Marching
Currently booking projects for January. Getting it all set up. We’re ready whenever you are.
The last two days have been a flurry of activity, but I think everything is lined up. There’s a huge crunch to get Christmas projects done. If you have one scheduled, you should contact me and check in on things.
I am still getting around to processing the game with Renn (Skaven v Dark Elves). We have another campaign game scheduled at 1600 pts.
It was blizzarding today, over a foot of snow I reckon. It was horrendous. A complete shift of dimensions.
Rand Paul for Senate
Rand Paul is running for the Senate in Kentucky. I highly recommend him as a representative of the people. I have here forwarded a newsletter I get from his campaign. I have donated twice already (iirc).
Rand Paul Update
Fellow citizen,
Last Friday, Dr. Rand Paul traveled to Northern Kentucky, recording a television interview with Pat Crowley, discussing governmental reform legislation with Jim Babka of DownsizeDC.org, attending a Christmas musical at Florence Baptist Church, and staying overnight before attending a friendraiser, a reception and a GOP Christmas Party the following day. Dr. Paul and the staff made it back to Bowling Green by midnight. Thanks to everyone who turned out and made the weekend a big success!
Dr. Paul will be keeping up the pace this week. On Tuesday, Dr. Paul will speak to the Bullitt Co. GOP. On Wednesday, he’ll be on the Michael Smerconish radio program. On Thursday, he’ll be meeting the public in Murray and Henderson, and on Friday Newsmax.com will tape an interview with him. Please see the event calendar for all the details!
Over 650 people have now pledged at www.randsteaparty.com to donate to Dr. Paul on December 16. Sincere thanks to everyone who has pledged and is spreading the word! A successful day will propel Dr. Paul into the new year with considerable momentum toward a big victory for liberty in 2010. Please keep up the good work!
Finally, remember the special election in District 14 is today. Go vote! Jimmy Higdon is the conservative choice in this race, as Dr. Paul is in his.
In Liberty,
Christopher Hightower
Rand Paul For US Senate
Tyranids 2010
As you know, the new Tyranids are due out in January. I have updated the spreadsheet to include new models. I am now ready to set those up whenever you are.
If I create a Tyranid special in the next 30 days, and you already booked yours I will retro-actively apply the special so you don’t miss out. Same for if any cost in the army spreadsheet is lowered.
New Tyranids
DROOOOOOOL…
The Cavalry Has Arrived! Yay!
Oh Federal Government, is there anything you can’t do?
story here
Dusting of White
As you know from the last post, I was up bright and early, typing out various ideas. Later, I thought of taking that post down, but there it will stay for good or ill. It’s really random. Please bear in mind that was a stream-of-consciousness thing where I just wrote down whatever came to mind.
During the night it snowed, about four inches. Then the sun arose in a pale blue sky.
I went back to sleep, fitfully, and awoke completely refreshed around 9am. I lay in bed with the good woman watching Red Dwarf season four, laughing my buttocks off. This paradaisical scene was punctuated by visits from the kids, plowing through the covers and peppering us with kisses and little hugs. For breakfast I had pecan pie and ice cold milk, not exactly nutritious, but very satisfying.
Then off to church with just K. I don’t think I’ve ever been so uplifted and so spiritually sated as that before. It was a sublime delight.
In other news I was released from the calling of Elders Quorum First Counselor. I’m in that exciting place between callings. Can’t wait to see what is next. It will probably be a few weeks before I hear anything.
When I got home my wonderful wife made me a ham and grilled cheese sandwich. It had some kind of sauce in it that made it just perfect. Secret ingredient? Apricot jam.
Today life is perfect.
Scattershot
It is 5am and I’m wide awake. I fell asleep hard and early last night. I wanted to stay up and process the battle report, but I just had to close my eyes, just for a moment.
My mind is turning and churning with various thoughts. Here’s a rough draft which I plan on fleshing out later.
