Month: August 2025

Two For Your Pleasure

And hopefully for your edification as well. I’m going to be offline for a good bit of the day as I am being presented an icon of my name Saint by a noted Iconographer. May do a little post about this, as there’s a twist to the story of the Iconographer that you may appreciate.

First up, spiders — for all they do a lot of good in many cases — are not well loved. I suspect that one of the fastest ways to get a female out of her clothes is to tell her a spider is in them. We’ve been overrun with them this summer, and despite one apparently biting me, I’ve let most live as they have been dealing with the gnats, flies, and other abundant insect life quite nicely.

Now, however, there is a new wrinkle. Spiders are firemakers. And the author of this wonderfully worded article gets a bow for the wordplay. It’s worth reading for that alone; but, lot of good info and links in there too. Hat tip and thanks to Sarah A. Hoyt at Instapundit for that one.

Second, is a post by Sarah at her own site. She talks about a concern which I share, and hope can be avoided. As I pull back from pure politics a bit, need to do a post this week on the things that worry me, that I see as entirely too probable.

Enjoy the links, and more soon.

Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. If you want to know some of what it is going for, read here. There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.

Preparedness Pays: Advanced Directives

This is not your typical preparedness post, but I will simply note that having advanced directives and a will saves a lot of time, money, and even heartache. Keep in mind that the emergency or disaster could include your health and safety, or that of a family member.

Right now, I’m in the process of arranging a new, local, power of attorney for healthcare. I’m also going to need to find a new executor for my will, but for some odd reason the last four years have me focusing on healthcare first. Can’t understand why.

Advanced directives let people know what you, and don’t, want done in the case of injury from an accident or other emergency. Having others who can speak and decide for you is essential, as laws vary and even if you have written instructions in your wallet (or otherwise on you at all times), first responders, hospitals, and other care facilities may not be obligated to follow it. The same may or may not be legally obligated to send your body to the funeral home you prefer in case of death. A lot depends on state and local laws. So, don’t take chances.

Me, well, I should have died more than once before I was hit by lightning. I’ve been lucky in that since I came of legal age that I’ve been able to say what I wanted done (or didn’t want done) but it has also been nice knowing I had others who could and would act for me at need.

Of course, that’s been somewhat easy for them since my philosophy is pretty straightforward: if there is a chance at life and living, fight; if not, let me go; and, in all cases, put it in God’s hands.

In the event of major injury, I can live without a limb, or even two. Fact is, most humans can live without a variety of things, from about half your small intestines to even some organs (or parts thereof). Sacrifice part to save the whole? Game On. So long as my brain can function and I can communicate, Game On.

One of the few things that truly scares me is to have some brain function and not be able to communicate. Long story, but had a relative who lived what I would regard as a hell on Earth: they could remember being whole and normal; and knew they were no longer so. They were institutionalized for decades as they were alive, but with a brain that was severely impaired. They had to be supervised and cared for 24/7. The anger that filled them because of this was scary. I think under that type of circumstances I would like a DNR order in place.

As an aside, if I were left with the mind of a child, that might not be such a bad thing. Especially if one thinks of Matthew 18:3. Would be hard to confess past sins though.

Other than that, I do really prefer to fight. I’ve never had cancer, though I have had some pre-malignant growths removed; but, again, unless things are extremely advanced (the ol’ ‘oops we screwed up and you have a week or two to live’ thing which does still happen), fight. I got up and walked away after being hit by lightning. Fight. I was born allergic to almost everything (thankfully not chocolate or meat, childhood was sucky enough as it was). Fight. Dying is easy, living is hard. Fight.

If you don’t want blood transfusions, say so. Years back, I really didn’t want them and volunteered for artificial blood on an experimental basis. These days, my take is that if a transfusion really is needed, do it. My preference is for fairly fresh blood from the youngest possible donors as such has been shown to have very positive effects including helping reverse some parts of aging. My inner voice still thinks I’m a teenager anyway, so as long as the young donor is indeed a volunteer, go for it. Fight.

