poorbaldmonkey

Bitcoin and Liberty

Public Key

npub1pyl3pmxxayxyz8szfmcktaftfpt2g5jwy4ns6785f5l2c5w6syrs7xtcp4

NIP-05 Address

Profile Code

nprofile1qqsqj0csanrwjrzprcpyaut97545s44y2f8z2ecd0r6y604v28dgzpcpz3mhxue69uhhyetvv9ujuerpd46hxtnfduqs6amnwvaz7tmwdaejumr0dsmjtjy6

Publishing to

relay.damus.io

nos.lol

Author Public Key

npub1pyl3pmxxayxyz8szfmcktaftfpt2g5jwy4ns6785f5l2c5w6syrs7xtcp4

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Last Notes

2026-03-06 02:30:03 UTC

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I agree with the others. We've been an empire for a long time now.
As far as what can be done about it...
Right now, nothing except to keep bitcoining and, when we can, be loud about opposing it.
But, it's during this phase of history that I (choose to) believe that we need to keep building and developing plans and philosophy and, for those more capable than myself, the infrastructure through code and invention to be ready to present the solutions when people are fed up and frightened enough and willing to listen.
That being said, I'm choosing hope in spite of it not being my natural inclination.
This all seems like we're in a 4th Turning. And, if that's the case, a 1st Turning is coming (assuming the model holds). Being ready with solutions and hope might be the best thing we can do.

2026-02-16 17:40:13 UTC

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I know with certainty that it took time and patience for Cameron to start to understand bitcoin.
It was my patience.
;)

2026-01-31 19:49:10 UTC

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Cameron is a personal friend who bought some bitcoin (just in case it catches on) for NGU , then learned about sound money. Now, he's here to check things out.
He, like most of us, wants to build a better world. He has some ideas. You might like them, you might not, but they're worth thinking about.
#nevent1q…mrpc

2026-01-25 17:05:48 UTC

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If you can find it, here's a super fun horror comedy musical
https://evildeadthemusical.com/

2026-01-25 15:23:59 UTC

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I really am curious. Let's try this again.
#nevent1q…lucq

2026-01-25 03:23:25 UTC

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Well, currently, it's dark out (so, Illegal) and it's so cold that the gun might freeze to my hand.
But, point taken.

2026-01-25 03:13:14 UTC

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No.
I'm also not cool with taxpayer money going illegally to immigrants.
Both are true, both are real, and this is going to get ugly no matter how we look at it.
I don't want anyone to suffer, but that also means I don't want anyone to suffer. No contradictions there.
But I fear that all of this is going to get uglier in the worst ways possible.

2026-01-25 03:04:39 UTC

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I have a Mossberg 940 I bought (when I shouldn't have) that I still haven't fired a single shell through.
Thanks for reminding me... I think.

2026-01-24 15:34:28 UTC

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Using hardwired sensors, cameras, and control unit reduces attack vectors rather than wifi, obviously. But, if you're using a monitoring service (which most people will), you'll have to trust them with access.
That being said, it's been over 10 years since I did any home security installation so I haven't been keeping up.

2026-01-24 14:10:32 UTC

So, I just learned that PayNym exists and, after a very small amount of reading about it, it seems like a good thing that has pretty low wallet adoption.
I thought I'd ask you fine people about it:
What are the upsides vs the downsides? Why do so few wallets seem to have it enabled?

2026-01-22 04:03:30 UTC

Has anyone used Sazmining and is willing to share their experiences?
I'm considering it, but if anyone has anything to share, I'd love to hear it.

2026-01-11 15:40:10 UTC

If you're looking for a laugh with a philosophical take that you may love or hate, this is by a great friend of mine:
https://substack.com/@zakwaddle/note/c-197750624?r=a5t0i

2026-01-11 14:50:50 UTC

Can someone give me rundown of nostr privacy and general traceability to a specific person or geographic location?
I've been having an ongoing conversation with a friend who got into bitcoin about the middle of last year and I told him about nostr. He asked me questions I didn't have answers to because, while I should know, I never bothered to really find out.
Since I'm not all that tech savvy I thought it made the most sense to reach out to those of you who are.

