Labor Day Weekend Humor (With Good-News Addendum)

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With a hat tip to Woodsterman:


Have a wonderful and safe Labor Day Weekend! The AOW household will be concentrating on recovering from our recent vacation.

Addendum (some cheerful reading for a change): Good News from Freedom Outpost August 30, 2013.

The Meaning of Words

By Sam Huntington

Not long after the conclusion of French national elections, an American journalist asked a random citizen, “What do you think of the election of a socialist?” The older man replied, “I do not care; I refused to vote.”

The journalist persisted, “Why didn’t you vote?” The man replied, “Because both candidates are imbeciles.”


It is a refreshing insight, is it not? And thanks to the campaign rhetoric of François Hollandé, we understand the mental acuity of those who favor socialism over human liberty. Responding to a journalists question how Monsieur Hollandé’s growth agenda will strengthen the economy of France, he said, “By increasing taxes, of course.”

Of course.

Back From Vacation

AOW in search of peanut soup at King's Tavern in Colonial Williamsburg

First, a heartfelt thanks to my blog partner Sam for taking up the slack here at Always On Watch while Mr. AOW and I took our first vacation since his stroke of September 15, 2009.  We ventured forth in the Crown Vic with Mr. AOW's scooter in the trunk.

An Immoral Monopoly, Part II

by Sam Huntington

"As democracy is perfected, the office of the President represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day, the plain folks of the land will reach their heart's desire at last and the White House will be occupied by a downright fool and complete narcissistic moron."

—H.L. Mencken, July 26, 1920

Caturday

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An Immoral Monopoly, Part I

by Sam Huntington

Our country today is spiraling into the terrible abyss of perpetual discord. For the past 150 years or so, we divided ourselves into two camps. Democrats evolved from anti-Federalist sentiments, and Republicans who sought to instill the checks and balances of a federalist system of government. By this time, one might think that such matters are long settled—and this would be true were it not for the fact that both political parties continue to redefine what it is they stand for. For the purpose of this discussion, however, what a faction calls itself is less important than how it behaves.

It's Revival Time

A Greater Share

by Sam Huntington

A few weeks ago, CNN blessed us with further examples of journalistic excellence when they suggested that an increase to the minimum wage is absolutely necessary if we love babies. No, I’m not kidding. During a discussion about minimum wage, and why an increase is necessary, someone tossed up a visual that indicated the following: according to a poll, mothers of young children can no longer afford to diaper their children after an accident. Therefore, children are not regularly changed, and this results in increases to kidney infections, and this in turn increases health care costs for everyone.

Consequently, anyone who doesn’t think we should increase the minimum wage hates babies.

—Sigh—

We must have forgotten, or simply refuse to acknowledge the fact that increases in the cost of labor causes upturns in consumer prices. Now of course, while this trend is ultimately inevitable, proven by the fact that it is impossible to purchase a brand new Ford sedan today for $3,800.00, don’t we want to encourage purchases in our present economy, rather than discourage spending?  What is the likelihood that the cost of diapers will rise after passing a mandatory increase to the minimum wage?

Moreover, I am astounded that the cost of diapers is even an issue.  If a young working mother cannot afford the cost of diapers for her infant, should she perhaps re-prioritize her spending?  Here's an idea: given the cost of a carton of cigarettes these days, maybe this distraught mother could stop smoking.  We must also wonder whether the flustered young mother ever considered the cost of babies before one magically appeared on their doorstep ...

I have an alternative suggestion. Rather than increasing the minimum wage by fifteen cents an hour, why not reduce taxes by that same amount? I think if the government doesn’t want to do this, then we can only assume that elected officials and bureaucrats hate babies, who suffer the effects of totalitarian tax policies and are in danger of becoming leftist swine once they achieve maturation.

Better yet, why don’t the rich cats, such as Pelosi and Reid, spend their own personal wealth providing diapers to smoking mothers who never seem to know when to say no?

Our Confession

We do enjoy Kitāb alf laylah wa-laylah

Happy Days Farm

by Sam Huntington

No matter what they call it, one short visit to a nursing home (or assisted living, if you care to butter it up) is enough to convince anyone that this is no way to end their lives. Places like this is where today’s successful 40-somethings take their parents when they no longer wish to be saddled with dementia and incontinence. It is an utterly depressing existence and may help to explain why the suicide rate is so high among individuals 55 years and older.

A neighbor recently put his wife in one of those facilities; the place is a horror, and the story isn’t pleasant. She, 8 years his senior, amassed several hundreds of thousands of dollars over a career in real estate and federal service. Additionally, she is entitled to federal pension and social security payments. He, a highly unsuccessful general contractor, is not even eligible for social security payments; he lives off his wife’s income.

Musical Interlude

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With thanks to Freethinke...

