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Readers!

 

The time has come for my annual short Thanksgiving/Christmas fund drive for Behind The Black. I must do this every year in order to make sure I have earned enough money to pay my bills.

 

For this two-week campaign, I am offering a special deal to encourage donations. Donations of $200 will get a free autographed copy of the new paperback edition of Genesis: The Story of Apollo 8, while donations of $250 will get a free autographed copy of the new hardback edition. If you desire a copy, make sure you provide me your address with your donation.

 

As I noted in July, the support of my readers through the years has given me the freedom and ability to analyze objectively the ongoing renaissance in space, as well as the cultural changes -- for good or ill -- that are happening across America. Fourteen years ago I wrote that SLS and Orion were a bad ideas, a waste of money, would be years behind schedule, and better replaced by commercial private enterprise. Only now does it appear that Washington might finally recognize this reality.

 

In 2020 when the world panicked over COVID I wrote that the panic was unnecessary, that the virus was apparently simply a variation of the flu, that masks were not simply pointless but if worn incorrectly were a health threat, that the lockdowns were a disaster and did nothing to stop the spread of COVID. Only in the past year have some of our so-called experts in the health field have begun to recognize these facts.

 

Your help allows me to do this kind of intelligent analysis. I take no advertising or sponsors, so my reporting isn't influenced by donations by established space or drug companies. Instead, I rely entirely on donations and subscriptions from my readers, which gives me the freedom to write what I think, unencumbered by outside influences.

 

Please consider supporting my work here at Behind the Black. You can support me either by giving a one-time contribution or a regular subscription. There are four ways of doing so:

 

1. Zelle: This is the only internet method that charges no fees. All you have to do is use the Zelle link at your internet bank and give my name and email address (zimmerman at nasw dot org). What you donate is what I get.

 

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The proposed IRS tax form every American will have to fill out when Obamacare goes into effect.

Finding out what’s in it: A proposed IRS tax form every American will have to fill out when Obamacare goes into effect.

This form is not from the IRS, but it is based on the actual law, and is I think a reasonably good facsimile of the kind of information the IRS will require when the individual mandate goes into effect and the IRS will have to determine whether you have health insurance or need to pay higher taxes because you don’t.

I especially like the section of the form that asks these questions:

  • Are you claiming a religious exemption from the individual responsibility mandate?
  • Are you an incarcerated criminal and therefore exempt from the personal mandate?
  • Are you an illegal immigrant and therefore exempt from the personal mandate?

All three exemptions exist, though the Obama administration has already made it clear that the first will only be available to actual religious organizations, and even there the exemption will be limited. However, if you are a criminal or illegal immigrant (also a lawbreaker) you are exempt from this law, though you receive all its benefits.

As I’ve said, Repeal this turkey! And vote out every idiot that supported it.

Genesis cover

On Christmas Eve 1968 three Americans became the first humans to visit another world. What they did to celebrate was unexpected and profound, and will be remembered throughout all human history. Genesis: the Story of Apollo 8, Robert Zimmerman's classic history of humanity's first journey to another world, tells that story, and it is now available as both an ebook and an audiobook, both with a foreword by Valerie Anders and a new introduction by Robert Zimmerman.

 

The print edition can be purchased at Amazon. from any other book seller, or direct from my ebook publisher, ebookit. The ebook is available everywhere for $5.99 (before discount) at amazon, or direct from my ebook publisher, ebookit. If you buy it from ebookit you don't support the big tech companies and the author gets a bigger cut much sooner.


The audiobook is also available at all these vendors, and is also free with a 30-day trial membership to Audible.
 

"Not simply about one mission, [Genesis] is also the history of America's quest for the moon... Zimmerman has done a masterful job of tying disparate events together into a solid account of one of America's greatest human triumphs."--San Antonio Express-News

8 comments

  • I can imagine the veritable s(and)storm that will erupt when people paying $700 in penalties or thousands in premiums find out that illegal aliens are exempt. I would almost want to see that happen.

  • Patrick

    All this carp could have been avoided if they had just changed and expanded medicare/Medicaid to include more people. Those who needed coverage.

    Just increase the fee in everyone’s paycheck. No new taxes or new departments or SC decision.

    But no, they wanted control over a huge portion of everyone’s pocketbook.

    Socialized medicine in like forcing everyone to drive the same government manufactured car.
    They only have one door, go 20 mph, have only three wheels, and only last 100,000 miles (After that you have to walk). And repairs take months, if at all. Parts shortage you know.

    Everyone has a car but that car sucks compared to what most could have had if they had a choice.

  • Don

    Obamacare is designed to destroy all private health care. Costs will rise, the left will howl, the American people will (foolishly) demand the government act and a single payer disaster will be the end result. We’ll all die happily everafter.

  • wade

    patrick, you are a redundant echo of circle-jerk mentality. be careful where you pause and squat, you could possibly shit and fall back in IT.

  • wade

    Don, that was brilliant and wrought with wit. the humor exalted in your post touches on irony of the moment and i must say, brought forth an audible burst of enjoyment from myself. Brilliant !!

  • Wade,

    Please watch your language. I insist that the discussion and comments at Behind the Black to be civil, even from those I agree with.

  • wade

    please excuse my raw use of words. perhaps i should have ,.. Real Thoughts, i will respect proper manners and your wishes Mr. Zimmerman.

  • John M. Egan

    …& I can’t believe people will go to the polls today to vote for the community organizer-in-charge who unequivocally supports this infringement on our rights!!!!

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