Regular happenings not a surprise

(My Eastern New Mexico News column for April 2, 2023)

Many situations come around on a regular basis. Christmas, summer heat, days of blowing dirt, utility bills, and election seasons with their political schemers all come back time after time like clockwork. Expect them.

I don't understand the people who seem genuinely surprised every time one of these regularly occurring events crops up again. Do they have no long-term memory? These are the people who are scrambling around in a panic when one of these things is happening tomorrow. They are frequently also the people who try to blame someone else for their lack of proper planning.

"How dare you close your store early on Christmas Eve! Now where will I buy everything I put off until the last moment?" It's as if they've rehearsed this chorus.

The weather apparently surprises people constantly, too. Who expects it to get miserably hot in the summer, bone-chillingly cold in the winter, and periodically windy at any point on the calendar here on the high plains? Well, I do and I hope you also do. When you use more utilities to stay comfortable through whatever the weather throws at you, the higher bills shouldn't be a shock. You knew you were using energy.

Politicians and the drama that comes with them are just as predictable as the above. They will keep coming around as long as people put up with it. They will continue to do what politicians have been doing since roving bands of marauders first decided to put down roots and pose as protectors of the populations they had previously raided on an irregular basis: the birth of the career politician.

It is probably a good thing for politicians that most of the public has a short memory. I doubt anyone would still play their rigged political game otherwise.

A newer recurring theme is the opposing side trying to find ways to "get" or prosecute the most recent former president from the other team, whoever it may be.

One potential positive result from this could be discouraging anyone from seeking the presidency. Who would invite this kind of persecution?  If Joe Biden survives his term in office, do you think he and his supporters will act surprised when the ritual they helped perpetuate is used against him?

When something happens regularly, good or bad, and nothing changes to disrupt the pattern, don't be surprised when it keeps happening. Be ready and expect it.

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It's authoritarian to ban drag shows

I have zero interest, or less, in drag shows. That doesn't necessarily mean I'm automatically against them and it certainly doesn't mean I want government to ban them.

I once won $15 (1st prize!) at a karaoke Halloween party (20+ years ago) because my best friend made me up to look like a (6' 3"+) woman. She had a strange compulsion where that was concerned. On the upside, I got more positive female attention that night than just about any time in my life. So, I'm not going to judge such things with a blanket condemnation.

But, I also didn't look like a drunk's interpretation of what he imagined a woman might look like if she were the victim of vandalism by a gang of clowns on LSD. I don't think drag performers look anything like women; more like sex clowns.

Not my thing, but you do what you like. I don't think there's anything wrong with it.

On the other hand, I don't think a responsible parent would take their kids to a drag show-- especially not one where the performers are simulating sex acts with each other and the audience (including the kids in attendance). Maybe you could convince me it has some educational value or something in specific circumstances, but I'm skeptical. Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.

You might say this just means I don't understand. You'd be right. I don't. There are many things I don't understand that I don't judge. And there are many things I judge internally that I'm not going to throw stones at you for disagreeing with me.

I also don't think a responsible parent would take their kids to the types of "high fashion" shows I've seen clips of. 

I've been to places and events personally where I don't think kids should be, even if I don't think it was wrong for adults to be there. There were sometimes kids in attendance and I never attacked the parents for bringing them.

I'm not sending government after you if you make different choices than I would. Your kids are your kids, they don't belong to me, the collective, or the village, and you can feel free to ignore my opinion and my inner judgment. I just may not think you are responsible. That shouldn't carry any weight at all if you disagree.

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The anti-creatives

Those who ban and censor are the opposite of those who create.
They are the destroyers; the despoilers. The Luddites and the backwards thinkers.

I can't see the sense in banning or censoring. Not even the things I dislike.

If I have to defend myself and others from someone, so be it. That seems much more rational than trying to ban things or censor words and thoughts.

I have no respect for those who ban or censor-- either through government/corporate power or freelance bullying, They are not my people.

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Gun-hate cripples the mind

Anti-gun bigots don't think rationally.

