Guard Dog

Because what the government does is enforced by guns. The most powerful and wealthy corporation in the world could not take a penny from my checking account unless I willingly let them. The government can take all of it. Suppose for a moment your house is prime real estate and a developer wants it: Developer: We want to buy your house Aluminumtrioxid: It's not for sale Developer: Fair market value is $100k, we'll pay $125k Aluminumtrioxid: It's not for sale Developer: Mr./Mrs. Politician here is a campaign donation of $125k Politician: Thanks for your support, I won the election. Developer: We want to develop the land Aluminumtrioxid's house is on. If we do the tax base will improve. Politician: Aluminumtrioxid we are exercising Eminent Domain, and seizing your home. The taxable value is $60k but you haven't cut the grass in two days so we're offering you $50k. Take it or leave it. Aluminumtrioxid: It's not for sale. Politician: OK, we are condemning your property by Act and transferring ownership to the "public" (meaning us). You get nothing and can go f--k yourself if you don't like it. Aluminumtrioxid: I'll sue Politician: Sure... good luck with that. Politician: Hey Developer want to buy some land? This EXACT scenario plays out here in the so called land of the free every year. Who is the bad guy here? Sure the "evil capitalist" initiated the whole thing but who actually took your home? Now, suppose the Politician does not have the power to take your home: Developer: We want to buy your house Aluminumtrioxid: It's not for sale Developer: Fair market value is $100k, we'll pay $125k Aluminumtrioxid: It's not for sale Developer: Well, it's valuable to us so how about $150? Aluminumtrioxid: It's not for sale Developer: OK, $175k, that 75% more than market value. Aluminumtrioxid: It's not for sale (or OK $175k) Without the government to do their dirty work they cannot force you to do anything. Here is another scenario: Me: I want to by health insurance Company A: We have a policy for $10k a year Company B: We have the same policy for $9k per year. Me: OK, I want company B Politician: You can't have it. You HAVE to buy from Company A. Me: Why? Politician: Because we have decided Company A gets exclusive rights to your state. Me: Company A supported your campaign! Politician: That's none of your business. Take the politician out and you get this: Me: I want to by health insurance Company A: We have a policy for $10k a year Company B: We have the same policy for $9k per year. Me: OK, I want company B Company A: whoa we;re getting killed here. OK, we'll lower the price to $8800 per year Me: Yay! Simplified examples yes. But without the government circumventing the process what holds everything together is contracts. Company A agrees to to this if I agree to pay that. and if we have to go to court then we are equal before the law. Try facing the government at any level in court and you find out real quick you are far from equal. The government does not exist to serve anyone. It exists solely for it's own self perpetuation. But it does have a purpose to fulfill and we do need to to fulfill that purpose. But that s--t tends to get out of hand real quick if it's allowed to do so. We're well past that point here in the US but I'm always optimistic that it's never too late to turn back.

If that is so it sounds like teachers should have a bit more leverage when negotiating a salary.

So... let me see if I have this straight. The GOVERNMENT caused this problem because people with money used that money to buy favorable policies. So the solution is to get that exact same GOVERNMENT to fix those policies to help the workers. That begs the question.... do the workers have any money to buy that kind of help? It sounds like the answer is no. So.... good luck with that. Everyone sneers are how the, the, rich (say it in a tone of disgust) use their money to corrupt the government. Sounds to me like you should be mad at the government not the rich. Who sold favors to who? And before anyone comes back with "we need to elect people who won't take their money" yeah. Like I said, good luck. People by favors from government because governments sell favors. Yet no one wants to pull their fangs out. Something I will never understand. OK, you can all go back to bashing rich capitalists now. Or whatever it was you were doing. Edit: One last thought. If you don;t like the pay you don't have to take the job. If there were fewer teachers teachers would be paid more. Just sayin'

EM Drive tests not promising: https://phys.org/news/2018-05-team-feasibility-emdrive-mach-effect.html Looks like ion propulsion is still the best bet

Stellaris: Distant Stars DLC is installing now. I'm very excited. Or, as excited as I ever get about anything. Which isn't very.

Stellaris is releasing a new DLC today. That means my night is booked.

Personally I think the ones that decide to kill a lot of people and then shoot themselves have the right idea. They are just doing it in the wrong order.

For those who have pups.... the struggle is real

Hurlshot I believe that was in Baghdad. Unfortunately most Americans know exactly where that is now. For a change I wish that were otherwise.

We don't think that.

If you are not watching Cody's Alternative History Hub on youtube you should. He's got a good thing going. His analysis here is dead on the money https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3VQULyT390

I got up early to beat the weather and get all the work done around here. It never rained and it got real hot quick. Sunny was, as always, either right behind me or in front of me. Until I was done looked around and she was gone. There were dog tracks leading down to the creek. I found here there just sitting neck deep in the cold water with a big dog smile on her face. It's her world, we're all just living in it.

From MW2 Total War

Lord help me I will never understand the fascination with this beyond the shores of GB. OK, I really don't get why the British are so fascinated with them either. They (the royals) are sort of like national pets. You know who everything your dog, cats, etc does is cute in your eyes? "Awww she's sleeping. She's playing with a toy". Like how a lot of Americans are with the Kardashians. Only they are more like a pet tarantula or snake than a dog or cat. Yes, they are yours but there is a definite creepiness about them too. Hey, the Princes all served in the the military. No Kardashian has ever done anything like that..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I10P7pF-ru8

Best news broadcast ever! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Syjp9lsWBhc Yes I know... not real. But very funny.

No it's cultural appropriation! I'm a homo sapian and I am OFFENDED that this gorilla mimics a gesture that is sacred to my people.

Don't blame him a bit: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5739615/This-think-oo-oo-Grumpy-gorilla-flips-zoo-visitor-finger.html

Put me down for option 2 : ignorant of the details of police work or military service

Personally I see that ordinance as yet another example of heavy handed, oppressive, nanny state, freedom hating, big government bulls--t that will not survive a court challenge. But that exemption strikes me as odd. Either the city council members are stupid, ignorant of the details of police work or military service, have some other kind of agenda, or just figure the servants of the government should be exempted from the malfeasance of that government. No matter which way you look at it, it ain't good.

Speaking of gun control and inconsistencies: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/05/17/boulder-passes-sweeping-anti-gun-bill-pro-2a-nonprofit-vows-to-sue-individual-councilmembers.html For the most part the this is a "nothing to see here" story. City passes heavy handed gun control ordinance. Citizens are suing, yadda, yadda, yadda. But I was struck by this one paragraph: Really? Why is that? Police service weapons are pistols, not rifles. The rifles used by SWAT are not owned by the officers. They are kept in the police armory when not in use. Ditto for military personnel. This is not the Confederate army. Military members do not provide their own weapons. And I can 1000% guarantee you they cannot take their weapon off base. In fact unless they on guard duty, training, or deployed they don't even have access to their weapons. So why the exemption?

Don't read too much into it. It's just a picture to make a statement and stir the pot.

I like her! http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/05/16/conservative-students-parting-shot-at-colleges-anti-gun-policies-goes-viral-come-and-take-it.html

How to succeed in music (dudes need not apply) http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/space/go-for-launch/la-sci-sn-pop-song-success-20180516-story.html

I just saw this. I've read a few of his books.