Posted by: panzernashorn at October 19, 2013 12:47 PM (MhA4j)

127 Naturally, the only socialist country libs are interested in is Norway or whatever.

And Norway only gets away with it because they're flush with them evil petro-dollars to pay for the welfare state.

Posted by: Purp[/i][/b][/u][/s] at October 19, 2013 12:48 PM (l5zzX)

128 (BTW, my pastor mentioned that the key to determining whether one is an actual prophet--besides factual accuracy--is this: real prophets always tell you something you don't want to hear and tell you to do things you don't want to do.) Posted by: baldilocks at October 19, 2013 04:19 PM (Tnlh/) Hide posts from (Tnlh/) And someone who tells you what you want to hear is selling something. Which is not *always* bad, but caveat emptor.

Posted by: Merovign , Dark Lord of the Sith [/i] [/b] [/s] [/u] at October 19, 2013 12:48 PM (qyfb5)

129 If any real prophets appeared today, they'd be attacked and beaten into a vegetative coma by mobs. People don't want to hear about acting responsibly anymore.

Posted by: Purp[/i][/b][/u][/s] at October 19, 2013 12:51 PM (l5zzX)

130 "real prophets always tell you something you don't want to hear and tell you to do things you don't want to do." I don't think there's much a prophet could tell us that wasn't told other people in former eras. It should sound familiar. Granted, the prophets' message is not going to set well with people who don't want to hear what God has to say, past or present. "Repent" An actual prophet of God won't contradict what the other prophets declared. But will reiterate the same message. ...as for false prophets? http://tinyurl.com/kquqvhe

Posted by: panzernashorn at October 19, 2013 12:57 PM (MhA4j)

131 It's very true that liberalism is the "lazy" choice; to be a conservative means seeking out info for oneself because the msm/academia hides it completely. We are naturally a more intellectually curious lot who like to think for ourselves.

Also, on a spiritual level, Jesus said the road to Hell was wide and easy (Matthew 7:13-14), no surprise the Left makes their case so "easy".

Posted by: Aslan's Girl at October 19, 2013 12:57 PM (KL49F)

132

***Naturally, the only socialist country libs are interested in is Norway or whatever.***

and whenever Norway gets mentioned, the 20 billion barrels of oil exports since 71, usually doesn't get a mention either.

Posted by: rich@gmu at October 19, 2013 12:58 PM (3yFC4)

133 "110 Naturally, the only socialist country libs are interested in is Norway or whatever. Countries like Brazil and Venezuela get completely overlooked.

Posted by: Ben(the original) at October 19, 2013 04:34 PM (5E4Dt)"

Norway just elected a staunchly conservative prime minister, Erna Solberg. They call her "Iron Erna". So even their precious Norway has had enough liberal/leftist politics. Now when American libs say we should be more like Norway, I tell them, "I agree!" LOL!

Posted by: Aslan's Girl at October 19, 2013 01:01 PM (KL49F)

134 131. Hm, the parable of the prodigal son. After all was said, done and SPENT, "He came to his senses." Epiphany: even my father's servants have it better than I living with swine as a pig.

Posted by: panzernashorn at October 19, 2013 01:01 PM (MhA4j)

135 The socialist/communist activists that were shot or thrown from a helicopter into the ocean deserved what they got as they were turning country into Cuba. I would support the same revenge against the looters here once they really get started here with nationalization and seizing of assets.

Because preemptive murder is a valid punishment for theft?

Posted by: DaveA at October 19, 2013 01:07 PM (DL2i+)

136 "Remember the story about a Yale professor?" Let not many of you become teachers, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment. James 3:1

Posted by: panzernashorn at October 19, 2013 01:12 PM (MhA4j)

137 When the theft is that pervasive, it's slavery IMNSHO.

Posted by: Al at October 19, 2013 01:13 PM (9ynpo)

138 oops, late...