I saw one arguing (in support of an anti-gun politician's bigoted claims) that guns "cost society", so gun owners need to pay those costs, and any gun owner who doesn't is shirking this responsibility.

There's so much bad "thinking" going on here.

Guns do figure into murders. They also figure into defense and thus lives saved. To pretend there's only a cost and no benefit is to be a liar. 

It's easy to calculate the number of innocent people harmed or killed by evil losers who use a gun because there are so many eager to blame guns-- they'll find and report every instance-- but it is completely impossible to calculate how many lives are saved by defenders using a gun. Most of the good guys who use a gun in defense are never going to report on themselves and face possible government persecution for their heroic act.

Anti-gun bigots aren't good at evaluating the situation and drawing good conclusions. They just hate guns and will hallucinate whatever it takes to justify this insane position.

Another big issue I have with this is that it advocates collective punishment. I'm against punishment in general (because I prefer justice, instead) but I passionately hate collective punishment.

A school "teacher" who punishes the whole class because of the behavior of one or two people is a disgusting individual. An anti-gun bigot who wants to hold the gun owners who didn't harm anyone accountable because of the acts of those who did is possibly even worse. Because the consequences are even worse. 

Only an evil and lazy person punishes the innocent along with the guilty.

My guns have never harmed anyone-- not even a bad guy. To falsely claim I "owe" society because I have guns is evil and lazy. Those who harm others owe restitution; no one else does. No one else can.

If you want gun owners punished for the acts of evil losers just because you irrationally hate guns, you are also an evil loser-- you are as bad as a mass shooter. Maybe worse, in the long run.

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Post-modern neo-statist gets confused

Throughout all of human history and prehistory, there have been individuals whose behavior we would now describe as "libertarian". Or Voluntaryist, abolitionist, or anarchist-- however you'd prefer to describe it.

But, I had a guy tell me that no one could have been libertarian before the word "libertarian" was coined. (I checked his bio and he promotes "post-libertarianism", which I suppose is neo-statism, with a dash of post-modernism.)

I asked him if dogs existed before the word "dog" was created. He argued (in a "no such thing as reality" post-modernist sort of way) that they did not. He demanded I "prove" dogs existed before the word "dog".  There's just so much wrong with that approach, including language differences and the fact I can't time-travel to the past.

But, besides his post-modern post-libertarian neo-statism, he wasn't even starting from a position of understanding the topic. No wonder he couldn't discuss the topic in a sensible way.

He kept trying to frame libertarianism as strictly a political movement rather than an ethical philosophy or way to live. This will always lead you astray.

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Don't walk behind a sick elephant or you might slip in a Dettelbach

I really don't respect politicians. But... I did enjoy seeing Thomas Massie humiliate BATFEces director Steven Dettelbach with regard to the illegal and ignorant pistol brace rule. And, no, I'm not generally a fan of Massie either, even though he sometimes does good stuff like this.

In the clips I saw on the confrontation, Massie was relentless and the BATFEces trash was utterly outgunned and outclassed.

That slimy puddle of diarrhea-- Steven Dettelbach-- couldn't even explain what his gang is doing or what they think their illegitimate rules apply to. All he could do was look exasperated as he fumbled with his excuses.

If America were still America, Dettelbach would not be working to violate your liberty while you are forced to pay him for his crime spree. At least, he wouldn't be doing this in a safe way, but would have to risk his life like any other crook every time he chose to show up for "work". As it is, that nasty criminal gets to commit his crimes openly without fear of justice.

The recent kidnapping and caging of Matt Hoover/CRS Firearms and Justin Ervin should be the straw that breaks the camel's back and ends the "ATF" gang's crime wave forever.

The "ATF" needs to be abolished and replaced with nothing. And it needs to happen now. There is nothing legitimate they do, they have no "authority", and all the power they wield is stolen from you and me. They are garbage.

I hope this situation doesn't continue. I don't think it can continue in this way. I don't care who ends it or how-- even if it's done by a politician. End the BATFE.

