Good
Unilever threatening to pull ads from Facebook, Google, etc.
Seems to be these big tech firms deserve to be on the receiving end of lectures and condemnation vs. the giving end.
Monday, February 12, 2018
Monday, February 05, 2018
My Suggestion: Don't Move There
Edina public schools down the shithole due to "equality" and "racial consciousness."
The author asks at the end of the article:
Edina public schools down the shithole due to "equality" and "racial consciousness."
The author asks at the end of the article:
I might be wrong, but I don’t believe that most liberals agree with this identity politics extremism in its various intersectional manifestations. Why don’t they stand up to it? Some do; the people who contribute to the 4thWaveNow site, where Sarah R.’s story appeared, aren’t all conservatives by any means. Where are the old-fashioned liberals? Do they really want to see their institutions radicalized? Do they honestly think this is going to work out for the common good? Where do they think this is going to end, anyway? I’m asking in all seriousness. `The old fashioned liberal is right here, my friend.
Sunday, February 04, 2018
#MeToo Backlash
Color me unsurprised.
Political ideologues generally could use some game theory study. They're only able to see about 2-3 moves ahead and ultimately do themselves and their causes more harm than good. The problem for the rest of us, is that they often manage to damage everything around them in the process.
Color me unsurprised.
Political ideologues generally could use some game theory study. They're only able to see about 2-3 moves ahead and ultimately do themselves and their causes more harm than good. The problem for the rest of us, is that they often manage to damage everything around them in the process.
12 Rules for Life
As I'm reading the Jordan Peterson book and everyone else is doing it...
1. Avoid Drugs. Drug use (or selling) is a good sign something is wrong or you are somehow on the wrong trajectory. Try to figure out what that thing is. Maybe it's just being young and stupid...but even if it is, it's not a bad idea to be young and stupid for less vs. more time. Or, it could be self-medicating. Not bad to try and figure out what that thing is, either.
2. Save Your Money
3. Aim High. Even if you fail to meet goals, etc, you will generally be objectively better off to have "gone for it" than to have not in order to avoid disappointment. I'd apply this to a lot of the important things in life - career, love, etc.
4. Err of the side of too many sexual encounters versus too few.
5. For exercise, choose activities that bring you joy as you are more likely to stick with it and thus bring you better fitness, health, and also be fun. And if you are busy, take the stairs versus the elevator.
6. In contrast, for career, choose something you are good at versus something that brings you joy. Because you spend so much time with it, you will start to enjoy things you are good at and I imagine start to dislike things you aren't after awhile. Also, you stand to make more money this way.
7. If you want to have kids, start making decisions in advance of having kids that lay the groundwork for it. For example - young men: get a job, young women - don't date losers. And once you're close, don't wait for the perfect moment, just jump in.
8. I've never met anyone I thought read too much. On the other hand, almost everyone I know has spent too much time in school.
9. Understand life to be a series of phases. Therefore, do not assume what is happening in this moment is by any means permanent. Thus, if things are going well, enjoy it and see #2. And if things are not, do not wallow, just consider that things can and will get better, especially if you make choices that will lead you there.
10. Surround yourself with good people and people you like and preferably BOTH. It makes everything a lot easier.
11. If you are American, find ways to meet and befriend people from as many foreign countries as you can. The best option, of course, is to travel a lot and for extended periods of time. If money or time or obligations limits this possibility, you can also find ways to meet foreigners and immigrants in the United States. One of the downsides of being American today is that it's easy to believe the world revolves around us and that all of our political and social pathologies are unique to us. They are not. You learn this very quickly and intuitively when interacting with foreigners. One of my favorite aspects of living in Los Angeles - a truly global city - is the vast number of foreigners I interact with in all sorts of walks of life - from studying with, to teaching, to working for/with, living next to, going to daycare, friends/family, playing soccer, etc. Just to sample a list off the top of my head, countries include - Taiwan, Philippines, Armenia, El Salvador, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, India, China, Korea, Nigeria, Rwanda, Germany, Italy, UK, Columbia, Canada, Iran, Turkey, Russia, France, Sweeden...I mean that's a pretty damn good list. It's all around us everywhere in LA - maybe not as much in other places - but I find this a pretty remarkable and under explored and appreciated part of life.
12. Reduce drag in your life. This will mean different things to different people. For me, an example: I hate shopping for clothes, so I just decided I'm going to buy most everything from JCrew. I probably am not getting the best "deals" or maximizing my "look," but it's one less thing for me to think about. If I need a shirt or pair of pants, I just go to JCrew, see what I like and buy it. Done. A similar idea is to always try and minimize my commute. Many folks have a basic choice: less house/less commute vs. more house/more commute. I say choose the the former.
I realize I am less qualified than most others making these lists, but they are sort of fun. There's a good chance I'm wrong about 50% of them, but I'm not sure which 50%.
As I'm reading the Jordan Peterson book and everyone else is doing it...
1. Avoid Drugs. Drug use (or selling) is a good sign something is wrong or you are somehow on the wrong trajectory. Try to figure out what that thing is. Maybe it's just being young and stupid...but even if it is, it's not a bad idea to be young and stupid for less vs. more time. Or, it could be self-medicating. Not bad to try and figure out what that thing is, either.
2. Save Your Money
3. Aim High. Even if you fail to meet goals, etc, you will generally be objectively better off to have "gone for it" than to have not in order to avoid disappointment. I'd apply this to a lot of the important things in life - career, love, etc.
4. Err of the side of too many sexual encounters versus too few.
5. For exercise, choose activities that bring you joy as you are more likely to stick with it and thus bring you better fitness, health, and also be fun. And if you are busy, take the stairs versus the elevator.
6. In contrast, for career, choose something you are good at versus something that brings you joy. Because you spend so much time with it, you will start to enjoy things you are good at and I imagine start to dislike things you aren't after awhile. Also, you stand to make more money this way.
7. If you want to have kids, start making decisions in advance of having kids that lay the groundwork for it. For example - young men: get a job, young women - don't date losers. And once you're close, don't wait for the perfect moment, just jump in.
8. I've never met anyone I thought read too much. On the other hand, almost everyone I know has spent too much time in school.
9. Understand life to be a series of phases. Therefore, do not assume what is happening in this moment is by any means permanent. Thus, if things are going well, enjoy it and see #2. And if things are not, do not wallow, just consider that things can and will get better, especially if you make choices that will lead you there.
10. Surround yourself with good people and people you like and preferably BOTH. It makes everything a lot easier.
11. If you are American, find ways to meet and befriend people from as many foreign countries as you can. The best option, of course, is to travel a lot and for extended periods of time. If money or time or obligations limits this possibility, you can also find ways to meet foreigners and immigrants in the United States. One of the downsides of being American today is that it's easy to believe the world revolves around us and that all of our political and social pathologies are unique to us. They are not. You learn this very quickly and intuitively when interacting with foreigners. One of my favorite aspects of living in Los Angeles - a truly global city - is the vast number of foreigners I interact with in all sorts of walks of life - from studying with, to teaching, to working for/with, living next to, going to daycare, friends/family, playing soccer, etc. Just to sample a list off the top of my head, countries include - Taiwan, Philippines, Armenia, El Salvador, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, India, China, Korea, Nigeria, Rwanda, Germany, Italy, UK, Columbia, Canada, Iran, Turkey, Russia, France, Sweeden...I mean that's a pretty damn good list. It's all around us everywhere in LA - maybe not as much in other places - but I find this a pretty remarkable and under explored and appreciated part of life.
12. Reduce drag in your life. This will mean different things to different people. For me, an example: I hate shopping for clothes, so I just decided I'm going to buy most everything from JCrew. I probably am not getting the best "deals" or maximizing my "look," but it's one less thing for me to think about. If I need a shirt or pair of pants, I just go to JCrew, see what I like and buy it. Done. A similar idea is to always try and minimize my commute. Many folks have a basic choice: less house/less commute vs. more house/more commute. I say choose the the former.
I realize I am less qualified than most others making these lists, but they are sort of fun. There's a good chance I'm wrong about 50% of them, but I'm not sure which 50%.
In A World Without Curry...
Who would the best point guard in the NBA be? Nominations:
Westbrook
Irving
Lillard
Wall
Harden (do we call him a PG)
CP3
Too many to count...
The scariest are Westbrook and Wall for their athleticism and two way capability (if they apply themselves).
Offensively, Harden and Irving have to be the two best.
CP3 for his bball IQ.
But if I were building a team from scratch and got one of these guys, I'm not sure I wouldn't take Lillard. He seems like possibly the best teammate of the bunch and the guy has balls of steel. He's maybe the best "alpha" of the lot. Consider - Westbrook and Wall are both a little weird and seem to rub others the wrong way. CP3, too, but in a different way. Irving believes the world is flat and has only succeeded as a #2 guy (thus far) and Harden is notorious for being a little soft when it matters. Lillard is none of those things.
Who would the best point guard in the NBA be? Nominations:
Westbrook
Irving
Lillard
Wall
Harden (do we call him a PG)
CP3
Too many to count...
The scariest are Westbrook and Wall for their athleticism and two way capability (if they apply themselves).
Offensively, Harden and Irving have to be the two best.
CP3 for his bball IQ.
But if I were building a team from scratch and got one of these guys, I'm not sure I wouldn't take Lillard. He seems like possibly the best teammate of the bunch and the guy has balls of steel. He's maybe the best "alpha" of the lot. Consider - Westbrook and Wall are both a little weird and seem to rub others the wrong way. CP3, too, but in a different way. Irving believes the world is flat and has only succeeded as a #2 guy (thus far) and Harden is notorious for being a little soft when it matters. Lillard is none of those things.
Monday, January 29, 2018
No Crap-ola
Eliminating mortgage interest deduction would lower home prices and increase home ownership.
As soon as I started looking into houses, I figured this out. The way people buy houses is they look at how much they can borrow, add that to the down payment, and then see how much house they can afford. The Mortgage Interest deduction factors into the "how much they can borrow" section and increases how much people can pay. When I was buying a house, I would've preferred higher interest rates AND no mortgage deduction, because it would've driven down the price more and my monthly would've been the same. But of course, now that I'm in a house, I prefer the housing prices to remain high (although I don't actually get to capitalize on those gains in any way).
In slightly other news, I heard on a radio program the other day that when employers auto-enroll employees in 401k plans (a darling "nudge" idea), those same employees end up increasing their consumer debt. Shocking news that money is fungible, ie if it goes one place, it cannot go to another place. So, the "nudge" people claim their policies work because people save more for retirement, but the fact is - they are the same and maybe even worse off because they have more consumer debt! What geniuses these architects of human behavior are!
I believe laws should be written to be simple, clear, and fair. Not to promote "values," as more often than not, they end up backfiring. Just think about the home ownership example. Mortgage interest deduction is meant to encourage home ownership as a path to wealth. Instead, it makes home ownership less likely, more stressful, expensive, and in actuality works as a simple wealth transfer from non-home owners to existing home owners.
We should hire game designers to write laws, not ideologues.
Eliminating mortgage interest deduction would lower home prices and increase home ownership.
As soon as I started looking into houses, I figured this out. The way people buy houses is they look at how much they can borrow, add that to the down payment, and then see how much house they can afford. The Mortgage Interest deduction factors into the "how much they can borrow" section and increases how much people can pay. When I was buying a house, I would've preferred higher interest rates AND no mortgage deduction, because it would've driven down the price more and my monthly would've been the same. But of course, now that I'm in a house, I prefer the housing prices to remain high (although I don't actually get to capitalize on those gains in any way).
In slightly other news, I heard on a radio program the other day that when employers auto-enroll employees in 401k plans (a darling "nudge" idea), those same employees end up increasing their consumer debt. Shocking news that money is fungible, ie if it goes one place, it cannot go to another place. So, the "nudge" people claim their policies work because people save more for retirement, but the fact is - they are the same and maybe even worse off because they have more consumer debt! What geniuses these architects of human behavior are!
I believe laws should be written to be simple, clear, and fair. Not to promote "values," as more often than not, they end up backfiring. Just think about the home ownership example. Mortgage interest deduction is meant to encourage home ownership as a path to wealth. Instead, it makes home ownership less likely, more stressful, expensive, and in actuality works as a simple wealth transfer from non-home owners to existing home owners.
We should hire game designers to write laws, not ideologues.
Sunday, January 28, 2018
Science Proves What We Know, But Are Afraid to Say...
Turns out being a minority or woman HELPS with employment opportunities (at least in this certain field).
Everywhere I've worked, being a woman or minority is looked upon as a net positive or neutral. Maybe this isn't the case in all industries, but worth a think.
Turns out being a minority or woman HELPS with employment opportunities (at least in this certain field).
Everywhere I've worked, being a woman or minority is looked upon as a net positive or neutral. Maybe this isn't the case in all industries, but worth a think.
Jay-Z
Says on Van Jones, money doesn't equal happiness. Kinda strange words from Jay-Z, but beyond that - he's right - money doesn't equal happiness - but is the point of politics to make people happy? I don't think so. It's to make things fair, just, and orderly.
