Wide awake in dreamland...

I am always amused by sanctimonious journalists who go on about the fourth estate and their exalted role as government watchdogs. In fact their whole institution is for sale to the highest bidder.

The nation-state as it exists today came into being in 1638 with the treaty of Westphalia that ended the 30 years war. Nation-states have not always existed, and someday they will come to an end. It will probably take some cataclysmic event or a long period of warfare that the nation-state cannot cope with (terrorism for instance). People will only give their loyalty, or at least consent to be governed, when order and public safety is maintained. When that can no longer be done by the ruling elite, smaller groups will band together in some sort of tribalism to defend themselves. Decentralization and a new dark age is very possible.

Just because it is one of the spoils of victory doesn't mean it will be put to good use. In recent history, there has been a popular "blame the victim" history that has developed. We are attacked because we brought it on ourselves through imperialism, decadence, our overbearing culture, globalism, or whatever other excuse that can be drummed up. In fact, we are blamed for the world's ills because they can't bear to accept their fault for their own condition.

All I can say is, "Globull Warming!"

The question is what price you will exact from the tyrant for your death. If you are going to simply be a sheep led to the slaughter, it is better to live. If your death could be one small piece of the puzzle that leads to the tyrants fall and will free your friends, it is well worth it. "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."

Government is like so many leeches. Leeches have their place in the ecosystem, but if you get too many, they'll bleed you dry.

Those self-esteem exercises that are so popular in government schools try to instill in children pride without achievement. It's all about feelings, and it engenders a sense of entitlement without work. Of course they grow up as good, little, programmed socialists. Those children that don't end up as brainwashed socialists know it is all a lie. They know there is no pride or honor without work and accomplishment.

So that's why government has worked so hard to breed wisdom out of the people!

I work in a large organization with a large number of blue collar workers and, being one of those engineering types that work with them, I have observed many different management styles. Some foremen treat their men like men, some treat them like children. Those who treat their men as knowledgable professional grownups get a much higher quality product and more of it, and they get much less grief for themselves.

That's good, Jack. And it may be too true. The mediocre always seem to want to control the lives of those around them; hence Prohibition.

It's too bad courage is so often in short supply.

Failing to confront evil is a sin of omission. Everybody pays for their sins sooner or later.

It should be hard to change the world. Things are the way they are because the wisdom of generations have come to the conclusion that it is for the best. That is the basis of conservatism. It is not, however, universally true, so you still need the rebels to prod a resistant world along for changes that ought to be made.

Congress can't be a criminal class. They'll always pass the laws that ensure they're not.

Sorry, I'll back whoever is right: me or everybody else. Sometimes the lost cause is the right one. Live free or die.

Some things are hard to swallow even if you don't know the ingredients. At least sausages taste good.

Nothing to add to Cameron and Jack. I'm not so sure it is all that sad, however, as long as everybody gets to buy on equal terms and everybody knows the rules.

Politicians should read nothing. They have too many ideas as it is.

What is lacking today in the loyal opposition is the loyalty.

How Orwellian of him to say so. Eliminate the words and phrases of freedom from the language and soon you won't even be able to contemplate the idea. Be a double plus good duckspeaker for Big Brother.

Politics is the art of bribery and extortion, usually with both being perpetrated simultaneously on the same victim.

Image is everything! Just ask the Wizard of Oz.

People always overestimate their own abilities and true worth. Apparently Plato did too.

Those bridges to nowhere usually end up being a bridge to the next election victory. It's payola and nothing but.