The Culture that is Germany

BBC News:

"The man drove up to a Hell's Angels clubhouse near Munich, wearing only a pair of shorts and carrying a puppy.

He dropped his shorts and threw the dog, escaping on a bulldozer from a nearby building site."

The best introduction to an article which is perhaps the best news story ever written.  Germany is a far more interesting tourist destination today then it was a week hence. 

Artistic representation of a hurled puppy

Gino On Firearm Restriction

This is an excellent excerpt from another 5 star blog post over at In Shredz.

"But nobody needs one of these rifles, right? They are not practical for civilian use, they are just killing machines, right?

Guess again.

Forget that scenario of warrior patriots standing up to defend their freedom from military forces. I'm not going there here.

Instead, I can tell you what happened in Los Angeles during the riots 20 years ago. The rioting quickly spread, so fast, so far, so violent, so out of control, that vast swaths of a very large city were abandoned by all forces who's job was to provide law, order and protection to the citizens."

The entire post is eminently readable and will provoke one to thought. Its also an angle which has been unfortunately drowned out in the cacophony of Left/Right media discussions. The possession of firearms to maintain domestic security is not directed merely at deer (Cuomo!), or at any specific standing administration (you know who you are) but also at the terror that comes when a mob rises up. In historical context, this has been a very quiet time for populist or violent movements, but America is no stranger to sudden and violent uprisings. 

The Culture that is Ireland

The County Kerry Council in southwest Ireland passed a measure on Monday that allows rural drivers to legally drive while under the influence of alcohol.The council voted 5-3 - with 12 absent and seven abstaining - to issue special permits to individuals who live in rural areas and wish to drive home on remote countryside roads after consuming two to three alcoholic beverages." - YahooNews

I put this under 'America has many problems, but this ain't one of them' category. At least we require a quorum to make decisions effecting law. 

By far the best comment:

"This is quite surprising.
I had no idea drunk driving was illegal in Ireland."

The Fed and Prices

The consumer price index over time in the US, note the creation of the Federal Reserve, and the subsequent change of pace. Also note the subsequent change of increase when the gold standard was completely removed from the US Dollar in the early 1970's. H/t ZeroHedge

Increasing prices as related to an increasing currency without a commensurate increase in wages? Check.

A currency increase unrestrained by any backing requirement? Check. 

A currency quadrupled in quantity over the past 10 years and not yet reflected in this chart? Check.

Dire consequences to follow? History says, Check.