Now that the election is over a few trial balloons have surfaced in Massachusetts about addressing the revenue issue. Revenue issue is a kind way of saying raising taxes and is like calling a used car a pre-owned car. The possibility of tinkering with the income tax and increasing the gasoline tax are starting to read their collectively ugly heads. When you vote to maintain a sales tax “For the children” the interpretation is simply and that is that the folks will quite naturally be accommodating to other tax increases or fee increases. According to the Taxpayer Foundation Massachusetts has the largest per capita debt of any state with fellow traveler California close behind. Two states that go lock step with the demands of public service unions.
I really enjoyed George Bush (R- Hanging Chad) attempt to rewrite history on an interview regarding his failed presidency. Dubya certainly matched the inane attempts of Jimmy Carter and his revisionist rant of a few months ago. I’m sure both probably consider Warren G. Harding as a personal favorite. I can’t wait down the road for Obama attempting to make sense out of the train wreck he helped create.
The CPA is now in the books as far as Middleboro is concerned and I hope the local Historical Association will be able to grab some of the funding. The conditions of the buildings had reached a point where a decision was going to have to be made on not restoration and repair but which one to save while leaving the remains for the wood pile. Fortunately the Association came into a generous gift which has allowed renovations to take place that will at least preserve the site. Now CPA funds may allow the Association to address other critical issues on the property.
Republic of South Korea had full page spreads in newspapers across the United States on 11/11 thanking the United States and those of the United Nations that helped secure their freedom.
Governor “Almost One and Out” Patrick pledged a billion bucks to Bio and pharma to create jobs and last week two bio firms announced layoffs. Another stimulus type bill that results in a taxpayer bill.
A nasty report surfaced from the government that outlines drastic steps that must be taken to address the debt issue. Naturally the mention of increase in taxes and reduction in benefits was front and center. Good luck with that.
One of the key components in the above was structural changes to that great Ponzi scheme known as Social Security. Reduction in benefits, increase in retirement age and further cuts to Medicare were prominently mention. Why is it that those who actually contribute must take the brunt of government failures? Seems like the last group to have anything slashed is the entitlement crowd especially illegals.
The government with their enforcement arm - the IRS - has also proposed an elimination in the home mortgage deduction. This is not new as the tax code has had countless little items dropped over the years and the cumulative impact has been to have more revenue enhancement.
The increase in retirement age and pension reductions has hit Europe hard as one nation after another has to deal with rising costs and lack of funds. The solution advocated is an increase in the retirement age and that has been met with riots that have shut down some countries particularly France. Imagine what the war torn streets of Paris would be like if they proposed an increase from age 60 to 70 for retirement rather than 62.
Mayor Mumbles in Boston is taking on the unions. Amazing! In Massachusetts it is especially evident the power the police, fire and teachers unions wield and how a very, very large portion of our legislature seems to pay heed to them more than the average Joe and Jane. Mumbles is attempting to get some relief on health care which costs Boston 300M a year. The city currently pays 82% and there are options such as the state run program that could provide cost relief. Mumbles is actually attempting a home rule petition to circumvent the unions. Good luck, Mumbles.
The clear consistency in the government budget is excessive pension and health benefits that certainly put to shame most in the dreaded private sector. The matching contribution in the dreaded private sector is about as rare as a cognizant column from BB and most employees have to make do with what they can cobble together with a retirement plan of their own. In my own days in the DPS the health care bill was usually a contributory 50/50 split and in virtually all areas of the public sector it is in the 80/20 range or higher with the taxpayer footing the greater portion of the bill. Middleboro is no exception.
The Cabot Club has folded. This is a 100+ years old civic organization that had made significant contributions to the quality of life in Middleboro and the dwindling membership finally forced the situation and they are in the process of dissolving. I do see a lack of involvement in certain organizations I was active in such as scouts and 4H.
Nice letter by Wally in The Gazette.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Assorted Blather
On November 4th my portfolio finally exceeded the levels it was at prior to the Ironic that it happened when the Republicans had a political blowout at the expense of the Democrats.
I started to watch more TV news prior to the election and for post election summaries. I found Fox to be - by far - the most balanced and informative. I also watched Beck expecting the reincarnate of Satan but found him more like Joe Pyne. Theatrical and entertaining.
Electronic media outlets have now dropped any pretense of impartiality.
What I found interesting is how much the Republicans gained in state legislatures and governorships across the country. I saw one of those wonderful maps and the country is about 90% red.
Amazing how the state auditor race turned out. A candidate that even the Globe endorsed and virtually all newspapers across the state endorsed. Connaughton’s credentials far exceeded that of Bump and just showed the power of that just vote D in state elections. Bump replaces a career hack in DeNucci (D - Punch Drunk).
For some reason the Red Sox exercised their option on the contract of David Ortiz and based on DH market value vastly over paid.
It’s OK to “March around downtown” with pictures of Obama morphed into Hitler thanks to that pesky little thing called The First Amendment, Bumpkin. Same thing that allowed you to make statements about them in the first place.
The guess the “Cap & Trade” is now officially dead?
I’d love to see Mitch Daniels give it a go for President in 2012. I’d also like to see the Democrats run Jim Webb over the failed Chicago hack. Maybe a ticket with both of them? Nice third party to separate us from the House Of Medici (Dem & Repub) that control the process.
John Kerry (D-Minnow) has reportedly still not paid his tax on his yacht. Maybe we should take a collection? Buy more ketchup?
Looking at the new “Mistah Speakah” I know what happened to all those old bottles of “Man Tan.” We go from a pumped up Botox queen to someone who spends a good portion of his life in a tanning booth. Thankfully I am naturally beautiful and don’t need any artificial enhancements.
Jan Brewer (R- Jingoist) won her return to the governor’s seat in Arizona. Her hard line immigration stance actually was successful.
I wonder how much money will be siphoned off of CPA to “protect” buildings that need a wrecking ball and not refurbishment? About half of downtown Middleboro could use some serious bulldozer work. At least that new theater shows some architectural class. Nice start.
Sooner or later a Randy Moss will meltdown. He did it in college, on his first trip to Minnesota, with the Raiders, the Patriots and not on his second visit to Minnesota. Has a pattern been established? Now this immensely talented and occasionally disinterested and lazy performer has surfaced in Titan land. This is the team whose owner - Bud Adams - gave the “double bird” to Buffalo fans and he is actually the class of the organization.
The “Failed Sports Reporter” - Keith Olbermann got suspended from the dismal performing MSNBC over corporate ethics violation of giving donations to political campaigns. The way he gets destroyed in the ratings by Fox it will be no great loss. Typical moonbat hypocrite.
Suo had an interesting post on the lack or demise of heavy manufacturing in this country. I still see some of the shells of former operations even on the South Shore. Americansworking.com is a site that dedicates itself to American made products.
The abysmal “Leader of The Free World” has decided to skip town in wake or is that before the wake that happened on Tuesday. These trips are planned well ahead and I figure his pollsters gave him the numbers and WOW figured it would be a good time to vacate the USA.
