In 1881, American writer Ambrose Bierce began work on a series of short satirical definitions eventually published together as The Devil’s Dictionary. If you’ve never read the entries, you’re in for a sarcastic, cynical treat.
Tag: america
Voluntary Law and Order
People are not all the same, and they make different choices because they have different values, circumstances, and levels of understanding. Sometimes those choices are peaceful and wise; sometimes they are not. So what are the best ways to promote good choices and cooperation while preventing and providing resolution for conflict?
Flags, Football, and Begged Questions
Defenders of Donald Trump’s condemnation of NFL players who “take a knee” during the national hymn — sorry, anthem — beg a few questions. They assume the truth of matters that are or should be in dispute. So, not so fast, Trump defenders. You have work to do.
GOP Tax Plan: Hardly “Reform,” But Tax Cuts “Cost” Nothing
Politicians want us to believe that our money naturally belongs to government and that letting us keep any of it is generosity on their part. But politicians don’t create wealth. They just seize it from the rest of us, or borrow it from lenders who expect them to seize it from us later.
Still Assholes
Now the echo chamber resounds with the idea that no matter what he does, POTUS will still be called an asshole by the hardcore critics. The buzz around the Puerto Rico rescue effort is an example.
What the American Flag Means to Me
The American flag, the “star-spangled banner” is one of those things whose meaning to me has changed significantly over the course of my life. Once upon a time it meant being a winning nation, the best the world had ever seen in terms of righteousness, justice, freedom, and opportunity. When I saw the flag, those are the ideas that were brought to mind, ideas that I value, and produced the warm and fuzzies deep inside. I admired and waved the stars and stripes with a sense of pride. What the American flag means to me today is very different than what it meant to me as recently as 10 years ago.
The Russia-Blamers Think You’re Stupid
Americans never had rowdy disagreements with each other over race and religion until last year, and wouldn’t be having them now if not for those dirty, no-good Russian hackers who stole the 2016 presidential election from the second most hated candidate in history, on behalf of the most hated candidate in history, operating through subterfuge to achieve the outcome that some of us predicted months in advance, long before anyone mentioned Russian hackers.
Barack Obama Goes From White House to Wall Street Seamlessly
I go back and forth on the question of which bloc of voters is politically dumber and more gullible, the average conservative or the average liberal… But here’s reason number #23,514,938 to go with liberal on that question.
Shut Up and Stand on Command
What makes America different from North Korea or Communist China or Thailand? In all three countries, criticism of the government is forbidden, and worship of the symbols of state is mandatory.
Baby Boom Bubble
A friend pointed out that everything the U. S. Government touches turns into a bubble. I was part of one this week when I had cataract surgery on my right eye. I’ll be back for the other in several weeks. I am part of a giant crop.