We are celebrating my grandson’s birthday today. Tommy the Tank is gonna be six whole years old! He wants to be nine so he can play football and if you saw him you would know why. He’s already taller than his older brother and all the kids in his kindergarten class and he’s built like a linebacker.
I have to quit calling him “Tommy” and “Tommy the Tank”. He told me at my birthday dinner last week that he wants to be called “Tom”. I guess some kids at school teased him about “Tommy” and said it was a girl’s name. (I suspect they won’t do that again but it was Tom who got in trouble.)
What are your plans for today?
While you’re drinking your coffee you should watch this Bullshit:
The Crawdad Hole 
Palin strikes again-
I wish I’d known that before I fed them and clothed them for 22 years, paid to send them to college, and paid to marry them off.
I don’t think she understands evolutionary biology. We have behaviors and instincts that make sure our genes succeed and carry on. Does that give us the right to kill off other genes than our own. Of course not but it does not mean we want to kill off our own to accommodate an ideologue like Harris-Perry who is ignoring one of the basic behaviors of being human.
Is she human or a robot?
If we experimented starting with her child, she’d change her tune in 5 seconds.
We didn’t have that child; the community did.
While I really dislike this woman and the tone and attitude she presents, I have to say that growing up in a different era, some of us DID live in neighborhoods where we took care of each other and watched out for each other. You didn’t get away with much as a kid without some neighbor watching you. And kids actually respected the elder people in the neighborhood…and everybody knew everybody else. Interestingly, too, many of us grew up in “ethnically” similar neighborhoods…..Dutch, German, Italian, African-American, Irish, Jewish…there was, and I think still is, a certain ethnic bond that does tie….whether we want to believe that or not.. Over my lifetime, I have heard many people, especially here in Spanish-oriented northern New Mexico, ask “what is wrong with living among your own kind”? Ah, because we strive for that good ole overwrought diversity thing!
There is indeed a West African tradition in many small villages of watching out for all of the kids. In the small village that I lived in for several years deep in the interior of Liberia, a kid would never steal anything or abuse another person without strong retribution. A father and all of his brothers would all be called “father” by a son or daughter. But that was a different culture…..and there were the ever-present “ngamu” or dancing “devils” that would appear in town at night and warn someone who was being abusive that they might be “dealt with” if they didn’t buck up.
It does come back to respect….different than “tolerance” as yttik pointed out yesterday. The difference, to me, in real community, cultural concern is about truly respecting the welfare of individuals as part of the whole community. I don’t think that’s what Harris Perry has in mind. What she is leaning forward to is more government intervention in the socializing of children.
I still vividly remember an incident that has stuck with me for all those years. There was a mentally “different” (the word for mentally different or “retarded” among the Kpelle people was “gnu gnu”, meaning literally butterfly) woman living in the village who was chained to a small log. I thought this was a bit cruel perhaps and when I asked a friend about it he said that she had the habit of running away into the forest and was hard to find and subject to a variety of wild animals and poisonous snakes. This way, chained to a small log, she could move about and cook and be helpful to others without causing a huge problem for those around her. That was a community that cared about this person.
when my kids were little we lived in an area of Philadelphia where we had a square in the middle surrounded by row houses. there were about 125 kids in the area. all the neighbors watched out for the kids and if one misbehaved a neighbor would let them know they were wrong. If the behavior was too bad the kid was brought to the parent.
but it was a different era and there was respect taught. that is not happening in a lot of places today. It is sad because a lot was lost. now would a neighbor even bother to get involved?
No, and sadly, people can now be attacked and even killed in neighborhoods and no one will intervene or even call for help.
Tribes are extended families usually. My husband belongs to a extended “clan”. They share the same DNA and look out for each others kids socially and economically. But they are still family and propagating their own genetics. This comes from the mother country and a a self regulated family structure that survived in harsh conditions in spite of everything like wars, famine, horrible climate, etc. Individuals will wander out of it and be welcomed back with open arms. It is inclusive and cliquish at the same time. Ms. Harris-Perry wants to break the familial link because she thinks it would be to her benefit.
Precisely. I remember the cover of a Time magazine from the late 60s/early 70s that read “Tribalism: The Scourge of Africa”. And I have frequently thought about that. No doubt that tribal animosities throughout Africa have been sometimes brutal….but it is, as you point out, also the social glue. But then, we all come from tribal societies at some point….thus, the title of my now finally finished first, and probably only, book of poetry….Tribal.
