We are a commune of inquiring, skeptical, politically centrist, capitalist, anglophile, traditionalist New England Yankee humans, humanoids, and animals with many interests beyond and above politics. Each of us has had a high-school education (or GED), but all had ADD so didn't pay attention very well, especially the dogs. Each one of us does "try my best to be just like I am," and none of us enjoys working for others, including for Maggie, from whom we receive neither a nickel nor a dime. Freedom from nags, cranks, government, do-gooders, control-freaks and idiots is all that we ask for.
If a certain sort of conservative tends to be moralistic about sex, liberals tend to be moralistic about money. That makes Tom Daschle the equivalent of a televangelist caught in a sex scandal.
Since his re-election defeat in 2004, Daschle has mastered the art of turning humiliating political loss into high-roller riches, much of it coming from his work for a well-connected law firm where he didn't technically operate as a lobbyist but gave policy advice to companies with business before the government.
But trading on his name, his political connections, his ability to tap into Democratic donors and becoming wealthy by virtue of his past public service isn't what has Daschle in trouble. Failure to pay taxes is.
These aren't "very modest differences", they are profoundly different versions of the role of government and people in a free society. Also, only one of these will actually work, while the other does nothing more than empower government for generations.
More snow coming tonight and tomorrow, and guess who is sold out of ice melter, salt, and traction gravel once again. Mind you, this is snow country here, especially with our global cooling. Guy said last shipment sold out in two hours. Is this nation short of gravel and rock salt? Is government action needed? Is this a case of "peak salt"? "Peak gravel"?
Maybe it's time to go back to the Saudis for a new deal on sand.
Using my lawn fertilizer spreader for salt and gravel has pretty much destroyed it this winter. I thought I'd pick up a new one at Home Depot to go along with the salt and gravel that they were out of. Well, it seems to be the wrong season for heavy-duty broadcast spreaders. What I need is one of these, but they don't sell them at Home Depot:
Back from NH. Image of your NJ above. Man, do I enjoy that funky old Cannon Mountain. It's like the anti-Vail. Thanks to all for filling in for me. While away, I see that Pajamas Media is having problems with its biz model. That's too bad, because I like them. But business is business. It's a tough game to appeal enough to make people part with their money or time. We don't even bother trying to make money here. Not worth the hassle, and ads take up space. No, we aren't Commies, nor do we want gummint money. We just do what we like to do.
The War on Rush. Trouble is, Lefties, every time you hit him he gets stronger. Besides his quick intelligence, his talents are his humor, his self-deprecation, and his obvious genuine warmth towards callers regardless of view.
The labor movement takes its pound of flesh. "Movement"? Maybe it was a "movement" in 1920, but now it's just an antiquated, corrupt, political power and money base of insiders.
Barnard, VT. (pop. 958). Here's the Barnard Inn site. If you have cash, it's a good time to buy a VT getaway.
The first place is a c. 1850 hill farm with 65 acres (photo on right), so it would work for horses or cattle with plenty of room for a shooting range too. It's a restored 2300 sq.' Cape farmhouse with barn and outbuildings. As a farmer at heart, I'd check out the barns first. They are asking 1.1 million. Details here.
Second is the c. 1791 Cape farmhouse (photo below), also completely restored with additions bringing it up to a generous 7600 sq.'. I think they did a good job expanding the living space without altering the humble appearance of the old farmhouse. Those metal roofs aren't charming, or in keeping with the style, but they are practical as heck in snow country - and they last forever. It's on a paltry 12 acres with ponds and stream. Too little land for cattle, but I'd guess there's some good turkey hunting there. They are asking only 3.9 million. Details here. (Prop. taxes a hefty $35,000)
Since I already have a fine New England farm, if I had a few million burning a hole in my pocket I think I'd consider picking up a pied a terre in NYC just about now, or later in the Spring when prices will drop even further. Trouble is, with boats it's not the price - it's the maintenance, and with houses it's the property taxes (plus the maintenance).
Gwynnie and I have been trying to get a clean copy of this email for several days. This is from a Partner at Heidrick & Struggles who was on Flight 1549. Note the 4 life lessons learned, at end.
"Gerry McNamara (New York/Charlotte) was on US Airways Flight 1549 last week. We caught up with him to discuss the harrowing incident and - in a departure from our usual format -present his stirring account as told to us:
Thursday was a difficult day for all of us at the firm and I left the Park Avenue office early afternoon to catch a cab bound for LaGuardia Airport. I was scheduled for a 5pm departure, but able to secure a seat on the earlier flight scheduled to leave at 3PM.
