Does America seem Coarser to You?

Only a virtuous people are capable of freedom. As nations become corrupt and vicious, they have more need of masters.

Benjamin Franklin
April 17, 1787

California man faces 13 years in jail for scribbling anti-bank messages in chalk — RT USA

We live in dangerous times. One must be very careful not to anger those in power or be prepared to suffer the consequences of telling the truth.

Will you keep your mouth shut in the midst of obvious intimidation and injustice? If not are you prepared to pay the price?


California man faces 13 years in jail for scribbling anti-bank messages in chalk — RT USA

Maximizing Adversity

Incredibly powerful perspective on adversity from a former POW and his wife. When I read things like this that are so incredibly powerful, I wonder if it's just me at this moment, or if it's as universally powerful as it seems. I think it's universal.

This is something to read, watch the video and take the time to sit and let sink in. One of the important fundamental understandings of an effective life.

Most of us don't experience threats that force us to come to grips with dealing with our very survival. We don't get to learn this lesson. We need to be wise enough to learn from those who have. We don't want to waste their adversity.

‘Don’t Dread Suffering’: Read the Incredible Words of Vietnam POW Hugh Stafford | Video | TheBlaze.com

USA: The world’s best friend

It always amazes me that many of the most enlightened American Patriots are not American at all. Through some quirk they've managed to observe, understand and appreciate Americas greatness. Often moreso than most Americans.

I don't know why that is, do you?

USA: The world’s best friend

Bombing Caused By 2nd Amendment?

I don't care when people disagree with me or interpret things differently than I do. I just find overt, arrogant, ignorance intolerable.

The fact that Jay Mohr thinks the 2nd Amendment has anything to do with the Boston Bombing betrays his astonishing ignorance. Ignorance that really matters - and not just to him. He's not the only one that will pay for his ignorance. He will persuade people because of his celebrity to embrace that ignorance and hold in disdain those who refuse to be infected by it.

The brandishing of that level of ignorance is far more dangerous to Americans than the 2nd Amendment...

Actor blames Boston attack on gun culture: ‘2nd amendment must go’ | The Daily Caller

IRS Can Read Private E-mail

Get your email off Gmail, Yahoo, Windows Live, AOL and any other cloud based service NOW.

Our privacy is under serious attack and they try to pacify us by saying we haven't had any for a while, so it's useless trying and you don't need to worry about it. Hogwash!

It's a lot like companies that aggressively defend copyright and trademark violations. Principles we don't defend vigorously, will eventually be rendered moot by our inaction.

Encrypt your email,  keep your email servers folders clean. Download everything you want to keep to local folders in your email client. Ideally you will encrypt your local storage so prying eyes will need judicial action to get into your personal data.
 
IRS claims it can read your e-mail without a warrant | Politics and Law - CNET News

Insane Money Policy can Create Opportunity

These are certainly days of miracle and wonder. Well, of absurd and extraordinary financial experimentation, at any rate.

Last week, for example, saw the Bank of Japan abandon any last pretense of restraint and topple headfirst into a gigantic pile of monetary cocaine. 
The scale of the policy is daunting: the Bank of Japan intends to double the country’s monetary base over two years via the aggressive purchase of long term bonds. 

It would be difficult to overstate the drama of this monetary stimulus(although we favour the word debauchery). .... more

Rest in Peace Iron Lady

"[Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher] demonstrated two great qualities. The first was that she had thought seriously about how to revive the British economy and entered office with a clear set of policies to do so. She brought down inflation by controlling the money supply, and she began removing the controls, subsidies, and regulations that kept business lazy. Her second great quality was the true grit of a true Brit (or perhaps I should say, of a true-blue Brit). We both realized that our policies wouldn't solve such deep-rooted problems overnight. The first effects, in the world recession of 1981-82, were painful. I remember meeting her in Washington at a time when people in both our countries were calling for a change of course. She never wavered. And she was proved right by events. ... Margaret Thatcher -- this great lady has not only served her country well, she has served the free world well. She is truly a great statesman. So much so that I'll correct what I just said: She is a great stateswoman holding her own among all the statesmen of the world." --Ronald Reagan

First it was Gun Shaped Pop Tarts, now it's Smartphone Gun apps.

Military Veteran Reportedly Kicked Out of Nursing School Over Gun App on His Phone | TheBlaze.com

Two issues here to talk about. First the fact that an app is considered as dangerous as a gun. Second the only places you'll find this story covered is theblaze.com and a couple of other military/Veterans issues web sites.

This is why 2nd Amendment advocates are so concerned about seemingly minor infringements on the 2nd amendment. It's the proverbial slippery slope, and in fact we are in mid-plummet. It's no longer just a 2nd Amendment issue. It's a freedom and common sense issue. We not only have to be VERY carefull with firearms, but we need to be careful what shape we chew our food in and what sounds our smartphone apps make. It's indefensible.

Secondly - why is it that this outrageous foolishness is only covered on theBlaze.com and a couple of small veterans issues web sites. Doesn't someone who is pro gun control view this as foolish, destructive and unfair? If not, it only further legitimizes the concerns of the 2nd amendment crowd that we are being victimized by the foolish and dangerous anti-gun pc culture.

Bang Bang! I just violated the terms of the blogging site I use. What happens to me now? The Gulag?