I don’t ever think “it sucks to be you.” I don’t even know what that means. That line of thinking implies that my life is somehow better. I’m never, and have never been for want. The kind of person who could think that would have to be a pretty cold and vindictive person to not be able to empathize with something bad happening to someone else – even if you don’t like that person. Ironically, about the only person it may suck to be is the person who could generate the thought, “it sucks to be you.”
Evidence no longer matters
When you see cities like Seattle, Detroit, Baltimore, or San Francisco, and how much they’re falling apart, how can you not conclude that liberal (or socialist) policies don’t work. In each case, you have rampant homelessness, crime, poor, drugs, and a serious lack of standards or expectations upon the citizenry. But also, in each case, those cities have been run entirely by Democrats, liberals, socialists… whichever label you prefer. How can anyone conclude that conservatives or Republicans would be to blame. They haven’t been anywhere near those places for years. Doing the same thing over and over and expecting…
Beware of sleep injuries
One thing I’ve noticed about aging is that number of sleep injuries that occur during the night. These days, it’s not uncommon to awaken with a pulled hamstring or turned ankle. Just from sleeping. I’m not sure what happens during the night as you get older, but the dangers of sleeping become greater and greater as you get older. Perhaps it’s time to bring back waterbeds…
Identity politics marketing
Conservatives are routinely characterized as racist, bigoted, homophobic, sexists. Mostly because that’s what Democrat politicians and activists call them, and the media passes it on to the public. Conservatives, with the worst marketing department in the history of marketing, do a horrible job of addressing this or defending themselves. But if you understand conservatism, it makes perfect sense. Here’s an example: Members of the lesbian and gay community often call out conservatives as being homophobic. It gets hostile. It’s said with vitriol, and it’s very accusing. Every day conservatives go on about their day, as every day conservatives do,…
Are we advancing or regressing?
As a species, we have a long tradition of watching our technology advance exponentially while lamenting that society is falling apart. Our medicine keeps us alive and active longer than ever before. We have instant access to more knowledge than ever before. Fewer people are marginalized, and even our poor (at least in America) are relatively richer than ever before. This progression has been marching on for some time now. So why do we always feel like it’s getting worse? Here’s an example: All around me, at work, on the streets, in public transportation, at family gatherings, and in…
Abandoning common sense for the sake of rules
The other day, I pulled up to a four way lighted intersection at 5:15am. There were no other cars visible. When I arrived at the light it turned green so I could drive through. Because there wasn’t anyone standing there when it turned, the walk light didn’t change. Just after the light turned, and I started driving through, a man walked up to the light with the intent of crossing with the green. However, because he didn’t arrive in time to push the button to enable the walk light, he didn’t get the walk light. Instead of walking anyway,…
The perils of gift giving
Gift giving is a treacherous thing. There are many different philosophies. Some make a list and want something directly from that list. Others want to be surprised and purposely don’t tell people they want anything. Still others truly don’t want anything. As for the gift-giver, some want that list, others just want a hint, and still others rely on what they know about the person and wrack their brains to come up with something creative and interesting. Some want to purchase the gift, while others want to give an experiential gift that one could never buy on their own….
Why would you own a driveway gate?
In the Seattle area, most houses have fences, which accurately represents how close people allow others to get to them in the Pacific Northwest. But I’ve noticed many homeowners take it a step further. Their fences go all the way around the house and include a driveway gate. As I sometimes see cars leaving or arriving at their gated houses, I’m struck by the same thought: Why would you ever want to have a gated driveway. If you have a gated driveway, you’re always either waiting for the door to open so you can leave, or sitting at the…
This is why Ricky Gervais is important
You may or may not like his comedy. But by simply saying things that make people uncomfortable, Ricky Gervais is reminding some that it’s important to speak your mind and educating others that freedom of thought and expression is an absolute requirement for a functioning society.
Don’t wait for me to stop before you go
Have you ever approached an intersection governed by a stop sign to see another car already waiting at one of the other stop signs? There they sit. Stopped at their stop sign as you approach. And they wait. And wait. And you finally arrive at your stop sign. But instead of being able to stop and go, you now have to wait for them to go. They could have gone while you were approaching, but instead they sat there. Now, instead of stopping and going right away, you now have to stop and wait for them. If everyone simply…