My friend Tony is at the end of his life. As I said, it is likely that his wheaton terrier will become part of the stable of pets.
Tony was pals with "Unka Chollie", my girlfriend's father's big brother. Charlie worked in publishing, and Tony did printing and typesetting. They knew each other for many years, but ironically they never met during their service to our country. After all, their war was the big one.
Several years ago I worked on an oral history project, and I was able to interview both men in that context. This work is ongoing, and as such it has yet to be published. Charlie passed away, but Tony is still kicking at 94. He outlived his wife.
The last time I saw him at his home, he had suffered a severe decline in his health. I was upset when he told me that his wife had visited, and that she had been packing a bag for him to go with her. He told me the same stories he always tells about selling, which got us back on track in terms of positive discourse.
He started muttering under his breath about a "paperweight." It always gave him good luck when he was selling, Tony said. He was digging around, and both the dog and I thought a treat was forthcoming.
What a surprise, I was presented with a hand grenade. This is authentic US Army issue ordinance, circa 1943. After the war, the bottom was drilled and all explosives were removed, but the original pin is intact.
I explained that I could never accept such an important artifact. Tony told me to shut the fuck up. He said, "I tell you what is what." He started selling during the Great Depression, filling a wheelbarrow with fruit and pushing it through the streets of South Philadelphia. I have to respect that fact.
This grenade was all he had one night. He was out of bullets and alone in the jungle. He held it tightly as he heard the enemy soldiers conversing. He never had to use the weapon, and he kept it until the day he gave it to me.
I could never ask for a better lucky token. My success going forward is now ensured.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
A toast to treason
Several acquaintances had suggested that we make a toast in observance of the anniversary of the repeal of prohibition. This was in the midst of, and in addition to, all of the holiday imbibing.
Ironically, the "nanny" state that afflicts Americans today originated during the Progressive Era, which spawned the dreaded 18th amendment. Just as the temperance movement had hoped to save our population from the ravages of demon rum, new ideologues inside the beltway claim to protect and serve.
At least matrons of the past century had the good sense to work with the system and to amend the Constitution. In our time, no such efforts were made. To protect us from the terrorists, our rights are abrogated.
Disregard for these unalienable rights is why acts of the Bush administration constituted treason.
Our society must prosecute those responsible to the fullest extent of the law. Now the United States Congress is complicit as well, by declining to take action against individuals who are nothing more than common criminals. Is the Rule of Law now "too much bother" during these uncertain times?
Isn't that what our elected representatives really said when they did not impeach W? We think of our pocketbooks before all else, which is proof positive that this is far from a great nation. As long as we can hold out some hope of economic recovery, it seems a name that will live in infamy is just reward for our tarnished former chief executive. This would be after a stint in rehab, of course.
I disagree. Treason is a capital offense. I have declined to raise my glass at this time. No one has done me any favors, and I have sought neither a pardon nor a bailout. What prosecution would you have had to endure, should you have transgressed in such a manner?
Ironically, the "nanny" state that afflicts Americans today originated during the Progressive Era, which spawned the dreaded 18th amendment. Just as the temperance movement had hoped to save our population from the ravages of demon rum, new ideologues inside the beltway claim to protect and serve.
At least matrons of the past century had the good sense to work with the system and to amend the Constitution. In our time, no such efforts were made. To protect us from the terrorists, our rights are abrogated.
Disregard for these unalienable rights is why acts of the Bush administration constituted treason.
Our society must prosecute those responsible to the fullest extent of the law. Now the United States Congress is complicit as well, by declining to take action against individuals who are nothing more than common criminals. Is the Rule of Law now "too much bother" during these uncertain times?
Isn't that what our elected representatives really said when they did not impeach W? We think of our pocketbooks before all else, which is proof positive that this is far from a great nation. As long as we can hold out some hope of economic recovery, it seems a name that will live in infamy is just reward for our tarnished former chief executive. This would be after a stint in rehab, of course.
I disagree. Treason is a capital offense. I have declined to raise my glass at this time. No one has done me any favors, and I have sought neither a pardon nor a bailout. What prosecution would you have had to endure, should you have transgressed in such a manner?
No relief in sight from Robot Calls
Since you and I have had some intelligent dialog about the legal ramifications of the TCPA, I have been meaning to write and to remind you that a new Federal statute finally kicked in.
What is new is the long awaited addition of automated opt out for robot calls. Although TM laws vary by state, this is national. Consumers should be able to press a button and never be called again by an automated system on behalf of a specified program or client. This is only relevant to calls without human to human interaction.
Of course, since I do not think that the TCPA is good, this addition is not particularly thrilling. In fact, may I suggest that this is just another example of how the law lags behind? From what I understand, you have always preferred the back door, so I thought you might be interested.
