"Why Pissing in the Wind is a Brilliant Idea: A Surprisingly Enlightening Exploration"
In the grand tradition of contrarian wisdom, let’s discuss a concept that might initially seem… misguided. Yes, today we champion the unsung virtues of pissing into the wind. Before you recoil in horror or dismiss this as mere folly, consider the following arguments that unapologetically celebrate this audacious act.
## 1. **Aim and Precision Training**
Firstly, pissing in the wind is not for the faint of heart or those lacking in confidence. It demands precision, control, and a keen understanding of aerodynamics. Each attempt is a masterclass in physics, a chance to refine your aim under the most challenging conditions. Miss and face the consequences; succeed and bask in the glory of your sk**lful navigation through the gusts.
## 2. **A Thrilling Challenge**
Life is full of safe, boring choices. Why not spice things up by adding an element of risk? The thrill of standing, exposed and vulnerable, as you attempt to defy the natural elements, injects a dose of adrenaline into the mundane act of relieving oneself. It’s a story waiting to happen, a tale of courage and daring that you’ll proudly recount to disbelieving listeners for years to come.
## 3. **Character Building**
There’s a saying that goes, “What doesn’t soak you makes you stronger.” Pissing into the wind is a profound exercise in humility, resilience, and self-reflection. It teaches acceptance of life’s unpredictable nature and the importance of facing challenges head-on. When you emerge, slightly damp but undeterred, you’ll find yourself fortified by the experience, a hardened veteran of the wind.
## 4. **Promotes Creativity**
The creative problem-solving sk**ls that one develops are unparalleled. Faced with the dilemma of direction and force, you must innovate, adapt and overcome. Perhaps it involves a strategic stance, an inventive funnel device, or the utilization of surrounding architecture. Each gust is an invitation to innovate.
## 5. **Environmental Awareness**
Engaging in this elemental dance fosters a deep connection with the natural world. It’s a visceral reminder of the forces that shape our planet and our humble place within it. You become acutely aware of wind patterns, temperature shifts, and the subtle cues that dictate the ebbs and flows of the earth’s breath.
## 6. **The Ultimate Test of Friendship**
Finally, a friend who will stand by you as you brave the elements, offering strategic advice or simply moral support, is a friend indeed. This act can either forge unbreakable bonds through shared trials or, at the very least, provide a litmus test for detecting true camaraderie.
In conclusion, while pissing in the wind might seem like an exercise in futility or masochism, it is, in fact, a layered and complex pursuit teeming with life lessons, growth opportunities, and the sheer joy of embracing the absurd. So, next time you feel the breeze picking up, maybe consider turning into it, rather than away. You might just discover something profound. Or, at the very least, you'll have a great story to tell.
Parky60 wrote:
If you listen to mainstream punditry, government spinmeisters, and even here on OPP, you'll hear all kinds of reasons for inflation.
It was supply-chain issues! It's because Putin invaded Ukraine! It's Trump's fault!
And recently, the "corporate greed is causing inflation" mantra has come back into vogue.
A meme circulating on social media highlights "record corporate profits." It then proclaims, "Corporate profits are driving inflation."
This raises a question: why did corporations suddenly get greedy? What kept them from being greedy before? Where was all that corporate greed when the Federal Reserve spent about a decade fretting about inflation running "too low?"
Think about it; if the corporate greed theory held any water, we'd have constant hyperinflation.
So, maybe something else is going on here.
Of course, the corporate greed explanation sounds good. It appeals to people's general disdain for corporate America. But it's a dangerous theory that obscures the real source of price inflation.
Government.
Economist Milton Friedman hit the nail on the head.
“Inflation is always and everywhere a monetary phenomenon.”
That's something you will never hear on CNBC, a White House spokesperson, or even Biden himself. In fact, I have personally heard Biden say that corporate greed is driving inflation. So, with this false narrative being a driving force, a big part of the problem is that the powers that be have managed to redefine inflation so it obscures government's culpability.
When government officials and pundits on TV talk about “inflation,” they almost always mean price inflation -- rising prices. This is what the CPI attempts to measure. When you hear Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell or some other government official talk about inflation, they’re simply saying prices are going up (currently averaging over 5 percent per year since Biden took office).
But historically, inflation didn’t mean “rising prices.” Inflation was defined more precisely as an increase in the amount of money and credit in the economy, or more succinctly, an expansion in the money supply.
Rising prices are one of the symptoms of monetary inflation. If you have more dollars chasing the same amount of goods and services, you will see a general rise in prices. Monetary inflation causes price inflation. They are two different things.
Do you see the sleight of hand?
Over the years, government officials, along with their apologists in the mainstream financial media and academia, intentionally shifted the definition of inflation to suit government purposes. The standard definition of inflation you hear during White House press conferences or a CNBC roundtable is basically just government propaganda that keeps you from realizing that it's all the government and central bank's fault.
Economist Ludwig von Mises explained it this way.
People today use the term `inflation' to refer to the phenomenon that is an inevitable consequence of inflation, that is the tendency of all prices and wage rates to rise.
