Great Quotes from this weeks Reading

Here are some pretty wonderful quotes from my readings. Not sure what to think of them yet, but they jumped off the page at me.

"There is no device whatever to be incented for securing hapiness without industry, economy, and virtue"

"What folly it is to think that vice and passion are limited by classes, that liberty consists only in taking power away from nobles and priests and giving it to artisans and peasants and that these latter will never abuse it!"

Sumner, "Forgotten Man"

This guy is a real proto-Rand. Has just as much passion, and the ideals are similar. Maybe doesn't romanticize as much as she. There is something here that resonates deep within me... A conservative take on the foundations of Classical Liberalism... A Libertarian almost. It is consistent though, with the traditional under-valuing of the "shiftless", and reflects a lack of understanding about the untapped capabilities of the destitute, who may be a victim of social systems instead of the villiam of economics. A market of free contract is all well and good, in theory, but when your thesis rests on "equally applied liberty" in a culture of racism, sexism, generalization and assumption, rational contracts may not be truly based on skill and ethic. There is something to be said about this theory, but perhaps, like all theories, it is faulty when applied.

Back Up and Running

Thanks for staying with us.

The summer here was hectic, no time at all. What a shame.

But, without any sort of explanation, we are back! And back to writing again. (Its about time)

Since the last post, I have jumped ship from the enlisted band wagon. Can't say I'll miss it that much, but I will definitely miss the camaraderie that accompanies the equality of rank. I shall look back fondly of my time here, I think. The commission is still a couple years in coming yet, and until then I must endure the rank of Cadet, a proverbial no-man's land. But such is life, and the rewards for this investment of time and energy will pay off in time.

I have started my graduate program in History, and so far enjoy it immensely. It is busy, but with no job to worry about (what am I talking about? The army is just about a full time job now) it should become easier as I get accustomed to the pace. I struggle still to keep up with my homework, partially because it is so interesting. I find my reading often prompts me to spend 15 or so minutes pursuing intellectual tangents... Some of the more interesting ones will probably end up here.

That is all for tonight. A good start, I think to myself as I review the post... Or am I just easily appeased?

Back in Black (and Gold)

Well, dear vast, empty space known as the Interweb, I have returned. Now schooled in the art of war. I can shoot a gun, chuck a grenade, mis-fire an A-4 anti-tank rocket, and drive army trucks of all sorts. I am physically and mentally tough, or so they tell me, and ready to complete any mission. And now... I have no governmentally assigned mission (thank God). This allows me to once again troll the internet, go to school, date a girl, see my family, and generally be a real person. Its exciting.

While many thoughts have been thunk in the past half year, trying to catch you up, dear reader, would be an exercise in futility, so I will just start anew. I recently gained employment, real people's work type stuff, painting. Actually should be pretty fun. I'm excited to get back to work.

Stay tuned to read more of my political musings, religious musings, and general bullshit. Its great to be home and out of the army (for the time being).

Media (eeevil) Shennanigans

Now, I'll agree with some complaints about liberal media bias. I mean, lets look at how the people who are in the media are raised. They go to college. Liberal campuses are not uncommon. Probably the norm unless you go to some bullshit bible college. Strike one. Liberal Bias from the beginning, if not in class then in atmosphere.

Second, communications, journalism, and such are LIBERAL ARTS majors, designed to make well rounded, understanding, well informed people. One can reasonably expect these people to be liberal leaning.

Third, most of the media outlets in this country are based in major metropolitan areas. Now, if any somewhat intelligent person looks at a voting trend map, they will undoubtedly find that metro areas are by far the most left leaning parts of the country. It is common that rural and suburban voters lean right, urban voters lean left.

All this being said, is anyone at all surprised that major media outlets are left leaning? No, and maybe people should take this and understand the reasons behind it (READ: glen beck may be retarded).