Says on Van Jones, money doesn't equal happiness. Kinda strange words from Jay-Z, but beyond that - he's right - money doesn't equal happiness - but is the point of politics to make people happy? I don't think so. It's to make things fair, just, and orderly.
Friday, January 26, 2018
Adult Baby Market
Interesting piece at the Ringer. Maybe I should say - interesting idea for a piece. Why are the Ringer articles so long? Jesus. I had to stop reading. It often seems as though the articles that ought to be short are too long and the articles that could be longer are not, ie Game of Thrones stuff.
Anyhow, I've been thinking about this a bit lately with respect to "self driving cars." One of the reasons I'm against them at the moment is that culturally speaking, they are just another product that infantilizes us. It's like no one wants to be able to do anything anymore. I'd much rather have a society where everyone could drive stick shift than a society where people don't even need to know how to drive.
Interesting piece at the Ringer. Maybe I should say - interesting idea for a piece. Why are the Ringer articles so long? Jesus. I had to stop reading. It often seems as though the articles that ought to be short are too long and the articles that could be longer are not, ie Game of Thrones stuff.
Anyhow, I've been thinking about this a bit lately with respect to "self driving cars." One of the reasons I'm against them at the moment is that culturally speaking, they are just another product that infantilizes us. It's like no one wants to be able to do anything anymore. I'd much rather have a society where everyone could drive stick shift than a society where people don't even need to know how to drive.
Thursday, January 25, 2018
#Me Too
Like Casey Affleck, I'll be skipping the Oscars this year.
The unifying thing behind intersectionalism, #metoo, and BLM, is that they alienate potential allies in favor of a Mao-ist puritanism. They play the Game of Thrones like Cersai Lannister. The end result is going to be bad for everyone, themselves included.
Like Casey Affleck, I'll be skipping the Oscars this year.
The unifying thing behind intersectionalism, #metoo, and BLM, is that they alienate potential allies in favor of a Mao-ist puritanism. They play the Game of Thrones like Cersai Lannister. The end result is going to be bad for everyone, themselves included.
Tuesday, January 23, 2018
This Jordan Peterson Interview
One of the reasons it's gained so much traction is that I imagine many young men have had similar conversations with "feminists." If one has spent time on a college campus or any major US city, surely one has been in a conversation/debate/argument where one's words are deliberately misconstrued. What's satisfying is how Peterson handles the situation with calm and jijitsu-like wins the argument.
Peterson identities the same enemies that Trump has, but in a more rational, intellectual vs. animalistic framework. Whatever you want to say about Trump, his influence has been profound. I don't think we get Peterson, or the sex scandals without Trump being in office. These are truly strange times.
One of the reasons it's gained so much traction is that I imagine many young men have had similar conversations with "feminists." If one has spent time on a college campus or any major US city, surely one has been in a conversation/debate/argument where one's words are deliberately misconstrued. What's satisfying is how Peterson handles the situation with calm and jijitsu-like wins the argument.
Peterson identities the same enemies that Trump has, but in a more rational, intellectual vs. animalistic framework. Whatever you want to say about Trump, his influence has been profound. I don't think we get Peterson, or the sex scandals without Trump being in office. These are truly strange times.
Monday, January 22, 2018
When You're Right, You're Right
Can't believe Rupert Murdoch has now become a voice of reason with respect to trustworthiness of news, but he's nevertheless right.
Can't believe Rupert Murdoch has now become a voice of reason with respect to trustworthiness of news, but he's nevertheless right.
“Facebook and Google have popularized scurrilous news sources through algorithms that are profitable for these platforms but inherently unreliable,” his statement reads. “Recognition of a problem is one step on the pathway to cure, but the remedial measures that both companies have so far proposed are inadequate, commercially, socially and journalistically.”You get what you pay for. Nowadays, no one wants to pay for news and then we complain about fake news. On the other hand, newspapers were a great industry at one time, but the businessmen got their greasy fingers on the companies and started cutting back staff to boost their profits. Which in turn lead to crummier and crummier coverage and they didn't have the horses to fight and benefit from technological disruption. Or maybe it's just the cycle of things...
Sunday, January 21, 2018
Pocahontas
"Elizabeth Warren's Native American Problem Goes Beyond Politics."
The problem isn't that her family had a myth (or perhaps some truth) that they had a Native American ancestor. The problem is that it matters and serves as a type of cultural currency.
"Elizabeth Warren's Native American Problem Goes Beyond Politics."
The problem isn't that her family had a myth (or perhaps some truth) that they had a Native American ancestor. The problem is that it matters and serves as a type of cultural currency.
Trump: Lost in Hysteria
The case against Trump is beginning to hinge on improbable future speculations (ie nuclear war) and specious claims: he is racist.
He had a good year one. I wouldn't bet it can continue, but Trump has proven me and everyone else wrong time and time again.
The case against Trump is beginning to hinge on improbable future speculations (ie nuclear war) and specious claims: he is racist.
He had a good year one. I wouldn't bet it can continue, but Trump has proven me and everyone else wrong time and time again.
Wednesday, January 17, 2018
Tuesday, January 16, 2018
Logging
Films: The Disaster Artist and Hostiles
The Disaster Artist might be an excellent movie and even though I didn't love it as much as 3 Billboards, I hope it'll win the Academy Award for the meta-story behind the movie. Still, I have mixed feelings about the whole thing. Feels like we're all laughing at the guy and not with the guy no matter the scale it goes to. To illustrate, I never had any interest in seeing The Room because it feels like the enjoyment comes from being a detached, ironic tourist of madness. Is there something wrong with this? I don't know, but I know it doesn't feel good. Then again, I love Fitzcarraldo, so I don't know...
Hostiles...my god...this film has the intellectual capacity of a rodent. Christian Bale and the setting and cinematography carry the first 20-30 minutes, but it really takes a narrative nose-dive at the midpoint and then totally jumps off a cliff toward the end. There are a few good action shootout sequences, but the "movie" fails its most basic storytelling function as plots are set up only to be abandoned and then completely new stories just pop up out of nowhere. The worst sin, however, is simply being mindlessly ideological, treating all the characters as mouthpieces for the radical political idea that the US Army *gasp* mistreated Native Americans. Jesus, this deserves a special place in the videostore for shit.
Films: The Disaster Artist and Hostiles
The Disaster Artist might be an excellent movie and even though I didn't love it as much as 3 Billboards, I hope it'll win the Academy Award for the meta-story behind the movie. Still, I have mixed feelings about the whole thing. Feels like we're all laughing at the guy and not with the guy no matter the scale it goes to. To illustrate, I never had any interest in seeing The Room because it feels like the enjoyment comes from being a detached, ironic tourist of madness. Is there something wrong with this? I don't know, but I know it doesn't feel good. Then again, I love Fitzcarraldo, so I don't know...
Hostiles...my god...this film has the intellectual capacity of a rodent. Christian Bale and the setting and cinematography carry the first 20-30 minutes, but it really takes a narrative nose-dive at the midpoint and then totally jumps off a cliff toward the end. There are a few good action shootout sequences, but the "movie" fails its most basic storytelling function as plots are set up only to be abandoned and then completely new stories just pop up out of nowhere. The worst sin, however, is simply being mindlessly ideological, treating all the characters as mouthpieces for the radical political idea that the US Army *gasp* mistreated Native Americans. Jesus, this deserves a special place in the videostore for shit.
Simultaneously Great and Terrible News
Saudi Arabia opens up movie theaters for first time in 30 years. First movies seen: ‘The Emoji Movie’ & ‘Captain Underpants’
Saudi Arabia opens up movie theaters for first time in 30 years. First movies seen: ‘The Emoji Movie’ & ‘Captain Underpants’
Monday, January 15, 2018
The Atlantic
Caitlin Flanagan on Nov 11: The Hell With The Witch-Hunt Debate.
Caitlin Flanagan on Jan 11: Wait, This Is A Witch-Hunt
Liberals have made their bed on this stuff with empowering grievances. Now they get to sleep in it.
Caitlin Flanagan on Nov 11: The Hell With The Witch-Hunt Debate.
Caitlin Flanagan on Jan 11: Wait, This Is A Witch-Hunt
Liberals have made their bed on this stuff with empowering grievances. Now they get to sleep in it.
Sunday, January 14, 2018
Depression
Is everything we think we know about depression wrong?
Or, more accurately, is everything we know about depression from the marking departments of drug companies that sell anti-depressants.
One of the biggest scandals, I think, that will sometime break will be about how drug companies are controlling the narrative on how we think about health.
I think it is highly probable that our entire conversation about transgenderism is being funded by companies who sell puberty blockers and hormones that transgender patients will need to take for the rest of their lives. It would be very good for them if health insurance companies are politically forced into paying for those drugs for as large a patient pool as possible. Ask yourself this: is this paranoid scenario more likely or is it more likely that for 10s of thousands of years there have been countless number of human beings walking around in bodies that aren't really who they are? I say we ask a smart computer the question.
Is everything we think we know about depression wrong?
Or, more accurately, is everything we know about depression from the marking departments of drug companies that sell anti-depressants.
One of the biggest scandals, I think, that will sometime break will be about how drug companies are controlling the narrative on how we think about health.
I think it is highly probable that our entire conversation about transgenderism is being funded by companies who sell puberty blockers and hormones that transgender patients will need to take for the rest of their lives. It would be very good for them if health insurance companies are politically forced into paying for those drugs for as large a patient pool as possible. Ask yourself this: is this paranoid scenario more likely or is it more likely that for 10s of thousands of years there have been countless number of human beings walking around in bodies that aren't really who they are? I say we ask a smart computer the question.
Friday, January 12, 2018
More African Immigrants
Tyler Cowen says let's have more. I agree. I've had awesome experiences teaching students from Nigeria and Rwanda -- I found the students to be intelligent, kind, respectful, and intellectually curious.
Tyler Cowen says let's have more. I agree. I've had awesome experiences teaching students from Nigeria and Rwanda -- I found the students to be intelligent, kind, respectful, and intellectually curious.
A Bad Idea
A feminist prof recommends men take drugs and undergo complicated medical procedures to be able to breast feed.
Trying to pacify folks like this is akin to handing Hitler Czechoslovakia.
A feminist prof recommends men take drugs and undergo complicated medical procedures to be able to breast feed.
Trying to pacify folks like this is akin to handing Hitler Czechoslovakia.
A Few Random Thoughts on Money, Investing, Etc.
1) In my adult working life I cannot remember a time where stocks were this robust and positive. That suggests to me - a "buy and hold"guy - that it may be worth taking some earnings. And if not now, when?
2) Most financial anxieties can be resolved by holding more cash.
3) The easiest way to get more cash is to work more.
4) Diversification is good, but often misunderstood and misused. For instance, I once heard of someone who diversified by investing in a series of different Target Date funds. Also, diversification can easily justify buying or holding unwise investments (bitcoin, gold, etc).
5) Getting married is probably the best financial decision one can make, provided it's a good marriage.
6) The easiest mistake to make is to buy too much house or spend too much on housing (particularly in CA)
7) I think the financial advice world undervalues individual stock purchases for the same reason doctors often prescribe overly cautious medical approaches. They don't want poop on their face. But remember, it costs nothing to hold onto a stock (unlike a mutual fund or ETF, which although they might have small fees, always have some fees). And also, it's not difficult to identify Blue Chip stocks. And also, it's kinda fun to own a company. I'm not saying invest all your money into a single stock, but many folks caution against buying any single stock at all. And while there is risk a company can take a shit like Enron, it's also possible a company can go gangbusters - look at stocks like McDonalds, Home Depot, Apple, or Disney where you get an outsized return on investment within a certain time period.
8) Finances, like a lot of things, are about developing good habits. I don't have the patience to budget, so instead put into place a forced savings amount each month. Its worked for me. The best habit is to live on less money than you make. In that case, 100% of the time you will be okay.
9) If you know nothing, absolutely zero about investing and don't want to learn it, probably just regularly putting money into a Target Date fund, holding a cash pile, and buying a house when it makes sense is going to set you up fine.
10) Being unemployed sucks worse and does more harm than most people think. The idea behind unemployment insurance is to not be pressured into taking a job that doesn't meet your skillset, but I think it's probably better to get whatever job you can while you are looking for a better job if for no other reason than to keep your mind occupied and your sense of self worth higher. Plus, you might learn something or meet interesting people. Then again, I've never been any type of Executive where is seems like different rule sets apply.
11) Buying shit like clothes, gadgets, toys etc rarely gives me the pleasure I expect whereas with buying experiences like travel, good restaurants, parties, etc., I have almost never regretted even when it wasn't necessarily pleasurable. If that makes sense.
12) You don't get to take it with you, although you do get to give it to people you love.
13) I'd personally like to become more generous.
14) The only kind of debt payment that doesn't make me want to shoot myself in the face is a mortgage, but I suspect maybe it should.
15) If investing gives you anxiety, so should inflation.
