Normally, the combination of hubris and incompetence is comedic gold. But it stops being funny very quickly once they take over the levers of power. Then it's truly frightening.
Last year, I bought one of those "shrieks in a can" as I have bears on my porch regularly. When I tried it, the bear just looked at me with disgust. :-D
Maybe they've gotten used to people noises. Around here, in very rural Vermont, I have found that the local bears do not like the sound of string trimmers at all so I'm keeping the property much neater s a result.
I concur! I just found you today via a suggestion from another substack, and I feel like I struck gold. Been reading many of your past pieces and have been moved to chime in on the comments. Thank you for sharing your voice.
Terrific essay. I hadn't thought about the schism in those terms but I think you are spot on.
I completely concur about the Lamar Valley. We stayed in a little cabin right outside that entrance so we drove through the valley twice a day. We saw pretty much every animal the park has to offer with minimal tourist traffic.
“gives you something to do to keep your mind occupied in the final moments of your life.”
A dude I know got attacked in WY. He had the spray in his hand and still didn't have time to use it. He survived, but those damn bears are scary.
I love that I quoted you to you without knowing that’s what I was doing!! Since I heard you make your sick from the top and healthy from the bottom comment in your interview w Robert Yoho (that’s how I found your Substack - but then promptly forgot [I listen to a lot of interviews]), it has stayed with me in all my reflections on the abuse from those in power and what they are perpetrating against good people. The damage is horrific, but our hope moving forward is with us. I stay focused on that. Thanks for articulating this distinction so clearly. Merry Holidays
I couldn't help thinking about Jesus of Nazareth, and the good people of the countryside. He walked all around Judea. Healing people, working miracles, teaching people, proclaiming the Kingdom of God is at hand. And everybody was following him and believing on him. To such an extent, the authorities became very motivated to get him killed.
The way they put it:
"Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation." Jn 11 KJV
Jesus never did anybody any harm. He never raised an army. He never drew the sword. He didn't even take a wife and build a house. He was a miracle worker. He never went about for gain. He said, "I am a man who told you the truth."
And the whole country except the elites loved the man. The countryside must of have been full of good people, people ready to believe the truth. Especially the truth when it came from a man who could give them bread and raise the dead. What did he do to deserve death?
But the elite, desperate to hang onto power, hated him, hated everything he said and did. And they contrived a way to get him crucified, even though, "they were afraid of the people."
The United States is a pretty nice place to live when everybody is treating each other the way that they would want to be treated. The place starts to get a little sketchy when we are in the competition for power and status. When we are thinking somebody has our piece of pie. It's not so much about believing in God and Jesus. It's when we imagine we are all somehow part of the family that the living is easy. It's not so much about what we believe, its about what we do. We ought to be like Jesus and forgive men their trespasses and "do unto others as you would have them do unto you" - and maybe be content serving others, after all, we are family. Brothers.
I've had 2 unexpectedly happy interactions over the past 2 weeks. The first was with the facilities manager of my MiL's alma mater (Furman Class of '51). I was trying to get an idea of the layout of the entrance to the baseball field, as we were planning to attend an American Legion baseball game with her and her rollater. She actually CALLED me to discuss what I needed, and had her facilities guy take some photos of the approach to email to me, and said they'd leave a folding chair there for her.
The other was with the contact person at the Reagan library. I wanted to get my hubby a replacement USS Ronald Reagan cap. I didn't see any gift shop link, and she emailed me a link to the exact item I wanted.
Back in the day, we kind of expected people in a position to assist, to actually assist us. Nowadays I'm grateful for anyone who is going out of their way to help, when it's so much easier to ignore the request.
Don't do it. I bought a can to deter the bear(s) that wander our property hoping to access our bee fortress. I had need to use it two weeks ago, a slim yearling had climbed onto the roof of our bee enclosure and, while screaming at him/her, I used the spray. Unfortunately, the wind was not blowing in my favor. Takes about an hour and a half to be able to see clearly and without pain again. My arms were still tingling the next day.
The left destroys everything it touches. That's been the case for 140 years: longer if you add in the French Revolution. All socialist ideologies (and as Hitler said, there was very little difference between national socialism and communism) result in totalitarianism because those who promote the ideologies come from pagan (national socialists) or atheistic (communist) backgrounds and have no moral or religious foundations to their beliefs. Just the acquisition of power and wealth for its own use.
