From Afar

Posted on by Sarah A. Hoyt

They say death and distance dress people in their most winning smile. I’m not dead and neither country is dead, but from afar, looking back, it’s weird what stands out.

I could and would have deeper thoughts on this if I were here for longer — which pray G-d I will not be for more than a few days more — and I’m sure if I were forced to return — again, pray G-d and make obsequies this never happens — my view of America from here would evolve and evolve again, and now one aspect and then another would be foremost, like remembering the face of a lost loved one, one now remembers the eyes, now the hair, now the way they used to smile.

But right now what stands out for me most from here, looking longingly at home is how comfortless and random I find my surroundings.

Now, some of this to be fair is that I’m a writer of a certain age. Writer is relevant here because we are — to be fair — of a solitary and taciturn disposition and likely to enjoy our own company. This, once you add a certain age — over fifty really, but over sixty starts to be serious — becomes the tendency to want our things the way we like them, and our schedule predictable and also just as we like it, until we’re used to getting up at a certain time, having a certain breakfast and–

I’m not quite that bad — though I can fall into it — because my life is never that excruciatingly predictable. Things happen and throw my day into disarray so often that the more pertinent question is whether my day is ever arrayed.

But still this great a dislocation and it will make me feel uncomfortable. The thing is this happens whenever I travel anywhere, and it’s not normally THIS uncomfortable.

What I find is that even the newly built, expensive houses, seem to lack a basic level of comfort. Now a lot of this is Euro-eco regulations. Another part is… they simply don’t demand it, or they even feel a certain pride in not having it.

Take heating and air conditioning, for instance. Or rather don’t take it, give it to me. Because we’ve been here for what must be the greatest deluge of rain outside the hurricane zone. The humidity would make a southerner go “Too much” and on top of that it’s what we’d consider “somewhat chilly” 40 and 50, except it feels colder here.

The windows don’t fit QUITE right (they’re almost my age.) So last night, trying to sleep involved ignoring what sounded like a dozen energetic drum players all over the house.

Now, it was an exceptional storm and as I said, the windows are almost my age. But we found the same going out anywhere. I don’t know how to put it but “things aren’t designed to cater to comfort and convenience.”

I’m not QUITE complaining. I don’t live here. It’s their life, and they arrange it to their comfort. It’s just they … don’t.

On top of that anytime we’ve interacted with officialdom in any capacity, you have to approach as a supplicant and proffer the proper degree of humble abasement and it never works the same way twice. It depends on whether they like your face, or something.

The whole experience is kind of forlorn and somewhere between camping and trying to live in a house.

And I’ve been watching their news. I won’t go into details. No one needs to cry. But let’s say that perfect audience that the left wishes for? Yep. Brandon is an upright statesman and no sane person would listen to that wanna be Hitler Trump.

The things they believe are somewhere between bizarre and “that never happened.” BUT it is what their media sells. And they buy it verbatim.

No one blogs about current events or politics (or even so far as I can tell history.) It’s just food and mommy blogs and “today I did.” No one voices a contrary opinion, because that would mark them as “crazy” for standing out from the pack.

In the end? They live like this, because this is how they wish to live. They have the life they deserve.

People don’t protest when they get pushed around. They don’t expect something better, or try to bring it about. And they shut up when lies are told in public because they don’t want to be thought “crazy.”

There are people in our country who say that the Republic is dead. It is mortally wounded, but dead is something else.

The Republic is not dead so long as there are Americans. So long as we are those people the world complains about: loud, demanding, refusing to settle or be sensible…

As long as that remains, the Republic can be brought back to its former glory.

Stay salty my friends. The rest of the world might think we are reprehensible, but we are still, and will remain the last greatest hope of mankind.

96 thoughts on “From Afar”

  3. It is mortally wounded, but dead is something else.

    Sarah, when you use the term “mortally wounded”, to a lot, probably a vast majority, of the readers. what you mean is “absent a special miracle from God, it’s time to prepare the funeral”.

