Month: April 2019

Third Parties In 2020

If you’ve been reading my stuff for any amount of time, you might remember that I was a pretty fervent supporter of Gary Johnson in 2016.  Now, I’m no Libertarian; likewise, I don’t smoke pot.  I just really dislike both Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton, and I couldn’t bring myself to vote for either one.

(Not to worry; I voted in Maryland.  I didn’t get Trump elected.)

This time around, the most prominent Libertarian is running as a Republican.  That’s only fair, since the most prominent Socialist (more…)

Cape Ann Brewing Company, Gloucester MA

The beer wasn’t bad at all, but that’s not what I’m here to talk about.

Most microbrewery restaurants serve decent pub food — deep fried snacks, maybe some nachos; you know, good unhealthy old standbys.  But the Pub at Cape Ann is something special:  They have barbecue.  Boy-oh-mister, do they have barbecue! (more…)

Toward Effective Firearms Laws

Wars and government atrocities aside, the United States has more spree shootings than any other country each year.

This is a problem that demands discussion between reasonable and intelligent people.  Unfortunately, the political climate in this country is one of extreme and entrenched polarization; moral certitude precludes (more…)

We’re Going Ad-Free!

I never thought I’d be grateful to a pop-up ad.

The automatic ad software here on WordPress is particularly irritating, and it finally drove someone to the extreme of kicking me a little cash, which I’m using to kill the ads.  For this month.  As more donations come in, the ads will stay gone.

Yes, this is extortion.  WordPress started it with all the intrusive pop-ups, and now I’m just a corporate shill, (more…)

Climate Change For Skeptics

I’m not a climatologist.  Neither is anyone that’s warned me about the evils of climate change lately.  Like everything else these days, at best we get our information from the news — in other words, a 24-hour 7-day nonstop entertainment program designed to sell advertising and drown out the competition.  At worst, we get our news from Facebook memes, Trump’s or AOC’s latest Tweet, or internet rumormongers.

So it’s not surprising that the American public is, for the most part, sadly misinformed (more…)

The Glass Onion, Charleston SC

Located right next to the Swig & Swine (third-best ribs I’ve ever had) on Rte. 17 in Charleston, The Glass Onion has a tough act to follow.  It does just fine.  The honey-touched cornbread alone would make this place.  But it’s not alone, and thank God, because what comes after is manna from heaven. (more…)