Exile of Omelas
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How A Dental Bill Gave Me An Epiphany
July 17, 2023

There's an old saying... "In America, they have bad hair and great teeth.  In Britain, they have great hair and bad teeth".  

Well, I must be half British, because I have bad hair AND bad teeth.  I don't know whether I'll go bald before or after I get fitted with dentures.  On the upside, at least I won't worry about carrying a comb anymore.  But to the point of the article...

The only thing more painful than getting your teeth worked on is shelling out for the bill.  And those bills are high, people.  We're talking a little over $1,500 for a single crown.  That's just the last bill.  The one before that was over $2,880.  That was for a deep cleaning, a previous crown and a filling.

But I'm not here to rant about the outrageous costs of American health and dental care... even though it is outrageous.  What I do want to talk about is the epiphany that I had after paying it.  The thought was "I just spent $1,500 on something I did not want to have to pay for... what could I have bought for myself that I actually would've enjoyed for that same amount?

I could've bought a top of the line, or at least fairly decent laptop gaming computer.  Or even a quality PC gaming rig.

I could've bought several round-trip Amtrak tickets to visit family.  

I could've gone on a vacation somewhere in America, at least if I was careful with the hotel rates.

I could've gotten an Oculus Quest 2 VR headset.  Or a Nintendo Switch.  Or hell, BOTH of them.  Not that I really need them or have plans to... but I could have.  

I could've watched a lot of movies at the theater.

I could've invested it in my brokerage account, if I was really getting serious about it.

Above all, I could've moved the hell out of Florida to some state that doesn't feel like the surface of the sun eight months of the year.

Now just imagine what I could've bought for the combined total of the last two dental bills ($4,380).  Like taking an extended vacation in Iceland, a country I've badly wanted to visit again since I was stationed there back in 93'-94'.

But I eschewed all of these things because I was always afraid of running out of money.  I actually did run out of money once, and had to get city assistance to pay for a portion of my rent that month.  Thankfully, I found a job not long after that unpleasant situation, and it hasn't happened since.  Later I went into debt a couple of times (medical and student loans), but I've managed to pay both of them off.

Don't get me wrong, being frugal is a good thing.  It's way better than being a spendthrift, which has been an epidemic in America for some time.  It's not to be mistaken for being cheap, either.  Cheap is when you buy low cost, inferior quality goods and services for the sake of saving money.  Frugal is only spending what you need to, but when you do spend, it's on high quality goods and services that suit your purposes. 

But I realized that I was getting to the point of becoming a miser.  While I'm in no danger of becoming the next Hetty Green, I did want to enjoy the money I have a little bit more.  Life's too short, and at 52, I have way more years behind me than I do in front of me.  Call it a midlife crisis if you want.  I don't care.

So when I take that next train trip to visit relatives, I think I'll spring for the roomette.  Yeah, it's only a 6-7 hour trip, but why the hell not?  At least I'll be comfortable the whole way.  There's a big appeal of having your own room, complete with a shower bathroom.  Not to mention not having to sit next to someone you'd really rather not have to deal with in the cramped seating arrangements.

On the next flight, I want to try the business class seat... or at least anything that's above coach.  I've looked into the first class seats, but those are a little too posh even for me. 

And yes, I know; "all seats arrive at the gate at the same time".  I get it.  But I'll be in a much better mood when I arrive in business class than the people in coach will, especially with the more comfortable seats, better food, more legroom, nicer people (staff and passengers alike) and the lack crying babies, mothers screaming at their kids and fistfights between low-class passengers.

When that Oculus Quest 3... excuse me... Meta Quest 3 (stupid name) comes out this fall, I think I'm going to get that.  Yeah, at $600 it's an expensive toy, but it's still cheaper than getting a crown.  Like half as much money, and twice as much fun.

I'm not going to do all these things at once.  That would be stupid. I'm just going to save a bit, do one thing.  Save again for a while, do the next thing.  I just want to get them done.  

Preferably before I go bald and have a mouth full of dentures.

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"You Can Vote Your Way Into Socialism.... But You Have To Shoot Your Way Out."

So this happened. Didn't expect to see this in downtown Idaho Falls this morning. I haven't followed the events in Venezuela much, though I know there's been protests and some statues pulled down.

Never forget though, that the people of Venezuela cheered for Hugo Chavez when he was elected. Now they're fleeing to here. They went from feeding their dogs... to eating them. Wouldn't surprise me if some of the people in the crowd were among those.