    Abraham Lincoln was mortally wounded at Ford’s Theater.

    Maybe “desperately wounded”, because that means there’s still a chance for something we mere mortals can do for the patient, even if it means doing things we normally wouldn’t consider.

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    2. I’m thinking “mortally wounded” along the lines of Inigo Montoya in The Princess Bride. Treacherously stabbed in the gut, should probably already be dead, certainly unable to fight. But for some reason the Count Rugen contingent can’t understand, we haven’t given up. We’re still standing, even though our knees threaten to buckle, and we keep saying that line, and it’s starting to freak them out: “Hello! I am an American citizen. You killed my republic. Prepare to die.”

      Liked by 3 people

          1. What Europeans never learned is that “Become Ungovernable” is a Real Thing (TM), and is the birthright of every American.

            Corollary to “That sumbitch ain’t been born.”

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    3. What ER doctors learn is how much it takes to kill a person, and how little it takes to kill a person. Really, if the person is still alive, “mortally wounded” is a judgement call.

      Liked by 1 person

      3. When have countries resurrected? Other than Israel that is and I’m convinced they have divine intervention in their favor.

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        1. When they resurrect, they tend to kind of ignore they died.

          See the folks who get snarky about how the USA is a young country… when they change their governments more often than their underwear, and not in the sense of an election.

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    5. “He’s only mostly dead. With all dead, well, with all dead there’s usually only one thing you can do.”

      “What’s that?”

      “Go through his clothes and look for loose change.”

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Making me grateful for the Iowa DMV, again….

    They have a job. It’s the same if you show up with no paperwork or with more papers than they’ve ever seen. And you get one appointment– because they know what else goes into it, and they will actually ask if you need this or that thing, and yes the remaining registration will be refunded, a check will be sent to– is this address correct, let me fix that for you honey. Yes it says you have to schedule an appointment for that, it’s against policy unless we run out of time it happens at this appointment, as long as we can get the papers we need. There we go, honey, and here’s a paper for if anything happens before your driver’s license updates and you make sure to give us this number from the yes-huh paper if there’s any issue and I betcha I can fix it without even an appointment.

    I thought it was just a really nice outlet I went to….

    Nope. Even the horrible dystopian looking one that’s in main Des Moines has… people who do their job, and their job is to get your paperwork straightened out, if it’s humanly possible.

    (And they appear to have a sloth plushy habit, hmmmmmm)

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      1. Amazing as it may seem, yes, some government clerks and bureaucrats can be helpful and effective – though usually they either aren’t Feds, or are out in the field. When I moved from New Jersey to Ohio around age 20, I found Ohio BMV to be a breath of fresh air. They were generally helpful and friendly, and usually fast. Worst I have encountered in the years since is slow and indifferent but helpful.

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          1. Aye. Have had multiple interaction with F-County clerks in 20-mumble years. All pleasant. Even the building department is OK, modulo the guy terrified by the quarter inch of snow and ice on the driveway to the barn.

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            1. Even here in Eugene, Lane County. Never had problems with local for state, or county staff/employees. (Not in city so no interaction but no doubt wouldn’t be different.) Parking is a PIA if must go to county offices. If no appointment, might have to wait a long time, especially DMV. But wow was I surprised today. DMV was a 10 – 15 minute wait. (Two things, > 65 driver license renewal so new picture and eye test required, and tags for one of the Santa Fe.) I’ve complained about parking, and wait times, but I’ve never complained about staff. Not ever. OTOH this is the first time I’ve had to actually go into an office in 16 years as I usually do everything online. Also, employees were fully willing to say “Yes, ‘they’ want you to get the real id drivers, but if you have other federal id (passport), you don’t have to.” The letter that came with the renewal sure makes it sound required. The other point is we so rarely fly, it is almost like we don’t fly. No did not upgrade to real id.

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              1. I’m going to do real ID next year when I have to do the 65 thing. Just in case I absolutely, positively cannot avoid having to fly somewhere. (No passport, never needed one.)