It must seem like I’m griping quite a bit on this blog, about the Federal Government that is (note that I have not taken issue with Utah State taxes nor even less with Spanish Fork City taxes– benefits seems to be inversely proportionate with how far away the money is sent). I thought I would take a post and explain the positive direction that I would like to see taken in my beloved country:
1) Institution of Full Reserve Banking (and therefore the abolishment of the Federal Reserve)
The Federal Reserve is what allows for fractional reserve banking and all the nonsense on Wall Street (eg: 40:1 expansion of money). Fundamentally, it is the mechanism which allows one man (a banker, who has produced almost nothing) to eat food, wear shoes, live in a house while another man who has lost his job has no shoes, no food, no money to pay his bills, and is evicted from his home is out in the cold. The latter man doesn’t understand that he lost his job because the business he works for is struggling to pay back loans, both the principle (which turns out is imaginary money that did not exist) and interest.
I believe that a system of Full Reserve Banking (or something close to it) would be much more equitable. It would prevent the defrauding of the common worker and bring and end to the bust and boom business cycle.
Bank “panics” are good. They keep the system honest. A bank that uses the full reserve system has no need to worry about people coming to get their deposits.
Central Banks also allow wars to drag on and on. Case in point: every quarter (or nearly every quarter) for the last eight years in the US there has been “emergency supplemental appropriations” for the wars (so-called, they were not declared by Congress). This means that the Federal Reserve provided funding for the wars which is paid for indirectly by the poorer classes later in the form of inflation.
The Federal Reserve is what allows the Federal Government to pass on the consequences of its actions four, eight or twelve years into the future.
2) Sound Money
I am a huge proponent of commodity money (where the paper note represents an actual commodity on hold somewhere). The fiat money that we are forced to use now allows the government (or it’s contractors/employees) to get goods from the people that produce them at current rates and later crash into the edges of the economy (ie the common folk) in the form of higher prices. This invisible wave effectively sucks resources from the edge and into the middle.
3) Strengthening of States Rights
One size does not fit all!
It occurred to me after reading the comment about health care by my friend from Denmark that his country is roughly the population of Alabama. Concerns about centralization of power in the US must be taken much more seriously. We’re talking about a world-dominating military juggernaut with the GDP of an entire continent. A State in the USA is the size of many countries. Even a po-dunk state like Utah has roughly the same population as Congo or Panama.
A Denmarkian health care program could be instituted at state level. I would be all right with that. It would be consistent with the US constitution.
The world looking on should be scared crap-less of centralization of power in the US. Seems to me. We’ve got nuclear subs prowling around the oceans of the world for pity’s sake!
4) abolishment of the Income Tax
And replacing it with nothing. The various social programs (social security, medicaid) are essentially forced insurance. The government is not a good steward. The individual is a good steward.
Now I’m going to get a little schizophrenic and argue against myself.
against point 4) People can’t be trusted to take care of themselves. The government is a good steward. I’m forty and have nothing saved for retirement. If it weren’t for the Feds I’d be eating Alpo in my golden years. (What if) On the net, our little group of BTP workers gets back in benefits at least as much as we pay out in taxes, possibly more, so what am I griping about? (Not sure if this is right) I’m perfectly happy with my situation on the net. I have no ambitions to be super-rich, so those higher tax rates will never apply to me. If the business does as well as I hope, my main ambition is to just administer the money/resources back into the community.
Voluntary vs in-Voluntary
The real dichotomy here is that while arguing for individual liberty, and the de-centralization of power, I also voluntarily follow the path of a Mormon. This is possibly the most heirarchal, centralized-power theocracy on the face of the earth. I accept the infallible dictate of a Prophet of God. Holy crap. I tithe, paying 10% of my gross income to the Church, waaaaay more than I end up paying in taxes. I’ve paid it my whole life (well, since I was fifteen), and without fail for the last ten years. And not only that, but I spend 3-6 hours a week (conservatively five full working weeks a year) in church-related callings and activities. I spent two years of my young life in south america on a mission. I worked on the welfare (pear) farms every year as a youth in Oregon.
I’m happy as pie to do it, too. And no plans of stopping.
