Once you quit hearing ‘sir’ and ‘ma’am,’ the rest is soon to foller

At the time of the foundation for all that followed — this movie poster was on the wall in my high school’s vocational building — and I’d walk by it every day on my quest that consumed me. The school didn’t make a habit out of promoting the latest movies — there was a reason why this particular poster was showcased. Above all else, I believe that reason is right here in the ending (particularly the line below).

You see us as you want to see us — in the simplest terms, in the most convenient definitions

And yet — our country has become increasingly crippled over the years because of seeing people in the “simplest terms” and “most convenient definitions”

That aside — who doesn’t love the ending of The Breakfast Club?

And the Oscar Goes To . . .

I’d suggest heading on back to that backwater school, Purdue, for a little more indoctrination, er, I mean education.

“BACKWATER SCHOOL“

To call the Cradle of Astronauts “backwater” is award worthy for nonsensical statements. Nobody behaves like that without ulterior motives.

It was explained to me that, outside the Mission Control room, it could get downright heated . . . that it was allowed . . . that the NASA etiquette, allowed for screaming matches when it was about the work, when it was about solving the problem . . .

The “Get help!” routine

You obviously need to change therapists because the one you’re using isn’t helping you at all.

“Expert” by Association tells the story of a “WMD expert” who shot his mouth off about his “expertise” — not knowing that he had run into someone with real expertise on the issue.

He may very well be what he says in his profession — but he doesn’t know jack about this particular topic. And just because I have a lot of knowledge on it — doesn’t make me qualified to debate just any issue in his field.

That I even have to point that out reflects how far off the rails America has gone. For people who don’t do their homework, there sure is a hell of a lot of certainty in this country.

The second he saw that he that he was dealing with a well-informed person on this subject, instead of answering for the evidence I offered — he resorted to all the typical tactics in a Bush apologist’s arsenal:

• The “liberal” line
• The “therapist” bit
• “cocktail party” (ripping off A Few Good Men as if I wouldn’t notice)
• “academia”
• “I’ve stood on the wall — have you?”
• The childish bit about my “pleading” with people to watch my documentary

What does any of that have to do with the price of tea in China — or THIS?

In an industry where fractions of a millimeter matter, these guys were playing horseshoes with centrifuge physics

And Now For The Weather

N.C. STATE REP. JOHN BLUST: You have not refuted a single thing I have said. If I tell you it was cloudy outside on December 29th, and I believe it was cloudy outside on December 29th, I am not lying to you. If I can find twenty-five others who also say it was cloudy on December 29th, and indeed, it was universally believed it was cloudy on December 29th, that is good, solid, logical evidence that I was not lying when I said it was cloudy on December 29th.

RWM: Dr. Wood is not a meteorologist. Do you mind if we just stick to the evidence that Powell presented?

An intelligence analyst who worked at the D.O.E’s Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory later noted that it was absurd that the D.O.E. experts had been trumped by a C.I.A. analyst. The Energy Department’s nuclear scientists — this analyst said, “are the most boring people. Their whole lives revolve around nuclear technology. They can talk about gas centrifuges until you want to jump out of a window. And maybe once every ten years or longer there comes along an important question about gas centrifuges. That’s when you really should listen to these guys.

If they say an aluminum tube is not for a gas centrifuge — it’s like a fish talking about water.

The “I have a life” and “Hope you find happiness” crowd

Gosh, I just overheard all this. If I didn’t have a life, I might have joined in

I hope you are fortunate to find happiness one day

The “Promotional” Program

Ah yes, the “promote your little video” ploy

Every single thing we share on social media is promoting something (even if it’s cupcakes you just baked). Nothing wrong with promoting a little goodness — whether it’s right out of the oven or white-hot truth.

And steel is strong because it knew the hammer and white heat

God can’t make square circles, but a lot of you seem To think you can

In another lifetime, I studied the Bible a bit and attended church for a while. The thing I remember the most was when a pastor said, “God can’t make square circles.”

I don’t recall the context, but it was a brilliant saying — and I’ve been applying it to the absurdity I’ve witnessed ever since. In almost every conflict I have ever faced, the other party contorted reality to preserve their perception in protection of their interests.

We’ve created a culture that no longer cares how things fit together — truth is now purely a matter of perception. If something doesn’t square, you can simply believe that it does.

I can understand having faith in the unseen — but denying what’s right in front of your eyes? I must have missed that part in my studies.

