Miscellany: 7/21/16

Quote of the Day
A strong conviction that something must be done is the parent of many bad measures.
Daniel Webster

Tweet of the Day

Each time I get close to supporting Gary Johnson, he says something stupid.In this case: defending federal subsidies pic.twitter.com/LPssSxEQ8L

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 20, 2016

Ted Cruz, unlike the Orange Fascist, is principled & vindicated my vote for him in the primary.Trump cultists booing at Vote Your Conscience

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 21, 2016

Remember how the "law & order" candidate Trump said that he could shoot someone and not lose voters?The Hillary donor knows double standards

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 21, 2016

One of the Reason criticisms of Cruz' speech is his version of freedom includes "banning gay marriage". There are no bans on gay couples.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 21, 2016

What Cruz is referring to is SCOTUS trumping the traditional state/local regulation of the heterosexual construct of marriage, public morals

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 21, 2016

Gays have always had the right to commit to each other, regardless of state/local recognition of said relationship.Free association relevant

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 21, 2016

When I see libertarians advocating a special interest agenda being imposed on states by judicial fiat, they've abandoned free association.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 21, 2016

When I see libertarians advocating a special interest agenda being imposed on states by judicial fiat, they've abandoned free association.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 21, 2016

Cruz explicitly referenced the competition between states. For example, California could market itself as gay-friendly; gays could migrate.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 21, 2016

On the topics of trade and immigration, I think Reason's Sullum's critique of Cruz is on firmer ground. The State is restricting liberty.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 21, 2016

I would add that Cruz is also unduly influenced by neocon foreign policy. Not pro-liberty: talking about bombing until the sand glows.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 21, 2016

The problem: most voters (wrongly) think trade and immigration are bad for the economy and/or jobs. We haven't had open trade/immigration.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 21, 2016

So most voters need to be educated about trade and immigration because they have misconceptions. E.g., unauthorized aliens down since 2007.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 21, 2016

That's right: Trump's signature issue (immigration) is much ado about nothing. He conceptually doesn't understand the trade balance.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 21, 2016

The Dems/Clinton are just as bad. They also don't understand trade and immigration. They are modestly better on immigrants already here.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 21, 2016

I'm getting tired of seeing TPP bashed by the left and the right. It's not free trade, to be sure.There are all sorts of protectionist rules

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 21, 2016

But for the most part, TPP means American products will have lower tariffs or restrictions, and we'll have more competitive imports.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 21, 2016

So TPP is good for stretching the American consumer's dollar, it's good for sales and jobs of competitive American goods and services.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 21, 2016

TPP is also good for American producers who rely on imported materials and components as part of their supply chain.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 21, 2016

Cruz spent some of his speech bashing Hillary,but that's not enough for the Orange Hillary Donor;at least Cruz never voted for Clinton/Obama

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 21, 2016

The Orange Fascist Trump is fond of constantly saying "believe me". Yeah, we are going to trust the judgment of the guy who funded Hillary.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 21, 2016

Isn't there something pathetic about "self-funding" Trump shilling for campaign donations everywhere?His appeals are on social media & email

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 21, 2016

It was bad enough Trump conned all those people who signed up at Trump University. Now he's conning the country into funding vulgarity.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 21, 2016

Tucker Carlson, conservative in name only, claims GOP voters will never vote for Cruz because Cruz said to vote your conscience. WRONG!

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 21, 2016

If & when the Orange Fascist Trump crashes and burns in November, the party will purge itself of Trumpism.Those who aided/abetted Trump:DONE

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 21, 2016

Despite massive coverage of the Trump Convention, Trump is 1-1-1 in new national polls today. And you'll never guess his win: yup, Rasmussen

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 21, 2016

Election Betting Odds show Kaine as the frontrunner for Clinton VP, although Vilsack, a prominent 2008 supporter, is getting attention.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 21, 2016

Clinton's big problem is that she is polling under 50%. She is in the tough spot of a change year election which only GHW Bush won since FDR

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 21, 2016

Clinton is a de facto Obama third-term surrogate. She is a quasi-incumbent position with high unfavorables. True, Trump's negatives help.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 21, 2016

I know Reason is pumping for Gary Johnson to hit the magic 15% or so to make the national debates, but he seems to be in a 5-12% range.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 21, 2016

Johnson's strategy is confusing. He doesn't seem want to directly hit Clinton or Trump.The field of 17 did the same against Trump until late

