Libertarian Radio Network, Inc.

Our belief system or lack thereof

noreply@blogger.com (Donald Heavrin) — Wed, 09 May 2012 20:27:00 +0000

(Blog 467) Our Belief System or Lack Thereof

I have done quite a bit of writing and thinking about system 1 thinking. Hopefully, you will recall that System 1 operates on intuition and gut feelings. This phenomenon explains why two diverse groups can look at the same set of circumstances and reach different conclusions. Bill Bryson, in his book A Brief History of Almost Everything, noted that when someone makes a scientific discovery that the public will not accept the discovery if it is contrary to prevailing beliefs. When the evidence becomes overwhelming, there will still be a group of people who believed in their delusional system. This is most prevalent in the Creation vs. Evolution discussion. No matter what the evidence may be, there’s going to be a group of people who believe the creation theory. Further, according to Bryson, after a new discovery is established to a scientific certainty, someone else will get the credit for making the discovery. In summary, 1) no one believes the new theory, 2) eventually the majority accepts the new theory; 3) then someone other than the original proponent will get credit for the discovery.

Such is life in the big city. In the political world, Ron Paul is the only candidate who is close to the truth but he has no chance of getting elected because no one wants to hear the truth.

******

On the issue of prayer, if the public believes that the Kardashian’s are going to obliterate the United States and prayed and the Kardashian’s changed their mind and didn’t obliterate the United States, we would say that prayer worked. However, if the Kardashian’s, in spite of our prayerful entreaties, obliterated the United States, we would say it was God’s will. Either way, it must have something to do with divine intervention. This brings me to the Tebow phenomenon: when he scores, he praises God. When he doesn’t score, he praises God. Perhaps, God doesn’t really care about football. For sure, He cares about the Kardashian’s.

Respectfully Submitted,

Donald M. Heavrin, Your Political Observer

A Race to the end

noreply@blogger.com (Donald Heavrin) — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 20:32:00 +0000

(466) A race to the end.

Chuck Colson of Watergate fame died.

Dick Clark also died. He was one of my quiet heros. With him on the planet I didn’t feel so old. I was delighted when he recovered from his stoke and returned to the new year celebration at Times Square. Even though he could not speak clearly I was still on his side and I enjoyed the show because he was there.   Last new year’s I thought it was probably his last. Sorry, I was right. This morning there was a drawing on the editorial page of the local newspaper. The words: “Fairwell to the leader of Bandstand.”

Old time is just a flying and that same flower that smiles today, tomorrow will be a dying. (Who said that?) Sit back, have some fun. Don’t get too excited about life, you can’t get out of here alive.
                        ******
The secret service story is getting weirder all the time. The latest report states the argument between the secrete service agent and the hooker was over $47.00! Repeating myself from the other day, always pay the lady. This is doubly true if you are a government agent. There could be some discussion about the situation if the parties were arguing about $10,000, but $47.00. Pay the lady, you idiot. This morning some congresswoman opined that the secrete service mess would not have happened if there were more women in the service. What, huh? This lady is shaping the policies of the nation.
                        ******
36 people were killed in Iraq. Wasn’t that the county where we won the war several years ago. I scream into the void of ‘no one at home,’ what the hell are we doing?

The republicans have for the moment stopped savaging each other.

Ron Paul noted that it makes no difference who wins the USA is on a suicide mission with unbridled spending. Someone who can walk and chew gum at the same time pointed out the absurdity of the argument of having a tax code that is ‘fair’. What does that mean? Who decides if the rich are paying enough. Who decides what is fair? One of my roadies sent me a fact sheet. It seems that if the government took all of the assets from those who are considered to be rich, that would only run the government for about two months. Ron Paul is right the USA is going out of business at a very fast rate.
Also we have the conundrum of medical care. If the money coming in does not cover the costs raise the premiums like a private company would do. Then get rid of the 2,000 page document that explains the benefits and PAY the benefits without complaint. We also have a lot of whining about how social security is bankrupting the country. That’s interesting! The people who are collecting social security have paid for the benefits along the way. The public paid with after tax dollars and when the public collectes the benefit the government taxed them again. Logic is not an issue, it is never considered.
                    ******
Keith Ruyon, of the Louisville Courier Journal, retired as the editor and literary critic. His last article was in praise of books. He quoted Maxwell Perkins : “There can be nothing so important as a book can be.” As for me I think we should read less and watch more TV.

There was an interesting show on CBS, Sunday Morning about the astonishing number of people we have in prison. Stop the war and stop putting non violent criminals in prison. As a country we would save a lot of money and lives.


Respectfully Submitted,
Don Heavrin
Your Servant of Truth

(465) THE SECRET SERVICE STRIKES AGAIN

noreply@blogger.com (Donald Heavrin) — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 21:26:00 +0000

Does anyone remember when the Secret Service was protecting President Ronald Reagan when he was shot on the street? Does anyone remember when the Secret Service was protecting George Bush when some woman got up and threw her shoes at him?

