Weekend Reading: The Time Machine

I have just posted a new Web edition of H. G. Wells’ The Time Machine.  This story (at around 33,000 words, it would be considered a long novella today), was originally published in 1895.  Wells continued to revise it over the years, with the final version published in 1935.  My edition is based upon that text.  I originally posted a Web edition in 2002.  This revision updates the documents to current Web standards (XHTML 1.0 Strict and CSS3) and improves typography, formatting, and navigation.

The story can be read in one or two sittings, and is much better and more interesting than the two Hollywood movies loosely based upon it.  Given Wells’s attraction to socialism and communism, it is an interesting view of the ultimately pernicious consequences of eliminating … Continue reading

Leaving Wisdom

Part of me feels for former Dir. Comey. It is no fun to be publicly fired and everyone wants to justify themselves. The only thing is how does one do it wisely. People take a myriad ways of handling this.

Usually people fall between two extremes. The one extreme is their whole lives are consumed by telling everyone about that painful experience. They are the hero of the tale of how they were right. The other extreme is they just never talk about it and get on with their lives. My key word is life is balance or symmetry. We need to talk but never letting go is bad.

The thing that I have seen in life is people who no longer grow because they live in the … Continue reading

Is That The Best You Got, Deep State?

I watched a six foot eight weasel attempting to act like a power broker. I am sure the folks who sent him there thought this would work. I am sure the Progressive Senators thought it would be a killshot.

I was getting worried about the Deep State. Now I am wondering if they are an Austin Powers villain.

The Media and their DNC lackeys did everything they could and it was one big yawn. Careful phrases like ‘Obstruction of Justice” and “Improper behavior” and “Collusion” have been uttered past the point of having any meaning.

The Deep State put on a show for the Deep State and even the Deep State thought is was a bust.

Oh well, when in doubt, follow the advice of the esteemed Mr … Continue reading

Live Chat Comey Edition!

Let’s all pile into the chatwagon for the Comey thing! *** VIDEO LIVE ON THE CHAT PAGE ***
I plan to watch the thing live, hang around in BDB Chat, and keep another window open to Twitter (Follow @BallDiamondBall).  Oh, and a couple of beers.  You see, for me, this thing kicks off at 10PM.

Don’t hate me — I usually get the sharp end of this stick.

 

[060517] “School”: Valores y Puntos de Vista [Values and Viewpoints]

(By request, a cross-post, from the main feed “over there”; Group Writing for June, 2017.  With appreciation and emendations…Enjoy!)

Greetings, fellow netizens of the good ship BDB! This episode came to mind recently as I read various posts and comments here and elsewhere detailing the sad state of civil society and the country at large. Conservatism/Classical Liberalism still holds up as a worldview; but the shared scaffolding holding it – and us – together is tottering. Mortar needs replaced at the foundation. What are the strongest ingredients? Let’s stroll down memory lane together, shall we?

Forty years ago this week, I had completed my junior year at the high school in my cocoon of a small town. My soon-to-finish years as an LHS Bulldog … Continue reading

[060617] “Screwtape, Master-Tempter”, on the ‘Defeat’ of a Selfless Death.

(From the main feed “over there”; with my permission: “Quote of the Day”)

What, then, of this final stripping, this complete cleansing? The more one thinks about it, the worse it becomes. He got through so easily! No gradual misgivings, no doctor’s sentence, no nursing home, no operating theatre, no false hopes of life; sheer, instantaneous liberation. One moment it seemed to be all our world; the scream of bombs, the fall of houses, the stink and taste of high explosive on the lips and in the lungs, the feet burning with weariness, the heart cold with horrors, the brain reeling, the legs aching; next moment all this was gone, gone like a bad dream, never again to be of any account….How all his doubts became, in the … Continue reading

Unnamed Wednesday 9pm Eastern Time Conference Call: UK Deathwatch Edition

It’s that time of the week again, when we connect for another townhall meeting in the Village of the Darned.

If the software tells you that you’re the only caller, don’t you believe it!  Press on with the access code and you’ll probably find us in there!

Tomorrow, the UK deathwatch either speeds up a lot or a little.

Parliamentary composition after the 2015 election was:

Conservative Party 330 Labour Party 232 Scottish National Party 56 Liberal Democrats 8 Democratic Unionist Party 8 Sinn Féin 4 Plaid Cymru 3 Social Democratic & Labour Party 3 Ulster Unionist Party 2 UK Independence Party 1 Green Party 1 Speaker 1 Independent 1

Anyone care to … Continue reading

That Odor of Self Righteous Swamp Fish

So, after  months of classified compromising leaks, the best the deep state can deliver is some sacrificial lamb with a leak that sort of if you look at it sideways supports the “Russians Hacked The Election”  justification for the illegal surveillance of American Citizens for political purposes?

Amazing. I am Amazed. Will she disappear in a puff of smoke before trial?

Do they expect us to believe that “Reality Winner”  is the mastermind here?

They really do just want sharks with frickin lasers on their heads, don’t they?