16) Many tough decisions become easier when framed by a longer timeline. That is: will this current choice be good for me in 5, 10, 20 years, etc.
17) My real estate agent called money "just numbers in a bank account" getting transferred into home value, but if you need to eat or more likely, buy a new car or pay for daycare, you can't exactly sell the study or a portion of the master bedroom to pay for it.
18) The time to ask for a raise is not when you need it, but when you have leverage. The hard part is identifying when you have leverage -- most regular people are not good at it.
19) I'd bet planning for "best case scenarios" gets people in more trouble than planning for "worst case scenarios."
20) Eating well and exercising is cheaper than the health costs of not.
21) You will have health costs that far exceed what you think you should pay. Plan accordingly.
22) Remember when you buy stuff, you also need to buy space to hold it.
23) Anxiety and frustration may be a sign you are doing things wrong, but it also might be a sign you are growing and learning.
24) Developing avenues of money-making not tied to your labor is a good expenditure of time.
I guess I had more thoughts on this matter than I thought when I sat down to write this post.
1) In my adult working life I cannot remember a time where stocks were this robust and positive. That suggests to me - a "buy and hold"guy - that it may be worth taking some earnings. And if not now, when?
2) Most financial anxieties can be resolved by holding more cash.
3) The easiest way to get more cash is to work more.
4) Diversification is good, but often misunderstood and misused. For instance, I once heard of someone who diversified by investing in a series of different Target Date funds. Also, diversification can easily justify buying or holding unwise investments (bitcoin, gold, etc).
5) Getting married is probably the best financial decision one can make, provided it's a good marriage.
6) The easiest mistake to make is to buy too much house or spend too much on housing (particularly in CA)
7) I think the financial advice world undervalues individual stock purchases for the same reason doctors often prescribe overly cautious medical approaches. They don't want poop on their face. But remember, it costs nothing to hold onto a stock (unlike a mutual fund or ETF, which although they might have small fees, always have some fees). And also, it's not difficult to identify Blue Chip stocks. And also, it's kinda fun to own a company. I'm not saying invest all your money into a single stock, but many folks caution against buying any single stock at all. And while there is risk a company can take a shit like Enron, it's also possible a company can go gangbusters - look at stocks like McDonalds, Home Depot, Apple, or Disney where you get an outsized return on investment within a certain time period.
8) Finances, like a lot of things, are about developing good habits. I don't have the patience to budget, so instead put into place a forced savings amount each month. Its worked for me. The best habit is to live on less money than you make. In that case, 100% of the time you will be okay.
9) If you know nothing, absolutely zero about investing and don't want to learn it, probably just regularly putting money into a Target Date fund, holding a cash pile, and buying a house when it makes sense is going to set you up fine.
10) Being unemployed sucks worse and does more harm than most people think. The idea behind unemployment insurance is to not be pressured into taking a job that doesn't meet your skillset, but I think it's probably better to get whatever job you can while you are looking for a better job if for no other reason than to keep your mind occupied and your sense of self worth higher. Plus, you might learn something or meet interesting people. Then again, I've never been any type of Executive where is seems like different rule sets apply.
11) Buying shit like clothes, gadgets, toys etc rarely gives me the pleasure I expect whereas with buying experiences like travel, good restaurants, parties, etc., I have almost never regretted even when it wasn't necessarily pleasurable. If that makes sense.
12) You don't get to take it with you, although you do get to give it to people you love.
13) I'd personally like to become more generous.
14) The only kind of debt payment that doesn't make me want to shoot myself in the face is a mortgage, but I suspect maybe it should.
15) If investing gives you anxiety, so should inflation.
16) Many tough decisions become easier when framed by a longer timeline. That is: will this current choice be good for me in 5, 10, 20 years, etc.
17) My real estate agent called money "just numbers in a bank account" getting transferred into home value, but if you need to eat or more likely, buy a new car or pay for daycare, you can't exactly sell the study or a portion of the master bedroom to pay for it.
18) The time to ask for a raise is not when you need it, but when you have leverage. The hard part is identifying when you have leverage -- most regular people are not good at it.
19) I'd bet planning for "best case scenarios" gets people in more trouble than planning for "worst case scenarios."
20) Eating well and exercising is cheaper than the health costs of not.
21) You will have health costs that far exceed what you think you should pay. Plan accordingly.
22) Remember when you buy stuff, you also need to buy space to hold it.
23) Anxiety and frustration may be a sign you are doing things wrong, but it also might be a sign you are growing and learning.
24) Developing avenues of money-making not tied to your labor is a good expenditure of time.
I guess I had more thoughts on this matter than I thought when I sat down to write this post.
Tuesday, January 09, 2018
Tesla
A review. I've glanced at a couple reviews, and none of them are short. They all sing high praises. I remain unconvinced.
I'm a Tesla-bear for the simple reason that I wouldn't buy one. Why? First, the cost. Tesla 3 is supposed to be a medium-cost consumer car, yet they trudge out a $55K version to be tested. I find this very strange. They pitch a 35K car and then test drive a 55K car. That'd be like shopping for a topline Toyota Camry and then test driving an M3, and thinking Jeez, that was a good driving experience. NO SHIT!
Second: convenience. To me, an EV needs to be extra special to merit the cost because I don't know how or where to charge them whereas I know how to get gas.
Third: Value uncertainty. If I spend 30K on a Subaru, I know I'm getting a car that can go cross country, handle well in snow, handle poor weather, and will last 200,000 miles and upwards of 10-15 years. I know there are an abundance of Subaru mechanics who can work on the cars for a relatively reasonable cost. I know there are new parts. I know there is a resale market if I decide a need a different car. With Tesla, I have no idea how much new batteries cost. I have no idea even what parts are needed. I have no idea how much those parts cost, how often one will need one. I have no idea who I would call if the car didn't work one day. I have no idea if it would easy to be a sell a used one if I didn't like it.
I'm generally in favor of being an early adopter of new technology and paying the premium to move into the future. But for me the cost and risk is too high on this car. Plus, for 55K you're talking luxury. I'd go with a BMW or Audi.
I suppose you get some virtue points for buying Tesla. 55K seems a lot of pay for it.
A review. I've glanced at a couple reviews, and none of them are short. They all sing high praises. I remain unconvinced.
I'm a Tesla-bear for the simple reason that I wouldn't buy one. Why? First, the cost. Tesla 3 is supposed to be a medium-cost consumer car, yet they trudge out a $55K version to be tested. I find this very strange. They pitch a 35K car and then test drive a 55K car. That'd be like shopping for a topline Toyota Camry and then test driving an M3, and thinking Jeez, that was a good driving experience. NO SHIT!
Second: convenience. To me, an EV needs to be extra special to merit the cost because I don't know how or where to charge them whereas I know how to get gas.
Third: Value uncertainty. If I spend 30K on a Subaru, I know I'm getting a car that can go cross country, handle well in snow, handle poor weather, and will last 200,000 miles and upwards of 10-15 years. I know there are an abundance of Subaru mechanics who can work on the cars for a relatively reasonable cost. I know there are new parts. I know there is a resale market if I decide a need a different car. With Tesla, I have no idea how much new batteries cost. I have no idea even what parts are needed. I have no idea how much those parts cost, how often one will need one. I have no idea who I would call if the car didn't work one day. I have no idea if it would easy to be a sell a used one if I didn't like it.
I'm generally in favor of being an early adopter of new technology and paying the premium to move into the future. But for me the cost and risk is too high on this car. Plus, for 55K you're talking luxury. I'd go with a BMW or Audi.
I suppose you get some virtue points for buying Tesla. 55K seems a lot of pay for it.
Brooks on Trump
He's mostly right. It does seem like Trump's "crazy" is now at least partially by design. Sort of a "bad cop" routine that serves as a distraction to his political enemies, while his other hand is competently putting into place policies he was elected to do.
He's mostly right. It does seem like Trump's "crazy" is now at least partially by design. Sort of a "bad cop" routine that serves as a distraction to his political enemies, while his other hand is competently putting into place policies he was elected to do.
I'm With Them
French artists defend men's right to hit on women.
As Woody Allen says at the end of Hollywood Ending, "Thank God for the French."
French artists defend men's right to hit on women.
As Woody Allen says at the end of Hollywood Ending, "Thank God for the French."
Monday, January 08, 2018
Aspirational Faith
I believe this article pertains to writing. But maybe that's me seeing something that isn't there.
I believe this article pertains to writing. But maybe that's me seeing something that isn't there.
Weird
Damore files discrimination lawsuit against Google.
It's no secret being a Republican in certain industries is frowned upon.
Damore files discrimination lawsuit against Google.
It's no secret being a Republican in certain industries is frowned upon.
Thursday, January 04, 2018
Tuesday, January 02, 2018
Insanity
A sports columnist compares Jimmy G's last five games with the Niners (2017) to Colin K's last five games with the Niners (2016).
A sports columnist compares Jimmy G's last five games with the Niners (2017) to Colin K's last five games with the Niners (2016).
When the team and the coaching was great, so was Kaepernick. And when the team had given up on him and on themselves, he was still pretty damned good. It’s insulting to pretend like the 49ers were the Browns or the Texans, suffering mercilessly while bad quarterbacks cycled through their starting lineup like the world’s crappiest parade. They needed better general managing and a real head coach, not a new QB.Somehow he neglected to mention Jimmy G's record was 5-0 and Colin K's record was 0-5. But who really cares about wins and losses, right?
Sunday, December 31, 2017
How To Get a Car For (Relatively) Free
Did a little car shopping over the break and the whole financing thing comes up. Sometimes you'll hear someone argue for the benefits of a car lease. The only benefit I see is buying more car than you can afford. Here is a simple example of the math on a lease based upon my own experience owning my car for 15 years.
Car lease cost - $300 a month. This is neither cheap or expensive. I think you can get a cheap car lease for $200, but it's common to see people paying $400 a month.
Car lease cost = $3600 a year.
Assuming you took that money and put into the stock market instead at a modest 5% return per year, it'd accumulate to $85,166. About $27K of that in interest alone.
I think you can buy a new car for $27K, or, that is the amount of interest accumulated from not leasing.
*Granted this is comparing apples and oranges, assumes one has enough money in the first place to buy a car outright vs leasing and perhaps there is additional pleasure to be gained from driving a new car every 3 years vs being stuck in an old one. But it also demonstrates how one type of behavior leads one into spinning ones wheels like a mouse in a cage whereas the other one can enrich you, if that were a personal goal.
Did a little car shopping over the break and the whole financing thing comes up. Sometimes you'll hear someone argue for the benefits of a car lease. The only benefit I see is buying more car than you can afford. Here is a simple example of the math on a lease based upon my own experience owning my car for 15 years.
Car lease cost - $300 a month. This is neither cheap or expensive. I think you can get a cheap car lease for $200, but it's common to see people paying $400 a month.
Car lease cost = $3600 a year.
Assuming you took that money and put into the stock market instead at a modest 5% return per year, it'd accumulate to $85,166. About $27K of that in interest alone.
I think you can buy a new car for $27K, or, that is the amount of interest accumulated from not leasing.
*Granted this is comparing apples and oranges, assumes one has enough money in the first place to buy a car outright vs leasing and perhaps there is additional pleasure to be gained from driving a new car every 3 years vs being stuck in an old one. But it also demonstrates how one type of behavior leads one into spinning ones wheels like a mouse in a cage whereas the other one can enrich you, if that were a personal goal.
Various and Likely Incoherent Thoughts As 2017 Comes to an End...
Obviously, it was the year of Trump...and it seems to me to have gone much better than many of the pessimistic prognosticators predicted. No new wars. In fact the opposite: the destruction of ISIS. The stock market went gangbusters. And the meritocratic elite with their PC-corporatist values got put on notice that their power and hold over the American culture knows limits. Cleary, with Trump, things could go wrong in the future and the increasing of the national debt is worrisome - but it's not like Bush, Obama, or any electable national politician would've been doing something about the debt, either. I didn't vote for Trump, nor would go back and vote for him again. My basic assessment that he's too "risky" a figure stands. But that's not to say I don't think his presidency could end up being a rather good thing. How I hold these two seemingly contradictory beliefs, I hope, is evidence that I hold a first rate intelligence.
On another note: Trump seems to have been quite productive in a number of areas. He satisfied conservatives with his judicial appointments. He reset the negotiating terms on a number of foreign policy issues (which may be good or bad, it is way to soon to tell). He passed a sneaky good tax reform, that as a competitive poker, board, and fantasy game player, I sort of admire. He did five things with his tax plan:
1) Political - Positive Action: Passed legislation that will give tax cuts to 80% of Americans and therefore be welcome. For better or worse, this is the best thing Republicans represent to Americans (myself included) -- being the party of tax cuts. We can go 'round and 'round whether this is a good thing or not, but this is one of the few "winner" political issues for Republicans.
2) Political - Negative Action: Screws his political enemies in NYC and CA (which include me) via the mortgage interest deduction limitation and other disincentives to itemizing. As a strategy board game player, one must admire the cleverness of such a move.
