Here is a list of Opinionated Blogs ordered by Most Viewed, posted by members. A Blog is a journal you may enter about your life, thoughts, interesting experiences, or lessons you've learned. Post an opinion, impart words of wisdom, or talk about something interesting in your day. Update your blog on a regular basis, or just whenever you have something to say. Creating a blog is a good way to share something of yourself with others. Reading blogs is a good way to learn more about others. Click here to post a blog.
Liar Liar Pants On Fire
I loved the show House. Are you familiar with it? He plays a doctor who solves unsolvable medical situations. His mantra was, "everybody lies".
Frankly, people who are intent on and very proud of the superiority they feel when they claim they never lie, make my arse twitch. I have yet to meet anyone who was not self-protective, self-delusional, or just outright full of poo to some degree.
I also find that the people who feel the need to announce to the world that they are honest, can be trusted, have the best intentions, are the people I immediately distrust the most.
How much of "truth" is really no more than someone's opinion? How many people really live from their truth? How many people actually only have beliefs and 'truths' that come from their actual experiences and not from being fed those beliefs and 'truths' by parents, teachers, clergy?
If you feel that there is no occasion in which telling a lie is appropriate, then it must mean you are willing to die for your dearly held 'truth'.
Scenario: You are a prisoner in a concentration camp. You haven't eaten in days. The 'warden' brings in a tray of food and demands you say, "Heil Hitler" in order to get the food. You loathe HItler and only want him to suffer as you have suffered. Do you say the words and get the food? OR do you starve to death for your principles?
Frankly, people who are intent on and very proud of the superiority they feel when they claim they never lie, make my arse twitch. I have yet to meet anyone who was not self-protective, self-delusional, or just outright full of poo to some degree.
I also find that the people who feel the need to announce to the world that they are honest, can be trusted, have the best intentions, are the people I immediately distrust the most.
How much of "truth" is really no more than someone's opinion? How many people really live from their truth? How many people actually only have beliefs and 'truths' that come from their actual experiences and not from being fed those beliefs and 'truths' by parents, teachers, clergy?
If you feel that there is no occasion in which telling a lie is appropriate, then it must mean you are willing to die for your dearly held 'truth'.
Scenario: You are a prisoner in a concentration camp. You haven't eaten in days. The 'warden' brings in a tray of food and demands you say, "Heil Hitler" in order to get the food. You loathe HItler and only want him to suffer as you have suffered. Do you say the words and get the food? OR do you starve to death for your principles?
Concerned
On some other websites to which I belong there is a pervasive attitude from some people who should know better that superior technology in the hands of the US will ensure that if it becomes necessary to go to war with North Korea (or Iran) that the whole war will be over in just a few weeks.
In 1914 Germany's Kaiser and Austria Hungary's Conrad Graf von Hötzendorf had the same beliefs regarding combat with the the French and the Serbs and Russians. England's Lord of the Admiralty Winston Churchill had the same opinion regarding the Ottoman Empire at Galipoli. Thus began 4 years of war on 4 continents and the resultant suffering and violent death of well over 10 million people.
Historically the US military did not do that well fighting in North Korea. In honesty, until the Inchon landing the US backed side was clearly losing. The US Army was not well prepared for a winter war in mountain terrain.
North Korea has 1.1 million men and women in it's active military.
The United States has 1.3 million men and women in it's active military.
The United States has 865,000 trained reservists.
North Korea has 6.3 million trained reservists.
For 70 years North Korea has been digging tunnels and fortifying bunkers in anticipation of an invasion. Most of their key installations have at least 100 days worth of food, ammunition, fuel and drinking water stored inside.
Any attempt to conquer North Korea with conventional forces would be a lot like invading Japanese held Iwo Jima during but on a vastly larger scale and against an enemy with equivalent weaponry. .
As part of the SALT talks the US destroyed their tactical artillery nuclear devices and back pack nuclear devices (SADM). It is rational to suspect N. Korea by now has quantities of both.
As I stated elsewhere, given a simultaneous launch of 1,000+ US antimissile forces can be expected to stop maybe 10% - 15% of the incoming. The missiles intercepted may be harmless dummy missiles or they may be the real McCoy. What gets through will be random.
