Guard Dog

That isn't really what I meant. They won't "erase" the civil war exactly. And those who find virtue in the Confederacy are usually the ones who know the least about it. Or at least the ones who have bought a story they don't even know is fiction. No I was thinking of something more subtle and or Orwellian. I will come back to this a little later

Last one

If not for memes where wouldn't even BE Facebook!

Right now they have not started erasing history yet. But that is coming.

I know you were speaking to Bruce.... but here I go butting in! No, he wasn't. He was a man of the times he lived in. No better or worse than most. Does he warrant commemoration? Yes and no. Few commanders in history have done so much with so little. But at the same time he made two colossal blunders at Gettysburg and Petersburg. He is certainly worthy of study and understanding. But I don't know that he was ever deserving of the lionization his name has undergone 40 years after his death. Knowing what I do of him I think he'd be mortified. I think statues are appropriate where they are appropriate. The dedicated memorial, cemetery, battlefield sites, historically significant locations, or museums are certainly appropriate. But plunking a statue of Lee in the middle of downtown New Orleans made no sense because he had no connection at all to New Orleans. Other than to piss people off. Which actually was the point. If it were up to me I'd say no statues other than the places I mentioned. Besides, some of them are kind of creepy anyway. As an aside, you guys all know this "erasing history" nonsense, while it does have some points, will not stop right? They will be coming for the ones in dedicated memorial, cemetery, battlefield sites, historically significant locations, or museums later. Everything always goes too far.

Touche. That would be none.

Nah... Africa mostly kinda sucks. Take a bow France, England, Belgium, Netherlands, Spain, Italy, China, USA, and of course the kings there who sold their own people as well as enemies. They really f-----d that place up.

Ghana is pitching tourism and immigration to black Americans. Ghana’s Minister of Tourism to Black Americans: Come home to Africa Sorry guys. THAT will be a hard sell. A quick perusal of Google says it costs over $2k to fly to Ghana and $600 to fly to Jamaica and $250 to fly to Grand Bahama from New York. If I offered you a vacation in any two of those three countries which one gets eliminated? Yep. I thought so!

Americans are living in a big 'anger incubator. That's why I steer clear of them!

Hey Keyrock, you can probably do this without the misanthopic paranoia that drives some of us but that would be like popcorn with no butter!

I woke up at 4 AM with a hamstring cramp. Mister you'd have an easier time sleeping through a bedroom fire than that!

Only if you maximize your synergistic diversity

Agile seems to be a favorite new buzzword in a lot of places

I dislike absolutism of any variety. I was more thinking a "have my cake and eat it too" kind of scenario.

Princeton Dumps Woodrow Wilson’s Name Over ‘Persistent’ Racism   No complaint from me on this one. He was a racist, believed in eugenics, was an all around POS and this is sonofabitch that ruined the 20th Century for everyone. Edit: But he couldn't have done it without Roosevelt's help so f--k him too.

"It can't happen here" I have heard of. It's now on my to-do list. Other than that I have read a few of Lewis's short stories. I KNOW have have some in several short story books here. Nothing jumps out from memory though. But Elmer Gantry as well as the rest of his novels were a whiff for me.

8 total. Four parallel 2 cell strings. They are GNB M12V180FT 12V 180 AH marine batteries. There are two solar panels but each has two outputs. So each output is charging two batteries. All four battery strings are in parallel with each other with the inverter in series with all of them. 24V DC to 110V AC

Elmer Gantry. Hmmm Gromnir takes the ball from the top of the key, he shoots and .... two points. You stumped me on that one. Had to google it. But... the idea of cutting of all communication and commerce with the outside world, while appealing on some level, is both impractical and unnecessary. I've had this idea y'see. And when the GA Pacific Co pulled out of the area and started selling land for $500 an acre I thought about different reasons to invest. First and foremost I figured sooner or later someone is going to try and consolidate it. There were in fact, AFAIK, only three bidders. I was thinking a quick turnaround and make $200-$250 and acre, maybe better. Well, that didn't happen. So now it's "wait and see" like my other real-estate buys. Only the land is entirely forested and has no hard road access or utility easements. Add to that the nearest town is Palmersville, literally just one intersection, and I figured I was stuck holding the bag on this one. Until I saw it. This is what they call in these parts "good bottom land". The Obion River runs right through it. Much like Cold Creek and the Hatchee River where I live does. I've had this idea for a completely self sufficient place. My house is, at best, 45% self sufficient. During the winter months I seldom receive a utility bill for more than $40. I have two large solar panels charging two 24V battery strings. They are connected to an inverter and their outputs are in parallel with utility power. In a pinch I can shut off utility power and run off the batteries all night as long as I keep it under 20A. Basically I can run the refrigerator a fan and a radio and maybe charge my phone or kindle. During the summer.... well... my house is 1100 sq' and I do like AC. But the solar system does help. But, if a house were designed to use DC power only, the solar system being it's sole electric power source you can dispense with the inverter. The inverter is the fly in the ointment where efficiency is concerned. Without an inverter a small house could run 24 hours on the batteries assuming 1) Keep the demand under 60ADC 2) At least 6 hours of direct sunlight every 24 hours. That is using the dimensions I have now. Increase solar panel area and you improve on that. So, 60 amps is not a lot. One or two lights, a small tv/tablet/laptop fan, etc. Forget any kind of appliance over a college dorm fridge with no freezer. So the appliances would be propane powered. I was looking at a propane powered refrigerator, 4 cubic ft, uses .12 gal of LP a day. A propane stove is easy to find or make. But I was more thinking a wood burning stove. I am working on restoring one I found at the flea market now. Even this is not "self sufficient" Propane must be bought. Battery strings must be replaced every 10 years or so. But you can get really close without giving up much. Certainly you can go months on end, years even, without needing to buy anything or interact in any way with the outside world.

Just one of many vices i will gladly give up if/when the time ever comes. Edit: comment deleted. It was supposed to be a humorous jab at Gromnir for quoting Hobbs but it wasn't funny.

I got home two hours ago from a weekend camping trip. Dinner saturday night was two fried smallmouth bass I caught while fishing in Realfoot Slough. I cooked them with instant grits and pan fried biscuits. Not exactly healthy but definitely delicious. I'm telling you guys, this modern world we live in has nothing to offer us that is worth the misery you pay to have it. One of these days I am going to go full on mountain man and leave it all behind.