“Yes, there is a “secret to happiness”—and it is gratitude. All happy people are grateful, and ungrateful people cannot be happy."  -Dennis Prager

I can't believe Trump had this hit show for 12 seasons on network tv, was a household name, and had a real estate empire and said to himself, "You know Donald, why don't you put this stuff aside and dream BIG?"  AND IT WORKED

Let's all reflect on the genius of the Founders. With their goofy electoral college, they minimized the chances of fraud centuries in advance.

Think about how much harder it is to cheat big in multiple states compared to, oh, the two or three most corrupt counties in America.

"The good things are not small in number. They include almost every medical advancement that the world now enjoys. They include almost every scientific advancement that the world now benefits from. No meaningful breakthrough in either of these areas has come for many centuries from anywhere in Africa or from any Native American tribe. No First Nation wisdom ever delivered a vaccine or a cure for cancer."  -Douglas Murray

I discuss hatred of European descendants, which is surprisingly rife.  Descendants which, it must be noted, are beginning to mount a defense.

"Men’s virtues have their season, as fruits do.”  -La Rochefocauld

“If I am drowning in a rapid river, a man who still has one foot on the bank may give me a hand which saves my life. Ought I to shout back (between my gasps) ‘No, it’s not fair! You have an advantage! You’re keeping one foot on the bank’? That advantage—call it ‘unfair’ if you like—is the only reason why he can be of any use to me. To what will you look for help if you will not look to that which is stronger than yourself?”  -CS Lewis

In one study of police that I have no reason to believe is atypical, they are more likely to experience euphoria than sadness after a fatal encounter.  Why are we always lectured about the toll that is invariably taken on those who commit homicide?  It's often, and probably usually not true, just wishful thinking by pacifists.

I give some thoughts on voting third party or, even sillier, writing in a candidate.  tldr:  lol

"It is just the people who are ready to submit to the loss of the thrill and settle down to the sober interest, who are then most likely to meet new thrills in some quite different direction."  -CS Lewis

“A thatched roof once covered free men; under marble and gold dwells slavery.”  -Seneca

The number of people who believe America is ready for a female President is down almost ten points since 2015.  Also, Kamala was border czar during what was apparently the worst period in American history for illegal immigration.

Both of these facts are going to present headwinds to her victory.  In other words, I'm not afraid.

"Men do not like being manipulated by women."  -Matt Walsh

“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.”  -Ronald Reagan

Hulk Hogan ran wild on the RNC.  He and Elon appear to have had the same reaction to The Incident.  USA!  USA!

“He who is brave is free.”  -Seneca

The President was very nearly assassinated.  Some leftists on Twitter, even well-known ones, lamented he was not.  How do you share a country with these awful people?

I know this:  At the moment, we're blessed with the best leader we could ask for.

I hope Biden stays in the race because it's elder abuse.  Hah 

"I'm telling you, that case would have never been brought. And that's what's offensive to people. And it should be."  -Andrew Cuomo 

I review what the media told us versus what we all saw at the debate.  (h/t @DrewHolden360)

I think I know why Biden agreed to the debate:  It was a Hail Mary.

As for gold, let me have as much as a moderate man could bear and carry with him.”  - Socrates, quoted by Plato, Phaedrus

"It is not the public but the private interest which influences the generality of mankind nor can the Americans any longer boast of an exception."  -George Washington

John Laurens made repeated efforts to free Southern slaves to fight for American independence and thereby gain emancipation.  He was foiled in this effort and died in a "trifling skirmish" at the age of 27.  What man could he have become, though?  We will never know.

It is a tendency identified by the late Australian political philosopher Kenneth Minogue as ‘St George in retirement’ syndrome. After slaying the dragon the brave warrior finds himself stalking the land looking for still more glorious fights. He needs his dragons. Eventually, after tiring himself out in pursuit of ever-smaller dragons he may eventually even be found swinging his sword at thin air, imagining it to contain dragons.  If that is a temptation for an actual St George, imagine what a person might do who is no saint, owns no horse or lance and is being noticed by nobody. How might they try to persuade people that, given the historic chance, they too would without question have slain that dragon?  –Douglas Murray

“There are decades when nothing happens, and weeks where decades happen.”  -Unknown

President Biden, mercifully, had a catastrophic debate.

All Communist Parties, upon attaining power, have become completely merciless. But at the stage before they achieve power, it is necessary to use disguises.  –Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, Warning to the West

“Anyone who fights for the future, lives in it today.”  -Ayn Rand

I am not morose although I predict the failure of the American society within the lifetime of my children and perhaps even myself.

Why?  Well, for one, I might be wrong.  I have been wrong about things before.  Maybe this will be like that.

Here are five more:

I have children.

I improve tangible things every week.

I row the boat.

I do something physically difficult every month or so.

I read history.

“Desperate courage makes One a majority.”  -Andrew Jackson