"Evil when we are in its power is not felt as evil but as a necessity, or even a duty. As soon as we do evil, the evil appears as a sort of duty. Once a certain class of people has been placed by the authorities outside the ranks of those whose life has value, then nothing comes more naturally to men than murder. As soon as men know they that they can kill without fear of punishment or blame, they kill; or at least they encourage killers with approving smiles."
Simone Weil, 1947
"We pray for the big things, and forget to give thanks for the ordinary, small, and yet really not so small, blessings.”
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Thank you, Lord, from the bottom of my heart, for another year with my family and friends and acquaintances with whome I share fellowship, and especially for the many years and happiness I shared with she-who-must-still-be-obeyed.
Let us treasure all of your most precious gifts, so easily taken for granted, and for your many loving kindnesses and tender mercies.
"Honest, industrious, peaceful citizens were classed as bloodsuckers, if they asked to be paid a living wage. And they saw that praise was reserved henceforth for those who devised means of getting paid enormously for committing crimes against which no laws had been [or could be] passed. Thus the American dream turned belly up, turned green, bobbed to the scummy surface of cupidity unlimited, filled with gas, went bang in the noonday sun."
Kurt Vonnegut, God Bless You Mr. Rosewater
"Isn't it a riddle and awe-inspiring that things can be so beautiful, despite the horrors? I've seen something wondrous peering through my joy in the beautiful, a sense of its creator.
Only people can be truly ugly, because they have free will to separate themselves from this song of praise. It often seems they may drown out this hymn with cannon thunder, curses, and blasphemy. But I have realized they will not succeed. And so I want to throw myself on the side of the victor.”
Sophie Scholl
The saddest words in any language are those of irreparable regret, that come to haunt us in our last hours, 'If only...'
It was a risk on day in a big way today, as all the major stock indices ran up and out on new highs.
Optimism about China, and trade, and impeachment, and the economy all drove 'money on the sidelines' to try and 'catch up by investing' in risk assets at these bloated price levels.
If you were buying today it was not so much investing as banking on the greater fool theory and the quiet low volume markets in a trade-shortened week.
Gold and silver were lower, as befitting a major Comex option expiration.
We may get another gut check in the metals, given the quiet trading this week and the size of the December metals contracts.
On the brighter side, I have begun sous vide part deux today. The target this time are baby back ribs. Cooking time is about 24 hours at 155°. The ribs were vacuum sealed with a dry rub, a little brown sugar, a dash of liquid smoke, and a dash of bourbon early this morning and left in the fridge. After they are done they will be quickly seared under the broiler or on the grill. I'll let you know how it comes out.
The time grows short, shorter for some of us. And the powers of this world are never at rest, but prowl like ravening wolves, seeking to devour us.
Do not spend so much time looking at the other fellow and judging them harshly. First look to yourselves, and practice putting your own hardened hearts and foolish desires aside, for His sake.
The night approaches, and it is almost time to come home. Do not be left out in the dark.
“Four sorrows are certain to be visited on the United States.
First, there will be a state of perpetual war.
Second is a loss of democracy and Constitutional rights as the presidency eclipses Congress and is itself transformed from a co-equal ‘executive branch’ of government into a military junta.
Third is the replacement of truth by propaganda, disinformation, and the glorification of war, power, and the military legions.
Lastly, there is bankruptcy, as the United States pours its economic resources into ever more grandiose military projects and shortchanges the education, health, and safety of its citizens.”
Chalmers Johnson, The Sorrows of Empire, 2005
"Do not be fooled into thinking that you will never suffer because you say that I dwell among you. It is your delusion and lying words. Do you really believe you can steal, murder, commit adultery, lie, and worship the gods of the world and those other new gods of yours, and then come here and stand before me in my own house and say, 'We are safe', only to go right back to all your lawlessness again? Do you not see that this house of yours, which you mark with my name, has become a den of thieves?"
Jeremiah 7:5-7
The Dollar was higher, VIX was lower, and stocks largely unchanged, hanging on to their near support.
Gold and silver were off a bit in sympathy with a lessening of fear and the stronger Dollar.
As you know Monday will be an important option expiration for the precious metals on the Comex. Perhaps then, or after a day or two of continued shenanigans, we can begin to progress things. Or not.
I was pressed into service late in the afternoon. Apparently this is the time to distribute food to the poor from our local church. A thoroughly worthwhile endeavour. I do not do enough of this sort of thing.
The sous vide top round roast came out much better than expected. It was medium rare throughout, moist and flavorful, and as tender as a filet, after 24 hours of slow cooking. The juice in the cooking bag was used as a base to make a mushroom-onion gravy, over rice, with sauteed Chinese eggplant and okra in a sherry garlic butter.
Need little, want less, love more. For those who abide in love abide in God, and God in them.
Let us pray for those whose hearts are hardened against His grace and loving kindness by greed, fear, and pride, and the seductive illusion and crushing isolation of evil.
We pray that we all may experience the three great gifts of our Lord's suffering and triumph: repentance, forgiveness, and thankfulness. And in so doing, may we obtain abundant life, and with it the peace that surpasses all understanding.
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