Author: Bionic Mosquito

According to one study (Banarto, McClellan, Kagy and Garber, 2004), 30% of all Medicare expenditures are attributed to the 5% of beneficiaries that die each year, with 1/3 of that cost occurring in the last month of life. There are various studies that come to more or less the same conclusion.  Of course, virtually nobody knows beforehand that the upcoming year will be their last – and even if they did, they would likely want to fight it all the way. Going into that last year?  Who knows?  Is this my last year of life?  Is it yours?  In hindsight … Continue reading →

Romans 3: 7 Someone might argue, “If my falsehood enhances God’s truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?” 8 Why not say—as some slanderously claim that we say—“Let us do evil that good may result”? Their condemnation is just! The Pope has commented more than once on the ongoing refugee / migrant situation that is consuming the news.  In a recent interview, he suggests that the underlying cause is an unjust economic system: …today’s dominant economic system has removed the person from the center, and at the center is the god of money. … Continue reading →

We find ourselves using the term “classical liberal,” to distinguish from what is now understood as “liberal.” What is classical liberalism? “Classical liberalism” is the term used to designate the ideology advocating private property, an unhampered market economy, the rule of law, constitutional guarantees of freedom of religion and of the press, and international peace based on free trade. Up until around 1900, this ideology was generally known simply as liberalism. Doesn’t sound too bad.  What happened? The qualifying “classical” is now usually necessary, in English-speaking countries at least (but not, for instance, in France), because liberalism has come to … Continue reading →

When they turn the pages of history When these days have passed long ago Will they read of us with sadness For the seeds that we let grow? We turned our gaze From the castles in the distance Eyes cast down On the path of least resistance . Cities full of hatred, fear and lies Withered hearts and cruel, tormented eyes Scheming demons dressed in kingly guise Beating down the multitude and Scoffing at the wise . -Neil Peart . Refugees The big news of the times is the refugee crisis in Europe.  Well, that’s the simple way to write … Continue reading →

All the same we take our chances Laughed at by time Tricked by circumstances Plus ca change Plus c’est la meme chose The more that things change The more they stay the same . -Neil Peart . I want to explore something I touched on a few weeks ago: It is virtually impossible to keep up with the mess that is US foreign policy.  It was so much simpler when we only had to keep track of the lies told about the Soviet Union (ah, the good old days).  But now? Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Egypt, Somalia, Syria, Iran, Yemen, Pakistan, … Continue reading →

“Obama to Call for More Icebreakers in Arctic as U.S. Seeks Foothold,” so says the New York Times.  Let’s see what lies are given for this action: President Obama on Tuesday proposed speeding the acquisition and building of new Coast Guard icebreakers that can operate year round in the nation’s polar regions, part of an effort to close the gap between the United States and other nations, especially Russia, in a global competition to gain a foothold in the rapidly changing Arctic. Keep that “especially Russia” part in mind. Apparently global warming is opening new opportunities: The retreat of Arctic … Continue reading →

Recently I have commented quite a bit on libertarianism and culture – prompted by the singularly identifiable event of the SCOTUS decision on gay marriage.  This journey has led me to Hoppe and his views on this intersection of libertarianism and culture. Recently, the conversation has turned specifically to Hoppe’s views on immigration. I was offered the following by Anon August 8, 2015 at 5:30 AM at August 10, 2015 at 7:00 AM: I’m restating Block. You really should read his stuff to get it from the horse’s mouth. He obliterates Hoppe’s argument. He answers your objections. So I went looking … Continue reading →

I have always wanted to write a post about the Muscle Car era in the United States.  Big blocks, Six-Packs, 400+ horsepower, Detroit Lockers, no handling.  Here is a nice sample, although the list doesn’t include the best example. I want to write that post someday; this isn’t it. I will return to something from my “Clowns” post, something that struck me afterwards.  In the post, I referenced a comment from John Kerry.  His comment is in reference to the Iran nuclear agreement.  He cautions those congressmen and others as being mistaken regarding their belief of the leverage America holds … Continue reading →

I stood at the top of the mountain And China sang to me In the peaceful haze of harvest time A song of eternity . I thought of time and distance The hardships of history I heard the hope and the hunger When China sang to me… When China sang to me . –        Neil Peart . I have noticed something strange for the last several weeks, and today was prompted to write something about it.  Let me explain. Until about six weeks ago, Ambrose Evans-Pritchard was all Greece all the time.  (The link is to a perpetual list of … Continue reading →

Don’t you love farce? My fault, I fear I thought that you’d want what I want Sorry my dear But where are the clowns? Quick, send in the clowns Don’t bother they’re here . –        Stephen Sondheim . I haven’t posted anything for several days.  I have remained stuck on a couple of topics, one of which I will attempt to address here.  This will be a somewhat rambling post; I have several seemingly disparate thoughts jumping on top of each other as if they belong together.  Who am I to argue? This post represents my attempt to make some … Continue reading →

Imagine a time when it all began In the dying days of a war A weapon that would settle the score Whoever found it first would be sure to do their worst They always had before…  . The big bang took and shook the world  Shot down the rising sun  The end was begun and it hit everyone  When the chain reaction was done  . –          Neil Peart . It’s that time of year, for the 70th time.  I am not sure I have anything new or creative to add, yet I do not want to let this anniversary pass … Continue reading →

In response to my post, Antonio Gramsci Libertarians, I was offered up the following selection by Hans Herman Hoppe:  “A Realistic Libertarianism.”  Apparently this is an attempt to put me in my place – a dare, if you will, for me to give to Hoppe the same treatment that I have so lovingly offered to the left libertarians.  You see, Hoppe is apparently the poster boy for “right” libertarianism for those who identify as left-libertarians. It may not seem like it for the next 2000 words or so, but trust me…I will have disagreements with Hoppe the realist. Hoppe’s position … Continue reading →

The killing of Cecil the lion by an American has apparently angered many Americans: The White House has received close to 150,000 signatures by Americans demanding that the U.S. dentist who killed a popular lion in Zimbabwe be extradited there for trial. The sinister nature of this event is spelled out (emphasis added): Cecil was a subject of research and had become popular through videos showing him walking leisurely in the wild.  The possibility that he was lured out of a protected national park to be killed as a trophy has enraged many Americans. You see, Cecil was minding his … Continue reading →

–        E.A. Bucchianeri, Faust: My Soul Be Damned for the World Vol. 2 With the benefit of hindsight and the evidence of subsequent events, it is easy to identify moments in history that were (rightly or wrongly) meaningful, regardless of how the event was viewed at the time.  This will be a story about one such event. It is also a story of a repeating history…or maybe just a continuing history – after all, a few centuries from now the last 100 years will be remembered as one long event; a newer “100 Years War,” perhaps. I am currently reading … Continue reading →

I think I need not provide a link or other evidence for the current Pope’s socialist (if not Marxist) leanings and his corresponding wishes for salvation of the poor by the state. Yet, for ye of little faith in this mosquito, I offer a couple of snippets: I ask God to give us more politicians capable of sincere and effective dialogue aimed at healing the deepest roots – and not simply the appearances – of the evils in our world! It must be reiterated that “the more fortunate should renounce some of their rights so as to place their goods … Continue reading →