Rand-om thoughts

In traditional Okinawan karate, a training tool used to develop striking force or atemi is the makiwara, which is basically a board buried in the ground and used as a striking post. For generations, karate trainees have stood before the makiwara practicing punches and other techniques in order to toughen the striking surfaces and develop focus.

Its usage is not as common as it once was. Nowadays, people are more likely to use a heavy bag, which is both similar and different.

El Cabrero must admit to having a personal makiwara, metaphorically speaking, in the ideology of Ayn Rand, which has pretty much become the ideology of the Tea Party and radical right wingers these days. I love whacking away at it whenever the occasion arises, which is fairly often these days.

It looks like I'm not the only one. This item from Alternet starts out like this:

Some say that maybe it is a bad idea to base a political party's ideology on a belief that altruism, democracy and Christianity are "evil." Others say that maybe it is a bad idea to base a country's policies on fictional novels rather than science and history. Still others say is it a bad idea for national leaders to think of most of the public as "parasites" while saying people with tons of cash are "producers" who should govern. I am talking about the Republican Party's embrace of Ayn Rand and her cruel philosophy.

There's lots more. Click here and whack away.

LET THEM EAT...WHAT? House Republicans are planning to cut nutrition and food safety programs.

DEFENDING MEDICAID. Rockefeller does it right.

GOAT ROPE ADVISORY LEVEL: ELEVATED