Maggie's Farm

From the WSJ, another bubble bursts. A good thing for all, but only in the long run. Nasty in the short run. If you want stocks to only go up and up and up, you should not buy them. (link fixed)

The upside is that good things are relatively cheap, now. But the "Are you better off..." thing doesn't work right now politically, when bubbles are finally popping.

Newt says it all, re Palin (h/t, Gateway):

Here's the world's most remarkable yacht, The Maltese Falcon, in San Francisco Bay with Angel Island on fire in the background.

We tracked down the photographer: he is George Dapsevicius. Kudos to him.

A low-down blues from Love and Theft (2001). Was it really that long ago? Audio:

I am told that Krauthammer made the interesting point on TV last night that the intensity of the hatred for Sarah Palin from women has little or nothing to do with her personality.

He said it's because she, as a lovely and feminine mid-40s woman with a litter of kids including one with Down, a cool masculine Eskimo hubby, and a stunningly-successful Governorship, stands as a reproach to the complaining and whining class of American  women: a reproach to the cult of victimology and a reproach to the abortion fetishists. (Plus she's just too happy about life and her country, and intelligent, sophisticated folks aren't supposed to be happy about things.)

A reasonable person might have expected her candidacy to be a source of pride and pleasure for those women. I promise you that, if she had a "D" after her name, she would be a MSM heroine. Colorful and exotic. The Dems would find a way to make her "Josephine Sixpack" - "The fresh voice of the American worker from the American Frontier." Anybody who criticized her would be slammed as "classist" or "intellectual snob" or "an elitist out of touch with real Americans." And they would, no doubt, remind you that she runs a $6 billion budget and 26,000 employees and plays hardball with the oil companies. Nobody else running has ever done anything like that.

Something similar applies to Obama. Clearly his race (What is his race? I guess I mean his skin color) is a source of fascination to the MSM, Leftists, and black voters. However, black Repubs have had little success in elections with black voters, including Repub stars like Michael Steele in Maryland. That is why Obama is not detested by black Americans as a reproach to their victimology and resentment (although he was seen that way at first, most notably by Jesse Jackson who expressed the tolerant opinion that Obama "was too white" implying that his success served to discredit, and to alienate him from, grievance-seeking blacks).

Had Obama been a celebrity "R" preaching freedom and opportunity, how far would he have gotten? Would he have given Chris Matthews a thrill up his thing thigh?

I suppose my point is that, for the MSM and the left, race and gender are only a big deal when they are combined with that magic "D."

No, nobody at Maggie's is threatening to move to Canada, but Michael Medved takes a grim look at the Consequences of Defeat (h/t, reader). His points about immigrants are telling. Rove warned us about that consequence during the immigration debates last year. Rove, Bush, and McCain knew that hispanic voter loyalty was up for grabs, and that they were, in a number of ways, a natural Repub constituency.

Another sunset from Lake Winnipegosis, taken from Gwynnie's duck boat last week. I term these sorts of day-glo sunsets "post-nuclear":

Would the last honest reporter please turn on the lights? Orson Scott Card (read his bio on that page!) h/t, Synthstuff. We like Orson Card, but do not know where he blogs these days.

Shulman on how social class plays into the election - and how it affects the "opinion-makers." I am afraid that the "opinion-makers" all fantasize that they could be polo players with Locust Valley Lockjaw, hobnobbing with the Groton and Andover and Choate and Hotchkiss and Deerfield grads instead of getting stuck with the socially-marginal hacks in Washington. Some of us at Maggie's may be "elite," but Sarah represents our view of the soul of America.

From Mark Salter:

I think much of the media has a thumb on the scale for Obama.  I think the thumb has been there the entire time.  There are many honorable exceptions, I don’t mean to tar everybody, but I think there’s one standard for us, and one standard for Obama.  He has run more negative ads than McCain has run ads.  They run from the quite misleading to the blatantly untrue.

America's biggest enemy is cynicism? I am not falling for that cliched BS. One of America's best hopes has always been her cynicism towards, distrust of, and mocking of politicians and their aspirations for easy jobs, power, and personal validation. John McCain excepted.

Speaking of cynicism, "transformative"? You want transformative back to the 1930s and 1970s?

Where would Obama get the $ to suckle his wards? Well put. Wards of The State is what it's about. Gimme.