2026-01-05 03:25:46 UTC

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Thank you for continuing to post on what's going on there. I'm legitimately curious about the realities.
My views on what the US should or shouldn't do (as a US citizen), obviously has little to do with what my government does. But, if my government is going to do whatever it's going do anyway, I like to try to get an idea of the consequences of those actions, good and bad.
I truly wish the best for you and your people and will keep watching for your notes.
Thank you again for continuing to post.

2026-01-04 16:02:29 UTC

Several months ago, I was speaking with a friend of mine about bitcoin and sound money more broadly.
He has a degree in econ and was skeptical of the things I was saying. However, the one thing he couldn't get around was the NGU aspect. So, skeptical of sound money as a concept or not, he bought some bitcoin (just in case it catches on, you know?).
Since the time the be bought, as you might guess, he's down in dollar terms.
But, after getting some skin in the game, and after countless hours of us discussing politics, he really looked into this whole sound money thing. He kept challenging his own fiat beliefs and now believes that without sound money, we can't fix the world.
It's not about NGU anymore. Sure, he understands that NGU for bitcoin is most likely inevitable and he gets the reasons why. But he also understands (and his understanding keeps getting deeper) that fiat is a prime cause of many of the issues that distrub him.
We were on the phone yesterday and he asked me if I would answer some questions that his girlfriend had about bitcoin. Of course, I was happy to do so.
Now, she'll be reading Broken Money (which he got for Christmas).
There's no profound lesson here or anything. I'm just really happy about the whole thing and wanted to share.

2026-01-04 00:11:05 UTC

It doesn't matter how many times I reread something, I make typos that I don't notice until too late.
poop

2026-01-03 23:12:21 UTC

I hope things go well for the people of Venezuela. I truly do.
know that US adventurism rarely works out well, but I hope this one does.
I don't support this. I don't want the US involved in other countries.
But I hole the best for the people.
I'm always on the side of the innocent people just stuck with governments.

2026-01-03 03:07:27 UTC

Using a coinjoin for the first time, I now know to to start new people with this. They will panic. I would have.
That being said, everything is going smoothly. I'm just glad I'm not entirely new.

2026-01-03 01:58:58 UTC

As I'm testing things, I gotta say it's kind on wild watching all this bitcoin stuff happen in real time.

2026-01-02 20:35:13 UTC

After finishing setting up a old laptop specifically for all of my bitcoin related needs, something in my brain wants me to set up a computer specifically for all of my firearms related needs.
But what can a computer do for my firearms related needs?
(this note started out as a joke and now I'm really thinking about it)

2024-09-06 17:52:48 UTC

It's a "print-a-pew" kind of day. https://image.nostr.build/a988ff5ad43d50df796bdb035e2567496559eebe21fcef41cc7de7fa65454e78.jpg

2024-09-03 13:33:17 UTC

I came here over a year ago for the bitcoin community but haven't been paying close attention for a while.
Does anyone know of 2A and 3D2A npubs that I can follow? I still love bitcoin but DCAing means that I have more free thinking time to dedicate up other interests.

2024-03-05 18:09:16 UTC

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At the end of October. All in all, I was pretty lucky. There have been very few long term effects other than fatigue. But, it hasn't been the most fun I've ever had.
I should have been more careful when reading the pamphlet, I guess.

2024-03-05 00:59:45 UTC

So, it's been a long time since posted, but I'm back to ask a question:
What's the thinking in the best cold storage wallet?
After some issues (having a stroke... zero stars. Do not recommend), I'm in a position to get back to looking at protecting what I own and I don't trust my current approach (ledger).
Help, please.

2023-05-30 14:53:02 UTC

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Thanks much, friend.
Also, you should swing by my new place sometime.

2023-05-30 14:51:35 UTC

Does anyone have a list of good accounts to follow? Especially anything that posts news?
I've largely been off of all forms of social media for nearly a month. I'm sure nostr had grown quite a bit while I've been doing other things.
Thanks, friends.

