An editorial in today's Globe reminded me of something I forgot yesterday. I believe the Vermont legislature meets at most 2 months a year and perhaps only one month. They are not paid except for expenses--so if you live in Putney and travel to Burlington, you get mileage and hotel/motel expenses. It is decidedly not a full time job.
Our legislators on the other hand get salaries and then get extra money if they chair a committee or if they occupy leadership positions. Plus most of them have "outside" jobs. They meet forever except when they dont want to--which is right now through New Year's. They have left on the table important issues related to education, immigration, and healthcare. Plus a number of them have been indicted, one was a sexual predator(until forced out after being arrested), and another is currently in the papers for multiple dui's.
They are fools in a spat with a governor who they don't like very much. They have no shame and should be embarrassed. We should be embarrassed.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Turkey Lurkey
There will be some sports chatter later on but I will alert all of you non-fans.
1. Not much of a coincidence or a surprise--but all of a sudden Blue Cross, Harvard Health, and other insurors are putting on ads stressing quality, stressing their care for us, and generally making me want to puke. Must have something to do with the health care bill, huh.
2. I read a great (and brief) piece by Jeffrey Toobin in the recent New Yorker's Talk of the Town section. Discussing the inclusion of an abortion ban in the healthcare legislation. Basically, he argues that the Stupak (or is it stupid) amendment guts a woman's right to choose. Now I realize the saying that the perfect is frequently the enemy of the good. But I am firmly on Coakley's side on this one (By the way, she is one of the 4 candidates to replace Ted for those of you not from down here). She said that because of that amendment, she would not vote for the bill. I think she is right though I know there are 31 million people without insurance who would disagree. Maybe some of us believe the courts will get a hold of this and support Roe v. Wade once it gets into court. But thats a wing and a prayer. I dont care if she did it for politics--she at least stood for something that may not be so popular.
3. Read a great non fiction book by a Washington Post reporter whose last name is Finkel. Spent a year with a platoon in Baghdad. So scary and these guys were so young. After reading it, I am halfway convinced that the minute we leave, the country will explode into some sort of civil war. I gotta believe the hardest decision Barack has is related to troop levels in Afghanistan. I am guessing he will approve some more and some deadline--but will get killed by people on both sides of this.
4. I am very impressed by Orzagh of the OMB--so bright, so articulate, and so soft spoken. The article in the Times about him was wonderful. I have also seen him on the Charley Rose show. Quite likable and yet not pedantic or ideological.
SPORTS COMING UPs
5. Much hand wringing in these parts about both the Celtics and the Bruins. the Bruins lost both Lucic and Savard (both leaders) for over a month and will have to re group but will be ok. The Celtics are showing their age and have not figured out how to integrate the new players but will also be ok but will likely be seeded between 1 and 3--If they end up playing a young athletic team (like the Hawks), they could have trouble.
6. Still not sure about Belichiks decision last week and am half worried the Jets are just about to tie today's game.
7. I detest Rich Rodriquez, the Michigan football coach (I actually detest most college coaches). Michigan bought out his contract at West Virginia for at least a million bucks and he has been a disaster. I also hated Lloyd Carr the previous coach but he at least seemed like a respectable human being. Rodriguez needs to have a seat on the sidelines next to Charlie Weis.
Safe driving and good eating.
Sayonara
1. Not much of a coincidence or a surprise--but all of a sudden Blue Cross, Harvard Health, and other insurors are putting on ads stressing quality, stressing their care for us, and generally making me want to puke. Must have something to do with the health care bill, huh.
2. I read a great (and brief) piece by Jeffrey Toobin in the recent New Yorker's Talk of the Town section. Discussing the inclusion of an abortion ban in the healthcare legislation. Basically, he argues that the Stupak (or is it stupid) amendment guts a woman's right to choose. Now I realize the saying that the perfect is frequently the enemy of the good. But I am firmly on Coakley's side on this one (By the way, she is one of the 4 candidates to replace Ted for those of you not from down here). She said that because of that amendment, she would not vote for the bill. I think she is right though I know there are 31 million people without insurance who would disagree. Maybe some of us believe the courts will get a hold of this and support Roe v. Wade once it gets into court. But thats a wing and a prayer. I dont care if she did it for politics--she at least stood for something that may not be so popular.