Jests aside, I am writing just to keep you up to date on what is for me a professional matter.
None of my current employers or clients is interested in automated calling, so this new statute has little relevance. As you have seen, I declined to participate in the most recent election mess, and I know that laws are very infrequently enforced at city hall. Going forward, I suspect politicians will be the only users of this obsolete approach anyway. We suppose that the delayed implementation of this new ability for consumers to opt out, under penalty of law, was tied to events in November.
I do not expect any relief from the constant ringing at any time soon, despite the statute. Best -D
What is new is the long awaited addition of automated opt out for robot calls. Although TM laws vary by state, this is national. Consumers should be able to press a button and never be called again by an automated system on behalf of a specified program or client. This is only relevant to calls without human to human interaction.
Of course, since I do not think that the TCPA is good, this addition is not particularly thrilling. In fact, may I suggest that this is just another example of how the law lags behind? From what I understand, you have always preferred the back door, so I thought you might be interested.
Jests aside, I am writing just to keep you up to date on what is for me a professional matter.
None of my current employers or clients is interested in automated calling, so this new statute has little relevance. As you have seen, I declined to participate in the most recent election mess, and I know that laws are very infrequently enforced at city hall. Going forward, I suspect politicians will be the only users of this obsolete approach anyway. We suppose that the delayed implementation of this new ability for consumers to opt out, under penalty of law, was tied to events in November.
I do not expect any relief from the constant ringing at any time soon, despite the statute. Best -D
A transvestite, bird vomit and the uber stimuli
I have often discussed the recovery of the watershed. You should be bemused to know that there are now three known nesting pairs of bald eagles in the Philadelphia urban environs. Recently, a few football fans were fined $1000 each for messing with a local nest in some sort of playoff fervor.
In terms of continued strange manifestations of success, I was recently sought out at a gathering because of my relationship with Polly, the largest bird of all. As you may recall, we were not certain that she could come here to be rescued. She fears men. However, it has been over a year since her landing and I can actually share raspberry newtons with her. This is if, and only if, I blow my fart whistle.
A gentleman approached me to introduce himself and he indicated that he has a similar situation that has come about due to a death in his family. Rather than take my approach, that of a giant plaything, he has decided to disguise himself. He described how he puts on a wig, makeup, a dress and heels. He feels certain that this is the optimal method of avian training, and states he derives great satisfaction in that he is reducing stress for his pet.
Indeed. No stranger to the panto tradition, I often indicate that Polly's behavior is due to her pining for the fjords. However, this bird is very much alive.
I had been eating at a buffet during this discourse. It turns out I was consuming treats intended for birds, not people. Could I please leave some food for the animals?
This networking is a group that we attend to support my main squeeze and her attempt at being a Realtor. A male eclectus sat on my shoulder. While I was chatting he was handing me bits of granola, which I enjoyed. Of course, this was from the same buffet, but I was spared scorn because the young bird was offering it to me after he had originally consumed it. I had no idea as I was crunching away, until people expressed their revulsion.
The uber stimuli, by the way, is the heavy handed and bloated response to the much maligned economic situation. How astute that the various powers that be have figured out that there may be a problem. Now the gaseous distention of a new bubble will begin, subsequent to this hasty mess. I hope to position myself on my own personal pustule.
It would appear that I am the only person in our family that may take advantage of this upcoming opportunity. Of course, this distorted boom will bust, but I will cross that bridge if I come to it. We would welcome a world where preserving ill gotten gains could become my personal challenge.
So I am clearing the decks and attempting to determine where I should squat for the great venting of this Federal cloaca. Since I love all things continental, I am especially pleased that the only certain outcome for us is that the Dollar will become the new Lira. Ciao!
In terms of continued strange manifestations of success, I was recently sought out at a gathering because of my relationship with Polly, the largest bird of all. As you may recall, we were not certain that she could come here to be rescued. She fears men. However, it has been over a year since her landing and I can actually share raspberry newtons with her. This is if, and only if, I blow my fart whistle.
A gentleman approached me to introduce himself and he indicated that he has a similar situation that has come about due to a death in his family. Rather than take my approach, that of a giant plaything, he has decided to disguise himself. He described how he puts on a wig, makeup, a dress and heels. He feels certain that this is the optimal method of avian training, and states he derives great satisfaction in that he is reducing stress for his pet.
Indeed. No stranger to the panto tradition, I often indicate that Polly's behavior is due to her pining for the fjords. However, this bird is very much alive.
I had been eating at a buffet during this discourse. It turns out I was consuming treats intended for birds, not people. Could I please leave some food for the animals?