Don't get your hopes up. Biden is too incompetent to do anything even if he DID care. Trump (if elected) won't do anything because he wants to put America first, which I agree with. They need to resolve their own issues.

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We Had A Visitor

So I spotted this fellow wandering the drainage canal on the condo property I live on a couple of days back. At first I thought it was a heron or crane... a strangely pink one.

When I got a closer look, I realized it was a spoonbill. Because, well... duh. The only time I've ever seen one before was in a zoo aviary somewhere in Massachusetts way back in the 80's, though it looked different from this one.

According to the video I watched, there are only four types of spoonbills, and only one of them lives in the Americas, namely the "Roseate Spoonbill", named for obvious reasons.

This one is apparently a juvenile, as it hasn't "gone bald" yet and it's feathers haven't had time to turn a darker pink.

I had no idea these birds existed in Florida. They may look a little strange, but I'll take them over the damn iguanas any day.

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"Ask Not What You Can Do For Your Country..."

Just a quick observation today.

Not that long ago, the argument about welfare was that “Americans should not be reliant on welfare”. But during the last few years, that has changed. Now, with the mass influx of illegal aliens draining our financial resources, the main narrative is “only Americans should be reliant on welfare”.

For such people, it’s really not about enforcing the rule of law (in this case, at the border) as it is about getting rid of people who are, in their minds, leeching off of their entitlements. I suspect that a lot of the votes for Trump in the blue cities was in large part, due to that underlying motive. Well, I guess we'll see what happens if those promised “mass deportations” actually occur.

“Ask not what you can do for your country, ask what it can do for you.” Yes, that’s a deliberate misquote.

It's sad, really, as someone who is from "The Bay State". Massachusetts, which once stood at the forefront in the Revolutionary War against tyranny and authoritarianism... is now openly embracing it.

At the risk of sounding trite, as this quote by Benjamin Franklin has been used so many times, "those willing to trade a little freedom for a little security, deserve neither".

But I guess that's how the majority of Bay Staters are now. At best, they need a firm hand to guide them. At worst, an iron fist. But this is what happens when people are unable, or unwilling, to accept the responsibility of their own safety and self-reliance.

That, and an unwillingness to by authorities to actually prosecute those who violate the already strict gun laws in existence.

https://www.telegram.com/story/news/state/2024/07/25/maura-healey-signs-new-massachusetts-gun-reform-law/74549972007/

Our Vice President...

This is who the Dems have nominated for president after Biden leaves. Lord help us all. This isn't even the worst of the word salads she's given. Maybe she was talking to grade schoolers at the time?

Or worse, her adult supporters.

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So, About Luigi’s “Perp Walk”…
“Why Does He Have SO MUCH Security?”

Well, here I am again, talking about Luigi Mangioni. I thought I was done with this idiot, but some sort of a controversy about him has popped up. Apparently a bunch of keyboard warriors, (along with his defense lawyer) are crying about how much of a security detail he’s had during his “perp walk”, as it’s called, as well as the fact that they had him in shackles as he was led to and from the courthouse.

The popular theory, especially among his (loser) fan base, is that he’s “being made an example of” by the industries and corporations. That they’re “sending a message”. Namely one of “don’t screw with us, or this is going to happen to you.” They point out that the illegal Guatemalan goon (no, I don’t remember his name. It’s not worth remembering) that burned an innocent woman to death on train in NYC (while the cops walked right by her) by setting her on fire while she slept didn’t get nearly the showy security detail as Mangioni did during his perp walk.

Now to them, this is proof of the power that the corporations and industries have to intimidate people. No one cares about someone who murders “the little guy”, but if it’s a big shot CEO of a company, disreputable or not, that’s when the hammer really comes down.

I think the truth of the matter is quite different.

First of all, I doubt these corporations actually have that kind of power. It’s possible that if they’re in cahoots with a government official, they might be able to influence a showy display, but I think there’s something different going on. Let me give you a hint.

What does Mangioni have in common with Donald Trump’s would-be assassin (again, don’t remember his name, don’t give a damn) who tried to take him out at his rally in Pennsylvania? Other than the fact that they’re both scumbags?

I’d tell you to take a minute to figure it out, but I know nobody is going to bother doing that, so here’s the answer.

Both of these knuckleheads are regarded as “heroes” by a large segment of the mindless masses. Now, one of their “heroes” is dead… shot in the head. The other is being worshiped by the dumb masses (say that last phrase quickly for a more accurate description).