The reason is that my contributions to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons) is that it is voluntary! I like to do it. I have had an overwhelmingly positive experience with church programs. I believe in what the church is doing. I like how my tithing money is being spent. I trust local leaders (who I know personally) to be wise stewards of the community resources.
For example: I live in a ward, which is four blocks wide and three blocks deep. Every month everyone chips into a fund called “Fast Offerings”. This gives the bishop (like a pastor) money to help out those that are having trouble. My wife and I always contribute the maximum we can and even then some. We have also gone to the bishop during rough months and had our needs immediately and fully met.
When I was a young man, there was a church building across the street from the high school. This was a safe haven from my youthful problems where I could get counseling and encouragement. Sister Gish, the secretary, would greet us with a smile and we could get a snack and sit in the library and read.
Sister missionaries who came to my house at age fifteen effectively saved me from becoming an alcoholic. And from the pernicious effects of promiscuity. This early intervention set the foundation for a very happy and secure life that I now live.
Surely now some reader is thinking “Shawn, don’t government programs do this same sort of good work?” To which I say: blarg you haven’t been paying attention. The difference is the element of free choice. Centralized power gained and maintained by force can be turned to evil purposes in an instant, and then there’s no stopping it save through exceptional means. This is the huge-normous benefit of a voluntary system. Sure, some drek-heads that made themselves rich selling some crap on late-night infomercials might just waste it on hookers and blow but at least you don’t have to pay them a congressional pension for the rest of their retired lives.
I know for myself that a voluntary program works. Government force is not needed to get people to take care of themselves.
I am absolutely convinced that our ward could handle everything, even big medical emergencies, locally. Especially if we had part of our Federal taxes re-routed to local programs.
I believe wholeheartedly in the power and wisdom of the common man, working locally. I think that a city government is the most likely to be wisely administered. And the most easily overthrown if it is acting contrary to the real interests of the populace.
I am very, very concerned about the centralization of power in the US. Once it starts, it’s almost impossible to reverse. It happens through taxation, inflation, and debasement of the currency.
That’s just me. Don’t like Mormons? Think my world-view is whacked? Great! Feel free to donate to any cause you like. Feel free to go door to door and spread the word. Start a blog. Just as long as you do it (like me) on your own time and your own dime, and not someone else’s.
More to come…
Ice Elves vs Skaven
I go to play a campaign game against Renn today. 1200 pts. I have campaign territories that allow me to field an additional two Rare choices. I took a ton of footage and will have a Batrep up.
Hag Queen (4#, 225 pts)
1 Death Hag @ 225 pts (General; Khainite; Hand Weapon; Extra Hand Weapon; Eternal Hatred; Frenzy; Poisoned Attacks)
1 Cauldron of Blood (Altar of Khaine; Attendents; Blessings of Khaine; Khainite; War Machine; Causes Terror; Eternal Hatred; Frenzy; Magic Resistance (1); Poisoned Attacks)
2 Hags (Khainite; Hand Weapon; Extra Hand Weapon; Eternal Hatred; Frenzy; Poisoned Attacks)
1 Witchbrew
Sorceress (1#, 147 pts)
1 Sorceress @ 147 pts (Druchii Sorcery; Level 2 Upgrade; Hand Weapon; Eternal Hatred)
1 Dark Steed
1 0. Power of Darkness
1 1. Chillwind
1 2. Doombolt
1 3. Word of Pain
1 4. Blade Wind
1 5. Soul Stealer
1 6. Black Horror
Dark Riders (5#, 92 pts)
5 Dark Riders @ 92 pts (Musician Mus; Hand Weapon; Spear; Light Armour; Eternal Hatred; Fast Cavalry)
5 Dark Steed
Dark Riders (5#, 92 pts)
5 Dark Riders @ 92 pts (Musician Mus; Hand Weapon; Spear; Light Armour; Eternal Hatred; Fast Cavalry)
5 Dark Steed
Dark Riders (5#, 92 pts)
5 Dark Riders @ 92 pts (Musician Mus; Hand Weapon; Spear; Light Armour; Eternal Hatred; Fast Cavalry)
