I don’t really have words to explain how or why this touched me on quite such a personal level, or how much joy I’ve experienced knowing Cory will be freed. Instead, again, I implore you to read what Radley Balko has to say, as well as some words from Cory himself.

The Back Story.

A Letter from Cory Maye.

Welcome home, Cory.

^{(Photo from Radley Balko)}

“You get to the point where you evolve in your life where everything isn’t black and white, good and bad, and you try to do the right thing,” McDonald, 64, told reporters.

“You might not like that. You might be very cynical about that. Well, f— it, I don’t care what you think. I’m trying to do the right thing.

“I’m tired of Republican-Democrat politics. They can take the job and shove it. I come from a blue-collar background. I’m trying to do the right thing, and that’s where I’m going with this.”

Read more

This birther thing has been in the “enough rope to hang yourselves” category since moment one. I, frankly, don’t really care where the guy was born, considering there are plenty of unconstitutional things we all know for an absolute fact he’s done. Fixating on one that is essentially unprovable either way is really, really stupid. It’s as stupid as insisting on referring to him as Barack Hussein Obama or pointing out the similarity between his last name and OBL or anything else.

I can’t stand the man, but for the love of all that is good and holy, you just make yourselves (and the rest of us by association) look stupid for fixating on superficial issues instead of stuff like oh, I dunno, saving the country from going the way of Rome.

This trash is why I can hardly stand to read the news these days, much less get too involved in politics. It’s Stupid vs. Evil and Evil vs. Stupid, and we lose either way.

The correct statistic should be [number of opt-outs] out of [number of travelers selected for secondary screening].

There are widespread reports of the scanners not even being used on Opt-Out Day, which means people didn’t have the option to opt-out. Even Reason is screwing up on interpreting this information, but it’s really not difficult to understand. The TSA is relying on people not thinking about the nature of the numbers they’re presenting. It’s blatant propaganda.

“Molester, pervert, disgusting, an embarrassment, creep. These are all words I have heard today at work describing me. …These comments are painful and demoralizing.”

What’s next? Being felt up by strangers or something? Oh, wait…

Stop being so mean, Citizen. In fact, here’s a helpful suggestion:

“Instead of making this Wednesday National Opt-Out Day in which a bunch of self-appointed guardians of liberty slow down the line for everyone by asking for pat-downs,” said Baker, “maybe what we need is a day when everyone who goes through the line says, ‘Thanks for what you do.’ ”

I mean, are they for real? Do they actually hear the things coming out of their mouths, and believe them? Is this their idea of helping Americans understand the supposed necessity of these measures, winning hearts and minds and all that? Or have they just openly arrived at the Take it, bitch! point and don’t really care if we notice? The lunatics are officially running the asylum, kids.

I decided to be proactive and start the process to get my private pilot license. It’ll probably be a long time before private air travel fits into our family budget as a really regular mode of transportation, but at least I’ll be ready when it is. (Of course, anyone with a spare single-engine plane they’re looking to give away can email me anytime.)

I’d never actually flown in a small plane before a few days ago. A friend owns an old Luscombe, and he called to ask if I wanted to go for a ride. I hopped in the car, drove the ~10 minutes to the local airport, parked, walked through a chain-link gate, got in his plane with a Sig P238 in my pocket, and was airborne about five minutes later.

Um, SOLD.

So are mine, though his post just helped me put a finger on our exact problem right now:

…OR WHAT?

The Democrats screwed the pooch, so they got thrown out, and Republicans were the default to fill the void. We’re all shaking our fingers and telling the Republicans to beware… OR WHAT?

We oust them and go back to Democrats? (Oh, grrrrreat idea.) Vote in more “tea party” flavored Republicans? (I don’t really see that as an option unless they at the very least refuse to caucus with all the other Republicans… else, they’re just part of the Big-R problem.)

We… what?

WHAT, exactly, are we going to do?