Cuz This goes with the graphic in the post lol
It’s quite startling how many cultural illusions/delusions we all live with. Apparently science these days is the science of consensus, so if everybody believes in something it must be true. You know you’ve met a good cultural delusion by the amount of resistance you encounter if you question it. I’m pretty sure that if you question recycling, you’ll be tarred and feathered and run out of town on a rail.
The key to creating a powerful illusion, is to make people feel good about themselves. That’s why people believe in the myth of President Obama, because they feel all good and self righteous about voting for him. He’s going to save us from evil Republicans, feed the poor, give us all free healthcare.
Like sending money to PETA the greatest animal lover organization -hah – should be renamed Killers.
In my town we have to pay $2 for every bag of trash we put out, but recycling is picked up for free. I recycle everything I can to save the $2, but I have no illusions about what happens to what I recycle. I don’t waste any water washing bottles and cans. If they’re really stinky, they go in the trash because it’s picked up more often. I don’t remove the labels. I have a friend who runs her bottles and cans through the dishwasher before she throws them out. Give me a break. I don’t cut the plastic windows out of envelopes. I put the cardboard and paper out the night before – raining or not. They pick up at my house at 6:30am. I don’t use the plastic buckets they gave us. It all goes out in plastic bags because they’re easier for me to carry. My neighbor says if I “don’t follow the rules”, they won’t take my recycling away, but I’ve lived here 25 years, and they’ve never left it behind. Not once. This has been a “feel good” movement from the moment it started. It’s never been reality-based. The surprise to me has been that “feel good” has become the new normal for most everything the government does. So very little is based on cold, hard facts, and measurable, worthwhile results.
Happy Birthday Tommy 🙂
Happy Birthday Tom, may you have all the cake you want.
Many years ago, we watched a German program about recycling where people complained (rightly so) about the amount of precious water it took to clean cans and bottles for recycling. More money and resources wasted in order to make someone happy. Confession time, lately we have been throwing out the empty dog food cans into regular trash – besides the recycling truck only comes every other week.
We used to have a nazi school aide who was finally transferred after causing much strife about our lack of total compliance in her recycling program.
http://hotair.com/archives/2013/04/07/video-cornhuskers-make-a-wish-come-true/
this is the spirit of a college football team with good values and great hearts
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TOMMY
ENJOY YOUR DAY
my grandson Tommy is now 6ft 4inches tall and is now a dad himself. I still call him Tommy
http://www.newsdaily.com/stories/bre93600v-us-usa-cuba-beyonce/
lawmakers question beyonce and hubbies trip to Cuba
I thought it was illegal for Americans to vacation in Cuba and I thought the feds had met several Canadian planes returning from Cuba to arrest or fine any US citizens on board. Also remember that Beyonce did a private New Years eve concert for Gaddafi in Libya for a million dollars. I guess she pretty much does what ever.
Happy Birthday, Thomas!
http://weaselzippers.us/2013/04/07/youth-unemployment-at-22-9/
youth unemployment
Happy Birthday, Tom the Man!
not a peep…
http://news.sky.com/story/1074978/afghanistan-taliban-kill-six-americans
Happy birthday to the little big guy!
We’ve got a rare family day planned. We’re going to see Oz here in an hour and a half, then lunch-dinner at Steak & Shake, then home to clean the house as a unit for once. Later I have some papers to grade a 2 hour season premier of Mad Men to watch. The sun is up and it’s 65 degrees here and rising. Gonna be a good day!
PS: Modo being the viper she is: http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/07/opinion/sunday/dowd-can-we-get-hillary-without-the-foolery.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
After a paragraph or two, I started exchanging Hillary’s name with Barack, and it made much, much more sense.
Notice absolutely no mention of the sexism Democrats used against Hillary and Palin in 2008. The Democrats who launched the sexist 2008 attacks have even more power now. I want to see a woman President but I’m hoping it is a Republican.