Five or fifty large scale nuclear explosions on US soil would be a very bad thing. In WWI maybe 2 - 5 million became homeless, poverty stricken, starving refugees. Disease and crime followed them as they became more and more desperate and without sanitation or medical aid. Looting and riots were common. Large nuclear strikes on America's West coast can rationally be expected to produce at least 20 to 40 million homeless, poverty stricken, starving, irradiated 'displaced Americans' (Since Hurricane Katrina it is politically incorrect to ever call an American a refugee, even when applicable). Crime, disease, looting and death will accompany them. FEMA has no plan written to feed, house, or treat that many people. There exist no plans to recover Guam or Hawaii if there is a large nuclear attack. Good luck to them.
Depending on the size/altitude of the blasts some disruption of the power and communication grid will occur. It shouldn't last more than 2 months in most areas. Likewise delivery of food to your local store may be a few weeks delayed and it is good that we all own water purification systems because the water pumps and filtration systems use electricity. After the fallout settles please remove the top 4" of topsoil before planting vegetables in your Victory garden.
Of course N. Korea will basically vanish in an all out nuclear exchange. US forces will still have to comb through the wreckage least a 3rd party do so and find some nuclear weapons not yet used. Some US deaths from radiation and fanatical armed holdouts should be expected. Fewer than 50,000 probably. At the height of the Cold War both the US and the USSR were making noises about nuclear weapons with dead man switches that required resetting every six months or so. If N. Korea has done that too, I am sure eventually we will learn of it,.
My point? It will bloody, long, and not something anyone sane wants.
In 1914 Germany's Kaiser and Austria Hungary's Conrad Graf von Hötzendorf had the same beliefs regarding combat with the the French and the Serbs and Russians. England's Lord of the Admiralty Winston Churchill had the same opinion regarding the Ottoman Empire at Galipoli. Thus began 4 years of war on 4 continents and the resultant suffering and violent death of well over 10 million people.
Historically the US military did not do that well fighting in North Korea. In honesty, until the Inchon landing the US backed side was clearly losing. The US Army was not well prepared for a winter war in mountain terrain.
North Korea has 1.1 million men and women in it's active military.
The United States has 1.3 million men and women in it's active military.
The United States has 865,000 trained reservists.
North Korea has 6.3 million trained reservists.
For 70 years North Korea has been digging tunnels and fortifying bunkers in anticipation of an invasion. Most of their key installations have at least 100 days worth of food, ammunition, fuel and drinking water stored inside.
Any attempt to conquer North Korea with conventional forces would be a lot like invading Japanese held Iwo Jima during but on a vastly larger scale and against an enemy with equivalent weaponry. .
As part of the SALT talks the US destroyed their tactical artillery nuclear devices and back pack nuclear devices (SADM). It is rational to suspect N. Korea by now has quantities of both.
As I stated elsewhere, given a simultaneous launch of 1,000+ US antimissile forces can be expected to stop maybe 10% - 15% of the incoming. The missiles intercepted may be harmless dummy missiles or they may be the real McCoy. What gets through will be random.
Five or fifty large scale nuclear explosions on US soil would be a very bad thing. In WWI maybe 2 - 5 million became homeless, poverty stricken, starving refugees. Disease and crime followed them as they became more and more desperate and without sanitation or medical aid. Looting and riots were common. Large nuclear strikes on America's West coast can rationally be expected to produce at least 20 to 40 million homeless, poverty stricken, starving, irradiated 'displaced Americans' (Since Hurricane Katrina it is politically incorrect to ever call an American a refugee, even when applicable). Crime, disease, looting and death will accompany them. FEMA has no plan written to feed, house, or treat that many people. There exist no plans to recover Guam or Hawaii if there is a large nuclear attack. Good luck to them.
Depending on the size/altitude of the blasts some disruption of the power and communication grid will occur. It shouldn't last more than 2 months in most areas. Likewise delivery of food to your local store may be a few weeks delayed and it is good that we all own water purification systems because the water pumps and filtration systems use electricity. After the fallout settles please remove the top 4" of topsoil before planting vegetables in your Victory garden.
Of course N. Korea will basically vanish in an all out nuclear exchange. US forces will still have to comb through the wreckage least a 3rd party do so and find some nuclear weapons not yet used. Some US deaths from radiation and fanatical armed holdouts should be expected. Fewer than 50,000 probably. At the height of the Cold War both the US and the USSR were making noises about nuclear weapons with dead man switches that required resetting every six months or so. If N. Korea has done that too, I am sure eventually we will learn of it,.
My point? It will bloody, long, and not something anyone sane wants.
Apologies
Some people find it hard to apologize. Others, like me, apologize for the wrong things or try to justify their wrongs. 