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Anti-political activism

Around town, there are political yard signs appearing for a candidate for something (sorry-- I didn't pay that much attention) whose name is "Les Ball".

Would it be excessively rude and juvenile of me to get a big marker and under cover of night run around town and change all the signs to add the first name of "Juan"? (The name "Les" would then be redundant.)

Personally, I feel it would be an improvement. Or, maybe my sense of humor belongs to a 12-year-old boy.

Apologies to the real Les Ball. I'm sure he's a wonderful fellow-- other than the whole "seeking political power over me" thing.

Added: I went out and took a picture of the actual sign:

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Essential to stop what's not working

(My Eastern New Mexico News column for March 26, 2023)

Whenever a government program is failing, the instinct of those who work in government is to do more of it. They insist on spending more money on it; finding ways to be more involved and controlling. It's a bad instinct and leads to bigger failures. Eventually, failures so big they cause a collapse. It's only a matter of time and degree.

One recent example in the news involves schools. Schools fail to educate adequately, so government sentences the school inmates-- sometimes called "students"-- to even more hours of what isn't working. Cutting into more of the students' lives; further reducing their valuable free time. Free time is essential and schools aren't designed to educate anyway.

This failure doesn't only apply to school systems, though. It's the same old story over and over again whenever government gets involved in anything.

Anti-gun legislation causes crime to increase, so legislation addicts double down and do more of what drives the problem. They apparently don't care as long as they can sound enlightened and concerned when speaking to the misinformed public on television.

Welfare and other social programs, supposedly implemented to fight poverty, caused more poverty and trapped families in a cycle of poverty for generations. So, obviously, the solution is to do more of the same?

Prohibition has increased the strength of the drugs available and directly created cartels and crime. Instead of abandoning something which has failed as hard as anything can fail, the prohibitionists choose to make things worse with even more penalties.

Pick any government program and the story is the same.

Do they not see the results of their policies? Or, is this level of failure acceptable as long as it looks like they're "doing something" and keeps the tax money flowing into the coffers, keeping politicians without any useful skills off the streets?

I understand-- it is hard to admit you've been doing something stupid; something which is making a problem you claim you want to solve worse than ever. It's hard to change course, especially if you're part of an institution which wants to present itself as the adult option. Government is still institutionalized failure.

It's essential to stop doing what's not working. It's unforgiveable to insist on doing more of it, harder than before, rather than admit you're the problem. If something is imporant in any way, it's too important to allow government to be involved. Unless you prefer to fail.

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Update to the surgery bleg- Updated 5-13

I figured it was time to update the surgery bleg.

Added 4-28-2023: I got one hospital bill, so the revised total I currently owe is now... right at $6,500. It could be worse, but I don't know if that's the entire thing yet, or if more bills will be arriving.

ADDED 5-13-2023: Got another bill, this one from the anesthesia department. I'm going backward! Ugh.

[The following paragraph is outdated, but I will leave it.]
At the moment, the amount I borrowed for the surgery and still owe is just over $3,100 (but see the above note). I haven't started getting bills from the hospital yet-- they've been busy sending me "satisfaction surveys" instead (don't worry: I rated them highly). I guess they want to get the satisfaction surveys out of the way before they start sending bills. Probably a smart move.

Medically, I'm doing well.

I stopped bleeding (due to the catheterization) about 2 weeks after the surgery. The catheter was by far the worst part of the ordeal. The pain from the incisions was never too bad-- the pain from the laparoscopic inflation was worse and longer lasting, but it was gone about a week after surgery. I finally stopped itching in the incision areas about 2 days ago. The scars are minimal. Everything seems to be working fine.

My blood pressure has even dropped to normal in the aftermath; whether that will last is unknown. It had stayed high ever since the kidney stone over 8 years ago, until this surgery. No idea why it came down.

I'm going to keep this post pinned to the top of the sidebar for a while. I know it's annoying, but I really need to keep this reminder up until I either get it all paid off or give up.