Now Fox News. If you don't recognize that this is first and foremost 'entertainment' and secondly an outlet for a WASP Republican base that is quickly losing its majority in this country then, well, I feel very sorry for you. Heres a link to this spiraling, desperate crew caught on video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRx5ethd8JU&feature=player_embedded

Fox News is a spin machine, using its Op-Eds to fuel its news making potential because the news they really would like to report on doesn't really exist in the extent that it used to. I have no sorrow for the ignorant racists and Rand fanatics losing their political clout. Time for real, fiscal and constitutional conservatives to jump ship, gather with like minded, equal rights center lefts, and create a new party. Com'on folks. Its about time.

Time to be an Hero

Been quite a while since the last post. Kinda fell off the map for a while. Time to reestablish some of my life timeline.

Recently graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Bachelor of the Arts in History and Political Science. Two majors, and no interest in the job market yet. In one week's time I will report to Milwaukee MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station) and from there board a plane to Missouri. I will be at Fort Leonard Wood for BCT (basic combat training) and AIT (advanced individual training). What a way to abuse a college degree. After all of this I will be a Specialist (E-4) with the Wisconsin Army National Guard. After that, who knows. Graduate School hopefully and work.

I've decided to pick up writing again because of all the wonderful time I get to spend trolling the internet for facts and lies. To start, I have some general observations:

The Internet is cool because:

1. Science is cool. Has anyone else noticed how much information is out there? and how easy it is to get at? WOW. insanity y'all. Pop Sci, Pop Mechanics, Inhabitat, the Vine, Mother Eart, Post Carbon, Huff Post, the Nation, the Atlantic. An entire days worth of reading, all for free. Makes your brain grapes hurt there is so much info out there.

2. Watchdog. Can anyone believe how closely politics are watched and commented on in the netsphere? All this exposure is the only way to check government, because, lets face it, its out of control. Commentary on any aspect, always someone complaining.

These things get me thinking. If you could localize government systems, expand the information available to the local populace, there is some serious opportunity for community organizing. Put all the city's church charities online. Organize food drives from all schools in the district. Advertise school sports, sponsorship and scholarship opportunities. Get the community involved in city planning, vote on land usage issues. so much opportunity, so little effort. Someday soon, let us hope.

The New Case Against Federalism

http://www.atlassociety.org/cth-43-2161-WOE-Ponzi.aspx

the above is just something that i found interesting, and while it could apply to the topic at hand, i seek to promote a different point here.

this has to do with decentralization, of food, society, and economy. i think (unfortunately this is only an idea) that communication technology may be at the point where we are able to do this in a large scale society and still keep some measure of cohesion. decentralization will be necessary, it seems, as energy input declines in society. the current trend towards globalization historically has been powered by increased energy input through technology or resource.

society in europe has been dissected and examined historically for centuries. if one looks at the very beginning of human existence, it must first and foremost be concerned with the collection of food, just as every other animal, or living thing for that matter. society was able to concentrate on other things with dawn of preservation techniques along with the technology of of abstraction, in other words money. later, society was able to expand more with the coupling of sailing tech with greater ability to store food.

the advent of oil is different. not only did it enable greater transportation and storage, but also completely revolutionized the way food was made. food production has exploded with world population. the things we have been able to do with all this excess energy (converted into luxury time and then society advancement, meaning art and science) are incredible. however, we are aware now that oil is not an inexhaustable resource, and the problem lies not in the way that we get around the world, but in the other limiting factor of society, food production.

because food production is so intwined with oil, and oil is exhaustable and in all probability soon to be expensive and scarce, food production will be limited and also become scarce. if the tech and society that we have currently are dirivitaves of the excess energy inserted into the system by oil via ease of food production, then it would follow with the decline of oil goes the decline of society.

i do not believe all is lost. the technology we have created in this time of excess is incredible. the society we enjoy created and has been changed in order to deal with its effects. democracy is function of a intellegent, communicative populace. using the technology we have, and the tech we will make, we can weather the coming storm. and it IS coming. i believe food is important, and as such, should be locally produced in order to protect it from the coming fall.

Sustainability

Sustainability is becoming more and more of an interest with me. Permaculture, housing, energy... all of these could be combined to make an incredibly efficient, cost effective, and satisfying life. Sophrosyne and Responsibility. Need nothing, Live with a mind towards the Ancient, and take ownership of yourself... this is a lifestyle I can see myself in.