Typically such an apology would take the form of: “I’m sorry about it, but…
That’s not an apology. It is an effort to justify bad behavior. An apology should demonstrate a true and unconditional regret and should be offered the moment that you realize that you have wronged somebody.
Methinks people mainly apologize for three reasons.
1. They are truly sorry.
2. They are pressured by other people to do so.
3. They realize that they are about to lose some benefit.
Although the first instance is in rather short supply, it is the only acceptable apology. If you apologize for any other reason, you’re not sorry at all.
The other day, at a wine tasting event, I watched an acquaintance making a complete fool and annoyance of himself. At some stage I lost my cool and told him to stop being an a**hole. That was like pouring fuel on a fire. I realized my error and immediately said: “I’m sorry; I should no have said that”. He added another abuse, but my ‘apology’ pacified him somewhat.
The fact is that I did not apologize. I merely expressed my regrets for putting my thoughts into words and even now I still think he’s an a**hole.
I don’t think I have ever demanded a verbal (or written) apology. I feel awkward when somebody apologizes to me. If his reactions demonstrate regret, it is enough for me. Action is much more important than words. There is no need to beg for forgiveness. For true regret, forgiveness comes automatically.
Now enjoy the rest of the day.
Typically such an apology would take the form of: “I’m sorry about it, but…
That’s not an apology. It is an effort to justify bad behavior. An apology should demonstrate a true and unconditional regret and should be offered the moment that you realize that you have wronged somebody.
Methinks people mainly apologize for three reasons.
1. They are truly sorry.
2. They are pressured by other people to do so.
3. They realize that they are about to lose some benefit.
Although the first instance is in rather short supply, it is the only acceptable apology. If you apologize for any other reason, you’re not sorry at all.
The other day, at a wine tasting event, I watched an acquaintance making a complete fool and annoyance of himself. At some stage I lost my cool and told him to stop being an a**hole. That was like pouring fuel on a fire. I realized my error and immediately said: “I’m sorry; I should no have said that”. He added another abuse, but my ‘apology’ pacified him somewhat.
The fact is that I did not apologize. I merely expressed my regrets for putting my thoughts into words and even now I still think he’s an a**hole.
I don’t think I have ever demanded a verbal (or written) apology. I feel awkward when somebody apologizes to me. If his reactions demonstrate regret, it is enough for me. Action is much more important than words. There is no need to beg for forgiveness. For true regret, forgiveness comes automatically.
Now enjoy the rest of the day.
Today has been a good day,................:)
Spoilt my mum with gifts and took her for a lovely lunch, my fav driver Vettel won the Melbourne grand prix, England won 2-0 :) 
So not looking forward to tomorrow though, off to the heart and lung hospital to have my heart lasered and can't pretend I'm not shitting myself lol,................
So not looking forward to tomorrow though, off to the heart and lung hospital to have my heart lasered and can't pretend I'm not shitting myself lol,................
Traitors And Deserters
Yes, that is what they are. Anybody who leaves his country for another because his own country is in bad hands is a traitor and a deserter. Buggering off to find a better living elsewhere only strengthens the hands of those who are mismanaging the country.
The irony is that migrants do not always find a better life. A large proportion end up as cheap labour or in crime or prostitution. And then too many of them lose their lives en route to their Utopia. Something need to be said about the host countries that allow such exploits.
And then, after a few years, comes the disillusionment when things do not work out as expected. That is when you get the problems that France currently face with their migrants killing teachers and destroying goverment property.
If you cannot make it in your own country it is unlikely that you'll make it elsewhere. Stay where you are and fix the problems. Once you start running you never stop.
If storming the Bastille is the only way forward, then storm the effing Bastille. You don't run away when your country needs you.
PS
I'm quite aware that people migrate for many other reasons. This blog is not about them, it only deals with one aspect of migration.
The irony is that migrants do not always find a better life. A large proportion end up as cheap labour or in crime or prostitution. And then too many of them lose their lives en route to their Utopia. Something need to be said about the host countries that allow such exploits.
And then, after a few years, comes the disillusionment when things do not work out as expected. That is when you get the problems that France currently face with their migrants killing teachers and destroying goverment property.
If you cannot make it in your own country it is unlikely that you'll make it elsewhere. Stay where you are and fix the problems. Once you start running you never stop.
If storming the Bastille is the only way forward, then storm the effing Bastille. You don't run away when your country needs you.
