June 9, 2005
The crux of the matter
“The more one considers the matter, the clearer it becomes that redistribution is in effect far less a redistribution of free income from the richer to the poorer, as we imagined, than a redistribution of power from the individual to the State.”
Douglas Has it Right
Jim's got it right. I wish he and his team could fashion a coherent policy and legislative strategy. Vermont is headed down a road to much higher taxes with little expectation that the economy can sustain them.
We risk Vermont becoming a 'museum' for tourists and the well-to-do.
"There is an unrealistic atmosphere here in Montpelier. Every day I am out and about in our state, listening to hundreds if not thousands of Vermonters. They cannot afford more taxes; they are taxed to death. They face higher utility bills and insurance premiums, business faces a huge regulatory burden and high workman’s compensation costs. We need to build a more cooperative environment. The payroll tax could make the difference in companies’ investing or not, relocating or not, coming to Vermont or not."The legislature acts like and thinks that they are just playing a parlor game. They are playing with Vermonters lives and livelihoods. Like physicians we have a duty to, first do no harm.’"
We risk Vermont becoming a 'museum' for tourists and the well-to-do.
"There is an unrealistic atmosphere here in Montpelier. Every day I am out and about in our state, listening to hundreds if not thousands of Vermonters. They cannot afford more taxes; they are taxed to death. They face higher utility bills and insurance premiums, business faces a huge regulatory burden and high workman’s compensation costs. We need to build a more cooperative environment. The payroll tax could make the difference in companies’ investing or not, relocating or not, coming to Vermont or not."The legislature acts like and thinks that they are just playing a parlor game. They are playing with Vermonters lives and livelihoods. Like physicians we have a duty to, first do no harm.’"
June 8, 2005
Dean fires up the base - on both sides | csmonitor.com
Ahhh! Howard is so true to form. His candid, staight-talking ways continue to get him in trouble. The Democrats deserve Dr. Dean. To bad he isn't what they need as leader of the DNC. What you see is what you get with him. There is very little varnish on Howard. The Republicans must love him where he is.
Keep talking, Governor, the media loves it. But when you piss off Joe Biden, that's a problem.
Oh, BTW Howard, what's your policy for health care reform?
Keep talking, Governor, the media loves it. But when you piss off Joe Biden, that's a problem.
Oh, BTW Howard, what's your policy for health care reform?
Father and Son Held in California Are Tied to Al Qaeda Camp - New York Times
Thankfully the authorities are finding some of these terrorists and arresting them. We must never forget 9/11.
June 7, 2005
Uncover Your Eyes - New York Times
Please, Nicholas, tell us why the United Nations can't or hasn't or won't solve this? Why is it that you believe the Americans must be the saviors? Where is the rest of the world? China? India? Russia? Egypt France?
PCWorld.com - Net Phone Zone: The 411 on 911
A decent summary of the state of affairs for E911 infrastructure access by VoIP providers. The FCC was right to put this burden on the providers of VoIP services. The author shows a bit of bias toward the small VoIP players:
The FCC requires the Baby Bells to grant 911 system access to direct landline competitors--companies such as Global Crossing or Level 3, for example--but does not require the Baby Bells to offer similar access to VoIP providers; nor does it put any limits on what they can charge for such access. So essentially, the FCC is making demands on the VoIP companies to get their E911 act together, but isn't giving them any assistance. Consequently, complying with the FCC's ruling is likely to be a huge financial undertaking for any VoIP company, and it's possible that some of the smaller providers will disappear--or services that are in development now may not see the light of day.
In the end this problem will be fixed as well it should. The next tough issue will be loss of phone service and E911 access when the power goes out. Consumers beware.
The FCC requires the Baby Bells to grant 911 system access to direct landline competitors--companies such as Global Crossing or Level 3, for example--but does not require the Baby Bells to offer similar access to VoIP providers; nor does it put any limits on what they can charge for such access. So essentially, the FCC is making demands on the VoIP companies to get their E911 act together, but isn't giving them any assistance. Consequently, complying with the FCC's ruling is likely to be a huge financial undertaking for any VoIP company, and it's possible that some of the smaller providers will disappear--or services that are in development now may not see the light of day.
In the end this problem will be fixed as well it should. The next tough issue will be loss of phone service and E911 access when the power goes out. Consumers beware.
Conservatives see liberal bias in class - and mobilize | csmonitor.com
School should be an environment where true learning is offered. Both sides of an issue should be presented and discussed without bias by impartial, mature teachers. Political indoctrination should not be a part of the curriculum. Nevertheless, our kids should learn about democracy and freedom and basic economics, in addition to the traditional subjects and languages while young. Schools should not be battlegrounds for bias, alternative lifestyles, liberalism or conservatism.
June 5, 2005
Cirque du Soleil
On Friday, I took the family to this superb performance in Montreal. Cirque du Soleil is circus at its best, the grandkids and adults enjoyed it immensely and we highly recommend the show to anyone . Well worth the cost! Parking was easy on the pier adjacent to that with the show tent opposite Place Jacques Cartier. Traffic was light.
Try it you'll like it!
"Corteo, which means "cortege" in Italian, is a joyous procession, a festive parade imagined by a clown. The show brings together the passion of the actor with the grace and power of the acrobat to plunge the audience into a theatrical world of fun, comedy and spontaneity situated in a mysterious space between heaven and earth. The clown pictures his own funeral taking place in a carnival atmosphere, watched over by quietly caring angels. Juxtaposing the large with the small, the ridiculous with the tragic and the magic of perfection with the charm of imperfection, the show highlights the strength and fragility of the clown, as well as his wisdom and kindness, to illustrate the portion of humanity that is within each of us. The music, by turns lyrical and playful, carries Corteo through a timeless celebration in which illusion teases reality."
Try it you'll like it!
"Corteo, which means "cortege" in Italian, is a joyous procession, a festive parade imagined by a clown. The show brings together the passion of the actor with the grace and power of the acrobat to plunge the audience into a theatrical world of fun, comedy and spontaneity situated in a mysterious space between heaven and earth. The clown pictures his own funeral taking place in a carnival atmosphere, watched over by quietly caring angels. Juxtaposing the large with the small, the ridiculous with the tragic and the magic of perfection with the charm of imperfection, the show highlights the strength and fragility of the clown, as well as his wisdom and kindness, to illustrate the portion of humanity that is within each of us. The music, by turns lyrical and playful, carries Corteo through a timeless celebration in which illusion teases reality."
Researchers Say Intelligence and Diseases May Be Linked in Ashkenazic Genes - New York Times
A fascinating finding that, if true, stirs all kinds of pots, the first being Political Correctness. The researchers are courageous to publish such a paper. The sparks will fly over this one.
BBC NEWS | Americas | Haiti police in deadly gang raids
How is a failed nation fixed? Is it possible to fix Haiti whose economy and social structure continues to disintegrate from an already terrible state? For a change, there are no colonial whites to blame for the failure, although it appears in years passed, the French may have had a role. The Haitians are doing it to themselves.
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