A reality based independent journal of observation & analysis, serving the Flathead Valley & Montana since 2006. © James Conner.

6 August 2015

Ramen noodles, Oath Keepers, and the GOP’s Trumped-up debate

Will drought increase sales of ramen noodles? Grocery prices are rising. Chili that cost $0.98 a can in May now costs $1.18 a can. Peaches packed in artificially sweetened water (diabetics appreciate this product) that cost $1.13 per can in May now cost $1.35 per can. Some Americans can afford the extra expense of maintaining their diet, but many low income Americans cannot.

As price increases devalue their food dollars, low income people must shift to less expensive — and often less healthy — foods. That usually means buying more carbohydrates such as ramen noodles, which probably provide more calories per buck than any other packaged food. Thus as drought dries up fields and budgets, it may fatten purchases of ramen noodles, fattening the purchasers of those noodles. Not a good situation.

Oath Keepers are sincere. Are they also sincerely deluded? Over at Intelligent Discontent, Don Pogreba discusses the latest adventure of The Oath Keepers, who, sometimes wearing camouflage duds and packing serious heat, have a habit of showing up at places where they think the government is stomping on the rights of a fellow American. They traveled to Nevada to brandish weapons and show common cause with Cliven Bundy. In Kalispell, a handful have maintained a watch outside the armed forces recruiting center north of town. And now they’re in Lincoln, MT, showing support for a miner whose mining claim the government disputes.

These men are sincere. No one should suppose they are not. They mean well. They believe they are protecting liberty. But from the same facts available to everyone they draw conclusions that make sense only when one has a very high level of fear, an unreasonable level of fear, of their government.

Their sincerity notwithstanding, their conduct is fraught with risk. Thus far, no one has been shot in these encounters. But I suspect it’s only a matter of time until someone is.

Tonight’s GOP debate. I’m not sure I’ll watch it. If I do, it will be to see whether anyone has the guts and wisdom to unload on Donald Trump in a way that puts him in his place without taking him very seriously. Trump should not be on that stage. He’s a serious publicity hound, not a serious candidate for President. He’s not even qualified to be a dogcatcher. His standing in the polls is a serious embarrassment to both the Republican Party and the nation.