The Herald is ripping into Blarney Frank - again - this time on his connection to a hedge fund. Any financial institution that got any support from the government will have that connection linked to Blarney by The Herald no matter how tenuous the connection.
I started to watch more TV news prior to the election and for post election summaries. I found Fox to be - by far - the most balanced and informative. I also watched Beck expecting the reincarnate of Satan but found him more like Joe Pyne. Theatrical and entertaining.
Electronic media outlets have now dropped any pretense of impartiality.
What I found interesting is how much the Republicans gained in state legislatures and governorships across the country. I saw one of those wonderful maps and the country is about 90% red.
Amazing how the state auditor race turned out. A candidate that even the Globe endorsed and virtually all newspapers across the state endorsed. Connaughton’s credentials far exceeded that of Bump and just showed the power of that just vote D in state elections. Bump replaces a career hack in DeNucci (D - Punch Drunk).
For some reason the Red Sox exercised their option on the contract of David Ortiz and based on DH market value vastly over paid.
It’s OK to “March around downtown” with pictures of Obama morphed into Hitler thanks to that pesky little thing called The First Amendment, Bumpkin. Same thing that allowed you to make statements about them in the first place.
The guess the “Cap & Trade” is now officially dead?
I’d love to see Mitch Daniels give it a go for President in 2012. I’d also like to see the Democrats run Jim Webb over the failed Chicago hack. Maybe a ticket with both of them? Nice third party to separate us from the House Of Medici (Dem & Repub) that control the process.
John Kerry (D-Minnow) has reportedly still not paid his tax on his yacht. Maybe we should take a collection? Buy more ketchup?
Looking at the new “Mistah Speakah” I know what happened to all those old bottles of “Man Tan.” We go from a pumped up Botox queen to someone who spends a good portion of his life in a tanning booth. Thankfully I am naturally beautiful and don’t need any artificial enhancements.
Jan Brewer (R- Jingoist) won her return to the governor’s seat in Arizona. Her hard line immigration stance actually was successful.
I wonder how much money will be siphoned off of CPA to “protect” buildings that need a wrecking ball and not refurbishment? About half of downtown Middleboro could use some serious bulldozer work. At least that new theater shows some architectural class. Nice start.
Sooner or later a Randy Moss will meltdown. He did it in college, on his first trip to Minnesota, with the Raiders, the Patriots and not on his second visit to Minnesota. Has a pattern been established? Now this immensely talented and occasionally disinterested and lazy performer has surfaced in Titan land. This is the team whose owner - Bud Adams - gave the “double bird” to Buffalo fans and he is actually the class of the organization.
The “Failed Sports Reporter” - Keith Olbermann got suspended from the dismal performing MSNBC over corporate ethics violation of giving donations to political campaigns. The way he gets destroyed in the ratings by Fox it will be no great loss. Typical moonbat hypocrite.
Suo had an interesting post on the lack or demise of heavy manufacturing in this country. I still see some of the shells of former operations even on the South Shore. Americansworking.com is a site that dedicates itself to American made products.
The abysmal “Leader of The Free World” has decided to skip town in wake or is that before the wake that happened on Tuesday. These trips are planned well ahead and I figure his pollsters gave him the numbers and WOW figured it would be a good time to vacate the USA.
The Herald is ripping into Blarney Frank - again - this time on his connection to a hedge fund. Any financial institution that got any support from the government will have that connection linked to Blarney by The Herald no matter how tenuous the connection.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Election Winners (W) and Losers (L).
The Tea Party (W) - The attempts by the loony left to demonize this group only reinforced they must be on to something. Voter anger? Well….they managed to take full advantage of it.
The left (L) - they actually thought 2008 was a mandate! It was all about Bush and now it is all about Obama.
Media (L) - No more campaign dollars for endless ads. Here comes the pink slips.
George Bush (W)- Tossed out along with his party just two years ago. What an embarrassment! Now? Democrats and Obama screwed up even more.
The Economy (W)- Banks and businesses have a few trillion in cash lying around waiting for some good news. That happened on Tuesday.
Racial politics (W)- A Black guy can screw up as well as a White guy. Racial parity has reached the Presidency. Now get Hillary in there.
Hope & Change (L) - Little hope and no change.
Obamacare (L) - No matter how good something may be when the government tells you by shoving it down your throat you see the reaction. Americans are an obstinate bunch.
Excessive Regulation (L) - The campaign theme of over regulation was ingrained in the Republican babble. It is true and it worked.
PAC Money (W) - Doesn’t make any difference if it is from the left or right there is a bundle of it. Then comes the Lobbyist.
Massachusetts Republican Party (W) - Finally actually challenged in some races. Get some experience and some names on the ballot. Maybe that one party state tag may disappear?
Massachusetts Democratic Party (L) - Business as usual may be out the door.
Massachusetts Congressional Delegation (L) - We’ll go from ten to nine in a few years. Wonder why state loses out?
Obama (L) - This lightweight has made Jimmy Carter look like a combination Washington, Lincoln and FDR. Remember when he was called a liar in Congress? How very, very accurate.
Rhode Island (W) - Goodbye to Patches Kennedy can only be a plus.
Bush Tax Cuts (W) - This will stay with us.
Nancy Pelosi (L) - This one makes some of the whack jobs the Republicans ran actually seem like statesmen. She’ll be back - Botox and all.
Republican Party (W-L) - Now that you are the dog that chased the car and caught it - what do you do?
Democratic Party (L-W) - You get hammered and still have a lost soul in the White House but at least you have someone to blame - the Republicans! What goes around comes around.
Gridlock (W) - It will only get worse but is that a bad thing? The less they accomplish the better off we are.
Bogofree (W) - A whole new round of trashing to begin in January. Just change the names in those old posts.
New Hampshire (W) - More business for those of us willing to travel. If I’m going north I “stock up” on the return trip.
CPA (W-L) - How do I weasel out of paying? Now that battle starts among those wishing to divvy up the funds.
Pollsters (W) - Very, very accurate.
Sales Tax (W) - 3% to 5% to 6.25% - do you notice a trend? Yep….complain about the state government and vote them back in with money to screw around with. This is a mandate for more taxes.
The left (L) - they actually thought 2008 was a mandate! It was all about Bush and now it is all about Obama.
Media (L) - No more campaign dollars for endless ads. Here comes the pink slips.
George Bush (W)- Tossed out along with his party just two years ago. What an embarrassment! Now? Democrats and Obama screwed up even more.
The Economy (W)- Banks and businesses have a few trillion in cash lying around waiting for some good news. That happened on Tuesday.
Racial politics (W)- A Black guy can screw up as well as a White guy. Racial parity has reached the Presidency. Now get Hillary in there.
Hope & Change (L) - Little hope and no change.
Obamacare (L) - No matter how good something may be when the government tells you by shoving it down your throat you see the reaction. Americans are an obstinate bunch.
Excessive Regulation (L) - The campaign theme of over regulation was ingrained in the Republican babble. It is true and it worked.
