Category Archives: Other Columns

Columns concerning any and everything. Enjoy!

In The Dark

16 Tuesday Aug 2016

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The vanishing night sky. According to the New York Times 80% of Americans cannot see the Milky Way due to light pollution from cities. The Times Story centers on the interesting efforts of two small Colorado towns to save what’s left of their evening star field.

So for more than a decade, the two towns and a local dark-sky nonprofit have been dialing down the dimmer switch. They have replaced streetlights and passed rules requiring that outdoor lights point down. The group built a small observatory with star guides who tee up its telescope and take people on a tour of the night. They coax homeowners to hood their porch lamps or dim a bright light outside their house.

“People out of ignorance go with whatever’s cheap or whatever’s brightest,” said Ed Stewart, a board member of the local dark-sky group. “You multiply that by 200, 300, and there goes the sky.”

Man has two needs for nighttime lights: one being of necessity (we’re busy these days), the other of primal fear of the dark. I understand the need to see in order to do things after hours though I have never shared the fear. I like the night. I like the stars in the sky.

I like in between two of those places where one can’t really see anything of the stars. One or two (or two hundred) may be visible through the haze of city lights. Clearer, cooler, less humid weather helps. But even when one things the view is pretty good, it isn’t.

I grew up just outside of a small town. Then I could see many more stars than now though the glow of the town consumed half the western view. It’s like that now except the glow is all around with a few stars peeking out here and there. That’s most people’s experience.

I’ve had the luxury of being in the middle of nowhere, either the sea or way out west – not far from those Colorado towns. Out there, miles from development, one can see everything. The view is so clear one can even make out satellites as they pass around the Earth. It’s amazing.

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Times story photo (edited).

I was far away nearly twenty years ago and I remember stopping my car to look at the stars. I saw the Hale-Bopp comet pass overhead. The next morning I read about the Heaven’s Gate nuts in California. Their’s was a different experience; they vanished like the sky.

Still, this modern problem has some pretty easy fixes. One need not move from the city (though that might not be a bad idea) for a clear view. Those small towns are on to something. Lights can be adjusted and we don’t really need that many of them. No fear. Nothing really goes bump in the dark other than the satellites and shooting stars. The stars actually provide a pale light, usually enough to see by. The moon adds to it. It’s not so bad, or so dark, in the dark.

Walking in America

14 Sunday Aug 2016

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This morning I was nostalgic about something. Couldn’t quite put my finger on it. In an effort to clear and search my mind I went out a few places and, before heading home, took a stroll in the park. I enjoyed myself but it didn’t help my thinking. Honestly, it added more questions and a slight sense of revulsion. After tour among the people I have a few questions for Americans. Most of these are not for my readership in general but rather the population at large.

  1. Why my park? Why Sunday afternoon?
  2. Do you ever tire of being so fat?
  3. There are about 60,000 diet books and plans out there. Ever thought of trying one?
  4. If you had to (to save your life) run a mile right now, could you?
  5. When was the last time you picked up something heavier than a 12 oz. can?
  6. Have you ever read a book, cover to cover?
  7. Why the sulking look on your faces?
  8. Why the shifty looks? Why be scared?
  9. Why the angry looks? I’m not scared.
  10. Did you put any thought at all into that outfit?
  11. Do you own any closed-toe shoes?
  12. Ever heard of a thing called a belt? They make ’em in fat sizes.
  13. People born ugly can’t help it. Others have to work at it. Why the effort?
  14. Why are you so loud?
  15. How many tattoos are enough?
  16. Do you really think the rest of us are supposed to take responsibility for your kids?
  17. Where’s the baby daddy? Even know who he is?
  18. You do know living dirty will kill you prematurely, right?
  19. You’re not even having fun with it, are you?
  20. Your appearance is your business. Yet, why trash up the community?
  21. You seem to like getting in the way, especially in a careless way, even to the point of “accidental” contact. How do you feel about being shoved to the ground?
  22. Your driving is terrible. Do you care at all about others on the road?
  23. Exactly to what extent do you feel entitled? And to what? From whom?
  24. Is everyone you know really named “Dude”?
  25. Would a day without television kill you?
  26. You know TV is 99.8% BS, don’t you?
  27. You seem to like watching sports. Given your personal condition, would you say this amounts to voyeurism?
  28. If you ever discover the Pokemon isn’t real, would you then consider actual reality?
  29. How’s the cotton candy at your “church”? I hear they have a cool rock band.
  30. Name one thing you’ve gotten out of your allegiance to the political state?
  31. Do you realize you’ve been betrayed?
  32. Do you understand you’re the reason it happened to you?
  33. The very system that encourages you to dress, eat, look, and live like that hates you. They consider you an unclean beast of burden. You know that, right?
  34. Do you enjoy your slavery? I’m happy for you either way.
  35. If any of my questions made you uneasy, would you consider coming back to the real world?