Palin's "absence of structured thinking." Fair enough, Ann. But name me one national pol with "structured thinking." Pols don't do that: they do political thinking. It's different. If they were rocket scientists, they'd be busy designing rockets. Generally speaking, they aren't too smart and not very wise - just clever and calculating about their personal goals.

Images: We are still permitted to write-in Papoon for President when we vote. He has a chance! As I recall, he stood for "One Organism, One Vote," and hoped to win the previously disenfranchised and marginalised Bacterial Community.

Give me chastity and continence, but not yet.

Saint Augustine

Canada Goose Infestation

Some parts of the US would love to have the problems we have in the Northeast: White-Tailed Deer and Goose infestations. (We now have tons of Wild Turkey too, but I would never term that an "infestation."  These splendid birds are a blessing.)

Trouble is, we have to bow the deer in many populated areas, and these non-migratory Canadas that we have in abundance tend to hang out where you cannot hunt, like town parks and golf courses. It's a damn shame, because they are big, and the breast, marinated then sauteed or grilled rare and thin-sliced, is as good as filet mignon, in my opinion - if not as tender. Our White-Tail deer are bigger than the southern version, or the Texas version, but with smaller racks. Who cares? Excellent dining. Our deer hunters tend to be meat hunters and, where I live, there is no limit on does. When I was a lad, both goose and deer were uncommon sights in New England: these are the kinds of problem you want to have.

Photo: Our pal Yankee retrieving a goose in Manitoba, this October

Latest USFWS report on Canada Goose, below:

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Releases Final Environmental Impact Statement on Resident Canada Geese Management
Contact: Nicholas Throckmorton 202-208-5636  (Bold Ours)
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service today announced the release of a final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) that outlines various alternatives to reduce, manage, and control resident Canada goose populations and reduce related damages. Of the alternatives, the Service’s proposed action will allow state wildlife agencies, landowners, and airports more flexibility in controlling resident Canada goose populations.The Service took this action in response to widespread concern about overabundant populations of resident Canada geese, which can damage property, agriculture, and natural resources in parks and other open areas near water.

"Resident Canada geese populations have increased dramatically over the past 15 years," said Service Director H. Dale Hall. "These high population levels have been shown to cause problems for natural and economic resources, and we believe increased local management with national oversight is the best approach to reduce conflicts and bring the population under control. Through this approach, the Service will continue working to expand and protect hunting opportunity while providing airports, private landowners, and State and local officials the tools they need to address resident Canada goose issues."

I had the pleasure of attending a small charity gathering last night for a good mental health cause at which Ashford and Simpson performed.

Ashford told the story of how the "dumbest, simplest song" he ever wrote (Let's Go Get Stoned) got picked up by Ray Charles, which set their songwriting career into high gear. He also talked about what it was like to present new songs to Berry Gordy with Smokey Robinson in front of you in the line. Daunting.

They had a funky Motown-style band with a couple of back-up singers. They did "Solid," "High Rise," "Let's Go Get Stoned," "Ain't No Mountain High Enough," and a lot more. Nothing they didn't write.

They have been married for 32 years and are humble, obviously grateful, and likeable folks. Their performance of Solid was much more powerful than this one.

If you believe what you like in the gospels, and reject what you don't like, it is not the gospel you believe, but yourself.

Saint Augustine

The Manning Report. (He calls Obama "Senator Tarzan," but I call him "Senator Government.") h/t, Moonbattery:

Couldn't resist stealing this from Theo -

Taking a little break from fall planting. Last chance to do some lawn reseeding and to transplant, and to plant the last shipment of perennials hereabouts. I had to make a new small perennial border, under orders. Many bags of cow manure and peat moss from Home Depot, along with compost, to happify the lousy glacial soil we have here.

Simple pleasures. I like digging in the dirt, and I believe in digging and enriching 18" for new perennial plantings. You can only do it once.

Mostly rare Hostas, of course. Mrs. BD is an afficianado. Photo is "Dance with Me." Nice enough Hosta, but you have to get into it to fully appreciate. To get a clue, try Hosta Library.

Do me a favor: never plant Hostas in the sun. Terrible thing to do. And always en masse, or they will offend my delicate gardening sensibilities.

I have read in Plato and Cicero sayings that are wise and very beautiful; but I have never read in either of them: Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden.

Saint Augustine 

Hot Hardware has gone video

Wealthy teen nearly experiences consequences

Obama betrayed his message on race. Krauthammer

The Pelosi-Obama-Reid economy.