PAC Money (W) - Doesn’t make any difference if it is from the left or right there is a bundle of it. Then comes the Lobbyist.
Massachusetts Republican Party (W) - Finally actually challenged in some races. Get some experience and some names on the ballot. Maybe that one party state tag may disappear?
Massachusetts Democratic Party (L) - Business as usual may be out the door.
Massachusetts Congressional Delegation (L) - We’ll go from ten to nine in a few years. Wonder why state loses out?
Obama (L) - This lightweight has made Jimmy Carter look like a combination Washington, Lincoln and FDR. Remember when he was called a liar in Congress? How very, very accurate.
Rhode Island (W) - Goodbye to Patches Kennedy can only be a plus.
Bush Tax Cuts (W) - This will stay with us.
Nancy Pelosi (L) - This one makes some of the whack jobs the Republicans ran actually seem like statesmen. She’ll be back - Botox and all.
Republican Party (W-L) - Now that you are the dog that chased the car and caught it - what do you do?
Democratic Party (L-W) - You get hammered and still have a lost soul in the White House but at least you have someone to blame - the Republicans! What goes around comes around.
Gridlock (W) - It will only get worse but is that a bad thing? The less they accomplish the better off we are.
Bogofree (W) - A whole new round of trashing to begin in January. Just change the names in those old posts.
New Hampshire (W) - More business for those of us willing to travel. If I’m going north I “stock up” on the return trip.
CPA (W-L) - How do I weasel out of paying? Now that battle starts among those wishing to divvy up the funds.
Pollsters (W) - Very, very accurate.
Sales Tax (W) - 3% to 5% to 6.25% - do you notice a trend? Yep….complain about the state government and vote them back in with money to screw around with. This is a mandate for more taxes.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Pre Election Post
The TSA is the government answer to mall cops and now the leverage of lunacy they have been given is now expanded. Those of us who refuse the full body scans are now subject to what has been called the “foreplay pat down.” Refuse the scanner and you get a nice body search. This is one of those issues that conservatives, liberals and moderates show their collective disdain for. It is beyond politics and into the realm of evasiveness that goes beyond comprehension.
Juan Williams has exposed NPR for what it really is - a taxpayer financed mouthpiece for the left and even the far left. His big crime is actually lending an articulate and dissenting voice on the FOX Network and that certainly did not sit well with the PC crowd getting funded on our dime. NPR programming seems to center around the BBC. Maybe the prevailing mindset is an English accent lends credence? The government is in the news business and that is a place it should never have been. Time for all taxpayer funding to be stripped from a state run news agency.
Been no real casino stories for a few months - something to be thankful for.
SYSCO to Middleboro would be a nice addition. Plenty of room.
My election prediction - Democrats in Massachusetts will win everything. Then starts the two year campaign against Scott Brown.
Patriots do not look like a football team to be feared.
If I could convince my SO Halloween would be a rite of passage - as in passage out of Massachusetts only to return in mid May.
I look at the lowering of the sales tax question as a state wide prop 2 and ½.
I have no problem with alternative energy sources especially wind power but the more I investigate Cape Wind the more it appears to be just a bad and highly flawed proposal. I don’t care one hoot about the esthetics of a wind farm but I do care about cost and is it fiscally feasible to the rate payer. Does not appear to be in this instance and I originally was a supporter.
GEX is an ETF that specializes in global alternative energy. In 2008 this fund lost 56% of its value from when we purchased it. So far it has recovered exactly nothing. Morningstar has given it a one star rating and that is as low as they go. The Street has it as a solid sell and some others no longer report on it. What it comes down to is alternative energy is just a lousy investment that will not improve until it becomes fiscally imperative to seriously develop those alternative sources. That is not happening soon. As far as I can determine that has nothing to do with the Koch brothers.
Local kid gets shot in NY and some serious questions revolve around the incident. Next thing you know information is “leaked” to the press and forensic evidence conveniently disappears. This is the stench of a cover-up.
Not to be outdone some Boston cops decided the best way to arrest a juvenile was to rough him up. The video shows what appears to be at least five officers corralling the kid on the ground while two whack away on him. These guys have restraint training and the kid was unarmed. Unnecessary.
A broker has placed the value of The Boston Globe at $75M. And here I always thought it was “worthless.”
Another car rental strange days moment that seems to be with just about every agency. I have a five day rental at San Juan for a total with all discounts and taxes for $150. Noon to noon rental. Then I do a noon to noon rental for just one day and the total is $26! It is actually fiscally sounder to do five one day rentals rather than one five day rental. I see this all the time.
John Kerry (D-Cap’t Hook) has - surprised - blamed just about everything in Washington on Republican Obstructionism. What a tired and worn out song.
So far I have been inundated with campaign fliers and phone calls. Best one is the travel brochure made up as an anti Barney Frank message. Hey, Blarney, how is that 500B siphoned off Medicare “protecting seniors?”
Deval Patrick, Charlie Baker and Tim Cahill. The Queen of Green - Jill Stein - is looking better each day.
Juan Williams has exposed NPR for what it really is - a taxpayer financed mouthpiece for the left and even the far left. His big crime is actually lending an articulate and dissenting voice on the FOX Network and that certainly did not sit well with the PC crowd getting funded on our dime. NPR programming seems to center around the BBC. Maybe the prevailing mindset is an English accent lends credence? The government is in the news business and that is a place it should never have been. Time for all taxpayer funding to be stripped from a state run news agency.
Been no real casino stories for a few months - something to be thankful for.
SYSCO to Middleboro would be a nice addition. Plenty of room.
My election prediction - Democrats in Massachusetts will win everything. Then starts the two year campaign against Scott Brown.
Patriots do not look like a football team to be feared.
If I could convince my SO Halloween would be a rite of passage - as in passage out of Massachusetts only to return in mid May.
I look at the lowering of the sales tax question as a state wide prop 2 and ½.
I have no problem with alternative energy sources especially wind power but the more I investigate Cape Wind the more it appears to be just a bad and highly flawed proposal. I don’t care one hoot about the esthetics of a wind farm but I do care about cost and is it fiscally feasible to the rate payer. Does not appear to be in this instance and I originally was a supporter.
GEX is an ETF that specializes in global alternative energy. In 2008 this fund lost 56% of its value from when we purchased it. So far it has recovered exactly nothing. Morningstar has given it a one star rating and that is as low as they go. The Street has it as a solid sell and some others no longer report on it. What it comes down to is alternative energy is just a lousy investment that will not improve until it becomes fiscally imperative to seriously develop those alternative sources. That is not happening soon. As far as I can determine that has nothing to do with the Koch brothers.
Local kid gets shot in NY and some serious questions revolve around the incident. Next thing you know information is “leaked” to the press and forensic evidence conveniently disappears. This is the stench of a cover-up.
Not to be outdone some Boston cops decided the best way to arrest a juvenile was to rough him up. The video shows what appears to be at least five officers corralling the kid on the ground while two whack away on him. These guys have restraint training and the kid was unarmed. Unnecessary.
A broker has placed the value of The Boston Globe at $75M. And here I always thought it was “worthless.”