Just asking.

Maybe what I was thinking about was the America of my youth. Or, maybe it was some dream ideal. Something I’m looking forward too, perhaps. Those questions I shall ponder.

Advice for Would-Be Law Students

13 Saturday Aug 2016

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Late this spring, at a school ceremony, I was surprised to learn that my Daughter wants to be an attorney when she grows up. I had thought she wanted to be a marine biologist or a veterinarian or an artist. Maybe like me, she’s a contrarian; after hearing me grumble for years about the law business, maybe she just has to try it. Maybe she’ll grow out of it. Perhaps she’ll become a marine biology attorney. I just want her to be happy.

The law isn’t for everyone and not all areas of the legal profession are the same. The law itself isn’t what it used to be. At Nuremberg the traditions of Western legal philosophy were effectively jettisoned through the window. They clung to the ledge for a while and then fell. Currently, the law lies, dying, on the street below. If one listens, one can still hear it murmur things like “due process” and “no ex post facto…”. Sad, really.

Still, many will want to at least attend law school; several will go on to become practicing attorneys. For these prospective students, I thought I would offer some advice, some ideas about the profession and its formal education process. Here goes:

The practice of law is horrible. Tucker Max wrote the best essay on the subject I have ever read: Why You Shouldn’t Go to Law School: For the overwhelming majority of people (>99.9%), law school is the wrong choice. Here’s why. Read that. Neither he nor I practice now. I fell under his fourth reason not to go to law school – I wanted to do something noble. I didn’t, I couldn’t. It is impossible. My ideal was to bring freedom to as many people as possible. They don’t want it. Most of what I write here is still a vain attempt to bring people around. That, or preaching to the choir. Read that essay – Tucker’s a funny man, but he’s dead serious on all counts. And right too.

 

Even worse than the theory of jurisprudence and the active practice is state of legal education itself, especially in America. Read my essay on that.

American legal education is so bad that the esteemed Alan Watson wrote a book about it: The Shame of American Legal Education. Read that book before you apply to law school.

Alan Watson, Esq. Amazon.

If an American, despite these warnings, must go to law school, they should consider Watson’s alternative. Consider going to law school in Scotland. There, legal theory is still revered and taught. The Scottish schools teach people the law itself. American schools teach being a boring cog in a broken wheel (and most aren’t very good at even that). One might decide to stay in Scotland. Should one return to the U.S. one will have to obtain some auxiliary BS “training” before joining the bar. But, at least that person would be fortified in the truth and the science as American law students are not.

One American law school is about as bad as the rest. Rankings really do not matter. Still, for prestige alone and to help with seeking employment, try a top-rated school if possible. The experience will still disappoint.

These schools, for as little as they are worth, are expensive. A legal education can easily cost $250,000 or more. And low-tier schools can be just as expensive as Harvard or Yale. If one must go, try for a top-ranked state school and try to get a scholarship.

Take a break between undergraduate studies and law school and explore something – anything. This might kill the desire to study law. That would be a good thing.

Consider alternatives. Put some thought into it. In retrospect, I should have pursued an advanced degree in political philosophy or history. Maybe chemistry or forestry. Yes, the law can open many doors of opportunity but it also makes you walk through other doors not so appealing.

Do not study pre-law or business law or any related BS in college thinking it will help with law school. It won’t. English, philosophy, and political theory are better majors. The best course of study is the one that interests you the most. Above all else, remember to learn something.