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 21, 2016

So Johnson, if he wants to compete, has got to shed this kinder, gentler campaign, which is going nowhere, and go after Clinton and Trump.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 21, 2016

Once Clinton and/or Trump are angry enough to attack Johnson, he is going to benefit from media coverage. Right now they can ignore him.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 21, 2016

If I'm playing Clinton's cards, I started pivoting to the center, and I try to address the concerns of Trump's strengths, blue-collar males.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 21, 2016

Simply attacking Trump directly on temperament, etc., while accurate, is mostly preaching to the choir. She needs a positive agenda.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 21, 2016

The odd thing is that Johnson is letting Trump get away with calling his campaign the anti-establishment one. Trumpism is cronyism.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 21, 2016

Chris Christie, who took a photo opp with Obama just before the 2012 election, called Ted Cruz' "vote your conscience" speech awful/selfish.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 21, 2016

"I choose Ted", too. If you feel voting your concience means supporting the Orange Fascist who 10 years ago was a registered Dem, sad!

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 21, 2016

I'm getting a little tired of this 'betrayal' of Cruz' non-endorsement of Trump. Cruz had no way of knowing that Trump would attack family.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 21, 2016

Trump's policies also represent a clear departure from GOP orthodoxy for nearly 4 decades. Why would anyone endorse basically a Dem-lite?

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 21, 2016

Cruz's speech specifically called for people to vote in November, and he attacked Clinton. Cruz won 10 states; for Trump to diss him: stupid

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 21, 2016

@JudgeJeanine @EricTrump @tedcruz "Classless egocentric maniacal" is an apt description for ill-tempered, incompetent, unprincipled Trump.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 21, 2016

@JudgeJeanine @EricTrump @tedcruz A pledge to support the GOP nominee was not a blank check. SOB Trump is unworthy of respect, abused Cruz.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 21, 2016

@JudgeJeanine @EricTrump @tedcruz Loser Judge in Name Only Pirro, Orange Fascist Jr.: the SOB Trump himself threatened to break his pledge

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 21, 2016

@realDonaldTrump You are clueless. Most voters voted against you in the primary. You have the highest unfavorables in history. <40% polls

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 21, 2016

@HeyTammyBruce @BenHowe You are assuming that the Orange Fascist, who has no regard for individual rights, is less dangerous than Clinton.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 21, 2016

@realDonaldTrump If the Republicans want to win the Presidency, maybe they shouldn't have nominated the one guy who will lose to Clinton.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 21, 2016

@realDonaldTrump You're having a senior moment. In the March CNN townhall, you, Cruz, and Kasich all backed away from said pledge. Hypocrite

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 21, 2016

@RadioFreeTom @Trumpbart Does anyone remember that this guy was still threatening to bolt the party and run third party after he pledged?

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 21, 2016

@realDonaldTrump Cruz brought in the ratings. You need him more than he needs you, you Orange Fascist.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 21, 2016

@realDonaldTrump You haven't heard us boo you off every stage when you've been on stage.You goddamn hypocrite, you threatened to break yours

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 21, 2016

@honeysiota I believe in liberty. You believe in fascism. Let's see who wins.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 21, 2016

@honeysiota You've just describes the process of voting for the Orange Fascist, which I will never do.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 21, 2016

@SusanSumma @BoSnerdley Vote for somebody else, like Gary Johnson, or write in a vote.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 21, 2016

@honeysiota Hillary is containable evil; Trump is unaccountable madness.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 21, 2016

@TalkNerdyToMe72 @bemin7412 @YoungDems4Trump @rayann2320 @jeffersonitopia That's why I'm #NeverTrump and #NeverHillary.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 21, 2016

@TalkNerdyToMe72 @bemin7412 @YoungDems4Trump @rayann2320 @jeffersonitopia A vote for the Orange Fascist is a vote against America.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 21, 2016

@honeysiota No, a vote for Trump is anti-Constitutional. If you were worried about SCOTUS, you shouldn't have voted for the Orange Fascist

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 21, 2016

@horowitz39 No. The Orange Fascist is anti-Constitutional and anti-liberty. Anyone who votes for Trump is un-American.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 21, 2016

@SusanSumma @BoSnerdley This Cruz supporter will vote Gary Johnson or write in Cruz or Ron Paul.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 21, 2016

@Trumpbart Without eminent domain, where would chauffeurs park?

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 21, 2016

@jimgeraghty Just like all those wealthy graduates from Trump University...