3) Policy Action: Undermined Obamacare through the backdoor when he couldn't get rid of it. Also, very clever, using Obamacare's poorly constructed design against itself.
4) Policy Action: Making a move towards a simplification of the tax code.
5) Policy Action: Encouraging the value of business vs. the value of property. Probably a good thing.
Obviously, it was the year of Trump...and it seems to me to have gone much better than many of the pessimistic prognosticators predicted. No new wars. In fact the opposite: the destruction of ISIS. The stock market went gangbusters. And the meritocratic elite with their PC-corporatist values got put on notice that their power and hold over the American culture knows limits. Cleary, with Trump, things could go wrong in the future and the increasing of the national debt is worrisome - but it's not like Bush, Obama, or any electable national politician would've been doing something about the debt, either. I didn't vote for Trump, nor would go back and vote for him again. My basic assessment that he's too "risky" a figure stands. But that's not to say I don't think his presidency could end up being a rather good thing. How I hold these two seemingly contradictory beliefs, I hope, is evidence that I hold a first rate intelligence.
On another note: Trump seems to have been quite productive in a number of areas. He satisfied conservatives with his judicial appointments. He reset the negotiating terms on a number of foreign policy issues (which may be good or bad, it is way to soon to tell). He passed a sneaky good tax reform, that as a competitive poker, board, and fantasy game player, I sort of admire. He did five things with his tax plan:
1) Political - Positive Action: Passed legislation that will give tax cuts to 80% of Americans and therefore be welcome. For better or worse, this is the best thing Republicans represent to Americans (myself included) -- being the party of tax cuts. We can go 'round and 'round whether this is a good thing or not, but this is one of the few "winner" political issues for Republicans.
2) Political - Negative Action: Screws his political enemies in NYC and CA (which include me) via the mortgage interest deduction limitation and other disincentives to itemizing. As a strategy board game player, one must admire the cleverness of such a move.
3) Policy Action: Undermined Obamacare through the backdoor when he couldn't get rid of it. Also, very clever, using Obamacare's poorly constructed design against itself.
4) Policy Action: Making a move towards a simplification of the tax code.
5) Policy Action: Encouraging the value of business vs. the value of property. Probably a good thing.
Thursday, December 21, 2017
Logging
The Last Jedi - felt like I was watching a mixed tape of Star Wars, which beats listening to a cover band (A Force Awakens). Rogue One is the best one since the original series, IMO.
I, Tonya - biggest delightful surprise of the year.
3 Billboards - my favorite movie of the year.
Downsizing - I missed significant portions. Felt not totally well put together, but I don't get the hate for the film. Strikes me as more interesting than Get Out, which is getting praised as the best film of the year.
Dunkirk - strikes me as only worth seeing in IMAX. And quite worth it.
Get Out - fell asleep 3 times before completing it.
The Last Jedi - felt like I was watching a mixed tape of Star Wars, which beats listening to a cover band (A Force Awakens). Rogue One is the best one since the original series, IMO.
I, Tonya - biggest delightful surprise of the year.
3 Billboards - my favorite movie of the year.
Downsizing - I missed significant portions. Felt not totally well put together, but I don't get the hate for the film. Strikes me as more interesting than Get Out, which is getting praised as the best film of the year.
Dunkirk - strikes me as only worth seeing in IMAX. And quite worth it.
Get Out - fell asleep 3 times before completing it.
Thursday, December 14, 2017
Simultaneously Annoying and Correct
Interview between Jeffrey Goldberg and Nikole Hanna-Jones re public schools. She nails it here re: liberals:
Yeah. But what you want is a majority-white school with a small number of black kids and a good number of Latino, a good number of Asian. That makes you feel very good about yourself because you feel like your child is getting this beautiful integrated experience. The problem is that the public schools in New York City are 70 percent black and Latino.
So, for you to have your beautiful diversity, that means that most black and Latino kids get absolutely none. The tolerance for increasing particularly the percentage of black kids is very low, and even lower if those black kids are poor. No white parents in New York City mind having my kid in their school because they feel like I’m on their level. But if you get too many of kids like mine who are black but poor, there’s very little tolerance.When I was in high school, I flirted with the idea of banning private schools because it would force public schools to be better. Now that I'm older, I'm highly skeptical any such project would work and that we benefit from having choice - it moderates public schools, which could easily otherwise deteriorate into DMV-like conditions.
Here's a thought for someone who's primary goal in life is the advancement of African Americans (this is not my primary goal in life, that is why I suggest it for someone else) -- instead of trying to improve outcomes for ALL African Americans across the entire country by trying to shame liberals into big, huge, sweeping political changes, just go to one of these so called "lousy" schools with majority African American / Latino children and turn it into a great school. I don't think this would be rocket science. You could easily get the money and resources to do it. Because you just need one local example. I can almost guarantee you'd have white families banging down the doors trying to get their kids in the school IF it were providing a good education. And if not...then a) you'd have a good evidence whites are racists and b) you'd have a great school and wouldn't really care.
If it worked, Control-Copy-Paste elsewhere.
Monday, December 11, 2017
So Much Winning
Why didn't the "Arab street" protest the Jerusalem announcement?
My guess: they have more important things to do with their time and American and European Liberals are painfully ignorant about what Palestinians and other Arabs actually think and feel.
Why didn't the "Arab street" protest the Jerusalem announcement?
My guess: they have more important things to do with their time and American and European Liberals are painfully ignorant about what Palestinians and other Arabs actually think and feel.
Wednesday, December 06, 2017
Good Point
For those attracted to relativism:
"If nothing is true, then no one can criticize power, because there is no basis upon which to do so."
For those attracted to relativism:
"If nothing is true, then no one can criticize power, because there is no basis upon which to do so."
Monday, December 04, 2017
Imagine
If Trump pulled off a Middle East peace deal.
I know years of focusing on the Palestinian issue hasn't gotten anywhere, so to shift the focus to confronting/making a bulwark against Iran may not be such a dumb idea at all.
If Trump pulled off a Middle East peace deal.
I know years of focusing on the Palestinian issue hasn't gotten anywhere, so to shift the focus to confronting/making a bulwark against Iran may not be such a dumb idea at all.
Sunday, December 03, 2017
Machado De Assis
These NFL anthem protests are beginning to resemble a Machado De Assis aburd novella.
The incoherence of all parties is beginning to turn comic. None of it makes any sense whatsoever. Nobody even knows what is being protested anymore.
Everyone should read The Alienist.
These NFL anthem protests are beginning to resemble a Machado De Assis aburd novella.
The incoherence of all parties is beginning to turn comic. None of it makes any sense whatsoever. Nobody even knows what is being protested anymore.
Everyone should read The Alienist.
Saturday, December 02, 2017
Fake News
ABC suspends senior news correspondent for "not properly vetting" the story about Flynn testifying against Trump.
For all the hysteria about Trump, it'd strengthen the case against him if he didn't end up being right so often.
ABC suspends senior news correspondent for "not properly vetting" the story about Flynn testifying against Trump.
For all the hysteria about Trump, it'd strengthen the case against him if he didn't end up being right so often.
Sunday, November 26, 2017
Very Interesting
The real reason for the rise of the 1% from the NY Times. They're political.
This year, the Brookings Institution’s Richard Reeves wrote a book about how people in the upper middle class have shaped both legal and cultural norms to their advantage. From different perspectives, Joseph Stiglitz, Robert Reich and Luigi Zingales have also written extensively about how the political power of elites has undermined markets.
Problems cited by these analysts include subsidies for the financial sector’s risk-taking; overprotection of software and pharmaceutical patents; the escalation of land-use controls that drive up rents in desirable metropolitan areas; favoritism toward market incumbents via state occupational licensing regulations (for example, associations representing lawyers, doctors and dentists that block efforts allowing paraprofessionals to provide routine services at a lower price without their supervision). These are just some of the causes contributing to the 1 percent’s high and rising income share. Reforming relevant laws can make markets more efficient and egalitarian, and in contrast with trade, immigration and technology, the political causes of the 1 percent’s rise are directly under the control of citizens.Gosh, if you'd just take it one step further, you might start thinking about voting for Trump and draining the swamp of all this corruption.
Saturday, November 25, 2017
Good
Justice League is crashing and burning and threatens to bring down the studio.
Studios are way overinvested in comic book movies and intellectual property and way under invested in originality. It will take a major event to disrupt this trend. Here's hoping this is it.
Justice League is crashing and burning and threatens to bring down the studio.
Studios are way overinvested in comic book movies and intellectual property and way under invested in originality. It will take a major event to disrupt this trend. Here's hoping this is it.
Does Easy Divorce Leads to Assortative Mating?
Interesting.
Interesting.
These are my words, not hers, but I think of this as yet another way that elites selfishly have pushed for looser social and sexual and romantic norms, without much worrying about the resulting broader impact on inequality and lower earners and the less educated.Best way to prevent various forms of child abuse is having the biological father in the home, especially amongst the poor and most vulnerable.
Thursday, November 23, 2017
Ummm...Okay
"To hell with the witch-hunt debate."
No surprise the Atlantic writer thinks everything about this sexual harassment moment is A-OK. Time will tell. Meanwhile, in other news, man admits it would be a difficult choice between his wife and his sex robot.
I expect we'll be seeing a lot more of this.
"To hell with the witch-hunt debate."
No surprise the Atlantic writer thinks everything about this sexual harassment moment is A-OK. Time will tell. Meanwhile, in other news, man admits it would be a difficult choice between his wife and his sex robot.
I expect we'll be seeing a lot more of this.
Tuesday, November 21, 2017
Big Brother Is Here
And this is what he sounds like.
The Canadian Universities (at least the one here represented) have allowed these folks to put in policies designed to punish undesirable thought and speech. The entire thing is super creepy.
And this is what he sounds like.
The Canadian Universities (at least the one here represented) have allowed these folks to put in policies designed to punish undesirable thought and speech. The entire thing is super creepy.
Kaepernick Will Fight Harsh Sentencing Practices
I hope he's better at it than reading NFL defenses.
I hope he's better at it than reading NFL defenses.
John Lassister and Charlie Rose
I called it a witchhunt from the beginning. Just fyi, all the feminists and outraged SJW who think they making the world a better place are going to be remembered like their predecessors: the hysterics of the Salem Witch Trials, the Russian Anarchists, and the Maoists in China.
Remember, these are the people who watch the Handmaids Tale as an allegory for the present times -- but they are the ones we ought to fear grabbing power.
I called it a witchhunt from the beginning. Just fyi, all the feminists and outraged SJW who think they making the world a better place are going to be remembered like their predecessors: the hysterics of the Salem Witch Trials, the Russian Anarchists, and the Maoists in China.
Remember, these are the people who watch the Handmaids Tale as an allegory for the present times -- but they are the ones we ought to fear grabbing power.
Plastic Bag Bans
95% of all world plastic bag pollution comes from five countries: China, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam and Sri Lanka.
When I was in China, I noticed a lot of garbage on the ground. Everywhere.
95% of all world plastic bag pollution comes from five countries: China, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam and Sri Lanka.
When I was in China, I noticed a lot of garbage on the ground. Everywhere.
Friday, November 17, 2017
Thursday, November 16, 2017
Al Franken and Sly Stallone
This is sexual hysteria. For all those excited about this 5th wave feminism, and point to the truthiness of the allegations, remember that Joe McCarthy was in some sense RIGHT about Communists having infiltrated the government and Hollywood, but it didn't make the witchhunt less awful.
Plus, this isn't about justice. It's about exposure and toppling people, which is easy. Recall the old Soviet police chief who said, "Show me the man, I'll show you the crime."
We are not going to like the world we are making.
This is sexual hysteria. For all those excited about this 5th wave feminism, and point to the truthiness of the allegations, remember that Joe McCarthy was in some sense RIGHT about Communists having infiltrated the government and Hollywood, but it didn't make the witchhunt less awful.
Plus, this isn't about justice. It's about exposure and toppling people, which is easy. Recall the old Soviet police chief who said, "Show me the man, I'll show you the crime."
We are not going to like the world we are making.
Wednesday, November 15, 2017
Thought Experiment
For all the NFL fans who think Kaepernick "should" be a on team, the very framing of the question is wrong. A fan ought to take the position: I think my team should sign Kaepernick. Otherwise, all the rest is bullshit. Either you believe your time should sign him, or you should shut up. It's like saying - someone else should invest in Tesla.
For all the NFL fans who think Kaepernick "should" be a on team, the very framing of the question is wrong. A fan ought to take the position: I think my team should sign Kaepernick. Otherwise, all the rest is bullshit. Either you believe your time should sign him, or you should shut up. It's like saying - someone else should invest in Tesla.
Tuesday, November 07, 2017
Apple Cart
It's fun to topple the apple cart, but as the saying goes, then where do you go to get the apples?
It's fun to topple the apple cart, but as the saying goes, then where do you go to get the apples?
