Yesterday, I turned forty-five. I wasn’t really inclined to celebrate this birthday; I don’t expect to live to be ninety so I’ve long since stopped kidding myself that this is “middle age”. But that didn’t stop my friends and family from burying me under an avalanche of generosity. Some of you gave me gifts of humbling magnitude. Others gave me time and effort to attend my surprise party two weeks ago, help out with my trio of October races, or visit with me in places as diverse as Powell and Las Vegas. Still others called, texted, e-mailed.
Thank you.
Yesterday, the American people decided to chip in for one last birthday present — namely, the defeat of Hillary Clinton. I voted for Mr. Clinton in 1992, but in the years since I have come to think of myself as a populist. I believe that full employment is more important than free trade; I believe that this country cannot survive unless we are a net producer and a net exporter; I believe that native-born Americans have the right and the duty to determine this country’s direction; I believe that immigration is only helpful when it occurs in a reasonable and prudent manner.
Mrs. Clinton’s plans to bring several million more people into this country who in no way share our common beliefs, combined with her determination to export more working-class and middle-class jobs to further enrich her plutocrat backers, were incompatible with traditional Democratic or Republican values. It is too soon to tell what Mr. Trump will do. But in the words of the recently famous essay, “A Hillary Clinton presidency is Russian Roulette with a semi-auto. With Trump, at least you can spin the cylinder and take your chances.” In other words, we have hope now, where we would have had none. Thank you for that.
Happy birthday Jack! 45? How’s it feel to be a senior citizen?
I’m ready to take Social Security early!
Of course you are, commie scum.
You’d better. See also, ‘dallas pension fund panic’.
The wailing and gnashing of teeth here in SWPL land NPR is beyond humorous. You’d think millions of puppies and kittens *and* baby pandas had cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced.
Happy birthday.
Although I was hoping the “Trump wins” post for today would be Bark revelry over Jack reflection.
Oh, it’s coming.
Congratulations for surviving 45 years in the Thunderdome, Jack. And I am also glad that the Clintons are now completely out of power.
Question: I’m trying to find driving gloves for the wife for a Christmas present. I know you’ve helped kit out Danger Girl as well as the clone, so I wonder if you have some resources to pass on?
And also it might be blog post worthy to write about kitting out non-traditional racers such as the two mentioned above.
Mrs. Baruth and Bark both use AlpineStars gloves on-track… but for street driving, I think the Grifter Marauders are pretty good, and the price has come down quite a bit. See See Motor Coffee in Portland can ship them to you!
Thanks Jack!
Happy birthday Jack!
I always did suspect you of a Scorpio sex-drive.
Happy birthday!, wait till fifty, all those broken bone will remind you for no specific reason. Yesterday was a great day for our great country, Hillary for prison.
From one Scorpio you never met to another. Happy Birthday.
I can say your writings have inspired my to get myself out on the road course, and your writings are both fascinating and cause me to think even when I disagree. All the best.
Happy birthday mate, all the way from the antipodes
Congrats on surviving another year. 1 week ago I celebrated the 14th anniversary of my 45th birthday. If I had known I was going to live this long, I would have partied harder. 😉
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
..and congratulations…I agree with you on Hilary Clinton. Good riddance.
Congratulations, Jack, on a milestone birthday. Despite many (literal) hits, you keep coming back.
I sure hope that our new President does not succeed in starting a trade war which costs millions of us our jobs. I work for the American distribution arm of a Japanese automaker. We build some cars in the USA, but also import quite a lot of our products from Japan. Thousands of workers nationwide - at retailers and at the distributors - depend on the sales and service of those products to earn a living. Prior to my current gig, I worked for fifteen years for one of the American “big three” automakers…right up until they outsourced my entire department to save a few bucks. I’m praying that I won’t be out of work again.
Keeping the Clintons out of the White House which effectively shuts down their multi-million dollar influence peddling business truly is the gift that keeps on giving.
Happy Birthday Jack!
Happy Birthday Jack!
Riding season’s pretty much over up here. Maybe next year?
A late Happy Birthday to the almost senior but always young minded Jack B.
Happy Birthday Dude!
Happy Birthday, Jack! While I’m not entirely enamored with your President-elect I am absolutely delighted to FINALLY see the Clintons sent off to retirement. If Trump is what it takes to send them packing, then congratulations and best wishes to Trump.
Happy birthday indeed Jack ! . me too , last week .
FWIW, Tiddlers are very much fun to ride in the snow……
-Nate