Random musings

[Leroy]

May 1st, when folks in ND can take their snow shovels out of their trunk with little trepidation.

[IMADreamer]

All of my crops are planted for 2024.

Here's to good weather and a bountiful harvest.

I appreciate that. We could use a good year this year.

[mikechamp]

I think Americans underestimate peace.

We are so fortunate that, when we leave our homes to go somewhere, we don't have to worry about whether our neighbor might try to shoot us, or burn our house down while we're gone... and that we don't have to constantly be on alert for enemy aircraft or artillery when doing something simple like running errands or commuting.

I know there's a lot of talk (on both sides) about "burning things to the ground", but when you really think that through, I don't think either side really wants that.

[Joe Shlabotnik]

I think Americans underestimate peace.

We are so fortunate that, when we leave our homes to go somewhere, we don't have to worry about whether our neighbor might try to shoot us, or burn our house down while we're gone... and that we don't have to constantly be on alert for enemy aircraft or artillery when doing something simple like running errands or commuting.

I know there's a lot of talk (on both sides) about "burning things to the ground", but when you really think that through, I don't think either side really wants that.

I think the key is to get the less extreme 60% of each side to see what they can compromise on so that the middle 60% of the whole can work together against the 40% on the extremes. Surely 60% of Americans agree with the above statements and can work together to ensure it doesn't happen. Just like what is going on in Mike Johnson's House. The middle is abandoning their extremes to get things done.

[IMADreamer]

I think Americans underestimate peace.

We are so fortunate that, when we leave our homes to go somewhere, we don't have to worry about whether our neighbor might try to shoot us, or burn our house down while we're gone... and that we don't have to constantly be on alert for enemy aircraft or artillery when doing something simple like running errands or commuting.

I know there's a lot of talk (on both sides) about "burning things to the ground", but when you really think that through, I don't think either side really wants that.

I really hope you are right, but out here in Trumplandia there are a lot of people gearing up. As I posted I was approached to join the militia. I've since talked to quite a few others who have been asked as well. The extremists are absolutely recruiting and preparing. A good friend of mine who is older and to look at him you'd think he was a right winger was approached the other day and the guy said "it's a good day to kill Democrats." My friend told him he was nuts and walked off, but the point remains that sentiment is out there in a big way.

What's even scarier is a lot of these militia types are just kind of showing up here. I've lived in this community my whole life and the guy who approached me is someone I've never seen before. You can find posters sometimes at gas stations and restaurant bulletin boards with cryptic messages about serving to protect freedom and things like that.

Granted all these local anecdotes mean nothing I guess but something has changed. It was never like this here before. What is scary to me is that an event like another Jan 6th could set it off. We could go to work in that peaceful America we are all used to (well sorta) and by evening domestic terrorism could be running wild.

I really hope I'm being alarmist, but nothing feels like normal any more.

[mikechamp]

But isn't that really all emotion and no logic (on the part of the militia recruiter)?

Think about it: if his side doesn't win the election, and they decide to start some sort of conflict, they'll be staring down... the National Guard? The full-on US military? I mean, really? Their jacked up, 2014 Dodge Ram is no match for a military-grade HumVee or, even worse, a tank. How far do they really want things to go?

My theory is they like the idea of playing soldier much, much more than being in an actual conflict.

It's just lunacy. The children can't run the village. Smarter people need to step up.

P.S. I just thought of something. Maybe they have a martyrdom fetish. Wouldn't that be something? Ha, the irony of that were it true...

[IMADreamer]

I would not at all be surprised if they have a bit of a Martyrdom fetish. I can see a lot of these guys thinking they will be remembered like American Revolution heroes.

[BottenFieldofDreams]

Burn in hell, giant house spiders. I’d rather be covered in mosquito bites. I hate them so much.

Never encountered them until we moved into this house. They are so damn big. And you can tell me they’re harmless, but I thought America was waking up to mental health realities.

Not for those with an Indiana Jones’ snake-level spider issue.

[Leroy]

32 years ago today, a young woman said the ''til death do us part' part about a life with me. It is starting to appear that she meant it.

[mikechamp]

32 years ago today, a young woman said the ''til death do us part' part about a life with me. It is starting to appear that she meant it.

You mean the part about death?

Anyone else worried for Leroy's safety and well-being now?