Another car rental strange days moment that seems to be with just about every agency. I have a five day rental at San Juan for a total with all discounts and taxes for $150. Noon to noon rental. Then I do a noon to noon rental for just one day and the total is $26! It is actually fiscally sounder to do five one day rentals rather than one five day rental. I see this all the time.
John Kerry (D-Cap’t Hook) has - surprised - blamed just about everything in Washington on Republican Obstructionism. What a tired and worn out song.
So far I have been inundated with campaign fliers and phone calls. Best one is the travel brochure made up as an anti Barney Frank message. Hey, Blarney, how is that 500B siphoned off Medicare “protecting seniors?”
Deval Patrick, Charlie Baker and Tim Cahill. The Queen of Green - Jill Stein - is looking better each day.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Say Goodnight NY/SYSCO/Elections/Trashing Lakeville
Money can’t but happiness as shown my the dismal performance of a team about 300 miles south of here. They did lay out 208M this year in payroll and managed to fall short. IMO if Boston had reasonable health the NY team - whose name escapes me - would not even had made the playoffs. Said team and other big market teams have contributed mightily to the destruction of the baseball salary structure. A signature call of one of the announcers of the team - whose name escapes me - is “See Ya!” How appropriate.
A fascinating documentary is available on the financial meltdown called “Inside Job.” This lays out the blame and it is painted with a wide brush starting in the early 80s with deregulation and finishing off with Obama. Everyone has their fingers in the pie or looks the other way with special hits given to the Ivy League crowd and their majestic economic advice. This is a richly deserved bi-partisan trashing.
Along these lines I continue to be amazed my Barney Frank and his pattern of denial in this whole mess. There has been enough vids and documents that have surfaced to show he simply had legislation supported that would buy votes and had just about zero to do with economic realities. When confronted Barney does his highly agitated routine complete with his patented name calling and finger pointing. The sad thing is this buffoon with go on to his 15th term.
Appears Barney Frank’s partner is tailing his opponent and has managed to get into a riff with him. As the campaign for Frank states there is nothing wrong with this or accepting a huge “gift” of a five star vacation from a bank Frank helped bailout. Legal - yes. Highly inappropriate - yes, again. Stalking is what it really is.
Deval “One And Out (maybe) Patrick” looked lame the other night in a debate with Baker. I’m still waiting for that tax relief.
Those of us collecting from the ultimate Ponzi scheme - Social Security are not collecting a stipend this year thanks to the economy being stuck in a pit of molasses. My problem with the COLA is that - like the casino deal - it is not linked to regional cost of living. Nor is areas of increase in the economy that impacts seniors such as health care considered as part of the formula.
My last trip had the annual rental car adventure that I torture myself with. I usually rent at Houston Hobby and return at San Antonio. My first look at prices was about three months before my trip and the rental for a compact was about $700 for a week including all charges. This was the cheapest and it was with Dollar and I booked it knowing it would change as time went forward. About two weeks before we left I made my final reservation and the total was $303 including a $87 one way charge. This represented the fourth booking as I kept getting lower and lower prices and it was with Dollar that now seems to have taken over from Alamo as the cheapest rentals in Texas. This bizarre routine goes on every year and the real joke is what the taxes and other charges are. The base rate for the car for one week was $109 and the rest were all to feed government sans the $87 charge. Reminds me of the recent meals tax debate locally where the screw the tourist became the mantra for passing it. Fine unless you happen to be the tourist.
On the rental cars what is interesting is that when you have a city like Houston with two airports there can be a significant difference in the cost from one airport to another and the same applies to airline tickets. Car rentals are generally cheaper off airport grounds so sometimes it is economically advisable to take transportation to your hotel and rent as needed.
I like ice tea and especially the one at McDonald’s. When it is delivered they have a straw with it and I simply say “no straw” and they proceed to toss out the fully wrapped straw. Happens every time. In KC last summer and the summer before when I purchased a bottomless drink at the ballpark they refused to fill up the old one. Board of Health required them to toss it out and give me a new one. Magnify that by 5,000 and that is quite a few cups and quite a waste that is needless. So much for all those “Going Green” initiatives that seem to be everyplace. This is just a few examples and I have seen many more.
While in Austin I paid a visit to the Story of Texas Museum. While wandering aimlessly around the building I notice a maintenance worker changing those squiggly little light bulbs. He had on a face mask with a plastic faceplate and rubber gloves like Mr. Wizard use to wear while mixing acids. He asked me to “Stand about ten feet away” as he removed another of the pesky little squiggles and replaced it. Had a brief conversation and told me this is what they have to wear. I thought those things lasted something like a million hours? Turns out they have to be replaced on a regular basis.
SYSCO is dead in Lakeville and I am mystified why they hung on so long on this deal. Now Norton can get back into the mix as can Attleboro and Middleboro. This is a top of the line company and a solid investment for those that want consistent growth and steady returns. Maybe if it was a twenty year old fire truck they would have gone for it.
I love the “Quality of Life” argument that the Lakeville folks put on the table. That hospital and the bowling alley and Dewey’s certainly are photogenic. Don’t want any warehouse screwing that up. Then you have the collection o mini strip malls that seem to proliferate in Lakeville. High end shopping at its very best. Only time we hear from Lakeville is when they need another water connection.
The director of the Middleboro food bank did a General McAuliffe and called Lakeville “NUTS” over their vote on SYSCO. IMHO Lakeville seems to have no water lines, sewer system, no town trash pick-up, a town hall not open on Friday, a hand down ladder truck and now no influx of jobs. Explain that to the clients of the food bank who need work.
I have had it explained to me time and time again but it still makes no sense. How can a company beat expectations, show positive and sustained growth for a quarter and still have its stock nosedive? This happened with Apple the other day. Dropped over 6% in after hours after beating expectations.
The Fed recently met in Boston and their pronouncement on deflation should be a warning sign for all of us. The last thing this horribly failed administration needs is deflation. But what good is inflation? Thing of the huge debt rung up being paid off with cheap money. Deflation just makes that debt more expensive.
NPR that bastion of political correctness and Uber liberal points of view managed to can a commentator who was open and honest about feeling uncomfortable with Muslims on a plane. Gee…let me see if I remember? Nineteen Muslim terrorists board and hijack four aircraft and kill 3,000 people. My…I wonder why he feels uncomfortable? This nonsense has a good portion of its funding from our tax dollars.
The Koch brothers are now the bad guys from the loonies who infest the far left since they are the great backers of the Tea Party. I guess these loonies never head of George Soros? Or if they did they have convenient memory loss.
A fascinating documentary is available on the financial meltdown called “Inside Job.” This lays out the blame and it is painted with a wide brush starting in the early 80s with deregulation and finishing off with Obama. Everyone has their fingers in the pie or looks the other way with special hits given to the Ivy League crowd and their majestic economic advice. This is a richly deserved bi-partisan trashing.
