Top Albums of 2012 (with links to listen to a song from every album)
http://benhancockrocks.tumblr.com/post/37700266035/top-albums-of-2012
(subscribe to my tumblr for stuff that is way more cool than the stuff on this blog)
Monday, December 10, 2012
Friday, December 7, 2012
I'm moving
If I'm in your blog reader, go ahead and edit me over to http://benhancockrocks.tumblr.com/. Blogger just doesn't have the sharing capabilities that Tumblr has, so I'm switching over to that being my main blog. I'll still keep this open if you want to copy/paste anything.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
#beardrank
I've uploaded my beard to #beardrank. Vote here to vote for my face scarf, then upload a photo of your own and I'll vote in return.
Monday, November 19, 2012
mere excuses for not posting
I haven't been updating this blog much lately. I've been a bit busy. I got married and was just hired at a large, regional furniture chain. So please excuse my brevity. I have been doing some photoblogging at my new tumblr blog. Add me to your blog reader, if you're into that sort of thing. (I'm also behind on reading the stuff in my reader) I have a few ideas on future blogs: guitar gear, hymn texts, rants, raves, witty observations, etc.
Hope this letter finds you well.
Hope this letter finds you well.
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
another great relevant TR quote
From the speech, Citizenship in a Republic, 1910
By Theodore Roosevelt
The very last thing that an intelligent and self-respecting member of a democratic community should do is to reward any public man because that public man says he will get the private citizen something to which this private citizen is not entitled, or will gratify some emotion or animosity which this private citizen ought not to possess.
Let me illustrate this by one anecdote from my own experience. A number of years ago I was engaged in cattle-ranching on the great plains of the western United States. There were no fences. The cattle wandered free, the ownership of each being determined by the brand; the calves were branded with the brand of the cows they followed. If on the round-up an animal was passed by, the following year it would appear as an unbranded yearling, and was then called a maverick. By the custom of the country these mavericks were branded with the brand of the man on whose range they were found. One day I was riding the range with a newly hired cowboy, and we came upon a maverick. We roped and threw it; then we built a little fire, took out a cinch-ring, heated it at the fire; and the cowboy started to put on the brand. I said to him, “It is So-and-so’s brand,” naming the man on whose range we happened to be. He answered: “That’s all right, boss; I know my business.” In another moment I said to him: “Hold on, you are putting on my brand!” To which he answered: “That’s all right; I always put on the boss’s brand.” I answered: “Oh, very well. Now you go straight back to the ranch and get what is owing to you; I don’t need you any longer.” He jumped up and said: “Why, what’s the matter? I was putting on your brand.” And I answered: “Yes, my friend, and if you will steal for me you will steal from me.”
Now, the same principle which applies in private life applies also in public life. If a public man tries to get your vote by saying that he will do something wrong in your interest, you can be absolutely certain that if ever it becomes worth his while he will do something wrong against your interest.
By Theodore Roosevelt
The very last thing that an intelligent and self-respecting member of a democratic community should do is to reward any public man because that public man says he will get the private citizen something to which this private citizen is not entitled, or will gratify some emotion or animosity which this private citizen ought not to possess.
Let me illustrate this by one anecdote from my own experience. A number of years ago I was engaged in cattle-ranching on the great plains of the western United States. There were no fences. The cattle wandered free, the ownership of each being determined by the brand; the calves were branded with the brand of the cows they followed. If on the round-up an animal was passed by, the following year it would appear as an unbranded yearling, and was then called a maverick. By the custom of the country these mavericks were branded with the brand of the man on whose range they were found. One day I was riding the range with a newly hired cowboy, and we came upon a maverick. We roped and threw it; then we built a little fire, took out a cinch-ring, heated it at the fire; and the cowboy started to put on the brand. I said to him, “It is So-and-so’s brand,” naming the man on whose range we happened to be. He answered: “That’s all right, boss; I know my business.” In another moment I said to him: “Hold on, you are putting on my brand!” To which he answered: “That’s all right; I always put on the boss’s brand.” I answered: “Oh, very well. Now you go straight back to the ranch and get what is owing to you; I don’t need you any longer.” He jumped up and said: “Why, what’s the matter? I was putting on your brand.” And I answered: “Yes, my friend, and if you will steal for me you will steal from me.”