I’m not throwing my hands up in despair, I’m saying whatever happens two years from now begins today. Many of you believe there is still a difference to be made through the standard voting process. Fair enough, but what’s the game plan if the Republicans screw up, because they probably will?

You know, the Democrats are probably secretly thrilled with this outcome. Sure, they might sacrifice some of their guys for two years, but if the Republicans blow it, they get to keep Hopey Changey for four more. And probably get both houses back.

So. Yeah. Plan?

P.S. Also from the School of Getting It: Robb.

“Do you mean that what you expect from me is some sort of voluntary action?”

“Yes.”

“I volunteer nothing.”

“But the law demands that the defendant’s side be represented on the record.”

“Do you mean that you need my help to make this procedure legal?”

“Well, no…yes…that is, to complete the form.”

“I will not help you.”

The third and youngest judge, who had acted as prosecutor, snapped impatiently, “This is ridiculous and unfair! Do you want to let it look as if a man of your prominence had been railroaded without a–” He cut himself off short. Somebody at the back of the courtroom emitted a long whistle.

“I want,” said Rearden gravely, “to let the nature of this procedure appear exactly for what it is. If you need my help to disguise it–I will not help you.”

“But we are giving you a chance to defend yourself–and it is you who are rejecting it.”

“I will not help you to pretend that I have a chance. I will not help you to preserve an appearance of righteousness where rights are not recognized. I will not help you to preserve an appearance of rationality by entering a debate in which a gun is the final argument. I will not help you to pretend that you are administering justice.”

“But the law compels you to volunteer a defense!”

There was laughter at the back of the courtroom.

“That is the flaw in your theory, gentlemen,” said Rearden gravely, “and I will not help you out of it. If you choose to deal with men by means of compulsion, do so. But you will discover that you need the voluntary co-operation of your victims, in many more ways than you can see at present. And your victims should discover that it is their own volition–which you cannot force–that makes you possible. I choose to be consistent and I will obey you in the manner you demand. Whatever you wish me to do, I will do it at the point of a gun. If you sentence me to jail, you will have to send armed men to carry me there–I will not volunteer to move. If you fine me, you will have to seize my property to collect the fine–I will not volunteer to pay it. If you believe that you have the right to force me–use your guns openly. I will not help you to disguise the nature of your action.”

I checked my premises, and decided against offering my vote of confidence to a system that is inherently corrupt and immoral. I do not believe I have to buy into said system so I have some right to “complain.” In fact, I think the population has been sold that idea exactly so they will accept the system as it is. We are told there is some inherent value in earning your participation points, and that questioning exactly what you’re participating in is somehow an affront to those who have worn a uniform.

We have universal suffrage, which demands no intelligence, literacy, or knowledge of the political process, much less that those with the power to shape the government be producers. You (I have now learned) can even vote for a slate of candidates simply by selecting a party, without even knowing the names or positions of the individuals you vote for.

Voting has become a national religion, something sold to people as their “responsibility”  and “right.” It’s a participation sport, the congratulatory ribbons for which are “I Voted!” stickers and badges on Facebook. It’s exalted as the highest, purest form of attempting to effect political change by people who don’t invest an ounce of thought or energy beyond reading a sample ballot the evening of the first Monday in November.

We have the belief that, through voting, our voice is being heard. How is my voice being heard if the ideas I cherish are defeated, and those I abhor prevail? How have I accomplished anything other than giving my consent to being ruled, potentially by someone my ideological opposite?

Well, I do not consent, and that is my vote.

I am utterly horrified by this.

When Republicans talk about their “principles,” they mean little more than abstract ideas (e.g., “liberty,” “free market,” “private property”) they will continue to espouse, even as they vote against them.  When Boehner says “we will not compromise our principles,” what he is really saying is “we will not stop giving empty lip service to the ideas that Boobus Republicanus likes to imagine we genuinely embrace.”

http://www.lewrockwell.com/blog/lewrw/archives/68416.html