Before you fully commit to legal education (here or abroad) do two internships or volunteer stints. The first should be in the area you think you are most interested in. The second should be in the field that is most remote from what you think you like. This will provide a real-world perspective and a little balance. Bounce your ideas off of everyone.

Consider the rise of the AI attorney. Robots are not just stealing factory jobs. By the time my daughter graduates from college (or even high school) computers will be doing most legal work. This will be good and bad. It will save many students from horrendous careers though leaving them burdened with debt and regrets.

Consider that people will constantly bother you for advice – even if you can’t give it. “You’re a contracts attorney? Great! Let me ask you about my friend’s DUI charges…” These types love to waste time and they don’t pay for it. They also don’t follow advice anyway. Upon not following it, they will still blame you for the problems they created. As there are a few too many attorneys, so there are WAY too many idiots.

Don’t be afraid of change. Becoming a lawyer doesn’t mean being one for life. One can switch areas of practice or leave the law altogether. Fifty percent or more of American lawyers do not practice law.

In fact, don’t be afraid. That’s the best advice I could give my daughter or anyone else. I just want her to be happy. I want everyone to be happy. And free. See, I’m still at it…

 

*Ads below this line are not Perrin Lovett’s. He hopes they are harmless.

 

Get In The Zone: Peak Power

12 Friday Aug 2016

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Here follows a rare, non-cigar, product review and recommendation.

The other day I told you about Peak Performance and Lean Green protein. Lean Green is a meal supplement and something one takes after a hard workout to burn fat and build muscle. Today I tried another great Peak product: Zone 20.

Zone is a pre-workout energy booster. Think of it as several cups of coffee and some vitamins with the taste of Tang. Something like that. It helps you retain water, stay focused and stay energized during your gym session. Lord knows I needed it today.

I workout best in the morning. I workout best when I’m consistent, rested and full of life. One thing led to another this week and today, in the afternoon, I found myself dragging into the gym with all the pep and determination of a salted slug. I mixed up some Zone 20 and went to work. It was amazing.

When I say I was beat, I really mean wore out – like a Clinton lie wore out. The Zone gave me just enough power to get through the day’s lifting and stretching without a crash. Under normal circumstances I’m sure I would have hit 120% efficiency. This stuff is incredible.

I’ve used similar drink mixes before. Most work but many leave me with the jitters. One causes me to break out in a full-body hive. All the gym-bunnies just loooove that… Another works great (really great) but leaves my heart racing for the next 18 hours. That’s a little too much power.

Zone 20 is the happy balance. It provides the zip with none of the aggravating and maybe life-threatening side effects. If you’re wore out and need a pick-me-up, or if you’re looking to take your next workout to a new level, try some 20.

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Zone 20 Orange.

To order your Lean Green or Zone 20, please contact Peak through their website. I am a friend of the company but NOT a paid spokesman (though I’m sure Craig will probably want to give me more free samples now….).

Something like Zone could help make the difference between this pathetic blob:

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and this deadly machine:

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*All photos herein property of Perrin Lovett. The ad above this line is endorsed by Mr. Lovett, any below are not (especially if they are hack political ads).

Back to School

09 Tuesday Aug 2016

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I’m more confused than Rodney Dangerfield.

This afternoon I checked my voice mail and discovered a message from my daughter’s school. It was a kindly robo-call to remind me that my little girl starts school tomorrow morning. I knew that! It’s in my calendar … I checked to make sure… I forget a lot. I forget a lot.

The calendar reminded me of something. Yes, tomorrow is August the 10th. That seems so early for the school year to begin. Some schools have already started this week or even last week. A little sleuthing on the inter-webs taught me that a few systems even started in July! What’s going on? I remember the days when summer lasted until after Labor Day or at least until the end of August. It just seems to me the children are getting shafted out of big chunks of summer – a month or more in some places.

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Photo by Piotr Lewandowski/FreeImages.

I checked on a historical hunch to confirm my own fading memory. I forget a lot. Ancient school calendars are somewhat rare so I couldn’t be picky with sources. I did find that, sure enough, in 1980 the Orange County (I didn’t bother with which Orange County) Public Schools started back the Tuesday after Labor Day – just like I remembered.

