Why Is There Nothing Rather Than Leibniz?

Veronica lake would have turned 100 years old today.

...

Zuzu looked so good today that I couldn't help but take a picture.

November 14, 2021

...

Anybody paying attention to this?

Trump said he will "root out the Communists, Marxists, fascists, and the radical left thugs that live like vermin within the confines of our country that lie and steal and cheat on elections... The threat from outside forces is far less sinister, dangerous, and grave than the threat from within. Our threat is from within."

His spokesman later clarified for him- "Those who try to make that ridiculous assertion [that he's using the same language as history's worst fascists] are clearly snowflakes grasping for anything because they are suffering from Trump Derangement Syndrome and their entire existence will be crushed when President Trump returns to the White House."

His spokesman later said that he meant to say their “sad, miserable existence” will be crushed, instead of their “entire existence.” Oh, well that's a relief.

This all comes just shortly after suggesting he's going to use justice department to punish his enemies.

This is quite an uplifting platform!

Back in the 80's Biden got caught plagiarizing a speech causing him to lose the nomination. Say what you will about Biden, but at least he didn't double-down on plagiarizing Hitler.

New Republic- Trump Team Responds to Hitler Accusations by Proving Accusers Right

https://newrepublic.com/post/176892/trump-team-responds-hitler-vermin-accusations-proving-accusers-right

November 14, 2023

...

If the Trump election isn't the catalyst to WWIII my face sure will be red. And if it is, all of our faces might be melted off.

November 14, 2016

...

Speaking of faces getting melted off, apparently Jay Leno was in one of his cars and it exploded. He's stable but has some bad burns on his face. Good thing he is two-faced.

...

"When the Republican party sends Trump its people, they're not sending their best. . . they're sending people that have lots of problems . . . they're bringing racism, they're bringing crime. They're rapists. And some, I assume, are good people." -Mexico

November 14, 2016

...

Bumper Sticker Idea- Don't Blame Me, I Voted Against the Sexual Predator.

November 14, 2016

...

Moral Maxim: Ask yourself WWKKKD? Then do the opposite.

November 14, 2016

Postscript- The all were overjoyed at Trump's election, for some strange reason that I can't quite put my finger on.

...

I don't want to worry anybody further, but an anagram of "Donald Trump President" is "Dad Nipple Monster Turd."

November 14, 2016

...

This is crazy. Researchers measuring the physiological response to disgusting images could predict which way somebody would vote in an election with 95% accuracy. We think we're rational, but our general political leanings stem from our physiology.

November 14, 2015

...

So old...my body has gotten......oh so old. I think my brain is still OK, but of course my brain would think that.

November 14, 2015

...

Everyone can agree, as they say.

Ricky Gervais- "The Bible is as true now as it ever was."

...

A great quote can be better than a good book.

November 14, 2010

...

From now on I'm only quoting myself.

November 14, 2010

...

Quote from Roger Ebert's blog- My friend McHugh was sitting in O'Rourke's one night when a guy flashed a gun stuck in his belt. "What are you carrying that for?" he asked the guy. "I live in a dangerous neighborhood," the guy said. McHugh told him, "It would be a lot safer if you moved."

...

...

German astronomer Gottfried Kirch discovers the Great Comet of 1680 on this day, the first comet to be discovered with a telescope.

...

Moby-Dick was published on this day in 1851. I often think about Melville, how mind-boggling it must have been to him when the book wasn't recognized for the masterpiece it was. He must have thought- What in the hell do I have to do???

"Whenever I find myself growing grim about the mouth; whenever it is a damp, drizzly November in my soul; whenever I find myself involuntarily pausing before coffin warehouses, and bringing up the rear of every funeral I meet; and especially whenever my hypos get such an upper hand of me, that it requires a strong moral principle to prevent me from deliberately stepping into the street, and methodically knocking people's hats off - then, I account it high time to get to sea as soon as I can."

"Ignorance is the parent of fear."

"There are certain queer times and occasions in this strange mixed affair we call life when a man takes this whole universe for a vast practical joke, though the wit thereof he but dimly discerns, and more than suspects that the joke is at nobody's expense but his own."

"Better to sleep with a sober cannibal than a drunk Christian."

