winterbill

[winterbill]

If socialism, communism, liberalism, progressivism, leftism, Marxism, or fascism and totalitarianisms, are so great for "equal rights," "social justice," and "fairness," why didn't the greatest living experiment IN those beliefs ever attempted in the real world, the Soviet Union, ever have a chief executive, called "Chairman" ("Premier" to outsiders,) that was a WOMAN?  "Equal pay for equal work," "no discrimination allowed," and "total equality" was the LAW, just like "universal healthcare" and "social security," along with all the other "free stuff" promises their leaders have always enticed to the masses and the mobs, workers and the rest, from the beginning with Marx, in 1848, the year he wrote, "The Communist Manifesto."  So the capitol of what SHOULD have been "Social Justice Warrior" central for "fairness" and getting even with the "rich" and the land/property owners, the Soviet Union, the place where all these “equality” dreams came true, was only ran by men on the top, for 74 years, 1917-1991, until it failed and fell on the ash heap of history:  another "failed state."  74 years, and no woman "President;" only old, white, men.  The arrogance that anyone today that can say, "Well, WE, I, could make it work.  THOSE people..." and then they shake their head and give you the look of "you know."  What egomaniacs.  100 million worldwide dead (not counting all the wars it caused,) not to mention all the monetary "capital" that was wasted on a lie, that could have been generating more of it, to be used doing other things, like NOT starving and killing people, making conquest a national mission.  ...and the waste of a century in human lives, which IS history.  I guess, but what what could you expect from a thing that outlaws religion, meant to outlaw God.  Of course it failed, and it always has, always does, and always will.  

[winterbill]

Walking down from the Blackberry patch (the old road.)

[winterbill]

The sax I found in January got truly played for the 1st time today. I put on #PinkFloyd’s #Echoes (greatest hits, ‘01) and started playing along. I was intimately familiar with the tenor #sax by the time I was 17, but went into the army instead at 18. I’ve had tenors, baris, and altos since, but I was satisfied with none of them ,so I never made a real search until this year and last, first in pinning down what I wanted and then, whAt I was willing to pay. Found this in #Cincinnati: 1972 #BuffetCrampon #SuperDynaction (hand made, Paris, France) I knew this was the one from the first note I played, but confirmation sure feels good. Biggest thing is getting the #embouchure (lower lip and jaws most, but all of mouth. air was great) back in condition; that started giving out today about 48 minutes in. I think it’s gonna #work. #saxophone #music #Kentucky #rock #classicrock (at Eastview, Kentucky) https://www.instagram.com/p/CAK_YcejFb4/?igshid=aqfrdxc05i0k

[winterbill]

Coronavirus brings about historic American times, and historic choices.

I've been fairly quiet on this whole Pandemic thing (I call it the Bio-Panic of 2020,) but it has changed American History, and it may be a century long change.  "Mass Psychology" wise, I'm seeing even more troubling behavior on The People's part, but absolutely not most or all, but those folks don't make the news or noise enough for a negative Press to cover, so We don't hear from them on mainstream media. As sad and sickening as the truth is, many Americans alive today would gladly and legally vote away all their own freedoms; Freedoms codified in a Declaration of Independence and an amendable U.S. Constitution, on top of every individual, sovereign State, with Its Residents, complete with their own State Constitution:  Federalism.  It's a beautiful system, and the Framer's generations got it so right, but they didn't know that.  Many of them doubt such an audacious plan would ever work:  a place where you have more individual liberty than anyone in world history ever realized, Naturally speaking.  Many think it could be nothing more than a temporary flight of fancy, a fantastical experiment in freedom.  But they hoped for the best, for their children and their families of the future and all the friends of the friends, any who thirsted for freedom and a fresh start.  A chance to stand or fall, on your own, without excuse, with the life God gave you to live, unencumbered by the Greedy Hand of governmental intrusion.   We are now 244 years old, from the formal release of the Declaration of Independence, in 1776 A.D.  To the good, and bad, I am sure they would be amazed at what their Posterity (Us and every American Citizen that comes after Us,) have done. Like I said, there's more to write, but I think the #Coronavirus has been the final nail in the choice We have, the "fork in the road:" either restore what America was founded to be, keeping everything that has worked, and repealing what has not, or give up, say "the Experiment" in liberty is over, and repeal the federal Constitution and let each State go its own way.  It's me being a Kentuckian that makes me an American, not the other way around.  The States and their Residents are the Owners of America, literally, "We the People."  We forget that at Our peril, and I believe that is exactly where We are now, paying the sins of Apathy from the last 100 years.  Nothing's free, and that includes all Nations, great and small, to include Its individual Members, like you and I.   We've been spoiled for a while now, Folks.  I know it.  You know it.  We live in relative Luxury, and We complain when our food doesn't go from frozen to ready to eat in four minutes.  We're that impatient while we use indoor plumbing and electricity in oblivion of the miracles around Us.   Our "homeless" have cell phones, food, and in some States, even get a paycheck...for being homeless.  "Poor" is a relative term, but in comparison to most of the 7 plus billion humans in the world and what THEY understand and see in their lives that defines the meaning of "poor" should make every America sober to just how blessed and rich We are.  Even in a strictly secular sense, mathematical odds, humans born in the United States enjoy Freedoms and economic opportunities that few of their world contemporaries will ever experience.   I had the good fortune to leave the U.S. at age 18 and live in another culture until I turned 20.  West Germany was part of the "free West," which includes Britain and America, but it was not what you and I so easily take for granted in being raised here.  Germany was a place where the Polezi (Police) could beat people legally.  They didn't play, and I was told by my fellow Scouts to never say, "I got rights!" or the beating would only intensify.  The world is not America, my Friends, and Americans are very bad about not travelling outside Our borders.  Whatever, but I recommend it whole heatedly.  It gives perspective to how good We have it here.  No joke, the first time I came back, I seriously wanted to kiss the ground (I don't think I did, but I actually wanted to.)  Not having it made me understand far better what it was to live without it, and what a Treasure that it is.   We've come to "the fork in the road."  Liberty, or Tyranny?   If that makes you uncomfortable, then good.  Nothing happens in life until we get out of our comfort zone.  Emotion moves, Logic far rarer.

