My post was short last night because I was tired, tired of repeating myself, and just plain tired. I got up early yesterday to make bread and I was planning to get up even earlier today for opening day of deer season. I can get up early if I have a reason to, but I certainly wouldn't get up early just to read the newspaper. I prefer to do that in the evening while drinking beer and smoking cigarettes. I seldom go online until after supper, so anything I read on my news app is old news to Uncle Ken. On the other hand, anything he reads at 5:00 AM might be old news by the time I read about it, and the situation might have changed by then. For instance, he keeps insisting that this Caravan thing is no big deal, but the articles I have read suggest that it's a big deal indeed. I haven't posted all of them, but here's another one that is new to me, although I can't say that it surprises me:
https://a.msn.com/r/2/BBPKy3D?m=en-us&referrerID=InAppShare
I have heard of Aljazeera, but I have never read any of it, just as I never read the Russian newspapers during the Cold War era. It's not that I'm afraid to be exposed to alien propaganda, it's just that there are only so many hours in a day, and I would rather spend them doing something that interests me. Our local paper doesn't have much in the way of real news, it's mostly school sports and social crap, but they do print a few news articles and one decent opinion page. If I want more information, I can always get it on line. I am not exactly a news junkie, but I pay more attention to it now than I ever did, mostly due to the influence of my esteemed colleagues at the Beaglesonian Institute.
I didn't see any deer today and my trail camera only captured one poor image in three days, but there are tracks all over the place and the season is young.
Thursday, November 15, 2018
The mind's eye blinks
The more I read about the caravan the more I suspect that it isn't really much of a story and is veering towards Wag the Dog territory. Seven (or ten or fifteen) thousand refugees sounds like an awful lot of people but if you compare it to the hundreds of millions legal border crossings each year it becomes a more like a rounding error. The authorities seem to have the situation well in hand in Tijuana; some guys have been climbing the fence and when border agents approach them they scoot back to the Mexican side. I'm not going to say the caravan has become a circus but some of those refugees seem to be having too much fun but I could be wrong. When this is all over a small percentage of refugees will be admitted, after lengthy processing, and Mexico will be stuck with everyone else.
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The brevity of Mr. Beagles' latest post was unexpected but I'm not disturbed by it. There is such a thing as beating a dead horse and some of the recent discussions have gone nowhere, except in circles, in my opinion. Maybe it's just a matter of style; Mr. Beagles expresses an opinion and leaves it at that without beating you over the head.
His perception of Al Jazeera, for instance; it seems to me that he is not that familiar with their content. Although their point view is pro-Arab it does not mean that they are anti-US and their reporting is surprisingly objective, all things considered. Based in Qatar, Al Jazeera has a lot of enemies in the Mid-Eastern community, particularly the Saudis. I don't buy everything Al Jazeera reports but a different point of view doesn't hurt. A recent video I saw included that slain reporter, Khashoggi, and it was chilling to hear him express fear for his life.
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Since I don't normally buy a daily paper I didn't pay much attention to Uncle Ken's comments about the comics pages but then I saw it for myself, and Wow! It's like the paper has been gutted. The fact that they spread some of the comics in the classified ad section tells me that they are trying to beef up the number of ad pages, a long time source of revenue for all newspapers, to make it seem larger than it actually is. The Chicago Sun-Times could already be dead but doesn't know it yet, another victim of the Internet Age. The loss of print media is a terrible price to pay for the immediate gratification of online news and information. I wonder how well we will adapt, or if we will be able to.
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Have either of you guys listened to any audio books, the newfangled method of reading without reading? As an avid reader I've long dismissed them, but then I stumbled across a ten-hour reading of Orwell's 1984 and I am impressed. The aural version adds a depth I did not expect and in some ways is superior to the written word, giving my mind's eye a significant boost and is a different form of engagement. I'll have to do some research on this, to see if there are comparisons between the written and the aural regarding comprehension and retention of information. Any guesses on how they measure up?
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The brevity of Mr. Beagles' latest post was unexpected but I'm not disturbed by it. There is such a thing as beating a dead horse and some of the recent discussions have gone nowhere, except in circles, in my opinion. Maybe it's just a matter of style; Mr. Beagles expresses an opinion and leaves it at that without beating you over the head.
His perception of Al Jazeera, for instance; it seems to me that he is not that familiar with their content. Although their point view is pro-Arab it does not mean that they are anti-US and their reporting is surprisingly objective, all things considered. Based in Qatar, Al Jazeera has a lot of enemies in the Mid-Eastern community, particularly the Saudis. I don't buy everything Al Jazeera reports but a different point of view doesn't hurt. A recent video I saw included that slain reporter, Khashoggi, and it was chilling to hear him express fear for his life.