2023-05-30 13:58:16 UTC

Things I have learned since starting a garden:
1) Everyone, I mean everyone, is an expert on gardening. You don't even have to ask them. As soon as they find out you have a garden, they're going to tell you exactly what you're doing wrong.
2) None of the experts, which again, seems to be everyone, agree on anything except that plants exist.
3) Apparently, some plants don't care if I know what I'm doing or not. They're going to grow if you get them near the ground. Some of these plants can also decide to grow 20 feet from where you plant them, which is really fascinating since they're, you know, plants.

2023-05-12 00:39:29 UTC

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Maybe I'll check it out the next time I go to St. Louis. But, I mean, do they serve Hoosiers there? Like... are Hoosiers in the menu? I can't imagine many of us would taste that great. We're mostly corn and bacon. ;)

2023-05-11 23:39:18 UTC

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As a Hoosier, I'm confused by this "Golden Hoosier"...

2023-05-08 20:30:24 UTC

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I'm still a fan of the album, but I'll also say that I think Ill Communication stands the year of time much better.

2023-04-30 23:30:43 UTC

I've been incredibly busy and mostly without internet for the past week. What did I miss?

2023-04-22 01:40:10 UTC

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Nice! I got to see them a few times years ago. Absolutely phenomenal shows.

2023-04-21 01:17:48 UTC

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Thank you

2023-04-20 20:05:06 UTC

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Where are these shootings happening? I try to keep up on gun control arguments but I've been preparing for a move and have been busy. Do you have any links I could check out during my breaks?

2023-04-17 16:38:54 UTC

Who needs fictional comedy when you have a government to laugh at?
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/mccarthy-warns-wall-street-to-be-more-worried-about-the-debt-ceiling-161526363.html
There is a growing chance Washington “will bumble into the first default in our nation’s history,” the Republican said.

2023-04-16 22:52:11 UTC

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The meme that goes around occasionally that says something like: "40 years ago the owners manual of a car explained how to adjust the values. Now, an owners manual tells you not to drink the coolant." It's funny, but it illustrates a point.
When I was a kid in the 80's and 90's, most people who owned a computer could do at least some limited things with the command line. What they, as individuals could do would vary, but they could do at least a little.
But, not a ton of people owned personal computers.
I don't know how are adoption of personal computers would have gone in the same time frame if they hadn't become easier to use.

2023-04-16 00:15:31 UTC

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I'm seeing a lot of boosts and that's great. Let's all chip in some sats too if we can. Don't break yourself, but let's help Derek a little if we can.
#[0]

2023-04-15 23:48:57 UTC

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The Midwest of fun sometimes...

2023-04-15 20:36:14 UTC

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#[2]?

2023-04-15 19:59:51 UTC

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Actual me. See the resemblance?
https://i.imgur.com/qNhf98h.jpg

2023-04-15 19:57:32 UTC

There's a fair amount of talk about anime profile pics. So, I will state for the record that:
A) my profile pic is an original work that was created by a friend as a cartoonization of me for a now an comic that she started to make. It's her representation of me as a cartoon.
B) I very much like some anime. I also like works out of most genre's. None of that defines me as a human being. While I think it's a mistake for anyone to base their personality off of any one thing, I also believe that it's a mistake to read too deeply into someone else's taste.
For example, I sometimes have a framed photograph of a pile of dog shit on display in home. Why? Well, that photograph was a running joke between a close friend of mine who was a professional photographer at one point in his life and my father who as an amateur photographer for most of his life. They are both now deceased. Sometimes, I sit that picture out to remind myself of the good times the three of us had together. Sometimes, I put the photo up because it makes me sad. But, if someone sees it they are free to ask why I have a framed photo of dog shit. They are also free to pass judgment on me without we've knowing why I have it. It's really up to them. If they ask I will tell them stories of two brilliant and hilarious people. If they pass silent judgement, they'll never know anything about these people and it will be their loss, not mine.
Snap decision making without context can be incredibly bad uses of heuristics. I'll concede, it can be necessary at times. But, in my experience, it often just leads to wasted time arguing from a place of intentional ignorance or opportunities missed while attempting broad generalizations in classifying human beings.

2023-04-15 18:12:01 UTC

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If people didn't talk with authority about things they know nothing about, there really wouldn't be much by way of network or cable news shows.

