Mika has been absent. So has Joe. They're probably in London advising Her Majesty and the Lord Mayor on event security and offering helpful hints on foreign and economic policy. But I don't know for sure.
Meanwhile, "Morning Joe" continues with the JV. Which led to something that had me nodding in approval a half-hour ago. Some of the early rising chatterers almost agreed that it doesn't make a whole Hell of a lot of difference* which statist we send to the White House in November. Because. like, we have a "structural problem" due to too few people working and too many scrambling for free tit. (No kidding? Well I will be damned. Why didn't I think of that?)
Then Chuck Schumer came on and ruined it by explaining that it's all the Tea Party's fault for retiring Richard Lugar.
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*Usual weasel-out about Supreme Court appointments and the importance of down-ticket races.
Aug 3, 2012
Aug 2, 2012
Joshua for president
Now here's a feel-good story for you. Joshua Smith is nine. He heard his hometown, Detroit, was broke. So he set up a lemonade and popcorn stand in front of his modest home. He dedicates the proceeds to the city, to pay down its debt.
I will not be cynical about Joshua. Good kid. Willing to work. Heart in the right place. Plus, undoubtedly, other virtues once associated with the idea of being American.
However, I'm a little concerned about the city he is trying to help. Detroit is, of course, ruled by grasping politicians who control a regulatory Stasi even Honecker would have been proud of. Unt dey haf ways. That's why Detroit is broke.
Who can doubt that someone with a badge is checking on this lad? Street vending license? Health department license? Zoning approval? Local EPA-like organization hazmat clearances? City, county, state, and federal tax ID number? Sales tax permit? Compliance with EOE dictates? Timely filed reports to OSHA?
Young men like Josh both irritate and frighten the Hacks of City Hall (and Congress etc.).
For one thing, they cringe at yet another shot of publicity calling attention to the results of their stupid and venal ways. Worse yet, they detest a demonstration that a nine-year-old boy knows more about the problems and their solutions than they do.
Of course there's one large structural problem with Joshua's plan. When he turns his profits over to the city he is, by definition, handing money to the politicians. They will piss it away. Or steal it.
I will not be cynical about Joshua. Good kid. Willing to work. Heart in the right place. Plus, undoubtedly, other virtues once associated with the idea of being American.
However, I'm a little concerned about the city he is trying to help. Detroit is, of course, ruled by grasping politicians who control a regulatory Stasi even Honecker would have been proud of. Unt dey haf ways. That's why Detroit is broke.
Who can doubt that someone with a badge is checking on this lad? Street vending license? Health department license? Zoning approval? Local EPA-like organization hazmat clearances? City, county, state, and federal tax ID number? Sales tax permit? Compliance with EOE dictates? Timely filed reports to OSHA?
Young men like Josh both irritate and frighten the Hacks of City Hall (and Congress etc.).
For one thing, they cringe at yet another shot of publicity calling attention to the results of their stupid and venal ways. Worse yet, they detest a demonstration that a nine-year-old boy knows more about the problems and their solutions than they do.
Of course there's one large structural problem with Joshua's plan. When he turns his profits over to the city he is, by definition, handing money to the politicians. They will piss it away. Or steal it.
Aug 1, 2012
MIserycom update
The technician appears and seems to operate at a higher level than his colleagues. After years of frequent outages, treated by Mediacom with new F conncectors, different modems, head shaking, incantations, and, I would bet, more than a little percussive maintenance, this man discovered a faulty linear amplifier serving the neighborhood.
Bless all the competent men and women everywhere.
EDIT: This post is withdrawn as of three days after being written.
Bless all the competent men and women everywhere.
EDIT: This post is withdrawn as of three days after being written.
Libertarian Oak
Life in Bucolia has its rewards.
At 7 a.m. I am watching New Dog Libby romp. Guy in a pickup, a professional tree man, pulls up and wonders if I'd care to own a big load of bucked burr oak. I said "sure" and asked where it was. "Down on Lake Shore Drive, but I'll bring it to you. Where ya want it dumped?"
"Aww, c'mon. I'll go get it."
"Naah. I'll bring it."
I smiled, said thanks, and pulled out a medium-sized Federal Reserve Cartoon. "Why don't you treat your crew to a few beers on me after work?"
"Nope. Glad to get rid of it." (Repeat dialog on the same theme for a couple-three more lines.)
The friendly tone, along with money offered and refused, is one example of genuine good will with which Ayn Rand seasons her lessons on free markets and rational self-interest. Others might just call it the KY Jelly of commerce.
The pictured result greeted me when I returned from cage-fighting Mediacom. There's more fuel than the picture represents, a full cord at least, value in FRCs $150 or more.
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Why libertarian? Because two men cooperated to their mutual advantage. I got firewood free, save for the labor of cutting and splitting. My pal saved the trouble and expense of hauling it a long way. Not even Elizabeth Warren could improve on that, though she would damned well try. Or at least report me to the IRS if I forget to declare it as in-kind income.
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