Don’t want to be an organ donor? Make that known too. As I discussed here, between doctors wanting to re-define death so as to be able to harvest more organs (and the offspring of unwed parents who want to wage biological warfare against Citizens to make everyone quit eating red meat) and what happened during COVID with the CDC, NIH, and most health professionals trashing patient trust, I am no longer a donor. The only way I might consider such is if I am a living donor. However, it is likely a moot point given the lightning strike and the drugs I am now on that not only am I likely to be rejected, and I don’t think I can even donate blood or marrow. Thing is, make sure your thoughts are known so that people you don’t know decide for you.

You also need to think about heroic measures. A lot has changed over my lifetime. Early on, once heroic started many states wouldn’t let you turn it off. In most places, that has changed. Then again, the definition of heroic measures has changed as equipment and tech has changed just a bit. My thoughts right now are that if the heroic measures are temporary and designed to heal and get me to where I can function on my own, go for it. Fight. If there is no hope for recovery, and it is just keeping the husk alive, no. I believe that in that case my soul has departed my body, which is why it is dying. It is body and soul together that create a living temple in the image of God. If anyone is truly interested, sing out in the comments and I will explore this further.

I will admit that decades ago, I may have had a friend or two who were prepared to go into my room and blast the machinery of heroic intervention if I was on it and not allowed off of it (keep in mind, hospitals and such made a LOT of money off this practice at the time). They were then prepared to hold people at bay until I was gone. Then again, there were some friends prepared to give me the mercenaries last gift at need, which included if I turned against the country or became a threat to its Citizens. Which reminds me, I need to raise a glass again tonight as I think most or all have gone before me. Also, still need to raise a glass to L. Neil Smith and Irv Koch since I didn’t do it the other night. Absent companions.

Finally, keep pre-existing conditions in mind. For example, one of the things I am still (very tragically IMO) still allergic to is shrimp. Which really means Iodine. Guess what is used in imaging dyes, Israeli (clotting) bandages, and more? Make sure all known allergies are known to and discussed in your advanced directives. Be one heck of a thing to survive the disaster or accident and then kick off because of an oversight. Be thorough.

Also, do make a will. Otherwise those you want to get things won’t, and you will be amazed how much federal, state, and local (heck, maybe even the HOA) will siphon off before giving a token to your family. Post for another day though.

Having people know what you do and don’t want is very important. It pays to be thorough, and to have people you trust given the legal right to represent you if you are unable to stand for yourself. Take the time, and you can also find legal forms for this online for most states. If money is an issue, a number of legal aid groups will help you with forms for cheap or for free. Don’t take chances and don’t put your family (or friends) in a bind during an already bad and stressful situation. Make it as easy as possible for them, and for you ultimately.

Plan ahead, because preparedness always pays.

Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. If you want to know some of what it is going for, read here. There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.

A Good Day

I caught a Lyft ride up to the Carmel farmer’s market this morning to get my chef’s knives sharpened. There is a professional knife sharpener (two actually most days) who can sharpen my good knives without voiding my warranty. They even give me the industry rate, which is good because it usually is seven or so knives.

Bacon on a stick, about a quarter inch thick or better

While I waited, I shopped as there are several vendors there I like. I did eat a bit as well, as seen with the deep-fried (I think) bacon-on-a-stick above. There’s a local charcuterie place that honestly is as good as some I’ve had in Europe; a farm that has amazing eggs and good meats; lots of other meat, veggie, and even mushroom vendors; lots of ethnic food; and even a local mead maker is there.

I tried to be good, but did come away with eggs, meat, a huge thing of fresh basil (plan to make pesto Monday or Tuesday for freezing), fresh garlic, local goat cheese, and a few other delights. I also had good coffee and enjoyed an arepa filled with shredded chicken and avocado (cold).

Sadly, was starting to overheat and dehydrate a bit so did not get back to a favorite: a Vietnamese lady who does Vietnamese egg rolls. She doesn’t seem to speak a lot of English, but that’s okay as she has help that handles that while she makes and fries some amazing traditional egg rolls.

A good way to spend a morning, and now most of my knives are ready for a “new year” of cooking. Want to find someone at the Church to tag-team with so I can do some chicken souvlakia, salad, and a blueberry moz dessert. If I can get a good recipe (and maybe some native guidance), hoping also to do some Pho this fall. I can do cooking on Friday and Saturday, but need someone to reheat and/or get things out on Sunday as I really can’t leave during the service to do that. Besides, if they have a car and can get me to Restaurant Depot or other, all the better.

