Morning all; it’s been a cold week, a week where it’s even a bit difficult to stay truly warm. Yes, we have heat, but, with single digit temperatures all around – let’s just say, “it permeates”. Having said that, I’ll pour some hot java.

One thing I should notify you of; later this coming week I’ll be traveling to FL for a brothers gathering. It’ll be a great time for me, but NO Ramblings for you to peruse next Saturday.

Chaos and Mayhem – as our street corner is known I’ve not reported on these past several weeks. I just felt that week after week commenting on Chaos & Mayhem was getting somewhat stale. However, it doesn’t mean that it is a less active place. This photo was from yesterday morning when two police cruisers had our side street shut down after a car tried to take down a tree. The tree won that battle – all because of 2-inches of snow.

Quote of the week – is a traditional Turkish Proverb:

”when a clown moves into a palace, he doesn’t become a king. The palace becomes a circus”

If it’s not too scary, peruse (noodle) on that a little. Maybe tie it together with this Turkish proverb; “The fish rots from the head”.

International Holocaust Remembrance Day – was Thursday, January 27th. I thought you’d appreciate of this piece of history. King Mohammed V of Morocco saved 250,000 Jews living in his nation from certain prosecution and likely a cruel death.

During the WWII Holocaust years, France’s pro-Nazi Vichy regime insisted Jewish citizens in Morocco be reported and marked for deportation.

King Mohammed V resisted. He refused to ghettoize and deport these people saying; “there are no Jews in Morocco only Moroccan citizens.”

Now, that was an example of true leadership! [click; for a thorough history of Morocco and European intervention in the Barbary Coast region]

Truckin’ Through Trudeaupia¹ (Being on the wrong side of history) – Once again, Justin Trudeau the Prime Minister of Canada is on the wrong side of history. This time it’s the Freedom Convoy 2022.

Quoting Trudeau at a Press Conference regarding the Convoy; “The small fringe minority of people who are on their way to Ottawa, who are holding unacceptable views that they are expressing, do not represent the views of Canadians.”

Arriving today in Canada’s capital, Ottawa, will begin to see the first of possibly 50,000 heavy trucks. To give some scope of this event, those arriving from the western portion of Canada had the first ones crossing into Ontario from Manitoba while the trailing convoy trucks had just entered into Manitoba from Saskatchewan – a distance of 300 miles.

Apparently as many as 10,000 U.S. truckers will try to cross into Canada or assemble at border areas on the U.S.A. side to commiserate with the Canadian truckers.

Thousands upon thousands everyday Canadians are cheering the Convoy as it passes while offering hot drinks and foods and braving below 0 temperatures.

Now, the heavy hitters are joining in; in support Elon Musk of Tesla fame, (71,000,000 Social Media followers) Tweeted; “Canadian Truckers rule”.

What was what Trudeau said again; “The small fringe minority of people who are on their way to Ottawa……….blah, blah, blah”? Yeah right!
(¹) Copied from a headline by Mark Steyn

Filibustering – Our president whom I shall not name; the one who has no core values, the one who acts as a ‘windsock’ – gauging how the ‘wind’ blows.

Here is what I mean. President ‘windsock’ touts his love for people of color. Is that why in 2003 he filibustered for nearly two years fighting the nomination of then – California Supreme Court, Justice Janice Rogers Brown to the D.C. Circuit?

[If he and others of his Party had not blocked the nomination, Justice Janice Rogers Brown most likely would have been our first black female Justice]

In case you think this was a unique occurrence, he did the same with the nomination of another black Justice nominated for the Supreme Court. To President ‘windsock’ diversity is cool, but only to score points.

The cited occurrences were President ‘windsock’ during his pro-filibuster phase. Apparently he has now shifted that position too. The man is a sham.

James Burnham – (1905 – 1987) was an American philosopher and political theorist. He chaired the philosophy department at New York University, and during WWII led the “Political and Psychological Warfare” division of the Office of Policy Coordination in a forerunner of the CIA. President Reagan awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Amongst a series of books he wrote was the Managerial Revolution (1941).

Similarly to George Orwell he was a visionary. Burnham saw the growth of Capitalism culminating into the dominant world force. But, he also foresaw the demise of Capitalism. His thinking was that wasn’t Socialism replacing Capitalism, but new elite – the Manager.

Just a thought, but can anyone tell me what exactly is going on these days? As of late, exactly what has emerged as a dominant force? Is it government leaders or is it the power exerted by governmental bureaus and business entities? Do they report to anyone? These are solid questions.

Take note, the attached video is pretty detailed but is 15-minutes in length.

Quote to close the week –

“… truth, whose mother is history, who is the rival of time, depository of deeds, witness of the past, example and lesson to the present, and warning to the future.” ~ Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra. Author, best known for his novel Don Quixote (printed as; “El Igenioso hidalgo Don Quijote de la Mancha”) this month in 1605.

Powerful insight!

Fini –
• The early death of Nazism was opening the Eastern front (i.e. Russia) in winter. Now we, having scraped our knuckles disastrously while hastening out of Afghanistan (aka the burial ground of nations), we are hovering to do fight with Russia – in winter. “Brilliant” I says sarcastically.

• Tevita has finally been able to text (and with one brother talk) in Tonga. So, he’s finally been able to communicate with family. They are all fine. In fact, his mother in Vava’u mainly got ash, but little other damage.

• Not my original but spotted on-line; “can’t believe that we do not have world peace after changing the name on pancake boxes and syrup bottles.”

• We really have forgotten just how ruthless some regimes were and some still are. The Stalin regime systematically destroyed the Mongolian culture. Queen Genepil (1905-1938) was the last queen of Mongolia. After the death of her husband she was arrested and executed, thereby destroying the last vestiges of what had been Mongolia.

• Barely a week goes by without hearing the phrase “Climate Change”. The narrative is always the same and covers everything – all is caused by Climate Change; and thus all is bad. However, have no fear, everything can be fixed: just pony-up, more taxes!

• This neighborhood (hobbit) house had its cedar shingle roof replaced. I watched the process (progress); 4 guys, 5 weeks.

• Now that we’re having a cold snap, I’ve gotten into a bit of a rhythm. Daily workout using Resistance bands and (trying for three times per week) lap swim events at the gym.

• “Keep on knitting in the free world”, by Marcia

The plan is to head out for Jungle Jim’s where, as part of our current Football glory with the Bengals, we’ll see someone sit in a bathtub filled with Cincinnati Chili. I am told it’ll take 20-gallons in case you’re wondering.

Have a wonderful new week and stay positive, be healthy, and continue swimmingly.

Best till we write again.

Dirk