Nothing New, Under the Sun
 

Yeah, I know, it's Hollywood.

http://www.avclub.com/articles/no-su...s-abo,98901/1/

Anyhow, the funny thing is this. Sometimes Hollywood fantasy depicts what most of us are aware of and have been our whole lives. Like the fact that our government, (And, dare I venture to say; "Every government on earth."), spies on it's own people as well as others. Does this make it okay? Well, maybe at times, but not necessarily is the best answer I can give.

But, one thing I do know, is that when you have a bunch of excitable knuckledraggers get all excited about something the rest of us have known for years and they start bellowing about "2nd Amendment Solutions", "Gather your armies...", posting pictures of weaponry and making veiled, or not-so-veiled noise about rebellion...........the spying will only increase. Then, of course when some half cocked half-wit finally does start shooting at the big fish their dreaded vision of tanks in the streets will become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Of, course these self-described "Sons of Liberty" (More like Sons of Idiocy) won't see it that way. To them it was part of Obamas sinister plan since the start of the Cold War.........................:rolleyes:

Dave

I'll be LMAO when they start tossing the seditious crazies into those for profit prisons. Sorry Charlie, no early release on parole for you...:rolleyes:

I spent an hour or so conversing with a college student last night who thinks he is going to stop the government from spying on people by organizing a march on Ft. Meade. I wished him the best of luck and recommended he pack a big lunch and wear clean underwear.

Dave

and a toothbrush...:D

Fat Jack told me that if you don't stand up for your rights, ain't nobody else gonna do it for you.

I suppose I'm one who thinks the government has overstepped it's boundaries, and it wouldn't hurt to check them if possible.

Of course, I think they overstepped their boundaries way back during The Whiskey Rebellion. And it's gotten worse every since.

Chas

You know, it you have a toothbrush, a disposable razor, and a match that you can make a dandy little slicer.

I don't think there was a con in the joint who didn't have one...except for the one's who went to the effort to make an actual shank.

Chas

I'm sippin' some W.L.Weller's 12 yr old hootch (poor man's Van Winkle) that's mighty fine & smooth. I don't mind a little angels portion for the gubmint.:)

I always liked Weller.

After all, it's pretty much Rebel Yell without the kewl graphics on the label.

Ya'll probably don't drink too much Rebel Yell out there in Granola country, do you?

All kidding aside, you should try some Larceny. That's some top drawer hooch.

Chas

I don't know if Larceny has made it to these parts yet, at least not to Montgomery County. I think I generally prefer rye to wheat in my bourbons as I like the spiciness/bite. FWIW, my everyday Bourbon is Buffalo Trace.

I'll keep an eye out for some Larceny. Thanks for the tip. Plenty of psuedo Johnny Rebs out here, south of LA, they go for the bacon infused chit.:rolleyes: As I remember it Rebel Yell had a little bit of a bite. It's been a while though.

Fat Jack was right.

However,

From what I've seen the hippy just gets a bloody nose and governments go on waging war anyways. (Sorry, Bob.) Even if you bring a government down and make a new one it'll just be the same shit all over again with astonishing speed. (With a nod to your Whiskey Rebellion reference.) Then, there's the people who will demand Uncle Sam stop spying........

Then some idiot blows up a crowded stadium and the same people bitch that Uncle Sam didn't prevent it. So, they go out and elect someone who claims they will, who resumes spying. And, around and around we go.

Dave

Bingo!

Never drank and Buffalo Trace, but I'm a big fan of Bulleit, which is a rye bourbon.

That, and Woodford Reserve were my favorites until Larceny came along. And I'm fond of Gentleman Jack...never thought I'd take a liking to a Jack Daniels product.

Now the Bulleit has a bit more flavor and bite than the others, I'd have to sit down with them all to see which I preferred.

And the next nite I'd probably have a different favorite.

I even like Crown Royal, which is surprising because as a rule I don't care for Canadian whiskey. Probably has a lot to do with being stuck in the middle of nowhere for two days in a canoe with nothing to drink but three fifths of whiskey...Canadian Club, Seagrams 7, and Johnnie Walker Red...all of them hot.

I thought that you could drink out of the Current River...and I was wrong.

Drank the CC first, then the 7, and was just starting to gag down the Johnnie whenever we finally arrived at civilization.

Made a cold Budweiser look like the nectar of the gods.

Chas

While I agree that that's the way it is, always has been, and always will be, I still think we could contain the powers that be somewhat if we were to quit fighting amongst ourselves and concentrate on them.

The bad thing is, if anyone comes along who doesn't toe the party line, they immediately get shouted down because they're not perfect.

I doubt that I agree with anyone 100%...that being said, I'll take a free thinker over a bought and paid for fraud any day of the week.

What we have now is political theater, where the nail that sticks up not only gets hammered down, but rode out of town on a rail as well.

Chas

Pounded through and clenched over is more how I see it;)

Always preferred Park & Tillford's Royal Command for sippin whisky but I never see it down here.

One of my office mates shared some Japanese Scotch with me Friday. It was interesting but the Evan Williams went down a bit smoother.

Regards,

D-Ray

I picked up a jug of "Forty Creek" the other day. It's kind of nice to sip on.

Some of the Japanese Scotch whisky clones are very good. Suntory makes several of them.

Where do we find these folks at?

My second amendment solution is not to take the government down, it is to keep myself alive after the corporations have people so broke they have to resort to looting and anarchy in order to survive. I am generous enough that I will share what I have with those down on their luck, but I won't let lazy criminal types take it from me without a fight. Not saying that will happen, just that it could. The guns I own wouldn't do shit against todays government, not even a million of 'em. All that aside, isn't all the government spying considered more of a fourth amendment issue? Not to mention that the actual records of calls and emails aren't subject to the fourth amendment, only the private information inside the records. That is my layman look at it anyway.

Yep, that's my understanding, too. Much like a letter in the postal system.

Drive to Detroit and have a look around. The corporations have been starving uppity peasants for a while now. Methinks you missed the boat on that one.;)

I recall reading something long ago about "public domain" and information that is voluntarily offered up on it, like in the social media, airwaves, television......and now the internet? If you ever put your phone number on Facebook, MySpace, a phone book or anywhere where it can be accessed by anyone, it is no longer personal, private information. Same goes for address, SS number...................etc. People get on the internet and volunteer damn near everything, including their kinkiest sexual adventures and their anti-government angst on public forums, billions of times every day.

Do I think it's unConstitutional, somewhat creepy, and approaching Orwellian that the government is listening to my conversations? Well, I doubt they really give a damn about my personal life or my twisted thoughts, but, yeah, I do think maybe it's gone too far...........

Have fun trying to stop it. Ima go put out some more birdfeed....Speakin' of criminal types taking someone elses stuff....damn squirrels.

Dave

WaPo article...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/invest...b5a_story.html