LINDA GREENHOUSE explains why feminism doesn’t apply if you’re Clarence Thomas’s wife.

FRIEND OF THE BLOG AND PJ TONI AIRAKSINEN:

Toni was being too conservative (you won’t hear that phrase often here) with her original request. Now that she’s discovered what her treatment is REALLY going to cost, she’s been forced to reopen her Go Fund Me.

You all may recall that a GFM saved me a few years ago, and I had exactly the same experience. I commend this to you.

AT AMAZON, save in Arts Crafts and Sewing.

Plus, deals on Bestselling Jewelry.

MICHAEL WALSH: Too Fearful of Man to be Fearful of God.

Read the whole thing.

HIGHER EDUCATION BUBBLE UPDATE: Freshman applications dip at UC for the first time in 15 years. Is it the start of a trend?

If only there had been some kind of warning. I mean, any kind of warning at all.

SHE SHOULD BE: Ocasio-Cortez Is Showing She’s Pretty Spooked Over Threat of Dem’s Plans to Primary Her. After all, it’s the party’s people, not her people, who’ll be counting the votes.

WHY THE GATEKEEPERS KEEP THE GATES:

I mean, we’ve seen what crap they let through, so there’s no claiming it’s about quality.

THE DEMOCRATS WON’T LIKE THIS CALL-OUT: Parents of Pierce Corcoran to attend State of the Union.

KNIVES: So I blogged a while back about having just bought and liking the SOG Trident Elite with its assisted opening, glassbreaker, and belt-cutter. Once I loosened up the assisted-opening action (by working it a bit and adding a drop of oil) it became super easy and slick to open with just a flick of my thumb. It’s well made and feels good in my hand. The carry clip was a bit tight, and when I pulled on it it gave a bit too much and now it’s slightly too loose, but it’s a very nice knife.

But, of course, the voices of evil temptation helpful people in the comments told me that I’d really like a higher end knife better. As it happened, I’d just received a modest windfall, so I said what the hell, and ordered the Benchmade 940 and — because Amazon only carries the fixed-blade version, not the “automatic” version — actually went to a store (!) and bought a Benchmade Infidel.

Conclusion: You do get more for the money. The 940 gives you roughly the same size blade as the Trident in a much smaller and lighter package, and the quality is jewel-like. It’s basically a functional work of art, like a fine watch. It opens easily with one hand, but there’s no spring-assist — you have to push it all the way around to locking with your thumb on the stud. Once there, it’s very secure and very nice.

The Infidel is freaking amazing. I’ve never owned an “automatic” knife before — what in less enlightened times used to be denigrated as a “switchblade” — and the opening is lightning fast and shockingly easy. In fact the speed with which the blade deploys and retracts, as related to the small amount of effort required on sliding the opening actuator, seems to violate the law of conservation of energy. It’s super well made as well, the carry clip fit perfectly with no adjustments needed right out of the box, and the blade is super sharp and beautifully made. It’s also awfully expensive. My only complaint, really (besides the expense), is that the carry clip says “Infidel” on it, advertising to everyone who knows anything about what you’re carrying.

Worth the money? Well, yes and no. On the “no” side, the primary use of my carry knives is opening Amazon packages, and even the Trident is overkill for that. But there’s a pleasure in things that are finely made, and the more expensive knives certainly bring that. I’ve never really been a big knife guy, but I get the appeal. (Bumped).

OPEN THREAD: Talk, talk.

HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL: Experimental chemical cocktail offers hope for new male contraceptive.

YOUR DAILY TREACHER: Who’s to Blame for the Alleged Jussie Smollett Attack? “I know it’s racist and homophobic of me, but I’m going to reserve judgment on this one.”

Read the whole thing.

NO. NEXT QUESTION? Michael Barone: Does the media deserve to be respected and believed?

AT AMAZON, browse today’s deals in the Kindle Store.

Plus, deals on Game Downloads.

IT’S THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE GREAT JACKIE ROBINSON’S BIRTH:  Read his whole Wikipedia bio.  He was a bit of a conservative.

FLASHBACK: Is America headed toward a civil war? Sanders, Nielsen incidents show it has already begun.

DESTRUCTIVE LIES: Population Panic and the Reverse “Handmaid’s Tale.” How many people would be alive today if it weren’t for Paul Ehrlich? His toll may be worse than Mao and Stalin’s.

INTERN NATION: Why do so many recent college grads have to undergo the indignity of an unpaid internship (or several unpaid internships) before they can land a real paying job these days? Part of the answer lies here.

NEWS YOU CAN USE: As we age, sexual activity still important for wellbeing.

OFF FLORIDA’S EMERALD COAST: A special ops U-28A over water.

IT’S ALMOST LIKE THE MASSIVE TAX REVENUES THEY GET FROM TOBACCO GIVE THEM A CONFLICT OF INTEREST: Federal, state governments failed to prevent smoking, report says. On the 20th Anniversary of the tobacco settlement, we hear this: “In fiscal 2019, states have received $27.3 billion in funds from the agreement, yet none of the money has gone to tobacco prevention programs in accordance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.” It’s as if the whole thing was just a big shakedown.

DON’T DO THAT: Man drunkenly swallows prickly catfish after being inspired by TV show ‘Jackass’, case report says.

Leave the serious drinking to the pros.

I’VE BEEN DREAMING OF THIS: The Roomba lawnmower is finally happening. I have Internet Of Things concerns, though.