We’ll see. Will progressive types make the same mistake they made in the 19th century? Stay tuned to find out if history echoes…
http://www.therightscoop.com/appalling-disabled-veterans-waiting-years-to-get-va-benefits-they-deserve/
these vets did not wait to give their service, why do they have to wait so long to get service?
http://www.redstate.com/2013/04/07/barack-obama-blames-us-navy-for-increased-north-korean-tensions/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
unbelievable
http://atlasshrugs2000.typepad.com/atlas_shrugs/2013/04/hack-attack-israel-hacks-back-posts-hatikvah-on-anonymous-opisrael-website.html
Israel hacks anonymous
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/04/07/8-unique-college-classes/2060425/
how much does a college education cost today, and how long are the kids and parents in debt to pay for it?? for this????
http://www.mediaite.com/online/mother-of-slain-benghazi-officer-to-sean-hannity-they-want-me-to-shut-up/
this is just sad. I do not think we will ever find out what happened in Benghazi until at least after 2016. and that depends who gets in office
http://www.aim.org/special-report/police-militarization-abuses-of-power-and-the-road-to-impeachment/#
funny how there is no loud outcry about these abuses
Walter Russell Mead:
I think it’s always been this way. It’s just more pronounced as we enter hell, somehow riding in a hand basket. Where the hell did the hand basket come from anyway?
Little Red Riding Hood.
Yes, yes, yes. All of this shit is to protect their own privilege. We are being ruled by the idiots.
Unfortunately we have to undermine our country to undermine the elitists who are controlling both parties and the government. They aren’t elite people though, they are elitist.
Fuck off, Zsa Zsa
Nice subtle way to sabotage and destroy Hillary. Clever Zsa Zsa.
Looks like it’s mean girls day among the fifty-somethings.
Zsa Zsa Huffington has gotta be in her 60’s by now. Same with MoDo.
Zsa Zsa is 62, three years younger that Hillary. Murine Dud is 61.
They are jealous. They didn’t have her career. Or Bill. And now it is too late. So sad. LOL.
Happy Birthday, Tom!!
Re: Little Kim – there should be an international law demanding that any head of state complete at lease ONE Saturn Return before running the goddam joint.
This little twerp is on the verge of his first SR, and like may know-it-all twenty something year olds, hasn’t a fucking clue.
Happy Birthday Tom!!
I hope you have a wonderful day with your family Myiq!
You obviously haven’t been paying attention to the stories about my family.
They sound very interesting. If they were big boring duds you would not like it.
You know you love them!
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jNjQ5dToznmFgzPRjgcLHtEjTIYg?docId=CNG.4b0fb8cd45c6ed9e61c71cd35a39ea8e.301
per Netanyahu Israel can only rely on herself against Iranian threat.
that is a pretty stark statement
That has been Israel’s defense policy since day one.
http://weaselzippers.us/2013/04/07/left-shows-great-compassion-to-pastor-rick-warren-on-suicide-of-his-son-accuse-his-son-who-suffered-from-mental-illness-of-being-gay/
vile progs have no shame.
I know! The comments all over the place have been just atrocious.
Vile Progs are vile.
I especially liked: It’s Potemkin village, when it’s not kabuki. ayup.
Happy Birthday Lil’ Myiq-ette !
I’m late to the party today, just wanted to share…..
http://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2013/04/mother-of-slain-benghazi-officer-about-obama-administration-they-want-me-to-shut-up/
For F**k’s sake, we lost another diplomat yesterday while Bam was on the golf course. Optics, Dear Leader, Optics !
and this…
http://www.mediaite.com/online/mother-of-slain-benghazi-officer-to-sean-hannity-they-want-me-to-shut-up/
RCP:
After 8 years of Bush and 8 more of Obama, that’s 16 years of damage done. Why would Hillary even want to run?
Somebody has to clean up the mess.
Truth does that.
http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Government/2013/04/06/Local-Grassroots-Leaders-to-the-RNC-Join-Us-or-Get-the-Hell-Out-of-the-Way
mutiny and it about damn time
http://video.foxnews.com/v/2272423193001/bias-bash-ap-finally-notices-obama-side-steps-the-press/?intcmp=obnetwork
oh cry me a river, it took them 5 years to figure this out?
http://www.americanthinker.com/2013/04/swallowing_camelsstraining_at_gnats.html
a pretty good example of the backtrack government
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2305572/Hot-metal-Stunning-Taylor-Swift-steals-red-carpet-shimmering-old-gold-gown-Academy-Country-Music-Awards.html
your girl looked good MYIQ
She always looks good. If she wasn’t a singer she could be a supermodel.
Stevie Wonder was the closing act for the Academy of Country Music Awards show.
I guess that makes him an Uncle Tom.