2023-04-15 00:06:38 UTC

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He's a journalist who actually attempts journalism instead of simply repeating talking points.

2023-04-14 23:47:35 UTC

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Everything is political to someone. Have you ever listened to old ladies arguing about recipes? It gets as intense as a gun control debate.

2023-04-14 23:45:07 UTC

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I don't know if you're in the minority, but you aren't alone in the want.

2023-04-14 22:56:52 UTC

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That's beautiful

2023-04-14 22:51:03 UTC

Verifying my Nostr Nests identity: S8BKZNx_2kb-kmWeBxmCLoBnRXJiRH2VG71ynbOsgpA
https://nostrnests.com

2023-04-14 22:48:51 UTC

Testing.

2023-04-14 22:46:21 UTC

Verifying my Nostr Nests identity: S8BKZNx_2kb-kmWeBxmCLoBnRXJiRH2VG71ynbOsgpA
https://nostrnests.com

2023-04-14 22:45:43 UTC

Verifying my Nostr Nests identity: S8BKZNx_2kb-kmWeBxmCLoBnRXJiRH2VG71ynbOsgpA
https://nostrnests.com

2023-04-14 18:45:55 UTC

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My Twitter account is used for the same thing it was always used for: finding news that I wouldn't find otherwise or, at least, not as quickly.
I only posted on Twitter a couple of times. I seldom read threads on anyone's posts.
But, hey, that's how I found Nostr where I actually engage with people.

2023-04-14 17:41:55 UTC

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I carry everywhere I go. However, it's always concealed and always will be unless I'm at the range or in a situation in which everyone is carrying. For me, it's not about the right to carry, the right to self defense is not something question. It's about tactics.
I believe that in most situations, showing my weapon is a bad idea. It tells any potential threat that I am a potiental threat to them and puts me at a disadvantage.
Now, all of that being said, I get your point. I would love to see firearms as normalized in other parts of the US as they are where I live. I mean, here is safe to assume girls in bikinis are carrying micro 9s.

2023-04-14 17:20:12 UTC

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I have no chronic illnesses so I won't be involved. And, as much as I love bitcoin, nostr can be way more than a wonderful bitcoin echo chamber and it should be.
#[0]

2023-04-14 01:54:00 UTC

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Good work

2023-04-14 01:34:58 UTC

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It's The Bitcoin Lobby

2023-04-14 01:32:23 UTC

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Verifying my Nostr Nests identity: S8BKZNx_2kb-kmWeBxmCLoBnRXJiRH2VG71ynbOsgpA
https://nostrnests.com

2023-04-14 01:26:27 UTC

I'm listening to Nostr history happening live in the Bitcoin Lobby Nest.
Maybe.
Hopefully.
Okay, I like listening to nests when I get the chance.

2023-04-14 01:18:49 UTC

Verifying my Nostr Nests identity: S8BKZNx_2kb-kmWeBxmCLoBnRXJiRH2VG71ynbOsgpA
https://nostrnests.com

2023-04-14 00:57:51 UTC

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Get'em

2023-04-13 17:35:05 UTC

Something I learned in my early days of political activism was to "meet people where they are," meaning: whatever it is you wish to discuss with them, do so on common ground.
Over the last decade and a half or so, it seems to me that that is a concept that has gone out of favor.
I think that is a mistake. A deep, terrible mistake.
I needn't agree with everything anyone says to find common ground. And, if I don't work to find the common ground, the chances of reaching that person goes way down. And what's the point of the conversation if all I'm doing is earning bonus points from those who already agree with me? I've not furthered my cause. I've not made a positive impact. I've only shown any audience that feeling like I've "won" is more important to me than furthering my reach and my cause.
Seems a bit silly to me to not meet people where they are.
But, hey, that's just me.

2023-04-13 17:22:01 UTC

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The whole album stands up after all this time.