Monday, November 06, 2017
Mortgage Interest Deduction
It doesn't benefit me to eliminate the deduction as I recently bought a house -- and had this deduction in mind when paying for it. It saves me money.
Nevertheless, it's a terrible idea and I hope they'll trim it, and eventually get rid of it.
It doesn't benefit me to eliminate the deduction as I recently bought a house -- and had this deduction in mind when paying for it. It saves me money.
Nevertheless, it's a terrible idea and I hope they'll trim it, and eventually get rid of it.
Sunday, November 05, 2017
Logging
Musical: Hamilton
Overrated as a hip hop musical, but underrated as a pop representation of the Revolutionary period and Hamilton in general. What better way to get folks interested in the politics and dynamics of the founders? And what a terrific reminder of American exceptionalism. I thought the show captured the characters of the time period quite well and I imagine inspires many people to refresh their knowledge of the Federalist papers, dynamics of Jefferson vs. Hamilton, Washington, and perhaps a few more lesser known characters of the period: Schuyler sisters, Lafayette, etc.
I enjoyed the non-hip hop numbers (which there were many) to the hip hop, which reminded me of listening to Arrested Development in the early 1990s.
Film: Blade Runner 2049
Terrific ideas, but the pacing was too slow. Villeneuve makes too many movies if you ask me. I'd like to see a higher batting average from such a talent -- more like a Tarantino or Michael Mann career. Skip The Arrival and just do Blade Runner. For whatever my opinion is worth.
TV:
The Duece - The most Wire-esque of David Simon's post-Wire career. I enjoyed the show a lot, was taken aback by the finale, which I didn't even realize was a finale until he used the same musical montage ending that he did with each Wire seasons.
American Vandal - mock documentary. Is anything more in deserving of ridicule than Making a Murderer and those type of shows? Deals with the case of a high school idiot expelled for spray painting dicks on a bunch of cars. Rather enjoyable.
Mindhunter - my favorite Fincher work in a long while. Started terrific, got progressively less. Main character serviceable, but perhaps the least interesting in the show. More serial killer interviews -- they were the best part.
Books (reading):
World at Night - let's try again with this one. Starts off well. I'm searching for spy novels to enjoy beyond LeCarre. Alan Furst comes recommended.
The Last Kind Words Saloon - Larry McMurtry is the best. Even - maybe especially - his smaller works.
The Second World Wars - Military history is starting to fascinate me. Still cannot wrap my head around the scale of WW2.
The Complacent Class - impressive indictment of Americans today. We're way too complacent and fearful of risk. I think he's right, but it's an incredibly difficult cycle to break. Or maybe not so. We just do it.
Musical: Hamilton
Overrated as a hip hop musical, but underrated as a pop representation of the Revolutionary period and Hamilton in general. What better way to get folks interested in the politics and dynamics of the founders? And what a terrific reminder of American exceptionalism. I thought the show captured the characters of the time period quite well and I imagine inspires many people to refresh their knowledge of the Federalist papers, dynamics of Jefferson vs. Hamilton, Washington, and perhaps a few more lesser known characters of the period: Schuyler sisters, Lafayette, etc.
I enjoyed the non-hip hop numbers (which there were many) to the hip hop, which reminded me of listening to Arrested Development in the early 1990s.
Film: Blade Runner 2049
Terrific ideas, but the pacing was too slow. Villeneuve makes too many movies if you ask me. I'd like to see a higher batting average from such a talent -- more like a Tarantino or Michael Mann career. Skip The Arrival and just do Blade Runner. For whatever my opinion is worth.
TV:
The Duece - The most Wire-esque of David Simon's post-Wire career. I enjoyed the show a lot, was taken aback by the finale, which I didn't even realize was a finale until he used the same musical montage ending that he did with each Wire seasons.
American Vandal - mock documentary. Is anything more in deserving of ridicule than Making a Murderer and those type of shows? Deals with the case of a high school idiot expelled for spray painting dicks on a bunch of cars. Rather enjoyable.
Mindhunter - my favorite Fincher work in a long while. Started terrific, got progressively less. Main character serviceable, but perhaps the least interesting in the show. More serial killer interviews -- they were the best part.
Books (reading):
World at Night - let's try again with this one. Starts off well. I'm searching for spy novels to enjoy beyond LeCarre. Alan Furst comes recommended.
The Last Kind Words Saloon - Larry McMurtry is the best. Even - maybe especially - his smaller works.
The Second World Wars - Military history is starting to fascinate me. Still cannot wrap my head around the scale of WW2.
The Complacent Class - impressive indictment of Americans today. We're way too complacent and fearful of risk. I think he's right, but it's an incredibly difficult cycle to break. Or maybe not so. We just do it.
Saturday, November 04, 2017
Liberalism is Exhausted
Great article.
White guilt is not angst over injustices suffered by others; it is the terror of being stigmatized with America’s old bigotries—racism, sexism, homophobia and xenophobia. To be stigmatized as a fellow traveler with any of these bigotries is to be utterly stripped of moral authority and made into a pariah. The terror of this, of having “no name in the street” as the Bible puts it, pressures whites to act guiltily even when they feel no actual guilt.
White guilt is a mock guilt, a pretense of real guilt, a shallow etiquette of empathy, pity and regret. It is also the heart and soul of contemporary liberalism. This liberalism is the politics given to us by white guilt, and it shares white guilt’s central corruption. It is not real liberalism, in the classic sense. It is a mock liberalism. Freedom is not its raison d’être; moral authority is.
Friday, November 03, 2017
Yep
Democrats are failing the resistance. Sullivan does them no favors, however, by characterizing it as a resistance. By defining oneself in opposition to Trump, one is giving him all the power.
Democrats need ideas and principles. Here are a few:
1) Cut out this politically correct nonsense from the knees. Call out BLM as an organization fueling lies about policing. Table anything to do with the transgender agenda. Forget Colin Kaepernick and by all means, stop being mealy mouthed about the campus protests against Free Speech.
2) Restore Patriotism as a core idea to the party. Do not let the Republicans outmaneuver the Dems on this issue. Drape yourselves in the flag.
3) Come up with tangible policies designed for economic growth and jobs in the least well off areas of the country. Examples: payroll tax cuts for all lower wage jobs. Raising the minimum wage is a STUPID idea. It simply encourages automation and fewer jobs. We want people are the lower end of the income scale WORKING. Even if it's not enough initially to make a good living, get them working and learning skills and they can improve. Encourage dynamism, not stagnation. Minimum wage increases are stagnation - imagining people who work minimum wage jobs are going to be there forever. They are not.
4) Do SOMETHING about college tuition cost. One idea: schools are partially on the hook for unpaid loans. Another idea: scale back all Federal Student loans. Another idea: make them dischargeable in bankruptcy.
5) In areas with housing shortages, encourage more local housing development.
6) Make infrastructure investments: build more roads.
7) Simplify the tax code.
8) Criminal justice reform. As an olive branch to BLM, etc, focus an agenda on get non-violent black men less into the criminal justice system and more into the workforce. I don't have precise ideas here, but this could become a priority and would actually really help communities of color. It'd also be the right thing to do.
9) Return to a pragmatic foreign policy more focused on American interests and empowering allies than democracy promotion. It's not working.
Democrats are failing the resistance. Sullivan does them no favors, however, by characterizing it as a resistance. By defining oneself in opposition to Trump, one is giving him all the power.
Democrats need ideas and principles. Here are a few:
1) Cut out this politically correct nonsense from the knees. Call out BLM as an organization fueling lies about policing. Table anything to do with the transgender agenda. Forget Colin Kaepernick and by all means, stop being mealy mouthed about the campus protests against Free Speech.
2) Restore Patriotism as a core idea to the party. Do not let the Republicans outmaneuver the Dems on this issue. Drape yourselves in the flag.
3) Come up with tangible policies designed for economic growth and jobs in the least well off areas of the country. Examples: payroll tax cuts for all lower wage jobs. Raising the minimum wage is a STUPID idea. It simply encourages automation and fewer jobs. We want people are the lower end of the income scale WORKING. Even if it's not enough initially to make a good living, get them working and learning skills and they can improve. Encourage dynamism, not stagnation. Minimum wage increases are stagnation - imagining people who work minimum wage jobs are going to be there forever. They are not.
4) Do SOMETHING about college tuition cost. One idea: schools are partially on the hook for unpaid loans. Another idea: scale back all Federal Student loans. Another idea: make them dischargeable in bankruptcy.
5) In areas with housing shortages, encourage more local housing development.
6) Make infrastructure investments: build more roads.
7) Simplify the tax code.
8) Criminal justice reform. As an olive branch to BLM, etc, focus an agenda on get non-violent black men less into the criminal justice system and more into the workforce. I don't have precise ideas here, but this could become a priority and would actually really help communities of color. It'd also be the right thing to do.
9) Return to a pragmatic foreign policy more focused on American interests and empowering allies than democracy promotion. It's not working.
Good Luck With All That
Left wing fantatics protest viewing a 39 year old SNL video in class.
They are throwing away any chance of being able to function in the world, along with trashing what was once a great American institution: college. They should be fought every step of the way.
Left wing fantatics protest viewing a 39 year old SNL video in class.
They are throwing away any chance of being able to function in the world, along with trashing what was once a great American institution: college. They should be fought every step of the way.
Thursday, November 02, 2017
Torn ACL
DeShaun Watson tore his ACL and is done for the season. Too bad, his story was an exciting one. Although, in the one game I watched him, all the fantasy stats were accumulated during garbage time and I wasn't terribly impressed. Still...he's just a rookie. But in this story, Dabo Sweeney says Watson played with an ACL tear in Clemson.
That's insane. I've torn an ACL and you have no lateral movement. To play any sports which requires balance, to my mind, is insane. To play football? The most violent of all contact sports. I don't have words to describe...
...I love sports, I love football, I hope it doesn't go anywhere, and I like toughness, but this culture of putting oneself in danger is senseless.
DeShaun Watson tore his ACL and is done for the season. Too bad, his story was an exciting one. Although, in the one game I watched him, all the fantasy stats were accumulated during garbage time and I wasn't terribly impressed. Still...he's just a rookie. But in this story, Dabo Sweeney says Watson played with an ACL tear in Clemson.
That's insane. I've torn an ACL and you have no lateral movement. To play any sports which requires balance, to my mind, is insane. To play football? The most violent of all contact sports. I don't have words to describe...
...I love sports, I love football, I hope it doesn't go anywhere, and I like toughness, but this culture of putting oneself in danger is senseless.
Tuesday, October 31, 2017
Monday, October 30, 2017
I Relate
Wait a sec...these national anthem protests really are pissing people off!
A lot of these NFL players want the country to listen to them. Maybe they ought to spend a little time listening to the country...
Wait a sec...these national anthem protests really are pissing people off!
A lot of these NFL players want the country to listen to them. Maybe they ought to spend a little time listening to the country...
CONFESS!
Hollywood is being taken over by the Faith Militant and everyone is ratting each other out for crimes committed decades ago. Enter Kevin Spacey.
Everyone in Hwood knew all this about Spacey and I suspect some of the bitterness has to do with it no longer being fun, private info to show off being "in the know."
Plus, does anyone really want to a have a real discussion about this? How many gay men's first sexual experiences are with significantly older men? A hell of a lot, I imagine. Make this into a witchhunt and I guarantee people are not going to like the end result.
Sex is messy, sex is confusing, sex is dangerous. This is why the Victorians and Puritans were so interested in trying to control it. This new generation of SJW have no clue about the path they're going down and where it will lead.
PS: Just to be clear, I'm not condoning pedophilia. But I believe the way to handle crime is through the justice system, not twitter.
Hollywood is being taken over by the Faith Militant and everyone is ratting each other out for crimes committed decades ago. Enter Kevin Spacey.
Everyone in Hwood knew all this about Spacey and I suspect some of the bitterness has to do with it no longer being fun, private info to show off being "in the know."
Plus, does anyone really want to a have a real discussion about this? How many gay men's first sexual experiences are with significantly older men? A hell of a lot, I imagine. Make this into a witchhunt and I guarantee people are not going to like the end result.
Sex is messy, sex is confusing, sex is dangerous. This is why the Victorians and Puritans were so interested in trying to control it. This new generation of SJW have no clue about the path they're going down and where it will lead.
PS: Just to be clear, I'm not condoning pedophilia. But I believe the way to handle crime is through the justice system, not twitter.
Saturday, October 28, 2017
Not With A Bang, But A Whimper...
Reading, thinking, and talking about the NFL has become so tedious and boring, it the league shuttered tomorrow, I think it would be met with a collective sigh of relief. Maybe Americans would start going to the movies again.
Reading, thinking, and talking about the NFL has become so tedious and boring, it the league shuttered tomorrow, I think it would be met with a collective sigh of relief. Maybe Americans would start going to the movies again.
"Inmates"
Everyone is freaking out about Texans owner saying we can't have inmates running the prison, thus referring to NFL players as inmates. Of course, this "offense" is completely disingenuous and he should not apologize. "Inmates running the prison" is a common figure of speech. Can some man just stand up and say, "gimme a fucking break, we're men, not babies. We all know what he meant." But no, the inmates do in fact want to run the asylum. Good luck with it.