3. Read a great non fiction book by a Washington Post reporter whose last name is Finkel. Spent a year with a platoon in Baghdad. So scary and these guys were so young. After reading it, I am halfway convinced that the minute we leave, the country will explode into some sort of civil war. I gotta believe the hardest decision Barack has is related to troop levels in Afghanistan. I am guessing he will approve some more and some deadline--but will get killed by people on both sides of this.
4. I am very impressed by Orzagh of the OMB--so bright, so articulate, and so soft spoken. The article in the Times about him was wonderful. I have also seen him on the Charley Rose show. Quite likable and yet not pedantic or ideological.
SPORTS COMING UPs
5. Much hand wringing in these parts about both the Celtics and the Bruins. the Bruins lost both Lucic and Savard (both leaders) for over a month and will have to re group but will be ok. The Celtics are showing their age and have not figured out how to integrate the new players but will also be ok but will likely be seeded between 1 and 3--If they end up playing a young athletic team (like the Hawks), they could have trouble.
6. Still not sure about Belichiks decision last week and am half worried the Jets are just about to tie today's game.
7. I detest Rich Rodriquez, the Michigan football coach (I actually detest most college coaches). Michigan bought out his contract at West Virginia for at least a million bucks and he has been a disaster. I also hated Lloyd Carr the previous coach but he at least seemed like a respectable human being. Rodriguez needs to have a seat on the sidelines next to Charlie Weis.
Safe driving and good eating.
Sayonara
Monday, November 9, 2009
I cant always rant when I want--(Stolen from Mr. Dylan)
WARNING: THERE IS SOME SPORTS TALK COMING UP
1. A reasonable amount of time has passed. I can now offer a few World Series items. My big worry in the last game was that Chase Utley would get to bat. He is very very good and I sensed that Mariano was tired. But he had just enough left to a void Utley--who does use a lot of hair gel by the way.
Ahhh--hindsight. I was not sure about Girardi pitching his pitchers on 3 days rest but it worked. Protecting Cliff Lee was a mistake. Martinez and the rest of the Philly starters were not good. I did believe the Yankees would get to Martinez. The Yankee lefties took Ryan Howard right out of all his key at bats.
Money does talk in baseball.
2. Mr. Brady and the boys won again and are looking very good. I figure they will lose either to Indy or Nawlins--but otherwise win the rest. I would take 12 and 4 right now. This is being done with virtually half of the defensive starters (including 3 of 4 defensive backs) being new.
3. I cringe every time Joe Lieberman opens his mouth. He is pathetic and hopefully that will get noticed in the Nutmeg state. Harry Reid is not much better. Talk about a vacuum of leadership. You don't think Ted Kennedy made a difference? I give Pelosi credit--she kicked some ass even if compromises were made.
4. It was a very weird weekend with each of the adult women in my life all on the road: BBB was in our nation's capital; JBB was in Liberia on her way to Israel; and ABB was in the Iron City.
5. Probably will vote for Khazei but definitely will not ever vote for Pagliucca or Capuano--Capuano is too arrogant and Pags should be penalized for showing himself in his ads with the Celtics as if he were playing point guard. I do like the idea of a woman.
6. Saw John Prine last Friday night--a survivor of throat cancer who is my age and can still sing. A wonderful evening and now we even have a "W" hotel right across from the Wang Center. Still does not make me feel like we are a match (or we even should be) for NYC.
7. Working our way through the DVD's of Madmen--cant say I love it (I dont) but the sets and the costumes are so right on.
Happy turkey day.
Sayonara.
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