The death of a young provocateur

R.I.P. Charlie Kirk - But let's be real here about who he was, discuss some of the ridiculous assumptions and attempts at pinning blame that took place in the brief time between murder and capture, and touch upon attempts by the usual suspects to use a young man/husband/father's death to rile up a Civil War. Much better to keep our eyes on the prize (return of normal democracy). And those infamous files.

   

 

   

   

   

   

Okay, fine. If you know me you know I have a little more than that to say. As do others.

   

   

That was probably a rhetorical question, but whether sincere or not, the answer/song remains the same.

   

   

   

Don't get it twisted no matter how much misinformation they spread. The Democratic party, while by no means unflawed, is not the organization that's indoctrinating and turning people into hateful killers. While I'll grant that there may have been some sensitivity overkill on the generous behalf of those belonging to marginalized groups, the "wokeness card" is being severely overplayed. So called wokeness has resulted in a grand total of zero deaths/tragedies. When it comes to killing, or to combatting BS masked in "Conservative Christian values", the Dems simply don't have it it them.

   

   

   

      

   

   

   

   

R.I.P. Iryna Zarutska

P.S. - Mostly unrelated, but this social media post caught my eye recently and is too good not to repeat.

  

~~~

Also unrelated to Charlie Kirk / Tyler Robinson and other non-fictional people specifically - but take a listen to the video below anyway and stay tuned for more of SECOND SHOT. 

~~~

  

My conversation with Grok

I enjoy a good debate of important issues. But you can't have a quality debate with just anyone because people with different viewpoints than your own are often led by emotion rather than reason. If someone quickly resorts to insults and name calling rather than addressing what it is you said and why they feel it is incorrect, it's best to abort that mission. The person is either intellectually incapable or simply not interested in attempting to persuade by presentation of facts. Say what you will about Artificial Intelligence (I've certainly had unflattering things to say about it), but at least it attempts to stick to what's reasonable and probable and pertinent rather than hurling insults when it doesn't like what you said. When Elon Musk claimed on Twitter that @Grok has been significantly improved in answer giving, I decided to put it to the test. Its debate technique was to ask me questions in return rather than truly answering what I had asked, as well as consistent reference to the Heritage Foundation. Admittedly, my question was an accusation. So when Grok requested examples of my claim, for me to prove that I was not being partisan just for the hell of it, I provided two to get the ball rolling.

I invite any polite humans willing to engage in civil discourse to answer my two-part question. Below is what Grok had to say in response, and my rebuttals, and so on and so forth. Pick a winner if you wish. In the end, while I believe in being open to having my mind changed by a potent counter argument, I remained unswayed by Grok's replies.

                                             

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

      

   

   

   

WHAT HE SAID...

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Hypocrisy Hammer (@hypocrisyhammer)

Texas camp flood turns deadly on July Fourth; beloved director dies saving campers https://t.co/AzJfIt4BE5

— 13News Now (@13NewsNow) July 6, 2025

Pope Leo offered prayers for Texas flood victims Sunday, urging compassion as search crews comb debris fields for survivors. Camp Mystic had 700 girls in residence when the river rose 26 feet in 45 minutes. https://t.co/JCAMw8ETJh #TexasFloods

— james jackson (@jackgoesvirtual) July 6, 2025

At least 51 people, including 15 children, are dead and 27 girls remain missing after a flash flood devastated Kerr County, Texas, and Camp Mystic, as rescuers continue searching and questions mount over emergency preparedness and warnings https://t.co/xloXrb4hIV

— FireRescue1 (@FireRescue1) July 6, 2025

Even Grok gets it, that Trump and Musk contributed to this Texas disaster: pic.twitter.com/aFux5NlkY4

— Steven Scott Reynolds (@SteveSReynolds) July 5, 2025

 

If Grok gets any more woke, it’s going to qualify for job on The View.

— Catturd ™ (@catturd2) July 5, 2025

LOCAL AUTHORS EXPO

 

I'm thrilled to announce that I will be participating in the LOCAL AUTHORS EXPO at my town library. It's taking place during Grand Opening weekend for the new and improved Union Library. I will have signed copies of my children's book The Absolutely Amazing Adventures of Ava Appelsawse along with my novels Patches of Grey and Matters of Convenience. Between now and then I plan to select an excerpt from that last one to read aloud at the event. Attendees will also be able to obtain a printed excerpt from my novel in progress - Second Shot - along with other book'ish goodies. If you're in the area of Union, NJ - I hope to see you on Sunday, June 8th. There will be a variety of activities going on for the library's Grand Opening. The Local Authors Expo portion is taking place from 12 PM - 2 PM in the Black Box Theater. Union's brand spanking new library with its various attractions (see below) is located at 1980 Morris Avenue. 

• A cozy fireplace
• Individual study rooms
• A learning lab for classroom activities
• A creativity lab with innovative equipment
• Outdoor programming and seating area
• Dedicated spaces for adults, teens, and children
• Plenty of seating options (with outlets and charging stations)
• Restrooms on every level
• A state-of-the-art theatre and art gallery on the lower level

     

Library Arthur GIFfrom Library GIFs

                          

                                                                   ~~~~~

NOTHING BUT LOVE TO LOCAL AUTHORS, AND TO AUTHORS WORLDWIDE. NOTHING BUT LOVE TO INDIE AUTHORS, AND THOSE WITH CONTRACTS FROM THE BIG FIVE PUBLISHERS. NOTHING BUT LOVE TO AVID READERS WHEREVER THEY ARE TO BE FOUND. NOTHING BUT LOVE FOR ALL VARIETY OF BOOKS. THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN MORE ESSENTIAL.

P.S. HERE'S A FRIENDLY REMINDER FROM AN AUTHOR BORN ON ST. THOMAS, USVI THAT JUNE IS CARIBBEAN HERITAGE MONTH.

@mudhousebooks #readcaribbean #readcaribbeanmonth #readcaribbeanliterature #readcaribbeanauthors ♬ Walking Around - Instrumental Version - Eldar Kedem

@mudhousebooks Let me know your scores in the comments, fellow book lovers. #bibliophiles ♬ original sound - mari

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Ash Talwar (@asht_talks)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Reading Rhythms (@reading_rhythms)

*****

@mudhousebooks #AuthorReading - #Excerpt from Matters of Convenience by Roy L. Pickering Jr. #booktok #authorsoftiktok #authorsofbooktok ♬ original sound - Roy 📚📚📚