Entries by [Positive Dennis] (1264)
Jerry Pournelle on Free Trade and Trump
Wednesday, February 17, 2016 at 3:00AM From Jerry Pournelle, one of my favorite Science Fiction writers,
When I was growing up we were taught in sixth grade that Democrats wanted “tariff for revenue only;” Republicans wanted protective tariff to keep manufacturing – and jobs – at home. Abraham Lincoln said of tariff, if he buys a shirt from England, he gets the shirt but the money leaves the country and pays wages to Englishmen; if he buys it from a US manufacturer, he has the shirt, and the money stays in America, paying American workers. This is, according to Ricardo, far too simple an analysis; but it appeals to reason. American goods may cost more without overseas competition, but the money and jobs stay/ cheaper goods are not always appealing to those who have no jobs to give then wages, and must rely in government to pay them for not working; and a sizeable number of “workers” resent being on the unemployment role and getting welfare aid.
The US establishment went to war in 1940, and suddenly produced tanks, rifles, airplanes, trucks, bandages, ammunition, cargo ships and battleships; when the American people rose up they drowned Germany and Japan in war materiel. The German war machine used animal drawn transport to supply much of the Wehrmacht; The United States turned the last cavalry regiments into mechanized units and the Red Ball Express that supplied Patton. I used mules to plow cotton fields during World War II; but our soldiers did not depend on mules for ammunition. If all our plants had been in Frankfurt instead of Detroit, the outcome might have been different.
That, I believe, is how Trump sees things.
Food in Russia
Tuesday, February 16, 2016 at 3:00AM I thought this little clip might be of interest. Food in Russia is of far superior quality, except for the beef, than the normal American fare. Most food there is organic because that is just the way things are done. You do note that fact that the fruit is not as artificially pristine as most US food, but it tastes better. It might be interesting if in the future the only way to get good food is to import it from Russia, or live there.
Bernie Trump
Sunday, February 14, 2016 at 3:00AM I disagree with Madeline Albright. You won't go to hell if you decide not to vote for Clinton.
Nor do I think God wants you to vote for Cruz:
Or not just from Cruz's father, also from the horse's mouth.
Cruz's comment about executive orders certainly fell on my receptive ears, but other parts of this I thought dumb. I found his promise to tear up the Iranian agreement troubling. If he does this, no one in the world will go along with him, and the net result will be Iran will get all the benefits of the agreement, no more sanctions, while from their perspective have none of the obligations they undertook in the treaty. It might be emotionally satisfying to tear up the treaty, but it is very immature and will lead to many asking the question, "What other treaties will America tear up?"
The main point I have in this post is not political. Instead I want to comment on the messianic nature of modern politics. This is why the title of the post is Bernie Trump. Both candidates are messianic pretenders of the worst sort. Oh, if only we elect the right person America will become that promised "City on the Hill."
Nonsense.
American has never been, nor ever will be that city. Do you doubt this? I suggest you look at the treatment of the Cherokee by President Jackson--talk about a special place in hell! I suggest you look at the history of this at Pam Dewey's, the beloved editor of this blog, website.
Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding.
Yes, modern American politics can easily be described as being without understanding. Any measuring we do needs to have a higher standard of measurement.
So if as an evangelical I am supposed to vote my values, why does Ted "Carpet Bomb" Cruz think that means voting for him would accomplish this?
This is a basic misunderstanding of government and religion. This is not God's world, it belongs to another god. While selecting which demon will rule over me does have a certain appeal--I like the Trump demon best--ultimately picking a demon is what I am doing. I think I will pass. The only way to change America is to change the hearts of Americans. I have blogged on this before. You might also look at what has been my second most viewed blog post where I talk about the rah-rah nature of politics from the last election. Have I really been blogging that long?!
I thought that in conclusion I would actually have a clip by Rubio I agree with, no politician is a savior. The beginning of the clip is all I am referencing, the end is more political nonsense, I turned it off. I suggest you turn off all the messianic pretenders on your television. There is a better savior.
Week 16: I'm Walking, Yes Indeed
Friday, February 12, 2016 at 8:11AM 
The first step in improving fitness is to move your body all day long. I talked about this in my previous blog post, "Balloon Ball." This step consists of things like taking the stairs instead of the elevator. 
I talked about bell curves in a previous post. Many topics in life fit the bell curve pattern. In this case along the horizontal axis is the amount of exercise, along the vertical is health benefits. The graphical result is a bell shaped curve. Often the angle of the curve is rather steep. My guess is that this is the case with exercise, that "a little goes a long way." Our ancestors walked for miles and miles every day. I am not sure you need to do that much, as that may put you into the area of overexercise, but we are made to walk, not drive.