The Secret Service does counterfeit investigations, and now they have been assigned to the daunting task of keeping people from watching child pornography on the internet. This has become a major crime, and everyone within the sound of my voice should stay the hell off the internet because there is some bureaucrat who wants to put anyone who looks at kiddie porn in prison for at least 15 years (no parole). Apparently these extra duties have spread the Secret Service thin, and the advance team has been unable to concentrate on business.

This past weekend it was reported that certain Secret Service agents had discovered the oldest profession. These men, who have been charged with awesome responsibilities, are too stupid to be in the Secret Service. I have no objection to them engaging the services of a hooker and getting roaring drunk, but their stupidity was revealed when the agents did not pay the lady for services rendered. If you have a high profile government job, you must always pay the hooker. My understanding is that they got into an argument that was so loud that the management of the hotel called the authorities. I wouldn’t want these lunatics guarding my dog house.

These folks have breath taking salaries, annual increases, vacation pay, the best ever medical coverage, and a retirement program that shames civilian retirement programs. With this much largess, you should pay the lady.

Respectfully submitted,

Donald M. Heavrin,
Your Servant of Truth
in the Garden of Life

(464) BOBBIE NEEDED A GOOD LAWYER

noreply@blogger.com (Donald Heavrin) — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 19:50:00 +0000

Bobbie Patrino was a good football coach and a lousy human being (see Blog 463). It is amazing that the University of Arkansas would fire a good coach because he had a mistress. However, Bobbie’s trouble relates back to his legal representation at the time he was hired. If his lawyer had been sharp, he would have insisted on an IMMORAL clause in his contract. The IMMORAL clause would have allowed Bobbie to have sex with any woman he found on campus if he had a winning football program. Conversely, no wins, no mistress.

Any student of the game knows winning is more important than a coach who has a fling or two. Obviously the University of Arkansas did not have its priorities in order.

* * * * *
The University of Arkansas fired Bobbie at the same time the public fired Rick Santorum. Thank God. He was a classic example of the primacy conundrum, which most humans (including your humble servant) fail to understand. Primacy provides that an issue, regardless of the validity of the issue, can take over the whole human. Santorum was opposed to choice on the abortion issue, contraceptives, gay marriages, and homosexual behavior across the board (cliche).

His followers were in lock step with him. He pretended to be interested in the tax issue, but that was a smoke screen.

As long as he was ‘pro-life’ and anti-gay, he could have proposed the execution or deportation of the Irish, and his followers would have never flinched.

Primacy rules.

Respectfully submitted,
Donald M. Heavrin,
Your Servant of Truth
in the Garden of Life

Petrino's Big Ride

noreply@blogger.com (Donald Heavrin) — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 20:50:00 +0000

(463) Petrino’s Big Ride

Bobby Petrino, formally the head football coach at the University of Louisville, spent a lot of time trying to get a better job while coaching at the University of Louisville. He engaged in a covert operation, meeting athletic directors of the powerhouse universities at clandestine airports. Finally he got a job at Arkansas. After three successful years at Arkansas he had an accident on a motorcycle. So what, he seems to be okay, and the world continue to turn. However, that was just the tip of the sexual ice berg. His passenger was a former volleyball player at Arkansas. When caught he tearfully confessed to an inappropriate relationship. I assume he found his way into the slick igloo without the knowledge or permission of his wife or the press. He proceeded to apologize to a host of people including his wife, his family and everyone at hog nation. He has been suspended with pay while an investigation is conducted. What pray tell is there to investigate. He was in flagrante delicto with a former student. Ho hum. The press and the university spoke in dramatic tones, ‘his girlfriend was half his age,’ what the hell does that mean? What if the woman was twice as old as Bobbie? If that had been the case it would have been mentioned, but it would not have been the focal point of the case, or maybe it would have been the focal point of the case because the age difference makes infidelity more seamy, and we all like seamy a lot.
******
On a different note, a lot of the heros of 60 minutes have fallen in the abyss. Mike Wallace died this weekend. Andy Rooney died in the last year. Ed Bradley and Harry Reasoner are also gone. They set a new standard for television reporting.

Your Humble Servant,
Don Heavrin

Who won?

noreply@blogger.com (Donald Heavrin) — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 17:09:00 +0000

(462) Who won?

University of Kentucky won the NCAA basketball championship. Following the victory, there were massive arrests in Lexington, Kentucky, where 20+ people were arrested. Lexington, Kentucky was in near riot conditions, cars were burned and fights broke out even though the police had doubled or tripled the security from the semi final game on Thursday. I wonder what the UK fans would have done had they lost.

