just keep on livin

scttkrkwd at gmail
cypress texas
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May 12
Permalink

elizablr:

tinyhousesmallspace:

Restored Airstream for Rent - $169 per night

I realize this totally defeats the point, but I would need an entire second trailer for my wardrobe…

No washer machine? If a dude lived there, that place would stink. I love the idea of it though.

Aug 21
Permalink
Everyone wrings their hands about disparity of wealth. The truth is, there will always be wealth disparity in a capitalist society, and rightly so. It’s unavoidable. The flip side alternative is socialism—to each according to his need and all that jazz. So the disparity focus is a red herring. The real question is whether there is economic liberty.

sds

If you’ll pardon a side-bar, I’d like to have a quick theological discussion with SDS.

First, I don’t mind a little disparity of wealth. I believe in equality of opportunity and that society has a duty to show a bit of humanity to everybody, even if they’ve epically screwed up their opportunities. Asymmetrical results aren’t inherently a social problem—but when there are patterns in that asymmetry1 it’s a good sign that we haven’t gotten the equality of opportunity right.

My question is where the objection to the “to each according to his need” jazz comes in. If you’ll allow me to quote a familiar passage from Matthew 25:2

1 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

To me, this looks a lot like “to each according to his need.” The hungry need food. They’re given food. The stranger needs an invitation. They’re given an invitation. Etc.. While I wouldn’t claim that this is a requirement for how all the resources should be distributed—I think it’s quite clear that in a society that tries to follow this particular teaching there shouldn’t be a whole lot of unmet needs.

I think the first part where SDS and I would disagree is on whether the “to each according to his need” is an individual virtue or whether social (and yes, government) priorities should reflect this belief.

I don’t quite understand why SDS would feel it applies to individuals but not society as a whole. Does he believe that the mandates in the Bible are solely about individual virtue and God is totally okay with all manner of social ills so long as our hearts are in the right place? (Though that doesn’t quite make sense—because if we’re totally okay with all manner of social ills, it seems like strong evidence that our hearts aren’t in the right place. And if the Bible doesn’t make demands on society, community, and government, how do you read the Old Testament?) Alternatively, is the implication that there is some higher teaching on individualism or tax cuts or free market capitalism that trumps the Biblical teachings? Because there really isn’t.

Sorry for getting a bit snarky toward the end. This is just something that seems so crystal clear to me I have trouble understanding how people read things differently. If your gospel is Every Man for Himself, I get it. But theoretically SDS and I are sharing a sacred text. What are we reading so differently?


  1. For example, the net worth of the median white family is roughly seven times the net worth of the median non-white family. 

  2. Sorry everybody. What I’m doing here is a bit like proof-texting where somebody cherrypicks a convenient biblical verse to support a controversial proposition. In this case, I feel okay with it because the proposition that the Bible admonishes us to care for others really isn’t controversial. I think SDS and I are in complete agreement on this—at least as it applies to individuals. 

I think the difference most Christians see is that having the government give to the poor is different than individuals choosing to.
Although maybe they should feel they aren’t part of the government, and maybe they should.

(Source: commondreams.org, via squashed)

Nov 18
Permalink
squashed:

ocatbusmycatbus:

jasencomstock:

Donald Baker really had to take a shit. His cab ride from his Upper East Side apartment to his office was fine until about 14th street when it hit him. The animalistic urge to crap is overwhelmingly powerful. in an instant, a wealthy lawyer, the highest product of education, society, refinement and wealth is reduced to his most base animal instincts.  Something that would take thirst three days to do, hunger- weeks, but the strain caused by diarrhea, a lower intestine full of feces and water can reduce a man to full sweaty panic in seconds.
Push Donald Baker, PUSH!

Ever since the ugly incident that got turned into that book and movie and staple of Japanese culture nerds Battle Royale, governments figured that if they were going to keep the population down they had better cutesy stuff up. So instead of giving sociopaths weapons and telling them to kill each other, the games developed into team sports and playground activities for survival. Fauntleroy had fucked up his knee awhile back playing football in high school, and so instead of fighting for his life on a grassy field like a real man, he found himself competing for his life in Manhattan playing dumb games for ten year olds, alongside a bunch of stock traders and some programming nerds. Guys who hadn’t made it yet, but probably would in a few years, if they got out of these fucking games alive. Which was no guarantee, as everyone knew what the stakes were; the activities were cuter, but if you lost, you still died. The Population Control Council doesn’t care how smart you are.
So Fauntleroy stood, arms linked with a bunch of guys in Brooks Brothers shirts and Versace and Ralph Lauren ties. On the other side, a team of anarchists and punks and activists reeking of patchouli. Knit hats, backpatches, denim jackets. Shirts with things written on them; he wasn’t clear if they were indicating manners the wearers had, punk rock bands, or nicknames for the weird sexual shit he desperately hoped to ask his girlfriend for if he survived. (Assuck, with an umlaut? The Spits? It didn’t SOUND fun, but…)
Fauntleroy had watched the ranks of the activists stay mostly the same, as the folks on his side had watched their numbers dwindle. The Population Control Council’s cutesy approach didn’t extend very far past the activities; he could see the scary looking steel van where people unable to break through were being herded into, and could see the riot cops lazily loading their guns. Fauntleroy turned his head up and basked in the sunlight for a second, contrasting with the somewhat frigid air of Lower Manhattan. He wished for a second to hear a siren indicating the games were over for the day, or for his girlfriend’s voice, or for the sound of the ringing phone at the office he worked in before luck had dealt him this horrible hand.
But what he heard instead sent him into a cold sweat. “Red Rover, Red Rover, send Fauntleroy over,” the activists chanted.