                Meant to do it the last time, but forgot to pull the BC from the fire safe, so said to heck with it.

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                1. We have passports. We’ve been to Canada, twice, since they’ve been required. I suspect eventually PTB will force (because that is what they do) every state to require them, even if passports could be used.

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              2. I’ll have to see when my DL is up for renewal, but it’s been a while. I’ll have to see if Real ID is actually required; my passport expired over a dozen years ago, and neither $SPOUSE or I plan to a) fly nor b) get out of the country for any length of time. The last time we had family visits, they were road trips. One solo for me, going East, the other a group with Mom, $OLDER_BROTHER and $SO coming out here. Mom passed away, and distance makes life much easier. [redacted. It’s one of those…]

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                1. And the Oregon FAQ says I need it to fly or to enter secure federal facilities. [Does this mean prisoners without RealID can’t enter a prison? Asking for a friend. :) ] Since I don’t plan to do either. I can pass.

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                  1. Oh. Then you can’t serve on a federal jury, or be asked into a secure Federal building … Smart!

                    Although you are probably off the jury list due to age. But it is the thought that counts!

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                    1. Yes, we were very happy when I hit the “don’t bother” age, especially for federal court. Which is in Medford, not a comfortable commuting distance.

                      I never got a summons in Oregon, have been called in Cali but never got paneled. $SPOUSE did in Cali (gang related drug case), and a DUI (with laughable defense) here. She was thrilled when she aged out. $TINY_TOWN to F-Falls commute is doable, but not fun when the weather is bad. She was thrilled when she aged out. Got a pre-summons and turned it down after her 70th.

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                    2. Son’s been called 6x’s. Never paneled. To be fair to the county the first 4x’s were deferrals. While technically home was his legal address he was away at college. I’ve been called twice, now in the 43 years I’ve lived in this county after I turned 18 (not consecutively, only been back for 40-ish), nor before in the prior county. I age out in 2 years and 10 days. Hubby has aged out. He was called once when we lived in Washington. He was removed from the rolls as he’d just (within < 2 weeks of the jury summons) transferred out of state. County clerk “when is he returning?” Me: “He’s been transferred out of state. Company is moving us.” For the second time. “So, never?”

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                    3. Only called once, went and then they please bargained at the last minute and we were all dismissed.

                      I was kind of disappointed, actually.

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                    4. I’ve lived in Massachusetts a little over 40 years. I have been called probably 13 times. 6 of those were canceled day before. No trial starting so no service (MA is 1 day or one trial so you’re free for a year). I have been at court for at least the half day 7 times (you’re off the list for 3 years at that point). Two times I have started the impaneling process, once I was so far back in the list that they filled the 12 plus alternates (2). I sat on a panel for a minor civil case finding for the plaintiff about 1/10 what they wanted. That trial lasted 4 days (with one day where we didn’t come in and one where we were dismissed as one of the lawyers for the defense turned pale blue white and threw up in the hall while waiting to enter, looked like he was about to have a heart attack). That was a VERY lucky trial. Our panels had originally been for an arson/murder trial. However, someone screwed up and left the leg irons on the defendant and the jurors saw that. That contaminated us so they swapped us with the folks next door (after removing the leg irons) and so I ended up in a 4 day civil trial versus a 4-6 week Arson/ 2nd degree murder one.

                      I think after 70 you can refuse to come and be removed permanently from the lists

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                    5. When I got my BS degree, I took the scenic route and spent a couple weeks on the road along US2. So, I was out of touch for much of the trip. When I got to Silly Valley, Mom told me that I had received a jury summons, effective when I was on the road. My first experience at missing a jury trial.

                      Had one callup for a felony case where the chief witness was a no-show. The defendant’s smirk was annoying… Got kicked off a federal case where I appeared to be insufficiently enthusiastic for a felony conspiracy charge–the guy was running an indoor MJ grow. A co-worker was on the panel, and there was a conviction. (That was also a trial where hearing issues screwed things up. Best I was excused.)