2023-04-13 17:11:29 UTC

I don't play the role of maxi on Facebook. Knowing my audience is something I strongly believe in. I do, however, try to give my "friends" things to think about. This is my most recent post. Now, as always, I wait for the arguements. But, I don't post these things for the people who will argue and never listen. I post them for the people who read them and maybe think about what I've written.
The post:
If you don't understand what is happening to the USD and how that's going to impact you, I suggest that you do some serious reading. It's not a secret. It's not being hidden. The US government is denying that it's a problem while madly scrambling to do anything to offset the mounting and inevitable problems. Not the least of these actions is attacking fiat on and off ramps to Bitcoin and crypto. Biden and Warren are desperate to stop the average person from having any chance of protecting what little wealth they possess. They are desperate to protect their own class along with their friends like Warren Buffet, Charlie Munger, and Jamie Dimon. And they'll gleefully make it difficult if not impossible for the average person to feed their families over the coming years so they can protect their banking partners.
But, no matter what they try, the dollar is failing as the world reserve currency. It will continue to fail no matter how much the destroy the wealth of the average person.
And, for what it's worth, there at plenty of Republicans who are gleefully onboard with Biden and Warren. It's important to remember that one of the primary issues that both parties tend to believe in is the necessity of protecting the US banking cartel even at the expense of the people. (And out of fairness, there are politicians in both sides of the aisle that do advocate for some financial freedom.)
But, the long and short of this post comes down to this:
If you don't own some gold, silver, or bitcoin (and, for this purpose, it's bitcoin, not "crypto" that you'll need), you're going to find yourself in a very terrible situation sooner than you think.
Do what you want. Listen to me if you want. But, if you give two shits about your future, at least look into the imminent fall of the dollar as the world reserve currency and what that means to the US public.

2023-04-11 15:54:32 UTC

Every time I listen to Janet Yellen speak, I honestly wonder what the thought process was behind appoiting her to the position of US Treasury Secretary.
Even if, for whatever reason, someone thinks she's in the right path or whatever, she always comes across as ill-prepared, confused, and in a perpetual state of being startled.
Of course, I think that pretty much all of her ideas are awful and she's generally either lying or wrong, so that could certainly play into my bias. All the same, I just get the sense that she instills confidence in basically no one.

2023-04-11 15:47:27 UTC

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If governments really cared what the people think and want we probably wouldn't have gotten to the situation where bitcoin was needed.
I could be wrong, but the statement sounds good.

2023-04-10 20:10:23 UTC

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When the politic is differentiated between two sides, the politicians and movements on one given side tend to disregard the views of anyone they perceive to be on the "other side." A progressive won't listen to anyone who they don't consider progressive. A conservative won't listen to anyone they don't consider conservative. At least, this holds in general.
So, if a bitcoiner is progressive, it's that bitcoiner that has the best chance of reaching other progressives. If a bitcoiner is conservative, it's that bitcoiner has the best chance of reaching other conservatives.
If a bitcoiner is libertarian all of the other libertarians, whether they agree or disagree will start a fight. I'm a libertarian. Libertarians are weird even if or philosophy makes sense.
Anyway, I agree, #[1], it's heartening to see left or progressive bitcoiners jumping in to persuade their own in the language that pay off the political spectrum uses. Without them, moving the Overton Window toward bitcoin acceptance would be far more difficult.

2023-04-10 16:22:27 UTC

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Remind them that just because they like a power being wielded by someone they like or think they agree with doesn't mean that exact same power can't and won't be wielded by someone they hate or are afraid of.
The number of progressive friends that called me for firearms advice in 2020 was astounding. Some of these people had never touched a gun, let alone fired one, when they called me.
In my experience, while it's not convincing to everyone, when people realize that the power they enjoy seeing used against those they perceive to be their opponents can be used against them, they tend to get more open to alternatives.

2023-04-09 22:06:31 UTC

#[0] recommend

2023-04-09 15:56:45 UTC

I think it's about time for me to start looking at setting up my own bitcoin node. You all have convinced me whether you meant to or not.
But, there's a catch: I'm not overly tech savvy. I'm fine as long as I have detailed instructions, however, in most tech projects I attempt there tend to be, often in the middle of the instructions, some assumed knowledge that I don't possess. I don't mind the digging and learning, but about half of the time, I find contradictory information and get stuck.
So, if I could get some direction toward resources before I start, that would be wonderful.
Unless I'm told otherwise, I'm hoping to use a raspberry pi 4 4GB for the node.
Thanks, friends.