So, if you want to help, and if you can, please do. You can give through GiveSendGo or at my regular PayPal or through Venmo.

And share my GiveSendGo or this blog post anywhere you think might generate some interest. Thank you. Really!

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The world is topsy-turvy

In the future, medical science may find a way to actually change a person’s sex. If you think I'd be against that you'd be wrong. I would consider this progress; a good thing. 

I suspect this may turn out to be harder than achieving a self-sufficient civilization on Mars, but maybe I’m wrong. I hope both come to pass. 

For now, though, all that’s available is medicalized cosplay. It sentences nearly all of its victims to a lifetime in a sexual “uncanny valley”, where— at best— people they meet are expected to pretend not to notice something’s “off” about their appearance. 

To claim this is intended to help their long-term mental health flies in the face of reality. 

I wouldn’t prohibit it, but I can’t be evil enough to encourage it. Especially not for kids and teens. 

But encouraging this (or even shoving people down this one-way path) is called “compassionate” while telling the truth about the situation, and warning people of the consequences of what they are considering doing to themselves, is called “hate”. The world is topsy-turvy.

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"If you don't completely agree with me, then you're a..."

DemoCRAPublicans really dislike anyone who doesn’t march in lockstep with them. Anyone who can think for themselves-- even if they’d agree on many issues-- is treated as the enemy.

I had one Left-statist recently call me a "right-winger" as an insult. I said this was evidence they are either bad at identifying things or really good at misidentifying things.

They said they could tell I am an "an-cap", which they declared is the same as "right-wing". They screen-shot my blog with the Browncoat Voluntaryist "V" from a couple of days ago as evidence. Swing and ... miss...

I may be mistaken but I don't think I have ever called myself an an-cap.

I am an anarchist, a Voluntaryist, a libertarian, and an abolitionist. If this Left-statist is dumb enough to think that's the same as an an-cap, and that an-caps are the same as "right-wingers", there's probably no point in trying to engage with them. You may as well try to reason with a worm.

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Speaking for myself...

I realize I can't speak for others. Only for myself. So I don't usually try to sound like I'm speaking for anyone other than myself. My opinions are my own-- good, bad, or indifferent. 

I'm uncomfortable being put in a position where I'm expected to speak for any sort of collective, even if I assume they'd mostly agree with me. It's asking for trouble. I would probably turn down such an opportunity after giving it some consideration.

Even if I use the word "we", I mean "only those who agree with this". I'm not trying to put words in anyone else's mouth. It's not necessary for anyone to tell me they disagree-- although they are free to do so.

This follows my lack of belief in one person representing others-- especially as in representative political government. It's a ridiculous concept. It has no basis in reality whatsoever. 

If I were to wake up one morning to find I had somehow slipped into an alternate reality where I held a position of political power, I would only speak for myself. I would promote liberty-- probably by resigning as fast as humanly possible and heading for the mountains until I was forgotten. Unless I had the power to abolish branches of government, then I'd do that first. (Even though I know many people would be greatly offended by that.)

To hallucinate that one person can represent the interests of millions of others, who each have opposing values and concerns, is absurd. To base a coercive institution on this absurd hallucination is inexcusable.

But, of course, I'm only speaking for myself. I know political Libertarians imagine this is a good idea, if only "we" can elect the "right" people and pass the "right" legislation. Politics in self-defense and all that. It's a cute idea. I wonder if that has ever really worked out.

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I guess this is progress?

This is probably the oldest building in town. It used to be a lumber yard. My grandfather was a carpenter and he used to take my mom with him to get lumber there when she was a kid (back in the 1940s and early '50s). She says she used to run on the lumber "upstairs"-- it was laid across rafters and wasn't an actual floor. She figures it gave her dad stress when she did it.

I don't know when it was built, but I'm guessing it was in the 1920s or '30s. (Update: I found out it was built in 1916- see the news article I shared below.)