                      Post ear surgery, was called for another–prostitution sting, so the john was trying an entrapment defense. The PA system was unbearably loud to my just-repaired ear, so I begged off.

                      State and local trials in Santa Clara (CA) county were miserable. Jurors and potential jurors were at the bottom of the respect stack. $SPOUSE sat on one; no coffee provided beyond the machine, basically no creature comforts. Judges did not give a tinker’s damn for the jurors. (Flyover County much nicer. Coffee, tea and sodas were freebies, says she. Most judges were decent, though one slated for retirement was giving hell to a diabetic who was running into low blood sugar issues. Said judge was “encouraged” not to run again.

                      Santa Clara county: If you are on a jury and it reaches a verdict, plan to be called again next year. And again. People try to hide from the juror calls, and it’s too apparent just why. Not the case locally.

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                    6. “giving hell to a diabetic who was running into low blood sugar issues”

                      Judge would be yelling at me for not paying attention (half asleep). I have to move or I doze off. Never learned to control it. Yes, medical causes.

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    3. Having suffered NOLA and Jefferson/Kenner DMV visits, it was nice when I went to backwoods Baton Rouge (the location of that office v the rest of BR) and literally faster than I can type the story got in and out with a simple registration turn in. Longest portion was the wait for the dot matrix printer to print the rego with all zeros proving I had done the surrendering. Later, waits at Shreveport were fairly long, but there were a LOT of people there, and the system made for a reasonable wait, ease of multiple transaction. Walk in, “I’m here for X, Y, and Z.” they gave you a number for X, wait, called, get another number for Y, you were in line with those you were in line with. If the person who was in front of you needed Y, and had not yet gotten served, you were likely one person or at most two behind them in the Y line (like the person you were in front of needed Y also). Overall, I think it was 2.5, maybe 3 hours total time for 3 transactions including the wait for a license headshot. Later I found a small office in BFE that was faster, just because there were so few folks in the area (Vidor, La). Several times no one was in the office when I got there. Here isn’t slow, but the area again is small, and now more and more can be done online. Prior to Covid for a Enhanced DL you had to go in, then they allowed by mail just before lockdowns, but since they now allow renewal online for the EDL.

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    4. I didn’t have a bill with our physical address when I went to get my first Oregon license, but $SPOUSE was prepared for hers, so I could get it. (My fault; should have RTFMed.)

      Flyover Falls DMV got the full Despicable Kate Brown closure during Covidiocy, but when we really needed a temp disabled tag (I was in surgery at the time, and $SPOUSE was trying to get everything done instead of enjoying full Covid mask tyranny), they came through. She called, they told her to wait in the truck, and a clerk got the stuff and returned with a tag.

      Same thing when I needed yet another disabled tag this July; I was preop, limping like hell, and the line was 3 hours long. So the clerk looked at me, saw “I’m in pain. Can I just curl up here?” on ,y face, and cut the tag right away. (And no, I didn’t get stinkeye from the dozens waiting. F-Falls can be downright polite.)

      I don’t know if the rest of the DMVs are as good, but I’m happy with what the locals can do.

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      1. Counter examples are any DMV in California since some time in the 1990s. Some are worse than others. San Jose’s is/was the worst, one in Mountain View was the least bad), but there was a steady downward slide since I first dealt with them in 1974.

        The gradual turned into sudden in the 90s, likely when Grey Davis (D- Idiot) got to be governor.

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        2. The one in Los Gatos wasn’t great, but wasn’t horrible, either. Tended to depend on the day.

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  5. Sounds like they have their own version of the Laws of Jante. When I read about those I knew how seriously to take those reports about the Nordic nations being happier than anyplace on Earth. . . .

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  7. The U.S. is filled with those that don’t long for what is presented. They long for what they can create, enjoy, and do so without supervision from anyone that assumes they have a better plan. It’s a heritage steeped in the longing for liberty, and for many, it’s the culmination of genetics that demand superior thought, and action.