5 Dark Steed
War Hydra (3#, 175 pts)
1 War Hydra @ 175 pts (Fiery Breath; Monsters and Handlers; Causes Terror; Eternal Hatred; Large Target; Regenerate; Scaly Skin)
2 Beastmaster (Hand Weapon; Eternal Hatred)
2 Beastmasters Scourge
War Hydra (3#, 175 pts)
1 War Hydra @ 175 pts (Fiery Breath; Monsters and Handlers; Causes Terror; Eternal Hatred; Large Target; Regenerate; Scaly Skin)
2 Beastmaster (Hand Weapon; Eternal Hatred)
2 Beastmasters Scourge
Reaper (3#, 100 pts)
1 Reaper Bolt Thrower @ 100 pts (War Machine; Eternal Hatred; Repeater Bolt Thrower)
2 Crew (Hand Weapon; Light Armour; Eternal Hatred)
Reaper (3#, 100 pts)
1 Reaper Bolt Thrower @ 100 pts (War Machine; Eternal Hatred; Repeater Bolt Thrower)
2 Crew (Hand Weapon; Light Armour; Eternal Hatred)
Validation Report:
Army Subtype: Dark Elf Army; Edition: 7th Edition; Game Type: Normal Game; Special Rules: Forbid Storm of Chaos, Forbid Albion, Forbid Lustria
Composition requirement ‘Rare’ not satisfied (3). Valid range 0-2.
Total Roster Cost: 1198
Created with Army Builder – Try it for free at http://www.wolflair.com
What is Freedom?
I am always thrilled to hear a perspective different than my own. Am I wrong? Are my facts not straight? Is there something I missed? Here we hear from a reader from Denmark. I will not respond to his comments, but rather let them stand on their own (with just one minor clarification in brackets].
P.S. I have to add a little note on politics (inspired by your blog) – you are very welcome to just ignore this last part, but I have to get it off my chest:
It appears to me that you have a very negative view of the government in general, and based on things like Federal Reserve Banking [Fractional Reserve Banking], expanding bureaucracy, spending running rampant, and other things, I can totally understand you.
However, when you make (or refer to?) ultimate statemates, like “Every time government expands you lose control of your life.”, I must say I cannot understand you. Where I live, in Denmark, we have a relatively high tax-rate. We also have a completely free* educational system, where everyone can choose whatever education they wish, and even get a monthly economical support for educating, meaning they don’t have to work and can concentrate on the education. I claim that when people are able to choose relatively freely from all occupations in society, they very much gain control of their life – in opposition to only being able to choose whatever you can afford.
We also have almost completely free* medical insurance by birth. This gives me as an individual an enormous safety and freedom, as I will never have to worry about getting ill (apart from the illness itself) – if I do catch an illness, I have a guarantee it won’t ruin my financial situation. I can testify how absolutely fantastic this is, as I have recently been diagnosed with a benign tumor in my brain (no terminal danger). All medical checks, blood samples, MR scans, and even the medicine prescribed to me for the rest of my life is free! If this isn’t freedom I don’t know what is. On top of that it really motivates me to complete my university education, to get a job, to pay my taxes with joy, just so I can help someone else!
*When I say free, I mean of course “publicly funded”.
What I’m trying to say is: In my opinion, the government itself is not the problem – far from it! The problem is (in)efficiency and bureaucracy in the system. You guys have a public health-care system as inefficient as Ghana(If my memory serves me)! In other words – in Denmark we get three times as much health care for our money compared to the U.S.!
Now I’m not trying to bash anyone here – nothing is simple enough to be described in an email, and Denmark is nowhere near the unachievable perfect – but all in all, I cannot see why you attack the government in principle, when it is the government in practice you hate [I really must protest here– I don’t hate or attack anyone, even if they’ve done me wrong– milder semantics are in order].
Hmm… My conclusion is not coming off too good. I’m sorry. I just hope I have nuanced your view of the government (and its possibilities) just a little.
Anyways. I’m sorry for taking your precious time with this babble, Shawn. I hope you will still answer my questions 🙂
Best wishes,
LC