*******

Meanwhile back in the Soviet Union, Mikhail Khodorkovsky, who was the richest man in Russia, until he dared to confront Vladimir Putin by criticizing state corruption. Putin had him put in prison in 2003 and he has been there every since. Meanwhile, the President of the United States is racing to make friends with Vladimir. I think it’s a good idea to be on friendly terms with Russia but we should not ignore the fact that people who disagree with the establishment in Russia are soon stuck in Gautama Bay (or is that some other country). Some of Khodorkovsky’s associates got the hell out of Russia before they could be apprehended. They told him to flee but he ignored their advice. We (the USA) should ignore all attempts to humanize Vladimir.

STEVE JOBS ON LIFE/A NOTE ABOUT PRESIDENT CLINTON (SLICK WILLIE)

noreply@blogger.com (Donald Heavrin) — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 20:59:00 +0000

(461) STEVE JOBS ON LIFE/A NOTE ABOUT PRESIDENT CLINTON (SLICK WILLIE)
I believe Steven Jobs spoke these words at a commencement address (Stanford, I think):
Remembering that I’ll be dead soon is the most important tool I’ve ever
encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost
everything–all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrass-
ment or failure–these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving
only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is
the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to
lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.
* * * * *
I now move from a great philosophical observation to a puddle of festering monkey puke. When Slick Willie was elected President of the United States, he brought Webster Hubbell, a back slapper from Arkansas, into the Justice Department. In Christopher Hitchens book about Clinton, No One Left to Lie To, he reports that Clinton took Hubbell aside and told him to do two investigations, (1) Find out who killed Kennedy, and (2) Tell me whether there are UFO’s or not.

I would be stunned by this stupidity except I remember Reagan was relying on astrologists to predict where and when he should have a conference. Considering the mind numbing morons who have occupied the White House, it is a miracle that the Republic (not a democracy) has survived.

Respectfully submitted,
Donald M. Heavrin,
Your Servant of Truth

(461) Steve Jobs on Life

Charleston Pracers

noreply@blogger.com (Donald Heavrin) — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 18:18:00 +0000

Blog #460 Charleston Pracers

For what it is worth: did you notice there was a mind numbing idiot holding a John 3:16 sign in the stands at the NCAA tournament? Several years ago he was eliminated from football games and he has migrated to basketball. What pray tell does he think he is accomplishing by holding up the sign. The only people who give a rats ass are those of like mind. And of course those of like mind don’t care what the people behind him think. Since the people behind him cannot see the game they may want to invoke the mayhem rule and kill him before he kills the money they spent on the ticket. Since I am a secular humanist I was wallowing in sin until I saw his pathetic sign. Suddenly because of the sign I realized that I was on the train to hell.

No dance hall girls and Charleston Prancers, this train is bound for glory. Oh what I would pay if an old fashion Charleston Prancer beat the living hell out of the idiot.

Also another idiot, Zimmerman by name, who was a wannabe cop appointed himself the neighbor hood watch person (who called 911 fifty times in the last year) shot and killed a child who had gone out to buy a candy bar. On the 911 call he complained about how these criminal always get away. He was asked by the 911 operator if the was following the suspect. He said yes, and the operator told him he should not do that. Next we hear gun fire. Because the deceased was a black kid and the shooter said he acted in self defense there was almost no investigation until the neighborhood demanded an investigation. Welcome to the twilight zone.

Have you noticed, I sure you have, that a US soldier shot and killed 16 Afghan civilians. If you had to rate that as good or bad it would have to be rated as bad, very bad! But our soldier suffered severe head injuries on more than one occasion. He was serving his fourth tour of duty. If I got to vote I would vote to prosecute the bureaucrat who started the war and in particular the bureaucrat who sent our soldier into combat four times and the bureaucrat who did not give him complete medical care and a psychiatric exam to determine his mental health before he was sent back into the grinder.

One of the magazine shows dealt with marijuana being planted in Utah. Everyone was whispering because ‘they’ know we are coming. Except for Hansen, everyone was carrying semi automatically weapons. They found the field but the Utah growers jumped over a cliff. We have to be quiet. The policia said while holding a bud, this is almost ready for sale. How much did this boondoggle costs. And who cares. There would be no growing if there was not a demand. The government agent said we are going to win. Bull**** the war has been going on for 80 years and if the current dufus really believes the government or any government is going to win he is not competent to hold the job. Again the government is trying to out law feeling good and outlawing anything that can make someone feel good.