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  8. The New York Post had an article (reposted on Twitter) about a band of retired Special Forces/military (plus some not-so-retired) who banded together and are running a totally professional search, rescue and resupply organization in North Carolina. Their unofficial moniker is, “The Redneck Air Force.” They have teams scraping social media for tips, up-to-date maps, 35 helicopters and a GoFund Me.

    Started by a retired AF colonel who was trying to find his wife and daughter and when he did, got a buddy to fly them out. Then it just….grew.

    They’ve “suggested,” to FEMA that the agency might want to leave them alone, as FEMA tends to swoop in, tell everyone they’re breaking the rules and start running things their way! Seagull management, in other words. (Wasn’t that Putin describing Obama? Flies in, squawks loudly, defecate on the game board, turns over all the pieces and flies away squawking, “I won! I won!”)

    Makes me proud to be an American.

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      1. Big complaint coming from Biden/Harris and other usual suspects is the miss information about the “$750 is all you are going to get”, “for now.” While the “for now” is true. Two points. One, the ongoing process proving loss, will be a PIA x quadruple, or more. Two, what good is $750 now? It is for needed supplies! Where? Buy what? There are no supplies to buy! Might as well used for TP that everyone is out of, or fire starter, or …. Sure, helpful eventually, maybe. Meanwhile the volunteers who rolled up shirt sleeves and went to work for no pay, no expectation of recognition, are distributing free supplies, and taking down what is needed so they can pass that information on up to those procuring and sending in the supplies. They didn’t wait to start rescues. They freaking went to work!

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        2. Any process for dealing with this scale of disaster that starts with “Go online and fill out this form, and we’ll e-mail you” needs to have its’ entire manual folded into corners and inserted. Sideways.

          https://twitchy.com/dougp/2024/10/04/fema-to-storm-victims-we-should-arrive-within-10-days-and-will-observe-social-distance-guidelines-n2401787

          Take a leaf from the insurance companies like my dad worked for: send tiger teams, with paper forms, adjusters, managers, and lawyers, with authority to issue settlements for immediate needs. My dad was the Liberty Mutual claims manager for AL from 1972 until 2000. He used exactly that process for tornados, hurricanes, and anything else.

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          1. I am going to argue that the small back hollows of the Appalachia, regardless of state, a lot do not have computers before the flooding. Probably didn’t have *internet. It has been said, but it is being ignored. These areas have some of the poorest of the poor without being homeless. Computers and internet are luxuries. My mom if she was in the same place as Appalachians now find themselves, would need help applying for this help, or it wouldn’t happen.

            (* Starlink is a game changer definitely. But what are the odds there are hollows that starlink will not work because of no satellite angle? We run into that with satellite radio frequently, it is irritating to have it cut in and out. One of the reasons we do not pay for a subscription, will take it for free when it is offered, and use it, which is why we know it is irritating.)

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            1. I  am going to argue that the small back hollows of the Appalachia, regardless of state, a lot do not have computers before the flooding. Probably didn’t have *internet. It has been said, but it is being ignored. 

              Oh, I’m assuming NO ONE has personal connectivity at the residence level. The community gathering points (Schools, clinics, VFW(?)) are better bets…. and most of them didn’t have it through the storm. But that’s where you post the notices and a place to record survivors as they are brought in. That’s also where those tiger teams set up, with stacks of the preloaded debit cards they passed out to illegals.

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              1. “Community gathering points (Schools, clinics, VFW(?)) are better bets”

                Agreed. Problem there is those small rural community gathering centers have been wiped out.

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                1. Which is why a tech based solution like FEMAs won’t work. Paper, pencil, and boots on the ground. However, those “community” buildings are where replacing the tech starts.

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                  1. Those guiding FEMA (so to speak) literally cannot conceive of a world different than their DC womb. That includes tech levels. They would never conceive of getting out there and putting their feet in the mud. They likely brush off arguments about tech and how these people might be “that backward.”

