MORE THOUGHTS from Ammo Grrrll on music and romance.

ERICK ERICKSON: A Conspiracy of Idiocy.

I tend to agree with Erickson that we have 'reached peak conspiracy' - or at least hope so. I don't agree, though, with his analyses of the reasons for the conspiracy theories. On the Left the reason is singular and simple: their utter and complete disbelief that a rational electorate could possibly fail to understand the desirability of their enlightened control. Therefore there had to be a hidden and malevolent counterforce employed by the Right ('alt-right' in their minds). On the Right, the reason is equally singular and simple: a near-universal belief that the Left would use any means, legal or illegal, moral or immoral, to retain control of the levers of power.

And the fervor with which each side defends its theory is again simply explained: revenge.

UH, NO: 'Reparations Happy Hour' invites white people to pay for drinks.

MIKE ROWE: The 'safe space' movement is harming our culture.

Damn right!

SECRET TO STAYING THIN: walking and chewing gum. Then why aren't I thin?

DO TELL: Obama officials’ spying on Trump a departure from norms.

TWO MISGUIDED LEFT-WING THEORIES about housing discrimination.

The Left is so tribal - and vain - they can get neither their facts nor their fantasies straight.

SPRING LEAVES, FINAL POST: It's over, summer is here. Here's the pond view which as last week, is barely visible. Even the tree crowns, shown this week but not last, are full and green.

As with the pond, the house view remains much the same. The tree cover seems a bit thinner, but only because this picture was taken much closer to the house to get the camera out of direct sunlight.

Here are last week's pictures for comparison.

LISTEN COMRADE, the DNC knows best.

As usual, it's about control: We, the establishment, know what's best for you plebes, so vote accordingly.

ROLLING THUNDER'S Memorial Day Ride for Freedom begins shortly.

THE STATE OF THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA:

A little girl was leaning into a lion's cage. Suddenly, the lion grabs her by the
collar of her jacket and tries to pull her inside to slaughter her, all under
the eyes of her screaming parents.

A biker jumps off his Harley, runs to the cage and hits the lion square on the nose
with a powerful punch. Whimpering from the pain the lion jumps back
letting go of the girl and the biker brings the girl to her terrified parents,
who thank him endlessly. A reporter has watched the whole event.

The reporter addressing the Harley rider says, "Sir, this was the most gallant
and bravest thing I've seen a man do in my whole life."

The Harley rider replies, "Why, it was nothing, really The lion was behind
bars. I just saw this little kid in danger, and acted as I felt
right."

The reporter says, "Well, I'll make sure this won't go unnoticed. I'm a
journalist, you know, and tomorrow's paper will have this story on the front
page. So, what do you do for a living, and what political affiliation do
you have?"

The biker replies "I'm a US. Marine, a Republican and I voted for Trump".

The journalist leaves.

The following morning the biker buys the paper to see if it indeed brings news of
his actions, and reads, on the front page:

U.S. MARINE ASSAULTS AFRICAN IMMIGRANT & STEALS HIS LUNCH.

And that pretty much sums up the media's approach to the news these days.

From my email.

A SHOCKING CALL for diversity at Harvard. Viewpoint diversity? At Harvard? You must be kidding.