In recent years (decades?) it has served as storage for a tire shop next door. As well as shelter for stray cats and foxes.

As you can see, the roof recently caved in and the building is now being taken down. This makes me a little sad. It's the end of an era. I guess it will be replaced by a pre-fab metal box building.

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Childish, Utopian delusions

It's hilarious how statists are always trying to call libertarianism/Voluntaryism/anarchism/abolitionism "Utopian" or "childish".

As if to be a realist or an adult you have to embrace violating others in some way. No, you don't. That's just ridiculous.

But, to those whose minds have been numbed and damaged by years of gov-schooling, it's a comforting delusion.

In reality, there is no more Utopian belief than that government-- composed of the same type of people (or worse) that they say aren't good or smart enough to run their own life-- can "run society" for everyone else. Or that such a political government can be controlled or kept to a level that isn't too dangerous to be allowed to exist. Maybe a constitution could achieve this. 

There is no evidence for either superstitious belief.

Children who haven't yet figured out how the real world, and the flawed humans that make it up, work might still believe a good government is possible. Or that only the most qualified people will seek to have that kind of power over everyone else. Or that one human can actually "represent" millions of people with opposing values, goals, and worldviews.

That's what Utopian childishness really looks like. It's statism.

So, when they accuse you of either of those things, just pat them on the head and send them on their way. They aren't even worth worrying about. Just do your thing and be prepared to defend yourself from those childish Utopians who'll happily kill you to keep believing in the unbelievable.

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They aren't always wrong, but...

Political people-- statists-- always have a few good ideas. But they bury them under such an avalanche of really stupid statist stuff it can be hard to dig the gems out of the chunky sewage.

The Right-statists have good positions on a few things, but they advocate so much really bad stuff that it's hard to find the good stuff in there. 

The same goes for the Left-statists. 

I hate to catch myself agreeing with either of the factions because the majority of their beliefs are so incredibly stupid and toxic that it feels like it might rub off on me if I agree with either of them about anything. I'll just wait for them to agree with me, instead.

Of course, even when they are directionally correct, they screw it up by believing that governing others is a legitimate human endeavor. Thus, "legalize and tax it" and "enforce the gun laws that already exist".

At the moment, in most of the country (and around the world), the Left-statists seem to have the most power to impose their ideas-- good, bad, and worse. This will probably flip around at some point. The only good to come from such a flip would be to undo some of the w0ke damage that has been done, but then the Right-statists will do more damage of their own variety that will need to be undone, so this is never adequate.

And, of course, whenever you're embracing a liberty-advancing position that one faction of the Statist Party happens to agree with, the others assume you agree with all the bad stuff that side advocates. They can't think beyond "us" and "them".

It gives you a good opportunity to ridicule those who make the baseless assumptions. But, don't get too caught up in it. Just know that statism prevents thought from occurring. Your detractor has shown up to pick a fight, unarmed and cocky and already believing they've won.

Statists didn't get to be statists because they were good at thinking.

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Explore some alternatives to banks

(My Eastern New Mexico News column for March 19, 2023)

How concerned are you when it looks like the banking system is teetering on the verge of collapse? Do looming nationwide economic disasters worry you?

Banks are encouraged, perhaps even required, to follow government's poor financial policies. Sometimes this is going to come back to bite them and hurt their customers. It's smart to have alternatives.

It's fine to keep using government's money-- the equivalent of Monopoly "money", if you know what money is-- as long as it still generally works. Always be ready to abandon it and have other options when it stops working. Every government money in history-- if it wasn't gold or silver-- has stopped working eventually.

Back when former president Trump started handing out money-from-nothing and calling it a "stimulus" I warmed family and friends that this was going to cause inflation, and to get ready. No one cared or listened. All they saw was "free money", and the future wasn't something to worry about.

When inflation started getting worse than it had been in decades, they acted surprised.

Other economic disasters happen when you have a banking system which is regulated by counterproductive government rules. There are going to be consequences whether you want to admit it or not. If you're surprised when consequences happen it's only because you weren't paying attention to the right people. Government officials are never the right people to listen to.