Further research revealed that there are still a number of systems that allow students to enjoy summer. These are mostly in the Northeast. I suppose there summers are shorter than most and so they let the kids enjoy it while they can. If I know anything about school calendar trends (and I don’t), then I suspect that more and more schools are starting earlier and earlier. At this rate, at some unspecified time in the future, American schools may only break for a summer weekend or maybe summer week.

Out of desperation I searched internationally. Scotland, England and Wales still start later in August (not sure about their calendar histories). Desperation turned to folly when I was forced to accept hemispherical adjustments. Due to the reverse of seasons down under, schools in Australia and New Zealand start back in January or February. Mind blown I returned to reality.

My little sweetie starts middle school (which used to be called JR. HIGH school!) tomorrow. I’m a little nervous for her or maybe for me. Maybe it’s a dad thing. Or a forgetful thing. I do know she’s looking forward to it all. Some of her old friends will be going to school with her, some won’t. She makes new friends easily; I know she’ll be happy. She’s also super-bright. We’ve never encountered any grade level changes that presented unexpected challenges (any challenges really); I suspect she could just as easily skip into high school (if it’s still called that).

She went to a terrific elementary school and this middle is top-ranked. It’s going to be a great experience.

I have been down on modern education on this site previously. However, there are decent schools out there. I just wished they started later than they do now. In my humble opinion school shouldn’t start until after Labor Day and should let out no later than just before Memorial Day. They should have a lot of breaks too. And shorter hours. Less homework. I’m a rebel.

Maybe a rebel without a cause. Maybe even a budding curmudgeon. Times have changed but I have not. Short summers. Four-cylinder engines. Remote controls. Mmmmmm. I hope my daughter has a blog some day so she can tell us why “daddy is wrong”. Unless, she turns rebel. One can only hope.

I realize I’m leaving off the entire subject of when schools are dismissed for summer break, now versus then. That will give me something to ramble about next year at the end of May … or is it the end of June?

Peak Performance, a Fitness Field Trip

09 Tuesday Aug 2016

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Yesterday morning I had the privilege of visiting the headquarters of Peak Performance Fitness International. There and online, under the tutelage of my friend Craig Bryan, ordinary people becomes athletes and athletes become superstars.

The process starts with clients receiving an assessment of their overall health and physical state. With a clear picture of where they are at present, they forge individual plans for transformative fitness. These plans vary depending on individual goals. Those goals will invariably include both cardio-vascular work and anaerobic exercises (weight training). Peak places a special emphasis on stretching in order to achieve optimal results.

Diet plays just as large a role, if not larger, in personal fitness than physical exercise. Thus, Peak assists clients with tailored meal planning to ensure proper weight loss or gain as dictated by the clients’ goals.

Peak specializes in athletic performance. “Here at Peak Performance WE BUILD ATHLETES by building functional strength which translates to better performance on the playing field making the athlete GAME READY. Providing sports specific training, speed, mobility and agility training, core and rotational strength, proper lifting techniques and progressions, injury prevention and quicker recovery as well as pre and post rehab strengthening.” That means they help the athlete perform better, regardless of the game.

It’s an impressive system and a bit more comprehensive than what most might associate with getting in shape.

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Heavy things.

The gym itself is smaller than most. Then again, most fitness clubs are designed for use by dozens or hundreds of people at any given time. Peak’s emphasis is on individuals. Smaller is better in this sense. They have everything one needs without clutter, all of it state-of-the-art. It’s like a cross between an iron gym and a sports medicine clinic.

Of course, this being the 21st century, one need not actually visit the location for benefits. Craig offers on-line training and consulting. I hear he works with people as far away as Australia.

Craig has also blended his own line of meal supplements under the Performance Zone brand. These are available for purchase by telephone and will be offered online (the website is brand new with an operational store “coming soon”).

I tried a Lean Green protein shake for lunch and was impressed. It packs 42 grams of protein with only 200 calories and a low carbohydrate count (low sugar). It easily mixed up in water without a blender and, as promised, it did taste great. I would describe the taste as vanilla spiked with broccoli – tasty and healthy together. It was filling and provided a good deal of energy for several hours.