So what does this have to do with Mangioni’s massive, showy perp walk? It’s simple.

They’re trying to prevent anyone from rescuing their “hero” from custody.

You see, the Guatemalan pyro isn’t regarded as a hero. His evil act is reviled by society at large. He is almost universally hated by all sides, regardless of affiliations. No one is going to stake their lives, reputations and freedom to rescue such a worthless shitbag.  That's why his security detail was so small.

But Mangioni? He’s worshiped by boys and adored by silly girls, as evidenced in social media. Who’s to say that some keyboard warrior couldn’t inspire someone, or a group of people, with delusions of grandeur and visions of glory into attempting his rescue? Here’s another crazy thought; what if a couple of his own security detail sympathized with him and chose to “look the other way” for just a moment, or turn on their fellow guards?

And that is why there’s so many guards… so many guns… so much ground and aerial surveillance. So many precautions. It’s not to keep him from running away. You can do that easily with just two or three armed guards and restraints. It’s to keep glory seeking nut jobs from attempting a rescue effort. Possibly to even keep an eye on each other to make sure that no sympathizers within the detail tried to pull something. I assure you that if the failed Trump assassin had lived, there would be the same huge security detail during his “perp walk”, given how many people were celebrating his attempt, or at least crying at his failure, as like Mangioni, their respective targets were both seen as “villains”.  But doubtless, these same dumb masses would claim that the Trump campaign was "sending a message" as well.

Yeah, I know my theory sounds crazy. But is it really any crazier than any other “conspiracy theory” you’ve heard, some of which have actually been proven to be true?

 

Read full Article
Luigi Mangione Is No Hero…
And Neither Was The Unabomber

I’m no fan of the American healthcare system. Actually, I outright hate it. I consider myself lucky enough to have some coverage under the VA. Granted, it may be the bottom of the barrel compared to other healthcare plans, but it’s still better than nothing at all… which is a problem for the vast majority of Americans, who either simply can’t afford coverage, or are barely managing to do so at great expense to themselves.

But ambushing a CEO of a (admittedly disreputable) healthcare insurance company and murdering him in cold blood isn’t the right way to vent your frustrations with the system.

This reminds me of another killer who had a righteous cause, but chose the path of revenge over channeling his anger into a productive manner. That killer’s name was Theodore Kaczynski, aka, “The Unabomber”.

I know what you’re thinking. “Huh? Who’s the Unabomber?”

For you kids out there who have never heard of him, here’s a link to his Wikipedia page. Read it. I’ll wait.

Now that you’re caught up, let’s continue.

Like Luigi Mangione, Kaczynski also had a righteous anger. Like Mangione, Kaczynski had a manifesto as well. From the bits and quotes I’ve read from both of them, they had legitimate gripes and complaints about the state of “the system”. Mangione with the healthcare system and the shady practices of UnitedHealthcare, Kaczynski with society’s increasing dependence on technology and the increasing destruction of the environment.

Unfortunately, they also both chose the path of revenge and murder to advance their ideologies. In other words, they went from potentially righteous activists to murdering pieces of shit, who fully deserve the full wrath of the justice system, no matter how righteous their causes were, or perceived to be. While UnitedHealthcare deserves it’s horrible reputation, murdering the CEO (Brian Thompson) and depriving his family of a husband and father is not like one of those cases of a distraught father tracking down the rapist of his six-year old little girl and burying him in the woods after braining him with an axe. It just doesn’t compare. Don’t even try it.

Now, Kaczynski offed himself while serving time in a max security prison back in 2023, so his story is over. Mangione’s ordeal is just beginning. There’s a bit of a twist, though. A far more disturbing one. Mangione has a huge fan base out there. Sick people who are celebrating his murder of Brian Thompson. Guys virtually prostate themselves before him. Silly girls gush over his “curly hair, dreamy eyes and chiseled abs”. It’s not just leftists, either. People on both sides of the aisle are celebrating his death on social media.

I guess nothing unites groups like somebody both sides hate… even when they hate each other. At least some on the right, to some extent, are openly admonishing the celebrations.

To complicate matters further, “Wanted” posters of other healthcare company executives have been popping up in New York City, showing their pictures and the companies they work for, with captions like “Wall Street CEOs Should Not Feel Safe, Deny, Defend, Depose”. Police have warned other CEOs that they could be targeted next due to this.