As many of us who fly frequently often do, I recall wondering if I'd just placed myself on a flight I shouldn't be on!
Just prior to boarding I finished up a conference call with my associate, Jenn Sparks (New York), and our placement, the CIO of United Airlines. When I told him that I was about to board a USAirways flight, we all had a little fun with it.
I remember walking on the plane and seeing a fellow with grey hair in the cockpit and thinking "that's a good thing... I like to see grey hair in the cockpit!"
I was seated in 8F, on the starboard side window and next to a young businessman. The New York to Charlotte flight is one I've taken what seems like hundreds of times over the years. We take off north over the Bronx and as we climb, turn west over the Hudson River to New Jersey and tack south.
I love to fly, always have, and this flight plan gives a great view of several NY landmarks including Yankee Stadium and the George Washington Bridge.
I had started to point out items of interest to the gentleman next to me when we heard a terrible crash - a sound no one ever wants to hear while flying - and then the engines wound down to a screeching halt. 10 seconds later, there was a strong smell of jet fuel. I knew we would be landing and thought the pilot would take us down, no doubt to Newark Airport.
As we began to turn south I noticed the pilot lining up on the river still - I thought - en route for Newark. Next thing we heard was "Brace for impact!" - a phrase I had heard many years before as an active duty Marine Officer but never before on a commercial air flight.
The end of hunting season is always a sad time. After all, how many hunting seasons does a fellow have left? Maybe 25, maybe none. Image above from Mr. Free Market.
"Any dictator would admire the uniformity and obedience of the U.S. media." - Noam Chomsky. That seems to apply right now. (Found that quote while perusing Kos to try to find out whether the Kos Kidz are happy yet. They are not, nor will they ever be).
The prima facie immorality of wealth. Come on, Ron. That's nonsense. Does that apply to Barbra Streisand, Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, Jimmy Buffet, Donald Trump, A-Rod, J-Lo, Paul McCartney, Hillary Clinton, Rafael Nadel, Luciano Pavarotti, Jim Carey, John Updike, Yo Yo Ma, Rush Limbaugh - and my local neurosurgeon? And my high-school drop-out friend who built up a 50 store-and-gas chain of mini-marts from one run-down gas station, beginning when he was 19, and then sold his chain for many millions? Populist envy, I think. People at the top of competitive fields often end up making lots of money. Why would it be different for bankers? Good on all of 'em, say I.
People are not buying luxuries these days, so such things are becoming quite inexpensive. I used to like beautiful antique rugs, but now I prefer attractive rugs that I don't mind walking on with boots, or the dog scratching at. I know we have some readers who might be offended, but these non-fancy runners I found on eBay (mostly roughtly 3'8''-4'x10') looked good to me. And cheap enough to tramp on with shoes, or for the dog to roll on.
(I know our rug expert readers will find fault, but these are hand-knotted 100 KPSI not-new Iranian rugs.)
We have highlighted New York's CSC in the past, but, after seeing their Uncle Vanya, this remarkable place deserves another pat on the back. Classic Stage Company.
Their short runs work well to attract distinguished actors who long to sink their teeth into classic works. The Long Wharf Theater in New Haven used to do that too. I don't know about now.
Why they want to terrify us about this recession: Time for a new world order? And is this recession really so unique? If any things are unique about it, they are the fragile banks and that it is globally simultaneous.
Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. 2 O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me. 3 Yea, let none that wait on thee be ashamed: let them be ashamed which transgress without cause. 4 Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths. 5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. 6 Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old. 7 Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness' sake, O Lord.
8 Good and upright is the Lord: therefore will he teach sinners in the way. 9 The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. 10 All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies. 11 For thy name's sake, O Lord, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great. 12 What man is he that feareth the Lord? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose. 13 His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth. 14 The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.
15 Mine eyes are ever toward the Lord; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net. 16 Turn thee unto me, and have mercy upon me; for I am desolate and afflicted. 17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged: O bring thou me out of my distresses. 18 Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins. 19 Consider mine enemies; for they are many; and they hate me with cruel hatred. 20 O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee. 21 Let integrity and uprightness preserve me; for I wait on thee. 22 Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.
The first place is a c. 1850 hill farm with 65 acres (photo on right), so it would work for horses or cattle with plenty of room for a shooting range too. It's a restored 2300 sq.' Cape farmhouse with barn and outbuildings. As a farmer at heart, I'd check out the barns first. They are asking 1.1 million. Details 
