All in the Family featured the curmudgeonly Archie Bunker. Archie was television’s most famous grouch, blunt, blustering, straightforward and untouched by the PC crowd. He was the archetype of the conservative male. Michael desprately tried to reeducate him, but he persisted in his breviloquence.



Looking back at the last 40 years, we realize: ARCHIE WAS RIGHT!

4/28/2016

Who to Believe?

If you are like me you don't have time to evaluate every single opinion or impression of public figures.  Sure around election time we focus on the politicians.  Maybe on a slow day we click a link to a story on some celebrity.  For the most part I don't take the time to educate myself on every little bit of social, cultural or political minutia that comes along.

To a degree I rely on the opinions of people whom I know or who I have found to have a particular point of view.  This system works out pretty good.  Sometimes it breaks down, like today.
 
The former House speaker also says that he would vote for Trump, and called the two of them 'texting buddies.
When it comes to Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, even a few months’ time out of Congress has done little to lessen former House Speaker John Boehner’s contempt for his former Capitol Hill colleague.
“Lucifer in the flesh,” Boehner told an audience at Stanford on Wednesday night, according to the Stanford Daily. “I have Democrat friends and Republican friends. I get along with almost everyone, but I have never worked with a more miserable son of a bitch in my life.”.
John Benedict Boehner did more to advance Obama's agenda for America than anyone, including Obama.  If ever there were a wolf in seeps clothing, or more to the metaphor a devil in an angels wings, it was Benedict Boehner.

When it comes to Cruz, I've seen enough of his campaign to realize that he comfortable with the father of lies, if not dedicatedly in his service.  So Boehner who is bad, says Cruz is bad (which I already believed).  Now Boehner says Trump is good.  This is getting hard. 

I was willing to believe Trump might be, if not good, not dedicatedly evil.  But Benedict likes Trump.  Its getting harder to rely on heuristics this election cycle.

4/27/2016

3 Ribbons and a Ride


Traffic was heavy and the start of road construction season wasn't making getting on the interstate any easier.  It had been a long day of driving, followed by a long day of sit and waiting.  Now if the traffic wasn't too bad, a couple of hours of more driving and our road warrior could kick his feet up at home.

It was one of those days when you get up too early because that's when one specialist can see you.  You get up because that's the only time slot they have open.  It doesn't matter that you haven't finished sleeping off the drugs they give you for the pain.  You get up and going with your mind muddled in fog. 

Yes you drive yourself, hangover and all.  You do the therapy, get back in the truck and go to another specialist in another town.  It's a grand beautiful day but that does little for the mood.

The next doctors were less than helpful.  Now its time to head home, bad mood and all.  The traffic is horrible.  Big cities are like that.  The on ramp heading out of town looks like the pearly gates themselves. 

Turning the wheel left, you push in the clutch and shift for second, then gassing the old girl hard to get up to speed you go for third.  That's when the old man appears.  He was there all along but you just noticed.  Old man, white long beard, fat, wearing rough looking cloths a small wheeled carry on bag in tow.  Traffic is too heavy and the truck is going too fast to stop.

That's when "He" starts in; "You know that man looked kinda tired".  "Probably just the sun and wind" you think.  "Yeah maybe" He says.  "Didn't look like he had much of a coat".  "Might have had an extra in the bag", you reply.  "Yeah maybe".  "He" is a constant companion these days, although not always the most agreeable conversationalist.

The heavy construction zone traffic needs your attention but the conversation continues.  "Sun will go down in a couple of hours".  He never stops.  "Likely the wind will pick up".  Then He asks, "You did notice his hat, right"?

You know you noticed it.  You saw that just as soon as you let in the clutch and hit the gas going into third.  A plain black baseball style hat with two words and three ribbons on it.  "How do I know you want me to give him a ride?" you ask.  There is no answer.  You are out of the construction zone, traffic is clearing and its a clear run for home.

Except you know what you are going to do.  With a quick prayer to the effect of "if the old guy is still there I'll take it as a sign you want me to help him out, I will", you take the next exit.  Then you fight back down through the construction zone traffic the other direction.  Get off at the same congested interchange you did at first.  Except this time when you make that left back on the ramp you hit the turn single and pull over.

"Hey buddy, need a lift?"  You ask that question all ready knowing the answer.   "Stow your gear in the bed and hop in".  He opens the door and offers his hand.  "I'm Dave Johnson" he said.  "Dave I've got one question for you, 'Did you earn the right to wear that hat'?".  "YES" is all he said, and the way he said it you know its true.