I’m gonna pause for a sec and remind you kids that these “Wanted” posters are NOT covered under “freedom of speech”. Posting materials, physically or online, that advocate targeting people for injury or death doesn’t count as such. If you are caught and identified, the government can and will punish you. It’s the equivalent of “doxing” your neighbor by calling the police or the SWAT team on them because you have some sort of personal grudge against them.

The same goes for the death threats against the McDonald’s employee who called the police after he was alerted by a customer who recognized the murderer. A lot of people are pissed at him because he “ratted out” their so-called “hero”. He and his fellow employees have since been assigned a security detail.

In conclusion, it’s not simply a matter of what these two murderers did that’s distressing. It’s what they could have done if they had channeled their anger in a more productive manner. What could these two men have accomplished if they had taken a different approach? How much could they have changed the country? How much good could they have done?

One’s dead, the other will be rotting in prison. I guess we’ll never know.

Revenge... is a sucker’s game.

Read full Article
Luigi Mangione Is No Hero…
And Neither Was The Unabomber

I’m no fan of the American healthcare system. Actually, I outright hate it. I consider myself lucky enough to have some coverage under the VA. Granted, it may be the bottom of the barrel compared to other healthcare plans, but it’s still better than nothing at all… which is a problem for the vast majority of Americans, who either simply can’t afford coverage, or are barely managing to do so at great expense to themselves.

But ambushing a CEO of a (admittedly disreputable) healthcare insurance company and murdering him in cold blood isn’t the right way to vent your frustrations with the system.

This reminds me of another killer who had a righteous cause, but chose the path of revenge over channeling his anger into a productive manner. That killer’s name was Theodore Kaczynski, aka, “The Unabomber”.

I know what you’re thinking. “Huh? Who’s the Unabomber?”

For you kids out there who have never heard of him, here’s a link to his Wikipedia page. Read it. I’ll wait.

Now that you’re caught up, let’s continue.

Like Luigi Mangione, Kaczynski also had a righteous anger. Like Mangione, Kaczynski had a manifesto as well. From the bits and quotes I’ve read from both of them, they had legitimate gripes and complaints about the state of “the system”. Mangione with the healthcare system and the shady practices of UnitedHealthcare, Kaczynski with society’s increasing dependence on technology and the increasing destruction of the environment.

Unfortunately, they also both chose the path of revenge and murder to advance their ideologies. In other words, they went from potentially righteous activists to murdering pieces of shit, who fully deserve the full wrath of the justice system, no matter how righteous their causes were, or perceived to be. While UnitedHealthcare deserves it’s horrible reputation, murdering the CEO (Brian Thompson) and depriving his family of a husband and father is not like one of those cases of a distraught father tracking down the rapist of his six-year old little girl and burying him in the woods after braining him with an axe. It just doesn’t compare. Don’t even try it.

Now, Kaczynski offed himself while serving time in a max security prison back in 2023, so his story is over. Mangione’s ordeal is just beginning. There’s a bit of a twist, though. A far more disturbing one. Mangione has a huge fan base out there. Sick people who are celebrating his murder of Brian Thompson. Guys virtually prostate themselves before him. Silly girls gush over his “curly hair, dreamy eyes and chiseled abs”. It’s not just leftists, either. People on both sides of the aisle are celebrating his death on social media.

I guess nothing unites groups like somebody both sides hate… even when they hate each other. At least some on the right, to some extent, are openly admonishing the celebrations.

To complicate matters further, “Wanted” posters of other healthcare company executives have been popping up in New York City, showing their pictures and the companies they work for, with captions like “Wall Street CEOs Should Not Feel Safe, Deny, Defend, Depose”. Police have warned other CEOs that they could be targeted next due to this.

I’m gonna pause for a sec and remind you kids that these “Wanted” posters are NOT covered under “freedom of speech”. Posting materials, physically or online, that advocate targeting people for injury or death doesn’t count as such. If you are caught and identified, the government can and will punish you. It’s the equivalent of “doxing” your neighbor by calling the police or the SWAT team on them because you have some sort of personal grudge against them.

The same goes for the death threats against the McDonald’s employee who called the police after he was alerted by a customer who recognized the murderer. A lot of people are pissed at him because he “ratted out” their so-called “hero”. He and his fellow employees have since been assigned a security detail.

In conclusion, it’s not simply a matter of what these two murderers did that’s distressing. It’s what they could have done if they had channeled their anger in a more productive manner. What could these two men have accomplished if they had taken a different approach? How much could they have changed the country? How much good could they have done?

One’s dead, the other will be rotting in prison. I guess we’ll never know.

Revenge... is a sucker’s game.

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