Home now, dealing with package delivery issues (have one package lost in the purgatory-or-worse that is the new USPS center that is a black hole for mail, that needs to be a column). I did get my new driver’s license today, sans donor status. Now in my wallet. I’m also imbibing water and electrolytes, and enjoying the cool. I’ve been using LYTEshow electrolytes with biking and other activities, and really like them. No sugar or artificial sweeteners or flavors, just electrolytes. Tangy, but tastes pretty good and works.

More soon. Hope you all have a good weekend.

Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. If you want to know some of what it is going for, read here. There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.

Change Of Plans

I had planned a different post for today, but what I thought was a trip to the dentist for a simple bridge wasn’t. Turns out, my dentist isn’t doing a simple bridge or implants, but two crowns and a bridge.

Instead of impressions and such today, we did impressions, grinding of teeth, temporary “skins” over the ground teeth, and I wouldn’t be surprised if a partridge in a pear tree wasn’t involved at some point in all the scans and such. Numbness is fading, but despite a flavorful drink while downtown there is still a bit of the taste of burnt tooth/teeth in my mouth.

Not too bad, but also not great as my first dentist was rather cruel and brutal (slapped a little girl neighbor of mine because she cried, amazed he lived), which makes me a touch skittish on dental work. My current dentist is anything but, nice lady, but still caught me very off guard. Only soft foods on one side of my mouth for about four weeks as the “skin” is not that strong. So, have some soft food and think bourbon may be the order of the day. More soon.

Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. If you want to know some of what it is going for, read here. There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.

Dreams

Finished up with physical therapy today, several weeks ahead of schedule because of good results. Mobility and balance are improved, working on getting strength back where needed, and making lots of progress. So much so, thinking a couple of things I would love to do may well be possible.

One is to do the bike rides previously discussed. Think Scottsdale is out of the question simply due to time (too close). Others, we will see.

The others involve travel. Not typical tourism travel; rather, there are some places I would love to go for other reasons.

The lowest on the totem pole is a trip to Vietnam. I’ve been reading about some amazing success the Russian Orthodox Church says it is having there. Not what I would have expected, and frankly I’m curious. That I also happen to like some aspects of the culture and love most of the food (Vietnamese spring rolls are the best in SE Asia IMHO) would just add to it. I would like to spend a few weeks, or even a month or three, seeing what is being done, how it is being done, and along the way practice/learn proper Vietnamese cooking.

Now, I would also love to visit the Holy Lands. Already have a good idea of where I would like to go including St. Catherine’s Monastery, burning bush, Jerusalem, etc. For a number of reasons, doubt it will happen, but can hope and am plotting it out just in case.

What I do think is doable is a trip to the Balkans. While most of it would be in Bulgaria, it would also include some time in Romania, possibly Serbia, and at Mt. Athos in Greece. If I had the money, have looked into going by cargo ship but it may be cheaper to fly. Romania has my interest because of a train trip into the Carpathian Mountains and a chance to spend a day cooking with a chef. That I could also work in some Churches and such is a bonus.

Most of my time would be spent in Bulgaria, where I’ve plotted out 20+ monasteries, ending with visiting the tomb of St. John of Rila. From there, I would go down into Greece and spend a week (if possible) at Mt. Athos. Now, I would do some other things while in Bulgaria, and am working with some natives to make sure I see the best things. Not necessarily the touristy things, but the right things.

My current plan is to use rail, bus, and other means, up to and including shanks mare, to get around. A number of the monasteries are clustered, which makes it easy to get between them, and they also can provide places to stay. Which makes the trip financially doable. With working out and continuing to do some of the physical therapy at home, it’s doable even if I have to walk a good bit.

To be honest, if I had the money, would look at hopping a cargo ship in Greece to Egypt, see some of the sights, hop a plane to Jordan to visit the Valley, then go back to Egypt and from there into the Sinai and Israel. A man can dream.

Just a crazy idea (ideas) to share with you. Who knows what will happen, but if it does happen, will be glad to post and share the adventure(s) with you.

Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. If you want to know some of what it is going for, read here. There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.

To All The “Women”

On X, and sometimes on another anti-social media platform, I get followed by a number of attractive young ladies (quite often Oriental). At least to judge by their pictures. I generally ignore such, and figure most or all are bots or scammers (or both).

On the off chance that any of them are serious, I would simply note that if there is the opposite of a ‘Sugar Daddy’ I’m it. I’m old, not quite as well put together as I used to be, and poor.

So, if you really do want to meet, date, etc., know what you are getting into. I would also suggest you act soon, be direct, and accept that if told ‘no’ it’s not personal. You have been warned.

Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. If you want to know some of what it is going for, read here. There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.

Mount Pfeiferhorn

There are days this is rough gig, with irate comments (and commenters) being the start, and lots of fun trying to dig down to get to the truth of things. Heck, some days it’s not just a pain, but pain multiplied by costs. This day is not one of them. Days like this help keep me going.

When I first began to hear a bit about Amburana wood, I didn’t pay much attention. It seemed like it might be just a pricey fad. Not to mention that it seemed like people had a hard time hitting the “sweet spot” with it taste-wise. A pretty wood (would love to do some woodworking with it) but not one I thought would do much long term.

I’m glad to say that I appear to be wrong about that. Not sure about ales and beers, but when it comes to whiskey I think it will be around a while. Not only that, but that we will be the better off for it. What brought me around, you ask?

Mountain Summit Mount Pfeiferhorn, Amburana Finished Whiskey from Spirits of the Wasatch is what did it. According to this post, it is a blend (mashbill included) of bourbons and American malt whiskey blended and finished in Amburana. What I think is that it is one of the best American whiskeys I’ve tried in the last decade or two. For the record, if you think you have something better, talk to me and I will give it a fair tasting.

First sniff, one of the things that struck me was sweetness. Not cloying, but a light almost honeyed element that combined with tobacco. In point of fact, it brought to mind some tobacco from an island off the coast of Columbia that went into a formerly favorite cigar. It was as if a thin sheet of that had been brushed with honey, then wrapped around a ball of holiday baking spices. A rich, solid scent robust with cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, and more. To finish it off, a nice hint of pepper around the edges.

The color is a dark golden oak, which reminds me a bit of a dark version of the Amburana wood itself. Interestingly enough, the wood itself is not of the oak family (it is referred to as Brazillian oak by some) but a variety of legume. It is currently a very limited resource, but the interest from the beverage industry has resulted in new plantings and cultivation. Good.

The mouthfeel is full and rich, and the taste is of baking spices wrapped in carmel, with vanilla following and filling the mouth. There are bits of sourwood honey from my youth (sadly hard to find these days) on the edges. It has a nice, lingering finish of carmel and honey high, spices center, and just a hint of coconut and tropical fruit at the end. Delightfully complex, full, and enjoyable.

On a whim, I decided to treat the last of it in the glencairn as a Scotch, and added a drop of distilled water. It did indeed open it up, and brought out more of the “hidden” flavors within. And while it would indeed make a very good mixed drink (Manhattan, Old Fashioned, etc.) my own preference would be to drink it as is, no water, no mixing. It is something to truly sip and savor.

Yet another solid entry from Spirits of the Wasatch (see here for previous review). I’m really going to be interested in trying their other whiskey products and I’ve heard a rumor they have a rye in works. If so, want to taste it and see how it stacks up against my current favorite rye.

Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. If you want to know some of what it is going for, read here. There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.

Dear New Readers

It seems that I may have some new eyes visiting the site, so I wanted to take a minute to get into some background that may (or may not) be of interest to new readers. Some of this may be of interest to established readers as well, as there may be some changes coming.

This blog got started more than 20 years ago thanks to a push by Joe Katzman of the missed Winds of Change blog and science fiction author John Ringo (with some assist by David Weber who pushed me a bit as well). It started as an anonymous blog to write about space, space exploration, and space politics. However, I was accidentally outed almost immediately which did cause some issues but I pressed on.