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 21, 2016

@jimgeraghty Yeah, just like Trump's word to creditors during the four bankruptcies?

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 21, 2016

@Mediaite Laura Ingraham can kiss my libertarian ass. Hell no to Orange Fascism.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 21, 2016

@BenjySarlin I will never support the Orange Fascist. Cruz and others must pledge to principle, not commit political suicide.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 21, 2016

Star Trek Fan Films vs. IP

Okay, if there's one thing we geeks agree on, it's Star Trek. I'm a firm believer in IP, but this is not a battle I would fight. I see fan films as win-win.





Lame-Ass Trump Protests in Cleveland



Ted Cruz Reflects On "Vote Your Conscience"



Political Humor: The Only Speech I'll Carry From the Trump Convention



Political Cartoon

Courtesy of Nate Beeler via Townhall

Musical Interlude: My Favorite Vocalists

Michael Jackson, "Dirty Diana". His final #1 off "Bad".

Miscellany: 7/20/16

Quote of the Day
Write to be understood, speak to be heard, read to grow.
Lawrence Clark Powell

Tweet of the Day

#RNCRockAnthems Melania Trump sings "I Write the Songs"

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 20, 2016

I now regret every conservative outlet I've ever subscribed to, because apparently they're selling their mailing lists to the Trump campaign

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 20, 2016

It's bad enough the Trump campaign exists despite my stringent opposition. But now I have to manually delete innumerable Trump solicitations

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 20, 2016

Gmail spam filters are usually very reliable.But a lot of these Trump campaign solicitations are getting through.I will unsubscribe enablers

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 20, 2016

I'm going to build my campaign donation spam wall, and I'm going to make Donald Trump pay for it.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 20, 2016

It may have been a coincidence, but I got my first Dem mailings in some time after I publicly left the GOP. No, the Dems are even worse.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 20, 2016

#RNCAMovie Scary Movie: Trump Takes the White House

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 20, 2016

Melania Trump's speechwriter has accepted responsibility for plagiarizing a speech by Michelle Obama. Trump refused to fire McIver.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 20, 2016

Now let's get this straight: if Megyn Kelly asks a tough question, Trump demands that she be fired. But if his own employee steals, nothing.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 20, 2016

Did you notice how Hillary Clintonish the Trump campaign has been over the Melania pliagarism kerfuffle? Oh, only a couple of paragraphs.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 20, 2016

Hillary Clinton during the email scandal has been in a state of denial who has argued no or few emails were classified.Melania issue similar

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 20, 2016

@politico Trump wants a Big Mac. Go fetch, Chris!

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 20, 2016

@VolokhConspirac Progressives steal from the rest of us. And the Trumps steal from--progressives.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 20, 2016

@foxnewspolitics If Cruz endorses the Orange Fascist, he has no principles, and I'm done with him forever. #NeverTrump

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 20, 2016

Image of the Day

Someone's Not Happy With the Orange Fascist


Is Trade a Zero-Sum Game? NO



Brexit and Secession



Political Cartoon

Courtesy of Henry Payne via Townhall

Musical Interlude: My Favorite Vocalists

Michael Jackson, "Man in the Mirror". His fourth #1 off "Bad" and one of my personal favorites from his catalog.

Miscellany: 7/19/16

Quote of the Day
Lying is done with words and also with silence.
Adrienne Rich

Tweet of the Day

Since I'm boycotting the Trump Convention, I only this morning learned about Melania Trump's plagiarism of a Michelle Obama speech.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 19, 2016

Who knew when the Donald said that he knows the best words that he was referring to Barry and Michelle Obama's past speeches?

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 19, 2016

It's understandable why Melania Trump, about to deliver a major speech, might want to look at what other First Ladies have said in the past.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 19, 2016

As a professor I caught more students plagiarizing than anyone else I knew. No doubt here, just modest attempts to paraphrase. GUILTY.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 19, 2016

The evidence of Melania's plagiarism is compelling. They figured what Republican has listened to Michelle speak? https://t.co/R283FEhmCs

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 19, 2016

#FamousMelaniaTrumpQuotes The only thing we have to fear is Hillary Clinton herself.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 19, 2016

#FamousMelaniaTrumpQuotes Ask not what the Donald can do for you; ask what you can do for Trump.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 19, 2016

#FamousMelaniaTrumpQuotes Believing in Trump is one small step for me, one giant leap for mankind.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 19, 2016