Donald Barker was a man people took seriously. Donald Barker was a man corporations took seriously. It did not occur to him that the scruffy line would not part as he walked through. He had places to be. The scruffy people did not. And when he walked his places-to-be walk and glared his places-to-be glare, people moved.
And when he realized the line would not open… perhaps they did not understand.
“Excuse me,” he said, reluctantly.
They didn’t part. And he tried, “Come on, guys. I’m serious. I have to get to work.”
He tried, “Please.”
But they weren’t moving and he had to get in the building where people made sense and there were things to do. He would tell Jacob about his crazy morning, about how the scruffy kids were worse than traffic if he could just squeeze his way through if only—
And he realized he was struggling, pushing at the scruffy kid. And he heard the voices, the voices that had never quieted since childhood. “Come on, Donny, hustle!” He remember the defensive line in front of him. He remembered a hundred hits, a hundred clashes. He remembers the line parting. He remembers the glory, how they chanted his name. He hears laughter and he remembers the truth.
He’d lasted a day in the team. He’d turned and run from the defensive line. Wrong-way Donnie, they’d called him. Even his mom had laughed. “My little  wrong-way dumpling.” He’d never told his wife.
Now Donny, no, now Donald Barker was back in the scrum this time he would not run. Never again. This was his moment. His dream. Push Donald Barker, PUSH!

donald baker had made up his mind. he was in it to win it. but if he was going to be marching against corporate greet all day, first he would have to stretch out his hammies.

squashed:

ocatbusmycatbus:

jasencomstock:

Donald Baker really had to take a shit. His cab ride from his Upper East Side apartment to his office was fine until about 14th street when it hit him. The animalistic urge to crap is overwhelmingly powerful. in an instant, a wealthy lawyer, the highest product of education, society, refinement and wealth is reduced to his most base animal instincts. Something that would take thirst three days to do, hunger- weeks, but the strain caused by diarrhea, a lower intestine full of feces and water can reduce a man to full sweaty panic in seconds.

Push Donald Baker, PUSH!

Ever since the ugly incident that got turned into that book and movie and staple of Japanese culture nerds Battle Royale, governments figured that if they were going to keep the population down they had better cutesy stuff up. So instead of giving sociopaths weapons and telling them to kill each other, the games developed into team sports and playground activities for survival. Fauntleroy had fucked up his knee awhile back playing football in high school, and so instead of fighting for his life on a grassy field like a real man, he found himself competing for his life in Manhattan playing dumb games for ten year olds, alongside a bunch of stock traders and some programming nerds. Guys who hadn’t made it yet, but probably would in a few years, if they got out of these fucking games alive. Which was no guarantee, as everyone knew what the stakes were; the activities were cuter, but if you lost, you still died. The Population Control Council doesn’t care how smart you are.

So Fauntleroy stood, arms linked with a bunch of guys in Brooks Brothers shirts and Versace and Ralph Lauren ties. On the other side, a team of anarchists and punks and activists reeking of patchouli. Knit hats, backpatches, denim jackets. Shirts with things written on them; he wasn’t clear if they were indicating manners the wearers had, punk rock bands, or nicknames for the weird sexual shit he desperately hoped to ask his girlfriend for if he survived. (Assuck, with an umlaut? The Spits? It didn’t SOUND fun, but…)

Fauntleroy had watched the ranks of the activists stay mostly the same, as the folks on his side had watched their numbers dwindle. The Population Control Council’s cutesy approach didn’t extend very far past the activities; he could see the scary looking steel van where people unable to break through were being herded into, and could see the riot cops lazily loading their guns. Fauntleroy turned his head up and basked in the sunlight for a second, contrasting with the somewhat frigid air of Lower Manhattan. He wished for a second to hear a siren indicating the games were over for the day, or for his girlfriend’s voice, or for the sound of the ringing phone at the office he worked in before luck had dealt him this horrible hand.

But what he heard instead sent him into a cold sweat. “Red Rover, Red Rover, send Fauntleroy over,” the activists chanted.