Boobs and boobs and boobs

noreply@blogger.com (Donald Heavrin) — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 16:04:00 +0000

(459) Boobs and Boobs and Boobs

I was wandering through the bookstore looking for a healthy eating magazine when my eyes landed on a magazine that features naked women. The center of the magazine was blocked out by a black strip and I wandered what horror was concealed behind the veil. I bought a copy, ripped it open and discovered a picture of a woman who was naked from the waist up. Wow! Breasts! I was so happy that the magazine and the management of the bookstore considered the youth of the area. What horror would have resulted if the youth had stumbled onto breasts without parental supervision? Then the unexpected and shocking happened. I found a book, actually several books, that explained how to do sex better, longer, stronger, and weirder. More pleasurable for both he and she. Plus the dog and the sheep would also prosper. There were no black strips, no seals, no warnings. Just naked bodies in an assortment of unlikely postures with vivid ‘how to’ do it descriptions. The books were available to anyone over three feet tall. Thus, we have the eternal question. When do breasts become undesirable and should be kept out of view and when are they wonderful? We all know that Janet Jackson’s breasts were verboten at the Super Bowl which raises another question, was it her boob or was it the ring around her nipple that brought out screams of protest. I vote for the ring. No ring, no complaints, no censure, no whine from the Christian community.

Of greater significance, I wonder how much time and finite resources we spend trying to prevent the public from seeing what they want to see.

Respectfully submitted,

Donald M. Heavrin
Your Servant of Truth in the Garden of Life

(458) Charles Sheets

noreply@blogger.com (Donald Heavrin) — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 20:36:00 +0000

Practice random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty.

In Louisville there’s a group of dedicated high school students who attend funerals of street people and people who were impoverished. They carry the casket, they say prayers, they sing a song or two, and they bury the person. The theory is that you don’t come into this world alone, and you should not leave this world alone. My son, Edward, is doing a documentary about the group, and the other day he mentioned Charles Sheets and one of the students who is involved in this program, I’ll call her Amanda.

At one of the funerals no one showed up, no family, no friends, no one except Amanda. She was there to pay her respects to Charles Sheets, who died alone, without friends, and without family. She was very sad, and when her parents asked her what she wanted for Christmas, she said she wanted a headstone for Charles Sheets. Her parents gave her the headstone, and it now marks the grave of Charles Sheets in Potter’s Field.

Practice random acts of kindness and senseless act of beauty.

Respectfully submitted,
Donald M. Heavrin,
Your Servant of Truth

POLITICS, FEAR AND RELIGION

noreply@blogger.com (Donald Heavrin) — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 21:25:00 +0000

I have received emails from multiple Democrat fund raising committees. Yesterday’s was a gem. It said they were dangerously close to falling short of their goal this month. What! The amazing aspect of the email is many people will send money to help the unknown fund raiser to meet his goal. Very few ask who set the goal, and what are the consequences of not making the goal. Will the world end? Will the fund raiser go out of business–I hope, I hope.

* * * * *

A citizen can always tell how corrupt a government is by observing the security around public officials. Remember all of the emperors of Rome had food testers. Within the last two months the Federal Building in Louisville has experienced the installation of large cast iron pawns (as in chess) around the Court House. Presumably the forty inch tall pawns will stop a car from driving up the steps of the Court House and through the door and down the hall to grandmother’s house. The only event in memory involving a vehicle and the local Federal Building was someone who was frustrated drove up the steps and dumped a load of asphalt. That asphalt is dangerous stuff.

* * * * *

The reason we have most laws is the fear factor. An event occurs, and the media and the public focus on the event. The level of fear rises. Politicians pass legislation that makes the matter much worse. The next year the politicians announce the asphalt problem has been solved, but the citizens are still worried. ‘I may have been using the steps when the asphalt truck arrived and dumped the asphalt, and I would have been smothered under the asphalt. Thank God for the government.’ However, in Bohunkus, Kentucky, a disgruntled citizen poured a bucked of pig dung on the steps on the Federal Building, thus causing the politicians to demand more money to increase the scope of control to include protecting us from pig dung.

* * * * *

According to Christopher Hitchens, religion is responsible for most of the evil on Earth. The Quaran burning is only one of the countless examples. As far as we know, Mohammad could not read or write. But the accidental burning of some Quarans has given the Islamic world a riotous cause, and something to complain about. For me the first question is: Which Quaran was burned? Over the centuries various Moslem clerics have declared that certain versions of the Quaran were the absolute final word and ordered the versions that did not comply to be burned. This, of course, set off protests that have gone on for centuries because another group believes that Quaran X or Quaran Y was the true holy book. This is much ado about nothing. But it is extremely dangerous. If the burning of the Quaran has become a cause to celebrate, then our Army needs to protect the people who burned the Quaran. When reason won’t work, we need to use force or, better yet, get the hell out of there. However, that’s not going to happen because we are leading Afghans to a peaceful democratic society. Ho, ho, ho.

Respectfully submitted,

Donald M. Heavrin,
Someone who has read
the Quaran, Version Q

THE AVAILABILITY CASCADE

noreply@blogger.com (Donald Heavrin) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 21:12:00 +0000

An event that is potentially dangerous is reported in the media. The public goes into the fear mode, and the newspaper reports the way the public responds to the perceived new risk. This behavior is known as the ‘availability cascade.’ The event is reported, which causes more fear, which causes more reporting, which causes more fear, etc., etc.