Along these lines I continue to be amazed my Barney Frank and his pattern of denial in this whole mess. There has been enough vids and documents that have surfaced to show he simply had legislation supported that would buy votes and had just about zero to do with economic realities. When confronted Barney does his highly agitated routine complete with his patented name calling and finger pointing. The sad thing is this buffoon with go on to his 15th term.
Appears Barney Frank’s partner is tailing his opponent and has managed to get into a riff with him. As the campaign for Frank states there is nothing wrong with this or accepting a huge “gift” of a five star vacation from a bank Frank helped bailout. Legal - yes. Highly inappropriate - yes, again. Stalking is what it really is.
Deval “One And Out (maybe) Patrick” looked lame the other night in a debate with Baker. I’m still waiting for that tax relief.
Those of us collecting from the ultimate Ponzi scheme - Social Security are not collecting a stipend this year thanks to the economy being stuck in a pit of molasses. My problem with the COLA is that - like the casino deal - it is not linked to regional cost of living. Nor is areas of increase in the economy that impacts seniors such as health care considered as part of the formula.
My last trip had the annual rental car adventure that I torture myself with. I usually rent at Houston Hobby and return at San Antonio. My first look at prices was about three months before my trip and the rental for a compact was about $700 for a week including all charges. This was the cheapest and it was with Dollar and I booked it knowing it would change as time went forward. About two weeks before we left I made my final reservation and the total was $303 including a $87 one way charge. This represented the fourth booking as I kept getting lower and lower prices and it was with Dollar that now seems to have taken over from Alamo as the cheapest rentals in Texas. This bizarre routine goes on every year and the real joke is what the taxes and other charges are. The base rate for the car for one week was $109 and the rest were all to feed government sans the $87 charge. Reminds me of the recent meals tax debate locally where the screw the tourist became the mantra for passing it. Fine unless you happen to be the tourist.
On the rental cars what is interesting is that when you have a city like Houston with two airports there can be a significant difference in the cost from one airport to another and the same applies to airline tickets. Car rentals are generally cheaper off airport grounds so sometimes it is economically advisable to take transportation to your hotel and rent as needed.
I like ice tea and especially the one at McDonald’s. When it is delivered they have a straw with it and I simply say “no straw” and they proceed to toss out the fully wrapped straw. Happens every time. In KC last summer and the summer before when I purchased a bottomless drink at the ballpark they refused to fill up the old one. Board of Health required them to toss it out and give me a new one. Magnify that by 5,000 and that is quite a few cups and quite a waste that is needless. So much for all those “Going Green” initiatives that seem to be everyplace. This is just a few examples and I have seen many more.
While in Austin I paid a visit to the Story of Texas Museum. While wandering aimlessly around the building I notice a maintenance worker changing those squiggly little light bulbs. He had on a face mask with a plastic faceplate and rubber gloves like Mr. Wizard use to wear while mixing acids. He asked me to “Stand about ten feet away” as he removed another of the pesky little squiggles and replaced it. Had a brief conversation and told me this is what they have to wear. I thought those things lasted something like a million hours? Turns out they have to be replaced on a regular basis.
SYSCO is dead in Lakeville and I am mystified why they hung on so long on this deal. Now Norton can get back into the mix as can Attleboro and Middleboro. This is a top of the line company and a solid investment for those that want consistent growth and steady returns. Maybe if it was a twenty year old fire truck they would have gone for it.
I love the “Quality of Life” argument that the Lakeville folks put on the table. That hospital and the bowling alley and Dewey’s certainly are photogenic. Don’t want any warehouse screwing that up. Then you have the collection o mini strip malls that seem to proliferate in Lakeville. High end shopping at its very best. Only time we hear from Lakeville is when they need another water connection.
The director of the Middleboro food bank did a General McAuliffe and called Lakeville “NUTS” over their vote on SYSCO. IMHO Lakeville seems to have no water lines, sewer system, no town trash pick-up, a town hall not open on Friday, a hand down ladder truck and now no influx of jobs. Explain that to the clients of the food bank who need work.
I have had it explained to me time and time again but it still makes no sense. How can a company beat expectations, show positive and sustained growth for a quarter and still have its stock nosedive? This happened with Apple the other day. Dropped over 6% in after hours after beating expectations.
The Fed recently met in Boston and their pronouncement on deflation should be a warning sign for all of us. The last thing this horribly failed administration needs is deflation. But what good is inflation? Thing of the huge debt rung up being paid off with cheap money. Deflation just makes that debt more expensive.
NPR that bastion of political correctness and Uber liberal points of view managed to can a commentator who was open and honest about feeling uncomfortable with Muslims on a plane. Gee…let me see if I remember? Nineteen Muslim terrorists board and hijack four aircraft and kill 3,000 people. My…I wonder why he feels uncomfortable? This nonsense has a good portion of its funding from our tax dollars.
The Koch brothers are now the bad guys from the loonies who infest the far left since they are the great backers of the Tea Party. I guess these loonies never head of George Soros? Or if they did they have convenient memory loss.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
SYSCO and Texas Comments
The situation with SYSCO is laughable. In Texas this would not even be an issue - jobs and business. You go to cities like Houston, Austin, San Antonio and Dallas and there is almost continual growth and not the stagnation. A company with an excellent reputation and a potential influx of tax dollars and payroll would be welcome. In Lakeville it appears to me that certain elements would be elated to have a passel of $10 jobs and the latest mall Du Jour. I did a Google Maps peek at the Norton facility of SYSCO and there are houses around the complex and Norton is trying everything to keep them in town. Attleboro is also interested and is hoping the deal falls through in Lakeville so they can get a shot. Did anyone ever contact those folks in Norton to get some feedback?
The Strand is the historic district of Galveston. This area was devastated by Hurricane Ike and it has almost totally recovered as businesses have been refurbished but there is one small problem - crime. An article from outside Texas appeared showing that the Strand - about twenty square blocks - is a festering pit of criminal activity. The key piece was the incredible high number of rapes and sexual assaults until it was pointed out that the rape crisis center for the Island and a good portion of off Island is located in The Strand. The statistics simply record where it is reported and not where it happened. I guess they have a confirmed liar somewhere doing some Clark type research. That killed that “report.”
I like Victorian homes and Galveston has about the most I’ve seen in one city - something for a place with 56,000 inhabitants. Many did suffer some damage in the storm but have been repaired. We did notice a few exceptions and some where being dismantled for “parts.” The homes have unique color schemes that have that touch of the Mediterranean with some bold greens, pinks and reds. Many have small gardens that are open to tours a few times a year for charity events as are a few of the homes. You can actually walk around one thirty block are and see them. In some instances questionable housing has taken root over the years so you can see that squeezed in among stately Victorians.
The Houston Ship Channel entrance is through Galveston and the first thing we noticed at night was the great number of ships at anchor as their lights stretched out into the evening. Turns out there was an accident the day before that closed down the channel and it would take a few days to clear the mess so everyone has to queue up to get in and out of Houston. Was forty ships waiting to get in and twenty-four waiting to leave. Think of a seagoing version of air traffic control only some of those ships are a 1,000+ feet long.