To make America work again, you have to lower the government burden on businesses: taxes and regulations. You need to stop moral hazard.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 19, 2016

Brooks' piece on Trump being even Trumpier is an interesting read. Trump is so patently narcissistic, one has to be blind not to notice it.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 19, 2016

I've never been a fan of the resume for seeking POTUS. Dem retards think a 2-term senator/1-term Secretary of State is highly qualified.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 19, 2016

Trump, who has never so much as managed a snowstorm crisis in NYC, thinks that he's qualified to run an enterprise vastly more complicated.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 19, 2016

Don't hype Hillary Clinton to me. She lost to a 1-term motivational speaker in 2008 and nearly lost this year to an obscure socialist gadfly

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 19, 2016

So sorry to see someone I respect , Tom Coburn, go to the dark side:Trump. Trump is unprincipled; he changes positions as often as underwear

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 19, 2016

What we need is a real libertarian running for POTUS. I would tell you no one person can manage this unsustainable house of cards in DC.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 19, 2016

I trust in the invisible hand, as over 320M Americans pursue their interests and thus heal an economy broken by politicians and bureaucrats.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 19, 2016

To be honest, there are a few conspiracy nutjobs in the libertarian wing of the political spectrum, e.g., global trade pacts. Consumers win.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 19, 2016

The people who protest trade, like Trump, are economically ignorant and corruptly protect the rights of inefficient producers vs. consumers.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 19, 2016

The TRUE populist position is to advance the interests of the consumer which means more competition for the consumer dollar, including trade

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 19, 2016

I don't get this Ailes kerfuffle and the idea that FNC "talent" may go with them. Where? To the Trump News Channel? I almost never watch FNC

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 19, 2016

What would you do if your kid acted like Trump? Send him to a military school, like Fred? A lot of good that did.Why would you vote for him?

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 20, 2016

#RNCRockAnthems Melania Trump sings "I Write the Songs"

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 20, 2016

@FoxNews @DonaldJTrumpJr It would be my honor to throw Donald Trump over the top of any high building in NY #sarcasm

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 19, 2016

@metwying Hell no. Clinton is containable evil. Trump is a wildcard fascist who is unconstrained by the Constitution and settled law.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 19, 2016

@jason_howerton #NeverTrump means NEVER TRUMP. It was never a GOP faction, but bipartisan in nature. I left the GOP over the Trump heresy.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 19, 2016

@SonnyBunch My God, Clinton, Trump, and Sanders are well past 65. How old do you want them?

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 19, 2016

@DrJillStein You are an economically illiterate clueless fascist.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 19, 2016

Reason Attends the Trump Convention



Melania Trump's Plagiarism



The USG v Citizen Privacy




Political Cartoon

Courtesy of Heny Payne via Townhall

Musical Interlude: My Favorite Vocalists

Michael Jackson, "The Way You Make Me Feel". His third #1 hit off the album.

Miscellany: 7/18/16

Quote of the Day
The man who is so conscious of the rectitude of his intentions 
as to be willing to open his bosom to the inspection of the world
 is in possession of one of the strongest pillars of a decided character. 
The course of such a man will be firm and steady, 
because he has nothing to fear from the world, and 
is sure of the approbation and support of heaven.
Wirt

Tweet of the Day

#CantForTheLifeOfMe figure out why some people keep voting for Dems. It's like others constantly throwing money down the drain playing lotto

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 18, 2016

Make America Safe Again: kick out the neocons or hawks from each American party.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 18, 2016

God gifted me with brains, so I'll never be a Sandersnista, Clintonian, Trumpkin, Warrenty, Cuomovian, or Governormoonbeamer. HT Boudreaux

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 18, 2016

Clinton continues to dominate her former donor, the Orange Fascist, in 3 national polls (ABC, NBC, CNN) on the eve of the Trump Convention.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 18, 2016

Trump is escorting his immigrant wife tonight to his convention. No word on whether they are checking for delegate birth certificates.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 18, 2016

The retard Republicans are calling for reinstatement of Glass-Steagall? Economic illiterates! The 2008 crisis had NOTHING to do with it.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 18, 2016

I have the highest respect for Mike Lee, one of our greatest senators (along with Rand Paul). It takes chutzpah to speak out at Trump Conv,

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 18, 2016

The Orange Fascists (Trump cultists) have a problem with letting delegates voting their conscience! For shame! Un-American Trumpkins!

