A note to all the purists:
Anecdote may not be data, but we have so little real data that anecdote at least gives us a springboard.
One of the weapons of our opponents is the change/dilution/twisting of our culture. They want to take Americans, as a tribe, and enfold us in this homogeneous New World Order/Citizen of the World tribe. Our forms of spiritual practice are mocked, as is our culture of patriotism and self-reliance. It is germane to discuss these, especially in the lag times between revelations and hard info.
We are all on edge with anticipation. We have all experienced being played by our own side in the past. Humor posts, music posts, side conversations help to defuse anxiety, as ransom says of herself.
If we are to become a strong fighting force, we need to bond. What appears as extraneous chit-chat is a form of bonding. Tendencies to over-control the conversation interfere with the bonding and help our opponents by setting us up to squabble among ourselves.
So, let’s all lighten up and especially, let’s cut ransomnote some slack. She’s taken on one heck of a job and is performing admirably.