In which I learn that I'm really a Democrat

... or, perhaps, I was simply 'Acorned'.

When I went to the polling station yesterday, their listing claimed that I had requested a Democratic Party ballot in the last primary.

I have never in my life registered as a Democrat nor requested a ballot for their primary.

So, is this general governmental incompetence, raised to some new level (for, in changing my registration from 'R' to 'D', *someone* had to take some initiative)? Or, did some Democratic Party affiliated “activist” somehow change my registration?

A few weeks ago, the Board of Elections sent me a card about the polling station now being ‘here’, rather than ‘there’ (it was actually moved a couple of years ago, due to accessibility issues with the old location). At the same time, they also sent cards for three other (alleged) voters (allegedly) living at my address.

At the time, I just figured that the Board of Elections hadn’t purged the rolls … in 30 or more years. But now I’m thinking that some Dem “activist” has used my address to register fictitious voters.

One simply cannot help but wonder: What *is* it with Democrats and vote fraud?

Ritual Impurity

Tom R, in a comment at Crude's blog: "Yes, it's interesting how American atheists seem to be constantly vulnerable to a risk of ritual impurity to a degree that Jains or Hasidic Jews might find thin-skinned..."

The 'Progressive' Legacy

Thomas Sowell: The 'Progressive' Legacy, Part I
Thomas Sowell: The 'Progressive' Legacy, Part II

'Guess the party affiliation'

'Guess the party affiliation' is an ongoing game at Bob Parks' Blank & Right. The most recent entry is here. What kind of sick puppy hides a camera in the women's restroom? I mean, really! there is nothing at all sexy about watching someone take a dump, no matter who she is. This is only one or two notches above that the guy who hid himself *inside* the collection chamber of a Port-a-Pot, the better to see where the shit in which he was swimming originated.

She is *such* a card

Kathy Shaidle -- click the link to see her joke (*) ... unless you suffer from PCitis, in which case you're advised to not, lest you have a heart attack.

I am so glad my ancestors didn't end up on one of those socialistic hell-holes where Indians are warehoused. Or kept as pets, same diff.

(*) It's specifically about Canadian politics, but it does translate to American politics, too.

'Unauthorized access to your account'

In my Hotmail junkmail folder, I happened to notice something purporting to be from PayPal, with the subject "Unauthorized access to your account". I, of course, didn't open it, Gentle Reader.

But, the thought occurs: this alleged attempted access was so 'unauthorized' that the unauthorized person must have had to create an account for me before he could even try to access it without my authorization!

I told you he's a fool

William Vallicella: Sudduth, Simplicity, and the Plotinian One -- "... And a little Christian charity can't be a bad idea either, especially towards such 'apostates' as Michael Sudduth."

Michael Sudduth isn't a scare-quote 'apostate', he *is* an apostate.

Why doesn't Vallicella take his own advice and extend "a little Christian charity" toward the Christians who are criticizing the now-apostate Sudduth, rather than blogging on and on about what meanies they are?

ps. The reason for the 'atheism' tag is that paganism amongst moderns is just 'spiritual' atheism.

Well, D'uh!

Lawrence Auster: "A reader says, not unreasonably, that he was treated somewhat unfairly in the "Gingrich vs. Romney" thread ..."

Dude, the concatenation of human nature, your own personal nature, and your "gatekeeper" approach to blogging makes it inevitable that you are going to treat unfairly at least some who send responses to you.

Even without bothering to looking at 'Reader's' statement and Auster's response, I can state with honest conviction that the only shocker here is that Auster openly says that the reader's claim is "not unreasonable".

Sometimes ... (again)

Previously, I had linked to a quotation of G.K.Chesterton, of which I said: "For all his brilliance, sometimes G.K. Chesterton could be outright childish, in the negative sense, which is an intellectual failure, or even damned foolish, which is a moral failure."

For balance, I offer Genter Reader another glimpse of Chesterton, in which his unalloyed brilliance shines: "The truth is, that all genuine appreciation rests on a certain mystery of humility and almost of darkness. The man who said, ‘Blessed is he that expecteth nothing, for he shall not be disappointed,’ put the eulogy quite inadequately and even falsely. The truth [is] ‘Blessed is he that expecteth nothing, for he shall be gloriously surprised.’ The man who expects nothing sees redder roses than common men can see, and greener grass, and a more startling sun. Blessed is he that expecteth nothing, for he shall possess the cities and the mountains; blessed is the meek, for he shall inherit the earth. Until we realize that things might not be we cannot realize that things are. Until we see the background of darkness we cannot admire the light as a single and created thing. As soon as we have seen that darkness, all light is lightening, sudden, blinding, and divine. Until we picture nonentity we underrate the victory of God, and can realize none of the trophies of His ancient war. It is one of the million wild jests of truth that we know nothing until we know nothing."

As is frequently the case with human beings, in which our virtues and vices are often two sides of the same coin, both the first quoted silliness (or even foolishness) and this profound insight are rooted in Chesterton's affinity for 'paradoxen' ;)

So, in summary, we get recessions because capitalism works.

James Hannam: Why Recessions Happen -- "... So, in summary, we get recessions because capitalism works. Capitalism generates economic growth. When things are good, human beings have a natural tendency to avert their eyes from future problems. But eventually we just have to roll up our sleeves up and carry out the necessary spring cleaning. The very worst thing we can do is pile up more debt, bring out new rules, raise taxes even higher and erect trade barriers."