It has always astonished me how so many people want to argue about trivialities and silly controversies when there are topics of grave concern which–theoretically, at least–would represent something we could all agree on.   Why go out on a limb when you can just reach for the low hanging fruit?  Ostensibly, at least, the erection and maintenance of legit concentration camps should be such low hanging fruit.

Apparently that is not the case.  I only know about the ‘concentration’ camps in China because I endeavor to be actually informed about matters of importance, which means going out of my way … continue reading...

This post is one in a series I had hoped to have done years ago, a reality I reflect on in a previous installment on what I call the Scaffolding Fallacy.  The basic idea is that there exist breakdowns in rational thinking that are not strictly logical.  They might be tactical (ie, designed simply to win an argument, insult, or berate), exercises in self-deception, or reflective of an overall mindset or attitude.  In other words, they are not ‘formal’ logical fallacies, and so it is perhaps not a surprise that they don’t appear in the logic books (as far as … continue reading...

I have been doing a lot of thinking about social media over the years.  For a variety of reasons, I have concluded that social media is bad for society and bad for people.  This post is not about that, although that is a very important thing to write about, too.  Instead, I’d like to contemplate the issue of monopolies as they relate to social media.

My pro-free enterprise beliefs prevent me from ever looking kindly on government intrusion on businesses.  On the other hand, my beliefs also include a core republican (small ‘r’) element to them, too.  In other words, … continue reading...

This brief series answering questions put to me about the prospects of a new American civil war has focused on the things that most substantially prevent one from starting (in the near future, anyway) and the things that most substantially are contributing to creating conditions for one.  In trying to wrap the series up, my mind has wrestled with many other important contributing factors one way or the other.  If I wrote about all of them, I’d never stop writing.  Moreover, I wanted my focus to be on the primary aspects, not the symptoms.  But, it they are all so … continue reading...

To sum up the series to date: in my estimation, a ‘shooting’ civil war is not likely in the near term, notwithstanding the deteriorating conditions. Structurally, America has several important ‘checks’ on such a development which are not going to disappear any time soon.  However, that does not at all mean that our sense that the conditions have deteriorated is misplaced.  Moreover, we must bear in mind how such things tend to unfold in actual reality.  Even when things are percolating but seem under control, an event can take place which can change everything.  I call such events ‘catalysts.’

Take … continue reading...

In my previous installment in this series I laid out what I said was one of the more significant reasons why the United States is heading towards a Civil War: the end of the ‘rule of law.’

I stayed away from concrete examples so I didn’t distract from the underlying principles, but it is necessary that we do talk about some specifics.    In doing so, we will discover that the ones tearing away at the foundations of the ‘bargain’ are almost always liberal progressive secular humanist statist types.  Most of the time they don’t perceive the impact of their actions, … continue reading...

In my initial post on this series, I offered my belief that we are actually far from a ‘shooting’ civil war in America, and gave some reasons why.  In my later posts, I have been laying out some of the things that are nonetheless adding fuel to that fire.  In this post, I will cover something adding ‘fuel to the fire’ which, in ultimate terms, is probably the most critical of all.  However, it is so basic, so fundamental, so foundational, that it is felt as much as reasoned through.  To turn down the heat substantially, it must be reasoned … continue reading...

In my previous two installments on this subject, I argued that I don’t believe a ‘hot’ civil war is imminent–a ‘cold’ one is in progress.  This was not necessarily cause for rejoicing, as my contention is that what is keeping us from a ‘hot’ war are some formidable ‘speed bumps.’  In the first place, the US military is likely to remain subjected to civilian authorities and stay out of political disputes.  Also, at least for another decade or so, it seems unlikely the military will be composed folks who would fire upon their fellow citizens.  In the second place, the … continue reading...

There is much running commentary on the insanity  displayed by the rising Democrat star, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, but I want to jump in on an example that illustrates nicely what I have said on this blog about liberals increasingly distancing themselves from reality itself, meanwhile adopting viewpoints which, if taken to their logical conclusion, would require in their implementation in the real world, the brutal and bloody crushing of hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of Americans.

I came across it again more recently in this article in the New Republic which gushes admirably about a Climate Change activist (working for … continue reading...

This is a continuation on my analysis of the probabilities of an American ‘civil war‘ developing within the next 5-10 years.  In the last post, I pegged it at a pretty low number.  People who know me might have thought I believed it would be higher.  A lot has to do with what we mean by ‘civil war.’  If we’re thinking of something like the first American civil war or something like the present Syrian conflict, the odds are very low.  If you ask me what my estimate of probabilities of a ‘black swan‘ event … continue reading...

Perhaps one of the best signs that another American Civil War is on the way is all of the comments and articles contemplating that possibility, submitted by both the ‘left’ and the ‘right.’  (Terms I use loosely.)  People sense that an impasse has been reached or is visible on the horizon which they believe cannot be resolved except through violence.

I have had concerns of my own for almost two decades now.   In the early years, I was scoffed at.  Not so much, anymore.  More and more people in my sphere have expressed concern, and more than one person who … continue reading...