Rational people who say the danger is overstated are accused of being part of a coverup.

Politicians and regulators make ridiculous decisions and then report, ‘all is well.’ For example, if they report that the drug war has failed, rather than admit that the drug war is a stupid undertaking, they will demand more money for their committees, investigators and managers, and then all will be well.

Respectfully submitted,
Donald M. Heavrin,
Caught in the Avalanche

QUICKIE LLL: DECEPTION

noreply@blogger.com (Donald Heavrin) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 22:56:00 +0000

It is deception that lures the masses to anarchy and murder.
Or in the words of my philosophic adviser, Victoria:
‘Seduction, treachery, and deceit never go out of style.’

Respectfully submitted,
Donald M. Heavrin,
A survivor for peace

(455) CONCRETE WALLS

noreply@blogger.com (Donald Heavrin) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:07:00 +0000

I’ve been in Court for the last 10 days, and I am sorry I haven’t written anything important, unimportant, stupid, or brilliant. Perhaps nothing is better than something–you decide.

I went by the Federal Building this morning on the way to work. There were steel barriers around the building that look like alien invaders. Actually, they look like gigantic pawns in a chess set. The purpose, I assume, is to stop cars from driving into the building and blowing it up. You can always tell the level of corruption in any country by how afraid the bureaucrats of the world are at any moment. At the present moment, our leaders are so stupid/corrupt, the public has become aware of the situation. Thus, it has become necessary for our leaders to live behind concrete walls. Wherever you may live, drive past a courthouse in your area and imagine how it was 10-15 years ago versus how it is today. That will give you a clear indication of how fearful are your local establishments.

Respectfully submitted,
Donald M. Heavrin,
a confirmed peace advocate

(454) DOWN IN PAKISTAN

noreply@blogger.com (Donald Heavrin) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 21:26:00 +0000

It has been reported that the President of Pakistan sent Washington a please-help message to prevent a military coup after the Navy Seals killed Osama bin Laden.

Chapter Two: Someone in the know, a Pakistani named Mansoor Ijaz, made a public disclosure of this information. I have no idea exactly how this was supposed to shake out in the world of public opinion, but before this startling tidbit of information could be revealed, it was learned that Mansoor Ijaz had refereed a nude female wrestling match in 2004.

This shocking disclosure completely negated the information that he was providing about the President of Pakistan, if the information meant anything anyway.

*****

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Kaddafi loyalists have ignored the fact that Muammar is deceased and have taken back the city that was once Kaddafi’s stronghold. At the same time in Egypt, the people who were rioting for freedom are still rioting for freedom. The problem with the bizarre idea of democracy is that you don’t know what you’re going to get until after the rioting is over, an election is held, and someone with whom you may vehemently disagree is put into power. However, the Egyptian situation is a little stranger. The military is in power and the rioters don’t like that a bit. But that avoids the question of what happens if there is an election and General Doodah gets elected president? Meanwhile, back in Syria, President Obama is promising that the President of Syria’s regime is about to end. This brings me to ask the eternal question, “What next?”

*****

We’re headed toward the Super Bowl where two teams that should not have won are going to face each other in Super Bowl XLVI. Mind numbing turnovers and missed field goals produced this not-so-unusual event. If you examine the political spectrum, turnovers determine the outcome more often than not. Does anybody remember Herman Cain?

Respectfully submitted,
Donald M. Heavrin,
A political observer

(453) EMIL ZATOPEK & THE QUEST FOR POWER

noreply@blogger.com (Donald Heavrin) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 17:12:00 +0000

Copyright 2012 by Donald M. Heavrin

Emil Zatopek ran in 69 races in the late 1940's, at a distance of 5,000 meters or 10,000 meters. During that time-period, he never lost a race. What an amazing feat of human athleticism.

*****

On the power issue, I was at a conference in Florida, and my friend Jeff introduced me to a Judge who was operating a drug court. His name was Stanley Dulchild. When I said that we are not getting anywhere in the war on drugs, Dulchild responded, ‘Well, I’m not going to let my children decide what is best for them. That is certainly an invitation to disaster. That’s what parents are for–to keep their children safe.’

