Ed Morrissey of HotAir asks when Republicans are going to target the black vote in the United States. I think he means in terms of the Presidential election, since inside gerrymandered U.S. Congressional districts, blacks are usually concentrated with each other to create safe Democratic seats. This can also be written: “Blacks are shunted into … Continue Reading
A good short read about J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. I especially liked how Lewis figured Ransom as a kind of Tolkien, and Tolkien figured Lewis as a kind of Treebeard, even down to his deep voice and constant throat-clearing. But what is most interesting is how Tolkien, and another scholar named Henry Victor Dyson, … Continue Reading
Notice this physical impossibility: But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Hands can’t “know” things and his hearers knew that (why would Jesus make any reference to the mind here?) Jesus explained Himself immediately. … Continue Reading
I was thinking about this post, where I recommended an investment to start early in your working life, which would make you stupid rich eventually. Then I found Scott Adams’ “Dilbert’s One-Page Guide to Everything Financial.” The list is reproduced below (click through if you want to see more.) 1. Make a will. 2. Pay … Continue Reading
Incentives. I could stop there. In business and in life, incentives make all the difference. Understand the incentives on both sides before engaging in a transaction. Most investment managers get paid for how much money they manage, not how much money they make you. Real estate agents are more encouraged to get your house sold … Continue Reading
I think that Jesus used hyperbole to be a Great Persuader. From the Sermon on the Mount: For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. (Matt. 5:18) “Settle matters quickly … Continue Reading
Private property. It sounds so good, so right, so true. It’s so dang important that it was written into that old document about our Rights (no, not that one; I mean this one, which is much better.) But when we talk about rights, we usually perceive them to be only about a benefit to us; … Continue Reading
So you want to be a pilot. That’s great. It is a superb profession. I’ll give you an anecdote. I start with the worst thing that happened to me in aviation: getting laid off from my airline job in 2003. To pay the bills I sold health insurance. I got my license, started making cold … Continue Reading
As I age, it’s becoming more interesting to watch my sons’ trials, especially comparing their reactions to mine. Here’s one: a painful social situation that gives rise to a temptation to remonstrate with a former friend or acquaintance. In the short run, giving in to the temptation feels good. But in the long run, it’s … Continue Reading
Yup. And it’s hard to tell the difference between Sunni Islam and Wahhabism. Wrong horse.