PS
I'm quite aware that people migrate for many other reasons. This blog is not about them, it only deals with one aspect of migration.
Advice for Trump
Forget about the 2024 Presidential elections, forget about making America great.
Even you can't fix what Biden has done to the US.
US government federal debt has breached an unflattering milestone, topping $34 trillion for the first time in history and amounting to more than double the total of the world’s next-biggest borrower, China.
The total US federal debt is roughly equivalent to the economies of China, Germany, Japan, India and the UK combined, as pointed out by the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, a nonpartisan fiscal policy group in New York.
Even you can't fix what Biden has done to the US.
US government federal debt has breached an unflattering milestone, topping $34 trillion for the first time in history and amounting to more than double the total of the world’s next-biggest borrower, China.
The total US federal debt is roughly equivalent to the economies of China, Germany, Japan, India and the UK combined, as pointed out by the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, a nonpartisan fiscal policy group in New York.
Email Security Gone Haywire
Hackers are getting smarter by the day. Two of my three email accounts have been hacked on Saturday. Only a small number of people know my real email address.
I have one gmail account exclusively for CS friends and I use another gmail account for my friends and family. Then, not to give my email address to all the sites I deal with, I use a yahoo account as a decoy. All the email arriving at yahoo is then redirected to my main gmail account (family and friends) which is downloaded by an email client (Thunderbird) every two hours, hoping to put a layer between my real account and the hackers. It did not work.
Both the yahoo and the gmail account were accessed by a device in Russia. Whoever did that was in possession of both passwords. How did they get hold of that? I have not directly accessed any of my email accounts for months so there cannot be a keylogger at work on my PC.
This is when I appreciate the use of an email client. At the best of times there is very little or nothing on the yahoo or gmail servers that a hacker can use. All my contacts and emails are managed by Thunderbird on my PC. The longest that a message can stay on the servers is two hours before it is downloaded and deleted from the servers. I can only hope that there was not anything on the servers at the time when they accessed my accounts.
Anyway, I changed my passwords and hope they don’t come back.
I have one gmail account exclusively for CS friends and I use another gmail account for my friends and family. Then, not to give my email address to all the sites I deal with, I use a yahoo account as a decoy. All the email arriving at yahoo is then redirected to my main gmail account (family and friends) which is downloaded by an email client (Thunderbird) every two hours, hoping to put a layer between my real account and the hackers. It did not work.
Both the yahoo and the gmail account were accessed by a device in Russia. Whoever did that was in possession of both passwords. How did they get hold of that? I have not directly accessed any of my email accounts for months so there cannot be a keylogger at work on my PC.
This is when I appreciate the use of an email client. At the best of times there is very little or nothing on the yahoo or gmail servers that a hacker can use. All my contacts and emails are managed by Thunderbird on my PC. The longest that a message can stay on the servers is two hours before it is downloaded and deleted from the servers. I can only hope that there was not anything on the servers at the time when they accessed my accounts.
Anyway, I changed my passwords and hope they don’t come back.
Biden Now Has a Lower Approval Rating Than Every Governor in the US Dips under 30% In 17 States
Democrat President Joe Biden’s approval rating is so low that he now has a lower approval rating than every governor in the U.S., and his approval rating has dipped to as low as 18% in one state.
According to a recent Morning Consult poll, five of the six least popular governors in the U.S. are Democrats, with Oregon Democrat Governor Kate Brown having the lowest approval rating of 43%.
A recent poll from Civiqs, an online polling and analytics company, found that Biden’s approval rating is 37%, with his lowest marks coming in from West Virginia.
The full results were:
Alabama: 25-67
Alaska: 33-59
Arizona: 37-55
Arkansas: 25-68
California: 46-42
Colorado: 39-52
Connecticut: 41-48
Delaware: 39-51
Florida: 38-55
Georgia: 31-59
Hawaii: 51-38
Idaho: 26-68
Illinois: 42-47
Indiana: 28-64
Iowa: 33-59
Kansas: 29-63
Kentucky: 24-69
Louisiana: 28-63
Maine: 43-49
Maryland: 48-41
Massachusetts: 48-40
Michigan: 38-53
Minnesota: 40-50
Mississippi: 30-62
Missouri: 29-63
Montana: 33-59
Nebraska: 27-64
Nevada: 37-55
New Hampshire: 44-48
New Jersey: 45-44
New Mexico: 38-53
New York: 44-45
North Carolina: 37-56
North Dakota: 23-71
Ohio: 30-61
Oklahoma: 22-71
Oregon: 42-48
Pennsylvania: 38-54
Rhode Island: 44-45
South Carolina: 29-62
South Dakota: 27-66
Tennessee: 25-67
Texas: 30-61
Utah: 28-62
Vermont: 55-36
Virginia: 38-53
Washington St.: 44-46
West Virginia: 18-77
Wisconsin: 39-52
Wyoming: 23-72
According to a recent Morning Consult poll, five of the six least popular governors in the U.S. are Democrats, with Oregon Democrat Governor Kate Brown having the lowest approval rating of 43%.