Posted by: rich@gmu at October 19, 2013 01:14 PM (3yFC4)

139 it's slavery IMNSHO.

Still not the same as murder.

If they'd catapulted the disappeared into the bay of pigs that would be a different story.

Posted by: DaveA at October 19, 2013 01:17 PM (DL2i+)

140 Baldilocks, O's pathologies are from his dysfunctional white family. There was no Kenyan influence except in his own fantasies. I have known several Kenyans, both white and black over many years mostly in the UK, and none of them is in anyway shape or form anything like him.

Posted by: Lester at October 19, 2013 01:18 PM (qTsuK)

141 Mostly I was referring to the intended recipients of a given prophet's prophecy. Almost none of the recipients of God's Word through His prophets wanted to hear it. And that includes the recipients of the prophecy from Jesus the Christ.

Posted by: baldilocks at October 19, 2013 01:20 PM (Tnlh/)

142 being a lefty liberal is EASY. It is the default stance of the intellectually lazy.

No truer words were ever spoken. (sorry, late to teh thread)

Posted by: Peaches at October 19, 2013 01:21 PM (8lmkt)

143 oh, hi, baldilocks!!

Posted by: Peaches at October 19, 2013 01:21 PM (8lmkt)

144 I'm surprised this thread is still alive.

Posted by: OregonMuse at October 19, 2013 01:24 PM (fd0Pp)

145 140 Baldilocks, O's pathologies are from his dysfunctional white family. There was no Kenyan influence except in his own fantasies. I have known several Kenyans, both white and black over many years mostly in the UK, and none of them is in anyway shape or form anything like him. Posted by: Lester at October 19, 2013 05:18 PM (qTsuK) You and I know that--and the Kenyan members of my family are nothing like him either--but I've seen and heard all sort of Bravo Sierra about Kenya and Kenyans in the last six or so years. People do the easiest thing, rather than their homework.

Posted by: baldilocks at October 19, 2013 01:25 PM (Tnlh/)

146 All of the world's woes come from us. No supernatural creatures of any sort have had anything to do with it. We will never have a free and good world until we stop believing in fairy tales.

Posted by: eman at October 19, 2013 01:26 PM (AO9UG)

147 Hey Ms. Peaches!

Posted by: baldilocks at October 19, 2013 01:26 PM (Tnlh/)

148 Anyone want to buy a lace wig? Peaches? Baldi?

Posted by: OregonMuse at October 19, 2013 01:28 PM (fd0Pp)

149 Because preemptive murder is a valid punishment for theft?

I don't know if murder is really in the right word to describe the killing of the communist agitators. . Chile was in the midst of a leftist revolution/power grab and it was destroying the country. The organized, govt. sponsored oppression and murder wasn't far behind the nationalizations (it always is). So yes, in the case when govt. sponsored mobs are seizing farms and businesses I think killing the leaders of the mobs was a perfectly valid punishment.

Posted by: George Orwell at October 19, 2013 01:31 PM (Vv4Go)

150 Anyone want to buy a lace wig? Peaches? Baldi?

Posted by: OregonMuse at October 19, 2013 05:28 PM (fd0Pp)

I am naturally fuzzy, of course, and do better with denim than lace, which is so easily damaged, but thank you for the offer.

Posted by: Peaches at October 19, 2013 01:33 PM (8lmkt)

151 but I've seen and heard all sort of Bravo Sierra about Kenya and Kenyans

Pre-TFG it was all marathons and Daktari AFAIK.

My BIL runs students into the Rift Valley to the Masai. This falls trip cancelled due to Westgate which they visited every go round. He's got some great footage of his skinny white ass doing the jumping jack routine with the guys in the red togas?