-----
Since I don't normally buy a daily paper I didn't pay much attention to Uncle Ken's comments about the comics pages but then I saw it for myself, and Wow! It's like the paper has been gutted. The fact that they spread some of the comics in the classified ad section tells me that they are trying to beef up the number of ad pages, a long time source of revenue for all newspapers, to make it seem larger than it actually is. The Chicago Sun-Times could already be dead but doesn't know it yet, another victim of the Internet Age. The loss of print media is a terrible price to pay for the immediate gratification of online news and information. I wonder how well we will adapt, or if we will be able to.
-----
Have either of you guys listened to any audio books, the newfangled method of reading without reading? As an avid reader I've long dismissed them, but then I stumbled across a ten-hour reading of Orwell's 1984 and I am impressed. The aural version adds a depth I did not expect and in some ways is superior to the written word, giving my mind's eye a significant boost and is a different form of engagement. I'll have to do some research on this, to see if there are comparisons between the written and the aural regarding comprehension and retention of information. Any guesses on how they measure up?
the world is going to hell
November 15, 2018, the world is going to hell. It was only a few months ago that I would wake around five, and as I crossed from the bathroom to the kitchen I would glance at the door where the light peeking in underneath it would be broken by the heft of my papers, freshly delivered, which would be waiting patiently for my perusal. I would fix my coffee and my yogurt, take them, along with the papers, to the computer, where a posting (perhaps two) of some goodly length would be awaiting my opportunity to set things straight. I was ready to start my day. Life was good.
Newspapers, as we know, are not what they once were, a mere shadow of themselves, particularly national and world news is sketchy, which is a pity, but I always liked the features, the columns and best of all, tucked like a creamy nougat center into the middle of the Sun-Times, the comics. Three full pages of them, half of which were decent.
Maybe a month ago there was an article tucked in a corner of maybe the third page about changes to be made in the Sun-Times, and one of those changes was that they were cutting the comics down to one page, and a few others spread out through the classifieds, a shrunken, spattered, less creamy, nougat center.
And the papers no longer arrive at five. My regular steady paperwoman, who I always gave forty bucks (forty bucks!) every Christmas, so appreciative was I of the steady early arrival of the paper, essential to me for starting my day, has apparently found the grind too grinding and taken on a relief worker who has not the same devotion to punctuality, and on her days who knows when the paper will arrive. Yesterday we crossed paths as I was accompanying Sweetie on her dawn patrol in the hallway at seven AM. (Seven AM!). I spoke sharply to her about the hour, but she, like so many of her frivolous generation was just like la de da, so it goes.
We boomers know that our parents were The Greatest Generation because they whipped the Krauts, and I like to think of us as The Pretty Good Generation because even though we failed to whip the Viet Cong, we did keep them from landing on our California beaches. At least I could expect, in the midst of my shattered morning routine a post of some length (though often misguided) from the freehold of Beaglesonia.
But what is this today? A single paragraph, and a short one at that with a link to an article about something that I read about in the (shrunken) paper of late yesterday morn?
I would think he would be glad that it was landing in California, even further from him and that it was easily turned away by the local border patrol without even those thousands of troops sitting in barracks tossing cards into hats in Texas, but I reckon he is still fearing illegal immigrants under his bed. Something I fear not at all, because right here in The Kingdom of Uncle Ken, the world is going to hell.
Newspapers, as we know, are not what they once were, a mere shadow of themselves, particularly national and world news is sketchy, which is a pity, but I always liked the features, the columns and best of all, tucked like a creamy nougat center into the middle of the Sun-Times, the comics. Three full pages of them, half of which were decent.
Maybe a month ago there was an article tucked in a corner of maybe the third page about changes to be made in the Sun-Times, and one of those changes was that they were cutting the comics down to one page, and a few others spread out through the classifieds, a shrunken, spattered, less creamy, nougat center.
And the papers no longer arrive at five. My regular steady paperwoman, who I always gave forty bucks (forty bucks!) every Christmas, so appreciative was I of the steady early arrival of the paper, essential to me for starting my day, has apparently found the grind too grinding and taken on a relief worker who has not the same devotion to punctuality, and on her days who knows when the paper will arrive. Yesterday we crossed paths as I was accompanying Sweetie on her dawn patrol in the hallway at seven AM. (Seven AM!). I spoke sharply to her about the hour, but she, like so many of her frivolous generation was just like la de da, so it goes.
