Occupation of Independence

 The news from Britain is hard to believe: the Starmer regime is practicing censorship that seems completely un-British.  Think of how this turns its back on centuries of proud English traditions.  Maybe this is a good thing because it give the modern English a chance to show some of the heroism that their ancestors showed.  Or maybe the greatness shown by a country happens only once, and is never to be seen again. I have read quite a bit of history, but does it really help to judge modern England's chances to recover? A great decision also faces Americans.  Are they content to go the way of declining, bankrupt, overly militarized empires?  Will they reclaim at least some of the Constitution that is currently being flushed down the toilet by Trump?  My guess is that America is unredeemable.  Let's hope Britain at least produces some good news.

 The other day I was trying to make a loop out of a ride in a canyon area.   This caused me to return on a paved highway for a bit longer than I usually do, these days.  In fact, I usually avoid paved roads because there are too many cars driving too fast, with drivers who are too distracted. After returning home, I lapsed into the deep, mid-day trance that always happened during my road cycling years.  It had been so long that I had forgotten about it.  There is nothing in this old world of ours that beats a reverie or daydream after exercise, while hearing or imagining a musical score by John Barry , Bernard Herrmann , or Patrick Doyle .  It seems more restful than sleep itself, and better yet, you are conscious of it while it is happening. How common is this trait?  How would you even know?  It isn't exactly what most people would call an athletic talent, but it might be a talent that actually does more good.  Little is said about th...

 Put yourself in the shoes of an Israel-firster.  How would you go about selling war-crimes and slaughter to the world?  It would really need some creativity and persistence from you.  Perhaps, as with many difficult projects, it would be best to proceed indirectly.  For example, an army might choose to avoid a direct frontal attack on a fortified position by going  around the fortified obstacle. That point of view is useful in considering Trump/ Hegseth 's embarrassing and shameful approach to regime change in Venezuela.  Recall Hegseth's despicable speech condemning "stupid rules of engagement."  He actually let the cat out of the bag: oil, leftist government, and narco-terrorism are just noise and obfuscation.  It is a giant deception. What the Israel-first Trump regime really cares about is getting Americans used to the idea of their own military acting criminally and murderously -- that is, like the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces.)  ...

 Northwestern Arizona.  Years ago, I pretty much gave up on trying to talk to "fellow campers."  It didn't seem like we had much in common, my activities are unpopular, and I decided that dogs are better company.  So my dog and I went on a bike ride today and tried to find a connected loop.  The route worked quite well. But something strange and unexpected happened.  I had three high quality conversations on the route.  The other people seemed to enjoy hearing me and vica-versa.  One fellow was from Scotland.  In fact, the Hebrides.  When I started talking about the travel book by Johnson and Boswell to the Hebrides, he really lit up. How nice it would be if this sort of thing happened more often.  But I think it is right to not expect it to happen, and not try to make it happen .  When it wants to happen, it will.  Just accept it as a free gift of the gods. There was some sad news too.  The other day I saw an SUV pu...