April 6th of 1830 represented a day that tossed down the gauntlet on illegal immigration to Texas only it was the Republic of Mexico that was attempting to curtail immigration from the United States from coming into Texas. What was first encouraged was now to be discouraged since the new immigrants refused to adopt the laws, customs, religion and just about anything else that the Mexicans were promoting. Despite this ban land grants were still being sold in the U.S. by impresarios who were Angloes and immigration still continued. The law was finally rescinded but it was too late. Texas independence was on the way. When revolution did come it came with significant support from the native Mexican population who considered themselves Texans first.
Austin bills itself as the Live Music Capital of The World. There is an area between 2nd and 6th streets that is littered with small clubs and live music in addition to the almost steady stream of concerts. The area was not as crime infested or run down as similar areas in Memphis and Nashville but it was not for us. Littered with the under 30 crowd on the prowl.
Austin has a pension problem. Public pensions that is. It’s killing them. Sound familiar? A city worker - non safety and teacher - can retire at age 55 with 20 years service and get a full pension. That is 90% in Austin. You retire at 50K you collect 45K for life. The proposal is to increase service time to 23 years and age a few years.
On the plane from Dallas to Boston my seat companion was going to Boston for a health care conference. He worked for the Franciscans that operate a non profit system in Texas. The Obama plan is causing problems already as they have seen some facilities and doctors refusing to take any new Medicare patients since the government has reduced reimbursement figures. He was excited about the portability of the new legislation and not denying for pre-existing conditions but now is starting to measure the plus and minus of the situation and is getting more and more in the minus column.
Austin is the Texas version of Berkley or Cambridge but with more moderation. Many of the Texan moonbats are mystified at how Massachusetts can continue to send Barney Frank to Congress. They wonder why we can’t see what is under our noses? And now with the latest being Barney’s jet excursion for one of his bailout buddies I have to agree.
The Strand is the historic district of Galveston. This area was devastated by Hurricane Ike and it has almost totally recovered as businesses have been refurbished but there is one small problem - crime. An article from outside Texas appeared showing that the Strand - about twenty square blocks - is a festering pit of criminal activity. The key piece was the incredible high number of rapes and sexual assaults until it was pointed out that the rape crisis center for the Island and a good portion of off Island is located in The Strand. The statistics simply record where it is reported and not where it happened. I guess they have a confirmed liar somewhere doing some Clark type research. That killed that “report.”
I like Victorian homes and Galveston has about the most I’ve seen in one city - something for a place with 56,000 inhabitants. Many did suffer some damage in the storm but have been repaired. We did notice a few exceptions and some where being dismantled for “parts.” The homes have unique color schemes that have that touch of the Mediterranean with some bold greens, pinks and reds. Many have small gardens that are open to tours a few times a year for charity events as are a few of the homes. You can actually walk around one thirty block are and see them. In some instances questionable housing has taken root over the years so you can see that squeezed in among stately Victorians.
The Houston Ship Channel entrance is through Galveston and the first thing we noticed at night was the great number of ships at anchor as their lights stretched out into the evening. Turns out there was an accident the day before that closed down the channel and it would take a few days to clear the mess so everyone has to queue up to get in and out of Houston. Was forty ships waiting to get in and twenty-four waiting to leave. Think of a seagoing version of air traffic control only some of those ships are a 1,000+ feet long.
April 6th of 1830 represented a day that tossed down the gauntlet on illegal immigration to Texas only it was the Republic of Mexico that was attempting to curtail immigration from the United States from coming into Texas. What was first encouraged was now to be discouraged since the new immigrants refused to adopt the laws, customs, religion and just about anything else that the Mexicans were promoting. Despite this ban land grants were still being sold in the U.S. by impresarios who were Angloes and immigration still continued. The law was finally rescinded but it was too late. Texas independence was on the way. When revolution did come it came with significant support from the native Mexican population who considered themselves Texans first.
Austin bills itself as the Live Music Capital of The World. There is an area between 2nd and 6th streets that is littered with small clubs and live music in addition to the almost steady stream of concerts. The area was not as crime infested or run down as similar areas in Memphis and Nashville but it was not for us. Littered with the under 30 crowd on the prowl.
Austin has a pension problem. Public pensions that is. It’s killing them. Sound familiar? A city worker - non safety and teacher - can retire at age 55 with 20 years service and get a full pension. That is 90% in Austin. You retire at 50K you collect 45K for life. The proposal is to increase service time to 23 years and age a few years.
On the plane from Dallas to Boston my seat companion was going to Boston for a health care conference. He worked for the Franciscans that operate a non profit system in Texas. The Obama plan is causing problems already as they have seen some facilities and doctors refusing to take any new Medicare patients since the government has reduced reimbursement figures. He was excited about the portability of the new legislation and not denying for pre-existing conditions but now is starting to measure the plus and minus of the situation and is getting more and more in the minus column.
Austin is the Texas version of Berkley or Cambridge but with more moderation. Many of the Texan moonbats are mystified at how Massachusetts can continue to send Barney Frank to Congress. They wonder why we can’t see what is under our noses? And now with the latest being Barney’s jet excursion for one of his bailout buddies I have to agree.
Monday, October 4, 2010
Pre Vacation Post
John Kerry (D-Gigolo) has managed to outdo even his usual blather by his pronouncement on the general intelligence of the electorate. Too bad this tax evading yachtsman was not up for election since it would be a slam dunk he’d be off to writing his memoirs while ensconced in his Louisburg Square Beacon Hill “cottage.” Kerry has displayed both contempt and a clear inability to grasp that folks are just fed up with the way government is being operated.
Continuing in the vain of the clueless is one Barney Frank who is seeking something like his 49th term in Congress. Barney is an expert at the full spittle reply when confronted about both his behavior towards those who disagree with him and his compliance in the fiscal meltdown. I expect that Frank will be elected - again - so just maybe that will give some credence to the Kerry remarks.
President Obama has decided to take on quite possible the largest special interest group in the nation - the unions that represent teachers. I never did in all my years of questioning receive a reply as to how the have handed out my dues on a state and national level with their various public interest groups. Obama has stated he wants bad teachers removed. How does the administration plan on determining a bad teacher? I can usually tell by observation and the primary source - the students. Be surprised how objective and clear cut they can be in their evaluations.
Notice that the teachers union in Massachusetts has contributed $560,000 to fight the reduction in the sales tax. For years I asked the national, state and local associations where they were funneling my dues? Exactly what causes were they “fighting” for? Never managed a reply. Never.
One of the real keys to the economy is something called consumer confidence. It has not presented a pretty picture for sometime.
The Bush tax cuts will expire and that is in the lap of Reid. Reid decided not to move on with extending the cuts despite bi-partisan support and it will potentially hit most of us. Amazing when it is mentioned we can’t afford the tax cuts but can support a failed stimulus bill or two…or three.