We boomers know that our parents were The Greatest Generation because they whipped the Krauts, and I like to think of us as The Pretty Good Generation because even though we failed to whip the Viet Cong, we did keep them from landing on our California beaches. At least I could expect, in the midst of my shattered morning routine a post of some length (though often misguided) from the freehold of Beaglesonia.
But what is this today? A single paragraph, and a short one at that with a link to an article about something that I read about in the (shrunken) paper of late yesterday morn?
I would think he would be glad that it was landing in California, even further from him and that it was easily turned away by the local border patrol without even those thousands of troops sitting in barracks tossing cards into hats in Texas, but I reckon he is still fearing illegal immigrants under his bed. Something I fear not at all, because right here in The Kingdom of Uncle Ken, the world is going to hell.
Wednesday, November 14, 2018
The Fire Next Time
Not that I expect it will change Uncle Ken's mind, but here's the latest Caravan news. It looks like their invasion route is taking them straight into California. I wonder if they know that the whole state is currently on fire.
https://a.msn.com/r/2/BBPIQqm?m=en-us&referrerID=InAppShare
https://a.msn.com/r/2/BBPIQqm?m=en-us&referrerID=InAppShare
Have a nice slice of chocolate cake Mr Prez, with my special icing.
The big difference between OBHP and no party at all would be that you would have to sign something agreeing not to form a formal party (I think money sharing would be the main definition of a formal party). If you broke that rule you would be kicked out of OBHP and since that is the only party allowed you wouldn't be able to run for anything. The problem with the more the merrier is that if the party decides to do something you have to go along with that to get your money,
This Armistice Day thing, the railing about Florida not counting all its votes, the recent impending beheadings with Madame Melani joining the sharp-axed crew, do seem to be signs of Trump going off the railings. I looked up martial law and it's a bit complicated, referring mostly to military rule over civilians. I don't think you could use martial law to put in a supreme court justice or pass a bill through congress or even to ban a pesky reporter.
Those press conferences are mostly circuses. I don't think much information comes out of them. I think what the prez hates most about the press, maybe even more than calling him a liar, is that they backtalk him. He has always been surrounded by yes men and he hates backtalk. I don't see the White Shadow making any overt moves, not if he's smart. Interesting that his man is now being considered for the soon to be late Kelly's post. So much easier to slip something into the diet coke from that cozy relationship.
Aljazeera is not run by a bunch of Islamic terrorists, in fact it is frequently the enemy of them as well as of the bloody sword dancing Saudis. But they are Arabs so I think in Beagles' world outlook that makes them terrorists. I don't think clicking on their link would bring terrorism right into Beagles' frontroom, any more than clicking a link on The Caravan brings busboys storming into his kitchen to whisk away the empty coffee cup and wipe down his table.
This Armistice Day thing, the railing about Florida not counting all its votes, the recent impending beheadings with Madame Melani joining the sharp-axed crew, do seem to be signs of Trump going off the railings. I looked up martial law and it's a bit complicated, referring mostly to military rule over civilians. I don't think you could use martial law to put in a supreme court justice or pass a bill through congress or even to ban a pesky reporter.
Those press conferences are mostly circuses. I don't think much information comes out of them. I think what the prez hates most about the press, maybe even more than calling him a liar, is that they backtalk him. He has always been surrounded by yes men and he hates backtalk. I don't see the White Shadow making any overt moves, not if he's smart. Interesting that his man is now being considered for the soon to be late Kelly's post. So much easier to slip something into the diet coke from that cozy relationship.
Aljazeera is not run by a bunch of Islamic terrorists, in fact it is frequently the enemy of them as well as of the bloody sword dancing Saudis. But they are Arabs so I think in Beagles' world outlook that makes them terrorists. I don't think clicking on their link would bring terrorism right into Beagles' frontroom, any more than clicking a link on The Caravan brings busboys storming into his kitchen to whisk away the empty coffee cup and wipe down his table.
Tuesday, November 13, 2018
It's Complicated
After a brief internet search, I don't know a whole lot more about it than I did before, but I understand that applying for VA health care benefits is a complicated process. I don't think you can just sign up for it yourself, I think you have to see somebody who guides you through the maze of paperwork. Your eligibility depends on a multitude of factors like where and when you served, where you live now, and how much money you make. I also think you can't just go to any doctor you want, you have to go to a VA hospital or clinic. There was some talk a few years ago about establishing a VA clinic in Cheboygan because our local vets had to travel a long way to the nearest one. The clinic ended up being established in Mackinaw City instead of Cheboygan, which is not so bad I guess.