Posted by: DaveA at October 19, 2013 01:46 PM (DL2i+)

152 To understand Brazil Watch Elite Squad not the sequel Elite Squad The Enemy Within

Posted by: Patrick at October 19, 2013 01:47 PM (b6koZ)

153 Brazil needs our help! We must send Piers Morgan down there to save them!

Posted by: Richard McEnroe at October 19, 2013 01:56 PM (qvify)

154 Greetings from my my mother-in-law's retirement village outside ATL.

I love this piece so much, I've forwarded it to several people, and my husband is going to post it on his Facebook page. His liberal family members and friends will have mass hissy fits and rage strokes, so win-win.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at October 19, 2013 01:57 PM (RmtDa)

155 The organized, govt. sponsored oppression and murder wasn't far behind the nationalizations (it always is). So yes, in the case when govt. sponsored mobs are seizing farms and businesses I think killing the leaders of the mobs was a perfectly valid punishment..

So the presumption of future pogroms makes the current one ok?

Posted by: DaveA at October 19, 2013 01:59 PM (DL2i+)

156 So the presumption of future pogroms makes the current one ok? We're talking about commies, yes? It's a given.

Posted by: toby928© Alabama Alumnus and Native Texan, now with twice the insufferability at October 19, 2013 02:02 PM (QupBk)

157 Read this comment on that Yale professor's blog, by.. If I had to venture a guess, said professor isn't going to go any further than the observation that Tea Party types aren't the knuckle-draggers he thought they were. What's more, he's probably already gotten admonishments from his lefty colleagues for what's been said already.

Posted by: Blacque Jacques Shellacque at October 19, 2013 02:04 PM (/IXKu)

158

The problem on Brazil is clear.

Their government does not spend enough to stimulate the economy, provide basic services and free education, healthcare and electric cars.

Posted by: Paul Kruggman at October 19, 2013 02:07 PM (sQ0+r)

159 liberal family members and friends will have mass hissy fits and rage strokes, so win-win.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at October 19, 2013 05:57 PM (RmtDa)

So . . . shaping up to be an okay weekend, Jane? xoxo

Posted by: Peaches at October 19, 2013 02:10 PM (8lmkt)

160 So . . . shaping up to be an okay weekend, Jane? xoxo

Posted by: Peaches at October 19, 2013 06:10 PM (8lmkt)

Yep!

Actually, we're leaving in the morning to go up to the mountains and visit BFF (who has lung cancer) and her husband. She's a miracle. Doctor told her months ago when she decided to quit the chemo and radiation, that she had "two weeks to live." Shes now out of her wheelchair, walking, and gaining weight. Still has the tumors (and one in her brain) but having a much better quality of life for however long she has.

Tomorrow night we have a fundraiser soiree to attend in ATL, and then it's back home on Monday a.m.

Oh, and D'oh Boy had a former Marine buddy arrive last week for a visit (is still at the house), and two more were to arrive this evening for a cookout. Jeebus, when I said "Marines will always be welcome" I didn't except them to begin arriving so soon. Yikes.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at October 19, 2013 02:15 PM (RmtDa)

161 dammit. except = expect

I blame being the driver up here for the last five hours. I tired.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at October 19, 2013 02:17 PM (RmtDa)

162 Love this blog. I am conservative..emigrated from India. The "anglosphere miracle" is precisely the revisionist, "end justifies the means" nonsense that we all conservatives should abhor. Lets be clear ..the UK became a world power by plundering peaceful lands like India - which by the way had their own flourishing economies with a very well defined, decentralized rule of law.

Posted by: Aj at October 19, 2013 02:18 PM (LQ5QT)

163 Let's not be too hard on the prof. So many academics I know are incapable of being as open-minded as he turned out to be, and would have found a way to explain away (or just bury and not mention) his findings. It gives me hope that America has foreign friends like Rodrigo, and the Venezualan woman and the Brazilian woman mentioned up thread. And Richard Fernandez (Wretchard) too: the guy is more worked up in defense of American ideals than most Americans these days. May we continue to deserve them.