"Consider the subtleness of the sea; how its most dreaded creatures glide under water, unapparent for the most part, and treacherously hidden beneath the loveliest tints of azure. Consider also the devilish brilliance and beauty of many of its most remorseless tribes, as the dainty embellished shape of many species of sharks. Consider, once more, the universal cannibalism of the sea; all whose creatures prey upon each other, carrying on eternal war since the world began.

"Consider all this; and then turn to the green, gentle, and most docile earth; consider them both, the sea and the land; and do you not find a strange analogy to something in yourself? For as this appalling ocean surrounds the verdant land, so in the soul of man there lies one insular Tahiti, full of peace and joy, but encompassed by all the horrors of the half-known life. God keep thee! Push not off from that isle, thou canst never return!"

...

On this day in 1941, German troops, aided by local auxiliaries, murdered nine thousand residents of the Słonim Ghetto.

...

American hero, Ruby Bridges, became the first black child to attend an all-White elementary school in Louisiana on this day in 1960.

...

Lancaster native, Robert Fulton, joined us on this day in 1765.

"The fear of meeting the opposition of envy, or the illiberality of ignorance is, no doubt, the frequent cause of preventing many ingenious men from ushering opinions into the world which deviate from common practice. Hence for want of energy, the young idea is shackled with timidity and a useful thought is buried in the impenetrable gloom of eternal oblivion."

...

French painter, Monet, was born on this day in 1840. French painter, Manet, was born 38 years to the day later.

...

Twenties It Girl, Louise Brooks, was born on this day in 1906. She died in 1985, so somehow I shared the world with her for 11 years.

...

Joseph McCarthy was born on this day in 1908, a symbol of power and corruption. His aide Roy Cohn was Trump's mentor.

...

Sherwood Schwartz, of Brady Bunch and Gilligan's Island fame, was born on this day in 1916.

...

P. J. O'Rourke was born on this day in 1947.

"No drug, not even alcohol, causes the fundamental ills of society. If we're looking for the source of our troubles, we shouldn't test people for drugs, we should test them for stupidity, ignorance, greed and love of power."

...

Willie Hernandez and Condoleezza Rice, were born on this day in 1954.

...

Byzantine emperor, Justinian I, left us on this day in 565.

"Frugality is the mother of all virtues."

"Keep cool and you will command everyone."

"Rather let the crime of the guilty go unpunished than condemn the innocent."

"Safety of the state is the highest law."

"The things which are common to all (and not capable of being owned) are: the air, running water, the sea and the seashores."

...

Mathematician and philosopher, Gottfried Leibniz, left us on this day in 1716., German mathematician and philosopher (b. 1646)

"He who hasn't tasted bitter things hasn't earned sweet things."

...

We lost Booker T. Washington on this day in 1915.

"I will permit no man to narrow and degrade my soul by making me hate him."

...

British short story writer, Saki, left us on this day in 1916.

"The young have aspirations that never come to pass, the old have reminiscences of what never happened."

...

...

Ancient Aliens, a short clip on cargo cults. I could hit a point in my life that I strictly research cults. It's one of the most fascinating things to me.

https://youtu.be/lFaDk0Lxg2k

November 14, 2010

...

I nearly have tears in my eyes...

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2209418/

November 14, 2012

...

Wow, Malala told Obama that she believed that drones were fueling terrorism.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/13/cbs-malala-drones_n_4269535.html

November 14, 2013

Postscript- I'm not against drones and principle, although I was at the time.

...

Colbert, on Marco Rubio saying that we need more welders than philosophers.

https://youtu.be/wm6UuneN2-k

"It's an interesting point, it really makes you weld."

November 14, 2015

...

Slate- Trump Reportedly Appeared Not to Understand Scope of Presidency During Obama Meeting

Huh, really? Doesn't understand the scope you say? Who would've guessed? Here's the funny thing, if you want to call it that... the part of the scope he now understands is only what percentage of the actual scope?

And what about the part he understands? "Hmm, I need a Chief Strategist...how about a white nationalist to bring the country together?" Dude, that's a huge failure right off the bat!

http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2016/11/14/trump_reportedly_appeared_not_to_understand_scope_of_presidency_during_obama.html

November 14, 2016

...