I heard something about that mortgage benefit when we were building our first house, but I didn't understand how it worked and, looking back on it, I don't think the guy who was advising me did either. We ended up borrowing the money from my grandmother and refinancing through a bank a few years later.
I am reluctant to click on Uncle Ken's link because it has the word "Aljazeera" in it. Isn't that the news media outfit that's run by a bunch of Islamic terrorists?
Speaking of links, here's another one about the Caravan:
https://a.msn.com/r/2/BBPFIn3?m=en-us&referrerID=InAppShare
I heard something about that mortgage benefit when we were building our first house, but I didn't understand how it worked and, looking back on it, I don't think the guy who was advising me did either. We ended up borrowing the money from my grandmother and refinancing through a bank a few years later.
I am reluctant to click on Uncle Ken's link because it has the word "Aljazeera" in it. Isn't that the news media outfit that's run by a bunch of Islamic terrorists?
Speaking of links, here's another one about the Caravan:
https://a.msn.com/r/2/BBPFIn3?m=en-us&referrerID=InAppShare
The more the merrier
It's been a long time since I enjoyed any VA benefits; I was eligible for 36 months of educational benefits but I only used nine of them to finish college and a very short stint of grad school. I don't know what benefits are available right now but I understand that the VA is a mess, with the hospitals being in particularly bad shape.
One benefit I remember is that your first mortgage was guaranteed and that you could buy a home with almost no money down with reasonable interest rates. Mr. Beagles might know more about that than I do and I suspect that policies have changed over the decades. The money to pay for all those good benefits may no longer be available; I don't know.
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Uncle Ken's One Big Happy Party proposal is intriguing but what sense does it make? There doesn't seem to be any difference to me between one party and no party at all but I have to give it more thought. Until then I will stick to my preference of The More The Merrier system with multiple parties, more than the current two party system. I don't like the binary nature of only two parties where you are forced to decide between these guys and those guys; life and politics aren't like that.
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I don't know what to make of the recent Armistice Day observations in Paris but it looks like the Europeans are showing some spine, with Macron being the most vocal. It's not a good thing if the Europeans feel that their biggest threats come from China, Russia, and the US. Maybe they're just being paranoid but a lot of the last two big wars were fought on French soil so they have a vested interest. I'd be paranoid, too.
Having the US clumped together with those guys as a threat to Europe is unsettling but there may be something to it. According to the AP, fifty nations and over 150 tech companies pledged yesterday to do more to fight criminal activity on the internet. Three nations did not sign the pledge: China, Russia, and the US. Kind of makes you wonder, doesn't it?
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Just spit-balling now, but I wonder if Pence is warming up in the bullpen. The loss of the House to the Democrats will be fatal to Trump but the new people won't be sworn in until January and a lot could happen until then. Instead of backing down Trump doubles down on everything; it didn't take him long to dump Sessions and more heads are expected to roll soon including Kelly, one of the few adults left in the room. Trump is the kind of guy who would declare Martial Law if he thought he could get away with it. What a world we live in.
One benefit I remember is that your first mortgage was guaranteed and that you could buy a home with almost no money down with reasonable interest rates. Mr. Beagles might know more about that than I do and I suspect that policies have changed over the decades. The money to pay for all those good benefits may no longer be available; I don't know.
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Uncle Ken's One Big Happy Party proposal is intriguing but what sense does it make? There doesn't seem to be any difference to me between one party and no party at all but I have to give it more thought. Until then I will stick to my preference of The More The Merrier system with multiple parties, more than the current two party system. I don't like the binary nature of only two parties where you are forced to decide between these guys and those guys; life and politics aren't like that.
-----
I don't know what to make of the recent Armistice Day observations in Paris but it looks like the Europeans are showing some spine, with Macron being the most vocal. It's not a good thing if the Europeans feel that their biggest threats come from China, Russia, and the US. Maybe they're just being paranoid but a lot of the last two big wars were fought on French soil so they have a vested interest. I'd be paranoid, too.
Having the US clumped together with those guys as a threat to Europe is unsettling but there may be something to it. According to the AP, fifty nations and over 150 tech companies pledged yesterday to do more to fight criminal activity on the internet. Three nations did not sign the pledge: China, Russia, and the US. Kind of makes you wonder, doesn't it?
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Just spit-balling now, but I wonder if Pence is warming up in the bullpen. The loss of the House to the Democrats will be fatal to Trump but the new people won't be sworn in until January and a lot could happen until then. Instead of backing down Trump doubles down on everything; it didn't take him long to dump Sessions and more heads are expected to roll soon including Kelly, one of the few adults left in the room. Trump is the kind of guy who would declare Martial Law if he thought he could get away with it. What a world we live in.
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