I’m in IT and I recently commented on an excellent presentation someone did on YouTube. I’m continually amazed by the quality of work I find on there and elsewhere — those people embody the best of what social media has to offer. The guy thanked me for my comment, but added that he has Patreon if I’d like to contribute. Some of these people promote samples of their work in hopes of bringing in business. That’s hardly sinister.

It would be unthinkable for me to say, “Just because I complimented your video, doesn’t mean I want to pay for anything. Promote your Patreon elsewhere!“

No, I have the manners to respect and understand the spirit of what they’re trying to do. And I have a choice — to choose to contribute or not. And if I opt not to, I can “express” that by not saying anything at all. My documentary has no monetary gain involved, but even if it did — “promoting your little video” is the mark of a child. And when you’re called on it, I’m not doing that because you didn’t watch the doc — I’m saying your behavior is an embarrassment to the history of human intellect.

In this classic scene from Talladega Nights, Ricky Bobby takes 2-1/2 seconds to consider what Cal called him on. That’s more thought, courage, and intellectual honesty shown by all those that I’ve exposed on this site.

Cal Naughton Jr.: Got a new nickname, “The Magic Man” — Now you see me, now you don’t

Ricky Bobby: That is stupidest nickname I’ve ever heard

Cal Naughton Jr: Is it, Ricky? Cuz I think you wish you thought of it

Ricky Bobby: All right, you got me — that’s an awesome nickname

When the “WMD SME” shot his mouth off about yellowcake — and I countered with an explanation about uranium hexafluoride, this kind of crap was the height of his “argument”:

But I will say one thing – I believe you when you say you’ve never been to a cocktail party – I doubt anyone is comfortable being around your narcissism – “Hey everyone – have you seen my documentary? You need to watch it to save the world. Please watch my documentary…..please…..please.”

That guy will go to his grave never knowing the potential he pissed away in refusing to simply pause long enough to say . . .

Does it even matter if Rick goes to cocktail parties or whether or not he’s stood on a wall? He sure seems to know a lot about nuclear materials in the context of Iraq WMD — maybe he knows something I don’t.

And I did say, “I’m a designated WMD SME for the DoD” — shouldn’t I back up my claims with evidence and sound consideration?

And I did tout the Navy Core Values — shouldn’t I follow them?

Honor: “I will bear true faith and allegiance . . .” This means that:

• We will conduct ourselves in the highest ethical manner in all relationships and be honest and truthful in our dealings with each other and with those outside the Navy
• We will encourage new ideas and deliver the bad news, even when it is difficult or unpopular
• We will maintain our uncompromising code of integrity, taking responsibility for our actions and keeping our word
• We are accountable for our own professional and personal actions
• We will be mindful of the privilege to serve our fellow Americans

Courage: “I will support and defend . . .” This means that:

• We will meet all challenges while adhering to a higher standard of personal conduct and decency
• We will be loyal to our nation, ensuring the resources entrusted to us are used in an honest, careful, and efficient way
• Courage is the value that gives us the moral and mental strength to do what is right, even in the face of personal or professional adversity

Commitment: “I will obey the orders . . .” This means that:

• We will show respect toward all people without regard to race, religion, or gender, and we will treat each individual with respect and dignity
• We will be committed to positive change and constant improvement, always exhibiting the highest degree of moral character, technical excellence, and competence in what we have been trained to do.
• The day-to-day duty of every Navy man and woman is to work together as a team to improve the quality of our work, our people and ourselves

Or Not . . .

Snowflake, Libtard/Trumptard, Libturd/Trumpturd, Cupcake, Bush hater, Bush basher, Bush Derangement Syndrome, TDS, Demoncrat, Democrat Party

From where I sit, we owe all those who came before us who had to fight in ways we’ll never have to. They handed us so much to build on — and this is how we honor their sacrifice:

