Neanderpundit

The daughter is singing along with the Ipod.

Also: every once in a while, the dog bumps into the table of Ebay auction items and Ernie says “I feel GREAT!”

Rode the bike around a bit today. Has an idle issue that I need to resolve. Probably carb o-rings, but they’re on order and I should know in two days.

Still not exactly relaxed. Still trying to fine tune the bike’s performance so it more closely matches what I had at school. Only making short trips around the block so far.

Also, I have seals to replace- I have a damnable oil leak, I imagine the heat that the bike experienced contributed to it, but the new seals should be here soon.

I tend to be a first and second amendment absolutist. This flag burning bullshit is just that, bullshit.

Let people burn the flag if they please.

Now, let me tell you what i think of free speech.

Freedom of speech has NEVER meant freedom from consequences. As the dippy shits found out, shooting off your mouth can fuck things up for you.

Here’s the thing: Not so many years ago, in this very country, if you made a pass at another man’s wife, if you burned the flag, if you disrespected someone, if you mistreated a lady in public, you were subject to get an asswhipping. People tended to be polite, and treat one another with respect, because there was a fair chance they’d get popped in the nose if they didn’t. And as often as not, that settled the affair, right there. Sure, there were exceptions. Sure, a lynch mob is not a good thing. But Civility causes it’s share of problems. I’m not happy about being civil to people who disrespect me, or my rights, or the flag. I AM civil, because the alternative is a criminal record. I’m not happy that there is no code of gentlemen, anymore. The idea that a man would face up to his own faults after being shown the error of his ways at the end of someone’s fist, and move on somewhat better for it. The idea that actions have consequences.

No, I don’t want to make it illegal to burn the flag. I really don’t. I’d sure like to make it legal to pop someone in the head when they do, though. Put the consequences back into the action.