Posted by: JPS at October 19, 2013 02:22 PM (9ziuC)

164 Also, the author of "anglosphere miracle" quotes that most of the 2.4 million indian soldiers fought voluntarily for the British .. This is so blatantly false that I wish I could laugh it off

Posted by: Aj at October 19, 2013 02:25 PM (LQ5QT)

165 Now, when you hear Levin's writing described as "dangerous," you will understand why.

Posted by: Brian McKim at October 19, 2013 02:27 PM (NHK1D)

166 Actually, we're leaving in the morning to go up to the mountains and visit BFF (who has lung cancer) and her husband. She's a miracle. Doctor told her months ago when she decided to quit the chemo and radiation, that she had "two weeks to live." Shes now out of her wheelchair, walking, and gaining weight. Still has the tumors (and one in her brain) but having a much better quality of life for however long she has.

Jane, OMG!!!! I thought she was gone. That is some really fantastic news and God bless her. OMG, I just can't believe it. I remember the weekend your husband was going up to visit and you couldn't. It was at least 2-3 months ago. What a lovely thing to read, my friend. Will keep her on the prayer list.

Posted by: Peaches at October 19, 2013 02:30 PM (8lmkt)

167 Jane, OMG!!!! I thought she was gone. That is some really fantastic news and God bless her. OMG, I just can't believe it. I remember the weekend your husband was going up to visit and you couldn't. It was at least 2-3 months ago. What a lovely thing to read, my friend. Will keep her on the prayer list.

Posted by: Peaches at October 19, 2013 06:30 PM (8lmkt)

Thanks, darlin'! When I last saw her in early summer, she was a mess. Skin and bones, couldn't walk, couldn't eat. I figured it would be one of the last times I saw her. She is a miracle. I keep praying she'll get an actual miracle and be healed. Can't wait to see her tomorrow. When I last saw her, she was so tired she really didn't want visitors. It will be great to spend a bit of time with her before we go to our event.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at October 19, 2013 02:40 PM (RmtDa)

168 Yes, this/that post in the blog was an inspiring read.

Posted by: Gmac-Pondering the coming taxational singularity at October 19, 2013 02:50 PM (IanLz)

169 Because preemptive murder is a valid punishment for theft?

Code of Hammurabi -- old school

Posted by: Purp[/i][/b][/u][/s] at October 19, 2013 03:00 PM (l5zzX)

170 So the presumption of future pogroms makes the current one ok?

Look at Chile today. It is the most stable, safe, prosperous country in South America. If it had "Gone Cuba" I think is is safe to say things would not have turned out so well. The killing by the leftist tyranny would have outsized that by the rightist dictator by many, many times times. And it wouldn't have stopped at the activists and leaders, as that of the Pinochet was focused on

So, yes.

Posted by: George Orwell at October 19, 2013 03:12 PM (oG53/)

171 Well, husband has posted this to his Facebook page. Waiting for the collective outrage from his far-left brother, my far-left (socialist and proud of it) sister, and the rest of his loony lefty family and friends.

Because Tea Party = Racist and Stupid.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at October 19, 2013 03:24 PM (RmtDa)

172 I listen to NPR make one disparaging remark after another about the Tea Party and it never occurs to any of them to ask "Hey, what are those Tea Party guys so upset about?", even mockingly. It's like when I asked my sister in law why Ted Cruz was wanting to defund ObamaCare. She said because he's an asshole. I said "So he doesn't have any reason except he likes being an asshole?" To which she said "Well he probably has all kinds of dumbass reasons". Then I asked the big question - "So what is one of them?" Of course she didn't know one, and went back to telling me what an asshole he is, as if his motives are irrelevant. Because to her they are.

