My morning reads.

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Every morning, sometimes several times during the day, I view blogs and news sources looking for interesting tidbits and thought germs from which to begin personal thought threads and comments. I go to blogs, some of which are as much as 90 degrees off my port or starboard bow. Occasionally I look back, to see what is headed my way and what is going in the opposite direction, and of course I look forward at obstacles, man-made and otherwise. To be sure, I pilot a ship of fools. I have no passengers or crew, however, so my discretional latitude is much greater. And, no, I never really know for sure. Like everyone else, I am making it up as I go along. The difference from many out here, however, is that I do have a moral compass, a bearing which is fundamental, and a King with Whom I have a healthy relationship and trust and Who’s orders I do my best to obey. My tools of travel, however, are far from perfect (within my hands and in the here and now). Storms come and blow me off course, sometimes I cannot tell where I am or where to go, and sometimes my compass is off due to mechanical failures.

This morning, I was reading an article by Vox. In ‘Counterpush’, Vox indicates that it takes the opposition party (to a position) to actually see the thing through. The discussion that Democrats have lead us into most modern wars*, despite their peacenik self definition. The notion that it took Nixon to visit China, despite our supposed anti-communism. And among other things, that it took a Republican to see the Feds buying Fanny Mae and Freddy Mac (see my note on this one). I must say, however, that much of this comes from having a congress and a president in opposition. It makes those things which seem to be in opposition receive the headlines (note also that Nixon got us out of Vietnam, a more typically Republican action, among a few others). I must assume that every Republican, even if they are genuinely conservative, has notions which conservatives will generally disagree with. And, beyond that, the fact is in a democratic republic, every leader has to pick their battles. Giving in, or even joining in or initiating, a non-conservative policy is not only likely, it will have to happen. Further, even if a conservative candidate makes it to the White House and with a conservative congress, the truth is these people also are there to serve all Americans, including “liberals”. And, as I suggested before, the press is going to remember the seemingly contrary to party affiliation actions and ignoring all of the things done in step with what is expected (except at election time).

I continue to be amazed by the success of Sarah Palan. McCain has succeeded in pushing the Republican Party into the quota era. It is so 70’s. I suppose I should be happy they have not added lava lights as their favored lighting units. As the Democrats chose a (ever “better”) other minority. It does show two other things, however. First, it shows women are at least as sexist as men, and unwisely so, due to the last decades of indoctrination in public education to private schools (a definite plug for home-schooling here). It also shows that women, overwhelmingly, have been waiting to be “conservative”. Sadly, it is too late and their enjoining is done in such a way so that it helps undo what they wish to be party to. To this point, however, given the indoctrination, they have been (seemingly) voting against the system rather than for Democrats. I think their lust for socialism has waned as they finally understand that no state can impose actual equality (thus my belief that their sexism is unwise).

This election is interesting, however. It is the beginning of the end of the West as we have known it. Whether this is merely the final straw, the beginning of a transition, or the end game, I cannot be sure. It marks a distinctive change. Atlas has shrugged, and what has held the world on it’s shoulders is letting go and preparing to fade away. There is no other, his sons are metrosexuals at best, his interest and strength have faded, his old rights as servant and master of his domain have been decayed to the point of irrelevance, and his time is nearly through. The dark ages (or some believe Armageddon) are upon us again. If politics does not indicate this to you, financial matters should. Do you really think, when the world’s markets collapse, that the governments in power will be able to maintain social order while remaining free? If you have faith in the world, you are lost. Only faith in what is beyond is of import. That last, for me, may well be about to be tested.

Of course, I sometimes wonder if I am a catastrophe monger. I sometimes think I see the potential for the negative more so than the positive. I sometimes wonder if I see shadows when there is nothing there at all. And, though all of those are potential, I also think I have a rather level head. I have survived some harsh things. I did not do that because I lose my head. Then again, I do look at the possibilities and threats. What I see as possible (and to some degree make plans to mitigate) do not always or even usually happen. But this is different. I do not see this as possible, I see this as probable. Beyond, it is so big, there is little I can do. Planning for three days or even a year or two will not be enough. Having three thousand rounds for 10 guns will not be enough. Having survival skills will not be enough. All of those things, plus having some kind of fall back community one can live within, and being “willing” to survive are what this will take. And, given all, I am not sure I will do well. As I have said though, I could be wrong. On the upside, feminism will end, socialism is over, however capitalism may well be based on bullets more so than anything else. The old school capitalism of survival of the fittest in the most literal sense may well be the way of the future. If you want your chance to become a king by your own hand, the future is for you.

Bah! That was fun. But no real worries. I love writing fiction. Of course, you do realize, fiction is just forward (and past) looking potential. *laughs*

* I would say all wars have been Democrat lead, as I consider President Bush (I and II) to be Democrats, the political landscape having slid that far over the cliff into the chasm of lefism and statism, arguing both are closer to Kennedy than even Ike but especially closer to Kennedy than Reagan.