Space politics, along with defense and national security writing, led into more general politics. On some levels, I loathe politics and am not always good at institutional politics as I tend to be bluntly honest more than I should and I’ve not always had the patience I should. My being a sarcastic smartass on occasion is likely to get me killed if I’m not careful. Responding to a typical Captain Obvious with ‘No bleep! Really?!?’ is not always the best approach even if it is therapeutic.

My own political journey is interesting. My Dad raised me to be an independent, and taught me to vote for the person, not the party. My Uncle James (AL National Commander 63) was a Republican who tried to get me to go Republican early but didn’t meet with the success he might have hoped for. Sad to say, I worked very briefly on Jimmy Carter’s presidential campaign, which is ironic since I’ve spent time since then trying to clean up some of the messes he made.

My thoughts on communism/socialism (two sides of the same coin), are best left unsaid as they can get the blog suppressed. Part was shaped in elementary school when I met (and had a crush on) a Cubanita who’s father was a political prisoner in Cuba. Started meeting survivors of communism from around the world, and cordially loathed such for most of my life.

For all that I found Thomas Jefferson fascinating, I’m probably more Jacksonian in many respects these days. I used to be what would be described as a ‘classical liberal’ though I’ve always been something of a defense/fiscal conservative. I am a small-l libertarian, though I admit that if I had to pick a fictional universe to live in I would quite probably go with the late (and much missed) L. Neil Smith’s libertarian universe (The Probability Broach universe). Had a great time talking with him at WeaponsCon I, where to be there you had to be carrying one or more weapons openly. That was a fun, enjoyable, and well-behaved science fiction convention and I was honored to be a guest there. Need to raise a glass to him and to Irv tonight.

These days, I choose to describe myself as a cranky individualist and independent. The current progressive democrat party is what it is (socialist/communist), and the Republican side isn’t much better. I’ve been amused watching Trump/Maga take over the republican party and wear it like a skin, and the reactions both within the party and without as people realize what is going on. The times are a changing…

I think the worst president in our history was Woodrow Wilson, who started us on the path of rule by the credentialed elite (technocracy for all intents and purposes), followed by FDR, then the Peanut, with Johnson/Obama/Clinton sorta tied. Waiting to see exactly where I put the Biden Regency, but for now will put the Peanut ahead. All of them make Andrew Johnson, Pierce, etc. seem good. I’m willing to entertain discussion on such, as there are a few darkhorse candidates out there as well and a good case can be made for Franklin Pierce just being mediocre.

My political desires are to see the massive growth of the federal government undone, and a return to the Constitutional Republic as intended. The government that governs least, governs best IMO. Within that, I want maximum individual liberty, which happens to coincide with a central point of my religious beliefs. A man (male or female) can’t make a truly free choice if constrained. It’s why Free Will is such a thing in Christianity, and I think that it also applies to our governance. Which begs a good discussion one day soon to get into how the common definition of “freedom” has changed over the years. One is free to do what is right versus one is free to do whatever one wants.

All that said, there may be some changes here as I grow into a new life. Getting hit by lightning ended my old life, and I have a chance to make a new and better life. I honestly do feel I’m alive for a reason, and trying to figure out what it is I’m supposed to be doing is a matter to which I have been paying some attention. After all, if lightning didn’t get my attention, what might come next?

If my health was better and I was younger, monastic life has some appeal. That said, I don’t see it as a viable thing given age and health. As it is, a semi-monastic routine does work for me, in that right now I do best with structure and routine. I suspect some form of lay ministry could be in my future, which also means I may need to not be as blunt, and sarcastic, as I can be. Patience most definitely is a virtue and I need to practice that as well. I also need to work on my use of invective, though I have been working to reduce it for a while now.

This doesn’t mean some of the word play is going to go away, or that I plan to pull punches in discussing situations. It does mean, however, that I want to be/need to be perhaps a touch more diplomatic. Or at least a little less pugnacious. Then again, not sure where the whole thing about priests and saints being milquetoast came from, as I seem to recall more than one time two (future) saints got into fistfights at some of the early councils, and wasn’t it reported that St. Nicholas punched Arias?

We will see what happens. I do feel that some of my work on disaster and emergency preparedness is something I’m supposed to be doing. It may be I concentrate more on that and some other topics than politics. But, the future is unwritten, and it is up to us to write it. For me, I hope and plan to do a lot more writing, with God’s help and guidance. Meantime, I wanted new readers to have a bit more background on myself and the blog. Discourse is welcome and good, and I value the great comments and discussions so many of you regular readers bring to the site. Let’s keep that going.