All of the turds who want to control your life will quickly obfuscate the issue when they can’t answer a question. Dulchild had reached that point. I did not say a word about how he should control his family, I merely observed that if it were my children, I would let them decide what was best for them, rather than have Dulchild, my neighbor, or the police department decide what mood-altering drugs they should use. Of greater importance, I didn’t want Dulchild or others of his ilk deciding what should happen if they use a drug that was not governmentally approved. However, logic and liberty was lost on Dulchild and reality was not an option, as he tried to bully me into concession. Fortunately for me and him, old age and poor physical condition have overtaken me, and I seldom get angry anymore. Not being angry allowed me to nod and grunt my way through lunch without punching him in the face or challenging him to a duel. When I ate all the food I needed, I jumped up and said, ‘Thank you, Judge Dulchild for the informative discussion. And thank you, Jeff, for allowing me to join you for lunch.’ Jeff looked relieved that I was leaving. I suspect that Dulchild was petty enough to hold my opinion against him for the rest of his legal career. That is akin to killing the messenger, since I was never going to be in the turd’s Court. He would punish Jeff because Jeff knew me and had invited me to lunch.

Dulchild was intoxicated with power that had been bestowed upon him by some brain-dead Legislature. He had been put in charge of the Drug Court and proudly said that, ‘If you’re stupid enough to go through my program, then you are going to pay a heavy price.’ All conflict is over who controls the power. Judge Dulchild was firmly in control of the Drug Court, and he was making it as hard as possible on the poor saps who landed in his Court.

Respectfully submitted,
Donald M. Heavrin,
Trying to avoid Dulchild and to find more Zatopeks in the world

(452) POLITICS & PEACE

noreply@blogger.com (Donald Heavrin) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 21:39:00 +0000

I saw P. J. O’Rourke the other morning on television, and he predicted that Obama would win if there was good economic news within 30 days before the election. Otherwise, he thinks the Republicans will win.

* * * * *

I just took an internet test to determine which candidate thinks most like me. I was not surprised when Ron Paul was the candidate I most agree with. If you are anti-Ron Paul, don’t worry. He has no chance of winning.

I also watched an interview with a fellow who is saying that we should have playoffs in college football. First things first. The person conducting the interview was asked if it would be a good idea for the Federal government to intervene and force the NCAA to conduct playoffs. What a moronic suggestion. When asked why we don’t have playoffs, the fellow who was being interviewed gave an astute answer. He said, “The people who run the bowl conference championship organization would make more money if they had playoffs,” but money is not the issue. The issue is power. And he opined that all conflict is over who controls the power. Otherwise we would get rid of the Department of Energy, the Department of Education, a bunch of criminal laws and several other worthless, do nothing organizations. Alas, we cannot. The public has been scared out of its collective wits and thinks that if we give up any part of the government, we will slide into the black hole of chaos and ignorance. However, it was refreshing to hear someone talk about the quest for power. I once represented a police officer who was making $60,000 a year. A major client of mine had an opening for a chief of security position that paid $150,000 a year, plus enormous benefits. (This was back in the day when $150,000 was a lot of money.) I think he could have gotten the job, but he would not give up the power to make arrests. He loved the control. So it goes on the world stage.

To Obama’s credit, he is cutting the defense budget. Amazingly the press interviewed a red neck who said that China was trying to take over the world, and we needed the biggest, hairiest military possible to contain the Chinese. Caveat: If the Chinese want to take over the world, we would be equal to a bump on the elephant’s butt, and nothing more. Since we oppose oppression, torture, and anti-democracy nations, why haven’t we taken on China? The answer is manifold. For instance, we depend on China to stay alive because they’re the only country that will buy our junk bonds, and, two, somebody in the upper echelon of our government realizes that attacking China would be sheer folly, and that we would be obliterated in a matter of minutes. Goodness, there’s someone somewhere who’s smart enough to realize we should leave China alone.

Ironically, as soon as we end a war (Iraq), we start looking for another war to get into. As I said in a prior blog, war is the greatest waste, always has been, always will be.

My friend, David Schwanzengruber, has observed that no one remembers those who had died in war, nor do they remember the causes that anyone fought for. Soon after the war is over those who were killed become names on blocks of stone in cemeteries, and that’s it. I have frequently said “Let’s endeavor to stop war.”

I don’t know if you’ve noticed the Republican candidates, but there could actually be a comedy routine based on this blundering herd of idiots.

Respectfully submitted,
Donald M. Heavrin,
Someone seeking peace

(451) DEUCES & JACKS

noreply@blogger.com (Donald Heavrin) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 21:26:00 +0000

Someone whose name I cannot recall made the profound observation that the greatest waste was war. I am sure there have been other philosophers who made the same observation. The observer stated that fabulous young men and women, which are our primary resources, were poured down the hole of war. The writer also talked about the Cold War, the Vietnam War, the Middle East, the Korean War, the Latin-American War, the burning of our own ghettos, and noted that as soon as one war is over, we get ready to find a new enemy so we can continue the mindless wasting.

*****

Has anyone noticed the profound ignorance of the Republican candidates? President Obama has been extremely destructive, but there is no way he can be defeated in the upcoming election. He is a nice guy who is somewhat self-effacing, and he will prevail regardless of which doofus the Republicans put up in opposition. Ron Paul has the only freedom agenda on the horizon, and he has no chance of getting elected because he is vilified every step of the way. I hope a few people at least listen to his philosophies. Perhaps (not likely), some people will understand liberty and freedom.