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                    1. They can’t conceive of anywhere where cell does not work. I run into that all the time. I am sure there are locations within the Appalachian mountains, not just the national park, where cell coverage was limited to non existent before the storm.

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        3. Apparently (heard on radio here in Central Ohio) the $750 is a “loan” as well. That is not helpful at all. I haven’t taken the time to verify that but wouldn’t be surprised by it. I remember hearing about the loans that FEMA was giving people to repair/rebuild in NOLA aftef Katrina.

          An aside, My sister and mother live in the area of North Carolina that go hit by Helene. They were high enough up in a little valley that they did have any issues but some minor flooding from the creek backing up for a bit and roads down off the mount being blocked. A good friend of hers live by the Green River and she has lost just about everything. My sister has been helping to clean out the house. it was just far enough away a elevated that it didn’t get washed away but I think it got flooded. Just keep praying for everyone in the Appalachians that got hit by the storm.

          Liked by 1 person

          1. Glad you are okay.

            Saw a video. House is across the road and up an embankment from the creek/river; 30′ above normal flood stage. Normal flood stage was 10′, well below road bed by another 5′ – 10′. When the rain started there were 15 minute intervals from when the river reached the road. Within 1/2 hour the river was level with the deck. Never went any higher than that in the video. Video text mentioned they lucked out, no water in the house, but flooded basement/crawl space (not good, but better than most). Road is gone. They were not in an evacuation zone. If one was issued? They never got it because communication had long been cut off.

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    2. Oh, yes – retirees and veterans are going full-tilt at organizing clean-up and relief in the affected region. I think there must be as many of them in the neighborhood of Fayetteville as there are around San Antonio, which is popularly known as the Mother-in-Law of the Air Force.

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  9. On “the Republic is dead/almost dead”, I’ve heard stories about “Liberals” complaining about the US being a dictatorship under George W (or under Trump).

    Of course, there were some interviews with Legal Immigrants from real dictatorships reacting to those “Liberals”.

    Obviously, they knew the very real difference between “the US under a Republican President” and their former homelands.

    Sarah sees the difference between her former homeland and the US under Biden/Harris with the US still “better than her former homeland”.

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      1. In the two millennia tradition of Catholic Church call and response:

        “I’m not dead yet!”

        ”You’re not fooling anyone, you know.”

        “’tis only a flesh wound!”

        “You’re a loony.”

        …

        Of course now my post colonization diaspora space mil adventure WIP which features a multidenominational USAian church that uses Sarah’s posts as readings, firing range and armory in the basement, is getting call-and-response in their service quoting Monty Python…

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  10. It’s 11:30 AM EST here. Accuweather radar shows that the storm over Portugal has passed through, and things should be looking sunnier.

    I’m enjoying the frothing at the mouth of Leftists in our town over various memes I post poking fun at their policies and delusions. If they could do a California Legislature and Gov Noisome banning of free speech, they’d be on top of me in a heartbeat. They HATE being ridiculed, poked fun of, and laughed at.

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  11. ”The rest of the world might think we are reprehensible…”

    I am sure there are US coastal elites who would be appalled at such, but I am pretty sure most American’s response to this would be variations on “Frell what the rest of the world thinks, sideways,” or in the U.S. south, “Well, bless their little hearts.”

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  12. Sarah I consider you a Remnant …

    Bill Whittle had a great blog post about this back in 2007 and I’ll exerpt a portion of it below:

    “from an essay by a fellow named Albert Jay Nock. It was called Isaiah’s Job.

    In it, Nock talks about a very peculiar conversation God has with his messenger. Nock writes:

    [T]he Lord commissioned the prophet to go out and warn the people of the wrath to come. “Tell them what a worthless lot they are.” He said, “Tell them what is wrong, and why and what is going to happen unless they have a change of heart and straighten up. Don’t mince matters. Make it clear that they are positively down to their last chance. Give it to them good and strong and keep on giving it to them. I suppose perhaps I ought to tell you,” He added, “that it won’t do any good. The official class and their intelligentsia will turn up their noses at you and the masses will not even listen. They will all keep on in their own ways until they carry everything down to destruction, and you will probably be lucky if you get out with your life.”