Onwards.

Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. If you want to know some of what it is going for, read here. There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.

Doctors Of Death

UPDATES BELOW

For years, I was an organ donor. Growing up, I had been taught that it was a good thing and I saw some of the good that came out of organ donation. Not that long ago, someone I knew got some extra time from a heart transplant. I’ve always checked the box on the driver’s license form and been glad to do so.

However, this editorial from three doctors in the Shady Lady, was the last straw for me. Things have been building for a while, and this post from Amy Poindexter put it into perspective for me. Long before COVID, I had begun hearing of bureaucrats run wild in regards transplants. Both in terms of harvesting and in terms of denying transplants for petty reasons.

The COVID-related denials were really just icing on the cake as far as I was concerned. There was no medical reason for requiring the jab, it was all about power, control, and greed. And, yes, there are economic “incentives” involved, just as there are to let chronic patients go. The health establishment squandered the trust of the public for greed, and they are so insulated and self-absorbed they have no idea how little people trust them.

Now we have these Doctors Of Death come out and argue for expanded harvesting and new definitions of death to facilitate it. It is evil, it is unethical, it is illegal currently (but that’s the point of this, to get the laws changed to allow it), and it is morally repulsive. They don’t get that, which says all that need be said.

Nor are they in isolation. David Strom does an excellent takedown of their equally reprehensible brothers-in-medicine who seek to use biological warfare against the population of the U.S./World. These so-called ethicists (a complete inversion of the term) feel that eating meat is bad; therefore, it is right, just, and proper to make everyone allergic to red meat so that they quit eating it. The world is saved; save, for those who die as a result of this biological warfare. And make no mistake, that is exactly what it is. Warfare. Warfare to produce a better world and a better human according to their sick and twisted standards.

Why is it sick and twisted? Well, let’s start with no freedom of choice, no mercy, no exceptions for those who have other conditions that require them to eat red meat (but, hey, the genetic cleansing is a bonus!), and no consideration that others don’t share their view on meat or supermen. They believe it, they believe it is right and good; therefore it is right and good and they will play god and make it so.

I can get really into the weeds on how both sets are sick, twisted, and evil; but, I think you get the start. On many levels what they are proposing is no different than that done by those behind the Tuskegee Experiment and others in the U.S., or Mengele and others in Nazi Germany. It is the same lack of humanity, the same overweening arrogance, and that their beliefs give them the knowledge and position make them better than those they would rule and experiment upon.

They are the master class, and you, peasant, should know your place and since you won’t do what they think you should do, they will force you to do what they want. After all, they know better than you, or me, or anyone outside their class.

It does bring to mind the timeless C.S. Lewis quote: “Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron’s cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience.”

All of these people need to be shunned from polite society (at the least), and they should never be given access to power. May God illumine them. As for me, I took myself off the state and national organ donor systems last night. Next week, I will find the time to go to the BMV and request a driver’s license that says I am NOT a donor. That’s important if you do this, because hospitals can claim they went by that even if you pull yourself off the donor networks.

I’ve heard for years the crazed-sounding ‘they will kill you for your organs, man’ from various people. I didn’t believe them. Now, when the system stands up and says they want to kill you for your organs, and make major modifications to your body regardless of your wishes, believe them. You can’t trust the current system to do right. Prepare accordingly.

UPDATE I: I’m going to be interested on Monday in hearing how many people have done what I did. I know I am not alone, and am getting a lot of anecdotal info. Thing is, this may already be at a crisis point for the donation industry and it will be interesting to hear what they say and see how they handle this.

UPDATE II: You really want to read this as well…

Getting hit by lightning is not fun! If you would like to help me in my recovery efforts, feel free to hit the fundraiser at A New Life on GiveSendGo, use the options in the Tip Jar in the upper right, or drop me a line to discuss other methods. If you want to know some of what it is going for, read here. There is also the Amazon Wish List in the Bard’s Jar. It is thanks to your gifts and prayers that I am still going. Thank you.