Now, the same principle which applies in private life applies also in public life. If a public man tries to get your vote by saying that he will do something wrong in your interest, you can be absolutely certain that if ever it becomes worth his while he will do something wrong against your interest.
Monday, October 15, 2012
Unlikely Debate Lines
In anticipation of tonight’s Vice-Presidential debate, and the two Presidential debates to come, I’ve been thinking of some lines I’d like to hear, but probably won’t:
“I’m glad you brought that up, because I shouldn’t have said what I did. It was a mistake and here’s why.”
“There’s a simple explanation for the inconsistency: I changed my mind. I think a good leader changes his mind sometimes. Let me tell you why I’ve changed mine.”
“I’m not going to promise that because, frankly, there are a lot of things I can’t control. But I’ll do my best.”
“I know this is an unpopular position, but let me explain why I hold it.”
“There are many problems government can’t fix and many problems politicians shouldn’t try to fix. That doesn’t mean we don’t care. It means we’re not gods and you shouldn’t expect us to be.”
“You raise a really tough issue. There’s no clear cut answer. I can see why my opponent thinks the way he does, but let me try to explain the tradeoffs and why my position makes more sense.”
“It’s possible for me to disagree with their decisions, their ideas, and even their religion without despising them. Just because I don’t think everyone is doing what is best doesn’t mean I don’t want what is best for everyone.”
“I’m not smart enough or virtuous enough to figure out everyone’s fair share.”
“I don’t pretend to understand the needs of every American or feel every hurt.”
“I may not be able to find a job for everyone, but I will do my best to defend this country, defend the constitution, defend your liberty, and defend the rights granted to us by God.”
“There is no reason a President needs to give his opinion on that or even have an opinion on that.”
“I don’t know.”
The irony is, despite all the potential “gaffes” in these statements, I think most voters would find this candor refreshing and appealing.
----------------
by Kevin DeYoung's blog
“I’m glad you brought that up, because I shouldn’t have said what I did. It was a mistake and here’s why.”
“There’s a simple explanation for the inconsistency: I changed my mind. I think a good leader changes his mind sometimes. Let me tell you why I’ve changed mine.”
“I’m not going to promise that because, frankly, there are a lot of things I can’t control. But I’ll do my best.”
“I know this is an unpopular position, but let me explain why I hold it.”
“There are many problems government can’t fix and many problems politicians shouldn’t try to fix. That doesn’t mean we don’t care. It means we’re not gods and you shouldn’t expect us to be.”
“You raise a really tough issue. There’s no clear cut answer. I can see why my opponent thinks the way he does, but let me try to explain the tradeoffs and why my position makes more sense.”
“It’s possible for me to disagree with their decisions, their ideas, and even their religion without despising them. Just because I don’t think everyone is doing what is best doesn’t mean I don’t want what is best for everyone.”
“I’m not smart enough or virtuous enough to figure out everyone’s fair share.”
“I don’t pretend to understand the needs of every American or feel every hurt.”
“I may not be able to find a job for everyone, but I will do my best to defend this country, defend the constitution, defend your liberty, and defend the rights granted to us by God.”
“There is no reason a President needs to give his opinion on that or even have an opinion on that.”
“I don’t know.”
The irony is, despite all the potential “gaffes” in these statements, I think most voters would find this candor refreshing and appealing.
----------------
by Kevin DeYoung's blog
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Zoltan
“Don’t let opportunity knock at your door in vain. Grasp it and the course of your life will be different. You will be very happy with the one you have chosen for your life’s companion. Be patient, those who have tried to interfere with your happiness will soon find they have no influence on your loved one. You seem to be very impetuous and outspoken. this has cause your dear ones some moments of unhappiness. Curb your temper and not only will you be happier, but healthier too.”
My fortune as told to me by a Zoltan machine in May 2012, a few days before I proposed to Amanda. Oh, also my lucky numbers are 14, 2, 3, 19, 22, 33.
My fortune as told to me by a Zoltan machine in May 2012, a few days before I proposed to Amanda. Oh, also my lucky numbers are 14, 2, 3, 19, 22, 33.
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