This networking is a group that we attend to support my main squeeze and her attempt at being a Realtor. A male eclectus sat on my shoulder. While I was chatting he was handing me bits of granola, which I enjoyed. Of course, this was from the same buffet, but I was spared scorn because the young bird was offering it to me after he had originally consumed it. I had no idea as I was crunching away, until people expressed their revulsion.
The uber stimuli, by the way, is the heavy handed and bloated response to the much maligned economic situation. How astute that the various powers that be have figured out that there may be a problem. Now the gaseous distention of a new bubble will begin, subsequent to this hasty mess. I hope to position myself on my own personal pustule.
It would appear that I am the only person in our family that may take advantage of this upcoming opportunity. Of course, this distorted boom will bust, but I will cross that bridge if I come to it. We would welcome a world where preserving ill gotten gains could become my personal challenge.
So I am clearing the decks and attempting to determine where I should squat for the great venting of this Federal cloaca. Since I love all things continental, I am especially pleased that the only certain outcome for us is that the Dollar will become the new Lira. Ciao!
The *NEW* Valentine's Day Massacre
I recently was made aware of an editorial that was published in the Wall Street Journal on 14 Feb, 2008. E. Spitzer, then governor of New York and a former attorney general, was highly critical of the Bush administration. I have copied a portion of his writing below.
"The administration accomplished this feat through an obscure federal agency called the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). The OCC has been in existence since the Civil War. Its mission is to ensure the fiscal soundness of national banks. For 140 years, the OCC examined the books of national banks to make sure they were balanced, an important but uncontroversial function. But a few years ago, for the first time in its history, the OCC was used as a tool against consumers.
In 2003, during the height of the predatory lending crisis, the OCC invoked a clause from the 1863 National Bank Act to issue formal opinions preempting all state predatory lending laws, thereby rendering them inoperative. The OCC also promulgated new rules that prevented states from enforcing any of their own consumer protection laws against national banks. The federal government’s actions were so egregious and so unprecedented that all 50 state attorneys general, and all 50 state banking superintendents, actively fought the new rules.
But the unanimous opposition of the 50 states did not deter, or even slow, the Bush administration in its goal of protecting the banks. In fact, when my office opened an investigation of possible discrimination in mortgage lending by a number of banks, the OCC filed a federal lawsuit to stop the investigation."
This material was brought to my attention by a colleague that I have known since my college days. He joined the staff of that august institution during 2008. Be advised that there is now a team working to uncover possible links between the former administration and the subsequent scandal that resulted in Mr. Spitzer's abrupt departure from public service.
There are in fact substantive indications that the formula that had been deployed against Wilson and Plame may have had further use. I am wondering now if our current leadership will take action should yet another ethical breach come to light. The former governor shall not be blameless, however I feel that the politically motivated use of surveillance capabilities is deplorable.
As he said, our President wants to "focus on the future." I have almost always been in accord with this approach, as I am certain you must know about me. I admit, I now question this stance. Sometimes it may make sense to defer forward motion to undertake consolidation activity. We need to prosecute those who used torture and who flew our flag. Our society must remove this stain before progress can be initiated.
"The administration accomplished this feat through an obscure federal agency called the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC). The OCC has been in existence since the Civil War. Its mission is to ensure the fiscal soundness of national banks. For 140 years, the OCC examined the books of national banks to make sure they were balanced, an important but uncontroversial function. But a few years ago, for the first time in its history, the OCC was used as a tool against consumers.
In 2003, during the height of the predatory lending crisis, the OCC invoked a clause from the 1863 National Bank Act to issue formal opinions preempting all state predatory lending laws, thereby rendering them inoperative. The OCC also promulgated new rules that prevented states from enforcing any of their own consumer protection laws against national banks. The federal government’s actions were so egregious and so unprecedented that all 50 state attorneys general, and all 50 state banking superintendents, actively fought the new rules.
But the unanimous opposition of the 50 states did not deter, or even slow, the Bush administration in its goal of protecting the banks. In fact, when my office opened an investigation of possible discrimination in mortgage lending by a number of banks, the OCC filed a federal lawsuit to stop the investigation."
This material was brought to my attention by a colleague that I have known since my college days. He joined the staff of that august institution during 2008. Be advised that there is now a team working to uncover possible links between the former administration and the subsequent scandal that resulted in Mr. Spitzer's abrupt departure from public service.
There are in fact substantive indications that the formula that had been deployed against Wilson and Plame may have had further use. I am wondering now if our current leadership will take action should yet another ethical breach come to light. The former governor shall not be blameless, however I feel that the politically motivated use of surveillance capabilities is deplorable.
As he said, our President wants to "focus on the future." I have almost always been in accord with this approach, as I am certain you must know about me. I admit, I now question this stance. Sometimes it may make sense to defer forward motion to undertake consolidation activity. We need to prosecute those who used torture and who flew our flag. Our society must remove this stain before progress can be initiated.
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