[winterbill]

Ed takes a ride to Leitchfield. 

I bought my 2003 F-150 as a work truck and daily drives 12 months ago.  Patiently, I had any mechanical issue fixed first, but now I could do less essential things, so finally got a new stereo with all modern features, like Bluetooth and Alexa.  With that, it was time to start using the iPhone again while driving (mostly singing practice.)  For the first time, I went with a windshield mount (love it) and this is the first recording with that get up.  More and better stuff to come, hopefully. )  Just me experimenting.

[winterbill]

Potentially disturbing to some, I appreciate this as art, if nothing else.

[winterbill]

Southern Cross, Crosby, Stills, and Nash.

I remember listening to this on FM radio when it came out in ‘82 and it sounded so good.

[winterbill]

And the #home #diy makeover continues. For the kitchen, a #cooking measurements conversion table in a wood frame I found at Home Decor in E’town. #photo (at Eastview, Kentucky) https://www.instagram.com/p/B9SMA7DpkQI/?igshid=dnlf0rvh7zlo

[winterbill]

[winterbill]

Being from the country, this actually wasn’t surprising.  Country life is more peaceful and less frantic, but there seems to be evidence of observable differences of these influences.

[winterbill]

(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1kM4CKEph4)   Charles Barkley is funnier than any late night host, as he jokes on Jussie Smolette.  Shaq can’t stop laughin’.

[winterbill]

The length of February.

Although February is technically the shortest calendar month, to me it FEELS like the longest of the year.  November has Thanksgiving and December has Christmas.  January is the dead of winter, but the momentum of the holidays remains and there is the Superbowl.  March is the beginning of Spring, and usually the temperatures start to rise.  But February is the “dark before the dawn,” when it’s rain and cold, and the definitive month of “cabin fever.”

We have everything for a reason, and February teaches patience, I suppose.  For me now, it’s the month of two anniversaries:  open heart surgery and when I quit smoking for the final time.  Thank God for those blessings.  I’m sure they have their purpose, too.

[winterbill]

(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYgYTQuqQX8)   In a short 5 minutes, Columbia Professor Jeffrey Sachs lays down the truth about the Syrian War on the "Morning Joe Show."  How and why America went in, and why we're getting out right now.  He probably hasn't appeared on MSNBC since.  lol

[winterbill]

Fine.  Just Fine.

Lauren Drain Kagan 🔥

[winterbill]

If there was ever a time where I said, everyone needs to watch a move, I can’t remember it, so this is probably the first time.  I believe this to be the subject We all are going to have to discuss:  how do you deal with poverty and what is the definition of “helping” people?  People give to charities, including the use of government power, but is the way We do it best for the poor?  Does it hurt them more than it helps them?  Watch this movie.  It’s on Amazon Prime currently.

[winterbill]

(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyLY8YDWzrQ)   Pink Floyd:  Shine On You Crazy Diamond.  Live:  Pulse.  London, 1994.

[winterbill]

(via https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTZyH4BOt1M)   Immigrant California Police Officer should be alive.  Illegal migration.  ~ Brandon Tatum.