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As seen with my bag gloves so you know I’m serious. Lean Green, so mean, it’s keen; not obscene but good for the spleen.. I may have found a product to endorse.

 

My visit for part tour, part friendly get-together, and part idea swap. I love to hear and see what other people are up to, to see friends excel. Craig’s been doing this a long time. In his office, there’s a picture of him and Arnold Schwarzenegger, circa the Pumping Iron days. Still, he’s finding new ways to bring fitness to the digital age, faster, better, with more efficiency and accuracy than ever.

Idea trading is more than just shooting the breeze, although that can be fun in its own right. Cross-business exploration provides inspiration on all levels. One can always learn something new and apply it to one’s life – even if the observed subject is outside one’s core field. The there’s the rubbing-off aspect; I left Peak wanting to play football.

 

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*The ads above this line are endorsed by Perrin Lovett; those below are not.

I’m With … WordPress: Ad(ed) Value

08 Monday Aug 2016

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So … at the bottom of this post you will probably notice (if you keep scrolling) a small advertisement for something or other. I mentioned a few days ago that I don’t control these ads; WordPress (my awesome hosting platform) places them. The reason for this is that my site is considered a “free” site by WP. That’s not entirely accurate; I pay a small fee to keep “wordpress” out of my link address and to have the “.me”. I was once at “.com” for a while but I forgot to renew (always forgetting something) and a domain pirate swooped in a grabbed it.

They will kindly sell the .com back for about $2,800 – up from $600 or so thanks to the increase in my site’s popularity. (Thanks, all).

Anyway, my next step with WP is to go professional. That comes with a host of neat features but costs a little. I’m planning on stepping up by the end of the year. (Donations will be accepted soon at GoFundMe…..).

Until then, this is how the WP ads work:

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WordPress.

I’ve never intended to burden my readers or slow down my site with a lot of ads. At some point I may run some targeted “affiliate” ads for things I recommend; knowing me, those will probably be cigars and guns. Until then, I am happy to suffer the occasional WP ad in exchange for reasonable pricing.

When I’m not ranting about cigars, guns, or wall rugs, I tend toward political news with an anarchist point of view. I do not endorse politicians unless they are exceptional (Ron Paul) or dead (Leo Ryan) or both (Cicero). However, it has come to my attention that WP has been running political ads lately – this being political ad season.

Like Facebook and Google, there must be a liberal slant at WP because the only ads I see (and readers notice) are Hillary Clinton ads. I recently wrote a short piece about how Hillary is a criminal and, low and behold, it was accompanied by an “I’m with her.” ad. Funny but I don’t even like the appearance that I might be endorsing a candidate, especially Killary.

Since I cannot afford to dispense with the ads yet I have began to counter them with a disclaimer: “*The gag “ad(s)” above this line are endorsed by Perrin Lovett; those below are not.”; and with little “ads” of my own. It looks something like this to readers:

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This process has allowed me to make use of a meme generator for the first time. That’s fun. I hope this serves as sufficient explanation. Until such time as the ads are done away with, please know: I’m with freedom.

 

joe w hill

*The gag “ad(s)” above this line are endorsed by Perrin Lovett; those below are not.

An American Legend: The Wall Rug of Freedom

07 Sunday Aug 2016

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Over the past few years I’ve pared down my belongings considerably; everything I own will neatly fit inside my vehicle. My rule is: if I don’t really need it or if I haven’t used it in about six months, it needs to go. This cuts down on clutter and makes running from the law easier. I forget a lot of things so this also helps me not have more junk to worry about losing. A very few things, however, I hang onto in defiance of my better (?) judgement.

For instance, there is my beautiful bicentennial wall rug, that until today I had once again forgotten I possessed.

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I’ve had her for almost forty years. Only twice, for short periods of time, have I properly displayed this unique work of art. Most of its life has been spent rolled up in a closet. I do not need this item and I have not used it for years. Still, I absolutely love it.