Huffington Post- Trump Voters Believe Sex Allegations Against Weinstein, But Not Against Trump

Huh! The vast of Americans believe the victims of Harvey Weinstein, vast majorities of both parties. When it comes to sexual harassment claims against the president, there's an odd party split- about 80% of Clinton voters believe the victims, but only 8% of Trump voters do.

So... apparently Democrats tend to believe victims of sexual harrassment, and Republicans tend to stick with their party.

I'm an Independent, so I will always support Ralph Nader over any claims of abuse.

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/trump-voters-weinstein-poll_us_59ea11c9e4b0f9d35bca3fd9

November 14, 2017

...

New York Times- Truth and Virtue in the Age of Trump- You’re a hero if and only if you serve The Leader’s interests.

From the article:

"The attempt by Trump and his party to shut down the legally mandated Florida recount with claims, based on no evidence, of large-scale voting fraud fits right into this partisan epistemology. Do Republicans really believe that there were vast numbers of fraudulent or forged ballots? Even asking that question is a category error. They don’t “really believe” anything, except that they should get what they want. Any vote count that might favor a Democrat is bad for them; therefore it’s fraudulent, no evidence needed."

"Anyway, my point is that the rejection of any standard besides whether it helps or hurts Trump extends beyond true or false to basic values. In Trumpworld, which is now indistinguishable from G.O.P.world, good and bad are defined solely by whether the interests of The Leader are served. Thus, Trump attacks and insults our closest allies while praising brutal dictators who flatter him (and declares neo-Nazis “very fine people”).'

"And the same goes for heroism and cowardice. A genuine hero like John McCain, who was critical of Trump, gets dismissed as a failure: “He’s not a war hero. … I like people who weren’t captured.” Meanwhile, Miriam Adelson, whose service to the nation basically consists of giving Trump campaign contributions, gets the Presidential Medal of Freedom."

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/12/opinion/truth-virtue-trump-loyalty.html

November 14, 2018

...

TED Talk- You can grow new brain cells. Here's how. By Sandine Thuret

Excellent short TED Talk. Want the short version? Eat blueberries, dark chocolate, Omega 3 fatty acids, get sleep, restrict calories, and run to help new form new brain cells cells in the hippocampus, which will improve mood and and prevent mental decline associated with aging.

Bad news... alcohol prevents new brain cells.

Good news... red wine helps cells that have already formed. So red wine is neutral.

https://www.ted.com/talks/sandrine_thuret_you_can_grow_new_brain_cells_here_s_how

November 14, 2020

Postscript- I took this seriously and changed my diet!

...

Politico- Red state governors reject Biden on mask orders

I'd like to see everybody sign up in a national database, checking off like 20 boxes that illustrate how seriously they've taken this. Then if they get sick, we know who to treat first if the hospitals become overwhelmed.

It's an idea with problems! Nevertheless, it's oddly comforting to imagine people getting care according to what they deserve.

https://www.politico.com/news/2020/11/13/republican-governors-reject-biden-mask-orders-436385

November 14, 2020

...

The Hill- Trump campaign ends voter fraud hotline after it’s filled with prank calls.

I have one!

VFH- "Hello, Voter Fraud Hotline, will you please report some voter fraud to support our preconceived notions?"

Caller- "Oh sorry, I thought I called the Voter Fraud Fraud Hotline. I wanted to report rampant fraudulent cases of voter fraud."

https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/525901-trump-campaign-ends-voter-fraud-hotline-after-its-filled-with-prank-calls

November 14, 2020

...

The Atlantic- What Becoming a Parent Really Does to Your Happiness

Uh oh ----> "The early research is decisive: Having kids is bad for quality of life."

This isn't true in my case (or at least doesn't seem true, he discusses selective memory), but I put satisfaction, purpose and meaning above everyday happiness,

https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2021/11/does-having-kids-make-you-happy/620576/

November 14, 2021

...

Norm Macdonald: The eyes of a child, the words of an adult

I was due for another great article about Norm Macdonald. The Zen of Norm. I wish it was a book.

https://link.medium.com/j0kqGclW8kb

November 14, 2021

...

More Ebaum's World- 28 Things You've Probably Never Thought About

Mars is the only known planet in our solar system inhabited by functioning robots.

Bathtubs are opposite boats.