A "central bank digital currency"-- a "CBDC"-- isn't going to be any better, but watch for government officials to start pushing the idea harder if the financial system keeps crumbling. Such money would have all the drawbacks of traditional government fiat money, plus several others.

If I were you, I would get real, physical silver and gold, some cryptocurrency which isn't tied to or controlled by any government, and other things of real-world value. Things you can use or trade for other things you need. Things like food, water, medicine, and fuel.

Even if the banking system avoids collapse this time, you're not worse off if you've protected yourself by being prepared. You can always trade those things for more Federal Reserve Notes-- mistakenly called "dollars" by most people-- anytime you want.

Keeping all your eggs in one basket, including all your wealth in one form of money, is never the smart move. So don't. Explore alternatives while you have time, and hope you still have time.

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Help

And a HUGE thanks to all those who already have.

I'm relieved

I went to The Big City today for a follow-up with the surgeon, and he released me. He was very pleased with his work and said my scars look great. He was satisfied with my healing process.

I'm relieved.

I still have to see the urologist one more time, on May 4th, and he's already told me he wants to send me to a urology specialist in one of the Mega-Cities in the state. I have no intention of going through with that at this time. They aren't touching that region of my anatomy again unless I'm under general anesthesia, and I already know they aren't going to take that line in the sand seriously. I'm not budging on that.

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Wait'll they get a load of me...

After years of being laughed at for their backward view of supporters of gun-owner rights, characterized by the clueless comment "If 'people of color' start buying guns, the Second Amendment would be repealed tomorrow", now it seems at least one anti-gun bigot is trying a different tactic:

"Since when did you Republicans care about blacks and minorities? Oh yeah when it comes to arming them you do."

Besides the misguided politicized assumption that anyone who supports the right to own and to carry weapons is a "Republican", he's letting his bigoted ignorance show in other ways as well.

Although, since this wasn't directed at me, maybe the person he was addressing was a Republican. In which case, wait until he actually meets someone like me!

They really don't get it. 

I want no one to be violated. Government has no right or imaginary "authority" to disarm anyone. Ever.

I don't care what someone's skin color is, what language they speak, what religion or political cult they follow, where they were born, what their sex is, or what they imagine themselves to be. Everyone has the fundamental human right to own and to carry whatever type of weapon they want. And, everyone has the right to defend themselves from anyone who makes a credible threat of archation. That's equality. That's liberty. If the anti-gun bigots hate liberty, that's their problem.

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Don't believe the absurdity

Voltaire pointed out that "Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities". 

There is no belief more absurd than the belief that political government is legitimate or that it has any place in society.

Look at the thousands of years of atrocities directly caused by believing that particular absurdity.

Trying to govern others doesn’t just make a person become evil; it is evil in and of itself.

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Appreciation post

I just thought I'd take a minute to say how wonderful all the nursing staff at the hospital was. I've had OK nurses-- and even apathetic nurses-- in the past. This crew blew them away.

A hospital stay is never something I'd choose, but I couldn't have asked for a better crew of caring, dedicated professionals. I was really impressed.

I thanked each and every one of them (that I got the chance to thank) because I wanted them to know how much I appreciated their help. And I meant it. There was Taylor, Sarah, Jessica, Ryan, Alex, Connie, Justin, and others whose names I've either forgotten or didn't know. Not a single one of them was lacking in any way that I could see. 

Great job, guys! Thank you!

Also, I greatly appreciate the surgeon and urologist who took care of me. Their skill is appreciated... a lot! Imagine what they had to do to me, without killing me in the process! Most of the time under their direct care I was unconscious, but it seems they did their jobs well. I survived and am healing. Thank you!

And, last but not least, I appreciate all the support-- financial and emotional-- I've received from the readers of my blog. You're my friends, even if I've never met you in person. You probably can't know how much that means to me! Thank you!

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Help me cover the expense of the surgery. Help however you can. Thank you!