Discuss or Argue? — a short story

August 19, 2018

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A man must be excessively stupid, as well as uncharitable, who believes there is no virtue but on his own side. – Joseph Addison “So, what do you think about climate change?” “You mean, which side am I on?” “Well…” “In my experience, nobody who asks that kind of question ever wants to hear my […]

Posted in: Fiction, Humor, Politics

Science or Politics? — a short story

July 29, 2018

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Science is a process of discovery, not an end state, and its consensus of the moment should not be enshrined in the law and imposed at gunpoint. — Jeffrey Tucker “These small animals cannot get past a thirty-foot-tall barrier. It interferes with their ability to move about. And because of climate change — which we […]

Glakreg, cont. — a short story

July 8, 2018

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[Glakreg’s story begins at this link] No one knows they’re not dreaming. Not one of us. Not ever. Not for one single moment of our lives. — Doctor Who I was doing fine until I set off the quantum fluctuation. It’s been trouble ever since. I was finishing up my college physics project, an experiment […]

Superiority — a short story

June 24, 2018

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      “Are you ready?” “For what?” “The next natural disaster. They always happen eventually. I’m fully prepared to handle anything.” “Good for you.” “So have you made preparations?” “Let’s see, I’ve got extra food and water, flashlights—” “But is it enough?” “Well, I can’t be sure I’ve thought of every—” “It’s never enough!” […]

Quippy the Grump

June 10, 2018

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The only known member of the species Snarkius quippicus — we call him Quippy — always shows up at The JimBlog out of nowhere, unannounced. He tramps into the newsroom, plops down at a desk, commandeers a computer, and plinks out a page of copy. He then hands it to our editor and stomps off […]

Posted in: Humor, Politics

The Ticket — a short story

May 28, 2018

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“You are exceeding the speed limit.” “I’m late for work.” “The posted speed limit for this highway is sixty-five miles per hour. You are driving at seventy-three miles per hour, eight miles over the limit. If you persist, I am required by law to issue you a ticket.” “Don’t you dare, Car! You belong to […]

How to Spill the Beans

May 20, 2018

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Three may keep a secret, if two of them are dead. — Benjamin Franklin A friend asks, “How’s your new job?” You reply, “It’s okay.” “It’s not great?” “Well, there’s a lot of politics. I have to be careful.” You friend nods. “I know the drill. Is it one person against you, or just the […]

May a Corporation Limit Its Own Speech? — Sinclair, Part 2

May 13, 2018

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It is easy to believe in freedom of speech for those with whom we agree. — Leo McKern Conservative, n: A statesman who is enamored of existing evils, as distinguished from the Liberal who wishes to replace them with others. — Ambrose Bierce Not long ago, a friend and I discussed Sinclair and the Zombie […]

Posted in: Politics

Siri: Stop!

April 29, 2018

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We shape our tools and thereafter our tools shape us. — Marshall McLuhan Sometimes Siri is a moron — it’s hard to use, misunderstands questions, and often gives useless answers. Siri — for those of you living under a rock — is a search agent built into the iPhone. You talk to it, requesting information […]

Fifth Amendment Brain Scan — a short story

April 22, 2018

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Could prosecutors armed with a search warrant compel an unwilling suspect to submit to brain scans aimed at exploring his or her innermost thoughts? — John Villasenor “The State wishes to introduce into evidence a set of scans made from the defendant’s brain, scans which will prove he was lying to investigators—” “Objection!” Defense counsel […]

Posted in: Fiction, Politics

Political Discussion Pitfalls

April 15, 2018

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  People suppose they have the right way, and it is the only way. — Jeffrey Tucker “Political discussion” is an oxymoron. — Quippy Have you noticed how people in political discussions never, ever change their minds? You’d think public controversies ought to be talked out reasonably by the citizens — that’s the responsible thing […]

Posted in: Politics

Sinclair and the Zombie Newscasters

April 8, 2018

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The Red Tribe and Blue Tribe have different narratives, which they use to tie together everything that happens into reasons why their tribe is good and the other tribe is bad. — Scott Alexander Sinclair Broadcast Group owns more TV stations, roughly 200, than anyone else in America, and it’s growing bigger. This strikes terror […]

Posted in: Politics

What Difference Would It Make? — a short story

April 1, 2018

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Do you know who you are / In your robes of skin? / How many creatures live inside you? / Man is born forever free / But is everywhere in chains — Bruce Dickinson “Were you acquainted with your next-door neighbor?” “Only in passing. Now and then I’d chat with him, out in the parking lot. Just to be […]

Not the Same as a Rapist

March 18, 2018

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I have been sexually harassed, I have been sexually abused, and I have been date-raped. And, don’t tell me they are all the same, because they are not. They are not the same. . . . And, I don’t want to throw everybody on the same manure pile. Being a jerk is not the same […]

Needed to Risk More — a short story

February 25, 2018

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I had spent most of my youth attempting to gain my dad’s acceptance, when in reality nothing I could do would ever be enough. — Cory Cyr “Hello?” “Daddy, it’s me! I did it! I medaled!” “Yes, honey, you did.” “Did you see it?” “Yes, on TV.” “You weren’t in the stands?” “My bursitis kicked […]

Posted in: Fiction