Everyone is freaking out about Texans owner saying we can't have inmates running the prison, thus referring to NFL players as inmates. Of course, this "offense" is completely disingenuous and he should not apologize. "Inmates running the prison" is a common figure of speech. Can some man just stand up and say, "gimme a fucking break, we're men, not babies. We all know what he meant." But no, the inmates do in fact want to run the asylum. Good luck with it.
On Safari in Trump's America
The Left's been shitting on America, and particularly middle America, for 40 plus years and they act dumbfounded when people resent them for it. Granted, they don't do it publicly, but anyone who's been to college knows what I'm talking about.
The Left's been shitting on America, and particularly middle America, for 40 plus years and they act dumbfounded when people resent them for it. Granted, they don't do it publicly, but anyone who's been to college knows what I'm talking about.
Tuesday, October 24, 2017
And Let the Witchhunts Begin...
Random actress accuses 93 year old wheelchair bound GWH Bush of sexual harassment.
All this anonymous public shaming, if not curtailed, will become worse than the supposed crimes being committed.
If people want to live in a world where stuff like this is litigated over the internet and by the mob, we're all in for a very rude awakening with lots of suffering. It's why we have a legal system.
Random actress accuses 93 year old wheelchair bound GWH Bush of sexual harassment.
All this anonymous public shaming, if not curtailed, will become worse than the supposed crimes being committed.
If people want to live in a world where stuff like this is litigated over the internet and by the mob, we're all in for a very rude awakening with lots of suffering. It's why we have a legal system.
Kap Is Running Out of Moves
Now he's shopping a book deal. Yikes.
Not ending well for him (as I predicted).
UPDATE: A Canadian football team reached out to him, but his agent hasn't responded. For a guy who says he wants to play football, Canada and the Arena League seem like viable options. It worked for Kurt Warner. But Kap cares most for the attention and football only as a means.
All this, if you ask me, is bad and only going to get worse for him over time. He's allowed himself to get hijacked by weirdos like Shaun King who will toss him aside when he's not longer the victim of the moment.
Now he's shopping a book deal. Yikes.
Not ending well for him (as I predicted).
UPDATE: A Canadian football team reached out to him, but his agent hasn't responded. For a guy who says he wants to play football, Canada and the Arena League seem like viable options. It worked for Kurt Warner. But Kap cares most for the attention and football only as a means.
All this, if you ask me, is bad and only going to get worse for him over time. He's allowed himself to get hijacked by weirdos like Shaun King who will toss him aside when he's not longer the victim of the moment.
Saturday, October 21, 2017
Immigration
Could be the issue that loses 2020 for the Democrats.
It was the issue that cost them 2016 and they haven't changed their tune a bit.
Could be the issue that loses 2020 for the Democrats.
It was the issue that cost them 2016 and they haven't changed their tune a bit.
The most powerful thing Trump said in the campaign, I’d argue, was: “If you don’t have borders, you don’t have a country.” And the Democrats had no answer, something that millions of Americans immediately saw. They still formally favor enforcement of immigration laws, but rhetorically, they keep signaling the opposite. Here is Dylan Matthews, also in Vox, expressing the emerging liberal consensus: “Personally, I think any center-left party worth its salt has to be deeply committed to egalitarianism, not just for people born in the U.S. but for everyone … It means treating people born outside the U.S. as equals … And it means a strong presumption in favor of open immigration.” Here’s Zack Beauchamp, a liberal friend of mine: “What if I told you that immigration restrictionism is and always has been racist?” Borders themselves are racist? Seriously?Drawing borders, or boundaries is what healthy, normal people want and need to function in life.
Friday, October 13, 2017
We Can Go Too Far
Amazing how all these brave voices are coming out of the woodwork to pile on their Harvey Weinstein horror stories.
Obviously, I'm no advocate for sexual harassment and rape, but we can go too far if we begin to imagine the purpose of Hollywood is eliminate sexism and uncomfortable sexual advances versus, selling movie and tv products. Just saying.
Amazing how all these brave voices are coming out of the woodwork to pile on their Harvey Weinstein horror stories.
Obviously, I'm no advocate for sexual harassment and rape, but we can go too far if we begin to imagine the purpose of Hollywood is eliminate sexism and uncomfortable sexual advances versus, selling movie and tv products. Just saying.
Wednesday, October 11, 2017
NFL Players Are Confused
Yes, they have a right to kneel for the national anthem, but they do not have a right to play in the NFL. A workplace is allowed to have rules. In and Out burger flippers, I'm sure, are not allowed "freedom of expression" to convey all their political opinions to every passing by customer. The players are alienating fans and the league with a dumb, unthinking political message. Good management and ownership would nip it in the bud. The reason this has been going on so long is bad, unclear leadership. The NBA isn't having the same issue.
Yes, they have a right to kneel for the national anthem, but they do not have a right to play in the NFL. A workplace is allowed to have rules. In and Out burger flippers, I'm sure, are not allowed "freedom of expression" to convey all their political opinions to every passing by customer. The players are alienating fans and the league with a dumb, unthinking political message. Good management and ownership would nip it in the bud. The reason this has been going on so long is bad, unclear leadership. The NBA isn't having the same issue.
Tuesday, October 10, 2017
The Sound of Silence
Would this Harvey Weinstein story be a Republican, would Hillary be this quiet?
This story is the nail in the coffin for the Clinton machine. The Democratic Party in shambles. The only question is whether Bill Clinton can somehow play defense for long enough before his own scandal breaks. I wouldn't bet on it with the way the world is going these days.
Would this Harvey Weinstein story be a Republican, would Hillary be this quiet?
This story is the nail in the coffin for the Clinton machine. The Democratic Party in shambles. The only question is whether Bill Clinton can somehow play defense for long enough before his own scandal breaks. I wouldn't bet on it with the way the world is going these days.
Monday, October 09, 2017
Weinstein
The story isn't about sexual harassment, it's about the media covering for an important Democrat.
It's not the lie, it's the cover up.
The story isn't about sexual harassment, it's about the media covering for an important Democrat.
It's not the lie, it's the cover up.
Brie Larson
Tweets about getting hit on by a TSA Agent and it causes a right wing uproar for her disdain of a normal guy. Now usually I'm on the guy's side in these cases -- guys have a right to make a move on a woman. I felt Clarence Thomas and Herm Cain both were fully within their rights to assume female attention suggested the possibility of sexual interest and therefore not in violation of any social norms (or especially, laws) by taking it one step further.
BUT...we're talking about Brie Larsen, who I like. And TSA Agents, who I don't like. First of all, Brie Larsen didn't request to be in a TSA line. She didn't rub elbows every day and develop a friendly, casual banter with the TSA guy. She was trapped there, like all of us, who must travel on planes. It's a miserable, unsexual situation. They search our stuff. Force us to remove our belts and shoes. They look through our wallets. And as far as I know, they have never caught a single terrorist. Now maybe this is just the world we live in now. And I understand maybe it works as a deterrent, but we've all been in those lines. The people working them are not the sharpest tools in the shed. They are slow, often inconsiderate, and generally unpleasant to be around. I would not want to be hit on by one of them. And Brie Larsen expressing disgust about it on twitter. THAT'S WHAT TWITTER IS FOR!
The Right wing populist weirdos are adopting the norms of the oversensitive left by whining about every last thing. I support Brie Larsen's right to be disgusted by TSA Agents. I often am.
Tweets about getting hit on by a TSA Agent and it causes a right wing uproar for her disdain of a normal guy. Now usually I'm on the guy's side in these cases -- guys have a right to make a move on a woman. I felt Clarence Thomas and Herm Cain both were fully within their rights to assume female attention suggested the possibility of sexual interest and therefore not in violation of any social norms (or especially, laws) by taking it one step further.
BUT...we're talking about Brie Larsen, who I like. And TSA Agents, who I don't like. First of all, Brie Larsen didn't request to be in a TSA line. She didn't rub elbows every day and develop a friendly, casual banter with the TSA guy. She was trapped there, like all of us, who must travel on planes. It's a miserable, unsexual situation. They search our stuff. Force us to remove our belts and shoes. They look through our wallets. And as far as I know, they have never caught a single terrorist. Now maybe this is just the world we live in now. And I understand maybe it works as a deterrent, but we've all been in those lines. The people working them are not the sharpest tools in the shed. They are slow, often inconsiderate, and generally unpleasant to be around. I would not want to be hit on by one of them. And Brie Larsen expressing disgust about it on twitter. THAT'S WHAT TWITTER IS FOR!
The Right wing populist weirdos are adopting the norms of the oversensitive left by whining about every last thing. I support Brie Larsen's right to be disgusted by TSA Agents. I often am.
The Anthem Protests...
...Continue to get even more incoherent. Jerry Jones says his players cannot disrespect the flag. Some of his players raise a fist during the anthem. He does nothing. Is that disrespecting the flag? I don't know. He doesn't know. They don't know. Nobody knows. The Miami Dolphin coach says no more kneeling, you can stay in the tunnel, but you can't kneel. Okay. So can we expect 32 teams doing 32 different things? An article says Kaepernick will stand for the anthem, but his girlfriend goes to twitter to rebutt. His girlfriend!!! It turns out the reporter was using months old info he released through his agent because Kaepernick planned to stand during the anthem. But that was before Trump got involved.
Trump is the genius in all this. He's giving rope to the Left to hang itself.
What started as an incoherent way to protest racism has now become an incoherent way to protest...nobody really knows. Honestly, does anyone know what is being protested? What does kneeling during the anthem even mean? That the United States flag symbolizes racism? That there is systematic racism in the US that needs to stop? That the ideals of the country are racist? That Donald Trump is President? That police need to stop using excessive force? That NFL fans are racist? That Republicans are bad? That players should have free speech? That players have a right to protest? That patriotism is problematic? The point is - nobody knows - and my biggest guess is that the players protesting least of all. Because if they knew what they were talking about, it would be significantly more clear.
In any case, I like watching football this year. I don't like listening to people talk about the protests because it makes us all dumber.
...Continue to get even more incoherent. Jerry Jones says his players cannot disrespect the flag. Some of his players raise a fist during the anthem. He does nothing. Is that disrespecting the flag? I don't know. He doesn't know. They don't know. Nobody knows. The Miami Dolphin coach says no more kneeling, you can stay in the tunnel, but you can't kneel. Okay. So can we expect 32 teams doing 32 different things? An article says Kaepernick will stand for the anthem, but his girlfriend goes to twitter to rebutt. His girlfriend!!! It turns out the reporter was using months old info he released through his agent because Kaepernick planned to stand during the anthem. But that was before Trump got involved.
Trump is the genius in all this. He's giving rope to the Left to hang itself.
What started as an incoherent way to protest racism has now become an incoherent way to protest...nobody really knows. Honestly, does anyone know what is being protested? What does kneeling during the anthem even mean? That the United States flag symbolizes racism? That there is systematic racism in the US that needs to stop? That the ideals of the country are racist? That Donald Trump is President? That police need to stop using excessive force? That NFL fans are racist? That Republicans are bad? That players should have free speech? That players have a right to protest? That patriotism is problematic? The point is - nobody knows - and my biggest guess is that the players protesting least of all. Because if they knew what they were talking about, it would be significantly more clear.
In any case, I like watching football this year. I don't like listening to people talk about the protests because it makes us all dumber.
Sunday Night
Football: Smith was incredible and continues an MVP year. Chiefs lost two important offensive players to injuries, though. They are getting near a breaking point, which would be terrible since they're playing so well. I think when Mike Nolan drafted Smith, this is the type of offense he imagined. Smith has never had the weapons. Never had a true #1 receiver who gets guys on their heels. Now he has one: Hill. With a great TE and and awesome new RB, and confidence, he's showing why he was a #1 pick over Rodgers in the first place.
Too bad for the Texans, losing Watt and Marcellus (sp). Because they have an exciting new team. But before everyone starts heaping on too much about Watson -- those 2-3 touchdowns toward the end of the game were a) garbage time and b) lucky. I mean, there were just a couple of hail mary type throws that the Chiefs were giving about 75% since the game was out of reach. I'd be a bit wary on anointing Watson just yet. He looked a bit Russell Wilson-y to me. Which is a complement, but I also think Wilson is a tad overrated.
The Deuce: Easily my favorite show on TV. I love it.
Curb: I laugh a few times, but it's a bit geriatric. Also, I've seen a lot of the jokes before. Love JB Smoothe, though.
Football: Smith was incredible and continues an MVP year. Chiefs lost two important offensive players to injuries, though. They are getting near a breaking point, which would be terrible since they're playing so well. I think when Mike Nolan drafted Smith, this is the type of offense he imagined. Smith has never had the weapons. Never had a true #1 receiver who gets guys on their heels. Now he has one: Hill. With a great TE and and awesome new RB, and confidence, he's showing why he was a #1 pick over Rodgers in the first place.