Land of the Free and Home of the Brave

• Rather than read and digest, people scan and dismiss — frantically seeking any fragment they can frame in their favor.
• Sensible arguments are snubbed with meaningless replies that are utterly absent of original thought — mercilessly torturing reason with trite talking points.
• Even against overwhelming evidence served on a silver platter, they will swat it away in disdain without so much as glancing at the goods.
• Any sound bite that can be manipulated to their liking will be repeated in endless cycles of certitude.
• Always at the ready — they’ll gleefully “inform” you with 60 seconds of “research” — compiled by copying & pasting material disseminated by the equally uninformed.
• They’ll look away from a mountain of evidence against their side — while nitpicking over pebbles to pounce on the other.
• Their civility is a charade in their immovable contempt for correction — playing childish games that fit a formula designed to infuriate you (at which point they’ll pull the innocence card and haughtily condemn your tone).
• They want a presence without having to exert any effort to legitimately participate
• They peddle their opinions while shirking any responsibility to validate them
• They launch volleys of vitriol as fireworks for freedom
• They see themselves as conveyors of truth while dripping in duplicity
• They want respect without having to earn it
• Their hypocrisy knows no bounds

And in the naked light I saw
Ten thousand people, maybe more
People talking without speaking
People hearing without listening
People writing songs that voices never share
And no one dared
Disturb the sound of silence

Fools, said I, you do not know
Silence like a cancer grows
Hear my words that I might teach you
Take my arms that I might reach you
But my words, like silent raindrops fell
And echoed in the wells of silence

From this point on — these are samples in response to sharing this site (even within moments of receiving the link):

10/11/2020: Helen Johnson25 minutes ago@Rick Memmer Lets see if we got this right. Your boss was a dickhead so you showed em. You’re unemployed now and the dickhead boss still has a job. Brilliant, that’s what you are just brilliant!

Helen Johnson23 minutes ago

10/11/2020: @Rick Memmer What sanctimonious liberal, bullshit. Makes the rest of us wanna puke. God help us!

Why do people feel an insatiable need to say something before they absorb something? Even when I’ve made that mistake, I was willing to recognize it and reflect on it. In early 2020, I was ridiculed for refusing to take a position on a pandemic-related matter. I like to have informed opinions — I’m old-fashioned that way.

For the dead certain, the truth is whatever they think they see — no reasoning or reflection required.

This site was started by a post I wrote about George Floyd. It takes liberals to task for their history of hackery over race relations, and in closing I wrote: “What we’re seeing today was partly built on a foundation of manufactured outrage.”

So what the hell is Helen Johnson23 talking about with “What sanctimonious liberal, bullshit. Makes the rest of us wanna puke. God help us!”?

I can’t imagine living a live being so easily satisfied — that regurgitating garbage on social media is the best you have to offer.

Then you have these half-assed insight types — who trot out the typical as they ignore the unique.

Take this John Paul Jones joker — who knows nothing of the story, and has not an atom of curiosity to look beyond what instantly comes to mind. “I can understand if the job was creating stress or mental strain on you, that’s one thing.”

Perhaps you would have understood that “one thing” — and more, if you had the spirit to wonder instead of lecture. In the end, you can still come to the same conclusion — that you don’t think it was worth getting fired over. That’s fair. But to cast your conclusions in such lickety-split fashion — is something else entirely.

Wars have begun that way

The banality below is just staggering to me — but in his mind, he actually believes he’s saying something of substance. It’s meaningless — as it has no bearing on anything I have ever written. But his tactic is incredibly common. When I worked at Whirlpool during college, I addressed the need for holding employees to some kind of standard. You had to be a Purdue student to work there — so not only was accountability important for the business in general, but also for the tone it set for the future.

During a shift meeting in the breakroom, one of the student supervisors said, “What do you want us to do, crack a whip?”

That was just as dumb as what this guy wrote below. These people live in a world of extremes that allow them to dismiss the endless opportunity to be found in the “in-between.” The demands of discovery in the “in-betweens” are so much more enlightening, but ya gotta work for it. The Helens and John Paul Jones of the world — have no interest in putting in the effort.

John Paul Jones1 day ago (edited)@Rick Memmer I hate to say it, but you torpedoed yourself. You can wish for an idyllic world, with perfectly moral and competent leaders leading productive and totally free citizens. But humanity isn’t that way. Living your life as if the world was perfect will do nothing for the world except lessen your specific impact on it. You got fired from your good-paying job for creating a fuss? I can understand if the job was creating stress or mental strain on you, that’s one thing. But if you quit your job simply because it wasn’t perfect enough for you, you’re naïve and arrogant. Sometimes you just have to muddle through what you’re given, because at the level that 99.9% of people are stuck in, they have a laughably insignificant impact on the world around them. You seem to style yourself as some sort of contemporary philosopher, born in a world not perfect enough for you. I don’t like that, it’s ignoring the true nature of the world and simply viewing it through your own bias.