Respectfully submitted,
Donald M. Heavrin
An advocate for peace and freedom

(450) PEACE AT LAST

noreply@blogger.com (Donald Heavrin) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 19:30:00 +0000

On March 29, 1997 I observed, “Evil rarely loses.”

Saddam Hussein is long, long dead. Osama bin Laden is recently dead, and Muammar Kaddafi is too. With the demise of all of these despots, peace has reigned supreme.

The establishment is talking about taking aggressive action regarding Syria and Iran. Ringo Starr, the leader in Iran (Ahmadinejad), is threatening to block the Straits of Hormuz, which is not in the interest of peace.

We have also sold billions of dollars worth of aircraft to the Saudis and we are training on how to use the airplanes. This is another hysterically bad mistake that the United States is making.

In the interest of free choice, Michelle Obama is now pressuring restaurants to serve smaller portions of food. What? Huh?

Meanwhile, we have made it through another year, and we have all had (as far as I can tell) enough to eat. Let’s keep up the good work.

Respectfully submitted,
Donald M. Heavrin,
A proponent of peace

(449) HO, HO, HO -- HA, HA, HA

noreply@blogger.com (Donald Heavrin) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 19:27:00 +0000

First, if there is anything going on in politics that you don’t like, write a letter. The only way the climate will change is if the politicians who are in office think there is a chance they will lose in the next election. A sanely-written letter will get their attention, and if enough letters arrive, it will change their actions.

We have a military presence in more than 100 countries. Could we get by with a military presence in only 50 countries?

On health care, let everyone deduct all of their health-care costs from their gross income. Simple solution, without 20,000 pages of regulations. If there are people who do not have any income, the government should pay for all medical costs without thousands of pages of regulations. If the doctor prescribed it, pay for it. In so doing, the cost of medicine will reduce because we would not be paying thousands of bureaucrats to parse-out how many toenail clippings a person can get every year.

It would also be nice if we stopped these stupid drug wars.

The year has not been all bad: Pukeface, the Dictator in North Korea, cashed in.

The year was all bad: Now Pudge Pukeface, his son, is going to take over, and no one knows what will happen next, or the military will seize control of North Korea.

All the revolutions produce is uncertainty. Look at Egypt. The old regime is looking better all the time.

*****

In the meantime, drink a glass of wine, make love, listen to rock-n-roll music or Mozart–either way, your life will be enhanced.

Happy Holidays!

Respectfully submitted,
Donald M. Heavrin,
Your servant of peace

(448) A VOICE OF REASON

noreply@blogger.com (Donald Heavrin) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 17:20:00 +0000

Christopher Hitchens died at age 62–a voice of reason has been stilled. My favorite observation by Hitchens (and there have been many) is that he found Bill Clinton to be hateful in his behavior to women, pathological as a liar, and deeply suspect when it came to money and politics. He was, of course, absolutely right. He wrote a clever book about Clinton, No One Left to Lie To. He also loathed Hillary Rodham Clinton as much as I do. She sat there on 60 Minutes beside Slick Willy and lied to the world when she said that Jennifer Flowers was a liar.

When the Muslim world demanded that the Danish newspaper apologize for publishing cartoons of the prophet Muhammad, Hitchens said, “It is now demanded that such a preposterous claim be made immune from any inquiry, any critique, and any ridicule."

I already miss him.

*****

At last, one of President Obama’s promises has sort-of come true. We are, in theory, leaving Iraq. The death toll was more than 4,000 Americans, and the total wounded was over 30.000. Despite the enormous cost of the war, the real cost will be in taking care of our service women and men who have been wounded in this fiasco. Meanwhile, back in Washington, the political establishment is having a difficult time getting together on anything. The problem is that there are true believers on both sides. Thinking that they could be wrong is beyond their ken.

On one specific issue, rather than have 2,000 pages that explain Medicare, start by letting everybody deduct all of their medical expenses from their taxes. A great start and a very simple solution compared to the nonsense being foisted upon us by Washington. Also, if the money that is being generated toward Medicare is insufficient, double the rate. Private insurance carriers, when they are losing money on the premiums they charge, raise the premium to cover the cost. After the premium has been raised, pay everything and stop employing hundreds, perhaps thousands, of bureaucrats to monitor and control our health care.

Respectfully submitted,
Donald M. Heavrin,
Life in the fast lane

(447) TORA, TORA, TORA

noreply@blogger.com (Donald Heavrin) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 17:45:00 +0000

Today marks the 70th anniversary of the attack at Pearl Harbor.