The conversation is standard hitchhiker fair.  How far ya going?  Has it been easy getting rides? etc.  Dave's headed to Idaho.  As he tells his story, he was driving truck OTR for Swift Transport and had a heart attack down in Texas.  They came and got the truck from him while he was in the hospital.  Then they fired him and left him stranded with no way to get home.

Dave wants to know where the truck is headed.  He's been over this road before and knows that the turn off to home is in the middle of nowhere.  The look in his eye says more than he knows.  That's when you say it. "I can't take you to Idaho, but I'll get you to the state line".  Dave's eyes light up a bit, "there is a truck stop just short of there". 

The truck stop it is you agree.  Dave puts his chin down on his chest and sleeps the rest of the way.  He's warm.  He's dry and he's heading towards home.

Half a tank of gas latter Dave wakes up as the truck pulls off the interstate.  "That's the place", Dave points to the gas station on the right.  It's been a long ride.  Both of you get out and stretch.  Walking around the back of the truck to the passenger side you know what you are going to do.

Dave Johnson mentioned kinda casual like that he could use a couple of bucks for a cup of coffee when he got in.  Walking around the truck provides a chance to dig down and fish out all the change out of the pockets.  Opening up the wallet you pull every green back you have out and give him all the change out of your pocket.

He sees the empty billfold and hears "Sorry man this is all the cash money I got" at the same time.  Without thinking he tries to give the money back.  "No Dave, you keep it" you say.  He cuts in, "why don't you keep some?  I just need some coffee".  The "No SIR" comes out of your mouth a little too harsh, "I owe you that much and more, thank you for your service".

"There is no need to thank me son." he says.  "I was glad to do what I did."  "I did it for folks like you and I'd do it all over again".  Hands are shaken and good lucks said.

Too choked up to buy gas right then you drive off.  By the next exit the gas low light is on and stopping isn't an option.  That's when the contents of the cup holder are reveled, 2 quarters, a nickel and a couple of pennies.  "Damn it, he should have gotten that too".

In a couple of hours time our road warrior will be back home.  He will eat dinner at his own table, with his own wife and kids.  His own dog will curl up at his feet.  He will sleep in his own bed.  He will have a list of his own problems and concerns, but he will be in his own home, in his own town, in his own country.  A country defended by Dave Johnson.

In a couple of hours, best case scenario, Dave Johnson will have had his cup of coffee and maybe a bite to eat.  With any luck he'll manage a ride with another trucker and be bouncing his way across Montana on his way to an empty house.  Dave's daughter been gone some time now and his wife passed a couple of years back.  Nobody is waiting for him at home, not even a dog.

That 57 cents is still in the cup holder.

Cat in a Bar

There are many businesses that are home to resident cats. One particular bar in our neighborhood has a very well-groomed resident cat who is quite friendly. In fact, the owner has a rule that no customer may order a drink without having the kitty sit in his lap and groom herself for a while. He wants to be sure that all his customers can hold their licker.

4/25/2016

Update

My over all health is improving after the surgery.  I seem to be healing up the way they expect. 

Physical therapy has gone well.  I expect that I will have one or two more visits with them next week.  Even though the arm is still sore, I have regained almost 100% of the range of motion that I should have.

The sutures came out on Friday and I convinced them to let me go back to work.  The doc only released me to "light duty" which is fine, at least I'm back to work.  Maybe in a couple of weeks when the pic line comes out, they'll give me a clean bill of health.

In the mean time I'm still taking pain meds.  Hopefully by the end of the week I'll start tapering off them again.  Hopefully I won't agitate the wound again.  I'm still dutifully mainlining antibiotics, which is a little weird but better than having something worse happen.

I'm not 100% yet but clearly I'm on the mend.

A special thanks to everyone, and I mean all of you who have called and emailed and left messages etc.  If means a great deal.  Mrs. Ipsa managed to get all of the early garden planting in on Saturday by herself, so no need for anyone to drop by and help out.  I do appreciate all the offers though.

Things are a little more strange than usual at work.  I'm still looking to leave, more now than ever.  By the grace of God, maybe that will happen this year.

4/20/2016

BJW--Boomers


Hey Baby Boomers! Some of our old favorites have been re-released. The following songs are on a new album called "Baby Boomers Turn Gray: Re-heated Oldies."