Liberal Democrats (AKA - Moonbats) now prefer to call themselves “Progressives” a term grabbed from those Republicans of a 100 or so years ago who actually targeted the excesses of - you guessed it - Democrats! Well…the progressives still stand for lack of personal accountability and responsibility, big government as a cure all and the endless look for more revenues. In their world all businessmen are robber barons and anyone to their right is a bigoted reactionary in lock-step with the Tea Party.
The “Progressives” had a nice meeting at the National Mall in D.C. over the weekend and titled it “Power To The People.” IMO this was the usual collection of “activist,” “organizers,” and “union leaders” with one clear thread in common - they get their bucks from the taxpayer. Naturally it is a show of survival as the TP and most of America is on to this long running con game which has ultimately given us the former “community organizer” as president. Ah…just the thoughts of ACORN.
If somehow the Republicans managed to take control of the house will that mean the outgoing collection of moonbats will put forth a flurry of social engineering bills? I somehow think enough Blue Dog Democrats will prevent this.
Patrick has still refused to addresses his exact position of benefits for illegal immigrants.
Massachusetts will probably lose another member of Congress once the census figures are final. If we were really, really lucky we would lose all ten.
Charlie Barker (R-HMO) is just about tied with Deval “One and Out” Patrick in the race for governor. Tim Cahill is hanging around and Green Party or whatever they call themselves candidate - Jill “I’m an MD so I know everything” Stein - is at 4%. Deval is attempting to drift a bit further to the right on certain issues to feel he is more in tune with the general electorate. I’m still waiting for my property tax relief.
Tim Cahill (I- Long Gone) is now hanging on by a thread in the race for governor. His Lt. Governor candidate defected to the Republicans much like Cahill did from the Democratic party. His poll numbers are starting to approach those of Jill “I’m from Harvard so I know best “ Stein. Both will soon be passed by blanks.
Ken Burns is back at baseball with “The 10th Inning” that is a must for the fan and non fan. Lttle sappy but still a nice trip down memory lane.
Now we have the latest Tea Party babble coming from Senate Prez Murray who did the BB thing over the TP. The tired old song and dance about “nut jobs.” It seems the only criticism I read is the name calling. No one seems to mention anything about the base root of the movement which seems rather simplistic to me - fiscal sanity, immigration reform and leaner government are common themes. When you run scared the only thing you have is to take the low road.
The TP has put forth their collective complaints and have a rather rapt audience but they seem a wee bit short on substance. I’m just wondering what the master plan is for scaling down government or tax policy? From what I have been able to gather this is more of an emotional movement at this point rather than one with a solid platform. A lot of sound bites in their rhetoric. So I’d venture a guess that most of their positions will be weaved into the Republican Party platform in fine detail. Personally the less one says the better the chance of not doing a Kerry. Might be more advantageous to talk in slogans. With Obama I said he couldn’t be worse than the last guy but has managed to put that notion to rest. Could always happen again.
The famed Amish Mantel are now being advertised in the paper as winter nears. These are manufactured by the Chinese branch of the Amish community.
Comedian Stephen Colbert - a sidekick of Jon Stewart - recently appeared before Congress to give “testimony” on Immigration. Unfortunately he did this in character and I imagine that in the small minds of those who dreamed up this stunt that passes for legitimate testimony. Both of these well past their shelf life entertainers appear on “The Daily Show” a comedy take on news with a left wing slant. I have not watched the show in years simply because in became a flat joke after awhile. You could sense the punch lines. Think SNL. IMHO this was done significantly better by TW3 (That Was The Week That Was) many decades ago. Better writers, better performers and satire not mockery. I guess his appearance may be appropriate since the ultimate joke has been in office now for almost two years.
Marriages and down and records are being set for food stamp requests. Gaps between the rich and poor continue to escalate. Now rich is defined as that 20% making 100K or more a year of which the top 5% earn 180K or more per year. I guess that recession is over!
Southwest and Air Tran are now going to be one. As a frequent traveler both these carriers are high on my list to avoid. With Southwest I have rarely found their advertised fares available. I have flown them twice and on both occasions I felt I was in the Wal Mart of airlines. That the corporation is solid is beyond doubt and they do pay rather well but it is just not for me. Air Tran is the reincarnation of ValuJet that was involved in a horrific crash in the Everglades about 15 years ago. I have flown Air Tran several times since Houston - Hobby Airport is a key route and have found the level of service an abomination.
The Red Sox are officially dead but they did manage to hang on until the last week of the season. Even with inconsistent pitching and a sloppy defense a healthy team would be printing playoff tickets right now. It was there’s for the taking but just didn’t happen. It will be interesting to see if they sign Beltre (doubt it) and Martinez (50/50) and renegotiate a lower dollar deal for Ortiz. Papelbon has little trade value and I wonder if they just might not tender him an arbitration offer? They need some serious bullpen upgrades and I would love to see them get Brandon League from Seattle and sign potential free agent Dan Wheeler. Bard looks like he is capable of closing and the rest of the bullpen is unreliable and dispensable.
The “Stat Monkeys” are making a big push for a Cy Young Award for Felix Hernandez despite his 13-12 record for the worse team in baseball - Seattle. I don’t buy that total metrics argument. As the commercial goes “You play to win the game” and that is exactly what David Price, CC Sabathia and Jon Lester have done and done under the pressure of a race in the toughest division in baseball. I’d have “King Felix” third on my ballot.
BOS had a flag issue as it turns out they had a protocol violation for flying the flag under another symbol. Next week I will go to Texas where the state flag flies adjacent to the American flag since Texas was an independent nation when it entered the union. Vermont is the only other state to fall into that grouping.
Town Meeting time in Middleboro and this is “The purest form of special interest” one can find. I don’t recall any earth shaking warrant issues so you will not see the usual parade of groups interested in their own pet agenda. I remember back in the day when I placed value on this only to watch groups of teachers or firefighters or town employees vacant the TM after their issue was decided.
Off to Texas next week and to see how a real state operates. No comparison to Massachusetts. We lack well behind in the common sense and manners department. The really big cities like Houston and Dallas are the exception but the rest of the state is truly a fascinating place especially Hill Country. I’d have relocated there years ago but these decisions are two way and my wife - The Lovely Cynthia - changed her mind about relocating as in “I love the winter.” On this trip we shall spend some time in Austin which is the moonbat capital of Texas. Plenty of liberals - oops - “Progressives” in Austin. Been to the LBJ Library before and it is excellent but the ranch is a bore.
Continuing in the vain of the clueless is one Barney Frank who is seeking something like his 49th term in Congress. Barney is an expert at the full spittle reply when confronted about both his behavior towards those who disagree with him and his compliance in the fiscal meltdown. I expect that Frank will be elected - again - so just maybe that will give some credence to the Kerry remarks.
President Obama has decided to take on quite possible the largest special interest group in the nation - the unions that represent teachers. I never did in all my years of questioning receive a reply as to how the have handed out my dues on a state and national level with their various public interest groups. Obama has stated he wants bad teachers removed. How does the administration plan on determining a bad teacher? I can usually tell by observation and the primary source - the students. Be surprised how objective and clear cut they can be in their evaluations.
