Francis W. Porretto
Mount Sinai, NY USA
Author's posts
Mar 04 2023
Toward Ungovernability
Every process occurring in nature proceeds in the sense in which the sum of the entropies of all bodies taking part in the process is increased. – Max Planck Dunghills rise and castles fall. – Yankee proverb If there’s anything a public servant hates to do, it’s something for the public.” – …
Mar 03 2023
Conversations
I won’t speak for you, but I know I could use a little levity these days. Compliments of the C.S.O., I had one a little earlier. Because she’s still recovering from her recent operation and is medically forbidden to do…well, anything but sit, read, and watch the Idiot Box (damn good thing she …
Mar 03 2023
A Must-Read
Mike at Cold Fury has excerpted a fascinating story that must be read in its entirety. It’s about an incident in an American “public” grammar school. The resolution of the real-life conflict it depicts will have you howling with laughter. Hie thee hence!
Mar 03 2023
The Weapon
Eric Frank Russell, one of the most talented writers of his day, left as his legacy to the developing field of science fiction a magnificent novella titled “And Then There Were None.” (Yes, I’ve commended it here before this.) This novella is so powerful, and so memorable, that it was awarded a place in …
Mar 02 2023
An Attitudinal Imperative
And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee. And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. …
Mar 01 2023
From Cynicism To Sarcasm: Progress Or Regress?
The Diogenes of history — i.e., “the one with the lamp” – was known as The Cynic, for good and sufficient reasons: Diogenes of Sinope was a controversial figure. His father minted coins for a living, and when Diogenes took to debasement of currency, he was banished from Sinope. After being exiled, he …
Feb 28 2023
Educational Necrosis
In his classic study Systemantics, author John Gall presents a compelling case for the proposition that human systems of all kinds, no matter their origins or aims, will operate in failure mode –— the overwhelmingly greater part of the time. System failure in Gall’s analysis is determined by the comparison of the system’s ostensible …
Feb 27 2023
Further Intrusions Into Medical Privacy
The doctor-patient relationship is deemed legally immune to demands for information from agents of the State. That immunity is considered so important that it extends beyond the death of either party. It covers diagnoses, the results of lab tests, decisions to treat or not to treat, and details of both treatment and results. And …
Feb 27 2023
Censorshop
I’ve ranted more than once about the usefulness of a steadily centralizing economy to those who desire total power over us. I trust the point was not lost on my Gentle Readers. However, it remains easy to miss the indications of political control over one’s workplace, so here’s a nice fresh one: A …
Feb 26 2023
The Longest Long Con
I ran across this graphic only a few minutes ago: It’s at the center of my thoughts for a reason upon which I’ll rant a bit later in this piece. For now, I’d like to remind you about an old song, and an old practice far too many of us followed in our …
Feb 25 2023
Music For A Snowy Saturday Afternoon
If you’re around my age, you might remember the original version of this: I’ve heard a lot of denigrations of The Association. They may have been “pop for the masses,” but their songwriters were among the best of the AM-Radio era…and Pat Metheny has taken their classic tune and done it full justice. …
Feb 25 2023
An Unsurprising Reaction
The old fable about the emperor’s new wardrobe, which only the honest and competent could see, ends with a small boy shattering the delusion, simply by speaking the truth. What Hans Christian Andersen had in mind in his fable is disputed today. Partly that’s because Andersen’s original ending for the tale was somewhat different. …
Feb 24 2023
And Now, A Word From Our Sponsor
“Hope” is the thing with feathers – That perches in the soul – And sings the tune without the words – And never stops – at all – And sweetest – in the Gale – is heard – And sore must be the storm – That could abash the little Bird That kept so many …
Feb 24 2023
Now They’ve Gone Too Far
Maybe we’ve stood still and silent while they ruined the economy, destroyed the nation’s energy supplies, choked the ports, fed our Strategic Petroleum reserve to China, and led us to the brink of nuclear Armageddon, but we can’t let them get away with this! Now Unilever, the far-Left corporate giant that brings us …
Feb 24 2023
As Long As We’re Talking About Hate Groups
…some even have their own TV shows: Joy Behar says the residents of East Palestine got what they deserved because they voted for Trump. “That’s who you voted for!” she shouted at the camera. “In that district. Donald Trump, who reduces all safety. He did in those days.” pic.twitter.com/brMUQfthQj — Nicholas Fondacaro (@NickFondacaro) February …
Feb 23 2023
Good Sense Dept.
Good sense often seems to have been anathematized, if not outlawed. It’s still possible to have good sense, but to speak good sense where others can hear is becoming increasingly dangerous. It can cost you everything: Your family, your friends, the good will of your neighbors, your occupation, your business associations. Now and then …
Feb 23 2023
Presidents And Pretenders
Yesterday, Donald Trump did something that neither Joe Biden nor any member of his Cabinet has yet done: He went to East Palestine, Ohio. Moreover, he went with a large quantity of food and potable water. The residents of that badly beset district were overjoyed by his visit. Yes, they appreciated the aid he …
Feb 22 2023
Freedom Of What?
I have a great admiration for the Founders of this nation. Many of them thought more deeply about political processes, especially the innate dynamic of governments to grow over time, than anyone who’s come since them. This morning I find myself reflecting on the wisdom of one in particular: the celebrated yet underappreciated Alexander …
Feb 21 2023
Apologies For Being Repetitive…
…but I feel obligated to aggregate the data: Loud neighbors and threats at an apartment complex in Houston led to the arrest of two sisters. The sisters are accused of grabbing their guns earlier this week to confront their noisy neighbors. The sisters claim the confrontation took place because their neighbors were …
Feb 21 2023
That Look Of Indifference
You’ll find it on many a face in our political Establishment. To what are they indifferent? Why, to you, of course: How many Americans support this war for democracy? This war for democracy that Americans for some reason can’t vote on? Why don’t we have a national referendum on all this as long …
Fran’s Recent Novels
Margaret’s Recent Novels
