Miscellany

Just throwing out a few things of differing levels of importance.

First up, an interesting description of our legal system:

Now let’s talk about the legal sleight of hand. Most Americans assume they live under the jurisdiction of the Constitution. But the courts increasingly operate under a hybrid system of statutory and administrative law, often enforced through what is functionally maritime law. Don’t believe me? Take a look at the gold-fringed flag in most courtrooms. That’s not just decoration. It’s a symbol of admiralty jurisdiction, meaning you’re not in a constitutional court. You’re in a corporate tribunal. And speaking of corporations, the United States is defined in 28 U.S. Code § 3002(15)(A) as a federal corporation. You are not a sovereign individual under natural law. You are a legal entity—an asset tracked by a Social Security number and collateralized against the national debt.

I had no idea this was the case, but it does explain a few things. I'm going to have to check with my bailiff friend and see if the local courtroom has the gold-fringed flag. Unfortunately, I forgot where I found this, so I can't credit the source or link to the article. Interesting to say the least.

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The current AMA magazine has a couple of articles on Moto Morini motorcycles. Apparently, they are back in business and available here in the US. I always thought the 3-1/2 model from back in the day was a cool bike. Now they have several configurations of bikes using a Chinese built engine that's been powering Kawasaki bikes for a few years, installed in Chinese built bikes that were designed in Italy. The prices are extremely reasonable, and the bikes look good. I especially like the looks of the roadster and scrambler models.

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I had the local paving contactor rework my driveway. It was expensive, but I figured it would be worth it to get the holes filled in, smoothed out and rolled. They came out Monday and did the job while I was taking the Missus to the dentist. When I came home, I was extremely disappointed in the job. They had pushed gravel out into the grass on both sides of the drive, gravel that came off the top of the drive, making the base thinner and making it impossible to mow the strip of grass between the drive and the corn field. I rode my bike over yesterday to pay the bill and voice my displeasure. Fortunately, the boss man who I know was in the office at the time and came by to take a look at the job. He agreed it wasn't their finest effort and said it'll get fixed. I sure hope so. I don't want to even think about me having to take a rake and shovel to 1,000 feet of driveway.

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Ham radio Field Day tomorrow and Sunday. I've definitely cancelled my plan on camping out. I just don't feel like dealing with the heat and humidity. It was up into the nineties again yesterday, rained and then warmed back up again - miserable, to say the least. If I hadn't retired, I think this heat would have convinced me to do so. I sweated a lot of summers in fab shops. I can still handle the heat, but I see no reason to now. It's supposed to be back down to more reasonable mid-eighties soon. I'll be back in the shop next week - unless I'm shoveling gravel!

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Now might be a good time to check your preps and the pantry, get off the couch or the barstool and work on a bit of physical conditioning. Even though I've decided it's too hot to work on the yard or the projects, I've still been getting out on the bicycle every morning and putting in 5 miles. Remember, if things go sideways, no one is coming to help you. We all need to take care of ourselves and our loved ones. Remember the Boy Scout motto - Be Prepared!

Have a good weekend!