Paul Simon--"Fifty Ways to Lose Your Liver"

Carly Simon--"You're So Varicose Vein"

The Bee Gees--"How Can You Mend a Broken Hip"

Roberta Flack--"The First Time Ever I Forgot Your Face"

Johnny Nash--"I Can't See Clearly Now"

The Temptations--"Papa Got a Kidney Stone"

Nancy Sinatra--"These Boots Are Made For Bunions"

ABBA--"Denture Queen"

Leo Sayer--"You Make Me Feel Like Napping"

Commodores--"Once, Twice, Three Times My Back's Out"

Procol Harem--"A Whiter Shade of Hair"

The Beatles--"I Get By with a Little Help From Depends"

Steely Dan--"Rikki Don't Lose That Clapper"

Herman's Hermits--"Mrs.  Brown You've Got a Lovely Walker"

Credence Clearwater Revival--"Bad Prune Rising"

Marvin Gaye--"I Heard It Through the Grape Nuts"

The Who--"Talkin' 'Bout My Medication"

The Troggs--"Bald Thing"

4/19/2016

The Ilk

I first discovered Vox at WND. We didn't have a name but there was a group of "regulars".  It was kind of like an electronic coffee shop for people who didn't see the need to conform to the mainstream narrative.  By 06 I started "blogging" myself.  Along the way I've "met" dozens of "friends".  Some of my online friends have become real life friends as well. 

The Ilk became a respite from the world.  Back when I had a contract with a major SJW group of environmentalists, the Ilk kept me grounded in sanity.  We didn't call them SJW's back then, no one had come up with that terminology.  Vox's greatest achievement with his blog isn't his impact on whatever issue has his panties in a bunch at the moment.  His achievement has been providing a place for like minded people to share ideas and establish a vocabulary that describes the things that we observed but couldn't put a finger on it.  The Dread Ilk are Vox's legacy.

In my earlier post I mentioned that I can't share the details of what has happened to me online.  I still can't.  What I can and want to share is what has happened since.

Numerous Ilk have called or emailed to check in on me. 

I've been offered use of peoples homes, vacation properties, and other real-estate assets to move my family out of harms way.

Several people have shared information on new and better job possibilities.

I've been asked if I would want to join in on business opportunities and projects.

I've been offered legal help.

I've been offered security help.

Folks have been willing to loan me money.

Folks have been willing to give me money.

Folks have told me they'll take the time to physically come to my home to do whatever I need done.

Many have encouraged me by letting me know that they or their church group are praying for me.

All of them have done their personal best to cheer me up, and back me up.

God Bless The Dread Ilk.

If I've not seemed as on top of things, its because I'm still recovering from surgery and I still need the pain meds more than I'd like to admit.  I've only ever met a handful of the Ilk in person but I can tell you that all the ones I know are good, solid folks.

I'll say it again, "God Bless The Dread Ilk!".

Health Update

I came through the surgery fine.  I'm at home.  My wounds are healing nicely.  The wound it's self wasn't bad, it was the infection that caused the problem.  The physical therapist said I'm almost back to 100% functional range of motion but I still have a lot of pain and stiffness.  They took another blood sample today and I see the Infectious Disease specialist latter this week.  If everything goes ok they will take the sutures out latter in the week too.  Still no word on what the pathogen was that caused the problem.  In a way that may be a good thing, since it would mean that the first course of intensive I.V. antibiotics did the trick.

Right now I'm still off work medically.  No word on if I'll have a job after I get released to return to work.  I'm investing lots of time into finding other work, even if its stocking shelves at Wal Mart, considering the fact I can barely lift 8lbs with one hand, that might not be an option.

Other than that I don't have much I can share online.  I really do appreciate the calls and emails.  Ya'll have been great.  You may never know this until it happens to you, but kind words of encouragement and taking the time to write or call is one of the best forms of medicine there is.  My sincere prayer is that God will bless each and everyone of you 4 times over for the kindness you have shown and offered me.

4/13/2016

BJW-Computers


Signs you aren't very competent with a computer:

- You've backed-up your desktop by pushing it against the wall.

- You've put foam around the computer to prevent it from crashing.

- The soles of your shoes are worn out from re-booting your computer.

- You try to clear the screen by shaking the monitor up and down.