"The Walk to the Paradise Garden" by Frederick Delius (1862-1934):



A Song of Summer, also by Frederick Delius (the story behind this piece):

Nincompoopery — And Worse

(Weekend roundup post.   For the definition of nincompoop, see THIS in the Urban Dictionary. Commenters are encouraged to post links that tell of more nincompoopery)

Links to read (more possibly added as the weekend progresses):

Police Murder WWII Veteran

Another executive order: ready for $12/gallon gasoline and $20 a box corn flakes

Vindictive: Now George Zimmerman’s Wife Faces Perjury Charge

Flashback: Oprah Makes False Racism Charges Against Store Before 2005 Movie Release

The hazards of bathing in Neukölln [Germany]

[Reggie] Love: Obama Played Cards During Osama Raid; 'I Can’t Watch This Entire Thing,' Obama Said

Obama-mask clown banned for life from Missouri State Fairs

Obama rodeo stunt leads to sensitivity training for Missouri State Fair clowns

Recommended Reading

See The Media’s Double Standard: Some hate crimes are less hateful than others.

Excerpt below the fold:

Windows Of Cheer

If the video refuses to play, CLICK HERE.

Article: "Colorful murals keep a daughter’s memory alive."

The Running Of The Bulls — Not Restricted To Iberia

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The Running of the Bulls — a nine-day event typically associated with Pamplona, Spain, and the Festival of San Fermín, but held elsewhere, too — dates back to at least the 14th Century. Record-keeping about the Pamplona event began in 1910.

Video:

More Serfdom Via ObamaCare

From the New York Times on August 12, 2013:

ObamaCare Doubles The Number Of Jobs

ObamaMath (hat tip to Ron Russell of TOTUS for the graphic below):

Is America moving ever closer to becoming a part time nation?

According to this article in Forbes:

...For every new FT job added to the economy [so far in 2013], there were 4.3 PT jobs added! In most (non-negative) years, the ratio is the reverse: that is, there are typically 5 FT jobs added for every new PT job. Even in 2004—the year with the second-highest ratio during this time-frame–there were 2 FT jobs for every PT job, yielding a ratio of 0.5. Even if growth in PT vs. FT workers reverted to its historic pattern for the balance of 2013, the year’s average monthly ratio still would be four times as large as the 2nd highest ratio from 2004....

Furthermore: Of 953,000 Jobs Created In 2013, 77%, Or 731,000 Are Part-Time.

On the other hand, perhaps ObamaCare will double the number of full-time employees in America: 21 federal agencies working to implement Obamacare.

Musical Interlude

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The second movement of Symphony No. 4 in E minor by composer Johannes Brahms and one of my favorite pieces of music:

Nincompoopery — And Worse

(Weekend roundup post.   For the definition of nincompoop, see THIS in the Urban Dictionary. Commenters are encouraged to post links that tell of more nincompoopery)

Links to read (more possibly added as the weekend progresses):

Here's Where President Obama Is Going on Vacation

Car boarding ferry falls into river in Va.

First Lady: Barack's Working to Free Americans from 'Any Form of Public Assistance'

Data Centers in US Double Since 2011

Say "Goodbye!" to the principles of federalism

Quotation Of The Day

From 1389 Blog:

Hello,

I am white, and was taken to USA by my parents as legal immigrants. Never saw a black person till I arrived in USA as a ten year old. Within 3 months, my mother was hit on her head with a blackjack by a black during a robbery, and I was miserable in school , little language and a lot of blacks who like piranha attacked only in groups. The whites were neutered, either acting out and imitating the blacks, or living in fear.

This was so different from the country I moved from that I was shocked. The only kids I could deal with were other recent immigrants, black and white, with a kid who recently arrived from Jamaica being one.. that is until 10th grade when all of a sudden after summer he became ‘racially aware’, returned with his hair in corn rows, pretending he didn’t know me, and calling me cracker. At that point I found a small group of friends and we helped each other survive this hellish experience.

I became a professional, never having the benefit of being of the white race, since my accent and lack of familiarity with baseball or football , and no recruiter ever gave me a wink to let me know that as a fellow member of the white race , I was in like Flynn. No license to oppress ever arrived, but oppression there was, against me. To make a long story short. Twenty five years after I arrived to these shores, I left them , now 5 years ago. No, I didn’t move back to the country I came from. I moved to a country in Asia, a continent where my white skin is not a source of shame but a source of envy by locals who consider it a sign of wealth , since it shows I didn’t spend my days in the sun working on a rice field.

Despite Americans bombing this country , nobody is angry at me , demands reparations of me, assaults me, disrespects me, and I live peacefully with my neighbors despite some people making less than $100/month. I haven’t seen an angry black or latino in years, and it feels sooooo good to be able to walk the streets free of flash-mobs, or packs of black piranhas on the prowl for a cracker to crunch. My only regret was not leaving America sooner to the insane , self-loathing, liberal progressive liars and their multicultural sheeple.

Nick

Is Nick's assessment more accurate that we Americans would like it to be?