A recent poll from Civiqs, an online polling and analytics company, found that Biden’s approval rating is 37%, with his lowest marks coming in from West Virginia.
The full results were:
Alabama: 25-67
Alaska: 33-59
Arizona: 37-55
Arkansas: 25-68
California: 46-42
Colorado: 39-52
Connecticut: 41-48
Delaware: 39-51
Florida: 38-55
Georgia: 31-59
Hawaii: 51-38
Idaho: 26-68
Illinois: 42-47
Indiana: 28-64
Iowa: 33-59
Kansas: 29-63
Kentucky: 24-69
Louisiana: 28-63
Maine: 43-49
Maryland: 48-41
Massachusetts: 48-40
Michigan: 38-53
Minnesota: 40-50
Mississippi: 30-62
Missouri: 29-63
Montana: 33-59
Nebraska: 27-64
Nevada: 37-55
New Hampshire: 44-48
New Jersey: 45-44
New Mexico: 38-53
New York: 44-45
North Carolina: 37-56
North Dakota: 23-71
Ohio: 30-61
Oklahoma: 22-71
Oregon: 42-48
Pennsylvania: 38-54
Rhode Island: 44-45
South Carolina: 29-62
South Dakota: 27-66
Tennessee: 25-67
Texas: 30-61
Utah: 28-62
Vermont: 55-36
Virginia: 38-53
Washington St.: 44-46
West Virginia: 18-77
Wisconsin: 39-52
Wyoming: 23-72
Why war exists
History tells us in grim details about wars.
It's brutal, vicious and costly. So why do we, humans keep going into this deadly and menacing venture?
Is it because it's easier to kill each other than building peace?
Ah but then, without war, how can these deadly weapons be used?
How can population be in check?
How can the powerful acquire new territories?
Note: this blog isn't about politics, it's simply an analysis as to why war had been in existence for as long as humanity has.
Propaganda or not, war is real.
It's brutal, vicious and costly. So why do we, humans keep going into this deadly and menacing venture?
Is it because it's easier to kill each other than building peace?
Ah but then, without war, how can these deadly weapons be used?
How can population be in check?
How can the powerful acquire new territories?
Note: this blog isn't about politics, it's simply an analysis as to why war had been in existence for as long as humanity has.
Propaganda or not, war is real.
Internet Parasites
I think few of us like all these ads that invite us to click on it while some of us probably use browser add-ons and other methods to suppress them. But it is wrong.
It takes a lot of money and effort to keep a useful site going and often those ads keep a site like CS free. CS never bothers us with donations or subscriptions, so I can only assume that ads are their only source of revenue.
Yes, the ads and pop-ups all over the web is a nuisance and I also use ways to suppress them, but come on guys, if you find a site useful and visit it a lot, why not disable your blocking device for that site. Those ads do not take so much to display and they load quick enough.
Support your favorite sites in their fundraising efforts by clicking on an ad from time to time. That is when the ad generates income. Just looking at them is not going to pay the bills.
If we only reap the benefits that a site offers without being prepared to give something in return, it defines us as parasites. We’re not leeches, are we? Now click those ads and keep CS free.
Have a great day and keep those ads clicking.
It takes a lot of money and effort to keep a useful site going and often those ads keep a site like CS free. CS never bothers us with donations or subscriptions, so I can only assume that ads are their only source of revenue.
Yes, the ads and pop-ups all over the web is a nuisance and I also use ways to suppress them, but come on guys, if you find a site useful and visit it a lot, why not disable your blocking device for that site. Those ads do not take so much to display and they load quick enough.
Support your favorite sites in their fundraising efforts by clicking on an ad from time to time. That is when the ad generates income. Just looking at them is not going to pay the bills.
If we only reap the benefits that a site offers without being prepared to give something in return, it defines us as parasites. We’re not leeches, are we? Now click those ads and keep CS free.
Have a great day and keep those ads clicking.
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