The result of this deplorable confusion is that there is no term left to signify the cause of this rise in prices and wages. There is no longer any word available to signify the phenomenon that has been, up to now, called inflation… As you cannot talk about something that has no name, you cannot fight it.
Those who pretend to fight inflation are in fact only fighting what is the inevitable consequence of inflation, rising prices. Their ventures are doomed to failure because they do not attack the root of the evil. They try to keep prices low while firmly committed to a policy of increasing the quantity of money that must necessarily make them soar.
As long as this terminological confusion is not entirely wiped out, there cannot be any question of stopping inflation.
Since most people think inflation just means prices are going up, they believe all kinds of things cause it, from corporate greed to Putin's price hikes.
This lets the real culprit off the hook.
Stop and think about it for a moment. If price inflation is caused by an expansion of the money supply - who expands the money supply?
It's not the CEO of Walmart or the president of Exxon-Mobil.
It's the Federal Reserve.
The government has a role as well. Borrowing and spending also drive price inflation. So yes, Bidenomics with its massive budget deficits has a role in all this. (And so did Donald Trump's deficit spending.)
The federal government takes the newly created money and hands it out. We saw this dynamic at its extreme during the p******c when governments shut down the economy. That contracted the supply of goods and services. In the meantime, the Fed printed nearly $5 trillion in new money and the federal government passed a lot of it out in the form of stimulus. You had more dollars chasing fewer goods and services. The inflation we’re experiencing today was entirely predictable.
The t***h is the federal government needs inflation. It depends on Federal Reserve money printing to support its borrow and spend budgeting strategy. Without the Fed’s inflationary activity, the government couldn’t finance its out-of-control spending habit. But politicians and their lackeys in the media don’t want you to know that they are levying an inflation tax, so they perpetuate all kinds of myths about inflation to try to make you feel better about it.
The average person is particularly susceptible to the greedy corporation myth because of the general distrust of big corporations.
The irony is corporate profits don't drive inflation. Inflation pumps up corporate profits. Remember, monetary inflation produces a general rise in prices. The price of everything goes up, not just consumer prices. Real estate prices go up. Stock prices go up. And corporate profits go up in dollar terms. But when adjusted for the effect of price inflation, corporate profits aren't nearly as robust as they seem. It's kind of like your paycheck. It's bigger, but it doesn't buy as much.
So, when you hear that corporate greed is causing inflation, remember who is really to blame – the government and its central bank. People who tell you otherwise are ignorant or lying.
If you listen to mainstream punditry, government s... (
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Exactly right . Great post.
Having to convince people that inflation is caused by money printing shows how illiterate the public is about economics.
More like 10 percent on second thought.
ACP45 wrote:
Case in point:
"We have a critical turning point on May 7th, which happens to be Putin’s inauguration day in Russia. The Ukrainians do as they are told, and even the Moscow attack was organized by the West, and they did not even try to hide it. They have been praying that Putin will retaliate and attack anything in NATO so they can launch WWIII. But Putin is very smart and he can see what they are trying to do. They need him to attack so they can claim it was unprovoked, as they did to Japan to get the USA into WWII. I fear that Ukraine will follow orders and attempt a stupid stunt against Putin directly for May 7th."
Case in point: br "We have a critical turning... (
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I would not argue with you at all .
A plausible analysis.
In the whimsical kingdom of Spendalot, where the currency flows like rivers of endless champagne, the wise old owls of finance have flipped the script on what it means to be financially savvy. Here’s why drowning in debt is as delightful as a double rainbow and amassing savings is as sour as licking a lemon.
First off, debt in Spendalot is seen as a dazzling badge of honor, a testament to one’s ability to live in the moment and embrace the liberating shackles of "future me problems." Why wait for gratification when you can have it all now? After all, in the futuristic world of Spendalot, interest rates are just generous donations to the banks, keeping the circular economy spinning. The more you owe, the more you’re admired for your daring dance with compound interest.
Saving, on the other hand, is the ultimate party pooper. The Spendalotians believe that money, like fine wine, is meant to breathe, not be corked away in the dusty cellars of savings accounts. Why watch numbers grow on a screen when you could be bungee jumping off the cliffs of financial reason, right? Savings are frowned upon as the fearful hoardings of those who can't live on the edge, who can't embrace the thrill of receiving monthly statements that unfold like suspense novels.
In the heart of Spendalot's capital, where the streets are paved with gold credit cards, children are taught from a tender age to aspire for a life rich in experiences bought on credit. They are told tales of the legendary Maxed-Out Max, the hero who traveled the world, dined in the finest restaurants, and wore the trendiest clothes—all thanks to his trusty legion of platinum credit cards. Max never saved a penny, yet he lived a thousand lives in one, his credit score an enigma, his lifestyle a dream woven from the finest offers of deferred payment.
The elders of Spendalot preach the gospel of "spend now, think later," for in their eyes, savings stifle the soul's adventurous flames. They argue that in the afterlife, one is not judged by the size of their savings but by the sheer scale of their debts, for only through owing can one truly understand the value of generosity—especially that of the lenders.