2023-04-09 15:09:51 UTC

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I haven't listened to this album in years. I will fix this sometime in the next couple of days. Thanks for reminding me it exists.

2023-04-09 14:49:47 UTC

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For the life of me, I can't understand why anyone listens to Krugman. If there's something to get wrong, no matter how improbable, he'll be the guy to do it.

2023-04-07 22:12:55 UTC

Verifying my Nostr Nests identity: S8BKZNx_2kb-kmWeBxmCLoBnRXJiRH2VG71ynbOsgpA
https://nostrnests.com

2023-04-07 20:12:40 UTC

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Good to hear. I've always wanted one. I may get myself one yet.
I'm always looking forward to my next range day. I can't complain, though. It's only been 5 days.

2023-04-07 18:33:51 UTC

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We would all be better off if Wright would simply face into obscurity.

2023-04-07 16:21:35 UTC

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Nice. I have one or two counts of envy about this one.

2023-04-07 01:19:43 UTC

I never really used the blue bird app. At least, I never really posted anything. I only opened the app to find news that I want finding otherwise.
Why didn't I post on Twitter? Because, while I have no problem being confrontational. For that matter, when I was younger, I often enjoyed being confrontation. However, I don't find confrontation for the sake of confrontation to be generally useful.
Twitter, in my experience, is a whole lot of confrontation for the sake of confrontation.
Now, on nostr, I find myself far more inclined to post. I've seen very little confrontational behavior here and even less confrontation for the sake of confrontation.
I don't need a safe space. I just don't feel all that inclined to waste my time and energy on a stupid space.

2023-04-06 16:31:27 UTC

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I'm not sure about Martin's history. But I grew up near the Bill Monroe Bluegrass park (where Bill Monroe lived and worked with all of the original Blugrass players) and Martins were everywhere.
My reference is to what happened when the President of Gibson Guitar Company donated to the Republican Party when Obama won the Presidency. The US Federal Government unleased regulators to attack Gibson. It reached the point in which the US government wad accusing Gibson of illegally using protected lumber from India while the Indian government was publicly and formally that Gibson was entirely legal in their purchase of that lumber.
At several points, it looked like Gibson was going to be forced out of business and, at points, had to shut down US production. For a couple of years it looked very much like Gibson was going to be forced out of business.

2023-04-06 16:17:26 UTC

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After the debacle with the US Government, political donations, and Gibson Guitar Company, I'm a little surprised it took this long for a iconic guitar company to take a bit of a stance.
That being said, I've never really wanted a Martin until now.

2023-04-06 15:54:30 UTC

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At the rate things are going, I'm not sure Warren and her ilkv will even need to go so far as to attempt to pass a bill through Congress.
While I'm not trying to be politically partisan, from what I'm seeing v the Biden Administration song through Executive Order and through the regulatory and enforcement agencies, it seems to me as though, at least for now, we, in the US, currently have one branch of government: the Executive.
I'm not saying any of this is new, just much, much faster than I've witnessed in my 30 years of following US politics. And the speed at which the Administration is moving is faster than either Congress or the Courts can keep up with.
Warren will likely get her way without a vote or even a public discussion simply because she has the ear of the Administration.

2023-04-06 15:27:41 UTC

Morning coffee thoughts:
I think it's important to remember that we are a part of the network effect. By using nostr, we make it stronger and more useful. By being bitcoiners, we make it stronger and more useful.
However, if we cloister ourselves too much or for too long, we decrease the positive impact we, as individuals, can have. So, I think it's important that we remember to interact with other parts of the world.
So, when we're out in the world dealing with normies, I think it's important to bring something positive to as many interactions as as we can.
If we bring something positive in small, seemingly unimportant interactions with others, it's more likely that they'll be receptive if they find us talking about nostr or bitcoin or anything else.
If this is true, then we need not, in most cases, try to orange or purple pill people. We just need to be a positive memory, even a small one, when they discover that we are nostr users or bitcoiners.
And, rereading this before I post, I'm not sure if my coffee has taken effect yet. But, hey, I'll post it anyway in case it makes sense to some people.