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 18, 2016

The fact that Glass-Steagall, a left-wing talking point (e.g., Warren), has found itself in the GOP platform shows it's NOT conservative.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 18, 2016

The leftist claim for Glass Steagall is that investment banks were playing dice with the money of regulated commercial banks. Not relevant.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 18, 2016

In 2008, we had commercial banks failing because they made bad loans. We had investment banks and AIG which failed on their own merits.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 18, 2016

As Bernanke points out, only Citibank came close to being a Glass-Steagall style financial conglomerate in trouble during the crisis.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 18, 2016

The explosion in risky subprime loans was enabled by easy money policies of the Federal Reserve and some bad public policy on mortgage loans

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 18, 2016

Un-American Trump QOTD: "The Constitution−there's nothing like it. But it doesn't necessarily give us the right to commit suicide."

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 19, 2016

The authoritarian Trump would have us to believe that we have to destroy liberty to save it. He is a traitor to the very idea of America.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 19, 2016

Trump's idea of destroying the ideas that have made America great is like Bush's absurd notion he had to abandon free enterprise to save it.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 19, 2016

More open immigration is one of the best win-win economic policies we can implement. https://t.co/3EzGETBUvD

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 19, 2016

Ron Paul gives his take on Clinton v. Trump. Both are bad, but is one even worse? Yes. Hint: think Orange. https://t.co/s6ndbm7PFi

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 19, 2016

Image of the Day


via GIPHY

The Moral Superiority of Capitalism Over Socialism



The Drug War and Demonizing Groups

I recently had to take drug test yet again (probably for the fourth time in 4 years and countless times before that). I'm sure if people could game the system, my urine would have a high market value. (Sorry, I'm not interested in selling.) The point is, even though I don't transact in illicit or even legal drugs and would encourage others not to do something stupid to their bodies and minds, I still think the war on drugs is bad public policy.



Political Cartoon

Courtesy of Gary Varvel via Townhall

Musical Interlude: My Favorite Vocalist

Michael Jackson, "Bad". His follow-up #1.

Miscellany: 7/17/16

Quote of the Day
Originality and the feeling of one's own dignity are achieved only through work and struggle.
Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Blog Note To Readers For the Next Couple of Weeks

Due to business-related travel and/or Internet accessibility issues, my publication schedule may be affected (later this week or next). I may set up some scheduled posts and try to edit them with additional content from hotels, but it is possible I may not maintain my daily schedule over the near future.

Tweet of the Day

Scott Baio is a featured speaker at the Trump Convention? We've all been dying to know just what Chachi thinks. Trump can't afford the Fonz?

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 17, 2016

Scott Baio wants us to know that Charles no longer is in charge, but the Donald is in charge and what that means for you: better TV ratings.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 17, 2016

I was just reading a Newsweek piece on the email kerfuffle, which attempted to categorize the attacks as hypocritical: Hillary popup ad.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 17, 2016

It's almost impossible for the ordinary layman to realize how misleading these Hillary Defense League rationalizations are.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 17, 2016

When I was attached to the NPS program studying reactor principles,I had to classify my notebook pages;I couldn't bring notes home.to study.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 17, 2016

In fact, most people think of security as one-way, e.g., in an airport. I found myself subject to searches going out of a secured facility.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 17, 2016

In some cases, things being taught had been published in the academic literature, available to scholars without clearances. It didn't matter

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 17, 2016

In many government facilities, you don't even have Internet access to external email servers, like gmail or yahoo. Your surfing is tracked.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 17, 2016

In fact, even when I was surfing for technical information on database software, I found certain URLs blocked, was occasionally questioned.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 17, 2016

This Newsweek pro-Hillary piece goes on to point out to suggest that government email servers in fact aren't that secure anyway.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 17, 2016

There is no doubt that government IT security is a work-in-progress. For example, in some cases legacy systems haven't been recently patched

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 17, 2016

But the idea that Clinton's home server had comparative professional, cleared personnel servicing her communications is absurd.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 17, 2016

But the idea that Clinton's home server had comparative professional, cleared personnel servicing her communications is absurd.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 17, 2016

Everyone who uses USG IT infrastructure KNOWS from training that there is no reasonable expectation of privacy. Clinton's emails=fed records

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 17, 2016

Clinton in charge of her emails was like a fox in charge of the henhouse. Clinton has repeatedly, on the record, lied and mislead on emails

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 17, 2016

Clinton put her personal priorities over the security interests of the United States. She lied, not unlike Bill misled a judge over Lewinsky

