2023 archive
The (Corporate) Welfare State 0
At AL.com, John Archibald runs the numbers and concludes that Alabama is happy to pay welfare to rich corporations, but not to poor individuals.
I suspect you can find similar numbers for other states.
Afterthought:
Archibald doesn’t address this in his column, but it occurs to me that persons who can’t afford, say, for example, day care for their children and therefore have trouble finding jobs likely also cannot afford campaign contributions.
A Notion of Immigrants 0
Mike and Farron point out that the “crazy right’s” (to use their term) hate exacts a price.
Roast Zucchini 0
We tried this recipe recently and really like it, and it’s remarkably easy to prepare.
I suggest reducing the cooking temperature from 400 Fahrenheits to 390. The result is a bit more toothsome and a mite less limp. I also add basil and dill weed to the mix, because I quite like basil and dill weed. At some point, I’ll try some thyme and rosemary, but probably not sage. Methinks sage would be a bit strong.
H/T Susan for suggesting finding an alternative to sauteing the stuff, though zucchini sliced thin and sauteed with chopped onion, minced garlic, and herbs and spices to taste is also a treat.
“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” 0
There’s something almost poetic about this politeness.
Battle of the Tech Bros 0
Psychologist Mike Travers suggests that the pending (potential? possible? preposterous?) cage match between Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg “is a snapshot of our culture.”
Afterthought:
If he’s correct, we’re in far worst shape than I feared.
QOTD 0
Richard Briers, in the voice of Hector MacDonald, as he pours a drink:
This is a problem that requires two minds and a single malt.
Indictment Excitement 0
PoliticProf finds himself unswayed.
Lethal Legacy 0
Emma talks with historian Matthew Dallek about how the legacy of the John Birch Society lives on in today’s Republican Party.
Class Consciousness 0
At the Portland Press-Herald, Victoria Hugo-Vidal argues that have forgotten what the phrase, “working class,” means. Here’s one example she cites (emphasis added):
(snip)
But more important is Rep. Golden’s second sentence, implying that having worked for his family business puts him more in step with the working class. Here’s the important thing to remember: Working a job does not make you working-class. We’re talking about a multigenerational family business (a golf course, specifically) here. The profit that business generates goes to the family that owns the business. The owners dole out part of those profits to their employees in the form of salaries or wages. Those employees who do the labor are the working class. Not the owners.
Methinks the entire piece is worthy of your attention.
“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” 0
. . . and another oxymoronic “responsible gun owner” waves at another driver with politeness.
Break Time 0
Off to drink liberally.
Both Sides Don’t 0
Dick Polman finds news reporting that somehow pretends that we are in a time of politics as usual. A snippet (emphasis added):