Day: August 23, 2014

Notes for Saturday – August 23, 2014

August 23rd is the anniversary of the declaration of the independent state of “Franklin” in Eastern Tennessee by the settlers there in 1784. Unfortunately, the Continental Congress rejected it, so the state of Franklin never became a reality. Today, in 1833, Britain abolished slavery in the colonies and 700,000 slaves were freed. I can’t help but wonder had Abraham Lincoln allowed the political process to run its course, as it did in England, and slavery was abolished by the will of the people, as it would have been, rather than executive order, would we have the racial tensions we have …


How To Survive Without Your Glasses, by J.E.

“Ralph made a step forward and Jack smacked Piggy’s head. Piggy’s glasses flew off and tinkled on the rocks. Piggy cried out in terror: ‘My specs! One side’s broken.” – William Golding, Lord of the Flies, Chapter 4 In the classic dystopian novel “Lord of the Flies,” one of the main characters, Piggy, is virtually incapacitated when his spectacles are broken and stolen by the other boys stranded on the island. For those of us who wear glasses, Piggy’s plight is one that strikes close to home. If you are a glasses-wearer, you have no doubt included optometric equipment in …


Letter Re: John Galt

John Galt lives! Those of us that have read Ayn Rand’s Atlas Shrugged, have an idea of what I’m talking about, but that’s not when it started and that’s not where it will end. I remember from grade school that the pilgrims came to this continent to escape persecution from both church and state. Since then, many of the great minds from around the world have come here to avoid persecution from their country’s leaders. Look at the great minds that have arrived just in the twentieth century. The list is so long there is no way I can mention …


Economics and Investing:

Sears has lost nearly $1 billion so far this year and it’s just getting started. – J.W. o o o Items from Mr. Econocobas: Obamacare Is A Disaster For Businesses, Philly Fed Finds NAFTA Is 20 Years Old – Here Are 20 Facts That Show How It Is Destroying The Economy Why So Much Anger In Ferguson? 10 Facts About The Massive Economic Gap Between White America And Black America Wall Street’s Take On Jackson Hole: “Yellen Was Not Dovish Enough”


Odds ‘n Sods:

At least 105 people laid off at Remington Arms. – T.P. Officially, this is the result of the end and reversal of temporary expansion after the last few heavy years, but some wonder how much the ARs and AKs play into the situation. Neither of those firearms are made in Ilion, NY. It’s way past time for Remington to pack up and move south or west. o o o Ex-CIA Officer: ‘There Are ISIS Sleeper Cells In This Country’. – J.W. o o o One of the best articles I have read on the Ferguson fiasco. Warning: Strong language. #Ferguson …


Hugh’s Quote of the Day:

“If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not harden thine heart, nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother: but thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him, and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need, in that which he wanteth.” – Deuteronomy 15:7-8 (KJV)