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 17, 2016

Just like Bill Clinton, Hillary has sacrificed her integrity in the pursuit of political ambition. She is unworthy of being POTUS.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 17, 2016

Many of the Celebrity Apprentice alumni have backed Trump. But not Penn Jillette. Trump, being the petty bastard he is, has counterattacked.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 17, 2016

Trump has tweeted how he relished "firing" the atheist "Jillette". He has taken cheap shot at Jillette's professional efforts.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 17, 2016

Jillette would never been on Trump's reality show series if he had not already been an established celebrity entertainer on his own

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 17, 2016

Reason recently posted a piece on well-known libertarians asked to choose who is WORSE: Clinton or Trump. No contest: Trump. Not unanimous.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 17, 2016

This has nothing to do with endorsing Clinton's economically criminal policies or her foreign policy disasters. It has more to do with Trump

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 17, 2016

Trump is just so radically anti-trade, anti-immigrant; even on foreign policy, he is a wildcard who criticizes Iraq but talks aggression.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 17, 2016

Penn Jillette has a great tweet, where he says he always assumed the major candidates were better informed and no one worse than Hillary.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 17, 2016

Clinton is a "normal" leftist; we know her policies are bad for America, but she's more predictable and can be opposed, like Obama.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 17, 2016

Trump really isn't principled beyond his political ambition. He is remarkably uninformed across the whole of public policy and is impulsive

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 17, 2016

#CantForTheLifeOfMe figure out why some people keep voting for Dems. It's like others constantly throwing money down the drain playing lotto

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 18, 2016

@seanhannity @newtgingrich @realDonaldTrump You're like a dying man in the desert seeing an oasis. Orange Fascism will die.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 18, 2016

Image of the Day

How Financial Regulators Kill Economic Growth



Jeff Deist, Mises.org Discusses Current Events



Political Cartoon

Courtesy of Ken Catalino via Townhall

Musical Interlude: My Favorite Vocalists

Michael Jackson (with Siedah Garrett), "I Just Can't Stop Loving You". I remember the mad obsession with Jackson's follow-up to Thriller, Bad. I seem to recall this first track got leaked. While, Michael would never repeat the stunning commercial success of the former, the latter had more (5) #1's, including this track and also had 7 top hits, only one track (Another Part of Me) falling just outside the Top 10. Between 1983 and 1988, Jackson had 8 #1 hits and 15 Top 10 hits, an astounding period of pop dominance. What I didn't realize was Streisand and Houston passed up the opportunity to sing the duet.

Miscellany: 7/16/16

Quote of the Day
Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security 
will deserve neither and lose both.
Benjamin Franklin

Tweet of the Day

#ThingsTrumpWillNeverHave my R-E-S-P-E-C-T

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 16, 2016

#ThingsTrumpWillNeverHave an understanding of either the economy or the Constitution

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 16, 2016

#TrekkieSongs The Power of Dilithium

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 16, 2016

#TrekkieSongs It's raining Tribbles

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 16, 2016

#TrekkieSongs Janie's Got a Phaser

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 16, 2016

#TrekkieSongs (Spock is) So Unemotional

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 16, 2016

#2016In3Words #NeverTrump #NeverHillary #NeverBernie

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 16, 2016

#MyGameShowWouldBe celebrity rock-paper-scissors

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 16, 2016

#HardToRelaxWhen Trump opens his mouth

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 16, 2016

#SingAboutTwitter Someone liked my tweet tonight

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 16, 2016

#ThingsHillaryWillNeverHave our trust, a mandate, a principled conscience, integrity, or popular support.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 16, 2016

#LifeLessonsLearnedIn5Words save for a rainy day

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 16, 2016

#LifeLessonsLearnedIn5Words stay focused on your goals

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 16, 2016

#LifeLessonsLearnedIn5Words get back on the horse

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 16, 2016

#LifeLessonsLearnedIn5Words get back on the horse

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 16, 2016

#LifeLessonsLearnedIn5Words try it, you'll like it

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 16, 2016

QOTD: Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both.
Benjamin Franklin

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 16, 2016

Hillary spots I've seen so far: Clinton taking credit for SCHIP;while Trump was fiddling on Apprentice, Hillary was putting out global fires

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 16, 2016

SCHIP is an insurance program for lower-income household children not qualifying for Medicaid. Clinton did not have a vote in 1997.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 16, 2016