Ample Proof

By Sam Huntington

It is impossible to have confidence in our federal government when it exhibits such incompetence and inefficiency on a daily basis. This week’s charade is the farce perpetrated by John Kerry, suggesting forward movement in the development of accords between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

In the first instance, we should refrain from telling everyone that there has been a resumption of peace talks when in fact there has never been any credible effort, by either side, to achieve peace. This latest episode offers no harbinger of good news, especially since one cannot have a diplomatic assembly when none of the rudimentary structures for negotiation even exist. All we have ever done is to guarantee both sides of the table there is more US money in the offing if they just hold out a little longer.

A History Lesson

Worth your time, so please watch (hat tip to Infidel Bloggers Alliance):


THE NAZIS AND THE PALESTINIAN MOVEMENT from FACESHIRHOME on Vimeo.

Know Islam, no peace.

The Washington Monument

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After a 2011 earthquake damaged the Washington Monument, scaffolding was erected.   On July 8, 2013, the scaffolding was illuminated.

This might be a good idea for a longer period of time:

The American Economy

Is it any wonder that our economy is stalled?

Look at the drop in disposable income (hat tip to Frankenstein Government)?

Until there is disposable income that can be spent so as to drive the economy, America will remain in the doldrums.

Also consider THIS, which recently appeared in the Associated Press: "4 in 5 in US face near-poverty, no work."

Ignore the reality at your own peril!

Meanwhile, Obama's cheery words are, at best, delusional.

This is the reality set to music (and also includes commentary regarding the recent worldwide terror alert):

The Sounds Of Summer

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Do certain sounds of nature bring back memories for you?

My own memories associated with this sound include the realization that the seasonal swimming days are coming to an end and that the heat and humidity are the most unbearable when these bugs sing.  The lazy, hazy days of summer — when the water in the swimming pool is like bath water!

The Scissors Grinder Cicada (Tibicen pruinosa):


Cicadas are sometimes called jar flies or dog days cicadas.

Nincompoopery — And Worse

(Weekend roundup post.   For the definition of nincompoop, see THIS in the Urban Dictionary. Commenters are encouraged to post links that tell of more nincompoopery)

Links to read (more possibly added as the weekend progresses):

IRS head: ‘I don’t want your stinkin Obamacare’ – Congress gets waiver

Hill gets Obamacare fix ["Some animals are more equal than others" - Orwell's Animal Farm]

NSA Project X-Keyscore Collects Nearly Everything You Do On The Internet [via username, no warrant required]

Obama Promises, Including Whistleblower Protections, Disappear From Website

NY food stamp recipients are shipping welfare-funded groceries to relatives in...other countries

ABC News Accused of Dishonestly Editing Zimmerman Juror to Take 'Got Away With Murder' Out of Context

EVERYTHING IS RACISM: American Idol Losers Say Judges Booted Them Because They Were Black, File $25M Suit

Pay attention! Obama is promoting civil unrest (video)

4th Trimester Abortion

George Mason University

At George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, we see the result of the slippery slope of Roe v. Wade and astounding ignorance from young adults:


Article HERE at Campus Reform.  If you have time, you might want to read some of the comments. Priceless!

Programs of study at George Mason University.

Back in the day, I attended George Mason.  When I graduated, George Mason College of the University of Virginia was in transition to becoming a university unaffiliated with UVa, so I had the option of a GMU degree or a UVa degree.  I opted for the latter.  I have to wonder, however, what kind of results this petition peddler would receive on the campus of UVa.  UVa offers pre-med courses.

Alive and well: Leftist Education

by Sam Huntington

Is there any evidence that leftist/communist/racists have overtaken our public schools?  Oh, I’m sure that isn’t true …

But I did stumble upon an interesting blog post on this topic at The Hairpin, entitled “Teaching Trayvon.”  No, it isn’t about teaching Ebonics; it’s about … well, here, I’ll let you read it for yourself:

“Another way to approach it could talk about vigilantes.  Think about the scene in To Kill a Mockingbird when the mob comes to the courthouse for Tom.  Also many of Faulkner’s short stories discuss mobs out for justice.”

Yes, indeed—that’s almost exactly what happened in the Trayvon Martin Mixed Martial Arts while high on dank assault on George Zimmerman.  But wait—it get’s even better:

“The thing is, I see Trayvon Martins everyday.  They are in my classrooms and in my neighborhood.  I worry about young black men and their prospects in a world where a man is able to kill one without being convicted of something.  Even if it isn't as simple as that, kids will see it that way.  Rednecks are holding their heads a little higher and tapping the guns on their holsters eager for a stand your ground moment.  That is what scares me most.

“I try to teach for social justice in a state where the poor are carrying the biggest tax burdens and often the victims of injustice.  Poverty motivates some people to try harder, a small group to resort to criminal activity, a large portion just try to make it and live under the radar, and it leads some to give up.  I try to encourage kids to do the most with their gifts and live life with integrity.  Stories like this makes work more difficult because it makes kids lose hope.”

Well, thank goodness for quality in education.  We are all no doubt wondering how on earth this teacher ever received his or her Alabama teaching certificate in the core subject area of English.  But none of us should doubt for even one second that he or she will one day be recognized as a teacher of the year, and maybe even become a high school principal or president of the NAACP.