After Pearl Harbor, we waged a war against stupid aggression and genocide. One would think that when peace broke out, the world would have learned its lesson. However, we have been embroiled in Korea, Vietnam, and the Middle East. The United States has successfully engineered the demise of Muammar Qaddafi and Saddam Hussein. Surely that would make the world safer. Unfortunately, it hasn’t.

While all of this is going on, I saw Ben Stein on television the other day, and he reported watching one of his grandchildren play a game called Zombies. It occurred to him that the political establishment is zombie-like. They can see a problem and walk right past it without ever noticing it or trying to solve it. At the present moment, Ahmadinejad (“Ringo”) and the fruitcake in North Korea are doing a lot of saber rattling. We are, again, stuck in a quagmire of uncertainty. For my money, I think we need to get out of the Middle East, ASAP. Korea will have to wait.

Peace,
Donald M. Heavrin

(446) STEVE JOBS, IRAQ, AND RAND PAUL'S TAKE ON 9/11

noreply@blogger.com (Donald Heavrin) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 21:45:00 +0000

I have been buried under Steven Jobs’ information. The story that is being circulated is that he was a computer genius. However, the truth of the matter is far, far removed from Jobs being a genius with computers. The Apple II computer from top to bottom was designed by Steven Wozinak. The Apple II was a tremendous instrument in its day. Jobs was apparently jealous of the success of Wozinak, and he designed the case for Apple III. No matter how much the engineers protested that it was impossible to get the processors in the computer that Jobs wanted in that size a case, Jobs insisted on using the case that he had designed. As a result, many add-ons had to be put in the computer on an after market basis, and his computer was a mammoth failure. He was also known to cry if he did not get his way. He had no regard for personal hygiene, walked around barefooted, and smelled bad. He denied paternity of his first child, and was abusive and abrasive to servers most of the time. With the invention of the Lisa, which was named for the daughter that Jobs had abandoned, rather than admit it was named after his daughter, Apple said that Lisa stands for ‘Local Integrated Systems Architecture.’ Apple got back on track, but Apple engineers, not Jobs, designed the computer. Jobs was good at designing cases, but the computer technology was left to Wozinak and other engineers.
* * * * *
At last we’re supposed to be getting out of Iraq. It only cost us 4,000 lives and 40,000 wounded. However, we did get rid of Saddam Hussein, which has caused a continuing strife in the country, and may for the next hundred years.
* * * * *
I read an interesting editorial by Rand Paul. He makes brilliant observations. He states that Al Quaida was not formidable, the Department of Defense withheld intelligence from the FBI. The FBI was advised time and time again by its field agents who were in possession of lap top information that could have prevented the 9/11 attacks. As a result of this bureaucratic bungling, we’re now being strip searched at the airport, and, as Rand says, we are subject to the failures of imperfect men and women in bloated bureaucracies. The fact that the government is taking away our liberty in the name of fear and protection should not be allowed, and I say the only way to stop this is to let your representative and your senators know that they will not be re-elected unless this bull dung stops.

Respectfully submitted,
Donald M. Heavrin,
A concerned citizen

QUCKIE KKK

noreply@blogger.com (Donald Heavrin) — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 21:24:00 +0000

Happy Thanksgiving!

I have just finished reading Reading for Survival by John D. MacDonald. It is 38 pages long, and it is one of the best quick reads of all time. I certify that it is well worth reading. If you would like to have a copy, email me at lvlaw@cas-com.net and put on the subject line the word ‘Book’ so that my mail-washer unit does not reject your message. No charge, but first come, first served.

Respectfully submitted,
Donald M. Heavrin,
A survivor for peace

(445) MESSIANIC COMPLEX

noreply@blogger.com (Donald Heavrin) — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 20:12:00 +0000

Oscar Ortega, the fruit cake who shot up the White House said before and after the shooting that he was Jesus. He is indeed bat-shit crazy. Before we completely discount him, let us consider three of the myriad options that are on the table.

1) He doesn’t believe he is Jesus and is advancing the idea to excuse his bat-shit crazy behavior.

2) He really thinks he is Jesus. He is still bat-shit crazy.

3) He may really be Jesus and he is bat-shit crazy.

For the rest of us, the horror is he got to vote and his vote counted.

Speaking of voting: after the Civil War the 15th Amendment was passed, and citizens could no longer be excluded from the polls because of race. Some states started looking for reasons to exclude black voters, other than race, and they were very successful. However, for the moment let us pretend that the Amendment did what it was intended to do. The end result: black men and white men could vote while black women and white women could not. This caused Suffragette Elizabeth Cady Stanton to write, "...if you do not wish the lower order of Chinese, African, German and Irish with their low ideas of womanhood to make laws for you and your daughters ... awake to the danger ... and demand that woman too, shall be represented in the government!"

I don’t think the Irish should be allowed to vote, any time, any place, but to lump the others in with the Irish is very insulting to the other groups.

Respectfully submitted,
Donald M. Heavrin,
Observer in the garden of strange