As Solzhenitsyn pointed out, "Without God, anything is possible". These people you write about have no moral basis to their beliefs, so they can arbitrarily and even criminally attack anyone who disagrees with them, of even questions their decisions.
You are right on another point: most people go about their daily lives doing their jobs, helping others, and trying to be good citizens. Bless them and all those who do so as they make civilization work.
Hey, Chris. The species is "gray wolf" of which species, some are black. small distinction, but important to the wolves. Lamar Valley is certainly "Bad Ass" as described. Kinda makes Yosemite Valley look like the shopping mall. Hope you saw some more of the Lamar Valley this year on your trip home.
Absolutely worth a re-stack, by you or anyone else. There is so much truth in "We’re healthy from the bottom up, and sick from the top down," it deserves repeating over and over and over...
There’s no one more arrogant than a low level bureaucrat or politician. Their monumental egos are girded by the “authority” of their position and by God, you will know their righteousness! Petty little fools, drunk on their supposed power.
I recently left a blog that I had participated in for years. It had turned more and more toward crazy lefty ideas like "defund the police" but when I raised some mild-mannered criticism of it and the fact that nobody challenged them, I was told I was being "uncivil". That's how it's become. Of course when people shriek TDS insults that is not being uncivil. That's "de rigeur."
Chris,
So many good pieces in a nicely wrapped slice of thinking & writing.
“We’re healthy from the bottom up & sick from the head down”. Absolutely.
(And the bear spray, lol)
Normally, the combination of hubris and incompetence is comedic gold. But it stops being funny very quickly once they take over the levers of power. Then it's truly frightening.
Last year, I bought one of those "shrieks in a can" as I have bears on my porch regularly. When I tried it, the bear just looked at me with disgust. :-D
Maybe they've gotten used to people noises. Around here, in very rural Vermont, I have found that the local bears do not like the sound of string trimmers at all so I'm keeping the property much neater s a result.
Probably sounds like a swarm of bees!
We can shoot the head off.
This is a great substack, Chris. Glad I found it. Will be recommending it to others. Your PIRA/'journalism'/Covid piece is particularly good.
I concur! I just found you today via a suggestion from another substack, and I feel like I struck gold. Been reading many of your past pieces and have been moved to chime in on the comments. Thank you for sharing your voice.
You did. Strike gold, I mean.
Absolutely one of the best Substack writers. Informative and funny at the same time.
Good find. Chris (I see you, brother) is one of the best writers I've found on substack. Consistently insightful.
Something spiritual about the hotel maintenance guy. Buddhist work ethic. Perhaps, it's his time in the woods.
Thanks for the story. Inspiring.
Remember Chris, you don't need bearspray, ever. You just need to NOT be the slowest member of your group and all will be well!
Terrific essay. I hadn't thought about the schism in those terms but I think you are spot on.
I completely concur about the Lamar Valley. We stayed in a little cabin right outside that entrance so we drove through the valley twice a day. We saw pretty much every animal the park has to offer with minimal tourist traffic.
“gives you something to do to keep your mind occupied in the final moments of your life.”
A dude I know got attacked in WY. He had the spray in his hand and still didn't have time to use it. He survived, but those damn bears are scary.
Yes, and the Grizzlies climb trees too, just not as well as the black bears, so that doesn't help much.
In North America, bears are the "apex predators" that can kill and eat anything except man.
Hysterical shit, Chris. I love that guy!
“I am nothing more than a reminder to you that you cannot destroy truth by burning pages.”
I love that I quoted you to you without knowing that’s what I was doing!! Since I heard you make your sick from the top and healthy from the bottom comment in your interview w Robert Yoho (that’s how I found your Substack - but then promptly forgot [I listen to a lot of interviews]), it has stayed with me in all my reflections on the abuse from those in power and what they are perpetrating against good people. The damage is horrific, but our hope moving forward is with us. I stay focused on that. Thanks for articulating this distinction so clearly. Merry Holidays
I couldn't help thinking about Jesus of Nazareth, and the good people of the countryside. He walked all around Judea. Healing people, working miracles, teaching people, proclaiming the Kingdom of God is at hand. And everybody was following him and believing on him. To such an extent, the authorities became very motivated to get him killed.