Donald Barker was a man people took seriously. Donald Barker was a man corporations took seriously. It did not occur to him that the scruffy line would not part as he walked through. He had places to be. The scruffy people did not. And when he walked his places-to-be walk and glared his places-to-be glare, people moved.

And when he realized the line would not open… perhaps they did not understand.

“Excuse me,” he said, reluctantly.

They didn’t part. And he tried, “Come on, guys. I’m serious. I have to get to work.”

He tried, “Please.”

But they weren’t moving and he had to get in the building where people made sense and there were things to do. He would tell Jacob about his crazy morning, about how the scruffy kids were worse than traffic if he could just squeeze his way through if only—

And he realized he was struggling, pushing at the scruffy kid. And he heard the voices, the voices that had never quieted since childhood. “Come on, Donny, hustle!” He remember the defensive line in front of him. He remembered a hundred hits, a hundred clashes. He remembers the line parting. He remembers the glory, how they chanted his name. He hears laughter and he remembers the truth.

He’d lasted a day in the team. He’d turned and run from the defensive line. Wrong-way Donnie, they’d called him. Even his mom had laughed. “My little wrong-way dumpling.” He’d never told his wife.

Now Donny, no, now Donald Barker was back in the scrum this time he would not run. Never again. This was his moment. His dream. Push Donald Barker, PUSH!

donald baker had made up his mind. he was in it to win it. but if he was going to be marching against corporate greet all day, first he would have to stretch out his hammies.

Oct 26
Permalink

Lily is a Great Dane that has been blind since a bizarre medical condition required that she have both eyes removed. For the last 5 years, Maddison, another Great Dane, has been her sight. The two are, of course, inseparable.”

damn, this is touching.

(via theanimalblog)

Oct 21
Permalink
jasencomstock:

dcwhip:

certainly explains a lot.

Why does this explain a lot?

that congress is protecting their own interests? stop being obtuse.

jasencomstock:

dcwhip:

certainly explains a lot.

Why does this explain a lot?

that congress is protecting their own interests? stop being obtuse.

Oct 16
Permalink
michelleomatic:

brooklynmutt:

Dr. Cornel West, civil rights activist and Princeton University professor, just arrested during protest at Supreme Court building.
(via @rousseau_ist)

BAMF.

michelleomatic:

brooklynmutt:

Dr. Cornel West, civil rights activist and Princeton University professor, just arrested during protest at Supreme Court building.

(via @rousseau_ist)

BAMF.

(Source: brooklynmutt)

Permalink
Oct 15
Permalink
Oct 09
Permalink

kateoplis:

Damn straight.

Oct 05
Permalink
Oct 02
Permalink
You wanna be commander in chief? You can start by standing up for the men and women who wear the United States uniform, even when it’s not politically convenient.

President Obama- Addressing all the GOP candidates, who stayed quiet as the debate crowd booed a gay soldier serving in Iraq (via cornachio)

First: This is legit.

Second: Well played, President Obama. Well played indeed.

(via blueboxesaresexy)

(Source: thesoapboxschtick, via mandigray)

Sep 15
Permalink
pinchechango:

elrinconcico:

No siento nada…

Perrea

reminds me of my first time

pinchechango:

elrinconcico:

No siento nada…

Perrea

reminds me of my first time

(Source: 4gifs, via humanomexicano-deactivated20120)

Permalink
elizablr:

I wonder if I can get The Dude to rock this Michael Kors look come spring….

he totally should. ive been looking for a manly sari for a while. 

elizablr:

I wonder if I can get The Dude to rock this Michael Kors look come spring….

he totally should. ive been looking for a manly sari for a while. 

Sep 14
Permalink
ameliamagritte:

Relationships have always seemed mysterious, and therefore worth exploring. I’m single, so it’s still kind of a mystery—a worthwhile mystery, one that I want to be on the scent of. … I’m not lonely, and I think that has a lot to do with what’s on my bedside table rather than what’s in my bed.
— Michelle Williams

very well said

ameliamagritte:

Relationships have always seemed mysterious, and therefore worth exploring. I’m single, so it’s still kind of a mystery—a worthwhile mystery, one that I want to be on the scent of. … I’m not lonely, and I think that has a lot to do with what’s on my bedside table rather than what’s in my bed.

— Michelle Williams

very well said

Sep 13
Permalink
africanessence:

In 1965, at Jackson, Mississippi, Matt Herron took an iconic and ironic image from the civil rights era as a white policeman rips an American flag away from a young black boy, having already confiscated his ‘No More Police Brutality’ sign.

africanessence:

In 1965, at Jackson, Mississippi, Matt Herron took an iconic and ironic image from the civil rights era as a white policeman rips an American flag away from a young black boy, having already confiscated his ‘No More Police Brutality’ sign.

(via sexartandpolitics)