Notice that the teachers union in Massachusetts has contributed $560,000 to fight the reduction in the sales tax. For years I asked the national, state and local associations where they were funneling my dues? Exactly what causes were they “fighting” for? Never managed a reply. Never.
One of the real keys to the economy is something called consumer confidence. It has not presented a pretty picture for sometime.
The Bush tax cuts will expire and that is in the lap of Reid. Reid decided not to move on with extending the cuts despite bi-partisan support and it will potentially hit most of us. Amazing when it is mentioned we can’t afford the tax cuts but can support a failed stimulus bill or two…or three.
Liberal Democrats (AKA - Moonbats) now prefer to call themselves “Progressives” a term grabbed from those Republicans of a 100 or so years ago who actually targeted the excesses of - you guessed it - Democrats! Well…the progressives still stand for lack of personal accountability and responsibility, big government as a cure all and the endless look for more revenues. In their world all businessmen are robber barons and anyone to their right is a bigoted reactionary in lock-step with the Tea Party.
The “Progressives” had a nice meeting at the National Mall in D.C. over the weekend and titled it “Power To The People.” IMO this was the usual collection of “activist,” “organizers,” and “union leaders” with one clear thread in common - they get their bucks from the taxpayer. Naturally it is a show of survival as the TP and most of America is on to this long running con game which has ultimately given us the former “community organizer” as president. Ah…just the thoughts of ACORN.
If somehow the Republicans managed to take control of the house will that mean the outgoing collection of moonbats will put forth a flurry of social engineering bills? I somehow think enough Blue Dog Democrats will prevent this.
Patrick has still refused to addresses his exact position of benefits for illegal immigrants.
Massachusetts will probably lose another member of Congress once the census figures are final. If we were really, really lucky we would lose all ten.
Charlie Barker (R-HMO) is just about tied with Deval “One and Out” Patrick in the race for governor. Tim Cahill is hanging around and Green Party or whatever they call themselves candidate - Jill “I’m an MD so I know everything” Stein - is at 4%. Deval is attempting to drift a bit further to the right on certain issues to feel he is more in tune with the general electorate. I’m still waiting for my property tax relief.
Tim Cahill (I- Long Gone) is now hanging on by a thread in the race for governor. His Lt. Governor candidate defected to the Republicans much like Cahill did from the Democratic party. His poll numbers are starting to approach those of Jill “I’m from Harvard so I know best “ Stein. Both will soon be passed by blanks.
Ken Burns is back at baseball with “The 10th Inning” that is a must for the fan and non fan. Lttle sappy but still a nice trip down memory lane.
Now we have the latest Tea Party babble coming from Senate Prez Murray who did the BB thing over the TP. The tired old song and dance about “nut jobs.” It seems the only criticism I read is the name calling. No one seems to mention anything about the base root of the movement which seems rather simplistic to me - fiscal sanity, immigration reform and leaner government are common themes. When you run scared the only thing you have is to take the low road.
The TP has put forth their collective complaints and have a rather rapt audience but they seem a wee bit short on substance. I’m just wondering what the master plan is for scaling down government or tax policy? From what I have been able to gather this is more of an emotional movement at this point rather than one with a solid platform. A lot of sound bites in their rhetoric. So I’d venture a guess that most of their positions will be weaved into the Republican Party platform in fine detail. Personally the less one says the better the chance of not doing a Kerry. Might be more advantageous to talk in slogans. With Obama I said he couldn’t be worse than the last guy but has managed to put that notion to rest. Could always happen again.
The famed Amish Mantel are now being advertised in the paper as winter nears. These are manufactured by the Chinese branch of the Amish community.
Comedian Stephen Colbert - a sidekick of Jon Stewart - recently appeared before Congress to give “testimony” on Immigration. Unfortunately he did this in character and I imagine that in the small minds of those who dreamed up this stunt that passes for legitimate testimony. Both of these well past their shelf life entertainers appear on “The Daily Show” a comedy take on news with a left wing slant. I have not watched the show in years simply because in became a flat joke after awhile. You could sense the punch lines. Think SNL. IMHO this was done significantly better by TW3 (That Was The Week That Was) many decades ago. Better writers, better performers and satire not mockery. I guess his appearance may be appropriate since the ultimate joke has been in office now for almost two years.
Marriages and down and records are being set for food stamp requests. Gaps between the rich and poor continue to escalate. Now rich is defined as that 20% making 100K or more a year of which the top 5% earn 180K or more per year. I guess that recession is over!
Southwest and Air Tran are now going to be one. As a frequent traveler both these carriers are high on my list to avoid. With Southwest I have rarely found their advertised fares available. I have flown them twice and on both occasions I felt I was in the Wal Mart of airlines. That the corporation is solid is beyond doubt and they do pay rather well but it is just not for me. Air Tran is the reincarnation of ValuJet that was involved in a horrific crash in the Everglades about 15 years ago. I have flown Air Tran several times since Houston - Hobby Airport is a key route and have found the level of service an abomination.
The Red Sox are officially dead but they did manage to hang on until the last week of the season. Even with inconsistent pitching and a sloppy defense a healthy team would be printing playoff tickets right now. It was there’s for the taking but just didn’t happen. It will be interesting to see if they sign Beltre (doubt it) and Martinez (50/50) and renegotiate a lower dollar deal for Ortiz. Papelbon has little trade value and I wonder if they just might not tender him an arbitration offer? They need some serious bullpen upgrades and I would love to see them get Brandon League from Seattle and sign potential free agent Dan Wheeler. Bard looks like he is capable of closing and the rest of the bullpen is unreliable and dispensable.
The “Stat Monkeys” are making a big push for a Cy Young Award for Felix Hernandez despite his 13-12 record for the worse team in baseball - Seattle. I don’t buy that total metrics argument. As the commercial goes “You play to win the game” and that is exactly what David Price, CC Sabathia and Jon Lester have done and done under the pressure of a race in the toughest division in baseball. I’d have “King Felix” third on my ballot.
BOS had a flag issue as it turns out they had a protocol violation for flying the flag under another symbol. Next week I will go to Texas where the state flag flies adjacent to the American flag since Texas was an independent nation when it entered the union. Vermont is the only other state to fall into that grouping.
Town Meeting time in Middleboro and this is “The purest form of special interest” one can find. I don’t recall any earth shaking warrant issues so you will not see the usual parade of groups interested in their own pet agenda. I remember back in the day when I placed value on this only to watch groups of teachers or firefighters or town employees vacant the TM after their issue was decided.
Off to Texas next week and to see how a real state operates. No comparison to Massachusetts. We lack well behind in the common sense and manners department. The really big cities like Houston and Dallas are the exception but the rest of the state is truly a fascinating place especially Hill Country. I’d have relocated there years ago but these decisions are two way and my wife - The Lovely Cynthia - changed her mind about relocating as in “I love the winter.” On this trip we shall spend some time in Austin which is the moonbat capital of Texas. Plenty of liberals - oops - “Progressives” in Austin. Been to the LBJ Library before and it is excellent but the ranch is a bore.
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