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.
In just 24 hrs, Trump scored twice. First, by trolling the media with one little tweet about flag-burning and, second, with the Carrier deal. That is The Trump that baffles pundits.
A master of reality TV. This admiration from an ardent Lefty Dem who is wrong about the federal tax inducements (maybe state deals, though):
Amusing piece about the class component of the recent election. I think Fred overstates it though, because Trump did collect the bulk of the Republican base everywhere. Admittedly, many country club Repubs held their noses and voted Trump. Holding one's nose is a normal part of voting.
The Hidden Work of Keeping an Office Running - Debra Leonard-Porch, an administrative professional for over 35 years, reflects on her career and the pride she finds her work. These are the people who make the world work. Generally they have good computer trouble-shooting skills. In my experience, they are well-paid, but not overpaid, for the job.
Around here, an experienced high-energy office manager can be paid between 100-170,000 with annual raises or bonuses and excellent benefits. Often paid more than the junior professionals in business offices.
I did vote for him, but not a big fan. Yes, he is a player, he is a big-shot New Yorker and he wasn't born yesterday. However things go, when he is old he'll be able to sing this. Sheesh, what a song. Everybody might wish to own this tune, including me:
Contra Hegel, MLK, and Obama, there is no mystic "arc of history" bending in any beautiful direction on this planet. It's a lovely myth. If anything, it seems to me that there is a gravitational pull towards authoritarian power. Darwinian, in other words, Lord of the Flies.
As I see it, the "Left" tends authoritarian in its impulses. The part of the "Right" that I identify with as an American tends towards individual freedom from power, but few talk about that anymore except at the margins (eg pot smoking and job licensing).
Really, now it's all about what government power can do for/to me or can do for/to you. Leviathan won as if so often does. Gravity. Not just in the US, but all over.
Intimidation tactics will not work. Still, they should attack the Trump voters instead of Trump himself. Blame the people - roughly half the voters - not The Donald. Blame me. Donald just offered people a choice. Not his fault. Choice is good.
The recovery of the American Wild Turkey populations, like that of Egrets after the turn of the last century, has been a giant success of intelligent conservation.
Whether you want to shoot 'em and eat 'em, or just look at these huge birds (I like to do both), their resurgence is a great gift to America - thanks to conservation organizations.
The WTF has basically accomplished their goal. Turkeys are everywhere now, and huntable in most places. However, like government programs, non-profits rarely close up shop when their work is done. They tend to find something else to do, if only to keep their jobs. It's a sad fact that Ducks Unlimited still has much of their original mission to accomplish - wild duck populations, and the other wetlands critters that inhabit the habitats that DU protects and rehabilitates - remain far below where they were in years past.
There are a number of species of Wild Turkey in the New World. None native to the Old World.
Photo above: You all know that the males only display like that when they are overcome with love and/or horniness. Photo below: Our Editor-in-Chief Bird Dog (before he gained weight) with a bird in the hand. Today, he could afford to lose a couple of pounds.
I am sorry that I forget which commentator observed that US voters have now elected the fourth Republican Hitler in his or her adult life. The Hitlers keep coming, yet somehow we muddle along.
Matt Yglesias may be too young to relax about the latest American Hitler. Reading this, definitely.
I am certain about two things only: There is no new Hitler, and the Federal government will expand.
All this about the popular vote is nonsense. Clearly, if the rule of the game were popular vote instead of electoral college, national election campaigns would be planned entirely differently.
As it is now, candidates must appeal to broad sectors of the country and to a broad geography instead of just to the largest urban areas. The electoral college, like the Senate, gives some importance to states with differing interests or without large urban centers. That was part of the deal. Our republic was designed with many systems to prevent majorities from overpowering the rest.