Too bad for the Texans, losing Watt and Marcellus (sp). Because they have an exciting new team. But before everyone starts heaping on too much about Watson -- those 2-3 touchdowns toward the end of the game were a) garbage time and b) lucky. I mean, there were just a couple of hail mary type throws that the Chiefs were giving about 75% since the game was out of reach. I'd be a bit wary on anointing Watson just yet. He looked a bit Russell Wilson-y to me. Which is a complement, but I also think Wilson is a tad overrated.
The Deuce: Easily my favorite show on TV. I love it.
Curb: I laugh a few times, but it's a bit geriatric. Also, I've seen a lot of the jokes before. Love JB Smoothe, though.
Saturday, October 07, 2017
Random Things
Listening to Colin Cowherd the last couple days and his co-host Kristine Leahy cannot stop rambling on about Cam Newton. I hope Cowherd can hear the sounds of dials being switched from his show. The last thing the sports radio audience wants to listen to is a shrill lecture about how it must feel to be a female reporter, blah, blah, blah. I get it. It's personal to her. She gets to bring it up once and out of courtesy, the audience can listen. But bringing up the same self pitying lecture out on every single guest and every time the topic's been said. Enough already. We get it - Cam was a jerk in a press conference. Move on. If men want to hear about how difficult it is being a women, they could watch The View, or simply ask their wives or co-workers about it. Believe me, the last thing any guy wants to hear on sports radio is a lecture about being a woman in the workplace. That's where they go to stop hearing about this stuff.
In related news, this is an interesting story about how Leftist political ideology ruined a once great school district in Minnesota. The obsession with race and identity (on either the left or right) by a group, community, or business is a canary in the coal mine - a sign of nothing good to come.
Listening to Colin Cowherd the last couple days and his co-host Kristine Leahy cannot stop rambling on about Cam Newton. I hope Cowherd can hear the sounds of dials being switched from his show. The last thing the sports radio audience wants to listen to is a shrill lecture about how it must feel to be a female reporter, blah, blah, blah. I get it. It's personal to her. She gets to bring it up once and out of courtesy, the audience can listen. But bringing up the same self pitying lecture out on every single guest and every time the topic's been said. Enough already. We get it - Cam was a jerk in a press conference. Move on. If men want to hear about how difficult it is being a women, they could watch The View, or simply ask their wives or co-workers about it. Believe me, the last thing any guy wants to hear on sports radio is a lecture about being a woman in the workplace. That's where they go to stop hearing about this stuff.
In related news, this is an interesting story about how Leftist political ideology ruined a once great school district in Minnesota. The obsession with race and identity (on either the left or right) by a group, community, or business is a canary in the coal mine - a sign of nothing good to come.
Tuesday, October 03, 2017
Catalan
This article has me thinking differently about the issue. I'm generally not excited about countries breaking up.
This article has me thinking differently about the issue. I'm generally not excited about countries breaking up.
Ratings Plunge
MNF took another double digit plunge last night, despite being an awesome game. I cord cut and don't have ESPN and went to a bar to watch the 4th quarter. Just classic, well played, tense football. By all accounts, the entire game was this way.
The NFL has a problem, but it can go away if the quality of play increases and the league figures out to handle the stupid kneeling situation.
They've mishandled it so far and so now whatever they do will be clumsy and dissatisfying. Bad leadership.
MNF took another double digit plunge last night, despite being an awesome game. I cord cut and don't have ESPN and went to a bar to watch the 4th quarter. Just classic, well played, tense football. By all accounts, the entire game was this way.
The NFL has a problem, but it can go away if the quality of play increases and the league figures out to handle the stupid kneeling situation.
They've mishandled it so far and so now whatever they do will be clumsy and dissatisfying. Bad leadership.
Monday, October 02, 2017
NFL
I'm not saying Alex Smith is the best QB in the NFL, but...how many guys are straight up better right now no questions asked?
I can think of one: Rodgers. Who else?
Brees and Brady obviously have the resumes, but are on the tail end of their careers. Also, neither has the mobility of Smith.
Matty Ice? Maybe. Wilson? I wouldn't swap Smith for Wilson right now. Luck? With his injuries? Cam? Maybe. Carr? With the injuries? Rivers? Big Ben?
I don't know, the list is pretty short...
I'm not saying Alex Smith is the best QB in the NFL, but...how many guys are straight up better right now no questions asked?
I can think of one: Rodgers. Who else?
Brees and Brady obviously have the resumes, but are on the tail end of their careers. Also, neither has the mobility of Smith.
Matty Ice? Maybe. Wilson? I wouldn't swap Smith for Wilson right now. Luck? With his injuries? Cam? Maybe. Carr? With the injuries? Rivers? Big Ben?
I don't know, the list is pretty short...
Saturday, September 30, 2017
Equifax
To weigh in a bit late - the Equifax data breach. Jesus. And the elites wonder why no one trusts them and why we have Trump. There are many terrible things about it, the two most egregious being, they knew about the breach for months and didn't tell anyone and major executives sold stock in advance of the public knowing. We're locking up young drug dealers instead of people like this in America and that's a travesty.
But the problem runs deeper. To buy a home, rent an apartment, get a car loan, etc...in other words, to live and function in America today, one is REQUIRED to deal with credit agencies. Let's be clear: in any practical sense, the American consumer/citizen had no choice in the matter. And all that data is stolen. Personally, we are all a tad responsible for collectively going along with the digitalization of all the world's information. I can remember a time when people were afraid to provide their information online (which turned out to be a correct instinct), nevertheless our tech overlords developed systems to give the illusion of security and coerced the joe average consumer to go along. And I say coerced because if you've ever tried to deal with customer service of nearly any company, you will notice it very difficult to find a phone number or navigate a phone system to get help. This is on purpose. They want us online to reduce labor costs and reduce rental/property costs of supplying retail consumer goods. But I digress. The larger point is that no one seems to be manning the ship in American today and so why are people surprised the public reacted with a big fuck you with the election of Trump?
You want people to respect norms, the leadership in the country needs to do the same. But if you look around everywhere, it feels like respectable leadership has gone by the wayside. I say don't piss on the people's shoes and tell them it's raining.
To weigh in a bit late - the Equifax data breach. Jesus. And the elites wonder why no one trusts them and why we have Trump. There are many terrible things about it, the two most egregious being, they knew about the breach for months and didn't tell anyone and major executives sold stock in advance of the public knowing. We're locking up young drug dealers instead of people like this in America and that's a travesty.
But the problem runs deeper. To buy a home, rent an apartment, get a car loan, etc...in other words, to live and function in America today, one is REQUIRED to deal with credit agencies. Let's be clear: in any practical sense, the American consumer/citizen had no choice in the matter. And all that data is stolen. Personally, we are all a tad responsible for collectively going along with the digitalization of all the world's information. I can remember a time when people were afraid to provide their information online (which turned out to be a correct instinct), nevertheless our tech overlords developed systems to give the illusion of security and coerced the joe average consumer to go along. And I say coerced because if you've ever tried to deal with customer service of nearly any company, you will notice it very difficult to find a phone number or navigate a phone system to get help. This is on purpose. They want us online to reduce labor costs and reduce rental/property costs of supplying retail consumer goods. But I digress. The larger point is that no one seems to be manning the ship in American today and so why are people surprised the public reacted with a big fuck you with the election of Trump?
You want people to respect norms, the leadership in the country needs to do the same. But if you look around everywhere, it feels like respectable leadership has gone by the wayside. I say don't piss on the people's shoes and tell them it's raining.
Tuesday, September 26, 2017
A Good Reading of Trump
By David Brooks.
By David Brooks.
Donald Trump came into a segmenting culture and he is further tearing apart every fissure. He has a nose for every wound in the body politic and day after day he sticks a red-hot poker in one wound or another and rips it open.Maybe I should have a stronger opinion one way or the other, but I'm not terribly sure the meritocratic culture is worth preserving. I guess it all depends on what replaces it.
Monday, September 25, 2017
Why They Knelt
Article makes a good case for the NFL players kneeling.
a) Trump stands to benefit from taking the position he has. Kaepernick, by his stupidity to begin kneeling, started a vague protest that allows a doofus like Trump to be the one to defend American symbols.
b) Trump stole his play/demand from the Liberals playbook to go after people's jobs when they do something they disagree with. I hate it when both sides do it, and I find it quite hypocritical for Liberals to claim "free speech" with respect to kneeling for the anthem when they are willing to censor free speech whenever it suits them.
I hope this all goes away soon, although I doubt it will. I should stop writing about it because this is a race to the bottom and a waste of time.
Article makes a good case for the NFL players kneeling.
In the space of less than 24 hours this weekend, the president of the United States did more to politicize sports than ESPN has done in a decade of biased, progressive programming. He singled out free speech he didn’t like, demanded that dissenters be fired, and then — when it became clear that private American citizens weren’t going to do what he demanded — he urged the economic boycott of their entire industry.Let me be clear: I don't like what Trump did because it undermines the culture of free speech. But...
a) Trump stands to benefit from taking the position he has. Kaepernick, by his stupidity to begin kneeling, started a vague protest that allows a doofus like Trump to be the one to defend American symbols.
b) Trump stole his play/demand from the Liberals playbook to go after people's jobs when they do something they disagree with. I hate it when both sides do it, and I find it quite hypocritical for Liberals to claim "free speech" with respect to kneeling for the anthem when they are willing to censor free speech whenever it suits them.
I hope this all goes away soon, although I doubt it will. I should stop writing about it because this is a race to the bottom and a waste of time.
Chiefs-Chargers Game / Anthem Protests, Etc.
I went at the Stubhub center yesterday. Great stadium to watch a game. Tiny - roughly 25K people. All seats are great seats. I hadn't been to an NFL game in ages. Atmosphere different from other sports - much more drinking, partying, more middle class, diverse crowd. My friend commented there was a much larger range of "looks" than at other LA sporting events. By that he meant, there were a lot of ugly people and a lot of hot people.
Too much sun at the game - a bit too hot. But other than that, a quite cool experience. All the fans were saying the same. Shorter lines to get food and beer. People were really liking it.
As for protests, etc. Here's what I noticed being on the ground. The Chiefs ran out of the tunnel. About 10 or so players went to the end zone and kneeled toward the flag in advance of the national anthem and then everyone stood during the anthem itself. One SD charger knelt during the anthem. It was a funny thing to see in person - a stadium of 25K people standing. 100+ people on both sides of the field standing, and this one guy kneeling. It put things in perspective. Let the guy kneel if he wants. Who cares, right? It really felt that way - small. I think it's the TV cameras pointed on the guy and the echo chamber than expands the discussion way out of proportion.
That said, there was an annoying fan behind me yelling "Stand Up!" "Stand Up!" It was unpleasant, but again, one guy. Apparently at other stadiums there was more kneeling and more booing, and no one totally seems to understand why some are kneeling and why people are booing.
Here's a thought I have for both sides that I recognize will be unwelcome by each.
For the Protesters:
A lot of pro-protesters are saying: don't you understand, this isn't about protesting America, the flag, or the national anthem: it is about protesting police brutality. If so, maybe you are picking the wrong way to express yourself, because this is not what the audience is hearing. Also, I think you ought to talk amongst yourselves because I actually think a good number of you are protesting the USA. A good number of you are taking the Ta nehisi Coates position, which is that the country is fundamentally flawed and doomed and must be resisted. It's nihilism repackaged with a racial element. This is an incredibly unpopular and wrongheaded position and will lead to much misery on all sides.
Oh, and also, you are getting trolled by a grandmaster and falling into his traps. The best way to deal with trolls is to ignore them.
For the Anthem-Insisters:
I would suggest relaxing. If a few folks want to kneel, let them. This is not a big deal. Do not insist someone must stand - you are becoming an authoritarian and a thug if you do. Try and enjoy football and not make the choice to kneel more than it is. As for the NFL, I would try to come up with a clear rule about what is expected, run it by the players, teams, etc., and great broad sign off. This way, people know whether they are breaking the rule or not and what to expect. A lot of this stems from lack of clarity and leadership from the NFL.
Trump jumping into the fray is entirely un-Presidential, but is very Trumpian. This guy is a trolling grandmaster. I mean, he's got his opponents protesting the Nation Anthem.
I went at the Stubhub center yesterday. Great stadium to watch a game. Tiny - roughly 25K people. All seats are great seats. I hadn't been to an NFL game in ages. Atmosphere different from other sports - much more drinking, partying, more middle class, diverse crowd. My friend commented there was a much larger range of "looks" than at other LA sporting events. By that he meant, there were a lot of ugly people and a lot of hot people.
Too much sun at the game - a bit too hot. But other than that, a quite cool experience. All the fans were saying the same. Shorter lines to get food and beer. People were really liking it.