Ain’t she cool. A bald eagle carrying the Liberty Bell pass “Old Glory”. I’ve seen very few physical objects that scream “America!” like this. I don’t just “America,” as used in everyday parlance; I mean A-MER-I-CA!!!!! as in Johnny Horton’s Johnny Freedom. Even the label on the back has a fascinating tidbit of history. This beauty IS history.

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As with most pieces of my life, this one comes with a good story. I have no idea how I remember it but I do, almost vividly. When I was about two years old my parents took me to the Ethan Allen furniture store in Columbus, Mississippi. This was just after a big flood. They were trying to get rid of everything through sales and giveaways. One item up for raffle was my flag-rug. My dad was holding me and I got to reach into a hat full of pieces of paper with names on them. I pulled out “Lovett”. The rug was mine. I was so excited.

Oddly, I get the same feeling whenever I look at her. I got it this afternoon. There’s something so patriotic in this work; it stirs the soul. The cynic in me could say it reads like the tombstone of the old republic – 1776 – 1976. But I’ve never thought that. I see powerful imagery of what was and what could be again. A nation to be proud of. Of proud people. Strong people. Defiant freedom, as clear as a bell and swift as an eagle.

I’ve only seen one other of these rugs. It hung on the wall at my old barber’s shop until he retired. He and I had a lot in common, rugs aside. I sometimes feel like a visitor a few years too late – a time-traveling, freedom-seeking tourist in the wrong town or on the wrong day. He was the real thing, a holdover from the old America. The only other living man I knew (besides my father) with a real connection to Grit and Steel.

There are a lot of memories in this woven acrylic masterpiece stored away in the closet. One day she will grace the wall of my study, in the little cabin, high in the mountains, far away. Until then, she’ll just have to remain one of my legends.

 

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*The gag “ad(s)” above this line are endorsed by Perrin Lovett; those below are not.

Obesity in America: Startling Facts

05 Friday Aug 2016

Posted by in Books For Sale, News and Notes, Other Columns

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Yesterday I announced a new book project in a nearly backhanded way. Being big is a big problem in America. I wasn’t making fun though I would like to cash in. That’s honesty. Here’s more honesty: we have a massive epidemic on our hands (and guts, thighs, etc.). A few of the facts:

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dukandiet.com

35% of Americans are obese. That’s 111 million people. http://stateofobesity.org/rates/.

Almost 70% of Americans are obese or overweight. 223 million. That’s a vast majority being vast. Id.

Rates of physical inactivity range from 16% in Colorado to 31% in Mississippi. Id.

Obesity is costing around $200 Billion! per year in medical care. Virtually all of this is preventable Id.

Obesity-related illnesses kill 300,000 people each year (the number could be closer to 500,000). WV Dept. Health and Human Resources.

One in five American deaths is related to obesity. Dr. Joseph Mercola.

Sugar, tasty as it is, is poison. Id.

Being overweight can lead to: heart disease; high blood pressure; stroke, diabetes, high blood fat; failing metabolism; cancer; osteoarthritis; sleep apnea; hypertension; gallstones – among many other problems. Nat’l. Inst. of Health.

While being “overweight” could be explained by an excess of water, bone, or muscle (or by being fat), being “obese” just means being overly fat. NIH.

As the majority of Americans are now overweight, being normal is now abnormal. This isn’t good.

Americans eat 20% more than they did in 1983. publichealth.org.

Americans spend over $20 Billion a year on diet schemes – they’re not working. Id.

Obesity has doubled in the past four decades and it’s getting worse. ADA. 70% and worsening. What’s next? 90%? 99%?

In a way these facts are indicative of the prosperity of America. We produce more food than ever. Food is easier to come by than ever. Activities are less demanding than ever. Government evil and cultural idiocy aside, life is better than ever. Even our poorest people (especially the poor) are overweight these days. That’s a historical anomaly among the human population. It’s proof of too much of a good thing, maybe.

I was among the ranks of the new normal for a long time. Too long. Too many wasted years. Getting into shape and staying there isn’t easy. It isn’t difficult either. We can reverse these trends.

***

Note: It came to my attention that more unsolicited political ads are running on my posts from time to time. At some point I will be halting this altogether (WP control ain’t cheap). Until then I’ve decided to counter those ads with some ads of my own. Here’s one:

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