If you are lucky, your internal organs will never see the light of day.

Outer space is only an hour's drive, if you could drive straight up.

You are stuck in traffic, you are the traffic.

...

More palindromes!

Eros? Sidney, my end is sore.

Test tube butt set.

Are we not drawn onward, we few, drawn onward to new era?

Doc, note: I dissent. A fast never prevents a fatness. I diet on cod!

Stressed? No tips? Spit on desserts.

...

Leibniz- "There is nothing without a reason."

...

Bertrand Russell, The Conquest of Happiness- "Don't expect others to take as much interest in you as you do yourself."

...

James Dean- "Am I in love? Absolutely. I'm in love with ancient philosophers, foreign painters, classic authors, and musicians who have died long ago. I'm a passionate lover. I fawn over these people. I have given them my heart and my soul. The trouble is, I'm unable to love anyone tangible. I have sacrificed a physical bond, for a metaphysical relationship. I am the ultimate idealistic lover."

...

Tom Waits- "When I was younger, I wanted to be older. Now I am older, I am not quite so sure."

...

Manson- "I can't judge any of you. I have no malice against you and no ribbons for you. But I think that it is high time that you all start looking at yourselves, and judging the lie that you live in."

...

Aayan Hirsi Ali- "Multiculturalism should not mean that we tolerate another culture’s intolerance. If we do in fact support diversity, women’s rights, and gay rights, then we cannot in good conscience give Islam a free pass on the grounds of multicultural sensitivity."

...

Sam Harris- "Science is part of the culture where we prioritize not fooling ourselves- and even compete to discover where we might all be fooled "

...

Campbell- "As you proceed through life, following your own path, birds will shit on you. Don't bother to brush it off. Getting a comedic view of your situation gives you spiritual distance. Having a sense of humor saves you."

...

Sagan- "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence."

...

Vonnegut, Slaughterhouse-Five:

"It is so short and jumbled and jangled, Sam, because there is nothing intelligent to say about a massacre. Everybody is supposed to be dead, to never say anything or want anything ever again. Everything is supposed to be very quiet after a massacre, and it always is, except for the birds. And what do the birds say? All there is to say about a massacre, things like "Poo-tee-weet?

...

Oscar Wilde- "No good deed goes unpunished."

...

Christopher Hitchens, Letters to a Young Contrarian- "I have been called arrogant myself in my time, and hope to earn the title again, but to claim that I am privy to the secrets of the universe and its creator — that's beyond my conceit. I therefore have no choice but to find something suspect even in the humblest believer. Even the most humane and compassionate of the monotheisms and polytheisms are complicit in this quiet and irrational authoritarianism: they proclaim us, in Fulke Greville's unforgettable line, "Created sick — Commanded to be well." And there are totalitarian insinuations to back this up if its appeal should fail. Christians, for example, declare me redeemed by a human sacrifice that occurred thousands of years before I was born. I didn't ask for it, and would willingly have foregone it, but there it is: I'm claimed and saved whether I wish it or not. And if I refuse the unsolicited gift? Well, there are still some vague mutterings about an eternity of torment for my ingratitude. That is somewhat worse than a Big Brother state, because there could be no hope of its eventually passing away."

...

Joseph Murphy- "You can develop the right mental attitude when you realize that nothing external can upset you or hurt you without your mental consent."

...

Steven Pinker, The Language Instinct- "Why do we say razzle-dazzle instead of dazzle-razzle? Why super-duper, helter-skelter, harum-scarum, hocus-pocus, willy-nilly, hully-gully, roly-poly, holy moly, herky-jerky, walkie-talkie, namby-pamby, mumbo-jumbo, loosey-goosey, wing-ding, wham-bam, hobnob, razza-matazz, and rub-a-dub-dub? I thought you'd never ask. Consonants differ in "obstruency"—the degree to which they impede the flow of air, ranging from merely making it resonate, to forcing it noisily past an obstruction, to stopping it up altogether. The word beginning with the less obstruent consonant always comes before the word beginning with the more obstruent consonant. Why ask why?

...

Diane Ravitch- "The person who knows "how" will always have a job. The person who knows "why" will always be his boss."

...

Leibniz, to end it- "Why is there something rather than nothing?"

...