As for protests, etc. Here's what I noticed being on the ground. The Chiefs ran out of the tunnel. About 10 or so players went to the end zone and kneeled toward the flag in advance of the national anthem and then everyone stood during the anthem itself. One SD charger knelt during the anthem. It was a funny thing to see in person - a stadium of 25K people standing. 100+ people on both sides of the field standing, and this one guy kneeling. It put things in perspective. Let the guy kneel if he wants. Who cares, right? It really felt that way - small. I think it's the TV cameras pointed on the guy and the echo chamber than expands the discussion way out of proportion.
That said, there was an annoying fan behind me yelling "Stand Up!" "Stand Up!" It was unpleasant, but again, one guy. Apparently at other stadiums there was more kneeling and more booing, and no one totally seems to understand why some are kneeling and why people are booing.
Here's a thought I have for both sides that I recognize will be unwelcome by each.
For the Protesters:
A lot of pro-protesters are saying: don't you understand, this isn't about protesting America, the flag, or the national anthem: it is about protesting police brutality. If so, maybe you are picking the wrong way to express yourself, because this is not what the audience is hearing. Also, I think you ought to talk amongst yourselves because I actually think a good number of you are protesting the USA. A good number of you are taking the Ta nehisi Coates position, which is that the country is fundamentally flawed and doomed and must be resisted. It's nihilism repackaged with a racial element. This is an incredibly unpopular and wrongheaded position and will lead to much misery on all sides.
Oh, and also, you are getting trolled by a grandmaster and falling into his traps. The best way to deal with trolls is to ignore them.
For the Anthem-Insisters:
I would suggest relaxing. If a few folks want to kneel, let them. This is not a big deal. Do not insist someone must stand - you are becoming an authoritarian and a thug if you do. Try and enjoy football and not make the choice to kneel more than it is. As for the NFL, I would try to come up with a clear rule about what is expected, run it by the players, teams, etc., and great broad sign off. This way, people know whether they are breaking the rule or not and what to expect. A lot of this stems from lack of clarity and leadership from the NFL.
Trump jumping into the fray is entirely un-Presidential, but is very Trumpian. This guy is a trolling grandmaster. I mean, he's got his opponents protesting the Nation Anthem.
Trump Has Already Won This Round
He's put himself into the position where his opponents are against the National Anthem and he gets to defend it.
I'm sure Sun Tze says something about how the battle is won or lost in the planning stage. I don't see what constitutes victory for those protesting the anthem. The Left, as David Frum has pointed out, should be draping themselves in the flag and not allowing their opponents to take the so called "patriotic" position. This is marching to Moscow in the winter.
He's put himself into the position where his opponents are against the National Anthem and he gets to defend it.
I'm sure Sun Tze says something about how the battle is won or lost in the planning stage. I don't see what constitutes victory for those protesting the anthem. The Left, as David Frum has pointed out, should be draping themselves in the flag and not allowing their opponents to take the so called "patriotic" position. This is marching to Moscow in the winter.
Sunday, September 24, 2017
Thursday, September 21, 2017
Hypocrisy
Matt Damon advocates for public school, but sends his to private school.
Rich liberals are quick to criticize a variety of policies that don't affect them because they are insulated by wealth. Here are three:
1) gentrification
2) aggressive policing
3) immigration
Rich liberals live in places that were gentrified in the distant past. They live in places that via gentrification, design, and security measures are safe enough to not presently need aggressive policing. They live in places that new immigrants cannot afford, so it puts them in no competition for resources like jobs, schools, hospitals, etc. In fact, they probably enjoy the benefits of cheaper construction, gardening, and daycare wages driven down by competition.
Matt Damon advocates for public school, but sends his to private school.
Rich liberals are quick to criticize a variety of policies that don't affect them because they are insulated by wealth. Here are three:
1) gentrification
2) aggressive policing
3) immigration
Rich liberals live in places that were gentrified in the distant past. They live in places that via gentrification, design, and security measures are safe enough to not presently need aggressive policing. They live in places that new immigrants cannot afford, so it puts them in no competition for resources like jobs, schools, hospitals, etc. In fact, they probably enjoy the benefits of cheaper construction, gardening, and daycare wages driven down by competition.
Wednesday, September 20, 2017
Alex Smith
All the talk is how good he's playing and how he added the deep ball to his repertoire. He is playing well. Question: is he playing better than he has in the past? Rich Gannon thinks not. Tony Gonzales thinks so.
I've observed this guy since day 1. I wanted the Niners to move on from him at times. I've written him off as a bust. But he won me back over playing for Harbaugh and in the playoff game against the Saints.
Here is the difference between Smith this year and before: weapons. He has Hunt, Kelce, and Hill. Who is the best receiver Smith's played with in the past? Michael Crabtree (a good #2, but not a deep threat), Anquan Boldin (a possession receiver), Jeremy Maclin (a solid #2, possession guy), Dwyane Bowe (should be a #2). The real difference is Hill - a guy that puts the defense on their heels. A true threat. Smith has NEVER had a receiver of that caliber before. Let's see what he does with it.
As for Smith's so called poor play in the playoffs. His record is 2-4, but his QB rating is higher than Tom Brady and top 10 all time.
Game 1 - Win. Niners-Saints. Smith led a receiver less Niners team to two major scores in a shootout against the Saints. One of my favorite victories of the Harbaugh era.
Game 2 - Loss. Niners-Giants in the NFC Championship. This was a rough game in OT against the eventual Super Bowl champions where the punt returner botched the kick. Smith did have multiple opportunities to drive the team down to victory and failed, but we literally had no receivers against a very strong Giants defense. If Williams doesn't botch the punt, maybe the Niners win the Super Bowl that year.
Game 3 - Loss. Kansas City-Colts. 45-44. Smith played out of his mind this game. He looked exactly the same as he did in the New England game. It was the Kansas City defense that collapsed against Andrew Luck. I mean, look at the score. He lead the offense to 44 points and don't forget: they lost Jamal Charles in this game, their best offensive player at the time. Watch the tape. Arguably the best Smith has ever played.
Game 4 - Win. Kansas City-Houston. The score was 30-0. He didn't need to do anything.
Game 5 - Loss. Kansas City - New England. Smith-Reid gets out dueled by Brady and Belichick and lose by a touchdown. It's happened to everyone.
Game 6 - Loss. Kansas City - Pittsburgh. First possession, KC looked great and then their game plan seemed to disappear the rest of the game. Still, Smith lead the team down to a game tying TD / 2 pt conversion which got negated by a penalty. I think the game plan was bad in this one, but Smith played respectable, but not great.
I see his playoff record as playing two great games, one serviceable victory, and three so-so games that he kept his team in there against good teams, but lost. Hardly an embarrassing resume.
All the talk is how good he's playing and how he added the deep ball to his repertoire. He is playing well. Question: is he playing better than he has in the past? Rich Gannon thinks not. Tony Gonzales thinks so.
I've observed this guy since day 1. I wanted the Niners to move on from him at times. I've written him off as a bust. But he won me back over playing for Harbaugh and in the playoff game against the Saints.
Here is the difference between Smith this year and before: weapons. He has Hunt, Kelce, and Hill. Who is the best receiver Smith's played with in the past? Michael Crabtree (a good #2, but not a deep threat), Anquan Boldin (a possession receiver), Jeremy Maclin (a solid #2, possession guy), Dwyane Bowe (should be a #2). The real difference is Hill - a guy that puts the defense on their heels. A true threat. Smith has NEVER had a receiver of that caliber before. Let's see what he does with it.
As for Smith's so called poor play in the playoffs. His record is 2-4, but his QB rating is higher than Tom Brady and top 10 all time.
Game 1 - Win. Niners-Saints. Smith led a receiver less Niners team to two major scores in a shootout against the Saints. One of my favorite victories of the Harbaugh era.
Game 2 - Loss. Niners-Giants in the NFC Championship. This was a rough game in OT against the eventual Super Bowl champions where the punt returner botched the kick. Smith did have multiple opportunities to drive the team down to victory and failed, but we literally had no receivers against a very strong Giants defense. If Williams doesn't botch the punt, maybe the Niners win the Super Bowl that year.
Game 3 - Loss. Kansas City-Colts. 45-44. Smith played out of his mind this game. He looked exactly the same as he did in the New England game. It was the Kansas City defense that collapsed against Andrew Luck. I mean, look at the score. He lead the offense to 44 points and don't forget: they lost Jamal Charles in this game, their best offensive player at the time. Watch the tape. Arguably the best Smith has ever played.
Game 4 - Win. Kansas City-Houston. The score was 30-0. He didn't need to do anything.
Game 5 - Loss. Kansas City - New England. Smith-Reid gets out dueled by Brady and Belichick and lose by a touchdown. It's happened to everyone.
Game 6 - Loss. Kansas City - Pittsburgh. First possession, KC looked great and then their game plan seemed to disappear the rest of the game. Still, Smith lead the team down to a game tying TD / 2 pt conversion which got negated by a penalty. I think the game plan was bad in this one, but Smith played respectable, but not great.
I see his playoff record as playing two great games, one serviceable victory, and three so-so games that he kept his team in there against good teams, but lost. Hardly an embarrassing resume.
Monday, September 18, 2017
Emmys
From Deadline - "Diversity Makes History At the Emmys." Unrelated: "Emmy Awards Match All Time Low."
From Deadline - "Diversity Makes History At the Emmys." Unrelated: "Emmy Awards Match All Time Low."
Sunday, September 17, 2017
I Expect We'll Be Seeing More of This
"I moved from a blue state to a red state and it changed my life."
It's basic math. Lower cost of living, better, more livable communities. Not a single person in California thinks the place works despite having the best natural resources on the planet and profitable industries.
"I moved from a blue state to a red state and it changed my life."
It's basic math. Lower cost of living, better, more livable communities. Not a single person in California thinks the place works despite having the best natural resources on the planet and profitable industries.
Thursday, September 14, 2017
Universal Health Care A Myth
Here's why: people with good insurance don't want to give it up. And why should they?
Here's why: people with good insurance don't want to give it up. And why should they?
Democrats Need Ideas, Not Colors
Yes.
It's actually a rather primitive and arguably racist way of viewing people to suggest all POC will see the world and vote the same way. Huckers in these communities try to force this upon people to their own political gain and shame POC who deviate from the tribal norms. But this is a shell game and individuals will rebel from it when better offers are on the table.
Yes.
It's actually a rather primitive and arguably racist way of viewing people to suggest all POC will see the world and vote the same way. Huckers in these communities try to force this upon people to their own political gain and shame POC who deviate from the tribal norms. But this is a shell game and individuals will rebel from it when better offers are on the table.
Wednesday, September 13, 2017
Alex Smith
Expects to be on a new team next year.
Would it surprise you if that team gets between 10-12 wins and into the playoffs? Me, either.
Expects to be on a new team next year.
Would it surprise you if that team gets between 10-12 wins and into the playoffs? Me, either.
Tuesday, September 12, 2017
Give Them What They Ask For
Kaepernick can't get out of the news because the culture won't let him. I'm tired of hearing about the injustice. But since it's only football, I have a suggestion: give them what they want. I'd LOVE-LOVE-LOVE at this point to see Kap get signed on a team. Let it become the media circus it's destined to be. Let him get back on the field and start misreading defenses and throwing INTs and leading whatever team picks him up to a lousy, pathetic record. I'm hoping it'd shut people up in a relatively low stakes situation. I just wouldn't wish it on a team I personally cared about.
Kaepernick can't get out of the news because the culture won't let him. I'm tired of hearing about the injustice. But since it's only football, I have a suggestion: give them what they want. I'd LOVE-LOVE-LOVE at this point to see Kap get signed on a team. Let it become the media circus it's destined to be. Let him get back on the field and start misreading defenses and throwing INTs and leading whatever team picks him up to a lousy, pathetic record. I'm hoping it'd shut people up in a relatively low stakes situation. I just wouldn't wish it on a team I personally cared about.
Friday, September 08, 2017
Sunday, September 03, 2017
Everything That's Wrong With Identity Politics
This article nails it.
It privileges culture, instead of politics. My first point is that when you fight for identity, you’re giving up politics in favor of culture. And that’s exactly where neoliberalism wants you, fighting for your culture (or what you imagine is your culture), rather than the arena of policies, where the real consequences occur. You may gain some recognition of your identity, but you may also have to pay the price of losing everything else that makes life worth living.
In many American cities, as in mine, the fight is on for transgender bathrooms, even as local government leaders, who often fit the bill where identity politics is concerned, have worked closely with supercapitalists to gentrify the urban centers, leading to the mass eviction of working people who created the interesting cultural realities in the first place. You can have your bathrooms, but gay people can’t live where they want to. During the Obama years, a crisis of affordable housing arose all over the country, which has gotten little attention because that is a policy discussion not suited to identity politics.Which is exactly what my last post was about.
And then there was this nice little local piece in the LA Times this weekend: Bye-bye Silver Lake, hello Pacoima: How one couple tackled L.A.'s sky-high real estate prices.
So, if you're a politically minded millennial interested in owning a home one day - be aware the choice to throw your energies into Pussy Hats and Transgender bathrooms will result in living in Pacoima (or similar type of area) unless you stand to inherit a lot of money.
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