The way they put it:
"Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation." Jn 11 KJV
Jesus never did anybody any harm. He never raised an army. He never drew the sword. He didn't even take a wife and build a house. He was a miracle worker. He never went about for gain. He said, "I am a man who told you the truth."
And the whole country except the elites loved the man. The countryside must of have been full of good people, people ready to believe the truth. Especially the truth when it came from a man who could give them bread and raise the dead. What did he do to deserve death?
But the elite, desperate to hang onto power, hated him, hated everything he said and did. And they contrived a way to get him crucified, even though, "they were afraid of the people."
The United States is a pretty nice place to live when everybody is treating each other the way that they would want to be treated. The place starts to get a little sketchy when we are in the competition for power and status. When we are thinking somebody has our piece of pie. It's not so much about believing in God and Jesus. It's when we imagine we are all somehow part of the family that the living is easy. It's not so much about what we believe, its about what we do. We ought to be like Jesus and forgive men their trespasses and "do unto others as you would have them do unto you" - and maybe be content serving others, after all, we are family. Brothers.
I've had 2 unexpectedly happy interactions over the past 2 weeks. The first was with the facilities manager of my MiL's alma mater (Furman Class of '51). I was trying to get an idea of the layout of the entrance to the baseball field, as we were planning to attend an American Legion baseball game with her and her rollater. She actually CALLED me to discuss what I needed, and had her facilities guy take some photos of the approach to email to me, and said they'd leave a folding chair there for her.
The other was with the contact person at the Reagan library. I wanted to get my hubby a replacement USS Ronald Reagan cap. I didn't see any gift shop link, and she emailed me a link to the exact item I wanted.
Back in the day, we kind of expected people in a position to assist, to actually assist us. Nowadays I'm grateful for anyone who is going out of their way to help, when it's so much easier to ignore the request.
Re: bear spray
Don't do it. I bought a can to deter the bear(s) that wander our property hoping to access our bee fortress. I had need to use it two weeks ago, a slim yearling had climbed onto the roof of our bee enclosure and, while screaming at him/her, I used the spray. Unfortunately, the wind was not blowing in my favor. Takes about an hour and a half to be able to see clearly and without pain again. My arms were still tingling the next day.
I pick up my brand new 20 gauge tomorrow.
Just to be clear, it was an hour and a half WITH copious amounts of running water and soap, which might not be available in a camping situation.
I'll buy some of your t-shirts if you make them.
The left destroys everything it touches. That's been the case for 140 years: longer if you add in the French Revolution. All socialist ideologies (and as Hitler said, there was very little difference between national socialism and communism) result in totalitarianism because those who promote the ideologies come from pagan (national socialists) or atheistic (communist) backgrounds and have no moral or religious foundations to their beliefs. Just the acquisition of power and wealth for its own use.
As Solzhenitsyn pointed out, "Without God, anything is possible". These people you write about have no moral basis to their beliefs, so they can arbitrarily and even criminally attack anyone who disagrees with them, of even questions their decisions.
You are right on another point: most people go about their daily lives doing their jobs, helping others, and trying to be good citizens. Bless them and all those who do so as they make civilization work.
Danny Huckabee
Hey, Chris. The species is "gray wolf" of which species, some are black. small distinction, but important to the wolves. Lamar Valley is certainly "Bad Ass" as described. Kinda makes Yosemite Valley look like the shopping mall. Hope you saw some more of the Lamar Valley this year on your trip home.
Absolutely worth a re-stack, by you or anyone else. There is so much truth in "We’re healthy from the bottom up, and sick from the top down," it deserves repeating over and over and over...
Thank God for illegal aliens. Can you imagine what would happen if you asked an American citizen to clean shit off the floor?
There’s no one more arrogant than a low level bureaucrat or politician. Their monumental egos are girded by the “authority” of their position and by God, you will know their righteousness! Petty little fools, drunk on their supposed power.
I recently left a blog that I had participated in for years. It had turned more and more toward crazy lefty ideas like "defund the police" but when I raised some mild-mannered criticism of it and the fact that nobody challenged them, I was told I was being "uncivil". That's how it's become. Of course when people shriek TDS insults that is not being uncivil. That's "de rigeur."