Posted by: Ray Van Dune at October 19, 2013 04:02 PM (qIFL7)

173 Aj at October 19, 2013 06:25 PM (LQ5QT) Wrong. For 174 years the relationship was complex, but mostly mutially beneficial. The British Indian Army was volunteer, and mostly limited to selected groups like the Sikhs and Punjabs. The theory was to limit recruiting from proven fighters like the Gurkhas and other martial tribes of Northern India and Nepal. Southern Indians were represented by the Madras Sappers and line of communications troops. Sounds like you need an education. DYOR. Or ask. I can point you to a number of insightful books.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at October 19, 2013 04:05 PM (u82oZ)

174 http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2013/10/10/mother-love-blessing/oDvnttyMn4tfUwxjmKdsyO/story.html Jane, here is a column about mother love for son and vice versa. It is my aunt and cousin.

Posted by: Madamex at October 19, 2013 04:10 PM (islXR)

175 174 http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2013/10/10/mother-love-blessing/oDvnttyMn4tfUwxjmKdsyO/story.html

Jane, here is a column about mother love for son and vice versa. It is my aunt and cousin.

Posted by: Madamex at October 19, 2013 08:10 PM (islXR)

Wonderful story. Of course, made me cry.

Posted by: Jane D'oh at October 19, 2013 04:52 PM (RmtDa)

176 This Rodrigo is an obvious Confederado.

Posted by: OxyCon at October 19, 2013 06:18 PM (2rpss)

177 ______________________________

And a wonderful and aptly chosen reference to Plato's Allegory of the Cave to boot.

- Bravo, Rodrigo.

And bravo and thank you, OregonMuse for posting this. I can't wait to read it out loud to my liberal girlfriend when she gets home Monday.

Posted by: _Dave_ at October 19, 2013 08:43 PM (J+Q+d)

178

NaCly Dog,

Aj needs an education badly. I've talked to numerous Indian grad students who told me that up to the present day, the only honest government India ever had was under the British Raj. They said it didn't do a lot after 1857 for fear of causing more uprisings, and consequently left a lot of things that should have been done earlier for an Indian government to tackle. However, they all acknowledged that the British were not on the take and that the vast majority of the ICS and officialdom were doing the best they could with what they had.

Aj, you need to read Nirad Chaudhuri and, if you really want to know what went down in the transition, Nicholas Mansergh's, The Transfer of Power in India 1942-1947.

Posted by: mac at October 20, 2013 07:00 AM (TMssB)

179 People see what happens when socialists out greed, greedy capitalists, but can't comprehend the problem because socialist have brainwashed them into only judging Capitalism/Christians/America and NEVER judge Socialist regardless of how clearly they are to blame. Part of why Obama gets away with blaming Republicans for all the dastardly crap he pulls, and everybody knows it. Obamacare ? Blame Republicans.....STUPID

Posted by: ron n. at October 22, 2013 03:41 AM (c7HxG)

180 Thanks Michael for fishing my original post of the that comment section and spreading it. And thanks for all the nice words from everyone here here. You brightened in a way words cannot describe it. Boy, if I knew so many people would read it I would have taken the time to proof read it, it it was written in a spur of the moment impetus while on a break at work. But still, I am glad you guys enjoyed it. I wouldn't be able to run on a Cruz ticket, mainly because I can't pass an ideological background check at Immigration Services

But all joking aside, I pledge to do anything in my power from my lil evil corner of the world to help him if he runs. God knows the globe needs a steel spine conservative as leader of the free world right now. And here's to hoping someday I manage to (legally, of course) immigrate to America. I get the feeling I would feel at home like I had never before. But hey, If someone wants to sponsor a H1B visa for a highly skilled Java developer with tons and tons of Linux and DevOps expertise to boot, you can find my on LinkedIn *wink wink*

Thanks again folks. You are truly leaving your mark in the world, and well beyond The Land of The Braves' borders.

Posted by: Rodrigo at November 01, 2013 05:22 AM (7s7Cd)

181 Sadly, the US is striving to become more like Brazil, while Brazil is striving to become the new Venezuela. The hope for all (even us brazilians) is that the US still has some political opposition.

Posted by: Davi Schweitzer at November 01, 2013 10:17 AM (brpFz)

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