Friday night on the deck.

The great march of mental destruction will go on. Everything will be denied. Everything will become a creed. It is a reasonable position to deny the stones in the street; it will be a religious dogma to assert them. It is a rational thesis that we are all in a dream; it will be a mystical sanity to say that we are all awake. Fires will be kindled to testify that two and two make four. Swords will be drawn to prove that leaves are green in summer. We shall be left defending, not only the incredible virtues and sanities of human life, but something more incredible still, this huge impossible universe which stares us in the face.

G.K. Chesterton, Heretics (1905).

GameStop Frenzy, Archegos Meltdown May Prompt New SEC Rules, Chairman Says - WSJ

The House committee’s Democratic staff has circulated draft legislation that would ban payment for order flow as well as some incentives offered by stock exchanges to attract orders.

Payment for order flow has resulted in commission free trades. Not sure how that’s a bad thing.

Shocking Study Finds Paying People Not To Work Makes People Not Want To Work - The Babylon Bee

Amid shockingly low job numbers released today, the study suggested that some of that low unemployment was due to the government sending everyone more money than they would have made out working a job. Some smart expert analysts are seeing a connection between incentivizing people to stay home and them staying home.

But the Administration says it’s actually proof that we need to do more.

Softy, of podcast fame, running all over little hands.

SNL Writers Denigrate Successful African-American Businessman - The Babylon Bee

According to tweets about the reported rumors, some of the cast of SNL are refusing to work with the successful immigrant inventor, and will instead stand in a nearby corner and sigh as loud as they can. 

It’s 2021!

When out on an adventure with my four kids, I like to be ready. I used to have a pretty basic load out in my bag, primarily carrying a change of clothes for each kid. This year, I decided to take it up a few notches.

My wife gave me a new backpack for my birthday. I took this opportunity to rethink my daily carry and to introduce equipment that I should always have with me. I went around the house and grabbed supplies to build an everyday carry toolkit.

I keep my toolkit in an OD Green pouch. It’s a great color that’s the perfect alternative to the standard black/blue/grey color options. As a bonus, it has a nice heritage piece from my military upbringing. On the outside, I have an “Essential” morale tab for a bit of humor.

Here’s what’s inside:

• Pry bar
• Bits
• Farmer Alox Swiss Army Knife
• Leatherman Squirt P4
• Work gloves
• Lightning/USB-C charging cables
• Backup pocket knife
• Multitool/fork/spoon
• Olight SR2 Baton flashlight
• Velcro quick ties

It’s a compact toolset, but it’s ready for quick access and action. I’m looking forward to having this in my bag, ready to go.

Biden’s Vaccine IP Debacle - WSJ

The U.S. has spent years deploring China’s theft of American IP, and now the Biden Administration may voluntarily let China could reap profits from decades of American innovation.

This is among the worst ideas. Ever.

Chick-fil-a royalty.

CIA Breaks Up ISIS Plot To Use Incorrect Pronouns - The Babylon Bee

“That’s literal violence,” explained CIA Agent MaKenna Wallace, a recent Gen Z hire with a degree in women’s studies. “I’m shaking right now just thinking of it.” The CIA jumped into action, though, and got those ISIS members kicked off Twitter.

They may be down, but they are certainly not out according to this deeply disturbing report.

Nice day.

Peloton Recalls Treadmills, Halts Tread+ Sales Over Safety Concerns - WSJ

Peloton’s share price fell nearly 15% on Wednesday to an eight-month low.

This is why you shouldn’t play single stocks.

Husband’s Binge Of ‘Executive Actions’ Leads To Shaky Poll Numbers After First 100 Days Of Marriage - The Babylon Bee

“Kevin always said before we got married that he wanted us to decide things together, to compromise,” reported Ashley, Kevin’s wife. “All that changed the day we got married. Where we can travel, climate control in the car, what we will go into six million dollars of credit card debt for– he chooses everything!"

Signal Shares the Instagram Ads Facebook Doesn’t Want You to See - MacRumors

it attempted to show users how much data the Facebook-owned company collects about them and how it’s used to push targeted ads.

These ads are brilliant marketing. Ad targeting really is this specific.

U.S. Airlines Ditch Covid-Era Ticket Flexibility – AirlineGeeks.com

Airlines are scrapping flexible travel policies and reverting to pre-pandemic rules, meaning customers will need to pay attention to fare restrictions, especially those booking basic economy.

Dear Taxpayer,

Thanks for the free cash last year. It was the best!

Don’t worry though, nothing’s changed. We still hate you.

Looking forward to seeing you cattle on board soon!

Sincerely, American, Delta, and United Airlines

Who Would Pay Biden’s Corporate Tax Increase Is Key Question in Policy Debate - WSJ

The company’s share price could also be lower than it otherwise would be, hurting shareholders.

Some shareholders may be ultra-weathly, but a lot are ordinary people investing in their 401k.

The bottom 80% of households pay more than one-quarter of corporate taxes, according to the Tax Policy Center. The Biden administration, which says it won’t raise taxes on households making under $400,000, doesn’t consider those effects as breaking its pledge.

There’s going to be a lot of this over the next few years. It’s impossible to spend trillions of new dollars and not have it effect every single person. The irony is the people these plans are supposed to help are least able to absorb the fiscal consequences.

Got up on time. Treated to the day’s first light.

Bill and Melinda Gates to End Marriage - WSJ

ending their 27-year marriage

She’s a Mac.

People today like to cram a lot of big words together to make themselves sound smart and important. It’s as if they have some really new and important point to make that is irrefutable.

They must do it believing that it will earn them the respect and esteem of their peers. More signaling for their friends to show how moral they are and intelligent, too.

It’s a great plan that works just fine, until a logician shows up.