SCHIP is a type of backdoor socialism. Dems since 1997 have fought to expand the entitlement to ever higher income levels, ages.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 16, 2016

Lots of problems with SCHIP which go beyond a series of tweets. It is morally hazardous policy; insurance is not equal to healthcare access.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 16, 2016

As for Clinton's experience as Secretary of State, Obama's foreign policy has been a mixed bag. The Middle East is an unresolved mess.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 16, 2016

Tom Woods has a nomination for airline most like US government bureaucracy. He had to miss a flight because his cat carrier was too high.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 16, 2016

#EltonJohnAFilmOrShow Pinball Wizard of Oz

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 16, 2016

#EltonJohnAFilmOrShow Blessed the Beasts and the Children

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 16, 2016

#EltonJohnAFilmOrShow Healing Hands of Young Dr. Kildare

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 16, 2016

#EltonJohnAFilmOrShow Crocodile Rock Dundee

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 16, 2016

Hillary wants to overturn Citizens United by amendment.First, POTUS has nothing to do with constitutional amendments.Second, DOA in Congress

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 16, 2016

The biggest spenders in campaigns have NOT been corporations but the big unions overwhelmingly backing the Dems.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 16, 2016

Hillary Clinton lecturing us about campaign financing is like Billl Clinton lecturing boys on chastity.Let's point out Trump won on few ads.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 16, 2016

The real reason Clinton opposes Citizens United: the case was based on the political suppression of an anti-Clinton film.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 16, 2016

The left-fascists, like Clinton, have a problem with free expression, whether political speech or dissent to climate change alarmism.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 16, 2016

The Dems try to maintain the pretense there are enough rich people assets to bribe lower-income voters. The US govt alone spends over $3.5T.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 16, 2016

Even if you stole/taxed all the wealth of the wealthiest people, you wouldn't even cover the interest on ObamaDebt, never mind social pgms.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 16, 2016

I was wrong thinking Trump should have chosen Gingrich as Veep. Gingrich just put anti-Muslim policy on steroids, a Constitutional violation

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 16, 2016

Creating a Country



Choose Life: Adding to a Family



AG Lynch Doesn't Pass the Smell Test



Political Cartoon

Courtesy of Henry Payne via Townhall

Musical Interlude: My Favorite Vocalists

Michael Jackson, "Thriller". The title track and 7th Top 10 hit from his monster album.

Miscellany: 7/15/16

Quote of the Day
The best minds are not in government. If they were, business would hire them away.
Ronald Reagan

Tweet of the Day

#MillennialAClassicSong Photograph redux: All I've got is a selfie stick and you're not in my shot anymore

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 15, 2016

#MillennialAClassicSong Will you still text me tomorrow?

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 15, 2016

Why is Tim Tebow not speaking at the Trump Convention trending? Does he have something to say about Tom Brady's court case on Deflategate?

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 15, 2016

The murderous attack in Nice was a tragedy. It reminds us of the futility of trying to stop monsters with public policy. Don't exacerbate it

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 15, 2016

No doubt knee-jerk progressive "fixes" will abound: cut off commercial traffic to public events; stronger background checks on drivers, etc.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 15, 2016

Why should we be surprised that the Gray Lady would print a love letter to Obama called the Personal is Presidential? Give me a break!

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 15, 2016

Obama is the same guy who has personally approved kill lists for vastly expanded drone attacks with collateral damage on innocent lives.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 15, 2016

The Obama Administration has lost more unanimous SCOTUS decisions than any POTUS in recent memory. Constitutional scholar: in what universe?

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 15, 2016

Trump's campaign thug, Manafort, argues that the #NeverTrump movement has been defeated. The rumors of our demise have been exaggerated.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 15, 2016

The latest bunch of battleground state polls via NBC/WSJ shows Clinton beating Trump in FL and CO; in fact, Trump polls UNDER 40%.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 15, 2016

Hillary Clinton is literally the weakest, most vulnerable Dem nominee in decades (if not ever). This is also a change election year.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 15, 2016

Yet despite the weak hand the Dems are holding, the GOP is nominating the one guy whose unfavorables are exponentially higher than Clinton's

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 15, 2016

I'm constantly getting pinged by Trump cultists, convinced that I will cave in and join them because POTUS Cllinton is unbearable. Nope.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 15, 2016

Trump's anti-trade, anti-immigrant rants, his perverse populism are anti-liberty at their core--and suicidal economic policy. A step too far

