The Stoic Craftsman

Crafting commentary from the crucible of liberty.

[The Stoic Craftsman @StoicCraftsman]

"You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength."

– Marcus Aurelius, from "Meditations"

[The Stoic Craftsman @StoicCraftsman]

Those familiar with the Daily Wire should watch one of Ben's latest videos, where he explains why negotiation with pathological adversaries ideologically committed to your conversion or elimination is a futile endeavor. Their capacity to wage terrorism and war must be destroyed with extreme prejudice.

[The Stoic Craftsman @StoicCraftsman]

The good news for pragmatists is continued *choice* in vehicles and propulsion.

Combustion and hybrid powertrains will propel personal vehicles globally for years to come. EVs will gradually dominate as the variety of offerings increases, technology advances, and charging stations become as ubiquitous as petrol stations, all becoming 'energy stations'.

I don't own an EV because my requirements haven't been met by any current offering. Ford may be the first when they introduce their first compact electric truck next year.

[The Stoic Craftsman @StoicCraftsman]

"I say we take off and nuke the entire site from orbit. It's the only way to be sure."
– a pundit being blunt, today on Meet the Press

No, it wasn't. That extreme nuclear option was proposed by Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) in a key scene from the movie 'Aliens'. However, we should understand negotiation is effectively impossible with a eschatological death cult with intent on your conversion or demise baked into its theology of world domination for over a millennium.

As British General Charles Gordon famously logged in his journal during the Siege of Khartoum:
"It is impossible to have any more words ... only lead."

[The Stoic Craftsman @StoicCraftsman]

@TechOperator If the owners of Hive Bakery think Texas is a MAGA hellscape, why are they here? They are free to move away to Oregon or other politicially-Blue fishbowls to swim with the leftist hivemind and be comfortable in their collective misery.

[The Stoic Craftsman @StoicCraftsman]

@TechOperator Traded up from a sport compact with 4" sidewalls to a sport truck with 5" sidewalls this past year. An R2 with the 20" AT option provides 6" sidewalls.

I still don't have enough sidewall to laugh at curbs and potholes, but I'm no longer concerned as much.

[The Stoic Craftsman @StoicCraftsman]

~ Term of the Day ~

American exceptionalism

: the idea that the United States of America is a unique and even morally superior country for historical, ideological, or religious reasons.
Proponents of American exceptionalism generally pair the belief with the claim that the United States is obligated to play a special role in global politics.
Assertions of American exceptionalism are generally made on the basis of the country's founding.
Proponents of the concept argue that the United States was uniquely founded on republican ideals rather than centering on a historical community or ruling elite. [...] These principles for good governance are laid out in the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, both of which occasionally are described as divinely inspired.

– from the Encyclopaedia Britannica

[The Stoic Craftsman @StoicCraftsman]

"For you were called to be free, brothers; only don't use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love."

– Galatians 5:13, from the Holy Bible (HCSB translation)

[The Stoic Craftsman @StoicCraftsman]

Happy 250th to our United States of America.

Among the greatest words ever penned to parchment are those of our Declaration of Independence:

"When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. [...] And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor."

This constitutional republic in which we are blessed to be citizens was founded upon the wisdom, strength, and perseverance of the men we know as the Founding Fathers. To them, and to the many more men and women who gave their years and dearest blood for the cause of liberating the Colonies, we owe an incalculable debt.

We owe them our commitment to continue building upon the foundation they established. We owe them our commitment to continue demonstrating to the world what a land of liberty and opportunity may become. We owe them our commitment to preserve and defend our sovereign nation, which could perish as quickly as it was created. Ronald Reagan understood this obligation:

"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free."

Long live the republic. 🇺🇸

[The Stoic Craftsman @StoicCraftsman]

I had Clifford alarms on my cars way back then. Anything cheaper could be disarmed with a code scanner.

I witnessed this. After midnight at a Taco Cabana patio with friends, I watched my stereo shop buddy activate a transmitter built into a remote control. As the rows of LEDs at the top counted through codes (probably hex), I heard three alarms disarm in the neighboring parking lot. Mine wasn't one of them. 😄

[The Stoic Craftsman @StoicCraftsman]

@TechOperator My favorite premium 93 across town is $3.99. Regular is $3.39. E0 is $4.09

[The Stoic Craftsman @StoicCraftsman]

@wholemars So do we. 👍🏻

[The Stoic Craftsman @StoicCraftsman]

I remind readers: Tesla experienced its first full year of profitability in 2020 following the launch of the Model Y. Building a new car company and gaining traction is difficult. Bringing a more-affordable SUV to market is vital. Rivian should approach/achieve profitability with the R2. Going way back, Porsche introduced the Cayenne and later the Macan, both intended diversify the lineup and print cash.

[The Stoic Craftsman @StoicCraftsman]

@TechOperator I *want* this for my IRL persona. I've been on this platform for 17 years.

[The Stoic Craftsman @StoicCraftsman]

@myprojectpluto @TechOperator I walked several of my company's service bays last week on a mission of discovery and discussion with service techs. You're not wrong.

[The Stoic Craftsman @StoicCraftsman]

@TechOperator I will not either confirm or deny such behavior. The situation is ongoing.

[The Stoic Craftsman @StoicCraftsman]

@TechOperator @GypsyRo16035209 😂

[The Stoic Craftsman @StoicCraftsman]

@PlugLyfOfficial @ScagPower $6,000? Whew. At least it's 52".

In 2022 I bought a 42" Ariens/Kawasaki ZT mower for $3,500, and just sold it last month for $2,400. Paying a crew to sweat in 100° Texas heat now.

[The Stoic Craftsman @StoicCraftsman]

@TechOperator Repeating what I posted in May, regime change in Iran is the answer few will acknowledge. Their mission to convert or eliminate non-believers is deeply baked into their eschatology. This cannot be negotiated with. The theocracy must end.

[The Stoic Craftsman @StoicCraftsman]

@TechOperator Paying via 𝕏 Money works when you actually have 𝕏 Money. 😕