Good Morning Friends & Digital Neighbors! Happy Friday Supporters, Members and Visitors to Padre's! One more visit for now with our funny little friends from Star Trek, the Ferengi. While I don't take any of these quotes as serious in their inception, they can offer food for thought in real life. We are currently seeing the fullness of this quote, but is has been with us a long time in modern life, probably for centuries. On to the quote and some more beautiful Autumn photography.
#162 Even in the worst of times someone turns a profit.
Pfizer and others pharmaceutical companies made their billions during the pandemic, now with never-ending boosters. The pandemic was the perfect storm for their model of business. I don't trend towards being anti-corporations, but I do believe in as much transparency as possible with the money train. Follow the money.
Pfizer is the 6th most owned stock by Congress. đź‘€ Ya don't say?
Well I am sure I could drone on about money and corruption, it is not new to humanity. Corruption has been around as long as we have, but we are not powerless about it. Remember Nicolae Ceaușescu. Prior to 1989 he thought Christmas was as good of a holiday as everyone else even if he didn't care for Baby Jesus or Jolly St. Nick. Power is never absolute and wealth cannot protect you for ever. Only the compliance of the governed, the acceptance of the status allows them to remain. I'm not encouraging revolt, reform is always the better. Not everyone has the "enough is enough" gene in their makeup, but I am all for the next political reform party being Enough. I hope we get there in my lifetime, but I am doubtful as long as we have enough comfort and pleasant distraction.
Being an Elite is something that others allows to occur usually in the hopes that becoming one is possible or they are trust and/or admire the Elite. I suspect you found your way to Locals because you do not accept the the status quo as a given and will make your way without the permissions granted by the Elite, the Affluent or "Elected". They have no permission to grant. Individuals are not powerless.
Off to some Autumn photography - Happy Friday my friends!
Today marks the three hundred and thirtieth birthday of the Frenchman François-Marie Arouet, better known by his nom de plume, Voltaire (1694-1778).
Born into a bourgeois family during the reign of Louis XIV, the “Sun King” (r. 1643-1715), Voltaire suffered tragedy at a young age when his mother died. Never close with his father or brother, Voltaire exhibited a rebellious attitude toward authority from his youth. His brilliant mind was fostered in the care of the Society of Jesus, who introduced him to the joys of literature and theater. Despite his later criticisms against the Church, Voltaire, throughout his life, fondly recalled his dedicated Jesuit teachers.
Although he spent time as a civil servant in the French embassy to the Hague, Voltaire’s main love was writing—an endeavor where he excelled in various genres, including poetry, which led to his appointment as the royal court poet for King Louis XV. Widely recognized as one of the greatest French writers, and even hyperbolically referred to by ...
Happy National Best Friends Day Y'all!
I strongly suggest combining celebrations for this with National Name Your Poison Day and National Jelly-Filled Doughnut Day. Think I'll have to wash a custard doughnut down with a cold beer later.
Padre - Tom Miller invites you to a Coffee Talk, Speakeasies, Schmoozes, Tea Times, Afterhours and other gatherings.
https://teams.live.com/meet/93792382189049?p=DiBHsYfuECPgDrG7vO
2026 Coffee Talk with the ADD Irregulars
Thursday, January 1, 2026
6:00 AM - 8:00 AM (CST)
Occurs every day starting 1/1 until 12/31/2027
Coffee Talk - Daily beginning at 6:00 AM Central Time Zone - USA
White Pilled Wednesday - A break from the heaviness of news and current events to focus upon things more personal & positive for the first hour of Coffee Talk.
Afternoon Chats - Most Tuesday, Friday & Sundays 2:00 PM Central
Other chats as posted in the community.Â