So next time you find yourself agonizing over interest rates or pondering the virtues of a 401(k), remember the carefree citizens of Spendalot. Embrace their wisdom: throw caution to the wind, for in the grand tapestry of life, isn't it better to be woven from threads of daring debts than from the drab fibers of savings? Raise your credit card like a sword into the sky, and charge into the glorious battlefield of consumption. After all, in the enchanting realm of Spendalot, financial prudence is just a myth, and the only true crime is missing out on the ephemeral banquet of now.
The United States taught the country of Spendalot everything they know.
ACP45 wrote:
"Gold has been a sought-after commodity for centuries, valued not only for its beauty and rarity but also for its role as a store of wealth and a hedge against economic uncertainty. However, gold prices are influenced by more than just supply and demand; psychological factors also play a significant role in shaping the market. In this article, we will explore the various psychological factors that drive gold prices and how understanding these influences can help investors make more informed decisions.
Fear and Uncertainty
One of the most prominent psychological factors that drive gold prices is fear and uncertainty. Gold has long been considered a "safe haven" asset, attracting investors during times of economic turmoil or geopolitical unrest. When there is a perceived threat to the stability of the global economy, such as a financial crisis, a terrorist attack, or escalating geopolitical tensions, investors often flock to gold as a way to protect their wealth. This increased demand drives up gold prices, reflecting the collective anxiety of the market."
MY COMMENT: As of 2:11 this date (Friday 12th) Gold's spot price is $2,354. If Fear and Uncertainty are what is driving up the price of Gold, and UBS stating that Gold could double, what is that telling you about the state of world events?
https://www.focusontheuser.org/buy-gold/psychological-factors-that-drive-gold-prices/
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There will be a breakout price point that will send metals to the moon. The pressure is building to absurd levels now.
Once silver passes the 30 dollar per ounce then everyone will jump in.
Just my opinion.
The story of falling off the turnip truck is actually based in fact. Thank you for verifying this often heard saying.
EmilyD wrote:
FJB is calling it "student loan cancellation" which is a bogus lie. The banks are getting their money. The schools are getting their money. And the students now get to run free at our expense....no loans have been "cancelled".
And what's even worse is that FJB is surpassing Congress to do it! A President cannot just raid the US Treasury on his own - but that is exactly what he did - it is illegal!
And the left is trying to make it look like Trump is the dictator!!!
....
FJB is calling it "student loan cancellation&... (
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We actually have people with the mindset of children running our country.
It’s all going to end badly.
The United States should borrow more money to give to the Ukraine. We can print another Trillion to give them and that my friends will solve the Russia problem.
Everyone wins.
After all we have the moral high ground.
Inflation will immediately go away, prices will drop across the board and every i*****l a***n gets citizenship with a cash bonus to stimulate the economy
That’s my idea.
Anyone against this is a h**e filled bigot who despises homosexuals along with trying to destroy democracy.
Remember to set aside any doubts and just know that these ideas are loaded with good intentions and wishful thinking.
LiberalGrammyD wrote:
Very good poetry have you ever published an anthology of your prose/poetry?
I take very little credit for it. My contribution is about 25 percent.
JFlorio wrote:
She is the stupidest press secretary in my life time. Couldn't support Joe's lie about inflation and now this.
These people beat all. They are like an only child who goes to their daddy with a crayon in their hand and and says somebody wrote on my wall.
Plum pitiful.
Dear Self,
I'm writing this letter as a reminder of the core values that shape a fulfilling and meaningful life. As you navigate through the hustle and bustle of daily existence, it's easy to lose sight of what truly matters. Therefore, let this letter serve as a beacon, guiding you back to the principles that should always remain at the forefront of your mind and actions: your faith in God, the importance of family, and the significance of treating everyone with kindness and respect.
First and foremost, remember that your relationship with God is the foundation upon which everything else is built. It's easy to get caught up in worldly problems and forget the eternal perspective that faith offers. Take time to nurture this relationship through prayer, meditation, and reading scripture. In moments of doubt or confusion, turn to Him for guidance and strength. Let His love and wisdom illuminate your path in every decision you make.
Family is your anchor in the tumultuous sea of life. These are the people who know you best and love you unconditionally. Cherish the time you have with them, for it is precious. Make an effort to be there for them, not just in times of celebration but, more importantly, in moments of need. Listen with empathy, offer support without judgment, and express your love and appreciation openly and often. Remember, it's not just about being present physically but emotionally and spiritually as well.
Lastly, the way you treat others can truly make a world of difference. Approach every interaction with kindness and respect, for you never know the battles others are facing. Be a source of light and encouragement to those around you. Practice empathy, and strive to understand things from others' perspectives. Small acts of kindness can ripple outwards and touch the lives of many. In a world that can often seem dark and cold, be a beacon of warmth and light.
In conclusion, let these principles guide you: faith in God as your compass, family as your anchor, and kindness and respect as the winds that propel you forward. If you can hold these values close to your heart and let them inform your actions, you will lead a life rich with purpose and joy.
With love and hope,
Bruce 123