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Audio Road Tripping across the U.S.A.

Driving in a car too small to store much Is a good way to make sure your audio road trip does not land you in the poor house. Is there such a thing anymore? Poorhouse? I mean, I've read about this quaint English institution that condemned poverty in the strongest possible terms, but what, and how different was 1996 and PRWORA? That's the acronym for welfare reform, in case you pondering. And that was passed under Bill Clinton, as was some hardcore anti person-of-color-caught-up-in-crime legislation. And that is supposed to be the more socially concerned side of the political spectrum? Oof. Well, what's the difference between neoliberal Democrat and neoliberal neocon Republican anyway? Eh? Yes, at some point I really should start talking about traveling and checking out musical equipment. Hm.  So, it was winter of 2018, and after quite a few years in the wilderness of good audio equipment (Harman Kardon Soundsticks are ok, but come on), I was in the mood again. T...
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“Ritual Sacrifice in an Unnamed Society ” Reading Medea's Human Sacrifice

“…regarding their kings as incarnate divinities on whom the welfare of men, of cattle and of the corn implicitly depends…” James Frazer, The Golden Bough Introduction At the outset, let me briefly outline the explanation I attempt here. This is a human sacrifice of substitution and fertility, the latter being most prominent, with aspects of expiation/propitiation/atonement. Agricultural fertility is being ensured since it is the lifeline for the survival of the community, and perhaps a wrong has been committed or being averted. I will draw on the work of Frazer and Smith, with additional references to readings as relevant . At the beginning we are shown the saplings planted in the fields. That and the several head of goat, coupled with the nature of dwellings (carved out of rock formations) indicate this is a subsistence community, based on agriculture and livestock. The young man in fine blue attire is waiting for the proceedings to commence, looking reflective and somewhat pensive. C...
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Ex-Deputies, tubes, and valleys

Ex-Deputies, tubes, and valleys If you are approaching Lookout Pass at the beginning of an incipient snowstorm or bout of snow, and if you don't have the right tires, here's the right thing to do: slide into that sign that welcomes you to Idaho, gently, and wait for help. And definitely do this if you have Jersey plates.  So, mileage eh. City mileage, highway mileage, what kind of mileage do you get from your car? Is it a sedan, is it an SUV, is it a truck, is it a "big-ass" truck with those wheels that make you higher than everyone else on the road. Everyone else except for semis? More on semis in a minute.  In the mountain passes of this region, you will not get that cool 34mpg hwy. No no. You'll get (at least I got) something like a whopping 41-43mpg. Simply because you're a fool if you use the gas. Just put it in Sport, let the engine control the braking, and let gravity do it's job. 60-65 mph, easy. Don't worry, that's the speed li...
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