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 …
Category: political combat
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 15 2023
Following Up On “…but outrage is mandatory.”
This began as a comment to Surprise Is Optional…, about the revelations of the zero mark given baltimore students. But I feel I owe Fran a more thorough effort, to make clearer whatever worth what follows may have. I cannot imagine that anyone who is a regular at Liberty’s Torch has not read 1984 at …
Feb 04 2023
Cognitive Dissonance Chronicles
The use of deliberate contradiction and confusion to paralyze the populace is a classic tactic of totalitarian regimes. It’s also used by aspiring tyrants: The recent controversy over gas stoves is a classic example of how the left works. They put the idea out there that they wanted to get rid of …
Feb 02 2023
The New Standard For Guilt
Amendment V: No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any …
Jan 27 2023
More Likely Than Not?
One of the enduring characteristics of the Leftist is that he refuses to accept the responsibility for anything that goes wrong. This is utterly evident in matters of public policy, but it’s also visible as regards personal decisions. Two graphics – one intended as black humor; the other a fake headline – illustrate the …
Jan 24 2023
Questioning The Timing
Remember that delightful phrase “I question the timing?” The Democrats trotted it out repeatedly, back when. It was the predecessor to several of their current rhetorical tropes, most important among them the tu quoque parry they use so frequently today. Unfortunately for them, their ability to “tu quoquify” a Republican has collapsed to a …
Dec 01 2022
Meaning What?
It’s time for another tirade on clarity in expression. Let’s start with a little George Orwell: [O]ne ought to recognize that the present political chaos is connected with the decay of language, and that one can probably bring about some improvement by starting at the verbal end.… Political language — and with variations …
Nov 13 2022
An Assessment
The following is lifted from a recent novel: “Tim, how are your classes coming along?” “I’ve got the kids working on a Better Government assignment. Everyone is reading the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Then we’re going to brainstorm how to tweak our government.” “We hold these truths to be …
Nov 11 2022
Slaps In The Face
The first is an open-handed one. Quoth Baron Bodissey: Anyone who is forced to accept the farcical results from Pennsylvania is being grievously humiliated. Some people may really believe that the vote in the Keystone State was truly free and aboveboard, and that John Fetterman won fair and square (the gents at Power …
Nov 08 2022
Piebald Nation, Magpie People
Well, it’s finally here: Election Day 2022. Until late this evening, those of us unwilling to break the law can know very little about what’s taking place. Unfortunately, there are quite a few who are willing to break the law. Whether they can cheat sufficiently to retain their grip on the federal Leviathan will …
Nov 01 2022
Has A Super-majority Had Enough?
Because, as we learned the hard way in 2020, a majority is not enough. Come 8 November, the final scene below is the least they could do. So man the polls as you have never done before, because the enemy knows they have everything to lose. And so do you.
Oct 27 2022
The Further Desiccation Of The Desiccated Remains
The late, great Clarence Carson wrote the following in 1964: [W]e are told that there is no need to fear the concentration of power in government so long as that power is checked by the electoral process. We are urged to believe that so long as we can express our disagreement in words, …
Oct 27 2022
Fall Guys
No, there are no words nor punctuation marks missing from the title. If it were a recognized industry listed on the New York Stock Exchange or the NASDAQ, the “Get Your Fall Guys Here” industry would be one of the fastest growing in America. Everyone wants someone or something to blame for his …
Oct 26 2022
Spurred By “A New Time For Choosing”
Some of you may recall I reposted about my recollection of the 1980s update to that 1964 Reagan Speech in August of this year. Much thanks to Fran for alerting me about this new interest. Since Dan Bongino saw fit to bring this new reminder to our attention, I saw fit to bring to his …
Oct 26 2022
What Should We Expect On November 8?
If the hate-filled legions of the Left are willing to do this to a pre-election canvasser: A volunteer for Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) was brutally attacked while canvassing for the campaign in Hialeah, Florida, leaving him with a broken jaw and internal bleeding. According to the senator, who is facing off against …
Oct 22 2022
Conservatism And The Present Age
Among the things that are absolutely essential to progress – regardless of what sort of progress we’re talking about — the recognition and correction of mistakes is paramount. Human knowledge is like a single vector in a disordered field. To arrive at it involves eliminating all the alternatives to that one true magnitude and …
Oct 02 2022
Is it Safe? Part 1
The wannabe despot is a coward. Before he acts he needs to feel the environment has been well prepared before he makes the next move. The title of this series comes from the line endlessly repeated by the Lawrence Olivier character as he tortured the one portrayed by Dustin Hoffman in Marathon Man. Well, in …
Sep 28 2022
A Heroine For Our Time
I can’t get enough of this incredibly courageous and forthright woman: Europe has waited far too long for her like.
Sep 27 2022
When The Newsies Are The News
Sometimes what the “journalists” are doing is just as important as what they’ve been “reporting.” Now might be such a time. The tweet referenced below embeds a clip everyone ought to view: two solid minutes of American media doing their damnedest to paint Giorgia Meloni, the probable next prime minister of Italy, as …
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