Three Strikes and You are Out

Our laws are important.
In general our laws are good enough.
When we find they aren't good enough we can change them.
So long as a law is in effect it is our duty to enforce it.
Persistent illegal aliens must be prosecuted and deported.
Persistent employers of illegal aliens must be prosecuted;
perhaps they should also be deported.

Around Camp Thunderbird

The mason has finished and been paid off. The Cement finisher has begun pouring today. I contacted one of the plasterers I talked to and ask for a proposal this morning. Plumber and phone men have come and gone. Don't have electrical or insulation people on hand yet. Have talked to a guy who will install two gates for $1200.

I'm very pleased to have this work well started. I'm a bit concerned because I'm dipping into my health and medical money. By the time I replace the Astro and pay for this work a big chunk of my reserves will have been spent. Replacing my refrigerator yesterday contributed to what feels like the beginning of 'massive' outlay.

The round-tails are participating in the construction work. They are digging more borrows around the place than they ever have.

Second load of cement just arrived. That should do it for today.

Perhaps tomorrow I will make an appointment for my first pedicure in the US. I feel the need for a bit of a reward. Why a reward? I've spent travel and doctor money on the exterior of this not really great place, but have perhaps saved some capital from being deflated. Also I'm so fat that I can't breathe when I bend-over to cut my nails, and then am unable to see them well when I do. Maybe its consolation I want.

We Declare

Isn't it true that we are not legally and Constitutionally at war until we the people declare, through our representatives in both the House and Senate, that we are at war?

What Do We Do About It?

Power corrupts.
Absolute power corrupts absolutely.

You have probably heard something very like the above more than once.
What has it to do with you and me? Where does the power of another human being touch you? What is the nature of that touch? Consider examples.

What kinds of power most interest you?
What is the corruption like?

What has mankind tried to do about the corrupting influence of power?
Who keeps an eye on it?

You know that power is 'good' in that it can be helpful and useful.
You know that power is 'bad' in that it can be damaging and enslaving.

There is power potential in fire or a hammer. What rules have we developed to potentiate the good and limit the bad in hammers and fire? How do we teach and limit their users?

There is a power potential in military and political organizations. What rules has mankind developed to potentiate the good in such organizations and limit the bad?

How do we limit the bad in us and give the good in us a better chance?

You and I deal with power every day. How have we kept as free from corruption as we have?

We give (delegate) power to others every day. What rules do we have for limiting the corrupting to which those others are exposed?