The carbon offsetting biz is still doing fine. At first I thought this was a satire.

Alaska glaciers are growing again

Finally, drilling off the coast of Florida: maybe we'll be able to buy that oil from Cuba.

McCain compares Obama to European Socialists

Just some guy who lives in my neighborhood?

Obama's lead slips

Quoted from a piece at Dino:

We’re not sure to what extent we agree with the analysis by Sam Schulman in the Weekly Standard. He asks: “Why is Bill Ayers a respectable member of the upper middle class and Sarah Palin contemptible?” His answer: social class. Maybe he is on to something. Those rather condescending interviews by Katie Couric and Charlie Gibson (as contrasted with certain earlier Couric and Gibson interviews) suggest that there is a ring of truth in Schulman’s argument.

Thanks for all of the interesting comments on our Influential Books post.

Matthew 22:1-14

I happen to drive over the Sippican River on the way to Cape Cod. Here's Leonard's Pond on the East Branch of the Sippican River:

Here's Brigg's Marsh (looks good for ducks) near the outlet of the Sippican River. There is nothing on earth as lovely as a brackish salt marsh (except for a pretty girl and, in duck season, it's a toss-up):

Macaulay's books are Bird Dog family favorites:

We posted part of the McCain speech at the Al Smith dinner yesterday, but this is the entire thing. It's a kick - guaranteed, and it would make a heck of a campaign ad:

Obama: "I will change the world." Good grief. If I said that, they'd send the guys in white coats to take me away.

Who knew that the US Supreme Court defined "vegetable" in 1893? Is a pumpkin a vegetable, then?

More press lies perpetuated. We expect this from politicians but not from the press. Well, I guess we expect it from the press now.

How would Obama do with this questionnaire for national security positions?

Quoted at Marginal Rev:

The Bush administration, having entered office as social conservatives, leaves office as conservative socialists, proprietors of the most sudden large expansion of the state's role in the US economy since mobilisation for the second world war.

Credit indicators show progress. Good. That's the fuel for the economy.

Obama mocks plumbers. Is that smart? Everybody appreciates plumbers.

NYT digging deep for dirt on Cindy McCain. That is infra dig. Why do it? Is there no infra to their dig?

Mark Steyn on David Brooks' "elite cocoons" and "conservative cocoons." One quote:

...any PBS-watching inbred stump-toothed knuckle-dragging plaid-clad mountain man not yet face down in the moonshine or enjoying a bunk-up with his sister might think that Mr Brooks' bizarre metaphor gives the game away: the "conservative cocoon" is somewhere you drive through en route to the hiking trip.

Why is the Left and the press going after Joe the Plumber so hard? Because the moment with Obama captured something important. As Cardinalpark at Tiger puts it:

Obama probably hurt himself with Joe the Plumber. If you think about it, Obama has done a brilliant job articulating exceedingly liberal political and economic philosophy in a fashion which sounds acceptable and fair and not altogether different from McCain. However, when he responded to Joe the Plumber about the inherent value of "spreading the wealth", it rang an alarm bell. Most Americans, especially aspirational Americans, like reading Robin Hood, but don't want his philosophy put into practice. This may be the moment that the distinction between Obama's political philosophy and McCain's is finally made clear in a fashion the press can't edit out. The media - even the in-the-tank leftist media - can't resist Joe the Plumber.

We must remember that Robin Hood was a thief. That's what Joe is reminding the voters.

Exactly. Joe doesn't want somebody else's wealth: he wants to make his own. Betsy says "Think of the film of Obama's photo op on Joe's street as Obama's macaca moment." Yes, somebody picked the wrong street.

Interesting comments on Dr. Bliss' Influential Books post. I'd like to read more comments to that post from our readers.

Emily Dickinson's life was not as isolated or loveless as had been thought. How's this for seduction, spiritual or otherwise?

He fumbles at your spirit

He fumbles at your spirit
   As players at the keys
Before they drop full music on;
   He stuns you by degrees,

Prepares your brittle substance
   For the ethereal blow,
By fainter hammers, further heard,
   Then nearer, then so slow

Your breath has time to straighten,
   Your brain to bubble cool, --
Deals one imperial thunderbolt
   That scalps your naked soul.

Men go abroad to wonder at the heights of mountains, at the huge waves of the sea, at the long courses of the rivers, at the vast compass of the ocean, at the circular motions of the stars, and they pass by themselves without wondering.

Saint Augustine