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 15, 2016

The Austrian free marketers, like Block, Rockwell, and Woods, have this bizarre infatuation with the Orange Fascist, Trump.They demonize GOP

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 15, 2016

A lot of people underestimated Hitler in his rise to power. Trump is not laissez-faire; he's an unprincipled authoritarian.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 15, 2016

Woods actually said something like Bush, McCain and Romney are like 100 times worse than Trump. Woods has officially become a crackpot.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 15, 2016

What it is is that the Austrians (economics) are fixated on foreign interventionism: everything else is peripheral.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 15, 2016

So Trump, like millions of registered Dems in the mid-2000s, repeats, after the fact, a trite critique of Bush on Iraq: Austrians ecstatic.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 15, 2016

Trump talks about resurrecting waterboarding & "a lot worse",bombing the shit out of ISIS, targeting the families of terrorists:no reaction.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 15, 2016

The Austrians just consider Trump's absurd rhetoric as just harmless political theater he's doing to attract voters. Be careful with wishes

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 15, 2016

As others point out, Trump's mercantilism is consistent. I was in business school during the 80's:the Japanese economy was thought superior.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 15, 2016

Back in the 80's parents had their kids learn Japanese in school; scholars wanted to adapt Japanese business models. And Trump bashed.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 15, 2016

Trump has since changed his underwear and is targeting China. But ever once in a while he goes back to his golden oldie bash-Japan rhetoric

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 15, 2016

The aging Japanese economy is now in its third decade of flatline performance, being left in the dust by its rivals. Its deficit is bloated.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 15, 2016

Trump insists his prospective manipulation of the economy would be more equal than Japan or China's. It's a variation of the fatal conceit.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 15, 2016

I think Trump's decision to attack George W. Bush on Iraq was literally nothing more than a backhanded slap at Jeb Bush, his then rival.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 15, 2016

What Trump is trying to do is fight his opponents on his home court in unilateral attacks: the other guy is sucking up all the oxygen..

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 15, 2016

Redeye did a story about a buxom mermaid sand sculpture on Cape Cod drawing community complaints. Jealous ladies complain about silica sand.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 15, 2016

My new tagline for the 2016 election: Make America Free Again! Vote against Clinton and her donor, Trump!

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 15, 2016

Trump managed to find a governor just as unpopular as he is to put on the ticket. Unlike McCain,he didn't pick someone who could upstage him

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 15, 2016

Pence does have some conservative street cred, which could help Trump. I thought Gingrich was a better fit and for an imaginative pick, Webb

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 15, 2016

Most of us who are #NeverTrump think the risks of an unprincipled, volatile, authoritarian Trump too great for the liberty movement.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 15, 2016

This is why I find this libertarian infatuation with Trump so bizarre. Pro-police Trump made it clear he has no patience for due process

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 15, 2016

There is this Radical Whig whiff about the idea that a wealthy Trump is "incorruptible". But as Lord Acton observed, power corrupts.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 15, 2016

If I have the power to seize your lunch, I don't need the money to buy your lunch. And there is always someone wealthier than you are.

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 15, 2016

It's almost as if Reason read recent tweets I wrote on Dems and science: https://t.co/px3SsvVVjk

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 16, 2016

I don't think Trump has gotten past Rubio's "small hands" taunt. pic.twitter.com/CRR3uciWpn

— Ronald Guillemette (@raguillem) July 16, 2016

My Greatest Hits: July 2016

• Miscellany: 6/19/16
• Miscellany: 6/28/16
• Bill O'Reilly's "The Aftermath of the Orlando Massacre": A Response
• Miscellany: 7/05/16
• Miscellany: 7/03/16

Facebook Corner

(National Review). NeverTrump dies with a whimper.
Our death has been prematurely declared. #NeverTrump was NEVER about a minority group of GOP insurgents. It's about defeating the Orange Fascist in November. Yes, it would have been nice if Priebus acknowledged the silent majority voting against Trump. If and when Trump loses in November, Priebus will need to address his failure. But none of us in the movement ever thought that there was a chance of a revolt succeeding. But be careful of what you wish you. You bought Trump; you now own him.

Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) Speaks Of His Own Experiences With the Police

You can ignore Boxer's nonsense that follows; it's a typical "I told you so"progressive rant.


Pence: Trump's Veep



Anti-Science On Both Sides of the Political Divide

 Political Cartoon

Courtesy of Robert Ariail via Townhall

Musical Interlude: My Favorite Vocalists

Michael Jackson, "PYT"