2023-04-04 22:37:29 UTC

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Bodies with no surprises

2023-04-03 23:41:33 UTC

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I went over to the bird app and found the tweet. What I can't find is a link to the statement or the video.
Does anyone have anything to corroborate?
It's not that it would surpise me that she said this or that the White House is thinking this way. I would just very much like to see it for myself.

2023-04-03 04:17:47 UTC

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Hey, I made it on The Nostr Report! Neat.
#[0]

2023-04-02 22:43:01 UTC

When I was young growing up in the American Midwest in the late 80's through early 90's, I would have begged my father for this.
Be would have laughed at me and told me to go get the chickens back in the coop.
https://youtu.be/dOwj_1K0Ug0

2023-04-02 17:57:33 UTC

I think much of the mainstream is missing the mark by focusing on the Yuan displacing the Dollar.
No one currency needs to displace the Dollar for the Dollar to fail as the reserve currency. All that must happen is that trade be denominated in anything other than the Dollar. Trade can b be denominated in any number of currencies that aren't the Dollar and the effect will be the same.
It's not about the Dollar being replaced by something specific, it's just about the Dollar being dropped.
And it looks to me like that's happening very fast now. It's not a new thought, but, of course, "first gradually, then suddenly."
The fun part is that this is all incredibly bullish for bitcoin adoption.
Countries aren't known for their trust in one another. And while multi-currency international
trade could work fairly well in the short term, in the long term they'll seek out what bitcoin has to offer.

2023-04-02 17:36:06 UTC

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Well this is getting exciting. I mean, US hyperinflation will certainly be exciting. I'm not excited in a good way. More like, excited in a "holy shit my car is stalled in railroad tracks and I hear a cry loud train horn in the distance" kind of excited.
But, hey, I own bitcoin for a reason.

2023-04-02 17:18:04 UTC

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Anyone under the age of 60 is pretty opposed to it. Those over the age of 60 seem to be mixed about it.
Small and mid-sized businesses are heavily opposed to it. Big tech seems to have written most of the Restrict Act.
The problem is that our legislators are all very old and subservient to their lobbyists with the most money. So, we're in a position much like cannabis laws: what the people overwhelmingly want is of no concern to legislators. And the Biden Administration is overtly taking the approach of "we're in charge and you'll do what you're told."
So, if the Restrict Act can make it through Congress (our combined legislative bodies) then the President will sign it. And if Congress rejects it, there's still a reasonable chance that Biden will attempt to institute it through Executive Order or under The Patriot Act. Of course the Supreme Court could overrule that, however that would take considerable time to do and, even then, the Administration is showing that it will openly defy Supreme Court rulings through the ATF (specific to gun laws) and by reinstating Operation Chokepoint.
So, I would say that the realities of the Restrict Act or some other form of draconian controls are likely regardless of America public sentiment.
But, I've been wrong before. I hope that I am in this case.

2023-03-31 16:31:31 UTC

I've been thinking about the percentage of international trade moving to a bitcoin standard or would take to force most nations to stay formally holding bitcoin on their balance sheets. At the moment, I'm just guessing and running through scenarios. Obviously, if one of the largest economies made the shift, others wold have to move in that direction. But how many mid-sized or smaller economies would it take?
(I'm wording this awkwardly because I haven't throughly thought the problem through yet. My apologies.)
Does anyone have any ideas on how I could come up with a general number? Does anyone have any links to any good articles on the subject?
Thanks, friends.

2023-03-31 16:14:31 UTC

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This is really no different from any other civil asset forfeiture (for anyone not familiar with US law, civil asset forfeiture, the government can any asset deemed to have been used in the commission of a crime... or not... there's a ton of corruption in these laws... and either use those assets for law enforcement purposes or sell them to fund law enforcement agencies and courts).
Since the US government doesn't formally recognize bitcoin as currency, they have to sell it or use it for investigations. In this case, it looks like they're selling it to raise fiat for government agencies. It could be more nefarious, but, honestly, they are more likely just trying to get more dollars.
Depending on the jurisdiction that formally holds this bitcoin, they may even be legally required to sell this bitcoin.
Now, do they have other motives? Maybe. I wouldn't put it passed them. But, in my experience, the US Federal Government is incredibly incompetent most of the time. Even the intelligent people who work in the government struggle to do anything due to layer on top of layer of rules and statutes. They often find themselves confused about how to change or overrule their own rules that they created for themselves.