    Isaiah had been very willing to take on the job – in fact, he had asked for it – but the prospect put a new face on the situation. It raised the obvious question: Why, if all that were so – if the enterprise were to be a failure from the start – was there any sense in starting it? “Ah,” the Lord said, “you do not get the point. There is a Remnant there that you know nothing about. They are obscure, unorganized, inarticulate, each one rubbing along as best he can. They need to be encouraged and braced up because when everything has gone completely to the dogs, they are the ones who will come back and build up a new society; and meanwhile, your preaching will reassure them and keep them hanging on. Your job is to take care of the Remnant, so be off now and set about it.”

    Albert was a very highly educated fellow. He observes that, strangely enough, Plato himself used precisely the same word – Remnant — when referring to the same group, the people whose force of character was the mortar that held ancient Athens together. Curious…“

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    2. God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the scripture says about Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel? “Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have torn down your altars, and I alone am left, and they are seeking my life.” But what is God’s response to him? “I have left for myself seven thousand men who have not knelt to Baal.”

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  13. Our Space Princess now better understands the movie “They Live”.

    I never realized it was 1/2 documentary…..

    (Checks stock of gum. Still OK)

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  14. Portugal may have gotten the remnants of Hurricane Kirk, which was headedn in their general direction. Meanwhile, Florida is bracing and Harris is windmilling.

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  16. In a prior thread, I mentioned that certain fruit trees don’t last all that long and someone responded that they had a serial set of peach trees that grew up from the roots when the previous tree died.

    And that’s a good point. The tree may die, but the roots remain, and the suckers (actual term!) are often quite vigorous.

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        1. I always liked this verse

          We fired our cannon ’til the barrel melted down
          So we grabbed an alligator and we fought another round
          We filled his head with cannonballs ‘n’ powdered his behind
          And when we touched the powder off, the gator lost his mind

          I’m afraid this will make the lefties spitting mad as it starts with a brief riff on the banjo of Dixie in the Johnny Horton original. That may be an advantage

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  19. doomy doom dooomearum doomy doomery doom doom

    today must necessarily be a day quite unlike statistically any day that was ever dayed before

    we forecast with utmost reliability that tomorrow everything in the world that ever was must be gone

    we are not at all guilty of sampling the present with methods cherrypicking carefully oranges to fit apples

    despite insisting that the most recent timestamped date must show the trend, and not be an outlier,

    we also insist that the past data of day following day demonstrates the statistical link between time periods

    but does not in any way imply that there will be a tomorrow, and a day after tomorrow, and or that perhaps most of us shall live to see Saturday

    for we are drunk on statistics and on numbers
    we are drunk on statistics and on numbers

    for we are drunk on statistics and numbers, and our own bloody innumeracy

    (seriously

    seriously folks, fellow dude bros, and guests

    That I am of good cheer now does not mean that you also must be of good cheer.

    Things are not as bad as I had tricked myself into feeling they were.

    (good news, bad news, different news, silly news.

    This is not a completely strict summary of the past coupel days I have had.

    And I am a little too sensitive to my own personal circumstnaces.

    Health, family, and I am feeling mellowly optimistic. ))

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  22. So,far aside from the Tampa Rays needing a new roof on the baseball stadium, and massive power outages, so good. Though the pictures of tornadoes posted yesterday were scary,

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    1. Had a tornado about two miles north of me, mostly woods that way, but unfortunately the housing is manufactured so I’d imagine those might account for some of the deaths in the state.

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  23. To quote Matt Taibbi at Rescue the Republic: “Motherfucker, I’m an American”.

    And, yeah, the profanity is not just appropriate but needed for these conditions.

    For those who haven’t seen it, listen to it here:

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