Quote of the Day: 30 June 2018

“[W]hen we observe people acting in ways that seem odd, we should first examine the possibility that they have a good reason to do what they do.” -Daniel Kahneman

Quote of the Day: 29 June 2018

“[I]t didn’t stop being magic just because you found out how it was done.” -Tiffany Aching

Quote of the Day: 28 June 2018

“At the end, the decision is rather simple: Do you side with those who want you unarmed and ready for victimization? or, Do you become responsible for your own safety?” -Miguel Gonzalez

[I have chosen to become responsible for my own safety because the government has failed too often for comfort.]

Forest Grove Police Log excerpt, 27 June 2018

The selection from the log of local police activity for this week deals with non crimes.

June 18* A man contacted police after he had crashed on his skateboard, sending his board into the street where it was subsequently run over by a car. Officers explained that, while unfortunate, no crime had taken place.

 I'm glad that this person now knows it is not a crime to inadvertently run over another person's property. Particularly if that person caused it to be in the street moments before the second party ran over it.

Quote of the Day: 27 June 2018

“If I invent something I'm going to name it something starting with an X so we have something else for X besides X-ray and the xylophone in alphabet books.” -A Friend

[One of my friends from childhood posted this on Facebook some time ago. Now that I'm teaching my son about the alphabet I truly appreciate the wisdom in it.]

Quote of the Day: 26 June 2018

“The good news is that just like the lousy books of the past, the lousy books of the present will blow away like chaff. The bad news is that they will leave their mark.” -Meghan Gurdon

[This is likely true of all media, and not just books.]

Quote of the Day: 25 June 2018

“It can be a little jarring when the first thing people tell you is that they don’t mean you any harm. That’s sometimes the first indication that the opposite is true.” -Mike Lee

[Whenever someone has to tell me something about themselves that should be true and generally goes unsaid it causes me to question the sincerity of the statement.]

Quote of the Day: 24 June 2018

“As we come unto and follow the Savior, we increasingly and incrementally are enabled to become more like Him. We are empowered by the Spirit with disciplined self-restraint and a settled and calm demeanor.” -David A. Bednar

Quote of the Day: 23 June 2018

“A brilliant surgeon or artist’s work can remain brilliant, even if they think Mao was a good man, or all homosexuals should be pushed off buildings.” -Dave Freer

[And sometimes I still don't want to support someone whose work is brilliant because of those other factors.]

Quote of the Day: 22 June 2018

“Your carry permit is not a Batman badge.” -Tamara Keel

[Sadly, public perception is largely informed by those that take the contrary view.]

Quote of the Day: 21 June 2018

“Wrong premises seldom lead to correct conclusions.” -Thomas Sowell

[It is difficult to identify incorrect premises in all instances. There are some that are easily identifiable, but in many cases they are perniciously slippery.]

Forest Grove Police Log excerpt, 20 June 2018

This week's selection from the log of local police activity deals with accusations, and confirmation.

Tuesday, June 12• A man reported that several of the trees on his property had been damaged over the course of a week. As officers had little by way of suspects, the man installed security cameras to catch the culprit. Video surveillance revealed the perpetrator to be a beaver. No arrests were made.

I am so glad that the culprit was identified. I am also grateful that our local police force is not expending resources attempting to arrest a beaver.

Quote of the Day: 20 June 2018

“[A]ll government expenditures must eventually be paid out of the proceeds of taxation[.]” -Henry Hazlitt

Quote of the Day: 19 June 2018

“[A] legal act is not necessarily a moral act.” -Erick Erickson

Quote of the Day: 18 June 2018

“Sometimes, there isn’t a trick to doing something. Sometimes, you just have to pay attention to what you’re doing and execute.” -daddybear71

[I would say this is the case most of the time.]

Quote of the Day: 17 June 2018

“For men, fatherhood exposes us to our own weaknesses and our need to improve. Fatherhood requires sacrifice, but it is a source of incomparable satisfaction, even joy.” -D. Todd Christofferson

[Happy Father's Day!]

Quote of the Day: 16 June 2018

“Alas, governments aren’t exactly famous for cheap or simple solutions; they tend to prefer the costly-and-cumbersome route.” -Steven D. Levitt & Stephen J. Dubner

[As is well known.]

Quote of the Day: 15 June 2018

“Our comforting conviction that the world makes sense rests on a secure foundation: our almost unlimited ability to ignore our ignorance.” -Daniel Kahneman

Quote of the Day: 14 June 2018

“The American flag has long been a symbol of freedom for our country, but we are well aware that this freedom has always come with a price.” -Jo Ann Emerson

[Happy Flag Day!]

Quote of the Day: 13 June 2018

“Two types of people laugh at the law; those that break it and those that make it.” -Terry Pratchett

[From Night Watch. Though it should be noted that these are not mutually exclusive sets.]

Quote of the Day: 12 June 2018

“[D]ue process by rubber stamp is nothing more than mockery of due process.” -LawDog

[Due process is predicated upon the idea that each situation receives individual consideration. A rubber stamp situation violates that principle.]

Quote of the Day: 11 June 2018

“If you doubt something, research it. If you are offended by an argument, strengthen your own. It’s up to you, not the gatekeepers.” -Dave Rubin

[Take the opportunity to improve your argumentation. Learn how to point out fallacies and lies. You have the resources available to you for this.]

Quote of the Day: 10 June 2018

“Through the manifestations of the Holy Ghost, the Lord will assist us in all our righteous pursuits.” -Russell M. Nelson

Quote of the Day: 9 June 2018

“Just because you are offended doesn't mean you are right[.]” -Charlie Kirk

[These are orthogonal issues.]

Quote of the Day: 8 June 2018

“[T]here is no greater happiness than is found in the most meaningful of all human relationships—the [companionship] of husband and wife[.]” -Gordon B. Hinckley

[Happy Marriage Day!]

Quote of the Day: 7 June 2018

“It is time we stop letting them tell us where we can go and what we should say and think. These folks are like the schoolyard bully. They will continue until we take a stand.” -Amanda S. Green

[It is up to you to make your decisions for yourself.]

Quote of the Day: 6 June 2018

“Stop trying to sound wise and start trying to sound helpful.” -Corporal Peri Gugro, Schlock Mercenary [emphasis in original]

[It would be far better for everyone if this approach were to be observed by all. Even a marked increase would produce noticeable effects.]

Quote of the Day: 5 June 2018

“Speech as activism is so different from speech as inquiry.” -Jonathan Haidt

[And one is far preferable to the other. I'll let you decide for yourself which is which.]

Quote of the Day: 4 June 2018

“Maybe a little bit extra; because, who doesn’t like extra cheese?” -Andrew Rea

[Happy Cheese Day!]

Quote of the Day: 3 June 2018

“Fulfilling divinely appointed responsibilities, based on righteousness, unity, and equality before the Lord, brings personal happiness and peace in this world and prepares us for eternal life in the world to come. It prepares us to meet God.” -Quentin L. Cook

Quote of the Day: 2 June 2018

“Free speech doesn't obligate anyone to listen.” -David Burge

[Which is not the same thing as no-platforming.]

Quote of the Day: 1 June 2018

“Soft, sweet and satisfying, it was unlike any doughnut I’d crossed paths with before.” -Alli Berkey

[Happy Doughnut Day!]