- You're in charge of Hillary's secret email server.

4/12/2016

Not Too Personal

Waterboy writes:

Not to get too personal, but I hope all is OK?

Long story short, my post of 4/5 is related to a much longer tale which unfortunately involves my employer.  My employer has strict social media policy about sharing information either formally or informally in a way that may disrupt their business interests.  So I'm not posting any identifying details here, or any place else.  If anyone wants to call me, that's another story.

I ended up in emergency surgery yesterday.  I am out of the hospital today and expected to be out of work at least through the end of the week.  I don't know how any of this is going to play out.  The police and the courts are involved and are providing a small degree of protection and support.

I'm very much between a rock and a hard place with the job situation.  My physical safety and that of my family is being threated.  The two people involved in this clearly have issues.  Unless I can get another job I'm stuck with the situation.  Prayers are appreciated.

4/08/2016

Say What?

File this under "Things I never thought I'd say".

Today I was talking on the phone to my wife.  She was asking me about the ER doctor I was seeing.  That's when I heard the following come out of my mouth; "I don't remember his name but he seems like a nice kid".

Doctors are by definition people who should be older than me, and have some gray hair.  It doesn't have to be all gray, but a little bit of gray would help.  Don't get me wrong, he did a good job.  He seemed to know what he was doing and he got me in and out quickly.  All in all I was happy with his work.  He just looked like he should be busing tables or surfing or on a PlayStation instead of a doctor.

In college I used to take my great grandmother to her doctor appointments.  Sometimes she'd complain about the "kid" who was seeing her.  That's to be expected, after 80 you've probably out lived all your doctors.  I thought it was weird because the "kid" was clearly over 50 and what hair he had left was white as snow.  The dude was ancient by my standards.

Fortunately my two regular doctors are over 60 and one is over 70.  Oh jeez, I have two doctors.  How did get so old?

4/07/2016

Of Free Trade

We are hearing a lot on free trade in the election rhetoric.  The more astute commentators have pointed out that free trade is essentially anti-national on several different levels.  The less astute, or more likely, those being paid to push a certain narrative, have the opposite POV.

We also have another issue, mass migration from poorer countries.  Mostly we think of this as Mexicans, but they come from any number of countries with a poorer standard of living.  These topics are closely linked in the Republican party.  The Republican Elite have a vested interest in keeping input costs down for the business interests they represent.

Both the Democrats and Republican Elite have the same perspective on these issues.  More mass migration.  More jobs sent overseas to countries with lower labor production costs.  The free flow of labor and cheaply produced products is universally recognized good.

The Detroit Free Press ran this story, 6 Reasons Ford Picked Mexico for a New Plant, this week.  Of course they covered the three most obvious reasons: Free Trade, Cheap Logistics, and Cheap Labor.  They threw in 2 other "reasons" to make the list longer and then a talking point to pretend that things are still good in the USA.

I want to know: "How many American's are able to migrate to Mexico to work in the new Ford plant?".  If someone currently working for Ford is willing to go to Mexico and work at the new, lower wage, can they?  Will Ford transfer them in their job?  Will the Mexican government let the gringos move in and live as they please?  Will the Mexican government start giving tax rebates to the new comers?  Will they suddenly publish their paperwork and signs in English?  Exactly how far will the Mexicans go to assimilate white folks into their country?

I think we all know the answer.

4/05/2016

Pseudomonarchia Daemonum

I'm going to pose a series of questions.  My regular readers and friends who stop by will probably see this exercise as very odd, even odder than my normal esoteric ramblings.  I very much want to see what responses you all have on this topic and appreciate you taking the time to respond in the comments.  My main objective is to see if anyone has meaningful insight into my last question.

Do you believe in creatures/beings called "demons"?

Why and/or how do you know they are real?

In what ways do they interact with humans?

Do you think it is possible for a demon to interact with one human in order to harm a different human?

If you answered in the affirmative to any of the above, how do you tell the difference between demonic influence and mental illness apart from a medical condition caused by normal physical phenomena?

Any other thoughts you may have along these lines are appreciated too.

4/01/2016

Conference Call

I just got off a conference call with Vox, Nate, Gregg and Bane.  They've convinced me that the only way to save America is to do something radical.  I agree with them.

I just switched my voter registration preference to Democrat so I could vote for Hillary Clinton in the primaries.  With out a doubt she is the best man running and we need her to beat Trump!