2023-03-31 15:25:11 UTC

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When I first bought bitcoin, I was really only concerned with supporting the idea.
Later, I loved watching the price because I still denominated my life in dollars.
Then, I stopped caring about the price again because I saw bitcoin working.
Now, I watch the price because it tells me a lot of information about the world.

2023-03-29 01:07:18 UTC

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If they turned FRED off the entire financial system would go into a full, no holds barred panic. They won't turn it off... they'll just falsify it.

2023-03-26 18:28:57 UTC

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Oh, now I need to knop l know what he said! I need to prepare for the opposite.

2023-03-26 18:21:33 UTC

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Would uniformed agents of the State turn on their own people?
The answer is undoubtedly yes.
Would all of them?
The answer is undoubtedly no.
However, it's the State's ability to control the machines and the currency that are key here.
The uniformed agents of the State that refuse the orders of the State quickly lose their positions as agents. At that point, they lose access to the weapons and capital of the State. And those agents are simply replaced by others who will follow orders and enforce tyranny gleefully.
I think it's the wrong approach to view any agent of the state as an individual but rather a position. Sure, it's individuals who hold those positions of authority, but it's not the individual that is important but the position itself.
So, will friendly Officer Joe be willing to inact tyranny? Let's say no to this one. But, as soon as friendly Officer Joe refuses the order, he becomes just regular old Joe and is replaced by Bob who will do anything and everything ordered no matter how depraved.
Now, not only is Joe no longer in a position of authority to harm or help, but depending on how desperate the State becomes, he and his family might find themselves as the focus of State tyranny.
So, I believe that it's a mistake to look to anyone acting as an agent of the State as either a problem or a solution. It's the existence of the position and the mechanisms of enforcement that can be either a solution or a problem.
And as long as the State has ill intentions, someone will be happy to fill that role.
The exception would be if the State can't get ahead of potential insubordination ahead of ordering tyrannical actions. If the mechanisms of forced subordination come before a change in personal can occur, then the State may have a problem controlling its own forces.
Just my thoughts. I could easily be wrong.

2023-03-26 14:24:23 UTC

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Give yourself a gift. Every day. Don't plan for it. Don't wait on it. Just let it happen. Like a piping hot cup of black coffee or a slice of delicious pie.
(It's been years and I can't quite remember the exect quote...)

2023-03-26 14:20:03 UTC

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I would like one, please

2023-03-25 22:06:17 UTC

Just getting of the second iteration of Operation Chokepoint
https://i.imgur.com/Ro23iUB.jpg

2023-03-25 17:06:09 UTC

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In the darkness of future past, the magician longs to see...

2023-03-25 15:11:39 UTC

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State power thought process:
Koresh might have guns we have declared magically powerful. Let's make a huge spectacle and raid his compound.
Shit, shit, shit... they actually shot back and they're good at it. Pull back, pull back!
Okay, okay, okay... the FBI had showed up. We're good now.
The FBI realizes that the public isn't supporting a brute force attack on Koresh. So, they release the information that he's abusing kids.
The public mostly gets on the State's side because of abused kids.
Too p much time passes and the State is losing face.
The State burns the children and adults alive and declares victory.
The State, decades later, is still confused by the public considering this a criminal disaster.
And still, most people believe that the State cares about them and wants them to succeed.

2023-03-25 14:55:44 UTC

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Nice looking YJ

2023-03-25 13:48:37 UTC

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Joe Dart is a beast. The ray of them are great, too. But, Dart is just incredible.

2023-03-23 21:01:33 UTC

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Agreed. With the recent announcement of Russia and China trading in Yuan and Saudi Arabia accepting the Yuan for oil, the dollar is over. People may not know it yet, but it's done.